Sunscreen is the one step that I never forget in the mornings. It's incredibly important to me as I am particularly fair and tend to redden and burn easily. Besides offering protection from cancer and sunburn, sunscreen's UV blockage ability also helps to slow down ageing. I live in Australia (hello super strong UV) and spend A LOT of time driving, so naturally I gravitate towards a higher SPF and broad spectrum cover sunscreens. Keep in mind that a higher SPF doesn't mean that the sunscreen lasts longer, it's just a measure of how much UV is filtered e.g. SPF15 filters 93% while SPF30 filters out 97%. Don't forget to get sunscreen that covers both UV-A and UV-B !! So getting back to the review, I basically bought this sunscreen cause I was running out of my previous one and wanted to try something new.

Cost - I bought 2 for ~12AUD cause they were having a buy 1 get 1 free promotion cause I just can't resist.

Packaging

The packaging is super simple but functional. It's not super pretty, and the gradient yellow tube does look a little dated. However, the squeeze tube packaging is hygienic, durable and extremely travel friendly. The cap is twisted off easily and you can very precisely control the amount of product you need.

Formula

The sunscreen claims to be 'natural sun care derived from more than 60% natural ingredients', and is also waterproof which is a great bonus. Here is a list for all those who are interested. No comedogenic ingredients are used and there is an extensive list of natural extracts and oils as well. I also love the fact that it's broad spectrum and high SPF.

However, the texture of the sunscreen itself is somewhat thicker than I expected and it has a strong 'sunscreen smell' as well. I usually rub the cream between my palms and press it thoroughly all over my face, because it'd probably take a lot of sunscreen to get it all over my face via conventional spreading. I also wouldn't suggest flash photography after putting this product on as it will probably showcase a lovely ghost complexion.

Final Thoughts

It's a sunscreen, and that's basically it. A little expensive too, but I guess you do get better ingredients packed into it than the supermarket varieties. My expectations for Korean sunscreen is also particularly high because the market is so saturated and there are so many innovative products out there, so this sunscreen is a little lacklustre.

Rating - 5/10
Repurchase - No

Thanks for reading !!

[SWATCH] Pony Effect Nail Lacquer: Sea Salt

I'm sure that if you're familiar with Asian beauty, you would know who Pony is. She's one of the most famous Korean make-up artists and has released her own line of products including several gorgeously packaged nail polishes. I jumped at the chance to get my hands on some and Sea Salt was one that I picked up. The packaging of her polishes are AMAZING. The bottle is a hefty, smooth glass bottle with a rose-gold cap, housed in individual rose-gold boxes (that is shiny enough to almost be a mirror). Read on to find out if it's just as beautiful inside as it is outside!

Cost - RRP AUD$7-8

ALL PHOTOS HAVE:

• Innisfree Eco Base Coat
• Pony Effect Nail Lacquer - 3 coats of Sea Salt
• Poshe Super-Fast Drying Top Coat - 3 coats

Application

First of all, the brush is nice and flexible, giving you good control as you paint. It's probably similar to an Essie brush and fans out easily during application. But that is where the good part ends ... the formula on this one is a little bit of a disaster. The first coat goes on like a streaky, patchy mess, especially if you apply thin coats (which is what I tend to do). I applied the second coat a little thicker with a very light touch (the brush was barely touching the surface of my nail) and the coverage was better. However, it doesn't self level very well, so I had to apply everything as evenly as I could. I had to top everything off with a third coat because on some nails, the second coat wasn't quite even enough.

The last challenge was the top coat. This nail polish absolutely REFUSED to work with my top coat. I had to apply multiple layers of top coat because the polish kept shrinking around the sides, which never happens with any other polish that I have tried with my current top coat. Thus my cuticles in all the photos look like a war zone despite all my cleaning up efforts.

Colour + Finish

Sea Salt is a beautiful bright green leaning blue creme. It's like a Tiffany blue colour with a tad more green in it (I'm not sure your monitor would pick that up though). It is such a pretty colour and ALMOST worth the disastrous application, but it is definitely not unique. I'd probably recommend picking up China Glaze's For Audrey over this one, not just because of the better formulation, but due to the fact that Pony's nail polishes are a little more difficult to get your hands on outside of Korea. Otherwise, this colour would suit most skin tones and would be a nice change from your usual pinks and beiges without being too obnoxious.

Longevity + Removal

Most polish tends to last about a week on me with some minor tip wear. My mani started looking quite ugly 24 hours after application because the nail polish shrank a little more around the edges. Removal was like any other creme polish: fast and easy.

Rating: 5/10

Thank you for reading !

[REVIEW] Missha The Style: Beautiful Tint in Moisture Red

Give your lips both moisture and color with this Beautiful Tint Gloss.
The soft brush tip makes it easy to apply.
The ingredient, Xylitol, gives your lips a cool and refreshing feeling. (misshaus.com)

I can never say no to a good tint. I had actually picked up the pink one in the series years and years ago. I really liked the way the tint applied, so it was only natural for me to pick up the red and orange (which I will probably do a review about later on) versions. I tend to like using a lip product for a while before trying another one so I can form a stronger opinion about it, but obviously this means that I have a whole host of untried products (opened products also makes my germophobe side squirm). So I eventually got around to using this one after I lost my Etude House Cherry Tint, which was a similar if not dead-on dupe for this shade.

Cost - I bought mine in Korea for less than AUD10

Packaging

Korean packaging is KING OF ALL THE PACKAGING. This tint comes in a self-explanatory cardboard box that's chic and semi-reflective. The actual tint tube doesn't make you want to display it alongside your expensive alcohol, but it's sleek and functional. It's plastic and shiny - the cap is silver and the body reflects the colour inside the tube. The top twists open (has never come loose in my bag) and reveals a wand with a BRUSH applicator. It's thin, flexible and it makes my life easier.

Application & Formula

It's a BRUSH !! This flimsy-looking, unassuming applicator is absolutely fabulous. It allows for extremely precise application, which is great as this tint stains very easily (and you don't want it in the wrong places). It sets fairly quickly, so application must be rapid, but that is fairly easy to get used to. It definitely also has a cooling effect on the lips, not unlike mint formulations. I don't mind it, but it may be a bit of a turn off for some. Intensity can also be built up from a sheer wash of colour to a full on pink-red. You can pile on layers and this will still feel incredibly lightweight. I suggest a lip-scrub for those with dry lips and this isn't a super moisturising product but it doesn't make the lips feel like a desert. I get by without having to prep my lips beforehand, which is great as I don't have a lot of time to spend on making my face.

The colour fades throughout the day, especially with eating and drinking. Depending on how oily your food is, it may leave a nice stain behind.

The only complaint I have with this is that the formula is a little thin, so if you don't apply/spread it properly then you might get a patchy lip. Just gotta be quick or pile it on until its no longer patchy.

Colour

The colour itself is not a true red, but what I usually dub the 'Korean Red' which is basically a cool pink-leaning-red tone. Under certain lightings, it can almost pass as a hot pink. It's definitely a flattering colour that suits most skin types. It has the teeth-whitening and face-brightening effect, making you look effortlessly polished even with a simple eye look.

Final Thoughts

This tint certainly does it's job, and does it well. I have not tried the orange one yet, but this one is miles and miles ahead of the pink version in terms of pigmentation. Keep in mind that this isn't a true classic red, so if that's what you're looking for then I suggest that you skip this. Otherwise this is a great product and is my current everyday go to lip product.

Rating - 8/10
Repurchase - Yes

Thanks for reading !!

[REVIEW] Violet Voss "Holy Grail" Palette

Really sleek packaging! Comes with a full sized mirror

How gorgeous is "Cranberry Splash"?! "Wine N Dine" is a lovely deep burgundy also

It's really no wonder this is a social media fave 

What Violet Voss say:
“Violet Voss Cosmetics is proud to present 20 highly pigmented eye shadows in a variety of must have finishes. Our PRO eye shadows are made with the highest quality ingredients and formulated to allow for smooth blending.  The perfect go-to for any occasion to create your flawless sexy look.“

That feel when your eyeshadow and lips match... (Wearing Freshlook One-Day in Blue!)

•••

I don’t usually wear any eyeshadow on a day to day basis, but when I am feeling particularly adventurous or looking for that extra glam on the eyes there is no other palette I reach for other than Violet Voss’ “Holy Grail” palette. The colours in this palette all range towards the brown based/ reddish side of the spectrum and I feel that they work extremely well with Asian skin tones. The shadows are extremely pigmented and you really don’t need very much for a statement look. 

The colours I tend to go towards for a “normal” look are : Cool Beans, Teddy Bear and Brownie points 

but I especially love the shimmery burgundies and red shadows! Cranberry splash was the colour that made me say “You need this palette” in the first place and “On fleek” really is pretty on fleek. Those two are the ones I’m wearing in the above photo.

All in all, getting the Holy Grail will take a pretty big chunk out of your wallet, and it hurts just that little extra living in Australia when the shipping fee is even more expensive than the actual product but I’ve had no regrets. There are 20 decently sized colours in the palette, so if you calculate- it’s around $6 for a colour which is pretty okay in my opinion, especially for these gorgeous shades!

If you have the cash to spare, I would definitely recommend. But if you don’t, it’s not worth breaking the bank for :) Not a “must” have” but definitely a “nice to have”.

•••

Pigmentation : 10/10

Fall Out: 9/10 

Lasting power: 8/10 

Value: 8/10 

Packaging: 10/10 

Rating:  9/10 

Would buy again? One palette is enough for me! Colours are so pigmented they will last forever :)

$120 incl. Shipping to Aus 

[SWATCH] Butter London: Bluey

I saw a photo of this bottle somewhere and decided that I needed to own this beautiful, shimmery, bewitching blue polish. Butter London has always impressed me with their products, especially the shimmers and glitters and so I did not think twice before snapping this one up. It also doesn't help that I'm a sucker for anything blue and shiny.

Cost - RRP AUD$19.95

ALL PHOTOS HAVE:

• Innisfree Eco Base Coat
• Butter London Bluey - 3 coats
• 3CE Nail Lacquer Top Coat

Application

Butter London's brush is thin and flexible, allowing fairly precise application without too much fuss. This polish's brush did not seem to pick up enough product to cover my nail in one go, so I found that the best way to apply the colour smoothly was to not wipe off any excess as I would normally.

In terms of application, it is a disappointingly sheer polish, so I suggest layering it over a similar shade of blue or white/black. It's very sheer and patchy with the first coat, so I ended up with 3 layers of polish and slight VNL (more noticeable in real life).

Colour & Finish

I'll say now that the photos are kinda deceiving. It shows the polish as being super gorgeous and multi-dimensional, but in real life it's not as sensational. In the bottle, there are shimmery green flecks mixed in with the blue, which almost disappear during application (unless you step into direct sunlight). So it looks more flat on the nail than what it looks like in the bottle. I definitely suggest top coat to bring out all the shine you can get.

Criticisms aside, this is a nice blue if you don't compare it to what the bottle projects. It's dark but wearable and suitable for many skin types. I wouldn't pin this one to be an office-safe colour as it is quite bright and bold.

Longevity & Removal

Nail polish lasts a decent amount of time on me, and of course none of the Butter London polishes have been a disappointment. Removal wasn't stain-free though, there was a slight blue tinge left over on my nails/fingers so I suggest being careful when scrubbing off the polish.

Rating: 6/10

Thank you for reading !