My Thoughts Corner

When it comes to mascara, I can confess that I’m a snob. I never wanted to mess with drugstore ones. But that doesn’t mean I don’t try any; I actually test tons of them and today I’m having a comparison talk between the original Rimmel ScandalEyes Mascara and the Reloaded one.

Both mascaras are presented in the same exact packaging. I’m not gonna claim that it is cute because it’s not. They come in a chunky orange tube that’s pretty bulky. However since this is drugstore, where you have to let go the fancy packaging for a small price tag, then so be it. The wands are both bristly and HUGE, quite a bit, for my small eyes which makes maneuvering them a bit tricky and always ends up into a disaster.

Let’s talk performance! The original ScandalEyes mascara gives an average volume, average length and clumps easily due to its tick formula. It also not worth the hassle of applying it especially when it comes to the inner corner lashes.

The Reloaded Mascara from the other hand has a wet slick texture that’s not clumpy and although the big wand, it is gentle on the lashes, however I can’t say I noticed anything dramatic in my lashes even after 2 or 3 coasts. The best part though for this one; as it claims, it is smudge proof, lasts all day and removes easily.

The original Rimmel ScandalEyes Mascara is certainly a big pass for me nevertheless I can still use the Reloaded version especially if it’s teamed up with another one. But in general, these are not the mascaras I would reach for. If you were, like me, expecting a scandalous volume, as the name stats, you need to skip these ones, but if you were blessed with long natural lashes, you will certainly enjoy the Reloaded mascara.

Several times I mentioned in this blog that I’m not a lipstick person and I tend to stick to the exact same things over and over and the rest of my collection is simply never used. I then decided to start my own “Week in lipsticks” diary to document the shades I’ve been using in a week and it’s also a way of trying different products in my collection.

I’ll be frank, I wasn’t distant from my nudes and pinks but I managed to try and mix my lip products throughout this week. In fact, it’s such a great way to try more products and colors that I normally tend to neglect or forget. The past week was mainly spent at work and trying to get my blogging back into the routine.

Sunday
It is the first day of the week and at work and just like everybody I hate it. I normally go for something that’s very comfortable to wear, surprise surprise. For that reason, I picked the Essence long lasting lipstick in 05 Cool Nude which is a perfect brown pink shade for everyday, which I reviewed here. It is one the super creamy and lightweight lipsticks that I own and enjoy despite the “so not impressive” lasting power.

Monday
Another day at work; having a bit more energy than the day before, I went for the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 05. I was totally sold by this product from the first time I tried it. It’s a smart product that combines makeup and skincare. It’s one of the most comfortable formulas out there. It is intensely hydrating while being a gel formula without stickiness and has a lovely sweet vanilla scent. The finish is glossy with slight pigment making this whole combination complete the most natural look.

Tuesday
For Tuesday, I chose the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in 10 Don’t pink of it!, which I reviewed briefly here. It is a unique and interesting formula that doesn’t dry completely matte and is at the same time lightweight and creamy. The color is a perfect nude pink with an impressive pigmentation as well as the staying power. I probably should get more shades of this range. The color is the perfect nude pink.

Wednesday
I woke up feeling the need of being glowy that day, I wore the Mac Syrup Lustre Lipstick. It is a cloudy pink as MAC likes to describe it. It has certainly been well loved and I’m starting to run out of .. So sad. In fact, it’s a great everyday shade; being a duty pink with a hint of shine and glossiness. It’s another lipstick that’s hydrating and feels like nothing on the lips.

Thursday 
Thursday has been a tame day; getting in the weekend mode. I picked the Mac cremesheen Shangai Spice which is a new purchase that I had my eyes on for quite some time.  MAC describes it as frosted neutral pink shade. I would say, the shade is nude but bordering more peach color then pink. Frostiness, I’m not sure of this part. No doubt it’s a beautiful shade for daily basis that looks very natural with a gorgeous shine. The texture is also soft and very creamy.

Friday
Friday is usually a day at home after a long week at work. Who says home, says NO makeup however I can’t live without a lip balm and especially not in winter time. My one of choice for day wear is the Noviderm Soothing Repair Lipstick which I reviewed here. It’s such an effective lip balm; very hydrating with a light texture.

Saturday
Usually I’m running around on Saturdays in my 2^nd favorite outfit after my PJs; joggings and a hoody. I also like a very minimal makeup on this day, so I picked the Rimmel Nude By Kate in 43, reviewed here. It is such a beautiful shade; a pure nude with peach undertones that has a very soft and smooth texture. It is certainly the perfect lipstick for such relaxed days.

So there you have it, my lipsticks lowdown for the last week! That could be not the most exciting “Week in lipsticks” post as the shades are pretty similar but they’re my favorites.

Oh boy I’m so excited about this post and I have no clue how to start it …. As you must’ve guessed it from the title I’m naming today my favorite cheek products which are my all time favorites and what I own the most and that makes it very difficult for me to narrow down the list. My choices have changed quite a bit; I’m more into a matte bronzed definition mixed with a soft blush topped with a subtle highlighter. Does that make sense to you? Probably not… Keep on reading to figure out what goes inside my mind!!

I will cite the products in accordance of my order of application. Hence, let’s first enroll my bronzer list.

On daily basis, I don’t contour, I only use the same product to define and bronze. I’ll start with an iconic product that everybody loves; the Benefit Hoola Bronzer. It’s a classic that lasts all day and looks so natural on the skin offering a silky matte finish. It’s with no doubt my go-to bronzer.

Another universal one that I’m obsessed with is the Urban Decay Beached Bronzer. Having a creamy texture, it provides a gorgeous warmth to the skin with a fresh effect. I love it!

Many were attracted by the smell of this product; that’s like chocolate. Not my case. It is another matte bronzer but deeper in color. Yes! you guessed it; it’s the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer. It has a great  pigmentation and applies like dream taking the contour/bronze to a totally new level.

I love Me a GOOD Blush. In fact, 2 things I can never leave the house without; bronzer and blush. I don’t reach of the too many I own and that’s why I’ll certainly have to declutter this category. For now, let’s see the blushes I’ve been reaching for the most in 2016.

I have no idea how this first one got into my stash; The Rimmel London Lasting Finish Soft Colour Blush in 120 Pink Rose. That’s a long name. It’s with no doubt not the type of blush I used to go for nevertheless I’m very glad to have it. It’s a great day to day powders that’s soft in texture and provides the most natural and fresh pop to the cheeks.

Another everyday choice of mine is the Wet n WildColor Icon Blush in Rose Champagne, which creates the perfect flush. It’s a beautiful dusty rose color with a slight hint of shimmer. The texture is super velvely and the pigmentation is great without being powdery.  

Whenever we travel, I have to pick a Chanel Blush from the airport. Don’t know why. The Chanel Joues Contraste in 15 Orchid Rose is the last blush in the everyday section. It is a lovely pink with very light blue undertones that gives a beautiful glow finish.

For quite some time, I thought there is a huge hype around the Nars Orgasm Blush until I swatched it while in Paris at Sephora and couldn’t resist picking up the super-size. It’s a medium warm pink with golden shimmers that provides radiance and luminosity.

If I have to choose only one peach blush for the rest of my life, it would certainly  be the Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Malice. It’s very close to the Nars Orgasm but not. The shimmer in Malice is barely there but the color is a light still vibrant peachy pink.

My newest addiction is highlighters. Once more I will say that I don’t own many of these. I’m still sticking to the same old highlighter picks I posted last August with a new addition of the Makeup Revolution Shimmer Brick Radiant. I’m really obsessed with this highlighter! It is insanely pigmented and has a buttery texture that makes the application so easy. I love a good swirl of all the shades for a subtle golden glow.

Hello Beauties,

For the last couple of months I had the chance to try different products from different brands which some I never heard of and after testing them I wish I had known about sooner. Here is a list of 10 makeup brands, I tried and loved, that offer an amazing quality but won’t break the bank with no specific order and you can find them either in stores or online.

1. Makeup Revolution

I believe that Makeup Revolution is the fastest booming makeup company on earth. It doesn’t take too long for this brand to come up with new products. I just can’t seem to follow. Their main products are their eye shadow palettes which are the exact dupes of several high end ones. The color payoff is nevertheless incredible. Honestly I own many of their palettes and I can never seem to have enough. 

2. Wet’N’Wild

Known for their buttery and pigmented Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection, Wet’N’Wild is one of the great drugstore makeup brands in terms of price and quality. The MegaLast Lip Colors are one of my favorite lipsticks. The colors are simply incredible and the lasting power is just amazing. The Coverall foundation and primer are again one of “forever purchased”, and you can find my complete review about them here. And finally I cannot forget the Color Icon blushes, those are literally awesome and you guys definitely have to try them.

3. E.L.F

e.l.f is certainly one of the most known drugstore brands thanks to its inexpensive prices. The quality though of the products is outstanding.. Too good to be true?? Not with e.l.f as that’s exactly what you get. Their makeup brushes are very famous along with a huge list of items.

4. Essence

Known for its extremely cheap prices, Essence cosmetics is a European brand that provides high quality makeup products. My favorite products are: the eye shadow primer, the liquid and longlasting lipsticks and the lip liners.

5. Catrice

It is one of the newest brands I came to try. I own a lot of their concealers/highlighting pens and I’m so in love with their bronzers and blush artist shading palettes. The products are super soft and pigmented with a reasonable variety of colors. It’s definitely a brand to give a space in your collection.

6. Rimmel London

Let me say that I’m a huge lover of Rimmel London. It’s not only affordable but the qualtiy is outstanding just as good as most of high end brands. The Stay Matte pressed powder for instance is one of the most loved powders among the bloggers community. Their foundations, mascaras (reviewed here & here), lipsticks (reviewed here) and concealers (reviewed here) are no less quality.

7. NYX

This is a one goes hand in hand with many high end brands. NYX has a lot to offer not only reasonable pricing but also professional quality. I’ve been using a lot from their matte lip creams, HD concealers, brow powder, mascaras, blushes, contour palette … and I still have a lot more to try. It’s with no doubt one of my favorite drugstore brands. It is absolutely gorgeous!!

8.  Makeup Geek

Makeup Geek shadows are one of the best eye shadows out there. They are very pigmented, buttery with a very large variety of colors. The idea of choosing my own shades and putting them all together in one customized z palette is enjoyable.

9. L.A Girl

Their Pro concealers are one of the best concealers of all time which many celebrities swear by and they are super cheap.

10. Milani

Milani Cosmetics offers the most affordable brand with high quality products. The brand is unfortunately not available in UAE and doesn’t accept international payments.. I’ve read and heard tons of great stuff about their baked blushes and lipsticks. I managed though to get one baked blush in Fantastico Mauve and I’m dying to get my hands on the others. The only one I own is simply great in colour, quality and lasting power. I’m amazed.