Sigma Synthetic Kabuki kit (Sigmax brush line)

I bought this kit when Sigma Makeup had the 'Thanksgiving' promotion last year where worldwide shipping was free. Shipping costs outside of the US is expensive and one way to get what's on your wish list is to wait till promotions come by. It does pay off with a little patience! 

Sigma's Synthetic Kabuki Kit retails for USD$56.00 excluding shipping. This kit contains four brushes (F80, F82, F84 & F86) that enables one to achieve a flawless makeup application. The bristles are made of synthetic filament that absorbs less product than a natural bristle ones. The brushes are densely packed. 

You can buy this kit from Sigma's website (LINK). If you are in Europe, there are resellers who carry them on their online stores such as Love-makeup (LINK), GenieCosmetics (LINK) just to name a few. If you are a working makeup artist, make sure to apply for the industry discount so that you can enjoy a discount when you buy the brushes. 

left to right - F86, F84, F82 & F80

Flat Kabuki F80 - I like using this brush for foundation, face powder and concealer. Gives an airbrush look without much effort. In short, this is my all in one brush. 

Round Kabuki F82 - It is a rounded brush that applies product onto the contours of the face. I like using this to apply cream blushes. For me, this brush works the same way as the Flat Kabuki F80.

Angled Top Kabuki F84 - This brush applies cream or powder blush and contour well as the angle of the brush compliments the contours of the cheeks, hairline and jawline.

Tapered Kabuki F86 - Dome shaped brush that is great for applying cream, powder and liquid contour, highlight and even foundation.


Like
- It's a brush set that suits the needs of one who wants flawless face makeup.
- Love how the brushes don't soak up much product compared to the ones that are made of natural hair.
- Non of the brushes shed both when washed or applying makeup.
- The shape of the brushes do not distort after several washes.
- Affordable and good quality brushes.

Dislike
- I am not a huge fan of the F84 & F86 as they are too big for my face.
- The brushes do not dry as fast as I would like them to. They take about 1 whole day to dry.

Overall
My favorite brushes in this kit are the Flat Kabuki F80 and Round Kabuki F82. They are the ones I usually reach out for when applying my foundation, blush, contour and powder. Angled Top Kabuki F84 and Tapered Kabuki F86 are not suited for my face shape as they are on the larger side. I have a big/large face so to be honest I don't see how many can use these brushes without being light handed. However, I do use them when my other brushes are dirty.

If you ask me whether if this is a must have kit? My honest answer to that is NO. You just need the first two brushes as mentioned above for a full face makeup application.

Do you have this kit and what do you think? Has it helped with your makeup application?

Cyber teals with neutral lips makeup

This look was inspired by Estee Lauder's pure color cyber eyes line (LINK). The colour used are teals and browns. So pretty! Being a makeup addict, I had to create a look that was similar to it. Teal is a very beautiful color for brown skin beauties.

Inspiration pic (LINK)

Sneak peak at my belly, I am 27 weeks along!

Products used:

FACE
Revlon - Colorstay foundation in Toast
Mac - Moisture select concealer in Nc 44
Mac - Medium/Dark mineralize skin finish

EYES
Mac - Dipdown fluidline
Mac - Delft paint pot
Mac - Constructivist paintpot
Wet n Wild - Blue had me at hello palette (teal e/s)
Wet n Wild - Comfort zone (brown e/s)
Wet n Wild - Comfort zone (cream e/s)
Lakme - Blue glide on color eye pencil
Mac - Feline khol pencil
Mac - False lashes mascara in false black
No brand - Fake/false lashes

CHEEKS
Milani - Luminoso baked powder blush

LIPS
Nyx - Frappucino lipstick

Hope you are having a fabulous week! Thanks for coming by!

Max Factor smooth effect foundation in caramel 85

A good foundation is hard to come by. Especially if you are a woman of color! I am always in search for a good inexpensive foundation. While browsing around the cosmetics aisle of H&M here in Uppsala, came across the Max factor smooth effect foundation (LINK). Moreover they had a shade for darker skin tone ladies, caramel 85.

Max factor smooth effect foundation

Usually, I would read reviews before making a purchase. This time I did it in an impulse. Not too happy about that now. Read on to know why!

When I checked the color match in the store, it seemed like Caramel 85 was a pretty good match to my skin tone (NC44/45). This foundation is supposed to give a smooth base. It did apply smoothly without any streaking or patchiness.

As you can see from the above picture, the foundation looks smooth and blends in well with my skin (my hand). This did not translate well when applied on my face.

Left side of face

I have smooth, blemish-free skin on the left side of my face (see above pic). So you can see that the foundation did lay smoothly. However, it started to look slightly white (ashy) on my skin after a few minutes. Which  I am not too fond off. I did manage to balance it out with a face powder afterwards.

Right side of face

Now, this is my right side of the face where you can see that I have an angry pimple/zit emerging. So it is slightly red. Obviously, the foundation did not provide much coverage, even after two applications.

Like
- Smooth foundation to touch.
- Spreads smoothly onto face without much effort.
- Foundation is not in the expensive range (basing on UK pricing. In Sweden, it's expensive because of the taxes).

Dislike
- Was not the perfect match, but I can still pull this off with a slightly darker powder.
- Limited colour range, I think the darkest is caramel 85.
- Turned a little ashy.
- Oily t-zone started to show after 2 hours of application.

Overall
I think this foundation is great for someone who likes light or sheer coverage who has few skin imperfections. It did not feel heavy or cakey. The consistency felt more like a tinted moisturizer. Perhaps the next time I will use my MUFE All matt primer before applying this foundation.


Have you guys tried this foundation? What are your thoughts?

Elle 18 Kajal liner - inexpensive & it works

If you have watched one of my recent haul videos on Youtube, I mentioned and showed Elle 18 kajal liner and many asked where I got it from & whether it was good. Well, I have tried it several times and it is a good kajal liner. I own many kajal liners from various brands and have always been very disappointed with them as they never seem to stay well on my (watery) eyes and they smudge like crazy. Some even irritate my eyes (I do have sensitive eyes!).

This kajal is a keeper! It costed me SGD$2.50 only. I bought it in Singapore, Little India Jothistore. Many local indians should be familiar with this store. However, for my international readers, you can buy this kajal from this site, Mall Coimbatore (<= click here for link). It retails for USD$3.95 including worldwide shipping. Seems like a good deal.

It glided on my waterline very easily. The consistency is smooth and the pigmentation is really good. As you can see for yourself in the pic (below), it is very black and that's the way I like my kajals!

I did put it to test in Singapore (hot & ver humid climate) several times. It worked well for about 5 good hours but started to fade after that. However, it did not smudge at all! Usually, most of my eyeliners smudge within an hour after application if I wear them alone without setting them with an eyeshadow. I have worn it in Sweden (cold and dry winter time) too, it seems to last much longer than 6 hours.  

It was very easy to remove the liner and it does not leave any dark residue afterwards like some kajals tend to.

My overall view :

Likes

- Very pigmented.

- Did not smudge even in hot and humid Singapore. 

- Glides on the waterline without much effort.

- Inexpensive product that works.

- Did not irritate eyes.

- Contains almond oil which is known to be good for the eyes.

- Easy to remove with a makeup remover.

Dislikes

- Nothing at the moment!

Could improve

- If it was in a pencil form that would be much more convenient for those who are used to using pencil liners.

- If only it came in more colors.

Now, I can finally say, 'I spent my $2.50 well!'

If you have missed my Singapore haul videos, here are the links!

Thanks for coming by lovelies!

Winged liner with matte red lips (Great for tired and small eyes)

This makeup look makes tired and small eyes look big and awake. A very versatile look that can be amped up with colored liners and change of lip colors. I think this is going to be my go-to look for the next couple of months! Easy and no fuss makeup!

Products used are:-

FACE
Revlon - Photo ready foundation in caramel (foundation)
Graftobian - Hi-Def glamour creme in desert sand (concealer)

EYES
Mac - Sublime nature paint
Mac - Naked pigment
Mac - Dipdown fluidline (eyebrow)
Mac - Deep dark mineralized skinfinish
Sleek - Medium face contour kit (darker color for more depth to the crease)
Inglot - #77 matter gel liner in black
Lakme - Eyeshadow Quart in moondust (matte black)
Mac - False lashes mascara in false black
No brand - False lashes

CHEEKS
MUFE - HD blusher in #2

LIPS
Mac - Russian red lipstick

I hope you like this makeup look and give it a try yourself! I hope 2012 is good so far for all of you!

Skincare routine plus beauty tips (Singapore & Sweden friendly)

Many have asked how I maintain my skin so I recorded my skincare routine. I use products that are suitable for both Singapore and Swedish climate/weather. Singapore being a hot & humid climate, I usually go for products that are water based as it will not make my skin look too oily. When in Sweden, I have to use products that are slightly richer and moisturizing as it is quite dry here even during summer. Winter is a whole different story as my skin goes into a dry spell dying for moisture and nourishment. Oils seems to work well. I must say that maintaining good skin begins from the inside. Drinking plenty of water, exercising, eating healthy and feeling happy are very crucial in ones life and skin. No beauty product in the world can help if one neglects good health and well being.

Here are the products I use for my face.

Cleanser

THEFACESHOP - Aloe Herb care cleansing foam 

Toner

I don't use toner anymore as I feel that it has not done much for my skin. 

Eye cream

Eucerin - AQUAporin active eye cream (great for Singapore weather, not sufficient mositure for winter) 

Akamuti - Evening primerose day cream (great for Swedish winter, used with a light touch around the eyes)

Akamuti - Replenishing rose face cream (great for Swedish winter, used with a light touch around the eyes)

Boots No.7 - Protect & Perfect eye cream (works well for Singapore & Swedish summer, not my favorite product)

Moisturizer

Akamuti - Evening primerose day cream (great for Swedish winter)

Akamuti - Replenishing rose face cream (great for Swedish winter)

Eucerin - DemoPURIFER hydrating care for oily and blemish prone skin (great for Singapore and Swedish summer)

LA ROCHE POSAY - Hydraphase Intense Rich moisturizer (great for Singapore and Swedish summer)

Face mask

Divyaa - Young look face mask powder (available in Singapore, can't seem to find other stores that sell online)

Makeup remover

Neutrogena - Deep Clean cleansing oil (seems like this product is only available in asia, this does a pretty decent job at removing makeup, even waterproof makeup)

I have also included some beauty tips so be sure to watch my video.

Youtube Video

Hope this helps, thanks for coming by.

:)

Happy New Year and Thank you!

‎2011 is coming to end real soon. I will be counting down at the airport as I am going back home after my one month stay in Singapore. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you, blogger friends, for all your wonderful support. Every comment, encouragement that I have received from you meant a lot to me. It encourages me even more to contribute to this community in the ways that I can. 

I want to wish all of you a wonderful New Year and a blessed 2012. May the next year be even better than this year! I know 2012 is going to be a fabulous for me and my husband as we are expecting our little bundle of joy in April. 

New life, new beginning. I hope you will all join me in this wonderful journey...

With much love,

Uma Preve

Cheap brush cleaner from Daiso

I am always on the look out for good yet cheap products that work just as good as expensive ones. I think this time I found one that really works.

It costed me SGD$2.00 only. This is a detergent for makeup puff and sponge from Daiso. Even though it says it's for sponges and puffs, I have used it for natural and synthetic hair bristled makeup brushes. It works beautifully! Makes my brushes squeaky clean, just the way I like it!

Daiso is Japanese owned franchise where most of the products are low priced. In Singapore, all items are priced at SGD$2.00. Loads of fun things that you can't find in a regular departmental stores. I am sure Daiso is available in the USA as well. Just google it!

Link: http://www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp/english/products/index.html

Previously, I was using shampoo to deep clean my brushes. The reason why I did that is because the brushes I mostly use are made of animal haired bristles so it only made sense for me to use shampoo as I would to my own hair. Many of my brushes have lasted me for a really long time. I have brushes that are 9 years old. Yes, I have really old brushes that look just as good as new ones. Moral if the story, if you take good care of the brushes, they will last for a long time (I mean really long!).

How to use the detergent : Place a drop or two on a dish or your palm. Lather up with the dirty brushes using swirly motions and rinse off in luke warm water. Place the brush on a flat surface to dry overnight or for a couple of hours.

Here you can see the how clean the brushes are after using the Daiso detergent to wash them with.

MAC 217 (Animal hair bristle)

Sigma F80 flat top kabuki (synthetic bristle) 

I like how my Sigma F80 brush is clean and the white bristles can be seen. Previously, I was not able to clean this brush well even with mild dish washing liquid and shampoo. Finally found a product that works.

I hope to get a couple of back ups before I leave for Sweden soon. 

I hope you found this post useful and perhaps try the brush cleaner for cleaning your brushes, sponges and puffs.

Hope you all are having a great week.

Simple sweetheart makeup (using 88 neutral palette)

Viewers request for a simple neutral look using 88 warm palette. I bought mine from Ebay a while back. The warm palette includes loads of neutral shades, great for those who don't like too much color. It has matte and shimmer textures to the shadows to choose from.

It's Christmas time and I am pretty busy but I really wanted to squeeze in some makeup looks for my lovelies. I hope you like it. 

Products used are

EYES

Mac - Dipdown fluidline (eyebrows)

Urban decay - Primer potion

Mac - Constructivist paintpot

88 Palette - Reddish brown e/s

88 Palette - Peachy shade e/s

88 Palette - Neutral highlight e/s

88 Palette - Dark brown e/s

Urban decay - Perversion liquid liner

Loreal - Double extension mascara in black

CHEEKS

La femme - Mocha blush

LIPS

Mac - Speak louder lipstick

Mac - Straight to head lipgelee

Video Tutorial

Wishing all of you lovelies a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

May this day be a blessed one!

:)

Vampy dramatic glittery party makeup (suitable for Christmas or NYE party)

Whenever it's the festive season, I usually gravitate towards dark smokey eyes and glitter. Just love the combination of the darkness and the sparkles. So here is a look, I came up with that would be suitable for a Christmas party or even New year's eve party. I made sure that I used minimum products so that many of my lovely viewers can recreate it using whatever they have in their makeup kit/stash. 

Makeup does not have to be complicated!

Please excuse the lighting as I am not at home where I have a home studio/makeup room with proper lighting. Did the best I can with what I had at hand. I hope you like it. 

Products used are:-

EYES

Mac - Dipdown fluidline (eyebrows)

Elle - Kajal khol

Mac - Blacktrack fluidline

Kryolan - Dark blue e/s

Mac - Naked pigment

Barry M - #21 fine glitter

Ebay - no brand false lashes

Mac - False lashes mascara in false black

CHEEKS

La Femme - Amber blush

LIPS

Mac - Vino lipliner

Mac - Rebel lipstick

Video Tutorial

Thanks for coming by!