ELF complexion brush vs. MAC 134

I got a few questions asking if the ELF complexion brush was similar to MAC 134. While the general shape is similar, the MAC brush is way more fluffier and is wider. Nevertheless, the ELF brush is quite soft, and can be used to apply loose powder on the face quite effectively. But I have been spoiled rotten by the MAC brush - it's so luxuriousness :) Since it's so expensive, I will be carrying my ELF one when I travel..

Hope this helps!





Top: ELF Complexion Brush, Bottom MAC 134

E.L.F Haul, Part 2

Finally here are the closeups of the ELF Studio brushes. They retail for $3 each!!

Top to bottom: concealer brush, angled foundation brush, eyeshadow 'C' brush



Closeups of the brush heads: (left to right) eyeshadow 'C' brush, angled foundation brush, concealer brush



Top to bottom: Contour Brush, Small Smudge Brush, Small Angled Brush, Small Precision Brush


closeups of the brush heads: (left to right) Small Precision Brush, Small Smudge Brush, Small Angled Brush, Contour Brush


Comparing: Small Smudge Brush (left) vs. Small Precision Brush (right)



Top to bottom: Powder, blush, complexion


closeups of complexion, blush and powder brushes

E.L.F Haul, Part 1

Work is crazy busy, but I did not want you all to wait forever so here is Part 1 of the close up pics. In this post I will be reviewing the products. In Part 2, I will review the brushes.

[1] Makeup Artist Belt: I dont know why I bought this, since I am clearly not a makeup artist. Perhaps my inner child wanted to play "pretend MUA"..lol..anyhoo, the belt is made surprisingly well. The material is thinner than the MAC belt. The belt holds almost 30-35 brushes. One of these days I will fill it up and take some more pictures.



[2] Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder: This duo is touted as the dupe of NARS Oragasm/Laguna duo. I have both of these shades, so in the coming weeks I will compare the ELF one with NARS and let you know what I think.




[3] Eyebrow Kit (in Dark): This shade is perfect for my skintone. I usually use the NYC brow duo, but I LOVE the fact that the wax is also pigmented!! See my post on how I shape my brows if interested.




[4] Complexion Perfection: This is the worst product in this post. Completely skipabble. It leaves a whitish cast on my face:(



[5] Warm Bronzer: This product is lovely!!! It gives my face a warm glow, its not quite a bronzer on me. I was in a hurry so I used the left bottom yellow color as an eyeshadow wash and it really "woke" my eyes up!

My E.L.F. Haul!!

Recently E.L.F. cosmetics had posted a 75% off coupon code for their Studio line. I bought a bunch of items. Here are some pics. I have not had a chance to play with the makeup yet, but I am BLOWN away by the quality of the brushes.

I will be posting close ups of the brushes and the products soon. Stay tuned!!

My order was:








84005 - Angled Foundation Brush
84011 - Blush Brush
83601 - blushed/bronzed
84002 - Complexion Brush
83801 - Complexion Perfection
84007 - Concealer Brush
84006 - Contour Brush
1605 - Cuticle Pen
81303 - dark
84008 - Eyeshadow "C" Brush
81503 - glow/medium
85001 - Makeup Artist Brush Belt
85008 - Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloth
85006 - Mini Eyelash Curler
81701 - natural
84003 - Powder Brush
84010 - Small Angled Brush
84009 - Small Precision Brush
84001 - Small Smudge Brush
83701 - Warm Bronzer

NOTD (Nails of the Day) - Zoya Felicity

Its a lovely pale pink shade, but I had to apply 5 coats to get a decent coverage. It has subtle shimmer, but its certainly "work-friendly". I would not repurchase it since it was not as opaque as I had hoped for.

Bronzy teal look

Items used

• MAC Rubenesque paint post as base
• Scott Barnes loose eyeshadow in Serpentine on lid (use it foiled)
• MAC Follie in crease
• MAC Teal pigment used wet on waterline (over VLCC black kohl)
  
• MAC Plumage eyeshadow to set and smudge the Teal pigment
  

Coppery Brown Look

Items used:

• Base MAC Layin Low Paint pot
• Lid inner 1/3rd - MAC Pink Bronze pigment, 2/3rd - MAC Royal Flush pigment
• Crease - MAC Saddle, define with MAC Follie and Embark
• Line waterline and upper lashline with Bobbi Brown Lonwear gel liner in Black

NOTD - Zoya Malia

Nails of the day - Zoya Malia. It is a cream formula. No shimmer, or glitter at all. It's beautiful on tanned skintones.

My Zoya NailPolish Haul

Here is what I got...what are your favs? I am totally digging Malia the most!!


L-R = Lulu, Felicity, Cassi, Amanda



L-R = Trixie, Harley, Pasha, Malia

My everyday face

Work is getting really busy so I have created an everyday routine for myself to cut down the time required to "put my face" on every morning:) Here are the steps that I follow. I have added pictures and links to where you can buy them as well. I really hope this helps!

Step 1: Apply Vit. C serum. I use Avalon Organic Botanicals's Vitamin C Vitality Facial Serum. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant which may repair collagen damage and mitigate the effect of free radicals which damage the skin. This really helps the sunscreen to sink in and be effective (from what I have read).


Step 2: Apply sunscreen. I use La Roche Posay's Anthelios XL in SPF 60+


Step 3: Apply eye cream. I use DERMAdoctor's Wrinkle Revenge Eye


Step 4: Apply foundation. I use MAC Full Coverage Foundation in C40. This is a Pro product ()


Step 5: Apply under corrector. I use Bobbi Brown corrector in Dark Peach. If I am really short on time I use Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage and skip to Step 7 since the BB corrector and concealer routine takes time to apply, blend and set.


See my post on my fav. concealers on tips on how to apply the LM concealer.

Step 6: Apply concealer. I use Make Up Forever's Full Cover Concealer in #10 (Golden Beige) or Lancome's EFFACERNES Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer in Medium Bisque


Step 7. Apply powder to set undereye concealer. I use Laura Mercier's Secret Brightening Powder #2

Step 8: Apply powder to set the face. I use MUFE HD Microfinish Powder
Why do I use two different powders? The MUFE powder was making my undereyes look rather dull. The LM one really brightens the undereye. I really recommend it!


Step 9: Do my eyes. Most days, MAC Brule all over as a wash. Tete-a-tint on lid, Texture in crease, Brown Down in outer V. Line upper lashline and waterline with MAC Blacktrack. Curl lashes with Shu curler. Apply mascara (current fav. Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash Mascara)

• My matte Neutrals pallet
• Most frequently used MAC eyeshadow

Step 10: Apply blush. I am totally loving the Bobbi Brown Pot rouges.
Here is my post on my BB pot rouges and swatches.

Step 11: Apply any lipstick/lipgloss

and DONE :):)

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My most loved and most frequently used MAC eyeshadows

I have found from experience that MY most used is not equal to most loved since my work demands a conservative look.

So here it goes:

My most frequently used MAC eyeshadows: I use these almost everyday from Mon-Fri.

• Brule (I have finally made a dent in this eyeshadow, I have been using it for months!)
  
• Tete-a-tint
• Saddle
• Texture
• Brown Down
• Carbon

My most loved MAC eyeshadows: I use these most often on weekends and for parties etc.

• Satin Taupe
  
• Deep Truth
• Humid
• Goldmine
• Ricepaper
• Shroom
• Embark
• Follie
• Bronze/Romp (you can pick either)
• Twinks
• Woodwinked
  

Fav. eyelash curler and metal lash comber

Here are my fav. products to curl and comb my lashes:

Curler - Shu Umeru Eyelash Curler




Metal Lash Comb - Sephora Brand's Professionnel Platinum Lash & Eyebrow Comb #21



I wait for my lashes to dry before combing them. I also curl my lashes both before and after applying mascara. Again, please remember to let your lashes dry before curling them.

Slightly shimmery brown smokey eyes

Items used

• Base of the lid: Laura Mercier Burnished Copper (cream eyeshadow - or use any taupy bronzey color like MAC Twinks eyeshadow). If you are using a powder eyeshadow, foil it.
  
• Outer V and crease: Laura Mercier Chocolate Garnet (powder matte eyeshadow - or use any rich chocolate brown color like MAC Espresso or Milani Chocolate)
• Liner upper lids and waterline with Urban Decay Zero eyepencil (or any black smudgey kohl liner, like MAC Smolder)
• Smudge the upper liner and below waterline with MAC Carbon or any matte black eyeshadow.
• Loads and loads of mascara - I used Dior Show Iconic. I am totally toving this by the way, can you tell how lonnnnnnng my lashes look!!
• Always remember to curl and comb the lashes out.