MAYBELLINE CLEAR SMOOTH & LAURA MERCIER SETTING POWDER

I recently picked up these powders because I needed to re-up on my supply.

Laura Mercier 'Translucent' Loose Setting Powder - N16,500

I am running really low on my Sacha Buttercup Powder, so I decided to try something different for a change. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Sacha one, in fact it's at Holy Grail status for me at the moment, I just wanted to see what all the hype was about with this Laura Mercier one.

Since I purchased it, I've used it once and so far so good!

Maybelline Clear Smooth All In One 'Honey' - N2,500

So I've got a little story to share about this Maybelline powder. A few months after Maybelline launched in Nigeria (3years ago) a bunch of us were invited down to the L'Oreal offices for an event. During the course of the event they talked us through some of the L'oreal brands like Dark and Lovely, SoftSheen Carson, Maybelline, etc. After the session we were then asked to step up to a table so we could get matched to our shade in the Clear Smooth range. You guys, I couldn't be matched, I was like 'WAAAHHHHYY' I had heard so much about the Clear Smooth powder and how it was formulated with our climate in mind, was so eager to test it out only to find my shade was not considered. So two years later, I'm really happy with this additional offering they've included in the Clear Smooth range! Been using it every single day since I picked it up, and I have got no complaints.

Allow me to let you guys in on a little tip about makeup: the key to a long-lasting makeup base is your primer! People ask "Oh, what powder should I purchase that'll get my makeup to last all day?"... Answer: "None!". It's all about what products you use at the 'base' not over the 'top', kind of like building a house if the foundation isn't done right, no matter how many fixtures and fittings it's all going to come crashing down. The other day at the Lagos Makeup Fair I was chatting with Theo of DoranneBeauty and she said she had very oily skin, let me tell you every singly time I've run into Theo she's always looked flawless. So I asked her, what primer do you use and she mentioned a combination of four different primers I can't remember at the moment. But the point I'm trying to make is, invest in a good primer and you're already more than halfway to solving your problem.

So powders are used to 'finish up' a look and set everything in place, but they won't be your answer to 'oily skin'. A good skincare routine and primer are the secret to great makeup!

Let's help each other out in the comments, by answering the question below:

What's your favourite primer?

Ez xxX

MAKEUP HAUL | LAGOS MAKEUP FAIR 5

Hello and welcome to my FIRST makeup haul of 2016! Can you imagine? Somewhat shameful for a Beauty Blogger right? I don't know what happened to me honestly, but I've caught the bug again and I am back to my 'makeup acquisition' ways.

The Lagos Makeup Fair is a MUST ATTEND for every makeup lover! Their most recent edition, fifth in the series, was this past weekend (June 18th - 19th) and it was as always, AMAZING! I have attended every edition since the first, you can read up on a few of my previous LMUF experiences by clicking here. So, let's get right into this haul shall we.

I love lipliners, they are ESSENTIAL for me! L.A. Girl lipliners are cheap, cheerful and exceptionally good quality. I got these from Beauty Rev NG and they had an offer going, buy 3 get 1 free!

L.A. Girl Lipliners from Beauty Rev NG - N300 each

'Forever Red' & 'Sexy Red' are the exact same thing, no?

I desperately needed to add a few nude/beige liquid lipsticks to my collections. I've got a lot of Reds, Purples, Pinks and Corals, but I needed a few neutral tones and I am pleased with my new additions!

Dose of Colours Liquid-Matte Lipstick 'Truffle' from Beauty Rev NG - N8,500

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipsticks 'Ashton' & 'Naked' from Beauty Rev NG - N7,500 each

Kylie Matte Liquid Lipstick & Liner 'Dolce K' from Beauty Rev NG - 12,500*

I will have actual lip swatches and 'recipes' up on my instagram page in the coming weeks. I'll also share them here on the blog.

Glow Tonic from Beauty Rev NG - N8,000 (100ml) & Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray from AskOnyeka - N9,500

Remember I mentioned Pixi Glow Tonic in my recent skincare haul post, well I got a mini backup because my main bottle is almost done. I also picked up the Skindinavia finishing spray because I am nearly out of my Urban Decay one, and I wanted to try something else this time. Fun fact: The Urban Decay finishing sprays are produced by Skindinavia.

Posh Lashes '43' from Beauty Rev NG - N700*

Apologies for the swatch marks in the product. I did an exclusve haul reveal for snapchat yesterday, so had to swatch all the products. Hope you are following me on snapchat! My snapchat followers get sneak peeks and first reveals! Username: BeautyInLagos.

Anastasia Beverly Hills 'Sundipped' Glow Kit from Beauty Rev NG - N20,000* (N18,500 Makeup Fair Special price until June 25th)

I honestly cannot wait to start playing around with all this makeup! Expect more makeup looks and reviews in the coming weeks! I hope you're following me on Instagram and Snapchat as I am a lot more active on those platforms. My username on all social media platforms is 'BeautyInLagos'

Share your haul with me in the comments. What new products have you purchased recently?

Ez xxX

MAC 'WASH & DRY' COLLECTION AVAILABLE IN NIGERIA | HAUL

Hi Everyone,

MAC release quite a few collections every year, I'm talking like well over 10 or something. 'Wash & Dry' is one of such collections released this year, and is inspired by bright and fresh hues which are very evident in the products, as well as the packaging.

 One thing I love about MAC and their collections is the limited edition packaging! They veer away from their usual black coloured packaging, which makes the limited edition stuff something of a 'collector's item'. I know people who get collection releases just for the packaging...

Wash & Dry Collection comprises of products for eyes, lips and face. I'm talking, Lipsticks, Lipglasses, TechnaKohl liners, Waterproof False Lashes, Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow Trios, and lots more. I got 2 items in the collection, as well as 2 other products; 1 from their permanent line and the other from a previous collection. Sharing them all today, incase one of guys was thinking of picking up something from MAC here in Nigeria and didn't know what to get. You can call me your 'enabler' haha!

MAC Highlight Powder 'Freshen Up' - N6,500*

This seemed to be the 'star' product from the collection. I got these products a week ago and shared them on my instagram page and got the same reaction as well! By the way, if you are on instagram you should be following me, I share a lot of stuff on instagram first before it even hits the blog. It's just easier to share a picture than type up an actual post. Not saying I neglect the blog, just that I share a lot of 'firsts' on Instagram, Username: @BeautyInLagos.

I swatched all three shades separately, to give you an idea of what sort of colours you will be working with. But all three go beautifully together, adding colour as well as highlight to the cheeks.

MAC Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow Trio 'Warm Wash' - N6,000* 

I absolutely LOVE this shadow trio! That gold colour in the middle is my favourite! I used this every single day since I got up until yesterday. It's sparkly, but it's the perfect 'daytime' sparkle. The one that's also 'office acceptable'. Only issue is the packaging, the shadow slots are very narrow so you would need to use a small brush to get the product out. Lucky for me, I had one of such brushes so it wasn't a problem. There is a bit of fallout with these, so I will advise you tap off the excess before you apply to your lids and also pat the product on, as opposed to 'wiping'. This will reduce the fallout.

Look at the sparkle in those swatches, especially the gold one in the middle!

MAC Cremesheen Glass 'Japanese Spring' - N5,500*

This gloss is very sheer, it's a pale pink tone that just adds some milky glossiness to the lips. It's best for layering over any nude lipsticks you may have in your collection. I personally love to layer it over MAC's 'Creme Cup'! It's a limited edition gloss that was repromoted as part of the 'Tropical Taboo Collection'.

MAC Amplified Crème Lipstick 'Diva-ish' - N5,500*

This lipstick is part of their Amplified range so the colour pops, and is very wearable as you will see in the swatch below.

That's all my goodies! Let me know if you will be picking up anything from the 'Wash & Dry' collection, you can tag me in on instagram or leave a comment under this post.

Hope you enjoyed this post!

Laters,
Ez xxX

LAGOS MAKEUP FAIR 4 | HAUL

Hiya Everyone,

Here with my LMUF4 haul, as promised. I did not go too crazy this time because 1.) I now officially have way too much makeup and 2.) I had a short list of specific items I wanted, and I got them!..... *goteeeeeeem*... sorry, I lack self-control sometimes lol

This was all I picked up, Glitter and Lipstick! Self-control and a tight list work wonders you see!

This year I was also invited down by BeautyRevNG to chill at their booth and have a little 'meet and greet'. Been meaning to say thanks to all you guys who stopped by to say Hi!... so THANK YOU! :)



BeautyRevNG Purchases

So remember when I mentioned in this post that I was obsessed with liquid lipsticks, it is now VERY official. I have something of a little collection going and I plan to share swatches really soon. I also noticed my collection only had darks, reds and brights in there and I wanted some neutral colours to wear like everyday.

Lime Crime Velvetine 'Bleached' - N6,500

Bleached is a lovely light-peach shade, dries matte and lasts a very long time. It also smells like ice-cream!

Dose of Colors Liquid Lipstick 'Stone' - N6,500

I also wanted a 'rosey-mauve'-toned liquid lipstick and after seeing 'Stone' from the Dose of Colors' 'Terra Collection', I was on a haunt. Lucky for me, BeautyRevNG got it just in time for LMUF4 and since I was a 'guest' at their stand for the day, I snatched it up as soon as arrived!

Once I applied it, it was pure love!


Beauty Kink Purchases

I haven't got any loose glitter shadows in my collection. I hardly ever wear glitter on my eyes, but there's a few occasions that call for glitter... New Years', Birthdays,  BiL Directory Launch Party, etc. When I've got an event or some big occasion coming up, first thing I start to put together in my head is my makeup look. And knew I needed glitter on my eyes for my launch event and I was after a particular colour. When I saw Beauty Kink's instagram video of the new Eye Kandy glitters they had just received, I made a note to visit their stand at the fair.

They had the EXACT colour I was after. It's a silver base with multicoloured holographic glitter running through. I could not believe my luck!

Eye Kandy glitter in 'Confetti' - N2,500

If you were at the event and wondered what I had on my eyes it was some eyeshadow topped with this baby. Please note you will need to purchase some glitter glue to go with glitter eyeshadow, otherwise the glitter won't 'stick' to your lid. Glitter isn't loose pigment, which works with a spritz of some Fix+ on a brush. You will need glitter glue.

BH Cosmetics Gliiter Collection Loose Glitter - N2,000

Also purchased these  BH Cosmetics babies. The black glitter was intriguing and I thought it could add a little 'something' to a black smokey eye. And I have been after pure gold glitter for a while.

I was very pleased with my purchases this year, no regrets!

Did you attend LMUF4? What did you get?

Laters,
Ez xxX

LAGOS MAKEUP FAIR 3 - Haul

Hi Guys!

A couple of weeks ago the 3rd edition of the Lagos Makeup Fair (LMUF) was held in Ikeja, it was a 2-day event, Saturday and Sunday.

I remember my first ever LMUF, I had just started up this blog a few months prior and was so excited to attend. I remember not expecting much at all, and being blown away by all the beauty businesses and entrepreneurs we had here in Lagos, it was a real eye-opener for me. The only problem was these people had no physical location, just word-of-mouth and client-referrals. This was what spurred me on to establishing The BiL Directory years later. I want all these beauty-establishments to be found in one place so that customers can search and find whatever they are looking for in Nigeria. Because all these amazing products are available to buy out here and people just don't know they are. Unfortunately most of these businesses are 'comfortable' with their present customer-base and laid-back about expanding their reach so see no reason in being listed on a directory. Sorry to go on a tangent, but I wish I could explain the benefits of the Directory to every single potential vendor I meet, unfortunately not everyone's listening. But I have no doubt that with time, they will :)

Anyways, so this year I went along to see what new stock some staple vendors had, and also hoped to discover at least one new vendor, and I did!

I didn't really get that much stuff this time and I don't know why, I was particularly after some lash glue which I am happy I got, all the rest are kind of extras.


DEVA PETALS

First up, purchases from my beloved Deva Petals! I love this brand, all 100% natural products, and you know how I feel about those.

I usually purchase their All Over Body-Butter in 'Apple Sin' which I love! But this time I decided to try something new...

Smooth as a Baby's Bum Soap Mask - N4,500

First thing I asked, was if this soap was oil-based and the response was no. My face is still recovering from Hairfinity-Gate and I do not want anything that would aggravate it at this point. I have been using this for two weeks now and I have no complaints. It can be used as a mask or a soap, been using this as a soap and it gets my face squeaky clean and I mean 'squeaky' literally. When I rinse this off there's absolutely nothing left, some people may feel like this 'strips' their face, but I much prefer it this way. I detest any face cleanser/body wash that leaves behind a 'film' after rinsing, that's just my preference. One thing I don't like about this is the scent, it smells a lot like medicated soaps e.g. Tetmosol (remember those?). Initially, this was a bit of a problem for me, but after experiencing how it made my face feel I decided to just put up with it, and now I am so used to it I barely even notice it.

Dilke Scrub Spa Mix - N4,500

I also purchased this Dilke Scrub which I have used. The review of this needs its own post which will be up soon, so look out for that.

Now looking back, I should have purchased another jar of their All Over Body-Butter as I am now running low! But I discovered they're available to buy at Gifty's Daughter which is good for us Lagos residents!



HAUTE BEAUTY WORLD

This is a new beauty-vendor I discovered at the fair. I walked past their stand the first time and noticed they had the eyelash glue I was after, so made a note to circle back and I am glad I did. I can always sense if a vendor is worth their stuff from the products they sell. Haute BW had a selection of products that only a person that knows makeup could be behind it and their prices were the most reasonable I've seen in a while. For example their Real Techniques brushes go for N5000 per pack, everyone else's is about N6000.

I needed to re-stock my eyelash glue and this is the only brand I use. Your lashes stay on as long as you want. I've actually had a pair of lashes in all day from 12pm till about 4am the next day and my lashes were intact when I went to take them off.

Duo Striplash Adhesive 'Dark Tone' - N1.200

I usually purchase the blue-pack one which goes on white and dries clear, but the last one I had stopped drying completely clear for some reason, bare in mind I had that tube for well over 2years, so maybe it was at its 'end of life' stage, who knows. So I decided to go for this one, which goes on a dark grey and dries black so it blends perfectly with my eyeliner. I have used this twice and I don't know why I only just picked this up. Definitely a new found staple!

Duo Striplash Adhesive 'White/Clear' - N1.200

I still re-purchased this. Because it dries clear and has worked well for me over the years. Turned out I just needed to change my last one.. woops! Don't try that at home guys.

Another thing I noticed was these tubes are much smaller than my last. I didn't realize that I had the large tube and these were the more common sizes, no wonder mine lasted well over two years.

Wet n Wild Coloricon Bronzer SPF 15 'Bikini Contest' - N1000

I initially wanted to by the Cover Girl Queen Collection Ebony bronzer, but the shade they had was too dark, saw this and decided to pick it up instead

Haven't used it yet, but look how pretty it is. It's got some shimmer in it and I intend on using this to contour, not sure how that's going to happen but we'll see.

Details
Haute Beauty World
Website: www.hautebeautyworld.com.ng


TARIES WORLD

Taries Medium Eyeshadow Brush - N800

I needed a flat synthetic brush for my cream-based eye products so picked this up and it works perfectly

Details
Taries World
Website: www.tariesworld.com


So that's my little haul, I am not 100% sure about the prices as I have now lost my receipts, I am honestly the world's best beauty-blogger aren't I?

Did any of you guys attend the Fair, discover any new beauty-stores?

What did you get at the Fair?

Laters,

Ez xxX