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

STELLA'S ADDICTION - Mini Haul

Hello and TGIF!!

Most of you know Stella of Stella's Addiction the beauty blog and makeup artist! But do you know Stella's Addiction the Makeup Store?

I recently popped in to the Store/Studio to buy some Bdellium Tools brushes as I've been eyeing them for quite some time. I also picked up a little something extra from E.L.F.

I really believe that  the quality of your tools really plays a major role in a flawless makeup application. And the art of blending depends on a really good blending brush.

What are qualities of a good blending brush? Well it depends on the section of the eye you are working on, but 2 things must be present soft bristles and minimal shedding. If you want a brush that will blend out any harsh lines and also transition colours smoothly into one another, you will need a nice fluffy blush with soft bristles and these vary in size dependant on the area you are blending. If you want to create a cut crease and also blend out the harsh lines in that area, a small dense brush is what you will need.

Bdellium Tools '776 Blending' Brush - N1,700

I've got a couple blending brushes from MAC, Sigma, ELF and Cala, but I've been meaning to try a particular blending brush from Bdellium, the 776 blending brush.

I like that the bristles are slightly smaller than my other blending brushes and this gives me a little more control when placing colours. It's also very soft and not scratchy at all. I've used it a few times since I've got it and it's been pure love! Really recommend this one.

Bdellium Tools '781 Crease' Brush - N2000

Now I only planned to pick up one brush, but this little gem caught my eye. I've been after a small dense brush for placing dark colours just in the outer corner of my eye and a little in the crease. And also to just blend out that area. Also when I do a cut-crease look I like the edges around it to be blended out, just because it looks a lot nicer, to me.

See how the bristles are so densely packed, which means the brush hasn't got as much movement as it's blending counterpart, but that's what makes it work! It's stiff enough to pack on the colour, but has just the right amount of movement to blend it through at the same time. Really happy I picked this up too

E.L.F 'Concealer Brush' - N700

Now i don't know how many of you know that with ELF there are two collections when it comes to their tools, the ELF Essentials and ELF Studio. Now the Studio line prices are slightly higher than the Essential and this translates into the quality. Most people are not even aware of the difference but the Studio line tools are usually black, while the Essential line are white, just like in the picture above. I shop from both lines really, it just depends on what I am getting. I typically prefer the face brushes from the Studio line and a few of the eye brushes from the Essential line.

I prefer to apply my cream-based eye products with a synthetic brush and this concealer brush works really well! I use it to apply my MAC paintpoint to my lid, or my NYX jumbo pencils, any thick/cream product really. This purchase wasn't planned either, just saw it on the shelf and grabbed it.


One thing I really love about Stella's Addiction are the prices! I did a comparison and these items I bought are a lot cheaper than what most beauty-retailers out here are selling them for. I love a good bargain!


Where to Buy:
Stella's Addiction - In-store and Online
Address: 5 Wole Ariyo Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1.
Online: Stella's Addiction Online

What's your favourite brush?

Laters,

Ez xxX

MINI HAUL & REVIEW: M.A.C.

Hi Everyone!

Hope you are all well and a huge THANK YOU to everyone that wished me a Happy Birthday! Thanks for your wishes and God bless you all :).

This is a post about some MAC eyeshadows I recently acquired. So I have got a list of MAC products I want to get. If I am reading a blog, watching a Youtube video or just scrolling down instagram and I see a MAC product that sparks my interest, it goes down on the list. Said 'list' is located in the notes app on my phone and I am actually ashamed to admit the number of MAC products I want to get. I'd like to add at this juncture I actually keep two different makeup lists one for MAC and the 2nd for every other brand...... *I can hear your judgmental thoughts*

Funny Story: These products I didn't get to swatch because I had my boyfriend pick them up at duty-free on the way back from his last work trip. He always gets me MAC from duty-free, he messages me like "What do you need from MAC" and I just send him a list and he shows it to the SA at the counter, like hands over his phone and she picks out what they have and lets him know what they don't have. He's even called me once after showing my list to the SA,because I wanted the refills and apparently they don't sell them at duty-free and he didn't understand what she was saying, so he just called me and said "Please speak to my girlfriend" lol. Boys aye? 

L-R: Brule, Expensive Pink & Cranberry

Anyways this trio of shadows were at the top of my list, which means they've been on there for a while. My list works in descending order with the oldest at the top and newest at the bottom. Yup there's a method to my madness, cheers.

Cranberry - frost finish

First up is the shade 'Cranberry'. A gorgeous frost finish shadow with speckles of pink glitter in it. I'd describe the colour as a berry-red.

It's a shade that I can use in different sections of the eye. As a lid colour, subtle transition colour and even on the outer 'v' of the lid. It's buttery-smooth as with most MAC shadows and the glitter in it is hardly visible once blended.

Expensive Pink - Veluxe Pearl finish

I have had my eye on this gorgeous rose-gold shadow for a while and I am slightly disappointed with how this comes up on my skin.  I'm pretty sure if I had swatched it at a MAC counter I won't have picked it up. I don't find it as flattering as I expected and it's a little difficult to blend. I'd describe it as a duo-chrome shade because, it's rose-gold but when you move your face around you can catch some pure-gold in it and its got a peachy undertone.

The issue I've got with it is a little difficult to describe, but it kind of just sits on my lids and just enhances all the imperfections, and when I try to apply a little more product it seems to make it worse. Maybe I'm not applying it properly, I'll probably try spraying some Fix+ on my brush then applying and see how that works. Not giving up on this one just yet!

Brule - Satin finish

This I LOVE! I have been using this as a highlight colour underneath my brows. With one swipe, it barely comes up on my skin, so to get the swatches below I had to be a little heavy-handed. But I love the fact that it's so sheer.

When you imagine the perfect highlight eyeshadow you think of a frost-finish, but this surprisingly is a satin (bordering on matte) and it works superb! I can't get enough of it. It gives me the perfect highlight I need. I also use it all over my lid when I want to work a light-nude look during the day. Zero complaints about this one.


I'm sure you noticed I had depotted two of my shadows already. I prefer them in palettes and when I move around I just transfer the ones I'd like to use into my quad or duo palettes. Hope you enjoyed this post.

What MAC shadows are on your 'to-get' list?

Laters,

Ez xxX

M.A.C - Mini-Haul

Hiya Lovelies!

I FINALLY visited the MAC store and I was happy that it was well-stocked and looked exactly like every other MAC stored I'd been too. They've got everything and more! The lipsticks, glosses, different powder finishes, eyeliners, lipliners, the entire prep+prime range, E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G! So for anyone that thought we'd get some 'half-ass' store, sorry to disappoint you, they've got it all in there! Only complaint I've got is that the store was HOT! Maybe the air-conditioning wasn't working that day or something, but I was so hot and also way too excited to leave because of that. ha!

So, I am on a bit of a self-imposed 'Makeup Ban'.. Yes! believe it or not this is what a ban looks like.. and because of this I only got a few products I've been after for a while.

See, I exercised self-control and I did very well, considering I was in my version of a 'drug store to an addict'.

I picked this up because I needed a concealer to cover-up a few blemishes I had recently 'acquired'.

Since the start of the year, my skin has been up-and-down, for lack of a better description. I had a facial done in December and I think that's what set it off. This is a story for a different post. But long and short of it, I got some MEAN-looking pimples (FOUR to be exact 3 on my forehead and one on the right side of my face) and was left with scars after they'd left/died/whatever happens to pimples. The scars are fading, but I still need to cover them up as they annoy me. Oh and my skin is back to normal now, story on how I got it under control in a post next week.

MAC Studio Finish Concealer 'NC 42' - N4000

The concealer I had been using was my MAC Select Cover-Up, but felt I needed a concealer that gave a bit more coverage, and after seeing a lot of reviews that this gives a medium-full coverage I made a note to get it.
Been using this since the first day I got it and although it gives more coverage than my Select Cover-up concealer, it doesn't totally cover up the scars. It also doesn't last all day. Maybe I am just not getting the application right or something, but this isn't really working as well as I would've liked. If any of you ladies uses this to cover up blemishes please let me know how you apply yours! Thanks

Also got this. It's a highlighter pen used to brighten-up under the eyes, bridge of the nose, cupids-bow and anywhere else on the face that the light hits. It is kind of like MACs version of the YSL Touche Eclat.

I noticed one of my favorite Youtube gurus Carli use it in a few of her tutorials and I had to get it. It's got a brush applicator at the top and you turn the bottom part like a clicker and the products pushes through the bristles.

I got mine in the shade 'Light Boost'. It's part of the Prep+Prime range. I only apply a little amount of this and it works, but I find the formulation a little too thick for my liking. The skin under our eyes isn't as thick as the rest of our body, it is very light and I am very wary of using products that drag on that area of skin. I prefer them to have a very light, creamy consistency and this product doesn't.

MAC Prep+Prime Highlighter 'Light Boost' - N4900

The formulation is so thick and difficult to blend. Might try to heat it up a bit my using my fingers to apply it and see if that helps. But apart from that it's a decent product. I mean, Carli just works it into her face like its nothing, couldn't believe how thick and difficult it is to work-in for me. Don't think I'll be repurchasing this once I am done with it.

Finally I got this kohl eyeliner. Favourite purchase of the Day!

I mentioned before I prefer brown liners for my water line in the daytime.

MAC Eye Khol 'Teddy' - N3500

I LOVE MAC's eye kohl's, they are so soft and pigmented and last very long. All the qualities a perfect eyeliner should possess. Look how opaque the swatch above is, gotta love MAC for their quality


So there you have it, my first MAC Haul from our very own store here in Lagos. I got all this from the store in the Ikeja Mall. The one in the Palms is set to open next month as reported, fingers-crossed it does!

So, who's been to the MAC Store yet? What did you get?

Laters,

Ez xxX

CASABELLA - Mini-Haul

Hi Everyone,

So from my tweets and instagram posts, most of you should've gathered by now that my current favorite beauty-supply store in Lagos has got to be Casabella! I love walking in there and having a look at what they've got on their shelves. They stock almost everything from Tresemme hair products, to Herbal Essences, Revlon, Mac, Iman, Sleek etc.

A week ago I needed to get some hair conditioner and false lashes, so I made a trip to my local Casabella store at The Palms Mall (They've also got a store in the Ikeja Mall).

Herbal Essennces 'Color Me Happy' Conditioner - N1200

Here's what I picked up. Got the conditioner for my extensions. I treat my hair extensions (almost) the same way I treat my natural hair. When I take them out, I wash them using Herbal Essences or Tresemme conditioners. I rotate conditioners depending on how I feel really, or if the extensions are dyed, and then deep-condition them for about 30minutes (using same conditioner). This keeps them in good condition (no pun intended ;)) for longer. I purchased the 'Colour Me Happy' conditioner because the extensions I wanted to wash were dyed. (I don't wash the length of my hair extensions with shampoo, because I feel it makes them dry. I dilute the shampoo and use that to wash the weft only).

Ardell 'InvisiBand Demi Wispies' - N1000 each

Also picked up the Ardell ' Invisiband Demi Wispies' False lashes in Black (they also come in Brown). Ardell falsies are my absolute favorite. They're made from human hair so look very natural on. I don't wear false-lashes everyday, only on special occasions like nights-out, events, weddings etc.

I feel false lashes always finish-up a makeup look. I got just two of these, think I'm going to go back for a couple more. I always reuse them anyway, a pair lasts about 2-3months for me, seeing as I don't wear them that often. The band of these are clear, making it even more natural-looking when on.

Cala 'Crease Brush' - N1840

Now this is my second brush purchase off this brand. The first I got was a small slant brush, perfect for filling in my brows. I also used it to apply my gel liner, but I found it struggled to hold its shape when I did this, so its much better suited for brow filling, although I'm currently only using it for my gel-liner,.I know I know.. but didn't I just say.... (got it at CasaBella as well).

Never heard of this brand till I saw their stand in Casabella. They have the range of brushes on display and the bristles felt very soft so I just decided to try it out. I am 50/50 with these, don't loooove them, but don't hate them either. Their packaging and presentation is also very 'high-end'. All there brushes come with velvet slips, very nice touch!

Was after a big fluffy blending-brush, so picked this up. The bristles are soft to touch, but I find them a tiiiiny bit 'scratchy' when I actually use it, especially compared to the exact same brush I've got from Sigma. I will say it doesn't shed and I have been using this the past few weeks. It picks up product very well and blends it in. The bristles are densely-packed so they stay together when blending, as opposed to spreading out (not sure I'm making much sense), really gets in there and blends the eyeshadow.

So, those were my latest purchases from Casabella. If you haven't checked them out and you're a beauty-lover like myself, I'd advise you do so.

Details
Casabella
The Palms Mall, Oniru
Lagos

What Beauty-Store are you currently loving in Lagos?

Laters,

Ez xxX

Haul and Review - L.A. Colours Eyeshadow Palettes

Hey Everyone,

A couple months ago I did some filming for a TV programme here in Lagos called GlamReportTv, the programme itself hasn't launched yet, think it's scheduled for early this year. I may or may not tell you when my episode airs, was one of the most nerve-racking things I have done but I am very grateful to the producer for having me on her show, thanks Bola :)

The location for filming was a supermarket in Ogba, Ikeja (I cannot for the life of me remember what this supermarket's called. Once I get the details I'll be sure to update this post). We filmed in the beauty/skincare section of the store. While I was waiting for the crew to setup and the host to shoot her introduction I wandered around and found an L.A. colours stand.

These aren't my first purchases from this brand, I own a few lip-liners and they are pretty decent, their red liner works really well with all my high-end red lipsticks. I tend to go for eyeshadow palettes as opposed to individual colours, apart from their obvious value for money, I find that colours in a palette are selected to compliment each other and this makes it easier for me to get inspired when thinking of an eye-look to go for.

They had quite a few palettes on display, but I consciously went for colours that I do not have in my collection. I definitely needed that pink palette in there.

SWATCHES

Each palette holds 5 colours in a mixture of matte, frosted and shimmer finishes and a little double-ended foam applicator.

'Circus' Palette

'Circus' Palette: N600

As you can see from the swatches, the colour payoff is not too bad, and they have been swatched directly unto my skin without any primer underneath. The purple and blue shadows have a matte finish, while the green, lime and pink shades have a shimmer finish

'Serenade' Palette 

'Serenade' Palette: N600

This palette contains 5 gorgeous shades of pink in a frost and shimmer finish and the darker shade being matte. These colours are very wearable and can be used all over the lid. The lightest shade can be used to highlight the brow-bone and also the cheekbones. I love to experiment with my makeup, just because it says 'eyeshadow' on the tin doesn't mean it can't be used as a blusher or highlighter ;). This is my favourite palette of the bunch


'Soiree' Palette

'Soiree' Palette: N600

This is my least favourite palette. Just because the colour payoff isn't as great as the rest. You can barely see the grey-silver shade (bottom of the picture). Although, I have to admit I was a bit 'light-handed' with my swatching, I'm pretty sure they can be built-up. No regrets. These also have a frost-shimmer finish.

Look at how much they are, N600 for 5 full-sized eyeshadows is not a bad deal if you ask me!

I find that with eyeshadows as long as they have a nice smooth texture, not chalky and give a good colour pay-off, with the right primer they all pretty much work the same.

I specifically got these colours to use as crease colours and also to line the bottom of my eyes to give that pop of colour. I got this awesome solution from Inglot that turns powder products into a nice gel-like consistency so that they can be used as eye-liners. Although this is not avaible in Lagos I think I'll do a little review on this for those of us that like to shop online!

**UPDATE**

DETAILS:
Smartie Mart SuperMarket
Ogba Road,
Ogba, Ikeja

What's your Eyeshadow preference? High-end or Drug-store?

Laters,
Ez xxX