XOJENBEAUTY

1/19/2016

Review: NYX Highlight & Contour PRO Palette

1/16/2016

This will be an exciting post because I will be reviewing the beautiful and gorgeous Carli Bybel Palette from BH Cosmetics. If you haven't heard about it yet then you must be living under a rock because this palette is one of the sought after beauty products. It was sold out loads of times and restocked again because of how much people were wanting to buy it.

Product description from the website:

"Beauty expert and YouTube sensation Carli Bybel designed this versatile 14 Color Eyeshadow and Highlighter Palette to dial up the drama and add excitement to your look. Carli's taste for chic refinement and modern elegance inspired her to select a collection of earthy neutrals and plummy brown shadows with four face highlighters that complement every skin tone. The mix of mattes and shimmers makes it easy to go from amped-up evening intensity to toned-down daytime options."

Its honestly the most versatile palette ever! You can use any of the lighter shadows as a highlighter and the four bottom colours as eyeshadows. You can basically do whatever you want with it. And the colour selections are great because this palette is definitely beginner friendly. Why? Usually makeup beginners are leaning towards to neutral mauve and brown tones when they start using eyeshadows. That was true for me even until now.

The swatches down below are taken under natural light and swatched by each row from left to right starting at the top of the palette.

The palette is crazy pigmented! You'll be wondering how this is only $20 (or if its on sale $12.50)? Not only that but each one of the shadows feel buttery smooth! Blending them on the lids are so easy to do because of it! Whenever I apply any of the colours on my face its blends on my skin perfectly! I absolutely love the highlighters because its so pigmented that ever since I got it, I use it more than my high-end ones.

Of course not everything is perfect which means there are minor problems based on my experience.

The matte shadows are a bit powdery and looks chalky at first when I swatched it on my finger. But that does not last because as you blend it out, it looks flawless and seamless on the skin.
I find that the simmer shadows are quite a bit messy whenever I pick up the colours on my blending brush.

Like I said, those are minor only meaning it doesn't bother me at all. That was what I noticed, as I kept on using the palette. If you want to see how it looks like on my face you can check out my last few makeup tutorials. If you're still iffy on buying it here are some benefits and features of the palette (taken from the website):

Highlighting Powders Can Be Used for Face and Eyes

Vegan

Paraben Free

Non-Irritating

Allergy Tested

Clinically Tested

Cruelty Free Product

You can watch this video of Carli, herself, swatching and talking about the palette!

If you have any more questions regarding the palette, comment down below! I hope this review helped you in deciding whether or not you should get it. But honestly, I think you should because its worth the money. Plus, I heard its limited edition so it won't be around that long.

Have a blessed day!

DISCLAIMER

1/08/2016

MOTD: Back to School Makeup Look | Drugstore

The year has begun which means school has started once again. I don't know about you, but I'm still in the holidays vibe so I'm not quite ready for anything school related. Unfortunately, we still have to face the reality no matter what. I created a look that I would personally wear to school. Its not too glam and it makes you look awake after that party last night.

After all the spending during Christmas and Boxing Day, I would expect not all, including me, would have anything left for makeup. So, I used all drugstore makeup in this look!

Products used:

Sonia Kashuk Mattifying Primer & Nivea Men After Shave Balm as primer
Maybelline Matte + Poreless Foundation - see my review here
Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Concealer
Maybelline Matte + Poreless Powder
NYX Highlight and Contour Palette
BH Cosmetics x Carli Bybel palette for highlight
NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder
L.A. Girl lip liner in Natural
Wet n' Wild MegaLast Lip Color in Bare It All - see dupe alert post here
NYC Liquid Eyeliner
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

After priming my entire face, I applied foundation by dotting it on my cheeks, forehead, chin and a little bit on my nose. Using a buffing brush, I spread the product out in circular motions. I made sure the product was gone by going over it again.

Next, I applied concealer under my eyes--creating a small triangular shape and extending the end towards the top of my cheekbones. Using the same brush as earlier, I tapped the product instead of buffing. With a powder of the same colour, I set my foundation and concealer to prevent smudging and creasing.

If you notice in the photo, I have a prominent crease on my eye bags. So with the contour palette, I use the yellow shade to brighten and to further prevent creasing. Then I used the two middle shades of the contour colours and sweeped it on the hollows of my cheeks using a stippling brush. I find that this brush is the best when it comes to contouring on my cheeks without caking up. I, also, applied the contour shades on my temples and underneath my chin and jaw area.

Using the Carli Bybel Palette, I used the 3rd highlight shade and with a bag fan brush a swept it on my cheekbones and other areas where light will natural shine.

On my eyes, I just did a simple eyeliner look and applied mascara after. Oh and don't forget to do the brows! After everything, I set it with a simple setting spray.

On my lips, I used a lip liner that is two shades darker than my own and topped it off with a lighter nude lipstick in the center of my lips.

And there you have it! I hope this look is helpful for you! Sometimes when I'm in a hurry, I skip the foundation. Hope you enjoy school! ;)

Have a blessed day!

DISCLAIMER

1/04/2016

Review: Sephora Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation

Ever since I watched the first impression video of a spray foundation from Sephora by ItsJudyTime, I was fascinated and been wanting to try the product. She gave it a super high review after Sephora updated the formula. What's the product, you say? This review is about the Sephora Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation. It has a really long name, but each word describes the product perfectly. I've had this foundation for months now and have been wearing it since mid-Fall 2015. And oh my goodness, this is definitely bomb dot com!

Before I start, here are the product claims from sephora.com:

"[It is...] An airbrush foundation with an ultrafine mist for flawless makeup results at home.

Blur imperfections seamlessly and control shine for up to 10 hours with this [matte] satin-finish foundation. The weightless, micro-fine pigments of InstaBlend technology ensure color lays down smooth and seamless, so you can build to your desired coverage level—from light to full—for a flawless look every time. Mineral-rich red algae extract protects the skin from environmental stresses and helps smooth the skin for a soft-focus, airbrushed finish that lasts."

PROs

It has buildable coverage--does not cake up!
Oil-free
It has 2.5 fl.oz. (1.5 more than the average foundation)
Easy to use
Long-wearing
Cheaper alternative to the Dior Airflash Foundation

Cons

May be expensive to some people
limited colour selections (9 colours only!)
May be difficult to use for beginners

THOUGHTS?

I am so happy that I bought this because it is the best foundation ever! It's my holy grail! I have suffered from serious cake face when I started doing my makeup 3 years ago. It looked gross on my skin and since I have oily-combo skin, the foundation would separate and look messy. But this doesn't do that! It honestly still looks like my own skin. If you've seen any of my makeup tutorials, most of the time I was wearing this foundation. It's long-wearing too and doesn't transfer.

This foundation retails for CAD$35 and it may be cheaper or a bit more expensive depending where you're from but its totally worth every penny. Since its a spray foundation, there are three ways to apply it:

Spray directly onto your face and blend.
Spray product onto the brush then apply to your face.
OR spray product onto the back of your hand then use brush to apply to your face.

For me personally, I use method #2 since it so much easier for me and I am able to control how much foundation I want. Also, it is much better to use a foundation brush not the one that looks like a paintbrush, but rather the one that's short and dense.

For those who are wondering I am in the shade HONEY which is not that dark when blended. I honestly just guesstimated my shade since I was too lazy to ask an associate. So here is my review! If you have any more questions, comment down below!

Have a blessed day and Happy New Year!