WOO let’s have a chit chat about some of the products that blew me away in 2014! Skincare, makeup, nails and brushes. Some of these might surprise you… although if you’re a frequent visitor to the Shamfrip, maybe not 😉
Don’t forget to enter the MV Skincare giveaway here!
Nail Polish I’m wearing in this video
Press on Nails – Baby pink with gold half moon detail, from Etsy.
Complete List of Products Mentioned
MV Organic Skincare – Gentle Cream Cleanser*, Rose Soothing Protective Moisturiser*, Hand Rescue*
My review on these products can be found here.
Nuxe – Reve de Miel
Chanel – Le Blanc de Chanel Sheer Illuminating Base
If you want to see it in action, I used it in this tutorial.
Koh Gen Do – Aqua Foundation in 213*
Dior – Diorskin Nude Concealer in 002
I reviewed this product in my Undereye Concealer Smackdown #2.
Rouge Bunny Rouge – Diaphanous Finishing Powder*
Review can be found here.
KISS – Trio Lashes in Short & Medium Combo
House of Lashes – Eyelash Adhesive
Viseart – 01 Neutral Matte Palette
Watch my Viseart First Impressions here.
Tom Ford – Cream Color For Eyes
Reviewed in my Cream Eyeshadow Smackdown.
Benefit – Gimme Brow in Medium/Dark*
SUQQU – Balancing Brow in Moss Green
Reviewed here.
Press on Nails – My favourite brands are by House of Holland or Manicare. Etsy makes some great styles too, this is my favourite seller.
Rae Morris – Pro Powder Brush*, Medium Oval Shadow Brush* and Flawless Shader Brush*
I have reviewed the entire Rae Morris Collection Brush Set.
What are you favourites of 2014? 🙂
xxkarima
* denotes products sent for consideration. I only feature products that blow me away!
I’ve got several 2014 faves.
* MAC Blush – Next to Skin (limited edition release, but a great subtle contouring shade for very pale skins! Not super warm, and not super rosy. Hope they repromote and make it permanent.)
* Bare Minerals Flawless Definition Mascara (like it for everyday use, as I don’t always want volume or length)
* Marc Jacobs O!Mega Volume mascara (for when I want a little bit more drama)
* Anastasia Brow Powder Duo – Ash Brown (lovely ashy colours that match my dark brows. Late-year purchase and love.)
* Nude Skincare Advanced Renewal Serum (bought a second bottle of this that I’ll be starting soonish, along with their Cleansing Jelly… which I think will end up being a 2015 favourite!)
* Living Proof Perfect Hair Day system (my hair loves it)
The two mascaras I mentioned happened to convert me to mid-to-high end mascaras after years of being practically wedded to drugstore ones (and there have been, and are, some good ones).
Hey Shelly!
So you like the Nude Skincare Cleansing Jelly? Good job at makeup removal? I’ve been looking at that one π
x
(Better late than never!)
It’s prety good at makeup removal. I also like it as a standalone cleanser, and use it more that way.
Thanks for the video! It was a welcome break from having to study for exams.
I was wondering: I wanted to treat myself to some matte eyeshadows when I’m done. Should I go for
the Viseart palette or some Rouge Bunny Rouge singles? I’m a sucker for pretty packaging though…
My favourites of 2014 were the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette and the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
in Damned! x
Hey Norah π
My pleasure, good luck for exams! Viseart works out as decent value if you consider price per shadow, but RBR has prettier packaging π You can’t go wrong with either!
x
Great post, even if you created some lemmings in there!
I recently discovered Le Blanc de Chanel and I love it! I also discovered the Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless fluide, which is awesome. You only need a small amount to even your tone in the most skin like finish I have found to date!
I love cream eye shadows and stick eyeshadows, and I have been enjoying the Kiko ones. They just keep enabling me with new collections at very affordable prices. Not fair!!
I am seriously lemming the RBR powder and the TF cream eyeshadow. Unfortunately, acquiring those involves a proces that includes the lose of a kidney!
I am travelling to the continent in a few weeks, so if I can get to a Sephora I will check out that Benefit browtint π
Ooh I’ll take a look at the LM Smooth Finish! Enjoy your trip π x
Hey Karima!
Bit of an unrelated question to start with, but do you find that using an eyeshadow primer makes things harder to blend? I’ve been using UD Primer Potion for years, and while it it fantastic for improving colour payoff and longevity, I also find it makes it noticeably more difficult to blend my eye shadow softly.
Secondly, with respect to Le Blanc de Chanel, what can you offer in terms of info about applying it under foundation vs. mixed with foundation vs. over top? I know you’ve said in the past that you use it to lift the shade of your base in the cooler months, but what else can you use it for? How can you manipulate the product?
Thanks!
Hey Mello,
Yes, some eyeshadow primers affect the way an eyeshadow blends. UD Primer Potion is notorious for this, have you tried Too Faced Shadow Insurance? The finish isn’t quite as grippy so it’s easier to blend over, although not the best for oily lids.
Alternatively, take a face powder or flesh coloured eyeshadow and dust that over your primer before you add eyeshadow, that should provide a more ‘powder’ like surface to work on.
Le Blanc De Chanel – when mixed with foundations, it makes the base more luminous, a touch sheerer and can lift the shade (half a shade or a full shade, depending on how you mix). If you apply it under foundation, the effect is not quite as dewy and it won’t lift the shade. I rarely apply it on top of foundation but essentially, it gives certain areas a little more glisten.
Hope this helps!
x
Hey Karima,
if you ever have te chance to buy from the “Catrice” brand (e.g. in Germany), go and grab their brow products. Especially the brow gels (also with fibers in them) are great, because they are quite ashy and the light color is way lighter than the benefit one (great for blond hair girls!!). And the best is, that they are only like 3β¬!
For me, I absolutely adore them and I also convinced my mother (who used up 3 benefit gimme brow) and believe me, she normally sticks to old things π
Greetings from the other side of the world,
Gaby
Hey Gaby!
Love Catrice but sadly, unavailable to me unless I travel to EU π When I do, I’ll check out the brow gels π Thank you!
xx
Very interesting Karima! You did it again! IΒ΄d love to have the mattes palettes, but by the way, How do you feel about other Viseart palettes? Thanks&kissesο»Ώ
I am more blown away by the Matte palette because great mattes are hard to find. The other Viseart Palettes are lovely but there are so many lovely shimmers on the market, y’know?
xx
I would love to hear more about some more foundation options. I just tried Dior Star but you only gave it a 3, so what’s better? π I like a medium-ish satin-y skin like finish with longevity! (And yes, now I’m going to get a sample of the Koh Gen Do)
Diorskin Star isn’t suited to my normal/dry skin, I think. For the right skin type, I think it would be lovely.
Some other foundations that you might like to check out: Armani Lasting Silk, Koh Gen Do Aqua, Bourjois Healthy Mix, L’Oreal True Match and Guerlain Lingerie De Peau. These are all medium coverage and satin finish.
xx
I hear you on the latex allergy. I developed a sensitivity to latex due to excessive exposure. (Stop snickering… I volunteered in a cell bio research lab and wore a lot of latex gloves, okay?)
I would love a tutorial for the look you are wearing because it seems a more cool-toned.
And congratulations on having a great year in 2014! I hope 2015 is equally, or even more(!), fabulous for you!
Haha my mind is is out the gutter π I have posted a tutorial for the look I was wearing, you can find it here:
https://shamelessfripperies.com/video/gothic-glam-makeup-tutorial/
Happy new year! π
xx
Hi Karima,
Here are a few to try:
~ Givenchy mister light – I have very neutral (not yellow or pink), light skin, and this is the best under eye concealer in terms of consistency and color. Staying power is enhanced with some shadow primer underneath. I’ve tried by terry touchΓ© veloutee, ysl touchΓ© Γ©clat, bobbi brown, tom ford, nars, benefit, and they either crease too quickly or are the wrong color.
~ Make Up For Ever brow gel – The best formula I’ve tried. I’ve tried benefit, laura mercer, and blinc, and unfortunately, they all flake on me. This one doesn’t flake and has excellent hold that still feels natural.
~ Klorane magnolia shampoo and conditioner – This specific conditioner has vinegar in it. I’ve tried tones of products that promise shiny, glossy hair, and many of them try to do this in the same way – oils – which can certainly moisturize your hair, but they may not leave it glossy. This one takes a different approach, clean the hair. Although, I haven’t been brave enough to dump vinegar on my head which may be cheaper, I imagine this method is infinitely more pleasant. And, the price isn’t too bad ($15 each). Give it a try. It might change your hair care routine (it did mine).
I’m happy to hear 2014 was a wonderful year for you. Wishing you more of the same in 2015.
Medical school is infinitely more exciting with your videos a part of my evening routine π
Hey Valeria!
I’ve worked with Givenchy Mister Light before and I loved everything about it except a little shimmer- have you noticed it? I’ll definitely try out the brow gel and the hair products, I also have been avoiding the vinegar rinse (my grandmother used to put vinegar on my bug bites as a child, bad experiences lol).
Wishing you all the best in 2015 π xx
oooh haulage….check out the anastasia beverley hills metallic luster liners – there’s only gold and silver but they apply like a dream and actually stay on my waterline all day! Defs worth checking out
Bambi x
You had me at metallic π x
My greatest discovery of 2014 was skincare: the Rationale 6 step skincare system. It is SO expensive but OH MY GOD my skin is transformed! I used to be into natural/organic skincare, I even used MV for a while. But now that I have seen the power of skincare with active ingredients, there’s no going back. SO SO SO worth it!! And it’s Australian, woo!!
Karima, where in Sydney/Australia can we find Koh Gen Do?
Thanks and happy new year xxx
Oohhh Australia is making a mark with skincare, huh! I’ll check out that brand!
Australians can purchase Koh Gen Do at PMstudio and Luxola (do a google to find their online stores).
Happy new year! xx
Hey Karima,
My best makeup discovery of 2014 was… your blog! You’re truly fantastic, a pleasure to read, to watch and to listen to! Have a great year and keep inspiring us π
Aww too kind, Gloria <3 So pleased you enjoy my work and thanks for coming along for the ride π
xx
Hi Karima,
I am wondering where can I get those kiss eyelashes in Australia?
Thanks a lot! xx
Hey Priscilla!
You can buy them on Madame Madeline
https://www.madamemadeline.com/online_shoppe/products.asp?cat=EVER+EZ+LASHES+by+Kiss
xx
Karima!
I am so interested to know how the Viseart matte eyeshadows compare to RBR, TF, make up store, (and maybe make up geek?) ….I am pretty much 80-85% matte shadows mixed with shimmer/satin/etc in terms of preference. Maybe a matte eye shadow smackdown/comparison post please?
Ahhhh I am loving the new TF cream shadow released from the spring 2015 collection (a bit hard to pinpoint as there’s no color name lol but they only had 1 color out this time). Regret not knowing this formula earlier…..I have been using platinum as base so often that I wish I had bought a back up of it!!! (So this time I bought a back uo for the spring 15 one).
Karima! Despite I have quite some make up brushes….after watching your previous review on the Rae Morris magnetic collection….I can’t resist and got myself the set as well. So far enjoying the ultimate cheek-bone and pro powder. Will try on the rest as time goes =)
Koh Gen Do β Aqua Foundation…..something I want to try but uncertain with picking the shade….maybe I will wait till I visit Japan to swatch lol
Oh and 2014 FAV(s)….
Brushes – hard to pick…but I would say chikuhodo z series probably the most esp for face….
Face – Chanel le Blanc , THREE powder blush, TF traceless perfecting foundation/chanel lumiere velvet both 50/50….
Eyes – no doubt TF cream shadows, TF liquid eyeliner, MISS HANA gel eyeliner (a Taiwan brand, quite like this product)
Lips – YSL lip gloss volupte /tint in oil, estee lauder pure envy lipstick, and TF lip color
Skin care – Bevy C. Lumiwhite Moist Up Elixir (Taiwan brand as well), I sort of use it as substitute for the chantecaille vital essence sometimes, LRP cleanser , SHU sublime8 cleansing oil, Estee Lauder ANR, Jurlique rose mist, Sisley black rose mask
p.s. I am thinking of heading to Sydney for a few days, and most likely will visit Sephora and Make-up store. Any other places would you recommend that Melbourne might not have? Thanks million!
Yukari
Hey Yukari,
I will do a matte eyeshadow smackdown soon π Hopefully it will answer all your questions.
Not sure if you have an Inglot in Melbourne, but we have a stand in Bondi Junction that you might want to check out.
xx
YEA there’s inglot at Chadstone shopping centre I think lol woohoh Sydney tomorrow!
how can i get kohgendo and tatcha in Melbourne pleaseeeeeeeee
Koh Gen Do can be purchased off Beautylish and as far as I know, Tatcha can only be purchased on their website, although the shipping price is alarming!
x