Showing posts with label Eye shadow. Show all posts

Morphe X Jaclyn Hill Palette

The Queen of Slay's Palette


 The beauty world eagerly anticipated the collaboration that the Queen of Slay (aka Jaclyn Hill) announced early last year. When she previously announced that she was working on something, most of the beauty community pounced the net, fervently wishing for a leak. The wish was granted in the form of a (very un-impressive looking) cake.

 When the Morphe x Jaclyn Hill cake leaked, I wasn’t as excited as I expected to be. I thought the palette would have the ability to knock me out in sheer excitement. On the contrary, I thought the cake didn’t look great and I didn’t expect much from the palette. (did you see that cake? Not only did it look untidy, it also looked like a sad selection of shades which most of us will never expect from Slay Queen). I mean it had been a palette that Jaclyn spent two (extremely long) years working on.

 But then the palette dropped and suddenly, I was obsessed! It looked gorgeous and the shade selection was stupendous!

 The day the palette launched, I was on my PC, refreshing my page every few seconds. When I finally bagged the palette, I was smiling from ear to ear, gushing about the palette to my husband throughout dinner.

 I ordered it off the Morphe site and got it delivered via Aramex Global Shopper. Initially, I loved Aramex but recently, they suck - majorly! I don't think I'll be using their services in a hurry again.

 Price
Palette price - Morphe: $38.00
Price I paid: R640.00

 In total, I paid the amount of R640.00 including delivery (I was lucky enough not to pay any customs) - which is a bargain if compared to the third party resellers. In fact, I bought one palette for me and one for my sister and paid approximately R1280.00 in total. Hell yeah!

 Rating: 4/5
I would have given it a 5 if I loved the pressed glitter more and if the actual palette was easier to clean.

 Available: Morphe or third party resellers

 Packaging
The packaging is a matte white with Jaclyn's name splashed across the front. The palette is made out of thick cardboard and not Morphe's usual plastic packaging. In place of a mirror, Jaclyn has a little note to all her subscribers. The shadows are packed into a silver matte background. Since the palette is white and silver, it easily gets dirty and it's not so easy to clean. Some of the stains are embedded into the palette making it look like something that's been recovered from a brutal makeup war. However, in recent news, Jaclyn announced that they repackaged the palette and it's easier to clean. Generally speaking, it's what's inside the palette that counts but if you're finicky about stained makeup products (like me), this will be major turn off.

 Shadows
The palette consists of 35 shades which range between mattes, shimmers, stain, foil and a pressed glitter.

 Almost all the shadows have fallout when you dip your brush into them but this doesn't really bother me. I realised that fallout is almost always inevitable and I've come to accept it. I know a few people complained that some of the shadows were patchy and chalky but I didn't seem to have that problem with my shadows. For the most part, they are blendable and  smooth.

 The matte shades blend like a dream - especially the transition shades - they are creamy and pigmented. I adore the fact that the colour payoff is great.

 The shimmers and foils are just as pigmented. I didn't have to use them with Mac Fix+ unless I wanted that extra bit of BAM! They are easy to blend and look beautiful.

 The satin shades are subtly stunning. They look great as inner corner or brow bone highlights.

 The pressed glitter shade is okay. I don't use it as much and I find it to be slightly grainy. This is understandable as it is a pressed glitter. It's still a pretty shade but I have yet to find a use for it.

 Final verdict
I love the shade selection in this palette because not only is it well thought out, but it also includes shades that can assist in creating almost ANY look. From the beautiful transition shades to the soft warms to the brilliant pops of colour, this truly is a dream palette. All in all, if you're thinking of purchasing this palette and if you spend less that R700.00 for it, I'd say go for it!


Below are the swatches from left to right.

 I think they swatched beautifully. I didn't use a primer and I only swiped once and this was the colour payoff.





Beauty, Eye shadow, eyeshadow,
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Current Beauty Favourites

I certainly love reading or watching beauty favourites because it’s always good to know what works for who and which products are trending. Unfortunately, when it comes to makeup (or skincare), I’m an impulsive buyer. Someone just has to mention how wonderfully awesome a product is, and I’ll already be surfing the net, trying to get my hands on the coveted product. 

 It’s starting to become an actual (although welcomed) problem - I think I may be enamoured to buying makeup. Okay, who am I kidding? I am an addict, an irrevocable addict. Anyone that sees my collection knows that I am a hard core makeup addict and lo and behold, it is a very expensive addiction. 

 Call it high maintenance - unequivocally, it is - but I just cannot seem to help myself. Maybe I need to go to a Makeup Anonymous group. Who’s with me?

 Anyway, let’s talk more about these current favourites. Some of these products I recently fell in love with again and some of them I’ve been reaching for more often than not.

 Farsali Rose Gold 24K Oil and Farsali Unicorn Essence
Just before I apply my makeup (and after my skincare), I press some of this oil into my skin. I also put it all over my lips before wearing a matte liquid lipstick or I mix it into foundations that are drying. It’s great for dewy, glowy looks.

The Farsali Unicorn Essence can be used as a primer. After massaging the Farsali 24K oil onto my face, I apply a few drops of this essence. It creates a wonderful canvas for other products.


 LA Girl Orange Concealer
I don’t ever apply concealer without  applying an orange colour corrector first. Apart from being extremely affordable, this product does just the job you need it to do - it cancels out those terrible dark under-eye circles as well as those random dark marks at the corner of the mouth.

 Too much of this product can make a real mess so it should be used sparingly. 

Naked Skin Concealer
This is definitely my all time favourite concealer. I love the applicator, it isn’t the standard doe foot applicator. It picks up enough product to conceal dark circles for both eyes and highlight the nose, forehead and chin.

 It’s medium coverage and pretty hydrating. Unfortunately, I have a lot of under eye wrinkles (oh, the horror!) So whenever I apply ANY product under my eyes, it accentuates the fine lines. 

 However, this concealer doesn’t accentuate fine lines as much as some other concealers. There’s a minute difference.

 It definitely hides those under eye circles which is a tell tale sign that you’re completely exhausted (or in some cases, it hides your hereditary genes).

L’Oréal brow product
I was never into brows until recently, partly because I would never get them shaped to perfection, I would just let my natural brows be. And then one day, I decided to fill them in and neaten them with a brow pencil. Ever since that day, brows have been given more consideration and unintentionally, it has become my priority. 

 I love how easy this brow pencil is to use. Its creamy enough to glide on but dry enough not to make a mess. It goes on effortlessly and the spoolie works just as well.

 Jaclyn Hill Palette
Every time I use this palette I fall more in love with it. Apart from being absolutely stunning, it is so versatile. The shadows are pigmented and creamy and a dream to blend (in depth review coming soon).

Morphe 39A palette
This palette is probably the only palette anyone needs (if you're not completely makeup obsessed). With the large-pan transition shades and the various colours, you can do any look you want. 

AOM Extreme Artliner Pen
Liquid liner can either be your best friend or your arch nemesis. I find that with this liner, it's almost always your best friend. It's easy to use and the colour payoff is great (granted, it's a black liner). The fine tip makes a sharp wing effortless.

L’Oréal False Lash Wings Mascara
The shape of the wand will probably leave you blinking in confusion. It's unconventional but it is oh-so-effective. I almost always go back to grab this mascara. It coats the lashes completely, leaving you with thick, luscious lashes.

Givenchy Radically No Surgetics Foundation
This particular foundation is revolutionary for me. I've yet to find a foundation that gives me the feels the way this one does. It's medium to full coverage and it leaves the skin looking absolutely beautiful.

RCMA translucent powder 
I’m not a fan of powders but they are absolutely necessary to set your makeup. I always feel that although powders set my makeup, it also accentuates fine lines and dry patches. 

 I always used the Ben Nye Banana Powder but recently, I found that it’s oxidizing on my skin. I don’t know why this started to happen but nonetheless, I just moved on to a translucent powder. 

 It’s finely milled so it doesn’t leave a powdery mess all over your face. It sets the makeup well and it doesn’t make dry areas look patchy. But like concealer, I feel that every powder that’s placed under my eyes makes the under eye wrinkles accentuate. Ugh, the struggle is real.

L’Oréal Lumi Powder
Technically, this is a foundation. However, I use it as a setting powder and I love it. It is extremely fine and melts into the skin even if it's applied over foundation. I find that it does not make me look cakey or powdery. I generally take a large powder brush, dip it into the powder, tap off the excess and dab it all over my face.

Benefit Hoola Bronzer
I got this some time back as a gift and at first, I barely used it. I just thought that it wouldn't look great on me so I didn't bother ton try it. When I finally decided to use it, I absolutely loved it. Recently, it's become a go-to product. It blends in wonderfully and doesn't leave my cheeks looking muddy.

Morphe 9B Blush Palette
I never really owned a lot of blushes. I don't know why - I probably just never found something that I loved. However, I'm really starting to love this blush palette. The array of colours gives you a variety to choose from. It's super pigmented so a little goes a long way. If I don't tap off the excess, I end up looking like I belong in the circus - THAT's what i mean by pigmented.

 Colourpop Highlighter - Wisp
I'll go months without using this highlighter but whenever I go back to it, I remember why I love it so much. I usually apply a small amount with my fingers and then go in with a beauty blender to blend it out. You can make this highlighter look like a blinding highlight or just a subtle glow. Either way, it's gorgeous!
(Excuse the picture though, you can clearly see how much I love it!)

Becca Opal Highlighter
My all time favourite highlighter is probably Becca Champagne Pop. But sometimes when I want a highlighter that has less of a gold/peach undertone, I find this perfect. I think it looks great when worn outdoors and when the sun bounces off it.

Huda Beauty Liquid Lipstick - Trendsetter
Huda Beauty liquid lipsticks are great. I love that the formula is not too drying and not too thick. It lasts a good few hours before starting to wear off but if it's paired with the lip contour, it lasts even longer. It transfers ever so slightly but I can't complain, especially because it doesn't leave my lips feeling parched.

Beauty, brushes, concealer,
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Makeup removal routine

Removing makeup can be the bane of my existence. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but you know what I mean. Sometimes, I actually do not wear makeup just because I really do not want to remove it later. The struggle is real!

However, even though the process of removing makeup is tedious and not well received, I always, ALWAYS remove my makeup. There’s just something so satisfying about being bare faced and freshly cleansed.

 I don’t think I’ve ever gone to bed with makeup on. It’s just something that I cannot do.

 I love the feeling of not having any products on my face (except moisturizer because my skin NEEDS hydration). I feel as if I can finally collapse face-down on my white sheets without having to worry about a foundation mask imprinting itself on my bed.

 Getting all traces of makeup off my face is something I ensure I do.

 Anyway, let's get to it! Below is a step-by-step guide on how I usually take off my makeup and right at the end, there's a lazy girl tip (which I resort to often). To be honest, I can use the lazy girl hack but sometimes I just enjoy being so extra.

 Step 1
I usually take a dollop of coconut oil and rub it all over my face. This is one of the easiest ways to remove makeup and it’s pretty affordable.

 Please note that I use a grocery store coconut oil to remove my makeup. I only included a picture of the Kopari coconut oil for aesthetic purposes.


Step 2
Once the oil is smothered all over my face, I gently wipe it away with a damp makeup eraser or with a makeup wipe (you can even use a damp microfiber cloth).


Step 3
Although most of the makeup has been removed at this stage, there are still traces left behind. I then use a facial wash (if I’m not too lazy and if I want to do an extra step). If not, I move on to step 4.


Step 4
I’ll rinse out my damp makeup eraser and if I’m not too lazy, I’ll wash it with laundry detergent (have you noticed how many times I said I'm lazy? #ThatLazyGirlLife). I’ll then take either micellar water/micellar milk/micellar oil on my damp makeup eraser/cotton pad and cleanse my face with it. If the makeup eraser/cotton pad looks completely clean once I’ve removed all my makeup, I’m done. If not, I’ll take another cotton pad and repeat step 4.


Step 5
After my face is cleansed and fresh, I moisturize well.

 Bonus tip for lazy days (or most days)
Sometimes I get way too lazy (again!) to do the entire cleansing process as stated above. Instead, I’ll moisten my damp makeup eraser with micellar water and use it to remove my makeup. It works really well and removes most makeup in one simple step.

Where to purchase Micellar water:
Any drugstore (Clicks/Dischem in South Africa)

 Save: Garnier Micellar water
Splurge: Bioderma Micellar water
Beauty, Clean, concealer,
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10 Makeup Rules

10 rules for every makeup junkie (or anyone else)

Rules aren’t always meant to be broken. Sometimes we need them - especially because we want our makeup to last because that shizz is expensive! And if we’re going to be applying expensive products to the face, we want it to look good.

If you’re a makeup junkie, chances are that you probably spend most of your would-be savings on makeup.

Here are 10 rules to follow when your makeup addiction is real:

1. Flawless fakes

Before buying any makeup, make sure you do your research! Buying fake makeup should be a no-no. Applying something laden with trashy ingredients will not make you look flawless. In fact, it can destroy your skin. There are countless products that are out there that contain poisonous and harmful ingredients - be vigilant!

Also, ensure the retailer you are purchasing from is legit. Ask around and read reviews.Rather buy dupes than fakes.

When it doubt, throw it out.

2. Expensive eyes

Makeup is expensive. We all know that. Dropping your hard earned cash on an overpriced product is sure to turn you bankrupt. Once again, do your research. There are many third party retailers who stock international makeup and many of them are overpriced. Compare the prices between these retailers before spending those bucks. But remember the cost of shipping and customs. Third party retailers do have to make a profit too! 

3. Sharing shadows

If you’re going to share any makeup, make sure you clean your tools! Using the same eyeliners can lead to eye infections. All you have to do is sharpen your eyeliner or wipe the tip of your retractable lip liner. Get disposable makeup wands if you’re applying mascara on others. 

In this case, rubbing alcohol is your best friend. You can even spritz it on your pretty palettes!

4. Clean canvas

Make sure your skin is clean before applying any makeup. Wash and cleanse your face before moisturizing. A clean canvas is a necessity for flawless looking makeup.

5. Remove rosiness

Always always always remove your makeup before you sleep. Apart from staining your pillows, makeup left overnight will clog your pores and it will make your skin age faster!

A fresh face before bed should be a bedtime ritual. Besides, it’s so much more comfortable to sleep with a makeup-free, fresh face.

6. Blend baby, blend 

One of the most annoying things to see is a single dark line streaking just below the cheekbones. Blending your contour and your blush is essential!  
Remember to always blend your contour upwards.

Blending eyeshadow is another important point. Wearing blended eyeshadow can make you look a thousand times more put together. Imagine wearing a bright pink eyeshadow without any blending - that’s called the clown-look. 

7. Makeup matters

Use makeup that is made for your skin type. Wearing an oil controlling foundation on dry skin will not make your foundation look good. Similarly, wearing a dewy foundation on oily skin will just make you look like a grease ball. 

If you’re dry and you want to wear a foundation that’s mostly targeted for oily skin but the coverage is great, add a few drops of moisturizing oil to your foundation. 

And if you’re oily and you want to wear a dewy foundation, use an oil controlling powder to set your foundation.

8. Eerie eyebrows 

Don’t fill in your brows in such a way that it makes you look like you’ve completely changed the shape into something weird and unnatural. Make sure your eyebrows are filled according to a natural shape and not according to alien standards because that's just not a cute look.

You don’t need to shape your eyebrows to perfection to get a refined brow look. Concealer and a brow pencil can do wonders!

9. Gentle joys

Be gentle with your face when applying and removing makeup. Beating your skin with rough movements will just stretch it unnecessarily, making it prone to unwanted wrinkles.

Also, ripping out false lashes are fine. Ripping out real lashes? Not so much. Be careful with your lashes, you don’t want large gaps between your lashes.

10. Always awesome

Never feel like you always NEED to wear makeup when leaving the house. Society’s standards are not worth it. Wear all the makeup you want or wear none at all. You only need to keep yourself happy because when you’re happy, you can make others happy. 

Be you.

Do you have any other makeup rules you swear by? Share them below!
Beauty, Clean, Eye shadow,
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