HERA CC Cream Review :)

 

Lately I've been wanting to try CC creams so today I wanted to review the Hera CC Cream, which comes in two shades:

• 01 Pink Beige for pink understones
• 02 Natural Beige for yellow understones

Instead of the BB creams we all know (or should know since it's been out on the American market too LOL), the CC creams has more skin care ingredients; however, it has less coverage than a BB cream (bummer). 

 Hera's CC Cream is also known as the 'Photoshop Cream' as it's suppose to give you a "natural airbrushed finish". 

For packaging, it comes in a plastic tube with a pump at the end and a cap (as you can see in the picture). I really love the simplicity of the packaging. As usual there is a pump so no need to fear of bacteria or anything (bonus points for that!). There is a fragrance you pump it though, it isn't strong nor unpleasant (as least to me) but I did notice it when I first tried it. The smell will go away though no worries. :)

**Review Time**

I ordered this in shade 02 natural beige.
Again for a reference I'm NC20-NC25 range.

For my first cc cream, I'm really impressed with Hera. For my somewhat oily/combo skin, it does hold pretty well although I do have to use a finishing powder to set it or my oils really will seep through. 

It does have a moisturizing effect and doesn't give off an "oily" appearance when you apply it unlike most BB creams (I still have to use a setting powder though).

I've tried this CC cream for about 3-4wks and so I still switching my primer around to see which will make it last longer without getting me oily. So with primer and powder, I think on average it took about 6 hours for my skin to start getting oily so it did last me till I was done with classes (YAY!).

without cc cream

 

blending in the cc cream

with cc cream

But as you can see you can still see a tiny bit of color from my veins. CC creams doesn't have a high coverage as the BB creams. So on my face it doesn't cover all of any redness I have (like around the nose), so I can either use concealer or dab a tiny bit more over the area. But as for acne scars or pimples, I would suggest you use concealer. It doesn't cover my undereye circles that well either (trust me mines are horrible LOL).

NOTE: I do have to warn you that I reccomend using a primer under the eyes before putting a primer under the eyes or it may cause a tiny bit of creasing.

Overall, I would buy this again. 

I'm also waiting till I try other CC creams.

Disclaimer: These products were bought by myself to review. [: <3

EM Cosmetics review

Okay..seriously YAY! I've been wanting to try some of the em cosmetics products ever since Michelle Phan had launched her official EM cosmetics line.

So the products I purchased were:

• chiaroscuro (contour and highlighter stick) in light 
• shade play (concealer color mixing palette) in light 
• shade play (lip color mixing palette) in Mix it Up Reds
• shade play (artistic eye color palette) in London Greys 
• waterliner (intense color eyeliner) in Black Night & In the Nude
  

shade play (lip color mixing palette) in Mix it Up Reds:

Now it says it has 2 classic (top two), 2glossy (middle two), and 2 matte (bottom two) colors.

I have to say I am disappointed with the 'Mix it Up Reds' lip palette, b/c my lips are already pigmented and so no matter how I mix the shades it seems to apply as a sheer tint on me.

So it's a no go for me; however, I want to try the mix it up pinks & plums. >_<" But price wise it's still a no go for me.

chiaroscuro (contour and highlighter stick) in light:
I have to admit I absolutely LOVE the chiaroscuro stick!!! I think I have to carry it with me everywhere now (^~^)"  Just be careful when using the highlight part though.

Here is a swatch on my arm. For reference my arm is darker than my face okay. But I'm a NC20-NC25 range in the winter & NC25-NC30 in the summer.

shade play (concealer color mixing palette) in light:

As for the concealer palette, I do like that you can mix and match the colors. I think the I needed more of the salmon color for my under eyes though. I did have a little creasing but as I'm switching to a new primer I get less of it.

TIP: Get half of a tissue paper to blot the oils on the face and foundation before using a powder. It'll last longer and crease less.

shade play (artistic eye color palette)
in London Greys:

LOVE the colors. I love blues but don't wear them often. My favorite color would be the copper, grey and dark navy together.

waterliner (intense color eyeliner)
in Black Night & In the Nude

I won't swatch these since it's true as the name implies.
I really do love the waterliners, BUT the down side it that you are ONLY getting 0.28g worth of product for the price of $18 (new price cut, it was $21.65 when I got these). It's not worth the price.

However, it is great for those with sensitive eyes and contact lens users. It does have a sponge applicator and sharpener at the bottom for convenience. You would have to smudge quickly though with the sponge applicator or it won't move or budge anymore.

With the color "In the Nude". I did not have any transfers and I use this best for my lower waterline.

With the color "Black Night". It didn't budge on my upper lash line, but when I blink I did get minor barely noticeable transfer onto my bottom eyeline. But this was fixed by putting eyeshadow on my lower eyeline or waiting a few seconds to it to "dry" and not transfer. 

It is a bit hard to take off, but I use my marykay oil-free eye makeup remover and it takes it off in one or two swipes with a cotton pad. :)

You can purchase them @ http://www.emcosmetics.com/

Also she now has international shipping for anyone overseas!  :D 

As well as reduced prices (not by much but...) YAY!

Disclaimer: These products were bought by myself. [: <3

Credits: All pictures were taken by me except those taken from emcosmetics website.

TARTE: Pure Maracuja Oil & Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment REVIEW

So toay I went to sephora and picked up the TARTE: Pure Maracuja Oil & Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment. This was $10.

 

According to the sephora website:

Pure maracuja oil is rich in vitamin C, it makes the skin appears instantly brighter and more radiant. Usually this retails at $46 at sephora.

It says to use the maracuja oil:

You should apply 2-3 drops of pure maracuja oil in your hands, rub them together, and apply to clean, dry skin on face and neck in the evening. It also says that it's strong enough to replace your nighttime moisturizer.

Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment has maracuja fruit- and vitamin C-infused. It is a multitasking eye-treatment that visibly hydrates, firms, and brightens the delicate eye-area. It is suppose to refresh, renew, and recharge the appearance of tired eyes. This eye treatment contains rice bran, mango, and coconut, which are naturally rich in antioxidants and help fight signs of aging and free radical damage. Meanwhile, oat sugars instantly smooth and visibly tighten skin. The opthalmologist-tested nutrient-rich formula also delivers the ultimate in hydration for smooth, youthful-looking eyes.

252 Coastal Scents Pallete review

My 252 Coastal Scents Pallete from Coastal Scents has arrived along with the eight eyeshadow pots.

I'm super happy because I initially wanted the 120 palette but saw this on saw during the xmas holiday.

front

back

When I received the packaging it was bubble wrapped around the box (gotta love that they were careful). 

 

 After opening the box it does come the palette itself was also in another bubble wrap and inside (I'm not sure if you can tell in the pictures but it does have a shrink wrap layer on all three tiers, plus it  comes with the plastic sheet cover, and unlike the 88 palette that I have this does not come with a mirror.

(Here is a close up of the 3 tiers)

1st Tier
Greens - Taupes- Silver/grey - sea foam green/blue - Blues

2nd Tier
Yellows - Oranges -Reds - Browns/Golds

3rd Tier
Purples - Fuchsia - Yellow - Brown - Green - to pastels

NOTE: For the pastels colors I had to build the colors up though. Not all the colors were swatched so I cannot say that all the colors are 100% pigmented; however, it is a vivid beautiful color if you build the color (for the ones that aren't as pigmented).  

 

Random Swatches from the 1st Tier w/o Flash

Random Swatches from the 1st Tier w/ Flash

Random Swatches from the 2st Tier w/o Flash

Random Swatches from the 2st Tier w/ Flash

Random Swatches from the 3rd Tier w/o Flash

Random Swatches from the 3rd Tier w/ Flash

My only problem is that, the pans are very small compared the the 88 palette (not sure about 120 but I would assume that it is).

In the 252 palette the website says the diameter of the eyeshadow pans are 0.3" (0.762 cm).

In the 88 palette it is 0.62" (1.6cm) in diameter.

You can purchase them @ http://coastalscents.com/

Originally they are $24.95 but I got them during the holiday break so it was $14.97.

 Disclaimer: These products were bought by myself. [: <3

Coastal Scents Pressed Shadow Pots - Swatches & Review

So I ordered eight shadow pots from Coastal Scents along with my 252 eyeshadow palette (separate review later).

Upon the opening on my package. It was well packaged and my pressed shadow pots came in a cute little blue bag.

 

(w/o flash)

 

w/o flash

From left to right: 

Thunderous, Cocoa Diamond, Flesh Tone, Vibrant Red, Mai Tai, Vintage Burgundy, Wild Raisin, Vibrant Plum

 w/ flash

From left to right: 

Thunderous, Cocoa Diamond, Flesh Tone, Vibrant Red, Mai Tai, Vintage Burgundy, Wild Raisin, Vibrant Plum

In order from left to right:

• THUNDEROUS
  First of Thunderous is very pigmented and is a gorgeous steel grey color with satin color.
• COCOA DIAMOND
  Cocoa Diamond is a beautiful opaque brown with a nice sheen to it. I think this will go well with slightly tan and darker skin tones. Very easy to blend.
• FLESH TONE
  Flesh Tone is a lovely golden beige color with shimmer. Great as a highlight color. Great for warm/neutral undertones.
• VIBRANT RED
  Vibrant Red is a matte red which is a little bit opaque with you apply. I feel like it leans towards more of a orangery-red than a true red. It is very pigmented!
• MAI TAI
  Mai Tai, is a mauve color with a brownish tone to it with silver flecks of shimmer. I like using this color with Cocoa Diamond. :)
• VINTAGE BURGUNDY
  I've been in love with purple eyes and so Vintage Burgundy, just like the name suggest is a rich burgundy color, perfect for a smoky eye ;) and has a satin like finish.
• WILD RAISIN
  Wild Raisin, is a mix of a cranberry-burgundy matte color.
• VIBRANT PLUM
  Vibrant Plum, is probably the less pigmented as the other seven colors (kind disappointed me there). I had to swatch it 2-3 times on my arm in the picture above. But it is a beautiful vibrant purple, once you build up the color. 

You can purchase them @ http://www.coastalscents.com/

Originally they are $1.95/each but I got them during the holiday break so it was $1.17/each.

 Disclaimer: These products were bought by myself. [: <3

UNII PALETTE review

My Unii Palette from Unii Cosmetic has arrived!!

I'm super happy because I have a few eyeshadow pans from Coastal Scents & eyeshadow from NYX that I needed to depot.

  

They have them in 6 colors:

Honeysuckle (pink), Turquoise, Pear (yellow), Lavender, Crystal (white) & Midnight (black).

I ordered two of them in Lavender & Midnight. Both of which have a bit of sparkles in them (I'm sure the other colors have the sparkles/glitters in them too).
(I kinda want the rest of the colors now >_< LOL!)

(Here is a close up to see the sparkles and logo)

Lavender                                                                             Midnight

Here's an example of how it looks inside (I have more to depot).

Each unii palette comes with a movable magnetic thumb grip, built in mirror & a magnetic sheet that comes with each palette (in case the eyeshadow pan doesn't magnetically stick onto the palette so in that case remember to write down the name of the shadow right when you depot each one so you don't forget which is which). :]

I love the quality and design of these palettes. It feels nice and sturdy, has details like the thumb grip which actually is useful (eg. built-in mirror). It's very simple to clean. It's quite heavy (compared to most) but it is very durable and much more travel-friendly and clean. It also has a snap closure which I love (I don't have be afraid of it opening in my purse, backpack, etc. and creating a mess).

You can purchase them @ http://uniicosmetics.com/

Originally they are $29/each but I got them during the holiday break so it was $24/each.

 Disclaimer: These products were bought by myself. [: <3