Review: Sleek MakeUP i-Divine Ultra Matte V1

I've been on a Sleek MakeUP obsession lately, and Luxola having tempting sales and discounts just isn't helping. Within a short period of time, I have accumulated two eyeshadow palettes, one contouring set, one blush set and an eyeliner from Sleek MakeUP.

This post will begin with the very first Sleek MakeUP item I bought - the i-Divine Ultra Matte V1.

Off the website, this is what is said about the i-Divine palettes:

Sleek MakeUP’s legendary i-Divines are 12 shades of high-quality, super-pigmented eyeshadow, suited to every skin tone.

The i-Divine Ultra Matte V1 looks like some hippie poured tie-dye all over the palette. I honestly didn't know how I was going to use these colours but they were hypnotic and calling out to me, so I bought the palette.

Sleek MakeUP has some really, excuse me, sleek packaging! I mean, for its price, I would say I wasn't expecting much, maybe something along the lines of NYX/e.l.f./LA Colours but man, was I pleasantly surprised!

It comes in a pretty box, which is thoughtfully designed with splotches of eyeshadow powder. The palette itself is in a flat, matte plastic (slightly rubberised) casing and it's a snapcase which opens up to...

...a set of 12 gorgeous colours. It also has a huge mirror which I don't normally use but it's always a good to have, isn't it? The only gripe I have with the packaging is that the snaplock shuts so tight, whenever I pry the palette open, the plastic sheet would stick to the mirror and the eyeshadow applicator that comes with the palette would jump and roll about on the now-exposed colours. I have half a mind to throw away the useless applicator since I have eyeshadow brushes but thou shalt not be reckless.

Aren't the colours pretty? They're like delicious untouched watercolours just begging for you to rub your fingertips in.

Anyhoos, here are some swatches.

The names of each individual colours are adorable too!

Top, left to right: Chill, Pout, Sugarlite, Dragon Fly, Pucker, Bamm!
Bottom, left to right: Cricket, Bolt, Strike, Floss, Crete, Pow!

I love how some of the names have exclamation points after, like they totally deserve a !!!

I have them swatched on UDPP in Original. Basically, just don't use these without primer because I bet they'll be chalky. However, with primer, they can be really pretty blended out and some of these are really pigmented!

Some favourites - Pout, Pucker, Cricket, Bolt, Strike and Bamm!
Some not-so-favourites - Chill and Crete. These colours just don't swatch well. In fact, I've tried Floss on the lids as well and the pink just doesn't show through.

I swear, I had no idea how to use these colours but I told myself I would try. So here's one look:

The above is my attempt at a sunset and I actually really like it! I primed my lids with TFSI Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer, used Poww! as base, Bamm! on the lids, Strike in the crease and Pucker as an Outer V. Blended it well with my Sigma E25 and I would say this is a look I would love to wear frequently.

And here's the other look I tried:

Taken with my phone, so sizes are a little different. Primed with TFSI as well, and then Pow! as base, Bamm! in the inner one-third, Chill as the middle portion and Pucker on the crease. I LOVE how this look turned out as well, even if I think Chill can do with better pigmentation. Otherwise, these colours complemented my bright yellow/navy dress.

I would also like to bring up its staying power - 13 hours after above photo was taken...

Really not bad at all. The colours stayed put and there was no creasing or fading.

This palette is excellent for those who are adventurous and dare to experiment with bold, vibrant looks. They do brighten up someone's outfit! Got a few compliments on the above eye makeup that day, so it is really eye-catching. I know this is silly but throughout the day when I caught myself in the mirror, my spirits lifted a little at just how happy the colours seem. :))

And thus...began my love affair with Sleek MakeUP.

Rating: 7.5 / 10 (if some of the other weaker colours had been better pigmented, this would have a much higher score)

Review: Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Evidence

Yay, new update! I've bought this Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Evidence for close to a month now and am finally getting round to doing a review about this!

Let me first tell you my adventure with this little pot of blue.

I received it in a sample card from Urban Decay when I made my online purchase last year - the card had Evidence and Half-Baked in these tiny little squares that could last you maybe one or two wears. I fell in love with Evidence, which is a lovely deep navy blue with a slight sheen. It isn't so much glittery that you risk looking like a disco ball, but it's more a subtle sheen that catches the light wonderfully.

I ventured to the local Sephora at the new wing of Plaza Singapura (during lunchtime) and asked this lady there about this eyeshadow. She knew nothing about it and insisted that it must be new and they are sometimes slower in receiving new items.

I hung back and after doing some more research, went back to the same Sephora after work and spoke to a different beauty consultant. This time, the guy was like, "Yes, we have that" and after rifling through the drawer quickly, managed to produce it. Moral of the story: a little persistence goes a long way. Or, eyeshadows make for a cray cray girl.

Look at that pretty blue! Anyways, I usually swatch with a very light hand (as I would on my eyelids) so if you would like a truer colour swatch, you could check out Temptalia's intense swatch.

The box's description on the range of eyeshadows:

Seductive. Velvety. And like no other. UD's groundbreakinig Pigment Infusion System(TM) delivers dimensional, blendable, long-lasting color. Our lust-worthy shades apply with unrivaled richness.

Don't you know that you use punctuation. With. Every. Other. Word. For. Emphasis?

Anyways, here's the checklist of all that the box promised. Seductive, check. Velvety, check. Dimensional, blendable, long-lasting, check. Richness, check. Oh Urban Decay, you can do no wrong with your gorgeous eyeshadows.

Sorry that I didn't close my eye fully again - I do have a problem fully closing my eyes.

But there you go, I used a lighter hand as mentioned so it's almost blue-grey. If you like deeper colours, just layer it on since this eyeshadow is so velvety and easy to blend as with most Urban Decay eyeshadows I have encountered. Loving this colour so much.

Face Primer: Pop Beauty Face Magnet

Foundation: MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

Eyeshadow Primer: UDPP in Sin

Lid: UD Evidence

Outer V: Darkhorse (from Urban Decay Naked Palette)

Eyeliner: Kiss Me Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner in Black 

Inner Eye: Holika Holika Jewel Light Waterproof Eyeliner in Pink Topaz

Lower Lashline: MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved set with Blackout (from Urban Decay Naked Palette 2)

Mascara: Christian Dior Diorshow Iconic Waterproof Mascara

Blusher: Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Hussy
Highlight: Bobbi Brown Pink Oyster Shimmer Brick

Lipstick: Revlon Lip Butter in Cherry Tart

I finished the look off with UD's All-Nighter Spray and the makeup stayed all night! Go get yourself some of those miracle spray if you haven't already!

Valentine's Day 2013

This year, I celebrated Valentine's Day as part of a wedded couple which is new to me. ;) We have no idea how married couples celebrate Valentine's Day so we headed out to one of our favourite restaurants for a nice dinner. Unfortunately, my stomach wasn't behaving but I was determined to make the trip worth it. Hence, I ate, threw up, ate, threw up, ate. All within 2 hours at the restaurant. Didn't let a little stomach discomfort stop me from having some of my favourite food ever!

But I'm not here to talk about that!

Here's my look for Valentine's Day.

For some reason, I love taking photos in the car!

Let's have a closer look at the eye makeup, since that's essential in shaking things up a little. Changing a lipstick colour just isn't the same as using 5 different colours on the eyelids. ;)

Why was the lighting so saturated?

Eyeshadow Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin

Lid: Buck (from Urban Decay Naked Palette)

Countour: Naked (from Urban Decay Naked Palette)

Outer V: Darkhorse (from Urban Decay Naked Palette)

Middle: Half Baked (from Urban Decay Naked Palette)

Eyeliner: L'Oreal 24Hr Super Liner Waterproof Gel Eyeliner (applied with Sigma E05)

Mascara: Eyeko Skinny Brush Mascara

I basically used one palette to create this look. It isn't fantastic but I like the depth that Darkhorse on the Outer V gives me, and dabbing a little Half Baked in the middle of the lids brighten up the eyes.

I would also like to go off on a tangent and rave about Sigma E05 - this is an amazing eyeliner brush that gives me control over how thin/thick I would like my eyeliner to be and even though I usually fail badly at winging the ends, at least using the Sigma E05 doesn't give me the thick square ends I usually end up with.

The L'Oreal 24Hr Super Liner Waterproof Gel Eyeliner is also pretty impressive. I've had this for a while now and it doesn't smudge or transfer once it sets. And this stuff doesn't seem to dry out! Amazing.

Eh, now the lighting is washed out. I give up.

This is 3 hours later. Makeup still perfectly intact with the eyeshadow colours and eyeliner looking fresh. However, the mascara is looking kind of clumpy. Boo.

Here's a picture of le grumpy hubby and I at dinner. Heh.

Ta!

Review: Urban Decay Vintage Eyeshadow in Dashiki

Hi! So I thought I'll pick up where I left off with my Urban Decay haul 2 months back. I really need to get updating more regularly. Believe me, I've got images catalogued in folders and a list in my phone with the different products used for different days but I just haven't gotten around to blogging.

So! Dashiki, from UD Vintage Eyeshadows collection cost an amazing US$6 on the website during the sale. Picked it up because the colour is gorgeous on screen. It's a bright blue, akin to pool water, with a shimmer/sheen.

I was a little hesitant initially because whenever I use stronger eyeshadow colours, I always end up looking like I'm headed to a getai (for those not in the know, a getai is a live stage performance performed in Singapore during the Hungry Ghost Festival, and the performers are usually dressed really loudly, with as much glitter and colours as possible). But the price and the prettiness of the colour just gave me that little push towards the 'Add to Cart' button. I have no will.

Cute little packaging that looks like a Coke bottle cap.

Check out the gorgeous shimmer.

Swatched it with just one light swipe.

Again, UD doesn't fail. The consistency is again rich and creamy, with great colour pay-off. One swipe gets you a decent colour, a few more swipes and you'll look like you coloured in your eyelids with crayons.

Blending is a dream, so I did this.

Not too much - they can't go over the lids or I may get locked up. :(

Just a subtle tinge of Dashiki.

Here's my look - primed with Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original. Didn't use a base to get the best test effect from Dashiki. Topped it off with Clio Gelpresso Waterproof Pencil Gel Eyeliner in Golden Black and coated my lashes with Silkygirl Big Eye Collagen Waterproof Mascara.

For some reason, my husband hated my outfit. :(

Here's an image I posted on Instagram - the sunlight made Dashiki stand out more.

Here's how it looks after 11 hours.

The blue wasn't as vibrant anymore so there was that bit of fading, very slight creasing and that ugly messy eyeshadow was actually a result of Clio eyeliner transferring all over my monolids. Sigh. However, for all its vibrant colour, slight fading and creasing was something I expected. It held up better than I thought it would so good on UD.

Overall, I do like the quality and the colour, but I still don't think I'm adventurous enough to wear this often. Also, I do feel that UD Deluxe Eyeshadows are a mite better than the Vintage Eyeshadows in terms of staying power and quality. It could just be a trick of mind though.

So what do you think?

Review: Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadows in Fishnet and Ransom

I'll be doing a review of Urban Decay eyeshadows in Fishnet and Ransom today - going to put them both in one entry since they belong to the colour group of purple.

They're both from the Deluxe Eyeshadow range, with an awesome price tag of US$6 from their website and not available at local Sephora stores, apparently. The packaging is gorgeous - every colour has a different design and they're all very pop art-ish/graffiti.

The packaging - Fishnet (L) and Ransom (R).

Once you popped one open by pressing the little button in front, you'll see that the lid is fitted with a mirror. Personally, I don't use these mirrors since I do all my makeup in front of a large mirror but it's always a nice to have.

Inside - Fishnet (L) and Ransom (R).

Both eyeshadows are 2.5 grams. According to UD's website, they 'flash two different colours', don't contain glitter but have a luminous sheen. Fishnet is described as 'iridescent purple', while Ransom is described as 'vibrant purple'.

To me, Fishnet has a little bit of warm pink, while Ransom has more of a cool-blue tone.

Anyways, I was wondering if I should be doing swatches and decided to go ahead with them, since most people would like to see how the colours look on the skin. Pardon my images though - my camera isn't the best and the lighting in my room is horrendous. The husband loves tungsten lighting so our room is always basked in a warm, orange light which is kind of dim and don't make for fantastic photos. :( There's also no sunlight in the room because the two tiny windows in our room are blocked by our giant wardrobe. Eventually, we'll move to our own place so I hope to have more sunlight in our future room to allow better photos.

Swatches of Fishnet (L) and Ransom (R) without primer.

The quality of UD eyeshadows is amazing. They're not chalky, have a slightly creamy texture but aren't overly creamy (I hate cream eyeshadows since they all crease badly on me), and have great colour payoff. Two swipes got me this shade.

Other shades of purple that I have similar to the pink-ish tone of Fishnet are: Rosette from Stila In the Garden Palette, and Anna Sui Ombre A Paupieres (201).

Warm purples - Rosette (L), Fishnet (C) and Ombre A Paupieres (R).

They look more similar in their pans than the actual swatches.

Swatches - Rosette (L), Fishnet (C) and Ombre A Paupieres (R) without primer.

Stila Rosette is more of a metallic pink violet but has lower colour payoff, while Anna Sui Ombre A Paupieres is just a disappointing chalky soft purple, that has poor colour payoff. Without a doubt, Fishnet is the clear winner out of these 3 warm purples.

As for the cooler Ransom, I will compare it to L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Purple Obsession, but that's stretching it a little since Purple Obsession looks nothing like Ransom in the pan.

Cool purples - Ransom (L) and Purple Obsession (R).

Swatches - Ransom (L) and Purple Obsession (R).

They look nothing like each other swatched either. Ransom, though cool is warmer than Purple Obsession. Purple Obsession is more of a deep purple that has blue and pink flecks, and has a pearly finish. I love Purple Obsession as well but it's for a darker, more dramatic look.

So I wore both the UD eyeshadows to see how long they last, starting with Fishnet.

This is my look - primed lids with Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original, Fishnet all over (no base for better results), MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved and Dejavu Fiberwig Paint-On False Lashes Extra Long Mascara.

Below is 12 hours later...

Oh no, I can't close my eyes properly. Am I creeping you out yet?

It had slight fading, no creasing and the mess you see was from a slight transfer from the eyeliner. Almost all eyeliners transfer for me since I have monolids/hidden crease. :(

Here's the look for Ransom!

Again, lids primed with UDPP, Ransom all over, UD 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Empire and finished off with Maybelline Lashionista Mascara. Boo, you can see Empire almost immediately transferred to crease even though I let it set.

12 hours later...

Again, very slight fading. Weird that the eyeliner didn't seem to have made as much of a mess as I thought it would - seems like it only had the transfer from the application in the morning. Huh.

Overall, I love both UD eyeshadows for their superior quality and for the price I paid, they're definitely worth every cent! In fact, the sale price I paid is even cheaper than the L'Oreal Infallible eyeshadows! You don't need much product for a good colour payoff either, and the lasting power is amazing with slight fading and virtually no creasing at all.

If UD eyeshadows are priced reasonably in the local stores, I will definitely purchase every colour!

Wow, this has been one long pictures-laden post. I'll be going on a short getaway for the next few days but there will be more reviews when I am back! :)

Happy Lunar New Year, everyone!