By Terry Sun Designer Palette

Ahhh, the gorgeous By Terry. The creator of the brand Parisian beauty guru Terry de Gunzburg is also the creator of YSL' famous Touche Éclat Pen. She created it before starting her own brand.

Now she has come out with quite a stunning palette: The Sun Designer Palette

What is it?

This is palette really packs a punch in a slim case (15cm by 6cm by1cm). It comes with a lovely dark plum velvet slip case.

There are two varieties: 1. Tan and Flash Cruise and 2. Light and Tan Vibes.

I chose Tan and Flash Cruise because of the vibrant colours and different tones. You can see in the photo below that Light and Tan Vibes is fairly bleh.

Light and Tan Vibes

If you have fair skin (which I do), do not be put off by the Tan and Flash Cruise. The colours are easy to blend out and as you can see, gives more variation of tones than Light and Tan Vibes.

I purchased mine from Beautylish for US$82. They provide free express shipping.


What's good about it?

The colour selection. I love all of the colours. Their very pretty. Three blushes, a highlighter and two bronzers.

The pigmentation and staying power is great - about 7-8 hours wear on a normal busy day.

You can combine colours so easily, sweep across, sweep down, sweep up. It all produces very different variations.

How compact and well designed the entire palette is. I could travel with just this, a light base eye colour, foundation, concealer, mascara. I've tried the tan and lighter pink colours on the eyes and they look amazing.

The embossed design of the blushes and bronzers/highlight, makes this very attractive.

Unlike under pressed power products, this does not "kick" up too much access which is good given how expensive it it.

What's bad about it?

Except for the price point, NOTHING. Although, I do think that you are getting quality for your money with 6 different shades in one neat palette. So that's US$13.67 a shade.

The exterior case illustrating the "Sun" design and dark plum velvet slip case

The palette up close. More bronzers/highlighter than blushes which makes sense because you do use more bronzer

The swatches - no primer. My arms are darker than my face from outdoor activities so the highlighter (third down) almost matches my arm.

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Final thoughts: I love this palette and would highly recommend it if you don't have something like this already.

Yours Truly and with Lots of Love, TeaCupofMakeup

Givenchy Teint Couture Cushion Fluid Foundation

The trend for cushion foundations has been going on for a long while. They first originated from Korea. The Korean ones tend to give you a luminous glowy look though they have come out with more matte ones.

This is what a typical Asian Cushion Foundation looks like (this one is from IOPI, a Korean brand I really like). Notice that it is the cushion inside that contains the foundation. Also, they very typically come with a refill.

Since the trend started several years ago, more and more European/USA brands have come out with "cushion foundations". Most of them like Lancome, Dior, YSL and It Cosmetics all look like the one above.

It Cosmetics, Lancome, YSL and Dior 

Like the Korean/Asian ones, they all come with a flap to close off the cushion part.

So what is it?

So, that's what makes the Givenchy Teint Couture Cushion Foundation unique. It does not come with a flap, but a metal plate with holes punched so that the product comes out as the Givenchy logo.

Photo from https://www.givenchybeauty.com

It's basically a fluid (fairly fluid) foundation trapped inside a thick round compact. You release the foundation by pressing down. The metal plate is meant to protect the foundation from bacteria and air.

It is a water based foundation that is paraben free.

Using the applicator, you press down and the foundation goes on the sponge applicator. 

You apply it with a patting motion. You could apply it with a brush really.

what's good about it?

It's pretty cool. I like that Givenchy has differentiated its cushion foundation by it's unique design.

The use of the metal plate is good too if you are a germaphobic like me. It's very easy to clean. Unlike the other cushion foundations - that's just not possible.

The holes in the plate are very small, almost like pin pricks so there should be no worry of weird stuff falling in.

You don't get product wasted or stuck in a cushion in the compact like the other cushion foundations in the tradition format.

It's a lot easier to carry around than a bottle of foundation for touch-ups

It has the same lovely Givenchy foundation formula. Coverage is buildable. It even covered my dark eye rings (refer to photos below). It's lightweight and feels like I'm not wearing anything on the skin.

I love the effect it gives. It's very much like the Teint Couture Blurring Foundation Balm which I love.

There is no perceivable scent.

what's not good about it?

That darn little applicator is so thin and now very useable. 

It does not come with a refill but I don't think the other Western brand ones do either.

O.K. to be honest, to press it so you get the cool Givenchy logo coming through is tricky. You really have to press the whole metal plate to get an even effect, but who cares.

I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but it sets very quickly. When patting it on, I later found I would get "pat ring" lines which I had to blend out quite vigorously with a brush applying more product on top.

Very thin applicator which is every different from the other cushion foundations - it's like a cotton pad

Before - lots of spots

Pat, Pat, Pat...

After - No photoshopping at all

Final Thoughts: So have you jumped on the cushion foundation train yet? This is a good one to start with. 

Yours Truly and with Lots of Love, TeaCupofMakeup

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Lipsticks & Swatches

I'm a huge fan of Guerlain's cosmetics. In fact, I collect a fair bit of their products. Their elegantly designed, beautiful, classy and timeless.

This time, Guerlain seems to have changed their design concept, leaping into the future, so to speak, by combining the classic Law Petite Robe shape with a bit of Pop Art.

The Lovely shape of the La Petite Robe Bottle in one of it's different releases

The Pop Art influence can be seen on the box

what are they?

From the Guerlain website, they are described as:

deliciously shiny texture to dress up your style with colour! 

Vibrant shades in an innovative texture: 

• a light-weight texture reveals the lips’ natural radiance, leaving them supple and comfortable
• buildable coverage thanks to its thin film: one layer to offer a glimpse of the sensual texture of the lips, several for a more dense and sophisticated finish
• inspired by La Petite Robe Noire, the formula is deliciously perfumed and delicately flavoured for an unforgettable taste on your lips 
• an ultra-shiny finish and pure & luminous colours thanks to a cocktail of fine oils and a selection of “POP” pigments coated in a specific shine-boosting resin

I totally agree with the above.

You get a lot of shades to choose from. There are 24 shades as far as I know.

I purchased:

• 061 Pink Ballerinas
• 063 Pink Button
• 068 Mauve Gloves

You can buy them anywhere Guerlain Cosmetics are sold. They cost A$47 each, which is not bad considering MAC lipsticks are A$36 and a Revlon Lipstick can cost up to A$30

what's good about them?

The packaging is so cute! I also like the fact that unlike other lipsticks with clear tubes, the designer has thoughtfully designed it so that the lipstick will never smudge the clear cover.

I love the taste! I'm not sure if I am imagining things, but I thought there was a faint vanilla taste.

OMG, this is like spreading high quality made in the Swiss Alps butter on your lips. It felt so comfortable. So silky, so smooth. I have fairly dry and chapped lips, so this lipstick is perfect for me as it is very moisturizing.

I do like the shine that it gives. No lip gloss needed. I felt my lips look plumper as well.

They are buildable. You can go sheer to full on colour.

Lasting power: 3-4 hours. If you're eating something, it will come right off. It did not seem to leave a stain.

what's not good about them?

The colour in the tube and swatches can de deceiving. I guess this is true for all lip colours. They tended to appear somewhat more subtle on my lips. 

I would say my lips are not that pigmented.

At first, I was put off by the perfume scent, but it grew on me. For those that don't like scented products, this might not be for you.

Simply Sublime Packaging

061 Pink Ballerinas

068 Mauve Gloves

063 Pink Buttons

So will you try them? I highly recommend them!

Yours Truly and with Lots of Love, TeaCupofMakeup

Maskcara Cosmetics Revew

Hi There Beauty Lovers!

Maskcare Cosmetics was founded by CARA BROOK Beauty Blogger/Makeup Artist in 2013. SO... being lured in by the pretty packaging, I had to try it. I also like her philosophy about how:

MAKEUP SHOULD BE USED TO ENHANCE THE TRUE BEAUTY IN A WOMAN’S FACE, RATHER THAN COVERING IT UP.

what are they?

Each little tin (yes, I was a bit shocked by how small they were - each tin measures 5.5cm by 2.5cm by 0.5cm). That does has it's advantages because you can easily pop several items in your makeup bag.

Each tin has a beautiful illustration on them. It's kinda boho/astrology. They are all slide tins. 

Each tin contains a cream product. It's made in the USA and are Cruelty Free. The ingredients used differ depending on the product (see http://www.maskcara.com/ingredients/). From what I can see, the common and main ingredient seems to be paraffin and various types of waxes.

I purchased:

• Blush Bundle (U$50) - Pink Grapefruit; Dahlia; Baby Watermelon; Desert Sunset and Ruby
• Stone Contour (U$10.50) 
• Moonlightt Highlight (U$10.50)
• Honey and Cherry Illuminators 

You can buy them directly from http://www.maskcarabeauty.com/

Shipping to Australia was a whopping U$30.49 (add U$1 for express shipping)

what's good about them?

The exterior packaging is pretty. Stunning even.

The price point is good because they are so pigmented (more below).

The colour payoff and longevity is great (all day wear in mild - cold weather). Easy to apply with your fingers or a synthetic brush. Some of the blushes do leave a stain so best not to use your Chukuhodo brushes. 

They are very pigmented so you don't need much. The blushes also leave a pretty stain as it slowly wears off.

They have a unique concept which is that the contour + highlight = your foundation (see photo below). The highlighter is meant to act as a concealer as well, but mostly for the under-eyes. You will need a concealer to cover up spots.

http://www.maskcarabeauty.com/pages/how-to-hac

I will post photos of looks on my Instagram - TeacupofMakeup

They also sell brushes which I think I might save up for as I am a brush whore. I did buy one duo brush that was on sale (it's sold out now) and I have yet to test it.

what's not good about them?

It's kinda weird having to do my base using the contour, highlight, blush and illuminate products alone. You need a concealer. 

It's very much guess work trying to determine what shade would suit. There is a colour finder but most of the girls shown are White, one hispanic (I think) and an african american girl. So if you are Asian, and most Asians have yellow/olive undertones from very fair to dark, it's a bit hard.

For combination/oily skin, a setting powder is necessary. 

It won't work well in hot weather on it's on. It'll just slide right off.

Creams are messy. I'm worried if I put this in my pocket, my body heat might melt it.

I would like to use some of the blush colours as a lip colour but the list of ingredients (and my pure laziness to do the research) sounds a bit scary - all chemical names. 

Of the blushes, I found Desert Sunset to be the least pigmented. Baby Watermelon (a fair pink) and Pink Grapefruit (a fair peach) looked almost identical when swatched.

Of the two illuminators - Black Cherry is pretty dark, I would wear this as a blush.

The Moonlit Hightlit did drag a bit leaving streaks but it did work ok when very well blended out. 

Instructional card included in the package

Stone Contour; Moonlit Highlight and Honey Illuminator

Swatches (Top to Bottom): Stone; Moonlit; Honey

The beautiful tins (tiny)

The Blush Bundle: Desert Sunset; BabyWatermelon; Pink Grapefruit; Dahlia and Ruby

Blushes swatched (top to bottom): Desert Sunset; BabyWatermelon; Pink Grapefruit; Dahlia and Ruby

Desert Sunset is quite weak, I had to really apply several layers so that you could see the colour. 

You can see BabyWatermelon & Pink Grapefruit are very similar. 

Honey and Moonlit's packaging

Black Cherry Illuminator swatched. It will make a very pretty blush.

So are you tempted? Let me know! My very final thoughts are: their cool!

Yours Truly and with Lots of Love, TeaCupofMakeup

Dose of Colors Eyedeal Duos

My love affair with Dose of Colors continues.

They have released Eyedeal Duos. There are thirteen duos in total. You can see the full set here.

They retail for US$25 each on the Dose of Colors website. I purchased them from Beautybay.com for A$40.60 each. Scotty's Makeup in Sydney, Australia carries them and sells them for A$40 each.

what are they?

Each duo contains a matching primer/cream eyeshadow and a pigment.

I purchased:

• Pixiedust - light silver creamy coloured primer and almost pure white pigment
• Sticks and Stones - An very pale brown bronze with pink tones coloured primer and almost rose gold/bronze pigment
• Sunset - Slightly paler gold coloured primer and intense bronzy gold pigment 
• Maroon - purple coloured primer and complex black and purple with gold flecks pigment

what's good about them?

The exterior packaging is pretty, They have also included a little mirror in the lid.

The colour payoff and longevity is great (all day wear).

I like the ability to mix the primer and pigments for different effects. You can wear either on it's own, though I would recommend setting the primer with a translucent powder if that is all you want to wear as a wash of colour.

I have worn the pigments with a bit of mixer like Inglot's Duraline. It's very pretty and certainly intensifies the colours.

I've tried wearing the primers as eyeliners, they seem ok though again, it's best to set them with a translucent power.

I will post photos of looks on my Instagram - TeacupofMakeup

I think the other colours I would like to try are Maple; Shell; Lemon Drop and Stellar.

what's not good about them?

The interior packaging for the section that contains the pigment. The lid and screw bits are too deep and a lot of product can get caught in them. This makes it incredibly messy when you open them as pigments can fly everywhere.

Of the two that I purchased, I found that Sunset and Maroon's pigments seemed less fine or more clumpy than the other two. This made it harder to apply as your fingers or brush can pick up more product than you want as it is hard to 'tap tap tap' it off.

I noticed some fallout during application. Best to place a tissue or a shadow shield under your eyes when you apply them. 

As for the price. Well, if I lived and worked in the USA, U$25 is a very good price point. For A$40 in Australia, I would say that's ok as you do get two products in one that you can match with your other makeup items.

Beautiful Box

Instructions on application on the back

Love the packaging

Pixiedust's primer

Pixiedust's pigment

Here you can see what the problem is with the packaging for the pigment section. The deep ridge in the lid traps a fair bit of product as the pigments will get pressed into the ridge when you close it.

Pixiedust: primer (R) pigment (L)

Pixiedust swatched (no primer applied): primer (top); pigment (middle) and primer with pigment patted on top (bottom)

Sticks and Stone's primer

Sticks and Stone's pigment

Sticks and Stones: primer (R) pigment (L)

Sticks and Stones swatched (no primer applied): primer (top); pigment (middle) and primer with pigment patted on top (bottom)

Sunset's primer

Sunset's pigment

Sunset: primer (R) pigment (L) notice the "clumpiness" of the pigment

Sunset swatched (no primer applied): primer (top); pigment (middle) and primer with pigment patted on top (bottom)

Maroon's primer

The set

Maroon's pigment

Maroon's: primer (R) pigment (L)

Maroon swatched (no primer applied): primer (top); pigment (middle) and primer with pigment patted on top (bottom)

so what do you think? yes or no? let me know your thoughts!

Yours Truly and with Lots of Love, TeaCupofMakeup