Friday, May 2, 2014

[Review] Holika Holika Magic Pole Mascara

Cross-posted to Lifestyle Post [x]

As someone who has really fine lashes combined with tapered double-eyelids, I've always had a hard time finding just the right mascara for me. And when I heard of Holika Holika's Magic Pole mascara, which boasts a unique wand design to "sculpt the perfect lash", I just knew I had to try it out!

Isn't the packaging pretty?
Holika Holika is known to have a slightly dreamy packaging, and I always think that it's a Korean version of Japanese brand Majolica Majorca. Dreamy and occasionally cute packaging, the Holika Holika Magic Pole Mascara didn't disappoint in its pretty packaging, coming in a dark purple triangular box with gold and white fonts and lining.

Instruction palette with 3 different lash look to try out!
Inside the box, there are instructions on how to effectively use the wand, completed with pictures so you don't have to understand Korean to learn how to use it.

The pretty packaging! 

How the wand looks like.
The mascara itself has the same color code for the packaging [#03], and the wand comes with a bobbed design at the tip. With a combination of short and long bristles, the wand is suppose to effectively come the lashes and cover them with ample mascara, before one uses the bobbed tip to seperate the lashes and remove any crumps [#04].
How the brush looks like in detail and how it is when swiped!
Claiming to be smudge-proof, water and sebum-proof, strong black and has a magic curling effect, Holika Holika Magic Pole Mascara sounds like the miracle product for every lady, and let's find out if it's truly what it says!


With thin lashes, one of the biggest challenge is to find a mascara that helps to hold the curls but wouldn't weigh them down in the process. Sadly, this Magic Pole Mascara isn't the right one for me as it doesn't seem to hold that much of a curl for me as compared to other brands. Despite the design of the wand, it didn't effectively removed the crumps either so I ended up with slightly crumped together lashes - which isn't my prefered lash look but if it's yours, this might just be the one for you. It does, however, lengthen and darkens the lashes for a pretty natural look.

On the side note, it does seem to do a good job being waterproof and smudgeproof, and is easily removed by washing with warm water. I used warm water without any remover and massaged with a cleansing puff, and poof, the mascara was removed effectively!

While I probably wouldn't be purchasing this mascara again, I certainly did enjoy using this product on days when I want to do some light make-up without eyeliner. Anyone who'd like a natural finish and has medium to thick lashes, this would probably be a better fit for you.

What are your thoughts on the Holika Holika Magic Pole Mascara?

Saturday, March 1, 2014

[Review] Peri Pera Lip Tint Crayon - #01 Fruity Pink

Cross-posted to Lifestyle Post [x]

"This tender tint crayon is smoothly applied to your lips without any irritation. Fruits complex make your lips look vivid and juicy."
Peri Pera Lip Tint Crayon in Fruity Pink - isn't it cute?
When I first got this lip tint crayon, I was immediately bought over by the cute packaging. Coming in a cardboard made into the shape of a pencil, the lip crayon itself is equally as cute. In the design of a crayon, this special tint is a handy auto-type crayon that requires no shaving of any sorts. Just remove the plastic cover and apply - it's really that simple.
Testing the shade on my hand - and zoomed!
What I really love about this is the formula; the lip tint crayon has this amazing texture that applies smoothly onto your lips like the average lip balm, but with a vivid pretty color and a jelly-like glossy finish. As someone who isn't used to strong lip colors, I was a little worried when I tried the shade in #01 Fruity Pink. However, I was pleasantly surprised from the result - despite the vibrant color, I don't have to worry about the tint seeping into the cracks of my dry lips. Just like a lip balm, it applies evenly onto my lips for a smooth finish with no cracks at all! 

Not to mention, the color is build-able and it can give a vibrant touch to your face, especially on days when you've decided to put minimal make-up. Besides, one of the rising trend these days is a Jun Jihyun-inspired make up from You Who Came From The Stars - this means a bare-face natural look with a touch on the lips. And this Peri Pera's lip tint crayon in Fruity Pink will create just that!

Also living up to its name as a 'tint' crayon, this little fella had little problems leaving a nice stain on my lips even after a meal - in which you can just easily retouch on the go. The lasting power was beyond my expectations, having lasted for hours when I first tried it on. For those sensitive to smells, it has a somewhat fruity-yet-waxy scent, but that is negligible after application, so no worries on that.

If I really want to say a negative point...it would be that this lip crayon has the tendency to melt when left under the sun so please take note of where you store them - though you shouldn't be storing any cosmetic products directly under the sun. I would really love it if Peri Pera could come up with more colors, but I'd take what I can at the moment - make a guess what I'd be stocking up on as I head to S.Korea next week? 

Sunday, February 23, 2014

[Review] Nature Republic Fly To The Moon Eye Shadow - #03 Pink

Cross-posted to Lifestyle Post [x]

It's been a long while since I last reviewed anything, isn't it?

Trying to start anew in 2014. With the first post none other than Nature Republic's Fly To The Moon Cream Eye Shadow - wow, long name! 
Fly To The Moon Eye Shadow in #03 Pink
My first impression when I opened up the pot, was that it somehow reminded me of Maybelline Color Tattoo's Indigo Pink; one swatch on my hand proved me otherwise, as it was packed with lots of glitter. I was a little skeptical about glitter eye shadows - I've always had the perception that they would either fall out or the colors wouldn't stay. I was wrong, as Nature Republic's Fly To The Moon Eye Shadow (#03 Pink) not only had beautiful sparkles, but they manage to stay on all day with minimal creasing and brighten your eyes instantly!
Look at the amount of glitter!
Like most cream eye shadows I've tried, this pot had a somewhat 'squishy' and bouncy cream shadow - avoid pressing too hard as 'cracks' would appear! - and is best applied by hand, both in terms of capturing pigment and blending. 

If you're looking for an eye-shadow with opaque pigments, then this might not be for you. However, it works well in brightening your eyes, and the best part? It can be layered on top of your other shadows for that added bling, and is completely build-able! Personally, I love to use it at the outer corners as well as the inner corners of my eyes to give my eyes more life and energy.

As written on the box, "this cream-type eye shadow provides a mystique sparkle to your eyes. Your eyelids will look like a night sky sprinkled with jewels." I could not agree more, with its two-tone effects that makes it a fun shadow to play around, on its own or with other colors. 


What are your thoughts on this glittery pot of pink (or any other shades)?

Many thanks to Lifestyle Post for choosing me as a brand advocate to try this out!

*P.S: I tried to capture the sparkles, but it doesn't seem to come out as well as I'd though. Nonetheless I hope you'd be able to see the glitter in #02!