PURE KOKE: 2013

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

CLE DE PEAU CONCEALER

I have always salivated a bit when I come across this line at my local Holt Renfrew.

URBAN DECAY - NAKED Eye Shadow Palette

I loves me a good palette.
I like to compare being a make-up artist to being a chef. Add a little dash here, a dollop there, and voila you have created a masterpiece.

Does Urban Decay have all the right ingredients to make this a hit or is it half baked?

the promise
*variety of textures
*universally flattering colours
*professional quality brush
*strong range of colours

the pure truth
Not only do you get 12 colours in this palette but as a bonus you receive a travel sized eye primer and a pretty good brush that they claim is cruelty free. All this for 68$.
Add in the fact that it is a sleek sassy velvet case and I am sold!

The textures are quite lovely, very easy to blend, and as promised there is nice colour range that works for every skin tone. This palette also delivers on their pledge to include a mixture of textures from glitter to shimmer to a couple of matte.

the bottom line
As evidenced by this disclaimer that I copied from the Sephora web site this product is hugely popular:
Product Availability: This product is in extremely high demand. Accordingly, Urban Decay is producing as many as possible, as fast as they can. Please check regularly to keep up-to-date on product availability. Thank you.

The shadows are so nice they are almost pre- blended for you. Great for any woman and really nice for an artist to toss in their kit for brides.

If the warm based tones in this palette are not your cup of tea there always is the sequel Naked2 that features cooler based neutrals that are anything but boring basics.

NAKED 2

rating
I can't find much wrong with this palette; the price is even right considering just how much product you get.
I do wish that there was a couple more matte shades included but Urban Decay really does deliver on it's promises with this palette so it gets:

5 smooches out of 5

Tuesday, 12 November 2013

STILA- Jewel Eyeshadow

the promise
-long wear ability
-build-able sheer coverage
-highly pigmented
-glittery glamour

the pure truth
These precisely pigmented pods will positively make your peepers perfection!

Glitter can be tricky to work with- it can fall all over your face, and then be hard to remove.
It can also have you looking like you are starring in a Tim Burton movie. A wee bit scary and probably not of sound mind.

This fantastic colour range from Stila should have you overcome your fears with just one application.This shimmer glitter is not the glitter of yore.
These sparkles are not large chunky particles, but smooth finely milled eye catching shine. And it's easy to wash away.

Apply lightly for a fine wash of colour and shine or use wet for a more intense dazzle.
Perfect for that night out on the town or for holiday parties.

Amethyst Citrine Black Diamond

the bottom line
Sometimes life is a bit of a bore. Why not add a little bit of bling to spice up your day?

Not overpowering these shadows lend just the right amount of glamour to an otherwise ordinary day. I purchased 1 for 26$ to give it a shot, and now own 4....and probably counting.

rating
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
It loses 1/2 point because they are a bit expensive.

4 1/2 out of 5

Sunday, 10 November 2013

L'OREAL STEAM POD

I used to have poker straight hair when I was younger.

MAYBELINE Dream Bouncy Blush

The word obsessed has a rather unpleasant connotation, yes?

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Eye Base

LONG WEAR??

It is a major pet peeve of mine.

Skin Ceauticals Hydrating B5

I know what you are thinking. Frankly I'm thinking it too.

Philosophy- Purity*made simple

You know you hate them. I do. The sanctimonious inspirational quote person on facebook.

QUESTION:
What is duller than a conversation with Paris Hilton?
ANSWER:
Your skin if you don't exfoliate, or in this case ekfolikate.

Tried and tested on myself and several others, the results are in on this partially manual, partially chemical exfoliater.

The Promise:
*smooth & soften skin
*deep clean
*brighten complexion
*hydrate skin

The Pure Truth:
OK I always have a wee bit of a issue with manual exfoliaters. Generally speaking I tend to avoid them like the plague.

Often the beads in them are not smoothly rounded and are way too large to be scrubbing them back and forth across your skin. They can cause small invisible tears which as you can imagine is not the desired effect we would like for our skin. (Picture a figure skater slicing small grooves in the ice.)

That being said the beads in Exfolikate are micro beads and supported in a rich emollient base. Also you are instructed to massage into skin for a short amount of time before leaving the acids to do most of the work.

This green paste is packed with pretty much everything you could ask for in an exfoliator. It's got salicylic, pumpkin, aloe, retinol, e&c. It causes a slight warmth after application but most should be able to tolerate it. If not Kate has introduced a gentler formulation.

The Bottom Line:
I suffered from some serious sticker shock with this exfoliater. Although I enjoyed the look and feel it imparted to skin, especially for mature women and men, I am not sure I can justify the splurge for this one. Despite the yummy gingerbread-esque smell I shall resist repurchasing.

If cash isn't an issue than this one could move it to your bathroom cupboard and make friends with your creams and cleansers quite nicely.

Rating:
Although it does an excellent job it is not unique enough for me to fork over the moola.
At 85$ for a very small 2 oz tube or 175$ for a small 5 oz's I fully expect this exfoliater to not only scrub my face but my floors too.

3 out of 5

NEXT REVIEW:

PHILOSOPHY PURITY FACE WASH

Wednesday, 16 October 2013

GIORGIO ARMANI Lasting Silk UV Foundation

Popping into my local Holt Renfrew I was drawn to the Armani counter like a lamb to the slaughter.

DR DENNIS GROSS (alpha beta peel)

I am a sucker for anything that promises to make my skin glow.

L'Occitane Immortelle Precious Cream

My Precious?

The theory behind this moisturizer is based on the longevity of the Mediterranean Immortelle flower.

MAKE -UP FOREVER FACE & BODY

I have experimented with a litany of foundations over the years for both personal & professional

use as a make-up artist.
On the constant search for that holy grail of foundations this one was definitely added to my "must try" bucket list.

Here's what I found out.

THE PROMISE:
-Water resistant
-Ultra-light
-Natural finish
-Water-based

THE PURE TRUTH:
This foundation is extremely easy to apply.

Put it on with a brush, sponge, fingers or your big toe it really doesn't seem to matter. You can apply this in a very light manner for a natural smooth finish or layer it for more coverage without having it look cakey.
Good for mature skin it's lightweight texture won't sit in your lines shocking everyone when you are in direct sunlight.

I gotta admit I don't love it if you are on the oily side even though this is a water based gel formulation. I found it accentuated larger pores and required more work to "push" it in the skin.
As for the body I don't love that either. For covering large areas like legs or arms I would still have to go with MAC here.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
Thank goodness they have a pump dispenser now, but a glass bottle?
Ugg. A pain for artists to lug around heavy bottles, and pray you don't drop it. (My poor toes).
However they have a really diverse colour range and the coverage is very natural looking and feeling.

RATING:
Well this one didn't morph my "face & body" like it was hoping it would. I do not look like Meghan Fox as I unrealistically dream my make-up purchases will transform me into. But I am pretty happy with the natural coverage and how light it feels on my skin.

3.5 hearts out of 5