e.l.f. Brow Kit | Review

Hey all! For some reason I’ve misplaced all the product photos I’ve had for the e.l.f. Studio Brow kit in Medium, which I had for some time to review but, I’m still going to review it anyway. You’ve probably seen me mention this product in a couple of beauty favourites and also in my eyebrow tutorial and my everyday makeup routine recently.

Source

I first heard Shaanxo on YouTube (from NZ) rave about this brow kit and when I decided to order from e.l.f earlier this year, that was one of the first things I put in my cart. It definitely lives up to the hype she gave it. It lasts all day, the colour (Medium) works well with my hair colour, especially since I wear dark-rimmed glasses, so it balances out the rest of my face. I love to alternate between the powder and the brow mousse.

Taken from my eyebrow routine

The brush which comes with this is so useless though, I wish I had bought one of their brow brushes to try along with this. The one which comes with it is a dual ended mini with a thick side for the powder and a very flimsy angled end for the cream. But for the price, I really shouldn’t complain too much. this was $3USD and e.l.f. always has a promotion going on.

Taken from my Everyday makeup routine (OMG the numbers match up, not intentional!)

I use the cream some days and the powder on others, and I may even use both for longer staying power, but it doesn’t move around too much on your brows. The brow cream is waxy enough to keep my brows in place under normal circumstances. I suggest putting your shirt on first, then applying this haha. There’s also tiny mirror in this kit which is just big enough for you to see you brows and eyes. Good for on the go grooming.

Brow done with e.l.f. Brow kit and then e.l.f. brow gel brushed through to make them look more natural.

The Verdict:

Pros:

• Affordable
• Pigmented powder and brow cream
• Lasts all day
• Cream is a good texture (waxy enough to hold brows in place)
• Cream or Powder can be used alone or together
• Simple yet sturdy packaging

Cons:

• Brush provided was absolute rubbish
• Availability in Barbados

The Raw Sugar:

Overall I’m very pleased with this little kit. It was affordable, convenient and the packaging i simple yet effective. My only annoyance was the brush provided, as it was such a dud. That should never be used with this product.

Where you can get it: e.l.f. website, Target (USA)



Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my money. Opinions are my own.

My Eyebrow Routine | Beauty

Hey all, today I’m going to show you have I groom and fill-in my brows. As I said in my Beauty Weakness post, I’m no expert on brows, I struggle to keep mine looking tidy for that matter. But I do like to keep them looking as natural as possible. I have fairly thick eyebrows which taper off to almost no hair at the ends, so that is my biggest problem. Also as I wear glasses, it’s best that I fill in my brows to balance the rest of my face.  (BTW check out the WWBH, I missed out last week, but I’m all over it this week, posting early even!)

Brows AFTER

I’m really tempted to put more of an arch into my brows, but I’d rather a professional do it, because I’m certain I’m mess it up

Weirdo brows BEFORE

Some people use razors, others uses tweezers, or scissors, But I’ll show you haw I achieve my “best” brow. Let’s get to it! (Don’t forget to pin the tutorial if you like it too.)

1. With a clean spoolie, I brush my brows upwards and outwards. 
2. After I’ve done that, I take a small scissors (one specifically for brows would make it easier) and trim the hair which is too long and messes with the shape I’m going for. Previously I’d outline my brows in a white pencil to be certain of the shape, but now I can guesstimate, hahah!
3. Pluck those stray hairs above and below your brow. I pluck some and not all because over-tweezing can cause the hair not to grow back, and I wouldn’t want that if I decided to ever change my brow shape.
4. Start to fill in the brow. I am using a small angled brush and the e.l.f. brow kit in Medium to make short strokes (though I hardly looks like that in this photo). Anyway, you want it to look natural and not too dark compared to you hair colour. I would also use the Maybelline MasterShape eyebrow pencil, but I’m all out of it sadly. 
5. Use a brow gel like this one from e.l.f. that’s clear to set the brows. I find this allows my artistry to last ALL day! You can also use the powder that comes in the brow kit, which I do sometimes. Depending on my mood that day. That also lasts long. 
6. Finally, highlight underneath your brow using your favourite highlighter. I’m using LORAC On Screen Duo in Champagne and Caviar as usual. But I also like Smashbox’s Crisp eyeshadow to highlight as well. I like shimmery highlights it I’m not wearing any other eye products. 

Violà!

Besides the trimming and tweezing, I typically do my brows like this, unless it’s a special occasion and I’m wearing more face and eye make up. Do any of you ladies do the full-on concealer/ highlighted brows? What’s your take on that? I think done right it looks very good, but I just couldn’t imagine spending so much time on those when I have to be leaving home early (or in a rush).

Disclaimer: Products mentioned were bought with my money. Opinions are my own.

Beauty Weakness- My Brows | Beauty Chit Chat

Hey all! Today I was going to post my brow routine, but I didn’t get around to photographing it for you guys during the weekend. I also realise it’s not a day for chit chat however, I really felt like just taking a bit of a breather. Also, let’s skidaddle on over to TGL for the Weekly Wednesday blog hop after you finish up here and show the blogs on the hop some love :)!

I am not great with eyebrows, as a matter fact, it’s one of the hardest things for me to do. I can barely get them to cooperate and previously I thought it would be a sin to shape them. Until I looked back at my older makeup tutorials. Gosh how atrocious! They were always doing their own thing even when I filled them in, and they were never set.

Ungroomed brows in their natural habitat.

Eventually I became more tempted to shape them but, I was always scared that if someone touched my brows I’d end up with those odd pencil-thin brows I hated.  After a friend of mine did it for me once, I was in love with how neat they looked. And so I tried it myself after much coaxing and some videos on YouTube (because we all know how bold YouTube makes us).

I ended up tweezing and although it hurt at first but soon the feeling was minimal. I realised the key was you use a nice hot towel (don’t burn yourself), or take a steamy shower to open up the pores. It really helps for the first could of plucks.

Next I want to try shaping them with a razor. Perhaps getting someone to help me to perfect my arch. I always have one lower than the other.

But yea gals, that’s just one of my beauty weaknesses. My eyebrows. Sometimes they’re good, sometimes they’re really bad. Still working on taming them.

What about you? What’s your weakness? Have you found some way to conquer it, or are working on it? Any great products for extremely unruly (mind-of-their-own) brows?

June Beauty Favourites | Beauty

Hey all, Happy 250 Posts!  It’s almost the end of June and I have been trying out a few new products this month, so why not post about my favourites. For May, I was travelling and my favourites were almost all the same as for April, so I didn’t post about them. Tons of reviews coming on these products, I must say e.l.f. is always able to impress me with something.

Anyway first up is my Maybelline BB cream, a repeat favourite, though from the new picture tutorial coming up, I feel as if it’s not matching my skin as well as before. Still it’s great for moisture and does brighten up your skin so you somewhat put together when you head out. I recently bought some e.l.f. face products and I must say I’m impressed by the All Over Colour Stick and the new shade of the Contouring Blush and Bronzer. Pictured is the All Over colour Stick in Pink Lemonade, and the Contouring kit in Turks & Caicos.

I’ve also been trying to focus more on my brows as they are a problem area for me. I am going to try to groom and shape them more often. To fill them in, I’ve been trying out the e.l.f Studio brow kit and the Maybelline MasterDrama Brow pencil. I like them both as I don’t need a lot of product for my eyebrows to look groomed, but not too bold. The only issue I have is the almost useless brush e.l.f. provides in their kit.  You should be seeing reviews of these coming soon.

Typically I’m not a fan of eyeliner, it burns my eye, makes them water or does not last at all on my waterline.. until I got the Milani Liqui’feye, but that’s so hard to find in Black sometimes. I bought some mascara a while back from Cave Shepherd and it came with the L’Oreal Kohl liner (which is pretty old mind you), but it is so creamy and works well, even my aunt liked it. It glides on easily, is very black and does not irritate me eyes. I can use it on my waterline and to line the top of my lids with ease. Being it’s a kohl liner, it never fully sets, but it definitely does a good enough job setting to not make me look like a raccoon.

I recently got the Maybelline ColorTattoo and  like it also, I’m thinking I should have gotten another colour besides Bold Gold though, because applying it with my fingers can be a hassle, leaving gold glitters everywhere on my lid. Another Maybelline product I’m loving is their new the Falsies Big eyes Mascara. I had been a bit disappointed by the Falsies when I tried the waterproof formula, and the brush was so big for my eyes, but I love the Big Eyes. Formula and everything, so look out for a review on that soon.

Finally, I’ve been in LOVE with this blue Nicole by O.P.I. polish (as seen in my NYC Beauty haul). I’ve already worn it 2 weeks in a row, that’s a record for me. I never remove polish to apply the same one. Hardly ever. I also painted my toes in this colour. I took it off of my digits for now as my hands have been quite dry as of late, so my nails or peeling :(. But I would put back on this colour “Listen to Your Momager” in a heartbeat!