Makeup Review::Jenn Ne Sais Quoi & Dohee

File_000-300x300 Makeup Review::Jenn Ne Sais Quoi & Dohee MAKEUP
Happy Sunday, everyone! Last year Jenn Im released some makeup products in collaboration with Colourpop, but it was sold out by the time I decided to purchase the collection. Almost a whole year later, I was able to snag a couple of products during the special re-release.

:Jenn Ne Sais Quoi | Super Shock Shadow Collection:

Jenn Ne Sais Quoi is a play on the French phrase “je ne sais quoi” and Jenn’s name. This quad consists of 4 shades of Colourpop Super Shock eyeshadows.  All of the shade have french names: Un, Deux, Trois, and Quatre (one, two, three, and four). Un is a metallic champagne shade which is perfect for an inner corner highlight or for dusting all of the lids. Deux is a satin brown shade. Trois is a satin reddish brick brown shade. Quatre is a dark matte brown shade. For the price point, the eyeshadows are a really good quality. They are soft, opaque, and easy to blend. The pigmentation is great with a brush and even better using your fingertips. With the different finishes, you can create a variety of looks with all four colors without reaching for another palette.

Right now one of my favorite looks is Trois all over the lid, Deux to blend it out, Quatre in the outer v, and Un as the inner corner highlight and slight dusting over the center of the lids. Since the colors are warmer they are perfect for summer.

:Dohee | Ultra Matte Satin Lip:

Dohee is orangey coral shade. The formula isn’t drying but isn’t completely matte either. Even though I like the formula, the coral shade pulls too orange on my skin tone and isn’t flattering one me. I think if you are more tan, you will be able to pull this shade off.

Thank you for reading!

Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review

MikaseEyeBrushSet Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP This post may contain referral links that provide Roses and Wine compensation. Please read disclosure for more information. Thank you for your support. 

Happy Tuesday, everyone! In a previous post, I shared my first impression on my new brush set by Mikasa Beauty. If interested in purchasing brushes from them use my code CAROLCHANG25 for 25% off your entire purchase. 
My order consisted of  Complete Eye Set & Lemon drop:

  • 1 of Mikasa E100 – Angled Liner Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E110 – Eye Liner Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E200 – Angled Shadow Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E230 – Eye Shader Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E240 – Short Eye Shader Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E300 – Blending Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E310 – Pencil Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E320 – Tapered Blending Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E330 – Large Blending Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E400 – Double Ended Brow Brushes
  • 1 of Mikasa S100 – Lemon Drop

:Review:

LemonDrop Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP

 Mikasa S100 Lemon Drop | $11

This is a bright yellow makeup sponge made out of non-latex foam. The yellow reminds me of Drybar products. I’ve tried various makeup sponges from the Beauty Blender, Pony Effect Pebble Sponge,  and Real Techniques. Despite trying different brands, my Beauty Blender is still my favorite and I was excited to see how the Lemon Drop would compare. After using the Lemon Drop a couple of times, I think that it is a good alternative for the Beauty Blender. When wet, the sponge expands and blends in foundation well. I still think the Beauty Blender is better but if I had to pick a cheaper alternative I would pick the Lemon drop over other competitors. Compared to the Beauty Blender, the  Lemon Drop is a little bit denser.
Mikasa100AngeledLinerBrushCloseup Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP
Mikasa100AngledLinerBrush Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP

Mikasa E100 Angled Liner Brush | $11

The angled brush is ideal for drawing a cat eye with gel eyeliner or even for defining eyebrows. This brush is made out of synthetic hair allowing the brush to be used with gel, cream, and powder brushes. When I don’t want a softer look, I spray this brush with fix plus and dip it into an eyeshadow and line my eyes.The brush is soft on the skin and dense.
MikasaE110CloseUp Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP
MikasaE110EyeLinerBrush Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP

 Mikasa E110 Eye Liner Brush | $11

This thin brush is good for getting really close to the lash line and creating a thin natural line. I personally wouldn’t reach for this brush that often because I use a liquid eyeliner when I want a thin precise line.
MikasaE200AngledShadowBrush Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP
MikasaE200Closeup Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP

 Mikasa E200 Angled Shadow Brush | $12

The curved bristles on this brush make it ideal for blending around the inner corners and I could see it used for applying highlighter as well.MikasaE230Closeup Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP
Mikasa230EyeShaderBrush Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP

  Mikasa E230 Eye Shader Brush | $12

I love this brush. The white goat hair brush has a round tapered head which makes it ideal for applying eyeshadow all over the lid. Personally, I lean towards white brushes so I can see which brushes I need to clean.
Mikasa240Complex Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP

MikasaE240ShortEyeShaderBrush Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP Mikasa E240 Short Eye Shader Brush | $12

This brush has short goat hair bristles with a rounded head. The short bristles allow the brush to pack on color. I can also see this brush used to smudge eyeshadow along the lash line. I have yet to try that.MikasaE300CloseUp Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP  MikasaE300Blendingbrush Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP  Mikasa E300 Blending Brush | $12

This blending brush works so well! The bristles are made out of soft goat hair with slightly tapered bristles. I think blending brushes are a must in anyone’s brush arsenal. Sometimes it’s just blend blend blend and eyeshadow looks amazing!!!

MikasaE310Closeup Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP

MikasaE310PencilBrush Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP

 Mikasa E310 Pencil Brush | $12

This brush can be used to apply eyeshadow in the outer v or in the inner corner. The soft rounded tip is made out of goat hair and is pretty precise. I find myself reaching for this brush over my Morphe brush.MikasaE320Closeup Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP MikasaE320TaperedBlendingBrush Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP Mikasa E320 Tapered Blending Brush | $12

This is larger blending brush than E300. I use a clean fluffy brush to blend out the eyeshadow for a softer edge on the outside towards the brow bone. The bristles are made out of goat hair and the tapered bristles allow me to get into my crease and smooth out the transition shade as well.MikasaE330Closeup Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP MikaasaE330LargeBlendingBrush Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP Mikasa E330 Large Blending Brush | $12

This brush is sooo fluffy! I use it to blend and to apply light washes of color. Last weekend I used it to apply a light shimmery shade on the center of my lids and it was so pretty! I could see this also used as a precision highlighter brush for the nose and philtrum.
MikasaE400DoubleEndedBrowBrush Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP
MikasaE400Closeup Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP
MikasaE400Closeup2 Mikasa Beauty Brushes:: Complete Eye Set & Lemon Drop Review MAKEUP

 Mikasa E400 Double Ended Brow Brush | $12

This brush is made out of synthetic fibers. One end is used for applying brow products and the spoolie is used to blend. Right now this is my favorite brow brush. It helps me fill in and define my invisible eyebrows.

:Overview:

I would highly recommend buying a set of brushes from Mikasa Beauty. The brushes are high quality at an affordable price. Both the synthetic and natural hair on the brushes were soft and durable. Again, if you are interested in purchasing brushes use my promo code for 25% off CAROLCHANG25.  Thank you for reading!

Sneak Peak:: Mikasa Brush First Impressions

MikasaEyeEssentials Sneak Peak:: Mikasa Brush First Impressions MAKEUP

My package from Mikasa Beauty just arrived from Canada! This a relatively new brand that reached out to me to offer my readers a 25% off discount code. The brushes arrived about a week after I ordered and each brush was packed in individual boxes.

Pictured above is the Complete Eye Set that consist of ten brushes:

  • 1 of Mikasa E100 – Angled Liner Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E110 – Eye Liner Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E200 – Angled Shadow Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E230 – Eye Shader Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E240 – Short Eye Shader Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E300 – Blending Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E310 – Pencil Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E320 – Tapered Blending Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E330 – Large Blending Brush
  • 1 of Mikasa E400 – Double Ended Brow Brushes

 

Mikasa Brushes are comparable to brushes from M.A.C. and have a hard time saying no to trying out makeup brushes. Personally, I tend to lean towards MORPHE because of the affordability. I’m kinda bad and buy multiples of the same brush so I can hold off on washing my brushes. I’m not known for my minimalist tendencies.

I am still playing around with brushes so that I can give an in-depth review on each brush. So far I like how soft the brushes feel on my skin and the simplicity of the design.I have a feeling that I will be reaching for these brushes often.

If interested in purchasing brushes, you can use my affiliate code CAROLCHANG25 at the checkout for 25% off.Thank you for reading and stay tuned for a complete review.

How I Layer my Skincare

DSC_0141 How I Layer my Skincare MAKEUP SKINCARE
Before I get into how I layer my skincare products, here are some general skincare tips:
1. Wear sunscreen every day and don’t forget to reapply.
2. Make sure to remove all traces of makeup every night.
3. Drink a lot of water.
4. Don’t forget your neck!
I believe that preventative skincare is essential to stop signs of aging. My skin is combination dry and sensitive. Over the years, I have tried several products and ruled out certain ingredients that my skin does not agree with. One of the things that I struggled with was reducing my pore size and not being able to use products with witch hazel. Most products that claim to help reduce pores contain witch hazel. My work around is drinking lots of water and making sure that I layer my skin products and giving time for the products to soak in.

Evening Skincare::

Layering%2BSkincare%2B1 How I Layer my Skincare MAKEUP SKINCARE

Step 1: Makeup Remover 
My evening routine starts off with removing makeup. If I am wearing a full face of makeup, I cleanse my face first with a cleansing oil and then a second time with a cleanser. Then I go back with a q-tip dipped in a dual phase makeup remover and remove any leftover mascara on my lashes. This is to ensure that I remove all traces of makeup especially since I usually use a waterproof mascara.

Step 2: Cleanse
I usually use a lightly foaming cleanser that I dispense on my Clarisonic.

Optional Step: Mask


Step 3: Toner/Softener
After I lightly pat my skin dry, I use one pump of my lotion toner that is alcohol-free. This step makes my skin more receptive to absorbing the rest of my skincare. Most American toners contain alcohol and tighten pores while Asian toners are typically called softeners that prep pores for more moisturizers.

Step 4: Eye Cream
At night, I use a richer anti-aging eye cream that I apply gently with my ring fingers.

Step 5: Essence
I pour my essence directly into my hands and pat it on my face- cheeks, forehead and chin, and lastly on my neck using upward motions.

Step 6: Serum
I use a serum that boosts the effectiveness of the ingredients subsequently applied skincare. If my skin is dry I also apply a moisturizing serum.

Step 7: Spot Corrector
I apply this where I have hyperpigmentation/scarring.

Step 8: Night Cream 
Finish off with a night cream.

Morning Skincare::

Layering%2BSkincare How I Layer my Skincare MAKEUP SKINCARE
Step 1: Exfoliate
In the morning I splash my face with warm water and exfoliate. I use a gentle enzyme peel that is in powder form when dry and when wet it forms a foamy lather.
Step 2:Toner/Softener
Prepping skin to absorb the rest of my skincare products.
Step 3: Essence
Step 4: Eye Cream
In the morning, I use a lighter brightening eye cream.
Step 5: Serum
Step 6: Spot Corrector
Step 7: Emulsion
An emulsion is like a pre-moisturizer. If you have oily skin this is the only moisturizing step you will need, if you have dry I would recommend layering two moisturizers afterward.
Step 8: Moisturizer
I apply a brightening light moisturizer.
Step 9: Cream
Creams are thicker than moisturizers and usually come in a jar. This step can be skipped but if you have dry skin like I do then it helps add another layer of moisture. I only apply this to where I am dry and avoid spots where I get oily like my t-zone.
 
Step 10: Sunscreen
One of the most important steps!  

:Holy Grail Skincare Products:

 

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Nars Impassioned Blush Swatches and Review

File_000-10 Nars Impassioned Blush Swatches and Review MAKEUP
Today I picked up a new blush at Sephora. I’ve been looking for a matte pink blush for a while but I couldn’t decide between NARS Impassioned or NARS Threesome. Sadly Fresno lacks a Nordstrom so I couldn’t compare the two side by side so I decided to buy Impassioned and wait to buy Threesome. NARS sure has some awkward names for their shades but I’ve never had one that I disliked. 
File_001-7 Nars Impassioned Blush Swatches and Review MAKEUP
NARS Impassioned is described as a “rich orchid” and is $30 USD for 0.16 oz. It is a muted rose color with neutral to warm tones. In my head, I envision Threesome to be more cool toned and a tad bit lighter so that can justify another blush purchase right? Stocking up on light matte blushes wouldn’t hurt anyone. I like to lightly layer a pale matte blush over a cream blush to create a water color effect.
File_002-6 Nars Impassioned Blush Swatches and Review MAKEUP
Please excuse my chipped nails, I was testing out a Dior nail polish and gel top coat. Both didn’t last very long since I’m pretty rough with hands. I have the blush watched on the left and blended out on the right of my arm. This is part of the permanent range of blushes but Threesome is a Nordstrom exclusive and limited edition. So I can’t wait too long before I add that one to my collection.  The formula is soft and finally milled. I was worried that it might be a little powdery since it was so matte but on the skin it doesn’t appear to powdery. 
File_000-11 Nars Impassioned Blush Swatches and Review MAKEUP File_001-8 Nars Impassioned Blush Swatches and Review MAKEUP
This is a versatile blush color that I would wear everyday. I think it would be harder to pull off if you are more of a medium to deep complexion.  The formula is easy to blend and easy to sheer out if you prefer a less pigmented look. There isn’t a huge wow factor to the blush but it’s nice addition to my collection. 

File_002-7 Nars Impassioned Blush Swatches and Review MAKEUP

Jung Saem Mool Corrector Palette

File_003-2 Jung Saem Mool Corrector Palette MAKEUP

 

This year a lot of color correcting products were released. I was a little late to the color correcting craze, and recently decided to buy a color correcting palette. I was torn between buying all of the Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluids or a color correcting palette like the Stila Color Correcting Palette. Cream formulas are stickier and cling to the skin longer than liquid formulas. This caused me to lean towards the palette from Stila, but there was something that held me back from committing.
File_000-4 Jung Saem Mool Corrector Palette MAKEUP

Jung Saem Mool is a famous South Korean makeup artist with her own channel on Youtube. She released her own makeup line last year and I have yet to try any of her makeup. Adding another layer of makeup intimidates me what if it’s too much? I dropped the idea of purchasing from Urban Decay and Stila to try out something from a makeup artist that is known for being able to enhance natural beauty without looking overdone.

File_001-3 Jung Saem Mool Corrector Palette MAKEUP
File_002-2 Jung Saem Mool Corrector Palette MAKEUP

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette Swatches

This palette is perfect for fall with the burgundy tones. The neutrals would help tone down and blend out the burgundy for a very wearable everyday look. I can’t wait to pair it with a gradient burgundy lip.
IMG_7029 Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette Swatches MAKEUP
I love the suede packaging, it reminds me of my first Naked palette. There are a total of 14 finely milled eyeshadows with warm neutrals and pops of berry. Anastasia Beverly Hills is improving their eyeshadow formula and I’m tempted to the Master Class by Mario palette as well. I’m supposed to saving for the relaunch of Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette…
FullSizeRender3 Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette Swatches MAKEUP

 

IMG_7051 Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette Swatches MAKEUP
Top:  Tempura, Golden Ochre, Vermeer, Buon Fresco, Antique Bronze, Love Letter & Cyprus Umber
Bottom: Raw Sienna, Burnt Orange, Primavera, Red Ochre, Venetian Red, Warm Taupe & Realgar

 

Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette Swatches

Shifting from mermaids to unicorns, this palette is that I wished the Urban Spectrum Palette to be. There are three rows each with seven eyeshadows organized  in a rainbow fashion. 21 Urban Decay Eyeshadows are showcased against a shiny black case.

FullSizeRender4 Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette Swatches MAKEUP
I can see it used with a trio of like colors vertically or even a full on rainbow eye with an entire row. As someone who usually gravitates towards natural eyeshadows, this will be fun addition to my makeup collection. 
IMG_7015 Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette Swatches MAKEUP

I love that it has a hinged lid with a huge mirror. One of the reasons why I didn’t purchase the Urban Spectrum Palette was due to the lack of a hinge. This palette is more travel friendly than the Urban Spectrum Palette as well, but I personally wouldn’t travel with this palette.

IMG_7019 Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette Swatches MAKEUP
Swatches: Alchemy, Warning, Midnight Blaze, Hundred, Minx, Delirious, & Platonic
IMG_7014 Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette Swatches MAKEUP
Swatches: Gossip, Seize, Calavera, Hatter, Blindsided, Sketch, & Iced
IMG_7017 Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette Swatches MAKEUP
Swatches: Paranoia, Jones, Goldmine, Mean, Metamorphosis, Faced & Bump