Yaay or Nay? - NYX 'Perfect Red'

Hi dolls!

Remember when I used to do the ‘Yay or Nay’ posts? Well, they’re back and this time for good! Today, I’ll be reviewing NYX True Red Matte lipstick.
Here’s what it looks like:

And a swatch:

I bought this lipstick from Jennifer of Macquillage by Lisa for N2,000 at a beauty workshop sometime last month.

I’ve used it a couple of times and even on clients and it’s amazingggg! In my opinion, it’s the perfect dupe for MAC’s Ruby Woo. I know a lot of you are probably rolling your eyes and going ‘yeah right’. Trust me dolls, it’s that good. See some pictures of when I used it on myself and a client too:

Now tell me I’m wrong

The good thing about this product is that unlike the Ruby Woo which a lot of people find really dry, this isn’t as dry and cakey as the Ruby woo tends to feel on the lips

PROs 

1. Packaging - Very good 

2. The Pay-off is excellent! what you see is what you get. You know those lipsticks you buy and then try on and you’re like, “but this isn’t what the colour looks like”. Exactly, this isn’t the case with this lipstick. 

3. Long wear- I had this on for more than 5hourrs, ate and dint need to retouch once! 

4. Price- Very affordable when compared to the likes of MAC, Bobbi Brown, Tom Ford, etc

5. Texture-  Majority of matte products tend to dry up the lips even after using a balm prior to lipstick application. This however isn’t the case with this product. Be sure to apply a balm first and you’ll be fine.

CONs

1    1.  Availability- For those of us who live  in Lagos, buying makeup here can be a struggle. I only recently found a store that stocks NYX in Lagos, still I can’t guarantee how often they’ll have this particular product.

  

     2. Although it does have staying power, the Ruby woo still beats this product in this area hands.

     3.  Odour- Smells decent nothing extraordinary.

    The Pros outweigh the Cons so it’s a YAY! Who else agrees with me?


 If you're looking to buy this lipstick, the following vendors carry this product:

    1.  Macquillage by Lisa.
         Email to: Maquillagebylisa@gmail.com
 
   2. Gifty’s Daughter
       Address: 45, Toyin street, Ikeja, Lagos
3
   3. My Makeup
       Website: beautyrevolutionng.com

Read more »

10 Must Have Make Up Brushes!

Hi dolls!

I wrote a beauty article for TW Magazine, March edition on makeup brushes. I was super excited when I was approached and I hope you dolls grabbed a copy. If you didn't, not to worry; here's the entire article below. Share your thoughts!

"It is very satisfying to see that a lot of women are becoming more aware of the importance of makeup brushes and are not just leaving it to the professionals to acquire. However, majority do not know what to buy and with the gazillion different shapes, sizes and materials for brushes, the process of buying the right ones becomes pain staking.
Just like your powders eye shadows and foundations, makeup brushes are very essential in every makeup kit; and guess what? With only 10 brushes you can easily achieve a flawless look. Some come with natural hair bristles while others with synthetic. Depending on their function, natural bristles are easier to work with, and help the skin readily absorb makeup.

These 10 brush types are must haves!"

1.       Powder brush:   A powder brush should be full but moderately light with rounded edges so that it can be easily squeezed to work on areas such as underneath the eyes, corners of the nose, etc The fuller does not necessarily equate being better.

Sigma F30 Powder Brush

2.  . Foundation Brush: For a flawless finish, pick one that is round fluffy, and flat-tipped with synthetic hairs to help buff foundation into the skin.

Real Techniques Stippling brush

3.  Concealer Brush: Just like all other brushes, the concealer brush varies in size, shape and texture. It is appropriate to get one with firm fibres that are closely packed together. Always works well whether with a liquid or cream concealer.

Sephora blending brush

4.     Contour Brush: Depending on how big you are on contouring, your safest bet will be to buy a brush very similar to the blush brush but smaller, well tapered and angled. This way, it can also be squeezed when contouring the sides of the nose.

Mac 168 Contour Blush

5.  Blush Brush:  Your blush brush should have a well-rounded head with soft fibres to give that instant pop to the cheeks. Pick one with natural hairs for easy application.

Bobbi Brown blush brush

6.    Eye shadow Brush: Used in applying eye shadow colours to the eyelids, pick one that is flat and not so fluffy with natural hairs. Flat eye shadow brushes always guarantee a more pigmented outcome.

7. Blending Brush: This has to be one of my favourite brushes! It is so versatile that it can be used as a crease brush, concealer brush, blending brush and even for contouring the nose. Its sole purpose however is for blending out eye shadow colours and highlighting the brow bone.

MAC 286 Duo Fibre brush

8.  Eyeliner Brush: Select one that’s flat, slightly thin and angled. Good thing about this is that it can also be used to fill the eyebrows. Double action for the same price!

MAC 208 Angled brush

9.  Eyebrow Brush: There is absolutely nothing like well-groomed eyebrows! The instant transformation it gives to one’s face is unbelievable! The eyebrow brush serves two purposes: to help brush brows before filling it with a pencil or powder; and to help blend out harsh lines after using a pencil or powder. In this instance, synthetic brushes especially those made from nylon are best.

ELF brow and Comb

10.Lip Brush: I know some of you are wondering, “Why do I need a lip brush”? Truth is, it is more hygienic to use a lip brush when applying lipsticks and lip-glosses. It also helps to blend out with strong lines made whilst lining the lips.

Estee Lauder F35 Lip Brush

Culled from TW Magazine, March 2013.

Read more »

Marjene LifeStyle Series!

Hi dolls!

I know I keep coming back and running away again but I promise you I've been swamped with work. However, I have devised a plan that will enable me post at least once weekly; this time I mean it! So help me God.

Being the post of the week, I wanted to share with you guys a beauty workshop I got invited to; it's tagged 'Marjene LifeStyle Series: The Beauty and Makeup Series'. I'm so looking forward to this because not only will I be attending, I will also be taking a workshop at this event.
With all the tutorials, makeup tricks, hair and makeup products for sale, and lots more, you don't want to miss this!

All the information you need as regards venue, time and registration are all on the flier below.

See you guys this Saturday!

Read more »