Review| HERA Ultra Moisture Cushion Compact #23

I haven't used a cushion foundation in ages, mostly because it's very rare to find a formula to my liking that's also a color match for anyone who's deeper than an NC15 skintone. Most cushions in the universal #23 shade tend to fall between a neutral NC20 to NC23. 

I decided to wait a few (years?) for cushion foundations to gain traction and expand into deeper shades for a more global customer base. Luckily, I've seen this expansion in U.S. markets, and now (mostly) everyone can enjoy a portable base product. 

I purchased the HERA UV Mist Cushion Ultra Moisture (SPF 34/PA++) (~$45) on Ebay in shade #23 Beige, and it's the very first cushion that is solidly NC30. Amazing! I had some reservations about the formula being too moisturizing for the summer heat, but it's the best one I've tried thus far. 

Review| MILK Makeup Blur Stick

I firmly maintain that MILK Makeup is over-hyped & well packaged bullshit that has inundated the younger group of consumers obsessed with *~aesthetic~* over product function and quality. 

I mean, I saw it coming from a mile away. Point makeup disguised as markers? Generally yawn inducing "multi-purpose" blush sticks that look way too slippery and sheer? Even with the hype and branding (laid back model from New York/I woke up like dis), their makeup never caught my interest due to mediocre reviews across the board. 

Edit| Reformulated- Suqqu Design Color Eyes (02 Hikaritouka and 04 Ayanadeshiko)

Suqqu has reformulated their eyeshadow quads and slowly phased out the iteration that made me fall in love with their subtle (yet nuanced) play with texture and finish on the eyelids.

For the better? I can't quite say. 

First Impressions| The Ordinary Skincare Part 1: Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%, the 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil, "Buffet", and the High-Adherence Silicone Primer

The Ordinary has been a huge buzz in the beauty community since its launch in September of 2016 by Deciem. My enthusiasm has been revived after a long hiatus from makeup and skincare. Imagine my surprise when my non-makeup obsessed friend mentioned the brand to me! Have I been living under a rock?

While this Toronto based brand's overall image is fuss-free, I find that the more knowledgeable skincare enthusiasts will appreciate buying products based on active ingredients rather than fluff (marketing, packaging, luxury appeal, need I list more?) For beginners- fear not as there is an extensive online guide for your specific skin concerns.

Imagine my glee when I found that I could pick from a variety of Vitamin C derivatives, retinoids, acids, serums, and oils!

First Look| Wunderbrow in Brown/Black

 

Ever since finding my holy grail brow combination of Anastasia's Brow Wiz along with Benefit's Gimme Brow, I've been hard pressed to branch out to new products. After all, why fix what isn't broken? 

Tati from YT raves that the Wunderbrow Brow Gel ($22, I found a display inside of CVS) is her favorite brow formula ever. It comes in several shades: Auburn, Blonde, Brown/Black, Brunette, and Jet Black. Although I'm currently planning a transition to platinum, I still appreciate a brow product that matches my natural brow hairs completely. I picked up Brown/Black as it seemed dark and neutral.