Review: L'oreal Faux Cils Papillon Butterfly Waterproof Mascara

This week's product review is another makeup product from L'oreal. It is the L'oreal Faux Cils Papillon Butterfly Waterproof Mascara. 

This is the mascara that I use when I'm aiming for a cat eye look like the one in this picture:

I have been using this mascara for almost a month now so I feel like I can give a pretty decent review about it. Just to clarify, this mascara comes in two different formulas: non-waterproof (black container) and waterproof (blue container). This review is for the waterproof one; I haven't tried the regular formula.

This product claims to stretch and extend your lashes to create a winged-out effect. The wand and the formula is designed to lengthen and volumize lashes. Let's find out if it lives up to its claim.

Packaging:

It comes in a silver packaging with blue vertical stripes. It's rather thick and long compared to my other mascaras. The length is about 4.5 inches and almost an inch wide. This makes it less portable to carry around in your tiny purse. It has a very shiny and slippery texture so if your hands are oily or wet, you might have trouble opening it. I don't especially like the size and the feel of it. A smaller and easy grip container would make this better.

Formulation

The formulation of this mascara changed since the first time I opened and used it. It was rather wet at first but the more I used it the better the formula gets. I wouldn't say it gets drier but rather it gets thicker/denser and easier to apply. I just hate wet formula because they tend to smear easily and doesn't coat on my lashes well. It is jet black in color and it holds my curl all day. It is a lengthening and volumizing mascara.

Application

It comes with a wand featured above. I have honestly never seen a wand like this before. It is very uniquely design. The curved winged effect of the wand makes the application so easy as it follows the natural curve of your eyes. Both sides of the wands have tiny bristles that comb and separate your lashes well. As with any mascaras, make sure you wipe off the excess product on the bristles before applying them to your lashes so it doesn't get clumpy. Proper technique in application is also very critical no matter what mascara you use.  

Wearability/Longevity

It is waterproof formula so it stays all day without smearing. It is truly waterproof so you can totally wear this while swimming. The downside is it is kinda pesky to take off, but don't worry,  if you've read my post on technique in taking off waterproof mascara then it wouldn't be a problem. The longest I've worn this was 12 hours and it didn't budge at all and as I mentioned my lashes stayed curl all  day - I do have a separate technique on keeping my curl all day; I'll write about it soon. 

Price/Affordability

This is a drugstore product and it shouldn't be that expensive if you are in the U.S. As I am in Asia though, I pay more for the import tax. It costs about 18,000 Korean Won (17 USD/700PhP). However, I did get it on promo so I saved a couple of won. Compared to other Korean drugstore product, it is rather pricey. 

My Final Take-aways

Do I recommend it?

Yes! If you are looking for a waterproof mascara that gives you winged-out lashes (starts short at the inner corner and grows longer at the outer end) or a cat eye look, then this is definitely the one. It is both volumizing and lengthening so it gives you a very glamorous instead of a natural look. So if you are going for a glamorous look, then this is for you. 

Will I buy it again?

Yes! But only when it goes on sale. I think it's too pricey for a drugstore product. 

Here is a picture of my before and after lashes using this product. I applied two coats on both my upper and lower lashes. 

Well, let me know what you think about this product. Have you tried it? What's your take on it? 

Keep Dolling Up,

Gelie (Jelai) xoxo

Concealing Undereye Discoloration/Circles

Hello dolls,

Waking up with an ugly discoloration under your eyes from a late night partying or working hard is a normal scenario that could happen to anyone of us. I really didn't know a lot about undereye circles until I began applying makeup and became more aware of my skin and what not. At first, I thought foundation will just suffice in concealing them but obviously it doesn't.

Don't  worry though, I have found an effective way of covering them and I am so excited to share it with you. All you  need are three things.  You need a color stick in salmon peach/orange. Well, you might think orange color corrector/concealer might look strange on your skin (I thought exactly the same thing at first), but actually you'll  be surprised as to how effective it is in covering any cool-toned discolorations in your skin. You will also need a concealer. You can choose to use a concealer that is the same shade as your foundation or if you want a more lifted and highlighted effect on your face, then a concealer that is two shades lighter than your skin is perfect.  Finally, the last optional thing you need is a dampened sponge. Or if you don't have one, don't sweat it out, your fingers are just as effective. Although, blending it with your finger might take a bit longer than blending it with a sponge. Finally, a translucent powder is also needed to set everything in place. 

Please find the step-by-step picture tutorial and the detailed instructions below.

1. Get ready with your orange color corrector, concealer, sponge (optional) and translucent powder. 
2. Start with a bare face (before applying your face makeup). Applying it before your foundation, works better because you don't want to mix your color corrector on top of  your foundation. You would want to use it to correct the exact shade of the discoloration.
3. Apply the orange corrector to areas with redness and blueish color.
4.  Use your "ring finger" to gently press and even out the product.  Tips: You would not want to be tagging or pressing too hard on the skin around your eyes since it is the softest skin on your face. That's why using your "ring finger" is important because it gives the lightest force among all your fingers. Always remember to use your ring finger when ever you are pressing product around your eyes including eye creams and eye primer.
5. Then, layer up with the concealer that's 2 shades lighter than your skin. Create a triangular shape along the corner of your nose. This will highlight the area and bring it forward.
6.  Repeat step 4.
7. To make sure everything is blended, take a dampened sponge and use a tapping motion to blend everything out. Make sure to blend it outward towards your temple.
8.  See the difference! You can then, apply the rest of your face makeup then set your undereye with a translucent powder. The translucent powder will not add anymore color to your skin it'll just set your concealer so it doesn't move throughout the day. 

There you go, dolls. I hope my tips are useful and that it helps you create a healthier well rested look. 

Let me know how it works for you.

Thanks for reading!

Keep dolling up,

Gelie (Jelai) xoxo

Soft Neutral Look

Subtlety is beauty.

Sometimes being subtle with your makeup is a way to go, especially during daytime or when you want to look pretty without trying too hard. I created this look for that purpose.  Actually this kind of look is my daily go to. I just feel comfortable with neutral eyes and lips. If I do have something to head out for the night, I carry my Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 and a darker lippie to touch up and add darker colors to the look.

Here are the products used to create this soft neutral look:

Face

• Shu Uemura Lightbulb Foundation (564 medium light sand)
• Revlon Colorstay Concealer (medium)
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit
• Too Faced Sweethearts Flush Blush (candy glow)
• Catrice Prime and Fine Highlighting Powder (fairy dust)

Eyes

• Nature Republic Botanical Eyebrow  Mascara (brown)
• Clio Slim Kill Pen Eyeliner
• Coastal Scents Warm Eyeshadow Palette
• Mac Single Eyeshadow (expensive pink)
• Faceshop Pro Lashes Edge Edge
• L'oreal Butterfly Waterproof Mascara

Lips

• Etude House Soft Touch Auto Lipliner (milky brown)
• Maybelline Bold Matte MAT7

That's it, dolls. What do you think about this look?

Keep Dolling Up,

Gelie (Jelai) xoxo

L'oreal True Match Liquid Foundation Review

Let me start off by saying I was having a hard time picking out my first post under the "reviews & takeaways" category. There are just so many makeup out there and in my collection that I have to go through before I can make up my mind. Well, I thought, since foundation is the base of your makeup and what creates a great canvas to any looks, then it is probably the first best thing to talk about.

I have tried quite a lot of foundation from high-end to drugstore over the years, but this review is only going to focus on a drugstore one. And as the title says, it is the L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Liquid Foundation.

You might be wondering why they have two different packaging. The packaging varies from country to country. In the U.S the one on the left (without the pump) is sold, while the one on the right (with pump) can be seen mostly in Europe and Asia. The choices of shades also varies between the two packaging. The one on the left has a wider array of color selection for different skin tones while the one on the right has very very limited shades (I believe only 4 shades are available at least on the one I've seen in the Philippines and Thailand).

I actually own four bottles of these babies - two of different shades from each of the two packaging. The reason why I got four different ones was because I was on a search for finding the perfect color match for me. The first one I got was N7 Nude Amber; I got it during my vacation in the Philippines. As it turned out, it was waaaaay toooo dark on my skin. So, when I went to Thailand I picked up a shade lighter than N7, which was the G3 Golden Amber. It is more wearable for me than the N7. However, it could get too light sometimes. So what I do is I mix N7 and G3 and it gives me my perfect shade. 

However, I was still wondering if any of the U.S version of the L'oreal True Match Foundation matches me. Then, a couple of months later a friend from the States came to visit us and he was kind enough to pick up some makeup for me. I used the L'oreal website to find my shade and it recommended me two shades that are probably closer to my skin tone: N6 Honey Beige and W6 Sun Beige.  So, I asked my friend to buy me two of the recommended shades. After a long search for my exact shade match, I finally found it, it is the W6 Sun Beige. N6 Honey Beige is wearable but it gives me an orangey under cast, which means it is not the correct undertone for me. I have a warm tone so W6 (I think w stands for warm) suits me perfectly. 

Packaging

Packaging is one of the things that draw me in to a product - whether it be the design, portability, and functionality. With regards to this product, I prefer the packaging with the pump because it just makes it so much easier to dispense the product without wasting any. The one in the bottle is very difficult to control; you can end up dispensing too much or too little. As for the amount of product, the bottle might look smaller in person, but actually they contain equal amount of 30ml. 

Formulation

I believe the formulation between the two packaging are the same. They actually feel and blends in the same way. Also the finish is semi matte for all of them and they all contain an SPF 17 PA++. 

Coverage

I would say the coverage is medium to full coverage. You can easily build it for a more full coverage look. Make sure you don't apply a lot of it all at once. Just slowly build your coverage while blending it well to avoid cakey face (nobody likes that).

Application

As the packaging claims, it is a super-blendable makeup. I'd say it is one of the most blendable liquid foundation I've ever tried. I apply it in two ways, depending on the coverage I am aiming for. If I want a fuller coverage, I apply it using my real technique buffing brush and if I just want a medium coverage with a bit of a dewy finish, I use a dampen sponge or a beauty blender.  If you don't have any of those tools, don't worry! Your "fingers" are your best tool - just make sure they are clean. 

Wearability/Longevity

I really like the way this foundation feels on my skin. It doesn't feel too heavy and it covers my blemishes well (at least the one that matches my skin tone). The longevity is not bad although I have to touch up with my press powder from time to time. If you wear a primer before applying this foundation and finishing it up with a spritz of finishing spray, then you won't probably have to touch up so often. Also it's worth noting that I have very sensitive and acne-prone skin and this product does not cause me to break out (a big plus). 

Price/Affordability

Well, this part is difficult because it all depends on where you are and the availability of this product in your country. As far as I can remember, I paid a little over 1,000 Php/23 USD (please correct me if I'm mistaken) when I got this in the Philippines and forgive me but I can't remember how much I paid for it in Thailand.  The costs of L'oreal products in Asia is really jacked up compared to how much they really cost in the States. I guess it's because of the import tax. If you get this babe in the States you only have to pay less than 10USD. I believe it is about $7.97 in Walmart. Unfortunately, this product is nowhere to be found in South Korea, where I am currently at. If you are in South Korea and want to buy this, probably check out Gmarket.

My Final Take-aways

I'm sorry if this post seems to go on forever. 

Do I recommend it?
I recommend this product for those of you who are looking for a medium to full coverage foundation, that is easy to apply, and doesn't cake nor feel too heavy. However, I do suggest that if you can't find your matching shade in the Asian or European market, try to use L'oreal website check what shade suits you. Their recommendation is pretty accurate. Then, from there you can order it online or ask a friend in the States to get it for you. ;)

Will I buy it again?

The Asian version (with the pump) no! Just simply because I can't find my shade. However, I'll totally buy the bottle one (U.S version) over and over again. In fact, I'll probably hoard some and buy lots of backups when we go back to the States.

Tips: When you are testing out foundation in the store, don't immediately buy it like I did. It's a rookie mistake! Ask the seller to match it on your cheeks or even apply it on your entire face. Then, go out of the store and assess the foundation under the real light (not the store light). 

Disclaimer: Always, remember that our skin is different. My review is relative only to my skin type (combination dry, warm skin tone and sensitive) and my opinion. Some of you might share the same opinion as I do and some of you might totally hate this product. 

I hope I helped. If you have used this foundation, let me know what you think about it. And if you happen to know the exact prices of this please comment down below so I can update it and give the others more accurate info.

Thanks! :)

Keep Dolling Up,

Gelie (Jelai) xoxo

Dark Red Lips and Soft Champagne Eyes

Hello lovelies!

How is your weekend going so far? I hope you all are having a great one. In my case, I was invited to a Korean wedding held in church (my first Korean church wedding experience). It was a fun event but I ended up pigging out at the buffet reception and coming home in food coma situation.

Anyway, I just want to share the makeup look I created for that wedding event. I coordinated my makeup colors with my outfit, which was a red wine/burgundy dress with a black lace on the shoulders. With that being said, I decided to pick up my rarely worn burgundy lipstick. 

Just so you know, I rarely ever wear  bold lipsticks outside - most probably only on my makeup play day (when I'm at home and bored). I just don't feel like I can pull off  bold lips. I am more of a neutral/nude lippie gal. What about you?  Since it was a special event, I did try to get out of my comfort zone. I did end up loving my burgundy lips considering how well it coordinated my dress.

So much about the lippie, I decided to keep my eyes neutral and more subtle so as not to be too overpowering. I created a soft champagne brownish look. Read below to see the products I used and how I played with the colors. 

Here are the products I used to  create this look.

Face:

• Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Coverage Foundation (medium deep)
• CanMake Color Stick (salmon orange)
• Garnier BB Eye Roll On for under eye circles
• Mac Mineralize Skinfinish (medium plus))
• Sleek Blush (rose gold)
• Catrice Prime and Fine Highlighting Powder (fairy dust)
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

Eyes:

• Stila In The Light Eyeshadow Palette
• Essence I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base
• Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencil in milk (use as an eyeshadow primer and waterline eyeliner)
• Clio Slim Kill Black Pen Eyeliner
• Nature Republic Botanical Eyebrow Mascara (brown)
• Etude House Drawing Eyebrow Pencil (dark brown)
• Faceshop Pro Lashes Edge Edge
• Maybelline Hypercurl Waterproof Mascara

Lips:

• Savanna's Lip Liner (black red)
• TonyMoly Kiss Lover Lip Click (Push Burgundy)

I hope you like this look. Please leave me a comment if you have questions about the products or if you just wanna say "hi".

Keep Dolling Up,

Gelie (Jelai) xoxo

How To Subscribe To My Blog + Why You Should Subscribe

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Please watch the short video clip of me explaining how to subscribe to my blog and what's in here for you. Please Subscribe or simply click the follow button linking your Facebook account...  

Thanks!
Gelie (Jelai) xoxo

How To Take Off Falsies And Waterproof Mascara

When I was fairly new to the colorful  world of makeup, I wanted to wear false lashes (falsies). However,  my fear of removing them kept me from wearing a pair. I was so scared of the thought of accidentally removing all my real lashes in the process. After doing some research and just trying things out,  I have found the easiest and safest technique to take them off.

The same technique can also be used in removing pesky waterproof mascara that never seems to come off no matter what you do.

Just follow the nine simple steps shown in the picture below and see the detailed instructions thereafter.

9 Steps To Remove False Lashes or Pesky Waterproof Mascara (100% effective)

1. You need some eye makeup remover, spoolie brush and face tissue. Pour some makeup remover to your spoolie brush.
2. Start by coating off the bottom part of your lashes as if you're applying your mascara.
3. Coat the upper part. 
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until your false lashes start to get loose.
5. Voila! Check for your falsies on your spoolie.
6. To take off any excess mascara on your lashes, repeat step 2.
7. Repeat step 3.
8. Brush any excess to your brows and eyeliner.
9. Finally, gently rub off the smeared oil and makeup with a facial tissue. Then, rinse off.

Let me know if this technique works for you and share any techniques you might happen to know.

Thanks for reading! And remember,  everyday is a day to doll up. 

Gelie (Jelai) xoxo