"The cat is beauty and the beast, a baffling blend, a wicked feast.”
We’ve joined Instagram! Follow us @beautyandthecat. I’ll announce new posts there and also post FOTDs, mini-reviews that don’t end up on the blog, hauls and shopping finds, swatches from my makeup hoard collection, and other snippets.
I’ve been reluctant to join because it’s just one more thing for this ajumma (in internet years) to keep on top of.
Continue reading “Instajumma: Finally on Instagram @beautyandthecat”
I’ve been rotating between three cleansing balms for the last two months, and today I bring you reviews and comparisons of all three:
Another day, another contouring palette. That’s what it seems like, doesn’t it? Never underestimate the power of the Kardashian bump to something previously reserved for makeup pros and serious makeup addicts (ahem, Renee). One of the recent entrants to the market is the NYX Highlight & Contour Pro Palette ($25 for 8 powders; provided for consideration by NYX). Continue reading “Slim Shady: NYX Highlight & Contour Pro Palette Review + Swatches on NC15 & NC50 Skin”
I was one day into my resolved no-buy (March and April) when I came across the Collagen Resilience Oil in Balm Cream by Dotfree in Make Asobi in LA’s Little Tokyo. Several minutes of rationalizing later, I was handing over my credit card. (I think I still get a pat on the back for leaving with only this. Er, although I get a kick in the face for how I did during the rest of my no-buy.)
Continue reading “Drought Free: Dotfree Collagen Resilience Oil in Balm Cream Review”
Chosungah 22 is a Korean brand recently added to Sephora’s roster. (Check out its English site here and prepare to drool.)
The only product currently available on Sephora is the Dong Gong Minn Brow Maker ($22 for 0.37 oz.). As fortune would have it, I spotted these in one of the bins lining the checkout line at the Sephora in the Flatiron District. It’s super new to Sephora: there was no product sign and the sales associates were just as curious about it as I was.
Continue reading “Brow-nie Points: Chosungah 22 Dong Gong Minn Brow Maker Semi-Review + Swatches”
Innisfree Water Glow Cushion ($14 for 15g refill) claims to bestow a radiant glow with natural coverage in addition to SPF50+ and PA+++.
The Innisfree cushions are reputed to run light. That definitely rang true for the Water Glow cushion, which is the only one from Innisfree that I’ve tried. I ordered a refill in No. 23 True Beige, hoping that it would match my winter color, which is a MAC NC15 and typically a 21 in other cushion brands. Indeed, the 23 was a good fit and I’ve been using it interchangeably with my shade 21 cushions this winter.
I vacationed in sunny, humid, hot Florida recently. Oh man, I my skin really needed this. There were times when my winter-weary skin almost felt oily! Loved it!
Continue reading “Hotel, Motel, Holiday Skin: My Vacation Skincare Routine and Mini-Reviews”
Way too long ago, we went to the Nature Republic store in Flushing, Queens. The Super Aqua Max Moisture Watery Cream caught my eye. Primarily because there was a tall display and it was on sale, ahem . . . This gel-cream comes in 3 formulas: blue for oily skin, green for combo skin, and pink for dry skin.
I went with the pink one since (freakin’ neverending) winter and tretinoin have left my skin on the dry side. It boasts 30 different marine plant extracts, 24-hour moisturizing and firming effect, and a protective-layer-forming silicone gel formula.
Emboldened by my DIY cushion compact experience, I decided to try making a cushion blush (a la IOPE Air Cushion Blusher). Unfortunately, as far as I know, there aren’t any premade mini-cushion compacts designed for DIY-ing. (Missha, A’Pieu, Memebox, you listening?)
The NYX Suede Collection Palette is a collection of 8 eyeshadows, each with a metallic or shimmery finish. The shadows are reminiscent of Stila’s: the texture is almost as soft, lots of pigment, easy to blend. Surprisingly no fallout. The palette is a great value; the whole thing is cheaper than one Stila shadow! (It’s $12 for 8 shadows x 0.06 oz. each; provided for consideration by NYX). Considering that I rarely do strong eye makeup (Safe is my middle name), this is an ideal palette for those few times when I want an eye-catching (har har) look. In the hands of someone more experienced (like Renee), this palette could have epic potential. Continue reading “Heavy Metal: NYX Suede Collection Palette Review + Swatches”
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