Haul + Review & Swatches : Elf (Eyes Lips Face)

I Love Haul. Don't you?

And today I'm really excited to open box my package.

All these are Elf or you may say eyeslipsface that I purchased from dearhoneycosmetic because they're having 10% off!

Yes, please call me Ms. Discount from now on... It's so good to be true :D

• Kabuki Face Brush
• Powder Brush ( Studio Line )
• High Definition Powder
• Blush in Candid Coral ( Studio Line )
• Duo Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder ( Studio Line )

Kabuki Face Brush 

Elf Claims :

Kabuki Face Brush

This Taklon Brush can be used with wet or dry products. Be a professional makeup artist and create a flawless look with this e.l.f. studio brush!

Provides medium to full coverage.

Creates an air brushed finish.

Use to apply a wide range of makeup, like mineral makeup, loose powder, bronzer, blush or highlighter for the skin.

 
Directions: Dip brush into powder and gently tap off any excess. Gently buff in a circular motion all over the face. Apply additionally in areas if fuller coverage is desired.

This is a one of the softest kabuki that I've ever felt. The bristle is so limp and soft, unlike any other cheap synthetic brush. However, I noticed a couple of thing that I don't like, a slightly fall out ( just for the first touching it though ), uneven cut and.. what surprised me the most is the bristle curled at the root ( It's weird, I know! ) not entirely straight and nice like what I thought.

 Otherwise, so many good thing that I could tell. The size is great ( not too small and not too big for practical reason ), the bristle is nicely packed ( not too dense and not too loose ), and the handle is made of sturdy material ( I thought it's gonna be some kind of cheap plastic :P ).

Powder Brush ( Studio Line )

Elf Claims :

Powder Brush

This Taklon Brush can be used with wet or dry products. Be a professional makeup artist and create a flawless look with this e.l.f. studio brush!

Creates a professionally sculpted look.

Full coverage color.

Use with powder or blush for perfect contouring.

Directions: Dip the brush into powder and then tap off excess. Start near the hairline and work inward as to not over aply the color.

Again, the bristle is so very soft. The same material with the Kabuki Face Brush, but somehow it look more shiny and plasticky because of the black bristle. The size and the lightweight is perfect, the bristle is nicely packed, and the handle is sturdy and nice. And oh.. one thing. My brush is no longer round, it's a bit oval because of the package. And I have no idea, whether it's gonna be round again or not. -__-'

In this picture I compare with stippling brush, to get the image of the size.

High Definition Powder

Elf Claims :

The high definition loose powder creates a "soft focus" effect to the skin. 

Masks fine lines and imperfections for a radiant complexion.

The incredibly soft and invisible powder is great for on screen and everyday wear.

 

Directions: The microfine particles are designed to be used with high-definition camera technology or for everyday wear. Apply powder all over the face for a professional and youthful look of perfection.

I've heard so many good reviews about this powder. I'm a big fan of high definition makeup. A really great thing about high definition makeup is they contain light reflectors and other ingredients to give your skin a flawless finish. This is wonderful when you are taking photographs or being in video camera, and it is also great for more mature skins. Basically high definition makeup can make your skin not only look flawless, but younger as well. Let's just hope this powder suit the name! 

* cross finger >,< *

Blush in Candid Coral ( Studio Line )

Elf claims :

Blush

The soft sheer texture blends into the skin for a silky finish.

Designed to be worn alone or layered for more depth.

Highlight your complexion with a subtle healthy glow.

Directions: Apply to the apples of the cheeks or any other area you wish to highlight.

I love peachy coral blush and I think it suit me the best. For the first impression, I was really impressed with the pigmentation.. it offered a good amount of colour with little effort. The texture is unlike the Elf Cool Bronzer ( also from Studio Line ) that I already have ( see my swatches of Elf Cool Bronzer here --> click me! ). I found that the Cool Bronzer is too powdery and too much fall out when I applied. This blush, however, is so much smoother in texture and less fall out. It gives a satin finish, couldn't be matte nor frosty finish, but slightly glowing with a golden undertone. I think it would be flattering for anyone with a yellow undertone. 

( like me! :D )

I also like the package. it's sleek, sturdy, and has a little mirror in it. With 4.75g of product, I think I'm good for the next 6 months! :P

Candid coral is a bright peachy coral with a gold undertone. Satin finish.

Duo Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder ( Studio Line )

Elf claims :

Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder

Create a healthy and natural glow year-round.

The Blush highlights the cheeks to add a flush of color.

The Bronzer accents and contours cheekbones for beautiful definition.

Directions: Brush on the "bronze" to the hollow of the cheeks for definition and dust around the face line to create a healthy glow. Use the "blush" on the apple of the cheeks to create subtle color.

And this set is come with a blush and a bronzer. Both contain a 4g of product each. Packagingwise.. it's twice as big as the single blush and has a generous size of mirror inside the compact. 

The swatches :

( indoor with artificial light )

Now, from the pan, I would say the blush is exactly the same with the Candid Coral Blush.

( indoor with artificial light )

But when I swatched it, you can see some of the difference.

( indoor with artificial light )

While Candid Coral is a bright peachy coral with gold undertone and satin finish, The blush from Duo Compact is slightly a deeper colour and more pink. Although it has a same gold undertone to it, but both had a different finishes. The Blush from Duo Compact has a golden sparkle ( bigger and rare metallic than Candid Coral ), compare those two I would say Candid Coral more of a frosty side.

The bronzer also has a golden sparkle to it. A brown with an orange-y undertone. 

( indoor with artificial light )

My Thoughts

Overall, Elf already did such a great job! I think this is an exceptional price for the amount (and quality) of product you are getting. I'm happy with all I purchased. I couldn't complain much with the majority of good reviews that Elf got and what they had to offer with such a good price. Will I repurchase Elf again? Yes. no doubt. I even wish for they open in Indonesia, soon.

Kabuki Face Brush = IDR. 90000rupiahs = IDR. 82000rupiahs ( around $8.20 US Dollar )

Powder Brush = IDR.80000rupiahs = IDR. 72000rupiahs ( around $7.20 US Dollar )

HD Powder = IDR. 95000rupiahs = IDR. 85500rupiahs ( around $8.55 US Dollar )

Blush in Candid Coral = IDR. 70000rupiahs = IDR. 63000rupiahs ( around $6.30 US Dollar )

Duo Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder = IDR. 75000rupiahs = IDR. 67500rupiahs ( around $6.75 US Dollar )

That's it my haul.

Let me know what you think!

Good day all!

Smile :)

NOTE: all of the product were purchased by my own money and reviewed by honest thought. It's just my way to give you an opinion in buying product that you considered to purchase. Be a smart buyer! Hope you like my reviews. 

Quick Tip : DIY Easy Brush Hanger

It's Sunday!
And it's time for my lovely brushes to get their weekly treatment! 

Yes! Deep cleaning brushes!


After you clean your brush, have you ever confuse of how you'll gonna hang them to dry?
I mean.. I used to use a brush guard, and it took forever to dry since the bristle is just gonna tightly packed. So, it need to be hung in order to keep the shape nicely and prevent water run through the barrel.
But how?


And I come up with this idea.

Hahahaha.. it's simple yet effective to me. 
Until now, this is how I hang all of my brushes every week :D


All I need is just rubber band and a hanger.

I just tied a couple of the brushes ( make it even so it can balance nicely :D ), then place the brushes in the hanger like so :

However, there's gonna be some brushes that left uneven.
And all you need to do is secure them with another 2 rubber bands and place them at the gap of the left and right side of the brushes like so :

And now just wait until they were completely dry.

 

 I'm telling you, no need to buy a brush guard.

Keep the money to buy more lipstick.

 Hahaha..

Hope it helps!

So, how do you hang your brushes?

Let me know what you think!

Good day all!

Smile :)

My favourite Department Store Japanese Brush

Today, I'm sooo in the mood to talk about brushes!

And I think I need to share, as an information about affordable brushes that I used and work wonders to me.

These are all the brushes that I use when I start to learn applying makeup.

They were so affordable and easily to get.

It happen when I need a brush that I could use just for applying basic makeup. At that time what I need is simply the cheapest that I could get and be easily found at my nearest mal from my house ( Mal Kelapa Gading ). But, somehow.. I really do think that it is a good brush! :D

Even though I already have sigma, but still I found myself tend to reach all of these brushes to get the look that I want.

And here it is :

All of this brushes I purchased from SOGO Department Store.

For coincidence, they were all Japanese Brand :D

They were all :

• Spoolie Brush by Cosmeup
• Angled Eyeliner Brush by Masami Shouko
• Small Dome Brush ( for eye ) by Masami Shouko
• Large Angled Contour Brush ( for eye ) by Masami Shouko
• Concealer Brush by Masami Shouko
• HD Foundation Brush by Masami Shouko
• Multi Foundation Brush by (unknown, all the instruction are written in Japanese >,<")

Another thing that I'm sooo glad that I purchased all of these brushes are none of them have the same shape that what I get in SIgma 12 Essential Kit. So, they all just complete each other whenever I need a specific type of brush :D

you can see my post about Sigma Kit here --> click me!

So, let's get up and personal with the brushes, shall we?

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Spoolie Brush by Cosmeup

Price Tag : IDR. 49500 rupiahs ( around $4.95 US Dollar )

What can I say? This is my Holy Grail Spoolie. hahaha.. What I do with this brush is to separate any clumps on my eyelash after applying mascara or to shape my eyebrow. ( Tips : spray the brush with hairspray before you shape the eyebrow, so that you get a perfect eyebrow shape all day! yay! )

As you can see.. the brush is much shorter than the usual ( the length of the bristle ) and it's flat ( with no bump in the middle or shape like a tree ) and that's why I like it better! :D The brush is so sturdy and strong but yet gentle to my eyebrow.

Angled Eyeliner Brush by Masami Shouko
Price Tag : IDR. 25900 rupiahs ( around $2.59 US Dollar )

I've been wanting to have an angled brush like this. It said that it's easier to applying gel eyeliner with this, in a way that your hand won't blocking your view when doing eyeliner. I'm new with gel eyeliner, so this is a good tool for me.

 
This brush is so thin, ike a half size of the Sigma E05 eyeliner brush. As you see from the picture it's about the same size, because the angled brush is a flat shape while Sigma E05 is a round shape. This angled brush is perfect to make a precise thin line but sometimes it's bristles tickle me! Yes, tickle as in tingle in my eye. Well, that's just me. LOL! It's made with synthetic bristle.








Small Dome Brush ( for eye ) by Masami Shouko
Price Tag : IDR. 25900 rupiahs ( around $2.59 US Dollar )

 

This brush has a perfect size to cut a crease on my eye. Compare to Sigma E30 pencil brush, it's shorter and rounder at the tip. While with Sigma E40 tapered blending brush, you can see a hugh different with the picture on the left side. Made with natural bristle.

Sigma E40 - Sigma E30 - SDM Masami Shouko

Oh ya, one thing that I forgot to mention that all of these Masami Shouko brushes are come from a smaller size ( like a travel size ), but I do saw the longer one that they sell at the same place with maybe 3-5cm difference. Still not as long as the regular brushes. You can see the difference side by side with Sigma brushes on the left side.




















Large Angled Contour Brush ( for eye ) by Masami Shouko
Price Tag : IDR. 28900 rupiahs ( around $2.89 US Dollar )

As you can see, it's so much bigger than Masami Shouko Small Dome Brush, however it's bristles is shorter and rounder than Sigma E40 tapered blending brush. I use this brush to soften any harsh line or to spread eyeshadow color evenly. It's just bulkier and I use it switch to other brush or depends on what look that I want to achieve that day. And unique thing, it's angled. just a different feel in applying any kind with swiping motion. ( if you know what I mean. :D ). Made with natural bristle.

Concealer Brush by Masami Shouko

Price Tag : IDR. 28900 rupiahs ( around $2.89 US Dollar )

Sigma E60 - CB Masami Shouko - Sigma F70

Again, the bristle is very soft, not like other cheap brand that feel scratchy on your face. From the picture above I compare it with Sigma E60 large shader and Sigma F70 concealer brush. It's size is in between those two. However, I feel Masami Shouko is a bit denser, which is good for applying product in a lot thicker consistency.

HD Foundation Brush (Flat Top Synthetic) by Masami Shouko

Price Tag : IDR. 88900rupiahs ( around $8.89 US Dollar )

This I must say is just as soft as Sigma Sigmax synthetic brush and it's so dense. However, it's too small ( around 2cm diameter ) but it's good though to reach small area like underneath your eye, the corner of your nose, etc. Just need extra time and patience :) Another thing that kinda bothers me is the weight. The handle is made with aluminum but filled with like.. umm.. iron. ugh! I try to bare it, coz it works wonder to me! Since I had this, I never go back applying my BB cream with fingers. This brush somehow can push all the product and filled my pores, giving a flawless finish. I do have some shedding issue at first ( deep clean method ), but it's just a little and only at that time. After that, it hold pretty good. I'm impressed! Made with synthetic bristle.

Compare to Sigma F50 Duo Fibre

Multi Foundation Brush by Unknown

Price Tag : IDR. 175000rupiahs ( around $17.50 US Dollar )

I know it still a little high price to pay, but I think it's worth it. To be honest, until now, I still don't know what kind of bristle it's made out with. The character is like someone's hair! uughh. But a good healthy hair type! without split end, rough, or easily broken type of thing. ( hmmph I feel guilty to explain it >,<! it could be really is someone's hair. oh no! ) But it could be synthetic, as it's shiny when I highlight it under the artificial lamp. It cut so precise to give the flat effect and feel soft on my skin. The grip is just perfect for me. I have no shedding problem at all from the first time I bought it. I use this brush to cut the hollow on my cheeks with bronzer, it's just a perfect shape. But since it too dense, after made the cut, I blend the bronzer with other brush. Giving a perfect cut but not too harsh. But I think since it's called 'Multi Foundation Brush', it would be a perfect brush for applying mineral foundation. Still, I don't think it would good for liquid foundation since I'm not sure what the bristle is made of.

Compare to Sigma F50 Duo Fibre 

The comparison size from all of the brushes Sigma F25 tapered face :

That's it my review.

Let me know what you think!

Good day all!

Smile :)

NOTE: all of the product were purchased by my own money and reviewed by honest thought. It's just my way to give you an opinion in buying product that you considered to purchase. Be a smart buyer! Hope you like my reviews.

Sigma Haul!

Finally..

 After such a long waiting and dreaming.. 

The moment comes..

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uwoooo...

I can get my hands on this babies!!

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First of all, it's been really a debating with myself 

Whether I really do need it or just want it? 

Should I get it or just let it?

 You know.. a thought that, "Working with what you've got and improve your skill instead rather than loaded with all the expensive stuff."  

Yep, it's my dilemma.

After a lot of thinking and considerations.. 

Heck, I should get it. This anxiety itself really bothers me. 

*My curiosity beats all*  

And finally.. 2 days ago, I encourage myself to made an order through online shop on facebook called Makeup Brush ( link to her site : http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002195212801 )

Since I never like preorder items, and thank God she still had ready stock items to the collection that I want the most ( which is 12pcs essential kit with the container and normal size brush --> no no for travel size, all my previous brush is in travel size --_--" ), And here it is what she still got at the time ( I've been narrow it down into 2 ) :

- Make Me Cool from Make Me Up Collection ( 12 essential brush with container, classic professional collection with natural and synthetic bristles, in color blue )

- Mr. Bunny from Vegan Collection ( 12 essential brush with container, new high tech Sigmax HD fibers which makes it all synthetic bristles, in color classic black )

Ow, which one should I choose?

Pro from classic collection ( natural + synthetic bristles ) :

• I always love the application from blush brush, powder brush, blending brush, and eyeshadow brush from natural bristles. Also, I'm curious with the classic stippling brush which were made by mixture of natural and synthetic bristles, since I never have one. 
•  I would feel that natural bristles will split out differently than the synthetic one. Take example the blush brush, I would feel good if it made from natural bristles which has a wider range of spreading than the dense synthetic bristles from vegan collection.
• And I feel like we can sort of form a characteristic from natural bristles into shape we like and usually do.

Pro from fiber bristles :

• The bristles will be more dense, good for the purpose of pencil brush, contour brush, small angled brush, eye shading brush, and eyeliner brush.
• The bristles will not absorb product, also making it easier to clean.
• All brushes can be use to pack liquid & cream, as well as powder.
• And oh ya, another plus point, vegan-friendly, CRUELTY FREE. I'm not saying natural bristles will always hurt an animal, but definitely synthetic will making it far from those thing that could happen to an animal.

Hmmm.. Don't you feel the same? Am I thinking too much? 

Yea. as I'm writing this, I get a headache. >.<"

 Bottom line is, my perfect type of brush will be mixture of those 2 collection in one kit.

Well, what can I say? Too much if I wanting those two.

Here is a thought : 

- Sigmax collection which has the same type of bristles with the Mr Bunny collection had so many positive reviews in terms of quality and performance

- Mr. Bunny is a newer collection than classic professional collection. And I bet they making some improvement and test before they launch their newest line.

- In terms of availability, I will choose the black one which look more timeless and professional for me to use. ( although Mrs. Bunny so hard to resist with the cutest baby blue and pink colour. arrgggh )

Look at that!

*nose bleed*

 OK. I've made my mind.

No more silly me talking to my own head anymore.

 Mr. Bunny essential kit is what I choose :)

 The blue container will get easily dirty on me, anyway.

and.. tadaaa!

( more info from the official site : http://www.sigmabeauty.com/Mr_Bunny_Essential_Kit_p/bbla.htm )

It came today, and I love it even more!

Truly a high quality product.

Even more beautiful in real than in a picture.

The softness totally blew me away.

Such an investment for having it.

PLUS,

I got E25 free travel size blending brush because of purchasing this set

it's from natural white bristles! yay!

and I also purchase the F05 - Small Contour Brush to answer and fulfill my need of the natural bristles ( also the type that I don't have in this kit )

( more info from the official site : http://www.sigmabeauty.com/Small_Contour_F05_p/f05.htm)

The comparison size of all :

F05 - 5 Face Brushes - 7 Eye Brushes - E25

The price that she gave to me :

Mr. Bunny essential kit = IDR. 1120000rupiahs ( around $112 US Dollar )

F05 Small Countour Brush = IDR. 150000rupiahs ( around $15 US Dollar )

shipping IDR. 6000rupiahs ( around $0.60 US Dollar )

My thoughts :

Having this set is such a privilege. Crack down the price, I don't think Sigma brushes considered as pricy. Well of course it cost me around $130, but the brush cup holder costs about $20. So, $110 for 14  GOOD QUALITY brushes. 1 brush is around $7 or $8 !! 

And, if you love makeup or just starting to learn makeup, all of this brushes are gonna be useful. You'll gonna need it. That's why it's called essential collection :)

And to be honest, the downside? Yea. I still think that blush brush and stippling brush gotta be made like the classic collection. I will be more thrilled to have the blush brush made of natural bristles, stippling brush made of mixture natural and synthetic bristles. I find this all synthetic stippling brush is too mushy and limp. :(

About the powder brush? wow, I change my mind. This is well made stuff. The bristles does it's purpose well even though it is more dense than the natural bristles one. Soooooo fluffy and crazily soft, maybe the softest from them all.

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 After all.. If I already spend my money on it, I wanna make the best of it.

I love makeup and I hope I can always improve my skill.

I know, I'm still learning..

hehe 

Let me know what you think!

Good day all!

Smile :)

NOTE: all of the product were purchased by my own money and reviewed by honest thought. It's just my way to give you an opinion in buying product that you considered to purchase. Be a smart buyer! Hope you like my reviews.