NYX Advent Calendar

A couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to get my hands on the limited-edition NYX Wanderlust Advent Calendar. For the first time ever, I actually managed to win this calendar by participating in an Instagram competition on their official page. So, when I first got the calendar, I noticed how pretty creative the packaging was. I love how it looks like a makeup box. The Nyx Wanderlust advent calendar is filled with 24 beauty treats for the holiday season.

Description: 

This advent calendar contains 12 of the Nyx soft matte lip products and 12 single eyeshadows. The eyeshadows are all full sized which is always brilliant, as most advent calendars contain sample sized products. Whereas, the lip creams are test size which are slightly bigger than sample size. The eyeshadows are 1.4 grams each, and the lip creams are 4.7 ml each. 

What I like about this advent calendar?

 I love how they have included some of their best-selling shades from their lip creams such as Stockholm, Cannes, Morocco etc. I have a full review on the Nyx soft matte lip creams here, so feel free to check it out! I love the eyeshadows included! They have a good selection of both matte and shimmery shades that can easily be used to create endless makeup looks. Most of the eyeshadow shades are very pigmented and blend  very easily. Each eyeshadow comes with a magnetic cover that can be in handy when traveling, or when you just want to carry one or two shades in your handbag. 

What I don't like about this advent calendar?

I wish that they have included more nude shades in their soft matte lip creams in this calendar. There is a good variety of colours, however, I won't be wearing around 7 shades of the 12 lip creams included. Specially for the price (details below), I feel like they could have added slightly more wearable colours. Despite getting 4.7 ml of product in each lip cream, I felt that it was so difficult to get product out of the tube! Not sure why, it could be due to the applicator, but I felt that after 3 applications, getting product out of the tube was quite challenging. I also think that it would have been more enjoyable if they have included a wider variety of makeup products, and not just lip creams and eyeshadows. 

Availability:

US: nyxcosmetics.com also available in several drugstores

UK: Boots

Price:

US: 50$

UK: £60

Final thoughts:

This advent calendar was quite enjoyable to open. I was excited to see what I'd get, specially for the lip creams since I'm obsessed with matte lips. I think this advent calendar would be great for anyone that wants to try Nyx products for the first time (as you do get a good selection of products). I loved the colour selection and pigmentation of the single eyeshadows. I do think however that the price tag was slightly hefty in comparison to other advent calendars in the market. 

Thank you so much for reading! Let me know if you have any questions. Until next time xx   

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NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

Hi everyone and welcome back to my blog! Today ill be reviewing one of the most popular lip creams in the market, and these are the NYX soft matte lip creams! I have heard so many good things about them and I knew that I'll have to give them a try! I love matte lips and I have pretty much tried many liquid lipsticks/lip creams from both the drugstore and the high-end market. So by now, I have a solid opinion on the general features that I look for in matte lip creams and liquid lipsticks.   

Description:

The NYX soft matte lip creams come in 34 different shades, ranging from stunning nudes to bold, striking colours. The formula of these are very different from liquid lipsticks. They have a velvety, creamy texture that is also lightweight. These claim to be durable and smooth on the lips. Despite the creamy formula, they claim to dry completely matte. The packaging of these lip creams isn't see through, so the shade that the tube displays doesn't exactly correspond to the true colour of the lip cream. So to see the exact colour, just make sure to swatch any shade before buying. Each lip cream contains 8 ml of product, which is pretty good compared to the little price tag that you pay (prices and availability can be found below). 

Swatches: 

Below is a swatch of all the 12 shades that I own. 

Shades shown from left to right: Milan, Prague, Morocco, Addis Ababa, Seoul, Manila, Stockholm, Cannes, Rome, Monte Carlo, Copenhagen, Transylvania

What I like about these lip creams:

I love the formula of these lip creams. They are indeed lightweight and creamy. They dry completely matte, however, they need slightly longer to dry (1-2 mins) in comparison to liquid lipsticks. They also have a sweet smell to them, like marshmallows/cakes, but nothing too overpowering. The lasting power is also good, they can stay well on for 3-4 hours. Of course with eating, you will have to reapply, specially if you're eating greasy food. I love nude lips and these have a pretty good variety of different nudes. My favourite shade has to be Stockholm, which is a perfect everyday nude! There are also several great vampy, dark lip colours that are perfect for autumn and winter (e.g. Copenhagen, Transylvania).

What I don’t like about these lip creams:

These lip creams are pretty pigmented, but they definitely need two layers to look completely opaque. I do apply two thin layers for it to fully cover my lips. They are not drying, but they do tend to settle into the lines/cracks of my lips. So as I always mention with lip creams/liquid lipsticks, exfoliate and apply a lip balm before hand (if you have dry/chapped lips) to get the best application ever. 

Availability:

UK: can be found in Boots

US: can be bought online from nyxcosmetics.com or you can simply buy it in several drugstores 

Kuwait: available in Centrepoint 

Price:

UK: £5.50 (Boots) 

US: 6$  

Kuwait: 3.250 KD (Centrepoint)

Final thoughts:

I think these lip creams are great for anyone that is looking for beautiful, affordable, and comfortable matte lip creams. I am impressed with the extremely wide variety of shades that you get with these, so there is definitely something for everyone. The lasting power is also good, and for the price point, you really can't go wrong. 

That is all for today's post, as always, leave any questions below. If there are specific products that you want me review then also leave them below. Thank you so much for reading and until next time xx 

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Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara

Hi everyone and welcome back to my blog! Today ill be reviewing one of the first drugstore mascaras that I started wearing when I first got into makeup, and it is the Max Factor 2000 Calorie mascara. This mascara was my absolute favourite 4 years ago, and I used to wear it on daily basis. So, I recently ran out of my L'Oreal False Lash Sculpt mascara (which is totally amazing), so I decided to head over to Boots and grab myself a new mascara. When I passed by the Max Factor counter, I decided to relive the old days and try it again. Below is a review of what I think of this mascara, and I can tell you that after a couple of years, my opinion has definitely changed.  

Description:

The Max Factor 2000 Calorie claims to triple the volume of your lashes with its ultra volumising formula. This mascara doesn't need any primer to look good, and a single application can easily last on without any smudging. Despite being touch and smudge proof, it claims that it can easily be removed with your regular makeup remover. It is designed to suit both sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Each mascara tube contains 9 ml of product. The mascara wand is very traditional looking, and has bristles all around it. 

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara

What I like about this mascara:

This mascara is pretty good at volumisng your lashes (I don't think it lives up to the 3x volumising claim though). The great thing about this mascara is that it doesn't clump at all! I personally don't mind the slightly clumpy lashes look, but I know so many people that absolutely hate clumpy lashes, and if you're one of those, then you'll really love this mascara. It also doesn't smudge or transfer when on, which is always great as no body wants to end up with panda eyes, right? It is also easy to layer up, so with 2 layers it still doesn't clump. 

What I don’t like about this Mascara:

Despite that this mascara gives my lashes some volume, I don't think it is outstanding in doing so. Additionally, I didn't feel that it gave my lashes much length. I personally love long, full and dramatic lashes. This mascara didn't help me achieve that look even with 2 coats! Whereas other mascaras featured here can do so with just a single coat. It is strange saying that, since a couple of years ago this literally was my favourite go-to mascara! But certainly with time, people's preferences do change.  

Availability:

Can be found in Boots (worldwide), Superdrug (UK), Amazon, Walmart (US). So it is easily available in most drugstores.  

Price:

Kuwait: 4.250 KD (Boots)

US: approx. 9.4$ (can also be found for 7.18$ & free shipping in amazon.com)
UK: £7.99 (Boots/Superdrug)  

Final thoughts:

This mascara would be ideal for those that want some volume and length without any clumps. It also doesn't smudge or transfer which is always great. I personally would not repurchase it as I love to go for full-on dramatic lashes, which this mascara clearly doesn't do for me. It is a bummer since Max Factor is one of my all time favourite drugstore makeup brands. I have also picked up several other mascaras from Max Factor that I'll be reviewing in the upcoming weeks. 

That is all for today's post, as always, leave any questions below. If there are specific products that you want me review then also leave them below.  Thank you so much for reading and until next time xx 

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Huda Beauty Lip Contour

Hi everyone and welcome back to my blog! Today’s post will be on the extremely popular lip contours from Huda Beauty. These lip liners were launched in March 2016, and ever since the launch, everyone was talking about them. The reviews were highly positive and as a beauty lover, I knew I had to give them a try. I have the shades Trendsetter (which is a stylish brown nude) and Trophy Wife (which is a a beautiful striking pink shade). 

Huda Beauty Lip Contour. Upper shade: Trendsetter
 Lower shade: Trophy Wife

Description:

The Huda Beauty Lip Contour claims that it gives an intense matte colour payoff that is both waterproof and transfer-proof. It also claims that it glides on easily. As I mentioned earlier, these lip contours were launched in March 2016 and come in 9 different shades. The packaging is very simple (as you'd expect from a lip liner). The lip liner doesn't come with a twist bottom, so you'll need to sharpen it to release more product. You can use 2 different shades to contour and highlight your lips, or you can simply fill your lips in with one colour depending on the look you're going for. This product is both Vegan and Cruelty-free so it is great for suiting a wider audience. The size of these lip contours is 0.042 oz per piece. 

What I like about this lip liner:

I love how this lip contour definitely lives up to all its claims. It is very easy to glide on and both of the shades that I have are very pigmented. It also stays on very well, and easily lasts me for 6 hours (before I need to touch it up a little bit). It is both waterproof and transfer-proof, which is perfect for me as I work full-time and touching up my lip liner is the last thing I'd want to do. I tend to apply the lip contour all over my lips, and I usually go for the shade Trendsetter as it is perfect for work. However, when I'm feeling a little bold, I use Trophy Wife all over my lips. 

Lip Swatches:

Below are some lip swatches with and without flash. Keep in mind that the shades can vary depending on your skin tone.

Trophy Wife (no flash)

Trophy Wife (with flash)

Trendsetter (no flash)

Trendsetter (with flash)

What I don’t like about this lip liner:

There are 2 things that I don't really like about this lip contour. First, it is the sharpening issue, and I know it has nothing to do with the formula or anything, but I do prefer lip liners that have a twist to reveal more product, as it is a hassle to sharpen the lip liner; and these tend to need sharpening approx. every 2-3 applications. The second thing is related to the formula. Despite that these lip contours are very long wearing, they do tend to dry my lips. They can be very drying if you just apply them without exfoliating and prepping your lips. So, I highly recommend that you exfoliate, or at least apply some lip balm to your lips (for 15-30 mins) and then make sure to wipe the lip balm off before applying the lip contour, otherwise it won't last as long and will transfer.  

Availability:

Available worldwide, as you can order any of the lip contours from her website: shophudabeauty.com (a full review on the ordering process, shipping etc can be found here). Also available in Sephora stores in the US,Kuwait, UAE etc. Her products are available in store in Harrods UK. 

Price:

US: 19$ (this is the price in Sephora and on her website)
UK: £16 (found on cultbeauty.co.uk) 

Final thoughts:

I love these lip contours mainly because of how very long wearing they are. So, if you want your lip liner to stay on all day, then you'll really love these. With 9 shades available, there surely is something for everyone. The main downside would be the drying formula, but if you prep your lips, then you won't have a problem with that. Additionally, I think it is reasonably priced for a high-end lip contour. 

That is all for today's post, as always, leave any questions below. If there are specific products that you want me review then also leave them below.  Thank you so much for reading and until next time xx 

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Huda Beauty Online Shopping Experience

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog! I have been doing some serious online shopping for the past week, and with the Black Friday deals, I couldn't help but splurge on several beauty products. So, it happened that Huda Beauty had a great deal on Black Friday, and since I've heard so many positive things about her products, I decided to give them a try. Huda Beauty's products are sold in Sephora in Kuwait, but her Black Friday deal was exclusive to her online shop. So in this post I'll explain all about my experience in ordering her products. I hope this post will be useful for anyone that would like to order some of her products online!

My Black Friday products from Huda Beauty 

Ordering process:

Since it was a Black Friday deal, it was impossible for me to access her website (shophudabeauty.com) as it kept shutting down due to the huuuuuge traffic that the website received. Luckily, after a couple of hours, I tried again and her website opened which was so relieving. I made sure to quickly get my order through before it shuts down again. In the header, you can find a drop down menu of her lashes and makeup (since there are several products in each category). You can also find all about the stick-on nails and Henna tattoo products by pressing on the Nails and Tattoo buttons in the header. The Black Friday bundle that I bought was already on the homepage, so it was very simple to get to. When you select the desired product, simple click on the Add To Cart, then you can proceed to the checkout. You will need to enter all the usual necessary information for them to be able to ship the product to you. You will also need to create an account to proceed with the payment.

Payment:

The payment was very simple and straightforward. You can pay using your PayPal account (you can also simply create a PayPal account if you don't have one), or you can pay using your credit card, MasterCard, Visa. I simply paid using my PayPal account as it is the safest and easiest way to buy online.

Shipping:

a) Shipping fees: you can get free standard shipping on all international orders over 75$ (excluding New Zealand and Australia). You'll have to pay for shipping for anything below 75$, and the exact amount I would presumably think is country dependent (not sure about that though). The black Friday bundle was already 75$ so I didn't have to pay for shipping which is always great! However, you need to keep in mind that you might have to pay for customs, and the exact amount would depend on the country, weight of the parcel etc. I had to pay 3 KD for custom charges which was alright as I did get many products.

b) Shipping Countries: Fortunately they ship worldwide! So even if you don't have Sephora, you can simply get access to her products. I also believe that her products are cheaper on her website than if I'd want to get them here in Kuwait. However, the prices are exactly the same in the official Sephora website that is based in the US.

I was a little worried after I placed my order as I didn't receive an order confirmation email right away. It took around 3 days for me to receive the order confirmation (it could be due to the huge traffic that was on her website). The products were shipped via DHL and you also get a tracking number to keep yourself up-to-date with the shipment status. I received my parcel one day before the scheduled delivery, so I was pleased with the overall shopping experience.

Final thoughts: 

Despite the initial access to the Huda Beauty website was very stressful and kind of impossible, the actual ordering and shipping process was very simple. I am glad that I received my parcel within 5 days! I won't be reviewing her products in this post, but be sure to subscribe to my blog to be updated when I do so.

This is it for today's post. I hope that it was useful for all those that want to order from her online website. Thank you so much for reading and until next time xx








 

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