• Worth It? | Eyeshadow Shields

    January 25, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    media-20180125df

    This first impressions review is for a no-name brand of eyeshadow shields. I have not tried Shadow Shields or any other favourite eyeshadow shield. I was at Winners a while back and I picked up some eyeshadow shields for $3.99 CAD (pack of 25). I think the brand is La Soie, and the product is Color Guard. It’s such an unknown brand that I couldn’t find them online.

    To Apply: Remove only the top corner of paper and apply directly below the lower lash line to catch loose powder. For a stronger hold, remove the entire back strip then apply to skin.

    Use as an eyeliner stencil for straight lines or use as a guard to keep lip color within the lines.

    Everyone has a different strategy for applying their makeup. Some people do their eyes first, while others do their face first. For me, it depends on what type of eye I’m going for. If I’m doing a smokey eye or sparkly eye, it’s better if I do eyes first. If I’m doing a more natural everyday eye, I do it after my face makeup.Captureasxs

    I don’t know if name brand ones are less sticky, but I would definitely not recommend taking off the whole back strip. Even if you just peel off the top strip, it’s incredibly sticky and pulls on your skin. Since there is adhesive on these eyeshadow shields, I wouldn’t put on foundation or concealer until after doing eyes. Just to test it out, I tried using them after applying concealer and it took off my concealer and left a sticky residue. The glue adheres too well and therefore would be bad to use under your eyes where the skin is so delicate. Also, after I remove the shields, sometimes I like to blend it out so the line isn’t too harsh, but it leaves a sticky residue and therefore makes a void when I try to blend the shadow.

    They claim that it’s good for keeping lip colour in the lines, but I would much rather spend time carefully applying lip liner or lipstick than cutting these to be the perfect shape for my lips.

    RATING: 1/5

    If you love doing winged liner or a smokey eye, eyeshadow shields might be worth it for you, but make sure to get the name brand ones. I think tape can work just as well and you probably have tape lying around your house somewhere.

    These shields did help me get a nice winged liner, but it’s hard to position them perfectly so that your wings are even. I don’t think I would try actual Shadow Shields because they’re a bit pricey and I’d rather use tape instead. I am just a novice at doing winged liner because I prefer using kohl eyeliners and I can also never get the wings to match (one is always higher or longer). I prefer to smoke out a black/brown eyeshadow instead of doing a wing. I’m always practising my wings at home though.

    Have you used eyeshadow shields? What are your thoughts on them?

    Love,

    jen

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  • This or That | iBeauty Oval Brushes vs. Simple Glam Girls Lush Rose Gold Oval Brushes

    December 29, 2017

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I will be comparing two different brands of oval brushes: Simple Glam Girls and iBeauty (that I bought from Winners). Oval brushes are the brushes that resemble toothbrushes, made popular by the Artis brushes. I’ve never tried an Artis brush so I can’t compare the quality of the Simple Glam Girls and iBeauty brushes.

    NEW JC TITLES(1)

    I’m going to start by saying that I prefer damp beauty sponges to apply my foundation and concealer, even though sponges absorb a lot more product than a brush. Comparing oval brushes to regular brushes, I feel like it’s harder to clean them because the bristles are packed so tightly.

    media-20171228gdLush Rose Gold Oval Brushes (set of 10)

    10 high-quality oval shaped brushes made with grade “A” synthetic nylon hair.

    Contoured oval shaped brushes with different sizes allow you to blend makeup onto any part of your face effortlessly.

    Rose gold neck handle & a firm & anti-slip holder for that extra hold when applying makeup

    media-20171228wweiBeauty Oval Makeup Brushes (set of 3)

    Very easy and comfortable to use for putting on your daily makeup

    Used for: contour/setting powder, contour/blush, & concealer

    Gives a flawless air-brushed finish of all types of skin makeup formulas

    I have 3 brushes that are similar to the ones in the link, but they are slightly different (same sizes though). Even though it says it can be used for setting powder, I wouldn’t use an oval brush to set my makeup because it would blend out all the foundation and concealer I just applied. A fluffy brush is best to set your face.

    NEW JC TITLES(2)

    Both sets of brushes are very soft. The Simple Glam Girls brushes are packed more tightly than the iBeauty ones and therefore less streaky. You can tell from the picture above, the top brush is the iBeauty one and the bottom is Simple Glam Girls.

    For the swatches, I used liquid foundation and a powder bronzer, the top swatches are the iBeauty oval brushes and the bottom ones are Simple Glam Girls brushes. The liquid foundation swatches look similar (although the iBeauty brushe absorbed a lot more of the liquid). For the powder bronzer swatches, you can tell the top swatch is a bit more patchy and uneven. The smallest oval brush in the iBeauty set is a bit thicker than the Simple Glam Girls brush so it gave a thicker swatch.

    Since the iBeauty ones aren’t packed as tightly, it absorbs more of the liquid foundation and when you clean the brushes, it takes longer to clean them. When I run my finger along the brushes when they’re wet from cleaning, the Simple Glam Girls brushes’ bristles spring back into place, whereas the iBeauty brushes’ bristles clump together. The neck of the brushes is also sturdier on Simple Glam Girls brushes. The iBeauty ones, the neck of the brushes bends really easily. The oval brushes are so soft, I can’t wait to try the Unicorn or Perfect 10 brushes from Simple Glam Girls.

    WINNER: Simple Glam Girls Lush Rose Gold Oval Brushes

    The iBeauty brushes do a decent enough job, I think they are better with powdered products (like for contouring) since it absorbs so much liquid.

    Have you tried oval brushes? What are your thoughts?

    Love,

    jen

    *I received the Simple Glam Girls brushes for free (just paid shipping) as part of their ambassador program, but I was not paid to write a review of any sort nor do I receive any commission if you use the discount code.

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