Budget Brand MakeupRevolution HAUL

I’ve been interested in buying from new affordable makeup range MakeupRevolution ever since I found out that they offer a white foundation for mixing, since I’m very pale and have loads of foundations that are just too dark. (see more on this here)

I took the plunge and ordered a few bits, including some of their pastel bright lipsticks- at only £1 each it doesn’t matter if I’m to chicken to wear them out!

The Blushes

Vivid Blush Lacquer in Desire and Heat

My first thought when I saw these was ‘oh, they’re quite small’.

That was before I opened them and started mucking about. They are SOOO pigmented. Imagine the smallest possible amount of blush you could squeeze out of a tube. Now divide it by 10. This is how much you need to get a bold blush look. I don’t think I could use up one of these bad boys if I lived to be 100. Pretty solid investment for £3.

Cream Blush in Peach Cream

I’m already a huge fan of cream blushes, but this colour is super flattering and has a nice matte finish. It’s actually somewhat similar to my Etude House Cream Blush but I freaking love the colour so that’s okay.

TOP TIP: I apply liquid or cream blushes by tapping them in with my finger or using a beauty blender!

The Lipsticks

I’m impressed with the quality of the lipsticks themselves, they’re not very patchy and have decent longevity. However the packaging leaves a little to be desired; although it looks chic it feels flimsy and the lids keep falling off.

The crazy colours are actually surprisingly wearable: Felony in particular is actually quite flattering and would look particularly good as part of an ombre look.

(The reason that Immoral looks so scubby already is because I used it to turn my boyfriend into Bluebeard, which I strongly regret not photographing.)

Finally, I also ordered one of the Amazing Care lipsticks in Love a Hug.

This is a bit weirdie, it’s a shot of colour encased in a clear jelly stuff. I love the idea of it but in practice the middle bit’s worn down and applying it is a bit of a pain. It’s moisturizing and gives a nice sheer look, however. I’ve used this a lot!

The Foundation

I got The One Foundation in Shade 1, which is literally white.

Okay now this IS small. I was a little disappointed with the teensy size of this; you’re getting maybe a quarter of the volume of a normal foundation. But then again, it is £4! This is a very watery liquidy foundation; it will drip off of your hand. So I was surprised when I put it on my face and it had quite respectable coverage.

This would actually almost work as a normal foundation for me; that is how pale I am.

It is a true white-white, but because it is thin and sheer it doesn’t make your face white-white since your skin colour shows through underneath, if you see what I mean.

I haven’t used this as a mixer yet (boo) because I’m scared! I don’t know if it will blend in with my foundations because it is so runny.

What I have tried is using a layer underneath foundation, this is really good for eliminating redness and and hyperpigmentation. If you suffer from rosacea or are even just sunburnt this could be a solution for you.

It has a matte finish and lasts quite a long time (I haven’t tried it with a primer yet)

Overall I would say that MakeupRevolution by far exceeded my expectations; for a budget range you’re really getting decent quality products. I would recommend them if you’re in need of branching out your collection!

Korean Cosmetics part 1: Etude House. Review and swatches!

Today I’ll be discussing makeup from popular Korean brand Etude House- I strongly recommend buying Korean brands if you’re considering branching out from western makeup.

If you like sheer, bright colours and cute girlie packaging, this is your stuff.

The products are:

Etude House Cupcake All Over Colour in Orange Choux Cake (OR201)

Etude House Etoinette Crystal Lip Shine in Sip of Wine (PRD302)

Etude House Etoinette Crystal Lip Shine in Larney Party (POR201)

Here are my swatches:

Cupcake All Over Colour

I’m a sucker for cute packaging.

It’s been squidged a bit…

I bought this on a whim, but I actually use it so often, it’s one of my favourite products. You can supposedly use it on your eyes, lips and cheeks, but I mostly use it as a cream blush. It just gives such a beautiful peachy summer glow to your cheeks, and is one of the few cream blushes I’ve tried that gives a matte effect

I do love the colour on my lips but the formula leaves a little to be desired. Despite looking like a lipbalm, do not be decieved! It is somewhat drying and may go patchy if you are prone to dry lips. The finish is gorgeously matte and surprisingly long lasting though. Also I don’t normally like matte colour on me, but something about this is just really nice and seasonal.

You can sorta see the patches here, but also I don’t care.

Etoinette Crystal Shine Lipsticks

The packaging of these is SOOO nice and satisfying. It doesn’t feel cheap and tacky (well, okay, maybe a little tacky). They remind me a lot of the princess toy things that are aimed at little girls. This is not a bad thing. Unless you’re really into minimalism and hate the pre-revolutionary French monarchy (that’s actually what the designers based these on).

The formula for both is sheer and glossy. This means the wear time is fairly short, but they’re also very moisturizing.

Sip Of Wine

This is a good beginner’s red. It’s a universally flattering shade: a neutral, balanced red, neither warm nor cool. It’s glossy and lightweight which makes it less intimidating if you’re timid of a bold lip. It’s got little bits of gold sparkle in, but they’re much less noticeable on lip than in the tube.

Larney Party

This is a pale, pinky-coral colour that’s very summer-appropriate. I slap this on for work or college so often, it wears easily and freshens and brightens your face somehow. Light nude lipsticks can be really hard to wear as a pale person, because it just makes me look drowned, but this has enough warmth in it to bypass this unfortunate look completely. I can’t recommend it enough. It does not contain glitter.

This is the lipstick- somewhat well loved but you can still see the gorgeous ‘E’ embossment.

Finally, I attempted a gradient lip look that’s popular in Korea using the two shades:

Okay it doesn’t really look like a gradient. You’ll have to take my word that the lipsticks blended beautifully and easily for this look. Which they did!

Anyone living in the UK who wishes to try Korean beauty products can do so at this lovely site:

koreankosmetics.com