My makeup style is fairly natural/neutral, however you like to call it. I love looking fresh and youthful and although I admire bold, colourful makeup on others, sometimes I feel that simple is best for me and the only 'drama' I like to have on my face is my winged eyeliner and lengthened, volumised lashes. As you may already know, I am highly influenced by Korean/ulzzang makeup style where eyeshadow is not always a must and thick/straight brows are preferred over thin/arched ones.
I wore this look on two occasions, day and night as found that this look was appropriate for both (you can disagree)
Created with the help of the following products:
~ Face of Australia Face Base Primer
~ Revlon Colorstay 24 Hour Makeup in 240 Medium Beige
~ Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles in 30 Medium Moyen (LOVE this product!)
~ Australis Eyeshadow Primer
~ Kiss Me Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner in 01 Black
~ Models Prefer Black Pencil Eyeliner
~ Models Prefer Lash Primer
~ Dolly Wink Brown Brow Pencil
~ Arbonne Triple Action Mascara in Black/Noir
~ Arbonne Lipstick in Rose Petal
~ Arbonne Blush in Ballet
Out of that list, these are the products that I am going to be reviewing:
Whenever I see makeup products in black cardboard packaging with white writing, I instantly think of high-end and that's a good thing. It makes me think that these products would be of high quality due to how... 'professional' they look. Examples of other brands with packaging like this are MAC and Inglot which I have heard are pretty good in terms of quality. First impressions always last and my first impression of Arbonne cosmetics was that they'd be great to test out.
A little about Arbonne cosmetics...
They started out in Switzerland in 1975 where Arbonne's product line aimed to fulfill the vision of having products that naturally enhances your beauty and well-being and at the same time, be pure, safe and beneficial products to use. And that was what they achieved with their skincare and cosmetics line.
I like to work my way down so let's start with a product for the eyes - mascara.
RRP $43 AUD
The product's claims:
- Define, lengthen and volumise eyelashes
- New formula is smudge resistant, long-wearing and will nurture and moisture lashes
Ingredients:
- Natural hair conditioning agents such as Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Knowing that this product 'cares' for my lashes is great and many mascaras out there don't highlight any particular ingredient that is beneficial for eyelashes, and I actually think that that's quite important. Not only do you want to look your best but you'd also want to know that the ingredients in a cosmetic product are safe and suitable, right? That is usually what differs between standard and high-end cosmetics and their prices.
I applied the mascara on after I curled my lashes
It did define, lengthen and volumise my lashes as it claims and I'd say that it gets a tick for being smudge-proof and long-lasting. However I wouldn't say that this is the best mascara that I've ever used. I have used ones that have ticked more boxes for me and were a fraction of the price. But about the ingredients of other mascaras, I wouldn't be able to compare them to this one. So really it does come down to personal preference - a mascara that does more but has no key ingredients to condition the lashes or one that does less, is still good and can be seen as less 'harmful' due to its special formula.
I would recommend this mascara to those who are interested in using makeup products that are safe, beneficial and have quality.
RRP $40 AUD
The product's claims:
- Mineral-infused and highly pigmented blush
- Provides perfect natural colour to help highlight and complement the complexion
- Lightweight powder accentuates and sculpts cheeks
Ingredients:
- Infused with Vitamins A, C and E and cucumber extract
Before I start talking about the blush itself, I want to mention the packaging just briefly. Yes it looks like a typical blush but this case has a button to help pop open the lid and it clicks back nicely when you close it. Not like those typical blushes where you manually prop open the lid (where it is prone to opening accidentally on its own in you bag or something).
It's a gorgeous pale pink and as pretty as it itself may be, I found that it wasn't the best match for my not-so-pale complexion. I did manage to snap a picture of myself under bright lighting to see how it looks like on me but I reckon if you saw me in person, it would definitely be less noticeable.
Keep in mind that my natural flush is underneath the blush
Unfortunately my camera couldn't clearly pick up on the pale pink on the back of my hand but yes I can confirm that this blush is pigmented (as seen on the finger swatch). I love it when blushes are lightweight because that means it's okay for the blush to be layered on to build colour (if necessary) and there won't be that cakey feeling. I was glad that there was hardly any excess on my brush after swelling it in the pan and it smoothed on nicely onto my cheeks. And yes I agree with the claim that it provides a natural colour to help highlight and complement the complexion, despite feeling that this blush wasn't the best shade for my tone/complexion. I would go with a more coral pink but for a natural look, this is absolutely fine :)
With many vitamins, minerals and cucumber extract, I would recommend this product for sure! It states that it is suitable for all skin types which is great. The colour is beautiful and I would love to see this on someone who is more pale than I am.
RRP $36
The product's claims and ingredients:
- Packed with Vitamins A, C and E as well as pomegranate extract, the formular intensely hydrates and conditions lips with a rich colour and beautiful scent that glides on smoothly for buildable coverage
Wow, the lipstick is very hydrating, and the fact that both the hydration and the pigment is buildable is perfect! I find that my pigmented lipsticks are a bit drying as they only require one 'coat' which I guess isn't sufficient for giving my lips moisture. This lipstick feels more like a lip balm as it makes my lips feel smoother and softer.
The thinner-than usual-lipsticks tube is actually what I prefer because it makes applying a lot easier and more precise. I know that using a lip brush is much more accurate but... ain't nobody got time for that? Kidding hehe and yeah I just use lipstick directly from its tube because it's quicker.
A pucker-up test. See how hydrated my lips look and how the lippie isn't cracking?
I describe the colour as a dark coral pink and yep 'rose petal' is a suitable name. There is a bit of shimmer and I'm completely satisfied with that as I don't find shimmer to be very necessary (less is more). This lippie is appropriate for day as its not too out-there and appropriate for night... just because :)
I can't comment on its lasting power as I didn't do any tests but with a lippie so gorgeous and moisturising, does it really matter how long it lasts before reapplying? I say no, absolutely not! In fact, I'm totally cool with reapplying this because it feels and looks great!
I'd definitely recommend this. There's just one thing that I was a bit puzzled about with its description: "beautiful scent". I didn't notice any scent in this lipstick... unless they mean that scentless = beautiful scent? Haha I'm only joking x)
So there you have it, three lovely products from Arbonne that I have reviewed. Hopefully this was an interesting read and that you've learnt something new. In Australia, it isn't a well-known product so I thought that giving them a shoutout on my blog would help them out a bit :) And perhaps you guys could help spread the word! FYI I am not being paid to endorse, nor am I affiliated with them in any way. I am just very impressed, especially with their lipstick.
(Random) Questjen of the week:
Which look do you prefer: Bold eyes or bold lips?
I'm one of those undecided 'I'd rather be in between/neutral' people so I have no answer hehe sorry :(
♥ Jen xx
P.S: Who shopped it up at Priceline for their 40% off sale?? I did!
