Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer

It retails for $23 USD ($30 CAD).

 

Check out my video for review/demo and comparison with brow wiz:

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Packaging

Brow Definer is a retractable pencil that's used to outline and fill in brows. The main feature is the triangular tip, which can help you create 3 different lines:

• Thin: Use sharpest part of tip to create thin line
• Medium: Back side of tip creates a medium line
• Thick: Use it on its side to create thick line  

 

You can sharpen it by placing the nib on back side of your hand and applying repeated pressure until you reach the desired tip. I personally wouldn't recommend it because you're losing product that way. At one point the tip broke while I was trying to sharpen it.

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Shades

It comes in 10 shades in total: 

1. Blonde 
2. Taupe 
3. Soft brown 
4. Auburn 
5. Caramel
6. Medium Brown
7. Dark Brown 
8. Chocolate 
9. Granite 
10. Ebony

 


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Review

I'm in love with brow definer! It makes it so much easier to fill in brows and looks very natural. I think if you have sparse areas, then this is the best because you can easily fill them in. Ever since I got this, I rarely use any other brow products. 

I'd definitely recommend it but the only problem is it can easily break. I had to buy another one because the tip fell off. I wasted so much product but still ended up buying a new one because I just love it and wanted to give it another try. However, I'm very careful with it now. I try not to twist it up too much and I don't sharpen it because last time I tried sharpening it, the tip broke. 

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ABH Brow Definer vs Brow Wiz

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer

• 0.007 oz - $23 ($30 CAD) 
• 10 shades (Blonde being lightest)
• Triangular tip
• Bigger spoolie
• Great for people with sparse areas

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

• 0.003 oz - $21 ($27 CAD)
• 9 shades (Taupe being lightest)
• Ultra-slim tip
• Precise; great for people with full brows

Similarities:

• Both of these are retractable pencils
• Have the same formula
• Each comes with a spoolie to blend the product but Brow Definer spoolie is bigger. 

Differences:

• Price/size: Brow Wiz costs slightly less but contains less product.
• Shades: Brow Definer has in total 10 shades, whereas Brow Wiz has 9. A lighter shade has been added (Blonde). 
• Tip: Brow Definer has a triangular tip and can help you create 3 different lines, while Brow Wiz has an ultra-fine tip.  

Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kits Swatches, Review & Dupes

Each set retails for $29 USD and includes a liquid lipstick (0.11 fl oz) and lip pencil (0.03 oz). 

 

Here's my video with lip swatches of all 6 shades (Koko K, Candy K, Posie K, Dolce K, True Brown K and Mary Jo K):

Also check out my ColourPop dupes video and I'm also giving away a Kylie Lip Kit of choice (Candy K or Kourt K). Giveaway ends on July 31st 2016 at 11:59 PM EST. 

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Packaging

I'm in love with the packaging! Each box represents the shade pretty well. On the back, there's Kylie's signature as well as her tips.

 The ingredients of both lipstick and lip liner are also listed on the back. 

The lipstick contains 0.11 oz of product. As much as I love the box, I find the lipstick looks simple. I wish she incorporated some color to it.

Lip liner contains 0.03 oz. At first I thought it was one of those liners that can twist up but it's not. You have to sharpen it. I honestly prefer that because that way I can sharpen it to my liking. However, the cap isn't secure. It comes off very easily. Also, I do wish the liners were sold separately because I won't be using the lighter shade lip liners.

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Shades

Currently she has 6 shades but will be launching more shades. 

1. Koko K - Pale Pinky Nude
2. Candy K - Soft Warm Nude
3. Dolce K- Medium Beige Nude
4. Posie K - Dusty Mauve Pink  
5. Mary Jo K - True Blue Red
6. True Brown K - Deep Chocolate Brown 

Photo from Kylie Cosmetics Website 

Koko K, Posie K and Mary Jo K are from Valentine Collection.

Here are swatches of all 6 shades: Koko K, Candy K, Dolce K, Posie K, Mary Jo K, True Brown K.

Photo with flash

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Review

The lip liner glides on very smoothly. It's very creamy, pigmented and easy to apply. It's great to define lips and prevent lipsticks from bleeding my lips from bleeding. However, I doubt I will use Koko K and Candy K lip liners because I personally would use a darker lip pencil to line my lips with those shades. I personally wish the lip liners were sold separately.

As for the liquid lipsticks, the lighter shades might appear very light when you apply them but they do become darker, which I'm happy about. I'm quite impressed with the formula overall but depending on the shade, it can vary. 

• Pigmented & Opaque
• Long wearing: Most of the shades are long wearing and long lasting. If you eat greasy food, these do come off but they fade away nicely.
• Scented: It has a strong vanilla scent to it, which reminds me a lot of Stila All Day Liquid Lipsticks and Sephora Cream Lip Stains. I personally don't mind it.
• Drying: These are drying but not uncomfortable on the lips in my opinion. I would recommend exfoliating and moisturizing to ensure a smooth application. They also emphasize the lines on my lips.
• Minimal Transfer: It does transfer a bit even when dried but not too much. 

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Koko K
Pale Pinky Nude

This is my least favorite because it's so light that it doesn't complement my skin tone. I would prefer pairing it up with another lipstick or lip liner but I won't be using the lip pencil of this shade.

Photo with flash

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Candy K
Soft Warm Nude

This one is okay but it doesn't look too bad on my skin tone. Similarly to Koko K, I doubt I will use the lip liner that comes with it.

Photo with flash 

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Dolce K
Medium Beige Nude

I actually like this one because it's brownish nude and complements my skin tone more.

Photo with flash

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Posie K
Dusty Mauve Pink

This is a beautiful everyday shade for me! I love it! However, I wasn't a fan of the formula. I wore it throughout the day and noticed a white film on my lips with this shade unlike the others.

Photo with flash

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Mary Jo K
True Blue Red

I love this one! I think this will complement a lot of skin tones as well. However, I don't think it's worth buying if that's the only shade you want to buy. I find you can get Stila Beso or Anastasia Beverly Hills American Doll. As for the formula, it lasted throughout the day pretty well and it faded away nicely.

Photo with flash

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True Brown K
Deep Chocolate Brown

This is my favorite out of the collection. In my opinion, this is totally worth buying from this collection. I find it complements so many skin tones. I also love the formula on this one! It was long wearing and faded away nicely.

Photo with flash

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Dupes

Koko K: I couldn't find any in my collection

Candy K: 

• ColourPop Clueless 
• ColourPop Clueless + Trap (this is a closer match)

Dolce K: 

• Kat Von D Bow N Arrow
• ColourPop Beeper 

Posie K: 

• Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick Patina
• Sephora Marvelous Mauve #13

Mary Jo K:

• Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick Beso
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick American Doll

True Brown K: ColourPop Limbo

I haven't compared formula of all of the brands but I've listed down the prices:

• ColourPop: 0.11 oz - $6 USD
• KVD: 0.22 oz - $20 USD ($24 CAD)
• ABH: 0.11 oz - $20 USD ($26) CAD
• Stila: 0.10 oz - $24 USD ($31 CAD)

I have a video and blog post reviewing True Brown K & comparing it to ColourPop Limbo:

Also check out my ColourPop dupes video and I'm also giving away a Kylie Lip Kit of choice (Candy K or Kourt K). Giveaway ends on July 31st 2016 at 11:59 PM EST. 

Elcie Micro Silque Liquid Foundation Review

Make up artist Lilit Caradanian (well-known as MakeUpbyLilit on Instagram) founded Elcie Cosmetics and launched Micro Silque Liquid Foundation last year. It retails for $45 and it's currently sold on their website and Naimie's. 

Product Claims:

• Light-weight
• HD coverage
• Anti-Aging 
• Blendable
• Long-wear
• Water-Resistant
• Mild Transfer-Resistant 
• Non-Comedogenic
• Paraben-Free
• Vegan
• Gluten-Free
• Cruelty-Free

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Packaging

It comes in a glass bottle, which is nice and sleek. I love it! It contains 1 fl oz (30 mL) of product. The ingredients, directions and product claims can be found on the box.

I'm glad it comes with a pump because it just makes it so much easier.

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Shades

They carry 12 shades and they refer to MAC shades to hopefully help you color match. Keep in mind that the foundation does oxidize, so if you're not sure between two shades, I'd recommend going for the lighter option. 

1. Porcelain - NW13/NC15
2. Cameo - NC20/N25
3. Vanilla - NC30
4. Sand - NC35-NC37
5. Warm Ivory - NC40
6. Natural - NC42
7. Butterscotch - C45  
8. Honey - C5
9. Warm Beige - NC44
10. Golden Tan - NW43
11. Almond - NW45
12. Chestnut  - NC50

We are excited to be fully stocked IN ALL OF OUR SHADES!! Thank you all so much for your patience, we truly have the best customers! Here is an approximate list of shade comparisons with Mac Cosmetics. Keep in mind our undertones are different. These are the categories you would fall under. Hope this helps: NW13/NC15 - Porcelain NC20/N25 - Cameo NC30 - Vanilla NC35-NC37 - Sand NC40 - Warm Ivory NC42 - Natural C45 - Butterscotch C5 - Honey NC44 - Warm Beige NW43 - Golden Tan NW45 - Almond NC50 - Chestnut #elciecosmetics #microsilquefoundation

A photo posted by Elcie Cosmetics (@elciecosmetics) on Feb 11, 2016 at 4:12pm PST

The foundation appeared to be much lighter than my skin tone when I swatched it but after 10 minutes, you can see how it oxidizes and becomes much darker. The shade swatched here is Warm Ivory but Natural would be a better match for me especially in summer.

Photo with flash

Shade Reference: I don't own any MAC foundation but I should be around NC40-NC42 in MAC. 

Here are some of the foundations that match me well: 

• NARS Sheer Glow - Barcelona  
• Elcie Micro Silque Foundation - Warm Ivory or Natural (Natural would be better in summer) 
• Too Faced Born this Way - Golden (Click here for review)
• Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation - Cashew 3W2 
• L'Oreal Pro-Matte - 107 Fresh Beige 
• MUFE Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation - Y415 Almond

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Review

• Finish: Matte
• Coverage: Medium 
• Wear time: I tested it out for 8 hours and it looks pretty good. I have oily t-zone and even if I set it, I noticed it was a bit oily at night. However, it's a lot less than some other foundations. It slightly transfers and I noticed it wore off especially around my lips and nose.

Pros  

• Lightweight
• Natural 
• Matte
• Blendable
• Long wearing
• Photographs well   

Cons

• Slightly Clings on dry patches: It does slightly cling on my dry patches especially when I apply it with a brush but it's not that noticeable on camera. 

Photo taken after 8 hours of application (without flash)

Photo taken after 8 hours of application (with flash) 

Overall, I think it's a good everyday foundation. It's very lightweight and looks natural. I prefer using a beautyblender with it because I find it just gives a nice finish. It does slightly cling on my dry patches especially when I apply it with a brush. It looks good even after 8 hours compared to many foundations out there. It photographs well on camera as well (with flash and without flash). I think I like it a lot more in natural daylight though. 

A photo posted by Nazra (@arzanblogs) on Feb 18, 2016 at 3:04pm PST

A photo posted by Nazra (@arzanblogs) on Feb 12, 2016 at 12:21pm PST