Tutorial: Easy Candy Cane Liner

It's totally the season for endless Christmas themed looks now, so in case you want to do something festive but easy, here's a super easy, beginner friendly tutorial for creating candy cane liners!

Review & Swatches: Emina Creamattes

I love supporting my local brands, so I decided to give Emina Cosmetics a try! I bought all 7 shades of their Creamattes from Sociolla, and they were a steal at Rp 45,000 (~US$ 4) each. I had so much fun unboxing everything and doing my first ever unboxing video!

Sociolla Review

I got my items within 3 business days. There was a bit of a hiccup in my order though. So, Sociolla is hosting a competition, and to participate, we have to take a picture with the Emina postcard they sent. I didn't receive the postcard and many people didn't either. Fortunately, Sociolla sent the postcard 2 days after I contacted them on their instagram page, so that's awesome.

Emina Creamattes Swatches

Emina CreamMattes Review

Price: Rp 45,000 

Pigmentation: Great pigmentation, some of the brighter colours like Frostbite and Tumbleweed do end up looking a bit streaky with just one coat, but it builds up pretty easily.

Texture: Like a creamed lipstick when wet, and feels really sticky while it dries. It takes a long time to dry (several minutes), but dries to a comfortable, powdery matte. 

Longevity: Starts disappearing around the inner parts of your lips within 3-4h, doesn't really last through a meal and will start smudging. 

Buildable? Yes

Drying? Moderately. Relatively drying compared to lipsticks, but not as drying as some liquid mattes. It feels slightly more drying than Jeffree Star's liquid mattes or NYX's cream mattes. 

TL;DR: I love these, they're AMAZING value for money and even have really bright or less conventional colours that are rarely found in Indonesia. You do have to touch up throughout the day, but they're very buildable so it's easy to touch up. 

Would buy again? YES!

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Review: BareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer

I recently gave my sample of BareMinerals Prime Time foundation primer a try and well....

.....it sucked.

The first time I tried it, I used it under Majolica Majorca Skin Remaker Pore Cover pressed powder foundation, and it was a nightmare to use. Everything was gunking and caking up, and I looked like a moulting lizard. Ok...but that's a very heavy coverage foundation, so maybe that was the issue. Let's try with my super easy to use, light coverage Face Shop BB Cushion that always makes me look dewy and glowing!

Well...this is what happened.

What.

Isn't primer supposed to make my foundation apply better, not worse?

Even my best attempt to blend it out isn't that great, and I ended up with stubborn streaks that I couldn't blend out:

Help me.

Oh and look at the difference between both sides of my face at the end of the day:

Mother of creases...

So yes, I tossed this into the bin.

Rating: 0/5

Would repurchase? Only at gunpoint.

Tutorial: Negative Space Cut Crease, Fading Liner

Hi everyone! So this is an entry for Sephora Indonesia's blogging competition, where I'm supposed to create a makeup tutorial for how to use Sephora's Virtual Artist. So with Sephora's Virtual Artist, you can take any pic and test out how different lipsticks would look like on you! No more holding your hand up next to your lips, trying to guess if that lipstick you swatched on your hand would look as good on your lips!

I'm one of those people who'll end up mixing 20 different lipsticks together because I suck at picking lipsticks that go with my eye makeup, so Sephora's Virtual Artist is perfect for me. Let's get on to the tutorial!

So here's the tutorial for the eye, it's super simple:

1. Apply purple eyeshadow  in a rough wing shape above your "eye line" and then blend in a purple eyeshadow underneath. If the idea of blending 2 colours together is too intimidating for the first try,  you can stick to 1 colour.

2. Soak a cotton bud in eye makeup remover and erase out a "crease". I like this erasing method because the swiping motion also creates a super sharp wing tip!

3. Line your yes with eyeshadow..this look is super dramatic so eyeshadow is softer and less jarring than liquid liner.

4. Grab a cotton pad soaked in eye makeup remover, fold it in half, place it where you want the base of your wing to be, and swipe up. And that's it!

Now for the face. This is the order I do my makeup, and I'm going to explain why I'm doing it this way...

Undereye Concealer

I like applying this in light feathering motions to avoid caking it up. I apply it in a triangular shape underneath my eye because this is more flattering than on just my dark circles. I end up looking more awake! Blend this out with a beauty blender!

Foundation

I apply foundation next since this helps match the undereye concealer with my skin, and I don't end up with a stark, white triangle under my eyes. I'm also applying this before concealer so I can see what my foundation can cover on its own before I start going nuts with concealer. The more concealer you use, the more your face can look cake-y. I'm also using one of those BB air cushion puffs to apply this, and this gives me such a skin-like finish, just like when I'm using a beauty blender!

Concealer

Only apply on the spots your foundation can't conceal and blend it away with a beauty blender!

Blush

Since I'm having a great skin day, I'm using a cream blush that gives me a very natural, translucent flush. I'm applying it in a circle right under my eyes and blending it outwards because I'm going crazy over this blush placement lately! It makes me look way younger and more wide eyed!


Finally, it's time to figure out what lipstick to use with Sephora's Virtual Artist!

So here's how you use this. First of all, head to Sephora's Virtual Artist page and click on the big button you'll see there:

Click this:

Take a selfie or take a pic (make sure your lips are bare!):

The program will automatically detect the outline of your lips, and you can move these round buttons around to further refine it:

And that's it! Just pick the colour you like!

If the choices are too overwhelming, you can either let Sephora's Virtual Artist pick a random colour:

Or you can also filter by colour:

Tra-daaaah!

Still confused over the choices? You can compare which one's the best!

This option is sooo bad for me, because I end up wanting all 4....

So there you have it! Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Let me know if there's any other tutorial you want!

Review & Swatches: 6 Eccentric Cosmetics Liquid Matte Lipstick

Eccentric Cosmetics makes the BEST eye primer ever, so when I heard a reformulation was happening, I panicked and went shopping ASAP. That's how I ended up buying a bunch of their liquid matte lipsticks (er....I was saving on shipping?). Kilimanjaro was included as a free sample (I really went nuts shopping), but everything else I bought oh my own.

So here are the swatches of the 6 liquid matte lipstick shades I got!

A photo posted by Francesca (@workingwithmonolids) on Oct 6, 2016 at 7:12am PDT

A photo posted by Francesca (@workingwithmonolids) on Oct 5, 2016 at 7:31pm PDT

Formula-wise, they're really drying like most mattes. Wear time isn't that great for how drying it is –a couple of hours only and won't survive through a meal. A couple of colours are unfortunately streaky, and this is something I noticed in Eccentric Cosmetics' darker colors since I first started purchasing these. That's why I tend to try a sample out first for the dark colours. The good thing is that the streakiness isn't too obvious when zoomed out!

The two metallic colours, Salar de Uyuni and Door to Hell are just for fantastic. I can't properly capture how metallic they look, it's just soooo gorgeous and I wish I got Door to Hell in a full size! They go opaque and smooth with just one swipe, so these are really winners formula-wise. Oh, and if you rub them, more of the metallic gold will pop out!

Notre Dame is another favorite of mine. It's really sheer, but that's what makes it amazing for layering. Just dab it in the middle of your lips and instant gorgeousness!

Tutorial: Sailor Chibimoon Inspired Wearable Eye Makeup!

Finally, Chibiusa! And with this, I'm done with my Sailor Moon tutorials series! Let me know if you want more tutorials like these! I'm using Nyx's Milk, Notoriously Morbid's Snow Queen's Return, a custom eyeshadow and Esqido's lashes in Bic City Lights!

I nearly didn't do Chibiusa because I personally find her freaking annoying and bratty. She may look like a child, but she's 900 years old. The fact that she still behaves like an entitled, insufferable brat is a testament to Usagi & Mamoru's terrible parenting. /rant

Ok, I'm going to stop ranting and get on with the tutorial...

Here's the full face! Lips is Fyrinnae's Phantasma!

Tutorial: Sailor Moon Inspired Wearable Eye Makeup!

Ok, I know it's kinda weird I'm doing Sailor Moon close to last since well...she's supposedly the main character, but SCREW USAGI. I found her so freaking annoying. I guess I'm supposed to appreciate how she matures over the series and what a great friend she is, but guess what? All the other sailors are already mature, on top of being great friends and being talented in at least ONE FREAKING THING. What's your talent Usagi? Whining and pining over Mamoru? Come on! What qualifies her to be a leader? Being born into it? Oh, and let's remember she was so irresponsible in her past life, she killed herself because her boyfriend died. You're supposed to inherit the throne you melodramatic  moron!

Ok, I need to stop ranting. Here's the look:

 I'm using Mad Labs' Pyrite & Notoriously Morbid's Morgana, as well as Jeffree Star's Drug Lord and Nyx's Milk. Lashes are @esqido's Big City Nights! Here's the tutorial:

And the full face! Lips are Kat Von D's Bauhaus!

Tutorial: Sailor Uranus Inspired Wearable Eye Makeup!

I wanted to do this tutorial earlier because Haruka's one of my favourites, but unfortunately, I accidentally erased the pictures from my computer and had to go searching for it in my external hard drive. >.<

I didn't want to use fake lashes for this look, because it just feels weird adding fluttery lashes to Haruka. Plus, a bottom heavy look makes me feel badass. I went to work with this and felt badass the whole day, so I really need to channel Haruka more often. I always thought Haruka is so freaking hot. Michiru is was the girl I wanted to be with, but Haruka is the girl I wish I could be....maybe because I have non-existent driving skills (don't tell my husband I finally admit my driving's crap, because making sure you're always right totally makes a healthy marriage...). I'm using Urban Decay's eyeliner in Chaos, Make Up Store's Pollution, and Blanche Neige's Seashells.

Yellow lips because Haruka don't care! Isn't Limnit's Between the lines gorgeous??

Tutorial: Sailor Saturn Inspired Wearable Eye Makeup!

Ok! So it's Sailor Saturn/Hotaru time! I was a bit of an emo teenager, so I like Hotaru when she was all mysterious, emo and possibly evil. So here's the look I came up with, and it looks super dramatic, but I promise it's so very wearable! Makes your eyes look huge too!

Here's the tutorial! I'm using Wet n Wild's studio eyeshadow palette in Quartz Center! Lashes are Esqido's Big City Lights!

So here's the full face! I just had a facial that involves extraction, so my face is a bit of a mess XD

Some people tell me they want to get the double eyelid surgery because their eyes look like "2 black holes" when they close their eyes. Stare, stare into the abyss....

Tutorial: Sailor Mars Inspired Wearable Eye Makeup!

Next up is Rei! ! I just love her sass. Rei's portrayed as the typical Japanese beauty,and I have to admit I got the inspiration of this look from traditional Maiko makeup. The maikos got it right...this look is so flattering on Asian eyes! I'm using My Pretty Zombie's mNg no. 2 and Ojo De Gato, and Nyx's Jumbo Eye pencil in Milk!

A video posted by Francesca (@workingwithmonolids) on Sep 8, 2016 at 8:12pm PDT

Here's the tutorial!

And here's the full face!

A photo posted by Francesca (@workingwithmonolids) on Sep 9, 2016 at 8:37am PDT

A photo posted by Francesca (@workingwithmonolids) on Sep 10, 2016 at 7:08am PDT

Tutorial: Sailor Jupiter Inspired Wearable Eye Makeup! (a.k.a the Lazy Ombré Liner)

Makoto's turn! I liked how tough she is, but at the same time, I was also annoyed by how lovesick she gets. Come on, Makoto! You're way better than that! If he's not into you, who cares? You're gorgeous, tough, and an amazing cook. I'd date you!

So this is my tutorial for the Sailor Jupiter inspired look, a.k.a., the Lazy Ombre Liner, which is still my most popular tutorial ever. This time, I created a YouTube tutorial too!

Tutorial: Sailor Venus Inspired Wearable Eye Makeup!

Ok...I screwed up and forgot to upload my tutorials on my blog before I deleted the pics off my phone. So now I have to skip to the tutorial for the Haruka and Rei inspired looks, and go straight to the Minako inspired look. My bad. >.<

So here's the pictorial! I'm using My Pretty Zombie's Bear & Scurvy!

I know I promised with would be wearable, but I couldn't resist adding a swirly helix liner at the end...

Here are the full face! Lips is Kat Von D's Bauhaus with MPZ's Bear dotted in the center!

Tutorial: Sailor Pluto Inspired Wearable Eye Makeup!

This is my tutorial for the Setsuna inspired look! This cut crease tutorial is definitely more challenging, and may take some practice!

A photo posted by Francesca (@workingwithmonolids) on Sep 5, 2016 at 4:21pm PDT

1. Apply primer, then draw a wing-shaped line with an eye pencil where you want the crease to be. For monolids, I suggest a small crease that looks more like a natural Asian crease. Apply translucent powder above this line so blending's easier later.

2. Blend a purple eyeshadow above the line, smudging it out.

3. With a pencil brush, blend a darker purple eyeshadow into where the line was. 

4. Grab a concealer and use it to draw a wing shape underneath all the eyeshadow.

5. Apply yellow eyeshadow to 2/3rds of this bottom blank space.

6. Apply brown eyeshadow to the remaining and blend it into the yellow

7. Line it any way you want, and clean up the bottom using a cotton pad soaked in eye make up remover.

8. Line the outer 2/3rds of your lower lashline with purple eyeshadow

9. Use mascara/falsies and that's it!

Tutorial: Nude Makeup with 7 products only!

Ok, so this is one of my favourite work appropriate looks, and it's so easy to do! Definitely beginner friendly!

The products I'm using are:

* Amazing Cosmetics’ concealer in Fair Golden
* IT Cosmetics CC Cream in Light
* Esqido’s lashes and lash glue
* NYX’s Lingerie in Bedtime Flirt
* NYX’s cream blush in Natural
* NYX’s white eyeshadow base
* NYX’s eyebrow cake powder in 

Tutorial: Cut Crease on Creaseless Monolids

Ok everyone, I FINALLY did it! A video tutorial on doing cut creases when you have 0 crease/single eyelids/monolids like me. Hope you guys like it!

Tutorial: Flattering Monolid Makeup for Day AND Night

Ok, I love colour-shifting eyeshadows, and this is one of my favourite ways of showing them off! This is a really simple look that's perfect for a night out, but you can also use it during the day if you have hooded monolids since monolids can hide a lot of drama!

Tutorial: Helix Liner!

I was so inspired by this helix liner by @glowawaymeg...

A photo posted by M E G (@glowawaymeg) on Aug 30, 2016 at 4:14pm PDT

So here's my take on it!

Of course I made a video tutorial!