Wantable October Makeup box Tutorial

As promised, here is a tutorial using the products I got in the October makeup box by Wantable! The focus of this look is smokey green and brown eyes and quite a deep lip (but not too overpowering to overwhelm the face). I actually wore this look for Halloween (which was yesterday down here in Aus), and felt sassy as all hell, so this is definitely more of a nighttime look.

The look

Okay, so starting first with eyes, I used the Lise Watier Ombre Souffle Supreme in Tartan Magique all over the eyes as a base. Then contoured with Faint from the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette using the eye defining brush by e.l.f. With a MAC 219 brush, I then took Crave, again from the Naked palette, and smudged it into my lashline and winged it out very slightly. To finish off the shadows of the eyes, I took Venus from the same palette and, with a fluffy angled brush (I got mine from an art store, not sure of the name) and used it as a highlight and to help blend out any harsh lines from Faint. With the included sponge tip applicator, I then patted on Tartan Magique into the centre of my lids to add a bit of a pop of colour again. Add mascara and the eyes are finished!

Products used for eyes: Naked Basics, Ombre Souffle Supreme, MAC 219, Large fluffy angled brush, e.l.f. eye defining brush

Add Tartan Magique all over the eyes as a base

Faint from the Naked Basics palette with e.l.f. eye defining brush

Contour the outer V and the inner corner

Crave from Naked Basics palette with MAC 219

Smudge into both the upper and lower lashline

Tartan Magique with the sponge tip applicator

Pat onto the centre of the lids for a pop

Venus from Naked Basics Palette with a larger fluffy angled brush

Blend out harshlines and use as a highlight

Add mascara and done!

The cheeks are really simple, a bright coral pink blush compliments smokey eyes quite nicely. I used the Real Techniques Contour brush and applied Be a bombshell blush in blind date quite high up on the cheekbones in a flatter c-shape to compliment the shape of the eyeshadows.

Products used for cheeks: be a bombshell blush in blind date, real techniques contour brush

apply the blush high up on the cheekbones in a soft c shape

For the lips, just add a deep plummy stain for a dark look. Nothing too reflective, as it would overwhelm the face. I used the Cailyn Cosmetics Red Stain from the Wantable October makeup box.

cailyn cosmetics red stain

The finished look!

So, a pretty simple but effective look. I don't usually wear too many eyeshadows at once due to my eyeshape, but this way of applying can compliment pretty much all eye shapes.

Full product list:

Face: Stila One-Step Correct, theBalm tinted moisturizer, Bourjois healthy balance powder

Eyebrows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pen, Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel in Granite

Eyes: Lise Watier Ombre Souffle Supreme in Tartan Magique (Wantable), Urban Decay Naked Basics palette, Clinique High Impact mascara

Cheeks: be a... bombshell blush in Blind Date

Lips: Cailyn Cosmetics red tint

For my full review on the Wantable October makeup box, which was sent to me complimentary for review purposes, see here. 

Wantable October Makeup Box

Hellloo new Wantable October Makeup box. Stuart from Wantable was nice enough to send me out a complimentary box for review and oh my god, my mouth is watering. But, before I get ahead of myself, if you haven't seen my previous post on Wantable, basically they are a high-end subscription box, where you can choose to receive a Makeup box, an Intimates box or an Accessories box (and if you're quick enough, you may be able to snag the special Halloween box for October, before the month is up!) for either US$36 per month, or US$40 for a one off. In the Makeup box, you receive 4 - 5 full-size, high-end makeup products, and generally a freebie sample is included in the box too. The great thing about Wantable, besides their return policy (if you happen to get some items that you don't like you can send the box back for a refund) is they have a really in-depth quiz about what your preferences are so you are more likely to get products that you selected as "love" or "like" and never to get products you marked in the quiz as "dislike". 

Ah, humble and sleek logo

Oh ho ho ho, they called me beautiful!

Okay. Contain yourself. Try.

I received my box about 17 days after placing my order, a little longer than last time, but I think the wait is worth it (plus it still made the October cut-off line to be called an "October box"). In this month's box is four full size products and a cute sample too; the packaging for the box itself is simple (no box within a box like other subscriptions), but really chockas with the foam so your products are much less likely to be damaged. Either way, as I slowly started unboxing, my excitement was increasing, good lord, I even had to call my boyfriend into the room to show off what I had received . 

The line up.

The line up of the actual products.

Cailyn Cosmetics Red Tint

First in the line up, we have a nifty red tint - how cute is the packaging? It looks like a vial of blood (and, strangely enough, the brand name is not anywhere on the actual product itself). This retails for US$13 according to the invoice sheet and, my, would this ever be intriguing to carry around in your handbag. Pretty simple to figure out what it is - a red tint, as the name implies. It has a doe-foot applicator to it, smells a tad like beetroot (or could be my imagination), and is quite plummy and muted in tone, although the vial is of course darker than the actual tint, as like many other stains. I would like to wear this for everyday makeup, good for going to work because I do like that muted feel to it.

Red Tint

Lise Watier Ombre Souffle Supreme in Tartan Magique

Well, we have a fancy name here. I received a sample of two shades of this Ombre Souffle Supreme in the previous box, but haven't gotten around to testing them out for myself (have to find a way for the colour to work), so I didn't really know what to expect of the full size I received this month. It comes with a double-ended sponge tip applicator, one side being pointed and the other is more of a paddle shape; the product itself is housed in a sturdy glass packaging, similar to that of the old Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadows. The colour is a nice shimmery cold blue, and appears to have a bit of green reflect, ridiculous pretty is what I'm trying to get at; and the texture is absolutely fantastic! It really is like a souffle, it bounces and it feels lighter than a mousse when applying. Retails for US$24.

Tartan Magique

Besame Cosmetics Classic Color Lipstick in Cherry Red

Damn, oh damn, this is the brand I was hoping to get a product from! I saw some Besame products in other people's boxes, and are they not the most luxurious looking products ever? Firstly, the secondary packaging is a super pretty red box with a slight vintage-feel yellow flower design. The lipstick itself, which is inside a red velvet bag, is a gorgeous gold with red flower decal, in a rounded lipstick tube which opens and closes with a click. Ugh, can't get enough of the packaging, but besides that, the lipstick is to die for too. The "cherry red" colour seems a bit deeper than I would expect, but I guess we're talking real cherries here, not the stain you get from eating cherries. The texture is so ridiculously creamy when applying, and it dries down to a semi-matte finish, but beware, it packs quite a punch with pigment, and might stain wherever else this applies. Retails for US$22, which is not too bad at all, if only I could get my hands on some more Besame.

Cherry Red

Be a Bombshell Blush in Blind Date

To top off this month's box, I got a nice bright blush by Be a Bombshell. Housed in packaging that is similar to MAC with the circularity and the large clear window to display the colour, I was quite pleased to receive this (yes, Wantable really do listen to your preferences!), even said "ooh a bright blush" when I saw it. I'm lame, I know. It is quite a soft blush, but it swatches really evenly, no chalkiness that I noticed either. A bright corally pink, it'll be goo to use for the current spring season, it's a lot less brighter than in the pan though. It looks really like you're blushing too, with a tad bit of shimmer for a bit of glow. Retails for US$16.

Blind Date

I quite liked 4/4 of what I received, so damn, this was a good month. I can see myself getting some use out of all the products, although the Lise Watier one maybe a bit less at the moment, due my complexion gradually getting tanner as it's starting to heat up. Definitely love the Besame lipstick though, super creamy, the Cailyn Red Tint is pretty nifty for a "no-makeup makeup" look too. The blush is quite nice too, could always use more blushes, considering the portion of my collection that is blush could do with a revamp, and I do loved that flushed look that this one gives.

left to right, without flash: red tint, tartan magique, cherry red, blind date

With Flash

For my (what would have been) US$49 (the box plus the shipping), I received US$75 worth of product, and really, much more worth it than most other subscription boxes, because, again, Wantable  sends out full-size products. I mean, I could even see that I would like the sample of the Instant Skin Tightener and Line Filler by Skiin that they included, so that's another bonus. I know that there are some people that have had trouble with their boxes (say, receiving an item that they had marked as "dislike" on their preferences), but the customer service is fantastic. Just shoot them off an email and you're sure to get it sorted (at least from what I've heard, no personal experience here to relate, second box here and all). 

Overall, I am really quite pleased with the box. Very pleased. The Wantable subscription box gives you a nice introduction to some brands too, and I have to comment again on how well the quiz is made. It's really quite in-depth so you can manipulate your preferences a bit better. I should note that for those ladies in Aussie, like I am, this is a pretty good deal considering how mark-up is over here, too. I'm really lucky that they sent me a complimentary box, I personally have no bad words to say at all at this point, and it doesn't look like there would be any in the future. In fact, it may be a bit early to say (I like to not get my hopes too high up), but they may have easily made a subscriber out of me right here. Either way, I'll definitely be purchasing another box in the future, but, for now, I think I've pretty much said all that there is to say. 

Stay tuned for my FoTD/Tutorial post using these products, up by the end of the week!

The Wantable makeup box is available here for US$36 for a subscription, or US$40 for a one-off, shipping to Australia is US$9, or to Canada for US$5.

I was sent this box complimentary for review purposes. 

October Empties, 2013

I don't have a lot of empties, but I don't want to keep clutter, as I'm trying to, well. De-clutter. Mostly skincare products, with only one makeup product, while I enjoyed the majority of these, even have one repurchase already, it's unlikely that I'll be putting some of the items back in my shopping basket the next time around.

Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser
This cleanser is what I think really helped calm my acne skin around. I don't really get pimples or anything anymore, I'm not sure that's because I'm just "growing out of it" or I've found a skincare regime that suits me. But I probably won't repurchase this exact same cleanser, because I don't have acne anymore really, but I'll definitely look into what other cleansers Mario Badescu offers.

Bio-Essence Bird's Nest Bio-Energy Firm and Brighten Eye Cream
I bought this from sasa for about 30 bucks, so it's really not the cheapest. But my mum liked the brand before, so I thought I'd give this a try, it also has the fantastic "bird's nest", a common high-end ingredient in Asian skincare. I won't be repurchasing this, it was pretty average. Though I will say that it's a nice lightweight gel, and absorbs pretty easily. But I don't think it really did anything for moisturizing, or dark circles, maybe a tiny effect for puffiness?

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo
This. Love this. Already repurchased, so there's that. I think this keeps anything at bay, when my skin goes a bit out of whack (probably do to poor cleansing and touching my face a bit much), I think this product really does help to decongest. I've noticed my pores are smaller, and I've got less congestion too, so I'm pretty sure it's down to this baby.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Oil
This was my first face oil, ever, and I think this was not only to help with moisture, but also to help with texture and heal the skin faster. I'm not sure if it did, I noticed a difference on some occasions, but I think I would like to go for something with a bit more punch. This oil is a really nice dry oil, and absorbs into the skin nicely, I think it does calm my skin down. I think I paid about AU$59 dollars for it (from memory), so it is quite pricey. But it definitely saved my skin in the drier months.

Art Deco Eye Brow Color Pen in Light Brown
Not repurchasing. Just. I can't even deal. How can this pen be used up so quickly? Granted, it was fairly inexpensive, from memory. The first time I used it, there was waaay too much ink, and it looked like my brows belonged in the opera. Then, after maybe a week when application got better, the tip of the pen started blunting and no ink would flow at all. Yeah, no. Not what I want at all. 

So yeah, a huge month of non-repurchases. I mean, I did like some of them, but I powered through using some of them, some used themselves up all on their own, it seems. The benefit of this however, more room! Less clutter. A-hem, glorious space for makeup.

Hauly Moly.

The haul of all hauls, and I didn't even purchase these items myself! My mother had been overseas visiting my dad for the past few months, so I gave her a list of things to maybe pick up if she felt like, and I had no idea she'd get so much stuff off the list. Pretty much, if not all of, the list, in fact. And thus, I present, the haul to end all hauls! (For now... wait until Christmas rolls around, I love the Christmas gift sets, great for others and for myself). 

Lordy.

The line-up.

You'll notice the majority of products are by MAC, of course. I can't go past half-price MAC, I usually ask for one or two or five things from MAC whenever my mum is headed up the Americas. NARS also gets a mention, but I'm playing it safe on one of their products only. One of the famous Too Faced bronzers makes its way into my collection, as well as Urban Decay making an introduction. And who can go past freebies from Estee Lauder, they never let me down, and another newbie, we have Mirenesse.

The face products.

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Medium/Deep Matte Bronzer
Love bronzer, this one smells like chocolate. Too Faced offers so many bronzers, but I heard this one you can't go past.

NARS Bronzing Powder in Casino
Hey, another bronzer. Don't judge. I love bronzer, this one is meant to be universal, too. Oh, and its NARS. Come on.

MAC Lightful skincare
Tiny cute jar samples of the lightful cleanser, essence, serum and cream. I was tempted to actually buy some of this range in Perth, but staved off due to cries from my wallet. So, its nice to get a test of them first. Apparently the essence/toner works wonders.

MAC Prep + Prime BB Beauty Balm Compact SPF 30 in Light Plus
Ah, MAC jumps on the bandwagon too with the BB creams. I specifically wanted the MAC one, not just because I love the brand, but also because it's in a compact form. Cream formulas really do work best for me, I think.

The eye products.

Urban Decay Naked Basics
Yay, my first Urban Decay palette. My SIL has like, five of them (not really, maybe more like three), but still. If she rates them, then I want to try it out too. I went for the Basics rather than the bigger Naked or Naked 2 due to hearing from youtubers that have all palettes would choose the Basics palette if they could only have one.

MAC Veluxe Pearlfusion in Greenluxe
I have this palette, but in the Smokeluxe, love the texture of the shadows, and the colours in Greenluxe are so very pretty, almost pastel, but with that gorgeous shimmer and depth.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow
A little GWP (as were the wash bags), I'm guessing when mum picked up something from her favourite brand. The packaging is really cute, not something that I'd really expect of Estee Lauder, the palette has four shades of greens and golden browns.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pen in Universal Light
I am so excited to try this, I love the look when brow pens are used, the only unfortunate thing is that I've now dyed my hair completely black, and this pen may not match too well. I could always pass it onto my SIL I guess, but she has naturally gorgeous brows.

Estee Lauder Sumptuous mascara in Black (01)
Ah, a classic. I actually have two of these samples already, but I don't mind having more. It's a good mascara, lasts long, makes your lashes pop too. Again, this is from the GWP.

The lip products.

MAC lipsticks
Well, of course the lip products would turn out in the greatest numbers. Three lustres in Plink!, High Tea and Lovelorn; an amplified creme in Saint Germain; a mineralize rich lipstick in lush life; two sheen supreme lipglass tints in gwi-yo-mi and kiss kiss. Reviews and swatches will definitely be coming up, maybe a MAC lipstick collection part two?

Estee Lauder pure colour lipsticks
Two more freebies, from different GWP packs; one is in shade Crystal Baby, the other is Barely Nude. They're both creme finishes, Crystal Baby is a muted peachy colour, and barely nude is a neutral brown shade, which I quite love. They're both quite natural looking on the lips, but still a nice pigment.

Mirenesse Velvet Lip Moisture Shine
I don't remember exactly where my mum said she acquired this, but she got it as a freebie somewhere. It so far seems super sticky, but gosh, does it smell lovely, like cupcakes.

Aaand that's my big haul! Not too shabby at all, but geez, how many lipsticks can a girl have, right? Never enough. Never enough cosmetics.

Em Cosmetics Beach Life Palette: Poolside Look

I'm really quite enjoying playing around with this Beach Life Palette by Em Cosmetics. There's just a lot of choice, and what with the huge range of reviews from saying "I returned this" to "this is the best palette ever", of course you have to find out yourself what really works in order to get a good impression. I decided to go a bit brighter and more out-there today, and went for the fourth quadrant of the palette that has got a lot of blues and shimmery white.

This quadrant has actually got quite a few impressive shadows. The blues are fantastically pigmented, and the shimmery white highlight is particularly vibrant. The majority are smooth and show a lot of colour in just one swipe, the exception for this, however, is that peachy pink eyeshadow. That one is actually a bit rough in texture, nowhere near as smooth as the others. None of them really kick up that must dust either, not even the white shade which I fare to be the butter-iest, but the dark blue shade (like the dark shade of the third quadrant) does have the slightest bit of fluff to it. Again, a shame because it's so dark and close to the lip products.

The lipgloss is pretty nice, a bit more solid than the lipgloss from the Sunshine Lover look, but it is quite pale, so it doesn't work too well on my pigmented lips and skintone. The lipstick is very, very soft and squishy, I can't imagine this being in an actual bullet form. It's of sheer pigmentation too, but a nice orange tone.

The blush is really nice in this quadrant too, it's very smooth and quite pigmented. No dust either. It has a slight sheen to it, maybe a little more than a satin finish, but really no shimmers in it. It leans more pink than in the pan which I quite like, but it does keep the peachy coral undertone. This is really nice for, I would assume, almost all skintones, even much paler and deeper skintones alike.

left to right, without flash: anti-clockwise starting from the top left corner

With Flash

I used the designated look again for this quadrant called "Poolside". These eyeshadows apply really nicely on the eyes, pretty much on par to the swatches and they blend really well, the peachy pink applies better than the swatch, though. This is really quite the frosty look, because of the combination of the blue and the white in particular, so I suppose this could be a look for a "pool party" I suppose. But it still quite bright. I used the dark blue for a liner as I wanted a more deeper liner look, just to contrast a bit better with all the lighter shades. As much as I love how easy it is to line with the shadow using the angled brush included, the order of instructions perplexes me, in that you line your eyes and then add the shadows. It diffuses the line a bit too much for my liking.

The blush is really quite nice, a bit more sheer on my skintone, but I like going light on the blush. It probably would have worked better with a denser brush, but the eyes were so bright, I was hoping for a more neutral rest of the face. 

I used the lipgloss for this look, it is quite light and sheer even though the designated look says that the lipgloss is more for a 'pop' look, I don't really see it being a 'pop' colour.

Before

After

Close-up of the eyes

While I do like that they give you looks to follow, it does use a bit too many of the colours, I feel, and the order is a bit whack. If you're following the look given, it really almost defeats one of the main ideas of the palette being that it's for the woman on-the-go. There are quite a few steps, and the liner pretty much disappears after applying the other shadows, but it's nice if you apply it on the lower lash line, especially the deep blue. These shades will probably make it into my favourites from the palette, just based on how smooth and pigmented they are. I don't think they are the creamiest I've ever tried, but they can probably gain the "luxury" name these are meant to have. Again, a more out-there look, but if you love blues, these are pretty decent.