Drugstore Dupes for High End Products (PART 2)

Continue to maximise your dollar while looking pretty at the same time!

After sharing several dupes for base makeup products in PART 1 of the series, let's move on to some point makeup products.

There are so many more amazing products out there, I'm trying to consolidate more of those and they'll probably appear in later entries!

The YSL Touche Eclate highlighting pen is THE highlighting pen, but you can get the similar luminous light reflecting effect with the Maybelline Dream Lumi touch highlighting concealer for a fraction of the price. Sure, the packaging isn't as luxurious, but hey, it's not like you're using the highlighting pen in front of an audience anyway. Who cares about the packaging? (OK I admit I secretly do care about the packaging, but it doesn't justify the price.)

The product is lightweight, yet offers enough pigment to conceal dark circles by adding light to that area of your skin. Crease-less (after setting with powder) and brightened under eye area? SIGN ME UP! (As reviewed by Paula's Choice)

To achieve that subtle glow, the Hourglass Ambient lighting powder does exactly that, albeit at a high price. You can get away with a similar effect with the Makeup Revolution Radiance palette. For the price of $15, its performance is worth every penny.

The Chanel Joues Contraste powder blush is a classic, if you can't bear to fork out $45 for that, you can opt for Chanel's "sister brand" Bourjois (Bourjois used to be owned by Chanel, but not anymore though!). Both the blush are similar in terms of colour payoff and finish. Bourjois' little round pot blush has a huge colour selection, and the finish is BEAUTIFUL. And it doesn't break your bank! 

Just.. Ditch that scratchy brush that comes with the blush.

The mother of all gel eyeliner! Bobbi Brown's Long Wear gel eyeliner is probably the product that introduced me to the brand. It's creamy, smooth, and long lasting. You can achieve the same effect with the L'Oreal Infallible gel laquer liner, which is said to be the most reliable drugstore gel eyeliner!

Yeap, it's more reliable than Maybelline's Lasting Drama gel eyeliner (based on reviews). For best effect, set it with an eyeshadow powder to prevent smudges.

Matte lip products have been all the craze for several seasons now. The Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro lip stain is luxurious and beautiful, but that price tag though! You can get 4 Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet liptick for the price of one Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro! Both product have a similar finish - a wet and hydrated look that slowly dries down to a smooth matte finish.

Drugstore Dupes for High End Products (PART 1)

Let's begin from base 1! Oh, I mean base makeup.

Ever heard of writer's block? I was kinda having that lately.
I thought I ran out of things to blog about, but just as fate would have it, I stumbled across resources that inspired this entry.
It's a little short, but I intend to keep adding to it in future posts when I come across more dupes across the internet!

Long story short, these are products that have been found (by the internet community) to perform rather similarly, BUT at a fraction of the cost of their high end counterparts.

Do take note that I have not personally tried most of these products, instead I'm merely consolidating the general consensus on the efficacy of said products.



Both are able to reduce the appearance of pores. There is one other difference besides the prices though, and that is the colour of the product: Benefit's porefessional primer is skin toned while Maybelline's baby skin is colourless. Their smooth texture fills up pores and absorbs excess sebum, making it suitable for people with oily skin concerns.



Both foundations are suited for oily skin as they are super long wearing, but Estee Lauder's double wear foundation cost you more than three times the price of the Revlon colorstay foundation! No wonder the latter earned such a huge following for its amazing price and performance!


I've seen people rave about the Maybelline fit me concealer because it is hydrating, yet it doesn't settle in or emphasize any fine lines under the eyes. No creasing? Sign me up please! If you don't feel like whipping out 30 bucks when 7 bucks can do you the same job, you know what product to get now ;)


I feel like the Sonia Kashuk chic luminosity glow powder is a misunderstood product. People mistaken it to be a highlighter and were disappointed at how little sheen it has. It's meant to be a setting powder with a subtle glow, an option if you do not want a flat and matte face after using normal setting powder. You can achieve the same effects as the Nars light reflecting pressed setting powder, minus the hefty price tag and the sticky goopy rubber insert on the parameter of the product.


Formulation wise, they are almost identical - silica powder. Why the price difference though? I'm wondering too! For the same amount of money you spend on the Makeup Forever HD microfinish powder, you can get an equivalent of 5 e.l.f.'s high definition powder. I know you probably only need 1 of the 5 powders at any given time, so save yourself 29 bucks and splurge it on other items instead!

Ending thoughts
Personally I'm most interested in the Maybelline fit me concealer, and the Sonia Kashuk chic luminosity glow powder because god forbid me wanting to get a natural and radiant finish instead of a matte finish. A matte face just looks weird to me (without contouring).

ETUDE HOUSE New Play 101 Stick

The circlee of life: Back to chubby sticks.

After successfully introducing the cushion makeup to the Western world, here we are, back to the good old chubby sticks. Just another item for the makeup addict to collect, I suppose?

Etude House recently released several new products that's in chubby stick form. It appears that makeup trends aren't just blowing uni-directionally from East to West. Bronzing and contouring from the West has infiltrated Korean products!

At the time of this post, Etude House is running a promotion, these products are going for 9.36 USD instead! Click on link to find out more info.

Here we go.

PLAY 101 STICK PRIMER | 14.40USD

A multi function primer, it can hide your pores, mattify your skin, and also increase the colour intensity of colour products applied onto primed skin!

PLAY 101 STICK MULTI COLOR | 14.40USD

This range is highly versatile. Apart from the highlighter, shading and bronzing shades, the colour shades can used as a blusher and lip colour. I'm sure you can use some of the highlighter shades on your lip too, if you want that extra pop on your pout.

Come in a whopping 11 shades! 6 of which are new, with an emphasis on bronzing and shading?

New Play 101 Stick Multi Colour.

Old Play 101 Color Stick

PLAY 101 STICK CONTOURING DUO | 14.40USD

This seems like a better deal because you get two shades in one product, for the price of 1 Play 101 Stick Multi Color above. Of course, you'll get lesser product (by weight), but really, do you think you can ever finish one 7.5g stick above? It's more economical to get the contouring duo instead, but the colour selection is more limited. Contains one highlighting shade and one contouring shade.

I'm quite excited when I saw contouring shades in the new releases. It's difficult to swatch/buy contouring products sold in the United States, yet I really want to try contouring and can't find suitable products in Asia! Hopefully this means there will be more contouring options in the future!

Image credit: Etude House

2016 @cosme BEST NEW MAKEUP (PART 3)

Time to talk about the best new skin care.

After sharing the best new base makeup and best new colour makeup, it's time to talk about the slew of new skin care products. I know there are a tonne of brands that are not exported (out of Japan), hence I've never seen or heard of them before. Today is the first time I've heard of such several brands below, and they definitely make it harder for me to translate the brand name and product name because it's all in Japanese.

While I questioned the utility in sharing products that aren't remotely available, it's still useful IF you happen to be travelling to Japan because you'll be fazed with TOO MUCH brands and products in the local drug store. Having a guide is a good head start :)

Here are the products that won the hearts of @cosme editors. I also loosely translated the short description of the winner of each category.

BEST CLEANSING

1. ATTENIR | SKIN CLEAR CLEANSE OIL AROMA TYPE

"Forget about double cleansing with this cleansing oil! Washes off any makeup."

2. MOCHITTO | FACE WASH WITHOUT BUBBLING

3. BIORE | SKIN CARE CLEANSER MOISTURE

BEST TONER

1. NARIS UP COSMETICS | NATURE CONC MEDICATED CLEAR LOTION

"Refines and brings out the transparency of the skin. A good item to boost the entire skin care routine."

2. LISSAGE I | SKIN MAINTENIZER M2 (MOISTURE TYPE)

3. ELIXIR | WHITE CLEAR LOTION C II

BEST SERUM

1. NATURIE | SKIN CONDITIONING GEL (HADAMUGI MOISTURIZING GEL)

"Its low price means you can use it all over your body without breaking a sweat. Plus point: it's moisturizing and cooling!"

2. HAKU | MELANO FOCUS 3D

3. SOFINA IP | POWER MOUSSE (ESSENCE)

BEST LOTION

1. ELIXIR | WHITE DAY CARE REVOLUTIO C+

"Protects you from UV rays while whitening your skin at the same time."

2. EXAGE | EXAGE WHITE PURE WHITE MILK II

3. YVES SAINT LAURENT BEAUTE | TOP SECRET MOISTURE ECLAT

BEST CREAM

1. CHANEL | SUBLIMAGE LA CREME N

"Deeply moisturizing, this cream can confuse others about the real age of your skin."

2. L'OCCITANE | REINE BLANCHE WHITENING SLEEPING MASK

3. ATTENIR | MIDNIGHT MOISTURIZER

BEST SUNSCREEN

1. ANESSA | ESSENCE UV AQUA BOOSTER

"Highly moisturizing, sweat proof, and blocks ultra violet rays!"

2. BENEFIQUE | DEEP BLOCK ESSENCE UV&IR

3. ANESSA | PERFECT UV AQUA BOOSTER

BEST OIL/BALM

1. SK-II | FACIAL TREATMENT OIL

"It can convert the heart of even those who are afraid of oils. The shiny and silky skin effect is stunning."

2. KIEHL'S | ULTRA FACIAL DEEP MOISTURE BALM

3. HELENA RUBINSTEIN | PRODIGY SACRED OIL

BEST LIP CARE

1. MAQUILLAGE | DRAMATIC LIP TREATMENT

"Filled with beautifying oils, even the roughest lips will be transformed beyond recognition."

2. DIOR | DIOR ADDICT LIP GLOW POMADE

3. VECUA | HONEY WATER OIL

BEST EYE CARE

1. CLINIQUE | SMART CUSTOM REPAIR EYE TREATMENT

"Prevents sensitive eye area from damage due to dehydration quickly, with a bonus of extra firmness and brightness."

BEST SHEET MASK

1. KEANANADESHIKO | RICE MASK

"Affordable price means it can be used without any guilt to achieve a smooth and moisturized skin."

2. MY BEAUTY DIARY | BLACK PEARL MASK

3. HAKU | MELANO SHIELD MASK

BEST EXFOLIANT

1. ROSETTE | MOIST EXFOLIATING GEL

"Say goodbye to rough skin! This leave your skin clear and moist."

2. IGNIS | VQ CONCENTRATE BALM

ENDING THOUGHTS
As I've said, there are quite a number of brands that are only available in Japan itself. I thought I have a pretty good idea of brands in Japan, how wrong was I!!! I'm being educated everyday :D 

Also, what's with the luxury brands and skin care products? Can you imagine all that ka-ching sound effects in the back of your mind every time you dig into that expensive cream? KA-CHING KA-CHING!

Image credit: @cosme 

2016 @cosme Best New Makeup (Part 2)

Here comes the ranking for new makeup products!

Following last week's entry on 2016 @cosme best new makeup (foundations), here are the colour makeup categories!

A few of the products aren't exactly new, since I saw them in the 2015 @cosme best makeup awards before. Some of them are new colour variations of the same series.

Let's go straight into it. I've translated the short description from the official @cosme website :)

EYESHADOW

1. JILL STUART | RIBBON COUTURE EYES

"The smooth texture creates innocent looking eyes, making a lady instantly cute and dainty."

2. LUNASOL | TENDER CLEAR EYES

3. AUBE COUTURE | BRIGHT UP EYES

EYELINER

1. FLOW FUSHI | MOTE LINER LIQUID TAKUMI

"Get consistently fine lines easily, time after time."

2. HEROINE MAKE | SMOOTH LIQUID EYELINER SUPER KEEP

3. K PALETTE | REAL LASTING EYELINER 24H WP

MASCARA

1. RMK | W COLOR MASCARA

"Magnificent two toned mascara is in trend right now! Creates sophisticated eyes."

2. CANMAKE | FLARING CURL MASCARA

LIPSTICK

1. MAQUILLAGE | DRAMATIC ROUGE

"Highly moisturizing despite the long wear, providing amazing colour and shine."

2. COSME DECORTE | AQ MW ROUGE GLOW

3. COFFRET DOR | PREMIUM STAY ROUGE

LIP GLOSS

1. CANMAKE | YOUR LIPS ONY GLOSS

"A fun and lightweight sheer tinted gloss that changes to a different colour every time!"

2. INTEGRATE | GIRLS KISS JELLY

3. YSL BEAUTE | VOLUPTE TINT IN OIL

BLUSHER

1. MAQUILLAGE | DRAMATIC MOOD VEIL

"Gives your face a natural flush of colour while creating dimensions and depth."

2. GUERLAIN | METEORITES PERLES DE BLUSH

3. ETTUSAIS | HEART CHEEK COLOR

NAIL POLISH

1. NAILHOLIC | NAIL HOLIC

"The affordable nail polish that is size appropriately and availabe in wearable shades has led to its popularity."

2. ETTUSAIS | NAIL COLOR COLLECTION

3. REINACHU | NAIL CARE COLOUR NATULAME ROSE

Ending thoughts:
The only thing that really caught my attention is the reinachu nail polish. It's the first time I heard of this brand (just goes to show how many different brands are actually available in Japan), what interested me is the graphic on the packaging. It seems like a peel-able nail polish!? And it's scented!? For a glitter nail polish lover, a peel off formula sounds heavenly.

Image credits: @cosme