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Quite “Tickled” by this summer Zoya collection!

August 14, 2014 / Noire Tropical Beauty / 1 Comment

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I love shimmers and glitter polishes, but I appreciate a really vibrant, pigmented cream. Holding on to every bit of summer that I can, I have been loving these brights from Zoya’s Tickled Collection for summer 2014, especially as pedicure colours!

Tickled collection by Zoya

In general, I used two coats of polish for each shade. These are all very bright. I would even call them fluorescent or neon. I think they would look good on all skins tones, especially those with a deep tan or darker skin. They will really pop! The formula contains no shimmer, and it is a little thick but it’s not difficult to use. I also got good coverage on the nail for most of them. All Zoya polishes are Big 5 Free, and available for purchase at US$9 each.

Kitridge

Kitridge – a bright bubble gum pink. A light neon pink. It also was a little thicker than the others and applied a little streaky. I think one has to apply slightly thinner coats. It looks great against my skin tone but I am not a super fan of it. I think my issue is that there is pretty much a bubble gum pink in the last 3 Zoya summer collections. One may be a little brighter that the other, but pretty much the same colour. It’s nice, but eh…..

Milani Gel Powder Eyeshadow: a quick review!

July 31, 2014 / Noire Tropical Beauty / 3 Comments

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Hey! So I recently posted about the release of a new formula of eye shadow by Milani, the Gel Powder Eyeshadow. I was anxious about trying these out, so I picked up just one at my local drugstore.

This year, I have been all about that gorgeous skin and bright lips, more of a minimalistic, glowy look. I bought colour 04 Bella Caffé, which is a satin matte shade.

Milani Cosmetics Gel Powder Eyeshadow in Bella Caffé 04

The packaging is basic, sand-coloured plastic that feels quite sturdy.

The product itself is domed shaped and reminds me of baked eye shadows. There is the tiniest hint of a sheen, or shimmer, but the pieces are so small, they are barely visible. Bella Caffé is a beautiful medium taupey brown. The swatch on the Milani website is a lot darker that what it is in reality.

Swatch, Bella Caffé 04

It reminds me of a brighter, slightly lighter version of M.A.C.’s Wedge eye shadow. It is very smooth to the touch, it feels quite velvety and finely milled. This shade is pigmented but not intensely pigmented, and that might have to do with the fact that it is a lighter colour, but I did not have a problem building it up on my lid. It still did not look chalky or flaky and remained smooth. It also blended quite well. I will get a couple of the deeper and brighter shades to test how pigmented they are. Bella Caffé also got a little ‘dusty’ but not overly so. On my skin, this is just a couple of shades lighter, so it evens out the skin colour on my lids and it not shiny at all. I got about 6 hours of wear without a primer on my lids before I saw a little bit of creasing.

I have been wearing this on my eyelid as my everyday, work-appropriate, neutral barely there makeup look. Just a little matte brown shadow to define the crease, gel liner and mascara. I also sometimes pair it with a bold lip and some facial oil (more about that soon!)

This is a really nice colour, and these shadows are definitely worth checking out. Really great quality for a drugstore brand and at about US$3.99, you cyah go wrong! There is about 1.4g of product, which is pretty standard for eye shadows. Find them at CVS or online at milanicosmetics.com

Overall Grade: A-

FTC Disclosure: Products were purchased by me, Noire Tropical Beauty. All opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own. I have not been compensated for this review. For more information, please see my Disclosure Policy.

Travelling this holiday time? Keep these wipes from CLEANSE in your makeup case!

July 31, 2014 / Noire Tropical Beauty / 0 Comments

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I love using makeup wipes. I find them a lot more convenient to use than liquid makeup removers and cotton rounds. I have tried a lot of wipes out there, but many of them are okay, they don’t take off professional-level waterproof makeup. Or they may sting my eyes. And many removers are too oily for my liking.

A few months ago, I received a box of CLEANSE by Lauren Napier Luxury Facial Cleansing Wipes.

By the way, I had the opportunity to meet Lauren, and she was super nice!

Lauren Napier and me!

The wipes come in a box of 12 that are individually wrapped.

1 wrap

This is fantastic! Makes them ideal for travel! I love that! You can literally throw a couple of them in your makeup bag or carry-on and you would not have to worry about them spilling in your bag or drying out!

Each wipe is larger than the size of your hand and it is soaked (but not drenched) in mix of cleansers, hydrators and skin-soothing ingredients, like aloe and cucumber. The surface of the wipe has a slight texture but it still feels soft against my skin. I decided to test this product out on a day that I had a full-on face on! HD foundation, gel liner, cosmetic glitter, mascara, matte lipstick, everything! I was able to get rid of everything off my face, and it felt refreshed and there was no slick residue. All with one wipe.

A box of 12 costs US$18, which might be cost-prohibitive for some to use on a daily basis, but you could get this for special occasions. They are ideal for your summer getaway and perfect for dancers, performers and artists in your kit.

They are available online at laurennapier.com and in NYC at the New London Pharmacy.

Overall Grade: A

FTC Disclosure: Products were provided by PR or brand for consideration for review. All opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own. I have not been compensated for this review. For more information, please see my Disclosure Policy.

Bella Eyes & Statement Nails from Milani Cosmetics

July 24, 2014 / Noire Tropical Beauty / 1 Comment

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Milani has launched a new formula of eye shadow – a gel powder!

Introducing Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow

100% Pure Color. One Stroke Application. Power Wear

From PR:

It looks like rich, vibrant color that glides on in a single stroke, delivering a stunning multi-dimensional effect. Worn as shadow or highlighter, this incredibly innovative, weightless formula blends easily with the fingertips to lighten up the eyes. Even more to entice: It can be used wet or dry, resists creasing, and comes in satin matte, shimmer and iridescent metallic shades. All eyes will be on you with their 30 illuminating colors in 5 different shade ranges including Nudes & Browns, Smoky & Sky, Purples & Greens, Metallics and Brights & Lights. Just try it! It’s that different!

Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow starts at US$3.99 at CVS stores nationwide and milanicosmetics.com

Also from Milani….

Color Statement Nail Lacquer

This is your time to shine with nails that drop-dead dazzle. Milani Cosmetics New Color Statement Nail Lacquer lets you fall in love with your nails all over again. Comprised of the richest, most color- saturated formula, delivering a long list of patent-pending promises to ensure exceptional gloss that actually lasts. Color Statement Nail is detergent and chip-resistant, providing maximum nail protection. Available in a variety of different finishes – cream, sheer, metallic – and an abundance of shades – 37 in total, from neutrals to full-on fashion hues – this groundbreaking collection packaged with a unique even glide brush brings flawless fashion straight to your fingertips.

Color Statement Nail Lacquer starts at US$3.99 at CVS stores nationwide and milanicosmetics.com

New and upcoming launches from NARS Cosmetics!!

July 23, 2014 / Noire Tropical Beauty / 0 Comments

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NARS has been quite busy and are bringing out a whole lot of newness for the upcoming months!

They seem to be revamping and reformulating their entire line of products and I am excited to see all the new improvements! So bookmark your calendars and look out for these new offerings online or at a Sephora near to you!

NARSissist Smokey Eye Kit – ALL EYES ON YOU

Smoky Eyes Kit

NARSissist (NARS∙is∙sist) (n.) – lives by her own rules, not afraid to express herself in every look, mood or attitude. Effortlessly captivating with a bottomless makeup bag.

For Fall 2014, NARS Cosmetics introduces the NARSissist’s most coveted essentials for eyes with the Smokey Eye Kit. The limited-edition kit features a compact with three must-have shadows for captivating, compelling eyes, a mini Via Veneto Larger Than Life® Eyeliner and a newly designed travel size Wide Contour Brush #43 for easy application on the go.

PALETTE INCLUDES: Madrague I (left side of duo), Bali, Mekong

Price: US$59

Availability: July 15, 2014 on narscosmetics.com

August 1, 2014 at NARS Boutiques and Specialty stores

NARS Kabuki Brushes

Kabuki Brushes

Noire Tropical Beauty

Page 34 of 126

Quite “Tickled” by this summer Zoya collection!

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