Review: MAC lipstick in Russian Red

If I think of RED LIPSTICK, the first that jump into my mind is definitely MAC Russian Red.

Truly a classic red, favourite of Gwen Stefani, the Queen of Red Lipstick, this lipstick is a universal red and I believe all skintone can pull it off.

the perfect red lip all year round. in the sun or even in the winter

In the picture above I was pretty much wearing Russian Red on my lips on top MAC Lipliner in Redd, no fancy eye shadow or blusher. Just bit of contouring and highlight and brow gel to set my brows.

I usually wear MAC lipliner in Redd or Brick Red.

MAC description:

Russian Red - Intense bluish-red [Matte] 

Personal experience:

I truly love this! and I have tried many type of reds from a number of brands. Despite having one lips and lots of lipsticks, if this ever runs out or went missing, I will definitely repurchase.

Texture and finish: 

Applied smoothly and matte, but not dry and chalky.

I admit it's not one of those modern formula that felt light as air, but this is a classic and feel like one.

I personally prefer this more than MAC lipstick in Rubywoo. 

Colour: 

MAC Russian Red is more neutral red, I would not necessary says it's warm, I think it depends on wearer skintone. On me the warm in my skin resonate and appear warm and I seen pictures of other people and looks more blue red. So it has that balance between blue and yellow undertone.

Comparing side by side with Revlon Really Red and Topshop Hazard, MAC Russian Red is definitely more neutral or appear 'bluer'. But next to Ruby Woo, Russian Red is warmer.

Texture and colour are the reason I chose Russian Red instead of Rubywoo. 

How it wears all day: 

This wear so good and last really long without making my lips dry. 

Seriously. Even on applying, I really like how it felt like I am painting my lips in a good way. No feathering and no flaking. Before this I thought Revlon Really Red is good enough, but MAC lipstick is definitely on another level. Not only it last long, if it is ever going to fade, at the end of the day or if I am having a meal, it leaves off a good stain, a true red stain not pink which usually happen with blue red. Oil from food would not erase this lipstick straight away.

So overall rating is 4.9/5.0

MAC Lipstick in Russian Red

MAC lipliner Redd

Review: High Potency Night-A-Mins™ Mineral-enriched oil-free renewal cream

Finally a beauty review. I finally finished this cream a few months ago and just finally got to type out the reviews. I am on a process to empty out my extra creams here and there, and try to limit stuff I really like. Now that I am quite serious about some korean skincare *I'll get to this in the future, pray for it* I felt I need to be more determined about what I like to achieve from my skincare. 

High Potency Night-A-Mins™ Mineral-enriched oil-free renewal cream

So High Potency Night-A-Mins™ Mineral-enriched oil-free renewal cream, such a mouthful name like most products nowadays is technically a night cream that claim to treat as well. This is the oil-free version, which I thought would be great as I can layer under my usual moisturizer. 

Origins claim: 

Put dullness to rest. Wake up radiant & refreshed. Now nature's famed night cream is newly fortified with a system of time-released resurfacers plus Vitamins C, E & H, minerals & moisture-rich replenishers. Helps the appearance of dullness. 98% of those who tested & used it regularly, agreed, skin was renewed and refreshed in the AM. Helps the slumber deprived wake up on the bright side of the bed. So why face dull skin. Sleep it off tonight.

This come out years ago, I think just before night cream resurfacers starting to become popular, you know those that claims 'Wake up to a more brighter, smooth complexion'. Being Asian with tan and acne scars, how can I not this ...

ingredients: 

water\aqua\eau; methyl trimethicone; butylene glycol; glycerin; jojoba esters; citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil*, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) flower oil*, cinnamomum cassia leaf oil*, ferula galbaniflua (galbanum) resin oil*, citrus aurantium amara (bitter orange) peel extract, vanilla planifolia fruit extract, valeriana officinalis rhizome/root extract, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) juice, linalool, limonene, citral; rubus idaeus (raspberry) leaf wax; foeniculum vulgare (fennel) seed extract; castanea sativa (chestnut) seed extract; rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract; coleus barbatus extract; triticum vulgare (wheat) germ extract; hordeum vulgare (barley) extract\extrait d'orge; panthenol; biotin; folic acid; pantethine; butyrospermum parkii (shea butter); simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) butter; cholesterol; salicylic acid; lecithin; dicaprylyl carbonate; aloe barbadensis leaf juice; dimethicone; tocopheryl acetate; trehalose; arginine; sodium pca; caprylyl glycol; linoleic acid; tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate; polysilicone-11; squalane; sodium hyaluronate; phospholipids; ethylhexylglycerin; tromethamine; hexylene glycol; ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer; carbomer; calcium carbonate; phenoxyethanol 

I am not gonna dabble too much about the ingredients, what I can simplify is I like that it claims to renews and resurface and brightens. It got vitamin C that suppose to do that with all bits of orange in it. Some may claim how Vit C is easily 'broken down' without a proper formulation,  hence questions how it still work? but hey ho... again not enough knowledge to share much, as I try to speak in laymen's term with positive consumer mindset. 

This also got salicylic acid to my surprise, but disappointingly quite down the ingredient list which mean that there isn't much? (assuming they list ingredient base on high concentration to low). But it is understandable since when this came out, the idea of daily AHA and  BHA is something very 'prescription'... you do that if you have issues and see dermatologist for it.

Another one that I would like to highlight is that this got shea butter in it despite being an oil free version. That is not right, if this is a normal version I don't mind. I personally don't react crazily to shea butter if it's quite down the list and if I use it sparingly, but usually acne-prone skin would like to avoid this. 

Personal Experience

Texture:    Gel-cream, light.
Colour:      Whitish-clear
Smell:         Quite fruity, not that citrusy, surprisingly despite all bits of orange in it.
Price:           £35.00 for 50ml (amber plastic tub with white cap, no spatula)

I usually wear this a few times a week at nights especially when I have acne flares and some acnes popped, so this could help skin recovery. I layer this after serum stage (as if this is my 2nd serum stage) and layer my moisturizer on top (with/without Benzoyl Peroxide in between).

I don't think this is moisturizing enough unless you are normal to oily without any dehydration which I don't think a lot of us are. Given the age of urbanization plus pollution and general increased stress, people are normally dehydrated, *lol at my generalization*.

This cream is not bad, but it is not groundbreaking. Despite claiming to 'resurface' the skin, I have not seen any significant result. ie. scrubbing/exfoliating give me better results. 

Those might be interested to try (given no allergies to the ingredients)
- Oily skin who wants a night cream with benefits but NOT into elaborate skincare regimen.
Best for those who want to keep it simple. I say this because I think this cream could pill on your skin when layered with lots of products. 

This does not cause me breakouts (true acne) though I notice 1-2 very small whitehead, which is not really a big deal to me personally, since I do get that whenever I wear too much product then layered with other product. It was fine if I control the amount.

So overall score: 2.8/5 (for the price, I don't think I can score it at least 3)

OOTDs #9 and updates

Here we are in March 2016, as you may know I'm currently in my final year and we did our Finals in February. Funny enough the last day of my exam was my 26th birthday, what a wonderful way to remember how I turned 26 (I am now closer to be 30 '-.-) ... being quarantine for about 3 hours knowing about 85% of the class is celebrating... Result is out next week, or so I heard... hopefully it's good. I don't even know, things sort of went smoothly for now, I even secured a job... so I am anxious, if my result would be a problem..

As per usual, finally a blog post. I've been wanting to post this for a while, these are definitely old pictures I just felt kind of a waste to just throw it. 

Hoodie: New Look

Plaid top : H & M

Jeans : BDG Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Keds

I think this was when I was trying out the mini tripod

I was using a timer... I guess my phone not smart enough to focus in timer mode

Jacket: Urban Outfitter

Bottom: Asos

Shoes: Vans

Denim top: Dorothy Perkins

Cardigan: Urban Outfitter

Excuse the awkward facial expression

Top: Asos

Bottom: Asos

Shoes: Toms desert boots

Despite the 'sarung kusyen' look, i still love this embroidery.

Put in an outdoor picture, and I finally wore that maxi... don't know when else I am going to wear them!

Maxi: Fashion Union

Bag: Clarks

Cardigan: Urban Outfitter

Top: Asos

Bottom: Topshop Jamie jeans

Shoes: Clarks

Okay say what you will about this top...generally Malays would thought this top like 'makcik-makcik',  ( auntie style or very granny). especially if you wear headscarf, if you don't and wear this like a dress, it does have that bohemian effortless vibe going on. I wear headscarf and definitely need a bottom, at some point it does look very the 'makcik'  but I just love it.. it's oversized and airy, with dolman LONG sleeves and the pattern is unique. 

Don't know if I pulled it off, but I know it's tricky to style. I think a more masculine approach would be suitable such as;

• Washed blue jeans instead of solid blue or worst black....Washed blue still match in colour, so not too much colour clashing. I felt that solid blue would make it too formal.
• Lace leather shoes instead strappy sandals or worst heels... socks is optional, again that masculine approach. 

I love paisley pattern.

See the slight brown  and orange  in the pattern.

• So I choose brown headscarf and a orange lipstick like MAC Alibi (not too bright though), I think MAC Paramount, Yash and Taupe  might work too.

See, how airy and loose is that.

How can you not love how loose it is... If I could buy this exact top in all different colour and patterns.

I am gearing up to post some beauty bits soon. Glad that I'm off tomorrow for St, Patrick's Day, so I could try to finish up some pending posts.