A MeMeMe Fire Eyes Makeup Look.

Hi lovelies,

I realised that I've really missed doing makeup looks, it's been SIX MONTHS since my last one! Where has the time gone?! I'm going to have to make sure I do them more often.

Here's a look I created before I left on my trip (but didn't have time to post) using MeMeMe products. If you're no stranger to my blog, you'll know I'm a huge fan of their products; they're so pigmented and easy to work with.

The *Fire Eyes quad was one that caught my eye as soon as I saw it, and I jumped at the chance to try it. While some of the shades might look a little bright, I couldn't wait to create a wearable look with it.

MeMeMe products used for this look.

I used all the shadows from the *Fire Eyes Catwalk Quad, *Arch Angels, *Long Wear Satin Lip Cream (lipstick) in Persian Pink, Light Me Up gloss in Lustre and Blush Box in Coral.

Keep reading after the jump!

Product Review: MeMeMe Arch Angels.

Hi lovelies,

First of all, let me apologise for the lack of posts on the blog for the past couple of weeks...things have been rather crazed since getting back from Bali, and while the will and urge to blog have been present, the time and energy have not! I've been dealing with some minor health issues, family visiting from abroad and work moving addresses, but hopefully things will start to settle down somewhat from now on. :)

I've been meaning to share this product review for ages, as it's become a staple product in my daily routine! Since I started going to the Benefit Brow Bar early last year (read all about the experience here), it's become habit to groom my brows every morning, so much so I feel 'naked' going out without filling them in!

In case you hadn't heard of it before, Arch Angels is a dual-ended brow definer (read: tinted brow gel) and highlighter. There are a few different brow products I use in steady rotation (I'm working on a post with my favourite brow products, so please stay tuned), but I usually end up using the Arch Angels to finish!

Keep reading after the jump!

Favourite Face/Foundation Primers - Top Picks.

Hello lovelies!

Happy Sunday! I hope you've all had an amazing weekend so far, I've had a relatively well behaved one except I may have shopped too much yesterday (oops, stay tuned for a haul post).

Following on from yesterday's post on facts about face/foundation primer (click here if you missed reading it), I have done some research and collected a few primers that are worthy of a mention, in my humble opinion.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primers - 30 ml.

(Image taken from Google Images).

These will always be some of my favourite primers on the market. They are a little expensive but one of the best primers I have ever tried, and well worth the money. You only need to use a little bit with each application so one tube will go a long way. There is one for almost every need you can think of, incorporating moisturiser, sunscreen, colour correcting, pigment correcting and luminosity, and the amazing thing is they all perform wonderfully! My favourites have to be either the original or the SPF 15 with Dermaxyl sunscreen protectant. Enriched with Vitamins A and E, grape seed extract and green tea, these primers have a great silicone-like feel that dries very quickly and makes your skin feel like silk after application. Most are colourless (except for the colour correcting ones) and odourless, which means there is something to fit the most discerning taste. Plus, it comes packaged in a transparent squeeze tube/pump bottle (new packaging) for easy and hygienic dispensation, which also allows you to see how much you have left before you run out.

Buy it in Australia from Kit Cosmetics (RRP $62.95) or online from StrawberryNet ($47.50 for a pack containing a full sized primer and travel sized primer).

L'Oreal Paris Studio Secret Professional Anti-Shine Mattifying Primer - 20 ml.

(Image taken from Google Images).

This primer has a similar feel to the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, in terms of the silicone-like texture. It also dries really quickly and keeps shine at bay for hours for those of us with an oily t-zone. It is packaged in a great, slim line clear tube with a pump action dispenser, which is fantastic as you could always see how much you had left before it ran out. Unfortunately, I think this range has been discontinued as I can't find it mentioned anywhere. A shame because it was a bargain at about half the price of the Smashbox primer and readily available from Priceline!

You might still be able to find some in discounted bargain bins or on eBay.

MeMeMe Seventh Heaven Moisturising Face Base

(Image taken from the MeMeMe website).

This product smells amazing, as it has a really zingy, citrusy scent! I can't help but feel refreshed every time I put it on. It does smell quite strong when you first apply it but disappears once you've blended it over your face. Rich (with shea butter, Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene), yet lightweight enough for oily skin, this disappears into my skin for an invisible feel on application. It's got a cream texture for those of you who don't like silicones, and it applies much like a moisturiser, which also means you'll need to give it a few minutes to set. In fact, my skin actually feels moisturised enough after application that I can skip using a moisturiser beforehand. The only downside to this product is the packaging; it comes in a jar, and I'm personally not a huge fan of having to dip fingers (or a spatula) into a jar to scoop out some product. Otherwise, top marks for a fabulous product!

Available from the MeMeMe website (RRP $34.95). 

Face of Australia Face Base 3 in 1 Primer - 50 ml.

(Taken from the Fashion Addict website).

This product is also a cream based, oil free primer containing a moisturiser, primer and sunscreen (SPF15) in one handy black tube. There is also another primer produced by Face of Australia that doesn't have the sunscreen factor, and is packaged in a white tube. White (but applies clear), with no discernible scent, this is perfect for the most discerning consumer. Enriched with Vitamin E and yarrow extract, I find that it applies smoothly enough that I can even skip using a moisturiser beforehand, without feeling too heavy or making me break out. I love that it keeps my complexion looking matte for up to eight hours before I notice shine. Packaged in a handy, squeeze tube, it is a bargain option that well lives up to it's more expensive counterparts. Rumour has it that the Face of Australia Face Base Primer (packaged in the white tube) is also a good dupe of the more expensive Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot primer, in terms of ingredients and functionality, but I haven't used the NP Auto Pilot and so, can't say for certain.

Buy it from Priceline (RRP $11.95, but often available on sale) or online from Fashion Addict (RRP $11.95 for the 3 in 1 or $10.95 for the white tube).

L'Oreal Base Magique Transforming Smoothing Primer - 15 ml.

(Image taken from Google Images).

This product is a thick, pink cream-based moisturiser and primer in one, which contains soft powders to help absorb sebum and mattify skin to reduce shine. It also contains silicon oil to enable easier application. I do find it a little hard to work with as it's a lot thicker than the other primers mentioned above, so you do need to warm it up a bit between clean fingers prior to application. It doesn't feel too heavy on once applied and manages to keep shine at bay for up to five hours. The disadvantage is it's packaged in a little tub, which I don't feel is too hygienic. Overall, this is a great primer because it does exactly what it purports to do, but not a personal favourite of mine as it's a little hard to work with and also because of its inconvenient packaging.

Buy it from Priceline (RRP $29.95, but often available on sale).

There are also numerous other good primers out there, including Benefit Porefessional, Mirenesse Invisible Fill Makeup Airbrush Line Filling Mattifier and MAC Prep and Prime, to name but a few, but the five above are the ones that stand out from my previous experience, which I feel are completely worth the price/hype, and that I find myself willing to repurchase over and over again.

I hope you enjoyed this and it helps you make a decision on your next face/foundation primer purchase!

Have you got a holy grail primer you think I should try?


Much love,
MM.
x

Product Review: MeMeMe Boho Balm

Hi lovelies!

I don't know what it is about spring but it really puts a bit of..well, spring, in my step!

I'm loving the warmer weather (aside from this weekend's hail and rain), sunshine and the bright colour everywhere. I've already changed my look by incorporating a lot more colour in my makeup, accessories and wardrobe. I think the warmer spring and summer months are the perfect time to indulge in low maintenance, breezy beauty, like tinted moisturiser, a hint of creamy colour on the lips and cheeks, and tousled waves and updos.

That's why I was really thrilled to see that MeMeMe Cosmetics had brought out a new, dual-coloured lip and cheek colour called the Boho Balm. They were designed to be the perfect festival accompaniment, which I can totally picture as each gorgeously designed and compact tin contains two beautiful colours perfect for touching up your lip and cheek colour while on the go! On a separate note, this has actually got to be the first time I've seen a cream blush packaged in a tin, instead of a plastic compact!

MeMeMe Boho Balm. How gorgeous is this little tin?! 

For those of you who are new to the brand, MeMeMe Cosmetics is actually a UK based brand, which was launched in Australia last year by Aesthetic Industries. There are two duos in this range, one called Coral Taupe while the other is called Pink Rouge. I was lucky enough to receive Pink Rouge to try, which contains both a candy pink and a coral pink shade. Each tin contains a whopping 11 g of product, yet fits easily into the palm of your hand.

The back of the tin.

I tried it out and found that the candy pink shade was quite subtle, while the deeper coral pink was quite pigmented. Both shades also appeared really lovely when mixed together. My favourite way of wearing this is to dab a bit onto the apples of my cheeks with fingers after applying my foundation (I find the warmth of my skin helps cream blushes to blend better), and then using either a lip brush or my ring finger to dab some onto my lips. While creamy enough to blend easily on cheeks, it's also quite light on the lips and very comfortable to wear (take that from someone who has chronically dry lips). The Boho Balm also has quite good wear, as it left me with a gorgeous, natural flush on my cheeks for at least 8 hours, and lasted well on the lips for up to three hours before needing reapplication, leaving a slight stain behind after fading.

For added longevity on cheeks, buff it in with a stippling brush and set it with a powder blush of a similar shade, and you can add longevity on lips by filling your lips in with a lipliner before pressing the Boho Balm on top. You can also choose to wear it under your tinted moisturiser or foundation for a more natural flush of colour.

Let's take a look at some photos, shall we?

Boho Balm - Pink Rouge. Fits easily in the palm of your hand!

The shades in the tin.

L-R: The coral pink, the candy pink, and both shades mixed together
(in direct sunlight).

L-R: The coral pink, the candy pink, and both shades mixed together
(under artificial lighting).

I wore the Pink Rouge Boho Balm over a liquid foundation, with a wash of gold shadow across my eyelids, and blended the stronger shade over the apples of my cheeks. I then pressed a little of the paler shade over my cheekbones and blended it together. I also wore both shades mixed together on my lips.

Pros:
You get two gorgeous shades in each compact and pretty tin.
The colours are creamy enough to blend effortlessly and quite moisturising on lips.
Fairly affordable at $18.95 although they are currently on sale for $13.95 (run, don't walk)!
Creamy and non-sticky formula (your hair won't get stuck to your lips, winner)!
Matte, non-glossy appearance on lips, yet gives cheeks a dewy flush.

Cons:
I do wish the container was a little shallower and wider, I'm worried about getting product under my fingernails after having used it for a while.
It might not be suitable for you if you like using powder foundations. I find it works best with liquid or cream foundations.
I wish there was a divider between the two shades, I'm worried about it becoming a mess after being used for a while.
The candy pink shade might disappear on some skin tones.

I just want to quickly mention that I read some reviews about this product stating that it was really sticky, but from using it several times, I have not found it to be sticky at all. In short, lovelies, this is the perfect product to buy if you're looking for a fresh faced glow, although it is versatile enough that you can build it up for a more pigmented look.

You can purchase the Boho Balm from MeMeMe's website (click here). If you sign up to their newsletter, you will also receive 20% off your next order. I can safely say that I have fallen in love with this product and I'm definitely going to be adding more items to my wishlist, starting with their pretty nail polishes!

Are you a fan of cream blushes, lovelies? Have you tried any of MeMeMe's products?

Much love,
MM.
x


Note: This product was kindly provided for my consideration. This has not affected my opinion in any way. For more information, please refer to my Disclosure Policy.