Estee Lauder Projection High Definition Volume Mascara Review

Formula: The formula is a so-so for me. It claimed that it gives you volume where as in fact, yes, it gives volume but I find this formula gives me more length than volume. The worst thing about this mascara for me is that the formula is too wet for me and it takes time for me to let it dry making my already messy application an even messier application. Also, I love the jet-black color since it gives my eye an even sharper edge.

Brush: The brush is a medium sized brush in a cone shape with densely packed bristles. For my opinion, the brush itself is quite hard to get a hold of, making my application of this mascara the messiest of all the mascaras I've ever encountered in the past.

Packaging and Price: The price is quite fine for my opinion as Estee Lauder is one of the high end brand. It's quite reasonable. About the packaging, I love that unique packaging. Just take a look at the pictures for more details!

Will I buy this again? Straight answer, no. I can find a better mascara in a cheaper price than sticking up for this.

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme in Black Review

This was supposed to be a PERFECT mascara for me if it wasn't for two things.

First off, I love how big difference you can see with this mascara in just one coat! By the way, I always, always, ALWAYS use mascara primer ever since so you better take note of that. I love the packaging, the gold blingy packaging is awesome, the brush might be a little bit big but I love the way it goes from a very big brush end going to a thin tip. In that way, it goes all the way to the very tip of my lashes and I can cover with mascara those hard to reach areas of my eye lashes.

What puts me off? The way it scares the hell out of me whenever I put the second coating. I have long lashes and whenever I put more than one coating of this, it has a slight tendency of clumping, looking heavy and a slight tendency of sticking together.

Here is how Estee Lauder's Sumptuous Extreme Mascara Brush looks like...

Here's how long it gets into my eyes with my Chanel Beaute Des Cils Nourishing Mascara Base

Secondly, I believe Sumptuous Extreme is only available in USA or western countries. Not definitely in Hong Kong which is a real boo hoo for me. I tend to pass on a product even though how good the product is since I don't want to get a whole lot of trouble of getting it just because it is good. I believe in getting other alternative brands which are available locally. So I guess, Sumptuous Extreme is a PASS for me since it's not available locally, unfortunately. :(

I am BACK!

I can't believe I am blogging again ... I am BACK ... I guess it's better to have something to do during my free time rather than watching every move that he makes from time to time ...

It's glad to be back! :)

XoXo,

Rica

My Everyday Skin Care Routine Part 2

As a continuation to my skin care routine, here are some other items that I use for my skin care.

After a long day with make-up, I use L’oreal Gentle Eye and Lip Make-Up Remover to clean my face. This is not a favorite, and will just finish this bottle and move on to the next product. I will write a separate review for this item as well (if I have time).

Twice a week, I apply these two skin care products at night.

The first one is the Lush Cupcake Mask which is good if you have a lot of break-outs and acne prone skin.

Next is the Laneige Water Sleeping Pack Ex which keeps my skin hydrated overnight. Yes, this is a leave on mask which you can use overnight. It is quite popular here in Hong Kong, and I am one its avid fan.

Lastly, I do exfoliate and still under the search of my holy grail exfoliator as well. Currently, I am using the Clinique 7-Day Scrub Cream but I don't really like it that much. It seems that it has less beads than I expected to take off the dirt on my face.

Anyway, that's it for my skin care routine! I will surely update this from time to time if I find a better product than the ones listed.

Thanks for reading! :)

Rica

My Everyday Skin Care Routine Part 1

My everyday skin care routine!

3 years before, skin care routine wasn't a part of my everyday life. I don't really care whether it is necessary or not to put moisturizer on my face. Not until it came to the point that my face became very dry, as if cracking up my face into two.

Anyway! Here's my everyday skin care routine.

First off, I wash my face with a papaya soap. I have a oily / combination skin and papaya soap helps me to lessen the oil on my face a lot. Likas Papaya was supposed to be my first choice ever since college days but then, it became popular and very pricey. One day, my mom bought a pack of these Silka Papaya Soaps and fortunately, it works! It's much more cheaper than the Likas Papaya and I love the smell! Whenever I get a chance to go to the Philippines, I would buy tons to stock up these soaps at home because it is very expensive here in Hong Kong.

After washing my face, I use a toner to make sure that my face is extra-clean. I use the square make-up cotton pads from Muji. Why? Because I tried using a lot of cheaper ones and I really don't like them. They don't really absorb much liquid, nor take off the dirt from my face. I find this cotton pad from Muji as the most effective one for my preference.

I tone my face with an Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Fresh Balancing Lotion. I don't really like the water-based toners and I am in love the after effect of this balancing lotion. It has a minty-like after effect after massaging your face with this toner. Also, it doesn't give me any break-outs and prevents my face from being oily.

Next off, I put on a moisturizer. At the moment, I use the Clinique Moisture Surge but I haven't really find my holy grail moisturizer. It is either too oily or too dry for my skin. I am still in the search and I will update my skin care routine as soon as I find my holy grail moisturizer!

Since the tags won’t allow me to put more, please don’t forget to look at the Part 2 of my Skin Care Routine. Thank you for reading!

Lancome Virtuose Black Carat

I don't know why this mascara from Lancome gets very low reviews from the consumers. I love this mascara! The only thing that is a "con" for me with this is that the formula is too dry. Too dry that I am afraid of getting it dried up before I get to finish the whole tube itself.

First off, the wand. I love the wand. The fact that it is curved in a U-shape makes life easier for me to apply the mascara. It helps me to curl up my lashes even on my bottom lash.

The formula not only gives me length but as well as volume, but not as dramatic as the Hypnose Drama though, because of its dry formula.

This is my first tube by the way. If my fear doesn't turn into reality, then, I might consider repurchasing this and restocking, because it is not available at Lancome counters in Hong Kong. I have to find ways of purchasing it online.

I use my Lancome Virtuose Black Carat Mascara together with my Chanel Beaute Des Cils Mascara Primer / Base and it works well together.

By the way, what difference does this make from the original Virtuose mascara?

P.S.

Mascara has a very short shelf life. Once opened, it is best to toss it out after three months for hygienic sake. If it's unopened, it has a shelf life that can be upto two years.