Review: Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Nude Eyes

The Urban Decay Naked palettes became a cult favorite as soon as it launched with everyone sorting out the "no makeup" makeup looks. Every cosmetic brand started making their own version of the "Naked" palette. I personally own the UD Naked palette as well, but I find myself not reaching for it as much as you'd think I would.  As a starter to makeup, I steer away from eyeshadow colors that are too pigmented and bold. And when I do use the Naked palette, I only use the shimmer/satin colors.

Here's a very affordable alternative for those who prefer shimmer/satin colors: the Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Nude Eyes.

Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Nude Eyes

The Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Nude Eyes retails about $10-$12 in drugstores. I got mine for around $5 with the CVS sale and ExtraBucks. It comes with 9 shades that goes from light to dark dramatic shades. There's not that much product at a mere 0.20oz for the entire palette.

The palette has a pink plastic package with a clear window and lace overlay on the entire palette. A little on the princess front, but might be a cute detail for some of you. 

The shades of Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Nude

The palette has a magnetic closure that isn't very strong, so I find myself accidentally opening it when putting it away in my vanity table. Comes with 1 sponge tip applicator that I actually do like. It's a thicker foam sponge.

The Box and instructions

This palette claims to be an all in one eye palette with your shadow and liner colors. I don't like how it advertises that it comes with 18 custom shades JUST because you can use the shadows wet or dry. But it does come with a quick instruction on how to put together the "nude eye" look.

From Left to Right: 3rd shade in Trio #1, 3rd shade in Trio #2, all 3 colors from Trio #3

Now for some swatches! I didn't attempt to swatch all 9 shades as the highlight colors in each trio are barely visible in a swatch. These swatches were done with my fingers and I've found that using any other eyeshadow brush gives the same effect. But surprisingly, the eyeshadow colors come out much more vivid when applied with the included sponge tip applicator. You can definitely use these eyeshadow colors as eyeliners to line your eyes.

Each of the shadows are shimmery (well its called shimmer strip for a reason), with glittery particles. If you enlarge the swatches image, you'll see how much glitter is really there. The darkest 2 shades in Trio #3 have the least glitters, you can barely notice them and they're the perfect liner colors! My favorite shadow is definitely the one in the middle of Trio #2. It's a beautiful taupe shadow with a hint of shimmer.

The shadows feel velvety under my fingers and there's definitely no fallout even if all you do is pat the shadows on your eyes with a shadow brush. These shadows does crease on my eyes though. I've tried using both Urban Decay Primer Potion and NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base under these eyeshadows and the creasing problem ceases.

I've definitely been reaching out to this Physician's Formulate Shimmer Strips a lot more than my UD Naked palette. I love that the colors are not too bold but still have the hint of color. I prefer shimmer shadows over matte ones because it highlights and opens my eyes to give a more alert effect.  Maybe I'll post a eye look later on. Let me know if any of you would be interested in a feature of how it looks on me. =)

Thanks for reading!

Beauty Haul - Winter 2012

Wow, I just realized I haven't shared a haul for months! No wonder there are so many haul pictures that are backlogged on my computer. Time to share! I apologize in advance if some of these items are now out of stock as these are from past sale events.

Laura Mercier Haul

Laura Mercier Exclusive Colour Collection

The Exclusive Colour Collection was on sale direct from Laura Mercier for $29! It includes a full size Second Skin Cheek in Sunsoaked Bronze, Baked Eye Color in Aquamarine and Lip Glace in Coral Diamond. Love the set plus I bought the Sheer Lip Color in Kissed Lips which was part of their Summer Collection and was sold out when I was looking.

Laura Mercier Luxe Colour Portfolio

Also direct from Laura Mercier, their Luxe Colour Portfolio was on sale for $49 from $98! Includes 6 eyeshadows, 3 eyeliners and 2 blushes. Also with included are their luxe brushes. The African Violet eyeshadow is soooo beautiful! Swatches to come! I see that this set is now available at Sephora again, but is selling at it's original selling price at $98.

Laura Mercier Colour Preview Collection

I went a little crazy with the Laura Mercier Colour Preview Collection which was on sale at Sephora for $35. Crazy meaning I actually bought 2! Took advantage of it during their VIB sale too. It comes with a full size cheek color in Citrus Spark, eyeshadow duo in Sandstone/Cognac and lip colour in Grapefruit! The colors were so pretty that I just couldn't give it up.

Sephora Haul

Sephora Haul

Another haul from Sephora of their new sale items. The Tokidoki beauty products are being discontinued, they were all on sale for over 40% off. I was looking to get the little cardboard palettes since they were so cute and very similar to the Stila travel palettes. Also picked up some of their sale Hello Kitty items which was a cheek & eye palette. Too many deals!

And last but definitely not least, I bought the cult favorite Cargo blu ray powder! Beauty.com had it in a beautiful set for $42. Comes with a full size pressed powder and foundation/concealer. I've been using the concealer for quite some time now, swatches and review will be coming soon!.

Hope you like my haul updates. Swatches and reviews will be up! Please stay tuned!

OOTD - Outfit of the Day - Valentine's Day

Hello! I hope everybody had a wonderful Valentine's day shared with lots of love with your loved ones! Just wanted to quickly share my outfit from yesterday.

H&M Sweater Dress, Express Flyaway Burnout Cardigan, H&M Foil Scarf, Steve Madden boots, Coach wristlet

The BF took me out to my favorite Japanese restaurant and we finished the night with a super yummy red velvet cheesecake from Junior's!

Review: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15

There's probably a bunch of Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment reviews online since Sephora has been giving these out as birthday deluxe samples to all Beauty Insiders. But I'll like to review them nevertheless.

Compared with a full size lipstick

This is a deluxe sample size product, not full size. But they didn't skimp on the packaging at all. Comes in a hardy metallic twist lock tube to ensure the cap doesn't fly off. The inner tube turns separately to twist the product out. I'm definitely very impress with the packaging. =)

The Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment is a clear lip balm retailing at $22 for the full size. It leaves your lips super glossy without feeling heavy despite the beeswax and other oil ingredients. I don't think it has the 6 hours lasting power as Fresh claims but it stays on long enough and doesn't make any lip color or gloss slip and slide too much. Also comes with SPF 15 which seems to be the new standard for lip balms nowadays.

You can see that the side of the tube nips at the balm stick

It has a citrus scent that smells sweet but not overpowering. Actually it was the scent that jogged my memory and made me consider the Blistex Complete Moisture as a very close dupe. Very close dupe except the Blistex isn't as glossy, but it has the same melt on your lips texture.One huge con with the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment is that the balm is too soft that the product breaks and smears all over the tube. You have to make sure you don't twist too much product out at once and be mindful of the amount of pressure you use to apply, otherwise the whole tube can break off with application. This is probably my biggest pet peeve with lipsticks. Don't think I'll repurchase, although I have read that the full size is a lot better in that aspect.

Did you get yours at Sephora? What did you think? I haven't tried the tinted one yet. Will see how that works out.

Project Pan 5 - Update

Here's an update to the Project Pan 5 that I started 2 months ago. Refer to the original post for my short reviews on these items.

Project Pan 5 - Jan 2013

1. Physician's Formula Powder Palette Multicolored Blush - Blushing Peach
Looks like I barely touched it! These palettes really do last a very long time, I've been using it every other day now hoping to finish it up, but it looks exactly like it did 2 months ago. =P  It's going to be part of the new Project Pan 5.

2. philosophy on a clear day oil-free foaming acne cleanser
Done! Used up all the cleanser, kind of sad that it's discontinued. On the quest for a new lightweight cleanser again (AFTER I'm done with the rest that I have now. ) 

3. qiora Face Cleanser DH Cleanser
Still working on this right now since the philosophy cleanser is out. Should be done soon!

4. Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover
Done! Trying to compare it with the Neutrogena Facial Towelettes, I think I still like the Neutrogena ones more.

5. Nivea Age Defying Q10plus Hand Cream
Didn't touch it at all! I accidentally tucked this away since I've been renovating my room. Hopefully I'll remember to use it soon.

Since I'm only done with 2 products, here are the next 2 contenders (I don't want to add another 5 to create a never ending list). 

L'oreal Colour Riche Balm lip color in Rose Elixir

L'oreal Colour Riche Balm lip color in Rose Elixir

I don't think I can recollect any one time when I've actually finished a lipstick, hopefully this would be the first one. This lip balm/lipstick came out last year causing a lot of hype along with the Revlon lip butters, but these didn't get as much spotlight as they apply with such a sheer color and really works just like a balm. But they are truly very moisturizing, it leaves a nice moisturized glossy finish. Because of its super sheer color I can apply it very liberally, haha maybe that's why I can actually put it in a project pan. I only have it on this color, I'll want to try the other ones.

Nivea Soft Moisturizing Creme

Excuse the dry hands!

Nivea Soft Moisturizing Creme

This was part of a Nivea set from CVS, I believe it only retails for 99 cents alone. It has a almost non-greasy, souffle-like texture, very similar to the First Aid Beauty ultra repair cream. Excuse the dry hands! But you can tell that the creme hydrates the dry skin immediately. It does have a perfumed fragrance though. Not super great but I like the fact that it is in a small flat container so I can just slide into any compartment without taking up too much room. I might repurchase it later on but not going to sort it out specifically.

Ok, Project Pan 5 will return again in 2 months! Hopefully, I can knock them all out!