Beauty Archives - Nova Beauty

Posted on July 18, 2021July 18, 2021 by admin — 22 Comments

Maybelline Fit Me Stick Foundation

Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation is a stick foundation that claims to be medium coverage, non-comedogenic and lasts up to 10 hour. This stick foundation originally came in 10 shades but now available in 8 shades only.
It retails for USD 8.99 plus taxes and contains 9 gm of product.

I am normally shade 220 Natural Beige in Maybelline Fit me Dewy + Smooth and Maybelline Super Stay foundation. So I chose the same shade (220 Natural Beige) for this foundation as well. The shade seemed a little too light than its liquid counterpart but the color matched quite nicely once I set with powder.

Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation
Shade 220
(Color might seem different because of lighting)

Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation
Shade 220
(Color might seem different because of lighting)

WEAR TEST FOR MAYBELLINE STICK FOUNDATION

I applied this foundation with a makeup sponge from Colourpop. The foundation glides smoothly and does not drag the skin. Even if its mention as a shine free stick foundation, the application feels really greasy and has a slip to it. The application was very patchy and the product lifts when I try to press with the sponge.

I tried this product with a flat topped foundation brush from BH cosmetics Rose collection brush set, buffing foundation brush from e.l.f. cosmetics. Still, nothing seems to work to make the application even. I also tried prepping my skin differently to see if the sunscreen or the primer was not working with this formula. But it does not made any difference in the finish or application. It was very oily on the skin so, I tried setting with a powder but the results were totally opposite to what I expected. I tried setting it with Maybelline Loose powder and it clings to every dry patches and really accentuates my texture and pores.

I really wanted this foundation to work since Maybelline Fit me range was such a hit. However, this formula is really difficult to work with. I tried switching up the primer, my makeup tools and setting powder as well but nothing seems to work. It wears horribly throughout the day, my skin looked like a grease ball after an hour wearing this. I would pass on this foundation and not recommend for combination/oily skin at all. Nonetheless, for dry skin people this might work out.
Do let me know your thoughts on this if you’ve used this 🙂
XO

Posted on July 9, 2021July 30, 2021 by admin — 37 Comments

Colourpop Pressed Powder Blush

Colourpop came up with a collection called Garden Variety a while back. This collection was a limited edition and inspired by succulents and flowers and contains a beautiful color story. The product that I’m going to try out is the pressed powder blush from the Garden Variety Collection. The collection includes 4 blush shades. It retails for USD 9 and the shade I chose is Desert Rose.

Colourpop Garden Variety Pressed Powder Blush

Colourpop Garden Variety Pressed Powder Blush
Shade: Desert Rose

The packaging is really pretty and minimal. The pressed powder blush comes in a compact mint green packaging with a succulent imprint on the blush and also contains a small mirror. The shade Desert Rose is a soft warm pink blush with a vey fine gold shift to it. It is not fully matte but the gold flakes are not shimmery and chunky either. I love dewy look so I don’t mind the gold pearl in the blush but if you want something matte then this might not be for you. This satin blush has smooth velvety texture and has a nice tint. It is not super pigmented which I like for a blush as I can sometime be heavy handed and go overboard with the product. Therefore, I like that it has medium color payoff and I can also build it up as per my preference.

WEAR TEST FOR COLOURPOP PRESSED POWDER BLUSH

The color applied smoothly over liquid foundation once it is set with a powder. It is not patchy and does not cling to dry patches either. Another important thing for me is it does not accentuate any of my pores or texture which I really like. It lasts pretty well till 4-6 hours and does not fade. While using this blush I normally skip my highlighter. As this has satin finish and gold pearls, it gives my skin beautiful subtle sheen. Therefore, I prefer not to use any highlighter. I really enjoyed using this product.

PROS:

Buildable coverage
Not too powdery/chalky
Reasonable price
Easy to use and carry for travel
Compact packaging

CONS:

Not cruelty free
Medium Pigmentation
Limited shade range

Posted on July 5, 2021July 7, 2021 by admin — 20 Comments

ABH Micro-Stroking Detailing Brow Pen

Anastasia Beverly Hills Micro-Stroking Detailing Brow Pen is used to create fine natural looking brow hairs. It is available in 9 different shades and retails for USD 22. The standard size contains 0.5 ml of product. While the early 2010’s has been all about bold, carved out, Instagram brows, 2021 is all about fluffy, natural eyebrows. Along with the trend, multiple products has been introduced to the market. Anastasia Beverly hills is one of the brand that is most widely known for its brow products.

The brow pen that I got is in the shade Medium brown. ABH brow pen as mentioned in the site, has super fine bristles. The brush tip is not rigid and stiff like some of the felt tip eyeliner pen. This has flexible super fine bristles that form into a lip so that, it is easy to for precise application. It took me a while to get used to the brush as this was the first brow pen I ever used.

This product is quite pigmented and has a really nice color payoff. Now, when I say pigmented, its not super saturated like eyeliner pen or anything. But, for a brow pen this has a nice color payoff. However, the bristles might deposit a lot of color depending on how you store it. So, for smoother application you might want to wipe off on the back of your hand or a dry tissue. Once you do this the pigment comes out quite evenly.

WEAR TEST

ABH brow pen is great for filling out the sparse areas to create brows that looks natural. I have wide brow gap so I like to use the product on the front of my brows to give my eyebrows a little more length. It does applies very nicely and the strokes are quite good. I don’t quite like to use this on the areas where I already has brow hair as it looked a little patchy and thick in those area. This product holds up really nicely throughout the day. It did not bleed or smudges all day. However, if you have a habit of touching you face or brows then there’s a chance you might wipe it off. But unless you touch it you’re good to go.

This has become one of my favorite brow products. I use this mostly on days when I want natural fluffy brows. Nevertheless, you can absolutely use this for more well shaped and contoured brows look for more detailing. Will definitely be repurchasing this in the future Or, may be find an affordable dupe 😉

PROS:

Precise application
Great for detailing
Superfine/Flexible brush tip
Pigmented

CONS:

Product dispenses unevenly sometime
On the expensive side

Posted on July 1, 2021July 1, 2021 by admin — 23 Comments

Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick

Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick is one of the best selling liquid lipstick from Maybelline. It is available in 40 different shades and retails for $9.49. This liquid Lipstick claims to be a matte formula that lasts up to 16 hour.

The shade I’m going to test is called ‘Amazonian’. It is a brownish terracotta nude. The shade Amazonian from Maybelline is also said to be a dupe of Huda Beauty liquid matte Lipstick in the shade ‘Trendsetter’. The Huda beauty liquid lipstick retails for $20 whereas the Maybelline one is half the price. The lipstick comes in a solid color bottle and matches with the color of product. It has a reservoir tip applicator which I absolutely love. The divot in the middle of the applicator helps to hold the product so that you won’t have to dip in the bottle again and again. Also the pointed tip helps in the precise application. The lipstick has quite thick consistency and has rich velvety scent of chocolate. The application is easy and pigmented. It does feel a bit sticky even after it dries out but do not transfer at all.

WEAR TEST

Maybelline Matte Liquid lipstick is very true to its claims on the website. It is very long lasting and will lasts 10 to 12 hours very evenly. This liquid lipstick lasts through eating and drinking and is 100% transfer proof. You might however, notice that it settles in the inner lip area as the wear time prolongs. The finish is velvety matte and not completely matte that is why, it feels very rich on the lips and does not feel dry.

One thing that I dislike about this lipstick is, It is not light weight. If you’re wearing this then you will feel like you’re wearing a thick lipstick. It feels heavy on the lips and could be uncomfortable for some. Another thing that I am not quite fond of is the removal. You’ll need an oil based cleanser to take this off. I used coconut oil on the lips and wiped with a tissue. So the removal can be a hassle for some.

I absolutely love the color and will be using it in the future but, I won’t be repurchasing this or any other color of this lipstick because of the texture. I prefer something that is light weight and comfortable on my lips. Even if the lipstick is not long lasting I feel like it should be light weight as I don’t mind reapplying lipstick in the day. But if you don’t want to be bothered once you applied your lipstick then this is the thing for you if you can get past the texture.

PROS:

Long Wearing
Moisturizing
Transfer proof
Water Proof
Great shade range
Easy to use applicator

CONS:

Has scent
Difficult to remove
Heavy in texture

Posted on June 18, 2021June 18, 2021 by admin — 28 Comments

Morphe Fluidity Full coverage Foundation

Morphe Fluidity Full coverage Foundation is available in 48 different shades. On the Morphe’s website it is claimed to be a full coverage long wearing foundation. Other claims are, It lasts for 24 hour, is sweat proof, transfer resistant and water resistant and suits all skin type.

Morphe Foundation Shade: 2.80 — Morphe Fluidity Full Coverage Foundation
Shade: 2.80

I chose the shade F2.80 WARM: medium with golden undertones. This foundation turns out to be a little dark and a little golden tone for me. It has a thin consistency but not too runny. I prepped my skin with e.l.f. Poreless putty Primer before foundation application. Morphe Fluidity Full coverage Foundation as mentioned in the website has medium to full coverage. I used an even layer on my face with a brush and a makeup sponge. I used e.l.f. buffing foundation brush and Colourpop Hourglass blending sponge. Both tools gave a seamless application and the brush did not created any streaks.

Morphe Fluidity Full coverage foundation sets quickly and give you that matte finish. It does build up quite nicely if you want more coverage. It does not feel heavy on the skin despite of the coverage it gives. Since, I have oily-combination skin type with few dry patches, this foundation clanged to my-T-zone before even setting it with a powder. I have few dry patches under my eyes and around my nose. Most of the foundations whether its matte or dewy, does tend to cling on these area on my face and looks a little patchy around my nose area. This foundation tends to accentuate it even more and I do not like the look of it.

Morphe foundation Shade: 2.80 swatch — Morphe Fluidity Full Coverage Foundation
Shade: 2.80 swatch

Setting it with a powder made it look a little too cakey, probably because of the formula of the foundation. However, all cream products, like stick contour and stick highlighter looked quite good on top. The application did not made the foundation to bunch up or lift. Another thing that I noticed was once the foundation is set, touching up with a makeup sponge or any brush will make the foundation move which I find quite unusual. The foundation looked horrible on the T-zone, particularly on nose area as the wear time increases. This foundation seems to suit normal to oily skin type, rather than oily or dry. If you have dry skin then it will definitely clings on to the dry patches.

PROS:

Self Setting
Long lasting
Easy to build products on top
Great shade range
Suitable for normal skin type

CONS:

Cling to dry patches
Not suitable for dry skin types.
Settles on fine lines
Moves/lift off On T-zone