My Favorites in 2014

My blog was started in 2012, and since established, I haven’t do any real “Best Product of the Year” kind of post. Sorry for being late, but here it is :

Tania’s favorite Beauty Product in 2014!

Looking back, in 2014 my skin has up and down journey. Been sorrow and joy, these are my favorites :

SKINCARE

Holy Grail : Paula Choice Clear Anti Redness Exfoliating Solution with 2% Salicylic Acid

My absolute favorites. DOES clean my skin and makes it way much much much better. Now I am just using it like 2-3 times a week to maintain the clearness. The only cons is just price. But well, I’d go for it.

Second, also from Paula Choice : Clear Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide

Hey, I’ve just said my skin is much much much much better, then why do I need another treatment? Because I still get acne during my period. Amount vary from 1 silent acne to 4 horrible acne. This product helps. Cons? Price and sometimes it’s sting.

Third is Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream.

Mine is in sample size (and I keep buying sample size because regular size cost a Fortune, no joke).

I have oily skin and mostly, cream moisturizer wouldn’t work. This one works, and could be function as moisturizer, night cream, eye cream (no cream bleeding) and has anti oxidant that help with spot.

Fourth, Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Foaming Face Wash (also the one in tube. I run out of it so no picture)

Thanks God I’ve found this. It’s considerably expensive compared to another drugstore brand here, but only fraction compared to Korean Facial Wash. Plus, it’s free from Parabens, SLS/SLES and Phthalates. It’s helps prevent acne and cleanse well. This one is my second foaming bottle and I’ve just finished my second tube.

Fifth, Evian Natural Mineral Water

I know it's said to be far less amazing than Avene Facian Mist, but it's far more affordable here in Indonesia and i think for me, it's done the job very well.

Last, also from Paula Choice is Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum

It has Retinol and help to fade my acne scars. 2% salicylic acid does the job quite well but it works faster with SBSACS (gosh, what a long name!).

MAKE UP

 

Since I’m not wearing make up much, I only got 2 super-favorites :

Urban Decay Naked 3

No introduction needed, I guess?

Well, first I don’t think I could pull the Rose Gold theme but thankfully, it turn so good. I rarely wear my naked 2 now. Naked 3 ROCKS!

Coty Airspun Translucent Extra Coverage Loose Powder

Maybe it’s too fast to say it’s favorites in 2014, since I just bought it about end of November but I found nothing work as great as this one, even the ingredient is out of my usual picks, but still. I’m in love.

BODY CARE

The Body Shop Vanilla Bliss Body Polish

I’ve praised it so high in my review post (click here to read) and this one is my second tube of vanilla. Faves.

Nivea Daily Protection Sun Lotion Light Feeling SPF 25 PA ++

Remember how I always complained why there’s no good sun lotion? They’re always feel heavy on my skin. Those that lights, has no SPF. No wonder my skintone getting darker and darker.

However, thanks Nivea to bring this cute blue tube to Indonesia. It’s really feels like on my skin. And SPF 25 is enough too. Bought 5 bottles when it launching sale for IDR. 15,000/100ml each. CHEAP.

Have you tried any of these? Does them impressed you?

Check my instagram @Primafacie_Corner (selling beauty stuff, ready stock) and @taniaasvs for beauty reviews :)

 

Coty Airspun Face Powder, Translucent Extra Coverage

Happy New Yeaar..

Well I’m gonna start my 2015 with a review of something I love. You know, having oily, sensitive and acne prone skin makes me tend to be picky with products. Thankfully my skin is getting better and from November 2014 I decided to use less product in my daily base. First thing that I cut-off is foundation. Not that I stop it at all, I do still have a tons of foundation, bb cream, tinted moisturizer (you name it) I need to finish. I just only use them when I think it’s un-appropriate for not using one. Back to the goal, if I’m reducing foundation, then what I’d need? Better loose powder of course.

First, I bought small amount sample of Nars Loose Powder (perhaps I’ll make individual post for it, perhaps not. Lets see). I think I like the medium coverage and lasting power but definitely not the price. USD is soo high nowadays and I don’t think I’d happy to use highly priced loose powder on daily basis even it’s in huge size. I hunted down for cheaper product, with as good quality. I found Coty.

In my narrow mind, I think Coty in USA is more or less like Marcks in Indonesia. Coty Airspun Face Powder, Translucent Extra Coverage is available in USA drugstore for about US $6.49 for 65g. HUGE. While in Indonesia, Marcks is about IDR 11,000 for 40g. Practically, Marcks is about US $ 1 for 40g. Much cheaper, and it’s main ingredient is Corn Starch, makes it better for acne prone skin. But in the other hand, it makes Marcks has far lesser lasting power. On Vintage side, Coty is formulated since 1935 while Marcks is old too (dunno the exact year, sorry).

Then why do I still choose Coty? No offense to Marcks, but I want something last long and match my skintone better.

 

coty airspun face powder, translucent extra coverage

 The packaging isn’t so much special. As I said, it’s big (about 3 inch wide and 1 ¼ inch thick) and hold 65g of product. Inside, there’s plastic separator and loose powder holes and a useless cotton “sponge”.

I pick “Translucent Extra Coverage” one, simply because it’s translucent (no shade confusion) and has extra coverage. In fact, Coty has better coverage than Nars Eden (shade I picked). Wonderful, right? 

Ingredients :

Talc, zinc stearate, magnesium carbonate, fragrance, mineral oil, lanolin, cetyl alcohol, imidazolidinyl, urea, methylparaben, propylparaben [may contain zinc oxide, titanium oxide, iron oxides, D&C red no 30 aluminium lake, FD&C yellow no.5 aluminium lake]

The ingredient is a little bit against my usual pick, though. Well.. I was trying to pick anything else, even from higher brand and found they’re more or less has cons in my mind. So yeah, I still pick Coty. Thankfully, it’s doing well. If it doesn’t though, it’s cheap enough to throw out.

 

I think it's a useless sponge. It's too fluffy, too light to pick up anything.

It's main job is to keep powder falling to closure everytime i bring them out (which is rarely).

 

 Here you can see how it's doing. Only a few amount of powder staying.

Coty's packaging compared to Real Technique's buffing brush

another comparison of Coty's packaging and Real Techniques Buffing brush

swatch on my inner arm

swatch on my inner arm, another lightning

 

When product opened, you’ll spot on it’s fragrance. No wonder, fragrance is 4^th in ingredient list. The scent last until about 5 minutes after application. Strong, yes, you might won’t to put your face near anyone in the waiting time. I kinda like the scent, though.

As many said, you can’t ask about oil control properties to those with dry skin. But I have normal-oily skin which sometimes going to be very oily so I can help you here. Oil control is great. It doesn’t makes you look deadly matte though. Just some pretty girl with not oily skin. Nice!

Combining these kind : long lasting, good coverage and great oil control makes this product a staple in my daily life. I do depot some little amount to smaller container for easier use. Don’t forget to bring a retractable brush for touch up purpose in your make up bag.

PRO’s :

Cheap

Great coverage

Lovely oil control

Lasting power is great

Translucent, no shade confusion

Long last (65 g of product, hellow?)

CONs :

Not easy to find in Indonesia

Strong fragrance

Useless “sponge”

Bulky packaging

So, do you think you need Coty in your life? If yes, I can help you here. Check my instagram @Primafacie_Corner to buy any beauty product you want, ready stock ^____^

.. And if you want to follow my blog’s instagram : @taniaasvs. I currently love doing manicure so you can see some swatch here and there.

Thanks for reading, hopefully you find something helpful here :)

Looking for a Good Powder? Try Tarte Provocateur Pressed Mineral Powder SPF 8.

I'm so happy with my new find, it's so pretty, has a good value and works amazing!

Actually, i bought it by accident. I wasn't mean to buy anything, so when it's arrived, i left it in my back up box and forget about it. I don't even trying to search a review about it, i just left it there.

Then i read someone said it works amazing. I have my benefit hello flawless powder (from How to Look Best at Everything kit, reviewed here) but since it's not in travel friendly side, i need something else. Benefit dandelion is great, but has no coverage and too bulky.

Long story short, i tried Tarte Provocateur Pressed Mineral Powder and fell in LOVE. I like all my previous powder, but never ever fall in love like i do to Tarte's. I have a very oily skin and it does help to make my skin less oily. Feels like it's melted to my skin, make my skin but better version. And you know what, it's come in Perfect Shade. As i said, i never trying to find any information about it, so i dont know what shade would suit me best, and it's just like perfect.

Before going to picture, i'd let you know that mine is in sample size (0.45g) so maybe it's not like the full size item you've seen in store or any where. And i've checked Tarte's web, i can't find any pressed powder with SPF 8. But found it in sephora.com. I wonder if tarte powderful mineral pressed powder are the same.

going to description in sephora :

What it is:
A mineral-based pressed powder.

What it does:
Tarte Provocateur Pressed Mineral Powder is a whisperlight mineral pressed powder that allows skin to breathe while treating it with soothing vitamins and minerals and protecting it with SPF 8.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
This powder contains Skinvigorating™ ingredients vitamins A and E, antioxidants that fight free radical damage, and mineral pigments, known for soothing and softening properties.

Suggested Usage:
-Using Tarte's Kabuki Brush gently buff directly onto skin or over foundation for heavier coverage.

Ingredients:

5% Titanium Dioxide, 6% Zinc Oxide.

Polyethylene, HDI/Trimethylol Hexylacetone Crosspolymer, Tricaprylin Nylon-12, Boron Nitride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Myristate, Lanolin Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol Imdazolidinyl Urea. (+/-): Mica, Bismuth Oxychloride, Iron Oxides, Ultramarines, Manganese Violet, Chromium Oxide Greens, Chromium Hydroxide Green.

Get more information about our shipping rates, schedules, methods, and restrictions.

Since mine is in sample size, it's only covered by cardboard with magnetic flap. No complaints here, since it's very travel friendly.

I love the sewing design, and i think the full sized one has a prettier packaging but also bulkier.

0.15 oz is basically about half of full size product (0.28oz).

It does contains SPF 8, a nice add, even if it's not really help. But i doesn't need higher SPF number in my powder since it could add white cast on picture.

Like all product from Tarte, it doesnt contains of parabens, petro chemical, phtalate, sulfate, glycol, fragrance, oil, gluten, dye and talc. I think those make it safetier for sensitive skin like mine. You can check the complete ingredient list on Sephora description above ^^

Above is how the insider look like.

A mirror would be good but it also add some weight.

Swatch above was taken under low sun light.

Can you get what i mean? It's also not in matte shade, just lovely natural.

I also took another picture under heavier sun light. Very lovely, i'd say again.

I usually use it with ecotools retractable kabuki brush, which nicely pick up the pigment and take a good amount of product.

It's definately Holy Grail product, not less.

Have you find your HG powder?

what's that? :)

Short Review of Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder [updated]

hi Ladies ..

i've wrote about innisfree's lipstick here, and seems like i've used outsider picture for those purpose, and those pictures are gone. So i'm doing a few changes for this post ;)

Innisfree is a South Korea Brand who use all natural ingredients (as natural as could be i think), and most of their products are free from parabens. Innisfree unlike Etude, mostly known by their Skincare Line. But their Make Up Products are good too! I have Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder and like it :)

The Products : Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder

so sorry for a spot at sponge, i made it accidentally

Dont ever expect a big product, because it's so small, smaller than any loose powder i've ever saw. My mistake is, expect for 2 things i don't get when i open my package : size and the appearance. I was waiting for this :

credit to whimsicaltalks.blogspot.com

and a skinfood buckwheat loose powder size. Stupid me. Actually, i like this packaging better, more natural and cute. But sadly, it's discontinued and changed with the new mineral loose powder. Yea, mine.

But thanks God, at least it's not disappointing.

It came with white powder sponge, soft and nothing a like skinfood's sponge. I like this better, feels natural in my face. Product inside is protected with a plastic seal with Innisfree's logo printed on it.

Mint scent they said in front of product is sooo soft. You can't smell it unless you put your nose in front of the product.

Swatch

Maybe it's no need to put a swatch, since it came with 1 shade only : Transparant. But i've took the picture and feel terrible if i'm not put it here.

put on my hand, nothing under it

blended

Looks like nothing?

YES.

This loose powder have a low coverage but equipped with great oil control. I love the way i dont have to blot until 3 hours (2 hours if it's very very hot) and the shade won't makes my skin look too white like my palgantong loose powder did.

you might like it if :

• you want a travel size loose powder
• you need loose powder with oil control
• you avoid parabens
• you dont like product with a strong scent
• you want a transparant shade loose powder
• you're okay with low coverage loose powder

thanks for reading! ^^