Beauty Bay Black Friday Deals, Offers: Ships Worldwide

Beauty Bay Black Friday Deals, Offers: Ships Worldwide

Violet Voss Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, November 25, 2016

A couple of weeks ago, I showed you 13 exclusive makeup bags from Beauty Bay - see here. Apart from those amazing value-for-money sets, Beauty Bay has a plethora of deals, discounts and exclusives for you over Cyber Weekend, from luxury palettes to the finest botanical skincare. They also have amazing discounts across a whopping 82 brands, as you'll see further below. Everything ships worldwide.

Scroll down for the best of Beauty Bay's Black Friday deals, discounts and offers for 2016.

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16 Cute Makeup Buys From Feelunique's Birthday Sale

16 Cute Makeup Buys From Feelunique's Birthday Sale

Zoella Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, October 14, 2016

International beauty retail giant Feelunique - one of those rare sellers who ship everywhere - is celebrating their birthday this week with a series of offers, including 30% off on Bourjois. .
From today until Saturday - 15 October - you get £10 off a purchase of £60, which includes free worldwide shipping, using code BLUE. On Sunday, 16 October, you get 15% off everything, using code RAINBOW. Codes are not valid on already discounted products.

Here is a list of the cutest beauty buys to take advantage of the Feelunique Birthday Sale.

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Why You Need The Brush Guard For Your Makeup Brushes

Why You Need The Brush Guard For Your Makeup Brushes

Wayne Goss Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, October 10, 2016

Last year, I invested in some Wayne Goss, Koyudo, Hakuhodo and Chikuhodo makeup brushes - see here for the Wayne Goss brushes and my thoughts on them. All of these are handcrafted in Kumano, Japan, and the bristles, made of natural goat or squirrel hair, is never cut at the tips, so the brushes are the softest and most delicate.
Being the rough handler and klutz that I am, I knew it was only a matter of time before I ended up mutilating the bristles. After all, we are talking about someone who once stepped on a glass nail file.
The Brush Guard protects your makeup brushes from rough handling, travel, dust, accidents and even the rigours of washing and drying. It keeps the bristles even and in shape. 

Scroll down for more on how Brush Guards protect makeup brushes.

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Why You Need The Best Of Sigma Makeup Brush Set

Why You Need The Best Of Sigma Makeup Brush Set

Tools Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Is there any makeup user who does not love Sigma's makeup brushes? Luxuriously crafted, cruelty-free, soft, dense Sigmax bristles in heavy wooden handles and chrome ferrules, with a two-year warranty - what's not to love?
Choosing the right Sigma brushes can be confusing. There are six different eyeliner brushes. Ten blending brushes for eyeshadows. Which do you pick - where do you start?
Thankfully, Sigma themselves have provided the answer. A comprehensive, seven-brush set of four eye makeup brushes and three face makeup brushes - their seven bestselling brushes.

Scroll down for more on the Best of Sigma makeup brush set.

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Moomooi By Feelunique LE Accessories Collection S/S 2016

Moomooi By Feelunique LE Accessories Collection S/S 2016

Tools Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, July 05, 2016

Beauty retail giant Feelunique has collaborated with fashion illustrator @moomooi - Meredith Wing, whose clients include Cosmopolitan, Coach, De Beers and Rebecca Minkoff - to launch an exclusive limited edition accessories collection for Spring/Summer 2016. Wing is known for giving her illustrations a 3D effect, by using flowers, fruit, vegetables and other material along with the drawings. The collection, which includes makeup accessories, bags/fashion accessories and iPhone accessories, is inspired by the Pantone Colours for 2016 - Rose Quartz and Serendipity.

Scroll down for deets on the @moomooi by Feelunique Limited Edition Accessories Collection for S/S 2016.

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Vegan Cuts Beauty Box May 2016

Vegan Cuts Beauty Box May 2016

Vegan Cuts Cosmetopia Digest   Saturday, May 28, 2016

A 100% cruelty-free and vegan beauty subscription that ships worldwide, Vegan Cuts has been on my must-try list for a while now. I have particularly loved their special assorted beauty kits - see my review of the Vegan Cuts Essentials Box here. Their Summertime Adventures Beauty Box is on sale for just $23 - see contents here`. Monthly boxes cost $22.95, with long-term subscriptions costing less per box.
The May 2016 box (PR sample) is Summer-special, curated to keep you feeling "sweet in the heat". There are five products in the box, of which three are full-sized.

Scroll down for the review of the Vegan Cuts Beauty Box for May 2016. 

 PR sample

LookFantastic Beauty Box May 2016

LookFantastic Beauty Box May 2016

Wet Brush Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, May 23, 2016

LookFantastic's May 2016 edition is themed #LFHelloBeautiful. Last month, they released spoilers that this box would contain body and hair products - the April box was supposed to be au naturel face care but contained mostly bath and body products. The product magazine says this month's products will give you a flawless and radiant complexion. A copy of this month's issue of Elle UK is included with the exclusively-designed green box.

Scroll down to take a look at the contents of the May 2016 LookFantastic Beauty Box.

Why You Need Wayne Goss Makeup Brushes

Why You Need Wayne Goss Makeup Brushes

Wayne Goss Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, February 09, 2016

Ever since I bought my first Wayne Goss brush last November - see here - my older makeup brushes have been languishing in oblivion while the WG brushes have not left the top of my vanity.
Believe me, the hype is real. Every bit of it. All my other brushes are just knocked out of the ball park with these.
Before we go any further - I bought these. Wayne Goss has no idea I exist. I gain nothing except maybe lose a few hours taking photos, writing, cropping and so on.

Scroll down for deets on all the Wayne Goss makeup brushes and how I use them.

Tarte Stroke of Midnight Brush Set for Holiday 2015 Review

Tarte Stroke of Midnight Brush Set for Holiday 2015 Review

Tools Cosmetopia Digest   Thursday, November 19, 2015

I wanted something from the Tarte Holiday 2015 collection because of the sequinned packaging, but not much remained except for the limited edition Stroke of Midnight Brush Set and Travel Case.
The sequinned travel case is spacious and ideal for holding makeup brushes or for jars or bottles of skincare and liquid foundation and other makeup securely during air or road travel. They certainly have paid a lot of attention to detail when it comes to the packaging, even the external box. There are five makeup brushes in this set.

Scroll down for my thoughts on the Tarte Holidaze Stroke of Midnight LE Brush Set for Holiday 2015.

Eyeshadow Blending Brush Haul From Beautylish

Eyeshadow Blending Brush Haul From Beautylish

Wayne Goss Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Last weekend, Beautylish had a gift card event - if you shopped for $100, you would get a $20 gift card, which only expires in December 2016. I love shopping at Beautylish because of excellent customer care including handwritten thank-you notes, four- (five at the most) day international delivery with Fedex, and free international shipping above $100. This is not quite a haul; I only bought four brushes without really thinking.
I was somewhat makeupped-out after hauling Advent Calendars and Holiday gift sets wily-nily, so I did not really have a must-buy list. Hemmed and hawed my way through their inventory for a while, and finally decided that I would buy some blending brushes from brands I had not tried before, just to reach $100 and get the gift card. Had I only known I would fall in love....
Here are the brushes I got.

LookFantastic October 2015 Christmas Beauty Box 1 Review

LookFantastic October 2015 Christmas Beauty Box 1 Review

Unboxing Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, October 30, 2015

From October to December, LookFantastic is releasing a trilogy of Christmas-special beauty boxes with three special designs. Naturally, you would expect the box to rock.
For those who came in late, LookFantastic is a UK-based beauty subscription that ships worldwide. The focus is on skincare and hair care, but the brands they send out are not usually drugstore, but of really good quality, and generally UK- and EU-based. Boxes cost £15 a month, but an annual sub will cost just £11 a month on an average, while the Christmas trio comes at £13 each.
The October 2015 #LFBeautyBox features a white and gold design. The next two boxes will also feature similar Holiday-themed designs.

Scroll down for the contents of my LookFantastic Beauty Box for October 2015.

Sonia Kashuk Ombre Obsessed LE Makeup Brush Set for Fall 2015

Sonia Kashuk Ombre Obsessed LE Makeup Brush Set for Fall 2015

Tools Cosmetopia Digest   Wednesday, October 28, 2015

I have an early Holiday haul to show you, but before I sit down to take photos of everything together, take a gander at the Sonia Kashuk Ombre Brushes - one of three sets from the brand for Fall 2015. Stunners, aren't they? Ombre brushes in Fall colours. What's not to love?

Scroll down for the lowdown on the Sonia Kashuk Ombre Obsessed LE Makeup Brush Set for Fall 2015.

Look Good Feel Better Makeup Brushes

Look Good Feel Better Makeup Brushes

Tools Cosmetopia Digest   Thursday, October 15, 2015

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Although spared (thus far) dealing with breast cancer in particular, my Gramps - known as the "godfather" of the shipping industry in my city - was diagnosed with cancer last year so I know at first-hand the turmoil the disease, its diagnosis and treatment can cause in the lives of the patient and their family.
Look Good Feel Better is an organisation that supports women and teens who are struggling with visible side-effects of cancer treatment. Some of these side-effects can be damaging to self-esteem and confidence and I know some extrovert ladies who completely stopped venturing out after they started chemo. The organisation provides free hair, skincare and makeup services and workshops to women and teens, and thereby gives them a sense of normalcy. When I found Look Good Feel Better makeup brushes on FeelUnique, I bought some at once.

Scroll down for my thoughts on the Look Good Feel Better Makeup Brushes.

Etude House My Beauty Tool Secret Face Makeup Brush 121 Review

Etude House My Beauty Tool Secret Face Makeup Brush 121 Review

Tools Cosmetopia Digest   Thursday, September 17, 2015

Ever wanted to try out an oval makeup brush, but hesitated to spend on those gorgeous-looking Artis Elite brushes? Korean cult brand Etude House has an affordable solution.
The Etude House My Beauty Tool Face Makeup Brush 121 is a small toothbrush-like, oval-head brush with a gold plastic body. It comes with a removable head and comes with a sponge attachment as well. The only makeup sponge I swear by is the Beautyblender. Everything else is latex-y, and the sponge attachment of this brush is no exception. So I will be concentrating on the brush attachment.

Scroll down for my experience with the Etude House My Beauty Tool Secret Skin Face Makeup Brush 121.

Sigma 3DHD Kabuki and Precision face makeup brushes review

Sigma 3DHD Kabuki and Precision face makeup brushes review

Tools Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, May 05, 2015

Ridged brushes for flawless application and blending.

When it comes to face makeup, it is not easy to find a brush that gives a smooth, flawless finish without leaving brush marks. Sigma's 3DHD makeup brush range (PR Sample), however, promises to cover pores and smooth out the skin, without streaky marks. That sounds like any girl's dream. Best of all, unlike other makeup brush ranges, there are just two brushes in the 3DHD range - one for concealing and precision work and the other for foundation and setting powder.

Scroll down for my review of the Sigma 3DHD Kabuki and Precision face makeup brushes.

Missamé 10pc Bamboo Makeup Brush Set review

Missamé 10pc Bamboo Makeup Brush Set review

Tools Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, April 10, 2015

A cruelty-free, soft and lightweight makeup brush set in a compact case.

What qualities do you look for in a makeup brush? For me, bristles must be soft and well-packed, the brush must not be too long or heavy and it must not look or feel cheap. Plus, I must be able to find some use for it in my makeup routine, even if it may not be the use the company intends.
With lightweight bamboo handles, aluminium ferrules and synthetic taklon brushes, the 10-piece cruelty-free bamboo makeup brush set from Missamé (PR sample*) pretty much ticks every box in my checklist. They are 'pettably' soft, and come with a travel-friendly pouch. They look and feel sturdy - I've sat on two of the eye brushes (don't ask; blame my niece) and nothing happened.
Missamé, founded by animal lover Amy Ng, is a California-based brand that launched their cruelty-free makeup brushes last year. Their aim is to make professional-quality brushes at affordable prices and they offer a satisfaction guarantee.
How much do you think this set costs? Guess! You will know the answer towards the end of the post.

Check out my thoughts on the 10 bamboo makeup brushes from Missamé.

Lip Factory September 2014 review, unboxing

Lip Factory September 2014 review, unboxing

Reviews Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, September 26, 2014

Themed "Autumn Arrives", the September 2014 Lip Factory beauty box is quite early in my mailbox - I had been receiving the previous couple of boxes by the end of the month or even in the first week of the following month. For those new here, Lip Factory is a Florida-based makeup subscription box that ships out monthly. You get five or six FULL-sized makeup products, which is why this box is such a win. It costs $22 a month within the US and $32 worldwide, but that is around $5.30-6.40 per product, which is not a bad deal at all. To subscribe, hit their website and do quote my reference number 385650 to get 50 points, which you can later redeem for products or a box!

Read on for my review and unboxing of the September 2014 Lip Factory Beauty Box.

Bdellium Tools and EcoTools makeup brushes haul

Bdellium Tools and EcoTools makeup brushes haul

Tools Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, July 18, 2014

Recently, iHerb offered free worldwide shipping for orders above $40. I was looking to get myself some new makeup brushes anyway, so I went on board rightaway.
Makeup artist and blogger Norah Salazar of Norah Loves Makeup had recommended the Bdellium Tools brushes to me and those were at the top of my wishlist. 
For those who are new, iHerb sells natural and eco-friendly brands and they ship worldwide. They have regular offers where non-DHL shipping is used, so it does not always fall under the customs radar. You can sign up here and get up to $10 off your first order with my referral code WZJ030.

But first, check out the Bdellium Tools and Eco Tools makeup brushes I bought.

Makeup and skin care haul from Sephora Middle East: Part I

Makeup and skin care haul from Sephora Middle East: Part I

Urban Decay Cosmetopia Digest   Sunday, January 05, 2014

You're thinking, "That is all she bought, after all her claims?" This is the first of the makeup and skin care hauls made over the Holiday season from Sephora Middle East. I've got separate haul posts for lipsticks, nail polishes, Soap & Glory, Benefit and Boots No7. Detailed reviews and swatches will be posted later. And yes, I did buy 25 nail polishes and quite a few lipsticks, but this post will become longer than The Iliad unless I split up my haul!
There are eight countries in the Persian Gulf with Sephora stores, with eight Sephora outlets in the UAE alone. You can sign up for the Sephora White Card, which is the Middle East's equivalent of the Beauty Insider loyalty card programme and earn points and get gifts. And once you have 2,000 points like I do now, you can trade it in for a black card. I'm now going to show you the palettes, eye creams, blush and brushes I hauled across brands from Sephora.

Beautyblender Detailers makeup brushes review, usage and photos

Beautyblender Detailers makeup brushes review, usage and photos

Reviews Cosmetopia Digest   Sunday, December 29, 2013

My Beauty Junction is the first to try out the Detailers eye and makeup brush set from the Beautyblender. As you have seen in the teasers and preview, the Detailers brushes are six in number and all of them are cruelty-free.

The bristles are synthetic and the handles look like light aluminium and the ferrules like plastic, I think - yes, that's the extent of my ignorance about these things. Each brush measures 5'' in length - just right for the natural curve of the palm. The bristles are pure white in colour and the ferrule is a pale blueish grey. The handles are also white.
I have been using no other applicators but the Detailers brush set and the Original Beautyblender Pro, reviewed here, for a whole month now, and it is time to share my findings. Each of these brushes deserves a separate review, but I wanted to showcase the whole set at once, so it is a rather long post.

Here is the detailed review along with usage tips for each of the six Beautyblender Detailers makeup brushes.