Wilko's Makeup Brush Review (Stippler Brush)

Lately, I have been looking to increase my makeup brushes collection; not that I need more but I have become a little obsessed with getting the right tools to give me the best finish achievable by my non-MUA expertise. I have always had a Wilkinsons near me because I live and work in South West London which means I pop in there every now and then. Personally, I am not a big fan of store brand makeup brushes including Boots and Superdrug brands because I find that some of them are not very good quality and are not particularly cheap either. The difference between these store brand makeup brushes and Real Techniques is really small so I’d rather just add a few pennies and buy the real deal. However, Wilkinson's or Wilko which is what the beauty section is called,  has made me change my mind for the better.  I saw a big banner advertising their makeup brushes and new Premium Makeup Brush brand which looked too similar to the Real Techniques Core Collection design and I knew I had to check it out. They have a wide selection of brushes from the Wilko Premium Brand including Foundation Brushes, Powder Brushes, Blush Brushes, Eye Shadow Brushes, Concealer Brushes, etc. Again, I was late; almost all the brushes had been sold out and I asked the sales assistants and they confirmed that they were all sold out and there was none within their storage. Damn!! However, I managed to pick up the Stippler Brush because I had been putting off buying the Real Techniques one and the good thing is these brushes all have testers so you can test and feel them (with your hands, of course). I also have a review on their non-premium Blusher Brush here so check it out..

Packaging

First off, I am seriously impressed with the packaging of the brush. It comes in its own individual packaging which is very handy for travelling and it is essential to keep this packaging for that. I like the Gold and Black design of the Stippler brush although they should have been more innovative by coming up with their own colour/design scheme rather than one similar to Real Techniques but as Kermit the Frog says -That's none of my business. The brush in itself is very sturdy, solid and well made and I can see this brush lasting for a long time. You always know brushes which are just flimsy from the first day but this is certainly not one of them.

Bristles/Shedding/Washing

I really like the bristles because they are very soft and fluffy although I have to mention that they may be a little too fluffy for a stippling brush. It has white tips like many brushes these days and I think it makes the brush look prettier and lets you know when all the dirt and grime has come off when washing. I have washed this brush a few times already and I have experienced no shedding. As mentioned earlier, it is really well made and sturdy so the glue which attaches the brush and its bristles is not one to give way easily and this prevents shedding.  It washes really, really easily and it dries even faster which I am very pleased about. The bristles are synthetic but they don’t feel cheap or low quality at all.

How I use this

To be honest, I have never used a stippling brush because I just prefer buffer brushes and I know they are not the same thing. As mentioned earlier, I have been toying with the idea of buying the Real Techniques Stippling Brush but I was not ready to spend almost £11 for one brush just yet. Stippling brushes are traditionally, although not exclusively, used for foundations, cream based makeup like blushes and for bronzers. Stippling is done to create a more flawless look and allows you to dip the brush into a makeup product and apply it with short dabs on areas of your face to be blended out for a flawless look. Armed with this knowledge, I ventured to use this to create my flawless look J. The  bristles are really fluffy and this makes it really difficult to control especially with dabbing motions. Also, the brush and its bristles are wider than the average stippling brush which may be another reason why it is difficult to control. After a few failed attempts, I seem to have gotten a way around it. For now, I just use it exclusively for foundation and it gives a really flawless finish although it takes a little longer than using a my usual buffer/foundation brush. However, the results are worth it. I don’t like cream blushes as such so I have not used this brush with them yet. Overall, I really like the results I get with this brush. Also, you can fan out this brush by gently spreading it out and it can be used for lightly applying bronzers, blush and some setting powders.

Cost

This is where things get really exciting. It cost just £4 despite the fact that it is the Premium brand and I think it is amazing!! I absolutely love the price. The quality of the product way surpasses the price and I am really pleased that they are affordable. The sad thing is they are sold out online and in-store as well which goes to say that they are really popular. I am sure they never imagined that it would be so well loved and I hope they are making plans to expand the range and increase its availability.

Cons

Major con will be availability. It is not readily and easily available and if you don’t have a Wilkinson near you; it would be hard to track this down. Also, I don’t think it does the best job of stippling like it should which I think may be because it is too fluffy and its too large. However, it has other uses which I have highlighted above so it’s not too much of a stress.

Personal Thoughts

I really like this brush and although it does not do the stippling as well as I would have liked; it does the job. When I use this for my foundation, the results are outstanding and it seems the pores on my face appear less visible because the brush seems to help distribute the foundation well enough to blur them out and this was not the case when I just used my buffing brush so I think this brush has been instrumental in achieving this. I bought another brush which I would be reviewing next although it is not from their Premium range but it is equally good. If you have a Wilkinson near you, it is worth checking out their beauty section in-store or online here. See you in my next post...x

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Dark (MSF)

This has to be the longest I have put off a review especially when it's one that has made a few sneaky peeks on here on the blog. It is also one of my favourite products that has been well loved, tested, trusted and repurchased. As always there is a little story to go with this purchase. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you'd recall I purchased a few MAC products from Duty Free in my recent trip to Nigeria and the MAC Mineralize Skin Finish (MSF) Natural in Dark was at the top of my wishlist so it had to be purchased. Sadly, I lost it at a wedding I attended in July and I had to purchase another one which was rather painful for me because the previous one was still quite new. Sad times!! The good thing is the new MSF has been repackaged so I have a bonus little review on the new packaging at the end of this post. This goes without saying that this will be a super long post so grab your drinks. I am pleased I took ample pictures of this powder before it went amiss and it was such a pleasure to photograph...Damn!!looking at these photos of my beloved lost MSF makes me sad..:-(

Packaging

The MSF comes in the characteristic black MAC packaging but it has a transparent lid instead of a mirror which has its advantages and disadvantages. To be fair, I am quite glad the new packaging has a mirror as it means this can be my new touch up compact in my makeup bag. As expected, it is sturdy although a couple of people have mentioned that the lid came off at some point but I did not experience that at all.

Shade

MAC is one of my favourite brands because they have a wide variety of shades that suit everyone. My shade is the MSF Natural in Dark and I think it is perfect. I tried the medium but it did not suit me as well so I got the dark instead and it's a good match. 

Coverage

It is a medium to full coverage powder although it is quite natural as the name implies and I love that about it. Although it can be worked to full coverage; it does not feel heavy or cakey on the face and it sets my foundation and overall makeup in a seamless beautiful way. I use various brushes to achieve different levels of coverage; Real Techniques buffing brush when I wanted a targeted full coverage, Real Techniques Powder brush when I want a medium coverage and my Japonesque Retractable brush when I am on the go for a light touch up coverage that mattifies my oily T-zones.

Uses

MAC MSF's are very versatile and can be used in a variety of ways depending on what shade you buy. It can be used as a setting powder, finishing powder and mattifying powder which is what I mainly use it because I bought the shade nearest to my skin tone. If you go a shade darker, it can be used to contour and as a bronzer to add some dimension to the face. If you go a shade lighter, it can be used as a highlighter to illuminate some parts of your face. When I use this to set my foundation, it makes a massive difference especially in the summer. It helps prevent too many oily situations and I am ever so happy to whip it out for a touch up when I am on the go. I pair this powder with almost all my foundations and it gives a flawless finish and it works really well with my Body Shop BB cream as mentioned here.

Cost

As expected it is not particularly cheap but I would say it is well worth it and it lasts for a really long time. The older packaging costs £21.50 although I got it cheaper in Duty Free. The new packaging costs £23 which is a little more expensive but for the extra pennies, the packaging is fantastic and the quality is top notch.

Cons

The only thing I hated about the older packaging was that it had no mirror but the new packaging has one so I really have nothing to complain about any more except of course the price which I always moan about as expected.

New MSF Packaging vs Older MSF Packaging

Although I miss the previous version, I think this new packaging matches the quality of the powder much more. It is a sleek classic black packaging complete with a good sized mirror. It feels really luxurious just like other high end brands and I really like it. The mirror gets a little dirty with some powder particles every now and then but it's not unbearable. It does not have a click rather it has a magnetic invisible latch which secures the powder really well so no accidental spillage. However, I kinda like clicky packaging; I am weird I know :-).

Personal Thoughts

This is definitely my holy grail powder now because it ticks all the boxes for me especially now that it has a new sleek packaging. It now looks like a collectors item and I think I would be reluctant to return this via BACK to MAC for a free lipstick because it looks amazing and I would like to keep this even when the powder is long gone. 

Dudu Osun Review (African Black Soap)

If you are a regular reader of my FashStyleLiv (FSL for short-coined by my lovely friend Lamide..Hiya!!), you will know by now how much priority I give my skin because it is acne-prone and combination-oily whenever it pleases.  I am always on the haunt for skincare products that are inexpensive but effective. I got the Dudu Osun Soap during my trip to Nigeria and I have been using it ever since. Actually, my Mum gave this to me so I did not technically purchase it so Thank you Mum!! I am not a newbie to Dudu Osun because I used it back when I lived in Nigeria every now and then but I was not really into taking care of my skin as much as I do now.  Dudu Osun has recently become popular outside Nigeria, especially in the States and here in the UK and I can understand why; it’s a chunky lil' piece of natural goodness..

Background

Dudu Osun means “Black Soap” in Yoruba which is one of the major languages in Nigeria, my Home Country. Although Dudu Osun has been branded by Tropical Naturals Ltd, it has been around for a really long time. African Black Soap as it is popularly called is made by local people and sold in the markets wrapped in leaves or cellophane wraps. They are essentially made the same way but they are softer in texture and I don’t think they are easy to travel with or use as the branded one. But I have used both types and I can say they deliver the same results. The branded one is just shaped in a more solid bar/soap-like way which is much easier to handle.

Packaging

The packaging in itself is nothing special as you can tell but the soap is a proper bar which I have mentioned is definitely more solid than the local ones sold  in the markets. I like that the bar has a curve on the other side which makes it fit really nicely in the hands and easier to swipe it across your face. I have to say, this soap lasts for a really long time and I just started with my second bar since May which means the first bar lasted for almost three months although I use it only on my face and not my body. I store mine on the Gamila Secret Stone Soap Dish which helps drain the soap effectively and prevents it from looking and feeling messy. It also looks much nicer in this soap dish, don’t you think?

Formula

If you love using skincare with natural ingredients, say hi to your new BFF because Dudu Osun is as natural as it gets. It is enriched with Pure Honey , Shea Butter, Camwood (Osun), Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa Pod Ash, Palm Bunch Ash, Aloe Vera, Lime juice, water and fragrance. The original Africa Black Soap has no added fragrance which gives it its characteristic indigenous scent which is not as pleasant as the branded one but it is bearable.  Below are the skin benefits of some of the ingredients used:

Aloe Vera: Moisturizing properties, anti-acne and helps with sun burn.

Lime Juice: Anti-acne properties, lightens dark spots and anti-bacterial properties

Pure Honey: Helps with hyper pigmentation, anti-acne properties, reduces enlarged pores and nurtures sensitive, dull and matured skin

Shea Butter: Moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties while hydrating the skin

Camwood: Skin brightening properties, antibiotics and skin balancing properties

Palm Kernel Oil and Cocoa Pod Ash: Helps in the saponification of the soap but aid in natural exfoliating and lifting dirt and grease from the skin.

How I use it

I always do a double cleanse which means I remove my makeup first with either wipes, micellar water or a cream cleanser like the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish before cleansing my skin to nourish it. Since Summer, I prefer removing my makeup with a micellar water and the Garnier Micellar Water already hyped here is the best product for me. Next, I dampen my face with a splash of warm water and run the Dudu Osun soap under warm water then I use it across my face concentrating on my cheeks and forehead because that’s where I break out more often than not. I leave it on for a few minutes and rinse it off. I use this during the day and in the evenings although I use my No 7 Cleansing Brush with it in the evening and it’s amazing as it removes all dirt, grime and makeup traces left and leaves my skin really clean and smooth.

My experience

I am going to be honest, the first time I used this on my face, I felt it was on fire. It was itchy and felt super sting-ey and I could not even leave it on for two minutes. I rinsed it off immediately and I still felt the impact for a few minutes even after I rinsed it off. Then, I tried using it with my cleansing brush another day and Boy!! It was even worse; it was itchier and uncomfortable. However, I knew this was normal because it contains Lime juice and other natural ingredients so I did not expect anything less and I had also read a few reviews where people had the same experience. I persisted because my skin felt really nice afterwards and I could see a glow even after just one/two uses. After two-three days, my skin was able to tolerate it well with just the occasional itch/sting here and there and I now use it with my cleansing brush without any hassles. It is also worth noting that you must not allow this soap or its lather get into your eyes or else you would be sorry (speaking from experience, guys!!)  If you have sensitive skin, you may need to test it out slowly to get your skin accustomed to it but the results are so much worth it. I did not experience any breakouts or any untoward reactions with this soap. After each use, it is important to moisturise your skin effectively because this baby would strip your skin off all the moisture so much so that your skin feels quite taut, tight and dry. I remedy this with my Indeed Labs Retinol Cream which deserves its own review soon.  

Results

It goes without saying that sometimes our skin does not need too much to reset itself. Dudu Osun has transformed my skin especially when it comes to breakouts. Would you believe I had no form of breakout even when Mother Nature paid a visit? (I know, I know-very gross way to put it). I have also made some changes to my diet but I would say Dudu Osun has been instrumental on the skincare front and I have not stopped using it. I still love my Gamila Secret Cleansing Bar but it’s a little pricey compared to this one which is why I choose this over it. My breakouts have been reduced drastically. In respect to my dark blemishes, they are diminishing slowly but surely although I also use some other chemical exfoliants like Glycolic Acid and Retinol (interchangeably) to help with that.

 

Cons

1. It leaves your skin really dry and you would need to amp up your moisturising technique

2. It could feel quite itchy/stingy on the skin especially when you first start off with it; just try and persist for a few days and it’s well worth it.

3. However, if you have sensitive skin, it’s worth introducing it to your skin slowly to see if you can or cannot tolerate it

Cost

I already mentioned that this was given to me by my mum but it is really affordable. A pack of 6 costs an equivalent of £1.50 which is about N300-350 naira in Nigerian money and it can be found in many health and beauty supply shops . I am not sure how much a single bar costs but I am sure it is very affordable.  It can also be purchased on Amazon USA and Amazon UK for an equivalent amount and I think you can buy this in many African Shops in the States and in the UK. If you live outside of these places, I guess Amazon may be your best bet.

Final Thoughts

I love this soap and I am happy to say I no longer feel any itching whatsoever while using it. It is such a pleasure to use especially knowing you can get good results with this. My mum already sent me another pack of 6 because I don't want to run out of this soap but I am pretty sure all my supplies now will last me for a long time because one soap lasts at least 2-3 months if you limit it to just your face. I cannot recommend it enough. I hear it can also be used as a shampoo for natural hair and I can see why because it gives a good lather (it does not contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate if you are wondering) but I think I may need to deep condition my hair afterwards because it is very dry. I would update you all about my natural hair soon which by the way has grown a little although I have been very bad at caring for it; I am lazy...more on that soon..See you in my next post. Have you tried Dudu Osun Soap or any other African Black Soap?

Real Techniques Setting Brush Review

One of my favorite makeup brushes brand is Real Techniques because they have been tested and trusted by me and many others. I have dedicated a series of posts to a few reviews I have done here on the CoreCollection, Expert Face Brush and the Powder Brush. I love these brushes and I have been collecting them for a little while especially when Boots and Superdrug have any of their juicy offers. I already mentioned that Superdrug sells most of their RealTechniques Brushes for at least £2 cheaper so it is worth checking them out. However, the Real Techniques Setting Brush is one of the few brushes that was really hard for me to find in -tore. I was so desperate that I resorted to trying out Ebay to track it down. I purchased mine for £7.95 from Beautystore4u-UK and the delivery was quite fast; I was impressed.

Packaging

As expected with Real Techniques Brushes, it arrived in its own transparent plastic packaging which helps keep the brush in shape. It has pink and black details and it is one of the brushes that are sold separately (Thank God for that!!). It is quite a small brush compared to the other Real techniques brushes I own and it is really slim which is handy because it makes using it easy and breezy.

Bristles/Shedding/ Washing

Most, if not, all Real Techniques Brushes are really fluffy and I absolutely love it; the good thing is they stay fluffy regardless of how many times they are washed.  However, I think this is the fluffiest brush I own from the lot and I think this may be because it is smaller than the other brushes and the bristles are not too densely packed. The bristles are made of synthetic hairs and they are also vegan friendly. I have not experienced any shedding whatsoever and washing it is so easy. I actually just love washing this brush because it only needs one wash and everything comes off and it dries even quicker than most of my other brushes. Again, this may be due to its size and the way the bristles are shaped.

How I use it

The award for the best multi-tasking brush goes to *drum rolls* The Real Techniques Setting Brush. Honestly, the only thing I have not used this brush for is applying foundation and powder. Other than that, it has been used for pretty much everything.  The name suggests it is a setting brush and it can be used to set my under eye concealer  with a setting powder and it does this so beautifully because the bristles are ever so slightly pointed so it reaches the very hard to reach areas where many brushes fail to tackle. It works really well with my Sleek Concealer and Corrector Palette. I also use this to apply and blend out my concealer to hide the dark blemishes on my face and ohhh la la, it is just amazing!!! And yes!! I also use this to blend out any eye shadows applied to the crease of my eyes and it does the job really well; thanks to its unique fluffy shape. Lastly, I use this to contour with my Sleek Face Form Palette. Although I still use my original Real Techniques Contour Brush (from the Core Collection), I find that this is more precise and picks up the contour powder subtly which makes it easier to blend and look realistic. I just love this brush and I think it is definitely a must-have as it has many uses.

Cost

The price varies but I think its original price is £8.99 but you can definitely find it cheaper in other stores and if by any chance, Superdrug and Boots, stock it (in store) ever again then it is always good to wait till they have offers so you get more value for your buck.  Other suitable places to purchase this brush (prices start from £5.94) include Ebay, Amazon, Real Techniques website, Fragrance Direct and Feel Unique.

Cons

None for me except that it is really hard to find this in store because it is always sold out and I am not sure if it is even available online in Boots which is super annoying. However, I just saw that Superdrug have it online here for £7.99 so hurry up!!

Personal Thoughts

I think it goes without saying that I am obsessed and I am actually thinking of buying a back up of this just in case for some bizarre reasons they stop manufacturing this amazing brush. If you are looking for a perfect setting brush which is also multi-functional, look no further, your answer lies in the Real Techniques Setting Brush (yeah I know that sounded cheesy !!!; it's the RT setting brush effect J). See you in my next post...x