PP12: KATE Stick Concealer in Natural Beige

It’s Canadian Thanksgiving Day today! Happy Turkey Day to my fellow Canadians. Yes, we celebrate Thanksgiving way earlier than the US. Find out why here.  Onto regular programming – an update on Project Pan!
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KATE is a Japanese brand that I had some exposure to when I visited Hong Kong about 5 years ago.  It is owned by Kanebo, the conglomerate that also owns Lunasol and Sensai. KATE is their lower-end drugstore range. Today I’m showing the Stick Concealer in Natural Beige:
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I got interested in this product because people raved about how it is a cheaper alternative for the cult favourite Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer. For those not familiar with that – it is supposed to be The Concealer to End All Concealers.  It also has a hefty price tag to match – it costs $70 USD (approx C$90 at current exchange rate), while the KATE Stick Concealer costs only ¥1,000 (approx C$12.50) for 3.1g of product.  I was intrigued so I ordered this online in early 2014.

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Project Pan 12 Autumn 2016: Sephora Jumbo Liner in Brown

This is week 1 of the Project Pan collab.  If you’re not familiar with Project Pan, please check out my post last week introducing the concept.
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My first product is the Sephora Colorful Jumbo Liner 12 Hr Wear in 07 Brown:
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I bought this back in 2012 during holiday Boxing week sale. It came in a box of 5 colours and cost me C$16 for the set.

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Out with the Old, in with the New: LUSH Cream Eyeshadow in Sophisticated

I bought the LUSH Cream Eyeshadow in Sophisticated back in February.
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It was to replace another cream eye shadow that I’ve had for ages – I’ve had a chance to wear the LUSH eye shadow in various ways now, here’s a review and comparison between the two.

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Nars Kabuki Ita Brush and AliExpress Dupe

Finally, the post that many of you requested when I received my AliExpress order back in March. Here’s the comparison between the Nars Kabuki Ita Brush and the cheaper knock-off alternative. 😉
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• Nars Kabuki Ita Brush – C$70 (Sephora) Note: I paid around C$60 for mine about 5 years ago – shocking to see how the price has jumped.
• “Professionals Brand Kabuki Ita No 21 makeup brush” – C$2.74 (AliExpress)

(can you tell which one is which from the photo above?)

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Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation

Earlier this year, when I asked for suggestions for what to redeem for during the Optimum Points Redemption event, the Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation was a recommendation by Kazzmarie. I originally selected the shade 20 Classic Ivory, but then I was worried it was too light, so I exchanged it unopened for the next shade up, 25 Nude Beige.
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It normally retails for C$17.99 for 30ml.

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Back to MAC: Double Trouble Edition

A few weeks ago I asked for your suggestions for Back to MAC and I finally went this past weekend. I did not go alone though, I enlisted the help of Cat of MyLipAddiction.com, who I’ve officially named my Personal Lip Consultant (aka PLC). Since I had 12 empties, I originally thought about redeeming for 1 lipstick and 1 eye shadow. However, though events that will be explained later in the post, I redeemed for 2 lipsticks instead:
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The big reveal…

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Lip Oils: Clarins, Sephora, and Lancome

This is a post that was inspired by Polished and Inspired! I had shown 2 lip oils in my last favourites post and she asked of the lip oils that I own, which do I prefer most. That got me thinking – perhaps I should do a comparison post! Thanks for the blog post idea! 😉
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I own 3 lip oils which will be featured today, listed in the order in which I acquired them:
• Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in Honey
• Sephora Collection Oil Infusion Color & Care in 06 Bubbly Grenadine
• Lancôme Juicy Shaker in Berry in Love

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Too Faced Born This Way Concealer

I prioritized this review since this concealer is launching this month here in Canada.
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The official name of the concealer is Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer, and is an extension to the Born This Way Foundation.  I was able to purchase this in advance of the launch date during a pre-launch event. I’ve been wearing this concealer for the past 2 weeks in various conditions and trying different methods. Here are my thoughts.

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MAC Finally Free Lipstick (and MAC haul)

I thought I’d post this up asap since this lipstick is a fairly new release and an online exclusive item – some people might be curious about how this looks in “real” photos.  Here is the lipstick in Finally Free:
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I purchased this the day it launched (April 7th – the same day that the VIB sale started! It was a busy day of online shopping) but it took 10 frustrating days for me to get my hands on the parcel (grrr courier services that don’t actually deliver!)

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AliExpress Brush Dupes: MAC Oval 6

I bought a bunch of brushes off AliExpress on January 30th and have been patiently waiting for them to be delivered for the past couple of months.  Finally, the packages started trickling in mid-March and I received my final parcel last week.  Here is the Real Techniques Bold Metals set:
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And here are the “dupes” next to the real thing:
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Overall? I’m REALLY impressed with what I received! 😀  Today I’ll review and compare the MAC Oval 6 brush dupe.

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