Product Reviews - Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Make-Up Brushes

After I got hold of my Sigma brushes a few weeks back, I decided that I needed MORE colorful make-up brushes to complete my make-up kit, so I decided to go back on the hunt! I didn't want to get anything too pricey, and I'm a HUGE fan of make-up brushes that come in sets, I think its more functional and complete that way! So, I gave the Real Techniques brushes a shot!

Just recently, they arrived in a nice big box!

My Real Techniques Brush Haul!

I sourced their website for a good hour before deciding that I wanted to get the three different sets available, namely the Travel Essentials, Starter, and the Core Collection set! The individual brushes were great as well, but I felt like the sets were more bang for their buck!

A bigger picture- Left to Right; Travel Essential, Starter, and Core Collection Sets

About the Brushes

1. Ultra-plush taklon bristles for high-definition results
2. Extended aluminum ferrules for light, easy use
3. Brush names for quick reference
4. Self-standing bases* for countertop display
5. Panoramic brush cases included with sets for travel or display

Travel Essentials Set - On Location

Multi Task Brush - for effortless application of powder, blush and bronzer

Essential Foundation Brush - to build flawless custom coverage with liquid foundation or concealer

Domed Shadow Brush - tapered design smoothly shades and defines eyes

Starter Set - Your Eyes Enhanced

Left to Right: 1.Deluxe Crease Brush, 2. Base Shadow Brush, 3. Accent Brush, 4. Pixel-Point Eyeliner Brush, 5. Brow Brush

1. Deluxe Crease Brush - Soft, oversized design for effortless eye contouring

2. Base Shadow Brush - Applies a smooth flawless foundation of color

3. Accent Brush - Designed for precision detailing, spotlighting, highlighting and smudging

4. Pixel Point Eyliner Brush - Tapered Cut ideal for dense or fine eyeliner application

5. Brow Brush - Distinctive Shape easily defines eyebrows

Core Collection Set - Your Base/ Flawless

Left to Right: 1. Contour Brush, 2. Pointed Foundation Brush, 3. Detailer Brush, 4. Buffing Brush

1. Contour Brush - delicately applies highlighter to contour or create sheer, soft-focus finish

2. Pointed Foundation Brush - use with liquid foundation to build custom coverage

3. Detailer Brush - Precision Cut to effortlessly conceal problem areas, or use with lipstick for long lasting shape and definition

4. Buffing Brush - Ideal for full coverage application of powder and mineral foundation

The brush sets also came in their own cases, which I found was a bonus, as these cases could stand on their own and create a exhibition-like feel!

Stand-alone Fold-able Case for great display!

Extremely convenient, I can fold them away compact into my bag when I need to be on the run, and put them back out on display when I need to use them! The cases and brush-rolls I currently own all don't have this multi-purpose ability, hence, these brush sets get a plus point from me! :)

Real Techniques Brushes can be found on their website www.realtechniques.com, or locally at www.realtechniques.com.sg. You may also find it at international website www.iherb.com. :)

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave your feedback. :)

Product Reviews - NEW Make Up For Ever HD Powder Packaging

Recently I was invited to the new re-launch of Make Up For Ever High Definition Loose Powder in its new improved packaging. As always, I was excited to go for their product demonstration/lesson, hence I didn't put on any make-up at all before heading down; a rare sight!

Product Demonstration on my face by MUFE Artist Didi, using MUFE HD Primer and the new and improved MUFE HD Powder!

From the event, the lovely people at Make Up For Ever gave me a little HD goodie bag with stuff to try out on my own at home: HD Primer (SGD $67), HD Microfinish Puff (SGD $15), HD Powder (SGD $57), Kabuki Brush (SGD $85)

Click to enlarge!

Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Powder (SGD $57)

Make Up For Ever Kabuki Brush (SGD $85)

Close Up of the MUFE Kabuki Brush, Super Soft Synthetic Bristles; feels just like animal hair minus the cruelty!

MUFE Microfinish Powder Puff (SGD $15)

HOW TO USE MUFE HD POWDER WITH THE PUFF OR KABUKI BRUSH:

Click to enlarge!

MUFE HD Primer #5 (SGD $67)

One of the best primers I've tried so far. Even my 2-way powder makeup stays on the whole day with this miracle product! I'm currently using #7, a slightly pinkish shade.

The effect of MUFE HD Primer #5 with flash: More glowy skin and a less yellow undertone!

The new and improved MUFE HD Powder Packaging:

MUFE HD Powder in the new PATENTED packaging: larger width and a built in sifter!

The NEW and IMPROVED packaging comes slightly wider jar-width for practical use and a tailor made sifter to prevent product fall-outs and wastage, so that application is easy, clean and economical! I've had experience whereby my HD Powder in the old packaging would go all over the place because there was no sifter, and the smaller packaging was handy, just that my fat powder brush couldn't swivel around in it! With the new packaging, I can easily use my fat powder brushes and dip them in the jar without making a huge mess, and before I shut the cap tight, dust off any excess product to keep neat!

MUFE HD Powder in the old packaging: It is slightly harder to control the amount of product that comes out!

MUFE HD Powder capped after opening: Powder falls out due to excess product!

As seen in the first photo of this blogpost, MUFE Artist Didi was doing a demonstration on me using products from the MUFE HD Range, whilst doing a fantastic job at teaching me the steps on how to use the products on my own face. You too can learn more about how to do so by attending MUFE's 30 minute quick and easy classes!

For bookings, call 83810760 to ask for your personalised class!

Make Up For Ever HD Complexion Range can be found at these locations.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave your feedback. :)

HAUL - Sigma Beauty Make Me Blush Travel Brush Kit

A few weeks back, I was crawling the internet and I decided to check out the much raved about Sigma brushes! I've heard from a number of friends about these brushes, how they are worth their buck and are totally functional, so I decided to purchase a set for myself!

SIGMA Beauty Make Me Blush Travel Kit (USD $65 + approx USD $20 shipping to SG)

I ordered the Make Me Blush Travel Kit, seeing that the entire set was in PINK, and I am a sucker for anything in that color! The fact that it came with a nice cup-like holder made it more appealing as well, as I would be able to ensure that my brushes won't get squashed in my huge make-up luggage when I go for jobs!

Waiting for the brushes to arrive was an excruciating two weeks after I ordered from SIGMA's website, but when they did, I was jumping for joy! I clearly recall getting out of bed at 2 a.m in the morning to go to the bathroom, and when I saw the white parcel on my table, I turned on all the lights in my room, ripped it open in excitement, and couldn't fall asleep for the rest of the night. I was THAT excited about these PINK brushes!

The Sigma Beauty Make Me Blush Travel Kit was specially designed for a fun yet functional makeup application. This kit contains seven travel-size brushes from the best-selling SIGMA Essential Kit. The brushes come in an innovative and functional container that turns into two brush holders to keep you stylish and organized on the go.

Brushes included:

  

F30 - Large Powder: Even powder application. Uniform blending of powder products onto the face and body.

F60 - Foundation: Smooth foundation application. Apply liquid or cream products such as foundation and primer.

E40 - Tapered Blending: Soft blended crease. Using just the tips to apply color, sweep back and forth through the crease for a diffused and blended finish.

E55 - Eye Shading: Even application of color. Place color across the whole lid for an even and strong application of product.

E65 - Small Angle: Create precise lining. Moves fluidly and easily across the upper and lower lash lines. Use with gel, cream or powder liners.

E30 - Pencil: Soften and smoke out lines. Soften pencil liners along the top and bottom lash lines, add shadow to line the eyes or use to highlight inner corner of eyes.

F40 - Large Angled Contour: Subtle cheek application. Use the angle to softly contour the cheekbone. Can also be used to apply blush.

I had a make-up and hair job the following day after I got the brushes, and I went crazy using ALL of them! It was a breeze to control, was soft to the skin, and I felt so happy whenever I looked at those PINK brushes! Here was the look I came up with!

Super fine make-up application, all using SIGMA's Make Me Blush Travel Kit!

SIGMA brushes come in professional sets, as well as individually. You can check them out here on their website at www.sigmabeauty.com. Shop away my beauty addicts, don't forget to get a brush or two in your favourite colour! 

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave your feedback.

Product Reviews - NEW Marc Anthony Dream Waves Amplifying Collection

Just yesterday, I received a package from the lovely people at Marc Anthony True Professional, and initially, I was wondering what on earth was in the parcel!

 

I ripped it open as soon as I got home, and to my surprise, this was what I saw!

 

A thermo-bag with a plastic yellow hibiscus hairclip attached to the straps!

 

I zipped open the bag, and in it was the NEW Dream Waves Amplifying Collection from Marc Anthony True Professional!

 

Left: Dream Waves Sulfate Free Amplifying Shampoo (250ml, SGD $19.90), Center: (My FAV!) Dream Waves Beach Spray (125ml, SGD $21.90), Right, Dream Waves Sulfate Free Amplifying Conditioner (250ml, SGD $19.90)

 

Achieve fresh from the beach, tousled waves anytime, anywhere:

 

Start with AMPLIFYING SHAMPOO and CONDITIONER to prepare your hair for a full day of volume and texture. The hidden treasure, special CONDITIONING polymers to help add BODY to limp hair, create an EXTRA WAVY bounce and BLOCK HUMIDITY for longer lasting style. Hydrolyzed Silk and Provitamin B5 add MOISTURE and HIGH SHINE.

 

Follow with the old times favourite, BEACH SPRAY. It creates natural effortless, beach hair worn loose, soft and wavy. It adds body and texture to straight, fine strands, or pumps up the curl in already wavy hair. Hydrolyzed Silk and Provitamin B5 add MOISTURE and HIGH SHINE. Powerful UV Protectors absorb UV light to protect from harmful sun exposure, dehydration and color-fade. You're left with manageable, touchable, waves. Spray evenly all over damp or dry hair, scrunch it to boost its volume, texture, and wave. For maximum fullness and bounce, blow-dry with a diffuser while scrunching.

 

Marc Anthony True Professional Dream Waves Sulfate-Free Amplifying Shampoo (250ml, SGD$19.90)

 

The moment I got the products, I immediately tried them out as I'm personally a HUGE fan of volume. I love hair that's full of volume and texture, and I was curious to see how these products would work on my hair! The shampoo had a pearly sheen, and the texture was smooth, and it thoroughly cleansed out my hair in just one wash, no residue was left but one thing was, it did get my hair a little tangled! Which was expected, due to the fact that I was supposed to use a conditioner that came along with it.

 

Marc Anthony True Professional Dream Waves Sulfate-Free Amplifying Conditioner (250ml, SGD$19.90)

 

The conditioner was a dream to use. It was opaque white, and was rich in natural oils that were good for your tresses! It, along with the shampoo, smelt like fresh coconuts and salt water mixed, so I felt like I was on the beach whilst washing my hair! It smoothed out all the tangles I had, and didn't have the heavy silicone feel at all.

 

Dream Waves Beach Spray (125ml, SGD $21.90)

 

Lastly, I spritzed on a tiny bit of Dream Waves Beach Spray in my hair to get it to texture up! Words cannot express how much I love this product. I have two right now, as I stock up on it to use on my clients and jobs all the time! From my memory, I've repurchased this product close to six times, as I use it up so quickly! The one without the cap in the photo is evidently an old bottle, so I was esctatic to be able to receive another bottle again in the package!

 

It smells heavenly, like coconuts and the sea, and it does wonders for flat limp hair. I flat-iron my hair on a daily basis, so I always end up with a flat head of pin straight hair. But, with this product, my hair looks blow-dried, full of volume and texture just the way I love it!

 

I've tried this product out on a client of mine sometime back, and here were the results of a curling tong and some of this miracle Dream Waves Beach Spray!

 

Bouncy, Textured, Separated Curls, from Flat Straight Hair!

 

Here is a photo collage of my hair once I was done with using the Marc Anthony Dream Waves Amplifying Collection!

 

Straight hair, that is full of volume, body and texture, despite using a flat iron! Looks like I got my hair professionally blown out at a salon! Love it.

 

Marc Anthony True Professional retails exclusively at Watsons Singapore. To find a Watson's store near you, click HERE!

 

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave your feedback! :)

Hair, Make-Up & Grooming Workshop - Collaboration with Calibre Models & Mothership

Just last week, I was invited to conduct a hair, make-up and grooming workshop in collaboration with Jason of CALIBRE models in view of self-improvement for youths. The entire workshop was for Mothership, a local company aimed at grooming the youths of today into better people of the future. It was indeed a fun and enriching experience, both for the students of the course and for myself as well!

The model for the day, Andrea, also a freelance writer, decided to do a little write-up on the course as well! But first, and foremost, here are some photos taken by Darras, the photographer of the day, during the course!

The amazing view from the classroom!

Students listening intently: Theory portion of the basic make-up and hair syllabus!

Demonstration on Andrea!

More theoretical explanations during the demo!

And the demo continues!

Question & Answer!

Students hard at work: taking down notes like they should! :D

And, here is freelance writer/ model Andrea's take on the entire course! :)

The Essentials of Grooming

Written by Andrea Bruchwitz

The first impression is just a quick glance but it can decide about your next career step. According to researchers the first seven seconds are crucial, so your nonverbal appearance should impress your future boss, supervisor or client immediately.

Especially for models and talents it is important to win over the client with an outstanding outward appearance, so it’s good to know all about grooming and presenting the most perfect version of yourself. Jason Tan, the head of CALIBRE MODELS, initiated a grooming course last Tuesday, teaching young talents about the most important skills.

First, the class was taught basic knowledge about different skin tones and appropriate make-up styles for castings. Make-up artist Andy Razali, who has been working in the beauty industry for seven years, underlined the importance of a fresh, healthy look. He showed several techniques to create shining eyes, pure skin and a nice face contour. It was a great pleasure to assist him as a make-up model for the course, so he could demonstrate the theoretical knowledge step by step on my face. The young talents were impressed by the immediate awakening effect of highlighter and bronzer, additionally Andy answered all their questions about applying mascara and finding the perfect eye shade tone. As an experienced model I could also share my experience about a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition habits.  

The second part of the grooming class was all about hair styling. Andy gave valuable insights about different face shapes and appropriate hair styling techniques for all of them. In an interactive game the talents had to determine each other’s characteristics and suggest matching haircuts. Especially for people in the fashion and beauty industry it is essential to have perfect hair and will finally determine if you get the job or not.

After the grooming session Jason shared his profound experience about body language and initiated a test interview with a challenging jury: Andy and me. The talents had to introduce themselves appropriately and cope with our unexpected catch questions. Finally the attendants left the course with a brochure including the most important information and I gave them my most helpful advice: “You really have to want this job. It starts in your mind, so put your heart in it and you will get it.”

 

The entire course was a success, all the students learnt loads about personal care, and the science behind hair and make-up, and presentation. Even the boys who attended the lesson were glued and attentive, I was pleasantly shocked! :D

For more details regarding hair, make-up and grooming workshops, feel free to contact me at andyandweave@gmail.com! Thanks for reading! :)

Celebrity - Hairdo for Hayley Westenra

A few days back, I was engaged to do hair for Hayley Westenra, an established Kiwi singer from New Zealand, for her big charity concert with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. This marked the second time Hayley has engaged me to do her hair for her Singapore-based events, I was truly honored! Seeing her elegant and poised personality, I immediately knew what hairdo suited her that evening: a greek goddess look! Here are some photos!

Celebrity - Hairdo for Hayley Westenra 

A greek-goddess inspired look for Hayley: Concert with the SSO! :)

I realised I haven't posted photos or videos of the previous time I did hair for Hayley during the David Foster & Friends Concert in Nov 2012, so here they are!

Hairdo for Hayley: David Foster & Friends Concert Nov 2012

Photos with the stars: Dirty Loops, Paul Young, and lovely Hayley! 

Here are some videos of Hayley in the hairdos I have done for her in the past years during her time in Singapore, for various interviews and stage shows:

Thanks for reading! For more updates, follow me on Instagram: @andyrazali or my Facebook Fanpage! :)