Review on Sleek MakeUP True Colour Lipstick

Don’t get fooled by its short stubby packaging – this lipstick is just as long as any other product. When compared side by side with other lipsticks that were slightly used, you can really see that they are just the same in length. And I compared this with a Mac lipstick as well: they have approximately the same product size but the Mac has a thinner tube of the actual product. So you actually get more out of the Sleek lipstick than a Mac lipstick.

Formula:

Cherry is a highly pigmented lip color and as such, I don’t need to slide it on my lips – I simply pat it on. Checking it online, I was expecting it to be of a much darker color, but when applied, it registers just a slightly dark shade of red. I love the formula though: satin finish and non-drying. Don’t worry, it does not move. You won’t have any problems of getting the Joker lips (think Batman’s nemesis) after drinking from a glass.

Naked 785 is also of satin finish and non-drying. The only problem I had with this is that the color does not suit my medium tone skin. To me, it looks like I kissed a mocha cake and I just look so washed out. So because I have no issues with the formula, I just combine it with dark-colored lip products and I get a different type of nude shade each time.

Here they are compared side by side with other lipsticks, from Left: Sleek Cherry (used twice), Rimmel Lasting Finish 08 (new and never been used), Maybelline ColorSensations POW1, Sleek Naked (used 4x).

 See how thin the Mac lipstick's actual product is versus the Sleek lipstick?

Sleek is so short, look how it compares to other brands when placed in a row:

Here below is a side by side comparison with Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate in the shade 08. You can really see that the Sleek lipstick is even longer but they have the same thickness.

Would I recommend these lipsticks? Yes! For the price of PhP598.50 per lipstick (and I even got Naked for only PhP218.55 during a 35% off Saturday night), I must say these are above their game! Currently, Luxola sells the lipstick for PhP601 per tube so be on the lookout for their limited time offers because that’s when you get a lot of great deals.

Update as of 01 December 2015: Sleek is now available in the Philippines. I saw their booth at the SM Makati Beauty Section. The True Colour Lipsticks retail for PhP425 (cheaper than luxola.com).

Review of Sleek Blush By 3 Palette

One of the blushes that I have fallen in love quite recently is the Sleek Blush By 3 Palette.  I bought the shade Lace 367 at Luxola.com for PhP734.50 together with other Sleek items.

I love this product because it is a travel pack – very sleek yet very sturdy. It also packs on 3 colors which are all my go-to blush colors: Chantilly (Orange), Guipure (Rose with gold shimmer), and Crochet (Dark apricot shade).

I also like this because it somehow takes away the need to bring a highlighter. Guipure may not be comparable to your favorite highlighter but it is enough to bring in some glow to my cheeks. And besides, when I travel, I usually do not need a lot of shimmer, especially for corporate events.

The product is a bit powdery but not chalky. It also brings a lot of pigment on your second tap of the brush. I am surprised that the color doesn’t come out until the second time I dip the brush on the palette and pat it on my cheeks, but it does so in a suddenly intense way so I am not complaining.
I would definitely recommend this palette. I have never suffered any breakouts on this one which I used for a 6-day trip. I really like it because I don’t get bored with it: I can combine all colors or use one color each day. I also feel like these shades go with most of the eye makeup looks I create.

A dupe for this is the BYS trio blush, the photos are shown below and the review may be found in this LINK.

Update as of 01 December 2015: Sleek is now available in the Philippines. I saw their booth at the SM Makati Beauty Section. The Blush by 3 palettes retail for PhP875 (more expensive than luxola.com).

Review on Tory Burch Lipstick

I got the opportunity to test Tory Burch lipstick in the shade Scoundrel, just to see if this is worth the money. It was not mine, I just borrowed it! :-P Yes, I was that interested but I did not want to spend on something I may regret.

I believe I used this on a Monday which is the day when my lips are usually dry. This is because I rarely ever wear any lip products over the weekend and so by Monday, my lips will usually be craving the use of any balm or lip gloss. I was so prepared to feel the tugging on my lips as soon as I apply this product, but no! There was none of that feeling. It actually glides smoothly and with that very very slight creamy feeling, but not tacky or heavy. It is a non-drying formula that actually hydrates the lips in a non-sticky way.

Hats off to the packaging, it really is fancy and that combination of gold and orange just screams Tory Burch to me. The top of the box is where you can find the color and below the photo shows the sticker of the shade called Scoundrel 05. Scoundrel is a slightly dark brick red color with a satin finish. Scoundrel, being a dark red color, never gave me any problems of it moving outside the lines of my lips. I never really use lip liners so I pretty much was able to test it in those terms.

The Tory Burch emblem is engraved at the top of the actual lip product, that it feels such a waste to use it :-P I mean, after a while, for sure the TB logo will be gone, but then I know I am just overreacting since this is not mine anyways!! Hahaha

I hope you can appreciate the color much better in the photo below. I have read some comments at online shops saying the other shades come in sheer formula. For  lipstick this fancy, it is really not acceptable if the formula turns out to be sheer, but the color Scoundrel is not. It is opaque and it really covers my lips with color, without the need to put a lot. It is very pigmented and not even once did I feel like it lacks the color I was expecting it to have on my lips.

Tory Burch Lip Color is available at www.beautymnl.com for PhP1,700 per tube. Would I recommend you to buy it? The formula is very good, but I am sure you can find it in other lipstick brands that are below PhP1700 per piece. However, if you want to keep one fancy-looking lipstick in your purse for special occasions, this is a nice thing to have. I must admit I do like the packaging and it is like one of those eye-catching things that can bring in the conversation!

Review on the Sleek iDivine Ultra Mattes V2 Darks Palette

Like my earlier post about the Sleek iDivine Storm Palette, I will say this in general about iDivine Palettes:

The color pay off of Sleek iDivine's are not bad at all and they can even stay long even without primer. With any primer, the Sleek iDivine's will not move even after your workout. BUT, a big but: they are not Urban Decay's. A mere touch of an Urban Decay eyeshadow is enough to make your day happy with its impeccable true to color shades and amazing blendability. The Sleek iDivine's however, will not blow your socks off like how Urban Decay does, but they are divine enough to be on top when it comes to other brands within their price point.

Price-wise: Sleek iDivine's are amazingly affordable. You get 12 shades for only PhP733.00 (Yes! That's less than USD20.00).

Side by Side with the Urban Decay Naked 1 Palette and the Lorac Pro Palette, it is tiny. So, sorry to burst your bubble, but the pictures online can be a bit mouth-watering. The actual palette is small (well, to be fair, it is sleek), so you gotta level your expectations versus the amount you pay for. At PhP733, accept that it is a small palette but giving you quite a bunch of different shades in a good formula.

Here below is a photo side by side with the Lorac Pro and the Urban Decay Naked 1 Palettes:

Moving on to the actual palette, below are my likes and dislikes :)

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS PALETTE
1. The dark shades (9 out 12) can be really pigmented. A little goes a long way with this palette! If you also happen to put a primer that dries way too fast, make sure to blend these eyeshadows as soon as a dot of the product comes into contact with your skin. Otherwise, you will have a hard time blending all that pigment.

2. It has a buttery, almost black shade called noir which allows for a standard smokey look.
3. Orbit is a bluegreen shade located at the topmost left corner and is by far the BEST shade in this palette. It is the kind that is unique in its color: a dark shade that is vibrant, and is the most alive blue green shade I have ever had. For a matte eyeshadow, this is just wow!

4. Formula-wise: Thumbs up for buttery texture and smooth application.
5. There is no fall out in my experience. These eyeshadows can hold up pretty good. I tested this with a primer but subjected to 1 hour of cardio workout, and it did not move at all. As in at all.
6. The packaging is true to its name: Sleek. It is thin and it is sturdy. I mean I won't put it on my check-in baggage in the plane and will definitely bring it on hand carry, but it sure feels durable.

7. The mirror is as big as the palette itself so you can really work on your eyemakeup.

8. I love how each box tells you what iDivine palette it is and you don't have a generic Sleek iDivine Box for all the palettes.

WHAT I DON'T LIKE ABOUT THIS PALETTE
1. The light shades do not come out, at least in my medium and yellow-toned skin. Flesh (2nd from top right) and Dune (3rd from lower left) are colors that I just cannot see on my lids. Pillow Talk (white shade on rightmost top corner) takes a lot of work and is almost sheer at first swatch. To be fair with Flesh, if I use it on my lids and contrast it with a darker shade on the outer corners, I can see a difference: It looks like it does not have makeup but it looks bright and even-toned. But again, not enough to make me say wow.

2. The palette cannot stand alone. It is a nice matte palette but I cannot create a nice eye makeup with just this palette. I would still look for a separate beige or transition tone. Therefore, I cannot bring just this palette for travel.

3. The purple shade called Highness (3rd from upper left) is not true to color and therefore not as vibrant as you would expect. You can make this stand out by putting on some white eye shadow base prior to applying Highness on the lids. Without a creamy white (or brightening) base, Highness comes off just like a dark eggplant on my medium + yellow-toned skin.

4. Thunder is a very nice true to color gray shade but surprisingly, for a dark shade, it is not as pigmented.

5. The applicator that comes with it is not something I would use to apply my makeup. To be fair, it can be a good touch up applicator when on the plane. I just don't think these sponge tip applicators will last as long as the palette or as much as I can deplete the eyeshadows, so you might as well take it out and replace with a more reliable brush applicator that will fit the slot allotted for it.
6. The names of the eyeshadows are listed on the protective transparent film. If you lose this sheet, the eyeshadow names are nowhere in the palette, not even at the back.

So the verdict: I am not in awe of this palette but if you are the type who:
1. Likes using one or 2 shades only
2. Can work on mainly dark mattes
then this palette is for you.

I purchased this product online at Luxola.com. With a minimum order for PHL residents of PhP1,300, delivery is free!

Update as of 01 December 2015: Sleek is now available in the Philippines. I saw their booth at the SM Makati Beauty Section. The iDivine eyeshadow palettes retail for PhP695 (cheaper than luxola.com).

Review on the Sleek iDivine Storm Palette

I have been really staring at the iDivine eyeshadow palettes by Sleek Makeup for more than a month and it was a really hard decision to pick just a few palettes. I have been trying to discipline myself with makeup purchases since I obviously have a lot that I can finish. So a month ago, I finally decided on purchasing some Sleek Makeup products and I will be reviewing them separately since I feel like each one I bought had a lot of substance on its own.

I bought the following Sleek Makeup products from Luxola.com:
1. iDivine Storm Palette
2. iDivine Ultra Mattes V2 Darks Palette
3. True Color Lipstick in Cherry 790
4. True Color Lipstick in Naked 785
5. Blush by 3 Palette in Lace

I have completed all reviews for each of the items mentioned, so you can hover over the names and click on the link. Doing so will take you to the review. For now, this page is dedicated to item #1: The Storm Palette.

How did I get to know this palette? I heard it mentioned many times by fleurdeforce on youtube, and while I was searching through online makeup shops, I stumbled upon Luxola, and inside Luxola, I stumbled upon this brand. I was quite delighted to try Sleek, being a cult brand in the UK, known for its affordability with an exciting vibe and and long-lasting formula. Fleur only talked about Storm Palette in her videos so it was a must that I try this first.

First of all, for anyone trying to post reviews on the online shops or on their blogs saying these Sleek iDivine eyeshadow palettes are neck and neck with Urban Decay? I would straight away be honest and tell you they are not as good. UD's are still a lot better than Sleek. The color pay off of Sleek iDivine's are not bad at all and they can even stay long even without primer. With any primer, the Sleek iDivine's will not move even after your workout. BUT, a big but: they are not Urban Decay's. A mere touch of an Urban Decay eyeshadow is enough to make your day with its impeccable true to color shades and amazing blendability. The Sleek iDivine's however, will not blow your socks off like how Urban Decay does, but they are divine enough to be on top when it comes to other brands within their price point.

Price-wise: Sleek iDivine's are amazingly affordable. You get 12 shades for only PhP733.00 (Yes! That's less than USD20.00).

Side by Side with the Urban Decay Naked 1 Palette and the Lorac Pro Palette, it is tiny. So, sorry to burst your bubble, but the pictures online can be a bit mouth-watering. The actual palette is small (well, to be fair, it is sleek), so you gotta level your expectations versus the amount you pay for. At PhP733, accept that it is a small palette but giving you quite a bunch of different shades in a good formula.

Here below is a photo side by side with the Lorac Pro and the Urban Decay Naked 1 Palettes:

What do I love about the Storm Palette?
1. It is a stand alone palette composed of mattes and shimmers. You can absolutely travel with just this palette. I brought this palette to a travel test and I was not disappointed. For 6 full days, I was able to create 6 different looks and I have never felt deprived of any color, like I was not at all feeling like "oh I should have brought this or that eye shadow".
2. You can make both a daytime and a nighttime look.
3. I really love the bright shimmer shades because they bring you a nice youthful and vibrant eye look. They also come out really nicely on the lids: nothing disappointing when trying to bring out the color. The shades I love the most are actually the lighter shades in this palette and it would be Sand Storm (golden brown shimmer), Snow Storm (champagne shimmer), Thunder Storm (gold shimmer), and Perfect Storm (rose gold shimmer).

4. The dark eyeshadows are really pigmented, and best of all it has a black eye shadow called Blackout. The dark shimmers are Dust Storm (bronze shimmer), Gathering Storm (gray shimmer with some hints of blue and it is actually lovely because I can see some little hints of green as well), Storm Cloud (moss green shimmer), Electric Storm (midnight blue shimmer). Storm Cloud being quite dark and mossy can double as an eyeliner too, aside from Blackout.

5. The transition colors are the perfect shades! Calm Before The Storm is a matte light beige shade and Eye of the Storm is a dark brown matte. Just the right colors you need to tone down some shades or to blend the colors together.

6. Formula-wise: Thumbs up for buttery texture and smooth application.

7. The matte eyeshadows (except for blackout), are just perfectly pigmented: not overly pigmented and not lacking -- they are just right. It is like being on a break-even for the price you pay for versus the amount of color you will get out of it.

8. The shimmers pack a LOT of color, both the brights and the darks.

9. There is no fall out in my experience. These eyeshadows can hold up pretty good. I tested this Storm Palette on a humid day, with and without airconditioning and although it is not a gym setup where I would sweat like crazy, I must say the Storm iDivine holds up really good. And even better without primer. With a primer, there is a lot of separation on the eyeshadow once the oils in my eyelids come out. So I tested it without a primer and it kinda works better and looks a lot more naturally faded.

10. The packaging is true to its name: Sleek. It is thin and it is sturdy. I mean I won't put it on my check-in baggage in the plane and will definitely bring it on hand carry, but it sure feels durable.

11. The mirror is as big as the palette itself so you can really work on your eyemakeup.

12. I love how each box tells you what iDivine palette it is and you don't have a generic Sleek iDivine Box for all the palettes.






What I don't like about this palette:

1. The top finish of the packaging can get really messy with powdery hands or some product transfer.

2. The applicator that comes with it is not something I would use to apply my makeup. To be fair, it can be a good touch up applicator when on the plane. I just don't think these sponge tip applicators will last as long as the palette or as much as I can deplete the eyeshadows, so you might as well take it out and replace with a more reliable brush applicator that will fit the slot allotted for it.
3. Fire Storm, the brown reddish shimmer on the top right corner is not as vibrant as I expected. It is not a true to color shade. This is the only shade that disappointed me out of all the eyeshadows in this palette. But one out of 12 is not so bad, I can actually shake it off.
4. The names of the eyeshadows are listed on the protective transparent film. If you lose this sheet, the eyeshadow names are nowhere in the palette, not even at the back.

So if you are looking for a beginner iDivine Palette from Sleek, I really recommend you try the Storm Palette. It is a great buy and it can give a variety of eye makeup looks both for the beginner or for the seasoned.

Update as of 01 December 2015: Sleek is now available in the Philippines. I saw their booth at the SM Makati Beauty Section. The iDivine eyeshadow palettes retail for PhP695 (cheaper than luxola.com).

My Travel Makeup Kit

What makeups do I bring when I travel? I used to bring my Naked Palette every time I travel because I always want to look good, but sadly after some luggage mishaps, I have learned to stick with the basics and those brands that I can replace easily - both in terms of availability in malls or online shops, and second, which is very important: in terms of affordability.

Eyes
a. Eyeshadow
I need a palette that can stand alone. This means it should be able to create not just a low-key or daytime look but also a possible formal evening or party look. So the basic colors should be browns, taupes, creams and for the evening, it better include a matte black and some good shimmery shades.

b. Eyeliner
I am not a fan of eyeliners when I travel. This is something I can yield as long as I already have a black eyeshadow.

c. Mascara
I bring any mascara that I am planning to deplete, and do not care for waterproof or water-resistant formulas. Travelling is the only way for me to use something that I have almost forgotten.

Face
Concealer
This is important because I usually get blemishes for a week-long trip. It could be caused by the water, a kind of food I ate, missing to bring my sure shot skin care products, or maybe caused by some dirt I picked up while travelling. Whatever the reason, a concealer can just be the magic I need. I also use a concealer that doubles as a foundation and comes in a solid formula that I can bring in my carry-on bag. A good example is the Naturactor solid foundation and concealer. A dedicated review on this product is in this LINK.

Blush
I always bring a pink and/or a coral blush. These 2 shades never fail and work with most eyeshadow looks I make. Pinks will go with almost anyone and corals will go with medium warm tones. Better if I can bring a blush palette in a sleek packaging that comes in a shimmer and a matte shade inside, so this doubles as a highlighter too.

BB Cream/Tinted Moisturizer
The plane ride can dry my skin a lot, so I combat this by wearing a BB cream or a tinted moisturizer instead of just a foundation. Anyways, I have a reliable erase paste in the form of a solid foundation/concealer so I can still have flawless skin all throughout the travel week.

Lips
I bring one lip gloss and one lipstick. That's it. The lip gloss should definitely be able to soften my lips. And the lipstick should be a combination shade of pink and coral, again that is the shade that suits most of my eye looks, whether low-key or dark smokey eyes.

Brush
These are my travel essentials. I absolutely have to bring 9-10 types of brushes and they are most definitely the ones I cannot purchase from just anywhere. The makeups I can surely find quick replacements for if I left anything that should have been in my travel kit, but the brushes? Oh dear, they are quite hard to find when you are travelling. So I keep the following with me on all of my travels (from left):

1. A tiny stippling brush for pushing your tinted moiturizer into the skin
2. A pointed foundation brush
3. A buffing brush
4. A double ended brush - one side for targeted eyeshadow application on the corners of your eyes, the other one for application on to the eyelids.
5. A stiff angled brush for the concealer application.
6. A much thicker angled brush for eyeshadow application and the eyeshadow doubling as eyeliner as well using this brush.
7. A double-ended brush: one end as a blending brush for your eyeshadows and the other, a dome-shaped brush for patting on light, matte eyeshadows on to the lids.
8. A small detailer brush - just in case you need an extra tiny brush for the eyes.
9. Kabuki brush - which is also my everyday brush in the purse, used to powder my T-zone and apply the powder blush and highlighter.
10. Contour brush - just in case I have plans of contouring using an eyeshadow (yes I do not bring my big Bronze Goddess contour compact).

If you are asking me which ones I can let go out of the 10 brushes, it would be numbers 2, 3, and 8, just in case I still need to reduce the items in my hand carry. Don't ge me wrong, I super love my Real Techniques buffing brush, but if I need to let it go, my Ellana Kabuki brush and my no brand tiny stippling/flat top brush join forces as the substitute. But these brushes are so thin, I usually just bring all 10. And these are just 10 out of the many, so forgive me but it was actually a pain each time I had to decide which ones are coming with me and which ones are going to be left behind.

Lastly, I always bring my ever reliable Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curler. I know some of you would think this should not be part of the travel kit, but for me, it is a necessity as I have slightly straight (Asian) eyelashes. Also, since this product is very sturdy, I don't see any problems bringing it anywhere (I have a separate review on my 9-year experience with my first Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curler which you can read from this LINK).

As always, since most of the items (except for the tinted moisturizer) are solids, I bring them on hand carry.

I hope I was able to give you some pointers on how to plan your travel makeup. Surely, we all want to bring our latest makeups and brushes but think first: if anything ever happens to your luggage, will you be able to deal with any loss or damage? If not, then just leave those pretty shades behind and opt to bring those you can easily replace, or will not hurt your pockets too much to replace.

If you want to see more products that are affordable but will look good and can be worth using as a travel makeup, go browse through the other pages of my blog. Enjoy!