Review: Essentials by Rosie Jane

I received a package last week in courtesy of by Rosie Jane, a Californian beauty and lifestyle brand which prides itself for organic and cruelty-free products. The products sent to me for review were:

• JAMES Soy Wax Candle
• JAMES Eau De Parfum
• JAMES Fragrance Oil
• LEILA LOU Fragrance Oil
• POPPY Cheek & Lip Gloss

The first thing which caught my attention was the scent. You know it's something good when the entire box literally smells like fresh roses and essential oils. The handcrafted line has a distinctively soft scent that is unlike any mass-market perfume. And I must say, after a week of consistent use, I am in love. BRJ is one of those brands that allow you to immerse in a great product stripped of unnecessary adornment and marketing. Rosie's containers are fully recyclable, packaged minimally with brown paper and wax thread.

JAMES is a unisex scent for those who prefer warm and woody scents reminiscent of fall. I love JAMES because it's practical and makes me very happy. LEILA LOU, namely Rosie's signature blend, has a girlier persona with breezy notes of Jasmine and pear. Each product line evokes the mood of a different season. They come in forms of a soy wax candle, spray bottle and rollerball. The naturally scented candle burns beautifully and fills up the room within minutes. A real treat for my bedroom because I use it every night to wind down. The POPPY cheek & lip gloss is a multi-purpose balm that gives me super moisturised lips with a hint of berry. While you shouldn't expect too much in terms of pigmentation, what makes POPPY special to me is its smooth waxy texture and coconut aroma. It makes an excellent lipstick base and can be used to highlight if you like a glossy sheen.

For every brand I talk about here, I genuinely wish that it'll benefit some of you too. There are a couple of beauty brands I root for, such as LUSH  and Etude House skincare which I probably don't speak enough of. Earlier this year when I culled my room (you can read from this post), I made a mental note to myself to make better and responsible choices this year, such as buying less in general and choosing sustainable products. Seeing the amount of thought Rosie puts in her brand really encourages me to keep going at this positive lifestyle transition. Life is about creating meanings, isn't it? Rosie's small but purposeful product range was worth featuring and I definitely see myself stocking up in the near future.

You could shop by Rosie Jane at www.byrosiejane.com or from the window below.

Wishlist: November

It's the time of the year again when we are all frantically on the hunt for festive and budget steals. I've done my own fair share of 'market research' *cough* online and as usual, my wish list is filled to the brim, leaving my wallet on the edge... I thought I'd share with you what have caught my eye. ASOS is my absolute favourite place to shop online, and you know me – I'd only share with you what's good! ;-)

1. ASOS 90's Maxi Dress, S$25.16

It puzzles me why this dress is not selling out. It may be cause it's harder to wear due to its extreme low scooped back. This dress drifts towards the slinky side but at the same time, it can look really effortless with slouchy boots and some boho cardigan. I'd willingly find an occasion just to wear this dress...

2. Cheap Monday Maxi Dress, S$33.17

@ulimali on Instagram

I already own this one! Except I got ripped off by paying $55 for it before discount >:( But you know, this is one of my most worn dresses and I received so many compliments with it! The minimal style will surprise you with an unique draped exposed back. Unexpectedly flattering. I like to wear it with a fancy bralet but I think a black bra will work just fine. Get it before it's gone! (I'm contemplating to get another in black.)

3. ASOS Back Split Maxi Dress, S$11.44

If this doesn't make you want to finally buy a maxi dress, I don't know what will. Eleven dollars for a maxi is a STEAL! Plus the split at the back is simply awesome. Don't say I never share good things with you. There's another three colours is red isn't your taste.

4. ASOS Tie Dye Maxi Dress, S$27.45

Okay...I know you must be thinking, "What's with Uli and maxi dresses?" I just love maxi dress because they're so easy to wear. I can never own enough maxi dress just as every girl can't have enough shoes. This tie dye one reminds me of the 90's. 

5. Cheap Monday Fishnet Tank, S$68.63

Fish nets are one of those things you either love or loathe. I honestly think this one is a little expensive (that's why I saved it to my wishlist) and there's a similar long sleeved one at H&M for only $39. It's funny how fishnet tanks remind me of toddler wear you'd find in Pasar Malams (a.k.a. Singapore night markets), yet they're the perfect fusion of sport jerseys meets Hip Hop. Very Rihanna-esque I would say. Oh and don't forget that gold chain.

6. ASOS Cropped Denim Shirt, S$48.04

I have been loving the look of crop tops recently, especially those with collars. I don't know if it's silly to want a denim shirt one but it looks so cute nonetheless. I also appreciate that it's not overly short so it's more forgiving.

7. Cheap Monday Side Slit Tee, S$57.19

Credit: Karla's Closet

It's pretty obvious that you know I love Cheap Monday by now. I happened to chance upon this outfit by Klara and I was SOLD. Just look at how insanely gorgeous she belted the side splits together with a Margiela white leather belt..exposing the slightest hint of her tattoo. Man, I want everything she's wearing. And I'm pretty happy that I found a similar one from Cheap Monday!

8. ASOS Harness Bralet, S$57.19

A lot of girls I know told me that they can't find a perfect layering bralet. I totally understand. The flimsy ones you see on local shops often have ridiculous floral prints or sewn-in cups that um, doesn't even fit. Also, I think it's pointless to wear a bra inside a bralet because that defeats the purpose right? I found one on ASOS that has harness details, padded and has a zip at the back. I think it'll look super edgy under sheer tops and quite honestly, it's okay to wear it alone; for appropriate occasions of course!

9. American Apparel Frill Socks, S$13.73

I'm constantly on the hunt for cute socks. I'm a socks person, even when wearing flats. I normally buy my socks from Daiso for $2 per pair, but I am obsessed over this pair. Purple is my favourite colour and they remind me of ballerina tutus! And that frill-socks-plus-sneakers pairing is just way cool. Sold.

10. Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer, S$12.81

I've heard lots of good things about this bronzer, particularly from one of my favourite vloggers Zoella. As its name suggests, it does actually smell like chocolate! I think it's a good alternative to NARS Laguna bronzer. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think locally it retails for at least $18. Better to order online!

11. Gold Hand Jewellery Holder, S$22.88

Need a helping hand (literally)? Well then this might be the best thing you can get for yourself and your girlfriend. It wont only look perfect on your dresser, it'll hold all your rings, necklaces and bracelets that you're too lazy to put aside every night. I might as well hang my whole bag on it. 

Okay that's all from me for now! These items are still on my wish list and I honestly don't know which are worth my purchase. Leave me a comment letting me know which are your favourites cause I'm interested to know! Let's shop together!^^

All product images courtesy of ASOS.

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Topshop's Aurora

I'm constantly looking for small doses of happiness to get me through hectic work weeks. And by happiness, a beauty addict refers to nail polishes and lipsticks. Mmm hmm...we're all guilty of that, don't lie. It's my first time purchasing Topshop nail polishes and pretty satisfied so far. The 'Aurora' one was what caught my eye and probably the strangest nail color I own to date. It has a copper base with hints of blue and green, reflects beautifully under natural sunlight. But then again I'd very much prefer to call it 'that oil slick color', just cause it makes more sense right? The consistency is watery while still pigmented; exactly what I like. Overall, I'm really loving it on my nails or simply admiring how pretty it looks sitting on my desk.

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Review: Beauty UK Cosmetics

GLAMOGIRL recently sent me a bag of Beauty UK cosmetics for review. I have never heard of the brand before today so after some googling, I learnt about this UK bred brand that makes colourful makeup at affordable prices. So after a day of experimenting, here are my overall thoughts of the products:

• Packaging - Due to the affordability of products, the packaging was probably compromised. I feel they share 'mass produced' packaging similar to L.A. Girl and other budget brands. I do not fancy the way these products look but neither are they flimsy.
• Quantity - Generous amounts. No complains on that.
• Quality - Varies from product to product. I will explain more in detail later.
• Affordability - Maybe it's cheaper in the UK but I feel like they're priced average on GG. For the price, there are better alternatives available in the market.

Look out for the 30% off discount code at the end of this post!

1. Baked Eyeshadow Trio in Meadow ($17.80)

This dome shaped trio gives you a highlighter shade and two base colours. All three shades apply very fine and easily blend-able and both shades of green contain gold shimmer. For this review I swatched and applied the eyeshadow without a primer, and sad to say it didn't hold up very well. However, the colour is lovely to me and has a sheer iridescent quality. It's great for beginners who want a subtle eye look but you'll definitely need a primer with this.

2. Metallic Eye Spark in Gold ($11.80) 

This metallic gold jumbo pencil comes in a shimmery and creamy consistency, a little too creamy for my liking. As I have mentioned, I applied my eye makeup without a primer, and this formula started creasing almost instantly into wear. Not cool. I used it around the tear duct without much blending, perhaps the consistency might be better used as an all-over shadow stick, blended out. Overall, I do not recommend this pencil because I don't see why will I need it when there are better alternatives.

Baked eyeshadow + gold pencil | Eyeliner + mascara

As for the eyeshadow, I used the medium green all over lid, dark green on the outer edge and highlighter on the brow bone. 


3. Stripey Blusher in Pink ($15.80)

Okay here's a product worth your attention, it's the stripey blush that reminds me a lot of Bobbi Brown's shimmer bricks! It comes in six stripes that gradient from light to dark. And that's exactly why I love it because you can easily contour your cheeks with just one product! As you can see below, the middle stripes give an all-over pink colour and the darker stripes function as a bronzer. Obviously, the shimmery white highlights. On lazy days, you can swirl all the stripes together and still look good.

Blushers show up better when you reemphasize its colour with a matching lip. The shimmery finish of the blusher provide a dewy/ glowing effect. exture is sheer and blendable. Matte blushers usually photograph better but shimmery ones reflect light and look fantastic in reality. Personally, it's a refreshing change for me. I highly recommend this blusher for anyone who wants to achieve a healthy looking glow. 

4. Lip Vinyl in Pure Pasha (13.80)

I have never liked lip glosses in any form, except for the Mac lip glasses that I'll wear occasionally. When I had long hair, my hair would stick onto my lips all the time. But surprisingly, the Beauty UK lip vinyl changed my impression of lip glosses completely! Specifically, this product somewhat a liquid lipstick; it has the shine  of a gloss and opacity of a lipstick.

1 coat of Pure Pasha lip vinyl

It has decent staying power and non-sticky. I applied straight from tube, you don't need to be very careful with this product. Highly recommend!

5. Lipstick in Vampire ($14.80)

This is another product worth your attention. The product comes in a lipstick form but applies like a cream. You will be surprised at how smooth it glides on your lips. The consistency feels thin yet the colour is very opaque. However, it's difficult to apply evenly straight from tube so you would need a lip brush (what I did) or pencil to get a defined edge. It does not contain shimmer, smells minty and has a creamy finish. Staying power is decent but you have to reapply after a meal.

1 coat of Vampire

Don't be intimidated by its name but frankly the red is really gorgeous. It reminds me of old Hollywood stars and Burlesque dancers. I love the way it looks on me, so I highly recommend this to you too!

6. Eyeshadow Palette in Soho ($17.80)

Initially these reminded me of my Coastal Scents palette but soon after swatching these on my hands I grew disappointed. The quality of these shadows are nothing compared to the baked eyeshadow I talked about earlier. It saddens me that the quality can vary so much even when it's produced by the same company.

Eighteen dollars may seem like a good deal for ten shadows but as you can see above, the consistency is powdery with lots of fallouts. I do not think these would blend well. It took me a 3-4 swipes to get the color on my hands. Unfortunately, I will have to give this product a miss.

7. Colour + Curl Conditioning Mascara in Electric Blue ($11.80)

Most interesting product of all - a blue mascara?! Is it me or coloured mascara seemed to be trendy in the 90s? I gave this a try and realized the blue isn't that scary after all. On lashes, it is actually very subtle. Now that I know how blue lashes look, I wouldn't mind wearing them for special events! The downside: product is clumpy and required  few coats for the blue to show. Experienced slight flaking and is not waterproof.

I am not sure if I would repurchase but it's definitely fancy. Might use this for photo shoots, who knows?

Final verdict:

I certainly enjoyed the colourful variety offered by this brand. I see it as a good, affordable choice who girls who just started out in makeup, or wish to experiment colours without spending too much money. I also think the lip products were outstanding and I am open to trying more. However, not all products performed the same. I was disappointed by the metallic pencil and eyeshadow palette in particular. Therefore, I would suggest you to read more reviews or try testers if possible before purchasing anything.

Products I would repurchase: Stripey Blusher, Lip Vinyl, Lipstick.

About GLAMOGIRL

GLAMOGIRL is a Singapore based online boutique that offers a selection of UK beauty products.

Thank you for staying with me till this far! I truly hope the review was informative for you. Anyway, if you happen to make purchase from GLAMOGIRL any time soon, remember to quote 'ULI30' at checkout! It applies for other brands on site too, not just Beauty UK.

Have you tried anything from Beauty UK? What do you recommend? Talk to me in the comments!

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Review: Topshop Makeup

It seems like half the girls I know own at least a Topshop nail polish, lipstick, or both. Those are the most popular items. I decided to give these adorably packaged goodies a try. The above are the only ones I own and I am going to tell you how I feel about them. 

 

• Packaging - I love it! The clean, doodle style packaging runs consistent throughout all products. I have never seen a makeup line that looks as playful! White packaging often feels cheap and tacky, but Topshop managed to do the complete opposite. However, I have to warn you that as beautiful as white packaging looks, they tend to get dirty easily.
• Price - I feel that most products were priced reasonably for its quality and volume. Except for their eyelash curlers and nail polishes which I find ridiculous. You can judge for yourself the next time you're in stores!

1. Topshop Waterproof Liner (~S$11)

Swatch for 'Earth'

Earth is a creamy eyeliner that is moss green with golden shimmer. It applies on very smoothly and blend-able, but sets waterproof once dry. However, it does not work well on hooded (like mine) and single eyelids. It's not oil resistant so it smudges when it gets in contact with oil.

I prefer applying along the lower lid with a winged eyeliner for that instant smokey effect. Great for days when you want eye makeup but don't have the time. Since there's no creases on the lower lid, the liner stays put all day. I feel like the green eyeliner really brings out the brown in my eyes! You can also use the liner as an eyeshadow base; simply apply into lid, blend out with finger then set it with an eyeshadow. 

2. Topshop Highlighter (S$23)

Swatch for 'Sunbeam'

This has got to be my favourite highlighter of all time! Sunbeam is a gold pressed powder that is almost of a metallic finish. It's a 2-in-1 product which also doubles up as an eyeshadow. It's highly pigmented so I recommend using a fluffy brush or gently tap with your fingers. I find too many highlighters to be overly frosty which can appear greasy and artificial but this one is just right!

When applying highlight, less is more. If you have oily skin like me, make sure to use a semi-matte foundation first. That's because you only want certain parts of the face to appear dewy. Dewy skin gives a healthier and younger appearance due to the plumped effect! 

 

As you can already see, the highlighter is definitely visible. It catches a lot of light, giving a luminous effect to my complexion. I really love that it's gold because it looks better on warm undertones. This might now suit those who are extremely fair or has cool undertones. For those who own Soft And Gentle by MAC, how do you feel about it? Let me know!  

3. Topshop Velvet Finish Lipstick (S$19)

Swatch for 'Infrared'

Infrared is a creamy fluorescent orange lipstick. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if it's a semi-gloss finish because it applies on really moist. As much as I love the colour, its texture was not as impressive. It's comparable to the texture NYX Circle Lipsticks which tends to sink into lines and emphasizes flaky lips no matter how hard you've exfoliated. It's rather sheer which allows you to build the opacity you desire. You can use as a tint or a full colour lipstick as shown in the swatch above. There is a mild fruity scent but nothing bothering.

I have a love-hate relationship with orange lipsticks. On one hand, orange makes my skin colour look amazing but on the other hand, it makes my teeth look even more yellow. Yikes. Doesn't help when my teeth is already badly stained by coffee. 

Overall, I am enjoying the products so far but I don't think I will be repurchasing the eyeliner. The highlighter is my favourite in my entire makeup collection and I highly recommend to all my friends! As for the lipstick, I am neutral about them... Yes, Topshop carries some unique colours but I honestly think there are better lip products in the market.

Have you tried any Topshop makeup before and what do you think about them? I am open to try more so let me know your recommendations!

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Review: Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick

The Kate Moss lipsticks have been such a rave among beauty bloggers and when my friend Sheryl recommended to me and described it as "damn good", that was when I decided to purchase from ASOS. Each tube costs only S$11.66, free shipping!

I am very picky about my lipsticks; I prefer them matte, opaque and as scentless as possible. I dislike wearing anything sticky or glittery. So far, my favourite lipsticks are from MAC and Revlon.

Swatches under sunlight

1. Color pay-off (5/5) - I will describe more in detail later, but in summary, you can definitely apply them straight from the tube and the color opacity is AMAZING! I also look for high coverage lipsticks because it is not worth it to apply over and over. One swipe of this is enough to wipe out your natural lip colour so concealer is unnecessary as base. However, I have to highlight that the shade 107 (worn by Kate Moss in promotional poster) comes off less dark than it seems in tube.
2. Texture (4/5) - Something I wasn't super impressed at first but grew to love; can you tell that it doesn't appear that matte?! When freshly applied, it appears more like a MAC creme sheen instead of an expected velvety texture. But the shine can be reduced by blotting with tissue or powdering. I also noticed that the initial shine does fade slowly after you've applied.  I do love how it feels on my lips because it is super smooth and more hydrating than the Revlon Matte lipsticks. But I just don't think that it is 100% matte. 
3. Staying power (5/5) - I have worn these lipsticks out for dinner and I am super impressed with how stubbornly long it stays on. You can drink and eat at ease without worrying about it fading. I only had to reapply once when I am out an entire day. Also, it does not appear blotchy or sink into lines. 
4. Scent (2.5/5) - Now, I dislike lip products that smell artificially sweetened. The Kate Moss ones smell like berry detergent to me, and you'd know what I mean if you have tried the older Rimmel lipsticks. It tastes like soap when I accidentally lick off my lipstick. Thankfully, the scent doesn't linger for long.

How do I apply my red lipsticks?

1. No matter how good your lipstick is, a red lipstick always looks better with definition. I like to outline my lips with a lip pencil similar to my lipstick. Some people like to fill in the entire lip, but outlining is just my preference.
2. If I am doing makeup makeup on someone, I use a brush. At home, I apply straight from the tube just because it gives off higher opacity faster.

If you make any mistakes, simply use a cotton bud to clean up and if you are on set, go around the entire lip with creamy concealer for ultimate definition. 

Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick in 111

Shade 111 is an warm, orange-based red. It is a classic fire engine, London post box kind of red that is really vibrant. This color is my personal favourite because it brightens up my yellow complexion! You can compare for yourself with the other shade I am about to show you.

Rimmel Kate Matte lipstick in 107

Shade 107 is a cool, blue-based red which is slightly darker. It is a very good shade to go for if you like the dark, vampy lip trend. This shade also makes your teeth appear whiter! I prefer to go for this shade when I want to channel a more grungy rocker vibe, it looks great with smokey eyes.

It's true when they say a red lipstick which looks good on your friend may not look good on you. Keep experimenting to find the perfect red for yourself. In my case, it's probably a warm red.

Topped with Veronica Feelin' So Good lipgloss (MAC Archie's Girls Collection)

Just to show you how 'vampy' shade 107 can be, I applied a dark purple lipgloss on top. With the purple, shade 107 turns into a dark berry plum shade, dark yet wearable. This lip combo is super pretty with just mascara and contoured cheeks.

Bottom line: Will I repurchase? Yes! In fact, I intend to purchase the other three lipsticks in the Matte line. They are so affordable and super good quality. You can count on me that these lipsticks will not disappoint you. :-)

Would you like me to do more reviews like this? Leave your requests in the comments below!