Dec 6, 2011

Sleek MakeUP Luminaire Highlighting Concealer - THOUGHTS and SWATCHES...

Sleek MakeUP Luminaire Highlighting Concealer 
THOUGHTS and SWATCHES...



A highlighting concealer with moisturising properties, Luminaire brightens dark circles, conceals blemishes, and fades imperfections leaving you instantly glowing and flawless. With five flattering shades to choose from, Luminaire is perfect for all skin tones providing a natural, dewy finish. 

Price: $10
Size: 3 ml / 0.105 fl. oz


Availability: www.SleekMakeUP.com


Standard International Delivery within 10 to 15 working days
$13.50

International destinations are considered as all other countries not listed as European.  Please note we do not ship to the African continent.





Shades available:
L01        L02         L03         L04        L05

  

 



The Sleek MakeUP Luminaire Highlighting Concealers are now available on the Sleek MakeUP website (and Superdrug Stores in the UK) for $10 for 0.105 oz of product. For us international beauty lovers with a flat international shipping rate of $13.50.
Now of course we have to factor in the shipping because these products are not available in the US (as yet...rumors are they are coming to the US very soon) and you will need to pay for international shipping. Honestly I don't think the shipping is outlandish either since they are coming from the UK after all. Now obviously the more products you purchase the better the deal will be since the $13.50 shipping cost covers the entire purchase. Plus you can combine your order with friends to break up the shipping costs.

These are considered drugstore makeup in the UK....our equivalent of say NYX or Wet 'n' Wild. The prices are comparable to our (cheaper) drugstore brands such as NYX and Wet 'n' Wild which is awesome if you ask me!

When compared to similar products from mid-end brands the Sleek MakeUP Luminaire Highlighting Concealers win hands down in price and value. When compared to similar products found in US drugstores, the Sleek MakeUP Luminaire Highlighting Concealers are within the same price range but has less product.




 


The Sleek MakeUP Luminaire Highlighting Concealers are available in the UK at Superdrug Stores but for beauty lovers in the USA we are only able to order these palettes from the Sleek MakeUP website. However, there are plans to supply Sleek MakeUP in US Sephora stores very soon so be on the lookout for that! 


The Sleek MakeUP Luminaire Highlighting Concealers are contained in black plastic pen-type packaging with a brush applicator on one end and a push-button on the other end which is used to release the product. This type of packaging has become quite popular with these types of highlighter/concealers.

This packaging is portable and easy to use. The push-button releases a small amount of the product with each click so as not to create excessive waste. The brush is made of soft synthetic fibers and is a medium length which works decently for applying the product. However, the bristles will clump together and cause a streaky finish so alternate means of blending will be required.

 









 





The Sleek MakeUP Luminaire Highlighting Concealers are touted as both highlighting and concealing product with moisturizing properties.

The product itself has a semi-thick, creamy consistency with a smooth texture. The product is also very pigmented and since the product is relatively thick a little really goes a looooong way. You will need only a dab to achieve a brightening effect. The product will also work to conceal dark circles under the eye or on the face.

The drawback for these highlighting concealers is the potential drying effect. They claim to be moisturizing which is true initially but as they are blended in they lose some of their creaminess. They can become slightly chalky as they are blended and if applied over dry skin. To counteract this, only apply to moisturized skin and use your fingers to blend (the warmth helps maintain the creamy texture). Another note is that these require a powder to keep the product from creasing into fine lines. This is not unusual for creamy products so it's not a huge problem.

The finish is semi-matte and natural but not dewy as stated. There is no shimmer or shine to these as with other similar products. The highlight effects is more from the lighter color than infused sheen.

These work very well to brighten under the eyes a la Kim Kardashian. With the variety of colors, it's easy to find a lighter color for brightening and a closer skintone color for concealing. I like the effect that these highlighting concealers provide without needing a concealer beneath them. Most highlighting pens still need a concealer in addition to their brightening results. With the Sleek MakeUP Luminaire Highlighting Concealers you can simply apply foundation (over or under) to achieve the concealing + highlighting effect.





The Sleek MakeUP Luminaire Highlighting Concealers are actually quite nice highlighters/concealers and are definitely a great affordable alternative to the high-end brands. They work very well at highlighting and concealing but have a slightly drying effect. This can be easily counteracted so no big deal for me.  I absolutely recommend this product so pick it up the next time you do a Sleek MakeUP online order. And remember you can use a lighter color for the brightening effects rather than imply sticking to a skintone color. There is no shimmer/sheen so if that is what you are looking for these are a skip!




 L01
 Light pinky beige



 L02
 Light yellow beige



 L03
 Light peach



 L04
 Medium peach
 


 L05
 Deep golden caramel



 L01           L02             L03             L04            L05
 Swatched




 L01           L02             L03             L04            L05
 Blended



*Products received from Sleek MakeUP for consideration : ) This doesn't affect my opinion just saves me some spending money and allows me to introduce more products to you guys!*

Dec 1, 2011

Sleek MakeUP Brow Kit - THOUGHTS...

Sleek MakeUP Brow Kit 
THOUGHTS...




Sleek MakeUP Brow Kit 
For perfectly shaped, groomed brows look no further than Sleek MakeUP’s brow kit. Complete with all the tools you’ll ever need for brows that flatter and frame your face, choose from two shades in light or dark to compliment your natural colouring. Just a few simple steps are all it takes for preened and polished brows! Begin by using the mini tweezers to remove any stray hairs for a smooth and defined result. Using the handy hard angled brush, apply the brow wax along the natural shape of your brow to create the ideal arch. Next, use the setting powder to set the wax and to fill in any sparse areas. All packaged in one handbag sized kit, your brows need never stray away!

Price: $9.99
Size: 4g/0.14 oz


Availability: www.SleekMakeUP.com

Standard International Delivery within 10 to 15 working days
$13.50

International destinations are considered as all other countries not listed as European.  Please note we do not ship to the African continent.
 
LIGHT                                                       DARK
  





The Sleek MakeUP Brow Kit is now available on the Sleek MakeUP website (and Superdrug Stores in the UK) for $9.99 for 0.14 oz of product (0.07 oz Brow Powder and 0.07oz Brow Wax). The kit also includes mini tools - 2 brushes and tweezers - for on-the-go usage. For us international beauty lovers with a flat international shipping rate of $13.50.
Now of course we have to factor in the shipping because these products are not available in the US (as yet...rumors are they are coming to the US very soon) and you will need to pay for international shipping. Honestly I don't think the shipping is outlandish either since they are coming from the UK after all. Now obviously the more products you purchase the better the deal will be since the $13.50 shipping cost covers the entire purchase. Plus you can combine your order with friends to break up the shipping costs.

These are considered drugstore makeup in the UK....our equivalent of say NYX or Wet 'n' Wild. The prices are comparable to our (cheaper) drugstore brands such as NYX and Wet 'n' Wild which is awesome if you ask me!

When compared to similar products from mid-end brands the Sleek MakeUP Brow Kit wins hands down in price and value. But in relation to NYX and Wet 'n' Wild not so much. It comes down to a battle of quality over price when compared to our US drugstore brands and for me Sleek MakeUP is a notch up from Wet 'n' Wild and NYX. Completely subjective when it comes to this particular





 





The Sleek MakeUP Brow Kit is available in the UK at Superdrug Stores but for beauty lovers in the USA we are only able to order these palettes from the Sleek MakeUP website. However, there are plans to supply Sleek MakeUP in US Sephora stores very soon so be on the lookout for that! 





The Sleek MakeUP Brow Kit is housed in small sleek black plastic case as is typical for the Sleek MakeUP packaging with a snap clasp. There are two products inside - a tinted brow wax and a color brow powder - along with 2 mini brush (one angled and one rounded) and mini tweezers. There is also a full sized mirror in the lid which is convenient for on-the-go touch-ups.

The case is quite rigid and solid which makes it ideal for travel and the snap clasp holds extremely well to avoid accidental opening of the case. The Sleek MakeUP logo and product name is printed on the front with an additional label on the back with product/company details.

The mini tools are not very useful for everyday application because they are extremely tiny. I prefer to use a full sized brush and tweezers for my brush on a day-to-day basis. However, if you intend on traveling around with this kit for quick touch-ups on the run, then these mini tools can definitely help out in a pinch. All brow kits that include mini tools have the same issue - impractical size! Practice your tiny brush strokes!







 




The Sleek MakeUP Brow Kit comes with a tinted brow wax and a color brow powder. The only other brow kit that I have encountered with a tinted wax is the Benefit Brow Zings which $30! There may be others out there but I love that Sleek MakeUP went with the tinted route.

But how does this help? Well the recommend use for brow kits with wax is to first apply the brow wax to groom and fix the brow hairs into place then set the wax and fill in any sparse areas with the brow powder. Sounds simple enough but think about using clear brow wax to fill in missing parts of the brow...it's clear so you won't see exactly where you have put it. While with a tinted wax you can definitely use it as a guide to shape the brow and then apply the brow powder to set it. So for me this is somewhat of a brow pencil in wax form.

The brow wax is actually very pigmented so a little goes a long way. It is also very creamy and not overly slippery as waxes tend to be. The consistency is more of a cream than that of a gel so it offers more control. Using a brush with this product can give a very precise shape which is a plus over a pencil.

The brow powder is a complementary color that sets the wax in place and is also decently pigmented. The powder is matte in finish for a natural look and isn't too dusty or powdery as some matte products can be.

The only thing I think can be improved is the color range. The Light and Dark options may not be enough for the large spectrum of hair colors and skintones. Even though the dark works perfectly for my brows and blends in easily I would love to see ash tones and warm tones for my fellow brow-zers : ) 

The products wear very well and last well over 8 hours without fading, melting and slipping. Of course, it will smudge if you rub against it like with any other non-waterproof brow product. Now, I hope the Sleek MakeUP  innovators hear me when I ask for a waterproof version! How awesome would that be??!!








The Sleek MakeUP Brow Kit is definitely a great addition to my brow arsenal and I LOVE the option of using a tinted brow wax rather than a clear one. It is priced just right between drugstore and mid-end brands and is great quality. This kit travels with me in my handbag just in case I need brow fixing on the go! I absolutely recommend this product so pick it up the next time you do a Sleek MakeUP online order.













*Products received from Sleek MakeUP for consideration : ) This doesn't affect my opinion just saves me some spending money and allows me to introduce more products to you guys!*


M∙A∙C Viva Glam for AIDS Awareness Day!

Viva Glam Ice Parade:
Give festively and gift back to the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund with our two Viva Glam exclusives! Our team-tagging treats: a one-of-a-kind VG 1 Lipglass and our fab Tree Teddy Ornament, and a rockin' red snowglobe bag with two shades of Lady Gaga VG Lipsticks!

Pro discount is not applicable.


Kids Helping Kids Tree Teddy Holiday Ornament
Our silver KHK Tree Teddy ornament is adorable and, with its mini one-of-a-kind Viva Glam 1 Lipglass, dashing as any stocking stuffer should be! Plus every cent from your purchase goes to the M∙A∙C AIDS fund benefiting people affected by HIV/AIDS. 
US$18.00

Viva Glam | Special Edition - Ruby red gloss







Viva Glam Melt Your Heart Lip Bag
Hotter than hot! Our rocking red metallic makeup bag with glitter handle includes two shades of Lady Gaga VG Lipstick. It's melt-your-heart appeal: every cent from your purchase goes to the M∙A∙C AIDS fund benefiting people affected by HIV/AIDS.
US$36.00
Viva Glam Gaga - Pink (Lustre)
Viva Glam Gaga 2 - Nude (Amplified)




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