Fall Liquid Lippies

Here comes the beginning of a new season. Like for real, Summer is over and it's time to say goodbye to my bright red and coral-toned hues lippies as I just purchased these babies to swipe on this Fall season.

 TheBalm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick and

Rollover Reaction Sueded Lip & Cheek Cream.

Ok, let's get into TheBalm first, it actually comes in 12 different shades and is described as long-wearing formula that has a comfortable matte finish. Meanwhile, Rollover Reaction is stated as two-in-one lip colour that doubles as a blush with velvet finish. Just recently they launched three new shades, which are all perfect for the Fall season seriously.

Onto the description as per usual.

The actual products.

I've heard lots of positive reviews on TheBalm's products, from their well-known blusher, bronzer, and highlighter kits to lip products. Long story short, I finally gave in and searched all over the Internet to find a trustworthy online reseller. Btw, we have the offline store in Jakarta, also Sephora Indonesia sells it online, but the price is outrageously more expensive, so bye. I was scared too that I'd get fake products (you know how tricky online shopping is), thus I devoted more time to investigate until I found an article that helped me to distinguish between the real and fake products. 

Whereas, Rollover Reaction is a local brand that's been selling out really well. Despite the heavy demand, I managed to land their products. My shopping experience was easy-peasy, the shipping was fast as it only took a day, and the package came in a very adorable pink box. Now... Let me reveal the initial local lip product that I wanted so badly. It was called Lip Coat that was created by a renowned Indonesian beauty blogger, Lizzie Parra. But... All of the shades that I've been eyeing sold like hotcakes. Reseller price is so much higher, ugh these opportunists, it's utterly disgusting how they make extra money! I'm not going to spend a single cent on their business. End of story.

Doe-foot applicators.

Swatches.

I think both shades flatter my skin tones differently. However particularly, I've received quite compliments every time I wear Moss. Performance wise, I kind of dislike Rollover Reaction's wand and patchy texture as I couldn't do my entire lips in just one pass. It might be because their formula isn't as lightweight as TheBalm, thus making the application a little hard to control. For Rollover Reaction, the finish falls somewhere between matte and creamy, while TheBalm dries down matte within seconds. Longevity wise, I couldn't be more content they last longer than my expectation. Even after my lunch, these lip colors are still pigmented! Now to the scent of it; both of these product have the similar sweet kind of smell. I think a mint chocolate ice cream really represents TheBalm's scent, whereas Rollover Reaction smells like a vanilla cupcake. 

In conclusion, as much as I wanted to shop just one more lip color, I've been so happy with these lippies and convinced myself that I'd NOT need another one throughout the season.

Have you found your go-to fall lippies?

 

A Lifelong Romance

“Love yourself enough to never lower your standards for anyone.”

Photo courtesy: Stylenanda

It's past midnight here and there goes a moment of reflection that's meant for a nice write-up about life lately. This year, well not exactly as in January until now, nevertheless the length of time, I've learned so many things about love ever since.

I've learned that in order to love myself, I must behave in certain ways that I admire which means I should change for the sake of my own self, not for someone else out there. I should focus on loving myself, instead of loving the idea of other people loving me. Furthermore, the fact that someone else loves me doesn't rescue me from the project of loving myself.

I've learned to discover the reason of my existence and I've refused to settle for anyone who doesn't completely agree with it. I've learned that it's okay to follow my heart, but I should take my brain along the journey. They said we accept the love we think we deserve. I couldn't agree more with it. Rather than dating someone who treats me with less respect, kindness or empathy, I'd be happier single.

I've learned that it takes more than effort, patience, trust, communication, and appreciation to stay in love. Yet the hard truth: you'll never know what does it take to fall in love. I mean, there's simply no explanation. Ain't you just fall? It doesn't make sense.

I've learned to never demand anyone a closure because, I too, acknowledge they have the rights to remain silent. But I've learned to let go the people who don't give me closure. I deserve someone who will express their feeling with all honesty. After all, why would I commit myself to a person who doesn't respect me?

This past year has taught me to figure out the qualities I should be looking for in a man. Finally, I've learned that love isn't overrated, it's just the society who often gets it twisted.