Jill Stuart Loose Powder N in 02 Lucent

Jill Stuart Loose Powder N in 02 Lucent, 20g

Along with it's extremely princess-like packaging, I have high hopes that this loose powder will work for me. I am not disappointed, but also not all excited over it.

When I tested this powder at the counter, I expressed my concern to the BA that this powder contains shimmer, and might be unsuitable for the whole face. I prefer my loose powder to give a matte finish, and usually shimmer will make the T-zone appear oily since there is too much shine, or might make my face appear bigger than it is. LOL.

The BA assured me that the shimmer is there just to make skin appear more radiant, and will not make skin appear oily. Ok, I didn't really believe what she said, but I just wanted to get this loose powder! Haha!

I started using this about 2 weeks ago, and I use it as a setting powder for my liquid foundation. Unfortunately, I DO find the shimmer make my T-zone look oily, so I use my Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover for my nose and forehead, and the Jill Stuart Loose Powder for the rest of the face. It works well for me this way :)

I like the way the shimmer makes my face appear a little brighter, without being overwhelmingly sparkly. Just too bad I can't use it on my T-zone! However, the powder also makes my face a bit fairer, so I must be careful to remember to pat the powder on my neck and shoulders as well.

There is nothing much to comment about the powder's oil control ability, because my skin will start to 'shine' a little after the usual 2 hours.

The powder has a nice mild floral scent, which does not irritate my nose or my skin!

Before loose powder, with liquid foundation

After, with loose powder over liquid foundation

From the pics above, you can see how the powder makes me appear fairer! So, I don't really use a lot of the powder each time, which means the the powder is going to last a long long long time. Overall, this is a powder I enjoy using, like the result of it, but will not repurchase.

Jill Stuart 2011 Fall Makeup Collection: Prism Carat Eyes

Jill Stuart Prism Carat Eyes, 7g each

For Jill Stuart's Fall Makeup Collection, the Prism Carat Eye caught my eyes the most! Known for its brilliant eye makeup colors, I had high expectation that these will add a brilliant sparkle to the eyes, especially when it is called 'carat' eyes :) They come in 5 shades, and I got 3 of them.

Each eyeshadow jar comes with 2 colors in 2 textures. The 1st being an eyeshadow powder, the one that gives off a beautiful sparkle, while the 2nd a cream eyeshadow, and carries the 'main color'.

Swatches first!

101 Brilliant Crown

Eyeshadow powder - dark moss green

Cream eyeshadow - golden orange

101 Brilliant Crown has a sophisticated color combination. The cream eyeshadow is a rather light golden orange frosty shade. When applied on skin, it is quite close to my skin color, not as bright as I had imagined when I first looked at pictures. The powder eyeshadow is a dark moss green with gold and orange shimmer (lots of it)! The powder is pigmented and intense upon first application, so I guess a little goes a long way.

104 Twinkle Cross

Eyeshadow powder  - greyish silver

Cream eyeshadow - berry pink

104 Twinkle Cross is a gorgeously romantic, yet mysterious color combination. The cream shadow is a berry pink with a little silver shimmer,  and the eyeshadow powder is a greyish silver with lots of sparkles, mainly gold and silver. 

105 Radiant Corsage

Eyeshadow powder  - silver sparkle

Cream eyeshadow - chocolate brown

105 Radiant Corsage creates the most brilliant smoky eyes. Best for functions/ events when you are going for that smoldering and sexy look :) The cream eyeshadow is a dark chocolate brown with silver shimmer. It is an interesting color as it looks brown on my hand, but seems grey on my eyelids. The brown is slightly sheer, and I layered on a lot when I was testing it out. It's one of those shades that will look washed out if you apply too little, as it looks much better as dark and intense. The eyeshadow powder adds more sparkle to the eyes than color. It's a silver with silver and golden sparkles.

(you might want to click on image to get a better view ^^)

*Note: 104 is Twinkle 'Cross', not Twinkle 'Rose', my mistake!

Which color do you think I used in the 2 photos above??

105 Radiant Corsage!!! See what I mean when I say the cream shadow looks a bit greyish on my lids? ^_^

As for the texture of the eyecolors, I think it is easy to apply quite evenly with the cream eyeshadows, with the exception of 105 Radiant Corsage, where the brown looks slightly blotchy if I don't layer on. The powder eyeshadow is easy to apply with fingers, but if you want precision, I guess a brush will be good too. But like all powder eyeshadows, do be careful of fallouts as you apply!! 

As the powder eyeshadows are so sparkly and will make anyone look glamourous in seconds, I don't think Prism Carat Eyes is suitable for everyday wear… but they are so pretty that I can't wait to find a chance to wear them out!!

Jill Stuart Foundation

Casing: for Jill Stuart Smooth Silk Powder Foundation N, NT450

Powder: Jill Stuart Moist Silk Powder Foundation (refill), NT1050, 9g

When I got this in Taiwan, the beauty advisor actually gave me the casing for the Smooth Silk Powder Foundation N while she recommended me the Moist Silk Powder Foundation for refill, as I said that I wanted something which provided coverage, but also suitable for touch ups. I wanted to get a compact for touch ups only as I still prefer liquid foundation to powder foundation after trying so many different types of foundations.

I admit that I chose Jill Stuart as I just wanted to own a pretty compact -_- I am glad I took photographs in the hotel right after getting this as I dropped the compact and the powder just shattered last week *sigh!*

Anyway, so I tested it out before it shattered, and I think this is a decent enough (though not impressive) foundation. I got it in Ivory, which matched my M.A.C NC-20 very well. Texture wise, I think it is more powdery than silky. The powder doesn't seem that finely milled as it is not very silky and smooth to the touch. There is definitely some illuminating particles added to the powder as when applied, I can see some subtle reddish/pinkish shimmer that makes my skin more radiant. I like it for touch ups, as it does a decent job in making my face matte for an hour or so before I need to blot again. I tried using it as foundation, and applied it with the sponge provided, patting the powder onto my face. I did not finish it with loose powder. I felt that the foundation was not really that lasting and my skin felt a little oily after a short while. To be fair, I always get the same result when I use powder foundation as foundation!

The powder foundation comes with SPF15 PA++, and has Jill Stuart's signature floral scent, which I simply love =)

In Summary,

Texture: Not silky enough, would prefer it to be smoother

Coverage: Medium

Sun Protection: SPF15 PA++

Oil Control: Average

Lasting power: Average, not impressed!

Color: Ivory

Scent: Floral

Overall: 2.5/5

A foundation I would buy for the packaging.

Jill Stuart Smooth Silk Liquid Foundation, NT1250, 30ml

Comparatively, I like this liquid foundation much more!! This is Jill Stuart's latest liquid foundation from their 2011 summer collection.

The texture of the foundation is more on the runny side than creamy, as you can see from the last photo. When tested at the back of the hand, the foundation might appear quite sheer, but it actually covers pretty well. I can't really say I know what is full coverage, but this is a foundation I would reach for on bad days as I think the coverage is good. What I like about this is that it gives a real semi-matte finish, and to some people who like the dewy look, the finish might look matte enough not to set with loose powder. For me, I always set with loose powder for a more flawless look. It feels refreshing on face, not oily at all! I also like the oil control, as my face seems to have less shine than usual, compared to when I use BB cream. What I find disappointing about most new foundations is that, a lot of times when I start using it, the oil control is excellent; but when I use it for a few more days, the oiliness just comes back. So far, this hasn't happened to this foundation yet, and I have been using it for 2 weeks already. Like the powder foundation, Jill Stuart has included some illuminating ingredient for more radiant looking skin.

The liquid foundation comes with SPF20 PA++, and has the same mild floral scent. If I apply with fingers, I use 2 pumps. When I apply with sponge, I need 3.

           

Before - ekks! Look at the blotchy skin!

After - without loose powder

After - with loose powder

From the above photo, you can really see the difference, isn't it??

Texture: Quite runny like lotion, not creamy

Coverage: Medium to full…?

Sun Protection: SPF20 PA++

Oil Control: Good

Lasting power: Very good

Color: Ivory

Scent: Floral

Overall: 5/5

I really like this! I might not re-purchase, not because it's not good enough, but there are just too many new foundations to try! However, I will definitely try other Jill Stuart liquid foundations!

Jill Stuart Kitten Eyes & 2011 Summer Collection

~Kitten Eyes and 2011 Summer Collection from Jill Stuart~

I intended to buy the gel liner and brush only, after reading about them on the website… but as you can see, I ended up with these:

False Eyelashes, NT500 each (approx SGD22)

I got tempted to buy the lashes after I saw how pretty they looked on both the SAs at the counter. One matched light color eyeshadow with 02, and the other matched pink & plum eyeshadow with 01.

01 Dolly Type

The lashes are thicker for 01. The gold lashes should be worn near to the outer corner of lash line. At first, I thought that these are only suitable for parties, but they actually looked quite wearable on the SA! I think I will dare to wear them to town.

02 Feminine Type

The lashes are less thick, but longer at the outer corners. The purple lashes are less outstanding as compared to the gold, but just as beautiful! Probably suitable for those who want something different, but do not want to overdo it.

Haven't tried these yet. Cant wait!

Jelly Eye Color N, NT720 each (approx SGD31)

14 Dazzling Tears

16 Romantic Cat

Left: 16 Romantic Cat. Right: 14 Dazzling Tear

16 Romantic Cat is a vibrant pink, almost fuchsia. The pink is close to the strawberry pink in the Majolica Majorca Jeweling Eyes PK330 Strawberry Pink palette, but with much more shimmer. Some who are not used to pinks might not find this shade so wearable, unless used moderately at the outer corner of eyes.

14 Dazzling Tear has a champagne base with pink shimmer. Matches very well with 16 Romantic Cat. Creates contrast between the 2 shades.

Gel Eyeliner, 01 Black Cat

I used the eyeliner brush to draw lines of different thickness. For the thickest line in the photos above, I drew a normal line and smudged it with the brush. I think the texture of the gel liner is quite soft and creamy and very easy to spread/smudge. I haven't worn it out yet, so am not very sure how lasting it is. However, I tried lining my eyes with these, and it was very easy to do so.

Eyeliner brush comes with the usual JS style charm, one side with crystal, the other side engraved with a 'J', NT680 (approx SGD29)

Brush is of good quality. It is easy to control the thickness of lines with it. The bristles are soft yet 'Q'. According to the packaging, it says that the brush can be used for up to 5 years.

To be fair, I have not really used the products yet, so I cannot say how satisfied I am with them yet. However, color and quality wise (brush), I am happy with what I got!