Mineral Makeup - Alima Venetian H C

Venetian Holiday Collection

I got this from a CozyCot spree! It looked so nice on the website, I had to order one set for myself!

I thought that the "Leone" (described as 'sparkling sand') would be a nice nude brown colour for the eyes. But when my set arrived, I saw that the eyeshadow was too golden. Applied on my eyes, it is goldy and strange. I don't think I would wear it on its own. However, when I mixed it with Alima's Lilac eyeshadow, it transformed the dull dead purple brown into a lighter, sparkly taupe brown colour, suitable for everyday use!

(Taken from the Alima website)
Escape the dog-days of summer with this gorgeous holiday in a box. This complete color kit is ideal for summer travels, with everything you need for a simple but elegant face. (With no liquids, its also airline-friendly!) The set consists of a blush, a shadow, a liner and a tinted lip balm, but as always with Alimas gorgeous mineral products, they can be worn in many different ways.

Leone - the lion is the symbol of Venice, and this sparkling sand that bears it's name may well become your signature shadow.
Rialto - the famous bridge is complex and beautiful, the colors of the stone difficult to categorize. You'll see them reflected in this eyeliner's deep shimmering grey with hints of green. Rialto can also be used as a contour shadow.
Sospiro - named for the Bridge of Sighs, this shimmering blush is a rich pink with golden highlights that will make you sigh. Sospiro can also be worn on the eyes.
Bellini - like the sparkling, fruity cocktail that bears its name (and was created in Venice), this lightly shimmered, muted pink lip balm is ideal for a leisurely afternoon in a sidewalk cafe whether in Venice or Main Street, USA. It comes in a skinny little tube that slips easily into a pocket or handbag.

Mineral Makeup - Lightening

I've been asked on CozyCot Forums about light coloured Mineral Makeup Foundations. How do you make sure that the foundation is light enough for you, yet you don't end up looking chalky or unnatural?

Here's my take. The solution depends on the reason why the foundation is not light enough for you.

1)Not light enough because face is oily underneath / oxidisation.
What works is a primer or makeup base (with or without colour). If you don't already have those Japanese brands (they have 'white' base primers), then what Chiaberry said is really good advice: "Why don't you try 100% silk powder? In the summer, apply this as a primer before your foundation, so that it can act as a buffer to lessen the effect of oil on the foundation itself."

If the MMU you use (Everyday Minerals or others) oxidise, check if it's your skin, or the MMU. I just hate it when I go to cosmetics counters, and they tell me that it's because I didn't use their brand's primer/base for face or eyes, that's why my foundation darkens, or eyeshadows don't stay on. Such an excuse for not making good quality and pigmented products! You're better off experimenting to find a better brand. But of course, if your skin is super oily, then you would have to use oil-control skincare or a primer/base. :P

Also, do remember to put loose powder (MMU or otherwise) on top to help the foundation stay on. Some people don't do that, and the foundation will darken after a few hours, or slide off.

2)Not light enough because the foundation colour is not suitable.
- Email to the MMU company to explain the problem. If you like the formula and continue to buy from them, ask if they could LIGHTEN the foundation for you. Or CUSTOM BLEND if the colour is not quite right. Do offer suggestions so it's easier for them to help. Of course, this works only if you're buying full-size. :) Alima didn't lighten for me, but Skin Story (Central at Clarke Quay) helped me ask Alima for lightener and blended for me. Can also check if they will sell just the lightener to you.

- If you don't intend to buy anymore, but don't want to waste what you have, you have no choice but to
a)Mix with existing lighter foundation.
b)Order an untinted base, to lighten the colour you have. It should be a neutral or untinted colour.
c)Check with Skin Story if they sell samples of Alima's C-0 foundation colour ($2 for a small container). It would work in lightening because it's almost colourless. BUT! Note: I tried mixing Alima's Cool (C-0) which looks colourless with my N-0 and W-0 foundation. However, the cool tone made the foundation look very chalky and fake on me! This method is for those who have very yellow dark foundations, it should work.
d)I tried mixing White eyeshadow from Alima with my foundations. It seemed to work. Then I checked in sunlight - I look fair, BUT CHALKY! Heh... I solved this by adding Alima's light golden eyeshadow ("Leone") to the foundation. It made it more Asian/Yellow toned and natural. Surprisingly it works (but add just a bit). It looks shimmery in the container, but can't see any sparkles on the face.

If you don't want to waste what you have bought, you just have to mix until it suits you.

Mineral Makeup - Meow

Oooh... Was so happy to receive my Meow Mineral Cosmetics today in the post. Click on the hyperlink to see their website. http://www.meowcosmetics.com/ Bought samples because the shipping is cheaper. It came in a cute animal print cotton drawstring pouch, with 2 free samples!
Click on the photos, and then click on the 'expand' function to see the words on the samples.

Here are my foundation samples... all in the lightest colours (0). Took 2 photos with my Canon Digital Ixus 75.

The first photo was taken in a darker setting. The second was taken by the window in the setting sun. I chose all the lightest range. Finishing powders at the end.
They are all very light, yellow-based colours in the (0) lightness, rather suitable for Asian skin tones. I'm surprised that the colours are this light. Normally, even the lightest cosmetic store colours seem a little dark in the container.

Inquisitive Siamese (in Pampered Puss formula) seems the darkest and most brown of the lot. Even though I ordered the lightest in all the colour tones. Inquisitive Angora (in Flawless Feline formula) is the most yellowish, almost gingery yellow.
And here are the eyeshadows (top row) and blushers (bottom row) that I had ordered. Together with the free drawstring pouch!

Eyeshadows - Crouching Tiger Hidden Kitty is shockingly Goober Grape Purple! Don't know how wearable the colour is.

I love the blush colours! Peddle Pink is a bit too orangey coral for me though. But I love the cool (but not purplish) pinkness of Flirt and Tickled Pink!