So I changed foundations from the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation that I had reviewed and said to be good, to this Maybelline Super Stay 24h foundation, for no reason in particular other than plain boredom.

In fact, I usually get bored of foundations by the time I’m half way through the bottle.
Plus, as a half-decent beauty blogger, I truly believe that I should be open minded in trying out new products and brands, in order to gain first-hand experience about said products and of course, share my little recommendations and reviews, hoping that it can be of help to someone who is considering getting the product but needs some sort of testimonial.
Also, I really enjoy doing this and since I don’t receive any of these products for free (yet) and I am buying them with my money, why not spread out and explore new stuff every time I go shopping? Right?
Maybelline_Super_Stay_24h_Foundation
Anyhoo, about this Maybelline Super Stay 24h flawless wear foundation, I got it from the Maybelline stand at the Ikeja City Mall in Alausa, Ikeja. They have a pop-up stand there where they showcase and sell a wide range of products from their brand.
You should check them out if you find yourself in that area.
I was torn between the Dream Mousse and this one but as i have used the Dream Mousse before and not this one, i decided to give it a shot.
They are in the same price range of N4,000 to N5,000 anyway so i was ok with my choice.
Maybelline_Super_Stay_24h_Foundation
Bare face (sorry if my mug scares you...)
Maybelline_Super_Stay_24h_Foundation
With foundation
I got it in the shade 64/Chestnut and as you can see it's a true match for my complexion as well as undertone.
I must say that the Maybelline people know their onions as far as foundations and powders for the wide spectrum of skin tones and skin types go. They practically have something for almost everyone. It's impressive.
This particular foundation is supposed to go on flawless, last for 24 hours, be breathable, non-transferring, have SPF 19 which is great and with a matte finish, so i judged it based on these criteria.
Maybelline_Super_Stay_24h_Foundation
Well, ladies and gentlemen, we have another winner on our hands. My face here has just the foundation without any setting powder so it indeed has a matte finish, even though it is a little runny straight from the bottle, but it makes sense if you consider that the formula needs to light enough to pass through the pump easily.. so it's okay.
The pump is one huge advantage that this Super Stay 24h has over the Fit Me. The product is better protected from the elements, so there's a reduced risk of contamination and oxidation, unlike with the Fit Me that is open. Dispensing the product is very easy with the pump. Just a little press and the foundation comes out in small amounts. No excess stress for your fingers, no excess product coming out per pump.

Ratings:
Flawless: 8/10 (It goes on great and smooth. I'm just biased and comparing it to the Fit Me which has a little more 'flawlessness' for me).
Long lasting: 8/10 (it lasts through my work day but looks worn at the end. I don't wear it beyond eleven hours anyway, so i wouldn't know if it lasts for the claimed 24 hours).
Breathable: 10/10 (no caking here).
Non transferring: 3/10 (it stains my tissue paper and handkie when i blot during the day..).
Matte finish: 8/10 (it's very decently matte without any dryness or flaking but it's no match for the Dream Mousse, which is understandable, as they are different product made with different formulations).
Overall experience: 7/10.

Have you used this foundtion before? what was your experience with it? 
If there are any cool products that you recommend or suggest that i try and review, list them below in the comments please. x.

Peace & Happiness to you.





8/17/2017

Review: Maybelline Super Stay 24h Foundation.

Jordana_Sweet_Cream_Matte_Liquid_Lip_Color
Hey guys!
I’m back with another product review and this time it’s this red beauty from the Jordana Sweet Cream Matte Liquid Lip Color range.
In my last lip color review (the LA Colors matte liquid lip color here) and on my Instagram (@skynotfancy), I mentioned my continuous search for a good red lippy. Now my dream product would be the MAC Ruby Woo or Coloured Raine’s Cherry blossom, but since I’m still not yet rich, a cheaper alternative will have to do for now.
Enter the Jordana Cream Matte Liquid Lip Color in Cherry Cobbler.
Jordana_Sweet_Cream_Matte_Liquid_Lip_Color
Jordana_Sweet_Cream_Matte_Liquid_Lip_Color
I got it from one of my joints in Balogun market, Lagos Island. I actually went to get a Milani one but I met this Jordana version, swatched it in the store and was ok with the quality and shade. 
It’s a true red without any undertones but it works fine for my skin tone, plus, it was cheaper than Milani, so yeah.
Jordana_Sweet_Cream_Matte_Liquid_Lip_Color
As you can see, the product comes in a small perspex bottle with a doe-foot applicator. 
The formulation is a creamy liquid so it’s not too runny and not to thick either. On application to the lips, it’s light, soft and dries fast so you can’t dilly-dally. 
One key thing to note is that a single swipe gives only a medium coating so that’s good for when you want a light stain and bad if you want full thick coating with one swipe. This is easily fixed by topping one or two more coats and you have your full coverage.
The good news is that this product dries very smooth, light and flat whether you apply one coat or three coats. No bumpiness or flaking.
Jordana_Sweet_Cream_Matte_Liquid_Lip_Color
Jordana_Sweet_Cream_Matte_Liquid_Lip_Color
I applied two coatings for the coverage in this post, just to give you an idea.
One other thing to mention is the color payoff. This product is as true-to-shade as you can get. With a lot of matte liquid lip colors, you can get a darker shade on your lips as it dries but not this guy.

A con here is that when i eat heavily, the inner-lips wear off so i have to reapply some product to that area. Other that this, and for the price point, this product is marked good 👍.
Jordana_Sweet_Cream_Matte_Liquid_Lip_Color
Rating:
Color pay-off: 10/10
Application: 8/10
Durability: 7/10
Over all experience: 7/10

Have you tried this product? What was your experience with it?
Also, i'm open to trying out good affordable products that are available here in Nigeria so if you have any recommendations, please share them in the comments.

Peace & Happiness to you!









8/12/2017

Review: Jordana Sweet Cream Matte Liquid Lip Color.

Minimalism
So my maman and sister came to visit me recently. 
My sister came in from out of town so I was super happy as it’d been a while since we’ve all been together like that. I knew there’d be gisting and laughter and planning, with a huge side of nagging from dear mother so I was ready.

This nagging, as usual, ranged from ‘ehen ebe a ka ebe ahu ibi bu mma’ [this apartment is better than where you were staying before] to my singleness. I mean it’s bad enough that I’m not married and my younger sister married before me but that I’m not even in a relationship AT ALL?!!!
*Insert high-pitched distressed barrage of prayers of deliverance for me, said in rhythmic Owerri dialect, with an igbo accent*.

I, as usual, laughed, rolled my eyes and made conciliatory but non-committal gestures and responses, secure in the knowledge that she’ll go back home in a short while and I’ll have my peace again soon enough.
One key part of the drama and the point of this Taking Stock post, was my maman’s perplexed inquiry about the minimalism of my lifestyle.
She asked: Where are the rest of your clothes, shoes and bags? Are these all you own/wear? Why haven’t you bought a sofa? Should I help you buy one small freezer? I know one importer near our house in Alaba who’ll sell it for a low price. What are all these plants doing in your house? There’s nothing someone will not see with you, etc, etc x 100, etc.

I’ve subconsciously always leaned to the simple and minimalist side all my life but it hadn’t been this intentional and clear before now, hence my mother asking this recently. 
Most people don't understand or relate to minimalism as a lifestyle, a mindset, so I got that if I tried to explain that having a lot of stuff literally gives my anxiety and the worst headaches, It'd be pointless.

I keep only one piece of most items and only replace them when they go bad because it’s easier, more peaceful, not to mention cheaper for me.

I hardly have to think for a few minutes to figure out my wardrobe for the week. I literally select and iron my work clothes for the entire week in less than thirty minutes. In the mornings, I practically sleep-dress because I am usually barely awake but I still end up neat and decent. I can’t imagine frantically searching for which shade of purple would go best for a particular trouser in the morning!

I love that my room is sparse and uncluttered. I’d go crazy if I had to maintain nine pairs of flats shoes for work. With one or two pairs, I only have to spend five minutes polishing it on the weekend and two minutes dusting it each morning.

As for electronics, if I had so much, I’d have to pay more for NEPA, deal with electricians and technicians to fix them when they go bad, look for space to keep them, worry about security. My heart is beating fast as I write this, it’s that bad.

My friends have different weaves both new and used while I keep only one or two at a time and discard/replace as I wear. Why? Do you know how much those things cost?! Do I look rich to you? Who will help me wash and condition them? Where will I keep them? How many heads do I have? Why do I need to buy one 12 inch weave and another 16 inch one? Can’t I buy the 16 inch one, wear it for a while and then cut it to 12 inches? So much headache.

I may seem crazy now but I’d have been in the mad house by now for sure if i didn't live this way.

The minimalism life chose me and I chose the minimalism life.

Outside of this, I feel:
Relieved: that I’m living exactly as I please, on my own terms. That I won’t be explaining this to anyone. At least not in detail and not in defense.

Thankful: for my family. Pops is recovering and my mother is well, so she has the strength to nag me. I’m expecting my first niece or nephew (yaaaaayyyyyy) and my sister is well and healthy, thanks to God.

Craving: Jollof rice and fried-in-pepper-sauce chicken so bad. It’s been on my mind for days now.

Drinking: zobo these days. One woman close to my office makes such good ones. It’s usually fresh, not too sweet and with enough ginger to pack a punch. She keeps them very chilled or even frozen, so I enjoy it every other day during lunch.

Enjoying: making some small change on the side. At least, I’m able to splurge on correct soups stews.. #foodieunited .

Planning: to get back into the gym and whipping myself back into shape. I’m so unfit now it’s ridiculous.

Reading: through my goals for the year. I must say I’m not pleased with my progress, compared to last year and what I had planned for this year. Let’s see what happens with the rest of the year. I pray I do better.

Wanting: to take a photography and retouching course from one of the good photographers we have here. Either Anny Robert, Prince Meyson or Emmanuel Oyeleke. I love their work. 
Krish Photos and Orinary are not in Nigeria but i loooove their work too.

Saving: for a zoom lens. I only have a 50mm but i realize that i need a zoom lens. Yoo! Nikon lenses are hella expensive my gawd. I'm even thinking of switching to Canon because their lenses are significantly cheaper. *sigh*. 
Does anyone have or know anyone with a used Nikkor zoom lens that they want to sell/give out? Please help a sister.

This is it for now. Hope you guys are well and thriving. 

Peace & Happiness to you.



8/07/2017

Taking Stock: 14. Minimalism & I.

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