Thursday 27 November 2014

40 Questions Makeup Tag ❤

❤ SKINCARE


-How many times do you wash your face daily?
I cleanse my face once or two times a day. 

-What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
I have Dry to normal skin type. 

 -What is your current facial wash?
I make sure to exfoliate, remove makeup, tone, face mask, apply serums and moisturise. 

 -Do you exfoliate?
Yes I do. Once or twice a week

-What brand do you use?
Kiehls Microdermabrasion Facial 

-What moisturizer do you use?
Lait-Creme Concentre by Embryolisse / Estee Lauder Day Wear Cream SPF 30 / Kiehls Skin Rescuer 

-Do you have freckles?
Nope, but I love freckles.

-Do you use eye cream?
Yes I do. I alternate between Kiehls Avocado eye cream or Kiehls Midnight Eye recovery. 

-Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
Nope. Just the simple hormone spots.

-Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
No.

❤ MAKE-UP


-What foundation do you use?
Depending on my mood really and where I am going that day/night. The foundation I use the most for everyday use for running errands is Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. 

-How about concealer?
Dermacolour wheel, MAC Pro Longwear Concealer and Hard candy concealer.

 -Do you know your undertone color?
Yes, yellow undertone. As I have olive to tanned skin tone. 

-What do you think of fake eyelashes?
They are beautiful when worn appropriately and If it suits a makeup look. For example, I am not a big fan of the heavy, draggy, voluminous fake eyelashes when worn with no eye makeup on hooded eyes but I am a big fan of simple, natural, individual fake eyelashes worn with minimal makeup on hooded eyes.

-Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
Yes, I have read from different makeup articles and even MUA's have suggested it. But I am a badass, It's really quite expensive to throw away makeup that you rarely use especially, if its high end. I only really throw them when they have dried out or I have been using it more than 5-7 months. To be honest, I only really use the higher end mascara's occasionally, I know it's bad. 

-What brand of mascara do you use?
Shu Uemura, Guerlin, YSL, Tarte and Maybelline. 

-Sephora or MAC?
Sephora, definitely. 

-Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
No.

-What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
Brushes, Blenders/Sponges, Puffs, Hands, Eyelash Curlers, tapes(sometimes) and Tweezers.

-Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
Yes, I do use the MAC Pro Long wear Paint Pot in Soft Ochre. 

-For the face?
I use the Benefit Porefessional and Max Factor CC Cream

-What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
MAC E/S in Rule and the Becca Ombre Nudes Eye Palette

-Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
I use liquid eyeliner all the time compared with pencil.



-How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Sometimes, when I am in a rush.

-What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
Love them! Whats the point on buying eyeshadows that is not even pigmented? waste of money. 

-Do you use mineral makeup?
Yes. Setting powders. 

-What is your favorite lipstick?
All time favourite, 'MAC lipstick - Velvet teddy'. But Autumn/winter favourite, 'Lime Crime lipstick in Salem'

-How about lipgloss?
MUA Lip laquer in Tranquility.

-What is your favorite blush to use?
Benefits 'Coralista' and MUA blushers.

-Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
Nope. I used to when I was around 13, but I didn't know makeup that much before.

-Do you like drugstore makeup?
Yes, I believe there are some makeup in the drugstore that are far better than some high-end makeup. 

-Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)
Yes, but only to seek for better makeup tools. 

-Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
Most of the time, but I decided to only attend them after I graduated from Uni. 

-Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
Not really but If I am in a rush, I get the occasional poke on my eyes :( haha

-Name a makeup crime that you hate?
Overdrawn eye brows, draggy fake eyelashes for just running errands and unblended eyeshadow (crease)

-Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
I prefer Neutral shades of makeup :) They are definitely more subtle. 

-Which celebrity always has great make up?
Kim Kardashian, Katherine Bernardo and Lily Ghalichi 

-If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
Revlon Colour burst Lip stain in Love sick. 

-Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Nope. 

-Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
Some say that I look better without it but they haven't really seen me without makeup. So, no. Haha.

-In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
Oh, this is a hard question. In no order, RCMA, Sleek, Tom Ford, Nars, MAC, and Dior. 

-What do you think of Makeup??
I'm a firm believer that makeup is not supposed to be used as a mask but as a product that should emphasise our features in which makes us beautiful and can define us to be a true breathtaking masterpiece


This was so fun to do friends, I hope you all enjoyed reading this. I tag anyone who wanted to do this fun tag! :)
Hope you are having a wonderful week,

Sette Ventura 

Monday 24 November 2014

Collective Haul 2014 ❤


Hey friends, 

I apologise again for lacking on making videos and posting blogposts on this blog. However, to make up for all the long wait, I subjected a new video and its a collective haul of all the makeup and beauty necessities I have accumulated during these past few months. They are a mixture of high-end to drugstore cosmetics and have exceeded my expectations, well most of them. I absolutely adored these products and I definitely recommend all of it. Some may be over-priced but, you never know.. Christmas is just round the corner ;) 




Considering how long this video is, I have done my best to shorten it and ensured that I wouldn't rumble on too much. Still though, I thank you for spending your time watching it and now you're on my blog reading this :) It makes me smile. 
The swatches and more in-depth review of such products will most certainly happen as I do not want to disappoint you all. It would be a great pleasure to share my experience and opinions of these cosmetics stated on my Youtube video. 

 Products Listed:
  • Revolution Eye Palette - Redemption Palette / Acid Brights (Swatches will be up soon/Link) 
  • Revolution Eye Palette - Salvation Palette / Welcome to the Pleasure dome (Swatches will be up soon/Link) 
  • Revolution Single Eyeshadows - #Hang up, #MMMM, #BASE!, #Pink Is It
  • Becca Ombre Nudes Eye Palette (Retail Price: £34http://bit.ly/1vDV5GQ (REVIEW: LINK)
  • Laura Mercier - Illuminating Eye Colour / #Crystal Fantasy (Retail Price: £5) http://bit.ly/1uR2ql4
 Others
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I hope you enjoyed the YT video and this blog posts, friends. Have a great holidays and hope you had a great weekend. Thank you again.

Love y'alllll, 

Sette Ventura  

Sunday 16 November 2014

Beauty Blender VS Dior Backstage Blender Review ❤


Hello friends, 

How you guys doing? I will be reviewing both Beauty Blender and Dior Backstage Blender Foundation Sponge back to back. Since, it is highly requested; I ensured that I will be covering as much points as possible to ease all the drama between both of these sponges, ha ha. Joking. But seriously, I have tried and tested out these sponges for a long duration of time and can honestly share my experiences and opinions on both of these products. Also, I am going to mention and highlight on this blogpost about the differences, and similarities of these products side by side and which I do prefer. However, before I start reviewing both these products, I just want to claim  that I am not paid in any shape or form to share my opinions and truthfully, I just love sharing with you all these kind of reviews to help you choose whether If its worth it or not ;) 

Beauty Blender Description: "Beauty Blender has been created to leave you with a professional finish and a flawless complexion. Forget your fingers or sharp-edged triangular sponges, these application methods waste makeup and can leave visible streaks. Beauty Blender's patent-pending elliptical shape makes application foolproof by allowing you to access hard-to-reach areas with stunning ease. Beauty Blender is latex free, non-allergenic and odour free."

Dior Backstage Blender Description: "The egg-shaped, ergonomic Fluid Foundation Sponge delivers seamless application, even in the most hard-to-reach places, for a radiant and sculpted studio finish. Application tips: 1- Use the side of the sponge to blend foundation over the entire face. 2- Use the tip to apply foundation on specific areas (wings of the nose, eye contour, etc.)The base can be used to adjust coverage on areas that require greater correction. ". 


Beauty Blender and Dior Backstage Blender Foundation Sponge. 

Beauty Blender and Dior Backstage Blender (Side by Side, Close-up)

As shown in the above picture, I have both Beauty Blender and Dior Backstage Blender next to each other. The Dior Backstage Blender is quite longer yet more of an oval Shape but the Beauty Blender is more rounder in the other end and pointier on the other. To be honest, they both look egg-shaped anyway. 

Comparing both blenders when not soaked in water, they both have closed pores nonetheless, their texture are somewhat different from each other. The Beauty Blender is a lot more 'bouncier' and more porous which allows water to pass through the blender yet the texture of the Dior Backstage Blender is quite Velvety, a lot more closed pores and not so 'bouncy'. 

Beauty Blender and Dior Backstage Blender Foundation Sponge (When soaked with water)


Beauty Blender and Dior Backstage Blender Foundation Sponge (When soaked in water and hand comparison)

As you can see in the above images, the Beauty Blender expanded its shape whilst being damped with water. This is because the pores of the sponge are a lot more open thus, allowed water to seep through. On the other hand, the Dior Blender remained as its original shape and size. After many trials of multiple use of both these sponges, I can honestly say that the damp Beauty Blender dries for quite a long duration of time compared with the Dior Blender Sponge. 

Cleanliness: I have attempted and tried to clean and disinfect these sponges using different products that could help not destroy its original shape, texture and colour. I mostly use baby shampoo to clean both the sponges by applying a good amount of product on the sponge then massaging it thoroughly on the palm of my hand under warm-to-cold water. Another cleaning application I found that works well with blenders are the Beauty Blender shampoo or soap. I am sure that there are hundreds of tutorials in Youtube that demonstrates how to clean Sponge Blenders any way, so therefore, I could save you some time instead of me blubbering further into a subject that has already been covered by many bloggers and MUAs. Here's an example:

Video Link: http://youtu.be/-ERzchbhxoo by Tracy Timberlake. 



Application use
  • Beauty Blender: There are many videos out there establishing on how to use this product and which makeup format works well with it. I just simply love using this sponge when damped with water to apply my regular liquid face products such as foundations, highlighters and concealers. It gives such a beautiful airbrush finish and you can definitely enjoy it more when it has been dampen as this allows to reduce and break down the feeling of heaviness and deep concentration of the foundation product into the skin. Firstly, I apply the foundation or concealer directly on the face using my fingers or brush then I blend it thoroughly in a patting motion using my damp Beauty Blender. 
  • Dior Backstage Blender Foundation Sponge: The best method in which I use this Dior Blender is when its kept in its dry state and shape. This is because it does not really do much change even when it has been dampened with water. I love how easy it is to use without standing up and going to the sink to dampen it, ha ha. As repeated above, I use the same method on how I apply my liquid face products which are the simple apply with fingers then blend in a tapping motion.
I like using both sponges on liquid face products as it gives a radiant and flawless finish. However, I am not really a big fan using it with powder or creme format products as it does not give me the result I am looking for compared with using an actual makeup brush and puffs. 



Differences of: 
- Beauty Blender:
  • Air-brush finish
  • Helps break down the heaviness of the face product
  • Refreshes face
  • Odour-less
  • Variety of colours 
  • Best used when damped
  • Best applicator for liquid products
  • Availability everywhere. 
  • Softer and Spongier
  • Porous
  • Available shampoo and solid soap
- Dior Blender Sponge:
  • Air-brush finish
  • Cheaper price compared with the Beauty Blender
  • Easy to clean
  • Odourless
  • Best applicator for liquid products
  • Best used when dry
  • Not so fragile


My experience: Sharing my experience with both these sponges and I just wanted to assure you that everything mentioned in this section of the blog post are based on my actual thoughts and opinions of the product. As much as I love my Beauty Blender, It sometimes is a pain removing the stains on the actual blender even when I am using its branded soap or shampoo and it can be quite fragile so I had to be careful whilst cleaning and using it. I actually do prefer using this product whilst its damp and when being applied in a patting motion, it feels like you're punching your face with cotton balls haha.  

I am starting to also love the Dior Blender Sponge but still getting used to how I prefer using it and so on. My experience with this product is quite different than it is with the Beauty Blender. You do not have to damp this product and it is a go-to-makeup tool that allows you to quickly access on blending  your concealer or foundation, when you are running late in your usual errand or work. The con's in which I faced with this product are that when using it in a patting motion, it feels like you're punching yourself with rubber and its texture in my opinion, are like any other makeup sponge you find from the pound stores or any drugstores. I do not really see the hype on this product, I guess its just the brand name that got me into buying it. I do not regret any of my decisions because it is always great to have sponges in your beauty makeup kit. I still do prefer my Beauty Blender. 

There you go guys and girls, This is my whole review of both the Beauty Blender and the Dior Backstage Blender Foundation Sponge back-to-back. I hope you enjoyed reading my review on these products as much as I have reviewing and sharing it for you all. Please, if you have time. Let me know your thoughts and opinions too underneath this blog post. Thank you so much guys. Underneath this, I will be posting the prices and where you can all purchase both these products. 

Price & Websites
  • Beauty Blender £15-£28


- Selfridges: http://bit.ly/1xDNBSp
- Beauty Blender Website: http://bit.ly/1y5C9hW
- Beauty Bay: http://bit.ly/1cGS9KA
  • Dior Backstage Blender Foundation Sponge £10.80-£12


- Debenhams: http://bit.ly/11dZgLY
- Selfridges: http://bit.ly/1uzf6gc

P.S. I will have a tutorial coming up soon demonstrating on how I apply my liquid products using the Dior Backstage Blender.

Have a great days guys and take care,

Sette Ventura ❤


Friday 14 November 2014

Quick Update ❤


Hello friends,

First of all, I just wanted to say sorry for neglecting you for weeks. I became so busy with running errands and having to keep up with my new job. Oh how fun. But the good news is, I will start reviewing some products tomorrow and onwards on products that has been longly awaited for. Also, I have tried and experienced using such products for a while now and can honestly, say my varied opinions and share my experience with it. I am very lucky to have you guys who have been keeping up with this blog and I would like to thank you so much for your patience. It has been a good motivator boost to assure that my blog is kept up-to-date as much as I can. I will list in this blogpost the reviews that are going to be featured in the blog as well as extra bits and bobs about my adventures, If you do fancy knowing what I have been up to. Ha ha. However, I could not guarantee to you that some of these blog posts will be posted in order but I most certainly will assure that every one of these blog posts are achieved and posted.

Blog posts coming up soon: 


  1. Beauty Blender VS. Dior Blending Sponge (Done)
  2. Yes Style Skincare Haul and Reviews
  3. MAC Contouring shades (Cream) and how I use them. 
  4. Monster High Collaboration - Dracula Inspired (X)
  5. Collection Haul Vid (Done)
  6. Update on hair and products used.
  7. My new job and what I have been up to lately. 
  8. Autumn Inspired Look 
  9. Review on Desio Lens (Desio) VS Geo Lens (Yes Style) 
  10. Update on Skincare Routine
  11. Update on Everyday Makeup Routine
  12. Favourite Highlighters.
  13. Must Haves and Top 14 Products of 2014 (Done)
  14. Vlogs (Continuing to 2015)
  15. Contouring & Highlighting Makeup Routine - Tips & Tricks
  16. New Years Resolution & How I can achieve it. (X)
  17. Gym Journey & Diet Plan 
  18. Plans I will be doing next year
I will be posting my new blog post this Sunday, 16th of November about my experience using the Beauty Blender and Dior Blending Sponge. 

I miss you guys and I hope you have a great day.
Love love you all

P.s. I have changed my Instagram Username to: Setteventura


Sette Ventura