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Curiously Carmen

Acuvue Define – Vivid Style Daily Contacts

July 22, 2020

I am back with another contacts review! After reviewing the Angelcolor Circle Lens earlier this year, I wanted to try some other brands. Since I don’t wear contacts often, I like to order dailies. I ordered these off Clearly Contacts (not sponsored) but you could get these anywhere in Canada.

Compared to the Asian market, the Western market does not offer nearly as much colour contacts or circle lenses, making my selection quite limited.

The Acuvue Define line has 3 different “colors”. I say “colours” with quotation because they are mostly just brown or black. There used to be more colours but they have been discontinued.

1 Day Acuvue Define 30pk Contacts | Contactsforless.ca #1 Best Site

I decided on the vivid style for my first order (middle). The accent style looked similar to my Angelcolor contacts, and I wanted something different. However, if you are looking for circle lens, I would recommend the accent style as you will soon find out why!

Base curve: 8.5
Diameter: 14.2

The reason I don’t wear contacts often is because my eyes get quite dry and uncomfortable with them. Over the years, I have found better brands that don’t bug my eyes as much, but I find that the next day, my eyes feel quite dry sometimes.

On first look, the vivid style contacts were very comfortable, natural and light. Daily contacts are also thinner and more fragile, so you have to handle them with care.

Before
After

After putting them on, I was a bit disappointed because I couldn’t notice much of a difference. Only if I looked super closely, would I have noticed a difference. My pupils did look clearer and more defined up close. If I am purposely buying coloured contacts, I would like it to show up more.

On the plus side, I did find these contacts to be super comfortable! Since I purchased a 30 pack, I wouldn’t mind continuing to wear them.

Wearing Acuvue Define Vivid Style here. Barely notice a difference!

From afar like in this selfie, you can’t tell that I’m wearing them. If I’m wearing coloured contacts and paying more for them (they cost more than your regular contacts) I’d like them to be more noticeable.

In addition, my eye diameter is the same measurement as these contacts so if your diameter is 14.2 or less, your pupils will probably show up slightly bigger…… but I doubt the difference is noticeable.

All in all, these were very comfortable but I wouldn’t recommend them as they are barely noticeable as circle lenses. I’d be more inclined to try the accent style (see above for picture) next time.


Filed Under: Beauty, eyes

Angelcolor Circle Lens Contacts Review

May 12, 2020

Coloured contacts and circle lens are very common in Asian countries! A lot of people wear these daily in Asia and it’s becoming quite popular here in Canada too.

What are circle lens? Circle lens contain a black or brown ring (or circle) around the iris. This effect makes your eyes appear cuter, rounder and brighter. Circle lens can also be coloured lens as well. For example, you can have a grey coloured lens with a black circle around.

I had a brief stint back in 2012 with Acuvue purple lenses and I remember those feeling super uncomfortable and dry for me. However, coloured contacts have come along since 8 years ago so I hoped for the best!

I wear contacts very occasionally, perhaps a handful of times a year. I’ve tried to wear them in the past more often but my eyes are quite dry so they’re uncomfortable. My eyes seem to be okay if I wear dailies occasionally though.

With that being said, I never got into the coloured contacts or circle lens trend until my latest trip to Japan. Maki recommended Angelcolor so I kept my “eyes” out for this brand in Osaka! There are many contact lens booths and stores that sell these. However, I found it hard to find prescription ones. I had to go to many stores before finding one with my prescription.

There aren’t many (or any) stores in Vancouver or Canada that sell Japanese brands such as Angelcolor, so your best bet is to buy them online. Maki recommended Rakuten and the pricing is the exact same as in Japan.

The only thing is that you have to pay for shipping which is $20 ish dollars (they only offer express shipping hence why it’s pricier)

I chose the bambi series in the color almond. It is a brown contact with a black circle!

Wearing Angelcolor circle lens in the colour “almond”

Here is a pic of me with them on. Appearance wise, I didn’t find these too dramatic or noticeable. I thought that the brown would slightly lighten my eye colour but it didn’t which was disappointing.

I would prefer something more noticeable so I would go lighter for my next order. It did give my eyes a rounder appearance which looked cute!

My eyes without circle lens for comparison

To be honest, I was a bit wary and doubtful that these circle lenses would work out for me because of how sensitive my eyes are to contacts.

I found these surprisingly comfortable to wear! They were very moisturizing and breathable. The circle lens themselves were very thin and light since they are dailies.

At some points throughout the day, I forgot I was wearing them because of how comfortable it was. Of course there were some moments where it felt uncomfortable so I made sure to always have eye drops with me but most of the time I couldn’t feel them.

Contact Lens Shop LOOOK: Angelcolor 1day Bambi Series [1 Box 10 ...
I would pick chocolate next time instead of almond as I’d like a lighter colour.

I would recommend the Angelcolor brand for their 1 day contacts. There are so many circle lens brands out there that it is overwhelming to pick. But coming from someone who has dry eyes and can’t wear contacts for a long time, I was very happy with these and will be placing another order when I run out!  


Filed Under: Beauty, body, eyes

Beauty: Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette

February 19, 2018

The Anastasia Beverly Hills is one of the most popular eyeshadow palettes in the beauty community. Rich, beautiful pigments make this a must have in any girl (or boy)’s makeup drawer. I am happy to say that my makeup drawer contains it as well, thanks to Maki! Here’s what I thought of it!
What it says (Taken from Sephora):

A present-day take on Renaissance colors, this eye palette features 14 shades that let you create stylish, day to night looks. From the earthy yellow and ultra-matte finish of Golden Ochre to Primavera’s shimmer gold with a metallic finish, this palette’s high-pigment shadows are crease and fade-resistant and are sure to bring modern elegance to your eye looks. 

Application: Each of these shades are so beautiful and romantic! For my first use, I was a bit indecisive since I just wanted to put all the colours on my eyelids! Alas, I didn’t have enough time to do that so I used primavera, a shimmery gold!

A little goes a long way with this palette. A tiny dab into the palette was more than plenty of colour. After seeing how vibrant it was, I could see why this palette is so popular. In addition, it was buttery smooth and blended very nicely.

Wear: Using the Urban Decay Primer Potion, I was a bit disappointed because it didn’t last the whole day. However, I am thinking that the UDPP only works well with UD products, because I noticed that when I use it with other brands, it doesn’t last as long either. So I’m going to try this with another eyeshadow primer and see how long it lasts.

Any recommendations on eye shadow primers? I heard that the Benefit and NYX ones are pretty good?

-Absolutely beautiful, stunning romantic shades
-Very pigmented
-Applies very smoothly and easy to blend

-None!

Yay!

Product received as gift from friend. Opinions are own.


Filed Under: Beauty, eyes

Beauty: Wunderbrow

November 21, 2017

For the past year and a half, I have seen sooo many ads on the Wunderbrow. They looked pretty gimicky though. I must admit that they intrigued me, but never enough to purchase it and try for myself.

Since the boyfriend and I are finally going on an (airplane) vacation after four years to Mexico, I decided to look up some waterproof makeup products. That’s when I came across the Wunderbrow again and after watching many test videos, decided to order it off Amazon!

Is it really waterproof and does it live up to its 3 day claim?! Let’s find out!

What it says (Taken from website):

Perfect even the most disobedient of brows with our one-step, long-wear eyebrow gel, WUNDERBROW from WUNDER2! Define, fill and thicken for a more natural brow look that is completely waterproof, smudge-proof, transfer-proof and lasts up to 3 days. Easily brush on the natural looking gel, infused with ‘hair-like’ fibers to fill and sculpt.
As mentioned above, I ordered the Wunderbrow off Amazon and it arrived within 2 days with prime. It comes with a little spoolie too.

Application: All the reviews I watched/read mentioned that the brush tip (pictured above) sucks and is really hard to use. Indeed, I agree with this. You definitely can not use the brush that it comes with. I found it easiest to apply with a stiff angle brush.

The application took a bit longer and was kind of annoying. I found that I constantly had to dip my angled brush in the product and slowly dab it. In particular, the end of my left eyebrow was quite hard to do as the product wouldn’t stick so it became patchy in that one area only. For that area, I just had to dip extra product.

Wear: Here is the most important part! Does it live up to it’s claim of 3 days smudge proof, transfer proof, and waterproof?! The answer is… somewhat. Why somewhat?

I was very surprised when I rubbed my finger over my eyebrows, and literally nothing smudged off or transferred! After a shower, my eyebrows looked the same and after doing the finger rubbing test again, nothing transferred or smudged!

However, it definitely does not last 3 days. I would give it 24 hours at most. I tested this to sleep, and when I woke up, probably 50% of the product is there.

Here are two videos of me doing the smudge and transfer proof test!

In this video, I waited a minute for the product to try beforehand.

Perfectly in tact after a shower!

Here is a photo with me in the morning after washing my face/brushing my teeth etc. My natural eyebrows are a bit lighter, so the pigment is still there but it would need to be defined again.

(I do not recommend sleeping with any sort of makeup on, but when a product claims to last 3 days and be waterproof, it had to be tested.)

Overall, I am quite impressed with the Wunderbrow and will be taking it with me to Mexico! Usually, products that claim to be waterproof aren’t waterproof at all and will smudge… but the Wunderbrow did not fail me.

I haven’t decided if I will be testing out any waterproof eyeliners too, but the Pixi Endlessly Silky Pen really impressed me last month so perhaps I will just bring that.  Let me know if you have any waterproof suggestions!

Yay!

Product purchased by me. Opinions are own.


Filed Under: Beauty, eyes, face

Hard Candy Metal Eyes Chrome Eyeshadow Kit

October 30, 2017

It seems as if metal and chrome looks are trending right now, with the amount of chrome products on the shelves. I am definitely on board with this trend and love me some chrome! Perhaps I should try out chrome nails soon?

Anyways, Hard Candy has released its Metal Eyes Chrome Eyeshadow Kit, which I will be reviewing today!
What it says (Taken from website):
The Hard Candy Metal Eyes Chrome Eyeshadow Kit is an innovative shadow kit that allows you to achieve the hot runway trend of metallic eyes.

This kit includes 4 highly pigmented metallic pearl eyeshadows, mixing liquid, a mixing well, a professional dual-ended eyeshadow brush, and a mini black eyeliner.

Choose your own intensity by mixing the eyeshadow and mixing liquid together for your desired look. These shadows can also be used dry for a less intense metallic effect.
The kit comes with four shades: gold, silver, brown, and champagne. It also comes with a small eyeliner, mixing liquid, and a small lid to mix.

Application: The application is a bit different if you are wanting to use the mixing liquid. After some trial and error, I found that the best method for the most intense metallic effect is if you dab your brush into the mixing liquid and then press into the eyeshadow. Then, gently dab/press the shadow onto your eyelid rather than one sweeping motion.

Wear: I was really impressed with the colour for the first three hours. The mixing liquid gave it a very metallic and pigmented look. In fact, I would argue that it was even more pigmented than the Naked palettes. The colour was very bright and vivid and I was in love!

However, around the four hour mark, it started to crease and fade. By the six hour mark, most of the eyeshadow was gone. It decided to leave the party early after shining for so long, and go home for some Netflix. After seven hours, the only thing remaining was oily eyelids and eyeliner that had smudged to my lower lash line. Not cute!
Although you can use this without the mixing liquid, I would recommend using it because there is a huge difference. Without the mixing liquid, it is not as pigmented.

With that said, I have mixed feelings about this. In the first three hours, the color payoff is AMAZING and so beautiful. These pictures don’t do it justice at all. I’m just disappointed that it only lasts half a day!

I really love the pigment and for under $10, you just can’t beat it. Perhaps using a primer and setting spray would allow these colours to last longer. This product has a lot of potential!

  • Amazing, beautiful, intense metallic pigment
  • Very affordable at $9.35 – even comes with a brush!

  • Eyeshadow only lasts for 4 hours before it starts to crease, fade and disappear

Yay!

Press product featured. Opinions are own.


Filed Under: Beauty, eyes

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