Beauty Buyers Beware

I wanted a purple and a pink lipstick, in fact they were all that I could think about.  So to put my mind at ease, I added them to my shopping list and the hunt began.


The pink lipstick was no problem and the price was so right that I bought two of them, but the purple lipstick was another story.  I had visited a few stores but they did not have any, and there was one more store that I could check. 


I was late but I still wanted to stop to buy a purple lipstick (mistake #1).  I checked my watch and hurried into the store which is known for selling a particular affordable brand.  The Sales Rep advised that there were no purple lipsticks and recommended a lipgloss which I tested on my hand. It was so gorgeous and pigmented that I knew I had to buy it.


As  I went to select my product from the display case I noticed that it was shaped differently and packaged differently to the tester and to the other lipglosses beside it.  The Sales Rep saw my reaction and assured me 'oh it's the same thing'.  I pushed my doubts aside figuring that the packaging had been updated and bought the lipgloss.


When I reached home and went to swatch the lipgloss I felt devastated.  


Yes, the product was the same colour and it even had the same name but it was a different brand, and one that I have no problem using but it is not the brand that I went into the store to purchase.


To make things worse it did not look nor feel the same way as the brand that I had tested.  In fact the store is not known for selling this brand, which is also affordable, but is not a prestigious as the other one.





I was sad, upset and angry.  In my opinion what the Sales Rep and the store did was unethical and dishonest.  


After much thought I decided to keep the lipgloss because my schedule would not have permitted me to return to the store anytime soon. 


Plus I hadn't seen any purple lip products in the other stores that I had checked.


I considered making a complaint, but knowing how customer service is in Barbados, I doubted that anything would have come out of it.    Thankfully it only cost BDS$10, so it didn't cause my purse too much pain.  I cut my loses and learnt a huge lesson:


1. Never go make-up shopping for a new product when I am in a hurry
2. Don't ignore my 'gut-feeling'
3. I can't trust Sales Reps 100% (so sad but so true in this case) 


 Sales Reps have a critical role to play because they make recommendations that influence your purchase decisions.  This is the first time I have experienced something like this and it is not something that I would want to ever experience again. 

 How to Choose the Right Shade of Foundation or Powder highlights a another bad experience that I had.


Come on Sales Reps, you can and should do better than this.


*UPDATE* - Would you believe that eventually fell in love with purple lipgloss?View the Facebook tribute here.


"...because your make-up should always BE (Blend and Enhance)." - Nakita Squires

The Eyes Have It

Wow, where do I begin?

Apparently a popular beauty trend in Korea right now is Aegyo Sal aka under-eye bags.  Yes, you read it correctly.

I first learnt of this trend after reading Beautystat's post and I could not believe my eyes - pun intended.  I did a double-take and my mind began to work overtime, because under-eye bags are usually avoided like the plague.  I can't even begin to understand it, I'll just accept it and move on.

I find it interesting that there are varying interpretations of beauty, especially in different cultures.  It is not a trend that I will be trying.  In fact my under-eye area is the total opposite, it is sunken and darker than the rest of my face.

In my search for a solution I've read that this is caused by broken capillaries.  It seems like my under-eye area has been like this forever, well they have been for my entire adult life.  It's as though I woke up one morning and they appeared.  I don't recall ever doing anything that would damage the thin, super-sensitive skin there.

Hold that thought - while writing this post I stumbled across Hello Magazine's article that gives more detail than anything else I have read so far.  I think stress may have caused mine.  I was studying diligently for an Undergraduate Degree; which was a far cry from the A'Level studies that I had just completed in 6th Form. Actually, stress would be an understatement.

That article also lists some solutions but I honestly don't think any of them will help me much.  I had started applying coco butter to the area after reading an article that assured it's readers that this would work.  There has been a subtle improvement but I may be at fault because I usually forget to do it.  I'm still trying to make it into a habit, but any change no matter how small is welcomed.

I am still hoping that one day I will be rid of it, but until I find the answer concealer will be my bestfriend.

"...because your make-up should always BE (Blend and Enhance)." - Nakita Squires

Swatch Me - Meta OCC Lip Tar Stained Gloss

At first glance I thought that this 'neon-red' was too bright for me and that I would never be able to wear it.  I'm happy to say that I was wrong and I actually like it.

Meta is a fun, playful colour and that is exactly how I feel when I wear it.  It isn't opaque like the Lip Tars nor as thick.  The colour is still very lovely and the name isn't bad either.

Wondering what a 'Swatch-Cloth' is?  It's how I affectionately refer to the evidence of my swatching.  I included it to give a behind the scenes peek - there is alot of wiping off and reapplying (to say the least).

Special thanks to Lip Factory, Inc. for taking me out of my 'Colour Comfort Zone', I won Meta in one of their giveaways. Even though I always find a way to wear most make-up colours, and look great while doing it; I would never have given that colour a second glance.  

As the saying goes 'don't knock it until you try it' because you may find a lovely make-up treasure.

In case you missed them here are swatches of OCC Lip Tar Hoochie and OCC Lip Tar Stalker , who also make an appearance on the 'Swatch-Cloth'.

Thanks so much for visiting, see you next Wednesday.

"...because your make-up should always BE (Blend and Enhance)." - Nakita Squires

Swatch Me - Hoochie OCC Lip Tar

I remember my reaction when I first heard about OCC Lip Tars.  I was very confused as visions of lips covered in asphalt danced through my mind. Thankfully I was totally wrong.

If you are unfamiliar with this product; you can find out more about this breakthrough in the Make-Up Industry.

Presenting 'Hoochie' (I'm not a fan of the name)-

What do I love about it? - It is VERY pigmented and a little bit goes a long way.

What don't I like about it? - The product separates in the tube, but a quick shake solves this.



Depending on my outfit and the occasion, I sometimes wear a coloured gloss over it.

I bought the Lip Tars here in Barbados from Dee Blackett/Essential Trends.  (I also bought my Sleek BB Cream and Sleek Blush by 3 from her, see the swatch and review for them here) and  I won Meta in a Lip Factory Inc giveaway.

Next on the 'Swatch List' are OCC Lip Tar Stalker and OCC Lip Tar Stained Gloss in Meta.  See Stalker and meet Meta.


"...because your make-up should always BE (Blend and Enhance)." - Nakita Squires