These are the two most worn and loved items of late. Only a cliché like "Better late than never" comes to my mind as I try to open this entry, but I guess that is how I really feel about my introduction to Canmake.
Like many other Japanese drugstore brands, Canmake isn't readily available here in the U.S. and there is always a bit of markup. Japanese yen is quite weak right now but the price on eBay or Amazon.com doesn't really reflect the current exchange rates, so I ended up paying about twice of the local price tag although it included standard oversea shipping. The quality is still worthwhile that I want to buy a few more colors and even venture more into the brand.
I adore the packaging. Compact, light, simple, and pretty.
Why can't U.S. drugstore brands do this?
I literally gasped when I opened the blush.
The perfectly smooth surface looks even holy, but only to be desecrated..
Many describe Clear Red Heart (CL01) as a perfect neutral red and I have to agree.
The color is vivid but thanks to its unique translucency and gel-like texture it seamlessly blends into something very natural and youthful.
I used to think cream blushes didn't last as long but I find the Canmake Clear Red Heart stays all day on me despite of the slightly dewy finish (What have I been missing?!). The color deepens a bit a few hours later but still maintains the neutral tones.
I am even more enamored by the Jelly Stick Gloss packaging!
All plastic but it is so well made from the frosted cap down to those light pink lace patterns.
It feels compact and lightweight but there is no flimsy feel about this. Plus the sheer easygoing color that requires no mirror instantly elevates Jelly Stick Gloss to "a cosmetic bag lippie" status.
The name "Jelly Stick Gloss" says everything. It has the distinctly soft and squishy texture and quite a glossy finish.
It is not long lasting at all (naturally) but feels hydrating and even pampering on the lips. I do not detect any masking scent.
Pure Strawberry (02) is a great complement to Clear Red Heart.
It is a very sheer neutral red with sparse silver shimmer that isn't much visible once applied.
For some reason this swatch came out much pinker, but it is quite neutral in real life.
Hopefully you can still see the finish and the color payoffs.
Here is an overall look with Clear Red Heart and Pure Strawberry.
Here I am aiming for a monochrome look except for the light brown eyeshadow that I used for some definition to the eyes. I love how these sheer red colors work seamlessly together to create a clean minimal face with a subtle healthy glow.
(On a side note, it does seem the Vichy Liftactiv Serum 10 Eyes & Lashes are working. I've been using it for a couple weeks now and my lower lashes seem visibly longer. Excited!)
I must credit Mina of Citrine's Blog. Sure, I was always curious about Canmake Cream Cheeks since every blogger seemed to love them, but it was her reviews that finally enabled me.
Suddenly I am all about cream blush. After watching a Lisa Eldridge's video recently, I even managed to score some of the discontinued Revlon cream blushes (still available online) which are excellent quality, but I think I prefer the Canmake Cream Cheek clear types for a naturally fresh effect.
Jelly Stick Gloss is available only in 4 shades and I can't say they are all that unique, but I'd definitely grab a few more in the future. Deep down I know they are just glossy tinted lip balms, but when they are portrayed as "gloss sticks", everything changes.
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