From The Straits Times    |
pony_rec

Photo: Pony Effect/Facebook

If you are a beauty enthusiast or Instagram user, you’ve probably heard of Pony Effect. Pony Effect is a cult Korean brand fronted by makeup artist and media personality, Park Hye Min, who is better known as Pony. We “like” her YouTube tutorials and posts and buy off the back of her recommendations, but are her own products worth the hype?

Pony Effect is a cult Korean brand fronted by makeup artist and media personality, Park Hye Min, who is better known as Pony. The brand was previously only in stores in South Korea and only certain online shopping sites. In Singapore, online retailers like Lazada and Airfrov stock a selection of products. But if you prefer browsing in brick and mortar stores, you’ll be glad to know that Pony Effect makeup can now be found at selected Watsons stores here. Knowing which product to pick up can be a daunting task, we get it! That’s why we tested out six products from Pony Effect so you know which product to try out if you are new to the brand.

 

Coverstay Cushion Foundation in Nude Beige ($59.90)

Product claims: This popular cushion from Pony Effect promises to deliver high coverage and absorb excess sebum to give you that natural matte finish. It is also said to stay all day without settling into fine lines and creases.

Our verdict: A little dab of this cushion foundation goes a long way – meaning there’s no need to build – even for concealing blemishes and hyperpigmentation on the face. Even though it is a full coverage foundation, the formula still feels ridiculously lightweight and breathable.

Because it is so mattifying, I definitely see this working better for those with an oiler complexion. I have combination skin and get really dry around my cheeks so this cushion didn’t adhere to my skin as I hoped and it would accentuate dry patches and fine lines throughout the day. If you have dry skin like myself, I would recommend prepping your skin with a hydrating primer to prevent the foundation from creasing.

 

Conceptual Eyes Quad in #beromantic ($49.90)

Product claims: This eyeshadow quad gives you the option of creating sheer or intense looks with the satin, matte and glitter finishes.

Our verdict: I like keeping this quad in my purse because it is so compact and small and you can theoretically create a whole eye look with just this one shadow quad. The shadows are quite sheer so don’t expect anything too dramatic.

Even though the shadows aren’t very pigmented, the texture feels nice and smooth and you can easily blend out the colour with your fingertips.

Out of the four shades, the colour “moment” is the most pigmented and can be worn on its own or layered with another colour. If you like the barely-there natural eyeshadow look and rosy warm hues, I would recommend picking this quad up.

 

Favourite Fluid Tint in #cherish values ($27.90)

Product claims: Formulated with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, this lippy aims to nourish your lips with a sheer amount of shine and colour all day long

via GIPHY

Our verdict: Some lip tints tend to be drying, but this one by Pony Effect is anything but. It has a watery consistency, so it feels like basically nothing on the lips. I like to dab the product on the centre of my lips for a sheer wash of colour but you can intensify the colour by applying another layer or two. This hydrating lippy is great for midday touchups because it doesn’t accentuate dry patches on the lips or cause any flaking.

 

Defense Longwear Cushion Foundation in Rose Ivory ($65.90)

Product claims: This cushion claims to form an invisible shield to protect your skin from harmful aggressors. It is also known for being very long-lasting.

Our verdict: This cushion provides you with a medium to high coverage that dries down to a semi-matte finish that doesn’t oxidise. With this cushion, your skin still looks like skin but it just helps to even everything out and conceal any blemishes and hyperpigmentation. The applicator sponge is also soft and dense so it glides over your skin really smoothly.

As with the Coverstay Cushion, it tends to settle into fine lines and creases after three to four hours of wear because of its matte finish. It would also get patchy around the sides of my nose and under my eyes. If your skin is on the drier side, I would recommend setting your makeup with a hydrating face mist that helps to set your makeup at the same time. (Check out our favourite hydrating face mists here).

 

Stay Fit Matte Lip in #magnificent ($31.90)

Product claims: This liquid matte lipstick is made from moistursing ingredients like Murumuru seed butter and Brazil nut seed oil to help protect and nourish the lips for comfortable wear.

Our verdict: I’m not willing to put up with dry, chapped lips in the name of matte lipstick, so I rarely reach for them, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It is creamy and keeps my lips feeling soft and plump, and is more hydrating than other matte lipsticks I’ve tried. It also has a blurring effect that helps to disguise fine lines on the lips. Also, unlike other matte lippies I’ve tried, this one doesn’t accentuate any dryness or roughness already happening on my lips.

 

Outfit Velvet Lipstick in #weekendwear ($30.51)

Product claims: This semi-matte lipstick is said to feel featherlight on the lips and lasts for hours.

Our verdict: This lippy is nondrying, easy to apply and wear. It’s so pigmented, you don’t need to swipe on more than one layer to get an even colour. Like the Stay Fit Matte Lip, this lipstick has a buttery consistency that glides on smoothly on your lips and blurs out fine lips on the lips. Matte lipsticks tend to accentuate dry patches already happening on my lips (and cause flaking within an hour or two of putting them on) but this one looked great five hours later. 

 

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