Hi everyone! I decided to do a hit list post which will feature the products that I am loving lately. I have even considered checking outa list of online cosmetology colleges to discover even more great makeup products from a cosmetology/ makeup class.
In no particular order, my fave products are: 1. Maybelline Baby Lips - Two of my readers commented on how good this product is. I have tried Carmex, Chapstick to Vaseline.. I think this one is the best. Thank you for your recommendation. It moisturizes my lips very well. The balm just don't sit on my lips like a gloss but it does a nice job of making my lips softer and more supple. I have dry lips and I have noticed that I rarely experience chapped lips now. I also love the scent. I think I got the raspberry one. This only costs 79 pesos. I will definitely repurchase.
2. Splash Hair Control Polish - I like this better than a leave on serum. This tames my tresses and baby hair without my hair looking oily. (The trick is not applying too much)
3. Sophia Eyelash Enhancing Kit - I posted an intro post for this product and a monthly update. I am very impressed with this one. A co-employee asked me last week if I my lashes are true or fake. Waahhh Nobody has ever took notice of my lashes before. Click here for more info about this product.
4. Revlon Lip Butters - I have been raving about this lip butters ever since I got them. I use it almost everyday to the office especially pink truffle which is my lips but way better shade. :D Review and Swatches here.
5. San San Rosy Blush - I expressed my profound love for the Peach blush before. I have been liking this blush because it looks similar with my ELF blush, the one in the Studioline blush/bronzer compact. The gold shimmer is not noticeable but gives my face that nice glow. Click here for review and swatches of the San San blushes.
5. Fashion 21 Loose Powder - I honestly did not like this when I bought it at first. I was even thinking of throwing it away but I just kept it inside my makeup drawer for about 2 or 3 months. Again, I was influenced by Filipina Youtube Gurus in buying this product. I find this great for touch ups but not for setting foundation or BB Cream. However, I use this to set my concealer to highlight my under eye because the shade is a bit lighter for my skin tone.
6. Saizen Face Massager - I do not actually know what you call this stuff. Is it a face massager or scrub? I saw a Youtube guru cleaning her face with a face brush (the one used in facials). Having sensitive skin, I have an inkling brushes will definitely not work for me since it will prick my skin. Then I saw this at watsons and I am using this to clean my face every other day (not everyday). I feel that my face becomes softer after using this. I never thought that cleaning one's face can be so relaxing. :D
The tiny bristles are very gentle. Just don't press this hard on your skin.
7. Marionnaud N32 Angled Brush - Fave brush for the moment. I use this for blush application and for contouring my cheeks. I think I should get a back up for this brush.
8. Neutrogena Fine Fairness Bb Cream - I am using this everyday! More about this product soon.
9. MAC Gingerly Blush - This is my go to blush as of the moment. I find the shade very versatile. I can use this with a pink, peach or red lipstick!! Also, JlovesMAC love this blush too. :D
The shade is a very warm peach blush with brownish red undertones.
10. Nichido Tru Lashes Eyelash Adhesive - I was very disappointed with Aido and I was in search for a nice lash adhesive. During one makeup gig with my sorority sister, I was amazed that she was wearing falsies since 8 am and it was still on her until I went home (around 7pm). I was surprised when she showed me a tiny bottle which is very familiar because I have been seeing it always at the Nichido Counters. I was also thrilled that it only costs 60 pesos!! This tiny bottle does a great job. It dries relatively fast(not super quick, I hope you get what I mean).
This bottle is very tiny and it is worth every penny. The only thing I hate about this is the packaging. The cap can be really hard to remove.
That's it. What are the products you are loving right now?I would love to hear from you. Godbless everyone.. :D
Hi guys! The hall of shame represents the worst products that I have tried last year. They are in this list because these products did not work for me or some just fail in shade selection and other criteria.
Chanel Mascara Base Beaute I was thrilled (to the bones haha) when I got this. I told myself finally my first mascara base and it is CHANEL!! I remembered during my college years I went crazy with Maybelline XXL Mascara. Anyone remembers this? The dual ended mascara where you get the normal mascara on one end and the other was a base. I love that so much!! Anyways never be deceived with the brand. What it does? Yes it lengthened my lashes however it was very clumpy my lashes looked like lumpy spider legs. (awkward!!) I am not a fan of this look because I wanted volumized but well separated lashes. It does not hold my curls either. So much of having a Chanel mascara (at least when someone asks me,what is it? I could loudly say OH IT IS CHANEL..hahaha), I would rather buy korean cosmetics that carries mascara base or those mascaras with fibre.
Professional Touch Styling Mousse I was looking for this particular V05 hair mousse (the one that can be used with iron curlers..) at Watsons which is unfortunately unavailable at that moment. The only hair mousse that caught my eye was this. This only costs 149 pesos. I bet now you know why I bought it. It was the cheapest hair mousse! This product does not do anything at all. It says extra hold but id did not curled my hair. It did not even hold my hair. It absolutely did nothing!
Pure Beauty Super Brightening Eye Gel Ok. With its name, I was expecting that it will brighten my eyes, remove the puffiness and dark circles with regular use. Guess what? It also did not nothing. I religiously used it every night and before I put make up on.
SanSan Concealer Initially, I love this concealer! A lot! However, the shades are very limited. I got this in olive and it looked way too light on me. Texture, consistency and longevity is really good. I also think that this is the culprit which caused the darkening of my under eyes. I have dark eye bags but it got worse when I started using this.
Ever Bilena Pro Shimmer lipstick The berry rose shade was really nice. It was a close dupe for Barry M shocking pink however rosette just had to be thrown to the trash bin! I bought this on sale for 60 pesos. It was one of the new lip products of Ever Bilena at that time. When I swatched rosette, it was a gorgeous coral pink shade. Nothing I have ever seen, very unique color. Then I tried it on my lips when I went home, Ughhh!!! Worst lip product ever.. This is not exaggeration but truth. It has this gritty texture and the smell was horrible. It was like plastic. It won't even blend on my lips. It looks streaky when applied. I contacted Ever Bilena about this but they did not respond. I really thought I got an expired product but I read from a blogger that she did not like rosette too.
ELF Essentials lipsticks You all know how I love ELF products. I think this is one of the cheapest makeup brand that produces good quality products. These are the 1$ lipsticks. I got gypsy which is a very beautiful deep purple pink shade and seductive which is a beautiful medium neutral pink. The pigmentation is really good. The downside? They are super drying on my lips and the lipsticks themselves are also dry. I had to reapply more lipbalm than usual when I use these. I have read a lot of good reviews about this products. Perhaps, my lips was just too dry for these lipsticks. :C
Go Natural Lip Sugar Scrub Apply petroleum jelly on your lips and scrub it with sugar and you'll get the same effect when you use this. That's it! Now, I wonder why did I ever bought this?!?
Nichido Minerals Spot Concealer This is very creamy when swatched but when I tried using it on my blemishes it was too dry. It highlighted my blemishes instead of concealing them. However, I like to use it as a liner on my lower lash line to brighten up my eyes but as a concealer -- NAH!
Aido Eye Putti This was my first ever eyelash adhesive 3 years ago. Now, it does not even stick my falsies properly. My falsies kept on falling down when I use this. I found a better alternative which is the Nichido Lash adhesive which only costs 60 pesos.. :D
Ever Original Brow Pencil in Brown The shade has a tiny hint of red and it looked so fake on my natural brows. This looks good on other Filipina Youtube Gurus.. Sigh. :C
Avon Smooth Minerals Mascara This does not hold my curls at all and it even makes my lashes weigh down. It is also very clumpy. It did not lengthen nor created volume on my lashes.
(photo not mine,credits to owner)
Maybelline Clear Smooth All in One Shine Free Foundation I have normal to dry skin and this was way too powdery for me. It was also very cakey and heavy for my taste. I also had a hard time choosing my right shade. I got in sand beige and it was an epic fail.
Etude House Color Me Nude Lip Concealer I bought this on a whim because as you all know I have dark lips. I wanted the MAC lip erase so bad but ended up with this one. It does a good job of concealing my dark lips and my lipstick looks better when I use this but it was very drying. My lips also looked cakey and too much made my lips look weird. It also settles on the fine lines. I would rather use a concealer than buy this one again since this product does not add moisture nor make lipsticks last long. It is just like a normal concealer (only for the lips though). What products did you regret buying last year? Care to share? Godbless everyone.. :D
The first makeup product that made me realized the wonders of makeup was a black eyeliner. I specifically remember that whenever I was chosen as a flower girl for a wedding or would join a school program, I would always look forward to that black eyeliner. I really saw a huge difference with or without a black eyeliner on. I would tolerate all the tingling sensation when the makeup artist would line my waterline. I was like 5 then. I learned to endure all the pain and prevented my eyes from watering because I knew it was worth it (I was that keen on looking good at such young age.. arte!). The bottom line is if I want to quickly prettify my self, I would definitely reach for a black eyeliner.
I bought this eyeliner because of Say (do you now realize how gullible I am and I get easily lured to buying things I just do not need by just reading blogs and watching youtube? may gad..). Here is a video of Say which got me into buying this liner.
It only came in one shade which is in ONYX (black). It only costs 138 pesos. It glides on very smoothly on my lid and on my waterline. It is also very pigmented. My aunt from France even commented how nice the shade of this liner is. She told me that it looks more opaque than her Christian Dior eyeliner. This eyeliner is made in Czech.
What I love about this eyeliner:
The color is very rich and it gives out a beautiful texture when applied.
It glides very smoothly on my lid and even on the waterline. I can even use this to tightline my eyes. I can also use this to smoke out my lower lashes to achieve a more sultry look.
It is very affordable and locally available too.
It does not sting my eyes. No watery eyes and red sore. This liner is allergy tested.
When applied on the upper lid, the staying power is pretty good. It lasts 3-4 hours. The good thing about this is that you can reapply it over and over again. I use this more often than my gel liner.
Easy to remove with water and soap or makeup remover.
It stays in place especially when applied on the upper lid.
It does not break even if you sharpen it over and over again. I have that annoying problem with my In2it gel liner.
What I do not like about this eyeliner:
It does not lasts long especially when I use this to tightline my eyes. It disappears on my waterline too after 2 hours or so. If you hate reapplying, then this liner is not for you.
It smudges a bit on my outer corner of my eyes. Have you experienced having all of your liner stuck on the outer corner of your eyes like a mole.
It can be easily rubbed off.
I do not really know if this is truly water resistant. I was that it is transfer resistant instead.
It only comes in one shade. I hope they have this in brown too.
I will definitely repurchase one if I ran out. I love eyeliners that glide on smoothly and those which are pigmented even with one swipe.
However, this definitely failed the rub test! Sigh!!
I just finished watching Heartstrings (a korean series). This look was originally inspired by Lea Michele's Golden Globes 2012 look. I watch the tutorial of Nic (pixiwoo) but ended up doing my own look instead. I
Here is Nic's tutorial for Lea Michelle:
Here is my own Touch of Silver Look:
I used my Nichido Minerals Eyeliner Kohl in Onyx as a base. I created the winged outline. It makes the application easier and cleaner if you do this.
Blend the eyeliner on your lid.
Apply a dark gray liner. This is actually optional but I love packing shadows on my lid to create a beautiful gradient and texture.
Dust some matte brown eyeshadow on your crease area and darken it with the black eyeshadow. I also applied more black eyeshadow over the wing and outer v for more definition. Highlight the inner corner of your eye with a lighter shade of silver. I also highlight my brow bone using Ellana Mineral Concealer. I think this made my brows look cleaner.
The final look. This is the texture and gradient I am talking about.
I forgot to apply more mascara on my lower lashes! :s I swear this looks more sultry and fiercer in person.
Products Used:
Maybelline Pure Minerals Liquid foundation Ellana Minerals Concealer in Smile Fashion 21 loose powder in #1 LA Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer in Pure Beige ELF matte bronzer for contouring MAC Gingerly Blush Sophie Martin Lipstick in Caramel Sugar and I top it off with Fashion 21 Arctic Stone Wet n Wild Bronzzer in Acapulco Glow Avon Minerals Mascara Nichido Liner in Onyx ELF 32 pc. warm palette KKCENTERHK 40 pc. shimmery eyeshadow HBC False Lashes Aido Eye putti (i hate this lash glue does not stick the lashes very well!!)
I hope you like this look.. I will be doing the morning rush look soon. It made me look so posh with using only one eyeshadow!!
I can't believe that 2011 will soon be over. This year was a whirlwind for me. A lot happened to me especially life changing events. This year was mostly fail for makeup buys because I would usually purchase makeup online due to my busy schedule. So here is a list of my best finds this 2011 (I will not elaborate too much on products I have already made a review):
FACE PRODUCTS
San San Matte Liquid Foundation - I am really surprised that this 100 pesos foundation is on this list. I really have sensitive skin and this did not cause me any break out at all. No rashes too. I have using this for almost everyday, the first time I got it. Click here for detailed review.
James Cooper Jazzy Collection Foundation compact - Having medium yellow skin is really hard. I have a hard time choosing foundation and concealer but this product save the day. I would usually purchase concealer that is light than my skin tone. Having three shades in one compact is really good. The medium shade suits my skin very well but I do not use it that much especially the highlighter. The darker shade of the compact is my favorite because it makes my foundation and concealer suits me better. I just blend them (the darker shade and my concealer) together and I instantly get that perfect shade for me. Sadly, this is now phased out.
Ellana Mineral Concealer in Smile - I forgot to include it in this picture. My under eye concealer more often than not rubs off at the end of the day. I seriously think that looking like Wednesday Addams when I was five was so cool but having dark bags at the age of 26 is so not cool!! I look so stressed at the end of the day even if I am not. This concealer saves the day. I primarily use this for touch ups. It can get cakey so I have to exert extra effort in blending. haha
Fanny Serrano 2 way Foundation - I love this foundation and I bought my third compact yesterday. A compact would last around 4 months. No more ghostly white face in pictures!! I really think Fanny Serrano should get an applause for this product especially for the shade selection that perfectly fits Filipina skin. Click here for more information.
Sigma F80 Brush - The best brush I have ever used. Seriosly. The only problem I have now is that whenever I use my other flat top brushes, I think they prick my skin more than ever (or it is all in my head..haha).
EYE PRODUCTS
No palette this time. I just bought the Neutral Palette this year and I am not gaga crazy over it.
Nichido Kohl Pencil in Onyx - This is very pigmented and it applies like a dream even on the waterline. I use this for lining my lid my water line and even for tightlining. A detailed review on this soon.
Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer - Finally!! This primer is better than all the other primers I have used even the ELF mineral Primer is no match for this one! I will do a review about this soon.
Nichido Minerals Precise Liner - It does not tug, smudge or budge!! The best liquid eyeliner on the local market to date! Click here for review.
Yanqina Mascara and Maybelline Stilleto Mascara - The best mascaras I used this year. Both made my lashes appear fuller and longer! Click here for Yanqina review and here for Maybelline Stilleto Mascare Review.
CHEEK PRODUCTS
Milani Bronzer in Medium - I bought this last November, 2010 but I mostly used it this year. I am quite surprised that I watched two Youtube Gurus raving about this. I love pairing this a light pink lipstick. I aslo use this for contouring. Click here for my bronzer collection post last 2010.
ELF Bronzing Powder in Matte Bronze - The best contour powder and very cheap too. Click here for more information.
Shawill Blush in Natural Beige - Another exception to my list. I am never into shimmery blushes but I love this one a lot. It gives me that natural glow on the cheeks.
SanSan Peach Blush - One word - LOVE!! haha Click here for the detailed review.
Etude House Face Color Corset in No.1 - This is a white shimmery highlighter. I find this perfect for the Holidays. Click here for more information.
Nichido and NYX lip liners - These are my lip savers. They cover my dark outer lip line very well. They are very affordable too. I just hope Nichido will release more shades soon.
Vaseline Lip Therapy in Cherry - I find this better than Carmex! The cherry flavor is not over powering at all. It only costs 75 pesos.
Careline Gloss -If there is the best among the best product of the year, this will take that spot! For 60 pesos, you will get that super opaque and not sticky gloss! Winner! I cannot express how much I love these glosses. Careline, please add more matte shades. Click here and here for the swatches and review. Btw, my favorite shade is in 101.
Skincare Products
Etude House Happy Tea Time Milk Tea - I use this as a makeup remover for my eyes. I had this for months an I just finished half of the product. I bought this as a replacement for my Ponds Cold Cream. However between Ponds and this one, Ponds wins without a doubt.
Eskinol Dermaclear C mixed with Dallacin C - I cannot got out of the house and sleep without cleansing my face with this one. I use this everyday morning and evening. It makes my face super cleans and makeup free. Weird fact about me using this -- unlike other people who use this after washing their face.. I use this before washing my face. This routine worked well for me.
Belo Essentials Face Sunblock - I have no qualms using this everyday. This feels so light on my skin and not greasy at all. I just wish the SPF will be higher like their body sunblock which is I think SPF60.
Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel - I already finished this bottle. I particularly love how refreshing it is on the skin when you apply it and the scents is soo good. Click here for more information.
Mosbeau All in One Facial Cream - It felt like a serum and a moisturizer whenever I use it. It acts as a good makeup base too. Click here for more information.
Hair Products
This is so new to me. I have never been into hair products except this year.
Pure Beauty Treatment Essence Water - This smells so good and adds a bit of moisture on my hair. I use this everyday after every bath especially when my hair is still damp.
Tony Moly Silky Glaze Fruit Hair Spray - This is a very huge bottle for 179 pesos. This is the only hair spray that my nose is not allergic too. The scent is so nice. It hold my hair throughout the day too.
Lory Hair Cream in Duo Chocolate - The scent is very relaxing and this is my favorite among the other variants. It is also more moisturizing compared with the others. I used this as a everyday conditioner .
That's it ! These are the products that I would most likely buy over and over again. I love that my list still budget friendly. hehe
If you ask me my top five, they are:
Careline Glosses
Sigma F80 Brush
Fanny Serrano 2 way Foundation
Eskinol Dermaclear C
San San Blush in Peach tied with ELF Matte Bronzer
Choosing the top five was the hardest so I had to make it 6!
I am very excited to share with you this new find of mine. I was in SM department store with mom and I noticed this new item from the Nichido shelf. I was actually a bit excited to try it since it has silver glitters on its packaging. I thought that it was a shimmer/glitter black liner. To my surprise, it was their new liquid eyeliner. I love love love their liquid liner before I switched to gel liners.
Can you see the silver glitters on the packaging.
Their new liquid eyeliner has a new brush. This is far from their old liner with a flimsy brush. This one is pointed and more stiffer. Hence, application is easier.
The shade is pure black and its really matte.
Do I like this liner? YES YES YES!!!
I swatched it on my wrist at their counter. The SA told me to wait for a few seconds because it dries quickly. Indeed, it dried quickly. Then, I decided to rub it off my wrist and it did not rub off!! Instead of walking away from the Nichido counter, I asked the SA to give me a new stock of this liner. haha Finally! A local brand that is long wearing, non transferable and waterproof liquid eyeliner!Isn't this good news? I was thinking of getting the Maybelline Pen liner but thank heavens I found this one! Also, when you shake the bottle you will here there is a tiny ball inside wiggling.. The concept is like that of the ball inside the nail polish bottle to keep them from drying.
This is how it looks like when worn. Intensity level check! :D
What I love about this eyeliner?
Long wearing (I use this eyeliner in the afternoon when I went to review school and when I came home in the evening ,the shade and intensity did not change.)
It does not smudge. (if you do not believe me, try swatching it at their counters to see.. hehe)
CHEAP!! This only costs 150 pesos!!
The shade is matte and pure black.
I love the brush applicator. It made the application easier.
Nichido Lip Liner in Rosette Price: 100 pesos If there is one makeup product I can't live without.. that would be my lip liner. I was born with dark upper lips and my mom would often say (when I was younger) that only people who smoke have dark lips (so untrue!!) and those who are evil/mischievous/naughty have dark lips too. waahhh.. I cannot concede to the latter.. hehe This is the reason why I am obsessed with concealing my dark lips and why I love lip products!!
I discovered this product way back in college and I was really amazed how its price went up through the years. I featured this product on my blog since I have used up a lot of this in the past years. I kept on buying and never regretted. This has become a staple in my makeup kit. I particularly love the shade. The color is very natural. Just enough to conceal the dark lining of my upper lip. It is very smooth when applied and more of a very matte lipstick in consistency. I tried using this as a lipstick but it is quite drying on the lips but definitely works well with a good moisturizing lip balm and gloss. It also works well with pink and peach lippies but not the lighter ones. I use this everyday and I think I would buy another shade from Nichido. I know its quite weird but I am drooling over lip liners online especially the NYX slim lip liner in BLOOM!!
this looks rosier in person have a nice day everyone!!
Welcome to my blog! This is My Lucid Intervals where you will get a daily dose of my kakikayan and random life musings. My name is Donnarence and I am a full time lawyer, an eager beauty enthusiast, and a professional makeup artist (pag may time haha).
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