Product Comparison (Spend vs. Save) : NARS Taos & Ever Bilena Cheek

I am currently watching Final Destination 4 but while waiting for the movie to finish buffering, I checked out my blog and decided to do the product comparison for the 2 red blushes I have. I mentioned on my NARS Love post how similar I thought NARS Taos is to a local Ever Bilena blush in Cheek. On this post, we'll see how similar they can get and the difference between them too. No product can ever be exactly the same as another.


Take a look at the pictures first.



Do you see how so similar these two blushes look? Both are red-toned blushes.

But the swatches might say otherwise. They don't look that similar at all.

Not much difference here yet.
L-R: EB Cheek, NARS Taos

TOP: NARS Taos
BOTTOM: EB Cheek

Here are the similarities and differences on these two blushes (based on my opinion).

Similarities:
- Both are from the red family and are so pretty.
- Both blushes gave me the flushed cheeks look.
- Both are pigmented and need a light hand in application. I only need to lightly dab my 187 once on the pan and I'm good to go.
- Both have subtle shimmers in them. They may look shimmery on their pans but are not that shimmery on the cheeks.
- Color payoff is great.
- Both are locally available. Of course, EB is a local brand so it has to be locally available. :P

Differences:
- The PRICE. NARS Taos costs PHP1350 and EB Cheek costs only PHP150.
- If I were to base it on the swatches, Cheek has more pink than Taos.
- NARS Taos is much more pigmented and a tad darker than EB Cheek. I only had to lightly dab my pinkie once on NARS Taos to show the color on the swatches whereas I had to dab my fingers twice or thrice on EB Cheek to show the color more.
- NARS Taos is much more finely milled than EB Cheek which tends to be a little powdery.

On the swatch they may look different. But on my cheeks, there isn't much difference. They look pretty much the same.

Which one do I like better? NARS Taos. For the price, I have to really really like it. :P Seriously, I like Taos better because there's something about it that makes my cheeks glow more than when I have EB Cheek on my cheeks. Or could it just be psychological? All I know is that I am now digging red blushes as they look really natural on me. :D

Nevertheless, I would recommend EB Cheek for those who wants a red blush but are on a budget and wouldn't want to spend PHP1350 for a single blush. And with the price, you have nothing to lose. I think EB has much improved products though I only have this blush and an eyeliner from them. :)

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Saizen Mini Haul

Before going to work last night, I decided to drop by Saizen at 3F Robinson's Galleria. I was amazed with the store that I didn't know which aisle to go to, which items to buy. Everything for just PHP85! I like the items but I only had 20 minutes to spare so I only got the following: (Picture above)

Bracelet
- My favorite amongst my purchases.
- A very pretty pink I don't know what that's called + white pearls design.





BLUSHES


Blush & Highlighter Duo
- It's a very pretty peach-pink blush with a highlighter.
- Highlighter is pigmented but the blush isn't super pigmented
- Cute compact with a mirror and a small brush






Multi Cheek Beige Blush
- A very pretty pink-peach blush that is far from being beige.
- Color reminds me of L'oreal Front Page Peach
- Not so pigmented as well.



Charcoal Mask
- A product I have yet to try


Razors


Falsies and Eyelash Glue
- I already used one pair
- The eyelash glue stung the first time I used it but the second time no longer stung.


I am definitely going back to Saizen for more good finds.

^_^ Read more...

Blush Giveaway from yours truly. ^_^ - CLOSED

Wow! I never really expected this blog to reach 50 readers. Although I know some followed for the sake of being followed back. Peace! :P

Anyway, I am doing my first ever giveaway. Being a blush addict, I am giving away 2 blushes and a 1g sample of Kryolan Anti-Shine Powder. Fair enough? :-)

Picture taken from Super Stock

The blushes will be posted when the winner is announced. Surprise, surprise!

Here are the mechanics:
1. You must be a follower of my blog. (PH residents only, please)
2. Copy and paste this post on your blog and link back to this page.
3. Comment on this post with a link to your page.
4. Post about what your favorite blush is and why. Please include a swatch of it and a photo of you wearing it so I 'll know which shades suit you best. :)
5. There must be at least 5 entries.

The giveaway ends September 15. :)

EDIT: I had to take the entries down to 5. :) Read more...

ELF Studio Golden Bronzer and Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder + Kryolan

My orders from the ELF Pool last month finally arrived this morning. I just saw the package when I woke up a few minutes ago. I only got two items from the last pool - ELF Studio Golden Bronzer and another ELF Studio Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder (which is my 2nd compact).




ELF Studio Golden Bronzer
- 4 shades perfect for bronzing and highlighting.
- I tried it and the shade is just right for me. Not too light, not too dark.
- Needs a light hand when applied. They are pigmented.

Very pretty!

ELF Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder

- My second compact which I'm planning to use as a back-up for my first one.
- Of course, still very pretty

I can't wait to use the Golden bronzer. But since my skin is in a bad state right now, wearing it will just make my skin look worse. So hopefully, my skin gets back to its normal state so I can start wearing it.


Ta! ^_^


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EDIT: By the way, a fellow Girltalker sent me a sample of the Kryolan White Eye Sparkle so I can try it first before buying. That's really nice of her. ^_^ I received it today.

The pigment's so lovely. It has pink reflects when the light hits it.

Another Kryolan must-have. Thanks, Heatherette. :)

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NARS Love! <3<3<3

Before going to work last night, I dropped by EDSA Shang and had a quick dinner with a friend. I decided to pay the NARS counter a visit. Luckily, Lara, the nicest MA I know is there. I was teasing him-her about how I've never had a single freebie when I've bought from her a few times already. I left Rustan's with 2 more blushes and a duo l/g as a freebie. Yey! But I was still sick so my forehead was sweating a little and Lara was nice enough to get me tissues. ^_^

I got a paperbag! ^_^

NARS Crazed, NARS Taos
NARS Duo l/g Sweet Dreams and Dolce Vita

NARS Taos
- Desert Rose with Shimmer




NARS Crazed
- Raspberry Red with Shimmer



Sorry, I can't quite capture the true colors of these blushes, but I swear they are both so pretty! :-)

Swatches

I am personally loving Taos. I dunno why but I sort of have this thing now for red-toned blushes.

Total wallet damage: PHP2700 >_< onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TbfDpRHobTE6EBIekzgp6UajfQMiXCfRvmoPYQwlxzfp83SwxtUInCK-Mk8mIg-W5X6iMy1RGhh39WIkIhiiOFW39MjxwFLq0shZSyShvYkhPL263jFtdP4dMLFVFJEETRxSCPmsIrE/s1600-h/PIC-1723.jpg">


See? I will discuss this at a later post.

More blush lovin' from me! ^_^

EDIT: I thought NARS Taos looked weird on me when I initially applied it but it blended well with my cheeks after a few minutes. Here is me wearing NARS Taos and NARS Dolce Vita lipgloss.


See the red bump on my chin? There's another red spot right below my lower lip. The culprit for those nasty zits? Eskinol Ice Poretherapy Facial Scrub. Decided to give it a try because I was feeling hot the past few days due to fever and I thought it made me feel refreshed. But the consequence? Zits! >_< ================================================================== EDIT: I just had to add this really wacky and cool wedding video. I wonder how my mom and the Holy Catholic Church would react if I do the same thing when I get married. :P Read more...

A Funny Work Experience

I just thought I'd share this with you guys. Something quite funny happened to me at work. I received an online chat message from a potential customer. First, he is a cross-dresser and is looking for a waist cincher. Something that will take inches off his waist instantly upon wearing it. So I made a recommendation. Next, he asked about panties. And he told me he has a gaff. I dunno what that is so I just assumed it is something that will hide his "masculinity". He said he wanted a low-rise thong, and I gave him recommendations. Out of the blue, he said: "Joking, are you also a cross-dresser> you seem to know much about these stuff!". I was stunned but I started laughing and everyone else in the office started laughing as well. So I told him I am not a cross-dresser and that I am just supposed to know our products. Next, he asked how to get the correct bra size without spooking sales assistants at stores like Macy's and JC Penney. I told him it is their job to help customers determine the right bra size for them. And I gave him a link for an online Bra size calculator. Guess what the guy told me?! "Thank you so much. You have been very helpful to me and now I know better. I wish I can just pick your brains out so I can know the same things that you do and I can get the right sizes for me."

It was really funny that we all laugheed again. That person made my sick night a kind of funny one. First, I am a cross dresser. Now, he wants to pick my brains out. Haha!

Anyway, just don't mind me. :P Read more...

All About Blushes! My blushes as of August '09

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