In the Limelight: Laura Mercier Secret Concealer 2 Product Review

For someone with allergies and asthma, dark under eye circles is something I have always dealt with. No amount of sleep and eye creams can counter these dark circles so I have come to accept the fact that my under eyes will always be that way. Since then, I have always been on the look out for concealers that would help "hide" these dark circles. I have tried a few and one of them is the Laura Mercier Secret Concealer in shade 2. Prior to my purchase, I was choosing between this and the Bobbi Brown Concealer but the shade that matches me isn't available at that time so I ended up going home with this one. I have been using this for a while and read on for the review.

What I like:

• The shade 2 is a match for my skin tone. I am a MAC NC25 for reference.
• The shade does not turn grey on my under eyes. I am acidic and most concealers turn grey on me which can be quite annoying as it makes my under eyes look dull.
• It works not just as a concealer but also as a corrector since it is a salmon shade.
• Opaque.
• Creamy and easily blends on the skin.
• It visibly conceals the dark circles and would work so much better for those who do not have very dark circles.
• No allergic reaction, no milia or pimples.
• Has a shelf life of 18 months.
• Locally available at Rustan's for Php 995 / 2.2g pot.

What I don't like:

• Since it is creamy, it tends to settle on the crease and lines on the under eyes.
• It also tends to slide off in just a couple of hours even if set with powder. Does not even last half a day on me and it's gone before lunch time.
• After 2 layers, it tends to cake on the 3rd.

Overall rating: 3/5

Will I buy again? No. Liquid concealers work better for me than cream concealers. It's nice but not enough for me to repurchase.

Have you tried this concealer? What other concealers would you recommend?

Cheers,

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In the Limelight: Face of Australia Gentle Makeup Remover Product Review

I must have already stated on my older posts that if there is one eye makeup I would choose amongst all the products available, it would be mascara. I love how it instantly opens up the eyes and makes them look more awake. The usual bummer about mascaras, though, is that most of the time, they smudge. So I always opt for waterproof mascaras from Japanese brands but they are notoriously known for being hardcore waterproof. That's why it is also important to have a makeup remover that not only removes hard-to-remove-waterproof mascaras but also gentle enough on the eyes. Last year, I was sent a bottle of the Face of Australia Gentle Makeup Remover by The Updated Trends to try. This review has been long overdue but needless to say, here it is.

 What I like:

• It is very gentle on the eyes, does not sting at all, as it has tear compatible PH.
• It can remove face makeup and not just eye makeup which is a huge plus. I don't have to use a separate face makeup remover as this can certainly remove both. Money and time saver.
• It is non-greasy and not oily on the skin.
• Gentle enough for the skin and has not cause any allergic reaction so far.
• Unscented.
• Does not need to squirt a lot of product just to remove makeup.
• Locally available at The Updated Trends for Php 425.00/125mL bottle. I'd say it's affordable.

What I don't like:

• It says it is oil-free but since it is a two-phase product, half of it looks like oil to me. It may just be me but that's what it seems like. 

Overall rating: 4.75/5 I'd gladly change the rating to a 5 if the other half of the product isn't really oil.

Will I buy again? Yes. I think this is the makeup remover I'd purchase as soon as I am out of this and the other makeup remover I am using.

Product Description, Directions for Use, and Ingredients

Have you tried the Face of Australia Gentle Makeup Remover? How do you find it?

Have a great Wednesday, gals and guys!

Cheers,

Disclaimer: Product received for review purposes but does not. in any way, affect my opinion on on the said product.

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In the Limelight: Becca Cosmetics Creme Blush in Hyacinth Product Review

I have always been a powder blush user and creme blushes aren't really my thing although I have owned a few in the past. None really amazed me but that wasn't until I got my hands on Hyacinth Creme Blush by Becca Cosmetics. It was one of the products I picked up from my Apothica sponsorship. Anyway, I have been using it since January of this year and here is my review on the said product.

What I like:

• The shade, Hyacinth, is a gorgeous red-pink shade with just a very tiny hint of coral in it. It  does not contain shimmers and gives a natural flush.
• The texture is very creamy, glides like butter, and blends like a dream on the skin.
• Unscented.
• The compact is really nice and sleek and fits small purses given its small size. It is smaller than the compacts of their powders and powder blushes.
• Pigmented and a little goes a long way. 
• Its texture initially made me think that this won't last more than half an hour on me but it proves otherwise as this lasts for about half a day on my combination-oily skin type plus the Manila heat and humidity. So staying power is more than decent for a creme blush.
• It has not caused any irritation or allergic reaction on my skin.
• Locally available at Adora in Greenbelt though I can't be certain of the price.

What I don't like:

• This could be pretty pricey here in Manila. The Beach Tints cost around Php 1850 so I can just imagine how pricier this could probably be. (But given the quality, I'm willing to purchase this here.)

Overall rating: 4.75/5 less .25 for the price.

Will I buy again? I think this is my HG (Holy Grail) creme blush so yes! As I stated above, I am willing to pay the local price and purchase it here.

Have you tried creme blushes by Becca Cosmetics?

Have a wonderful week ahead, everyone! :-)

Cheers,

DISCLAIMER Product was purchased using my Apothica sponsorship fund but does not, in any way, affect my opinion on the said product.

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