In the Limelight: Eyes Lips Face ELF Makeup Mist & Set Product Review

Hey, lovelies! Here's another review of a drugstore product. Lately, I find myself checking out drugstore makeup more than mid-range and high end ones. It's such a thrill to find inexpensive yet effective products among drugstore items. ELF is one of the drugstore brands known for selling their makeup and tools for as low as $1 and even going on sale given the very low price tag. Now I can only wish that is the same for its price here in Manila. However, since most items are below Php 500 at local retail price, I guess there's not much to complain. And they have been coming up with products with notably good quality. That is why when I was looking for a makeup setting spray to help my makeup stay longer during summer, I immediately searched for the ELF Makeup Mist & Set on ebay.ph even though there are other options like those from Urban Decay and Skindinavia that are available on ebay as well. Some reviews were pretty convincing plus the price really wouldn't hurt, however it may turn out on my skin so I settle for this one. Read more for the rest of the review.

Here is the product description on the ELF website:

Wish you could have a product for your makeup like Hairspray is for your hair? Well…keep your makeup staying in place all day with a radiance boosting invisible hold with our new Makeup Mist & Set. The invigorating mist moisturizes and soothes the skin with key ingredients Aloe, Green Tea, Cucumber and Vitamins A, C & E. The lightweight, comfortable and alcohol free formula improves makeup wearability and prevents color from running or fading.

What I like:

• I actually like the simple black, see-through bottle. Some may find it cheap looking but I don't mind how it is packaged at all. It is not bulky so it's okay to bring with you in your bag.
• I like the refreshing sensation that it initially gives after it has just been sprayed on the face.
• Spritzer works just fine. Not as nice as those from Evian and Avene but still does its job of spraying the product on your face.
• It doesn't give my face a very tight sensation.
• Does not make my face feel dry at all and makes my makeup look dewy.
• Does not make my makeup cakey.
• Inexpensive for Php 200 bucks + shipping.
• Made locally available by local resellers online.

What I don't like:

• It sometimes makes me itch though there are also times when it doesn't which I find kinda confusing.
• Does nothing to help my makeup stay longer even if I was in an airconditioned room most of the time when I used this (yes, it's just sitting pretty on my desk).

Overall rating: 3/5 I gave it a 3 for the refreshing sensation and for not drying out my skin. But as for it being a makeup setter, it's disappointing that it did not deliver for me.

Will I buy again? No. With the price + shipping, I am better off with Evian.

Have you tried this product?

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone! :)

Cheers,

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In the Limelight: Too Faced Cosmetics Absolutely Invisible Translucent Pressed Powder Product Review

Why do cosmetic companies come up with long names for their products? It's been making me wonder for a while now. Anyway, I am reviewing the pressed powder that I have been using since January this year, which I got a while back from Apothica. I have only tried the Caribbean in a Compact Sunny Bronzer and the Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder (which is now a favorite) but I was impressed in the quality of their products, so it goes without saying that I have high hopes for this product. Read on for the review.

Here is how this powder is described on the Too Faced website:

What It Is:

Micronized pigments literally “float” atop skin to even out tone, eliminate unwanted shine and set foundation. An exclusive combination of complexion perfectors increase elasticity, moisture and firmness. 

More To Love:  

Preventative & Powerful Antioxidants: Free radicals are blocked, UVA & UVB damage is reduced and repaired. 

Seaweed Extract & Sea Water: Increase moisture levels, elasticity and heals environmentally ravaged skin. 

Chamomile: Soothes and calms, helping skin rejuvenate.  

Vitamins: A, C and E, a daily dose of vitamins for the skin offer long term benefits and a healthier complexion.

What I like:

• First off, the compact is really cute. It's not the most classy packaging as compared to Chanel and higher end brands but still very nice and girly without being too pink. There is also a nice inscription on the mirror inside that says "Why be pretty when you can be gorgeous?". There is also a separate sponge compartment which somehow makes it more hygienic though bulkier than say, MAC Blot.
• The texture is fine and silky smooth and blends easily on the skin. The finish is more satiny than matte so although it looks kinda matte, it definitely isn't flat and dull.
• It's not translucent as I expected. It has a slight tint to it which is good if you want a little color on your powder.
• Oil control is pretty good and keeps my face shine-free for about half a day and then it gets dewy as the day progresses. But on really hot days, expect oil control to be a tad shorter.
• It contains a generous amount of 9g.
• It is infused with Vitamins C, A, & E which are claimed to be good for the skin.
• Has not caused any irritation or break outs.
• Does not turn ashy on me.
• Has a shelf life of 12 months. But you know powder, right? They last longer than cream ones.
• Fairly priced at $27 based on Too Faced SRP. If converted to Php, it a little over Php 1000.

What I don't like:

• I know it's supposed to be translucent and not alter the foundation shade but it somehow manages to do just that. It could also be due to my being acidic, though.
• Brand isn't locally available so you have to rely on resellers (which are sometimes ridiculously overpriced though some are reasonably priced) and pre-orders if you want to get your hands on these products. I wish someone would bring this brand here as it is slowly growing on me.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Will I buy again? Probably not. I still like MAC Blot a little better probably because it's much more accessible here in the country.

Ingredients:

Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Ethoxydiglycol, Silk (Serica), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycine Soya (Soybean) Oil, Algae Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Silica, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG/PPG-4/12 Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Methicone, Methylparaben, Propylparaben. (+/-): Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

Have you tried this product? What other powders or Too Faced products would you recommend?

Have a safe rainy Wednesday, everyone! :)

Cheers,

Disclaimer: Product purchased using sponsorship funds from SkinCareRX but does not in any way affect my opinion on the said product.

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In the Limelight: Tarte Amazonian 12-hour Clay Blush in Dollface

My first Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush experience was okay with the shade Blissful. While it wasn't a blissful ending for me and that blush, that didn't stopme from trying another shade from the Amazonian Clay Blush line and got myself Dollface. I have been using this since last year and I decided it's time to finally review it.

What I like:

• The shade is a cool light pink that turns warm on me after a while. Please do note, though, that I am acidic and almost everything oxidizes on me. It is pretty and brightens the face.
• Surprisingly, it stays longer than Blissful considering that that shade is more pigmented than this one. It stays for about half a day before it fades then eventually disappear.
• It has not caused any allergic reaction nor any break outs on my skin.
• I got the deluxe size with 3.4g of product but since a little goes a long way, I can just imagine not being able to use it up in 2 years. What more if its the full-sized one?
• Unscented. 
• Animal cruelty-free.
• Brand is not locally available in department stores but can be purchased through online resellers for around Php 1000-1400.00 depending on the seller,
• Has a shelf life of 12 months as indicated on the label but as for powder products, it can last for up to 3 years if used very carefully keeping it sanitized all the time.
• Since it is the smaller version, compact is a bit smaller but still cute and will easily fit even in small purses of pockets.

What I don't like:

• No mirror. Becca cosmetics have compacts that are as small as this one yet they were able to put mirrors. This is just minor and I can live with it.
• Compared to Blissful, the texture of this one isn't as smooth and silky but still blends on the skin especially when a brush with not so soft bristles are used. Still works with a regular blush brush though.
• Still oxidizes but at least it turns out nicely.
• Still no 12 hours on the skin.
• Not locally available in department stores.

Overall rating: 4/5

Will I buy again? I would if I don't happen to have any favorites but sadly, I have faves. So I might skip on repurchasing but it's not the blush; it's me. :-D

Have you tried this blush? How do you find it?

Cheers,

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