Product Review: Kryolan DermaColor Camouflage Creme in D2

Most, if not all, women battle with dark under eyes either from lack of sleep, stress, or genetics. The quick and easy fix for that is by applying concealers under the eyes to cover up the dark circles or dullness. Of course, nothing will beat getting enough rest and sleep and maybe eye creams for well-rested eyes but if you really do not have enough time to sleep or you have insomnia (just like I do), then concealers will be your best friend. I am using three concealers so far - MAC Studio Finish Concealer, Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Concealer, and Kryolan Derma Color Camouflage Creme. I just realized I have not reviewed any concealers at all so I will review all three starting with Kryolan.

 

In comparison to MAC Studio Finish Concealer

What I like:

- It's like a concealer and foundation in one. It can be used as a foundation just like the Kryolan TV Paint Stick that I reviewed last year.

- The shade D2 matches my skin tone perfectly (NC25-NC30 for reference)

- Covers blemishes and dark circles.

- A little goes a long way. A small amount is enough to cover the entire face too.

- Lasts for hours on my combi-oily skin.

- The smallest pot contains 4mL of product, which, I think will last for more than a year since you only need just a dab of the concealer brush on the pot and that is enough for one eye.

- I would consider this product to be cheap since it was purchased in Kryolan, Germany and if I remember it correctly, it was in between PHP600-PHP700 if converted to pesos. Definitely cheaper than MAC.

- It is locally available at Kryolan, Il Terrazzo in Tomas Morato for PHP950, I think.

What I don't like:

- Since the texture is really thick, I kind of struggle just a little bit in blending it. I spend a bit more time blending it as compared to creamier concealers like MAC Studio Finish and Maybelline.

- You have to apply just a verrrry thin layer so it won't cake. I once made the mistake of piling it on and it settled on the lines and caked like heck!

- The scent!!! Smells like granny makeup!!!

Overall rating: 4/5

Will I buy again? Yes, but that would have to wait as I still have this and two other concealers to use up. And I get to have a foundation and concealer in one product so it is definitely value for money.

Swatch

My bare eyes - see the dark circles and the puffy under eyes?

Blended with a stippling brush. Notice how my eyes look rested and a bit brighter? I like its concealing power!

What's your favorite concealer?
Happy Wednesday! :P

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My Best and Worst Product Purchases in 2009

I have been inspired by fellow bloggers' posts about the best products they have purchased and used in 2009 so I decided to come up with my own. So here are the best and worst products I have bought and used for the past year.




Let me start with the worst or probably the products I regret to have purchased and used.

The 10 Worst 2009 Buys: (in no particular order)

1. Dickinson's Witch Hazel Toner - Yellow Variant
- This product made my skin look dirty and I broke out with it.


2. Charcoal Soap from Saizen
- Dried out my skin and made it flaky and gave me red marks and dried out my cheeks so bad.


3. Garnier Light Cleansing Foam
- Broke me out in the past, I should've known better instead of repurchasing this year to once again give it a try


4. Skin 79 Diamond Collection Star Glow Cheek
- This has to be the worst smelling blush/highlighter ever! Smelled like beans and greens and worse, smelt like a rotten one that I can't stand using it.


5. ELF Sunkissed Bronzer
- It broke on its own after less than 24 hours upon purchasing it so I was not able to use it.


6. False Eyelashes & Glue from Saizen
- The glue stung my eyes so bad and the pair I got was so hard to work with.


7. Olay Regenerist Cleanser
- Olay's supposed to be a good product but I am one of those unlucky bunch who broke out with Olay products.



8. Sunsilk Straight & Sway Shampoo & Conditioner (Green ones from the picture)
- Made my hair brittle and dry. I couldn't touch my hair as it feels annoying.


9. The Soap Factory Tomato Soap
- Broke me out after just a couple of washes.


10. A few more mineral make up
- I know mineral make up breaks me out but I decided to give it one more shot but still, I broke out no matter how nice the finish is and regardless of how long it stays on my oily skin.


The Top 14 Best Purchases of 2009:

1. NARS Blushes
- Being a blush girl, I do not and I don't think I will ever regret buying NARS blushes as these are a few of the best investments I made when it comes to make up. The product is so worth it for the price.


2. Kryolan TV Paint Stick
- The only foundation in a non-powder form that really works for me. Didn't break me out and for PHP1250, I could never go wrong. Beats all the powder foundation I have when it comes to staying power and its ability to conceal my blemishes.


3. Kryolan Anti-Shine Powder
- This kicked MAC Blot's behind when it comes to keeping oilies at bay. You get so much product (30g) for only PHP1350 which will most likely last you for years.


4. Chanel Joues Contraste and Irreelle blushes
- The most I had to spend on a single compact of blush but definitely worth it as Irrelle In Love is my current HG blush.


5. Saizen Charcoal Mask
- Made such raves and became one of the most wanted products in girltalk that it was always out of stock on the first and second waves of raves. Now, there is a lot of stocks at Saizen so feel free to go there and grab a tube or two.


6. PureDerm Strawberry Yogurt Pack & Dual Wellbeing Pack
- Inexpensive yet very effective products. These two are now officially part of my favorite products.


7. MAC 187 and 188 brushes
- MAC 187 haunted me in my dreams and I knew then that I had to have this brush. The most expensive single product I have purchased so far for PHP2950 back then and PHP3050 now, if I remember correctly. Very versatile as this can be used on foundations, powders, and best of all, blushes. :P
MAC 188 is the smaller version of 187 and I use it only for blushes and is priced at PHP2050.


8. Etude House stippling brush
- The most abused brush in my brush stash. Made my 188 and 187 kept in the brush box as I use this pretty much on everything. Works best with NARS blushes.


9. ELF Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzer Duo
- Because of this, I don't have to buy a NARS Orgasm/Laguna duo. Cheap yet a good product.


10. MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner - Gentle Coral
- This has to be my favorite tinted lip balm and is now my HG lip balm. I use this more than I use lipsticks and lip glosses. I use it every single day.


11. MAC Amplified Creme lipstick in Cosmo.
- This has to be my best nude-pink lippie ever! :P


12. EcoTools Brushes
- Talk about cheap with good quality and eco-friendly tools.


13. Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap
- My best friend in deep cleaning my brushes. Makes brush cleaning easy as a breeze.


14. BRAGG Apple Cider Vinegar
- The best and cheapest toner I have tried. Not the best smelling product though. Smells like Tequila.



* I would've also added Aztec Indian Healing Clay as one of the best prods but I have not purchased one as I am using the sample I received form Japjap. :P*

So there you are. My best and worst picks in 2009. I would've added more but I can certainly go on and on and on and this might be a very long post if I do. Plus I already forgot everything that I purchased this year.

Happy New Year, everyone. Wishing you all the best for 2010!

xoxo,


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Product Review: Kryolan TV Paint Stick

Finally, I have decided to do a review on this much-raved Kryolan product at GT. Been using this for a little over a week now. Let's proceed to the review. I am making it short but sweet. :)

Photo taken from the website

TV Paint Stick

Successfully proven cream make-up in stick form. The special base of TV Paint Stick allows gentle make-up application that provides effective covering at the same time. The KRYOLAN assortment of more than 250 color nuances for selection is truly extraordinary - which makes this preparation indispensable for stage, film, TV and video work.

TV Paint Stick is available in a variety of more than 120 shades.

Available in a handy twist-up cylinder.

(Product description taken from the website)


The first time I used it, I was "wowed" because it made my skin look amazing. And let me repeat this, I have a really oily skin that no stick foundation or cream foundation ever lasted on me. I was a bit hesitant at first to spend PHP1250 on a stick foundation that might not work on me. But I do not regret taking a risk on this product as this is amazing! When topped off with the Anti-Shine Powder, the result was awesome. My skin looked flawless and the pores are less visible. I just had to use this every single day. Well, this weekend's an exception because I'm staying away from make up due to flu. Okay, on to the pros and cons.

Pros:
- Has a matte finish
- Staying power is great, lasts long even on my oily skin
- Somewhat makes the pores less visible
- Blends well with the skin
- Doesn't settle on fine lines
- Can be used as a concealer
- Doesn't feel heavy at all
- Buildable coverage
- Ideal for tv's and cameras and very very photogenic
- Makes your skin look flawless and smooth
- Has never clogged my pores ( based on my own personal experience, okay? )
- Never broke me out
- Locally available

Cons:
- A little pricey at PHP1250 for 25mL
- A little hard to find an exact match for your skintone

Finally, a stick foundation that works for oily skin! This is great news, ladies. For the first time, I am not using powder foundation. It works so great with the anti-shine powder that I have been ignoring my MAC Studio Fix and my other powder foundies, including MAC Blot. It lasts for hours and I have to blot only once or twice. That is how efficient this product is. It may be a little pricey but for the quality of product, it is worth your every cent.

Overall rating: 4.75/5 If only there is an exact match for NC30, I would've given it a 5.

Will I buy again? Hell yeah! ^_^ I think I've found another HG Foundation.

By the way, Kryolan products are available at 3F Il Terrazzo in Tomas Morato. :)



EDIT: I found out that pretty Crystal gave me an award so I decided to just add it on this post. Thanks, dear.



To accept this award do the following:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

7 things about me that MIGHT (i said might) be interesting...

1. I love listening to classical music and rock.
2. I love to cook and I wish to be a chef or have my own restaurant or catering business someday.
3. Crime shows are my faves.
4. I was never a fan of F4 and the other bands or chinovelas or koreanovelas.
5. I have not seen the movie Twilight nor have I read that book. I was never into the Twilight craze.
6. The oldest guy I have dated is 10-11 years my senior.
7. I get sick easily. I am asthmatic and migraine's one of my worst enemies. Asthma never seems to get tired of attacking me. I was once admitted at Medical City due to asthma and I was so bored I sneaked out and bought Iced Caramel Machiatto at Starbucks (located at the GF of Medical City) and actually had a puff outside.


Now I nominate the following gals:

1. Golden
2. Cheysser
3. Kay
4. Jing
5. Khymm
6. Donnarence
7. Thiamere

Have a great weekend ahead of you! I'm off to sneezing again. :P Read more...

Product Review: Kryolan Anti-Shine Powder

I've had this product for a little over a week now and I've used it almost everyday enough to give it a review. If this is a skin care product, I would've given it a month or so before making a review. Okay, so on to the review.

Kryolan Anti-Shine Powder (as described on the website)

Anti-Shine Powder is a special matt powder, similar in its way to Asian rice powder. At the same time, however, Anti-Shine Powder prevents unwanted dull effects and creates a pleasant feeling on the skin. Anti-Shine Powder is colorless and is especially effective for the additional matting effects that become necessary during long shooting sessions.

The first time I used it, I though this product was blah! I thought I just wasted time and money. But then I used it on a really uber hot and sunny and sweaty day. I guess no make up can withstand such climatic condition and of course, my oily skin. If there is any, please let me know. :)

When I used it the following night with my MUFE HD Foundation (which is a tad dark on me), I was impressed. It helped the foundation match my skintone. My skin felt really soft and smooth. And the oil control is great. I was even more impressed when I used it with my Kryolan TV Paint Stick, which I bought a few days after I got this. It was a perfect combination. They made my skin flawless and radiant and smooth. I just love the effect. Here's what my skin looked like with the two products.

Here's my take on this product.

Pros:
- Provides excellent oil control and helps your skin stay matte for hours (I am just not sure how it would work for those with really really really uber oily skin).
- Makes your skin look more radiant and smooth and flawless.
- May seem expensive for PHP1350. But come to think of it, it comes in a huge pot that contains 30g of product which will definitely last for years even with everyday use.
- Works better than MAC Blot.
- Did not break me out.
- Available locally.
- Helps make a darker foundation lighter to match your skin tone.

Cons:
- A little messy when the container is opened, product is everywhere.
- A nicer packaging won't hurt.
- Not for those with really dry skin.
- Product description on the website says it is colorless. ABSOBLOODYLUTELY NOT. If your foundation matches your skin tone perfectly, this powder can make your foundie a tad light.

I'm giving this product a 4.5/5.

If this had better packaging and is indeed colorless, I'd give this a 5. But since it works with the foundies a tad dark on me like its significant other, the Kryolan TV Paint Stick, I did not take a lot of points from it.

Will I buy again? Yes, but only after I use up everything in the pot which is after a couple of years or so.

This is a good investment. Waaaaay cheaper than MAC Blot with almost thrice the product you get. Read more...

Kryolan TV Paint Stick

I can no longer resist the Kryolan temptation so I went there this morning. Again, it was still closed when I got there by 10am so I had a puff and I went back just in time for their opening, just like Monday. I think they remember me. How can they not, I was wearing the same shirt I wore last Monday when I went there. Sorry, it's my favorite shirt.

So I was supposed to buy the Youth Red blush but they do not have it in stock. So I was about to settle for the R6 blusher when I decided to check out another much-raved Kryolan product at GT which is the TV Paint Stick. I was kinda hesitant at first because it is a stick foundation and based on my experience, they melt on my oily skin and make me look disgusting. But I asked over and over again if it is good for oily skin and I was convinced to buy one. I got the FS45 shade, which is close to MAC NC30, for PHP1250. I was thrilled and my lemming for a blush was suddenly set aside, which doesn't happen everyday.





When I got home, I hurriedly washed my face and applied TV Paint Stick then set it with the Kryolan Anti-Shine Powder.


By the way, here's a swatch of the TV Paint Stick FS45 at the back of my hand.

Blended

It's almost a perfect match! FS45 is a tad dark than MAC NC30 but blends well with my skin perfectly. Plus I have to set it with the Anti-Shine Powder which sort of makes your foundation lighter so it then becomes the perfect shade.


See? (Sorry, I don't know why there is a crack on my MAC Studio FIx)

And here is moi wearing the TV Painstick and Anti-Shine Powder.
Blush- NARS Deep Throat
Lipstick- MAC Cosmo


Sorry for the under eyes, was in such a hurry I forgot to apply a concealer and fix my brows.

There you have it. It seems like the Kryolan TV Paint Stick + Anti-Shine Powder wil be my two new favorite products. My birthday gifts to myself are now complete. :) Read more...

KRYOLAN Mini Haul + Others

I've been lemming for Kryolan blushes and the much raved Anti-Shine Powder that I was at the store when it opened this morning and I went home happy with a Kryolan paper bag with 3 goodies. I didn't have a hard time finding Il Terrazo at Tomas Morato as it was right across Burgoo.

I got the following from them:
-Anti-Shine Powder 30g PHP1350
-T1 blusher PHP680
-TC2 blusher PHP680

I was planning to only buy one blush but they are just so pretty I couldn't resist getting one more. But I had to control myself from buying the Invisible Matt or the Perfect Matt primer and the Dual Finish Foundation. I'll come back for them one of these days.

I then headed to Gateway Mall to have lunch with a friend at World Chicken. But I got there ahead of him so I dropped by Beauty Bar and Rustan's.

I got the following:
-Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Nutmeg PHP395
-Andrea EyeQ's Make Up Remover Gel 110ml PHP350
-Clinique Happy from Rustan's 30ml PHP2000




My Kryolan Mini Haul

TOP: Anti-Shine Powder
BOTTOM: TC2, T1

T1 Blusher
- A very pretty red--orange-peach-pink shade matte blusher
- Very pigmented, I looked like a clown when I first tried this at home. A light hand or a tippling brush will work for this blusher
- Looks so natural on my cheeks
- 2.5g of product for PHP680 may seem too much but for the quality and how pigmented it is, this will definitely last a long time
- I have a feeling this will be a new favorite




TC2 Blusher
- A pink-peach matte blush with more peach than pink
- I haven't tried this on yet but I think it will look good for barely there make up
- I expect this to be as pigmented as T1




Anti-Shine Powder
- The much raved powder at GT
- PHP1350 ($27) for a 30g jar which is huge. It'll surely take me a long time to finish this jar






Blush swatches




Beauty Bar and Rustan's Purchases

Clinique Happy
- My all-time favorite scent


Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Nutmeg
- One of my favorite tinted lip balms
- I like the sheer pinkish color
- Has a minty feel that lasts for a few minutes
- I think price has increased. It's now PHP396 (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about the price increase)


Swatch:


Andrea EyeQ Makeup Remover Gel
- My first time to try this product so I hope I don't break out with it


So this is the last of my birthday gifts to myself. I am a happy girl now. :) Read more...