April Favorites + 10 Things I Love Tag

'Tis the last day of April and I'm sharing the products I've been reaching out for in the whole month of April. At the end of the post, I'll also be doing a tag that a few lovely bloggers tagged me to do.

1. Alba Botanica AcneDote Oil Control Lotion - helps keep the oilies at bay even under the sweltering heat of the sun. Though I still get oily, it's not as greasy as it might have been if I wasn't wearing this on my face.

2. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Concentrated Cream - my arms, legs, hands, and feet are awfully dry and this product helps keep them moisturized. This doesn't smell as yummy as the regular variant but since this is concentrated, it's much more moisturizing and hydrating. Plus it's handy.

3. Kanebo Coffret D'Or Lasting Pact - I was reunited with this and I remembered how much I loved it. I didn't love it back then as much as I do not but Japanese foundies still rock the house way better than any US or European foundations! Will do a revisited and reviewed post for this one of these days. :P

4. Maybelline Dream Matte Powder - my touch up powder whenever my oil glands start to act up.

5. Cargo Suede Blush in Montebello - it's so pretty! Need I say more? :P

6. Shiseido Accentuating Stick in S2 Peach Flush - I use this on days when I am too lazy to get my blush brush and swirl and tap it on a powder blush. I love the pretty pink-peach glow it gives my cheeks.

7. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Blush in Pink Coral - it instantly brightens up my face and gives me a healthy flush on the cheeks.

8. Browlash Ex Water Strong W Eyebrows - A retractable eyebrow pencil with a liquid brow liner that helps create the perfect eyebrows. Too bad it's not locally available. Chel couldn't find it in HK or any Sasa stores though and even reached Macau in search for this. :( I'm left with just the liquid brow liner. Gah!

9. Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara - I am beginning to really love this mascara ever since my Maybelline The Magnum Volume Express Mascara dried in just a month. My mom even asked me once if I was wearing falsies (which I never do when I go out) and didn't believe me until she touched my lashes and tried to pull 'em out! Haha! :P

10. Guerlain Ombre Eclat 1 Couleur 140 L'Instant Precieux - I love using this to highlight my browbones and cheekbones, as well as the inner corner of my eyes. :P

11. NYC Lip Sliders Tinted Lip Balm in Sugar Angel - a very pretty sheer coral tinted lip balm that is moisturizing, smells and tastes yummy too!

12. Palladio Herbal Lip Slix in Rosewood - this shade is the perfect peachy-nude lippy that looks natural. Non-drying and glossy, I apply this on top of my NYC Tinted Lip Balms in Sugar Baby and Sugar Angel.

13. Mentholatum Lip Ice Lemon - my lip saver! Whenever my lips get dry, I apply this and wake up with soft and hydrated lips. Plus it hs SPF15 too!


14. Guerlain KissKiss Stick Gloss in 902 Corail Des Mers - I am digging coral lippies at the moment. It is glossy and moisturizing, far from being a sticky lip gloss and leaves a very nice coral pink tint on my lips. Plus it stays for hours. :)

So these are my April Favorites and on to the 10 Things I Love Tag. Anyone feel free to do this tag. :)

10 Things I Love:

1. I love seeing little girls and their dads being sweet towards each other. It never fails to bring a smile on my face whenever I see such a scene as it reminds me so much of my dad and I when I was a little girl. Yes, I'm a daddy's girl.

2. My mom. Since my dad is no longer with us, she has been there for me all the way. We may still have not settled our differences but in the end, she's still and will always be my mom. I may not be the expressive type but I love her. :)

3. Books. Yes, I can be such a nerd. I can read 3 books/novels in one day. I love how books can take me to different places and how I get to "experience" different things just by reading. I'm not a fan of chick lits as I prefer reading crime, murder, forensic, political conspiracies, suspense and thriller novels. My faves are Jack Higgins, Steve Berry, Mario Puzo, and Joseph Finder. But then as long as the summary at the back of the book intrigues me, then it no longer matters who the author is. I will read it. Oh, I still read and collect Archie comics.

4. Rain. I love the rain! I hate the sun, I hate summers. :)

5. I love cats though I'm now starting to love dogs, thanks to Hachiko, Mari, and Marley. :P

6. I love stars and stargazing. It somewhat gives me hope in everything. Childish as it may seem, I still make wishes on stars. And some of them came true. :p

7. Coke and Iced tea. I know I should cut back on them since I need to lose weight but I can't help it. It's freaking hot and those refresh me.

8. Makeup. This is self-explanatory, I think. :P

9. Friends. I'd rather have a few friends whom I know are real than know a lot of people and not know who my real friends are. :0

10. Myself. Not to sound self-centered and full of myself but if I don't love myself, how can other people love me? I'm not perfect, I can sometimes be shitty but that's me and I have to accept myself. Hehe. :P

Anyway, like what I mentioned above, feel free to do this tag.

Happy weekend, super awesome peeps! :P

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January Favorites

I can't believe January is almost over. It still feels like it's New Year yesterday yet tomorrow is already February. Anyway, before the months ends, I would like to share the products that I keep reaching out for everyday for the month of January.

1. Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Liquid Foundation- it is the foundation I have been reaching for the most as I love how it stays long on my face (even though it's not as long lasting as Estee Lauder Double Wear) without the heavy feel. Review to follow soon.

2. Chanel Vitalumiere Eclat Radiance Comfort Compact Makeup - as I have mentioned on my review (please click on the link to read my review), the texture got me. And the finish is amazing. Plus a classy compact doesn't hurt either.

3. Laura Mercier Secret Concealer - has replaced MAC Studio Finish as my under eye concealer. Review to follow.

4. Beauty Blender - initially, I thought that I just wasted my money on a sponge. Imagine paying almost Php1500 for a hot pink egg-shaped sponge. But I later on gave it a chance and I really started liking it. Review to follow.

5. Guerlain Blush 4 Eclat in 04 Rosee Du Printemps - the blush I have used alternately with my Shu Uemura Glow Ons. Has 4 shades you can mix and match.

6. Shu Uemura Glow Ons - once again, I will tell you that M Pink 30 will forever be a favorite of mine. Something I use when I'm not sure which blush to wear.

7. Mentholatum Lip Ice in Lemon - my current favorite lip balm (without any tint). The lemony scent gives me a refreshing feeling. Review to follow.

8. Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in 74 Comedia - my favorite lipstick. Need I say more? :P

9. Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara - my go-to mascara. Love how it separates my lashes and make them look better. Click on the link to read my review.

10. Revlon Brow Fantasy in Brunette - my favorite eyebrow product! From unruly eyebrows to better looking brows.

11. Alba Botanica Rainforest Hydrating Oil Control Moisturizer - a moisturizer that keeps my skin hydrated while keeping the oilies at bay and makes my skin look luminous and glowing at the same time.

12. Acca Kappa Hibiscus - my everyday scent since I am running low on my fave Clinique Happy (yes, it is a common scent but I don't care, it works well with my body chemistry and I've been using it for a decade now). Love the aquatic floral scent that is so light.

13. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula - keeps my skin moisturized while making it smell good at the same time.

So these are my January Favorites. What are yours?

Happy Monday, super awesome peeps! :P

P.S.
I will be blogging less as I have tons of work to do but will try to make a post at least twice a week. Less reviews and less blabbing but I will visit your blogs everyday when I'm not working. Will definitely miss reading comments from you guys. :) Read more...

FOTD: Neutral Eyes (a first!) using Laura Mercier Colour Classics Face Palette

I'm not the type who wears neutral eyeshadow because they have the tendency to look muddy on me. For some reason, neutrals just don't work for me but since there are 3 neutral shades on my Laura Mercier Colour Classics Face Palette, I decided to play around with them and surprisingly, they didn't end up looking that awful on me. In fact, it turned out well. So here's the very simple and neutral look I came up with.

Neutrals on me (Please ignore that spot in between my eyes. It's infrared for my super powers.)

Half FOTD. I had to cut the pictures in half because I poked my left eye while talking these shots and I didn't realize how red it was until I saw the pictures.

Stuff I used:
- Celeteque Facial Moisturizer
- Smashbox Photofinish Primer
- Lancome Teint Idole Ultra in 02 Lys Rose
- Chanel Vitalumiere Eclat Compact in 20 Beige Rose Tendre
- Revlon Brow Fantasy in Brunette
- Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in Rose, Topaz, Coffee Ground
- B! Kohl eyeliner
- Clinique Lash Power Mascara in Black Onyx
- Shu Uemura Glow On M Pink 30
- Mentholatum Lip Ice Lemon
- Chanel Rouge Allure in Comedia

What do you think of neutrals on me? Muddy or not? :P

Happy Wednesday, super awesome peeps! :)
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Christmas Collective Haul

I'm a happy girl this Christmas season. I got a couple of the things on my wishlist and then some. I'd like to share what made me broke now. Haha! :P These are basically some of the stuff I got for the past couple of weeks (December). I have a mini eBay haul coming up soon. :)

From Rustan's

From Duty Free - got 2 from my Christmas Wishlist (The Chanel lipstick shouldn't be part of this haul but something went wrong that I had to just keep it.)

From SM :D

I can't get over the brush included in the Chanel compact. :P

Laura Mercier Colour Classics Face palette + 1 mini lip glace (Pink Diamond)

2 blushes and 6 eye shadows (will review soon)

My latest fave scent - Acca Kappa Hibiscus

Did you get items from your Christmas wishlist? Went shopping this Christmas? :P

Happy Sunday, super awesome peeps! :)

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Product Review: Mentholatum Lip Ice Sheer Color (Fragrance-Free)

I know I have reviewed the Candy Apple lip balm this week but as I have mentioned on that post, I am going to buy the Sheer Color variant and I did the following day. I have been using it for a few days now and since this isn't a skin care product, I can definitely review it now. It is now my favorite lip balm aside from the fact that my mom kept the Candy Apple for herself after having her try it. Boohoo! At least that's one reason for me to buy another. :P

Description on the cardboard packaging:

- Changes color to a natural sheer pink according to individual lips.
- A gentle Beeswax formulation suitable even for very sensitive skin.
- Contains natural ingredients of Shea Butter Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Nut Oil, Jojoba Oil and Aloe Extract to keep lips moisturized, smooth, and healthy.
- Contains effective anti-oxidants of Vitamin E to soften and protect lips against the harmful environment.

What I like:
- Definitely not waxy. I find this more glossy than the Lip Color variant.
- The packaging is really cute! It's pink! :P
- Moisturizing. I apply this at night and wake up with smoother and softer lips.
- I love how it turns to a nice pink shade on my lips.
- No funny smell. I chose the fragrance-free variant over the strawberry-scented one.
- A little goes a long way. One swipe is enough for each lip.
- Adds color to pale lipsticks or lip glosses.
- Even though the gloss is gone, it leaves a pink tint behind.
- Inexpensive and costs only Php145125 for a tube.
- Locally available at Watson's.

What I don't like:
- Unlike the Lip Color variant, this does not have SPF.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Will I buy again? Yes!

Lip swatch

Have you tried this lip balm? I think I am getting addicted to Mentholatum Lip Ice! :P

Happy Saturday, super awesome peeps! :P
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Product Review: Mentholatum Lip Ice Color Lip Balm in Candy Apple

Last week, I met up with two super cute ladies, Arg and Crystal, at Gateway Mall. While we were at Watson's, I saw something I haven't seen before on their rack of lip balms - Mentholatum Lip Ice. I was a bit hesitant to buy one because I thought it was mentholated and I don't like minty lip balms so I skipped. But since some of them were tinted, and I am a sucker for tinted lip balms, I couldn't get those lippies off my mind. So when I friend and I went to the mall last Saturday to have frozen yogurt, I dropped by Watson's while he was ordering at White Hat. I looked for these lippies and successfully found them. I only got Candy Apple just to be able to try it out first and I was impressed. In fact, I am planning to get another one. :P

It comes in a simple white tube packaging resembling a lipstick with silver stars and berry-colored label.

It looks pretty dark on the tube but it goes on really sheer and applies smoothly.

Description on the cardboard packaging:

Lip ice color lip balm
Natural moisturizing color


- Gives natural and lovely color for soft and beautiful lips.
- A super moist retention formula with water microsphere and AcHA (Sodium Acetyl Hyaluronate)
- Contains Vitamin E, Lanolin Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Mango Seed Butter to keep your lips soft and moisturized.
- SPF15 for UV protection.
 
What I like:
- I hate waxy lip balms like Chapstick and Carmex. This one applies smoothly and does not in any way feel waxy.
- It is quite pigmented for a lip balm and a swipe shows enough color on the lips.
- Texture is like that of a lipstick but this is moisturizing and hydrating with enough gloss in it. I can say it is moisturizing because I applied it before I slept and woke up with really soft and smooth lips like I just used a lip scrub.
- Staying power is decent. It lasts for a couple of hours if you do not eat or drink and leaves a nice pink tint on the lips. Your lips still feel soft and smooth even after the lip balm is gone when you eat.
- It has SPF15.
- OC people will love the packaging as it is hygienic and you won't have to dip your fingers in a pot.
- Inexpensive. This one costs only PHP125. Other lip balms without the tint cost cheaper, like less than 70 bucks.
- NOW locally available at Watson's.

What I don't like:
- It has a funny smell.


Overall rating: 4.5/5

Will I buy again? YES! In fact, I am buying another one tomorrow. :P

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