Welcoming the Year of the Water Dragon with NYX, Chanel, and Revlon!

Happy Year of the Dragon, everyone! Here's a quick post for today. I think I am on a lippy phase once again. I recently purchased a couple of lip products and here they are. I decided to post lip swatches as well to give you an idea on how they look like on the lips.

NYX Color Lip Balm in Sukriya, Chanel Rouge Allure in Charisma, and
Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti

My favorite of the bunch is Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti! I love the color on me as it looks pretty natural. I have a couple of gripes with the product itself but I'll tell you about it on an individual review.

What lippies have you purchased lately?

Have a wonderful week, everyone! :)

Cheers,

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Product Review: Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Blissful

Hi everyone! Another post for today. I'm making the most of the weekend as I'll be busy again tomorrow starting with payroll and then for the next few months. Anyway, here's the review of the blush I have been using for the past month. It's one of those blushes that were raved all over the net by bloggers and YouTubers but I guess my EQ is getting better since it took me a while to finally purchase this blush. Here is the review then.

Tarte Cosmetics says:

For those who want an alternative blush to tarte's award-winning gel and cream cheek stains, we're now offering Amazonian clay 12-hour blush in 8 shades. Inspired by our best-selling cheek and lip stains, shades range from soft pink (dollface) to deep berry (flush). Used alone or with our best-selling natural cheek stains, this blush is sure to give you that natural glow.

To know more about these blushes, check out the Tarte website.

What I like:

• I like the straight on packaging. Nothing too artsy and nothing too glamorous. The colour of the compact gives you an idea how the blush inside looks. It also doesn't hurt that it has a mirror for quick touch ups.
• The shade Blissful is described by Tarte as warm peach. It's close but I would say it's a warm coral peach with a hint of pink. It is matte but it is definitely not flat or a boring matte. It adds warmth on the cheeks while adding a faint glow that is simply pretty. On me, it looks like a natural flush.
• The texture is great. It goes on smooth, it is finely milled and silky. Certainly of high quality.
• Unscented. Nothing that gives me a headache whenever I use it.
• I love that it is animal cruelty-free.
• The blush is pigmented. You only need to swipe your blush brush on the pan once and you get enough color on the cheeks. I think this is not the case with lighter shades but you definitely need a light hand with this particular shade.
• You get 5.6g of product that is packed with pigment, and with a shelf life of 12 months.
• No skin irritation or allergic reactions with this blush.

What I don't like:

• It claims to have a staying power of 12 hours. While I wasn't hoping for it to last half a day on me, the fact that others raved about how it stayed for 6-8 hours on them gave me high hopes for this blush. It lasts only 2 hours tops on me. And that is me staying in an air-conditioned room for the whole period.
• This isn't exactly cheap for $25. I got mine for Php 1200 + Php 50 shipping (roughly $29) online. I was expecting a bit more for the tag price.
• Not locally available. You'd have to purchase this from online re-sellers or have someone purchase it for you abroad.

Overall rating: 3.5/5 While the staying power is such a let down for me, the shade and how it looks naturally glowing on me won me over. I don't mind touching up anyway as long as it's not every minute of my life that I have to.

Will I buy again? No. I guess I'm part of the minority who isn't gaga over these blushes and repurchase. I'm sure I can find a better-lasting blush that is equally gorgeous on my cheeks.

Interesting Facts:

These solar-baked blushes are infused with Amazonian Clay, nature's most perfect ingredient. These nutrient rich
and skin-nourishing Amazonian clay blushes restore harmony for a flawless finish that lasts all day.

The soft blush is great for all skin types:

• Oily skin: Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place
• Dry skin: Amazonian clay hydrates skin naturally to restore moisture so your blush wears better & longer
• Dull skin: Amazonian clay improves the appearance of skin clarity and skin texture
• Combination skin: Amazonian clay is completely intuitive; gives skin an overall smooth & even appearance

Skinvigorating™ ingredients

• Amazonian Clay: nature’s most perfect ingredient providing total skin balance
• beeswax: as an alternative to synthetic waxes, natural beeswax is used as a waterproofing agent, a protective barrier between the skin and the environment and it has also been know to naturally stimulate collagen production which plumps the skin and decreases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• vitamin C: antioxidant that fights free radical damage and prevents oxidative stress and premature signs of aging, while brightening skin
• vitamin E: natural preservative that also acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and protects against free radical damage

Skinvigorating™ benefits

• formulated without mineral oil
• formulated without paraben
• formulated without phthalates
• cruelty free
• formulated without sodium lauryl sulfate
• formulated without synthetic fragrance

Makeup: Pore Serum Gel, Kanebo Coffret D'Or Beauty Lasting Liquid UV,
Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer, Kryolan Anti Shine Powder,
Skinfood Choco Powder Eyebrow Wood Pencil, Laura Mercier neutral eye
shadows from Colour Classics Face Palette, Sleek Noir Eyeshadow from Bad
Girl Palette as eye liner, Kiss Me Volume & Curl Mascara, Tarte Amazonian
Clay Blush in Blissful, Korres Lip Butter Glaze in Pomegranate, MAC Sheen
Supreme Lipstick in Ultra Darling

Have you tried any of these Amazonian Clay Blushes? How do you find it?

Happy Sunday, super awesome peeps! :)

Cheers,

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Non-Beauty Related Purchases - Novelty Stuff

I've always featured cosmetic and beauty-related hauls ever since I started blogging. But this one's different. First thing is that I never actually did any holiday shopping - no trips to Rustan's the drove me crazy and left my wallet bleeding. I haven't been buying a lot of cosmetics lately. One or two purchases for the past couple of months and I'm already a happy girl. Anyway, I somehow went a little bit crazy buying novelty items and a couple of accessories and books. I'm sharing them on this post. Here they are..

Accessories from the Eastwood Bazaar and eBay.ph

Stickers, planners, memo pads, post its, a trinket with postcards and stickers

Books by John Sandford. I want to complete his Prey series. I'm hooked!

That's pretty much everything. Have a wonderful week ahead, everyone! :)

Have you purchased non-beauty related stuff lately?

Cheers,

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Product Review: MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Ultra Darling

It has been over a year since I last used a MAC lipstick. I decided I was so over the MAC hype and that there is more to makeup than the brand, especially with lipsticks and blushes. Blame it on Japanese and high end brands for my ditching MAC. It wasn't only until I got to try the Sheen Supreme lipsticks that I wanted something from MAC again. It was love at first swatch with Ultra Darling though I had my eyes set on Full Speed and Korean Candy at that time. I've been using it everyday for almost a week now so I guess that's a fair enough time to give it a review.

Sheen Supreme Lipsticks according to MAC

Combining the colour impact of a Lipstick with the shine sheen of a Lipglass, Sheen Supreme creates the perfect hybrid - with no compromise. Lightweight, non-sticky, slick to apply and comfortable to wear. This is a must-have for all those who have craved this kind of fusion.

Ultra Darling is described as a mid-tone yellow pink.

What I like:

• The shade is a very pretty watermelon pink with just the right hint of coral in it. It also has the right amount of sheen to make the lips look healthy and glossy. 
• I love the formula. As I have mentioned earlier, I have given up on MAC lipsticks since I had my love affair with a few high end ones but I can confidently say that MAC earned a second chance because of this Sheen Supreme Lipstick line. It's creamy, glides smoothly, and is very comfortable enough to wear on the lips. It feels like I'm wearing my Dior Addict lipstick. It is definitely a hybrid of a lipstick and a lip gloss with a touch of a glossy lip balm, if I may add that.
• It is non-drying. I have used it a couple of times without a lip balm underneath but it never dried out my lips.
• I love how the color instantly brightens up my face. It's kinda bright on my lips as compared to my usual lip color choices but I can't help but love this. I can definitely see those with fair and medium skin tones rocking this shade.
• No irritation on my lips.
• Lasts fairly well for 2-3 hours (without drinking/eating) but definitely not as long lasting as matte lipsticks because of its glossy formula.

What I don't like:

• The packaging/tube. Not a huge fan of it. I like the regular bullet-looking one better. Plus it's kinda hard to open.
• Maybe pricey for Php 1000/tube but I'm loving the formula so I really don't mind the price tag. MAC is crazily raising their prices to compete with high end ones, I guess.

Overall rating: 4.75/5 Well, ain't this lipstick the Ultra Darling for getting this rating? :)


Will I buy again? Expect to see another shade from the Sheen Supreme Lipstick line in a month or so which is Full Speed. Unless I get over my coral-pink affinity, I'd probably get an everyday nude shade instead which is Bare Again. :)

Swatch

On me

Have you tried any MAC Supreme Sheen Lipsticks? If you haven't, what shades would you like to try?

Have a great week ahead of you, everyone! :)

Cheers,

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Product Review: Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Stay in Place Makeup

In my book, Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup is the most long lasting foundation I've ever had and the one that does not budge at all. If you check out my review last year, I thought that it already felt light, but that was before I met Japanese liquid foundations which feels unbelievably light on the skin. That was when I realized how ELDW felt too heavy, at least for me, so I gave it up. It was when I started reading raves about the lighter version of it which is the Estee Lauder Double Wear Light that I became curious with that brand's foundations. Some said it was like tinted moisturizer while some claimed that it has coverage but feels so much lighter than the original. When I was able to score a tube of this foundation online, I was so excited that I started wearing it straight for days. Anyway, here is my review of this product.

Estee Lauder says:

BENEFITS
15-hour wear. Controls oil
COVERAGE
Sheer to Medium; SPF 10
FINISH
Natural

PRODUCT DETAILS
15-hour wear, light as air-long-wear makeup is now lightweight makeup.

Makeup That Keeps Up
Fresh, natural, comfortable.
Goes on sheer, leaves skin free to breathe all day.
Controls oil.
Resists smudging and won't "melt" off through heat and humidity.

For a look that stays vibrant and fresh whether it's a workday, a workout or a weekend. Smooth it on once and don't think twice about it.

FORMULA FACTS
Oil-free
Dermatologist-tested
Non-acnegenic
Won't clog pores

What I like:

• It definitely does feel lighter than the regular Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup.
• I like the sleek tube packaging. It is much more sanitary and hygienic than the bottled, regular ones.
• It stays on my face for at least 5 hours.
• Gives a natural finish and definitely not flat matte.
• No white cast on photos.
• Has SPF 10. Though it isn't enough, I'm glad Estee Lauder made an effort to add sunscreen to this foundation.
• Locally available at Estee Lauder counters at Rustan's.

What I don't like:

• While it feels lighter than the regular Double Wear Stay in Place foundation, it still feels heavy and mask-like for me. It is nowhere near like a tinted moisturizer. Please.
• It oxidizes so bad that I look like a lighter version of Oompa Loompa.
• It clogs my pores and dries out my skin really bad. Well, it does control oil.
• Even the lightest shade, Intensity 1.0, has pink tones in it. Not yellow enough for me.
• Kinda pricey for Php 1900/tube (roughly $45).

Overall rating: 2.5/5

Will I buy again? Definitely not. Sorry Estee Lauder, this product was a disappointment for me though I tried to like it. I really tried.

Swatch

Swatches: YSL Matt Tough 2, ELDW Light 1.0, Shu FA 974

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

Happy 2012, everyone! :)

Cheers,

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Product Review: Paul & Joe Lipstick in 070 Chantilly

Happy Holidays, guys! I've still been pretty busy these past couple of weeks that this post has been sitting on my drafts for that period. I'm glad, though, that I'm finally able to post this just because I called in sick today as I've been sick since last Christmas. Bummer. Anyway, here is my review for the Paul & Joe Lipstick in 070 Chantilly which I have acquired a couple of months ago.

The product up close.

What I like:

• The packaging's design is cute. I am not usually  fan of such designs but I like the combination of pink and purple on this one.
• The shade is a lovely pale peach-pink with a very slight hint of blue tones in it.
• Applies sheer but can be built up for the intensity of the colour to show up more.
• Glossy and applies smoothly.
• Pretty moisturizing for a lipstick. It somewhat reminds me of a tinted lip balm in a tube.
• Does not cause any allergic reaction or irritation on my lips.

What I don't like:

• If applied more than thrice, it makes me look mighty pale and sick.
• Staying power is poor since it is very sheer and glossy.
• I don't dig the packaging. It looks cheaply made if you ask me. It is made of sturdy cardboard. Sturdy but still, it's cardboard.
• Pretty expensive for a lipstick that has poor staying power for Php 1300/tube. For the price, I can add a hundred bucks and go for a Dior lipstick instead.
• Paul & Joe lipsticks are locally available but since this is part of a collection or a limited edition lipstick, it might no longer be available.

Overall rating: 2.5/5 While it is very pretty, it isn't something I reach for and it just sits pretty on my traincase after I used it just a few times.

Will I buy again? No.

Arm swatch

Lip swatch

Have you tried this lipstick or any other lipstick from Paul & Joe?

Have a happy year-ender, everyone! :)

Cheers,

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Back with a Product Review: Shu Uemura Aya Takano Reindeer Kiss xxxx Palette

Hey guys! I hope you're all doing fab this holiday season. It has been a month and a half since I have last updated this blog. Busy isn't quite enough to describe how my previous weeks were plus dealing with personal stuff that are great, actually, but I'm glad that I finally had the time to make a post again. I was supposed to go malling with my family for a little Christmas shopping but since I barely even stay home due to work, I decided to skip going out and stay home instead for a little R&R. Rock & Roll? Nah. Just Rest & Rest or perhaps Rest & Read or Review & Read or Review & Rest. Whichever of the four my Sunday leads to, I'll make the most out of it. Anyway, here's a review of the cutest makeup piece in my stash and that is the Shu Uemura Aya Takano Reindeer Kiss xxxx Palette. I received this as a birthday gift last August. If I'm not mistaken, this was part of Shu Uemura's Holiday Collection from 2010. So without further ado, I present to you the Reindeer Kiss Palette.

Oh jeez, I don't know how to start this review. I'm searching for the right words. It has been that long, huh. I'm still giving this a shot even though I think I lost my blogging mojo.

What I like:

• The package is unbelievably cute! It's such a swell to see this inside my traincase. Even my niece, who loves looking at and playing with my make up always grabs this and says, "Look oh, so cute". And that is simply adorable. Even though I have no idea how it would feel to kiss a reindeer, it's still uber cute for me as there is something quite "magical" about how this palette was presented and packaged.
• The well-coordinated colours are so pretty to look at. I kept myself from using it for a week or so but when I received and used my "Tessa Prieto-ish lashes a couple of months ago for my Fairytopia FOTD, I knew this palette would be perfect for those lashes.
• The K2 silver eyeshadow  is so creamy and smooth that it's so easy to blend and applies wonderfully on the lids. 
• Texture is still wonderful even though it is now made in Korea. There is a slight difference on the quality but it's not something that would keep me from buying Shu makeup again.
• K4 or the brown cream color is an eyeliner though I prefer using it on my brows but it still works as a liner.
• K5 or the gold cream highlighter is gorgeous! Pretty on the cheekbones and brow bones and cupid's bow.
• The K6 glow on is a medium pink blush with a bit of blue tones in it. There is something about it that gives a certain glow on the cheeks. 
• It also does not hurt that I get a full-sized eyeshadow and blush in this palette too!
• Still locally available at some Shu Uemura counters.

What I don't like:

• K1 and K3 are not as pigmented and opaque as the K2 silver eyeshadow. 
• Creams and powders should never ever be together in one palette. Powders get in the cream products and when that happens, it's not usually a pretty sight.
• Pretty expensive for a palette as this costs Php 4000. But if you are a sucker for packaging and is into collecting such things, or a Shu Uemura devout, then I think this would prove as something you must absobloodylutely have.

Overall rating: 4.25/5

Will I buy again? I would like to say I would but I honestly won't. Even though I love it and it is gorgeous and the packaging is outrageously cute, these are not enough reasons for me to purchase it. With 4k, I can purchase a customized palette from Shu with my choice of colors. Super glad I got this as a gift from a very nice lad though who has proven his uncanny gift-giving skill. :)

The palette up-close - K1, K2, K3, K4

Swatches

I have a lot of reviews coming up. And hopefully, I can continue blogging again. Have a happy and blessed Sunday, everyone! :)

Cheers,

P.S. Thanks to all who left comments and emailed me asking how I am and if everything's alright. It warmed my heart, promise.

Coming up: Purbasari Lulur Scrub
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Product Review: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

As I have mentioned a lot of times on my previous posts, water-based or gel moisturizers work best for my combination-oily skin. While I fell in love with Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, I have been cheating on it with another moisturizer that pretty much does the same for me and that is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. I luckily won this jar from The Beauty Bin's giveaway a few months ago and I thought it would be best to wait for a few months before finally giving it a review. When it comes to skin care products, I think a day or two or even a week won't be enough to test it, thus, the long wait. Anyway, here is my review now.

What I like:

• I like how "watery" the color of the packaging is. The jar is also pretty sturdy as I've dropped it a few times and it never cracked or shattered.
• This is a non-greasy and lightweight moisturizer. It definitely doesn't make my skin oilier than it is.
• It gets easily absorbed by the skin.
• It doesn't just moisturize my skin - it hydrates it. 
• Texture is a bit more runny than Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief and a bit more gel-like as compared to Celeteque Facial Moisturizer. It's just right - not too thick and not too runny or watery either.
• It leaves a semi-matte finish on the skin which makes it a good makeup base, helping my primer and/or foundation glide smoothly.
• The scent initially worried me as it is quite strong but I'm glad that the fragrance in it did not cause any allergic reaction. No break outs either.
• A little goes a long way. A pea-sized amount is enough to cover my entire face and neck.
• I apply this at night and I wake up to a smoother, softer, and more supple skin.
• Works super awesome with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. These two made my skin so much better.
• Since it keeps my skin balanced, it no longer oils up as much as it used to.
• The manufacture and expiry date are visible on the jar.
• Locally available at major department stores and drugstores nationwide.

What I don't like:

• The scent could've been a little less strong or they can simply do away with it. I always apply it in front of a fan so the fragrance would be gone in just a matter of seconds.
• Since the product is in a jar, you'll definitely need a spatula or transfer it to an airless pump bottle for more hygienic ways to use it.
• Does not relieve itch just like the Clinique one does for me but I'm still cool with it as a moisturizer.

Overall rating: 4/5 If the scent isn't that strong, it certainly would've gotten a higher rating from me.

Will I buy again? Yes! It works just like Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief (I know! I gotta stop comparing!) as a moisturizer for me and it is cheaper by a few hundreds so I guess this is a cheaper alternative for me. I will repurchase as long as it doesn't stop working for me and if budget permits.

A closer look

Manufacture and Expiry dates

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

Happy November, everyone! :)

Cheers,

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