In the Limelight: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat - Product Review

If you have read my blog from way back when I first started, you'd know that I love blushes. They're just so irresistibly pretty whether just looking at them or having them swatched on your arm. It's the one makeup that made me realize that colours may look similar on the pan but come off differently. So whenever I see a new blush on Instagram, I find myself admiring and checking swatches but I always ask myself if I really want or need it so I don't easily buy them. It took me a while to jump into the Hourglass Ambient Lighting bandwagon because I thought that being baked, they'd be similar to MAC Mineralize line up of products. And that it's just hype - you know how the beauty community can be if you're a beauty enthusiast. Suffice it to say, I bit the bullet and got myself one and that is the Diffused Heat shade. Here's my review.

What I like:

• The packaging is very chic and classy as it gives the impression that it is heavy and sturdy. Point of comparison again for me is the packing of the Burberry Light Glow Blushes which is heavy and really sturdy. But I have once dropped this Hourglass blush and if only you could see my face at that moment, you would've gotten a good laugh. But the blush is still in one piece. Though it's probably because the floor where it landed is made of wood.
• The shade is a very nice warm pink with a hint of coral though it was described as poppy by the brand.
• Unscented! My nose is somewhat used to scented products now but it's a breath of fresh air to have a product that gives my olfactory nerves a rest.
• The blush is very smooth and a tad buttery - but still falls short when compared to the texture of Burberry blushes (I guess you can tell I love the texture of that blush!).
• It is highly pigmented though the depth of its colour can be altered by swiping to Ambient Lighting Powder that's mixed in the blush. It can get more or less intense. It would also be hard to get the very same colour - comparing yours to a friend's - as each pan differs in the quantity of the blush pigment and the powder swirled altogether.
• I don't really see the "glow" per se once applied on my cheeks but it somehow gives a luminous effect. Is that the glow people are raving about? :D
• Staying power is good. It lasts quite long on me and I only see fading on the 4th hour mark - which is pretty impressive taking into consideration the Manila weather and my skin type.
• Even though there are shimmer particles on the pan, it does not translate as shimmery on the cheeks. After hitting the big 3-0, my preference has changed from loving shimmer blushes to satin or matte blushes.
• No allergic reactions not break outs for me.

What I don't like:

• The price. I find its price range on the same level as most high end blushes from Chanel, Dior, Burberry, and perhaps Guerlain.I got mine for Php 2,000 which is very reasonable compared to other sellers' price of 2.5k as the only way you can get your hands on this guy here in Manila is though pre-orders unless you but it personally from abroad which leads me to the second thing I don't like.
• The brand's not locally available. If only we had Sephora here in the Philippines. A girl can dream, right?
• The compact is a fingerprint magnet. I once pressed my thumb hard on the compact and I was able to lift it using sticky tape. ;D

In-between:

In as much as I am awed by how gorgeous this blush is, I do not find anything spectacular about it. Other blushes can be as pigmented, smooth, buttery, and give a luminous flush for a lower price tag. 

Who might and might not like it?

Those who love baked blushes and won't mind paying quite a bit for a beautiful blush with swirls of light gold. If you are on a budget, you might find yourself searching for dupes instead. 

Will I buy again?

I would just because I don't have any powder blush like it in my stash and I like its longevity on my combination-oily skin. But it's not something I would consider a must-have. I can live without this blush as it is dupe-able but I choose not to. :D

Have you tried Hourglass blushes?

Happy Tuesday, super awesome peeps. :)

Cheers,

Follow me on Instagram: greenappletini

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In the Limelight: Becca Cosmetics Ombre Nudes Palette - Product Review

For so many years, I have steered clear of neutrals and earth tones when it comes to eyeshadow as being acidic, they tend to look muddy on me so I stuck to greys and greens, and anything dark. It was only last year that I started to wear neutrals mixed with darker browns and blacks and I realized I can rock them. And now, I mostly wear these shades when I go out. I wish I could review the Urban Decay Naked palette for you but I'm sure you've seen tons of reviews about it and besides, I let it go for something less overwhelming for me. My new found love for neutrals + my love for Becca Cosmetics led to my acquisition of the Becca Ombre Nudes Palette. It was a choice between the Urban Decay Naked Basics or this but I chose the latter instead. And here is my review.

What I like:

• The shadows are smooth and velvety though not as buttery as compared to, say, Burberry eyeshadows and blushes.
• All the colours blend nicely albeit matte which I usually have a hard time with.
• They all work well with each other (at times, they look cool-toned but on most times, they lean towards the warm spectrum) as well as with eyeshadows from other palettes or quads.
• All the shades are very pigmented and didn't have a hard time showing up with or without primer.
• Longevity is very good, more so when applied with primer.
• The compact is sleek and simple and although plastic, it feels sturdy and won't easily break. 
• I do not feel overwhelmed as to the number of shades and which ones to use (I'm talking to the UD Naked palettes, Lorac Pro palettes and everything else that has more than 5 shades to choose from in one compact).
• This is a no-brainer eye shadow palette for me.
• Aside from being used on the eyes, I can also use the third and fourth shades as face contour and as brow powders. Talk multiple uses in one slim compact.

What I don't like:

• They come off as a bit powdery but surprisingly has very minimal fall outs once applied on the lids. But still, I wish it does not do that: product wastage = money wasted.
• It is quite pricey and what I would consider an investment for a product I do not use everyday - pretty steep for $40. Got it for Php 2250 through a pre-order.
• Not sure if it's already locally available in Adora.
• I wish they'd come up with other palette selections - blues, greens, smokes, pastels or whatever colour combinations you can think of.

Who might and might not like this?

Those who prefer satin or shimmer finishes for their eyeshadows can skip this one as this is an all matte palette. Also, if you want a variety of shades to choose from, you'll be disappointed if 5 isn't enough for you. If you are, however, into mattes and neutrals, and wants minimal shades in their palette, then this has your name spelled on it. If you like multi-purpose products, go grab this for your contouring and eyebrow needs.

Will I buy again?

I'd love to say yes but if they come up with smokey shades or dark greens, I would get those palettes first. And besides, this will take me over a year to finish since I do not wear eyeshadow on a regular basis.

Swatches. Photo taken from my instagram account.

What's your favourite neutral or nudes palette?

Have a wonderful week ahead, super awesome peeps. :)

Cheers,

Follow me on Instagram: greenappletini

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Product Review: Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Makeup Foundation

Hello, super awesome peeps! It has been over a year since I have last updated this blog. Thank you to all those who still followed this blog and those who have told me that they still read my blog, it really meant a lot to me and made me want to go back to blogging. I won't go into a lengthy explanation for the hiatus but here I am once again and will do my best to get back to blogging. I have so much products to review for you guys which I am quite excited about. So allow me to start once again by reviewing one of my Holy Grail foundations which is the Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Makeup.

I was using the shade 3.0 which was a perfect match but oxidizes on me and turns a shade darker so the one I currently have on my stash is 2.0. Did I already mention that this is one of my two Holy Grail foundations? Yes, I did.

Texture and Consitency:

Consistency is somewhat in between creamy and runny. It doesn't sit like a blob at the back of my hand once pumped and neither does it do a marathon on me. It is applies smoothly and feels both satiny and velvety on my skin. A few seconds is all it needs to blend well with the skin, making it appear as though it's my skin but better.

Coverage:

Coverage is light to medium but buildable. You can, however sheer it out by mixing it with your moisturizer or, in my case, argan oil. If you have good skin, you might not need the use of a concealer but if you have spots or blemishes to conceal here and there, this might not give enough coverage for you. I personally need to use an under eye concealer with this foundation.

Longevity:

This foundation lasts for 8-10 hours on me with fading on the 6th hour mark and I need to touch up with powder. I start seeing traces of oil on the 3rd hour too. Those with dry skin might find this foundation to last longer on them.

What I like:

• It smells like most foundations do but I am happy to report that it does not contain a strong floral fragrance, for those of us who do not like such scents on makeup. The scent disappears quickly.
• It is very easy to blend and does not sit on top of your skin. If you have dry patches, it may somehow emphasize them but not like what most matte foundations do. Please note that this is not a mattifying foundation and has a satin or demi-matte finish.
• It makes my skin look healthy, bouncy even, and does not dry out my skin.
• No adverse reaction on my skin despite the silicone content.
• Has a wide selection of shades for various skin tones and undertones. Those that end with .5 are cool-toned while those that do not are warm-toned. I can't imagine anyone having that much difficulty in finding the right shade for them.
• For the price I paid for this foundation, I am glad that this has a pump that works and allows me to control the amount of foundation I am pumping out from it.
• The bottle is simple and yet sleek and functional.

What I don't like:

• Not locally available so I have to rely on pre-orders. 
• Can be pretty expensive for a mid-range brand. For my first bottle, I paid Php 1,750 which is quite reasonable but for the second, I got it for Php 2, 200 as seller no. 1 no longer has it on stick.

Who might and might not like this:

Those who prefer satin over matte finishes and light-medium coverage will definitely like this foundation. Those who like heavy and full coverage might find themselves adding another layer of foundation. If you have very oily skin and lives in hot and humid places, you will definitely need to set this with powder. I have combination-oily skin and I still need to set it with powder and touch up every now and then. If you need heavy duty foundation, this definitely isn't for you.

Will I buy again?

Definitely! I have, in fact, already purchased my second bottle. :)

Have a great weekend, everyone! :)

Cheers,

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Late Post: Shiseido International Beauty Fair 2014 Work Shop

Hello everyone. After another long hiatus, I'm back to blogging. I needed to focus on both my job and relationship, thus, the long break. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, I got invited to the Shiseido International Beauty Fair at the SM Megamall Atrium and I couldn't resist not going because the Japanese Beauty Consultant from Shiseido Japan, Momoko Ishibashi would be there. So even though I already made plans for the weekend, I made sure I am able to attend at least one workshop (May 21, day one) and share whatever tips I will learn on that day. Apologies for the delay in posting, I intended to post about it right away but flu got the better of me. Better late than never as they say.

Photo grabbed from the Shiseido PH facebook page.

I was only able to attend the first workshop which is for the natural look as I needed to bring my dog to the vet that same afternoon. Since most Filipinas go for the no-makeup makeup look, this was the first look that Momoko Ishibashi demonstrated for all the beauty bloggers who attended that workshop. Of course, all products used on the blogger/model's face were all Shiseido - from the skin care products up to the makeup.

Momoko Ishibashi with her translator

It all starts with a beautiful canvas so skin care is of utmost importance.

And this, I think, is the highlight of all the products - the Shiseido White Lucent Total Brightening Serum.

It should be applied all over the face in a circular motion - this technique applies to all skin care products, Shiseido or not - to prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging from appearing prematurely.

How it works - explained.

And the look for the first workshop - Soft and Natural. The products used for the look are on the slide.

The finished look. (Sorry for the quality of the photos, it doesn't do justice for the model. I only used my iphone).

I'm not going to be super detailed but here's the sum of what I learned on that day:

1. Having good skin is the first step in achieving this natural look. Because once your skin is glowing on its own, you don't need to apply tons of makeup on your face.
2. Light and sheer foundation works best as it will look and feel like second skin.
3. Conceal and brighten the under eyes. Well-rested looking eyes can make your face fresh and bright in an instant.
4. Set your makeup with sheer powder to help keep oil at bay.
5. Use light or soft color on the brow since you're aiming for a soft and natural look. 
6. Pink and yellow cream eyeshadows were used on this look - it made the model look fresh and young.
7. According to Momoko, the color of your cheeks and lips should match. And it should also match the color of the clothes you're wearing (I'm not that sure if I can match my lip and cheek color with my clothes but I'll try).

So that's it. Have an awesome weekend ahead, everyone! :)

Cheers,

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Create moments under the sun with Dermplus Sunblock - Your Everyday Sun Protection

Who doesn't love a little fun in the sun? The beach can be a perfect way to spend the day and get some summer moments with your loved ones. Summer means sun, shorts, sandals, bathing suits, and bronzed skin. But with beach hair and shorter hemlines comes the dangers that not only instigate the probability of skin cancer, but the aging process as well. Sun exposure is, essentially, subjecting yourself to sun damage – but in the same note, avoiding the outdoors altogether is both impractical and nearly impossible.

Dermplus Moisturizing Sunblock is the answer to your skin problems this summer. It is formulated with unbeatable UVA and UVB filters to protect your skin in the harsh ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Dermplus sunblock physically blocks and reflects light and it also helps heal skin damage caused by over-exposure to the sun.  Dermplus Sunblock is available in different SPF’s like SPF 24 that is recommended for morena skin and for indoor use, SPF 35 for fair skin and SPF 80 and 130 for extreme outdoor activities. Use Dermplus Moisturizing Sunblock and worry no more about the harmful Ultra Violet A (UVA) and Ultra Violet B (UVB) rays. Whether you go will spend your summer in Boracay, Cebu, Palawan or in Bohol, never forget your number one sun defense partner.

Dermplus Moisturizing Sunblock is available in all leading drugstores, supermarket and department stores nationwide. For more information call 817 33 03 or like us on facebook.

Cheers,

Disclaimer: Post for Dermplus PR.

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In the Limelight: Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup in I'm Pure 4 Sure Ivory Product Review

Wow, that was quite a long name for a foundation; makes me wonder why companies do that, actually. Anyway, I am not a huge fan of Benefit products, to be honest, though I have tried quite a few - blushes, tints, primer. I wasn't even one of the eager beavers when Benefit launched this foundation but the reviews about it being light and natural on the skin made me decide to finally try it out this year as I was looking for a foundation that is lighter than NARS Sheer Glow (although I was kinda okay with that foundation, y'know). I have had this Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup for a couple of months now and the shade I have is I'm Pure 4 Sure Ivory. I'm not sure if this is the lightest or the second lightest shade but I decided this was the perfect shade for me, knowing that this will be a tad light for my complexion, because I am acidic and almost everything oxidizes on me, which I'm sure you know as I have been complaining a lot about it lately. So on this post, I shall be reviewing this foundation and I will be using my new system of reviewing for the first time on this product. I thought a little revamping won't hurt as to how I do my reviews so here goes.

What Benefit says about this product...

Why we love it!

Hello...it's flawless time! Our new oil-free brightening liquid foundation builds from light to medium coverage for a natural complexion you can believe in. It's you...just more luminous & healthy looking.

Find your flawless match with the hello flawless oxygen wow shade guide in Beauty School.

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW:

broad-spectrum SPF 25 PA+++ protection**

oil-free formula

natural finish

hydrating benefits

light-diffusing properties

 available in 9 shades

**What does PA+++ mean? SPF stands for the protection grade of the UVB filter. PA stands for the protection grade of the UVA filter. The highest standard of sun protection rating is the three-star PA rating. Our foundation has three stars, which translates to the highest protection.

Who else loves it!

2012 SELF Healthy Beauty Award, best brightening foundation

How to apply

Blend on face with brush or fingertips.

Details

30.0 mL, 1.0 US fl oz.

Beauty tip

Start with the POREfessional to get an unbelievably even application, quickly minimize the appearance of pores and help makeup stay put.

What I say about this product...

Texture & Consistency: 

This foundation is kinda watery though not excessively runny. Despite its consistency, this feels surprisingly creamy as I spread this all over my skin. It also feels moist which is good for those who dig the dewy look.

Coverage:

Light to medium but can be built up, only adding a little amount on areas that need more coverage.

Longevity:

It lasts for a few hours to a little over half a day. This could be due to my skin type which is combination-oily and add to that the heat and humidity in Manila. Those who have combination or oily skin may not expect this to last until you remove your makeup before hitting the sack, while those with dry to normal may find this to last longer on them.

Price & Availability in the local market:

This is locally available at Benefit counters and stores in Manila for Php 1,900.00.

Thumbs up:

• Definitely feels lighter than NARS Sheer Glow and is perfect for everyday use.
• Has not caused irritation on my skin, no break outs either.
• This shade initially applies lighter on my skin tone but I was right when I decided that this is the right shade for me because it does oxidize and ends up matching my skin tone.
• It definitely brightens up my face.
• Perfect for the dewy look. It makes my skin look bouncy, softer and smoother though it does not blur the imperfections or blemishes.
• It has SPF25.
• It does not dry out my skin and it actually makes me feel like my skin can breathe.
• It blends well with the skin and does not sit on top of it; definitely does not feel like I have a mask on.
• The pump! On my last two foundation reviews, I sorta complained about those not having pumps. And yes, this one does have a pump that actually works and allows me to have control on how much product I get to use.
• The packaging, while not super stylish, is practical. You can actually see how much product you have left. Plus, when you run out of it, you can re-use the bottle and put lotions or creams in it, perhaps another foundation that does not come with a pump.
• Locally available.

Thumbs down:

• It takes a minute or two to dry as it really is moist. So I refrain from using this when I am running late but when I have the extra time to spare, I don't see a reason why I shouldn't use this.
• Can be quite pricey with Benefit being a mid-range brand but priced competitively against high end foundations but I find the price worth it because of everything listed on "Thumbs up".

Who might like this?

Those who prefer light-medium coverage and likes the dewy look. Those who have dry to normal skin might find this suitable for their skin type.

Who might not?

Those who prefer matte or satin finishes. Combination-oily skin types.

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Wearing Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow

Have you tried Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Makeup?

Have a wonderful Thursday, everyone! :)

Cheers,

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In the Limelight: Sleek Gloss Me Colour Intense Supreme Shine Lip Gloss in 442 Fool's Gold Product Review

TGIF, everyone! The problem if you go on blogging hiatus is that the products you have to review piles up and when you finally get back to it, it can be confusing which one to review first and which one goes next. Making a list doesn't work for me. But today, I decided to review another lip product from Sleek Makeup and that is the Gloss Me Colour Intense Supreme Shine Lip Gloss in 442 Fool's Gold. I admit, I was initially hesitant to use this as it is not something that would catch my attention when it comes to lip products. I am normally a coral-pink lippy girl and just starting to get a little bolder with red. But after giving this gloss a chance and used it several times, I'm ready to give it a review.

Sleek Makeup describes Gloss Me Fool's Gold as...

Gloss Me provides you with maximum coverage for long lasting colour with shimmer that ensures a dazzling pout all day long. Fools Gold is a sparkling champagne shade that can be worn alone for a light neutral lip or team with True Colour Lipstick in Succumb for a dazzling pout.

Gloss Me’s ultra intense, long lasting colour doesn’t stray, drenching lips in a full coat of gloss in just one single application.

What I like:

• Highly pigmented. One coat is enough to show its true color.
• Sleek nailed it with the shade description. It is indeed a sparkling champagne shade. It is pretty and would look good on bold eye colours or a smokey eye with mostly matte shades.
• It does not feel super sticky but I feel that it adheres on the lips.
• Does not dry out my lips.
• There is a scent to it which can be detected only if you sniff closely to the tube. Almost goes undetected.
• I like the packaging which is a simple clear tube with matte cap.
• No irritation on my lips and the surrounding skin.
• Can be used on top of a matte lip product to add more ooomph to it.
• Has a shelf life of 36 months or 3 years.
• Locally available at www.beautycornerph.com for Php 450.00 / 6mL of product.

What I don't like:

• It tends to look frosty because of the abundance of shimmers in it which might not look too good on those with pouty or full lips as it will further make the lips fuller. Those with think lips might benefit from it though, if shimmers or frost are your thing.

Overall rating: 4/5 The gloss is nice but the shimmers' a little too much for me. Though I would certainly use this when I go for black smokey eyes. I think that combination will look dazzling.

Will I buy again? I actually like the gloss, and that is from someone who prefers tinted lip balms and sheer lipsticks over gloss, but I'd probably go for a different shade - Kiss & Tell.

Swatch - one swipe

On me. Wearing Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow I'm Pure for Sure Ivory;
Garnier BB Eye Roll On; Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre; MAC Browset
Beguile; Essence Stay All Day Eyeshadow Glammy Goes To; Urban Decay
24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil Zero; Kiss Me Heroine Make Impact Frame and
Curl Mascara; Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder;
Sleek Gloss Me Fool's Gold

Have you tried Sleek Gloss Me?

Have a wonderful Friday, everyone!

Cheers,

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

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In the Limelight: Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation in 120 Vanilla Product Review

As I have mentioned on my NARS Sheer Glow Foundation review, I prefer sheer-light coverage foundations that also feel light on the skin. Admittedly, I was never a fan of Revlon's foundations. When I was able to try the Colorstay foundation a couple of years ago, I found it a little too strong for my skin and felt like my skin couldn't breathe. Now that there are newer foundations made available in the Philippine market, I was seeing reviews of the Nearly Naked and the Colorstay Whipped Creme here and there and I was on the hunt for a new foundation. It has been a long time since I have used a foundation from a drugstore brand so I thought it wouldn't hurt to try again. I was deciding between the two but the word "Naked" won me over as it gave me the impression that it would look and feel like second skin, which is exactly what I want in a foundation. So I purchased a bottle online as it is so much cheaper compared to mall prices and used it for a while. Here is my review.

 Revlon describes Nearly Naked as...

Makeup so refreshingly light, it melts right in, creating a fresh even look. So the only one that knows you are wearing makeup is you. Blends seamlessly, buildable coverage.

What I like:

• Compared to Colorstay, it is definitely lighter. 
• Consistency is not too thick. It is a bit watery but does not take too long to dry on the skin and it is not even that hard to blend at all.
• Although it is not totally unscented, I was able to detect some scent but it's not too strong and overwhelming.
• It is has a nice matte finish that does not look flat. I have to say it looks nice on the skin too.
• The formulation isn't quite as strong as Colorstay.
• No breakouts, no irritation on my skin.
• I do not get greasy on this foundation but looks rather dewy which is nice.
• Locally available at Revlon counters on most department stores and some drugstores nationwide. I am not sure of the price as I got mine online but it is probably twice its USD price.
• The packaging is quite nice - foundation housed in a sleek glass bottle with a white cap. Nothing too fancy but it does the job.

What I don't like:

• Although lighter that Colorstay, this still feels a little heavy for me. Me and my freakin' preference.
• Those with acne and blemishes might still need to use concealer depending on the severity of the blemishes. Personally though, I do not conceal and cover my blemishes but I still needed to use concealer on my undereyes.
• Does not come with a pump. So I just transferred some on an airless pump bottle from Beabi.
• It turns a little peach on me when it oxidizes. I got the shade Vanilla thinking that once it oxidizes, it will eventually match. It almost did, only it was a little too peach.\
• For some reason, I still feel like I have a very thin mask on my face. I don't feel like my skin could breathe.

Overall rating: 3/5 Turning peach was the deal breaker for me. Plus it still feels a little heavy for me despite being described as refreshingly light.

Will I buy again? No. It's still not as light as I prefer my foundations to be.

Have you tried the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation?

Cheers,

P.S. Stay safe, everyone!

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