In the Limelight: L'Oreal Paris Hydrafresh Anti Shine Icy Gel Product Review

Here's a very quick post for today featuring a straight on review of one of the moisturizers I am alternating with my favourite Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel. I have been using it for a couple of months now after leaving it untouched in my drawer and it's about time I give it a review. 

L'Oreal Paris describes this as...

A light weight skin-cooling texture which brings an instant ocean splash to your skin, locking in a reserve of hydration and freshness. It controls your skin temperature to prevent perspiration and shine. Enriched with Zinc and Micro Sponge technology, it regulates the sebum and inhibits excessive oil production to bring an immediate mattifying action.

Such a useless picture, I know. My cam's really busted but I felt compelled
to include this picture.

What I like:

• I like the refreshing feeling this moisturizer gives my skin.
• Texture is very light, non-sticky, and gets easily absorbed by the skin being a water-based or gel moisturizer that it is.
• It gives my face a satin finish as I wouldn't consider it matte. 
• I feel like it hydrates my skin.
• I do not get any break outs or allergic reaction from it.
• Reasonably priced at Php 495 for a 50ml jar with a shelf life of one year.
• Locally available at Watson's, SM, and other drugstores nationwide.

What I don't like:

• I find the scent a tad too strong for a skin care/moisturizer though it fades after a few seconds.
• Although I feel that it hydrates my skin, I find that it does not hydrate it as good as Neutrogena does.
• Not impressed with the oil control or the anti-shine part but still pretty good for a moisturizer.
• Cooling sensation doesn't really last that long.
• Needs a spatula as it's housed in a jar.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Will I buy again? I think I'd consider this a nice alternative to Neutrogena Hydroboost for almost half the price but I'd still choose Hydroboost over this one at any time of the day. :)

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

Have a blessed Sunday, super awesome peeps! ;)

Cheers,

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Goodies Goodies!

People come and go. And so does makeup. Since I am trying to curb my spending habits, I made a pact with myself that for each makeup (or two) that I buy, I have to let go of something from my stash, to somehow feel less guilty about buying. One replaces the other - that will be the cycle unless I really like something and decide it's a keeper that I won't let go of. I have recently done a little de-stashing and have let go of most of the items I barely use and here are the replacements I have acquired since last week (and maybe a little bit longer than that for the mascara).

1. Clinique Happy Heart 100mL

2. MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural Light

3. RMK Liquid Foundation 102

4. Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric 2

5. Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara

6. Kanebo KATE High Coverage Pressed Powder UV

7. Models Own Lip Balm in Tangerine (which I am absolutely in love with at the moment!)

8. Avon Ideal Oil Control Pressed Powder

9. Covergirl Clean Pressed Powder

10. Covergirl Tru Cheeks Blush 1

11. Covergirl Tru Cheeks Blush 5

12. L'Oreal Volume Perfect Lipstick in Fawn

13. Colour Collection Vitamin E Lip-Eye-Cheek Color in Rich Apricot - a little local lovin'!

14. Lilo & Stitch plastic jars for samples

15. More cosmetic jars

16. Make Cleansing Pad

17. Dove White Beauty Bar

18. Dove Intense Repair Conditioner

Not in pictures:

19. Herbal Essences Hydralicious Shampoo

20. Dove Intense Repair Shampoo

21. Colour Collection Moisture Intense Lipstick in Autumn Glaze

22-23. Tupperware Brand Jellies Glossy Tints in Apple Glaze and Tropical Punch

I have a lot of reviews coming up. I only need the drive to get back to blogging regularly. Anyway, I hope you're all having a wonderful week so far.

Cheers,

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Makeup Goodies!

It has been almost a week since I have last posted a blog entry. I've been too lazy to blog lately and couldn't even bring myself to review stuff. So I'll just simply post about the makeup goodies I've purchased and received recently.

 Jill Stuart Blush in  06 Fresh Apricot - currently loving it!

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Cream (Light 4-5)

Revlon Beyond Natural Protective Lip Tint in Neutral Pink

And lastly, the sweet and lovely blogger Chantzy sent me some NYC tinted lip balms last January. It took over a month (which is a first for me) before I received it that we thought the package was already lost. She also included some L'Oreal Magic Smooth Souffle Makeup which reminded me of the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Makeup. I already opened the one in the middle and I like it a lot! Review soon. Thanks again, J, for the lovely goodies. :)

I'm glad to say that I have controlled my spending habits and didn't go gaga like I did during the holidays. It's kinda weird but I think I have lost my appetite when it comes to makeup. I no longer get thrilled when I see makeup counters. Maybe I had too much before. Haha! 

Anyway, happy Friday, super awesome peeps! :P

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September Favorites!

Heya! This is the first time I will be doing a favorites post though I have been planning to do so since July buy have never gotten around to doing that. So these are my September favorites!

PureDerm Acne Wash Cleansing Tissues for removing my makeup and an instant facial cleanser.

Dove Intensive Cream for keeping my skin hydrated and moisturized - this works best for the driest parts of my body (elbows, knees, ankles, hands).

Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals BB Cream - works like a tinted moisturizer for me. Feels so light on the face with minimal coverage. Perfect for hot days and when I don't feel like wearing makeup.

MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation - rediscovered my love for this product. Never broke me out and gave me the coverage I needed.

Shu Uemura Glow On Blush M Pink 30 - my go to blush. I reach for this blush almost every day since I got it and I barely made a dent on it. Seems like it's bottomless! Perfect for daytime or everyday makeup.

Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Tea Rose -  I have recently made a revisited and reviewed post for this blush. I have finally learned to appreciate sheer blushes. Another go to blush.

ELF Studio Line Eyebrow Kit in Light - my brows never looked better! Makes filling my brows easy as pie!

Nivea Fruity Shine Pomegranate Tinted Lip Balm - moisturizing with a hint of color. I sometimes skip lipstick or lipgloss with this lip balm.

MAC Satin Finish Lipstick in Twig - another MLBB lipstick that is perfect for everyday makeup.

Adorned with Grace Ingenue Dual Fiber Brush - perfect for blending concealer especially on the under eye area. helps concealer blend well with the skin to avoid the cakey look.

Clinique Lash Power Mascara - my lashes but better. Smudge proof and holds the curls very well. I have not experienced any clumping at all, no spider legs either.

Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Concealer in Ivory - I like using this on my under eyes and even in covering up blemishes on my face. Blends easily and doesn't cake as long as it is blended well. Works well with the AwG stippling brush and MAC 188.

L'oreal Paris Total Repair Deep Repairing Mask - made my hair healthier, smoother, softer, and more manageable. My hair no longer feels dry and damaged.

L'Oreal Paris Total Repair Repairing Shampoo - saved my hair from total destruction.

So these are my favorite products for the month of September. What are your favorites?
Happy Sunday! :P

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Product Review: L'Oreal HIP Jelly Lip Balm in Ripe

My favorite lip product has to be tinted lip balms and my HG is MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner. But since I am out of it, I decided to look for cheaper alternatives. I read really great reviews on MakeUpAlley about L'Oreal HIP Jelly Balms and saw swatches as well. I wanted to get Ripe since it's corally based on reviews and swatches. When I saw it on eBay, I immediately clicked on the Buy it Now button with high hopes for this product. Now let's see if it met my expectations due to all the praises and positive reviews.



What I like:
- I find this moisturizing. I remember applying this at night and woke up with moisturized lips.
- Smells good. Not overpowering.
- I like the glass packaging.
- Looks pretty on the pot.

What I don't like:
- It's part of the HIP (High Intensity Pigments) line but where the heck is the pigmentation here? It's almost like a clear gloss. I honestly have no idea how it looks sooooo pigmented on the swatches at MakeUpAlley because even if I piled on like more than 5 layers on my lips, there just isn't much color. Please refer to the swatch. I already layered it 5 times and that's the best it can get. My lips are kinda pigmented but I expected more from this since some of those who reviewed it claimed they have pigmented lips and said the color showed up.
- A little sticky and gooey to be a lip balm though it is moisturizing. But of course, it isn't as sticky as MAC lipglasses.
- It was kinda expensive for PHP350.

Overall rating: 2/5 (2 for the moisturizing property and for the packaging) as it was an utter disappointment for me.

Will I buy again? A big NO! Since I got frustrated with it, I did a little experiment since I do not want this to go to waste. I mean, I paid for a little less than half of the cost of one MAC TLC so I should at least be able to use it.

THIS is how it looks like now!


Remember my diy tinted lip balm project last year? I did it again! I cut the remaining MAC Marisheeno lipstick from the tube then a little of Revlon Colorburst Soft Rose (since it already melted) then half of my Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lip Balm and melted them altogether on a big metal spoon with the stove benetah it. And check out the swatch.


It now has the pigment I was expecting it to have. But of course, it is no longer L'Oreal HIP Jelly Balm. I am happier because it smells better - smells like cocoa butter, and is now kinda pigmented. :P

Anyway, happy Tuesday! :P

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FOTD: An All Drugstore Make Up Look

I've been venturing into drugstore make up lately. I was really impressed with how some people make beautiful looks using mostly drugstore make up. So I guess it must be how you make it work for you and not all about the price of the makeup, whether it's a drugstore or department store brand. So I decided to experiment and do an all drugstore make up look today.



I used the following:
- Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals BB Cream
- Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Concealer in Ivory
- Prestige Perfectly Matte Translucent Powder (not on the picture)
- ELF Studio Line Single Eyeshadow in Pebble as brow powder
- ELF Brightening Eye Color in Ivy (eyeshadow quad - layered, no outer v thingie)
- LA Colors Automatic Eyeliner Black (not on the picture too)
- Maybelline The Colossal Volume Express Mascara in Glam Brown
- GOSH Blush in Electric Pink
- L'Oreal HIP Jelly Lip Balm in Ripe

Here's the look:


I hope I did well. Seriously, I am now thinking that make up doesn't have to be expensive in order for it to work for you. Of course, I am guilty of believing that more expensive products are better but there are precious gems in inexpensive ones too. I am actually liking these drugstore make up and I might even try out more. They are still, after all, make up. :P

Happy Saturday, super awesome peeps! :)
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Yum Moments: Wham! Burgers + L'Oreal and Maybelline Purchases

I think I am on a burger craze right now as I had BBB (Big Better Burgers) yesterday, which I was not able to fully consume and earlier, I had late brunch at Wham! Burgers. So here's another yum moments post.



Always fresh! Always hot! Yeah, it was hot when it was served and I believe it's also fresh as the meat is so tender and juicy and really tasty.


It looks so small on this shot but looks big as I am holding it which you will see later.


I like putting tabasco or hot sauce on my burger as I love spicy food. See the lettuce? It was crispy and fresh when I had it.


This burger is big! The patty is thick and the bread is kind of toasted with sesame seeds too. I really had to open my mouth every time I take a bite. Of course, I took the other half home and finally finished it.

I like Wham! Burgers because it is a good quick fix for burgers aside from the usual Jollibee, McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King, which all taste differently now as compared to how good they were before. I get heart burns when I eat Jollibee burgers and McDonald's just no longer do it for me. Same goes for Wendy's which has really dry buns, imo. Burger King used to taste so much better back then. This one is pretty cheap too considering you get at least a quarter pound of meat for only PHP98. My only beef about Wham! is that their burgers are sometimes a little greasy and fatty but that is not always the case. I will definitely eat here again.



Now these are the items I got earlier. The much-raved L'oreal HIP Jelly Balm in Ripe, which had a 4.4/5 overall rating and 85%buy again rate at MakeUpAlley and the Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals BB Cream, which I got on sale for only PHP200.

I have a lot of product reviews in store for you guys so expect to see product reviews one after the other.

Happy weekend, guys! :P

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Product Review: L'Oreal Total Repair Deep Repairing Mask + Tag

I wasn't much into hair care until I noticed that my hair was hard to manage and felt rough and dry. I started checking the internet for products and scourged groceries and department stores for hair care products that aren't as expensive as Kerastase and the like. I was happy with the hair treats hair spa in coco milk from Watson's and Creamsilk Precision Hair Treatment. I used them as conditioners and the results were good. I don't buy the Creamsilk mask in tubs because I realized that buying in sachets is cheaper as I get more product in total. But then I realized that these two stopped working for me so I was once again on the lookout for a new hair product and that's when I crossed paths with L'Oreal. I tried Elseve but my scalp became itchy. Then I saw the Re-Nutrition mask and tried it and was also happy. While buying a couple of sachets of the Re-Nutrition mask, I saw this really cute pink, white, and red packaging and being the pink lover that I am, I instantly grabbed a couple. I found myself in love with it more than the Elseve one. So here's my review.



What I like:
- The scent. It smells really great and not overpowering.
- My hair feels smoother and softer.
- My hair feels hydrated and isn't dry.
- Helped my hair become more manageable.
- No scalp itchies and flakes.
- The packaging is cute as it is pink. :P
- Cheap. I buy these from the grocery and got 3 sachets for only PHP57 as compared to buying it individually which costs a little less than PHP20 each. I save almnost 3 bucks!
- Locally available.

What I don't like:
- None!

Overall rating: 5/5

Will I buy again? A big YES! I've never loved any hair product this much.

Tip: I found buying in sachets cheaper. I compared the amount of product in a jar and the amount of product when buying these in sachets and considered the price too. Say, 10 of these sachets cost almost the same as the cost of one jar but I get more product in total (a rough estimate). Yes, I can be a cheapskate. :P


And here's a long overdue tag from the cutie Cha.

1. What inspired you to make a blog?
- I love reading beauty blogs and I learned a lot from it so I thought I might as well also share my own experiences with products.

2. If you could buy makeup from only ONE brand, what brand would that be?
- This is kinda difficult. Shu Uemura.

3. If you can change your name what name will you pick and why?
- Ingrid. I love the movie Casablanca and Ingrid Bergman was the lead female actress. :)

4. What is the theme song of your life right now?
- I think it's Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

5. Who are you 3 years ago?
- A corporate slave. Haha! And someone who isn't sure of what she wants to do with her life.

6. What is your all time favorite food?
- Pasta and pizza and chicken.

7. What is your favorite make up as of the moment?
- Shu Uemura Glow On M Pink 30


8. If you can talk and have coffee with anyone tonight, who would it be
- If you're not free tonight, then I'd probably just have coffee with Simon Cowell. Talk about sarcasm being sexy. :P

And I am so loving this song.


Anyway, happy weekend! :)


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Back with Hauls! Warning: Picture Heavy

I'm back! And I am so excited to share my latest haul! I did splurge on this one. I was supposed to be on a no-buy mode but I couldn't keep myself from buying anything after depriving myself for almost 2 weeks. So I decided that a no-buy won't be best for me but rather a control over whatever I am going to spend on. I should start shopping wisely instead. So I promise this is the last of my impulsive shopping. :P







The Soap Factory Tomato and Halo Halo Fiesta Soaps
- Each soap costs 99


Chanel Blushes - Joues Contraste in Tea Rose and Irreelle Blush in In Love




Chanel Joues Contraste Tea Rose
- A pretty pale rose/pink shade with very subtle shimmer.
- Buildable
- May be a little too light when swatched but looks very pretty and natural when applied.
- Got this from my mom's makeup stash.
- SRP PHP2350






Chanel Irreelle Blush in In Love
- I am definitely In Love with this blush!
- I cannot really describe it but I think it is a coral-pink shade with subtle shimmer.
- A little more expensive than JC, I got it for PHP2500.





Swatches: In Love and Tea Rose





Kanebo Coffret D'or Foundation Refill
- Since Revue was phased out, I was told by the Kanebo SA that Coffret D'or replaced it so I thought I should give it a try as I really like Kanebo foundation. This is 100 bucks cheaper than Revue for PHP2000. Shade is BE-C, same as my Revue shade.

Stila Lip Glaze in Starfruit and Stila Lip Color in Pixie


MAC 188 Brush
- Got it for PHP2050 due to the price increase.
- bought it mainly for blushes.




Garnier Brightening Eye Roll-On

Alba Botanica Terratints in Bloom

Maybelline Volume Express Black Mascara

L'oreal Blush Delice Shimmer of Hope & Milani Glimmer Stripes in Bronze Glimmer



Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap
- I forgot the exact price but is costs in between PHP300-PHP400 at Healthy Options for a small bottle.
- It effectively cleaned my brushes. :P

Shawill Blush No. 3
- A cheap blush I got for PHP138 at Watson's.
- Quality is good for the price.
- Pigmented and pretty blush.





Missha Cleansing Oil + M Signature Foundationm (freebie)

Zen Zest Martini

4U2 Magic Blushes
- BOGO for PHP424




VOV Show Case Ball on Cheek
- Got this for PHP450 on eBay
- I read somewhere that this is the cheaper and Korean version of Guerlain Meterorites but I really can't tell since I do not have the latter and I do not intend to purchase it. :P




Random purchases:
- Garnier Light facial wash
- Cetaphil cleanser
- Pantene 3-Minute Miracle Treatment
- Off Insect Repellent Spray
- Vaseline lotion
- Caronia clear nail polish
- Colgate 360 toothbrush (pink)
- Kleenex Tissue pack
- Cleene cotton balls
- J&J Baby Milk Bath refill
- Charmee feminine wipes
- Time of the month necessities
- Schick razors

Saizen Goodies

Foundation
- A must-buy from Saizen!
- Review to follow ;)

Charcoal Soap
- Review to follow ;)

The Face Shop Nail polish Remover (Bubblegum) and Pack Brush

Fanny Serrano Silky Coral Blush
- The blush is a pretty pink-peach on its own. But I hate how it tried to look like the Chanel Irreelle blush.


See what I mean?


Fanny Serrano Foundation in Mocha and True Light Liquid Lipstick in Light Berry

Foundation in Mocha
- I first used this when I was still in college, a freshman or a sophomore perhaps and I remember liking it.
- I like that it has a matte finish and matches my skin tone really well.
- I like that it provides heavy coverage.
- I find myself liking it again. :P



Now the lip color is weird because this is the first time I ever encountered a lip gloss that has a light on.

See what I mean?



I find this lip gloss a little runny and staying power isn't that great but this is perfect if you want nude lips with a hint of pink. :P

So there you have it. My recent haul. :)

I hope you like it! I'll be back for reviews. Ta!

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