In the Limelight: Burberry Light Glow Blush in 05 Blossom - A Product Review

One of the blushes I have been lemming for over a year now is a gorgeous coral-peach with a touch of pink shade from Burberry Beauty which is the Light Glow Blush in 05 Blossom. I've been wanting to own one for the longest time but have set aside the lemming for other blushes from other brands. Then I became torn between Blossom and one of the more popular shades from the same brand which is 04 Peony as I have been growing a certain fondness for pink blushes lately. But when I was given the chance to try and finally own Blossom, I did not let the chance go so before I digress and start to babble about the time when Blossom and I met for the first time, I will now let you know my thoughts on this blush.

This is what Nordstrom says about Burberry Light Glow Blushes:

Get a bright and radiant finish with warm glowing skin, reminiscent of the freshness of a spring morning.

Formula: This airy micro-powder ensures rich shades. Silicones provide an easy glide.
Benefits: An effortlessly natural fresh complexion and a healthy glow.

Protection: Provides moisturizing benefits.

How to use: Apply Burberry Light Glow on the hollow of your cheek to slim face, or apply it at the top of the cheek to highlight the face.
Includes protective fabric pouch debossed with Burberry check.
By Burberry.

What I like:

• I'll start with the packaging. This is by far the classiest and chic packaging I've ever seen in a blush - even beats Guerlain and Chanel by a mile - at least for me. The blush is housed in a gunmetal case with the classic Burberry check design that simply looks sleek. It comes with a velvet pouch with the same check design and a big mirror with a brush for quick touch ups. *Kinabog sina Chanel at Guerlain*
• The moment I opened the blush, I fell in love right away. It was love at first sight, swatch, and try. Blossom is a gorgeous coral-peach shade with a tinge of pink. It has got to be one of the prettiest coral shades I have ever seen. It somehow looks similar to Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Blissful, just a tad prettier. 
• The texture is smooth and satiny, completely expected from a high end brand.
• Staying power is pretty decent and lasts for a few hours on my skin. Say 4-5 hours?
• Does not irritate my skin at all, no allergic reactions either.
• Has a shelf life of 3 years which gives me the chance to stray and eventually go back to it.

What I don't like:

• For something so sublime, it utterly disappoints me that it oxidizes on me so bad that from a lovely coral-pink on my cheeks (upon application), it turns to a ridiculously repugnant rusty-orange/brown shade. I have never experienced any blush turning that way on me even though most oxidizes on my skin due to my being acidic.
• Burberry Beauty is not locally available so you have to purchase it abroad or have a good soul purchase it for you instead.
• The blush is scented and some may find it a bit overwhelming. Surprisingly, though, my nose can tolerate it.

Overall rating: 3/5 I could not totally give it a lower than low rating since it is not completely the blush's fault that it turns that bad on me but I also couldn't totally blame myself as I have never gotten such a reaction from other blushes. I tried to make this work but it just won't.

Will I buy again? Not this shade. I have recently purchased the other shade which is 04 Peony which turns out to be a lot better than this one.

 

And this is how it initially looks on me when freshly applied. Give it just a few minutes to turn appalling on me. I have no decent shot wearing this due to the reaction. And pardon the face, I was not wearing any makeup aside from the blush and a tinted lip balm.

Have you tried Burberry blushes? Will you purchase this shade? :)

Have a wonderful week, everyone.

Cheers,

Read more...

Lemming: Luminaze

In a couple of years, I will be turning 30 and I know I should focus more about skin care and anti-aging. My skin has acquired damage over the years of not wearing sunblock, which I know is a mortal sin, and even though the effects are not yet that visible to the naked eye, I know that in just a few years, it will finally take its toll on me. So when I was searching for a product that can repair my skin (as early as now), I came across a new beauty product called Luminaze.

It was actually the first time I encountered the brand which promises to repair blotchy skin appearances, corrects dark spots and sun spots (which are now becoming more and more evident on my skin) while it does that in a natural and harmless way.

What really caught my interest is that the enzyme the brand uses is actually harvested from a mushroom and I love mushroom on a few dishes and on my pizza. But this mushroom grows on trees that are found in the Swiss Alps and the areas or bark that surrounds the mushroom are not that coloured or dark so they formulated something from it. They found out that the enzymes break down melanin in the skin that will decrease or minimize the appearance of sun spots, dark spots, and other signs of skin aging and damage.

I really want to try this product enough to make a lemming post about it. It is not everyday that I post a skin care lemming which means that I badly need such a product in my beauty regimen. I am not after skin whitening as I am already satisfied with my skin color but what I want is to simply minimize if it’s not totally possible to get rid of skin discoloration or those nasty spots on my face and even on my hand and shoulders. Yes, if I get my hands on this product, I will use it on other parts of my body as well unless it says I can’t.

What do you think about it?

Happy weekend, super awesome peeps! :P

Cheers,

Read more...

Updated: What's in my Kikay Kit (Makeup Kit)?

Hi everyone! Another week has passed and pretty soon, the first quarter of the supposed last year according to the Mayan Calendar will be over. Anyway, I like taking a peek on what most of you ladies stuff in your kikay kit and I have been meaning to post an updated what's in my kikay kit since the last one was way back in 2009, I think, but haven't gotten around to doing so until now. What I am going to show you is what I have in my kit at the moment because it changes on  weekly or daily basis depending on my mood and how lazy or not I am in changing the products I use everyday. So without further ado, here's a  peek on my kikay kit and what's inside.

I am using a cosmetic pouch from Estee Lauder

Face/Base Makeup - Giorgio Armani Face Fabric 2 | Maybelline
Dream Mousse Concealer - Cream | MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural
- Light | Kanebo Kate High Coverage Pressed Powder UV

Cheeks - Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric 2 | Chanel Joues Contraste -
Tea Rose

Lips - Vaseline Lip Therapy Advanced Formula | Models Own Lip Balm
- Tangerine | MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Ultra Darling | YSL Rouge
Pur Couture Lipstick in 17 Rose Dahlia

Eye Area - Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero | Kiss Me Heroine
Make Volume & Curl Mascara | Browlash Ex Water Strong W Eyebrow

I wear makeup to a minimum especially with the kind of weather we have which is beyond description. Well, it is the type which can easily make one sick overnight. Here is my everyday look using most of the products in my kit. I don't normally use eyeliners because almost all that I've tried smudges on me but I am liking UD Zero so far. Products usually change but it's pretty much the same look everyday for me. And oh, the lipstick I am wearing here is Bewitching Coral from Max Factor's Elixir lipstick line which is something I really don't wear to the office but picked it up today just for this post. It is a tad bright for my liking.

Have you updated your kikay kit lately?

Happy Sunday, super awesome peeps! Another work week again. I badly need a massage. :-\

Cheers,

Read more...

In the Limelight: Kiss Me Heroine Make Impact Frame & Curl Mascara - A Product Review

If there is only one eye makeup that I would use, it'd certainly be mascara. I like how it instantly opens up the eyes, giving a much more awake look, and makes the look a bit more posh. So after having tried out a few, I think I have finally found my HG (Holy Grail) mascara and that is the Kiss Me Heroine Make Impact Frame and Curl Mascara. I guess you know by now that this post will contain mostly raves because of the HG status but then again, there is no perfect product. So here's my review after using it for a few months now.

Product Description taken from the Sasa website:

Kiss Me Heroine Make New Impact Frame & Curl Mascara is the most black and glossy formula ever. It enables even application and no cake is resulted even if multiple layers are applied. Highly resilient styling wax supports and curls up lashes. The special-designed brush soaks a great amount of fiber, making lashes richer. Eye-catching black color performs larger and sharper eyes.

What I like:

• The brush seems complicated at first glance because there are two sides of it. The one that's kinda flat lifts the lashes and adds volume to it. The other one with bristles separates the lashes and lengthens them. 
• Waterproof, smudge-proof, sweat-proof. I've worn this mascara for almost 20 hours straight and my lashes still looked pretty much the same as when I freshly applied this mascara. Well, there may have been a few budges here and there but it held the curls well and there was absolutely no raccoon eyes.
• One coat already defines each lash. Two coats make them look thicker and richer and fuller. And my lashes are kinda "thin" (not sparse and not short either but are just simply thin) to begin with.
• The formula is wonderful and does not easily dry. My first tube (which I think already croaked) still isn't dry.
• It looks natural with just one coat but you can build it up if you want more drama to your lashes.
• Does not cause any eye irritation even though it has fibers.

What I don't like:

• Such a pain to remove. You can't expect water and soap to take it off. You'll need an eye makeup remover before it finally stops clinging for its life on your lashes. Japanese mascaras are darn good at it, don't you think so too?
• Takes time to get used to using the brush. On the first few applications, I always end up smearing some on my eyelids but after some time, I can apply it even while inside a moving vehicle. Plus it can clump if you apply too much.
• Not locally available and has to be purchased abroad or online. Purchased mine from Adambeauty.com
• Pretty expensive for a mascara at $16 but if you're the type who uses mascara everyday, I think you really won't mind the price at all since you get a bang for your buck with its good quality.
  

Overall rating: 4.75/5 I am willing to overlook the cons as I absolutely adore this mascara.

Will I buy again? You can bet on it! I am already on my second tube and plans to get another one soon once I am out of the Volume & Curl variant.

The brush

On my lashes and the makeup I wore when I took my niece to the mall earlier today- click on the picture to enlarge and see my eyes better.

Face: Celeteque Hydration Facial Moisturizer | Kanebo
Coffret D'Or Beauty Lasting Liquid UV | Maybelline Instant
Age Rewind Double Face Perfector | Kanebo Kate High
Coverage Pressed Powder | Browlash Ex |  Laura Mercier
Topaz Eyeshadow | Kiss Me Heroine Make Impact Frame
and Curl Mascara | Shu Uemura Glow On M Pink 30 | Kiehl's
Lip Balm | YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in Rose Dahlia

Have you tried Kiss Me mascaras or those from Japanese brands? Which would your recommend?

Have a blessed Sunday, everyone. :)

Cheers,

Read more...

In The Limelight: Models Own Lip Balm in Tangerine - A Product Review

Corals and oranges and other bright colours are in during summer! While I did not intentionally jump into the bandwagon, I was drawn into corals and such shades and it's not yet even officially summer. The shades of lip colours I have purchased lately are in the coral and orange family. Anyway, as I have mentioned over and over again on this blog, I have an unending love affair with tinted lip balms and I have discovered one that I can say is the perfect coral on me and that is the Models Own Lip Balm in Tangerine.

There isn't much information about this product on the Models Own website except for the ingredients which should prove helpful in checking out if there is a certain ingredient you might be allergic to. Here are the ingredients:

Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Paraffin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cera Microcristallina, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Montan Cera, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylparaben, parfum, Mica [+/- CI 77891, CI 77861, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 45410, CI 42090, CI 19140, CI 15985, CI 15850]

What I like:

• The shade is a screaming bright orange that is almost neon on the jar but it can be sheered out for a nice tint or layered for a more intense colour on the lips. I love how it instantly brightens my face.
• For a lip balm, this is outrageously pigmented. So pigmented that it can pass as a lipstick even when worn alone. I would like to think of this as a moisturizing lipstick in a pot.
• The texture is nice - not too gooey and not too waxy either.
• The product smells pleasantly of citrus. My nose is quite sensitive but I surprisingly like how it smells. Others may find it overwhelming but I surprisingly don't.
• It has great staying power for a tinted lip balm. Stays on my lips for at least 2 hours with a few sips every now and then and leaves a very nice tint behind.
• It is moisturizing. It definitely reminds me of MAC TLC, only a tad more pigmented and more orange.
• For those who are having second thoughts on wearing bright and bolder colours, this is a nice shade and product to start with as you can layer it to suit your desired brightness and intensity.
• The packaging is pretty sturdy. Being the klutz that I am, I have dropped this a couple of times and it remained intact - no dents and no cracks.
• Contains 6g of product that has a shelf life of 12 months. Not bad for the price I got it for which is Php 400 inclusive of shipping.
• Has not caused any adverse reaction on my lips and on the surrounding areas.

What I don't like:

• Given how hot it has been lately, it melts on my fingertips. Yes, I use my pinkie to apply it provided that I sanitize my hands and do not lend it to others.
• Not locally available in Manila but it is available in the UK since Models Own is a drugstore brand there.

Overall rating: 4.75/5

Will I buy again? If I see a local reseller selling this again, I would. :) If not, I'd have to settle for eBay and do the waiting game.

Makeup: Pore Serum Gel | Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief |
YSL Matt Touch Oil Free Foundation | Maybelline Dream Mousse
Concealer | MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Light | Browlash Ex
Water Strong W Eyebrows | Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl
Mascara | Chanel Joues Contraste in Tea Rose | Models Own Lip Balm

So how do you find corals and oranges?

Have  blessed Sunday, everyone! :)

Cheers,

Read more...

In The Limelight: Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric Second Skin Blush 2 - A Product Review

If you have combination-oily skin, have you ever found a blush that lasts for a at least 8 hours on you despite your skin type? I thought it was far from possible given how all the raves were for a certain blush that lasts a really long time on a lot of girls yet I was ultimately disappointed with it because it was the other way around for me. Even the cute pink Benefit Posie Tint never lasted that long on me either. Anyway, when I first got my hands on Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric 2, I decided to never expect anything awesome as I might end up disappointed again but lo and behold! It has become a favourite in just a couple of weeks. I guess you have an idea how this product fared with me so I won't further blab and go on with the review.

According to Giorgio Armani, this is what this blush is about:


A new color “cosmetic textile” by Giorgio Armani.
Inspired by the finest couture fabrics which delicately dress skin in soft airy veils of color, Blushing Fabric wraps skin in an all over nude color flush.
The new nude blush by Armani.

A new approach to color
Cosmetic textiles become color. 
Complexion is magnified with a harmony of vibrant yet sheer hues. 
To enhance the natural glow of the skin, 3 soft and delicate translucent shades. A coral to enlighten the skin, a strawberry pink for a fresh and luminous glow and a pale pink for a touch of spring on the cheek bones.


Nude color: the illusion of skin kissed by nature
Blushing fabric is like a colored layer of air formulated with a Microfil™ 3D technology. An ultra sensorial texture to apply on the cheeks and more if affinity… Complexion is radiant and luminous by the presence of lacquers that bring more translucent and intense color.
At the contact of this infusion of nude color, skin becomes light, supple and soft as velvet.

What I like:

• I'll start with the color. 2 is a gorgeous vivid pink shade with the tiniest bit of coral tones to it but less noticeable once on the cheeks as it gives a very natural flush. 
• The texture is velvety and glides on very smoothly on the cheeks. It is somewhat reminiscent of Smashbox Photo Finish Primer sans the break outs I get from using it. It's such a pleasure to apply.
• A little goes a long way and I mean it. I only squeeze out a little product from the tube (see swatch below) and that is seriously all I need for both cheeks. I am definitely not pulling your leg.
• It lasts for at least 8 hours on me. Incredible, isn't it? :) You don't think I'm serious? Well, go get yourself one and you'll remember this time that you doubted what I said about its staying power. :D
• It blends easily with the skin. Unlike cheek tints, it does not leave a nasty stain because you were a little slow in blending. This does not necessarily mean, though, that you should be a slow poke. It could still possibly stain if it takes you more than a minute before you blend it out. 
• Works as a nice base, too, for powder blushes.
• Even though this has silicone in it, it never caused me to break out nor has it caused any allergic reactions on my skin.
• This has a shelf life of 24 months which is pretty cool for a gel blush.

What I don't like:

• Giorgio Armani Beauty products aren't locally available though rumor has it that there is a possibility that this will finally be made available in the Philippines. (I am keeping my fingers crossed on this one.)
• It is pricey for Php 1742.87 based on the conversion on the Nordstrom website but provided that you only need very little each day, I doubt that you will use everything up in a whole year even with daily use. Unless you apply it all over your face, it'll take you forever to finally come up with an empty tube.

Overall rating: There is always a first time in everything. I'll give this a 5/5! :) That is how happy I am with this blush! 

Will I buy again? This is the perfect non-powder blush for me. I have my eyes set on shade 1 though I was told that they are pretty similar, only 1 has slight shimmers to it. Of course, I have to use up or let go of something else before I do. And unless I feel like giving myself a birthday gift on August. :)

Swatch

And on me

Products used: Pore Serum Gel | Clinique Moisture
Surge Extended Thirst Relief | RMK Liquid Foundation |
Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer | MAC
Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Light | Browlash Ex
Water Strong W Eyebrows | Maybelline Gel Liner |
Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara |
Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric Second Skin Blush 2 |
Models Own Lip Balm in Tangerine

Have you tried this blush? 

Have a wonderful week, everyone! :)

Cheers,

Read more...

Current Favorites

How's your weekend so far, guys? Mine was pretty nice - had a company Valentine's Day party last night - which I think is cheesy - that was filled with dancing and singing and is quite fun. I still think it's cheesy, though. Anyway, I thought of just sharing with you my current favorites. You might notice that some of the products on this list were purchased just recently but were included because I've been using them everyday since I got them and are have become instant favorites. So without prolonging the agony (I hate the waiting game), I present my current favorites (and those I think will become favorites in a long time).

RMK Liquid Foundation | Kanebo Coffret D'Or Beauty Lasting Liquid UV |
Pore Serum Gel | MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural |
Versace Bright Crystal

For the face:

RMK Liquid Foundation 102 - I initially wasn't that pleased with this foundation but it works perfectly well with MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Light. It feels light on the skin while providing a really, really, really nice natural finish that does not turn greasy when my T-zone starts to oil up. The shade also perfectly matches my skin tone.

Kanebo Coffret D'Or Beauty Lasting Liquid UV - please refer to my review.


MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Light - feels light on the skin and the texture of the powder is also very nice. It makes my skin look glowing without making it look nasty or oily.

Pore Serum Gel - rescues my skin when it acts up, making it less oily. Works as a fab mattifier too!

The little lost soul - Versace Bright Crystal - I am definitely not good in describing scents but this one is so feminine and smells gorgeous! It also doesn't hurt that the bottle looks exquisite.

Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric 2 | Guerlain Blush 4 Eclats 05
Rose Plein Vent

For the cheeks:

Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric 2 - this little baby provides a very natural-looking flush. It feels velvety as it glides on the cheeks and lasts for at least 10 freakin' hours on me! That is absolutely a first for me.

Guerlain Blush 4 Eclats 05 Rose Plein Vent - the blush is such a beauty! It's a gorgeous peach-pink shade which works really great with Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric 2.

Chanel Rouge Allure in Comedia | MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in
Ultra Darling | Models Own Lip Balm in Tangerine

Lips:

Chanel Rouge Allure in Comedia - when I feel like using something luxurious on my puckers, this is the lipstick I instantly grab. It complements any type of blush that I wear without competing with it. Such a wonderful subtle pink lipstick for me.

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Ultra Darling - such a pretty coral-pink lipstick that has a very nice texture which is not drying on the lips at all.

Models Own Lip Balm in Tangerine - this has got to be the most pigmented tinted lip balm I have ever tried. This screams red-orange on the jar but looks very lovely on the lips. It instant brightens the face plus it's moisturizing and smells great.

Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara |
Kiss Me Heroine Make Impact Frame & Curl Mascara

And lastly, mascaras:

Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara - for natural looking lashes with added volume, this is the one for me. I also like that it can be easily removed.

Kiss Me Heroine Make Impact Frame & Curl Mascara - this definitely knows how to make an impact by making your lashes longer with extra volume that insanely holds the curl for hours. Only hard to remove, though.

So these are my current favorites. What are yours?

Happy Sunday, super awesome peeps! :)

Cheers,

Read more...

The Pact

Some of you are probably wondering why I made such a pact with myself when it comes to my purchasing habits. It's not like that happened overnight but it also needed a little work. Now I know that if I tell you the reason, it might bore you but I'm doing so anyway. I'll tell you how my life has changed in the past few months. 

In the last quarter of 2011, when I was taking a little time out from blogging, I was busy at work, getting shocked and eventually getting used to it. And most importantly, I was doing a bit of reflection. See, from the corporate world, I made a drastic shift when I accepted a job offer from a cooperative, which is pretty much the same as credit unions. I won't tell the specific cooperative I am working at but it is pretty much known in the whole Philippines. Anyway, here's a little flashback on my first month at work.

It was a culturally-shocking first month for me because it is so much different from the corporate world, more so, the people are so much different. These people are so simple. So simple that anything more than Php 250 (less than $6) is already expensive for them. Why? They definitely know the importance and value of money. With the little pay they get because a large portion goes to paying off their loans from the coop, I know that every little cent counts. 

I remember the first time I did the payroll and made a mistake (her salary was short by Php 18 (less than $0.50), she called my attention and wanted to know where it went. That's when I realized that every single cent do count for them. I also remember when I was computing their overtime pay when I noticed that some of the security guards do double shifts even on their supposed rest days. For what? To get an extra earning of Php 2000 (less than $50). At that moment, I had to excuse myself and go to the bathroom. That hit me hard and made me realize how materialistic I have been over the years. How selfish I was to complain that what I was earning wasn't enough when it was actually more than enough for someone else's family. Yes, it wasn't enough only for my material wants and not even needs. I felt guilty that I spend that much on just one single foundation when someone does not get enough sleep for a day just to earn extra money so he can feed his family. 

I felt bad because I also wanted to help them but knowing that I cannot do much is even more frustrating. And I cannot believe how annoyed I was at first when they keep checking out my things and keep saying "Mahal siguro yan" (that's probably expensive) and "Mayaman ka kasi" (because you're rich) and I am not. I think it was pretty normal to get annoyed but the moment you understand why, you'll realize it's nothing really annoying. 

So I asked myself, "What if I want to try something and my lemming's really strong?". That's when I thought of making a pact. Instead of buying and buying, I should let go of something in exchange for that new item. So instead of spending the extra money I have, I can use it to help others instead. I'm helping two people from work who are both old enough to be my parents. When they no longer have money left even for fare, they come to me and I'll give them something. It's an arrangement I made with them. I don't care if they use it somewhere else but all I know is that I am doing that in good faith. 

Yes, these people are so much different from the people I used to work with. They don't care much about material things. They'd rather spend their money on their family than buy something for themselves. Most of them are from the provinces. Most of them only finished high school. But that does not make me any better than them. They are the simplest people I have ever met. The ones who made me realize the value of money. They are the ones who taught me that we can be happy even without having too much material things. That I have been selfish all along. That I can live a minimalist life. They helped me become a better person and appreciate what I have. 

Then I realized another thing.. Maybe there is a reason why I keep quitting my jobs back then even if they pay really well. And that is for me to be able to work at this company so I can be a better person.

That, my friends, is how my life has changed in just a span of a few months. Of course, I am still a work in progress but I am getting there. I am not the same impulsive buyer that I am. I now know how to eat at turo-turos, and best of all, I have quit smoking (hey, I wasted a lot of money on cancer sticks). My mom even said that I'm no longer as snobbish as I used to be. Yey!:) Anyway, you might not have finished this post out of boredom but a huge thanks for bearing wit me. 

Please do note, however, that this post isn't meant to insult anyone. I am only sharing my story.

Have you realized anything lately?

Happy Thursday, super awesome peeps! :)

Cheers,

Read more...