2011 Wishlist

Here is the list of the things I am currently wishing for.

1. Bobbi Brown Oil Free Even Finish Foundation: Searching for a matte powder foundation that will actually stay matte

2. Origins Starting Over (oil free) with Mimosa Moisturizer: According to Origins this moisturizer is best for lines and wrinkles; also for combination oily skin. Although I don't have wrinkles yet it is best to start using a moisturizer that will help prevent it ( my opinion)

3. By Terry Touch Expert - Terry de Gunzburg is the one who invented the YSL Touche Eclat (just a little background tidbit); tried it and I saw the difference it made under my eyes. Only thing is, it's on the expensive side (for a concealer)

4. Cle de Peau Beaute Extra Rich Lipstick - I know I'm never going to get this ($60.00!!) but it's nice to think out loud :); the colors are very rich and they look creamy; I liked the color selection as well

5. Makeup Forever Eyebrow Brush...it's currently out of stock but I think I will definitely get this one :)

February 2011 Favorites

FACE: I have been using Maybelline Clear Smooth Aqua Foundation; easy to apply and easy to blend. I just use my fingers especially when time is of the essence.

EYES: Makeup Forever Aqua Cream in Shade 15; no blending required and no worries about creasing
Maybelline Gel Liner; very creamy and waterproof
Makeup Forever Smokey Lash; thickens and lengthens my lash plus it's waterproof too

LIPS: Revlon Lustrous Lipstick in Rose Nude and MAC's Lipglass in Lust; so neutral and easy to wear; goes with any eye makeup and outfit

CHEEKS: Loving MAC's Melba

Haircare Review: Lush Revive & Balance

This product is a Finishing Hair Moisturizer that gives back live to dry and brittle hair. This is to be applied to freshly washed hair.

CONSISTENCY: A thick cream like moisturizer that has a citrusy scent

PACKAGING: Lush's usual 100g black tub

PRICE: Here in Manila the cost is Php725.00

AMOUNT TO USE: I have what some will consider long hair (beyond shoulder length) and I make sure to only use enough moisturizer to cover the ends of my hair. Once I used more and I ended up having a greasy looking hair for that day! Of course, I decided to wash my hair again at night :(

EFFECTIVITY: It definitely prevents my hair from looking dull, especially at the tips; I also noticed that my hair is not as dry as it used to be.

Skincare Review: Lush Mask of Magnaminty

I prefer face masks that come in a pot or jar rather than those that come in face sheets because:

1. you can still move about when the mask is applied on your face unlike when you only have a face sheet over your face

2. I feel that my skin is able to absorb more of the product

3. I don't feel that I'm wasting the face mask when it's time to wash it out (which is after 15 to 30 minutes)

SIZE: A 125g tub; I am not sure if they have it in a bigger container

SCENT/COLOR: It has a lime green hue and smells very minty

HANDLING: This mask needs to be refrigerated once it is opened and it has a shelf life of 2 months

In the first few seconds I felt a slight tingling after applying the mask, probably due to the fact that it's minty and it just came out of the fridge. The tingling did subside after a few seconds so I wasn't worried. I left it on my face for 15 minutes and rinsed with room temp. water. I felt my face was so fresh and minty clean . The best part came the next morning! My face wasn't oily or greasy when I woke up; and thats with a night cream!

It really helped control the oil production while I was sleeping, which is an added bonus. The only thing I don't like about it is its shelf life. Since it is made with fresh ingredients you can't really keep it for a long time even when refrigerated. I guess that can also be a good thing :)
But I prefer using the mask in the morning before applying my makeup to keep the oil production at bay.

What is your favorite face mask?

Affordable Beauty Products

Here are some makeup items that are very good yet affordable.  All under Php600.00

1. NYX Eye Shadow 10 color Palette.  They are very pigmented and has a wide range of color combinations to choose from.  Available at Gorgeousme.

2. Cover Girl Eyeshadow Trio in Country Woods.  It is has a good color payoff and not chalky.

3. EOS Lip Balm. Yummy and organic. Available at Gorgeousme.

4. Maybelline Clear Smooth Aqua Gel Foundation.  If you like a sheer coverage foundation that will not break the bank.

5. Rimmel Lipstick. Has a wide range of colors and it does not dry out my lips. Good color payoff as well. Available at Gorgeousme.

Makeup Review: Makeup Forever Aqua Cream

Using a cream base underneath your eyeshadow will help ensure the longevity of your eye makeup, plus will make your shadows more vivid.  I have tried a few, they are Benefit Creaseless cream eyeshadow, NYX Jumbo Pencil and the most recent is the Makeup Forever Aqua Cream.

PROS:

You have a wide range of colorful shades to choose from.
It did not crease on me!! Given the weather we have here in Manila, that is an accomplishment!
The eyeshadow was more pigmented over the Aqua Cream

CONS:

All the colors that I have seen  have shimmer on them
You need to blend right away because it sets very fast on your skin
Here in Manila, not all colors are in stock/available
They are kind of pricey

Lush Promo

Lush Store at Alabang Town Center is having a promo!

Some soaps are Buy 1 Get 2 while some are Buy 2 Get 1!
Hurry!

Makeup Review: Benefit BadGal Liner Waterproof

When you're in a humid country you need to make sure that your
makeup will not melt in the middle of the day.  Therefore, a
waterproof anything is always a good thing, even a must for some occasions.

PROS:

It's a double ended pencil.  Pencil liner on 1 end and a smudger
on the other.
The consistency is very creamy and it doesn't set too fast.
The color is very black.

CONS:

This costs $20.00
Only comes in 1 color and that is black.
Currently not available worldwide.

Skincare Review: Dr. Jart Most Moist Water Fuse BB cream

This is my third bb cream and so far my favorite. Bought this in Hongkong recently with L. Wasn't really looking for one but the words "most moist" just grabbed me right there. I've never heard of Dr. Jart before so I was kinda iffy about getting it. When I looked at the price I was shocked how pricey it was (yet it was on special offer) but at the same time also intrigued. So I decided to get it. Why would something like this cost so much, right? Well I wasn't disapointed to say the least. It's not as thick as the others and the shade has a darker tint to it so I don't end up looking like a ghost. Very easy to blend and does not make my skin dry. The moist part is really true. If you're into BB (blemish balm) creams, give this one a try. It's available at BBcreamstore.com. They have other types of BB's too in case you're not into the moist thing. Happy Shopping!

Makeup Review: Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eye Liner

I just noticed how Maybelline likes using long names for their products :)

I was looking for a waterproof liner and I stumbled upon this.  This Liner comes with a small eye liner brush and the Liner is in a pot with a screw top lid.  At first I wasn't convinced that the brush will give me a fine line because of it's shape.  It is a synthetic brush with short bristles and slightly thicker than a fine brush.  But it worked perfectly on me! It gave me the control I needed while I was applying.

It is very creamy and glides on smoothly.  While I was applying it, I noticed how it gave me a full on line, no blotchy spots.  It didn't take a long time for it to set nor did it smudge on me before it set. Comes in 4 shades: Black, Brown, Charcoal and Eggplant.   But the colors available here in Manila are black and brown only.

I have always used an eyeshadow as an eyeliner but ever since trying this I have been using it all the time.  I would like to buy all of them!!!

Makeup Review: Maybelline Clear Smooth Aqua Gel Foundation

That's quite a name for a foundation :)..

Still trying out foundations.....

This particular foundation is water-based so it's good for people with oily skin.  Since I am one of those people, who better to test it out.  The color I got was Natural Beige, unfortunately, it is too light on me.  So, I use a powder foundation to correct the color.  I noticed that it has a sheer coverage and it is very easy to blend.  I got it at SM Department Store for Php350.00

Makeup Review: Benefit Velvet Eyeshadow

Among all the makeup products I am most drawn to the eyeshadow.
I have always enjoyed applying the eyeshadow probably because of
the different colors available.  I have tried quite a few but this tops it all!

PACKAGING: Square container with a clear lid (with design) and you can see the color

TEXTURE: It is so silky and feels like velvet! I'm not joking!

AFFORDABILITY: The cost is $18.00 (3.00 g net wt.)

SHADES: They have 12 shades to choose from and most of them are pastels.  I hope they come out with more dark colors and maybe a palette too :)

Unfortunately it is not available in Manila but if you can get your hands on it you should think of trying it.

Makeup Review: Cover Girl Trublend Whipped Foundation

I am currently in search of foundations to add to my kit so I am frequently trying out new brands.

PACKAGING: It comes in a clear jar which makes it easier to see the shade of the foundation

CONSISTENCY: Since it is whipped it has a mousse - type of texture and has a very matte finish; light on the skin as well

SHADES: I purchased mine at SM Department Store and they have about 6 shades available; I have Creamy Natural which is a bit light for my skin tone so I topped it off with a powder foundation  (MAC NC35) to match my tone

PRICE: The price is Php599.00 ( I think)

This type of foundation is good for people with oily skin; although I still used a mattifying primer just to be on the safe side.  It has a very light floral scent which for me is hardly noticeable.  I also used a synthetic brush to apply this and that gave me a sheer coverage but can easily be a medium coverage.  The one thing I noticed after application is that it sort of had that greasy feeling, especially noticeable when applied with fingers.

Makeup Review: MAC Lip Glass

I have always stayed away from most of  the lip glosses available because I am not fond of sticky lip products.  But while I was in Hong Kong with Dr. Evil I saw some MAC products that are not available here in Manila.  And one of the items that I got from MAC is the Lust Lip Glass.

At first I thought that it was too sticky ( I swatched on the back of my hand) but I really liked the color (nude-ish pink) so I figured, yeah, worth a shot since I've never owned a MAC lip glass.

To my surprise, it was not sticky once applied on top of a lipstick!! Only bad thing about this is, it will be added to my "to buy list" :)

Makeup Review: Chanel Coco Rouge in Perle

My new lipstick purchase for the month of February. It's on the nude( brownish) side (yet again) with a pearlized look. The shade is skin tone friendly. No need for a gloss because it has that built-in shimmer already. The only downside to this is, it's not that moisturizing so better put on some balm before the main event. Over all i like it.

Makeup Review: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

Most of the time I feel that my makeup doesn't last through the whole day.  So I thought of buying a setting spray in the hopes that it will help keep my foundation from disappearing after 5 hours of wear.

I love Urban Decay Primer Potion so I figured I might love their setting spray as well.  I was not disappointed!
Comes in a spray plastic bottle having 4.0 fl oz of product. It sprays a fine mist which helps the skin absorb it quicker. Has a slight floral scent and it is not overwhelming.

This setting spray is worth it!

Makeup Review: Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Rosy Nude

I have been waiting to try this line ever since it was released in the U.S. and I think it just recently reached Manila. I say this because I was looking for it a couple of months back and I couldn't find it.

It is a nude shade but a little bit on the pinkish side; the name is the actual color unlike other names wherein you would wonder why they called it such when it is nothing like it.  Case in point, NYX lip gloss in Beige, which is actually a pinkish color and it makes you wonder why it's called Beige.

It is creamy,  and it does not dry out my lips (although I always wear a lip balm before applying any lipstick).  The Rosy Nude is very pigmented, you don't need to keep applying to see the color, just 1 swipe and you're good to go.  I found it at PCX Personal Care Exchange for Php525.00.  It is definitely worth it.

Makeup Review: Chanel Liquid Lipstick

I have been waiting for this lipstick for months and finally Rustan's had a new shipment.  What I picked was the #75 Dragon.  You can tell from the name alone that it is a red lipstick.  But it is more like a blood red rather than a fire engine red.

PACKAGING: It is in a small all black tube and comes with a small doe foot applicator

CONSISTENCY: It is very creamy but it does not feel as if you have a ton of lipstick on; and definitely long lasting (I still had  lipstick on after eating dinner)