My SEPTEMBER Favorites

Hi there loves! It's the time of the month again for my favorite make up pieces. Since it's sunny-rainy-sunny season, I have decided not to use much make ups for my face. So here are the faves...

ELF Eyebrow kit, ELF Blusher, MAC Select Sheer Pressed

ELF All Over Face Brush, ELF Length Defining Mascara (24K), BENEFIT the POREfessional, BENEFIT Lemon Aid and Boi-ing

ONE Berrylicious Balm, MAC Russian Red lipstick

So there goes my September favorites. If you've noticed, I didn't use much on liquid foundations since the weather is sometimes too hot or wet. For this kind of season, I prefer to use more on powder foundations or just face powder. This will help my skin stay fresh. :)

Thanks again loves! xoxo

Review: REVLON PHOTO READY LIQUID FOUNDATION

At last, I was able to create a review about my favorite foundation. I've been using this for about 2 years now and it still gives me the perfect look especially on photos. :)

Costs Php 950.00 at the Revlon counter in SM Dept Store (about US $23)

Swatch (Shell) 

When blended

So far, I'm satisfied with the coverage that it gives my face. But definitely I will be searching for other liquid foundations that stays longer. Revlon Photo Ready gives awesome photograph looks. So if you opt to look good on photos, this is a must for you. :)

Applied on my face, without other make ups or concealers

Thanks again! xoxo

Review: PONDS COLD CREAM

Another important piece of each make up artist/enthusiast "must" have: Make up Remover. Yes, it's very important since we can't just remove our make ups using tissues, wet wipes, water and facial wash. Before we can wash our face, we first need to use a make up remover to gently wipe off dirt and make up, especially eye make ups.

A very gentle cream is what I use as a make up remover. Ponds cold cream I can say is one of the best make up removers. Aside from its cream form, it's very easy to use and budget friendly.

This small tub costs at Php 135.00 (about US$3) at Watsons

The instructions says it all, very easy to use.

creamy form

Overall, it's non-greasy and perfect for everyday use. My best remover until now. 

How about you? What's your best make up remover?

Thanks! xoxo

Review: ST. IVES APRICOT SCRUB

Hi there again loves! Been too lazy for the past couple of weeks. Now, I'm ready again to post insights about beauty. :)

Won't be talking about make ups today, but rather my favorite facial scrub of all time! Yes, I've been using this for about 3 years now and I'm happy about the results that it gives my face. I use it twice: in the morning when I take a bath and in the evening when I do my night time facial habit. 

I love how it feels after scrubbing my face using this. It gives me a smooth finish, especially on my nose area where I have a lot of white heads. I also love the smell of apricot, it's very refreshing to the skin. :)

Nothing compares to this, really. So as long as there is St. Ives, I will definitely purchase this over and over again. This only costs around Php 197.00 (about US$5).

Thanks again loves! xoxo

Review: MAC PRO LONG WEAR FOUNDATION

One of the items from the haul this month is a Pro Long Wear Foundation. It gives up to 15 hours of coverage in any environmental condition. That means, you can wear it all day without touching up your foundation (or maybe adding up just a little bit of powder at times). Best to wear as part of a bridal make up. :)

NC25 shade

Swatch (without flash)

It's creamy but very lightweight when applied to the skin. It also controls oil to keep skin fresh. But I suggest to still apply loose powder after make up application and a primer before applying this to keep your make up smooth and fresh.

I will soon make a FOTD using this foundation so you can see the coverage on my face, and I'll try to let it stand for a whole day :)

Price at Rustan's (around $46)

So there loves, til next! xoxo

MAC HAUL For September

Today, I went shopping with hubby at Rustan's EDSA Shangri La Mall. Stocking up on Mac's, here are the items in the shopping bags.

6 Mac items, Yay!

Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation in NC25

Php 1950 (around $46)

Eye Shadow in Expensive Pink

Php 900 (around $21)

Eye Shadow in All that Glitters

Php 900 (around $21)

Studio Finish Concealer SPF 35

Php 1000 (around $24)

Pro Longwear Lipstick in Positively Dashing

Php 1100 (around $26)

More Mac products in the coming months! Will follow up on reviews for each product. :)

It's a splurge for Php 6950 but I think Mac products are absolutely worth the price for its quality.

Thanks again! xoxo

Fresh Water Pearls, another Birthday Gift

Another birthday gift that I received this year, from a colleague/friend Debbie. It's an addition to my growing pearl collection. But this time, it's a fresh water pearl bracelet.

She got this from Kultura at SM Dept Store

Loving this piece, another addition to my collection. :)

Forever 21 Accessories,Birthday Gifts from my Sissies

Hi there loves! Recently, I got these adorable pieces from my sissies as their belated Happy Birthday gift for me. They got them from Forever 21 Accessories.

 A pair of dangling earrings and a pair of colored hoops 

from my sissy Chinny

A set of Red Indian Bangles from my sissy Kaye

Truly, they know what I want as gifts. Haha! Love them both! :)

Til my next post loves! xoxo

ELF: 24k Collection

Hi there again! Most of you might already been using Elf's 24k collection. From brushes to make ups, they all have them.

These Elf items were given to me by my hubby's aunt when she arrived from New York. She got me two boxes of Elf products from the 24k collection. Here they are:

 This box consists of: one Lengthening and Defining Mascara (black) and two eyelash curlers (gold)

And this consists of six (6) shimmer eye liner pencils

(white, gold, green, maroon, brown and black)

The 24k collection is more on shimmering products. They are perfect for night outs though I sometimes use the pencil (black) even on my daily make up.

'til my next post! xoxo

FOTD: My Everyday Office Make Up

Hi there again pretty loves! I just thought of creating a FOTD for my everyday office make up. Just as natural as I can be, very simple everyday make up that will only take about 5 minutes.

 Before

I just look so pale, haha!

My everyday office make up look

(though lipstick color changes)

Products I used:

BENEFIT the POREfessional (I used it as a primer)

MAC Select Sheer Pressed powder NC30 (I don't use foundations for everyday look)

BENEFIT Boi-ing 

ELF Eye brow kit

ELF Eye lash curler

ELF Eyeliner in black (24k collection)

ELF Lengthening and Defining Mascara (24k collection)

ELF Blush

ELF Overall face brush

NYX Round lipstick in Hot pink

So there, as easy as one-two-three, you can create an everyday light make up look.

Thanks and 'til my next post! xoxo

Review: MAC FIX+

Here's another Mac product that I seriously love, Mac Fix+.

According to Mac, Fix+ is:

"An aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi. Adds radiance, finishes makeup. Spray it on. Skin drinks it up!"

I was surprised when I didn't see any instructions on the package, but knowing a spritz bottle like this, all you have to do is to spray it on your face. Don't wipe it out, just let your skin absorb the liquid. It's very refreshing and hydrating. I use it often everyday when I feel like sleepy, it keeps me awake!

Price: Php 900.00 at Rustan's (for a bottle of 100ml), worth the price!

The Verdict: I love how it freshens up my face! Really very worth of your money!

Will I purchase it again? Absolutely!

'til my next post! xoxo

Review: MAC SELECT SHEER PRESSED POWDER

I've been wanting to try Mac's foundations and powders. But the thought of not going to any occasions at this point is not the best time to stock up on foundations. I only use foundations when I have special occasions to attend to (like weddings, birthdays, parties, etc.) So I thought of just getting a light powder that I can wear everyday.

 NC30 swatch

So I was introduced to this Mac Select Sheer Pressed powder. The lady on the counter helped me find the right shade since it was my first time to buy face products from Mac. I got the NC30 shade. It's not too light nor too dark for my tone. It blends perfectly on my face.


Price: Php 1,375.00 at Rustan's (about $32)

 wearing Mac Select Sheer Pressed powder 

(Sorry my face was too far, photo taken during dinner)

The Verdict: I love the way how it works on my face, it's very light and sheer. It's perfect for everyday use when you don't need full make up. I always wear it with some blushers and of course, my favorite Mac lipstick shades.

Will I purchase it again? Definitely!

Do you own a Mac Select Sheer Pressed Powder? How do you like it?

'til my next post... xoxo

Review: HOW TO LOOK THE BEST AT EVERYTHING

Hi there again pretty ladies! Here is the review of my past Benefit purchase: How to Look the Best at Everything.

This Flawless Complexion Kit (FAIR) consists of: The POREfessional, Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow (believe in me ivory), Lemon Aid, Boi-ing (01) and Hello Flawless Powder (i love me ivory).

The POREfessional

The first time I tested it on my skin, one word: SMOOTH. The cream is very smooth and light, you can barely feel it on your skin.

PROs:
-foil sealed, ensured the freshness of the product
-very good (and nice) packaging
-slightly coloured but becomes transparent when blending
-helps smoothen the face making it perfect for make up
-works as a make up base/primer
-velvety finish

CONs:
-silicone content, so if you're allergic, better stay away from it
-very pricey...the deluxe tube costs Php 1,600.00 around $38 here in the Philippines

I like this product 'cause it really hides my pores and I like the smoothness when blended. I just hope Benefit can produce a smaller tube than the deluxe since it's very pricey.

Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow

swatch

The container says, "brightening make up". For me, it's a liquid foundation but not oil based. It feels so light when applied to the face, I even felt a cooling effect which is very refreshing.

With Oxygen Wow Hydrating Complex:
- helps boost cellular respiration for a "plumping up" effect
-helps protect against environmental stress
-contains vitamins C & E, minerals and peptides that brighten, hydrate and prevent signs of aging
-oil free, fragrance free
-SPF 25 PA+++ it protects from UVA and UVB rays

This is available in 9 shades, the one included on the Fair package is "Believe in me Ivory". Its texture is more liquidy compared to other liquid foundations, maybe because it's oil-free.

I'm pretty happy with this foundation and how it refreshes my skin. This retails at Php 1,900 for a 30 ml bottle (around $45).

Lemon Aid

 lemon aid swatch

This works like a concealer for our eyelids. At first, I never thought that I have to use a concealer on them since I always use a primer before applying make up. But what about the days when we don't need eye make ups? Here's the solution to our sometimes dull, tiny bit reds around the lids.

Lemon Aid is yellow based and will work on any skin type. It's creamy but dense enough to make a nice base for your eye make up. During the days that you don't need to put on eye make up, just dab a little bit amount on your eye lids and it will definitely make your eyes look fresher!

Lemon Aid costs Php 1,100.00, about $26

Boi-ing (01)

Boi-ing swatch

Most of us always try to hide our under eye circles. That's what Boi-ing concealer does. Just dab it on your under eyes and you can instantly hide those blemishes. For me, it also works as an eye brightener too!

Boi-ing costs Php 1,100.00 around $26

Hello Flawless Powder

 swatch

The shade included in the package I got was, "I love me Ivory". Some says that it is the best cover up they have ever tried. For me, it's just like a face powder and I'm still sticking on my Mac products when it comes to coverage. But for everyday use, I think this will be okay if you don't need too much cover up and only light make up.

The price is Php 1,900.00 around $45

Overall, the purchase was worth it (Php 1,600.00) since I can try all these products. Since Benefit Cosmetics are a bit too pricey, you may want to purchase their products by these packages rather than purchasing them on retail. Good thing they have these packages where we can try a number of their products without splurging too much.

'til my next post loves! xoxo