FOTD: WEDDING 12-12-12

Hi there again my pretty and gorgeous readers! I've had no posts for the last couple of days for our preparation for my long time friend Jhelyn's wedding. Yes, it's December 12th, 2012! And my baby boy is part of the entourage, he's actually the youngest member at 1 year and 7 months old on the 14th. :)

Anyway, here's the look I've made since I wore a matt gold chiffon gown yesterday.

What I've used:

THE FACE SHOP Lovely Me Ex Make up base

BENEFIT The POREfessional

MAC Fix+ (sprayed on stippling brush)

REVLON Photo Ready Liquid Foundation in Shell

 ELF Eyelid Primer

ELF Correcting Concealer

IN2IT Sheer Eye shadow duo in Earth

ACTIVE e/s in Beige

ACTIVE e/s in Gray

MAC Espresso

ELF Cream liner in Black

TONY MOLY Slim Mascara in Black

ETUDE HOUSE Color My Brows

ACTIVE Powder Blush in Peach

MAC Lipstick in Innocence

MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder (to set make up)

Hair done by my sister-in-law, thanks Myla!

with my little prince, the coin bearer Greyam Yale!

We had so much fun and we were very happy for our friend Jhelyn's wedding. I'm also glad that she made Yale carry their symbol of treasure, even though he's too young to be part of a wedding entourage. Hubby actually accompanied Yale in walking down the aisle and sat beside him too. The night was full of laughter and fun! Congrats again marsie and Pel! We love you both! Enjoy your honeymoon!

'til next! :)

PRE-HOLIDAY Make Up Haul

Hello there lovelies! I had an early make up haul for this month 'cause I don't have any plans of buying too much make up and stuffs. I need to concentrate more on buying gifts for the family, Yale and my God children. Well, for God children, I always prefer to give them monetary gifts instead of stuffs. But for those kids who are rather celebrating their birthdays and christening, I prefer giving them stuffs if I'm not a God parent. :)

This month's pre-holiday haul are somewhat some of the "basic" things that I want to add on my kit. Notice that there will be no MAC or a lipstick item, you'll know why before this month ends.

Here are the things I bought:

Five items :)

ELF Stipple brush - Php 249.75 (around US $6)

TONY MOLY Simple Style Mascara - Php 198 (about US $4)

ELF Eyelid Primer - Php 129.75 (US $3)

ELF Blending Eye brush - Php 129.75 (around US $3)

IN2IT Sheer Eye Shadow - Php 299 (US $7)

Another reason for purchasing only a few is because I wanted to try these products for my friend's wedding that I'll be attending on the 12th. So all I have to do now is to try these products first and I'm actually excited for the eye shadow, my first purchase from IN2IT!

Review on these products soon! :)

My "MUSTS" for the Month

Hello there! Just right after creating a review earlier, I've realized that I have to manage my growing make up collection and should create a plan on how to maximize their usage. While I'm on a "relax" mode, meaning no make up gigs, events and stuff, I need to put up another monthly post in relation to my monthly favorites. So I'm composing my "MUSTS" for the Month - a collection of my make up items that I MUST use for the whole month. Take note that these items will not be limited to what I will be posting at the start of the month. I need to use these items so I can maximize their usage and also to compare with my other products. These items will appear on my "Monthly Favorite" posts at the end of each month, but of course there might be some additional items too! 

Anyway, take a look at the items I have chosen to be part of my "Musts" for the Month:

1. ELF Cream Eyeliner in black

2. REVLON Photo Ready liquid foundation in shell - I need to finish off this foundie

3. MAC Fix+  - must empty this bottle too!

4. BENEFIT Hello Flawless Powder Foundation in "I love me" ivory  - I need to hit the pan soon so I can remove other make up items inside the box and keep the box for future use.

5. ETUDE HOUSE Oh M' Eye Lash mascara in black

6. BENEFIT Lemon Aid and Boi-ing

7. BENEFIT The POREfessional

8. HERBENCH Paint box blusher

9. THE FACE SHOP Lovely Me Ex make up base 

10. MAC lipstick in Chatterbox

11. MAC lipstick in Innocence

So there, another reason why I have chosen a few things to use for the month is mainly because I don't want to open up my make up kit and mix all the items there whenever I need to prep up. Also, kids in the house tend to reach for my make up too! That will be a complete mess if they do. :)

'til next! 

Review: ELF EYE SHADOW PRIMER

I'm on ELF Cosmetics review this month, so I should not forget about this one thing that's very essential for doing eye make up. I've been using this for quite some time now and I can say that it does the job well for keeping eye shadows intact.

 The packaging

Product comes in a solid stick form 

 Swatch

with camera flash 

using ACTIVE cosmetics eye shadow in gray

If you've noticed, the shadow on the right side (with ELF primer) is more pigmented than the one without primer. I just applied same amount for both but you can really see the difference, without primer, your shadow won't stay good enough on your lids, especially if you have oily lids.

PRO's:

- it does its job well for making eye shadows stay intact

- price locally is around Php 200 (US $ 5) 

- very easy to apply

- non sticky

- smells nice

CON's:

- staying power isn't too long

- they should have worked more on the packaging

WILL I REPURCHASE?

Thinking about it since its staying power isn't long enough to hold eye shadows especially on humid places like our country.

More ELF cosmetics review coming up! :)

My OCTOBER Favorites

Happy Halloween! I know everyone's busy in visiting their beloved ones in cemeteries nationwide. In our case, it will be difficult for us to leave 'cause hubby is working even on holidays. Also, my son doesn't have a nanny at the moment. :(

So before the month ends, I'll be leaving you with my monthly favorites, well for the month of October.

BENEFIT COSMETICS' How to Look the Best at Everything, THE FACE SHOP Lovely Me Ex Make up Base, ELF 24K Lengthening and Defining Mascara, ELF 24K Eye Pencil, ELF Eye Brow Kit

As you can see, Elf cosmetics has been a staple in my monthly favorites. Simply because they're very easy to maintain and very affordable. I've been using my Benefit Cosmetics a lot for this month and I made a promise not to buy a new face powder until I've used this up. :) 

MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder, MAC lipstick in Chatterbox, L'OREAL lipstick in Wine Maven, HERBENCH Painbox

My compact powder for everyday use (and the only powder that I can bring out) will always be a favorite! My theme for this month was SIMPLICITY, and it goes well with my chosen lipstick colors. :)

Thanks again and enjoy the long weekend! xoxo

Review: THE FACE SHOP MAKE UP BASE

I've been MIA for the past couple of days because I have to accomplish some requirements for my home based job. Yes, I'll be working from home for the first time, that means I don't have a lot of reasons to go out. Lol!

Anyway, I'll be reviewing about The Face Shop's Make up base: LOVELY ME: EX. I was eyeing for the green colored one because it reduces redness on the face, but it was out of stock when I went to their store. So I got #2 the purple shade, it is for sensitive and acne prone skin.

 nice packaging

descriptions are all written in Korean language :( 

foil sealed 

see the difference?  

 this little amount should be enough for the whole face, "a little goes a long way"...

applied on my face

PRO's:

- it gives a nice canvas before applying your make up

- nice smell

- smooth finish

- it didn't break me out

- price (Php 355 or US $8) with 40 ml content

- no oily skin

CON's:

- the packaging can be easily pinched, thus having a messy cap

- when applied too much, it will give your face a whitish finish (eew!)

OVERALL:

I love this product and I can recommend this to any skin tone, even with morenas.

WILL I REPURCHASE THIS?

Definitely!

I hope this review helped especially for those who are looking for a good make up base. 

Thanks! :)

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

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: 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