Cake Foundation

I've been reviewing much about lip products so today it's all about Cake Foundation.

I had a huge discovery in making my skin more flawless. I've tried piling up thick foundation, concealer, BB cream and setting powder on my face to make it more flawless but the coverage isn't enough and end up a little cakey to say the least on my face. I ignored the idea of adding water on my makeup routine because I deemed it a hassle.

Cake Foundations are long known and used by makeup artists. It is used for pageants as well because of its coverage and lasting power.

One day I was bored, I decided to try cake foundation to see how it works on me.

I loved the results! It works well on oily skin like mine. It stays longer, no need for several touch-ups and the coverage is buildable and excellent. It has a matte finish that is not too powdery.

I ended up buying Nichido Beauty Cake because the Kokuryu brand was not available. Nonetheless I will try the latter in the future.

I bought the Classic Mint shade and Amber shade. Don't be intimidated in applying the green shade because it is used to counter redness, acne and blemishes. After applying the Classic Mint shade, it's the time to apply the skintone (Amber) shade. Nichido Cake foundation shades are a little dark in my opinion. The Amber shade I bought was the the second lightest shade in the bunch but it is a little dark on me. I did not buy rosy beige which was lightest shade because it was too pink on my skin.

A sponge is needed for this makeup. Water is also needed because it is water-activated. A spray bottle with is more advisable for this than dipping the sponge in the water. I used distilled water to prevent breakouts. Spray enough water on sponge and start applying the product.

I started applying the Classic Mint shade first all over my face concentrating on my breakouts and eyebags. Then the Amber shade, I applied more on the areas with blemishes like pimple scars and dark under eye circles. On the top of the cake foundation, I applied my regular face powder to set and to make it stay longer

Few cons for this makeup though is that it can be messy and a bit time-consuming. It can be drying on skin if used regularly. It might be the cause of further breakouts if the sponge used is not cleaned well given that a moist sponge can harbor bacteria and microorganisms. The matte finish may not look that natural on some skin.

All about Lip Balm

For me lip balms are lotion for the lips, lips chaps so easily even with everyday application of lip balms. Without application for days, the skin on the lips gets dry and thicker which sheds harder and might cause bleeding if tried to exfoliate-- it could be a problem. Lip balm for me is a must-have on my kit. I probably can live without lipsticks but not lip balms.

So today I’ll share my views on different lip balms I've tried. I’m quite particular with the moisturizing power and tint/color on lips so I’ll try to review them with such criteria because lip balms are made to nourish, softens and moisturize lips while giving that hint of glow.

Regular petroleum jelly on lips doesn’t cut it, while it protects your lips from chapping it doesn't give much care on lips it needed. I think it is better not to settle with regular petroleum jelly (yes, even Vaseline) because there’s a product that address that particular beauty need.

First off is Chapstick. This is an all-time favorite. Chapstick prevents my lips from chapping dramatically. My lips get dry and bleed even if I miss on applying this. Mine is the Chapstick Candy Cane limited edition The availability of this is probably around Christmas season. Cherry and Spearmint are two of my favorite Chaptick flavors but I choose Candy Cane this time because I really do like the sweet and minty flavor on my lips.

Chapstick in Candy Cane

The texture is light and smooth. It is colorless with a little shine. The scent is typical of a Candy Cane candy but tasteless. The staying power is high, you can feel it there all day even after snacking. The product has wiped out but you can feel that it worked as it leaves lips soft and supple after. I use this especially in the morning when commuting when lips are exposed to cold wind and probably pollution. I let this seep in for like an hour before putting on a lipstick.

I give it a grade of moisturizing power: 9/10; Tint: 0/5 (it’s colorless. I partner it with a lipstick)

Maybelline Baby Lips Color Lip Balm in Berry Crush

"6 hour moisture and translucent color and shine. Contains SPF. Adult strength care for baby soft lips in vibrant translucent colors."

I bought this for a hint of tint on my lips because there are days I’m not in the mood for lipstick but I want color on my lips so I use this as a substitute. I’m giving this a 2/5 for tint—a mild one.  For me it lacks color (my friends still say I’m pale even while wearing this). It’s more translucent so it gives more shine than color. It’s a bit sticky when applied although the staying power lasts 4-6 hours. The scent is good but a bit waxy. It manages to make lips soft, supple and juicy although I find its moisturizing power a 6/10.

Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Pop Lip Balm in Pink Shock

Another one from Maybelline but this is from their Electro Pop series. I have a lot to say about this product so I’ll go by this bit by bit.

Packaging: It’s a lip balm dressed as lipstick. My mom taught this was a lipstick. I like the packaging of this more than the aforementioned Maybelline lip balm. I feel like lip balms evolved in a better way.

Color: 4/5. Love this shade. Lasting power is just around 4-5 hours. It’s a bit similar to that of Magic Lipsticks where the color of the stick is different than the actual color on lips and stains over time. I find it that when I apply it on lips it leaves a shiny fuchsia color similar to the color of the stick but the color changes over time. I observed that the lip balm dries and changes to a much redder color and stains thereafter (do not like staining).

Texture: Smooth texture. Glides easily on lips. I like the raspberry punch scent. Moisturizing power: 6/10. I can feel my lips drying when I the product stays on my lips.

Himalaya Herbal Strawberry Shine Lip Balm

"Get glossy shine, soft and supple lips with our petroleum free lip balm, formulated with vegetable oils, which is free from preservatives. Strawberry seed oil, a rich antioxidant, conditions and moisturizes lips. Apricot Kernel Oil soothes chapped lips. Provides long lasting moisture and protections, leaving a delicate hue of strawberry."

Packaging looks similar to a Nivea lip balm and the scent is similar to Body Shop born lippy strawberry lip balm. It’s a bit heavy on lips when applied gladly, it’s tasteless. It manages to make my lips look healthy and supple.

Moisturizing power: 5/10 ; Tint: 3/5.  I find this pretty average. There are lip balms out there that are better but if you want something organic, safe, and inexpensive this could do justice.

Product Review: The Face Shop Phytogenic Infinite Powder Foundation

I know most of you have this go-to compact powder that you bring almost everywhere for touch-ups and whatnot, it’s hard to live without that compact powder so with mine running out it was the perfect timing that Face Shop had a booth in the last kpop event I attended. Not really planning to buy a Face Shop brand but why not?

So bought this Phytogenic Infinite Powder Foundation as my new everyday compact powder.

“Medium to full coverage, Matte touch powder foundation with skin protecting antioxidants, green tea extract. Staying Fresh:  1) Porous powders absorb sebum, maintaining fresh look all day 2) Coating Powders efficiently protect color pigment from darkening. Skin Color Control System: natural coverage of the wrinkles and pores of the skin by reflecting the incident light in oblique angles.”

Packaging: Unique and sturdy. Does not look cheap. It comes with a compact mirror and a sponge. There’s a plastic that separates the sponge from the powder to prevent bacterial growth in the product.

Coverage: Although the description tells that it’s medium to full coverage, I find it light to medium coverage. I have huge ass pores in my nose and it doesn't cover that much same with my breakouts while it covers my pimple scars minimally. It is not cakey when combined with other products like foundation, BB Cream or a tinted moisturizer.

Finish: It’s matte and has a good natural finish on my skin. If I want my makeup to be subtle I use this. Its formula is perfect for everyday use. The shade I bought is in RB23 and upon application on my face it’s like 2 shades whiter on my skin, it’s very powdery upon application, however it oxidize on my face for about an hour and after oxidizing, it matches my skintone enough. I find that it has a brightening effect on my face after oxidizing just like that of a BB cream.

Oil Control: Fair enough

Other pros and cons:

Pros: Has SPF20. It does not clog my pores.  Has the power akin to a mineral powder

Cons:  Few shades to choose from. The darkest shade is still too fair for me, but I do take note that Face Shop is a Korean brand, and Koreans really have fair skin which explains the fair variety of the shades.

The best thing about buying from Face Shop is they give out free samples of their other products.

I got E'thym O2 Water moisturizer and toner which is for hydration of skin and Clean Face moisturizer and toner as well for oily skin.