Wish List

Will update my wish list as of today

• Etude BB Cream
• Etude Facial Wash
• Benefit POREfessional/Maybelline Baby Pore
• MAC Lipstick
• MAC Studio Fix Powder
• Kokuryu Cake Foundation in Orange Blush
• San San pot eyeshadow / Aido Travel eyeshadow kit
• Benefit Hoola Contour/Bronzer Powder
• BYS Black Cherry Lipstick

Product Review: Fashion 21 Pressed Powder with Cucumber Extract

It seems that my 'tan' from summer is not lightening up any time soon and my everyday compact powder that is The Phytogenic Infinite powder from Face Shop has become too light for my skin tone with that also running out, I had the urge (or probably I can say more an impulse buy that is) to buy a new everyday powder without the original plan and the budget for that matter.

The budget wasn't a problem as this was really affordable (P135.00) and I was originally planning to buy the Fanny Serrano Two-Way Cake in Chino but I had change of plans.

Anyway, I'll start reviewing Fashion 21 Pressed Powder with Cucumber Extract

Packaging

The green compact case is such an eye-catcher. The case looks sturdy enough and it won't break or deteriorate as easily as the time goes by. It has a large mirror in my opinion which is a plus for me.

The sponge is a little too thin for me. I don't think it distributes well the product into my face as it absorbs the product more than it transfers to my skin. I'm just thinking whether to replace it with a better sponge, use a powder brush or keep it anyway. For a while, I'm keeping it.


Coverage and color

The consistency of the product is so creamy and is finely-milled. I chose the darkest shade which is the #3 because I needed a darker shade--it has slight yellow undertone which I like and it is almost as the exact color of my skin. It seems I am not wearing anything. The coverage is light to medium but hardly buildable. 

Ingredients

Staying power

Staying power is around 2-4 hours, oil control so-so. However, I think it does a fair enough job as a setting powder when used with foundations and keeps oil at bay when used alone as the finish is matte and manages to keep your face fresh and generally flawless. Although when it oxidizes in my skin, my skin looks darker and messy. That is generally the case for most face powders, that is why it is better to buy a face powder slightly fairer to your skin but I wanted something that matches my skin perfectly. What I do is blot the excess oil with blotting paper when it has oxidized and reapply again. The scent is very light, it doesn't bother me a bit. 

It also has the benefits of a Cucumber as this is infused with cucumber extract. Few benefits of cucumber are it has anti-inflammatory effects, it is also a good antioxidant, and it hydrates skin. You get so much for this product in such an affordable price. Overall it is really a good find for me. I don't regret buying this. If you want a face powder that covers much of your blemishes and stays long this might not be the right powder for you but if you're looking for a good lightweight, natural-looking powder this is perfect for that need.

Product Review: Enhance Cosmetics 6 pc Contour Palette

Online shopping has never been my thing. Shipping fees and delays, plus there is a possibility that it might be a scam. I would always have the love for buying makeup and cosmetics in a boutique instead online. In that way, I could buy and get a hand of the product right then and there. I could also test the product if it suits my skin and whatnot.

But here's an exception, because I am forever looking for that perfect contour palette, I think that contouring is a very important part of your makeup routine these days but I couldn't find myself a complete contour palette out in the market. Everything seems to be bought in singles. By chance, I stumbled upon Enhance Cosmetics page and thought that I need this palette and I am buying it.

Needless to say my whole transaction was fast. They reply quick to inquiries, and yes, this is a legit online shop. They also had the option for meet-ups other than delivering the product to you, so I went for that option because it's quicker to get hold of the product and like I said before, I don't like things delivered at home. I prefer buying it directly from a shop. Overall, the service was convenient and good.

Packaging

The whole palette is as a size of a small thin notebook and each shade is as the size of a compact powder. Yes, it is thin enough to fit my bag but the problem is, it wont fit in my makeup kit. Others will eye why am I carrying so much when I am about to do my makeup. It's a little bit large not to be ignored though.Well, larger product means more product. It is made of plastic, it is light and I am betting it is not as sturdy. Nothing fancy, as you can see it is black, sleek and simple. Having palettes like these make you look (and feel) more professional. 

Color/Consistency

I chose powder type rather than a cream type of contouring palette because one my face is oily, two powder types are easier to control--since I am new to contouring I want to familiarize myself first, and three I want it to be subtle.

Swatches (L-R: Blushes, Contour shade, highlights)

All of the 6 shades are powder and matte with a very bit of satin I might say. I don't like shimmer even with the highlights and shimmer in the contour shade means it is a bronzer not a contour one.

Honestly, I don't know what am I gonna do with the blushes. It is too red. It doesn't suit my skin tone, and both look almost the same. I hope the other blush would be like a peachy or salmon like in color so I can blend it to suit me more. I don't think I can use it. Anyway, I bought the product for the contour and highlight. The blush was a bonus but I am unable to get a use of it.

The good thing is it has 2 shades for contour and 2 shades for highlight. I can blend it to fit me well. The darker shade of contour is the perfect shade for contouring as for the highlights, the lightest (white one) is like an ordinary white baby powder in compact. I don't think it will do the highlight as I am looking for something that reflects light or will make a part of my face stand out without the unnecessary shimmer.

Ingredients

Staying power is around 2-4 hours. Not that long though and it oxidizes into my skin in ways not much into my liking--like it kind of looks oily and messy after a few hours and it doesn't have a good chemistry with my BB cream I had underneath, but it does the job of contouring depending on how well it is applied to the face. I try to contour my cheekbones with an angled brush to make my face thinner, around my upper forehead as well and of course I contour my nose to have the illusion of a smaller one (which I failed miserably, I am practicing still) and highlight the prominent parts of my face like the apples of my cheeks, nosebridge and chin. It has strong medicated scent that others might be put off but it's fine with me. It is affordable compared to palettes out in the market or buying separate contour and highlight. It costs P650.

Overall, it is a good product for me. I finally got a hand of a contouring palette and I can practice my contouring skills. ^

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Review: Skin White Power Whitening Lotion + Nivea Extra Whitening Body Cream Cell and Protect

Summer is almost over and it had left me with an evident tanned skin despite piling up sunblock on every activity that involves being under the sun. Some say that sunblock does not prevent you to have tanned/darker skin while being exposed to the sun,  it just blocks out harmful UV rays and prevents sun damage, well tough luck, I have been exposed to the sun more than ever from being on the beach from sun up to sun down to going to work on a midday and refusing to use an umbrella. I admit I would like to have a fairer skin (once again) but I'm having a little of a hard time doing so because I am constantly being exposed to the sun.

I decided to have few whitening products as I try to protect and make my skin fairer.

Skin White Advance Whitening Lotion with Power Whitening spf 20

I had to attend an event where I need to be super fair and I found out that this lotion makes you whiter instantly.

I say that it does make you like a 0.5 shade lighter upon application but I noticed it does not made me fair in the long run despite using this for more than 3 months now.

It has like micro particles that seems to reflect light and to me it looked like a mild shimmer.

The scent is strong and sweet like candy, which I am not a very big fan of. It gets sticky on my skin throughout the day as the weather continues to be super hot.

I recommend this if you want instant results and make sure to use it everyday, Also, if you're the type who wants her cosmetics loaded with SPF, this has spf 20. If you want long-term results (like whiter more glowing skin) I say that you find something else that works from within.


Nivea Extra Whitening Body Cream Cell Repair and Protect

I felt that I had damaged my skin a little being exposed in the sun, being a little self-conscious, I bought this product.

It is that kind of lotion that is in a compact-like container than being in a bottle

"It has a fast absorbing formula with Camu Camu and Acerola Cherry which offers 50x higher Vitamin C (compared to lemon extract) that helps repair accumulated dull and sun-damaged skin. It also has UVA/ UVB which filters protect your skin from harmful UV rays which induce pigmentation and cause dark, uneven skin."

The product is super creamy, it's consistency is less thicker than Skin White. I like the scent of this better. It smells like berries with cream and the scent is mild. This is for skin that dried out because of sun damage. It moisturizes really well although my skin is not the dry type. I say that this is meant for dry skin. I am complacent with this product because it contains Vitamin C that helps whitens and repairs skin. I noticed my skin became more radiant and more flawless but not dramatically white as I use this product.

Product Review: Kokuryu Summer Cake

Last time I posted about how I found cake foundations are very convenient for me and a must-have of my makeup kit from now on because it is really suitable for my oily skin and not to mention perfect to the hot summer weather we are currently experiencing right now. I had the Nichido brand to try on then but now I finally bought the Kokuryu brand I was ever itching to buy since I discovered cake foundations.

I am not quite sure why it is called summer cake but I'll research on that.

Anyway, here's my post about my last review on cake foundation

I had the Kokuryu Summer Cake in Orange Blush

It is way whiter for me now because I bought this shade before going to the beach, but then after I went to the beach I had a tan and my skin is visibly 3 shades darker.

The consistency of this powder is so creamy. Remember that cake foundations are water-activated and water is needed to apply it to your face

Ok so a little comparison from the Nichido brand. Kokuryu has more shades. It has 8 shades available to match various skin tone well unlike Nichido only having 5. Kokuryu also has better staying power.

Pros
-Coverage is great.
-Cheap (Php 110 =$2+). It goes a long way. It can be used on special events like weddings, pageant, graduations as this will give a flawless and stunning finish
-It stays regardless how oily or how long I've been wearing this


Cons
-Packaging can be a little inconvenient as the lid of the powder gets easily detached
-I don't know but despite cake foundations giving good coverage it does not appear natural and subtle so people would say that I had to much makeup on when I wear this
-A little hassle as this needs water to be applied.
-Can be drying

But overall it's a good find

Nature Republic Face Mask Review

More products from Nature Republic

Straight from Korea, I wondered how these mask sheet really works on my face. The last time I used a mask sheet I wasn't quite satisfied having bought one that was locally made. It had no effect on me whatsover. Maybe, Korean brands like Nature Republic gives off a different quality especially I believe that mask sheet like these are popular and a must-have in one's beauty and face regimen in Korea. More and more mask sheets are coming out with different ingredients for different needs.

Blueberry Real Fresh Mask Sheet

Blueberry extract provides vitality to tired skin, while soft mask sheet smoothens and softens skin as it adheres

How to use: 1. After applying toner, open pack and unfold the mask 2. Adjust the mask to the shape of your face 3. Leave it for 15-20 minutes 4. After removal, tap on the face to make the remaining ingredients of essence to be absorbed properly

The pack contains a paper face mask that is covered with slimey liquid. Nonetheless, it smells really good without irritating your sense of smell as you adhere it to your face. This mask is specifically for tired skin. Well, it really does manage to soothe my skin because it has somewhat a cooling feel that is really relaxing. Once 20 minutes was over, I removed the mask and massage the remaining liquid to my face and let it seep in. I was planning to wash it off before sleeping because it might feel sticky after but I forgot so the liquid was on my face the whole time. The great thing is, despite leaving it the whole night, I had no irritating or itchy feeling. I think it is best to wash the liquid the next day. It managed to make my skin supple and moisturized.


Snail Solution Mask Sheet

Ultra moisturizing mask sheet with snail secretion fitrate

I was reluctant on using this because why would I want snail secretion on my face? But it turns out that the snail essence is rich in nutrition that helps improve skin condition and will provide lasting moisturizing effect after application so skin remains healthy and hydrated

Same directions apply for this mask

This is how it looks on my face

I couldn't tell much the difference between the two mask. Both contains ample amount of liquid to spread on the face. I noticed that my face is hydrated in that glowing and plush. You know that Koreans like that 'dewy' look? It managed to give me a perfect dewy look without looking oily or shiny. I did not expect my face to look nice in a dewy fashion cause not really a fan of the 'dewy' look because anything on the side of dewy here almost always translate as oily. My face looked young and nourished.


I tried putting the mask on the refrigerator before using and yes it worked like a wonder to my face!

I do recommend to try these masks at least once. It is such a treat to your face without costing so much. It costs around 3500 won or less, 50-100 pesos. It has a lot of benefits and using one feels like I had a trip from a facial treatment. I would definitely add this to my skin regimen from now on.  

Easy way to freshen this summer

Here are two of my favorite products to beat that hot and humid not to mention irritating feeling that is bought about by the current summer heat.

With much exposure to the sun, even equipped with a powerful spf lotion, freshening up may go a long way.

Nature Republic 92% Aloe Vera Soothing Gel

It is Nature Republic best-seller and proven to have a lot of uses

1. Moisturing pack for dry skin
-It can be substitute for lotion if lotion may be a little sticky for summer. It really does the moisturizing job.
2. Base makeup for luminous face 
-Leaves skin supple after
3. Body care for soft and mositurizing skin
-Almost same as #1
4.Hair treatment for shiny hair
If my hair is really toasted and damaged from the sun this might help from preventing further damage
5.After shave cream
-I also use this as a shaving gel
6. Nail care
7. Treatment of sunburn
- Probably the best use of this product as it soothes skin and leaves a cool feeling after
8. Relax swollen eyes. Lip treatment to make baby lips
-I don't like applying this on my lips, it tastes like soap

I had this tub for over a year now. I barely use it actually. It's like applying hair gel all over my body and it can be sticky. I'm using it more now because of its cooling and soothing effects

Kleenex Hand and Face Moist Wipes

Another product that utilizes aloe vera

The thing I like with this product is the smell it leaves after I wipe it on my body. Instant feeling of freshness while I use it along with the aloe gel.