Etude House Fresh Cherry Blusher Duo

Hey girls, as you all may know, Etude House had its grand opening of their flagship store in Mega Mall last month. And with the help of Gem (since I got lost finding the store in mega mall) I dropped by, and I must say, the designer of the store did a great job because of its bright lights and inviting interiors, not to mention the cute uniforms of the SAs. So I looked around for a good 45 minutes and I fell in love with their cream blush duo.

They call it the Fresh Cherry Blusher Duo.

It comes in a small compact which has a mirror. The packaging is light weight and very convenient considering you are carrying around 2 different shades.

The blush names I cannot read since it is in Korean hehe but on the left is a Pinkish/Plum color while the one on the right is a more Peachy color.

Here is a poor attempt at the color swatch on my arm. Forgive me on the poor poor photo quality. :( As much as I wanted to try them on my cheeks, my face is in no condition to be photographed now. :(

But you can see even from the poor photo quality that each cream blush is really pigmented and the color you see on the pan is what you will get once applied on skin. :)

Tip: Use a clean brush for each color, apply on skin, then spread with fingers. Do not dip the brush again and/or use your fingers to dip for sanitary purposes. Using a spatula will be better but tends to pick up more color than needed (as you can see on picture above). hehe

What I like:
- Very light on skin, feels like nothing once applied
- Very Pigmented
- Good Staying Power
- Has a very light Cherry Scent hehe
- Compact packaging
- CHEAP! It's only PHP398!!

What I don't like:
- Hope they come up with more colors since this is the only cream duo available


Overall, I think this cream duo blush is a great buy! It is cheap, very light on skin and I have 2 blushes in 1! This is my first cream blush purchase and now I can see the ease of use with a cream blush.

It is also possible to mix the 2 cream blush colors to come up with a new color (but I haven't tried it yet hehe).

This product will merit a repurchase for me once I run out. I probably will be using this cream blush for days when I don't want to be heavy on make up like trips to the mall or the parks. :) I like to set this cream blush with Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil since it doesn't alter the color of the cream blush.

Yayy to my first cream blush from Etude House! :)


Toodles! :)

Sneak Peak at Bedazz Brushes! :)

Hi girls, I am very excited to unveil my online store and launch brushes very very soon. But as for now I will be showing you guys the brushes I will be selling.


These brushes are the ones I personally tried and tested for about 2 months before getting back to my manufacturer for tiny improvements. I can say that I am very happy with the brushes and I can't wait to share them with everyone!

Here are the 3 brushes coming to you soon!


Disclaimer: When pictures of these brushes were taken they were almost 3 months old and have undergone numerous cleaning and washing.

Click each image to enlarge

From Left-Right:
Blending Brush
Angled Brush
Stippling Brush

Close up of Blending Brush made of goat hair



Close up of Angled Brush made of goat hair



Close up of Stippling Brush made of synthetic and goat hair

These are high quality brushes, very soft and durable. I have been using mine for almost 3 months with consistent cleaning and proper care and every time I use the brush it feels like new.

Watch out for the launch of brushes very very soon! :)


Are you ready to ? :)


Toodles! :)

SOAP update Lulur Bar and Pinoy Halo Halo Fiesta Soap

Hi girls, I apologize for prolonging the update for the Lulur Bar soap. If you will refer to the post I did when I got the Lulur Bar, I was ecstatic to try a well raved soap to help cure my skin challenges (oily, prone to blemishes, uneven skin tone, hairy).

Disclaimer: This is my personal experience with the soap and may not be the same as how others have experienced with this soap.

Have you ever had a chemical peel on your face? I have at least 3 times. And when I do have a peel scheduled, I make sure It's the time I stay home for at least 2 weeks. Why so? because it makes you peel like crazy and aside from that, it hurts. But as long as you follow the procedure with all the creams you are in for good skin. The pain part, was what I experienced with the Lulur bar. On the first application alone, it stung like crazy, but since I am used to chemical peels, I endured it for a bit, let it sit and then washed it off. After a few days, I noticed my pimples started drying out, which was a good sign. Aside from that I noticed areas of my face starting to peel. So I thought it would pass after a few days. But sad to say it didn't. :( My face ended up very dry and I just had to stop it. The peeling wouldn't stop and it kinda stung without even using it. No amount of moisturizer would balance out the dryness.

What I did like about it is, It really does make your skin supple. It does that by tightening the pores. I guess this would work for me If I found a perfect moisturizer to match. I suggest this be used at least every other day or every 2 days especially if for your face. It stings, so I don't recomend this for people with sensitive skin or people with low tolerance of pain.

So because I had to stop the lulur bar, I was in search again for another product to try and came across this while I was walking around Mega Mall:

The Soap Factory's Halo Halo Fiesta Soap

Whitening, Exfoliating, Antibacterial, for normal to oily skin; ingredients: Papaya extract, Pineaple extract, Mangosteen extract.

ONLY PHP99.00 for 150 grams
Wholesale prices offered at a minimum of 12pcs

I was really looking for a soap that would be anti-bacterial but at the same time non-drying to the skin. When I asked the SA which of the soaps were the best sellers, they told me it was the Geisha Soap and the Seriously White Soap. I honestly wasn't looking for a whitening soap coz uhh I intend to use this only for my face and I don't want a really white face with my morena tone hehe. However amongst all the other soaps they had, this soap had the anti-bacterial factor plus the exfoliating factor. Which I deemed necessary for my troubled skin.

So again, I am in testing stage in search for a soap that will help cure my skin problems but at the same time retaining the natural moisture of my skin.

The challenge is on for The Soap Factory's Pinoy Halo Halo Fiesta Soap! :)

Do check out their website or their store at the 4th floor Mega Atrium SM Mega Mall to see a wide range of the soaps they offer. I really want to try the SOS Salvation soap next. :)


Toodles! :)

Paul & Joe Eye Color Kit 1

Hi dolls, for Christmas my brother gave me a Paul & Joe Christmas gift box in Color Kit #1. Since everyone knew I wanted anything make up, my brother went and got me this one. This is actually my very first Paul & Joe make up.

It comes in this really cute re-usable purple make up box with gold foil designs, and once upon, ta-dah!!


The products:
Trio Eye Shadow Palette with applicator
Black Eye Liner Pencil

Trio Eye Shadow Palette

Cute packaging


The shadows and finger swatches of each. These shadows had no name so therefore we will call them (fr. l-r):
Lavender Shimmer
Beige Shimmer
Black Shimmer


Swatch on arm


Eye Liner Pencil

Swatch on hand

I haven't tried these products on my face yet after swatching but I must say in my honest opinion, Paul & Joe is not really a brand that would be of my first choices when picking up make up. I have never really tried their products, and I guess this kit is my dummy kit. :) What I can say about them is they are very good in presentation and in packaging (hey, my bro bought this because of the cute packaging lol). They sure know how to grab attention in bundling and attractiveness. I also do not know which products are the brand's expertise too, like if they are good for eye shadows, foundations, creams and etc. What I do know is that it is pretty pricey! This kit (correct me if I'm wrong) runs for almost PHP4,000!!!! So it must be worth its price. :)

What can I say, it is pretty so it must make me feel pretty hehe. Just sharing one of the make up goodies given to me on Christmas. :)

Speaking of Christmas, here's my Christmas eve look for the family's annual Christmas photo sesh.

Toodles! :)

Happy New year FOTD!

Hey Girls! In my part of the world it is approximately 3 hours till the New Year. My mom had told me, that a lucky color for 2010 was blue. So I chose to wear something blue and do a FOTD with blue as an inspiration. I read somewhere that it is a faux pas to wear colors of make up the same as the color your clothes are. But what the heck, it's new year and I want all the luck I can get. Hehe

So here it is, my New Year FOTD.

What I used:

Face:
Graftobian Hi-Def Cream foundation
Cinema Secrets Concealer
Max factor Translucent Powder
NARS Bronzer in Laguna
MAC Irridescent Powder in Belightful
NARS Blush in Desire

Eyes:
UDPP
MAC e/s in Photorealism
MAC e/s in Deep truth
MAC e/s Fresh Water
Stil smudge pot in black
Estee Lauder Mascarra
Ardell Brow Filler

Lips:
Smashbox gloss
Nichido Pencil liner in nude
Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Skin

As we welcome 2010 we bring with ourselves the lessons that we picked up from 2009. Let us all give thanks to the wonderful year that we are about to leave and enter 2010 with full force and positivism.

Happy New Year Girls!! :)



Toodles! :)

De-potting my UDPP

Hey guys, first of all a Merry Merry Christmas to everyone out there. I hope everyone had a Christmas full of love and sharing. :)

About a week back, I decided to de-pot my UDPP since the wand wasn't getting anymore product and I know from other reviews and videos about how much product you can still get when you do this. But honestly I was shocked at exactly how much I got. hehe

So first, on the kitchen counter, I got a knife and sliced through the middle part of the UDPP.

Check out the product already :)

Next are the following images showing how much product was still in the jar. I also decided open the bottom part of the jar and ta-da! more product to de-pot!

click image to enlarge

Here's the empty UDPP jar with the remaining contents in a separate jar. I was able to fill up an empty screw top jar. I was expecting to fill only half. I guess I won't be buying any UDPP anytime soon! hehe

Toodles! :)

GRAFTOBIAN High Definition Color Palette in Warm 2

Hey girls, so another HD make up I bought from Steph is the Graftobian High Definition Color Paletter in Warm 2. I decided to get the palette instead of the single pots since:

1) I was having a hard time choosing which color would be best for me
2) Getting 5 colors in a palette would be perfect to just mix and match for different clients
3) A little goes a long way, the palette will last me a long time

GRAFTOBIAN HI-DEF GLAMOUR CREME WARM PALETTE #2
Formulated to yield flawless High Definition results whether or not you're in front of a camera.

Directions: Apply with white foam sponge wedge or makeup brush. Set with face powder.

Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric/Triglyceride, Octyl (Ethylhexyl) Palmitate, Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera) Wax, Petrolatum, Lanolin oil, Bees Wax, Ozeokerite Wax, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, PTFE, BHA, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, N-Butylparaben.

May Contain: Castor (Ricinus Communis Seed) Oil, Candelilla (Euphorbia Cerifera) Wax, Microsystalline Wax, Hydrogenated Lanolin, Polybutene, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Talc, D&C Red #7 Ca Lake, D&C Red #6 Ba Lake, FD&C Yellow #% Al Lake, Ultramarines, Chronium Oxide Green, Mica, Polyester Mylar Glitter Dust. (CI 77891, 77499, 77491, 77492, 15850, 19140, 77007, 77288)

From Left-Right
Buttermilk
Desert Sand
Golden Sunset
Deep Xanthe
Midnight Marigold

Swatches

From Left-Right
Buttermilk
Desert Sand
Golden Sunset
Deep Xanthe
Midnight Marigold

The HD Cream is very very veryyyy pigmented! As you can see from the swatch the coverage is great! Mind you I used very very very little for the swatch. Also the consistency is like Cinema Secrets foundation. Smooth, silky and easy to spread. The only thing I noticed about this is it should be kept in a cool place otherwise oil settles on the surface of the product. But its pretty simple just put it in the fridge for a bit, take it out and store it back in your train case.

The swatches were done on my inner arm therefore it is at least 2 shades lighter than the shade on my face. So basing it from the swatch, Desert Sand and Golden Sunset are the closest shades to my face. So what I did was I mixed both colors together to see the outcome, and it seemed right. I couldn't swatch it on my face right then since I wasn't in the mood yet to put anything on my face.

There you can see Desert Sand and Golden Sunset mixed

I still have yet to see the different combination I can come up with using the 5 different shades. But it seems that the possibilities are endless. Weeeh! :) So later in the evening I had to go to a Christmas party, Perfect time to use my new products. Here's my FOTD using this palette.

Click image to view larger

Face:
Smashbox photo finish primer
Graftobian HD foundation in Desert Sand and Golden Sunset
Graftobian HD Pro Powder in Cleopatra using a stippling brush to lightly set
NARS Casino Bronzer
Nars Albatross for highlights
Nichido in peach glow for blush

Eyes:
Cinema Secrets concealer palette in kit #2
UDPP on lids
28 Neutral Palette for neutral e/s

Lips:
Ever Bilena Lip Liner in Nude
32 Lip Palette for lipstick

Finally tried the Graftobian HD Pro Powder with this. I used it to set the foundation very very lightly since I didn't want heavy coverage and it was perfect!

Again you can get this palette at www.hdmakeup.multiply.com from Steph on hand! So yayyy! :)

Definitely worth it for 5 colors! Yayyy!

Get your HD makeup now. :)


Toodles! :)

GRAFTOBIAN HD Pro Powder Foundation

Move over MAC Studio Fix and Hello Graftobian HD Pro Powder Foundation! Why settle for your favorite powder foundation when you can go HD? HD or High Definition is the future of make up. Or let me rephrase that; HD or High Definition is what all make up should be. Make up should help you enhance your features in any situation, whether for everyday, in photographs (pro or non pro), on film or what have you! And HD make up does that!

Graftobian along with Cinema Secrets, RCMA, Kryolan, Ben Nye and a few other brands are what I consider non-commercialized products. They are not what you usually find in your local beauty stores in malls. These brands were designed as Theater and Film make up to give you that flawless complexion usually found only online or specialty beauty stores in the US. These products are very pigmented and very affordable. HD is the way to go. :)

Here's a review on Graftobian's HD Pro powder foundation in Cleopatra:

Our Silky Smooth Pressed Powder Foundation is Highly Pigmented for Exceptional Coverage and Blends Easily for a Natural Finish. Ideal for creating a matte HD finish following the use of Graftobian's High Definition Glamour Cremes.

Directions: "HD Pro Powder Foundation can be applied dry with either a brush or the provided sponge. Using a brush will allow more translucency, while a sponge will provide more opacity to the coverage. Apply with a wet sponge for even greater coverage. When using over a creme foundation application, it is suggested that a light brush (like a fan brush) be used to apply the HD Pro Powder for a soft and natural looking finish to the makeup" -Suzanne Patterson

Contains: Talc, Lecithin, Silica, Isopropyl Palmitate, Squalene, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Ultramarines.

The Product


With sponge included


Sticker on inside compartment

Cleopatra shade is in between NC40-NC45. My usual MAC shade is NC40-42, I say this product is in between since the coverage varies from how you choose to apply this. Like what the description says, If you choose to apply this product with a wet sponge, you achieve the most coverage giving you the darkest shade it can get which is NC45-ish. However I choose not to apply the product with a sponge (wet or dry) because I won't be needing heavy coverage since I'd use this product mainly for touch ups or setting over cream foundations.

So for me the best way to apply this is with a stippling brush. :)





From left - right
Swatch of Cleopatra
Buffed in using a stippling brush
With Flash

The texture of the Graftobian Pro Powder Foundation once applied and buffed in is very smooth and silky. This is good for people who have oily skin (like me) since it gives off a matte finish. So purchasing this was right timing since my MAC Studio Fix just hit pan. And I don't think i'll be going back to that now that I have a HD powder at hand. Weeeeeh! So happy! :)

Did I forget to mention that these products are available on hand locally? Yes they are. You can get your Graftobian products at www.hdmakeup.multiply.com from the wonderful seller Steph. :)


Toodles! :)

STILA out of line smudge pot trio

Hey guys, so I have been looking around the market for a good gel liner since I wasn't so happy with the avon gel liner I currently have. Top choices were of course MAC gel liner, Coastal Scents liners and Stila smudge pots. The easiest to get out of all 3 were the coastal scents liners since a lot of online stores here sell gel liners same as coastal scents. They are pretty affordable too for about PHP300++ a piece. But for some reason I never bought one. Until one day in GT someone was taking pre-orders for Stila Products, and among those products was the Stila smudge pot trio in Black, Bronze and Gray. The best part was it came with a mini eye liner brush and all this was only for PHP870!!!!! So I got a set and this morning it arrived! Yayy! :)

The trio with the mini brush

Here's a closer look at each smudge pot:


Black


Bronze


Gray



Mini brush it is on my palm hehe


Swatch:


Black, Bronze and Gray
swatched using stila mini eye liner brush

I'm really happy that I waited to buy gel liners, it's what I call good instinct. If I had purchased a gel liner from when I realized I needed a new one then I would have missed this great opportunity to get a Stila smudge pot trio for only PHP 870! That is like the cost of 1 gel liner alone in MAC or Stila. I like everything about it, it's small and compact, therefore easy to fit in my make up case. It also easy glides on, dries easily and when dry very smudge proof. :)


I can't say if this is better than the MAC fluidline, I'd have to borrow my sister's to check but all I can say is I won't really see the need to compare since this is already a great product!


Oh, by the way, Armie the person I bought this from has some more Stila products on hand right now. She has Stila loves Barbie sets available for a cheaper price! Get them while they are still available! These run out fast so hurry!!! Click HERE to shop! :)

Toodles! :)