REVIEW: Etude House Baking Powder Cleansing Foam

You know how they say that oiliness is next to ugliness? Well rejoice, my sisters! Cos I think I may have just found a product that will work wonders for us!

This was sent to me by my student all the way from South Korea, and I’ve tried it almost immediately.

The consistency is very thick. Upon rubbing it on wet skin, it becomes a little foamy and you could instantly feel the grains of the Baking Soda cleansing out your pores.

After using it, you could instantly feel how it would wipe out all of the unwanted oil on your skin.

However, I do not suggest it for those with dry skin as it can cause even more dryness due to the exfoliation brought by the baking soda in the formula. There's a variant made especially for you, though! [see below]

And if you want to try the product, it is available at all Etude House counters and stores nationwide for 328 Php. 

It comes in 3 variants: Baking Powder Pore & Deep Cleansing Foam which claims that it effectively removes BB Cream; Baking Powder Cleansing Foam (Moist) which promises a smoother sensation which will be a better option for those with dry skin types; and the Baking Powder Bubble Cleansing Foam (Moist) which promises a denser foam. 

Have you tried this product? If you did, please please pretty please share us your experience down on the comment box below. That's all for now! Ciao! ;)

NYX Natural Palette

A palette so great, I had to swatch it. 

I've always been a fan of NYX products, especially their eyeshadow palettes. They always come in nice packagings, wide variety of shades and not to mention, it works just as good as the expensive shadows in the market today for a way cheaper price. 

                

The NYX Natural palette comes with 6 shades: 2 highlighters, 2 base colors and 2 crease colors, all the shades you'll basically need for an everyday look in one, hence, the Natural palette!

                

HITS: 

• all colors, inluding the highlighters are very pigmented, as usual!

• comes in a nice solid and compact packaging which is perfect for travelling

• all colors applies smoothly, especially after using an eyelid primer.

• it's a steal at 450php from Digital Traincase.

MISSES:

• the lighter shades are a bit chalky.

SWATCHES:

               

This post is not sponsored. 

J&C Super Clean Solutions Brush Cleaner

Are you having break outs but absolutely have no idea what could be the reason? It must be because of your make up brushes. Most girls tend to overlook their brushes, while some are just too lazy to clean theirs every single day. So allow me share you this amazing discovery that I had this month.

Spray the product against your brush a couple of times, wipe it using a cloth or a tissue paper and it will be ready for another round of make over. There's absolutely no need for rinsing and hours of drying!

Purchased from: Digital Traincase

REVIEW: Ben Nye Banana Visage Poudre - Luxury Powder

I don't care so much about finishing/setting powders since the one I was using worked pretty fine (Lewis & Pearl). But when I read somewhere in the web that Kim Kardashian's MUA swears by this particular powder, I felt that I had to get hold of it immediately. 

It comes in 3 sizes: 1.5 oz., 3oz. and 8 oz. And since I'm just trying it for the first time, I decided to get the smallest one which promises around 35-100 applications per ounce.

                                       


HITS:

• sets your foundation and concealer wonderfully.
• it does a good job on lightening the under eye area.
• it's also perfect for highlighting the high parts of the face like the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, chin etc. 
• it helps cover up visible pores. 
• it does not cake.
• it will keep you shine free all day!
• it contains a lot of product so it will last you a really long time.
• it looks great in photos.
• it's really affordable, considering how much product you get.

MISSES:

• packaging's too bulky.
• the cap is too small to fit your face brush into.

Purchased from: The Style Quarter

This post is not sponsored.

REVIEW: Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick Collection Complete Shades + Swatches

I'm not a lipstick person but since I've heard so many beauty bloggers rave about this particular product, I figured I'd try it for myself. 

It comes in 14 shades. The colours are pretty basic, the types of shades that someone would use for an everyday look for the office or school. There are lots of nudes, a few pinks, deep reds, and even oranges, which I believe are the newest shades. My personal favourite is Dusk (see the swatches below).

HITS:

• the staying power is amazing, especially if you use a lip liner with it. You'd have to re-apply after eating, but then again, I've never tried a lipstick that does not require me to do just that!
• the packaging looks very classy and it's very sturdy as well. I dropped a few of mine several times and it's still pretty intact and still looks good as new, unless you drop it without the cap on, that will probably leave a huge mess!
• every shade is pigmented, including the nude ones.
• I like that they provided a colour cap so it's easier to find whatever shade you want to grab.
• it's very cheap. Each tube costs only Php155 at Watson's.

MISSES:

• it does not glide on smoothly when used alone. But I don't really mind, since I always use lip balm as a base anyway.
• the lipstick itself tends to melt. It's probably not a good idea to leave them somewhere hot. 
• it does not have any scent. This belongs to 'misses' because I'm actually a sucker for scented lip products, like EOS Lip balm.

SWATCHES:

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

This post is not sponsored.

REVIEW: BYS UV Top Coat

French manicure have always been my go to design when I run out of nail design ideas. It could go well with whatever you wear, it's so simple to do, and it looks very elegant, especially when it's given that extra shine. How to make it extra shiny? That would depend on whatever top coat you use for it. And now, I'm reviewing one that might just do the job.


I've never used any BYS nail products before, but I've heard so many good things about it. So when I saw their booth at Watson's for the first time, my smile went up to my ears.


The first thing that caught my attention is this nail lacquer. It claims to make your tips "super shiny and glow under UV light."

HITS:

• it does make the nails "super shiny" with one coat.
• it dries fast as long as you don't build up really thick layers.
• when used over French manicures, not only does it give an extra shine, it also makes the white tips appear brighter.
• it prevents the design from chipping. I've been wearing my manicure for 3 days now and so far, not a single nail had chipped.
• it contains a lot of product. This one contains 14mL of product compared to the standard 8mL. 
• it's priced pretty reasonably. I got this one for Php 199.

Check out BYS Philippines if you want to know more about their products and where to get them.

This post is not sponsored.

REVIEW: Etude House 'Surprise' Stick Concealer

Under eye circles are the worst things to deal with when you're trying to prep up your face in the morning. But with the right product, you can achieve that fresh and healthy look in no time. Personally, I've been in a life long search for a concealer that will be perfect for my skin type, and I think just found it.

HITS:

• once you apply, it gives a very creamy consistency but gives a powdery finish after awhile.
• it doesn't set too quickly so you have plenty of time for blending.
• it really does a good job on covering my purplish under eye area. One swipe, blend, set with powder and I'm good to go.
• it contains a lot of product. The product itself is about 4cm long.

MISSES:

• there's only two shades: Fair and Dark. Mine's fair.
• it tends to crease when you don't set it with loose powder.

SWATCH:

Shade: Fair

REVIEW: Sleek i-Divine Palettes + Swatches

From concealers, to lipsticks, to falsies, Sleek has it all. I've tried most of them and not one product has disappointed me. Now it's time for me to try their eye shadow palettes.

Each palette contains 12 colours, a full-size mirror and a dual ended sponge tip. 

So far, the i-Divine palettes are available in 13 shades, including the newest one called "Snapshots".

HITS:

• most colours are very pigmented. Especially the greens, blues and plums.
• the lighter colours are perfect for highlighting.
• it does not crease on my eyes, even without using a primer.
• the sponge tip that comes with the palette is actually not so bad. It feels like rubber and does not fall apart after a few uses like most sponge tip applicators. It also does a good job on applying and blending the product.
• the packaging is very compact and sturdy so you won't have to worry about it breaking once you travel with it.
• they're very reasonably priced! I bought each palette for only Php 650.

MISSES:

• the lighter colours, as well as the matte ones are quite chalky.
• there's a few colour repeats. Especially on the "Sunset" palette. See the picture below.

SWATCHES:

STORM

SUNSET

THE ORIGINAL

SNAPSHOTS

Purchased from: Digital Traincase (The Original) & The Updated Trends (Sunset, Storm, Snapshots).

REVIEW: Ben Nye 'Final Seal' Matte Make-up Sealer

I don't know about you, but I take a lot of time on my skin and make-up routine every morning. As in A LOT. That's why it's so frustrating when my make up starts to melt down in the middle of the day. If you can relate, then I think you need this product too.

PRICE (59ml): Php 685

HITS: 

• it definitely does a good job on keeping your make up waterproof and smudge free even if you stay under the sun.
• it dries fast once you spray it on.
• it has a nice minty scent. Almost like a mouthwash actually, not for everyone, but I like it.
• it gives your skin a cooling sensation once you spray it on.
• it's reasonably priced. Out of all the sealer sprays out there, this one I think is the cheapest. Not to mention, it does the same thing (perhaps even better!).

MISSES:

• the spray nozzle doesn't really spray fine mists. 
• it does not give you a matte finish. It's more like a dewy finish actually, which I like, especially on days when I don't want to look all made up (so I'm not really sure if that's a miss).

Purchased from: The Style Quarter

REVIEW: ELF Waterproof Eyeliners

Eye liner is probably one of the items that are stapled in every make up junkie's kits. With the right quality, it can definitely amp up any kind of eye look. Today, I'm reviewing the ELF Waterproof Eye Liners. It comes in 8 shades, and below are some of the best ones (for me).

HITS:

• the felt tip is quite fine, makes it easier to create thinner lines.
• the slightly curved shape of the pen gives you better control and precision.
• it goes on smoothly.
• it's offered in a variety of colours. It also comes in brown, which I heard works perfectly for filling the eye brows.
• it's very pigmented. 
• It's cheap! For Php 129.75, I consider this a steal!

MISSES:

• it dries out fast. You have to shake it first to get the real colour on to your eyes.
• the felt tip gets misshapen after several uses. As you can see in the picture above.
• it is not waterproof. It smudges with a few drops of water. 
• you really do have to set it with powder, especially if you're the type that tends to get oily lids, otherwise, it will smudge on the top of the crease.

SWATCHES:

REVIEW: Suesh Brush Guard & Leather Brush Holder

Make up will only last you for so long. Brushes, however, can last you a lifetime depending on how you take care of them. You can get the priciest make ups out there but it wouldn't matter if you use low quality brushes to apply them.

Now travelling with your make up brushes is a different story. You can't just easily toss them out in your kit because constant movement and friction might make the brushes lose its shape. Yes, there are tons of brush sets out there that are more compact and are really made for travelling, but most of them are even more pricier than the usual brush sets!

Think of it, do you really have to spend a lot just to get some brushes that you'll only use for a few days? My answer is: No freaking way! So I decided to look up some cool items that can help me to easily protect my brushes while travelling. And here are some of the awesome products I found.

Suesh Brush Guard

PRICE: 250 php

HITS: 

• the product is actually quite a bargain. It contains five pieces of 12cm long brush guards for bigger brushes and another five shorter ones that's about 9cm long. So a total of 10 pieces for only 250 php. 
• it has one size that fits all kinds of brushes. From a liner brush to a fan brush, you name it, it will definitely fit perfectly.
• it can also be used on wet brushes. Since it's made of nylon, it doesn't absorb moisture, so it's very ideal to use when you're trying to air dry your newly washed brushes.

This is how the brush guard looks like when it's placed on a regular stippling brush.

Suesh Leather Brush Holder

PRICE: 450 php

HITS:

• it's tall. It's about 9 inches long and can really fit the longest brushes you might have on your collection.
• it also holds a lot of brushes. I tried stuffing in my 32-piece brush set and I was surprised that it actually did fit.
• it's cheap. There are other ones out there that are basically identical with this one, but are waaay more expensive! So if you're looking for a brush holder, I'm telling you now, get this one!

MISS:

• I don't understand the strap. It's not long enough to be carried on your shoulder, yet it's not short enough to be carried by hand. To be honest, I prefer it with no strap at all, however, the metal lock is placed on the ends of the strap itself so you can't just easily toss out the strap.

All products purchased from SUESH.

REVIEW: Beauty UK Palettes

I've been seeing good reviews about these Beauty UK palettes for months, so I decided to get some and test it out for myself. And by the way, each palette only cost me 300php ($8) each, so you can't really go wrong with it!

Beauty UK Eye Shadow & Eyeliner Collection: AMAZON

Beauty UK Eye Shadow Collection: TWILIGHT

HITS:

• almost all the colors are very pigmented. It shows up beautifully even without a primer.
• the white tones are very good to use for highlighting.
• the cream eye liners that comes with the first palette is actually decent. It glides on pretty smoothly.
• both palettes are very compact. You might not notice on the picture but these are actually a bit smaller than the usual 7-inch palettes, these ones go for 4 1/2 inches wide. To me, that's a thumbs up because I like to travel with a lot of make up!
• unlike most palettes that are on the cheaper side, these ones are placed on a very thick and sturdy plastic cases. 
• thumbs up for the transparent lids. It makes it easier to see the colors inside so you don't have to open and go over each palette. Very useful in times when you're trying to search for a specific color.

MISSES:

• some of the lighter colors are a little chalky.
• some color tends to break for no reason, especially the blue ones.

SWATCHES:

Beauty UK Eye Shadow & Eye Liner Collection: AMAZON

Beauty UK Eye Shadow Collection: TWILIGHT

All products purchased from: Cute7teen Store  

REVIEW: Etude House Brow products

The most crucial part of my make up routine are the brows. I prefer it really defined, slightly-arched and bold. And I always make sure that it's perfectly drawn, blended and tamed before I leave home, mainly because it really does make a difference when you really have nice brows, especially on pictures.

Brow products comes in a lot of forms, there's pencil, gel, cream, there're treat and tame ones that comes in mascara-like tubes and then lastly, there's powder. I've used it all but the best ones I've tried so far are these ones from the Korean brand, Etude House.

Etude House 'Drawing Eye Brow' Brow Pencil

HITS: 

• the pencil itself is uniquely designed to make the application very easy. 
• it comes with a spoolie, it is nothing special, it's just the usual ones you can find on typical brush sets. But the fact that it's attached on the other end of the pencil makes it very convenient.
• it fills the brows perfectly. You get the perfect shade instantly as long as you apply it with light strokes.

Etude House 'Color My Brows' Brow Gel

HITS:

• it does a good job on taming untrimmed brow strands.
• the size is very compact, so it doesn't take too much space and weight on your kit when you travel with it.
• it has a nice small sized applicator which gives more precision and control.

MISSES:

• it has glitters. It does't show that much on a regular room lighting but I'm just not sure with brighter ones. Kinda weird having sparkly brows, eh?
• it only comes in two shades, light and dark brown. Although the one I got, which is the dark one suits me quite well.

And here is a picture of my brows right after using both products for the first time. First, I filled it up with the pencil, shaped it with the brush and applied the tame on top to seal it in.

REVIEW: 'Polished' Nail Art Book

I've been a nail art enthusiast for a few years now but it still excites me when I see something new. From the latest nail trends to the latest tools. Now, I will be reviewing something that has never been done before. A nail art book. 'Polished' is basically a compilation of the cutest and trendiest nail art designs both newbies and enthusiasts will surely enjoy trying on their own tips.

Besides the very lovely packaging, the book also comes with four mini-sized nail polishes that comes in Blue, white, pink and tangerine. 

Each nail design also comes with step by step instructions that are very easy to understand. It also features tips and tricks on how to easily amp up a design.

      

     

  

For just 195 php, this book is definitely a must buy! Sure, you can do designs on your own, but in times when ideas are just nowhere to be found and you just lack inspiration, this book will surely come in handy!

Published by Summit Media and Berry Books.

This post is not sponsored.