A Getaway to the Summer Capital

Had a short but indeed a fun-filled trip with our closest relatives in Baguio last week. It's chilly in the afternoon and the temperature drops down even more at night so I finally had a reason to wear boots! 

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).

Useful tips on shopping for cosmetics online

It’s no doubt that on line shopping is one the most convenient ways to get the things you need without having to leave the comfort of your home. You can get the best deals, since the shops don’t really need to pay any kind of rent; they can sell their items much less than the prices at the mall. Shopping on line also enables you to get a hold of some of imported brands that our local department stores do not offer.

Know who the top sellers are

If you shop through Multiply, you can just simply go to the “Marketplace” tab and see the top sellers by category.

Don’t show/tell all

On the transaction process, you don’t need to give out any more information apart from your name, contact number, and shipping address. If the seller asks you for more info like your birthday or a copy of your valid ID then cancel out the transaction.

Use the Multiply Shopping Cart

Using the Multiply Cart enables you to use Coupon codes that can give you amazing discounts, freebies and even free shipping. Currently, Multiply is doing a free courier delivery promo for orders that reaches Php 400 and above just by using the promo code: M-PHFREESHIP2011.

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is

It’s better to research on the product you’re eyeing first (especially if it’s high end) so you know a thing or two about it, especially the price. Now, if you find a seller that sells it way cheaper than everyone else, then there’s only two possibilities: a) it’s a part of a clearance sale, b) it’s fake. Also there’s no such thing as “Authentic Quality from Singapore.” It’s also fake. As simple as that. Personally, I’d rather find a good dupe than to buy fake.

Make sure you purchase from a trusted seller.

Look for the comments from the other shoppers. Most likely, you will find comments regarding their orders, prices of the products and transactions with the shop. Now if you do not find any comments at all, then that’s a bit suspicious. It also helps if the shop also has accounts in other social networking sites, which could mean that the shop is trying to reach more shoppers and is definitely legit.

As for me, here are my most trusted and favourite online cosmetic shops:

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

New toys!

I posted an entry last month about the 1st Anniversary giveaway of Sleek cosmetics, and guess who won? ME! I love Sleek make up and I couldn't be happier when I saw my name on their page! Thanks a million to Sleek Make up Philippines and The Updated Trends, the number one distributor of Sleek cosmetics.

There's a new brand in town: BYS Cosmetics

I dropped by the Mall of Asia Department store yesterday for a little make up fix and guess what I found. BYS, an Australian cosmetics brand, is now here in the Philippines! I have been hearing good things about it, especially about their nail lacquers.

BYS has a wide variety of products. From colourful nail polishes, to a bunch of eye shadow palettes, face products, eye liners and even accessories! I've been dying to try out their nail products, so I purchased these 3 special top coats that I've yet to try and review.

PRICES: Glow in the Dark: Php 249
                 Matte: Php 199
                 UV Top Coat: Php 199

I even got freebies! Purchase Php 500 worth of BYS products, and you will get a free compact mirror, a bracelet and a pair of earrings.

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:

Liebster Award Nomination

My lovely co-blogger Dainty MD just nominated me for the "Liebster Award Nomination". And here are her questions (and my answers):

At what age did you start wearing makeup?

          When I was around 10 years old, I got a make up toy set from an aunt. That basically started it all. Then a couple of years later, I got into high school, and that's when I started buying make up out of my allowance.

What are other hobbies you enjoy other than blogging?

     

           Besides blogging, I like to do a bit of photography, spending time with my family and shopping (for make up, of course! Haha..)

Where do you get inspiration from when blogging or makeup looks?

           Magazines, TV, other bloggers, and YouTube gurus. I try to do whatever look I like and I do it my own way.

What is your favorite makeup item?

          I love every piece of make up in my collection, one thing I cannot live without though is my foundation.

What country would you like to visit?

         I've been asked a few times with this question, and I always say Santorini in Greece. I don't really consider myself as a beach person, but the place just looks oh so perfect in pictures! 

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

          Sweets! Lots of sweeeets!

What is the one food you can eat everyday and not get sick of?

          Cereals!

What is your favorite fashion purchase?

          My black open-toed boots from Parisian. It's always been my favourite 'cos it's such a scene stealer. I remember getting featured in Cosmopolitan magazine because of it.

When did you get your first pair of high heels?

         High school.    

What is your biggest dream or goal to achieve for your life?

         5 years ago I would've said "to be an astronaut", but I grew up. Right now, my goal is very simple. To be successful in whatever I choose to do, meet the perfect man for me, get married and start a happy family. Once I'm done with that, maybe that's when I can become an astronaut!

Favorite quote?

          My favourite quote/sayings changes constantly. Right now, I'm loving this line from a book I recently read: "We accept the love we think we deserve." (Perks of being a wallflower).

________________________________♥___♥___♥________________________________

I think I'm supposed to tag some people, so I'm tagging 10 of my awesome co-bloggers:

1. MissPLPify

1. My Make up and Henna

1. Pink Mommy

1. Alizze

1. The Misty Mom

1. Beauty by Krystal 

1. The Make up Suite

1. My Kiss 'n Make up

1. Candy Coated Paw

1. Fave Collections 

And here are my questions for you ladies:

1. How did you get interested in Make up?
2. What are some of the staple products in your purse?
3. What's your most expensive make up/skin care/fashion purchase so far?
4. Who/what inspired you to create your own beauty blog?
5. What do you think sets you apart from other beauty bloggers?
6. Who are your favourite make up gurus or bloggers? Why?
7. Do you have beauty no-nos? If so, what are they?
8. What are your other interests apart from make up?
9. Do you believe that sometimes less is more? 
10. Describe yourself in 1 word.

Look of the day: Bronze & Turquoise

I've been getting a bunch of Sleek i-Divine palettes lately, and this was the first look I was able to do using some of them.

I don't know if this is what's "in" right now, but I've been very fond of combining light and warm hues lately. And this combination is just unexpectedly gorgeous. 

Products used:

• Sleek i-Divine palettes (The original & Sunset)
• Wet 'n wild Coloricon Eye liner Pencil
• Etude House Drawing Eye Brow Pencil
• Etude House Color Eye Brow Tame
• CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara
• NYX Powder Bronzer
• NYX Lip Pencil in Pumpkin

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream Swatches

When it comes to cosmetics, I don't really invest much on shiny, glittery items. I've always considered myself a matte girl, especially on lip products. And I just adore these ones from NYX! It's cheap (costs 280 php each), very pigmented and long wearing. So if you consider yourself a "matte girl" just like me, or if you're just looking for a really good lip product, I highly recommend this.

It comes in 11 gorgeous shades, and below are the swatches of my favourite ones.

Purchased from: Digital Traincase 

How To Do: Tuxedo nail art

Zooey Deschanel rocked this Tux nail design on the 2012 Golden Globes red carpet, and everyone kept raving about it! I've done this design on my own nails several times, and today, I will show you how to do it in 6 easy steps!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED: 

• Black and white nail polish
• A toothpick

Happy Birthday Sleek Make up Philippines!

Sleek Make up Philippines is now officially a year old! And to celebrate, they're now doing a "1st Anniversary" Sale this whole month of September, in partnership with their official distributor The Updated Trends over at Multiply.

For every 1,000 php minimum purchase of Sleek goodies, you can get a 15% discount just by simply using the discount code: SLEEK1YEAR upon Check Out.

But that doesn't end there! Everyone who joins this promo will also have the chance to get 3,000 php worth of Sleek products! To join, just simply like and share the SleekMakeupPH and The Updated Trends Facebook Pages.

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.

How To Do: Strawberry nail art

I asked some people which design they would like to see a tutorial for, and this one's the top pick. So once again, I put up a simple step by step tutorial on how to do this very cute and yummy looking Strawberry nail design.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• A Red, White & Yellow nail polish
• Green striper
• Toothpicks

And this is what you should have... Easy, right?

TIPS: 

• Make sure to let your first coat of polish dry first before layering it with another to prevent bubbles.
• Finish with a top coat to prevent it from chipping. 

Lip product storage

If you're a make-up junkie, you know you can never have enough lip products. And without even realising it, your collection has gotten bigger and bigger overtime until everything is scattered all over your make-up drawer. And mine has been like that forever! Until I discovered this very ideal storage piece that every make-up addict must have!

Crystal clear Lipstick organizer (for 24 lipsticks)

And here is how it looked like after I placed some of my lip products.

  

Price: 280 Php

Purchased from: Liz Magpantay Make up Artistry

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  

My Kiss 'n Make-up Giveaway!

To my fellow bloggers and cosmetic fanatics! My Kiss 'n Make-up is doing a huge comeback giveaway! Just click the picture below to know more about the mechanics and the prizes. Go ahead, click away and join! Good Luck!