Opinionology: On Fake Cosmetics

Disclaimer:

My views and opinions do not necessarily equate to fact. They are merely observations and justifications I put in place for the said observations.

FAKES

Here where I live, fake cosmetics are as common as a plague of cockroaches after New Years Eve. You can find them everywhere. And, a lot of people purchase them. I mean, a LOT. I do not want to be a hypocrite here and say that I never purchased a fake before. I did. I definitely knew it was fake yet I deliberately chose to purchase it. My reason? Because I wanted to be able to hold something that had the same appearance as the real one. Big Mistake. Quality wise, it was terrible. Well, for the price I paid for it, I shouldn't have expected much.

I decided to talk about this here in my blog because I am aware that a lot of people get to a heated debate over this issue. Why should we patronize fakes? Why should we not? 

Hmm.. should we get a fake? Stock photo.

A lot has been said about this issue. So I would like to present  the Pros and Cons on patronizing fake cosmetics, and I will let you decide on what you think is the best option.

PROS:

1. Let's face it. It's dirt cheap. Who doesn't love a bargain? I mean, if you could get a happy meal for less than half the price, won't you buy it? People from where I come from love bargains. We always look for the lower price, even if it sacrifices the quality of the merchandise. I don't want any negative reactions on this because deep down, you know its true. Most people would turn a blind eye on the quality, as long as we get for a penny.
2. It's a great dupe for the real thing. I'm going to use where I come from again as a reference for this argument. Here, the real stuff are really hard to come by. Really hard. Lucky we already have a MAC and Benefit store. Every authentic merchandise had to be purchased and imported from a foreign country, so imagine the prices they put on these! Being a brand conscious people, we have to have something that looks authentic. Holding something branded denotes status here. If you are able to afford something branded means that you are a bit on the better side of the economic equilibrium. As long as it looks, feels and smells the same, it will do. Anyway, no one will ever know the difference anyway, well, except for you and your screaming conscience.

CONS:

1. You do not know what goes into that thing! Oh come on. Seriously. Do you really believe that they sincerely put those things that you see in the labels into the products? They copy the labels from the real things to make it look legit, but heck, I'm really, completely, 100% sure that the materials they use for the actual product they market are of really low quality. You would really have no idea what kind of chemicals they actually use to produce that fake. And you're rubbing it on your face? Good luck 30 years later.. ^^
2. The shame, the shame! Yes, you should feel the shame. When people find out that the "original, branded" product that you've been inflaming your ego with all this time is fake, well, f**k. So after 30 years, your reputation has been washed down the drain AND you also have your quasimodo-like face for using the product continuously.. ^^



You, in 30 years. Stock Photo.

3. It affects the authentic products, too.  If we continue to patronize fake products, the original ones will start feeling the effects. A lot less people will buy their products which would mean a lot less money to get rolling. Less money would mean less production. Less production means no new products and variants will be churned out by our favorite brands. Less people will be hired to do anything. 

So there you have it. I know, I know. I was mostly negative on this issue, well, anyone should be. No one should be proud of getting anything fake, counterfeit, class A, and XXX-authentic products. If you want something you can be proud of, work your ass off and get the original. Every sweat and sleepless night you spent to be able to buy your original merchandise makes it all the more worthwhile. 

Ja ne, pretty ladies! ^^

Haul: BB Cream Haul

Hey Pretty Ladies!

I haven't posted in a while! How long has it been? A month? Haha. I've been quite busy recently, with the holidays coming up and all. I've purchased tons of products but I really haven't had the chance to review them. I'll make a ton of reviews over the next few weeks, so please stay tuned!

BB Cream Haul

Anyhow, I have been noticing a lot of Asian women (East Asian, to be more precise), like using BB Creams, instead of the usual foundations or make up bases. Alot of cosmetic companies here have started manufacturing BB Creams in response to the demand for it due to the Korean Craze. Moi, being the one never to be left out, purchased one directly from Korea. 

My Shipment!!

What's BB Cream?

Well, according to my research, BB Cream stands for either Beauty Balm, Blemish Balm or Beblesh Balm and was initially used for women who went through laser surgery to protect their skin from UV rays. It's like a tinted moisturizer, but with better coverage, sun blocking, and anti-aging properties. 

Products

I heard that a popular brand of BB Creams there is Skin79. I immediately placed an order for it. I got the product a month after. I wasn't disappointed at all!

I got:

Complete Haul: Skin79 Miniature Set, Skin79 Super Plus BB Cream, BB All-in-one Cleanser and a  sampler I don't know what to use for (Holika Holika 3 Seconds Starter Collagen).

Miniature Set:

I was sooo excited to get this! I really wanted to get this since it had their most popular products in the set. I really wasn't disappointed with the pack, well, except for one. I'll be reviewing all the BB Creams in this set in a separate post.

I wish I didn't throw the box away.. >.<

The set contained 4 5ml  BB Cream samplers. It had the Hot Pink Super Plus BB Cream, VIP Gold Super Plus BB Cream, Diamond The Prestige BB Cream, and the Diamond Luminous Pearl BB Cream.

The only  one I didn't like is the Pearl BB Cream. It made me look like a walking disco ball. Ewwww.. I'm a fan of matte things, so I really detest the pearl variant.

VIP Gold Super Plus BB Cream,  Hot Pink Super Plus BB Cream, Diamond The Prestige BB Cream, and the Diamond Luminous Pearl BB Cream.

Hot Pink Super Plus BB Cream 25 ml

I also ordered the 25ml tube of the  Hot Pink Super Plus BB Cream. I'm currently using it, and I'm currently loving it! It's really amazing.. ^^ Though it has this grayish tinge to it, it still evens out after application. It's really perfect for everyday use! I'm not even thinking of using foundation again....well, except for special occasions though.. ^^

Hot Pink Super Plus BB Cream 25ml

BB All-in-One Cleanser and Holika Holika 3 Seconds Starter Collagen

My supplier was quite happy with my purchases, so she decided to throw in some sample packs. I haven't tried them yet, but I'll be updating you as soon as I do! ^^

BB All-in-One Cleanser and Holika Holika 3 Seconds Starter Collagen

Till next time!

Ja ne, pretty ladies! ^^

Review 101: Nyx Jumbo Pencil in Milk

Review Disclaimer:

The reviews I post on my blog are from my personal, unbiased opinion; I use the products I review so I will be basing my review on the experience I had with the product. Again, the review will be based on my experience, which may differ from yours. I will, however, welcome any comments on my reviews. I was not paid by any entity or organization to make a review on any product. I purchased each of the products I review using my own money. If there are any inconsistencies on my review, please leave a comment below.

NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk

I am really a junkie. A make-up junkie. I love anything and everything about make-up. So, I usually want to have whatever basic products and tools are necessary to achieve a great look. Up until recently, I though I already covered all the bases in make-up; I have my face & eye primer, BB cream, foundation, concealer, brushes, finishing powder and so on. I was set! But I looked into some reviews closer and noticed that aside from using an eye primer, they also used an eyeshadow base. A quick look into Google, and I found out that a base is actually another type of shadow that you apply on your eye to keep the eyeshadow still on the lid and give it a more vibrant appearance. Many make-up gurus use creamy eyeshadows for their bases, and I noticed a lot used NYX for the base. A promise of vibrancy and longevity hooked me in the nose and I had to buy one!

I finally got it and here's my review:

According to the manufacturer:

A radiant eye liner that also doubles as an eye shadow. Made with a blend of mineral oil and powder, our creamy Jumbo Eye Pencils glide on effortlessly—no pulling, tugging or fading—and come in a rainbow of vivid hues. Some call her chubby. We say voluptuous.

Packaging:

The product is in pencil form, colored white with the generic NYX lettering. It comes with a clear cap to cover the eye shadow.

NYX Jumbo Pencil in White

The packaging is quite simple, which a nice breather from the fancy packaging of other make-up products in the market.

 I'm not quite sure if the pencil body is shavable, I'm guessing it is since there doesn't seem to be any way to extract the remaining product from the body of the pencil. I have yet to try that, so I'll be updating you as soon as I get to do that.


That's pretty much it.

Quantity:

I have no idea how much product it has. 1 big jumbo pencil of your creamy white eye shadow.. ^^

Quality:

I really love it! I use it mainly as a base, and the color really adheres to it. The color looks more vibrant compared to just applying it without the base.

Left: Blended; Right: Unblended

It's really creamy and applies easily. It's completely blendable and doesn't require too much work. No tugging necessary.

I also love the fact that aside from the original intent of the manufacturer for the product, and as a base, you can also use the product as a matte highlighter for the brow bone and for the inner corner of your eyes. You can also mix the product with other eyeshadows to come up with a completely new color. Aside from that, I love using it on my lips to cover up darker parts so I can use my nude lippies without a hitch.

Whew!

Price:

It was a bit pricey when I got it, 250 PHP (what? I'm a cheapo, okay?). I heard you could get this for 150 or even less, but I'm happy where I got it from. They have other stuff which I can get too, which you can't come by so easily here in Cebu.

PROs:

*Creamy
*Not too thick
*Blendable
*Can be used for a number of other applications
*Available in Cebu
*Fits in the bag

CONs:

*Expensive (Hell, yeah!)
*Comes in pencil form (How the heck would you get the rest of the product? Shaving?)

VERDICT:

Yeah, I'd still buy it. It's really a good base. It really makes the eyeshadow colors pop. And, it makes for a good highlighter.

Till the next review!

Ja ne, pretty ladies! ^^

Review 101: Revlon Matte Single Shadows -- Vintage Lace and Peach Sorbet

Review Disclaimer:

The reviews I post on my blog are from my personal, unbiased opinion; I use the products I review so I will be basing my review on the experience I had with the product. Again, the review will be based on my experience, which may differ from yours. I will, however, welcome any comments on my reviews. I was not paid by any entity or organization to make a review on any product. I purchased each of the products I review using my own money. If there are any inconsistencies on my review, please leave a comment below.

Revlon Matte Single Shadows-- Vintage Lace and Peach Sorbet

I love eyeshadows! I think I mentioned in an older post that I am currently on my eyeshadow phase. I want to buy different eyeshadows from different brands. As I can't afford a palette yet, I'm into collecting single eyeshadows. I have some from cheaper brands, but I actually got lucky that I was able to get these shadows on sale. I just hated the fact though that the prettier shadows (perle and satin) were so not on sale. Darned it.

Anyway, I promised that I would review these, so here it is!

According to the manufacturer:

Classic mono eye shadow from Revlon in timeless shade Vintage Lace & Peach Sorbet.

-- Sorry. I couldn't find a product description from Revlon, so I stuck with something I found online.

Packaging:

Matte Eyeshadow in Peach Sorbet

Matte Eyeshadow in Vintage Lace

It comes in a black, plastic snap-lid box. It's a bit dirty in the picture because of the plastic seal for the lid. I can't brush off the feeling that the box is cheaply made. Like, I know it's an authentic Revlon eyeshadow and all, but I really feel it's cheap because of the plastic packaging. Anyway, it has clear plastic for you to see the color of your shadow underneath.

Close-up of Vintage Lace

Close up of Peach Sorbet

It comes with an applicator, which I would have wanted to show you, but I have unfortunately thrown out. I don't keep those applicators. They just crowd in my Kikay Kit. The back sticker was sloppily plastered. It's kinda annoying because it adds to the cheap aura of the product.

You had one job.

This looks better

Quantity:

2.4 g -- I think it could be enough to last a couple of months. 

Quality:

They're too sheer. I honestly had to rub my fingers onto the product a number of times then swatch it on my arm a couple more times before I could get a decent swatch. Check it out:

Peach Sorbet on the left; Vintage Lace on the right

Color pay-off for this product, well, doesn't look too good. It's really too sheer. I love using them as highlight though, and for under the eyes. Other than that, I really don't have much use for this product. Not much fall out; well, considering that almost none stick to your brush brush or fingers. The consistency of the product is kinda powdery. Staying power, very minimal.

Price:

I got these on sale for 150 PHP a pop, but I think the normal prices for these would be about 450 PHP -- pricey for a single shadow.

PROS:

* Compact

* Quantity

* Availability

CONS:

* Sheer

* Doesn't stick to the applicator

* Cheap packaging

* Minimal staying power

* Limited color options

* Too powdery

VERDICT:

I won't give a verdict just yet. I'll try other colors first to see how they fare. But for Vintage Lace and Peach Sorbet, they'll continue to gather dust in my Kikay Kit. I don't find myself reaching for these two at all. No repurchases for these two products.

Till the next review!

Ja ne, pretty ladies! ^^

Make-Up 101: Basic Eyeshadow Application

It's been a while! I haven't gotten around to posting new stuff since I've been quite busy over the past two weeks, getting hospitalized and all. I just thought of taking a break for a bit and add a few more posts before the holidays.

So anyway, a lot of people have been asking me about eyeshadow application. I,myself, have only recently learned how to apply eyeshadows correctly. I'm still practicing a bit, but I do know how to do basic eyeshadow application. 

People tend to have this idea that you just need one shade, or put two shades together side by side, and that should do the trick....WRONG! To effectively utilize your eyeshadow/s, you have to at least have three basic colors that you need to layer and blend. Blending and layering is the secret!

What colors should I choose?

Well, that depends on your skin tone. Nowadays, though, many people cross the skin tone barrier, and would often sport colors which aren't suited for their skin tone. I, personally, do not like to use colors which don't compliment me. I'm warm toned, so I usually use neutral and orange-based colors. I love wearing browns because they give depth and contour to my otherwise crease-less and boring eyes.

For general reference, warm toned individuals should choose coral, red, neutral and brown colors for their eyeshadow as they best compliment their skin tone. For cool toned individuals, you can use most colors, but the ones in grays, blues, silvers, and emerald greens suit you best. 

It is important to understand that you CAN choose to use any eyeshadow color, but you do so at your own RISK. Your undertones generally dictate which colors you can wear. Simply try to wear ones that flatter you, and believe me, you will look better doing that rather than choosing to wear shades for the opposite undertone.

What colors/shades should I start with?

For beginners, like me, its best to start out with 3 shades, and work our way up to more shades later on. You can choose any color, they need not be in the same color family, just make sure they compliment each other. You need to have a very light, shimmery color for your brows and inner tear ducts, then you need a medium color for your base color, and you have to have a very dark color to contour your crease. 

How do I apply them?

The most basic technique in applying your eyeshadow, would be to first choose a base color. I do this first so I can determine what crease and highlight colors I can use to compliment it. 

* Sweep the base eyeshadow all over your lid, up until the crease. Try not to go over to your crease. Just keep the color on your lid.

* Apply the dark color onto your crease, starting from the outer corner of your eyes, going to about half-way to up your crease. This is where you form the outer "V". For those who do not have a crease, you can make your own crease by making the outer V. 

* Apply your highlight on your brow bone, and on your inner tear ducts as well.

* With a fluffy blending brush, or with whatever eyeshadow brush you have, blend the crease color inward to your base color. Once you see that the demarcation is no longer too obvious, blend the shadow up half-way to your highlight. Keep the upper part of your highlight clean.

* Bring the crease color down to your lower lash line, starting from the outer corner. Work the color to about three quarters of your lash line towards the inner corner.

* Apply the highlight to the remaining quarter or your lash line.

To finish the look...

* Take an eyeliner pencil with a pearl color and apply it to your lower water line.

* Apply a black eyeliner on your upper lash line. Make sure to tight-line first. Try to wing the outer corner to give you a more "come-hither" look. -- I usually use a liquid or gel eyeliner for this look rather than a pencil or kohl liner as it is more precise; I am not a big fan of smokey eyeliners and I really do not like smudging my eyeliners. I love a defined line. But for tight-lining, I do use a pencil liner.

* Groom your brows

* Apply a blush that compliments your skin tone.

* Apply your lipstick and gloss.

***Done!***

Till the next tutorial!

Ja ne, pretty ladies! ^^

Review 101: IN2IT Eye Colour Palette -- Island Sands

Review Disclaimer:

The reviews I post on my blog are from my personal, unbiased opinion; I use the products I review so I will be basing my review on the experience I had with the product. Again, the review will be based on my experience, which may differ from yours. I will, however, welcome any comments on my reviews. I was not paid by any entity or organization to make a review on any product. I purchased each of the products I review using my own money. If there are any inconsistencies on my review, please leave a comment below.

  IN2IT Eye Colour Palette -- Island Sands

As of the moment, I'm on an eyeshadow phase. I've recently graduated from my primer phase, by buying all available primers that I could afford. I'm quite fascinated how one can create multiple looks by just using a single palette! It's really just limited to your imagination. I also like single shadow pots. I like the idea of being able to get the shadow that you like, without having to get tied to other annoying colors that don't seem to go with the rest of the palette. 

So anyway, I was watching SasakiAsahi's Tutorials on Youtube and I came across a look where she used IN2IT's eyeshadow palette. I love all her looks, but damn it, I couldn't find most of the products that she used, here in the Philippines! You could just imagine my excitement when she used this palette! Finally, something I can get locally! 

So anyway, the following  is my review on the palette, Island Sands.

 According to the manufacturer:

Soft, sheer eye colour, that shimmers with very fine pearl and glitter. Enriched with Vitamin E and Kernel Butter for a smooth and creamy texture. Each palette contains 5 shades, in a mirror compact, for a variety of eye looks. 

Packaging:

Sorry for the crappy pic. My Tab is out for the rest of the month, so I'm taking this using my phone.

I have to say, I really love IN2IT's packaging. It's always neat and elegant. No matter how I look at it, it always makes me want to open it and check what's inside. It comes in a white box with silver lettering, which comes off after constant handling. It comes with the same snap-lid box as with the Waterproof Eyebrow Powder. 

IN2IT Eye Colour Palette in Island Sands

It comes in 5 neutral and golden colours, which you can mix and match for any occasion. I love the fact that it comes with big mirror; great for those on-the-go applications.

I love the BIG mirror!

Quantity:

You get 4.5 g, not too bad.

Quality:

I love the color payoff for the golden, bronze color, as well as the darkest shades. The rest of the colors aren't too great. The two darkest shades really have very nice consistencies, but the rest have this powdery consistency which I really am not a fan of, and I noticed little fall-outs. They also seem have these flaky glitters that fall off when you apply them, especially the white shade. If you put them together though, they seem to compliment each other.

Swatches

Price:

For 389 PHP, it's not too bad a deal. Lot's of mixing and matching to do!

PROS:

*5 Different colors
*Great packaging
*Great shades
*Color pay-off is good
*Definitely wearable
*Compact
*Comes with a mirror
*Cheap

CONS:

*Some shades are powdery, or too sheer
*There is significant fall-out


VERDICT:

I will be repurchasing this product. I think this will be a staple in my Kikay Kit. I really love the colors. Definitely wearable and eye-transforming. You can mix and match the different colors for different looks. Really worth the price, even with the fall-outs and all that.

Till the next review!

Ja ne, pretty ladies! ^^

Review 101: IN2IT Water-proof Eyebrow Colour

Review Disclaimer:

The reviews I post on my blog are from my personal, unbiased opinion; I use the products I review so I will be basing my review on the experience I had with the product. Again, the review will be based on my experience, which may differ from yours. I will, however, welcome any comments on my reviews. I was not paid by any entity or organization to make a review on any product. I purchased each of the products I review using my own money. If there are any inconsistencies on my review, please leave a comment below.

 IN2IT Water-proof Eyebrow Colour

I am fairly new to grooming my brows. I really never paid much attention to them till recently when I began to notice how much my face changes when I groom my brows. I tried doing it before around 2008; I used a black eyebrow pencil and lined my way through both. I ended up looking like well-groomed monkey, so I put my pencil down and walked away, seemingly forever..till I picked up IN2IT's brow powder.

According to the manufacturer:

Water-proof and long lasting eye brow colour in a three shade collection. Intense color and easy to blend. Soft and smooth with the moisturizer Vitamin E. Easy to apply with the Nylon hair applicator and mirror compact.

Packaging:

IN2IT Waterproof Eyebrow Powder in Eyebrowns

It comes in a compact box with a clear plastic upper half cover which gives you a peak of the colours in the palette. There are The snap-lid box is very reassuring as it means the product won't be kissing my other products in my Kikay Kit. The colors are placed side-by-side in the pan, which I don't like because, well, I don't know, I just want my products independent from each other.   

You can choose from 3 colours: Light Brown, Medium Coffee Brown and Dark Brown. You can use the colors for your eyeshadow as well.

Colors: Light Brown, Medium Coffee Brown and Dark Brown

It has an angled brush in the kit which is very precise. I love using it to apply my brow powder. It has the right amount of synthetic hair, and it is very stiff; perfect for applying the powder in precise strokes. It also has a small mirror, in case there are no mirrors in sight.

It comes with an angled brush and a compact mirror

Quantity:

The product totals to 3.5 grams, enough to last you a couple of months.

 Quality:

I cannot rave enough about this product! It's simply amazing! Applying the powder is a breeze and it's staying power is amazing. I don't really have to touch up, even at the end of the day. I love its consistency; not sticky but not powdery at all. And I never noticed any fall-outs, ever. The color options are perfect. I usually apply the Medium Coffee Color, but there are 2 other colors to choose from, depending on your natural hair color. It really looks natural, not like something you just applied to your brows. Uber amazing.

Swatches: T-B, Dark Brown, Medium Coffee Brown and Light Brown

 Price:

I got mine on sale for 239 PHP, but regular prices would place it at 299 PHP at Watson's or any major department store.


PROS:

*Perfect quality
*3 colors to choose from
*Compact, you can put it even in the smallest purse
*Comes with a brush an mirror for on-the-go applications
*Available anywhere
*Versatile, can be used as an eyeshadow
*Water-proof
*Stays on even till night

CONS:
*Price is cheap, if you are already earning your own keep, but for our sistah's who are tight on the purse-strings, or for student, it's already quite steep
*As far as I know, I don't think this is available in the US and Europe.

VERDICT:

I will definitely purchase, and repurchase this product again and again! This is super amazing. I'm not tempted at all to buy those tattoo brow pencils. I just love this product sooooo much!

Till the next review!

Ja ne, pretty ladies!

Make-Up 101: How to Conceal

Concealing is a hit or miss process. You have to get it right for it to look right. We conceal because we want to hide imperfections on the face to create a more uniform and flawless look. You may skip concealing IF: a.) you're going for a natural look, sans foundation and concealer, or b.) you have porcelain-perfect skin. But for us, imperfect mortals, a concealer is definitely a must. 

Concealing is not only dabbing concealer in your problem area; you have to dab the correct concealer on to your problem area. There is something that we call corrective concealing -- concealing the spots and blemishes using correct colors.

Foundation first, or concealer?

It actually depends on your preference. There is really no set rule as to what should come first. I apply my concealer before I apply foundation. The reason being that I want to cover up all the blemishes first before I apply a coat of foundation for uniformity. Aside from that, I do not often use foundation, but I do use concealer a lot. Just keep in mind though that if you are applying your concealer ahead, you may want to add an extra coat, because, upon adding & blending your foundation, you may erase your concealer.

How to: Basic Concealing

*Use an opaque concealer that is one tone lighter than your own. It has to match your foundation for both to work together.

*The best applicator would always be your fingers. They warm up the concealer so it blends easily to the surrounding skin. For smaller areas that need precise application, like the sides of your nose, the corner of your eyes, and the corners of your lips, you may want to use a stiff, pointed brush, and blend after with your fingers.

*To apply the concealer, take a small amount using your fingers, and gently dab the product on the blemish till it blends. If the blemish is still visible, gradually add more product till it no longer shows and the skin shows uniformity.

Corrective Concealing

Corrective concealing means using correct colors to neutralize the colors of the blemishes on your face. As a general rule, the color opposite to another in the color wheel neutralizes it. 

Image was taken from uwgb.edu

Corrective concealers typically come in 3 color families; Yellow, Blue & Green. 

*Yellow: Colors range from yellow to orange. This corrective concealer is used to neutralize bluish or purplish blemishes. Used mainly for under the eyes.

*Blue: Colors range from blue to purple. This color is used to conceal yellowish or brownish spots like bruises that are close to healing, brownish scars, etc.

*Green: Colors range from green to pale green. Used mainly to counteract reddish spots such as rosacea, acne, zits, etc.

There are corrective concealers that can be immediately applied to the blemish and it will just blend with the surrounding skin. There are some raw concealers that need to be mixed with your opaque concealer then applied to the blemish. After applying the concealer, you can then apply your foundation.

Make Up Encyclopedia: Concealer

Question: What is a Concealer?

Concealer stock photo courtesy of  Fotosearch.com

A concealer is basically a type of make-up used to conceal imperfections on the skin. Essentially, a concealer has heavier pigmentation as compared to foundations, but they compliment each other in evening out your skin tone, and hiding imperfections. It comes in different forms: liquid, cream, mouse and stick.

How do you conceal?

Stock photo courtesy of Fotosearch.com

Concealing not only means blatantly hiding your imperfections under a dab of product. You have to expertly conceal the blemish using the correct colored concealer. The best technique in applying a concealer would just be to dab the product in the problem area using your ring finger, especially under your eyes, and to build it up till the blemish is completely concealed. Never swipe the concealer on your problem spot. You're basically just wiping it off. 

What is corrective concealing?

Corrective concealing means to conceal the blemish using opposite colors that will conceal the perfectly. For bluish and purplish blemishes (under-eye circles), a yellowish or orange-y colored concealer would be best. For yellowish or whitish blemishes, you need to use a blue corrective concealer and for reddish or pinkish blemishes, a green corrective concealer should be used. These corrective concealers need to be mixed with your base concealer and then applied to the problem spot. To accurately tell what colors are needed to conceal your problem spot, try looking for a color wheel. The color on the opposite of the color of your blemish would be the correct color of your concealer.

Is it really that necessary?

Most people have blemishes, even if they are not really pronounced. Usually, a foundation would be able to even out your skin tone, but for blemishes that are too obvious, it would really be advisable to use a concealer. Just make sure you blend it out real well, so as to create an illusion of perfect skin.

Recommedations?

• Budget-friendly: ELF Tone Correcting Concealer (120 PHP in leading department stores)
• Can afford: Mary Kay Concealer (380 PHP through Mary Kay Dealers)
• Extremely well off: Revlon Photoready Concealer (800 - 1000 ++; not too sure. Will update my post soon)

Ja ne, pretty ladies! ^^

Haul: October Haul

Hey pretty ladies!!

So I’m getting bored out of my wits here in the hospital. I’m thinking of adding a post, but with just a Tab, I have limited options. Good thing I take pictures using this, so I still have some of my haul photos in my Gallery. I’ll just talk about that so I won’t start picking on my dextrose.

October Haul:

As of the moment, I’m on an eyeshadow phase. I think I’ve satisfied my primer and foundation craze for the meantime. So I’m on the prowl for eyeshadows with great quality, but friendly on the pocket. So far, the closest I think I could’ve gotten were the Manly palettes. They are great palette with a lot of colors, but I don’t have the funds to buy the set yet, so I have to settle for something cheaper. Now, I was window shopping with hubby down Robinson’s Cybergate when I came across Revlon’s counter. My husband  was busy browsing through the Graphics Cards in the computer shop so I decided to check Revlon's products to see if there was something I’d like. They were on Sale, so I quickly browsed through their single shadows. I picked 2: 

Revlon Matte Single Eyeshadow in Peach Sorbet and Vintage Lace

I love how cheap they are!!!They were marked down from 450 PHP to 150 PHP! Here is a close up pic on the shadows:

Peach Sorbet and Vintage Lace

I don’t know if you could tell, but Peach Sorbet has the pinkish hue. I love using these 2 as my highlight! So, I did purchase the two but I was so in love with their cousin, the Perle and Satin shadows. They were not on sale, so I had to back off. Boo-hoo. =(

A few days later, hubby and I were strolling at SM, when I decided to pass by their cosmetics section. I chanced upon Nichido’s counter and I could not believe the quality of their single shadow pots! They were dupes of Revlon’s Satin and Perle Shadows! And, for 68 PHP a pop, I couldn’t let the chance pass me by. I got 3:

Nichido True Color Eyeshadow in Champagne, Snow and Gold Frost

I have one in Snow (Silver, Whitish), Champagne (Yellow) & Gold frost. They have amazing colors. I only use them for highlight as they are too shimmery, but, they do reflect light perfectly. They are quite sheer. I'm gonna post swatches as soon as I finish reviewing these. Along with the 3 shadows, I also got Jazzy Eyeshadow Pigment in Gold. I think it’s by James Cooper. Here’s a photo:

Jazzy Collection Eyeshadow Pigment in Gold

It’s relatively cheap, just 190 PHP, but it has a lot of product in the jar. It’s finely milled, but it’s too powdery! It doesn’t want to stay on my lids at all! And the color pay off is not too good for my taste. It's a tad bit too sheer, and it's not really buildable. I’m thinking of mixing this with some powder and just use it as glitter powder of sorts. I’ll update you when I get that done. I also got this finishing powder from Nichido:

 

Nichido Final Powder

 I completely love, love, love this one!! It’s really amazing! I has no color, but it keeps your face completely matte! Perfect for my oily skin! 

I’m going to review each one when I get out of here. Till then, stay pretty! 

Ja ne, pretty ladies!

Review 101: ELF Mineral Infused Primer

Review Disclaimer:

The reviews I post on my blog are from my personal, unbiased opinion; I use the products I review so I will be basing my review on the experience I had with the product. Again, the review will be based on my experience, which may differ from yours. I will, however, welcome any comments on my reviews. I was not paid by any entity or organization to make a review on any product. I purchased each of the products I review using my own money. If there are any inconsistencies on my review, please leave a comment below.

                                          ELF Mineral Infused Primer

When I embarked on my journey to understand make-up and cosmetics more, I stumbled upon a roadblock which I could not completely comprehend. People on tutorials were swabbing something on their faces which I know was not foundation. I finally found what it was: Face Primer. So, to make the story short, I went through hell to get my hands on a cheap primer that still gets the job done. I found it: ELF Mineral Infused Primer.

ELF Mineral Infused Primer

According to the manufacturer:

Transform your face into a flawless and smooth canvas with the mineral Infused Face Primer. Developed to combat excess oil, flaky dryness, enlarged pores and fine lines to result in a natural and youthful looking radiance. This clear multipurpose skin primer will prepare your skin so makeup goes on evenly for a lasting finish.

Packaging:

It comes in a neat, clear plastic rectangular container which gave me such a hard time opening -- I have fingers of a 2 year old. The bottle it comes with looks really nice and elegant, but the actual primer is inside the white plastic container inside the clear plastic outer bottle.

The product itself is inside the white inner bottle

It actually looks OK, but the pump seriously bothers me. I have read a lot of reviews on the primer and the main complaint is usually the pump. Seriously, when I unscrewed the pump, there was no tube going down to the bottom of the pump. It was like a stump connecting to the top of the pump. No wonder I wasn't getting the product out. And the pump really pumps a full pump. hahahhaa.. That was a mouthfull. You really can't minimize the amount of product you can pump out of the bottle.

No tubes going to the inside of the bottle

Quantity:

14 g. of Silicone goodness in the bottle. I think that's enough to last about 2 months with daily use. I've been using it for about a month now and I still have about three-quarters of the product.

Quality:

It comes in a clear gel that feels velvety to the touch. However, when I apply it to my face, it feels a bit greasy. When it dries, its fine though. I couldn't really see a whole lot of difference, but it did help my make-up stay on for a while. My foundation did glide smoothly on my face, so check on that. The smell is really weird. I can't begin to describe it. It doesn't bother me that much, but its just weird.

I couldn't squeeze anything from the pump, I had to unscrew the lid and put some of the product on my hand

Price:   

400.00 PHP. Well within my budget, and all other sistah's out there with tight purses.

PROS:
*Cheap
*Product is alright, able to prolong my make-ups staying power
*Packaging is nice
*Readily available

CONS:
*Couldn't keep me from being oily
*Has a weird chemical-ly smell
*Pump is terrible

VERDICT:

I will not be repurchasing this product. It's not because I did not like it. It performed well for its price, but I am looking for something that will offer a better buffer for my oil factory. ELF does not help at all with the oil. After I apply everything, my nose starts to shine and everything just follows. I'm looking to buy Revlon's Photoready Perfecting Primer. It costs 825 PHP a pop, but if it minimizes my oiliness, even by a bit, I'll be happy.

Ja ne, pretty ladies! ^^

Make-Up Encyclopedia: Face Primer

Question: What is a Face Primer?

A face primer is a cream or lotion which is applied onto the face prior to applying the concealer and the foundation and after the moisturizer. What is does is that it lengthens the staying power of your make-up, as well as minimizes the appearance of oil, fine lines and large pores. 

Is it really that necessary?

Well, we have gotten through some decades without using primers, so why start now, right? Wrong. Primers were invented for a reason. The tendency is, if you do not have a perfect, porcelain face, your make-up will start to crack and melt in 2 hours. Using a primer prevents that from happening. For us oily-faced dudettes, we GREATLY need this. I cannot stress how important this is. It absorbs the oil from the face and keeps it from ruining our foundation. The foundation basically sits on top of the primer so it won't get absorbed by the skin. So the answer to that is a great, big, resounding, YES.

Recommendations?

• Budget-friendly -- ELF Mineral Infused Face Primer (400 PHP in Watsons and in leading department stores)
• Can afford -- Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer (825 PHP in leading departments stores)
• Extremely Well Off --  Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36 per Ounce or 1,476 PHP.. Good luck to your pockets, ladies. Not sure if we have any here in the Philippines but it is available on line. But if your buying online, try buying Monistat Chafing Gel. It's a good sub for Smashbox and it costs 8$ -- 500 PHP! )

Ja ne, pretty ladies! ^^

UPDATE:

As of March 2013, I have gotten my own Monistat Anti-chafing Gel and I am loving it! Its one of my 2 HG's, along with Etude House's Pore No More Primer Essence! Review coming soon on my new Blog:
tornadoyuie.weebly.com!

Make-Up 101: The Routine

The following is my usual make up routine. I refer to how other people do their make-up routine, so my routine is actually a mix of how other people do theirs. This is not really a strict guide, simply a rough sketch for the basic routine.

• Prepping

• Cleaning the face -- This is something really basic and I don't think I need to elaborate much on this, however, I would like to stress how important this is though. A thoroughly washed faced makes a good canvas. Who wants to work with oily skin? You get the idea. ^^ 
• Toning -- If you have perfectly fine skin, (i.e., does not sweat too much, does not dish out too much sebum), you may wanna skip this step. But you may wanna do it if you have uber oily skin like mine,or if you are acne prone. This helps reduce the oil produced by your skin, as well as keeps your skin nice and tight.
• Moisturizing -- For goodness sake, do not ever skip this step! I am an avid advocate of moisturizing, and I never get tired of stressing how important this is, especially for folks like me. I won't go through on what it does to your skin, but please do not assume that just because you have oily skin, you do not need to moisturize. Golden rule: Oil is not moisture. Your skin produces oil either because it has hyperactive sebaceous glands, or your face clearly lacks moisture. So please, moisturize!

•   Make Up Proper -- Setting the Canvas

• Primer -- After your moisturizer dries, apply an ample coat of primer on your face. The primer basically makes your face a bit smoother; it fills in the gaps in your face and makes your make up last longer. It doesn't really prevent oil from coming out, but it does help keeping the foundation intact. I do strongly recommend Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer. It glides on the skin like silk and makes your skin really smooth and silky. But, it will set you back 825 PHP, which in my case, is really out of the budget. For people on a tight budget, like me, I recommend ELF Mineral Infused Face Primer. It costs only 400 PHP, so it really won't set you back too much. 
• Eyelid Primer -- After I apply my eye serum, I let it dry for a few minutes before I apply my eyelid primer. I am using ELF Eyelid Primer. It really keeps my eyeshadow and eyeliner intact the whole day, even with the very humid weather we've been having all week.
• Concealer -- I always make sure to use a concealer. I don't really have a lot of problems with my skin, but I still use a concealer for under my eyes, my laugh lines and my nose. I use my ELF Undereye Concealer and Highlighter for my under eye area, and I use Mary Kay Concealer for the other areas. The coverage from Mary Kay is unbelievable! I strongly recommend getting this. 
• Foundation/BB Cream -- I am currently using a BB cream for my daily coverage, because I think using foundation everyday is too heavy. I use Maybelline's Clear Smooth 8-in-1 BB Cream. It really gives you ample coverage without the weight. Good for daily use.
• Finishing Powder -- Me, being quite oily, usually would use powder after foundation, especially if it is liquid. I just use it on the T-Zone and under my eyes because that is where I am oiliest. I currently use Nichido Final Powder in So Natural. It's great because the powder is not actually tinted, so it doesn't make me look pallid at all. And it's only 105 PHP. Great deal!

•  Make Up Proper -- Putting on the paint

• Eyebrows -- I usually start with this area, since I put make-up on at work. In case I don't finish, I won't look like a monkey without my eyebrows. I just trace the shape of my brows using a medium coffee color. I'm using IN2IT Waterproof Eyebrow Color in Eyebrowns. It's actually a palette with 3 colours: Light Brown, Medium Coffee Brown, and Brown-black. It comes with a great applicator, but I still use my own brush. You can also use the palette for smokey eyes. 299 PHP in Watsons.
• Eyeshadow -- I am a warm toned person, so I prefer neutral colors. I love browns, beige and golds. I'm using IN2IT Island Sands. This palette has 5 awesome shimmery colors great for blending and layering. 375 PHP at Watsons.
• Liner -- It use my eyeliner sparingly nowadays. I used to be a liner person in college, but I mellowed down a bit when I started working. It made me look too aggressive, so I only use it sparingly. I'm a fan of liquid and gel liners because they are more precise. I'm using AVON Extra Lasting Liquid Eyeliner in Black. For my gel liner, I use Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner in Black. 
• Blush -- I am still working on blushes, since I have not really studied the techniques in applying it effectively, but I am using ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder. Close dupe of NARS Laguna/Orgasm Duo, but not exact. I love it because it just gives me a natural looking glow without looking like a slapped tomato.
• Lipstick/balm/stain -- Perfect final touch to the ensemble. I am loving pinks and nudes right now since it exudes innocence, hahahaha, which I unfortunately lost a while back. I'm loving Cover Girl Lipstick in Rose Quartz. It's kinda hard to find here. Had to have it shipped from the US.

And that's it! That is actually my basic routine. If you have suggestions, please comment below! ^^

Ja ne, pretty ladies!^^