Virginia Olsen Minerals Eye Colors

"Virginia Olsen Minerals eye colour has been produced with a high density of mineral makeup ingredients, so a little goes a long way. These natural cosmetics can be used interchangeably as eyeliner, highlighter, or eyeshadow."

-http://www.virginiaolsen.com/products/eyes

Colors: L-R 

Olive Branch (olive green with shimmers) 

Pink Diamond (bright pink w/ tiny silver glitters) 

Gold Bar (shimmery yellow gold)

Natural Lighting

(Top: With Primer, Bottom: No Primer)

With Camera Flash

                                    

I specifically like that these shadows blend so well and have great pigmentation, particularly Pink Diamond which is so lovely. Gold Bar can be a good highlight and great lid color as well. Olive Branch is good for outer corner and crease contour but I bet it can be great also as a lid color. In general, all these shadows would look great on their own.

These shadows are Php 150/1g at Virginia Olsen Minerals website, which for me are affordable considering these are natural mineral make up. Not to mention with that amount of product, it will definitely last you a long time. They have a selection of several products such as blushes/cheek color, powder foundation, concealer/correctors, and mattifying base for oily people like me. And to top it off, they have brushes/tools to help you apply these products like a Pro.

Ingredients include Mica, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and has spf 19. They are made in USA.

Overall Rating: 9/10

Inexpensive Lipsticks from Fashion 21

Pros: Inexpensive around Php120-150.

Decent Packaging.

Good color pay-off.

True to its color in in the tube.

Non-drying, moisturizing.

No funky cosmetic smell.

Cons: As this lippies have a very creamy texture, 

you won't expect them to last that long, about 2-3 hours.

Few shade selection.

Sugar Rose, Glamorous Satin, Warm Salmon

Warm Salmon

Glamorous Satin

Sugar Rose

All Time Favorite Toner: Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner

I came across this while browsing the web looking for all natural alternative to skin care products. I thought it wasn't available locally since it is made in the U.S.

I finally found out that we can purchase it at the Healthy Options store in our local malls. I bought the travel size one (less than a hundred I guess) just to try it out and to know if I am not allergic to witch hazel since some all natural products sometimes cause allergies to sensitive skin.

I went back after 2 weeks to get the bigger bottle (237ml, around P300) and you can tell how much I love it as this much was left after 3 months use. It may seem to be pricier compared to other local toners available in the market, but I don't mind as I have found my holy grail of a toner. I never experience any irritation or breakouts compared to various toners I've tried. Been using it in the morning and night as part of my skin care routine, and has been my staple skincare product since.

Here's to let you know more about the product:

"Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel natural skin care products are your solution to healthier skin. 100% natural, Witch Hazel gently removes oils and impurities leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth and hydrated without harsh or confusing ingredients contained in other toners. Our formula for natural skin care products dates back 1866 and continues to be the only gentle, oil controlling toner made from entirely natural Witch Hazel.

Witch Hazel is a plant native to the North East with healing properties so powerful that the Native American’s used it as a topical healing solution as early as the 16^th century. Today our natural skin care products are extracted from the twigs and bark of the Witch Hazel Plant and distilled into a natural astringent that is still one of the gentlest ways to cleanse and tone the skin.

Witch Hazel is so gentle that it can be used on nearly any type of skin. People with oily skin find that Witch Hazel helps them to achieve a balance other toners can’t. Those with dry skin see the flakes leave while essential moisture remains. Our natural skin care products clean and calm sensitive skin, unclog pores and help you to achieve a balance that can only be had with Witch Hazel."

—source: http://www.dickinsonsusa.com/index

Have you tried this yet? Let me know.

NYX: Matte Lipstick in Angel and Round Lipstick in Thalia

NYX makes great selection of lipsticks with a wide variety of shades. I picked my first ones and these too seemed to impress me. I specifically like the Matte formula and does wear a bit longer than the obviously creme finish of the Round one. I got mine from Digitaltraincase.

Neat packaging as you can actually see the color of the lipsticks. For the Round one, color is at the bottom.

This is how much product you can get from each tube.

Labeling at the bottom too.

NYX Matte Lipstick in Angel

NYX Round Lipstick in Thalia

Do you have NYX lipsticks in your makeup stash, too? What do you think?

Myra Vitaglow Tinted Moisturizer

A lot of people are in search of a drugstore alternative to a popular tinted moisturizer that's so costly (Laura Mercier), they say they almost found one. Except for the shimmer that is.

Myra, as Filipinos knew, started as a supplemental Vitamin E capsule and eventually ventured to cosmetics and skincare by releasing lotions, creams, face powder, etc.

One thing I like is their moisturizer. It doesn't break me out and could it get any better if they'll release a tinted version of it. I thought I would toss away my foundation after this.

As the picture above shows, it happens to be a bit too dark for me. I understand this was made specifically for Filipinas that are a majority, beautiful Morenas. I wish it had a lighter version for us who are on the pale side. But still I could probably rock it by giving me a slightly fake tan on summer.

Problem is when you go out and hit the sun, you suddenly transform into a Twilight Vampire. What I mean is you sparkle, yes you indeed GLOW like a glitter. Being an oily-faced person, I am a fan of the matte type of cosmetics thats why this part disappointed me. A lot.

But then again I would still probably use it I but have to really brush a lot of matte powder on to my face for the shimmer to subside.

I guess the R&D team of Myra never tested these on makeup gurus or makeup enthusiasts first, so they could have known that too much glitter isn't that all flattering especially if you put it all over your face. I might just use this anyway on my legs and shoulders, giving me that needed glow where I want it to be. Now off to the beach, Gurl! :)

Repurchase? I would if they would elimitate that disturbing glitter/shimmer and add a variety of shades.

What do you think?

Revlon Lip Butters in Berry Smoothie and Tutti Frutti

Revlon Lip Butters in Berry SMoothie and Tutti Frutti

Price: 

$ 7.00-9.00 (US)

P 575 (Philippines)

Yes dear, that's all the product you can get. Not that much. Packaging was neat though. I just wish there could have been more product in it as I can't use that super nice packaging on my lips. :)

Swatches: (L) Berry Smoothie and (R) Tutti Frutti

Berry Smoothie (pinkish/berry) is so soft I thought it would melt every time I swatch it. It has  shimmers on it that I can feel on my lips like sand. Kinda weird I know.

Tutti Fuitti (orange) has quite drier formula compared to the other one which I don't know why. But these color is perfectly fluttering on pale cool toned skin.

Like others who have tried these lippies, I wish they had flavor or scent on them that compliments their cute names on it. Obviously their not long wearing but is a good alternative for pale lip blame and heavy lipsticks if you do not want to go heavy on your makeup for the day. Be sure to bring it with you and put it in your purse to re-apply within the day.

Natural Lip Color

Berry Smoothie

Tutti Frutti

AUGUST GIVEAWAY!!!

Hello lovelies!

 I am doing my first ever Giveaway this August. I am sharing my love for Human Heart Nature Products. These are all Natural products derived from our country. I thought you might want to try these out. Simply follow the instructions below so you may enter and win these fab prizes. Giveaway runs from August 1-31, 2012. Philippines only.

1 Purifying Facial Scrub (Strawberry Scent) 50 ml

1 Balancing Facial Toner 50 ml

1 Moisturizing Shampoo (Mandarin Fresh Scent) 50 ml

1 All Natural Deodorant (Pink Blossom)

1 Lip Balm (Wild Berry Flavor)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sleek i-Divine Ultra Mattes Darks

This is my very first palette from Sleek MakeUP. I am a sucker for matte eyeshadows and matte lipsticks and grabbed this as soon as I saw it on my favorite online shop Digital Traincase . It so hard to find matte eyeshadows on most palettes and knowing I could get all matte in one palette I have to grab one. 

Sleek packaging that fits in my purse.

Colors are written on the protective plastic sheet but I might throw that later on.

I suggest you write down the eyeshadow names in your notes (if you ever loose the plastic covering) just incase you might need them for a tutorial.

Below are the swatches for each colors.

From top left to bottom right:

Orbit (blue green)

Ink (Navy blue)

Highness (Purple)

Noir (dark gray w/ hint of green)

Dune (light yellow)

Pillow Talk (off-white)

Thunder (light gray)

Maple (copper/brownish red)

Flesh (peach)

Paper Bag (brown)

Villain (dark violet)

Fern (green)

My first Eyeshadow Palette by Fashion 21

RAINBOW OF EYESHADOW COLORS

What I like:

Very pigment.

Creamy texture.

Blendable, velvet texture.

Lightly shimmered.

Very good color selection.

Good size mirror.

Comes with a velvet pouch.

Retails for only P375 (around $9)

What I dislike:

A lot of shimmery colors. Not enough matte shades.

Doesn't come with blending brush, only applicator, making it difficult to blend colors together.

Cheap plastic packaging (except for the velvet pouch).

No names on the eyeshadows only numbers.

Repurchase: Probably yes, but with a palette full of matte colors.

Rating: 3.5/5

Recycling: Mascara to Eyebrow fixer

As a make-up lover, I feel bad to have to throw away stuff that I think are way of its time and still has such full amount inside. I haven't been using one of my favorite mascara lately and it has dried up, and as per my memory I've purchased it about a year ago. We all know we have top through away makeup that has gone bad especially products we use near the eye area like mascaras. But I found a way not to throw this baby and instead use it on my eyebrow which is less sensitive compared to the eye. With the product already having a brown color, I tried to put it on my eyebrows to see how well it goes. Indeed because of its formulation suited intentionally for the lashes, it helped fixed my brows in place and gave a bit of color, making my brows look a bit fuller which in turn makes you look a bit younger. 

Maybelline Volume Express waterproof mascara in Brown

Mascara on my eyebrow.

Swatch of the brown mascara in the middle.

Tell me what you think?

E.L.F. Essential Lipsticks: Classy, Gypsy, Seductive

"Indulge your lips with long lasting color and shine. The moisture rich formula hydrates, conditions and softens on contact for silky smooth lips. Instantly beautiful, healthy-looking lips designed, formulated and tested by our professional team of makeup artists."

Source: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/elf/lips/lip_stick/lipstick

PROs: 

Good color pay-off. 

Reasonably priced at Php 129.25 @ SM department stores.

Cheaper in the U.S. @ $1 each.

Nice packaging as you can see the color without opening the cap.

Glides on smoothly.

Classic, Seductive, Gypsy

                                   

Natural lip color

Seductive

(salmon peach)

 Gypsy
(plum berry)

Classy

(light pink)

CONs:

Classy was a bit dry, I have to use a lip balm.

 Reapply every 2-3 hours. It's okay with me.

Limited colors available in the counters.

Repurchase: Yes. Probably with other colors.