07 Favorites

July has been the busiest and the most challenging month to date. To juggle the schedule is a painstaking task as I obsessed myself on doing almost everything in one go. Thus my time management skills has been put to test. Nevertheless, above all the chaos we definitely would still want to see ourselves in control by looking at our best amidst pressure. I know it’s hard to keep up ze favorites on a monthly basis but these three had been a very good companion for the whole month. 

Hello August! 

Though Chinese finds you as their ghost month, I want to align everything with positivity and good vibes. With that let’s start off with last month’s favorites. Yay! Happiness.

Giving vibrance and glow for my month is Pink Sugar HD Cheeks in Concrete Jungle. 

What to love about this product?
 Since the dawn of Becca and Jacklyn Hill collaboration, everybody went cray. And since Sephora Philippines has make it a lot easier, so many has been able to join the glowing club.  The trend it is, but if you are like me who find it hard to spend a grand, Pink Sugar’s Concrete Jungle,  fits just as well. I’m so thankful to be able to find a good dupe for a very reasonable price of Php 490. The pigments where good, semi fine and really gives that bouncing glow even if the lighting isn’t that good ( my way to test ) 

• Feeling Kylie over Matte in Detail Samantha and Pinkies Smooth Long Eye & Lip Pencil in Chocobrown

What to love about this product?
I know some of you are longing to have that Kylie Lip Kit, be it because of the fad or just for the experience of that sought after longevity that everyone talks about. I personally love how they were able to capture the brown  that I was looking for that it made it’s way easily to my heart. And because also of this hype that I’m thankful for the release of so many dupes, I was able to choose without compromising my budget. In my country, I found a true color duplicate for True Brown K in Matte Detail Samantha who I got in a very good buy one take one deal. Whilst Pinkies Smooth Long Eye & Lip Pencil  in Chocobrown is so creamy just like a lipstick, a perfect alternative if you’re a penchant for smooth gliding lipliner that is like Kylie’s.

• Staying fresh with Pink Sugar BB Cream

What to love about this product?

Pink Sugar  is proudly Philippine brand. They might still be a baby in the business but proved us wrong when surprisingly all of their makeup line is at par with the Filipino consumers picky standards. I’m still at awe at how they were able to put all details in their makeups in just a short period of time that they were able to build a name that is dependable and worthy. One of the so many things that I love is their BB Cream. I must admit that I’m saddened at the thought that only few BB’s has passed the oily skin radar of Filipinos. And I believe this is one of the few. Although minimal in coverage but it’s good for an everyday use. It didn’t clog my pores, no breakouts aftermath. It sets on to a dewy finish on me which makes my skin looking healthy but it isn’t oily on my face.

These three has been my best bud all throughout the month. They making me look at my best has been very rewarding second to my completed tasks. 

Product Dedication Week: MUZ BB Cream Review

I had a huge admiration on how Koreans keep up such a good healthy young looking skin. We belong to the same continent but where’s justice? The reason of many on the propensity of trying and buying any Korean beauty product is attributed to this. I, myself attest to the shot in the arm purchases of such. I even want to inject the 10 steps beauty regime but the hot weather won’t allow me so. And then one fine day, as I was strolling down the beauty products bay of a leading drugstore I found MUZ.  I thought it was just another snail cream variant that they had which (lol!) I also tried. But as I leaned closer, it’s a BB Cream! (excuse the exclamation but that’s just what I felt that day :))

Moving on, I was standing there a good five minutes. I tell you, it’ll be the first Korean product I say that I buy without an impulse. Why? Because it’s a BB Cream. I know my reaction prior doesn’t justify to this. Lemme explain. I had tried countless BB’s, local and imported brands but nothing satisfies ze skin. My combination oily skin is a snub to this so no matter how hard I try literally tried different brands, I failed. But the skeptic still gave in listening to her inner self, “how will you know if you won’t buy?”.  I know this has been a broken record but sometimes it works.

The problems that I encounter with these Beauty Balms were:

• aggravated oily skin
• clogged pores the morning after
• transfer of the product 
• sticky feel
• too heavy 

I gave this product a week test to see if it solved my Beauty Balm standards and I say that after a weeklong, I gave it a 4/5 rating. To be honest, I had only a little chance in me of not having an oily skin nor it would escalate the situation. But I’m surprised that I only have minimal oil on my t-zone. I wish I knew beforehand that I ran out of blotting paper so I could show you how it is. 😦  Really beyond my expectation. Usually the following morning I’ll be having zits or bumps afterwards but as I feel my face… clear. Though it still has a minimal transfer but really nothing obvious. And this, it is so lightweight that you have to remind yourself that you wear one. Wow! (keep on talking!) It’s easy to blend with it’s average consistency. A little bit goes a long way I should say so though it’s a bit pricey ( Php 104 for 10ml) it’s worth it. This amount covers my entire face already but it’s buidable if you would want to give that extra on your problem areas. No worries of caking. It has light to medium coverage with SPF 50 PA+++ .

Just a few downside though why I didn’t give a perfect grade. It only has one shade available which is light beige (though it suits my skintone) From the tube it has this strong foundation-like scent ( what I could remember) but fades when applied. You can’t really see any information from the tube aside from the bar code, it’s manufacturer and the cruelty-free logo. Not even a product website to consult with.No expiration, batch no. or ingredients.

 I just hope that they could also come up with other shades specifically fit for the morena skintone. And that they could state beneficial information of the product. All in all,  I’m still satisfied with this product and could finally end the hunt for my ideal BB Cream.

MUZ BB Cream is available at all leading drugstores nationwide.

Disclaimer: The following are of the author’s experience. This is not sponsored nor a paid ad.

 

 

 

Chooseday Tuesday: Maybelline Clear Smooth All In One Shine-Free BB Cream

I still vividly remember the first time that I purchased a BB Cream from Maybelline. It’s from their Clear Smooth Minerals line. It was the hype of BB Creams then, and Maybelline’s releasing such came a huge following. I had a  BB Cream experience prior to that and it was from a Korean brand. From there I was kind of have this comparison between the two. Though the original doesn’t really impress me (has transfers, sticky feeling, oily complexion) I’m hoping that in Maybelline’s case it would be different. What made me still remember the product 11 years later is because I ended up ditching it. Really breaks my heart because I’m a person who as much as possible would still look for a way to make this product of other possible use. My concerns were not addressed properly which is the oily t-zone, coverage, sticky feel, transfer, and worst had breakouts. I find it too heavy. I tried using a finishing veil but thus just gave me a cakey look. That’s a very sad experience that hinders me to purchase even in any brand, again. I have a combination oily skin so I think having a harmonious relationship with BB Creams is a far fetched dream. Fast forward to now, my mother handed me a sample from Maybelline, it’s The New Clear Smooth All in One Shine-Free BB Cream. Okay my doubts lead me to this product sitting in my drawer for two months until yesterday. I’m thinking since it’s going to be cold (at least) because of the rainy season, why not give it a shot. Maybe it’s a reformulated one? Still, I’m holding tight to my high hopes and keep them guarded on this one.

On the leaflet it has a tagline that says,

Meet the New Generation BB Cream.

THE DO-IT-ALL, THROUGH IT ALL, ALL IN ONE SUPER BB

Lightweight Mattifying Formula For a flawless finish that beats the heat.

• All day shine-control
• UV protection
• Hydrates
• Brightens
• Conceals
• Refines
• Smoothens
• Evens

Let’s see. The formula is a little bit runny but not liquidy, which is a good sign for me because it can be easily absorbed by the skin and applies like a lotion. I applied it using my hands but you could also do this by using a brush or a beauty blender/sponge whichever you prefer. A little goes a long way for this for it instantly covers my dark spots. It looks thick though  but it didn’t settle in my fine lines. There is a faint smell of alcohol whilst I’m applying then a few minutes later it changed to a rustic one. I was literally smelling my face with my nose for almost 30 minutes. Eventually, it faded.

 This BB Cream is only available in 2 variations which is the Fresh for the cool undertones and Natural for the warm undertones, a downside because you can’t have your exact color.The sample which where given to me I believe is the Fresh one (can’t really understand Thai, I just based it through the color) I noticed that it looks powdery white on my face upon application. I decided to put on another layer to see how it would look but it  took quite some time for the cream to finally set in. The weather is bit affirming being of the average so I can’t really tell much if I perspire though I notice that there’s no transfer. It has a dewy finish (a little bit sticky) on me but looks matte on pictures. Unfortunately (with a nature of combination oily skin) after 4 hours, my t-zone oiled up. Still not bad though, I had a good 4 hours which I didn’t had to my prior ones. Thus I decided to pat my face with a blotting paper then applied a finishing powder. Now, time to check the list this BB Cream claims to.

• All day shine control- unfortunately it didn’t hold up for 8 hours. My combination oily skin had it only half of the day. 
• UV protection – with SPF 21 PA+++ . We should take note that SPF’s doesn’t suffice but we have to rely on the PA+++ more because it protects the skin from the UVA rays which causes a long term skin damage and ages the skin.
• Hydrates – for a dry skin, because it’s a moisturizer/foundation/sunscreen hybrid, I believe it will do it’s part.
• Brightens – gives your skin a natural looking glow.
• Conceals – gives a light to medium coverage
• Refines – though it registers a smooth finish on pictures, my nose area which is a little dry is still evident and a little patchy
• Smoothens – no settling in your fine lines
• Evens – covers the redness around my nose area

Not bad for a 5/8. Though it claims that it won’t make your skin look oily and feel sticky, on an combination oily skin’s perspective, this is a fail. I believe this still would suit best for dry skin.

Pros for combination oily skin

• good UV protection
• brightens
• conceals
• doesn’t settle on fine lines
• evens out your skin tone
• affordable
• no streaks/has flawless look
• has light to medium coverage
• blendable
• dewy finish on a combination oily skin which would look good on a dry skin

Cons for combination oily skin

• Can’t stand a day without being oily
• can’t cover dry area around my nose
• has a faint alcohol smell
• though it blurs away prominent pores upon application but once the face oils up, pores become visible
• it gives a dewy finish which tends an oily skin to look shiny
• not a matte finish even
• has a little sticky feel

Though it has some good signs with a good number of pros, that of still can’t combat my oily face weighs a big decision on my purchasing the full product. Even I could do some remedy on making the oiliness at bay, I feel that I can’t use this as an everyday product because I might have breakouts at the end of the week. But for those who have dry skin, this would be a perfect match.

Have you ever consider using BB Cream instead of foundation during winter. I would like to hear your stories.

The 500 peso challenge

I know that most of bloggers whom I follow are under the “no buy” scheme. This is really a no joke especially for us girls who have made the make up hall our therapy booth. From recent posts and comments, admittingly I still can’t commit to such (maybe in the near future when my drawers are full) so instead I got myself a “low buy” rule. Which is I get to buy but within a certain price range without compromising the quality. To date my progression, I recently own a good pair of lip products (one that I bought from a buy 2 for the price of 1) and a good buy of organic skin care products. Just recently, I was inspired by the number of make up finds from a recent supermarket trip. The choices really overwhelms me (if a certain fad hits Philippines you would definitely have an array to chose from) You just have to pick what you think would work good on you which is a little bit tricky under these circumstances 1) There are only few products who offers sample size 2) Some low priced products have a reputation of substandard quality. Chances are, you’ll end up buying again.
When I decide to purchase a certain product, I seek reviews first. Find other choices to compare my brand with, quality wise and price wise. If what emerged to be the best, that i’ll get. There are a pretty number of newly formulated brands out there that are affecting my decisions that at such I made a plan. And so I thought, why not do a money challenge instead. That would be fun! Let’s include some spice in that bugeting. I often see make up challenge wherein you get to buy drugstore make ups in a certain amount range.
Amount up would be 500 pesos ( approximately $12)  Since I’m a light make up wearer, here are my choices.

Nichido BB Cream 

 
I’ve been hearing great reviews about this BB Cream. Priced at Php 238.00 (roughly $5.34) for 20ml. It’s claims were skin lightening (i think this is a specified quality that every BB cream has here, locally) lifting, moisturising, soothing and color corrector (this got me little confused. A color corrector which stands for CC Cream in a BB Cream?) anyways, the three qualities that I took note from reviews are 1) has a good coverage 2) lightweight 3) doesn’t transfer. I’m sold!

Nichido Final Powder

  

Priced at Php 150.00 ($4) for 25g. This loose powder is my commendable substitute for those Ben Nye fanatics. The silky and light finish of this final powder is what I look for a finishing veil. Not grainy or heavy it serves as a support for my BB Creams, Foundation to set. 

LOL (LotsOfLove) Liquid Eyeliner

 
Incredibly priced at Php 100.00  ($2.25) for 3ml, this remarkable liquid eyeliner has a good reputation of non-smearing, water proof eye liner. The catch is it’s easy to take off. 

Here you go. A total of Php 488.00 ($10.12) I still have a change. Not bad. Next would be going to the mall and buy these babies! 😊

Have you gotten into this kind of money challenge? I want to know about it too!