Hey loves, I'm back! Sorry again for being MIA because I'm processing some documents for my passport and I had some wedding clients so I forgot to update my blog. But let's forget those stressful days and start with another product review.

Today I'll be talking about is the LA Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss, this is quite new in the market and I'm not yet sure if it has been released here in the Philippines yet. But I got this from Makeupinboxph, of course my favorite online shop lol, for Php 165 each. 

The packaging of this gloss is huge, but includes the typical amount of product. It claims to be an intense color, with a flat finish for all day wear.

Swatches of LA Girl Matte Gloss: Bazaar & Dreamy

Since this is matte, it's kind of hard to remove. I used my Human Nature sunflower oil to remove it. 

It comes with a doe foot applicator.

As I applied the first layer, it felt and looked more like a stain. I gave it a minute to set and it felt a bit sticky. But it's neither a gloss nor a stain..it's more of a liquid lipstick.

LA Girl Matte Pigment Gloss Shade: DREAMY

Dreamy is a true nude shade, perfect pair for Smokey eye looks.

LA Girl Matte Pigment Gloss Shade: Bazaar

This shade would probably be my favorite because it is the perfect neutral shade for my lips. Stunning Pinky-Nude which does not wash out my face, perfect for everyday wear.

Overall, I think that this is a great product and take note that it's affordable. At first, it felt very dry on my lips but if you exfoliate or hydrate your lips – you should be completely fine.

Pros:

Long Lasting (Lasts for 6 hrs. when it started to fade)

Awesome Color Selection (It has 16 shades)

Price is very affordable

Unscented

Cons:

Can be a bit drying you have to exfoliate first before using it or else it can accentuate dry patches

Can be a bit streaky when applied

My Rating: 3 / 5

XoXo, Jessica

Review: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer

Hey loves! Today I'll be talking about is the highly-raved concealer from Maybelline. It's the Instant age rewind eraser dark circles concealer, I bought this from Summersbeautyonlineshop on Instagram for Php 460. 

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer  is a super-concentrated and pigmented liquid concealer combined with goji berry and haloxyl to help erase the appearance of dark circles and puffiness around the eyes. 

It has a unique tube design in that when you twist the top, product will be released in the round, squishy applicator sponge. You have to twist the tube several times to get it going at first and thereafter a small amount is dispersed with each twist

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer is available in (6) shades:

Fair, Light, Medium, Honey, Neutralizer and Brightener. Although the neutralizer shade can be used on it's own, it's also recommended for extreme dark circles to apply underneath your regular concealer for maximum coverage. The brightener shade is pink based used to brighten up areas of the eyes and face.

I got mine in the shade 120 Light/Pale, for reference I'm a (MAC NC25). This is a bit lighter than my skin but I prefer this shade to achieve that highlighting effect under the eyes.

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer: Before and After

This concealer has a thin consistency, easily blendable and dries to a powder finish. It also has a medium to full coverage, you just have to blend it well to avoid being cakey or powdery. As you can see it really did brighten my under eye area, which I really like. Although, putting a moisturizer or primer underneath is a must, because it can be a bit drying once it settled. Moreover, it is light-weight and doesn't look or feel heavy  it has more of natural finish. I just wished that this concealer would be creamier so it can suit ladies with dry skin. 

Overall, I like this concealer as the coverage is very good and I think it's just an overall fun product to apply. I love the little sponge and although it might not be so hygienic, but I don't mind. So, if you're looking for a concealer/brightener, this is a good drugstore concealer that I can recommend. Since I'm a not fan of makeup foundations, concealers are my best friend. 

My Rating: 4/5

XoXo,

Jessica 

Review: iWhite Korea Aqua Moisturizing Cream

Hey loves! It's Friday again so I'm up for another review, today I'll be talking about is the iWhite Korea Aqua Moisturizing Cream. This has been in the market for quite sometime now, but I l always forget to repurchase this since I'm very loyal with my Celeteque hydrating moisturizer. However, I want to try something new because I've been using Celeteque for 2 years now.

Let me first introduce to you the brand..

iWhite Korea is a whitening skin care product formulated in Korea. It specializes not only in lightening the skin tone, but also in improving the overall texture of the skin through its moisturizing and rejuvenating natural plant extracts refined through Bio-Nanotechnology. 

iWhite Korea offers a wide range of skin products like moisturizing facial wash, skin-clearing facial mask, dirt removing nose pack, facial creams and more! It was launched by Biocostech Philippines in year 2004.

I only bought the small sachet with 0.2 fl. oz or 6g of product at Watsons for 20php. It's also available in 50ml full size which cost about 170php very budget friendly, but what really caught my attention is the packaging, it's very cute! 

It claims that:

• It prevents premature aging
• Protect skin from cellular damage
• Hydrate skin
• Maintain firmness of the skin

Pea size of iWhite Aqua Moisturizing Cream 

The unique thing about this is the color is blue because I was expecting it to be clear or white just like the other moisturizers.  It’s not sticky, it’s non greasy, and oil-free.

It turns out to be clear once it blended on the skin.

My thoughts:

I really like this one because it's water based and since I have oily skin, this will be perfect for me. It also blends smoothly and has a cooling effect so it won't feel sticky when you apply this. Moreover, I like how it hydrates my skin without feeling like a grease ball in the middle of the day. I cannot think of any negative thing about this and will definitely repurchase it.

My Rating: 4/5

XoXo,

Jessica

August Haul: Beauty Essentials

Hi loves! I can't believe that it's already September and just a few more months before Christmas! But of course, I will not end this month without a haul. Today, I will share with you guys my haul from the previous month. 

Star Lytes Candle - 135php

Have I told how much I'm obsessed with scented candles? Whenever I go shopping, scented candle is always on my list. Btw, I bought these two candles from Handyman at Lucky Chinatown, luckily I got it for buy 1 take 1. The scents are green apple and strawberry.

Sinnlig Vanilla Scented Candle - 135php

This is another scented candle that I bought from Robinson's department store, it has a Vanilla scent and it smells so yummy! 

Giga Nature's Spa Shea Butter Soap - 95php

Now this is another frugal find! These two bar soaps are from Lazada, if you're not familiar with that it's an online shop that sells a lot of stuff from cosmetics, electronics, clothes and etc. The original price of this soap is 95php each. Since I have a 200php coupon code I used it to have a discount so instead of paying 190php for both soaps, I only paid 55php for the shipping fee. Great deal, right?

The Faceshop Style My Eyebrow 03 - 150php

My holygrail! I've used a couple of this already, I also use this on my clients since it's not waxy and it stays on your eyebrows for the whole day. I bought two of this since it's always out of stock. 

HHN Sunflower Beauty Oil - 150php

Since I already finished a bottle of my Argan Oil, I wanted to try something new like this Sunflower beauty oil from Human Nature, since I read a lot of good reviews about it.

Clean & Clear Fairness Cleanser and Creamsilk Conditioner

I wanted to try a new facial wash so I bought this Clean & Clear Fairness Cleanser, I bought it for 80php. And I also I got this Creamsilk conditioner for 105php. 

Epsa Repairing Hair Lotion & Bremod Keratin Hair Mask

Since I dyed my hair it became a little dry so I decided to give my hair a little more love. Bought these two from G2 Beauty Products, again if you're not familiar it's a store that sells salon supplies they're located in Quiapo Manila. I got the Epsa repairing hair lotion for 80php and the Bremod keratin hair mask for 99php.

Stay tuned for the review of some of these products. Have a great week everyone!

XoXo,

Jessica 

Review: Real Techniques Core Collection Brushes

Real Techniques Core Collection Brush Set

Finally a review on the highly-raved Real Techniques makeup brushes! This core collection set is created to have perfect canvass and pixel perfect makeup coverage. I bought this from Hot Finds Manila, an instagram online shop that sells authentic cosmetics and I got this for 720php, but the original price is 920php, since they're also selling on Shopee Philippines I took advantage of using a 200php coupon. Great deal, right?

Real Techniques Core Collection Brush Set

The brushes are synthetic taklon bristles that are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free. They're very soft and dense, I ended up rubbing it between my fingers for half an hour while watching tv, lol! Plus, the extended aluminium handles are light and easy to use. 

Real Techniques Core Collection Brush Set

It also has a panoramic case which has a dual purpose, you can use it for travelling or on your makeup vanity as a brush stand.

Real Techniques Core Collection Brush Set

My thoughts: 

I've been really wanting to have this brushes for quite sometime now, but its a little bit pricey here in the Philippines so it took me quite awhile to acquire this one. I'm really impressed with the quality of this brushes they're all soft and don’t feel harsh against my skin. Not to mention, the handle on these feel light and sturdy which makes them quite comfortable to use. Even though they aren't as dense as I would like them to be but that doesn’t affect their performance. Moreover, I haven't noticed any shedding or splaying so far.

Real Techniques Collection - Buffing Brush

I am extremely happy with this buffing brush. It's perfect for applying liquid foundations, powder foundations, and BB creams. I love the way it blends the makeup and creates a flawless base. It's not as dense as the flat top brush but it's incredibly close. 

Real Techniques Core Collection - Contour Brush

The Contour brush is my second favorite from the collection. I like that it’s little round and pointed at the tip as it helps create that precise contour in a matter of seconds. But if you don’t like a sharp look, you can easily blend your bronzer or contouring powder for a diffused effect. I also use it to highlight parts on my face like cheekbones and nose. 

Real Techniques Core Collection - Pointed Foundation Brush

I love this brush to apply my liquid foundation on those hard-to-reach areas like around the nose and mouth. It could also double up as a concealer brush to hide those nasty spots or dark circles and it works really well that way.

Real Techniques Core Collection - Detailer Brush

The Detailer brush is good. I like to use it for concealing under my brow area and for highlighting the inner corner of my eyes. 

My Rating: 5/5

What do you think about the brushes? Have you tried it yet?

XoXo,

Jessica

Shawill: Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer

Hi loves, happy Sunday! Today, I'll be talking about is the Shawill Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer. It claims that 94% said it helps foundation last longer, 97% notice improvement in the skin/complexion, 94% said it increases foundation coverage and 97% said it enhances foundation's performance. Let us first talk about the packaging, does it look familiar to you? Yes, it's like the Benefit Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer! Strange right? They have the same name and packaging but I cannot compare this one with benefit because I haven't tried it yet. 

It's like a foundation/ concealer stick, you have to apply this directly to your face then blend evenly. However, this one smells like clay, which I don't like but it disappears once you put it in your face. 

Since I'm in a hunt for a good primer, I didn't hesitate to grab it because it's very cheap and I thought this would be a dupe for the Benefit Stay Flawless primer. This is now available on Watsons and Sm department stores. It has 4 shades from light to medium skin tones. I got mine in the shade 02 because this is the only one with a yellow undertone, the rest has pink undertone on it. 

Swatch of Shawill Stay Flawless Primer 02

*My Thoughts:

I would rather call this as a foundation stick rather than a primer, the consistency is a bit creamy but when I tried to put foundation on top, it felt very sticky and to be honest I didn't really like it. Moreover, it didn't made my foundation to last long. It felt like I'm putting clay into my face, thus it made me more oily within the middle of the day. The only thing I liked about this is the colour, it really matched my skin tone. But I wouldn't recommend this product if you have oily skin or even dry skin as it can settle on your dry patches. I think this will suit you if you have normal skin but you have to wear a finishing powder on top. I was a bit disappointed with this product and I would rather buy Quick FX No-Shine Mattifier over this one. You can use this as a concealer or a tinted foundation but not as a primer. But I would still recommend this if you just want to brighten up yur skin.

My Rating: 3/5

XoXo,

Jessica

Review & Swatches: Lorac Pro Palette

Hi loves! It's another long weekend so it's about time for another review! Today I'll be talking about is the highly raved Lorac Pro Palette. Everyone in the beauty community owns this palette such as makeup artists, beauty gurus and makeup enthusiasts. And since I've been eager to have one I decided to purchase it already. I ordered this online from Bonmarche another reputable shop that sells authentic cosmetics from drugstore to high end. I got this for 2,200php and I can say that it is worth every penny.

Let me first introduce the brand..

This palette was created by Carol Shaw a well known celebrity makeup artist.

This PRO artistry palette is packed with 8 Shimmer and 8 Matte Eye Shadows in all the shades you need to create the hottest looks straight from the Red Carpet.

Matte Shades Left to Right: Black, Espresso, Sable, Mauve, Lt.Pink , Taupe, Cream, White

Shimmer Shades Left to Right: Slate, Deep Purple, Garnet, Pewter, Lt.Bronze, Gold, Champagne, Nude

*My Thoughts:

First, let's talk about the packaging. It is very sleek looking, it has a matte finish and it is very thin, perfect for travelling. It has 16 beautiful and highly- pigmented shadows, all colors are very wearable and as a makeup artist, with just this palette I can create a lot of eye looks with it. All the matte shades are stunning, good for bridal makeups and the shimmer shades are so perfect for runway and evening looks. My favorite shades are Cream which I use all over the lid, Taupe to warm the eyes, Espresso to add dept and Mauve since this is hard to find in most eye shadow palettes. One more thing I like about this is that it has a Mini Behind the Scenes Eye Primer which is a plus. Just a little advice, since this is very soft and buttery, you have to tap the brush to remove the excess before applying it into your lids to avoid fall-outs.  At first, I was a bit skeptical to buy this palette because it's a little bit pricey, but then again I can't control myself and I just had to break the bank, lol. But as I said, it's worth it and since this is my very first high- end eye shadow palette it met all my expectations. I just love this palette and I can't think of any negative thing about it. Moreover, I would rather choose this over the Naked palettes because those are quite shimmery and it wouldn't suit my style, since I have hooded eyes. Unfortunately, this are not available here in the Philippines so you have to purchase it online although I have to warn you that this palette has an imitation already, so you have to be careful on buying online. 

My Rating: 5/5

That's all! Have a great weekend loves! 

XoXo,
Jessica

Review: Elf Mad For Matte Eyeshadow Palette

Hey loves! How are you today? Sorry for being MIA because I really had a busy week. As I promised, here is the review and swatches of the Elf Mad for Matte Eyeshadow Palette. I got this from MakeupInboxPh for 560php. 

*Product Description:

Achieve beautiful bold or subtle eye looks with these perfectly curated 10 matte eyeshadow shades. The collection of hues are ideal for shading, highlighting, and defining the eyes. The satin matte texture can be used as a liner, on the lid, and in the crease of the eye for an expertly contoured and blended effect.

Swatches of Elf Mad for Matte Eyeshadow Palette

*My thoughts:

This is my first ever all matte eyeshadow palette and when I first saw this I really had high expectations on it. The color range is a variation of cool and warm tones which is great. The packaging is very sleek and good for travelling. Moreover, it feels buttery and it doesn't have so much fallout. You can apply this dry for a subtle wash of color or apply wet for a vibrant effect. It's quite pigmented but some colors don't show that much on my skin like the first and second eyeshadow. It's a decent product but not the best, but don't get me wrong, the darker shades are stunning and they are more pigmented in person. My favorite color is the third one which is a warm brown shade, I use it for my transition color. I also like the fourth one which is a mauve shade, and the eight shade which is a deep burgundy shade perfect for adding depth in the eyes.

This palette is good for day to night from natural to smokey eye looks. And it's worth for it's price, I recommend this for someone who wants matte eye shadows without breaking the bank. But this is not yet available here in the Philippines so if you are interested you can order it from Makeup InboxPh.

XoXo,
Jessica

Review & Comparison: City Color Contour Effects Palette 1 & 2

Contour, sculpt and highlight is now a must in our daily makeup routine because everybody wants that perfect sculpted face, thanks to Kim Kardasian. There are so many contouring palettes coming out from drugstore to high end, but there is one brand that has been going around the beauty community and that is the City Color Contour Palette and as I promised, here is my review and comparison between the City Color Contour Effects Palette 1 & 2. Both palettes is ideal for all skin types and includes an easy-to-follow instruction guide. Moreover, packaging wise it's very sleek and sturdy, perfect for travelling. 

City Color Contour Effect Palette 1

This one is the first City Color Contour Effects Palette I had this for a few months now and I bought this from KeringKeri Store on Instagram for 450php. This is what I use for my clients, the shades are perfect for Asian skin since it has warmer tones. This one is very pigmented so you have to be very careful when using this, a little goes a long way. What I like about this palette is the contour and bronze shade is matte but the highlighter has little shimmers in it.

L-R Contour, Bronze, Highlight

Here is the sample swatch, as you can see the contour and bronze is very matte while the highlight has satin finish. The contour shade is darker in person, the bronze shade has orange undertone but it's perfect if you want that warm glow on your face. The highlight shade is a classic pearl white perfect if want that added glow into your face. I recommended this palette for darker skin tones.

My Rating: 4/5

City Color Contour Effects Palette 2

Next is the City Color Contour Effects Palette 2, since I loved the first one I already ordered it as soon as I saw this on the website. This is a part of my previous haul from MakeupInboxPh and I bought this for 380php. This palette was created to offer an even more cool-toned option, the muted hues of the contour create a natural-looking shadow while the subtle bronzer gives all-over warmth.

Here is swatch of the Contour Palette 2 and as you can see it's more muted than the first palette, I recommend this for lighter skin tones. It is not as pigmented as the first one but if you have pale skin like me this will suit you. The contour shade has a satin finish which is a bit disappointing because I was expecting for a matte shade like the first one. The bronzer is more of a neutral shade, perfect to achieve that warmth glow on your face. The highlight is a classic champagne color also has satin finish. 

My Rating: 3/5

Overall, I like both palettes because it's pigmented and can last from 4-5 hours without retouching. I really recommend this for  beginners to professionals, and those of us who change our contouring style with our mood. 

XoXo, 

Jessica