REVIEW: Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup

Do you have oily skin, but still looking for that foundation that's going to give you a dewy finish without looking like a disco ball? Are you sick of your matte foundations that end up looking flat and makes your skin look dull? Are you in need of decent coverage without the heavy and cakey feel?

Look no further, because today's product on review might just work for you. I'm talking about the Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup (Php 1,900). This foundation's label is a mouthful! And amazeballs!

I got mine in the shade Petal. While I was looking at swatches online, Champagne seemed a better shade match for me. Fortunately, I decided to actually buy this from a Benefit store and was able to compare Petal and Champagne. If I had neutral skin tone, Champagne would have matched me to a T. But, I have warm undertones, so I went with Petal. I thought it was going to look horrendously light on me. But it didn't, it actually worked quite well.

It comes in a plastic smoked bottle. (Is that how you call it? Like smoked glass because it's not clear? Whatever, you see the picture, lol.) It doesn't feel cheap at all and it's actually good, because if you drop the bottle at least you know it won't break. It has a pump, so plus points for that!

This foundation has a light to medium coverage, leaning more on light. If you have clear skin, this would work fantastic on you. It's buildable, but, come on, in this humid Philippine climate, it's not advisable to go beyond two layers. It'll just melt right off. By the way, I apply this foundation with a brush, because the texture is runny and I don't want to use a damp sponge as that will be a waste of product (this one ain't cheap! Lol). 

Since I've mentioned before that I have a new skin care routine that works very efficiently for me, I've been enjoying this foundation recently because of that. It gives you this natural, dewy finish that looks like skin, only better. I'm very conscious about my oily skin though, so I do blot. The formula is oil free and non comedogenic, so this shouldn't break y'all out with acne prone skin.

Longevity wise, this foundation wears really well throughout the day. It felt so lightweight, even after wearing it for a good nine hours. You know how some foundations feel heavy and sticky after being worn for a very long time? You're not going to get that icky feeling with this one.

And did I mention this one has SPF 25 PA+++?! That's a mighty boast of high level UVA protection! If this thing wasn't too heavy on the pockets, I would totally wear it everyday! (Well, yeah, I actually just interchange it with my BB cream depending on where I'm going hehe.)

And so:

1. Price point: 5/10. Why, oh why, do US brand cosmetics have to be so fucking expensive here in the Philippines?! If I bought this in its US price, it would be totally justifiable, but here, it's just expensive.
2. Packaging: 10/10. Gotta give it a ten. It has a pump. The bottle is basically unbreakable. It doesn't gather dust. In spite of its plastic packaging, it still looks like a high end product, as it should.
3. Formula: 9/10. I get it, generally oily skinned gals aren't fans of a dewy finish. But sometimes, I get tired of my matte and satin formula foundations. I want to be able to sport that luminous glow without looking like a grease ball and this product was able to give me just that. I need to blot, but you really need to do that if you have a temperamental two year old toddler who sometimes throws fits if you don't carry her around.
4. Longevity: 9/10. It didn't feel like it was clogging my pores after being worn for hours at a time, not like most foundations wherein you feel like you're going to break out at the end of the day lol. I did notice it breaking down at the sides of my nose. It wasn't very noticeable, really, unless you looked closely into the mirror. 

VERDICT:

8.5

If you have money to spend, I do recommend this product. And this is a foundation, so it's worth investing in. You could have a dozen cheap lipsticks, but when it comes to foundations (and concealers), go ahead and splurge for the quality.

REVIEW: Daiso Makeup Blending Sponge

So, if you follow my blog or any of my social media, you'd know my favorite makeup tool is the blending sponge. It's just quicker and requires less effort than using a brush or my fingers. I also like that when my base is applied by a blending sponge, it's not so heavy and doesn't look cakey.

I've bought two of the Daiso Makeup Blending Sponges a month and a half ago. Each costs Php 88 only so I thought that even if they were terrible, I wouldn't feel so bad since they're so cheap. I did test them before taking them to the counter. Be careful because some of them are not as soft as the others. Afterwards, when I came home, I put them in my storage box, and completely forgot about them (I do that a lot lol).

Fast forward to the past three days and I had to break them out because my Beauty Blender grew molds! The horror! I'm not sure why or how it happened since I make sure it gets dried out in the open, sometimes, if I can watch it, I even put it out in the sun. No way was I gonna let that thing touch my face again.

Now I started using the blending sponge from Daiso. First thing I noticed about it is that it holds more water than the original Beauty Blender under the faucet. It squeezes out pretty easily though, since it's so much softer. And a hell of a lot bouncier. Just like the Beauty Blender, it doubles in size once wet.

Daiso Makeup Blending Sponge dry and wet

I can squeeze all the way through it, unlike the Beauty Blender, which is more dense. It's a little bigger too so it covers a lot more areas on my face. You can see in the photo the tip is also pointy so it's great for those little corners of the face like the sides of the nose and the under eye area.

Excuse my toddler's hand. She wanted to get into the squeezing action too lol.

One thing that I don't like about it is that it soaks up more product than the original Beauty Blender. I like a light coverage but this one tends to sheer it all out. I have to use double the product with this one. 

All in all, I think this is not a bad makeup tool. At Php 88, this is actually great.  I just find it so wasteful to buy another Beauty Blender, really, that thing is so expensive and it's just going to grow molds. I don't think it's not inevitable since the climate here in the PH is humid. I wouldn't recommend this one though if you're on a budget, because even if it's cheap, the fact that it uses more product, you'd actually be spending more. However, if you need an alternate blending sponge, this one is fabulous!

My Top 5 Fall Lipsticks!

Now, I know, this post is a little silly. Come on, who are we kidding, there's no fall season here in the Philippines. But it is October, and it's bound to get colder sooner or later.

This is the season to break out our dark, vampy lip colors. And also to show our love for the deeper nudes. Here's my favorite lipsticks for fall:

Clockwise: MAC Rebel, MAC Mehr, Snoe Rouge Deluxe Marsala, NYX Matte Lipstick Strawberry Daiquiri and Snoe Rouge Deluxe Vintage Rose

1. MAC Rebel

Who hasn't heard of this famous lipstick? This lipstick looks different on every skin tone and the color it would appear in would also depend on the pigmentation of your lips. It looks scare in the tube, but that doesn't really translate when you put it on. Instead, I get a beautiful berry purple which I can build up from sheer to full on opaque. It wears beautifully too and leaves a very lovely purplish pink stain on the lips.

2. MAC Mehr

This is one of the deeper nudes in my MAC lipstick collection. Its a blue based dirty pink and it's perfect for fall because of the darkness of its pink hue. Careful though, if you have a lot of yellow in your undertones or if you're an olive girl, this won't work for you.

3. NYX Strawberry Daiquiri

I cannot not have this lipstick. If I ever run out of this, this is one I will buy again. It's a beautiful salmon pink color that leans a bit on brown. I can't even begin to describe how beautiful this color is. I throw this on when I don't know what else to wear. This lipstick also lasts a very long time too! It can be a bit drying, so best to wear a balm underneath to avoid painful chapped lips especially this cold season!

4. Snoe Rouge Deluxe Marsala

This is Snoe's limited edition shade, color of the year for 2015. It's an opaque burgundy berry color. The lipstick is very moisturizing and smells great too! Since it's one of the darker colors in this line, it also lasts a bit longer and is very smooth, creamy to put on.

5. Snoe Rouge Deluxe Vintage Rose

My current favorite MLBB lipstick! I also see me repurchasing this if I run out of it. It's a pinky nude that leans toward brown. I can literally wear this all year round, but this color is perfect for fall.

Swatched on my NC30 skin.

So, there you have it, my favorite lipsticks for this season. What are yours and do you have any suggestions? Comment down below! 

Snoe SABStance High Intensity Powder Blush

I've been on a Snoe roll this whole month. I purchased these products last month, September, and I've been using them ever since. To be quite honest, I am so amazed by their quality. I absolutely adore their lipsticks. I've been using their pigment mix with my moisturizers and it's phenomenal. But for today's review, I'd like to write about the Snoe SABStance High Intensity Powder Blush (Php 899).

Just look at the packaging! Almost too cute to use!

These products are the result of a collaboration of Snoe with Sabs Hernandez, internationally-trained professional makeup artist, beauty blogger, and YouTube makeup adviser. As can be seen on the box, the product contains Amazonian clay, which minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place. It helps nourish and hydrate dry skin and restore complexion harmony. It also contains pomegranate which is an antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and has anti-aging properties that encourage radiant skin. Another active ingredient is acerola cherry which contains the highest level of vitamin C that can be easily absorbed by the body. It has a high content of polyphenols, some of which are unique to this fruit. And, finally, the blush has Acai berry, the most powerful and nutritious fruit in the world. It contains the highest level of antioxidants compared to any other fruit.

Lot of promises, huh? I'm not so sure about that since I've been using the products for only a little more than a month, but in my own honest opinion, I think these blushes are fantastic. When I swatched them at the store, my first thought was how creamy and pigmented they were! I mean one swatch of the product was so opaque and it went on so smoothly on my skin. A little of this product definitely goes a long, long way.

I got the shades X6 Faith and X7 Respect. Faith is a warm, peachy pink color. This is a great blush for the warmer months. Respect is a cool mauvey nude color which I prefer for the colder months of the year. Now, I have said that these are dupes for the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blushes. Their consistency is different though, these are creamier and has more pigment, though they do go on a bit more powdery. What makes them similar with the Tarte blushes is their longevity. After a long ten hour day, these blushes can still be seen on my cheeks. Now we all know, with makeup, the blushes are the first to go. Now these are blushes that go on and on and will not quit until you take your makeup off.

They may seem quite expensive at their Php 899 price point, but these are worth every single penny. And compared to Tarte blushes, which retail at around Php 1300 each, you get more bang for your buck. Tarte blushes only contain 5.6g in their packaging, while the Snoe blushes have 8g. Now that's a big difference, especially when the quality is very nearly the same.

The best part is these are products that are made from organic ingredients, they don't contain parabens and lead like most local products do. If you're looking for good quality blushes, I highly recommend these products. I mean, all it took for me was one swatch on their testers and I knew I had to have them.

The Jewel of MAC Foundations: MAC Face and Body

I'll never understand why the MAC Face and Body Foundation (Php 2600 for 120mL and Php 1900 for 50mL) is not getting the love and attention it should in this country. I understand Filipina women are all about the matte finish because, seriously, our climate is enough to make one oil up like a bacon grease pan. But I see a lot of Filipina women opting for the MAC Studio Fix Fluid and MAC Pro Longwear Foundations and those, in my experience, are so heavy and clog up the pores so much, it feels like my skin can't breathe when I put those on. Not to mention, I broke out so horribly after wearing the Pro Longwear Foundation.

Now I have found the perfect MAC foundation that works so good for me and one that I can actually use on a daily basis. It took me so long to love the MAC Face and Body Foundation, but now that I figured out how to use it, I cannot not have this product ever. This is the foundation that I swear by, and I can honestly ditch all my other foundations and just use this for life. That's how good it is.

Texture is extremely runny and watery.

When I first got this foundation, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. I thought, what the hell, this is just water. But as I went on using it, because, come on, I need to get the value for my money, MAC foundations aren't cheap, I figured out that I needed to blend and buff the crap out of it on my skin! And the tool that I use to achieve the finish that I want is none other than my hands!

Now I'm usually one who doesn't like using my hands because I don't like getting product all over the place; I am a very clumsy person and it happens a lot. But I've found that using a brush with this foundation just wastes product, the brush soaks it all up. So what I do is blend, blend, blend it with my hands and then when it starts to get tight and tacky, that's when I go in with the brush. The finish is undetectable and skin like.

Coverage is nearly sheer, it only evens out the skin tone with one layer, but hey that's what concealers are for. This is even sheerer than most tinted moisturizers. It has a satiny finish, not overly dewy. This foundation is buildable, but I won't go as far as saying it can be built to full coverage, which it won't, no matter how many layers you put on. But with that being said, this is a foundation that will NEVER look cakey, even if you decide to put on a dozen layers.

This foundation looks fantastic in photographs! It makes the skin look like real skin, not with a lot of makeup on, only better. 

Now if you're one who looks for a lot of coverage, this is not the foundation for you. However, if you're all about that no makeup makeup look, all natural, lightweight makeup, this is one that you will absolutely love.

Snoe BBfied HD-BB Pigment Mix

I had a Snoe haul a few weeks back and since I reached a certain amount of purchase I got their BBfied HD-BB Pigment Mix (Php 799) as a freebie. This, by far, is the most interesting cosmetic product I've come across with. Here's what it says on the box:

"Transform your favorite daily facial cream or lotion into a BB cream, tinted moisturizer, foundation or concealer! Get all the benefits of your favorite skin care products with the coverage of Snoe BBfied! Cover all imperfections such as spots, uneven skin tone, pimples and even under eye circles. Be amazed, be BBfied!"

So, simply put, this is a powder pigment that I can mix with my skin care products and it'll have coverage. It's actually a brilliant idea, especially, ironically, I'm not exactly the type who likes to pile on a lot of product on my face. Besides having a toddler I need to constantly keep up with, the climate in the Philippines just makes it uncomfortable.

So according to the directions on the box: "Custom mix your cream or lotion by applying lotion at BBfied's powder case cover. Sprinkle a little bit of BBfied powder and mix with the spatula that comes with the kt. Keep adding more powder till you get the right coverage. Apply all over face and neck, like you would apply your regular cream. Finish off with Snoe loose powder products."

Product mixed with my gel moisturizer

I got it in the shade X2 Marble, Light with Yellow Undertones. They only have two shades and, unfortunately, the other, X1 Porcelain, only works with light skin tone with pink undertones. I wish they'd come up with a wider range of shades. I can make this product work for me, though, by just setting it with a powder that's in my shade.

I'm not a big fan of the seal on the packaging. It was kind of annoying that it was papery and stuck on the lid. I spent quite some time scratching it off because I didn't want to waste any product.

It's interesting that although this product does not have SPF, one of the ingredients listed is Titanium Dioxide. It does have a brightening effect because it has a white cast due to this component. By the way, I also did try dusting just the pigment onto my face. It didn't work like how I wondered it would. It was quite difficult to blend out.

I actually like this product. Despite of the fact that I need to keep the whole thing, container and spatula and all, constantly clean. It's not as long lasting as a foundation or even a real BB cream, but it's lightweight and you can basically mix it with anything you want to have coverage with. I've mixed this with a primer as well and it worked just as fine. I also like the fact that I can customize the coverage. I can have very light coverage to however much I want.

Product without setting powder. It looks way too light for me. Wet hair, don't care lol.

Product after setting powder. Still looks light, but kind of works because of the yellow undertones. It does oxidize throughout the day and with a dusting of bronzer, hardly looks off.

I would repurchase this product if they come up with a shade that's more a match for me, which I strongly hope for!

Snoe Rouge Deluxe Complete Lip Care

So I've been on break from the blog for quite a while. I actually got a bunch of new stuff that I really wanted to put to the test before I can feel confident enough to post a review about them. I had a post about a fiber lash mascara and it was merely a first impression review. Oh boy, did I have quite a reaction to that. My right eye swelled for almost a week! So I'm not so sure I want to write about first impressions anymore. From now on, I would prefer writing full on reviews about products that I've used for some time.

On to the review! Today's is about the Snoe Rouge Deluxe Complete Lip Care (Php 399). Snoe Beauty Inc. is a local brand in the Philippines that has a considerable cult following. And now that I've tested a few of their products, I can actually, in good authority, say that their products are at par with international high end brands. I got their blushes and they are perfectly comparable with the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush. But that's a post for another day. I picked up four of their lipsticks, with most shades appropriate for the fall season.

First off, let's talk about the packaging. I mean, how cute is that?! They're almost too pretty to use. I love bringing these in my makeup bag just as much as my MAC lipsticks and just pop them out in public to reapply. (I'm such a show off lol!) But, really, this is the kind of packaging that's just so adorable you need to whip it out. 

The formula of these lipsticks is almost equivalent to the Satin finish of MAC lipsticks. They're not matte, but they're not super moisturizing either. However, they are very creamy during application, except for the shade X10 Plum Crazy which kind of "skips" whenever I put it on and is a bit patchy. These lipsticks are also very pigmented. One swipe and you get full blown color. And they last for quite sometime too! They last some 4 to 5 hours on me, but that's without eating. If I eat, especially it it's something oily, I will need to reapply especially at the center of my lips because I don't wanna look like a chola lol. They do wear off nicely though. I noticed that the lighter colors leave off a stronger stain than the darker ones. Weird huh?

So now, onto the swatches: 

 X19 Mauve Movement

X19 Mauve Movement is a very bright pinky mauve. This is actually better to wear during the summer, but hey, it's always hot as summer in the Philippines, so why not?

X12 Vintage Rose

I love this color for everyday. This is a very fall appropriate nude because it's a deep nude color that leans toward brown. This is my favorite among the four I have and I can totally see me repurchasing this once it runs out. I think this shade is most flattering for light/medium, medium to deeper skin tones.

X10 Plum Crazy

This lipstick is purple! When I swatched it at the store I thought it would look like MAC Rebel on me but it just doesn't. I had the most difficulty with this shade because it was patchy, application was uneven. I had to swipe it on several times to even out the color. It's not very flattering on the teeth either. It makes my teeth look more yellow. This shade does brighten up my complexion though, so I'm still on the fence about this one.

Marsala 2015

And, finally, this beautiful shade is a limited edition, which happens to be the 2015 color of the year. It's a gorgeous deep berry shade that's bound to look complimentary across all skin tones from very light to very dark. 

Summary:

1. Price: 10/10. At Php 399 a piece, these lipsticks perform just as well, if not better, as international high end lipsticks. 
2. Packaging: 10/10. I have to give them ten, the packaging is beautiful! The pattern on the lipsticks is intricate and very "mandala" looking.
3. Formula: 8/10. I absolutely love the formula of these lipsticks even if Plum Crazy did disappoint me a little. They don't look flat, and they don't look too overly glossy either.
4. Longevity: 8/10. I just hate that I look like I have chola lips after eating with these lipsticks on, otherwise they actually have decent lasting power.

VERDICT: 9/10

I definitely recommend these lipsticks. They are fantastic, just wonderful! The formula of these products were very well thought of and I cannot speak any more highly of them.

Snoe Beauty Inc. is available in the following locations:

NCR

QUEZON CITY

Wellworth Mall – G/F Department Store 

Landmark Trinoma – G/F Department Store

SM North Edsa – Main Bldg, UG/F (beside Aficionado)

MANDALUYONG

SM Megamall – Cinderella Department Store 

SM Megamall – G/F (Beside Foodcourt)

Robinson's Galleria – 3/F (in front of Lee Pipes)

SAN JUAN

Greenhills Shoppesville – 3/F

PASIG

SM Supercenter Pasig – G/F (near Land Transportation Office)

TAGUIG

Market! Market! – G/F (in front of Forme)

MAKATI

Glorietta – Cinderella Department Store 

Landmark Makati – Department Store, G/F

MANILA

SM City Manila – 3/F (beside Folded & Hung)

Robinson's Place Ermita – G/F Cinderella Department Store 

SM San Lazaro – 2/F (beside PrimaDonna)

PARANAQUE

SM City Sucat – G/F

LAS PINAS

SM Southmall – G/F (beside Sunnies by Charlie)

SM Center Las Pinas – UG/F

MUNTINLUPA 

SM Muntinlupa – 2/F (along Fashion Ave.)

Festival Mall – G/F (near the entrance of Shopwise) 

Alabang Town Center – Metro Gaisano Department Store

LUZON

LAGUNA

Shopwise San Pedro – (in front of the Supermarket)

Salon 28 – Pacita Rd, San Pedro Laguna

SM City Sta Rosa – G/F (near Banco De Oro)

CAVITE

Ayala District Mall Dasmarinas G/F (near Bench)

Ayala District Mall Imus – G/F (in front of Payless)

RIZAL

Sta. Lucia Grand Mall, Cainta – Cinderella Department Store

Robinsons Place Antipolo – G/F Activity Center

PAMPANGA

Marquee Mall – Metro Gaisano Department Store

ILOCOS NORTE

Red Dot Boutique – Laoag City

VISAYAS

CEBU

Ayala Center Cebu – 2/F, New Wing

Ayala Center Cebu – Metro Gaisano Department Store

Metro Gaisano Colon – Department Store

One Pavillion Mall – Department Store, 2/F

BOHOL

Island City Mall – Department Store

MINDANAO

DAVAO

Abreeza Mall – 2/F (in front of Robinsons Department Store) 

CAGAYAN DE ORO

Ayala Centrio Mall – 1/F (CM Recto Entrance)

GENERAL SANTOS

KCC Mall – Department Store

SM City General Santos - 2/F (in front of Max's)

Selected items available:

Common Thread – PowerPlant Mall Rockwell 2/F

Common Thread – Greenbelt 5 2/F

GLAMOURBOX PH

www.glamourbox.com

SEEK THE UNIQ

www.seektheuniq.com

MALILIBULLE (Europe)

http://www.malilibulle.com/41_snoe

Full list of products can be found:

CLICK SHOP ONLINE ON:

www.snoebeauty.com

REVIEW: Get Lei'd Cosmetics 3D Fiber Mascara

Every night, as a habit, I would scroll through my Instagram feed before going to sleep. Let's just say that makeup photos are my kind of porn. Lol. I love looking at flat lays and seeing what other Filipinas are using. That's how I found out about Get Lei'd cosmetics.

Get Lei'd cosmetics is an indie Filipino brand. Let it not be said that I don't support local brands. I do not support those brands that are mass produced with harmful ingredients such as lead and parabens. Get Lei'd cosmetics, however, claims to use mineral or organic ingredients. 

Get Lei'd currently has two makeup products: the Get Lei'd 3D Fiber Mascara and the Get Lei'd Brow Powder x Gel Liner Set. One of my friends had asked me if I'd tried fiber mascaras, and I have once, it was a Physician's Formula one, and, sadly, I did not have a good reaction to that product. I had a mild eye irritation. However, since the Get Lei'd fiber mascara uses green tea fibers, I decided to give it a try.

So I purchased both their products while they were on a promotional price. (God, I am a sucker for sales!) I bought the mascara for Php 860 and the brow set for Php 460. I'm not sure how much they cost now, or if they still have free shipping, please do make sure to check out their online store; their IG username is @getleidmakeup. And let me just say, their packaging is the bomb.com! The products were nestled in cute hard boxes so they didn't get damaged during shipping. I even made the brow set box my container for my eye brushes.

Let's discuss the first product, which is the Get Lei'd 3D Fiber Mascara. It' a product that comes in a set of two: the Setting Mascara and Green Tea Fiber. Nestled along in their box, is a card containing instructions on how to apply them. Well, basically, the first and last thing you should use is the Setting Mascara which makes the fibers, which you use in between coats, stick and seals them in. And, word of advice: when applying the fibers, begin at the middle of your lashes not at the roots. You don't want the fibers getting into your eyeballs.

Naked lashes yikes~!

One coat (Setting mascara, green tea fiber then setting mascara again to seal in the fibers.)

Two coats.

Three coats.

This product ain't for everyday. It takes too much time to apply and you need to do one eye at a time. Well, at least I take a lot of time, because with the way my eyes are shaped, I tend to leave mascara marks around my eye, each and every damn time. And I mean all the damn time. So I have to be careful not to get it all over the place.

I curled my eyelashes before application of this product, unfortunately, the mascara can't hold the curls. This is supposed to be a waterproof formula though. I guess it's because the fibers hold down the lashes with their weight? I'm not sure what the science behind it is, but that's one of the most important things I look for in a mascara because I wear eye glasses. I hate it when my lashes hit my lenses, it's distracting.

Regardless of all that, this product is impressive. I mean, holy cow, can you see the difference?! From sparse to full volume and length in three coats. It doesn't look all clumpy and spidery either (you know, when your eyelashes look like spider legs when you apply too much mascara.)

If you're the type who can't deal with falsies (I CAN'T! My toddler would just likely rip them off.), this product is for you. Just remember not to use this product with eye glasses, but with contact lenses, go right ahead, knock yourselves out. 

Sorry for holding out, but I'm still currently trying to weigh my feelings about the second product, the brow set. I'll keep y'all guys posted once I've had a good opinion about it. (Aaaaaaaanndddd, I fuckin hate reading long articles lol.)

Beauty Blogger Essential: Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel 77

Eyeliners are just one of those extra makeup products that give a certain ooomph to your makeup look. I love eyeliners. They're not a necessity, but if I have the time, I am going to rock a wing. Eyeliners make my lashes look fuller and my eyes more elongated. I just love the effect.

I've had many eyeliners over the years. I've tried them all. Pen liners, pencil liners, gel liners. Felt tipped applicators, brush applicators, you name it. I've found that even if liquid pen liners are the most convenient, especially if you're in a hurry, it's easiest for me to work with gel liners. Yeah, despite the separate pot and applicator. They don't smudge during application as easily as liquid liners, they last longer than pencil liners and they're a lot easier to clean up if you make a mistake. I recommend gel liners for beginners, really.

And so, when I've heard about the Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel 77 (Php 995), I, of course, had to get my hands on it. Oh boy, this eyeliner is in demand! I had to make a reservation to be able to purchase it from the Inglot Megamall store. I live in the Marikina area, and there aren't too many high end makeup stores nearby, so I really have to make a 45 minute trip to Megamall to purchase good products, and I have to be ready with what I want since I tag a two year old toddler along with me lol. I was told this eyeliner sells out fast, in fact, when I finally purchased my reserved one, I asked if there was another so I could have a back up and, guess what, they were all gone.

This is said to be the blackest eyeliner in the market. And, I have to say, it really is. This is the blackest eyeliner I have ever tried. But the mattest? Not really. It kind of dries to a satin finish. It's not matte, it's not overly glossy either. This eyeliner is really best if you have a smoky eye look going on and you want your eyeliner to somehow stand out.

This eyeliner also dries fast. You have to be quick if you're gonna work with this because once it sets, it's there and it would be a bitch to clean up if you make a mistake. But it's exactly how I like it. Once I've applied my eyeliner, I want it to set really fast so I can curl my lashes and apply my mascara and be done with it. However, be warned, when applying this gel liner, and you need to keep the pot open, make sure you turn it upside down on your desk or vanity to keep the whole product from drying out too fast. 

This eyeliner is so creamy and applies so smooth, you'd be sure you can apply a sharp wing each and every time. It also applies very evenly, no patchiness at all. One swipe is all it takes, there's no need to go over the lash line over and over again, the product is so opaque.

This eyeliner also wears for a really long time. It did not start to smudge on me until nine hours of wear time. Let's face it, this is a gel liner, a cream product and with the Philippine climate, all the heat and humidity, even the "driest" eyeliner will eventually smudge. 

Overall, I give this eyeliner two thumbs up. This worked even better than MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack and it's cheaper too! And Inglot is a cruelty-free brand, if you must know. If you want to splurge on an eyeliner, I definitely cannot speak any more highly of this product.

Inglot Cosmetics Philippines is available in the following locations: GF Glorietta 5 / SM Megamall 2nd floor, Building A / SM Mall of Asia.

Rave Review! AC Clinic Daily Skin Care Line

Whenever I want to write a product, I try to only write about those I've tested and feel confident and secure about how I feel about them. This comes especially with skin care products. Skin care products are trickier than make up in such a way that they can take several weeks before you can really see their effect. You can also change your mind about skin care products. There are cases wherein you have been using a particular product for a very long time, years even, and then suddenly get allergic to it. So, a little disclaimer here: What works for me, may not work for you and vice versa.

I've written a little while back that I've been suffering from adult acne. It actually started several months ago, April to be specific, when I began taking medications for something I have (I'm not willing to discuss that here and it's boring lol). The acne was a side effect that I had no control over. I used to have clear skin and then suddenly BAM! Uncontrollable acne! I'd have three zits at a time and those gone would leave scars. It was a hit on my self esteem. Whereas before I'd go out with just an SPF moisturizer, powder, mascara and tinted lip balm, I could no longer live without concealer. I only used to conceal my under eye area but to conceal acne scars and sometimes pile it on because the darkness would always peek through, the whole thing just frustrated me to bits.

Over the past several months, I have purchased different acne solution products. I thank God now that I did not have to wait too long to come across something that was effective for me. And, oh boy, is it really effective for me. I've been acne free for the past two weeks now. I have not used my spot treatment for two weeks! I still have to conceal my acne scars, but they are fading away nicely now.

So, what have I been using lately? Etude House's skin care line the AC Clinic Daily line, particularly, the AC Clinic Daily Acne Foam Cleanser (Php 478) and the AC Clinic Daily Gel Lotion (Php 548). These products are my new holy grail, ride or die, I could shoot the postman products now. The effect was immediate! By the third day of using this, the acne was no longer coming on! I was so surprised, but I had to wait at least a couple weeks before writing about this because I had to confirm that these babies were working effectively.

The products in this skin care line are salicylic acid based. I've tried my hand at the natural stuff, you know, the tea tree oil based stuff and those things just did not do shit for me. Waited for months and na-dah. Nothing. So I started looking for products with different active ingredients and came across these. 

Well, I am not surprised. Korean skin care products are well known for their efficacy. The legend is valid. God bless the Koreans for making skin care products which are tough on acne but gentle on the skin. I don't feel any tightening of sorts on my skin when I use these. Salicylic acid on its own can dry your skin out and cause burning sensations. These products don't do that at all for me. The foam cleanser is very gentle to use, I don't even feel dryness on my face afterwards when I pat it dry with my towel. The gel lotion is equally fantastic. It's watery and sets quickly on the face. Once it sets, it feels so smooth and the finish is not dewy, not matte either. It's a perfect satin, almost powdery, finish.

I use these both day and night. At night time, since the lotion is not exactly moisturizing enough for over night use, I just boost this by using a serum beforehand.

If you've been forever looking for products for your acne problem, I highly recommend these. They also have a toner and some spot treatment products in this line. I'm already considering purchasing them, although I'm not a big fan of toners and these two have rendered using spot treatments useless. At a combined cost of Php 1026, this is already very wallet friendly lol! And you get a lot of amount of product for their price. These were exceedingly effective for me, I cannot speak highly enough of them. 

DISCLAIMER: Please don't use this if you're pregnant. Salicylic acid is not good for pregnant women.

Hauled It But How Was It? NYX Micro Brow Pencil

Brow pencil products are great. I honestly believe they are a godsend. When you're in a hurry and you need your brows filled in right away, brow pencils are absolutely the way to go! And filling out your brows is a definite must. After all, you don't want them to disappear under your foundation or BB cream. And, regardless if you're wearing base make up or not, brows define the way you look because they frame your eyes, which are the windows to your soul. Sounds cheesy, I know, lol!

I purchased the NYX Micro Brow Pencil in MBP06 Brunette (Php 650) last month during my August haul. I've heard good things about this product, including it being a dupe for another famous brow product, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz. The ABH Brow Wiz is just a bit too much for me right now so I decided to try this NYX one instead.

Yes, it's fantabulous! I love how convenient this product is! The pencil itself is on one end and is retractable, while there is a spoolie on the other end. The pencil is also small which makes for a very precise application while still looking very natural. 

The pigmentation is also not too in your face too much. You can be a little heavy handed with this and it won't look too much. And since there's a spoolie, you can just always blend it out.

The only thing I don't like about this is that I picked the wrong damn shade! I assumed that because the pomade in Brunette was a shade match for me, this would be as well. I should've gotten it in Espresso, which is a shade darker. This shade is not the same as the pomade at all. It pulls a bit red on me as can be seen in the photo above.

Other than that, this is an amazing product overall. Inspite of its surprisingly hefty cost at Php 650 (there is so little product!), I'd have to say I'm willing to purchase it again in the right shade. Yep, that's how good it is.