Quick Review: Etude House Pearl Aura Brightening Essence

Etude House says:

The brightening and revitalizing essence makes skin look transparent and radiant. ·This is a brightening essence that contains Tahiti black pearl extract based fine aurora particles that enhance the skin’s natural transparent glow, brightening up dull areas for the effect of just awakened, fresh skin. ·With sufficient moisture and skin-friendly properties, This essence absorbs quickly without the use of cotton pads, hugging the skin with its smooth texture for a healthy looking glow.

First off, the formula is translucent-pearly white (has micro shimmers) that is easily absorbed by the skin. It has a strong floral scent which I honestly am not a fan of. I dislike strong fragrances on my skin care products, especially with my acne-prone skin!

After using for a few weeks, I must say that it did brighten my skin. It also moisturizes my skin quite well despite of how light it is. However, it did not give me the glow I was expecting, and worse, it was breaking me out. As I am already suffering from [even more] pimples and marks because of my pregnancy, I couldn't take any mooore acne problems - so I had to get rid of it.

You might still want to give this a try, but for those of you who have sensitive and acne-prone skin like mine, I'll just remind you to be extra cautious. Anyways, this is available for PHP 898 at any Etude House branch here in the Philippines, I got mine from their Glorietta store. Thanks for reading. Ciao!

thebalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen Review

thebalm Stainiac is currently my top contender for lip and cheek stains. Read on and you'll know why.

Pardon the faded markings. :P

Stainiac comes in an aloe-infused gel-based formula, and doesn't dry my lips out. The doe foot applicator also makes for easier application.

Beauty Queen is a blue-based, cherry red.

It provides more pigmentation unlike its thinner, water-based counterparts such as the Benetint. It wouldn't streak either. And since it's gel-based, there's no need to rush blending because it won't set immediately.

Once blended, it dries down to a very natural finish. But it can be layered for a pop of color.

Stainiac lasts a pretty long time. And it lasts especially longer on the lips when layered on top with lipstick.

I ordered this online from Nordstrom, but it's available locally at Beauty Bar stores for PHP 650.00.

-----

Review Roundup: thebalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen

Pros:
non-drying

great pigmentation
doesn't streak
long-wearing
doesn't set immediately

Cons:
--

Overall:

4/5

Would I repurchase? Yes
Would I recommend? Yes

Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly Watery Cheek Review

Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly Watery Cheek, as the name implies, is a watery cream blush.

I got it in shade 04 Orange Coral which is purrrfect for summer!

It is watery, but well-pigmented.

Blended

Once blended, it dries down to a moist, natural finish. Nothing too dewy.

Lightly washed with soap and water

And the lasting power is great! How amazing would this be on outings or vacation trips -- under the scorching summer heat or against the ocean waves.

Review Roundup: Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly Watery Cheek

Pros:
natural finish

great pigmentation
long-wearing
affordable

Cons:
--

Overall:

5/5

Would I repurchase? Yes
Would I recommend? Yes

My Top 3 Lip Balms!

These are currently my favorite lip balms.

EOS - Moisturizes my lips pretty well, and the packaging is just so adorable! It's 100% natural, 95% organic. Plus there's a lot of tasty flavors to choose from -- my personal favorites are Sweet Mint and Honeysuckle Honeydew.

FAB Ultra Repair Lip Therapy - This lip treatment repairs and nourishes my often dry, chapped lips. It comes in a unique form which I love, and is Petroleum-free.

Maybelline Baby Lips - Feels light and non-sticky, yet moisturizes my lips well and makes them supple. The added SPF 20 is also perfect when heading out, to be layered with lipstick.

Barenaturals Natural Pink Lip & Nipple Solid Gel ~ Review

I ordered my Natural Pink Solid Gel online from Lazada for PHP 198.

According to Barenaturals:

Various factors may cause your lips to darken: excessive intake of tea or coffee, excessive exposure to sun, smoking, skin dryness, heavy or chemical-laden lipstick, aging, hormonal changes, pregnancy, menstrual problems can all speed up the accumulation of dark pigments and change the colour of your lips and nipples from a natural pinkish to a dull, brownish colour. Barenaturals Pink Lip & Nipple Solid Gel counteracts these problems by doing through the following features:

Restores alluring sheer pink lips – lightens dull, discoloured lips & restores natural lip colour with continuous use.
Prevents further darkening caused by low-quality, traditional lipsticks.
Made from the most natural ingredients and extracts available to restore the pink glow of lips and nipple.
Rich in antioxidants C and E to protect your lips.
Lightens Darkened Lips and Nipples - naturally safe
Reveals softer, more kissable lips
SPF 15 protects from further sun damage

Directions:
Use several times a day for faster result. Results can be seen for as early as 7 days

This is a transparent solid gel that promises to restore the lips and nipples' pinkish color. I like that it's transparent, I find that unique. And the texture isn't waxy or sticky, it feels light on the lips, and leaves a minty sensation. It also moisturizes quite well.

Sadly, I didn't see any effects after using it several times a day for 7 days, and even after finishing the whole tube.

This works great as a light, moisturizing lip balm with all-natural ingredients, but it doesn't work as a lip & nipple pinker. If a product cannot live up to its claims then it just ain't worth it. And for PHP 198.00, it's kinda expensive.

Review Roundup: Barenaturals Natural Pink Lip & Nipple Solid Gel

Pros:
moisturizing
non-sticky
lightweight

Cons:
did not lighten nor restore my lips' pinkish state

Overall:

2/5

Would I repurchase? No
Would I recommend? No

Mini Haul: Etude House ~

So I went on a little trip to Etude House Glorietta and came home with these:

Pearl Aura Brightening Essence - PHP 898

Pure Water Baobab Moist Cream - PHP 798

Moistfull Collagen Sleeping Pack - PHP 578

Freebies!

Moistfull Collagen Emulsion

Moistfull Super Collagen Ampoule Essence

Pearl Aura Brightening Essence Lotion

Pure Water Baobab 3-Step Care

I Need You Pearl Mask - PHP 58

I Need You Korean Ginseng Mask - PHP 58

Full reviews once I've tried them out! Ciao!

HG Products For My Acne-Prone, Oily, Sensitive Skin

Hi everyone! I'm going to share my all-time favorite beauty purchases. These are staples in my kit. And although I don't wear that much makeup at the moment because I am prioritizing my acne treatment, these are still my go-to products whenever I have something going on. I have acne-prone, oily, sensitive asian skin so those of you who have the same skin conditions might want to check these out.

BB cream

Bobbi Brown.com

Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35

My go-to bb cream. Gives me that dewy, radiant glow. Provides a sheer to light coverage, that's very lightweight. This can hold up for a long time on my oily skin, and doesn't break me out. I also love that it has an SPF of 35. (:

See my full review here: Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35 | Review

Matte foundation

Make Up For Ever.com

MUFE Mat Velvet Plus

I just love this foundation. It has a wonderfully silky, velvety texture.Even though it has a matte finish, it doesn't dry my skin out. Neither does it accentuate my pores and dry patches. It provides a medium to full coverage. Best of all, doesn't break me out.

Powder foundation

Clinique.my

Clinique Perfectly Real Radiant Skin Compact

My favorite powder/foundation! When I first got this I practically used it everyday, that I feel the time I spent with this baby was too short. Seriously, I wouldn't trade this powder for any other out there. The texture is velvety smooth, never cakey or powdery. This gives me a good medium coverage, with a matte texture that isn't too 'dry' looking. Kind of, a bit of radiance still showing. Hence the name Perfectly Radiant, I guess. Acne and acne scars aren't totally covered but makes them really less noticeable. I wore this alone everyday until I ran out. (Currently waiting for my replenishment to arrive. Now I'm thinking I should've stocked up on my order!) I'm just in love with this. The SPF 29++ is also a bonus.
The only thing I ask from Clinique is, Please!!!!! Don't reformulate or discontinue this! I'm going to hate you if you do.

*I'll do a full review on this once my order has arrived. (:

Blemish concealer

Beautylish.con

MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer

I'm really not a fan of MAC, I have a few products here and there, but I always have the feeling that their products aren't supposed to be worn everyday. Think stage or professional makeup. Then there's the Studio Finish concealer that I can wear almost everyday and never worry about my skin worsening. It conceals the blemishes or acne scars perfectly, and doesn't aggravate them. This is really perfect for spot concealing.

Color correcting concealer

Make Up For Ever.com

MUFE Camouflage Cream Pot in Green

Counteracts the redness of my angry pimples, and doesn't worsen them. Apply your favorite concealer on top, because wearing alone will only give the treated spot a greyish color.

Cream blush / cheek & tint

Bobbi Brown.com

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge

A creamy texture that's very blendable, and buildable. Looks very natural and stays on for a long period of time, like 8 hours. I love this for my cheeks and also ze lips.

Finishing/setting powder

Make Up For Ever.com

MUFE HD Microfinish powder

Need I say more? This helps keep my makeup in place, and my oilies at bay. You just need really little bit of this, so a jar will last a very long time.


What do you guys think? Share your own HG products! (:

My Beauty Wishlist This 2013 (Updated)

This is my beauty and skincare wishlist for this year 2013, and next year 2014. I swear will try not to buy any products aside from the ones on this list, of course besides the replenishments. Remember, okay self? Please do really try.

A very long list indeed, but it's not like I'm going to buy all of them, heck of course not. One or two items per category, and I'm good to go. These are all candidates for HG status, btw. So here we go, a wishlist for my sensitive, acne-prone, oily skin:

Updated as of 12.03.13, I have already received some of the products. :3
Updated 12.09.13 (:
Updated 12.10.13!

Skincare

• Moisturizer

☑ Peter Thomas Roth ultra lite oil free
⍻ MD Formulations moisture defense hydrating gel
⍻ Laneige water bank gel cream
⍻ Neutrogena hydroboost gel

• Moisturizer with spf
☑ Neutrogena hydroboost gel spf 30
☑ Philosophy take a deep breath moisturizer spf 30
☑ Mario Badescu oil-free moisturizer spf 30
⍻ Mario Badescu aloe moisturizer spf 15

• Facial mist
☑ Ole Henriksen african red tea mist
⍻ Laneige water bank mineral skin mist

• Lip balm
☑ Ole Henriksen red tea exfoliating lip salvation
☑ First Aid Beauty ultra lip therapy
⍻ Tarte lip surgence skintuitive lip tint in Energy

• Lip balm with spf
☑ Sunbum lip balm SPF 30

• Skin oils/ointment
☑ Bio oil
☑ Tarte pure maracuja oil
⍻ Hydroxatone celtrixa stretch mark lotion

Beauty

• BB cream
☑ Tarte bb tinted 12-hour primer broad spectrum spf 30
☑ Estee Lauder daywear multi-perfecting bb creme
⍻ Dior diorsnow white reveal uv protection spf 50 bb
⍻ Kanebo kate gel bb

• Light Foundation
☑ Benefit hello flawless oxygen wow
⍻ Chanel vitalumiere aqua

• Heavy Foundation
☑ RMK liquid foundation

⍻ Chanel perfection lumiere
⍻ Clinique anti blemish solutions liquid makeup
⍻ Bobbi Brown long wear even finish
⍻ Bobbi Brown skin foundation

• Powder Foundation
☑ Clinique perfectly real radiant skin makeup - replenishment, *HG*
⍻ Dior diorskin forever compact
⍻ Chanel double perfection lumiere

• Finishing Powder
⍻ Ben Nye
⍻ Tarte amazonian clay pressed mineral powder

• Red Lipstick
☑ Chanel rouge allure in Pirate

• MLBB Lipstick

☑ Chane rouge coco in Mademoiselle
☑ Bobbi Brown lip color in Tulle
☑ Dior nude rouge in Grege / Charnelle
☑ Bobbi Brown lip color in Nude Rose / Nude / Soft Rose
⍻ Dior addict lip glow

•  Lipstick
⍻ Dior rouge dior in Rouge Blossom / Pink Cocotte/ Pink Songe

⍻ Yves Saint Laurent rouge pur couture in Taupe Raphael
⍻ Yves Saint Laurent rouge pur couture in Roxanne
⍻ Yves Saint Laurent rouge volupte shine in Rose Infinite
⍻ Laura Mercier rouge nouveau weightless lip color in Cafe (slightly nude) / Shy (light rose) / Silk

•  Matte Lipstick
☑ Nars pure matte lipstick in Tonkin
⍻ Nars pure matte lipstick in Montego Bay / Bangkok
⍻ Laura Mercier rouge nouveau weightless lip color in Moi (cherry red) / Mod (retro red)

• Blush

☑ Dior vibrant color in New Red

⍻ Dior diorblush glowing color in Sugar & Spice
⍻ Dior vibrant color in Lady Red

• Lips & Cheeks
☑ thebalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen
⍻ Bobbi Brown pot rouge in Rose

• Blemish Concealer

☑ BareMinerals correcting concealer

☑ Murad acne treatment concealer
⍻ Naturactor

• Liquid Concealer
☑ Dior diorskin nude skin perfecting hydrating concealer
⍻ Tarte maracuja creaseless concealer
⍻ Estee Lauder double wear concealer
⍻ Tarte amazonian clay full coverage concealer

• Highlighter
⍻ Dior skinflash radiant booster pen
⍻ Yves Saint Laurent touche eclat

• Bronzer - ON THE HUNT

• Mascara
☑ Diorshow mascara
☑ Urban Decay mascara

• Eyeliner
☑ Urban Decay 24/7 glide on pencil

So, there you go. What do you think? :3

For the Love of... Cats!

Meet my cat, Montecarlo! She’s female, by the way. oops. Her nickname is Monty. Even with that alias they still mistake her for a him, though. I mean, does that name really sound masculine? Because I personally think all names that end with ‘-y’ are pretty girlish. Heh. She was born on February 2012, and I got her when she was about 3 months old.

First tour outside: "I'll get you for this."

I remember when I first got her, she was so tiny and meek and meowing like a poor thing! But after arriving a few minutes in the hotel (Yes! We sneaked her in! mehehe.) she was already out running and playing in the room. It was a memorable day for us when we first got her, because the night later, we would be on a trip back to my hometown and, pets were prohibited inside the bus. It was a decision we had to make, my cousin, sister and I. It’s a win-lose situation. We could either get her home safely or get her thrown out the middle of the road if we got caught! Well, there’s no way the bus conductor would do that to a poor kitty, right? And so we stuck to the latter. Imagine the stress she had to go through. And imagine our sleepless 8 hour trip, trying to stop her meows and attempts of jumping from the seats. It was crazyyy! I guess I’d also give a share of thanks to the cooperative passengers who saw her yet didn’t say a thing, for a successful mission. I’m just glad we’re over that part. And I never want it to happen again. -_- So far, it never has. When she had to be brought back to Manila (where I currently live), my parents had her in the car with them. That’s how it goes until today. It’s the best deal. No stress, and she’s treated like a princess! Ain’t that how they like to be treated? Like royalty. *wink wink*

zzzzz

Right now she’s in the province with me. She’s a year and nine months now! Growing up too soon. She’s prepared to be a mom now. But I’m not yet ready to become a grandma! LOL. And I still have to discuss this with Taylor. (You see, TL’s her biological father. No wink part here, I’m serious.)

“Annoying human slave putting her filthy hands on me…”

Monty is my first cat. She’s crossed out all my misconceptions about cats being snob, apathetic, scary, etc etc. Was I the only who had that kind of thinking? I don’t think so. A lot of people do. Cats often get compared to the more common house pet – dogs, to be less lively, less expressive and less interactive with their owners. It’s true, they can be timid. But it’s not that they don’t express their feelings and interact with their humans. You just have to find a different way to understand them. And accept the fact that cats and dogs are very different species. Cats are sweet and loving too. (And they can be funny!) They may not just be as energetic as dogs. But they can also greet you at the doorstep coming home from work or school. Mine does! :D Oh hey dog lovers, don’t get the wrong idea ‘kay? It’s not like I’m brainwashing the readers into getting a feline, surrendering themselves and becoming slaves of the royal supremacy. Nope, not at all. I love dogs too, you see! ;) I have owned several, I currently own one and til now love them to death. (But I guess this is not the right post to talk about it…)

How would cats look if they had eyebrows? Hmmm...

So you guys, don’t just dismiss the thought of having a pet which you haven’t even fully gotten to know about yet. May it be a cat, dog, chicken, pig or armadillo. Research, research, research! Get to know the breed, their traits, your compatibility with them, the money and of course time you will need to spend, and a lot more!

Well, thanks for reading up to this point. Till next time! (:

.

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Oh wait a sec, let me introduce Patsy first! My sister’s awfully fluffy cat. :3

Meow meow! :3

She’s about four months younger than Monty. My sister got her after she took care of Monty for some time. I guess she became attached and soon wanted a cat of her own. She’s the fluffier one. (I’d guess she’s a triple coat.) And sooo funny too! Hilarious. She’s also more aggressive and energetic than Monty. That’s all for now. Byeee!

Lovin' the light!