Review: Mizon Black Snail All In One Cream

This is my second Mizon product after the Snail Recovery Gel Cream.

The Mizon Black Snail All In One Cream contains 90% Black Snail mucus filtrate for healthy skin and 20 plant extracts for additional nutrients. It also contains Niacinamide to help with brightening.

The jar feels very sturdy. From photos online, I thought it was made of plastic, but upon receiving I felt better knowing that it wasn't. I'm not so sure what it's made of, but it's heavy. It looks like it's ceramic or glass with a demi-matte coating.

The product itself is a light, gooey cream. Although a bit sticky at first, once absorbed by the skin it doesn't feel heavy at all.

I find that if I use this consecutively, I would develop some sort of breakout. So what I do now is use it only for two or three nights on small areas, like a spot treatment. I like to apply this on areas where it needs healing, such as a freshly popped pimples, hyperpigmentation, and dry patches.

I'd like to try the original Snail Repair All In One Cream next, as it has fewer ingredients. Hopefully that one I can use all over my face and not break me out.

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

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!

MAC Faux

Today's post will be a MAC product review (yet again). This time it's MAC lipstick in Faux. MAC describes Faux as a muted mauve-pink, it has a satin finish.

Faux is a perfect mlbb (my-lips-but-better) shade on me. The first time I swiped it on, I literally gasped in astonishment as it erased my dark lip lines and perfectly mimicked my natural lip color! Woohoo.

MAC Faux - outdoors, natural lighting

Faux looks very mauve-y on the tube, but don't let it scare fool you.

...Because when swatched, it is actually pink with just slight hints of mauve and brown. It had semi to almost full opaque coverage, with MAC's signature lovely vanilla scent. Faux wore well for 2 hours until it started to fade.

Ladies out there who have not-so-rosy lips (like me. boohoo!) rather a bit mauve-y, try MAC Faux. This might just be your perfect MLBB lipstick!

Review Roundup: MAC Faux

Pros:
non-drying
great coverage
lovely mlbb shade

Cons:
Not long wearing

Overall:
4/5

Would I repurchase? Yes
Would I recommend? Yes

New MAC Lippies: Please Me and Faux

On my previous MAC Kinda Sexy post, I mentioned setting my eyes on more MAC lipsticks. Today I'll share with you guys my two new MAC lipstick purchases (YAAAYY!!!). They are Please Me and Faux.

Faux is described by MAC as a muted mauve-pink, which is quite spot on. It has a satin formulation. Please Me, on the other hand, is said to be a muted-rosy-tinted pink. I would personally describe it as a muted-raspberry pink. It is of matte formulation.

(L) Faux, Please Me (R)

I'll be posting the full review of Faux soon, while you can read Please Me's review here. :D These lipsticks are currently Php 1000 each here in the Philippines. I got these specifically at MAC Trinoma.

Ciao!

Beauche ~ Review

Hi everyone! I just got my Beauche kit the other day, January 8, and I'm going to give a brief recap of my experience these past 2 days.

So I got a Beauche set from their business center, which costs php750. The set includes: a beauty soap, skin toner, clarifying solution, exfoliating cream, rejuvenating cream and age eraser cream that should last for a month. They also provided a small paper that had instructions, precautions, etc. on it. I got this on an afternoon and used it later that night.

Before Beauche

Instructions:

Night time:
1. Clean the face, neck and arms with Skin Toner using facial cotton.
2. Wash face, neck and arms with Beauche bar soap.
3. Apply Clarifying Solution with an upward motion using facial cotton.
4. Put ample amount of Exfoliating cream. Do not rinse.
5. After 15 minutes, spread over substantial amount of Rejuvenating Cream in circular motion. Do not rinse. Let it stay overnight.

I was on Benzoyl Peroxide before using Beauche. And trying this one immediately after the other was really a risk. My face became uber sensitive after BP as a matter of fact, that afternoon my skin was super red and burning. (Wanna see photos? Okay, but don't say ew ha.)

I got even more scared to give Beauche a try, but what the heck, for the sake of my face clearing up I should be willing to try anything. Sooo. I was already peeling from the BP, thus I expected earlier peeling stage than the others who claimed theirs started after 3 days to 1 week. True enough, the next morning, I was peeling even more than last night. I noticed that some of my pimple marks became raised, and kinda active? lol, but yeah. Then I proceeded with the morning routine.

Day time:
1. Rub face, neck and arms with ice to close the skin pores and lift the dead skin.
2. Wash face, neck and arms with Beauche bar soap to eliminate the night creams.
3. Apply ample amount of Age Eraser Cream to moisturize the skin and protect it from harmful UV rays.

The products...
The skin toner has a really strong smell. It reminds me of my cough syrup when I was a kid.
What stings me most is the bar soap. I wash it off after 10 seconds. I pat dry my face after.
Prior to application of the creams, I found that staying in front of the AC helps with the burning sensations.
The exfoliating cream is pure white and has a mousse-like texture. (Activating baker mode...) It's like an unbaked meringue. Ehehe.
The rejuvenating cream has a light green tint while the age eraser an old rose sort of pink, both have the same texture as the exfoliating cream's.

I'm done with my second session of both night and day time routine. And my face is now peeling like crazyyy! (Balat-ahas, kadiri!) It looked the same when I peeled for the first time because of BP. (Pics ulit? Eto mas kadiri talaga. Haha.)

And the neeeeck!

Update:

After finishing about 3 sets of the Beauche kit, my skin really became smooth & glowing, evened out plus lightened, and firmer! I got compliments around me.

The downside? Once I stopped, I noticed that my pores became larger and completely obvious! They looked hideous! It also didn't erase my pink or red acne marks.

I don't think I'll be buying the whole set again. I do, however, love the Age Eraser cream and that-- I will be repurchasing again and again.

Online shopping at Nordstrom

These days I have really been into online shopping. It's my birthday month, so, you can guess the reason for that. There are a lot of secure websites for online shopping now, but sadly, not all of them offer international shipping still, cough Sephora cough. Enter Nordstrom - a US based site that carries countless brands under clothing, shoes, accessories, and my favorite of them all - beauty. Numerous luxury brands such as Christian Dior, Clarins, Yves Saint Laurent are available. However, few ones such as Estee Lauder, Mac, Clinique and Chanel are not available for international shipping, at least to my country. Boo!

Anyway, having spent a looooot of time browsing throught the internet, reading reviews and looking at swatches, (you can guess how hard it is to shop for makeup online) I found a couple of items to my liking.

The process. I fill my bag, then check out (the subtotal is displayed). I then proceed to the last page where I fill in required information for shipping and payment. The total is then shown (includes additional taxes and shipping). Their taxes and shipping fees can be quite steep, but I found this to be better than paying for the importation fee at my country's customs office. Having a very corrupt customs bureau, that was waaayy better! Anyways, submit order and it's done!

That same day, I received an email from Borderfree (Nordstrom) about them receiving my order. Then an order confirmation. Three days later, they emailed me saying that my order has already been shipped. They also gave me my package number so I can track my parcel whenever. (:

Four days later, and voila! My parcel has arrived. It was surprisingly fast. And it was a joy to open my box. Even though it's generally a pain for an impulsive and compulsive gal like me to do online shopping, the best part is still that feeling after having to wait for endless days and next thing you know, your package is in front of you. My mom said I was crazy. Hell yeah. Crazy happy kid here!

Thank you Nordstrom!

What's in the box:

Sunbum lip balm SPF 30 in Pomegranate

Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Tonkin

thebalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen

Christian Dior Diorblush in New Red

Overall it was a great shopping experience. Thank you Nordstrom! I just wish you'd let me order Estee Lauder, Chanel, Clinique and other brands next time. *weep* *grin*

My Beautybay Online Shopping Experience

Hi guys! Let me tell you about my first ever Beauty Bay (beautybay.com) online purchase. I bought a few skincare items (seriously, they have a lot going on there, it was too tempting!). While my second purchase, now off for shipment, are more of beauty items.

The UK based site carries brands ranging from mid to high end. Skincare lines such as Ahava, Mario Badescu, Murad, Peter Thomas Roth, and VMV are available. While you can find beauty brands such bareMinerals, RMK, Too Faced and Urban Decay.

I was impressed with the site's security, as they implement OTP (One Time Password) where you will be sent a password through your mobile number, linked with the credit card you used, and must then be entered before proceeding. The balance is shown in £ (GBP/British Pound Sterling).

I placed the order on November 19 and received an email of order confirmation that same day. November 20, I received an email that my order has already been dispatched. I received the package this December 03. So that's about two weeks, for a free shipment. Yep, they offer free worldwide delivery. If you want an express shipping, it's available for $65.6 (2-3 days delivery time). It took a little longer than I'd expected, as it says on their website that free shipping to the Philippines should be 7-10 days only. I guess they were talking about our major city, Metro Manila and other nearby areas. As the delivery address was Isabela, those who are about the same distance should expect the same 13 day waiting time. I'm guessing those from Visayas, or Mindanao, should maybe add 2 more waiting days.

You're welcome!

Here's what I bought:

• Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Face Mist
• Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Exfoliating Lip Salvation
• Bio Oil
• First Aid Beauty Ulra Repair Lip Therapy

These are all included in my 2013-2014 Wishlist and I'm very happy to have ticked a few more checkboxes! Yayayay! I'll do reviews soon but so far I'm liking in love with Ole Henriksen's lip salve! All I can say right now is, it is The bomb. Do wait for my review. Ciao!