MAC Velvet Teddy

According to M.A.C, Velvet Teddy is a deep-tone beige. (I think this is one of MAC's few accurate lipstick color descriptions. Ha.) It is a neutral, deep beige so it's neither too warm nor too cool.

Although the finish is matte, it is non-drying. Just make sure to exfoliate the lips prior to application so it doesn't highlight cracks and flakies. And as expected of matte lipsticks, it is long-wearing.

one swipe

Velvet Teddy is a universally flattering shade. Fair ladies can get away with just this lipstick for a subtle or classic look and it won't make them look pale or ghostly. Medium or olive-skinned women may wear this with a smokey eye makeup and it can be very sexy. This can also be a great nude for those with deeper skin tones!

This is a versatile color that's perfect for any day or event. It is such a classic and elegant shade -- which is why I chose to wear it on my very special day, our wedding. I think it suited the occasion really well! Simple yet classy.

M.A.C Velvet Teddy will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Wearing Velvet Teddy on our Wedding Day.

Review Roundup: MAC Velvet Teddy

Pros:
non-drying

full coverage
long wearing

Cons:
(:

Overall:

5/5

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!

Summer Must-Have: thebalm Stainiac in Homecoming Queen

It's summer, ladies! Now's a good time to update our makeup essentials and be summer-ready with sheers, waterproofs, and naturals. One great product to have is a lip and cheek tint. And one of my favorite tints is thebalm Stainiac.

The shade Homecoming Queen is sooo perfect for summer!

The mango-coral tint dries down to a warmer, peachier color so it looks more natural and doesn't give you orange popsicle lips, or cheeks. 

Its gel-based formula doesn't dry lips out, and provides more pigmentation unlike other watery lip and cheek tints. It doesn't streak. And there's no need to rush blending because it won't set immediately.

It lasts a fairly long time, this is just perfect for picnics, outings or adventures under the scorching summer heat. (:

thebalm Stainiacs are available at Beauty Bar for PHP 650.00.

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Review Roundup: thebalm Stainiac in Homecoming Queen

Pros:
non-drying

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

Cons:
--

Overall:

4.5/5

Would I repurchase? Yes
Would I recommend? Yes

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.

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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

Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color in Calypso

Hey guys! Here's another lipstick review. It's the Creamy Matte Lip Color in shade Calypso. Read reviews of Lip Color here and Rich Lip Color here.

Bobbi Brown describes Calypso as a pink coral.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color in Calypso - Outdoors, natural lighting

Indoor, natural lighting

Indeed, it is a hot pink with coral undertones.

I find its texture to be quite unforgiving on my lips, even with lip balm underneath. Ironic, because it's supposed to be a creamy matte. But it's not creamy at all. It is lightweight, but it tugs on my lips during application. It does, however, leave a pretty hot pink stain on my lips once it wears off -- while also leaving them dry.

I'd say the only thing I really like about this lipstick is the color. I'm a sucker for pretty watermelon pinks especially during summer. Even though they don't suit me. (I think.)

Pardon the ngarag face

Review Roundup: Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color in Calypso

Pros:
Long wearing
Lovely color!

Cons:
Drying

Overall:
3/5

Would I repurchase? No
Would I recommend? Maybe not

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

MAC Please Me

Hi everyone! I'm quite giddy about today's post, which is my review on one of MAC's bestselling lipsticks of all time, Please Me. And no, I'm not excited for the reason that I finally got my hands on a cult favorite, but because of its color that is very unique to me. Really, it pleased me.

MAC Please Me - outdoors, natural lighting

Please Me is a matte lipstick that is described by MAC as a muted-rosy-tinted pink. I definitely see cool undertones in it so I personally describe it as a muted-raspberry pink.

Frankly, I was skeptical when I first got Please Me. Basing on the swatches online, I expected it to be warmer. Alas when I opened the box (this was mailed to me, purchased at MAC Trinoma) and ze eyes first saw the hints of berry in it, I was like, insert "oh." here with a disappointed happy face. imagine: (´・⌣ ・`)

I have strong yellow undertones, so I veer away from lip colors that has even the slightest cool tone to it. I guess I was traumatized by Bikini Pink from Bobbi Brown, a light blue-based pink recommended by the SA and my cousin who was there makeup shopping with me. I wasn't into lipsticks that time and didn't know the term "washing out" yet, but I knew I never looked good in it. Ugh. Nicki Minaj moments.

Anyway, when I swatched it on the back of my hand, the blue tones became less apparent.

And when I swiped it on my lips, it was just an "oh god" moment. I was pleasantly surprised by how good it looked and that it didn't wash me out. The blue tones were very, very minimal. It's a super pretty pink that makes you feel really feminine without being over-the-top barbie. Plus it's a bright color that's not too bold, something that's missing in my arsenal because I always tend to gravitate towards subtle pinks or MLBB's. I felt giddy after seeing myself on this and couldn't wait to go outside to do my errands. There was just so much excitement!

For a matte finish, this isn't drying at all. Apply lip balm beforehand and you're good to go. It had full coverage, and withstood my Infinitea milktea. Heheh. No retouch necessary, just had to press my lips together.

Overall, I'm extremely happy with this purchase, and Please Me really did please me!

Ciao!

Review Roundup: MAC Please Me

Pros:
non-drying

full coverage
long wearing

Cons:
(:

Overall:

5/5

Would I repurchase? YES YES YEEESSS! <3
Would I recommend? Yes