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FASHION & BEAUTY

Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm (New Shades)

January 9, 2018 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Brace yourselves guys! Dior recently released six new shades of their iconic and ever-famous Lip Glow (0.12 oz for $34). Now, there are more choices of pink tones you can choose from. Two are from their new Holographic/Shimmery finish, another two are Mattes, while the other last two have their usual Glowy/Satiny textures. If you’re a long time fan of these beautiful and hydrating balms like I do, I know you’re gonna be jumping in excitement because the new shades are to-die-for. It was only about a year ago when Dior released the Berry shade and the Lip Sugar Scrub (reviewed HERE) which are both so cute and I still carry them in my purse even to this day. In fact, if you’re gonna ask me what is one of the constant lip products in my bag, you can bet there’s always a Dior Lip Glow in there. As even more fact, I always have one or two with me whenever I’m traveling or when the cold temp starts.

I’ve been kinda taking a break from matte lipsticks lately because the air is just so dry from where I am. I need some real moisturization or else I’m gonna turn into a stone and I might crack. Oh no, LOL. Seriously, my skin’s been really dry lately and I need all the lotions, creams, and balms that I can get. So yeah, my lip’s best friend nowadays are these Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balms. They’re so much hydrating and they keep your lips well-moisturized for a long period of time. On top of that, the added tints are really gorgeous. They might be balms, and yes they’re on the sheer side, but the tints are complementing to the skin tone and they give a nice flush or glow to the face. Not to mention the fact that these balms are really lightweight.

Before these new six shades were released, I’ve been in love with Coral and Berry. Especially the Berry shade, because it’s the right muted-rose tint for my skin. But, the six shades below are so heart-stoppingly gorgeous, it’s gonna be hard to decide which one I’ll keep in my purse.

HOLOGRAPHIC/SHIMMERS:

HOLO PINK (Light Pink Holographic) – This looks like the coral shade but with a whole lotta shimmers in it. The pink tint didn’t really show on my pigmented lips, but the holographic effect is there. I would say that this is great if you have a very fair to light skin tone, which is basically lighter than mine so that the pinky tint would show. For me, this is the perfect plain shimmery balm on my lips.

HOLO PURPLE (Light Purple Holographic) – My heart skipped bazillion beats when I first swatched this on my lips. Oh my, that perfect Unicorn shade! who wouldn’t want to be a Unicorn? even if it’s not really the ideal shade for the lips, or even for most makeups. But hey, we all love Unicorns shades, don’t we? This shade is really pretty, the light purple tint showed on my lips, and it’s not over-the-top. It’s also packed in shimmers and sugar and spice and everything nice. This color makes me happy and I bet it will for you too. On the other hand, this shade reminds me of Rihanna’s Fenty Match Stix Shimmer in Confetti (not so much the Unicorn shade) and the Starlit Hyper-Glitz in $upanova.

MATTE:

MATTE RASPBERRY (Magenta) – I wouldn’t call this a true magenta shade, but more like true bubblegum raspberry pink in a soft matte texture. The moment I saw this shade I thought of the many ways I could create the perfect ombre lips with this. It’s even great for layering under a liquid matte lipstick. This shade looks fresh and it gives a really nice pop of color on the face. Like a true winterized lip flush. Being matte, this is not really drying and it doesn’t really settle into the lip’s fine lines, instead, this feels cushiony and comfortable and it has a really nice long-wearing pigment to it.

MATTE PINK – A matte version of the original Pink Glow. This is probably my least favorite of all the new Lip Glow shade released this year because I find the color to be too sheer, and it doesn’t have a lot of pigment to it. It also takes a while for the shade to adapt to my skin tone, but once it does, it gives me a nice faint shade of pink on my light-medium skin. It’s also a bit more drying compared to the Matte Raspberry above. But it’s also quite cushiony to the feel. So I think this would look really great if you have a fair to light complexion.

GLOW/SATIN:

RASPBERRY (Magenta) – This the satiny/glossy version of the matte shade above. This has the same original texture/finish as the Berry, Coral Glow, Lilac and Pink Glow, etc., which are all very comforting and very hydrating at the same time. The pigment of this is not as saturated as the Matte one but they both have the same pink raspberry tint.

ULTRA-PINK – A juicilicious pink that’s a shade deeper than the original Pink Glow shade and a shade lighter than the Raspberry shade. In other words, something in between Pink and Raspberry. It’s not neon-ish, but it has a nice midtone of pink that is simply stunning, cute, and irresistible. I like this shade of pink because it doesn’t make you look washed out, and it’s also not over the top, and the dewy glow texture makes it even look more gorgeous.

Honestly, I like the Satin and Matte shades both. The matte is ideal if you’re a die-hard wearer of matte lipsticks all year round, or if you can’t wear true mattes in winter and want a hydrating matte-effect balm instead. For me, a lip balm with a matte finish is perfect and I’ve been looking for one, thank goodness I found the Dior Matte Raspberry this winter, it would be so helpful for my dry chapped unrevived lips. LOL. As for the satin one, it’s a no-brainer pretty and super-hydrating balm and I recommend it for everybody. On the other hand, the Holos or the Shimmery finishes are magical and simply mesmerizing. You gotta dry at least one or two of them.

The Dior Addict Lip Glow is currently available in Sephora, Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Harrods, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue & Selfridges

Happy Winter Y’all

XX.

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Loving Right Now

January 5, 2018 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hey there wherever you are! It’s frozen cold where I am and it’s only going to get worse, so for the meantime, no trips to Sephora, no lurking at Ulta, and worse, no stalking and daydreaming at Nordies. But anyway, let’s get ourselves distracted and entertained with the beautiful things in life so we can get through these cold lonely nights! Great idea huh?

If you’re wondering what I’ve been loving lately, oh well, there’s a lot to mention, but here are a few skin and beauty products that I’ve taken a huge interest in. Some of these are truly spectacular and I could write home about them, while some are helpful and great to have but not necessarily a useful life-changing product. Read on…

Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream (250 ml: $22) – Excited to try this body cream/lotion much from Glossier. As you all know, I love Glossier’s products (mentioned HERE) and even until now, I still use this lotion on a day to day basis as I like how smooth it made my skin feels. It’s basically a simple light-scented body cream with soft shimmers that’s great for everyday moisturization and skin softening. The shimmers can be hard to notice on the skin, and while I love that this lotion comes in a huge tube/container, I do feel like Glossier could do better and make the scent even more noticeable and more enticing. Other than that, this is a good non-irritating daily cream.

Amika Polished Perfection Mini Straightening Brush ($35) – For months and months, I’ve always wanted this straightener/hairbrush hybrid because it seems really useful, time-saving and simply practical to have. I’ve never tried nor had one like this before, but I kind of stopped myself because I was a bit turned down by the reviews. That is until finally, Amika released the mini version and I decided to try it immediately. One thing I noticed is that this heats up fast and it seems pretty sturdy. However, I didn’t quite get to where and how to start with this device. I felt like I had to comb/brush my hair first with a normal brush, then brush my hair with this device. Anyway, long story short, it worked on my hair but it didn’t really straighten it like most hair straighteners do. That is because my hair is on the fine side and the bristles of this heated brush are way too long or too high. I think this works best if you have some hair volume. But mine is fine and almost flat. Also, there’s no temperature setting on this mini version, but it’s great for traveling (dual voltage) and for quick touch-ups especially when you don’t have the time to straighten your hair thoroughly. It’s just not gonna be a perfect straight sleek look though, but it’s a great brush and go device.

Atelier Cologne Bergamote Soleil (1 oz: $70, 3.3 oz: $130, 6.7 oz: $195) – Was looking for another great summer beach vibe scent apart from Clementine California, and I immediately fell in love with this. The smell of fresh Bergamot and something quite floral is not only refreshing but also clean. It seems like this scent might or will be discontinued, which is a pity because I would love to have more of this. However, some people that have smelled this mentioned that it smells a bit like a car air freshener, which is too much and too strong. I did kind of noticed that, but I guess it all sort of depends on your olfactory nerves.

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray (Mini: $15, 4 oz: $32) – I’ve been with different makeup setting sprays in the past, but I keep coming back to this one. This just never fails me. My makeup stays put, never budges, never creases and never cakes. I used this setting spray on my foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, etc. when I was in Hong Kong and PH with extreme heat and humidity and my makeup survived so well throughout the day. That is because this setting spray lowers the temps of makeup which in turn prevents caking, settling, and fading. Now that’s zero-meltdown tolerance right there.

Chanel Le Gel LongWear Top Coat (0.4 oz: $28) – Reviewed before HERE. This topcoat is a forever love. The one I always reach for whenever I need long-lasting, strong, and shiny nails for special occasions or in times when I won’t be able to do a manicure for a few weeks. What I like about this is that it dries so fast and it really makes the nail polish last for 2 to 3 weeks without chipping. Think of this as a much better version of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat.

Dior Diorific Khol Holiday 2017 Limited Edition in 341 Pure Topaz ($38) – This limited-edition lipstick caught my eye with its luxe-looking packaging and powdery texture. It looks different, unique, and very elegant. There’s not a lot of colors in this line though, but I fell in love with the Topaz shade. It’s a great everyday pop of color on the lips. I truly love the beautiful shiny gold packaging of this, which is one of a kind, also, the lipstick has a pointed tip like a pen, which makes it look even more different. And while the formula looks powdery on the outside, the real texture/finish of this khol lipstick is actually slightly creamy and velvety. It’s non-drying but it has a slight matte effect, but not necessarily powder-like. It also retains the typical Dior scent/taste that they usually have on their lipsticks.

Chanel La Creme Main Hand Cream (1.7 oz: $50) – A uniquely-packaged hand cream that not only hydrates but it also protects, brightens, and improves nail strength. All that without a sticky residue. This innovative hand cream from Chanel got everyone going in a mad dash. It’s practically sold out in some places and with the cold temps right now, oh my, why am I not surprised? but that’s not the only reason, this hand cream is amazeballs, it’s packaging is like an egg. Cute, simple, handy, and designed by NASA? hmmm. You may wonder if it’s slippery to the touch or to use, but nope, it’s not really. It’s actually pretty squeezable and flexible, so it’s easy to open. It is pricey, yeah and I wish it came in a larger packaging, but it’s Chanel, you know. What I also love about this is the light and delightful floral scent. It’s the perfect scent for a hand cream and the texture is velvety smooth. It truly doesn’t leave a sticky residue feeling and my skin absorbs every bit of this quickly without having to reapply often. I LOVE THIS A LOT.

Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Body Cleanser (8.5 oz: $20) – The body cleanser that you’d find in most Hilton Hotels. A spa and sense-awakening body wash, I was crazy about this the moment I’ve tried this at, of course, the Hilton Hotels. I couldn’t get enough of the scent of this gel cleanser. It smells like freshly-picked Clementine oranges, so yummy, so addicting and so fresh. I Lilly Lilly Love It. For its price, it does feel like a splurge, even more so because the formula doesn’t lather as much compared to most body cleansers out there. So I recommend using a loofah or any scrub on this one. But yeah, I wouldn’t mind splurging on this from time to time. P.S. The scent of this trails around even after you shower, it’s irresistible.

Urban Decay Naked Skin One & Done Hybrid Foundation in Medium Light (1.3 oz: $36) – This was never a planned purchase for me. I bought this as a gift for a friend who lives on the other side of the world which I haven’t seen in ages. Because of that, I purchased the wrong shade for her and I kind of tried this on my face. Much to my surprise, I really enjoyed the texture and effect of this on my skin. It’s like a BB cream/light foundation/tinted moisturizer to the tune of Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (reviewed HERE), Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (seen HERE), Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (seen HERE), and Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (also HERE). I like that it gives a good sheer to medium coverage, could be buildable, lightweight, non-cakey, and it gives a natural to a dewy effect on the face, plus the added Spf 20. The only thing that bothers me a bit is the packaging. The pump doesn’t work very well at times, and I feel like there’s not enough product in it. Other than that, this is perfect for everyday use. As to what happened to my friend’s foundation? oh well, I got her a different shade.

One more look at the very cute Chanel La Creme Main Hand Cream

That’s all for this roundup guys. So far, I am really enjoying these beauts, but stay tuned for more because there will be another roundup of interesting beauty finds to be reviewed soon.

Have you tried any of these before?

Happy Friday!

Follow my makeup adventures and other reviews on Instagram: @reviewsandotherstuff

Sephora Play! December 2017

January 3, 2018 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hello! Happy 2018! what are your wishes and New Year’s Resolution for this Year of The Dog? I know I have a lot, but I’m pretty sure that they’re still gonna be my next year’s resolution, and the next. Oh my, such is life. I can’t believe it’s already 2018, I pretty much slept my way through the New Year because I have a massive lingering jet lag. So much so that I forgot to post last month’s Sephora Play! Oh well, anyway, better late than never as always, so let’s take a look back at the contents of my Sephora Play box last month.

It’s December, so the theme is all about getting a glammed up ready to party look. I wouldn’t say that the December box is the best I’ve ever had of the whole 2017, but I think it’s good and interesting enough. While I’m not also sure that the contents are that party-ready, at least I was sent some products that are very promising. So let’s examine them closely.

Stella McCartney Stella Eau de Parfum (Mini: $25, 1 oz: $52, 1.6 oz: $72, 3.3 oz: $96) – This light floral and feminine scent is delectable in a wintry weather. With notes of rose, peony, and amber, this scent starts off strong and tones down immediately to a soft non-heady fresh feminine fragrance that you may wanna try if you’re into light scented perfumes. I love the slightly sweet and fresh floral vibe of this, and I could see this as being my signature scent.

Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1 (Mini: $13, 4.2 oz: $26) – This dry shampoo is a time saver and really practical. It does add volume and reduce the look of oiliness in your hair, but the smell! it’s like an extremely strong scent of toasted sweet almond vanilla and cookie plus some other diabetes-inducing scents! way too sweet and way too strong, it’s almost unbearable. I prefer the Klorane dry shampoos now because of their light scent.

Caudalie Vine(Active) Energizing and Smoothing Eye Cream (0.5 oz: $39) – A promising eye cream that is supposed to smooth out wrinkles, brighten dark circles, and reduce puffiness. I love its soft, fresh, light scent and it’s really moisturizing around the eyes, which is a huge plus for me because I have a somewhat dry skin around my eye area. It’s very creamy but not too thick, so it gets absorbed by my skin easily and not just sit on top of it. I haven’t seen an obvious result yet but will continue to use this and see it for myself.

Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick in Fuchsia Pink ($22) – An ultra-pigmented long-wearing lipstick for those who like super-saturated lip colors. This lipstick comes in two textures: matte and satin. I was sent the satin one and I love the smooth creamy texture of it. However, the Fuchsia Pink is a little too much for my taste, so I would really like to try this lipstick in some other wearable colors, which I plan to do in the next few days.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Au Naturel (0.05 oz: $29) – I’m a huge fan of the Caviar Sticks because they’re just so easy and practical to use. You can create a natural to smokey eye makeup without having to deal with messy brushes and fingers, and you can do it quickly, which saves a lot of time. I also love that they’re creamy, so they glide on the eyelids pretty easily. Now with the matte shades being released, I’m more than happy to try some and collect even more shades. Some swatches of the shimmery shades can be found HERE and HERE.

Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen in Black ($21) – What can I say? this gives my favorite Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner and Kat Von D Tattoo Liner a run for their money. The tip of this liner is so precise and the formula doesn’t budge for anything. Be it Typhoon or Cold Front, nothing beats a waterproof reliable liquid eyeliner like this.

Those are the contents of my December Sephora Play! aren’t they useful and interesting? I can only wish that this January’s box will be even better.

Happy New Year! Bones Festes! I wish you all the best in this year and for the next years to come. Muah!

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