Reviews and Other Stuff

Nespresso Lungo Capsules Review

November 21, 2016 / FOOD STUFF / 0 comments

It’s cooold outside and this time of the year requires hot drinks to warm up our senses. As you all know, I’m a huge fan of Nespresso coffee capsules and I’ve been reviewing each different kinds of capsules/pods to see which ones I will stick to from now on. From espressos to decafs, now it’s time to review the two intensity 4s of Nespresso Lungo. In a typical Nespresso machine, there’s 2 sizes to choose from as to how you want your pods/capsules prepared; The usual espresso that produces tiny shots of concentrated coffee with minimal water, and the lungo size that has a lot more water content in it. There are also different capsules for the two sizes mentioned. For this review, as I’ve said before, we’re gonna talk about the intensity 4 lungo capsules. Why the two intensity 4s? simply because their intensities are mild and they’re the ones that I could mostly tolerate.

Vivalto Lungo: Complex and Balanced. A mix of South American and East African Arabicas. The taste of this particular capsule is indeed complicated but very tasty. It has a bit of a bitter aftertaste that goes away after a few seconds. Additionally, it has an intense aroma and flavoring that’s great as an energy booster during gloomy days.

Linizio Lungo: Round and Smooth. This has such a delicious and smooth taste that will probably suit everyone’s palate. This is my most favorite of all the Lungo capsules because it doesn’t have an aftertaste. In fact, this reminds me of the usual intensity 3 or 4 espresso capsules. Indeed, a very fine blend of Arabicas. Love it much.

To purchase the whole Lungo line of capsules, click HERE.

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Paalam.

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop/Flowerchild

November 17, 2016 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hey strobing and blush fanatics! This Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Collab has been all the buzz in Sephora lately. It seems like this year’s cool weather makeup trend involves luminous skin and playing with light. Thus the quest for the perfect highlighter or strobing products.

I’ve heard a lot of talk about Becca highlighters or the Shimmering Skin Pressed Perfectors, specially the very famous Champagne Pop. Kylie Jenner uses them and a lot of MUAs. This Sephora Exclusive, Limited Edition Becca and Jaclyn Hill Highlighter and Blush Duo is a really good option for those who wants to try Becca’s popular Champagne Pop Highlighter plus their popular mineral blushes at the same time. It’s even great for those who have never tried their Champagne Pop before, like me. There’s different combinations available in each 4 compacts; The Champagne Pop (highligher)/Flowerchild(blush), Champagne Pop/Hyacinth, Prosecco Pop/Amaretto, Prosecco Pop/Pamplemousse.

I wasn’t so sure what combination I wanted at first. I had my eye on the Prosecco Pop/Pamplemousse at the beginning, because the blush’s color seems to match my skin tone upon swatching them at Sephora. But, I really really wanted to try the Champagne Pop, so my decision shifted towards the 2 compacts with Champagne Pop on them. But then again, I feel like I wanted the Amaretto shade for contouring, but it has Prosecco Pop on it, no Champagne Pop. OK, I literally had a brain damage in Sephora while trying to decide which Becca x Jaclyn Hill Highlighter/Blush duo I should get. I almost walked out from there because I got so annoyed at myself. But I WANTED TO TRY IT at least just one compact, my unconscious subconscious was telling me. So off I took home the Champagne Pop/Flowerchild, fingers crossed 🙂 but at least there’s Champagne Pop on it, hoping that the blush is buildable enough for more coverage.

Well, what do you know! this combination is really great. I love the Champagne Pop highlighter so much, I’ve been using it a lot lately. It gives a soft highlighted effect on the face and it stays put for a long time. I’m not exactly sure why some people said that this particular formulation is different from the original Champagne Pop Pressed. I swatched both at Sephora and I really couldn’t tell the difference. Perhaps I should try the Shimmering Pressed Perfector too. 🙂 As for the Flowerchild blush, well, it’s pigmented enough and is really buildable. Also, it doensn’t look over the top. Overall, a really great blush/highlighter combo. I’m planning to get another one, perhaps the Prosecco Pop/Amaretto, I hope. 🙂

Grab yours now! you can buy it in sephora.com. Happy Highlighting!

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Benefit High Brow Highlight & Lift Pencil Review

November 16, 2016 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Ever feel like your brows’ arches are not high enough? like you wanted it to reach the top of the Chrysler Building? Well yes of course, high arches means accentuating the eyes, looking more awake and having that overall appearance of a more lifted look. What better way to get lifted (hello CL) than to try Benefit Cosmetics’ High Brow pencils. I know they’ve released these products before, but now, with Benefit’s array of brow makeups, I’ve heard that these pencils’ formulations have been newly-improved. I’ve never tried the previous ones, but a lot of people are saying that these are a lot creamier and a lot easier to blend.

What’s really awesome about these eyebrow highlighting pencils are the following; First, they’re so convenient and easy to use. Depending on your application, you may or may not need to use a brush, a little dab on the pinky finger might as well work. Second, they’re really creamy and easy to blend. Third, they’re long lasting and they come in 2 different shades. Fourth, they give a major lift on your arches like Cruella Deville, LOL, not that exagg, ok.

Natural Matte: Creamy Linen-Pink. This is meant for creating a natural look while subtly looking lifted at the same time. The shade is a matte-pink but it blends quite well to a universally flattering hue, even for my now light-medium skin tone. This is my favorite among the two shades of Benefit High Brows because it makes your eyes pop while looking very very natural at the same time.

Luminous: Champagne-Pink. This shade is also very very creamy but has an added shimmer to its champagne-pink tone. It’s great if you want a dramatic lift. However, for some reason, it didn’t show much on my skin tone. I guess if your skin is very light, then this would be great for you. On my skin, this still looks very natural, so perhaps a little more shimmer should have been added for it to be really universally flattering.

Swatches:

I’m still a fan of using some shades from my eyeshadow palette to highlight the arches of my brows, it’s just a natural instinct for many of us. But when I’m in a hurry, or if I just need a little touch up to define my brows, these Benefit High Brows can come in handy. Specially when no eyeshadow brush is around.

Alrighty guys, GTG for now..

‘Till then…

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