Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara

Sephora Play! March 2018

March 26, 2018 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hello Makeup Junkies! Curious about what came in my Sephora Play! Box this month? It’s been a pretty interesting bunch of some stuff I surprisingly liked and some stuff that I had mixed emotions with. There were also some minis that I’ve already tried before and have reviewed here on the blog, so without further ado, let’s take a look.

Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Spray (5 oz: $20) – I don’t think I’ve ever disliked a Briogeo product before. Their stuff always smells good and is always a delight to use. This volumizing spray is no different for sure. In fact, it’s so good and it’s one of my fave in this month’s box. This totally tamed my frizzes away while giving that neatly volumized look. I’ve used this after towel drying my hair and also during the day to keep my hair well-behaved, and OMG it works and I lurve it. I normally don’t use hair sprays as they tend to be sticky, especially when the weather is warm, but this? it’s light, non-sticky, and it makes my hair look shiny and in place. Totally a keeper.

Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12 hr Wear Waterproof in 15 Flirting Game (0.04 oz: $10) – This is a shimmery metallic taupe eyeliner that glides fairly easily on the lids. It’s easy to apply and smooth to use, and it has a very good staying power despite the heat, sweat, and humidity. It is also affordable and has other shades and finishes to choose from. It’s a great reliable eyeliner if you’re on a budget.

Lancome Hypnose Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara (0.22 oz: $27.50) – This is one of the best lengthening mascaras I’ve ever tried, but the “s” or “infinity” shape of the wand doesn’t help as much in curling the lashes, however, the formula is long lasting and it doesn’t smudge. See the whole review HERE.

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick in 35 Bohemian Purple (0.169 oz: $14) – This has always been a very good quality matte liquid lipstick and thumbs up to Sephora for creating this very good line. The texture and finish of this are very similar to most high-end matte liquid lipsticks available at Sephora and in other stores. This lipstick sets quite immediately, it is long lasting, non-smudging, lightweight and comfortable with a slight vanilla scent. However, I’m not a fan of the shade that they sent me, it’s too violet/purple-ish for my taste. For more shades, check out the review that I did previously about this lipstick.

Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm Spf 45 in 01 Light Medium (1.5 oz: $39) – This is some sort of a tinted moisturizer with a light to medium coverage. On my skin, the 01 Light Medium shade kinda appears too beige at first, but it blends on my skin easily and it then matched my skin tone, making it very wearable. The formula is soft, blendable and it covers any blemishes, imperfections, and redness. The coverage lasts throughout the day and it doesn’t have any annoying scent. I like that it comes with a good Spf number too.

Marajo Hair Care:

Nourishing Cleansing Creme (8.5 oz: $29) – I was really disappointed with this shampoo. On my hair, it didn’t lather at all, and it made my hair very oily the next day. I kinda liked the way it smells somehow, like almond butter. However, this shampoo just didn’t work for me, so I don’t recommend it.

Deep Treatment Butter (5.3 oz: $29) – This is supposed to be the conditioner in partner with the Marajo Nourishing Cleansing Creme above, but this has a rancid smell. My hair didn’t feel silky at all once I applied the product on. It feels just a thick cream but it didn’t necessarily condition my hair. I still feel like my hair was not cleaned after rinsing like there was some weird soapy residue. Totally dislike.

Overall, as I said before, this month’s samplers have been a very mixed one. I definitely like the Briogeo Volumizing Spray, the Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil, and the Dr. Jart+ Beauty Balm, but I wasn’t feeling the Marajo Hair Care samples.

Any Sephora Play! minis you like this month?

Best Lengthening & Volumizing Mascaras

March 6, 2018 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

What’s up, everybody! I’ve been looking for a very good mascara for quite some time now, and my search for the best and brightest ended up being an overwhelming one. With all these latest lengthening and volumizing mascaras being released in the market lately, I’d say there’s really a lot of contenders out there. I pretty much tested a bunch of mascaras to see which one is a stand out for me. Given the fact that I don’t have a lot of lashes, plus they’re short, stiff, and straight, finding the one that’ll work for me has been quite challenging. Nevertheless, I found some that are really really great, and the difference among them can be very subtle. Let’s see which mascaras made the cut.

Lancome Hypnose Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara (0.22 oz: $27.50) – This has a slightly curved brush, a bit like an S-shape. The brush itself can be a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because its shape can reach and coat the inner corners of the eye which has tiny lashes in it, so it’s quite accurate in that sense. However, its S-shaped brush can also be a challenge as it doesn’t curl the lashes well. Formula-wise, it’s more of a lengthening mascara as opposed to being volumizing.

L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara ($9.99) – This is probably the best affordable mascara you can find nowadays. It’s waterproof, smudge-proof, gives a decent volume and lengthening effect on the lashes, but it’s not that dramatic. It does a good job of evenly separating my lashes with decent volumization, but it doesn’t give me that big fat lashes that I want. However, this is worth looking into if you’re on a tight budget.

Benefit BADgal Bang! Volumizing Mascara (Mini/0.14 oz: $12, Standard size/0.30 oz: $24) – This latest release from Benefit has a nice edgy packaging that looks very unique. This is a good everyday mascara if you don’t care that much about extreme volumization and lengthening effect but prefers a more lightweight substance. I find the formula to be quite wet but not necessarily smudgy, it just takes a while to dry. It’s a 36-hour water-resistant mascara so it might be difficult to remove for some, but for me, it’s not that bad really. However, this particular mascara has quite a flimsy brush that a lot of us may not be used to, and can be a turn off for some.

Sisley Paris Mascara So Intense Fortifying Volumizing ($67) – This is probably the most interesting and most unique mascara I’ve ever owned. As you can see in the photo below, the brush looks like no other mascara brush before. It is shaped like a comb with very very tiny bristles. I’ve always been skeptical for its volumizing ability, given its tricky brush shape of course, and also for its exorbitant price. True to my suspicion, and in all honesty, this isn’t the best volumizing mascara in my experience, that is unless of course, if you already have long natural lashes. However, this mascara’s formula and brush applicator really lengthen the lashes and is the best at it. Since the brush itself is very fine, it can really reach into corners and can coat lower lashes, so it’s very accurate. The formula is very long-wearing too and it can withstand extreme humidity without any issue. I took this on a trip to one of the most humid places on earth, and my lashes remained long and coated but not necessarily curled or volumized.

Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara (0.44 oz: $23) – I like this mascara a lot. It’s one of the best in volumizing and lengthening lashes without any fuss. It doesn’t smudge, it’s long-wearing, it delivers, it works, and I really don’t have any issues with it, except that it’s getting harder and harder to find. I don’t know if it’s because it’s always in demand or that it’s gonna be discontinued soon. But for me, this is one of the best mascaras in the market that won’t disappoint anyone. It’s similar to Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, and it’s great for anyone with sensitive eyes and for those contact lens wearers.

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara (Mini/0.21 oz: $14, Standard size/0.32 oz: $26) – I’m actually quite surprised at how much I love this mascara. It’s very volumizing and the formula is also very reliable. In fact, this mascara is at the top of my list as being one of the best. It gives big dramatic long lashes that last for hours and hours without smudging. I can’t complain.

Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara (Mini/0.13 oz: $12, Standard size/0.33 oz: $25) – This is probably my most favorite Lancome mascara as of the moment, and it’s also one of the best mascaras I’ve ever tried. It’s really very volumizing and very lengthening, it’s indeed true to its name. The formula is creamy and it coasts the lashes well, making them big, dramatic, and long. The effect lasts for hours without smudging or clumping. No wonder it’s Allure’s Best of Beauty 2017. Oh, and I love the cute pink accent on its packaging too.

Chanel Le Volume Waterproof Mascara (0.21 oz: $32) – I’ve had a few samples of this mascara before, but I just kinda ignored them because the formula looks goopy and clumpy around the brush. At first, I thought I may have just gotten some bad batch of samples, but one day I decided to try one of them and I was actually impressed at home dramatic and volumized my lashes looked. The formula is not really clumpy and smudgy once you apply it on the lashes. In fact, it actually helps to coat each strand of my lashes in order to make it look thick and full. The result is one super volumized dramatic lashes that makes you look very awake.

YSL The Shock Volumizing Mascara (0.28 oz: $29) – This mascara truly gave me the shock. It’s the best-scented mascara I’ve ever tried, and it really smells good. Apart from that, it’s also very volumizing, lengthening and overall very good in terms of performance and wear time. I like that it curls the lashes very well and you only need one coat to get that very dramatic lash look. This is really awesome and I truly recommend it.

Tom Ford Waterproof Extreme Mascara (0.27 oz: $45) – This mascara is one of the reasons why I love Tom Ford’s makeup products. It’s a very reliable, all-around perfect mascara when it comes to volumizing and lengthening the lashes. It doesn’t smudge, it’s not runny, it’s easy to remove, it doesn’t flake, it withstands humidity, it’s basically perfect, but it’s expensive of course, so if you’re looking for a very good high-end mascara, you won’t be disappointed with this. For me, this is a holy grail. Hallelujah!

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara (Mini/0.17 oz: $12, Standard size/0.27 oz: $23) – This is the mascara that started my love for mascaras. It’s the best in volumizing, lengthening, and complete lash drama. It’s also great for Asians, or for anyone who doesn’t have a lot of lashes because it really gives you that extra volume to make your eyes look wide awake and poppin’. This can be difficult to remove though, but the pink tube which is the non-waterproof version is a bit easier to take off and it is long-wearing as well. Anyhow, this mascara doesn’t smudge, it’s super reliable, and it’s my favorite mascara of all time.

Bottom line, I am in love with all the mascaras reviewed here and I’ve been alternately using them because it’s just so hard to choose just one product as being the best. What was once a quest to find the perfect mascara ended up of me collecting some great products with reliable formulas. If I have to recommend some, I’d say, if you’re looking for a very very affordable and reliable mascara, go with the L’Oreal Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara, but if you want a very good high-end one, get the Tom Ford Waterproof Extreme. Other than that, you won’t be disappointed with Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, YSL The Shock, Chanel Le Volume Waterproof, Lancome Monsieur Big, Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir, and Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara.

What’s In My Bag? The Balenciaga Classic Metallic Edge City Review

March 27, 2017 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hey Bag Lovers! I’m back with another review of my favorite bag of the moment. I’ve had this bag for a couple of years now, and it has been used quite a lot. It’s a very functional bag due to its practical size that can hold a substantial amount of stuff, and is an ideal bag for transitioning from one season to another. It’s also versatile because it goes with anything, whether you’re rocking a biker chic look or an office attire. It can also be casual for running errands or just a walk around town kind of look. Truly a bag of all seasons, of shifting weathers, and a go to for anyone who wants to look polished yet edgy and trendy. We all know this bag, the Balenciaga Classic Metallic Edge City. A modern and even more edgy twist to the usual Balenciaga Classic City that we know. The bag is made of a strong yet supple grained goatskin, hand stitched handles and a removable shoulder strap.

It also has its signature gold metallic edges and golden studs. The Balenciaga Classic Metallic Edge City retains the same size, interiors, openings, zips and compartments as the Classic City, and comes with the removable leather framed mirror. The handle drop is around 4 inches, while the shoulder strap drop is around 8.5 inches. The bag itself is about 15 inches in length and 9 inches in height with a depth of 5 inches. It is quite heavy, around 1 pound or more, but it can hold a ton of stuff. The leather looks luxurious, robust, strong and quite resistant to scratches. Though the bag tends to get more supple with time, its beauty and resilience remains the same, if not better. I usually carry it during winter and down to spring. I even carry it during long haul flights without any issue. This is without a doubt, a multitasking bag for me.

Here’s what’s inside:

Iphone 6 Plus – The case is from Sonix, available HERE.
Wide-Tooth Comb – Believe it or not, this comb is 15 years old. It’s practically antique. Got this when I was still in high school. I don’t even remember anymore where I bought this from. But I’ve been keeping it because of the sentimental value. LOL. On top of that, it detangles my hair well, and prevents split ends. Still looks good as new too.
YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick in Shade 48 Smoking Plum. My most favorite YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Shade. Reviewed and swatched HERE.
Louis Vuitton Key Pouch – Contains my two favorite lip products as of the moment; the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick in 48 Smoking Plum, and YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in 66 Bois De Rose.
YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in 66 Bois De Rose. My favorite YSL Lipstick shade of all time. Reviewed HERE.
Louis Vuitton 6 Key Holder – Vernis Leather in Indian Rose shade. Love this for keys and keychain cards organization.
Burberry Classic Cashmere Scarf – Love the Ash Rose shade of this. Ideal for when the temperature gets chillier than usual.
Supermarket Pocket Facial Tissue – It’s always important to have this.
Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Dear Brachiosaurus Blotting Paper – I’m crazy about these blotting papers. It comes in 3 kinds; Mulberry, Green Tea and Mattifying Charcoal. Love that these don’t disturb your makeup, comes in compact case with mirror and a sticky puff.
Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Matte Foundation – Great for controlling oil on the skin. My shade is Warm 100. Reviewed further HERE.
The Woman In Cabin 10 Book – From the author Ruth Ware. Given by my cousin in Lahdahn. Haven’t finished reading this yet. Will soon make a review on the “Other Stuff” section of this blog.
Stella Mccartney Falabella Shaggy Dear Flap Wallet in Navy – even though it’s not made of real leather, I love the sleek look of this wallet, and it’s always good to be cruelty-free.
L’occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream – My favorite hand cream of all time. Reviewed HERE.
Lancome Color Design 5 Shadow & Liner Palette – Love that this is an all-in-one eye makeup product. Reviewed HERE.
Gucci Guilty Rollerball – A sexy and daring scent. With notes of mandarin, geranium and amber.
It Brushes for Ulta Airbrush Serum Foundation Brush #131 – Love the dense fibers of this particular brush, plus it’s great for contouring. More It Brushes reviewed HERE.
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist – Ideal mist for traveling as it won’t leave your face dry. It also makes the skin luminous and glowy.
Kevyn Aucoin The Contour Duo On the Go – For all the contouring fanatics out there and the contouring ladies, this compact contour is made for us. Reviewed HERE.
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray – Got this from one of my Sephora Play! subscription. Works to make your makeup last a long time.
Tarte Frxxxtion Stick Exfoliating Cleanser – Also got this from my Sephora Play! box, and it’s very convenient to use anywhere and everywhere.
Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara – My current fave mascara. It’s very volumizing with just one stroke.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Whiskey – Reviewed HERE.
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Soft Brown – My favorite eyebrow makeup product ever.
Bite Beauty Line & Define Lip Primer – Really love this menthol-flavored lip primer. Does an ok job of making my lipsticks stay longer.
Clinique Pouch – A free pouch that you usually get when you buy some products from the Clinique counter.

There you have it! The contents of my Balenciaga Classic Metallic Edge City. A one fine functional bag that can carry a lot of stuff. Sometimes, it can even act as shopping bag, because the bag expands and is very robust, despite its goat leather. I’ve taken it on several cross-country flights, and not a dent or scratch happened. The only caveat is the annoying shorter-than-usual shoulder strap. I don’t really see the use of the provided shoulder strap because it’s hard to wear the bag with that too short of a strap, and sometimes wearing the bag on the forearm with a lot of stuff inside can be really heavy. So I suggest and plan to purchase the longer shoulder strap that Balenciaga now provides for this particular style of bag. I think it’ll work much better and could improve the bag’s usability. Other than that, this bag is indeed a work of art and performance that gets better with time.

Ciao! Stay tune for my next in-depth bag review.

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