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Loving Right Now

June 27, 2018 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hey There! Happy Summer Everybody. Let me just update you on the latest products I’m loving right now. It’s been a while since I posted some of my recent favorite beauty and skincare finds, and I have a bunch of really interesting stuff that a lot of you may find great as well. Some of the products that I’ll be talking about are very holy grail-worthy and might put you in that vacation-ready vibe, after all, Summer is already here, right? So without further ado, check out these roundup of my latest product faves.

Up first is the Herbivore Rose Quartz Illuminating Body Oil (4 oz: ($48). This millennial pink-looking body oil will not only induce you for that long overdue summer vacay, it will really put you in the mood for it. The beauty of this and the overall packaging of this oil is very Instagram-worthy, complete with its silvery smooth shimmer that is so at this moment. Its heavy glass packaging and robust sprayer are perfect for any weekend or week-long getaways. On my skin, the pinkish tinge of the oil disappears and it leaves a nice subtle shimmer that leaves my skin glistening when it gets exposed to the sun. Its glow can be blinding if you put too much but it’s a beautiful blinding and commanding glow. It may kinda feel sticky though since it’s practically a shimmery oil, but that doesn’t bother me much. There’s just one thing though, it’s the smell. It’s has a weird rosy smell, but not like a rose flower type of scent, but more like a rose branch cutting which is way too strong and might be too much for some.

For this summer, I am fan-loving the Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask (3.4 oz: $39) which truly smells invigorating and soothing. I love the look of this mask a lot, it looks yummy and it feels really calming and hydrating on the face. It has this rich consistency along with some cranberry seeds which leaves the skin feeling supple and smooth after rinsing. The cranberry seeds might be quite a challenge to wash off but it never really bothered me since this mask is full of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory effects due to the turmeric extract present in it.

I scored this Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (3.8 oz: $29.50) from the last Sephora VIB Event as a restock because this makeup remover has always been my go-to for removing any kinds of makeup, and it doesn’t have any discerning scent. It’s an original favorite of mine and it always works. I just need to put a little bit of the balm on my face and my makeup melts off easily including some stubborn eye makeup. This is great for sensitive skin and it saves you a ton of cotton pads. Also, it comes in a big tub packaging which lasts a long time.

Two of my favorite scents this Summer are made by Nest and Chloe. I’ve been eyeing the Nest Citrine Eau de Parfum Rollerball (0.27 oz: $27) for some time, but I was also drawn to the Nest Wisteria Blue, which is still on my wishlist. Eventually, I decided to get the Citrine scent because it has this Summer-fresh sweet citrus fragrance, and I’m a sucker for anything citrusy or orangey. This scent is very irresistible, very beach-ready, and very long lasting. I just love Nest fragrances! On the other hand, the Chloe Nomade Eau de Parfum Travel Spray (0.33 oz: $28) is my signature travel scent of the moment. It is definitely one of the most unique Chloe scents I’ve tried so far and it’s just mind-blowing. It’s a blend of something woodsy, fresh, and warm floral. There is a mix of oakmoss and freesia which makes this scent nostalgia-inducing and quite complicated as well. Sometimes, it reminds me a bit of a fresh version of the YSL Black Opium – a scent invoking a dreamy escape.

There are two Dior products I’m loving lately, and the first one is the Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin Perfect Skin Cushion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 in 020 Light/Neutral (0.5 oz: $82). It’s a pricey sheer-coverage cushion foundation that’s perfect for oily skin. It’s similar to the Iope Air Cushion which is a K-beauty favorite, but this Dior one seems to last longer on me, especially when compared to some other cushions I’ve tried. This has a really lovely light floral scent and it sets immediately on my skin, leaving a poreless, matte, luminous, and glassy Kpop Idol skin effect. I tend to use this cushion for almost all of my travels as it leaves my skin looking young and fresh all the time. It also seems like there’s a lot of product in its packaging as opposed to most cushion foundations looking like they’d dry up so easily. Another Dior fave lately is the Diorskin Forever Undercover Concealer in 031 Sand: Light to Medium with Warm Yellow Undertone ($34). This concealer works very well to conceal blemishes and other imperfections, but it’s also quite similar to the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in terms of its texture and pigment. So if you already have the Nars concealer, you might as well skip this, unless of course, you’re loyal to Dior, LOL. I like this concealer a lot for everyday use and it doesn’t cake on me. It may not adhere very well on my face compared to the Nars Concealer, but the difference between the two is very subtle. Also, if you compare this Dior Concealer to the Tarte Shape Tape, I think the Tarte one is more pigmented. And, as with most concealers, this Dior Forever Undercover still needs to be set with a setting powder.

For this Summer’s glow, I love the Marc Jacobs Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator in Spotlight (0.49 oz: $42). It has the most flattering universal glow that can be buildable, and it’s super easy to use. It looks like a deodorant, LOL, and it feels a bit oily texture-wise yet it’s so easy to blend out for a more natural soft-focus luminosity. Be aware though that its silvery shimmer can also be blinding depending on how much you apply on your skin. Overall, no matter how you want your glow to be, this highlighter will always make you look stunning and radiant-looking.

My favorite red lipstick of the moment is the Gucci Audacious Color-Intense Lipstick in Ardent ($39). It has the right kind of red that’s perfect for my skintone this Summer – not too intense and not too bright. It’s usually hard for me to pull off a really bright red lipstick especially during this season, but this kind of red works. It’s the ideal everyday red with medium amounts of shimmer so that it doesn’t look too metallic, and it’s great for that Ombre lip effect as well.

When it comes to foundations, there are two that I’ve been testing lately, first is the Sunday Riley The Influencer Clean Long Wear Foundation in 170 light-medium with warm beige undertone (1.08 oz: 42). This foundation is meant to have a matte finish and has some skincare benefits. I was torn between the 180 and the 170 shade, but in the end, the 170 seemed to fit me really well because it’s not as golden and not as warm as the 180. I love the texture of this foundation even though it has more of a natural finish on me, instead of being matte. The only thing that I’m kind of disappointed about this is the fact that it seems to emphasize and settle on my pores after a few hours. However, the issue is not that severe though. Another foundation that seems to be better than the Sunday Riley Influencer is the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat All-In-One Glow in B30 Cool Almond (1.01 oz: $48). Though it shares the same type and shape of packaging as the Sunday Riley Influencer, this particular YSL tinted moisturizer is quite the opposite with its subtle dewy finish. It makes for a perfect everyday foundation, and it gives a nice sheer to medium flawless coverage that makes the skin look youthful and soft-looking. I like that it has the added Spf, and though it could melt off during the Summer, it’s the perfect foundation when you’re the type that likes to stay indoors with the AC blasting.

Last but not the least are the two lip balms that I’ve been loving. The Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 (0.5 oz: $9.50) is probably one of the most popular lip balms ever and it has a lot of fan-based because it simply works. By that, I mean it really repairs dry chapped lips overnight and it keeps lips hydrated for several hours. It is so moisturizing that it feels heavy and really oily on the lips to the point that it may be uncomfortable for some. I suggest using only a little bit of this so that it won’t attract your own hair or any kind of lints. My other favorite lip balm and is one that I just recently discovered and I think it’s slightly better than Kiehl’s – the Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm (0.13 oz: $18). This is probably one of the most lightweight lip balms I’ve ever tried as it feels like nothing on the lips. The packaging is cute with its large tube reminiscent of those Elmer’s Giant Glue Sticks, however, there seems to be not enough product in its packaging considering its price. But the formula of this is superb and it has no annoying scent. You can pretty much wear this all day without looking like you dipped your lips in olive oil. It is very reparative and soothing without the extra weight that most lip balms have.

Bottom line, there’s a lot of holy grail-potential in these roundup of products. I for one is crazy about the Kiehl’s Turmeric and Cranberry Mask, the Nest Citrine and Chloe Nomade Scents, the YSL Touche Eclat All-One-Glow, as well as the Gucci Audacious Lipstick in Ardent. Of course, the Dior Capture Totale Perfect Cushion is wonderful too, and you gotta try the Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm.

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

Loving Right Now

October 20, 2017 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hey Guys! I apologize again for my long absence. I am still typing this on the plane on my way back home while watching The Devil Wears Prada. I’ve been sick and a lot of things have happened. Also, I am very jet-lagged, so bear with me if I commit some typos or if my grammar is all over the place. Anyhow, I’ve got some random products that I’ve been loving lately and I want to share my opinion about them with you. So, without further ado, let’s get this jet lag-inducing review going.

Nyx The Skinny Mascara ($7) – Since I have small eyes, I’ve always wanted a teeny-tiny mascara thinking that it could somehow work better on my short sparse lashes. Well, this Nyx skinny mascara seems promising because it’s tiny enough for what I need. When I opened it, I was a bit disappointed at how thin it was, so it was pretty obvious that it was not going to work for my upper lashes at all. What’s surprising is how well this particular mascara worked wonders on my lower lashes. It is quite precise at lining my minute lower lashes that it emphasizes my eyes well. I tend to look fully awake whenever I use this and it didn’t even smudge so far.

Sephora Collection Mud Mask Purifying & Mattifying (1 oz: $12, 2.03 oz: $20) – I’ve talked about this particular mask before when I received a sample of it from Sephora Play! A lot of people don’t really like this, but I really enjoyed this mask quite a lot. It’s kind of like a cheaper alternative to Glamglow Supermud and it works pretty much the same as Glamglow’s but with a slightly better scent in my opinion. It sets and dries really fast on the face and it’s ideal if you have an oily-prone skin. It cleans the pores very well and your face will feel soft and clean. Also, I love the bluish-gray tinge that this mask has instead of the usual dark gray color that you’d get with most charcoal masks.

Clinique Pep-Start Double Bubble Purifying Mask (1.7 oz: $24.50) – Ever since this mask came out, I really wanted it because it sparked my curiosity and it seemed really unique. A mask that bubbles on the face? Sign me up for that. While recently there are other masks that came out of the market that also has the same property of bubbling up once applied on the face, like Glamglow Bubblesheet Oxygenating Deep Cleanse Mask, which I haven’t tried yet but I will, this mask from Clinique is really fun to use. A lot of people even said that this is much better than Glamglow’s. This has a mild clean and fresh scent and it applies like a light pinkish gel. It starts to bubble on the face within a matter of seconds and it gives that fun tingling sensation on the skin. It feels like something is popping on your face and you’d wish all masks are like that.

Too Faced Peach Kiss Moisture Matte Long Wear Lipstick in Sex on the Peach ($21) – I was curious about this lipstick that was released by Too Faced recently together with their Peaches and Cream Collection. A lot of people said that this is matte and moisturizing at the same time, and that also, it smells really good. Well, those comments are definitely true. It does smell like yummy fresh peaches and while I like the scent and does not abhor it, some people may find it to be too strong. It’s definitely a unique scent for a lipstick though. The formulation feels cushiony and definitely much more hydrating than most matte lipsticks. I like its matte effect because it doesn’t settle into the lips’ fine lines. It also has a decent lasting power of 3-4 hours and the pigment is fab as well. The shade Sex on the Peach is pretty and though it has a bit of a grayish beige undertone to it, I like it as a nude shade for someone with a light to medium skin tone.

MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour/MAC Select in Preferentially Yours ($21) – Only available to MAC Select members, I was really excited to have this shade. At first, it comes out as a mauvy rose, but as soon as it settled, it had a bit of a grayish cast which sorta deters me from using it. I ignored it for a while, but then again, I gave it a try one more time, and I actually like it this time. It still has that grayish undertone but it’s a pretty matte shade for Fall. It does kind of feel very drying on the lips though, I think much more drying than most matte liquid lipsticks, so removing this can be a challenge. I just use the Kopari Coconut Melt to remove it and it does a good job at taking off the product while moisturizing the lips at the same time.

Tarte Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in Vibin ($20) – I love the Tarte Quick Dry Matte Lip Paints a lot, especially their array of shades. So, when I saw Bretman Rock with Nessa on youtube doing the makeup, I fell in love with Nessa’s lip shade. I found out she wore Tarte’s Matte Lip Paint in Vibin. It’s a gorgeous wine red matte liquid lipstick that’s so perfect for Fall and it’s a total standout. It’s great with any skin tone, and it’ll just simply make you look beautiful. I swear.

Burberry, My Burberry Blush Eau de Parfum (Mini: $29, 1 oz: $68, 1.6 oz: $90, 3 oz: $120) – Got a sample of this in Sephora Play! and I wanted to purchase the regular size, but since I’m traveling and I wanted to test drive this scent on my trip, I decided to get the travel size instead, then I’ll get the larger size when I get home soon. A lot of folks said that this smells like Ed Hardy. Hmmm, I do own a few Ed Hardy scents, and I really like them, and I also think that it’s true that there’s a bit of a similarity in their top notes, but this one has a stronger and fresher pomegranate scent that I really like, and it’s not boring.

Have you tried any of these beauts lately?

Stay tuned for more loving right now products guys! Regular beauty and other stuff posts will resume soon.

* Large Wash Bag is from Ted Baker called Jana. Available HERE.

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