Reviews and Other Stuff

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

Loving Right Now

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?

 

Chanel Le Gel LongWear Top Coat, Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream

 

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…

 

Atelier Cologne Bergamote Soleil

 

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.

 

Dior Diorific Khol Holiday 2017 Limited Edition in 341 Pure Topaz

 

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 review

 

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 Aย  LOT.

 

chanel hand cream

 

Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Body Cleanser

 

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 swatch

 

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

 

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.

 

Dior Diorific Khol Holiday 2017 Limited Edition in 341 Pure Topaz

 

Have you tried any of these before?

 

Happy Friday!

 

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

 

Whatโ€™s In My Bag? The Balenciaga Classic Metallic Edge City Review

Balenciaga City

 

Hey Bag Lovers! Iโ€™m back with another review of my favorite bag of the moment. Iโ€™ve had this bag for a couple of years now, and it has been used quite a lot. Itโ€™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. Itโ€™s also versatile because it goes with anything, whether youโ€™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.

 

Balenciaga Classic Metallic Edge City

Balenciaga Classic Metallic Edge City Contents

 

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.

balenciaga city mirror

Balenciaga Classic Metallic Edge City Contents

 

 


 

 

 

Hereโ€™s whatโ€™s inside:

 

Balenciaga Classic Metallic Edge City review contents

 

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

 

What's inside my bag Balenciaga Classic Metallic Edge City

 

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. Iโ€™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 donโ€™t really see the use of the provided shoulder strap because itโ€™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 itโ€™ll work much better and could improve the bagโ€™s usability. Other than that, this bag is indeed a work of art and performance that gets better with time.

 

Balenciaga Classic Metallic Edge City

 

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

 

For the meantime, follow me on Instagram: @reviewsandotherstuff