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Samples of The Week

July 12, 2018 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hi There! I have another set of randomly accumulated samples which I’m gonna feature in today’s post. I don’t exactly have a criterion as to which type of samples I plan to review, I just sorta pick and choose which ones made me curious or I felt like trying, and from then on I’d pay close attention to which products might seem promising and are worth buying in the regular size. So, let’s start this review, shall we?

The first thing that caught my eye is a sample set of the Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Deliciously Shiny Lipstick (0.09 oz: $32) that I found in my stash. It’s got two colors in it which you can see below. This lipstick truly smells delicious and has a bit of a floral scent as well. I love how the colors have that balmy oily feel, which also is kinda similar to the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks (swatched HERE) or the Tint-in-Balms, reviewed below. It has a shiny effect on the lips and the coverage is medium sheer. It’s also very comforting and has a good lasting power for about 3 to 4 hours.

002 Pink Tie – barbie-pink

003 Red Heels – bright red

This Yves Saint Laurent Volupté Tint-in-Balm in No. 3 Call Me Rose (0.12 oz: $34) is one the latest releases in YSL lip products and it has that signature YSL lipstick fruity scent. It’s so hydrating and really comfortable on the lips even though the No.3 shade is way too light for me. I’m thinking of getting some slightly darker shades of this lipstick soon since I really love the formula but the color on the sample is just not the right fit for my skintone.

Then let’s talk a bit about haircare for a moment. The Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Aging Anti-Frizz Blowout Butter (5 oz: $34) is my favorite styling cream at the moment. I’ve been testing this and I really love how I only put a pea-size on my hand and it melts easily giving my hair complete coverage and protection against heat styling, and it works great to tame my frizzies and flyaways even without blow drying or without using a flat iron. For the complete review of the Alterna Caviar Anti-Frizz line (Shampoo & Conditioner), please read it HERE.

I have some Bite Beauty minis that I received as a birthday freebie from Sephora. The packaging looks really cute and though the products are small, they’re still worth trying.

Agave Lip Balm (0.15 oz: $18) – This is so hydrating and it feels a lot thicker compared to most lip balms and because of that, it’s kinda hard to apply and spread it on the lips, so for practicality reasons, I feel like I could skip on this one. I’ve also heard some issues about its packaging as well.

Agave Sugar Lip Scrub (0.26 oz: $18) – This has a vanilla scent with sugar bits on it for exfoliating the lips. I like this product a lot but I feel like the sugar particles are too large to scrub it on my lips and it can hurt. Also, you need to know how to use this product, which basically requires you to add water while you scrub this on the lips. Using this alone without water is just impossible.

Matte Crème Lip Crayon in Glace (0.05 oz: $24) – Further swatched and reviewed HERE. This is my most favorite shade of the Matte Creme Lip Crayon line simply because it’s the most wearable shade for me.

Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Chai (0.15 oz: $26) – The Amuse Bouche Lipstick by Bite Beauty has one of the best range of wearable colors for a lipstick in my opinion, and I would love to have them all. I own some already, but I feel like now my favorite shade among them is this mauve-brown Chai color. A subtle reminiscent of the 90’s lipstick color trend.

Boscia – There are two very promising Boscia skincare products lately that’s certified Clean by Sephora.

Cactus Water Moisturizer (1.61 oz: $38) – This moisturizer has a mild green scent and it feels like a light cooling gel on the skin. But don’t underestimate its lightness because it packs a punch in hydration. Truly, this is so moisturizing without feeling heavy on the face but you need to be careful not to put a lot because it has a tendency to peel. It’ll also take a bit of time for it to be absorbed by the skin, so you’re gonna have to wait a little bit more before you put on your makeup. Other than that, this moisturizer is almost perfect and it’s even more perfect for oily skin.

Matcha Magic Super-Antioxidant Mask (2.6 oz:$38) – If you don’t mind looking like “Shrek” whenever you use this mask, then this is the face mask for you. It’s rich in antioxidants because of the matcha green tea component. I love how this mask hydrates my face even though it’s quite a challenge to rinse it off since this is really creamy and thick. It reminds me a bit of the Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask (reviewed HERE) in terms of its scent and consistency.

I’ve always wanted to purchase this Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E antiOXIDANT Protect + Repair Moisturizer (0.5 – 1.7 oz: $22-65) in its regular size, but for some reason, I just needed that “push” so I can really make up my mind. With this mini, I feel like I can now pull the trigger and really add this cream as one of my skincare staples. What I like about this cream are the vitamins and antioxidants that it contains which is really a necessity for skin nourishment. Also, the scent of this cream is TDF.

I had mixed emotions when I first tried this It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Eye Cream Smooths, Brightens, Depuffs (0.5 oz: $48). I wasn’t used to its cushiony texture at first and I thought that it’s kinda hard to apply, but as I keep trying it, I really enjoyed it. It keeps my undereye looking hydrated and it seemed to depuff it as well. My dark circles are still there but there’s never gonna be a perfect cream for it, however, I’m glad that this eye cream made some difference on my undereye issues.

Overall, I love this batch of samples. They’re so useful and they gave me an idea as to which product I should look out for especially when I’ll have some specific skincare and beauty needs.

Have you tried these products yet?

x.x

Tom Ford Foundations and Primer Review + Swatches

April 17, 2018 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hello Everyone! Today’s review is something I’ve always wanted to do. A lot of people talk about Tom Ford cosmetics and really rave about their products, while some also said that it’s just all but a name. The feeling of splurging on something doesn’t necessarily equate to good quality products. That I agree, and with that being said, I feel like in this review I want to talk about my experience with Tom Ford cosmetics in general and also specifically about their foundations and primers. For me, I love Tom Ford beauty products even though they are pricey, I think they do have good quality stuff apart from their fancy luxurious packaging. However, not all of their stuff is worth splurging into, and a lot of it really depends on your skin type and chemistry, as well as your personal preferences. For example, I know everyone’s crazy about their lipsticks, it’s like a girl must have at least a few Tom Ford lipsticks in her vanity just because it’s Tom Ford and everyone has it. While it’s good to have a few Tom Ford lipsticks that you actually like, I don’t think that all of Tom Ford’s lipstick line is worth hoarding into. I like a lot of Tom Ford lipsticks but they can be a hit or a miss on me. However, I do love their foundations and one of their primers. They’re the type that once you’ve applied it to your skin, you’re like “wow” and mind you, the TF Foundations and primers never disappoint.

I started loving the Tom Ford foundations and one of their primers when I met an SA who looked like she was probably around her 50’s but her face looked like it was frozen in time. She literally had a face of a teenager, even though her hands revealed her true age. So I got curious and asked her what’s her secret. She said she uses La Mer and Tom Ford. Hmmm, interesting. Anyhow, from then on, I’ve been a Tom Ford foundation devotee.

Primer

Illuminating Primer (1 oz: $75) – The SA with the frozen face in time gave me a sample of this and I fell in love with this primer right away. I had to go to Nordies to get it in full-size. This primer is so good and it’s still the best or one of the best primers I’ve ever tried. It’s basically a primer/skincare that helps the skin fight free radicals while making the makeup last a long time. The finish is dewy but not overly so, and the texture is so smooth and creamy that it almost feels like a moisturizer. It has a bit of a weird silicon smell which I got used to and didn’t actually bother me, but for some, it might be too much. This works really well with any of the Tom Ford foundations and it gives a subtle glow to the face.

Foundation

Traceless Foundation Broad Spectrum Spf 15 in 4.0 Fawn (1 oz: $85) – This is Tom Ford’s lightest and most luminous foundation, kinda like a tinted moisturizer because the coverage is sheer to medium. It’s a great foundation to use every day because it has Spf 15 and some skin nourishing properties. This feels really easy on the face and the Fawn shade is great for covering some redness, especially for someone with a light to medium skin tone.

Traceless Perfecting Foundation Broad Spectrum Spf 15 in 4.7 Cool Beige (1 oz: $85) – This is a medium to full coverage TF foundation and my most favorite Tom Ford foundations of all. I fell in love with this foundation immediately because this also feels very lightweight and the coverage is not too sheer and not too thick. It goes really well with the Tom Ford Illuminating Primer and it lasts practically the whole day and more on me. This also has a skin-nourishing complex and an Spf 15, so I’ve never had any breakout issues with this and I didn’t notice this foundation to oxidize at all. This pretty much feels like a second skin with its natural finish that doesn’t cake and it holds its coverage even in humid weather or against sweat. The Cool Beige shade matches my skin very well when I have minimal redness on the face.

Waterproof Foundation and Concealer in 4.5 Ivory (1 oz: 85) – If you want a foundation that won’t budge in any kind of weather, especially in super-humid weather, well look no further because this TF Waterproof foundation is the answer. It’s a full-coverage foundation that will stay on your face no matter what. The packaging feels really tiny compared to most TF foundations but you only need to put a little bit in order to get a nice full coverage on the face. Despite being a full-coverage foundation, this still feels creamy and lightweight. It has a natural to satiny finish and as it doesn’t cake. I like this a lot and I wear this when I have to spend a lot of time outdoors or when going to the beach, I just have to wear a good sunscreen underneath and this doesn’t clog my pores at all. On top of that, this has no strong scents. This is definitely the longest lasting breathable high-coverage foundation I’ve ever tried and I love the Ivory shade which is also very close to the Fawn shade as you can see in the swatches below.

I haven’t tried the TF Traceless Foundation Stick but that’s on my wishlist for the next Sephora Beauty Insider Event this coming weekend. I sort of stayed away from foundation sticks before since my skin is on the oily side and the sticks tend to be somewhat sticky and thick. But this Tom Ford Foundations Stick won’t be missed for sure and will update you soon as to what I think about it.

Bottom line, the Tom Ford foundations are truly worth splurging into but it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have any cons. First, even though they’re such good foundations, I find that their Spf is really low, I guess that’s to minimize oxidation. Second, it’s true that their packaging is really unique, beautiful, luxurious and easy to use, yet they can be somewhat flimsy and impractical to dispense. Third, some can have strong scents that are not for everyone and Lastly, their foundations are really expensive. However, I find the Tom Ford foundations to have the best texture and wearability when it comes to foundations. They have such nice smooth finishes without any caking on the face. Their foundations are reliable to wear for any occasion and are long-wearing. They also feel very lightweight and they work with the skin’s texture quite well. On top of that, they make the skin look poreless and naturally balanced, and with their beautiful luxe packaging, they’re true to what they’re made to be.

Have you tried these foundations already? Are you a Tom Ford fan? If so, why?

These Tom Ford Foundations and Primer are currently available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Net-A-Porter, Bergdorf Goodman, and Harrods

Dior Addict Lacquer Plump Review + Swatches

April 13, 2018 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Whaddup Everybody! Happy Weekend! Anyone shopping for the Rouge First Access Sephora Beauty Insider Event? Oh, I’ve got my wishlist right in my pocket. If you haven’t seen what’s inside it, click HERE more details.

Here’s something to look forward to when you hit Sephora today or this weekend. I just recently tested the newly-released lip product from Dior, the Dior Addict Lacquer Plump (0.18 oz for $37). It is a plumping lip stain that is comfortable on the lips and also long wearing, according to Dior’s description. I was really excited to get my hands on this particular lip product because I’m a big fan of Dior lippies especially the Rouge Dior Liquid (seen HERE) and the Dior Addict Lip Glow (reviewed HERE). I purchased two shades online that I seemed to like based on the swatches I’ve seen at Dior’s website and Sephora’s. When I received them, I thought the packaging is really pretty and different. It is sort of shaped like a lipstick inside and the brush applicator looks robust and well-made.

Upon application, I noticed a very slight floral scent that really didn’t bother me since it fades away immediately. The formula feels a bit cooling on the lips but I didn’t notice any plumping effect at all. It feels very much like a glossy lip stain but not very glossy like a patent finish. It reminds me a lot of the YSL Glossy Stain (seen HERE) and is also very similar to the Dior Addict Lip Tattoo (swatches HERE) especially with the way the formula stains the lips, like being lightweight and very pigmented. However, unlike the Lip Tattoo which dries into something of a natural to a satin finish, this Dior Addict Lacquer Plump has a glossy finish and it stays that way all the time.

The formula never dried nor chapped my lips after hours of wear and it is indeed lightweight, creamy, non-sticky, and overall very comfortable to wear, but the application can be streaky and may require you to put a bit more of product on the lips since the coverage can be patchy at times. Although it has a medium to full coverage, I find myself constantly swiping the brush on my lips to get that good amount of color.

With that being said, I really love the shades that I picked even though I have never swatched them in-store. I’m inclined to think that the shades in this lineup must be all pretty because the shades I got are not only very wearable, they really do brighten the face with such nice pop of color. However, I find that their swatches online are very misleading because the actual shades of these lipsticks are so different than when applied to the lips and are also very different than by just looking at their packaging alone. Some of the colors appear bright and washed-out on the packaging and can also look very different in the brush, some mostly turn out to be darker in tone especially if you have pigmented lips. So I suggest probably to take a closer look at these lipsticks in-store or look at the swatches online very carefully before you decide.

426 Lovely-D – Rosy Nude. In Sephora’s website, this shade looks like dark red (yes that’s weird), but it’s actually a medium nude beige in real life. I love this shade as an everyday lip color and it suits really well if you have a fair to light or light-medium skin tone. Even medium and deep skin tones can rock this as a perfect nude lip color.

456 Dior Pretty – Rosewood. More like a rose berry shade actually, and it’s a very pretty shade that truly brightens the face but not looking over the top. It’s actually a darker shade than it looks on the packaging and in my arm swatch. I find this color to transform into a shade darker once applied on the lips.

I love both of these shades and they are really pretty but I feel like they’re not true to what Dior described about them as being plumping. They do leave a good amount of stain on the lips but you may still have to reapply after eating or drinking. Somehow, I wanted to buy more shades of these but I’m kind of holding back because it’s quite too similar to YSL’s Glossy Stain or the Dior Addict Lip Tattoo, both of which I already have. So, I’ll probably just save my money for some other better liquid lipsticks out there, especially some other new releases like the Tom Ford Lip Lacquer.

Overall, this is a very good Dior liquid lipstick that has a good staining power and with a comfortable formula. It also has a pretty packaging and some very lovely wearable shades to choose from. So, I recommend this lipstick if you don’t own a lot of Dior liquid lipsticks already or are just venturing into Dior lip products, and with the sale going on at Sephora nowadays, you may wanna look into this particular lipstick, just don’t expect any plumping effect of this because you most likely won’t get it.

The Dior Addict Lacquer Plump is currently available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, JCPenney, Selfridges, and Lord & Taylor,

Ciao folks! until next time…