Hey everyone! I'm back from an extended US vacation which kicked off in Orlando followed by a staycation in Disney World, stop over in Georgia, Kentucky and a road trip back to Chicago. Needless to say, we got more than a few things along the way leading to this post. I'll be publishing a series of haul by categories like makeup, skincare, gadget, stationery and miscellaneous. This way, you can just choose to read the categories that interest you. Let's start off with what I'm most interested in, skincare!

ELIZABETH ARDEN: Eight Hour Cream

Hello everyone! It's great to be back with yet another review of skincare products I've been testing out for quite some time now. I am talking about the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant and Sun Defense for Face SPF 50 PA+++.

2017 Favorites: Makeup

Can you believe it's 2018 already? My last post for 2017 featured all my favorite skincare products for that year so if you haven't, please do check it out by clicking this link. I also mentioned that this time I'll be including more categories for my 2017 favorites so now I'm back with this long list of products that made it to the makeup category. If you're into makeup or just about to plunge into the cosmetics world then you're in for a treat.

I have to warn you though that I'm a makeup enthusiast who's into simple everyday makeup and my favorites are based on products I've used so far. If I mention a favorite concealer, it may not be the best among all the ones available in the market. I'm simply featuring the stuff I love to use based on the products I've already tried which may be limited compared to those who live and breathe makeup. With that out of the way, let's continue shall we?

2017 FAVORITES: Skin Care

2017 is about to conclude in a few hours and now is probably the best time to round up everything that made this year worth reminiscing. Over the past years, I've shared with you my favorites in skincare and makeup but this time I thought of adding more categories like body/hair care, tech stuff and travel. This way, you can just choose to browse a category you like instead of going through tons of products or information that don't really interest you.

Random Favorites

Hey guys! I seriously need a ton of free time to catch up on my blogging. I've been putting this off for more than 3 weeks now due to a crazy schedule. I also notice my phone's memory is getting dangerously low with all the unused blogging pictures taking up much space. Anyway, I'll just assemble a few random things I'm currently obssesing on and make a series of collective reviews. First items I'll be talking about are my everyday essentials.

The Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Scent Spray has been on my radar for years but I sort of got strayed by other perfume brands that are equally great in our tropical weather like Incanto Shine by Salvatore Ferragamo and Moschino Funny. A little over a year ago, I finally bought one for 50% off the tag, an awesome deal that's too tempting to pass up. Now this bottle, though too bulky to carry around, has never left my bag since I started using it. I love the cool and clean scent it gives off, so perfect for hot days to freshen up the mood. 

Next item I have is the Benefit Hello Flawless Custom Powder Cover-Up in Toasted Beige. I can't help but admire the packaging every time I use this compact. I find the magnetic closure so chic and the large mirror an added bonus. It also comes with a small brush and sponge housed in a separate compartment. The compact instantly turns into a fine textured powder after a few gentle strokes of the brush. It applies smoothly and blends like a dream. It offers light to medium coverage and can cover up minor blemishes. You may still use concealer underneath to amp up the coverage. Staying power is quite decent, keeping your face shine free for up to 6 hours max. 

A recent favorite is the Nature Republic By Flower Wood Eyebrow Pencil. I am currently obsessed with this product because it instantly grooms my brows with just a few gentle strokes. This wonder product allows me to beautifully sculpt my untamed brows and stay that way for hours. I got the #2 shade which has a light charcoal hue. This tool has a spoolie on the other end that works perfectly in smudging the shade for a natural look. 

An all time favorite is the MAC Eye Shadow Lustre in the shade Honesty. This has been my go to eye color for a year now and it still hasn't hit pan. It comes in a cute tiny compact with a see-through top so you can spot the shade right away. I literally cried out after accidentally dropping it on the floor one time. The transparent cover went off but I got to snap it back on like nothing happened. Thank goodness the product remains unharmed. This shade gives off a coppery bronze with tiny bits of golden sparkle. Color pay off is excellent and the velvety texture makes it a breeze to apply and blend. 

Lastly is the Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Color Balm in Chunkiest Chili. This lip product is my most recent purchase among the group and it has become an instant favorite. Packaging is pretty much the same with its predecessor, the Chubby Stick. It applies smoothly on the lips giving them just the right pop of color that's not opaque nor too sheer. Staying power may not be too long but I really don't mind since I love redoing my lip color as often as I can. It has a deep berry color that looks really flattering on medium to dark colored skin. 

So those are my random favorites. Let me know if you have questions about any of the products I mentioned and I'll get back to you with hopefully satisfying answers as soon as I can. Thank you for taking the time to read this entry. Have a wonderful day!

J ♥ I ♥ N ♥ G

ELIZABETH ARDEN: Green Tea Scent Spray

Hey guys! The rainy season has indeed marched in with 2 consecutive typhoons that rocked us the entire week. The weather sort of got me sick hence forced me to take a few days off and rest. Although I felt really bad coughing the entire time, I did enjoy that fraction of freedom from this stressful world. Anyway, I also thought of making a blog entry just to make my unexpected vacation a little productive. Good thing I haven't reviewed my all time favorite scent, a classic that never goes out of style, the Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Scent Spray.

ELIZABETH ARDEN: White Glove Extreme Skin Brightening Overnight Capsules

Hey guys! It feels great to be back. I've been stuck in bed since my surgery and though I wanted so much to work on some pending reviews I couldn't because my wound still hurts. Anyway, I didn't get to do my skin care routine while in the hospital hence my face felt rough and unpleasant the entire time. Luckily, I have plenty of stuff in my stash I haven't tried including this pouchful of Elizabeth Arden goodies from Miss Shen's 4th Anniversary Giveaway so I indulged the moment I got home. 

I went for the White Glove Extreme Skin Brightening Overnight Capsules because they seem appropriate for my week long neglected skin. Forgive me for the display of images, I missed blogging so much that I got a little trigger happy with my Ipad.

I love that they placed the capsules in this elegant jar, small enough to fit in any pouch making it excellent for travel. 

There were seven of these small gold capsules in the jar and one capsule is good for a single use on the face and neck.

To open, just twist the tab around twice and it'll snap off easily. This is my first time to try a product housed in a capsule and I have to say I like it. Capsules are neat for travel, dispensing the product is easier and you won't have to estimate the amount you need each time.

It's translucent gold in color and has the consistency of a thick serum, almost like a gel. Initially I was a little hesitant to use it because there were specks of dark brown grains in the serum and I wasn't sure of the expiration. So I searched online and luckily there were several reviews describing the product and showing actual images of the serum looking exactly the same as mine. 

The serum spreads easily and though it looks and feels a bit greasy on my face, it doesn't really bother me because I only use this at night. It has a subtle cosmetic scent that immediately fades a few minutes after application. I feel like it hydrates your skin throughout the night because you wake up to smooth, supple skin the next morning. 

After using it for three consecutive days, I feel like my skin improved and has become more soft and velvety. I haven't noticed any visible changes with the size of my pores or the fine lines around my eyes but I guess it's still too early to tell. 

Overall, this product isn't so bad but there are other affordable moisturizers in the market with the same effect. This is why I'm not buying it in full size. I do recommend it to those who are looking for something new to try and don't mind splurging on a good moisturizer but if you're on a tight budget, this might not be the best product for you. 

♥ ♥ ♥