Hello everyone! Welcome back to my blog, today I'll be reviewing a set of beauty tools I've been curious to try since the day I saw them on You Tube. I am referring to none other than the Real Techniques' Prep + Prime Set. This collection truly intrigued me because it's probably the only set (I know) that's designed to apply skincare products. I've been looking for a set in the past months but to no avail, luckily I saw one in Target hence this review. 

FLAWLESS: Cell Booster Daily Cleanser

Hey guys! It feels so great to blog again after such a long time. A month of not being able to share anything felt like forever.  Anyway, I wouldn't blab so much about it and get on to business with a new product review. 

EVIAN: Natural Mineral Water Brumisateur Facial Spray

Hey guys! If you've been following my blog, you'd know that I love everything skin care related which is why it excites me to try every single product in my grasp that promises to nurture my skin.

My most recent skin pampering ritual is the use of face mist and the brand I've been using for a couple of weeks now is the Evian Natural Mineral Water Facial Spray.

This face mist comes in a generous 300 ml canister with a tiny cap. They also come in smaller sizes, 150 ml and 50 ml which can fit easily in your purse when you travel.

I love that the nozzle creates  a fine mist each use but remember to position it at least 6 inches from your skin surface. Otherwise you won't achieve that fine mist effect. You may use this several times a day and leave it on or dab the excess moisture to dry.

The bottom tells you the manufacturing and expiration dates. Since this is a pressurized container, keep out of reach of children and don't expose to temperatures exceeding 50°C.

I use this everyday to moisturize my face after my morning bath and post cleansing at night. I also use it mid day when I freshen up. On application, I love how Evian instantly cools the skin. Although it can immediately moisturize your face, I think using it alone is not enough so I suggest you still use a separate moisturizer. This product never caused any adverse skin reactions like redness or itching. After almost 2 weeks of continued use, my skin feels more invigorated. 

Overall, I love Evian so much that I am planning to stick to it and repurchase. Although I am drawn to the use of face mist, I still don't recommend it to everyone especially if you're the type who doesn't  prefer an extra step to your skin care ritual. If you want to incorporate the use of face mist to your skin care routine, I highly recommend you get Evian because aside from being widely available, it's also more affordable (Php 500/300 ml) than other brands like Avene. Any thoughts on the Evian Facial Spray? Do share them on the comments section below. Thank you very much for reading and enjoy your weekend!

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SHU UEMURA: Whitefficient Clear Brightening Gentle Cleansing Oil from Sample Room

Hello readers, due to awful traffic in the past days I've decided to stay home last Friday night. Good thing my most awaited treat from Sample Room arrived the same day so I had something to keep me busy.




If you haven't heard of Sample Room, it's a local site that gives away free product samples to their members. It aims to educate consumers about products before buying them. This way you have the luxury of testing products before purchasing them in full size so you won't be wasting money on those that don't work for you. Not a member yet? No worries, it only takes a few minutes to register, just click here to get started.

First time I read about Sample Room was weeks ago from one of their partner bloggers, Miss Shen through Shen's Addiction and I got too excited I registered right away. When Sample Room officially opened its doors to members last December 3, 2012, I was one of the lucky few who got to avail a sample pack for free (exclusive of PhP 100 shipment fee).

There were five awesome samples to choose from and I picked the Shu Uemura Whitefficient Clear Brightening Gentle Cleansing Oil without any hesitations. I've been wanting to try them for so long but the hefty tag has kept me from purchasing. Thank heavens they're included in the first batch of samples. 

The samples were in this cute paper bag showing the Sample Room logo. Nice to see the combination of colors pink, white and brown.

The sachets were securely packed and sealed with bubble wrap which brought out the playful side in me. Admit it, you're also guilty of popping these protective bubbles at least once in your lifetime.

Sample Room sent me 7 sachets of Shu Uemura Whitefficient Clear Brightening Gentle Cleansing Oil. Each sachet contains approximately 4 ml of the cleansing oil so your getting a total of 28 ml intended to provide you a week's supply.

I have to admit I got a little worried that one sachet won't be enough for a single use especially after watching the official youtube video of Shu Uemura on how to use the cleanser. The video suggests to use 4 pumps of the cleansing oil and judging by the small size of the sample, I feared it wasn't enough.

Good thing I was wrong because after trying it for the first time last night I can confidently say that one sachet is more than enough for a single use. I actually consumed only half of it so you can use one sachet twice. I prefer using this at night after a long day of wearing makeup and exposure to harsh pollutants but you can also use this in the morning as suggested by Shu Uemura.

PROS:

It has a light weight formula that doesn't feel sticky on your skin

It feels smooth and silky when massaged all over your face

It has a very pleasant scent

Easily rinses off with water without any trace of oiliness

Your face feels soft and supple immediately after each use

A little goes a long way so a full size will definitely last long

No need to double cleanse after using

CONS:

Though the full size is in a generous 450 ml bottle, it also comes with a hefty tag of PhP 5,295. If only Shu Uemura can have this available in smaller bottles that won't cost as much, then more people can benefit from this amazing product.

VERDICT:

I am so happy I picked the right sample. Now I'm loving the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil so much it has become my go-to night cleanser. I am still contemplating on whether to avail of this product in full size. I haven't bought a single beauty product that costs this much in my 30 something years of existence. Yes, I have splurged on high end cosmetics and skin care lines but not for just a single item. 

This brings me to an undecided verdict but it's only my 2nd day of using the cleansing oil so things might be different in the days to come. I do recommend it to those of you who are looking for a cleansing oil that works well and delivers great results. Of course you have to be willing to shell out a whopping amount to avail it.

As for my views on Sample Room.. It's great that we now have free samples especially of high end products that are quite expensive to buy in full size. Although it's not totally free to avail of the samples because you're required to pay for shipping fee, still the amount is less than the value of the samples you're getting. In my case, 28 ml of the Shue Uemura cleansing oil costs around Php 329 which is more than three times the amount I paid for shipping (PhP 100) so I really got more than what I paid for. 

But here's the thing, samples are limited and you need certain points in order to get them. Though you earn a total of 100 points upon registration, each sample has corresponding points. During the first wave, I wanted 2 samples but I couldn't get more than one because of limited points. That time, I was predicting I won't be getting more than one sample each transaction unless products with less points become available. Just like an answered prayer, Sample Room did include samples valued at 35 points on their second batch! 

Overall, I love Sample room's "try before you buy" concept. This brings much freedom and flexibility to us consumers at a reasonable cost. I will definitely check out their samples as often as possible and do my share of imparting my experience through writing my honest reviews. So if you're like me who wants true value for money and who doesn't mind shelling out a little for shipping fee, then I encourage you to be a member of Sample Room because you will definitely enjoy being one.

♥ ♥ ♥

TONY MOLY: Clear Water eye and lip makeup remover

I've always been very particular with washing my face at the end of the day especially after wearing makeup. I usually go straight to washing without the aid of a makeup remover but recently during my visit to Tony Moly, I gave in to getting myself one.

I got the Tony Moly clear water lip and eye makeup remover bundled with a Cat's Wink mascara but it can also be bought separately. 

The makeup remover comes in a 165 ml  frosted plastic bottle with a flip top. I was so excited when I saw the familiar suction cap. If it weren't for reading other blogs on skin care products, I wouldn't have known how to dispense the contents. If this is your first time to see such container, read on to find out how it works and see if you'll be amazed like I was initially.

Step 1: Place the cotton pad/ball on top of the suction cap.

Step 2: Gently push downward just like a pump dispenser.

Step 3: Lift the cotton off the suction cap and see how the contents are absorbed entirely by the pad.

PROS:

Effectively removes makeup, even water proof and long wearing mascaras

It didn't cause any adverse skin reactions

It leaves your skin fresh and hydrated without any greasy feeling

It has a refreshing scent

Dispenses the right amount of product with just a single pump

CONS:

The Php 398 tag is quite steep for its amount.

This product impressed me since day 1 and I do recommend it to those who want an effective makeup remover that leaves the skin feeling hydrated and nongreasy. I am definitely replenishing this once it runs out. 

TONY MOLY: Fresh Aqua

Christmas is just around the corner and a lot of establishments are going on an early sale. I know it's a little early to buy gifts for your friends and loved ones but discounts of up to 50% off can really be tempting especially when it's from a trusted brand like Tony Moly. 

My friends and I grabbed this opportunity and got ourselves the Tony Moly Fresh Aqua Tear Drop Toner from its regular price of Php 898 down to Php 449.  I actually got to try this product in its sample size a few months ago. I instantly fell for this product the first time I used it and promised myself to buy one in the future. 

The full size comes in a 140 ml bottle with a tear drop shaped cap. I love that Tony Moly products are sealed to ensure quality and freshness. This is a clear toner that gives off a refreshing scent leaving you with a clean and cool feeling. It feels so smooth and hydrating on your skin that it gives your face a well moisturized and non greasy finish. You can top this with another moisturizer or if you're in a hurry you may skip the moisturizer and top it with a primer.

Though I'd love to share what the box says, everything is in Korean so you just have to believe me when I say that this toner is hydrating that it wouldn't hurt to skip your moisturizer. If you have oily skin I think this can still fit in your skin care routine because it doesn't have a greasy finish. It's like washing your face with fresh water. 

I love this product and I am willing to splurge and repurchase it in regular price. I recommend this to all of you who wants a hydrating toner that can double as a moisturizer. If you're tight on budget, you may want to check out Tony Moly SM North because they're still on sale until supplies last this October.