I tend to stay away from posting reviews on products that aren't widely available in Manila but I really have to let this one slip. During our visit to relatives in Florida, we got to see several shops but the best one for me of course is, without a doubt, Bare Minerals. Since this brand has no flagship store in Manila and online sellers tend to sell them for twice the original tag, I didn't think twice and got myself the Bare Minerals Get Started Complexion Kit.

MAYBELLINE: Dream Liquid Mousse Challenge

I'm always up for a good challenge which is why I'm taking Maybelline's invitation to join one featuring their #1 foundation, the Dream Liquid Mousse. In this challenge, we'll see if this foundation is true to its claims of improving skin texture giving the appearance of a perfectly smooth, 100% PORELESS complexion.

Opening the box made my heart skip a beat! I was dead sure about getting the Liquid Mousse Foundation but Maybelline made this challenge more special by throwing in an extra treat, a Duo Fibre Brush. 

See how big the Maybelline Duo Fibre brush is compared to other brushes I own. On the left is a Sigma Duo Fibre Brush from the Sigma Premium Travel Kit and on the right is from Real Techniques Limited Edition Duo-Fiber Collection.

The Maybelline Duo Fibre Brush is way bigger than Sigma and a bit more comparable to Real Techniques. Maybelline is more densely packed with soft bristles that feel so gentle on your skin. I love how it instantly evens out the Liquid Mousse Foundation with just a few strokes. 

Maybelline sent me a full size bottle of their Dream Liquid Mousse in Classic Ivory. I got a bit intimidated by the shade because I thought it was too light for my NC30 skin but it turned out okay. This foundation came in a 30 ml glass bottle with a pump dispenser which I really love. It doesn't come with a cover but you can twist the pump either way to lock and unlock the spout. 

It's unscented, has a silky texture that spreads effortlessly and blends perfectly that it looks and feels like your real skin but better. It doesn't seem to settle on fine lines or accentuate dry patches on your skin. It offers light to medium coverage and blurs out minor flaws but you still need your trusty concealer for more obvious blemishes. It gives your skin a dewy finish that doesn't look and feel greasy. I believe this to be ideal for all skin types. For best results, those with dry skin may use a good moisturizer beforehand while those with oily skin may use finishing powder on top. Good thing this foundation didn't irritate my skin or cause pimple break outs. 

Overall, I love this Dream Liquid Mousse from Maybelline. Although you really can't achieve a 100% poreless complexion with just one product, this foundation still gives you decent coverage which you can amp up a little with the help of a concealer or finishing powder. The brush did make application a breeze but this foundation blends so well that using your finger tips is enough to do an equally great job! It's reasonably priced at Php 599 and you can get the Duo Fibre Brush (limited stocks) for free with a minimum purchase of Php 799 inclusive of the Dream Liquid Mousse. Hurry and get yours now before they run out.

Any thoughts on Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse? Please leave them on the comments section below. Thank you for reading and have a great day!

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REAL TECHNIQUES: Travel Essentials

Hey guys! This post is my 2nd in a series of reviews about Real Techniques brushes. I initially reviewed the Core Collection and now I'm back to give you my thoughts on the Travel Essentials. 

 

This set is housed in a transparent hard plastic so you can see the brushes right away without having to tear the box open. At the back you can find a description of each brush and how to use them. 

 

Like the Core Collection, this set also comes with a panoramic case that functions as a dual carrier and stand to keep your brushes organized whether at home or on the go. 

As the name implies, this brush is for applying your foundation but you may also use this to apply concealer. Although this brush is densely packed with soft bristles, I still prefer applying liquid-based makeup with either a flat top brush or a dome shaped one like the buffing brush included in the core collection.

The domed shadow brush is intended to smoothly apply your eye shadow or to give your eyes definition. It reminds me so much of my large fluff brush from Sigma, also known as the E50 brush but a little smaller. Although both brushes appear similar, I prefer using the Sigma E50 because it can pick up and pack more eye shadow. But hey, that's just me. Others may find this brush better than the E50 especially those
with smaller lids.

 

This multi-task brush is my most favorite tool in this kit because aside from the lovely pink ferrule, it's also the most versatile among the three. I love that the size is perfect for applying your face powder, not too large nor too small. Just pinch the bristles over the base near the ferrule and you can use it to apply your blush and bronzer.

 

Of course I love the extra slots to fit in two more brushes you may want

to bring with you.

 

Although adding big brushes may give you a hard time closing the panoramic case, still it locks into an inch thick carrier which is better than having your brushes mixed with other stuff in your bag or vanity kit making them more prone to contamination and early damage.

 

Overall, the Real Techniques Travel Essentials kit is my 2nd most favorite set in the collection. I think I can do away with other brushes and achieve a full look with just three tools in this kit. Like all the other Real Techniques brushes, these have soft and densely packed bristles with very minimal shedding. I love the dual purpose case with the extra elastic bands to accommodate more tools you may want to add. Need I mention the overall look of each brush? The matte metal ferrules and rubber handles are a delight to have and make these brushes very unique and eye-catching. This set, like the core collection, retails for $17.99 at Ulta which I think may be a bit steep for just a 3-piece brush set but the versatility and quality of these brushes are worth it.

 

 

Image courtesy of Real Techniques

 

Still haven't joined the Real Techniques band wagon? You really have to get at least a set to fall in love with every single one of them. If you ask me, the Travel Essentials is a good way to start. You may purchase one at a very affordable and competitive price from my online shop Beauty Rx or via Instagram beauty_rx. Any thoughts on Real Techniques? Do share them on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful holiday!

 

 

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REAL TECHNIQUES: Core Collection

Hey guys! I've been drooling over Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman for the longest time but I can't seem to decide which one to get. Luckily, Real Techniques brushes were on sale at Ulta a few months ago so my fiance was able to spoil me with not just one but three brush sets.

The first set I'm reviewing for this post is probably Real Tecniques' best selling brushes, the Core Collection. 

This set is housed in a transparent plastic case so keeping the brushes in good shape while shipping won't be a problem. 

The brushes are securely placed in a black case that conveniently doubles as a stand. All you have to do is fold the case backwards, tighten the string found along the middle and you have an instant brush stand which you can use everyday or when you travel. 

I also love that this case has two more slots to accommodate extra brushes you may want to bring with you.

I use this pointed foundation brush to evenly apply BB Cream on my face. The bristles are so soft and dense with just the perfect size to reach the sides of your nose and under your eyes. 

The label says that the buffing brush is meant to be used for applying powder or mineral foundation but I think this is best used in applying cream or liquid based makeup. The bristles are densely packed that a few circular strokes can evenly distribute any chosen product all over your face. 

This contour brush is nothing I've never had or tried before which is why I really wanted to get the core collection in the first place. The tapered bristles allow you to apply your blush or highlight with precision.  

The detailer brush is probably my least favorite in the core collection. It can be used with your concealer to hide spots and imperfections or to apply your lipstick. I was hoping for an eyeshadow brush to be included in this set but I guess you can also work with this detailer brush when you have no other choice. 

Overall, I really like the core collection because each brush is multi-functional. I also love that they are designed very uniquely with longer ferrules so you can easily tell them apart from other brushes. With the exception of the detailer brush, each tool can steadily stand on its own to allow less contact on any surface hence less contamination. Little details like the extra brush holders, label etched on each brush as well as the matte gold metal and black rubber handle made me want the core collection even more. Although the price is quite steep for just a 4-piece brush set ($18), the quality and versatility of these brushes more than make up for the price. 

Image courtesy of Real Techniques

Want to own Real Techniques brushes? You may purchase them from my online shop Beauty Rx or visit my Instagram beauty_rx. Any thoughts on the core collection? Do share them on the comments section below. Please do check back in for more reviews on other Real Techniques brushes in my next posts. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!

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