Hey everyone! It's been ages since my last post and today I'm back on track with a review on a lip product I've been wanting to try for ages! I'm pertaining to the Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm. 

MAC: Amplified Creme Brick-O-La Lipstick

Confession: I'm not a regular lipstick user. I usually put on a lip moisturizer, allow it to settle for a few minutes then top it with a tinted lip balm. I'm fond of using Clinique Chubby Sticks and not even the Intense type. I've been gifted with tons of lipsticks in the past and ended up passing them on to my mom except for one particular product, the MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in the shade Double Shot. So when I finally decided to incorporate the use of lipsticks into my daily look, I chose to get a shade from the same line. 

Now I'm back with another make up review this time on a lipstick that I've been rocking since I opened the tube, MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Brick-O-La. The last time I visited a MAC counter was in Shangri-La Mall about a month ago. I was overwhelmed with the array of choices and was undecided which shade to get. Instead, I got the MAC Mineralize Moisture Foundation and Mineralize Skinfinish. 

NATURE REPUBLIC: By Flower Lip Scrub

Hey guys! I've been meaning to tell you about a product I never thought I'd be using simply because I always thought I didn't need one. But after hearing tons of good things about lip scrubs, I couldn't help but try it and see for myself. I was on the hunt for a lip scrub months ago and I had my eye on the Sara Happ Lavender Lip Scrub at Beauty Bar but I can't seem to let myself shell out a whopping Php 1,450 for it. Although Beauty Bar online shopping has a promo selling it for half price off, Php 725 still didn't feel right.

Good thing I got hold of the Nature Republic By Flower Lip Scrub the last time I visited their branch in SM City North. This one is way more affordable at Php 235. It comes in a tiny squeezable tube the size of a usual lip product.

Underneath the cap is a slanted nozzle with a tiny opening which I really like because you get to control how much product to dispense. 

This lip scrub is virtually unscented and has a creamy and slightly course texture. I love how it's saturated with micro beads that a few strokes is enough to make it work. I also like how the micro beads are just the right size. It feels really good when massaged over your lips, very invigorating and not at all scratchy. After rinsing you will immediately notice having softer and smoother lips that any lip product will easily glide on.

Overall, the Nature Republic By Flower Lip Scrub is truly an amazing product. I've been using it 2 to 3 times a week for about a month now and I'm totally loving the results. I haven't had cracked or peeling lips the entire time! My lips has never looked this great which is why I highly recommend it to those of you who don't mind adding an extra step to your skin care ritual. 

That's about everything but if you have any questions, do leave them on the comments section below and I'll get back to you soon. Thank you for reading my post and have a productive week ahead!

COVERGIRL: Lipperfection Jumbo Gloss Balm

Hey guys! It's been a while since my last post. I haven't had much spare time to make reviews lately but I plan to do at least three on products I've been loving so far hopefully before February ends. 

I recently browsed the beauty section of Landmark Trinoma and bought several items I've been meaning to try out. Covergirl Lipperfection Jumbo Gloss Balm tops my "must try" list which is why my smile was from ear to ear when I saw a variety of shades on display. After trying on a dozen of them, I found myself torn between two shades. So to save myself the trouble of having to choose just one, I got them both!

First shade that got my attention was #230 berry twist. The packaging is pretty much the same as the other jumbo lip balms except that the shade name is printed on the wrapper. Better try to remember the shade name because you won't be seeing them once you've peeled off the seal. Although you can still check out the shade number on the base.

Berry twist, as expected, shows off a color between red and purple. I love how it looks youthful yet professional. It's the kind of color you can actually wear everyday to work. 

Shade #250 scarlet twist was my second pick from the bunch. 

 

I have to admit, I got a little intimidated just by looking at the stick's bright red color. I almost didn't try it on but I'm glad I did because the shade is really pretty! Not the scarlet red that ages you, but a gorgeous red that screams of sophistication. This is suitable for an everyday look but you can also get away with it on a night out with friends. 

These jumbo lip balms are virtually unscented. The stick may look matte but the formula is quite moisturizing that it glides smoothly on your bare lips. The shade falls between sheer to medium but is pretty much buildable to give your puckers a pop of color. I also love that it gives a subtle shine and a touch of tiny sparkles. 

Staying power isn't as impressive which I don't really mind since I love reapplying these often. The Covergirl Lipperfection Jumbo Gloss Balm may not be as pricey at 450 Php compared to Clinique Chubby Sticks that go for 950 Php but it's not cheap either especially when the stick is only around 3.8 grams and not even over an inch long. 

Image courtesy of Covergirl

Despite the price, I still recommend this product to those of you who want an affordable yet good quality jumbo lip balm. I'll be buying several other shades in the future, besides, one can't have too many lip products right? So have you tried these lip balms from Covergirl? What are your thoughts? Do leave them on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day!

♥♥♥

NYX: Nude on Nude Palette

Hey guys, this is just a quick entry of a product I can't wait to share with all of you. Remember how I've been lusting over Urban Decay Naked palettes for the longest time? Well, before the Naked 3 palette was released, the pioneer Naked palette has been on my mind since the day I learned how to apply eye shadow.

Image courtesy of Urban Decay

I've seen countless reviews on how amazing this palette is and I have always wanted one for myself but the hefty tag ($52) kept me from getting one. Good thing NYX came out with the Nude on Nude palette. 

It comes in a box which is double the thickness of an Iphone 5 and almost double the length. 

On the bottom of the box is an illustration of the shades included in the palette. The colors aren't named like that of Urban Decay's palettes but that's just fine.

The packaging is made of hard plastic which really appeals to me but I'm afraid this isn't sturdy enough and might break apart if I accidentally drop it. Regardless, I still love the rich brown casing and transparent windows on top of each shade.

Once opened, the palette reveals a slim mirror and 20 different shades of eye shadow.

The palette consists of neutral shades in matte, satin and metallic finishes. I'm loving the array of colors that you can mix and match to achieve different looks from a basic day time makeup to a gorgeous night time look. These are well pigmented shadows with great color pay-off especially when paired with a good primer. They're a bit powdery so you only need to dip your brush lightly to pick up your desired color otherwise you have to tap off the excess to prevent fall-outs. They last for a decent amount of time and still look vibrant towards the end of the day.

This palette also has a pull-out compartment on the bottom that houses 10 lip colors. These are mostly pink shades with a few reds and berries. They feel creamy and apply smoothly on your lips with sheer finish that you can layer for a bolder look. Half of them are shimmery and don't appeal to me much but the remaining lip colors are glossy and look very lovely. Notice that NYX included a double ended eye shadow applicator and lip brush that I don't actually use but are okay to have just in case I need to do touch-ups. 

 

Image courtesy of NYX

 

Overall, the NYX Nude on Nude palette is a great value for your money. You're getting 20 lovely shades of eye shadow and 10 lip colors for just $25 (roughly 1,100 Php). The colors may not be exact dupes of Urban Decay's Naked series but still it's a decent palette that you can start with if you're new to the makeup world. This can also be a good addition to your growing number of makeup collection without causing much dent on your budget. NYX products are widely available in the US but you can also get them locally from online sellers.

Have you tried the NYX Nude on Nude palette? Share your thoughts on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a beautiful weekend!

♥♥♥

EOS: Smooth Sphere Lip Balm

I had lunch with my friends in Trinoma yesterday and we were lucky enough to discover some new stuff in Pop Culture on the 2nd level. We've been there several times before to check out new designs from Shoe Box but haven't gone there in a while. We got a little surprised to see a lot of new stalls (new to us at least) with great stuff but what really got my attention was a discreet stall near the entrance. I love that the products on display are things you wouldn't normally see in local beauty counters. They have Urban Decay, NYX, EOS among others and an assortment of generic makeup brushes laying on their tables. It was like walking into heaven.

NYX Nude on Nude Cosmetic Palette (Php 1,500)
Image courtesy of nyxcosmetics.com

For a moment there I was in awe then there it was, the ultimate mainstay on my wish list, the NYX nude on nude palette. I didn't have the heart to open it and just walk away without purchasing so I just looked at the other items on display.

EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm (Php 250)

Now this was a perfect distraction, the EOS (evolution of smooth) Smooth Sphere Lip Balm  in Pomegranate Raspberry. This alone was enough to keep me from impulsively buying the NYX Nude on Nude Palette. 

There were many "flavors" on display but there was only one Pomegranate Raspberry left so aside from the catchy color, I got hooked thinking this might be one of their best sellers.

I love that it's the most unique/cute looking lip product in my collection and I admit I was more intrigued with how it looks than how it works when I first saw it on various You Tube and blog entries. The sweet fruity scent is really amazing when you smell it from outside but once you take off the cap, it has a waxy smell which is quite a turn off in the beginning but not at all that awful to deter you from using it. 

The texture is not that extraordinary and is actually quite similar to other lip balms. It is truly moisturizing and stays on for a decent amount of time. It's not too heavy on your lips and you tend to forget you're wearing it after a few minutes of application. This only retails for $3.49 but it's being sold locally for Php 250 which is around $6 and if you think about it, there are a lot of locally available lip balms that are as moisturizing but don't cost as much. 

Overall, I think it's a good lip product but I won't be repurchasing this or the other flavors. I just think I can get the same results from other lip balms with cheaper tags. If you like breaking out of the ordinary looking lip balm, then you will love this one but if you're not at all into cute things and you prefer a more budget friendly lip balm, then this might not be the best product for you.

I feel a little awkward knowing a lot of ladies out there adore EOS and yet I don't but I still think it's a good thing because we're reminded of being different in some ways. How about you, have you tried EOS? Do share your thoughts on the comments section below.  Thanks for reading!

♥ ♥ ♥