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!

ELF: Black Friday 2018 Haul

Hey everyone! I'm reporting all the way from Chicago and I'll be blogging from this side of the planet until the new year so expect more holiday hauls in the next couple of months. If you find anything that interests you, just let me know on the comments section below and I'll be more than happy to answer your questions or better yet make a detailed review.

2016 FAVORITES: Makeup

Happy new year everyone! This is the second installment of my 2016 favorites and now I'm featuring the best makeup products I've encountered the past year. Just to give you a background, I'm actually more of a skin care than a makeup junkie which is why I'm making a disclaimer that the products I'll be mentioning are the best of the ones I've used so far.

PRIMER: Missha The Style Silky Soft Base
I don't regularly use a primer but whenever I feel like I need my choice of foundation to hold up, I always reach for The Style Silky Soft Base by Missha. It's actually a gift from a dear friend who knew I needed a really good primer. I love how this product easily applies on my face and blurs out my pores hence providing a smooth canvas for my foundation. This primer effectively keeps foundation in place and helps keep oil at bay.

Rediscovered Favorites

Hey guys! Have you ever had a bad case of dry lips? The kind that lipstick can't hide and lip balms can't soothe. Mine was just a couple of weeks ago and it was so bad I almost didn't want to attend an important event. I initially felt my upper lip roughen and it pretty much went downhill from there. Next thing I noticed, my lips were peeling and cracking painfully. I rummaged through my stuff trying to look for a lip balm and while I was at it, I found some things that I used a lot in the past but since new products came in, I totally forgot I still have them.

CHEAP THRILLS: San San, elf, Ziaja

Hey guys! As mentioned in my previous post, I've accumulated several products in the past couple of months that I haven't reviewed hence this entry. I wanted to post them in groups so I could cover as many stuff as I can. So this post is all about cheap finds that turned out great! Well, credit for finding these products should go to people who, I know, personally recommend them. I'll mention them as I go through each item. 

First cheap find is San San Cosmetics Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in black which has been out of stock for the entire time since Miss Say raved about it on her You Tube channel. I'm not a regular user of eyeliner since I find it quite tedious to apply, but trying this wonder product from San San changed my mind. 

 

I've used pencil type eyeliners before but I really suck on application that I end up removing it and redoing my eye makeup, not a good way to start a busy day. This however, is a pen type eyeliner with a tapered felt tip which I think is a better option for beginners like me. This really appears like a regular pen with a snap on cover.

The tapered felt tip allows you to make a fine line if you want to go subtle on your eyeliner. It's also buildable so you can do several coats until you get your desired thickness. What I love most about this product is the color pay off. A single stroke already gives you a jet black hue making this product all the more economical to use. Above image shows you swatches using single stroke for the thinnest line, 2 strokes for the line in the middle and 3 strokes on the 3rd line.

This San San eyeliner also dries off pretty quickly that in a few minutes I was able to run my fingers and a tissue on it without smudging. I was so amazed that I filmed it for you guys to see. What's more impressive is that it stays that way for the entire day! This is virtually unscented, non irritating and so easy to use. It retails for only 85 Php which I think is really affordable even for a measly 2 ml product. 

On to my next cheap find, the elf (eyes, lips, face) eyelid primer which was highly recommended by a good friend, Trina. I've been using this primer for a month now and I must say that it truly deserves to be mentioned. It comes in a slim tube with a sponge tip applicator underneath the cap which I personally like because it's easier and faster to use. 

 

This primer appears beige and has the texture of a light cream. Just a few dabs on your eyelid, crease and brow bone is enough to prime your skin for eye makeup. It spreads easily and gives you a velvety soft finish. Notice in the image above how it somehow gave my skin an instant glow. I love how this primer seem to make any brand of eye color look more radiant, noticeable and most importantly long lasting. I bought this at the elf counter in Trinoma for only 110 Php, a really great deal for an eyelid primer that can do so much. 

 

The third and final entry for cheap finds is Ziaja Jasmine Micellar Water. I saw this on the Instagram wall of a friend, Erika of The Erikaloca Files and according to her it's the nearest thing to Bioderma but way more affordable. It's being sold at Beauty Bar for 295 Php, well not that cheap but more reasonable compared to Bioderma's 1,000+ Php tag. 

It comes in this cute 200ml bottle, has the color and consistency of water making it nongreasy when applied. This has a subtle scent and doesn't sting or cause any skin reactions. 

 

 

SM Beauty Section Discount Voucher

Hello everyone! Before going to work this afternoon, we dropped by SM Sta. Mesa to have late lunch. I have to say that SM Centerpoint has improved a lot since I saw it a few years ago. The stalls don't look so crowded now and the counters are well lighted. I also noticed new (to me at least) establishments like Etude House and The Body Shop.

 

I headed to their beauty section and found out they were giving away discount vouchers. Being the voucher addict that I am, I was lured into getting a few stuff to avail of the 50 Php off on transactions worth 500 Php. Here are some of the things I purchased.

Watsons Charcoal Toothbrush (39 Php)

Apparently, charcoal toothbrushes are a thing now. The sales rep told me that Colgate first came up with one but they got sold out pretty fast. Good thing Watsons made their own version with tapered bristles. If you're wondering what the charcoal is for, the label says it can improve undesired breath. I was hoping for more benefits like fights bacteria or whitens teeth to convince me choose this over other regular brushes but there were none mentioned. At least curiosity over something I've never seen or tried before got me to buy this. 

 

elf Eyelid Primer (129.75 Php)

This eyelid primer from elf has been recommended to me more than a few times by a friend who says it's the most affordable primer she knows that works really good. It preps your eyelid for smoother, long-lasting, crease-proof eyeshadow. More on this when I try it out in the next days.

 

Majolica Majorca Brow and Lash Colorist BR55 (595 Php)

I've been paying attention to my eye brows lately which is why I was lured into getting this brow and lash colorist. I initially wanted to get Benefit's Gimme Brow but after Miss Gladys of Majolica Majorca SM Centerpoint tried this on me, I immediately bought it. I love that it's more affordable than Benefit's Gimme Brow which retails for 1,300 Php. It's even cheaper when you avail of their bundle promo because you get this plus their Jeweling pencil (495 Php) for only 799 Php instead of paying 1,090 Php in total. Well it  doesn't stop there, use the SM voucher to slash off 50 Php more! Now I'm sounding like an infomercial but you can't argue with me when I say that it's really a good deal! 

 

Majolica Majorca Jeweling Pencil BK999 (495 Php)

This is a black eyeliner that comes with the bundle I mentioned above. It originally retails for 495 Php but you can get a great deal when you buy it with the brow and lash colorist. I'll keep you updated with a full review on this soon.

Shawill Magic Concealer 01 (125 Php)

I'm not into concealers but after attending basic makeup class by The Makeup Artistry I realized how they can be of great help in achieving a flawless finish. So after watching Miss Say's video on Shawill Magic Concealer, I finally decided to get one for myself. This wasn't included in the promo because I bought it separately but the affordable price is already a good steal. 

 

 

 

All these items except for the Shawill Magic Concealer were bought in the beauty section of SM Centerpoint for only 932 Php! This promo really ROCKS because you may use several vouchers to slash off 50 Php per minimum purchase of 500 Php. Let's say you bought a total of 1,000 worth of products, you may pay for them in two transactions and use a total of two vouchers. This way you get 100 Php off your total purchase, so the more you shop, the more you save!

 

 

 What are you waiting for? Go now and shop for your beauty essentials from the beauty section of selected SM Stores* valid on July 19 to August 19, 2013 and get loads of savings!

 

 

 

*Bacoor, Bacolod, Batangas, Cagayan De Oro, Clark, Cubao, Delgado, Dasmarinas, Davao, Harrison, Lipa, Makati, Mandurriao, Manila, Marikina, Marilao, Olongapo, Ortigas, Pampanga, Rosario, San Fernando, San Lazaro, Sta. Mesa, Sta. Rosa, Sucat, Taytay.

 

 

♥♥♥

ELLANA: Flat Top Brush

Hey guys! When it comes to applying BB cream, I usually rely on my finger tips to get the job done. I use a pea size then pat it all over my face. Though this simple method works well for me, there are times when I wish there was a quicker way to do it. After watching one of emilynoel83's makeup tutorials on YouTube and seeing her use a flat brush while applying her liquid foundation, I realized I could try using one

with my BB cream. 

Ellana Flat Top Brush from Crossings Trinoma (Php 350)

A few days ago, I went on a haunt for my very first flat top brush. I saw several brands like elf, Suesh, Charm and Ellana but my instincts at that time pointed me towards choosing Ellana, a brand which believe me, I've never heard of. 

This Ellana flat top brush has a silver ferrule and a black matte handle with the brand name etched on it. Notice how the bristles have lighter color on the tips. 

I really find this brush amazing because the bristles are extremely soft and densely packed that they feel so smooth on your face. I love how this brush makes BB cream application effortless and quick. It perfectly evens out your skin tone with just a few circular strokes. I'm also quite surprised that it comes with an affordable tag of Php 350 which is pretty much the main reason why I chose this over Suesh (Php 850) and Charm (Php 650) brushes in the first place. Although elf was the cheapest in the bunch (Php 249), I find the bristles more stiff and rough than the others hence cutting down my choices to three.

All three remaining brushes are equally soft and packed but the one from Suesh has a smaller diameter compared to both Ellana and Charm. So I was left with 2 brushes to choose from and since I was just easing my way into using a flat top brush, I opted to get Ellana for its cheaper tag but surprisingly good quality. Ellana brushes are proudly Philippine made and they do have other products aside from makeup brushes. You may click here to visit their official website and see for yourself.

Overall, I love this Ellana flat top brush because of its high quality and affordable price. If you regularly use BB cream or liquid foundation, using this brush will definitely help you achieve even skin tone in just a few strokes.

♥ ♥ ♥

SHU UEMURA: Eyelash Curler

          Just recently, I went to Trinoma Mall and as I exited Landmark on the 3rd level, an unfamiliar sight caught my attention. It was a Shu Uemura stall which was originally located at the ground floor level. Well I have to say good move on their part for transferring to a busier location.

          I was literally drawn to their stall. Though I wasn't really planning to make any purchase, I walked right up, looked around and saw their highly acclaimed eyelash curler.

ShuUemura.com

          I've read so many bloggers rave about the wonders that Shu Uemura eyelash curlers can do. Some  people say it's the holy grail of eyelash curlers but I never bought one for several reasons:

1. I have thin, short, stubborn eyelashes.

          I love doing eye makeup but when it comes to my lashes, I've given up hope in making them stand out. I tried several tools such as Model Co's lash wand, Sally Hansen's as well as Elf's and several other generic eyelash curlers but none of them worked for me. I always ended up with awkwardly FOLDED lashes. I have tried every technique there is, like heating the metal part of the curler with a blow dryer, using a lash conditioner prior to curling, running the curler from root to tip and so on but to no avail.

2. The design is so simple and very much similar to cheaper brands.

          This idea made me hesitant for a long time. I came to the point of judging even before trying it myself. I was thinking, how could a similar looking tool be different from the others?

         

3. I can't afford to waste P1,090 for a makeup tool that I don't even know will work for me.

          When I found out about the price years ago, I wasn't at all discouraged but I was also thinking why should I buy a more expensive brand of the same tool that I know will not work for me. But because I believe that experience is the best teacher (most of the time), I didn't entirely trash the idea of getting one.

          These were the things that kept me from purchasing the Shu Uemura eyelash curler despite the many claims and great reviews of bloggers and you tubers worldwide. However, these hesitations were all set aside when I got hold of my own Shu Uemura eyelash curler. Yes, I did make a purchase after all. Make that "purchases" because I couldn't resist buying their BB Mouse after sampling it on my chin. I'll be posting a separate review on this next time.

          Back to eyelash curler, this tool gave me the satisfaction of owning curled lashes with just a simple stroke. I was really surprised when my lashes cooperated and were curled to my fancy even without mascara or lash conditioner. Now I know why it was dubbed as the holy grail of eyelash curlers. It can make wonders on its own. 

       

          Don't let the simple looking design of this tool fool you into thinking that it's no different from the others. At first glance it may look very much like other cheaper brands but after trying it for the first time and comparing it side by side with another curler, I noticed some small details that might have made the big difference. 

          The Shu Uemura eyelash curler is more slanted than the others creating a 30 degree angle between the proximal handle and the surface of your face. This way, you can easily approximate the curler on your eye area, giving you space to manipulate the curler in any direction without the handle getting in the way. This is a classic problem encountered when using other curlers.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

          The Elf eyelash curler for example is designed in such a way that the handle comes in close contact with your face leaving very little space between them. This limits the curler to dig farther into your eye area to access the lashes. Those with deep set eyes may have a problem using such tool.

Elf Eyelash Curler

          Shu Uemura has a very flexible silicone rubber pad that doesn't crease easily. Though the packaging suggests pad replacement after approximately 3 months of daily use, most of the reviews say that it can last more than 3 months and may even reach more than a year. To ensure maximum precision, they also suggest replacement of the entire tool after wearing out the extra pad included in the package. This is why Shu Uemura doesn't sell separate pads. If you don't feel like discarding the entire thing, you may want to find refill pads from other brands. Some of the reviews say that Shiseido refill pads have the closest match.

Shu Uemura silicone rubber refill pads (L), Elf (R)

          After finally trying this revolutionary tool myself, I could say that Shu Uemura eyelash curler is worth every centavo. If you still find it otherwise, I suggest you try using it before you jump to any conclusions. Try using one by borrowing from your friends or dropping by any Shu Uemura boutique. Who knows, you just might love it the way I and a lot more people do.


NOTES:

• Now all I need to do is find the perfect mascara to work with this amazing tool. Any suggestions?
• I heard Maybelline and Revlon mascaras work well.
• My take on the Shu Uemura BB Mouse is up next.
• As always, products mentioned in this review are personal purchases and preferences and are in no way intended for advertisement.