Hello everyone! I've been seeing a lot of makeup "baking" with loose powder on YouTube video tutorials in the past months. Apparently, this technique has been around for a while and is actually used by makeup artists, theater actors, even drag queens to keep their makeup in place. Seeing how good this technique works on others, it got me really curious but a bit doubtful that I can pull off the same budge-proof look everyone's raving about. Most loose powders used by beauty gurus aren't budget-friendly but thankfully, some of them recommended an affordable yet good quality loose powder, the Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder. 

SHISEIDO: Perfect Whip Foam

Hello everyone! Early this year, a good friend of mine went to Japan for a family vacation and gave me a very thoughtful gift when she returned home, the Shiseido Perfect Whip Foam! I've seen and read about this most coveted facial foam for some time now. Sadly though, this product is not locally available but can be bought from online sellers. Read more and find out why this product deserves your attention. 

CLINIQUE: Even Better Compact Makeup SPF 15

Hey guys! I've always been a minimalist when it comes to makeup. Most of the time, I prefer using tinted moisturizer or BB Cream and reserve the use of foundation on days that I need more coverage. This is why I don't stock up on foundations and just make do with what I have until I find one that I can't resist to try like the Clinique Even Better Compact Makeup with SPF 15. I got this little baby from an online seller for half the price thinking that it's a compact powder foundation but I wasn't too disappointed to find out that it's actually a compact cream foundation. 

PIXI: Book of Beauty Minimal Makeup

Hello everyone! If you were able to visit my blog a few weeks back, you'd know that I subscribed to the Perfectly Pixi Glamourbox and if you haven't read the post, you may click here to see my unboxing. I have yet to do a review on each of the items included in that box but for now, since I'm getting questions about the Book of Beauty Minimal Makeup palette, I might as well start with it here. 

ESSENCE: An Exclusive Haul

Hello everyone! I'm pretty sure the past weeks felt like heaven for all you shoppers out there because of the great promos and discounts happening in leading malls around the metro. I didn't want to get in the hype but I couldn't resist trying out a brand I've been eyeing for months, an affordable makeup line called essence. In 2002, essence was launched in Germany by founders Christine Oster-Daum and Javier Gonzalez. Since then, essence has spread across the globe reaching as far as North America, South Africa, Middle East and Asia including our dear homeland the Philippines!

THURSDAY THRIFT: Maybelline the Hypercurl Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara

Hello lovely readers! It's Thursday once again and you all know what that means, it's Thursday Thrift time. But before I plunge into my featured product, I would like to say a few words about life in general. I recently witnessed one of the best wedding ceremonies I've ever attended and when you see genuine happiness from all your friends and family you get to realize how beautiful life can be. So spread love and kindness whenever you can! To our good friends JB and Mai, we wish you a happy life together. Stay in love as always. 

THURSDAY THRIFT: Fashion 21 Two-Way Cake with Papaya Extract SPF 35+

Hello everyone! I recently posted on Instagram that I'm planning to create a segment where I can feature hidden gems of drugstore brands including makeup and skincare. This way, we can still look our best without spending too much. My debut entry is a recent discovery by a dear friend, the  fashion 21 two-way cake with papaya extract, SPF 35+.

GUERLAIN: Orchidée Impériale Cream Foundation - SPF 25

Hey guys! I recently got hold of another great product from Guerlain that I've been aching to share with all of you since day one. I'm talking about the Orchidée Impériale Cream Foundation with SPF 25. If you read my recent post about the Guerlain Meteorites, you're probably aware that I just started inching my way into using this brand. So without further introduction, I give you my thoughts on yet another emerging favorite on my list.

Happy New Year!

On the night of December 31, 2015 at around 6:00 PM, I wrote:


"In just a few hours, I'll be saying goodbye to 2015 but not to everything that came with it. The valuable moments spent with family and friends, places traveled, fears conquered, goals attained and lessons learned from mistakes and failures will all be part of who I am and who I'll be. I will cherish every piece of memory that lead me up to this day."

"A fragment of who I've become is reflected right here at My Kikay Stuff (MKS). I have to admit that initiating a blog was a cinch with all the tips and traded secrets about it revealed on the net but keeping it wasn't duck soup either. There were times when my mind went blank that I couldn't write a decent entry. Good thing my love for story telling unfailingly prevailed each time."

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. 

MAC: Lightful C Tinted Cream SPF 30 PA+++

Hey guys! With all the carols we hear and the Christmas decorations we see everyday, needless to say that the Holiday Season is officially in full swing. It's that time of year when we can finally have the excuse to splurge a little. Having said that, I come to you with a review on one of the items I've been dreaming of having, the MAC Lightful C Tinted Cream. 

MAC Lightful C is a product line designed to achieve brighter and more radiant skin. One of their best sellers is the Lightful C Tinted Cream, a color correcting cream which comes in a beautifully crafted, holographic 40 ml tube with a screw-on cap.

KISS ME HEROINE MAKE: Impact Liquid Eyeliner

   
Hey guys! I've been on a roll reviewing skincare products in the past weeks so I'm thinking it's okay to deviate from it with this entry about makeup. Early this year, I got an invitation from Mandom Philippines Corporation to attend the launch of Heroine Make's latest addition to their growing number of makeup products, the Kiss Me Jewelry Eye Color. After the event, I was handed a paper bag filled with goodies from the brand including the Kiss Me Heroine Make Impact Liquid Eyeliner (Php 595 / 2.5g).

BIORÉ: Micellar Cleansing Water

Hey guys! I'm not sure if I mentioned it before but my still-half-filled 500 ml bottle of Bioderma Micelle Solution for sensitive skin unfortunately got thrown away. I literally freaked out when my mom said she thought it was left over drinking water and got rid of it. Anyway, I can't cry over spilled milk or in this case, spilled micelle water. I thought of repurchasing but I couldn't get myself to accept the astronomical price tag it comes with in the local market. Good thing Bioré came out with a more affordable version called Micellar Cleansing Water.

The Bioré Micellar Cleansing Water comes in a 90 ml bottle. It has a flip cover and a narrow spout which makes dispensing easy and spill free. It appears and feels like water, is scent free and doesn't sting even when used on the eyelids. It effectively removes makeup including water proof eye liner and mascara. A lightly soaked cotton pad is enough to eliminate traces of makeup and dirt. I love that it leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean that it's nearly as good as washing my face. 

Overall, the Bioré Micellar Cleansing Water is an effective makeup remover which I think comes head to head with Bifesta, my other favorite brand. Both are so similar in apperance, consistency and feel that you can't easily tell them apart. Although Bioré costs only Php 198 per 90 ml bottle, you still get to save more with Bifesta in the long run because it comes in a 300 ml bottle and costs only Php 419. Bioderma on the other hand still tops my list while Bioré and Bifesta equally rank second. 

So what's your favorite makeup remover? Do share it with me on the comments section below. Thank you for your time and have a great weekend!

♥♥♥

GLAMOURBOX: BYS Special Edition Box

Hey guys! September has got to be the busiest month of my third quarter which is why coming home to a boxful of awesome goodies from Glamourbox the other day felt exactly like Christmas in September. Last week, I got to bond with my good friend Christine of allaboutbeauty101 over lunch and a little shopping. She told me about the Glamourbox BYS Special Edition Box and it didn't take long for me to decide I want one too, hence this unboxing post.

First of all, I love the way Glamourbox delivered on time. I also commend them for making sure the parcel is securely packed. See that bubble wrap? There's no way anyone or anything  can mess up the goodies inside. 

Opening the box initially reveals this information card which details all the products included and a brief description of each item as well as the retail price. 

Now the best part is finally seeing the variety of BYS products. Just the sight of these full sized items made my day complete. 

How can you not gasp over these lovely products? Allow me to give you an overview of the contents so you'd know what you're getting should you decide to avail it. 

BYS Nude Eyeshadow Palette (Nude 1) -- Php 1,199 

I know what you're thinking. This palette looks so familiar you almost thought it was Urban Decay's Naked Palette right? Well it may look similar to the Naked palette but it only costs a fraction of the price. This has a metal case that looks and feels sturdy. It comes with a dual ended brush and a humongous mirror. I'm not sure if it's just my palette but I'm sort of weirded out by the mirror giving a magnified reflection. The eyeshadows are further protected with a transparent seal to prevent them from damage. 

BYS Contour Trio in Sweet -- Php 449

I have no skill when it comes to contouring which is why I have yet to figure out how to make the most out of this palette. Meanwhile, I do love that it includes a blush, highlighter and contour housed in one palette. 

BYS Blush Duo in Miss Pink -- Php 349

This blush is as big as a compact powder so I'm guessing it will be in my stash for a very long time. It includes 2 shades of pink with one color lighter than the other. I'm so excited to give this blush duo a try and see if I can get more than a couple of looks by mixing them in varying intensities. 

BYS Matte Lipstick in Tango -- Php 299

I've been looking into wearing a pop of color on my lips, good thing Glamourbox and BYS threw in a lip color that appears deep red. Packaging is pretty simple but I do hope the stick retracts all the way down so I won't ruin it with the cap. I've read a lot of great things about this lipstick so I'm quite excited to try one for the first time. 

BYS Brow Definition Kit -- Php 399

I'm a newbie when it comes to brow grooming so I've only tried a brow kit once. I didn't enjoy it much and struggled with making the wax and brow powder work for me. I eventually shifted to using the mascara type which had my brows looking dyed so I also ended up not liking it. I'm currently using a brow pencil and so far so good but this brow kit from BYS might be a good way to ease my way back to using brow palettes. 

BYS Nail Polish in Reign Supreme -- Php 199

Lastly, is this nail polish in the shade "Reign Supreme" which appears blue violet. Although I prefer discreet shades like nude and blush, I'm also for trying out new things so this polish will come in handy. 

Overall, this BYS Special Edition Box from Glamourbox is a real steal! Imagine getting an assortment of best sellers from BYS worth almost Php 3,000 and paying only Php 1,100 plus minimal shipping fee. So go get your own Glamourbox now until they're available.

Any thoughts on Glamourbox or BYS? Do share them on the comments section below and I'll get back to you soon. Thank you for visiting and have a great week!

J ♥ I ♥ N ♥ G

CLINIQUE: 3-Step System Package

Hey guys! I'm sort of getting on a roll here with enough time to pitch in another post before the "ber" months come marching in. I was out with friends weeks ago to watch the screening of Fantastic 4 but I got to the mall too early giving me enough time to visit a few shops. I was holding back from making any unnecessary purchases especially related to beauty products but seeing a neatly assembled package of skin care goodies from Clinique at a reasonable price literally shook me. 

See what I mean? There's no way anyone (well anyone who's a skin care devotee like me) can pass by the Clinique counter without noticing what an awesome deal this is! Imagine having the chance to try out Clinique's world famous 3-Step System for the low price of Php 495. 

The Clinique set consists of the Clarifying Lotion #2, Liquid Facial Soap Mild and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion +. All the remaining packages available have these specific products for dry combination skin and there were no other varieties left. Good thing my current skin condition is more on the dry than the oily combination. 

The Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild comes in a 30ml tube which I'm really loving for travel. It's unscented and clear with a slightly runny gel like consistency. A small amount, about the size of a 25 centavo coin, is all you need to cover your entire face and neck. It gives a subtle cooling feel on application and builds up into a rich lather. It washes off completely leaving your skin freshly clean without any dryness. I've tried tons of liquid facial wash brands but I always go back to Clinique especially during bad skin days. 

The second step features the Clinique Clarifying Lotion #2 housed in a 100ml bottle which again is great for travel. Is it just me or the wash of lilac already looks refreshing? This toner is fragrance free although I still get a whiff of minty scent on application. I love that it gives my skin an invigorating feeling without the sting. It effectively removes the remaining impurities on your face and neck after cleansing. 

Lastly is the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + in a tiny 15ml tube. Okay, it's disappointingly small for everyday use but look on the bright side, this will barely take up space in your travel kit. I know I'll be enjoying this on my next trip. This moisturizing lotion is light yellow and unscented. It has a very light texture that melts like butter on your skin. It instantly moisturizes your skin without the heavy feeling or oily finish. I love that it doesn't irritate my skin or cause pimple break outs. 

Overall, this travel set of the Clinique 3-Step System rocks! If you have dry combination skin, do drop by a Clinique counter near you and avail of this amazing offer. I'm not so sure if other branches have sets for other skin types but you may still want to check out their other products. Probably the only downside here is availability of stocks. Last time I checked, Trinoma still has 6 of these so don't wait too long to get your own set. Any questions in mind? Ask away and I'll get back to you soon. Thank you for reading this post and have an amazing week!

J ♥ I ♥ N ♥ G

Big Girl Pencils

Hey guys! I can't believe it's midyear already and it's back to school for most of us. I was actually in a bookstore the other day and found myself reminiscing the times I spent hours shopping for school stuff. I never thought I'd still be thrilled about pencils at my age but this time I'm talking about a different kind.. The kind every girl needs to have in her makeup stash. Cosmetic pencils have always intimidated me simply because I'm afraid I'd mess up. So imagine my delight when I finally plunged in and realized they're not too bad after all. The top three pencils in my stash are (in order of discovery) The Body Shop Eye Definer Pencil, Nichido Lip Pencil and Nature Republic By Flower Wood Eyebrow Pencil.

The Original Beauty Blender

Have you ever wanted something so much but refuse to get because of the seemingly "insane" price tag? That's exactly what I felt about buying a Beauty Blender. Despite all the praises I hear about this much sought after sponge, I still can't bring myself to shell out a thousand pesos for it. I mean, what can an egg shaped sponge do that a regular one can't? Although the Beauty Blender hype has somehow reached its plateau and countless affordable dupes have emerged, the urge to satisfy my curiosity about this much talked about beauty tool still remains. So when asked what I wanted to get for our annual Kris Kringle last December 2014, I opted for a Beauty Blender. 

BIODERMA: Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution

Hey guys! Last year, a good friend had a flash sale and I fortunately got first dibs on the items. Out of everything I purchased, my best buy would have to be the Bioderma Micelle Solution for Sensitive Skin. My everyday look is pretty much simple with BB Cream playing the main role. I rarely do a full on makeup so I'm used to cleansing my face with just facial wash at the end of the day. Unfortunately, there are times when I tend to skip my night ritual on hectic days. I know, I know, being busy isn't a good enough excuse so I thought of regularly incorporating the use of makeup remover at all times.

BDJ BOX: September Beauty Innovations

If you subscribed for the September BDJ Box, I'm pretty sure your eyes went wild seeing the ginormous package. Image above shows you how huge the September box is (Right) as compared to the regular BDJ Box (Left). 

Inside you will find the stickers and welcome note which has the list of all featured products in the box.

See how jam packed this month's box is? I see a few familiar products and new ones as well. Now let's take a closer look shall we?

(L) Godiva LicoWhite Whitening Toner | 60 ml | Php 60

(R) Godiva LicoWhite Whitening Facial Wash | 6 ml sachet (4) | Php 85

The September BDJ Box has reunited me with Godiva, a brand I've known and trusted in the past years. I remember loving their face powder beautifully cased in an oval compact. Now I'm excited to finally try their skin care products particularly the LicoWhite line.

Pond's Dewy Rose Gel | 10 g jar (2) | Php 150

This moisturizer intrigued me so much that I immediately used it. The gel texture as well as the overall feel it gives on application remind me of Clinique Moisture Surge. I believe this to be a good alternative if you want to try gel moisturizers but don't want to spend much on just one product.

Cream Silk Daily Treatment Conditioner | 180 ml (2) | Php 134

I can't remember the last time I used Cream Silk Conditioner but I do know that it's one of my absolute favorites from way back. The hair care industry expanded in the past years giving birth to an array of choices but Cream Silk has always been one of the brands that most women trust hence go back to. 

Dove Intense Repair Daily Hair Vitamin | 6 capsules (2) | Php 75 

Now Dove is my current hair care brand and it's a great thing BDJ Box included samples of their Daily Hair Vitamin because I've been wanting to try them. 

Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion | 100 ml | Php 88

Jergens Daily Moisture Lotion | 200 ml | Php 153

A lady can't have too many lotion so getting two of these from Jergens is a real treat! I've been wearing dresses to work lately and moisturizing my skin especially my legs is an absolute must so I really need all the body lotion I can get my hands on. 

Beach Hut Clear Spray | 180 ml | Php 390

I've used Beach Hut in my last trip to El Nido and I loved it! This clear spray may look and feel a little greasy but dries off in a few minutes without the icky feeling. I love how the spray works making application a breeze. 

FS Single Eye Shadow | 4 g | Php 150

I'm beginning to accumulate single eye shadows in my collection and this one from FS is a good addition. Although the shade doesn't appeal much to me, I'll still give this a go.

FS Gel Liner | 5 ml | Php 299

Another product from FS that I'm really eager to try is their Gel Liner. I'm really not into gel liners because I feel like I can't apply it the right way but I don't want to surrender without trying either. Good thing BDJ Box included a pot for me to practice on. 

PAC Make Over | 1 Voucher | Php 1,500

This voucher from PAC will come in handy especially when I have an event to go to. I just wish I can use it soon before expiring.

Now that was a mouthful but I certainly don't mind and I'm sure all of you don't either. This month's BDJ Box has got you covered from head to toe with its vast array of beauty products. The contents' value is definitely above and beyond what I paid for. BDJ Box never ceases to amaze me which is why I remain a loyal (and eager) subscriber. 

Want a more detailed review on any of the items mentioned above? Feel free to leave your thoughts  on the comments section below and I'll get back to you shortly. You may also want to visit BDJ Box's website to see more cool stuff. Thanks for dropping by and have a fantastic week!

♥♥♥