Tales from my Caboodles :)

Review: Natasha Denona Transformatte Pore Vanishing Matte Foundation

2019-05-19T00:22:00.000-07:00

As much as I hate it, foundations have always been a staple in my vanity kit. Being acne prone sucks! My boyfriend always jokes about me getting pimples until I become a senior citizen. 😂😂😂 I am 38 with zits popping like eternal puberty stage. So, I am always on the lookout for a foundation that not only covers my imperfections, but also has to be long lasting and non-comedogenic.

So, let’s take a look at Natasha Denona Transformatte foundation. I bought this at Sephora for Php1050, which is way cheaper than buying it from US (which I believe, retails for $45). I got the shade 42WY, an NC35 equivalent and has a Warm Yellow tone.

It is a tube that comes with a pump. I like how convenient it is to travel with its convenient packaging. I don’t need to worry about spills and over-pouring the product on my beauty blender.

I’m using my hand though it’s darker than my face 😅 I can’t put any makeup on my face right right now.

The product consistency is liquidy however you have to apply just the exact amount on the area fast as this sets so quickly and is unforgivingly matte. Once dry, you won’t be able to move it anymore.

The coverage is medium to full. I love the finish, like primer is no longer necessary. Love how it gives me a flawless look while minimizing my pores, not to mention it is lightweight too! The best part is that it leaves no white cast, and it lasts all day without touch-ups even on days that are hot and humid.

However, I don’t think I would ever purchase this again. It could have been the perfect foundation for me except for one thing— I get breakouts each time I use it. Sad, isn’t it? But this doesn’t mean I wouldn’t recommend this at all! If you’re not acne prone like me and is looking for a lightweight, sweatproof, flawless foundation you might wanna give this a try. But as for me, I’d just stick to my HG Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous for now while I look for another foundation to try out next time.

Back from Hiatus

2019-05-18T10:43:00.001-07:00

Geez.

It's been 9 years since I last wrote something here. A lot of things took place and there has been a huge change in my life and in my career. I've lost important people in my life, switched from a regular job to being home based, got sick and not being able to walk, had spine surgery, got into a new relationship, moved to a new home, run businesses here and there, traveling...life had been a rollercoaster these past few years and now here I am, witing this blog to kill boredom while waiting for my client to send me new tasks.

I had been using a lot of products in the past year so I thought I'd share my thoughts on some of them. In the next few days or weeks, I'll be posting quick reviews on products I've used before, or currently using. Just so you know, not all these products are new in the market. Some of them may be a little bit outdated, but come on, people could still need a review, right? LOL.

So, that is all for now!

Ciao!

P.S.
I am totally cringing at my old posts!

Obagi: Week 4

2013-11-16T11:22:00.001-08:00

I. Am. LOVIN' IT!!!!!

I really, really do!!!

This week, my skin is at it's best...though I know the best-est is yet to come. Minimal redness, dewy pale pink (like celebrity skin), and smoother than ever. I am starting to hate putting on makeup. Well, I still do, a pump or two of my Dermalogica moisturizer and a pinch of JewelPOP mineral foundie is perfect already. I tried putting on mineral foundation alone, and the effect is porcelain doll-like, surreal, and too perfect for me to handle.

I really think that Paula's Choice 8% AHA boosts the effect. It goes well with my routine. I wish I could do the same regimen to my body...but that's gonna cost me a fortune. I mean, I really need to do something now about my body to keep up with my facial skin. Soon, I'll create an effective lightening regimen for arms and legs and I'll share it with ya'll.

So, till next week! ❤️❤️❤️

Obagi: Week 3

2013-11-09T09:29:00.001-08:00

Hallo!

I'm at week 3 and 1 day to be exact. It's been a tough week for me. In the middle of this week I've experienced the following:

- purging (two tiny zits popped but they're gone in 2 days, thank God)

- dry and tight skin (the corners of my mouth still hurts, i can barely smile, and i had to exert extra effort to wink/close my eyes!)

- shiny tomato.

The skin didn't come off until day 5. I used my Hello Kitty AHA apple gommage to safely rub the skin off. It did a great job! I love it! Also, I've had a little chit chat with Ms Sha of Paula's Choice Philippines and I got something new to add to my daily routine :)

Yay! So this works like Nu Derm's Exfoderm Forte because it's a glycolic based product. I am going to do a separate review on this one after four weeks. So far, I'm loving it. No sting, no irritation, no drama. I was about to purchase the BHA lotion but then I realized that I no longer have pimples. Besides, Obagi and Retin A does the same job of deep skin treatment so I don't really need too much of that. Another thing is, I suspect that I have allergic reaction to salicylic based products but I'm not really sure of that...maybe I just had chicken and tuna at the same time that day, I dunno. Anyway, I am happy with this new addition and I can't wait to see the result after 4 weeks!

That is all for this week. If you are an Obagi user or if you have questions, please feel free to share your experience or comment below!

Have a great week ahead! ❤️

Obagi: Week 2

2013-11-02T09:24:00.001-07:00

Hola!

Week 2 has been very calm. There is not much peeling going on but there's redness, especially on my neck. The best part is after washing my face, the redness goes away for a few minutes and all I see is a lighter, glowing skin. I can't wait to look better. I went out twice and only applied a pinch of my JewelPOP mineral foundation with Dermalogica SPF 30 to conceal redness, it looked dewy, smooth and flawless and it stayed for hours!

Ugh. I wish I could tell you more that's all for this week.

Obagi Week 1

2013-10-25T11:03:00.001-07:00

Hello! It's me again. :)

It's officially my first week using the Nu Derm System. As I have previously mentioned, I've used different products to achieve a clear complexion but unfortunately, they didn't work for me. I can swear by the effectiveness of Differin + Duac combination, it cleared up my worst breakout but didn't do anything to lighten my scars. Then there's this much raved about M2 malic + mandelic acid serum which brightened my face but isn't good enough to prevent me from breaking out nor did lighten my skin. So, to cut the story short, I wanted a product that works both ways. In this case, Obagi is the best pick.

After a week using the system here's what I've gone through so far:

- larger pores, blackheads are visible.

- minor purging, didn't annoy me that much since I know that Retin A is doing its job.

- tightened skin on forehead, cheekbones and my delicate skin under the eye.

- skin is bright, glowing, and much lighter after washing up (now I know how my skin would look like after the redness has gone! Eggzoiting! :D)

- micro peeling (or should I say, scaly snakeskin-like) on some parts of the cheeks and around the corners of my mouth on day 6

- some dark spots have lightened

- pink face the entire week. Can't wait for some major peeling to occur.

I am not expecting much drastic results on my second week. I'm actually nervous about what's gonna take place on the 3rd and 4th. According to other users, thats when most people give up, because thats where the pain starts. I'm not giving up though, I've been burned a lot of times...lol. Those users who survived those weeks are also encouraging others not to give up, as there is no smooth journey to beauty.

See you again next week! Hope to hear from you!

Finally Obagi!

2013-10-21T18:58:00.001-07:00

After more than a decade of trying to combat acne and acne scars, I've finally decided to join the Obagi bandwagon. I was very hesitant at first because I am very sensitive to any peeling products. In fact, I did burn my skin a lot of times with glycolic and hydroquinone. However, before I jump into this Obagi thing, I did an extensive research and found out that yes, it's going to be a rough journey but the failure rate is very low. I have very dull skin with acne scars on my cheeks and chin. A few months ago, I've used glycolic creams and this very much raved about Skinmate Shark Oil (which does nothing but burn my skin). So, without further blah-blah's lemme show you what I've got:

I was advised to use 1% Tretinoin but I was like, NO WAY! I know my skin won't tolerate such aggressive approach, so I bought .5% to start with, and will gradually increase the dosage later on.

No, this is not going to be just a product review. I will keep you posted on any updates, observation, and of course, rants during this journey. I will also not recommend any sellers on this site since most of these products are RX and I suggest you consult your dermatologist before investing on these.

Here's my routine:

Foaming gel

Toner

C serum

clear

Spf 30 (only when I need to go out)

Foaming gel

Toner

Clear

Blender + tret

If you would notice, I do not use any moisturizers because it will just slow down the peeling process. I apply sunblock 30 mins before going out to make sure it's fully absorbed by the skin. The sunblock I'm using stings like hell. Blender doesnt do that to me! Ugh. I also apply lipbalm on my lips before I start the regimen to avoid getting the product into it.

I am on my day 5 and I am patrick starfish. Skin feels tight. Peeling on my chin and corners of my mouth. Cheeks are slightly wrinkled. I haven't seen my pores this big in my entire life. The barely visible spots are now for everyone to notice. I am now getting weird stares from my neighbors.

I don't have the guts yet to post my baseline picture. Thanks for not asking. 😊

They say that this process takes 18 weeks before you get satisfactory results. Oh well, I still got 17 to go.

See ya later!

Maybelline Hyper Curl Mascara Review

2013-03-29T09:24:00.001-07:00

Hello! I'm back with another quick review. Been very busy these past few days working on my boxes for JewelPOP! Cosmetics, check it out:

So cute, aren't they? :)

Finally, I have extra time to share this review. Maybelline is one of my best bet when it comes to mascaras. They make the best ones. Great Lash, Define-a-Lash, Volume Express Series (Colossal, the Magnum, the Falsies) to name a few. If you're on looking for something more affordable, try Hyper Curl.

Another Volume Express baby, this is being sold at Maybelline counters for only Php299. It's waterproof, try sleeping with your 'scaras on, I swear, you'll never look like a raccoon in the morning. It works wonderfully for outdoors especially right now, summer is scorching, we tend to skip some parts of our everyday makeup routine and that includes mascara, because we definitely wouldn't want black smudges from undereye sweat. The wand doesn't come with a fancy brush, just the regular one, but it works just as amazing as Great Lash. I have thin and short lashes, I am not expecting this product to work like magic, all i need is waterproof with extra volume and hold (when curling my lashes). If you're aiming for a dramatic result, this may not be the one you're looking for. But if you want an everyday mascara, I am happy to say that Hyper Curl will meet your expectation. :)

before and after

Eyebrow Pencils Face-Off: K-Palette vs Kose Cosmagic

2013-03-19T00:24:00.000-07:00

I love Japanese beauty products, because of their high quality and cute packaging. You'll probably see more posts about those in this blog soon since I have so many of them at home.

Today I am going to compare two eyebrow pencils namely, K-Palette Lasting 2way Eyebrow and Kose Cosmagic Lock On Brow. Kose and K-Palette are two of the most popular makeup and skincare brands in Japan.

I have been using these for months already, so I no longer have the original packaging. If you wanna check out how the look like when boxed, just click on the hyperlinks above.

K-Palette Lasting 2way Eyebrow is available locally at Beauty Bar. The price is more or less Php1000. if you're planning to pick up one at the store, be very keen at the packaging details. The eyeliner and eyebrow pencil boxes look almost the same, there is a great chance that you'll pick the wrong thing. Make sure it says 'lasting 2way eyebrow' on the right side of the package.
Moving on, this two-way pencil allows you to choose between powder or liquid. Or you can use both for a better lasting effect. I have this in Chocolate brown (01). The liquid is best to fill in the gaps between the brow strands, or to outline your desired shape. Then you can finish off by smudging powder using the built-in applicator. I find it a bit hard to use, though. Especially for beginners, you might end up having an uneven pair. And this is too expensive to waste with too much trial and error.

On the other hand, Kose Cosmagic Lock On Brow is a bit hard to find but you can always shop at Global Rakuten, which offers the lowest price on Japanese beauty products online. This is a chisel-point retractable pen. I have this in BR01 (medium brown).

At first, I thought this was useless because I was trying to swatch this on the back of my hand and I can barely see the color. But when I tried it on my brows, it worked like magic. It's so easy to apply too. I recommend this for beginners, very easy to use and does not break easily like regular pencils.

Here are some pictures I took using both pencils. I used Cosmagic on the left and K-Palette on the right.

You'll notice that K-Palette is darker, you can easily tell that my brows were drawn on. While Cosmagic looks only like a naturally groomed eyebrow, right? I love it because of it's subtle tone.

Let's take a closer look:

My brows using Cosmagic looks more natural and effortless due to the ease of use. While the other brow with K-Palette is darker and more defined, I would opt to use this on my evening makeup looks or maybe only during special events.

If I were to choose which of these two would I like to have again in the future, of course, it's Cosmagic. :)

Review: Rosette Hello Kitty Apple Gommage and Collagen Facial Wash

2013-03-18T04:43:00.000-07:00

Hello dearies! Today's post is a quick review about Rosette's Hello Kitty Apple Gommage and Collagen Facial Wash. I got these goodies from my aunt who lives in Japan. I love anything Hello Kitty, don't you? :) A 120gram tube is good for 3 months, maybe? I haven't finished mine, so I couldn't exactly tell. You can get a tube at a price range of Php300 to Php600 at some other shopping portals but at Global Rakuten, you can get these for as low as Php168. Check out the current price by clicking on the hyperlinks above.

These babies look really cute....and serious.

My brother also received the black tube, another Hello Kitty facial wash with strong mint, would he use it? Nah, hahahaha! Anyway, I originally asked my aunt to send me Aqua Cure, and she bought me 2 tubes of Gommage. It works like Aqua Cure, a gel exfoliant that strips off the dead skin layer by rubbing the gel onto skin like this:

After exfoliating, your skin feels clean, refreshed, and a little dry. You need to apply moisturizer afterwards. Please note, that you cannot use this more than twice a week otherwise it will completely dry out your skin. It has AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) an ingredient that has the ability to loosed dead skin cells, and reduces acne. This is a cheaper alternative to uber raved Aqua Cure, which costs about Php1000.

The collagen facial was is foamy, you would only need a small amount to work into a lather. It contains marine collagen which has antioxidant properties to prevent sun damage and aging. This, however, isn't as great as you expect. It can deeply cleanse your skin but the skin feels dry afterwards. How dry? Try running your fingers on your underarm after applying a deodorant. That DRY. So again, you need to moisturize.

I do not suggest you use them together. Because dry + dry = dry. :)) Alternate these two.

I would also like you to try this natural recipe that I just did earlier to exfoliate my skin. I loved it and I am sure you will, too! Plus, it will leave your skin glowing and moisturized.

You'll need:

1 teaspoon honey
1 pc Calamansi or a few drops of Lemon
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon sunflower oil (Try Human Heart Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil)
a few drops of argan oil is optional (I'm using Snoe Beauty Oil for All)

Mix them together and apply on skin, carefully massage, leave on for a minute or two and rinse off. Your skin will instantly glow. Feels really soft too!

Try it and feel free to share your experience by leaving a comment below. :) Till next time! :-*

Review: ELF 32 Piece Cool Eyeshadow Palette

2013-03-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

I bought this palette last December at Crossings Department Store in Quezon City. Back then, I just swatched a few shades out of curiosity. I never liked buying huge palettes because there are only few colors that usually works for me. But then again, the budding makeup artist in me encouraged me to buy starter palettes like this. I was torn between the warm palette and this, but since I was so eager to learn blending colors, I picked this instead.

This 32 shade palette has a combination of pastels and brights. It comes with an applicator which, ugh, I'm telling you, you need to buy a good set of brushes, check this out:

e.l.f. Essential Professional Complete Set of 12 B

The mirror is too short and wide, which was probably made 'for your eyes only' :)) And the applicator pan is spacious enough to store 2-3 slim eyeshadow brushes. Moving along, here a closer look on the shades:

Some colors have matte texture, and some are satin. Not all colors are highly pigmented but you can work it by adding on extra layers. Better yet, use a primer or base to make the colors pop. The pictures I'm going to show you are swatches I did for each row.

The colors may slightly vary in actual, especially the 3rd row. These were applied without base or primer, so you can see how they look on bare skin. These would look even better with primer.

I do not regret buying this palette at all. If you would ask me to rate this, I'd give 8 out of 10. It may not be the best or the most pigmented, but it is definitely worth checking out! Just be careful not to drop it. :)

Not sure if this cool edition is still available, since this is part of their Spring 2012 Warm and Cool collection. But you can always check out their Endless Eyes limited edition collection. Here are some of them:

e.l.f. Studio Endless Eyes Pro Mini Eyeshadow Pale
e.l.f. Studio Endless Eyes Pro Mini Eyeshadow Pale
e.l.f. Studio Endless Eyes Pro Mini Eyeshadow Pale

STEAL: Jewel Eyeshadows from Daiso Japan

2013-03-15T07:06:00.001-07:00

Hi fellas! I'm back with another STEAL! I have 4 mini palettes to show you. These were sent to me by my aunt who lives in Japan, she bought these at Daiso (it's like Dollar Stores in US). I've heard that these are also available in Saizen, though I haven't seen one during my last visit at their Robinson's Ermita store.

These are the sets I used to play with while I was still trying to learn eyeshadow techniques. They're cheap but they won't fail you. Great for everyday use or for starters.All these palettes come with a white and cream shimmery shades. I provided swatches below to show you how pigmented these colors are, with or without primer.

See, it's the same with or without primer. You can only tell by application, with primer, the eyeshadow glides easily and color was achieved by just a single stroke. On the other hand, applying this without primer, you need to brush the color twice to get the same result. :)

If you are a beginner, you don't need to jump into the high end bandwagon right away. You can start with local brands or cheaper brands that are high in quality. After all, its how you carry it. People can't tell what makeup brand you're using, unless the logo is written all over your face *LOL*. It is wise to try out samples or testers, or to buy dupes like these little wonders I have. :)

2013-03-15T04:27:00.002-07:00

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Simply Stunning

2013-03-14T19:02:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago I created a look that would make you look stunning and fresh, wearable day or night, and could go with any outfit. You wouldn't need too many tools and makeup to achieve this. Check out what I've used on the pic below:


for my eyes: Maybelline Lasting Gel Liner (black), K-Palette One Day Tattoo (i used the brow powder), LA Colors Black Eye/Brow Liner, Quiaoer eyeliner (silver), Estee Lauder Double Wear mascara (black), Coastal Scents Eyeshadow (shimmery cream) for my face: JewelPOP! One Step Mineral Foundation in Light Olive, JewelPOP! Awww So Pretty - Summer in BL03, MAC Irridescent Powder (Shadow Dusk) for my lips: JewelPOP! Viva La Balm in Milk Tea

a closer look at the eyeshadow I've used

JewelPOP! Products can be purchased at http://facebook.com/jewelpopcosmetics

I used a lighter foundation shade for this makeup look to make my eyes become more noticeable. The shade I normally use is Honey Beige. I never felt the need to apply foundation or concealer anymore because this foundation's coverage is buildable. I can brush extra on those areas that needs to be concealed, but won't make your face cakey or patchy or feel heavy. And it's long lasting, you don't have to frequently retouch. That's what i love about my foundation. Anyway, nuff advertising, haha! I applied a thin line of LA Colors eye/brow liner on my brows and blended away using K-Palette brow powder (it has a built-in smudging brush) to make my brows look natural instead of drawn-on. Then I applied eyeshadow from the inner corner of my eyes to the middle of my lids. Do the cat eye after that. Check out youtube if you don't know how ;)) I made a thicker lower line to add more drama. I used Quiaoer silver liner on my tear lines because I couldnt find my white eyeliner. Quiaoer makes some good eyeliners huh? Well, it depends on what you pick. It's very cheap too, you can get that for as low as php10. I bought different colors and all of them are nice :) I just thought I could try some, hehe. Moving on, I applied mascara before I put on my falsies, which is optional (though it looks better with it). Contoured my face using JewelPOP! Awww so pretty! - Summer in BL03, a pinkish brown mineral bronzer, dotted a little MAC Irridescent powder on my cheeckbones then brushed them away for a subtle shimmer. Finished off with JewelPOP Viva La Balm in Milk Tea. So there....steal this look, wear your best outfit, go out and have fun! :)

A quick review on concealers

2013-03-13T10:01:00.001-07:00

Concealers have been a primary staple in my daily makeup routine until I discovered mineral makeup. I used to apply them to hide my acne scars and skin discoloration. I no longer use them now, but I still wanna share this information to you, in case you wanted to try any of them.

L'Oreal True Match Concealer

(my rating: 6 out of 10)

L'Oreal's been one of my fave brands and some of their products even became my holy grail. I bought this concealer in the shade of "deep". It does conceal my dark scars but it doesn't last. I'd still have to reapply several times a day to hide my imperfection. I completely avoided touching my face to prevent this from fading off. But it really does disappear by itself.

Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer

(my rating: 4 out of 10)

I decided to try this because I've been seeing a lot of youtube gurus using this, some even claims it's their HG. I bought the entire set of Maybelline Mineral Power and this was included. I love the shade, it matches my olive skin tone, but the concealing power isnt there. I. Don't. Know. I mean, I don't understand why many people love it. It just doesnt work for me. The coverage is like a tinted moisturizer. I'm not exaggerating here.

ELF Tone Correcting Concealer

(my rating: 2 out of 10)

Sorry, I know some of you are huge fans of ELF. I've tried a lot of ther products and some of them are great! This concealer is ugh, sorry to say, NOT a concealer. It's more like an fruity-scented beige tinted lip gloss. Worse than Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer. If this works for you, good! If you wanna give it a try, grab the tester first.

Maybelline Cover Stick

(rating: 6 out of 10)

I like how it conceals my dark circles, but not my dark spots, it highlights them more. The shade isn't morena-friendly...it's gonna make your concealed spots 'Caladryl-ed', hehe, y'know what I mean? But don't hesitate to try it under your eyes, it's meant to be there.

Hanskin Magic BB Concealer

(my rating: 9 out of 10)

This one's almost perfect. If only they have a shade that matches mine. I apply this under my eyes. It's very pigmented, a tiny amount can cover all you wanted to hide. It has a matte finish and sets easily, and it long lasting. It doesnt melt, even on humid days. I LOVE IT. It's kinda pricey though, but I would love to have this again.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer

(my rating: 8 out of 10)

Hehe, I guess you could say that I never learned my lesson. I keep on buying and trying Maybelline stuff. But hey, I love their eye products! This concealer is one of their best, so far. It's long lasting and it really does its job. One thing I hate: It's too harsh to use under my eyes, even the tiniest amount could send me to tears all day. :(

Becca Dual Coverage Compact Concealer

(my rating: 9 out of 10)

My hooooly grail! Becca is one of my fave high end brands. This concealer is everything a concealer should be. If you love Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage, you'll love this too! It's creamy and it sets quickly, doesnt fade nor disappear, it lasts all day. I rated it 9 because its pricey.

Benefit You're Bluffing!
(my rating: 3 out of 10)

I like the yellow-ness of this stick but it does nothing, really! It's supposed to hide skin redness but it's too sheer to the job.

Naturactor Cover Face
(my rating: 8 out of 10)

Japan's Time Balm. I love it, but it's hard to find. I bought shade 152, but I find it too dark and I cant do anything with it because its highly pigmented and I have no other shades to mix it with. prolly next time I'll buy 151. I sold it to a friend and she loves it! I used it once and it really does cover like second skin. It's worth the price and this tiny jar can last for ages.

Revlon Age Defying Concealer
(my rating: 9 out of 10)

Never a fan of Revlon products but this one is beeeaauuuutifuuuul! La-la-love it! It's the perfect match on my skin and it covers perfectly. Coverage lasts for half a day in the office, which is pretty acceptable because air conditioner fades out your makeup pretty faster than you are under sunlight. The price is reasonable and this tube can last up to 3 months (i used it daily). This is the last concealer I've used since I already stopped because my mineral makeup pretty much conceals everything already. This one is worth buying.

Snoe Awesome Poresome

2013-03-11T17:40:00.001-07:00

The first time I saw this, I already fell in love with it. I got this at Salon 28 in Pacita where I frequently visit. I love the pouch, I'm currently using it as my makeup bag, big enough to store all the makeup I carry whenever I travel. The pore minimizing cleanser is A-W-E-S-O-M-E. It does my face so clean I often skip the step 2, the clarifying toner. The cleanser leaves a very cool sensation, feels really good. :) I use the toner whenever I am planning to put makeup on, which prepares my skin for the next step. It's a great toner because it's non drying. I am naturally poreless but still, I use the pore perfect serum under makeup, to complete the process and to achieve a perfect finished look. Overall, I LOVE this set, I would definitely buy this again. :)

REVIEW: M2 Skin Refinish

2013-03-07T09:54:00.001-08:00

To start with, let me share this information from the M2 website:

M2 Skin Refinish 20%

Eliminate all your skin care woes with one easy-to-use serum. This multi-purpose face treatment uses a high-potency combination of Mandelic and Malic Acids to rapidly even skin tone, reduce breakouts, and soften wrinkles. 50 ml.

Directions:
In the evening, apply to clean, dry skin. Wait 10-15 minutes before applying moisturizer. Use only every other night for the first two months. If irritation or excess flaking occurs, decrease frequency of application or discontinue use. Daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 is required for best results.

Ingredients:
Water, Mandelic Acid, Malic Acid, Algae Extract, PEG-8/SMDI Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Polysorbate 60, Isohexadecane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ubiquinone, Hyaluronic Acid, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Squalane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyacrylate, Dimethicone, Tetrasodium EDTA

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here we go, M2 Skin Refinish, formerly known as Mama Lotion, claims to reduce blemishes, wrinkles, pigmentation, etc. I've been seeing a lot of raves about it, here and abroad. This product is being carried only by one distributor (Jeuness) here in the Philippines and I dont know where and how they're selling it. But you can always order it through people who takes pre-order stuff from US and maybe you can check some online stores.

This review is kinda late though, I finished my bottle 6months ago but I still wanna share my experience to you.

I was one of the lucky people who bought this for half the price and who has a perfectly working pump. If you would read other users' reviews, you'll notice that most of them complains about the pump. HAHAHA! Anyway, the first time I used it, I was soooo anxious I wanna see the results right away so I applied it 3x a day for 2 days. TeeHee! My skin went dry. I had to skip two days before I could use it again. So when I started using it again, I did it once a day before my moisturizer, and was it better! My face was always smooth and fresh, like waking up to a new skin everyday. Makeup looked better too. I had blemishes and scars from the breakout and that's what I was concerned about. It didn't clear my blemishes, nor it did lighten my scars, but my pores are always clean and it prevented me from having future breakouts. I also tried using it before OLAY Total Effects (a sample I got from my makeup class) and they were PERFECT together. Better than my usual moisturizer (was using Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion). However I do not recommend you to use M2 everyday, as per manufacturer's instruction. Apply it once a day, twice a week. If you're gonna ask if I'm gonna repurchase this again, HELL YES. I love waking up to a smoother skin everyday.

Heart of a Hustler, Angel face Doll.: Jewel POP! Cosmetics

2012-10-05T14:28:00.001-07:00

Heart of a Hustler, Angel face Doll.: Jewel POP! Cosmetics: I received these babies today. So excited to try them. (Bought the mineral foundation and sphene eyeshadow because i really wanna try...

LA Colors ART DECO

2011-12-25T13:55:00.000-08:00

I don't really need to write a review bout this since the rave is everywhere in youtube. I just wanna let you know that...YAY!!! Finally! Whew! I got hold of these! Been wanting to have these since I started doing nail art. Buying these online would surely cost you a lot. I went to Market! Market! and searched for the LA Colors booth, and WAS I ECSTATIC when I found these on the racks! It's Php60 each, shades are limited so get as many as you can. :)

Lancome Maquicake UV

2011-12-09T23:44:00.000-08:00

This is going to be a quick review and I'm gonna be as straightforward as I can be. I love Lancome, their eyeshadows, mascaras, lipsticks and skin care....I've used them all in the past and they're superb!

I was amazed by how this thing works when I saw the videos and product description, it claims to be sweat-proof, you can find the product demo here. So I decided to get one for myself.

Well, the packaging is nice, the mirror is wide and that's one thing I love about this compact. The applicator is fine, its the same as the ones you get from Maybelline or Loreal. So lets get down to the bottom of this.....................The Powder: I like the shade by just looking at it. Once applied, its too sheer it wont cover anything at all. Think: CORNSTARCH

Will I repurchase? No. Nuff said.

Lulur

2011-11-04T17:25:00.000-07:00

Purbasari and Asian Secrets Lulur are sold at Watson's, Mercury Drug, and supermarkets

Javanese Mandi Lulur is an ancient beauty treatment, which originated centuries ago in the palaces of central Java as a “purifying” ritual for Javanese princesses as they prepared for their wedding day. It was in Java, that many secrets of health and beauty, utilizing the naturally occurring herbs, spices, foods, clays and minerals were created and used for the benefit of the royal family.

The Mandi Lulur or ‘royal wedding’ treatment, is traditionally given to women each day for 40 days preceding their wedding, to soften and sweeten their skin and prepare them for this most important of days.

- source: http://www.spavelous.com

A soapless bath. Spa at home. If you have dry skin, I recommend you to try this. I've had dry skin for years and no lotion can keep my skin soft and moisturised for hours until I was finally introduced to this. It's delicately scented (my fave is the white tub!) and it lingers on your skin. I love how gentle the scrub is, it's safe for daily use. It claims to whiten skin though I can't prove it yet since I've been using this for a week.

The downside? It's hard to find. I was only able to get hold of the 'famous green tub' because it was just placed somewhere in the supermarket shelves and it's the only one left there. They said it's being hoarded by other users. If ever you visit a supermarket or drugstore that sells this, don't just get one...you'll regret it. :))

Palettes!

2011-10-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm not an eye shadow junkie. My mom loves eye shadows and I wanna buy her a big palette but I really don't know how to choose the best from my selection below. These are branded palettes which i found available locally online. Can you help me choose? Please feel free to comment below. :)

STILA Blockbuster Palette (cheap huh? i wanna keep it for myself!)

ULTA Be Beautiful - Melon Case

ELF Studio 85-Piece Complete the Look Palette - Limited Edition

Elf Studio Endless Eyes Pro 100

LA Colors Artist's Eye Palette Abstract

ULTA Be Beautiful - Bone Case

Sephora Collection Color Palette

Coastal Scents 88 Palette (my first choice but I wanna have other options too!)

2011-10-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

Look at her without makeup. Her skin's a lot worse than mine. I admire her bravery and she is inspiring. I wish people would stop being mean to women wearing makeup. Because you dont know how it feels to walk around with unwanted scars. They should feel lucky because they won't have to pile up on concealers and foundations. Battling with acne and acne scars is not as easy as other people think. It drops our confidence to the lowest level. That is ONE main reason why we wear makeup. We just wanna be beautiful and confident. Nothing wrong about it. You know what's wrong? MEAN PEOPLE. They should be the ones ashamed of themselves.

Designer Collection R Series Lotion

2011-10-18T06:04:00.000-07:00

OMG I sooo lovw this lotion! My colleague sold one to me and I am totally hooked. I has a very nice scent and it keeps your skin hydrated and smooth! I'm a musky scent junkie but this one is floral but it's just PERFECT. I would wanna buy more of this! :)

A Must Try: Aloe Vera

2011-10-16T17:28:00.003-07:00

Don't underestimate the power of this plant. It may be the solution to your undying dilemma --- acne scars and dark spots. Yes, google aloe vera acne treatment and it will return hundreds of results showing benefits, testimonials and how to's. You will only need the actual plant. Been on it for 2 weeks now and my skin has improved. It calms and soothes your skin, it feels good especially when your skin was broken out, you can really tell the difference between the manufactured moisturiser and the natural effects of aloe. The latter is waaay better! It's kinda gooey at first, but don't worry, it dries fast and you can even let it stay longer on your skin (it has anti-bacterial properties). With continued use, scars and dark spots will lighten and disappear.

Use google for more info :)

Oh, if you have questions or comments, feel free to write on the comments box ;)