rants of a wanderlust-er

Korean Visa Requirements for Philippine Passport Holders

2016-09-13T10:49:00.001+08:00

Annyeong Haseyo!

Hello loves! I am back! Last April, we went to Seoul, South Korea for a very short trip. I want to share with you my experience in getting a visa.

We applied last March 2016 and after getting our visas, we immediately flew out to Seoul.As with any other visas, you can always opt to apply 3 months before your actual fly date.

We all applied for a Tourist visa. There are other types of visas available for application but the requirements below are simply for those who are going on a leisure trip to South Korea :)

Without further a do, here are the requirements for the Korean Visa application.

Basic Requirements:

1. Passport - You need to have a valid passport that is not of course expiring or at least have a 6 months validity.

2. Passport Size Colored Picture - white background

3. Application Form - download the application form from the website and answer it completely. Do not leave any space blank. Write N/A if not applicable.

Makeup Groups made me Buy this: CLIO WaterKill Founwear Cushion

2016-08-29T10:54:00.001+08:00

Hello loves! I'm back for another review! This time, I will be reviewing from the brand CLIO and the product is their WaterKill Founwear.

Just a little backstory

I am part of a lot of makeup groups and this product was so hyped up in one group that I was part of - hence the title Makeup groups made me buy this. Hahaha ^_^

Packaging

This is a limited edition cushion. The regular cushion is in white as seen below. While the Summer edition 2016 is in blue packaging (picture above).

As far as formula, I know it is the same. It's just the packaging that they altered.

Trying out the Product

Just a little Background

I have normal to dry skin. My shade in MAC is NC35. Most of the time, I buy the shade 23 for Korean Cushions since it's the darkest.

This is how my face looks like when the product is on.

As you can see, it's not a perfect match. It's a bit lighter but when I finish my whole makeup, it doesn't look that bad. I do like the finish since its matte and it has a yellow undertone.

This is how it looks like with the makeup. lol this was the only snap that I had. As you can see, after some hours, it tends to oil up on me. You can see some shiny areas on my T-Zone area but that can be fixed with powder.

Do I like the product?

Yes! Very much. I think it's one of my HG products as of the moment.

Would i recommend it to others?

Yes! Highly recommend it

Would i repurchase?

Probably, if I finish the whole thing.

Product Rundown

What: CLIO WaterKill Founwear Cushion

Type: Cushion Foundation

Finish: Matte

Undertime: Yellow

Does it come with a refill: Yes

Price: PHP1,300 (US$28)

Where to Buy: Korean Beauty Trends Group in FB

First Impression Review: Monomola Peel-off Long Lasting Lip Color

2016-08-28T13:50:00.001+08:00

Hello Loves! I am back with another review. This time, it's from the Korean brand Monola, and I'm reviewing a very popular product - the trending peel-off lip tint.

Packaging

It comes inside a box and the product is a tube with a plastic applicator.

The shade I'm testing out is the Rose Pink shade.

Scent

The scent reminds me of Elmer's Glue mixed with some Strawberry and Mint essence

Consistency

It has a gooey consistency. Sticky when applied.

Testing Out the Product:

This is how the product looks on my lips after spreading it. To be honest, it is quite hard to apply because it's quite sticky. As you can see, my application wasn't good. There were places that there was no product. After application, you need to wait for at least 10 minutes for the product to dry out before peeling it off.

After 10 mins

I started peeling off the product and the picture below is the aftermath of the peel-off tint.

As you can see, it gave a subtle pink tint on my lips. Not like the shocking color when I first applied it.

Do I like the product?

Yes, I do like it even though application is a bit of a mess

Do you recommend it to others?

Yes, it's an interesting and fun product. I definitely recommend it for others to try.

Would you repurchase?

I probably will not repurchase this color but rather I would try out other shades

Was i impressed?

Yes , I was definitely impressed. I had low expectations of the product. I wasn't expecting that it would dry off and peel off but it did. Another plus for me is that because it's a tint, it lasted all day. It actually lasted until the other day which is not surprising. It's just that the tint shade that I got wasn't really showing off. If I probably got like a wine red tint, it would've been great.

Product Rundown:

What: Monola Peel-off tint in Rose Pink

Where to Buy: SMYLEE group (PH)

How much: PHP170 + SF60 = PHP230

Shades:

First Impression Review: Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask

2016-08-15T19:19:00.001+08:00

Hello loves! I'm back with another review. This time, it's from the Korean brand Elizavecca and I'm reviewing their most popular product, the Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask.

I know this product was released a year ago (talk about late? Haha) but anyways, I had reasons on why I didn't join the bandwagon. One, a friend of mine who was a memebox addict, said that she tried this and she had breakouts which gave me a bad impression that it might also do the same to my skin. Second, memebox wasn't available in Malaysia (I was living in Malaysia when this product was released). Lastly, the online shop where I was getting my Korean cosmetics wasn't carrying this brand. Those are the primary reasons on to why it took me so long to purchase this item and review it. Anyways, on to the review.

This product is a facial mask designed to clean your face and unclog unwanted impurities. It comes inside a plastic tub. It also has a spatula for hygienic purposes. It contains 100g of product.

This is how the clay looks like. It reminds me of a goo (like a play dough but in slime form). You need to get a chestnut size of it and then close the tub immediately (the bubbles are activated when it becomes in contact with air).

This is how it looks like when it starts activating. At first it would be dark gray and then when it starts to activate, it would turn to grayish white.

Do I like the product?

Yes! Definitely. This is a fun product. It's charcoal and it bubbles up. Definitely better than your average clay masks.

Would I repurchase?

Probably yes but not anytime soon because this can be used for a year.

Would i recommend it to others?

Yes, if you don't have sensitive skin, you definitely must try it! :)

Product Rundown:

Name: Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Mask

What: Wash off mask for cleaning your face

Where to Buy: if you live in America you can purchase it via Memebox; if you live in the Philippines you can purchase it via Korean Beauty Trends (FB Group)

How much: I paid around PHP490 for this item, cheaper than any other shops

Beauty Favorites: July 2016

2016-08-01T09:33:00.001+08:00

Omg you guys! You know what time it is! It's already the first of AUGUST on my side of the world, so it's my Monthly Favorites entry! For this month, I've listed the products that I've been using constantly for July and without further a do, here goes the list :)

1. Rilakkuma x A'pieu Air Fit Cushion XP - out of all the cushions and foundations that I've tried out for this month, this has been a standout. Aside from the cute packaging and the cushion technology, I really like the finish. My skin is normal to dry and I like that my skin looks healthy and radiant. This does the job. It also is long lasting for me (which is a great plus because of the humidity here in Manila).

2. Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Light Neutral - I'm already out of my favorite MAC Pro Long Wear concealer which by the way, took forever to finish hahaha ^_^ (I think it almost took me 2 years to get rid of it). I tried the UD Concealer which is a cult favorite of many beauty bloggers. At first I didn't like it because the formula was runny but it does the job of concealing my dark unde eye area.

3. Gudetama x Holika Holika Cream Blush - this was supposed to be a gift for a friend who lives in Australia. She loves Gudetama so much. I actually didn't know about Gudetama not until she introduced him to me lol ^_^ I am so in love with this cream blush. The formula is the same with colourpop blushes. It's a cream to powder formula and the blush gives you a natural flush. Whenever I go out, I just dab it on my cheeks and I'm good to go.

4. Banila Co. Clean It Zero - Banila Co. Is a popular Korean brand that already made waves overseas. This is one of the cult favorites, the Clean It Zero makeup remover. I have been using this constantly for the month of July to remove all my makeup. This is a sample size that was on sale and I bought it out of curiosity and I love it. I'm planing to buy the bigger size once I run out of it.

5. Paddle Brush - I think this is the most hyped-up beauty product for this year. A lot of youtubers and beauty bloggers have been raving about this product and it lives up to the hype (at least for me). It makes application of foundations easier.

6. Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick in Rose Matter - Despite all the controversies that JS is in, I don't really care. I love his products. Don't get me wrong, I also love KVD's products. So far, this is the best liquid lipstick for me that lives up to my expectations. It's not drying at all. I love this better than Kylie's lipkit.

So those are my beauty favorites for this month. Let me know in the comments section below what your favorites are :)

First Impressions: Loreal Infallible Pro Glow Foundation

2016-07-27T18:03:00.001+08:00

Hello loves! I am back with another First Impressions entry and this time, I would be reviewing the Cult Favorite from Loreal which is the Pro Glow foundation. After the success of the Pro Matte foundation, they decided to release the "dewy" version of the foundation.

Packaging

Like its predecessor, it comes in a squeeze tube packaging (unlike most foundations that come inside a bottle with a pump).

Unlike the Pro Matte, the Pro Glow is written in Turquoise while the Pro Matte is written in Red.

I ordered mine via Sweets_16_ph from IG. She's one of my trusted online sellers here in the Philippines. Everything is guaranteed Authentic.

Anyways, going back. I noticed that the formula of the Pro Glow is very liquid-y. I remember my pro matte to be liquid-y but after putting it on my skin, it becomes powder like. Not sure if it's because of the weather that's why it's too liquid-y for my taste or I just got a bad batch.

Claims

It claims to give a Radiant Glow. Wears up to 24 hours. It also claims to have a medium coverage and the texture is air-light.

Background of my skin

To give you a background, I am NC30 to 35 in MAC and I have a normal to dry skin. I prefer foundations that gives a dewy look (but not too dewy like a disco ball).

Product Testing

This is how the foundation looks like. It's liquid-y and runny.

This is how it looks when it's blended with one layer. It is medium coverage because it already covered my vein with one layer. It is also buildable but I prefer using it with a single layer.

My thoughts on the product

I had high expectations from this one because I was impressed with the Pro-Matte. The claims are true though. It is light weight, medium coverage and it stays forever but it was not dewy enough for me. It was claiming to give you a radiant effect but it didn't give a glow. I know dewy because I've tried a lot of Korean Cushion foundations and those are Glowy like Disco balls. This one is not flat matte but it's also not super radiant in my opinion. It would achieve a radiant glow if you add a moisturizer prior to putting on the foundation but if it is the foundation alone, it's just not glowy.

Was i impressed?

No, not impressed because the name said its Pro Glow but it's not. Don't get me wrong. I like the foundation but the only claim that mattered didn't even match my expectations.

Product Rundown

What: Loreal Infallible Pro Glow Foundation

Where to Buy: Pre-order from Sweets_16_ph (IG)

Price: PHP950

Foundation Finish: Radiant as claimed

Shades: (credit to photo owner; grabbed from Google)

A'pieu X Rilakumma Air Fit Cushion XP

2016-07-24T11:41:00.001+08:00

Hello guys! I am back! I'm doing a review on the Rilakkuma x A'pieu Air Fit Cushion XP. As you can see, I have this frenzy over cute Korean Cushion compacts, thus, the crazy spending over cushions.

Packaging

Packaging is very cute. To be honest, this is their selling point for me. It comes in a vibrant yellow box with Rilakumma as the design. The compact also have the same design.

The box includes an extra refill and a puff. I got mine in the shade No. 23 which I think is the darker shade of the two. Korean Cushions tend to be light in shades since most Koreans are very fair. No. 23 for me is not an exact match to my skin color but it's manageable since most cushion foundations oxidize.

This is how the inside looks like. There is a small compartment for the puff. The puff design is really adorable. It has the face of Rilakkuma all over.

This is the cushion foundation itself. As I've said earlier I got the shade No. 23. The shade looks dark but when on the face, it's really light.

Background on my skin

I am an NC30 to NC35 for MAC. Although I am leaning towards NC30 now. I have normal to dry skin.

Product testing

This is my bare face without any primers or moisturizers.

And this is my face with the A'pieu Air Fit Cushion XP.

Thoughts

I like the finish of the foundation. It's semi-matte. It's easy to apply. It doesn't crease and it's not patchy. Plus I think the shade is an okay match with my skintone. It also balanced the redness and dark spots which is another plus. Overall, I like the product.

Would you repurchase: I would probably just repurchase the refill :)

Would I recommend it to others: Yes! If you have a light skin tone, I highly recommend it.

Product Rundown:

What: Rilakkuma X A'pieu Air Fit Cushion XP

Where to Buy: Korean Depart, TesterKorea or if you live in the Philippines you can buy it from the SMYLEE group

Price: PHP950 (US$20.21)

Shades: 21 and 23

Product Finish: Semi-Matte

Product Empties: July 2016

2016-07-20T13:26:00.001+08:00

It's that time of the year! Collecting my empty bottles; empty containers of my most used products. Without further a do, let's get started :)

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this entry are not sponsored in any way. Everything was bought with my own money.

1. Innisfree Green Tea Mint Shampoo - I bought this back in April when we had our vacation in Seoul, South Korea. A friend of mine messaged me and asked me to buy her the complete set and out of curiousity, I bought a set for myself. I finished the shampoo immediately. The conditioner and the other hair treatment I haven't but the conditioner would be emptied soon lol. This is such a great product. It smells great. It relaxes you when you lather up your hair and the best part is, it is affordable. Thank goodness, I found an online shop where I can repurchase this one.

Would I repurchase: Yes! Definitely!

Would you recommend it to others: Yes! Highly recommended

2. The Face Shop Soul Perfume - I also got this last April and I'm almost out of it. There's only 1/4 remaining and I'm crying. This is not available in any stores here in Manila and I think it is limited edition. It smells really good. It has a flowery refreshing scent that surprisingly I came to love.

Would I repurchase: Yes if it would be available here

Would I recommend it to others: Yes

3. Majolica Majorca Brow Lash Colorist - After how many years of usage, it finally met the end. I really love this product for taming my brows plus it's very pigmented. If your brows already has its shape, there is no need to use a pomade. This alone would be good.

Would I repurchase: Probably not because I am looking into other brands to try

Would I recommend it to others: Yes

4. Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer - it's not really empty but I'm already half way there which is an achievement for me because I hated this product initially. I rediscovered it just a few months ago and I fell in love with it.

Would I repurchase: Probably but I have a lot of concealers at the moment

Would I recommend it to others: Yes

5. MAC Prolongwear concealer - RIP to my holy grail concealer. The journey has been long and fun. I've been very happy with this product and at the moment, nothing still can beat this one on my list of must haves.

Would I repurchase: Yes, definitely

Would I recommend it to others: Yes

6. MAC Studio Fix Powder - it's not really empty but I already hit pan which is another achievement for me. This is one of my go-to powders when I just want my errands day makeup on.

Would I repurchase: Yes

Would I recommend it to others: Yes

So, that is my list of product empties, how about yours? What's on your list?

Beauty Favorites for the month of June 2016

2016-07-18T14:23:00.001+08:00

Hello guys! I know this is a super late post but I've been contemplating on whether or not to continue my favorites for each month. I wanted to post this earlier but this was the only time that I had to gather what I used the most last month. Without further a do, here are my favorites for the month of June.

1. Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer in 05 Warm Beige - I have been hearing a lot of good reviews from a lot of beauty bloggers and beauty influencers and I joined the bandwagon. This is one of the best foundations I have tried to date. Best part is, it is from the drugstore. It gives you full coverage and it doesn't cake plus this is only PHP500 (US$10).

2. The Face Shop Soul Perfume - we went to Seoul, South Korea last April and of course, I spent most of my stay there at Myeongdong. I saw this perfume at the Face Shop boutique. It was love at first smell. At first I was hesitant to buy it because it wasn't my usual go-to scent. I'm more of a fruity vanilla person than a flowery Titas of Manila scent lol (if you know what I mean). It's kind of the second one but it smells so good. Plus, this is only Limited in Seoul. Too bad, TFS doesn't carry it here in Manila and I'm almost out of it. If I remember it correctly, it retails for KRW14,000 or US$14.

3. Coty Airspun in Translucent - this is one of my go-to powders for baking. It is heaven but the scent is awful lol it reminds me of my grandma. Anyways, as I said earlier, this is good for baking your makeup. It also is a drugstore product. I bought mine for PHP500 I think or PHP400. More or less that range.

3. Ofra x MannyMua in ARIES - this was the first liquid lipstick I tested again after a long time of not using liquid lipsticks. I fell in love with the formula. It's non-drying and the shade is great. It's also cheaper than other brands in the market. I got mine for PHP800. Roughly around US$17.

MISSHA Swisspure x Le Petit Prince BB Cream

2016-07-14T13:47:00.001+08:00

Hello lovely ladies! I am back with another review, this time it's from the Korean brand Swisspure and I will be reviewing the Limited Edition Le Petit Prince Compact Case.

I received my package from one of the online sellers yesterday and I decided to give this cushion a review. I think this is the second time that I'll be reviewing a Cushion foundation (the first one was the Peripera Cushion foundation).

The first time I saw this product, I told myself I need it in my life! I grew up reading The Little Prince as a part of our Reading class. It was one of those stories that I cannot forget because of the lessons it gave. Anyways, that being said, I immediately bought it when I saw someone was selling it.

Packaging

It comes inside a pinkish-white box with the little prince design on it. Take note that it doesn't have any extra refill nor extra powder puff included (most Korean cushions include extra refill and puff as part of their promotion)

Packaging is very straight forward. It has a pinkish-white color plastic cushion case with a little prince design imprint.

What I like about the packaging though is that you can remove the foundation compartment. Meaning, once the foundation is finish, you can just buy a refill. Unlike the Peripera Frozen Cushion where there is no removable cushion compartment.

The puff also has the little prince imprint on it, which is cute :)

Claims

I needed to research on the product because everything on the packaging is written in Korean. It says in the website that it is for brightening, wrinkle care and for sunblock. Non-darkening, non-smearing, long lasting and it has a magic coverage. It also claims to have a soothing, firming and moisturizing effect.

Ingredients

Argan Oil, Witch Hazel and 34% Water

Testing out the product

This is my bare face without any primer nor moisturizer

You can see I have dark circles and some dark spots over my cheeks. Just to give you a background, I have normal to dry skin. I am NC 35 but sometimes lighter shades like NC 20 works for me. Korean cushion foundations usually cater to lighter skin tones.

Here is the end result, using the Cushion Foundation

As you can see, it actually covered the dark spots and gave a dewy finish. I like the coverage. It's not patchy and it applies evenly. The product also doesn't emphasize fine lines which is a plus for me.

Pros

- has a nice dewy finish (great for those who have dry skin)

- covers dark spots and blemishes

- applies evenly

- affordable (only PHP800 or US$17)

Neutral

- has a scent but it doesn't bother me

- lasts for 3 to 4 hours which is okay because it's really humid here in Manila

Cons

- hard to find

- doesn't have a refill

- doesn't have any extra puff

Product Rundown

Name: MISSHA Swisspure Cushion Foundation Limited Edition design Le Petit Prince

Price: PHP800 or US$17

Where to buy: Korean Online Stores

Shades: 21 and 23

What's New: Holika Holika X Gudetama

2016-07-13T13:54:00.001+08:00

Hello loves! I am back again! I'm here to update you on what is new with Korean Beauty Brands.

Disclaimer: I bought the products with my own money. There is no affiliation or sponsorship happening between myself or the brand that I am reviewing.

(Photo from Holika Holika)

Holika Holika recently tied-up with Sanrio to bring the lovable egg Gudetama to our beauty products.

(Photo from Holika Holika)

A seller who has some connections in Korea recently had a pre-order for the Rilakkuma x A'pieu collection and I asked if I can pre-order the Holika Holika x Gudetama collection.

I only bought the Character Face Mask and the cream blush.

Korean Skincare: Dewytree Aqua Keeper Panda Mask

2016-07-12T15:05:00.001+08:00

Hello loves! I am back with another review. This time it is from the brand Dewytree. The product that I am reviewing is the Aqua Keeper Panda Mask.

Disclaimer: I bought this item for the purpose of researching the best skincare products. This is not sponsored in any way.

I was looking at my box of goodies from Malaysia and while looking, I discovered I had a stash of skincare products that I haven't used yet. I saw this cute looking Panda mask. I remember buying it because a few years back, character masks were so popular in Korea. Up until now, it is still popular. I have more character mask reviews in the coming days.

The back of the package have some English translation on how to use it. It also has a straightforward picture on the steps.

How to use:

1) After cleansing soothe your face with toner

2) Take the mask out of the package, place mask on face, positioning it carefully around the eyes

3) Rest for about 15-20 minutes and remove the mask

4) Let the skin absorb the remaining essence by gently patting gently on the skin.

This is how it looks like on my face

Hahaha :) it's really fun to use and it's filled with hydrating essence which is good for my skin because I'm Normal to Dry.

Pros

- does what it claims

- it didn't break me out and it doesn't few itchy on the skin

Neutral

- it has a scent but it doesn't bother me

Cons

- a little pricey. I think I paid US$11 for this pack alone. Most mask sheets are only $0.80 per piece

- not reaadily available in the market. You need to purchase it overseas and have it shipped

Would I recommend it to others?

Yes :)

Would I repurchase?

Yes if I go back to Korea or if I get to order it from my supplier.

Product Rundown

Product Brand: Dewytree

Product Name: Aqua Keeper Panda Mask

Nature of product: Skincare

Price: US$11

Where to buy: TesterKorea

Holika Holika 3 Step Pig-nose Clear Blackhead

2016-07-10T18:39:00.001+08:00

Hello my loves! I am back again with another review. This time it's from the brand Holika Holika.

Disclaimer: This product was bought with my own money for the purpose of research. This was not sponsored in any way. I'll always try my best to give the best unbiased review in my blog.

Anyway, I bought this from my favorite Korean Cosmetic supplier Ji Yuri. She had a flash sale a couple of days ago and I've decided to dive in and try it.

What it is

This is a 3 step Pore Strip pack. It cleans your skin with impurities such as black heads and white heads.

How to use it

Steps are pretty simple although everything is written in Korean language so I cannot decipher what it actually says but basically just do all 3.

First step: Use the first pack which is like an essence that will open your pores and make your pores open so that the impurities can be easily removed.

That is how it looks like. You need to leave it on your skin for at least 15 mins.

So after 15 minutes, you go to step two.

Step Two: The second step is using the actual pore strip that removes the impurities. You need to wet your nose first before putting on the second strip. If your nose isn't wet, the strip would not adhere. You need to leave it on your nose for another 15 minutes.

**WARNING***

Gross picture ahead

After 15 minutes (30 minutes total including the 1st step) this is what my strip looked like

It did remove a lot of black heads and white heads.

Afterwards, you need to do the last step

Step 3: Use the last pore strip to soothe your nose. Basically, it's like the healing step of the 3.

Pros

- easily available in the market (there's a Holika Holika kiosk in Watsons)

- you can also buy it online

- it does the job

Neutral

- it can be a little messy to do

Cons

- a little bit more expensive than the usual pore strips available

Would i recommend it to others?

Yes definitely

Would you buy it again?

Yes, I would repurchase

Product Name: Holika Holika 3 Step Pig-nose Clear Blackhead

Price: I bought it for PHP80 from Ji Yuri

Where to Buy: Watsons, Online Shops

Banila Co. Clean It Zero

2016-07-10T10:54:00.001+08:00

I am back with another review! This time it's from the Korean Brand Banila Co. The product that I'm reviewing is their best selling product which is the Clean It Zero.

Disclaimer: I bought the product with my own money for the purpose of research. Nothing here is sponsored.

Banila Co. is one of those Korean brands that is popular around the world. In fact, it already has its own physical kiosk here in Manila. Everyone in the beauty sphere has been raving about this product and I finally had the opportunity to try it.

I was able to buy a sample size of it from my favorite Korean Cosmetic supplier Ji Yuri. Best part of it is that I only paid PHP40 / US$0.85 per tub. She only had the pink tub available which is suitable for those who have normal skin.

Claims

It claims to instantly removes makeup. It also claims to be an exfoliator and it breaks down dead skin cells.

Product Ingredients

-Papaya extract

-Acerola Extract

Usage

Take a small amount and massage gently on to the skin. Rinse with lukewarm water or use facial tissue to wipe off the balm.

Verdict:

I really like the product. It's easy to use and it does the claims. It doesn't leave any residue on your face. It is better used with lukewarm water then rinse it than using with a facial tissue.

Pros

-Easy to use

- readily available at Banila Co. (It has a physical store in Landmark, Trinoma)

- price is on point and worth the money

- It is also available world wide via other websites like TesterKorea

Neutral

- it has a very flowery spring scent. It smells really good but I know not every one likes scented products

Cons

- none I can think of

Would i repurchase it?

Yes, definitely. It's a must-have. I am planning to buy the full-size product next time.

Would i recommend it to others?

Yes! Specially to those who have sensitive skin.

Product Rundown

Product Name: Banila Co Clean It Zero

Where to Buy: Banila Co Trinoma, AltheaKorea, TesterKorea, or from sis Ji Yuri if you live in the Philippines

Price: PHP1,040 or US$22.12 (100 g/full size) I bought the sample size for PHP40 or US$0.83 per tub

Variety: I bought the pink one which is for Normal skin, there are 3 more varieties.

First Impression: A'pieu Air Fit Nude Foundation

2016-07-07T09:54:00.001+08:00

Hello Guys! I am back with another review. This time, I'll be reviewing a product from the Korean brand A'pieu. The product that I'll be reviewing is the A'pieu Air Fit Nude Foundation.

Disclaimer: This product was not sponsored in any way. This was bought by me for the purpose of research.

As you can guess, aside from looking into liquid lipsticks, I have been on the hunt for the perfect foundation. For the months of June and July alone, I think I already have bought 5 to 6 liquid foundations.

Packaging

- Packaging of the product is simple. Product is inside a plastic cylinder with a dropper top. It contains 18g of product which is equivalent to only 0.60 FL.OZ. It's not the standard amount since you get 1 FL OZ/30 ML for a standard liquid foundation.

Product Materials

Since I cannot read Korean language, I opted to do a little research of the elements that make the foundation and I found out that it contains mineral water, water essence, plant oil, Apple mint extract and rose water plant extract.

Claims

The product claims that it will give you a soft skin look, it will cover skin blemishes and will sooth your skin because of the aloe vera element.

How to use

- Shake Well

- Use puff or hands and apply gently on the skin.

This is how it looked like when I applied it on my face.

A little bit of background

I have normal to dry skin. I'm NC35. Korean foundations usually have 2 shades (no.21 and no.23). I choose shade 23 because it's darker than 21.

As you can see, it did some color correction and covered some of the dark spots on my skin. It gave a dewy finish on my skin which is a plus for me. It also doesn't have a flash back when taking pictures which is another plus. Though being nc35, the shade looks a little bit light. Although I have noticed that it is a trend in Korea that their foundation doesn't really match their skin tone.

Pros

- lightweight foundation

- dewy finish

- no harmful ingredients

- has soothing factor

- covers dark spots and blemishes

- travel size

- you only need a few drops to get full-coverage

- cheap compared to other makeup brands

Neutral

- has a scent but it begins to diminish once applied on the skin

- product amount is small but I think size doesn't matter because a small amount will give you enough coverage

Cons

- only has 2 shades (no.21 and no.23), not suitable for women of color

- not readily available in the Philippine Market (no physical store unlike Etude House, Tony Moly, Banila Co., etc.)

- if you do not do proper hydration (toner, Essence, serum, primer) prior to putting on the foundation, it would look patchy

- dries up fast, you need to work fast in blending the product, I find using the brush and then working with a beauty blender better than using your hands.

Would i repurchase it?

I probably will repurchase for back-up. I like the foundation although it's a bit too light for me

Would I recommend it to others?

Yes! Highly recommend it to those who have normal to dry skin. Even those with oily skin because when it dries, it kinda dries with a powdery texture and it sticks to your face. Plus it has a luminous effect.

Product Rundown

Product Name: A'pieu Air Fit Nude Foundation

Price: PHP282 or US$6

Where to Buy: if you live outside South Korea, you can buy it from TesterKorea or Korean Depart

If you live in the Philippines, you can get it from Yuri Ji of Korean Cosmetics Supplier PHILIPPINES

Shades: Shade 21 (Light) Shade 23 (Light Beige)

Ministar Professional Makeup Liquid Lipsticks

2016-06-18T19:54:00.001+08:00

Another Liquid Lipstick post :)

In search of the perfect liquid lipstick, I have been buying a lot of different brands that are out in the market and I came across the brand Ministar Professional Makeup.

Packaging

Packaging is very straight forward. Round clear cylinder with a black top handle with the print Ministar Professional Makeup printed on it. I think there are 9 shades available. I only bought 4. Shades do not have a name. It only has numbers like 101 to 109 if I'm not mistaken. Inside is a straight doe foot applicator.

Performance as a product

Pigment wise, you need to at least do 2 swipes on your lips for the colors to show. It also takes some time for the product to dry. It dries up matte which is a plus. Oil based makeup remover is a must.

Price

Price wise, it is very cheap. It only costs PHP120 for each tube (it's around US $2.55 - talk about cheap?!)

The Rundown

Pros

- very cheap

- comes in a lot of shades, some even comparable to high end liquid lipsticks

- you can buy it from a physical store in Shaw, Mandaluyong or you can buy it online

Neutral

- takes a bit of time to dry up

Cons

- It has a powdery plasticky smell which bothers me a lot but once it's dried the smell goes off

Would i recommend it to others?

For those who are in a tight budget, you can try and buy it but be aware that there is a scent.

Would I repurchase?

- Probably not. It has a lot of product. I probably won't finish the tubes by the end of the year.

Product: Ministar Professional Makeup Liquid Lipsticks

Where to Buy: Sparkle Cosmetiks Shop they have a physical store at StarMall Mandaluyong

Price: PHP120 per liquid lipstick (US$2.55 per lipstick)

Liquid Lipstick Review: Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick in I'm Nude

2016-06-14T12:05:00.001+08:00

I'm in my search of the best liquid lipstick in the market at the moment and I finally bought the Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick. There has been so much hype for this lipstick and I wanted to see if the hype was real.

I bought the shade I'm Nude.

It has a doe foot applicator which has a unique shape.

Swatches:

It's really pale and I look flushed on it with my skintone.

The Rundown

Pros:

-Has a lot of product. It has 0.19 FL Oz/5.6 ML as compared to the KYLIE Lipstick which only has 0.11 FL OZ /3.25 ML

- I like the finish. It's not drying on the lips and it feels lightweight

- Scent is not strong which is a plus for me

- has more shades

Neutral

- cheaper than the Kylie Lipkits

Cons

- shipping is a ton load for my part of the world

Is it worth the hype?

I would say yes. I like the formula of the lipstick compared to others in the market. It also has a lot of lovely shades.

Would i recommend it to others?

Yes

Would i repurchase?

Probably not because I probably won't be able to finish this one before the year ends but I would definitely buy other shades

Product: Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstocks

Shade: I'm Nude

Where to buy: Jeffree Star website, Morphe Website, Beautylish website

Where to buy in Manila: Online shops

US Price: $18

Manila Price: PHP1,300 to PHP1,600

Hot or Not: KYLIE Lip Kit in Candy K

2016-06-13T18:26:00.001+08:00

I finally bought the KYLIE Lip Kit. I needed to give it a try since there has been so much hype for the product.

I bought the shade Candy K. I was really debating at first on whether I'll buy Koko K or Candy K. Koko K seems fit for my skin tone but in the end I bought Candy K.

Swatches

Left swatch is the lip liner and the right one is the lipstick. The shade is really mauve-y. I was thinking it was a light pink shade because of the swatches online but every skin is different.

This is how it looks on my lips

The rundown:

Pros:

- It has a good amount of product

- Has a lip liner

- Super long lasting

- It's super matte

Neutral:

- It has this scent that reminds me of medicine that's about to spoil. It bothers me a little but once it is dry, I'm okay with it

- when you start to eat oily food, it immediately runs off but all lipsticks in general are like that.

Cons:

- I find it a bit expensive. Well, for my part of the world, I have to pay a lot for shipping and handling.

- Super drying. From a far it looks good but up close, you will see the cracks on my lips.

- Kylie Jenner Lipkits in general has limited shades.

In a nutshell, I like the formula of the lipsticks. It's very long lasting and hard to remove. Although it is a bit expensive I must say. There are other brands which are cheaper and does the same job.

Should you buy one?

I say, why not? If you have the money to splurge on lip products :)

Would I repurchase?

Probably not. It has a decent amount and I wouldn't probably be able to finish it by the end of the year. I would try her glosses though.

Product: Kylie Jenner Lip Kit in Candy K

Where to buy: Kyliecosmetics

Where to buy in Manila: only available via online sellers

Price: Website $30 ; Online sellers in Manila ranges from PHP1,900 to PHP2,600

Exploring Phuket, Thailand - Part 3

2016-03-25T13:39:00.001+08:00

Day 3 of our Phuket Adventure, we booked a Day tour for the whole of Phuket. Interestingly enough, even though it is smaller than Bangkok, there is so much to see in the island.

The trip starts at 7:00 a.m. and they will bring you to different locations. This was the first stop. It was a place where you can see most of the beaches in Phuket and it would give you a view of the Big Buddha.

The next stop was the Big Buddha. They said that this was the project of the Princess of Thailand and it is still under construction. They mainly rely on donation money for the construction of the Buddha. It is a majestic view.

This was the base of the Buddha. You have to go up several plights to get a good view of the Big Buddha.

This is where they collect donation money from tourists.

The Buddha that was dedicated to the princess of Thailand.

A small replica of the wat pho in Bangkok.

Afterwards, we were taken to another place where there were a lot of temples.

After that we went to a botannical garden. I wasn't able to take much photos because it was hot.

The last part of the trip was going to a bee farm. The tour ended past 2:00pm. It was worth it though because you will be able to tour around of Phuket.

For the afternoon, we were supposed to watch the Simon Cabaret Show but I had a little accident in our bathroom and I wasn't able to stand up the rest of the day that's why we opted to miss the show.

It was a good trip though and we would want to go back there in the future. They have the best massage place in the world and it's very cheap.

Exploring Phuket, Thailand - Part 2

2016-03-23T21:10:00.001+08:00

Part 2 of our Phuket Adventure :)

Day 2, we started of course by eating breakfast which was provided by the restaurant adjacent to the hotel. It was a continental breakfast but it wasn't buffet. We were served with a choice of juice and you can pick from either coffee or tea - meaning you have two drinks; actually 3 because they also give you water if you request.

The breakfast included eggs, sausage, bacon strips and vegetables.

My husband, on the other hand, choose to eat different kinds of bread lol :)) he just wasn't ready for a big breakfast that time because his stomach was upset.

After eating breakfast, we continued exploring the nearby places of the hotel.

We saw DQ just within the vicinity of our hotel.

There was also the launch of Make Your Own Havianas. I bought my Snoopy Havianas from there :)

This was the side streets that we explored during our walking trip at Phuket. I don't know what exactly the street was but we saw a mountain at the back.

There was also a Hard Rock Cafe Hotel. Most of the tourists booked here because the hotel has a beach front.

During our exploration, I got thirsty and we stumbled upon this push cart vendor that was selling all kinds of refreshments. I asked my husband to buy me the Thai Iced Tea as it was delicious. I think it was only 25B (more or less only PHP26).

After our exploration, we decided to go back to the hotel and rest because the heat of the sun was already burning my skin. We stayed at the hotel until afternoon and waited for the bus that will take us to Phuket FantaSea.

In the afternoon, we were fetched by the tour van and it took us to Phuket FantaSea. I can't remember exactly how long the travel time was from our hotel to Phuket FantaSea but it wasn't exactly near. This was the tour that we booked when our taxi driver went to the travel agency.

As what I've mentioned earlier, Phuket FantaSea is one of the main attractions that tourists go to when in Phuket. It usually is in the afternoon until night time. I suggest that you do not bring any electronics or cellphones with you because you have to leave the cameras and any electronic device in the event proper. They forbid any cameras inside the big theatre where the musical is.

Before the main event, there would be a big banquet inside the place. Well actually, you have to purchase a ticket, you can either go inside and not eat (which is cheaper by hundreds) but you can also opt to purchase the one where you will feast. The whole place is a big buffet of international cuisines. I wasn't able to take a picture in the large banquet but it was really big.

At 8:00pm, they open the gates to the big theatre. Sadly, you have to leave your cameras. So I don't have any pictures with me. Anyways, it was a good show. The show was in Thai. We didn't understand the words but we got the gist of the story.

Exploring Phuket, Thailand

2016-03-23T12:30:00.001+08:00

It's almost been a year since our week long wedding anniversary. I know, this post is a year late but what better way to celebrate it by reminiscing about the beautiful place.

Since it was our first year anniversary last year, we wanted it to be memorable and grand. I mean, who would've thought that we already turned one? The trip was somewhat spur of the moment. Everything was booked days before the actual flight and we just dived-in.

We first went to Bali, Indonesia and then went to Phuket, Thailand. It was summer back then and we were feeling the heat wave in Kuala Lumpur. My husband's officemates were suggesting that we go to Phuket because it was a fun place with lots of tourists.

Of course, we booked Air Asia for our flight. Went to KLIA 2 and checked-in. Funny story, a day before our actual trip, we went to the airport thinking that our flight was on that day. We then realized that, what the heck?! It's not yet our flight! We got too excited and wasted money for our fare to the airport.

The airport at Phuket was not as big as I expected it to be. I've been to Bangkok and I love their humongous airport there but in Phuket, it's fairly small. The moment you arrive, you go to immigration and there's a separate lane for ASEAN Passport holders. I'm not sure if they issue visa on arrival like the ones in Bali for European passport holders but they do have a separate lane.

The airport is filled with lots of free brochures in different languages. There's also a free SIM card given to tourists on arrival. You just have to log-in their book.

We took the airport taxi. Just a little heads up with our experience with the taxi. A little bit disappointed on how the system works there because our taxi driver stopped at a travel office before dropping us at our hotel. We were quite exhausted from traveling and the last thing we wanted to do was to be sales talked by the travel agency for tours. It was like the driver will not go to the hotel not until we booked our tour so we had no choice but to book the PhantaSea Tour.

Afterwards, we finally made it to our hotel and we booked Pimnara. The locals in the airport said that Pimnara was a new hotel. It was a boutique hotel and it was in downtown Phuket. It was quite a long journey from the airport to the hotel, around 1 hour and 30 mins. (Considering some parts of Phuket was also experiencing a little traffic jam).

Hotel staff were English speakers. They would assist you if you need wake up calls or if you need housekeeping, etc. Right in front of the hotel was a desk where everyone thought they were the information help desk but it's actually a tour agency where you can book. There are at least 5 or 6 tours you can book ranging from Day tour exploring the whole of Phuket, Phuket FantaSea, Muai Thai Fights, Cabaret Shows and Island Hoping. We actually booked 3 tours but the last tour we weren't able to go to because I had an accident during the trip.

Picture above was the mall right beside our hotel.

The one above is a massage and spa place. Their rates were super low and you get the highest quality of Thai massage. I had a 1-hour foot reflexology here but my masseus was kind enough to actually give me more than the foot massage. It was sort of a whole body massage including the head, the arms and the back :) and it was only 500B.

On our first night, of course, we had to try THAI food but the ones we had were already commercialized since we ate in a restaurant. I recommend you try eating the street foods so you really get the authentic taste.

Thai Iced Tea was so delicious!

During our first night, we already started walking around the nearby streets, so as to not waste time. At the back of our hotel was already the Patong Beach Strip. It was sort of the red light district of Phuket.

There were a lot of lady boys in this place. There were also a lot of locals holding A4 card like menus where there were "shows". You know what I mean right? I wanted to watch but my husband didn't want to watch (what a loser LOL) but anyways, I respected him and we opted not to watch the show.

The street was really so much fun. Loud music, a lot of foreigners and tons of liquor. At the back of my head, I was sort of guilty because I know that time was Holy Week and everyone back home were repenting and fasting and abstaining while we were having so much fun.

I have to cut this entry for now since its a little bit too long but head to the next post. I will blog about day 2 and day 3 of our Phuket adventure :)

Beauty Favorites: July

2015-08-13T10:56:00.001+08:00

Hello guys! Just wanted to share with you my monthly favorites. I know it's a little too late for me but like I always say...better late than never :) let's get started!

For this month, I only have 5 beauty products to share with you. I think one item I already have mentioned in my previous favorites and it is making a comeback hahaha :)

1. Hourglass Ambient Blush in Incandecent Electra - it's only now that I joined the Hourglass bandwagon...I know...maybe a year too late but I fell in love instantly with this. I have been hearing mix reviews about HG products. Some work, some does not but for me personally, I like the blush. I also own the limited edition blush set but I find that it is not as pigmented as individual blushes. This is not a "holy moly you look like a clown" type of blush. I admit, I am one of those who like super pigmented products but this one is different. I know understand why so many people love Hourglass. It's subtle but it's good.

2. Too Faced Bonjour de Soleil Palette - this is the product that I fell in love again. I am so in love with the product that I already ditched using the ABH contour palette and the Balm Bahama Mama. I also love the fact that the powders smell like chocolate. This has been my go-to for bronzing and contouring :)

3. Too Faced Semi-Sweet Palette - can you see that I am an avid fan of Too Faced? Their products are so good that it already took the place of my well loved Urban Decay products. I love the palette. It smells like chocolate. It is super pigmented and it doesn't crease on me even without using any primer. I can also do a lot of combinations with this palette. I must say that this is a must-have for any makeup junkies.

4. MAC lip liner in Soar - I had to buy this one since you all know that I have been obsessing on the nude lip. This is such a good liner that you can use it as a lipstick. I use it in combination with MAC Myth and it gives the Kylie Jenner lip look.

5. MAC Fix+ in Cucumber - Being a MAC collector, I had to buy this one. I love my original Fix+ that's why I opted to buy this one for myself :) it smells really good and this is Limited Edition.

Want to get the Kylie Jenner lip Shade?

2015-08-01T11:16:00.001+08:00

Ever since Kylie Jenner released this photo of her on Instagram, I was mesmerized on how good her lips were.

Her lips were full and the shade of her lipstick was on point. I tried figuring out what the lip combination was. At first I thought it was only one lip shade. I tried using Velvet Teddy from MAC but that wasn't it. Until her makeup artist spilled the bean and they were saying that it was SOAR.

I finally got the chance to get SOAR which is always out of stock in the U.S. Combined with Myth, it becomes the perfect shade for the infamous Kylie Jenner lips.

Here's a picture of my lips wearing those two together :

Updated MAC Lipstick Swatches

2015-07-30T14:48:00.001+08:00

Just wanted to share with you guys an update on the swatches of my MAC lipstick collection:

1st Row (L) Please Me (R) LE Playland Happy Go Lucky

2nd Row (L) Mehr (R) Heroine

3rd Row (L) LE Alluring Aquatics Enchanted One (R) LE Maleficent True Love's Kiss

1st Row (L) Myth (R) Angel

2nd Row (L) Sin (R) Sushi Kiss

3rd Row (L) Viva Glam Miley 1 (R) LE Toledo Oxblood

1st Row (L) Impassioned (R) Velvet Teddy

2nd Row (L) Viva Glam Rihanna (R) LE Cinderella Royal Ball

3rd Row (L) LE Rocky Horror Oblivion (R) LE Proenza Schuler Pinkfringe

Series of my favorite makeup items: Battle of the Blushes

2015-07-18T22:37:00.001+08:00

#blushes

#charlottetilbury

#nars

#hourglass

#makeup

#beauty

#cosmetics

Sorry for being in hiatus for a long time. I think my last post was May. I've been so busy with life that I just didn't find time to write and update my blog.

Anyways, I have been testing out so many cosmetic products the past couple of months and I've decided to do a series of my favorite makeup items per category. Today, I'll be doing my favorite blushes.

I find myself gravitate towards these blushes. Of course they have their own pros and cons but of all the blushes above, I find myself always using the NARS, Hourglass and the Charlotte Tilbury.

NARS has always been a fan favorite by everyone specially when it comes to blushes. Their formula for the blushes are very creamy and easy to glide on the face. When I use MAC, it takes quite sometime for the pigments to show. Unlike NARS, you only need one small swipe and it would glide like a dream on your face.

Hourglass, on the other hand, is a different story. NARS is super pigmented and you need a little bit of control when applying the blushes on your face or else you would look like a hot mess when you apply too much. Hourglass is also pigmented but when you use it, it gives a subtle flush of color on your face. I use it serveral times on my cheeks but it still give a subtle peachy blush on me. It's like the product works without you needing to adjust. It's magical.

Charlotte Tilbury does both. It's highly pigmented but you wouldn't look like a hot mess if you put a lot on your face. It is also very creamy and it feels like the product does the work for you. It's quite expensive though but if you have the budget, you can skip both NARS and Hourglass for this baby.

Overall, I like all 3 brands mention above. All 3 brands have their own pros and cons. What may work for me might not necessarily work for everyone else. This is based on my experience when using the products mentioned above. Do you own any of the products listed? I would love to hear your comments about it.