January Haul

Hi lovelies! I'll be busy with school probably until March. However, I will still try to update my blog once in a while. 

Secondly, I am also planning to do another giveaway. Stay tuned! I'm still in the process of gathering sponsors. If you know company/store that offers sponsorship for bloggers, please let me know. 

Moving on. Since I have a little time tonight, I will share with you my January collective haul. These are the things I got from my allowance, my sister, boyfriend and friends!

My sister, Evelyn, sent these for us! Xbox is super cheap in Singapore according to her. She also gave her itouch to me! Yay! 

Since Mac is a bit cheaper in Singapore, she  sent some goodies to me and my other sister, Emmeline.

I forgot to take a separate pic for Mac Studio Fix Powder plus Foundation (NC30). Nevertheless, that foundation is really amazing. Just last December, I purchased Fanny Serrano two way cake foundation because according to some, it was a great dupe for Mac. I'm sorry to tell you this but I disagree. I don't think it was anything like Mac foundation. Yes, both offers full coverage but it doesn't mean that FS is a great dupe for Mac  (at least for me). Mac has a brightening effect once applied. I haven't seen that effect on my FS. Moreover, FS isn't as great as Mac in oil control. The closest dupe for Mac that I could think of is my highly raved IN2IT FOUNDATION. Great coverage, superb oil control. Sadly, both broke me out! 

Mac Eyebrow Crayon in Spiked- the color is quite darker than my recent eyebrow pencils, however, I use Etude House Color my Brows on top to make it look lighter. I've been really loving this pencil because it is super sleek and thin, thus, more precise in creating a well-shaped eyebrows. I haven't seen anything as thin as this before, so if you girls know a dupe for this please message me! 

Mac Lipstick in Cherish. This is probably my most used lipstick for the month of January. I like wearing peachy lipstick for everyday because it brightens up my dull face.

Mac Lipstick in Cherish is a peachy-nude shade, perfect for that natural everyday lip color. 

Mac Lipstick in Pink Nouveau - one of the best sellers of all time! According to Mac addicts, this shade is always out-of-stock(slash rarely available) because celebrities were hoarding it! 

This is definitely not my go-to-shade. It is a bright purple-pink barbie lipstick that may look washed out if use without eye makeup. Mostly, I use this for corporate attire day and special occasions. I love pairing it with a well-defined eyebrows and thick eyeliner. 

Revlon Super lustrous Lipstick in Smoked Peach- it was recommended by my college schoolmate. It is a beautiful peachy coral shade, perfect for everyday and even for special occasions. This color is very wearable for most skin tones. The only reason why I don't use it is because it is fcuking drying on lips. It accentuates my crocodile-ish lips. I just hate using it. I don't think I would purchase anything matte on Revlon line ever again. It's my 3rd lipstick from this line and i'm always disappointed on how drying and not long lasting these were.

Disney lipglosses- this was given to me therefore, I don't have any idea on how much these were. The packaging is super duper cute! Reminds me alot of kikay kids. However, i do not recommend them. These lipsticks are super sticky on my lips. 

Ever Bilena in Mauvey- it is a great dupe for Maybelline Watershine in BM31. However, compared to Maybelline Watershine (lustre finish), Ever bilena in Mauvey  has a matte finish. EB in Mauvey is a very pretty and wearable pinky nude lipstick. It is not creamy, therefore, you have to drag it several times to see the real color on your lips. Most bloggers have been raving about how great and affordable this lipstick is, but it is definitely not for me. I don't think I would repurchase again. I hate lipsticks that are very drying on my lips, so, I surely hate this one. 

Nail polishes from Avon. I haven't tried these yet.

Bunch of eyeliners from Avon (glimmersticks). I'm not a huge fan of their eyeliners because these smudge like crazy on my eyes. But it is a great eyeliner if you're aiming for a smokey eye-look. 

Avon True color blush - probably one of my favorite blushes of all time. Great pigmentation and color.

A simple makeup bag for me

Olay Moisturizer

Avon Lotions. I don't like lotions with fruity scent, really. But i've been really loving cucumber and cherry blossom scent alot! 

The best way to make your perfume lasts whole day is through layering (Lotion plus perfume). Cherry blossom is my super love since it's very fresh and mild, not too fruity/sweet.

Mac lipstick in Cosmo. Another perfect shade for everyday, and for work. I will do a separate review on this. Stay tuned.

MUD Cream Foundation- this is so far the best cream foundation I've tried! It blends on my skin like my second skin. Conceals blemishes without looking too unnatural. It's quite expensive (Php 1,200) but definitely, a great buy for people with budget. Can't wait to have time to make a review on this. Goodness, I hate school. LOL. Just kidding. 

Purchased my 4th Maybelline Pure Pack Mineral foundation. 

Avon lipstick in Island glow - I got it from my friend who needs to sell Avon products for their marketing. It is a pink lipstick, pinkier and brighter than Nyx Tea rose. It has a watermelon scent like Maybelline moisture extreme (US Version). I don't like the scent because it is too overpowering that's why I rarely wear it.  

Avon lipstick in Tangerine- a bit brighter and orange-y than I expected it would be. It is like a sheer reddish orange lipstick with shimmers. Definitely not drying. I like the scent of this one than Island glow because it has a mild scent to it. 

A LONG POST!

Long time no post! I’m sorry ladies, I’ve been busy this past few days. But no worries because I’ll be posting reviews tonight since I don’t have class for tomorrow. Cheers!

So I decided to make reviews on the skin care and makeup that I’m using these past few days. Be ready, this will be a long post. I’ll be hitting lots of birds tonight.

On skin care routine (Morning):

Every morning, I’m doing the Yakult Liquid Mask routine. Here’s the link on my previous review on this.

On makeup routine:

OLAY COMPLETE MOISTURIZER

 On my lazy days, I don’t really apply moisturizers. I rely on my BB Cream most of the time. It’s an ALL-IN-ONE product anyway. But the truth is it could not substitute any moisturizers. That’s the time I decided to include moisturizer on my skin care routine.

I do the most important thing I can do every morning on my face and that’s putting moisturizers on. (And don’t forget to apply sun screen okay? I never skipped BB Cream because it has this SPF to protect my face from the Sun). But there’s lot of moisturizers available in the market and most of them promise to moisturize, nourish and protect your skin. So I decided to start my search by starting it right. My mother and sisters have been loyal to Olay ever since. From soaps to facial wash to creams. So, it wasn’t difficult for me to pick Olay as my moisturizers and besides, it’s OLAY!

Olay says,

“Olay Complete Moisturize, nourish, protect in one simple step. Complete All Day UV Moisture Lotion All day hydration for healthy, glowing, protected skin. For Sensitive Skin. Olay Complete All Day UV Moisture Lotion SPF 15 is dermatologist tested and recommended. This light, non-greasy formula with antioxidants vitamin E plus C is non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), 100% oil free and 100% PABA free. Complete All Day UV Moisturizer gives your skin a complete balance of moisturizing ingredients for healthy skin. UVA/UVB Protection – Broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection contains SPF 15 to help prevent premature skin damage. Vitamins – This formula, with antioxidants vitamin E plus C, helps to promote and maintain healthy looking skin. Moisture – Olay moisture for all day hydration.”

Where can I start? I love this moisturizer! I love that it does what it supposed to do and much more! With this on my face, I don’t have to worry because it doesn’t only moisturize my skin but also protects it from harmful rays of the Sun. I think it’s a perfect combo! I like that it has vitamins to maintain healthy looking skin! Beat that!

PROS:

Moisturizes skin

Has UV Skin Shield SPF 15

Formula with Antiozidant vitamins C & E to promote and maintain a healthy-looking skin surface.

Light on skin

Dermatologically Tested

Non-Comedogenic (won't clog pores)

100% Oil-free

100 PABA Free

Rate: 4.5/5

SKIN 79 BB CREAM

Click here for my previous review

MAYBELLINE CONCEALER, EVER BILENA STUDIO FINISH STICK FOUNDATION, ELF TONE CORRECTING CONCEALER AND AVON SIMPLY PRETTY DUAL FOUNDATION

Click here for my reviews on these products.

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I really like Ever Bilena Studio Finish Stick Foundation to conceal my undereye circles. It blends very well. I like this with Elf Tone Correcting concealer and sets it with Avon Simply Pretty dual foundation (I use Elf professional blending brush). I tried using Maybelline Clearsmooth Mineral Powder Foundation to sets this but I don’t like it because it tends to be cakey on my circles.

Sometimes, I do reach my Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer to do my concealing on my under eye circles. It works also for me.

When concealing blemishes/ acne marks, I reached for my Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer most of the time. I swear, it conceals your blemishes amazingly. The secret is to apply it on the blemishes and continuously tap it to blend it very well.

(Pictures to follow)

MAYBELLINE CLEARSMOOTH MINERAL MAKEUP

I don’t really like light foundation simply because I don’t use concealers on blemishes. I rely more on the foundation for coverage. That’s the reason why I was looking for Full coverage foundation before. But, just recently I decided to give my skin a break. Full coverage means heavy on skin. I realized that it is not healthy on my skin to use full coverage foundation EVERYDAY! Damn! I was too harsh on my skin. But it’s not yet too late. So here I am, turning my back on full coverage foundation (maybe, for SPECIAL occasions only). It’s time to start light!

I have this in Buff. (The SA told me to get the darker shade! Good thing I insist to get the Buff instead). I use this with Bare Naturals Softest Flat top or with Ellana Baby Buki Brush. I used to love loose powder. Until I realize how convenient compact foundations are. But now, I’m going back in using loose powders because most of mineral makeups are loose powders. I tried Ellana, Elf, Blusche, Loreal’s Bare Naturale and Pureglow before.I like Ellana because it’s light on skin and Hazelnutte Latte fits my skins perfectly. Pureglow gives me full coverage and instantly brightens face. But I don’t like the hassle of ordering online. I prefer foundations that can be bought on malls or drugstores. On Elf Mineral Foundation, it gives me the coverage that I want but I think this one is quite expensive. This foundation costs around Php 400 and doesn’t last me a month. Blusche has the cutest packing. But, it breaks me out! Loreal’s Bare Naturale has a good coverage too but skin gets bad after continuous use! LOL! Now that I’m going back on loose powders (minerals), I wished for more luck. I’ve been using Maybelline Clearsmooth Mineral Foundation for 2 days now. I think the coverage is light to medium. So, I really need concealer to conceal my blemishes. Good thing I bought Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer! Works well on blemishes.

I like Maybelline Clearsmooth Mineral Foundation because it instantly brightens up my face. I like that I can use this to retouch. It doesn’t cake unlike most foundations.

On my cons, I don’t like the staying power of this foundation. It doesn’t last long. It stays for 3 hours on me. LOL . I also hate the kabuki brush that comes with it. It reminds me of Elf Total Face Brush from their regular line. I wish Maybelline could sell a foundation without this brush simply because I don’t like purchasing anything with something that’s worthless! I know you might say, “It’s free anyway!” NO! It’s not! I paid for the brush automatically when I purchased the foundation.  Not free! Without brush, this could have been much cheaper. LOL! I’m so cheap, I know! Haha! Whatever!

Overall, I think I would repurchase this again. Let’s see.

PROS

> A little goes a long way

>Cheap compared to other mineral makeup

>Light on skin

>Instantly brightens my face

>Doesn’t break me out

>Has ingredients to improve skin radiance and skin tone and smoothens skins (let’s see the effect after I hit the pan. I’ll revisit this!)

CONS

>Useless kabuki brush

>Staying power is not good

>It’s loose powder (yes, it’s messy! You have to apply this before putting your blouse on. Be more careful when use this to retouch.)

Rate: 4.9/5

Price: Php 599.00 at Watsons

 

ELIANTO STAYON EYELINER PENCIL

I’ve tried Avon Glimmerstick before but I don’t like it because it gives me a panda look! Damn it!

So, I decided to try other pencil liners. And I ended up buying this one. It was Php 299 I think (correct me if I’m wrong!). I’ve been using this eyeliner for almost a month now. Seriously, this one works very well! I use this on my waterline. This doesn’t stays forever but it doesn’t bother me since I don’t mind retouching my eyeliner every now and then. The amazing part about this eyeliner is though it wears off on me, it doesn’t give me panda eyes! Yey!

I like that it comes with a sharpener. Yes, it has a sharpener at the top (just discovered recently! LOL!). I wish there’s a sticker in it saying “Hey, I have a sharpener here!!”

 PROS:

>The staying power is decent for eyeliners. This stays longer on my waterline compared to other liners

>Pigmented

>Glides smoothly but doesn’t smudge

CONS

NONE!

Rate: 5/5

Price: Php 299 at Elianto

AVON SIMPLY PRETTY LONG LASH WATERPROOF MASCARA

 At first, I wasn’t really expecting much from this product. I’ve been using my Maybelline Volume Express Hypercurl Cat Eyes Mascara. I love the Maybelline because it doesn’t dry fast unlike most of mascara. The only problem is it tends to clumps. So, when I tried Avon I expect that this will clump like Maybelline. But amazingly, it does a very good job on my lashes. Doesn’t clumps on me. Right now, I’m using the Avon Simply Pretty. I think it works better on me than Maybelline Volume Express. The only thing I hate with Avon Simply Pretty Mascara is it dries fast.

I think Avon Simply Pretty keeps surprising me these days. First the dual foundation, now the long lash mascara. See, not because it’s expensive means it works better! Some cheap products work as good as expensive products too or maybe even better (maybe that’s just me! But seriously, I like Ever Bilena Studio Finish Foundation more as concealer than my Clinique All About Eyes concealer). Elf products and Maybelline are just some of drugstore brands that work very well. And now, I’m thinking of including Avon Simply Pretty in the list. BTW, I like Avon (regular) too. I love their lipstick. 

PROS

>CHEAP!

>Doesn’t clump

>Waterproof

>Stays the whole day!

CONS

>Dries fast

ELF EYELASH CURLER

The best curler I had since I don’t have lots! Lol!

Elf says,

“This innovative eyelash curler has a special curved design which angles to suit all eye shapes. Its silicone rubber pad applies the appropriate amount of pressure to curl lashes naturally and allows for damage-free heating. Get long-lasting curled lashes both easily and safely.”

---Everything is true! Can’t say anything bad about this because it’s oohhh so good! I can’t say it’s comparable to high end curlers since I haven’t used one. And besides, it’s high ends, I don’t care if it works better since it supposed to really work much better because you paid more!

All I can say with this is, good job! I get more more more than what I’ve paid for. Thank you Elf! 

AVON SIMPLY PRETTY SHINE NO MORE DUAL POWDER FOUNDATION

(picture to follow)

When I decided to buy this, I was expecting too much. Again, GirlTalk... very influencial! Lol! Just like the old times, I bought this because of the raves. I was about to pick Light Beige when the Avon Lady told me that my shade is in almond. So, okay. You’re the seller. Maybe, you know my shade in Avon better. Again, it’s only 199. It doesn’t hurt to try.

So, i went home and tried the foundation. WHAT THE HELL! This is soooo white! Again. It doesn’t hurt to try. I put in on my cabinet and promise myself never to try it again! LOL! Until one day, I ran out a powder (Elf studio line in Beige). So, I decided to make use of this since I only have 2 full coverage foundations left, my In2it and Avon. And I know you know how in2it broke me out. So, no no. I’d rather use the whiter one than suffer with zits all over my face. So, to cut it short. I use this one. I wet the sponge. I dunno why I always wet the sponge when the foundation is lighter than my skin tone. Guess my instinct told me so. So, I applied it. And guess what. It’s lighter than the first time I tried it. Whatever. So, I stayed home with face looking like a ghost. And after 30 minutes, it oxidizes on me. Believe me! It does! I don’t know why. I read reviews about this product and it never oxidized on them But, it oxidized on me like hell! If people would think that’s cons for me. It wasn’t. At least now, I can use it every now and then. It makes me happy when a thing I thought was useless suddenly works for me. Maybe, less than a month, I will be hitting the pan! BUT, I can’t still decide now if I will buy again since I bought a new powder this morning. Guess what, I bought Maybelline Clear smooth minerals foundation. I know you know how much I hate loose powder. Originally, I was going to buy Maybelline Angelfit. But hey hey, maybe I should stop rambling on how messy mineral makeup. It’s good for my skin! So I told myself, “Eloisa, let your face breathe!” Maybe, I would try Maybelline Angelfit when I’m almost done with this one. 

Anyways, too much off topic again. Pardon me ladies. So here’s my Pros and Cons on Avon Simply Pretty Dual Foundie

PROS

>Light to full coverage. 80% of my pimple marks were covered.

>Good oil control. Lasted me more than 6 hours without retouching.

>Cheap and has SPF

>I like the packaging. Better than Elf studio line foundation

CONS

>Limited shade. Almond is lighter and natural (next darker shade) is dark on me

>Oxidized on me (maybe, that’s just me! But really, it oxidized on me!  )

PRICE: Php 250 but got it on sale, Php 199.

Rate: 4/5

Would I recommend this? Yes! This is a good foundation inspite of the limited shade.