Physician's Formula Powder Palette Mineral Glow Pearls 6L

Boy, the title of this product is a mouthful!

But, long name or short, this 0.28Oz or 8grams of wonderful highlighter in a powder form is great.

 

I bought mine in the All Skintone formulation and color. Picture above is the product in its packaging.

The compact opens up with a think flat brush applicator. I never liked the brushes, they tend to be on the rough side, so I use my own clean fingers to apply them on the top of my cheeks and whatever left over powder I have I blend and pat under my browbone.

The pearls are very pigmented, so a little itsy bit goes a long way. We want some luminescence on our skin to "fake" a glow and youthful looking skin not scream flourescent light or lighthouse glare or anything. Subtle is a good way to start.

Slightly run your ring finger across the embossed pearls on the compact and dab a few dots on both cheeks and blend gently. Often times, if I desire a fuller lip I dab one gentle tap of this on my cupids bow (lips). Love!!

When we hear less is more, it applies to this kind of product.

Physicians Formula got something right on this one. Very good product, does not promise what it cannot deliver and this 8grams will last you forever.

I am loving it. I will not complain about the price because I think it is worth the money. Go to a drugstore with some sale coupon or something to get it for less, but trust me, if you want youthful looking glowing skin in a compact, this is your lifesaver.

Milani Eye Tech extreme liquid eye liner

Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eye Liner

 Milani liquid eyeliner from package. See felt tip end and rubber grip. This is in color 01 Blackest Black

This is a watch on the back of hand. It stayed on after letting it dry for 3 or 4 seconds. Best to store it laying flat.

Okay, I am now officially a cat eye aka winged eyeliner person. I almost reach for my liquid eyeliner as soon as my eye shadow is completely applied and even before blush application, I do my winged eyeliner. I found out about this Milani brand when I went to the drugstore looking for an alternative eyeliner to the high-end brand names. I find that the brand name ones dry out as easily as the drug store brand and hey, for less money, I am willing to spend an afternoon looking through what the drugstore can offer me.

Pretty much, I love the felt tip it has. It glides on easily and the tip is just about the right thickness to achieve the line I want and sturdy enough to get the wing, just right. If I get it on a little thinner than I want it to be (overly cautious on my part) I just go over it again and it always comes out right.

The formulation is good. Milani has something going here on this eyeliner that is right. But my only, comment is that it does not apply quite as evenly (have to put pressure and tug a bit) if I store it standing up with the rest of my pencil and shadow sticks. What's up with that?

So now, I lay it flat on my table and sometimes it rolls over under something and it drives me nuts lookin' for it when I need it. I have to just lay it flat on top of the container that handles all my pencils, skinny brushes and eyeliner pens. That way it will be visible. I'll try that.

It does not come cheap, it is almost $6.00 and $7.00 in some places but for three weeks strong now, it is still going strong and I use it daily. I always make a note to put the cap on (it does not snap on securely!!) so keep and eye on it when done because not returning the cap on back can make the drying time faster than you would want it to be.

I recommend this product and I hope if you want to step away from pencil eyeliners this is a very good step up. 

The color I always use for eyeliner for my cat eye is black but this comes in variety of colors brown as well.

I also like the slim dimension and the rubber (silicone) grip. I try to shake it before using nonetheless. 

Try it and I think you will like it.

ELF Flawless Eyeshadow in Beautiful Browns 21621

It took me another month to post another review here, but this will be worth it.

For those starting their kits and makeup, ELF is a sensible choice, not just for the price but because the selections are very good and with some tweaking of how to apply them correctly, you can get very good color pay off. Color pay off does not mean it is always highly pigmented, it just means if you know what you are doing to apply them correctly, you can really get your money's worth for it, and the Flawless eyeshadow pallete in Beautiful Browns 21621, is a very good start.

This palette would flatter any skintone. Note that I have olive undertones to the "needs warmth" color.

First of all, let me start by saying that just like any eyeshadow application, use a very good base. Do not skip this step. Especially needed if you use ELF Flawless Eyeshadow (FLE) is a base that is the creamiest that you have in your arsenal. Depending on the final effect you want to achieve, use one that is long lasting. Let us use (for example purposes) a tan colored base for this Beautiful Brown palette. It is best to use little amount to begin with and work your way up from there to get the desired color on your eyelid. Remember, a little goes a long way. You can always add but it can be a task to take some off or even try evening the color out once it is already applied on the eyelid.

Experiment. Do not be afraid to try and think outside the box. The colors on the pallete have suggested where each color be applied, but you know makeup is a subjective art, try to see what works best for you. Neutrals are always flattering and not over the top , be it for school, office or special events like a wedding.

Use a clean and very good quality brush. You are only as good in applying makeup with the tools that you use and use correctly. Clean the brushes and always have a clean one for blending. And blend away.

Disclaimer: I never liked the ELF sponge/brush applicator this comes with.

                                                                  Palette from the box.

                                            Color swatches, in the order they appear in the palette

The colors on my hand swatch does not have do it justice, but the top (browbone) eyeshadow is very flattering for anyone. The copperish color (third from top) is great for summer this year, complements any hue of dress or top color. The bottom color is a deep brown, very good for the outer V color. I use the 2nd from the top color as my base at times and use a dark defined eyeliner. It makes both the eyeliner and the soft brown color, pop! Nice.

If you use a wet brush, pick up eyeshadow lightly from the palette. Using a wet brush can create a dry film on top of the eyeshadow and would be difficult to pick up color the next time around. You will need to scrape the top off gently to get to the powder again.

Again, I highly recommend this ELF FLE palette for beginners. It won't break the bank and you will have fun using it. Invest in a high end neutral palette after you have mastered this one, you will thank me later. 

Grab yourself one of this and have fun with it. Use different brushes and application for each color.

I like it and sometimes when I am on a bind I travel with this palette only and it gets me through days and nights by just varying the color intensity and freshening up the colors by blending.

I recommend this palette for starters and for those travelling and want a handy palette in their purse.

Have fun!

Eyeshadow trends for Summer 2013

  
   This is my latest Summer 2013 go-to palette for eyeshadow. It has all the main colors (less the bronze/ copper hue I also prefer this time of year) that I love working with this time of the year.

   Let me introduce you to my Sephora 8 color compact with mirror palette for Summer 2013. The brush did not come with the palette. I came with a sponge applicator that I got rid of for very obvious reasons, mainly bacause those things never worked for me.

 

  The brush, I have had for a long time. I am not sure what brand it is but it is amongst the rest of my medium shadow brushes.

 

   I started using this palette the day I got it, springtime. I was drawn to it because it is compact, travel-size, and has most of the colors I would need for a weeks trip or so. I use a primer on the lids and a base so the powder of the eyeshadow stays longer than if I didn't use a primer. The colors are very pigmented, most especially the black. The black may look like it has a lot of sparkles in it, but once you apply it on, somehow the specks do not show as much, and it is a very good thing that it doesn't. The brown is more taupe-y brown than just plain matte. I love it for smoky eye. You have two browbone colors, I love the pink one and the white one as well. The silver eyeshadow (one next to lilac color) is a vibrant silver if you apply with a slighty heavy hand on the lids. Evening looks that you can do with these colors are countless. I apply the lilac color on a sticky base either us MAC or REVLON, it makes the lilac brighter but then it takes a deeper hint of lavender. I love this small palette. The greyish - pewter eyeshadow (one under the white eyeshadow) also is a good gray eyeshadow. I tend to apply it on the center of my lid. It creates an illusion of silver but with brown eyes it takes a nice dimension to the lids, it opens it up a little more than if I just wore a shimmer eyeshadow there.

 

    I like the fact that it has a mirror. It has very good color pay-off. It lasts all day on my lids as long as I prime it correctly.

 

   And on days that I have a winged eyeliner on the lids, I do not have to worry about it fading. It has a very good lasting power. For a mini palette like this, I did not expect much in terms of it long lasting, but it does.

 

   As you can see I have used a lot of the brown/ taupe eyeshadow. I can choose to apply it light and blend it well on the outer-V of the lids or I can create a smoky eye with it and line both top and lover lashes with it and smudging it is a easy. It blends beautifully.

 

    Again, this is my travel palette. I love how versatile and "almost" complete this palette is for me. Day wear is easy and night wear, it just needs to be just about the outer V with that black eyeshadow taking center stage.

   

     This Sephora palette is a good deal. I am not sure if they discontinued this already. We are now in summer so I am sure they are carrying fall and winter colors but if you can get your hands on this, this will make for a very nice travel companion. You won't need to lug around loads of colors if you have this mini compact 8 color palette. My makeup bag will have this, eyeliner pen, mascara, lipgloss, lash curler and concealer, or if I need it foundation. But, what I have here is a trusted palette that always deliver the color and ease in application like I want it to.

 

    I would swatch this for you ladies if you want. Just leave me a comment and I can do just that.

 

   Thank you for visiting us today. Have a nice day and see you all tomorrow.

  

A Pinay's skincare regimen

   There is something to be said for having very good genes and this is what  I attribute my quick recoveries when it comes to maladies of the skin.

 

    Let me be more specific. I am Asian and Pinay in original. My mother (bless her heart and may she rest in peace) was blessed with very good skin and never a cellulite or varicose veins. She took pride and time in her very good looks. I am fortunate to not have vericose veins on me now that I am an adult and I have worn high-heels since my college days.  No cellulite either, I thank my lucky stars.

 

   Let us break this down a little bit more. Being Asian, I think and being in a humid climate most of the time, allows the humidity to clean our pores better than our Northern Hemisphere counterparts. Though we have the sun most of the year, we are cautious about sun exposure and the damage it can do to our skin. In the light of skin cancer and all the toxins in the environment we take skin care alot more seriously than our parents did.

 

   Being Filipina (Pinay), I personally, am out in the sun more than I would like to be. I am on the tan side. I have friends who are very light skinned and fair. Filipinas come in different shades of tan, FYI. Me, I tend to burn easily even if I am on the darker side of beige. I take very good care of my skin by removing makeup before bedtime. I never go to bed with a smidge of mascara on me. I take it all off. Being summer and all, and since I am in the US, I use ALMAY as my makeup remover. I can use anything to take my makeup off as long as I do. Most important night regimen step. I wash my face with SEA BREEZE face wash. I use a sponge exfoliator when I do this in the morning. Twice a week I use a face mask, I like the Dead Sea mask (see picture below), it clears out the pores and the tightening feeling as you are waiting for it to dry on your face, had a lasting tingling feeling that I like. After removing my face mask I always use a moisturizer. Skin needs water and moisture. I give it a good dallop of Garnier moisturizer for dry skin. I spritz my face with Caudalie raisin water (most right item on the picture below) when I feel dehydrated and have my makeup on. Refreshing!

    These are the products I use. It helps me maintain a very good face skin. It is the first thing people look at when they meet you. But I also drink lots of water all through out the day.

 

     I think with effective and affordable products combined being consistent about it, one can be as blessed as having good genes as well.

 

     I do not stick to one brandname as you might notice. My skin is different than yours. So my advise is, do what it best for your skin. Give it what it needs and never what you want it to have. Be complete in your regimen as long as you have one. And the beginning of all skincare regimen is to have a makeup remover that takes all that stuff we put in our face in the morning. When we rest at night, we want our pores to be able to breath so we have nice, fresh and tight skin when we wake up in the morning.

 

   Before anything else, it is the skin that is our canvas for all the makeup we use, so we should take very good care of it. Clean it and clean it well. Wash face twice a day with a mild face wash and a good toner also gets the last remnants of makeup you might have left behind. Take your time when doing this at night. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

 

    As an Asian, I know the environment that I surround myself with is not at all ideal for the skin I desire, so I do what I can to combat the bad elements of pollutants. As a Pinay, I know and I have seen that having great skin is possible. Pinays have an inherent know-how in caring for their looks. I love that about them. Vain, just like any girl but not too overly obsessed by it. They do what they know they need to do to take care of what needs to be addressed when it comes to skin issues, and I see how good attitude helps them on this as well. Pinays love to primp themselves and I do too. We take pride in looking good for ourselves most especially. We want to look very good because we know we can and we should.

 

   Well, for me, these are the products I use. Summer of 2013 has been hot in the US and I do my best to stay cool and not subject my face and skin to the harsh elements of the sun. Sunscreen is something I also put on my face everyday. I still am looking for the best one to review here.

 

    I want this blog to be mostly positive rather than bashing a product. That never helps anyone. But is it sucks, like I said, I will call it exactly what it is. Promise.

 

   Well, the best part about a skincare regimen is we may have staples and holy grail items but in general we change them and the search continues...we love shopping for the next best thing.

 

   Have a great weekend everyone.

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation

   L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation, is my go-to foundation.

 

   It did not used to be that way. I have tried MAC foundation, Tarte foundations, Revlon Photo Ready Foundation and even the FIT Maybelline foundation, they are all good and worked very well for me, but after experiencing some drying of the skin on the face and some occassional flaking around my cheeks and upper lip area (weather have been dry lately and some recurring allergies) I have finally seen the error of my ways.

 

   Foundation choices are aplenty. You have everything for everyone. The dilemma is finding the right one for you; right color, right shade for your skin tone, reflecting or non reflecting, dewy or matte, coverage and the list goes on and on and on...

 

   I have seen this at Walmart, Target and other places that carry cosmetics. I love to challenge myself in finding that best product that brings out the best of my skin. If at times, it is dull, I reach for my foundation that makes my face dewy. If I have blemishes, I opt for the ones that give me best coverage and conceals any imperfections (e.g pimples, discoloration, etc.). And that is all and good, but how many foundation does one really need? I mean I have upgraded my cosmetic container twice in the last month, because I keep buying cosmetics that will "help" me. I mean, come on!! Even I have to recognize the hype some of these products put out there for consumers to just "try this one, maybe it will be THE ONE". ARGH!!!

 

   So after debating about it for awhile, I decided to try yet again another foundation. I watch youtube reviews and all that for reviews on this product but by nature I am a skeptic when it comes to rants and recommendations by beauty gurus on products they tend to favor over another. But here I am, blogging about one foundation that has so far worked very well with my dry skin and give me medium coverage (it's summer ladies!).

 

  Let me count the ways, first I love it that they have a color that best matches my skintone. The consistency is very blendable, for me it works like melted "buttah"..I apply it with my Sigma F80 and should further blending be needed (in conjunction with concealer) I use a damp sponge. Works wonders. It is very buildable to full coverage just let the last application dry a bit before adding more. No caking or settling in any fine lines. Just blend properly. It leaves my face dewy and photographs nicely. I do not set with powder at all, my skin soaks it all up and makes it look like skin..really!

 

  An added plus is that it is dispensed with a pump (hurray for pumps!) and is in a nice hefty bottle container. Love it!! No mess, no fuss. You get 1.0FL oz/ 30ml. A pump of foundation on the back of your hand is more than plenty for the whole face. It does not run after a couple of hours running around doing errands. It has SPF20 but my moisturizer and sunscreen have SPF anyways so I can work with the SPF20 it comes with. It does not have any funky smell. The lid is clear plastic that seals the product very nicely. REMEMBER, to shake the bottle before pressing the pump. At times, I use my fingers to apply it, especially in the morning when I have to step out and run out for my morning java..

 

  L'Oreal have some outstanding products out there and  I have to re-acquaint myself with them again. I have a love-hate relationship with L'Oreal but this LUMI is a winner. And if L'Oreal is trying to win me over as a customer, I think they are doing a very good job with this product.

 

  With all L'Oreal's competition out there, I think LUMI can stand on its own. Love this product. My skin thanks me each morning when I apply it on. It makes my oftentimes sallow skin (during THAT time of the month, most especially) and as a mature consumer, I think L'Oreal has not forgotten about my age group and our needs. Thanks L'oreal!!

  You will be happy to know this foundation is MADE IN THE USA. I love that as another bonus.

 

   This foundation works for me and my dry skin. Now, I do not have to battle with the dryness (though I moisturize) I let L'Oreal True Match LUMI do it's magic for me and my skin. Flawless skin can be achieved, allow me to introduce you to LUMI. Oh, btw, it does not turn yellow on me after wearing it for the day. Love, love it!!

 

  Dry skin, no problem. Blemishes, see what this can do. You want dewy looking skin, try LUMI. Long lasting, boy, let me tell you, this lasts. Finding that perfect match for your skin tone, I am sure they have one just for you. If L'Oreal has one for me, I am most certain, they have one just for you. True Match LUMI, I mean, where have you been and if there was one product that I really needed it was a good foundation. And I found it in this product. Hands down, the best. Expensive brandname products, you can buy anywhere but will it do what LUMI does, now only you can say for the money that you spend if you will ever buy that $40 plus dollar foundation ever again, if you try this and apply this correctly, who would not think you bought that expensive brandname one. It is really good and a must have for those wanting to start their own personal makeup collection.

 

  Does this mean I will not try other foundation? NO! What this means is that, I now can feel confident that I have one foundation that works for me and my skin type; and that I can reach for it anytime and I know it won't fail me. And isn't that what we all are looking for? Right!

 

  I have been using it for 3 weeks now, no breakouts, no flare up. Loving it!

 

 

The best soap for Sensitive to Dry or Itchy Skin

   Basis. That's the name of the best soap for your sensitive, dry or itchy skin.

 

   I am not sure exactly what happened to my skin this summer but it has been dry and itchy. Oh, I put lotion on all over my body and hands almost obsessively since ages ago. I use gels, lotions, essential oils in various stages of the day. I have lotion for taking off makeup, to moisturize, to maintain moisture, to take off makeup, anti-wrinkle, anti aging, oh I keep the lotion industry alive and well.

 

   But again, lately..the dry heat in the West Coast has been causing my skin to be extra dry and super sensitive (deodorants, anti-perspirant, perfumes, soaps, shampoos, everything...!). So I asked a medical person, my father, and I believe it all starts with using a non-perfumed, no dyes or harsh ingredient in it soap..just clean and pure soap.

 

   I have walked the aisles of all discount chains and pharmacies looking for THE SOAP...and I saw this...

 

 

Hallelujah!!!

 

THE SOAP! This baby has "natural calmin agents of chamomile and aloe vera to soothe and comfort skin"! I mean..duh, hello?! This is what I need. NOW!!

 

On the front part of the packaging it says it is dermatologist recommended..for purest, mildest clean ever. Oh baby! This soap is so gentle you can hum in the shower. I do not need lather in my soap. Most lathering soaps tend to be too harsh on my skin. But this, is perfect.

 

   Simple, white, oval shaped piece of heavenly soap that most importantly relieves the itch that dry skin can bring. I have been experiencing some food allergy hence the dry skin. So I start with revamping my diet, and while I am doing that, I still have to take my showers and nothing is getting between me and my Basis Soap. But remember to RINSE IT WELL.

 

     Not alot of lather from this soap, but it lathers some. Not too perfumed but I smell clean after a nice shower. This soap has just the right scent and it does help moisturize the skin, it has almond oil in it. It is so gentle, you can even use it to wash your face. I mean if it is safe for your face, it sure is safe for your body, I say. And it might just be me, but it's scent has a hint of fresh milk.

 

    I am sure there are expensive, brandname but gentle soap out in the market as well. But for me, I frequent the discount chains since they are so close to where I live and the pharmacies that are open til late at night, I like to walk the aisles of these places and check out their stuff. Since I always in a hurry in the daytime, I go at night when it is empty and I read the labels, smell and most times buy a thing or two. In one of those nights, I found the Basis Soap. Wow, that was a good night.

 

   Now I have THE soap that I have been looking for the longest time. If you have a chance, go to your nearest pharmacy and read the label on a Basis Soap packaging.

 

   Beauty gurus always recommend not sleeping with makeup on. That we have all kinds of makeup removers for this job but after all that, we still need to wash our face to get all the "dirt" off. Basis Soap has been very kind

to me and my face. It does a thorough job of removing all that lotion I put on my body and hands all day.

 

   I would definitely recommend it to a friend.

 

   It comes in travel size as well, so like me you can travel with THE soap that will never disappoint you and your skin.