Sr. Pedro

Sr. Pedro

Lechon Manok

In case of emergency (you know those times you're just too lazy to cook), what is your default 'ulam'?  Ours is lechon manok - specifically Sr Pedro.

Calbee Potato Chips

I'mJack 'n Jill Calbee

Potato Chips

Cheddar and Sour Cream

Found this gem while aimlessly walking down the junkfood aisle when I suddenly remembered my craving for Lay's bag of potato chips a few days before.

Nyx Micro Brow Pencil

Nyx Micro Brow Pencil
Espresso

Nyx Eyebrow Gel

Nyx Eyebrow Gel
Chocolate

Nyx Eyebrow Gel claims this product is waterproof, long-lasting, and smudge-proof... I totally agree!

Colourpop Lippie Stix in Lumiere and LBB

Colourpop
Lippie Stix
Lumiere and LBB

These two colors are part of the Matte family of Colourpop Lippie Stix.  The other finishes are Satin/Pearlized, Glossy, and Hyper Glossy.
 

I follow @dupethat in Instagram and first introduced into these uniquely designed lipsticks.  At first you would think of them as thick lip pencils, but they are actually lipsticks in thinner stick bullets.  It is easier to apply as it sits perfectly on the lip line.

Oil of Argan

Oil of Argan
Argan Oil Products
100% Pure Moroccan Argan Oil
30 mL


Wanted to try out this curious thing tagged as "liquid gold" aka "argan oil."  Oil of Argan is one of the local brands that offered this incredible oil.  Bought my bottle from Sesou.  I forgot how much it is, but I think it is in the range of Php500-Php700.

Mint Julep Masque by Queen Helene

Queen Helene
Mint Julep Masque
Clay Mask

My skin is on the oily side.  Browsing through Instagram, I found out about GlamGlow, but it is just too expensive.  It is a face mask made out of clay and volcanic ash that draws out oil and blackheads on your face.  Patches or dots of oil would be visible when the mask dries out.  That means it is actually absorbing and drawing out the oil on the skin... but enough about GlamGlow.

Here is a mask that is much cheaper but utilizes the same principle - using clay to draw out blackheads and excess oil on the skin.  Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque has bentonite.  Bentonite is an absorbent clay.  It is used to absorb grease and oil.  It can also be found in commercial cat litter.

Jazzy Collection Eyebrow Gel in Medium Brown

James Cooper
Jazzy Collections
Eyebrow Gel in Medium Brown

I've only recently joined the eyebrow bandwagon.  It is true the eyebrow can make a difference in your look.  I have fairly thick brow that is sometimes hard to manage so I want to have something to keep the hairs in the shape I want them.  I found out about MAC Girl Boy, but again, too expensive for me.  This is what I found to be a good dupe JC Jazzy Collections Eyebrow Gel in Medium Brown.

Jazzy Collection Eyeliner Cream

James Cooper
Jazzy the Collection
Eyeliner Cream

I have been wanting to get a gel liner, but upon extensive research, the best ones I have heard about are those of MAC's and Bobbi Brown's.  Both of those brands are notably expensive, and I would not pay that much because why should I if there's this alternative I found.

Flair Palette by Props Tools and Cosmetics

This Flair Palette from Props Tools and Cosmetics was another item I scored at The World Bazaar Festival 2013, World Trade Center.  It's 10% off so yeah, it's already a score.

Sunflower Oil by Human ❤ Nature

I thought the brand was plainly Human Nature.  It was actually Human Heart Nature.  Haha, did not take notice that the heart was part of the brand name.

iWhite Nose Pack

iWhite Nose Pack Whiteheads and Blackheads Remover

Lime Crime Lipstick (Geradium and Poisonberry)

This would be my first lippy splurge, and I am excited to blog about this, but had to contain myself so I could test them out.

 

Goddess Makeup Blender by HotShop

I purchased this sponge from Hot Shop during the Beauty Fair 2013.

Lorac Pro Palette

Lorac is a makeup line by Carol Shaw, a makeup artist to the stars.

Addis Ababa Nyx Matte Lip Cream

I just wanna share one of my favorite lip product.  It is a lip cream that dries as matte.

Dickinson's Pore Refining Toner (Original Witch Hazel)

Another review right here. :)

Who here can recall the first toner/astringent they used?  Well, mine is Eskinol of my mom.  Curious little me.  I also remember it had like crystals on the bottom of the bottle.  I think it was alum (tawas).  It stung like hell.  I might be no more than 10 years old by that time.  So not baby skin friendly.  Good thing I did not burn my skin.

Fast forward to the future, I am now using Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner. 

Artist Studio Makeup Brush

Looking for cheap makeup brush? I would recommend these brushes branded as Artist Studio.

Baby Skin Pore Eraser by Maybelline

I got excited when Maybelline Philippines posted this product in their Facebook page. Oohhh I gotta have this. It's like Benefit's Porefessional but much cheaper. I really don't have a point of reference as I admittedly have not personally tried Porefessional.

When I bought this, na-cutetan ako sa packaging. It certainly doesn't feel cheap. Yung magiging proud ka na binili mo dahil lang sa packaging. Anyway, I had to ask about it sa Maybelline counter kasi it was not on display yet. Akala ko nga hindi pa available. Buti na lang meron at hindi hindi nadisappoint ang excited kong sarili.

The damage was just Php299.

I apply only this much on my face, concentrating on areas with "big pores" and with fines lines. It glides on smoothly and is easily absorbed into the skin. Your skin will feel velvety smooth and product is not sticky at all. I also find that I tend to use less BB cream when i have this on. Makeup removal is also easier. It acts like a barrier between skin and makeup so I think it's safe to say this product is a primer with the main function of minimizing pore appearance.

To quote, the packaging states:

"INSTANTLY

On contact, translucent gel melts on skin and instantly erases pores, imperfections, lines and creases. Skin looks instantly transformed into a perfect smooth canvas.

ALL DAY

Skin is shine-free, even and baby smooth. No burden to skin.

GUARANTEED.

Here's the instruction on the side of the acetate box:

INSTRUCTIONS read:

Apply all over face or on concerned areas.

Suitable for all skin tones and types.

Mistake(-)proof.

No mirror need(ed).

Does not clog pores. So light, you forget it's on.

It's 22 mL which, considering the amount I put on, I think will last me long time.

I have oily skin and this product claims to give shine-free face. It is possible when in an airconditioned room or during cool weather. It does prolong the time before my face oils up and I really enjoy this product.

Pros:

~cute packaging

~affordable dupe for Porefessional

~lightweight

~I tend to apply less BB cream

~skin feels smoother

~does minimize my pore appearance

~no smell

~makes makeup removal easier

Cons:

~does not truly erase my pores when product is used alone

I am a newbie in makeup and I do a lot of research first before indulging in makeup buying. Hope this review helps girls/guys out there looking for this kind of product to use, but ultimately I think na kelangan maalaga sa health para maganda din ang skin. Thank you for reading :)

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

This will be my first product review and so here it goes...

I have watched a Youtube video regarding this Revlon Balm Stain and I was intrigued if it is really a long-wear lip stain. I have been using lip stain for quite some time now since at first I am not that comfortable at rocking lipstick. You see lip stain gives subtle color. When using lip stains you seem like you're going for the "just bitten" look. Hence, the brand name Revlon Just Bitten Kissable.

I was not sure if this product is available on the Revlon beauty counters here in Manila so I searched online for info. I found out they sell for around Php600. The price is a little steep for me. I really would not pay for such product that is that expensive. The alternative I found was to buy this product online. There are quite many sellers out there offering the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain for Php400 only. I chose the shade Smitten. I was quite excited to find out about this and made my online purchase.

This product goes on like a lip balm. Like you're just using the usual lip balm except it gives off a stain. I love the color payoff. The swatch on the back of my hand is different from the swatch on my lips. I find the stain it left on my lips to be stronger than that on my hand, which took some getting used to in my part. The Smitten shade look was vampy on me. Haha. Well, like they say, "ginusto mo yan." Now, I do love this lip balm stain. I can certainly wear this every day!

Smitten