Product Review: Tony Moly's Tony Tint Delight in 02 Red

The first of the -ber months just ended and I can sense the hoilday traffic hovering over our heads, ready to descend on us at any moment. But, let's not fret and talk about good things instead. Like this new review I have for you, makeup junkies. 💄

Korean/Asian makeup has been all the craze right now, with the BB cushion foundation taking the makeup world by storm and the ombre lips following suit. Lip tints have been around for decades and are not necessarily asian/Korean, but this lip tint from Tony Moly (a Korean makeup brand) is a holy grail for some local YouTubers (ie. Anna Cay), I couldn't resist picking it up (or adding it to my cart 😉), eventhough I am not a huge fan of lip/cheek tints. I am not too fond of having to use it with my fingers and using it on both my cheeks and my lips (seems very unhygienic to me). What sets this apart from other lip tints? It's light-weight, gel-like consistency. I got this during National Lipstick Month/Day for Php 199 and I figured why not try it out and see what the fuss is about?

It comes in a slim, cute, and travel-friendly tube. I say cute because of it's heart-shaped cap. Although, this is not a new product of Tony Moly, they say the formula was revamped with the new packaging.
It has a long, slim wand with a slanted doe foot applicator to help you get the last bit of product (which I appreciate as I feel it's such a waste if I can't use all of it) and spread it evenly on your lips or cheeks.
I got it in 02 Red. I believe they also have it in Pink and Coral/Orange. Here's how the red one looks like swatched.

It smells fruity and sweet. It reminds me of strawberries (the artificial kind) a lot. It feels cool and light on the lips. It lasts for about 3 hours on me. It doesn't really stain the lips so it comes right off after eating or drinking. It can also feel a bit drying if worn too much for too long (I wear a balm underneath which could have been the reason why it only lasted 3 hours on me). I like how it instantly gives my lips color without looking heavy. I just have to remind myself not to get carried away as the color I got can get very bright and loud in an instant if I get too much product. You can also make ombre lips with this if you're into Korean makeup.

For the cheeks, however, it's a different story. During initial application, I loved the rosy glow it gave me. It looked so natural, (when used with a light hand and spread quickly and evenly) and it gave me the flushed look I wanted. But after several hours, I'm not sure if it's because my skin is no longer like a teen's or it's really because of the product, it  wore off uneven on me, making me look splotchy. It looked so bad my officemate asked me if I was okay because I looked like I had rashes. I literally had tiny red spots on my cheeks! I didn't want to give up on it so easily, so I tried a different foundation the next day to see if that could have been the reason, but the result was the same! Que horror!

So in reality, I could really only use this on my lips (which is initally what I intended to use it for anyway, because I didn't like having to use my fingers to spread it on my cheeks), and it works great. You just have to have a steady hand as the long, slim wand makes it a little tricky to apply. I either always mess up the sides of my lips or my lower lip. 😣 (A quick tip: Dot in the middle of your lips and spread it by pressing your lips together. Build it up if needed.) But, if you want to get this to use as a blush, beware! You have been duly warned.

Till my next post!

Xoxo,
Missus C

Product Review: Pinkies Collection's Matte Lipstick in Bark

Hiyah, lipstick lovers!

I know I purchased this lipstick weeks ago, but I never found the time to sit down and give you my thoughts about this lippie, from the local brand Pinkies Collections, until today. During my drugstore finds blog, I hauled this baby and I immediately fell in love. It was very matte, which made me fall in love with it even more. This shade, Bark, has been the talk of the town of Pinay beauty bloggers and vloggers alike since 2015. I apologize if I am late to the party and was only able to get it recently.

Pinkies Collections ML14 Bark. Php 199

Pinkies Collections is the urbane girl's favorite cosmetic. With chic and long-lasting makeup lines, Pinkies meets your delightful expectations. 
From Pinkies Collections Facebook Page

It comes in  a cute baby pink square tube (slightly bigger than Maybelline's square lipstick tubes), which I personally find bulky and not so easy to hold (but is not really an issue during application). The cap is secure and clicks shut when covered. It has a mild sweet scent. The ingredients are listed on its side and a sticker at the bottom shows the lipstick shade.

It is such  a pretty mauve brown color (with a tinge of gray/gray undertones) that's perfect for everyday wear. It isn't too loud, and for some this may work as an MLBB shade, so it can be worn in the office, but it's still pretty enough to make heads turn. It wears well for a good 3 hours, with minimal drinking and eating (non-oily food). But during the 4th hour, one can start feeling their lips getting drier by the minute. But with a little lip balm, it makes wearing it less of a chore.

Until one day, whilst applying this, I suddenly had a feeling I've seen and worn this shade before. It looks very similar to something I already have... 

From Top to Bottom (swatches on the left): Pinkies Collections in Bark, Pink Sugar's Xoxo, and Maybelline's Touch of Spice.

Yes, it looked, without a doubt, like my Pink Sugar XOXO lipstick! 😑 And it didn't stop there, I whipped out my Touch of Spice from Maybelline, and lo and behold, I have 3 lipsticks that are almost the same! Arrgh!!! *#/@&^! It just shows how much I love this kind of color.

Now, if you look closely, they still look slightly different. In the swatches, Bark is more brown than pink, it is also more matte. Whereas XOXO has more pink than brown, with the tiniest bit of shine (under their creamy matte line). Touch of Spice has more mauve in it, so one can tell which of the 3 it is right away. But it is essentially under the same shade family.

A word of advice, fellow makeup junkies, if you already have XOXO or Touch of Spice, you might want to pass on this, as on the lips all three, to me, look almost the same (with the exception of their finish).

Until the next post! Enjoy your long weekend. Tata!

Xoxo (will you look at that. Lol!),

Missus C 💋

Product Review: Essence's Lash Princess Volume Mascara

Hello, makeup junkies! 💋

I've been dying to post this review of Essence's Lash Princess Volume Mascara ever since the (first) day I tested it.

I've been on a hunt for a decent and inexpensive mascara since I finished my Celeteque one months ago. I haven't been really successful, until I dropped by Essence to pick up a new eyeliner, and saw this cutie!

Essence Lash Princess Volume Mascara 

Php 349

The packaging looks like a corset and is extra girly because of the peachy pink/orange color. The cap is made of rubber that makes opening easier (I can just imagine how useful I would find this little "feature" once the mascara is not as new and the formula on the outside rim start to dry up).

I think I startled the sales lady after squealing like a little girl when I saw it on display. I wasn't expecting it to be available in the Philippines as I haven't noticed it before (seems impossible as who can miss this adorable packaging). I wanted the green one, which was their waterproof version, but they didn't have it. I was actually lucky because I got the last piece.

Bare lashes on the left. 1 coat of mascara at the top and 2 at the bottom

Royal! the lash princess mascara with a specially-shaped cobra-head wand covers each individual lash to create dramatic volume and a gorgeous, sweeping look. for intensive fluttering lashes. just as unique as any princess, the mascara is presented in a beautiful evening gown.

from www.essence.ue

The wand reminds me of a twisted cobra head as the middle tapers off a little bit. The bristles are made of hair and are spaced apart perfectly, to make sure lashes are volumized, but still be able to brush out the clumps.

Initial application at the top. 8 hours after application at the bottom.

Initial application at the top. 8 hours after application at the bottom

The formula sets and dries (that looks really dry) fairly quickly. It did not make my lashes crunchy or sticky. It made my lashes look really black and I would say, a little thicker. Although it didn't mention anything about length, I still see that it has made my lashes look a little longer. Which is a plus in my book! In fact, it made my eyes look more "open" since it did a good job in making my lashes curl up, even without the help of an actual curler (something I really wanted to get out of my mascaras). It doesn't have any strong nasty scent, although, it still has a slight, somewhat chemical smell that goes away right after application. It was also easy to remove by the end of the day.

The only downside to this mascara is, it smudges and flakes a little on me. And since I wear contact lenses and I tear up  constantly, I get raccoon eyes after 8 hours of wear time (which is pretty common for me even with other brands).

Ingredients:
AQUA (WATER), CERA ALBA (BEESWAX), PARAFFIN, CARNAUBA (COPERNICIA CERIFERA) WAX, ACACIA SENEGAL GUM, STEARIC ACID, PALMITIC ACID, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, CERA MICROCRISTALLINA (MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX), AMINOMETHYL PROPANOL, MAGNESIUM SILICATE, GLYCERIN, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, POLYIMIDE-1, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES).
from www.essence.ue

Pros:
- Adds volume and makes lashes really black
- Separates lashes and coats each lash giving the appearance of more lashes
- Mascara wand combs out clumps and gives lashes a fuller look

Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Smudges and flakes

The Final Verdict: This is a decent mascara and I'd say I will repurchase this product. That's because for me, the smudging and flaking issue can be easily resolved by cleaning and touching up. Like what I've mentioned, it's something I've always experienced even with other mascaras and it's not really new to me. But because I really noticed a difference in my lashes, and this mascara didn't make my lashes feel (and look) brittle, I'd say it's one of the better mascaras I got to try.

Until next time! I'll see you on my next post.

Xoxo,

Missus C 💋

Product Review: theBalm's In theBalm of Your Hand

Hello there, makeup junkies!

Today, we have the In theBalm of Your Hand Greatest Hits Vol. 1, theBalm's 2015 limited edition Holiday Palette, to review.

Isn't she lovely?

theBalm is one of the brands I've always wanted to try. Not only have I heard rave reviews about their products, especially their highlighter (Mary-Lou Manizer) and their bronzer (Bahama Mama), their packaging never fails to catch my eye.

Isn't she wonderful?

That's why when I first saw this featured by one of the YouTube makeup gurus, emilynoel83, as her "favorites", my radar automatically turned on and I started looking for it on different sites to check its reviews. What drew me to this the most, is the number of theBalm products I can try with this palette alone! Aside from that, the packaging (which is to die for) of course, also caught my attention! theBalm always has that unique, fun, and quirky vibe going on with their products. From their catchy names, down to their sexy, retro packaging. So, if you haven't purchased anything from them yet, this may well be THE ONE palette to get, as this has most (if not all) of their best sellers/greatest hits! And if you already have any of these, this will be the perfect way to get an-all-in one palette that's very convenient to travel with as it comes in a thin, compact, sturdy, and lightweight cardboard that comes complete (I just wish it also had a brush) with a mirror and a separate compartment for their cream products.

Isn't she precious?

Now, during my Just In post, I featured this palette and introduced you to the products that's included but I haven't really gotten around talking about them in detail or showing you swatches, so here they are:

The first row features their face products that includes 3 blushes and 1 bronzer.

• Hot Mama Blush - a beautiful peach with gold fine shimmer blush. It give a very natural/subtle glow when applied on the cheeks. They say it is similar to Nars' cult-favorite Orgasm blush.

• Instain Blush in Argyle - a cool-toned medium matte pink blush that stays put for an entire day. It may look scary on the pan, but looks very flattering on the skin, and I can just imagine, looking good on a lot of different skin colors.

• Cabana Boy - my favorite among the three. A dusty rose or a deep plum berry shade that doubles as an eyeshadow. It has a satin finish and when sheered out or applied lightly, gives one a very natural flushed look. 

• Bahama Mama Bronzer - a medium brown with a matte finish that lasts almost the entire day. Great for bringing warmth to the skin without making it orange. Also works well as a crease/transition color on the eyes.

Let's go to the next row, which features four of their eyeshadows from different palattes, that still complements each other and looks great together, but, can still be worn separately. And of course, their infamous highlighter.

• Insane Jane from Shady Lady Vol. 2 - a beautiful silvery taupe/gray shade with a (very fine) shimmer almost metallic finish.

• Mischevious Marissa from Shady Lady - a shimmery gorgeous copper/champagne almost rose gold that works great as a lid color.

• Sexy from Nude 'Tude - a matte cranberry/burgundy color. I love this color! And just like all the other products included in this palette, this shade is very pigmented and easy to blend. However, this particular eyeshadow, feels powdery and dry, applies patchy and can turn muddy (if over blended) really quickly and has a little fallout.

• Lead Zeppelin from Balm Jovi - a lovely olive green shade with tiny gold shimmers. Very pigmented but is a little dry, has a bit of a fallout, and creases on my lids. 

• Mary-Lou Manizer - if you haven't heard of this highlighter before, you must have been living under a rock (Joke!)! A classic champagne highlight that looks great on everyone (which is probably why it's considered to be one of the top highlighters in the market). It also works great as an eyeshadow and can be applied in the inner corners of the eyes or the brow bone. 

Lastly, let's talk about their cream lip/cheek products. 

• Caramel Lip/Cheek Cream from How 'Bout Them Apples - a flattering mid-toned peachy pink nude. I really like this color! This applies evenly without making my lips dry. It could have been better if it lasted longer and didn't come in a pot, as I am not really a fan of having to dip or use my fingers on my lips to get the product for hygienic purposes. 

• Mia Moore from theBalm Girls - a cool-toned classic red. Honestly, in my mind whilst swatching, I was thinking lipgloss or lip balm, so I wasn't expecting it to be so opaque and pigmented! It feels creamy and comfortable on the lips too. 

Truly the angels' best

(For the list of ingredients, please see my Just In post.)

The Final Verdict: While I feel that this is a great palette and I see why a lot of people have this as their "favorite", I won't say you need this palette in your life. I love their face products, and I also like how creamy and easy to blend most of their eyeshadows are, however, the shades, I find are not really unique and can be easily duped. I also expected more from them since this is not really cheap. But with the creasing, the fallout, and the lasting power (even with a primer), I am a little disappointed. Overall, I still think this is a good palette (since I only really had issues with a couple of their eyeshadows) as all their shades are wearable, it gives you variety and they still are, I would say, quality products. I would still consider this a great buy since I finally got to try a lot of theBalm's products for a lot less money compared to having to purchase them separately. I mean this palette gives you a little bit of everything, it is well-thought of, with attention given to details, includes multi-use products that are of great quality, all at a bargain price! So if you are on the hunt for one palette to buy that would have everything you need, you may want to look at this one as this may well be what you are looking for.

Until next time, I'll see you junkies on my next post!

Xoxo 💋, 

Missus C

Product Review: Essence's Waterproof Eyeliner Pen

Here's another review for you. This time from a European drugstore brand, that launched in the Philippines a couple of years ago, Essence.

Essence cosmetics gives you easy access to great products that inspire you to express who you are with style, confidence and fun. We say NO to animal testing and YES to quality with prices affordable enough to try a fabulous new look whenever you want. With a full range of breakthrough beauty products and the season's hottest colors and formulas, you'll look great and your skin will feel great too! Express yourself with essence - europe's no. 1 cosmetic brand!* - source: Euromonitor International, 2013 - from Essence's website.

Essence claims:

Back to Black - Accurate eyeliner styles are easy to achieve with the smudge and waterproof eyeliner pen with a felt tip. Waterproof without a stain effect, your eyeliner can withstand spring showers with ease. For intensive eyeliner looks in urban black.

Image: Screenshot from Tati's Favorite Drugstore Liners video

For quite some time now, I have been on the look out for the best eyeliner. My ideal eyeliner has got to be an intense matte black, waterproof, smudgeproof, long-lasting, and of course, cheap! I know it's too much to ask, but a girl can always hope. After watching Tati rave about this eyeliner, I knew in my heart of hearts (lol!), I would one day, be holding this in my hand.

I was so excited to try this liner out that as soon as I saw the Essence counter in SM Makati (279Php), I immediately grabbed an eyeliner and a couple of their lipliners and rushed to pay for them without realizing I took the wrong eyeliner. I ended up just giving it to my sister-in-law because I wasn't too fond of its finish. I learned my lesson since and made sure to get the waterproof one with the blue writing as Tati instructed the next time.

This waterproof version also came in a pen form with a felt tip, similar to the first liner I got, but I noticed the tip is thicker and stiffer, which wasn't really a big deal for me as it was still easy for me to draw a wing. The only complaint I have is, since the tip is stiff, it sometimes skips when I try to draw a straight line because it drags the skin more. However, I figured with frequent use, it would eventually lose its stiffness and be 'just right'.

Initial Application

I love how black this liner is, it was made even more perfect since it dries matte! As for its staying power, it lasted the entire day! And I mean, the WHOLE day, it even survived my 6-year old's nighttime shower (which consists of my son trying to spray water everywhere, including me)! Not only did this liner last all day on my combination normal-oily skin, it also survived water being splashed on my face without running and minimal to no smudging or fading at all.

8 hours after application

12 hours after application

As for removal one must use cleansing oil or makeup remover to completely remove since it doesn't come off completely with just a regular facial cleanser.

Pros:

-Dries to a matte black
-Intense color
-Waterproof
-Long-lasting
-Did not irritate my eyes

Cons:

-Hard to remove
-Not smudgeproof
-Pen may dry out easily (after a month or 2)
-Stiff applicator tip that skips and drags the skin

The Final Verdict: I love Tati, and if she says this is the best drugstore eyeliner there is, then I believe her. This is a great purchase, as it is not as expensive as the other "imported" eyeliners available in the drugstore and it delivers its promise of intense color pay off, waterproof, and easy to control and use tip.

Ingredients:

AQUA (WATER), STYRENE/ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, ALCOHOL DENAT., METHYLPROPANEDIOL, CETEARETH-25, SORBITOL, SODIUM CARBONATE, LACTOBACILLUS FERMENT, PANTHENOL, GELLAN GUM, XYLITYLGLUCOSIDE, ANHYDROXYLITOL, XYLITOL, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, SIMETHICONE, PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYLPARABEN, CI 77266 (BLACK 2).

What about you, what's your favorite eyeliner from the drugstore?

Xoxo

Product Review: Maybelline's Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick in Touch of Spice

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I am back with another lipstick review and this time it is for Maybelline's Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip in Touch of Spice. This line has been around for ages but this just recently arrived in the Philippines and I am stoked I was able to nab one of their more popular shades (because of its similarities to Kylie Jenner 's frequently worn lipstick shades).

Maybelline's claim:

Now, lips slip into our creamiest matte
New mattifying cream pure pigments.

Why You'll Love It- The Creamy Mattes by Color Sensational deliver a burst of color and a surge of creamy texture for the creamiest matte in 20 make-a-statement shades (10 in the Philippines).

For Best Results - Apply in the center of your upper lip to the outer edges, following the contours of your mouth. Then glide across the entire bottom lip. Can be worn under lip color.

They have 9 other shades available in the Philippines: Divine Wine, Siren in Scarlet, Craving Coral, All Fired Up, Rich Ruby, Ravishing Rose, Faint for Fuchsia, and Mesmerizing Magenta.

Image from BeautyMNL

Similar to their Bold Mattes and their other lines under Color Sensational, the packaging is a translucent/transparent plastic cap that snaps into place over a  shiny silver tube except the cap is matte and mauve instead of beige or pink. I was able to get this from Watson's during their 3-day promotional/introductory sale for Php 199 (regular price: Php 299).

Note: Images on the left were taken with flash.

One swipe of Maybelline's Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip in Touch of Spice.

Touch of spice is a muted, mauvey brown/medium-dark rosy plum color with a matte almost satin finish. It has a really opaque pigmentation and goes on evenly and smoothly. And just like what the name suggests, it is super creamy and buttery, it applied so well on my lips it made them look smoother and softer without drying them out or tugging at them which is rare for a matte lipstick.

From www.maybelline.com

It wore well for about five hours and I didn't have any issues with the color bleeding or pulling into the lip lines. It did transfer but not as much as my other lipsticks. It also has a subtle scent to it similar to Play-Doh which wasn't really bothersome to me.


Pros:

-Creamy and soft on the lips
-Not drying as other matte lipsticks
-Affordable
-Applies opaque, evenly and smoothly
-Lasts up to 5 hours


Cons:

-Not all shades are locally available and Touch of Spice is sold out in some of the stores I visited
-Transfers a little and is not really budge-proof
-Not a true matte


The Final Verdict: Even with the cons, I still love it simply because of the color and texture. It also didn't hurt that I got it on sale, so it was a steal for me. In fact I'm thinking of getting more shades like Divine Wine which is a nice marsala color or if they release new shades, the nude ones  (Daringly Nude) I saw on their international website.

Till next time. Cheers! 💋

Product Review: E.L.F. Waterproof Eyeliner Pen

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Notice anything different? Yes, I changed my blog name and blog address, an ode (although not exactly a poem) to my makeup madness! And for my first post...a product review!

I have been purchasing and using Eyes, Lips, Face products since my college days. They are inexpensive and mostly okay which were my deciding factors in purchasing makeup then, being a student and all. They've had hits and misses but due to its affordability, one cannot really go wrong with E.L.F. So when I saw an E.L.F sale online, I went berserk (lol)!

This Waterproof Eyeliner Pen is not a new product, it has been around for ages. In fact, E.L.F. has offered different kinds of eyeliners in the past, I think they even have a black version of this (I'm not exactly sure how different it is from this white pen. I guess this comes from their essentials line while the black one is from their studio line). This costs Php 150 to Php 200 (Php 199.75 at the malls), one of the cheapest liquid eyeliner pens you'll find.

Just like what I mentioned in my last post, since this comes in a pen form, I found it easy to use, especially when I have to create a winged look or a cat eye flick.

During initial use, it went on really dark and even. I couldn't really tell it was brown (Coffee) since it looked almost black.

But after several uses, and lately, when I get to my second eye, I find it less saturated and the color not as intense or dark as it was before (especially if I'm putting it on top of eyeshadow).

As for its wear time and waterproof claim, it lasted longer than 8 hours and it stayed put without smudging.

Don't mind the eyebrows, I'm trying to grow them out so I can have them groomed and shaped. I wore it the whole day running errands and at work and it did not budge!

Ingredients:

Aqua(water), Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, SD Alcohol 40 (Alcohol Denat), Butylene Glycol, Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone. May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Maganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289), Yellow No. 5 Lake (CI 19140), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Blue No.1 Lake (CI 42090)

This eyeliner really delivers! It lasted the entire day and looked as awesome when I first applied it! The only downside is, it dries up really quickly even if I follow their storage tips. Too bad... I'm giving it a month before it dries up on me completely. My final verdict, if you're looking for a good waterproof and smudge proof eyeliner, then this is a great product, but, be prepared to buy a new one after several weeks since it will not last long. I will definitely be giving this another go, I probably will get the black one next time after I finish this one off.

Till next time! Teehee. 💋