Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Seductive Pink

I have been lemming for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes for a good long time now. But I just couldn't justify spending a pretty penny when I can have something of a similar ilk from Maxfactor.

Pink Sugar Sweet Cheeks HD Cheek Color in Summer Nights

Price: P499

Description: Delicate powder formula enhances, highlights, and/or contours the face; nourishes skin with aloe vera and vitamins A, C, and E; leaves complexion radiant and glowing; comes in a mirrored compact with a pony-hair brush applicator

Content: 6g

There's a new local beauty brand in town, and if you've read form other blogs, it's been quite a hit. Thinking it wouldn't come to my city for a while, I didn't mind, until I saw the counter at my nearby SM mall. So after much research and assessing what my kit lacked. I came down  with the thought that I needed a peach blush, a nice matte peach blush, since my kit consisted of more pinks and berry tones.

First of all, I must say I am very impressed with the quality of this brand, to be this affordable and still be able to deliver quality. The packaging is sleek but sturdy, but I must confess I don't use the brush as I prefer my blush brush from Carmen Claire. But the blush itself is quality. Smooth and blendable powder and solid pigment. The skin care benefits I should say is a bonus. 

 Summer nights is a true warm peach shade which suits yellowy and warm toned skins to bring a natural glow. It's not patchy and has very refined powder. Truly a matte and no trace of shimmer.

Bare Cheeks

 Pale pale cheeks with no highlighter and contour on the picture above.

Summer Nights when worn

I know I should've packed on more pigment but I just wanted to show you how subtle it gives a warmth to skin. It almost contours as well. I've always thought that peach gives a more natural flush than pink at times. It's more like an "almost tan".

It can literally feign "healthy" with just a couple of sweeps since it is quite pigmented. But if you do go overboard it will make you look "baked" rather than clowny though.

Overall this might just be the thing for you if you were never really fond of the usual pinks and mauves around town. For this price and this quality, it's totally worth it, especially with the other rocking shades they have to offer.

The Balm Instain Blush in Lace and Argyle

I was never a blush girl, but now I find myself lusting after blushes the most these days, these were my first products from The balm, and I was thoroughly satisfied. 

Price: P895

Availability: Beauty Bar stores

Content: 6.5g

A year ago, I wouldn't even touch blush, here I am now building up my blush wishlist. And if you're doing that as well. this is a great addition to your collection, or any shade or blush from The balm for that matter,

A little background on my skin, I have an oily, warm and pale complexion. I need a blush that can withstand oil and can give a lovely flush. What intrigued me about his blush is the fact that it promises 16 hours on skin. And gives meaning to a little goes a long way, just one tap on the brush for that pretty feminine flush. 

The shades that really interested me was a bright cool pink and a natural peachy pink. Because thinking about it on a financial level, a blush that is very pigmented with last for a very long time since it is used sparingly on skin. So you saved money to buy other makeup products (wink wink). 

An interesting thing about the Instain blush is that it has shades specified for skin tones. The other shade I bought, Lace is actually for darker skin tones but who cares really? If you think it works for you, get it. 

As you can see Argyle is a light,warm and peachy pink as Lace is a Pop out Barbie Cool pink.

Argyle (though this was applied generously so you can see the color clearer)
Apologies for the bitchy face here Hahahaha. I was going for that expressionless look. 

Argyle is great for fairer skin tones since it is not too pigmented that you might be mistaken for someone who had an allergy.

Lace

Take note again, both blushes were applied generously for photo clarity, I would never put on this much blush hahaha. It really does have a great contrast on warm skin. The pigment is so strong a singular tap with a blush brush is sufficient for each cheek or sometimes both.

Lace on the Left, Argyle on the Right

And I can vouch for its lasting power but this could also depend on you choice of base. But it does stay for a very long time due to its magic ingredient, Mica, which has oil absorbing properties.The finish is beautiful when it really sinks in you skin an hour after application. All the shades are matte and long lasting. The blush itself is not so finely milled it feels like velvet but pretty good. No scent and I believe, cruelty-free.

What's left to say really? The packaging is cute but I hate the fact that is gets easily dirty since, well it is cardboard, but I also find it adorable and easy to get rid off when I hit pan. Plastic packaging can be a pain to get rid off.

So will you be getting your hands on any of these soon? The price is quite affordable and the product surely outperforms its price. A very great find for blush hoarders and a definite recommend from me.

On Face:
Isehan Sunkiller Base
Naturactor Cover Face in 140
L'Oreal Miss Manga Mascara
Maybelline Brow Mascara
Happy Skin Shut up and Kiss me Lippie in Honeymoon Glow

January Wallet Damage

 Ahhh the first month of the year, and it calls for new makeup. And I knew I had to finally cross off somethings on my long long makeup wish list. Like things I can buy in stores right here in town.

I love Happy Skin, proudly a Filipino brand, and I am all for local support, hahaha and the quality is no joke. Though a bit pricey, rest assured no expense was spared for the creation of their quirky products. Actually I have a few more things I want to get from them, but my wallet isn't so forgiving so I'll get them in the near future. And I love the Balm, so I think I'll also be taking a look at more things in their selection.

Happy Skin Feeling Sculptacular Face Contour Kit (P1299) 

Happy Skin Shut Up and Kiss Me in Under the Sheets (P549) 

The Balm Instain Blush in Argyle (P895)

Expect reviews for these soon!

Snoe SABSTANCE High Intensity Blush in X8 Love Review

This is my first makeup product from Snoe, a local brand here in the Philippines, to be honest I didn't care for local brands since I was very much into Western and other Asian brands in the market, mostly because Snoe products are actually priced higher than these foreign brands. But I wanted to give it a try. And it was not a mistake starting with their blushes.

Price: P899

Description:

A woman of SABS-tance is a woman of power, a woman of positive influence and a woman of meaning! Express yourself with SABS-tance High Intensity Powder Blush which gives a burst of color that gives the cheeks a fresh and glowing look all day! Wear it alone or pair it with other Snoe blush-on products for a multi-dimensional effect.

Content: 8 g

Sabs Hernandez from The Makeup Maven, a professional makeup artist and blogger collaborated with Snoe to create her own line of blushes inspired from her most favorite shades and blushes in her collection.

And together they created these beautiful pigmented, semi matte blushes that are incredibly long wearing. It is very finely milled as well, soft powder packed with color, here, according to one swipe.

I chose X8 Love since it is a lovely lilac pink which I adore since it really gives a truly natural flushed pink cheek, which just makes you look so healthy plus I wanted a good dupe for Estee Lauder's Electric pink and Dior's rosy glow blush. And this is a fine alternative for those.

Only a tap is needed to give a healthy flush to the cheeks, and the scent is nice, for me, it's an extra point since I love nicely scented products. 

Without

Applied to cheek

This is just with one tap, I don't like to over do it since it is very pigmented. And I don't want to looked like I got slapped silly. 

I would love to buy more of these spectacular blushes since they have 8 g of product, quite a lot for a blush, it means it will last really long since you're using so little at a time.

I should say there is nothing bad about this blush at all, except for the packaging maybe, it could be classier? I mean to say this in the kindest way possible, though, yes pink is a very girly color, but I would have preferred a more subdued style. Maybe white or black? But those are just my personal preferences.

Hope you found this helpful, I for one will pick up more of these shades in he near future. Thanks for reading!

Cathydoll C'est Bon Bon Sweet Ball Highlighter in Pink

Price: I bought this for P390 I think back when there was a sale

Availability: Cathydollphilippines

Content: 30g

Description: Sweet Ball Highlighter makes your face radiant.With the compatible combination of Pearl Crystal Ball, it colors your face, making it look brighter. Moisturizing properties ensure your facial skin is hydrated all day long.

I bought this a while back. And I have been neglecting it, but it's incredible how you fall in love all over again with a product. This is my first product that came in pearl/ball form. So imagine how intrigued and giddy I was over this. Most of the pearls are a pearlescent baby pink and an occasional white or bluish white pearl mixed within.

It comes with a puff, which I don't use, I use a powder brush to sweep this along my cheeks. And the effect is quite lovely. it leaves you with rosy glowy cheeks, yes thses balls are shimmery but the glitter particles are not chunky, just right.

Applied on cheeks

To be honest this highlighter was questionable for me, since it was really pink, I like my highlighters to be neutral. But after applying this, I get that glowing flushed look. It's quite subtle, if applied with a brush, my mom, who uses the puff gets much more pigment on her cheeks, so how you apply is up to you.

Shimmer is only visible with specific lighting and angles

And don't worry about overdoing it, it's very hard to overdo it with this, though you'd think it'd be more packed with pink, it's surprisingly light on pigment. Good for those who loathe the clown look. But if you are going for more pigment, use the puff, and yes, it is buildable.

The only gripe about this is the plastic-y smell, which I don't like, it's not very detectable when it's on your cheeks, and some may or may not mind it, but if it bothers you that much, you can spritz your favorite cologne or perfume on the balls, I did that and it still smells like it! It masks the plastic-y smell quite well I might say!

Closer look

This is a good find for girls who don't like overdoing their blush or want a blush/highlighter hybrid. And this will probably last you a few years, yes years, I mean 30g for powder is a lot of product even if used daily!

Etude House Lovely cookie Blusher in #8 Blueberry Pie Review

Price: P348

Available in all Etude House stores

Etude House small Haul

So I went to Etude House yesterday with the intention of buying JUST ONE NAIL POLISH, but was swayed by the pretty pretty product placements and wound up getting three products instead.