The Face Uniform

If the title looks familiar, I was inspired in to writing up this post after reading this. And I guess it's time for a little show and tell with my current "Face Uniform". Basically all the reliable products I can't make my daily look without at the moment but I do switch out from time to time, particularly the foundation and lipstick. Fair warning to avid readers, you're about to see some of these for the 145624th time.

Happy Skin Glam Squad Contour & Color Review

Back from a little blogging break from causes brought to you by lack of a good internet connection. And today's product review is one of the latest offerings from Happy Skin and their Glam Squad collection with a collaboration from the makeup artists of local celebrities. So I guess I'm ready for my closeup.

Price: P1399

Description:

The Happy Skin Glam Squad Contour & Color is a marriage of two professional must-haves that chisel and color the face: an easy-to-blend taupe contour and a warm rosy-coral blush with a satin finish. Both long-lasting yet pigmented, it gives you the perfect celebrity-like sculpted face and fresh glow to bring out your features.

Availability: Buy here or at Happy Skin Counters Nationwide

Content: 3.5g contour + 3g blush

Too Cool For School Art Class by Rodin

I don't like to keep my love for bronzing and contouring (please refer to this post) a secret, I've had many successful affairs with the ones in my collection and after hearing one of my favorite YouTubers, Edward Avila, rave about this, I knew I had to get it. And knowing Korean brands don't exactly give much focus on contouring, this has been a stand-out in the market,

Price:Variable online, may go from P800-P900

Description:

Too Cool for School’s Art Class by Rodin completes your 3-dimensional makeup with its full set of contouring colors. This shading powder allows you to sculpt your face’s bone structure to be able to create a more gorgeous look without looking matte and flat! This contouring powder is baked the Terracotta way, which makes it give off a more pigmented color and a much smoother texture compared to usual powders. Infused with organic ingredients, this powder not only gives you a beautiful makeup look but also nourishes your skin with its vitamin content.

Content: 9.5g

Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Nude Mauve, Lavish Mauve and Seductive Rose

The world has been over the moon for the Hourglass Ambient lighting blush. But I just can't seem drop the cash on them yet. So I've settled for something that is less than half the price and available at my local drugstore. And I believe that they are the best drugstore blushers out there. And I say that with conviction.

Price: P685

Availability: Watsons, Beauty Bar, Zalora

The Blush Roundup

I remember when I used to despise blushers. I was completely off track. And seeing how big of a difference they contribute to an overall look, they have become quite an essential in my books.

The Balm Manizer Sisters Luminizer Palette Review

You can never have too much light in your life, but can't that also mean never too much highlighters? 

Price: P1150 from @thebeautyjunkieph

Description:

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this trio of Manizers has been found guilty - of being gorgeous. Designed for girls on the run, this highlighting trio enables you to emphasize your finest features. This palette contains three triple-milled multi-tasking highlighter, shimmers and shadows. These champagne, rose, and golden-bronze shades are flattering on all skin tones and easy to use so you can take your glow on the go.

The Bronze and Contour Roundup

I have a round face, and I'd like to believe I look youthful with chubby cheeks and all, but after dozens of photos with my face coming full circle (pun intended), I have ventured to the land of the bronzed and contoured. And I don't want to look back.

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.

Contour Hack: Carmen Claire Shine Patrol Powder in Tan

I don't think I talk about how much I love contouring, which has been most surprising. In just two years I have completely changed my whole makeup routine with the inclusion of more cheek and eye makeup. Well a baby can be born in 9 months, so I'm thinking it's actually long time to change my routine.

Price P290 from P410

Description:

Cheekbones for days! This summer, brush up on your contouring and bronzing skills with Shine Patrol in Tan. It's the perfect shimmerless shade to pull off that golden goddess look.

Keep oil at bay and shine in check.

The ultra-smooth formula absorbs excess oil without looking cakey or flat, while adding just a touch of sheer color. It's talc and paraben free too, so chances of a breakout are minimal. Phew!

Available in 4 shades, from lightest to darkest:

• Porcelain
• Medium-Light
• Medium
• Tan

Availability: http://www.carmenclaire.com/

I think I have been flooding your newsfeeds with Carmen Claire Products. Sorry for that, I did have a small haul from them a few weeks ago, if you follow me on instagram (@Cosmetricia) I did post about them coming in pretty little pouches.

I came across a comment form another blog stating that she had given up on contouring powders and started using darker shades of face powder since it looked like skin. So I decided to try the Carmen Claire Shine Patrol powder in Tan because it was on sale, I trust the brand and I was really itching to get one of their lipsticks.

It's stated in their website that Tan is the equivalent to MAC NC 40-42 and that the powder did not guarantee heavy coverage since it was really a pressed oil control powder after all. However true to its' description, it promises sheer color. But I assure you the pigment is strong to be used as a bronzer/contour powder.

It's not so finely milled like butter but it is a cut above other powder foundation textures. But it's amazing that it does not cake at all no matter how heavy I layer on my skin. I am overjoyed that is truly matte on skin and hypoallergenic as it is talc and paraben free too!

It was easily picked up by my Carmen Claire blush brush which I apply on my cheekbones, sides of my forehead and sides of my nose for a sculpted look.

Keep in mind I am around NC 20-25 so the pigment might appear very strong on me.

Cheekbones for days indeed! It's a lovely warm toned. so slightly reddish shade that compliments more yellowy toned skin tones. It could be a bronzer or a contour powder depending on your skin tone. Just remember that proper blending is a necessity most especially since this is a oil control powder which means it adheres to skin steadfastly. Only a light touch is needed for fairer skins but could be buildable if your skin tone is a step or two darker. I think this would be marvelous for darker skin tones as a bronzer to add a healthy sun kissed glow as it would not be too harsh.

I think this photographs so beautifully too, might be worth checking out if you're not into looking like a ghost in your holiday photos! But has this replaced my other bronzers and contour powders? Hmm... I really like this and reach for it a lot but I also enjoy the great definition more grey and cool toned contour powders I have offer, but I must say this is great for fair skins as it mimics more of a summer loving bronze rather than a Kardashian sculpt.

Overall I am quite happy with this purchase as it is a great bronzer/contour powder that did not disappoint at such a steal at the moment. Might even be giving this as a gift for a friend!

Thanks for reading and the countdown starts to Christmas!

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

Happy Skin Feeling Sculptacular Face Contour Kit Review

My beauty concept first came from Korea, so I was very into that, no blush no bronzer feels, only the minimum: base makeup and lips. But after much coaxing from my favorite YouTube beauty gurus, I changed my focus, and decided last year, it was time for a change. And I've actually started lusting for this product since the summer of last year, but I was putting it off for so long since I convinced myself I didn't need it and it was quite pricey for the amount of product, but here I am now in 2015 and I caved, good reviews from bloggers and numerous features on magazines, Instagram, etc, and I finally gave in.

Price: P1299

Description: Look ten pounds lighter with Happy Skin Feeling Sculptacular Contouring Kit! Featuring an easy-to-blend contour and highlighting powder, this sculpts the face, chisels the nose, and defines the cheeks achieving modelesque perfection. No surgery needed.

Content: Highlighter - 3g + Bronzer - 3g

It comes with a helpful little guide for beginners on what to put where and how much to put it on. The powders are finely milled and very smooth to touch, good pigmentation but not too overpowering which can be intimidating for makeup novices. I tend to use bronzer only under my cheekbones and the sides of my nose  for extra definition. And the highlighter on my nose to make it more prominent as well as under my eyes for a brighter look. 

I have a round face with full cheeks.  I am alright with this, it can look to big on camera. So that's where Contouring and highlighting lend a helping hand. You've probably heard about the purpose of contouring for thousands of times, so no use of me reiterating it here. I'll just show you what it can do hihi.

Face with only base

As you can see, my face is just a round surface. No dimension at all.

Applied lightly on nose bridge and under cheekbones

You can already see the definition with a light application of bronzer. Use according to your skin tone, over do it and you might look like a muddy mess. 

Applied the Highlighter and sculpted my features more

Whoa where did I get those cheekbones and that nose bridge? I must have gotten instant plastic surgery! Or is it the power of makeup? Yes it is girl, yes it is.

Front view of finished face

This kit did not disappoint me, but so far Happy skin has not yet disappointed me overall as I see myself purchasing more and more of their products in the future. Its size is great for travel, the quality of the product is impeccable. Although others have commented on the highlighter being too white which in my case I liked since it looked quite subtle but perhaps we can expect them to broaden their undertones and shades to cater to other complexions in the future?

I'd recommend this to contouring newbies or junkies out there who need a reliable product that's travel friendly. It does exactly what it does, sculpts and highlights but one must remember the golden rule of contouring: BLEND BLEND BLEND, although the formula is easy to blend with a light stroke of a fluffy brush, always remember to double check any clearly rough or sharp edges. 

Overall I find no wrong in this palette except for the fact that the content of the bronzer is too small for me, I tend to use bronzer generously, so I feel that I'll run out of it soon, if they came out with a larger pan of it I'd gladly purchase in a heartbeat! But in the mean time, I wouldn't mind repurchasing this either.

Thank you for reading!

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 Face Designing Brightener in Wannabe Face

Price: P648

Availability: All EH stores

Description:

Let me get to the bottom line: This is so good I never fail to include this in my makeup routine. Basically that's all you need to know about this product. But if you want to know the finer details why, read on!

As you all know, I am an oily-skinned girl. And as an oily-skinned girl, I tend to hate looking oily but especially since I don't just oil up in my t-zone. I'm talking my whole face. Like North, West, South. East. So I have always kept my complexion matte when it comes to makeup, but somehow I always yearned for that youthful dewy look but without feeling the GREASE.

This highlighter has everything I wanted in a compact. I first saw on Stylesuzi's YouTube videos. She expressed that she never liked highlighters but this definitely changed her perception and it has also changed mine about shimmer.

Not Applied

Applied on nosebridge and cheeks

The finely milled shimmer makes your skin looks like it has perfect lighting. Glows where you want it to glow. I use it on my cheekbones and nose bridge and I love the effect.There have been other shades but I found them looking to "cool" and since I have a warm tone, I chose Wannabe face which is a yellowy color. I have read other reviews like from Shimmerjjang Andy that this cakes, not cakey looking but the product itself on the pan cakes and hardens. Now I have found that mine does not do this, maybe a contributing factor as to why it cakes is that if you use the same brush on your wet base products and this. I use the Real techniques contouring brush in applying this and it has never caked.

I am absolutely in love with this. And did I mention it also smells divine? It has a fruity floral smell that is so addictive, I just find myself sniffing it, excuse my weirdness.

The lasting power of this product varies with your base products. Since I am oily, if I just use this alone without anything under, it will fade in 2-3 hours especially if I must blot, but if i use a long-lasting foundation, it stays put all day, this was pointed out by my friend.

I would recommend this to everybody who wants to glow.

Overall great product, would recommend to anyone but of course you are free to choose any undertone it comes in.

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder

Image from thebodyshop-usa.com

Price: P1000+ But I bought mine on sale at 50% off!

Description

Give your skin an even, bronze matte finish with a honey-enriched pressed powder.

Even matte finish

Convenient compact

Content: 11.5 g

Image from thebodyshop-usa.com

It's hard to look for a good matte bronzer for fair skin in the Philippines and if there were any they'd be on high-end expensive side. But thanks to several recommendations from YouTube, I've come across the Body Shop. But when I checked out the price at the store, it was too steep for me. But as chance would have one fateful day I saw that they had a sale with products at 50% off! A steal! And thank goodness not many people are into bronzers here. I have mine in No. 2 Fair Matte a good match for girls with NC 20-30 skins, buildable pigment at your discretion.

2 swipes at my cheek and side of my forehead and nose

 I am very pale, sometimes almost too pale for my own good, ghostly you might say, and bronzers just add that warmth back into the skin. Dimension as well. It is a nice matte brown and not orangey like most bronzers, that serves its purpose well. Plus 11.5 g is a lot for a bronzer! You can see this in my collection for a long time. I don't use a contour brush for this either I use my elf blush brush and blend it well into my skin, I find that it just blends it better and it will have a softer look than using my real techniques contour brush. It looks great in flash photography too!

I'm sad that the bee hive brood embossing has already faded with my repeated use. But I just love it so much. And if I run out of it I'm going to swallow my pride and buy it in full price if i have to, it's just that good. Not too powdery but just right for my brush to pick up the pigment.

For people out there that have qualms with contouring and bronzers that make you look muddy or dark or too harsh, you just haven't found the right formula yet! I thought I'd never get into contouring until I found a good solid bronzer that can cater to my skin!