Another Affair with Zoeva: Luxury Rose Golden Set II

It's been another long time coming but I've checked another piece off my wishlist after a year. I bought the first Rose Golden Luxury set in January. I've been putting this off for so long because I was having second thoughts. But after a moment of realization I decided to get it. So much for self-control. 

Description:

Live your fairytale and master any makeup look with the Rose Golden Luxury Set, a collection of eight handcrafted, essential makeup brushes in an ultra-feminine design, including a chic rose-golden clutch.

Availability: Sephora

Snoe Slim Shade Me Face Sculpting Cake in Peanut

This is probably that one product that has been sitting in my mental wishlist for over a year which I keep checking every time I pass by the booth but always hesitated to actually purchase. And it really should've been picked up earlier.

Price: P799

Description:

Want great bone structure? Slim Shade Me Face Sculpting Cake lets you create them instantly, easily and over time– permanently! This powder is especially tinted and formulated to enhance natural bone structure, sculpt contours into the face and correct your face shape so you can look like you were born with great cheekbones or the perfect nose, anytime!

CarmenClaire Cosmetics Top 10 Brush Collection

It's been a quiet July, but hopefully August will be making some noise in this blog. And brushes will kick off this month. I'm a sale sucker and I just could not resist 20% off from Carmen Claire with a P1000+ purchase. So from P1200 to a  price drop of P960! And for a complete brush set? Count me in.  

It comes in a classy leatherette container. Perfect for travel! And doesn't it just scream professional?

Price: P1200 but I got it for P960 since they're having a discount with a P1000 peso purchase

Availability: www.carmenclaire.com

Description:

Tuxedo black-and-white, luxurious leatherette, and ultra-soft natural and synthetic hair. 

Designed with love and engineered with precision, it's the CarmenClaire TOP 10 Brush Collection.

Each set includes:

Powder Brush (white goat hair)

Round Blush Brush (white goat hair)

Angled Blush Brush (white goat hair)

Blending Brush (white goat hair)

Large Eyeshadow Brush (ox tail hair)

Medium Eyeshadow Brush (ox tail hair)

Angled Liner Brush (synthetic hair)

Lip Brush (synthetic hair)

Lash and Brow Comb (plastic)

Foundation/Concealer Brush (synthetic hair)

The whole set in its entirety looks beautiful. The combination of black ferrules and white hairs just make me swoon. These brushes are my first experience with natural brushes and I'm quite impressed. Apparently natural brushes pick up powder products better while synthetic brushes (i.e. Real techniques) pick up cream and liquid products better.

From (L-R) Blending brush, Angled blush brush, Round blush brush, Powder brush

These brushes were made from white goat hair, but are exceptionally soft, with the slight exception of the blending brush which can be a tad scratchy but workable. They pick up pigment well and apply it subtly and beautifully especially when its a notoriously pigmented, oops-you-might-look-ridiculous-if-you-apply-too-much product. The face brushes just do a great job. But the blending brush does well too but not as great as the face brushes.

From (L-R) Foundation and concealer brush, Eyeliner brush, Brow comb, Medium eye shadow brush, Large eye shadow brush, Lip brush 

The foundation/concealer, lip and eyeliner brush are made of dense synthetic bristles, and the liner means business as it is sturdy and does not bend, perfect for gel liner. the lip brush is also precise, like making your lipstick look like liner when it applies. The brow brush is an ok but very common addition to these kinds of sets and I really can't find anything particularly bad about them but I don't use them as much as I'd like.

The Ox tail hair shadow brushes are also sturdy as well, almost synthetic to a point, I personally don't like these flat shapes for shadow application other than a light wash of pigment on lids, everything else I'd depend on a blending brush with a more domed or solid thickness or shape.

Overall these brushes are worth the money, especially for beginners who have always been curious of what natural hair brushes deliver without breaking the bank as some can go for a small fortune for one brush. However there will be shedding (for the goat hair brushes at least) which is perfectly normal for natural hair and a distinct odor which is also pretty common, so be wary of these two things, I'm pretty fine with the shedding since I don't use them roughly. Only for final finishes or powder. But if you tend to go with a heavy hand, small hairs will shed, this also goes for washing them. I also find that they dry slower than my synthetic brushes since they absorb more moisture. 

The scent can be controlled to a point, since my brush cleaner is quite fragrant. However I find that if I wash them with a foaming cleanser, the scent comes back with a vengeance, so as much as possible I would wash them with a proper brush cleaner.

Thanks for reading!

Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me Moisturizing Lippie Beauty In Bloom Duo in Bride to Be and Hold My Hand

And we are now officially half way into 2015, school's back and the rainy season has come. So many things happen simultaneously in June. And what else happens in June? Wedding season. Ever heard of a June bride? June is actually the most popular month for weddings, And that's the first thing that came to mind when Happy Skin launched the Beauty in Bloom collection. 

Price: P1099

Description:

Nature is the ultimate beauty queen. Unleash the beauty from within and blossom into your most beautiful with the prettiest, natural lippie hues!

Celebrate a healthy honey-toned glow and rekindle the warmth of love with Hold My Hand.

Be luminous and natural all at once and channel the pink rosy radiance of a Bride-to-Be.

This Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me moisturizing lippie is sure to help you make that smackin' statement. This lip-loving moisture stick is loaded with Shea butter and collagen to get fans to line up for a taste of those supple, hydrated, and ultra-kissable lips. High-pigmented, moisture-packed, this lippie glides on irresistibly smooth (without the stickiness!) and leaves behind a rich, creamy pout that's way tempting to kiss.

This collection release is a tad different for Happy Skin since they usually release lippies in threes going on with a theme of a pink, a red and a nude-y shade. But this time it's a natural pink duo. Which I am loving at the moment. I think with each collection they release a new lippie they get more and more moisturizing and refined. I find I don't even need lip balm before putting these on since I

Bare Lips

 Excuse my bare lips, looking as pale as ever. How I envy girls with naturally healthy, reddish lips.

Bride to Be

Bride to Be, a name that sends wedding bells to my ears, I'm wondering how many brides will actually be putting this shade on their wedding day, since it's such a natural warm pink that screams naturally pretty on lips. Great for everyday or for a special event. Matches well with heavy eye looks or just mascara. It's more wearable than Just say yes as it is a touch warmer and darker to the point that it has a mauve tinge to it.

Hold My Hand

Hold my Hand is a louder and warmer, leaning-to-red-pink-but-not-quite shade. Something you can sport when you want to keep things simple but still focused on your lips. Really gives back life to your face especially when you feel that your look lacks warmth.

No doubt Happy has done it again with these lippies, Definitely two lovely colors that deserve a place in your makeup bag as old reliable natural lip colors.

Happy Skin Shut Up and Kiss Me Lip and Cheek Mousse in Swept Off my Feet & Warm and Toasty

Last week, March 7, was my 21st birthday. So when a birthday comes there are usually gifts, I’ll be doing a what I got on my birthday post when my pre-ordered products have come. But first I’ll review these babies, which I have had on my wishlist since they first came out! But after much coaxing of friends and family I finally got both as gifts. I’m not very into shocking colors like red since I find they make my lips look small. So I didn't buy the third shade, a rich ruby red.

Price: P699

Availability: All Happy Skin counters

Content: 3g

Description:

I imagined that these were a more luxurious take on the NYX matte lip creams, which is right, From the applicators alone, they give a much more expensive feel. The applicators come in a fluffy doe foot the type that you'd see on fancy lip products, like YSL kiss et blush.

The packaging is so fun as well! Definitely a pop out in your kikay kit. But their not all for the looks, the product is very good. Just like the normal lipsticks, they are opaque and creamy. But think of this as the liquid form of the lipstick, but they last much longer due to the matte-ness. But not a dry matte, more like a moisturizing matte. Even if I had some dryness and flaking on my lips (Eww.) it did not emphasize such things. It just glides on like a dream on lips. And you can do well without any lipbalm.

SWATCHES

Warm and Toasty on Lips

Warm and Toasty is a lovely beige nude, giving that nothing on my lips but my good blood circulation! Perfect for complimenting heavy makeup looks or the perfect color to match a naked face makeup look. I love going for a flushed cheek and this nude color. When used for cheeks it is very subtle which is nice but it was so subtle it was difficult to catch on camera.

On cheeks

Swept off my Feet on Lips

Swept off my feet is a pretty and posh pink, It can go flirty and romantic or just a nice pop of color to an otherwise boring makeup look. I find that this is best used for cheeks as it is more visible as a blush. Great for travel when you don't want to to bring to many things with you and when you're in a rush, the formula is easy to blend so you can easily do this while commuting.

On cheeks

To sum it up: Velvet on lips. Hopefully they come out with more colors in the future as I personally enjoy such multifunctional products and love taking them around in my makeup bag for touch ups.

Etude House Drawing Show Brush Liner in Brown

Price: P548

Description:

Brush pen eyeliner conveniently produces smooth, clean lines for stark definition.

Directions

1. Use brush to trace lines along upper and lower eye lines.

2. For stronger look,trace thick lines along upper and lower eye lines in one motion.

I'm not  very good with eye-liner, it is perhaps the most difficult makeup skill for me. I can never seem to get it right, and I am aware that practice makes perfect, but I also find that it is important to have the right product. I bought this at the Etude House sale last December.

Bare lids

 This is my first serious eye liner, I've never been serious about them at all, I'd buy the cheapest kind only to have it end in a disastrous way every time I try. It comes in a plastic brown container, not sleek as metal but it will do, and it has a very fine brush applicator, I have to say I am impressed with that bit since I am so used to seeing thick brushes on the cheap stuff. In fact the brush is so fine, I found out I could draw thin lines after all.

Applied on (your) left eye

 It is very easy to work with as well, since it dispenses product with the slightest touch. Very good for subtle definition.

But it can also be good for thicker lines as well.Of course seeing this is a brown eyeliner the effect is less dramatic and stark as black. And may need going over some parts at times for full impact.

The Water Test

 

Holds up to water well

But is rendered powerless against rubbing

 Overall a good try for beginners at eye liner, good point about it being easily removed by rubbing is that it can be easily corrected when one makes a mistake, I think a good recommendation for it to be more sturdy, would be to go over it with an eyeshadow to set it. But for the pros when it comes to liner, the Drawing show creamy liner would be a better choice as it is a long wearing gel.

Real Techniques Nic's Pick's Collection Review

Happy Holidays! Sorry for the lack of posts. But here is a review for one of my best purchases of the year.

Charlotte Tilbury, world renowned makeup artist to the stars said invest in good makeup brushes because they can make all the difference, in other words, the finish will speak for itself, high end makeup will look cheap if not properly applied, and drugstore makeup can't be told apart from high end brands with the right application.

Price: P1750 on @stuffinstyle

Description:

A collection of Nic’s favorite brushes. Complete any look with this limited edition set, featuring 3 exclusive brushes specially designed to create the perfect finish.

Includes all the brushes needed to create a complete look:

• duo-fiber face brush: for lightweight application + blending of face powder or pigments
• cheek brush (set exclusive): evenly applies makeup across cheekbone for a more dramatic finish
• angled shadow brush (set exclusive): perfectly cut for layering eye shadow in the crease
• base shadow brush: applies a smooth, flawless foundation of color
• eyeliner brush (set exclusive): firm, angled head for optimal control along lash line

I never paid much attention to makeup brushes at the start of my cosmetic life, I loved using the little applicators, which is not a mortal sin but if you want to see the real power of that eye shadow, that blush or how immaculate your skin could look with foundation without being too thick, that's where the big toys come in,.. brushes!

At first I bought cheap brushes like P100 for a kit kind, clearly they did not convince me to buy into brushes, and let's face it brushes from some Filipino brands smell horrible, so I'm sorry to be unpatriotic but I tend to gravitate towards foreign brands which proved to be too steep for my pocket but upon discovering Real techniques, I found hope. Affordable and good quality and they smell like nothing, Plus sets! Sets are definitely for people who are beginners, who have no idea what to use, my first kit was the Core collection, then the Travel essentials, now I have this kit, Nic's Picks, Nic, being one of the Pixiwoo sisters who made the brand.

Now on to the review:

These brushes have special ferrules, silver, which make them look so Pro! I believe the hairs to be made of Taklon, which is synthetic. And it comes with 3 exclusive brushes, which you can't buy anywhere but this set!

Duo Fibre Face Brush

I have been longing to try this brush for ages! Mostly because my idol, Ruth Crilly from A model Recommends, uses it a lot. and many reviews stating that this was the only good brush from the duo fibre collection which was limited edition, not wanting to spend good money on unwanted brushes, I was psyched to have this in a different set! It is unbelievably soft, and it picks up so little product which is a good thing since you can use it with a heavy hand without looking like you piled on the makeup today, this is ideal for powder products, great for translucent powder since it diffuses product so well, and very pigmented blushes and bronzers, the ones that make you look like a clown can finally be used with this brush, giving sheer layers and your choice of color build-ability! This brush is probably enough for you to get the whole set, since the other brushes are pretty nice but this has a very luxurious feel to it, no scratchiness at all, contrary to its appearance.

Cheek Brush (Set Exclusive)

This is a flat blush brush, simply put, I personally prefer a dome shaped brush for blush so the shape is not my cup of tea, but it does a good job for applying blush, it gives a soft flush. But not the best at blending in powder products, be sure you use  the tap tap tap method for applying. And if you have the expert face brush, you'll find this to be the fluffier and bigger version. I think this is actually good for setting makeup and I have even tried this for  liquid foundation and it has worked out surprisingly well, so I think this would actually be more ideal for cream or liquid cheek products.

Angled Shadow brush (Set Exclusive)

I have been severely disappointed with my RT Travel set essentials dome shadowed brush which had to be glued again, badly I might say. So I was tickled pink to have two eyeshadow brushes. Not a big eyeshadow fans, but the right tools changed my mind, I've been stuck with sucky brushes, but these changed my eyeshadow application life! Brushes do change your life. Hahaha. This is actually used for the crease, but I find myself reaching for it for concealer since it does such a good job in blending, I have used it a couple of times for eyeshadow but it's a tad big for my crease but turned the right way it can work. It is very soft, so blending in is not an irritating task.

Base Shadow Brush

This brush can be found in the Starter set, which I wanted to purchase before, but held off for this set. This brush is equally as soft as the crease brush, It can pick up shadows adequately and it is my most reached for brush for eyeshadow since it can blend well too. 

Eyeliner brush (Set Exclusive)

I have just been getting into eyeliner, but by that I just use powder eyeshadow for a softer look, since I'm merely dipping my foot in the water, I use this for a black eyeshadow or a dark brown/ But most of the time I find this is great for eyebrows, many who bought the starter set found the eyeliner brush in the set was too thick. But as I searched for pictures online, it really is compared to this one found in the set. It is a very sturdy brush so I hope to use more of this when I buy a gel liner in the future!

Overall I find that this set has good value for money, I love these brushes and I'm looking forward to purchasing more brushes from real techniques if the maintain their quality and price range. Thanks for reading and Happy almost new year!

Etude House Lovely cookie Blusher in #8 Blueberry Pie Review

Price: P348

Available in all Etude House stores