REVIEW: St. Ives Intensive Healing Body Lotion

Specs: 
Price: 239

Performance: 10/10
My hands are really dry from all the lab work I do, as well as household chores (I'm kind of lazy to wear gloves when doing the dishes and laundry). This lotion is very moisturizing, my hands doesn't feel dry after I apply it, unlike other less thick lotions (the ones that are sort of flowy). I'd instantly feel that my skin is moisturized,especially my hands and feet. It also has a cooling effect and makes my skin glow, since it makes my skin look hydrated and soft :)

Consistency: 8/10
I like the consistency which is thick and not flowy. However, I think that it's consistency makes my skin absorb it slower.
I also observed that this lotion gives a sticky feeling after application (i think the lotion makes the hair on my arms stick to my skin) but after a few seconds, once the lotion gets absorbed the sticky feeling vanishes

Fragrance 7/10
Not really a fan of the scent but it doesn't bother me, it smells like jergen's almond scented lotion, but I like jergen's scent more. I've been reading reviews about this product and most people would want st. ives to lose the fragrance and bring back the old version of this lotion.


Overall: 9/10

For me this lotion is a steal, for only P239 you get 621mL of this lotion! That costs a lot less than other lotions out in the market.
I'd definitely buy another one, or maybe I'd try other products by St Ives.
I really think it's a trust worthy brand:) Thumbs up!

REVIEW: Forever 21 Love & Beauty VOLUME & LENGTH Mascara

 

 Color: Black
Brush: Straight,
Features: 1 brush 2 effects
regular water-based mascara
Price: P280


I bought this mascara from Forever 21-SM Fairview branch (Last stock!!! whew good thing I saw this), along with my F21 Baked Eye shadow, as Christmas gift for my cousin and we both wanted to try it out and make a review.


So here's my first impression :)










Wand
It appears to magically have 2 wands, one for volume and another for length. Apparently upon further examination the mascara has only one wand but claims to deliver 2 effects in 1 brush.

So how does this thing work? Well, when you pull out the "first" wand for length, it passes through a slimmer tube (the tube that holds the wand for volume) making the product less, which I think is better for adding length to you lashes. The "second" wand ,which is for volumizing the lashes, picks up more material since it picks up mascara directly from the tube and there's no slimmer tube to remove excess material.


Design/Form:
Brush & Formula

• Thick sort of large straight wire brush with moderately spaced bristles
• large brushes picks up more material for the lashes
• A little taper in the end for reaching tiny lashes at the corner of your eyes

• Active formula : Agua, Candellila Wax, Candellila
• Not water proof (since the formula contains Agua on the top of the list)
• Wax for Volume

Basically the type of brush as well as its active ingredients spell VOLUME

Performance
Pros:

• Super Affordable :D (P280!) and value for money
• nice packaging which spells I'm sorta expensive (Gift item)
• Performs well as it gives my lashes leeeeeength (good for people with short and sparse lashes)
• Gives my lashes some volume (i think i had to wiggle my wand more)
• Stays put even after more than 8hrs of wear (cool January weather, not humid)

Here are some photos I took using my Face Shop Luxury Eyelash Curler and F21 Mascara

See how it makes my eye pop:)

Cons

• Doesn't maintain my curl. I think it would be better if they made the wand curved
• Does not give very defined lashes as its brush is traditional wire brush 
• Not very volumizing (compared to Maybelline Falsies, Magnum & Etude Lash Perm)

Overall: 7/10
I think this mascara is true to its claim that it is both volumizing and lengthening, maybe i could compare its performance with Maybelline Magnum Volum' Express, well except that it is not water-proof and Magnum gives more defined lashes. I could say that this mascara is perfect for a regular day with no sweat and drama plus it's one of the cheapest mascara out in the market that has a reputable brand:)

REVIEW Forever 21 Love & Beauty Baked Shadow

Color: Black, Gray     
Shimmer: Pink & Gold
Applicator: Double sided sponge
Travel-friendly
Price : P 280

I was buying gifts with my mom for Christmas in F21 when I saw this:) I immediately thought of buying it because I wanted to try my hand at eye shadows and the packaging looks nice.

Black & gold Shimmer (Dry)
Eyeliner-maybelline

Pros:

• Budget Friendly :)
• nice packaging (Gift idea :D )
• Travel friendly and has its own applicator
• Gives a soft smokey look (no primer / not foiled)
• Versatile (you can achieve different looks with this palette)
• Silky and blend-able
• can be removed using petroleum jelly

Foiled/wet & Dry Swatches

Cons:

• Not very pigmented. (You have to put a lot of layers/use primer/apply with damp brush (foiled) to get darker shade )
• Applicator doesn't really quite work well for me. I think it's better to use a brush or a longer sponge tip applicator
• Not long lasting (foiled lasts longer)

Overall:
Well, I don't have much to say about eye shadows but I guess this is good for starters who want to experiment. I think I'll try out other products as I'm looking for more pigmented/ vibrant colors. Maybe I'll try out E.L.F. next time :)

REVIEW: Ever Bilena Lip & Cheek Tint

Being on a tight budget shouldn't keep anyone from looking nice :)

Color: Blush - Reddish pink

Net Wt.: 9mL

Price: P65.00

Everybody wants to look nice, but if you're a student on a tight budget, splurging on make-up is not a very good idea. Good thing there are very affordable cosmetics out in the market! All we have to do is make sure that cheap make-up that we buy is of good quality (if not the best) and would not give us allergies.

Pros:

• Long lasting. (Unless you wash you face or keep rubbing the blush off)
• Very Affordable
• Gives you a natural blush, not too overpowering (but don’t put too much on!)
• I love the stain it gives great color on my lips (see Cons)
• Doesn't give me break outs (my skin is not really that sensitive)

Cons

• Not very hygienic because of the packaging

Although there is another one which is bigger (20mL) and comes in a tube and is more hygienic, however the plastic is thin and easily get damaged like what I experienced. I was horrified by all the red goo and stains inside my make up kit  because the tube got punctured, I guess it got squeezed hard because I just stash my make up in my back pack and most of the time I bring heavy things and my make up kit gets squished.

• You have to apply more product (compared to  The Body Shop’s Lip and cheek stain)
• Bitter taste (Uckkkk!)
• I don’t really use it on my lips due to its bitter taste and it doesn't last long.
• Not really red, more of pink, so if you’re expecting it to be red you’d be disappointed.

Overall: 8/10

Aside from the bitter taste,not very hygienic packaging and not being able to use it on my lips. I have nothing else against this lip and cheek tint, this is indeed a steal! I would definitely recommend it for those on a tight budget J

REVIEW: Maybelline Magnum Volum' Express

Specs:
Color: Black
Wand: Curved
Water-proof
Price: P399

Since my birthday is near I decided to buy myself a tube of new mascara, apparently I wasn't able to save because I had to pay for school stuff but I just knew I had to buy one so I went to Maybelline and looked for one.(Impulse buying!!)

I saw Magnum Volum' Express, it was really cheap and I wanted to try Maybelline after hearing a lot of good reviews from my friends.


After 3 weeks of using Magnum here's my verdict :)

Design/Form: 8.5/10

• Brush Shape: Curved

Curved shape of the bristle makes it a lot easier for me apply mascara and the contour of this type of wand lifts and curls lashes better than any other straight wands I've tried.

• Densely packed bristles

Bristles that are densely packed are good for holding more material to make your lashes look fuller.

• Bristle type: Standard Brush Hair

Performance 7/10

Pros:

Oh lala.. long lashes!

• This mascra gives a lengthening effect which is nice especially for people with very short lashes
• Water proof even after stressful and emotional days at school, I'm sure I won't look like a mess with panda eyes. :)
• It's definitely long staying doesn't smudge.
• Holds my curl well. Unlike other mascara with straight wands, this one has a curved wand and this type of design is easier to use because it fits the contour of my eyes
• Very affordable and would be a good buy for people on a tight budget

No mascara vs With Mascara

Cons:

• The product claims that it gives Volume but it's sad  to say that it's NOT very volumizing.  ( I know what volume should look like after trying several other brands and this ain't volumizing)
• Doesn't give much drama to the eyes
• Little Clumps: If you apply lots of coats it tends to have clumps so when applying you have to wiggle really well and use lash comb or your finger to loosen and remove it.
• It can make lashes look wiry and stiff so I have to use lash comb or my finger to loosen it.
• Applying can be messy especially with curled lashes. I still haven't figured out how to deal with this so I just keep cotton buds and petroleum jelly at hand.

Overall: 7.75/10

I've been in a Love-Hate relationship with this mascara. Sometimes I think I won't buy another tube but as days pass by and as I get used to it I'm actually reconsidering since it's cheap and could give me good results depending on how I use it. Basically it's good for everyday use. (not much drama)

You guys could give it a try just make sure you start from the base of your lash, WIGGLE WELL as you apply, use LASH COMB or your fingers to loosen it and COTTON BUDS with make-up remover/petroleum jelly just in case you mess it up :)

*contact lens - Gretta gray

REVIEW: San San Eyebrow Pencil 03

"My Emergency Eyebrow Pencil"

Specs:
Color : Dark Brown
Price: P55.00

Since  Etude ran out of their retractable eyebrow pencil refills, i had to find a temporary replacement. I couldn't go out with bald, unkempt brows, that would be a major no no!
As I was walking at SM I saw this HBC store and tried my luck in finding a cheap alternative to Etude.








Pros:

• Price: very affordable (P55)
• Color: Five Stars for Color!
• I love the shade of this eyebrow pencil. It matched my hair color beautifully and didn't look harsh on my face, it's actually subtle and natural which is the look you would really want to achieve.
• Consistency: It has a creamy sort of waxy consistency that glides easily and blends well.
• Wear: long-lasting, it stays put even after a long sweaty day (as long as you don't rub it off).
• Others:
•  It comes with it's own sharpener
• Easy to remove with petroleum jelly/ make-up remover/ soap & water

pardon my drawing skills :p

Cons:

• Sharpener cap was brittle and the blade was a bit dull. After about a month use the cap crumbled as I was sharpening the pencil.
• No spoolie (a must!!!)
• Tip easily breaks, I noticed that the tip kind of melts. Maybe you have to store it in a cool place

Broken Eye-brow pencil :(

• You have to religiously sharpen every after use since it dulls fast.
• Not for on the go people since you need to sharpen it and the tip sometimes break, which becomes much of a hassle
• The use of this pencil requires a bit more dexterity especially when the tip starts to dull
• If you're a beginner I'd suggest you get a retractable one with a shaped tip like Etude Drawing Eye Brow, it's easier to use than this one.

Overall: 7/10

I'm pretty happy with this eyebrow pencil. It did meet my immediate needs it's cheap, long-lasting (as long as you don't rub it off), subtle, perfect for my hair color. However, i really got annoyed when the tip started breaking and the cap started crumbling.

It's a good emergency eyebrow pencil, but I'd still go back to my trusty ol' Etude Drawing Eyebrow Pencil.

If you'd like to experiment and is looking for the perfect eyebrow pencil, maybe you should give this one a try. Just make sure you have a good eyebrow pencil sharpener :)

Contact Lens: Gretta Gray

REVIEW: Hortaleza Hair Color: Light Havana

Feeling adventurous? Want to revamp your look? why not try to dye your hair?

A colleague of mine introduced me to the line of  Hortaleza hair dye last year and since then I always go back to Hortaleza. (Especially when I don't have much to spend :p ) 

Products:
Hair Dye- Light Havana 8.5 – P105/60ml tube

12% Oxidizing Lotion – P30/60ml bottle

Total: P 135

Hair Dye-Light Havana 8.5

Chemicals that can cause allergies: Ammonia, phenylenediamine, resorcinol, aminophenol

Consistency: Cream

Smell: strong (not for people with sensitive noses and could last up to a week)

Size: 60ml

Others:

Hair dye brush – P19

Clips – P26

Mixing bowl – P22

Teasing comb- P25

Over gloves – P48.50

Total: 323.50 (w/ dye & oxidizing lotion)

Hortaleza Light Havana is a really cheap product but VERY risky DIY activity. (It would be best to have someone color your hair if you're doing this for the first time or just follow instructions and you'll be fine)

It's quite easy to use, what I found difficult was applying color evenly because it’s hard to put even coats especially on the back part and my hair having been dried out by the product doesn’t help.

Packaging: 4/10

The packaging is not very eye catching, looks plain and generic. Although I should say, it has a vibe of only for professional use which would make first time buyers hesitate. Maybe the original target market were parlors and not DIY type of individuals.

Instructions are printed on the inner surface of the box and instructions are very brief and straight to the point. Not very DIY user-friendly.

Instructions!

Color: 7/10

As expected the color I wanted  was not achieved simply because I hadn’t bleached my hair as I did before, but nonetheless I still like the color, though I prefer my previous bleached hair.

This might be a safe choice for people who wants to deviate from dark brown, black, red. and would want to try something a little bit different that would soften the features.

 According to the salesman who sold me this dye, it's one of the best sellers in their line. I woudn't wonder why because other darker shades that they have gives only subtle color change (since asian hair is black and thick and really difficult to lighten)

Highlights were due to my previous hair color

Soft color

Lasting effect

It does last long and doesn't fade to the point that my roots are about 3 inches long and the color is still there, although not as vibrant as before. 

Cons: 

My hair felt REALLY REALLY DRY during the process and I had to soak my hair with hair spa product. A week after, my hair hasn't recovered from the harsh chemicals. A month later it still feels dry.

The dye doesn’t really smell nice and stings my eyes due to ammonia. This is not for people with sensitive noses

Overall: 7/10

One of my favorite after having tried other brands, mainly because of the vibrant color and for it’s price. It’s actually a good buy, not to mention that you can actually get your desired shade by using bleach (I tried this before and really loved the result).

I’m not sure if I’d recommend this product because it dries up hair  and you need to use bleach to achieve a lighter color, but if you’re on a tight budget, want to revamp your look and feeling adventurous then you might want to try this one out J

Update: 1 month after I dyed my hair it still feels dry. I tried using a combi of Dove nourishing oil shampoo, schwarzkopf extra care conditioner and cream silk vitamin treatment and somehow my hair is starting to recover. 

*Eyebrow pencil: San san 03 Dark brown