My Daily Makeup Must-Haves

Makeup application can be quite overwhelming sometimes. There's just so much to apply - primer, concealer, liquid foundation, contour and highlighting powder, eyebrow pencil/powder, lipstick, lip liner, blush on, eye shadow and the list goes on. You may have a lot of makeup products in your stash but only a handful makes it to your daily must-have list.

As for me, I only have seven. Yes, seven! Quite a few compared to the first time I got hooked in makeup when I wanted to pile up everything on my face. :p As time went by, I learned to simplify my makeup routine. Less is more! Below are my current makeup must-haves which is dominated by Pixy. 

1) Foundation | Pixy UV Whitening Two Way Cake in Honey Beige - light to medium coverage, 3-4 hours staying power, perfectly matches my skin tone. Review here.

2) Eyebrows | IN2IT Eyebrow Powder - The best eyebrow product for me because it has three shades. You can go from light to dark. The product also doubles as a contour powder.

3) Eyebrows | Etude House Easy Brow Pencil in #2 - I'm already on my third pencil which is enough evidence that I really love this product. It's got the perfect light brown shade for me.

4) Eyeliner | Milani Eye Tech Extreme - Long lasting, pigmented, fine felt tip. It's the closest eyeliner I've got to the famous K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner for a fraction of the price. Availability is the only downside of this product. It's only available online. See my review & comparison here

5) Eyeliner | Pixy Eye Liner - I use this to line my lower lash line. It is pigmented and easy to apply but it fades and smudges after a few hours.

6) Blush-on | Pixy Blush-on in Carnation Bloom 06 - Peach/coral shade with micro shimmers. No need for highlighters!

7) Lipstick | Pixy Lasting Matte Lipstick in Pink Smoothie - Peachy pink shade with matte finish. It goes on creamy when applied but dries matte.

Swatches from left to right: Pixy foundation, Pixy blush-on, Etude House brow pencil, In2it brow powder (lightest shade), Milani eyeliner, Pixy eyeliner and Pixy lipstick 

Aaand here's how I look like using my daily makeup must-haves. I'm loving peach/coral shade lately because of the soft, girly look it creates. I'd probably stick to my must-haves for a while because they're great finds! Affordable products that deliver great quality. I hope Pixy becomes available on local stores soon. Pixy, an Indonesian makeup brand using Japanese technology & ingredients was first introduced by BDJ Box in the Philippines. Read more about it here. 

So, there goes my daily must haves! 

What are yours? Let me know by commenting down below. I would love to hear from you!

"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." - Philippians 2:13

Goodnight and God bless!

Review: Pixy UV Whitening Two Way Cake

I'm too glad to be seated in front of my laptop, typing for a blog post. It has been quite a while since I last wrote a decent product review. Finding time for blogging has been difficult for the past few months. But, as they say, If there's a will, there's a way! 

Product Description: This lightweight powder refill is clinically tested not to trigger blackheads and is enriched with natural extracts and antibacterial kanzo, making it suitable for oily skin. Feel free to swap it inside the Perfect Fit Compact!  

I'll be sharing with you my current foundation - Pixy UV Whitening Two Way Cake in Perfect Matte. Pixy is an Indonesian makeup brand, by the way. This product has been a staple in my makeup kit ever since BDJ Box introduced it last April. (Check out my April BDJ Box.)  Shade, finish and coverage are my top three criteria in choosing foundation and Pixy Two Way Cake perfectly fits my criteria. Why? Read on!

Shade: Honey Beige borders medium to dark shade with yellow undertones, perfect for a morena like me. It matches my skin color really, really well which is probably why I love the product so much. Shade is such a critical factor in choosing the right foundation. Wearing a foundation shade lighter than my skin tone is a big no for me. 

Coverage: Since it is a lightweight foundation, coverage is only light to medium. It cannot provide complete coverage to dark spots and acne marks. It does minimize the appearance of blemishes though especially when wet application is used. The lightweight feel of the product is great for everyday use. I prefer using lightweight foundation during hot and lazy days. 

Finish, texture: As the product name suggests, it is Perfect Matte! It blends out smoothly and looks very natural when applied. it is like my second skin, no kidding. The texture is smooth and silky - very easy to blend. 

Formulation: The product has a Two Way Whitening formula from combination of Natural Whitening Powder, Vitamin C derivate and Sunscreen (SPF 15). It is also oil-free and non comedogenic. While I cannot attest to its whitening properties, my skin is doing fine with the formula - no breakouts nor allergic reaction. It has a soft, powdery scent which I find pleasant. 

Lasting power: Now the downside that comes with its being lightweight is the lasting power. It only lasts up to 3 hours on me using dry application and barely 5 hours in wet application. I don't mind touching up, however. I don't think this product is ideal for oily skin. 

Price & packaging: Only Php 145 for 12g of product. Affordable, isn't it? As for the packaging, I'm loving how compact it is (because it's only a refill). I can easily fit in my makeup kit. BUT I guess it's really meant to be transferred to the Perfect Fit Compact (full packaging) because it got broken after a week's use.



When applied: Left photo is my face sans makeup. Dark eye area, pimples and blemishes are very visible. Right photo is taken after application of the product. It did minimize the appearance of my pimples and blemishes but didn't totally conceal it. I love how it looks so natural on me.

What I like: 

• Shade. I'm saying it over again, it is a perfect match on me. I can highly recommend this product to morena ladies like me
• Affordable. I honestly think that the product is worth more than Php 149
• Finish, texture.

What I don't like:

• Lasting power 
• Powder easily got broken in a week

Where to buy:

You can get it at BDJShop

Overall Rating:

7/10

Have you tried Pixy products?

Review: Colour Collection Vitamin E Lipstick in Kissmark

                       

If there's going to be only one makeup product that I could collect, I would go for lipsticks. I'm always on the lookout for good quality lipsticks that is why I grabbed the opportunity to get one of Colour Collection's Vitamin E Lipsticks the moment Sample Room introduced it to the public.

I've known Colour Collection through my sister as she has been an avid user of their lipsticks. Colour Collection is a local makeup line that Tupperware Brands carry. Checkout their website here.

Price & packaging: It is packaged in a shiny black plastic tube with gold accents. I love how it's simply and neatly packaged. For 4g of product, it costs 330php. I honestly think that it is a bit pricey at first. My lipsticks usually range from 200-280php only. It is available at Sample Room for 85 points. Get yours now! 

                           

Color, pigmentation: The shade that I got is Kissmark which has a matte finish. It was totally LOVE AT FIRST SWIPE! It is a bright, almost neon, Barbie pink lipstick that has blue undertones. Pink lipstick with blue undertones usually do not suit my morena skin tone  but this one is different. It did not give me a Nicki Minaj feel. One swipe is enough to get an opaque coverage. 

                                             

Formulation, lasting power: As most matte lipsticks are drying, this one is not. It glides smoothly on the lips. My lips which are prone to drying surprisingly did not experience any chapping or drying from this one after several days of use. I can skip lip balm application because of its moisturizing properties. Yay for Vitamin E! However, exfoliating your lips is still necessary as matte lipsticks tend to accentuate dry lips.Lasting power is up to 6 hours without eating.

                                 

Tune in, I'm a Barbie girl, in Barbie world. Life is plastic, it's fantastic!

Now for my FOTD, I went for a soft yet glamorous makeup look appropriate during daytime. I achieved this by pairing my pink lips with neutral colors for both my eyes and cheeks. 

                                     

 A closer look...

Face: Fashion 21 Two Way Cake with Milk Moisturizers in 03, Ever Bilena Blusher in Earth
Eyes & Brows: Sleek I-Divine Storm Palette, K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner, Fashion 21 Double Up Mascara, Etude House Easy Brow Pencil No. 2

                                             

To sum up my review,

What I like:

• Good quality. I could say that it is one of the best lipsticks I have ever tried.
• Superb pigmentation
• Formulation is amazing for a matte lipstick. Not drying at all!

What I don't like:

• Lipstick bullet is too soft, it easily melts when exposed in heat. 

Overall rating:

9.5/10

Now I know why my sister even signed up for Tupperware Brands to get discounts from Colour Collection. Their lipsticks are really of high quality. For 330php, you'll get more than what you pay for.

Where to get:

          Sample Room for 85 points (until stocks last)

          330php from Tupperware Brands dealers

Thanks to Sample Room for introducing Colour Collection Vitamin E lipsticks! Visit and join Sample Room now and get to try beauty samples for free!

Review: Ever Bilena Lip Colour Xtreme Shine

While I was on a lookout for an affordable hot pink lipstick, I spotted this lipstick from Ever Bilena. Upon swatching and seeing that it only costs 75php, I instantly got it without hesitation.

Price and packaging: Given the 75php price, I couldn't complain with the cheap plastic packaging of the product. The clear lipstick cap is prone to scratches and seems brittle.

From top left: Bare lips, 1 swipe of lipstick, 3 swipes of lipstick

Pigmentation, finish, lasting power: Pigmentation is sheer but highly buildable. It actually looks like a lip tint when swiped only once. At least 3-4 swipes is needed to achieve that hot pink shade. As expected from a lipstick with satin/shiny finish, lasting power is just average. However, the lipstick leaves a nice tint on the lips after a meal. It does not fade out completely.

                            

Color: Fuchsia pink with blue/violet sheen. I think the blue/violet sheen to the color makes the lipstick really interesting to look at especially when it reflects light. If you are familiar with Pink Alarm from In2it, you may recognize a slight resemblance. In my opinion, the shade can suit both ladies with fair and morena skin.

When worn: Because the lipstick is sheer but highly buildable, it is perfect for day to night make up looks. Swipe once for a lip tint feel during the day and layer it on for bold pink lips during the night.

What I like:

• Cheap, very affordable
• Color is really nice! I find the blue /violet sheen it gives interesting.
• It doesn't fade out completely. It leaves a nice tint on the lips.
• Available locally

What I don't like:

• Packaging 

Where to buy:

          75php on Ever Bilena Counters located at Watsons/SM Department Stores.

Review: Krave HD Triplex Advanced Mineral Foundation

Every time I browse through Krave's Facebook page, I can't help but notice how customers express their satisfaction with Krave's products. Seeing positive feedback from a lot of people made me curious about how mineral makeup would benefit me. And so I got Krave's HD Triplex Advanced Mineral Foundation with Licorice Root and Japanese Green Tea. Phew! That was long!

Provides up to 90% in covering up blemishes while deeply repairing & enhancing the skin color. This contains Licorice root extract that has Glabridin & Glabrene that are incredible skin whitening agents. These are helpful in decreasing melanin and re-balancing the dermal cell & is a potent anti-oxidant which appears to be as powerful as natural Vitamin E. Combining it with Japanese Green tea’s catechin polyphenols & EGCG, another powerful anti-oxidant that helps to alleviate skin inflammation & reduces the production of acne.

Price and Packaging: A 6g worth of product is not bad for 499php. It looks small but it is tightly packed. Also, a little goes a long way that's why this will last for a quite a long time. The new packaging has its good and bad points.

The product is dispensed through a foam applicator. Good points: There's no need for a brush or separate applicator hence, application time may be shortened. The mirror at the top of the cap is a plus! Bad points: Using foam in applying foundation is unhygienic especially when doing retouches at the middle of the day as it can pick up and accumulate the dirt from your face. Also, some of the product may be put to waste because the foam absorbs it when used for application. I use my Beauty Cosmetics flat top kabuki brush in applying this foundation.

Coverage: I could attest to the product's claim of providing up to 90% coverage of acne blemishes and skin imperfections. Now that I am suffering from a mild breakout, I need a makeup base that could cover up my blemishes. The product I transferred in the cap (see picture below) is enough to provide a heavy coverage. Yes, that little amount is enough for my entire face. 

Look how a tiny amount covered a big area of my hand.

Now, brace yourselves ladies as I'll be showing you a closeup photo of my not so flawless cheek. I told you, I am suffering from an acne breakout of which reason I am still uncertain. My pimples were not completely covered but they're hardly noticeable from afar. Even my mole is slightly concealed. For a powder foundation, the coverage is really amazing. 

Ready for foundation day? 

                           

Shades: There are five different shades to choose from - Macchiato, Cafe Melange, French Latte, Hazelnut and Banoffee. I got Hazelnut, the second to the darkest shade, which is still a bit light on my morena skin tone. 

Photo taken from Krave's FB page 

Formulation: The product claims to have whitening, anti-aging and pore refining capabilities. It is really more than just makeup. I think a week's usage is not enough to notice any dramatic skin improvements. The  whitening agents in Licorice extract is combined with Japanese Green Tea which is a powerful skin oxidant. 

Lasting power: Under a hot weather, the foundation can last up to 8 hours with minimal fading. It stayed longer than my San San Matte Finish Liquid Foundation. Applying Krave's Oil Eliminator and Skin Hydrator is a great help in prolonging the lasting power. 

Hello ma! 

Thoughts: Coverage and lasting power are two things I like most about the product. I have not experienced the skin care benefits of the product because I stopped after a week's usage. Aside from the shade being lighter than my skin tone, I think I am allergic with mineral makeup. Not just with the product but mineral makeup in general. Anyway, I gave it to my mom. It is a perfect match to her skin tone. She didn't experience any allergic reactions from the product as well. 

Rating: 

8/10

Review: K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner + Wingtip Tutorial

If you were to ask me what my favorite makeup product is, eyeliner would be the answer. Next to brow products and lipsticks, of course. The power of eyeliner in transforming one's look is definitely remarkable. I have confidence that eyeliner users would easily agree with me on this. It can define, accentuate or even change the shape of one's eyes. No need for plastic surgery, eh?

 

K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner is one of the top three selling eyeliners in Japan. It is slowly becoming a favorite among the local beauty blogging community as well. The moment I tried it, I knew instantly what made it so famous. Read on and find out why!

 

Packaging and Price: Do not be misled by the simple, straight to the point and pen-like packaging of this eyeliner. Its superb performance makes up for its boring packaging. I find the eyeliner a bit expensive at 895php.

Micro-fiber fine brush tip: Its micro-fiber fine brush tip does provide superb control and ease in drawing. My shaky hands and poor eyesight could attest to that! I was not comfortable with liquid eyeliners before because I find them difficult to use. I thought achieving that precise wing tip required so much skill, I was wrong. Its fine tip makes eye-lining as easy as 1-2-3. 

Staying powder: Eyeliners do not stand a chance of staying the whole day on me because I often rub my eyes. Well, not with K-Palette. It lasts the whole day on me, without smudging, smearing or even fading. And yes, I still rub my eyes often. What I like about the eyeliner is even if it has a wonderful staying power, I could erase it with just soap and water unlike gel or pencil eyeliners which often requires makeup removers in order to be completely erased.

Wingtip tutorial: Here's a wingtip photo tutorial for you. This is how I achieve a sexy wingtip. Let the photo  do the talking! Failing on your first few attempts is normal. Getting the hang of eye lining requires effort and practice.

Makeup looks using the product:

Straight wingtip

Curved wingtip

What I like:

• Lasts up to twelve hours or even more!
• Can be easily removed with soap and water
• Sweat-proof ad smudge-proof
• Micro-fiber tip makes eye lining very easy

What I don't like:

• Expensive

Rating:

10/10

The raves about this eyeliner are truly well-deserved. It really has a superb quality. If you are looking for an eyeliner that could last the entire day but do not like the hassle of erasing it before bedtime, then this one is for you!

Where to get: 895php at K-Palette, Beauty Bar Stores

*Thanks to Ms. Shen who gave this to me along with other makeup goodies! Checkout my post here.

Like K-Palette Philippines on Facebook

Review: San San Matte Finish Liquid Foundation

Finding the right kind of foundation is quite tricky as there are a lot of factors to consider - shade, coverage and staying power, to name a few. A foundation can be either your best friend or your worst enemy that is why it is important to make the necessary considerations in picking the right kind of foundation.

A foundation for medium skin tone with yellow undertones, light to medium coverage, matte finish, and lightweight makes up my check list in finding the right kind of foundation. San-San Matte Finish Liquid Foundation made a perfect score! Its affordability is just a bonus point. 

Packaging and price: I like how it's simply packaged in a matte frosted glass bottle which resembles Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation. It is very affordable for 140php a bottle. You might even get it for a lower price because HBC is almost always on a sale.

Shade 01 and Shade 03

It comes with a spatula applicator which is intended for scooping up the product. Applying the spatula directly to your face is not advisable as it might contaminate your foundation. I prefer liquid foundations  with spatula applicators over pump bottles because I can always control the amount to be dispensed. What I do is scoop enough amount and apply it at the back of my hands and get the foundation from there using my fingers or a foundation brush.

Shade 01

Shade, consistency, coverage: It is available in four different shades. I only have two - 01 and 03. Shade 01 is the lightest shade that has yellow undertones. Even if it appears way too light for my skin tone, it is very blendable and does not leave any white cast unlike most liquid foundations that I have tried. The picture is enough evidence! Formula is a bit runny making it easy to blend and spread well. 

Shade 03

Shade 03 suits medium to dark skin tones with yellow under tones. It is a perfect match for me! Like shade 01, it blends well and does not leave any white, ghastly cast on the face. It provides light to medium coverage. It minimizes the appearance of my pimples but does not conceal it completely. A semi-matte finish would be appropriate as opposed to a completely matte finish. 

Even if Shade 03 is a perfect match for my skin tone, I still mix it with shade 01 to for my face to appear a bit brighter. What I really appreciate about the product is it's well suited for Filipina skintone. No more fears of looking like an espasol, Casper or Foundation Day. Ha! The product photographs well, too! I always use this for models during Chicadora shoots. 

I used Shade 01 for the fair skinned Monique (left) and mixed Shade 01 and 03 for Julianne (right) with medium skin tone.

Staying power and formulation: It stays up to 4-5 hours depending on the weather. Setting it with a powder can extend longetivity. As I've said earlier, it has a runny texture which is not a bad thing for me because I find it easier to spread. Also, it has a vanilla/coconut scent which I like but might be an issue to some. It does not contain any SPF that is why it is recommended to put a moisturizer with SPF underneath when used during daytime. 

Lalaloove the semi-matte finish!

What I like:

• Affordable
• Formulation
• Semi-matte finish
• Shades available are suited for morena skin
• Vanilla/coconut scent
• No white cast
• Super blendable
• Lightweight feel
• Photographs well

What I don't like:

• Not for long wear
• No oil-control capabilities

Rating:

9/10

Because of its affordability and the fact that it blends with my skin tone well, I love it! I think it is perfect for photo shoots because it really photographs well. I gave it a high rating because of my own set of ideals in choosing the right kind of foundation - a foundation for medium skin tone with yellow undertones, light to medium coverage, matte finish, and lightweight. It eliminated my fear of looking like the friendly ghost.

What's your favorite foundation brand? I would love to hear from you!

Review: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo and Antwerp

Neither lipstick nor lip gloss—this is matte lip cream. A new kind of pout paint that goes on silky smooth and sets to a matte finish. Soft Matte Lip Cream is surprisingly durable and, unlike some matte lipstick formulas, also moisturizing. 

When I tried NYX SMLC in Addis Ababa and London, I knew that I have to try out other colors. The pigmentation, lightweight feel, staying power, vanilla scent  and of course the matte finish, are more than enough reasons why I should get more colors.

I already did a review on Addis Ababa and London. I now have four out of the eleven colors the product line carries. However, I am not planning to buy more. I think I already have what I need.

Packaging, Price: It is made up of translucent plastic packaging that has a black matte cap. Color label is located at the bottom of the product. The color of each tube is consistent with the lip product that is why there is no difficulty of locating a particular color. Each tube costs 250php at Chic Cosmetics Manila. In my opinion, the product is fairly priced and worth every penny.

                              

                           

Formulation, Application: As the description says, it goes on silky and dries up matte. Well, it does! I don't find the formula drying like most people do. I actually like the formula - very lightweight and easy to apply! Be cautious in second coating though as it may get a bit streaky. 

L-R: San Paulo, London, Antwerp, Addis Ababa

Swatches: 

San Paulo is a warm shade of pink that can compliment any skin tone. Very wearable and great for everyday use.

Antwerp is a peachy/pink nude that can be easily paired with any eye makeup. Like San Paulo, it is very wearable and great for everyday use as well.

Pigmentation, Staying Power: A single coat of lip cream is enough for me. It goes more vibrant as it dries up. I think the pigmentation is great for a lip cream. It can last up to six hours without eating. It does not fade completely after eating. It leaves a slight tint on the lips.

What I like:

• Simple packaging
• Formulation - lightweight, nondrying, matte finish
• Affordable
• Decent staying power up to 6 hours without eating
• Available in different colors

What I don't like:

• Not available in local malls

Rating:

10/10

NYX SMLCs will always be one of my favorite lip products because really, it is like nothing I've ever had: lightweight, nondrying, pigmented.

Where to get:

250php at Chic Cosmetics Manila