Review: Burt's Bees Daisy White

When it comes to skincare, I admit that I'm not very keen in trying out new products. My skincare is also very simple - cleanse and moisturize (sometimes!) because I am too lazy and I am afraid of developing breakouts from trying out new products. I know that I'm not getting any younger and I might regret the days I've skipped moisturizer, sunblock or serum once wrinkles and dark spots show up on my face. 

For the past two weeks, I've been using Burt's Bees Daisy White Serum and Moisturizing Cream. I had no reason to hesitate in trying these out since they're 99.0% Natural. No harmful ingredients and non-comedogenic. The skincare line is also clinically tested in Asian women.

Burt's Bees Daisy White Moisturizing Cream | Php 1,650 | 50g

Infused with white beauty of Daisy Flower Extract, this moisturizing cream is the perfect natural solution for creating the look of translucent skin. Clinically proven to visibly brighten skin and help diminish the appearance of pigmentation or discoloration to even skin tone. It moisturizes, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps to minimize the appearance of pores. 

I'm surprised that the moisturizing cream feels light on the skin upon application. I find moisturizers too heavy / sticky. Burt's Bees Moisturizing Cream is not. A pea size amount is enough to cover the entire face. Aside from the lightweight feel, I also enjoy the natural scent of the product. It smells like citrus to me.

The pump bottle is a bonus - it makes application easy and hassle free.

Burt's Bees Daisy White Serum | Php 1,650 | 30ml

Infused with the white beauty of Daisy Flower Extract, this serum is the perfect natural solution for creating the look of translucent skin. Clinically proven to visibly brighten skin and help diminish the appearance of pigmentation or discoloration to even skin tone. 

What I love about the serum is its liquid, almost water-like consistency. My face feels refreshed upon application. Just like the moisturizing cream, it is also housed in a pump bottle which can be surely locked when you have to bring it out. 

After two weeks of use, I've seen that my acne marks have lightened significantly. My face would also feel softer in the morning. I'm happy that my skin did not experience any adverse reaction while trying these out. I can't wait to actually experience the whitening effect as I have uneven skin tone. Overall, I am impressed with Burt's Bees Daisy White Skincare line just as I am impressed with their lipbalms!

Burt's Bees is available in Sephora Ph

Review: BeautyMNL Online Shopping Experience

In the world of beauty products, online shops portray a big role. They give access to products that are not available locally. For busy people, online shopping is very convenient and also saves a lot of time. Few clicks and your product is right at your doorstep. 

Few weeks ago, I tried BeautyMNL, an online beauty store offering a wide array of beauty products - cosmetics, skin care, hair care and beauty tools. 

The website is pretty organized. Products are categorized making shopping easy. I was able to complete my purchase under 10 minutes. Product reviews are a big help! 

I made my order on a Saturday and received it early Monday morning. What a way to start the week! 

 

I got Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Laguna Beach (Php 850) . It's the kind of pink that I could easily wear for an everyday use. It is also my first makeup product from Ofra.

I'm really satisfied with my purchase. As I have mentioned earlier, product reviews from the website really helped a lot. Customers who have purchased from BeautyMNL can share their reviews and ratings of the products they bought from the website. 

Aside from the  product reviews, BeautyMNL also has articles - latest makeup trends, beauty tips, recommendations, etc. The website has a separate tab for their magazine - Bloom, containing all the articles/stories about beauty products which can be found from their store. I think their magazine feature sets them apart from other online stores. It is wonderful to find an online store that is more than ready to provide you with details about the product you plan to purchase through customer reviews and their magazine. 

Overall, I am satisfied with my shopping experience at BeautyMNL. It was quick and hassle free! 

Bloom has got to be my favorite feature of the online store. I could spend my free time reading through their articles. 

How was your BeautyMNL shopping experience? Let me know!

Into calligraphy lately

It feels weird to be composing a blog post again after quite a while. I've been meaning to come back but there's lack of time and laziness. Well, here I am! Happy to be blogging again. 

Almost 6 months ago, I've gotten into calligraphy, the art of making beautiful handwriting. Most of my free time goes to endless calligraphy practice. It's something I really enjoy doing that's why I've decided to share it through this blog. I still love makeup nevertheless! 

Here's a glimpse of my calligraphy journey since January. There's instant familiarity in holding brush pens because of the makeup brushes I've came across with through beauty blogging. From makeup brushes to paint brushes! 

Like makeup, a lot of practice and patience is needed in learning calligraphy. Each day is a chance to learn a new technique, practice an unfamiliar stroke or try a new medium. Practice makes progress. Frustration may come along the way but never stop trying again. Believe you can! 

Will be posting about the calligraphy tools I use next! 

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!

HAUL: hbc products

I am always grateful for weekends because I get to do my hobbies. Beauty blogging is one hobby I think I'll never get tired of. There's always something new to discover. And, speaking of something new, I've got a bunch of beauty products from hbc. 

During the National Makeover Day Preview, each blogger got to take home a box full of goodies from hbc.

NOTD: Revlon Colorstay in Buttercup

Product Description: 

ALL SHINE. NO LIGHT. GEL-OUS? 

Up to 11 days of lasting color (When worn with Colorstay base and top coats)

No light required

Yellow is such a happy, bright color. It has always been my favorite. So yellow on my nails, why not? Revlon Colorstay in Buttercup is light, subtle yellow. Buttercup is just the right name to it. It is inspired by salon gel nails to provide a long lasting colour and shine. The nail polish line has 30 shades to choose from. I can't wait to try other shades! 

I wasn't actually planning on posting this but it is really worth sharing. Why? Because the quality of the product attests to its name - Colorstay. Revlon says that it can last up to 11 days if used with Colorstay base and top coats. I don't have those so I cannot prove that. (Source: Beauty Haven, Revlon)

Mine lasted for 6 days until I noticed chipping and tip wear. Impressive, right? My average polish wear is only 3-4 days when worn without top coat. I applied 2 coats of Buttercup to achieve that shade. The consistency of the nail polish is such a breeze to work with - not runny nor thick, just the right consistency. It is also formaldehyde, toluene and DBP free, the three most harmful elements found in most nail polishes. Yay for that! Aside from its amazing consistency and long wear time, the brush is also a wonder. It has a unique double barrel brush that provides a smooth, streak-free application. 

Photos are taken six days since I applied the polish hence the fading/slight chipping. Cracks also appeared on the top part of my nails which is visible on the top photo. Now here's an OOTD to match my nails: 

Sorry for the #filter

Buttercup is such a sweet, sophisticated shade of yellow, I think. A great way to brighten up any outfit. Revlon Colorstay is included in the May BDJ Box: Summer Radiance. See my unboxing post. 

Revlon Colorstay is Php 325 available at Revlon counters in SM Department Stores/Watsons

My interest in nail polish has been rekindled recently. So, watch out for more nail-related posts!

Have you tried Revlon Colorstay yet?

What is your favorite nail color?

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?

Unboxing May BDJ Box: Summer Radiance

I can't believe summer is already over. Days go by really fast! I didn't even had the chance to hit the beach. Have you?

Anyway, the May BDJ Box is full of beauty products that will give you radiance even if summer is already over. The box is tightly packed with so much products. It's heavier than the usual monthly boxes. So..shall we go check out what's inside?

Skincare: Godiva Lico White Whitening Lotion | Godiva Lico White Antiperspirant Deodorant | Dermal Sheet Mask | TooCoolForSchool Pumpkin Sleeping Pack

Haircare: Organix Hair Care Set

Others: Free Brassiere from Avon | 50% Off on Reshape Ultra or Caci Non-Surgical Face Lift from Dr. CRB | Revlon Colorstay Enamel in Buttercup & Rain Forest | Php 300 Add-ons for every mani and pedi from idonails | PAC Make Over Voucher | Php 100 Off from Bifesta | 50% Off from Lucido - L variants

I think I'll be able to use everything in the box. The sachet packs are very handy for trips. I am thrilled to try out the Hair Care Set from Organix! BDJ included enough packs for every variant. The coupons are really useful too - I want to have that free makeover from PAC.

A BDJ Box isn't complete without the stickers! I love how true the statement is - A Happy Woman is a Beautiful Woman!

I like everything in the May BDJ Box because of the usefulness of each product. As always, the entire value of the box is way more than the subscription fee of Php 580. The value of the box is around Php 2500+ excluding the coupons. That's how sulit your subscription fee is.

Get your dose of monthly beauty box surprise with BDJ Box!
July boxes are now open for subscription

Like BDJ Box on Facebook for updates
Visit the BDJ Box Website for more info

What do you think about the May BDJ Box?
Any product that you'd want a review about?

I would love to hear from you!

National Makeover Day by HBC: A Preview

The thought of makeovers always excites me. As a makeup enthusiast, I both love giving and having makeovers – new hair color and haircut, makeup, manicure and pedicure, name it! Getting makeovers is such an exciting way to welcome a beautiful change.

An intimate gathering with fellow beauty bloggers was held at Stacys BGC where HBC talked about the National Makeover Day. Yes, you’ve read that right. Let me tell you what happened during the event first before I go into the details of the National Makeover Day.

Delicious food was served before the program began. Fried chicken was my personal favorite!

Even the cupcakes match the white and pink theme of the event. How adorable!

 The event was organized and hosted by the ever jolly Kumi of LovingSunshine; Ms. Chi did a short welcome message while Drei who happens to be one of my best friends in college did a short presentation about The National Makeover Day. So proud of you, Drei!

L-R: Kumi, Drei, and Ms. Chi

After the short intro, we had a group discussion where we shared what Beautiful Change is all about for us. It was the most interesting part of the afternoon for me because I get to listen to the stories of fellow beauty bloggers. It is always wonderful to share insights with people who have the same passion as I have.

Photo by: HBC

The Beautiful Change that I experienced is about having the courage to wear bold red lipsticks. I used to be uncomfortable in wearing red lipsticks because I felt that it was too much. I felt that red lipsticks may only be worn in parties/special events. However, I am in the field of sales where I meet and talk to a lot of people everyday. I figured that I needed to look presentable and powerful especially when delivering sales presentation...and that's how I learned wearing red lipsticks. Wearing one gives me the extra confidence that I need.

Photo by: HBC

So, are you ready to say yes to a beautiful change?

The National Makeover Day will be on June 12, 2014 from 10:00 AM onwards at Trinoma Mall Activity Center and in all HBC outlets nationwide. Free services will be given - hair colouring & hair styling, facial and diamond peel, makeup makeovers, manicure, pedicure, foot spa and more! There will also be Personality Development Talks where practical makeover tips will be given. And oh, celebrity guests will be there to grace the event as well!

As usual, the day wouldn't pass without picture taking. More photos!

I think I'll see you more often, Drei!

Photo by HBC

Don't miss the chance to say yes to a Beautiful Change! 
National Makeover Day |June 12, 2014 | Trinoma Mall Activity Center

Like HBC on Facebook for updates :)

Unboxing April BDJ Box; Pixy exclusive

Say hello to the newest makeup brand that has just arrived our shores, Pixy - an Indonesian-based cosmetics line. April BDJ Box gave its subscribers the first dibs on Pixy products, full sized Pixy products to be exact! 

The makeup brand ensures its understanding of our Truly Asian Beauty. Pixy is inspired by Tokyo beauty trends that us all about sweet, feminine makeup that highlights the best features of Asian women - beautiful, flawless skin, dramatic eyes, softly blushing cheeks and enchanting lips.



BDJ Box got us covered in achieving the Truly Asian Beauty look with three face powders, blush-on, mascara, three lipsticks and an eyeliner. All are full-sized!

Product list (left to right, top to bottom:

1. UV Whitening Two Way Cake Perfect Fit Compact, Php 275
2. Ultimate Makeup Cake, Php 445
3. Colors of Delight Blush-On, Php 285
4. Colors of Delight Waterproof Volumizing Mascara, Php 295
5. Colors of Delight Eyeliner Pencil, Php 265
6. UV Whitening Two Way Cake Perfect Matte Refill, Php 145
7. Colors of Delight Silky Fit Satin Lipstick, Php 245
8. Colors of Delight Silky Fit Semi-Matte Lipstick, Php 265
9. Colors of Delight Silky Fit Lasting Matte Lipstick, Php 325

I am surprised how the products are affordably priced ranging from Php 200 - Php 400 only. To me, the packaging suggests that the price range is similar to most Korean makeup brands with Php 800 - Php 1500. The packaging is sweet and girly which I love! I have yet to find out the quality of these products.

Watch out as Pixy products become available in our local stores soon!

For more information about BDJ Box, visit their Official Website.
For updates, like BDJ Box on Facebook.