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.

Guess who's back!

Wazzzzzzup!

It has been three months since I last updated my blog. It actually feels weird to be seated in front of my laptop and compose this blog post. I am finally reunited with a love long lost! I've been the busiest during the past three months. Even if I went on a blog hiatus, my love for beauty products did not cease. I am too glad to be back as I terribly missed blogging. Can't wait to share with you my beauty finds, discoveries and more! 

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

Happy 5th Year, Project Vanity!

Last Saturday, Liz Lanuzo celebrated the 5th anniversary of her beauty blog, Project Vanity. It was an afternoon of beauty talk, inspiration, learning, socialization and well-groomed brows. The event was held at Beauty Bar, Bonifacio High Street, The Fort. 

The event was co-sponsored by Fairydrops, K-Palette, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Beauty Bar.

CBTL uses their Single Serve Beverage System in making their drinks. 

The funny and adorable Karrots of Live Love Loz hosted the event. She and her blond hair is so pretty!

Liz demonstrated a quick and high-impact makeup for everyday look. Of course, she used makeup products from Fairydrops and K-Palette. During the demonstration, Liz willingly spill out her tips and tricks in makeup application. From foundation to mascara application. You know what's one important thing I learned during the demonstration? Dab not swipe! Liz was able to stress out the importance of applying makeup in a dabbing motion. After the demo, there was Ask Liz, live! Everyone could ask question and Liz with all her knowledge about makeup answered all of them.

Nelly See of Pinkbox, the person Liz looks up to, was there to share how she's able to find fulfillment and success in her business. It was very inspirational! I will always remember how she said that the only thing that  is limiting ourselves from doing what we want is our minds. 

CBTL had a veranda and a nice view of The Fort. It is where I met new people, beautiful people!

Mariana of The Beauty Bee, Kring, Kim of Kimpossibly Gorgeous, Eula of Eula Sleeps and Khristine of Musings of an OC Mom.

With fellow beauty bloggers - Kim, Mhisha, Yette and me

Meet Kring, Chicadora partner and my date for the day.

We tried milk tea from Dakasi upon leaving The Fort because Kring got a GC from the event. 

Happy 5th year, Project Vanity! You are truly a big help and inspiration to the local beauty blogging community. More years to come!

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.

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