Review: Tony Moly Cristal Blusher (Bronzer)

Bronzers are actually in the limelight nowadays. I don't know why, but count me in for being so addicted in contouring my cheeky face. I used my Elizabeth Arden eyeshadow palette (darkest shade) for contouring my jaws, sides of my nose, hollows of my cheek, temples, and on the sides of my chin to make my face a little thinner. But I'm actually not satisfied with the result because it can really look dirty after just 2 hours. So I went gaga looking for that perfect bronzer. I'm actually digging for the TheBalm's Bahama Mama, but it's too expensive. And while I'm at SM Cubao, I spotted this cutesy blusher that is actually awarded as the best bronzer in Korea.

 The shade is 07

 pretty diamond cut embossed onto the product

 L: swiped once; R: swiped twice

L: w/o; R: with

This product is just so smooth and silky to the touch. I have no problem during application, but it can turn into a bit orangey by midday. It is also matte which is what I am looking for (if you want a natural look, go for matte ones, but if you want to be literally bronzed, go for shimmery bronzers just like the Betty-lou Manizer, and Prestige Glam Tan Bronzer which is freaking awesome!). Plus, it's not powdery/chalky, so no worries with fall-outs. Lastly, the pigmentation leans toward subtle to none at all. I prefer my bronzer to be like that, than being highly pigmented, just to save time from all the blending. Over all, I like this, but not love :)

Pros:

• glides smoothly and velvety
• subtle pigmentation
• feels lightweight
• easy to blend
• sealed upon purchase
• sturdy packaging
• pretty embossment
• has a lot of product
• affordable for only P298.00

Cons:

• can be a bit orangey
• staying power is so-so (approximately 2-3 hours)
• Tony Moly Cosmetics aren't widely available

Rating: 4/5

Merry Christmas! :)

*I saw Mommy kissin' Santa Claus!* So now I'm ecstatic. Merry Christmas guys! May you all have a wonderful Christmas to spend with you loved ones. Take care guys. :)

Review: Nichido Blush in Sunkissed

Another blush review for you girlies! :) I also bought this together with the Careline blush I just reviewed earlier (click here to see review). I usually reach for this more often because I think it compliments my skin tone. So here it is, the Nichido Powder Blush in Sunkissed.

 Well, it's really a powder blush :D

 In real life, this is actually darker, or toasted, if you know what I mean.

light swatch blended

 Lovely deep toasted pink color

Heavy swatch blended

I adore this one because it looks good on me. Although it's really powdery, I can just brush this all over my cheeks even without a mirror, not being afraid of looking all made up because it's blendable. This leans just in the middle, not too subtle, and not overly pigmented. And staying power is decent, maybe because the color is deep, thus leaving a lovely tinge of toasted pink on my cheeks. Me likey! :) 

Pros:

• a mesmerizing deep toasted pink color, really sunkissed
• can be easily blended
• decent staying power (approximately 3-4 hours w/o primer, just pressed powder underneath)
• inexpensive for Php88.00, 4g
• locally available

Cons:

• not a fan of twisty packaging
• powdery
• no mirror and puff included (but then the price is really cheap so I think I better keep my mouth shut :D)

Rating: 4/5

Review: Careline Oil Control Blush-on in Peach Glow

Peach-toned blushes are really occupying my thoughts these past few days. I really don't know but there's something in it that makes me giddy, you know, being so tied up with the mediocre pink blushes, I think it's about time to come out of the box! Careline wasn't actually one of those that hit my mind. But then I tried it, sold with the price, and now's the time to share with you my take on this super cheapo blush.

 The puff included is so small yet so soft!

Swiped it thrice to show the color, but it's still as subtle as it can be.

Whenever I use this, it makes me look a tad dark/toasted. Thus, I think the hunt for that perfect peach blush continues. But for the price I won't be complaining since it's really inexpensive. Mind you, this one's only Php80.00 or less than $2 (5g), that they still included a super soft sponge that I am actually saving from using. Plus the fact that it has oil control and Vitamin E that's good for the skin.

Pros:

• affordable!
• has oil control and Vitamin E
• available locally
• if you're looking for a subtle, natural finish, you'll like this one
• soft puff included

Cons:

• if you're looking for great pigmentation, this one's totally out of the list
• poor lasting power
• packaging feels a little flimsy

Rating: 3/5

Review: Lip Ice

Chappy lips? I was born with it. I've always thought that wearing lip balms will just make your lips sticky and shiny, and that it wouldn't help condition dryness. But then I was wrong. I ran out of my Sheene lip moisturizer that's why I was on a hunt the last few days for a good lip balm to address my sucky dry/cracky lips. But I was actually itching with Mentholatum's Lip Ice since it also gives a pinky hue on the lips when I first tried it from my sister.

 I got the Strawberry variant

What it says:

• Changes color to a natural sheer pink according to individual lips.

• A gentle Beeswax formation suitable even for very sensitive skin.

• Contains natural ingredients of Shea Butter Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Nut Oil, Jojoba Oils and Aloe Extract to keep lips moisturized, smooth, and healthy.

• Contains effective anti-oxidants of Vitamin E to soften and protect lips against the harmful environment.

Who wouldn't love that? I mean, the oils stuffed in it are pretty catchy, and I am just a sucker for beauty oils, just like Virgin Coconut Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Olive oil to name a few (and yes, I put olive oil on my skin). However, it can't really UTTERLY make my lips super soft the way I want it to be - it does, but for a matter of few hours. But then again I have dry lips since then. And it's frustrating. But I love how it turns my lips into a sheer pink color that can be intensified with just a few swipes. How adorable. :)


Pros:

• true enough, lips turn out to be a sheer pink
• can make lips softer and smoother (according to one's lips)
• combination of oils that are known for addressing dryness
• fairly lengthy
• affordable at Php145.00

Cons:

• staying power is so-so.
• the packaging. Mine broke actually. It can't be rotated back now. 

Rating: 3.9/5

Review: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Love That Red

A few days ago, I spotted Revlon at sale in Watsons. I've actually been craving to try their lipsticks since the reviews are pretty good. And then I saw myself swatching the red ones. Torn between the True Red and Love that Red shades, I then got the latter. It's from the Super Lustrous line and as its name, the effect is like a luster of satin.

 Swatched once, twice, thrice

 Under flash lighting

Pros:

• highly pigmented
• non-drying
• glides smoothly
• doesn't bleed
• packaging feels sturdy but might be improved for a classy/sossy one (hihi)
• lasting power is pretty decent (3-4 hours w/o eating/drinking)
• available nationwide

Cons:

• can be a bit pricey for cheapskates like me. Retails for Php450 but got it for Php350. Yeah baby!
• turns orangey on my lips. :(

Rating: 4/5


Have you tried this shade? How about the others? Let me know! :)