Sophie Martin Magic Pink Cream

Hello! The middle of the year is finally ending. Time flies by so fast! Anyway, I apologize for being missing for a couple of days. We finally got the chance to sort out our computer problems but we still have to re-arrange most of our files and programs and stuff, so.

Let me share with you though my favorite blusher as of the moment. I've always been a big fan of Avon's Simply Pretty Liquid Lip and Cheek Tint-- the roll-on type that was a bit violet-ish in color. But when they changed the packaging and formula, it wasn't as good as it used to be so I decided to look for something similar.

When I read stuff from GirlTalk, this cream blusher from Sophie Martin is always mentioned. It's supposedly very long lasting with a vibrant rosy color. The problem is, this one's not easily available. You have to look for it online or find a Sophie Martin representative. Thankfully, my officemate's sister is one so I was able to get ahold of this.

Forgive my hand as I was testing an eyeliner prior to the picture taking. ^^

Pros:
1. True enough, this is very long-lasting and can work well for oily skin. The color doesn't fade throughout the day and can last for about 12 hours. (I put this on when I did some overtime work so it's no lie ^^)

2. Very affordable. It's 85 Php a tube.

3. A little goes a very long way. If we were to speak about its pigmentation, it would be very pigmented. I'd just say that the color is intensely pink. ^^

4. I love the texture since it was like putting on a light cream.

Cons:
1. I wish the color does develop after a minute. The problem is it develops in less than a minute. So if you're a dab-dab-and-blend type of person, like me, it can look a little, how'd you say, splotchy? You'd end up with red marks from where you first put on the product. And that first color swatch picture? I end up with that on my hand all day because that's where I first put on the blush.

2. The scent threw me off a little, although it smells like powder. 

3. It can be hard to get your hands on it. ^^

What I do is I mix it with some concealer. It gives me a few extra seconds to do my blending. It does the trick but it does make the color a little less intense. But it still stays on for long.

Cheerio!

The Body Shop Lily Cole Lip and Cheek Dome in Crazy for Coral

Hi! Can't believe its March already. Having graduated only last year, it seems like that time    flies just a little too fast. Later this month, it'll officially be a year since I've lost the "student" title. =)

Anyhoo, back to the review. I grabbed this during one of SM North's monthly sales. I think it was last month. This limited edition Lily Cole Lip and Cheek Dome from the Body Shop was already on sale earlier this year (I found out from Helen of Lucky Citrine), it was like on 70% off, but it was for a limited time only. And..by the time I had the time to drop by the mall, bye-bye cute blush on. So, imagine how happy I was to see that another branch of The Body Shop in SM still had stocks during the recent sale.

This one is about 4 swipes. It's a real challenge to get the color to show off. The original price is 895. Marked down to 268.

With a little blending. Cream blush but with a powder finish

This is actually my first The Body Shop item ever. I mean, I tried once to buy their lip balm, you know the one in pots, but argued against the idea. Then I fell in love with their uber-soft brushes I got to use during a school prod, but I never did get the chance to really buy anything from the shop.

The Verdict:

To be honest, price-wise and if it wasn't on sale, I wouldn't be caught red-handed buying this blush because of the hefty price tag. It's quite expensive for a blush on. Thank heavens for big price slashes. The good things about this blush are it glides on smoothly, great powder finish, cute packaging, and small enough to lug around. However, the color is quite sheer. The color you can barely see above is already more than 3 swipes of the product, hardly blended. To achieve the natural glow, I'd bet around 5 swipes will do. When used on the lips, I personally looked a little washed out. It was more like I put on concealer on my lips with a bit of peachy matte sheen. But above a pink lip tint, coral beauty. =)

It doesn't last that long. On my oily combination skin, 3 hours tops. But with a good dusting of powder blush before it completely dries up, a good 5 hours I think.

The other shade of this is a pink one which I didn't see, but I'm more inclined to peach/orange shades so this one's an easy pick. Not completely disappointed with the purchase because I can actually put it to good use. Plus, it's animal-friendly. Cruelty-free. =)

Have you tried this blusher? Lemme know. Cheerio!

Ellana Mineral Powder Blush in Tryst

Hi guys. As promised, and because I totally forgot to put up an entry yesterday, here's my take on the Ellana Mineral Powder Blush in Tryst.


This is actually my first purchase from Ellana, and after using this blush, definitely not my last. When I bought this, all they had displayed was the regular sized ones (I think they were 4g or was it 2.5g? Sorry I can't remember but they are 180 bucks each) but because of Ms. Marge's entry, I figured I should ask for the trial size instead, just in case we don't get along. =)


I spent a few minutes trying to figure out which color to buy, too long maybe because the SA already sorted the blushes out for me (maybe I was taking too long). When she mentioned that Tryst has a matte finish, I was sold. I'm not actually a big fan of shimmery blushes.

Pros:
1. Affordable. You can choose to buy a trial size or a regular size. Btw, this trial size one is 100 bucks for 1g
2. Very pigmented, so a little goes a long way
3. Staying power is also good. When used alone, it lasts for about four hours (the color fades, but the glow-finish stays on), but when I top it over my Etude House Cream Choux Blusher in Peach, it stays on the whole day
4. Although it looks shimmery at first, it does have a matte-ish finish and it gives your skin a natural -looking glow


Cons:
1. My heart kinda sank when I opened the paper bag because mine had scratches all over the lid, and since it's silver around the edges, the scratches were very visible.
2. As all mineral products I've encountered (had the same problem with my Maybelline mineral foundation) it was kinda messy


Nonetheless, I can say, with all honesty, that I love this blush. I'm looking forward to buying and testing out the other colors. You should try Ellana's products too, and see how they work for you. Cheerio!

Look What I Bought: Mini Version #1

Hi. I've been itching to do, and post, a make-up haul, for the longest time. I've done beauty hauls before, but I never really thought of taking pictures of the items that I purchased. So, darn. Haha. Anyway, here's my first post of a super-mini haul. I hope next time I'd get to write an entry about a massive haul.

Ellana Mineral Powder Blush in Tryst (Sample Size)

E.L.F. Eyelid Primer in Sheer (I actually bought this last week, but I figured it'd be fine to include it here)

Saizen Long Lash Mascara in Black

That's about it. I'll check out these products first, then I promise, to try, to write a review about each of 'em. Have a good weekend! Cheerio!

Nichido True Colors Collection Blush in Passionate Red

Hi. Again. I'm doing a double-post. You know, just in case I decide to lie in bed for the rest of the weekend. To be honest, my eyes are dead-tired. For the past weeks, well 2 actually I've been literally staring on the computer monitor for about 11 hours, 5 days a week. Beat that. Haha. Anyhow, here's a review on Nichido's Powder Blush in Passionate Red. I saw this blush from a classmate of mine back in college. She brought it during a production and I was just intrigued by its just-pinched color. So yes. I totally had to be a complete copier and buy the same blush.

 Price: 88 Php

Weight: 4g

Colors: The only other one I've seen is Tomato (if I remember correctly) which is a darker color but they do have tons of other shades like a peachy-one

Swatches (The third one is when blended)

Pros:

1. A very pretty just-pinched color. It's not an overwhelming pink color which I like. It totally looks natural

2. Blendable

3. Transfers easily to brush (I use Landmark's kabuki brush for a sort-of airbrushed look)

4. Very affordable

Cons:

1. Flimsy case

2. Staying power isn't too long. About two hours I think? Longer if you brush it over a cream blush but that totally defeats its great color. 

That's pretty much it. I actually love this blush, so the cons are pretty much forgivable. I'm actually planning to try out the peach-colored one. When I start earning real money of course. Then I can buy all the blushes I want. And need. Cheerio! Have a good weekend!

Careline: Oil Control Blush-on in Fresh Tomato

Hi. Sorry if I haven't been posting any reviews for the past month. Job hunting. All of a sudden, I just decided that I'll squeeze in a bit of time to post something. I took these pictures right before I graduated and being the lazy me, the pictures are not-so-good. So, forgive me. Haha. So, here's my review of Careline's Oil Control Blush-on in Fresh Tomato.

Price: I can't remember exactly but around 60-80 Php

Colors: A lot but I chose this because I was at my red-color moment

Weight: 5g

Swatches: 2nd picture is when blended 

Pros:

1. Pretty cheap 

2. Lots of colors to choose from

3. Very, very pigmented. The first swatch picture is just one swipe. 

4. Nice red color when blended

5. Clear cover makes it easier to see the color

6. Blush transfers easily (to brush)

Cons:

1. Packaging is flimsy.

2. The sponge that came with the blusher is not-so-good. I would suggest using a blush brush instead

3. It claimed to be an oil-control blusher but it didn't work that way for me

4. Doesn't stay on for very long 

If you're going to buy and use this blusher, I just suggest that you be careful. I once made the mistake of over-swirling my brush with this blush-on. Let's just say I ended up washing my face all-over again. It's VERY RED, and a little amount goes a very long way. 

Overall, it's a great blush. I'm actually planning to buy a few more colors. Have you tried this blush-on? Lemme know. Cheerio!

Etude House: Miss Tangerine Cream Choux Blusher in Miss Peach

Hi. Again. I'm trying to put in as many reviews as I can in a day. Just to challenge myself to be dedicated and loyal to this blog. I have the tendency to slack off every once in a while. Anyway. Since my eyes aren't giving up on me yet, here's another review of a product from one of my favorite beauty shops..Etude House!

I got this cream blush when their Miss Tangerine line has just been launched. I'm a big fan of cream blushers because they stay on longer compared to powder blushers. And since re-applying make-up is often near to impossible, I swear by those that will stay on til my classes are done. Plus, they are one of the few stores that offer a peach colored cream blush.

Peach tones look more natural on most people, maybe because it's mostly a combination of coral and pink hues. Anyway, I love this cream blush so here's Etude House Miss Tangerine Cream Choux Blusher in Miss Peach.

Price: 328 Php

Colors: Miss Peach, Miss Tangerine, Miss Grape and Miss Berry

Net Wt.: 12g

                                                                         The one above is what it looks like when blended

Pros:

1. It has a milky, creamy consistency which makes blending a breeze.

2. Highly pigmented so even a pea-size amount is enough and can go a long way

3. Stays on for a long time

4. It comes in a tube, like a lipgloss almost, which makes it very hygienic.

5. Color looks natural

Cons:

1. It has a certain faint smell which I don't like. It actually reminds me of poster paint but my mom says it smells more like petroleum jelly. You judge. =)

2. Although it's creamy, there was a time when I used it when my face lacked sufficient moisture (yes, it was very dry) and the blush became a bit chalky.

(or just use a moisturizer first)

Other than that, it's a good blusher...I'm actually eyeing the one in Miss Tangerine which is a lot more...well, orange.I promise to put on a review when I've tried it. Anyway, hope this helps. Cheerio!