Etude House Haul Part 1

For the past few weeks I've been wanting to visit Etude House weekly. I feel bad that after awhile that Etude House has been around in the Philippines, I just recently became super addicted with their ubberly cute stuff. I'm a self confessed sucker for cute packaging of make up and skin care. That is why Korean brands never fails to get my attention.

When it was finally available in SM Makati Dept. Store, I kept on coming back for their nice shades of PINKY lipsticks and glosses. They were my faves then. Unfortunately, I never really get to see the products they carry since they only have limited selection. But since they only carry limited stuff, my cravings was put to an end.

Not until , they opened a boutique in Market Market which I am so grateful. Every time I would visit Etude house, I would not only try their make up but also their skin care. Recently I visited their branch in SM Bicutan. Their SA's were very pleasant, patient and I must admit, I felt the urge of splurging (YIKES!).

See how much I have collected from my weekly visit to Etude House. These are only part of my Etude haul. I haven't included the ones I got before I got hooked with Etude. I still have a long wish list. Hope I get them before Christmas 2011! I'm so happy! These are my sweets!

PS. What I love about Etude House is that they have GWP (Gift with Purchase). This is an opportunity for buyers to try out sample products. This way it would keep Etude fans to come back for more. LOVE IT!

Can't wait to try everything. Hopefully to review each of them soon!

Lovelies, please suggest what other Etude House stuff that is a MUST-TRY. Oh my, temptations, temptations. :) Can't wait to hear from you ladies....

Benefit Dr. Feelgood

BENEFIT SAYS:

dr. feelgood

" This invisible refiner, blended with Vitamin C helps to smooth away the appearance of fine lines while leaving skin feeling and looking silky, flawless and matte to touch. It's a colorless, weightless miracle worker."

"How to use: Pat and smooth over make up with its accompanying sponge. Or, simply wear it alone "

From the time I got hooked with Benefit Cosmetics, this was one of the haul that I got and tested. I was so excited and pretty much hopeful that this was available locally so I could test it first before buying it. Since it was not possible to try, I relied on reviews . So far, I've read equally good and not so bad review.

I've had this for awhile and I feel that even if I don't have this in my beauty stash, I would not have missed much. From what it claims, it is a beauty balm that keeps the skin matte and prep skin to be flawlessly smooth. It really did made my skin more refined and kept oiliness at bay. HOWEVER, it somehow confuses me at first if I should use it as a primer or over make up.

When I tried it to over make up, I was disappointed. It streaked and erased my make-up. I could see through my skin. I just pat it on as it instructed but ended messing up my make up. When I wore it alone, it SOMEHOW made my skin matte and silky but fine lines and enlarged pores didn't show big difference. Finally, I tried it as a make up base for my liquid foundation. It didn't succeed either. I had a hard time blending my foundation because the waxy, powdery finish of dr. feelgood did not mix well. What a waste of money, I thought.

Good thing that I tried it with powder foundation and mineral foundation. It worked really well with them and had an oil free skin for a day. That's when I finally got a use for Benefit dr. feelgood. It is also very useful when I'm too lazy to put on make up. I wear this alone with my powder blush, mascara and lip stain.

V E R D I C T:

I have tried other face primer that works better with any foundation. I don't think I would repurchase since it is 24g. Since it did not fulfill as what it is for --- a mattifier over make up (for me), I could forget that I had this.

PS.

This may have worked for others, what I write and say here only relies on my personal experience of this product. Or, maybe, I'm using it the wrong way that's why i don't get expected results. Another is since I live in a tropical country, that may have an effect on dr. feelgood balm. Please let me know what you've experienced.

Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer

When I started with my make up addiction, I never really gave attention to eye primers. I've always thought that a good concealer application and setting it properly with powder on the eye area is enough to make eye shadow adhere well. It worked fine though as a great base. However, with regards to color pay off and long wear aspect, it made me think otherwise. I realized that having eye primer applied before eye shadow helped my eyelids control oil build up and crease free. My eye shadow colors also showed up more vibrant.

One of the eye primer I've tried is the Etude Proof 10 Eye Primer (P298/10g). I wanted to give it a try because I'm really disappointed with Urban Decay Primer Potion or UDPP. Don't get me wrong, it was the best eye primer I've ever tried. It's just that I'm allergic to it. Sometimes, I still use it anyway and deal with the allergic reaction after.

Thank God, I saw this lovely eye primer from Etude and tried it from the store. It was comparable to UDPP for it's color and texture. The Proof 10 Eye Primer was creamier and when it dries up, it was not totally matte. It claims to withstand eye make up for 24 hours. I haven't used it that long but I say it was pretty awesome that my eye shadow stayed put. There was no creasing, considering that I have really oil eye lids. It performed really well. Actually I was really impressed. It didn't cost me a fortune to fine a dupe for my UDPP. It was worth it. What is really really great?! No allergic reaction.

I would be happy to recommend this for lovelies out there who could not get hold of the Urban Decay Primer Potion. It may not be the exact dupe for UDPP but it impressingly works really well. Having an eye primer would save you from touching up shadows. Especially with the humid weather we have here in the Philippines, a good and reliable eye primer , Etude Proof 10 Eye Primer that is, should be a magic staple product in your vanity kits.

PROS:

• very cheap and affordable ( hard to pass on)
• long wearing
• blendable
• a good eye shadow base

CONS:

• packaging - cannot get all the product when it's almost 50% empty unless to cut open the bottle

P.S.

Try it and tell me what you think..... Or if you've tried other eye primer and love it as well.

Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation

Every girl regardless of age, race, and color, would always want to have extraordinary glowing skin. Unfortunately, no one is exempted in having UNperfect skin.

I do love make up. This is because it could enhance my features and hide flaws. But then, truly that no amount of make up could beat a well taken cared skin. HOWEVER, a little help from wonderful beauty products available in the market won't be bad :).

I have found gold in Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation (P1250 / 30 ml.). Not because of it's glittering finish but for it's GLOWING touch . I definitely fell in love with how dewy my skin looked. It was a bit shiny but when finished of with loose powder, skin looked totally great. The shimmer was not evident. I got undeniably fresh , younger looking skin. I have tried different illuminating foundation, but this one was the best so far. The shimmering effect was very fine. I could not see obvious glitter.

Without Flash:

With flash

DOWNSIDE:

If you've got oily skin, I prefer that you stick to matte finish foundation like dual powder foundation. Because the fact that the finish of any illuminating product is shiny, the natural oil build up of skin would add up to the shininess to the skin . Might end up looking greasy.

Tip: for those with oily skin - use powder highlighters with minimal shimmer and glitter to add just right amount of glow.

I'm not sure if it is a downside, but for those who wants full coverage, this may not be the one. Since it is illuminating, it has sheer finish. It can be buildable BUT I don' think it will look nice. A thin layer would be a perfect dewy finish. A thicker application may be a "disco ball" art (which would be a disaster).

What I Think?

I highly recommend this product for days that you just want to look UNMADE UP. A nice dewy finish would still always be the best look everyday of the week.

I'm still in search for a good illuminating foundation from other brands and of different texture. Please feel free to suggest what you've tried. Hope to hear from you lovelies.....

Cream Blush

I've been always a huge fan of cream based blushes. This includes cream, cream to powder and mousse type. Don't get me wrong, I do hate the sticky feeling when these creamy textured make up are applied on to my face. B U T, I just could not give up the fact that these looks more natural, easier to blend and mostly gives me the look of glow from within. It does not give the hard, stiff, unnatural look. Anyways, there are more reasons why YOU should get hold of these lovelies.

These are some of my cream based blushers:

Since they are cream based, there's a tendency that it might not be long wearing. Especially if used in tropical countries (like here in the Philippines) where make up tend to melt fast. But then, I have exciting reasons why you should at least own one of these gorgeous creamy blushers.

Reason 1: Natural Glow

It looks natural and gives a perfect "glow from within" look. No need to stick to natural, nude boring shades of blush. You could experiment on bright shades like hot pink and red cheeks. Because cream blushers leave a very nice sheen and wash of color. Color tends to melt into skin. Just have to blend, blend, blend with your fingertips or in my case I use stippling brush. Unlike powder blushes, color tend to sit on top of the foundation and looks clownish (esp. if not blended well) .

Reason no.2: Multi Tasking

Usually these blushes could also be used as lip color. That's why I love the Stila Convertible Color P845. ---(cheaper than $24 ) It may be a bit drying on the lips but I put lip balm first to moisturize my lips before I dab it on. I'm loving it more because I could use these creamy blush as a base for my powder blushes. It would now give me long wearing blush that would last he whole day. And my blush could either look brighter or more prominent.

Reason no. 3: Custom color

I could create numerous shades to be more cheeky. There's is really no rule that whatever the color of the cream blush, powder blush should be exactly the same. I love combining apricot shade of cream blush and top it off with bright pinky powder blush. Now, you can create different looks.

Reason no. 4: EASY to USE

Don't think so??? I know some might disagree but powder blushes are more hard to use especially if one could not blend. The reason might be is that the most common texture of blushes sold in the market are powder blushes. If you notice, there would be some girls wearing red, pinky stripes on their cheeks. Tsk, tsk, that is because of poor blending. Unlike with cream blushes, a little pat and blending gives the right amount of color and is buildable. Finish is very sheer. Both make up junkies and newbies shares the same benefit for saving time in prepping.

Bonus:

You can still look your best even on outdoor sports and when hitting the beach ;)

Cons:

• Cannot wear it with heavy powder foundation
• if you have super dooper oily skin
• very sheer, not for those who wants full make-up
• sometimes could stain fingers
• NOT long wearing unless is set by powder or powder blush
• cream based make up are prone to dust (tip: to clean upper layer, use a clean sponge to swipe on the top layer LIGHTLY to avoid getting too much product)

Tools needed:

I say that your fingers works as well as brushes. It gives warmth to the product before it is applied. But then, for hygienic purposes , i opted for using brushes so it is evenly blended on my face and that natural oil from my hands won't have to add to the blush. Because with fingers, it depends on how the movement of it. Sometimes, streaking is resulted.

I prefer using a stippling brush and a foundation brush. These kind of brushes are synthetic and it really works well with any cream based make-up. I usually use foundation brush to apply color and use stippling brush to blend. But then either or can be perfectly used in putting cream blushes. Setting of loose powder would be optional if you want to mattify. But for me, i skip it sometimes if i want to achieve dewy fresh look.

Verdict:

It would be a staple in my stash, as it has ever been. Expecially for days that I would want to look simple yet fresh. There's no way I'll give it up. Actually, I'm in search for other brands that has more brighter colors. PLEASE, PLEASE do share it with me. Would love to hear from you. So I'll have a reason to add it on my collection and maybe added to my FAVES. :)

P.S.

I will review each brand of cream blushes that I tried... SOON!

Etude House Color Me Nude

Who said that concealer are only for blemishes, dark circles, acne and scars???? I say, THANK YOU Etude House for having a great product such as their Color Me Nude lip concealer. Yes, a lip concealer and a lip base that helps neutralize lip color and smoothen lips.

I used to be grateful for having very pigmented rosy lips because I don't need to always apply lip products. I could put on a pinky balm and I'm off to go.

But as I try on different make up trends, I realized that I could not wear light and bright shades of lipsticks. It always end up looking heavy and dark. I envy those who could slick on nude lippies and complete their glam smokey eye make up. I couldn't even pull off pale peach and pinks shades because the natural shade of my lips keeps on showing underneath. The finish is uneven and unsightly.

Natural lip color

With Etude House Color Me Nude

WITHOUT FLASH

With Color Me Nude

Without Color Me Nude

WITH FLASH

With Color Me Nude

Without Color Me Nude

VERDICT:

This would be a staple in my make up stash. Not only it made my lips smooth for flawless lip color application, shade of the lipstick stayed true on lips. Exact color as it is expected to appear. Non-drying. The only downside is to scrub away chapped and dry lips prior to application of Color Me Nude lip concealer.

Ladies out there with highly pigmented natural lips, do grab your own Etude Color Me Nude. See how your old forgotten lippies transform into new bright, exciting color. Bonus: Lipstick stays put!!!

Beauty Treats Lipstick in Pink 133

What I'm loving now is an ultimate cheap thrill from Beauty Treats lipstick (available in Watson's). I've always fallen in love with any pink shade of make up especially for the lips. My make-up haul would consist of a lot of pinky shades from eyeshadow, blushers to LIPPIES --- lip balm, lip stain, lip cream, lipstick, lipgloss etc. more than corals and bronze shades.

I'm super addicted to the brightness of this pinky yummy lipstick....

Beauty Treats lipstick in Pink 133 (Bright Neon Hot Pink)

Made in USA

Watson's P195 - so cheap

The texture is VERY creamy. I find it best to use with lip brush so that color would spread evenly on lips. Coverage is buildable and has a glossy finish. Can skip on gloss. Non-drying. Leaves a bit of stain. It lasts for about 4-6 hours, depending on what you do in between :)

What I hate about it????

The quality of packaging. The first time I used it, the lipstick was detached from the holder. Since then , I had to be careful every time I use it :P But what the heck, I still got the most coveted PINK shade of lipstick close to MAC's Candy Yum Yum.

Will definitely hoard on this one :)

ON MY LIPS:

SWATCH:

WITHOUT FLASH

WITH FLASH

I just feel a lot prettier and flirty with pinks. I guess, it complements my NC25-Nc30 skin. It even brightens my face on days that I want little make up. What's good with pink lips is that I could pair it with bright pink blush for a healthy glow.

What do you think? Please leave me a message or let me know if there are shades that you think would also look good on me. And also shades of lippies that you would want me to write about. Anything about make-up :) would be my greatest pleasure.....