Avon 24k Gold Lipstick

I'm such a sucker for good reviews. And yes, since I read good reviews about Avon's 24k Gold Lipsticks, I bought three.

Love the gold packaging! Looks so classy.

So here are the swatches of Golden Peach, 24K Pink and Amethyst Gold. I tell you, these swatches do not do justice. They're much prettier in person. Golden Peach and 24K Pink look alike, but in real life, 24K Pink is slightly more pinkish.

The coverage is sheer but buildable.

So here are the pros and cons:

PROS

• affordable
• can be buildable to look thicker
• nice packaging

CONS

• if you rub your lips, the shimmer will transfer to the sides of your mouth
• smells weird, like most AVON lipsticks

 If you love lipsticks with shimmer, this is definitely for you! But if you like matte lipsticks only, stay away from this.

Where to buy? From your nearest AVON lady, for around P420, but wait for them to go on sale so the price will go down to less than P300.

Black and Gold Smokey Eye Tutorial

Hello everyone! As you know, I just got my new camera, so I'm really excited to use it. The thing is, though, I don't know how to use a manual camera. I'm still trying to understand how to use it., so please bear with me as sometimes I do not know how to take shots properly yet.

I told myself that when I get my new camera I'd try to do a tutorial. So here is the result: a black and gold smokey eye tutorial.

Before you start, please remember to put lots of loose powder under your eye. This is important especially for dark shadows to make sure that they don't fall to your undereye.

I started by using my Fanny Serrano Gel Liner as cream base in my lids, then I put black eyeshadow on top of it. I know it doesn't look like it, but this is actually MAC Carbon. It looks so light here! I told you I'm still learning how to use it. Anyway, it's supposed to be black :)

Okay, this shot is slightly better. I put a gold eyeshadow in the crease area using a blending brush. Blend it with the black to take out the harsh line.

Okay, at least my shots are getting better. Use a shimmery highlighter for your brow bone and the inner corner of your eyes.

I used my MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack for my upper lash line. I lined my entire lower lash line with black eyeliner, then smudged it with black eyeshadow using a pencil brush. I also used black eyeliner to tightline and waterline.

Curl your lashes, apply mascara (and falsies too if you want) and do your brows.

You're finished!

Finally I Have It!

After months of pining, I finally have my own Lumix LX3! I just got it today and I can't wait to use it!

 Now all I have to do is learn how to use it :P

On Using Heated Eyelash Curlers

I actually have three eyelash curlers, but I decided to give heated eyelash curlers a try because some of my makeup artist friends use them. I bought the one from ULTA, since it was BOGO during that time. Note that this is not a review of the ULTA heated eyelash curler. I have no basis for comparison since this is the first heated eyelash curler I've tried. This post will be just mainly about using heated eyelash curlers. 

So anyway, here's how mine looks like:

It's actually small and sleek. It fits easily into a purse, but runs on batteries. I bet some of you might be wondering if these things actually work or work better than the real thing. My answer is: this might be a good option for some people.

PROS

• Good option for people whose lashes are too short that they have time curling with a traditional curler
• Won't give you the "L" shape
• You can never lose an eyelash from accidentally tugging too hard

CONS

• Takes longer to use than a traditional curler
• needs batteries to work
• has to be heated up first (mine doesn't take long to heat up--around 20-30 seconds)

How did it work for me? Here's a picture of my eye before and after I used the curler. I used the curler after mascara. They say that this is the better way to use it because then the curl has something to hold on to.

Do you see a difference? I sure do. My lashes appear to be longer after I curled it. As for the heat, it doesn't get hot enough to actually burn you or anything :P

What about you? Would you ever try this? Or would you just stick to regular ones? What are your thoughts? I'd love to read them.

5 Products that I Keep Buying Over and Over Again

Hello everyone! I'm really a beauty junkie, but there are certain products that I keep buying since they really work for me. Let me show you what my list consists of:

1. Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Fresh

Well, technically, I haven't bought this over and over again. I'm only in my second bottle. Finally, I know all the rage about the Shu Uemura oils. I have seriously tried all the oils of Shu Uemura because I bought a travel pack of all their oils. Among all of them, I loved this and the brightening oil the best, but since this was the cheaper of the two, I opted for this. This feels very light, but still moisturizing --perfect for my oily skin. For a more in-depth review of this product, click HERE

2. SkinTel Pimple Clearing Soap

I am not the only one using this soap, my sister and brother use it too. We've been using this for two years at least, and it does a good job of preventing my face from breaking out, but at the same time, it's not harsh on my face. 

3. Godiva Vitamin C Serum

I love this product! I've been using this for more than three years. I've seriously bought a bottle religiously every month, and recently, my sister has started using it too. It really does help prevent pimples. For a while, they changed their formulation to the inferior, orange one but it seems that they have returned to their original clear formulation. For a more in-depth review, click HERE

3. Leyende Face Canvas

I'm already on my 3rd jar of this! Not only is it organic, but it is absolutely non-greasy, is easily absorbed by the skin, doesn't break me out, and seems to help lessen the oiliness of my face. When I had my 2nd pixel laser, I used this as my moisturizer and I did not feel any pain at all, as opposed to the moisturizer that my derma gave me. For a more in-depth review, click HERE

5. Vaseline Healthy Sunblock SPF 30

I can't remember how many of these I've gone through but I'm at least on my 5th. I use this everyday as my body sunblock because doesn't feel heavy like most sunblocks, and it doesn't smell like sunblock either. And the price? P270. Very affordable! I only wish it came in a bigger size.

What about you? What are the products that you keep buying again and again? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Product Review: L'oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara

With the popularity of mascaras that use tubing, I was really anxious to try one. I loved Blinc Kiss Me Mascara, but it's expensive so I was really thinking twice about buying that since mascaras don't last long. In my search for a good inexpensive mascara, I've tried so many different waterproof mascaras. Unfortunately, it would seem that no waterproof mascara could withstand my uber oily lids. Thankfully, I went to the US and got myself a tube of this for only $8.

The mascara is double-ended. The primer end, coats the lashes with a film of white. I don't really know what it's supposed to do. The other end is the actual mascara end.

So here's how my lashes looked like:

From left to right: lashes curled w/o mascara, one coat of mascara, two coats of mascara

As you can see, there isn't much difference on the first coat, but there is a big difference in length in the second coat. 

How did it fare? I'm so happy to report that this does not smudge the whole day with me! Even for 10 hours. On really hot days, it does flake a little, but I find I can just flick it away. This is so much better than conventional mascaras, when the smudges can only be taken out with makeup remover and putting concealer just makes it worse!

To top it all off, it easily comes off just by pulling the tubes out with wet fingers. No more tedious removal using a makeup remover! And yet, I've never lost an eyelash. Just pull gently :)

As you can see, this mascara is a good product for my needs. Here are the pros and cons:

PROS

• does a good job for lengthening
• no smudges even for long periods of time
• comes off easily with water

CONS

• does not do much for volume
• some people might find the two-step application too much of a hassle
• can flake when it's extremely hot

Conclusion: I find that this is a good everyday mascara especially if you have long lashes already, but you'll need a different one for more va-va-voom lashes.

Will I buy this again? Yes!

TIP: Wait for L'oreal to go on sale, since I find this mascara to be quite expensive for a L'oreal mascara at P800+.

Reuploaded: Blogsale with Pictures

Selling my pre-loved stuff (for Philippine residents only):

MAC Paintpot in Layin' Low (more than 90% left) - 400 (original price: 1,100) 

MAC Hello Kitty Lucky Tom Palette (barely used) - 800 (original price: 2,250)

Oceanmist Saffron Concealer (more than 90% left) - 200 (original price: P425) the sticker on top is a little dirty because it's white

Lot of Mineral Makeup (all for 200):
Joppa Olive Leaf (eyeshadow) BN in 3g jar
Monave Tierra Dark (eyeshadow but can be used wet as eyeliner) -barely used in 3g jar
Ellana blush in Heaven - barely used in 3g jar
Ellana blush in Happiness - barely used 3g jar
Ellana blush in Fulfillment - barely used 5g jar
Ellana concealer in Awake - 60% left in 5 g jar
Bare Naturals Skin Perfecting Powder - 60% left in 20g jar


Promo: Buy MMU lot plus the Oceamist Saffron Concealer for only P300!

Everyday Minerals Fiber Optic Brush - 300 (brand new) - picture to follow

ELF Total Face Brush - 70 (brand new) - picture to follow


Bloom Blush Brush - 300 (original price: 850) -picture to follow


Bare Naturals Kabuki brush - 150 (original price: 425)
-made of synthetic hair

ConAir 5-in-1 Fun Style - 600 (barely used)
-comes with straightener, crimper, 16mm curling iron
-the brush sleeve is missing
-comes with a 16mm square iron but the clamp broke. I can include it upon request

Philips Multistylist 10 in 1 - 2000 (original price 3500)
-comes with straightener, crimper, 4 different kinds of curling irons, 2 brush sleeves, a paddle brush and a hair clamp (originally has two but I misplaced the other one)
-case for the set is also provided
*a great way to start experimenting on hair tools on a budget

Reservations are good for 3 days only.
Shipping via Xend and will be shouldered by buyer.
Accepts BDO and GCash.

Blog Sale

Hey guys! If you're looking for my blog sale, click HERE