Kanebo Lunasol - 3 Dimensional Eye Shadow in EX01 Tender Glow Beige Brown

This is a continuation of my post here. This is the (Quad) Eyeshadow Palette that comes in the Lunasol 2011 Holiday set.

 3 Dimensional Eye Shadow in EX01 Tender Glow Beige Brown

Thoughts:

• The colors on this quad are perfect for everyday use; And, is great for nigh time smokey eyes.
• Shadows are soft and creamy. They're easy to work with.
• All the colors blend and compliment each other.
• Shadows may contain shimmers but the shimmers are not chunks of glitter so it won't bother you.
• Elegant packaging is always a plus.
• Applicators actually work with the product.
• Eyeshadows may be used on their own for a more subtle look. The lighter colors may seem a bit sheer but the the colors are buildable.

I love this eyeshadow quad! I think I won't be buying eyeshadows anymore. (Yeah, right... :/ )

I labeled the swatches below for your reference.

As you can see from the swatches there are several finishes to the eyeshadows. The lighest one being the most shimmery is great for highlighting the inner eye corners and can be used on top of eyeshadow for that extra pop of shimmer.

The darkest one is great for lining the water line as it won't look as harsh as a regular eyeliner does. I also use it to soften my eyeliner. No. 2 and 3 have an iridescent glow and are perfect for highlighting and as a base. 

All the other eyecolors are great too. I normally use 4 and 5 for my crease. 6 and 7 are great colors for contouring the eyes. 

swatched again with eyeshadow primer to give you an idea of what the colors look like. 

These colors are very neutral and the finish it gives is beautiful and elegant. It seems like it won't give you room for errors in the application. I am very impressed with the quality of these eyeshadows. I highly recommend this to those who like neutrals and want to invest in a good neutral palette. 

Lunasol is more of a high end brand so getting this is a set was a steal! :) With that said, even if purchased on its own, this eyeshadow palette would still be worth its price.

Do you prefer neutrals over colorful eyeshadow looks? 

benefit the POREfessional

Quickly minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! Apply this silky, lightweight balm alone, under or over makeup. Translucent, oil-free formula complements all skintones and helps makeup stay put. Contains a Vitamin E derivative, known to protect skin from free radicals. (source)

Product may be used as a primer before foundation or above makeup.

I usually use my fingers to apply the product, but one may use a brush or a sponge depending on one's preference. I would have to say that I need or use about 2 1/2 squeezes of the product to cover my whole face.

LIKES:

• It smells lovely. It has a subtle and clean scent.
• Makes my skin smooth and silky.
• Did not break me out.
• Comes in a tube - hygienic. Tube dispenses the right amount of product with a gentle squeeze.
• Translucent - Does not leave a cast and blends wonderfully.
• Light weight - Does not feel heavy on the skin.
• Blurs out skin imperfections.
• Can be used as a primer and can be applied over or on top of makeup.

DISLIKES:

• Not crazy about the balmy-feel of the product although it no longer bothers me once I have it on.
• Does nothing for my skin's oiliness.
• Not cheap.
• Not long lasting - lasts up to 4 hours on my super oily skin. Keeps my oiliness at bay for around a couple or hours or so.

1. swatch
Goes on translucent and blends perfectly on the skin.

2. blending

You may notice the texture is rather balm-like from the picture above. The product is very easy to blend and apply on skin. Once applied it feels like other silicone based primers i.e. Smashbox's photo finish.

3. blended

I'm not sure if you noticed the difference but it made my skin smoother and the lines became less visible, as if the marks, pores and spots were blurred like a camera on soft focus.

Lunasol EX Tender Glow Pink Cheek Color and Full Glamour Gloss EX19 Tender Glow Pink

The two items below are from Lunasol's Limited Edition Holiday set - Party Coffret, released sometime last Winter. Said set includes the following items: Tender Glow Beige Brown EX01, Cream cheeks EX04 Tender Glow Pink, Full Glamour Gloss EX19 Tender Glow Pink and Skin Contrast Face Powder 01 Glow.

A blush and a lip gloss. :)

Lunasol EX Tender Glow Pink Cheek Color

Contains  12g of product.

- Soft and smooth to the touch. 

- I like that it comes in a tube because it's less messy and more hygienic than other cream blushes.

- The tube may dispense a little more than you need so I suggest that you be gentle when pressing it.

- Easy to apply and blend. 

- Gives you enough time to work with the product. It will not immediately set. Product is rather on a moist side of a cream, almost feels gel like.

Set with finishing powder or a blush for maximum lasting power.

Swatch.

A very pretty Pink shade with a hint of peach. It might look more Pink on other people but on my skin it has a Peach hue to it.

Blended.

I have read somewhere that this was more of a highlight color. I would say that I have to disagree. As you can see from the swatch above, the color is quite visible. The finish is satin like.

Full Glamour Gloss EX19 Tender Glow Pink  (5.5g)

- Applicator is slanted making it ideal for application.

- Color is very subtle but it does give a lovely sheen on the lips. 

-It is very moisturizing and won't dry your lips. 

- I was amazed by the lasting power of this lip gloss.

I would probably wear this on top of a Pink Lipstick because it is very sheer on its own. 

Swatches.

I will be posting about the two other items on a separate post. :)

What kind of blush do you prefer to wear for everyday? (Cream, Powder, Tint, Gel)

Kiehls - Cryste Marine Ultra Riche Lifting and Firming Cream (skincare diary)

I promised myself not to post about the same brand on one page so I'm going to review a product from Kiehl's!  Kiehl's skincare has been growing on me - Most of the skincare products I currently use are from them. I cannot help but rave about their products! Almost all my family members have also switched to Kiehl's because of me.

Kiehl’s Fact: The Criste Marine flower grows on rock formations aside the Mediterranean Sea and is known for its unique ability to boost cell renewal for a supple skin effect.

Claims:

•Superbly-rich cream to help improve skin’s firmness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines over time.

•Unusual water-absorbing spheres trap skin’s own water, causing the molecules to expand for an immediate lifting effect.

•Skin is replenished, looking and feeling instantly lifted with a renewed “bounce-back” quality. 

Kiehl's says, "Skin looks and feels instantly lifted and replenished."

OBSERVATION:

• Does not feel greasy once it sinks in to the skin. Although, it takes a while to get absorbed.
• A great product to use when massaging because it provides a smooth surface and does not quickly sink in. 
• Smells wonderful. The scent is relaxing.
• Does not irritate my skin nor break me out.
• You only need to apply a small amount of product because it's very concentrated.
• Lines on the areas I apply this product on have significantly diminished.

I will be posting an updated skincare routine soon. I usually use this after essence and serum at night on my face (should I feel that it's dry), my neck and decollete area. I only use a little amount of the product for it is rather thick and potent. I believe this jar will last me a very long time.

Consistency,  feels heavier and thicker than other creams I have used. I suppose that's why "Riche" was incorporated to the product name. It seems to be more concentrated. This is richer in texture than the other Cryste Marine cream; but it is easy to spread and is very moist.

- I'm not sure how much this product costs as it was given to me by a friend from the States. I am guessing that this would be around 2,000-3,000++Php

- I use and alternate this product with Philosophy's Hope in a Jar and L'Occitane's Divine Cream.

Should have posted this a long time ago. -_- Sorry!

Dior Addict Lip Glow (Color Reviver Balm)

Description: Nobody will ever kiss quite like you with Dior's sensationally sheer lip balm that responds to the color chemistry of your own lips to create a shade uniquely yours. Smooth it on to moisturize, add sun protection and enhance your own natural lip color instead of hiding it. 

Warning - Pretty products must cam whore so I took loads of pictures:

SRP - 1,500.00 Php

Yes, the price is rather steep for a lip balm; I'm really desperate for a good balm because my lips have been terribly dry lately for as long as I can remember. 

I will state the cons of the product first:

1. Price - As I previously stated, it's expensive for a lip balm. 

2. It is always out of stock at their counter at Rustan's. You might want to reserve one if you wish to purchase, unless you get lucky and you are there when they restock.

3. Runs out quickly. I'm always halfway through mine.

The packaging is so pretty! :3

Comes in a clear Pink plastic cap and the tube itself is made of metal. I have no complaints about it whatsoever.

Contains 10 SPF. A definite plus for a lip product! :)

The CD logo.

The actual product is slanted so it glides on the lips easily and application is a breeze! :)

- I am not sure of it's plumping properties. I have never noticed any difference on my lips after application.

-  No weird taste; it has a scent but it does not bother me.

- Compared to other lip balms I have tried, this keeps my lips moisturized for a long time. I would only have to re-apply after I eat and before I sleep. The color may fade when worn for long periods though.

Are you girls familiar with the magic lipstick? It has the same concept but the magic lipstick stains the lips and leaves, accentuates lines on the lips and makes my lips patchy. This on the other hand applies evenly and never settles on the lines of my lips. Oh, this also looks more natural as long as you don't overdo the application.

Swatch. The color changes from light pink to red depending on the person's body chemistry. 

On me, it's a reddish-pink. It looks natural and has a natural and lovely sheen to it. Something I'd definitely wear on my lazy days because of the extra SPF it contains. And, I won't look weird or undone even if I have it on! :D

NOTE: Applying several layers will give you Neon Pink lips. I am not kidding; remember to use the product sparingly.

Repurchase? Most likely. Will try the Becca Butter Balm when I run out of this product.

Will post a FOTD next time. :P

Tony Moly Perfect Eyes Eyeliner in 09 Tear Beige

Eyeliners, a must have. 

Eyeliners define and enhance our eyes. Classic eyeliner shades always leaned towards darker colors such as Black, Brown, Blue and Green. I am glad to see that more colors are becoming available, specifically lighter ones such as Peach and White. Lighter colored eyeliners will make you seem more awake as they brighten and make the eyes pop out.

Tony Moly says: Effective waterproof pencil eye liner that does not get smudged by water, sweat and sebum.

Directions from Tony Moly: Fill the gap between the eyelashes along the upper lid. 

I really wouldn't recommend doing that since it will emphasize sparse eyelashes. I would recommend that you use this for the inner corners of your eyes, on your lower waterline and as an eyeshadow but I think you should only line your upper lid with a dark eyeliner. That's what I do anyway. 

Around 400-500 Pesos. Definitely cheaper than Urban decay's 24/7.

One will have to note that once the product settles, it will not budge. It really is water proof too so it may be a bit of a pain to remove at the end of the day.

Pigmentation: 

A bit sheer but it can be layered to bring out the "real color' of the product.

Texture: 

Smooth and very creamy. Almost buttery to the touch.

Application: 

It glides on the eyes effortlessly. Although one may have to build up the product for a more defined look, application overall is still a breeze!

Lasting Power: 

I do not have oily lids and it lasts 6 hours on me. I would recommend that this product be used with an eyeshadow primer and set with a powder or eyeshadow of the same color for maximum lasting power. The product does stay on but it will somewhat fade. Maybe it is because of the color. I have yet to try the darker liners from this line, but I am still convinced that Tony Moly makes awesome eyeliners! 

swatch TM 09 Tear Beige.

The color is more Champagne or Peach like than Beige as I have always equated Beige as more of a light Brown in my head, but that could just be me. You can refer to the swatch as it is rather accurate. 

swatched with other peach/champagne eyeliners.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in 055 Cupcake

I just had to pick up one... After watching and reading so many positive reviews about Revlon's Lip Butters I knew I just had to try it, so I randomly picked up a shade of Pink I do not yet have. 

Lip Butters entice me! Anything that would provide moisture and keep my dry lips from chapping/ cracking excite me.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter 

055 Cupcake

The packaging is quite similar to the Colorburst lipsticks. The caps however have a similar to the shade of lip butter inside. 

Price - Around 500++ Php.

I believe that it is rather expensive for a drugstore brand.

The lip butter itself is slanted and can be easily applied on the go. 

Candy Pink with Purple/Blue undertones.

Texture: Creamy. Goes on easily, but I wouldn't say that it's that buttery. Yes, it is soft but there's still something lacking. I find that while it does not completely dry my lips; it also fails to provide enough moisture to keep it from cracking. I still have to apply a balm underneath, which I believe totally defeats the purpose of the lip butter as it is supposed to be something between a lipstick and a lip balm.

I am not crazy of its texture on the lips as it feels rather gooey; but maybe that's just me. I am not a fan of sticky lip glosses after all.

Pigmentation: I am under the impression that different shades may vary in color payoff. This one is rather sheer but is buildable. The color payoff is better than most lip balms but is still not as great or as pigmented as a lipstick.

Lasting Power: Not great. It's a lip butter and not a lipstick after all. One needs to constantly re-apply this from time to time.

Finish: Frosty. Shiny. Not really shimmery as lip glosses or lip butters, but it still has a sheen to it.

As you can see from the picture, it does not apply evenly. It takes several swipes to achieve the color above and still I can see some areas that seem to be bare.

I have tried mixing this with other lip products and it didn't seem to work very well. :/

Re-purchase? Most likely not, unless I see a color or shade that I really like.