BECCA Line + Define Pencil in SANTORINI

If you have been following my blog, you will know that I have been completely hooked to the brand, BECCA. This started when I tried their beach tint in Raspberry. I constantly buy an item to test whenever I pass by their counter. :3

BECCA says: A combination liner and brightener in one, this convenient dual-ended pencil has a soft, smooth texture that glides on easily to line, define and brighten the eyes while blending easily. The dark side of BECCA's Line & Define Pencil lavishly lines while the light side helps brighten and awaken tired eyes for a vibrant and youthful effect.

BECCA also says that this is suitable for sensitive eyes - dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested.

Artist's tips:

• - Line the inner rims of the eyes or the inner corners of the eyes with the flesh toned side of the pencil to make eyes "pop"
• - Highlight the brow bone by smudging the lighter shade beneath the brows, then blending, or apply to your upper lid to intensify eye shadow color
• - Define the lash line and outer corners of the eyes with the darker side of the pencil
• - Enhance eye color by blending the two shades together midway along the lash line
• - Apply the light side of the pencil above your lip line to plump the appearance of lips.
• 
  

You're probably thinking, why didn't she sharpen it before taking pictures? I actually like to keep the tip of this pencil short as it's too creamy and I find it breaks when the tip is long. 

Buff - a neutral/skin-toned shade.

I have long searched for a shade that would be a bit lighter than my skin tone without being too white and this is just the perfect colour as it brightens the eyes without being unnatural.

Navy - A deep Navy blue. 

True to its name, Navy is a dark blue and is great for lining and defining the eyes. I wanted a dark blue eyeliner for quite a while now, since Black tends to be a bit harsh sometimes.

Buff and Navy swatched

Consistency

Notice how creamythe eyeliners are..? Both shades go on smoothly, do not tug nor drag when applied.  However, these can be a bit too creamy and take a while to dry. Which is not entirely a bad thing, if you want to blend or smoke out your eyeliner. Because, both shades are ever so creamy, it is not hard to break the tip of the pencil. 

Staying power
These stay for hours and hours when set with an eyeshadow. As these are creamy and take a while to dry, it may crease when not set with an eyeshadow and may even bleed.

Colour payoff
Both colours are very pigmented. As with most BECCA products the colour can be layered to achieve the desired opacity.

This can also be used as a base or worn alone as an eyeshadow. The lighter colour can be used to highlight certain areas of the face, like under the arch of the eyebrows, cupids bow, etc.. The formula as previously stated is creamy and blendable. Do note however that because these are very easy to blend, over blending is possible and you might end up erasing what you just applied.
Use a light hand when applying and a lighter hand if possible when blending. :p

Here's a video from Zuneta demonstrating how to use the line + define pencil. 

Overall, I do not regret buying this eyeliner. For the price however, I somewhat expect better performance. It's still a nice addition to my current stash of eyeliners as I have neither of the shades in the pencil. If you want to buy, I would suggest that you test it at a counter to see if you like it before you splurge. 

BECCA Beach Tint in Fig and Grapefruit

Sunny mornings and rainy afternoons - we are headed towards the rainy season but my love for BECCA beach tints is growing stronger despite the changes in the weather.

BECCA's beach tints are waterproof so getting drenched in the rain wouldn't be a problem, because it will stay put. Yes, I have tested this on the beach and I can say that the beach tints are waterproof. Of course it will fade a little but as I have previously statedon my  BECCA's Beach Tint in Raspberry review HERE, the beach tint won't look weird as the color lightens on the face. 

I have purchased 2 more beach tints.

(I am wondering if I could combine the colors and come up with a new one? Maybe I should pick up more.)

For those who are not familiar with Beach tints, these are products that come in a tube in different colors. Probably is one if not the top selling BECCA product. As the name implies, they are tints that impart a healthy wash of color on the face or lips. All beach tints can be used on the cheeks as well as on the lips. The texture is like melted butter, meaning it is runny but still has a bit of creaminess to it. Beach tints are also very easy to apply and work with. One can layer the product on with several layers to get more color or one may opt for a more subtle and natural look with just a tiny bit of the product. 

Top - BECCA's Beach Tint in Fig

Bottom - BECCA's Beach Tint in Grapefruit

I was supposed to get Guava, however, it seems Guava is sold out everywhere so I decided to get Grapefruit instead. I like both colors on the cheek. On the lips, Fig is the perfect nude color that wouldn't make  person look like a zombie.

I really like Fig! It is indeed the perfect nude shade, however, it probably won't show up on skin tones that are darker than NC25-30. If you have light skin, this is a must try!

I like Grapefruit on the cheeks, but on my lips it turns into a very weird tangerine color. Among the 3 beach tints I own, this one is also the most oily. I have even resorted to storing it in the refrigerator to no avail. There's just too much oil in the product and shaking the tube can be quite a pain sometimes.

NOTE: Remember - vigorously shake before applying the beach tint.

The only downside to these are the price which some may find a bit too much. Do keep in mind though that you only need a tiny bit for each application. The product contained in these tubes will probably last for months so it's pretty much worth it in my opinion.

Grapefruit 

Color - Pale Coral Pink

I wouldn't say it's pale at all, but I agree that it is indeed a Coral.

Scent - smells like lemon cookies.

Colour Payoff -  Coral and this is rather pigmented. 

Fig 

Color - Tea Rose Pink

It's the perfect nude color with a splash of pink or is a nude pink as some would say. 

Scent - smells so lovely! it smells really fruity.

Colour Payoff - This product is very sheer. Take note of the word sheer because it might not show up on people with darker skin tones.

Here's a picture of the beach tints I currently own. Now, I usually do not purchase a product with the same formula or same use in different colors. I constantly just pick the one I like the most and would spend on other products but I am really inlove with Becca's beach tints! 

Swatches were done on my sister's arm while she was taking a nap on the sofa. hahaha! :))

BECCA products can be purchased from Adora Manila at 1,850.00 Php per tube.  

Have a great weekend everyone! Enjoy!

Make the Outside Match the Inside: Beauty During Cancer Treatment

Hello everyone! Today, I will be sharing a post written by a guest blogger.

Jackie Clark does outreach for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, a leading web resource for mesothelioma cancer. She emailed me and asked if I would post her article, and I said yes. Like her, I also believe that all women need to feel beautiful, no matter what circumstances they may be facing. Some women who undergo cancer treatment have low self esteems, lose self confidence and sometimes get depressed on account of their external appearance. I hope that women all over will have an idea of what cancer patients go through and that it inspires women from all walks of life.

Women undergoing cancer treatments often suffer from decreased self-esteem.  Cancer therapies like radiation and chemotherapy can cause extensive hair loss and weight fluctuations. Persistent nausea and fatigue may make them feel ugly or undesirable. However, the strategic use of cosmetics and beauty products can help these women feel beautiful and strong in spite of their diagnosis. 

One common complaint from women undergoing cancer treatment is that these treatments make their skin dry and itchy.  It can appear red and irritated, almost as though they are sunburned.  Fortunately, there are many organic moisturizers on the market that can help to sooth and rehydrate problem skin.  Organic moisturizers contain all-natural ingredients, which, unlike synthetic moisturizers, will not irritate the particularly delicate skin of a woman undergoing cancer treatment.

Another great product for women undergoing cancer treatment is BB Cream.  Incredibly popular in Korea and now making its way West, BB Cream is a combination moisturizer, treatment, foundation and concealer.  These creams contain soothing botanicals and have healing properties to calm skin redness, and also provide great coverage without the need for additional foundation.

Cancer treatments sometimes cause women’s eyelashes to fall out.  However, a brown or black eyeliner pencil provides an easy fix!  Simply trace a thin line along the top of where the lash line was, and smudge gently with a cotton bud.  This creates an optical illusion that the eyelashes remain, without the hassle of applying false eyelashes.

Blush is an indispensible tool in any beauty arsenal, and pink or rosy tones are a great way to add life to sallow skin.  Focus the blush on the apples of the cheeks and lightly on the nose to brighten up the whole complexion.

Finally, a pretty lip gloss is a great way for a woman undergoing cancer treatment to spice up her look.  Women can experiment with bolder or richer colors that compliment their personality and make a statement.

For many women, a cancer diagnosis like mesothelioma is not only daunting, but the physical effects of treatment can make them feel unattractive.  However, such a diagnosis has no effect on who they are internally.  A way array of beauty products and cosmetics can help patients to look like their former selves, or to experiment with exciting new possibilities they may not have previously considered.  

By: Jackie Clark

I made this using Polyvore. These are some of the products Jackie mentioned. Of course these are just my suggestions, there are a variety of products to choose from.

Lastly, whether you have cancer or you do not; whoever you are, whatever situation you are in right now, remember to smile, because ---

"A smile is the best makeup a girl can wear."