Review: MAC Lipstick in "Plumful"

There's something about MAC lipsticks that are plain addicting. Even if you aren't a lipstick person, with MAC, it's easy to have a change of heart. I was in fact a hard-core lip tint gal for a long time until I decided to purchase my first ever lipstick from MAC in Please Me on a passing thought, and since then, I remained fixated on the brand. Up to now I haven't the faintest idea as to why or how. But I am, unquestionably down with a MAC fever and my body has no plans of recovering any time soon.

So today, allow me to share to you YET another lovely find from the Queen of lipsticks. The shade I have today is Plumful which has a lustre finish. Essiebutton is one of my favorite bloggers out there, my friends and I just adore her videos so yeah, she was a big influence on this purchase after knowing this is her favorite lipstick from MAC. Haha! Anyway, as a lot of you may know, their lipsticks come in different finishes, I think now they come in 9 different types namely Amplified, Amplified Creme, Cremesheen, Frost, Glaze, Lustre, Matte, Retro Matte, and Satin, which is a lot in all honesty but once it lands on your lips, it's hard to tell what's what already - except for matte anyway which I think is just about the only one that has a stark difference among all the finishes.

It comes in MAC's standard packaging which is this black bullet that has a silver design that goes around it. I really have no qualms regarding its packaging because I find it very functional, sturdy and professional looking. If there's anything I'd be worried about it's the smell that comes with it. I don't hate it, in fact I do enjoy their signature vanilla scent, but some people might be put off by it.

MAC describes this shade as a "blossoming rose-plum", although we can all agree that their description is not as accurate sometimes. It's a given that it would come out differently depending on how pigmented your lips are to begin with. But the shade is really lovely against my fair, Asian skin, although it pulls more mid-tone fuschia pink on me rather than plum. Having worn Rebel in the past, I think Plumful is a much more subdued version of Rebel, therefore making it a lot easier to pull off. It's not an intimidating color either which makes it fit for any occasion. It can easily be worn with a striking eye make up or just a simple winged eye-liner, whatever floats your boat. It's basically that shade I put on when I don't know what to do with my freakin' face. Haha! xx 

What I Like: 

• Straight to the point packaging
• No irritating smell 
• Did not cause allergies on my lips 
• Compliments a variety of skin tones 

What I'm Neutral About: 

• This isn't widely available in the Philippines yet so for those living in the provinces, online shopping is the best way to go. 

What I Don't Like: 

• It's a bit steep for just a tube of lipstick but honestly worth every penny. xx 
• MAC is a lot more expensive here in Manila so if you know anyone in the US, just have 'em buy your MAC goodies for you. You'll definitely save lots! 

Price: 1000php or approximately $23 

Available at: Glorietta, Rustan's Shangri-la, Mall of Asia, Trinoma, Rockwell, Eastwood, Alabang Town Center, SM Aura, SM Megamall, and Ayala Center Cebu 

So what do you guys think about this lipstick? Let me know on the box below! 

Hope to see you in my next post! xx 

As always... JEM

Review: Revlon Lip Butter in Cotton Candy and Candy Apple

I know these lip butters have been reviewed a million times already, but as the famous saying goes, "better late than never!" I am so happy to finally be joining the bandwagon and to give you guys my two cents on the much hyped Revlon Lip Butters! I got them two weeks ago on a whim, I was honestly just there looking for a decent hair serum for my ever so dry hair, but then I came across Revlon's counter and found out that they were having a sale. And knowing that they hardly put their best sellers on sale, yup these lip butters sell like hotcakes, I just had to get some for myself! 

I have heard great stuff about these babies which made me even more excited to test drive them. I love the concept of lip butters, it's like a fusion of a balm, a lipstick, and a lip gloss! They also have a wide range of colors too so it's easy to find something flattering for your skin tone. 

As of current, I have Candy Apple & Cotton Candy. 

My experience with Cotton Candy: 

This is a cool, pale pink shade which I imagine would look gorgeous when paired with smokey eyes. It has more shimmers compared to Candy Apple, which I think is because the color is much more lighter and cooler, therefore making the glitters more obvious to the naked eye. It looks paler than the natural color of my lips so unless I'm auditioning for a zombie movie, I don't think I'd pick this up as it ridiculously washes me out. Whenever I use this, I always make sure I have a bit of eye liner going on, and a dash of blush so as to make up for the color lacking on my lips. This is obviously not my cup of tea. I love the product itself, it being a lip butter and all, but I'm certainly not wowed by the color pay off. If you're in the look-out for a lippie to pair with those smokey eyes then definitely check this out. 

My experience with Candy Apple: 

Generally, I'm not fond of red lipsticks. I own two but never get around to using them because I feel like I'd end up looking too made up or something. Candy Apple, on the other hand, is a lovely color which is just right up my alley. The shade is a warm subtle red, which, on my lips appears orangey-red. I've had similar results with a lip tint from Nature Republic shade wise, but obviously, I am much more sold on Candy Apple since it doesn't dry out my lips. It doesn't have a superb staying power but it wasn't advertised to be that way so it's to be expected. This is a great shade for that pop of color because it's not an "in your face" kind of red, very au naturele instead. This is actually my fave between the two!

Overall, I'd recommend these two, but still depending on what you're looking for. Obviously I love Candy Apple more because it doesn't look too intimidating -  perfect for school, running errands, or meeting the girl friends out for lunch. I'd recommend it to you if you are scared of wearing anything red, but aren't closing the door on the shade. Try it, I'm sure you'll love it just as much.  

As for Cotton Candy. I can't fully recommend this toe everyone as it's not flattering on my skin tone (fair skin with strong yellow undertones) when used alone. The color is too cool for my liking, so perhaps it would look better on cooler skin tones. However, shades like this one does come in handy & it's super great if you're wanting to go all out on your eye make up, and therefore have to keep it sweet and simple on the lips. 

Lastly, much as I love the lip butters, they are MAD expensive here in Manila. I wouldn't purchase this for full price in all honesty, but if you have the budget for it, I say go for it and try at least one shade. I recommend you try buying online but do verify their authenticity first before anything else.

And also, revlon lip butters aren't particularly long wearing, it wasn't advertised to be such so I'm willing to overlook just because it doesn't make my lips look hideously dry. If you haven't tried anything from Revlon, now's the perfect time to treat yourself to some as they are currently having a 25% sale on all lip butters. 

To get you started, here are some of the popular shades from this line: 

Peach Parfait, Berry Smoothie, Candy Apple, Pink Truffle, Sugar Plum, Sweet Tart, and Tuttie Fruttie. 

Where to buy: Leading department stores (SM, Landmark, Robinson's) 

Price: Originally priced at 525php ($11.82) but got them for only 393php ($8.85) due to the ongoing sale. 

JEM's Overall Rating: 4/5 

So what do you think of the Revlon lip butters? Is it something that you would buy too or do you already have a similar one in your stash? Do share on the box below! Lets talk! xoxo

Review: Maybelline Colorsensational So Nude lipstick in NU33s

Call me super outdated but I seriously haven't tried any lipstick from Maybelline yet. BB cream, check. Powder foundation, check. Mascara, check. Lipstick? Only recently, CHECK! I guess it's cause they have too many shades to choose from, and I just can't seem to bring myself to narrow it down to three or five lippies. Looking at them all, I'm like, can I just buy the whole counter please? Haha! I kid, I kid. 

So when Maybelline released their So Nude line, well well, I couldn't be more thankful cause the choices have been narrowed down. I love nude colors, not the ones that make me look paler, but the ones that don't go too far from my natural lip color. Sort of like a "my lips but better" shade. So today's feature is from their So Nude line in NU33s, which I think could do better with a name, don't you agree? 

So now let's dive into the details of this gem right here!

PACKAGING: 

The packaging is pretty standard and is the size of the rest of the colorsensational lippies. The product itself is housed in a transparent, peachy colored cap. It has a sturdy feel to it too and does that "click" upon closing it that let's you know it's not going to make a mess inside your bag. 

PRICE: 

Originally priced at 399php ($9.04) but got them for only 279php ($6.29) when Maybelline went on sale. I think they still are so if you have any plans of getting a hold of one or two of their products then now's the perfect time to do so! The sale is nationwide if I'm not mistaken. 

WEAR-TIME: 

I'm not really that surprised that this has poor wear time since Maybelline is not famous in that area, so I forgave them long before using this lipstick. Plus, it's not advertised to be that way so double okay. 

On me, it stays put for about 2-3 hours WITHOUT eating or drinking. It fades completely after a hearty meal but this is not so much of a deal breaker for me as it is such a breeze to re-apply. 

SHADE: 

The shade I would describe as a subtle warm peach with a slightest hint of coral to it. 

Texture: 

The texture is so lovely, it glides smoothly on the lips and finishes off with a bit of sheen to it. I would still suggest you put a balm underneath just to be sure because I used this from day to night and my lips began to feel a bit dry on the 8th hour mark. It should be okay if you're not using it all day but if you are, then use something underneath it. (I love EOS by the way, it's by far the most moisturizing lip balm I've used to date.)

Smell: 

Free from any type of fragrance. 

OVERALL, I am SOLD!!! (Capslock para intense) I wear this a lot to school because it's the perfect MLBB shade for me. It's not the kind of nude that makes me look sick, but the kind that looks so natural and yet so beautiful! I received compliments from wearing this lipstick so NOPE, it's not so nude that it's not noticeable anymore. The texture is also one thing I adore - it's creamy and finishes off with a bit of sheen to it, but nothing like a lip gloss kind of finish so it's nothing I'd be afraid of, really. I actually like it because it creates the appearance of fuller and healthier lips. Can't beat the price too so overall, I would recommend! 

JEM's rating: 5/5 

Can't leave you without pictures so excuse me, makikiraan lang po ang aking fezlak! Lol

How about you? What's your favorite nude/MLBB shade? Let me know on the box below! 

JEM

Max Factor Color Elixir "827" in Bewitching Coral

Christmas is soo around the corner, and what better way to celebrate it than to wear fun, bright colored lipsticks! Which by the way, is a huge breakthrough for me as I don't normally wear loud colors, in fact I am a hardcore lip tint gal, but with the festive atmosphere that comes with the yuletide season, I can't help but take everything a notch higher. That meaning, including something fresh, something different, something perky to my collection of lipsticks!

So today's feature is from Max Factor's Color Elixir line in Bewitching Coral. I was told that this is their best seller along with another shade called Pink Brandy. In all honesty, I'm not very hard to impress so whenever I'm told that something IS a best seller, I'm all ears! I didn't actually decide on this color, and in fact my mind was set on Cover Girl's Fairytale, however, upon swatching the two on my hands, Max Factor's appealed to me more since Covergirl's seemed to give a somewhat neon-ish effect on the lips. I'm not looking for THAT loud a color at the moment, and I doubt it would look flattering too, so I made a safe pick and went with Max Factor's.

Now let's get into the deets with this baby!

Packaging: 

I love how elegant the packaging is. There's sort of like a 60's vibe to it which I just adore. Very classic! It is housed in a gold, metallic tube that has sturdy feel to it, and also "clicks" upon closing it, which is great cos it means that it won't come loose easily.

Wear time: 

It has a decent wear time that lasts for around 3-4 hours. Even after eating a hearty meal, the color is still 80% there, which is saying a lot since most lippies just tend to vanish in the center of your lips leaving you with an awful looking line in the corners of your mouth. Terrible right?! This stays put though & might even leave a stain until the next day. Trust me, I know!

Shade: 

The shade I would describe as a hot pink, with the slightest hint of coral to it. The color is very much on the warm side, and surprisingly, doesn't show up as neon as I imagined it would be, thank goodness! I think it depends on how pigmented your lips are, but on me, it looks a bit more reddish towards the end of the day, although the "hot pink" is still pretty much there.

I don't know why I can't capture its real shade but I swear, it's more pink in person.

Price: 

Pricing here in Manila can sometimes be impossible. I know this is just around 350php in the UK, when converted,  and in here it's like 600php. I understand it's going to be a bit more expensive when the goods get in here but still, if you want to save money, and you know anyone who lives in the US, just list everything that you want and have them buy it for you. You'll save lots, I swear. Because of that, I would say I find it steep. Max factor is supposed to be affordable, but buying it in Manila it becomes somewhat mid-range already so, bohoo.

Smell: 

This lipstick has a vanilla-ish scent that I can't seem to distinguish, but yeah, vanilla is the closest thing I could think of at this point. Its good, but kinda smells old to me. It goes away after application though so it isn't much of a deal breaker for me.

Overall, this is a good lipstick. It stays on pretty much the whole time that I have to be out, and it feels weightless too. I guess that's what I adore about this -- it doesn't feel heavy at all and it's not drying either. But I bet if you had this on the whole day, it will dry your lips out sooner or later so carry with you a lip balm just to be sure. I  haven't encountered that though but hey, we all have different reactions to new products so it pays to be prepared. Perhaps my only beef about it is that it takes some muscle to remove it completely, and might even leave quite a stain :)

Anyway, for comparison's sake, and I guess you could say that these are dupes, here's a swatch of Ever Bilena in Pink Flame and M&co in Peachy Pink. Color wise, they don't go too far from each other, but M&co's stands closest because Ever Bilena is a tad bit pinker than Max Factor's. However, these dupes are not as long wearing, and can be a bit drying as well. But if you don't mind these cons, then go for it. But if you really want to get the bang from your buck, then do your lips a favor and grab Max Factor's instead. Overall, I am impressed. I intend to buy Pink Brandy next which looks like a lovely coral shade! xx

I tried washing my hands with soap after doing the swatches and this is what I got! Told ya it leaves quite a stain! xx

Jem's Rating:  5/5

Have you tried anything from this line? Would love to hear your thoughts on this one! Let me know on the box below! 

-JEM-

Review: G-lish Cheek & Liptint in Berry Blush

My first ever product from G-lish was a cooling face mist and a pink lip gloss which I bought in their kiosk in Megamall some three years ago. I'm not even sure if the lip gloss is still out there, perhaps they already phased it out but I sure would love to get me another one if it still is! But I loved the face mist more, which I used up in three months since it came in really handy, because you may or may not know it but summer in the Philippines is quite something. Anything that helps with the sometimes unbearable heat of the summer is automatically my best friend! Which reminds me, I have to get my hands on one really soon! Haha! :)

But anyway, today's feature is their Lip & Cheek Tint in Berry Blush. I am forever obsessed with lip tints so this purchase is not much of a surprise for me. Haha! Anyway, I initially wanted the one that came in with a pump but it was out of stock at the time so I opted for this one instead. Did I love it? Read on to find out!

First, let's get into the details of this product! 

Packaging: 

I love that it's in pink! Like it belongs in every girl's make up kit, no? It comes in a travel friendly pot, really small and easy to tote along at 10 grams. But with all honesty, I'm not so much fond of the pot because aside from hygienic reasons, I also find it inconvenient to use. Imagine if you have to reapply this and you're already running late for school/office or wherever else, and you still have to open the pot and dip your fingers and well, such annoyance, don't you agree?  

Shade: 

They have three shades to choose from and I chose the most vibrant color, Berry Blush. The color I would describe as a warm fuchsia pink, which I imagine would look flattering on most skin tones. The color is really nice when swiped on the hand, but when applied on the lips, (my lips anyway), it looks really natural, sort of like "my lips but better shade."

Longevity: 

This product is for me, a cross between a lip balm and a liptint. It's great that it's not at all drying like most korean lip tints are, however, it doesn't stay as long. I'm pretty neutral about this part because I touch up a lot anyway, and besides, I'm happy with how the color turned out for me so not much complaint there.

Smell:

Whenever I get a whiff of it straight from the pot, it reminds me of a car freshener that is strong enough to make anyone nauseous. But then again, it's a lip tint. As soon as you apply it on your lips, the smell hangs around for a second or two, and then goes away. So unless you are super duper mega ultra sensitive to smell, then you should be okay.

Price: 

Two thumbs up for me!  It has so much product in it and yet is so budget friendly. The price is such a winner at 100php ($2.29)! 

Availability: 

It's such a downer that they only have three kiosks as of the moment. I hope they come up with more in the future because they have really awesome stuff to offer! Currently, they're only available at SM Pampanga, Sta Lucia in Cainta Rizal, and in Trinoma. 

Jem says: 

I love this product! The pros still outweighs the cons so in the end, it still is a winner. If you're in the lookout for a long lasting lip tint, I'm sad to report that this is not the one for you.  However, if you're looking for one that you can comfortably wear on a daily basis and has a natural effect on the lips, then definitely pick this one up soon! If you're not near any of their kiosk, then fortunately for you they ship nationwide. Overall, I would recommend! 

For more information on G-lis h products, click here. 

Jem's rating: 4.5/5

And of course I won't leave you guys without pictures! Here's an unfiltered selfie of me wearing this tint. Oh and don't you just looove how natural it looks? I know I do! Haha! :)

 

And a closer shot of my lips. You can get it to show up like this if you apply it heavily. :) 

So what do you guys think? Love it? Hate it? Would you get yourself one or do you already have one of these in your make up kit? Let me know on the box below! xx 

-JEM-

L'Oreal Colour Riche "374" in Intense Plum

Lately I found myself obsessing with plum shades. In fact, whenever I'm in the mall, the beauty section is the first place I go to to scour for plum shades. I go around...Go around more... And if I stumble on something that I like, I think about if for a few minutes, go around a bit more hoping I would come back to  my senses, but then those "few minutes" turn into ME already walking towards the cashier so no good thinking about it in the first place..Haha! Sorry, impulsive buyer moments. But you know the rules of shopping right? You buy stuff when you don't need them, and NOT when you need them. For instance, if you're shopping for a date tomorrow night and it's just today that you're actually picking out a dress, then more chances of you picking up the wrong stuff because you are not in the zone, if you know what I mean. Your mind is obviously elsewhere, and physically, you're in the mall, but your mind is thinking about tomorrow night already. But if you had something in your closet that you bought months and months ago just because you felt that that dress was really meant for you, then zero problemo for you right? Only thing for you to do is to be excited for the date, nothing more nothing less.

Anyway, that's too much for an introduction. Sorry, me and my unstoppable mouth. LOL!  So anyway, here's one of the few lippies that I acquired as I was going through the plum-phase. This is my first ever lipstick from L'Oreal so I can't really compare it to the previous ones.

A little description from their website: 

As with all Colour Riche lipsticks, the L’Oréal Laboratories have selected only the purest and finest colour pigments, and the unique combination of Omega 3 and Vitamin E moisturises lips for smooth application and comfortable wear.

So let's get into the details of this baby! 

Packaging: 

The lipstick comes in a gold sleek tube which I'm very fond of since it looks very classic and chic. More importantly, its sturdy  and the cap doesn't come loose compared to other ones I've tried in the past. It's also great that all shades come with names and numbers so they're easier to distuinguish from each other. 

Texture: 

The first time I tried this, I was amazed by its lovely texture. It has the perfect combination of creamy and matte which isn't drying at all! Goes on smoothly on the lips with minimal to no tugging at all. It still depends on the condition of your lips though but I would still recommend you exfoliate your lips prior to applying this or any type of lip product for that matter. 

Longevity: 

I'll tell you why I hate using lipsticks on a daily basis. It's because I can't seem to enjoy my food or drink whenever I have one on because it easily stains my teeth and just transfers to everything it comes in contact with. But that's me & my overly conscious self. I guess it's all a matter of getting used to and all lipsticks probably do that anyway. If you have an HG lipstick that doesn't stain your teeth or do crazy, humiliating things, do let me know please! I'm in dire need of one! -__- 

Anyway, this lipstick stays on for a decent amount of time. It surprisingly survives meals and drinks but of course, it won't look as intense anymore after eating/drinking. 

Shade: 

As the name suggests, it is indeed INTENSE. It's sort of like a deep dark plum with a brownish hint to it. One swipe gives you an already opaque color and two swipes, well, more than enough to make heads turn! The pictures doesn't seem to show its true color and instead appears lighter but it really is a dark plum. Nevertheless, a gorgeous shade, no? 

Price: 

Price range is quite fair for something that works so lovely. It's around 625php ($14.43) if my memory serves me right, but I'm pretty sure it's not more than 700php. I still find it to be a bit steep, price wise, but that's coming from a student living on allowance so it should be understandable! Haha! :) 

Jem's Final Thoughts: 

Obviously, I'm in love with this shade! For someone who is used to lip balms and lip tints, this shade is definitely going out of my usual choice of color. Honestly, I don't see myself wearing this everyday to school as it's too "intense" to be worn on a regular day, but for special occasions, why not? Didn't you hear? Plum is the new red! It's like the perfect shade to wear when you're out with your girlies or with your special someone because its like the lazy girl make up. You don't need to pile up on make up because this alone is enough to catch anyone's attention! It caught my mom's. Haha! But according to her, it's a good kind of loud, and believe me, that's saying a lot considering the lady has zero interest in make up. Love you mom! :)

And lastly, I find that the color is very versatile, and it simply depends on what you are pegging for. You can easily build it up by layering on the color for a more dramatic look, or just dab a little bit of color for that gorgeous looking stain perfect for every day wear. Overall, I would recommend! 

My rating: 4.5/5 

Of course I won't leave you without pictures! Sorry guys, makikiraan lang sandali mukha ko. Haha! :)

And an up close picture. 

I want to hear your thoughts on this guys! Is it a YAY or a NAY for ya? Let me know on the box soon! 

Till next time.. 

-JEM- 

xx 

Review: Krave Cosmeceuticals Fruittie Poreless Toner Spray

(photo from www.kravecosmeceuticals.com)

Adding a new skin care product in my regimen is like taking a giant leap of faith, and why not, its our skin we're talking about in here! I'm not so keen on being my own guinea pig because the risk is just too much for me! What if it doesn't work out for me? Yeah, that would totally suck big time. So personally, I don't like tweaking up my skin care routine and if you rummage through my drawer where I keep most of my skin related products, you wouldn't see a lot. Just empty bottles of the same stuff that I've been using for almost two years now! LOL! I like to stick to my tried and tested products and I am the kind to most likely change foundations rather than moisturizers and such.

But I felt differently when I received this product from Krave Cosmeceuticals, knowing that their products are specifically designed for the skin type which, unfortunately, I fall under. Its like when you meet someone for the first time and you guys just sort of..click. And you just wonder to yourself, where the heck have you been all my life?! Charaught! I guess you could surmise that its the same thing I felt with Krave. (wink wink)

Okay, enough blabberin Jem! Haha!

It normally takes me two weeks to know if I like a product or not, but in this case, I gave it one month, because I wanted to feel and see changes skin wise before sharing my two cents! So anyway, when I received this product from Krave, I was already running low on my favorite Skin Malgem toner from Etude House, which by the way, took me six months to consume! Its a huge bottle at 250ml and while I love it, I remain a curious cat for other products! "Curious" being the crucial word because I never get to the point of actually switching to other products because... I don't know. I guess I only have my friggin' face to pay for it in case it doesn't work out too well for me! Hahaha!

So was it a hit or a miss?! First lets get into the nitty gritty of this product!

PACKAGING:

The bottle is made of  glass and it comes with a spray for dispensing the product out. For someone who doesn't travel much, I am perfectly fine with this one as it just sits inside my drawer anyway, but if you do have plans of toting this around, just do so with caution. I'm not very fond of spray type toners though because I feel like I can never work my way around them - when I spray it on my face, it gets into my eyes and it STINGS really bad, and when I do so on a cotton pad, I feel like I never get enough product out. So honestly, I just wish it came in a simpler packaging.

SMELL:

This department, I'm not so ecstatic about. I find it find to be a bit overpowering, and it almost feels like I'm  applying a strong scented perfume all over my face because the smell does linger for a few minutes and then eventually goes away. But "few minutes" for anyone sensitive to strong scented stuff is usually long enough!

PRICE: 

The price is okay for me although honestly I wish it was slightly cheaper.But do note that I've been using this for one month now and I'm not even halfway through finishing the bottle, and I use this every single day, two times a day, so when you think about it, price is pretty fair! And if I'm not mistaken, if you avail this from a distributor, they slash of 10% from the original price. So from 399php it becomes 359php! :)

EFFICACY: 

What I like about this toner is that unlike others I have tried, it doesn't strip my skin of its natural oils! It doesn't feel dry afterwards and it doesn't sting either. And no matter how deadbeat or drunk I already am, I always make it a point to clean my face, with this included, because it really deep cleanses my pores and removes whatever it is that my facial wash wasn't able to remove. And so after a month of using this, I noticed that I don't oil up as much now and I hardly get any pimples too. I still do when its my time of the month, which is absolutely normal for us girls, but nothing that would drive me bonkers when I see my face in the mirror, haha!

JEM SAYS: 

Overall, its definitely something I would recommend to a friend or two. I'm willing to overlook the cons that I mentioned because for something that works like a gem, its such a minute of a problem! Price point is reasonable, availability is not much of a problem too because even if you don't find a distributor in your area, Krave does shipping worldwide, and most of all, IT WORKS AND DOES ITS JOB! I can definitely see myself buying this one when I run out! I'm hooked!

My rating: 8.5/10
DEFINITELY A HIT YO! :)

If you want to know more about their products, click here! 

How about you, have you tried any of Krave's new products? I'm eager to know your thoughts on it! Let's talk! xx 

-JEM

New Products To Try From Krave Cosmeceuticals!

About more than a week ago, I received a lovely pink loot from Krave Cosmeceuticals containing goodies from both their skin care and mineral make up line. I was thrilled because I know Krave products are specifically designed for oily and acneic skin, which, unfortunately, I fall under. So I guess this package from them couldn't be more timely, huh! The first time I have tried Krave was not more than a year ago but I didn't have a blog then so I wasn't able to review it. A personal favorite of mine and it still is, is their Oil Eliminator and Skin Hydrator. I love to use it after my bb cream/foundation because it really does keep my oilies at bay! I included it in my Go To Summer Look. Click here for the link!

(I am so sorry for the low quality of photos. I'm only using my phone because my mom borrowed my camera for a trip. Hope you understand!) 

Now going back to the topic on hand... 

They used to be called Krave Minerale Cosmeceuticals back in 2011 but just last year they changed it into Krave Cosmeceuticals, also revamping their packaging and adding new and improved products in both of their skin care and mineral make up line. Both of their lines are formulated and manufactured in the USA and they are also an international member of PETA (People of Ethical Treatment of Animals). 

Here are some more photos: 

Arch Precision Eyebrow Definer Kit in Peacan Deluxe - 399php or $9.46

The day that this came in is also the week that I ran out of my favorite brow kit from ELF. I was so worried because I was in the province at the time and the closest ELF counter in our area is at least an hour away from where I live. So imagine my happiness when I got this! Obviously, this is the first one I tried from this loot. But of course, it deserves a more thorough post so do watch out for that! 

Vegie-Lash Mascara - 599php or $14.19

I have only used two mascaras in my life and the first one is from Fashion 21 and the second is from Maybelline. I am not a mascara person and I like to save them for special occasions. Reason for that being is because I live in the tropics and I commute on a daily basis so wearing minimal make up for me is still best! Stay tuned for a review! 

Moisture Visage 6-1 Night Cream 450php or $10.66

You have to smell this cream! It smells heavenly, I swear! Its actually one reason why I look forward to using this cream every night. Review to follow! 

From L-R 

Fruittie Poreless Toner Spray - 399php or $9.46

Cupine Aloepa Facial Wash W/ Mulberry Extract - 465php or $11.02

Triple-P Whitening Mask W/ Witch Hazel - 450php or $10.66

And more products from their whitening and anti aging series! I'm about to run out of my usual toner from Etude House and when I do, I'm definitely trying out the Fruittie Poreless Toner Spray, which by the way, is another product that smells sooo good! I am yet to try both the facial wash and the whitening mask though.

JEM THINKS: 

First of all, I love their new look. It looks more cosmopolitan and can be put next to high end brands. I think the packaging can easily be described as a woman's coming of age - a beautiful transition from a sweet and teenybopper character to a sophisticated, elegant, and primed woman. But of course  that's just one thing. At the end of it all, what lies underneath the box carries more weight than anything else. So if you want to find out if these products  from Krave Cosmeceuticals really do walk the talk, wait for my individual reviews! 

That's it ladies and gents! If you want to find out more about this brand or if you want to look for distributors in your area, do click HERE. 

As always...

-JEM xx

Review: ELF Eyebrow Kit in Light

In all honesty, I hate doing my brows. I don't hate-hate them, its just that no matter how many times I try and practice, it just doesn't come out the way I want them to come out. What is it that they always say, "Its not you its me?" Yeah well that's precisely how I feel about my brows! Its not the stuff that I use - the brow kits, eyebrow pencils, etc, ITS ME! -_-

They look alright, mind you - groomed is what I would call it,  but I just can't seem to perfect those highly defined brows that just... ya know, POP. And helpful as those videos are on YouTube, they can only do so much. The rest is still up to me.

I swear in this moment I can hear my best friend's favorite phrase:

"Practice practice din pag may time!"  Haha! :) Oh I do miss her already! Summer's about to end and I'm just happy I'm going to see my college friends again!

So anyway! The obvious reason why I'm talking about my brows is because today I want to share to you my current favorite brow kit from ELF. This is available in most SM department stores, Landmark, and Watson's outlet nationwide so if you haven't tried anything from ELF just yet, this is a perfect product to start with. It is super affordable at 249php ($6.04) which is really great for those who are on the budget, but still want a good quality make-up.  

  It comes in a simple, black flip-top packaging that comes with a mirror which is really perfect for on the go girls like yours truly because then you wouldn't have to worry about bringing a separate compact mirror when travelling. Saves time AND space in your make up bag! 

 So you basically apply the wax first (the one on the right), and seal it with the brow powder afterwards. The applicator that it comes with is also very functional and I myself have used it on several occasions and have no complaints so far. Although I still  prefer my angled brush from Marionnaud just because its tip is softer, and therefore glides easier on my brows.   

Now here's how it shows on my brows: 

It still comes off pretty dark, but not so dark that its almost black, more like dark brown. 

So quite recently, I colored my hair again to a dark brown so I've been wearing this with Etude House Color My Brows in Light Brown, which I will be doing a review of really soon. So in those cases when I use the brow gel, I skip the brow powder because it has that tendency to look unnatural on me. You can imagine what layering does to make up, yes? And one thing to also love about this brow kit is that when applied, it is sure to last you the whole day. Well, maybe not exactly 24 hrs but for the whole day that you have to be out anyway.  

And for those of you who do not know it yet, I live in a tropical country, and lately its been crazy hot around here. So the fact alone that it was able to withstand the scorching weather here in Manila is enough reason for me to keep repurchasing this. I've had this since last semester (around October) and I still have some of it left so that's 7 months in total! Not bad , huh! 

Here's another picture. I'm using it with the Etude House Color my Brows in #2 that's why it appears a tad bit lighter on the picture.

I'm sorry for my super bilog face! Hehe! :) 

And another one! Last na to promise! xx

THE YAY'S: 

AFFORDABLE (249php or $6.04) 

NOT BULKY 

FUNCTIONAL PACKAGING

NO DISTINCT SMELL 

LONG LASTING 

EASILY AVAILABLE

THE NAY'S: 

I honestly have nothing bad to say about this! 

OVERALL RATING: 

5/5 

Repurchase: 

YES! 

How about you guys? What's your favorite brow kit as of the moment? Let's talk! 

xx 

JEM