My Thoughts: Essence Silky Touch Blush in Natural Beauty

 

Quite recently I shared in this blog what my favorite blush is as of the moment, what else but the Silky Touch blush from Essence in the shade Babydoll. After my wonderful experience with it, I went in and bought another shade called Natural Beauty which is what I would be sharing with you guys today. I don't own a lot of blush as of the moment so if you're like me who is just starting to discover its wonders or you're simply a blush-on junkie, then Essence is definitely something for you to check out. 

Natural Beauty is this beautiful, soft, peachy shade with a touch of brown in it. You'll see on the swatch below that it has very fine shimmers, something I would normally veer away from because shimmery blushes do have the tendency to enhance one's pores, but not with this one surprisingly . The shimmers are not that bad, and unless you really zoom in your face to check, it is almost undetectable. You are mostly left with an ever so slightly dewy cheeks that does not look gross or greasy but instead looks healthy and natural. 

True to its name, it really does give my cheeks a "natural" flush. I find this gorgeous to wear during the summer-like months (yes, we only have wet/dry season here in the Philippines), because it adds warmth and life to my otherwise sallow and dull skin. And let's face it, pink, orange, or even red blushes can be quite overwhelming sometimes so yup, this is something I reach for when I don't know what to do with my face. This is the kind of shade that no one can go wrong with and given how universal its shade is, it should work on a variety of skin tones. 

It's also worth mentioning that the longer I wear this, the more it becomes gorgeous on the skin. There's a certain iridescence that it imparts as the day goes on and it sure isn't the product of my oily skin. It just makes you look even more glowing and just pretty. Don't worry, I'll let the pictures do the talkin' from here! :")

So now here's Natural Beauty in action xx 

Sorry if some of my blemishes are still peeking through but as you can see, it looks very natural on the skin! :")

Photobombed by my little Sophie! :") 

Spot the slight dewiness on my cheeks!! It's not so bad, huh? I didn't even use any highlighter at all! What a wonderful, multi-tasking product I've found in this! So which shade of lipstick do you think compliments the blush best? Can't really decide on one so I had to put 'em all here! I'll let you decide for now.. 

So how about you? What's your favorite blush as of the moment? Would love to know, for sure! I love discovering stuff from you guys! xx 

-JEM- 

<3 

My Thoughts: Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel

Hi guys! How have you been? As for me, it's officially the start of my summer break and I couldn't be more thrilled! I want this 4-month long break to be productive for me so you'll definitely see more posts in the coming days xx

Today I want to talk about this product I've been using for nearly two months now. I bought this on a whim when I visited Nature Republic's store in Megamall. I initially wanted to try at least one of their BB creams but I was overwhelmed with how many they have so I went with this instead. They seriously have the MOST number of BB creams to offer out of all the Korean brands that I know. They have more than 10 if I remember it right and hopefully next time I'll know what to get. 

On to the product.. I'm pretty sure you've seen this around before as it's one of their best selling products. There are many other Korean brands out their who also came out with their version of the Aloe vera gel such as Tony Moly, Deoproce, etc, but I went with Nature Republic because it's the most affordable one retailing at around 245php. 

Above are the many ways to use an aloe vera gel. Definitely a steal given the many things you can do with it and the amount of product that you get, don't you think? 

I mainly use this gel as a make up remover and as a daytime moisturizer/make up base and it's really amazing as both. So far, no breakouts for me! It really is great for removing make up because afterwards, my face just feels refreshed and revitalized as opposed to the tight feeling I would get from a drugstore make up remover, or the sticky feeling I'd get from an oil make up remover. This removes my make up gently and does not strip my skin of its natural oils and instead balances everything out. I think this has improved the texture of my skin as well because my face feels less bumpy now compared to when I wasn't using this yet. 

This  is just in time as a day time moisturizer too because obviously, summer has just landed in Manila. Not a huge fan of summer by the way because one trip to the beach and any bronzer can pass up as a powder for me. Haha. 

 After application of the gel, it would look slightly dewy and takes about two minutes to fully skin in. Once it does though, it leaves my face with a nice and even base for make up. I also noticed that it tones down the redness on my face and also improves the wear time of my make up. I seriously cannot stop looking at my face after application of whatever BB cream I'm using. It just looks sooo darn flawless! Absolutely no trace of dry patches on my face! And that never happens! 

And whenever I feel like sporting a light make up, I just mix this up with a tiny bit of foundation of my liking et voila, home made tinted moisturizer for me! 

Perhaps my only gripe about this product is that it's in a tub making it unhygienic and not travel friendly. I would have preferred it if it were in a tube because then it would be easy to throw in my bag and be on the go. But other than that, this product is perfect for me. And to prove you guys how perfect this is for me, I just ordered two more of these online because I can't imagine running out of it, ever. 

I'm in love with this stuff. Can you tell? 

      HITS: 

• Affordable 
• Easily available 
• Lasts a long time
• An all around gel 
• Removes make up gently 
• Improves the wear time of my make up 
• Makes my make up look flawless 
• Feels very light on the skin as a moisturizer 
• Does not break me out 
• Eases the redness on my face 
• Can be mixed with any foundation for a home made tinted moisturizer 
• Improves the texture of my skin 

      NEUTRAL: 

• I wish the packaging came in a tube instead but at least with a tub, you really get to use everything up. 
• Unhygienic because you have to dip your fingers in it. 

      MISSES: 

• I honestly can't think of anything bad to say about this product. xx 

Where to buy: Online (eBay, Amazon, Cosmetic Love), Megamall, Trinoma Landmark, SM North

Price: 245php ($5.45) 

Recommend? Yes. 

Overall rating: 5/5

So how about you ladeis? Have you tried this product from Nature Republic yet? Do share your experience with it if you have! Lets talk! xx 

My Thoughts: Sleek Pout Polish in Raspberry Rhapsody

Lately I decided to give my lips a break. That meaning no lipsticks for me no matter how nice the formula is. I do wear lipstick everyday and my preference has always been matte because it stays on longer. I just hate having to re-apply every 30 minutes, something that I'd get from a lipstick that has a glossy finish so yeah, my go-to, every day formula is definitely matte. However, my lips can only take so much from such a drying formula and no matter what the brand is, high or low end,  I honestly think that all roads lead to the same direction. So meet my dull, lifeless, and desert-like lips. Sorry, no picture because I don't want y'all to be grossed out but believe me when I say it was hideous.

No better word to describe the condition of my lips two weeks ago and much as I don't want to look back, I still would because I want to share to you this wonderful product that saved my lips from total damage.  

I have high regards for Sleek as a make up brand. I honestly think they are one of the underrated brands in the market today and although it doesn't t make as much clatter the way Benefit, Revlon, or MAC does, that doesn't make them any less of a wonderful and really worth checking out brand. Personally, I think they deserve to have stores rather than just stand-alone counters in department stores because they really have so much to offer to make up enthusiasts such as yours truly. Their blushes are very comparable to high-end brands too which I can attest to so thanks to Sleek, for now I get to let go of my high end ambitions! 

So today allow me to share to you one of my hit finds from Sleek which is called Pout Polish. These polishes come in various shades but I only have Raspberry Rhapsody (956) as of the moment but what a charming name isn't it? It comes in a round pot which I do find bigger than the usual tins that balms are in these days. It is quite full to the brim so I think it would last for about 6 months even with everyday usage. 

I love the smell of this lip polish by the way and even reminds me of the lip creams from NYX, which I know a lot of people love. If you do too, then I think you'll enjoy using this as much! 

The color is a lovely muted pink that is very sheer so when you apply it on your lips, it doesn't appear as pink as on the tin but instead improves the color of your lips. It just adapts to your natural lips and I noticed that the longer I wear it, the more it gives my lips that gorgeous glow. It's even better than "my lips but better" lipsticks because it doesn't take the life out of my lips even after taking it off. It provides the right amount of moist to my lips without the overwhelming sheen that lip gloss tend to give. 

The lasting power is quite poor but not at all that bad in my opinion. It is expected because lip conditioners are not meant to be long wearing in the first place. When it does fade though it fades gracefully and the pink glow is still pretty much there. All that aside, I still think it's a fantastic product because it really did wonders to my lips. No more chapped lips when I wake up in the morning! Exfoliation is a lot easier too and my lips don't bleed anymore in the process.  

I'm in love with this lip conditioner and I don't see trading it for anything any time soon. It hasn't left my make up bag ever since I bought it 2 weeks ago and is now a staple in my kit. Perfect for summer too because it's tinted, it's hydrating, and it has an SPF of 15! Who said sunblock is only meant for the skin huh?! 

Overall, I'm sold! xx 

      HITS: 

• Affordable 
• Moisturizing 
• Mimics your natural lip color
• Gives the lips a gorgeous glow 
• Improves the condition of the lips with longer use 
• Has an SPF 15 
• Contains a lot of product 
• Travel friendly 
• Comes with a lovely scent 

    

      MISSES: 

• Not yet widely available 
• Packaging is rather unhygienic 
• Not very long lasting 

Where to buy: The Ramp Crossings 

Price: 425php (approximately $10) 

Overall Rating: 4.75/5 

Buy again? YES! But I might try other shades. 

Now check out the lip polish in action! 

So now it's your turn. What do you reach for when your lips are in trouble? Do share! I love learning from you guys xx 

JEM <3 

My Thoughts: Yadah Puregreen Emulsion

I don't experiment a lot when it comes to skin care even when I badly want to. I don't know why but as with make up, there's a certain joy & thrill when going on a quest to finding that perfect (a.k.a. HG) moisturizer that only beauty junkies would understand. Sounds craaaazy I know. Unfortunately, growing up with such a sensitive skin, I really have no choice but to stick with what has already worked for me in the past & keep everything I use to a minimum. Anything with an ingredient I'm allergic to can send my skin into flares overnight... faster than you can say "zit" in fact! Hence, my faithfulness to my previous moisturizer. 

However, having gone through six bottles of the same moisturizer for the last 2 1/2 years, my skin seemed to have developed a resistance to it, so much so that it doesn't yield the same lovely results anymore. So as much as I want to hold on to it, I just couldn't bring myself to anymore because things are not working out for the both of us. It was time to see other people ya know. LOL 

So that's why I was in the market for a decent moisturizer that could fit my needs. And it wasn't so much of a surprise that I would give Korean skin care a whirl because I've always been a fan of Korean cosmetics, with Missha being my favorite if not HG BB cream, and FaceShop having my favorite lip & cheek tint (which in my opinion trumps the ever so famous Benefit Cha Cha tint!) and so many others that I'd rather talk about on a separate post. 

So today's post is all about Yadah, a relatively new Korean brand that hit our local shelves last year. Yadah offers non comedogenic, mineral oil free skin care that is targeted for young adults. Their products are also free from any artificial colorant & synthetic preservatives making it great for those with sensitive/acne prone skin. They also have a make up line. I was able to test out the Angel BB cream through a generous sample & I'd have to say, I was pretty impressed because of how light it felt on the skin! I'm definitely considering purchasing the whole bottle but for now, I want to talk about the Puregreen Emulsion from the Puregreen line. This line includes a toner and a cleanser but at the time, I was only looking for a moisturizer so I went with the emulsion first! 

So! Let's get into the nitty gritty of this product now, shall we? 

Packaging: The product itself is housed in an 80ml plastic bottle that thankfully comes with a pump. While I find the bottle well-made, I also find it too unhandy & is not so much travel friendly. I also feel that I don't get as much product as I should because I feel like the bottle weighs more than the emulsion itself. Overall, I love the packaging for its simplicity and somehow, reminds me of a toned down Too Cool for School. They could even pass up as sisters! 

Fragrance: For something that claims to be good for acne prone & sensitive skin, this sure does have a lot of perfume in it! It has a strong floral scent to it that doesn't hang around for more than a minute making it quite admissible in my case. However, if your that sensitive to anything perfume-y, you might find this in a way excessive. 

Ingredients: And because I'm too lazy to write down the ingredients, I took a picture instead. Just click to enlarge the photo so you can see it clearer if you can't yet! :)

Finish: I have combination/oily skin and on me, it finishes off a bit dewy. Once it sinks in, the dewiness becomes undetectable which I still like because it still manages to give off that sheen that looks healthy & never greasy.  I use it under make up and so far, no struggles there. 

Efficacy: I have been using this for 1 1/2 month already so I guess that's enough time to see if it's something I would be buying again or not. Well, I honestly like this emulsion for the simple reason that it doesn't break me out. Not a pimple or two the whole time I was using this which is saying a lot considering my skin type. My face feels smoother and it also looks brighter and healthier now and I couldn't be more happier. I also feel like this emulsion (in conjunction with other products) has been preventing breakouts because normally, when I stay up late a few nights in a row, I would wake up with a huge, angry zit come morning, but nah, I don't ever get that anymore. So in terms of doing its job, I'd give this one a high five. 

Availability: I guess this is the only downside of this otherwise perfect brand because it's not widely available as of yet. Right now, it's only available in Beautybar, but I do think that they ship nationwide so definitely check that out first. Beauty Bar is available in Shangri-la & Trinoma. 

Price: It's fairly priced at 525php (approximately $12) because you get an 80ml product anyway which should last you 2 or 3 months, depending on how much you use everyday. 

Plus points for including the expiration date! 

I'm sorry for my hairy hands guys, haha! But as you can very well see, this gives a nice, brightening effect upon application which I really like. With prolonged use, I noticed that my skin looked brighter even when I don't have it on anymore which is always nice because we all could use that "lift" yes? :) 

So overall, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a decent moisturizer for oily/combination and acne prone skin. This is also a fantastic moisturizer especially now that it's summer because it feels light on the skin & yet is able to hydrate sufficiently sans the greasy feeling.  

Overall Rating: 4.5/5 


So now it's your turn. What's your skin type & what's your favorite moisturizer to date? I always love discovering new things so feel free to comment dearies! xx

-JEM-

My February Favorites!

This is actually the first time I'm doing this and I'm not really sure as to why. Hashtag lazy blogger forever, I know. Le sigh. But I promise, you'll see more posts in the coming days because school has been a lot more forgiving lately, especially now that the semester's about to come to an end, so expect to see a lot of changes around here! So in line with that word "change", here's something I have never EVER done before in this blog - share with you this month's FAVORITES! :) 


Make up favorites: 

May I just apologize in advance for the less than stellar quality of photos going on in here. I'm using an iPad cos my camera suddenly died on me so you'll probably see more of these qualities in my future posts. :)

1. Wet 'n Wild Cover All Cream Foundation - I love this foundation & I reach for it when I want to sport a full coverage face, which isn't necessarily everyday but it does come in handy for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays & whatnot. Wear time is decent but I do have oily skin so if you have normal/dry skin, you'll appreciate this even better. It has a low SPF content too so it really photographs nicely. 

2. Palladio Herbal Foundation Primer - I've already done a separate review on this which you'll find here. Reason why I love this is because it does the job. Period. I have oily skin so this is a total life saver for me because it really does help my foundation/BB cream stay in place all day. With this on, I only find myself touching up ONCE, and sometimes never at all, which is saying a lot given the weather here in Manila. 

3. Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream #23 - I stopped using this for a while because it's not exactly the most photo friendly base out there, what with its whopping spf content of 42. I went through my stash one day and saw this, used it, and just like that my love for it is rekindled. This is currently my go to, rolling out of the bed base and as you can tell, judging from its appearance, I need to get my hands on a new one! 

4. Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color in Bikini Pink - Love, love this lipstick to death. It goes so well with my complexion, and I have strong yellow undertones so initially I thought this was going to make me look colorless and ghastly but no, when I tried it on the counter, I knew I had to get this otherwise it's going to haunt me for the rest of my life! I know you get that feeling too! LOL! But this deserves a much thorough review though so do expect that in a few days! 

5. MAC Please Me & Ruby Woo - Please ME isn't really a surprise for me because it's my HG pink lipstick. It's basically that lipstick that I put on when I don't know what to do with my face. Haha! Ruby Woo on the other hand is my HG red lipstick and although I don't wear it a lot just because it's red and grabs a lot of attention, it still is a favorite because it makes me look gorgeous. Haha! Did I just say that? But seriously, I now understand why people talk about this deliriously! 

6. Essence Silky Touch Blush in Babydoll - I reviewed this recently which you can find here. I adore this blush so much that I don't even think about spending lavishly on anything high-end anymore! (sorry Nars & Chanel, ya'all gotta wait!) 

Now on to my Skin Care favorites! 

1. Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Facial Wash - I have oily & acne prone skin and when I started using this, I don't get any pimples any more. Except for when it's my time of the month but otherwise, my face remained pretty much clear! 

2. Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel - There are many ways to use this but I mainly use it to remove my make up. I love it so far. My skin doesn't feel tight, the same feeling I get from a drugstore make up remover, or the sticky feeling I get from expensive/inexpensive cleansing oils. My skin feels like skin, only refreshed and revitalized. I also noticed that my skin looks better now than when I wasn't using this. It's probably the result of a conjunction of a lot of products but this sure has helped me get there. 

3. Botany Works Sunflower Oil - I love this beauty oil and it's probably my most favorite oil, EVER. I have gone through probably six bottles of Human Heart's sunflower oil, but last year I decided to try another brand which is Botany Works. It's fantastic for my skin and yes, it works slowly but the point is, it works. After 2 months, my post acne marks did lighten, they're not completely gone but they're less noticeable now. You can buy this at Sesou counters (Trinoma, Robinson's Magnolia, Rob's Galleria) 

4. Yadah Puregreen Emulsion - I discovered Yadah late last year and since then, I didn't look anywhere else. I told you that I have acne prone skin and this really helped my skin stay clean, clear, and hydrated. No breakouts from this so yup, it's definitely for keeps! Available at Beauty Bar. :) 

Hair Care Favorites! 

1. Human Heart's Nature Moisturizing Conditioner in Mandarin Fresh - This is actually my second tube of this conditioner, the first variant that I got being the vanilla one. I love this conditioner so much that I think I'm sticking with this forever. Results are amazing and you'll see it after the first wash! I didn't like their shampoo though but this is pretty much heaven sent to me. 

2. Instant Argan Glow - You already know about the wonders of Argan oil, how much it is good for pretty much anything else that you can think of - dry hair, dry skin, pimples, acne scars, and what else is there! I mainly use this for my hair though because I have a serious case of dry, frizzy hair. I've been coloring my hair since first year college so this is definitely a hair saver for me. 

3. Pantene Night Miracle Essence - my favorite leave on conditioner for when argan oil seems a bit heavy for me. I use this day or night, for me it really doesn't matter. This is huge surprise for me because generally, I'm not Pantene's biggest fan but this one was a sure hit for me. It feels very light on the hair yet is able to moisturize sufficiently. Love the smell too!   

Favorite movies

Flipped (2010) 

About Time (2013) 

Before Midnight (2013) 

My picks among the bunch that I saw last February! And not because it's the love month, alright! :) 

So how about you guys? What are your favorite ANYTHING last February? Do share! Would love to hear about them! 

JEM 

My Thoughts: Essence Silky Touch Blush in Babydoll

So for the past few weeks I have been sharing to you the stuff that I can't live without such as my favorite bases, lipsticks, skin care & whatnot, and realized that I have been missing out on this darling right here for faaar too long. It's been sitting on my make up bag since I don't know when and it puzzles me as to  why I decided to write about it just now. So today I want to share to you this blush from Essence which is in the shade of Babydoll. 

So anyway, a little background as to why I don't normally wear blush.  I actually have post acne marks on both of my cheeks, a lot more obvious on the right side of it, so whenever I wear a dash of blush it tends to highlight them - be it powder, cream (especially CREAM), and gel, so for a cleaner and more polished look, I stick to what already works for me which is BB cream + a bit of translucent powder on top. However, after months and months of religiously using sunflower oil on these problem areas, the texture of my skin has not only improved but the dark spots appeared to have lightened as well so lately I am able to squeeze in blushes on my daily make up routine. 

So read on to find out my thoughts on this! :)

My Thoughts: 

Packaging: Babydoll comes in a round pot, very small at 5 grams making it easy to just throw in your make up bag and be on the go. It's very travel friendly, you won't even know it's there. Albeit it is made of plastic, the packaging still feels like it's built to last. I dropped this 3 times already and it's still good as new. However, it doesn't come with a mirror and a separate applicator so all you really get is the blush itself. 

Shade: Baby doll gives me the most natural looking rosy flush. It has a mauve-ish touch to it too which you'll see clearly in the pictures later. 

Texture: I love the texture of this blush. Probably the reason why I love it so much too! It isn't powdery and feels so silky to the touch. It doesn't latch unto dry patches so it goes on smoothly on the cheeks. You'll see on the swatch below that it has shimmers but trust me, once it lands on the cheeks it's hardly noticeable. 

Wear Time: I have combination skin with my T-zone being oily and the rest normal. However, due to the growing presence of summer, the rest of my face becomes oilier than usual. Be that as it may, Babydoll manages to stay in place the whole time that I am out so two thumbs up for that! And FYI, I normally leave the house at 10 am and be home at 6-7 pm, depending on the traffic situation that day. 

Fragrance (if any): If you are sensitive to fragrances, then I'm happy to report that this has none of that! 

Price: 

I'm not sure how much this is priced in other countries but here in the Philippines, this retails for 190php ($4.25). 

Availability: 

I buy my "essences"  at Megamall or SM North-Edsa. 

LOVE: 

• Affordable
• Babydoll suits my skin tone very well
• Looks very natural
• Lasts all day despite the humid weather
• Sturdy packaging
• Easily available 

NEUTRAL: 

• Doesn't come with a mirror/applicator

HATE: 

• None, really! This stuff is the bomb! 

Overall, I am head over heels in love with this blush and I've gotten a lot of compliments from it. It looks so natural on me and I don't look like I'm wearing anything at all! I don't think I'd be looking anywhere else in a long time! FOR KEEPS! :)

Overall Rating: 5/5 

Price: 190php ($4.25) 

Available: SM Megamall, SM North Edsa. For more info visit Essence's Facebook page. 

Babydoll in action! 

I'm actually using a BB cream under this so that should explain the white cast. I really love Pond's BB cream and I reach for it a lot these days but apparently, it's not the most photo-friendly base out there. *Le sigh*

Now it's your turn. What's your MOST favorite, MOST reached for, in short HOLY GRAIL blush on to date? Would love to know about it! Let's talk! xx

-JEM-