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 

My Go To Summer Look

Hello there guys! So today I decided to share to you my everyday go to look for this summer. This one is really simple and doesn't look make up-y in anyway. Its very natural looking and is also super easy to pull off. Its just enough to make you look more polished and put together. Perfect if you're meeting your girlfriends for lunch or coffee, and since my friends love to take candid shots whenever we're out, I always try to look my best whenever I'm with my crazies! You just never know who's gonna see your pictures, right?! Haha!

Personally, if you ask me, summer look, or any day time look for that matter, should still look like yourself but juuust a bit more enhanced. So when people see you, they'd still recognize you but just see a better looking you. Like you didn't put much effort into looking like that even though you really did! Effortless beauty, like what they always say.

And besides, summer isn't exactly the best time to be sporting heavy coverage make up, right? Unless you have to for a debut, birthday, or a wedding, then by all means, but for something to be worn on an everyday basis? Don't think so! So, let's get started shall we?

So first of all, if you have oily or extremely oily skin, I would definitely recommend you use a make up primer first. Not only will it blur out the appearance of your pores, it will also improve the longevity of your make up. Maybelline has a newly released one called the Pore Erase and some even compared it to Benefit's Porefessional but I can't really say for sure since I am yet to try it, but its by far the most affordable drugstore primer (priced at 299php) out there, followed by Elf's Infused Mineral Primer which retails at 399php. Most primers are silicone based so if you have no issues with it breaking you out, then the ones I suggested are great but otherwise, do a patch test first just to be sure.

Now on to the products I used to achieve this look...

1. Most people like to use concealer after their foundation or bb creams, but I like to do it the other way around. I start out with concealer first because I have super pigmented dark spots caused by acne and I just find that they cover up better that way, and I just like to blend it using my fingers. I love liquid concealers because they're lighter in formula compared to cream type ones and unlike the latter they have less chance of caking up. I'm using the one from L.A. pro conceal in Honey Beige. A little darker than my skin but it blends in really nicely after bb cream.


2. So here I'm using the BB cream from Tony Moly called the Luminous Goddess Aura. Reason why I love it is because it really brightens up my face enough to make me look like I had a good night's sleep, but not so in a way that I look like I have some weird mask on. It comes off really light so blending is key here to make it seem more natural. It also has an spf of 37 to boot so its reallly perfect for day time wear. It has a semi dewy finish, almost powdery actually, so I always finish up with a translucent powder for it to last longer in this extremely hot weather! Read my full review here.

3. I love to use Krave's Oil Eliminator and Skin Hydrating Primer as my finishing veil because it doesn't cake and it really improves the wear time of my make up!


4. Next is this brow kit from ELF. I'm not sure if this comes in a lighter color but I have the dark brown if any of you asks. I know this is too much to claim but this is by far my HG brow kit! Alright, I may be getting ahead of myself and to be fair, its the one and only brow kit I've used, but
considering it has withstood this steaming hot weather we've been having almost every single day, its enough to make me claim that much! The kit is a no brainer, and you basically apply the wax first and then seal it with the brow powder. Et voila. Lovely brows for the rest of the day!

5.I like to curl my lashes with ELF's Mechanical Eyelash curler. I've had this since November last year and its been doing a great job ever since. I usually stop at just curling my eyelashes because I have this habit or rubbing my eyes and it almost feels like a reflex to me so as much as possible, I don't wear mascara. But when I do I use the Magnum Volume Mascara from Maybelline which is also really lovely but I wasn't able to include it in the photo above.

6. For the eyes I like to use Prestige's Waterproof Eyeliner. Its great for lining the waterline because the end isn't as pointy or as sharp like that of others I've tried. It may not be smudge-proof but it does stay put for a decent amount of time so long as you don't rub your eyes. I love to line my waterline because it adds just the right amount of drama and doesn't look overdone at all.

7. Now for the cheeks I prefer gel blushes over powder ones because I find that they give a more natural finish. Powder forms tend to look cakey and is almost gone by the end of the day. The one that hasn't left my make up bag since last year is Rucy's Vanity Lip and Cheek tint. I love it because it literally stays on all day! And it has the most natural looking color too, and did I mention affordable? Read my full review here.

8. And last but not the least, for the lips I'm going to use the one from M&co from their Crystal Shine Lipstick line in Peachy Pink. As the name already suggests, the color is leaning towards peach with a hint of pink to it. Peach based lipsticks compliment those who are fair with yellow undertones so this is really just perfect for me. The color isn't too loud either and is simply perfect for the summer!

                                        Gorjas shade you agree?! A real steal at around 179php
                                               if my memory serves me right! :)

DAF OFF NG LOLA MO! Haha! But yes, this is how I usually look like without any make up on. This is after washing my face, using toner, and moisturizer.

And the finished look. ANYARE?! The power of make up nga naman! :) 

And now I'm ready to go out! 

Now that's basically what I wear on most days! How about you? What's your go to summer look?

xoxo, 

JEM

Review/Swatch: Ever Bilena's Magic Lipstick in Grapes

HAPPY FRIDAY DOLLS! 

So I decided to make a super quick post for tonight, before I continue with studying a bunch of readings for the finals next week. Ain't that grand! So anyways. You've probably seen this around before, which won't come as a surprise to me as this is one of Ever Bilena's best selling products. Its from their Magic Lipstick line and I got the one in Grapes, just because I'm on the hunt for a mauve-ish lippie. 

Not a mauve-ish lippie by the way. What is FAIL. 

It comes in 5 other flavors - Strawberry, Orange, Lemon, Apple & Watermelon. I don't think they'd differ much in shades though but that's just me. You can still see for yourself. 

It comes in a white tube with a translucent cap that has a very flimsy feel to it. Oh you really do get what you pay for, huh? From the bullet it looks very mauve but when applied, it is clearly veeery fuschia. I'm not sure why its called a "magic" lipstick but from what I figured, (its not exactly rocket science) it is because it gives off a very sheer color when freshly applied like that of a lip balm but once it settles in, the color will be more dramatic.  

It applies like a lipbalm but I do find that it dries my lips overtime so I always keep a lip balm around when I'm using this. For the price, I'd have to say its worth every penny even though I'm not a huge fan of the color pay off. The lasting power is definitely a winner though! It leaves a beautiful looking stain on your lips at the end of the day - like you've just bitten your lips a thousand times or something. Just to give you a picture. :)

My bare lips for reference:

And this is how it looks like upon application. It will look more pigmented after a few minutes, I promise. 

Overall, if you're looking for an affordable lipstick that isn't so hard to find (Ever Bilena counters are almost everywhere now!) and of course, does its job, then you might want to try this. And its super affordable too. You definitely can't go wrong with the price! A real steal at 80php ($1.97)! RAD, HUH! 

So what do you think? Have you tried anything from the magic lipstick line? Do share if you have! 

As always...

JEM