Current Everyday Makeup: Summer 2015

Erika's Summer Arsenal

1. Belo Sun Expert Face Cover SPF40
2. Revlon Nearly Naked Liquid Foundation
3. Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder
4. Ever Bilena Brow Pencil in Brown
5. Etude House Play 101 Pencil in 01 Black
6. Maybelline Falsies Mascara
7. Ever Bilena Pro Blush in Honest

To be honest, I just learned how to wear makeup for everyday when I started Med school. I love makeup but I used to just have them on when we had shows (I used to be a professional ballet dancer, in case you didn't know)

Come Med school, I had the need to look a little more made up (or rather, presentable) since I wasn't commuting anymore anyway. Keri ko nang maglagay ng whatever sa mukha since di na ako masyadong nauusukan at napapawisan papasok sa school.

• I originally used the Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation, but since it got hard to find both in stores and online, I looked for another kind that was easier to find. I love Revlon products, so I started searching there. The Colorstay is what I would call a "heavy duty" foundation: superior coverage with a matte finish that literally lasts all day. The Nearly Naked one would be the opposite: light but buildable coverage with a dewy finish and lasting power that's 'just right'.

• The Nearly Naked Pressed Powder is also okay for a setting powder. But I'd need to blot only after a couple of hours. Okay lang din sakin since alam ko namang sobrang oily ko. Basta it doesn't break me out, I'm fine with it.

• My brows. Haha. The story of my brows. I'd probably be writing a separate post on my brows because that's a different entity altogether. Haha. I've always said that it's not the brow product that you use that makes your brows look good, it's the grooming and the person who would actually be applying the product that would make the difference. Be it a cheap brow pencil or a high end brow gel, my brows would look the same. So for PhP 60, I'm okay with my Ever Bilena pencil. :)

• Ooooh black eyeliners. Who hasn't experienced those damn panda eyes because of smudged eyeliner? When I tried this Play 101 pencil, I was impressed. It really did NOT budge. It's a gel type pencil eyeliner that needs to set a bit. But when it does... ho ho ho NO BUDGING!!! Haha I just use this for my upper lid. It'd be a pain to remove it I use it on my lower lashline/waterline. 

• I'm not too choosy with my mascaras. What's important is that they're waterproof and smudge-proof. Same: you wouldn't want those damn panda eyes, right?

• Honest. Hihi. I've used this blush since my dancing days. It's the perfect stage flush and it's still the perfect everyday shade. Especially if you have a warm undertone, ugh, beautiful.

So these are my everyday staples as of the moment. I'd love to explore and try more stuff so hopefully, my makeup arsenal would be growing in the coming months.

REVIEW: BELO Sun Expert FACE COVER

Now I don't have any excuse to NOT put on sunscreen.

My dermatologist often tells me off because I rarely put sunscreen on my face. That's her number one reminder for me every time I go for consultation. [makulit din naman kasi ako, di ko siya talaga sinusunod]

I have very sensitive skin and I am very acne-prone. I can't help but be very lazy (and not to mention be hesitant) in putting stuff that will aggravate my already problematic skin. [madaming VERY for effect]

I hate putting sunscreen 'cause it's sticky, heavy, and just really uncomfortable. Alas, this Belo one is having none of that.

It's light, it's unscented, doesn't leave a white cast, has SPF 40 PA+++ UVA/UVB protection, broad spectrum, and most importantly, it's affordable at PhP 329.75 (bought mine in Watsons).

I tried this first when we went to the beach. But what impressed me the most was when I tried applying it under my makeup.

Once it gets absorbed, you won't even feel you're wearing sunscreen. [ayos na ayos]

Yay! So finally I can follow my doctor's advice. Haha
If I hadn't tried this one, I'd still be going out in the sun unprotected. [yikes! Di natin nafefeel, but sun damage is definitely happening]

Product swatch.

REVIEW: The Face Shop LOVELY ME:EX ANGEL SKIN POWDER PACT

Okay, my search for my first powder compact is over! I've found what works for my skin.
Because before, back in high school, I have tried pressed powders from Pond's, Clean & Clear, Johnson & Johnson's, etc -- yung mga usong brands nung high school. PLUS Careline, Ever Bilena, etc when I got to college.

And sadly, ALL of those broke me out. So I swore off putting powders on my face (not even baby powder). 

But after I graduated college, I started to NEED having something that will make me look less haggard and shiny and all that icky stuff. No more nene-look. Since those brands mentioned above are what we have here as the cheap drugstore brands, I tried to go a little more expensive -- I tried a Korean brand, The Face Shop.

I use the foundation and the primer (Phytogenic Infinite Line) from Face Shop too and it works for me so I just assumed their pacts will work for me too. Since I'm just trying it out first, I went for the cheapest one. 

This is what you'll see when you open the pact.

Has the puff inside, a little plastic cover, and it has the product name on the powder itself

A photo of my face with it is not needed. It just does its job, makes your face shine free without making you look too cakey.

I am in shade NB35, and it blends perfectly on my skin.
I use it as an everyday powder and as a setting powder for my stage makeup.
This retails for Php395.00 atThe Face Shop -- not bad.

The label at the back

 
And it lasts a long time too. I've been using this for several months already -- the start of the year I think?  And I've only hit pan the later part of August? Sulit!!!

Lasting power is so-so since I have EXTREMELY oily skin so I don't see it as unusual if I find my face oily after a few hours -- retouch retouch na lang if needed.

Coping with CHICKEN POX at 21.

Chickenpox (varicella) is a common illness that causes an itchy rash and red spots or blisters (pox) all over the body. It is most common in children, but most people will get chickenpox at some point in their lives if they have not had the chickenpox vaccine.

 Chickenpox can cause problems for pregnant women, newborns, teens and adults, and people who have immune system problems that make it hard for the body to fight infection. Chickenpox usually isn't a serious health problem in healthy children. But a child with chickenpox needs to stay home from school. And you may need to miss work in order to care for your child

(http://www.webmd.com/vaccines/tc/chickenpox-varicella-topic-overview).

Chicken pox has got to be the last thing you'd expect to get when you're 21 years old already! It IS possible to get of course, but c'mon, it had to be the day before a very important show?! I was supposed to dance in the Stars of Philippine Ballet gala, but I had to get this stupid chicken pox instead!?

This is how my back looked like on June 1 (the day of the gala). Since I was diagnosed the day before, of course I didn't dare to go to work anymore. If you are unfortunate enough to have also contracted this disease in this point in your life (I'm assuming you're also an adult like me), let me help you in coping with this 2-week nightmare.

It all started on Thursday, May 30, I got a slight fever for no apparent reason. When I say "apparent", I mean I didn't have a cold, or my throat wasn't sore or anything like that. I just had a fever. I got it after my rehearsals in the theater, so I just waited/slept it out and took Paracetamol.

The next day (May 31), my fever was gone but I did notice some red patches on my back. I asked my mom what they were and she said maybe they were just rashes because it was hot (like bungang-araw/prickly heat?). So I ignored it and drove to Aliw Theater. When I got there, the rash wasn't getting any better so I asked Sir Jay (one of my teachers in BM) if he had any idea what they were. He said those "spots" were beginning to look like blisters (as in they had fluid inside) and I might have chicken pox. He told me to have it checked after taking barre (because yeah, I had to warm up for the run-thru that day). So I still took class. I wore a jacket the whole time so the people won't see (and PANIC) cause it might be chicken pox.

BIG MISTAKE! Sweating just made the spots A LOT redder and more prominent. So I rushed (as in I drove) to the nearby hospital with my boyfriend to have it checked. And yeah, for sure, I HAVE CHICKEN POX.


This is the start of my 2-week nightmare. It got worse everyday. It's really depressing. Those blisters got so big that looking at the mirror was really heart-breaking. I worked really hard to get nice and smooth skin (painful visits to the dermatologist and all), and it'll all be for nothing because of this. :(

Total quarantine. I literally lived in my room. I only go out to use the bathroom. Everybody in the house is avoiding me (duh! I'm contagious.)
My meals are "delivered" to my room and I had my own set of plates, glasses, and cutlery. The good thing is my parents let me turn my air conditioner on the whole week. It was bad for our electricity bill, but it was good for the itchy skin.

This is my setup for the whole week. Just zoom in for the details. I've been so bored ang dami ko nang nagawa na hindi naman productive. hekhekhek

My only regret is I didn't take antivirals immediately. It could have helped a lot in shortening the span of my chicken pox. So if you get chicken pox, take your Acyclovir early!

I BEGGED my mom to get me the cream version instead. I was told it helped avoid scars and it does make them dry faster. And damn, it's so expensive for a little tube! The tube was smaller than my pinky finger!! So tipid tipid. I mainly use it on my face where I'm most scared in getting scars. O_o



Here are the things that you should do when you have chicken pox:

• Take regular showers. Avoid getting sweaty cause it'll be itchier.
• Avoid eating eggs and chicken. (The doctors in Manila Sanitarium said it was okay to eat anything, but my doctor/grandpa said it'll make your blisters WORSE. I didn't want to risk it. Wag na lang.)
• Aircon room. Freezing myself prevented any itching. Really.
• Don't scratch your blisters. They'll get itchier when they start crusting, so DON'T SCRATCH!
• Drink a lot of water. (Duh. Get rid of all the toxins in your body!)
• Keep yourself busy. You will be BORED because of your isolation, believe me. (Thank you for the internet!)
• Take your antivirals early! They help. (Doctors in my family thought otherwise. LIES. Shouldn't have believed them. Should have taken antivirals early on)
• Avoid people who have not gotten it before. (But heck..MISERY LOVES COMPANY)

Singapore Vlog.

This was our March 28-30 Singapore Vacation.

We stayed at the Robertson Quay Hotel and the whole trip was...quick but awesome.

Review: VMV HYPOALLERGENICS Armada Face Cover 30

When I started going to a dermatologist, I was "scolded" for not having a face sunblock in my skin regimen. I know.. I know... you should NEVER ever go out without your sunscreen. My dermatologist really stressed its importance.

As per behealthyandrelax.com :

The long-term effects of not using sunscreen

When you don’t use sunscreen lotions, your skin [has] no sun protection and you are exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR).  Whether from the sun or tanning beds, you invite skin damage, skin cancer, immune suppression, and cataracts. The increase in the number of diagnosed cases of these problems is primarily the result of our lifestyle choices as well as environmental carelessness, such as ozone depletion.

Given this knowledge, which is backed by decades of scientific studies, you can and should take measures to protect yourself by following these steps:

• Avoid unprotected UVR exposure at any time but particularly between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM which are the hours of peak ultraviolet radiation

• Wear sun protective clothing, including a long-sleeve shirt, a hat with a three-inch brim and sunglasses.

• Apply sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher to all unprotected skin 15-20 minutes before exposure and reapply it every two hours while exposed.

So okay, I had to go and find one. The problem is my skin is REALLY REALLY sensitive to sunscreen. Of course I have tried several brands already in my life, but most have caused very bad breakouts. So no sunscreen for me.

The search for THE sunscreen begins...
And this is the first one I've tried. Judging from the brand name, VMV Hypoallergenics...maybe it caters to more sensitive skin. I bought this one from Watsons in SM Mall of Asia for I think Php 780.

The product is this big (reference: my hand) and has 1.06oz of product in it. Just the right size, I think, for trying a face product. 

Consistency is a bit creamy but not oily. It's matte when it dries (on my hand).

The problem is when I put it on my face. It makes your face really really shiny -- sticky shiny (because of its SPF ingredients), so blotting and putting on face powder after is A MUST.

Fortunately, it doesn't give a "white cast" in flash photography which is good if you're the type who takes a lot of photos throughout the day (with flash).

At the later part of the day, I wasn't comfortable with it -- felt really sweaty and oily, so retouch retouch retouch. (Or maybe I'm just not used to wearing sunscreen in our already hot & humid weather?)

Overall, it's a good sunscreen since it didn't break me out (first time!). But I'm still going to be trying other brands -- I haven't had that "THIS-IS-DEFINITELY-IT" moment yet.

 

REVIEW: My Favorite Everyday Go-to Products -- Maybelline HyperSharp Liner, Maybelline Magnum Volume Express Waterproof Mascara, Etude House Drawing Eyebrow

Here's another review..or rather, reviewS. This will be a 'collective' review on my favorite trusty everyday makeup products -- my favorite liquid eyeliner, mascara, and eyebrow pencil.

Eyeliner: MAYBELLINE HYPERSHARP LINER

 

To be honest, I just came across this particular eyeliner when I was randomly looking for something to buy in Watsons. I was just starting to "explore" in using makeup and I thought I needed a liner that's much easier to use (than a pencil liner) for everyday. I searched through Watsons and wandered through the Maybelline area. I asked the lady there if she had an eyeliner that she could recommend and this is what she insisted that I buy.

Ho ho! She was right. It was easy to use (perfect for a newbie like me) and it was thin enough to make a nice cat-eye.
It has been in my bag ever since. :)

I usually use an Ever Bilena pencil eyeliner for stage makeup and comparing that one to this:

• When it sets, it doesn't smudge when you rub your eyes (but don't rub your eyes! you'll have wrinkles, sige)
• Wet enough when applied to
  
  correct little mistakes (c'mon, who doesn't make the occasional "lagpas")
• Easy to use; has a very thin brush.
• Pigmented enough (you don't have to go through your lines several times to get the opaqueness you want)
• Relatively cheap (P399 -- it's cheaper than other imported drugstore brands [of course the local brands are much much MUCH cheaper -- but the quality!? No.])

Mascara: MAYBELLINE the MAGNUM VOLUM' EXPRESS WATERPROOF

When it comes to mascara, I just hear one brand: Maybelline. I bought this one the same day as the liner in Watsons. I was originally just going to buy this one, but heck I ended up buying a liner too.

We don't really have much choices in Watsons, there were only three Maybelline mascaras there: the non waterproof version of this one, this one, and the Falsies (which was more expensive by P100). I just opted for this one since this is my first Maybelline mascara. Haha noob.

I really like the brush in this one. The brush is slightly curved. I found that the "convex" side is the side that builds up the product on your lashes and the "concave" side is the one that lifts up your lashes. Cool, right!? :D

This does the job, makes my lashes longer and more volumized. Up to this writing, I haven't had any problems with it.

Eyebrow Pencil: ETUDE HOUSE DRAWING EYE BROW in #02 Gray Brown

My favorite eyebrow product as of the moment! It's cheap (P149), easy to use, and the color matches my eyebrows perfectly. It has the retractable eye pencil on one end and a spoolie at the other! A 2-in-1 product in your hand right there!

Again, usually I use an Ever Bilena eyeliner (Brown) for my brows for stage makeup since it's more pigmented and creamier -- I need thick & OA brows on stage. Comparing that one to this one:

• Color is great for everyday use. Very light which gives you control on the darkness of your brows (No to bushman eyebrows!)
• No need to sharpen -- since it's retractable. It's refillable too (although most Etude Houses here are always sold-out of its refill).
• 2-in-1 with the spoolie at the other end. You need that end to lighten your brows and make them look more natural.

*If you're used to brown eyebrows (it just looks more fake to me, it might be just me), better get the #01 Brown. I just opted for the color closest to my natural eyebrow color which was Gray Brown.

So use them all together, this is how you'll look like. Forgive the low quality photos, they all just came from my phone. These 3 products just makes me look more put-together, and I really like it. :)