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.

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. :)

Review: Tony Moly Kiss Kiss Lip Scrub and Lip Essence

Okay, I was strolling in Mall of Asia yesterday when I remembered there was a Tony Moly counter in the department store and I was currently looking for a nice lip treatment for my abused lips anyway (given the many shows and the cold weather). And I asked about the Kiss Kiss Lip Scrub which I have been reading many reviews about. So I decided to give it a try.

This is the Kiss Kiss Lip Scrub. I tried it last night after brushing my teeth and before putting on my regular skincare stuff.

It comes in a pink (giant) lip container which is really cute (hehe) and you just have to twist it to open. It smells really good, like cherry-ish cinammon-ish scent.

It has micro-beads in it which exfoliate your lips and get rid of the icky dead skin cells that have accumulated there. The beads were actually smaller than the average facial scrub and they're small and gentle enough -- they're not painful!

After scrubbing this, my lips instantly felt really soft and smooth (ooh la la)

I asked the sales lady if they have any good lip balms that you can use after scrubbing, lo and behold, Kiss Kiss also has a Lip Essence that you're SUPPOSED to use after the scrub!

Looks almost the same as the Lip Scrub..it just comes in a red lip container. When you twist it open, there's an almost butter-y but not oily balm inside. 

It also smells good, smells more cherry/berry than the scrub and it instantly makes your lips feel moisturized! What I like about Tony Moly lip balms (I've tried 2 so far), they're not butter-y so they don't go over to the top of my lips. They're a bit more sticky than the Nivea Fruit Shine lip balm/gloss, so it stays in place. I had this on overnight, and boy, did I wake up to smooth and moisturized lips! :)

I got these at Php348 each, which is fine. I think it'll last a long time anyway since you only need a little for each use. And they're cute to carry too, if you want to bring them with you wherever.