Haul: Revlon Photoready Airbrush Foundation

  Since the very first Revlon Photoready foundation came out I've been avoiding it like the plague.  =P  Honestly, the liquid foundation is just too shimmery for my oily skin.  Then, the cream version came out and I actually got one for my mom.  It works great on really dry skin but sadly it's still not suitable for me.  Then they came up with the Photoready Airbrush foundation.  Of course, I did my homework.  Read a lot of mixed reviews.  It wasn't really in my to-buy list.  But when I saw it in person I just gotta have it!  Oh, it's like a curse!  I hate visiting makeup counters because they make me purchase stuff on a whim! =P

So to make the long story short, I bought this foundation out of curiosity.  It retails at PhP 925 and it's available in most drugstores and department stores.  I got it in the color 060 Golden Beige.

Haul: My 2nd Revlon Just Bitten Kissable purchase

  Okay, so I bought another one.  =P  Well, I said I'll be checking out the lighter shades just to see how it goes on the lips and if it performs exactly the same as the more pigmented shades.  I've already reviewed my first Revlon Just Bitten Kissable in "Sweetheart/Valentine" and I love it!  So I went to the nearest Revlon counter and checked out the lighter shades available.  Unfortunately, my lips are so pigmented that most of the lighter shades don't really show up well on my lips.  There were a couple that I liked but my budget restricted my options to just one and so I chose "Charm/Charme" (PhP 575). =)
  

Haul: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable

  Doesn't this look a lot like Clinique's Chubby Stick?  I've been waiting for our local Revlon counters to stock up on their latest lip product, Just Bitten Kissable.  Primarily because I'm intrigued by it and also it is more affordable than a Chubby Stick.  =P  I don't have a Chubby Stick yet... (not sure if I'm going to get one =P) so I can't really compare the two.  The label indicates it is a balm stain and it seems to me this product is a mixture of the stain and balm of the original Revlon Just Bitten.  (Didn't get the original one though because the felt tip marker does not look appealing to me.)

  I got it in the shade "Sweetheart/Valentine" from Watson's (SM City Sucat) at PhP575.  Just want to give a quick shoutout to Revlon's Beauty Advisor, Angelica Besa, who assisted me last Sunday afternoon.  Thank you =)  

Taken indoors using natural light

Palette: Stila In The Moment Sample Palette

  I got my hands on a sample of Stila In The Moment palette which looks like this:

  It is a folded page of cardboard containing ten of Stila's award-winning eyeshadows.  I apologize for the "bent" look.  This palette came as is and it probably got squished during transit.  But nonetheless, the products inside remained intact.

  Inside, the shadows were protected with a clear plastic but were removed during the review.  The top half contains two of the looks that can be created using the eyeshadows.  I find this useful especially for beginners because these are step by step instructions on how to achieve each look.  The bottom half contains the eyeshadows in sample amounts which I think can last up to 3 applications.    

Freebie: Laura Geller Spackle Tinted Under Make-up Primer

  In my recent purchase, I mentioned that I got a free item from Carefreeshopper.  I didn't really expect a freebie but yay! Thank you, Armie.  =)  I love it!

  What I got is the Laura Geller Spackle Tinted Under Make-up Primer in Bronze.  I first saw this in Cora's (Vintage or Tacky) Spring Makeup Reviews video in YouTube.

Haul: Beauty Pro Cosmetics Crazy Colour Palette

  This is the second Beauty Pro Cosmetics Palette that I got from Digital Traincase.  This is aptly called the Crazy Colour Palette.  It is a collection of bright and colorful eyeshadows.

  I love this palette because majority of the eyeshadows are matte and the color selection is so pretty!  Each pan of color is crazy pigmented that I only need to use a little to get a very nice color payoff.  These also remind me of Make Up For Ever, Lime Crime and Sugarpill eyeshadows.  Can't stress enough how bright and intense the colors are.              

Haul: Beauty Pro Cosmetics Sweet and Smokey Palette

  Here are the last two palettes I got from the Superb Super Sale Bazaar.  These are the Beauty Pro Cosmetics Palettes by  Brigitte who is a makeup artist herself.  I got these babies via Digital Traincase.  I actually met Paul and would like to thank him for the discount and for shipping the Crazy Colour palette as they don't have this one at the bazaar.

Haul: Catwalk Cosmetics Palette

  I have another wonderful palette for my kit.  This is the Catwalk Cosmetics palette by Makeup by Marj Sia.  This is part of my haul from the recently held Superb Super Sale Bazaar at SMX.  I actually met Marj who was at her booth that time and may I say she's so pretty! :)  I don't know if I came across as somewhat weird during that time because I kept on coming back to her booth.  I was just so overwhelmed of all the kikay stuff that I can't think straight that day.  Actually I was just trying to control myself or else I would've end up broke that day hehehe =P

  Anyway, here is the palette.  It is a nice mix of bright and neutral colors.  It actually consists of 15 eyeshadows and 3 blushes but I think I can also use them as eyeshadow as well.  The blushes are the three colors at the last column to the right.   

Haul: Sleek Makeup Goodies!

  If you've been watching beauty/makeup-related videos in YouTube chances are you've heard of this brand from the UK.  I first heard of Sleek Makeup from Pixiwoo.  This is a drugstore brand but of very good quality according to numerous online reviews of their products.  Never thought I'd be able to get my hands on these since they are not locally available until I learned of Updated Trends which is the official distributor of Sleek Makeup here in the Phils.

  They were at the recently held Superb Super Sale Bazaar at SMX where I met Smile, the proprietor of Updated Trends/Sleek Makeup Ph.  She is lovely, btw.  =)  She helped me pick the right shade of foundation and also had a little chat about the brand and makeup in general.

  After spending several minutes swatching their testers I decided to get two powder blushes and their creme foundation.        

Haul: James Cooper Jazzy Collection

  Got myself some James Cooper cosmetic products and these are part of the Jazzy Collection.  If I'm not mistaken, James Cooper is a well known celebrity hairstylist/makeup artist here in the Philippines who also came up with his own cosmetics line much like Fanny Serrano.  Not sure who started first but I've been seeing JC products at SM Department Store in the past few years.  Never really got the chance to try them until now.  Not sure why but probably I was too caught up with other well known brands then =P

  Glad I got to finally try them and for the first time I am wowed by a local brand.  Bought the liquid mineral blusher (PhP 399) and aqua cream eyeshadow (PhP 299) at the SM Mall of Asia Department Store.
      

Primer: NYX HD Studio Photogenic Primer

  I have been using foundation primers for the last 5 years or so and the main reason why I use it is to make my makeup last longer.  Being in the corporate world means less time for touch ups and more time in front of the computer.  At least for me.  =P

  My very first primer was the Smashbox Photo Finish Light and I finished the whole bottle after 3 years.  Since then I have tried other brands and that's when I learned that there are different types of primers for different needs/purposes.

   Primers prep the skin prior to foundation application.  I believe I have mentioned some of the benefits of using a primer in my review of e.l.f.'s Mineral Infused Face Primer.

  So I got this new primer from NYX which is the HD Studio Photogenic Primer and it reminded me so much of Make Up For Ever's HD Primer.  Thought they might be the same at a fraction of the price.  Gave it a chance and brought it home with me.  =) 

Foundation: NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation

  So I got this foundation a few weeks back and have been using it since then.  Got it in the shade SMF05 Soft Beige which is a good match.
       

  The packaging indicates the ff.:

• Oil Free
• Water Based
• Full Coverage
• Mineral Enriched
• Matte Finish

  I have checked the ingredients and although it has aqua (water) in it, it still has dimethicone which is a silicone polymer.  So I'm quite confused.  Although it contains dimethicone the consistency of the product is quite runny and feels lightweight on the skin.  But what really intrigued me and caused me to buy this product is the name itself.  What does "stay matte but not flat" mean?  Plus, it says it offers full coverage and I need all the coverage I can get to hide my acne scars.  So I bought it and put it to the test.

Haul Part1: NYX Lip Products

  My husband planned to buy some PC parts at the Eton Cyberpod E-Life Bldg. 1 last week and he recalled me mentioning the store Beauty and the Geeks which happens to be in the same building.  He knows how much I love makeup and is very supportive of my cosmetic addiction so he asked me to jot down things I wished to buy and he bought them for me =)  (He even called me up when he got to the store to check if I wanted to add some more to my loot but they were all sold out so I settled with the items on my list.)

  I realized that I have too many nude/pinky brown lipsticks but lacked bright, colorful ones.  I've been eyeing a lot of NYX lippies and can't decide which to get first.  Then I came across their new lip products that seems to be a cross between lipgloss and lipstick.  I personally prefer lipglosses because I find them easier to apply when I'm out and about, no need for a mirror hehehe =P (Skill that I've learned when I'm doing a sneaky retouch)  =P

  So I ended up getting two of their Xtreme Lip Creams (Strawberry Jam, Absolute Red) and a Soft Matte Lip Cream (Milan).       

Milan - Strawberry Jam - Absolute Red

Eyeliner: e.l.f. Liquid Eyeliner

  I have bought this liquid eyeliner along with other e.l.f. products two weeks ago.  Though my daily routine does not normally include liquid liners, I thought of getting this one for those days when I want some oomph and also for upcoming tutorials.

  Gave this a try several times but I can't get myself to wear this when I'm out and about.  Though I don't want to say bad things about this particular product, I just think it is due to it's price tag that it has limitations when it comes to performance.

I think I'm getting greedy for wanting a product that doesn't cost too much but also performs like a dream hehehe =P  Must have heard "Someone like you" by Adele that day when I picked this up at the mall and thought of her eye makeup.  She looks stunning by the way and her makeup suits her just fine.  =)

 

Palette: Dollface 20 pc. Corrective Concealer Palette

  Currently, I'm building my kit and since I am on a tight budget I try to find inexpensive but high quality products to start off my collection.  (Inexpensive is my favorite word at the moment hehehe)  One way to save money is by investing in palettes.  A palette is a great way for a makeup artist to have a variety of shades of a particular product be it cream foundation, concealer, blush, eyeshadow, etc.

  I have searched high and low for palettes and found several online (Coastal Scents, BH Cosmetics, etc.).  Glad I have found Dollface Cosmetics which is locally available.  This saves me from international shipping + possible damage during transit + getting lost in oblivion due to our poor postal system. =P

  One thing I love about Dollface Cosmetics is that they have a physical store where I can go and check out their products.  I'm a bit hesitant to buy products which I have not seen in person so this is a plus for me.  And one of my recent acquisition is their 20 pc. corrective concealer palette.  

  

Eyeliner: e.l.f Eye Widener

  I have been on the lookout for an inexpensive creamy, white pencil that I can use as an eyeshadow base.  Another inexpensive brand came to mind but it wasn't available at that time so I opted for this pencil from e.l.f which is aptly called Eye Widener (PhP 129.75).

  At first I thought this gives off a matte finish but due to the lack of testers and knowledge of the saleslady, I bought this thinking it is matte.  Okay, I am also at fault for not checking.  The packaging simply indicates white but a deeper understanding of the instructions at the back of the carton indicates it is not matte but rather "sparkly". lol =P  (Also, just noticed "Pearl White" is engraved on the pencil hahaha!  Something about inexpensive+makeup makes me giddy and forget to read lol)

  Thought I'd get disappointed with this one but I just remembered it's name.  Eye widener.  Not that my eyes are too small but I can still use this one for it's intended purpose.

Primer: e.l.f. Mineral Infused Face Primer

  What is a primer? Do I need it?

  A primer preps the skin making it easier to apply foundation and blend it over the skin.  Depending on the type of primer, this may help fill in lines, keep oilies at bay or even help makeup last longer.

  Several brands offer this type of product but these are usually high end brands.  I'm a bit hesitant to shell out thousands of bucks just for an everyday use primer so I've been on the lookout for an inexpensive alternative.  Glad that I chanced upon this product from e.l.f. which is their Mineral Infused Face Primer (PhP 399.75).   

My very first travel palette: Lancôme Absolu Voyage

  I got this palette two years ago when I went to Singapore for a few days of training.  Funny that I got this on board Singapore Airlines on my way back to the Philippines when I actually visited Sephora at Ion Mall.  I could've gotten myself some Urban Decay stuff which I regret not buying at the time as I was too busy checking out the entire store.  I was lost in la la land =P.

  I ended up testing everything at Sephora to my heart's content but didn't notice they were closing down the store lol.  So to make the long story short, I ended up empty handed but still blissful after playing in wonderland.

  Fast forward to my flight back home, I was checking out their duty free catalog tucked in front of my seat and found the cosmetics section.  There were other palettes in the catalog including Dior travel palettes which are very pretty.  But what made me choose this one other than it being cheaper than Dior is that it does not only contain eyeshadows or lipstick, it has everything for the face.