NiceLadiesThings

Last year, I remember that to change my look, I tried to learn using falsies. (false lashes).
I was quite contented that I now know how to put one on, but I am no expert, it still took ages to put it which is a pain - so I didn't stick to using it. (hopefully I can also put a review on that)
At a mall one day, while waiting for my friend to arrive - it suddenly dawned on me that I have not yet tried using contacts. So, I went straight to an optical shop and bought a pair.

I settled on the Ningaloo brand since its cheap about Php300, its only good for a single use - I was afraid that I might not be able to learn how to properly put on contacts or I might not be comfortable using it.

photo not mine, credits to owner

I remember getting a hazel brown color, but sadly, because my eyes are already a dark natural brown in shade, the contacts didn't give me the effect/look that I wanted. I used the contacts for about 3x.

While window shopping online at Shopee, I came across some contact lenses there.
One brand caught my attention - Sparkle contact lenses. Its frig-gin' cheap, imported and a lot of people had already bought it and gave good reviews.  For Php180 a pair, good for a year, I bought 2 pairs right away, brown and gray.

photo not mine, credits to the owner

I bought the Color Essentials - brown and gray. I wasn't impressed with the brown color, because it didn't lighten or changed my eyes that much, like the Ningaloo. But I liked the gray one.
Warning: you will be seeing several of my selfies here LOL so here's me wearning the gray color essentials:



I was so satisfied with these contacts I bought two more pairs - this time the Queenbae series.
This one is 15mm, three toned, and gives a doll eye effect. This is me wearing Queenbae in brown:
I had to take a selfie the first time I wore it:

Me wearing Sparkle Queenbae in brown

I so love the effect of the Queenbae brown, but I think this is perfect only for date nights or evening
occasions. I have never worn these on a day trip, I just feel awkward changing my look this way.
The lenses are bigger than normal and the color is like lighter than hazel, my naturally dark brown eyes that usually doesn't respond to brown lenses look different with this one- it has become a very light brown shade. If I would make fun of myself, I would think I may look like a lizard with these eye color in daylight LOL.

It took me about 6 months to try the Queenbae in gray. I was trying to save it as back up in case my color essentials gray gets damaged. But I tried it anyway, thinking the effect would be fabulous.
But it wasn't as light as the Color Essentials gray.

Me wearing Queenbae in gray

My eyes were just larger, sure its nicer in person, but in photos - the Queenbae gray doesn't stand out.


I still use my Color Essentials gray - this is my favorite, this is my selfie about 2 weeks ago wearing it:

on the way to a party - me wearing Sparkle Color Essentials gray

After the party around 8pm, lens look great in a well lighted area

Maybe I will try other contact lens brands by the end of the year, but for now, all my lenses are still A-OK so I don't think I need to buy a new one yet. Maybe I'll be bolder and try some contacts in blue? LOL. Anyway, I highly recommend Sparkle, they are cheap, easy to wear and comfortable. Its also durable as it doesn't get easily damaged/torn. For Php180 a pair this is a steal!


(note: this is not a sponsored article)

For the past 3 years, I have been in search for a perfect brow product since I have not been blessed with thick eyebrows. Had I been given thick bushy brows, I would gladly pluck it into a perfectly shaped arc instead of doing my brows every single day. I know most women these days are into "kilay goals" and I am one of them. These days, for a woman to look good/decent, her face should be framed with a nicely, neatly done eyebrows.

So my Holy Grail eyebrow product 2 years ago was L'oreal's  Eyebrow Artist Genius Kit. Then I tried the pomade types - Milani, Nyx and Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow. Then for a year, I stuck with L'oreal's Brow Artist Designer Pro because it was just so easy to use and my brows looked naturally beautiful with it. (will also post a review on that one soon)

When I saw Maybelline's ad for their tattoo brow gel tint, I said "WOW!" An eyebrow that would last for 3 days! Just amazing! But I didn't buy one right away, its Php599 and though I can afford it, I was hesitant because I wanted to read reviews about it first, and I was hoping to buy it at a lower price in case the product's a miss.

While shopping online at Lazada, I saw that they finally offered this for Php419, I read a few reviews first, then bought it anyway.





Okay, so I was really excited to try this. I was actually thinking that the product may be hard to use to achieve that eyebrow shape I want. I was wrong, this was a breeze to use.

My bare eyebrows

So upon application, my brows look like it was done using a black marker lol.

After I peeled the gel, I was amazed! My brows look fantastic!

I recently got myself one of those As Seen On TV products - the Salon Shaper!
This one though, I think is not authentic - a Class A type maybe? I just know because its too cheap!
I bought this thru an online shopping app called Shopee. (I've been shopping there for about 2 years now, as well as Lazada and Ebay). I shop there for cheap items, items that you can see in Divisoria. Now if I could go to Divi I would, but its just too far from me, and I definitely have no time!

This product caught my attention because its only Php100! I took the risk and bought one.
And I am glad I did!

box front

The Salon Shaper is powered by 2 AA batteries. It works well, whatever head you put on the device it spins fast. My only complaint is that its a bit hard to put it together after putting in the batteries. There's a line indicator that should be aligned when you put it together otherwise it won't turn on. The plastic quality is quite poor, because I see that the inside molds that holds the device together (kind of like a lid)  has crumbled a bit after I made a few mistakes - the plastic cannot withstand too much twisting so I wouldn't expect this thing to last long.

For now I enjoy using this, and will update this post if something happens to the device.
I cannot guarantee its durability but I would say that this is a must have if you are the type of woman of does her own mani/pedi at home.
For Php100, its not a big deal. This is a neat little thing to have.

I love online shopping! As a shopee user, I frequently see ads for face vacuums.
I got curious and waited for other buyers reviews before finally giving in and purchasing one.
I bought mine for Php500, but found out that some sellers offer this at Php380.
Anyways, I have no regrets since the shop where I bought this from (jgp89store) has received
61 positive feedbacks for this product.

I am reviewing XN-8030 Beauty Skin Care Specialist

Box : front

Box: back

side of box

Upon opening the box, here's what you will see: the device, 3 different suction cups, a pack of small round foam filters, a USB cable and a leaflet manual. (charger is not included)




Here are the manual photos:

suction performance is strong

When this product arrived, I have to admit I didn't use it right away. I left it inside my cabinet for about 2 weeks although I do charge it every week. I thought that I would have to just use this whenever I have black/white heads or pimples.  And so when I saw a white head threatening to become a pimple in between my eyes I used this product, and since I do not know how to use it yet,
I ended up having a hickey/black round mark on that spot where the white head was.
The whitehead was removed, but the suction power of the device left an ugly black hole mark which went away after about 3-4 days - the suction of this device is really strong, I learned the hard way not to use this in one spot for longer because it will definitely leave an ugly mark.


So now I used it for about 3-5 minutes all over my face for 5 straight days and the results are good! I have a very oily face, and I use this tool to remove those oils. (once a day only)
Now I can feel whenever I wash my face that its smoother and has less bumps...

Sebum/oil from my face after a session

Overall, this is a good device to have. I have a smooth face, I rarely get pimples but I must say that my face is prone to white heads due to its very oily nature. This device has helped my face become smoother, and I also think that my pores are somehow getting a bit smaller.


Device Pros:

- Good suction power (about 4 levels)
- light and handy
- rechargeable (charges for about 3 hours)

Device Cons:
- battery easily gets drained (battery gets depleted even if you are not using the device)
- the device has only one button (on/off), to turn it off you would have to press the power button 5x


This is a china product, I cannot say it is durable but I will update this post for any issues.

Two years ago I was into buying make-up brushes after realizing that for a girl who loves make-up, I don't have any! I had a mini travel set from The Body Shop but I lost that after someone stole my bag. Anyway, so I bought an Avon set and some Ecotools brushes but now I am trying Real Techniques.

Okay, so it was also in 2015 that I just couldn't afford Real Techniques. It is not affordable here where I live. (Philippines)
You cannot even grab one and go in stores because it is exclusively distributed by only one distributor -- Kalm Cosmetics and they don't cater to all stores - either you buy it online from their website or buy from an eBay or online seller.

But there are risks buying online from eBay or from any online seller. Here's what I found out, there are A LOT of fakes out there! When I saw these fakes, I admit I was tempted. They are half a price cheaper than the original ones! I had to see them for myself so I bought a couple of sets online and these brushes are so good its just ridiculous!

Let me tell you first that I did not write this to promote fake products. I just wanted to share some helpful information about fake brushes versus the real or authentic ones. There are sellers out there who would claim that what they are selling are authentic when actually they're not. We consumers suffer because we are not getting value for our money. Also, I wanted to let you realize that you have a choice - always. You have money? Of course go for the original! Frugal and practical? Then its up for you to decide to try the knockoffs.


I will compare the original vs the fake ones. I will share what I know about the differences of the fake to the original ones.  Ready? I will be posting a lot of pictures!

First, I bought the powder brush. Again, the following brushes are knock-offs.

Powder brush - bought at Shopee for Php250, original costs about Php550 - 600

Looks authentic isn't it? How do you tell its fake?

Label on the handle is off center

This brush looks so perfect. It is very dense and soft and perfectly shaped. Quality looks very good.

Some smear paints on the handle - a sign it is fake

Next, I bought this set because they look EXACTLY like the original ones - from the actual packaging to the brushes.

Limited Edition Cheek and Lip Set

I had to sell this set because I already have too many brushes. But they are lovely!

out of the box - again, these are fakes

The blush brush, so lovely isn't it?

The labels on these are perfect!

It's dense and soft it could pass as an original

This is the duo fiber contour brush

The lip brush also looks good

The next set I bought is the famous Core Collection. Again, because I felt that I have purchased a lot of brushes in one go - I sold this one too but photographed it ---  after a few months I bought the original version.

Now that I have the original version I can say, this one is good I wish I didn't sell it!

This is the new packaging for the Core collection though this one's a fake - but look how clear and smooth the box is!

Out of the box

A turn off for me: rubbed off label

The brushes though are soft and dense!

The buffing brush and contour brush (smaller one) side by side

Detailer and pointed foundation brush

Even the tag on the case looks and feels original - I have the original brow set and they are exactly the same!

Same look with the original one in new packaging

Smooth case - no imperfections here

The inside part - imperfect portion

Now, I will be posting pictures of the original ones side by side to the fake ones.

Original Core Collection brushes I bought from Kalm Cosmetics the official distributor of Real Techniques in the Philippines

The brush holder of the original set is soft and smooth to the touch

This is original

That embossed small S on the rubber handle (bottom part) is proof that this is authentic

Pointed foundation brush - original

The original is on top, the bottom is the knock off - its a bit wider and it does not have that pointy shape

Handle comparison - top original, bottom fake

Fake RT Core Collection set, I got this for Php250 - the original ones I bought for Php1200

fake

Top brush - fake / Bottom brush - original

Left - fake, right authentic - color of the original is a darker gold

That S embossed at the bottom of the brush is proof that its original

Top - fake / Bottom - original

Which one's the real thing here? Yes the one on the right!

They all look the same to me, but the one on the right is the original

The brush on the right is the original

S embossed on the original

The fake (bottom) is fluffier

Original (left) pointier, handle color is lighter

As of this writing (August 2017), I still use my Real techniques brushes - - fake or not, and they perform well and are almost the same, all of them are still in working condition even after several washings- some of my fake brushes, like the big powder brush and blush brush I haven't used, so I gave them to my cousin but my RT collection (old packaging, fake and real) and Sam's pick (fake) I still use and love.


It's still better to purchase authentic products, but as of this point, I feel almost all the brushes in the market perform the same fake or real. I am probably saying this because I have been using mine and they are almost the same sans the imperfections like fading label, label misprint or the bad shape of brush hairs.

I have to say this too, that my authentic pointed foundation brush label has faded without me using it that much - I was so disappointed. I bought it from the official distributor and it costs so much and yet...even the other Core Collection brushes labels, the original ones -has faded. At this point brush buying is not a big deal for me anymore. But a year or two ago I cannot find any article that would confirm/inform me if the RT brush I bought was authentic or not. Hope this one helps!

Label of my pointed foundation brush (authentic) it just faded on its own without me using it that much