NiceLadiesThings

There are days when I feel like outlining my eyes with a liquid eyeliner to complete my look. I've been using a liquid eyeliner (the brush type) and am proud to say that I have become an expert applying it thinly and evenly.
This L'oreal eyeliner is my first - not the brush type but the pen one. The tip looks like a stabilo's tip, so you can apply it thick or thin with precision whatever you want. The first try was a struggle, but I got used to it and I can say its easier to use this than the brush type. It looks more natural - but the downside is it has a tendency to wear off easily - with little tears or if you rub your eye accidentally. I don't know how much product this pen contains and if it will last me a year. I don't use it often but recently opening the cap has been a pain. But then I know this is still a good one- ladies/gay people from our office asked me what eyeliner I am using - and when I show it to them they were amazed and of course, they tried it.

The color I am reviewing is Raspberry Smash 310. I can only say that if I want to don red lips and not be conscious or embarrassed about it I will definitely reach for this one. The downside is this is really thick - it has a strong scent and has quite a taste according to its shade flavor- light raspberry.  I had fun sharing this with a friend of mine at work - we were pouting crazy in the mirror every 5 minutes. Our lips look amazing with this :-)

THE BATTLE OF THE LIPSTICKS

I've used an Avon lipstick in the past and so far I can say that the lipstick experience was good. Honestly, I am not a lipstick person but when a colleague of mine showed up with a brochure - I got excited and ordered 4 lipsticks right away.

The fact that the product is very affordable and of good quality is enough reason for me to buy more so I can try their various lipstick lines. The price range Php200-260 is enough to get me excited - I remember that the most expensive lipstick I bought wasnt even a high end brand - t'was a l'oreal color riche lipstick for Php700 bucks just to make sure I'm at my pretty best on my wedding day.
That lipstick was good - color pay off, it is rich and creamy and with just the right shine -
but even that didn't make it on my everyday kikay kit.

Anyway, now I'll give you an honest review of my recent lipstick purchases from AVON:

Lipstick #1 : Ultra Moisture Rich Rose Gold lipstick K03 (Exclusive Pink)

 Color swatches: without flash
                                with flash:


I got the exlusive pink. The color is pretty but if you love pink pink then do not choose this line. Because of the gold flecks in it, the supposedly pink color became a cross shade of pink and coral.  If you want pearled shimmer, go for this lipstick. I'd say because of its shimmery look it adds glam, but moisture wise, it is completely disappointing because my lips was suddenly dry after having this on for a few hours.

Lipstick #2: Ultra Moisture Rich lipstick - Moisture Seduction Lipstick in Rose Ribbons P102

This lipstick's a beauty. The moisture cream swirl is what makes it attractive. Avon made sure that the the generous amount of moisturizer in this lipstick is visible to the consumer's eye. And that is why I bought this in the first place. I wanted a lipstick that has tons of moisturizer in it, like a lip balm,  - but with more distinct, solid color.
First glide on my lips - it was smooth and easy. No fuss on the lipstick - there are no micro or chunky glitters or any effects. I purchased the Rose ribbon shade - which I thought was very light. But to my surprise the color's just perfect! My lips became a perfect natural pink - the fact that it doesnt give out any shine just good color, and smooth soft texture made me love this. And it lasts about 4 hours - not bad for a cheap but good quality lipstick.

Lipstick #3: Ultra Color Rich Mega Impact lipstick - Charged Cherry

Used it once, upon first application I was disappointed. In less than 20 minutes it got me thinking  that I have to give this to my mom...We're talking about the Charged Cherry color - this is my first bold attempt to purchase a red lipstick, and I am saying this because I've known since then that red lipstick has never looked good on me- but the model on the ad was wearing this- and it looks so darn good on her! Perhaps I should have settled for the fuchsia color instead. This lipstick has a lot of chunky glittery stuff - and is super shiny. Its prism-like shape is very unique for a lipstick. The charged cherry is not the dark dark fuchsia I was expecting it to be, like on the woman's lips on the ad. I would like to think that its just a matter of choosing the right shade - the lipstick ain't that bad.  Now I know RED is not and will not be my color ever. Will probably purchase another shade.


Lipstick #4: Ultra Moisture Rich lipstick - Juicy Pomegranate M303

This is the last one I've tried and the one I am most happy with. I almost forgot I have this, as usual - it was stuck in my drawer. Anyway, the pink shade of this lipstick matched the natural color pink of the insides of my lips! AMAZING! It doesn't have the unnatural stuff - glitters and all that, just sheer- and its shiny on the lips! I love its light fruity scent, no perfume taste. Moisture power is good too! I never have to worry about dry lips at the end of the day when I am using this one. Great great product! This is my HG lipstick now!
 

I've ignored Garnier products over the years.
Well actually, I've noticed them the first time they hit the shelves and I remember picking up a box of facial cream at the supermarket once to check the label. When I didn't see who the manufacturer was and where it was made I got suspicious so I didn't bother trying it.


Then, a colleague of mine mentioned she's been using Garnier light cream and she said its good. So when I came upon a stand of Garnier products at the grocery once and saw that a single sachet costs only P9.75-- I took one right away thinking, heck, why not?

The cream smells like a ton of lemons since its main whitening ingredient is lemon essence. The smell is overpowering but you will probably get used to it like I did. For as long as i know I'll have beautiful white radiant skin when I wake up, that's perfectly fine.


This cream is really good. I wish it had existed the same time that pond's whitening cream was introduced. We're talking about 10-15 years. This is the only cream that has given me even, fairer skin. And it isn't greasy. It provides a matte finish like pond's. No shine :-)

This didn't give me break outs too! I guess its because of its salicylic acid content which helps prevent pimples. That's an extra bonus! Who would want a fair face with break outs and pimples right?

Because the cream's good, what I did next was to try the Garnier Face powder.This costs Php199 at SM department stores and Mercury Drug outlets.
I got the lightest shade - IVORY.


The powder's in a bright yellow plastic compact. Pretty odd color huh!
The applicator included as you can see here is the old cheap type - it isnt soft but it works fine that is why I didnt bother replacing it.

Performance wise the powder is also great. Compared to my last cheap face powder compact from Eskinol which is the Glutamilk brand - based on texture, this powder is super finely milled. I'm saying this because its easy to get the powder from the compact to the applicator -- you wouldnt have to rub the applicator and exert a lot of effort  - two pats on the pot would give enough powder to cover the whole face. The tricky part is that you have to be careful when applying this to make sure its even.

The powder is sheer -not heavy on the face. It provides long lasting shine free effect and fragrance free too :-)

My final conclusion-- Absolutely love it and definitely HG status! This powder is great for everyday use. I can now save my foundation for special occassions :-)

I am a big fan of white eye shadows especially the shimmery ones- its been a staple make up for me for years- will probably stop using it only if I am already old and my eyelids are already wrinkly. I can definitely say that I wouldnt be caught dead without this on :-)


White shimmer eye shadows can give you that simple instant wide awake- fresh look. I am amazed that a simple white shimmer when applied to your eyelids can accentuate your beauty especially if you have  smooth fair skin.

So far my HGs are The Body Shop's shimmer cubes- (single white cube), and Sue Devitt's roller ball eyeshadow in Kouri. These days, I always use TBS over Sue Devitt's. TBS shimmer cubes are highly pigmented, one stroke of the brush and you're good to go, as for Sue Devitt's Kouri- it is a cream white shimmer powder with a rollerball - to achieve rich white sparkly eyelids, you have to apply a lot to build a more defined white color.


I also bought two white eye shadows from The Face Shop. Since I have oily eyelids these doesn't stick for long- a primer is needed if you want it to stay put. It has micro glitters that sparkles as the light hits it. I think though that a white shimmer eyeshadow with micro glitters like this is good for evening affairs - or if you work in an office with a lot of fluorescent lights. Natural sun light can make it look chalky. Its not as shimmery as The Body Shop's but to compensate they added the glitters as sparklers.

As of the moment I am still willing to try other brands, as long as they are shimmery and has staying power then I'll be happy to add them to my make-up collection. :-)

"Getting a beautiful pair of eyebrows is one of the most useful make-up trick on the planet.."

-www.ultimate-cosmetics.com/beauty/.../eyebrows.htm

Definitely true! A face without a well defined eyebrow is just- incomplete I guess. For me an eyebrow shapes a woman's face, like a finishing touch. I am not lucky enough because I wasn't born with thick eyebrows. Mine is so thin, that I would have to "create" or "draw" an eyebrow to add definition to my face. I have struggled for years using different eyebrow pencils, most are too dark that I ended up buying the cheap china eyebrow pencils for Php 10 a piece. It worked for a while for me because the color is not strong but kinda like black gray. Then I became aware of what celebrities use- luckily my second eyebrow powder product turned out to be my HG- and that is The Body Shop Brow and Liner Kit. It may seem expensive, I am not sure anymore I think its P799 at TBS stores. But you'll get two shades and each pan will last about 2 years- so considering that it will last you almost 4 years- then it should definitely be considered CHEAP . (take note that I use mine every day- heavy brow defining)

Comparing it with other brands I tried like the James Cooper eyebrow powder and Wetnwild Ultimate eyebrow powder, this is more refined, and soft. With the help of a good brush (the one included in the compact is useless) you will be able to take control and shape, or create beautifully defined eyebrows.

Will stick to this. Perhaps by the end of the year I'll be on my 2nd compact.

"Spring Fling is a flirty blend of soft petals,sparkling water and fresh air inspired by the thrill of falling in love..."

Description
The fragrance opens with fresh notes of water and ozone, mixed with citrus and melon. The floral heart blends soft petals of muguet, honeysuckle and rose. The dry-down is a sheer combination of vetiver, cedarwood and musks. 

I bought this because I love Honeysuckle and rose scents! I had finished up my bottle of BBW Wild Honeysuckle but couldn't find it anywhere even on eBay, so when I saw the notes as indicated and basing on its great reviews in MUA I bought this scent instead. I am glad I did! Every time I spray this on my colleagues would compliment that I smell good. For me, I smell and feel beautiful! It is moderately strong and as it fades it dries down to a lovely floral scent. I was even surprised one time when I smelled this when I  woke up from an afternoon nap- I checked my pillows to find the source of the scent and I cant believe it  was in fact coming from my bare shoulders! Then I remembered I have sprayed this a lot that day.

So this has staying power on skin and that is good because this is a classy feminine scent. I found out online that this has been discontinued so if you want to have one, check online stores like eBay.

For years, I have been ignoring these on eBay when I am shopping online. I didn't know I'll get hooked!

I guess I was thinking that it doesn't make sense for you to buy a sanitizer and pay for the holder separately. Anyway, after seeing it up close, cutely dangling from some women's bags, I bought one, then two, then three until I felt I want to have more! I know its ridiculous because I don't have that many bags to hang these on. But because they're cute and smells super good, I don't think I'm wasting money here. Aside from keeping my hands germ free, it actually makes sense to hang this on your bag for easy access than fumble for a bottle of hand sanitizer in your bag which sometimes could take ages. Also, I now realized why there are a lot of different holder colors, because you can mix or match it to your sanitizer's bottle shade or your bag.

I have noticed that BBW  had released a lot of scents for their pocketbac products. Aside from their regular scents, recent releases were the limited edition sets I LOVE, CUPCAKES, ST. PATRICK'S DAY, HALLOWEEN, & CHRISTMAS.



So far for now I've got 10.(see picture). Will probably buy more when I ran out of these, will try more scents too. And the holders- I might buy more one at a time especially the ones with rhinestones and the flowers :-)

I never paid attention to this scent- not until I smelled it from the store. I thought, wow its smells good! Its fruity sweet! I didn't purchase it then but I did remember its name- and included it on my to buy list. So when my friend's friend who shopped in a VS store in the US started a business selling VS body mists including this one- I bought it right away.


First sprays: I thought this was a waste of money. I couldn't smell the scent in me! Sure its sweet, but I cant smell the other notes - 3 minutes of walking from home to church and its gone!

I gave it another shot- since its a body mist-this time I sprayed generously.
It worked! I got the scent effect I want to achieve. The good thing about it - the dry down smells like the scented stationeries I used to collect when I was a child :-)

Also, after spraying this on before leaving for work and then I kiss and hug my boys, they always say I smell good!

This may be Victoria Secret's replacement to their discontinued Forbidden Fantasy. The old packaging doesn't indicate the notes of the scent per bottle. FF's liquid color is the same- light green, and their smell is almost close, my clue is they both smell like my stationeries.


My verdict: this is a nice, refreshing perk me up scent. If you're into fruity scents, this is for you as its top note is Passion fruit.

I don't know if this has been discontinued but I got this on eBay for Php110. Looove it!
Don't be deceived because the Ruby color shade is just right, not the shocking pink type for teens.

Anyways, this has staying power, instantly provides glam on your lips, no chunky glitters-- and the taste! Think CO Bigelow mentha lip shine, but a milder and sweeter version.

I can't say its super soft on the lips but because of its staying power- it definitely won't let your lips down- no dryness, no cracks. A really good buy!

I have high expectations for this lip balm because of its brand name but it didn't become a favorite of mine. It's currently sitting inside my drawer-- inside a lipstick case. Anyway, so far its just an OK lip balm, its consistency is thin when applied to lips unlike Carmex. It has a mild scent, no annoying taste and the good thing is it makes lips soft and a little shiny.

You can get this at Crabtree and Evelyn Branches nationwide for Php200, the other variant is Jojoba Lip balm.


BURT'S BEES LIP BALM WITH POMEGRANATE OIL

I thought this is gonna be a good lipbalm because it has a hint of color- pink. I used it only twice I guess, and
I ended up giving it away to a close friend who liked it. I can't bear its smell, I can't describe it but its too strong for me. And with the smell goes the taste-- which is undescribable, like licking a perfume. Moisturizing power isnt good too. Oh well, I'll move on to the next tube.

I am a lip balm junkie.
Started with chapstick back in high school, then Bonne Bell's Skittles to Blistex to Burt's Bees then I bought brand after brand and so the result-- a lip balm collection.

Yeah I know they get bad after quite sometime because lip balms expire too. I kept the tubes anyway as a reminder of the lip balm experience for a specific brand.

I'll be reviewing the latest lip balms I have purchased so far. But my HG for now: Carmex Strawberry.

I didn't expect I'd like Carmex- heck I use it everyday. In fact its the only lip balm that I have used every single day for a long period.

Carmex performed way beyond my expectations. Compared to other brands that just sits on your lips but when removed leaves it feeling blah, Carmex, upon application feels tingly, think mentholated strawberry flavor. Its like rubbing a very very mild Vick's on your lips in a nice way as it gives instant cooling sensation that lasts- and soft lips!

I am gonna warn you though that the consistency of this lip balm when applied to lips is okay, not too thick, but because of its cooling sensation, you wont feel that heaviness after application as with other lip balms.


Take note that this lip balm wont give you shiny lips. Which is just perfect for me because I use this with my Evera Magic lipstick every single day. I apply this first then the magic lipstick and the result: super soft long wear hot pink lips :-)

Before, you can only get this on eBay for about Php150-250. The good thing is it is now available here, I bought mine at Landmark Department store in Trinoma for Php99. They also carry the tin version, tube and original stick for the same price.

I have been forever plagued by dandruff from my pre-teen years to the present. It doesn't really bother me that much, except that sometimes my scalp can get super dry, super itchy and flaky that I wouldn't stop scratching and so the result--flakes that are enough to build a snow landscape on my shoulders. I tell you, it is really embarrassing.


And so the quest for the right dandruff shampoo is still on-- I think I've already tried all the anti-dandruff shampoos in the market- none of them worked, they even made it worse. I settled  on Nizoral treatment for a while. But it sucked because Nizoral makes my hair really stiff AND it is expensive!

I checked the world wide web and learned that tea tree is effective in treating dandruff! I rushed to the nearest Healthy Options store and bought Avalon Organics Tea tree shampoo and it worked for a while.


Back during my window shopping days, my friend Donna and I stumbled upon Goody's Styling Therapy Copper Brush. The label says it can treat dandruff because copper kills the bacteria on your scalp. I immediately said I'm gonna buy it, but when I saw its price- which I think is ridiculous, 700 bucks around that time- I backed out.


And so I was eBay shopping December last year and with luck I saw that my favorite seller is actually selling these brushes for almost 75% off! I bought 2 brushes, here's what I can say:

PROs:

- The brush works! I couldn't say that it eliminated my dandruff completely, but I've got no major dry map-like flakes anymore--nothing too embarrassing to handle. The label on the box said the brush will work if you'll use it 2-3 times a day but for me, it is effective because its the only brush I use to comb my hair all throughout the day.

- The brush is nice to hold, not too heavy- and the handle fits just right in my hand- it is smooth, the color is a platinum white with bronze lining- a nice, clean looking brush.

- Brush doesn't cause hair static

CONs:

- A hassle to clean, instructions on the box said to dip in water with lemon juice.

- Size is not mini bag friendly- or travel friendly --I wish they created smaller versions of these brushes!



That's just what I can say. Overall I really really love this brush especially because with the right shampoo and frequent usage, it worked for me. If you want one on a sale price you can check out eBay for this but if you have the money to splurge go buy at SM department stores or Landmark this brush no matter what size costs Php899.00

I first fell in love with the original Rose version of this fragrance. Back then it was on sale, and so I was thinking of buying it and also considering Roxy. (the pink one) I ended up buying Roxy over PS Rose probably because of the cute box with drawers plus the lotion. And so, after a month or so with Roxy, I realized I made the wrong decision since the scent is too heavy, I didnt wear it that much-- and finally yesterday during my closet cleaning I gave that Roxy pink I've chosen still 90% full.


Anyways, so the distributor of this perfume went back to our office on a 70% off sale, so I finally bought it--- the Summer edition 2010. It smells so wonderful. It smells elegant and fresh, and the dry down is a sexy musk with a subtle rose note. I am just so haaaapppy. I will start wearing it next week! The salesman said they will release the 2011 Summer edition in November and next year I'll make sure I'm gonna have that too!


From Fragrantica.com:

Paul Smith presents Rose Summer Edition as a summer edition in which the dominant flower is rose, typical of Paul Smith editions. Fragrant pleasure of Rose edition is reinterpreted through summer edition decorated with sunny aspects and good mood, ideal for use in summer season.

Rose Summer Edition was developed by perfumer Antoine Maisondieu of such notes as violet and currant buds in top notes combined with green tea and sweet aquatic watermelon notes.

A heart blooms with characteristic Paul Smith rose combined with green tea, Damascus rose and iris adding discretely seductive light accents. A base is warm and woody, created of amber, light musk and sandalwood.

Paul Smith Rose Summer Edition was designed with an intention to be cheerful, dashing and spontaneous. The new flacon is in tune with the theme, created of yellow and white nuances resembling sun rays, which reflect spirit of the composition. Its outer carton is also yellow, with picture of rose with pale yellow petals on the box. The perfect contrast to yellow is strong pink cyclamen nuance of name of the fragrance, giving a strong and clear summer effect. The fragrance will be available as 100 ml EDT as a limited edition from January 2010.