If you are up-to-date with my cleansing oil posts, you know how I'm madly in love with Shu Uemura's High Perf Balancing Cleansing Oil. But there was one morning this year when I sat down and conferred with my finances; I sheepishly asked permission to restock my Shu cleansing oil in the midst of a budget crisis.

Wallet: Well, go ahead. Just make sure the money that gets out of me gets replaced.

Bank Acct: Don't look at me. You know I can't be withdrawn.

Bank Acct 2: Why exactly do you need to spend that much on some bottled-up oil again?

Long story short, budget denied. Your finances will never understand the power of a pricey makeup remover.

And that was how I met Pure Beauty's Perfect Cleansing Oil. Forgive the long prologue. 

Pure Beauty is a saving product especially for those who know the great benefits of removing makeup with oil but is reluctant to break the bank for a cleanser. Do you really need to shell out thousands of pesos to get a superbly clean face? No. 

But let me tell you that Pure Beauty is a far cry from Shu Uemura --- it just doesn't give you the peace of mind that you already have a clean face because it feels and smells a lot like grease. It took me a week to get convinced that this makeup remover really melts off all the foreign stuff on my face. I also hoped to see some skin glow after completely rinsing off this cleanser, as I do with Shu, but no, that may just be a higher price to pay for. 

Tips: Application- Spread 2 1/2 to 3 pumps (yes, it's possible to control the amount of product pumped out! great, huh?) of the makeup remover on your UNWASHED, DRY face. Gently massage all over the face and feel the deep-seated dirt and makeup disintegrate. Use another pump of product when dealing with eye makeup. Rinsing (very important) - cup a tiny amount of water on your hand and massage on the face to turn the oil into a soapy state. Oil gets emulsified in this manner rather than rinsing with TOO MUCH WATER. It's a tedious job but it's a fair price to pay for this inexpensive yet effective product.


Follow up with your usual cleanser after completely removing oil. The Neutrogena Deep Clean Revitalizing Cleanser (pink grapefruit) tandems with the cleansing oil well.

What's to like? The inexpensive price tag! For 149php, I got something that does a good job in removing waterproof makeup and to some degree, mascara and liquid eyeliner. I've used this since January of this year and I never broke out from it. It's also nice that most Watsons outlets, if not all, carry Pure Beauty cleansing oils. 

Uh-ohs. If you are accustomed to Shu High Perf Balancing Cleansing Oil's luxurious scent and feel, then be ready to shake the hand of disappointment with using something that smells and feels like cooking oil. This makeup remover takes time in getting completely rinsed off. And if you just splash water and don't rinse off well, expect the face to feel tacky to the touch.

190 mL, 150php, available at Watsons
shelf life: 3 years

Recommendation. I'd highly recommend to acne-prone girls who use longwearing/or waterproof makeup and sunscreen. It's safe and gentle to use on a daily basis, just make sure not to rub the oil too hard on the face. I definitely choose this over Kanebo Freshel cleansing oil because it works just as good and is 5x less expensive. 

I will NOT recommend to:

• those who already have a budget for the Shu cleansing oil 
• those who barely have time to primp their faces at night --- won't work for you since it can be a pain to emulsify and rinse the oil off.

Through the years I've incorporated oil cleansing method in my evening skincare, I have grown to appreciate the benefits of a perfectly cleansed face. I've tried deep cleansers that barely does the job right and my acne-prone skin acts up whenever I get too lazy to get the cleansing part of my regimen right.

Cleansing oils help save the day (or night!) because it  makes me less susceptible to breakouts. Pure Beauty cleansing oil has proven that no one needs to to bite the bullet for a Shu cleansing oil to ensure clear skin. It's good to know that pimply girls like me can steer clear from horrible zits with just 150 a pop!

We live in the groupon era where it's wisest to go bulk buying. These are hard times and the growth of group buying sites may just be the best thing that has happened in our desire to get a bite of life's luxury.

But thanks to Watsons Switch and Save, anybody can spend economically on their home basics even without buying wholesale! From cotton buds to mouth washes, to your facial tissues and Vitamin C (never miss out on this in your homes! health is an investment): everything is all about letting you save more money to spend for the good life.

Celebrities like Divine Lee, Victor Basa, Patty Laurel and the iconic Tessa Prieto-Valdez have swtiched and saved with Watsons, too! Here's what they have to say:

Continue reading »

I love how the 4U2 Glitz Shimmer Brow Mascara works wonders for me! I got the dark brown shade (which looked black to me) which suited me just fine.

I initially wanted to get shade 02, which is brown, since I felt it suited my colored hair better. However, it ended up streaking my brow with this weird whitish color at the tips. But it could've been the tester, i'll sure be back to give that prettier shade a second chance!

4U2 Glitz Shimmer Brow Mascara 01 swatch

4U2 Brow Mascara costs a fraction of a MAC browset. It delivers satisfactorily despite the cheap tag (not as marvelous as MAC's, though). This is available in all 4U2 Cosmetics counters in Watson's and SM Department Stores priced at P 234.00.

Will definitely recommend this to those who can't afford a MAC browset and wants to prettify the face further by enhancing the brows. I often use this after using the In2it or ELF Brow Kit to keep my brows in place but on lazy days, I plainly use a dash of the 4U2 brow mascara on my brows to frame my face.

1: Thick application of the Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner
2: perfect brows to frame the face (thanks to 4U2 brow mascara)
3: after 2 hours on my oily lids... smokey look na
4: effect of 4U2 brow mascara + maybelline gel liner
5: bare face: before Pure Anada Minerals+4U2+Maybelline
6: don't let the shimmers freak you out; not shimmery at all on the brows
7: brow mascara 6.5g, P234; gel liner, P449

Learning to apply the product properly on the brows for makeup newbs will definitely want them to repurchase. I discourage those who do not plan to use this often as I noticed that this brow mascara dries up in the bottle gradually over time.

I love the 4U2 Glitz Shimmer Brow Mascara to bits. It's cheap, effective and definitely something that can revamp the way your face looks!

Thank you everyone for the comforting words and prayers for my brother who's in Saitama. We've received word from him last week and we are thankful to God that he's all good (still a bit worried about the nuclear radiation though, Saitama has been reported to experience radiation 40 times normal levels).

Anyway, I'm terribly sorry for being unable to visit my favorite blogs and for not updating my home page. I've received query emails on how the Revlon Colorsilk in Light Ash Brown (50) fares on the locks after a few months.

Revlon Colorsilk 50 after 1 1/2 months

I actually think that the salon who applied the dye didn't do as superb as
my Revlon colorist, Joanne did (Revlon hold FREE hair dye application you see)

You will notice that my roots are starting to turn black again. The dye is not drying to the scalp, but I noticed that my hair needed extra care after I had it colored. I take extra time conditioning my locks to make sure that my hair still looks vibrant, fresh and nice.

I've been dyeing my hair for almost 2 years now and I see a positivity in my aura with this kind of color. I'm beginning to feel that I am addicted to Revlon's Colorsilk dye!

Hair history: 

• 1st hair color: Revlon Colorsilk Light Golden Brown #54
• 2nd hair color: still, #54, recolored 3 1/2 months after
• 3rd hair color: Revlon Colorsilk Light Ash Brown #50, done 3 months after
• 4th hair color: still #50, done 5 months after
• 5th hair color: still #50, done 4 months after
• 7th hair color: still #50, done 3 months after
• 8th hair color (present): loyal to Revlon Colorsilk #50, done 5 months after

L-R: (photo 1) taken 5 yrs ago; (photos 2-4) taken recently, welcome to the haggard world of adulthood!

Having my hair colored is among the greatest makeovers I did to myself. My folks didn't quite get it as they seemed to prefer their natural daughter (LOL) over the blondie* girl. My friends, colleagues, and bf raved about my new hair color, though.

I have nothing but high praises for Revlon Colorsilk. It's a cheap product (395php) that can transform your looks in the most pleasing way!

*blondie - Filipino monicker for someone who's got their hair colored... even if it ain't true blonde ;)

sweet corn - my folks' monicker for Filipinas who had their hair dyed blonde

Product says: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50+ (PA+++) is a breakthrough in sun protection.  Stabilized with Helioplex, it provides superior balanced broad-spectrum protection against skin-aging UVA and burning UVB rays, and combines it with Dry Touch technology for an ultra light, non-shiny finish. This lightweight sunblock has a light fresh scent and is gentle enough for even sensitive skin. 

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF50+, 88mL

around P500, available in groceries and beauty stores

Ultra light, clean feel; leaves skin soft and smooth; waterproof, sweatproof; non-comedogenic; oil-free and PABA-free [PABA - para-Aminobenzoic acid; an old ingredient of sunblocks which has been proven to cause skin irritation.]

What I love about it:

1. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunblock is a non-greasy product and has a fairly high SPF (and all that Helioplex stuff) which mattered a lot. Albeit the moderately thick consistency, it gets easily absorbed (under the right conditions, see Uh-oh #2) and does not leave the skin heavy at all.

Neutrogen Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock has
a rather thick consistency but is lightweight!

2. While it can make the skin tad whiter within the first few minutes of application, the paleness dies down in a while. You may want to dab on a slightly darker shade of powder to neutralize the whiteness, or, lessen the amount of product you slather onto your skin (you may be applying too much).

3. Sunblocks are notorious for causing a white pall on pictures (whitecast), the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunblock doesn't (throws a bunch of confetti at the tube). 

Uh-ohs:

1. The scent is something I could not take. The initial strong floral gimmick is something I wish the manufacturers would work on. However, I noticed that after half an hour, the scent kinda tones down into something more pleasant. 

2. I had to make sure I applied the product in front of the fan or in an air-conditioned room to get that 'dry-touch' promise. If you have combination or oily skin, you'll benefit from this tip.

Dry-Touch? Depends on your skin type!

3. Lightweight? Well, yes, but my face felt a little heat from it, thus causing me to sweat a little. This sunblock is definitely not the type you would like to wear alone if you have combination skin + sweaty skin. I make sure I set it with my mineral powder for a better finish.

4. The tube tip can be quite a mess every after use so don't forget to wipe it off with tissue.

5. If your face hates silicones (although most girls love the smoothened-look effect that this ingredient leaves the face), you might break out from it.

Ingredients of the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock
no Titanium Oxide, no whitecast...that's why!
it's also not -cone-free, by the way

Recommendation:

When looking for a face sunblock, there are two major considerations I take in: (1) it has to be non-greasy, and (2) it has to have an SPF high enough to withstand the ultra hot summer in the Philippines (SPF30 and above, please). Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch has fulfilled these two conditions and even exceeded my standards by being a lightweight product that glides smoothly on the skin.

I highly recommend this to those with dry and combination skin. Girls who oil a lot may not be too happy with the fact that this tube can be a hit or miss in keeping the face matte. 

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch is definitely among the sunblocks I'm glad I bought, however, with my latest 2 new sunblock discoveries, I feel that this tube can be easily outdone by other brands.

Just when I thought I've tried all sorts of facial masks, Purederm's Cell Illuminating Hydro Pure Gel Mask comes along. Okay, so there are sheet masks, cream masks, peel-off ones and clay masks. Imagine my excitement when I was given a gel mask to try out! Sweet!

Purederm Cell Illuminating Hydro Pure Gel Mask, P199.75 ($5)
available at Watson's and SM Beauty

Products says (taken from Purederm.ph, with a few edits):

Packed with high-moisturizing ingredients that penetrate deep into the skin to deliver results. You will notice that the mask becomes thinner in time, as the active ingredients get absorbed into your skin.

It contains Arbutin, Green Tea Extract, Betaglucan, Vitamin E and other natural ingredients to clarify uneven skin tone and lighten spots for a brighter, pearly translucent complexion.

It's interesting to note that a beauty product as simple as this can be infused with a number of cool-sounding stuff in it. Let's dissect:

Arbutin - a more expensive form of hydroquinone; mainly used in skin lightening

Green Tea extracts - known chemicals to be stronger antioxidants for the body than vitamin C and E; its antiseptic and anti inflammatory properties are known to improve facial problems

Betaglucan - known for its ability to induce collagen formation and skin restructuring leading to lesser appearance of wrinkles and fine lines

Vitamin E - the key to natural skin beauty; prevents cell aging due to oxidation; softens skin scar tissue to minimize its appearance; also reduces the appearance of dark spots and other skin discoloration

Purederm's Hydro Gel Mask is truly a luxurious treat for the face. I love how different it feels versus other mask types --- it just feels so regal.

Pros:

Immediate effects I noted were a "calmer" aura for my face and a purely clean feel to it. Something you'd always expect from masks, really. I didn't see anything worth raving about at this point.

The mask is quite big for my small face. The upper and lower masks
should not really overlap. See girl's face on photo above.

Gooey gel-like mask.  This is pure luxe!

Cons:

This mask type is such a pain to use! It may have instructions and illustrations at the back, but it's not your usual easy-on mask. This baby is also a bit pricey. It's 200 bucks ($5)/pack... masks usually costs 30-80 bucks. I might just wait for Purederm sales to come along and check out if this mask goes 50% off!

It will take more than one mask for me to conclude that this stuff lives up to what it promises to do. If you have a couple of extra bucks and would love to try the regal feeling of a hydro gel mask, Purederm Cell Illuminating Hydro Pure Gel mask is for you. However, since I am rather hesitant to shell out a few hundred bucks for a single-use mask, I opt to buy other Purederm masks out there (hello dual well-being mask at 40 bucks!) that delivers just as well. 

There's more to want from 4U2's new collection, Envy, aside from the Makeup Palette I told you about a couple of posts ago. 

These are makeups you'd really want to tote around because of their cute yet sleek packaging (albeit being plastic). I've tried bringing out my makeup palette for a blush touch-up in a public CR once and all the girls stared at the pretty box I was holding :)

Prices are not really cheap (well, for a drugstore brand), but are not too steep either if you want good quality products. Those gorgeous palettes are so affordable at P394 ($9), for the lips, and P444 ($9+) for the eyes. I'm expecting the gel liners and the mascara to perform well since they aren't so cheap at P414 and P324 respectively.

I was pretty impressed with the 4U2 Envy Radiance Powder. It gave me an instant glow when I tried buffing my face with it (it pays to always tote a brush around!). No itching felt and the best thing is that it didn't turn dark on my face after walking around the mall for several hours. I wonder how this fares in the summer...

4U2 Envy Radiance Powder, SPF 35, P494

I will definitely buy this soon. Especially since these prices are markdowns of their original! It's a boo-boo that I failed to ask how soon their sale period ends :(

4U2 envy is exclusively distributed by Watson's and SM Beauty. Problem is, not all counters carry all the products in this collection so I always head to SM Beauty Makati, Megamall and North EDSA to check these babies out. 

Revlon Colorstay Oil-Free Foundation with Softlex is among the high-rating liquid face base that offers an impressive coverage for those who have an oily and blemished skin like mine. What hooked me with it is its being affordable than MAC while giving a coverage at par, and perhaps even better than MAC's Studio Fix liquid foundation.

Revlon Colorstay Oil-Free Foundation, 30mL
~800php at Watson's and Department Stores

What I love about it:

• long-wearing (MAC SF lasts a good 5-6hours on my acidic skin; Revlon, 9-12 hours!)
• buildable coverage (medium to heavy)
• photographs well (minus the non-diffused flash)
• transfer-resistant (MAC SF, for my skin, sadly, isn't)
• affordable and locally available
• among the few drugstore brands that offer the best skintone & undertone shades

Uh-ohs:

• the scent! feels like you're stuffing your face with too many harsh chemicals!
• oxidizes on acidic skin (so I got myself a shade lighter)
• SPF 15 content can be a con because of the whitecast it can create when using cameras without a diffused flash system
• may be difficult to blend with a brush (hello sponge and fingertips!)
• it stains brushes big time!
• difficult to remove (I do 3 rounds of cleansing using Pond's cold cream to completely take the makeup off)
• not lightweight

The biggest con that made me give this Revlon foundation bottle up is that it made my face red, patchy and ugly after taking it off! This is such a huge disappointment because I rarely come across liquid foundations that suck up the oil for long hours while giving a flawless coverage.

Revlon Colorstay Oil-Free foundation is such a keeper if it didn't act up on my skin. This bottle isn't just a hype... it works! I gave it several chances (well, it deserved it) and it just kept giving me ugly skin after taking off a very pretty mask.

In the spirit of Lip Ice (you must've bumped into Pammy's and Phoebe's reviews by this time), I'm also doing a review on one of its popular variants, Lip Ice Fruity.  

I was lucky enough to get mine from a giveaway that I won (Phoebe's).  

Lip Ice Fruity Lip Balm in Strawberry, 3.5g, 89php
Available @ Watson's and SM Beauty

Pros: First off, Lip Ice Fruity w/ SPF15 is a good lip product to to get your hands on if you want a colorless lip conditioner that's affordable and non-greasy. It works well on dry and chapped lips even in an airconditioned room, but as with most lip balms, apply when necessary.  It's not some miracle product that will turn your lips hydrated the WHOLE day with one application.

Lip Ice is brought to you by Rohto-Mentholatum Malaysia

I love the fruity scent/flavour! I got the Lip Ice Strawberry variant and the flavour is just right for my liking. It may appear strong when you first apply it due to the mentholated feature, but the entire thing dies down in a few minutes.

I compare it to: Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm; both lip balms have beeswax and are not icky sticky.

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, P300+, 4.25g
Lip Ice Fruity, P89, 3.5g

I find that I need more application with Lip Ice Fruity than Burt's Bees
The minty feel also lasts longer with Burt's Bees

Cons: If you love some color on your lips, you ought to try their Lipcolor Balm or Sheer Colour variants instead. That'll save you a few bucks (that you can spend on Wish lip and cheek stain instead LOL). They also suggest pairing Lip Ice Fruity with the other colour variants for added colour, but I feel that doing that will already be too heavy on the lips (I tried my Sheer Colour+Fruity --- didn't like it).

Photo Edited from Lip Ice Facebook Page
available Fruity flavors are: Strawberry, Lemon, Apple,
Mandarin Orange and Grape Blackcurrant

Are you still swiping on some petroleum jelly on the lips (like my little sis... haha, I know what to give her this Christmas)?  Break free from it through Lip Ice products!

Lip Ice Fruity is a nice product that can fill in for your expensive balms when you run out of stock. It's a nice and affordable set to collect, too, either for your self or for gifting during the holidays!

The first time I encountered 4U2 products was when I got hold of their Gemtone Quad in Moonstone. I even did an amateur EOTD (my first ever, actually!) using the affordable eyeshadow quad. Now that they have released a new line called 'Envy', I grabbed the chance to purchase a 4U2 Envy Makeup Set (feel free to click on pics for a ginormous view of pigments).

4U2 Envy Makeup Set in 01... it's no deadly sin!

They have really stepped up this time. The 1 1/8" x 1 1/8" palm-size box contains 3 eyeshadows, a blusher, an eyeshadow applicator, a blush brush and a mirror!

4U2 Envy Makeup Set in 01 Net wt 6g
Also comes in 5 other shadow+blusher combos (#02-#06) 

It's not a fantastic packaging though. It's a lightweight plastic (rather flimsy) and the sad thing is that it can be a bit difficult to open the box (or was it just me?).  Nevertheless, the palette seals tightly and it's just totally jaw-dropping that the tiny 4U2 Envy palette has a matchmaking set of shadows and a blusher (plus tools!).

Swatches. I have never tried any blush from this brand but I have to say I'm really impressed with how pretty palette 01's blush is on the skin.

4U2 Envy Makeup Set 01 Blusher's swatch

Why isn't 4U2 naming their pigments? Even with the other quad, I had to play silly and name it S1, S2, S3 and S4 for reference. These lovely colors deserve a name for themselves! I forgot to do so with the pretty blusher but I took the liberty of naming their amazing shadows:

I baptize you 'Clean', 'Sin' (coz you look like UDPP Sin) and 'Tempt'
no primer to boost the shadows' colors, only used The Body Shop's crayon concealer

During that last post on the Gemtone quad, I ranted that I may have bought an expired palette. This time, the 4U2 Envy Makeup Set's manufacturing and expiry dates are blatantly displayed on a sticker on the product's seal (hard to miss)... so that's really good.  Mine will expire on 2013 (manufactured mid 2010).

[Can you help me name the blusher? And did you like the new names of the shadows?]

I will be reviewing the entire set in-depth during the next post lest I bore you once again with my long posts. I know Lysa won't be bored, but I won't keep you. I'll let you drool on the palette for now and give you the juicier stuff that the 4U2 Envy Makeup palette has in store for you later!

Wish Lip and Cheek tint in Magic Red is a cheap alternative for those who fancy 2-in-1 tints.  I got myself a tube at Watson's a few days ago and I was so excited to put the cheap product to a test.

At 89php (~$2), you actually get what you pay for: the flimsy packaging, the sticky feel and the ugly fingertip stains. However, the clear tube is definitely stronger than you think. I loved how magically red it turned out on my lips that I looked back at the plastic lip tube and shook my head in disbelief, "this stuff really works".

Wish Lip and Cheek tint in Magic Red
89php @ Watson's

On the lips: Unlike The Body Shop's lip and cheek tint, Wish's color pay-off is very promising!  You only need a teeny weeny amount, spread it evenly on the lips, and you build the color from there. I also love how it really stains the lips. I noticed that even after eating, my lips are lovely pink!  Also, for those who do not fancy scented/flavoured products, this isn't for you.  Wish has a strong strawberry flavour!

Wish lip & cheek tint: A tiny amount offers a faint pink hue

On the cheeks: If you're already struggling putting color on the cheeks using a wand applicator, Wish will give you an even more difficult time getting an au naturale blush. It is a pain to get the right amount of tint out of the tube! You end up wasting a lot of product while staining your fingertips big time. But anything can be achieved with practice so I'm not giving up on this product just yet.

It's clear on the tube, but red on the lips and cheeks!

On a positive note, the tint glides magically (once again) on the cheeks and does not dry out easily (easy to blend).

It is actually an easier lip tint than a blusher. It is very sticky on the cheeks while it's perfectly fine on the lips.  But you can always work your way around it as a blusher through practice. I just love those moments where you purse your lips or rub your cheeks and that clear jelly substance just turns magically red.

Frequently compared to: Smashbox O-glow 

Pros: affordable, locally available, stains lips and skin for several hours, non-drying, little amount of product already gives outstanding color, highly blendable (no need to worry about creating streaks or spots)

Cons: very sticky on the cheeks (not good!), high risk of overapplication (both lips and cheeks), quite messy especially for beginners, flimsy packaging

Trying out Wish lip and cheek tint as a lip stain and blusher

Helpful hints: 

• Seal the tube TIGHTLY.  Otherwise, all the stuff around your lip and cheek tint tube gets an instant flush, too! Not nice.
• Tone down cheek color if you overapplied by putting powder on top of it. This also allows a less greasy/sticky cheek.
• Hold the Wish lip and cheek tint tube upright (capped part on top) when squeezing out the product. And please don't squeeze like there's no tomorrow.

If you feel like Wish lip and cheek tint in Magic Red didn't work for you, you might want to opt for their Strawberry variant instead. I'm eager to try it too since it has a more subdued color, the perfect antidote to always overapplying this reviewed variant.

I bought three packs of Purederm T-zone Face Mask several weeks ago at a discounted price. Although I really couldn't figure out what sheet masks do for my skin (there are no obvious and instant benefits, that's why), I gave in to getting these babies.

Purederm T-zone Treatment Masks available at Watson's

Purederm T-zone Treatment Mask promises:

  a pore refining action with each use

  oil controlling benefits through lactic acid, witch hazel and multifruit extracts 

  convenience of use

Directions for use:

1. Take out and unfold T-mask and apply on forehead and nose

2. Relax for 15-20 minutes and remove mask.

3. Gently massage any remaining fluid into skin.

When I opened the pack, I noticed that a good amount of bluish fluid was left on the sachet. Product wasted, I thought, and so I spilled the fluid slowly onto the sheet mask for it to be reabsorbed.

On Oil Control

I might have to argue with its pore refining claims but I have to agree that Purederm T zone Mask did the job in managing the excessive oiliness along my T zone area.  There was really nothing superb after rinsing.  I only appreciated the oil-controlling benefits 10 minutes after washing my face off, just when my oilies were supposed to conquer my face in full force.

The oilies are controlled only for a good 20-30 minutes, though.  You can make this weak point an advantage by using the mask before you apply makeup.  In this manner, it becomes less frustrating to prettify the face since your makeup is grounded on a clean, oil-free slate.  (remember to use a primer since this will prolong oil-control on the T-zone area)

Being A Day Mask

I've always labelled sheet masks as nighttime beauty products--- primping tools to relieve the face from the day's stress.  The Purederm T-zone treatment mask, on the other hand, is something I'd recommend before leaving home.  You'd want to be shine-free in front of others and not when you're around a bunch of pillows and teddy bears.

This mask can actually replace your toner --- but it can be a bit pricey if this happens!

On the Price

A single-mask pack costs P39.75 (almost a dollar).  Keep your toners and use Purederm T-zone masks during special days.  It can be a pain to spend almost P280 (~$6) every week for 30minutes of oil control.

Also, be on the look out for special deals.  I got these three on a bargain (Buy 2, Get 1 Free).  The downside is that they easily run out of stocks on racks.

Overall, this is a so-so product I won't be raving much about. I will recommend it to those with combination skin, but will think twice about telling it to those with uber oily t-zones.

I will buy a pack of Purederm T-zone Mask again, but will not stock up on these, as I will only use them on days I need special primping.  It's just nice to have another beauty product for combination skin types since most oil-controlling sheet masks can dry out our cheeks too much (which can be difficult to work with when putting on makeup).  

Several of the girls have already tried Purederm's 3 in 1 Magic BB Cream.  I've read more raves than rants.  Since it's relatively cheaper than the other raved about bb creams I've tried, I thought of giving it a shot.

Purederm 3 in 1 Magic BB Cream for oily skin, 659php at Watson's

It looks so similar to Skin79's Waterdrop BB Cream that I reviewed before!  However, it seems that there are more perks to getting Purederm's bb cream than Skin79's:

• more product for a cheaper price! (50mL vs 43mL) 
• no shimmers (for those who do not fancy anything glittery, albeit skin79's shimmer isn't that bad at all)
• has SPF (and it's 30 PA+++! vs no spf at all)
• better oil control

from L-R: Purederm box, Skin79 box, Purederm BB cream tube, Skin 79 Waterdop BB cream tube

Purederm Magic BB Cream has a thicker consistency, too.  I find it a con since I experienced difficulty in blending it into the dry areas of my combination to oily skin type.

This product covers the skin moderately.  It can cover up minor skin imperfections and partially blur the presence of acne marks.  The shade perfectly suits NC20-25 girls.

However, if you have an acidic NC30 skintone like mine, this will work for you, too.  The trick is to reach for a setting powder you don't often use because you know it goes dark on you (I used my Joppa minerals mix for this FOTD).  Top the bb cream off with this darker setting powder and experience Purederm's magic right before your very eyes!

Purederm 3 in 1 Magic BB Cream on my NC25-30 skin
wearing Vivigo Hyper Nudy lenses in brown

You'll notice how good it performed in perfecting my skin.  It was able to soften out the irritating red zit on the side of my nose, blur the annoyingly enlarged pores and give my face a fresher, healthy glow.  It's also essential to note how the acne scars on my temple were partially covered.

I cannot comment on its effectivity on blemishes and dark spots just yet.

Sidenotes:

• if you have combination to oily skin, apply moisturizer on the dry areas of the face
• best applied using the fingers
• dot pea size amount on the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin; there's this danger of over applying the product that can make the face too white 
• shake well before use, as with any other bb creams since these products often emulsify
• Purederm offers another bb cream variant for dry skin (Purederm Pearl BB Cream)
• can they strike out Caution #1 at the label?  BB Creams are supposed to work on pimples and blemishes after all.

Label Nazis will mind this.  I did.

I've been sporting the haggard look these past few days and I can tell that the boyfie notices.  Thanks to my pre-menstrual ugly skin and 2AM snoozes from studying and doing paperwork!

Imagine my surprise when the boyfie remarked, "you look so nice and fresh"!  And that happened after I wore Purederm's 3 in 1 Magic BB cream!  Now I can relate to why Pammy, Nikki (although she prefers the Pearl variant more), Donnarence, Shen and the rest of the girls are crazy about this bb cream!

UPDATE: My colorist divulged that she used Revlon Colorsilk #54 on my virgin, black hair on the first coloring session. Succeeding colors, I was alreading using Revlon Colorsilk #50, Light Ash Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was hair color that turned my life around at one point.  It may seem shallow but it actually did.  Revlon Colorsilk was a big part in boosting my self-esteem (me ranting in this post is an isolated case).

I dreaded having my hair colored but I was persuaded by Revlon Galleria's colorist to give it a shot.  And I think it was one of the few risks I made that I really felt happy about!

Hair Evolution

I had virgin hair for 26 years.  No treatments, just plain hair cut.  I was never vampy or chic.  I was almost always hesitant to venture into new things (like fashion, makeup and attending events) because of the lack of confidence.

Here's a shot of my black hair (and my nene look!).  My life revolved around my dog.

And so when I decided to have my hair colored, it was a real milestone for me.

How much does hair color treatment range these days?  You'll be shelling out more than a thousand pesos ($20) in salons if you want a satisfactory service, over two thousand if you want something superb.

Revlon Colorsilk in 50, 395php ($8)

I spent 350 pesos ($7) for mine.  It isn't celebrity-ish, but it just enhanced the way I looked and turned out to be more than what I expected.

Here's after having Revlon Colorsilk in Light Ash Brown on my locks.

Revlon Colorsilk in Light Ash Brown (50) without flash

with flash

Revlon colorsilk can look a bit toned down over natural lighting

Color has worn off.  Tie your hair in a pony or a bun to hide the hairline that shows irregularity in color.

I've been having my hair colored (on an irregular basis) since then and fortunately, I'm always happy everytime I walk out of the salon.  To sum up my experience:

What I love:
- cheap but the color looks sosyal (classy) on the hair
- free hair coloring on promo days (or months!)
- great color pay-off, Coloesilk has a wiiiiiiide range of colors you can choose from
- the colorist was expert enough to pick the perfect shade for me; she evenly applied the color, too
- light ash brown accentuated the shine on my hair


More info

Revlon Colorsilk is a permanent hair color.  It doesn't wash away, it just grows out

Have the color applied at least 24 hours post-shampoo/conditioner.  Natural oils are stripped from the scalp when using these products and you need at least a day to renew these oils. These oils will protect the scalp from any damage that the chemicals might cause

Post-coloring, it leaves the hair with a nasty smell that can last days

Colored hair needs special care.  I use L'oreal Elseve's hair rinse (for colored hair)daily  and their Re-nutrition hair masque (with royal jelly) once a week

This hair color has high ratings at MUA (4.0/5.0 by 438 reviewers)

 Normally, Revlon Colorsilk hair color is priced 395php ($8), if you're lucky, like me, you can get the product at 10-20%off and have it applied on your locks, free!  Otherwise, you can buy the color and have your hairdresser work with it

Check your brows.  You wouldn't want to look weird. I lightened mine using Sally Hansen's bleaching kit.

LOL at the brows!

Color me brown! Brown hair and brows look better together

If you're still thinking in disbelief how Revlon Colorsilk can turn my life 360, then you must be a guy.  I've done things I never dared to before, improved my public speaking, actively participated in events, and I've done a long list of things I'd normally become reluctant about because I felt ugly.  Yes, things have changed because of a hair color!

I played with my computer's camera when I got home from classes and I was a bit disappointed with its resolution.  But what surprised me was that that my brows still looked thick and neat even after 10 hours of being in the humid, polluted and sweat-provoking metro.  Haha!  And oh, I used In2it Eyebrow Powder.

In2it's Eyebrow Powder has always been raved about by the girls over the forum I frequently check out.  And I'm glad I tried it out for myself!  I went out of the house in the morning with perfectly clean-looking eyebrows, and I went home with the same look I sported in the morning (well perhaps, a little subdued now, but it still looks fresh!)

In2it eyebrow powder, around 300+php (~$6)

Some people might find the lightest shade on the left unusable.  But I use that shade for the inner 3rd of my brows, and the middle shade for the outer 2/3rds.  And they look awesome!  I grew my brows thick and this kind of shade tandem just accentuates my thick brows without making me look like Oscar the Grouch.

It even has a cute mirror up there!

What I love about it:
the colors suit Asian skin; all colors are usable
keeps my brows neat and clean the whole day
very natural-looking on me, i can sport a full but soft-looking brows
they don't turn reddish on pictures
cheap and locally available

Uh-Ohs:
a bit chalky since I see particles of it on my lashes
brush that comes with it is too thick. i use an eyeliner brusher instead








Here's a puffer fish shot for liking this prod!

What I had on in the morning stayed put up till I got home and camwhored (thank you smashbox): In2it brow powder, my ususal Joppa foundies, AL's URFP

I used to be lemming for an eyebrow makeup that has a wax to fix my unruly brows.  But I can forget about that now because I'm in love with In2it's Eyebrow Powder's flattering shades and lasting power!

Thanks for reading!