I have been using the Crayon Concealer since 2009 and realizing that it's currently The Body Shop Philippines' 2nd best seller, I must say that I'm not the only one loving the product! (All-In-One Face base tops the list while the Oil-Free foundation came in third).

Product Description. Our creamy concealer cares for your skin even as it hides its imperfections. With community Trade marula oil. It effectively covers blemishes and blends easily to conceal redness. Available in a variety of shades.

• Medium to high coverage
• Blends easily
• Dermatologically tested

Results. The Body Shop's Crayon Concealer's thick texture works well in making my non-peeling/non-flaky zits less visible. It fares even better in concealing redness and post-acne blemishes. During the initial several uses though, I struggled with blending and making the concealer look smooth & natural when working with huge zits. I figured that using a brush to work on the periphery of the makeup works better than using the fingertips.

Also, the very creamy concealer can appear cakey when set with powder foundations that provide great coverage (like the Shiseido Perfect Smoothing Foundation). If you plan to use the concealer under a medium to heavy coverage powder foundation, be sure to set the concealed area/s with a sheer powder  before applying foundation.

Shade Range. The Body Shop's Crayon Concealer comes in six shades, 01-06. 02 fits my NC 25-30 skin.

Product Versatility. The concealer isn't for the undereye --- the texture is too rich. But it can pass for an eyelid base for eyeshadows especially if you don't oil up a lot. I have oily lids but I was able to prime mine to make eyeshadow colors look better.

Comedogenic? It neither caused nor treated zits. It's plain makeup on my skin and does not double as skincare.

Cons.

1. Difficult to blend with fingers without appearing cakey 
2. Does not hold well on oily skin types (4 hours max on me)
3. Needs a special sharpener (costs P200+) --- but you can have it sharpened at The Body Shop stores 
4. Emphasizes skin flaking

Other Info: How much: P600+/3.2g; Shelf-life: 3 years; If you plan to have your concealer sharpened at The Body Shop stores, don't forget to sanitize right after sharpening.

Overall Impression:

True to its claim, The Body Shop's Crayon Concealer hides imperfections by providing medium to heavy coverage. Though blending it out was initially a problem for me, I strongly feel that makeup pros will find the concealer's texture very easy to work with. 

My greatest gripe is that it slides off easily exposing my plump and inflamed pimples in just a few hours. The biggest advantage on the other hand, apart from its being an effective concealer, is its shelf-life. I needed so little of the product that my 2009 purchase lasted me till first quarter of this year --- that's huge savings! I definitely dig why it's a best seller.

The Body Shop has come up with a new mineral makeup line, the Extra Virgin Minerals. For the mineral makeup junkies out there, this line definitely deserves your attention and critique.

Photo taken from The Body Shop website

I've read a couple of posts about it and because of the beautiful swatches and FOTD's made by the bloggers (you'll see them below), I'll definitely check this line out at the store.

Steal Factors:

• flawless and creamy finish
• extra virgin oil (EVOO) has been highly reviewed as a beauty staple over the years and is favored by majority of skin types, the Extra Virgin Minerals line is basically cold-pressed Italian EVOO
• website lists 12 awesome shades for each foundation variant

Snob Factors:

• poor oil-absorbing properties
• its steep price (1,600+PHP locally)
• mineral makeup purists will definitely scream at the mob of ingredients the liquid and cream foundations have. Only the Extra Virgin Mineral Powder is a true mineral makeup, ingredients-wise

The Body Shop Extra Virgin Minerals' Liquid Foundation

This liquid mineral foundation is a unique combination of pure minerals and cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. It provides light to medium, ultra-blendable coverage with a smooth, dewy finish. Key Features: light to medium coverage, dewy finish, ultra-blendable, no added fragrance, paraben free

The Body Shop Extra Virgin Minerals' Compact  Foundation

This cream-to-powder mineral foundation contains pure minerals and cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil for a smooth, matte finish. It has an ultra-blendable formula and contains a custom brush for flawless application. Key Features: medium to full coverage, smooth, matte finish, integrated cruelty-free brush, fragrance-free, paraben-free.

The Body Shop Extra Virgin Minerals' Powder  Foundation

This featherlight powder base gives a radiant, natural-looking finish and can be built up for extra coverage. It is non-comedogenic and suitable for sensitive skin. Key Features: buildable coverage, radiant finish, covers imperfections and fine lines, non-comedogenic, dermatologically tested

Now, let's look at these pretty girls' take on each foundation type:

Shen is so pretty with the Compact Foundation. She raves about the brush that came with it. Read here review HERE:

Katie tests all three bases and was partial to the powder foundation. Read her review HERE

Mag, like Katie, tests all three types of the Extra Virgin Minerals. She loved the compact foundie. Read her review HERE

I love my Oil-Free Foundation but it just sucks up the oil so good it leaves my cheeks a bit dry. The Body Shop's Extra Virgin Mineral line might just work for my extra dry patches on the cheeks and on the sides of the nose. My eyes are set on the compact foundation and mineral powder!

I've told you about my boyish sister's transformation several posts ago.  Lara of NARS Shang did her makeup and hairdo and she looked totally stunning.

A couple of months ago, she had an event she needed to go to and we no longer had Lara around.  And so, half-heartedly (i can tell!), she obediently entrusted me to 'transform' her.

Grabbed this pic from her facebook page.  This makeover surprised her friends and they wanted to keep a memento of it.   They even made an effort to create this fancy pic.

This is her on normal days:

With Ate's Makeover (this was 3 hours after the party already and the cheek makeup's no longer visible):

after clinique's toner and moisturizer:
FACE: Clinique's Pore Minimizing Serum as primer on tzone area only
Clinique Superfit in Neutral applied with fingers
EDM Golden Medium in original glo applied with Charm stippling brush
Joppa Full Coverage in Grecian gold (2-3 layers) applied with Charm stippling brush
buffed mineral powders on face using Nichido kabuki brush
Aromaleigh finishing powder in peaches n cream applied with Charm stippling brush
EYES: In2it eyebrow powder using my bleak angled brow brush
Nichido liquid eyeliner (black)
Fanny Serrano curlash
Maybelline Unstoppable Shiny Black mascara
no eyeshadows, i'm still a newbie with it
Freshlook contact lens
CHEEKS and LIPS: Nichido pink blush (forgot the name)
 The Bodyshop Lip and Cheek Tint on lips

It was such a simple makeup that I did considering she was going to a function where practically all the ladies were glammed up.  We had no time to visit the salon and my poor sister was hoping I could help her with her look.

I don't think I failed, did I?

The Bodyshop's Baked-to-Last line from The Nomadic Goddess collection has reached Philippine shores!  I've long read a lot of reviews on this from other bloggers and I was just thrilled that these goodies are finally here.  This line offers 8 eyeshadows, 2 blushers and 2 bronzers.

Don't drool yet.  These goodies are more than just eyecandies.  The Bodyshop's Baked to last collection are products of hardwork of makeup extraordinaires (they're handmade and made of organic products).  They're baked in small batches for a day to ensure that the pigments are packed well giving users a striking and lasting hint of color.

Baked-to-Last Blushes: Coral (02) and Petal (01), 5g

Baked-to-Last Bronzers: Warm Glow (02) and Golden Bronze (01), 8g

Summarizing the reviews I've read about the collection, most rave about the Warm Glow bronzer.  They claim it to be a total dupe of a MAC MSF makeup whose name I forgot (though I remembered it was from the groove collection).  Most love that the Baked to Last blushers and bronzers are comparable to MAC MSF's... minus the chunks and glitters of the latter brand making them more wearable during the day.

For the eyeshadows, however, I've read mixed reviews.  Some hate the glitter being all over the pan, others, hated that the colors didn't last that much.

The Baked-to-last makeup from Bodyshop is so promising.  There seems to be value for your money for good color pay-off.  If you want to roadtest these babies, you can win them HERE.

I'm back.  And what better way to celebrate my comeback to beauty blogging than to post a review!  Today, I pay tribute to my most used foundation these past few non-blogging months... the body shop's oil-free liquid foundation in 03!

The Body Shop Oil-Free Foundation, SPF15, in 03, 30mL

bought at less than 1200php, TBS counters

website tag: $23

Website says:

Best if you want to: Perfect and balance skin while minimizing pores with a lightweight, shine-free formula.

Best for: medium to full coverage, oily and combination skin

What it is designed to do:

• Special blend of minerals and high performance spherical powders work together to achieve all-day balanced coverage.
• Sunscreens provide a medium level of broad spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreens to help protect skin.
• Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that help smooth, soften, condition and protect skin for improved radiance.

Product swatches compiled from the body shop's website
I just don't know why they jumped from shade 04 to 06

When I first tried this on (used my fingertips), I had to take it off since it melted really ugly on me like my other foundations.  I coudn't blame the product; our country's summer 2010 was one HOT summer.  And so I stashed it hidden.

Officially a couple: TBS oil-free foundie + wet sponge
On days I want the au naturale feel, I reach for
this tandem to even out and liven up my skintone

I was about to sell it on ebay when I remembered about how wet sponge application can change the course of most foundation's finish.  And I wasn't disappointed.  The Body Shop's Oil Free Foundation is now among my HG's!  This liquid foundie in a light plastic bottle travels with me!

What I love about It: 

• no break-outs on everyday use
• it's among the few foundies I found a perfect skintone match with! 
• very lightweight and sheer if applied using wet sponge/brush
• no clumping/caking when layered on to achieve a fuller coverage (just make sure to wait till the previous layer dries up before another application)
• doesn't settle into pores and fine lines
• SPF 15
• comes in a very light plastic container you can carry around easily
• the pump and the fullness indicator

Uh-ohs:

• I have combination oily skin and it can dry up parts of my jawline with the wet sponge technique (antidote: more moisturizer on that area, it works so far)
• ugly finish without wet sponge/brush technique (try it)
• it doesn't have the most pleasant scent
• can be considered a bit pricey for those who are on a tight budget

A few more things I'm raving about The Body Shop's Oil-Free Foundie are its efficient pump and fullness indicator.  The pump dispenses the amount of product equal to the pressure of your push, it never failed me.  The fullness indicator is something new to me and I totally love the nothing-goes-to-waste concept by pushing all the product up till you drop.

Fullness Indicator:  I never noticed that it was actually one until I've used up the product a month after.

UK beauty magnate, The Body Shop, didn't fail me on their oil-free liquid foundation I'm happy to say.  On days I want good coverage plus a healthy glow, which is practically everyday, I reach for this prod as a face base.  I set it with my usual mineral powders and I'm more than good to go!

I'm so happy with this purchase (I got it 10% off the rack! weee!).  I'm happy too that I'm back to beauty blogging with a great product to review.  I'm actually glad I gave it another shot before putting it up on sale.  The body shop's oil-free foundation is totally a good investment I wouldn't hesitate to do a repeat purchase on!

Q:  How do I keep my Bodyshop cheek tint long-lasting?

A: I top it off with my Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals in Gentle Pink!

Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals Luminous Blush in Gentle Pink, around 350php (~$7)

Swatch: no shimmers but it glows; luminous indeed!

It even has instructions at the box's back!

I dab Bodyshop's tint over the apples of my cheeks, then use Charm's stippling brush to get a small amount of mineral blush and dust it over the tint.... and voila!  A natural flush that lasts longer!

Here's how the tandem worked on my cheeks after an evening reunion (~6 to 7hours post-application; blotted twice):

Not as stunning as how it looked before going out; nevertheless, it still looked healthy on me

(this post has the amount of scars I had to cover up, scroll through the bottom)

What I used:

FACE:

Clinique DDMG

Smashbox Photofinish Primer Clear

Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundation in 302-65A

Aromaleigh URFP in Peaches and Cream to 'degrease' my face from the concealer

Joppa Grecian Gold Mineral Foundation

Aromaleigh URFP again to seal in everything

LIPS:

Still, The Bodyshop Lip and Cheek Tint!

My tattered and torn Bodyshop Lip and Cheek Tint; I love it to bits!  Surprisingly, this baby knocked out NARS powder blushes bad in my case...

I know there are a lot of people who are wary about getting this cheek tint because of:

application issues

dissatisfaction in color pay-off

some reviews that say it doesn't last long

But I hope you can:

try using a flat foundation brush to distribute the gel

experiment with building up its color

digest what I've reviewed because it can really last long

Because I believe that the Bodyshop lip and cheek tint gives the best healthy blush and I want you to experience it, too!

Thanks for reading!

Simply because it makes your eye color splendid!

I've recently experimented with eye stuff and came across eye primers while going through articles, forum posts and Youtube tuts.

And so one night, I played with my Shiseido eye palette I got from Lotus Palace and tried a primed vs non-primed look.

Here's a pic of the experiment taken 3 hours after application (yeah, I walked around the house like a raccoon, and everybody was, "Are you okay?"). The colors on my eye, to your left (no primer), looks like it's slowly being washed out already. The colors to your right, on the other hand, are still "alive" and are still able to make my eyes pop a little.

I used The Bodyshop's Pencil concealer in 03 to prime my lids here.

Lid Primers you can use:

1. Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original or Sin ($17)

Photo Source

Swatches: (L-R) Urban Decay Primer Potion Original (UDPP), Urban Decay Primer Potion Sin (UDPPS), Too Faced Shadow Insurance (TFI)

Photo Source

Hailed 'the best lid primer' by many. It isn't locally available but you can check ebay.ph and multiply sites for a handful of resellers (price range: 1100-1300php for a 0.34oz bottle).

Original is sheer and colorless, while Sin has a hint of shimmery champagne color. While most girls claim that they perform equally well, some are inclined to use Sin since it can be an eye color as it is.

2. Too Faced Shadow Insurance ($17)

Photo Source

This lid primer is at par with UDPP... IF you live in not so humid countries. If you're oily and you live in a tropical country like the Philippines, this'll just melt your eye color away....

This is less popular here in our country, but you might want to try ebay.ph and multiply sites if you're interested.

3. MAC Paint Pots (1,100php in Philippine MAC counters; $16.50 at www.maccosmetics.com)

These are actually eye shadows, but I've read that MAC paint pots come in highly recommended to improve eye pigments, too. The most famous paint pot to prime the lids is Soft Ochre. You may also want o try Bare Study if you want some sort of frost in your lids.

Photo Source

4. Your usual concealer!

The Bodyshop's Pencil Concealer (600+php/ $11)

Photo Source

If you're not the type who oils on the lids too much, you can reach for your regular concealer.

I really don't wear eye makeup, so I'm good with Bodyshop's creamy concealer during 'play time'. It can actually make the colors I play with come to life!

I'm actually rooting to get the UDPP one of these days. I love my concealer, but with my uber oily lids (and face!), I don't want to end up looking like I splashed on poster paint on my lids!

I posted a while back how I loved using The Bodyshop's professional sponge to achieve a better look with my mineral foundies. I would've gladly backed it up sooner if it didn't go out of stock in almost all branches... for weeks!

Imagine my relief when I scored one over their branch at SM Fairview. Great, I thought. It was just a lil weird that the one I bought previously costed me P200 flat, while this new one was P250.

Price increase, I thought.

But to my horror, I discovered that I might've paid a lot for this new one. The sponge is inside a resealable type of packing (so is the old one I got from Galleria), so it's a little easy for me to think I might've been cheated.

Let me show you Exhibits A to D, and you be the judge:

New one (left) vs Old (right) one: New- P250 Old- 200. Bodyshop: "We've increased the price and shrank the sponge! It's recession after all!"

New sponge (left photo) out of the resealable plastic

Length and width difference

Thickness difference

Height difference

If anyone has been an avid fan of the bodyshop's professional sponge from way back, have you noticed this difference if in any case you've repurchased recently? I'd love to know as I hate to imagine that I was cheated on this.

*****************

Allow me to sidetrack a bit...

I've been procrastinating my review that I was enrolled into 3 years ago for my busy life as a physiotherapist. Today, I quit work to make way for what I've been putting off for the past years. I will miss hospital work, but I still get a tinge of it via my home care patients.

Honestly, I'm scared of review school. I'm scared that I forgot a whole lot of my profession's theory. It's a great deal of difference between the academe and hospital set-up... a lil prcentage of the classroom stuff is significant to the job. Sad, noh? But that's reality. At least for us, PT's.

I enrolled last 2006. Good thing that it was a 'lifetime' review. Ayos noh? Where on earth can you find something like that?

I hope to take the US Licensure for PT mid-quarter of next year. Wish me luck as I jump into a whole new facet of my career.

Moving on with my Primer Review Series, let me do Barenaturals' Skin Perfecting Primer.

Skin Perfecting Primer sample, 5mL, 145php($4), from Barenaturals' site

I was a little reluctant to try this primer since its consistency was the most 'fluid' among the usual primers I've tried. However, it's a good thing that I chose not to pass up on this because it has a good number of pro's.

What I liked about it:

• no scent at all
• skin feels smooth and velvety ala smashbox photofinish primer
• little amount is enough to create a good base for smoothing your foundie
• locally available and relatively cheap
• has sample bottles; good value for your money
• Barenaturals owner practices good great customer service!

Uh-ohs:

• sample bottle has no pump for the flowy product to be dispensed properly
• product is too runny for my liking
• my oilies busted its oil-control abilities in 2 hours (t think that tonight was rather a cool evening... wondering how soon it will take for my makeup to budge if it were extremely hot and humid...)

Here's a pic I took after hearing mass (this was an hour after putting makeup on). We walked our way to and from the church as it wasn't too far from home. Notice that my face is staring to look dewy (which is a bad sign):

Face: Clinique DDMG

Barenaturals Skin Perfecting Primer

Clinique Superfit foundie in Neutral

Barenaturals Premium Glow mineral makeup in Olive Neutral Light-Med

Aromaleigh URFP

Cheeks&Lips: Bodyshop's lip and cheek tint

Hmmm, so I used a premium glow mineral foundie. I wonder if it is the cause of tonight's freaking oil. I'll give the primer another try using something else (like my dependable Joppa/Pure Anada mmu's that can control oilies) and update you.

Generally, I think that the not-so-oily gals will love this. It's cheap, locally available and it can give you that smashbox primer feel! Sadly, it didn't do well on me (for this night) so I don't think I'll be getting a full-sized bottle anytime soon.

The first beauty blog I've ever read was Nikki's, and ever since that read, I fancied about being a pro with eye makeup. Nikki does an awesome job with her eye tuts. Too awesome that it makes a makeup newbie dream that she can pamper her eyes with a splash of wonderful colors, too!

So I tried prettifying my own peepers using the 4U2 Gemtone Eyeshadow Quad in Moonstone.

I stated that S2 and S3 looked similar on the pan during my previous post, I proved my observation wrong with this EOTD...

And I mentioned, too, that S4 looked horrible, well yes, it did.

Bodyshop crayon concealer in 02 applied all over the lid as a base; also applied on the undereye area

S3 brushed all over the lids using ELF shadow brush

S2 patted on the outer third of the lids using same brush

S1 on the inner corner & inner 2/3 of the lower lashline

Maybelline Vivid & Smooth Eyeliner in Brown (unsharpened, hence it looked kinda awful)

Maybelline Unstoppable Shiny Black Mascara + lash curler

And as a newbie, I FORGOT to highlight!

I thought that it looked to strong for my small eyes. And so I painted my eyelids with less color.

A more 'serene' eye. Oh, and I remembered to highlight! Just had to buff and blend well.

Bodyshop crayon concealer in 02 applied all over the lid as a base; also applied on the undereye area

S1 brushed all over the lids using ELF shadow brush

Bodyshop Argyle Pink below the crease using Nichido sponge tip applicator

Bodyshop Imperial Purple on outer 3rd of the lower lashline using Fanny Serrano eyeliner brush

Bodyshop Dusted Silver on the brow bone down to the area between nose and eye using ELF shadow brush

Bodyshop Dusted Silver on the inner corner of eye and on inner 2/3 of the lower lashline using Fanny Serrano eyeliner brush

The Face Shop's pen eyeliner in Black

Maybelline Unstoppable Shiny Black Mascara + lash curler

Fashion21 brow kit

The tools. Gawd, I forgot how to count! 1-2-4-wth?

1. 4U2 Gemtone Quad (P424/$9)

2. Fashion 21 Brow Kit (P100+/$2)

4. old lash curler I need to replace

5. Bodyshop crayon concealer 02 (P600+/$13)

6. ELF eyeshadow brush (P129/$2... it's just a dollar in the U.S., i know)

7. Nichido's sponge tip applicator (set of, erm, 4? or 5? P36.50/75cents)

8. Fanny Serrano short eyeliner brush (P75/$1.50)

9. The Face Shop pen eyeliner in Black

10. Bodyshop's shimmer+sparkle cubes (P1000+/$20)

I only used ELF's eyeshadow brush for these looks (no blending brush or crease brush or whatever... i can't believe it). It is amateur, but methinks I pulled through just fine.

Once I get to buy the other important eye brushes (I'm thinking of MAC 217 and 239) and some fancy lashes, I think I can live up to creating an Askmewhats eye look I've always wanted.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Madeleine is giving away a $15 Aromaleigh GC. Ooooh, i love their URFP's! If you want in, jump in with me to join her contest!

Although I'm not supposed to shell out a centavo on anything but a book, I got these babies from Galleria last Sunday.

The Bodyshop Galleria's SA did a good job on picking out a good concealer for a newbie like me. Instead of the product chit chats and sales pitch I normally get from beauty counters, she prepped my face for product testing. I could tell she was having a hard time covering up my scars using a concealer brush when she sighed, "The brush just won't work on these types of scars".

Ouch. I know. But I have to credit her for that. I'd pay for a remark like that over "Magandang-maganda siya sa'yo, bagay na bagay (It looks pretty on you)", when I can obviously see it's not.

We settled for the crayon concealer and professional sponge tandem. It did an impressive job in making my cheeks look flawless.

I'd love to show you another cutesy I got. It has the loveliest hand-made design a tank could have:

The tank is really lovely. Got it from People are People. It's an edgy tank top because of it's sexy back and fabric. I'm glad that my derma was able to successfully 'polish' my acne-fied back in time for this purchase.

I wanted to get 2 more lovely jersey tanks off the rack because of the pretty gingham patch sewn onto its neckline. I swear it's pretty. I would've had bought it, but then I'd have to forget about the book I'm originally supposed to spend my cash on.

Malls are evil. Really.