August Haul: Foundations

I am a very conservative type of makeup enthusiast. The farthest I'd go for color on an everyday basis would be bright blushes. I don't wear eyeshadow or even mascara to work (I do so only on special occasions). For my lips, I'd go for lip balm or balm stains. Plain Jane me! haha

Given that, what I usually have in my haul are those that perfect the skin or make it look polished rather than adding color to it. I LOVE to experiment with foundations! I know hauling foundations is not practical because I need to finish one in about 1-2yrs before they expire but that's just my preference. I'll splurge for a that polished look than bright looks. 

Well this month I have chanced upon 4 foundations. 

Here's my August Foundation Haul...

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light in Intensity 2.0

One thing I can say, DON'T BUY THIS FOUNDATION! Well, I love the regular EL Double Wear Foundation. Suffice to say, it is my HG Long wearing Foundation with a medium to full coverage and a demi-matte finish. So I expected a lot from this one because it is from the same line. Unfortunately, it is nothing I imagined it to be. :( I have an oily skin and this just seeps into my fine lines and highlighted the super-micro-mini-nano-pico lines I have (see its good in your flaws stand out! what a nice foundation haha)! I can't imagine how much horrible it would look if I had a dry skin. Adding to that, it looks ashy on my face. I have to keep this in my stash and maybe some other time, find some love for it. haha

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Makeup in 220 Nude

Hands down to this foundie! I have a review for this and I won't tell more. Just read its awesomenesss in my review. I also have an ongoing giveaway for this one, join now! haha

Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation in 974

This by far is the perfect shade match of foundation for me. Super yellow-based. I will be reviewing it in one of my next blog posts. I am pretty sure I got the one for oily skin as the SA helped me pick out this foundation but its is a big NO for sebum control. Anyways, not much of a problem because I can powder that shiny face! Have to stopped babbling about this and will continue on the review itself. haha

MAC Pro Longwear SPF10 Foundation in NC20

From my recent blog post, you would know my HG EL Double Wear may soon meet its rival Long Wearing Foundation from MAC. Still not sure but in time will see... ;)

So that's it for my foundation haul. I ought to inlcude the other products I bought for this month of August but this will be one hell of a post If I will. haha I have so many things to write about but I am distracted by a game I am playing with my boyfriend. Hey, its not DOTA! hahaha 

I hope you enjoyed this mini haul and let me know if you want a monthly haul post. Next month will be my birthday month so I think I will be doing a birthday haul and a series of mini giveaways each week of September! haha

As always, thank you so much for dropping by my blog even if you only scan through the photos and X your way out. hahahaha I truly understand because I am sometimes that way too when searching for reviews! But just so you know I allot time to write my post kasi nakakahiya naman to have 'puchu-puchu' post for the lovely ladies who visit my bloggeroo. hahaha

What have you been hauling most lately?

Love,

Anna

PS

I don't have a stiff neck just because my photos were not straight, products tend to lean to the right side. haha

First day of Road Test: MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation

Hi Lovelies! Sorry for the lack of posts. haha

I really want to have something new up in my blog but I am having some issues with my camera. Well I use a DSLR (Canon EOS 5D MarkII which was gifted to me by my parents) to take photos for this blog. DISCLAIMER: I am not a pro photographer to be using a DSLR but that's what I have, okay? haha Recently, I think I may have tweaked the camera's setting too much and my photos became blurry. SOS! I need some pro help here. I want to  make use of my camera's features. If you know someone who conducts short course photography classes, please let me know (thanks in advance!). 

So lo and behold, I used the iSight of my laptop. haha  Excuse the messy hair, the mess on my bed and my peasant tank. XD I am about to sleep, just checking on some emails. I noticed my makeup still looks nice at the end of the day. Why not share what I used? And also, I am using a new foundation here. First day of the road test. I had this on for the whole day and it still looks good! What do you think?

PRIMER: Benefit Porefessional

FOUNDATION: MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation in NC20 set with Etude House Dr.Oil Solution Powder

CONCEALER: Diorskin Scuplt Lifting Smoothing Concealer in 001

BROWS: The Face Shop Face It Designing Cake Eyebrow in 2

EYES: Virginia Olsen Oracle Eyeshadow on the lids and blended out plus MAC Carbon Eyeshadow as liner on upper lash line

LASHES: No Mascara 

BLUSH: MAC Immortal Flower

LIPS: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart

Pa-cute picture of the day haha

What I really love about today's makeup is my foundation. I didn't even use my Skindinavia Makeup Setting Spray for this and it lasted me for the whole day: church, movie, dinner and hang out. I just had to powder a bit. During inspection, I had no sign of makeup melting or whatsoever, truly Pro LongWear. Chose the NC20 shade even I'm  an NC25-NC30 because I'm acidic. Foundations usually oxidize on my skin. Do you think this is too stark white for me? Let me know. :)

Now do I choose this over my HG Longwearing Foundation which is the Estee Lauder Double Wear. Still not sure! But 'twas a great first day of road test. haha I say this one gives you a medium to full coverage and the finish is dewy on me. The Estee Lauder one is a demi-matte. It has quite a rival now. haha

I will let you know about this foundation soon! Will also put up a haul post for the things I got this month of August. Thought I bought nothing but when I looked at my stash, I mostly got new foundations to try out. Impulsive me!

Lovelies, what's your pick for a long wearing foundation? Would love to know yours. 

Love,

Anna

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains

So from my recent post, I went ahead and purchased 6 Balm Stains from the newly launched Revlon lip product. They came out locally first day of August 2012.

Here are my picks...

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains

(L-R: 015 Cherish / Devotion, 025 Sweetheart / Valentine, 020 Lovesick / Passionnee, 040 Rendezvous / Rendez-Vous, 030 Smitten / Eprise, 045 Romantic / Romantique)

Since purchase, I have worn them all (of course, at different times! haha). And I can describe them in one word: SUPERB! 

How can I put this simply without downplaying it? I can say that they are lip balms that stain, that simple. But by also saying that, does not give them enough justice. Because what we probably know is that regular tinted lip balms (whatever the brand or shade) tend to be sheer. They also come off our lips easily. 

I am warning you, THESE ARE NOT YOUR REGULAR TINTED LIPBALMS. THESE ARE BALM STAINS.  Baume Colorant. 

Like your regular lip balms, they moisturize the lips and gives it a healthy sheen. But again unlike your regular lip balm, these doesn't come off easily. They stain the lips and give you a longer wear. 

For 575php, you get 2.7g of product in a plastic tube, looks like a chubby crayon. You twist the bottom and more product comes out of the tube. This is a retractable type so no sharpener needed. But don't be deceived by the packaging because product contained when popped out is not even half the length of the tube. Surprising, right? 

All the product there is in one tube

Will I recommend? YES for normal lips or occasionally dry lips. Not for chapped lips.

You get what you pay for because the balm stain formulation (which Revlon claims to be a gel formula) is worth the raves and hypes it is getting (that is in my opinion). The lightweight balm glides smoothly on the lips while leaving a stain that will lasts for hours. Also has a pepperminty taste that comes off a few minutes after application.

Don't get me wrong, I only claimed the stain to last but the moisture will come off an hour or so based on what I experienced. I don't have super chapped lips  but they do get dry depending on the weather.  Most of the times, they are on the normal state, no chapped skin or whatever (sorry I know that was kind of gross haha). I think the moisture is just an aid so you can apply the stain easily without making them drier or more chapped.

Now if you have a problem with chapped lips, you may need to reapply this balm stain more frequently. Or better yet just get the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter. They are more moisturizing but the color doesn't last long. The lip butters were once raved during their release. Both are amazing products but it depends on what you want more: lasting color (Balm Stain) or moisture (Lip Butter).

Side by side: Balm Stain & Lip Butter

From what I remember, they also released a Just Bitten Lip Stain+Balm before. But the stain and the balm are separated. You need to apply the stain first and then put the balm on. I get too lazy so I just pop the stain and neglect the balm. This made my lips very dry! With this product, one swipe will do! I think this newly released Balm Stain is an innovation of that. haha

Let's look at each shade...

015 Cherish / Devotion

A pale pink color that has a purple tone to it. Color will show perfectly on pale lips but will look purple rather than pink on pigmented lips. No shimmers.

025 Sweetheart / Valentine 

A vibrant pink color. Will be true to color on pale lips and will show as a dark pink on pigmented lips. No shimmers.

020 Lovesick / Passionnee

A fuchsia pink color. No problem on both pale and pigmented lips, will be true to color. Has tiny silver shimmers but will not show on lips.

040 Rendezvous / Rendez-Vous

A tangerine color. Will show as an orange on pale lips and red orange on pigmented lips. No shimmers.

030 Smitten / Eprise

A plum color. No problem on both pale and pigmented lips, will be true to color. No shimmers.

045 Romantic / Romantique

A dark red color that has a purple tone to it. Will show red on pale lips and a dark plumy red on pigmented lips. No shimmers.

SWATCHES

(L-R: 015 Cherish / Devotion, 025 Sweetheart / Valentine, 020 Lovesick / Passionnee, 030 Smitten / Eprise, 045 Romantic / Romantique, 040 Rendezvous / Rendez-Vous)

From my picks, I think the Sweetheart, Lovesick ad Smitten are really worth buying. If you want to purchase these for a lower price, check out Cosmetic Alley.  I got two of the shades from them and 4 from a local Revlon Counter.

I would like to know which of the two raved products do you prefer: Balm Stain or Lip Butter?

This is what's up next...

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Makeup

Love,

Anna

PS

I apologize for the blurry photos. I tried adjusting the settings of my camera but to no avail, I just really can't figure it out by myself. I need to seek help from someone who knows how to put my camera on the right configuration for this kind of setting. :(

Revlon Haul + 4U2 Mini Giveaway Winner

THEY'RE HERE...

The much awaited Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains came out August 1 in the Philippine Market! It was launched a few months ago in the US and now we have the chance to purchase them at our local drugstores/department stores. I bought mine at Robinsons Department Store on a whim. I passed by the front of the dept store and saw the printed advertisement for the balm stains. It caught my attention knowing we still don't have it here. Checked the Revlon counter and VOILA! All 12 shades are in front of my eyes. haha

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains

(L-R: Cherish, Lovesick, Rendezvous and Romantic)

I only purchased 4 shades out of the 12 because I have already placed a preorder from the Cosmetic Alley of Facebook for 2 shades (Sweetheart & Smitten shades). Bought the Balm Stain for 400php each instead of 575php which is the local price. That's a significant price difference, right? So if you wanna save, you know what I mean. ;) They're already here too but I'm waiting for it to be shipped. I will be doing a separate review of the balm stains once I get my hands on the preordered items... :)

Got the Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation too. This one is still not locally available but I preordered it with the balm stains. And yes another separate review (This is what I'm really excited about!!!)! Will this match the Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation? Will let you know. Bought came for the Colorstay line of Revlon and by far, that's their frontliner. 

So many new purchases to review (Estee Lauder, Mario Badescu, Human Nature, etc...) but little time to write as I am helping in the family business. But don't you worry, I'm trying to find time to include this in my daily routine.

And the winner of the 4U2 mini giveway is... 

WINNER: Ms. Melda Mae Marcos (Number 1 for the Randomized List)

Please send me your shipping info at makeupsuite@gmail.com and I will ship the prizes to you for free. :) 

She won a 4U2 Lovelight BB Powder and a 4U2 Mirror. Giving her a week to send in her details and if she fails to, I will be drawing another one for the benefit of others.

That's it Lovelies...

Will be back for other hauls and reviews! ;)

Love,

Anna