Stash Staple: Stila Lip Glaze

I have tried tons of lip glosses from MAC lipglasses, MAC lip varnish, Mineral Lip Glosses, Burt's Bees Lip Gloss, to lip glosses from drugstore brands like Loreal, Maybelline, and Revlon but these are the ones that I LOVE best.

I love the packaging and I find the item design practical and hygienic  as opposed to the conventional lip gloss with the applicator attached to the cap. These lip glazes are also not as sticky and thick as MAC lip glosses which is another plus point for me. Of the four mini lip glazes that I have (part of the Lip Glaze Holiday Collection), I love cranberry (fourth from the top) and plum fairy (second from the top) the most. The full size lip glaze (Ultimate Pink), on the other hand, was the one that was part of the Ulti Mate Set that I purchased last year. I'm having no regrets purchasing these and would probably buy more in the future once I use up or dispose my other lip glosses from other brands. The packaging of the lip glazes reveals that shelf life is "12 months" so while I'd want to hoard many of these at one time,  it would not be practical. 

When I was roaming around the local HBC store, I noticed that this local brand also has something similar to the Stila Lip Glazes, down to the packaging and brush applicators. You might want to try them if you don't want to splurge on Stila.

Thanks chicas! 

P.S. As a certified Gleek, I was pleased when I saw "Rachel Berry" using this in one of the episodes of Season One. Yey to Stila Lip Glaze!

STASH STAPLE: Avon Simply Pretty Shine No More Dual Powder Foundation

Since we met two months ago, I’ve been so in love with Avon’s Simply Pretty Shine No More Dual Powder Foundation. I’ve been using it almost every day since I rushed to our local Avon outlet and purchased it. This foundie had been raved about so much in GT and even gorgeous Khimmy declared it a great dupe for the MAC Studio Fix Pressed Foundation. I use my Everyday Minerals flat top brush to apply this as a finishing powder for my liquid foundation of the day.

Item Blurb:

Avon Shine No More
Dual Powder Foundation SPF 13
Light Beige
Put shine on hold while protecting and keeping your face fresh and clean. 
Special micro-powders absorb shine while wet/dry formula allows you to control its coverage for a fresh, clean look.  SPF 13 helps shield skin from damaging UVA/UVB rays. Oil free. Dermatologist-tested. Clinically tested. Non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic. Made especially for Asian women.

What’s to Like about it:
· It provides great coverage especially when applied wet. In fact, even with dry application, it is able to cover the freckles near my cheekbones well.
· It is great at controlling oil. Ever since I started to use this, I don’t blot as often as I used to.
· Powder is unscented which is a plus especially for those who are really sensitive with fragranced products.
· It has SPF. Albeit the SPF is low, this is better than having none at all.
· I like that its packaging includes two compartments, one for the powder and another for the sponge. I like how this is designed as I think it is more hygienic this way.
· Really affordable. Retails at around Php 250. You’ll get it at an even lesser price when it goes on sale.

What’s Not to Like about it:
· It comes only in three available shades namely; Light Beige, Natural and Almond. You might not be able to find one that suits your skin tone perfectly.

So, get one for yourself. It’s a win-win situation, anyway. If it suits you then you are able to find a great everyday foundation. If it would not, it would not hurt so much since this is really cheap.

Ciao!

Stash Staple: Maybelline Clear Smooth Extra Shine Free Powder Foundation

I have always associated price with quality. This is the reason why I work my butt off to be able to afford pricier make up items. As what my colleague would always say, our face deserves only the best products that we can afford. While this had always been my mindset, I would always feel ecstatic when I find items that work without breaking the bank.

One of the cheap thrills I discovered is the Maybelline Clear Smooth Extra Powder Foundation. I have been reading raves about this online but I was not compelled to purchase it until I read about Rissa Mananquil recommending this on her weekly Phil. Star column. She said that this is one of the best-kept secrets of runway makeup artists. She shared that she started buying this when one of the makeup artists used this on her for a retouch.

Maybelline New York Clear Smooth Extra Shine Free Powder Foundation in Natural

What I like about it:

• Very easy on the wallet at only Php 349. Even if I would retouch countless times, I won’t feel bad because this is so affordable.
• Accessible as it is available in all beauty sections of department stores nationwide. 
• I love the baby blue shade of the packaging. 
• Has SPF 20 
• Comes with a mirror and a sponge making it very travel-friendly
• Can be used wet or dry 
• Very effective in hiding the freckles on top of my cheeks 
• Good at keeping oils at bay especially when applied wet

What I don’t like about it:

• Packaging does not look elegant. I find the casing of Avon’s pressed powders more attractive than this
• Available shades are limited
• Tends to cake especially when applied wet 
• As I am acidic, this darkens on me two to three hours after I apply it 
• It does not have a separate compartment where a used sponge or latex applicator can be placed 

Thanks ladies! 

Stash Staple: E.L.F. Contour Blush and Bronzing Powder

The E.L.F. (Eyes.Lips.Face) brand is an answered prayer for babes who are into prettifying themselves but are not up to spending huge chunks of their moolah for cosmetics. The brands used to exclusively sell their products abroad but recently, their items had already been made available in the local beauty stores like SM Beauty Dept. and Watson’s. The Studio Line product line, however, has not been launched in the Phils. as of this writing. One of the most popular items in this product line would have to be the Contour Blush / Bronzing Powder. This is said to be a dupe of the equally popular Nars Orgasm / Laguna duo. 

I bought this from an online friend at less than Php 500. I was pleasantly surprised to see that indeed, it has the same packaging of Nars albeit the rubbery texture of the casing. I remembered being amused when I read from a certain blog that “E.L.F. is making it their mission to be copycats of Nars.” It is a little larger than the latter in terms of size but the pigmentation of both the blusher and the bronzer are almost at par with that of Nars. The bronzer, in particular, is very pigmented so only one or two swipes is needed for this to show up on any skin tone. The blusher, on the other hand, is considered to be a very good dupe of the famed Orgasm. However, in my opinion, it looks more like Nars Deep Throat. They both show up nicely on my cheeks. However, I don’t always use them together as I am not that good at using the bronzer for contouring. I tend to use them only one at a time. I apply the bronzer alone only during those very few times that I want an illusion of a tan. I also like the mirror that came with the compact since it allows me to view my entire face without having to move the mirror a lot. It also does not easily attract dirt since it does not have the same rubbery texture as the Nars packaging.

The only downside with this duo is that its staying power is not that outstanding. This does not bother me though since the affordable price does not make me feel bad about retouching multiple times a day. The powders are also a bit crumbly so I suggest that you use a very light hand when swiping your blush brushes over these babies. 

 

Final Say: A Certified Steal for me. So, for girls on a budget, this is one makeup item that you would want in your kikay kit.

Thanks ladies!

Stash Staple: Mary Kay Medium-Coverage Liquid Foundation

For my first entry under "stash staple", I am featuring one of the liquid foundations that I often reach out for. Yes, I prefer liquid foundies over the other formulations because I find that these last longer on me than powder foundation alone. One of my foundation staples is Mary Kay Medium-Coverage Liquid Foundation in Ivory 200.

Item Description:
Normal to Oily Skin
Suitable for sensitive skin. Oil-free. Non-comedogenic.
Dermatologist-tested.
Smooth on foundation for a flawless finish. Helps control excess oil.
1 Fl. Oz. / 29 mL.
Php 650.00. Available through Mary Kay dealers.

I like this because:
• It lasts long on me. I usually apply this at 8 a.m. and it would last even after 7 p.m.
• I find the tube casing very compact and convenient to carry along anywhere.
• The packaging is hygienic because I only get to touch the amount of foundation that I’m going to use. In my opinion, the container is also sturdier and of better quality than that of the Maybelline liquid foundations.
• I also like the pink and white colors of the packaging as I found it very feminine.
• While the container looks small on sight, it packs on so much product because even after using it almost every day for the last three months, I am still not even halfway through the product.
• Considering the quality and the contents of the item, I consider this a very cost-effective buy.
• Very helpful indeed in keeping the oilies at bay. I observed that my oil blotting films are not that drenched with facial oil when I’m using this.

I don’t like this because:
• The product gives only medium coverage. This might not be the best choice for those who prefer full coverage foundations.
• The shade options are very limited. I got the one in Ivory 200 and the only other shade was "Beige." I’m lucky that I’m able to get away with wearing the former.
• This would not be easily accessible especially if you don’t know any Mary Kay dealer.

Thanks for reading.

Stash Staple: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Compete UV Wateright Lotion

I used to be a non-user ( and a non-believer) of sunscreens. I’m not used to wearing one in all of my more than two decades on earth. The only time that I would be compelled to apply some is when I’m beachbound. Other than that, nada! Just plain moisturizer on my face. I was convinced that applying one is just another tedious process that would make my primping sessions all the more lengthy.

However, gone are those days. The turning point was when I saw a high school friend with age spots slowly appearing on her face. She said that she was advised by her derma to use sunblock regularly as her job is field-based. From then on, I had been slathering sunscreen all over my face and neck a good thirty to forty five minutes before going out. I browsed the GT forum and several blogs to help me decide which sunscreen to buy. I’m fortunate to have stumbled upon the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Compete UV Waterlight Lotion. I am liking this over the Nivea Facial Sunblock that I first used. I prefer this because unlike typical sunscreens, it does not make my face sweat like crazy. It does not feel heavy on the face too. In fact, I’d often forget that I’m wearing a sunscreen. It is also very easy to spread because of its watery texture that does not take too long to dry. Its finish is velvety making it ideal for daily usage. More importantly, it offers a broad spectrum coverage which makes it very effective against both UVA and UVB. It also makes use of its patented Helioplex technology which I understand would make it stable enough to protect against UV rays. For more about the benefits of using Neutrogena, read this.

Notice the sorta watery texture of this SB.

How it looks like after spreading

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Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Compete UV Wateright Lotion with Helioplex SPF 50+ PA+++ . 30 mL. 

Approximately Php 460.00 Available in leading dept. stores nationwide.

Directions: Use at the end of your skincare routine after moisturizer as a superior daily blocker. Suitable for use as a makeup base. Shake well Before use.

The only problem I have with using this ( well, for all sunblocks, in general) is that I would sometimes rub it on my eyes causing me to become teary-eyed. When I do, I’d end up rubbing my eyes all the more, removing also my eye makeup. But then again, this does not happen too often so it’s not a biggie. I am now about to finish my second bottle of Neutrogena Waterlight. And while I am pretty satisfied with this, I would very much like to try other brands as well. Care to give me any suggestions?  

Tata!