Waiting for packages...

...has me a bit stressed although I know I shouldn't be since I can't do anything about it. It's a holiday here until the 2nd of Jan. so I won't get any until next week.

I'm waiting for:

Dayna's (2 glows and 2 blushes)
Silk Naturals (1 gloss, 1 FO brush)
CYS (I posted it previously)
a gift package from Eyeko
my prize of 3 Rimmel mascaras from Toma for winning her contest (Makeup Masala).

That's a lot huh?

I was also able to order from Lumiere (together with Joyce) the other day when they extended their sale since the code wouldn't work on the supposedly last day of sale. We got 35% off our combined order, woo-hoo!

I got the following:

** All photos grabbed from the Lumiere website.

- 3 pcs. Small Cheek Color in Be True, Island Sands and Natural Radiance

- 6 Custom Trial Vials in Cherry Blossom, Ditto 'O', Gleeful, Foliage, Honey Brown and Peppermint Patti.

and a Medium Swirly Bowl with lid.

Happy, happy as I've been lemming for the other radiances from Lumiere for a long time now. I just added in the 6 trial sizes since I've been curious about the e/s colors and I wanted to get smaller sizes of the 3 other cheek colors.

Basing on my previous post for my wishlist for Christmas...yes, I got most of them except for 1 (the laptop- but this isn't really important as I have a PC in good running condition).

Did you get your Christmas wishes?

Some FOTD's

It's been so long since I posted FOTD's so here are some.

Dec. 26, Friday

Had lunch at Abe, Serendra since my cousin was leaving for the US that night where she lives.

Face:

AVON Magix Face Perfector SPF 20 as mattifying primer

EG Minerals Cover Me foundation in Helena

Dreamworld Creme Topping in Cocoa

Aromaleigh Ultra Resolution FP in Translucent

Eyeko Cream on undereyes and above cheekbones

Blush:

Bourjois Paris blush in Tomette

Lips:

Bourjois 3D lipgloss in Violet Psychedelic

Eyes:

Eyeko Original Cream all over lid

Dec. 28, Sunday

We went all the way to Rizal for a baptism then visited our ninong/ninang and on the way home, picked up BIL who was fixing up his house so he could move in at the start of the year. All this in Rizal...so tiring.

Face:

H2O+ Aqualibrium Mattifying Moisture Plus as primer

EG Minerals Cover Me foundation in Yuan Yuan

Dreamworld Creme Topping in Cafe Au Lait

Aromaleigh URFP in Peaches & Cream

Blush:

EDM Wafflecone

Lumiere Silk Radiance in Sundew

Lips:

Eyeko Fat Balm in Strawberry

Eyes:

Artdeco eye primer

Neutrogena Mineral Sheers in Shell (with the lighter shade on lid and darker shade on crease, outer V and lower lid)

Eyeko Cream on browbone as highlight

Learning Golf

What have I been up to lately? I started learning how to play golf!



(excuse my form/posture as it's my first time to hold a golf club)

Hubby's the one teaching me although I've only had one lesson so far. We went to the driving range last Saturday since his uncle was there at that time.

My hands hurt after the lesson. I need to buy gloves so I wont get calluses. I can't say if I like it or not though since I'm just learning. But it is hard!

This is one sport hubby and I can do together for bonding purposes (I stopped playing badminton when I was pregnant and haven't played since then).

Brook & Ivy Body Buff

I was browsing the shelves in a mall a few weeks ago and came across Brook & Ivy. They had different bath and body products like bath gels, shampoo, scrubs, lotions and body splashes. I was looking at the scrubs in particular because they had the Cosmo Beauty Award sticker on them. I took a sniff of the Vanilla Vine scrub and fell in love instantly with the scent. Unfortunately I didn't get it because it was the last piece there. Hmmm...I actually don't know why I didn't get it, too lazy to go pay for it I guess LOL!

Fast forward a few weeks later when I went to the Greenmeadows Bazaar, I saw a stall there of this particular brand. They had testers of all the 5 scents they had but Vanilla Vine still tops my list. I got myself a jar of scrub and some body splashes to give as gifts. They all smelled sooo good! Next on my list would be the Ginger Patch and Tea Infusion scents of scrubs and body washes.






The Vanilla Vine Body Buff has medium sized scrubby grains. It contains Dead Sea Salts and other minerals beneficial to the skin. The grains aren't abrasive nor too gentle -- just right for me. The label says to use it on dry skin for a better exfoliating experience although I haven't tried it that way. The vanilla scent is not overpowering and it lingers on your skin long after your bath.

If I didn't have other open jars of scrubs I'd really get more of this although nobody's stopping me. Each 150 ml. tub of this scrub is inexpensive at around P250 ($5). What's more, it's locally available so easily accessible (I've seen this in Crossing's Shangrila Mall).

Yeah, I'll definitely get more!

To my friends....

Wishing Everyone

A Meaningful Christmas

and a

Prosperous New Year!

Got my EG BOGO...

....this week.

I was really lucky I nailed my perfect match without trying out samples first since my sample order didn't make it on time.


Wrapped in a pretty bag.




I got full sizes of Helena and Yuan Yuan both in the cover me formula which gives a full coverage with a matte (with slight glow) finish. I love this finish because it is flawless and for me, only 1 layer using little minerals is enough. I usually use 2 layers for all my other mmu foundations except this one. No concealer is needed too (although I rarely use it).

Helena falls in the Olive category while Yuan Yuan is in the Yellow shades although both of them look similar. I can even just mix them both.

I'll post an FOTD soon using either of these.


This is a freebie eyeshadow in Too Shy.

I made a vanity...

I didn't have a place before to put my mmu and other m/u that my DD won't be able to reach. I used to put them all in my closet but I found it hard to reach or get the things I needed.

So I made my own vanity table using my old study desk which I've been using to store some of my nicknacks (the huge bottom half which are cabinets still remain my DD's closet). With the help of my dad, we removed the tiny cubbyholes and shelf so I could put in my drawers of mmu.

Here's the result:

The blue box on upper right houses all my blushes. I don't have any more space in the drawers.

Blue drawers at the Left contains palettes, primers, non-mmu stuff.

Black box w/ clear drawers contains from L to R:

Top row- concealers, glows, glows

Middle Row - foundation, finishing powders, mineral lippies

Bottom Row - foundation, FP, non-mineral lippies

top of desk

when open

when closed

I put a light on top which I attached to an upper shelf. At least my DD won't be able to get her hands on my stuff and all makeup would not get dusty too from the cover (and hubby won't see how much I have). All stuff in there are only those that I use. Back-up and other full sizes not in use I store elsewhere. All skin care stuff is also kept on another shelf.

The flower thingy you see on the right side is an MP3 speaker (attached to the player). It lights up, talks and the leaves dance when music is played. The lcd has a digital clock and it even has a snooze function. If you left it on but player is off it turns off after 5 minutes by lighting up and saying "Goodbye, zzz...zzzz...zzzz...". Yeah, it snores but it's so cute.

Best Ube Cake Ever!

I read about A La Creme on the blog Dessert Comes First awhile back and hurriedly texted my good friend who lives in Angeles. She said this is very near their school, Angeles University and promised to bring me some the next time we met.

An hour ago my friend dropped by our house and gave me a box of A La Creme Ube Cake. I was so excited to open it that right after they left I cut myself a slice.

Heaven!!! I have a sweet tooth but I don't like sweet cakes/pastries, if you know what I mean. This cake is dense that a small slice is very filling. It has macapuno and walnuts in the cake and white chocolate discs on top as decor (which my DD ate right away). Both the cake and icing weren't sweet that you could taste the macapuno in it. I loved the crunch from each bite because of the walnuts. YUM!

I savored every bite I took although I still have the rest of the cake in the fridge to finish - Not! I have to SHARE.

Next time I'm gonna ask my friend to bring me the Chocolate Sin cake which is another best-seller.

A La Creme is located at the following:

*Stall #1 Alcon Bldg., MacArthur Highway, Angeles City

(045) 888.2303

*CTH Bldg., Dolores, MacArthur Highway, San Fernando City
(045) 861.0829 / 961.7624

*3933 MacArthur Highway, Balibago, Angeles City
(045) 892.1205

Or check their website www.alacreme.com.ph

CleanseYourSoul (B&B)

**(Hey, Michelle and Inan, I caved in!!!  It seems that we're the 3 resident bath & body addicts of our little Vox community LOL!).

I ordered from Cleanse Your Soul because the shipping is just too good to pass up at only $5.

I got:

* 3-in-1 Bubbles 4oz. in Vanilla Bean Noel

* Oil-Infused Creamy Body Wash 8oz. (on sale) in Candy Corn Cream Cake

* Creamy Oil 2oz. Malibu tube in Caramel Apple Fluff

* Creamy Dreamy Scrub 4oz. jar in Lemon Marshmallow Cream/yellow color

* Bath Moisture Whip 4oz. in Pumpkin Whipped Cream

Woo-hoo! I'll probably get all these in the new year since TAT is 1-14 days although this comes in Priority Mail.  Also I hope I win in her raffle ($25 gift voucher) for those who order until the 24th of December.

EG Minerals Liquid foundation Review

Along with my sample haul from EG Minerals was a 5 gr jar of liquid foundation which I wanted to try. I ordered the shade Bamboo and good thing it was a match.

The liquid is odorless and not too runny nor too thick. I haven't used liquid foundation in so long so I had difficulty applying it. I used a damp red sponge same as Dayna's. I used the foundation sticking on the jar's cap and around the neck of the jar (which was a bit much I think).

I had trouble blending, again bec. I am not used to liquids. It took a bit of time when I was satisfied that it looked even. It doesn't dry fast on the face so there is plenty of time to blend, blend, blend. But once it dried it didn't feel heavy at all. It actually felt like I was wearing loose powder foundation although the formula is not liquid to powder.

Coverage is medium and it doesn't look flat matte.

Here's the FOTD:

I am wearing:

EG Minerals liquid foundation in Bamboo

Eyeko Tinted Cream on whole eyelid and on cheekbones

EG Minerals Bermuda bronzer on cheeks (I think I put too much)

MAC Tinted lip conditioner in Petting Pink

****

The foundation lasted the whole day on me with the usual oily T-zone but that's bec. I didn't put any oil control or finishing powder for testing purposes. I didn't itch nor notice any breakouts.

When I did a little bit of exercise and perspired late in the afternoon, the foundation came off on my hand. Hmm...I don't know if it would be the same if I put a finishing powder earlier. This isn't waterproof so I can't use this when I know it would be a hot and humid day.

I would need to test some more since this is only an initial review.

EG Minerals Samples / Swatches

I got these yesterday when I was hoping to have gotten them prior to the BOGO sale so I could get my shade in FS.  Unfortunately it didn't make it on time and I ordered my BOGO basing it on a friend's shade since we have the exact same shade in ALL mineral makeup foundations.  Good thing I got the right shades to order!

EG

blush/bronzer

D'uh, I ordered the Bermuda bronzer again! I completely forgot I already have it when I checked my samples today.

liquid found.

Cover Me samples

FPs and freebies

They sent me freebies of eye shadows in Beautiful and Papaya and Deanna found. (the shade that is light on me).

Swatches:

found. swatches

Since I got Helena and Yuan Yuan as my BOGO FS, I swatched them first and they looked like matches.  When I tried them on today they were both perfect matches on my face.  I can even mix them together and make just one big jar of foundation once I get my full size order.

e/s & blush swatches

Beautiful e/s is a bit too sparkly for my taste.  Papaya has just enough shimmer.  Both are very pigmented and applied smoothly.  

I love the Carmindy blush upon seeing the shade in the bag and swatched.  Bermuda blush looked scary in the bag and seemed a bit chalky when I was swatching it (maybe I just got too much on my finger).  I tried them on today and Bermuda looked so pretty when worn.  It also was not chalky like I initially thought.  They both applied smoothly and were pigmented that I had to remove some with a microfiber towel.

Here's my FOTD:

Yuan Yuan, with flash

 

Yuan Yuan Cover Me foundation

Carmindy on my Right cheek (your Left)

Bermuda on my Left cheek (your Right)

MAC Tinted lip conditioner in Petting Pink

*both blushes applied more than I would usually apply them to show up in photo.

Bermuda blush turned out prettier on the cheek than Carmindy for me but they're both really nice and were soft matte.

I'll review the Liquid foundation in a separate post.

Eyeko Tinted Cream

I got this yesterday when a friend of mine ordered through me and I just joined in.

It's the Eyeko Tinted Cream.

tinted cream

tinted cream

It looks dark in the jar but it really isn't when applied as you can see in the next photos.

on my finger

on my hand

applied thickly & blended in slightly to be seen in photo

The Tinted Cream gives a sheer bronze tint with very slight shimmer when applied.  It didn't turn orange on me unlike other bronze powders.  I've tried it on my face and the tint is not really very noticeable with my medium skin tone.  It's the same with the Original Cream (pink) with the faint marshmallow-like smell and consistency (mousse-like).  You can add more to make it more noticeable as you wish.  It's a nice highlight for the eyes and cheekbones or even the shoulders for going out.

Those who still don't have this can do with either the Original or the Tinted cream and you don't need to have both (unless you're a product junkie like me). 

Don't forget to type in the code E120 at the comments section upon checkout for a free full size gift from Eyeko when you order.  They also ship all orders free anywhere in the world. 

MCS Cream Soap Review

I've used my Madcitysue Shower Parfait Cream Soap in Pumpkin Brulee/Iced Gingerbread.

As I've posted before, the combination smells good.  Not sickeningly sweet and not too foodie.  It's just enough to lift up your mood and scent the whole bathroom but it's not over powering.

The cream soap itself is mousse-like in texture.  I used only a palm-sized amount when I showered and it was enough for the whole body.  It lathered really well, double the lather because I use a shower puff.  It is moisturizing on the skin even after rinsing it off that I didn't put on any other lotion.  There is a faint scent that lingers which is just perfect if you still want to use another lotion or cologne/perfume.  Otherwise, if you prefer the same scent, it would be better to layer it with the same scented lotion to make the scent stronger or longer lasting. 

I think the next time I make an order, I would get smaller tubs in 4oz instead of the 8oz tubs so I could get to try more scents.  The 8oz. tubs would be hard to finish (which is a good thing cost wise) bec. the lather is enough for a small amount used.

All in all, I really like the cream soap's formula.  Actually, I liked it better than the Sugar Scrub but I need to try out the bigger tub I have and make another post on it.

Happy, happy :-)

Well, what do you know...I'm getting my Christmas wishes after all !

Ho, ho, ho!

Hubby got me a pair of shoes as an early present.  I chose the style.  I was looking for wedge sandals but couldn't find a good pair so I just got flats.  They're very soft and comfortable and not expensive.  I didn't want to get those that were too gladiator-type looking bec. if they go out of style, I won't get much use from them.

I'm still on the lookout for wedges though.

black flats

**OPI Brand New Skates polish on my toes.

We also bought tons of toys as gifts for nephews, nieces and god children.  I just finished wrapping them last night.

Ever heard of Royce chocolates? I know they're from Japan and they're usually brought as presents when tourists come from there or Singapore and are really good although I've never tried them out before...until last night.

The first free-standing store of Royce opened in Manila and we bought some.   There were so many people buying even if they were expensive.  I got a box of Potatochip Chocolates and my gosh! They were soooo gooood!!!!!

royce

potatochip chocolates

I savored each bite.  Each chip was covered in smooth chocolate.  The chocolate itself isn't very sweet and you could taste the slight saltiness of the potatochip.  Heaven!

I also got my mom a package of Almond chocolates in Dark as a present for Christmas.  Since I have no idea what to get her (bec. she already has everything) what better than give her favorite indulgence?

I also got myself a very tiny Silk Naturals haul: a tube of Cherry Crush lipgloss and the small fiber optic brush plus the freebie jar of glow my total comes with.  I'm getting the others on my list too.

Hubby has also chosen his own present-- a new set of shocks for his bike and a speedometer.  

Merry Christmas!