CYS and Lumiere Haul

Both my CYS and Lumiere orders came at the same time.

Cleanse Your Soul

All of them smell so good but I haven't sniffed the freebies I got yet.

Breakdown of what I got and some initial thoughts on some of them:

Bath Moisture Whip in Pumpkin Whipped Cream

"Heavy on the whipped cream...with just the tiniest hint of pumpkin"

- This is my 2nd favorite scent of this batch. It smells creamy and a bit sweet. Yum! The color also looks good enough to eat.

Oil Infused Creamy Body Wash in Candy Corn Cream Cake

"The famous Halloween candy baked into an angel food cake"

3-in-1 Body Bubbles in Vanilla Bean Noel

"Bath & Body Works dupe (but better!) Delicious vanilla w/ caramel"

- I haven't smelled the original BBW one but this smells like a good creamy vanilla scent and I do love vanilla. This isn't very strong that it would make you nauseous.

Creamy Oil in Caramel Apple Fluff

"Everyone's favorite Autumn treat, dipped in melted marshmallows"

- I think I need to let this cure for a while because I don't smell the apples as of now.

Creamy Dreamy Scrub in Lemon Marshmallow Cream

"Lemon, Marshmallow fluff and Whipped Cream"

- This is my favorite among all these. It smells lemony yet not too tart. Exactly like their description that it has that hint of marshmallow and cream scent. I can't wait to use this.

Included in my box were freebies!

Silken Body Butter in First Rain

"This scent evokes images of taking a shower under a waterfall. It’s a soapy, clean scent w/ a fresh air note"

Perfume in Berry Patch

"Patchouli infused with cherry almond, stra wberry and hints of Sandalwood and Jasmine. Again…I don’t love patchouli, but this is really pretty!"

Will report back once I've sniffed these 2.

This is the freebie gummi burger. My DD loves this and before I could take a picture she grabbed it and ran away. I told her I still had to get a photo and she was the one who took this shot :-) Then she ran away again and ate it all.

Reviews of the products in future posts.

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Lumiere is here!

I ordered along with a friend (a very timely present coz she passed her board exams this week!).

The next photos are only my orders.

The Medium Mixing Bowl. I can just imagine how small the small size would be!

Trio Cheek Color in Natural Radiance, Island Sands and Be True:

6. pcs Trial Size vials in Gleeful, Ditto 'O', Cherry Blossom cheek colors and eyeshadows in Honey Brown, Peppermint Patti and Foliage.

So many new colors to play with and the new vial packaging looks cute. Since I haven't opened these vials and tested them I still don't know how it would fare with daily usage. Swatches next post. I'm so tired.

Free Beauty Rehab Lip Balm

For every order of 10GBP and up from Eyeko you get a FREE Beauty Rehab Lip Balm!



Just enter code: VALENTINE when you checkout to get your free item. Offer is until February 15, 2009 only.


Also, all orders ship free worldwide!

Review: Purederm BB Cream

The first and last time I tried out a BB Cream was a year ago. I purchased samples of the BRTC BB Cream and tried it on but hated it. It felt so heavy on my skin and made my face more oily. Also it had an ugly white/grayish cast on the face.

A few weeks ago, I was sent a sample of Purederm BB Cream by Bare Naturals. I kept my mind open about it so I could test it out fully.





Quoting from the seller's website:

"PUREDERM Magic Blemish Balm (BB) cream:

Moisturizer, makeup base, primer, sunblock, and beautifying cream
SPF 30, UV protection
Exfoliating
Antioxidant
Soft and gentle to the skin
Contains naturals extracts and nutritious ingredient
Moisturizes and protects skin
Improves fine lines and wrinkles
Lightens the skin
Water-proof, stays on your skin even when you sweat
Mattifies the skin, controls the oil
Increases skin elasticity and moisturizes the face
No weird smell (it has neutral smell, no strong “cosmetic-ish” nor herbal smell)

Herbal Ingredients:

Arbutin
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Beeswax
Morus Alba Root Extract
Pueraria lobata root extr
Cinnamommum Cassia Bak Extract
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Chrysanthemum Indicum Extract
Camellia sinensis leaf extract
Bentonite
Tocopheryl Acetate
Hyaluronic Acid
Adenosine
Vitamin E derivatives"


I've been testing this BB Cream for 7 days now. I put it on in the morning after my AM routine (cleanse-tone-moisturize/sunblock). The texture is smooth and lotion-like. It went on the face evenly and blended easily. It did not fully cover any facial imperfections that I wanted to cover but it acted as a tinted sunblock.

on my finger

at the back of my hand

blended in

I took photos after application and there was a whitish cast in the pictures. Later on though, the BB Cream melded with my skin that it looked natural after a few hours. I did not find it heavy on the face that I wore it DAILY. My sensitive face did not itch nor break out. Yay!

I wore this once as a foundation. I just put finishing powder (a darker shade to counter act the whitish shade of the BB Cream) right after and the usual Hi-Definition powder and blush. It held on the whole day and looked natural after a few hours. I guess the trick is to wait a few hours if you want to use this as a foundation for skin tones like mine (medium warm/golden). Fairer skin tones would look great right away. My face wasn't oily during the day and I knew I was getting additional sun protection.


(used as foundation topped with DW Peanut Butter Creme Topping and Aromaleigh URFP)

Pros:
-locally available
-no horrible smell
-no breakouts for me
-felt light on the face
-kept my face oil-free
-herbal ingredients good for the skin
-SPF 30!!!
-can be used as make-up base
-not too expensive
-a little goes a long way

Cons:
-initial whitish cast on the skin
-additional step for those who already wear a moisturizer/SPF (although this could be used alone!) to get a tinted moisturiser effect
-doesn't completely cover any blemishes
-well, nothing else really

I would purchase this as a back-up for my current moisturizer/SPF since it performed the same. It did even out the skin tone because of the light tint. BB Cream users would love this because of all the Pros I mentioned although I don't know about the long-term effects on lines/wrinkles and acne as I also use products targeted toward these things.

Purederm is Made in Korea. Introductory Price is only P799 (around $17) for a 50ml tube and you can get samples or trial sizes also. You can get the Purederm BB Cream at Bare Naturals.

Review: Human Nature organic products

I've been using the products I got from Human Nature (see post here) for almost a week now.  I haven't had much experience with organics to compare them with, except maybe with Lush, and I had/am having a good one so far.

Aloe & Guava Facial Wash:

(for oily and acne prone skin)

- I used this once or twice a day the past 6 days and my skin did not feel tight after washing as some facial soaps do.  This has a refreshing guava scent that isn't off-putting but mild.  It lathers really well that only a pea-sized amount is needed and it rinses off easily with no residue on the skin.   No breakouts nor allergies for my sensitive and acne-prone skin.  It also doesn't sting my eyes.

- My mom has been using the other variant, Calendula & Seaweed Facial Wash (for combination  & sensitive skin) and she said she is also happy with it.  My mom has more sensitive skin than me and rarely uses anything else other than her derma's facial wash.

- Will continue using this alternately with my existing facial washes.

Aloe Vera Nourishing Shampoo in Mandarin:

(Mandarin variant has extra virgin coconut oil for a silky smooth finish)

- I was surprised that this shampoo lathers well.  I've read reviews on how organic shampoos don't lather but this one does.  Scent is mild with NO coconut oil scent at all.  My hair felt soft even during rinsing but I followed it with the conditioner.  My hair feels light with no sticky residue after shampoo.  Shampoo with your eyes closed though, coz it stings the eyes.

Mango Butter Nourishing Conditioner:

(Mandarin variant)

- This has a very thin consistency that you tend to use more than the usual amount.  It does not lather like other regular conditioners just make sure to distribute it evenly through your hair.  I leave it on for a few minutes then rinse and my hair was very soft.   Scent is very mild.

Pearl Powder & Aloe Vera Strengthening Shampoo & Body Wash:

(Cucumber for silky smooth finish)

- Lathers well like the Nourishing shampoo although I felt my hair a bit stiff after rinsing.  Following with the conditioner makes it soft again.  I prefer the Nourishing shampoo than this one although their effect is similar for me.  Mild scent of cucumbers.

Aloe Vera Kids Shampoo Watermelon:

- My DD loves this scent!  It lathers really well that we're able to make lots of bubbles while bathing.  It has a no tears formula which I tested also on my own eyes (yeah, I rubbed it in, no sting if it accidentally goes into your kids eyes.  Don't leave it on too long though coz eventually it will hurt a tiny bit.  I tried this on myself).  Hair is soft and shiny after rinsing. 

- Safe for kids because there are no harmful chemicals in this shampoo.

Lip Balm in Coconut:

- This smells really yummy!  Like a sweetened coconut dessert.  Balm is solid in the jar but applies with a thin consistency.  It moisturizes the lips but reapplication is needed often as it wears off easy.  A thicker consistency would make this better for me.  Also, a tube is a better container than a jar for hygenic reasons.

Solid Perfume in Mandarin Eucalyptus:

- This one I really didn't appreciate much.  It smells like a massage balm to me and it didn't last long after application.

This is my initial review on the few products I've been using from Human Nature.  It is good to know that we are starting to make our own organic products locally.  I will order bigger sizes of the shampoos and facial washes for myself and my family since it is good for the skin and we can help local industries.

Belated Christmas Pressies....

They came in late but at least they're here. I got my prize for winning a contest on the Makeup Masala forum...3 Rimmel mascaras! Oh, and I thought it was only 1 and was surprised that there were 3. Thank you Toma!




Eye Magnifier Eye Opening Mascara

Sexy Curves Full Volume & Curve Mascara

Glam' Eyes Mascara

All 3 in black. I just don't know how to review mascaras as I rarely use them- only for special occasions like weddings. I'll be sharing my prize with mom since she uses mascaras.

I also got a Christmas present from Eyeko...again, thank you!

t-shirt, pin and eye shadow palette




Pretty Eyes eye shadow palette. Lovely colors good for daily wear.

Remember to type in the code E120 at the comments section for a free full size item plus free shipping worldwide whenever you order from Eyeko.

Silk Naturals Mini Haul

I got my Silk Naturals mini haul the other day. I ordered this last December and it probably got stuck in customs :-(

I only got a FS Cherry Crush lipgloss and the mini fiber optic brush.

The FO brush is tiny. I washed it yesterday and tried using it today and I noticed the shedding. Every time I swiped the brush across my cheeks 2 or 3 bristles would come off. I hope this is just an initial phase. I still have to practice using this brush coz I am not used to such a small brush head for applying cheek color.

My order came with 2 freebies: Crinoline Mineral Glow and a Tender lip gloss sample.

I like the color of the Cherry Crush lip gloss so much!

Photos show Cherry Crush swatch on my hand, on my lips without flash (true color) and with flash.







This is my first tube of Silk Naturals liquid lip color. I like the texture of it because it is not sticky and did not dry out my lips like all Silk Naturals lippies. The color looks berry-ish on me and is not too bright red. It lasted longer on my lips than a regular lip gloss.

Brush Guards Anyone?

I first came across the Brush Guard on a friend's blog and was thinking of getting some but wasn't able to right away since it was the holidays at that time (and my package might take a long time to arrive due to international shipping).

A few days ago my friend C of My Beauty Basket contacted me saying she was sending me some brush guards and asked what I thought about them. I got that package recently containing a variety pack of brush guards and yes, I was so excited about it.

The Brush Guard is used for:
-storage and travel, keep bristles in good shape
-drying bristles downward
-keeping handles clean and gives a good grip
-keeps brushes feel like new




The variety pack contains:
-1 large (kabukis/foundation)
-2 medium (foundation)
-2 small (blush)
-1 extra small (shadow/liner)



Made of stretchable, breathable tube.




On my own brushes:




On my wet brushes after washing. You can stand them in a glass with the bristles pointing downward to dry.



Make sure you follow directions and put in the brushes HANDLE FIRST then slide upward to the bristle part or you risk snagging the bristles on the guard if done the other way around.

I'm going to get another pack with the large brush guards to keep my kabukis in shape bec. I have a small brush holder which bends some of the brush bristles.

There are 5 different packs to choose from at P375 for each Brush Guard Pack. You can get yours at My Beauty Basket.

Human Nature Organic Products

I was reading the newspaper Saturday morning when I came across an article on locally made organic products. This one in particular is Human Nature. This company, Gandang Kalikasan, was put up by Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto's daughter, Anna Meloto-Wilk because of her passion to help save the environment and to invest in Philippine-grown products.

I quickly went to their website (they don't have a brick & mortar store as of now) and saw how very inexpensive the products were. Being the product junkie that I am, I ordered small sizes and some kits to try out for myself, my mom and my DD. That was Saturday morning and now, Monday morning, I got my package!!!

All these for P500!

Happy Shower Kit P99.50:

-Aloe & Guava Facial Wash

-Nourishing Shampoo in Mandarin

Survival Kit P199:

-Moisturizing Shampoo in Mandarin

-Mango Butter Nourishing Conditioner

-Calendula & Seaweed Facial Wash

-Lip Balm in Coconut

-Solid Perfume in Mandarin Eucalyptus

-Nourishing Shampoo Lemongrass P29.75

-Strengthening Shampoo Cucumber P32.75

Squeaky Kid Kit P149.50:

-Citronella Bug Spr ay

-Aloe Vera Kids Shampoo Watermelon

There are choices or variants for the shampoos, perfumes and lip balms. Plus, there are bigger sizes of the products. I only got the smaller sizes so I'd be able to test them out first.

Amazing isn't it? I have yet to try all these out and I hope they work for me as going organic is better for the body. Also, we would be helping out the environment and our countrymen.