Is the hype real?: Luna Organics Autumn Clay Blush

I'm usually not the type of person who feels the need to buy hyped-up products. I'm no hype beast, let's put it that way. But every now and then, something starts trending and it catches my interest.

Luna Organics' Autumn Clay Blush has been all over Instagram and Facebook these past few weeks. I've seen tons of re-sellers cashing in on its popularity and there are already lots of imitations from other brands promoting their own form of 'clay blush'. Long story short, seeing how this looked on other girls instantly made me want it.

Before I go on, I have to mention that this product is possibly a FAKE and not Luna Organics authentic. I only say that because I bought it off Shopee from the seller haugentleness for Php155. I'm only listing the seller so you can avoid making the same mistake. As far as I know, the original costs a bit more and mine has a slightly bad printing job on the packaging as you can see.

I should have gone straight to the source and ordered from Luna Organics' official Instagram page, but at the time they were sold out and I wanted the convenience of paying COD, so I ended up on Shopee instead. There are many fakes on both Shopee and Instagram though, so beware. I, unfortunately, thought I was buying the real thing when I doubt I was.

Anyway, fake or not, I'm still going to push through with my review!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in "Diffused Heat"

Joining blog giveaways was something I was, and still am, very much into. I mean, what's not to love? Not only do you get to show support for a blog or blogger you like, you get a prize out of it too! I'm happy to say that I've won quite a few prizes already, and one of my absolute favorites is the one I won from Claudia, the lovely gal behind Beauty and the Chic. She was even sweet enough to include a handwritten card with it expressing her thanks.

Of course that prize was none other than the much talked about, much coveted Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in one of its most popular shades - "Diffused Heat". I've had this blush for a long while now and it's one of my absolute favorites!

Hourglass says this is... "A truly multidimensional blush that enhances cheeks with seamless, soft-focus color, and a natural radiant finish" that is also "paragon free, talc free, fragrance free, nanoparticle free, gluten free".

Read on to find out why this has become one of my definitely-must-have blushes!

Review: Les Merveilleuses LADURÉE Pressed Cheek Color

I have to confess that I’m a sucker for pretty packaging. More than once have I thrown caution to the wind and bought a beauty product simply because of how it was packaged, with little to no knowledge on the product and not having checked any reviews on it beforehand. Sometimes I end up disappointed, as many of us do in that situation, but other times I’m pleasantly surprised and end up completely loving the product.

In this case, the latter was definitely what happened when I bought a Pressed Cheek Color blush from Les Merveilleuses LADURÉE in Tokyo. That’s right, the same company that makes those irresistible French macarons and other treats also has a makeup line! Their collection is supposedly inspired by the colors of their macarons. How cute is that? Fun fact: “merveilleuses” means “marvelous women” and refers to the female members of a fashionable aristocratic subculture in Paris during the 18th century!

Product description: "As you choose your clothing, you change your look. Creates a new beauty-in-expression with wide color variations."

As is the usual with some other brands, you have to buy the blush and the case separately. They come in these beautiful pink boxes with a vintage flower pattern design and gold detailing on and around the logo. What I purchased here was the Pressed Cheek Color Refill in the shade #07, the blush itself, and the Pressed Cheek Color Case.

Benefit Cosmetics Rockateur

What’s one makeup item you can’t leave the house with? I’ll admit, I need a small array of products before I consider myself ready enough to face the outside world, but one of those products I most definitely need is blush. Since I have quite fair skin, it can easily look dull and lifeless once I apply my base makeup. Blush is an instant perk-me-up for my complexion! It gives it that much needed pop of color and just completes my overall look.

I heard about Benefit’s Rockateur (Php1,600.00) late last year, it was released locally in October, and I noticed everyone seemed to be going gaga over it! I’ve always been a fan of Benefit’s boxed blushes and bronzers so I was super excited to try it out for myself. Luckily, I won this very blush from a Benefit event! Score!

Product description:
Pick up the beat with a rush of heat! This rockin’ rose gold cheek powder gives a famously provocative flush that turns heads on-stage and off. The crowd will go wild for its sexy faceted design, accented in luxe gold. For an encore, the custom angled, dimensional brush gives rich, show-stopping payoff every time.

Black and pink is one of my favorite color combinations which made the packaging irresistible to me. Plus I love the printed lace and snake skin detail! The overall look really screams ‘rock chic’.

Review: Cupcake All Over Color (PK001, OR202) + Candy Stick (Berry, Orange) (Etude House)

With Etude House having already released its newest makeup collection, "Dear Girls", I decided to finally put this post up featuring some of the products from their Sweet Recipe collection. These are actually birthday presents from my bff so thank you, dear! I also have one more Sweet Recipe item which I'll review in the next post.

I was a bit late in seeing these items for real since the small Etude House stall in SM Makati only recently started selling from specific collections or lines. Before, I always had to go to an actual EH store in Megamall which is farther away. I still have to since the SA told me that they won't always get every item for each collection, but at least I won't need to make the trip as much anymore!

Phew, is it just me or does EH release collections way too fast these days? I feel like they need to slow down to give us a chance to try everything without resorting to hoarding...

Mini-San San haul and Review

I'm no brand snob, and even if I do like to splurge on more high-end beauty products whenever I can, I still actively seek for cheaper dupes or alternatives. A girl's got to be practical sometimes, right? So last week, I hopped over to my nearest HBC and decided to try out a few more products from San San. This isn't my first time purchasing anything San San as I previously bought one of their concealers which I still use and love!

I settled for three items: their Matte Finish Liquid Foundation, Blush On (with Age Defense), and 2-Way Cake pressed powder.

I'll be making a quick summary for each item at the end of the entry, so click below to read more!

Review: Blush Crush (Krave Minerale)

Yesterday I received my first purchase from Krave Minerale, their Blush Crush with Kosher Rice Powder & Natural SPF. It arrived just a few days after I text in my order details and sent the payment, so props for a speedy delivery from their distributor!

Like all of Krave's other locally made products, it's "100% vegan and gluten free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), non-acnegenic (won't cause acne break outs), and nano particle free. (link)"

Indulge your cheeks with the enticing shades of Krave Minerale's Loose Mineral Blushes that has:

• Zinc oxide (anti-inflammatory)
• Kosher rice powder (soothes & cools the skin)
• Silica (controls excess facial oil without drying the surface of the skin) 

Dolled up with a few brush strokes and achieve an effortlessly glowing pinkish cheeks that doesn't need a time to time touch ups.