Shiro Cosmetics Tinted Balms in "Who Swallowed A Star" and "A Girl and A Cat"

I'm a self-proclaimed geek. I have always been, and I always will be. I geek over a lot of things, like books (both regular and graphic novels), video games, as well as Japanese animation shows [anime] and movies. Some of my most favorite Japanese animation movies were created and produced by the amazing Studio Ghibli. If you're not familiar with them, they made the popular and well-loved 魔女の宅急便 [Majo no Takkyūbin/Kiki's Delivery Service] and もののけ姫 [Princess Mononoke], amongst many others.

With that, it's safe to say that beauty products with a theme that caters to any of my geeky interests are a must-have for me. Thank god for sites like Shiro Cosmetics who cater to people just like me! For my birthday last year, my boyfriend got me a bunch of items from there that included these super cute, tinted lip balms that are Studio Ghibli themed!

From Shiro Cosmetics: "Our greatly improved balm formulation is ultra moisturizing, providing a sheer wash of color with a slick, lightly glossy finish. Flavored with delicious French Vanilla!"

All their tinted balms come in a 0.15 oz plastic, silver tube. Like most balms, it's a twist-up product. They currently have five different kinds and all of them are Studio Ghibli themed. The whole collection is dubbed as the 'Miyazaki Tints',  referring to Hayao Miyazaki, one of the co-founders of Studio Ghibli.

Cutieverse

A couple of months ago I was kindly sent a little goodie bag from cutieverse.com as they wanted me to try out some of their products, so simply put, here's a very much delayed review on all of them!

I love the little pouch they gave that has all the products inside. If you're not familiar with cutieverse, "Hurraw!" is the name of their line of of popular lip balms which is why it has it on the pouch. The pouch itself is really good quality actually and I sometimes use it to store my makeup and whatnot when I'm using a smaller bag for the day.

All of cutieverse's skin care products are made with all-natural, organic ingredients, with some of them listed as completely vegan, so if you're particular about and love safe, organic products to pamper or treat your skin with then check behind the cut to see what I got!

Review: Baby Pink BB Pressed Powder

Since I last reviewed the Baby Pink BB Mineral Cream, I decided to also review a counterpart product I got at the same time which is the Baby Pink BB Pressed Powder.

The packaging is similar to the BB cream and uses the same, cute design and color scheme. Unlike the BB cream though, this one offers 5 benefits and is supposed to be a makeup base, concealer, foundation, finishing powder, and has UV protection. SPF 20 PA++ of protection, to be exact. I'm not quite sure how this powder will act as a 'makeup base' though because well...it's a powder, and I've never heard of a pressed powder being used under makeup.

Anyway, the powder contains witch hazel and grapefruit extracts that are supposed to tighten skin, collagen and Lipidure to moisturize, and hyaluronic-acid-coated powder to keep your skin hydrated. Its micro-fine powder formulation also has a light-diffusing effect that fills in pores to blur imperfections and give you a smooth, baby-like complexion (product info from ratzillacosme).

The compact is equally cute and tiny! It's not only small enough to slip into your makeup kit, but even your pocket. It definitely looks like the perfect powder to bring along for touch-ups.

Review: Benefit Hydra-Smooth Lip Color in "Air Kiss"

Another product I received from Benefit's product launch back in July was something from their new Hydra-Smooth Lip Color line. If I'm not mistaken, it was released locally just this September. I'm a self-proclaimed lipstick fiend, so of course I have to do a review on this too!

The outer packaging alone is to die for. Am I the only one that's getting Great Gatsby vibes from it? Trust Benefit to come up with the best vintage-inspired designs for their products.

Product description:

hydra-smooth lip color is the fun & flattering future of lipstick! It’s enriched with shea, mango butter and vitamin E for lips that look supple & hydrated. It glides on irresistibly smooth with a double-slanted tip that’s custom designed to define AND fill. This collection was specially created to bring you the Top 10 most universally flattering shades…so they’re easy to pick & even easier to wear. Available in three levels of coverage: sheer, medium and medium-full. (1)

The shade I received is 'Air Kiss' which falls under the sheer category and is described as a 'bubblegum pink'.

Review: not.a.sponge Volcanic Power Puff

In the mornings, I like to keep my skin care routine nice and simple. After all, what with me still needing to apply makeup after, having a quick but effective skin care regime means I save a lot of time. It also helps that you don't use too many products on your face just for skin care alone when you'll already be using layers of products for makeup right after.

So every morning, I like using a light facial wash which I follow with toner, a serum, and then some moisturizer. That's it. Didn't I say it was simple? Some days I'll add in sunscreen, but only if I know I'll be out under the sun for longer periods of time than usual since a lot of my base makeup already has sufficient sun protection.

But recently I've added another step to my morning ritual with my not.a.sponge Volcanic Power Puff that I received from Beauty Bar's product launching a couple of months ago. Since I like and need my face to be properly prepped and squeaky clean before applying makeup, I figured this would help a lot in helping me achieve that. I've tried a number of different 'cleansing tools' before, sponges included, but they've either been too harsh for my skin or I just wasn't very impressed with them overall.

Product description:

not.a.sponge* is made from the super food 'KONJAC' vegetable and a selection of results driven organic compounds that your skin will LOVE! It may look like your average sponge, but we would never want to put this 100% pure, natural, handcrafted puff of love in such a category. A fast and natural cleansing partner that will wash away impurities, returning your skin to a deeper state of euphoria. Happy washing. 

WHY WE ARE TRULY NATURALMade from 100% sustainably farmed Konjac vegetable root extracted from the plant amorphophallus konjac. Used for its medicinal properties, the Konjac has been traditionally embraced by the Asian cultures for over 100 years and we have passionately found a true artisan who has mastered the technique of creating what we think is the worlds best quality not.a.sponge* which has nothing fake about it! Your skin will love you.

There are three not.a.sponge variants for the face: Bamboo Charcoal (for deep cleansing and those with problem skin), In The Raw (for all skin types), and Volcanic Power Puff, which is what I have, that's meant for sensitive skin and helps with anti-aging.

More info for Volcanic Power Puff...

not.a.sponge* infused with volcanic scoria is gently exfoliating, anti aging and super soothing. This volcanic compound unique to pristine JeJu Island instantly exfoliates and firms the skin washing away the years and leaves you with a healthy, natural glow. Scoria is said to be hugely beneficial and powerful in calming skin conditions like Eczema, Psoriasis etc due to its high anti-bacterial properties… so, perfect for the extra sensitive among us. May the force be with you!

Out of all the variants, I think this is the best one for me. I have combination skin that is also a little sensitive, and because I have drier areas on my face then exfoliating them gently everyday should help them from becoming too dry. Also, since my face isn't very dirty when I wake up either, I don't need something that's particularly deep cleansing anyway.

I don't have any wrinkles just yet, so I won't be able to comment on how it can 'soften them away' as the product describes, but I do like how it promises to soothe and calm skin and that it has anti-bacterial properties because I'm also acne-prone.

Review: Etude House Oh~ m'Eye Line eyeliner

If there's one makeup item I can't live without, aside from foundation, it would definitely be eyeliner. Ever since I discovered the wonders of it back when I started college, I've never been without it in my makeup collection. I'm also a big fan of the makeup styles from the 40s, 50s, and 60s when eyeliner was an absolute must.

Because my eyelids aren't perfectly smooth and have these natural lines and creases on them, then I have difficulty using gel and pencil eyeliners to line the top of my eyes. I always end up having to tug or stretch my lid just to get an even line. That's why I love and have always used liquid liners. I know some people find it intimidating or difficult to work with, but trust me, it's all about practice!

Last week, Etude House was having a sale so I decided to try out their Oh m'Eye Line liquid eyeliners. It comes in three shades: #01 Black, #02 Gray, and #03 Brown. I didn't see the gray one so I got black and brown instead which is perfect anyway because they're the two colors I use most. I use brown more often because it looks a little softer and more natural, so it's perfect for everyday. I opt for black when I want to define my eyes a bit more intensely.

The packaging is nothing fancy and isn't the typical 'Etude House cute', I guess. I've seen some reviews calling the packaging cheap looking, but I don't think they are. The bottles are made of seemingly sturdy plastic, have a twist off cap, and they hold 5ml of product each.

The applicator itself is a soft, fine-tipped brush. I have tried other eyeliners with an even finer tip, and for me personally, the finer, the better. But I think this brush is just right and it'll please both beginners and those who are already used to working with liquid liners. I like how the brush doesn't pick up or hold too much, or too little, product each time too. If you need less, then you can always easily wipe away the excess back into the bottle.

Sponsored review: Endless Nutricosmetics' Collagen Juice

Now that I'm in my mid-twenties, I've become even more particular about taking care of my skin to avoid it from aging faster than I do. But aside from the moisturizers, serums, and whatnot out there that promise to help turn back the clock on your skin and which deal with the surface layer, there are 'beauty drinks' that work from the inside out instead. Beauty drinks of all kinds are becoming increasingly popular and have already been so around Asia for some time already, particularly in countries like Japan and Korea. In the West, it's picking up on the popularity scale also - slowly but surely, but focus is still more on beauty products are are applied instead of ingested. These drinks come in a wide variety, coming in either powder or liquid form, and can help with everything to do with skin, from everyday maintenance to keep it looking healthy, to whitening and anti-aging. Anti-aging drinks are both the most marketed and in demand though, and they almost always incorporate and promote one particular ingredient: collagen.

I know, a lot of you are probably already very familiar with the word, but what is collagen exactly and why is it so important when it comes to aging? In a nutshell, "Collagen is necessary for conserving the youthfulness of skin and attenuating wrinkles, it is also essential for the elasticity of the connective tissue of the skin, allowing it to expand and contract without damaging any tissue. When we get older, the production of collagen begins to slow down and cell structures start losing their strength. As a result, skin starts to become fragile, less elastic and wrinkles start to set in." (1) Now do you see why so many women try to cram as much collagen back into their system as possible? I read that we lose 1% of collagen per year after the age of 29, but I also found out it starts diminishing in our 20s so either way, just because you're not getting any wrinkles yet, doesn't mean you shouldn't get started. Remember, prevention is always better than cure!

I've always been curious about trying out a beauty drink for myself, so thankfully I was sent two boxes by Endless Nutricosmetics to try out their Endless Collagen Juice! They actually sent these to me months ago so this review is definitely overdue already.

Product description:

Our Hydrolyzed Collagen from France is easily absorbed for fast skin & tissue repair & regeneration. Endless Collagen Juice replenishes our body's supply of collagen.

• Reverses the aging process!

• Repairs & regenerates skin giving it a healthy glow!

• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles!

• Helps burn fat faster and speeds up metabolism!

• Promotes healthy joints, cartilage, and bones!

• Greater sense of wellness!

Wow, so many great claims made me even more excited to try it out, especially the part about it helping to burn fat and increase my metabolism. Goodness knows I need to start getting fit again! I also love the bright pink boxes they come in. If I'm not mistaken, this Collagen Juice only comes in one flavor variant which is peach.

This is how the bottles are packed inside. There are six bottles per box, the other four are located under the side flaps.

Review: Jazzy Collection Make Up Brush Cleaner

I don't have the biggest and most complete makeup brush collection like some other fellow bloggers and beauty mavens. What I do have though are the makeup brushes I need and in reality, I don't need any more unless one needs to be replaced. I'm also not a makeup brush snob and don't exclusively buy from high-end brands because though they're obviously great quality, I can still find competitively good quality ones from more affordable brands.

Of course, like any responsible makeup brush owner, I have to keep them in good shape and make sure they're cleaned regularly. Aside from using a brush guards to retain their shape and give them added protection, I clean all my used brushes once a week. As I was growing tired of using the old baby shampoo and water trick, especially since I found it time consuming, I decided to finally get myself a proper brush cleaner and bought Jazzy Collection's Make Up Brush Cleaner.

Some of you may be familiar with the James Cooper makeup brand, if you are then you'll know that the Jazzy Collection line is under it. The product comes in a simple, black cardboard box and inside is a 150ml plastic spray bottle.

I was a little disappointed that upon opening it seemed like a little bit was already used up. I'm not sure if all the bottles are intentionally not filled up completely or I really chose one that someone had used or tested out already. Either way, not such a big deal. I'll just remind myself to check properly and compare it with other bottles being sold next time.

I like how the spray nozzle is good quality and delivers a fine, even mist each time so that I don't end up wasting product.

Review: Nature Republic Mango Bebe Lip Scrub

More than once have I mentioned my curse of dry lips. You can imagine my frustration, as well as the extra maintenance I have to keep up in order to prevent my lips from becoming flaky and cracked. Aside from having to apply at least a hundred layers of lip balm before bed, I also need to reach for a lip scrub two or three times a week. I've used a number of lip scrubs before, but none have been very effective and alas, I still tend to wind up with flaky lips afterwards.

But a few days ago I suddenly remembered something Sabs from Musings of Makeup Maven had written. It was an entry that featured Nature Republic's Mango Bebe Lip Scrub. It seemed like such a great product so I immediately dropped by the nearest Nature Republic stall and picked it up for myself.

The Nature Republic Mango Bebe Lip Scrub is housed in a mostly clear squeeze tube. This is my first time using a lip scrub in this kind of packaging, so I'm loving how convenient it is to bring along if need be.

The name of the product and the product information written behind it is a nightmare to read though as the font is way too light in color, especially against an already light background which is the color of the scrub itself inside. Aside from the name, the product info is in Korean so I wouldn't be able to understand it anyway. But thankfully this Ebay page has translated it:

Contains 1% mango butter. Walnut particles gently remove dead skin cells on the lips. Vitamin A nourishes lips. Alpha Carotene boosts lip elasticity.

It's a simple lip scrub though, so that's all you need to know in the end I think. I do like how it contains 'walnut particles' though, also the first time I've heard of it being used in a lip scrub, and it's apparently supposed to help improve lips' elasticity.

The cap is a secure, twist off type and like many lip balms or essences in a squeeze tube the product is dispensed through a slanted tip which makes application easier. Controlling the amount of product released is easy to do also, though I'm sure it'll become a nightmare once I've used most of this up.

Review: Snoe Spot On Spot Off Daily Maintenance Acne Fading Gel

Whenever I look into the mirror prior to applying my makeup for the day, I can't help but always feel a little frustrated because of my skin. Aside from crater-size pores and unsightly blackheads, I see zits of various sizes. Mostly small with a few medium ones here and there and concentrated along my jawline. Despite having a strict and religious skin care routine, I can't stop them from appearing and can't get rid of all of them entirely either.

Don't get me wrong, I have seen many cases which are much, much worse and when I reflect on them I quickly become thankful that my skin problems are mild in comparison. One of these days though I will go see my dermatologist and hope something can be done so I can get my skin looking as clear and healthy as possible.

Deciding to add yet another product to my skin care routine, I bought Spot On Spot Off Daily Maintenance Acne Fading Gel from Snoe. When I first got this, it was during a time that my skin was breaking out more frequently so I hoped this could help.

This is from their Shoo-Zit line which has a whole variety of products for treating and preventing acne. I actually have my eye on a few other things from the line too, particularly their Dip & Dry Acne Drying Lotion.

The product comes in a plastic bottle that holds 50ml which actually is quite a lot for an acne treatment since they usually come in much smaller bottles or tubes. I'm really loving the almost vintage theme and color scheme going on with the design.

More product info:

SHOOZIT's Spot On, Spot Off is an acne-fighting treatment gel that controls breakouts, unclogs pores, and restores clarity. It helps eliminate surface bacteria and gently exfoliates to control breakouts, and stimulate cell turnover. This unique formula also helps fade unwanted discoloration caused by breakouts improving skin clarity. 

Contains:  Crown Wood Fern - a traditional herbal medicine from Korea that inhibits acne bacteria. It will stop inflammation and also acts as an anti-oxidant. 

PUREWHITE - a natural whitening and brightening agent. Studies show that it is more effective than arbutin in lightening spots. 

Ingredients:Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Aqua, Triethanolamine, Glycerin, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Niacinamide (vit.B3), Salicylic Acid, Mulberry Extract, Purefix (Dryopteris Filix-Mas Root Extract), Phenoxyethanol

Review: Bench Perfect Skin Whitening Facial Moisturizer

My search for the perfect (day) moisturizer still continues. I have yet to find one that is light enough that it absorbs quickly so that I don't have to wait ages before moving onto my makeup, but also moisturizing enough to take care of the pesky areas on my face that end up flaking and causing my makeup to cling onto them in dry patches. Of course, for it to have added SPF would be a lovely bonus too.

With that, I decided to give another quite recent find of mine a shot: Bench's Perfect Skin Whitening Facial Moisturizer.

This is one of the products from their 'Perfect Skin' line that also consists of a face wash, toner, and serum. I heard the entire line is specially formulated for men, but I've only seen that info come from one source and it isn't specified on the packaging or anywhere else so I'm not entirely sure that it is.

A gentle facial moisturizer that helps whiten skin and reduces dark spots. It has SPF 15 that protects skin from harmful UV rays. 

Enriched with Arbutin, a whitening agent that optimizes and evens skin tone for visibly lighter and fairer skin. 

Contains Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that restores skin's radiance and natural glow. 

With Avocado oil, known for its moisturizing and nourishing properties, it assists in the rejuvenation of the skin.

The product comes in a simple squeeze tube that holds 20g of product. It's quite small and I managed to finish the entire thing within 2-3 weeks (using it daily, once a day), but it is very affordable. Enough so that you can stock up on this and buy a couple or even a few tubes at once if you like it.

Sponsored review: [Neo Vision circle lenses] Madonna Gray 13.5mm from Kpop2

I love circle lenses. I feel like they just complete my entire look, no matter where I'm going - whether it's to a fancy event or just a casual day out with a friend.

I only recently got into wearing them last year and currently have three pairs that I use. One of them, my newest pair, was kindly sponsored by Kpop2.com, a Korea based website that sells over 300 kinds of lenses at very affordable prices. You can shop for lenses by color, brand, size, type or even browse a specific category which features lenses that retail for only $10. Didn't I say they were affordable? Plus if your order totals over $50, you get free shipping! Also yes, they do ship worldwide.

My package arrived almost two weeks after they confirmed it was shipped out. The contents were in perfect condition thanks to how securely and properly they packaged everything!

They asked me to choose which lenses I wanted so I decided on their Neo VisionMadonna Gray 13.5mm pair. My other two pairs are dark in color, so I wanted something lighter that would also stand out more. I also requested for them to add a grade of 3.00 for both lenses.

Product details:

Product name / Madonna Gray             Overall diameter (DIA ) / 14.0mm
Duration of use / 6 months or more      Graphic diameter / 13.5mm
Manufacturer / NEO                                 Moisture content / 38%
Place of origin / KOREA                          BC / 8.6mm
Frequency range / 0.00 to -9.00            Astigmatic / impossible

Review: Boots No7 BB Cream

A couple of weeks ago I was in Hong Kong with both my dad and sister and I managed to pick up a bunch of beauty goodies while I was there.

Hong Kong is literally a shopping paradise for both cosmetics and skin care products as they have a wide variety of both Western and Asian brands. I saw everything from Garnier and Maybelline to Hada Labo and too cool for school. One of the brands I saw and purchased from was No7, which is owned and distributed by Boots, a pharmacy chain from the UK.

This review will be on their No7 BB Cream.

Product description:

Smooth, natural finish. 

This beautiful BB cream evens out skin tone to provide a naturally perfect look. The silky, weightless formula provides coverage to help brighten the skin and conceal imperfections. Your skin will be left feeling hydrated and comfortable, with a soft long lasting finish. Ideal for all skin types. 

Fragrance free and non-pore blocking. With sunscreen and Vitamin E to protect and care for the skin and Red Algae Extract to brighten the skin.

I love how sleek and sophisticated the packaging looks with the mirror-finish on the box, and the squeeze tube depicts a similar sophistication with its all-black color and simple type face and layout.

Honestly, this is one of the smallest BB creams I own and I initially wished it was bigger in size because it seems like a product I'd really like, but thankfully it looks like it should be enough to last me some time if I don't use it everyday.

Review: Bench Organics Moroccan Argan Oil

I'm sure we're all aware of the craze that's been going on for a while now over argan oil, dubbed as the "thousand year old beauty secret". In Hollywood, it's adored by celebrities such as Eva Mendes and Marian Cotillard, and in demand hairstylists like Orlando Pita use the wonder product to bring life and shine to tired hair (1).

But what is argan oil and why is it in so demand by everyone from the average Jane to Hollywood A-listers? I actually had to write a piece about this for a college project, so here's a snippet from my essay...

The Argan tree (scientific name: Argania spinosa) is known as the “Tree of Life” among the people of the Moroccan Berber community and its oil, extracted from the kernels, is now considered one of the rarest and most expensive oils in the world. Though used by women living in the harsh and arid environment of Morocco for hundreds of years to protect and nourish their skin and hair, it has recently gained popularity in the West and dubbed as a “miracle ingredient”. With its high levels of Vitamin E and composed of more than 80% fatty acids, it is used for everything from healing skin ailments to preventing premature aging. It is also now being utilized as a safer alternative for caring for baby’s skin or for those with extremely sensitive skin.

Pure argan oil, a powerful product that delivers so many benefits, does not come cheap as you may expect. I've seen tiny bottles that can literally fit in the palm of your hand go for over $100 each. Sadly, many of us simply cannot afford to shell out that much even for such a great product that will certainly yield positive results.

However, Bench has given us a great and affordable alternative with their Moroccan Argan Oil from their Bench Organics line!

Though not made of pure Argan oil, which is why it's affordable in the first place, the product claims to still deliver a number of positive skin care benefits. It is completely multi-purpose and can be used for your face, hair, and entire body.

The oil is housed in a conveniently sized plastic, tinted bottle. There's actually a reason that argan oil is stored in tinted bottles in the same way olive oil or even most beers are - the tint helps to block or minimize ultraviolet light which may deteriorate the liquid inside.

The product is dispensed via a flip-top opening. Though the hole appears a little large, it actually releases a very controlled amount so you won't end up pouring too much out by accident. The cap is also quite secure and doesn't open too easily so I can deem this as safe enough to bring along with you in your bag if you need to.

Review: Etude House Fresh Cherry Tint in "PK002 Cherry Hot Pink"

I love cherries and cherry themed products. I also love the color pink. Combine both and you definitely have a winning combination for me, so here's one of my most favorite products from Etude House, their Fresh Cherry Tint lip tint in the shade "PK002 Cherry Hot Pink".

Product description:

Tint promotes moist & shiny cherry lips with a creamy, smooth texture.

L: old Fresh Cherry Tint ad, R: newer Fresh Cherry Tint ad

What I have is the old packaging of the Fresh Cherry Tint line. As far as I know, the shades are still the same or very similar, it's just the packaging that's changed, and in the newer line they removed one of the shades so there's now three instead of four.

Personally I find the older packaging cuter. It's unique looking with its curved shape whereas the new one looks a lot more ordinary and emphasizes the whole cherry theme less.

Review: BYS Matte Lipstick in "Celebrity Status"

When it comes to what finish I love most in a lipstick, it's matte. When it comes to what shades I love, it's definitely pinks and reds. Dark, almost vampy, reds are my ultimate favorite, and yes, I'll even wear them during the day! So you can imagine how happy I was when I found this particular lipstick from BYS that seemed to perfectly combine both my preferred finish and shade.

BYS, which is an acronym for 'Be Yourself', is an Australian cosmetics brand that arrived in the Philippines earlier this year and so far they've been a big hit.

I've seen bloggers raving about a variety of their products since then, especially their lipsticks which come in a wide range of types from lipstick-lipgloss duos to even color change ones! But BYS' Matte Lipstick and Longwear Lipstick lines are without a doubt two of the most popular.

The one I chose, from their Matte Lipstick line, comes in a sleek, black tube with a semi-matte finish. The cap is clear, allowing you to see just how much product you still have left every time.

However, the lipstick doesn't disappear into the tube completely (until it's nearly used up) so you have to be extra careful whenever you replace the cap!

I asked the SA for their darkest red shade amongst the matte lipsticks and she recommended "Celebrity Status" to me.

The product ingredients and other info are printed on an attached sticker which keeps the tube sealed. I recommend not removing the sticker entirely because it's a nightmare trying to remove the sticky residue after! Cutting a slit through the sticker just below the cap to allow it to be removed and replaced freely is best.

Review: Eyelash Clip (Daiso Japan)

As much as I'd like to, I don't wear false lashes on a daily basis, simply because I either don't have the time or I'm just too lazy to even bother putting them on. I also have very deep set and 'curved' eyes, so though I'm quite experienced with putting on lashes, it's still a pain sometimes to do because even with a good quality glue, the lashes initially have a hard time conforming to my eye's shape no matter how much I press down.

Like many, I would use a handy pair of ordinary tweezers to put the lashes on. They help me see what I'm doing better without my fingers being in the way. But then I stumbled upon this little tool from Saizen recently...

Unable to read Japanese, I can't tell you much other than the fact that it's what's called an eyelash clip that's supposed to help you both grip and apply your false lashes easier, and it's produced by the familiar Daiso Japan brand.

Now a tool like this is nothing new. I've seen false eyelash brands like Ardell and DUO even include a free eyelash clip with some of their lashes. They only really differ in terms of design and brand, but the purpose and concept remains the same.

The illustration on the packaging already gives you a better idea on how to use it if you're not sure.

Review: Pink Obsession from Fashion 21

As a lipstick fiend, I was excited to see that a new lipstick line was released by Fashion 21. Even better, it was a line consisting of entirely pink shades appropriately titled "Pink Obsession".

Fashion 21 is a local, Filipino brand that has been selling trendy, affordable, and quality cosmetics since 1985. All of their products, from blushes to face powders to lipsticks, always come in a wide range of both shades and types. Even better, virtually every department store in the country is sure to have a Fashion 21 stall in it!

Honestly, I've only ever tried one product from them so far, which is a liquid liner. But I've often browsed their stalls and with these new lipsticks, I can confidently say their stuff is definitely budget-friendly and you'll see that it's easy to tell that quality hasn't been sacrificed.

From Fashion 21 (Facebook)

The new Pink Obsession line, which came out a couple of months if I'm not mistaken, has seven shades in total: Hot Diva, Berry Princess, Sexy Lady, Baby Chic, Blushing Teen, Pretty Daisy, and Dream Girl.

The outer packaging is nothing special, made of thin and soft card paper, but very girly and feminine. Look at all that pink! I do like how one end of the box allows you to see the shade of the lipstick first too.

Review: Whitening Anti-perspirant Deodorant from Belo Essentials

Like many women out there, one of the things I just can't find myself being able to do is confidently and freely expose my underarms like celebrities seem to do so easily. We have to face facts: we're not rich celebrities that can have every inch of our bodies altered to perfection, and that includes perfectly white and smooth underarms.

However, Belo Essentials seems to have given us the next best thing with their line of whitening, anti-perspirant deodorants. Dubbed the "Belo Beauty Deo", it doesn't only promise to whiten or lighten underarms, but solve all problems such as 'chicken skin', redness, excess sweat and more!

Product description:

From the Belo Authority, a revolutionary anti-perspirant deodorant that effectively whitens underarms in just 7 days!

• Expertly formulated to control darkening before it starts

• Minimizes pores and soothes skin from plucking and shaving

• Hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested

Prior to using this product, I wanted to achieve three things: whitening, smoothening, and of course the controlling of sweat and odor. So following its claim to work in seven days, I decided to give it a test run.

Review: Baby Choux Base (Etude House)

The final addition to my Etude House "Sweet Recipe" collection, if you read my last entry, was one of the most interesting and raved about items: the Sweet Recipe Baby Choux Base.

As a primer or makeup base, it's meant to create a smooth canvas for your foundation, BB cream, or powder and promises to give baby smooth and soft skin, while evening out or correcting skin tone color and providing sun protection with its SPF25, PA++.

There are three kinds: #01 Mint Choux (for redness), #02 Berry Choux (for brightening fair skin), and #03 Peach Choux (for brightening sallow or yellow-toned skin).

Sadly SM Makati only had one kind available, so I got it in #02 Berry Choux. Though I do have fair skin and want to brighten it, I'm sure the one I originally wanted, #01 Mint Choux, would have done the same for me while also combatting my natural redness.