Hello!

Sorry guys! I've been so busy decorating the house. So sorry if I haven't put up any reviews. I've been painting 1800 sqft worth of baseboards and gazillion doors. lol.

I had no idea that fixing a house can be so tiring. Like, even when I sleep I dream of what we're going to do next. And guys do not underestimate the exercise you can get from painting a wall. My arms were practically swollen from the painting for 2 days. *cries* I don't even have time for make up now. huhu.

Will put up more pictures once everything is done!

<3 I hope everything's well!

M

Here are some of the before and after pics:

Before (1st Living room w/ the atrocious carpet)

 After (Good bye, carpet!)

With the orange paint!

A Love Affair of Foundations [Cliff Notes of My Long Reviews]

An Ode to Foundations. It's like writing a love letter to the past and present epic success and epic fail of covering thy blemishes and all things flawed; and explaining it in a different perspective. A comedic perspective - I daresay; of a person who is a lover of all things vain. I will apologize already for the unflattering - well embarrassing photos, and the "at times can be pathetic"  ramblings on each product. It was written in the height of passion and nostalgia. LOL.

Ah Memories <3 - some of the foundations I can remember that  I tried once roll (and a few of the things I remember about it). 

Warning (UGLY PHOTOS ALERT!): Looking at these picture made me only realize that I need to re-evaluate my life choices thoroughly from now on.

Sad face? It's the Kukuryu.

1. Kokuryu Foundation Cake -  Need I say more? It's the pre-historic Wet/Dry Foundation Cake - OMG.  To justify myself with this atrocious unbreathable foundation, I only discovered it from a person I call "mother". To justify my mother using this product, it has been a staple during the 80's -- where it should have stayed in that decade along with the atmosphere killing spraynets and gawd awful mullets.

Nichido Powder. 2004.
Embar-uh-seeng.

2. Nichido foundation Powder - A modern twist of the wet/dry foundation cake above. I can only say this : a college student should never complain what one can afford; and do not be embarassed if you're darker than you think. I may have sometimes looked like I have seen a ghost and all my blood vessels disintegrated; but you Nichido, have never failed to smudge --rain or shine in the humidity infested Manila.

3. L'oreal True Match (Powder) - It was my own pursuit to realize that a foundation should actually look like it's the color of my skin; and not to look like that photo on the right. EVER. AGAIN.

When I found out that liquid
works better than powder

4. L'oreal True Match (Liquid) -  A self discovery that liquid actually looks more natural and it really doesn't look like I was slapped by flour and corn starch combined. Example of that major epic fail: please look above.

5. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - The biggest mistake I purchased at Sephora. And indeed  the first purchase at Sephora. It made me look like I was going to war - all those streaks; waiting for action.

6. MAC Studio Fix (?) Foundation - Oh MAC, You were my first MAC product. I fell in love with you - but darn it you weighed a ton on my face! I felt the weight you carry. And I'm not exaggerating. And yet, you made me realize that I just wasted 35 dollars on a foundation that didn't give as much coverage as you. And you were less.

7. Chanel Mat Lumiere Foundation - I can never say no to a name like yours. The only problem I had with you was, there were times that you were too red and yet you're my 3rd bottle already. You are perfect during the summer!

8. Chanel Loose Foundation - I will still say you're the best loose foundation -- matte and full coverage! If only you weren't so heavy on the $$.

9. Chanel Pro Lumiere  Foundation - The most upsetting HD/Photo foundation I ever tried.

YSL Teint Eclat de Soie - Smells so good;
and smells a whole lotta $$$.

10. Make Up Forever Loose Foundation (Matte) - May not be the same as Chanel, but it gets the work done - and less expensive.

11. YSL Teint Eclat de soie- I love how their products smelled on my skin. I love that it wasn't as red/peach as Chanel and gave full coverage. 

12. YSL Teint Majeur - I don't know if it was me or the foundation but the color only matched my skin during the winter. The moose texture was lovely <3

Shu Uemura - You're the love of my
make up life. <3

13. Shu Uemura Face Architect - My love affair with Shu. I felt like I could never replace it. I thought that I found the perfect foundation. If only you didn't shine as much as you do on stage. I would have never scouted for a product without SPF. PS> The smell can be a nuisance at times.

14. MAC Studio Tech - You are, by far, the closest thing to perfection. You may have your ups and downs but just like Shu, you never fail to impress me with the work. You make me look more decent. ;)

15. Smashbox Camera Ready Full Coverage - Scratch Chanel's Pro Lumiere. Tthe worst HD/Photo foundations. EVER. Alone without anybody's help; completely failed endlessly. I have never seen myself secrete oil since my Nichido days.

Shiseido : Skincare 1 2 3 Pureness Oil-Control

Brand: Shiseido
Product: Skincare 1 2 3 Pureness Oil-ControlShade: N/A
Website: www.sephora.com/www.shiseido.com
Overall Rating: 4/5

Review: 

During the summer, I tend to stay away from heavy creams. My skin changes from temperature to humidity. The desert climate can be confusing; it's a 100 degrees yet it's so dry :  that means the heat will execute more oil, but the dryness of the climate can produce dry spots. Am I making sense?

Skin care during Vegas Summers is like driving a manual - you kindda have to know the gear flow of it all; meaning there's no precision. Literally, the life of skin care in the desert valley is a living experiment. With temperamental weather comes temperamental skin.

Here's what Shiseido says about their product: 

"This three-step regimen features a cleansing foam, a softener, and a moisturizer, all designed to combat excess oil secretion and lightly hydrate to stop the reoccurring cycle of blemishes, enlarged pores, shiny T-zone, and rough texture." - From Sephora.com

And here's my take on the set:

+ CLEANSER : As you cleanse your face, the skin feels very light weight; scent was very pleasant.

   + The beads in the cleanser didn't feel harsh on the skin; this is actually my favorite part of the product.

   + After rinsing and drying the face, I did notice that it does make the skin matte - as promised.

   + Texture was very soft.

   - Although the product was meant for it to control oil, I did notice that with using this product alone, or with the whole set (I mean especially with the whole set) - it dried out some areas that were normal or slightly dry. Hence to this, I have a hard time applying foundation on specific areas.

- TONER : The second product of the set - and my least favorite.
- It's quite too strong.
- When applying the toner, the product starts to work on my T-zone or oily areas but it leaves a dry, rough texture on my dry spots. Great with controlling oil on areas that need it, horrible on areas that need more moisturizing.

+ MOISTURIZER : Very light; has a cooling sensation after applying it.

  - When I say light, I mean very light. By any chance you have dry spots like I do, you still need to use a thicker moisturizer on those areas and use Shiseido's on the areas where you need oil control.
+ The moisturizer really does help to prevent me from getting a shiny T-Zone, with a smooth finish.


Extra Notes: I had my friend try the moisturizer and toner. She has extremely oily skin and she says that it works for her really great. 

Anyhoos, A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! :) I hope we all have the prosperity and blessings this year.

Talk to you soon,

M :)


Disclaimer: The products said, used and/or reviewed has been purchased by myself and I am no way connected to any of the brands mentioned or any of it's affiliates. I am not getting any compensation for doing my reviews and make up looks.

Make Up Talk (Is it me, or my skin is just fickle minded?)

Seriously, I don't know if it's just me but there are times that some of my foundations won't apply well. The only one I found that works great most of the time is from MAC (Studio Tech) - and that's with a specific cleanser, toner and moisturizer; change one of them or It'll be a hot mess.

When I say hot mess, I mean total hot mess. A girlfriend and I were actually talking about this a few weeks ago. Here's the underlying question we came to ponder : why is our skin so fickle minded? It's like when you choose to change your moisturizer  just because, it won't apply well with the other products. Like, even if you wait for the product to set, it fails us endlessly! And what pisses me off the most, you can't help but change them because your skin gets so used to it. Frustrated aren't I?


I'm already a woman with the tendency to have emotional mood swings. Skin PMS is the least thing I need, right? And I feel like I also speak on behalf of any woman who goes through the same cycle as I do. I sometimes wish that some dermatologist or cosmetic company could give us a clear answer to why we get so used to products. And I may sound so negative but I just really wished we have the answer. Or, maybe they can have a study about how our skin works with products, so they can have a set of moisturizer, a toner and a cleanser - plus a great foundation! You know, something like that Pro-activ and Bare Naturals Make Up set combined. We're more than just the regular two types of skin you see on your drugstores or cosmetic counters.

Some types of skin can be quite bipolar - or may I daresay have multiple personalities.  There are people that deal with extremely dry or extremely oily skin - or maybe both; extremely dry with moderate oil  at different spots on the face; or big patches of dry skin with extremely oily T-Zone. It varies - like my mood swings.


It changes through seasons. Let me ask -- have you ever noticed that, every now and then, your skin doesn't blend well with your foundation, like it emulsifies on your face when it's not needed? How about those days that the color of your foundation doesn't match your skin tone; when you were so buck sure like blueberry pie that you got the perfect shade for you, because you had the MUA /SA apply it before purchasing. You did all the precautions to make this purchase right - and yet it still not perfect.


Here's what I think : Our skin changes because of diet, product change, hormonal/birth control pills, weather, and even a touch of sun. The 5 minutes in sunny weather, 80 seconds in the Chicago wind alternates the mechanism of the skin; may it be the over production of your glands or the lack of it can be the reason why some of our products can sometimes disappoint us.


It could also be that your skin has gotten so used to your daily routine that it needs a challenge - just like mine. I'm not saying that all types of skin are like mine - PMSing like a girl (hihi). Just like our bodies and personalities combined, our skin has its own individual mechanism, DNA or whatever you can call it. We are different from one another.


As I'm writing this entry, I have come to the realization to why these named types do exist. It is a form of median to all our individual skin. They created it to somehow meet the criteria of all kinds of the epidermis, without eliminating the most obvious concerns. I am pretty sure they have surveyed and researched hundreds or maybe thousands of cases just to find the neutral elements and sort it out to three basic types of skin: Oily, Dry, and Both. 


Now only if we all can hire dermatologists, estheticians, and chemists to achieve the perfect product for us. Can I say, millions of ka-ching ching much?

Wishful thinking - that I can pay a couple of pros to compose these things to match my skin so I don't have to search and search for the perfect foundation and moisturizer. lol.

And yet here I am still in a battle -- I still don't know if it's just me trying to justify my need to get a new foundation!


M :)

Disclaimer: The products said, used and/or reviewed has been purchased by myself and I am no way connected to any of the brands mentioned or any of it's affiliates. I am not getting any compensation for doing my reviews and make up looks.

Christmas! :)

Belated Merry Christmas to you all! <3

First Christmas at our first House!

We had our Christmas party for our annual exchange gift. It was great to hear the place filled with laughter; since it's always just me, the hubby and the dog at home most of the time.

(Have been cooking since 8AM; so forgive me if I look tired. lol)

Oh Santa, Christmas came early this year. ;)

OMG. Is that Zales and a Louis? OH YES. LOL. Thanks Hubby! (we rarely give each other gifts on special occasions; we always give ourselves presents on random days - you know, when we feel like it. lol)

We've been married for almost half a decade that we feel like it's not necessary to give each other presents. And I have to admit, I felt like a princess during the holidays. C'mon, you have to admit it - we girls love to receive gifts!

Like I said on my Facebook, I think I got super spoiled this Christmas. Not just Ryan but with all my friends and their super duper awesome presents. But the best part of it is I get to spend time with my loved ones.

I hope you all had fun during the holiday weekend. I sure did! ;)

Smash Box : Camera Ready Full Coverage Foundation UVA/UVB SPF 15

Brand: Smash Box
Product: Camera Ready Full Coverage Foundation UVA/UVB SPF 15
Shade: Light L3-L4
Website: www.smashbox.com
Rating: 3.5/5

Review: 

And even if I found the closest thing to the best foundation, I still have the urge to try on some more. The search never ends! This review has been long overdue (sorry ladies). After I tried it from the super duper helpful SA at Nordstrom's, and one for a gig; I have abandoned this foundation. I didn't want to review a product that I didn't apply most of the week and now do I only find the time and occasion to use them (thank you, holidays). Here are my notes!

- Not the best foundation when you just had a touch of sun

+ Great for yellow skin based tones! 

- They say that it has a semi matte finish, but It looked a little too luminous for me

+ Great coverage for redness, the yellow evens out the pinks and reds.

- It was an a hour to an 1hr. and 30 when I felt my T-Zone and the apple of my cheeks oiling up. 

- I didn't seem to like the fact that I had to re-powder myself ever so often

+ Even if it had SPF, I did notice that in pictures (w/ flash) my face didn't glare at all.

+ For a full coverage, it didn't feel heavy at all.

- I did notice that it doesn't work well with brushes; streaks-a-lot much?

Before and After. (I apologize for my disgusting hair. lol)
 

 I hope this helps for those who are also on the hunt for the perfect foundation! 

M :)

Disclaimer: The products said, used and/or reviewed has been purchased by myself and I am no way connected to any of the brands mentioned or any of it's affiliates. I am not getting any compensation for doing my reviews and make up looks.

What am I currently doing?

Cropping and Editing pictures (that I thought I already did) of 10 pending FOTDs, 

a bunch of reviews that I keep on disregarding for a while now.

Getting the flu on the holidays isn't great.

Not only am I getting backlogged from all the entries I need to do,

I haven't done that much house chores either (if you see my closet now, you'll freak out)

I haven't even started on my Christmas shopping yet! That's wunderbar.

Ugh I need to stop whining. It's starting to annoy me as well.

Atleast I'm doing one entry as of today. An improvement. ;)
 

Anyway, I was thinking of doing another great giveaway; and I'm

running out of ideas on what to get. Any suggestions? :)

Talk to you soon,

M :)

P.S. I'm still alive, don't worry. I will update more often. ;)