Monday, August 31, 2015

The Body Shop: Spa of the World Launch Event

Good evening ladies,

It has been quite sometime since I have written something here and it always seems to be that  my break from writing is a The Body Shop event. This time is no exception, and I have to say that this event is also a timely break from my 3 months of stress preparing for board exams.

So to start off this post, The Body Shop always amazes us with great lines of beauty products (like make-up lines and face and body care) and products that are not what the world would call an absolute necessity but what current times would demand as necessary. With the principle of "Escapism starts at home" The Body Shop launched it's Spa of the World collection with the hope that we, their beloved customers, find our mini spa vacation and relaxation right in the comforts of our home. Let's face it, this generation's face-paced lifestyle makes it hard for one to take a break and pamper oneself at the spa.

Schematics of the events

For this launch, TBS had created a green oasis amidst the background of metal and concrete white walls of SM Makati filled with soothing sounds, healthy foods, great company, and of course the relaxing smell of their new line of products permeating this little piece of spa heaven.



They had set-up hand massage stations to let the guests try this new line of product. So let me walk you through the collection.

The Spa of the World collection aims to let you experienced the most treasured ancient beauty rituals around the world that are cherished for their precious effects on skin. Like all TBS' products the materials also come from the finest and kindest Community Fair Trade ingredients from diverse areas of the world.



They have three body rituals which may appeal to you, and each has it's own recommended products for use. These three are: Relaxing Ritual, Revitalising Ritual, and Blissful Ritual. So let me briefly introduce the products included in this collection. I will post a more extensive product info in the next posts so please watch out for that.

Relaxing Ritual


Scrub
African Ximenia Scrub
Treat
Himalayan Charcoal Body Clay
Nourish
Japanese Camellia Cream
Massage
French Lavender Massage Oil

Revitalising Ritual

Scrub
Dead Sea Salt Scrub
Treat
Moroccan Rhassoul Body Clay
 Massage
Thai Lemongrass Massage Oil


Blissful Ritual

Nourish
Polynesian Monoi Radiance Oil
Treat
Hawaiian Kukui Cream
Massage
Tahitian Orchid Massage Oil

The Spa of the World costs around 1950 to 2000+ for the scrubs, around 1400 for the masks and around 1200 for the oils. Full product details and prices will be posted in the next posts which I will link here as soon as it's up.


But, it did not stop there. The Body Shop, who is ever dedicated in helping us ladies (and men probably) in bringing out and protecting our natural beauty, also launched Oils of Life. The collection comes in three formulation: an essence lotion, a cream, and facial oil.




Within this collection are three precious seed oils from around the world namely:

BLACK CUMIN SEED OIL
Known for its concentration in antioxidants from the Egyptian Nile Valley

CAMELLIA SEED OIL
Naturally rich in nutritive oleic acid from the evergreen trees of China

ROSEHIP SEED OIL
Rich in Omega 3 and 6 from the Andes foothills of Chile

 
Originally intended for more mature women, this product aims to give new life for your skin. TBS now also campaigns for the ladies (and gents if they want) to start young. With the same principle as prevention is better than cure, it's a great way to help keep your skin nourished and fresh before any major damage hits it. The product promises nothing but the following:

IT’S NOT A MIRACLE, BUT IT’S CLOSE
SKIN FEELS REVITALISED
84% AGREE*
SKIN FEELS NOURISHED
82% AGREE**
REVIVES RADIANCE
72% AGREE**
VISIBLY REDUCES SIGNS OF AGEING

The event was brief but gave out a number of treats for their guests. A photo contest was held via twitter with 20,000 TBS GC up for grabs. The winner was announced the same day and it was Ms. Maison Manzano, congratulations to her. 


Although the ever popular cupcakes weren't served in the event, a very scrumptious and healthy buffet was provided by Fitness Gourmet.ph which aptly fits the days theme of relaxing getaway.


This event was also Dolly's first after joining The Body Shop so congratulations to her and welcome. :)


And lastly, here we have the goodies that they gave for us to try. Dawn and I split the two so expect a review in the coming month.

LOVE the box.


That's all for the mean time. They're already available in stores and I think SM Advantage has a 10% off offer when you buy them. So enjoy and start your own mini spa at home.

Cheers,
LIZ

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Fuchsia

Hey loves!

How's your long weekend so far? I hope you're not stuck outside in the pouring rain and heavy traffic. :)

For tonight's post, I'll share with you a swatch of a lipstick that was given to me by my sister. It's one of her hand-me-downs. My sis and I are kind of used to borrowing each other's makeup... I know that some of you might be shaking their heads and saying that that's unhygienic (I would think the same way if it were other people), but hey, that's just sisterly love! 

Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Fuchsia

Not too sure if Revlon has phased these Colorburst lipsticks out because I only see their balms under the Colorburst category. If any of you know something about this, please comment below. :P

So the shade is Fuchsia. My sis loves bold pink shades with blue undertones so I'm not surprised that she sent me this Fuchsia shade.

It's like half of her lipsticks are Fuchsia. LOL

This is a swatch on my hand.

And this is how the lipstick looks like when applied on my lips.

The color looks beautiful and looks nice with my warm skin. I like that this lippie doesn't dry my lips and it lasts a long while. It's an awesome lipstick for everyday wear. :)

And that's all for today/tonight! :)


Cheers,
DAWN


Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Review : Get Lei'd Cosmetics 3D Fiber Mascara

Hey loves!

Before I got fond of eyeshadows and claiming them as my favorite makeup, I was in-love with mascaras. You can call mascaras my "first love." Even to this day, applying mascara is still a must whenever I apply my makeup. 

Lei Hosseinzadeh-Ang also LOVES mascaras. According to her website, she has tried so many but she was not able to find her HG. One day, her supportive husband suggested she create her own makeup (don't you just love it if your significant other understands and supports your passion???) and POOF! Get Lei'd Cosmetics was born! 

I didn't know about this Get Lei'd brand until I received this mascara set from my Saladbox last December. I didn't use the set immediately since I still had some mascaras opened that time. I was able to try it a couple of months ago. I was curious why there was a "setting mascara" and what the green tea fiber was for. Anyway, now that I've tried them, I will share with you my thoughts on this set. :D

Get Lei'd Cosmetics 3D Fiber Mascara
Php 995.00 per set


First thing's first, I LOVE the box it comes in! It looks very classy with the all black package and the metallic gold logo and font. 

Even the packaging of the products look classy. It's very simple but the gold fonts make it elegant. Good thing the designs don't fade easily because both tubes look alike (the one with green tea fiber is a little bit shorter) and it will be confusing which one you grab without the labels. 


So as mentioned, the set contains two products—a setting mascara and a tube containing the green tea fibers.


The set comes with the card above containing the directions on how to use each product, the product info, and where the set is available.

This is the wand of the setting mascara.

The swatch on my hand.

It's pretty much the usual mascara. It's waterproof, black, and adds definition to your lashes. When I'm in a hurry, I just use this and skip the fiber and it still works great alone.

This is the wand for the Green Tea Fiber.

A closeup of the fibers

You apply these fibers right after applying the setting mascara. I use the wand just like how I use mascaras. 

Interested to know how this mascara + green tea fiber work? Check out the photos of my lashes below...

Closeup of my lashes without any product on

My lashes with the setting mascara applied

My lashes are blacker/more defined. I actually use the setting mascara alone when I'm in a hurry. This gives a very natural finish on your lashes. It reminds me of my first favorite mascara, the Maybelline Lash Discovery where it's still my lashes but blacker. :D

My lashes after applying a coat of the green tea fiber

My lashes look longer and fuller! The fibers added length and volume but still made my lashes look very natural! What's not to love??? I'm very, very impressed with this product! The only thing that I'm not fond of is the part when the fibers fall on my cheek when I apply them. What I do is I apply a lot of translucent powder under my eyes and on my cheeks when I apply the fibers then sweep off the powder with the fallen fibers afterwards.

This is waterproof and I don't experience the "panda eyes" when I have this on all day. No smudges under my eyes at all. It's quite easy to remove too, something that I really appreciate for a waterproof mascara (because rubbing your skin around the eye area is a no-no!). It's really a good everyday mascara!

So to summarize my thoughts:

What I LIKE:

- Natural Finish
- Lengthens and Volumizes
- Waterproof
- No smudging
- Easy to remove
- Locally available
- Packaging
- No irritations encountered

What I DON'T LIKE:


- Fibers fall on my cheek when I apply
- Takes a little bit more time to apply compared to other mascaras


Would I repurchase? I'm not so sure. I love it but using two products to get the finish I want takes more time than I would prefer. I've tried some mascaras that can lengthen and volumize in just one coat so yeah... I'm still torn. But I definitely recommend this product because it really is good.

If you're interested to know more about Get Lei'd Cosmetics, check out their instagram page!

Have you tried the Get Lei'd Cosmetics 3D Fiber Mascara? Have you tried something similar to this?


Cheers,
DAWN



Saturday, August 22, 2015

Borghese Fango Active Mud Mask for Face and Body

Hey loves!

It's the weekend!!! I actually have classes during Saturdays but it was announced that my class today will not push through because of the thunderstorm. Yay for suspension of classes! Haha! This happiness that I have whenever classes were suspended never left me since I was in grade school. LOL 

Anyway, since I'll be home all day, it's time to PAMPER myself! One of the things I do is to apply face mask for my skin to feel smooth, hydrated, clean, etc. depending on what mask I use. Every Saturdays, I tend to use mud masks to better clean my pores after a stressful week of going to the office. One of my favorite mud masks I've used is this one that my sister sent me as a gift...

Borghese Fango Active Mud Mask for Face and Body



I got a second hand! Haha! My sister bought it for herself but gave it to me after a few tries. I dunno why she gave this to me... and I haven't asked why. LOL And I'm not familiar with this brand but when I read reviews about this product, it seems so goooood! So I was so excited to use it.



Anyway, here's some info from the website:


Product Description:
Our signature and classic Fango Active is a one-and-only, must-have, mineral-rich mud. It's a sensational step beyond everyday clean. Derived from traditional Tuscan treatments, its deep-down purifying power purges and minimizes pores. It exfoliates and helps surface cell turnover, imparting clarity. It hydrates and firms reducing fine lines and providing smooth, toned texture. Infused with Sweet Almond and Avocado Oils, this mud detoxifies and does away with dull skin, leaving skin radiant and refreshed.



And here's a product description from www.beauty.com:


Gives devitalized, over-tense skin a new surge of vitality with clear, youthful radiance. 

Moisturizes and relaxes tired lines. Helps firm and elasticize body skin. Leaving skin in a receptive state for further Borghese treatment.

Our exclusive mineral-enriched mud mask is sourced from Tuscany's volcanic hills. It energizes and nourishes skin cells on the face and body. Special absorbing action unclogs pores, eliminates dead skin cells and detoxifies impurities. Skin feels comfortably hydrated, firmer and invigorated.

Key Ingredients:
Italian Mud - Provides mineral nourishment and special absorbing action which rids skin of impurities.
Acqua di Vita® Complex - Revitalizes skin, reducing the signs of aging.
Geranium, Lavender and Peppermint Oils - Natural botanicals that stimulate and improve skin tone.
Avocado and Sweet Almond Oils - Moisturize and soften skin

Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Bentonite (CI 77004) (CI 77004), Propylene Glycol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (Sweet Almond Oil), Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado), Sea Salt (Maris Sal), Fragrance (Parfum), Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen Amino Acids, Adenosine 5' Triphosphate Disodium Salt (ATP), Mineral Salt (Potassium Silicate), Polysorbate 20, Magnesium Aluminium Silicate, Cellulose Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Trisodium EDTA, Talc, Fuller's Earth (Solum Fullonum) (Solum Fullonum), Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Citonellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Linalool, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Chromium Oxide Green (CI 77289), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)

Directions: 
Apply generously (about one quarter inch thick) to clean skin (face, neck and/or body). Avoid lip and eye area.
Leave on for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly using sponge or washcloth.

There also a very short description on the jar. :P

And can I just mention how awesome the jar is?? Definitely gonna recycle this and maybe reuse this as a candy jar or something...


Consistency is really thick and I feel a stingy sensation whenever I apply it. It dries like clay if you leave it long enough but follow the directions to let it stay for only 10 minutes (although I do let it stay for 15 minutes). My sis didn't give me the sponge that it should come with but it can be removed by only water and massaging. I use the mask before taking a shower so that I remove it while I take a shower so that it won't be messy. I don't want mud all over my sink. :P And oh, I've only used this on my face and not on my body yet.

So how does this work? Well... it's SUPER AWESOME! It clears my pores from excess oil and dirt... it really sucks out the oil but not make my skin feel dry. I think it helps exfoliate too because I don't see the flaky bits of the zits I dried out. My face looks brightened after I wash the mask off. It's just brilliant! But brilliance costs a little extra I guess... a 500g jar is around $60-70!

Have you tried Borghese Fango Active Mud Mask for Face and Body yet? What's your favorite mud mask?


Cheers,

DAWN

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Review : The Face Shop Power Perfection BB Cream

Hey loves!

I don't have much products from The Face Shop compared to the other Korean makeup brands that are currently available in the Philippines so when a friend informed me about the best seller collection they launched during their anniversary, I bought the set as soon as I was able to go to a mall with a The Face Shop branch.

One of the products included in the set was the...

 The Face Shop Power Perfection BB Cream


The amount of SPF and the anti-wrinkle claim made me excited to try it. Also the part where it's included in their bestseller list. Anyway, check out below what the product claims to be:


Info from the website:

A ‘3-in-1’ BB cream (anti-wrinkle, whitening, sun protection) with perfect coverage
Total Skin Treatment BB cream(Special ingredients for rejuvenating skin): actively addresses all skin problems such as loss of firmness, dry skin, uneven skin texture and dull complexion
Better makeup results (flawless coverage + good adherence + long lasting):

- Provides perfect coverage without being thick on the skin.

- Contains coated powder similar to skin cells which offers great adherence.

- It leaves skin feeling comfortable, providing delicate and long-lasting makeup results.
Marvelous airy-touch texture:
A light-as-air texture that smoothly melts into the skin upon application making skin comfortable and able to breathe.
※Clinically tested. (Clinical trials to test firmness, moisturization, coverage, and long lasting ability)

How to use:
Dispense an adequate amount and apply to the entire face


Available in two shades: 
01 Light Beige and 02 Natural Beige

(Update: I was informed that a third shade, Natural Ochre, is available for darker skin. Check the comments section. And thanks for the tip!)

The one I have is the 20ml tube. A deluxe size. There's a bigger one I think which holds 40ml. I find tubes more appealing because I can easily get all the product out when I'm about to empty the product. The downside though is that some of the cream can leak out if you don't close the cap tightly. 

Below is how the product looks like:

It's quite thick and at first glance, I thought the shade was warm but it actually is pinkish.


When you spread it, you'll see how pinkish it is... It does still look appealing because it looks like it has a lot of coverage... Oh, and I appreciate that it is only mildly scented.


When I blend it, it has medium-high coverage with very, VERY dewy finish. I know that this is appealing to Koreans and maybe those with almost flawless skin. I, on the other hand, have oily skin and I try to stay away from looking shiny... so I guess that was a downer for me. But dewiness can be controlled with powder. ;)

Check out the photos above of before and after the product application.

The coverage is medium to high. It covered my acne scars and redness very well. The shade is still lighter than my NC30 skin tone and the Natural Beige shade is already the darker shade of the two shades available. That would be a problem to those with darker skin than me. And it can cause my skin to look pale because of the pink undertones.

With the help of translucent powder and a touch of concealer on the scars that aren't fully covered, this is how my face would look:



Instant glow! The dewy finish toned down by powder made my skin glow. Awesome, awesome! I also like the staying power. It can stay on my face the whole day... it doesn't help control oil though so my face will surely get shiny in a couple of hours. It also feel thick and heavy and I don't encourage you use this if you have dry skin or when you have dry skin flakes because it will make those areas so visible. Better to get your skin moisturized well first... and I'm not sure about the anti-wrinkle claim since I don't see much difference. I have only used this a few weeks though. :)


To summarize this review:

What I LIKE:

- Medium-high coverage
- Evens skin color
- Gives skin an instant glow effect
- Packaging
- Locally available
- Mildly scented
- Has SPF 37 and PA++
- No breakouts nor irritations

What I DON'T LIKE:

- Feels thick
- Too dewy for my liking
- Only available in two shades
- Makes dry areas more visible
- Pink undertones do not compliment my skin

Will I repurchase? Even though I love the coverage and the staying power, the dewiness and the pinkness of this BB Cream is too much of a turn-off for me. But I bet this would look gorgeous to those with lighter skin color than I do!

Have you tried this BB Cream yet? Which BB cream do you like best from The Face Shop?


Cheers,
DAWN