Review : The Face Shop Aura Color Control (CC) Cream

Hey loves!

One of my friends gave me this product a few months ago and I'll be sharing my review on today's post. ;)

The Face Shop Aura Color Control (CC) Cream
I believe the price is somewhere near Php 1.5k. I'm not sure though as this one is given to me. Refills are available though. ;)

CC Creams are pretty much like BB Creams (base makeup + skincare), though it claims to be better as it also promises to have better coverage to cover redness, acne, and other skin discolorations.

Anyway, let's get to know the product from the labels of the packaging first:

And more info from the website:

* Brightening + Anti-wrinkle + SPF effect

Creates a "Spotlight Makeup" : turns up the wattage of your skin tone with enhanced skin luminosity

"A Born-color Cream" : just like you were born with a brighter ,healthier and naturally luminescent skin!

*12H Long-wearing : with its innovative darkening-proof formula, the makeup is maintained morning-fresh & bright for 12 hours.

*12H Hydrating: promotes Clear & lively skin tone

Super blendable & layerable texture allows buildable coverage & easy touch ups on-the-go.

It comes with a mirror and an applicator which is very soft and pink! It's the usual rubbery material you get from cushion products. I don't use it much because I prefer to apply the product using a makeupbrush.

At first I thought that this was a CC Cushion, but upon opening the compact, it's actually different...

You push that transparent button to dispense the product. With one push, you get this much amount of product as seen below.

A little goes a long way with this CC cream. Two pushes and that's enough to cover my face with one layer, I do get more to add coverage when I need to. 

The difficult part of this packaging or system of dispensing is that you have no idea how much product is left. And my friend who also used this product mentioned that at first, she had problems dispensing the product. Our theory is that some of the product at the opening of the dispenser may have dried and blocked the opening. 

The shade I'm using is Natural Beige and at first application, it's quite light but once it settles, it becomes closer to my skin shade. See swatches below.

on my arm

There's a faint floral-ish scent on this product that is barely noticeable. The consistency is quite creamy (my friend didn't like the thick, creamy consistency but I'm quite used to this because most foundation with high coverage is also creamy).

slightly blended

I like that it's in the warm tone so it can easily blend with my skin tone.

When blended

It gives a semi-matte finish, which I prefer very, very much because it doesn't make my face shiny or dewy (I avoid that because I have oily skin), and it's not totally matte that it makes my skin look flat. It's pretty easy to blend on skin too.

Below are pictures of my face without and with the product.

Bare face

With a layer of the product on

The coverage is good and it gives a nice and natural glow on my skin. It also made my pores appear smaller! 

What I love about this product is it never cakes on my skin and it's long lasting power. No irritations nor breakouts encountered too.

To summarize my review:

What I LIKE:
- Long-lasting
- Good coverage and buildable
- semi-matte and natural finish
- no irritations nor breakouts
- Has SPF 30 and PA++
- I like that it has a warm tone that compliments my skin
- Makes my pores appear smaller
- Easy to blend
- Comes with mirror and applicator
- Faint floral scent
- Easy to dispense product
- Refillable

What I'm NEUTRAL about:
- No oil control, but it never claims to have one anyway so no big deal

What I DON'T LIKE:
- It can be a bit pricey
- Can't see or feel the amount of product left
- I think it's only available in two shades and the one I have is the darker one

Would I buy again? Well, I think this is a good product and also a recommendable CC Cream to try. I just don't think that this is an exact shade match for me. It's just too light! As much as I find the finish good on my skin, I want my base makeup to look closer to my real skin as possible. This can be a problem with people with the same skin shade or darker.

And that's it for my review of the The Face Shop Aura Color Control (CC) Cream. Have you tried this yet? Thoughts?


Cheers,
DAWN

Schwarzkopf Bonacure Hairtherapy Amino Cell Rebuild Moisture Kick Recharger

Good evening ladies,

As promised, here is my review of the freebie conditioner/treatment product I got from Vivere Salon.

The Schwarzkopf Bonacure Hairtherapy Amino Cell Rebuild Moisture Kick Recharger (phew... that was long...) was given to me as a freebie when I purchased their shampoo + conditioner deal. As what they told me, it's a treatment and conditioner which was highly recommended for treated hair.

I am not sure if I heard it wrong or what but I initially thought it was a leave on conditioner/mousse because on my first try I applied it directly onto my hair and did not wash afterwards. Needless to say, it did nothing to soften or make my hair silky smooth.

The second time I used it, since I was going to put it up for review, I took pictures and I saw the instructions for use. After browsing it ended up rushing back to the bathroom to rinse my hair properly.

Anyway, so the product is mousse-like and smells fantastic. After shampooing you apply it on your towel-dried hair and rinse off after 5 to 10 minutes.

Since the product is mousse-like it's a little tricky to spread evenly over the whole of your hair. However, the good thing is, it doesn't feel greasy or too silky when you start rinsing it out.

After use, my hair does feel less gritty when I comb my fingers through it. Dawn commented, it's not as moisturizing and by the looks of my hair after drying, I do agree. Sorry that I don't have any photos up to compare my hair before and after... I did take pictures but the before was too blurry to even do any justice to the after.

Anyway, the product does have staying power as compared to conventional conditioners. My hair usually feels very rough when it gets wet then smooths out after conditioning. The next day's shower after using this product, I noticed that my hair felt pretty soft to the touch, so I guess that's why they said it was pretty much like a treatment also.

One peculiar thing we noticed, was that on drying, our hair looked curly/wavy. Dawn's curls looked more pronounced and my usually straight flat hair had small curls/wave around the tips. We think this product would be more suitable for people with curls than for people with dyed hair.

As for the packaging, as much as I like the whole mousse idea, the bottle is very very slim and does not make this product ideal for everyday use. Also, another thing that makes it bad for everyday use is its price. This product is around 1k+ in amount so it's pretty expensive.

I don't think I'll be buying one anytime soon. Maybe I'll think about buying it when I get my hair curled one day but as of now, I won't be replenishing my stash once it runs out.

So that's it for this short review. Hope this helps you out.

Cheers,

LIZ

EOTD: My Current Go-To Eye Makeup

Hello loves!

This is not really my "eye of the day" since I wore this last Thursday. I just want to share this eye makeup look that I usually wear nowadays, especially when I'm in a hurry...

I wear this pinkish nude eye makeup partnered with a pinkish nude lippie. It only takes a few minutes to do and I think it would look great on many skin tones. 

Here are the products I used:

Etude House Play 101 Pencils in #33

The Face Shop Eyebrow Pencil in Grey Brown

 Holika Holika Jewel-light Waterproof Eyeliner in Brown Ember

Lancome Artliner Precision Felt Tip Liquid Liner

NARS Audacious Mascara

Dior Backstage Eye Prime

Sephora Book of Wishes Eyeshadow in Wish No. 2 (Be a Role Model)

The look is a mixture of matte and shimmery colors. Since the colors are soft and almost neutral, I paired it with an edgy cat liner wing.

Just blend the shadows well so there's the contrast between the soft colors and the sharp liner.

However, I would prefer a darker eyeliner. Unfortunately, my kuripot (stingy) self do not want to use a new eyeliner until the current one I have dries up or reaches its expiration date. Haha! :P

And that's my current GO-TO eye makeup! Any thoughts?

Cheers,
DAWN

Pink Sugar Creamy Matte Lipstick in Sangria

Hello dears!

I love wearing dark lipsticks during rainy days... it just goes well with the gloomy weather. Here's one that I am currently wearing...

Pink Sugar Creamy Matte Lipstick in Sangria

I bought this online at BeautyMNL last February for PhP 349.00. I was just browsing the site to see what else there is to buy. I usually go for products on sale, but Pink Sugar is a brand that I was curious about. It's pretty new and it's locally made so I would love to give their products a try. I rarely see dark lippie shades from drugstore brands so Sangria is something very exciting to me. :)

Info from the BeautyMNL's website:

CLAIM TO FAME: A semi-matte lipstick that delivers long-lasting color

FAST FACTS: Covers lips in gorgeous color with a soft matte finish; highly pigmented formula glides on smoothly; formulated with vitamin E and shea butter to moisturize, nourish, and soften lips during use; comes in 10 bold shades

PERFECT FOR: All day lip lusciousness

HOW TO USE: Twist to dispense lipstick. Apply evenly to lips straight from tube or using a lip brush for a more defined look. Try a two-toned look for added dimension.

Pink Sugar is brand-new local beauty brand for Pinays of all ages. If you’re fierce, fun, and quality-conscious but on a tight budget, we dare you not to fall in love with this entire line. Marked by catchy names and creative packaging, each product provides good-for-you benefits in a wide selection of wearable colors curated by makeup experts to complement Filipina skin. Pink Sugar products are free of parabens and not tested on animals.

I didn't check for swatches when I purchased the lippie online. I was just drawn to the dark shade. It also states that it is a matte lipstick that convinced me further to get it.

When it arrived, I was concerned of the metallic sheen that it gives. The shade still looks pretty cool though.

Swatch on hand

When swatched, it's like the sweet Sangria drink—a mixture of red wine, brandy, and fruits. I did find the swatch I made on my hand lighter than I expected. Good thing that the color is buildable as seen in the photos below.

Swatches on my lips

It's not the dark shade that I expected but I still like it. The metallic shade that I was worried about turned out to be a nice effect on my lips. It gives dimension to the matte-ness of the lippie.

This still doesn't solve my thirst for a nice, dark, matte lipstick, but it is still a great addition to my lipstick stash. 

What I've observed while wearing this shade is that it doesn't make my lips dry even though it's matte and it stays for quite a long while (unless I eat food that's oily or has soup like ramen). With these in mind, I think I'll buy more shades from Pink Sugar! :)

What do you think of the Pink Sugar Creamy Matte Lipstick in Sangria?

Cheers,
DAWN

Bath Junkies Strawberry Samba Body Scrub

Hello dears!

I love baths. Other than getting your skin clean, you get to smell great too! My favorite scents are florals and sweet stuff like Vanilla, and it gives me great pleasure when these scents are present in my bath products. One of the products that I enjoyed using for its scent is the...

Bath Junkies Strawberry Samba Body Scrub

This product was included in a set when I bought BeatyMNL's TGIF kit. The whole kit is PhP 999.00 but this 120g tub of Body Scrub is PhP 220.00.

Info from BEATYMNL's website:

CLAIM TO FAME: A natural body scrub for healthy, supple skin

FAST FACTS: Formulated with berry antioxidants to fight the signs of aging; gently cleanses, exfoliates, and sloughs away dry, rough patches and dead skin cells; blended with premium-grade active ingredients to brighten, soften, and smoothen

PERFECT FOR: Buffing away the signs of skin-aging

Pinoy pride alert: Bath Junkies is the first local bath and body brand to compete globally! Their line of soaps, scrubs, bath gels, colognes, cleansers, toners, sanitizers, and sunscreens contain both mood-lifting essential oils and skin-nourishing actives. And you won’t find toxic ingredients here—Bath Junkies is a natural brand. The best part? Each of its products are bundled up in pretty, pretty packaging with a bohemian beach vibe.

As seen on the labels of the product, this scrub smells like a sweet strawberry milkshake! Yummmy! The scent is very, very addicting.

The product is very creamy with apricot seeds to help exfoliate the skin. 

I use the Bath Junkies Strawberry Samba Body Scrub twice to thrice a week. I use this more often compare to the previous ones I've used because this is gentler. After I use this, I feel like my skin is smoother and it never made me feel dry. The best part is that the scent lingers for a few more minutes after use. :)

As mentioned, the apricot seeds are pretty gentle so I would recommend a grittier scrub if you also deal with in-grown hair like me, which I get from waxing. 

So I guess that's all I can say about the product. It's a gentle scrub with an awesome fragrance. I recommend you check this out to see for yourself. :)

Cheers,

DAWN

NOTD: Girl Stuff Nail Lacquer in Machiatto

Hey loves!

I found a new favorite nude nail polish from Girl Stuff! Check this out:

Super cute, right?

I just passed by Girl Stuff's stall when I bought some stuff at SM San Lazaro. I saw that they were on sale and I was able to get this polish for only PhP 100.00.

I wanted a nude nail polish so the sales assistant recommended this, Machiatto, along with the shade, Grace.

As you can see at the back of the bottle, you'll see that the polish is free from certain chemicals. During the first time I learned about this brand, I was briefed about it. Here's what I learned:

"Girlstuff is a brand of nail polish that doesn't have any harmful chemicals. It's so safe that kids and pregnant women can use it! These wouldn't turn your nails yellowish either!"

You can read more in my post about the brand and some of its products here.

Going back to the shade Machiatto, it's the pinkish nude color that I also like for my lipsticks. It compliments my skin pretty well!

It even looks good with my painting as the background! Haha! :P

It's the polish I wear when I travel because it looks good with any clothing. It's a go-to color when you just want clean and pretty nails.

What do you think of the Girl Stuff Nail Lacquer in Machiatto?
What's your favorite nude nail color?


Cheers,
DAWN

Review : Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream in No. 27

Hello loves!

This is actually a late post, but I still want to share it because this product that I will review is one of the few BB creams that I LOVE! 

Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream

I bought this at Cinderella, Glorietta for PhP 799.00. I purchased this a long time ago and I'm not sure if the Missha stall is still there. :P

The shade is have is No. 27, Honey Beige. This is not my exact shade. It's a tone darker, but during the time I took the photos, my skin was also darker or of the same shade as this BB Cream. So all was good!

Before I proceed with the review, here's what was written on the label of the product's packaging:

And on the website:

Originally developed as a salve for patients after laser treatment, BB Cream’s soothing and regenerative properties were adapted for cosmetics to improve skin while providing coverage. The M Perfect Cover BB Cream is Missha’s most popular product with over 30 million sold worldwide. Combining cosmetics with skin care, this product promotes natural-looking coverage while providing sun protection, treating dark spots, and preventing wrinkles. 

The M Perfect Cover BB Cream is suitable for all skin types and can be used as a makeup base or foundation. 

Size: 50ml

How to Use:

After your basic skin care routine, use a primer for an even base

Pump out an appropriate amount of BB Cream (1 pump is usually more than sufficient)

Dab product on cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose areas and use the tips of your fingers to lightly smooth product over face OR

Lightly dab product with a sponge and smooth evenly over face

Build coverage using leftover product by lightly tapping over any problem areas

Set with powder for a matte finish if desired

Ingredients:

Water(Aqua), Cyclomethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc Oxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mineral Oil, Phenyl Trimethicone, Talc, Arbutin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Dimethicone, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Squalane, Adenosine, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Beeswax(Cera Alba), Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Caviar Extract, Algae Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Ceramide 3, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Chloride, Fragrance(Parfum), Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol

MAY CONTAIN[+/-; Titanium Dioxide(CI 77891), Iron Oxides(CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)]

The one I bought is the 20ml tube. Missha also has this in a 50ml tube with a pump dispenser. The smaller size is just a simple tube with a small nozzle. You can easily control the amount of product you dispense (it also helps that the product has a thick, creamy consistency). Design-wise, it looks classy with it's metallic red color, with a twist cap that's silver. The fonts used show a serious tone which shows a different vibe compared to most cutesy designs that I usually see in Korean makeup.

Missha claims that the Perfect Cover BB can provide sun protection, add coverage, and is anti-aging (although I consider this more as moisturizing), lightweight, and gives a natural-looking finish. Those claims are music to my ears because those are exactly the things I look for in my base makeup! Let's see if these are true. ;)

Here's the product. As mentioned above, the consistency is quite thick and creamy... 

But when spread out, you'll feel that it really is lightweight, but also gives quite an impressive coverage.

It gives a semi-matte finish. See the before and after photos of my face below for a better comparison: 

Bare face

with the product

The yellow undertone of the shade Honey Beige gave me a more warmer tone which I actually like because it is closer to my neck and shoulders' skin shade. My face is redder as it is often exposed to the sun.

As seen on the photos, it does give that matte finish but still not flat (that's why I call it semi-matte). It actually looks natural! The coverage is really good as it took care of the redness and also the pimple scars I have. It's buildable too! Just dab it on the darker scars and it's like an instant concealer. It didn't do much on the pore reducing part if you're wondering about that... but this product doesn't claim anything to help in that department so this is not an issue.

As suggested in the product description, I apply a setting powder on top. By adding so helped with minimizing pores and the combo of BB Cream + powder made sure that my makeup lasted for the whole day. Even if I don't blot my oily skin, my base makeup is still there (but shiny with all the oil).

Sorry for the ugly brows again

I like that this product simplifies my morning rituals as it is like a moisturizer + sunscreen + foundation in one. I do still use an oil free moisturizer underneath, but if I'm in a hurry, the hydration that this product provides is enough. I brought this with me when I travelled to Australia and it was just so handy!

What I LIKE:

- Really good coverage (buildable)

- Has SPF 42, PA+++

- Long-lasting

- Lightweight

- Easy to blend on skin

- The shade Honey Beige is warm tone

- Gives adequate moisture to skin

- Natural-looking finish

- Packaging

- Locally available

What I DON'T LIKE:

- This is not really a big issue, but I find Missha PH's price a bit more expensive than I expect (if I compare it to the prices in the Korea and some other Asian countries and even in the US).

- No oil control (As I've mentioned, the product never claimed to control sebum production so it's still not an issue... I just prefer products with oil control)

So yeah... All the claims that it promises are all true. No wonder it's one of Missha's best selling products. As I've said, I love this BB Cream and I recommend this if you're looking for a BB to try.

Have you tried the Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream? What shade are you? Do you like it too?

Cheers,
DAWN