Review: Real Techniques Core Collection Brush Set

I'm sure all beauty and makeup enthusiasts know who Samantha Chapman is. And who of you didn't, at one time or another, lusted over the Real Techniques brushes?

I sure did.. All. The. Time.

I finally purchased my first makeup brush set last week - the Real Techniques Core Collection.

Real Techniques Core Collection with 2-in-1 case + stand

I bought this set from CarefreeShopper, a Multiply trusted seller of makeup, beauty products, nail polishes and makeup tools. I ordered it on Friday and it arrived on Monday! I have had several bad experiences with online sellers but CarefreeShopper changed all that. :)

It was priced at Php1,150 but since Multiply has a 20% off coupon code, I got it for Php999 inclusive of the shipping fee. I don't know if I should've done something to have the percent off and the shipping fee free but when I added the promo code, the shipping fee showed up. Hihi. Price was okay, I think. :)

Good job in finding my address JRS!

Thank you CarefreeShopper! :)

Beautiful brushes

The Real Techniques Core Collection set consists of 4 brushes - the buffing brush, contour brush, pointed foundation brush and the detailer brush.

Buffing Brush - ideal for full coverage application of powder and mineral foundation
Contour Brush - delicately applies highlighter to contour or create sheer, soft-focus finish
Pointed Foundation Brush - use with liquid foundation to build custom coverage
Detailer Brush - precision cut to effortlessly conceal problem areas; or, use with lipstick for long-lasting shape and definition

The Core Collection is a great makeup brush kit to start with. The bristles of the brushes are soft, dense and have very good quality. Color pay-off is great as the brushes do not pick up too much product like other brushes tend to do. The handles are very sturdy and elegant-looking!

My favorite among the brushes is the Contour brush. The dome shaped brush fits the hollows of my cheeks perfectly. And because it does not pick up too much product, I can avoid having a dark line on the side of my cheeks. :)

5 days of use and I haven't experienced any shedding from any of the brushes yet. Drying time is also not that long. I used the stand to dry the brushes. I just stored them upside down and it worked like a charm!

This Real Techniques Core Collection brush set is worth checking out whether you're a newbie or a professional MUA. A useful set yet very affordable, too. This will be a great addition to your makeup brushes collection.

Visit CarefreeShopper's accounts:

Multiply

Facebook

Till next,

Random Haul

The pictures are sitting on my computer's hard drive for weeks now and so I decided to just go ahead and post them.

EB Advance Make-up Remover Php95

I bought this makeup remover from Ever Bilena because I ran out of my Dove Foaming Make-Up Remover. I used the EB one before and it stung my eyes and was super oily. I didn't know why I didn't just grab another Dove makeup remover. But after using this once, I swore never to use it again. :/

Printed Betty Top Chiffon Php449.75
Dollhouse Pants Php549.75

Gluta-C soap Php115
Glamworks Pimple Clear Anti-Acne Gel Php145
Asian Secrets Lulur Scrub Php130

Esprit Stainless Rose Gold watch Php6,490

Bath stuff from Esprit

Primadonna Flats Php1,199.95

Michaela bag Php1,000

Armando Caruso hanky set Php199.95
What Women Want Black w/ Gold Beaded Bracelet Layers Php149.75
MSense Eyewear Php279.75

Superdrug Mini Travel Hair Dryer Php699

e.l.f. Stipple Brush Php249.75

Revlon Nail Enamel (Bewitching) Php168.75 (SALE)

Freebie from Watsons (for purchases Php1500 & up)

Skin79 BB Cream Php1000

I finally purchased a full-sized Skin79 Super Plus BB Triple Functions (Hot Pink). I got it from a Korean Cosmetics store beside NEPO Mall, Angeles City.

Because I'm such a lousy blogger, I forgot to take pictures of my other purchases. Most of them were clothes anyway. Oh well.

Don't you find shopping therapeutic? :)

Review: MeMeMe Beat the Blues in Sunbeam

Happy 2013!

Hope the new year is starting out great for you guys! My holidays were okay. Not that fun like last year's but I'm glad that all of my friends and loved ones were in great health before the previous year ended. :)

Anyway, I'm starting off this year with a review. I was supposed to do a haul post but I realized I have deleted some of my haul pictures from my camera's SD card and forgot to transfer them onto my PC's hard drive. So I decided to just do separate reviews on all the products I purchased.

I bought the MeMeMe Beat the Blues in Sunbeam from the Outlet Store in Multiply. It was on sale for Php239 if I'm not mistaken. I'm not sure about the exact price but for some reason, I couldn't pull up my order receipt in my Multiply account. But I paid a total of Php314 inclusive of the shipping fee.

The MeMeMe Beat the Blues in Sunbeam is a liquid highlighter that is a dupe for Benefit's Moonbeam. I have always wanted to buy a highlighter as I only used a shimmering eyeshadow for that purpose. It looked un-natural unlike those in liquid form.

The bottle contains 12ml of product which can last you a good while. A little goes a long way with this highlighter. You don't need a lot to achieve that glow you want. Sunbeam creates more of a sheer luminiscence that looks natural with Filipinas' skin color.

I don't like the applicator brush that much. But I can live with it. I just dab the product on my skin anyway and don't really brush it on so it'll suffice.

I dab on little dots of the Sunbeam highlighter on my browbone, inner corners of my eyes, center of the nose, and on my cheekbones then blend it well to achieve that glow on my face. Since I bought this product, I stopped using eyeshadow all in all. Opting for that fresh and glowing look nowadays.

Mememe Beat the Blues Sunbeam on the center of my nose
(natural lighting)

Mememe Beat the Blues Sunbeam on my browbone,
inner eye corners, center of the nose and cheekbones

I love this product so much that it had become a staple with my everyday and going out makeup looks. It gives a nice dewy glow and makes my skin look healthy. Great little product for a cheaper price.

Have you tried this highlighter yet? If so, what do you think about it?

ChicSassyMom's Seoul-ful Cosmetics Giveaway

Chic & Sassy Homemaker is having another Korean Cosmetics Giveaway!

Here are the prizes:

Skin79 Mini Lip Gloss
Innisfree Jejubija Anti-trouble Starter Kit
Skin79 VIP Gold Super BB Cream (Thanks to KPop Collection!)
Etude House Dressing Room Shower Gel
3 x Assorted SkinFood Masks
4 x  Somang RedFlo Camellia Shampoo
2 x Dermal Mask Sheets
2 x Nature Republic Mask Sheets
SkinFood Magic Hair Pad
SkinFood Gold Kiwi Gift Set
2 x Innisfree Eco Science Wrinkle Spot Essence

So if you're into Korean cosmetics like I am, click here to join!

Good luck!

Satchel Giveaway

Join The Bargain Doll's Satchel Giveaway! Bag Paradise is giving away one (1) satchel to one lucky reader!

Click here to try your luck!

Good luck to us!

I Won A Mumi Bag!

Last October 22, I received a DM on Twitter from the very beautiful fashion blogger Miss Laureen Uy. I was ecstatic to find out I was the bag winner on her MUMI x BMS Bag Giveaway!

Mumi promises trendy and affordable bags, wallets, gadget cases and so much more. As long as it’s in, Mumi surely has it.

I won the a Punch Fluoro Satchel - a very bright bag in Neon Green! 

It's a very trendy bag indeed! It's available in 3 other colors - Neon Pink, Neon Yellow and Neon Orange. It's also available in 2 sizes - Petite (11 X 8 X 2.5 in) and Big (13 X 10 X 3 in). 

From Mumi's Facebook Acct

Thank you to Miss Laureen Uy. I love her blog Break My Style. She has awesome giveaways too!

I also want to thank Ms. Rhea of Mumi Bags. The bag was sent to me 3 days after finding out I won! 

Visit Mumi Bag on Facebook for trendy yet affordable bags!  

www.facebook.com/MumiBag

Till next,

 

Review: DermaWand

For a few months amidst the PMD/Personal Microdermabrasion hype, I seriously thought of purchasing it through my brother-in-law who came home for a month-long vacation. It will cost me more than Php8,000. It's just that having a diamond peel treatment every month is pricey and so I sometimes skip treatments.  But then, being the cheapskate that I am, I just decided to forget about the idea "for now."

Whenever I go to any Watson's branch, I always see this DermaWand which kinda looks like the PMD.  I was intrigued by it but didn't buy it until a month ago when I decided to inquire about it and the salesperson let me sit down and demonstrated how to use it and delivered her sales talk.

Convinced, I stood up, went to the counter and paid. :)

About the DermaWand:

DermaWand produces high-frequency electronic pulses and ozone to improve circulation, which brings oxygen and nutrients to the skin thus creating anti-aging benefits.  The gentle micro-current also provides a thermal effect which helps tone and tighten the skin to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, DermaWand gives off enriched oxygen that cleanses and purifies, helping breathe new life into the skin's surface.

It's an at-home skin rejuvenating device that is an advanced beauty treatment that reduces the appearance of:

- Lines and wrinkles
- Puffy eyes
- Saggy, tired complexion
- Enlarged pores

It also helps plump up the appearance of the lips and diminish the visible signs of fine lines and wrinkles around it.

How to Use the DermaWand:

Perform the following procedures for 3 minutes every morning and evening.

STEP 1:  Before using DermaWand, always thoroughly cleanse with your favorite cleanser and rinse with warm water.

STEP 2:  Completely pat dry after cleansing and rinsing.

STEP 3:  Apply your favorite hydrating moisturizer (an amount the size of a nickel) onto clean fingertips and gently layer over your entire face. Give special attention to the delicate eye area, gently spread your moisturizer, or eye cream carefully around this sensitive area.

STEP 4:  When using DermaWand for the first time, turn dial to setting 1.  Make sure to remove bulb cap first. Try it on the back of your hand first. Wait for the bulb to glow.

STEP 5:  Place bulb directly on your facial skin to experience the DermaWand sensation. Always work on the lowest setting for the first few days until you get used to the sensation. When you no longer feel the same intensity (a gentle tingling feeling) of the stimuli, this is the signal that your skin is ready for the next level. Continue increasing the intensity on the dial a little bit at a time unitl you have reached your maximum comfort zone. The DermaWand is effective even at the lowest setting, and your comforet setting depends on your skins sensitivity.

Oops! It's upside-down. But you get the point. ;) Dial is from 1 to 9.

STEP 6:  Now begin sweeping the DermaWand over your entire face.

There are different techniques and facial exercises for specialized areas. You will learn how to do those using the Instructional DVD and the Beauty Guide.

I have been using this for the past month but I don't use it twice a day regularly. I forget sometimes and there are also days that I am just too lazy. But it will only take less than 10 minutes because I don't really have skin problems. I just want to minimize the appearance of the large pores on my face.

Blemish on my cheek was from a huge pimple that I didn't have to pop. Used the DermaWand to treat it instead. Dried the zit up on the 3rd day of using it. Image NOT PHOTOSHOPPED. Just used my Lebelage powder foundation. No liquid foundation, concealer or BB cream.

 The DermaWand tightened and toned the skin on my face, and made it glow.  It definitely made my large pores smaller that they were. It worked great on the blemishes too! I could not go anywhere without my foundation or BB cream before but now, I can just use powder foundation and I'm good to go! Whenever I have pimples, it's just easy for them to go away. I just use the DermaWand to treat them and they're gone in days.

I'm such a lousy blogger that I forgot to take a before picture. I can just probably take a picture now then another one 6 weeks after (like what is said on the DermaWand box for a Picture Proof Guarantee). Yeah, I might just do that. So stay tuned!

The DermaWand is available at Watson's for Php3,499.75.

Till next,

Liebster Award

Who doesn't like to receive awards? Don't know about you but I surely do!

A couple of days ago, I was notified by Eyah of Eyahnism that she tagged me with the Liebster Award. A Liebster Award is given to bloggers with less than 200 followers who also deserve some recognition and support from the blogging community for them to keep on.. well, blogging.

Thank you for this award Eyah! And thanks for checking out my blog! I know I am not consistent with posts because of my super busy schedule - I never thought I'd be this busy! But I have known a lot of great bloggers out there who support each other. This blog has been my outlet especially where I can showcase what I love after my family of course - makeup! ;)

So here are the rules:

1. Tag 11 bloggers with under 200 followers and have them write down 11 random facts about themselves
2. Prepare a set of questions for the bloggers you tagged that they will answer
3. In turn, they must do the same - tag 11 bloggers with under 200 followers and ask a set of questions

Here goes...

11 Random Facts About ME:

I was obsessed with Awkward! I watched the its 2 seasons over and over for a whole month!

1)  I may be 29-years old but I'm still a teenager at heart. I still love teeny bopper tv series and chick flicks. If I can still dress like a teenager, I'd gladly do so. Teens nowadays are so fasyon! :)

2)  I don't eat jackfruit. What I hate most about it is its smell. I don't get how others find it appetizing. Ugh!

Source

3)  I am a crybaby! I cry at the most mababaw things! Even if a movie has a happy ending, I'd still cry over it. Tears of joy siguro but my son and hubby just laugh at me whenever I do. Even if I am wearing 3D glasses they still know I am crying. :)

Source

4)  I don't drink tea - I just can't. Maybe if there's Coca Cola-flavored tea, I might.

5)  I love reading books. I have over 600 ePub books on my iPad! Thank you to my dear hubby. I am currently reading World War Z by Max Brooks just because Brad Pitt is coming out with the same movie title.

6)  I cannot NOT wash my hair everyday. I try sometimes though.

7)  I am a very nostalgic person. 'Nuff said.

I do know a lot of women who are great at Math.

8) I suck at Math.

Source

 9)  I am a hopeless romantic. <3

Awww, envious! Teehee ;)

10)  I love everything pink!

Payat days.

11)  I used to be stick thin.

11 Questions from Eyah

1)  What is your favorite motto when it comes to Beauty or Fashion?

Beauty is more about being a good person and the way you carry yourself rather than your outside looks.

2)  How long do you spend your time blogging in a day?

I don't blog everyday, just when I have time. I usually spend maybe 3 to 4 hours a day blogging when I have the time.

3)  Do you love reading over writing or writing over reading?

Definitely reading over writing.

4)  Who is your favorite YouTube guru? Or favorite YouTube channel?

I don't have a specific favorite but I watch Judy of ItsJudysLife everyday.  I also watch Say of Makeup by Say Tioco Artillero, Jen of MyHousewifeLife and many others.

5)  Would you go for a plastic surgery if you were given a chance?

Well, just thinking about going under the knife is too terrifying for me. So, no. I don't think I need it anyway. ;)

6)  What can you say about "Singapore Authentic" cosmetics that are all over the market now?

I was given a powder foundation by a friend who lives and works in Singapore and it looks authentic to me. I guess it depends. Even the paper bag was Sephora. Or maybe she bought it from the Duty Free shop. I'm not sure. If the cosmetics are waaaay cheaper than the original ones, bought from Singapore or not, they're not authentic.

7)  Do you wear unbranded clothes?

I used to wear unbranded clothes but I found that they don't withstand a lot of wash and wear. So now, it's quality over price for us. It doesn't matter if they cost more as long as we can wear them for a long time, that's better for us. 

8)   Single or Taken?

Taken = Married! :)

9)  Favorite music that you keep on playing recently?

Good in Goodbye by Carrie Underwood

10)  Do you believe that First Love Never Dies?

I had my first love when I was in 2nd year high school. My first love was innocent love, where just a simple touch of the hands (not even holding hands) made me so kilig! Just a sight of him made me feel butterflies in my stomach! But no, I don't believe that first love never dies. Because if it is true, then I'd still be with him. It dies because I am very much in love with my husband right now and am completely happy. I guess you won't forget your first love but the feelings eventually die. Listen to Good in Goodbye. (hint*hint)

11)  Can you leave the house without putting anything on your face? Even powder?

No, I can't. Even if I don't use bb cream, I'd have to put on powder foundation at least. Then blush and lip tint.

Questions for my Tagged Bloggers

1)  Splurge or Save?

2)  What is your most favorite lipstick shade to wear?

3)  If you won the lottery, what would you spend your winnings on?

4)  What is the makeup brand that you own the most?

5)  Tell us your proudest moment.

6)  What is your favorite TV show?

7)  When is the last time you cried and why?

8)  Why did you start blogging?

9)  What is your biggest pet peeve?

10)  Who is the one person who inspires you the most?

11)  What is your ultimate goal for 2013?

I am tagging:

Majorie Ann of Assembled Thoughts
Andie of The Mixed Up Nerd
Jameila of Queen B
Grazie of Kikay Working Mom
Mymy of Momma Mymy
Isabel of Oh! Strawberry
Ghirlie of Girly as Ghirlie
Jessamer of A Little Over The Top
Mahj of Dominant Hospitality
Keyti of Brushes and Pens
Sie of Uniquely Queer

Obviously, you don't have to do this tag if you've already been tagged before. :)

I had fun doing this! I hope you do, too!

Till next,