I got this beautiful Sleek blush from my swap with Laala a few months ago. It is a beautiful coral (aptly named Coral 933) and is perfect for the summer, which is actually more appropriate to call this heat we are weathering in a Manila. I’ve faced it a long time ago—we don’t get spring here.
I have always been an overpacker. As a child, I would tote incredibly heavy bags filled with shit I didn’t need. I used to carry a DSLR, a laptop, and all my books and notebooks to school as a college freshman. Over time, I’ve learned to take only the essentials with me (usually), and on my last trip to Japan, which happened about two weeks ago, I thought I did a great job of streamlining everything—at least, when it came to my makeup bits. I didn’t want to deal with a proper base, so aside from my moisturizer, I brought along the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (review), which I’ve been setting with the Le Métier de Beauté Eye Brightening and Setting Powder (review). I’ve also got a small bottle of the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (review) and the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder Palette (review) for the rest of my face. For eyes, I’ve got my MAC Paint Pot in Groundwork, the NARS NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette (review), and the Le Métier de Beauté Anamorphic Lash Mascara …
I got a bunch of lip products from that swap with Laala, and I thought I’d give a short p/review of sorts for each in this post. Here are the lip products, swatched on my arm: Swatched, L-R: NARS Satin Lipstick (Niagara), Dior Addict Lip Glow, Tarte Pure Performance Lipstick (Bold), MUA Power Pout (Runway), Vaseline Advanced Lip Therapy (Aloe) First up is the NARS SATIN LIPSTICK IN NIAGARA, which is actually a sort of hand-me-down from her. She said she couldn’t get it to work on herself, but when I saw swatches online, I knew it was the sort of color that’s right up my alley. 🙂 NARS describes Niagara as a “pink-based coral,” and it’s my first satin lipstick from NARS. It’s a beautiful light coral that’s perfect for spring. Here, I’ve paired it with a neutral eye with a mint accent.
The BRTC Jasmine 3D Moist Pack* is briefly described as a “moisture-coated pressed powder for dry skin.” It is part of BRTC’s “Jasmine Moist System,” which we already partly got to try a few months ago, via their Whipping Essence (reviewed here). There is a total of 8 products in the range. The Jasmine 3D Moist Pack is a “moisture-locking compact powder for dry skin.” The literature (that BRTC products always come with, yay) mentions that the microfine moisture-coated powder in this product is designed to hydrate skin as it evens out skin tones. The “clump-free hydrating formula” also claims to provide protection against UVA and UVB rays, while providing a bright complexion. The powder comes housed in this orchid compact that has a plastic cover to separate the sponge it comes with from the powder, presumably for hygienic purposes. The powder is way too light for me, but it blends in really, really well, almost seamlessly. It allows skin to still look like skin, even under some layers of powder. You can kind of …
The seasons are turning from winter to spring, at least in colder parts of the world, and it’s time to break out your favorite dew-inducing products. One of the most important all-arounders, no matter what time of the year, is a good moisturizer.
I did it again. Here are some of the things I picked up from Addiction on my last trip to Jay-pan. With the intention of possibly picking up the new quad in Departure, I ended up walking away with three single eyeshadows (Rigoletto, Sand Dune, and Truffle), a cheek stick (Rose Bar), and a lipstick for my sister (Vamp). I’m a big fan of Addiction’s Cheek Sticks, and Rose Bar brings the number I have to 5. Cheek Sticks are multi-purpose products for use on the eyes, cheeks, and lips, but I found that all of them work best as cheek products. Rose Bar is a beautiful neutral shade that’s a great deal pinker than Tea Rose, which I already have. As for the eyeshadows, which everyone knows I can’t resist, I picked up 3, bringing the total of my Addiction E/S singles to 8. Rigoletto is a beautiful sheeny pale peach. It is absolutely gorgeous. I was not ever intending on getting this, ever, except swatching it was like a revelation. I could just …
The iSOi Bulgarian Rose Blemish Care Serum* was another skin care item that came in my last BNT box. Fun Fact: iSOi stands for “I’m SO Intelligent.” Here’s a product description I got from EC21: Concept: Intensive, quick and effective anti-spot care — Improvement of uneven skin tone, blemishes and pigmentation (whitening function) While it fills sunken area with moisture, arbutin and natural vitamins from Bulgarian rose oil, as whitening agents, even out and clear up red skin tone. — Quick and gentle soothing serum (anti-trouble care) Natural anti-trouble ingredients including centella asiatica prevent clogged pores and quickly calm sensitive skin. — Continuous supply of moisture (24 hour-lasting skin hydration) Ultra fine rose oil having superior skin penetration and natural skin hydrating ingredients deep penetrate through the skin and keep it soft and supple for 24 hours and increase the skin’s own regenerative power by strengthening the skin barrier. How to Use: After using a tonic, apply 1-2 pumps evenly to the skin and gently pat onto face until absorbed. I haven’t tested this out …
Softly Sometimes 