Travel Beauty Buddies | Sephora Creamy Body Wash Caps

I just love my mini skincare and makeup articles. I love to purchase these bite-size beauty items for future travel or simply an addition to my collection. The Sephora Creamy Body Wash caps are great for travel since they do not take up a lot of space inside your luggage and they are spill-proof since they are individually enclosed in the capsules. They contain 7.9ml or 0.26 fl. oz which can be used once or twice. There are a total of 12 scents to choose from. I picked up three but I am planning to purchase other scents to feed the hoarder in me. I might get any of these - Lagoon, Mango, Cottonflower, Lilac, Blueberry, and Chocolate. I am not fond of Coconut scents for my bath and body products so I might skip that one. You may check out all the scents here. 

Don't be fooled by the close up photos. These beauties fit right in the palm of my hand. Sorry if the items are a bit dusty. This is due to the product information sticker which is a pet peeve.

Description from the website:

About

Ensure that your skin stays silky soft while travelling. This creamy body smoothens your skin texture upon washing. It contains a luxurious chocolate scent that’s sure to last even after your bath. Its unique packaging allows you to grab just the right amount you need each time.

Benefits

Creamy, moisturising formula

Easily detachable capsule without breaking cube structure

Paraben-free

Not tested on animals

Suits all skin types

Ingredients (vary per scent)

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Fragrance, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-7, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, PEG-40 Castor Oil, CI 14700 (Red 4), PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Tocopherol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, CI 42090 ( Blue 1).

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and Blush Brush | Makeup Brush Hits

Amid all the makeup and skincare products I write about, I realized I have not mentioned any tool I have been grabbing for makeup application. So today I will talk about brushes, my favorite ones at least. I own several brands of brushes ranging from drug store to high end. This post will focus on my two favorite brushes from Real Techniques.

Real Techniques was launched in 2011 by sisters Samantha and Nicole Chapman. Samantha Chapman is also known as Pixiwoo in the YouTube world. I rely on my Real Techniques brushes for fuss-free application and no-streak finish. Out of all the brushes I own, these two belongs to my Holy Grail items - the Expert Face brush and the Blush brush.

The Expert Face brush is Real Techniques’ no. 1 selling brush and it is almost always sold out. I use the Expert Face brush for application and blending of my liquid foundation. I also use it to blend my concealer. The dense and firm broad brush makes foundation application, blending, and buffing a breeze. The result is comparable to an airbrush finish. This one is made up of synthetic UltraPlush bristles and promises no product build up, no streak finishes, and long lasting brush quality. This brush is a must-have and you definitely need to experience it. Beauty gurus, beginners and experts alike, swear by this brush.

The award-winning Blush brush is a tapered blush which sits right on top of the apple of my cheeks and deposits just the right amount of blush. I find it easy to build up the cheek color with this brush without overdoing it. Just make sure you use a light hand and you will achieve a high-definition, flawless finish. This brush was included in Nylon’s 2015 Beauty Hit List.

Another great thing about Real Techniques brushes is that they are cruelty-free and vegan. I am still eyeing for the Real Techniques Core Collection and I might try some Zoeva brushes next time because they're just gorgeous and I have read raves about it too. 

What are your HG makeup brushes and tools? Make sure to comment and share it down below.

Speechless Sunday | In Full Bloom

Benefit Watt's Up Highlighter

This may not look like your usual Benefit Watt's Up highlighter simply because this is a deluxe sample from The Real Cheeky Party Palette. I just thought this little bad boy deserved a separate review for all its goodness. If you tend to shy away from glittery powder highlighter then this one is for you. It has a smooth and semi-creamy consistency and it gives a glowing luminous finish. I usually apply this on the bridge of my nose, brow bone, cupid's bow, and a strip right on top of my cheekbones. You can blend it using just your fingers with patting and sweeping motion.

Watt's Up is a champagne highlighter with soft peach and beige undertones. With one stripe, it will look shimmery and glittery but once blended, it will settle into a natural glow. It will give you a soft-focus glow and enhances whatever cheek color you are wearing. I shuffle between this and my theBalm Mary Loumanizer whenever I want to get my strobing on.

Ingredients:

Hydrogenated polyisobutene, mica, ethylhexyl palmitate, polyethylene, titanium dioxide (ci 77891), soybean glycerides, silica, dimethicone, trimethylsiloxysilicate, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter) unsaponifiables, iron oxides (ci 77492), iron oxides (ci 77491), iron oxides (ci 77499), lecithin, tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate, glyceryl stearate, glyceryl oleate, citric acid.

My First Beauty MNL Haul

I bought a few things for hair and skincare. I did not reach the minimum fee for free shipping which is 2000 pesos but it's fine since the shipping fee is only 50 pesos. I have heard good things about Aveeno stress relief body wash. Even Beautypedia approves of it. I also decided to get my first bottle of dry shampoo and this one is from TRESemme. H2O+ holiday kit is the last item I got for my moisturizing needs. I have been looking for this brand since when it was my lotion when I started med school and the scent just takes me back to those times. I will do a separate post to review these items soon.

A ray of sunshine decided to join me on the photoshoot

Can we all take a moment and look at how adorable their packaging is? It definitely made me smile that day. I highly recommend this online store for the wide array of brands it carries and the overall shopping experience. Call me satisfied. :)

Get Rid of Dead Skin Cells with Enavose 1st Line Probiotics Exfoliance Gommage

My recent Sephora haul came with a sample of this product. I have never heard of it. I researched about it and found out that it’s pretty amazing.

Awards:

Best Exfoliator – Women’s Weekly: Best Beauty Buys 2014

Best for Sensitive Skin – Harper’s Bazaar: Bazaar Beauty Awards 2012

So what exactly is Enavose 1st Line Probiotics Exfoliance Gommage? That’s a mouthful!

Gommage by definition is a type of exfoliator, a cream or gel, massaged onto face or body, which turns into specks and crumbs of product plus your dead skin cells, sloughing them off of your skin right before your eyes.

This product an exfoliator gel from the Swiss brand Enavose with gentle resurfacing action to diminish dead skin cells and promote cell renewal. The ‘Probiotic’ stands for the Bacillus Ferment probiotic, the good bacteria effective for skin renewal. It helps build the defense of skin against bacteria accumulation. Another active ingredient is the Bitter Almond Extract Acid, an AHA which is slower in penetration, thus reduces skin irritation making it perfect even for sensitive skin. The combination of ingredients and flora blend aims to provide radiance and glow to the skin.

Skin Type: Normal and Combination Skin Types

Texture: Gel

Active Ingredients

Bacillus Ferment Probiotic - Promotes skin renewal

Bitter Almond Extract - AHA 

Ecocert® Organic Edelweiss Extract - Antioxidant with high radical scavenging activity

Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract - Anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract - Calms and soothes

Cruelty-free? Yes

Paraben-free? Yes

Fragrance-free? Yes

Sorry I know this is gross but for you to have an idea how it works :)

My Thoughts

As directed, I applied it on dry face. I dotted a sufficient amount of my forehead, cheeks, chin, nose, and neck. I massaged for a minute or two before rinsing. When I massaged it, specks and strands of dead skin started to appear. I massaged it for around two minutes until the product is gone and what’s left are several crumbs of dead skin. It was so gentle and it did not sting at all. My face felt smooth and soft after. I am not sure if it’s placebo but my face looked radiant after using it. My boyfriend also noticed a little glow on my face. That was only the initial use. The product can be used as much as twice weekly, no more than that. I am excited to try it again. I will use it once a week and will decide on purchasing the full size after finishing the sample.

Where to get it?

I got this sample from Sephora but upon checking, they currently don’t carry a full size just yet. I am pretty sure they will carry more Enavose products soon as they already have it on their site.

Do you like exfoliating? What exfoliators have you tried and did it work for you?

Project Vanity’s 8th Anniversary | Learnings

Oh this? It's nothing. Just a MASSIVE loot of FREEBIES I got from the event! #ProjectVanity8th

I was a lucky girl to attend Project Vanity’s 8th Anniversary last Saturday, March 19, 2016. I attended the blogging workshop, the second part of the event. I diligently took notes of the talk shared by blog and beauty mavens Liz Lanuzo of Project Vanity, Julia Arenas of Bless My Bag, and Donnarence Masilungan of My Lucid Intervals. 

Here are a few of the numerous blogging pearls I learned:

Invest in your blog

"If you're blogging for fun, do whatever you want. If you're blogging to make a difference, then you have to invest in it."

Time and effort for great content, aside from the monetary part, are the necessary investments for a blog to succeed. 

Be consistent

Make blogging a habit. Schedule posts to be written and published. Just keep blogging even if life gets in  the way.

You must have a goal in mind

Why do you blog? What do you want to achieve? These are the questions you need to answer to be able to tailor fit the strategies you will apply to your blog.

It was nice to meet other bloggers who are passionate with their craft. Project Vanity built a community of bloggers sharing a common interest that is beauty. 

At the end of the event, I was able to talk to Julia of Bless My Bag. She is very approachable and nice. She shared a few tips on blogging and product photography which are all refreshing, inspiring, and truly encouraging. She even recommended a couple of hand-picked blog inspirations I might like. I felt proud of myself for making a conscious effort to be confident: I asked a question to Liz during the workshop, talked to Julia, and took #selfies with them. I kept in mind what I wrote on this post on being confident.

I feel more fueled up to blog! This event gave me a much needed boost of inspiration. I am looking forward to attend more blogging events in the future.

Zoeva Luxe Color Blush in Rush Rush | Coral Pink Cheeks for Summer

It's my first Zoeva product and it's not a brush. It's a blush in Rush Rush! Would you believe I got this beauty for only P486.00? I found it on Sephora and it was the only available among the six shades. It is described as coral pink and is perfect for summer. The shade may seem a little intimidating on the pan but the color suits light, medium to tan skin tone. The trick is to apply lightly and slowly build it up.

The finish is matte with a vibrant color payoff.  The product is intensely pigmented but blendable. The texture is buttery and not chalky. It lasted for good 5 hours on my combination type skin. You should go easy and light-handed with the application because a little goes a long way.

The packaging is luxe and it's so much more than what I expected from a blush that's less than P500! It has a mirror with ZOEVA written at the bottom. It is sleek and classy. 

Ingredients:
Talc, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Magnesium Stearate, Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethiconol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Cera Alba, Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), Ci 15850 (Red 6 Lake), Ci 77491 (Iron Oxide), Ci 77492 (Iron Oxide), Ci 45410 (Red 27 Lake), Ci 77499 (Iron Oxide)

I used a very light hand with this look. I tend to overdo my blush so I carefully just dab the brush ever so lightly to pick up the product. I initially use a patting motion to deposit the blush onto the apples of my cheeks. I then use a circular motion and blend the blush upwards toward my upper ear area. This step is crucial to  remove any harsh lines.

Benefit They're Real Mascara: A Love & Hate Relationship

I got this mascara from Benefit Real Cheeky Party Palette which I reviewed previously. This mascara is a little tricky to use. Sometimes it's a hit but often a miss due to smudging, flaking, and panda eyes. Some gurus say it's not for beginners and there's a learning curve to it. I found that rolling and wiggling the wand upon application yields better results. I do think it's an overhyped product for what it's worth. Continue reading for full review and swatches.

My lashes are very short and this product surely adds length, definition, and thickness to them. The formula is not waterproof and since I have oily skin on my lids, the mascara smudges and transfers to my lower lid and under eye area giving me a panda look which is not flattering all. It also feels a little sticky and heavy which is very bothering. It's clumpy with multiple coats. 

The brush is a little on the larger side which makes it a little tricky to use. The spiky bristles, however, are well-designed to give lashes more definition and length. The spikes extend up to the tip for hard to reach lashes.

Bare lashes vs One coat vs Two coats 

Flaking and Fall out

Final Thoughts

All in all, it works well in making your lashes long and defined but all for the price of the sticky and heavy feel along with the smudging and clumping. Whenever I use it, I just put on one layer and skip the bottom lashes, This way, there will be no smudging and fall out on my undereye area. It works great that way. 

I would recommend this for people who have experience with mascara which means it's not for beginners. I won't recommend this as your first tube of mascara. 

What are your thoughts on Benefit They's Real Mascara? Have you tried it? Do you think it's worth the hype? Do you have some hacks to get better results from it? Do share!

Beauty Directory

Benefit Philippines

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Benefit Cosmetics Boutiques & Counters

GREENBELT 5

G/F Phase II Greenbelt 5

Ayala Center, Makati City

729.9854

TRINOMA

3/F Trinoma Mall

EDSA cor. North Ave.,

Quezon City

949.4653

MALL OF ASIA 

2/F Main Mall

Mall of Asia Complex

Pasay City

804.0551

ALABANG TOWN CENTER 

2/F New Wing

Alabang Town Center

Muntinlupa City 

779.8994

RUSTAN'S SHANGRI-LA 

Rustan's Department Store

G/F Shangri-La Mall

Mandaluyong City

633.4636

RUSTAN'S MAKATI

Rustan's Department Store

G/F Glorietta Mall

Ayala Center, Makati City

553.0967

BGC CENTRAL SQUARE 

Lower Ground Floor, Central Square

5th Ave cor. 30th street

Bonifacio Global City

736.8942

SM MEGAMALL

2/F SM Megamall 

Mandalutong City

March So Far and Sephora Avocado Face Mask

Busy work schedule and added training hours threw me off a bit from my blogging habit. It has always been a struggle to sit down and start writing again from being post-less for a few days. So here I am trying, and hopeful, to break out of the writing rut. 

I am featuring another Sephora mask for my comeback post. 

What's good on your toast is good for my face

Ingredients:

Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Glycerol, Avocado oil, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Oryza Sativa Seed Water, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanoamine, Carbopol, Piroctone olamine, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Citric Acid, Tremella, PEG40 hydrogenated castor oil, Ethyl cinnamic aldehyde

The ingredients on the package were written in Chinese. I had to use Google Translate for the ingredients.

I love masks for saving my face from those blah skin days. I purchased it for P134.00 from Sephora. The mask is very hydrating and relaxing. It has a mild scent of what might be the avocado oil. Overall, I have been a fan of face masks lately. It's a cheap and convenient way to pamper your skin whenever you need it. I also featured another Sephora mask here, you might want to check it out.

Do you have a favorite face mask? 

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Revisiting My Goals

It is significant to revisit your goals and assess where you are at. And currently, I am not doing well. I know it's a little early to go back to the goals I have set at the beginning of this year but I need to fine-tune some details and gather the reasons why I am merely meeting each goal. Read on for my thoughts and reflections.

Lack of Focus

Being distracted with positive and negative events is one of the reasons why I am not moving forward with my goals. It is important to experience life as it happens and go with the twists and turns but I need to go back on track with my objectives.

Discipline Issues

I never really got the hang of setting rules for myself. I have to compromise a little, I guess. Saying No to impulsive purchases and Yes to setting aside my savings first before spending for the expenses.

Continue Moving Forward 

I should always remind myself to keep moving forward and never get discouraged. There will be a few bumps in the road but just keep going!

Just Meditate, Just Write, Just Go to Work, Just Carry On

Reminding myself to just do the things I have to do and stop complaining, worrying, and overthinking. One day at a time, one patient at a time, one post at a time, and one sleepy post-lunch work at a time.

About the Lotus Mask

I decided to use the Lotus Mask I purchased a few weeks ago from Sephora while reflecting. It's a fiber mask so it comes in a white face-shaped mask soaked with the product. It felt a little heavy and sticky at the beginning but I really loved how cooling and relaxing it felt. It has a very mild scent. The 20 minutes worth of pampering was all I needed to start this week right. I ended up applying the excess product on my neck, hands, and elbows. It was a perfect way to start this week.

Anyways, after I am done with my eight-day training for certification, I will try to tweak my goals to make it more feasible. How about you guys? How are your goals coming along?