Archives for July 2014

Review: Earth Therapeutics Headband

July 30, 2014 by Tina Lee Leave a Comment

When I visited the city a couple of weeks ago, I bought along several knick-knacks that aren’t really beauty related. One of the stuff I got is a couple of headbands by Earth Therapeutics. I LOVE Earth Therapeutics’ fancy little spa things, like their silk sleep mask, which I take with me every time I travel and their foot care line. But today, I will talk about the headbands because I think these are bangin’ products!

I got the hairbands from Beauty Bar for PhP450+ each, which I thought was fairly affordable. They came in two color, one is mint-green with no patterns and the other is pink with little heart patterns. I don’t think I need to tell you which design I chose, hahaha!

If you’re like me who have a lot of irritating hairs around the hairline then you need a good headband. I have a couple of headbands in my stash, the first one was a gift and I use to dry my makeup brushes because it’s by Aquazorb. The other is extremely ill-fitting, using it will only lead to a migraine! The third one is a turban of sorts and since I use this all the time, it started to slip from my head. The headband by Earth Therapeutics is so fluffy, fits so well and is very comfortable! I love everything about it. It’s not made of terry cloth by the way, but plush polyester. It’s butter soft, super fluffy and felt quite durable.

Headbands like these are often used when you’re doing skincare or things that require you to get the baby hairs outta the way. I use it this every night and never take it off even in bed because I just hate all the baby hairs! This thing right here is super useful when I put face masks on my face! And seriously, with its adorable design, it’s so frilly girly, I love it!

Here’s me all smiles because of the cute headband! I bought two because I want to have one ready in case the other has to be washed. Overall, these are nifty tools and they are a great purchase. If Earth Therapeutics have other cute designs, I’d love to buy more. The only thing I hate about it is the massive logo on the side of the headband. I thought that was an unnecessary detail that should’ve been left out but that’s just me nitpicking.

Commercial Break: Beauty Blogger of The Month Award

July 27, 2014 by Tina Lee 2 Comments

Yes, so we’re taking a break from beauty blogging and will focus on something a bit related but not really. I’ve been nominated for the Beauty Blogger of the Month by London beauty blogger, Jay of JustJayBeauty 🙂 thank you what an honor. It’s nice that I get to meet loads of beautiful ladies who are just as batshit crazy about beauty products as I am. So please, check her out for cool beauty tips and reviews, mmkay? So, on with the show: I like doing these Q&A things actually.

1. Where does your makeup inspiration come from?

I watch a lot Pixi Woo/Maya Mia videos, most of the everyday looks they do, I use as inspiration.

2. What are 3 of your makeup or skin care Holy Grail products you cannot live without?

Argan Oil – this made my skin so youthful on a vampiric level, let me tell ya.
Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream – I literally cannot get enough of this thing.
MUFE Perfect Cover Concealer – Best concealer ever.

3. What is your makeup signature look which you have on most of the time?

I’m into neutral eyes and a pop of peachy cheeks and lips. I also fake dewiness using a highlighter.

4. Let us know your favorite makeup brands?

MUFE, MAC and Smashbox, definitely. From Asia: The Face Shop, Etude.

5. Your ultimate makeup pet peeve?

When the brow product won’t stay put all day. I’m very obsessive about my brows and I tend to layer at least 3 brow products on everyday.

6. You’ve heard about all the hype on this makeup item, bought it, tried it and don’t understand what all the fuss is about…Name that product!

The MUFE Aquabrow. I love MUFE and all but srsly, I paid less with my Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade and it’s amazeballs!

7. Concealer OR foundation ONLY for the rest of your life. Choose one and tell us the reason!

Concealer now and forever. Amen. Because there are times when I’m just too lazy to put on a foundie but it’s never the case with the concealer.

My Nominations for Beauty Blogger of The Month

Well, this is tricky since I’m new into this whole thing and never got a chance to meet with others. However, I have come across these fabulous beauty bloggers through this blog. Ladies 😉

Annie’s Beauty Blog
Miss Winnie and a Miniskirt
Lots of Girl Stuff
Bas Blonde
CJ’s Beauty Book

If you have been nominated check out Celia’s Corner for the Beauty Blogger of The Month for the giveaway rules.

Review: LUSH Porridge Soap

July 26, 2014 by Tina Lee 4 Comments

I recently picked up two new soaps by LUSH, the Porridge soap and the Honey, I Washed The Kids soap. I was terribly disappointed to discover that LUSH won’t be carrying any of their face masks other than Magnaminty. Apparently, LUSH has issues with supplying to a tropical country. Le ugh. Anyway, today I will be reviewing the Porridge soap.

Here’s what LUSH has to say about the Porridge Soap:

Start your day right with a generous helping of Porridge soap. Ideal for sensitive skin; it’s irresistible to everyone else, even bears. A nutritious breakfast bar; we fill each one with oats to gently exfoliate and cleanse. As the oats mix with hot water, they create calming milk that soothes and softens your entire body. Organic orange juice is full of nutritious vitamin C, ideal for refreshing and brightening your skin, and keeping it clear. Oh, and did we mention the delicious caramel scent? All in all, this soap is just right.

Bear-y good: Break into the bathroom, not a stranger’s house for an irresistible wash with a molasses-scented soap.
OJ for a fresh start: Freshly squeezed, organic orange juice refreshes the skin and keeps it clear and spot-free with citric acid.
Full meal deal: Oatmeal adds exfoliating texture to scrub dirt away, and calms skin with oat milk.

First, the smell. It smells sublime, like sweet, milky goodness with just the slightest hint of citrus notes. It’s delicious smelling and it’s too damn bad that it doesn’t linger on the skin after a bath but I’m getting ahead of myself. The soap is very gritty because it ‘s packed with crushed oats to exfoliate the skin. I read that some people find the crushed oats too rough for exfoliation but personally, I’ve been using the soap for more than a week now and so far, the grittiness isn’t bothersome.

I love how nourishing this soap is compared to my Karma soap, which does nothing to my severely dry skin! And I’ll be honest, although this soap is somewhat richer and more nourishing, it’s not as moisturizing as I’d like. My The Body Shop shower gels work better than two of the LUSH soaps I got and I am quite disappointed mainly because the soaps cost more than the shower gels! Am I alone on this? Let me know in the comment section, I’d like to know which LUSH soaps are super moisturizing because seriously, I don’t want to go through all LUSH soaps to discover which ones work for super dry skin, hahaha!

I also read that the Porridge soap melts a bit too fast and it’s true but only when it’s about to be used up. The crushed oats wear away faster and it does create a lot of mess in the shower as the soap gets smaller. But since the oats are probably going to disintegrate over time, I don’t mind the mess.

For those looking for incredibly foamy soap, sadly, this is still not it. Granted, it’s sudsier than the Karma soap but if you really want nice, luxurious foam, look somewhere else.You will have better luck at getting foam from the soap if you use a bath lily. And even then, the lather is thin, like it didn’t want to be there, haha!

What I do is I soap myself several times then, I wet a bath lily and scrub away. I get dense foam out of that. Overall, the Porridge soap is a fabulous choice for those with sensitive and dry skin. It’s not intensely moisturizing but the lovely scent makes up for it. I wish the scent lingers even after every bath but alas, it’s gone as soon as I step out of the shower.

Nordstrom Anniversary Madness: So What Did You Get?

July 21, 2014 by Tina Lee Leave a Comment

Being halfway across the world to the US, I kept forgetting that July is Nordstrom’s Anniversary sale. Had I known about it, I would’ve tried saving more money so I can pre-order more beautiful things! As I already said a blog ago, I am interested in picking up the Smashbox Studio Pro brush set and I have (will tell the funny story about it after the brushes arrive). I am just waiting for my order to arrive, which will be late in August (the waiting time is killing me, believe me!)

I also picked up MAC’s Look in a box in All About Plum and All About Beige. I got those because I got last year’s MAC Illustrated Face Kit in brown and despite having numerous palettes, I always reached for it all the time! I realized that this is something I use almost everyday so getting similar palettes will be a great investment. They’re also a great opportunity to try more stuff from MAC other than their concealers and foundies. Plus, I just can’t help myself, they are so lovely!

So the Nordstrom Anniversary sale is still going until August 6, what did you get so far?

My Vanity Table Setting

July 10, 2014 by Tina Lee Leave a Comment

Although I have been obsessing about makeup for a couple of years now, I never thought about improving my vanity setting until recently. It has been quite a ride for me and my small project took a lot of work but so far. Check out the before and after pic:

Before

After

I got the vanity table and the chair from my aunt. She started selling furniture recently and I was lucky enough to have easy access on key pieces for my vanity, and at cheaper prices too! I got rid of my old mirror and instead opted for a frilly, girly painting. I daresay, the overall effect is fabulous!

The crystal-like knobs are just lovely! Again, because my aunt owns a hardware store, I got easy access even on cool embellishments. Love the vintage-y aesthetics, suits the classic design of the vanity table!

I actually enjoyed the process of looking and piecing together different looks, finding which design fits and finally seeing everything come together. I wish it wasn’t as costly though! I tend to be too enthusiastic about buying key pieces so this project made quite a dent on my savings.

Now that my project is almost done, I’m moving to developing a mini-office right in the bedroom. I work from home and spend around 90% of my time in the bedroom even when working that’s why I figured I might as well invest on creating a decent-looking mini-office of my own. First, I am searching for super simple and small-ish computer tables.

The largest room in my new house is not as big as my old room that’s why I have to turn to sleeker, more streamlined designs to maximize the space. I’ve seen a lot of computer tables out there but the one above I loved the best. The size is perfect and the design is a mix of contemporary and classic. It’s fabulous!

I already commissioned my cousin to create that computer table for me (his business involves iron works). We will start the project soon and I just can’t wait! After the table is done, I will be moving on to stocking up on simple office items.

Funny, I just remembered a quote how you know you’re officially old when you start getting excited about furniture. Hahaha, man.

Review: Vanitibasics 8 ¾ Double-sided Lighted Vanity Mirror

July 5, 2014 by Tina Lee 6 Comments

I know it’s weird that I’m reviewing a vanity mirror but here me out, you need this shit. I have found the perfect vanity mirror since the vain Queen’s mirror on the wall in Snow White. I’m talking about Vanitibasic Double-Sided Lighted Vanity Mirror. Let’s get this party started with the specs:

Clarity™ Mirror with white incandescent light
5x magnification
8¾” mirror diameter
Glare-free and shadow-free viewing
Distortion-free fog-less mirror
On/Off switch on mirror base
Bright chrome finish
Transparent cord/wire
Stable non-slip base
Dimensions: 10 3/4″ x 6 1/4″ x 10 1/2s

Oh, behave! I came across Vanitibasics mirrors when I happen to pass by Rustan’s one day (by pass by, I meant making a beeline to the beauty counters and swatching beautiful things until the cows came home).

I’ve always wanted a lighted vanity mirror but the ones I know are quite pricey, amounting to 7K and up. The Vanitibasic Double-Sided Lighted Vanity Mirror is pricey but to be honest, I think the price is justified and it’s nowhere near 7k.

It’s too expensive for a mirror, I’ll give you that. However, the satin chrome finish is so bee-you–teefellll. When you feel it, you’ll know. The Vanitibasic Double-Sided Lighted Vanity Mirror feels so solid. It’s a good sized mirror with two sides, a regular mirror and the other, a magnified mirror.

The magnified side is perfect for working on the finer details of your makeup and when you turn on the light, you can see everything. Like, even the most unflattering parts of your face you’d rather not see (hello forehead freckles)

The bottom of the mirror stand features a soft, rubbery cover that enhances stability. It does stay put! The soft touch button gives a reassuring “click” when pushed. The overall construction of the mirror is pretty impressive, everything about it just feel sturdy, sleek, luxurious.

The magnifier definitely made this mirror a great addition to my vanity. The design is really versatile too. It features both classic and contemporary aesthetics so I’m pretty sure it’ll look great on any one’s vanity too, hahaha!

To me, the size is great but for those with smaller vanities, this might be a bit bulky, I’d suggest getting the smaller one 🙂 Yes, there is a smaller version of this model but it does not offer a magnified side, just a regular lighted mirror.

My only concern is the availability of the bulb inside the mirror. I hope it won’t give out soon and if it does, I wish I could easily find a replacement bulb at the local hardware store.

Overall, the Vanitibasic Double-Sided Lighted Vanity Mirror is a great buy, a worthy investment for people like me who always wanted a lighted mirror but are thinking twice about plunking almost 10k for a professional looking lighted vanity mirror.