Oh happy days!
BTW, these silicone scrubbies are available at your local Daiso. I just felt like including them in the haul because I’m super excited. I heard these make for an awesome makeup brush cleaner and it’s shockingly cheap at only PhP80.
Archives for September 2014
Review: Smashbox Studio Pro Brush Set
You remember how I went on and on about Smashbox’s offers at the recently concluded Nordstrom Anniversary sale right? Well, finally, all the stuff I ordered has arrived. They were pretty late because of Manila’s growing port problems but who cares, I got my stuff!
One thing that I noticed while waiting for my Nordstrom haul is the lack of reviews about the brushes. I have used these babies several times now and I can say with utter honesty that the quality is there. Sure, the handles are made from cheap plastic, but the brushes themselves are super soft, they don’t lose their shape after the initial wash, and they pick up products and blend splendidly.
The brush set is comprised of ten professional brushes:
- Foundation Brush
- Blush Brush
- Fan Brush
- Crease Brush
- Shader Brush
- Concealer Brush
- Bent Eyeliner Brush
- Lip brush
- Dual-ended Full Exposure brush
- Slanted Brow Brush
My only gripe is that the blush brush is rather tiny. It could probably work better as a contour brush because the tiny brush fit so well on the hollows of my cheeks.
The duo brush seen on Smashbox’s Full Exposure is an excellent dupe for the MAC 217, btw. The 217 is fluffier but the shape between two brushes are extremely similar. Check out the comparison below:
MAC 217 on the left, Smashbox duo brush on the right
I have the Full Exposure palette and I am so happy I have a backup of this duo-ended brush! It’s just a joy to use and was one of the reasons why I got this set to begin with. Overall, I am super happy that I got this brush set. It was definitely worth the wait. I can’t wait what brush sets Smashbox will come up with this holiday season!
Breaking News: Found a Local Zoeva Retailer
I thought I had no chance of getting these bad boys because Zoeva isn’t available in the US and this particular set is perpetually sold out at Luxola, but I was wrong. After much stalking and hunting, I totally found a retailer who sells these (pre-order) lovelies. The catch? I have to wait five to six weeks after ordering. That’s okay, I can be very, very patient when it comes to scoring things I want.
And that kids, is why you should never give up on your shallow dreams.
Nailed it, baby!
Urban Decay Vice 3
I heard the new Urban Decay Vice 3 was inspired by Miami Vice 🙂 I’m not feeling the color selection though. I still have the Vice 2 and I barely made a dent on any of the shades. Seriously, these things are so freakin’ pigmented. I think the Vice palettes are one of those super color-saturated palettes that have to be used with a great set of tools because you can’t blend these babies well with an el cheapo blending brush, if you know what I mean.
The palette also comes with a nifty case that matches the case’s colorways. I’m gonna have to give this a pass, but I’m excitedly waiting because most brands are slowly launching their holiday collection!!! Can’t wait 😀
Wish List of Sorts
Right, the two MAC palettes that I ordered from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale haven’t even reached me yet and already I am creating a list of the things I want/need. So, I spent the last three days rubbernecking and saw a lot of goodies that may or may not end up in my stash *snicker, snicker*
Zoeva Brush Set
Guize, have you heard about Zoeva? It’s a makeup brush brand based in Germany. I heard about it from a local blogger (Bless My Bag) and lawrd, it never left my mind since then! But because the brand is based in Europe, it means I can’t pre-order this from any of my trusted online sellers. GodFuckingDammit. They said this is available at Luxola, a Singapore-based online store but options are limited and most of the really good sets are perpetually out of stock. Obviously, the universe doesn’t want me to get my grubby paws on these babies.
Smashbox Masterclass III
Despite how much of a letdown the Full Exposure palette (review here) has been for me, I am still a massive Smashbox fan. I know Full Exposure’s troublesome shimmers may have been a slight mistake and I’m willing to overlook that because I know they make great shimmers in their other lines (I got the Studio Pop Palette and it was off the hook! Check it out here), the Masterclass III which is the third reiteration of their Masterclass line is gorgeous! They got rid of the sad cream liners and the lipglosses of collections yore and replaced it with giant pans of contouring powder, bronzer and highlighter! Mama likey! I plan to get this within a couple of months. I just need to find a good excuse to, heh.
Chic to Cheek Deluxe Amazonian Clay Blush Set ($35.00) (Limited Edition)
Pretty! Now would be a good time to try Tarte’s cult product, the Amazonian clay blushes! These babies are cute and they’re actually affordable, I mean, you’re getting four cute blushes for under 40 bucks 😀
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum
I haven’t really introduced a “real” serum into my skincare regimen. I’d love to get a bottle of this baby but it’s so expensive here in PH, it’s just not that sustainable at all.
Melissa Floret II
I used to wear heels but I grew older and began having real fear of bunions, hahaha! I kid, I kid. Let’s be real, heels are painful and I basically stopped wearing them for a while now. This fab wedge heels might bring me back to wearing heels again! It’s gorgeous! I love the contrasting colors and the harsh lines 🙂 very modern. I bet it’s super comfy too just like all my Melissa flats and sandals, heeee.
Philip Stein Watch
Ugh, so beautiful. I love beautiful watches. Wait, this list is getting too pricey way too quickly, hahahaha!
Kate Spade Cobble Hill Devin Satchel
This is part of Kate Spade’s newest collection. I saw this online and was like, “well, shit.” I know the design is unexciting but I love the color and the cute little flap and the sturdy-looking handle. This baby comes with a strap so you can wear it as a body bag too. It’s a classic bag and very girly! Neat!
Almost All Natural Beauty Products?
Just peeking in before Monday blues set it 😀
Until recently, I wasn’t the kind who’d actively look for all natural beauty products, especially if it’s a skin care product. I mean, I like natchie things in general but I’m not the one to experiment when it comes to the stuff I put on my face. And let’s just say, I don’t trust all-natural products to do anything more than keep my face clean? If that makes sense.
Then I realized, most of my skincare basics are actually pretty natural! I headed to Healthy Options a few weeks ago and got a couple of things. I was really hoping the Queen Helene mask was there but it wasn’t what I came there for, it was for Dickinson’s Witch Hazel toner. Luckily, both are available 🙂
I still love Eskinol and feel that it works great for my skin but I am nearing the advanced age and homegirl needs all the help she can get (snaps fingers in Z formation). I’ve been testing the Dickinson’s Witch Hazel toner for more than two weeks now, including at the height of my hormonal rages so watch out for that review.
As for the mask, I’ve tried this a couple of times but… I’m not as impressed. I dunno, I heard this was a cult favorite and I was expecting really awesome results but so far, I get so much better result from using Himalaya’s new Neem face pack, which I haven’t reviewed too (it’s pretty good, yo). My tube’s almost used up!
I also stocked up on Argan oil! I wanted to get more but I wanted these babies to stay fresh so I only got a couple as backup (reviewed it here). Each one is around PhP600.
Easing myself into an all-natural skincare regimen… hmmm. Here’s to better skin!