Archives for June 2015

Review: Happy Skin Shut Up and Kiss Me Beauty in Bloom Lipstick

June 19, 2015 by Tina Lee 2 Comments

The title was a mouthful, wasn’t it? Try saying it five times in a row!

I have read so many raves about Happy Skin’s Shut Up and Kiss Me lipstick range that’s why I finally picked up one of their limited releases to try. I am pretty late to the party though I can see why this lipstick line is very popular.

Happy Skin is a relatively new PH-based beauty brand that focuses on caring for the skin. Hence, the name. In a nutshell, the brand promises makeup that acts like skin care. For instance, the products I will review today promise to moisturize the lips while injecting vivid, long-lasting color. And how true are these claims?

The lipsticks come in a limited edition cardboard box. I think this was part of Happy Skin’s spring collection. The set has two lip color, Hold my Hand – a warm honey pink, and Bride to Be, a flattering rose pink.

These lippies remind me of Revlon’s Just Bitten lip balms. I know the formulation between Happy Skin’s SUAKM and Revlon’s Just Bitten is different, but these products have a lot of things in common. Both products are lightly hydrating and wear comfortably.

Swatch Time!

L: Hold My Hand, R: Bride To Be

Hold My Hand

Bride to Be

I’m happy to report that both lip colors glides so smoothly upon application. Absolutely no tugging! The product is formulated with collagen and Shea butter, it melts on the skin and hugs the lips like a velvet glove. It’s an excellent formula, I have to say! Even better, the pigmentation is really good. It’s not opaque on the first pass but buildable. Both variations are comfortable to wear and last about three hours sans drinking or eating.

As for the cons, the color transfers like no other. I was so used to the Revlon Just Bitten lip balms that stain the lips beautifully and transfer minimally. These lipsticks will transfer anywhere from your mug to your spoon. But they do not leave a beautiful stain. The Happy Skin lippies fade into unsightly patches. Several times, I was caught unaware that I no longer have color on my lips. Instead, I’m left with noticeable pigment lines on the vermilion. I have to re-apply hurriedly to cover up the darn lines T_T

Also, I find that after a couple hours of wear, the formula starts exaggerating the lines on my lips. Which makes the ring of pigment around my lips even more horrifying to look at. Finally, the lip color bleeds a little bit. I think this one’s my fault because I don’t wear lip liner but still, this is something to think about when getting these lippies.

Check out the lines: two hours of wear

Overall, these lippies are very flattering to my skin tone and they are lightly hydrating. The lippies glide smoothly with fantastic pigmentation to match! Plus points for the fabulous packaging. However, they are not as long-wearing as other lippies in my stash. They do not stain the lips either, which bummed me out.

Review: Tony Moly Pure Eco Snail Moisture Gel

June 14, 2015 by Tina Lee Leave a Comment

I’m back with yet another review, this time a find from Tony Moly. Tony Moly is a Korean beauty brand that specializes in skincare. However, they do have an extensive makeup line too.

I came across the Pure Eco Snail Moisture gel when I was at Megamall’s beauty department, getting another moisturizer from another brand. I was familiar with Tony Moly’s aloe vera gel, which comes in a huuuuge tub. And I was pretty surprised when I dropped to their counter to find a Snail gel in a huuuuggeee tub! I got excited because snail slime, no matter how disgusting it is, is having a moment in the Asian beauty industry right now. And I’m all over that shit like white on rice!

Snail slime is exactly what it is, the mucus that snails produce. Some brave soul somehow found that the slime can plump up the skin and smooth out wrinkles. And now there’s a whole beauty industry dedicated to snail slime, how awesome is that?

As for the product, it comes in a really large container with a lid that closes pretty tight. It’s a no frills gel with a refreshing scent. The scent isn’t as strong and I quite like it.

The gel is clear, light and absorbs quickly into the skin. Methinks this gel works as a great primer.

Because the container is a tub, you’ll have to find ways to scoop the product out hygienically. In all honesty, I don’t have a scooper so I use clean fingers to get the product ( usually after washing my face).

Although it’s hydrating, it’s not enough for my super dry skin. I find that the skin around my mouth remains “tight” after putting this on. I tend to layer with another moisturizer just to hydrate this area.

While the product sinks into the skin readily, the skin surface remains tacky for several minutes. I don’t know why but it just leaves a sticky film that does not go away quickly. This is the reason why this makes an excellent primer though. So even if it’s light and fast-absorbing, I wouldn’t use this in the morning unless as a primer.

Overall, I like this product but for reasons beyond its intended purpose. In a pinch, this will moisturize the skin. But for parched skin that needs deep hydration, you’ll have to look for a richer moisturizer. Also, I think this broke me out a bit. So if you have sensitive skin, this might irritate your skin.