ELF Brightening Eye Color Quad in Butternut - Review, Photos, Swatches

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ELF Brightening Eye Color Quad in Butternut is not my first eye shadow from ELF. I was hesitant to get this (and any of their eye shadow products for that matter) because my first purchase was a huge disappointment. I got the creamy ones (the duos in pots), and boy they creased and was too sheer for my liking. It was only when Christine  posted swatches of some of their Brightening Eye Color sets that I finally gave ELF eye shadows another chance. 

Still apprehensive, I did a little more research about these quads and finally decided to get Butternut. I think this is the most popular since its featured on lots of makeup tutorials online. Its the safest choice for me since I go nuts about neutral palettes because you can never go wrong with them. 

It is safe to say that ELF really redeemed themselves in my book with this quad. I am seriously in love with it! I've been using it since the day I got it. I love the texture and how good the color payoff is. There are minimal fall outs which can be avoided by tapping the excess shadow from your brush before applying it directly on your lids. I also love how the shimmer is just right. I really hate glitters in my makeup. 

Plus its so affordable and easy to tote around. How can you go wrong with that? :)

ELF Brightening Eye Color Quad in Butternut

swatch with flash

swatch without flash

PROS: shades can be worn from day to night, very versatile and classic, color payoff is good, its pretty long wearing but I suggest you use a good eye primer underneath, very affordable and locally available
CONS: Just like my cry on most palettes, I hope they have bigger mirrors and better quality brushes.

VERDICT:

 I will definitely repurchase!  

Where To Buy:

ELF Brightening Eye Color Quad in Butternut

Watson's or SM Department Store, P129.75

Nichido Lip Pencil in Blaze - Review, Photos, Swatches

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Nichido Lip Pencil in Blaze is my first ever lip liner. The color is just perfect. Its really pigmented and can be worn on its own. Its a little creamy so its easy to apply, then it dries out matte. My only problem with it is its longevity. Its not as long wearing as I'd want it to be, but of course, it costs less than P100 so it can't be perfect. 

Nichido Lip Pencil in Blaze

swatch with flash

swatch without flash

PROS: Pretty shade of red, creamy but dries out matte, opaque, locally available, and very affordable
CONS: It would have been perfect if it's long wearing


VERDICT:

 I will repurchase when I don't find something better.

Where To Buy:
Nichido Lip Pencil in Blaze
Watson's, P95

Maybelline Eyestudio Quad in New York Night - Review, Photos, Swatches

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Smoky eyes is the go-to eye makeup for that sexy, fierce, and vixen-y look. But with summer just around the corner, I personally think donning smoked out eyes (in black/grey) is a little..off-the-season? :) But that's just me. Like what I always say, if you wanna rock it, forget the rules! Own it!

But if you consider a summer-appropriate smoky eyes, then this palette from Maybelline could be the right one for you. :)

Maybelline Eyestudio Quad in New York Nights

Maybelline Eyestudio in New York Nights

Shades of  (denim-ish) blue

MX-1 New York Night

These blues are great for the smoky eye look but with a little more color than the usual.

The color payoff is nice and the texture is great. Not chalky at all. 

I really love Maybelline palettes because it's perfect for everyone: beginners to pros. 

They have a variety of palettes to choose from, so I'm pretty sure you'll find something that will work for you.

Swatches with flash

Swatches without flash

PROS: Color payoff and texture are great, sleek and compact packaging, easy to use and blends well together

CONS: I really can't think of any except if you're not into these shades.

VERDICT:

 I will definitely repurchase!

Where To Buy:

Maybelline Eyestudio Quad in New York Night

499.75php, Watson's

FTC: I paid for this product with my own money. I am not getting paid to make this review. I am not affiliated with the said brand. Photos above are taken/owned by yours truly.

Maybelline Eyestudio Quad in Autumn Spirit - Review, Photos, Swatches

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Summer is almost here! It's the perfect time to wear fresh, vibrant colors: from clothes, shoes, accessories to makeup. I've been receiving comments from you my dear readers that most of the products I feature are either not locally available or way over your budget. So i decided to make a series of product reviews that aren't just locally available but are affordable, too (or at least at reasonable prices).

This time, let's focus on the windows of our soul: our eyes.

Maybelline Eyestudio Quad in Autumn Spirit

Maybelline Eye Studio Quad in Autumn Spirit

GD-1 Autumn Spirit

Okay, okay. I know the label says "autumn", so why would we wear it during summer?
The shades are obviously neutrals. For me, neutrals can be worn anytime, any season.
The trick is, you should apply it sparingly.
This was my first (and favorite!) palette from Maybelline.
I love their eye shadow quads because they really work together and it's so easy to use.
They even have directions at the back on how one should apply it. It's great especially for those who are just beginning in applying / experimenting with makeup.

swatches with flash

swatches without flash

PROS: Nice neutral shades that can be worn all year. Will flatter any skin tones. The color payoff is awesome. They're highly pigmented and the texture is also nice. Not chalky at all.The packaging is compact and it's easy to tote around. It's also locally available.

CONS: I really can't think of any. :)

VERDICT: 

 I will definitely repurchase!

Where To Buy:

Maybelline Eyestudio Quad in Autumn Spirit

499.75php, Watson's

FTC: I paid for this product with my own money. I am not getting paid to make this review. I am not affiliated with the said brand. Photos above are taken/owned by yours truly.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream - Istanbul, Antwerp, San Paulo, Amsterdam, Monte Carlo

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Istanbul, Antwerp, San Paulo (São Paulo), Amsterdam, Monte Carlo; when I hear these names, I just want to grab my passport and travel! 


For the beauty lovers (particularly the makeup junkies), these names, collectively, refers to 1 makeup product: 

NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

Left-Right:

Istanbul
Antwerp
San Paulo (São Paulo)
Amsterdam
Monte Carlo

Istanbul, Antwerp, San Paulo  (São Paulo) , Amsterdam, Monte Carlo

Swatches with flash

Left to Right:

Addis Ababa, Antwerp, Istanbul, San Paulo, Amsterdam, Monte Carlo

Click HERE for the review on Addis Ababa and HERE for Amsterdam :)

Swatches without flash

This soft matte lip cream formula is more matte than their matte lipsticks. When worn, they could emphasize the lines on your lips (especially the lighter shades). I love it's smell and taste (vanilla sorbet?).

These come with wands, so if you have problems with "double dipping", I'm not sure if you'll dig this.

Also, they have other shades from this line. The shades mentioned above are the ones that I have on hand. :)

Please watch out for my individual reviews on these babies. ;)

FTC: I purchased these products with my own money. I 'm not getting paid for this post. I'm not affiliated with the brand mentioned. Photos above are owned/taken by yours truly. 

NYX Matte Lipstick in Shocking Pink - Review, Photos, Swatches

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NYX Matte Lipstick in Shocking Pink is a purple-based bright pink lipstick. A color that will suit cool-toned, fair-skinned chicas more (but really, if you want it, regardless of your skin tone, just rock it!).

NYX Matte Lipstick in Shocking Pink

NYX Matte in Shocking Pink

Shocking Pink

MLS02 Shocking Pink

It's one of those head-turning lipsticks that could intimidate some.

The formula is the great: opaque and matte but not completely drying.

lip swatch

swatch with flash

swatch without flash

It is named appropriately, don't you think? :)

PROS: Formula, opacity, and pigmentation are great. Decent hours of wear for a drugstore lipstick. Lastly, it's affordable!

CONS: I have a slight problem with the packaging. I find it a bit bulky. But I can overlook that, as long as the product itself performs well. :)

VERDICT: 5 out of 5 CHILIS!

Where To Buy:
NYX Matte Lipstick in Shocking Pink
350php, Pretty Goddess



Is Shocking Pink for you? :)




FTC: I purchased this product with my own money. I 'm not getting paid for this post. I'm not affiliated with the brand mentioned. Photos above are owned/taken by yours truly.

L.A. Girl Lipstick in Last Night - Review, Photos, Swatches

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They say, when you're a shopaholic (and/or an impulsive buyer), looking around, browsing aisles of products in the store won't lead you to anything good. Those people do not know what they're talking about.

I was just killing time at the mall, so I decided to go to one my favorite places: Watson's.
I love this place because you never know what you'll discover. They carry interesting and never-heard-of products (mostly from Asia and North America) that will definitely tickle your fancy.

I was browsing the makeup aisle not knowing I would find a lipstick in this shade, in a drugstore :)

L.A. Girl Lipstick in Last Night

L.A. Girl in Last Night

L.A. Girl Lipstick

A bright pink lipstick

LC540 Last Night

The lady behind the L.A. Girl counter told me that this has a matte finish. I do not completely agree, 'cause I find it a little creamy. Maybe semi-matte? It's opaque, highly pigmented, and it lasts a decent 2-4 hours of wear. For a drugstore lipstick, that's pretty long (at least for me). It has distinct taste and smell, that could bother some. The smell and taste is not that strong though. They have other shades as well. I think they have an orange and a red.

Swatch with flash

Swatch without flash

PROS: formula is semi-matte (matte but still a little creamy), opaque, highly pigmented, affordable, and locally available :)
CONS: People might have issues with the smell and/or taste. Personally, I don't mind it. The packaging (the clear cap) could get a little messy, too.


VERDICT: 4 OUT OF 5 CHILIS! I really don't mind the taste/smell. The packaging can use a little improvement. But really, for a drugstore lipstick? You really can't complain much.






L.A. Girl Lipstick in Last Night
299.75php, Watson's

FTC: I paid for these products with my own money. I am not getting paid to make this review. I am not affiliated with the said brands. Photos above are taken/owned by yours truly.

Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart - Review, Photos, Swatches

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Do you already have a date? Are you ready for your Valentine’s kiss?

I don’t have a date (yet). I’m not really looking forward to it since I haven’t celebrated Valentine’s for years. But, just in case he suddenly pops up, I know my lips are ready for that kiss. ;)

 

I’ve been reading positive reviews about Revlon Lip Butters; how it softens and moisturizes the lips and leaves a stain (or at least a good amount of color) on the lips. With this kind of raving, I had to try it out myself.

Truth be told, I am not disappointed. :)

Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart 

Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart

Sweet Tart (090)

Nice, subtle pink :)

Swatch with flash

I love the fact that it’s moisturizing but not as thick and sticky like a gloss. It leaves a good amount of color on the lips. I use mine when I wear natural-looking makeup. I also have Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop. (Let me know if you want me to post a review about that also)

PROS: moisturizing with a decent amount of color, tastes yummy, wide range of colors available.

CONS: if you’re into dramatic, bright lips, this is not for you. For a drugstore product, this is a bit expensive (at least here in the Philippines).

VERDICT: 4 out of 5 CHILIS! I love the formula and the fact that it helps in keeping my puckers soft and kissable, but for a drugstore lipstick, this is a bit too pricey.

Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart

525php, Watson’s

Have you tried a Revlon Lip Butter? Do you like it? I would love to hear from you. :)

FTC: I paid for this product with my own money. I am not getting paid to make this review. I am not affiliated with the said brand. Photos above are taken/owned by yours truly. 

Drugstore Makeup: Current Favorite Pink Lipstick

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"I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and... I believe in miracles." - Audrey Hepburn


When I feel like being sweet and girly, I reach for my pink lipstick instead of my usual reds. I notice that I look somewhat "younger" and "fresher" when I wear this shade.


I'm here to share with you my current favorite drugstore pink lipsticks. Why drugstore brands? Because in this day and age, we have to be practical (YES, including me).

My Current Favorite Drugstore Pink Lipsticks

My Current Favorite Drugstore Pink Lipsticks
BARRY M in 52
L.A. Girl in Last Night
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Addis Ababa
Rvelon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart 

Swatches (without flash)
Left to Right: Revlon, Barry M, NYX, L.A. Girl

Swatches (with flash)
Left to Right: Revlon, Barry M, NYX, L.A. Girl

When I say current, it means that these are the tubes I reach for these days. This may (well, for sure it will) change, of course. But right now, these are my picks. :)


Please watch out for my individual reviews on these lipsticks. :)






What's your favorite drugstore pink lipstick(s)?
Do you prefer the bright, neon pinks or the subtle ones?
I would love to hear them. :)

FTC: I paid for these products with my own money. I am not getting paid to make this review. I am not affiliated with the said brands. Photos above are taken/owned by yours truly.