Mary Kay Timewise Liquid Foundation

Mary Kay Timewise Liquid Foundation is one of the best selling products of Mary Kay which retails for PHP785. It comes in 2 variants, Luminous and Matte Wear. 

Luminous-Wear is for dry to normal skin which comes in 2 shades, Ivory 5 and Beige 2.

Matte-Wear is for combination to oily skin which comes in 4 shades Ivory 5, Beige 2, Beige 4 and Beige 5.

I got the Matte-Wear in Beige 5 because I have oily skin.

Ingredients and Box Description.

Note: Violet stripe means it's for combination to oily skin. 

Pink stripe means it's for dry to normal skin.

Hmmn.. I don't really like the packaging, I guess I squeezed it a bit too hard while trying to open it so it got messy.

Shade Comparison: From Left to Right

L: Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream #27

M: Timewise Matte-Wear Liquid Foundation Beige 5

R: Revlon ColorStay Liquid Foundation #240 Medium Beige

without flash

with flash

I originally use the Missha M Perfect Cover BB cream because I like the idea of skincare and cosmetics rolled up into one. But BB creams are pretty heavy in general and wears off easily in our kind of weather. Although I love the shade so I still use it during cold months.

Then a friend suggested the Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation, so I tried it. It is really light  (in terms of the feeling in the skin, in other words you can barely feel you have foundation on) compared to the Missha BB Cream and it has generally good reviews for oily skin like mine. My only complain is that, the darkest shade available here is still very light for my skin. So I still have to use a darker powder when I'm using it.

Then Mary Kay Timewise Liquid Foundation came along. If you've tried Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation and think it's light, Mary Kay Timewise Liquid Foundation is even lighter. It has a matte, powder like finish and the shade was just right for me. It sets quickly though so you have to work fast. I use a buffing brush to blend it in my face.

I used Mary Kay Timewise Liquid Foundation in Beige 5 here. I also used Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Toffee and Mary Kay Eyeshadow in Sweet Plum for this look. :)

If you're interested in Mary Kay Products, you can send me a message :)

My Basic Make-Up Must Haves 2015

My Basic Must Haves

Disclaimer: I'm a noob when it comes to make-up. But I like to keep trying new things and sharing my experience with them. Every skin type is different so some products may be good for others and not for you. So you just have to keep trying to find the perfect match. #parangpagibig XD

As for me, I find myself loving the following products for a basic everyday look.

1. Pixy UV Whitening Perfect Matte Foundation in yellow ochre PHP245 - to keep my oiliness at bay and protect my skin from the sun (it has SPF15). I love using brushes instead of sponge to keep it light. But I use a damp sponge if I need more coverage. Available at Watsons and some SM department stores. I have a first impression review of this product which you can find here.

2. SanSan Eye Liner Pen in black PHP70 - to give some focus to the eyes. I have shaky hands so I find this the easiest to use. Plus it's really cheap. Available at HBC.

3. Etude's Drawing Eyebrow Pencil in light brown PHP145 - so I wouldn't look like a pabebe girl XD. <my eyebrows are really thin>. But seriously it frames the eyes more. Available at Etude House.

4. Maybelline's Magnum Volum Express Mascara PHP299 (on sale) - just because. My lashes aren't naturally curled up so I need something to hold them up and give some volume. Available at pretty much all stores with a cosmetics section.

5. Skin Food Lip and Cheek Tint KRW3000 XD - to give some color to my cheeks. I just smudge it with my fingers. I love the peachy color and it can be used as a lip tint too. Available at Skin Food. 

I also like the color of Ever Bilena blush in Crazy, but I find it unhygenic to use the brush over and over. I tried to wash the brush but I ended up ruining it :(

6. Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Lip Balm in Terra Crave PHP180 - to prevent my lips from chapping and adds some color too. Available at makeupholics.com. I have a first impression review of this product which you can find here.

I use them after cleansing, toning and moisturizing for a clean canvas just like in painting <no I don't paint XD>.

I love these products because: 

1. They are cheap but with good quality. Make-up doesn't have to be expensive. Sometimes the cheap finds are the real gems.

2. They are easily available at stores nearby or online.

3. They are easy to apply.

4. I personally love the colors and find it suitable for me. If it makes you feel good and feel confident then go for it. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. 

Most of these products are already repurchases except for the cheek tint and lip balm which doesn't seem to be depleting anytime soon. :)

When I'm not too lazy, I love using these too.. I 'd love to discuss it but I might bore you XD.

Ellana Mineral Cosmetics

I first heard about Ellana Mineral Cosmetics when a friend suggested their brush cleaner. Then I found their site and I just can't resist buying their beauty bundle.

899 for 1500 worth of products (40% OFF)

Make It Last Liquid Primer - PHP499

Ruby Lip & Cheek Gel - PHP299

Multipurpose Eyeshadow in Halo - PHP199

Multipurpose Eyeshadow in Brillance - PHP199

Pumpkin Pie Late Finishing Powder - PHP350

Crease Brush

Total:  PHP1546 not including the Crease Brush

I bought this set for PHP899. So I saved PHP647 and a crease brush!

I also bought the Brush Cleaner PHP400 and Blush in Bliss PHP153.

I got the complete set of mineral foundations too for free!

Mineral Powder, Eyeshadow and Blush

I love the packaging. They are so cute and neat.

Pumpkin Pie Late Oil Absorbing Finishing Powder. 

This is actually for neutral skin tones but it works for me. 

It belongs to their Surreal Blend which is for Oily/Acne Prone Skin.

Bliss Blush with an Earthy Terracotta color

Multipurpose Eyeshadow in Halo (an iridescent pink color)

It actually looks white but it's a pinkish glow when you apply it.

Multipurpose Eyeshadow in Brillance (bronze frost color)

Let me just say I love their powders! From the finishing powder to the blush and eyeshadow. The eyeshadow especially. I love the colors. they are very rich and pigmented. I was quite clueless at first on how to use mineral powders and they are messy but I love it!

Free Samples

I was quite disappointed to find they are all Intensive Blends (for Combination skin).

I was hoping to get samples of their Supreme Blend (for Oily skin).

But they're free so...

Brush Cleaner, Primer and Lip&Cheek Tint

Brush Cleaner in Action

I used the Pumpkin Pie Late Finishing Powder with the Multitask brush.

Then I sprayed some Cleaner on the tissue and swirled the brush in it.

Before and After

Works like a charm. I'd never have to worry about cleaning my brushes in a hurry. :)

Primer. It's the first time I've used a primer and I didn't like the smell. It smells like oil in wood I don't know.

The lip and cheek tint has a nice ruby red color but for some reason it only colors my lower lip. XD I think my upper lip is too dark and I don't even smoke.

I know I'm quite the impulsive buyer but I didn't regret purchasing these products. Their website is really nice and informative. They will help you determine your skin tone and type and recommend the perfect blend for you. I also like that they have a wide range of colors both for every skin tone and type. The colors are so nice and looks natural on the skin. I've been using these for a week and no breakouts. I don't think the oil-absorbing properties were much help though. I still have to blot every now and then but I like the finish. It blends really well on my skin. Would I repurchase? The brush cleaner, blush and eyeshadow, definitely yes and maybe the finishing powder too. The primer and lip&cheek tint not so much.

http://ellana.com.ph/

Choosing a Foundation

If it's your first time to buy a foundation, here are some things to consider when choosing one.

1. Skin Undertones.          Skin Color and Skin Undertone are two different things. Skin undertone is like a layer under your skin. Your skin color may change but your undertone doesn't. It will help you a lot when choosing foundations, blushes or lipsticks.
          There are 3 types of skin undertone, cool, warm and neutral. There are also 3 easy ways to determine your skin undertone.

     A. Blue or Green? Look at the color of your veins in your wrist preferably using natural light. If they appear to be bluish/violet, your undertone is cool. If it's greenish then it is warm. If it's a combination of both, your undertone is neutral.
         I had a hard time determining mine because when you look at my left wrist, the veins are blue, if you look at my right wrist, the veins are green but I figured it out using natural light. It's green.

     B. Silver or Gold? What color of jewelry flatters your skin without considering your personal preference? If silver melts in your skin, your undertone is cool. If it's gold that flatters yours then your undertone is cool. If it's both, your undertone is neutral.
         I prefer white gold jewelries but I have a gold ring which blends with my skin.

     C. Blue or Pink? What color of clothes do you prefer? If you gravitate towards blue and white colors, your undertone is cool. If you receive more compliments on orange or pinks, your undertone is warm. If both, then your undertone is neutral.
         If you look at my wardrobe, it's all black, gray, blue and white. But A and B points me to Warm undertone.


     It can get really confusing. Not all people with fair skin has cool undertones and similarly, not all people with dark skin have warm undertone. If you're having a hard time distinguishing things, you're probably neutral.


     Foundation colors are usually warm, cool or neutral based. M.A.C. classifies their foundations as NW (Neutral Warm) for cool undertones and NC (Neutral Cool) for warm undertones. Followed by a number that indicates the depth of the shade.

2. Skin Color
          Now this is easier to determine, just look in the mirror and voila! You can see your skin color. When matching foundation shades, match it against the skin below your cheeks. (jaw part) The color should blend perfectly.

3. Skin Type
         For oily skin, you're better off with powder foundation. For dry skin, try liquid foundation. I personally prefer powder foundation because I have oily skin and I feel like liquid foundation will just melt under the heat with our country's temperature. So a foundation with SPF protection would be a good idea as well.

4. Acidity
         If you're acidic like me, foundation seems to darken after sometime so the foundation should be one shade lighter than your skin tone.

5. Budget and Availability
         If budget is not an issue, try MAC, Rimmel London, Lancome, Revlon or Cover Girl. If you're into cheap thrills like me, try Maybeline, Ever Bilena or Pixy.

I'm not claiming to be an expert or anything. Just want to share what I learned.

References:
http://michellephan.com/how-to-find-your-undertone-makeup-beauty-skin-tips/
http://www.skinandtonics.com/mac-foundation-matching-debacle-nw-nc/
http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/p-best-drugstore-foundation

Pixy Foundation

I finally got my hands on this much talked about Pixy Foundation. I was beginning to think it was just a myth (>_<). Well it's not. I'm just beginning to explore the world of cosmetics and it's driving me crazy XD. There's this thing about knowing the color of your undertones and what skin type you have. Anyway.. while searching for a good affordable foundation, I came across with Pixy Foundation.

 Pixy UV Whitening Two Way Cake Perfect Matte in Yellow Ochre

They have 3 types of foundation:

1. Pixy UV Whitening Two Way Cake Perfect Matte - for oily skin

2. Pixy UV Whitening Two Way Cake Perfect Fit - for dry skin

3. Pixy Ultimate Make up Cake - for lasting wear

The one I bought was Perfect Matte because I have oily skin. It comes in 3 shades, Honey Beige, True Beige and Yellow Ochre. I found Honey Beige too dark for me. True Beige was for those who have cool undertones so I end up choosing Yellow Ochre which was a shade lighter than my skin but was perfect because I'm acidic.

 Here's what the labels say

 The refill costs PHP145 at Watsons

This is after my little sister dropped my make up kit. T_T

Good thing it was still intact.

You can buy Pixy Products at selected Watsons stores and SM Cosmetics sections. They have one at SM Mega and Watsons at the Podium. 

I like the packaging but it won't close anymore after my sister dropped it. It has this fragrance which I didn't like but I can live with it. I applied it using a powder brush but the sponge that comes with it is nice too.

#Pixified w/o flash

#Pixified w/ flash

I think the shade was just right for me. After 3 hours, I was already getting oily. I'll try this next time without using moisturizer, maybe it would last longer XD