1. Fanny Serrano Cosmetics Angled Liner Brush (Php 50)

2. Scents for Senses Diffuser Oils (Php 100 | L-R: Cherry Blossom, Sandalwood, Baby Powder)

3. Unbranded 12-pc Eye Makeup Set (Php 850 from Chedelyn Cosmetics)

Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope every single one of you is having a nice time. Usually, I'd post updates on a Saturday but because school has been very hectic lately, I haven't been able to write any beauty-related entries. I didn't want to break my streak of updating weekly, so I thought I'll just share  about how my Sunday is going so far; I hope it's not too late! A personal post every now and then wouldn't hurt, right?

Price: $46 Bought from: Given as a gift Expiration: 12 months after opening Net Wt.: Light shades - 2.3g each || Shadow shades - 4.5g each

HAIR

L-R: Aveeno Hair Care Nourish + Dandruff Control Shampoo, Tresemme Split Repair Serum

Aveeno Hair Care Nourish + Dandruff Control Shampoo
I was looking for a shampoo that I could alternate with my sulfate-free shampoo as the latter tends to build up on the scalp. I decided to get this one because it claimed to moisturize the scalp and make hair healthier. It did a good job of keeping my hair feel clean without overly stripping it of moisture. It didn't seem to have made my hair oilier either.

Will I repurchase? While I do think this is a gentle anti-dandruff shampoo, I probably wouldn't repurchase it any time soon because it's expensive.

TreSemme Split Repair Hair Serum
I bought this product two years ago because I used to suffer from severe split ends. I don't remember why I never got around to using it; it was only a few months ago year I rediscovered this purchase. Even though this "split-sealing" serum seemed gimmicky, I still went ahead and tried it. I believe it did help a lot in strengthening the ends of my hair, though I still can't tell if it's able to help seal split ends. It's immediately absorbed by wet hair but I wouldn't apply this when it's dry because the formula is quite thick and heavy. However, even though the formula is thick, it is not sticky - rather, it glides on smoothly to hair.

Will I repurchase? I will not because I am not a fan of the smell and I realized that my hair isn't prone to split ends anymore (because I haven't chemically treated it in more than a year), though I do recommend it to those who are suffering from split ends.

L-R: Snoe Hair Heroes Super Fresh Sage Tea Tree & Peppermint Conditioner,  Lush Cosmetics American Cream Hair Conditioner

CLEANSING

L-R: Etude House AC Clinic Acne Foam Cleanser, Etude House One Shot Clean Mascara Remover

 RANDOM

L-R: Bath & Body Works Mad About You Eau de Toilette, Evolution of Smooth Hand Lotion in Berry Blossom

MAKEUP

Top: The Face Shop Designing Eyebrow Pencil in 04 Dark Brown Bottom: Etude House Drawing Eye Brow in 03 Gray Brown

The Face Shop Designing Eyebrow Pencil in 04 Dark Brown
This is my first ever automatic eyebrow pencil, and I'm glad I bought it. This pencil is creamy but not waxy, and it has the right amount of pigmentation that wouldn't make you look like you have sharpie brows. It's easy to shape and fill-in the eyebrows with its slanted tip. It also comes with a spoolie which is very convenient.

Will I repurchase? Yes, it's my HG brow pencil!

Etude House Drawing Eye Brow in 03 Gray Brown
I wasn't planning on buying this but I had no other choice because TFS' eyebrow pencil was out of stock back then. They were extremely similar so I thought why not, it's a lot cheaper anyway. They have almost the same packaging and slanted tips. The only difference is that Etude House's is a lot creamier and so it's easier to overdo the eyebrows. It also breaks off badly! I broke off more product than I was able to actually use, which is extremely annoying.

Will I repurchase? Only if The Face Shop's eyebrow pencil is out of stock again.

Source: beatrium.com

Source: knetizone.blogspot.com

As a girl who was born with short lashes and nonexistent lower lashes, plus the fact that I have oily lids, mascara was one of those things that I used to ignore when I first started using makeup. I find that they were a waste of time - no matter what I use, they just didn’t have any effect on my lashes. If they even had an effect, it was only momentarily until my lashes go stick-straight again; and if I’m unlucky, I’d look like a panda by the end of the day. However, I don’t share the same view anymore because I finally found a mascara that has worked wonders for me; it’s Etude House’s Lash Perm Curl Fix Mascara!

Price: Php 848 Expiration: 6 months after opening Shade bought: Black Net Wt.: 6.5g/0.22oz Shades available: Black, Brown, Burgundy, Pink

Description

 This is a curl fix mascara that completes powerfully curled up fine eyelashes for 24 hours with its strongly adhering Curl 24 hour Technology on drooped lashes. 

Claims (from the Etude House website)

• Curl every single lash, fix all day long: The "Curl 24HR Technology" delivers powerful performance to lift, define, and curl even tiny lashes for 24 hours.

• Curl-fixed lashes for 24 hours: The "Curl 24HR Tech" lifts lashes up poerfully and fix the curl (Black only).

• Dual jelly brush: Delicate and soft 'Dual Jelly Brush' pull all eyelashes even the tiniest lashes to curl and fix.

• No smudge, no clump: With the powerful waterproof function to water, sweat, or sebum to keep curl for long and not to get smudged.

*Curl 24HR Technology: The new technology made of 'Perfect Lash Fixer' ingredient to make and fix lashes' curl for 24 hours (tested and certified by Elid Corp.)

The Wand

• Flat Jelly: Combs lashes in zigzag to make lashes become easier to curl.

• Jelly Dome: Curls lashes upward tightly and fixes 24 hours.

I always mess up the lower lashes and the mascara tends to transfer on my mobile lid when it's still wet. Sometimes, I even get mascara on my nose bridge. But I guess, me not being careful has something to do with it.

1. Organize lashes with the flat jelly part of brush starting from lash roots, brushing in a zigzag motion. 
2. Complete curled up, 360 degrees spread out fine lashes by gently brushing lash's upper, lower, front, and back parts with the jelly dome part of brush.

To be honest, I don’t follow the instructions, ha ha. I just usually use the flat jelly part of the brush to lengthen my lashes - this is perfect for natural days. I rarely use the dome jelly side because it tends to make my lashes look clumpy. However, for days when I want to volumize my lashes, I use the dome jelly side at the roots of my lashes and just apply it halfway. The result is volumized-yet-wispy lashes. 


I find that I can apply 2 coats of this without my lashes looking like spider legs. The formula is especially great when it's still new. However, three to four months in, and you will find that the mascara clumps especially if you use the dome jelly side of the wand. It's probably an indicator that you need to get it replaced.

Thoughts

This mascara is what dreams are made of. It clings on to every little hair - the results are luscious lashes I never thought I could have. It stays on and it doesn’t budge! I swear, I took a bath while wearing this and while I lost some of the curl, the product pretty much stayed on. The only downside to it is that you need industrial-grade mascara remover (and a whole ton of patience) to completely take this off. I find that the mascara remover from Etude House is the best match for this. I can’t say that cleansing oils, micellar water, or even coconut oil works as great, unfortunately. 


Pros:
> extremely waterproof
> zero smudge
> highly pigmented
> keeps curl longer than other mascaras (10-12 hours)
> secure packaging
> volumizing
> lengthening
> dries fast
> lightweight 
> unique wand design
> formula did not dry up fast (I threw my first tube away after four months because it started becoming really clumpy but the formula was still pretty useable if watered down with eye drops)

Cons:
> hard to remove
> clumpy if not used properly
> expensive 
> application tends to get messy


Will I repurchase? Definitely!

Do I recommend it? Yes, if you're looking for a mascara that will survive through heat and tears! No, if you loathe extremely waterproof mascara.

Verdict: 4.5/5

Blush is probably my most favorite thing next to pinkish-brown lip products. As a person who always looks pale and dead on the outside, I gravitate towards products that give a little hint of life just so people would stop asking me whether I had enough sleep (which most of the time, I do not sadly).

And because of this, it might come as no surprise that I would buy a brush to apply blush which is a necessity for me. This time, I decided to stray away from angled brushes and tried out Real Techniques' dome-shaped Blush Brush.

DESIGN
The Real Techniques' Blush Brush has a metallic-matte pink handle that contains the brand name and the brush name. Personally, I love the finish of the handle - it may be hot pink but it still looks sleek. The bottom part of the handle is rubberized and has a flat surface which allows it to stand on its own. This was intentionally designed so that users are able to store it without the need for brush holders and also to stop it from rolling around when placed on top of a flat surface. As a management student, the attention to user convenience really calls out to me.
BRISTLES
I have never felt a brush with bristles this soft. What I love most about it is that it doesn't feel scratchy. It picks up just the right amount of powder so that you wouldn't have to worry about looking like a clown; building up product is really easy with this brush though.
It is made of synthetic hair which makes it ideal for both cream and powder blush. Washing it is a breeze as synthetic hair in general are easy to work with. So far, I have not experienced any shedding.
But perhaps the selling point of this brush is its versatility. It's so fluffy that I like to use this for bronzing more than applying blush. I also like to use it to apply powder all over my face and/or to swipe away excess powder from baking. I wouldn't recommend using it for contouring though as you wouldn't be able to get a precise, chiseled look if that's what you're going for. However, if you are going for the more natural route, then this brush would work fine.