Red Lips: A Timeless Makeup Trend

The New Year may usher in new trends and fashion ideas, but some classic favorites are here to stay. These include the ever-versatile white polo, denim jeans, little black dress, white sneakers and of course, the timeless, goes-with-everything red lipstick, which can take your look from day to night. 

Luckily, Spotlight Cosmetics, the new local makeup brand that aims to empower Filipinas to transform their looks, offers a wide range of red lip shades in various formulas to suit your preference.

Liquid Lips in Fiery Star

 

Liquid Lips in Stunning Icon

If you’re into the liquid matte finish, you can opt for the red-brownish hue of Liquid Lips in Fiery Star or the bright red tint of Liquid Lips in Stunning Icon. Spotlight also offers bullet matte lipsticks which come in an intense berry shade called Sultry Siren, and the pinkish-red Scream Queen. 

Spotlight Bullet Matte Lipstick in Sultry Siren

Spotlight Bullet Matte Lipstick in Scream Queen

If you want a softer and more dewy finish, there’s the Spotlight Creamy Lipstick in World-Class Diva. But if you want a more precise application, you can try the Lip Crayons which also offer various shades of red like the Blazing Star and Edgy Princess. 

Spotlight Creamy Lipstick in World-Class Diva

Spotlight Lip Crayon in Blazing Star

Spotlight Lip Crayon in Edgy Princess

All originally priced at P295, all lip products are currently P99 OFF on Watsons Online and in all Watsons and SM Department Stores until January 31, 2021. So hurry and greet a new year with a bold red lipstick from Spotlight Cosmetics. 

To know more, follow Spotlight Cosmetics’ official social media accounts: Facebook (@SpotlightCosmeticsPH) and Instagram (@spotlightcosmetics.ph).

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Pond's White Beauty Perfect Potion Essence Review

I've been breaking out since last week and I'm not so sure why. My period just ended and so it must be hormones. Ugh. Good thing, I've got something here that saves the day! Pond's White Beauty Perfect Potion Essence has been calming my skin by providing instant hydration. I first saw this in Sample Room. I'm glad that they have it because I wasn't ready to spend P499 (110ml) right away for a product that I haven't tested yet. By the time I was writing this, my bottle has almost ran out. I've been using it everyday for likand increases application during the times I feel like my skin is dull and parched.

Can't we just appreciate how gorgeous the packaging is? It's pink and just...pretty. End of story. It's made of thick plastic, a twist cap, sturdy enough for something that's worth P499. It doesn't leak at all so it's safe to bring during one of your travels. I also appreciate that it has loads of information at the back. I like reading them so I would know what it could do to the skin and set my expectations too.

Pond's White Beauty Perfect Potion Essence contains 110ml amount of product. I don't mind paying P499 for a skincare product, I just honestly wish that there's more. This is a product that you can use 3 ways: as an essence, toner or mask so it requires you to really use plenty of it in one go. Maybe if a bottle contains a bit more than the given amount, I wouldn't complain at all.

Pond's White Beauty Perfect Potion Essence is inspired by Korean skincare routine so that explains the 3 ways (toner-essence/serum-mask). If you are someone (like me) who occasionally skip a step or two in your daily regimen, products like this are the best option. It saves you time and money as well. 

This product claims to brighten the skin, fade blemishes and dark spots, and hydrates for that plump, healthy skin. With 4D Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Complex + (4 different types of HA that can moisturize and hydrate each layer), Gluta-boost essence (antioxidant that works 10x more effective than Vitamin C and also works to brighten skin and fade dark spots) and Vitamin B3+ or Niacinamide (which reduce dullness and minimize the appearance of pores). I like any products with Niacinamide because it usually helps with the overall look of my skin.

There's a lot of popular ingredients that you will see on the list of ingredients so it must be the reason why the price is a bit steep. Given that, you will really expect a lot from this product.

I apply this product every morning and night time using a cotton pad. On days when my skin feels a little extra dry and looks dull, I'd just pour a generous amount on my palms, dab it on my face and let it absorb all the moisture. The essence is clear and runny so my skin doesn't have a hard time absorbing it. It dries to a lightweight, slightly dewy finish. It won't give you the glassy skin that we all want, but it's enough to make your skin look hydrated and plump every single use. If you wish to skip moisturizer, feel free to do another layer until you're satisfied. You can definitely do "skins" with this without any stickiness.

I've been using it for about three weeks now and it works well with Pond's Age Miracle line which I've been using for about a month now. I like how this essence feels so comfortable on the skin and doesn't make me oil up too much. When used with a cotton ball, it could deeply cleanse the skin too as it removes excess dirt and oil from the pores. Thus, it helps absorb anything you apply afterwards.

Pond's White Beauty Perfect Potion Essence has a slightly floral scent which my nose can tolerate. I like it actually. Out of the three ways you can use it, I like it best as a toner (so I can save every precious drop LOL). This is great toner to make your dark spots and blemishes appear less visible and to add radiance to your overall complexion. All you have to do is to use it religiously. If you have more severe problems like acne, you need a product that's really intended for it to use in conjunction with. Prolly the only thing that holds me back from repurchasing is the price point. If only it comes in a bigger bottle, or if it goes on sale, then I definitely would buy again.

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Moringa-O Malunggay Herbal Hair Relaxing Serum Review

Hey, there! I'm not much in the mood right now because it's first day of work (LOL) but one of my new year's resolutions is to always be productive and never procrastinate. There's some spike of energy here because I really like this product that I'll be sharing with you in a few...the Moringa-O Malunggay Herbal Hair Relaxing Serum With Argan Oil!

I don't know about you but if there's a part of my body which I pay attention less and tends to neglect most often, it would be my hair. I used to have naturally straight, thick hair but the stress and anxiety level plus lack of TLC seem to made it dry and lifeless. I frequently suffer from dandruff and hair fall and no matter what I use now, they just seem to not work at all.

Time to try something new, I said to myself. It's always risky but what else have I got to lose? It was some time last year when I saw this product from Sample Room. It was free, so I didn't hesitate and just paid for the shipping. It came in a box that's double the size of the product itself. The bottle is small and sturdy and is travel-friendly.

Moringa-O Malunggay Herbal Hair Relaxing Serum With Argan Oil claims to "nourish and moisturize, revitalize, smoothens and tames fly-aways, protects hair from breakage, non-greasy and lightweight." The box it came with was so wordy but still very appreciated because I like reading product descriptions.

This product has ingredients that are popular and tested such as Malunggay (Moringa), Olive, Omega (Sunflower) and Argan Oils. These oils are very rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals: Vitamin A, C, D, E, B-Complex, essential fatty acids, Omega 6 and 9, calcium and other minerals.

There's too much in this small bottle so I really expected a lot from it. I wasn't disappointed though. The serum is clear in color, slick and shiny but definitely dries to a lightweight finish. One thing I hate about most hair serums is the fact that they tend to make hair so oily. I have straight hair so it tends to oil up so fast. I did not experience it with my Moringa-O. It tames each strand and evidently moisturize it sans the oily residue.

Whenever my hair looks dry and all over the place, I would just pump a small amount in my palms and distribute it all over my hair and it would instantly look neat. It makes hair color more vibrant too. I love how healthy my mane would look after application. The good thing about hair serums is that you can apply it whenever you wish to. I like applying it to dry hair so I have the control and see whether I'm putting enough serum or not.

I haven't cut my hair for almost a year now because of the lockdown but I make sure to apply a generous amount of this product to the hair roots and ends to keep it moisturize and prevent split ends. So far, it's doing a great job. With regular use, it could stimulate hair follicle growth. I used to shed so much hair especially during bath but applying this serum on my scalp before going to bed while taking Biotin has improved my hair fall in just two months.

I now found a hair care product that I would definitely repurchase over and over. I just feel like my hair is so compatible with this product. This is perfect for those who have treated hair and has been suffering from damages. Definitely such a steal for only P220 (55ml)!

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Real Techniques 412 Custom Cheek 3-in-1 Brush Review

Because I am a sucker for makeup and beauty, here's another short feature on a makeup brush I've got last year. I bought it around the same time I got my Real Techniques Retractable Bronzer Brush. This isn't practically new in the market but I like sharing things I like in this blog so I hope you don't mind.

I'm sure you got at least one brush from Real Techniques in your stash (never heard of any beauty enthusiast who does not), so you are familiar how each brush are packaged so I won't go over it anymore hehe, just look at the pictures. ;)

First and foremost, let's just appreciate how the brush handle looks like. I mean look at that ombre pink shade, isn't that gorgeous!? The handle is made of plastic and has a matte texture. It has a button on the side that allows you to retract and custom the brush in three levels depends on how you'd like to use it. The higher you push the button upward, the more it flares to its full size. You can slide it down and fully hide the brush to avoid it getting flimsy or dirty.

So far, I don't know any brands who ever released brushes like this so I think that's really smart of Real Techniques. For one brush, you get multiple uses.

Real Techniques 412 Custom Cheek 3-in-1 Brush has a tapered end. For me, the density is just fine at minimum since I always opt for a natural-looking flush. However, it's still up to you because you can customize it depends on how intense you need the color to be. You can slide it up to min for a translucent kiss of color, mid for a natural flushed blush or max for a pop of color on apple of cheeks. It's really up to your liking.

If you're gonna ask me, I use my brushes for more than one single purpose. This brush right here is so travel-friendly and versatile that I sometimes use it as an all-over powder or setting brush in place of my other bigger brushes. It doesn't only save the day, but some space in your makeup pouch too! So far, the brush is still looking good in my possession. I mean the button is still functional as it still sets in place without moving or breaking. I just hope that it would last for years because I think that the moment the button breaks loose, it'd be as good as a piece of junk.

Apart from this custom cheek, they also have the custom complexion and custom contour brush which I've been wanting to buy ever since but always are out of stock. Should I spot an available one, I'd definitely buy!

Thanks for stopping by! Love lots!

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New! Pond's Anti Bacterial Facial Foam Review

Hey there! How's your day going? Mine's just starting because I am on a graveyard shift so here's me, munching on some SkyFlakes while drinking my Americano. Sosyal ka gurl? No, I'm just kidding. It's just an instant coffee. :D I had a generous hours of sleep but I'm yawning still so I had to. I've got tons of stuff to do today!

I'm ticking off one in my to-do list and that's writing about this new facial foam I've been using for weeks now, the Pond's Anti-Bacterial Facial Foam 100g (P157). I got this from Sample Room and I'm glad I did because it definitely works for me. Oops, did I just give it away? LOL.

There's not much information about this product to get online but I read everything in the bottle and it clearly says on top "Pond's Institute Japan" but on the description, they seem to use Indonesian words (I'm not sure so please don't quote me on this. Haha!). So it must have been developed in Japan and was distributed in Asia. Again, this is all just presumptions so don't take it against me if I'm wrong. I just came into a realization that I am a useless blogger, am I not? LOL.

Pond's Anti-Bacterial Facial Foam comes in a white/red/blue squeeze-tube bottle which looks so very simple and neat. It's easy to store and the cap is really tight so it doesn't get messy during your travels. It has a long shelf life which is great too. If you bought it by accident, you have about 3 years to decide when to use it.

As for the ingredient list (which I am not a master at), I'm showing a few skin-friendly ingredients I am familiar with such as Glycerin and Niacinamide which are ideal for all skin types and work to trap in moisture and treat oily skin conditions. It also has Salicylic Acid which is one of the best, if not the best, BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) that treats and prevents pimples and acne.

According to Pond's, this product is a "microfoam infused with TT Protect Technology, an advanced anti-bacterial agent tested by dermatologists, that's scientifically proven to remove 99% germs while strengthening natural skin defense against bad germs** to give you a clean, healthy glow." At this point in time, it's really not just convincing, but also essential that we use products like this to lessen the possibility of infection especially the main gateways are located in the face area.

Pond's Anti Bacterial Facial Foam has the texture of a regular facial foam, pearly white in color and lathers richly. I like that so very little of it could go a long way. I think a tube would last me more or less two months. For the price of P157, you're definitely getting so much.

This feels so light and gentle on the skin unlike most facial foams that using them feels like stripping off the skin's moisture. My skin feels really clean and looks bright afterwards. I feel like it's really working for me because I used to have painful zits all over my cheeks and jawline for the past couple of months and upon using this product, they seem to calm down. They are much smaller now and lesser in number. During my period, which happened to be only just last week, I did get breakouts on places I usually get them but they heal so fast which is amazing.

Overall, I find this product fantastic especially given its price. There are a lot of facial washes in the market today that are multiple times the price yet not very promising. I know because I've tried quite a few of them. I just hope that my skin won't lose that "hiyang factor" later on. LOL.

Another thing is that I believe that this particular variant from Pond's is not readily available in the market. I've seen quite a few retailers on Shopee but they sell it at a profited price. I don't know if it's being sold in supermarkets or Watsons, I've never been totally outside since this pandemic so buying it would be really challenging.

Anyway, I think that's everything. Feel free to leave me a message or comment down below if you have questions! I'll try to google the answer. Hahaha! Happy blogging!

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Real Techniques Retractable Bronzer Brush Review

The year's just starting so that probably explains why my energy is still at full blast. I hope I don't get lazy as the days go by. LOL. Anyway, here's a quick review on a makeup brush I've got in early 2020 and which I happen to write about just now. Believe me, I don't know what's wrong with me for taking that year-long hiatus but what's important is that I'm back! I hope I don't change my mind. Kidding aside, what we're going to talk about today is the Real Techniques Retractable Bronzer Brush.

I bet all makeup junkies out there know that this brush exist but oh well, here goes my unpopular opinion. So I got this for PHP550 from a reputable U.S. makeup retailer online. I thought that it was already a good deal because I didn't have to pay more for tax and shipping. It was shipped right away and voila, I found myself liking it.

So it came in typical Real Techniques boxes and has this retractable technology. The handle is made of thin metal and is lightweight. It comes with an orange plastic cap "so you can retract, cover and go mobile." My only concern is that the cap tends to set loose after a while when on pouches. It's not that much of a big deal for the makeup brush itself is still functional with or without it. The brand and brush name is also printed on the handle. As most RT brushes, they rub off pretty quickly unless you are careful.

The brush itself is synthetic and is made of ultra-plush bristles as most, if not all, Real Techniques brushes. It has "two bristle types and lengths to easily buff and blend." This is a duo-fiber brush that is similar to regular stippling brushes except this comes with a bigger circumference and is evidently thicker as it's ideally a bronzer brush.

Compared to most bronzer brushes though, this is more compact so it would be a great travel brush too. The size is just right for me. I have small chubby face but it fits the hollows of my cheeks and temples well and it makes that perfect "3" shape as I bronze. You don't wanna overdo or spread the makeup on your hair and other places you don't need warmth, do you?

The size of the brush is also ideal for buffing in your foundation. The result would be a sheer-looking, natural finish. If not carefully blended, it could leave streaks too.

Overall, I really like Real Techniques Retractable Bronzer Brush. So far, this has been my go-to travel bronzer brush. It feels sturdy in my hands and it never once sheds. Please note that I have this brush for almost a year now but I don't use it very often. I am working from home and I don't wear that much makeup now so I wouldn't say that it already stood the test of time. However, to this date, the brush still looks good to me. Since it's retractable and comes with a cap, it's able to keep dusts and dirt away and retain its shape despite multiple washes. Still a good price for a good brush indeed.

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The Only Tangible Gift I Received in 2020

I didn't mean to sound ungrateful and entitled, it's actually the other way around. 2020 is such a sad year for everyone because we had to suffer from all kinds of losses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But despite everything, I am so grateful for the life I'm still living. It was during this year when I finally came to appreciate the simpler things in life. I also realized that blessings are not always coming in the form of material things and that real blessings are so priceless just like the times we were given to spend with our friends and families.

However, I wouldn't lie if I say that it still feels surreal receiving a Christmas gift from a PR family even though I was on hiatus for the entire 2020. Despite being the only tangible gift I got last year, my heart still warms up to the idea that I'm not forgotten and that's something that will always cheer me up.

I was briefed by a college friend that her company is sending me something but I didn't expect that it would be like this. They sent me a package twice, one arrived before Christmas and the other one for New Year. I'm not sure if there was a mistake, but yes, I got two G-Movies packages.

Inside were a few goodies including a popcorn bucket, a Coca-Cola can, an insulated cup and wooden cup holder, an ecobag, Toblerone, a power bank and a free ticket to watch an MMFF film via Upstream. Definitely the perfect bundle for an uninterrupted binge-viewing this holidays!

Right now, I'm still busy so I couldn't find time streaming plus I'm still not finished with Bridgerton but I will surely do it on my rest day this week. I'm thinking of Fangirl which I've heard bagged most awards and The Boy Foretold By The Stars. Any thoughts on these movies? Ooops, nevermind, not now! Hahaha! Let's have a conversation once I'm done watching.

Hope you're having a great day today! Cheers!

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Sample Room's 8th Birthday + October-December Haul 2020

Retail therapy has always improved my anxiety and stress level. I've been trying to keep my spending to a minimum and I guess it's somehow possible because...oh well, there's Sample Room. We get random stuff for free (you only need to pay for shipping) and we discover products we never know exist. Some of them even turn out to be holy grails. Small things like this make a substantial proof that life is, indeed, full of surprises.

Today, I consolidated some of the items I got from them for the past couple of months and decided to make a blog because I find the items super interesting. I even joined their birthday contest and I won a couple of home essential items--a citrus-scented candle and a linen spray. I've always wanted to own one of these and I finally got to try them. Thanks, Sample Room!

Since it's been a while since I shared a haul with you, let me talk a bit about some of the items I got. This is no way to brag or something. My purpose is to let you have an idea of what to expect when you buy from Sample Room.

Because of the pandemic, I've been extra careful of my surroundings. I get paranoid every time I see dirt on surfaces and the OC in me just couldn't sit back and relax. It's smart of Sample Room to have cleaning items available in their website. Here's an example: Max Kleen Anti-Bacteral Multi-Surface Wipes. It comes with 40 sturdy sheets of surface cleaners to wipe germs and bacteria in your kitchen sinks or tables or pretty much any surface deemed necessary of cleaning. Prior to carting this, I got the Max Kleen Disinfectant Surface Sanitizer and 3 bottles of Ambi Pur Fabric Spray Bottles from them too.

I also love trying out different skincare items from them. Since I am running out of a facial wash, I got myself this Pond's Anti Bacterial Facial Foam which I believe is kind of new in the market. I'd like to use a product that fully gets rid of all dirt and germs on my face that not just cause breakouts but possible viral infection too.

Currently, I am loving this facial wash! It cleanses my skin thoroughly and makes it look brighter and clearer. I am using it together with Pond's White Beauty Perfect Potion Essence and Serum Burst Cream which I both got from Sample Room in my previous purchases.

And yes, aside from random home essentials and skincare items, they also carry health and fitness items to keep your body and immune system healthy. I also got this C-Lium Fibre Food Supplement mainly to address my constipation problem. Plus, it's flavored so you get to take a delicious, yet healthy drink!

So yep, that's pretty much everything. I still had tons of items I got from them which I wasn't able to share with you, guys. If you want me to do more haul blogs, please let me know! And before we end this, I'd like to greet you all a Happy New Year! May 2021 be your year. Love lots!

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