My First Highlight Story With City Color Highlight Palettes (Collection 1 and 2)

City Color Highlight Palette Collection 1 and 2 (New shade)

Bought for: Sale prices at P275 and 225 (consecutively)

Original Prices: P550 and P450

From: an online shop

I never use highlighters before for the simple fact that I have oily skin. I was able to try one before to no avail. It just made my skin looked even more shiny rather than luminous and glowy. What could be the problem? I have no idea. After years, I realized that I lack these essentials in my makeup department, and so I decided once again to try something that is loved by many so I can get the assurance that it will yield nothing but satisfactory results. I'll try to keep this review brief as I know there's already tons of review about City Color Highlight Palettes--mostly are positive feed backs, yay. I could not disagree because I had the opportunity to try and know what all the fuss is about.

PACKAGING

I appreciate that these palettes come with transparent lids so buyers can clearly see the actual shades of the product on the pans without having to look at online swatches which usually appear to be not so reliable in terms of shade accuracy. I don't mind that it does not have any accompanying mirror or applicator for I could use my own tool. This could be the reason why the palettes are lightweight and slim. The size of the pans I have are 3.5 grams per pan (I think), but they also have their corresponding mini sizes (kawaii!) which is being sold online.

I believe that these packaging are the updated versions of City Color Palettes. I normally would see the ones having the labels 'Highlight Trio' which now became 'Highlight Palette'. I don't see any reason why they have to change it, I mean there are much more to improve in terms of packaging like the fragile plastics which could easily be damaged or broken once you accidentally release your hold on it or the substandard-looking stickers at the back. For the price I have paid, I know I should not complain but it still pays to have gorgeous palettes on our vanities, right? Lol. Also, I would not know that the second palette (with darker and bronz-y shade selection) is the Collection 2 Palette because it does not say so at the back. Fortunately, the shop I bought these palette with has enough information about the shade selections.

 

SHADES / COLOR

Collection 1

The first palette have lighter shade selection than the second one and is ideal for any skin tones. The first pan has a golden shade that could perfectly fits those with warm undertones. The second one appears like light beige too me and is my perfect match. The last shade has a pinkish tint to it which may suit those with cool undertones.

Collection 2

The second palette appears to me like it's best for those with darker complexions. The first shade has a coppery shade which is for warmer complexions. The second one looks a little orangey which can make skin look sunkissed. So if you are faking sunkissed or tanned skin, you might want to play with this shade. The least has a bronze color with stronger shimmers. I realized that each palette starts with a golden shade then end up with a shade that has a pink undertone so I think that made these suitable for all skin tones.

PIGMENTATION / COLOR PAYOFF

I like that they are all true to their shade when swatched and are all very opaque. One sweep of your brush to the pan would already give your cheekbones, chin, nose and foreheads that beautiful glow and luminosity you want with the shade selection that you can mix and match. You can apply a thin layer for a more natural glow and layer it for a stronger glow.

TEXTURE / CONSISTENCY / EASE OF APPLICATION

These palettes have soft and creamy textures which is super easy to blend. None of the shades are chalky and I neither get fall outs whenever I use them. However, I find that the second palette has creamier texture compared to the first but Collection 1 is still creamy on its own. The second palette has more shimmers on the pan as well. To be honest, I like the first Collection better because it's more suitable for my complexion. A little product could already brighten my face and keeps dull skin away. The pigments easily set on the skin but upon looking closely, these highlighters do not melt onto skin completely as if it's really there.

LONGEVITY

These highlighters have decent staying power (maximum of 5 hours on me). But maybe it could last longer for those who do not possess oily skin.

SCENT

The products are slightly fragranced. Collection 1 does not have that strong scent but still fragranced anyway. Collection 2 smells like typical powders sold in compacts. Don't worry though for they are not overwhelming.

PERFORMANCE

I like these highlighters so much! In terms of their overall performance, they are almost at par with those expensive high end products just without the pricey tags. Thought Collection 2 is not something I will be frequently reaching out, I could see the shades blending with my eye shadows! I can also use Collection 1 as a base and highlighting product for my eyes! Indeed a lot of use at a single compact! For their price point, I don't see any reason why you should not purchase this product. It is totally worth the price! Considering the amount of product in the wide pans, I could see myself using this over and over again for many months to come! In fact, I have been using this everyday to get that natural-looking glow I have always wanted without looking shiny all over.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

If you are new to highlighting and would rather spend bucks over a cheaper alternative to play with, I highly recommend City Color Highlight Palettes to you. The subtle shades would really complement you so you won't go wrong with these!

Any plans to purchase one for you? Please do let me know, okay? Happy blogging!

City Color Mineral Blot Pressed Powder Review

Mineral Blot Pressed Powder in Light, 6g

Bought for: P450 (on sale at P135)

Bought from: Makeupholics on Shopee

Claims: It is a unique translucent powder designed to control oil and minimize shine, leaving skin with a smooth matte finish. Works well on all skin tones.

Ingredients: Mica, Aluminum Starch, Octenylsuccinate, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Petrolatum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethyhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance (Parfum), Tocopherol, Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI77499).

Merry Christmas, everyone! While everyone''s done exchanging gifts, I'm still here finishing my  list for late Christmas shopping! It's quite fun thinking of what kind of presents to give away to each person who are special to me. And looking for cute Christmas wrappers are sooooooo cool.

It's my first time trying out City Color products and I'm glad this made me give them a good first impression though I am not really sure if the thing I got here is authentic? I've been searching online about this type of pressed powder and they are showing the Be Matte something in a black compact. Mine's in white. Please tell me I wasn't sweet talked into buying a counterfeit powder. Anyway, thing is, I like it.

As you can see, the product is housed in a rectangular compact that is scratch-prone. Mine's brand new but look how it's severely flawed prolly due to mishandling during the shipping or these are excess from department stores. Whichever happened, I paid low for this so I was not really bothered.  It also has this small mirror at the back of its cover. However, I would prefer if it's not laid flat çoz it's almost the size of an iPhone 5.

To open the powder, you will have to press the lock in a downward motion. Phew, to be honest, I didn't figure this thing out the soonest.

The product smells okay for me. There's no hint of anything awful, even scents of cheap pressed powder sold just anywhere. The product, which is in shade Light, is a tad lighter than my skin tone. I actually ordered the one in Fair/Medium but it got sold out so I was asked to choose between Light and the darkest shade (can't remember the name), but I thought Light could be more manageable.

The product has a pinkish undertone to it which is pretty okay for me as it claims to be suitable for any skin type. But then again, what's the shade selection for? Couldn't pick up the logic. But there's something true to it because upon application, you would notice that this product is light on skin (but not awkward light) but eventually turns the color of my own skin after a few hours. Was it the oxidation taking place? I'm not sure.

This product is kinda hard to blend on skin with the use of the sponge so be patient and take extra effort. It offers a sheer coverage too so it would be better to be applied over foundations or BB creams as a setting/finishing powder. Though it controls oil and shine, touch-ups are still necessary. On the other hand, this does not turns cakey on me prolly because of it's lightweight formula, neither breaks me out.

Overall, I like this pressed powder but not to the point that I would repurchase. I would like to recommend it though because of the smoothness of the powder itself and how fine it applies on skin. Also, it is probably one of the cheapest pressed powder in the market that works to mattify the skin for a longer period!

Hav you tried this? Any comments? Happy blogging!