2.2.06

Beauty Must Haves

And if I have a budget, I go to my derma for Diamond Peel treatment once every 2 months. So far I only had 3 but the results are very much visible even after the 1st session. Made my skin finer, smoother and less acne prone. And of course me being such a cheapskate, I only pay Php1500/session that's with treatments already. Compare to the infamous Vicki Belo who charges Php3500/session!

Hair:

Hail to the vainest person ever existed when it comes to hair, and yes that's me hehe =P Admittedly, I don't have the perfect black shiny straight hair that a typical person normally wants to have but these products really worked wonders for my rebonded, relaxed, colour treated and damaged hair.

Kerastase - You can even check the reviews at makeupalley.com and I'm not the only person on this globe who's raving for these products. Quite pricey (Shampoo for Php995 and masque for Php1350) but then again you don't have to shampoo your hair regularly if you have dry hair (interval of 2-3 days, to prevent stripping off hair's natural oils) and you can alternate the masque with your regular conditioner.

A'bonne Hair Spa - WAY better than Pantene! Or make it hella way better. Pantene is nothing compared to this one. I use this regularly, and does a great job in conditioning my dry hair. Market price is around Php250 but I only get mine for only Php107, thanks to my friend who sells cheap A'bonne products.

And before going out of the house, I apply hair serum to my hair to smoothen the cuticles and to make it shinier and smoother. I use L'oreal Techniart Liss Extreme Serum. This is the light version of Citre Shine (Citre is kinda sticky and heavy on the hair if you put excessive amount). In Canada, I use John Freida Hair Serum. Quite pricey tho, more than $15CAD per bottle if I'm not mistaken.

Makeup:

Now for this matter, I got so much to share BUT then again my ultra sensitive skin prohibits me from using some brands and products such as MAC Studiofix which made my skin breakout after a day of using it, and Prestige e/s which made my lids itchy afterwards (too bad I so love the colours in their e/s duo, but then again quality wise, its not that pigmented so it doesn't last long on my super oily lids.)

Now here are some products which I currently use/tested without suffering from any breakouts and allergies:

Fasio Fit&Stay Liquid Foundation w/ SPF28 - My current HG foundation. For only Php425 it gives you a big bang for your money. Rub and sweat proof, what more can you ask for? :) And this is from the makers of Sekkisei and Awake, so I guess that explains why this one is pretty good, but only for a fraction of Shu Uemura's UV Liquid foundation price.

Shu Uemura UV Liquid Foundation - I just tried this over the counter and I love it! Doesn't give you the heavy feeling, same with Fasio. But of course since its Shu, the price is Php2100 if I'm not mistaken. Welllll... Maybe I'll get this in the future if there's no Fasio in Toronto once I get back there in a few months time =)

For concealers, I really don't use one on a regular basis but here are some brands which I tried that are okay. VOV's Foundation/Concealer, according to my little sister is the next best thing after Shu Uemura. And it's only a fraction of Shu's price. Sonya, on the other hand has everything that you need in a concealer. Imagine getting 5 shades in one container. Sweet isn't it? Physicians Formula's Instant Makeover Tool in which you can use either as a concealer or foundation is also okay for me. No irritations and it covers up this slight pimple scar on my right cheek, hehe.

Right now, I really don't use foundation even if I go out on gimmicks, what I do is I just use L'oreal UV Perfect Tinted Moisturizer with SPF50 after I apply Avene. Dust with Sonya Translucent Powder (the best powder I swear! And of course its cheap. Less than Php600. Texture is really fine and lasts long.)Put on lipbalm and apply blush. Speaking of blush and other makeups...

The best blush for me goes to Pop Beauty's Cheekypop in Sunset. Runner up goes to MAC Sheertone Blush in Dollymix & Sonya Blush in Sunset. Cheekypop is the overall winner since staying power is REALLY good. Imagine I'm in school from 7-2 most of the time and even if I check myself in the mirror after class the blush is still there! I once tried NARS Angelika but the shimmers are just too big. Comparing it with Dollymix, staying power is bad and Dollymix is more pigmented, thus harder to blend compare with MAC's.

For e/s, Hands down to MAC and Sonya! Even my friend Myca (she's a makeup artist by the way) swears on these stuffs. It really clings and lasts long on my oily lids. The downside with Sonya is they don't have that much varieties when it comes to colour. Must have shade for MAC is Swish frost, Mythology and Twinks. For Sonya, I love Ginger, Moonbeam, and Hologram (I use this to highlight browbones) I even use Fudge Brownie as a brow powder, hehe. IMO, using brow powder looks more natural compare if you use a pencil one. You just have to use a long lasting one so you woudn't retouch in the middle of the day.

I don't use lipsticks that much except if I'm on a nightout, so on a regular basis I use Forever Living's Aloe Lips to prevent windburns. Downside is it doesn't have abn SPF. Back in Canada I use Bodyshop's Vitamin E Lipbalm w/ SPF15 and it's my lifesaver during winter days. I even remember they had this hemp flavoured lipbalm, darn talk about being a marijuana addict, didn't like the smell so I gave it away but it does the same job as the Vitamin E one. I only bought it 'coz Vitamin E Lipbalm is out of stock normally during wintertime and I have to find an alternative to save my windburns.

MAC's Tinted Lip Conditioner in Fuchsia Fix w/ SPF15 gives my lips a hint of colour while it conditions. What I do sometimes is I apply Aloe Lips first then this one. Dry lips no more!

Now for stand out lips, my vote goes to MAC Lipglass stain in Spin Pink. This is the better version of their lipglass. Comparing it to Lipglass this one doesn't flake off and it lasts really long. For lipsticks, MAC l/s in Pink Maribu gets my vote. And for everyday use, Fasio l/s in Flowerpot Red gives you the YLBB look. (Your lips but better)

Now, for bronzers, I use Bodyshop's Bronzing Stick. My secret in achieving a natural looking tan is layering. I apply this on the apples of my cheek, bridge of nose, a little on the forehead and chin then I apply blush. And voila! =) I can get away with this look even if I don't have a tan. Just always remember to blend, blend, blend to make it look natural.

So far, these are the stuffs that I normally recommend everytime I'm asked about these things. But then again, sometimes it differs from the person who's using it. Specially in makeup, it is still best test it before buying one. =)

rolly's lil' baby princess ;
@ 5:13 AM