Review: Naturactor Cover Face

Trial and error. That's what I've always done, time and again. With every new discovery comes a renewed sense of hope that I will get it right and hit jackpot this time. If you're like me and you're on the search for your "holy grail" product, then you can surely relate.

I watch a lot of videos, read blog reviews, get recommendations from friends, and just get a feel of what's the latest hype in terms of beauty and skin care. As much as I would like to go through products down to their last bits, there just are some things that are either wrong for me or are just downright disasters!

Some products live up to their hype while others are hiding behind their fame and failing miserably in real life.

Let's see if the talked-about Naturactor Cover Face lives up to its promises (at least by my personal standards).

About the Product (all the information and product shots in this segments were derived from here and some parts were paraphrased for better context):

• Provides great coverage for skin. It's long lasting and you only need to apply a little to get the perfect skin look.
• Special for makeup and professional use.
• Suitable for: All Skin Types (Fragrance free)
• Size: 20g
• Ingredients: Jojoba oil (moisturizer for the skin), Mica (makes skin look more youthful), and Tocopherol or Vitamin E (improves skin condition and health)
• How to use: Use fingers or a triangle sponge to dab on a bit of foundation. Spread evenly on the face.
• Colors Available:

• Shade Guide:

130	light color, make pale or dull skin a rosy effect look more youthful,  suitable for very fair skin tone. delicate,especially for bridal make up.
140	light in color for slightly deeper color than the 130, suitable for fair skin tone.
141	medium color and skin color natural fit yet translucent effect, suitable for fair skin tone as shading. The colour transition of natural, soft, suitable for stage makeup studio makeup. Suitable for medium skin tone.
151	Good coverage for face defects and shading, suitable for malay skin tone.
171	Green neutralizes any redness on your face, from broken blood vessels, blemishes, irritation etc. It helps inhibit red complexion effectively cover the red spots left by acne.

I use the shade 140. As far as I know, this product is available online (check out your favorite online shops), in makeup stores, and in bazaars. I got mine from one leg of the Supersale Bazaar series. It's not exactly "cheap," but for a product that will take you months, if not, a year to finish, it's a pretty good buy.

Please pardon if the foundation looks dark.

Swatches (photos taken by me)

I used a light hand when I swatched it. See how pigmented and creamy that is.

One swipe

That one swipe, when spread

When blended. Notice the slight pink undertone?

What I like about it:

• Sulit for the price I paid for it
• A little goes a long way. This product is very pigmented so you won't have to worry about running out so soon (it has 20g of product)
• Compact, perfect for traveling
• Multi-purpose: can be used both as a foundation and as a concealer 
• The consistency
• Buildable coverage
• Doesn't look cakey, even after hours of wear
• Long-wearing, I can go 8-10 hours and still look decent. (Since I have combo skin, I always take blotting sheets with me for good measure, but with a good setting powder, I won't have to blot as much as I would with other products.)
• The scent is too faint to let it bother me.
• The cap fits snugly and since it's a screw-type lid, I never worry about exposure to air and quicker spoilage.
• Great ingredients that benefit the skin, like Vitamin E and Jojoba.
• I can use either a sponge or my flat top brush to blend this out, and both do it justice!
• Doesn't break out or irritate my temperamental skin
• Conceals my dark circles/puffy eyes. I like to use the Ben Nye Banana Powder to set this product.

What I dislike about it:

• Took me a while to figure out the best way to apply it (I finally settled on using it as a concealer)
• Can be quite unsanitary to swipe with your hands, so make sure you work with clean hands beforehand.
• As an under-eye concealer, using an eye cream/gel to moisturize first will definitely make using the Naturactor a breeze. It will also prevent the cream from settling into fine lines.
• Slight shade mismatch. 140 (and a lot of the shades) have pink undertone. I think 151 is the only variant that has a tinge of yellow and would probably suit Filipina skin tones best.
• Limited shade range
• Limited availability (but you can check with your suki online stores on Instagram)
• Price varies (ranging from Php 550 - Php 750 depending on the seller)
• The information on the packaging is written in Japanese. For someone who likes to read product descriptions and ingredients, this is a letdown for me.

Try as I might to mask the pink undertone in this product, I would have liked for it to match better with my color. Then again, working with what we have is a skill that any thrifty girl must have, and so I look for different ways to remedy the situation. I use a yellow-toned powder just to neutralize the pink in it and it works quite well. Should I hit pan and run out, I will definitely give the 151 shade a shot. But for now, I'm quite content with using it as a concealer. 

I do not regret buying the Naturactor Cover Face, particularly for the multitudes of uses that I can get out of it. At Php 550, it's definitely a worthwhile investment that will take you places, as far as usage goes. In terms of its hyped-up status, I can definitely respect why this is popular among beauty enthusiasts. It definitely delivers pigmentation and quality at a price that is friendlier than most products of its caliber. 

Have you given into the hype surrounding the Naturactor Cover Face or any other product? Did it live up to your expectations? Tell me all about it!

Review: San San Create-Your-Own Eye Shadows

Hey, beautiful!

I write this entry to you from the comforts of my bed, as I had gotten back from hosting a friend's wedding (post and photos to follow!), and this entry has been stranded in my drafts for weeks now! Jeez! But I figured, I should be more diligent as I promised to be more present and visible this 2014, so here it goes!

I have been loving these San San Create Your Own Eye Shadows

FYI, the ones I got are the more neutral ones, there are actually 20 shades available (I have 7 in my collection), but I just feel like I can get the most use out of neutral shades as I still have my ELF 100 Eyeshadow Palette to provide me with some unexpected and colorful shadows for when I feel a little more playful. Needless to say, I've been getting so much use out of these bad boys. I really reach for them a lot lately and I love creating different looks, given the wide color range in the collection, and even with just 7 in my possession, I still surprise myself with the many other ways I can come up with combinations.

Here are the product shots and some swatches for comparison. I did not use any primer and just swatched the shadows with my fingers on to the back of my hand. I have also divided them into sections (light and dark colors) for ease of reference. Also, please disregard the dents in the shadows. It only means that I have been reaching for them more often than the others.

Product Shots (Group):

Product Shots (Individual) with Description:

1. Light Colors

Cotton Candy Pink is a light, shimmery pale pink-champagne color that works great as a base, a brow bone or inner corner highlight. The shimmery specks are not too chunky, but given 2-3 layers, this can show up as really sparkly on the eyes. Use a light hand and apply on to your lids with a patting motion to lessen fallout. 

Natural Air Sienna is a matte nude shade that's great to use as a base for neutral or natural eye looks. You can also use this as a brow bone highlight. I like to use this with a wet brush first, then pat on a second layer with my ring finger to seal in the pigment.

Vanilla Bean is a shimmery silvery white color. I use this highlight either my brow bone or my inner corner, or both. Great for opening up those peepers! You can also opt to use this as a highlight color for your lid, but use sparingly. The shimmer factor can be too overwhelming when overdone. Use with a light hand. 

Swatches:

Yellow Topaz is a muted gold hue that is perfect for glamorous and festive makeup looks. You can also use this as an inner corner highlight, but as a lid color, I think this is just gorgeous. I know this can be a dupe for one of my Urban Decay Naked 2 shades. Will get back to you on that. ;) 

Swatch:

2. Dark Colors

Deep Earth Brown is a neutral-toned brown that is great for creating detail on the crease area. Use with a light hand. This can be a good mid-tone when used sparingly as it is very pigmented (otherwise, you will tire of blending and blending and blending away). It's always a good idea to start with little product and build up the color intensity from there. This can also work as a brow powder.

Charcoal Brown is a deep, taupey brown with hints of silver micro-shimmers. I like to use this for defining the "Outer V" of my eye, which is done to create a more defined and pronounced look on the eyes. I have yet to try this a base, perhaps for a smokey look, but I bet this will look amazing.

Blackground is a matte black. At first glance, there seems to be hints of shimmer, but once it's applied, I think it shows up to be more matte. Ideal for sealing in pencil eyeliner, especially when tight-lining the upper and lower lash line, just to make sure the eyeliner doesn't budge and give you panda eyes. This is also great for creating a smokey eye look and giving more definition to the eyes. 

Swatches:

What I like:

• They come in a wide variety of colors! From neutrals to more exciting shades, you will never run out of options and color combinations, I promise! 
• The packaging is simple. You can see right through the clear plastic cap the color of the shadow so you won't have a hard time going through your stuff when putting on your makeup. Plus, you can close the cap for proper storage.
• They also come in a wide range of finishes - from matte, to satin, to more shimmery. You can always mix and match! (Pro Tip: When doing a three-tier color-combo, opt for a matte crease color, the wash on the lid and the brow bone highlight can be shimmery and satin, respectively, but be careful not to overload on the shine. A matte crease shadow can really cut down the overwhelming and overdone effect of an all-shimmer eye shadow look and can give you a more refined outcome.)
• Super affordable! Regular price is at Php 50, but I got some of mine for Php 35 each on sale!
• Easily available in all HBC stores and kiosks in malls. 
• The texture of the matte shadows are super buttery and it goes on smoothly. 
• Gives pretty decent color pay-off. I'm surprised. 
• Each pan contains a lot of product. Since you don't really need much for the color to show up on your lids, these will last you a very long time.
• Travel-friendly. If you're a minimalist and think you can work with just three shades, these can easily fit in your kit and you can customize your color combinations to suit your taste. 
• Some of the shades can be dupes for more famous and more expensive counterparts. These are definitely a steal!
• The formula is not too chalky like I initially expected.
• Multi-purpose! They can be used not just as lid colors, but as brow powder, highlighter, etc. as well.
• Staying power is commendable. I always use an eyelid primer anyway (to help them cling on there and stay for longer hours), but I suppose these would last about 4-6 hours without a boost.

What I don't like

• The packaging can be improved. Then again, I can't really expect much for the price I paid for these bad boys!
• I wish these come in palette! I like seeing my shadows sprawled across in one container. I like seeing all my options all in one place. Makes it easier for traveling too.
• I hope San San releases more shades! I super love these eye shadow singles and I would really love to collect more and create more looks with it!

Sample Makeup Looks Created with the product:

I would really recommend this for beginner makeup enthusiasts and even for personal/professional use. You can go as simple or as playful as you want with the wide range of shades available. This product is ideal if you don't use eye shadows very often (like me!), they're not much of an indulgence. But I'm pretty sure you won't be able to resist taking them out for a spin every so often! So go ahead and have fun creating different looks with the San San Create Your Own Eye Shadows!

Let me know what  crazy fun looks you can come up with! Share them on my Instagram page (click the link on the side bar) or post them on She Goes Thrifty's Facebook Page. I'm also considering of venturing out into the beauty video how-to/tutorial shenanigan. What do you think?

Cheers!

Human Nature Series: Sunflower Seed Beauty Oil

Puberty hits anyone and everyone. Unfortunately, it leaves behind battle scars, i.e. stretch marks and it drives our hormones crazy; therefore creating tons of changes in our body. And as we spend late nights on school work, burning the midnight oil, we gain excess baggage... under our eyes, that is. If you're also worried about getting wrinkles from everyday stress, all this and more can be solved by Human Nature's Sunflower Seed Beauty Oil!


My biggest problem among the three has got to be stretch marks. I've tried Palmer's Cocoa Butter, to no avail. It's expensive and back then, it wasn't available in the Philippines so I had to ask my relatives abroad to buy it for me. After a few years of dealing with stretch marks and trying to get rid of them, I gave up... That is until I discovered the power of this elixir.

When I got myself a (50 mL) bottle, I immediately put its claim to help erase stretch marks to the test. After a few weeks of regular use, I was astounded. It really did lighten my stretch marks! Now, despite not being able to use it as regularly as before, the results get better and better. It's made of 100% sunflower seed oil... Yup! Nothing more! It's all-natural and all good for you.

It also claims to help pack extra shine to your tresses. I've tried to use it as a hair serum twice but I like this product more as a stretch mark terminator. I also haven't tried it to get rid of dark eye bags or other dark spots elsewhere, but I bet it works just wonderfully! Despite its being an oil, it's neither greasy nor does it leave an icky film afterwards. Just massage a drop or two onto affected area and if you can (actually it's better if you do), use it everyday to achieve optimum results. Just be patient. Once this potion works its magic, I'm sure all the work will be worth the wait!

Picture from the Human Nature website.
A 50 mL bottle will cost you Php 150 (around $3 to $4)

A 50 mL bottle goes a long way. I've had mine for at least three months already and I'm still reaping its major benefits without even consuming half of the bottle yet! You can order this and other Human Nature products online or through their dealers and stores. They also deliver internationally. Each order comes in a neat little box package (hence their pro-environment tag). All this information is available through their site.

They say this is a miracle in a bottle. I say there's so much more to this small-but-terrible wonder than meets the eye! (pun intended) If you have multiple skin problems, then maybe you have found your mirage in the desert. :)

What's your favorite all-in-one beauty solution?

Love,

SGT <3