Review: Nichido Minerals Precise Eye Pencil

They say that our brows are the frames to the windows of our soul (make that the rest of the face), and personally, I feel a bit incomplete without groomed and decent brows. If only the rest of us were given the blessing that are Cara Delevingne's brows, we can just call it a day. Unfortunately, most of us still have to put some elbow grease into it just to get those frames to our peepers into tip-top shape.

Good thing I get some help with a few reliable friends. I go on rotation from powder to wax and powder to pencils, depending on the look that I'm going for. Brow powder can take me anywhere from soft and natural to strong and structured. However, I find that application using brow powder usually takes me a bit more time than when I use pencils. So for times when I'm in a rush, I usually just grab my brow pencils and go.

I first tried the Ever Bilena eye pencils, but I found that they seem to be a little too soft for my liking. Even with a light-handed application, I still end up with waxy and crazy dark brows. That was a really dark phase in my life. But I'm glad I found the Nichido Minerals Precise Eye Pencil. I have it in two shades, namely Chestnut and Taupe. I found that mixing two colors gave me the best possible shade match for my colored hair. Some days I also use a tinted eyebrow gel just to help me kick up the tint a notch. I also like to use my ever-reliable Marionnaud Eyebrow Duo brush (which I got ages and ages ago), which has an angled brush on one end, and a spoolie on the other. This tool helps blend out and sheer out the product so it looks more natural on my brows.

Product Shots

I have gone through them quite a bit after a few months.

The colors are shown on the bottom of the pencil for easier reference and storage

The pencils also have individual labels to indicate the shade

Some additional information on the product, as well as the ingredients

Product content is also written on the packaging for your reference

I use Taupe to help bring out the blonde/light shades in my color-treated hair

I use Chestnut to outline my brows lightly so I have a guideline for where the color goes

Swatches

Lightly swatched

Before and After

Before, no brow product on yet

Brows and entire face done

What I like about it

• Very affordable. They are available for Php 138 a pop.
• One pencil would last you for a long time
• Readily available. Check with your local department store for a Nichido counter. I got mine from Watsons SM Makati.
• It comes in a variety of shades which you can mix and match
• Nice packaging, it looks so earthy
• Comes with a cap so the product doesn't dry up
• Can be sharpened
• The consistency is not too waxy and not too hard either. It doesn't drag onto my skin.
• Great for traveling, light and easy to stash
• Pigmented
• Long-wearing, doesn't budge much (using an eyebrow gel definitely helps with its longevity)
• Doesn't break me out or irritate my skin

What I dislike about it

• The shade Taupe has a tinge of orange in it
• I wish they have more shades to choose from
• I still have to mix two colors to get the right shade to match my hair color

If you're looking for a good-quality and affordable brow pencil, I would recommend the Nichido Minerals Precise Eye Pencil. You don't have to search far and wide for great products that work. For all you know, gems are tucked away in your local stores and makeup counters. Try different things and see what works best for you. Let me know how your adventure goes!

Urban Enchantment

Halloween has gone and passed, but the fun will surely stay with us.

I never really experienced Trick-or-Treat where I grew up, and it wasn't until last year that I first got my feet wet with the whole shenanigan of dressing up as someone else for Halloween. I know it's not commonplace here in the Philippines to practice the said occasion, but over the years it has grown popularity and more kids are getting into the groove of dressing up as their favorite characters, knocking on neighbors' and family friends' doors for some candy.

This year, for our office Halloween party, our team chose to go as Pinoy fantasy characters. It's about time we pay homage to the amazing array of creativity us Pinoys have!

Anyway, I went as Faye, the leading lady character from the old sit-com-turned-movie, Okay Ka Fairy Ko!

I hand-made the floral crown and the gown is from when I was a debutante. Amazing how I can still fit into a dress I wore when I turned 18!

The makeup was also my own doing. I just looked up ideas and pegs from Pinterest, grabbed some sequins, some falsies, some lash glue, and voila!

For an occasion that only happens once a year, my kuripot self just can't bear the thought of splurging on a one-time-use outfit... and so I decided to get creative.

Photos by Ja Quintana

Tell me all about your DIY Halloween look!

Review: Maybelline Color Sensation Moisture Extreme Lip Color in Summer Sunset

Hey! How's everybody doing? I hope all is well.

Anyway, I know it's been SUCH a long time since my last entry, so here it goes. I have never been the red-lipstick-wearing kind of girl. I can only wear scarlet on my lips about once or twice every other month. Yes, that rare. I prefer nude lips to red because honestly, it scares the hell out of me. If you're like me who's easily intimidated by a fire engine red, don't fret. It can actually do you more good than harm.

If you're feeling less than stellar, a swipe of fiery color can turn around your mood and give you that much-needed boost! All fierce and ferocious ladies think so!

After collecting so much stuff over the past few months that I was dormant in this blog, I realized I had this one lipstick on the bottom of my kit. I know I've had it for a while but I haven't really worn it much. Like I said, I'm no Marilyn Monroe. I just figured I didn't have the balls to wear such a gutsy color out. I don't know why I even got this in the first place (thanks to my impulsive buying tendencies), but I'm glad I did. Also, I'm not very keen on putting lipstick on a regular basis, as I tend to just lick it all off before the day even begins. (Must get rid of bad habits!)

It's the Maybelline Color Sensational Moisture Extreme Lip Color in Summer Sunset. Not solidly sure where and how much I got these for, but Maybelline products are widely available in personal care stores and department stores here in the Philippines. Here's a peek at what I'm talking about:

I've had it since 2010? I should get a new tube! :(

Pretty classy packaging

I still have plenty of product in the tube. Mainly because I don't use this very often.

In lighting

A hand swatch, just to show you how it shows up on parts of my body that are more tan than my face.

Me, wearing the Maybelline Color Sensational Moisture Extreme Lip Color in Summer Sunset (with just groomed brows and a bare face)

The reason why I j'adore this particular product is that it's a blue-based red. My skin tone is a little tricky. I'm somewhere between light and medium. I sometimes have yellow undertones (thanks to my Chinese lineage) but when I tan, my olive undertones show. Check out MakeupGeek's blog post on red lipstick for more information on which tinge of red you should go for. But this particular color pops against my in-between skin tone so it's really a good buy for me.

Okay, so here's a breakdown of my thoughts:

What I like about it:

- It is crazy pigmented. For a drugstore brand, it really delivers that punch of red right where you need it!

- Considerably affordable. One tube won't cost more than P 500 for sure.

- I can just groom my brows and wear this with a bare face. It makes me look that much more made up than when I have a nude lip on.

- It accentuates the light side of my skin color. It somehow gives the illusion that I'm a tad bit lighter.

- It also gives the illusion of whiter teeth. That's what blue-based red lip color does.

What I don't like about it:

- I'm not really sure if it delivers the moisture extreme factor that it has on its name. I have really dry lips and I prime with lip balm before I put this on. I still end up a little dry after a while.

- Wear is average. This can go on me for about 3 hours without touch-ups.

- Just like your average red lipstick, this can fade with food and drink intake. (Duh!) But you can always retouch!

If you're a red lip newbie, don't jump in the deep end just yet, but perhaps this can help. This is my first red tinge and I must say, red lips are not for the fainthearted. I'm glad I took the leap with this product.

Material Girl

Friday slump. I know you can all relate. It's that moment when all you can ever wish for is your cozy bed at home, the book you were caught reading last, and some hot dark choco by your side. Just thinking about it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside

I'm glad I still have my cup of happiness from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. I found a new favorite in their Double Chocolate Latte - just what I needed to lift me up from this pit of laziness.

Anyway, last night, I visited my aunt who had just arrived from the States. She, along with my other aunt and cousin, got me these wonderful presents. :)

After a much-needed timeout from the daily hustle and bustle of my insane schedule, I got one night of catching up with la familia, and managed to squeeze in some pampering (thank you, Tita Vilma for the pedi treat!).

Just to share what goodies I got recently:

 

1. Benefit Cosmetics Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup in Honey, I'm So Money

 

2. Benefit Cosmetics Brow Zing in Medium

3. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic and in Honey

 4. Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer with SPF 15 (I'm wearing this now!)

5. Skull Candy Low Rider headset

I'm also wearing the Revlon ColorStay Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic. I'm a little pale right now and that punch of red on my lips is all the color that I need to make me look less sick and more alive.

That's all for now! Catch you later! ;)

FOTD: Pink Eye

Many beauty bloggers post their "face of the day" looks. Maybe it's time I start posting mine as well. Haha! As if you're all interested in how I do my makeup. :P

Wore this makeup look to my friend Paola's despedida dinner in Marikina. I had to do a lot of walking and commuting that day, so I had to make sure that my makeup won't run and go all over the place. :))

I call this look Pink Eye (not the gross disease, okay? HAHA!) because I applied just a wash of pink with golden tones on my lids and topped it with brown liquid eyeliner for a presentable and not-that-dramatic over-all look. I also took my new Human Nature colored lip balm in Island Kiss for a spin. I think my search for an orange-tinted lippie is over! I'll post a review on this very soon. ;)

Base:

- Etude House BB Magic Cream

- Ever Bilena Mousse Matte Foundation in Walnut

- Myra Daily Sun Protect

Eyes:

- E.L.F. Eyelid Primer

- Ellana Minerals Concealer in Smile

- Ellana Minerals Concealer in Awake

- Ellana Minerals Translucent Loose Powder in Espresso con Panna

- 17 Nude Palette

- E.L.F. Liquid Eyeliner in Brown

- Maybelline VolumExpress Mascara

- Etude House Oh M'Eye Mascara for Volume and Length

- The Face Shop Brow Duo

- NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Lime

- Etude House Bling Bling Eye Stick in Butterfly Star

Cheeks:

- Maybelline Pure Minerals Blush in Pink

Face:

- Maybelline Clear Smooth Shine-free Pressed Powder

Lips:

- Human Nature Tinted Lip Balm in Island Kiss

- Careline Extra Shine Lipgloss in 02

What do you think about this look? Would you like me to post more "face of the day" looks from now on? :P

Love,

SGT <3

Ever Bilena Mousse Matte Foundation in Walnut

This is one of my random grocery purchases. Ever Bilena products are on sale in the nearby supermarket and I cannot just let that pass without taking advantage of the price slash!

Anyway, I'm gonna get down to the nitty-gritty. I haven't found much information on the Ever Bilena website, which is unfortunate. I do a lot of my background check and review check on the product on the internet. Sadly, I think they're phasing this line out. They've already phased out the mousse concealer and the mousse eyeshadows are on sale too (for clearance purposes). If you're thinking of trying out this foundation, I suggest you run to the nearest store and get your supply now.

The packaging...

It has a plastic covering on top to ensure product safety.

The shade isn't exactly what I wanted. This one suits a cool skin tone better.
The one I was supposed to get ran out of stocks. :(

A sample swatch

Swatch on the back of my hand.

When blended

 What I like about it:

• The price is such a steal! I got it on sale for Php 75 (less than $2) at a local supermarket
• Widely available. Many drugstores, department stores, and groceries carry this brand.
• It's a local brand. Support PH made!
• Matte. My face doesn't get too oily right away, much to my surprise. But it's important to set it with powder to maximize its matte property.
• There aren't much variety of selection available. Many shades are out of stocks already. It's kind of hard to find the shade that would best suit my skin tone.
• Staying power: about 3 to 4 hours. I only had to retouch my nose (since I have combination skin, my T-zone is my oiliest spot in the face) once all afternoon. For a cheap (not derogatory, promise!) product, that's kind of commendable. Weather when I used this: very humid!
• Works well as a concealer (for dark circles) too! I used it as a base to my Palladio Rice Concealer Stick and The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Tone-Correcting Concealer, and it helped cover the discoloration from my lack of sleep.
• Doesn't clog my pores.
• Didn't break me out (so far)
• Doesn't irritate my sensitive skin (surprisingly)
• Not too creamy. (can be its downside too)
• Blends well into my skin. I had to set it with my powder so it can completely mesh with my original skin tone. I wish I had gotten one meant for warmer skin tones with yellow undertones.
• Not heavy!
• Build-able. It has sheer to medium coverage. If you want something for like a night event, this may not be for you. This is okay for day or light makeup.
• You're getting a lot of bang for your buck with the amount of product that's in this thing! Sulit!

I used to have a bias against locally-produced and cosmetics but over time, local cosmetic companies seem to really amp up their products, step up to the plate, and rise up to the competition! That said, I'm still on the fence but I'm slowly dipping my toes into the possibilities and the potential that they offer. Besides, as long as we're supporting local enterprise, it counts for something, right?

What I dislike about it:

• It has an annoying scent. It's not necessarily funky-smelling but I just don't like it.
• The packaging. It's made of plastic. It's in a pot. (Unhygienic, unless you use disinfected hands before every dip or unless you use a foundation brush)
• Again, the packaging. It's obviously "inspired" by Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse Foundation, only this local dupe is bigger. Their copy-cat style of packaging adds to the cheap factor of their products, sorry. :(
• It's too bulky. :(
• It has glitters! UGH. One of my biggest con's for this product. I just want my foundation to be straight to the point, without any fuss like unnecessary shimmer. That's where the highlighter comes in!
• Not happy with the shade match! :( What do you think? Is it close enough?
• I actually dislike its grainy/rough consistency.

Although I cannot give a hands-down verdict to the Ever Bilena Mousse Matte Foundation in Walnut, I can honestly say that it's not a complete waste of money. It's a good transition product or something to use in-the-meantime. I don't know if I will purchase this again because I'm quite happy with my BB Cream from Etude House. I'm not really much of a foundation user anyway. But whenever I need extra coverage, I can whip this out and rely on its decent performance.

If you're still curious, I suggest you visit an Ever Bilena counter or stall and try them out yourself first and see if it sits well with you. I'm not over the moon with this product, but I'm not completely disappointed either. At Php 75, I got more than I initially expected.

Check out how it looks on me. (All shots are done in natural lighting)

Eyes:

  ~ NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Lime from Digital Traincase

~ Maybelline VolumExpress Mascara

~ Etude House Oh M'Eyes Volume and Length Mascara

~ The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Tone Correcting Concealer in 01

~ Palladio Rice Concealer Stick

Face:

~ Myra Daily Sun Protect Moisturizer SPF 10

~ Ever Bilena Mousse Matte Foundation in Walnut

Cheeks:

~ Ever Bilena Mousse Blush in Cinnamon (contour)

~ 17 All About Nude Summer Palette Cream Blusher

Lips:

~ Forever 21 lip gloss

Please pardon the sabog hair. I haven't combed my hair yet. :))

Please pardon the messy background. :P
It's so hoooot inside the house!
The dirty kitchen/the garage seemed like the better-ventilated areas at home. :)

What's your latest cheap thrill? Have you tried this foundation yet? How was your experience? :)

Love,

SGT <3