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

Ever Bilena Mousse Blush in Cinnamon

Have you ever felt incomplete even with your makeup on? Some days, you just don't feel like whipping up a whole new look and have no time to doll up. So what's one quick way to add color onto your life? I say, blush! 

This one from Ever Bilena fits the budget just right. At Php 99 (~$2), it gives a whole lot of product in one pot. I got one in Cinnamon. It's this smooth cross between cocoa and caramel with hints of golden tones that complement my skin tone well. I was never into red and bright pink blushes anyway. So this one just gives me that nice glow and pop of color that I like.

What I like about it:

• Widely available in the Philippines (check your local groceries and department stores)
• Many shades to choose from
• Suits Pinay skin well
• Has a subtle shimmer
• Not scented
• Very affordable
• You get a lot of product in one pot.
• Not too pigmented. You can easily adjust according to how much product you want on.
• Compact; fits into any compartment
• Doesn't irritate my skin. No break-outs either.
• Stays on for quite a long time. Doesn't rub off easily.
• Ever Bilena is a local brand (support local enterprise)
• Got it on sale!

What I dislike about it:

• Comes in a pot. Quite unhygienic to use. Disinfect your hands first before dipping your fingers into the container.
• Make sure to blend it well. You might end up with streaks of blush if not used sparingly and properly.
• No expiration date printed
• Not really a mousse blush. It's a lot more like cream, only not as soft.

Check out how it looks when I have it on:

Truth be told, I'm tired of using powder blushes as they rub off easily and wear off after a while. Cream blushes such as this one have about twice or thrice the staying power, though maybe not as much pigmentation as many of you would prefer (that can be a plus too, at least for me). Just a swipe or two of this baby and I'm good to go, even without lipstick on. It gives me just enough kick of color to fake a tan/blush and keep me from looking washed out and lifeless. On days when you just feel gray and colorless, try slapping on some blush and see how it instantly lifts up your aura and mood without even having to pop a happy pill. ;)

What blush are you currently using? Tell me all about it! :)

Love,

SGT <3