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

FEATURE: Dermplus Moisturizing Sunblock X80

With the weather going haywire lately, it's really tricky. Some parts of the day are sunny, while others have scattered rain showers or even heavy downpour at times. Nevertheless, sunblock is a must for us girls (and guys) who are always on the go. We do not only need protection from the sun alone but from electronic appliances as well; they also give off radiation that can potentially harm our health. So whether you're stepping out or staying in, it's still best to put on some sunblock to save your skin from damage.

For Asian skin, SPF 15 to SPF 24 is the minimum requirement that we should look for in terms of sunblock, that's according to the American Association of Dermatology. But sometimes, SPF 24 is not enough, especially for longer sun exposure, like when we hit the beach or spend a great deal of time walking or staying under the sun. We live in a tropical country, meaning, we are more prone to sun damage than others who live elsewhere. We need something with a higher range of protection against the 5 risks of sun exposure:

• Sunburn
• Age Spots
• Melasma
• Wrinkles
• Skin Cancer

Good thing there's Dermplus Moisturizing Sunblock Extreme 80. Here's why:

• For starters, it has a high sun protection factor (SPF 80).
• It protects skin against both UVA and UVB radiation (sunscreen only protects against UVA). Also, even if the weather is cloudy to overcast, UV rays are still present and can seep through the clouds. It's really best to use sunblock regardless of the coolness of the weather.
• It's water-resistant. Even if you swim or sweat, chances are, this sunblock will keep you protected for at least 8 hours. Re-application is necessary, of course.
• It's PABA-free (Para-Amino Benzoic Acid). It's a component in many sunblocks that cause allergic reactions. Dermplus assures you there's none in their line of products.
• It's dermatologist-tested.
• Its active components include: aloe vera, to soothe and cool sunburned skin; seaweed extract, to nourish skin damage from prolonged sun exposure and to moisturize and nourish skin so it stays healthy and young; and titanium dioxide, to block skin-damaging UVA and UVB rays, it is also ideal for people with sensitive skin and recommended for everyday use.

My take on the matter:

• It's a good investment. At about Php 349 (retail price for a 100 mL tube/bottle), you're buying your skin so much time and health in the long run.
• Stays on for a long time but isn't very heavy on the skin. It's just like putting on your regular lotion.
• Not greasy at all.
• Faint to negligible scent.
• Doesn't leave much of a white cast after blending well on to the skin.
• Doesn't patch after wearing it for hours on end.
• Doesn't irritate my skin or cause any breakouts.
• Ideal for use from the neck down. I use a separate sunblock for the face kasi. ;)
• Widely available in groceries, Watson's branches, department stores, etc. 
• It comes in a cute lime tube/bottle!
• There are other varieties available: SPF 24, SPF 35, SPF 35 Scented and SPF 35 for Kids

Thanks to Ms. Marifel Geronimo of JLC Miller & Co. for the gift pack! :)

 They have other products available too!

Dermplus Moisturizing Sunblock X80 when first applied and not completely blended:

When blended well:

Stay tuned for more features on some of Dermpharma's other products! :)

Whether you're an athlete or just another person on-the-run, protect your skin with Dermplus Moisturizing Sunblock X80! It's your best weapon against the 5 risks of sun exposure, because you're not totally sun-protected until you're Dermplus-protected!

*This is a sponsored post.

Love,

SGT <3