Saturday, April 30, 2011

Benefit Bella Bamba is Blush Heaven!








What the Label Says

Amplify cheekbones and create the illusion of sculpted features with this 3D watermelon blush. Laced with shimmering gold undertones, bella bamba is taking eye popping pretty to the third dimension...you'll never use traditional blush again!


Shade: 
3D Watermelon pink with iridescent gold tones

Weight:
8.0 grams Net wt, 0.28 oz

Price:
Bought this for P 1,650.00 at La-Petite-Confiserie
$ 28 at Sephora

Watch the video!




Swatches

might look scary on the brush but this goes on more subtle on the cheeks (when applied with a light hand)

i love the radiant dewy glow this blush gives!


Bella Bamba when swatched
me wearing Bella Bamba (lightly applied, with a stippling brush)


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Eversince I had bought Benefit Coralista and loved it sooo much, I had been lemming for Bella Bamba for soooo long! What got me wanting it more is that they say this is a 3D blush! how can a blush be 3D? This definitely got me interested. What stopped me again from blush dreaming though, was the hefty price tag. $28 for a blush. gosh. but after a month of contemplation (yes i really do contemplate on the makeups that i buy), it was finally go! 


The Good
- i could not understand at first what Benefit meant by saying this is a 3D blush (amplify cheekbones and create the illusion of sculpted features), but i finally got what they meant when i tried this on. it really does gives a slight contour, a pop to your cheeks and as if you put on highlighter too!
- this blush has a slight sweet smell which i am addicted to! Coralista had more of a fruity smell, this is more sweet, like flowers. 
- true to its color description, this is a lovely watermelon pink with slight gold shimmer that gives a beautiful, subtle iridescent sheen to the cheeks
- the magnetic flip top packaging (with mirror) is better than the packaging of Coralista
- i love the color that this blush gives on my cheeks! this goes on light pink on my NC35 skin tone. 
- no kidding, this blush gives a radiant dewy glow to the face. i've been getting a lot of compliments wearing this blush. 
- very pigmented. make sure to use a light hand when applying, lest you'll look very 3D! haha. i use a stippling brush to apply this because it gives a more natural look. 
- Bella Bamba is slightly similar to Coralista, only that Coralista is more peach and Bella Bamba is more pink. I will post a comparison between the two soon. 


The Bad
- the cardboard packaging might easily get tattered. i put this on a separate pouch in my everyday makeup kit. Albeit cute, Benefit really needs to change their cardboard box packaging. 
- hefty price for a blush (even more expensive than my other favorite NARS blushes)
- smaller in contents compared to Coralista (Coralista is at 0.42oz while this is only 0.28oz).  that's like a 0.14oz difference at the same price tag! maybe the 3D makes this more expensive? hehe.



Final Verdict
A+++++++

I am sooooo in love with this blush and as of this writing, this has replaced NARS Deepthroat as my HG blush! 

When i put this on, i thought i had died and went to blush heaven!



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Thursday, April 28, 2011

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Antwerp & Sao Paolo


What the Label Says

It's not lipstick, nor is it gloss. It's like nothing you've experienced before. It's lipstick cream that goes on silky but looks soft matte. These long-lasting lip creams come in 11 different colors that will be sure to keep your lips moisturized and colorful!

Shade: 
Comes in 11 fun shades

Weight:
Not specified

Price:
Bought this for P350.00 at Digital Traincase


Swatches

FROM L-R: Antwerp, San Paolo
ANTWERP: a gorgeous coral shade. almosy neonish when applied heavily, but great for everyday wear when applied just right.
SAO PAOLO: Vivid pink, with a hint of red. 
FROM L-R: Antwerp, Sao Paolo

me wearing Antwerp (lightly applied)
Bella Bamba on my cheeks
me wearing Sao Paulo

The Good
- it has a sweet, vanilla icing, cake like smell that i can't explain but i love
- applies smoothly, glides on lips like butter
- super long lasting
- if you love matte lippies, this is definately a must try!
- comes with the standard doe foot applicator which makes it easier to apply on the lips and distributes color evenly
- a tube will last a long time
 - color is buildable
- feels light and non-lipsticky

The Bad
- it emphasizes dry lips, so its best to ex foliate and moisturize lips before application
- since its creamy, i find that it tends to settle on the lip lines. it s best to apply lip balm first. 


Final Verdict
A+

NOTE: Colors on the tube is exactly the same color when swatched. but swatches posted may not be exactly the same color as actual product. 

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Benefit Coralista






What the Label Says

Take a tropical pleasure trip with CORALista. Sweep this warm coral pink powder onto cheeks anytime, anywhere. Move your brush to the beat & turn up the heat... bikini optional!

Shade: 
Coralista is a warm coral-pink powder that warms up your complexion

Weight:
.28oz


Price:
P 1,650.00 at local resellers
$28.00 at Sephora


Swatches




***
I have been lemming for this blush for the longest time now. what put me off first was the price. $28 for a blush??? but blushbaby finally caved in and i FINALLY got myself one! and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! 


The Good
- the slight fruity scent (i normally do not like makeups with scents, but this one's an exception)
- i love love love the color! it's the perfect coral pink blush with a slight hint of shimmer. i have always been partial to peachy-pink blushes and this one's definitely one of the best!
 - Coralista gives my cheeks a soft, warm peachy-pink neutral color. not too pink, not too peachy, just the perfect tropical glow!
- the powder is silky smooth 
- staying power is great! i apply this in the morning and by end of day, the color is still visible. even without touch ups!
- i think this shade will suit all types of skintone
- gives a real glow to your cheeks (not all blushes, even the high-end ones, are able to do this)


The Bad
- the cardboard box packaging may get battered after continued use
- expensive 
- too bulky to carry in your makeup pouch



Final Verdict
A+
Definately one of my faves!


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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

NYX Powder Blush in Pinched






What the Label Says


Powder Blush is a silky-textured, quilted compact powder with rich pigmentation that provides long-lasting wear. All shades deliver a healthy, natural-looking glow.

Shade: 
NYX Powder blushes comes in 25 shades.
I got this in Pinched (peachy-pink with shimmers)

Weight:
14oz 4g

Price:
$6.00 at Cherry Culture (had this shipped to my friend's US address)
Local online resellers sell this for P330-350


Swatches




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I have a thing for peachy pink shimmery blushes. I find that they just suit my NC35 skin tone really well and gives me a nice glow. i love nyx products and during my last mini haul from CherryCulture, i knew i had to get this blush. 


The Good
- i love the color! just the perfect peachy pink shade for me
- inexpensive
- a dupe for NARS Orgasm (i'll post swatch comparison soon)


The Bad
- Pinched is not as smooth and silky compared to my other NYX blushes
- don't expect the texture to be the same as the higher end blushes 
- tends to be chalky and i experienced fallouts


Final Verdict
A+
The chalkiness do not really bother me. I love NYX blushes and you really get your money's worth! I will definitely repurchase. 


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Monday, April 25, 2011

NYX The Runway Collection Palette in Champagne & Caviar






What the Label Says

Champagne & Caviar Eyeshadow Palette contains the original, best selling Nyx eye shadows in one sleek case for design, storage and mobility. The color combinations are hand-picked by Nyx’s creator and inspired by fashion, colors, and scents experienced while traveling the world. As with our popular eye shadows, the product offers bold colors, high pigmentation, and lasting wear.

Shade: 
Comes in 10 varieties: Jazz Night, Strike a Pose, Champagne & Caviar, Catwalk, Supermodel, Romance, Versus, Secret World, Haute Model, Bohemian Rhapsody, Casting Call, Velvet Rope

Weight:
14g

Price:
$8.00 at Cherry Culture (had this shipped to my friend's US address)
Local online resellers sell this for P450-P500


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I suck at eye makeup. big time. it's something i need time and patience to perfect. Eyeshadows do not excite me as much blushes do, hence the rarity of eye makeup in my blog. 

anyhow, this is only my second eyeshadow palette, and i only bought this because i needed $9 more so i can avail of the free shipping of cherryculture.com. was it a good buy? read on. 


Swatches

1st Layer
1.1. Frost. Light Beige. Very sheer. i need to swipe color a few times to make it show up on me.
1.2. Satin. Taupe. Very sheer. again, color needs to be built to show up on me. 
1.3. Satin. Very light beige. almost nude. sheer. great as base color.  
1.4. Frost. Champagne. slightly similar to color #1 only darker. more pigmented compared to the 3 previous shades. i use this to highlight my browbone. i sometimes use this alone for an office look.
1.5. Frost. Slightly dark brown. i use this as crease color for a subtle day office look. 


2nd Layer

2.1. Matte. White. Pigmentation is fair. i use this as browbone highlighter. 
2.2. Satin. Warm Brown. Not very pigmented. 
2.3. Matte. Chocolate brown. Pigmentation is good. Excellent as crease color. 
2.4. Frost. Light Pink. pretty pink color. may be 
worn alone. very crumbly.
2.5. Matte. Black. Very good pigmentation. excellent as crease color.


The Good
- inexpensive. 10 eyeshadows for only $8
- eyeshadow pan sizes are decent
- comes in a sleek black, handy compact which makes it easy to carry around (roughly the size of a checkbook)
- excellent neutral color combinations. great for an everyday office makeup or daytime look
- powders are soft and silky


The Bad
- not very pigmented (my local 88 eyeshadow palette is waay pigmented than this)
- chalky and crumbly (i'll show pics below)
- i get lots of fallouts on my face because of its chalkiness
- some of the colors are too sheer (especially the light colored ones) and hardly show up on me

too chalky 

Final Verdict
B-
Great color selection. Not too great on pigmentation and the chalkiness and the fallouts really bother me. Great neutral palette for beginners. 




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