This sample of Skin Food Cactus Agave Toner came with my purchase of Urban Decay Ammo from a local seller. I only got to use it the other day. It’s the first time I’ve used a toner. Honestly, I’m unsure what a toner does and what it is for. I found out, after a little research, that it minimizes the appearance of pores and not ideal for very dry skin. In spite of knowing it may make my skin drier, I skipped application of Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. I just applied a BB cream after the toner.

After a few minutes, my skin felt a tad tight. Another thing I found out is that toners can give you a dewy look and this really does. I suddenly feel like I’m too made up for work. LOL But I like that it made me look glowing the whole day and it did minimize the appearance of pores. That tight feeling may take some getting used to though. ^^; I wonder if it’s also the work of the toner, but the matte blush I had on stayed on longer.

I now understand why people like the dewy look and the importance of toners. I’ll use it when I’ll be going to events where I know there will be camwhoring involved. LOL Kidding aside, it’s nice to have a glowing skin that isn’t entirely because of an oily face. Well, an oily face makes your face shiny, reflects the flash on pictures, and ‘eats up’ your makeup. I just have to find an affordable toner. In spite that this toner seems good for me, I know Skin Food is a bit pricey. Suggestions for an affordable yet HG toner? I received a Garnier OilClear (thank you Garnier and Netbooster Asia) and I wonder if it’s a good alternative.

Called Blushing Glow, this is a mute pink blush that looks dull on the pan but is actually a bit shimmery on skin. I have very few blush-ons in my makeup stash (I want to add more!) and this is my most favorite. I’m grateful my Mum gave this to me.

Hitting the pan is proof that it is.

This is a favorite because, first, its sheerness is just what I prefer. In my opinion, it’s easier to have control over sheer blushes than those very pigmented. Second, it has a slight shimmer so it may work as a highlighter. It brightens my face especially on days when I lack sleep. Third, it gives that natural flush.

Here’s my swatch after several swipes from the pan:

It was already bright pink on my finger tip after swiping several times probably because of the shimmer. Yet the swatch is hardly noticeable, isn’t it? Maybe I should have taken a better picture. Anyway, on my cheeks, the pink is noticeable. There’s that natural flush and glow. “Blushing Glow” is, therefore, a fitting name for it. Sheer blushes like this may be built up, but apply too much and you’ll look overdone. (When I see girls with a thick blush-on, I call them cake-face. >D) This works best with fair to medium skin. The wear stays at a maximum of six hours then fades, but the shimmer is still there. When my face gets oily, a retouch is needed in four hours.

With flash on the left picture and no flash (under better and brighter lighting) on the right.

I don’t see this shade in the CoverGirl website, but I’m assuming (and hoping) they just renamed it. I will definitely purchase when I find the same shade.

24/7 Concealer Pencil in CIA, DEA, FBI, NSA, ATF, DOD, KGB, M16

The last four are their new shades. They’re shades for the brown and tan skin. I may need one of those especially after beach fun times.

Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Apocalypse

Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Lovechild

Love Child is a pale baby pink. I like the color and I usually like that shade, but I think I can find a lot of dupes of it.

24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion

24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Demolition

24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Woodstock

Perversion is blacker than Zero. I find the former scary to use, but I still want it. It’s got such a classy name too. >D

The collection consists of:
Pure Color Sensuous Rouge Lip Color in Sultry Caramel, Sensuous Nude, and Sublime Nectar
Pure Color Five Color Topaz Mosaic eyeshadow palette
Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée in Topaz Chameleon
Pure Color Gloss in Citron Kiss
Pure Color Intense Kajal Eye Crayon in Dramatic Black and Dramatic Teal
Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Teal Topaz

I love the color of Dramatic Teal. I have read some blogs on this collection and Topaz Chameleon is getting good reviews. I think I want that. :3 Because I lack a highlighter and bronzer in my makeup stash. Topaz Chameleon makes a great of both. Citron Kiss is as tempting as the aforesaid. I have yet to see if this collection is/will be available locally.

View the teaser PETA x STRIP: UNFURGIVABLE video here. w00t! XD

Joiz and I will be going. Any Glam Love readers who wants to meet up? Haha~ See you there!

By Aaron de May, this collection includes a blush, three lipglosses, three lipsticks, two eyeshadow palettes, and three nail lacquers.

La Roseraie des Delices Blush

Ombre Absolue Eye Shadow Palette
On the left is Rose Romantique and on the right is Vert Tendresse

Color Fever Gloss in (left to right) Green Petal (386), Tangerine Petal (387), Rose Petal (388)

Le French Touch Absolu in (left to right) Soft Marshmallow (316), Rose Candy (314), and Sweet Marmalade (318)

Le Vernis in (left to right) Green Almond (029), Rose Tangerine (030), Rose Macaron (031)

It seems all these are limited edition.

Left to right: Black Honey, Shy Honey, Tender Honey, Spice Honey, Luscious Honey, Chic Honey, Lovely Honey, Flirty Honey

Inspired by Black Honey’s signature colour statement, Clinique introduces seven new, ultra-flattering, sheer shades to the Almost Lipstick line-up. The hues range from natural nudes to pretty pinks to violets and reds. All shades are completely wearable and provide a sheer colour payoff. So go ahead. Wear red, or pink, or violet, or nude. Now it’s possible with Almost Lipstick.

The sheer, smooth formula allows the natural lip colour to come through, creating a custom-fit shade that is unique to each woman. A colour thumbprint, per se.

The soft formula delivers a hint of colour and the sheer payoff allows for fool-proof application. And, a pretty pout is the focus this Spring season. Starting in February, Almost Lipstick highlights the Almost Spring 2012 colour trend, which includes Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 to achieve a natural, dewy glow, Blushwear Cream Stick for a flushed cheek, and Naturally Glossy Mascara to top the look off with flirty lashes. This soft colour palette will give a fresh-faced, almost makeup look.

Allergy Tested. 100% Fragrance Free. Dermatologist Tested.

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush

I was curious about why they’re called bouncy and I’ve read it’s because they feel springy. I wanted to try a couple of these (I also want more blushes), but I now have second thoughts because these aren’t powder blushes. But I read they’re quite sheer, then I guess I shouldn’t worry about looking too flushed. Will be available locally, I wonder.

Which reminds me, I think my Maybelline Magnum Volume’Express just dried out.

Image credit: Cosmetic Journey

Estee Lauder Long Lasting Rouge in Nectarine is one of my favorite lipsticks. This is under their Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick line, but what I have is just in a regular round blue plastic packaging instead of the classy looking one you’ll see in their website.

Nectarine is a satin, medium orange red that has a bit of shimmer. The lipstick glides on smoothly. It’s not that pigmented, but color is buildable. I actually find that alright. I sometimes prefer a soft red for a day look.

Without flash

With flash

It can be easily removed just right after application, so you have to let it on for a little while before you drink and/or eat. It does stay on for hours and once the lipstick is gone, it still leaves some color on your lips. Like stain. That’s one reason why this is my favorite. The formula for its lasting property may be the same as of matte lipsticks. Another reason why I love this is it moisturizes my lips better than most of my lip balms.

I’m not sure how this costs locally, but Pure Color Long Lasting Lipsticks are $25 in the Estee Lauder website. I have to research on that soon. Estee Lauder is available in Landmark and Rustan’s. Check Estee Lauder’s Philippines FB page for a list of stores of where to find their products.

This palette is half a foot by two inches.

Compared it with a small Cricket lighter since that’s the nearest to me at the time I took pictures

This palette includes six (sheen) eyeshadows, a blush, eyeshadow sponge applicator, and a blush brush.

I’ll start this review with the eyeshadow sponge applicator and blush brush.

The eyeshadow sponge applicator is just the usual sponge applicator. I know some would throw that away, but I keep them as I find them useful in times I have to bring eyeshadow and forget to bring a brush. Using the sponge applicator will make you layer more (except probably if the eyeshadow is very very pigmented). It just takes getting used to. I like to use it when I have to apply near the lashes of my upper lid.

It’s indicated what the brush is made off, but bristles are soft. I’m thinking it’s animal hair. The bristles seem loose. I find this brush, yet convenient, not suitable for the Estee Lauder’s silky blush. You’ll find out later why.

Top, left to right: Pale Moon (17), Cinnamon (35), Honey Drop (47)
Bottom, left to right: Baby Pink (02), Ivory Box (10), Mocha Cup (63)

Pale Moon is (indeed) pale pink-lavender shade, nearly sheer, with minimal shimmer. It has an almost frosted finish. The color looks paler the more you layer.
Cinnamon is dark gold on the palette, but isn’t as pigmented as may be expected. I find this a lovely, sheer, sheen gold. This has a cream-like texture and can be layered to darken.
Honey Drop is shimmery peach; looks like a pinker version of Pale Moon but is more sheen.

Without and with flash

Baby Pink is a sheer, as the name says, baby pink. It looks like a frosty pink when layered. This eyeshadow has a chalk-like consistency that it seems to be the messiest among the eyeshadows. There’s a little fallout on application.
Ivory Box is a sheer, satin finish of ivory; highlight color.
Mocha Cup looks like a frosty bronze on the palette, but is actually a semi-pale sheen bronze when applied.

Without and with flash

The Estee Lauder Signature Silk Powder Blush in Fresh Plum is a matte palish pink-purple blush. Its silk texture is very nice, but I find it hard to swipe a color off it. Using a round blush brush is easier to get a color off it than using the brush the palette comes with. The payoff is good though. It has a subtle pink but more purplish finish on my cheeks that I love and it stays on for hours in spite of my oily skin.

I use this palette for my daily (office) look. Honey Drop and Mocha Cup are my two favorite colors here with the former being overused. Ivory Box too of course, but because it’s my highlighter. All eyeshadow colors are easy to apply with only two colors hard to build up — Ivory Box and Pale Moon. The Fresh Plum Silky Blush would be a fave if it’s just not too hard to get a color off it.

I noticed that the plastic cases of Estee Lauder are now better than those I had way back. Those easily broke and I barely even brought them out of the house. I brought this out several times even in my out-of-town travels. Not that it really matters, but the casing isn’t that scratch proof. The front looks like it was ran through a polygraph. There are many hairline scratches.

This is one of my favorites from my makeup because it’s easy to bring around (not that bulky, right?) and you can easily switch eye makeup between morning and night when needed. I bring this when I have an event to go to after work. Yet I can’t really make a ‘night’ look with this as the eyeshadows are mostly sheer, but at least I won’t look too plain. The mirror is very useful by the way.

Estee Lauder is available locally in Rustan’s, Essences in Rockwell Power Plant, and most major department stores.