What’s in my bag?

Happy weekend, loves! How are you spending your weekend? I started my week by seeing a movie with my boyfriend and my sister. I’ve been persuading my boyfriend for over a week now to see Bride for Rent. Yup, that movie with Kim Chiu and Xian Lim in it. I heard it has grossed Php100M in just four days!

 

It’s a really great feel-good movie. I love Kim Chiu’s quirkiness in the movie: demure na jologs. I like her better in such roles, much like her role in Bakit Di Ka Crush ng Crush Mo. I find her really funny and super effective.  Plus, I love the outfits she wore in the movie and in her previous telenova. Lakas maka-demure. In the auditions scenes in the movie, she wore this mejo grunge attire: muscle tee, denim cut-offs, Doc Marten’s boots, and a brown knapsack, where she stores her paninda for her raket.

 

When I use a bag, I want it to contain all my belongings, too. (Nice transition, huh? LOL) To be honest, I don’t really buy bags on a regular basis. The last time I bought a bag for myself was last year during my trip in Hong Kong, where I bought a Santa Roberta tote, which was on sale, so I was able to afford it.  I always borrow bags from my mom and my sister, Bianca. But this Christmas, my sister gave me a Charles and Keith bag! Yeah, I’m not a bag person, but I’m thankful she did.

 

 

This bag reminds me of a Kate Spade tote I saw a few weeks back. A Kate Spade dupe, my bag is. Hihi.

 

I have a thing for tote bags because they’re able to pack a lot of things inside. So, here are the contents of my trusty bag.

 

 

Basically, my bag contains my iPad and my phone, my bag organizer, and my kikay kit!

 

 

First row | Powerbank, Etude House Mascara, The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Tint, The Face Shop Eyeliner, Revlon ColorStay Matte Balm, NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, Baby Bench cologne, Pepper spray, The Body Shop lip balm, Maybelline Face Powder

Second row | iPad Air, Samsung S3, Santa Roberta Coin Pouch, Marks & Spencer Hand and Nail Cream, Watson’s tissue, Pens (black & pink), Card Wallet

Third row | Bag organizer, Wet wipes, Makeup Kit

 

 

I super love my bag organizer, which is a gift from my boyfriend’s sister. I tend to dump everything inside my bag, so this bag organizer helps me organize my things inside my bag and save space. Definitely heaven-sent!

 

Another important thing I carry in my bag is my makeup kit. I make sure that I have the basics: powder, eyeliner, mascara, lipsticks, lip tint, and cologne. I prefer baby cologne over perfume because they’re light and pleasant.

 

I don’t have a wallet, just a coin purse. I do own a wallet, though, which is a gift from my boyfriend a few years back. I find it too bulky, so I just carry a coin purse and my card wallet (which stores all my cards) with me all the time.

 

I always bring my powerbank (11200 mAh) with me since I use my phone a lot. I washified it using Hello Kitty washi tapes from Paper Blush.

 

Why this post all of a sudden? I came across this promo from Suy Bags, a local brand. I hope this qualifies as an entry!

 

 

Visit Suy Bags on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

 

How about you? What’s in your bag?

 

Love,

Technorati Tags: bag,promo,Suy Bags,Charles & keith,Maybelline,NYX,Etude House,The Body Shop,The Face Shop,Revlon,Bench,Marks & Spencer,Kate Spade,dupe

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January Makeup Haul

Few entries ago, I mentioned something about my drugstore makeup online shopping. AND GUESS, WHAT? THEY’RE FINALLY HEEEEERE!!! *insert cray cray dance moves here*

 

 

You might say “hey, you just had a makeup haul last month!” And yeah, while it is true, I’d like to justify my spending on makeup. I do not constantly buy makeup products. I’m not an impulse buyer when it comes to makeup (I can’t say the same thing on shoes, though haha); I just buy items when I deem its necessity. I scour for stores that sell the lowest-priced makeup. If it’s possible, I also look into possible dupes of the products I’ve been lusting over. I rest my case. LOL

 

Moving on, I’m just so ecstatic to receive this haul last night! Thanks to our friend, Angel; you’re definitely sent from above (pun intended haha!). So my January makeup haul came from Target and Beauty.com. It’s my second time to purchase at Target, and my first to buy from Beauty.com. I usually avail of the free shipping policy (free shipping on $50 orders and up), but due to time constraints, I paid a few extra bucks for their 2-day delivery option.

 

I love *online* shopping at drugstores ‘coz they’re really affordable. The items I buy in the US are the ones not available here in the Philippines, or if the price difference is quite big. Plus, the quality of most products are actually good. The same holds true here in the Philippines. My favorite drugstore brand in the Philippines is Nichido, no doubt! I’m in love with their blushes (especially Tomato), eyeliners, and eyebrow pencils. They’re pretty cheap but the quality is definitely at par with international drugstore brands.

 

First on the list is e.l.f. Studio Geometric Eyeshadow Pallete in Glam.

 

 

I got this palette on sale, priced at US$5.10 (around Php225). The packaging is so-so. It reminded me of the Barbie makeup in the department store a kikay child would want for Christmas. The eye shadow book itself is housed in a flimsy plastic casing.

 

 

The eye shadow itself is ok. What I like about it is the variety of shades and finishes. You’d find both matte and shimmery shadows in the pan. I haven’t tried wearing this the entire day, so I couldn’t comment on how long it last. The pigmentation of some shadows are great, while some are so-so.

 

Overall, this palette is ok if you just want to play around with eye makeup. The quality is ok, too, but the packaging sucks. Basically, you get what you pay for.

 

Another eyeshadow palette is Wet n’ Wild Color Icon Collection Eyeshadow Trio is Sweet as Candy.

 

 

This eyeshadow trio is a good way to teach one how to apply eye makeup. It’s quite easy to use! Use the lightest shade on your browbone, another color on the entire eyelid, and the darkest shade on the crease.

 

I enjoyed using this trio, although the pink shade (for the eyelid) is too shimmery for my taste. The pigmentation is ok, as well. Got this at Beauty.com for only US$2.99 (around Php130). Would love to try out other shades, too!

 

Next on the list is Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate in 05 and 103.

 

 

Basically, the difference between the two is their finishes. The black one (shade 05) has a slight shimmer, while the red one (shade 103) has a matte finish. I haven’t tried either yet, so I can’t say how they differ in shades. (Yeah, I was that excited to share my haul that I didn’t take swatches of the products mehehe.) I already own Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in 107, and I’m impressed with it, so I have high expectations on these two new lipsticks.

 

But they do differ in price. The former’s priced at US$5.14 (around Php227), while the latter is at US$5.24 (Php232). I got these at Beauty.com, so I’m not sure if other stores would sell them at different prices.

 

Next up is NARS Lipstick in Schiap.

 

 

I’ve been lusting over this lipstick for quite sometime now, but I just can’t muster enough willpower to do so, since I already bought a handful of lipsticks in 2013. I couldn’t spend another peso again on lipsticks (plus, konti na lang, papagalitan na ‘ko ni boyfriend). So, for my first lipstick purchase, I finally gave in and bought this.

 

 

I’d have to say that this is my current perfect pink lipstick. It has a semi-matte finish, and it’s not at all drying to the lips. Plus, it stays quite long, like 6-8 hours. It’s not at all too neon for me, which I really like. It’s the hot pink that I can wear anytime!

 

The only thing I don’t like about this product is its packaging. I’ve read tons of horror stories on NARS’ packaging, and I’m praying they’d do something about it. Plus, I like to “feel” where my money is at, if you know what I mean. This friggin’ lipstick costs US$26 (around Php1150), but the tube is light as air. It’s lighter (and smaller) than the MAC bullet lipsticks, even if NARS contains a tad bit more product (NARS weighs 3.4g; MAC weighs 3g). I like my Chanel lipstick coz the packaging is quite heavy.

 

Next lip-related purchases is Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Complex and Audacious.

 

 

I’ve always been a fan of Revlon’s lip-related products. My first purchase is Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm, which is in 2011. I instantly fell in love with it because it stays quite well on the lips even after drinking and eating. They then reinvented the product by combining the lipstain and balm, thus Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain. I own 3 shades of the Balm Stain just because I was impressed with it.

 

 

My sister saw this particular Matte Balm online, and we decided to give it a try, since it’s not (yet) available in the Philippines. I tried out Complex last night, and I loved it! It’s not drying on the lips, plus it’s a good nude shade. Not my favorite, but definitely worth trying.

 

I got these Matte Balms at Target for only US$6.49 (around Php280). So far, I love this product already!

 

And, up next is Almay Liquid Eyeliner in Black.

 

 

The only reason why I bought this is because I wanted to try out non-Asian brand eyeliner. The liquid eyeliners I trust came from The Face Shop and Etude House, and it’s because I love them too much. My recent favorite is the Kiss Me brand, which I absolutely adore! I want to try out “Western” brands for a change, and see how they compare with my Asian favorites. Plus, it’s owned by Revlon (another drugstore favorite), so why not try it out?

 

I got this tube at Target for US$6.49 (around Php280). It’s cheaper than my favorite Asian brands. Hopefully, it’ll be a favorite.

 

Another item I’ve been wanting to buy is Rimmel Natural Bronzer in Sun Bronze.

 

 

This is a cult favorite among the vloggers and Youtube-rs my sister and I watch, so we wanted to try out this product firsthand. We tried it out last night out of sheer excitement, and, so far, we’re quite impressed with it, especially in contouring.

 

 

I’ve heard of other great bronzers, like MAC’s and  NARS’, but I think they’re too expensive, especially I’m a newbie at contouring. This bronzer has a matte finish and great pigmentation. The packaging is plastic, and may be prone to breakage.

 

I got this at Beauty.com for only US$5.24 (around Php232). Will let you know more about this product once it has undergone road testing already. Haha!

 

Next is Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent.

 

 

As I’ve mentioned earlier, Rimmel’s packaging for its powders is plastic. Ergo, it’s prone to breakage. Sadly, this happened to my pressed powder. It came in the mail broken already, but we couldn’t return it as our friend is bound to leave the US already (but they do offer returns for free!). I’ll try to salvage this pan, though. I’ll share it with you guys once I’ve mastered the art of salvaging broken compacts. LOL

 

 

This pressed powder’s supposed to be the “finishing” powder after putting makeup. I heard great stories about this product, so I have high hopes for this. I bought this at Beauty.com for only US$5.24 (around Php232).

 

Next is e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit in Medium.

 

 

I’ve been blessed with sparse eyebrows. Among my sisters, sa’kin yung pinaka-kawawa. My friends call my eyebrows “sad.” Yep, they’re that bad. In high school and for the most part in college, I veered away from plucking or shaving my eyebrows (or lack thereof). But, dear friends of mine introduced me to “shaping” the brows. I used to have my eyebrows trimmed at the local salon near my college apartment, and the lady there taught me how to define my brows.

 

Luckily, I was able to snag an eyebrow kit from Forever 21 during my visit in Hong Kong. It was a great cheat in shaping my eyebrows since it came with stencils; all I had to do was to place a stencil on top of my eyebrows and brush it with powder.

 

 

But apparently, one has to master the art of eyebrow makeup. My good friend and college roommate, Maika, went with me to Landmark and helped me pick up this eyebrow kit, which costs Php249.75. I’ve heard of great eyebrow kits, like Benefit Brow-zings, but it’s pretty expensive (US$30). But I think this e.l.f. eyebrow kit is a great dupe for Benefit Brow-zings. It both has a pigmented wax for shaping the brows (left pan) and a powder for setting (right pan). Both kits also come with hard angle brushes, blending brushes, and mirrors. The latter, though, has tweezers and an extra brush.

 

If you’re like me who doesn’t care about brands, then e.l.f.’s eyebrow kit is a great buy. The pigmented wax and setting powder has great pigmentation and longevity. Perfect for everyday use!

 

Last, and definitely not the least, is Maybelline Fit Me! Concealer in Medium 25.

 

 

I have to be honest with you guys: I don’t use concealer. I rely on my BB cream for that coverage I need for my under eyes. I own one, yeah (Bourjois Bio Detox Organic Concealer), but I can’t quite seem to use it incessantly. But due to my horrible sleeping habits ever since I quit graduate school, I have this ginormous eye bags and ugly skin. I’m now more prone to acne, thus the curiosity (and eagerness) to find the best concealer in town.

 

 

I simply googled “best drugstore concealer,” and tons of hits on Maybelline concealer appeared on my computer screen. I immediately put it in my cart, and voila! It’s here.

 

I got this tube at Beauty.com at US$4.99 (around Php220). I wanted to get the lighter shade (Sand 20) since I read somewhere that your concealer should be a shade lighter than your skin tone. But I saw this Youtube-r, who has almost the same skintone as I do, who used the same shade (Medium 25) on her, and it looked great on her. When I tried it on myself, it blended quite well on my skin. I liked it a lot since it wasn’t too light for my tasting, and it provided enough coverage for my eye bags. This is a great buy, IMO. It does the job of concealing pretty well, plus it’s not cake-y at all.

 

I went to the MAC counter at SM Megamall a few days back, and the MUA used StudioFix Concealer (in NC25) on me. After a few hours, it seemed cake-y under my eyes. Do concealers really do that, or is it just bceause of my skin? I heard great things about MAC’s StudioFix Concealer, so I was planning to get one myself. But after trying it on, I hesitated. Should I buy it or not? :/

 

Ooohhh. I completely forgot! Beauty.com offers free samples of products for every purchase. Here are the three samples I got.

 

 

Top is Go SMiLE Double Action Teeth Whitening System (one ampoule), bottom left is Laura Geller Beauty Spackle Tinted Under Make-up Primer, and right is Erno Laszlo Morning Beauty Rescue. I absolutely love free anything; who doesn’t, right?

 

That wraps up my January makeup haul! I swear not to buy anything again for the rest of the month! Haha. *Good thing I already have a stockpile*

 

Toodles, loves!

Dianne

Technorati Tags: beauty,haul,makeup,online shopping,target,beauty.com,drugstore.com,rimmel,nars,revlon,elf,maybelline,wet n wild,eyeshadow,bronzer,powder,lipstick,lipstain,balm,eyebrow kit,concealer,eyeliner,almay,free samples,drugstore brands,schiap

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December Makeup Haul

My sister, Bianca, is a makeup junkie. We both love makeup, but she’s more into learning the craft. Pang-arte lang sa’kin ang makeup. Haha! She influenced me in watching vlogs (video blogs) of different YouTube bloggers, such as Say Artillero, Bethany Mota, and Meghan Rosette. I used to laugh at them ‘coz it sounds silly to share the random things you buy at the mall. It’s like saying, “These are the things I bought at SM Department Store: Ever Bilena lipstick, Nichido eyeliner, etc.” I have nothing against these local brands; it just seemed funny for me.

 

However, sharing their “makeup haul” also opened doors for me: I now know which drugstore brands are the best, which products I can save money with, the different dupes of higher-end products, etc. Nakakaaliw lang panoorin sila. Plus, I gained more background on putting on makeup.

 

So, when a friend from the US was coming home to the Philippines, my sister and I became wide-eyed and started online shopping! I enjoyed scouring through different drugstore sites, such as WalMart, Ulta, and Target. To be honest, the variety of makeup brands was really overwhelming! But a big thanks to these Beauty Vloggers, I now have an idea which items to purchase.

 

Online shopping, especially for makeup, is really tricky. If items are available here in the Philippines, I suggest you visit the makeup counter to swatch on the products. You’d know if the product would suit you or not. If the makeup brand is not available, then seek help from the different Beauty bloggers and vloggers online.

 

Here’s my makeup haul from Target and Nordstrom, which I got last December!

 

First row: Real Techniques Stippling Brush, Real Techniques Core Collection Set [one brush is missing, can’t find it haha], Revlon PhotoReady Powder

Second row: Maybelline Great Lash LOL Mascara, Maybelline Great Lash Big, Maybelline Volum’ Express One by One Mascara, Revlon Lash Potion Volume + Length Mascara, NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, MAC Retro Matte Lipsticks

 

I won’t be doing a makeup review because I may not know what I am talking about. Haha. I either love or hate the product, that’s it ;)

 

 

My sister and I own a handful of affordable brushes from Shawill, Forever21, ELF, and Nichido. Since we’re just starting out with makeup, we wanted good brushes at good prices. But then came these Real Techniques brushes posted all over the Internet. We wanted to get a set, but we don’t want to spend Php950 to Php1050 for a set of brushes! Good thing, there’s Target! Haha. The brushes were on SALE.We got the Stippling Brush (pink handle) at only US$7.49 (around Php320; original price is US$9.99). This retails at around Php550 to Php650 online. The Core Collection Set (gold handles) was also on sale at US$13.49 per set (around Php600; original price is US$17.99). This retails at around Php950 to Php1050 online.

 

I love these brushes. They’re soft on the face, which is the first thing I look for in a brush. I use the Stippling Brush (first brush) for my BB cream and liquid foundation, the Buffing Brush (fourth brush) for powder, the Pointed Foundation Brush (third brush) for my concealer, and the Contour Brush (second brush) for contouring. I haven’t much figured out how to use the Detailer Brush (not in picture) though.

 

 

One of my makeup obsessions is mascaras. As of posting time, I have 11 mascaras, including these 3 unopened ones. I’m super in love with Maybelline mascaras. They’re my absolute go-to mascaras because they lengthen and add volume to my lashes. I actually have 6 Maybelline mascaras now. Haha! Talk about hoarding ;)

 

I bought mascaras that aren’t available here in the Philippines, namely (L to R) Maybelline Great Lash Big in Blackest Black (US$3.99; around Php180), Maybelline Great Lash LOL in Very Black (US$3.99; around Php180), and Maybelline Volum’ Express One by One in Very Black (US$5.99; around Php270). Super excited to use all these mascaras!!! (Note: Read a mascara wars blog post here against Benefit They’re Real, and guess who won? Now I’m more excited to open this tube!)

 

 

I also bought the Revlon Lash Potion Volume + Length Mascara. I bought it at Target since it’s expensive here in the Philippines! Haha. The tube retails at around Php700, I think. I got this at only US$4.99 (around Php230)! Pretty cheap, huh? This is my current favorite, alongside Maybelline’s Volum’ Express Rocket, which I got at only Php319 at Watson’s during a sale.

 

 

Another makeup obsession is lipsticks! I just can’t get enough of them! As of writing, I own 25 lipsticks (plus another 5 more are in the mail. Can’t wait to share this with you!!!). Yes, I am a hoarder!

 

I bought these at Nordstrom.com, and not Target (Target doesn’t carry MAC). Left is MAC Retro Matte in Steady Going (Limited edition; US$15 or Php670), middle is NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Antwerp (US$5.99 or Php270), and right is MAC Retro Matte in All Fired Up.

 

 

My least favorite of the bunch is MAC in Steady Going. I was debating whether to get Flat Out Fabulous or Steady Going, and I went for the latter because it’s limited edition only. It’s quite easy to apply, but it tends to settle on the cracks of my lips. So ang pangit niya tignan sa lips. The MAC MUA says I should use a lip primer, which is on my next shopping list (currently looking for cheap lip primers since MAC's so expensiiive).

 

My favorites are both NYX Lip Cream in Antwerp and MAC All Fired Up. They’re just soooo pretty on the lips! Antwerp is coral on the lips. I just had a sudden love of coral lipsticks through Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Coral Crush, which came in my BDJ Box last year. Lakas maka-girl next door peg ng coral! Haha. I also love MAC All Fired Up, which is pink red under good lighting conditions. Such a pretty way to make a statement.

 

 

Next on the list is Revlon PhotoReady Powder in Light/Medium. It costs US$10.99 (around Php500). I love this powder because it’s light on the face. It also has a matte finish to keep the oil at bay. It has sparkly shizznick on the powder, too. I really have no idea what it does, but it’s so pretty to look at! Haha. It also comes with a flat brush (not in the picture, but it’s somewhere on my dresser, I swear). I don’t like to use that, but I use my Real Techniques Buffing Brush instead.

 

So yeah, that’s my makeup haul from Target & Nordstrom. Total cost is US$86.92 + sales tax, which is around Php4000. But, if I bought everything here in the Philippines, this would cost me around Php6700. Saved roughly Php2700!! Great deal, I must say! How about you? Do you have a makeup haul? Love to hear from you!

 

XX

Dianne

Technorati Tags: Maybelline,Real Techniques,Revlon,NYX,MAC,mascara,brushes,powder,lip cream,lipstick,beauty,Target,haul,Nordstrom,online shopping,makeup

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