January 2016 Favorites!

Hi Guys!

It's crazy, I'm blogging about January Favorites! Time flies, really.

These are the products I have enjoyed this month. Doesn't mean I stopped loving the products I mentioned in my 2015 Best of Beauty though (http://raitries.blogspot.com/2016/01/best-of-beauty-2015.html). Some of these are new discoveries, some are oldie but goodie.

Let's begin!

Belo Sun Expert
Non greasy, no "swimming pool" scent. SPF 40. Perf! 

Etude House Face Blur Primer

No matter how bad performing the foundation or BB cream I will be using, as long as I put this on before...everything will be just fine. It blurs out my pores and I feel like it also moisturizes my skin. It's like a moisturizer and primer in one. (I will do a review soon!) 

Pond's BB Cream

One of the top BB creams I have tried! 

(http://raitries.blogspot.com/2016/01/raitries-ponds-flawless-white-bb-cream.html)

Etude House Surprise Essence Concealer

This concealer does not crease on me especially when immediately set with powder. It's light weight and it is also my perfect shade. 

Too Faced Cocoa Contour esp Light Cocoa and Dark Cocoa

Light Cocoa shade. PERFECT in setting the undereye concealer :) 

Dark Cocoa, perfect shade to contour ;) 

Covergirl LashBlast Volume

Gives me the most voluminous lashes ever! Like I have falsies on :) 

BYS Brow Kit

My holy grail :)

I love warm tone shadows for the lid. 

Colourpop x Kathleenlights collaboration called Where the Light Is has the best bronze-y gold pigment I have laid my eyes on. It's in the shade Kathleenlights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOFdWy3oQeA)

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in the shade Embelish

 Perfect for this season. A mauve-y blush and yes, it lasts for 12 hours! It lasts through sweat and oil. It's amazing. Any Tarte Blushes is amazing for me. I really did enjoy these kinds of shade this month too.

Milani Baked Blush in Bellissimo Bronze

Of course, we can't forget something peachy right? Peach blushes = Raisa 

I really enjoyed Cindy-Lou Manizer by the Balm this month. I use this as a blush topper :) 

Just buy any of these pls? They're P165.00 each and they feel like...better than MAC mattes! These are the Maybelline ColorShow Creamy Matte Lipcolor in Mysterious Mocha and Lively Violet

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Anita. This lipstick is pure perfection. I have nothing negative to say about this NARS lipstick line except for the price. I suggest you get the Maybelline instead haha

This is the closest to Anita of NARS (shade), it's AVON's Toasted Rose. It's so moisturizing. Love it! 

Can you tell? I am on the same range hahaha. But yes, I really enjoyed these kinds of pink, mauve-y and nude shades. You will NEVER GO WRONG with these kinda shades my friend :) 

Well that completes the product I really enjoyed this month. 

February is my Birthday Month! YAY :D Stay tuned to more blogs and chit chats soon. 

Always remember...BE BEAUTIFUL, BE YOU! 

Lots and lots of love, 

Raisa 

RaiTries: MUST HAVE Face Brushes!

Hi Guys!

Today, I will share my top FACE makeup brushes that will definitely make your make up routine easy-breezy!

The brushes I will show you are my favorites. I think every makeup lover have that one buffing brush or blush brush or powder brush that she (or he) can't simply live without. Don't get me wrong, my makeup life will still go on even without these (I actually believe that the fingers or hands are the greatest tools!) but application is just easier, smoother and not messy with these brushes. Aminin! There are those times where your too lazy to wash your hands after applying BB cream or foundation, right? :D Plus! Powder bronzer, blush and highlighter application will be messy and uneven if you use your fingers. I suggest you invest in one good quality brush, something that's for keeps.

I don't have much because I do find time in cleaning my brushes. People who are lazy when it comes to brush cleaning tend to hoard and accumulate sooo many. I am not that. I enjoy cleaning mine that's why I stick to the ones I have at the moment :) Cleaning your tools is very very important, why?

1. To extend the "life span" of your brushes
2. To  avoid accumulation of dust/dirt/bacteria/microorganisms in your tools (causing skin irritations, pimples, eye irritations, etc.)
3. Also, to prolong the life span of your makeup products too

That is why you should always always keep your tools (be it  your sponges or brushes) clean and well maintained.

Let's begin!

1. Buffing Brush - I use this to buff my foundation (applying in circular motion). Application is just smooth and even, like it was hand-applied on you face. It just evens out any harsh streaks and unwanted bush marks that usual foundation brushes give.

This is also a multi functional brush, this can be used for blush application, bronzing (not contour) and highlighting. It can also act as a powder brush. 

Real techniques Brushes make the best quality brushes drugstore wise. In the US, they consider Real  Techniques drugstore...but Gurl! They're essspensive here in the Phils. 1 set (3-4 brushes) will cost you P1,000.00.

On the bright-side, I never experienced shedding. I hate brushes that shed excessively...few strands left on your face while application! Ugh! This one? Naaah. No shedding at all.

PS. I am still trying out the Kabuki flat top brushes, they serve the same purpose but I have been loving my buffing brush more! 

2. Sculpting brush - I use these babies on everything! Foundation, blush, bronzer, contour, highlight...EVERYTHING. If all my brushes would die and I get to keep just one sculpting brush? ... I'll be just fine! Any of the three will do. 

Its shape makes contouring easy. It also applies powder blushes perfectly, again, because of its shape. The higher part  of the brush (tip) also does a perfect job in doing my highlight on the high points of my cheeks. Everything made possible because of its shape :) As you can see, it's not rounded, it has a flat surface making application precise. 

I can also use the contour brush of Real Techniques (pink one) for foundation application. 

(Left to right: Marionnaud Blush Brush, BH Cosmetics #114 Angled Brush, Real Techniques Sculpting Brush)

Flat on one side :D

3. Powder Brush - This may be unnecessary but I really do enjoy using this brush because if its size and shape. It also feels heavenly soft! It's a generic brush....so we'll call it powder brush. 

One swipe per cheek is all you need. It's that HUGE! It's literally the size of a microphone hahaha. 

4. Contour Brush/Highlight Brush - This gives you very detailed/precise application, perfect for contouring and highlighting. Unlike the sculpting brush, these give more detailed application because of its dome shape (pointed tip). These brushes are also small enough that you can apply directly on the desired part, unlike blush brushes which are usually enormous. That way, contour powder and highlighting powder won't get all over your face...cause that is a total mess. 

Yeah, these are all of my essential brushes, I have other forms like Kabuki, Flat top, Angled Flat top brushes...but having these 4, I'm good to go. 

My brush standards are: 

1. minimal shedding

2. Softness of the bristles 

3. shape/size/form 

4. prize (I really don't mind spending for a good brush. To think, I don't have any highend brushes actually. I personally think that drugstore and local  brushes (like e.l.f., Nichido, FS21, Marionnaud, Real Techniques, etc.) can perform just as good as the highend ones (like M.A.C, Sigma, Zooeva).

That's it for this blog guys, I will do a separate MUST HAVE Eye Brushes next time! ;) 

Always remember...BE BEAUTIFUL, BE YOU! 

Lots and lots of Love, 

Raisa

RaiTries: Pond's Flawless White BB+ Cream

Hi Guys!

Today I'm going to share my experience with the Pond's Flawless White BB+ Cream :)

I've been in a constant hunt for the perfect BB Cream, The Face Shop Lovely Me-Ex still has my heart but I thought this would be the perfect time to try other brands. I'm a huge BB cream fanatic. I always mention in my blogs that I do love them more than foundations.

Before I discovered Belo skin care products, I have been an absolute Pond's girl. I used every product form the brand...facial wash, toner, moisturizer...everything! I honestly think that Pond's products are staple on every 15-year-old girl's room/bathroom. Everyone and their mother uses Pond's. So it's really really interesting when they finally jumped into producing makeup items such as this one.

I'm assuming that this BB cream might have the "rosy-white" whitening properties of Pond's...that's like their trade mark, really. I'm very very cautious in using whitening products on my face because my face reacts so fast and so much with whitening skin care products to the point that it literally is 2 shades whiter than my body...and I don't like that :( It's really really hard to match my face shade to my neck and body shade.

That kind of held me back from trying out the product...but I really can't resist...it's a BB cream! I need to try, at least.

Where to buy: Any beauty section of any Department Store, Supermarkets, Watsons

Price: P299.00 

Amount: 25 grams 

Packaging: Plastic tube, I have nothing against the packaging. It would have been better if they threw in a pump though.  I know...I just know that it will be hard to squeeze out the remaining products when you're almost done with it. 

Scent: Literally Pond's face moisturizer. It smells exactly like that hahaha #throwback. It smells like the usual skin care product. 

Application: It is a bit mousse-y, the product isn't runny at all. It is thick and tacky but I was fine with it. It applied evenly and smoothly. You can use your finger or a sponge, I used a brush :) 

Coverage: Medium coverage. It visibly hides redness but it can't "conceal" bumps and other unwanted marks, it will just start to cake if you add more. Perfect for everyday use in my opinion, but for those long, sweaty night parties? I don't think so. What I love about this product is that it gives you a flawless, healthy finish. It gives you a glow-y, dewy look. It leaves your skin looking healthy, flawless and super natural.

Claims: Has SPF 30 PA++, with GenActive COVER Formula, helps provide effortless natural bare-faced look, gives instant natural coverage and lightens your skin from within!

Let's get started :) 

It is contained in a plastic tube thing. Control over the product (squeeze out) is pretty fair. 

It has an almost mousse-y consistency, not runny at all.

Clean canvass. Time check: 7:00AM :D

This side, bare faced. My skin is looooving the weather! It's been behaving real good lately. I love cold weathers but I still have redness around the nose, few veins and blemished on my cheeks. 

This is the Pond's BB cream side. Redness around the nose hidden, feeling really good and flawless with this BB cream! It concealed my blemishes on the cheeks yet it's so light. My skin can still breath even with this BB cream on. 

I must say it's very dewy, you're literally luminous...and that's kind of a problem because I am oily...we'll see hmm! 

Apply it however you want, fingers, brush, sponge :) works fine in any way. 

First check in. Time check: 11:30 AM, almost lunch time. OILY! It has a dewy finish in the first place so me oiling up is expected.

But  even though I look so greasy....I don't feel like it. Feels like my skin is very glowy..like it gave my face a healthy luminous finish :) Unlike other foundations/BB creams, I should be feeling uneasy and greasy at this point in time. But with the Pond's BB cream...no worries, they're really comfortable :) Blotting might help reduce the oil.

Ok final check in. Time check: 8:00PM, super haggard! BB cream almost gone, it lasted for a good 8 hours. I mean come on Guys, this has been on me for 13 hours!!! Redness around the nose are already visible but the cheek part...it actually made my bronzer hold on a little longer, I can still see a little bit bronzer seriously haha! 

Final thoughts: This might be a huge statement but I must say...I love it more than my Lovely Me-Ex BB Cream (http://raitries.blogspot.com/2015/11/raitries-faceshop-lovely-me-ex-bb-cream.html) (and that's like my holy grail). I have been using this BB Cream for few months now and I love it, I couldn't stop using it. It lasts longer, it doesn't break me out, covers imperfections amazingly and it has a higher SPF compared to my TheFaceShop BB cream. If you're looking for a hustle free, affordable, everyday light coverage, try this one out! :) 

PS. I don't/never use primer for all of my foundations and BB creams review to test it true longevity and coverage :) No concealers too. 

Pond's also came out with two shades (I know that's not enough but not all BB creams have shade variations, so shoutout for the effort, okay?). It comes in Light which is my shade and Beige for the darker skin toned. 

That's it for this review Guys, hope this helped you out! 

Always remember...BE BEAUTIFUL, BE YOU!

Lots and lots of love, 

Raisa

RaiTries: Revlon Colorburst Laquer Balm and Matte Balm Lip Pencils

Hi Guys! 

LIPPIE TIME! Today we will swatch  and I'll give you my thoughts on the Revlon Lip Laquer Balms and Matte Balms :) 

I've been meaning to try the Revlon lip pencils...they look so promising. They have good range of colors, they even have few orange hues in the collection. BUT they are sooo expensive :( So when Revlon had their half off offer (50% off on all the lip pencils)...the makeup heaven opened right before my eyes! 

They had separate promos, they first put on sale the Laquer Balms then a month after (maybe) they offered half off their Matte Balms. I'm late! I'm so late when I learned that Matte Balms are on sale (it's just for the weekend, sooo...) there are literally 3 shades left when I bought my Matte balms, I really had no choice. Maybe because everyone was waiting for the Matte Balms' half off...they raved when the promo went out :( 

I did not bought all of the colors because some shades are fairly similar to another so that would be a total waste of money. So what I did, I bought one shade of each color like I always do (Laquer Balms). 

Let's begin! 

Where to Buy: Any Revlon Counter, SM Beauty section, online (not recommended) 

Price: Regular price is P575.00 (holy moly!), I got mine half off. Revlon is constantly on sale (10% to 25% off) so I suggest you wait before plunging in. 

Packaging: I don't have anything against the packaging, the color of the "pencil" is almost the same as the actual shade. Therefore choosing the lip pencil is easy breeze-y :) 

Scent: Peppermint without a doubt :) I love anything minty! 

Application: Smooth. It had a bullet tip, making application a bit precise. But if that bullet "fades out" or the if you used up the lipstick already, lip pencil or lip brush might be needed for precise application especially for the Matte Balms.

Coverage/pigmentation: Coverage is build-able. You have to swipe it 3-4 times to get the proper pigmentation. I find it handy actually especially with the bold ones because you can start sheer :) Formula of the lipstick is the BEST especially for someone like me who loves mint. It leaves a cooling sensation on the lips. For those who's not a fan of the minty cold feeling, no worries because it will fade off few minutes after application. 

I got 5 Lip Laquer Balms - they're the cream formula of these, they're so moisturizing and refreshing and they give you the "balm" like pigmentation...very very sheer. 

I have 2 Lip Matte Balms - they're in matte finish, they can go sheer to bold depending on your preference. They tend to accentuate my lip lines and dry patches (especially the orange shade), unlike the Laquer Balms. Make sure you moisturize your lips before applying them. 

1. 105 Demure - No other name suitable for this one but Demure! Sheer pink with glitter/shimmer in it. 

2. 145 Ingenue - The brown side of the Laquer Balms. I love this. One of the faves. Another Your-Lips-But-Better thing. 

3. 130 Tease - Sheer orange with few glitters again. I suck at describing colors huhu. While this may look scary orange, it's surprisingly wearable! I also love this one. 

4. 115 Whimsical - Cranberry shade with few shimmers. Less glitters than the others :) This is the most pigmented. 

5. 120 Vivacious - Warm pink, lighter than the Whimsical, there is almost no shimmer, no glitter in it. 

6. 245 Audacious - Shocking orange, my least favorite out. I just don't dwell with these types of color. This accentuates my dry patches. Maybe that's the thing with mattes. But this worse than the Striking...I don't know why. 

Feels like my dry patches are very very visible :( 

7. 240 Striking - Red with an orange undertone. I love this one too, it's more comfortable than the Audacious :) 

Different photo ain't? Let's test the waters with this color :)

Before application :) 

Check in at 12:00 noon after lunch, drank few times ate AM snacks :) 

Doing pretty good actually. The inner part of the lips faded out a little bit, I tried spreading out the outer part of the lips but it was useless, the lipstick stained already...but I will not reapply. 

Last check in, 8:00 PM. I really like it. It faded fairly well :) It faded out evenly...this time I didn't tried spreading it because what you can see now is just purely stain. 

Final thoughts: I love the effect of the shade STRIKING in my lips. I love how it lasted through out the day. I don't think the other shades would have the same effect though. The orange shade was a disaster in me. I removed it after few hours :( Revlon Matte Balms would last longer compared to the Laquer Balms so you have to reapply Laquer Balm every after meal because it fades fast. I had problems with the consistency of the product. Some shades would last longer, some would fade fast. It's really a hit or miss. It could have been convenient if they all have the same effect, longevity and pigmentation. 

In general, I won't buy it for its regular price, I just don't think it's worth the price. P575.00 is a lot! Not everyone is willing to spend that much for a lip pencil. I really had high hopes because it's expensive. To be honest, I have cheaper lipsticks that performed better than this one :( huhuhu

That's it guys, hope you found this useful. Always remember...BE BEAUTIFUL, BE YOU! 

Lots and lots of love, 

Raisa