Review: Banila Co. Lipgloss in Vintage Pink (04)

I already have this lipgloss for quite a while now that I almost forgot to make a review on this. This is my only Banila Co. product that I've purchased so far because their products are a bit expensive compared to other Korean brands out there.

Banila Co. is like a dupe of Benefit because it almost has the same design of packaging. The product quality are almost the same too. Unfortunately, even if Banila Co. is a bit less expensive than Benefit, both of them still have a steep price tag for my liking.

Luckily, I bought this lipgloss from Banila Co. in a "once-in-a-lifetime" sale (where prices were really very affordable at that time) from my online seller Thelittlecoolshop.

I bought this for only P250!! For this quality product!

It looks like a dark berry pink full of glitter inside the packaging, but when swipe on the lips, it will give you a sheer reddish pink tint on the lips..I really like it!

look at the multicolored glitters..I love it!

Pro:

- applies smoothly

- not super sticky, but doesn't have a very thin consistency which is good because the lipgloss lasts quite a while on the lips and does not come off too easily.

- Even if it has lots of fine glitters, it doesn't feel chunky or gritty on the lips which is very surprising.

- the glitters are not too obvious unless you look very closely. (why would a stranger put their face inches from yours anyway?!?)

- can be used alone because the color/tint of the lipgloss still shows even on quite dark lips like mine!

- I love the smell! the smell is on the perfumey side, but it is not overpowering! The smell goes away right after you've applied the gloss. (unlike the ELF lipgloss that I've tried..It gave me headache and after an hour I already want to vomit because I can't take the artificial candy grape smell anymore!!)

- quite moisturizing

- has a bit of a sweet taste if you ever lick your lips.

- has other range of colors that I would love to try someday!

- love the slick packaging.

Cons:

- if you put on too much then the lipgloss wears off, you could see some bits of glitters on your lips. So put on the lipgloss at an appropriate amount.

- not available locally.

- expensive!

Swatch:

Bare lips

Natural light

W/ flash:

Review: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Protective Recovery Complex (for all skin types)

Another very long name for a product...kinda annoying sometimes...I haven't seen many reviews about this product that's why I want to make a review about this. 

I got this for free from my sister-in-law. She wanted me to try this out before she use this (she's quite skeptical with skincare products) and the curious me, being my own guinea pig, gladly accepted the offer to try this product. It's very expensive to begin with!

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair is a serum which means the ingredients is more concentrated than face creams or lotions that we usually use, giving our skin an extra boost of moisture or anti-aging benefits. Because serums absorbs easier in our skin, they are more effective than using face creams alone.

I'm not getting any younger, so it's better for me to start taking extra care of my skin now than start later. Like my favorite professor said, "Prevention is always better than cure."

It's claim:

"Helps repair the appearance of past damage while protecting your skin from the aging effects of our environment. Works with the body's natural renewal mechanism to help your skin recover from the day's environmental aggressions."

To use: Apply before your moisturizer

Comment:

After using the products for a month...

Pro:
- it is really effective in reducing fine lines. I can't say if it will also have a fast effect on deeper lines and wrinkles 'cause I don't have one...yet! (Pls. refer to the picture that's posted below)
- it's like botox in a bottle..hahaha! (Pls. refer to the picture that's posted below)
- my skin also looks plumper and less sallow after I've applied this.
- has a slight moisturizing effect.
- When I wake up in the morning, I've observed that my skin is softer and smoother.
- Results are quite immediate for me...quite surprising for something this small.
- The applicator is like a dropper which is very helpful in not wasting excess product and is hygienic.
- great for all skin types
- did not break me out.
- the scent is very, very subtle that it's not really noticeable unless you purposely sniff it very close from the bottle.

Cons:
- very, very expensive. I don't know the prize for a very tiny bottle, but my sister-in-law said that it's very expensive. I think her aunt doesn't want to tell her the prize. Just google for the prize. (^_^)
- I don't think this is available in the Philippines.
- I think bigger bottles are available, but of course! it's more expensive.

Results:

I use my left hand to apply products on my face. (Yep! left-handed)

This was my random observation after I applied the serum a few times. I looked at my fingers and I can see the difference. I haven't used any hand cream or moisturizer on my hands.

LEFT HAND: (W/ the serum)

Look at the index, middle and ring finger. they look plumper and the fine lines were almost gone!

RIGHT HAND: (w/ nothing on)

 Look at the index, middle and ring finger. Fine lines are obvious and the fingers looks sick like life was sucked of them. To think this hand gets lesser work than the left one.

Will I buy again?
- Of course! If have the money to afford it..hahaha!

Review: Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream SPF 30/PA++ (Sheer Silky Skin)

Yep! the title is quite a mouthful..hahaha! Just reviewing a free sample that the SA at Etude House gave me when I purchased my 2nd batch of Etude House products a few months ago.

For Reference:

My skin is acidic. I have a combination, sensitive type of skin and depending on the weather my skin is either normal to oily or normal to dry which is weird. It's quite a pain sometimes to have this kind of skin "type" because ALL kinds of makeup that I put on my skin oxidizes like there's no tomorrow! Even bright eyeshadows that I put on in the morning turns darker by the end of the day (there's a big difference between turning darker to fading)...Choosing a shade that's right for my skintone will turn ridiculously darker on me.

BUT! I'm still thankful because having acidic skin has it's advantages. I can use a foundation or a bb cream that is a shade or 2 lighter than my skintone.-- As you all know, bb creams have limited shades available because it usually caters to people of lighter color.

In this case I've proven yet again that I can get away with a bb cream shade that is insanely lighter color than my skintone (as long as the shade has a yellow undertone in it).

Swatches:

UNBLENDED

Natural Light:

the color is almost white don'tcha think?!?! (^_^)

UNBLENDED

W/ Flash:

SPREAD OUT

Natural light:

W/ flash:

BLENDED:

Natural light:

tadaaaaa!!!

W/ flash:

tadaaa!!!!!

Comments:

Pro:

- coverage is sheer, but it evened out my skin well. (People who needed more coverage will not benefit from this.)

- did not break me out

- I've observed that my skin is not that oily by midday, unlike when I used my Missha Perfect Cover BB cream which made my skin very oily on my forehead and nose area by midday.

- It more on the yellow undertone which is great. Missha is slightly on the cooler undertone (which sometimes look weird on me) even though it is a darker shade than the EH Precious Mineral BB cream.

- The scent (which is pleasant) is subtle and will disappear after a few minutes.

- gave a slightly luminous finish (I don't like a matte look on my face.)

- more affordable than Missha or even my favorite Skinfood bb cream.

Cons:

- none so far.

Will I buy?

- Sure! I'll buy the full size one next time! 

Review: Beauty Formulas Nail Dry

This was some random purchase I did in SM hypermarket North Edsa long time ago. I was curious with this product because it says that:

* it can make your polish touch dry within a minute.
* Dries nail color without dulling lustre.
* Contains a moisturizing agent.

Ingredients: Butane, Isobutane, Propane, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol

All I can say about the ingredients is that IT IS HIGHLY COMBUSTIBLE, it's like alcohol and lighter in a bottle with a tiny bit of moisturizing agent which is the Propylene glycol (still has alcohol).

Now you ask why did I say that? Let's just say I'm quite familiar with medicinal/chemical ingredients with heiroglyphic descriptions. No, I'm not a chemistry geek (I hate chemistry), but studying (veterinary) medicine has it's advantages.

Directions for Use:
*Shake can well before use. Hold 4-6 inches from nails, lightly spray across freshly polished nail surface. Wait 60 seconds before touching.

Comments:
- affordable (P200+ can't remember the exact prize), but it is not an alternative to Seche Vite. I would choose Seche Vite over this anytime.
- It will make your nails touch dry after a minute, but that's just about it. "Soft touch" is more appropriate for the "touch dry".
- has a cooling effect when sprayed on the nails.
- smells like hairspray which makes me wonder if it would be better if I sprayed hairspray on my nails (hairspray has a bigger can than this 100ml, which is almost empty after a few sprays). Haven't tried hairspray on my nails so don't quote me on that.
- doesn't dry out my cuticles, but doesn't moisturize it either.
- Won't protect your nails from marks (if you paint your nails before bedtime and see marks on your nails when you wake up in the morning, that's what I'm pertaining to).

Will I repurchase?
- I don't think so. I don't see this as a necessity for your nails. With me living in a tropical country, the hot weather can take care of the "drying the nail polish" part more effectively for free than this alcohol-lighter-in-a-bottle which is I think (Php200+). I'm not saying this product is crap, it's just so-so...nothing special.