Review: Sasa HD Hydro Matte 2-Way Cake

This is the first time I'll be reviewing compact face powders that I have. Honestly, I'm not a fan of face powders bec. I don't think it is that useful for me. Why?

because:
- I sweat a lot throughout the day...there's no use for me to apply a powder foundation/face powder if it will just melt away or cake on my face.
- Face powders clogs my pores faster and I have really sensitive skin already.
- If I want more coverage, I'll always choose a liquid foundation.
- If I want to have an "au natural" look, I will only use sunblock on my face.
- If ever I will use a face powder, I don't like re-applying throughout the day because honestly, I am a bit grossed out at the idea of re-applying face powders on a dirty face. I mean, do you always wash your face before you apply face powders?  I don't think so.
- If I feel my face is oily, I'll just use a blotting paper or a face tissue then wash my face with water.

So why the heck do I own a few face powders/compact powder foundation?
- Almost all of my face powders are only given to me as a gift. It will be rude to refuse a gift even if you don't want it.
-I only use face powders to set my liquid foundation or bb cream (which doesn't happen very often).

Having said all that, making a fair review of a product that I don't usually prefer using will be a challenge for me. Let's get it on!

(for a clearer image, click on the photos to enlarge)

Sasa HD Hydro Matte 2-way Cake

Place bought:

- This was a gift to me from my mother. She bought this in a Sasa outlet in Beijing when she went on vacation to China.

Price:

- I don't know. I did not dare ask.

do you agree that it has a Shu Uemura-ish feel to it, like the lipstick that came with this? The packaging is really sturdy, doesn't feel cheap and of really good quality.

here's the ingredients. This face powder was formulated in Korea, while the lipstick that came with this was formulated in Japan. 2 of the many Asian countries that makes great beauty products. (^_^)

Unfortunately, like many powder foundations from Asia, this face powder has limited shades available. This was the "darkest" shade that my mom chose. 

Mind you, I have a natural light tan skintone and I get a bit paler in cooler months, but this shade is still a tweeny weeny bit light for my skin. BUT! It's ok since my skin is acidic, the shade just blends in with my skintone after a few mins.

It may look a bit dark in the pan, but when applied, it goes on lighter.

here's the actual shade of the powder.

under the pan, it also comes with a good quality soft sponge.

As I've mentioned before, when swatched/applied on the skin, it goes on lighter than the shade in the pan.

Comments:

Pros:

- it is not chalky at all. It goes on seamlessly on the skin.

- it gives a smooth feel to the skin.

- honestly, even when I sweat a bit, it does not cake and it even looks better on my skin (giving me a "flawless" finish) after sweating a bit.

- great quality packaging.

- did not break me out or cause any adverse reaction.

Cons:

- available in limited shades only.

- not readily accessible to everyone.

- as with all face powders that I've tried, it gives me a bit of whiteheads, but that's bec. I have very sensitive skin. Maybe it will work for you.

Sorry for the long post, 'till my next blog! (^_^)v

Review/Swatch: Sasa Shape and Style Lipstick in Ruby Red

I've mentioned awhile back that my mom went to China for a few days and I took the opportunity to request to buy me some cosmetics that can be bought at Sasa. I did not mention any particular brand because I was game to try out cosmetics that are not sold here in the Philippines.

Well, finally I have a bit of a spare time to make an outlined review with more photos (to save time 'cause I'm sleepy) about one of the items she bought me from Sasa.

Sasa Shape and Style Lipstick in Ruby Red

Price: this was given to me by my mom so, I don't know.

Where: Sasa store in China

This lipstick comes in a cute plastic box. Actually, my mom bought 2 lipsticks for me, but my sister got jealous and kept the other one (more of an red orangey color)...yep, I'm a bit pissed off by that because she really isn't into makeup as I am and she's not even using the lipstick...she just wants to have something I like...

the packaging looks a bit like the Shu Uemura lipsticks right? hehehe! I love it! It's actually not cheap looking. The packaging is sturdy and has a bit of weight to it. I wish this packaging is detachable to the main tube so that I could replace the lipstick when I'm already finished with this like the Shu Uemura one.

the ingredients were formulated in Japan so I'm confident that even though this is only under the drugstore cosmetic category, from my experience with this lipstick, the formula and texture of this is of really good quality.

As you can see, I've already used quite a bit of it because I love it!

this red color leans more towards pinkish fuschia

Swatch on paper

Swatch:

sorry it's a bit blurred

Comments:

Pros:

- according to my mom, this was one of the affordable lipsticks she found in the store.

- it has a nice smooth texture

- it surprisingly, does not dry my lips.

- has a medium pigmentation with one swipe, but the color is buildable like what you see on the picture.

- it gives a nice tinted color on your lips when the pigmentation of the lipstick starts to wear off (due to eating or drinking) after more or less 4 hours which has an above average staying power from a normal lipstick.

- it brightens my face (I usually look dead)

Cons:

- not locally available in the Phil.

- smells a bit waxy...something like a kid's toy makeup, but the smell is bearable and not noticeable unless you deliberately smell the lipstick from the tube.

Do I want to acquire more of this?

of course!!!