Review: The Face Shop Lovely Me:Ex Lip Care Cream in Shea Butter

 After all the lip balm/treatments that I've tried (and some of it, I haven't thought about making a review), this Lip Care Cream by The Face Shop is the best lip balm, so far, that I've ever used!

This is a life saver for me. Everytime I have dry, chapped and flaking lips, I would always reach for this. A thing I don't usually do to other lip products.

One of the reasons why I took a break at lip swatches of my lipstick collection is because I really had a bad case of dry lips that it tends to flake especially at the outline of my lower lip and it really looked very ugly. I also noticed that since my lips were very dry, the lines on my lips increased...really horrible.

Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to take a picture of my very dry, chapped lips before using the TFS lip care cream because, honestly, I wasn't expecting anything amazing or special about this lip treatment. What I only desperately needed and wanted was something good enough to moisturize my lips...

I only got the chance to take a picture of my ugly lips on the 1st month of using TFS lip care cream...

for me it was a big improvement, though my lips were still flaking a bit. I'm always anemic so there's nothing new about my sickly pale, gray lips.

...and yes, even EOS lip balm, Chapstick (haven't reviewed) and Burt's Bees lip balm (haven't reviewed this yet) couldn't remedy that problem. I'm not saying that EOS, Chapstick and Burt's Bees lip balms weren't good, it worked just average to me and it really did not give me what I needed.

This underrated, unpopular lip care cream really surprised me. It performed with flying colors!!!

The Face Shop Lovely Me:Ex Lip Care Cream in Shea Butter

with my cute mascot.

Place bought:

The Face Shop (Sm North Edsa)

Current Price:

P265 (very affordable especially for the amount that you're getting in one tube = 13ml)

I chose the number two which is Shea Butter. Number 1 is their Vitamin C variant which I also bought as a backup because I love it so much.

I not totally convinced if this thing really is straight up Shea Butter in a tube, but it looks like the color of shea butter while the Vitamin C variant looks like a clear light orange cream.

Smell:

I don't know the real smell of a true shea butter, all I can describe is that this smells like caramel candy. Doesn't really bother me, since the smell isn't overpowering and it only lasts for a few sec. to a min. Best of all, I can't taste the scent of the product like some other lip products out there that smells so strong, you can taste the scent of it. It can really make me gag after a few mins.

I haven't opened my Vitamin C one, but I smelled the tester in the store and it smells like an orange fruit candy. very sweet smelling, but again, I prefer products that I put on my skin to be scentless/fragrance free 'cause I have really sensitive skin.

the tube has a slanted tip that is great in dispensing and spreading the product on my lips.

when applied (thick or thin), it goes on colorless which is great for me because I use this more often at night since it doesn't have any spf.

Formulation:

not sticky and feels like a light moisturizing liquid balm. It also feels very smooth on the lips.

**Tip: 

sometimes I put on more than enough to soak my lips with the lip care cream then I massage it in after a few mins. to remove the flakes and other dead skin cells. It really gives me a "very smooth feeling" lips. It's like my very gentle lip exfoliator minus the abrasive particles. Works really well for me.

There is only one CON for this product:

it's the packaging.

After using this religiously every night for 7 months, the packaging seems to have "cracked" on the side. I've seen a review also complaining about this. This may happen to you too especially if you're like me who likes to squeeze the tube from the bottom-up like a toothpaste.

Oh well, it's quite annoying sometimes, but I'm almost finished with this anyway. I'll even cut this and scoop out the remaining product inside then transfer it to another container because for me, it's really THAT GOOD.

After months of consistently using The Face Shop Lovely Me: Ex Lip Care Cream

There's a big improvement on my lips compared to the previous picture above.

Sorry for the wet hair. hehehe!

Review: The Face Shop Migamsu Brightening Rice Water Cleansing Cream

Another review about cleansing creams...woot! woot!!

2 consecutive reviews about cleansing creams...I guess, I'm catching up.

I really have to catch up since I already have finished up this cleansing cream from The Face Shop 3 months ago!!! hahaha! Yes, I'm currently using the Ponds cleansing cream already. (^_^)v

I bought this during the last months of last year. I remember using this for approximately 6-8 months. It's hard using up a huge tub of cleansing cream ya know! but I'm a trooper and finished it all up anyway.

The Face Shop Migamsu Brightening Rice Water Cleansing Cream

This was in one of my wishlist ever since I became a fan of Asian cosmetics and skincare. I remember wanting this because my younger brother gave me a sample of their Brightening Rice Water Facial Cleanser which I also fell in love with, but I'm a bit scared to try because my skin reacts quickly with soap based cleansers nowadays. ooh! but I would still love to try that! haha!

Again, this comes in a huge tub.

Place bought:

SM North Edsa

Price:

P455.00 still a bit expensive for me, but the amount you get makes up for it.

Ingredients and description of the product: (you can click to enlarge)

as you can see, the tub is really huge (in diameter). Another thing that draws me to this is the packaging. Yeah! I'm a sucker for that too. It's simple, but it's clean and elegant looking. Of course, anything related to rice, tea and other herbal-ly things really draws my attention.

side view

bottom view

open it up and you can see a thin plastic lid that is helpful in keeping the contents from spilling everywhere and making a mess.

Formulation:

- like a light lotion. not too runny, but not too creamy either.

Scent:

- love it. it's does not necessarily have a "rice" scent. I has a very mild powdery scent that is not overpowering while you massage it on your face.

Comment:

- can be bought in The Face Shop stores.

- does not sting my skin.

- removes makeup quite well. This is at par with my Skinfood cleansing cream. You have to massage the product for at least a minute to emulsify it. You'll know that your makeup has been "melted" off when the product feel slippery on your face.

Cons:

- quite expensive

- stings my eyes, not recommended to remove eye makeup.

Comparison:

- Comparing the cleansing ability and the cleansing time, Pond's cold cream still beats all of my other cleansing creams.

Cleansing Time:

Ponds = a few seconds

The Face Ship Migamsu = at least a minute

Cleansing ability:

Ponds = removes everything in one go.

The Face Shop = sometimes, I have to go over for the second time just to be sure that I removed my makeup completely. (in cases where I use too much makeup...hahaha!)

Swatch: The Face Shop Nailpolish in BL606

Just catching up on my nailpolish swatchfest.

My reviews about The Face Shop nailpolishes are all the same unless I've observed some changes in the formulation of a certain product, so just read about it on my past entries.

The Face Shop Nailpolish in BL606

 w/ flash:

This picture taken with flash is more accurate in showing you the true color (blue with a hint of green) of the nailpolish than the ones taken in natural light. My camera is having a hard time capturing colors that has a hint of blue, violet or green...weird.

 natural light:

Swatch: The Face Shop Nailpolish in PP408

Just want to show you a swatch of what it looks like. I've done reviews about The Face Shop nailpolishes of this line in my past blogposts, so just check them out.

The Face Shop Nailpolish in PP408

a bit dusty underneath the bottle, sorry...hehehe!

I applied 3 coats to make it as opaque as the color in the bottle.

(you can click on the pictures to enlarge, if you want to see my midget nails...hahaha!)

Quick Swatch: The Face Shop Nailpolish in GR503

Just want to show you a swatch for reference. I've already reviewed quite a few The Face Shop nailpolish of the same line already, so no need to make a review about this again.

The Face Shop Nailpolish in GR503

milky, light green (like sea-foam green)

Swatch:

Natural light:

the edges of my nails near my nailbed is already growing. You can tell, that this nailpolish still holds up for quite a long time.

Mini Haul: Etude House and The Face Shop

I kinda want to temporarily stop my hauling every weekend because I already have too much hauls than reviews, but I can't help it! I'm a lipstick addict and nail polish addict...and since my birthday is just around the corner, this is another "excuse" for me to spoil myself on my birth"month"...hihihi! (^_^)v

So I hauled again and I've chanced upon the new line of cosmetics from Etude House featuring 2ne1 as their models...I've observed that many people don't like the "in" color of this season which is Orange because it makes their teeth look more yellow, etc...I've seen orange lipstick or at least one celebrity or model that wears orange-themed makeup from different magazines, tv shows, commercials, etc. but I haven't seen a normal, average individual wearing this on a beautiful sunny day...good thing, I'm an abnormal, average individual...hahahaha!

I originally planned to buy the light orange one, but the SA who recognized me (I visit Etude House SM north edsa branch almost every weekend) said that I could rock the very bright orange one, so I gave in and I'm quite happy (swatches will be featured soon). I still plan to buy the light orange one though...

I'm thankful because even though I have a light medium to medium skintone, I have a neutral undertone (is this right?) which means that I could wear any color I want...hehehe! 

Anyway, again I was bored and visited the face shop and bought another nailpolish (swatches will be featured soon). I was planning to buy their migamisu skincare line, but I guess they have hiked up the prices bit, so I'm still thinking if I will still buy their skincare or not...

I'm already almost finish with my Etude House Mini Size U skincare set...yep! I'm so late!!! I've already finished up other things before I remember to make a review about it. I really have no time at the moment, so I'm very sorry.

Swatch: My Work-Friendly Nailpolish

Yes, I am going to do clinical work for a month..wee! Another new experience and adventure! I've been stuck here in my house for too long already that I'm starting to be a bit ignorant about the outside world...I just hope I could cope up again.

I don't think I could give up my nailpolishes that easily, but I don't want to be scolded at work either, so I just have to compromise with the color of the nailpolishes that I'm going to wear for this month.

As some of you readers have noticed, I usually prefer dark, vibrant and bright nail colors instead of the subtle, almost none existent nail color. I mean, what's the point of wearing nailpolishes with almost no pigmentation? you could just buff your nails right?

But since I'm going to work starting next week, nude colored nailpolishes would suffice for now...I also have to ask my employer if it's ok to wear bright-colored nailpolishes so I don't have to wear this often because this look bore me easily.

Anyway, here is one of my work-friendly nailpolish:

The Face Shop Nailpolish in BR803

Natural light:

w/ flash:

Swatch:

Natural light:

w/ flash:

If I Can't Do the Face, Then I'll Do the Nails Metallic Red...LOL!!!

I'm feeling like painting my nails with metallic red today...to make a part of my body look at least...cheerful? less boring?

I used this.

This (including 2 other nail polishes I haven't tried yet) was only given to my by a relative from Canada..I guess they know that I also like nail polishes? Whoever gave this to me...Thank you!

after I painted my nails, I wasn't quite satisfied yet, so I made it matte with this...

(FYI: I bought this china glaze online for P370...I know it's kinda expensive for a small bottle.)

and it turned out great! (at least, for me)

I almost forgot, I used this as a basecoat...a good chance to try this for the first time...not bad for a base coat...I'm hoping that it won't stain my nails yellow if I take this off after a few days...(^_^)

Latest Collective Mini Loots as of now...

Just want to share my latest loots I've ordered online and in the mall. I'm happy and sad at the same time because I won't be able to haul and blog as much in the future because I'll be busy job hunting...yep! This fresh grad needs a job too.

Anyway, here's this month's loots.

April's full: of The Face Shop and Avon Haul

Yep! After holy week, I already made a mini haul for 3 reasons:

1) because this is my birth month.
2) because graduation is over and I need to buy me a graduation gift..hahaha!
3) because I'm depressed...You see, I've saved my money last march so that I could have my April shopping spree. Unfortunately, for SOME UNKNOWN REASON, I've lost quite a big sum of my savings and I'm very pissed because I did not spend on anything last March!!! shit!!! some of my savings is missing...

So yeah! on with the haul!

I checked out The Face Shop last Sunday to look for nail polishes that would go great with my graduation outfit and to add another batch of nail polishes on my collection of course!

love this batch!! Also got a bubblegum scented nail polish remover because I'm running out. All of them are still P95 each (^_^)

I also went to Avon and bought the Rejuvenate night cream which is fortunately, on sale for P699 (it really pays to wait for a sale!) to complete the rejuvenate skincare line that I will be using in the near future because I'm already running out of skincare products..Maybe, if I get the chance NOT to be lazy, I will review all the skincare products that I already used (pictures are still stored in my pc).

I also bought a small perfume called Angel Locsin (Philippine actress) Wish of Happiness perfume. I honestly did not like the smell. Fortunately, it was on sale for P149. 

I'm very picky about perfumes especially the generic ones because they tend to make me nauseous. 

I'm not a cheap perfume snob. 

My nose and my brain just reacts badly to chemical smells. Usually, cheap perfume has a very overpowering, generic chemical smell that is very familiar (like everyone is using it) and doesn't sit well with my body chemistry when I've applied it. They either tend to smell super gaggingly sweet or super gaggingly " magazine- scented perfume for men". 

Compared to not-so-very-affordable once or high end ones which clings to me like my second skin and it

doesn't smell overpowering, but it's still there all day. Do you know what I mean? 

Anyway, I still have more gifts this April to hoard....bwahahaha! Damn! Why do I sound a bit bitchy today??

Review: The Face Shop Nailpolish in RD304

Just a quick review of this nailpolish. The Face Shop Nailpolish in RD304

Comments:
- 2 coater
- better as a toenail polish, but it still looks good on the nails of your hands.
- dries quickly which is good.
- doesn't have an overpowering nailpolish smell
- applies smoothly even if the glitters appear chunky.
- costs P95 for an 11 ml bottle...I've come to realize that the price is not bad for the quantity and quality it gives.

Swatches: (right after I've painted my nails)

Natural light:

looks BLOODY RED. I love it!

W/ Flash:

Hope this helps!

Review: The Face Shop Nail Polish in YL703

 I thought I'd never find a yellow color nail polish that would suit me. Luckily, there is!

I let my sister in law choose this for me because it's really hard for me to choose limited products in a single purchase especially if I like all of it..hahaha!

Product: The Face Shop Nail Polish in YL703

What it looks in the bottle:

With Flash:

 

Natural light:

 

NOTE: looks almost white here, but it's not really THAT pale yellow..The sun is almost gone when I shot this. Sorry.

Comment:

It's a cute baby yellow color...It's cute without looking too girly...hahah!

Pro:

- dries quickly

- doesn't have a strong nail polish smell.

- true to the color in the bottle.

- color may be pale yellow, but it's not dull looking.

- 11 ml (need I say more?)

Cons:

- quite expensive for me (^_^) (P95)

What it looks like on nails:

With Flash:

On Natural light: (sunlight was almost gone when I took this shot)

Have a nice day!

Review: the Face Shop Nail Polish in BL604

Product: The Face Shop Nail Polish in BL604

Comment:

It a very, very dark royal blue (looks like a very fine liquid metallic dark blue) which I love! (I LOVE DARK NAIL POLISH COLORS! ESPECIALLY BLUE ONES!) It looks almost like black from a distant glance.

Pro:
- dries quite fast
- doesn't have the strong nail polish smell.
- color true to the bottle.
- the color is vibrant even w/o top coat.
- large quantity (11 ml in a bottle)
- lasts for a week or more!! (To think that I do heavy chores everyday!)

Cons:
- quite expensive (P95, but I'm not complaining because i love dark colors!!!)

**TIP!!

= Dark colors, especially blue (at least for me) will make your hands look whiter and elegant without looking emo. (no pun intended to emos)

= Want to try dark colors, but is scared of black? Try blue.

= Dark red (wine red, ruby red, true red, etc.) makes your hands look elegant, but older...try it. If you're in your teens to early twenties, paint a dark red color on your nails, it will look funny..Like you borrowed your mother's beautifully manicured hands. I've tried it many times and I still can't pull it off...Maybe when I'm 25..I'll try again...My sister-in-law can pull off this color already.

On with the pictures!!!

What it looks like in the bottle:

Natural light:

With flash:

What it looks like on nails:

(I forgot to take a picture of my nails with camera flash..sorry!)

Natural light:

Sorry for the following blurred pictures. I only used my camera phone to take pictures of my nails. As you can see, I'm going somewhere at this time..LOL!! Going to the mall!

Car moving!

Take 2

still blurred..hands courtesy of my husband because the car is moving.
Another one!

the background is clearer than my hand..hahaha!

With artificial light!

CLEAR PICTURE AT LAST! Shot taken by my husband.

See! my hands look whiter than it actually is with a dark blue color! This color never fails me!

Enjoy!