tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54404057297546623432024-03-13T20:27:19.016-07:00Bless My Bag!Julia's show-and-tell corner for delightful things added unto herJuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-89464091591705210232010-06-11T21:08:00.000-07:002010-06-11T21:08:56.565-07:00This Blog will be Moving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TBMIHMsux3I/AAAAAAAAAXs/jwEU45mky-g/s1600/moving-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TBMIHMsux3I/AAAAAAAAAXs/jwEU45mky-g/s400/moving-house.jpg" width="327" /></a></div><br />
Hi all! I just recently bought the domain <a href="http://www.blessmybag.com/" target="blank">http://www.blessmybag.com</a> so soon, if not very soon, as I slowly fix the layout on there I shall be moving from here to there. You can click on the new link to see what's happening I'm actually a bit saddish because I've already got a somewhat steady number of visits here, but it's time to have more flexibility. I had my friends who are helping me with the transfer over to there remove first the redirect action so you guys could still savor Bless My Bag as it was the first time for the last few days (how emo, hahahaha). Besides the new site isn't ready yet.JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-48223252509744968452010-06-06T09:39:00.000-07:002010-06-07T04:03:38.750-07:00Comic Relief: The Face Shop Maskerade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAu54ZgKqhI/AAAAAAAAAV0/w9OLzZK6iWg/s1600/maskswarmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAu54ZgKqhI/AAAAAAAAAV0/w9OLzZK6iWg/s400/maskswarmer.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Oh yes, rejuvenating masks by <a href="http://www.thefaceshopen.com/"><b style="color: #ea9999;">The Face Shop</b></a>, which is a South Korean bath, body, and cosmetics brand that was birthed in 1962. Before talking about that, I'd like to give a brief foreword. I've always been thankful for my generally clear complexion, kudos to the God who made me and my great great Japanese grandmother for handing down the cosmic skin genes, thanks Lola! Hooray for healthy skin! If ever there is something I'd complain about when it comes to my face it would be its sensitivity and well, my dark eye circles, but that's all I really battle with once in awhile, thankfully.<br />
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Are you stressed? Haha, I thought today's product would be nice break from all the cosmetics we gush over that can sometimes leave our faces in protest. Here are some cool (and you can make 'em really cool) facial masks by The Face Shop to help pamper your face on a weekend or after a hard day's work. Note these are not exfoliating masks, they're aromatherapy, soothing, and moisturizing masks. So if you're looking for the type of mask that's more likely closer to a cream or mud mask that's supposed to peel off impurities after, this isn't what you're looking for.<br />
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I entered The Face Shop outlet on High Street at Fort Global City and felt a little bad for the staff because I saw the bigger shop space closed further down that they had to give up for the current one they occupy. Obviously, business didn't thrive but hey, good thing they were still there. I browsed the shop counterclockwise, noting that there was a lot of stock on hand that, sadly for them, stayed in place for quite awhile (discolored boxes with worn edges, you get the idea) however, on the last two shelves was an impressive selection of facial masks with natural/organic variants, and the packaging didn't look old, they were probably what sold more continuously. I gushed over the packaging all of which were really nicely designed, muted and minimal but eye-catching and very Asian. I purchased 4 kinds for Php95 each. I now have to show them to you again because I talk too much. <br />
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Above clockwise from left: Vita K Mask Sheet (with Seaweed properties for dark under eye circles), and Jasmine and Fennel Revitalizing mask , Cereal Rice Mask for soft clean skin, and the Vita E mask sheet with milk and egg properties. mom didn't want to try because she probably didn't want breakfast on her face. She chose the Jasmine and Fennel one. <br />
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I highly recommend refrigerating them overnight or for half a day, but make sure you store them out of the way of your normal ref stash, you wouldn't want to eat these by mistake. In our case, I put them in the refrigerator the night before.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAvKKjvOmRI/AAAAAAAAAWM/hwmetXvf0x4/s1600/P1020178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAvKKjvOmRI/AAAAAAAAAWM/hwmetXvf0x4/s400/P1020178.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAvKafqabsI/AAAAAAAAAWc/s23zugcHnHk/s1600/P1020169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAvKafqabsI/AAAAAAAAAWc/s23zugcHnHk/s640/P1020169.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAvKea_TaDI/AAAAAAAAAWk/VHyzxCkYIVA/s1600/P1020170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAvKea_TaDI/AAAAAAAAAWk/VHyzxCkYIVA/s400/P1020170.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAvKNTmbk-I/AAAAAAAAAWU/GM54qg-UAmo/s1600/mask.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAvKNTmbk-I/AAAAAAAAAWU/GM54qg-UAmo/s640/mask.JPG" width="630" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Essentially, they're like really large Wet Ones sheets with cutouts for the facial features. Wash your face, use toner (optional), and you're ready to go. It smells really, really good once you open the pack it's like instant aromatherapy. It's cool when they're really cold (redundant tsk tsk) upon application on your face. I can't help but rave about the layout for the packaging. All the stuff written on it is well-placed and laid out, even at the back.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It's also wonderful to note that the Natural and Cereals mask collection are made with 100% natural pulp. They also do a set of masks with synthetic fiber which is cheaper at Php65.00 per pack.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This is my mom, you see I still protected her identity. One can't be too careful nowadays. After you put the mask on you can leave it for 20 minutes and leave earth for awhile. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAvOeNQLpuI/AAAAAAAAAXE/hAPvr3pWL7Q/s1600/P1020175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAvOeNQLpuI/AAAAAAAAAXE/hAPvr3pWL7Q/s400/P1020175.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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The pack says to rub the excess liquid into your face when you've removed the mask. I'd do that then still rinse my face with water after to leave that clean, fresh feeling on your face. Used the rice variant on myself. My skin felt soft, clean and smooth after. I felt pore-happy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAvQB-Ift1I/AAAAAAAAAXU/HpLPZh-_G7c/s1600/P1020195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAvQB-Ift1I/AAAAAAAAAXU/HpLPZh-_G7c/s400/P1020195.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It's also fun to do it with a friend, instant comic relief.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAvRG0598hI/AAAAAAAAAXc/ir5D4MAyVMU/s1600/maskglasses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAvRG0598hI/AAAAAAAAAXc/ir5D4MAyVMU/s400/maskglasses.JPG" width="302" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-48247669108604526572010-06-05T19:56:00.000-07:002010-06-07T03:26:34.686-07:00Metallic/Shimmer Bliss: 4U2 Palette from Watsons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsFWYOr6oI/AAAAAAAAAT0/zhvlaRt-CwI/s1600/P1020159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsFWYOr6oI/AAAAAAAAAT0/zhvlaRt-CwI/s400/P1020159.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Even though I attended Rockwell's Summer Solstice Bazaar yesterday (bazaar ends today, Sunday June 5th at 10pm) where hungry makeup enthusiasts gathered for the all-you-can-eat buffet of vintage finds, style steals, pro makeup brands, imported makeup brands, organic cosmetic brews and resurrected junk jewelry, the catch of the day for moi was not at the bazaar. It was at <a href="http://www.watsons.com.ph/"><b style="color: #ea9999;">Watsons</b></a>, a local drugstore here in the Philippines. I happened to find this gem of a palette for Php 950.00 (est USD $21.00) at the Virra Mall branch but I'm sure this stock is available at most if not all Watsons branches. My friend, Grace, who showed her exact same palette to me a week ago was the one who reminded me that there was stuff available like this right here!! I just happened to be surprised that it was inside Watson's.<br />
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The brand <b><a href="http://www.4u2cosmetics.com/thailand/index.php?main_page=page&id=2" style="color: #ea9999;">4U2</a></b> is a Thai manufactured brand licensed by BEL AIR cosmetics in the U.S.A. As you will see in a moment, this buy is really good find. Here it is in its packaging, and yes I do have hand swatches and eye tests of this ^v^. The pigmentation, blendability (word? tsk tsk) and texture of this set of eyeshadows is even stronger and more buttery than the Elianto ones I raved about, although I do not lessen my praise for Elianto, these happen to be good on the metallic end. I wish this range had a matte collection. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsDdwdcFcI/AAAAAAAAATs/JOTY8xMCAAs/s1600/P1020140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsDdwdcFcI/AAAAAAAAATs/JOTY8xMCAAs/s400/P1020140.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Nice matte finish box<br />
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</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsFlSyEYPI/AAAAAAAAAT8/_C7tii_BUzk/s1600/P1020143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsFlSyEYPI/AAAAAAAAAT8/_C7tii_BUzk/s400/P1020143.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsFq6lm1MI/AAAAAAAAAUE/hTB9UKAw1BQ/s1600/P1020146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsFq6lm1MI/AAAAAAAAAUE/hTB9UKAw1BQ/s400/P1020146.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsH7yESDRI/AAAAAAAAAUk/r8Gq8wMBgnM/s1600/P1020162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsH7yESDRI/AAAAAAAAAUk/r8Gq8wMBgnM/s400/P1020162.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The palette is heavy-ish, as mom said when she lifted it "It feels serious!". It's really solid when you pick it up. You don't feel any parts of the palette moving about, it feels tightly assembled. You know how crystal CD cases shatter to pieces the very moment you drop them? I absolutely hate that so I'm glad this does not feel like it will even crack after your first, careless fumble. No I will not test that haha! The finish is a semi-matte textured plastic. The edges of the plastic palette are tapered so a you can see below there aren't any hard corners, it has a smooth roundish feel to it when you hold it. Ok, enough about that, onto the product! Sorry, I already swatched them so you can see where my fingers swiped the pans. I was too excited.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsFwWj-DtI/AAAAAAAAAUM/1DGYyl4fm4s/s1600/P1020161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsFwWj-DtI/AAAAAAAAAUM/1DGYyl4fm4s/s400/P1020161.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The instant you open the palette you see a set of 8 pans all slightly bigger than MAC shadow pans.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsAGAPghfI/AAAAAAAAATU/coPuMasWPFQ/s1600/P1020150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsAGAPghfI/AAAAAAAAATU/coPuMasWPFQ/s400/P1020150.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As to how deep the pans are I can't tell at the moment. What catches your eye is the metallic gold shot through most of the shades, but not all. The shadows don't have names (sob*) so I'll identify them my own way. TOP ROW from left: 1. A sunny yellow gold, 2. A bright turquoise blue with a shot of gold, 3. A muted golden rose pink, 4. A deep metallic bronze. BOTTOM ROW from left: 5. a nice shimmer cream shade, perfect highlighter, 6. A muted but more golden metallic version of the turquoise on top 7. A strong rose pink with less gold shimmer 8. Last, but definitely not the least, another bronze but this is the MOST metallic of the bunch and has the insanely most amount of the same gold shimmer incorporated into the previous shades. This one is awesome. When swatched dry it looks like it's foiled (when a shadow is combined with water), actually most of them, look!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="385" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsOB-iRAlI/AAAAAAAAAUs/18aFjqeFkZA/s400/handswatch.JPG" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You know what is even more awesome? The swatches above are only 1 dab each into the pan, upon 1 swipe on your hand that's exactly what you get, then after I did the above swatches,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsVFlyKGWI/AAAAAAAAAVU/HpMfWz2eO-g/s1600/P1020076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsVFlyKGWI/AAAAAAAAAVU/HpMfWz2eO-g/s400/P1020076.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I needed to remove what was left on my fingers right? So I swiped them on the other side to clean my fingers...look how much was left, all that after 1 dab each in the pan!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsPf5xG9II/AAAAAAAAAU8/Cd6GV0FOd2g/s640/handswatchB.JPG" width="620" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I thought this blog entry wouldn't be this long, I'll only show you my FOTD with the most metallic of all the shades, the last one I mentioned. I have a funny profile picture below because I wanted to be able to show the finish of the makeup base and the light in my room just wasn't working for the frontal picture, so that's this. See the piece of MAC 109 brush hair left on my cheek? I thought that was funny...brush fail! That brush really tends to shed. On my face, Pixi Flawless beauty primer on my cheeks then Clinique Super Balanced Foundation in Cream Chamois, Lancome Sparkling Cherub Illuminating Powder, and on my lips Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited 908 never fails. Eye makeup 4U2 shadow, mascara Rimmel Sexy Curves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsUau2DQAI/AAAAAAAAAVM/t4B_wn5QOmI/s1600/P1020111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsUau2DQAI/AAAAAAAAAVM/t4B_wn5QOmI/s640/P1020111.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and the one below is the eye test I did last night with the metallic bronze shade and the highlighter on the inner corners ^v^. What I did below is a monolid, just 1 color but it look like I've got something else in my crease, right? You betcha, I discovered these metallic shades have a two-tone effect! It looks like you're wearing 2 colors because they define your eyes depending on where the light hits. So here where my brow bone hangs over my lids, the deep bronze of the shade comes out, and on the lids the golden part gets hit by the light making it look like a lighter shade. Sorry it's a bit dark,the lighting in my room sucks.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsSuPLJMmI/AAAAAAAAAVE/jIn86ell-tw/s1600/Metallic+Bronze_EOTD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAsSuPLJMmI/AAAAAAAAAVE/jIn86ell-tw/s640/Metallic+Bronze_EOTD.JPG" width="640" /></a>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-77274469562740432082010-06-05T09:59:00.000-07:002010-06-05T09:59:18.317-07:00An Eyeful of Elianto, follow up EOTDTwo posts <a href="http://blessmybag.blogspot.com/2010/05/no-nyxsleekbare-escentuals-elianto.html"><b style="color: #ea9999;">ago</b></a> I promised my aunt, a makeup bug as well, to try the <a href="http://elianto.biz/products/colour_studio/EyeShadow.html"><b style="color: #ea9999;">Elianto single eyeshadows</b></a> on my eyes. Note to readers I did not fashion a "look" here, I simply put eyeshadow base then using my fingers applied product to my eye generously...and of course mascara after, just to show what it looks like on my lids. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAqA1qM1vcI/AAAAAAAAATE/3-NGJPdfF9E/s1600/P1010787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAqA1qM1vcI/AAAAAAAAATE/3-NGJPdfF9E/s400/P1010787.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Pigmentation is pretty good, much much better than any stuff I've ever owned and they blend beautifully! Not bad at all for Php150.00 each. I used Lancome Aquatique Eyeshadow base as my lid primer and highlighter on inner corners is from a Korean makeup palette I picked up from Watsons...oops, did I just give my next entry away? Hehe, bedtime. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAp_4qqQCQI/AAAAAAAAAS8/UHUzY35Iqyk/s1600/elianto_turquoise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAp_4qqQCQI/AAAAAAAAAS8/UHUzY35Iqyk/s400/elianto_turquoise.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Elianto Turquoise Blue</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAqCEUshzeI/AAAAAAAAATM/qWG04uYrIIE/s1600/elianto_princessplum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAqCEUshzeI/AAAAAAAAATM/qWG04uYrIIE/s320/elianto_princessplum.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Elianto Princess Plum (my bad, I did not blend properly, too sleepy)</div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-40892622507930619492010-06-03T01:15:00.000-07:002010-06-03T01:39:15.959-07:00Rainy Day NOTD: My 1st Try at Nail HeArt (test)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAdmQRuEKBI/AAAAAAAAASs/cyPogMQH-mA/s1600/P1010985_crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAdmQRuEKBI/AAAAAAAAASs/cyPogMQH-mA/s640/P1010985_crop.JPG" width="552" /></a></div><br />
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Ever since I tried the <a href="http://www.delsol.com/store/Women___Nail_Polish?Args=&page_number=1"><b style="color: #ea9999;">Del Sol </b></a> Sun Activated color-changing polishes my love for nail color was rekindled. For today's NOTD I experimented for the first time with cut-out scotch tape stencils and using the Del Sol "Pretty In Pink" polish for the heart. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAdp3cvcenI/AAAAAAAAAS0/Jb9YxNlM60M/s1600/P1000719_crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAdp3cvcenI/AAAAAAAAAS0/Jb9YxNlM60M/s400/P1000719_crop.JPG" width="237" /></a></div><br />
If you're going to try this, once I post a tutorial after a better attempt, I would preferably use 3M's Magic Scotch Tape, the kind with a matte surface, for minimal damage to the polished nail upon removal and easy stencil cutting/punching. I made a huge mistake in using cheaper scotch tape. This is what I should have used.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://image.misterart.com/grouppix/528x352/1000/g1393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://image.misterart.com/grouppix/528x352/1000/g1393.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Here's a look at my base color, China Glaze's Platinum Silver.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAdS0DGhcII/AAAAAAAAASU/QY_eIKNv60k/s1600/P1010974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAdS0DGhcII/AAAAAAAAASU/QY_eIKNv60k/s640/P1010974.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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This is a perfect high end silver shade for me, not too on the white side not too much grey either. I wouldn't be crazy enough to purchase my own bottle of China Glaze polish ($5-$7 a pop!) unless they had mini bottles or if it was a shade that captivated me every single day because of its uniqueness. This bottle of Platinum Silver belongs to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tinette-Co/346547907125"><b style="color: #ea9999;">Tinette & Co.</b></a>, a local Philippine salon located at Fort Bonifacio Global city.<br />
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I'm biased when I say they are the best, but even though I know I am, I'm still recommending them. I've been going to this salon with my mother since I was 8 years old. Tinette is a high-street salon, but the owner is a good family friend of ours and their people are top of the line and know every single thing that wants fixing when it comes to us. So we never think of going anywhere else for our beautifying needs unless due to a sudden schedule constraint. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAdKiEbJ9lI/AAAAAAAAAR0/ohtjumOOqKw/s1600/P1010986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAdKiEbJ9lI/AAAAAAAAAR0/ohtjumOOqKw/s400/P1010986.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I actually only managed to do 2 fingers for this first attempt just to test the idea, my thumb and index finger. but it was worth a try as long as I could talk about it, haha. This is not yet a perfect finish. It's not even an ideal photo because the heart didn't go deep pink under an overcast sky. I will do a "tutorial" once I've perfected the method. Basically, it really just involves scotch tape, small scissors (I used the one with my mini Swiss knife), patience, and a steady hand.JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-66986027098241174812010-05-29T08:54:00.000-07:002010-05-29T09:11:28.045-07:00No NYX/Sleek/Bare Escentuals? Elianto Saves the Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAEr3g4zIQI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/hRGmxDGNXu0/s1600/P1010810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAEr3g4zIQI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/hRGmxDGNXu0/s400/P1010810.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This next post was supposed to be my follow up on the Ever Bilena eyeshadows, but after having purchased something ultimately special today at <a href="http://www.smmallofasia.com/"><b style="color: #ea9999;">SM Mall of Asia</b></a>, I could not help but move this review up to the front of the line. I continuously share the same feelings of frustration that Filipina makeup lovers/enthusiasts have, which is that certain highly recommended imported, affordable eyeshadow brands like <a href="http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/"><b style="color: #ea9999;">NYX</b></a> from the U.S. and <a href="http://www.sleekmakeup.com/EN/index.aspx"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;">Sleek</span></b></a> makeup from the U.K. are not readily available in retail locally except maybe through individual sellers/dealers. Who knows, perhaps it's better that they aren't. Maybe this is a chance for high caliber Asian brands to step up to the plate. Brands like <a href="http://elianto.biz/"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;">Elianto</span></b></a> which is a Korean brand distributed in our region by Malaysia. You might possibly squeal at the deal and quality I got from Elianto. This is my first ever purchase from them, two single pearl shine <a href="http://elianto.biz/products/colour_studio/EyeShadow.html"><b style="color: #ea9999;">eyeshadows</b></a>, one in #08 Aquamarine and the other in #21 Princess Plum which is more like a cranberry cocoa shade than plum to me. Happy happy joy joy, there is also a separate matte shadow range, but I exercised restraint for today, I will blog about the matte eyeshadows in a separate post. One single Elianto eyeshadow costs Php150.00 (USD $3.50). The pan is about 1.5 inches in diameter (bow to them, MAC).<br />
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I find that from all the swatches, both photo and video, that I've seen online of both NYX and Sleek products from various gurus and enthusiasts, Elianto I believe is Asia's close version of those brands. I so hate that I didn't take photos in the Elianto store, but I didn't want to have to cunningly dodge the mall's security staff. Here is a totally awesome thing about the packaging, the pans of product come glued to thin disposable plastic trays from which theyare easily removed, goodbye stressful de-potting, hello easy collecting. Elianto also sells 4 slot palettes for Php 150.00 if you want to collect 4 single shadows straightway (might I suggest 2 pearl shine, and 2 matte ^v^) I can't wait to fill my soon-to-arrive organizing palette with these! Oops...am getting ahead of myself.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAEzW9kzN6I/AAAAAAAAARE/NgMxdbtpRWM/s1600/P1010804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAEzW9kzN6I/AAAAAAAAARE/NgMxdbtpRWM/s400/P1010804.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">08 Turquoise</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAE0uERx23I/AAAAAAAAARM/zowqR8fqgI4/s1600/P1010803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAE0uERx23I/AAAAAAAAARM/zowqR8fqgI4/s400/P1010803.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">21 Princess Plum</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Finally, the best part of everything wonderful about this, drumroll for the payoff please...........the finger swatch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAE1E28b-YI/AAAAAAAAARU/gNniTLRA60s/s1600/P1010797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAE1E28b-YI/AAAAAAAAARU/gNniTLRA60s/s400/P1010797.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh my, a blue that actually comes out blue, the way it looks in the pan! The color was actually even deeper than it is in this photo! Non-chalky, velvety smooth, 2 finger swipes back and forth for each shade and they don't rub off like powder when you run your other hand over them. I have 1 trio of Nyx eyeshadows from an aunt of mine and these are like the exact same quality only better because they're less powdery and don't break easily (I dropped the Turquoise one in Red Mango as we were eating frozen yoghurt and nothing happened...time stopped). My friend <a href="http://www.kikayrunner.com/"><b style="color: #ea9999;">Kikayrunner</b></a> was with me and she said "Wow, it didn't break!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAE3KrfoSrI/AAAAAAAAARc/HE-jUgaMlQQ/s1600/P1010811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/TAE3KrfoSrI/AAAAAAAAARc/HE-jUgaMlQQ/s400/P1010811.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">These eyeshadows are absolutely my favorite find for the month of May. I was told by the Elianto saleslady that they also have a branch in Greenbelt 5. Their product range includes makeup, skincare, body care and nail care. They also had a mineral makeup line at the helm of their in-store center display. A little time on your feet outside with friends can certainly bring unexpected bargain finds your way. It's nice when every once in awhile you stumble upon something you think is too good to be true...and it truly is good. Let's see if an FOTD with these reveal if the worn wonderful payoff can stay for a number of hours.</div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-24325637032378133002010-05-28T01:40:00.000-07:002010-05-28T02:00:54.700-07:00NOTD Mutya Polish in Vinta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_-CjTqkbxI/AAAAAAAAAQk/V7KRAVOIXpw/s1600/VINTA_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_-CjTqkbxI/AAAAAAAAAQk/V7KRAVOIXpw/s400/VINTA_01.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fiery coral fuschia glamor in a bottle. This is Php 65.00 (USD $1.50) Mutya Nail Polish in Vinta. This could be a close cheap dupe of my favorite fluorescent by China Glaze "A Rose Among Thorns (Neon)". The color is so fab it confuses digital cameras, seriously.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What you're seeing is 3 coats finished with an Orly Sec' n Dry Topcoat. This is completely dry, but the topcoat helps keep it looking glossy and slick. Purchased along the shores of Boracay, applied in Manila. ^v^</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-89461134656889624272010-05-26T23:34:00.000-07:002010-05-26T23:37:28.678-07:00MAY 27-AUG31! Maybelline Coupon 20% Off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4643621199_e8066f775d_o.jpg" width="400" /></div>Yes, ladies. It's real! A real, live ecoupon, you can print it as many times as you want and use it to buy Maybelline's Magnum Mascara and/or plus additional Maybelline products at 20% off! This promo runs from May 27-August 31, 2010...so yes it begins today ^v^<br />
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It would also be great to like/add Maybelline Philippines' <a href="http://www.facebook.com/maybellinephilippines?ref=ts"><b style="color: #ea9999;">profile on Facebook</b></a> which was exactly where I heard about the promo. The ecoupon is also available on their profile ^v^ Enjoy the discount! Promo is valid only in Robinsons Department Stores nationwide ^v^JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-89919620575100360592010-05-25T23:03:00.000-07:002010-05-25T23:16:50.822-07:00NOTD Mutya Polish in Party in Manila<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_y2BKBGYkI/AAAAAAAAAPs/cNTEgZK-qUY/s1600/P1010532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_y2BKBGYkI/AAAAAAAAAPs/cNTEgZK-qUY/s640/P1010532.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It actually looks more pastel than fluorescent in this picture. Sorry bout the rough edges, I painted my nails at night and I was ever so sleepy, then I smudged my top coat, gah. In person, this citrus shade is a shocker. I purchased 2 bottles of Mutya nail polish in Tesoro's Boracay for Php 65.00 (yes they're distributed by Tesoro's which also has branches in Manila) one in a bright orange named Party in Manila and another a bright fuschia named Vinta which I will do an NOTD of next time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_y2PVSA_xI/AAAAAAAAAP0/0hGkXm21g8s/s1600/P1010528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_y2PVSA_xI/AAAAAAAAAP0/0hGkXm21g8s/s400/P1010528.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">and here's another shot without art directed lighting, indoors:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_y8n_KL7gI/AAAAAAAAAQE/0chEnYA2Prs/s1600/P1010536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_y8n_KL7gI/AAAAAAAAAQE/0chEnYA2Prs/s400/P1010536.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div> What you're seeing is 3 coats, each thicker than the 1st respectively. It glides on smoothly and doesn't dry unevenly, you might be frustrated with the lack of opaqueness though. It looks opaque in the bottle which is a bit misleading. With more patience and effort 3 coats can satisfy, or as I would suggest, a thin 1st layer of white nail polish to mute nail detail beneath then 2 coats of this. My only major complaint would be that it isn't a completely opaque polish considering that the range is available in "Regular" as seen above, and "Glaze" shades which are deliberately more sheer. Both the ones I purchased are the regular shades. Overall for Php 65.00 (USD $1.50) I think it's pretty good. What say you? ^v^JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-24019345263076383982010-05-25T21:02:00.000-07:002010-05-25T22:00:30.405-07:00Bless My Bag's Boracay Summer Stash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4640283615_61ae5d2259_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4640283615_61ae5d2259_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>I barely made it to the beach before summer's end. It's a good thing for me (or is it) that climate change has extended sunny days and clear skies here in the Philippines and I got to make that fast dash to Boracay with friends in tow. May signals the start of early monsoon rains, but not this year.<br />
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"<b>Boracay</b> is an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island" title="Island">island</a> of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines" title="Philippines">Philippines</a> located approximately 315 km (200 miles) south of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila" title="Manila">Manila</a> and 2 km off the northwest tip of the island of <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panay_Island" title="Panay Island">Panay</a> in the Western <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visayas" title="Visayas">Visayas</a> region of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines" title="Philippines">Philippines</a>. In 1990, it was voted by the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook as one of the best beaches in the world." Thanks, Wikipedia. I am proud to bear the single flag of 7100+ islands, that gorgeous, steamy archipelago that is the Philippines. Ok, so let's get to my very sandy summer stash. Some of these products I already blogged about.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4640252855_cdc2d965c1_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4640252855_cdc2d965c1_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
In this picture, in an order generally from the left:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_ySPuRw9UI/AAAAAAAAAOs/Yd3TO4e4D7g/s1600/SHISEIDOsun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_ySPuRw9UI/AAAAAAAAAOs/Yd3TO4e4D7g/s320/SHISEIDOsun.jpg" /></a></div> 1. Your skin's most absolute necessity under the sun is sun protection. Thanks, Mom, this product is hers, just tried it. Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF55. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_ySdSkboNI/AAAAAAAAAO0/ptmTOS_RULU/s1600/PIXI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_ySdSkboNI/AAAAAAAAAO0/ptmTOS_RULU/s320/PIXI.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
2. Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer- This light base aids in giving a hint of sheen and rosy beige tint, and is also packed with vitamins.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4640860320_f0ca72426a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4640860320_f0ca72426a_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> 3. Dior Color Awakening Lip Glow (which I will blog about separately soon) - a mood lip balm that brings out a blushed color on your lips and protects with SPF 10, pretty low protection but at least it's there. Support it then with your sun protection lotion with higher SPF, lips are still skin ^v^. Or you could try...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_yTGlKgKgI/AAAAAAAAAO8/mXxaS_Ddvr0/s1600/P1010095%281%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_yTGlKgKgI/AAAAAAAAAO8/mXxaS_Ddvr0/s320/P1010095%281%29.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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4. Lanolips Lip Ointment in Rhubarb (newly launched shade) - This was one of my prizes from the Lanolips contest giveaway which I wrote about <a href="http://blessmybag.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-lanolips-prize-new-shade-rhubarb.html"><b style="color: #ea9999;">here</b></a>. SPF in this product is up a notch, SPF15.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4640860630_b670164213_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4640860630_b670164213_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> 5. Make Up For Ever Ltd. 25th Anniversary Edition Miniature Aqua Eyes pencils, set of 5 - Whew...that was long. Lovely, lovely product. These are long-wearing, waterproof eye pencils (provided you don't rub your eyes while in seawater) that give you wonderful outdoor payoff if you want to give your eyes that extra shot of color for the summer. I blogged about these <a href="http://blessmybag.blogspot.com/2010/05/mini-mufe-aqua-eyes-ltd-edition-pencils.html"><b style="color: #ea9999;">here</b></a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4640251727_0aa5f35528_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4640251727_0aa5f35528_o.jpg" width="300" /> </a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_yVrkU_1rI/AAAAAAAAAPE/GnMTEZ0WxaU/s1600/lashblast_eye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_yVrkU_1rI/AAAAAAAAAPE/GnMTEZ0WxaU/s320/lashblast_eye.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6. Cover Girl's Waterproof Lash Blast Mascara --This is a really, really good product. This eye shot was taken after swimming underwater in the ocean for about 30mins with mascara. This is a truly waterproof mascara. The blue that remains on my lower lashline is the remainder of the MUFE aqua eyeliner. Understandably, the color on my eye's waterline disappeared when I swam (on your waterline you are essentially applying your product to something wet, not something dry it can cling to before rendering itself waterproof) but the color stayed on pretty well. It was so bright here I could hardly open my eyes without squinting. My lashes couldn't compare though with this young lady's own. <br />
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Goodness talk about blessed, look at the length she gets on those! This little one belongs to an officemate of mine.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4640251395_be348b9cc1_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4640251395_be348b9cc1_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> 7. Last, but not the least, for our beach nights out I was finally able to use my slightly darker shade of foundation, Clinique Superbalanced Foundation in shade Cream Chamois after I had slightly tanned (ever so slightly :( ), that's the 1 shade darker after Fair which would most likely be my perfect shade when I'm at my most sunless.<br />
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This is a REALLY really nice foundation. It goes on silky and blends well, and the cool thing about this makeup is its considered to be Clinique's smart makeup. It works really well with the Pixi primer, I pat a bit of the pixi primer on my cheeks (the Pixi primer also somehow works well as a cream highlighter/blush for some reason) after the Clinique makeup to give myself a bit of color and glow. The superbalanced formula adjusts its benefits according to whether you are oily or dry, so this worked really great for me in the hot climate. I only used it at night when we would roam the island for places to hang out and eat because it does provide medium coverage and you don't really want to wear something that heavy at the beach during the daytime, after swimming you'd look a bit silly. I guess you could opt to pat on a drop or 2 for the day, but not much really.<br />
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By the way, the lipstick I'm wearing is Shu Uemura's gorgeous bronzy nude Rouge Unlimited #908 . I didn't include it in the summer group shot coz I already wore it down to the bottom of the applicator. It looked too loved.<br />
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That's it for my summer stash showcase. Now here's me looking at you with a coconut tree growing out of my head. Enjoy summer while it lasts wherever you are!<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boracay#cite_note-1"></a>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-30827305647520392662010-05-18T11:35:00.000-07:002010-05-18T19:55:04.935-07:00Praise for Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_LG-dfc9NI/AAAAAAAAAMM/PhIu28UFkGI/s1600/P1010203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_LG-dfc9NI/AAAAAAAAAMM/PhIu28UFkGI/s400/P1010203.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Once in awhile, you come across a product that isn't too common that satisfies and surprises you because of its effectiveness and individuality. This was not exactly how I felt when my online purchase of <a href="http://www.pixibeauty.com/Pixibeauty_Products/base/Flawless_Beauty_Primer/Index.html"><b style="color: #ea9999;">Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer</b></a> finally arrived and I got to try it for the first time. I did not gush over the product in an instant. I had to understand why it was the way it was. It was not what I expected initially the first time I tried it. <b><a href="http://www.pixibeauty.com/index.html" style="color: #ea9999;">Pixi</a></b> is a UK brand founded roughly a decade ago by Petra Strand, a Swedish-born makeup artist.<br />
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I first learned about this product after watching one of the Pixiwoo (YouTube) sisters, Samantha Chapman, use it first to start off one of their many extremely cool makeup tutorials. She raved about it before at the very beginning of this video:<br />
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<center><object height="240" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IRtgDQyUC1I&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IRtgDQyUC1I&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="240"></embed></object></center><br />
and then again more recently in her "Simple MakeUp Tutorial" posted 2 weeks ago. In the video I posted above she claimed it gave her pale skin more color, a tiny bit of iridescence or dewiness, simply put, a more healthy glow. It is labeled as a primer but can be used on its own to decrease dullness in your complexion and lift skin quality with extended use. It has Vitamin A and E, antioxidants that aid in promoting healthy, soft skin. It only comes in one color but is labeled No.1 Even Skin. Petra claims further at the back of the package that this product is 20 year old youthful skin in a bottle. I commend her for this wonderful product but I think that was a bit pushing it. I love how this product performs, for me it comes a close 2nd to my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, but that remark was a bit of an exaggeration I believe.<br />
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First point of praise, the bottle itself. It comes in a delightfully pretty pinkish copper capped bottle which is made of frosted glass.<br />
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It's a tiny bit heavy, but I quite like the bottle in this way because it gives the product inside some sort of value, and my praise doesn't stop at the bottle. Open the cap and lo and behold...<br />
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...a pump dispenser! Which is an absolute plus for beauty products like this because you don't get bacteria going back in once you pump an amount like this onto your hand.<br />
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The color is a deep pinkish beige that is absolutely sheer when spread and rubbed in. This was where I began to get skeptical. I saw that it was shot through with finely milled gold-ish shimmer, not glitter (thank God), shimmer. You can't see it in this photo, it is very very fine, but it's there alright. This is the agent that supposedly gives your skin that sheen that Sam was talking about in the video. It was more obvious in the product than I expected, to my dismay. So I started to blend it in.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_LMKUudnyI/AAAAAAAAAN8/1x1ppR8QR08/s1600/P1010210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_LMKUudnyI/AAAAAAAAAN8/1x1ppR8QR08/s640/P1010210.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>It smells like a very mild sunblock, but don't be fooled, this has no SPF (which is actually too bad, that would have made it a daily must-have), it only boasts of antioxidants and moisturizers that balance hydration in the skin. Then came the part I didn't like, it was somewhat sticky/tacky, just like some moisturizers with SPF are, or rather just like sunblock is. At first I was like ugh, why!? What on earth could Sam be raving about? But I persevered and continued to blend it in on my hand first. I started to remember that this was initially a primer, and primers by definition are supposed to help makeup stay on your face. So for a moment I forgave its sudden stickiness.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_LMNo7wsPI/AAAAAAAAAOE/nRvLSkMGRmo/s1600/P1010211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_LMNo7wsPI/AAAAAAAAAOE/nRvLSkMGRmo/s640/P1010211.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Ok, a slight dewy sheen. I wasn't too disappointed. This was what Sam Chapman was talking about. My hand looked less pale. I looked at the inside of my palms which had most of the product on from rubbing it in, they were covered with a satin sheen (that I didn't photograph, how smart) that once again started stirring my doubts. So I tried it on my face and again the somewhat slightly sticky iridescent dewiness got me frustrated. Then a light bulb suddenly went on. <br />
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We Filipinos live in a very, very humid country. We have almost double the atmospheric moisture compared to those living in the West. When I stayed with an Aunt of mine in Hamburg, Germany for over two months, the Safeguard soap bar I brought with me from Manila cracked in several places through the middle. My face felt tight around my nose and mouth when I smiled in the morning and my lip would split and bleed. My aunt gave me Nivea cream and told me to use it everyday. That's something we don't need to do here in the tropics. So I understood why Sam Chapman raved about this product, it probably did wonders for her dry skin there. In light of this, I wouldn't recommend this product for oily skin as it might only add excessive shine and stickiness in a climate such as ours. I do recommend it for normal to dry combination skin (though I have yet to meet someone with excessively dry skin from around these parts.)<br />
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Still, I wondered, knowing that, how could I make this work for me? Then it dawned on me:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_La8cU96CI/AAAAAAAAAOM/uLpI79c4wGU/s1600/laura-mercier-loose-setting-powder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_La8cU96CI/AAAAAAAAAOM/uLpI79c4wGU/s320/laura-mercier-loose-setting-powder.jpg" /></a></div> ...I dusted my face with Laura Mercier loose translucent setting powder (a luxurious hand-me-down from mom) and suddenly the choir sang HALLELUJAH. I had my FOTD (face of the day). The dewiness of the Pixi primer peeked from beneath the matte veil of the loose setting powder and gave my face a subtle healthy glow. So enough with the hand swatches. The photos above were taken last Sunday, but I didn't have enough time to do a face review that day so I did one tonight. Here are the photos I took just an hour ago. Here's my face before. My before face shot is not totally naked, I needed my dignity, I only put concealer here, mainly on my dark circles which were awful. I used a few finger dabs of Nars stick concealer in custard (another yummy hand-me-down from mom) on my undereye circles, my browbone (it also works as a good cream highlighter), inner eye corners, around my nose and the corners of my mouth. Other than that there's nothing else on my face. I have not used Photoshop on any of my blog photos except for cropping. So no cleanups or color corrections anywhere here. I shoot for quality. <br />
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So this is my face before Pixi primer, a bit sallow and pale, and you'll notice my face is a different tone from my body. I'm lying down flat on my bed, it was the only way to get my ceiling light to work with me for the proper exposure:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_LcI_5MDRI/AAAAAAAAAOU/i6_j2i7NYq4/s1600/beforePIXI.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_LcI_5MDRI/AAAAAAAAAOU/i6_j2i7NYq4/s400/beforePIXI.JPG" width="335" /></a></div><br />
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Get ready for a spot the difference challenge, because the changes are really subtle. Here's my "after" face, with a generous layer of Pixi beauty primer and a quick dusting of loose setting powder, it's a very subtle difference, but I quite like it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_Lc5-Pc-0I/AAAAAAAAAOc/Zsm2uqMb4Bk/s1600/afterPIXI.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_Lc5-Pc-0I/AAAAAAAAAOc/Zsm2uqMb4Bk/s400/afterPIXI.JPG" width="370" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
You can see I have a hint more color, like I'm half a shade darker than the photo above and I have a healthy glow across my T-zone and cheeks. It's more obvious in the daytime though, I'll take another comparison with natural light tomorrow. I know you're probably like "What is Julia talking about? There's no difference!" Hahaha, believe me there is, it didn't help that I couldn't take a sharper picture coz my hand kept moving. <br />
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Overall this is a wonder find for me, probably because I have the patience to apply powder after. Some of you might not feel the same way about that. I'm telling you though, the combination of this primer plus loose powder or mineral make up is absolutely wonderful. As a plus though, to let you know I've been using it for a week now and my skin surface has evened out, I had rough patches and more whiteheads in some places, and now they're mostly gone and my skin feels happier, must be the vitamins. I'll try to edit the pictures and put them side by side tomorrow, makes it easier to compare. Right now, it's way past my bedtime...again. Ugh, my bad.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-4373090020306582112010-05-16T12:44:00.000-07:002010-05-16T21:29:03.872-07:00Mini MUFE Aqua Eyes Ltd, Edition Pencils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_A-qwj7AYI/AAAAAAAAAKs/Gp1AvgzaSzE/s1600/P1010111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_A-qwj7AYI/AAAAAAAAAKs/Gp1AvgzaSzE/s400/P1010111.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
First off I have to say, these are not new from <b style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://www.makeupforever.com/int/en/#/int/en/" target="blank">Make Up For Ever</a></b>. This is a limited edition mini waterproof eye pencil collection that's already discontinued, but the full size aqua eye pencils are still for sale at your local MUFE retail store or beauty counters that carry MUFE. This set comes in 5 essential colors. I love the selection. You have your basic black liner, a lovely, gorgeous blued silver, a bright almost turquoise blue, a plummy purple, and a pearly flesh nude which is exactly what you need to highlight the inner corners of your eyes or even your brow bone if you spread and blend it well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_A-wnSFCsI/AAAAAAAAAK0/quOeTmY0TAM/s1600/P1010114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_A-wnSFCsI/AAAAAAAAAK0/quOeTmY0TAM/s400/P1010114.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Ah, so how did I get it? Well, let's just say I sourced it pre-owned online, never been opened and a contact made his way home from the U.S. of A. If you're new to the brand MUFE, basically the company's name highlights their specialization in long-wearing make up, hence Make Up For Ever. The brand is a prestigious one in the cosmetic industry. The prices of their products are also unfortunately very indicative of the quality that these guys are known for, which is why I'm so happy I was able to source this rare, cute baby of a set online, for a real cool deal. The original retail price ranged near USD $50, got it for much, much, less than that. Online is the best place to find discontinued products. In fact, God again blessed me unexpectedly with this purchase. The sellers sent me double the order by accident, and by the time it reached me in Manila and I notified them immediately like an honest buyer should they admitted their mistake but said I could have the extra product free of charge and just let them know if I enjoy it. Double the blessing ^v^<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_A_FKw8FjI/AAAAAAAAALE/xqI19F7D5hU/s1600/P1010118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_A_FKw8FjI/AAAAAAAAALE/xqI19F7D5hU/s400/P1010118.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I heard MUFE being mentioned somewhere in the online world as the "Harvard of Make Up". Of course they had to release an especially super long-wearing line in time for the summer, actually, way ahead of summer, the Aqua Collection, super waterproof makeup. In their ad campaign, the made up models are swimming underwater, impressive.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_A_YtDpxPI/AAAAAAAAALU/06IzXy0o8bk/s1600/make-up-for-ever-aqua-eyes-aqua-lip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_A_YtDpxPI/AAAAAAAAALU/06IzXy0o8bk/s320/make-up-for-ever-aqua-eyes-aqua-lip.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Ok, so I have yet to conduct an underwater test to add to this review, so for now let's get on with simple swatches, a full on smudge test, and a quick non-spectacular eye look. As you can see below, the pay off is very good, BUT but, I do have a complaint. The black and purple pencils don't glide as easily as the blue grey, bright blue, and flesh colored pencil. Something to do with the pigment perhaps? I haven't the faintest. Anyway, the black and purple require a bit, just a bit more effort for equal payoff alongside the other. These swatches required about 2 normal pressured strokes per color on my hand. Gorgeous. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_BGCVPet7I/AAAAAAAAALs/j1OVtNLqmbs/s1600/P1010166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_BGCVPet7I/AAAAAAAAALs/j1OVtNLqmbs/s400/P1010166.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Now, for the smudge test. I took a piece of very white used bond paper, and using the clean side I gave my hand a hard rub downwards...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_BGISuCcKI/AAAAAAAAAL0/QZu1BGQxvGg/s1600/P1010179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_BGISuCcKI/AAAAAAAAAL0/QZu1BGQxvGg/s400/P1010179.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Heavens be praised, you must be joking...it's that good? Aw, come on, let's give it another go shall we? And I'll rub harder this time...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_BGLVypoXI/AAAAAAAAAL8/HbXnD_yJT0s/s1600/P1010180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_BGLVypoXI/AAAAAAAAAL8/HbXnD_yJT0s/s400/P1010180.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">These are awesome...wow. Out of the water they are definitely budge-proof. Although I must say that a friend of mine who has very active tear ducts (make her laugh and tada, Niagara Falls) said that these didn't survive with her. I teased her alongside another friend saying these are waterproof, not tear proof. Hers was an extreme case.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now for the not so gorgeous eye sample. Please forgive the eyebags, it's pretty late, wee hours of the morning, I just really had the urge to post. I didn't give myself a base here, I just wanted to give you a simple test of the product on one eye. I promise to try and do a full polished look to follow up on this review. I'll be using the bright blue, since it's nighttime and this shade will show up best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_BG4QaO0KI/AAAAAAAAAME/_nIlYwuT9A8/s1600/eye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S_BG4QaO0KI/AAAAAAAAAME/_nIlYwuT9A8/s400/eye.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The mascara I'm using is Rimmel Sexy Curves. Though my eyes don't feel too sexy here at all, they're extremely sleepy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-53969833045426697702010-05-14T08:53:00.000-07:002010-05-14T09:04:35.769-07:00An Intro to Ever Bilena, Bili Na!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Fellow Filipinas, who would have thought? I popped into Mercury Drug last week, (the Philippines' biggest and most common drugstore/convenience store) while waiting for my boyfriend to pick me up. I drifted nearby the Revlon counter inside Mercury only to be disappointed and not surprised that the only product available so far from the Photo Ready line was the face powder. I hadn't planned to purchase anything, I just wanted to see what they might have had. Such is the horrid case in 3rd world countries, where the newest thing out is usually last season's leftovers from the more developed nations.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-1rJul4tII/AAAAAAAAAJ0/dK2mc2Fi8c0/s1600/P1010005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-1rJul4tII/AAAAAAAAAJ0/dK2mc2Fi8c0/s400/P1010005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Out of curiosity and a bit of shame (that I never bothered to check out local stuff while getting all googly-eyed over imported beauty products online) I decided to give a shelf with insanely cheap <b style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://www.everbilena.com.ph/index.php" target="blank">Ever Bilena</a></b> products some of my undivided attention. "Allergies!" screamed a voice at the back of my head but then I decided to stop being pretentious and give these a shot. I had never given local stock a chance to win me over. This is just a preview of the next product I'm going to be blogging about, which is their 12-shade eyeshadow palette P145.00 (approx. USD $3.00) and mascara priced at P98 (approx USD $2.00) . As you can see, I did a partial FOTD. I apologize for the awful lighting, it's so hard to get good strong light anywhere in our house at night. I will add a closed eye shot in my follow-up article, multiple looks using the diff colors and hand swatches as well with my opinion on the shadows and their quality.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-1rRZeOg9I/AAAAAAAAAKE/zNj5DVQ8wZU/s1600/EverBilena_eye_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-1rRZeOg9I/AAAAAAAAAKE/zNj5DVQ8wZU/s400/EverBilena_eye_02.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <br />
This is not yet the complete article on the product anyway ^v^ Just something to spark interest. I believe local products can be worthy of our attention. Products used: Ever Bilena 12 Eyeshadow Palette, Ever Bilena Superlash Mascara, Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Liquid gel liner.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-1wXPjA1tI/AAAAAAAAAKc/C9KoD0OuRNY/s1600/ever_bilena_eyeshadow_-_12_shades.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-1wXPjA1tI/AAAAAAAAAKc/C9KoD0OuRNY/s320/ever_bilena_eyeshadow_-_12_shades.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-1wZQo3qtI/AAAAAAAAAKk/0BkChutFxNI/s1600/ever_bilena_superlash_mascara_-_black_-_9ml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-1wZQo3qtI/AAAAAAAAAKk/0BkChutFxNI/s320/ever_bilena_superlash_mascara_-_black_-_9ml.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-1wUPN5W-I/AAAAAAAAAKU/PKYpq9PNJGU/s1600/maybelline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-1wUPN5W-I/AAAAAAAAAKU/PKYpq9PNJGU/s320/maybelline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-8411349675376489852010-05-13T02:08:00.000-07:002010-05-13T02:35:49.442-07:00My Lanolips Prize, New shade Rhubarb Plus 101<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-u-DIfY1GI/AAAAAAAAAJE/NXxH0ti4CEc/s1600/P1010080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-u-DIfY1GI/AAAAAAAAAJE/NXxH0ti4CEc/s640/P1010080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It's finally here! I can hardly get over the feeling of actually winning something beauty-related and being able to tell you about it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-u-F5UnPPI/AAAAAAAAAJM/6hPbUnKzzwU/s1600/P1010081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-u-F5UnPPI/AAAAAAAAAJM/6hPbUnKzzwU/s400/P1010081.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>My prize came swaddled in baby pink <b style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://www.lanolips.com/" target="_blank">Lanolips</a></b> wrapping, tied off with a ribbon, and inside...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-u_bT7Fr2I/AAAAAAAAAJU/VUKpXsvDR7s/s1600/P1010095%281%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-u_bT7Fr2I/AAAAAAAAAJU/VUKpXsvDR7s/s640/P1010095%281%29.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
were my 2 prizes and a letter congratulating me, signed by Lady Lamb ^v^<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-vDfYaGD8I/AAAAAAAAAJk/0bHdKJ5wh4U/s1600/P1010088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-vDfYaGD8I/AAAAAAAAAJk/0bHdKJ5wh4U/s400/P1010088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><br />
Tada! <b style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://www.lanolips.com/" target="_blank">Lanolips</a></b>' newly launched shade Rhubarb and their top colorless lip ointment Lanolips 101. Pure medical grade lanolin makes my day. It took awhile to get here. Usually things from Australia always take much longer to receive in the post. Lanolips Rhubarb was a lip hue inspired by the owner's Grandma who used to often bake Rhubarb pie for them on the farm. How sweet is that? ^v^ Here's a quick swatch for you. Rhubarb is a pretty coral shade with a tiny, <span style="font-size: xx-small;">tiny</span> hint of gold shimmer shot through it. You'll hardly notice unless you look really, really close. It can also be used as a really cute cheek tint. I tried it on yesterday.<br />
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Once more, this was the winning entry that brought home the goods ^v^ :<br />
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Lady Lamb<br />
143 PuckerPout Rd.<br />
Fleeceville, Lanolips Land<span class="text_exposed_hide">... <span class="text_exposed_link"><a href="http://blessmybag.blogspot.com/2010/03/amen-i-won-in-lanolips-contest-giveaway.html" onclick="CSS.addClass($("text_expose_id_4bc9a5582f4fd369c8a18"),
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Dearest Lady Lamb,<br />
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I have a beauty problem that perhaps someone as pretty as you can help me with. I adore your kissable lips but just can't seem to keep my own as healthy in a frequently air-conditioned environment at work, where I work 18 or sometimes up to 20 hours a day on some occasions as a visual effects compositor/animator. My boyfriend is also in the same department so I like to keep myself pretty and fresh even under pressure.<br />
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I have all my beauty essentials and toiletries on hand, because sometimes we stay over at work due to intense projects, and under stress my lips always chap, flake, and bleed. I refrain from putting other products on once my lips have been wounded, because I don't know if they will help heal them or infect them.<br />
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But Lo and behold I go online and see your pretty face, with those Garbo-esque eyes and perfect lips and I think you've got something more for me, something I've been needing all these years that is not available in this faraway land.<br />
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Please help me, Lady Lamb. Send me your not-so-secret secret, and I will be forever grateful.<br />
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Smoochingly sincere,<br />
<br />
julia<br />
(26 Manila, Philippines)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-54125139622067675312010-05-09T21:39:00.000-07:002010-05-13T02:27:32.484-07:00NOTD Del Sol Sun Activated Nail Polish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-eGlCYTjAI/AAAAAAAAAIc/mYkONj03xeE/s1600/P1000984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-eGlCYTjAI/AAAAAAAAAIc/mYkONj03xeE/s640/P1000984.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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<b style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://www.delsol.com/store/util/main_store?Args=" target="_blank">Del Sol</a></b> makes nail color fun in the sun. This is MAGIC nail polish! This shade here is called Pretty in Pink. It changes color once you go out in the sun! How perfect is that for summer?!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> INDOOR PIC 700AM</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-eUj0tlXFI/AAAAAAAAAI8/13hIQoPMm8c/s1600/P1000996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-eUj0tlXFI/AAAAAAAAAI8/13hIQoPMm8c/s400/P1000996.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"> OUTDOOR PIC 12:05PM</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-eTwIb-MaI/AAAAAAAAAI0/TCc1MrvLSpg/s1600/hotpinkportrait.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-eTwIb-MaI/AAAAAAAAAI0/TCc1MrvLSpg/s400/hotpinkportrait.JPG" width="355" /></a></div><br />
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Under high noon sun here in the Philippine tropics the color change happens in as fast as 5-8 seconds. The only shade I have, Pretty in Pink, changes from an opalescent cream with hint of pink shade to a bright metallic hot pink. If this product doesn't get couch potato lovelies out of their homes, I don't know what will ^v^ It's fantastic. I want more shades!! My teenage brother brought home this gorgeous find for me from his trip to Guam. <a href="http://www.delsol.com/store/util/main_store?Args=" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Del Sol</span> </a>happens to be a brand that features other sun activated merchandise in addition to their cute range of hue-changing nail shades. The application you see here on my hand is 2 light coats. I'm planning to add on a 3rd coat to get it truly opaque.<br />
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<div><object height="420" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://pf.kizoa.com/sflite.swf?did=857633&k=2194922"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://pf.kizoa.com/sflite.swf?did=857633&k=2194922" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="420" height="340" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<a href="http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d857633k2194922o2/del-sol-01"><b>Del Sol 01</b></a> - <i><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/">Slideshow</a></i></div><h2 class="product_description" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="product_description">From the <a href="http://www.delsol.com/store/Women___Nail_Polish___Color_Change_Nail_Polish___Pretty_in_Pink___8063" style="color: #ea9999;">Del Sol</a> website: </span></span></h2><h2 class="product_description" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="product_description"> </span></span></h2><h2 class="product_description" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="product_description">Color-changing Nail Polish by Del Sol is the wonder of the sun at your finger tips! Indoors, the nail polish is one fun color. But outside, Del Sol's exquisite, color change nail polish turns a dramatically different hue. Some styles feature glitter, too. From indoors to outside, and back to indoors, Del Sol Nail Nail Polish gets attention as it changes.<br />
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• 23 different color combinations to choose from, all toluene-free.<br />
• Large 0.5 ounce Italian glass bottles with stainless steel mixing balls.<br />
• <b>100% Guaranteed</b> satisfaction for quality, durability & fun color-change. <br />
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Strike a different look just by stepping outside with color-change nail polish from Del Sol!<br />
Please note that the images on this page are approximate, so the colors you experience may vary slightly depending on the day's UV-Index, the number of coats you apply, or the temperature. We'll replace your polish if it's not what you like. </span></span></h2>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-19551557330237735592010-05-09T09:32:00.000-07:002010-05-09T09:40:15.946-07:00Happy Mother's Day - Lash Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-biRdRlPyI/AAAAAAAAAH0/GpNtvfOFGjc/s1600/P1000741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-biRdRlPyI/AAAAAAAAAH0/GpNtvfOFGjc/s400/P1000741.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-bkzvR0QpI/AAAAAAAAAIM/Um2Ksl14eOg/s1600/P1000742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-bkzvR0QpI/AAAAAAAAAIM/Um2Ksl14eOg/s400/P1000742.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-bicIClkVI/AAAAAAAAAIE/rrXAAgCowMc/s1600/P1000703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-bicIClkVI/AAAAAAAAAIE/rrXAAgCowMc/s320/P1000703.JPG" /></a>Happy Mother's Day! One of the surprising things my mother brought home from Guam was the <a href="http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/" style="color: #f4cccc;">Shu Uemura</a> mini eyelash curler, specifically made for lashes in the outer corners of the eyes, or simply for refining parts of your curl. I thought I'd take a quick family photo. Don't you think iconic design runs in the family? :)<br />
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Oh and here's a photo of my own mom and me, at my late grandmother's beachhouse. Where was dad? Behind the camera.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-blX-7mqlI/AAAAAAAAAIU/fCZRRq7v3AM/s1600/RocawithMama.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S-blX-7mqlI/AAAAAAAAAIU/fCZRRq7v3AM/s400/RocawithMama.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-64567885859404965632010-04-29T01:41:00.000-07:002010-04-29T03:11:31.551-07:00Victoria Jackson Survival Kit in Manila<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>One fine day at work, an unexpected person arrived at our office, a cool, friendly, confident yet not PUSHY (wow) <a href="http://www.beautygroup.com/" style="background-color: magenta;" target="_blank">Victoria Jackson Makeup</a><span style="background-color: black;"></span> saleslady named Yew ^v^. She wowed me with this. I purchased one from her so I also have my own swatches and photos below. Eyeshadow swatches to follow in another entry, that's how full of content this kit is :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3529/4562932550_54ebcf2cc1_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3529/4562932550_54ebcf2cc1_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
This is the <a href="http://www.beautygroup.com/p-33-survival-kit.aspx" style="color: #ea9999;" target="_blank">Victoria Jackson survival kit</a><span style="color: #ea9999;">.</span> I have a feeling this is a good go-to kit for those who fell in love with the <a href="http://www.ellisfaas.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=69&Itemid=58" style="color: #ea9999;">Ellis Faas</a> all-in-1 concept but can't afford such a luxury. Their door-to- door price is P1600 pesos so for those interested internationally I'm getting mine for about a US$36.00 promo price? It's a nifty option for those who are into all in 1 travel kits with good product :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4562025773_deae8dc792_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4562025773_deae8dc792_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/4562655616_24aca77d99_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/4562655616_24aca77d99_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/4562026105_24e7237918_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/4562026105_24e7237918_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4562709552_fdc319dd34_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4562709552_fdc319dd34_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Product Consists of: 10 eyeshadows, 2 blushes, 5 lippies, 2 mirrors, 3 mini brushes, mascara, eyepencil, and lip pencil, and they all swing out or slide out.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>BLUSH </b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3660/4562655972_91cd271791_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3660/4562655972_91cd271791_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Peach Pink </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> Pink Blush</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/4562028893_9e71c1953b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/4562028893_9e71c1953b_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Peach Blush</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3370/4562028753_c04f090317_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3370/4562028753_c04f090317_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>which flips to... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Surprise!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>5 LIPPIES (highly pigmented balms)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/4562656444_7a5034342d_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/4562656444_7a5034342d_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">These are kind of in-between lip balms and lipsticks, they hold a lot of color but are not as quite as opaque as lipsticks unless you blend a lot of layers of product together. I'm sorry I skipped 1 shade as I was testing them, the one in the middle which is a metallic coral Pink, i shall update this entry when I photograph that tomorrow morning (I prefer to shoot in natural morning light). Colors from the top down are (as I describe them, they don't have names, how sad is that?): </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1. A satin mauve pink </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/4562659004_81cb6ffb31_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/4562659004_81cb6ffb31_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. A matte vermilion red </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3345/4562029329_e5a594e2cc_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3345/4562029329_e5a594e2cc_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. A metallic coral pink </div><div style="text-align: center;">(to be posted) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. A semi-matte berry red</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/4562659074_d16f96ff70_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/4562659074_d16f96ff70_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. A satin fleshy pink</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/4562659052_50b7d1dec7_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/4562659052_50b7d1dec7_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>EYESHADOWS</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here are the eyeshadows that I will be reviewing in my next entry. They slide out from beneath the lip palette, how cute is that?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/4562656590_62cc51ea38_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/4562656590_62cc51ea38_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/4562656748_a90581f641_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/4562656748_a90581f641_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and no you don't get only five... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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You get 10 eyeshadow colors in 2 drawers beneath the lippies :) </div><div style="text-align: center;">Swatches and test photos to come in my next entry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
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Pigmentation of the eyeshadows is reasonable and texture is soft. Admittedly, the payoff of these eyeshadows are not as smooth and pigmented as other high street brands, but with a little more blending effort I find them reasonable. What's nice is on the back of the box (the packaging) is the full list of ingredients for all the products in the kit. Hey, at least they were brave enough to be honest, even though the formulation isn't paraben-free, but hey, I've got trooper lids :)<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>MASCARA</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3489/4562027851_eba0c4a565_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3489/4562027851_eba0c4a565_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4562028417_504f086430_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4562028417_504f086430_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/4562659092_30257637f7_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/4562659092_30257637f7_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For me the mascara consistency is reasonable. Results, well I find that it's somewhat of a creamy, not overly voluminous finish, but hey, it's not dry or clumpy! I didn't expect for the mascara to be of any good in a promo package like this, I'm glad I was mistaken. I'm also happy it didn't make my eyes watery or itchy, and I'm so happy it didn't have a strong, fearsome, fumy smell (some mascaras smell as if they could help set your lashes on fire).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>EYE and LIP PENCIL</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These two I find to be the most cumbersome of the whole lot. They repeatedly </div><div style="text-align: center;">fall out of their slots whenever you open the kit, or even as your applying the blush or lip-colors. </div><div style="text-align: center;">While using the kit's compact mirror, they always fall out towards me. For convenience's sake I'd rather remove them from the kit from now on. However I still have a few minor things to say about their individual quality. Have a peek first.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Lip pencil (left) and eye pencil (right). Ummm, 3 light strokes each to achieve this swatch. The lip pencil I am already fond of as it is a deep fleshy bronze similar to Estee Lauder's Spice writer and Lancome's Le Lipstique in Bronzelle (which I carry in my personal kit). It works well with the lipcolors provided in the survival kit, but is particularly pretty with lippie #1 and #5 :) The eye pencil, ugh, is a soft smudgy black that smears and disappears within an hour or two of application. I am not a fan of it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Overall, I find this kit really nifty. At the promo price, it's good value for money. However, as I've been told, with the retail price being double the door-to-door value, I would call it overpriced in retail. What's really great is the entire kit is the size of a large cigarette case, fits in your purse! In fact, you actually carry several looks in your pocket when you carry this around in its really neat container. <br />
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</div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-33502994701687687802010-04-17T09:35:00.000-07:002010-04-17T09:50:49.383-07:00Glam Goodies from GuamMy 13 year old younger brother recently had a youth soccer tournament in Guam so he and Mom got their U.S. Visas and with his high school soccer team, the De La Salle Canlubang 14&under group, they headed for U.S. Territory. Of course coupled with that was a haul opportunity. It wasn't a major makeup haul but a really significant one for me since it was the first real one which I intended to write about.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">First in line, Lancome Le Lipstique Lipliner/Lip Pencil in Bronzelle. What I really like about this is that it comes with a lip brush on the other side. No more reaching elsewhere after drawing in your cupid's bow, simply flip to blend. Originally I wanted to save for Estee Lauder's Double Wear Spice Lip pencil, but Mom alerted me about the Lancome Sale in Guam, so I happily compromised. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Second is Lancome Aquatique Waterproof Eyecolor Base in Nude. Simply put, it is a waterproof eyelid primer in cream solid form. I originally asked Mom to hunt for the Ombre Perfecteur lid primer, but according to the Lancome Lady, Ombre Perfecteur has been out of stock for 2 months (good work, Michelle Phan). According to Mom this was a free sample that came with my Lancome Bronzelle pencil and the lady actually reassured her that this product by Lancome was better than Ombre Perfecteur. Will have to do an FOTD putting this to the test (wry smile, rubs hands together). Sorry I forgot to swatch this in the morning light. Mom came back from Guam with some virus so I had to get this over with tout suite.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S8nPBMzjcfI/AAAAAAAAAFU/LQb_ye8znp8/s1600/P1000715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S8nPBMzjcfI/AAAAAAAAAFU/LQb_ye8znp8/s320/P1000715.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S8nPH24vjdI/AAAAAAAAAFc/fg6EC1rZPLg/s1600/P1000717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S8nPH24vjdI/AAAAAAAAAFc/fg6EC1rZPLg/s320/P1000717.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Lancome was awfully generous. Upon purchasing Le Lipstique, Aquatique was not the only sample they were happily able to provide mom with. We also got 2 sachets of luxurious sunscreen and a travel size bottle of Lancome's gentle eye makeup remover, Bi-Facil, which I prize highly already.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next item in my cosmetic conga line is Rimmel's highly acclaimed (by the Pixiwoo sisters, Sam and Nic Chapman, thanks for pointing me in this direction) and not so very new Sexy Curves Mascara. Crowned like royalty it is, too. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S8nYwziwvfI/AAAAAAAAAGU/cI8ChSfq3UI/s1600/P1000752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S8nYwziwvfI/AAAAAAAAAGU/cI8ChSfq3UI/s400/P1000752.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S8nYnjdwTxI/AAAAAAAAAGM/f3SqHVy9qHk/s1600/P1000710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S8nYnjdwTxI/AAAAAAAAAGM/f3SqHVy9qHk/s400/P1000710.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: white; text-align: center;">The mascara applicator is curvy and wobbly , and I can hardly stop myself from beginning to rave about this mascara at the moment. I tried it immediately after I opened it, but I guess I'll save my comments for this product in my next FOTD. All I can say is, it's really, really good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">This is Sam Chapman of Pixiwoo in the video that convinced me I needed to get that awesome drugstore mascara :)</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Last,but not the least, is Cover Girl's travel-sized treat, their Shadowblast eyeshadow stick. I did a few simple swatches on my hand. I found it funny that the product was somewhat "sweating" inside the tube, the sudden shift in humidity I believe had something to do with that (90% tropical humidity), well, could be worse, it could have been melting. Don't have solid opinions on this one yet, i'd have to do a look to be able to comment more about this. All I can say is, it is possibly an on-the-go person's go-to eyeshadow. That would be someone with no time or tolerance to use brushes or other tools sold separately to achieve a perfectly blended made-up look. They kind of made me reminisce about my art classes that involved Sakura Oil Pastels. Ok, that's it for now. There's actually one more special item I didn't include here, simply because it's extremely special, I hold onto that one till I've tested and documented it :)<br />
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</div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-67982288910042763842010-04-04T09:42:00.000-07:002010-04-04T10:35:05.144-07:00Happy Easter & Cool Cousin-Owned Items :)<a name="fb_share" type="box_count" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script><h2 id="passage_heading" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hi Everyone! Have a happy easter, here are a few photos I took from our family's Easter gathering :) More of the decor and flowers outside that I thought were pretty...AND of course just wanted to share a few things of note that my young, pretty, blooming cousins own. Those won me over...haha, just wanted to share photos of those, too because I thought they were pretty cool :) </span></span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i8yx0TTZI/AAAAAAAAADs/2_3chAnw2DY/s1600/P1000480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i8yx0TTZI/AAAAAAAAADs/2_3chAnw2DY/s320/P1000480.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i9FWU6NvI/AAAAAAAAAD8/LkPSZGCdiqs/s1600/P1000532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i9FWU6NvI/AAAAAAAAAD8/LkPSZGCdiqs/s320/P1000532.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i85lmTR5I/AAAAAAAAAD0/frUIJdQinmo/s1600/P1000486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i85lmTR5I/AAAAAAAAAD0/frUIJdQinmo/s320/P1000486.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i9Sp4hqpI/AAAAAAAAAEM/mhlC5ipgv0M/s1600/P1000543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i9Sp4hqpI/AAAAAAAAAEM/mhlC5ipgv0M/s320/P1000543.JPG" /></a></div><h2 id="passage_heading" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h2><h2 id="passage_heading" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cool Cousin</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Clutter</span></h2><h2 id="passage_heading" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ella's pretty pink Coach wallet and Rocker double finger rings</span> </span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i9sBYiJBI/AAAAAAAAAEc/FHeZzre9nC0/s1600/P1000475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i9sBYiJBI/AAAAAAAAAEc/FHeZzre9nC0/s320/P1000475.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i-UcZ31SI/AAAAAAAAAFE/A35_JHLFEf8/s1600/P1000474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i-UcZ31SI/AAAAAAAAAFE/A35_JHLFEf8/s320/P1000474.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i-DcCGR4I/AAAAAAAAAEs/JdhYlkLZx_8/s1600/P1000303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i-DcCGR4I/AAAAAAAAAEs/JdhYlkLZx_8/s200/P1000303.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i-Qo1oksI/AAAAAAAAAE8/gT_FIo-kGf8/s1600/P1000305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i-Qo1oksI/AAAAAAAAAE8/gT_FIo-kGf8/s320/P1000305.JPG" /></a></div><h2 id="passage_heading" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></h2><h2 id="passage_heading" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kiana's Beautiful Sandals, brand unknown</span></span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i97JVJwtI/AAAAAAAAAEk/eaZK-1RuExg/s1600/P1000498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i97JVJwtI/AAAAAAAAAEk/eaZK-1RuExg/s320/P1000498.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i-Ks412MI/AAAAAAAAAE0/UGYXRQAdPqE/s1600/P1000477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7i-Ks412MI/AAAAAAAAAE0/UGYXRQAdPqE/s320/P1000477.JPG" /></a></div><h2 id="passage_heading" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></h2><h2 id="passage_heading" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and last but not least, Ella's, as she calls it "Crown Me a Lady" Ring. A black crown ring from Japan that's just chipped in the right places.</span></span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7jA049EV_I/AAAAAAAAAFM/XQ_x1SsIkCY/s1600/P1000517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7jA049EV_I/AAAAAAAAAFM/XQ_x1SsIkCY/s320/P1000517.JPG" /></a></div><h2 id="passage_heading" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></h2><h2 id="passage_heading" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Beautiful cousins, Beautiful stuff :)</span></span></h2><h2 id="passage_heading" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></h2><h2 id="passage_heading" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Matthew 6:33 </span></h2><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-23312">33</sup> But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.</div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-77383788666259126562010-03-28T21:46:00.000-07:002010-04-17T05:13:00.036-07:00Amen! I won in the Lanolips Contest Giveaway!I woke up from a nap and checked my email and holy WOW! I received one of the best facebook messages ever from Lanolips :)<br />
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<div class="GBThreadMessageRow_Info"><span bindpoint="authorLinkWrapper" class="GBThreadMessageRow_AuthorLink_Wrapper"> <a class="GBThreadMessageRow_AuthorLink" href="http://www.facebook.com/lanolips">"Lanolips Lip Ointment</a> </span> <span class="GBThreadMessageRow_Date"> March 29 at 11:32am </span> <span bindpoint="branchLinkWrapper" class="GBThreadMessageRow_BranchLink"></span> <span bindpoint="reportLinkWrapper" class="GBThreadMessageRow_ReportLink"></span> </div><div class="GBThreadMessageRow_Body_Content">CONGRATULATIONS! <br />
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You've won a Lanolips Rhubarb and 101 Ointment set.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="GBThreadMessageRow_Body_Content">Please let us know where to send your prize to. It will be put in the post this week.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
Lady Lamb x"</div><br />
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This was my winning entry :<br />
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Lady Lamb<br />
143 PuckerPout Rd.<br />
Fleeceville, Lanolips Land<span class="text_exposed_hide">... <span class="text_exposed_link"><a href="" onclick="CSS.addClass($("text_expose_id_4bc9a5582f4fd369c8a18"),
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Dearest Lady Lamb,<br />
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I have a beauty problem that perhaps someone as pretty as you can help me with. I adore your kissable lips but just can't seem to keep my own as healthy in a frequently air-conditioned environment at work, where I work 18 or sometimes up to 20 hours a day on some occasions as a visual effects compositor/animator. My boyfriend is also in the same department so I like to keep myself pretty and fresh even under pressure.<br />
<br />
I have all my beauty essentials and toiletries on hand, because sometimes we stay over at work due to intense projects, and under stress my lips always chap, flake, and bleed. I refrain from putting other products on once my lips have been wounded, because I don't know if they will help heal them or infect them.<br />
<br />
But Lo and behold I go online and see your pretty face, with those Garbo-esque eyes and perfect lips and I think you've got something more for me, something I've been needing all these years that is not available in this faraway land.<br />
<br />
Please help me, Lady Lamb. Send me your not-so-secret secret, and I will be forever grateful.<br />
<br />
Smoochingly sincere,<br />
<br />
julia<br />
(26 Manila, Philippines)</span><br />
</div><div class="GBThreadMessageRow_Body_Content"></div><div class="GBThreadMessageRow_Body_Content"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7AwFhqxFVI/AAAAAAAAADU/S5BG2IdsdqA/s1600/6130_123242013682_123237033682_2534027_1071161_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7AwFhqxFVI/AAAAAAAAADU/S5BG2IdsdqA/s320/6130_123242013682_123237033682_2534027_1071161_n.jpg" width="116" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7AwOXDVAEI/AAAAAAAAADc/Mglrart6MDA/s1600/27218_374232048682_123237033682_3857904_5343291_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7AwOXDVAEI/AAAAAAAAADc/Mglrart6MDA/s320/27218_374232048682_123237033682_3857904_5343291_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="GBThreadMessageRow_Body_Content"></div><div class="GBThreadMessageRow_Body_Content">Today feels like Christmas. I'm so thankful Lady Lamb gave me something to blog about today :) I love looking forward to receiving things in the post. This sooo made my day :) Here below are some soft lips I digitally painted in Photoshop using my pen tablet from before, I post them as a big thank you to Lanolips, sorry they're not colored yet...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7A_KWE9UbI/AAAAAAAAADk/U-7VgjnODA4/s1600/Exo-mouthcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S7A_KWE9UbI/AAAAAAAAADk/U-7VgjnODA4/s320/Exo-mouthcrop.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-62161010355243239242010-03-28T08:43:00.000-07:002010-03-28T09:16:48.350-07:00Michelle Phan's fave - CVS Essence of Beauty brushesLast week I received a package speedier than I expected from ebay! Oh my, this is it...the wonder cheapie...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S69jIvjhARI/AAAAAAAAACE/k6Mct9AQbe4/s400/P1000362%281%29.JPG" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Oh my goodness, these are the same brushes my idol (YouTube's #1 makeup guru) Michelle Phan uses!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S69jVlYsmLI/AAAAAAAAACM/fJss-I-aTmM/s1600/P1000364%281%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S69jVlYsmLI/AAAAAAAAACM/fJss-I-aTmM/s400/P1000364%281%29.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S691-WM8jPI/AAAAAAAAADE/rlWVBTGtnrY/s1600/P1000367%281%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S691-WM8jPI/AAAAAAAAADE/rlWVBTGtnrY/s400/P1000367%281%29.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S69ytCp9HYI/AAAAAAAAACs/5qL3LgFQ9_4/s1600/phan_purplehazy01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S69ytCp9HYI/AAAAAAAAACs/5qL3LgFQ9_4/s200/phan_purplehazy01.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span id="goog_1594358823"></span><span id="goog_1594358824"></span> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lancome-usa.com/beautyschool/faces-of-lancome/video-makeup-artist.aspx" style="color: #d5a6bd;">Michelle Phan</a> really made it clear that this is her<br />
favorite blending brush for her base.<br />
This is from her <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDZFL9VHnVs" style="color: #d5a6bd;">Purple Hazy</a> tutorial<br />
and her costume <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDUlcgDfYTo"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Geisha Tutorial</span><span style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">.</span></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S69zpABdQrI/AAAAAAAAAC0/51z6xFcdn88/s1600/phan_geisha.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S69zpABdQrI/AAAAAAAAAC0/51z6xFcdn88/s400/phan_geisha.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S69ykMeBaGI/AAAAAAAAACk/u_QROetHBRk/s1600/phan_hippie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S69ykMeBaGI/AAAAAAAAACk/u_QROetHBRk/s200/phan_hippie.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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She used this brush in a lot of her videos when she was just starting out as a makeup guru :) Here it is again in her <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fTToWUoz2o">Hippie Princess</a> tutorial<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">In all their glory</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S69kBVRMqAI/AAAAAAAAACc/jKfaA4pNyGw/s1600/P1000357%281%29%281%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S69kBVRMqAI/AAAAAAAAACc/jKfaA4pNyGw/s400/P1000357%281%29%281%29.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>I think what made her like these brushes a lot was that even when if you consider that Essence of Beauty is a drugstore brand, this set is still made with authentic hair and fibers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S6904tRIipI/AAAAAAAAAC8/2JbjIBlx3FI/s1600/P1000359%281%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S6904tRIipI/AAAAAAAAAC8/2JbjIBlx3FI/s400/P1000359%281%29.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">It says on the back of the reusable, resealable pack :)and yesterday I tried it on myself as I gussied up for my friend's bridal shower. Really nice for blending concealer under the eyes and around the nose...I'm super happy I got this set. Thanks, Michelle, for all that you share!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S693UL2WmbI/AAAAAAAAADM/uRMPT5UwKow/s1600/P1000372%281%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S693UL2WmbI/AAAAAAAAADM/uRMPT5UwKow/s640/P1000372%281%29.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S69ykMeBaGI/AAAAAAAAACk/u_QROetHBRk/s1600/phan_hippie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-66063480373344220292010-03-25T05:15:00.000-07:002010-03-25T05:32:14.801-07:00Lip Lovin' Lanolips - My first review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S6tUVp_lleI/AAAAAAAAAB0/qTnEiz7iYGA/s1600/omnibus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S6tUVp_lleI/AAAAAAAAAB0/qTnEiz7iYGA/s320/omnibus.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(picture taken from Lanolips' Facebook wall)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ah! So here I am having promised the people at <a href="http://www.addicted2lipbalm.com.au/">Addicted 2 Lipbalm</a>, a lip-care specialty store in Australia that I would share a few of my thoughts on my very first online purchases from them: Lanolips lip ointments. Here in the spotlight is <a href="http://www.lanolips.com/">Lanolips</a>' highly acclaimed (as featured within the pages of In Style) 101 Ointment - Ultra Medical Grade Lanolin.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S6s1xbmkF1I/AAAAAAAAABc/ZkrcfiROFBw/s1600/6130_123242013682_123237033682_2534027_1071161_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S6s1xbmkF1I/AAAAAAAAABc/ZkrcfiROFBw/s320/6130_123242013682_123237033682_2534027_1071161_a.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So first off, what is Lanolin? According to the online Encyclopedia Britannica, it is:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span bps-owner="" class="owner" style="font-size: small;" type="INSERT">"a purified form of wool grease or wool wax (sometimes erroneously called wool fat), used either alone or with soft paraffin or lard or other fat as a base for ointments, emollients, skin foods, salves, superfatted soaps, and fur dressing. <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">Lanolin</span>, a translucent, yellowish-white, soft, unctuous, tenacious substance, is readily absorbed by the skin and thus makes an ideal base for medicinal products intended to be absorbed." A note to some, it would be wise to know whether you are allergic to lanolin or not because a few people are. It's always good to be safe :)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span bps-owner="" class="owner" style="font-size: small;" type="INSERT">I heard about Lanolips from acclaimed UK Beauty Blogger Charlotte on her site <a href="http://www.lipglossiping.com/">Lipglossiping.</a> In ultra medical grade form Lanolin is pure and good as a skin emollient. I've tried their 101 lip formula and their tinted formula in Dark Honey, which is the sheer shade closest to my lipcolor. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S6s2PCX_o3I/AAAAAAAAABk/3TwW5ZFQEO8/s1600/colour_tubes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S6s2PCX_o3I/AAAAAAAAABk/3TwW5ZFQEO8/s320/colour_tubes.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span bps-owner="" class="owner" style="font-size: small;" type="INSERT"> (left to right: rose, apples, sunshine, and dark honey)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span bps-owner="" class="owner" style="font-size: small;" type="INSERT"> I was extremely satisfied with <a href="http://www.lanolips.com/">Lanolips</a> especially because I found myself not having to reapply till the end of the day unless of course I ate greasy food. My lips didn't crack and flake like they usually do, and even if they did bleed like before from excessive dryness, it would've been safe to reapply Lanolips because of its healing properties. I for one love that it eventually is absorbed by the lip after several minutes upon application and the product doesn't just sit greasy on top of the surface, plus all you need is a tiny bit. It's highly concentrated. A little goes a long way :) </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span bps-owner="" class="owner" style="font-size: small;" type="INSERT"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span bps-owner="" class="owner" style="font-size: small;" type="INSERT">The fine print on the back of Lanolips' 101 formula tube reads:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span bps-owner="" class="owner" style="font-size: small;" type="INSERT"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span bps-owner="" class="owner" style="font-size: small;" type="INSERT">"Lanolips 101 Ointment</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S6tTNxDZEDI/AAAAAAAAABs/UWFaZMlHTso/s1600/LL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S6tTNxDZEDI/AAAAAAAAABs/UWFaZMlHTso/s200/LL.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span bps-owner="" class="owner" style="font-size: small;" type="INSERT"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span bps-owner="" class="owner" style="font-size: small;" type="INSERT">Ingredients: 100% Ultra-refined Medical Grade Lanolin </span></div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">The purest medical lanolin</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">100% natural and pure</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Vegetarian and newborn friendly </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Animal cruelty free </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Ultra-hygienic and irritant free</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Holds 200% of its own weight in moisture</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Major ingredient used in wound-healing and hospitals.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Lanolips has 101 uses including chapped lips, nursing nipples, cuticles, </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">dry nasal passages, severely dry, cracked &itchy skin & more."</span></li>
</ul><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am based in the Philippines, so I was able to obtain my purchase through a family friend who visited Australia for around 2 weeks. In fact we hit a bump in the road when I gave the guys at Addicted 2 Lipbalm the wrong shipping address ( the house number was wrong by 1 digit) and the package got returned to sender. Thankfully it did and the store people gave me a chance to fix the error, they were so nice to me as a 1st time customer and resent the package to the right address at no extra cost provided that I give feedback on the products I purchased. Lanolips is great and Lady Lamb's red pout makes me smile every time I see her face.</span></span><br />
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<span bps-owner="" class="owner" type="INSERT"><a href="http://www.lipglossiping.com/"><br />
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<span bps-owner="" class="owner" type="INSERT"></span>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440405729754662343.post-30441961551303579192010-03-24T10:10:00.000-07:002010-03-24T10:13:54.453-07:00Testing posting...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S6pIKFampMI/AAAAAAAAAAM/vXH99Z1_mZE/s1600/timburton_blacklove.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LdLFlpEqX2Y/S6pIKFampMI/AAAAAAAAAAM/vXH99Z1_mZE/s400/timburton_blacklove.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452249636975060162" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Testing, posting 1, 2, 3<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Isa, Dalawa, Tatlo...</span><br /></div>JuliaBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734490878377477530noreply@blogger.com1