Makeup Brushes for Beginners

Magandang Araw! (Good day!) to all my friends and visitors. I'll be talking about  makeup brushes for beginners.

Before we start, I just want to put a disclaimer on this subject. These are the brushes that I usually use in my makeup application. Some of these brushes might not be useful to you. It all depends on your preference, comfort and convenience.



I just hope that this would be helpful in your decision making if you are planning to purchase brushes for the first time. I don't use all of this brushes in every application but I do use them often.

Blending Brush
Blending brush creates softer and seamless look. It is a must thing to do - blend eye shadows for a cleaner look.

Eye lash and Brow Wand

I use this to soften and contour my eye brows. Also, I use this to remove the clumps after the mascara application. 

Eye Liner Brush

I use this to fill and line my brows too. Also, I use this to put eye shadow on the roots of upper lash lines to make my lashes look fuller and sometimes on the lower lash lines too.

Eye Shadow Brush

I normally use this to apply eye shadow on my eye lids. 

Fan Brush

I use this to clean my under eyes whenever there are eye shadow fall out. Every time I want a softer makeup look I would normally use this to apply blush, face powder and also in contouring my face. I can easily build up the powder as the hair is not dense so it doesn't get a lot of powder. 

Foundation Brush

This makes it easier for me to apply foundation on my face especially the inner corners of my nose and under my eyes. 

Lip Brush

I always use this every time I wear red lipstick or any darker shade. It helps me create cleaner lines on my lips.

Powder Brush

Obviously as the name implies, I use this for face powder. Sometimes I use this for blush application.

Angled Brush

This helps me create a more defined brows. I normally use this whenever I use eye shadow.

 There you have it guys. I hope this was helpful to you. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Pin this post so you can always come back. 

One last thing, if you want to receive updates via email, just enter your email found at the side bar panel. Don't worry, I won't spam your inbox.

See you again and talk to you soon!

June Bella Box 2014 - Unboxing with Product Review

Hello Maganda ( Beautiful )! At last, I already have my Bella Box June2014 Edition.

Finally, I already uploaded the video. Please continue reading for more pictures and first impressions.




The theme for the June Box is Haul of Fame.

Sugar Lip Treatment
Review/First Impression: I love the packaging. The scent is like Halls candy. I wanted to eat it. Haha. I have the Sugar Rose. Indeed, it is moisturising and love it on my lips. It doesn't leave on my lips for 6hours.  I have dry cracked lips so I have to re-apply as often as I can.

Laneige BB Cushion [Pore Control] and 6in1 BB Cushion

Product Review: Not yet to be updated.

Appelles Apothecary
Product Review: It has a strong scent. Actually, when I opened the box you can immediately smell its scent. It's a good scent actually.

I also like it's packaging. Haven't tried the product yet.

Benefit They're Real Mascara
First Impression: I expect more from this product but when I tried it the first time, I instantly do not like it. I have the typical Asian lashes - straight. This did not really do the job that I expect it to do. I was very excited about this product but I was a bit disappointed after the first try. I do not like the wand and it was a bit messy to apply.

Apothederm Firming Serum
First Impression: I thought it's a spray as judge with the sample bottle but its a transparent gel like texture and it has a nice mild scent. It is light and not sticky to the skin.

La Fresh Travel Lite Makeup Remover Wipe

First Impression: I like that this makes the cleaning of my face easier while on travel. Not yet used, review to be updated.

Verdict:

Overall, I am happy. There are new brands in this box that I am eager to try out. I like that there are more makeup products than my first May subscription.

I can't wait to received my July Bella Box. If you want to get yours now click here.

Thank you so much for being with me today. Talk to you soon.

NYX Box of Smokey Look Collection Review

Hello beautiful friends! Today, I am going to talk about NYX Box of Smokey Look Collection. I bought this online in qoo10 in Singapore.

If I can remember it right it cost around SGD $24. I wanted to buy something that I can use for years and if possible an all in one makeup kit.

The packaging is quite sturdy. It is plastic and a bit bulky since there are a ton of makeup products inside.

It has a rectangular mirror inside.

As you can see in the image below, it already has a lot of scratches but so far no cracks or whatsoever.

The palette are split into 4 section - Classic Smokey, Purple Smokey, Bronze Smokey and Natural Smokey. It also has bronzer, highlighter, contour and blushes.

At the bottom, there's a drawer filled with 16 lip colors (some are like lipstick), 12 glitter creams and 4 concealers/correctors
.

The eyeshadow colors are lovely. Even though it says Smokey look, you can always create something you really want.

If you’re addicted to smokey eyes, this kit is custom-made for you. It contains a palette of pigmented eye shadows to create gray smokey eyes, purple smokey eyes, bronze smokey eyes and natural smokey eyes. Kit also contains 3 blushers, 3 face powders, 4 concealers, 16 lip colors, 12 glitter creams and 1 black eye liner.  (source: NYX cosmetics.com)

Here are the swatches for the Classic Smokey eye shadows...

Here are the swatches for the Purple Smokey eye shadows...

Here are the swatches for the Bronze Smokey eye shadows...

Here are the swatches for the Natural Smokey eye shadows...

It also comes with quad eye shadow palettes.

Verdict
Most of the eye shadows are pigmented although there are a few of them that are not so pigmented. As you may see in the above photos, some are not so obvious especially the neutral shades.

Overall, I am satisfied. Great value for money. Great for those makeup addict or begginers who are on a budget.

The quads are great as it gives you an idea which eye shadows to combine. If you are a beginner and is afraid to experiment, these quads are great to start with. The thing that I don't like with these quads is that I have to use it carefully to avoid mixing the 2 eye shadows together during application.

The 12 lip colors are just okay. There's one lip color that I keep on using (see the arrow).

I haven't used the concealers or correctors. The consistency is creamy. I haven't used it under my eyes yet.

The least touched product in this makeup set are the glitter creams. I don't go out to parties or special events so I never used it. Though, I tried testing the product and the glitters were fine in texture and it doesn't come off easily when I rub it. Definitely, a good addition to the palette especially for someone who likes to attend special events or a themed party.

The eye liner is also okay. Nothing fancy as I can recall.

I don't carry this around during normal days. I bring this whenever I travel outside Cebu City be it overseas or domestic.

Final Verdict

Yes, I am totally happy with this purchase. For a price of SGD$24 "Super Duper Sulit na talaga ito". The quality overall is good and you get a lot of products in it.

If you want to see a video/post using this makeup kit, view it here or just hit the play button below.




Thank you so much for watching and I hope I was able to help you in anyway. Talk to you soon and please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Bella Box Singapore May 2014 Unboxing and Review

Hi guys! How are you today? I wish you all are okay. I'll be sharing about Bella Box.

Bella Box is a company offering sample beauty and skin products from high end brands. Usually, they put all the samples in a pretty box that consist of 5+ products plus a bonus item. It cost $19.95/month.

I bought mine in Singapore. It's my first ever beauty subscription box and of course I was very excited.

I asked the team to send the box earlier than scheduled and it was nice of them to accommodate my request. Special thanks to Ms. Shama.

If you prefer to watch the video, just hit the play button below.



This is the box.

The box has welcome brochure with coupon and information card.

Inside it has pink Japanese paper with pink ribbon.

Inside the box are...

Herblean Whitening and Hydration Mask

Herblean Whitening & Hydration Mask Review: I just love this. I was quite tired when I tried this mask and it was refreshing and the fact that it is wet, it feels cold on my face. The moisture in the mask is generous. I did not noticed immediate whitening of my face, of course. One use is never enough to really notice any result. However, it was smooth on my face and I noticed that my skin was supple after use. I had so much relaxation when I applied this on my face. 

How 'Bout Them Apples Cheek and Lip Cream Palette Review: I used this in my No makeup Makeup Look Video (which will be out soon) and it looked natural on my skin. I applied it on my cheeks and lips. I was a bit cautious because I am not sure how pigmented this balm is but so far it was okay. It feels glossy on my finger tips. They gave me the color "pie".

 Himalaya Herbals Clear Complexion Whitening Face Scrub

 Himalaya Herbals Clear Complexion Whitening Face Scrub Review: The scent is like a baby lotion or powder. It's mild and I like it. The grains are not too much. Actually, I used this everyday until now. When I use it I move my hand in a circular motion in a very gentle way. I just came from our Beach vacation so I really cannot tell about the whitening effect of this product. The sample size is generous. 

Keranove Nutrition and Care Treatment Ampoules for Dry and Damaged Hair REview: I tried it once so far. I think the sample size can be used up to 2-3 times depending on the length of the hair. I have long hair up to bra line. The texture is liquid and not sticky. It doesn't have that strong scent which I like. I almost couldn't smell the scent. When I applied on my damp hair, my hair feels softer but when it dried my hair feels normal and nothing spectacular. I still have to finish the whole ampoules and update this review for more findings.

Herblean Whitening and Hydration Spray Review: First of all, I like the packaging. It has mild earthly scent like grass or morning scent. When I spritz twice my whole face was already wet. I can't use this when I have makeup on. I think 1 spritz is all I need. When spraying it should be a foot away from your face. It was refreshing. The whitening and brightening effect still has to be observed.

Dr. Jart + Bounce Beauty Balm Review: My first impression on this product is it smell bad. It smells like plastic or something. It came with a small sponge. I am not sure if the scent was from the packaging or the bb cream itself. When I applied it, I don't know about other customers but I could feel there was a minty sensation on my face. Brightening effect? still have to use it more and will update you on any development.

Rexona Women Whitening Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Review: My 2 weeks is not over yet so what I can review for now is about the scent and texture. I love the scent. The texture is not too sticky and most importantly, I don't sweat a lot than usual. The next morning, I can't smell bad armpit odor which is really good. For the whitening effect, well I still have to use it more to really see the difference.

Activa Starter Vitamin C Review: The taste is a bit sour. It's like I am eating candy. It is not sweet at all but I like the sourness of it. 

If I have to compute how much this May box cost. Definitely, it cost more than $19.95.

It is so exciting to try other unfamiliar brands and discover new good products. I saw the June Bella Box and I can't wait to receive mine because the box comes with Anna Sui Fragrance, Benefit Mascara, Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Tint and Laniege BB Cushion. Yay! I am more interested in makeup than in skin products so my excitement is doubled.

Bellabox is the best way to discover new beauty and lifestyle products. Join now to receive a beautiful box in the mail each month with the best and brightest beauty products out there. Click here.