Human Heart Nature's Mineral Make Up Line

Having a sensitive skin sucks because it limits me from choosing products in a blur. I have to pick up stuff which suit my skin best, otherwise, I'll suffer. Thank God for mineral make up, I don't have to worry if I break out because mineral make ups are gentle to the skin. What I am more grateful for because my ever trusted brand, Human Heart Nature, finally launched their (almost full) mineral make up line which consists of powder, blush, eyeshadow, lipstick and lip gloss. I bought one for each and will probably do reviews as well.

Moving on, here's a run-through of each product in photos.


Human Heart Nature Mineral Powder in Orient Pearl. Available in four different shades, just choose the one that matches your skintone best---Island Shell, Sand Dollar, Boracay Bronze and Orient Pearl. Each powder costs PhP295.



Human Heart Nature Mineral Eyeshadow in Sweet Innocence. They also have this in Enchanting Evening. I chose Sweet Innocence because the palette is not too loud for day make up. And I'm putting make up on according to my environment. I don't want my students to think I'll go to a night party somewhere while I'm teaching them. At the back of the box, they have an illustration on how to apply it. That's very handy (for me especially because I'm a noob at this). Each palette is PhP225.



Human Heart Nature Mineral Blush in Rosy Cheeks. Also available in Petal Bloom, Tropical Rose and Pink Quartz for PhP175 each. Best if you want to have just the right amount of flush on your cheeks.


Human Heart Nature Hydrating Mineral Lipstick in First Kiss. Sorry about the quality of photo. I'll post a review on this when I get their red shade, Lucky in Love, for comparison. A tube costs PhP195 and comes in different shades: Pink Skies, Coral Kiss, Sweet Nectar, Earth Angel, Lucky in Love.



Human Heart Nature Mineral Lip Gloss in Pink Hibiscus. This is HHN's first time to release lip glosses to add in their mineral make up line. Available in two other shades: Island Berry and Coral Beach, each costing PhP225.

Looking at those figures you'll see how affordable HHN's mineral make ups are, without sacrificing the quality. Head over at Human Heart Nature's website to order yours, too. Or at their Facebook Page to know where you can get yours in their dealers near you.

MAC: Crosswires

MAC Crosswires is a subtle coral-pink lipstick that is perfect for summer. It has a cremesheen formula that gives my lips a decent color payoff. They said it is a little like Vegas Volt but Crosswires is not as bright and orange-y.

This is,in my opinion, one of the most gorgeous coral lipsticks. It gives my face a nice pop of color. It's not too vibrant but fun enough to be worn in the beach or even on an ordinary day paired with a neutral eye makeup.



What I love more about Crosswires is the moisturising feel it gives my lips. Normally, I would wear lipbalm underneath my lipstick so it won't feel dry but with this, I can skip that step. But since I've developed the habit of putting concealer under the lipstick, I still put on lip balm.

Pros:
- Very creamy.
- Hydrating.
- No odd smell. Vanilla is MAC's trademark scent.
- Long lasting. *
- It's on the permanent line so you wouldn't have a very hard time to get a hold of it... except if the people in your place are in love with gorgeous corals!

Cons:
- I can't say anything against this shade / lipstick.



Crosswires swatch from Temptalia


* Putting concealer underneath helps it last longer (lip balm, concealer, translucent powder, lipstick). It's a good thing this lipstick isn't drying that's why even concealer doesn't dry up my lips. The lip balm helps, too!

MAC Lipstick Finishes

MAC doesn't only have a large collection of shades but also a variety of different finishes. There are 8 at the moment (9 if you count amplified and amplified creme separately). So yeah, there's a really a bunch of options and it's not that easy to find which one suits your lips best. So let me describe to you each one of them so you'd know what to pick up next time! :)

Amplified / Amplified Creme
These two are very creamy. I don't know what exactly is the difference between the two. I'm guessing that Amplified Creme is a little bit creamier? The color payoff is very good because well, it's creamy and pigmented. It's quite gloss, too.

Cremesheen
I don't know if it's just me or this is really similar to Amplified. It's also creamy, very pigmented and glossy. The only difference I guess is that Cremesheen is more moisturizing.

Dazzle
Dazzling! Yep. It has super small glitters which might complement other people's lips but definitely not mine!

Frost
SHINY. The color payoff is okay, though but it's less opaque compared to other finishes. (Tried my friend's. I don't have any Frost lipstick).

Glaze
I don't have a Glaze lipstick but I've tried it twice. It is very sheer. Almost translucent. And I also find it drying. I guess this kind of finish is best to be worn over another lipstick, it's not good on it's own. (Swatch-ed a million times in Mac counters!)

Lustre
A tad bit more opaque than Glaze but can be translucent if not worn properly. I mean, your natural lip pigmentation shows through. So if you have very pigmented lips, I don't think that Lustre is a good choice of finish for you.

Matte
One of my personal favorites. The pigmentation is superb! And it stays on longer on my lips. It's quite drying, though. But putting on lip balm underneath does the trick... most of the time.

Satin
This one is almost as pigmented as Matte but is a bit shiny and hydrating. Also one of my favorites.

HAPPY SHOPPING, GIRLS! :)

P.S.
All the things stated above are just my opinions. If you think that I'm wrong, it's okay. I wrote these things based on my first-hand experience unless otherwise stated.

MAC Vegas Volt Lipstick Review

MAC Vegas Volt is a bright, orange-coral with an amplified finish. The color is very rich and definitely oozes with this summery vibe. Just so you know, amplified finishes are very easy to wear and do stay much longer than most finishes that I've tried. I cannot say if it lasts longer than matte, though, since I do not own a matte MAC. Amplified never dries out my pucker, too!

MAC Vegas Volt in the flesh as shown with and without flash.



Vegas Volt when worn with and without flash.



I love this lipstick not only because of the finish (I am a sucker for amplified!) and color but also because it immediately brightens up (read: happiness) any face when you put it on.


I can compare this lipstick with the MAC Toxic Tale (from the Venomous Villains collection; limited edition). They are almost the same! It is just that Vegas Volt (left swatch) is much more of a coral/orange while Toxic Tale (right swatch) is pink/red. But both of them are equally beautiful in all aspects.

MAC Bombshell Lipstick Review

MAC Bombshell lipstick is a bright, rosy pink with shimmer. It has a frost finish so don't expect it to be so pigmented like amplified and matte finishes have. It is nothing too loud for a shade of lipstick. In fact, it can be your everyday lip color as it is so feminine and soft without the very girly vibe; it is almost a nude pink for me. It is not drying but doesn't last that very long unlike my other MAC tubes.

MAC Bombshell with and without flash (pictured below). MAC lipsticks have this vanilla scent (but it is tasteless) which I think has been their trademark ever since.



This is me, bare-faced.


Me with MAC Bombshell (no flash).


(with flash).


The color is just pretty! I bought it for 900PhP, the usual price of MAC lipsticks. Before, MAC sold some here for 850 but they raised prices already. Limited edition cost around 1000PhP to 1150PhP/tube.

Nyx Round Lipsticks

If you want a drugstore lipstick that works very well, NYX Round Lipstick is probably the one you've been searching for.


Nyx is 100% amazing! I can't believe how pigmented and creamy it is. For an affordable drugstore lipstick, NYX is unbelievably awesome!


It's only 160php - 200php per tube. I got mine from Carefreeshopper for 160php.

I have this Nyx Round Lipstick in 3 shades.



Louisiana, Eros, Taupe

Louisiana is a crazy barbie pink shade. Perfect vibrant color for summer!



Eros is a firey red. You guys know how much I love red lipstick so this is an addition to my growing collection of REDs.

Taupe is good for your everyday color. I use neutral colors on my lips when I feel like sporting dramatic eyes.


Pros:
- Creamy. Pigmented. AMAZING.
- Very affordable! The most expensive one I saw online is 200php.
- Has a decent staying power. Good 4 hours. 6 if you don't eat.
- The packaging is small and classy. You can just throw it in your clutch when you're on a night out.
- Doesn't have an odd taste or smell.
- You have lots (and I do mean A LOT) of colors to choose from.
- One tube will last forever because you don't really need to reapply it from time to time.

Cons:
- I don't know if it's just me or it's really a tad bit smaller than your usual lipstick. The packaging is a bit smaller so I'm assuming that the product is lesser, but then again (see: last Pro)

If it isn't to obvious, I would most definitely buy some more of this! Current obsession, check!

I'm hosting a contest on my blog. You might want to check it out! SUPER GORGE ANKLE BOOTS AT STAKE! :)

Hits And Misses

I really need to control myself and stop buying things. Maybe not stop, but lessen the urge to buy products that I probably don't need. This experience just taught me how because this latest haul's results aren't so good for me as some of the products didn't work out at first glance. I'm being positive and hope I judged them too early. LOL. But, there are products that really made my day! ^_^



So much for the black packaging, LOL. If you're a frequent buyer of Ever Bilena products, then you'd know that most of the products I got are from Ever Bilena. XD Now, onto the blushes!



The packaging is really sleek, IMO. It has a similar packaging as that of MAC, I guess since it has two compartments, one for the blush itself and the other one is for the brush, which is pretty decent. These cost 150 Php each, BTW.



From top to bottom:
Earth - I just used this today, and I guess it made me look toasted. LOL. I still have yet to get the hang of colors like these since I'm a pink and peach blush person. But this would good for those with medium skin tones.
Cheek - This is just like a darker, shimmery version of Ever Bilena's Honest.
Honest - Similar to ELF's blush in Glow minus the shimmer. It's matte and that's why I like it. :D
Shy - a pretty shimmery pink perfect for night outs.
Raisin - my favorite. It's a matte baby pink color. It really gives my face a lift.



Ever Bilena's matte lipsticks which will be phased out soon. They're having it on sale until the end of the month so you guys better get a hold of it while they're still priced at 99 Php compared to their newer improved version which they'll be selling for 235 Php. That is if my source is accurate. XD



I'm in a lipstick and blush phase lately, particularly matte, and I know I have to consume them before I buy again. LOL.



From left to right:
Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Mauvey - my perfect pink nude lipstick. I pair this with their blush Raisin and I'm good to go.
Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Off Beat Pink - this kinda serves as my Barbie pink lipstick as of the moment. This is out of stock most of the time, and I immediately grabbed this as soon as I saw this one at Watsons since this was the only item available in this shade.
LA Colors Glossy Lips in Strawberry Shake - this surprised me because it's pretty pigmented and I love the shade!
Avon Simply Pretty Shiny Liquid Lipgloss in Strawberry Shine - very sheer that it actually looks like a cleakr lipgloss. -.-

The other things that I got which I didn't specifically took a picture of are:
Marionnaud angled blush brush - I'm gonna use this for contouring since I already have a blush brush and I love their brushes because they're dense and soft.
ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder in Honey - the product is good, but I bought it for contouring and it just gives me a red look, which defeats my purpose. I'm still looking for ways on how to consume this.
NYC Smooth Skin Loose Face Powder in Translucent - I love the powder, but I hate the packaging. It's hella messy!
Wet N Wild Beauty Benefits Effortless Eyes(Shadow & brow kit) - my biggest disappointment! I bought this primarily because of the brow kit, but it turns out the brow powders, as well as the shadows, were so powdery and not pigmented! The darker shade of its brow powder can be used to contour my nose though.
False eyelashes
Tweezers
A pair of scissors

That's it, guys. Sorry for the long post! XD

Avon Ultra Color Rich Mega Impact Lipstick

Kicked Up Coral, Brilliant Brown

To be honest, I was a tad bit disappointed with these lipsticks. I thought they were pigmented and creamy. They did not meet my expectation as a buyer because they said "ultra color rich" but the color wasn't very rich at all.

The product is also quite gliterry. Not that I have any problem with that since there weren't too much glitters but I still wish it was creamy.



Pros:
- Glides on very smoothly.
- Quite moisturizing.
- Doesn't feel heavy on the lips. It isn't sticky!
- You can't feel the glitters on your lips.
- Has SPF15.

Cons:
- Poor lasting power.
- The glitters stay on your lips even when the color has already worn off. Not pretty!
- Not pigmented. They look pigmented on the swatches below but it's because that's about 5 or 6 layers for each shade. Imagine that.

I definitely wouldn't repurchase. I wasted 998php on two lipsticks I thought I'd fall in love with but didn't.


Brilliant Brown, Kicked Up Coral (with flash)


Brilliant Brown, Kicked Up Coral (without flash)

Holly Molly!

I'm back with another haul. I don't usually do this, but I've got nothing to do, so I decided to just give you guys an update on the things I recently acquired. And yes, I do use these babies. Just so you know, I'm a thrift person so I won't buy something unless they are made to be on display. LOL. But if a product is an epic fail, then I just have to wait and see if I could find some use for it or toss it away. Haha.

Now onto the swatches and quick comparison:



From top to bottom:
Fashion 21 Color Pen in White - This is rubbish. Had to swipe several times and tug on skin so the color would appear
LA Colors Lipliner Pencil in Deepest Brown - I actually use this for brows since it doesn't have red undertones and the waxy texture keeps the brows in place
Ever Bilena Dip Liner in Black - It's black indeed! LOL. It's not waterproof
Wet N Wild Mega Creme Liner in Black - Doesn't smudge and of course, it's hard to remove. LOL.
Wet N Wild Ultimate Brow Kit in Ash Brown(light and dark shades) - My favorite! Read my rave here. XD



From Left to Right:
Wet N Wild Silk Finish Lipstick in 505 Light Berry - I must say this is a very pretty color. Others say that it's a dupe for MAC's Rocking Chic. I don't have it so I can't justify. LOL.
Wet N Wild Silk Finish Lipstick in 503A Peach Gold Pearl - There's nothing peach nor gold in this lippie. It actually appears bright pinkish red on my lips O_o But, I love how it doesn't dry my lips out and doesn't settle on the lines
Maybelline Extreme Moisture Lipstick in G132 Nude Blush - Lovely nude lippie!
Maybelline Extreme Moisture Lipstick in A55 Orchid Frost - Makes my teeth appear yellower because of the blue undertone. O_o





Maybelline's packaging is prettier than Wet N Wild's, but still looks plain and the lippies are just a tad taller than the latter.



From left to right:
Skinfood Salmon Darkcircle Concealer Cream #2 - I LOVE this concealer! It neutralizes my bad dark circles. :)
NYC Cover Stick Green Concealer - Does its job in countering red spots.
ELF Natural Radiance Blusher in Glow - One of my staple items in my makeup kit. As what its name says, it makes me glow.
Ever Bilena Advance Studio Finish Stick Foundation in Creme - Didn't fail me as well, but has a strange smell. Review here.

The only item I didn't swatch was my Wet N Wild Lash Intense Mascara in Black. I love how it has 2 shapes of lash combs, if that even made sense. LOL.

Pardon the almost-pic-spam post. Hehe!

Edit: I made a look out of these items. Check it out! :)