Pantone Colors for Spring 2013

A little guide for the season! :)

Product Review: Bench Pretty When Pinched Lip and Cheek Tint

Ola! Welcome to my first ever product review! *cue drumbeats and slow claps*

Brand: Herbench

Price: Php 180.00

Bought: Bench, Trinoma

I mainly use tints as blushes just because I like my blush in liquid or cream form rather than powder form. When I swatched this tint inside the store, I was hesitant to get it because I noticed that the line I applied with the brush shows harshly after I blended it. However, I have actually realized that the mistake was mine when I applied a thick line over my hand to swatch, looked at it for a few minutes and then blended. What I immediately learned from this tint is that it dries easily.

Here's how the tint looks when swatched:

Here's how it looks like blended:

One of the caveats of this tint is that it transfers color on your fingers as you apply it. Based on my experience, I felt like 40 percent of the product got transferred on my finger.  

There are actually two ways to wear this on your cheeks. The first time I used this tint, I apply three dots on my cheek and then I blend with my fingers, buff with a contour brush from Marionnaud and then top with powder. But then I learned from a friend that a technique to make the application easier and foolproof is to mix it with a little bit of your moisturizer which tames the color, makes it easier to blend and also make it last longer.

I tried mixing the tint with my Nivea moisturizing sunblock.

And here's how it looked:

Personally, I prefer the dot and pat application because it's quicker, easier and I think the undiluted color works better for my skin tone (medium). What I think is best about this tint is that it really lasts all day! That makes it a winner for me. 

It comes in a practical packaging that makes it look like, for lack of a better word, a pail. I really do wish they make it a bit more girly or fun or cute. It comes with a built in brush on the twist open cap, This brush looks like a nail polish brush but it is soft and dots the product in effectively so I have nothing against it. 

The last time I wore this was friday, which was a jam-packed day for me. I met a friend to catch up over coffee in manila, met another friend in BGC to do last minute shopping in the giant fullybooked store (traffic was crazy!), then went back to manila to meet some cousins for dinner. And throughout this whole ordeal, when I came back home and looked in the mirror, I still got it. That healthy natural looking flush on my cheeks. 

I didn't reapply primarily because I had no time to do so, and because I don't like carrying the tub in my bag. But albeit no re-application, just oil blotting and powder application, the color stayed and made me healthy looking despite all my haggardness. 

And that is why I am able to tell you this: I am so in love with this tint right now and it's a lifesaver for me! 

Would I Repurchase? I don't think I'm going to run out of this anytime soon, there's a lot of product in that tub! But if I do run out and I definitely will! :)

Over-all Rating: 9/10
Packaging: 7/10 (Practical but I'd really love if it comes in a girlier packaging)
Lasting Power: 10/10 (lasts me the whole day under intense circumstances)
Color Pay-off: 9/10 (provides a healthy natural looking flush)
Price: 10/10 (affordable and performs well)

How about you? What's your favorite cheek product? :)

Christmas Wishlist 2012

I love the Christmas season! That statement pretty much sums me up ones the -ber months roll in. I am in love with the festivities, the merry air, reunions with family and friends, holiday food, beautifully wrapped gifts, and Christmas themed outfits, among others. Christmas for me is the season when it's okay to be a little materialistic and wish for things that you'd want to enter the new year armed with. I am the type of girl who saves up the whole year just to spend it all for December. With that, let me share to you the things that I so frenziedly wish for this holiday season. 

SHOOTING FOR THE MOON (AKA THE LONG SHOTS)

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Glitter-finish leather mouse ballet flats

Photo from net-a-porter.com

I have dreamed of these flats since I saw them on Chiara's blog. They are absolutely dreamy. I get kilig just thinking of them :">. Someday, oh someday. 

Balenciaga

Classic City Rose Thulian

Photo from Balenciaga.com

My must have trophy bag of all time. Simple and functional. Seriously, I want all the colors! 

Yorkshire Terrier

Photo from google.com

I have always wanted a small cute puppy, but my mom would always tell me I'd have no time to take care of it with school and everything, and no one would take care of it if I can't. Thus, I may have to put off having one until I can afford to have and maintain one myself. 

Paris Trip!

Photo from google.com

I am in love with this city. I have ton of travel books about Paris and I feel giddy looking through travel photos on the internet. Someday, I want to stay in Paris for a month or so just to do all the things I have and am planning on doing once I can visit the place :)

NOW LET'S GET A LITTLE MORE REALISTIC

John Green Box Set

Php 3000 at Fully Booked

Photo from fullybookedonline.com

Hardbound editions of John Green bestsellers. It includes The Fault in Our Stars, Papertowns, An Abundance of Katherines, and Looking for Alaska. I've been wanting all four books, so this set is just perfect. I know there is a signed edition of this set, but I don't know how much it is or if it is available yet. I don't mind the unsigned copy though, it's the book that matters for me.

Uglies Box Set

Photo from barnesandnoble.com

I read a sample of this on my kindle and I loved the first few chapters of the first book. It made me want to read the series! This set includes the three books of the series: Uglies, Pretties, and Specials.

Book Description on Barnes and Noble: This arc of Scott Westerfeld's UGLIES trilogy follows the high-tech adventures of Tally Youngblood. As an ugly, then a pretty, and finally a special, Tally works to take down a society created to function with perfect-looking people who never have a chance to think for themselves.

Interesting right? :)

Ines de la Fressange's Parisian Chic

Photo from google.com

Oh what's not to love about thee? It represents three things I'm in love with: books, fashion and Paris!

 

Benefit Boxed Sets

Photo from benefitcosmetics.co.uk

Photo from benefitcosmetics.co.uk

I have never tried anything from benefit, and I have always wanted to. Now that they're available locally, I wish this is my chance to get my hands on their products! What I especially want to try out is these two box sets: How to Look the Best at Everything and Finding Mr. Bright. I love the no makeup makeup look and I am always trying to find the best way to do it. This complexion perfecter and highlighting set seems perfect for that. How about you, what is your favorite make up look and how do you achieve it? :)

Nine West

Square Gold Tone Glitter Watch

photo from ninewest.com

I have few watches because it's hard to find one that suits my thin wrist (my brothers and I are small-boned). When I saw this watch on Cosmo, I immediately thought it would be perfect for me. Added bonus? It glitters! :)

Trip to the beach!

Photo from google.com

You have probably guessed by now that I love traveling and going to new places. My favorite place to go on vacation to? BEACHES. And I do believe we have great ones here in the Philippines. The best one I've probably been in is Palawan's beaches. It is heaven there and my Christmas wish is to go back!

THE LITTLE SOMETHINGS (AKA THE STOCKING STUFFERS)

Chapstick Candy Cane Lipbalm

Photo from amazon.com

Put the holiday spirit in everything, even in lipbalms! :)

Blackberry Phone Case

It seems to me that only IPhones have pretty cases, which is so unfair to me. I go to countless stalls looking for pretty cases for my BB Curve and always to no avail. I wish this Christmas I could find one. If you know a place that carries pretty BB Curve cases (like the ones above) please do tell me in the comments below and make my Christmas wish come true :) 

Etude House Nail Set

Photos from projectvanity.com

I read about this nail set from the project vanity and I fell in love with the colors and the sparkle. I am a fan of Etude House, because they have adorable products that performs as good as it looks. Plus, their store is always a pleasure to visit. On a side note, I am so happy that glitter and sparkle seem to be this year's theme for the holidays. It enables me to justify my love for both, if only for this season. Hehe. 

Accessorize Fox Ring

This ring is so beautiful. I saw it in store and immediately fell in love with it but I didn't get it because I was saving up for my mom's birthday. I hope it's still available in stores. *fingers crossed*

There you have it! My long list of Christmas wishes from the long shots to the stocking stuffers. How about you, what's on your Christmas wishlist? :)

I hope you enjoyed this post. Comments and suggestions are always appreciated! :)