Best of 2012 TAG

I saw this tag being done in you tube and I thought it was fun and I wanted to do it. So here I am bringing it into the blogosphere. I tag everyone who reads this post to do the same on your blogs! :)

There's three categories: Beauty, Fashion and Random :)

BEAUTY

1. My favorite face product of 2012

Clean and Clear Oil Control Film

I know this product had been around for a long time, but it is only this year that I got around to trying them. This changed my daily life greatly because it eliminates the need to apply powder every time my face gets oily. A few pats of this film on my face and I'm back to being fresh faced without the need to pile powder on :)

2. My favorite cheek product of 2012

Bench Pretty When Pinched Cheek Tint

I've already raved about this product here, and I had been using this every day since I got it. It is quick and easy to apply, gives a nice natural flush and stays on all day! :)

3. My favorite eye product of 2012

 

Nichido Eyebrow Liner Duo Kit

It's a bit messy because I do use it everyday. The lady on the counter told me that one's a powder and the other's a wax but I cannot remember which is which, but it doesn't matter because I mix the two together anyway. I find that the mix of both gives me a really nice natural eyebrow look that I think pulls any look together. I bought this the first half of 2012 though I can't remember what month exactly, and it still has a lot of product left.

4. My favorite lip product of 2012

Nivea Fruity Shine Lip Balm in Pomegranate

I never leave home without this! Keeps my lips moisturized and provides a nice sheen :)

5. Skincare Product

This was my moisturizer for the biggest part of 2012. I was actually surprised that it works on me because other Pond's products doesn't really. But with this, I don't get that much pimples, it cleared up my face a little bit and my face doesn't feel dull by the end of the day. It is also inexpensive and in my opinion, you get great quality for the price :)
 

6. Nail Polish

Photo from Google Images

I don't really do my nails on my own. I usually leave it to the capable hands of nail spa personnel, but what I loved this 2012 is the gradient nail trend that's going on. I'm not a big fan of loud colors for nail polishes, I prefer the natural neutral ones and the French tip is my favorite so I love that the gradient trend was able to breathe new zest into this classic.
 

7. Hair product

Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Conditioner

 I've already raved about this product here. So I'll just probably say the same thing: This is perfect for my curly locks! :)
 

8. My favorite body product of 2012

I'm a very practical girl and so I won't pick some fancy body product for this spot. Instead, I award the best body product of 2012 to this Vaseline lotion with SPF 24. This is a lifesaver for university students like me, who have to walk under the heat of the sun almost everyday.

FASHION

9. Clothing piece 

Shorts were definitely my clothing of choice this 2012. I amassed a great number of them this year - lace, studded, printed, colored, ombre and more. I love that they came out with different styles other than the usual denim ones.

10. Accessory 

In my December favorites, I have said that rings were my accessory of choice for the latter part of the year. But for the greater first part of 2012, I got really into bracelets. I loved matching them with each other and with my outfits. So I think they deserve this spot :)
 
11. Pair of shoes

My nude flats! I wore this almost everyday for school because they are so comfortable and they match anything. Mine definitely looks a lot worn out than this one right now. My shoes are something that I think take for granted because if I like a pair, I would wear them out to the point that I can't use them anymore. Not a good practice, I know.

RANDOM

12. Favorite TV Show/Movie

Since I can't possible choose a favorite movie for this year (because I liked a lot of movies this 2012), I am choosing for this spot my favorite TV Show for this year which is...

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES!

I am a big fan of this show, and not just because of dashing Damon Salvatore but also because of hot hybrid Tyler Lockwood. Haha, kidding (a little bit!). Seriously, I like how the story develops. It always makes me think: "How are they going to develop this storyline further?" And just when I thought they have done everything there is to do with witches, werewolves, and vampires, they still manage to surprise me. Every season, more so, every episode, it gets more complex and thrilling. And that's the real reason why I like it ;)

13. Favorite book

Photo from Google Images

I am a fan of Murakami because for me, his imagination is commendable. I read this book February last year and I can say it's my favorite for the whole year because the story is unique, gripping, and surprisingly relatable. It's a different kind of love story and I could read it again and again... and again.

14. Food

Photo from Mochikomochi.com

 I'm a dessert girl. I'm the type who'll eat dessert before the actual meal because I don't want the meal to make me feel full before I can savor my dessert. I'm weird like that. Last year, my addiction was Mochi Ice Creams! I love them, I do think they're expensive but I can't help my cravings!

 

15. Beverage

Photo from Mocktail Republic

 These are my favorite beverage of 2012! I keep coming back to Mezza Norte for these drinks.

16. Favorite song

This is another hard item for me but I guess I have to choose the song that best represents my fighting spirit circa 2012. I know this is an old song (not really released 2012) but it's my ultimate girl power anthem last year, haha.

There you go my 16 best of 2012! If you do this tag, please send me a link, I'd love to see yours :) 

 

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? :)