A Review: BLUSH 3-pc Dual Ended Brush Set

Among the many definitions of "versatility", this is what I find most apt when I talk about my new 3-pc dual ended brush:

(a.) Capable of being turned round.

It summarizes the ease, the convenience, and the functionality of using these make-up brushes.  I got mine from Suesh.  Being a reputable online seller of quality make-up brushes, I thought I'd give their featured product a try.

The 3-pc dual ended brush set made by BLUSH is a combination of synthetic (concealer and foundation brush) and b-grade goat hair.  The set includes: an angled blush brush opposite the powder blush, foundation brush opposite the concealer brush, and angled contour brush opposite the eyeshadow brush.

Large Eyeshadow Brush

Slanted Shadow/Contour Brush

Slanted Blush Brush

Dome Powder Blush

Foundie Brush

Concealer Brush

What I Like:

• Affordable.  This set costs only PhP450.
• Long enough. Allows comfortable handling of the brushes.
• All natural (save for the foundation and concealer brushes which are synthetic) thus picks up right amount of make-up.
• The slanted contour brush is my favorite as it allows me to blend eyeshadows well.  Its also perfect for doing nose contour.
• The slanted (I know it doesn't look slanted in the pic but it is actually slanted! ;-)blush brush is suggested best for doing face contour (something I've yet to learn).  In my case, I use it to apply blush.  It works. It picks up the right amount of powder.  I use the other end (the round tipped blush brush) to blend the cheek color.  Both brushes work satisfactorily. And I say that with a wink. ;-)
• The foundation brush is also a favorite.  Its very soft and it does a good job of distributing liquid foundation quite well.  
• The concealer brush is also good.  Its perfect for cream or liquid concealers.  I use it to pick and apply a concealer and thereafter use the foundation brush to blend it in.  Perfect.
• The brushes come in a zip-locked pouch.  The backing of which contains tips for doing facial contour.  Haven't had the patience to try out the tips but they do seem very smart.

What I Don't Like:

• The eyeshadow brush is well, "too large" for me.  It's nice, I just wish it's smaller so I can use it to apply eyeshadow evenly.  Because of its size, it's better used as a blending brush rather than as an eyeshadow applicator.
• Both blush brushes are kind'v small for my liking.  I wish they were atleast 20% bigger.

Over-all these are  good brushes for a beginner like myself. I purchased these primarily for use when I'm mobile as the brushes fit well in my purse.  (I just bring a smaller eyeshadow brush for touchups.)  Thank you Suesh for making these available. I am one satisfied costumer. **wink**wink** ;-)

Making-Over my Sister

My sister was marveling at the new make up brushes I just purchased from Suesh and asked if I could try them out on her.  I eagerly complied, ecstatic at the thought of playing around a bit with my little make-up collection.

Here's her before shot:

She asked me to give her a simple make-up that would be perfect for office or other day events. I moisturized her face and used two kinds of foundation: jade(Kokuryu) which also served as a concealer, and beige (EverBilena Two-Way Cake)to go with her natural skintone.

Her brows are naturally thick, so following their natural shape using an eyebrow pencil (SanSan Eyebrow Pencil in Brown) was easy.  I filled them in with my Natasha Sketches shadow in brown to even out the sparse areas.  I also used a very light shadow from my ELF Blackbook Palette, copper shade from the same palette, lined her eyes with Nichido Liquid Eyeliner in Black, and finished off her eyes with Avon's Voluminous Mascara in Black.

Her cheeks earned these healthy glow courtesy of ELF Bronzing Powder and Ever Bilena Blush in Everyday Shade.  I also contoured her nose and I've to admit I was very pleased with the results.  Her full lips have been painted with a very sheer combination of a coral shade Ever Bilena l/s topped with a Penshoppe Gloss.

And of course, the whole process entailed the use of my new acquisition:  the Suesh Blush Dual-Ended Brushes.

So here's my masterpiece sister's final look: 

On a note, I have noticed the big difference that emphasizing the eyebrows create. My sister has naturally lush and beautifully arched eyebrows. By filling them, I was able to make them stand out.  She seems to look a lot younger with her hair (which is also naturally wavy) loose and which such barely-there looking make-up, I think she's more pretty. =D

Pardon me for not being modest.  I am just one proud sister. ;-)

ELF's Triple Treat

I have never  tried using any eyeshadow primer before.  Call me a late-bloomer but yes, I am indeed.  I only started wearing make-up seriously when I was in my late 20s.  In college, we were told to put a little lipcolor if only to appear less pale, hence, appear more "grown up."

I started wearing make-up, in particular, eye make-up when I was nearing 30s already and yes, I consider it a chore.  It can be fun for the most part, but I admit feeling lazy sometimes to put it on given the kind of schedule I follow.

Anyways, one challenge a woman on the go like me has to over-come is seeing to it that make-up stays put for quite a number of hours each day in order to do away with the burden of having to constantly retouch.  This is what prompted me to try out a primer --

L-R: Sheer, Pearl, Champagne

L-R: Sheer, Pearl, Champagne

1 over Sheer, 2 over Pearl and 3 over Champagne.

 I did the swatches in my attempt to preserve my ignorance. Lol.  Notice that the primers weren't well blended. :P heheh. My apologies. I honestly didn't know they should be blended well first before layering 'em with the shadow.  Now my verdict: did I like it?  Nah.  Champagne and Pearl had glitter specks on 'em which were bothersome.  I imagine those two shades to suit younger girls better.  But a woman past 30 would look somewhat awkward with glitters on their lids.  SO while shimmers are acceptable, glitters are, in my opinion, not.  The Sheer shade though did perform well enough to my eyeshadows intact for a good 6-hours.  Not bad for the price I paid.  I think the tube can last me up to 12months (its maximum shelf life as indicated in its carton).

Over-all ELF's Triple Treat of a set of three eyeshadow primers wasn't exactly a treat. But like I said, it SHEERtainly did a good job.

Vapur is Cool?

Every disposable bottle saved is a small acts of kindness for Mother Earth.  And one such kind act is by bringing your own water bottles rather than always buying one in disposable containers.

I first laid eyes on these somewhere on a Facebook page that sold these for a only 90pesos. I was so close to making that online purchase (if only to try 'em out) when I saw these sold at my favorite stall downtown.

Each can hold 480ml (approx).  I like that it is light and hence, convenient.  I also like the colors in which they are available because I can choose one that could match the bag I use each day (like we do for the B&B Handy Bac) Heheh. For the meantime,  I picked one in fuchsia and in black.  

It claims to be BPA free which I think is that most important feature to consider when purchasing reusable water containers.  On a serious note however, I have yet to verify it.  Just for my peace of mind..

How much did I pay apiece?  Oh, a hefty 50! -- pesos yes. ;-) Now ain't that cool?

Madiha's Sigma Eyeshadow Give-Away!

They say the best things in life are free! In the case of blog-hopping, you come across a chance like this to win an eye palette of choice!  Ain't that cool?

Check out Madiha's awesome give-away by clicking here. And discover for yourself what treasures await in her posts.  She makes awesome reviews, make-up tips, and tons of make-up ideas that'll make you swoon in no time.

Cheers to an awesome lady from Pakistan who never fails to inspire us to stay beautiful -- inside and out! Stay pretty lovelies! Cheers!

It Wasn't Meant to Be---

I was looking for a perfect shade of brown to fill in my sparse browse.  Being a curious observer that I am of local beauty blogs, I did manage to take a sneak at the tips of fellow Pinays.  But alas, I stumbled upon a beauty find that I would like to brag about.

It's from Natasha's Teen Line called, "Sketches."  I found this beautiful brown eyeshadow duo which I ordered right away not for any other purpose but to have a staple brown shadow in my everyday kit.

Soo tiny.

Sold for PhP150 at Natasha website/dealers nationwide.

 

Swatch taken with Flash. (Left, Dark Brown; Right, Beige)

 

 

 

 

 

The lighter brown shade works well for contouring my nose and well, of course my browbone.  But the darker shade, alas! was the perfect kind of brown  I needed to fill my brows!

Take a peek at moi using it for a purpose for which it was not intended, heheh!:

At a friend's wedding.  Indoors, daytime.

Night-out, indoors.

 What I Like:

• Well-pigmented. 
• Shade compliments my skin-tone very much. (and I believe most Pinays' too)
• No weird scent, whatsoever.
• Lasts all day notwithstanding my oily skin.

 What I don't Like:

• Can't think of any. Oh, save the fact that it's only available thru Natasha dealers perhaps. =)

Over-all, I like this duo.  I am amused at how my brows have found their match in this tiny pair.  So yes, these weren't meant to be used for brows but hey, they work just fine so why complain?  I am pretty sure this'll be a staple in my kit for many months to come. ;-)

A Black Book Meant for Me

A "little black book" can mean different things to many people.  In the ancient time, a black book is synonymous with power. Whoever gets hold of it will have the key to having significant information that could spell power, success, or failure and even death.

It is perhaps this shroud of mysticism that led ELF to create their "little black book" series.  I got hold of one which I now happily consider, truly meant for me.

Its unbelievably tiny its just as big as m palm!

Although it says its Volume 1, Vol.2 was nowhere available just yet.

It has a built in mirror and a tiny sponge applicator.

The neutrals.

The fancies (along with more neutrals).

The colors are just what I need.  Plenty of neutrals and just enough fancy hues to play with when the need arises. 

What I Like:

• The myriad of colors! Gosh! How can I not drool when there's FORTY-EIGHT of them! 
• So tiny I can carry it with me all the time!
• No weird scent, whatsoever.
• The price! Geez, I only shelled out PhP399 for this!

What I don't Like:

• Pigmentation of some.  Without a primer, some colors just don't show up much.
• A seeming duplication of some hues.. One taupe is akin to another, another brown pretty much like the other.  They could have concocted more distinct colors, I wish!

Over-All:
I am loving this pallete...and thanking ELF for coming up with something as useful as this. Which leads me to wondering however, what could the Volume 2 be about hence?

Oh well, I can only wait.  For now, I am still basking in my love affair with this find.  Afterall, it's what I consider, "A Black Book Meant for Me." ;-)

Hearting HBC!

One thing I like everytime I go to HBC is the possibility of finding something that would tickle my fancy.  And this particular visit was no exception.  Why?  Because my purchase came with a freebie!

Here's what I bought (freebie included):

(L-R) Eye-Lash Kit; Soleil l/s in Peach Ibiza, Eye Pencils in Dark Brown, and Age Defense Concealer in #2

Top: Eyebrow Pencil in Brown (PhP55); bottom: Kohl Eyeliner in Brown (PhP105)

PhP109 (approx.)

Taken under Daylight, no flash

Swatch with flash under daylight

Without flash

Taken Indoors, daylight, without flash

indoors with flash

And here's the freebie (which I doubt I'll ever use) they gave me:

(L-R) Dip Liner, Faux Lashes in regular and fancy, a mounting guide (where you're supposed to apply glue in which to mount the lashes first before you put them on), and a lash holder (that you use to pick up the lash from the mount to put on your lids)

At the back of the box is a seemingly easy application guide.

What I Like:

• About the lipstick: well-moisturized, glides easily, somewhat yummy, color goes with just about anything.
• The concealer (which I forgot to shoot apart): blends with my skintone, has a very mild smell that vanishes right away, does a good job covering up minor flaws, lasts up to six hours!
• The eyebrow pencil: very nice texture, the color goes well with my complexion and haircolor, blends well with my brows.  I have yet to try the Kohl liner.
• The Lash Kit:  The lashes by themselves are great. I didn't have to cut 'em to fit my eyes.  The fancy lash can be pretty trendy for someone younger perhaps (not for a 30something like me =).  The holder and mount did a good job of helping a newbie false-lash user like me. 

What I did not Like:

• About the lipstick: seemed somewhat frosted of which I am not much of a fan.  Otherwise, it was okay.
• The concealer: works for me so I've no qualms about it.  Afterall, it's my 3rd tube. ;-)
• Eyebrow Pencil: works for me too. No complaints.
• The Lash Kit:  since I got it for free, I can't really complain. :P

Doesn't it feel good to get something for free especially when you least expect it?  Oh heavens!  I <3 you Hortaleza!  Mmmmuah!

I Do Aido!

I met these two lovelies and I was flabbergasted!  Heheh..

Oh, I drooled.. Over-reacting? Maybe.  But the culprit that got me ecstatic are these:

 They are so tiny they can fit even a a tiny coin pouch. Hence, they are very discreet.  But that's not just what convinced me to get' em..  Here's how they look.

This is shade number 12. Looks somewhat pink and peachy, very light and sheer but since the color is buildable, a coupla swipes can turn out like this.

And shade number 11.  Contrary to how it turns out in the picture, its not a bold red.  Its somewhat subdued and very wearable.

Why I like it:

• Moisturizing (although I'm originally a fan of matte colors)
• Beautiful, buildable shade
• No weird scent 
• Very smooth texture
• Savvy packaging
• Tiny size can make it very discreet

What I don't like:

• Limited choice of colors
• Doesn't last very long (but honestly, not complaining! =)

Will I buy Again:
        Certainly! =)

On shade#12, natural lighting without flash.

Of the two, I like shade #12 better.  I feel it suits me well and can definitely be anyone's pick.  But hey, that's not the best part yet.  The reason why I am actually saying "I do" to Aido is this...

Yup! You read that right. Heheh! TWENTY-FIVE PESOS! And they're not even on sale!  Witwew! I do <3 you Aido! Very, very much!