Product Review: Smashbox ON IN 5 Beauty Kit

I got a hold of Smashbox ON IN 5 Beauty Kit from Beauty Bar Podium from way back early March 2009. It was such a steal for less than Php3000.00 ($47 at Ulta.com) for the products inclunded.

I'd like to give you a blow by blow picture of the products that is included in this kit.

Smashbox On in 5 Beauty Kit



NEW! Smashbox Fusion Eye & Cheek color in On In 5: A multi-tasking palette for the busy chic. Get your eye colors and cheek color in one.

Smashbox Fusion Eye has everything you'll need for a nice defined neutral eye look. You have a highlighter, Brow color (matte brown), lid color (yellow gold) that can be used as highlighter, crease color (shimmery taupe) and a peachy eyeshadow as accent.

Cheek color part is to swirl lightly your fan brush or your favorite blush brush, apply softly to the cheek starting at the hollow of your cheeks and blend to your cheeks. this way you can contour your cheekbones and just meld in the blush at the same time. Or simply concentrate your blush on the Peach color part and apply as you would any blush. Apply beige higlighter on the high planes of the cheek for a more awake look.


NEW! Smashbox Fusion Eye & Cheek color in On In 5



Smashbox Cream Eyeliner in Midnight Brown: This would be my second pencil from my two Smashbox Kit. I'm not much of an eyeliner user but this one does the job nicely. But I doubt I'd grab this alone on the counter. I'm happy I got this for me, though.


Cream eyeliner Pencil in Midnight Brown


Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss - Sheer Color in Illumene: This one I love! It's nearly close to my Nars orgasm Lipgloss but a little less stickier and has more shiimmer. This is actually a good inclusion in the Kit. No need for lipstick with this one as it will sincerely enhance the color of your lips. It's great to partner with any nude lip color as well. I also love that the applicator is a brush instead of doe foot as it provide me a better precision when applying the product.





Smashbox Photo Op Undereye Brightener: It has a almost liquid feel to it that glides on the eyes seamlessly without worry of tugging the delicate skin under our peepers. I use to apply this after my powder foundation and I thought it did nothing to brighten my eyes. But upon watching videos from Smashbox, I learned that this is applied first before other products and set with a foundation. Though this will not lessen your dark undereyes (concelear is still the key to this), it will definitely improve your eyes in the simpliest way.

When the camera flash catches the shimmer from the photo op, it will natrally reverse the look dark undereyes that we have.




Smashbox Photofinish UVA/UVB SPF 15 with DermaxylTM Complex: I don't know why but I love this better than any other Smashbox primer I have and have tried. The look and feel reminds me so much of Monistat Prime but without clogging my pores too much. For those who have a few bucks to spare and are worried about fine lines, wrinkles, etc. I highly recommend this one.

And a little goes a loooooong way. :) i'm glad I got this at a fraction of its original price!



Photo Finish Primer SPF 15 with Dermexyl Complex

Smashbox Bionic Mascara: This mascara isn't really a typical mascara because of its Ionic Technology providing a stronger and healthier lashes. Had it not been for this, I would consider it just a typical volumizing mascara. The brush though is really non-clumping and coats my lashes evenly.

Author's note: I would really recommend this one (if it's still available at the Beauty Bar) to those who are new to makeup. This really is a versatile kit that can bring your look from day to evening, from monday to friday. If it isn't available anymore, I would suggest you find kits similar to this one as it is more cheaper compared to buying each individually. I believe Laura Mercier has a kit that is only about 2,500 with brushes and the Tinted Moisturizer.

I bought this Kit initially for the Smashbox Primer with DermaxylTM. It wasn't much of a debate what I would choose, the Kit or just the bottle. Obviously, I saved thousands more in getting the Kit for everything that was included. But definitely think on it before getting the Kit. Ask yourself if you really need those other products. If not, it would still be cheaper getting what you really just came for.

During these times addictions can really break the bank. It's a good thing all addicts are resourceful. :)

much love,
Shen

Haul: MAC Style Warrior + Dazzleglass + Lipstick | Shen's market day

The pictures says it all. I didn't haul as much since I didn't really fancy anything that was left. I would have loved a lipgloss or lipstick from the Style Warrior Collection for the sake of the packaging, but the colors I wanted were sold out already. Bummer, I know. I didn't find it justifying to buy a color I wouldn't use just for the cute animal print on it. But I took this chance to get me some new lip products.

I first grabbed Refined Golden Bronzing Powder from Style Warrior Collection (my one and only purchase, determined not to let it escape me again like what it did during its Neo Sci-fi release. I was new to makeup then and had no idea how such color could enhance my chubby cheeks. :)

click image to enlarge
Refined Golden Bronzing Powder


this is so worth every penny i saved...

Seeing dazzleglass new collection, i picked up Money, Honey. Its this Hot pink with fine glitters that just it just wows me. Love this with nude lippie or alone.

I then picked up a barbie/baby pink lipstick, Giddy. I was on a hunt for a new baby pink lippie since my NYX Tea Rose was with a friend (I remember now, Ahleesa! it wasn't lost after all!) , I chose this because of the fabulous love it brought to my lips. But it still not NYX Tea Rose... :) Can you suggest me a lipstick near that color? Thanks!

After much debate, i settled on another lipstick that many of my friends love, Cosmo. It's a good everyday lip color for neutral looks, summer pinks and even purples. The SA highly recommends this one. I think she was even wearing it at that time.

Money, Honey|Giddy|Cosmo

click image to enlarge

For the time being, I am enjoying myself with these new products. I also realized that despite this haul, I am have been a bit picky of the things I purchase (unlike before). And that is for the better, i know. :) I'm also doing my best to finish up a product before I purchase another even if I really like it.. i try not to go all panicky once I see it near empty.

But yeah, I have a new camera to distract me at the moment... so let's see how it goes. :)

So, does your hauling trend changed lately?

-0O0-

Oh, and I did my vegetable grocery today at the Public market or what we call Palengke near where I work. I got to choose vegetables on my own. It was an experience for me since I do grocery at the supermarket where everything is bagged and tagged. I found out also that not only are the vegetables cheaper at the public market(we all know this!), but its actually bigger in size and you can haggle. I only paid like P150 or less than $4 for a week's worth of vegetable. :) I'm still learning how to haggle though. Like my mom, I was never the haggling-type. Maybe because we always believe in the good of people that they will never rip me off. But we all know, that's not the least bit true.. Hence, the start of practicing in haggling.

As for the meat though, I still find myself buying from a popular meat shop because I just don't like the look of meat at the Palengke, it looks more dead and unfresh. I bought tenderloin and had it cut in thin round slices for my Sam Gyup Sal lunch tomorrow. I also dropped by a Korean Grocery Store at Pioneer Street to buy a good sesame oil as sauce for my Sam Gyup Sal.

Now I can't wait to sleep so it's tomorrow already! :)

Wish me luck though coz i'll just be cooking it on a skillet! hahaha!!

How's the work/school week so far? Well, i'm hating mine.. I'm spending too much time on the road and there are just too much bad drivers out there... and not too much incompentent traffic enforcers.

Hoping everyone a good work/school week and praying that weekend comes a bit faster!!

much love,
Shen

Tutorial: Stunned Teal (ellana + urban decay)

Inspired by my new camera and tina marie's recent teal look, i did my own version using a forgotten shade of mineral eyeshadow "Stunner" from Ellana Minerals. it was just exactly what I wanted for this teal look. :)

Here's a rough tutorial on how I achieved it:
I already applied my base.


Step 1. Using foiling method, wet brush with Fix+ or visine and mix it with a little bit of Stunner. Apply wet.
Step 2. Eliminate harshlines by blending the edge with a fluffy brush. (MAC 217)


Step 3: Apply a Bright Green shadow on outer part of your crease to give depth
Step 4: Apply a Shmmery Black eyeshadow to contour your crease and to smoke the colors out.


Step 5: Apply shimmery white eyeshadow near tearduct.
Step 6: Apply a beige highlighter to the browbone to lift the eyes

Blend Blend Blend!


eyeshadow application should roughly look like the picture on top or even better.
Step 7: Apply a black or dark green liner to the upper lashline.
Step 8: Curl lashes and apply mascara

Result:

Products used:
Face:
Philosophy's Never Let Them See You Shine
Ellana Radiant Concealer
Ellana French Vanilla Intensive Foundation
Ellana Enchanted Mineral Blush

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Ellana Stunner MPM (foiled with MAC Fix+)
Urban Decay Graffiti eyeshadow
Urban Decay Zero eyeshadow
Maybelline Gold Nuggets Palette, beige and white eyeshadow
In2it Liquid Liner in Carribean
Maybelline Volum'Express Hypercurl Macara

Lips:
E.L.F. Concealer
NYX Perfect
Ellana Cherish Liquid Lip Color (nude beige)


I really did all out for my Monday look... I don't know why, but I was quite hyper this morning.. :) I only used my Ellana Mineral Foundation since I miss it a lot. Apparently, French Vanilla is too white for me upon application. But as expected, it melds into my acidic skin as the day progress. :) That i'm glad off. :)

Happy weekday everyone! Let's all try not to give in the stress this week. :)

much love,
Shen

Glowing Shen, Secrets Unveiled

Before the start of the work week (i hear groaning and moaning from all you ladies!), I am now unveiling the mystery product that has helped me cover up my dark spots, pimples (but not bumpy ones) and a few lines here in there. I'm sorry it took so long to unveil but I was double checking the results, making sure that it wasn't a one time thing. :)

Remember this POST?

Well, my secret is....

The New Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals Line!

I was quite surprised myself when I saw the results of the pictures and the compliments that I have been receiving... If they only knew what the real state of my skin, they would say otherwise.

Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals Healthy Natural Liquid Foundation

Number of days used: 14 days within 3 weeks
Shade: N02 Shell Beige
Tools used: Latex wedge, Non-latex wedge, Stippling brush, Foundation brush
Price: P499
Size: 18ml

1. Consistency seems thick, not watery at all. (between tinted moisturizer and thick liquid foundation)
2. Glides on smoothly (according to my tests: its best applied with a sponge compared to a stippling and foundation brush.. even i was surprised.)
3. Dries up fairly quickly ( a good thing for me)
4. Provide light to medium coverage only (does not cover very dark pimple mark, very cystic pimples)
5. Lessens redness on the skin (about 40% of redness was eliminated)
6. Does not have odd smell
7. No skin irritations or bad reactions.
8. Without primer, tends to clump up a few hours from application (test on a very humid weather and extreme sun exposure)
9. Good for office use as it stays on until end of shift.
10. Little to no touch-up needed when partenered with mineral foundation.

Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals Healthy Natural Powder Foundation
Contains No Preservative, No oil, No fragrance and has SPF 25/PA++. Here's what i think about it.

Number of days tried 16 days out of three weeks
Shade: N01 Buff
Tools used: MAC 180, Everyday Minerals Flat top brush, Bare Naturals Flat top brush, Ellana Buffer Brush
Price: P599
Size: 8 grams

1. Contains no parabens (yey!)
2. Contains bismuth oxychloride (which may cause itching to some. personally experienced it during hot temps but goes away after a while)
3. Buildable coverage (light to medium when used alone)
4. Finely-milled powders that glides on smoothly even on my rough skin.
5. No white cast noticed on pictures.
6. Powders easily settles with the abovementioned, Mineral Liquid Foundation.
7. Few shades available
8. Very affordable for the price and size
9. Brush is included (tolerable but not the best)
10. Given that all mineral powders are messy, expect this one to be especially when tossed in the bag.
11. Lasts as long as typical mineral foundation (about 4 hours or so depending on the temp./weather)
12. Redness reduced (at least on mine) up to 80% (used along with the liqud foundation); alone, about 60%
13. Retouch, once or twice in a day with Clearsmooth Pressed Powder.
14. Does not instantly cover pimple marks or dark spots.
15. Conceals dark undereye baggies really well.
16. I have trouble of it settling on my lines.

Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals Healthy Natural Luminious Blush.

Number of days used: 17 days out of 3 weeks
Shade: N01 Original Rose
Tools used: Blusche Angled Brush, MAC 187 dupe from Divisoria, MAC 187 SE, MAC 160 SE.
Price: P499.00

1. Very pigmented, a little goes a long way.
2. Shade is good with all skintones.
3. This more on a peach to mauvey side
4. Has fine shimmer only noticeable at very strong light
5. Provides a nice sheen/glow on the cheeks without making it look oily
6. Can be used as contour shade depending on how heavily it is applied
7. Limited shades to choose from (sad, i know).

swatches
Powder Foundation|Luminous Blush|Liquid Foundation
N01 Buff|N01 Original Rose|N02 Shell Beige

this is a swatch of the mineral foundation powder and then the blush on top. You'll notice that my veins' color are not visible anymore compared to the veins on the other side of my hand.

Notes:
1. I prefer using a flat top brush rather than the brush it came with. (mineral powder foundation) I like MAC 180 for the powder but my Barenaturals flat top brush does the job. The denser, the better.
2. May still need your HG concealer. I use a mineral concealer, Ellana Radiant Concealer, to hide what the mineral liquid and powder foundation can't. (ie. bumpy pimples, really cystic reddish ones).
3. This really is a budget friendly line that does the job for a drugstore brand.
4. Stay true to what Mineral makeup is and that is fewer ingredients without the irritants.
5. Easily accessible to a lot of Filipinas, it being able in major department stores, Watson's and other cosmetic counters.
6. I find the shades limiting unlike other established mineral makeup companies who has about 9 or more shades.
7. I will definitely buy again once I've used up all of these.
8. I am quite addicted to the blush color and the liquid foundation.
9. This is very ideal for those who want to achieve a natural look without any caking or putting on a lot of coverage.
10. For oily skin girls like me, still keep the oil control film near. This is a great mineral makeup but we still need a miracle for our oilmine faces. :)
11. Has Holy Grail potential in my opinion.
12. I believe that this will be a hit on blemish-free ladies out there and even with those who have just a few blemishes. (i only had to use a little concealer and viola! I'm good to go.)
13. I suggest using a primer or moisturizer so the product won't settle onto your pores so much.
14. I couldn't achieve the same effect using a different mineral liquid foundation. :(

Bottom line, the Maybelline Clear Smooth Mineral Makeup Line works for me... two thumbs up!

Products used:
Face:
(no primer)
Maybelline Clear Smooth Mineral Liquid Foundation (P499)
Ellana Radiant Concealer (only on dark spots and cystic pimples) (P190)
Maybelline Clear Smooth Mineral Powder Foundation (599)
Maybelline Clear Smooth Mineral Luminious Blush (P499)

Eyes:
Maybelline EyeStudio Knockout Neutral in Gold Nuggets Palette (449)
Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner (P400 estimate)
MaybellineUnstoppable Curly Extension Mascara (P349)
Ellana Wish MPM for eyebrows (P130)

Lips:
Maybelline Fruit Jelly in Passion Fruit (P129)

Who says its difficult to achieve a fabulous look with products that are healthy for the skin with just a few bucks?

you don't have to buy all these products in one shopping cart.
I suggest you get the Mineral Foudation Powder first and an eyeshadow pallette.
Then, we see how it goes.. :)

much love,
Shen

Photoshoot at Manila Polo Club (a test of two skills)

Guess where I was today? I was at Manila Polo Club, one of the finest clubs in the Philippines. :)

I was quite surprise to receive a message last night from Crissy via Facebook, a former client and fellow makeup artist. She asked if I could sub for her on a shoot because unfortunately she got sick. I do hope she feels better now. I do hope we can work together in the future. :)
The day of the shoot, I met up with beautiful Marii and her BF and we headed to Manila Polo Club. Ashley Ng, a chinese but Australian National and our photographer, waited for us at the lobby with her cute smile. We introduced ourselves and got down to business as we chatted our way through. We hit the field where sun was shining brightly and the breeze just enough to dool down the heat... All in all, it was a perfect day for a location shoot. We even had a chance to take pictures with UP's female soccer team! How fun was that?? :) It was such a grand day. :)

Marii gave me a free reign on what to do with her makeup but she suggested quite a few things too. We both decided to go for a bright pink look that could match her outfit and make her look really fresh... Most appropriate for the day and location. As always, I'm blessed with a model who has smooth complexion that my concealing skills wasn't tried the least bit. Marii is such a pretty lady that doing her makeup was a breeze. But I got to admit, small eyes are a challenge for me.. I'm just glad that this makeup was to everyone's satisfaction. :)

I also played photographer today.. all the pics below are taken by me. While Ashley took photos, I took photos at the background. :) hehehehe!

Meet Marii,
click photos to enlarge

a close up..

Products Used:
True Match Foundation with MAC StudioFix Fluid
Studio Fix Foundation Powder NC20
Makeup Forever Correcting Palette
Artdeco Blush
In2it liquid eyeliner
The Face Shop Falseeyelashes
MAC technakhol
42 Pcs. Double Stack Palette (shimmer and matte)
NYX trio Palette
MAC MSF for contouring and Highlight
66pc Lip Palette
In2it clear gloss

Touch up:
Ellana Sheer Velvet (looooooveeeeet!)


love this shot.. :)


we were teasing together that this pic looked like an ad for a condominium bldg... :)


this is really sweet.. reminded me of petit monde's ads.. :)


It was a great day...

I got to be a makeup artist and a photographer/papparazzi.

I truly felt independent.

it couldn't get better than this...

but still, surprise me!

much love,
Shen