Spend vs Save: NARS Radiant Creamy concealer

Hello Shopcoholics! 

It’s been a while since I did a Spend vs Save series here in my blog.

 I am really excited to show you the comparison between two of the most popular concealers in the high end and drugstore category. 

I’ve been using NARS for quite sometime now and it my favorite liquid concealer to date. 

After reading good reviews about Maybelline being a dupe of the cult fave NARS Creamy concealer, I’ve decided to give this a try. I bought two shades, 010 Light and 020 Sand.

Spend: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard Php 1,750

Save: Maybelline Fit Me concealer in 20 Sand Php 299

Both concealers are yellow toned and suits light skintones (NC20).

TEXTURE and FINISH: 

 NARS has a medium coverage, but can be layered to full coverage. Doesn’t dry out fast when blended. You only need a small amount to cover dark circles. Dries to a natural finish. I really love its creamy texture, and it looks so natural even when set with powder. 

Maybelline on the other hand, is a bit lighter in texture, but can also layered to achieve the coverage that you want. 

PACKAGING:

Both come in a tube  packaging with a doe fot applicator.
Maybelline is thinner compared to NARS but holds a bit more product.

WEIGHT:

NARS - 6 grams

Maybelline - 6.8 grams

Swatches

Nars Concealer in Custard | Maybelline Fit Me in Sand and Light

COLOR PAY-OFF:

Nars - offers medium to full coverage in one layer

Maybelline - light to medium coverage, needs 2-3 layers to completely cover

STAYING POWER:

Both concealers last the whole day when set with my Ben Nye Loose powder.
Minimal creasing, but doesn’t fade throughout the day. 
For people with oily skintypes, I suggest using a face primer.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Both concealers are creamy and easy to blend. 
If you can afford NARS, I’m sure you won’t be dissapointed but if you are on a budget, Maybelline is a good dupe for 1/5  of the price of NARS.

Till next time, 

Swatches: KoRiana Organics Lip and Cheek tint

Hi Shopcoholics! I got these Lip and Cheek tints a few months ago from Ria, a good friend of mine. I rarely use tints because from my experience way back, a few brands that I’ve tried are either too drying, hard to blend, and has a bitter taste. 

Read on for some swatches and my thoughts about the product.

PACKAGING:

I like the roller ball packing because it is easy to use, and prevents thhe product from leaking or spilling inside your bag. For hygenic purposes, I only use a specific color exclusively for the lips or cheeks :)

SCENT:

Mild fruity scent. I love it! 

FORMULA:

It has a runny, watery texture similar to the Body Shop Lip and Cheek tint. I find it easy to blend and doesn’t dry fast.  

LONGEVITY:

Like typical lip and cheek tints, it is long lasting on my cheeks  and, there is no need to reapply thoughout the day (on my combination skin). On the lips, it gradually fades when you eat or drink.

TIPS:

 I suggest to apply a small amount at a time. Make sure to dab a little bit of lipbalm and let it absorb before applying the lip tint. On the face, apply moisturiser first to avoid streaking.

SWATCHES:

Playful kiss, Oh my Venus, Gumiho

PRICE:

Php 150 only. 

LINKS:

Facebook: Koreana

Instagram: @KoreanaOrganics

OVERALL:

These are worth a try when you are into organic products. 

I highly recommend this is you are looking for a dupe of The Body Shop’s lip and cheek tint.

Till next time,

Freshel UV Skincare BB Cream review

Who doesn’t love 2 in 1 products? It saves you time especially when you are in a hurry getting ready. One makeup tip I can give you is to NEVER skip sunscreen. I personally love a product that acts as a sunblock while at the same time gives you enough coverage like a BB cream.

 Freshel UV Skincare BB cream in Natural Beige #1

I used to layer a moisturizer, sunscreen, makeup primer and a bb cream. During my counter takeover at Kate Tokyo, this was the first product that caught my eye. I love BB creams! But BB cream with a high spf like a sunblock? Even better! I immediately swatched it, and fell in love! But the real test is wearing it on the face... the whole day!
Read on to know what i think about it. 

 PRODUCT INFO:

Skin caring while covering. With a moisturizing function that infuses moisture and a protecting function that wraps and seals moisture. This product keeps skin moist as long as it is worn. It also protects the skin from harmful UV rays. Fragrance-free.

With moisture ingredients : double collagen, hyaluronic acid, niacin, apricot extract and kiwi extract.

SIZE:

50 grams

SHADES:

#1 Natural Beige; #2 Medium Beige

WHERE TO PURCHASE:

Available at Kate Tokyo Counters at Watson’s and SM Beauty section.

Ingredients list

    

 

Kate To Freshel UV Skincare BB cream swatch

 

Slightly blended

 

 Fully blended

PROs:

I am very particular with the scent of the products that I am using, and I prefer the unscented ones. This product however, doesn’t have that typical sunblock scent.

Has spf 43 and acts as your sunblock already. 

Non-sticky and feels lightweight on the face.

Dries to a semi-matte finish. Keeps my skin matte for a few hours. My t-zone started to shine on the 4th hour.

Easy to spread and blend. Doesn’t look patchy and doesn’t accentuate pores. 

Photographs well. Used it a lot of times and there is no white cast

It has medium coverage, and can cover slight imperfections. 

CONs:

Only 2 shades available. The lightest shade which is Natural beige is  perfect for my NC20 skintone. 

TIP:

If you have a dry skintype, you may find this a bit drying. I recommend NOT to skip your moisturizer. 


Here's my FOTD’s using the Freshel UV BB cream, then used concealer on my undereyes and set with Coty Loose powder. That's it for my face base =)

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Some may find it expensive (php 960) for a tube, but a little goes a long way. I think with everyday use, this will last me 3-6 months. Aside from that, there is no need to buy a  separate primer, sunblock and bb cream, so in the end, you get to save with just 1 product. :)

Till next time,

My Kate Tokyo Counter Takeover Experience

Hi Shopcoholics! 

I was recently invited by Kate Tokyo Philippines as a Guest Makeup Artist/Blogger to do their Counter Takeover event. Kate Tokyo is a brand not new to me. I have used some of their makeups before, way back in 2011. What I really like about this brand is that it is suited for Asian skintypes and I didn't experience breakouts with their products.

Fast forward to the present, 2018, I was really excited to know what new products Kate Tokyo has to offer now.

 Fyi, Kate is a sister company of Kanebo. Their products are  made in Japan. I am a fan of VIVI Japanese magazines and I always see their full page ads, and always admire their makeup looks. Simple yet striking.

Kate Tokyo makeup

Kate Tokyo skincare

During the event, I was happy to meet and share some of my makeup techniques to customers. Some are already existing Kate Tokyo users, while others are new to the brand.

Here's Ms. Goya. She was looking for a brow highlighter. I recommended the Kate 3D Parts Designer. It is a dual ended product that has a highlighter and contour in one. It is very easy to use and looks so natural. The highlight shade can be used on the browbone, cheeks and cupid's bow, while the contour shade can be applied on the noseline and cheekbones.

I also tried the New Base Zero Powder Foundation in 02, and she loves it! The finish is so silky, and it is a good everyday powder with SPF.

Me and Ms. Goya with her Kate Tokyo makeups

Meet Ms. Norma. She was looking for a brow product that is easy to use. I applied the Kate Tokyo Retractable Brow pencil in BR-3. I showed her the technique for natural looking brows, it is to apply it with feathery strokes. I heard that this product is one of Kate's best sellers. IMO, this is a dupe for the famous MAC Retractable brow liner. 

I also applied the New Base Zero Liquid foundation in 03 on her and set it with the Base Zero Powder Foundation in the same shade. In less than 5 minutes, her skin looks flawless and glowing. As a finishing touch, I applied the Kate 3D Contrasting Cheek blush in RS-01 and the Smooth Color Rouge lipstick in OR-02.

Ms. Norma posing with me and the Kate Toyko artists.

With Ms. Floe Tapayan, Chief Makeup Artist and Trainer for Kate Tokyo Ph

Before I end this post, I want to share with you my Kate Tokyo favorites:

The Base Zero Liquid Foundation and Powder Foundation - this is their newest product line, it promises to cover pore unevenness in one coat. It offers medium to full coverage, without being cakey.

Retractable Brow Pencil - you can't go wrong with this product. It is easy to use and stays on the whole day. 

Freshel UV BB Cream SPF 50 - it has a light coverage but at the same time doubles up as a sunblock. 

I enjoyed the experience and I was happy to share my makeup techniques with customers. Kate Tokyo products has a wide range of shades to suit the fairest skin to morenas.

Be sure to check out Kate Tokyo products at your nearest mall.

Till next time,