Review + Swatch: Misa Nail Lacquer in Jasmine

Last Tuesday, I decided to have my nails done at Dream Nails Salon & Spa (Davao City) to try their Mani-Pedi-Foot Spa Services. Though nearer to my house, I still prefer The Nail Bar because of their gentle touch, cozy sofas and wide selection of Orly Nail Polish and oh-so-cute nail stamps! Anyway, here are the swatches of the Misa Jasmine polish:

Misa Nail Lacquer: Jasmine

Jasmine is a very pretty pastel color that reminds me of candies and cupcakes. When I was a little girl, this color made me love the shades of lilac and purple and still evident after 15 years! I still adore lilacs and purples upto now!

Please excuse the cuts on my ring and pinkie finger and those hideous cuticles. Told yah, I must have gone to The Nail Bar instead :(

#73 Jasmine is a Classic color from Misa (swatch from Misa Cosmetisc website)

Misa Polishes are available at http://www.head2toebeauty.com

Price: $3.75

Availability: Online

Raves:

- Super pretty lilac!

- Very long lasting! After 4 days and everyday dishwashing errands, I can see no chipping! 

- Dries fast!

- Makes my skin look whiter!

Rants: 

- Not locally available

Beauty Points: 4.5/5

Product Review: Pure Beauty Super Brightehing Toner

When I was under Accutane, my facial skin became really sensitive. My skin's bestfriend was just Cetaphil Liquid - I use it as a cleanser and moisturizer. No toners, no anything. My derma clearly said that I can only try other beauty products after months off Accutane therapy. So, after a year off the acne drug, I had all the liberty to try and explore tons and tons of beauty products! First stop, Toner!

When I went to SM to pick up some beauty stuffs, I spotted this illuminating rack of beauty products. And I saw PURE BEAUTY's Super Brightening Line. I was drawn to its "Super Brightening" slogan and became curious. I grabbed a box and red the product details. And I stopped. "Made in Korea." I returned the product. You might be wondering why I hesitated at first... I had a very bad experience with a certain Korean Skincare Brand and made me breakout like crazy! But I smell something really special about this product that made me think twice. And so I bought it.

Pure Beauty Super Brightening Toner

Pump Bottle

 

Label

The product

This toner has a slightly thick consistency but it's not sticky when it comes in contact with the skin. It has a very nice floral-herbal-y smell that is not at all bothering. It comes in a huuuuuge bottle of 150ml! It's being sold at Watson's at an introductory price of 263php, 20% off of it's SRP. 

My face is not at all smooth because I am at war with my acne scars left by Accutane and failed beauty products/regimen. It's also dark, darker than the color of my neck, maybe because of not using sunscreen and shadows of the pitted scars I have. But only after 2 weeks of using Pure Beauty, I can see the results of whiter skin! My face looks brighter and less oily, more supple and smooth and I wake up with a better facial skin everyday! This is my own version of "Beauty in a Bottle"! This is definitely a permanent resident of my boudoir and I want to complete the whole Super Brightening Line!! And I can say that I am impressed with it's brightening effects! Indeed, a promise fulfilled!

Price: 263php (Please correct me if I'm wrong) :)

Where to buy: Watson's, SM Department Stores

Raves:

- Huuuge bottle of 150ml!

- Smells so nice!

- Hygienic Pump Bottle

- Comes in a plastic bottle, good for travels (and clumsy-ish girls like me!) haha

- Feels fresh after application

- No "stinging" effects

- Good oil control

- Superb Whitening properties!

- Worth every penny!!!

Rants:

- None I can think of!

Will I repurchase?:  Definitely!

Beauty Points: 5/5

Product Review & Swatch: MAC Instant Chic Sheertone Blush

I am deeply in love with coral blushes. In fact, when blush-shopping, I always pick up the coral shades rather than the Barbie pinks. And besides, pink blushes oxidize like crazy on my skin, making it look muddy! Anyway, I got this MAC Instant Chic blush a few months back and I never had a chance to post a swatch and review about it. 

It is from MAC's Pret-a-Papier Collection. 

 

Left: Applied heavily. Right: Applied lightly

 Instant Chic is a peach/coral matte blush. The color is very buildable and it doesn't look chalky even when applied in 2-3 layers. I normally use it to "set" my Nars Cactus Flower Blush and they look good when combined! A match made in heaven, IMO. 

I purchased this blush on ebay.com at a price higher than it's SRP. I don't complain though because this blush is an absolute perfection and indeed makes you Instantly Chic!!!

Raves:

- Very Nice Coral color that instantly makes your cheek looked flushed without hitting the gym!

- Buildable color

- Doesn't look chalky 

- Compliments my yellow skintone! (Plus point for me!) :)

Rants:

 - I hate the packaging! Since it was an LE collection, I hope they manufactured fancier cases too, like that of "To the Beach" collection!

- Very hard to find!

Will I repurchase: Yes! I love this blush!

Beauty Points: 4.5/5

Product Review: Ben Nye Banana Visage Poudre

Description as per website:

 

Click to enlarge

 

Ingredients

Shaker

This powder is currently my HG finpow. Wanna know why?

It blends on my skin perfectly! I wish I can post a picture of my face to show how perfect it is (but my facial skin is not in good condition, read: zits galore! lol). To my knowledge, it blends very well on any skintone. A lot of fellow bloggers rave on it's blending power! I apply this luxurious powder using my EDM long handled kabuki brush. When using this powder, I tap the cap first to avoid spillage, then pour the powder on its cap. Not so convenient though if you bring this for retouching!

Where to buy: eBay.com and select online stores.

Price: $6.99 (1.5 oz) Also available on a 3 oz bottle at $9.99

 Raves:

- Unscented

- Very finely milled

- Perfect match for my overly yellow skintone

- Good oil control

- Doesn't alter the color of my foundation

- Does not cake even upon layering/retouching (on oily skin)

- Can last for a very long time! Maybe forever! 

- A little goes a loooong way!

Rants:

- Not available locally

- Shaker holes are HUUUGE. I wish it was smaller to avoid spillage

 Will I repurchase? Yes!!!

 Beauty Points: 4/5