REVIEW: REVLON COLORSTAY WHIPPED CREME MAKEUP

Hi everyone!

As much as I love my San San Matte Finish foundation, I still need to find a longer lasting foundation with a heavier coverage that will not break my bank. My sister and I have been eyeing the Revlon Colorstay Whipped foundation for months but we find it too expensive for our meager salaries. There are online stores that carry cheap Revlon products but it is quite difficult to find the shade that will match us, so what we did was that we visited Revlon counters in malls and tried which shade is for us. We did plan on buying online but the online stores do not carry our shade. :( We ended up buying in the mall instead which is a little disappointing because the price difference is quite big. it is a good thing that my sister kept her loose change in a coin bank and we were able to afford the product.Yey!

So was is worth it? Read on to know what I think about this product! :)

NAME: REVLON COLORSTAY WHIPPED FOUNDATION

Price: P995.00 (approx US$25.00)

Bought from: SM Department Store

Color: Natural Ochre

The container is quite big and heavy. It is made of glass with a hard plastic cover and it also has a removable lid to prevent the product from drying.

What it looks inside:

Swatches:

The product really felt like whipped cream. It is thick and has a powdery feel when applied to the skin.

ROAD TEST:

Skin Problems:

-uneven skin tone

-dull skin

I started with the other side of my face first, so that you can see the difference.

The product blends easily and does not have an overwhelming smell. I think I have used too much product though. :) A little goes a long way, so just start with a small amount. 

It gave me a good coverage and evened out my skin tone. It looked too white on me though. 

I do feel the need to set it with powder because it gives a dewy finish to the skin. My face felt smooth and it is like I did not put any foundation on my skin because it feels light. It does not have leave a white cast on me. I did not use any concealer anymore since the product is thick enough can be used a concealer as well.

After a few minutes, it did not look too white on me anymore. I used a translucent powder so it did not add color to my foundation. 

This is me after about 6 hours.My face is definitely shiny, I think not too much. I did not retouch whatsoever. The foundation did not fade and I can still feel the product on my face. 

MY THOUGHTS:

Packaging: 

Personally, I do not like the packaging. It is not hygienic and bulky.

Formulation/Application: 

At first, I thought the product will feel heavy on my skin but after I have applied it on my skin, it felt light and made my skin really smooth afterwards. It can be layered and very buildable as well. 

Lasting Power:

It lasted pretty well on my normal to dry skin. I went out for 8 hours and when I went home, it still has a pretty good coverage on my skin. If you are oily, it is best to use a good setting powder.

Availability/Affordability:

I find it difficult to choose the right shade because the malls here in the Philippines have limited color selection. I have the same problem with online stores as well. Compared to other drugstore makeup here in the Philippines, malls sell Revlon products a little bit more expensive. For comparison, online stores sell this whipped foundation for P650 (approx $US13.00) while in malls they sell it at P995.00 (approx $US25.00).

What I like:

- long lasting

-evens out my skintone

-feels light and makes my skin feel smooth

-buildable coverage

-no pungent smell

-did not break me out

-minimal white cast

Some Issues:

- A little pricey for me

- It is a little tricky to find the right shade

-not hygienic

-the container is bulky

Recommendations:

- Blend using your fingers. I find that using your fingers warms the product making it easier to blend.

- If you have acne scars, use a stippling brush to stipple the product on to the skin.

-Make sure to test the foundation before buying, it might come off too light at first, but changes color after a few minutes.

-Use a moisturizer and /or primer before applying the foundation. This will make it easier to blend as it provides a smoother canvas for the foundation.

All in all, I am in love with this foundation. I use is only on special occasions or on time when I need a heavier coverage but you can use this for everyday if you want. I will definitely repurchase this once I run out.

How about you? Have you tried this foundation? Please do tell me what foundations you love/hate on the comment section below!!

Thank you for reading my blog!!Take care!!

--maia

REVIEW: SAN SAN MATTE FINISH LIQUID FOUNDATION

HELLO EVERYONE!!

I have been trying out foundations from local brands here in the Philippines but so far only two has stood out. One is a cake foundation from Pinkies Collection and the San San Matte Finish Liquid Foundation. However, there is no Pinkies Collection here in Iloilo so I was not able to repurchase one. HBC can be found in almost all department stores here. I have been reading a lot of reviews about this foundation for a long time and there were some who liked it and some who don't. If you have seen my videos, you will see that I have been using this foundation and I guess, it is about time that I do a review on it, so here it goes:

PRODUCT INFO:

NAME: SAN SAN MATTE FINISH LIQUID FOUNDATION

SHADE: #3 (Shades are available from 1-4)

PRICE: P132.00  (US$ 2-3)

AMOUNT: 30ML

WHERE TO BUY: HBC STORES

It comes in a glass bottle with a blue twistable cap.

INGREDIENTS:

 The cap is attached to a small spatula so that it will be easier to scrape the product inside.

The formula is quite liquidy but thick.

This is how it looks like when blended and with flash. Quite scary!!

When blended, without flash.

 Me: 

Problem areas:

-Uneven skintone

- Dull skin

-some scarring from my pimples

Skin type:

Normal to Dry skin

I applied some on the right side of my face first. The formula itself is quite liquidy so I have to use a lot of product to cover my whole face. It smells like coconut.

I used  my Beauty Cosmetics Flat Top brush to blend the product. It was not difficult to blend since the formula is not thick and does not dry easily. As you can see, it did brighten my face and evened out my skintone. It also felt a little oily and I can really feel that I have product on my face.

 As you can see, though it claimed to give a matte finish, it is NOT matte. It gives a very dewy finish.

I dont like the finish so I always set it with a setting powder. Here I used  a small amount Bench loose powder and dusted it on my face using a  large powder brush.

 As you cans see, it looks way better when set with powder and  has no white cast.

It does not cover my large pores though.

My overall thoughts:

Packaging:

It does not come in cheap looking bottle so it is a plus, however I would have preferred a pump bottle for hygienic purposes.

Affordability/availability:

HBC stores can be found almost anywhere in the Philippines but shade 3 which is my shade gets sold out a lot so I usually buy two or three at a time. It is quite cheap!

Formulation:

Though it says it is a matte finish foundation, it is NOT a matte finish foundation! It is oily and has to be set with powder. It is easy to blend though and I could say that it gives a light to medium coverage depending on your skin condition. However, a bottle will only last me for 1-2 months since I use it at least 5 times a week since I have to use quite a lot of product. 

Lasting power:

It does last on my normal to dry skin type.
If used with primer/ setting spray, it can last up to 6 to 8 hours without retouching and I kind of notice that my t-zone is not that oily. Without primer/setting spray and just setting powder, the product itself is still there but  I  do notice that my T-zone becomes shiny after about 4 hours (of course it depends on the weather) so I have to retouch with a light dust of powder or blot with an oil control film.

Color Range:

With only four shades, I was quite lucky that it matches my skintone. They should have more colors to suit a lot of women. But, since it is quite cheap, you can buy two and just mix to get your desired shade.

What I like:

-Cheap

-No pungent smell

-matches my skintone

- has little to no white cast 

-blendable and offers good coverage

- good for those with dry skin

-did not irritate my skin or gave me breakouts

What others may not like:

- You have to use a lot of product so you might be repurchasing again after 1 to 2 months

-The spatula is not hygienic.

-Gives a dewy finish so you have to use a setting powder 

-might not be good for those with oily skin

Recommendations:

-Make sure to set with powder.

- Use a small amount first then blend. Continue layering the product until you get the desired result.

- Use a sponge to apply your setting powder then brush the excess using your powder brush. This will make your setting powder stick better to your skin.
- Since it is summer and the product can be quite oily, I mix it my water-based moisturizer and I feel that it makes my foundation less oily but the coverage is still there and I do not have to use a lot of setting powder to set it. 

  Though I have used other foundations in the past, I still keep on coming back to this. I have been using this on and off for more than a year now and I love it. It is quite cheap so I don't feel bad about using it on a daily basis.

Here is my before and after picture: 

REVIEW: Maybelline Clear Smooth Aqua Gel Foundation

Hello there!1

So today, Im here for another review. I bought this product around two weeks ago, when Maybelline had a sale going on. I bought this for 30% off so I thought it was a good deal.Anyhooo....let us proceed to my review!! :)

THE PRODUCT FACTS:

Name:: MAYBELLINE CLEAR SMOOT AQUA GEL FOUNDATION
Shade: True beige #24
Price: P349.00 (original price)
Amount: 30ml/ 1.01 FL. Oz

Comes in a squeeze tube bottle thingy* (don't know what to call it exactly)

What it says in the tube:

• Water based formula gives skin a light and fresh sensation.
• Controls shines for an all day perfect and healthy looking complexion.
• Evens out skin tone and covers imperfections.
• Feels soothing and cares for your skin with chamomile, aloe and vitamin E
• 100% Oil free..Dermatologist tested..Allergy Tested..Fragrance free..Hypoallergenic..Won't clog pores

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Titanium dioxide, Propylene glycol, Kaolin, Polyacrelamide, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, C9-15 Fluoroalcohol Phosphates, C13-14 Isoparffin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Methylparaben, Laureth-7, Tocopheryl acetate, Polymethyl Methcrylate, Sodium C8-16 Isoalkysuccinyl, Wheat Protein Sulfonate, Dimthiconol, Ethyl Paraben, Butyl Paraben, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Chamomilla Recutita/Matricaria Extract, Aloe Barbadensis/Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract,.

May contain: [+/- CI 7781/Titanium dioxide,CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77491/Iron Oxides, Mica, CI 42090/Blue 1]. (F.I.L. 8359/1).

The product as it says is water-based and not sticky but is not water-y as well.

ME:

Skin type: normal to dry
Problem areas: Uneven skin tone, large pores, a red zit on my right cheek

I applied the product on the right side of my face at first and then blended it out using my fingers.

*As you can see, it did evened my skin a bit but did not cover my zit 100%.

* It did brighten my face though. :)

* I used my ELF two-way powder foundation to set the foundation.

FOR COMPARISON:

 MY THOUGHTS:

What I like:

• Affordable
• It is water-based and blends easily without making making my face look cakey
• Adheres well to the skin
• Gives a natural,dew-y finish ( light to medium coverage) 
• No need to use setting powder
• It brightens my face, making me look fresh and awake
•  It stayed on me for about 4 hours without using a primer. 

What I don't like:

• The fist thing I DONT like about this product is that the first time I tried it on, I had a strange sensation on my skin. I felt a sort of tingly, minty sensation on my skin. It was a little unpleasant at first, then after a few seconds the tingly sensation went away but the minty feeling stayed on for about 5 minutes or so. It really bothered me at first but it did not break me out or anything so I continued using it for 2 weeks. Now, I don't feel that unpleasant tingly sensation anymore but I do feel a cooling sensation on face every time I use it.
• It does not do anything about my pores though :(
• It has a very faint alcohol-like odor. 

Recommendation:

• If you have super sensitive skin, I suggest you try this out first and see if you and I have the same reaction. My twin sister used this foundation as well and she did not feel anything unpleasant tingly sensation She did say that she felt a cooling sensation after she applied the product on her skin.
• You can get away without using a setting powder but if you think you need to set it with powder, it is better to use a loose powder and make sure to apply some blush or bronzer so that your face will not look flat.

 I am really not sure whether I will repurchase this once I run out because I do have other light coverage foundation lying around. But, if you are looking for a natural finish go-to-for-everyday-use foundation that you don't need to set with powder, this is a  good option. 

ELF Two-way cake Foundation SPF 15 Review

 Hey everyone!!

My 4u2 BB Powder ran out so I went to our local SM city to buy a new one.However, I was so disappointed because they had no stock. I had no choice but to find an alternative since I desperately need a new powder. I went to the ELF counter and I saw this Two-way cake foundation with SPF 15.. I was skeptical at first but the lady there told me sha was wearing the foundtion on her face and I looked at her carefully. She looked okay. I kind of love the finish of the foundation on her face so I decided to buy one and  I have been using it everyday for a week.

Let me tell you about the facts first:
Name: Two-way Cake Foundation SPF 15
Shade: Rosy Beige (77013)
Cost: P249.75
What it says on the box:
This dual-function foundation can be used wet for a creamy sheer coverage or dry for a matte full coverage.
The SPF 15 formula combats premature aging and protects against the sun damage.
The easy to blend and lightweight formula gives a natiral looking finish for all day wear.
Directions: Apply prior to sun exposure. For a sheer coverage, dampen the sponge applicator with water to apply the powder wet.
For a fuller coverage, use the sponge applicator dry.

It comes with a mirror and a compartment for the sponge.

Ingredients: Talc, mica, titanium dioxide, hydrogenated polyisobutene, caprylic/capric triglyceride, ethylhexyl palmitate, polyisobutenem sodium dehydroacetate.
May contain (+/-): Iron oxide (CI 77891. 7789, 77899), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Red No. 40 Lake (CI 16035).
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 15%, Titanium Dioxide 10%

 Me: 

skin type: normal to dry

problem areas: large pores, redness around the nose, undereye dark circles and uneven skintone

 This is me with the powder applied dry:

This is me with the powder applied wet.

With flash:

MY THOUGHTS:

What I like:

- It has no smell.

-It is affordable.

- It offers good coverage (in my opinion, especially when applied wet).

- Quite buildable and adheres to the skin well

-It matched my skintone and does not give me a white cast when I take pictures.

-It lasted on me for 4-6 hours without retouching (wet application); 2-4 hours (dry application)

-The sponge that came with it is also quite nice and thick.

What others may not like:

-the packaging looks cheap and may not be durable

-can be a little bulky

Recommended for:

-girls who are on the go and need less time to get ready in the morning

-girls with oily skin since it is quite matte and can control oil

-those who are on a budget

Other recommendations:

-I find it better to use wet rather than dry because it lasts longer and gives better coverage. However, be careful to do so, use a small amount first and continue building it until you get the coverage desired. Applying too much at first may make your face cakey once the product has dried.

Bottomline:

I love this product!! I will definitely get a new once I run out. :)