Review: Benefit's Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! Foundation

I've been lemming for this foundation for weeks! And as you can read from my last haul post, I bought this first week of April. So, let me get started with my review as I am very much excited with this product.

Let me give you a little background on my make-up habit: NONE. Ha!

I don't know how to use a foundation, a sponge, how to pick the right blush, how to use eyeliner, basically I know nothing about make-up! So I try to watch videos, read forums and buy stuff to try. I got interested with Benefit's Hellow Flawless Oxygen Wow! because I read that it's so easy to apply, just like some tinted moisturizer...and true enough it is!

(dreamy...haha) 

I bought this at their Greenbelt 5 boutique for 1900php (not cheap!) and got the color in beige (as suggested by the SA). As for the scent, I don't think there is any so no problem with that.

(a free sample of Porefessional Pore Minimizer inside the box :D)

I then searched for a way on how to apply foundation over at Youtube, and figured that a penny size is enough!

(taken with  a flash, a bit of a white cast but still ok :D)

I tried to use my fingers, it blends well but I read somewhere that using a wet sponge will provide a more flawless finish. So I bought some cheap sponge (I'm a cheapskate hehe!) and tried to wet it and voila! It really is easier and the finish is dewy. As for the coverage, I think it is buildable from light to medium to heavy. But I would rather stay with the light-medium range, I hate looking too made up so I still got some spots uncovered (I think a concealer will do the trick for this)

So here it is!...Gaah I'm soo excited. Note: Camera used is only a camera fone (yep, no P&S camera yet)..no flash just bright living room light 

(too light coverage, see that spot on my chin, ok don't mind the mole on my lips hehe)

Ok, so I road tested it last weekend on a wedding I attended in Tagaytay (not as hot as Manila) and after four hours, oil started to build up on my t-zone. So yeah, lasting power is not that much, but hey, I still love it to bits :D

(road tested it when I attended a wedding last weekend)

How about you? Have you tried this foundation?

Scent - 5/5

Value - 4/5

Effectiveness - 4/5

Repurchase - Yes!

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Review: Snoe's Here Comes the Sunblock

Summer heat is getting verrrrry hot with each passing day! We all know how harmful these UV rays are, and I don't want to give a lecture on this one again (we all hear these things anyway e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y even if it's the rainy season). So let me give you a review on one of the sunblocks I have tried from Snoe, the Here Comes the Sunblock.

(photo from Snoe Beauty)

From the Snoe website, this product claims to moisurize, whiten (and instantly whiten), and protects skin from damage. It has anti-oxidants, is non-greasy, and paraben-free. This product contains:

• De-ionized water
• Dimethicone ( Cetearly Dimethicone)
• Cethyl Alcohol
• Prophyl Alcohol
• PPG, Cropolymer
• Bengkoang
• Papain Enzyme
• Glutathione
• Allantoin
• Sodium ascorl Phosphate
• Tecopherol
• Phenoxyethanol
• Zinc Oxide
• Titanium Dioxide
• Neheliupan BB
• Ascorbate
• Beeswax
• Aloe Vera Extract
• Lycopene
• Fragrance

Ok, Here Comes the Sunblock is SPF 45 (that's a good one). Unlike other sunblocks, this one is non-greasy(point!) and the fragrance is pleasant (for me anyway, another good point) or tolerable for some.

BUT...it claims to instantly whiten the skin and it does in a very mediocre way. I mean, don't expect that your skin will really be fair instantly. After applying, your skin will only get this whitish chalky cast which for me, is really not good!

( see how hard it will be to get an even BODY skin tone everytime? you have to blend really good!)

Of course I don't want to look have this uneven white patches on my skin! I mean really, this is hilarious. Ha!

Scent - 4/5

Value - 4/5

Effectiveness - 3/5

Repurchase - No (because of the "instant white effect")

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Holiday Haul! Make-Up Starter

I've been MIA this whole holy week, mostly because of the work-ups with the doctor and I just needed really to take a break (it's emotionally draining, really). So I went on mall hopping and got me some retail therapy!

Ok, I've been thinking what to buy if I wanted to start my make-up kit. I already bought some brush (and mineral make-up) from Ellana when I TRIED using mineral make-up last year. I think that will do for now, I just have to clean them as they are gathering dust in my closet.

After some magazine reading (at the doctor's office) and people watching (or staring) at Greenbelt, I then realized that the best facial enhancer is a good lipstick.

As I am really a beginner at this, I tried first the most affordable brands. So I bought:

• Avon Ultra Moisture Rich in Deep Pomegranate
• Avon Ultra Moisture Rich in Barely There
• Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Lollipop

...and then, as it is already April and if you read my lemming post, I am reeeeaaaaalllyy looking forward to grabbing this Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! foundation...sooo....I got one in beige yay!!! I also tried to get some affordable lip and cheek tint, so I got the In2It L/C tint in peach.

Will post a review as soon as I tried everything on. I am sooo excited! Is this a nice make-up starter or what?

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Review: Snoe's S Skin SPF30 Stem Cell Sunblock Cream

As I have seen you luvvies are interested with this product line, might as well make a review of another product from Snoe, the S Skin SPF30 Stem Cell Sunblock Cream.

(photo from Snoe)

I bought this because the moisturizer I was using at that time has no SPF (Lush Celestial), and I was noticing some sun spots (dark spots) on my face. Another thing is, you know my fixation right now for anti-aging creams right? Their claim on "stem cell" in this sunblock cream bought me!

From the Snoe website, this product contains:

• Dimethicone (and) Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
• Water
• Isonyl Isononano.Te
• Cyclopenant Asiloxane
• Sorbitan Isostearate
• Lauroyl lysine
• Polyglycery-4
• Isostearate
• Hexyl Laurate
• Sesamum Indicum (sesame seed oil)
• Diazolidinyl Urea (0.20%)
• Lecithin
• Citric Acid
• Deionized Water
• Sodium Chloride
• Titanium Dioxide
• Iron Oxides
• Xanthan Gum
• Fragrance
• Cetyl Alcohol
• Steryl Alcohol
• Propylene Glycol
• Phenoxyethanol
• Rh-Oligopeptide-1
• Lecithin
• Butylene Glycol
• Phenyl Trimethicone
• Glycine
• Tricetereth-4 Phospate
• Vitis Vinifera (Grape)seed Oil
• Sodium Hyaluronate

It claims to: 

• Reduced wrinkles
• Firmir skin
• Smoothed hydrated skin
• Protect from UV damage
• Make up glides more smoothly
• Toned skin
• Even skin tone
• Dark spot prevention and repair
• Over all luminous white skin
• Refined skin texture

The first thing I noticed about this product when I opened it was the pink tinge. Aside from that, it has a very thick, creamy consistency and a very strong fragrance (though I am not really bothered by it, I think the scent is ok)

(thick pink cream)

At first I thought it will bring a very white cast on photos with flash, but you can see here that it is not really the case with this sunblock cream...well maybe a bit.

(shot comparison: hard vs soft light)  

I like that it makes my face smooth and my pores smaller when applied. Maybe the effects on wrinkles and whitening will be visible after weeks of use, but I cannot really attest to that as I am using a night cream and an eye cream.

Aside from being a sunblock cream, they claim that you can also use it as a make-up base. I tried this once, and never again. Ha! Everything on my face just slid off (tint and highlight), so maybe it's better to wear this alone. I also find it kinda heavy for a very humid climate, so better use this inside with the aircon on, or you can use it outside if the weather is cold.

Scent - 3/5

Value - 4/5

Effectiveness - 3/5

Repurchase - No (Not as sunblock cream, I really find this very heavy on the face, but will still use sometime as it makes my pore look smaller)

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Review: Snoe's Hair Heroes Intense Argan Oil Conditioner

Hair Heroes Intense Argan Oil Conditioner is one of my hauls from Snoe.

Let me give you a bit of a background on my hair. I have very thick hair and it is naturally wavy. I had it rebonded since 2006, then permed and colored last 2008 (rebonded 3 months after that), then rebonded again 2009, permed 2010 rebonded 2011, colored last quarter of 2011, and now thinking of getting it permed again and colored (for the roots)...So basically, my hair should be pretty much damaged and brittle right?

Well, not really. You see, I am a fan of conditioners and hair treatments. I lather my hair everyday with lush conditioners (veganese and american cream) and once or twice a week with hair treatment (lush retread). But doing this routine is keeping a hole in my pocket...a very big one.

(photo from Snoe)

So when I read about this Hair Heroes Intense Argan Oil Conditioner, I immediately tried it. It is way cheaper (around 400-500php for a 250ml bottle) than other lush products plus zero sulfates! You can also see and feel that the consistency is very thick, and I love that when it comes to conditioners.

From the Snoe Website, this product contains:

• Argan Oil: Split-end protection. Restores damaged hair, providing remarkable shine to dull hair. It not only prevents hair damage due to styling and outdoor activities, but also improves elasticity and reduces hair loss due to breakage. 
• Wheat Protein: Anti hair-breakage efficacy by more than 80%, anti-inflammatory, Moisturizes 
• Milk Protein: Protection and repair of dry and damaged hair 
• Moringa Extract: Protects hair against environmental stress/pollution 
• Strengthening effect on hair fiber: hair strength: + 38% 
• Conditioning /repairing effect: improvement of hair surface:+ 64% 
• UV Protection: protection of hair keratin quality after UV radiation: + 64% 
• Indian Senna: improves hair surface, rendering hair softer and brighter 
• Aids in making your current color maintain its vibrant sheen. 
• Cucumber Extract: Anti-oxidant and moisturizing properties. Helps maintain healthy scalp. 

It claims that you can use it in five ways (like as a cleansing conditioner, conditioner, deep treatment mask, de-tangler, leave-on treatment) but I only use it as a conditioner. 

my very thick colored hair...no split-ends and looking healthy! 

And so far, I'm loving what it is doing with my hair. My hair is soft and more manageable. It is healthier and it also smells great! I don't know about some of the claims that it will straighten your hair. I think it will only make your hair manageable and your strands not straying away, but straightening your hair is a bit far-fetched in my opinion so don't be misled by this. I think your hair will look straight if it is normally straight, but if you have this curly hair, hmm...oh well.

my hair, braided by my friend (he used the paper so I can see the braid coz I'm wearing black). he didn't comb my hair so it's a bit messy :)

Scent - 5/5

Value - 4/5

Effectiveness - 5/5

Repurchase - Yes

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