Project BB Cream | Skin79 Super Plus Beblesh Balm.

It's been a successful two-week run for my Crazy Cupid Giveaway (almost 6000 entries as of this writing, wow!) and methinks it's because of the fabulous prizes at stake. Really. Even I would want the prizes for myself, haha! Now the giveaway will be closing in sixteen hours, but before this event officially ends, I want to share my thoughts on one of the prizes - the Skin79 Super Plus Beblesh Balm.

Yes, it's called Beblesh.

Allegedly one of the best-selling BB creams in the market, the Skin79 Super Plus Beblesh Balm functions in three ways - whitens and brightens the skin, conceals skin imperfections, and protects the skin from harmful UV rays with its SPF25 PA++ feature.

This BB cream has been deemed unique because of its osmopur ingredients (contained in sunflower, ricebran, and ivy extracts) which protect the skin and keep it free from imperfections. Also found in the Skin79 Super Plus are adenoisine and arbutin, both known for their whitening properties. Finally, there's Phyto-Complex which brightens the skin and keeps it moisturized.

Yay, English literature!

The positive reviews that I've read about this product are one too many. And that made me really curious as to why this BB cream seems to be very popular and well-loved.

Swatch!

This BB cream comes in just one shade, and its color is somewhat similar to my Missha Signature Wrinkle Filler BBCream in #21. It has a slightly grayish cast, but once the BB cream oxidizes, it matches the skintone quite nicely.

Left without BB Cream; right with BB Cream.

Consistency is creamy but not too thick, easy to blend, and doesn't look or feel heavy on the face. Coverage is buildable from medium to full, and has a slightly dewy finish. Staying power is pretty good too, eight hours at the most, on top of the humid weather that we've been having the past few days. Best of all, I had no breakouts or any form of skin irritation from this product.

What I love:

Pretty pink packaging (even the full-sized bottle is cute, too)
Buildable coverage

Easy to blend
Lightweight

Dewy finish

Good staying power

Mild scent

Didn't break me out

SPF25 PA++

What you might not like:

It comes in one shade only

Not available locally

Yeah, sad to say, Skin79 has no physical store in the Philippines yet. You can opt to buy this product online, though. It sells for Php 950 at Stuff in Style. That's a very reasonable price, if I may say, since a 40g bottle of this sells for 27000 KR Won at Emart. Converted, that's around Php 1000.

Finally, a selca / Face of the Day. :)

Products used:
FACE: The Face Shop Velvet Skin Primer,
Benefit Erase Paste in Medium, Skin79 Super Plus Beblesh Balm.
EYES: elf Liquid Eyeliner in Black, Fairy Drops Volume Burst Mascara in Black,
Ever Bilena EyeBrow Liner in Brown.
CHEEKS: Tony Moly Lip & Cheek Tint in Cherry Pink.
LIPS: Tony Moly Lip & Cheek Tint in Cherry Pink,
MUA Lip Boom in OMG, MAC Clear Lip Gelee.

Notice the gradient lips? I've been wearing that look quite often these days, and have received several requests for a step-by-step tutorial for it. If the lazybones won't act up next week, I might be able to do a tutorial for it. Now that would be a first for me. :)

Join | Crazy Cupid Giveaway!

Going out on a date with your significant other? Partying the night away with your girl friends? Or perhaps making a grand entrance to your Senior Prom? Whatever it is that you have planned on Valentines Day (or the days succeeding it), let The Rebel Sweetheart be your Crazy Cupid and doll you up with these!

Winner takes all! :)

1 Skin79 Super Plus Beblesh Balm 

1 NYX Blush in Terra Cotta

1 Revlon ColorStay 16-Hour Eyeshadow Quad in 540 Inspired

1 Korres Lip Gloss in Cherry

4 Dermal Collagen Essence Mask sheets

Huge thanks to Stuff in Style for sharing this wonderful loot with my lovely readers!

For a chance to win this awesome prize package, simply enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter below. The more tasks that you complete, the more entries you earn - thus increasing your chances of winning. Please read the indicated tasks carefully as I do check and double-check your entries! :)

This giveaway will run from February 1 until February 15. Open worldwide! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This Valentines Giveaway is part of the Crazy Cupid Giveaway Hop, hosted by Cheap is the New Classy.

    

After entering my giveaway, please take the time to visit my fellow bloggers who are also participating in this event. Lots of fabulous prizes waiting to be won, so mouse over to their blogs and enter their giveaways, too! Have fun hopping! :) 

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Luscious Lashes with Fairy Drops Volume Burst Mascara.

I've been wanting to try a new mascara for the longest time. If you have noticed, I'm almost always using the Missha Viewer 270 HD Curl Mascara in my Face of the Day (FOTD) posts. Because to be quite honest, I only have two wands of mascara in my stash - the Missha, and the Avon Super Curlacious which has dried up the last time I checked.

And just like a fairy godmother granting a wish, Ms. Windy of Stuff in Style sent me a message sometime last week, asking if I would like to do a review of the Fairy Drops Volume Burst Mascara. I agreed without a moment of hesitation, and the following day, this arrived at my doorstep.

As posted on my Instagram. Follow me on IG! :)

'Such pretty packaging,' was the first thing I uttered upon unwrapping the package. And then it dawned on me how rusty I've become with my Nihongo.

I hope my best friend is reading this. :)

I used to be able to read Katakana with much ease - but that was years ago, when my best friend and I were totally hooked to Utada Hikaru, Koda Kumi, Final Fantasy, manga, and anime. So it's good that there's English text at the back flap.

Click to enlarge! :)

And there's an easy-to-understand, easy-to-follow, step-by-step illustration, too.

Catch. Curl. Fabulous! 

Now here's how the product looks like. It comes in a pretty purple tube that screams 'kawaii'. The Fairy Drops Volume Burst Mascara has two variants - Waterproof and Film Type. This one is the Waterproof variant, which is great since I absolutely can not wear mascara if it's not waterproof. The latter, on the other hand is a water-resistant variant.

Purple is love! 

Now twist the cap open and ta-da! It's the famous '3-teardrop wand' that's patented in both US and Japan.

The wand that made waves all over the world.

This unique wand has the capability of catching even the tiniest lashes from the roots. The lashes are then 'bitten' between the balls, creating sharp, triangular bunches. It pushes the lashes up and curls them without clumping, giving you beautiful, doll-like lashes.

Magic wand! :)

Just to give you a background, the one-of-a-kind Fairy Drops wand is actually the brainchild of Aya Yasuda - a Japanese sportscaster based in Los Angeles. Established in 2007, Fairy Drops has become the rave of makeup artists, beauty bloggers, and beauty junkies worldwide!

And now, I totally understand why. Check out my lashes from before and after application.

Before.

I know my lashes are naturally long, but after Fairy Drops Volume Burst Mascara, they're even longer, and thicker, too!

After.

To use, simply 1) curl your lashes with an eyelash curler, 2) apply the mascara by starting with the roots of your lashes, 3) slowly move the wand in an upward, curling motion. 

Before.

After.

What I love:

Pretty packaging.

Unique, teardrop wand that easily picks up all of your lashes.

Thick formulation that's neither runny nor clumpy.

Dries quickly. 

Lightweight.

Water-proof, tear-proof, sweat-proof

No smudging, no flaking.

Lengthens and thickens the lashes without making them brittle.

What you might not like:

It's a bit difficult to remove. Soap and water wouldn't cut it. You'll need a cleanser or makeup remover for this. In my case, I use Human Heart Nature's Sunflower Cleansing Oil.

It's a little on the pricey side, but you do get your money's worth.

Now I'll you in on a secret. Stuff in Style sells this mascara for only Php 830! That's Php120 cheaper than the usual (Philippine) mall price. And best of all, this product ships for free! What a steal!

The Fairy Drops Volume Burst Mascara may very well be my HG mascara. I have a feeling it could be yours, too. :)

P.S. For my friends in the US, this mascara, together with other Fairy Drops products can be bought at Sephora and Sephora.com.

Holiday Gift Guide 2012 | Gifts from Php99 to Php999.

With a quick trip to the mall over the weekend, I was finally able to cross off the last few items on my Christmas shopping list. If not for the little man's last confinement, I'd be done with buying gifts weeks ago. I try to avoid the Christmas rush as much as possible, as I really hate it when the malls get overcrowded and queues at the cashier and the gift-wrapping counter hold up for an eternity.

Now I'm sure there are still some of you who aren't done (perhaps haven't even started) with their shopping yet. To make this task a bit easier, I came up with my first-ever Holiday Gift Guide and rounded-up a few items that you can give as gifts for your family, your friends, and even yourself. And because money don't grow on trees and it's always the thought that counts, we're keeping the spending to a minimum of Php 99 all the way to Php 999 only.

1. Mini Twinkle Star Necklace, Php 100.

Bronze-plated star pendant on a soft leather necklace. Perfect for teens and tweens. 

Available at Eazy Fashion.

2. Etude House Milk Talk Body Wash 3-piece Miniature Set, Php 192.

Moisturizing body care line in sweet strawberry, banana, and choco milk scents.

Currently on sale at BHappyWithMe.

3. Slick and Yummy Watch. Php 249.

Silicone watches in an array of fun and funky colors. Best when bought by two's. :)

Available at Eazy Fashion.

4. Human Heart Nature Jolly Body Christmas Bundle, Php 259.

Set includes the all-new Cleansing Bar, Bamboo Body Scrub in Vanilla Paradise (50g), Healthy Lotion (50mL) in your choice variant. Comes in a Christmas paper bag with ribbon and gift tag.

Available at Human Heart Nature. 

5. InstaMUG, prices start at Php 280.

A must-have for all Instagram addicts! Your IG photos comes to life on coffee mugs... 

even on tablet covers and phone cases, too!

An original product of InstaMUG.

6. Spud 'n Squishy eSPUDrilles, Php 370.

Handmade and handcrafted by local craftsmen, these espadrilles for babies and toddlers are made with breathable canvas/cotton uppers, organic Abaca fiber foxing, and non-marking, non-slip rubber soles.

An exclusive product of Spud 'n Squishy. 

7. Wallet Case with Stand for Samsung Galaxy Note2, Php 430.

Protective case fit for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Made from PU leather, 

this flip case turns into a stand and contains pockets for your ATMs or credit cards. 

Available at Hokkoh.

8. Clarissa Clutch by Ichigo, Php 520.

From the Clarissa collection comes these oversized clutches accentuated with pyramid studs. 

Comes in five pastel colors. 

A product of Ichigo Shoes. 

9. Finn and Jake Plushies, Php 600 each.

It's Adventure Time! Upcycled, handcrafted, and made with love, 

these plushies are a surefire hit with kids and kids-at-heart! 

Made especially for you by PopJunkLove.

10. Amber Lights Reed Diffuser, Php 620.

Organic, eco-friendly, and guaranteed phthalate-free, these reed diffusers come in 

six aromatic scents that can last from six to eight months. 

Available in 100 mL bottles at Amber Lights Laguna.

11. Look Beauty UK Brow Perfect Kit, Php 900.

Fool-proof, picture perfect brows made easy with this handy kit! 

Contains eyebrow stencils, fixing gels, mini tweezers, 

double-ended precision applicators, and brow shades.

Available at Skye Avenue.

12. Stila Lip Glaze Trio, Php 990.

Pucker up with Stila's most popular lip gloss in three gorgeous hues. 

Guaranteed to give your lips a splash of color and a healthy, glossy shine.

Available at Stuff in Style.

And there you have it - my Holiday Gift Guide with something for everybody. Hope you all get your shopping done within the next few days. After all, Christmas is just two weeks away!

Today's Look | Smokey Eyes ala T.O.P!

It's been awhile since my last 'face-of-the-day' post, so today I'll be sharing the look that I wore to the Big Bang concert. I originally thought of recreating G-Dragon's look from the 'Monster' MV, but I realized his eye makeup is a tad too bold for my taste.

So just to play safe, I went back to good ol' TOP's smoking hot look in the 'Fantastic Baby' MV. This time, instead of using the Smoke and Mirrors palette for the eyes, I made use of my Urban Decay Ammo Eyeshadow Palette.

On my eyes: Smog, Last Call, and Grifter.

I've become so attached to this palette - I love the transition of colors, and the versatility of the shades in general. You'll surely be able to create and recreate looks for different occasions as the pigments vary from light to dark, bold to nude.

Ammo is amazing! :)

It's actually the palette that made me forget my lust for Naked 2. Haha!

Keep calm and Boom shakalaka :)

Products used:

The Face Shop Velvet Skin Primer
Benefit Erase Paste in Medium
Missha Signature Wrinkle Filler BB Cream #21
Urban Decay Ammo Eyeshadow Palette
 Avon Ultra Luxury Brow Liner in Dark Brown
elf Liquid Eyeliner in Black
Missha Viewer 270 HD Curl Mascara in Black
Sleek Makeup Pomegranate Blush
Avon Ultra Luxury Liner in Baby Pink
Avon Ultra Moisture Rich Lipstick in Barely There

Where to shop for makeup?
Stuff in Style | Sleek MakeUp PH | Hip Style | elf Cosmetics

PS... I want pink and blue hair like G-Dragon's!

Spotlight | Urban Decay Ammo Eyeshadow Palette.

A few weeks back, Mommy Windy of Stuff in Style sent me a package containing the Benefit Erase Paste and the Ammo Eyeshadow Palette from Urban Decay.

Ammo!

This being my first UD palette ever, I couldn't help but be a little too giddy as I took the palette out of its plastic box. The packaging itself is a beauty, with Urban Decay's signature swirls, butterflies, hearts, skulls, and what-have-you printed using purple velvet and metallic foil.

Up close: velvet + foil.

Released in celebration of their tenth anniversary (that's like, five years ago haha!), Ammo contains ten of Urban Decay's best-selling eyeshadows, organized in coordinating duos.

Top Row L-R: Smog, Mildew, Oil Slick, Last Call, Chopper.
Bottom Row L-R: Maui Wowie, Shattered, Polyester Bride, Grifter, Sin.

Smog is coppery bronze, while Maui Wowie has a pale gold color with glitters in it.
Mildew is a metallic green color, with gold undertones while Shattered is a pretty shade of teal.
Right in the middle is Oil Slick - it's black with rainbow glitters in it.
On the other hand, Polyester Bride is white, shimmery, and glittery.
Last Call is a plum shade, Grifter is a glittery lavender.
Finally there's Chopper which is light beige/fawn in color, and Sin - a pinkish, shimmering champagne color.

Pretty shades all in a row!

Take a look at the swatches. They're a tad shimmery, but the colors are undeniably gorgeous. Highly-pigmented, too!

Top Row L-R: Smog, Mildew, Oil Slick, Last Call, Chopper.
Bottom Row L-R: Maui Wowie, Shattered, Polyester Bride, Grifter, Sin.

What I love most about this palette - aside from its versatility and the variety of looks that you can create with it - is that it bears the Leaping Bunny and Cruelty Free sign.

Not tested on animals!

A few months back, reports of Urban Decay being removed from the list of Cruelty Free brands circulated online, much to my chagrin. As most of my regular readers know, I prefer - as much as possible - to use brands that are either organic, all-natural, or at the very least, cruelty-free.

I checked with LeapingBunny.org just now, and I'm pleased to inform you that Urban Decay is back on the list. Yes, Urban Decay is certified Cruelty Free!

In a nutshell, here's what I think of the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Palette.

What I love:
- Chic and compact packaging
- Gorgeous, highly-pigmented shades
- Smooth and creamy texture
- Blendable and buildable colors
- The looks you can create with this palette are endless!
- You get what you pay for.

What I don't like:
- Some of the shades are too glittery.
- Fallout.

And now for the look:

On my eyes: Chopper, Sin, and Smog.

Products used:
FACE: L'Oreal Base Magique Primer, Missha Under Eye Brightener,
Skin Food Good Afternoon  BB Cream in Rose Lemon Tea.
EYES: Urban Decay Ammo Eyeshadow Palette, Avon Ultra Luxury Eye Liner in Dark Brown, Avon Mega Impact Gel Eyeliner in Blackberry, Missha Viewer 270 HD Curl Mascara in Black.
CHEEKS: Sleek MakeUp Pomegranate Blush
LIPS:  Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Lollipop.

If I were to have just one Urban Decay Palette, Ammo would be it. Gone are the days when I'd pine over Naked2, haha!

The Urban Decay Ammo Eyeshadow Palette is available at Stuff in Style for Php 1,600 only! Other Urban Decay products and US-brand cosmetics are on-hand and in-store, too!