Spotlight | Innisfree Long Wear Cover Cushion.

Time and again I have mentioned it in this blog - when it comes to makeup, I'm a sucker for pretty packaging. And when it comes to cushions, the packaging options at Innisfree are pretty much endless - which is the main reason why I ended up buying yet another cushion during my last trip to Seoul.

With Innisfree's My Cushion line, you can customize everything - from the cushion itself to its shade number, the cushion case, and even the cushion puff. With more than 50 cushion case designs to choose from and at least 12 foundation/cushion shades available, the possibilities are limitless. In the same way, you get to 'build' a cushion that's truly unique and matches your vibe.

My own Innisfree cushion looks like this - a purple case with horizontal stripes, an Air Magic (Fitting) Puff, and the Longwear Cover Cushion in shade N23.

My Innisfree Cushion. (Items are bought separately.)

Made with sturdy plastic, the Cushion Case (8000 won each, around $7 or Php 380) is sleek, slim, and lightweight. It's equipped with a mirror, like most compacts and cushions do.

Innisfree Cushion Case.

Design #40.

Comes with a mirror.

Now as for the Puff (2000 won each, around $1.86 or Php 95), Innisfree has two kinds - the Air Magic Glow, which helps add a dewy look and shimmery shine to the skin; and the Air Magic Fitting, which helps the foundation/cushion 'fit' onto your skin for a smooth and matte finish.

Innisfree Air Magic Fitting Puff.

I chose the latter upon the recommendation of the store attendant. He said (yes, it's a he) that the Fitting puff is more suitable for the cushion that I chose, which has a matte finish.

The Fitting puff is brown underneath. The Glow puff, on the other hand, is blue.

Now here's a closer look at the cushion itself.

Innisfree Long Wear Cover Cushion. Yay for SPF50+ PA+++!

Product description on the plastic pack.

The Innisfree Long Wear Cover Cushion (12000 won each, around $11 or Php 570) is 'a long-lasting coverage cushion containing Jeju volcanic powder that enables the texture to blend effortlessly leaving a long-lasting smooth, soft matte finish with a weightless, fresh glow.' I chose shade N23 True Beige, which is a nice match for my skin tone.

The cushion comes with a plastic tray to hold the puff and separate it from the product.

Insert the cushion to the case and you're good to go!

True to its claim, this cushion does a good job of covering pores and fine lines and 'blurring out' skin imperfections. It has a lightweight formula, making it ideal for this country's hot and humid weather, and has good, buildable coverage without the sticky, heavy feel. It also has impressive staying power - about 5-6 hours on my face with just a wee bit of touch-up on the corners of my eyes, where this foundation tends to crease most often.

The cushion now inserted in the cushion case.

Like most cushions, the Innisfree Long Wear Cover Cushion looks creamy but once it settles, it leaves your skin with a soft, matte finish. Do note that this foundation has an oil-free formula, making it most suitable for those with oily skin. If you have dry skin or prefer cushions that leave your skin dewy and glowing, this product might fall short of your expectations.

Creamy! :)

Swatch under indoor lighting.

Swatch under natural light.

Left, without cushion; right, with cushion - indoor lighting.

Left, without cushion; right with cushion - natural light.

I love how this product evens out my skin tone and covers the fine lines on my face without making me look 'too made up'. However, I'm all for that dewy, Korean makeup look so I'll probably save this cushion for the hot summer months when my skin greases up as soon as I step out of the house, lol.

Bare face.

With Innisfree Long Wear Cover Cushion.

Products used:
FACE: Beyond Alice in Blooming Skin Tone Sun Base,
Nature Republic Botanical Stick Concealer,
Innisfree Long Wear Cover Cushion in N23.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
Clio Kill Black Waterproof Mascara,
Nature Republic Pure Shine Mascara - Volume.
CHEEKS: Ever Bilena Cheek Blush in Raisin.
LIPS: Nature Repulic Pure Shine Melting Tint in Hot Pink.

I actually got another cushion case in a different design and color because the cases were on a 1+1 sale at that time. I haven't bought a cushion for it, but I'm leaning towards the Ampoule Intense Cushion. If you've tried this cushion before, do let me know how it worked/works for you. :)

Spotlight | Ever Bilena Matte Two Way Cake.

Seems like there is no end to this unbearably hot and humid Philippine weather. It's supposed to be monsoon season now, but thanks to the oscillation of the ocean-atmosphere system otherwise known as El Nino, looks like it's gonna be summer all-year round.

And to think summer is actually my least favorite season because it's not very makeup-friendly. Imagine - incessant sweating, excessive sebum, extremely oily face that bears semblance to a greased pan. Uggggh, the horror!

I have had my share of these horrific 'greased pan' moments, which isn't exactly the sight you'd want to see when you look in the mirror. Thankfully, our favorite local makeup brand Ever Bilena has a recently released product to solve this makeup woe. And boy, am I glad to be one of those who got first dibs on it! :)

No more 'greased pan' moments with these babies!

Say hello to Ever Bilena's Matte Two Way Cake, a 2-in-1 foundation that gives the skin a flawless, soft matte finish. It covers blemishes, hides skin imperfections, and evens out the skintone. It can be applied wet or dry (hence the name 'two way'), depending on the coverage you desire.

Product description at the back of the box.

The Two Way Cake comes in three different shades: Golden Beige, Fair Oriental, and White Ivory. The product is housed in a sleek black compact, and comes with a sponge and a mirror. 

Shade range.

The packaging reminds me of those old school flip-top phones, like Motorola Razr.

Back view. :)

A closer look at the shades (L-R): White Ivory, Fair Oriental, Golden Beige.

And here's the sponge.

White Ivory is the lightest among the three shades. It looks rather pinkish, which makes it suitable for those with pale/porcelain skin, or fair-skinned individuals with cool undertones.

White Ivory swatched dry on the left, wet on the right.

Fair Oriental, as the name suggests, is suitable for those with fair to medium skin, and those with yellow undertones . Perhaps the most popular shade in the selection (I know at least five people who are using this product with this shade), it's also the shade closest to my skintone.

Fair Oriental swatched dry on the left, wet on the right.

The darkest among the three shades, Golden Beige is perfect for those with olive skin, or in colloquial term, 'morena'.

Golden Beige swatched dry on the left, wet on the right.

Typically, I use this foundation to set either my Missha Signature Wrinkle Filler BB Cream or my Klairs Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream. But on extremely hot and humid days such as today, I skip the BB Cream and use this with just my current favorite primer/sunscreen underneath.

Fair Oriental on my face.

True to its claim, this foundation neither feels heavy nor looks cakey on the skin. It's easy to apply, and you can build the coverage from light to medium when worn dry. I have not tried applying it wet, but I suppose this foundation can give you full coverage by doing so.

Now as far as its mattifying power is concerned, it usually depends on the weather, the surrounding temperature, or my activity level. On days when it's hot as hell, my face would become a greaseball in as short as 3 hours; on rainy and refreshingly cooler days, I wouldn't break a sweat and my foundation would stay intact for as long as 5 or 6 hours. Not bad for something worth Php 165, huh?

Products used:
FACE: Beyond Alice in Blooming Skin Tone Sun Base,
Ever Bilena Liquid Concealer in Light,
Ever Bilena Two Way Cake in Fair Oriental.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
Clio Kill Black Pen Liner,
Missha The Style 4D Mascara.
CHEEKS: Ever Bilena Cheek Blush in Raisin.
LIPS: Beyond Rich Color Tint Balm in Tok Wine.

If you're planning to give this product a try, why not take advantage of its Php 150 introductory price? Ever Bilena products are easily accessible and available at most beauty counters, drugstores, and supermarkets - no need to scour the high seas just to buy this foundation. And yes, they already have this at Watson's and at SM Department Stores. :)

Spotlight | Ever Bilena Pro Flawless Finish Foundation.

As you might recall, Ever Bilena sent me a box of goodies last month. Included in that box is the Pro Flawless Finish Foundation, which takes the spotlight on the blog today.

Ever Bilena Pro Flawless Finish Foundation.

Working on this review made me realize that I haven't used liquid foundation in a long, long time! I think I stopped using them when I joined the BB Cream bandwagon (and eventually the CC Cream hype) and have never looked back since. Can the Pro Flawless Finish Foundation make me think otherwise? We'll see. :)

Product description at the back of the box.

Here's what Ever Bilena says about the product:
"A long lasting liquid foundation that dries faster than the ordinary foundation. Leaving a soft natural finish without flaking effects. Enriched with Vitamin E that helps maintain natural skin moisture. Easily covers dark circles, redness, and minor skin imperfections. This unique foundation creates instant affinity with the skin that makes it glide on like silk and stay fresh looking as it imparts a glowing skin all day."

Ingredients also listed at the back of the box.

The Pro Flawless Finish Foundation comes in a frosted glass pump bottle and is available in four shades - Natural, Beige, Gold, and Oriental. Ever Bilena sent me the Oriental shade, and surprisingly, it matches my skin tone nicely. 

Shade reference at the top of the box and bottom of the bottle.

I like the elegant vibe of the frosted glass bottle. However, I have to be extra careful in handling and storing this product because of its fragile packaging. As for the pump, I'm not too keen about it (which is actually a euphemism of 'I don't like it!'). Either it dispenses nothing even after pumping it a few times or it dispenses a lot more than what I actually need.

Pump it!

Now here's how the foundation looks like.

Ever Bilena Pro Flawless Finish Foundation in Oriental.

It has a light and runny consistency, making it easy to apply and blend. Lightweight and leaves the skin with a silky feel, this foundation does a good job of covering blemishes and imperfections. It also has a nice, sweet scent which isn't exactly subtle, but fades a few seconds or so after applying.

Blend, blend, blend.

At first glance, I thought this shade would be a little off for my skin. But once blended, it matched my skin tone just right. Coverage is buildable from light to medium and has a slightly dewy finish.

Left, without foundation. Right, with foundation.

Staying power, however, is so-so. It doesn't stay on very long, especially now that the weather is warmer. (Hello, summer!) My forehead looked like a greased pan by midday, and to think my skin isn't the oily type (I have sensitive/combination skin). Plus I even wore a makeup base underneath and set it with Ever Bilena Makeup Cake afterwards (more about this in a separate post).

Bare face.

If you're staying indoors most of the time (say, at the mall or in your airconditioned office), this product will probably hold up longer. Also, this foundation doesn't have sun protection, so remember to wear sunscreen underneath.

With Ever Bilena Pro Flawless Finish Foundation.

What I love:

- Easy to blend and apply.

- Buildable coverage.
- Lightweight.

- Slightly dewy finish.

- The scent. Sweet, but not overpowering. 

- No breakouts, no allergic reactions.

- Affordable at Php 165 (around $3) per bottle. 

- Available at most beauty counters, supermarkets, and even drugstores.

What you might not like:

- The erratic pump.

- Staying power is so-so.

- No SPF!

Products Used:
FACE: The Face Shop Lovely ME:Ex Makeup Base,
Ever Bilena Pro Flawless Finish Foundation in Oriental,
Ever Bilena Makeup Cake in #559,
Benefit Erase Paste in Medium.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
K-Palette Real Lasting Micro Eyeliner in Black,
Love & Beauty Eyeliner in Dark Brown,
Fairy Drops Volume Burst Mascara.
CHEEKS: Tony Moly Cristal Blusher in Pleasure Peach.
LIPS: Peripera Frozen Magic Glam Tint in Let it Go.

In the end, while this product did not and could not make me forego my love for BB Creams, I did like how this foundation made my skin look smooth and flawless. It's not the stuff HG foundations are made of, but for Php 165 a pop, you really can't complain.

How about you, what's your HG foundation? :)

Charitable Giving in the Whole Of Asia.

Some of the richest people in Asia like Sukanto Tanoto are known for their generosity. However, they use some of the best plans for giving away this money. They use their considerable riches to help people through the use of foundations that spend the money for them. In decades past, rich people would often give their money away anonymously. In today's world, there is too much in the way of accounting to do. These business people have to account for these funds, and they need to have a foundation that people can approach. It is safer for the ultra rich, and it is easier for people in need to find the funds they need.

Haiyan aftermath in the Philippines.

The Foundation Giving
The foundations that these people have started give most of the money without any assistance from the person who gave the seed money. They use a strict set of guidelines that allows them to give out the money properly, and they consult with their board of directors and patron to make sure they are moving in the right direction.

The Public Image
The public image of the person who gives out the money is going to be used to make the foundation as visible as possible. This is going to change the way that these foundations are going to be managed, and they need to remember that they can use this profile to help find more people to give to.

The People
The people that approach these foundations are going to discover that they can more easily get their funding because they are working with a foundation rather than a person. Approaching a person can be very hard, but approaching their foundation is much easier. People can apply for funding from these foundations many times over, and they can get grants to do many different things. These foundations offer flexibility as well as the massive amounts of money that are needed in the nonprofit community.

When people are looking for assistance in the nonprofit world, they can look to some of the most generous people in Asia. These business people are going to reach out to foundations all over the region with the help of their own foundation. They can give their money with accountability, and they will be able to reach more people who would be afraid to approach them otherwise. This is the wisest way for any wealthy person to give away their money.

#GivingIsBeautiful with NeoCell.

NeoCell has launched its annual fall campaign to raise money for Vitamin Angels, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing lifesaving and life-changing vitamins to children and mothers in need. From October 1 through December 31, NeoCell will donate 25 cents to Vitamin Angels for every product that it ships.

Last year, the same campaign raised $192,000 for Vitamin Angels - that's enough money to help more than 770,000 children. Over the past three years, NeoCell has collectively helped more than a million children through its partnership with Vitamin Angels.

Helping children in need.

"Partnering with Vitamin Angels has become a very important part of what we do as a company," said Jessica Mulligan, NeoCell Vice-President of Sales & Marketing. "Seeing the very real difference that NeoCell's contributions are making in the lives of children in need was one of the best experiences of my life."

 Mulligan met some of the children helped by Vitamin Angels by going with the group to observe vitamin distributions in Peru. They provided life-changing multivitamins to children living in villages as high as 14,000 feet, where little food can be grown.

According to Vitamin Angels, 45% of all child deaths worldwide are caused by undernutrition; that's more than a million innocent lives lost. Millions more will never reach their full physical or mental potential. Many of these children can be saved or their lives dramatically changed through improved nutrition. For just a quarter, Vitamin Angels can provide a young child with two doses of vitamin A - all a growing child needs for an entire year.

#GivingisBeautiful.

"Our friends at NeoCell know the true meaning of beauty," said Howard Schiffer, Vitamin Angels founder and president. "Their wholehearted commitment to our cause is helping those children and moms who are most in need to shine."

During the fall campaign, NeoCell products will have special Vitamin Angels neck tags, and display materials are being made available to retailers. People are urged to help spread the word about the campaign through social media by using the hashtags #GivingIsBeautiful and #NeoCellGiving.

NeoCell is a leading manufacturer of nutritional supplements and the #1 collagen brand. The company's Beauty Bursts, Biotin Bursts, Beauty Infusion, Collagen+C Tablets, Super Collagen Powder, Collagen+C Pomegranate Liquid, Collagen Beauty Builder, Keratin Hair Volumizer, Collagen Sport, Resveratrol Antioxidant and other products are designed to improve health, beauty and wellness - naturally.