Spotlight | Avon K-Beauty Collection.

Annyeong yeorobun! (Hello everyone!)
It's been awhile since I last did a product review on this blog, let alone publish a beauty-related post. Mianhe! (Sorry!) The past few weeks had been extremely toxic for me, and I had no time to shoot product photos and take swatches of all these items in my 'to-blog' list.

Thankfully, our unexpected long weekend gave me the opportunity to take photos and swatches, and finally write about the Avon K-Beauty Collection. Yes, you read it right - K-Beauty!

Avon, the iconic beauty/household brand that most women (especially Filipinas) know and love, recently partnered with a top South Korean H&H (household & health care) company as part of its continued transformation and reinvention. The result? This new and offbeat range of beauty products straight from South Korea - the home of 'chok chok' skin, dewy makeup, and skincare innovation.

The Avon K-Beauty Collection.

I received this package several weeks ago, and I was very much impressed with the brand/PR's attention to detail. This package actually came in a lovely bojagi (traditional Korean wrapping cloth) for even more K-culture (more like K-drama) feels. I love it! The PR package resembled those gifts that Koreans receive during special occasions, like Chuseok or Seollal.

The Avon K-Beauty collection wrapped inside this bojagi.

Now here's a closer look at the Avon K-Beauty Collection. First up, the Avon True Color Power Essence Color Correcting Cushion. Avon totally nailed it with the long product name, haha! Korean beauty products are notorious for their ridiculously long, tongue-twister-like names, and this new CC cushion from Avon is no exception.

Avon True Color Power Essence Color Correcting Cushion. 

The Avon True Color Power Essence Color Correcting Cushion (Php 799) is a cushion compact infused with color-correcting pigments that target common complexion concerns (dullness, redness, uneven skin tone) for instantly improved, radiant skin.

A closer look at the Avon True Color Power Essence Color Correcting Cushion.

It comes in a chunkier-than-usual black compact complete with a mirror and a standard puff applicator. What's interesting about this cushion is that you don't have to use the puff to 'pick up' the product. Instead, you press the pan for the product to come out of those tiny holes. 

The puff applicator + the cushion pan.

The Avon True Color Power Essence Color Correcting Cushion comes in three shades - Light, Nude, and Shell. I find Nude to be the shade most suitable for my skin tone. It's light beige in color and has a cooler undertone compared to Shell. 

From L-R: CC01 Light, CC02 Nude, CC02 Shell.

This product has a sheer and lightweight formula and offers light to medium coverage. Keep it mind that CC's do not usually provide full coverage; rather they are meant to address skin issues like redness or sallowness, and for me, the Avon True Color Power Essence Color Correcting Cushion does exactly that. 

Bare face.

Wearing the Avon True Color Power Essence Color Correcting Cushion
in CC02 Nude.

All dolled up, with the Avon True Color Power Essence Color
Correcting Cushion as my makeup base + Avon True Color Dual Gradient Lipstick
in Mauve Maven on my lips.

I've been using this as my makeup base for the past few weeks, and I love its instant glowing effect on my skin! It does a good job of covering my skin imperfections, but still looks very natural on the skin. This cushion also offers sun protection (SPF 30 PA +++), which is a plus for me.

Also included in the package is the True Color Dual Gradient Lipstick, Avon's response to the ever-so-popular beauty trend.  If you're a fan of Korean beauty products or perhaps a K-drama addict, then you know that gradient/ombre lips hit the Korean beauty scene many, many years ago and has since gained popularity across the world.

The Avon True Color Dual Gradient Lipstick (Php 299) comes in five different shades, and I had the chance to try these three - Hollywood Red, Romantic Rose, and Mauve Maven.

Avon True Color Dual Gradient Lipstick.

Top shade - Hollywood Red, Bottom left - Romantic Rose, Bottom right - Mauve Maven.

L-R: Hollywood Red, Romantic Rose, Mauve Maven.

They're packaged in a black rectangular tube, and each lipstick is designed with a diagonal cut to help you achieve the gradient look with ease. The shades look promising from the get-go and you can definitely see the color contrast in the tube, but alas, that contrast is nowhere to be found once you swatch the shades or apply the product on your lips. 

Avon True Color Dual Gradient Lipstick in Hollywood Red.

Avon True Color Gradient Lipstick in Mauve Maven.

Avon True Color Gradient Lipstick in Romantic Rose.

If anything, the Avon True Color Dual Gradient Lipsticks are nicely pigmented, easy to apply, and are very hydrating. These lipsticks are infused with vitamin E, silk protein, and aloe extract to make your lips literally 'glisten with moisture'. I wouldn't recommend this product if you're a fan of matte lipsticks (with the exception of Hollywood Red, since this shade has a semi-matte finish), but if you're all for that creamy, satin finish, you might find this lipstick to your liking.

Finally, we have the sheet masks, all made with cutting-edge, top quality Korean ingredients. It's no secret that I'm a sheet mask addict, and I was very much excited to pamper my skin with these babies.

Avon sheet masks (clockwise from L-R): Glass Effect Hydrogel Face Mask, Jelly Kiss Lip Mask,
Cica Soothing Sheet Mask, Golden Shimmer Hydrogel Eye Mask.

The Glass Effect Hydrogel Face Mask (Php 149) is a thin, gel-like mask that promises plump and glowing glass-like skin. It's infused with Sugar Maple that enhances skin hydration and gives it a healthy glow in just ten minutes. I like the sweet and mild scent of this product, but putting it on my face was quite a challenge - the mask came in two halves, they don't fit quite well, and they felt clammy on the skin. 

Wearing the Glass Effect Hydrogel Face Mask.

The Cica Soothing Sheet Mask (Php 129), on the other hand, is a winner. Formulated with the legendary Centella asiatica (aka Cica plant), this product soothes, refreshes, and deeply nourishes the skin. It also contains lavender extract which has anti-inflammatory properties; peppermint extract which cools the skin and helps facilitate oil secretion; and rosemary extract, an anti-oxidant known for its anti-aging properties. It comes in a traditional fiber sheet mask form, and fits just right on my face. 

Wearing the Cica Soothing Sheet Mask.

Next we have the Golden Shimmer Hydrogel Eye Mask (Pho 149), perfectly-shaped eye patches in a hydrogel formula. This product contains hyaluronic acid which hydrates the skin and gives your undereyes an instant brightening effect. If you pulled an all-nighter, these patches will make your eyes look less tired and significantly better if you apply them first thing in the morning.

Finally, there's the Jelly Kiss Lip Mask (Php 119), which also comes in a hydrogel formula. Packed with manuka honey, and peach and nectarine extracts, this lip mask not only smooths and hydrates, but also makes your lips plump and fuller. It feels squishy and looks funny when worn, but hey, this mask works. :)

Avon sheet masks (clockwise from L-R): Golden Shimmer Hydrogel Eye Mask, Cica Soothing Sheet Mask,
Jelly Kiss Lip Mask, Glass Effect Hydrogel Face Mask.

The Avon K-Beauty Collection is available at all Avon outlets, the Avon online shop, and through your Avon lady. 

Which of these products are you excited to try? :)

Pucker Up! | Missha Wish Stone Tint Velvet.

New year, lippie!
Well, not-so-new, actually. I bought these lippies while I was in Korea last spring but never had the chance to use them, let alone open the sealed boxes. I only remembered that I had them in my stash when I saw these lippies listed on the Althea website, lol.

Missha Wish Stone Tint Velvet.

Mostly Hangul text at the back of the box.

Meet the Missha Wish Stone Tint Velvet - by far, one of the prettiest lip products that I brought home from Korea. I mean, just look at the packaging. And you all know I'm a sucker for products with cute and quirky packaging.

Lovely, crystalline-shaped packaging.

Its crystalline shape and sparkly appearance resembles that of a sunstone, one of the lesser-known yet relatively affordable gemstones in the world of jewelry.

They're glittery, too!

Its applicator is quite unique, too. The wand is long and the applicator itself is shaped like a pentagon.

Shade #15736 aka Chic Red.

Shade # 15738 aka Pretty Brown Pink.

There are five different shades in the Missha Wish Stone Tint Velvet line, and the ones that I have are shades #15736 Chic Red and #15738 Pretty Brown Pink. The former is a bold, classic red while the latter is a dusty rose with brown undertones. Both shades are nicely pigmented and can be worn full-lip or gradient-style.

Swatched - Pretty Brown Pink on the left, Chic Red on the right.

Aside from the packaging and pigmentation, I also love the velvety, meringue texture of these tints. They glide smoothly on the lips and leave your kisser with a soft, matte finish. And because the Missha Wish Stone Tint Velvet is formulated with nourishing ingredients such as plum seed oil, calendula, and avocado extracts, your lips won't feel dry even after hours of wear. 

Swatched - Pretty Brown Pink on the left, Chic Red on the right.

Speaking of wear time, these tints stay solid for six hours at the most. The color will last through a coffee break, but you'll need to do a touch-up after a complete meal.

Swatches, about three hours later.

Personally, I'm okay with the retouching part. That way, I get to take these beauties out of my purse and take a whiff of their yummy, cotton candy scent. If you're not a fan of scented lip products, this might be a bit of a turn-off for you. 

After doing the dishes and taking a bath, there's still a hint of color from the swatches.

But overall, these lippies are definitely worth-trying - all the more because they're pretty affordable. They're priced at 6500 won each (around Php 300 or US$6), but I was able to buy both tints for the price of one, thanks to Missha's 1+1 Sale Event during that time. Althea currently sells them at Php 260 each - still a budget-friendly price.

Chic Red on my lips, gradient style.

Pretty Brown Pink, worn full-lip.

Shopping at Althea? Don't forget to use my referral code to get 20% off your first order! 

Offer is valid for new customers, with a maximum discount of Php 200.

Pucker Up! | Laneige Two Tone Tint Lip Bar.

In Korea, one sure-fire way to promote and sell products is by incorporating them in Kdramas. Also known as product placement or PPL, this indirect form of advertising is usually done by merely displaying relevant products or brand logos in the drama, or more often than not, characters using the products in the drama.

Case in point, the Laneige products featured in the hit Kdrama 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo'. Lee Sung Kyung, who played the role of adorkable Kim Bok Joo, is a Laneige endorser so it was not a surprise to see the Water Bank Moisture Cream and the Two Tone Lip Bar in shade number 4 make an appearance in the drama. The latter became extremely popular especially among female fans of the Kdrama, and was almost always sold out at Laneige stores.

And this is why I ended up buying the Laneige Two Tone Tint Lip Bar instead.

Laneige Two Tone Tint Lip Bar.

I saw this product's TV advertisement (which also starred Lee Sung Kyung) quite a number of times while I was in Seoul and I figured, okay, let's just buy this one since Kim Bok Joo endorses it, too.

The back of the box, text mostly in Hangul.

Same goes for the holographic side panel.

Touted as the 'more moisturizing' version of the Two Tone Lip Bar, the Two Tone Tint Lip Bar is formulated with the 'Moisture Wrap' technology which is also used in the Lip Sleeping Mask. It's a combination of a lip tint and a lip balm, which gives your lips lovely pop of color while keeping your kisser soft and moisturized at the same time.

The lip bar itself. 

The back panel, still sealed.

The lever.

The product comes in a pink rectangular tube with a lever system, which raises the lip tint bullet up when you press the lever down. It comes in eight different shades, with the name, number, and shade reference indicated on the box flap and on the bottom of the lip bar.

Shade reference + shade number.

Shade name and number + shade reference.

I chose shade number 8 Cherry Milk, the darkest and the prettiest IMHO among all of the eight shades. It's also one of the two shades used by Lee Sung Kyung in the TV advert, with the other shade being shade number 3 Tint Mint.

For that no-fuss gradient look! :)

Unlike the Two Tone Lip Bar which has a diagonal cut, the Two Tone Tint Lip Bar has a precise 'V' cut which enables you to achieve the rosy coverage on the center of the lips, while keeping the outer areas of the lips moisturized. It's a very convenient product since it eliminates the need of carrying a separate lip balm and a lipstick. Also, this product is perfect for the no-fuss, gradient look!

Indoor lighting: Swatched twice on the left, once on the right.

Natural light: Swatched twice on the left, once on the right.

Cherry Milk is the most pigmented among all eight shades, and the one with the most obvious gradient and strongest color contrast. If you're not digging the gradient look, you can just blend the product on your lips to get a stronger color.

Cherry Milk when worn.

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of gradient lips, so yes, I am totally over the moon with the Laneige Two Tone Tint Lip Bar! I love how it glides on effortlessly on the lips and how it leaves the lips silky soft without the sticky feel. It also has a nice and subtle fruity scent, which doesn't linger around after application. Wear time is around 3 or 4 hours before it wears off into a very sheer, natural-looking tint.

Products used:
FACE: Beyond Alice in Blooming Skin Tone Sun Base,
Ever Bilena Liquid Concealer in Light,
Laneige Milkyway Fantasy BB Cushion Whitening.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
Clio Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner,
Clio Salon de Cara Backcomb Cara.
CHEEKS: Tony Moly Cristal Blusher in Pleasure Peach.
LIPS: Laneige Two Tone Tint Lip Bar in 08 Cherry Milk.

Overall, it's such a fun product to use and definitely worth the money. I got mine for 23000 won (around Php 1000 or $20) at the Laneige store in Myeongdong. :)

Pucker Up! | The Face Shop x Disney Princess Moisture Touch Lipstick.

Happy Monday everyone!
I hope you're all enjoying the long weekend, which also happens to be the last weekend of June. It's also the final week of my son's (extended) school break. Next Monday we go back to the school and I go back to the daily grind - homework, quizzes, projects, you know the drill. And this is why I'm trying to catch up on my blog backlogs - I still have tons of makeup and skincare products that I need to review and write about, and I can only do so much when Yue goes back to school.

Anyhoo, let's cross one more item in my 'to-blog' list - the Moisture Touch Lipstick from The Face Shop x Disney Princess collaboration collection. Released in December 2016, this limited edition holiday collection includes lipsticks, lip tints, eyeshadow palettes, sheet masks, nail polishes, and even a foot mask featuring Disney princesses in the packaging.

I bought a few sheet masks and lip tints as Christmas gifts for my friends; for myself, I got this Moisture Touch Lipstick because the packaging is too pretty to resist. Also, it was on sale at just 6500 won (around Php 300 or $5) - almost half of its original price. Haha!

The Face Shop x Disney Princess Moisture Touch Lipstick.

It comes in a cardboard box with Snow White's picture on it. The lipstick itself also has Snow White's picture on it, with a dainty red heart on the cap. I was so overwhelmed by the cuteness that I wanted to buy all three lipsticks from the collection, but alas, Ariel from The Little Mermaid was a bit too orange-y for my taste, while Rapunzel from Tangled was out of stock.

Product description (in Hangul) at the back of the box.

Product description (in English) on the side panel.

Here's the product description as written on the box:

This moisture lipstick contains serum that coats the lips to create vivid, glossy color while providing moisturizing and hydrating care.

RD 06 Red Apple.

Dainty little heart on top.

The lipstick, uncapped.

The serum mentioned is actually olive-derived squalene, which has moisturizing and anti-aging properties. That being said, the Moisture Touch Lipstick has an incredibly rich, cushioning, and hydrating gel-like formulation.

A closer look at the bullet. :)

It has a soft, creamy texture and glides on the lips smoothly without tugging. Its moisturizing effect makes it very comfortable to wear and leaves your lips feeling like it's drenched in lip balm, even if you're not wearing lip balm underneath.

Swatched once on the left, twice on the right.

It's highly pigmented too, and the vibrant, buildable color lasts on the lips for about four or five hours. RD 06 is a brightened, medium red which flatters most skin tones.

RD 06 Red Apple when worn.

If you're into the gradient lip trend, which is extremely popular in South Korea, you can achieve the look by 'smudging' the color on your lips using the applicator underneath the heart. This was an accidental discovery; I twisted the heart out of curiosity and voila, there was actually an applicator hiding inside it.

Twist the heart to reveal the surprise!

Curiosity doesn't always kill the cat, does it? :)

Products Used:
FACE: Innisfree Cushion Primer,
Benefit Erase Paste in Medium,
Laneige Milkyway Fantasy BB Cushion Whitening.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
Clio Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner,
Clio Salon de Cara Backcomb Cara.
CHEEKS: Tony Moly Cristal Blusher in Pleasure Peach.
LIPS: The Face Shop x Disney Moisture Touch Lipstick in RD 06 Red Apple.