THE GREAT ASIAN BEAUTY HAUL PART 2 (HEROINE, 3CE, CHARMING KISS)

Hey guys, 

As promised, here’s part two of my beauty haul!
For part one, click here. 

#1 Heroine Make by Isehan

Product 1: SP Long & Curl Super Waterproof Mascara

I was so happy to find Heroine Make at Sasa in Taiwan as it has become my go-to brand for mascara. I was ready to buy myself a tube of their Kiss Me Make Long & Curl (which I previously reviewed) but saw Cosme's #1 rated, Heroine Make SP Long & Curl Super Waterproof* mascara and bought that instead.  

*For the purpose of this review, I will simplify the names, referring to the SP Long & Curl Super Waterproof mascara as SW and Kiss Me Make Long & Curl mascara as Kiss Me. 

Some of the notable qualities of the SW include

1. Its ability to lengthen the lashes about 3x more. (Better than Kiss Me's) 
2. Very long-lasting.
3. I tested its waterproof capabilities in the shower and it stays on. 
4. It doesn't smudge. 

Other things I noticed...

1. You’ll need an oil based makeup remover to get it off. 
2. It tends to clump the lashes together after 2 applications. 
3. You have to be careful when applying if you want it to look more natural. 
4. It doesn't seem to add much volume to the lashes. I found the length it created wasn't proportional to the added volume/thickness making my lashes look 'thin' but long. I had to use a spooly to make it look more natural. 

Comparing the SW to Kiss Me, both seem identical in regards to their function. They're both waterproof, lengthening, and long lasting. The difference lies on how much more length is added to the lashes and just how waterproof is waterproof. I found the SW to be better at both categories but, despite everything, I find myself preferring Heroine's Kiss Me mascara. Kiss Me gives a more refined and natural look to the lashes in my experience. Not saying that SW couldn't have the same result, it just takes more  time and effort to do so.

I would recommend the SW for those looking for a lengthening mascara. If you're looking for something less dramatic that adds more volume and length at the same time, I would recommend the Kiss Me mascara. 

Product 2: Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner

I bought the Make Smooth Liquid eyeliner expecting the same quality I would from Heroine's mascaras but I was left rather disappointed. While having a pleasant opacity in terms of the blackness of the ink and its rather smooth application on the lid, this eyeliner has trouble staying on, period. I tried topping it off with eyeshadow using a shadow brush but even that didn't keep the ink from coming off. I did manage to find a solution with the help of q-tips. Apparently, packing eyeshadow on with a cotton bud really helped it last all day. I think Heroine could make some improvements to this product. Just make it more lasting and waterproof then I'll buy it again. 

#2 3 Concept Eyes (3CE)

I heard so much about 3CE from friends so I didn’t hesitate to buy some of their products. I chose three from the limited pile: the glam cream shadow in Baby Doll, cream blush in New Pink, and their wonderful lip lacquer in Bon Bon.  

Product 1: Cream Blush (New Pink)

I've been using the 3CE cream blush for everyday wear as it gives the most natural flush. The consistency is creamy and blends easily on the skin. If you don't blend it out, the pink cream is opaque enough to use for avant garde looks. 

Product 2: Glam Cream Shadow (Baby Doll)

The 3CE Baby Doll cream shadow is a peach colour with subtle shimmer particles. Its cream formulation is smooth and blends easily just like the cream blush. Its also a gorgeous colour to use on its own for lazy days or as an eye primer. I usually use it under a smokey eye to make my shadows last longer. I also tried it as a cheek highlighter and it worked really well.

Product 3: Lip Lacquer (Bon Bon)

Bon Bon is a peach coloured lip lacquer. It has a delightful buttery feel when applied and it finishes matte but not drying at all like Limecrime Velvetines. The formulation unfortunately, emphasises the look of cracked lips. If you have this lip lacquer, I suggest scrubbing your lips prior to application or applying some balm. You can also choose to top it off with gloss for a pretty shine. 

Oddly enough, I noticed that the colour registers pink on camera and photos but in person, it's peach. 

I used all the makeup products in this haul (except the falsies) to create this simple natural look.

#3 Charming Kiss produced by Chiaki Ito (Koji) 

I’ve been looking for falsies like this for the longest time! It’s not a very common find in Manila but in Taiwan I found similar looking lashes in most of the cosmetic stores. It’s pricier than a box of lashes you can find at Divisoria but the hairs look very natural and it’s obviously better in quality. 

The length is only half of a regular false lash so it's meant to be placed on the outer lash area for a full yet natural effect. I used a pair on a client recently and the result was stunning. It goes on easy and it blends in with the natural lashes. I'll definitely buy more of this in the future. 

That concludes Part 2 of my beauty haul. Stay tuned for Part 3 next week! :) 

THE GREAT ASIAN BEAUTY HAUL PART 1 (CLIO, AVANCÉ, MEDIA)

In recent years, I’ve noticed myself slowly shifting my attention away from Western beauty care to its Eastern counterpart. I’ve decided, now more than ever, to explore the Asian makeup arena as I’ve encountered some really good contenders from brands like Heroine and Clio. Lucky for me, I get to travel back and forth from Taiwan which has become my gateway to the Asian beauty industry. 

The Taiwanese, much like Japanese and Koreans, are conscious about their appearance which is why you'll be able to find several cosmetic stores all over the place. Most popular are Sasa, Cosmed, and Watsons for their affordable beauty supply. Other luxury brands can also be found occupying the first level of malls around the country. The moment you walk in is an invitation to purchase. 

Like a moth drawn to a flame, I couldn't help but splurge on the massive abundance. Carefully selecting a handful from brands I've never tried before and some which have become recent favourites. And without further ado, here's the first part of my great asian beauty haul! 

#1 Clio

Clio carries one of the best eyeliners I’ve tried so far. Their Gelpresso line is just amazing quality with a wide colour selection. It’s the only eyeliner I’ve tried that has the best staying power as it doesn’t budge once it sets on the skin. A tita of mine had given me a bunch of Gelpresso eyeliners from South Korea and I just couldn’t get enough. So, when I saw the brand in Cosmed I decided to grab a couple more that I haven’t tried before. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen a matte Gelpresso eyeliner from their darker colour selection. They do, however, carry these amazing pastel liners that are matte and equally beautiful. I got two, Mintade and Keep Calm, which I thought would work well to make my eyes look bigger and brighter when lined on the waterline. 

Gelpresso Keep Calm 

Gelpresso Mintade

True to the Gelpresso quality, both eyeliners have amazing colour payoff, it doesn't budge once set, and it's also waterproof. I tested it on my hand and it does not rub off unless you use makeup remover. Definitely a good purchase.  

Now, because I was so impressed with Clio's Gelpresso eyeliners, I decided to try their waterproof pen liners which come in matte black (Kill Black) and brown (Kill Brown). Being pen liners, the Kill Black and Kill Brown are wet when applied. I must point out that the ink is wetter than I expected so I had to wait a little longer for it to set. Once it sets, the liner stays on all day and again, it will not budge. The colour is also build-able but I suggest waiting for the first layer to dry before applying a second layer to create the best opacity. 

Kill Black

Kill Brown

Note: Clio is available at SM Aura!!! 

#2 AVANCÉ (Japanese Brand)  

Avancé is one of the brands I haven't tried before. I picked it out from a wall filled with eyebrow products. I was originally going to get myself another K-palette brow pen but decided I could get it in Manila anyway. Out of the lot, Avancé's Jolie et Jolie et dual brow pen looked closest to what I was looking for. First in colour and second in function. Just like K-palette's dual brow pen, it has a pencil on one end and a powder on the other. The powder was what helped me make the switch from K-Palette as it doesn't contain glitter particles. 

I bought two colours which I felt would be most used for my clients, Light Brown and Natural Brown. I tried Natural Brown on myself and I love how it has more colour payoff than K-Palette's brow pens. Although, I am still an avid fan of K-Palette because the colour is closer to my natural hair. 

Natural Brown

#3 MEDIA (Kanebo, Japanese Brand) 

Last but not least, we have Media which is a brand under Japanese cosmetics producer, Kanebo. Media is another first for me and I found it while I was looking for a nude lipstick for my tita. I saw their wide colour selection on display so I decided to try each one on my hand and boy was I impressed! It was just the most beautiful selection and I wanted to buy it all but of course, self control. I bought two nudes, one pink (PK-01) and one beige (BE-02), just for everyday wear.

PK-01

One notable attribute about these lipsticks is how comfortable it feels on the lips. The gloss is watery, light, and buttery. At the same time it leaves the most natural looking colour. I'll definitely be looking for this brand again when I get back.  

And that concludes part one of my great asian beauty haul! Stay tuned for part deux next week! <3

Haul: Too Cool For School

Another Korean beauty brand to try! 

Too Cool for School is the latest Korean beauty craze to land in Manila. Their products target teenagers to young adults with their fun packaging and high quality ingredients. What sets them apart from other Korean labels is their modest selection of beauty care as compared to the over abundance seen in most beauty stores. With this simpler selection, beauty beginners will surely have an easier time picking out products. Who could possibly resist? 

Out of the lot, I specifically chose three I considered to be staples for beauty beginners. These consist of two skin care products: the Egg Mousse Pack and the McGirly Perfecter - both use age-old natural beauty ingredients like egg and rice wine - and lastly, the After School BB Lunch Box which I used on the above photo. 

GENERAL PACKAGING

Out of the Korean brands I’ve encountered, Too Cool For School really makes it to the top of my list for beautiful packaging. The brand collaborates with different artists to create eye-catching designs that are tumblr and blogger worthy. Even the illustration on their loyalty card was collaborated by artist, Anke Weckmann. 

I won’t lie, the packaging was actually what drew me to the kiosk (located at 2nd floor SM Megamall Fashion Forum) in the first place. 

There’s one thing I would hope to suggest though…if anyone from Too Cool For School is reading this, please include English translations of the product description. As a person who looks into details, it was difficult for me to fully rely on what the in-house sales ladies were telling me about each product. I found their answers to my questions a little vague and generalised, so I had to do further research on my own. But, other than that, I think the packaging was really well thought out. Everything is made out of high quality materials and others exhibited dual functions for convenience.

PRODUCT REVIEW

I. Egg Mousse Pack  

The Egg Mousse Pack is a facial cleanser mask that uses egg yolk and albumin extract as active ingredients. Egg yolk is filled with Vitamins A, B2, and B3, Zinc and Protein. All of which aid in beautifying the skin, at the same time treats conditions such as inflammation, acne, dryness and itchiness. It also helps with slowing down skin ageing by repairing the skin’s tissues and promoting its elasticity. 

The egg albumin or egg white, on the other hand, contains Protein, Magnesium, Potassium, and Riboflavin. These mostly help with tightening, hydrating, and repairing the skin. It is also known to control oil excretion. 

What it does:

• Whitens
• Moisturises
• Smoothens
• Cleanses

This product is absolutely fun to use, with it’s thick, rich foam and delightful packaging. It’s easily becoming a favourite. Unlike a normal facial cleanser, this one needs to be left on to be absorbed by the skin before washing it off. I’ve been using it for a week now and so far it effectively cleanses and whitens, tightens my pores, and my skin feels so much smoother than normal. I also find that even without placing moisturiser after cleansing my face, my skin still feels soft and hydrated. It’s not extremely moisturising but it’s not drying as well.  

How to use:

Apply a sufficient amount all over the face and neck in a massaging motion then leave on until it is absorbed by the skin. Rinse off afterwards with lukewarm water.

Packaging:

The packaging comes in a high quality pump bottle so it’s not only hygienic but you won’t have to worry about the container leaking or breaking if you place it in your bag.

Price: P665.00

*This product contains fragrance. Those with sensitive skin are advised to consult with a dermatologist before using the product.

II. McGirly Perfecter 

The McGirly Perfecter Rice Wine Secret is part of the McGirly skin care collection. It’s actually a serum that contains the extract of yeast fermentation made from pottery brewed Makgeolli. 

*Makgeolli is an alcoholic drink from Korea made from wheat and rice. 

Rice Wines like Makgeolli are known to have several beautifying benefits with the abundant presence of nutrients, amino acids, yeast, Adenosine, Niacinamide, etc. 

What it does:

• Brightens the skin
• Fights wrinkles
• Makes skin more firm  

The McGirly Perfecter feels very light on the skin. It’s not sticky and is absorbed very quickly. I use this for day and night along with other skin care products that I’m loving at the moment. So far, my skin feels very soft and supple. 

How to use:

Just like any serum, use after cleansing the face and placing toner. Two pumps of the product are usually enough for the entire face and neck. Use patting motion to apply.

Packaging: 

I was actually more interested in the packaging when I came across this product. It comes in a ceramic like bottle with a pump for the serum and a wooden cap. Might not be too convenient to lug around but it’s pleasing to the eye. 

Price: P1,129.00

III. After School BB Lunch Box (Mini Size)  

The After School BB Cream comes in two forms, one is matte and the other, dewy. My skin type is quite dry so I chose the dewy version. They also have a regular sized bottle but I got the smaller version for trial purposes. 

What I like about the mini sized packaging is how travel friendly it is. You can use it almost anywhere and the spot precision is amazing. I first tried it on the way to the airport and I had the easiest time putting it on in the car. It’s very light weight and gives you just enough dew without making you look oily. The product is also easy to blend while giving a medium to light coverage. 

My only problem with this product is that it’s a little lighter than my skin tone. It has a more greyish undertone than a yellow one (and I’m pretty yellow). Although, I did notice that after a few minutes the colour seemed to adjust. I’m not sure if that’s how it really works or not. One thing’s for certain, I don’t recommend this product for ladies with darker skin tones. 

Note: This product will not last very long…probably a week or so depending on how much you use. You can opt to buy the regular sized bottle for P989.00.

How to use:

A little goes a long way. Simply place a tiny amount on forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin then spread evenly with a foundation brush, beauty blender, or fingers.

Pros

• Really nice dewy/ lightweight finish
• Spot precision application
• Travel friendly 
• Easy to blend
• Convenient size and weight
• Adorable packaging

Cons

• No other colour range to choose from, they only have 2 shades and both don’t even have the same formulation (matte/dewy). 

Price (mini): P219.00