Skincare Special: Luxe vs. Less

Luxe vs. Less Skin Care

Find out what products to splurge on and when to save your hard-earned dollars

You don't have to spend half your paycheck on skincare products to stay wrinkle and pimple-free. That said, slathering household condiments on your face to avoid paying for the good stuff isn't necessary either. Dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban and P&G scientist Mary Begovic Johnson helped us compare products with similar ingredients that are very different in cost. Here's what we found. See products

Elegant Minerals

This is another long overdue post of my mineral makeup haul i ordered months ago. This one is from Elegant Minerals,a trusted and verified online merchant located at Corpus Christi, Texas.

I ordered three sets of their foundation samples in Light Warm shades, they include the following:

Light Bisque- for light skin with peaches & cream complexion, with pink undertones.

Golden Wheat- a shade for light skin with slightly yellow undertones & some pink.

Cornsilk- for light-medium skin, with neutral and yellow undertones. (for Asians and Latins)

Beige- light-medium shade. Great balance -slightly darker than Golden Wheat.

I also ordered passion glow blush & pink glow bronze, pale roses lipstick, setting powder in sheer neutral shade and a small spatula for scooping and measuring mmu.

They have the tiniest sample jars i've ever seen, much like a size of a peso coin. So cute!! Although they don't have sifters, each jar is sealed and properly labeled. Each sample foundie is good for 2 to 3 applications only. (Now i have empty little jars to fill in with some eyeshadow samples.)

I asked them to have one of the sample sets gift-wrapped. It's one of the options they offer with no extra cost. It looked like this, wrapped in metallic red ribbon, and i gave it away as a small present.

The foundies are weightless and considerably long-wearing. And their customer support is remarkable, i was able to chat with one of the representatives online thru Yahoo Messenger before i finalized the shades i want.

They claim that their products are free of preservatives, bismuth, talc, dyes, parabens, carmine and fragrances. And most of all, just like most mineral makeup companies, their products are cruelty free- and no animal testing. =)

Product Review: Lumene Cosmetics

Best and Worst Products from Lumene Cosmetics

Check out this buying guide to one of the most popular drugstore brands..

Ever walked past a Lumene display at a CVS and wondered "Hmmm, what's the deal with that brand?" If so, you'll love this guide. Check it out, but be warned: you may feel the need to rush to your nearest CVS soon after. See products

. The Worst: No. 2: Lumene Cleansing Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover, $6.49

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 6.7*

What you said: "The product merely smears mascara around the eye area and..."

No. 1: Lumene Cleansing Sensitive Eye Make up Remover, $6.49

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 5.8*

What you said: "It burns the skin around my eyes, especially under..."

The Best: No. 10: Lumene Vitamin C+ Energy Cocktail Pampering Drops, $22.99

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8*

What you said: "My skin is dry in the winter and I found this cocktail to give it the pampering boost..."

Want to see what's #1? Click here!

Product Review: Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara

“It’s the sexiest thing your lashes could ever wear!”

I know it sounds kinda funny that I could possibly think a mascara looks or sounds sexy, but this product does to me!

Maybelline New York introduced their newest mascara not long ago and it's taking beauty addicts by storm. Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara, is supposed to widely increase and lengthen lashes, much like a stiletto does for legs. That is to impart provocative length and black-patent shine.

What is Special with This Mascara?

• The Grip & Extend brush grasps each lash and coats from every angle
• Elastic formula stretches lashes for provocative length
• Pro-Vitamin B-5 formula conditions and smoothes for black-patent shine
• Contact lens safe and Ophthalmologist tested

Available in three shades: Very Black, Soft Black and Brownish Black

Recommended Use (as per packaging):

• Sweep Grip and Extend Brush upwards from root to tip to grasp each lash and coat from every angle to achieve extreme length and shine
• Continue building lashes until you reach your desired look
• Do not let dry between coats
• Repeat for lower lash line
• Removes easily with soap and water
• For a truly dramatic, wide-eyed look, curl your lashes with eyelash curler before applying mascara

Recently I had the opportunity to try Lash Stiletto in Very Black and I love it. After a few days of wearing this mascara, here is my review.

The packaging is fabulous; so classy and it is actually shaped like a stiletto (the heels)! The wand is defined enough to get EVERY lash and it is small enough to give a good control. I can finally go after the lashes closest to the inner corners of my eyes without poking them and causing teary eyes!

The mascara really does a nice job of lengthening lashes and adding volume. My lashes were thicker, but not clumpy. It is good in giving a natural curl and keeping my lashes separate. I didn't experience flaking or smudging with Lash Stiletto. Best of all, it doesn’t cause my eyes to become itchy. I am highly impressed with this mascara.

Check out some backstage shots for the new Maybelline's Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara’s ad:

Have you tried Lash Stiletto yet? What were your thoughts?

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And my good news:

I will be hosting a giveaway for Maybelline's Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara! I'll post it as soon as i finalize the mechanics of the contest. So stay tuned!

Solutions for Stressed & Lifeless Hair

Fried Hair Rehab

Sun damage, coloring, flat-ironing... you've demanded enough from your stressed hair. Find out how to bring health back to it, thanks to advice from hair pros. See tips

Travel-Sized Beauty Essentials

Get Vacation-Ready with These Travel Products

Don't travel without these essential hair care products and cosmetics..

Wherever and however you travel, you don't want to trade precious clothing space in your suitcase for a giant can of hairspray or your favorite shampoo. Having a perfectly planned travel beauty kit would wipe all your concerns away-- and leave room for another pair of shoes! Here are some ideal travel-sized essentials. See products

Product Review: EARTHEN GLOW MINERALS

Earthen Glow Minerals is a promising mineral makeup store launched at the last quarter of 2008. I ordered two sets of Get Acquainted Sample Kit. Each kit contains my choice of 3 loose mineral foundations, 1 finishing powder and 1 blush. My orders took only less than two weeks to arrive.

It’s fun browsing the color chart but because of the many shades available to choose from, it could also cause you headache in selecting a foundation that is most suitable for you in every way, color, texture, and coverage. But one good thing about mineral makeup stores, they allow us to order a sample or better yet a sampler kit. This way, it allows us to select several foundation colors and more with minimal investment.

Price:
Sample Kit (in jars): $5.00
Sample Kit (in bags): $3.50
Shipping (First Class International USPS): $2.50
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Total (payment thru Paypal): $11.00

Plus $0.75 (P35.00) Philippine Postal Fee (grrr..)

All samples in jars (foundie, finpow and blushes) came in a round sample jars with black covers and sifters. But three of the samples arrived with loose caps. I tried to tighten the cap coverings but it seems that the cap and the jar don’t fit together. I wished that the sifter holes were sealed so the pigments shouldn’t have spilled. It turned out that the cheaper samples in bag ($3.50) contained more pigments than those in jars ($5).

BLUSHES:

Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Premium grade serecite (colorless mica), Iron Oxide.

I got Blush of Youth and Peaches n Cream. A little dusting of blush in the apples of the cheeks gives a lil color and depth (not flat!) The blushes have enough sheen for a radiant glow. For me, Blush of Youth is a reminiscent of my favorite blusher/bronzer- E.L.F. Glow, but the former is a bit darker.

FOUNDATION:

Earthen Glow Minerals offers four (4) Mineral Foundation formulas:

• Youthful Glow- Offers medium coverage with a natural and Youthful Radiant Glow.
• Cover Me- Heaviest mineral foundation, providing a beautiful, natural finish with the slightest Glow.
• Light & Natural- Feather light coverage, Mineral foundation. Rice Based Formula. Light coverage, Matte finish, good for oily skin.
• Liquid Minerals- A natural liquid mineral foundation that contains Primrose oil, it provides medium coverage with a matte finish.

These foundations cover a wide range of complexions, and it is interesting to note that Earthen Glow Minerals have more than a hundred shades available that are categorized into four groups:

• Beige - Neutral Family
• Cool - Olive family
• Yellow Family
• Warm - Peach Family

Here’s what I got:

Youthful Glow Foundation:

Medium coverage with a natural youthful glow, producing that beautiful natural look.

Ingredients: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Oxides, May contain Ultramarine Blue oxides.

Adya (Yellow Family)







Mailee (Yellow Family)





Sung (Yellow Family)






Janelle (Cool and Olive Family)

Light & Natural Foundation:

Light coverage foundation. A rice based formula that is good for all skin types and naturally effective controlling the oil secreted by oily skin.

Ingredients: Rice Powder, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Oxides, May contain Ultramarine Blue oxides.

Kelly (Yellow Family)

Melissa (Yellow Family)

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The texture and feel is not chalky, instead, it glides smoothly and I feel like it melts onto my skin quite nice, it reminds me of Lumiere (one of my HG foundations). It’s just the way I want the finish: dewy, radiant, and with “youthful glow”. However, use a proper concealer if you need to cover up blemishes. It caters those who prefer medium coverage. It is not that longwearing but I think a makeup primer would solve this.

Light and Natural on the other hand, is more concerned on controlling the oiliness. The rice powder ingredient is an important ingredient if you desire light coverage with a matte finish.

Up to this writing, I still haven’t found my exact shade without mixing. But Mailee is a favorite, and a close match. Also with Sung + Janelle. Kelly is almost like a second skin too. I can also wear Adya. Well, I really can’t figure out because they are all so nice.

FINISHING POWDER:

High Definition Pro
Ingredients: Silica Micro spheres, Micas.

”High Definition Pro Finishing Powder is excellent for those with oily skin who may need a little additional power before and after applying the foundation.”

-from EGM website

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I have never seen any loose powder so finely milled as this powder. It feels like I am touching cornstarch when I swipe the colors. It's that fine and smooth. There is hardly powder flying around unless I swipe it hard. Using a stippling brush, it just glides onto the skin effortlessly and evenly. I can use it solely over moisturizer and concealer, but I find better outcome when used with Earthen Mineral foundation underneath. It doesn't offer coverage nor does it change complexion much. But I don’t regret choosing only High Definition Powder for my two kits, as I was not that tempted to try the other variants (Silk Botanical and Soft Focus)- guilty about my Dream World Crème Toppings that I haven’t been touched.

According to Earthen Glow Minerals website, their formulas are kept as natural as possible and do not contain artificial fragrances, colors, waxes, preservatives or fillers in loose mineral cosmetic formulas. The ingredients/ agents mentioned are believed to often lead to skin irritation.

Furthermore, their mineral cosmetics have no organic materials in them except their rice powders such as the Silk Botanical finishing powder. These organic ingredients have indefinite shelf lives provided they are kept in cool, dark, dry areas.

Shelf Life:

Ordinary Foundation: 6 to 12 months
Mineral Foundation: No expiration date as long as kept dry

Traditional Blush: Powder: 2 years, Cream: 1 year
Mineral Blush: No expiration date as long as kept dry

Traditional Eye Shadow: 2 years, Cream: 6 to 12 months
Mineral Eye shadow: No expiration date as long as kept dry

Mascara: 3 months
Lipstick: 2 years

CONCLUSION:
No bumps or allergic reactions were experienced with the foundation and finishing powder. Despite the spillage experience, Earthen Glow Minerals has become one of my favorite mineral makeup available online.

The Right Now Tag

My friend Ron (In My Own Words) has tagged me with this “Right Now Tag”. So before I get back to my pending mineral makeup reviews, let’s do this right now!

Read more at this link.

Vanity's Child: Honest Scrap Awardee

This is an overdue acknowledgment of the first ever award that I received for this blog. I am honored to receive this Honest Scrap Award from A Friend Named Goddy. I want to thank its brilliant author Goddy for including Vanity’s Child in his list of blogs, deserving of the Honest Scrap Award.

Honest Scrap Award for the makeup reviews? I am not sure exactly why Kuya Goddy bestowed this award to me.. But to quote the requirements of this award:

“This award is bestowed upon a fellow blogger whose blog’s content or design is, in the giver’s opinion, brilliant.”

As the recipient of this Honest Scrap Award comes with some requirements before I can pass this along to another fellow blogger. Again, quoting from Kuya Goddy’s blog, here are the requirements:

“When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to the said person so everyone knows she/he is real. Choose a minimum of seven (7) blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Or improvise by including bloggers who have no idea who you are because you don’t have seven friends. Show the seven random victims’ names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with Honest Weblog. Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon. List at least ten (10) honest things about yourself. Then pass it on!”

Now, here are the 10 honest things about me:

1. I have an Ophidiophobia (fear of snakes), I can’t even seem to look at their pictures, and just a thought of snake makes my heart beats fast.
2. I used to be afraid of mascots (yes, mascots like Jollibee)
3. I used to have a very low self-esteem during high school and my early years in College.
4. I would agree that crocs (footwear) are comfortable, but i really find them strange looking and ugly.
5. My heart was broken so many times and even went through (and survived!) some emotional breakdowns.
6. I dreamed of joining the military, or become an FBI agent or a (sexy) police officer. But having said that, I knew it can’t be because…. (#7)
7. I’m clumsy… I don’t engage much on sports (I’m a dancer, tho)
8. I've been crying silently for two consecutive nights now. Long story. =(
9. I have a high appreciation to arts and music, but a frustrated musician. My late father was the vocalist of a band specialized in Spanish songs and traveled some parts of the world, he also played acoustic guitar, harmonica and other musical instruments (I wish I can be like him).
10. I still “google” the names of my ex-crushes (just curious where are they now). LOL

To complete the requirements, I would like to pass this award to 7 bloggers I believe who are deserving of this award:

Margo of "Life In The Short Lane"

Herby of "My Second Trial"
Rick of "Rick's World"
Melskiens of "Open Space"
Diana of "Paper Doll Revenge"
Aika of "Diary Of A Recessionista"
Kimberly of "Bat Your Eyelashes"

Barbie: Still Fab at 50!

It’s Barbie's 50th birthday!

For many young girls, Barbie have become their first association with fashion and dressing up and changing clothes.

Barbie Millicent Roberts

Barbie was classified as one of the important dolls promoting the latest trend in fashion dolls. The first ever Barbie doll created in March 9, 1959 wore an eye-popping black and white zebra striped swimsuit, signature topknot ponytail, and timeless open-toed heels and sold in the market in two ways – blonde or brunette.

The first Barbie dolls released are said to have mirrored the style of icons like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. From then on, Barbie doll becomes a dream of every little girl.

I researched and found some Barbie trivia:

• Barbie's full name is "Barbie Millicent Roberts."
• Her parents' names are given as George and Margaret Roberts from the fictional town of Willows, Wisconsin.
• Her immediate family after 1992: SKIPPER (sister), STACIE & TODD (twin sister & brother), KELLY (baby sister)
• The original Barbie was named for a real young lady from California named Barbara Handler. Barbie, the teen fashion doll that debuted in 1959 was created by Barbara's mom, Ruth Handler (1916-2002), she named the doll after her daughter.
• The first Barbie cost $3.
• At first, Barbie was a teenaged fashion model, but she's had over 100 careers since then, from astronaut to a medic in Desert Storm. She also represented different countries all over the world.

The "Filipina Barbie" wearing Philippine ethnic clothes

• Today, more than 1 billion Barbie's have been sold. Mattel Toy Company, the company behind the production and evolution of Barbie dolls in the market, is claiming that three Barbie dolls are sold every second around the world.
• The Ken doll was named for Ruth and Elliot Handler's son.
  Ken became Barbie's boyfriend in 1961, but they split up on Valentines Day 2004. The Ken doll then had a huge makeover as toy makers Mattel say he's desperate to get Barbie back.

• Barbie’s first pet was a horse called Dancer.
• Barbie didn't have a belly button until 2000.
• Barbie's vital statistics have been estimated at 36 inches (chest), 18 inches (waist) and 33 inches (hips). (WOW!)

Barbie is hitting the big Five-O, tho she shows no signs of losing her body, her face -- or her sense of style. Barbie has remained the ultimate fashionista!

New Product Launch: Eyeko Lip Gloss Tins

Want some lip-smacking gloss? Wrap your lips around these yummy treats from Eyeko at £4 each:

Rosey Pink

Pretty pink rose scented gloss poured into a vintage tattoo inspired tin

Creamy CupcakeChocolate scented clear gloss with sprinkles for a luscious lip look

Cheeky Cherry
Cherry flavored gloss with iridescent glitter for a gorgeous grin

With a minimum order of £10, use code E148 at check out to receive a

FREE gift from Eyeko with FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Product Review: Eyeko Manga Makeup

Eyeko has an irresistible line of make-up must haves with a Manga twist and Japanese flavor, which make it one of my favorite brands. Take a peek on my recent purchases from Eyeko..

Eyeko Eye Beauty 5 in 1 Eye Shadows

I ordered "Pretty Eyes" palette with strips of five different shades of pastel pinks, lilac and iridescent white, all neatly lined up in a tin can packaging. It actually reminded me of Pop Beauty Eye Cake Palettes.

Colors are fun to mix and match. They are easy to blend, soft and sheen. However, the color pay-off is recommended to those who prefer a barely-there makeup look (i.e. students).

Tip:
Use a primer to keep the colors last the whole day.

Also available in these color palettes:

• Cool Eyes: greys, dark blue, and purple shades
• Sexy Eyes: subtle peach, bronze, khaki and pink shades

Price: £5 each

Eyeko Fat Balm (in Strawberry)

Berry-liscious tints with light reflecting particles and jojoba oil for added moisture for softer, sexier lips. Smooth on to cheeks too for a fruity flush. Also available in Raspberry and Minty variants.

Price: £5

Eyeko Manga Makeup Book
(in Make Out Girl)

A luxe look book crammed with 5 eye shadows, 3 lip glosses, 1 concealer and 1 cream blush to create the perfect date face. Plus all the necessary beauty tools inside and even a mirror to remind you who's the fairest of them all. =P

Price: £5

Eyeko 3-in-1 Cream

"A triple duty moisturizer, eye cream and highlighter with an antioxidant boost plus Vitamin C makes for a radiant complexion.." --eyeko.com

Price: £5

This is Eyeko's best-selling product, and my favorite too. Some use this sparingly as a highlighter, but actually you can use this as an all over face cream and works like a sheer foundation. With the right application, it creates a flawless base and it's not shimmery at all.

Tip:
Application should be quick because it dries easier than some facial moisturizers. You may also want to put your ordinary moisturizer first so you could spread Eyeko cream evenly. I noticed better results when paired with Eyeko's Fat Balm in strawberry shade.

Eyeko Cream has a pearly cream texture and a peachy-pink-creamy-white shade and.... i just can't find the exact words to describe. Very interesting!

And here's my treat to all my readers:

For a minimum order of £10 at Eyeko, use code E148 to receive a FREE full size item with FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!