Beauty Review: My Staple Makeup Products

I don't really shop for cosmetics that much because I don't explore much when it comes to makeup. I just want my look to be plain and simple on an ordinary day. Well at times I try to put more effort on doing my makeup when attending events/parties or nightouts.

Probably I have only gained a higher interest with makeup when I have travelled to Seoul, Korea, where cosmetic shops are literally everywhere. And I think, the most expensive makeup item I have bought in my life is the Naked palette.

My tendency is to buy the same makeup item after what I have runs out. I don't buy/own multiple face powder/foundation at once, not unless they're given to me as gifts. I stick with the items that don't irritate my skin.

So far, here are the makeup products that I've been using. I recommend these items because they're very affordable and they're perfect to use on a daily basis. In fact, I can't leave the house without these stuff.

CONCEALER:

L'Oreal or Maybelline

I use it to cover some pimple marks and freckles.

(no photo)

FOUNDATION/POWDER:

Maybelline Mineral Foundation

Revlon ColourStay Mineral Foundation

These two have a really nice finish. However, they're quite messy to apply since they're loose powder (with brush). Also, it's quite a hassle carrying them in a small bag/clutch since they're  quite bulky.

Revlon PhotoReady (pressed)

This is what I'm currently using and it's my favorite! I love its matte finish, and my face doesn't get oily that much. And hey, it's compact! I can slip it in any clutch when I go out.

EYEBROW LINER:

Nature Republic

I used to have a Maybelline one but when I found this in Korea, I tried it and loved it.

BLUSH:

Maybelline Mineral Blush (Shade: Rose)

It's not as compact as other blush-ons but I want it because it can give a natural blush (when a little is applied) or a full make up look at night (when more of it is applied).

EYELINER:

Shiseido Integrate (Black)

Before, I was using the Maybelline HyperSharp Liner when I want a thin line, and the Nature Republic pencil eyeliner when I want a thicker line. However, pencil eyeliners often smudge and make me look like a panda; while the HyperSharp liner kind of dries up fast so it can't be consumed for a long time. When I came to Japan, I borrowed my cousin's eyeliner and I liked it. It's the Shiseido Integrate black pen eyeliner. It doesn't smudge. It dried quickly once applied. And the tip of the pen doesn't dry out fast so it can be consumed for a long time.

MASCARA:

Maybelline

Every time my Maybelline mascara runs out, I buy another Maybelline mascara of a different type. I prefer a mascara that adds length and volume to my natural lashes. So far I have used the Volum' Express Cat Eyes (black&pink), Colossal (yellow), HyperCurl (black&pink), and Lash Stiletto, which is what I'm currently using. Next in line that I wanna give a try are the Rocket (blue) and Magnum (yellow) Volum' Express.

LIPSTICK:

Mac

I like the Candy Yum Yum, Russian Red, and Ruby Woo. However, those shades are not wearable everyday. I mean, I'm not the type who wears red lipstick at daytime haha. But Russian Red helped me pull off my Halloween costume as a sexified version of Wednesday Addams. Anyway, Mac lipsticks are quite expensive too, for someone who doesn't spend much for makeup. The Addis Ababa shade of Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream actually looks like Candy Yum Yum, and it's way cheaper.

Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream (Istanbul/Milan)

I discovered this in a bazaar in Eastwood. I love its matte finish. Plus, I love pink! And these are the shades of pink that are wearable on a regular day. Milan is brighter, while Istanbul is neared the nude shade. However, they almost looked the same. Maybe, Milan is better in events/parties or nightouts.

So, when my staple daily makeup products are put together, this is how it looks like:

See, I like that natural glowing look. Furthermore, I can wear the same makeup for a nightout. I just apply a thicker eyeliner, false lashes or more mascara, dark brown eyeshadow, and richer lip color.

xoxo,

city girl

Hey SEOUL Sisters! (Day 5)

We've been travelling hardcore for the past days so we decided to go a bit slow on our 5th day (Nov. 19). Two of us were about to fly back to Manila at 7am from Incheon Airport in the 20th; and since there's no subway, nor airport bus at 3am yet and the cab fare would be very expensive, they just decided to go to the airport on the night of the 19th. With this, we made our last day/night together in Seoul to be more laid back.

We woke up late this day. We were very happy about that because we've been waking up at 6 or 7am for the past days because of our tight itineraries. This day we woke up at 10am because our only schedule for the day was to have lunch with our new Korean friends (Pam's colleagues from the Korean branch of the multinational company she's working for in the Philippines). After taking a few photos in the apartment with our new Malaysian friends (housemates), we headed to the IDC office at the Trade Tower in Samseong, then we had Italian lunch at a restaurant in CoEx Mall, the mall connected to their building and to the subway station. We were treated to lunch by their office hunk whom we called "Piolo", but his real name was Pyongjik (whatever spelling haha). It's so funny 'coz we've been calling him Piolo and everytime we did, all of them (Koreans) were laughing. When the boys went back to the office, the girls admitted to us that they've been laughing because "Piolo" in Korean means "so-so" hahaha! Okay, so we never had a chance to apologize to Pyongjik for calling him "so-so" LOL! We super enjoyed the company of our new Korean girl friends. They have almost the same personality as ours, so we really got along well. They love shopping, they shared us some Korean beauty secrets, they told us which Korean beauty product brands were really good, they said the girls of  Girls' Generation are their enemies because every guy wants them, they also like my Korean crushes e.g. Coffee Prince, and more! Yeah they're the nicest and funniest too!:)

housemates

group pic inside the apartment :)

lunch with IDC Korea :)

the guy we called Piolo haha

After lunch, we headed to Myeongdong for shopping. Gosh, it's heaven! Imagine, in one street there were more than one store of every brand! We've gone hoarding lots of BB creams, nail polishes, makeups, sleeping masks, collagen creams, and more! And we got lots of freebies!:) We didn't have much time to shop so we're not able to go to H&M anymore. While some of my friends were shopping at Forever21, I was taking photos of their Hello Kitty collection display, until a guard dressed in a trench coat, called my attention. Apparently, taking of photos wasn't allowed. He even asked me to delete the photo and I showed him that I did. But he didn't know that I've taken a lot of photos already before he caught me hihi! Anyway, Myeongdong reminded me of Harajuku, a shopping strip in Tokyo. Plus, I was amazed that salesladies in Myeongdong also speak good Japanese so I asked why, they said 60% of their customers were Japanese. Then I realized that yeah, if I was that near to Seoul, I would travel every now and then to shop for beauty products because it's way way cheaper there than in Japan. Anyway, my most favorite purchase there was Nature Republic's Snail Therapy Sleeping Mask, which I bought for 28,000 won! So cheap for something that gives visible results.:)

Myeongdong

inside Forever 21

I'm a fan!

Hello Kitty and Bad Badtz Maru stuff

inside the train

From Myeongdong, we headed back to the apartment for Dianne and Pam to pack their stuff. Then we went out for late dinner with our flight attendant friends from Aseana, who were based in Seoul, and were staying at a hotel a few meters away from our place. We had Korean barbecue buffet also called "samgyeopsal" at Meating in Hongdae. It's just a couple of meters away from our place. That's actually what I really liked about our apartment, it's near everywhere! Hongdae is really a nice place to stay at because it's very cheap there and everything's just so accessible. At dinner, I also met up with new friends who were the friends of my friend who used to live there. Yeah, this trip was about making a lot of new friends and that's what I really liked best!:) Anyway, usually, a buffet dinner isn't timed, but since it's very in demand, this new place, "Meating", only allows their customers to stay for an hour and a half. So they're charging 9,000 won per pax plus additional 2,000 won for those with leftovers. Of course, we're not willing to pay 2,000 won more so we just finished everything we got.

before...

:)

the girls :)

...after haha!

After dinner, we walked around Hongdae, checked a couple of stores of beauty products (yeah we just can't enough of this!), and looked for a perfect coffee place. There's a coffee shop wherein you'll adopt a cat while you're there having coffee, another is for dogs. But we wanted to bond more so we didn't choose any of those. We went to a coffee shop with themed cubicles, one was like that of a dorm that had bunk beds, but I failed to see the other cubicles since the place was full. You know, Koreans really got this thing about coffee. There have been a lot of themed coffee shops because more than the taste of coffee, what would make people come to specific coffee shops is the ambiance and the dining experience. Anyway, after 30 minutes of walking in a 1-degree weather around Hongdae to find the perfect coffee shop, we ended up at the Hello Kitty Cafe again haha! But for me it's okay because I really love their coffee. After an hour of girl bonding over coffee, we headed back to the apartment. After some last-minute packing, we sent Dianne and Pam to the subway. Then Thina and I headed back home, and our FA friends headed back to their hotel.

at Olive Young. #1 best BB cream: Dr. Jart, #2: Skin79 (but quite expensive)

popular cosmetics brand for teens in Japan

Hello Kitty Cafe again...

so lovely :)

Hello Kitty :)

coffee!

happy girls :)

Total spending for the day for 4 pax:

1. Transportation - 13,800 won

2. Lunch - FREE

3. Dinner - 36,000 won (9,000 won each)

4. Coffee - 18,000 won (4,500 won each)

TOTAL: 67,800 won = Php 2,598 (or approx. Php 650/pax)

So it's Thina and I who were left on our last night in Seoul. See my next post for the story of our last official day in Seoul, and the summary of our trip.