IM BACK (again) + Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Review

Hello blogsphere! It's been a long time since I've written something on the internet and I've missed doing so, sooo much! 

So here's a little story for you pretty people out there, this summer my family went to Europe for a vacation.. so what does this girl do? Of course she overpacks and brings ALL her FAVORITE makeup with her because who doesn't want to look their best when in Europe right?! So on our flight to Abu Dhabi for our layover.. I LEFT MY MAKEUP BAG IN THE PLANE hahaha i had no idea that that could possibly happen but it did so long story short i lost most of my makeup (let's say around 90%; I'm still not over it) 

So here's the silver lining, I had  a reason for a crazy makeup shopping session and my first stop was of course Sephora! So one thing's for sure, you guys have a lot of makeup reviews coming your way (and this girl won't leave anything on the plane next time.)

HOURGLASS AMBIENT LIGHTING POWDER REVIEW IN RADIANT MAGENTA

This was actually gifted to me by my boyfriend! I've been looking for a blush that's cool toned with a little hint of warm-ness in it to suit my pale-neutral complexion. My favorite blush would be Lancome's Blush Subtil in Aplum but I hit pan on it already so I was in search for a similar shade I could use for daytime so I could save the Lancome one for night time.. and here comes Hourglass! 

blended out | heavily swatched

Its a bright cool toned magenta baked with a warm toned beige-y peach with it which makes it a good balance of warm and cool tones. If you're familiar with the Ambient lighting powders, the beige-y color is actually Radiant light (guys its not a sprayover! yay!) 

The color is perfect for daytime because it just brightens up the face and gives you that "lit from within" glow. The pigmentation is great but be a little gently when you dip your brush into it because it is a soft powder! Over all, I think this blush is totally worth its buck. 

Click me if you want your own Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush! 

Til next time, 

A

Benefit Watts Up!

Hi loves! Been a while since the last time I posted, but now I'm back! (Hopefully for good..) and now let's jump to the review!

This picture was taken using my iPhone! Sorry! 

So the Benefit Watts Up is one of the most talked about in the market for a while now. And OMG the hype is there for a reason.  It's a really pretty champagne  highlighter that you can swipe on the top of your cheekbones, dab a little on the bridge of your nose and cupid's bow and you're good to go!

The packaging of course is an A+ and it comes with a sponge applicator on one end that can be used to blend the product evenly on your skin. I personally use a flat foundation brush just because its easier for me. ☺

That's it guys, let me know what your favorite highlighting products are on the comment section. I'm thinking of purchasing The Balm's Mary Lou-manizer next! Thoughts?

Til next time,
A

Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser Review

Hi lovelies! It's my finals week in school right now so I'm really sorry if my posts aren't consistent!! I have lots of papers and deadlines to meet :( But anyway, here's a review of the classic Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser! Hope you find this helpful! (This is kinda a wordy post just because it's a skincare product!

Product claims:

Removes deep-down dirt and makeup, even stubborn waterproof mascara, while infusing skin with vital moisture. 

• Hypoallergenic
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Won't clog pores
• Dermatologist tested 

This is actually a product my mom uses to remove her makeup. She asked me if I wanted one because she thinks it's a great makeup remover! Before, when I got home from school, I would shower and just use my normal face cleanser/wash to remove my makeup. The annoying part is whenever I would tone my face, I would see traces of makeup on the cotton pad which means that there's still some left on my face! 

That's when I started looking for a decent makeup remover that would leave my face clean but moisturized. THIS IS MY MAIN GUY! It gave me just what I was looking for :) 

Directions: Apply gently to skin, wipe with wet washcloth, and rinse if desired.

I personally apply this on my face with a cotton bud because I want to avoid double-dipping on the jar because that would just be unhygienic. I would then massage the product on my face for about a minute or so then remove with a damp face towel to remove the product and residue it can leave behind if you just use a tissue to wipe it out. I would follow up with my normal face wash :)

What are your skincare favorites? :) Let me know! 

Keeping up with your Everyday Ritual, 

A Araneta 

xx

Fashion 21: Double Up Mascara Review

Hey guys! Sorry for being gone for a week! I was really busy with school after the typhoon and had to settle other personal matters :-( But all's good now! 

Anyway, 2 weeks ago, I was thinking of trying local products because I've been reading a lot of blogs and only a few local products are being featured. And now, here I am with my first local makeup product review! 

Fashion 21's website defines this as

DOUBLE UP MASCARA - Get 2x the length and volume in an instant! Comes with a unique glide soft bristle for easy application with zero clumps

PACKAGING:

It comes in red tube that I think is pretty sleek.. Nothing too fancy! The brush is thin and slightly tapered in the end to make the application process easier! 

 

FORMULA:

It's more of a wet mascara and it only comes in one shade (Black.) It has a tendency to weigh down the curl of the lashes if your lashes aren't that thick but this is the kind of mascara that gets better through time! :) 

STAYING POWER:

I really can't say anything about the staying power other than it being water resistant. To be honest, I'm the kind of girl who never really wears mascara on a daily basis (i.e.: school) except on special occasions! 

FINAL THOUGHTS

This is a really good mascara for beginners! The wand is thin which makes you reach the roots of your lashes, tapered at the end for those little lashes at the beginning and the end of your eye! It weighed my eyelashes down a bit but I don't really find that bothersome because I don't like my lashes to look super dramatic, just natural and defined. 

PRICE: Php 225.00 
I don't think you can really go wrong with these products because they're really cheap and readily available in the market! If they don't work, then you can easily dispose it, but if it does!! AHHH that can easily become a HG product!  Don't you think so? Let me know your favorite mascaras please!! I want to find "The One." ;)


Keeping up with your Everyday Ritual,

A Araneta
xx

#PrayForThePhilippines

Hey guys!! I know this isn't like my usual blog post but the Philippines really needs our prayers.

I hope all of you are doing fine out there especially those who are living in areas that are prone to flooding:(

For those of who aren't aware, there is a really strong typhoon "Maring" in the Philippines right now. All of us are advised to stay at home with our families because some roads are really flooded and not passable. 

HERE'S SOMETHING WE CAN DO FROM OUR HOMES:

EDSA Pasay-Makati area

Araneta Ave

All photos belong to their rightful owners!! Keep safe everyone! 

A Araneta

xx

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Benefit Chacha Tint Review

Hello guys! I'm going to review one of Benefit Cosmetic's best selling cheek stains! I got this cheek stain as a gift from a friend of mine a few weeks ago and so far, I'm loving it! 

Benefit Cosmetics describes this as:

Why we love it!

This mango-tinted stain beautifully blushes lips & cheeks with a tropical coral hue. Smooch-proof & smudge-proof, our sheer stain has a natural finish that will leave you looking deliciously vibrant for hours.

(picture courtesy of Benefit Cosmetics)

PACKAGING:

Benefit Cosmetics' packaging will always be one of my favorites! This cheek stain is contained in a bottle similar to that of a nail polish! It contains 12.5 mL/0.42 fl.oz.  of product.

COLOR AND FORMULATION:
I love love love this stain! It's the perfect coral shade for my complexion. The pigmentation + staying power is amazing too! BUT! You have to work extremely fast with this stain! The first time I used this, I was left with little streaks on my face so be careful with this and BLEND BLEND BLEND! When applied on the lips, it gives it a warm coral tint that lasts for a long time :)

(can you see that tiny dot?? That could happen when you don't blend it out right away!)

FINAL THOUGHTS:
RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT SO MUCH!! 
I really think you get your money's worth with this product especially since it is quite pricey. It could also work for deeper complexions because you can easily build the color up. I use this stain for long days at school! 
TIP! I personally apply this with a brush because it doesn't give you weird lines on your cheeks and when used with a brush, you can blend it right away! 
(I know it's not the most practical way of doing so but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!!) 

PRICE: Php 1800.00 at Benefit stores in the Philippines (Greenbelt 5, SM Mall of Asia, and Trinoma)

Have you tried other cheek stains that you would recommend? Comment down below please! :) 

Keeping up with your everyday ritual,

A Araneta

xx