Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

Maybelline New York
Clear Smooth
Shine Free Face Powder

1. Shine free finish:
Combined oil absorbing ingredients remove shine, for a clean, shine-free finish.

2. Silky smooth texture:
The extreme fine powder glides like silk and melts smoothly on skin. It covers flawlessly but looks perfectly natural.

Having a combination skin, I’ve been on the look out for great products that’ll help me correct it or, at least, get by with a certain amount of decent skin on a regular basis. But I’m not here to talk about more hardcore skincare products but this new makeup that I’ve recently gotten my hands on.

After seeing the ad on telly for quite a bit now, I had begun to wonder how this Maybelline Clear Smooth Face Powder would actually perform. When it comes to makeup application, I don’t really use a face powder. I even just recently started using a foundation, Elizabeth Arden Intervene Makeup, but I’m still curious on how I could benefit from using a face powder.

I learned that the Clear Smooth Shine Free Face Powder from Maybelline New York is marketed especially for Asian women. This is a good thing since it’s better to use something that’s especially formulated, this is to reduce side effects or unsuitable shades on the varied Asian skin tones. I also found out that it’s fragrance-free, oil-free, and non-comedogenic. It’s good to know that it won’t clog pores. I also appreciate the SPF 18. Hey, sunscreen is sunscreen! It’s available in four (4) shades: Fair, Natural, Honey, and White.

What I have is in the warm Natural shade. I found Fair to be too pink-ish, Honey to be too yellow-ish, and yes, the White shade is white. My skin colour is naturally in the brown shade seen in Asians.

Suggested use: Pat gently on face, concentrating on oil-prone areas.

I’ve read some of the reviews on it and they say that it’s long-wearing, resists humidity all day, and the need for touch up is minimal after eight (8) hours upon application. I guess this is one thing that I’m sure I will definitely observe since I often don’t re-touch my makeup, except for lip gloss and blush on occasion.

I find the packaging of the face powder to be fresh-looking and quite reminiscent to green packaging used by Clinique, only a bit brighter. Though, looking at it up close, it’s quite obvious that it’s the kind of plastic that will easily scratch and look worn out once you start shoving it in your vanity kit or purse as you bring it with you.

For Manila-based beauties, it currently costs Php 199.00 and is available in most drugstores and beauty stores and sections that carry Maybelline.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to using it: with the whole she-bang of makeup and close to au naturale — with just the face powder on. This is going to be interesting. Any of you tried it? Let me in on the pros and cons?

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Beauty Formulas
Hair Removal Mousse

Beauty Formulas Hair Removal Mousse has a creamy soft texture to gently and effectively remove hair for soft, smooth skin. Simply spray on the light foam and rinse away under luke warm running water. Enriched with almond extract and the fragrance of sunburst citrus.

I have to admit this one really intimidated me. I know I’m curious to see if it’s really that easy. Just spray on the foam and rinse then the hair will be removed? Without peeling off wax strips or shaving? Tell me. Wouldn’t you be curious as well?

The reason why I got intimidated was when I read the instructions at the back of the can. There are certain precautionary measures you need to adhere to just to be on the safe side. One is testing it on a small portion first then waiting 48 hours to see if there’s any adverse effect on your skin. Normally, people will proceed to using the product (I do that sometimes) but seeing the other things I need to remember made me think again.

You see, if you’re planning to use the hair removal mousse, you need to remember to just use it on your legs and underarms. Make sure you don’t have broken or irritated skin. You can only leave the mousse on for a maximum of 10 minutes — suggested time is 8 minutes — and it’s emphasized that you cannot NOT keep time. No guessing or approximation. Let me tell you why.

I did a short trial earlier. The initial test for compatibility. I sprayed the mousse on a small portion of my skin on the lower calf, just above my ankle. I made sure I had complete view of a digital clock to know if 8 minutes were up. While spraying (10 cm away from the skin) the stuff on, some of it landed on my other leg. After 8 minutes, I quickly rinsed the stuff off my legs and was already toweling them dry when I felt a slight burning sensation on the skin of my upper arm, triceps area. Twas only then that I realised that a drop (mousse splatter from spray, I’m guessing) landed on it. Twas already over 10 minutes, you see. That’s how I found out that it’s best to be careful and read the instructions and warnings when trying out a new product.

On a lighter note, other initial impressions on the Hair Removal Mousse are simple. On the outside, the package is too copy heavy. It’s like they’re trying to feed you marketing lines as much as they can right there on the label. It has 5 marketing lines in total.

• Creamy soft texture
• Gentle and effective formula
• With Almond Extract
• Removes unwanted hair
• Sunburst Citrus scent

Another thing that’s a bit off is the colour combination. Lilac and Orange? WTF? But the canister and the spray dispenser are fab. It doesn’t feel like a can and the sprayer is wide enough (no spill, me thinks) — so unlike the old spray nozzles (think Aqua Net) — that breaking it will be a little difficult.

Scent-wise, I don’t know how Sunburst Citrus really smells but from where I’m sitting, it smelled too much like a chemical. It briefly reminds me of getting a perm in a salon. Gah.

Anyway, I can only go through with the testing tomorrow. That is, if my skin doesn’t act up. I’m really hoping it won’t cuz if it does, I’ll cry. I don’t want to damage my skin! Ack! I’ll make sure to do a full review once the deed’s done.

Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

Post from: eBeautyDaily

As stated, these features were notes on my first impressions regarding a particular product. If you can picture me holding that product I’m writing about, I’m simply relaying what my initial thoughts are in terms of packaging, pricing, product reputation and promise, standard use, and most likely, I would be listing down personal expectations, and reasons why I purchased it.

The main difference will be the fact that I haven’t tested the product just yet.

We all know that testing can take time cuz it’s either you’ve used a product at least once or for a whole week, this will depend on what sort of product you are reviewing. That’s why I thought that creating a series of ‘First Impressions’ will build anticipation in you, my dear beauties, esp if it’s a product that you’ve been thinking about buying.

My belief is that this will allow a more thorough discussion and sharing of insights. I reckon this sort information exchange will be beneficial to everyone when made available. We begin looking at the product superficially then a more comprehensive look once tested.

That’s basically it. I do hope that my First Impressions on Beauty will help you ladies somehow.

BTW, if you missed it, here are some of the First Impressions I’ve featured in Beauty Bento Box for the past couple of months.

First Impressions: REDKEN Heavy Cream Super Treatment, All Soft

First Impressions: DOVE Beauty Body Wash, Calming Night

First Impressions: Sunsilk Damage Repair Haircare System

First Impressions: Block & White Deodorant Powder

First Impressions: VITRESS Hair Solutions, Hair Spa

Anyway, once testing is over, the full review will be published under the Eastern Experiments category.

Post from: eBeautyDaily

REDKEN
Heavy Cream Super Treatment
All Soft

Heavy Cream Super Treatment is a rich, moisturizing cream that intensely softens dry, brittle or coarse hair. Redken’s exclusive Interbond Conditioning System delivers proteins, amino acids, and avocado oil to provide extra softness, conditioning and frizz control.

An opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. Another intensive treatment conditioner I want to test. When I spotted the REDKEN Heavy Cream Super Treatment, the temptation was too great that all I was concerned about was the price. It was $4.95 so I decidedly put it in my cart and paid for it.

I love the black and gold combo for the packaging. I love the easy-squeeze tube, ensures that I’ll be able to every last drop of it me thinks. Hehe.

Bath and Hair products are my weakness. I’m forever experimenting on various brands and types either out of curiosity or just plain vanity. And I’ve been obsessing on my hair lately and have been addicted to intensive conditioning.

I know Redken is an imported brand. I’ve observed that my hair tend to fall off in excessive amounts whenever I use them. I’m hoping this won’t be too strongly formulated like the rest of them.

Checking out the label, it has Castor and Avocado oil plus Soy and Wheat proteins. I wonder how that will work on my hair. My hair is suffering from dryness and coarseness on the tips. Yea, esp on the tips. It’s actually weird. I’ve been staying away from blow dryers lately and it still have managed to end up becoming dry and coarse. Sigh. Anyway, I’ll read up on Avocado. I haven’t really tried it on hair (or anywhere else, apart from eating it).

Suggested application: After shampooing, apply to towel-dried hair. Leave on 5 minutes to 15 for extremely dry hair. Rinse thoroughly.

Giving you an option on how long you have to leave it on gives me an impression that results will vary with time. Makes it ‘customizable’, use will depend on the user. I think it’s great that way. I mean, we all have different hair care needs, right? I prefer a product that will fit my unique needs. Know what I mean?

Stay tuned for the full review. Meanwhile, if any of you guys have tried Redken before, perhaps you can share some of your personal experiences. We’d love to hear it!

Post from: eBeautyDaily