August Favorites

Hello, September! Who would  have thought that BER months already started!? Are you guys planning to make your Christmas shopping this early? Don't forget to check out several bazaars in the metro to find good deals. Surely, I will be checking out the bazaars soon. :)

Well before I check those bazaars out, let me share with you my August favorites. I have been using these products for several months before I even decided to include them in my monthly favorites.

SKIN CARE: 

Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner (non-drying / for all skin types)
The Face Shop Herb Day Cleansing Emulsion in Green Tea (for all skin types)
Nivea Baby Smoothy Cream (with natural calendula)
Garnier Pure SOS Blemish clear pen

Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner (non-drying / for all skin types)
I have seen this with youtubers and I had to try it for myself. It is very mild and makes your skin feel fresh and clean, though the smell is not that good but I got used to it. Who can say no to 100% all-natural?

The Face Shop Herb Day Cleansing Emulsion in Green Tea (for all skin types)
I wanted to buy the Shu Uemura cleansing oils but it's quite expensive so I need to look for an alternative. Been using this cleansing emulsion for quite some time and it removes my make-up so gently and it smells like cucumber which I really like. It's creamy and leaves your skin soft and clean at the same time.

Nivea Baby Smoothy Cream (with natural calendula)
When I saw this in Cosmo.ph website beauty bloggers must-have, I have to try it. It was blessmybag who uses this and I have to agree with her. It leaves your skin moisturized and soft all day. I normally use this on my face but this can be used all over the body. Since this is made for baby, this is mild and safe to use. I'm on my second container now. Another thing which is good about this product is it is only for Php 169.00. :) Great, isn't it!?

Garnier Pure SOS Blemish clear pen
My life saver!!! It heals my pimples fast. What I like about it is that it dries my pimples quickly. It may have some sting when you use it but I find it good; at least you'll know it's working on its magic. I am running out of this and need to find an alternative since I purchased this on sale while in Malaysia. Any suggestions?

MAKE-UP: 

Wild Peach Cosmetic Palette 

Artist Studio Powder Brush

Artist Studio Blush/Bronzer Brush

Urban Decay Primer Potion 

Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream No. 23 (Natural Beige) 

Wild Peach Cosmetic Palette
It holds my essentials and it's very handy. You can depot all your single eyeshadows, bronzers, blushes and place them all here. It's for your everyday use and you can change it at the same time with the magnetic sheet provided. It's affordable and comes with different designs and sizes.

Artist Studio Powder Brush and Blush/Bronzer Brush
Who says you need expensive brushes? These brushes from Artist Studio are available in Landmark. Several make-up artists use these brushes and confirmed that they are of good quality. The brushes are very soft and not scratchy at all. No shedding as of the moment. It gets the right amount of pigment and glides smoothly on my face.

Urban Decay Primer Potion
Definitely a must-have! Specially when you have oily leads like mine or your planning on a special day, you need this baby for your eyeshadow to last the whole day. It makes your eyeshadow application smooth, color stands out more and will be there until you want it to. It's worth the investment.

Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream No. 23 (Natural Beige)
I am a BB cream lover. Been using BB cream instead of foundation for the past months because it's light-weight and has a lot of skin benefits. This BB cream has medium coverage and no distinct smell. A little goes a long way. It has SPF42 / PA++ which is really good specially during summer times which is almost the whole year... hahaha!

FOOD:

Digestive Dark Chocolate
I just need to add this. It is very addictive, even the Milk Chocolate flavor. I love oats and chocolate together. 

There you have it guys, my August Favorites :)

What about you? What are the products that made into your monthly favorites?
Let me know so I can try it as well.

Thank you for reading!

Until next time :)

XoXo,

tinx

Sigma Paris Palette (Limited Edition)

Hello there, weekend! Sorry, been MIA for the past few days! How is everyone doing? It's been raining for the past days so hopefully everyone is trying to keep dry and enjoying the little sunlight we are having right now! Oh how I miss summer...

Anyway, I would like to write a review on a make-up palette that I had for more than a year now. I've been using this quite often and every time I use this palette, people compliments my make-up look...feeling much! This make-up palette is the Paris Palette from Sigma!

front cover

isn't pretty?

Being a fan of several beauty gurus in YouTube, I decided to get this palette for myself. I think this is the very first palette that I've purchased overseas. I was worried about not being able to get this since they say it is Limited Edition. So I was so excited when I finally click on the confirm payment option.

Description:
The Sigma Beauty Limited Edition Paris Makeup Palette includes eight eye shadow colors inspired by landmark monuments and locations in Paris. It also includes two blush colors and one highlight shade, carefully developed to complement all skin tones. The palette comes with two essential brushes for a flawless makeup application.

Brushes Included:
E55 - Eye Shading
F40 - Large Angled Contour

Reference: http://www.sigmabeauty.com

Good thing Sigma ships worldwide ($17). This palette retails for $59 which I bought directly from Sigma's website and used promo code xteeener to avail of the $10 off. 

Here are my swatches: 

 Eyehadow Swatches

without flash (left to right) Eiffel - Seine - Louvre - Orsay - Elysees - Notre Dame - Triomphe - Versailles

with flash (left to right) Eiffel - Seine - Louvre - Orsay - Elysees - Notre Dame - Triomphe - Versailles

 Blushes and Highlighter

without flash (left to right) Rouge - Peche - Lumiere

with flash (left to right) Rouge - Peche - Lumiere

These eyeshadows are very pigmented as you can see in the swatches and very little fallouts. My personal favorites are Orsay, Notre Dame and Triomphe. I most of the time combine these three to create a green smokey eye effect...which I really love! Thanks to Jen of from Frmheadtotoe! :)

follow me on instagram: tinkytinx

Though I love all the eyeshadows in this palette, the least that I like are Seine and Versailles due to the fallouts. :( I also find Versailles too glittery for the liking.

As for the blushes, they are very wearable and suit most skin types. For fair skin type, rouge may be too dark so you have to have a light hand in using it. Colors are buildable and easy to blend as well. Combine the two blushes together to get natural color on your cheeks and don't forget to add the highlighter for natural glow.

My verdict: It's worth it! 8 very pigmented eyeshadows with 2 blushes and 1 highlighter and don't forget 2 brushes :) Colors are wearable for day time or night time.

Price: $59 + shipping

Where to purchase: Sigma website or other online stores

You may check promo codes from several YouTube gurus

What are your favorite make-up palettes? Let me know so I may try them out as well. 

Thank you for reading.

Have a nice day!! 

xoxo, 

tinx

BB Cream: Hada Labo

Hi guys! How is the week starting? It's been raining for the past days, so don't forget to bring an umbrella and stay safe.

I've been wanting to buy a new BB cream as an alternative for my Missha. While I was in Watsons (well, you can find me here most of the time), I kept checking on what else to buy since this is my last day of shopping before heading back home to the Philippines. I ended up buying these stuffs: 

 

Well yeah, my plan was only to get a BB cream but can't help it because some of these items were on sale! :) Let's talk about the BB cream. But if you would want some review on the other items, just let me know and I will be more than willing to do it for you.
 
I believe most of you already know what BB creams are but for the benefit of this blog, let's talk about it again. BB cream stands for blemish balm, blemish base, beblesh balm (apparently because of a trademark in Korea on the word "blemish"), and in Western markets - beauty balm. It is a cosmetic item sold mainly in East and Southeast Asia, although larger beauty brands are increasingly introducing BB creams to Western markets (from wikipedia). I personally prefer BB creams over foundation due to the humidity in our country. BB creams are light weight and they have a lot of benefits from sunscreen, coverage, anti-aging etc. 

While I was in Malaysia, I've seen several advertisements of this particular brand, it's Hada Labo. They only have two shades: Natural Beige and Ivory Beige. I was thinking of buying the Ivory Beige but it is darker compared to Natural Beige which is kinda weird. I did try to swatch it on the sides of my face and I felt that both blended well with my skin. The shade that I bought was Natural Beige.

Brief Information: 

Hada Labo Air BB Cream offers 10-in-1 benefits and formulated with Silicone Elastomer Blend to give you an exceptional ‘AIR’ light skin feel and absolutely flawless finish with excellent coverage.


10-in-1 benefits:

• Brightens Complexion: Natural shade helps to brighten skin complexion for a more radiant look.
• Perfect Skin Tone: Helps to even-out skin tone.
• Concealer: Conceals dark spots, fine lines and blemishes.
• Whitening: Contains Arbutin to help fight dark spots.
• UV Protection: With SPF50+ PA+++ to provide broad spectrum protection from UVA/UVB rays.
• Hydrate: With Super Hyaluronic Acid to instantly plump up skin for a visibly soft and supple skin.
• Anti-Aging: With Hydrolyzed Collagen to improve skin’s elasticity.
• Oil Control: With Witch Hazel Extract to help control oil for a complete matte look.
• Minimizes Pores: Helps to refine pores for a visibly clear smooth skin.
• Anti-Oxidant: With Vitamin C to help fight free radicals.
• Available in 2 variants: Ivory Beige and Natural Beige

Reference: http://www.hadalabo.com.my/en/bb-cream.html

This BB cream is very light weight and easy to blend. The coverage is medium to heavy but you won't feel the heavy coverage on your face. Below are the swatches comparing to Missha 23 (Natural Beige) and Skin79 (color pink)

left to right: Missha 23, Hada Labo and Skin79

I have noticed with Korean BB creams that they are more on the gray tone though they oxidize and match your skin tone. Hada Labo is more on the yellow tone and also suitable to Asian skin.

As you can see, the coverage is decent and it covered most of my blemishes and dark spots. 

without Hada Labo BB Cream

with Hada Labo BB Cream in Natural Beige

My verdict: I love this BB cream and I will definitely purchase it again if I have the chance. 

Price: RM 55.90 (approx PHP 750); bought it at a discounted price of only RM 27.90 (approx PHP 375)

Location: Watsons, 1Utama, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

Unfortunately, I don't think this is already available in the Philippines. You may check online stores. 

Note: I am not paid to review this item and purchased this on my own. This review is 100% mine.

Thank you for reading and hope you find this review helpful. 

xoxo, 

Tinx

Shoe Shopping in Liliw, Laguna

Last Saturday, August 10, we went to Liliw, Laguna for some shoe shopping! :) Liliw is known for its high-quality shoes just like Marikina City. 

From Antipolo, we drove to Liliw, Laguna via Tanay route since it's nearer our place rather than going via SLEX. Unfortunately, I felt really dizzy due to the zig-zag route that we have to pass through; imagine passing by almost all the towns of Rizal then Laguna. I think it took us roughly 2-3 hours since we had some stopovers, then one of our cars had to change tire and of our course, some washroom breaks. There are no major pitstops along the way wherein you can see McDonald's or Jollibee, or even big gasoline stations to use the bathroom. But when you gotta go, you gotta go! :) Upon arrival at our destination, this is what we saw! 

Panoramic view of St. John The Baptist Parish - Founded 1605  (picture taken by your truly)

I find it beautiful! The church was really old and if I remember it right, it was founded 1605 (correct me if I'm wrong!) We took time to visit the church to say our thanks and made a wish. Yeah, you read that right, made a wish. When I was a kid, I was told that I can make a wish during my first visit to a church, so yes, I still do that! How about you, do you make a wish with every first time visit to a church?

It was almost lunch time when we reached Liliw. We were so excited to roam around and check out the stores so we went straight to shoe stores hopping! 

We visited quite a lot of different stores and prices vary from one store to another. While my Dad was buying some vegetables, I asked the Manang which shoe store would she recommend in checking. She recommended Badong and we stayed there for quite some  ime checking all our options.

most famous among the shoe stores in Liliw  

I ended buying just a pair (trying to be a smart buyer) but my sister and mom purchased quite a few. When we paid for our shoes, my sister asked the cashier if he is the owner and he answered promptly with a "yes." I asked if we can have our picture taken with him and he happily obliged!

with the owner, Mr. Badong

shoes galore 

We finally decided to eat after buying some shoes.

Extravaganza pizza  - - so delish! :)

Beef Lasagna

Chicken Steak Sandwich

Food was really good at very friendly prices. We even wanted to take out a large box of pizza. :)

This family trip was really nice. We were able to find great quality shoes for reasonable prices and most of all, they're Philippine-made. Proudly Pinoy!

I believe this trip to Liliw is worth it specially if you're planning to buy a lot of shoes for yourself or for business, rather than buying at malls which cost double to triple the price.

Hope you enjoy my shoe shopping adventure in Liliw, Laguna. 

Til next time :)

Tinx

VaniTinx

Hi everyone, my name is Christine. My family and friends call me Tintin or Tinx, 28 years old, from Antipolo City. I enjoy watching movies, YouTube videos, shopping or window shopping ~hahaha, travelling, taking pictures of myself... oh yes, I am vain! And of course, I love to eat and beautify myself! Due to my addiction (is it a bad thing?!) in watching YouTube videos, I have decided to write a blog since I always wanted to try something new, then take a picture of it; so I might as well share it with you.

Hi! (excuse my selfie :))

Here in VaniTinx, I will share with you different things from make-up, fashion, health, travel, food... I guess everything under the sun. If you have some comments, suggestions or inquiries, just let me know. I will very much appreciate it. 

Feel free to check my blog from time to time and maybe we can start a new friendship.

Nice meeting you guys! 

Tinx