Starry Eyeliner Gel: Swatches + Review

Hiyee! 

Oh yes, I am still alive my dearies!  Sorry for being MIA (again) for more than a week.  Work is a bit lighter now but I think my body's trying to make up for all those nights I haven't been sleeping much.  I fall asleep right after I get home, wake up a few hours after only to shower and sleep again.  I know I have tons of backlogs and hopefully, I'll get back to my usual blogging soon.

Anyways, here's another brand of eyeliner I got more than a month ago.  You know me, I can never get enough of eyeliners!  

STARRY Eyeliner Gel

This innovative eyeliner offers the precision of liquid eyeliner and the ease of a gel based formula. The color is long-wearing and water resistant. Can be used to create subtle to dramatic looks. Every package comes with an brush.  

Available in 12 shades: 

Midnight Sky, Shimmer Stone, Heavenly Pink, Snow,Black Asphalt, Brown, Iguana Green,Violet, Brick, Sunshine, Olive Shimmer,Black Mercedes 

It comes with a brush and it does remind me of Maybelline's Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner which I also have.

I think it's already fairly priced at Php280/3g pot.  A little goes a long way so I bet a pot will last 3 months or more even if used everyday.  What's even greater is I love the brush that comes with it!  Finally, a usable "free" brush.  I usually throw away these brushes that come as "free" but this one's an exception. The bristles are soft, but not too flimsy and I was actually able to give myself a good wing. 

Black Asphalt - Black Mercedes - Brick

 

Brown - Midnight Sky - Violet

Black Asphalt - Black Mercedes - Brick -  Chocolate - Midnight Sky - Violet

Violet
Cool violet with a bit of shimmers. 

Brick
Shade is somewhat orangey-red with shimmers.  I am not a fan of this as such shade tends to make my eyes appear swollen.

Black Asphalt
My alternative to MAC fluidline in Blacktrack.  

Midnight Sky
My favorite shade.  Like I've mentioned in my previous posts, I'm into blues right now so this one's a staple in my makeup kit.  It has a bit of shimmers but still come out opaque.

Chocolate
My alternative to MAC Fluidline in Dipdown.  I've searched everywhere for a great dupe, and this one's the closest so far.

EOTD wearing Starry Gel Eyeliner in Midnight Sky

Texture is really smooth and glides on easily. It provides the precision of a pencil eyeliner and the ease of application of a liquid eyeliner..without being messy.

It doesn't flake or fade over time

I love how opaque it is and that I only need a tiny bit of product 

It doesn't smudge on my lids, even without a primer.  But it can easily be smudged if I rub, which of course, I don't do so I guess it's okay.

No allergic reactions
Now available locally thru Digitaltraincase.

Now let's check whether this liner is really smudge- proof and waterproof:

Swatches have been rubbed before putting it under running water. As you can see, it has smudged a bit.  I put it under running water and it stayed on.  So this is safe to be worn when swimming.

This is after putting it under water and rubbing it a bit.  You can see here that it has smudged a lot already.

And this is what happens when you rub it a bit more.  So yeah, this liner is not smudgeproof...but who's gonna rub their eyes with a liner on anyway?  It is indeed waterproof and I've gone swimming while wearing this.  So as long as you don't rub your eyes, this product will stay put.


The only thing that I don't like is the packaging, the cap to be specific.  The logo tends to fade after sometime.


Overall, this is a good product and is a great alternative to my MAC fluidlines. 

Caronia: Tropical Doll Collection

The weather's getting pretty messed up lately.  It's been 3 days that it's been raining during late afternoon/early evening after being scorching hot during the midday.  Is summer over? Nah, I don't wanna think so for I haven't been able to fully enjoy summer yet.  

Good thing Caronia came up with their newest collection, Tropical Doll,  to help us  still be in full-tropical mode despite the wonky weather.

Tropical Doll

Tangerine

(Red Orange)

Kiwi

(lime green)

Blueberry

(true blue)

Named after fruits, these lovely colors are succulent-looking and definitely nothing short of being summery.  So the next time you'd want to feel that beach babe-vibe despite the not-so summery weather, swipe these lovely colors on your tips and be the Tropical Doll that you really are!

Caronia is available in all leading department stores, supermarkets, drugstores and health and beauty shops nationwide.

SRP: Php33.25 / 8ml

Log on to www.caronia.com.ph or like Caronia Philippines on Facebook.

Join the Majolica Majorca Makeup Contest and win Php10k worth of products!

Yes, Php10k worth of Majolica Majorca products and a chance to be an apprentice to MJ's trainer and makeup artist!

Mechanics:

1.  Using at least 5 MJ products, record a 3-5 minute video of you applying makeup on someone else

2.  Makeup look should be a CANDY POP-inspired (check the poster background)

3. Introduce yourself at the start of the video and clearly show the MJ products used and mention them in your post description.  (No need to mention non-MJ products)

4. Post your video on MJ's Facebook page from May 22-31, 2012

Criteria:

Created look, clarity of instructions and number of likes

So what are you waiting for?  Bring out your MJ favorites and start working on your masterpiece!

CalChews: Calcium You Can Chew

Honestly, I'm not fond of taking supplements or any sort of medication.  I'd rather be sick for days than pop a pill.  Why?  I hate the after taste.  I also find it difficult to swallow anything that looks and tastes like medicine.  So yeah, I don't even take vitamins...not unless my mom would insist (or harass me to do so!) or only when I am starting to feel like getting sick.  I even resorted to IV-Gluta before just because I started to hate the plastic-like after taste.

Good thing there are supplements and vitamins that come in chewable forms.  But not all of them tastes good.  So just imagine how ecstatic I am when I heard about CalChews!

CalChews is a breakthrough calcium supplement from Pascual Consumer Healthcare Corp. (PCHC) of Pascual Laboratories Inc.  CalChews come in soft and chewy candy flavors of Rich Chocolate and Creamy Caramel, and aside from that, it has Vitamins D and K for strengthening the bones and protecting the heart.

Having been diagnosed with Scoliosis, it's a must for me to take Calcium everyday.  But I don't.   I've tried taking Calcium pills in the past, but I hate how huge they are.  I've also tried those that come in powder-form, but aside from it's such a hassle to prepare, I also hate how it tastes.  I even remembered wishing that they would come in chocolate flavors, instead of orange.

^_^

With CalChews, all of these "hassles" will just be things of the past.  Aside from it comes in chewable, delicious flavors, you can take it anywhere and anytime. 

Ingredients:

Calcium (500mg): Essential for healthy bones, muscle contraction, heart action, nervous system maintenance and normal blood clotting

Vitamin D3 (400IU):  Ensures proper calcium absorption for bone growth and bone remodeling. It's also a fundamental dietary supplement that plays a major role in our nerve, muscle and immune systems

Vitamin K1 (40 mcg):  Regulates calcium by keeping it in the bones and out of the arteries. It helps minimize the building up of calcium over time in the arteries that can lead to heart attack.  It is also known as the "mega antioxidant," it is effective against bone loss. Aside from that, it also helps reduce the risk of hip fracture and regulate calcium in the brain to aid in combating Alzheimer's disease and even in controlling blood sugar.

Now that it comes in 2 delicious flavors of Caramel and Chocolate, there's no more excuse for us to not take care of our bones.  Each box contains 15 individually wrapped chewable calcium goodness which we can take anywhere we go and meet our calcium needs anytime.

Now, my only problem is how I can keep myself from finishing up a box in one seating. Because it really tastes like real chocolate (reminds me of Tootsie Roll!) and caramel,  it can be addicting!  I took one of each on my first two days because I simply love the taste.  I was told that I should limit it to 2x a day,  but the recommended intake is once a day so I would have to find a way to be able to follow that.  I so love sweets, that's why!

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I got a word that CalChews is already available in Mercury Drug as of yesterday.  I'll update this post once I get an info on how much it costs.

Say Goodbye to Scars with Hiruscar!

Do you have scars?  Well, I do!  And I think most of us have, since we might have gotten ourselves into little (or even big) accidents at one point or another.  As little kids, we often get cuts, scrapes or bumps from being too playful.  And we, adults, are no exception. We can still get scars from surgeries, acne or even from simply being careless (like me!)

Scars are proof of what we have been through.  Some consider their scars to be special, even refer to them as remembrance.   But to most people, these can be embarrassing and annoying.  Of course, there are a lot of options to remove scarring.  There’s dermabrasion, chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, plastic surgeries and even filler injections.  But not only they are expensive, they can also be painful and can have a long recovery time.

Good thing there are topical creams/ointments that can also help to improve the appearance of scars making them less visible. 

Say hello to Hiruscar, the scar solution from Switzerland:

What is Hiruscar?

Hiruscar is a hypoallergenic non-greasy gel that helps lighten, smoothen and soften scars on both face and body.  With its quick absorption rate, application is fast, hassle free and is ideal for all skin types.

Ingredients:

It is made of 6 natural ingredients namely Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Vitamin B3, MPS, Allium Cepa Extract and Allantoin that penetrates into your skin and helps improve and reduce scar visibility.

Efficacy:

Average scar healed is 93% at the end of 12 weeks

(Proof of Efficacy from 34 experienced users by Info Focus Company Thailand)

Directions for Use:

Hiruscar can be used on depressed and raised scars that are caused by injury, accidents, burns as well as pimples (YAY!).  For existing scars, massage gently unto healed wound 3-4 times daily.  To protect against scar formation, massage gently unto the healed wound 2-3 times daily.   Hiruscar is an effective solution to new and old scars of less than 2 years of age.  Continual application will help scars to appear less visible, smoother and softer.

I have a lot of scars, most of which are on my face…no thanks to my nasty habit of pricking.  But since I am now back to my old skincare regimen that has worked for me in the past, I won’t be using this gel on my acne scars.   

Instead, I’ll be testing it on this one-year old scar on my left arm that I got from using my curling iron:

Since it’s located near my wrist where I wear a watch, this burn took quite a long time to heal.  I know I should’ve stopped wearing watches for some time first, but like my mobile phone, I cannot leave the house without a watch…and I am not used to wearing watches on my right wrist.  Stubborn, I know!

The discoloration is obvious that even my mom told me to cover it with makeup.  The skin on it is also rough, maybe because it’s been scratched a lot of times with my watch. 

I’ve been using Hiruscar for more than 2wks now, applying it twice daily.  I like that it gets absorbed easily so it doesn’t add up a lot of “waiting time” on my already-long after-bath ritual.  And since it’s clear, I don’t have to worry about stains.

I’ve noticed that the scar has gone a bit lighter.  Before the scar felt like it’s pitted, but now it seems to have softened in texture.  I got excited that I started applying Hiruscar on some of my pimple scars too!  I also have this really big keloid on my left shoulder, caused by a vaccine that itched and I’ve scratched like there’s no tomorrow when I was younger.  I know this gel is said to work on scars less than 2yrs old but who knows?  This might lighten my keloid too which kept me from wearing sleeveless tops all these years.

I can say that Hiruscar works.  And I’m sure that I’ll see a lot more improvement after 12 wks of using it.  But of course, I am realistic enough not to expect that this will totally remove all my scars and give me baby-smooth skin after.  But at least, there’s still a solution to our scar problems that doesn’t cost a lot and with no downtime too!

Hiruscar is available at Mercury Drugstores, Watsons Pharmacy and South Star Drugstores.  You can buy this in two sizes:  Php319 / 5g tube and Php852 /20g tube.

If you have a problem with scars, you might want to give Hiruscar a try.  Say goodbye to scars and be confident in showing off your skin.  The earlier you use it, the better!

LIKE Hiruscar Philippines on Facebook.

Zen Zest Eau de Toilettes: High-quality fragrances at an affordable price!

I've always loved perfumes.  Prepping up will never be complete without a spritz or two (even more!) of my favorite scent. Retouching includes another round of spritzing, so as expected, I can finish up a bottle in less than 2 months.  And since I alternate scents, I definitely have to set aside a chunk of my budget to keep up with this "addiction."

I did try to look for a way to save some moolah by checking out some of those imitations, but never really liked how it would smell after some time. I even tried making my own, by mixing fragrance oils and transferring them to atomizer sprays but eventually grew tired of it. 

So when I got an invite to a Zen Zest event where we will be presented with their Eu de Toilettes, I just knew it will put an end to my wallet's predicament but not to my love with scents.

The event was held in Chateau 1771 at El Pueblo in Ortigas. It's a stone's throw away from where I live but I still came in late. Yeah, I'm such a bad girl when it comes to being punctual.

^_^

Carla Abellana, is the new face of Zen Zest 

Zen Zest is not really new to me.  Their room and linen spray is my favorite but I gotta admit, this will be my first time to check out their Eau de Toilettes.

eeny-meeny-miny-mo

Chic packaging, high-quality fragrance oils  for an affordable price of Php200 for a 50ml bottle! What's even greater is that it's hypoallergenic. I've tried some perfumes in the past that gave me allergies. This one doesn't! Aside from that, it doesn't leave nasty marks on my clothes.

each table has all of their scents for us to try out and coffee beans to make sure we can clearly distinguish one scent from the other

We seriously had a hard time picking out our favorites!

There was never a dull moment during the presentation, as we altogether tried to associate each of the scents for men with err, our ex-s.  We were laughing and giggling like teenagers. The event was light, fun and I can say it's one of the few events that I really enjoyed.

Here's a few snaps with my fellow bloggers:

Michelle Asence - Fontelera, the founder of Zen Zest

I just got so inspired by Michelle, after admitting that Zen Zest is the result of her being heartbroken.  Can you believe that? Not everybody could be that focused when brokenhearted...definitely not me! LOL. With the success of Zen Zest now,  it's a clear evidence that there definitely is a reason why certain things happen.  In her case, it was to give way for something as great as Zen Zest.

fellow bloggers with Michelle and Nana

Eau de Toilettes for Women

Marigold

The delicious scent of freshly-squeezed lemons in a bottle!  No matter how strong the sun's rays are, this fragrance will keep you smiling.

Indigo

A splash of this feminine combination of flowers creates a lasting impression

 

Thistle

Melon and pineapple, plus mint, equals an exhilarating scent made to beat the summer heat

 

Mulberry

Concocted with fresh apples and juicy pears, the lovely scent is a joy to wear

 

Magenta

Radiate bliss and good vibes with this merry mix of plums, bergamot and exotic flowers in a musk base

 

Scarlet

This provocative floral scent is made for the pulse points of sophisticated women raring to paint the town red

 

Tangerine

A whiff of this green melon essence is enough to bring the temperature down on scorching summer days

 

Eau de Toilettes for Men

Periwinkle

The alternating waves of frosty fragrance and sweet aroma make this the scent of a confident man

 

Cobalt

Sharp and sexy, this magnetic potion of citrus fruits and greens awakens the senses

Aquamarine

This spicy fragrance is the perfect date to any occasion.  Its earthy combination of fruits and herbs can go from day to night

Turquoise

The sweetness of this citrus blend invigorates the mind and body, keeping it tough for whatever challenges lie ahead

 

Teal

This woody aromatic fragrance is the ultimate date scent.  Seductive and mysterious, it is sure to add excitement to a night out.

 

Bullet

Comfortable and casual, this burst of fruity, refreshing scent makes an ideal companion when you want to kick back and take things easy.

Celadon

The striking combination of apple, vanilla and wood is as captivating as the gallant and optimistic personality that wears this fragrance best.

During the event, they also announced the launch of their new fragrances for Men (Silver, Blue and Black) and Women (Coral).  I am using Coral and have been my staple fragrance for weeks now.  It has a light, powdery scent that's perfect for  everyday wear.

So for those who love wearing perfumes, Zen Zest's Eau de Toilettes are a good alternative to your pricey perfume brands. With a concentration of 12% fragrance oil, these babies will keep you smelling great for a good 6 hours.  And with a variety of choices available, I'm sure you'd be able to find your "signature scent."