Beauty Enthusiast in Cebu

Himalaya Herbals lemon face wash and T.N. Dickinson's witch hazel

K Palette Lasting Way Eyebrow in 01 Chocolate Brown

The packaging indicates the shade name, but the pen itself only says 01. The ends look like this:

One end has liquid with a very fine, soft brush (as opposed to a hard nib) as an applicator.

The powder end has a retractable sponge tip applicator.

Here are what my brows look like before and after applying this product, without other makeup:

Bare brows vs. brows with K Palette. Yes, I wear prescription contact lenses.

Because my brows are sparse, doing them every time I leave the house is an absolute must. This photo was the third time I'd used this product and I've experimented with different ways to apply it. You can either use the liquid to outline on top and bottom, then fill in the middle with brows, or use the liquid to fill in sparse areas all over then use the powder over it - or any other technique that might work for you, of course. 

I've found that the latter technique lasts longer on me, but I don't really need to do it unless I need it to be as water resistant as possible. The first two times I used the product was at the beach, and I was amazed that although they were a bit faded, my brows were still there at the end of the day. I didn't exactly swim hardcore on those two occasions because I didn't have any goggles and my contacts would have popped out, but I was still in the water because of paddle boarding (and falling off once per occasion!) and I was completely submerged.

Here's how I used it for errands and going to the mall, to test how it would fare on a regular day:

Fresh application, taken in natural light

8 hours after application, in artificial light

Except for that area near my arch that had gotten oily (it was again over 30 Celsius today), my brows still looked the same, and the product had not faded or come off. I did not use any other brow gel or any other brow stuff, just this product on its own.

The product washes off easily with regular facial wash and water, so removal is no problem at all.

I'm convinced of this product's staying power, although I would call it water resistant rather than waterproof. Application does take some getting used to because it's unlike other brow products I have used. I've found that it helps a lot to blend it out with a spoolie, because it does get a little clumpy once you layer the powder over the liquid.

Overall, it's a great product to have if you're looking for something long-wearing, but it retails for P1,050 in Beauty Bar so it's a little pricey for a brow product. Yumi also told me that it there isn't that much product inside the pen, as it lasts only two or three months for her. I will not be using this on a daily basis, but it's definitely my go-to now for when I expect to have a particularly busy day with lots of running around - or for going to the beach, because as my friends know, I just can't be without my eyebrows!

YSL Rouge Volupte Silky-Sensual Radiant lipstick in 29 Opera Rose

The packaging is definitely a show-stopper. Nothing cheap or flimsy about it; you definitely feel very luxurious when you're applying or touching up this lipstick. I love using this on formal occasions where you should look chic while touching up at the table.

Swatch: YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick in 29 Opera Rose

29 Opera Rose is a neutral medium pink that I think would be flattering on many skin tones. This is a single stroke, so color payoff is quite good...on the arm, at least.

Swatch: YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick in 29 Opera Rose

This lip swatch required two layers because I couldn't get the full color payoff on my lips with just one. Also, two layers helps it look more even. With only one layer, it actually kind of settles into lips and enhances lines.

It glides on very easily and has a glossy finish, and feels light on the lips. It feels more like a lip gloss than a lipstick. However, staying power is no more than three hours, and it's just gone after eating. It doesn't leave a stain, so reapplication is needed throughout the day.

Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes. Clockwise from top left: Amused, Glisten, Flush

The blushes are 5.6 grams each and come in these little compacts that match the color of the blush. I always like packaging that makes it easy to spot what shade I'm looking for - I tend to buy multiples of products I really like!

Here's how the blushes look inside:

Clockwise from top left: Amused, Glisten, Flush

I think it looks so pretty with the leafy design stamped on. The compacts also have mirrors but I opened these all the way so that the light wouldn't reflect on the products.

Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Glisten

Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Amused

Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Flush

Glisten is a peachy pink with gold shimmer. Amused is a bright dolly pink with a satin finish. Flush is a berry with more violet than pink in it, with a satin finish. Swatches below:

(L-R) Amused, Flush, Glisten

I ran the pad of my finger a couple of times on the product before swatching it on the inside of my wrist. These blushes are all pigmented, so just apply a little at first, then you can build up the color. Amused, in particular, is super bright and I only need a light dab from my brush to have enough color per cheek. They require slightly more blending than other blushes I've tried. 

On me, all of these shades still look freshly applied after five hours. So far, Amused and Flush do last the products' claim of 12-hour wear on me, although faded by then. Glisten lasts for around eight hours on me. I have combination skin with an oily T-zone and normal cheeks, so these may last longer or shorter on you depending on your skin type.

For the beautiful colors and great staying power, these are some of my all-time favorite blushes. As long as you have a little patience with blending, try this if you're looking for a long-wearing powder blush.

Primers for face and eyes

Face primers: Maybelline Baby Skin pore eraser, The Balm Time Balm,
Monistat chafing relief powder gel

A lot of vloggers rave about how fantastic the Maybelline Baby Skin pore eraser is. I honestly don't see any difference in my pores when I use this, but I do like to use it as a primer. I noticed that my T-zone stayed more matte for an extra two or three hours as opposed to when I don't use it. Not bad for P300.

Time Balm is another product that a lot of people recommend. It does help makeup apply more smoothly and last longer, but I would recommend this more for normal to oily skin. It might be too dry for dry skin. If I remember right, I got this for around P895 at Beauty Bar. It is a little pricey, which is why I decided to try the Maybelline and Monistat for cheaper alternatives.

This Monistat gel is often compared to Smashbox primer. I've never used the Smashbox primer so I can't compare, but it feels very similar to Time Balm, although it has a more liquid consistency. I got this from a friend who gets stuff shipped from the US from time to time.

All three of these primers do work quite well at smoothing and mattifying skin and helping makeup stay in place longer, so the choice may depend on budget or accessibility. Time Balm does perform better than Baby Skin, but it's three times the price. Monistat, to me, is easiest to apply and performs similarly to Time Balm, but it's not readily available here.

Eye primers: Urban Decay Primer Potion, Benefit Cosmetics Stay Don't Stray,
Lorac Behind the Scenes

I have so many sample sizes of these Urban Decay primers because they often come free with their eyeshadow palettes. They do work best with Urban Decay eyeshadows, making them extra smooth to apply and also helps prevent creasing, but they also work well with other eyeshadows. 

I mentioned the Benefit Stay Don't Stray primer in my review on the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette. I noticed that Stay Don't Stray works great at priming both eyeshadow and undereye concealer. Give this one a go if you're prone to creasing on upper and lower eyelids. I only have a mini one because it came in a set, but when I use up all my primers (which will be a while because I still have backups) I'm probably going to get this in a full size.

Lorac Behind the Scenes primer is also quite good and performs about the same as the Urban Decay primer potion. I got it free with one of my Lorac eyeshadow palettes.

Cream shadows: Maybelline Color Tattoo,
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place shadow creme, Make Up Forever Aqua Cream

I've found that using a cream eyeshadow alone or under powder shadow is the best for making eye makeup last all day. All of these are crazy long-wearing. On me, they won't start to crease until maybe six hours of a busy day or partying. The Color Tattoos here, from top going clockwise, are Gold Shimmer, Audacious Asphalt, Barely Branded, Pomegranate Punk, and Tough as Taupe. I also have it in Test my Teal, which I won in a giveaway. All the colors are gorgeous. They're pretty thick in consistency so I prefer blending them with a finger than with a brush to help the product melt. Color Tattoos are finally available in Watsons for around P400, but I got most of mine online from bonmarchepage.com. 

My lone Estee Lauder and Make Up Forever cream shadows were purchased in Sydney, so I don't know where they can be found in Cebu. They are in Lilac Petals and Shade 16, respectively - a lavender and a pink, so I'm pretty set for the whole color spectrum!

I also use NYX Jumbo Pencils as primers, but I've found they don't hold up quite as well as these ones in the current weather. For the cream shadows here, especially the Make Up Forever one, you're going to need a separate eye makeup remover. In my experience, they're so budge-proof that traces will still be left on eyelids even after washing the face.

Urban Decay All Nighter and De-slick makeup setting sprays

When I'm done with all my makeup and know that I'm going to have a long day (or night) I set it with either of these sprays by Urban Decay. They really do help set makeup and keep me oil-free for longer. I've had people ask me "Why are you still so matte??" when I use these and it's really humid. I definitely do still get greasy, but these sprays are life (and makeup) savers. The only annoying thing I've found with De-slick is that it tends to get kind of gross and cakey after several hours on my the oiliest parts of my forehead like near my eyebrows, so bust out that oil control film when this happens.

These products will help makeup last longer and keep oil at bay, but I'm not sure there's any way to completely melt-proof your makeup if you're having a particularly busy day or evening with weather like this. Always carry good old tissues and oil control film with you to lift sweat and oil.