Revlon StreetWear Nail Color

I was rummaging through a drawer that's been long neglected.  And there under dark space and dusty allergens was something from old.

Do you get that feeling when something you see instantly awakens memories that make your heart come alive?  That happy reminiscing feeling that transports you to your vintage years?  Major Nostalgia.

I remember this from 15 years ago.  From the 90's!  I was in high school then when colored nails weren't allowed in our school.  This was a for-the-weekend treat.

All those years of being forgotten I thought this baby's heart went hard and dry.  But it did not!  I don't know if nail polishes have a shelf life but this bottle is still good.  It applies smooth.  One coat is enough.  No streaks.  Just a wonderful opaque metallic blue hue.

Have you recently come across something that makes you hop on the train of nostalgia?

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August & September Empties!

My first ever empties post!  Huzzah!  I was supposed to post two out of the four here last month but thought the number small so I decided to wait until I finished up some more products.

1. Last month I used up two GWPs from Clinique.  It took me five months to finish these 15 ml bottles of clarifying moisture lotion because of some awful reviews I've read on their 3 step system.  I did not use this everyday only once a week or two weeks.  I did not experience any of the horror stories I've read.  Breathe easy now.

Clinique
Clarifying Moisture Lotion

2. I only used half of this eye-wincingly expensive lip balm.  I accidentally spilled a sea of peppermint aromatherapy oil on this and it was soaked.  I tried turning it upside down to let the oil drip and wipe it off with tissue.  Didn't work.  My lips were tingling and burning when I applied it.  Since it's so expensive I cannot muster the strength to throw it away.  Currently it sits on my vanity as a reminder to not be careless around when around the vanity.

Chanel
Coco Baume

Product name: Chanel Coco Baume

Available at: Chanel counters at Rustan's Shangri-la and Rustan's Makati

Price: PHP 1,650

3. After that accident with a Chanel lip balm I got me self this.  It is light years cheaper than the other plus it is a much better product.  It left my dry, flaky lips hydrated, healthy and it healed the chapping.  I finished this up this month, even using my fingers to expend it until I could no longer glean any.  This is so good for the lips that I'm now on my second tube.

Nivea
Essential Care

Product name: Nivea Essential Care

Available at: Mercury Drugstores and Watson's

Price: PHP 86

4. Another GWP and this stuff I love!  I'm thinking of writing a separate post on this so stay tuned :)

DiorSnow
Gel Exfoliant
White Reveal Wipe-Off Gel

Are there any products you used up and would like to share?

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Chanel: Illusion d'Ombre (in Abstraction and Fantasme)

These are my first gel/cream eyeshadows which also doubles as an eyeliner.  And I'm very happy with it.  It is very pigmented and glittery.  Does not crease on the eyelids and is long-wearing.

Abstraction is a sparkly apricot pink.  It applies opaque when using the brush that comes with the shadows.  Color can apply sheer but build up is easy when fingers are used.

Fantasme looks white in the pot but it applies transparent and glittery.  I fell in love with this while watching Lisa Eldridge use it as highlighter for the eyes, checkbones, and the clavicle.  Very versatile.

Product name: Chanel Illusion d'Ombre
Shades: It is available in 8 other shades plus 1 shade "Riviere" which is a limited edition Asia exclusive shade.
Available at: Chanel counters at Rustan's Shangri-la and Rustan's Makati
Price: PHP 1,950

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VMV Hypoallergenics: Fine Finish Pore Minimizing Skin Mattifier (for oily skin)

(Whew!  That product name is a mouthful.)

I was looking for a facial mask that will help tighten my skin.  Thank you to the BF who patiently accompanied me through every department store cosmetics counter and stores which took a while since I'm vowing to be a discerning shopper.  The product has to offer more for the skin, but realistic, with less of the bells and whistles of packaging and brand name.  The price has to be perfect as well.

The last store we went to was VMV Hypoallergenics.  I always loved visiting their sterile, minimalist stores.  Their helpful sales assistant recommended this Fine Finish Pore Minimizing Skin Mattifier.  This isn't a mask but it does tighten the skin.  It fits what I was looking for so one bottle went home with me.

I have oily skin.  The pores on my checks and T-zone, literally my whole face, are of different sizes of huge.  Think of the moon's lunar craters.  I've read various scientific studies about those misleading pore minimizing products.  We have to love our pores no matter the size/visibility because it is and will be as it is no matter how many miracle products we slather on our skin.

I wish they would not call this product "Pore Minimizing" as it does not do anything to the pores.  But what it does is tighten skin.  This can be felt upon seconds from application and will last approximately 45 minutes.  The result is a less oily face thus it stays true to the last half of what it's called, a "Skin Mattifier".

And for the rest of the week my face was not that oily and it creeped me out a bit as I'm used to being oily.  But now that the sebum production is under control I'm not complaining.

This is applied on the face via a cotton pad.  Instructions are given to not soak the pad but only dampen it with the liquid.  And this should not be applied more than twice a week for the first eight weeks of using.

One thing I don't like about this is the strong smell of alcohol.

Product name: VMV Hypoallergenics: Fine Finish Pore Minimizing Skin Mattifier (for oily skin)
Also available: For dry skin (I just don't know how that will work since dry skin is already matte.)
Available at: VMV Hypoallergenics stores or their counters at Landmark
Price: PHP 680 for a 150 ml bottle

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