FANCL Cheek Color

FANCL Cheek Color comes in a clear case, with the refill pan easily removable to be placed in a nicer compact case. They are available in 3 colors:

- 01 Pink
- 02 Peach
- 03 Pink Bronze

I started using 02 Peach recently. The color is more peachy bronze and goes on with even stronger bronze notes on my skin, but I must say the blush is really nice! It is not overly shimmery, and it gives me a nice glow like sunlight is shining through the window and is glistening off of my cheeks. However, because the color is more bronze on my skin, I have to be careful not to over do it or I will look baked!

T'estimo Gradually Eyes Part III

My third Gradually Eyes palette is #1 - Peach Brown:

- Canary yellow highlighter: metallic, low intensity
- Cloud pink base: metallic, very sheer, a very pale pink that goes on white with a slight metallic pink sheen
- Golden peach crease: metallic, low intensity
- Coppery brown liner: shimmer, medium intensity



You can see the coppery brown better with this picture.


See T'estimo Eye Palettes - Gradually Eyes Part II.
See T'estimo Eye Palettes - Gradually Eyes Part I.

T'estimo Layered Impact Eyes

T'estimo Layered Impact Eyes palette is my favorite out of all the palettes T'estimo makes. Not only the powder shadows are soft and smooth, they are very decently pigmented. I wear my makeup sheer so I don't mind the pigmentation so much, but I'm sure there are plenty others out there who appreciate a pigmented eye shadow. Oh, and they are very super sparkly, and that just can't go wrong with me :D 

There are 5 palettes available:

- 01 Brown

- 02 Grey

- 03 Beige

- 04 Blue

- 05 Rose

I am reviewing the 03 Beige today. All pictures taken indoor with flash, unless otherwise noted.

FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil

I finished my DHC Deep Cleansing Oil bottle and got started on this Mild Cleansing Oil recently. I must say, it is a milder cleansing oil indeed! It cleans just as well but doesn't dry out my skin like the DHC and the Shiseido (Ultimate Cleansing Oil) do. Just not sure how long that tiny bottle would last me as it's $22 a pop. Until then, this one's a keeper!


***Picture from FANCL International.

Canmake Glow Twin Colors

My first Canmake eye shadow! These Glow Twin Colors are very convenient as they aim to provide a quick application on the go for a very fresh and airy look. The Glow Twin Colors are available in 3 shades (bottom to top):

- 01 White Beige
- 02 Gold Pink
- 03 Camel Pink

Canmake Tokyo's website also provided instructions for application as below:

***Pictures from Canmake Tokyo.

Canmake Highlight Gradation

These are more generous presents from Yuki-chan! Thank you!

Similar to the Canmake Cheek Gradation, these Highlight Gradations are in a clear rectangular case with a small brush. They also have the 4 horizontal blocks each has a different shade. I have both the shades available:

- 01 White: this shade is designed to cut the red, or so I think. My face often gets red in the heat of the summer, so this is supposed to be a nice little highlighter that will tone my lobster scale down. It looks all white, but all 4 blocks actually have different shades. The top block has blue iridescent shimmers, 2nd from the top has green iridescent shimmers, 3rd from the top has gold shimmers, and the bottommost just has white shimmers.

Majolica Majorca Cheek Customize

Majolica Majorca has interesting product packaging, as you can see, these Cheek Customize blushes come in clear cases where you can pull on the rounded handle like a drawer. Neat concept! The powder is smooth and fine and is a great deal considering their small price and overall quality. I have 3 shades:

- OR322: an intense orange with coral undertones, and it actually turns coral on my cheeks. Very pigmented!

Majolica Majorca MJ Spice

The idea of loose powder makeup in a bottle sounds fun, so I got myself a few of these MJ Spice to satisfy my curiosity. Plus they were limited edition items, so it was worth collecting. Even better, these loose powders are multi-purpose: they can used as blushers, highlighters, and eye shadows. Also, you can dab the colored ones on top of clear gloss for a pretty sheen or the lighter ones on top of colored gloss for a shimmery effect. Mix away!!!

These "spices" come in 6 colors, from left to right:

- Sensual Spice (RD)
- Dolly Spice (PK)
- Active Spice (OR)


- Glamorous Spice (GD)
- Pure Spice (WT)
- Cool Spice (VI)
***Pictures from Gooddealer.com.

True Colors Original Loose Powder Mineral Makeup

As a teenager, probably 15 or 16, I first learned of True Colors Original Loose Powder Mineral Makeup from the kiosk at my local mall. In fact, True Colors Original was probably my very first makeup purchase as it won me over with its spectacular multi-purpose loose powders! While I can't guarantee the company's claim of using 100% pure color in its makeup, I can attest for the diverse use of its loose powders. These powders can be used wet or dry as:
- Highlighters, with a fluffy brush
- Blushes, with a blush brush
- Eye liners, dry for a sheer wash, wet for more intense color
- Eye shadows, dry for a sheer wash, wet for more intense color, layer for different prism effects
- Lip colors, on top of clear or translucent gloss, layer for different prism effects
- Nail colors, on top of clear or translucent polish, layer for different prism effects
- Body shimmers, sweep across collar bones, décolletage, shoulders, or down the shins
- Hair shimmers, mix with gel or mousse and style

I have the 8-stack Prism Powder - Opal Diamonds. Back then when I bought them, they came in different colors than they do now. From top to bottom, they were pearly shades of: white, silver, gold, beige, red, violet, blue, and green. Out of the entire stack, I could only use the white, silver, gold, beige, and red. The violet, blue, and green are too cool for me and I ended up giving them away to my sister, whose skin could tolerate much cooler colors. Also, I took my stack apart and store each color in individual pots because I just can't stand carrying around the entire stack.


Now, it looks like True Colors Original has changed the colors of the Prism Powder - Opal Diamonds set. It seems they come in a rainbow set of colors now and the descriptions on the website says nothing about white, silver, or gold pearl, which is really too bad in my opinion!


***Picture from True Colors Original.

Clinique Shimmering Tones

I don't know what triggered it, but I've been madly obsessed with anything that comes in a "gradation," stripes, checkered, or patterns of different colors. So when I saw the Shimmering Tones, even though I don't usually buy makeup items from Clinique, I just had to have at least one of these. Eventually, I ended up with 2: Shimmering Sweets and Bare Bronze.

Shimmering Sweets and Bare Bronze. Pictures taken indoor with flash.

US/European, Otherwise Non-Japanese Brands

Nothing adventurous here :P I never really ventured beyond the mid-end department store brands. For US/European brands, I mostly use skincare items and lip colors. Very few actual makeup items, so...

CURRENTLY USING (in conjunction with others)

Kinerase
I started using this line only recently. I had a generous sample lying around for months but never got around to using it. After everything else pretty much dries out my skin, I thought I'd give it a try...and then ended up buying the full size!

Gentle Daily Cleanser
Pros: A very gentle cleanser, good to use as a follow up after a cleansing oil. It is light in texture, foams well, and cleanse well and at the same time, isn't stripping. My face feels moist after rinsing.
Cons: Given it comes in a 200 mL bottle, it is also $30! Also, the instructions says to use 2-3 pumps but I find just 1 pump to be more than enough to foam and clean my face.

***Picture from Kinerase USA.

Clinique
I have a history with Clinique, a history of struggling, rather, since high school. I find some of their products works well with my skin, some don't do much, and some are just plain hellish. Also, my skin has changed over time, so some of the products that used to not work with my skin now do. Did I say it was a struggle? Yeah. Pretty much still is.

Mild Clarifying Lotion
Pros: Alcohol-free, the only toner so far that doesn't irritate my combination-dry skin. My face feels very refreshed and comfortable afterwards. I believe it helps with moisture absorption as well as I notice my moisturizer takes longer to sink in the morning when I don't use the toner. Very affordable.
Cons: Clinique only makes this toner is a smaller size bottle, so I have to restock every few months. A small inconvenience, but still is one.


Dramatically Different Lotion
Pros: Hydrates well without any allergic reaction, irritation, or clogged pores on my dry cheeks and chin. A bottle lasts a long time, 7-8 months for me!
Cons: Too oily for my forehead!

***Pictures from Clinique USA.

Lancome

Pure Focus Gel Cream
Pros: Moisturizing and matifying! It hydrates my oily forehead and nose and keeps them grease-free at the same time. Nice!
Cons: Dries out and irritates the hell out of my cheeks and chin. And while the jar lasts me a whole year, it's also $46! That's a bit much for a simple gel-cream moisturizer...


Aquafusion Lotion
Hubby uses the SPF 15 version of this lotion and I only use it every now and then when I'm lazy with my routine.
Pros: it is scented, but the fragrance is so fresh and clean, I love it! Hubby would smell like he was fresh out of the shower with it on.
Cons: unfortunately, the same fragrance also irritates my skin :(


HAVE USED IN THE PAST (in conjunction with others)

Clarins

UV Plus Protective Day Screen SPF 40
I used this before moving into the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 55 PA+++. I was amazed at the white runny and light texture, even thinner than the Shiseido lotion! Unfortunately though, it is not very substantive and a wipe is all it takes to get it off your skin. I guess it's not meant to be a sunscreen even though it has been made to believe it can be one. And it makes my face really really oily even though it's supposed to be oil free. Add in its itty bitty size for the price tag of $36 and I never turned back.

***Picture from Clarins USA.

Clinique

7 Day Scrub Cream
This scrub is very creamy and, therefore, is not as abrasive as some exfoliators can be. However, it is so creamy that it left behind greasy films and caused me some clogged pores.


Clarifying Lotion #2
This toner leaves a fresh tingling sensation, and I think it helped zapping my breakouts and kept my skin clear as well. It has alcohol though, and as much as it controlled excess oil on my forehead, it also wrung the rest of my face dry!

***Pictures from Clinique USA.

Lancome

Pure Focus
I used to use several items from this line during my early college years when my skin was still very oily. As with the Shiseido Pureness line, I wouldn't dream of going back to the Pure Focus Cleanser and Exfoliator now as they are even harsher than the cleanser and exfoliator from Shiseido Pureness.



Aquafusion Cream
I used both the non-SPF and the SPF 15 versions, and they used to work well on my skin. That is, until one day - poof! - my skin decides it doesn't like the fragrance (which I love) anymore! Gave the rest of my jars to hubby, but he likes the lighter texture of the lotion better.


Gel Clarte
3 Words: do not use. Even if you could fry an egg with the oil on your face, this cleanser is the equivalent of spraying your face with bleach and then scrubbing it with sand paper.


Estee Lauder
To be honest, this entire brand seems gimmicky to me. Other than a very few makeup items (blush, lipstick, and gloss), I dislike everything else they make. I tried their Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser, and while it is a bit more moisturizing than the Shiseido Benefiance Creamy Cleansing Foam, it's so loudly fragrance I might as well wash my face with perfume. Also, it stings even when I don't have a cut on my face!

Estee Lauder Tender Blush

I got Peach Nuance because I was convinced I'd get a beautiful sunset in a case with mirror. And I did! Goes on a soft peach with a note of coral, with few and fine gold shimmers that are visible only under direct light. Swiping it with a finger and you will find it matte. In addition to the blush being very silky and fine, I also find it well pigmented on my skin.

T'estimo Color Cheek Part II

Recent additions.

PK-18 is a muted blush pink that shows up as a sheer flush of color on my cheek. Good for a more natural look.


RD-18 is a pale tomato red with gold shimmers that looks mesmerizing in the pan. I thought I have found my perfect blush, but it goes on a golden orange instead, with more gold than orange. Oh well, it's still pretty, just not what I was hoping it would be.


See my previous T'estimo Color Cheek post.