Ecotools 6-pc Eye Brush Set

This is the Ecotools Bamboo 6 piece eye brush set. I got it from Ebay Philippines for Php540. 

Info at the back of the packaging:

-Handles made from bamboo, a high sustainable plant

-100%% cruelty-free, soft taklon bristles

-Recycled aluminum ferrules.

-Natural cotton and hemp travel case.

-Reusable storage pouch

 It claims to be made of soft, cruelty-free bristles, natural and recycled materials in a convenient travel case.

The handy dandy case also comes with a mirror

The large eye brush to apply and blend shadows

The angled crease brush to softly apply color to crease for definition

Petite Eye shading brush to apply deeper or accent colors for a bold look

The highlighting brush perfect for the brow bone and inner corners of the eye

The smudge brush to smudge shadow and liner along lash line for a smoky look

Each brush handle is engraved with the brand name and the corresponding brush names

I am absolutely loving this brush set. I simply like that its so convenient to have in the make-up kit for personal use. They're generally soft, but some brushes I have noticed to be just a bit scratchy. Though that might change by using a lighter hand while blending shadows. So far after almost 2 months, I've only noticed very minimal shedding. It's actually the shading brush and smudge brush that are the most useful for me, and its the crease brush that I use the least. Nonetheless, this is a really good set to play around with in applying shadows.

Have you tried this set or want to share some tips in using these? Please do let us know.

Happy weekend lovelies!

Dani

Looking Back

Hope everyone had a great first week of the New Year. I know I have a lot of catching up to do. Who wasn't busy during December? Even if I have lots photos to share, they still need to be edited. So I will do my best on that for the next few days. Before facing this years new challenges and uncertainties, let me look back at last years few little feats. I would have loved to share this earlier on but I have always been hesitant, I don't know.

Having friends who loves posing for the camera, styling, and modelling has been a good thing for me to practice the make-up tips I learned.  I had a wonderful time doing the girls make-up for all the fun shoots that we had this year and also during our Costume Christmas party.

Who doesn't know her? lol Fashion Blogger Mildred of Dred Reveries and also the woman behind the great styling of Marlon Capuyan Photography. I owe her all my professional looking photos and their DSLR cameras.

Emely

Rose

-During last November's afternoon casual fun shoot-

Early September, it was the first fun shoot (with me) which we took seriously. Prepared for the styling, make-up and endured the scorching heat of the noon time sun. 

It was with the same girl friends and the shoot was leaning towards a vintage theme. Whatevs, we had fun anyways... :)

This was our Costume Christmas Party. I couldn't believe I helped 8 girls with their make-up in a course of 5 hours. Make that 9 including yours truly.

From December 17th to 23rd, it was a total of 4 presentations for a Christmas Cantata, with a choir of 100 singers. This was one of the 4 looks I ended up doing, though the others have been quiet similar to this. The key to the look in performing, especially singing is the red lips. Some of the schedules were really hectic, I have to go straight to the venue right after work so it has been really useful to have learned and acquired the things that I needed to do the make-up myself. 

I could not generalize how the year was for me but I have been always thankful for whatever has come my way, be it good or bad. As the new year started, I never really thought of having a resolution. One thing that I would try to always remind myself though, is to be positive in everything and to just do what has to be done.

Have a great week ahead lovelies!

Dani

Mango Cream Parfait Recipe

This is an absolutely delish mango cream parfait I whipped up some time ago. I first found the recipe at the back of a Nestle Cream pack, but I also found this recipe below from the Nestle website.

Ingredients

2 cans 160g NESTLE Cream, chilled
2 tbsp confectioner`s sugar
1/4 cup mango puree
2 medium ripe mangoes sliced into cubes
1 cup NESTLÉ Cornflakes

Procedure

1. Whisk NESTLÉ Cream, confectioner`s sugar, and mango puree.
2. Place cream mixture, fruit and NESTLÉ Cornflakes in layers. Repeat layering for remaining ingredients ending with cereal on top.
3. Chill very well before serving. 

Here are the actual ingredients I used:

Nestle All Purpose Cream

Confectioner's sugar

Unsweetened mango puree

Ripe mangoes

I used Oishi's plain cornflakes and the choco-coated one instead. The Choco plunge stayed crunchy even after chilling unlike the plain cornflakes. I will definitely be using the Choco Plunge only next time.

It's so easy to prepare! You can also adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste. A really yummy treat, try it!

Forever 21 is Finally Open in Cebu City!

Just a few days ago, Forever 21 has finally opened at the Northwing of SM City Cebu.

Fashionistas and Shopaholics alike have been very excited about the store's arrival in the Queen City of the South. And its just perfect around the Holidays season...

I'm not that excited though and I was just around the mall looking for something else, so I never took time to get in the store. Luckily I have a camera with me. Probably one of these days, I'll definitely check it out...

Another attraction in the mall is their Magical Christmas theme, I just find these clowns a little creepy though. (IMO)

See, don't they?

I think it was also the same day when I was there that the Christmas Village of Hope was revealed.

It's 28 more days to go and its already Christmas!

Skinfood Aloe Sun BB Cream #2

It's been a long time ago since the BB Creams bandwagon came out, but it is only this year that I finally braved to give one a try. I was at first hesitant for many reasons. The very first would be the possibility of more breakouts as what some bloggers have experienced, and I have pimple-prone skin, it's so hard to decide which one to try first. I find them too pricey as well and if there are any good brands as per many reviews, they are not available locally.

Then the ripe time to try a BB Cream came. After reading reviews I decided to get the Skinfood Aloe Sun BB Cream #2. I have been using it since March.

Blends well with the skin

Application on the face

The Good : No break-outs, evens out skin tone, improves skin texture, medium coverage

The Not-So-Good: A bit heavy consistency, needs effort in blending

The Bad: Caused milia (tiny white bumps on the skin)


Rating: 3/5

I've had some milia before but haven't noticed them for a while since I was using daily to weekly exfoliating products. When I started seeing nice results with Skinfood BB Cream, I think I have been lazy exfoliating thus I would conclude the development of milia. I tried to exfoliate a lot, even if it didn't remove a single milium at least I haven't noticed new ones coming out. I really like the product though, many people have noticed the improvement of my skin  after a few months of using it. For me, the coverage is pretty sufficient for daily wear. Its been almost 8 months since I bought it and I think the contents will still last for another month. 

Check out Cutie Beauty Shoppe, where I got this BB Cream and a lot more korean products for very affordable prices.

XOXO,
dani

The New Metro Gourmet

I usually buy groceries at Metro Supermarket in Ayala Center Cebu, and since I noticed that there's a gourmet shop in the works at the spot where the Pharmacy was previously located, I was thrilled! So we didn't let another chance pass by when I saw that the place has finally opened.

Frankfurter with rice Php 80

Carbonara Php 185

Chicken sandwich Php 85

The verdict? So much for the thrill, cozy set-up, accomodating staff but I was dissappointed with the food. The carbonara was bland and not even creamy. the sandwich was boring.

I had a little of the sausage, it was okay. Php 185 for that much and that taste of a Carbonara? Not worth it. 

Pizza hut's version is a lot better for Php 100 that already comes with drinks and appetizer. And I would still go back having the sandwiches from Suisse Cottage.

Well that was just my palate, and it was nice to give it a try. There are a lot of other stuff that I still might be trying out there, some other time...

dani

How Sbarro It Is!

Chicken Penne Salad

Green Salad with Thousand Island dressing

hmmm, Emely's dinner. :D

Penne Carbonara with garlic bread

It was just another date night with Emely and this time it was at good ol' Sbarro in SM City Cebu. I wanted salad, she chose something with rice then craved for Carbonara. Good food and good laughs...

dani