Adorned with Grace Fiber Duo brushes and mineral samples

I've been feeling rather strange lately but hopefully playing with the items from my Adorned with Grace haul will make me all good again! Wonderful customer service as usual. They ship out lightning fast! This is kind of a collective haul, as I ordered one brush a while back when it was still a blog brush. I have partial reviews of the 3 dual fiber brushes I ordered (click photos to enlarge).


The Ingenue Large Dual Fiber
This has a pretty long handle. Here's the Everyday Minerals Foptic, to compare:


Long, huh? It's not heavy at all though, it's quite light. And you can see that the bristles are not as long as EDM's, it's stubbier, and I like it much better. This is a supposed MAC 187 dupe, and I don't own a MAC 187 (yet), but judging from the pics in the AwG blog, they look similar. I purchased this when it was still a blog brush- meaning only a few pieces of it were being sold at that time, at a few bucks lower than its regular price today, $13.59.

Next brush,


The Ingenue Sleek Dual Fiber

The handle is nearly the exact length as that of the Ingenue Large Dual Fiber. This is the brush I ordered a few weeks back, since it was released as a blog brush before the Large Dual Fiber was. Current price is $7.99. Can I just mention that even though this was the only item I ordered then, Franchesca was still kind enough to include freebies (3 e/s samples, which I forgot to photograph).

And finally,


The Ingenue Petite Dual Fiber

Their seemingly most popular brush. Priced at $6.29 each, or two for $11.25, which I chose.

In general, here are what I like and dislike about the three brushes.

Likes:
-soft, retains the same softness after being washed
-the bristles are not floppy
-multi-purpose
-easy to use
-achieves that light, airbrushed effect
-they look sleek and not too cheap looking
-affordable

Dislikes:
-they shed, but seem to shed less after I washed them
-the first two are too big to take along during travel




(Large Dual Fiber; Sleek Dual Fiber- used this and haven't washed it yet; Petite Dual Fiber)

On the Ingenue Large Dual Fiber - It's easy to use, for a newbie like me, with either liquid or loose powder foundation, finishing powder, and even blush. I super like it. It makes application quicker too 'cause it's large. Wish I could bring it with me while traveling since I really like it. Good buy!

On the Ingenue Sleek Dual Fiber and Ingenue Petite Dual Fiber - both are meant for applying blushes, especially very pigmented blushes, and are described to have bristles of the same size and denseness. Supposedly only the length of the handles are different. The handle of the Sleek Dual Fiber is nearly as long as that of the Large Dual Fiber, while the Petite is much shorter, measuring only 5 inches long.

I prefer using the Sleek dual fiber. I guess it's a matter of preference, but I'm more comfortable with its long handle when applying my blushes. I feel like I'm able to blend and spread the color more thoroughly, whereas with the Petite, I feel like I'm concentrating too much color in just one certain area on my cheek. Probably because the Petite feels almost too small in my hand. It also feels like the the head of the Sleek is a bit bigger and denser than the Petite's, even though I've examined them side by side and their heads look the same. I would use the Sleek for my blushes and the Petite for glows or maybe highlighting, and definitely it's easier to bring during travel. Both can also be used for stippling foundie or finishing powder on hard-to-reach areas on the face, or for retouching.

It's my first time to try their minerals too:


Foundation samples. I'm a close match with Hope 4.2 but will experiment more with the other shades.


Lovin' these blushes. I'm partial to shades of pink.


More samples - Beloved eyeshadow and two Finishing powders.


Free e/s samples, got another 3 I forgot to take a picture of. Wonderful colors. Can upload and swatch later.

I think this might be my longest post ever! :) Have you tried these brushes? What do you think of them? I hope in the next few days I get more time and energy to blog and read blogs :)

A fun blogSPOT tag :)

Please pardon the lack of updates, I've been feeling a bit ill lately. It started last friday and the next day when I woke up I thought it was all gone, but still it comes and goes...I'm feeling better though and hope it goes away completely already.

Here is a fun tag from Adin :)

1. Once you are tagged, post a picture of where you blog.
2. Feel free to tell us a little about your space, or explain certain items in more detail. Or not.
3. Link back to Daddy Likey's original post.
4. Tag five other bloggers to show their blogspots.

If you are tagged and do not participate, you will become allergic to cabbage.


Here's a picture of (part) our bed. That's where I do most of my blogging. I didn't include the rest of it in the photo because it was a mess!

What are you wearing right now?
A pastel-colored house dress

What's the last thing you read/are currently reading?
Blogs :) Ihaven't been able to read much books lately

Do you nap a lot?
No. It'd be wonderful to be able to take a nap anytime I wanted though

Who was the last person you hugged?
My daughter

What's your current obsession/addiction?
mmu

What's for dinner?
Fish and veggies

What was the last thing you bought?
Cute little onesies for my baby girl

What are you listening to right now?
The TV...

If you could have any super power, what would it be?
To fly!

What is your favorite weather, and why?
Cool weather

What time do you usually get up?
8-10 am

What is your most challenging goal right now?
To be a good mummy

Say something to the person who tagged you:
Thanks for tagging me! Lovely pics of your memorial day weekend with your hubby :)

If you could have a house- totally paid for, fully furnished- anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be?
Beachside right here in the Philippines

Favorite vacation spot?
Pretty much any beach...

What is your favorite item of clothing?
My old pair of jeans that fit well

Favorite pair of shoes you keep going back to over and over, even though your closet is overflowing with a zillion others?
Black pair of chucks

Name one thing you cannot live without:
Lotion. No, my asthma inhaler!

What time is bed time?
Before midnight

If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow morning, where would it be?
Right where I am really but with friends and family whom I miss terribly

I tag anyone who would like to do this tag! :)

Makeup Mix Shop mini haul

Got my Makeup Masala package a few days ago (reached me in record time: 7 days only!)
My (mini) haul:


Makeup Masala Gel Liner in Inky Black, $2 Falsies, EcoTools Retractable kabuki, EcoTools 6-piece brush set, certificate for a free gift on my next purchase, and Makeup Masala mineral eyeshadow in Sangeeta (an iridescent green).

I had to order while international shipping was free for $20 purchases, haha. The minimum to qualify for free international shipping is now $40, but I think the freight charges as well as the item prices are still a good deal.

Finally, my own EcoTools! I gave the retractable kabuki to my mom, while I got the 6-piece brush set. The other brushes were out of stock at that time, but that was a good thing too since it prevented me from overbuying. I'll surely include them in my next order though.

My quick impression on the brush set:

-My definite favorite is the Blush brush. I don't wanna lose this one! It's soft on the cheek, and is just fluffy enough. I like how it feels in my hand- not awkward, easy to use. Lovely brush.
-It's hard to create a thin, precise line using the Eyeliner brush. Good to use if I purposely want to apply thick, heavy lines.
-I like using the Lash and Brow groomer, because I feel the super firm bristles of the brush are effective for my stubborn brow hairs.
-None of the brushes have that weird new brush smell. They don't smell at all.
-I think the brushes look great, and with the brown ferrule + bamboo handles- so nature-y. I do wish though, that all the brushes, instead of just the Blush brush, had the EcoTools logo on their handles.
-The hemp brush roll looks nice with the brushes but it kinda squashes the Blush brush when stored with the rest of the brushes. I kept the plastic container they came in for alternative storage during travel, since it's reusable anyway with the ziplock.
-Can't wait to experiment with eye makeup using the Eye Shading brush and try the Concealer brush as well.

My mother loves her Retractable kabuki. It's quite dense but IMO is multi-purpose. When she's in a hurry she applies her makeup when she's already at her workplace, and prior to this used Ellana's baby buki for everything. The EcoTools Retractable speeds things up since it's much bigger and denser.

I'm playing with my eyes using the falsies, I'm having trouble attaching them though! :)

GoW goodies plus an award

Garden of Wisdom haul! I love GoW and I know I'll keep ordering from them. They have not only excellent products but excellent customer service as well! Along with Adorned With Grace, they have the fastest turnaround time among all the international companies I've ordered from so far- products always ship the very next day after I place my order, and emails with shipping notifications are also sent.

Based on the dates on my package, transit time from the US to my local post office took only 9 days, wow! My PO kinda failed me this time though, since they only sent out the pick-up notice about a week after they'd received the package.

I got a bunch of items but they were still able to fit into the $13 international shipping option.



From the box:

-GoW Majik Anti-PopUp Blemish Gel
-GoW GOaWay Circles Eye Serum<--I really hope this works for me.
-GoW Eczema/Psoriasis Serum
-Sensitive/Irritated Skin HA Pack: Super Hydrating Gel, Blue Mallow HA Serum, Imortelle HA Serum<--HA = Hyaluronic Acid
-Glycerine (veggie)
-Red Wine Vinegar (organic)<--for the Red Wine Vinegar Toner recipe w/c can be found at the start page of the GoW forum.
-Camellia Oil<--a very light oil. I'm liking this already.
-Rose Hydrosol<--this smells so lovely!
-GoW Eczema/Psoriasis Balm
-Freebie- No Name Serum (it says on the label, "Join the forum to win a full size", and list of ingredients + how to use)


Even though the items are sample size they'll last long enough for me to be able to tell if they belong in my skincare routine, since I only need one to two drops for each application. I like how GoW products are affordable that way. They are filled to the brim! And in my excitement while opening them, I spilled a lot of precious product! Ahh! I also forgot that the balm would melt while in transit (goes back to balm form once refrigerated), so I spilled a lot of that too.

I've been using the products from my last order on a daily basis, and I can say that Coconut Cream (for spot treatment), Winter Balm (an emollient moisturizer), and Banana Hydrating Mist (for boosting moisture & applying mmu foundie wet) work quite well for me. For reference, my skin type is dry/sensitive/acne-prone. The Heather Blossom Cleanser cleans very well but I'd still like to try the other cleansers.

If you're a newbie to Garden of Wisdom products and want to try their wonderful stuff, the people and info at their forum are super helpful!

And I got an award from Fifi, Pammy, Chrissy, Adin, and Giling! Five sweet, pretty ladies! Thank you much, it made me smile :)

Terms & Conditions For the Award Recipient:

1. Paste the Award Logo in your blog
2. Give out the award to 10 Blogs that you feels the most inspired and most friendly.
3. Make sure you back linked the recipients' blogs to your blog.
4. Inform the recipients about the award by leaving them comments on their blog
5. Give some love to the person who give you this award.

You've probably been tagged already, or you tagged me, but no matter, here are the blogs I'd award:

My Lucid Intervals
Topaz Horizon
Embrace Your Imperfections
Not Just Minerals
Kikay Exchange
The Shades of U

Musical Fan Loves Minerals
My Wonderful World of Colors
My Beauty Corner
Pretty Much Makeup
Confessions of a Soapaholic
Cosmetic Fixation
On Beauty Stuff and What Else's
Spoiled Rotten

I know that's more than 10 too! Yeah :)

I'm off to sleep now...

A late mother's day post

I know this is a late post on Mother's day, but I was quite happy on that day! My husband started off by cooking us all a good, hearty breakfast, helped out a lot with taking care of our 6-month-old daughter so I wouldn't get tired, then took me out for dinner- my choice of restaurant.

He said we could eat anywhere I wanted, fancy places included, but I chose to eat at Pho Hoa even though we're pretty much regulars there, 'cause it's a favorite of mine and besides, I couldn't think of someplace new to eat at Alabang Town Center (went there since we were supposed to watch X-men Wolverine but that didn't push through). I feel satisfied and full each time we eat there, this last time included. Pho Hoa serves healthy (in my opinion) Vietnamese cuisine, we love their noodle soup!

Afterwards we browsed around for things and since our very first anniversary is coming up soon, I decided to get him something he's wanted for while now, Sean John's Unforgivable perfume, which he said smelled good (it does). The Gift with Purchase was a bag:


It happened to be a different brand from the perfume. It looks wrinkled here, but it's clean, summery, and crisp in person. And it's big! Will be using this for me and my daughter's things (aka diaper bag).


I like the plaid detail...


the inside is red plaid as well. Cute!

The perfume salesman was trying to convince me to get DKNY Be Delicious and I must admit, its scent was delicious (heehee) but I if I were going to splurge on something it would be makeup. Too bad there wasn't a MAC counter there. He threw these in as freebies anyways:


Be Delicious plastic toiletries bags. They're wonderfully green and super reusable. I thought that was nice of him.

E.L.F. was having a mother's day special at everything 20% off. I love bargains so I looked around a bit, but didn't feel much like lingering too long over makeup. Wanted to stroll and look for dessert instead so I only purchased one item and left.


ELF Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara. I've used it once on my brows, but wasn't sure if it made a difference, maybe it was because I'd just groomed my brows that time.

And that concludes my mother's day freebie/bargain/very mini haul!

I hope you and your mom enjoyed mother's day too! :)

Winnings!

I won some wonderful prizes from the Shen's Addiction birthday blog giveaway! Lots of people joined and I was so lucky to have been randomly selected. I was so surprised when I saw that the first name displayed was mine (or at least my Yahoo username)! There were lots of items to be given away but Shen said she didn't know who would be getting what as the packages were labelled by someone else :)


Wrapped in purple butterflies. Maybe The Secret really does work...


because I got the Charm travel pro set! Ahhhh! I've been eyeing this at Beauty and Minerals for sometime now and I wanted to try their fiber duo brush too...now I have the mini and kit as well!


There were also a bunch of mmu from Ellana and Bare Naturals. So pretty! I might give the BN blushes to ny mom 'cause she likes their blushes. I've only tried the lippie and can't wait to use it in combo with my other lip colors.


This glamorous black necklace was included too.


And a note from Shen. Thanks so much!!! :)

Le Blogger award

Thank you to Noi and Donnarence for passing this on to me! That's really sweet of you girls to include me in your list and take time to read what I write. This newbie truly appreciates it :)
I love beauty blogs because reading about make-up and beauty helps me destress and 'course it makes me less stupid about make-up, haha. Let's discover and try more new things :)

The rules are:

1. Take your award here.

2. Put the logo on your post.

3. Link the person who awarded you.

4. Nominate at least 7 other bloggers.

5. Add the links of those bloggers on yours.

6. Leave a message for your nominees.
My nominees are:
Lai
Shatz
Honey
Debi
Tine
Gale
Khymm

Contest alert: Beauty for a Living

A chance to win: a Mika Heart Shu Makeup Brush Set and more! Click here to join. The contest ends May 7, 6 PM, and the winners will be picked randomly and announced on the same day, at 11:59 PM.

I found this blog through Topaz Horizon which I visit regularly. It's a light, fun, and well-written read and no wonder, 'cause I found out only later on that Frances is a magazine editor. I always enjoy reading her posts. She has a new beauty blog at Beauty for a Living where the contest is being held. It's pretty easy to join, you'd just have to write about the contest in your blog, include a link, and leave her a comment informing her that you blogged about the contest. Open to international readers too.

Good luck to you if you're joining! :)

Lovely Lip Lustres

Fyrinnae Lip Lustres!


Top to bottom: Kitty Ears, Romantique, Pink Guitar, Flavor Of The Day, and Lace Gloves.

Ingredients: Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Mica, Orbignya Oleifera (Babassu) Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Iron Oxides, Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E, as a natural oil preservative), Flavor. May contain: Titanium Dioxide, Tin Oxide, Manganese Violet.

These are in the small 3.5ml sizes, which cost $2.50 each. This size is currently unavailable , but the regular-sized tubes are at a reduced price of $4.

Swatches in the same order. In the photo, it's not showing but Romantique (2nd swatch) has a slight, warm pink tinge to it, and Pink Guitar (3rd swatch), while it's showing up as barbie pink, is a purplish, deep pink in actual.

Product descriptions:

Kitty Ears - a shimmery golden tan. Slight rosy hue so it's not pure brown. Coconut scent.
Romantique - a semi-sheer soft warm pink with gold shimmer, similar to our "Rapunzel" eyeshadow. Coconut scent.
Pink Guitar - a rich medium pink. Virgin Mojito scent
Flavor Of The Day - a semi-sheer light peach-pink with gold shimmer. One of the most shimmery Lustres. Strawberry Cotton Candy scent.
Lace Gloves - sheer with pink and red highlights (wear alone for a touch of colour or over lipstick). Raspberry scent.

I was initially turned off by Fyrinnae's long processing time (currently 7-18 business days), but I was more curious than impatient. And my package was shipped out 8 days after I ordered, which is not bad! They emailed a shipping notification.

The Lip Lustres are described as a non-sticky lipcolour 'stain' which are not supposed to be like lipgloss, non-drying, and opaque in color. And yes, they are exactly all of the above. If you remember Max Factor's Lipfinity, they apply similarly. But the Lip Lustres are not as hardcore. And I like that it's easier to remove! Still, good staying power.

I don't detect any taste to them, and they barely have a scent (each one's supposed to have one like lychee or raspberry), which is fine by me. Regarding color, they're totally packed, and they really are opaque. There are many shades to choose from, and I chose the more subdued colors. They have a lot wilder ones. I'm liking the ones I picked, I can really work with them. I think Flavor of the Day will suit most warm toned girls.

Oh and here's the free sample I received:




Snow Leopard eyeshadow -a soft, deep taupe shade that has subtle hues of rose.

I know Fyrinnae is known for their eyeshadow and I tried to see which ones I wanted to get, but me knowing nothing about eye makeup got soooo overwhelmed by the choices and ended up not getting anything. Haha! Anyway, Fyrinnae, don't take the Lip Lustres away! I want more!

Tip: For orders $20 and above, Fyrinnae ships for free worldwide. It's on the homepage but I totally missed it when I placed my order.

The take-your-picture-right-now tag!

Rules: Take a picture of yourself RIGHT now. No primping or preparing. Just snap a picture. Load the picture onto your blog. Tag some people to play.

Tagged by Thiamere! :)

Read the rules and just used the BisonCam feature in the laptop I'm using, so it's dark, I know. I tried to compensate for the dark pics by posting more than one photo, hehe. :) It's 1:40 AM as I'm typing this, I'm in our bedroom, and the lights are turned off so as not to wake my baby girl, who's sleeping soundly beside me.

I'm in my ratty old orange tie-dye shirt and my hair is messed up.


This isn't the first picture but I can't post that one because it's nearly complete darkness!
I put my face closer to the screen so you could see me better...here are other dark pictures:





Sorry if I scared ya! Haha.

I tag the newest readers to this blog (and vice versa!) who I don't think have been tagged yet:
MC - eyezaddiction
Cheysser - mszcheysser
Pammy - hawaiianpunchie
Cheryl Anne - cherylannem
Nic Nic - daily beauty buzz