San San's Products Review

I've been wanting to try San San products but I always forgot to drop by the HBC store. I've seen YouTube makeup tutorials by some Filipino beauty gurus and most of the reviews are good.

These are the products that I bought when I visited HBC 3 weeks ago:

Let's start with the San San Concealer.

The HBC sales girl assisted me in choosing the right shade for my concealer and I chose olive. The packaging is just right for an affordable product. I forgot the price and I lost the receipt but I think its more or less P100. It says on the back of the packaging: SPF 15, and Vitamins A, C and E.

It's creamy and it glides lightly on my skin using my finger. The shade doesn't work best on me when applied on my under eye. I should have picked beige instead or natural since it has only 3 shades. It covers well especially on blemishes but I need to apply more coats when it's humid, that's why setting it with a finishing powder is necessary. It also leaves a little crease that's why I have to check my face every once in awhile if there's a need for retouching. Overall, San San Concealer is way better than the other local brands I've tried when it comes to consistency.

So, this is definitely worth a try for those who are looking for an affordable concealer but make sure you choose the right shade for your skin tone.

 Next product is the San San Matte Finish Liquid Foundation.

                      

The San San Matte Finish Liquid Foundation costs more than P100. I chose the shade #02. It comes in a glass bottle and an applicator cap with a paddle tip. I don't like the coconut smell of the product but I don't have a problem with it. It's not overpowering though and I don't smell it every time I use it.

And, this is how it looks like:

(Oops, sorry the photo is a bit blurry.)

It's thick. The shade blends well on my skin because it doesn't dry too quickly. It provides a very good coverage and leaves an even-toned skin.

Below are my photos wearing the San San Matte Finish Liquid foundation:

Note: I was attending a party in these photos, and these were taken 3 hours after applying the foundation without reapplying any makeup.

The photo in the right is blurry but it's very obvious that my face here is already shiny specifically my T-zone. I'd set my makeup with a pressed powder  before going out but I didn't apply any primer and setting spray. Wearing this foundation makes me feel heavy. It's like I have so much makeup and I can't wait to blot it off my face. 

So, obviously it's not matte but as I've mentioned, the color compliments my skin tone. I still love the dewy finish. When applying this, it's best to apply a small amount, blend it with a beauty sponge and set it with a finishing powder. 

I've been using this product occasionally or depending on the weather. I don't regret buying it. It's cheap and it has good features for a local brand.

Last product is the San San Pressed Powder.

San San Pressed Powder has SPF 15 and Vitamins A, C and E. 

Let's talk about the packaging first. I like the sleek compact, though at first, I found it hard to open it. The compact is just light to carry. Inside the compact is a very smooth sponge placed separately in a duct.

                          


I have this in the shade #06 which is perfect for my skin tone. I like the smell and the product is creamy and not powdery. It's very easy to blend in my combination skin. It provides me a glowy, natural finish. I don't have breakouts and my skin doesn't get oily. The coverage is long lasting. I really appreciate this product. I just started using this for weeks but I would definitely buy this again.

Along with these products, I also include in my purchase the Hortaleza, M.D. Illuminous Plus Facial Toner. Please click here for review.

HBC Illuminous Plus Facial Toner

I've been a Pond's user for years. But 3 weeks ago I just roamed around the town to look for some beauty shops to buy a hair treatment and I remember a friend of mine who did hair rebonding all by herself. She mentioned she got the hair rebonding product from HBC. I've found the product but had a second thought of buying it because I might just mess up (I need more of my me-time to do it) so I decided to browse other products.

I wanted to try some products for the first time so I bought the following: San San Pressed Powder, San San Concealer and San San Matte Finish Liquid Foundation. Click here for my review.

While looking at the nail polish counter, the sales girl approached me and asked if I would like to try their facial toner. The packaging is nice and neat, and it costs P100. I wanted to give it a try so I purchased the Hortaleza, M.D. Illuminous Plus Facial Toner.

This product claims to lighten dark spots and blemishes while removing traces of dirt and make-up for skin that is clear and healthy-looking. 

It is formulated with Glutathione and Arbutin. 

Glutathione as a skin whitener

Most of us are familiar with this. Skin whitening is the side effect of glutathione. Glutathione was first and foremost utilized as an antioxidant. As a skin whitener, it prevents dark pigmentation on the skin. Other claims are related to anti-skin aging , and skin rejuvenation.

What is Arbutin?

It is a glycosylated hydroquinone extracted from the bearberry plant. It prevents the formation of melanin.
Thus, it is used as a skin-lightening agent. It evens out skin tone. It is also proven to be faster and more effective than kojic acid, and much safer to use. Other beauty products have it as Alpha Arbutin or Beta Arbutin but it is not indicated in this product.  

I didn't buy the product to achieve a whiter skin tone because I'm not fond of using whitening products but I need something that makes my skin radiant and clean. I also noticed that as I get older my skin becomes more sensitive.

I've been using the Illuminous Plus Facial Toner for almost 3 weeks now. I use it in the morning and before bed time. Well, there were few nights that I skipped it because I already wanted to jump into my bed. What I like in this product is, it doesn't irritate and dry my skin. And, unlike other products, after a few minutes of applying it, my face doesn't get oily. It doesn't cause my skin to breakout. The pores on my face looks a little tighter. I feel so clean and refreshed! Believe it or not, I feel like I look younger than my age. :)

My Little Photographer

 At the age of six, I've seen how my son has improved in his behavior and learning. His nursery 2 years ago was really challenging for us. Absurd to say but it seemed that I got used to receiving frequent reports from his school principal and meeting with his teacher and some of the parents to talk about how terribly he misbehaved toward his classmates and showed temper-tantrums. It was really a learning experience as a first-time mom. I realized that it wasn't wrong to ask for help. And, we were so lucky we've found an early intervention from his school.

One of the things that I've learned in helping my child's personality development  is the importance of bringing out what's best in him. At an early age, I let him discover his own interests. As much as I can, I pay attention to the activities he chooses.

What I have discovered lately is his love for art: from music to pictures or drawings. He loves taking photographs as much as he loves singing. Before, he just took pictures using his dad's phone and it was such a blessing when one of his grandmas gave him an Olympus camera last summer.      


                      

I noticed that my child started to develop an interest in photography when he spent most of the time with his granny. She always loves taking pictures of captivating views and shares them to her family. She also takes photos of her grandchildren and post them on Facebook. Indeed, we, parents and loved ones can be liaisons between our child's special talents and the real world.

As a proud mom, here are some of his awesome shots from his camera. These were taken inside the church one Sunday morning.

"The Chandeliers"

by Jon Bono D. Abubo

Since photography is one of my child's interests, every time we prepare to go out we always ask him, "Are you bringing your camera?", and when he hears this, he will just grab his camera bag and hang it on his shoulder.

Aside from taking random pictures, we love taking selfies too! And, we have a lot!:)

BYS Island Bronzing Makeup Kit for My Everyday Makeup

I know this is not a timely review for a palette which is designed for summer. It’s been a while since I felt the warmth of the sunlight but I don’t regret adding this up in my makeup set until now. When you’re a mom you’d become budget-conscious. So last summer, I was looking for a makeup which is good for an outdoor wedding. It was already 3 days before the out of town event and I had not purchased something for my look. I went to SM and thought of dropping by Watsons. I first passed by the Elf Cosmetics counter and I was assisted by a sales lady. I just couldn't decide what to buy so I decided to roam around until another sales lady offered me this cosmetic product. And, I’m talking about the BYS Island Bronzing Makeup Kit.

                  (Using the product constantly like almost everyday makes the printed surface of the kit a bit smudgy.)

What I love the most in this palette is its complete set which is good for travel and special event. It has 6 eye shadows which are good for warm and cool skin tones, two lip gloss, a pink blush and a bronzer. 

Though the eye shadows are a little bit powdery, they’re much pigmented. The mauve blush is also useful as it gives me a natural rosy color on my cheeks. The lip gloss compliments my skin well but it’s not long lasting. Well, I don’t have problem with that. I wouldn't mind retouching every once in a while. 

And, who says you can’t use bronzer during cooler season?  To achieve a glowing finish and a healthier appearance, the bronzer in this palette is my best friend. I just apply it lightly on my face following the right placement which is the “E” and “3”rule, including my ears and neck so I won’t look like having a fake tan-looking skin. Just a disclaimer, what works for me might not work for you. J

I can’t remember the price but I think it costs around P700. And, when I purchased this, I got it with a freebie which is a neon colored liquid eye liner. For some the price may seem high, but I still think the amount you get for the price is excellent. This palette is perfect for a natural makeup look or an everyday makeup and you can use it all year round. 

When makeup is concerned, less is more and this palette helps me achieve a look that is simple yet elegant. So, if you want a handy makeup kit that includes everything you need, the BYS Island Bronzing Makeup Kit is perfect for you!

I Wear Makeup, Now What?

I get it if makeup is not someone's cup of tea but I really don't understand why some people has stigma attached to wearing it.

I don't write this to tell everyone how makeup does magic to someone's face or raise an argument of who looks smarter than who. I don't have a problem with girls that don't wear makeup. I have friends who don't wear it. I just couldn't get why some girls need to point out things like "Oh I only use powder and a ChapStick!", and even post statuses in social media like "I look this good without makeup!" or "Beauty is only skin deep!". I wonder why they always need to emphasize that natural beauty is still the most beautiful. Like, duh? (Girl, I exactly understand where you're coming from.)

Will makeup change your face? I'm not talking about photo shoot, cos-play or theatrical makeup. But when I wear eye shadow and mascara, I still have the same eyes. Makeup can only enhance the way you look. You can do it for glam or a natural finish. I don't wear it everyday as my job gives me this privilege of just staying at home. And when I do, I see myself in the mirror looking vibrant and younger. Whenever I see someone wearing a little makeup, it gives me a good impression that she takes time for herself. 

Learning how to apply makeup is just like learning how to bake a cake or play a musical instrument. It comes with passion. It always boosts my confidence every time I receive praises when I do makeup to other people. I'd always love to offer help. It’s really inspiring when someone feels beautiful but it’s very overwhelming when this feeling comes after you put the makeup on them. Yes, I am a wannabe Makeup Artist. Why not?

I don't feel ugly without makeup. I'm lucky at least I have a good skin. I'm even proud of my physical features that I would always love to accentuate them and that will make me feel more elegant. Nobody's perfect and I think makeup is also designed to minimize our imperfections. I don't care if anyone wants makeup and how much they wear, they're comfortable with it. I enjoy being a woman as I enjoy the glamour and the artistry of wearing makeup. It's my face after all.

Some people always try and put other women down for wearing makeup. Perhaps these girls just don't know how to apply makeup or don't look good with it but if you can't say anything nice to other people, then don't say anything at all. I don't understand why people need to be rude to someone who is just confident with herself and proud of the developing skill that she has. I wear makeup and I don't think it makes me look indecent.

Hating other girls won't definitely make you look smarter or appealing. Girls who wear makeup don't care about you not putting it on. So, what do you care about?