I know it hasn’t really been apparent in this blog but I have been obsessed about makeup for the past 3 years. If I wasn’t so lazy, I think I would have definitely considered beauty blogging. I have, though, made a lot of purchases in the past year and a half that sometimes hurt my pocket.. goodness knows what will happen to me once I actually switch to extremely high end products.

Another “essentials” post is overdue, since the last time I did it last year, it felt like it was a very noob-y post of products here and there with not much depth on makeup knowledge. Numerous subscriptions of beauty blogs and countless YouTube tutorials later, I’d like to think I have better grasp on it now, although I still definitely am poorly versed compared to all the #bblogers & #bvloggers out there.

So anyway! Here’s a rundown of my current beauty essentials in the past month or so. I wish I did these kind of posts often so I could have shown the evolution of my beauty essentials journey and what kind of products I used before as opposed to now, but alas, here it is.

FACE

BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 18 by theBalm in Medium – I decided to switch to this tinted moisturizer ever since my HG Kameria BB Cream was starting to feel really dry on my skin after 2 years of use and 3 empty tubes. It’s really the only thing I put as a base every day before a powder because it has pretty much everything. It’s been a month of daily use and although my skins feels a little oily without setting, I like how it’s so light and hydrating for my skin.

Ben Nye Luxury Powder in Buff – this product has also replaced by HG MAC Select Sheer Pressed compact powder after 3 empties. I use it as my daily setting powder and I am liking it a lot. It doesn’t make my skin itch (which is the most important, since MOST powders do), doesn’t feel heavy on my skin and helps control the oil on my face (just like my previously mentioned HG) because it’s so matte. It doesn’t make my face look cakey at all and the texture is good. Since it’s so big I have it in a smaller container that I put inside my makeup bag.

Real Techniques Multitask Brush from the travel essentials collection – I bring this inside my makeup bag because it means I don’t have to bring my RT Buffing Brush from the Core Collection (which is my absolute favorite brush) and another blush brush because I can use this one for ANYTHING. Blush, powder, bronzer, etc. It is so versatile. I actually bought this from a friend without buying the whole set because I felt like it was the only one I need and I’m glad she sold it to me as a single brush.

Rimmel Stay Blushed! in Pop of Pink – I. LOVE. THIS. Enough said. It smells so good like lotion on my face, application is easy, and it’s light but blendable. The packaging is cute and I’ve been using it every day since my friend got it for me about a month ago and I’m still not running out yet. I’m surprised at how much product is fit into such a small little tube.

EYES

Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer (sample size) – I think eye primers are godsend. Especially when you have super oily lids like mine. Eyeshadow. Just. Stays. This is the kind of product that makes you realize its importance and how much you missed before you ever started using one.

Smashbox Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio in Hyperfocal – my go-to every day eyeshadow now. I love that I can use this for both day AND night. I dab the pink one for work and add the black one for a smokey look when I’m off work and head to the club. Color payoff is great and although there is a bit of fallout, pigmentation is still topnotch. Definitely one of my favorite trios of all time.

Billion Dollar Brows (bdb) Universal Brow Pencil– what I love about this product is that it’s so easy to use and the formula is none I’ve ever tried before. It’s a retractable pen that’s sort of a crayon with a gel-type formula? I don’t know how to describe it. I like that it comes out ash-y and does not look harsh at all, even though you apply it with a heavy hand. Still not convinced about the whole product, but I like to use it as a base because it’s error-friendly.

MAC Fluidline Brow Gelcreme  in Deep Dark Brunette– this one, I have a love/hate relationship with. I love it because it’s waterproof, shockproof, weatherproof, etc etc but at the same time it needs utter precision when applying. It’s not something I can easily apply when in a hurry. It needs a light hand, and me being used to powder brow products it’s APPLY APPLY APPLY. This color comes out really harsh as well and I feel like I might have been better off buying the shade lighter which is Dirty Blonde so I think I’ll do that in the near future because I really want to give this product its due praise. I really want to love this because it’s so great, but I think I still have to work on my application talents.

Maybelline Hyper Curl Volum’ Express Mascara – I got this from a BDJ box last year. Took me a while to open and use it because I’m a bit partial to Maybelline products (I’m not sure why, really). It’s almost running out and I’m ready to repurchase because it’s the only thing that works amazing for my long but absolutely stubbornly straight lashes.

Marionnaud N9 – absolutely my favorite inexpensive eyebrow brush together with the Marionnaud N38. I think I have repurchased these brushes over 5 times in the last 2 years. They cost less than P150 each.

Sephora eyeshadow brush – this comes from one of the travel brush sets I bought when I was in Singapore last year. I use it for most of my eye shadow applications: lid, crease, blend. Surprisingly this certain brush really works well despite the quality of its set partners (which I think I’ve thrown out already).

Shu Uemura eyelash curler in limited edition gold – pretty self-explanatory. The best lash curler ever made in this world. Sometimes I regret buying a lot of lash curlers (that failed) in the past because I was holding off on buying this one. This is the only curler that can make my straight, stubborn lashes curl. Ever since then I haven’t looked back. Could have saved me even more money.

LIPS, etc

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Naked – this one is part of my MLBB family now. It reminds me of the cremesheen formula by MAC with more lasting power. What I actually love most is the packaging, so sleek and sexy. It’s one of my day to day lipsticks now and I think it’s definitely worth the purchase.

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Celestial – my glossy MLBB! One of my favorite lip products to date. I must say, Rimmel has been doing it for me. Can’t stress how awesome this product (and all other Rimmel ones I have) is. It’s glossy but doesn’t smudge, doesn’t feel heavy on the lips, works like a liquid lipstick. Think melted lipstick but doesn’t feel gross. It’s that awesome.

NYX Wonder Pencil in Medium – I use this for small cover ups and as a concealer for small problem areas, and to help shape my eye brows more. Can’t say this is a great product, but it does its job well for what it’s worth and can be used for a lot of purposes.

Hello Kitty mirror – can’t live without this mirror. It was a Christmas gift from Ham and I haven’t been able to put it away ever since. I love it so much.

So, there it goes! I think I’ve blabbed enough about makeup too much in one sitting. Funny thing is, I have purchased a few items again that probably warrant another post like this in the next few weeks or months (probably months).