I am truly excited to share with you all that Rivecowe is now available in Cebu. You read that right, Rivecowe is a Korean Cosmetics brand specializing in Good Base Make Up. As per the official Korean distributor here in PH, it is Pronounced as "Rive-koi".

What sets them apart from the rest of the K-Beauty brands is that they use 8 special herbs in all of their products. Here's a list of all eight herbs and what they use it for.

Lavender : Anti-Inflammatory
Rosemary : Prevents aging, Anti-Bacterial
Thyme : Antiseptics
Mint : Anti-Inflammatory, Refreshingness
Borage : Anti - Inflammatory
Sage : Whitening, Sterilizing
Jasmine :  Improve Skin Elasticity
Chamomile :  Moisture, Antiseptics


They had a workshop here in Cebu last November and I got the chance to learn more about their product and was lucky enough to try some. Here are some of the products I tried.


Bubble Mask Pack - This is the first time I've used a mask intended for deep cleansing. It's really fun to use. You just apply it like you would using a normal sheet mask. After a few seconds, it starts bubbling up making my face tickle. I really like that it removes makeup residue then leaves my face feeling very hydrated and moisturized at the same time.


Chiffon Lipstick - I think the name is really fitting for this product. I got the shade No. 6 which I would describe as a peachy nude brown color. It reminds me of my Mac Lipstick in Mocha. The lipstick is highly pigmented, applies smoothly, feels lightweight and gives a velvety finish. It does not have any weird or strong scent as well, which is a plus for me. It's stays for a decent couple of hours on my lips until I eat or drink.


Flexible Liquid Brush Pen  Eyeliner - This has got to be my favorite liquid eyeliner to date. I really like the brush pen applicator of this eyeliner as it allows me to create thin and thick lines. It's very black, glides on nicely and stays all day. It is waterproof. Fade, melt, crack-resistant.


Correction Convenient Cream ( CC Cream) - This is formulated for Normal Skin. It claims to improve skin texture and give a finished makeup effect. It is for whitening, anti-wrinkle and has SPF 43 PA+++ .  I have used this as base, it does a great job of giving me that dewy healthy looking skin. However, I still prefer to set this with a translucent powder to minimize the shine on my T-Zone.

Overall they offer really high quality products for an affordable price.

You can visit them on Facebook Rivecowe PH Official
and their Official Website https://rivecowe.com.ph/
and get to know more about their products and prices.

Until next time.

Cheerios!
***Hollie***

It's time again for another Mascara Round Up! I really enjoy trying out different Mascaras because I have been searching for an HG Mascara for the past couple of years. I even go as far as ordering drugstore mascaras that aren't available locally. Would you believe that I even searched what's the popular mascara in India? LOL... You can check out my previous Mascara Round up HERE.


First up is the Loreal Hydrofuge Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara. The only I reason I got this, is because Jaclyn Hill really swears by this mascara. True enough, this one rocks! It gives me that instant volume, lift and length that I want from a mascara. It doesn't smudge and it doesn't flake. It stays all day.

I tested wearing this mascara during Jiu Jitsu training and it didn't move! It's a bit drier compared to other mascaras but it does that trick. This one's hard to remove with just my ordinary makeup remover. I find the cleansing oils works well with removing this.  The only thing I noticed with this is, my lashes gets a bit sticky when it gets really wet.

My rating: 4 out of 5


Next is the Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara. Yes, you read that right! I got my hands on this cause I ordered it from the US (not available locally) And I'm really glad I did. I just found my HG waterproof mascara! It really lengthens, lifts, volumizes and separates my lashes well. It doesn't clump!

I swear this one does not move whatsoever.  It doesn't smudge, smear or flake. It even stayed during my Jiu Jitsu training. I had about 5 rolls and still nothing happened (which means I'm very sweaty and about to die...LOL), my mascara was just there. It can only be removed with my Heimish Cleansing Balm. That's the only downside with this mascara. I had a hard time removing it with just a micellar water makeup remover or a cleansing oil. If that's what you are looking for then you'll love this!

My rating:  5 out of 5

Next is the Maybelline Lash Discovery Waterproof Mascara. I ordered this together with my Loreal mascaras. I got this because of Emily Noel on youtube. I was looking for a mascara that was perfect for my lower lashes and so I read a couple of reviews that this does a good job with lower lashes.

The lash wand applicator is so tiny that I had high hope for this. However, it was fail for me. I tested it about three times but I find it hard to apply on my lower lashes. Probably because my lower lashes are short and a bit sparse? this mascara just look like dirt on my lower lashes. Not really sure what I'm doing wrong. However, as for the formulation, it's actually pretty good. It doesn't smudge or smear but it flakes through out the day. Also, the since the wand is so tiny it reaches the roots of my lashes very easily and give my lashes instant volume.

My rating:  3 out of 5


Next is this Delia Cosmetics Keratin Lash Max Volume Mascara. It was gifted to me (blogger perks hehe) and it's made in EU. By the looks of the wand, I thought this would work well too. However, this one's a total fail. The formulation is just too wet so it takes a long time to dry and barely does anything for my lashes. It simply coats my lashes and looks well defined, but that's it. It barely adds volume. Did not notice lengthening and does not hold the curl of my lashes. It just has a pretty packaging cause it's metallic purple. LOL

My rating: 1 out of 5


Lastly, here's the Miniso Long-Lasting Curling Mascara which I bought for only P99 pesos at Miniso (Miniso is a Japan based low-cost retailer and variety chain store) in Robinson's Place Manila. Obviously, I did not have high hopes with this mascara. I just bought it cause I liked the shape of the wand. Honestly, it's a decent mascara. The formulation is a bit wet and slightly sticky so when I was testing this out, I had to remove the excess on the tip, otherwise it would be a big mess. It's not waterproof so it really tends to smudge after a couple of hours on me. It does a decent job of volumizing my lashes and holding up my curl but it doesn't lengthen. Other than that, this would be suffice if you just want to go out on a quick errand.

My rating: 2 out of 5


If you're curious, these two are my favorite HG mascaras to date! The Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara and Benefit Roller Lash Mascara. I didn't include the Benefit Roller lash in the Round up because I plan to buy the full sized version and probably make a separate in-depth review for it. But just so you know, the Benefit Roller Lash is my HG Everyday Mascara.

Until next time.

Cheerios!
***Hollie***

Yes ladies, you read that right! if you're a fellow beauty enthusiast and you love nails then you'll surely be thrilled to know that the Gelish and Morgan Taylor Matadora Collection is now available in Cebu.

Here’s a fact—in the Philippines, nobody knows how to do fiestas better than the Cebuanos. Their celebrations are always next level grand, colorful, and lively. And their citizens are always willing to go the extra mile to make sure that festivities, whether big or small, are always held with a dash of homage to their strong Spanish background.

Perhaps this is the reason why the world’s leading gel polish brand, Gelish ®, and sister company Morgan Taylor, decided to choose the Queen City of the South as the point of entry of their Fall 2017 collection into the Philippines. Aptly named “Matadora”, the collection is inspired by the rich and vivid culture and scenery of Spain—expressed in lavish fall tones of purple, navy and reds, as well as pops of other shades that are meant to transport you to the streets of one of the world’s most romantic destinations.


Gelish® and Morgan Taylor’s Matadora collection has six new beautiful shades, including:

Olé My Way - described as a Navy Blue Shimmer
Danced And Sang-ria - is a Vampy Purple Creme
All Tango-d Up - is a Deep Red Creme
Don’t Break My Corazón - described as an Orange Red Creme
Mauve Your Feet - described as a Mauve Nude Creme
I’m Drawing a Blanco - described as White Shimmer


I had the chance to experience both the Morgan Taylor and Gelish polishes from the Matadora Collection at Salon de Rose in SM Seaside Cebu during their launch.

I chose the Morgan Taylor Ole My Way shade for my nails then the Gelish Ole My Way on my feet.

I was amazed at how opaque and long lasting the Morgan Taylor nail polish was. It lasted for almost three weeks on my nails without chipping. And to think, I do daily chores at home, like washing the dishes and doing a bit of laundry. I also do Jiu Jitsu every night, which requires a lot of tugging and pulling and my polish is still intact! Definitely recomended!

Both Morgan Taylor and Gelish®’s version of the Matadora collection are available in Cebu and other parts of the country, first, through Salon de Rose’s 29 branches, including SM Seaside, Ayala Center Cebu, SM Cebu, Tabunok Cebu, Cybergate Cebu, Abreeza Mall, SM City Davao, Centrio Mall CDO, and Festival Mall Alabang. For more information about them, you may visit www.salonderose.com, or like Facebook.com/salonderose.

Until next time.

Cheerios!
***Hollie***

Hey Beauty Addicts! I bring great news! I am delighted to share with you that the annual Beauty Addict Event of Rustan's The Beauty Source is back in Cebu for the second time around.

Being a Rustan's Beauty Addict myself, I have been waiting for this event to come back here in Cebu.  I was ecstatic to find a Rustan's box beautifully wrapped in gold ribbon when I got home from my Jiu Jitsu training. Rustan's The Beauty Source team so graciously sent me these products to try out. I was delighted to find the Jane Iredale Makeup inside since I have been wanting to try out some of their products. This brand has been around since 1994 and have been known to be The Skincare Makeup.


They sent me the Jane Iredale Starter Kit in Medium, where it includes the following:



They also sent me the other products that are not included in the kit:



The biggest beauty event of this year 2017 is launching the "Beautiful You" campaign that celebrates modern women and their unique beauty with the most sought after makeup, skincare, fragrance, hair, nail, and bath & body brands.

It will be held on Thursday, October 26 at 6 PM. In the First level of Rustan's, Ayala Center Cebu.
Fun counter games and exciting prizes from the most renowned luxury brands await. The event will be an absolute treat and the perfect night out with your friends.


Get your Beauty Addict Card now and be a part of our celebration along with the most influential personalities, beauty bloggers and digital influencers. Here’s how to become a member:

You must be of legal age (18 years old and above).
Membership is complimentary to any customer, who will spend a minimum single receipt purchase of PHP 2,500 at the Cosmetics, Perfumery and Toiletries Division of Rustan’s Department Store.
Fill up digital application form available in stores.
For every transaction made in Cosmetics, Perfumery and Toiletries Division, points can be earned which entitles the member premium items solely available for Beauty Addict redemption. You also get to experience limited edition signature brands or deluxe samples, exclusive invites to events and workshops, and receive latest updates on promos, sales and new products.

until next time.

Cheerios!
***Hollie***

I have just been really loving earthy tones lately and I find that these really lipsticks really suit my brown skin. These three all have brown undertones to them, thus I decided to swatch them together.


The Mac Lipstick in Mocha, has a Satin finish. It is described as a Peachy Brown shade. It has a creamy texture with a soft cushiony feel to it. This has been my new go-to everyday lipstick ever since I finished my Mac Lipstick in Cosmo a few months back.  You can read my full review HERE.


The Mac Lipstick in Whirl has a Matte finish. It is described as a Dirty Rose shade which can be worn any time of the day in my opinion. I think this shade will look great on a white variety of skin tones. I have already featured this lipstick before in my One Brand Makeup using Mac, see HERE.


The Mac Lipstick in Sin comes with a Matte Finish. It is described as a Deep Dark Blue Red. This is by far my favorite dark lipstick to date. I've received endless compliments with this shade every time I wear it and they often ask what shade I'm wearing. I feel like the Mac Sin Lipstick is so underrated.

Until next time.

Cheerios!

***Hollie***

Last September 18, 2017 the Cebu Beauty Bloggers were invited to the Grand Opening of the first branch in Cebu for the SophistiKated Aesthetics and Spa.  They are located at the 2nd Floor of Mabolo Royal Hotel. I got to experience a couple of their services plus munch on some sweets and had fun with my fellow beauty enthusiasts.


We also had a bit of chitchat going on here while choosing what services we want to try. You may already be familiar with some our very own Youtubers like Christian, Philline and Chinky. So it was so much fun to be hanging out with this bunch.


As for me, I decided to try their Hair Mask Treatment. It made my hair super soft, smooth and really shiny, but still with volume and did not look flat at all. I'm really happy with the end result and this service only costs Php 349, awesome deal! Also, after 4 days my hair still remained super soft and shiny. I just used a shampoo that is Sodium Chloride-free, which you can get from them as well.


I also tried their Ear Candling service. I was quite curious how this works and was surprised at how it quick it was, probably took about 15 minutes. Their Ear Candling service only costs Php149, wow! Anyway, I just laid on one side, then they placed some type of candle paper formed into a cylinder, small enough to fit inside my ear. I swear, it does not hurt at all. I actually almost fell as sleep while waiting for it to finish. You almost won't feel a thing, you'll just hear the candle paper burning. When it's done, you'll be surprised how much ear wax got sucked into the candle paper.


Apart from Hair Services, they also offer a lot of Hand and Foot services like Hand Spa with Manicure and Mask for only Php249. They even offer Paraffin Wax.

Other Services include:
Waxing
Facials and other Aesthetics services
Laser Hair Removal
Whitening Treatments
Eyelash Extension
Eyebrow Embroidery

These are just few of their services. It's basically a one stop shop beauty spa. I plan to try more of their other services in the coming weeks since everything is really affordable. Overall, I had a great experience during my visit. So we'll see if the staff will be doing a great job as well on my other visits when I try their aesthetics services.

They are open Daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
located at the 2nd Floor of Mabolo Royal Hotel, just along Mabolo Church
Follow then on Facebook @sophistikatedaestheticsandspa for reservations and price list.


Until next time.

Cheerios!
***Hollie***

It's been a while since I last reviewed a liquid foundation. However, I really took my time with testing out the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation. I have been using this foundation since summer because I turned one shade darker and this has become my go-to foundation for the last few months.

It retails for Php 2,350 at Sephora.ph. But I was in luck since this was gifted to me by my good friend, fellow beauty addict and enabler MyKym.  😋


I got the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation in Sand. Which is currently the perfect shade for my medium skin tone.  It comes in a glass bottle with pump and contains 30ml worth of product.


What I like about it...
* can be bought at sephora.ph
* comes in a sturdy glass bottle
* comes with a pump, so it is convenient to use
* beautiful packaging with gold details
* they offer a wide range of shades, about 24 shades to choose from
* has a smooth and creamy texture, so it's easier to build coverage
* very easy to blend with either a kabuki brush or beauty sponge
* has excellent coverage, even with just one layer of application
* a little goes a long way with this foundation since it's very pigmented
* feels very lightweight so its comfortable to wear
* melts into my skin really well, making it look undetectable
* does not cake or sink into fine lines
* lasts all day on me, about 8 hours even without a face primer
* does not have a strong scent, its almost unscented in my opinion
* no irritation or allergies experienced

What I don't like...
* It's not fully waterproof, but it only moves when I sweat a lot. My Finishing Spray normally fixes this though, so I'm all good.
* can be a bit pricey for only one fluid ounce of product

My rating: 5 out of 5


Here's the before and after only one layer application of the foundation on me. I used my phone to take the pictures and did not filter or edit it.  I prefer to use my damp AOA Wonder Blender to apply this since it really makes my foundation look like skin.


Overall, it's a really awesome liquid foundation and currently one of my favorites. I now understand why I a lot of the beauty gurus on youtube were raving about this foundation. Definitely highly recommended and Hollie approved.

Until next time.

Cheerios!

***Hollie***

Yes, I got another Althea Box. If you ladies aren't aware. My favorite shop for all things Korean Beauty, Althea Korea occasionally releases various themed beauty boxes.

This time I got the Althea Beauty Lifeguard Box. It is a beauty box curated especially for the summer to Keep your makeup on through all the Splashing, hot fun!

Whats inside the Althea Beauty Lifeguard Box ?


Tony Moly BCDATION OiOi Waterproof Cushion in 02 Warm Beige.  It is a waterproof cushion that has SPF 50+ PA+++ for Suncare, Anti-Aging, and Skin Brightening at the same time.

It claims to provide great coverage that adheres to skin all day. Also, contains sebum controlling powder to keep you oil-free.

I have been testing out everything in the box for the past week and I must say I'm really impressed with this cushion. I have combination skin with oily T-Zone and so far this is the longest lasting cushion I've tried.

What I like about it...
- long lasting, it lasts about 6 hours on me before it starts to fade
- gives out a semi-matte finish, which makes my skin look really smooth
- has awesome medium to full coverage, since it easily covers my blemishes
- I can honestly say that this is waterproof, since I did sweat a lot when I was running errands and this cushion, really behaved and didn't make me look greasy
- did not experience any allergies or irritation, when wearing this consecutively for 5 days

What I don't like...
- like all other Korean cushions this is one shade lighter on me. I think Warm Beige is the darkest one they have. So, I just thin this out when applying. It eventually blends in my skin tone after an hour or so.

My rating: 4 out of 5


VDL Expert Color Primer for Eyes in Serenity.  This eye primer is meant to correct any redness on the lids for a flawless canvas. It locks the eye shadows without needing to apply excess product or pressure and allows the eye shadows to show up vividly onto the lids.

So far, it really stayed true to it's claims. It works the way it is described. It made my eyeshadow look more vivid, did not crease and definitely stayed all day. The packaging is sturdy and really reminds me of the lip gloss packing for my Laura Mercier Lip Glace.

My rating: 4 out of 5


Milky Dress Barbie Make Mascara. Is an all-in-one mascara that claims to provides curling, volume and long lashes. It comes with a very pretty rose gold packaging that is lightweight. The applicator comes in a semi-elliptical brush, a C-Curl a brush the offers perfect curl and volume for eyelashes.

What I like about it...
- very affordable mascara that works
- pretty rose gold packaging
- love the thin curved applicator, which makes it easier for me to start on the roots of my lashes
- long-lasting, smudge-proof and does not flake
- definitely holds up a curl and gives excellent length and volume
- very easy to remove even with a cleansing water
- does not have a strong chemically scent

What I don't like...
- can be a bit clumpy and does not layer well. I would recommend this to those who have very sparse and short lashes since it really lifts the lashes well.

My rating: 3 out of 5


Wangskin Lip Tattoo Tint Pack in Pink.  Claims to keep your lips looking juicy and tinted all day. Best used when lips are looking too pale, lips need a moisture boost and when you need a long-lasting lip colour.

This product is actually very straight forward. You apply and leave it on your lips for about 15 minutes depending on how much you want for your lip color to look deeper. The consistency feels very similar to a normal glue, only thinner.

I used this twice already. I left it to dry for about 15 minutes on my lips then peeled it off. I was left with a beautiful pink tint and it definitely lasted all day. It did not even come off while I was eating or drinking and did not transfer onto my glass as well.

It does not leave my lips feeling dry but does not feel like it's giving my lips moisture either. Also, this did not sting my lips, which I'm very happy about. I like that it came with a squeeze type tube since I find that more hygienic.

My rating: 4 out of 5


What I like about it...
- it stayed true to its claims
- the sprayer gives off a really fine mist, making it easier to apply all over the face
- if used as a primer, it helps me apply my foundation smoothly
- does not feel sticky at all
- when I used it as a setting spray, it definitely helped my makeup last longer.
My makeup just stayed in place all day with no smudging even when I was already sweating.
- has a very mild fresh scent
- did not experience any allergies or irritation

What I don't like...
- can't think of any

My rating: 5 out of 5