In the Spotlight: EcoTools 6pc Brush Set

Instead of moping around for losing my one month old digital camera, I thought to myself, “why not write a review on something?” After all, I do need to keep myself busy so I don’t go crazy.

And so, out of my loss and frustration, an entry is born.

I don’t own that many brush sets or brushes. I have only 2brush sets and a few individual brushes bought from some mineral makeup companies. I don’t plan on having a gazillion brushes but I do want to accumulate a few more sets and individual brushes for my growing makeup collection. I love the ones I frequently use, but sometimes, I feel that even my brushes deserve a break regardless if they’re well taken care of.

I’m not all out on splurging on MAC brushes yet, although I know the quality that comes with every purchase. It is a wise investment I know, but I’m just not ready yet (I may probably splurge on MAC products if I’m in the US; but doing here in the Philippines seems ridiculous to me). Besides, I know there are good quality products out there that are sold at a fraction of a cost, just like the ones from EcoTools.

Presenting my EcoTools 6pc brush set.

Product Blurb:

• 5 high-quality brushes inside a natural cotton & hemp case
• Soft cruelty-free bristles

• Natural & recycled material

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This earth-friendly brush set is

packed with the 5 high-quality brushes you need to look

beautiful. And, it shows respect for the planet:

• Bamboo handle has a low impact on the earth’s resources as it is a highly sustainable plant

.
• Synthetic taklon bristles are 100% cruelty free.

• Sleek ferrule is made from recycled aluminum.
• Cosmetic case is made from

natural cotton and hemp.

Here’s a rundown on the things I love about the brushes.

What I love about it:

· I love the fact that they’re “earth friendly.” I do take care of Mother Nature in my own little ways so I’m pleased to know of a company that considers Mother Nature as well apart from gaining profit.

· The brush hairs are all undeniably soft. I don’t think there is one beauty blogger out there who has described the hairs as scratchy and stiff. They're so soft to the touch. I sometimes run the brushes on my face or arms when I’m bored, and a smile is painted on my face. Silly, I know; but they’re really that soft.

· The length of the handles is just fine. They’re full-sized brushes that are not too long, at least in my opinion. I can come as close to the mirror when lining my eyes and I still won’t poke my eyes.

· They don’t smell funky pre and post-wash.

· They don’t shed. I’ve been quite fortunate with my brush purchases because none of them has ever shed on me not even after being tortured. EcoTools’ brushes don’t either.

· They don’t bleed.

· There are no stray hairs.

· The price is wallet-friendly. Since the world’s economy is currently unstable, it feels nice to find good quality products at very friendly prices. At least you won’t feel guilty with your purchases (now that's one reason to shop!).

Here’s a (somehow) detailed review of each brush.

Blush Brush

· To be honest, I was in love with it when I first opened the package and started feeling how soft the hairs of this brush are. I even compared it with my angled blush brushes from Everyday Minerals and Kabuki Princess. EcoTools’ blush brush is unbeatably softer than the two.

· It’s fluffy but not too fluffy that you’d have difficulty dealing with it. Using this brush to apply blushes will give you a soft glow, nothing too harsh like you were slapped with colored bars on each cheek. It also works well with glows/illuminizers, bronzers and even finishing powders (although nothing beats a flat top brush for giving a very polished airbrushed look).

· It’s dense. Yes, I know it’s fluffy; but it’s dense so you still have control over it.

Concealer Brush

· Just like the other brushes in this set, this brush is just as soft.

· It works just like any concealer brush would although the brush is quite big. I actually love using it for my dark circles coz I only dot some concealer on the area and blend with one or two swipes using this brush.

Eye Shading Brush

· Again, this brush is just as soft as the rest.

· It looks like a smaller version of the concealer brush.

· It picks up pigments really well.

Eyeliner Brush

· It’s angled perfectly making it easy to line the eyes.

· The hairs stay intact no matter how often you use or wash them.

Lash & Brow Groomer

· It works just like any lash & brow groomer.

Hemp Roll

· I like it coz it’s “expandable.” It allows me to slip in some of my individual brushes that don’t have brush guards yet (when will you be available again, brush guard?).

· I don’t like it because the brushes tend to slide out of the roll if you hold it upside down because the slots are quite big for the handles.

· It gets dirty very easily (brush guards, I really need you).

The Final Verdict:

· I would buy these brushes over and over again if only they were available in the Philippines. Thank God the beloved goes home every few months so I can ask him to snag a few more of these for me.

· I wish they’d have eyeshadow brush kits in the future. I’d like to see more brushes for the eyes.

· I just love it. For the price, it’s unbeatable. Who said quality comes with the price tag? *raised eyebrow*

*I will further update this entry with photos once I get a new camera or if I ever find my baby*

In the Spotlight: Vanilla&Company 50% Cocoa Butter

Is your skin dull? Does it look scaly (hopefully not flaky)? Is the skin on your elbows, knees and ankles hard? Can you draw on your skin?

If you answered yes to these questions, then it’s about time you rescue your skin from dehydration.

How do you rescue your skin from dehydration?

1. Drink lots of water. Haven’t we been told time and again to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily? If you think 8 is too much, then try 6. This is best and most natural way to hydrate your skin. If you consume more coffee, tea or any flavoured beverage more than water, your skin’s bound to look dull and lifeless and will likely be drier than the skin normally would.

2. Keep a good and balanced diet. Avoid stuff that will make your skin dry and dull. If you’re one to skip meals in order to keep a pin-thin figure, think again. Starving yourself will only make your skin lackluster.

3. Have at least 5servings of fruit and vegetables daily. These plants not only contain essential nutrients and vitamins needed by our body. They also nourish the skin, making it glow with health. They likewise contain lots of water that help hydrate the skin in some way. Munch on watermelons, turnips, radishes, honeydews, etc. and bid bye bye to the junk you fuel your body with. Rescue your skin from dryness with some of these delectable and healthful treats.

4. If the first three are not enough to rescue your skin, have a good moisturizer within reach at all times. A good moisturizer will rescue your skin from dryness, dullness and scales. Tip: Apply your moisturizer right after bathing. Towel dry the excess water and slather on some good moisturizer to help lock in the moisture.

Now what’s a good moisturizer and where do you find one? There sure are a bazillion moisturizers out there in the market that promise intense moisturizing benefits for the skin. The branded and well-known ones sure are good, but they will more than certain rob you off your last payslip. But not only that. Commercialized products do contain a vast amount of additives and chemicals that will (read: WILL, not MIGHT) eventually do more damage than good to your skin and health. Some additives in our skin care products and even cosmetics have actually been linked to some form of cancer. Now I sure don’t want to want cancer to have anything to do with me. All I want is a skin that’s healthy. Knowing that these big companies fill their products with additives and chemicals led me to find other alternatives that are safer and less expensive but still highly effective to replace all my traditional skin care products.

And so my quest for all natural products began. I was thrilled with my first few discoveries. The feedback of the customers were so tempting and convincing. I was ready to place an order until I looked at the price. It was a total rip off! This was one problem I had with all natural products until I tapped the local little giants: Venus&Mars, Skin Hour, Ilog Maria, Vanilla&Company, Embodyment, All Organics, Brook&Ivy, Leyende, By Nature Handmade Soaps, and Human Nature. Don’t these companies make you a proud Filipina?

In this post, I’ll feature one of my favourite moisturizers of all time: Vanilla&Company’s 50% Cocoa Butter.

Vanilla&Company is the only skin care line that I know that sells the most delectable smelling skin treats. Imagine smelling like vanilla, tropical fruits, coffee, chocolate and whatever dessert you fancy. Their products are made of all natural ingredients that only bring out the best in your skin. Their packaging isn’t something you’d be fond to look at, but the products speak for themselves. The price? Nothing that harms my wallet.

Read on for my review on Vanilla&Company’s 50% Cocoa Butter.

Product Blurb:

“Its name speaks for itself – a whopping 50% cocoa butter to lighten stretch marks and also prevent future occurrences of stretch marks for teens and mothers-to-be! Cocoa butters are also ideal in soothing parched skin. This good ol’ cocoa butter naturally smells like dark chocolate, its actually a moisturizing chocolate for the skin!”

What I love about it:

· The scent! Who wouldn’t want to smell delicious? Their 50% Cocoa Butter does smell like dark chocolate, more chocolatey than The Body Shop’s Cocoa Body Butter (TBS’ Cocoa Body Butter doesn’t smell anything close to dark chocolate). Not only is the scent scrumptious, it lasts all day.

· The price. I got mine at Php299 during their month(s)-long sale. The company goes on sale every once in a while, so when they do, be sure you place an order.

· The product delivers! It’s intensely moisturizing. I apply it all over my body during the late morning, specifically targeting my knees, elbows, ankles and heels. These areas remain soft until midnight; and I only apply the product once. Not only that, I think my stretchmarks have also lightened. Yes, I have stretchmarks on my knees. I’ve had them since I was 10. Ugh. Beats me why I have them.

· It’s non-greasy and non-sticky. This is in fact the reason why I never used moisturizers. A lot are greasy and sticky and feel heavy on the skin. Vanilla&Company’s moisturizers don’t.

What I hate about it:

· I love the scent, but sometimes I find it to be too strong that it competes with some of my favourite perfumes. I don’t know. Either my sense of smell is poor or the scent is just too strong.

· I don’t really hate the consistency of the product, but I find it runny for a moisturizer. Quite unusual, should I say? Nevertheless, the product delivers.

The Final Verdict:

I am in love with Vanilla&Company’s 50% Cocoa Butter not only because of the scent but because it exceeded my expectations of body butters. Other body butters tend to be sticky and heavy. I wasn’t too thrilled to use it when I saw the consistency, but then I thought, “hey, I’ll give it a shot. Who knows, it just might work;” and true enough, it did. My sister, whose skin I liken to a snake when it’s molting, is rather amazed with the effectiveness of this body butter. She even asked me, “why are you still looking at [TBS’s] body butters when you have one at home that’s much cheaper and more effective? Just get your body butters from them [Vanilla&Co].” If you’re not convinced at how effective this product is, I’m not sure what will. I will surely buy this one from them once I run out of it, or maybe try other variants. FYI, they’re famous whipped buttercreams won awards from Meg Magazine.

In the Spotlight: Nivea Sun Face Sun Block Moisturizing Cream SPF50

One of the important things that I neglect is sunscreen. I know just how harmful the sun’s rays can be to our skin and health but I always skip putting some on my face for two simple reasons: 1. a lot of moisturizers are sticky, greasy and feel heavy on the skin; 2. the heat in the Philippines makes wearing sunscreen (or any moisturizer) much worse. But with the summer months getting much hotter, I figured I should start wearing sunscreen. Since I didn’t know what brand I should get for my sunscreen, I headed to the nearest Watson’s to check what they had on the shelves. There were tons of the dual purpose moisturizers, err... the whiteners with SPF and some other plain ‘ol sunscreen. What did I get?

Product Blurb:

Active UV Cell Protection

The effective NIVEA SUN UVA/UVB filter system and free radical scavenger protect the deeper layers of skin cells against sunburn and premature skin ageing and help reduce the risk of sun allergies.

Active NIVEA Care

The caring and non-sticky formula absorbs quickly and provides long-lasting moisture for smooth and supple skin. Vitamin E helps to protect the skins cells against free radicals. Water resistant.

What I love about it:

· It has high SPF --- SPF 50

· It’s non-sticky

· It absorbs quickly into the skin

· It doesn’t feel heavy on the skin

· It’s non-greasy

· It’s sweat proof

· It didn’t irritate my sensitive skin

What I hate about it:

· Since it dries too quickly, you have to spread the product the moment it touches your skin. If you don’t, you will have to squeeze more of the product to spread on to your skin.

The Final Verdict:

Nivea Sun Face Sun Block Moisturizing Cream with SPF50 is a good sunscreen for its price (if I remember correctly, it’s somewhere between Php250-350 or $5-7) considering that it’s neither sticky nor greasy.

I said that it’s “sweat proof” because even though I sweat barrels every time I walk under the heat of the sun to hail a cab to get to work, I never feel like I have something on my face. I love that it never feels heavy, greasy or sticky even when I sweat.

Will I purchase again:

Maybe. No matter how good this sunscreen feels on my skin, I’m still too lazy to add another step to my daily doll-me-up-time. I think the only reason I wear it every day is because I don’t want to get a tan. Silly, I know.