Fashion 21 Double Up Mascara promises up to 2x longer and stronger lashes in an instant. It comes with the following directions:

1. Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler, if desired, before using a mascara.
2. Apply mascara starting at the base of your upper eyelashes.
3. Draw the wand gently outward up to the tips.
4. Hold the mascara wand vertically to color your lower lashes.

So how did it go? Let me put it this way, I’m glad that it was given to me for free. Fashion 21 has great and inexpensive products that I love, such as the 2 way cake and blush, but this Double Up mascara is a big disappointment, at least in my opinion.

After curling my lashes, I gently applied the mascara as directed. It yielded longer and thicker lashes but it was too heavy that it instantly straightened out the lashes I previously curled. I blinked, and the next thing I knew, it was all over my eye area. The consistency is too damp that it stains the skin, unless you prevent yourself from blinking for a few minutes or face the fan to dry it off. In the end, I noticed my lashes to be thicker and longer, but straighter than usual and pointed downwards.

I hardly use this because I don’t have the patience to wait for it to dry. On a positive note, I think it can double as an eyeliner because of its rich formula. Still, it will take some time to dry.

Rating: 3/10

Pros:

• sturdy packaging
• no clumps
• thick formula
• makes the lashes longer and thicker
• affordable at Php 225

led

What I initially noticed about this product is its gorgeous packaging: sleek black lipstick case that comes with a mirror on the side of the cap and LED light on both sides of the tube, which turns on by pressing the button below. The Fanny Serrano Night Light Lipstick comes handy even when it’s dark. Whether you’re inside the movie house, in the car, or out clubbing, the lipstick is like a secret weapon you can launch anytime as the need arises. Doctors can also transform this into a pen light when examining patients during emergencies.If you’re the creepy type, you can likewise use it to scare off people during brownouts at night.

I was sent the shade in Pink Vodka. It is bright and strong enough to perk up your look but not as tacky as red. It’s perfect when you’re on the go and hardly have any makeup on except powder and lipstick. This perky shade makes up for the lack of color on the rest of your face. What’s interesting about this is when it’s applied to the skin for swatching, it’ appears faint, but when put on the lips, it transforms the puckers into a bold, seductive arsenal that speaks power. Go easy with the application as the color can be very strong if too much is applied.

I go for lipsticks that don’t have an annoying scent. I’m glad that the Fanny Serrano Night Light doesn’t have this problem. But what I love most about this product is that it lasts long! I can put it in the morning and come home in the afternoon still with it on, albeit lighter after some meals and snacks. This is a lipstick you can trust that you won’t be looking drab by mid-day just because your lipstick wore off after a few hours. This is best for weddings as the makeup artist won’t have to worry about the color fading after the bride has eaten lechon from the banquet.

For a smooth application, put on lip moisturizer prior to the lipstick. Otherwise, I noticed it to stick to outer areas of the lips and I have to apply another layer to ensure its even distribution.

As to the dilemma of long last lipsticks that tend to be more drying on the lips by nature, I can’t really conclude that this has a drying affect as I have dry lips to begin with. For all its worth, at least I didn’t find my lips to be cracking or more dry than ever.

Rating: 8/10

Pros:

• Long-lasting
• Comes with LED lights
• Can double as a pen light
• Mirror on the side
• Sleek packaging
• 12 colors to choose from
• No annoying scent
• Affordable at Php 299

• Needs lip moisturizer for a more even application

I’ll post the swatches soon in a separate post.

The Fanny Serrano Night Light Lipstick is available online through Weemall, The Philippine Online Shopping Mall. Great news for readers of vanityclinic.com, as you can avail of 5% discount for products appearing on “The Doctor is vaIN” page at Weemall. Just enter this discount code upon checking out: DOCTORISVAIN. Happy Shopping!

the north face backpacks

I was sent the Fashion 21 Fine Blush Powder in #5.   When I saw its packaging, I doubted that it will make it to my staple of makeups as the brush looked rather stiff. Since it was given to me for review, I had to try it out  and give it a fair chance.

The blush comes in loose powder form that has its own dispensing container with brush.  The powder gets through the holes towards the brush when you tap it downwards.  Sometimes, I have trouble getting the product out so I have to tap it again to be transferred to the brush. This can be a good thing, coz it prevents the too much application of the blush. I love how it fits on my bag and the fact that I don’t need to bring travel size brushes to put it on.

Upon testing, I was pleasantly surprised that the brush wasn’t as bad as it looked. I was expecting an itchy, abrasive feel but did not get it. Although not as soft as Suesh brushes, it’s not stiff either. Just right to get the job done. The container can be opened so washing the brush requires detaching the head from the lower part. 

The #5 shade reminded of of merthiolate, but nonetheless pretty when applied. The shimmers are kept to a minimum, so there’s no worry about ending up with  sparkly or oily cheeks. The shade is peachy pink that’s subtle on the skin, leaving a fresh and glowing look.

Pros:

• convenient to bring along
• fine powder
• no break outs
• brush is tolerable
• has UV protection
• distributes evenly
• leaves a fresh, glowing appearance
• affordable at  Php 155

Cons

• difficult to get the product out
• have to detach brush from the lower part of container to wash it
• average staying power

 
plus size maternity clothes

Does it measure up to our standards? Let me dissect its performance.

When I swiped it at the back of my hand, it gave a rich consistency which stayed even after washing it off. I had to rub it with soap, then apply a Bobbi Brown cleansing oil to totally erase it. Pretty impressive, I thought to myself. But then here lies the problem with waterproof eye products: they can stand water but not oil. The lids have oil glands, and for walking oil mines like me, it can be a problem.

When I lined my lids, as it’s where it’s intended to be used, it relatively went well. I tried another brand before that left me with raccoon eyes even before I got out of the house. Smudging did not happen with the Fanny Serrano Long Last Liquid Eyeliner. However, after about 3 hours, I noticed the lines have faded away. It blended with the rest of the eye makeup. No distinct line remained.

At another time, I applied a thin line very close to the lash line and it disappeared more quickly. I decided thicker lines should do the trick. But then after putting on thicker lines, they still faded. I guess it will work on non-oily lids like how it lasted long at the back of my hand.

Liquid eyeliners are generally more difficult to apply than gel forms but the Fanny Serrano Long Last Liquid Eyeliner doesn’t require makeup artist skills to put it on. The brush evenly distributes the product which dries quickly.

Pros:

• Minimal or no smudging
• Waterproof
• Dries fast
• Rich consistency in one swipe
• Easy to use
• Applies evenly
• Affordable at Php 195

material handling

I honestly wasn’t expecting much from this local brand but the instant that I swiped it on the back of my hands, I went “whoah!” for its velvety smooth texture.  For it’s dirt-cheap price of Php 185, it wasn’t the result I had in mind. It totally caught me by surprise. The next thing I knew, I was looking forward to using it to work.

For the first few days of trying it on, I took note that the coverage was moderate to heavy. There were times I would glance at the mirror while driving, and thought to myself that I looked “made-up.” I normally wear mineral makeup for foundation because it looks natural and feels light on my skin, so it took some time getting used to a two-way cake foundation on my face. But then this was a good thing for my scar-ridden skin. Fashion 21 Two-way cake smoothened my complexion like miracle although I still needed a few dabs of concealer powder for a perfect finish. It felt light even if the coverage was on the heavy side.

Two way foundations are called as such because they can be either applied as is (dry) or with a damp sponge. The latter yields heavier coverage which can lead to a mask-like effect if not done properly. So far, I haven’t tried applying it wet although I use it over  liquid foundation.

Apart from the texture that earns my approval, I love its oil-control properties! It’s been a while since I used a foundation that tamed my  facial oil factory. I work at one clinic in the morning and drive for about half an hour to another one in the afternoon. There are times I hardly have time for touch-ups. Once, I rushed to my afternoon work without applying oil blotting agents or powder and found that my face wasn’t as oily as expected.

I can’t attest that it won’t cause breakouts coz I had some zits (mild, not cystic ones that usually terrorize my skin) on my forehead after a few days of using it. The powder has very mild scent. I usually get breakouts when a cosmetic has scent. It can either be  due to the  powder or my crazy hormones and idiosyncratic reactions. I can’t conclude which caused it.

Papaya supposedly functions to brighten the skin. Indeed, I feel that my skin is brighter whenever I use this. But then it could be due to the shade of the powder that they sent me. It was in shade 2. Fashion 21 Two-Way Cake with Papaya Extract comes in 4 shades, with #1 being the lightest. I think 2 is slightly light for  me although after oxidation (acidic skin that darkens the makeup), it suits just right.

Summing it up, I’m  highlighting its strong and weak points:

Pros:

• smooth velvety texture
• superb oil-control
• scent is very mild and not annoying
• feels light on the skin
• not chalky nor cakey
• finely milled powder
• UV protection
• brightens skin
• very affordable: Php185
• refills available

No matter how Maybelline has been put up the pedestal in the mascara department, I could not relate to the raves made by beautyholics. Oftentimes, I find their mascaras too heavy, weighing down the lashes that I painstakingly curled. Although I like a lot of other Maybelline products, I was about to give the cold shoulders to their latest mascaras until I recently visited their counter in one of the local malls. Among the sales attendants from different cosmetic brands, the one from Maybelline was the most accommodating, hence I gave her the chance to convince me into buying some of their products.

I have super straight and short lashes that are pointing downwards. Using the waterproof Magnum Volum’ Express Mascara, the Maybelline attendant wiggled it into my stubborn lashes which weren’t curled beforehand. I was surprised how it thickened the lashes and opened up my eyes instantly. I observed how long it would last without smudging, and amazingly, it lasted until I got home, which was about 4 hours later. Normally, after a few minutes, ordinary mascaras including some of Maybelline’s popular mascaras would start transforming me into a panda bear. Even waterproof formulas would create dark smudgy circles around my eyes after some time.Miraculously, this did not happen with the Magnum Volum’ Express.

So what makes Maybelline Magnum Mascara tick? The product promises to deliver colossal results, with 9x more volume to our lashes. In case you’re wondering, its yellow packaging is very similar to the Maybelline Colossal which is US-released. Magnum is its Asian counterpart. I read that there are differences between the two, but Asian mascaras generally perform better for challenging lashes like mine. The collagen formula is said to be the secret weapon that plumps up lashes without clumping, and the patented brush with more bristles that reach even the smallest lashes.

Notice how the wand is slightly curved, following the eye shape to lift the lashes. There are flat sides with shorter bristles that enable reaching the corners and short lashes.

I used it on on my clients which yielded good results. My problem on lashes being weighed down by heavy mascaras has found a solution on the Magnum Volum’ Express. Although the lashes become thicker with a few strokes of this mascara, it effectively holds up the curl in place. The product is being marketed for its volumizing more than its lengthening properties, but it does help lengthen the strands even without the aid of lash primers or fibers.

As to its no-clumping promise, this, I don’t fully agree with. It has the tendency to clump, depending on your method of application. To lessen clumping, make sure you brush off excess product against its container before applying the wand to your lashes.

If Maybelline continues to come up with clever mascara innovations like this one, it won’t be long til false eyelashes become a thing of the past. Maybelline Magnum Volum’ Express Mascara is sold for Php 429 at leading stores nationwide.

refrigerator filter

Photography by Raychard Kho

Before my wedding, I was on the hunt for the perfect makeup items that would complete my arsenals on the big day. Never mind that I already got tons in my collection that I have previously used on other brides. I was particularly on the look out for the perfect blush. The cult favorite NARS Orgasm was something I had to have. Browsing through the NARS website, I chanced upon the Bridal Palette that seemed to scream out my name.

It was dubbed as the greatest hits palette because it contained the bestsellers of the NARS makeup line. Besides the Orgasm blush that I badly wanted, the eye shadows and lip glosses were too fabulous to refuse. Despite that NARS only accepted credit cards billed in the US, I took my chances and it was a good thing that they accepted my order and delivered it to my aunt in Seattle.

It got to me 2 days before the wedding. In the end , the makeups I used on the day itself were mostly the staple items in my collection  because I had limited time roadtesting this new baby. In the 2 days of getting oriented with the NARS Bridal palette, I decided that the Orgasm blush, Albatros highlighter and Night Fever eyeshadow were a must to pull off my contemplated bridal look.

by Raychard Kho

Albatros Highligter: W-O-W! This is my idea of the highlighter. I swept it on my cheekbones, temples, bridge of the nose,  under eye areas and chin. It added an instant glow to my face without looking like an oil spill.

Night Fever Eyeshadow- this shimmery black-lavender shade was used to blur the black contouring I applied  on my eyes. I also used this to the outer 2/3 of my lower lash line. I’ve always wanted a hint of lavender on my eye makeup and this was a good choice. This can instantly transform your daytime makeup into a diva drama during the night .

The other eyeshadows are:

Edie, Nepal and Ondine- lovely, classic shades that are perfect for a bridal and daily makeup. Since I am more into the “pop” factor, I sticked with my staple MAC Woodwinked. But for work and subtle everyday look, this suits me well. The quality is good: pigmented, not chalky, does not fall off and stays long enough with the aid of a primer.

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MItzi, Babydoll, Sexual Healing and Roman Holiday- These are great choices for the smoochers but since I already set my mind on NYX Paris and Revlon Coral Color Stay lipsticks as my bridal lip colors, they were practically untouched except for the  Baby Doll lacquer which is obviously my favorite among the four, as evidenced by the craters it accumulated.

Image from Narscometics.com

Sorry for its dilapidated appearance on my pics. I should have taken shots of it when it was still unused. I am including the pic from the NARS website to give you an idea on how it should look like. The Night Fever shade is better captured in their shot.

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