i don't know how may times i've used this phrase on this blog

but the rainy days (and school days) are upon us again

so it's that time of the year when i look back at the sunny and lazy days we spent at the beach

i'm ever thankful that celestine is so unlike me in a few ways: she's outgoing, sporty and knows how to swim 

back in May my family from Leyte came over to visit us

got lots of photos of the babies

keeping 'em for future reference

they're the cutest - even though they look like they're about to bolt away in these and they can't keep still

also made a reels a post on Facebook, with a background song that made me feel nostalgic 👇

Hey! Finally, a lipstick review! It's been a while since I've done this and I realized that it's because I don't buy lipsticks as often as I used to. I purchased this one a couple of months ago as I was on the hunt for a nude lipstick. There are so many brand and shade choices now that I honestly got overwhelmed. Three to 5 years ago, the beauty landscape was so different. Many brands, foreign and local, have bloomed and boomed now. However, despite all the different choices, I still decided to go for an ever dependable brand which I have been familiar with for so many years: Maybelline. I was reminded that I reviewed their Creamy Matte lipsticks about a decade ago and suddenly I felt nostalgic about all my makeup hauls in the past! Nowadays, I still enjoy applying makeup and skincare but of course I have other priorities now and I have become more mindful about my purchases. As a working mom who’s always on the go, I love lipsticks that I can swipe on quickly and feel put together with minimal effort. 

So how did it go with Maybelline Ultimatte Lipstick in More Buff? Here's my honest take on this promising drugstore gem.

🌟 Product Details

Looks so red on this photo but in real life it's actually brownish peach.

🎨 Shade & Swatch

More Buff is best described as a peachy-brown nude with soft, warm undertones. It’s a true MLBB (my lips but better) shade, especially if you have medium to tan skin with warm or neutral undertones. 

Swatch tip: Try swatching it under natural light to fully appreciate its warmth!

Color swatch: Maybelline Colorsensational Ultimatte in 699 More Buff is a peachy brown  nude with soft warm undertones.

💋 Formula & Texture

Maybelline promises an "extreme matte" finish with an ultra-light feel. The formula glides on smoothly and feels like velvet on the lips. Yes, it’s matte but not drying, which is a major win since we all shy away from drying matte formulas.

One swipe gives decent color payoff, but I prefer two to three layers for full opacity. Despite being matte, it doesn’t emphasize lip lines or cling to dry patches. Of course, it's is best if your lips exfoliated beforehand. 

⏱️ Wear Test & Longevity

I wore More Buff through a busy day of work, errands, and coffee (lots of it!), and here’s how it held up:

✅ Lightweight and comfortable for up to 4-5 hours

✅ Fades evenly—no awkward patchy look

✅ Minor transfer, especially after meals, but nothing a quick touch-up can't fix

This is not a long-wear or transfer-proof formula per se, but its soft-matte finish and comfort make it a solid everyday pick.

👍 Pros & 👎 Cons

Pros:

• Beautiful nude shade for everyday wear
• Comfortable matte finish
• Easy to apply with slim bullet
• Affordable and widely available

Cons:

• Needs touch-ups after meals
• Not ideal if you’re looking for intense long-wear performance

💁‍♀️ Who Should Try This?

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance nude lipstick that flatters medium to warm skin tones, More Buff is a great choice. It’s perfect for office wear, school, casual outings, or when you want a neutral lip to pair with bold eye makeup.

📝 Final Thoughts

I’m really impressed with the Maybelline Ultimatte in More Buff. It’s the kind of lipstick I can keep in my bag and reapply without a mirror which makes it super mom-friendly! While it’s not transfer-proof, the comfort and flattering color more than make up for it.

⭐ Rating: 
Packaging: 4.5/5

Quality: 4.5/5

Performance: 4/5

User-friendliness: 4.5/5

Overall: 4.37/5

Yes, I would repurchase—and I’m eyeing other shades in the Ultimatte line next!

🛍️ Shop It

Here's my link on Shopee (affiliate commission may apply)
🛒 https://s.shopee.ph/20jd4p1htS

💬 Let’s Chat!

Have you tried Maybelline’s Ultimatte lipsticks? What’s your go-to nude shade? Drop your thoughts in the comments 

xO,

CaRissa 

About The Originote

The Originote is a rising skincare brand that focuses on simple, science-backed ingredients which means no frills, no fluff. It's not indicated on their packaging, so I had to verify via their Shopee Account if their products are vegan and cruelty-free, and they replied in the affirmative. Their products are formulated to target common skin concerns like dryness, acne, and dullness. What caught my attention first? Their minimalist packaging and the fact that most of their items are under ₱300!

"The Originote Cicamide Facial Cleanser" Review

What it is: A low-pH gel cleanser with centella asiatica and ceramides for calming and barrier support. Also contains niacinamide for other skin concerns such as enlarged pores and excess oil production.

Texture & Scent: Clear gel with minimal lather, scent-free

Application: Morning and night cleanse (double cleanser at night after using the Hyalurose Micellar Water)

My Thoughts: Super gentle and didn’t strip my oily skin. Felt clean but not tight afterward which is a big plus for me. I've had some trauma from the past and I know it was because of my weakened skin barrier. I always make sure that the facial cleanser should be low-pH and gentle to my skin barrier. I'm glad that this product is good and affordable. I wanted to give it a 5 star rating but I had a tiny bit of an issue: the product seemed to smell a bit stale right before I fully consumed it. I'm not sure what happened since it's not yet expired. I'm not totally giving up on this product tho, so I will still repurchase it.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌗 (4.5/5)

"The Originote Ceraluronic Essence Toner" Review

What it is: A hydrating essence toner that combines ceramides and hyaluronic acid to moisturize and strengthen the skin barrier. Also contains heartleaf, a medicinal herb prized for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and calming properties.

Texture & Scent: Watery but slightly more viscous than a basic toner. 

Application: I apply this using my hands, patting it in for maximum absorption.

My Thoughts: In the past, I tend to skip the toner part and just proceed to moisturizing. But with this product, I never want to skip. I loved how it made my skin feel plump and supple. It also helps calm some redness of my skin after washing. It is also easily absorbed and layers well with the serum and moisturizer.

"The Originote Gluta-Bright B3 Serum" Review

What it is: A brightening serum with glutathione and niacinamide (Vitamin B3) for targeting dark spots and evening out skin tone.

Texture & Scent: Lightweight, watery serum with no strong scent.

Application: Used daily after toner, before moisturizer.

My Thoughts: The essence toner and serum combo of this skincare routine is something I looked forward to; they just really paired well. I loved how this serum helped in minimizing the appearance of my pores. I also noticed a subtle glow after 2 weeks. It didn’t irritate my skin (some niacinamide serums do!) and my pimple marks faded faster. Another thing, this along with the essence toner layers well with my makeup.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"The Originote Hyalucera Moisturizer" Review

What it is: A daily moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, meant to lock in hydration and reinforce the skin barrier.

Texture & Scent: Gel-cream texture, non-sticky, and fragrance-free.

Application: Used  after serum both morning and night.

My Thoughts: I love that it’s lightweight yet moisturizing enough. No greasy feeling, which is rare for moisturizers on oily skin! This is moisturizer, plain and simple and is exactly what I was looking for, no added fancy stuff. Just a moisturizer moisturizer that is meant to moisturize.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"The Originote Ceramella Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++" Review

What it is: A hybrid sunscreen with ceramides and niacinamide for UV protection and skin barrier support.
Texture & Scent: Lightweight cream texture with a smooth, non-sticky finish. Fragrance-free.
Application: I applied this every morning as the final step in my routine.
My Thoughts: I love that it leaves no white cast—huge win for my light-medium skin tone! It is also easily absorbed and and sits well under makeup. The finish is not matte but more of a glowy one. Ages ago, I would have preferred my sunscreen to have a matte finish, but now, I prefer the glowy finish because it make me feel more youthful. 
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

Here's a review of the Bath & Body Works (BBW) Everyday Luxuries Fine Fragrance Mist in the scent called Covered In Roses.

Price: $18.95

First Impressions:

I was so excited when I received it from the mail. I picked this as my brother's Christmas gift for me and he gave me the cash to purchase it so I was excited to report to him how his present turned out. On first sniff, I immediately  thought that this scent was familiar. Then I remembered that I've had the Bench Roses Are Red EDT in the past and on first whiff the rose notes were very similar, albeit Bench's version was cloying to my taste.

Suprisingly, despite coming on strong, I didn't get a headache (yey!). The rose notes seem pretty strong when smelled through the nozzle but upon spraying, I was surprised that the opening scent was tart. It must be the ruby berries but as a Filipina, it reminded me of a big, ripe, yellow mango. I love how this tartness balanced the sweetness from the rose scent. The tart scent lingers for a few minutes and then you get this warm, sweet floral and creamy scent that remains and literally makes you feel covered in decadent roses.

Fragrance Notes:

According to the the packaging, the fragrance notes of Covered In Roses are ruby berries, sugared rose buds, and blush amber. Prior to purchasing, I checked the fragrance notes of all the variants and the berry and rose combo really called my attention so I picked this one.

Projection, Sillage and Longevity:

Projection and sillage both come strong. I've gotten compliments from people from the other room about how they were "awakened" every time I sprayed it on. It's definitely a head-turner and a few times I got asked what scent I was wearing. Longevity is also pretty good. I spray this in the morning and it still lingers until past noon then I reapply only once in the afternoon.

Packaging and Presentation:

The mist comes in a sleek, tall bottle with a soft pink and gold design, evoking a sophisticated feel. I love that the bottle is pretty sturdy because I love putting it inside my tote bag and there hasn't been any breakage, leaks or spills. The spray nozzle disperses a fine mist, ensuring even application. From the labels, I learned that the bottle is made from recycled plastic. BBW is also not tested on animals, is vegan friendly and paraben-free. 

Final Thoughts:

Imagine delicate rose petals encrusted in crystalline sugar, resting atop a cushion of creamy, warm amber and balanced out by a bit of tartness from the berries.  For me, that is the essence of this beauty! Wearing makes me feel pretty and confident and it may be a body spray, but it performs like a perfume, boasting of an impressive longevity and turning heads everywhere I go. It’s an elegant, ultra-feminine blend that’s sweet and irresistibly inviting. Admittedly, there are days when its lush rose note feels a bit overwhelming (yikes - yes, there are those days), but when the mood is right, it’s pure bliss—like being wrapped in a cloud of sweet, intoxicating romance.

As for the Delina comparison, I cannot vouch for that because I've never had the chance to experience the real one. But Delina dupe or not, I think BBW Covered In Roses is definitely a must try!

Will I buy it again? Yes! This one's a keeper. 
Will I recommend it? Yes I will. It smells so good, makes me feel pretty and definitely boosts my confidence.

Bath and Body Works Everyday Luxuries Mist in Covered In Roses Ratings (Out of 5 Stars ⭐)

Scent (🌸) – 4.25/5

Longevity (⏳) – 4.25/5

Sillage (💨) – 4.25/5

Versatility (🎭) – 4/5

Packaging (🎁) – 4/5

Value for Money (💰) – 4.25/5

Overall Rating - 4.16/5

Have you tried any Bath and Body Works Mists lately?

Share your thoughts about this review in the comment section below.

XO, 

Mommie Cassie