It comes in a tube that's squircle in shape. It contains 6g of product and the written in the bottom of the tube is the brand name, shade and batch number.

completely dried

No flaking, no chapping, no bleeding, no ugly lines emphasized. I was overjoyed. It is indeed velvety-matte and I'm glad that it didn't feel like lips were suffocated. 

My technique when applying this is to outline the shape of my lips using the tip of the applicator and then I just fill in the blanks and blend it using the flat part of the applicator. It dries pretty quickly and won't budge after that.

Well, unless you eat oily food, of course. This is me, about 6 or 7 hours after applying the lipstick without touching up. I'd already eaten lunch and taken a bite of that ice cream. It's still pretty much visible at the edges of my lips and leaves a nice pinkish stain. I just blotted it out on my lips so that I won't have that weird line.

My Take

First, I love the consistency and the formula: it's not runny and just creamy, just a bit less mousy than the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream. When it dries down, it doesn't bleed and it doesn't transfer. It's matte but I still feel like my lips can breathe. Lips also feel soft and smooth.

Staying power is good, but if you eat something oily, it will definitely flake. It also doesn't have an overwhelming scent. It does have a muted scent, akin to the smell of a new book, right after you take off the packaging. Ha ha, at least that's how it smells to me. It's okay with me and it doesn't linger.

Above all, what I love about this product is that I got the right shade. I have bought a lot of lipsticks online and it's always a let down when  purchased one that looked great on the computer screen and on the model but doesn't work well on me. This one, I wasn't even able to try out and swatch and I got it for free and it makes me feel blooming and lovely! Just a perfect match. Thank you, mama!

Overall, if want to keep up with liquid lipstick trend without spending too much, I would highly recommend this product. Just bear in mind the cons, huh? :)

XO,

Carissa

I think this BYS Contour and Highlighting Kit has been in my makeup stash forever but I have always been  intimidated by the words Highlighting and Contouring (HAC). I looked at different HAC photos and they look so perfect and I just thought I would never be able to pull it off on my own face.

Contouring is a technique using cosmetics to define and enhance facial structure. Contouring is usually produced by placing a warm or cool toned brown colour in the hollows of the cheeks, on the side of the nose, and on the temples to give a slimming effect on the face. It can be complemented with a highlighter on the apples on the cheeks and the tip of the nose.

If I never try, I will never ever learn, ayt? Moreover, there's always room for mistakes. It's not like the world will end tomorrow. So I took this palette out and just dusted it off, sort of and started exploring and swatching the colors.

Those pans are huge, by the way. Anyone who's really addicted to contouring would be glad that there's and ample amount of powders here.

There's also some sort of tutorial at the back and there's an illustration about where to place the powders. Tutorial

Tutorials

The first color is tagged as a bronzer but it actually works like a blusher to me. It's a light brownish-peach color with minimal glitters. The glitters don't actually register in this photo because like I said, they're very light. I love using this as a blusher and it's the most used pan in this palette. It never fails to give me a warm glow.

The second one is a brown contour powder. I like it because it has neutral undertone; no redness in it which makes it really perfect for contouring.

The third one is a bronze bronzer that I'm really scared to use on  my face because it's very metallic. So I use it with very light hand just on the peripheries of my face. I also love using it on my arms. I mix it with some body lotion for a shimmering effect.

The last one in the palette is a champagne-hued highlighter. However, because it sits next to the ultra bronze bronzer, and also because my daughter loves prying into my makeup stuff and mixing different colors, it has retained some bronze-ness in it.

Step 1: Mapping my face. So there, you can see on the second photo that I've placed the contouring powder on the key parts. I have, quiet a wide forehead so I put the contouring powder near my hairline. I also placed some on the hollow of my cheeks and on my jawline and also on the sides of my nose.

Step 2: Blend it out nice and well so that there would be no harsh lines. The third photo shows my face after the blending process. So it's the first time that I've actually taken before and after photos and I'm liking the results. Contouring does give dimensions to the face. My nose is still kinda too brown so I just kept on blending out.

Does it look okay? (^_^) I kinda like it. It's not perfect just yet but I know I'm getting there. For realz tho, I'm glad that I decided to learn how to highlight and contour. It's not something I would do everyday for work makeup but it would certainly come handy on days that I want to look slimmer. I'm not doing it because I'd like to look cool like Kim K; it made me look alive and glowing. Kim K or not I'm lovin' this makeup trick. 

The quality of the powders in BYS Contour and Highlighting Kit are great! They're so fine and soft and never feel chalky on the skin. The staying power is not that long though, specially if you have oily skin so I suggest using primer and setting sprays if you want it to stay put and last long.

BTW, I got this kit from the Glamourbox X BYS Matte Maven Special Edition Box. Might you want to check out that unboxing. 

Meanwhile, I'll keep practicing my HAC because 'Practice makes......permanent'. Ha ha

XO,

Carissa

BTW, I used this brushes for the sculpting process. Click here to read the full review of this brush set.

Fo' blendin'.

Here's my quick review about the BYS Matte Lipstick in Latte To Go shade. I got this from the collaboration box between BYS and Glamourbox called the Matte Maven Limited Edition box.

"BYS Matte lipstick has a creamy velvety texture that glides on effortlessly with a matte finish, leaving your lips looking moisturised and totally smouldering all day long. Feel confident and beautiful wearing BYS Matte Lipstick."

I've been meaning to get a matte lippie in a nude peach shade; something that I can wear often to the office. I got so excited when I received this one through the BYS Box and thought how lucky that I EXACTLY got something that I wanted.

Based on the photo above you can see that it's really a nude peach shade. Although it says that it is matte, it is definitely on the creamy matte side. When applied, it doesn't look flat but rather, it has some sheen. For someone like me who has a tendency to have dryness on my lips, I'm definitely fine with it. My problem is not with the formula but with the color itself. Since it came from a curated beauty box, I didn't have any say with the color selection. I had a little difficulty when I applied it on my lips because it doesn't seem to get even. It doesn't blend with the lips, it just sits on top of it. And the color, it's tad too light to cover up the natural color of my lips, which is darker. As a result, it's like I'm wearing a white stuff on my lips. 

See these photos here, they were shot on different lighting. On the photo on the left, I had the flash on and on the other one the flashes were off. 

If you look closely on the photo on the left, you can actually see the patchiness of it. You may notice that it has settled on the lines on my lips. I did my best using a lip brush, but like I said, I had a hard time trying to make it look even and nice on my lips. The photo on the right is rather blurred and you may say that my lips looks lovely and pinkish, but trust me in person, it looks rather white on my lips. Needless to say, I don't think I can ever wear this in public; I won't be able to pull it off. Ha ha!

I cannot make a comment on the longevity of this product since I only wore it for pictorial purposes but based on the 'feel' of it on my lips, since it is creamy matte and not full-on matte, and that it doesn't adhere well with the lips, I don't think it will stay on as long as other matte lippies would.

I tried 'saving' the product by using it as a corrector on my under eyes. I figured that since it is peach, it can counteract the darkness, and heck, why not? Ha ha. Well, here's how it went. It really was able to correct the darkness at first but since the formula is really intended for the lips and, it was rather too creamy and heavy for my baggies. And again, as I tend to sweat a lot on that area, the product just slipped off; so never mind.

So there, lesson learned for me. If I must get  a peachy nude shade, I should go for one that leans towards the brown side because the natural color of my puckers are rather dark. I've checked out the other colors of the said matte lipsticks at www.bys.com.au and I've found two lovely shades that I would love to wear!

BYS Matte Lipstick in Rumba

Size/Price: 3.5g for Php 199.00 (according to the curation card)

Where I Got It: www.glamourbox.ph

Also Available At: Malls, Watsons and beauty counters where BYS is sold

XO,

Carissa

I got this one ages ago when I ordered the BYS Matte Maven Special Edition Box from Glamourbox. I finally found time to play with it and let's see how it went.

Product Name: BYS Liquid Brow Pen in Natural Light Brown Shade

Price/Size: Php 449.00 for 1.5 ml

Where I Got It: www.glamourbox.ph

Too bad that unlike my mother, I have not been naturally blessed with full eyebrows. What a stinker! Hahaha. But seriously, drawing brows is one of the most important makeup routine for me, just because. And I have always been up to trying different ways to improve the condition of my sparse brows, so help me God.

When I got this one Glamourbox, I got really excited since it's the first time that I've ever tried anything of this sort: a liquid brow pen, that is. I usually go with the pencil and the powder. So, how
did this experience go?

So here it is. That tip right there is easily bendable so you would be able to draw you brows nice and easy. That tiny tip there is very essential in drawing the tail of the brow. However, every good thing that I can say about this product is overshadowed by the fact that this isn't the right shade for me. It is too light for me, as you can see in the swatch below. It should have been a darker, chocolate brown. But given that this was included in a 'curated, pre-selected products for a box', then I didn't have much say about the color selection.

So you see, I won't be able to draw full brows with this. I would need the backup of a brow powder or pencil to be able to create better results. Since this brow pen is in liquid, wet form, the powder would be able to cling better on the brows. But in all fairness, if you would go back to the photo of the back label above, it merely says:

"Use it as a base or to fill in sparse areas for a fuller look."

I could swallow that statement in whole and accept it, if it weren't for the price tag that comes with it: that's Php 449.00, almost 500 pesos, for a 1.5 ml product. If that's the price then I really have high hopes about the product.

XO,

Carissa

As if I haven't made enough mentions about this product on my blog. Ha ha. Let's just say that if I adore a product, I will just keep bringing it up anyway. This one's on my July 2016 faves. I got this when I purchased the curated Matte Maven Box at Glamourbox last April-ish.

Size/Price: 8g for Php 449.00

Where I Got It: Glamourbox

Available at: Malls and makeup stands where BYS is sold

Shades Description

So if, you've seen this on BYS kiosks and you want to have closer look but unfortunately there aren't any testers, I'll gladly share the palette with you through this photo. :) There are 8 shades of it, all neutral. 

Shade 1 may look like light grey on the photo but is actually on the brown side in person. If grey and brown had a kid, this would be it.

Shade 2 seems too orange on the pan but when swatched isn't really scary and is just maybe tan actually (check swatches below).

Shade 3 is yellow, perfect for highlighting the brow bone and tone-correcting.

Shade 4 is light brown.

Shade 5 is grey, sometimes I use it as an eyeliner.

Shade 6 is the darkest brown in the bunch, chocolate brown and I love using it on the brows.

Shade 7 is also brown, just darker than shade 4 and I use it on the crease.

Shade 8 looks too white on the photo but in person it also leans on the brown side: imagine milk blended with a few drops of chocolate. Like Shade 3 it can also be used to define the brow bone but I usually dust this all over the lids before applying the dark colors just to take away the shine.

Basic to Versatile, Day to Night

The colors in this palette are very office-friendly. But the same grey, brown and taupe shades when layered and blended to perfection can give the smokey look which is perfect for night outs.

The powder can be chalky and I have experienced minimal to no fall-outs while applying this. Performance-wise, if you want this to last longer on your eyelids, you would need an eye-primer. 

Swatch Please

xxx

I think I have emphasized enough how much I love this palette. It works great and is inexpensive. Plus the pans are generously sized. I just wish that this one came with a sturdier package because this one would certainly shatter come a dropping incident. Well anyway, for the price, I think I may not complain. I just need to be careful and try to never ever drop this.Ha ha.

XO,

Carissa

July 2016's short but sweet list. All good things, all good things. All affordable things, too. ;)

If I have not experienced any major pimple issue for the past few months, I owe it all to this facial wash. I have previously used their Balancing Facial Wash and I loved it, too but I feel that this Acne Defense is more appropriate for my greasy and pimple prone skin. I use them alternately for now, but this one especially when it's that time of the month.Tea Tree is great indeed. It kills the pimps and is non-drying to the skin. I love the herbaceous scent too!

I have reaped the benefits of constant exfoliation that it has become a cardinal rule for me now. My companion for this thrice a week ritual is the Human Nature Coffee Body Scrub. It smells like ice cream and it has coffee granules that serve as exfoliators. It is also very much moisturizing, it feels like a body butter and scrub at the same time (but of course you have to rinse this off).

"The Keep You Hands Soft and Clean Combo"

Muzu Hand Cream and Human Nature Natural Sanitizer in Fruit Burst

I discovered the Muzu Hand Cream while walking down the hallowed aisles of Watsons last April. I love that it's very affordable and yet really works in keeping the hands soft and nourished. The scent is also very subtle. It contains olive oil, horse fat (yes), sunflower seed extract, coconut oil, shea butter and vitamin e so that's a helluva lot of a good stuff. A little goes a long way too, so this little bottle here has lasted a loooooong time.

..And here's another product from Human Nature: the Natural Sanitizer in Fruit Burst. I've purchased other variants of this and I think this 'flavor' is the latest addition to the bunch. Let's just say that I thank the Heavens that this variant was developed since I didn't like the scent of the other ones I tried. :) 

"For the Stay Pretty Bunch"

A Little Bit of Everything

I've been using the BYS 8 Neutral Palette almost everyday  ever since I got it. I don't do anything intricate to my eye make anyway so there's no need for complicated stuff. And I veer away from glitters so this matte palette is perfect for me. I use it on my eyebrows, I use it as an eyeliner, I use it for defining my eyes. I love it! ;)

For my lips, I've been trying to rock the matte pink with the Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick in Pure Pink but I figured I can't make it perfect without using a trusty lip balm in the same shade so this favorite from April, the Human Nature Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Orchid made a comeback. And boy they do work great together like they're related.

Also in this list is the purple-tinged e.l.f. Tone Adjusting Face Primer. Prior to purchasing this, I researched a bit and I learned that this one has positive feed backs, statements that go as far as "If you won't get anything else from e.l.f., you should get this', and well, I couldn't agree more with that statement. It's lightweight and instantly brightens the face and makes for a smooth canvas prior to makeup application. A real bang for your buck!

I've also been using the Hypercurl Volum' Express mascara from Maybelline. It's already quiet affordable at Php 199.00 but I chanced upon it at Watsons (again) and it went for Php 169.00 and I knew I had to grab it. It's waterproof, it doesn't smudge.

"The Wellness Duo"

Human Nature Rescue Balm and Soothing Balm

I have recently reviewed these two and you can read it here.

xxx

...And that's about it. those are favorite products for the past three months or so. The good news it, everything on this list is affordable; nothing over expensive, knowing the spendthrift that I am. But they all work great and that is what's really important. ;) Ayt?! Ayt!

'Till next month's list. Buh bye!

XO,

Carissa

Oh how my heart sings for this curated collaboration box has finally landed on my lap! I’ve been eyeing this from the Glamourbox website and it was priced at Php 1,100.00, which was already a steal since the entire cost of the contents amount to Php 3,000.00++. Lucky me, I browsed the GB site one hot summer night and to my surprise the box went on sale for Php 825.00. I knew then that I couldn’t just let the offer go and ordered the box in a heartbeat. I was tad too excited for it to arrive that waiting was an agony. Nearly two weeks! Two weeks of imagining how that Matte Eyeshadow would feel on my eyelids. Haha! Anyway, as I opened the box and read the curation card and took out those hot pink paper fillers, I knew that this box was worth the wait.

I've always preferred the matte look since I've had the impression that shimmers make my face look oilier. So hewego! I've actually seen the contents from the website but it sure is still surprising once you get to hold the real thing. ;)

Matte Maven

The Breakdown and First Impressions

The sturdy bow came snugly fit with wads of thick bubble wraps so thank you so much Glamourbox for making sure that nothing would break in the shipping and handling process. Behold the contents of the BYS Matte Maven Box!

BYS Contour and Highlighting Kit in Shade 02 Goddess

This one was packed separately because it was so HUGE and it wouldn’t fit in the box! Just to prove my point, I put it next to my card so that you can have a clear idea of how big the pans are. The bronzers are perfect for my skin color and the powder is of fine quality, it just melts onto my skin. This’ll be the first contouring and highlighting kit that I’ve ever had and I am so excited to try them out. You can clearly see from the photos that I've swiped the pans. Who can blame me? :)

BYS Eyeshadow 8 Palette Neutrals

This palette is a dream come true for me. Just seeing the words matte and neutral on the same phrase in an affirmative tone spells happiness. I often define my eyes on a daily basis as part of my makeup routine and I prefer no shimmers. The formula, just like the contouring and highlighting kit, melts into the skin.

Latte To Go is way too lighty for me.

BYS Matte Lipstick in Latte To Go

My least favorite in the bunch (oh no!), simply because it doesn't match my lip color. It is peach and had it come in Marsala or Wine, for example, my opinion could be different. The formula glides on the lips and although it says its matte, I can detect some sheen. My lips look bad in it, the lines are accentuated. :(

Fuller look with these, huh?

BYS Liquid Brow Pen in Light Brown

I love the idea of the brow pen as I am able to control the application. However, I got another one which is a color mismatch. It is too light for my brows. But I love it because it stays put. I just have to find a way to utilize it, maybe not on my brows but on my eyelids. :)

BYS Eyeliner Gel with Brush (Black Magic)

BYS Matte Nail Enamel (Deep Berry)

Here's one that will definitely go straight to my toenails since I prefer neutrals on my fingernails. 

Here's the curation card and I did the math and the total price of the 6 full-sized items amount to Php 3044.00, which I got for only Php 825.00. Thanks Glamourbox for having this collaboration with BYS. Whenever I go to Watsons, I just usually look and skirt around the BYS stall because I find that the prices are a bit steep. Because of this box, I found out that the Eyeshadow 8 Palette Neutrals is an amazing one and I will definitely repurchase once I hit the bottom of the pans.

I will definitely post further reviews about each of the products. For the mean time, I will cut this short and say that I look forward to more boxes from Glamourbox. Unboxing was definitely fun and exciting!

XO,

Carissa

PS, BYS stands for BE YOURSELF. Is an Aussie brand.