Ever Bilena Cosmetics Review and Swatches

My first blog post for 2015! How's your new year lovelies? Is it dazzling yet? Time for a fresh start and organize our thoughts, goals and everything! 

I really hope I could live up with my resolution for this year on buying cheaper makeups. I've always been tagged as a girl who loves high end products. I want to prove everyone that they're wrong. It's not that I only love high ends, it just so happened that I buy those used in some tutorials or famous makeup gurus and beauty bloggers that I know, since they're proven and tested to be good, effective and can work wonders. I remember buying Cosmopolitan magazines when I was high school just to wait whenever they have their beauty awards coz they'll pick up all products from skincare to makeups and accessories that are worth every penny and where most people who have tried it and swears by it. It actually saves me from trial and error and definitely saves money. Now that there's internet I just only have to access those trusted websites from my favorite beauty bloggers and vloggers, or female forums and everything I need and every questions that I have were automatically answered.

I know there are always dupe for every popular high end goods, and I'm still in search for them. For me if a certain product does the trick then why bother to spend more? Wet n' wild, Nyx, Rimmel, Coastal Scents and Elf were popular drugstore brands that have dupes for Mac Cosmetics, Nars, and more. Now I'll be reviewing a local brand in the Philippines named Ever Bilena. It has been around since 1983 and has claimed to provide world class beauty products to Filipinas. As far as I remember it was around 2005 to 2006 when they've upgraded their products and some reminds me of Mac Cosmetic's packaging for their makeup line and some reminds me of Victoria's Secret Body Mist for their perfume line's packaging.

What I have in here is a gift from my cousin Nikki. She works in PAL Express (Philippine Airlines) and as a part of her training they were provided with some information regarding personality development, grooming and proper application of makeup. She said they had their own table filled with cosmetics, sponsored by Ever Bilena for them to try and she found out some products were really good and friendly for her sensitive skin. Since I share that skin sensitivity with her (blame our genes), I'm now a believer that Ever Bilena's products were safe and non comedogenic.

Ever Bilena Pro Flawless Foundation

First up she introduced to me the Pro Flawless liquid foundation in Beige. That time I ran out of my holy grail foundie Jazzy Collections cream foundation and we had to go somewhere, so I grabbed her bottle of foundie and tried it. It's gel-like for me, and when applied on skin it reminds me of Maybelline's aqua smooth gel foundation's consistency. It's actually sheer and the coverage is buildable. Once it oxidizes on your skin the color doesn't change, skin's not oily. It's just dewy. However, it couldn't cover all the flaws that I have like blemishes, broken capillaries, visible veins and freckles. I still need a cream concealer then top it off with a powder. I only use it as a tinted moisturizer, coz It's moisturizing for me and I don't know if it really helped heal up the existing pimples I had, but it didn't aggravate the existing ones either, and the next day the bumps were gone. The sweet vanilla scent is also good, not overwhelming. Unfortunately you can't control the amount of foundation you would get from the pump bottle, which is a thumbs down for me. Just one pump and you'll get too much. It's unhygienic to put it back and a total waste if I just wipe the excess off with a tissue. My verdict: This foundation is good for those who wants lighter and sheer coverage. Not for me, I always want full coverage foundations.

Ever Bilena Pro Lipliner in Red

It's about time to let my holy grail red lippie Mac Russian Red take a good rest coz I've found its cheap dupe. I'm actually using it as a lipstick so I filled my lips with it and it lasts the whole day. It still couldn't beat up the pigmentation, staying power and consistency of Mac lippies, but the orange-red tint and just bitten stain is good enough, and even after eating there's still a reddish stain on my lips. My cousin Nikki bought four of it coz she likes it that much! She uses it for work by the way.

Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Offbeat Pink

I'm proud to announce that I've found a dupe for my favorite lippie. It's a good everyday lipstick and comes pretty close to Mac please me. Most local muas were using it and it's one of the most raved product from Ever Bilena. This is actually the third time I have it and I noticed a change from its shade. First time I bought it was 2011 and it was a light baby pink color. The second and third time somehow becomes bright pink with a peachy tinge to it. I use it every time I go out now and it stays on my lips for a long time. 

However since it's matte it emphasizes the cracks, dryness and fine lines of my lips. Though it stays for a long time it leaves a white mark on my inner lower lip like I didn't lick it, it's not good though... My verdict: I actually love it, now that it's a brighter pink. I just have to moisturize my lips prior to using it, and to prevent that white mark on my inner lower lip I guess I just have to reapply it on and wipe the prior application with a tissue. By the way, I noticed that this lippie looks better to those with tanned skin or to those with morena skin tone.

Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Mauvey

I'm actually expecting mauve lips but then it's like a nude lipstick in a purplish pink base, it reminds me of my Revlon Pink Pout Lipstick. It'll look great when paired with smokey eyes, but I'm actually disappointed on how it made me look so pale, and it's not for an everyday wear. 

Maybe it's not the right shade of nude lippie that goes well with my skintone, and I think I still have to top it off with a pinky lip gloss. When my friend Gladinette posted her selfie on Facebook using it, it looks so pretty on her! She paired it with the blush palette and eyeshadow palette she got from Sugar Skull Cosmetics. Sigh.. My Verdict: Disappointed but I will still definitely use it and it's my second tube by the way. I'll use it in the future if I have to go for a smokey eyes on a night out.

Swatches on my hand:

More products I would like to purchase from Ever Bilena:

Since I'm a lipstick girl, I still would love to try more matte lipsticks in Viva, Skin and there's one with my name on it, Cherish.

This isn't a paid advertisement from Ever Bilena or a sponsored post. I got them as gifts and my cousin paid for it.

There you go, my first post! What's your favorite product from Ever Bilena? I hope I could make more haul and reviews for local cosmetics and drugstore makeups for this year. Gotta earn more first! Thanks for reading!

Etude House Cosmetics Haul and New Endorsers

I miss blogging and it's really been a long time! 

I have a few stuffs from Etude House that I failed to post and review

 coz aside from being busy my freaking laptop's still not working.

 I'll be updating you guys with some of the lippies that I have, and more.

The last time that I blogged I was all over SHINee and Dara.

Even when I went to Singapore their faces were all over Orchard Malls and K-Street in Bugis.

 I even watched SHINee's concert, alone.

Now they have their latest endorsers, SM Entertainment's Fx members

Sulli and Krystal.

Sulli and Krystal shares the same company/agency with SHINee.
They're from a 5 member girl group.
They're called F(x).

I knew that Sulli will be the next in line coz Etude House Korea was the sponsor

2012's teeny South Korean drama "To The Beautiful You".

Most of the casts' toiletries were from Etude, including Kwanghee's lipbalm

that made me laugh coz it looks familiar.

He's using the SHINI Star Lipbalm in Cherry, the main character from the drama's shade

(Minho's a.k.a Park Tae Jun)

I have 5 of it!! Then when I couldn't even use all of them at the same time,

I gave some of it to my cousins. I've done reviews from the past too, 

just click the "Etude House" label at the right lower side of my blog.

One lippie's left for me, and it's the guava flavor.

Throwback!! This has been my favorite picture, and I did an inspired look last year.
Unfortunately when I watched the concert last December I wasn't able to do this.
I was too lazy and I went to Singapore Indoor Stadium early.

For the makeup tutorial and to see the products used, click this link:

http://cherishmarasigan.blogspot.com/2012/07/kpop-fandom-pearlescent-sky-blue-aqua.html

Now let me share with you the sweet smelling, sweet tasting lip tints!

Sulli is using the Fresh Cherry Tint in PK001 pink

 I've bought 4 Fresh Cherry Tints from the past, and here's a collage

I made a month ago

I've got the 4 shades!!

In this pic, I'm wearing Fresh Cherry Tint in OR201 Peach

Still can't get over the Kiss Note Era of Dara and SHINee.

I've bought My Blooming Lips-Talk, one at a time.

in this crappy pic I'm using the lippie in OR204 Shy Coral.

So far, it's my favorite since it makes me look glowing,

and it complements my complexion and hair color well.

I used to like nude lippies but now i kinda hate them coz they made me look

ultra anemic. 

Now there's a new line of pink lippies endorsed by Fx's Krystal

called the Pink Talk Line.

I've got PK014 and I still want to get PK012.

I also got  RD306 and PK006

 

Pink play party was held at Marina Bay Sands last August.

Lucky Singaporean fans were able to catch a glimpse again

of the five boys together with Sulli.

I wonder where are my other nail polishes, lippies, lipbalms..

Last time I checked these are the ones left.. :(

I swear from now on I won't let my friends borrow

any of my makeups...

or my little cousins play with them..

I miss my shopping buddy, my bezzie.
She went back to Singapore last February.
Sooner or later I'll visit her there again, and I'll be bringing my baby and my husband. ^_^
Something to look forward to! It'll be next year.

In this pic we purchased lippies and nail polish, both pale pink and baby pink.
He're a few pics from her beautiful hands, and my thin bony hand.

**Trivia* Lippie Color Guide**

PK stands for Pink - PK006, PK009, PK014
OR stands for Orange - OR201, OR204, OR205
RD stands for Red - RD306, RD304
BE stands for Beige - BE101, BE1

So many colors.. new collections..
Here's Sulli's Orange lippie line,
and more.

 

Still, so many stuffs to look forward to!

What are your faves and latest hauls from Etude House? :)

SHINee Limited Edition: Etude House Shini Star Lip Balm

This collection really drives me nuts!

I want all five colors and I'm willing to spend my hard earned money.
I never thought Etude House will really make a product line out of them.
I only believe in Mac Cosmetics collaborating with Barbie and Hello Kitty,
but I never thought my second favorite makeup brand will do something
12345678 times better than Mac.

SHINee "Shini Star" Limited Edition Collection

It includes a special edition Blemish Balm cream, clear pact

and five lipbalms in aqua blue color and the group's name written on each product.

  The official fanclub color of SHINee is pearlescent sky blue, but according to SMent's website, it's aqua blue.It's confusing, but it's still blue.

The thing that I hate the most when a great product is being launched is

seeing "LIMITED EDITION". I don't have any idea how limited it is,

or what's the specific time frame that it's gonna be available.

To avoid stressing myself, I just ignored it thinking it will be available for

good, just like Dara's Miss Tangerine collection.

Now I found out that LIMITED EDITION means that

"If you don't hurry up the rabid and rich fangirls will hoard all of it

leaving you with nothing and just accept that fact

that there's nothing left for you".
What a sad fact.

So having that fear, I tried to pay a visit to the nearest
 Etude House store which is located near to my former university.
When I saw the store I immediately saw their display of Shini Star lipbalms,
 perfectly arranged with huge and colorful SHINee photos.
It's right in front of me and my eyes are ready to pop out from that awesome eyecandy.
 I was so engrossed and amused and I totally forgot the people inside the store.

 I think they noticed that I had an evil plan which is to
take pictures of that wonderful display of both cosmetics

and cute boys.

 I immediately tried to take out my smartphone from my pocket..

I adjusted my camera settings, zooming in and out and determining the perfect angle
in which the result is gonna be awesome and epic.
As soon as I pressed the cam's button......

 the guard startled me!!

I think he tiptoed his way towards my direction and without any warning
he appeared from nowhere and
told me taking pictures inside their store is strictly prohibited.

I swear I had a mini heart attack!

To my horror, here's what I got:

CLOSE ENOUGH.

I gave him a mad look but I'm still thankful that I had
a chance to get just one unsteady shot and he let it pass.
When I posted this on my personal social networking site
some of my friends told me that they were able to capture some pictures
and nobody told them that it's not allowed.
Even my college professor told me she had a couple of beautiful shots too.
That is so unfair!!!
I decided to go out and didn't buy any from the store.
The guard is just doing his duty and I understand him,
But I'm so close minded and I hate it when somewhat interrupts my moment.
 I also knew that time that some lippies are sold out already,
 and I have a very little chance of getting my bias' shade but since
my pride is greater than my desire to get a lippie,
I immediately went out of the store with my cousins.

After a few days I decided to go back to the same store, and I was ready to buy the lip balms. Unfortunately, the sales girl told me that they only have the testers,
and the lip balms were sold like pancakes and they won't be getting any supplies from South Korea. She said the next collection "Kiss Note" will arrive soon  and I should look forward to it but, I was so sad.
They're gone. :'( awww...

But, just like my favorite saying
  "I'm too positive to be doubtful,
too optimistic to be fearful
and too determined to be defeated"

 I had to look for more boutiques to see if they still have the collection. I only want one. Just one. Don't give up easily. I asked my friends whom I met way back in 2009 after watching SHINee's mini concert if they have any idea where I can still possibly buy the stuffs,
 and Jazzie told me that there's a small stall of Etude House to this mall near my hometown and she saw the lip balms there a week ago.Before watching The Avengers movie a few weeks ago with my boyfriend, I checked out that said stall.
They still have it!! 4 out of 5 lippies are there!

I asked for the particular shade that I want but there's a little problem, the shade's name is written in Korean. All you can see are Korean characters, a number, and a letter.
The colors are almost similar to each other except for the cherry flavor
which is obviously red and if you're not familiar who SHINee is
 it will be hard to distinguish the shades.
I asked for the best seller shade and the pink shade, 
and she really hard a hard time looking for it.
She opened five boxes I think...
and she said she can't find it and it's really confusing.
I therefore believed that the salesgirl is not a fan at all. ^^
She doesn't even know who the hell they are! :)

So I tried to help her. Coz if I waited longer she'll consume my time.
I told her that she just need to read the numbers and letters,

and look for # 5 "T" and #3 K.

Here's why:

#1 O stands for Onew. His flavor is Peach.

#2 J stands for Jonghyun. His flavor is Grapefruit.
#3 K stands for Key. His flavor is Fashoin Fruit.
#4 M stands for Minho. His flavor is Peach.
#5 T stands for Taemin. His flavor is Guava.


What if the customer is not really a fan and the salesgirls are confused?
I guess they will definitely get the wrong shade...
Finally!!!! here's the best seller shade of all!
it's not the best seller coz it smells nice or the colors are pigmented.
It's simply because Taemin is endorsing it.
He's the most popular member, I guess..
and he's my friggin, f*ckin, freakin' favorite of all!!!

 

And the bonus is,

once you hit the can

(coz it's not a pan but a small tin can),

you'll see his signature at the bottom just like this.^^

so freaking childish of me!!!! yey!

After picking out Taemin's lipbalm, I wanted to get another one.

Guava is not that tinted or pigmented and I chose Key's.

He's not the second person that I like in SHINee. It's Onew the leader.

but I want another one which has gorgeous color that

I can use everyday. Of course I won't use Taemin's,

I'll save it and preserve it. :)

Key is endorsing the shade Fashoin Fruit

 and it's pink and glittery unlike the others.

Key's signature

 

It's a wrong idea that I didn't get the rest, but I'm happy nonetheless. 

I don't want to buy all five lippies at once coz aside from the fact

that it is not practical, my mom will definitely kill me.

When I went back to that small stall the stocks are now pulled out...
I must be thankful I still got two. ^_^

If you have these lippies you really have to dip your finger deeper and you have to empty the balm to see their signatures.

Cosmetics of any sort and origin are too important for me, 

so I won't dig and dunk my fingers and ruin the balm

 just to see their signatures peeking.

Besides, I'm too lucky to have a signed CD & photo already!!!

You see, they stay scratch/swatch free!! 

Good News! I received a message from my friend Gen,
SHINee World Philippines Admin that Etude House Philippines
will be re-stocking the whole SHINee collection
due to popular demand, and it won't be limited anymore.
 The thrill of getting them is now.. gone. :(

But I'll be getting more soon!!!!

Etude House Philippines has released the

Kiss Note Collection. There are several lipstick shades that

I really like and I'm saving moolahs again for it.

 Etude House Korea will soon release their Sun BB Cream.

Summer is about to approach in their country by July.

 Makeup inventions, promotions, 
creations and collaborations

never end!!!