Brand Overview: Onomie Beauty

Every morning, I would rather use hydrating products than a moisturizer that can either make my face oilier or clog it or both. These are the products from Onomie that I’m currently playing around with.

A not so new addition to my #morningroutine, the Powerful Priming Serum ($50) promises to be an antioxidant-packed #serum and makeup #primer in one. It contains blackjack botanical and willow bark extract to smoothen and moisturize, daisy flower extract and vitamin c to brighten and improve texture, and chaparral to even the skin tone.

Using it again, it’s still as good as I remembered. It’s creamy, it sinks in quickly, and it leaves the skin satiny. It has a serum texture with a yellowish color that contains tiny flecks. On first look, it looks like something someone with oily skin would stay away from.

When applied, however, there’s no trace of the glittery mess, just a luminous effect to the skin. A glow from within look that is badly needed on days I feel sluggish. It also minimizes the redness around my nose, cheeks, and forehead. I really enjoy using it under makeup every morning as I don’t get extra oily in the afternoon, despite the other reviews I’ve read about this saying so, fortunately. I use a mattifying primer when I have to stay out until the evening but use it alone for every day. It helps smooth, brighten, and moisturize my skin.

My eye area has always been a challenge. I have a god-given eyeshadow, oily lids, and extremely dark and dry under eye circles. Add to that the lines that are forming under and on the corner of my eyes and it’s just a sad party. I once got rid of them. Well, not me, but the makeup artist on my wedding and it took minutes of baking. I can’t always do that but I’m always on the lookout for products that can help without taking too much of my time.

The Bright Concealing Elixir ($30) is a welcome addition to my stash. Concealers are my second most bought makeup product next to lip colors.

Free of fragrance, parabens, alcohol, and phthalates, this #concealer is creamy enough to spread around and doesn’t feel tacky. It may come in a small package but a drop of product goes a long way. It doesn’t gather around my fine lines, which isn’t an easy feat as I’ve had many concealers create lines where they don’t exist.

It claims to be full-coverage but for me, it only has medium coverage plus the ability to brighten. I also like that it has vitamins B, C, D, E, and K. This is enough as a daily concealer but would need to be built on if I’m trying to cover the fact that I only had three hours of sleep.

The A.C.E Illuminating Eye Treatment ($40), on the other hand, is both a #highlighter and an #eyecream. A.C.E. is the vitamins in the product for anti-aging, moisture, and brightening.

This has a soft emulsion-like texture and has a fine shimmer. It acts as a brightener and a reflector, which makes me look alive, like I didn’t stay up all night to watch reruns of The Office. As for its actual brightening effect, my dark under eye circles lightened a bit and the fine lines on the corner of my eyes are somewhat managed. I like to put this on before my concealer to brighten. I also sometimes use this as a highlighter under my brows because of its light but vibrant sheen.

They also have the Brilliant Blending Sponge ($5), made free from latex, for blending the concealer and highlighter. The pointed end can be used on the corner of the eyes and the rounded end can be used under the eyes or the high points of the cheeks. The #blendingsponge is a bit harder than the other blending sponges I have but I like it that way because it makes patting the concealer easier. Perfect for applying makeup that requires precision, it also helps in blending my highlighter, especially when you go a bit overboard with liquid and cream ones. It gives me more control when getting in the nooks and crannies of my face.

The AHA! Perfecting Setting Powder ($30) contains lactic acid for hydration and exfoliation, peptides for collagen boosting, and vitamin c to block free radicals, even skin tone, and smooth fine lines.

This is a finely-milled #settingpowder that feels luxurious on the skin. Even for my medium toned skin, this disappears and doesn’t give a white cast at all. I love the packaging because, for someone with oily skin, retouching is a must and this is easy to lug around without any fear of the powder spilling on my bag. It helps sets concealer and mattify the oily parts of my face.

I first wore this on a warm day and I was surprised that the whole day I didn’t feel the need to blot. Yes, my skin is not as matte as it was that morning but my t-zone doesn’t look shiny at all. I’m amazed as to how this hydrated my skin. It worked well even with my foundation that has a radiant finish. I like using this all over my face, especially on the areas I applied concealer on. It doesn’t make me look like I applied powder on, honestly. This is a revelation for me because I am not a fan of applying powder on my face but this made me a convert.

As a final step, the Radical Setting Mist ($30) aims to refresh and replenish while leaving a glowy and dewy finish using rosewater, extracts of algae, blackberry, calendula, and chamomile extracts, and moringa seed oil. It gives a light and fine mist that instantly refreshes the skin. It feels lightweight, gentle, and most especially, it doesn’t sting. It helps set everyday makeup but I find a better use for this as a refresher in the middle of the afternoon after being stuck in an air-conditioned room or under the sun for a long period of time, like other face mists.

These products were provided by @onomiebeauty for review. Available at onomie.com

I have repeatedly professed my love for cream and liquid blushes despite my oilyskin – they are blendable, easy to apply and reapply, and they look more natural. That’s why I never saw a #creamblush that didn’t interest me. So, when Onomie sent over some of their products, the Boosting Lip + Cheek Stick is the first product I picked up.

This lip and cheek stick is formulated as a hydrating, plumping balm promising a healthy, natural glow. It contains spilanthes acmella flower extract and caprylic to hydrate and smooth, cacay oil to improve skin’s texture and radiance, sunflower seed oil to tighten and protect, and shea butter to soften the skin.

As claimed, this has a balmy texture. It applies creamy on the cheeks and but its sheen is more noticeable when applied on the lips. I also apply this on my eyes for a glossy look. This has a smooth and soft glide that can be buffed and blended with your fingers or the Cheeky Blending Brush ($10). Despite the balmy texture, the pigmentation of these sticks a good and colors stays true to the packaging and the colors are also buildable and blendable. As a blush, the color stays on for about 5 hours, and before drinks or food as a #lipbalm. It’s available in 6 shades that I think would have something to offer for a lot of skin tones.

⁃ Tamar is wine colored and it suits my skin tone. It creates a natural flush on my cheeks and a subtle tint to my lips.

⁃ Cruz is a berry shade and provides a deeper flush if that’s what you’re going for during the day.

⁃ Nightingale is nude and works as a subtle bronzer on my skin. I also like blending this with the other bright colored sticks to deepen or add definition.

⁃ Caria is a pink nude that brightens the entire face and looks great on me if I’m just doing a quick simple makeup. This just brightens my face.

⁃ Aquitaine is an orchid color that looks a bit weird to me because of its purple tone but blends well with my medium skin tone. It provides a subtle blush and gives off a darker lip tone.

⁃ Rani is a toasted papaya shade for a sun-kissed look.

#skinwhimsreview Onomie Boosting Lip + Cheek Stick

This product was provided by @onomie. Available for $30 at onomie.com

Makeup Review: My Splash Care Rose WTR and Splash Beauty Sponge

I’m still one of those people who’s more comfortable using a brush to create the base of my makeup. However, I turn to makeup sponges/blenders if I want to use a full coverage foundation that will last for as long as I needed it to.

I have been using the Rose WTR and Splash Beauty Sponge from My Splash Care. Meant to be used together, the Rose WTR contains aloe leaf juice, rosa damascena, witch hazel, and chamomile to hydrate, soothe, and calm the skin. I spray this on the Splash Beauty Sponge before dabbing it on my foundation. The sponger promises to be latex and odor-free and easy to clean while offering to give a natural makeup look. It also claims to contain vitamin e to keep it from drying out.

As with most rose-scent products, the Rose WTR has a rosy smell that’s subtle. It can also be used as a finishing spray and it feels hydrating to the skin. However, I need more hydration when it comes to oily skin so I need to apply other hydrating products when I use this. The Splash Beauty Sponge is a bit hard and rough for my liking. This absorbs more product than most sponges and I also found it a bit difficult to clean. As a preference, I like my blenders and sponges a bit bouncy so it’s easy to apply foundation and so it’s easy to clean.

The My Splash Care Rose WTR and Splash Beauty Sponge were provided by @mysplashcare . Available at mysplashcare.com

Skincare Review: Lilah B Aglow Cleansing Butter and Priming Oil

Fully veering away from the luxurious pebble Lilah B is known for, the brand showcases its new products in bottles and tubs. The thick rose gold-accented glass packaging is very different yet equally luxurious and very on-brand. Vegan and cruelty-free, these new drops are all welcome additions to my stash – new skincare products to compliment their pigmented and uncomplicated makeup siblings.

The thick glass bottle packaging first popped up when Lilah B launched the Aglow Face Mist ($48) last year. It’s a mist that helps create dewy and glowing skin. I like using it before applying my serums in the morning.

Joining the Aglow family are the Cleansing Butter and Priming Oil to help cleanse the skin and set it for makeup.

The Aglow Cleansing Butter ($44) promises to cleanse, soften, and condition the skin using rosehip extract, snow mushroom extract, and lavender essential oil. This buttery cleansing balm feels luxurious as it dissolves into an oil-like texture as soon as it comes to contact with the skin. It emulsifies on a milky consistency easily and rinses off quickly with water. It leaves the skin feeling so smooth and moisturized without the tacky filmy feeling, which really surprised me. I have never experienced my skin feeling this moisturized after the first cleanse. It’s something you really have to experience.

Upon first use, I had the feeling that the Aglow Priming Oil ($68) would work better with dry and normal skin types because of its oily yet runny feeling wrapped in a light cream texture. I was right. However, it also worked for my oily skin. Claiming to be a serum, moisturizer, and primer that aims to nourish, hydrate, soften, and smooth the skin with tamanu oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, purple tea extract, grapeseed extract, and lavender essential oil. I used this in the morning after spritzing the Face Mist and before applying SPF. It cuts my routine in half, which is really convenient. Since it’s colder nowadays, this helps bring plumpness and dewiness to my skin. What surprised me though is how this didn’t make my skin look greasy. It didn’t make my foundation slide off either. It’s become my go-to for that glowy look which is achieved when it’s combined with my stick foundation.

I’m really impressed with these new additions in Lilah B’s portfolio. They all feel gentle and nourishing to the skin and I would recommend them to those looking for products that would help in hydration, nourishment, and radiance. These products are also formulated without gluten, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances.

The Lilah B Aglow Cleansing Butter and Priming Oil were provided by @lilahb. Available at lilahbeauty.com

Brand Overview Cardea AuSet

I have never heard of Cardea AuSet until I saw them on Instagram. I was initially intrigued by the packaging, which, of course, made me research it.

All products from Cardea AuSet uses pure essential oils, hydrosols, minerals, and plant-based ingredients that are GMO-free. Their materials are sourced from Canadian suppliers. So far, so good. I was excited to review their products and thankfully, they lived up to the hype I built up around them.

The first one I tried was the Noire Charcoal Mask. Composed of bentonite clay and pure activated charcoal powder, this face mask has absorbing properties that extract toxins from the skin’s surface and pores, leaving it cleansed and purified. Since it’s packaged is as a powder, it can be mixed with any liquid or oil you prefer.

Of course, the downside is that it can get a bit messy. Clumsy me + black powder in a white bathroom = total mess. On the bright side, I’ve tried a few powder masks and this is one of the smoothest. One of the gentlest black charcoal masks I’ve tried. I only had a slight tightening in my cheek and chin areas while it tried. After application, my skin felt stripped yet moisturized. However, you really have to rinse this thoroughly because the first time I used this, I had to cleanse my skin twice as I got remnants of black powder in my cotton pad after I applied my toner.

The Sea Mineral Soak has been getting a lot of use during selfcare weekend. After a busy week, a good source of relaxation is a long bath with this one. After a bath, my skin feels hydrated, soothed, and relaxed.

This detoxifying soak is a blend of salts from the Dead Sea and Himalayas and dried rose petals. This contains minerals like magnesium, calcium, sulfur, selenium, and potassium to soothe tired muscles, stimulate circulation, promote healing and hydration, and relieve anxiety.

Now, I’ve had my fair share of experiences with facial mists to determine the effectivity of each product. Even though I’ve encountered a lot of rose mists in my short dive to skincare, I can’t help but try every single one of them.

The Rosa Facial Mist is a hydrating mist formulated with rose water and aloe juice that claims to give the skin a refreshing, plumping boost.

First off, the packaging is divine. I like looking at it on my vanity table. It has a bright yellow color that always seems to call me. It also contains a lot of products, 236ml to be exact. I have been using this for about a month and I haven’t even reached half the bottle. As the name suggests, this smells of roses. Not powerful enough to overpower my perfume, but enough to wake my senses up. The smell doesn’t last that long but since I’m not using this as a fragrance, I didn’t mind it. It lets off a very fine mist so it can be used in the middle of the skincare routine or during the day and it won’t mess up your makeup.

As a toner, this can keep my face hydrated for about 3 hours, which, I’m being honest, isn’t enough for my dehydrated skin. Hence, I use this before and after putting my serums and as the last step of my routine. However, I like using this best with my makeup sponge. I spray this directly on the sponge before I dab it on my foundation. Interestingly enough, I find that this helps blend my base products easily and seamlessly. It also helps my foundation and concealer last the whole day and creates a dewy look. The makeup just adheres to my skin better whenever I use this, maybe because of the aloe juice. Whenever I do a light makeup, I also use this to set it as I’m sure that this will make me look awake, healthy, and natural.

These Cardea AuSet products were provided by @cardea_auset. Available at cardeaauset.com

Skincare Review: Mad Hippie Hydrating Nutrient Mist

It’s already hot as hell so a mist feature is in order. The Hydrating Nutrient Mist from Mad Hippie aims to minimize the appearance of photodamage and leave the skin soft and supple. It contains hesperidin and gingko biloba to help reduce skin discoloration, sodium PCA, pomegranate seed extract, and white pine bark to hydrate, milk thistle to strengthen, sodium hyaluronate to moisturize, vitamin c to brighten, reservatrol to reduce the appearance of wrinkles & protect the skin from the effects of photoaging, and green tea to protect the skin from free radicals.

The mist is denser in consistency than other mists and smells like nothing I’ve tried before. Not to say it’s bad but it’s unique. It gives out a soft, fine spray that sometimes bubbles when it comes into contact with the skin. Because of that, this is best used when sprayed on a cotton pad or straight to a makeup sponge. It is not essence-like in terms of consistency but hydrating, nonetheless. It’s also extremely moisturizing so I like spraying this to my arms and legs, where my skin is dry, as well. This has helped in the evening out and brightening my complexion. I would definitely recommend this to those looking for a mist that will offer hydration and moisture, especially those who are in warmer climates.

The Mad Hippie Hydrating Nutrient Mist was provided by @madhippieskinproducts. Available for $19.99 at madhippie.com