Etude House - 10 in 1 Wonder Pore Freshner Review

Hi Guys...so today I'm going to give a short review on a Korean skincare product that most of the people rave about and that's really popular in Korea. Basically, I've used this product and I also like this a lot as well. I tried, tested and got better result after applying the product true to what they claim. So, I'm giving you a mini review on the Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner which is also one of the best selling product s in Korea that might help you to choose for a good toner.

Product Price:

Rs. 1,215 (250 ml or 8.45 fl. oz.)

I got this toner around 4 months ago and then onward I've been religiously using it everyday (morning & evening) in my skincare routine so I feel it's a high time to review this toner. Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner (suitable for all skin types) claims that it is a total solution product that supposedly is to be used like toner after washing your face, but primarily before other skin care products. As our makeup is an essential part for everyday to look beautiful, it is also very important to have a clearer skin. Since we all must know that the main important steps for skin care is CTM (Cleansing Toning Moisturizing) which is a must in our everyday routine for getting a healthier and glowing skin. 

Now, when I was kind of researching on what I was gonna buy a good toner for my dry skin, I came across this Korean product from Etude House. I grew up watching Korean Dramas and I fell in love with the actors' flawless skin which made me highly obsessed with Korean skin care products. In Kathmandu, there's a small store named 'Misumi Cosmetics' which sells a variety of Korean products which isn't available anywhere else in the market.

The Wonder Pore Freshner is basically considered as a toner but it doesn't have stinging property that other alcohol astringent have. As it's a 10 in 1 Ultra Pore Solution so what is it supposed to do? 


It has 10 different functions:

- Balance skin's ideal PH level
- Refine skin tones
- Keep the elasticity of pores
- Remove skin surface's dead skin cells
- Cleanse pore insides with cooling effect
- Deep cleanse pores
- Minimize appearance of pores
- Control a large amount of sebum
- Moisturize inside and outside of skin
- Complete smooth glass like texture


So to sum up, this is a complete Toner which effectively cleans the inside and the outside of pores, is very refreshing and doesn't sting as much as I thought it would because of the alcohol content in it. It is also a multi-tasker that it is really quick and easy to use. 

Key Ingredients:

- Alcohol

- Plant based extract

Talking about its ingredients, first of all it contains alcohol. I know that some people dislike any form of alcohol on their skincare regime, as it dries out the skin quickly. But in my opinion, the alcohol content in it isn't highly concentrated so it doesn't dry on my skin completely but rather gives a slight moisturizing effect on the skin.  For people who don't mind alcohol & who likes Plant Based Extracts in their skin care, then you may like it.

Directions for Use:

- Cleanse your skin

- Dispense a sufficient amount on flat cotton pad and apply all over your skin 
   OR you can just pour a little bit and apply directly on your skin.

- Massage in a circular motion.


It's a translucent toner, it's runny (like water) and has a fresh scent which isn't so astounding and not that strong at all. Once you apply this on your face, it totally freshens you up and I just love it  ♥♥♥. I usually use this after cleansing my face to remove excess dirt from my face. I feel it has many benefits as the product claims because it does minimize the appearance of my large pores in my t-zone, nose and chin area as well as makes my skin clean. 

Verdict:

In my opinion, if you wanna try something new to help & correct your rough skin as well to get a clearer skin, then I highly recommend this toner because I've heard a lot of people who does love this toner and it's definitely a Korean favourite product. Although I have a very dry and sensitive skin, I'm quite liking it but I feel it's your own preference for some people with oily skin would like it better than on dry and rough skin or vice versa. Since it contains moisturizing ingredients, this toner doesn't give a tight feeling and it doesn't dry either.

Overall,  It really works as it clears my face as well as shrink my pores but no wonder, it's not a miracle product that complete removes your pores or black heads. I didn't notice any bad side effects with this toner which is great because it is useful for sensitive skin people. But to conclude, it's not merely possible to do everything that it claims from this single product.

I feel it's an awesome product and would highly recommend it as I'm highly satisfied with this toner.

Rating:

4.5 / 5.

Product Availability:

Misumi Cosmetics:

Pulchowk /  Kumaripati / Naxal

New Arrival Japanese Brand: Miniso Small Haul

Hey guyz...It's been such a loooong time since my last post and was really missing my blog. Meanwhile I was busy SHOPPING loads & loads of different brand make-up along with skincare products as well as dresses & household items for this Dashain Festival & also I was unwell for some time.....so from now reviews are COMING really SOON in my upcoming blogs so be ready for them. I will make sure to continuously update you about my purchase review.

First of all, in my shopping spree for Dashain Festival, I came to know about a new Japanese Lifestyle Store launch here in Nepal. 'MINISO' which is a Japanese brand officially opened its store on October 1st 2016 at Rising Mall, Durbarmarg and I felt....why not wait and give it a try and I set my destination to the Miniso Store to see what I could get for myself. I was so excited and OMG there was such a huge crowd visiting the store on its opening.

To be honest i really don’t know much about 'Miniso' but apparently their products weren't limited to just beauty items, there were travel must haves products, electronic gadgets & everyday lifestyle product for all ages kids & adults in an extremely affordable price. Being the makeup lover I am, I gotta pick up some products when it is this cheap.

So in this haul post, I will be showing you the stuff that I bought from the store.

• Multifunctional Wet Tissue (4 pkt) - NRs. 249/-
• Collagen Moisturizing Gel Mask (3 pcs) - NRs. 499/-
• Compressed Facial Mask (40 grains)- NRs.249/-
• Fake Eyelash (10 pairs) - NRs. 249/-
• Facial Brush - NRs. 369/-
• Massage Hammer - NRs. 249/-
• Hyaluronic Acid Essence (200ml) - NRs. 369/-

I will be sharing you the review of some above products soon.....

Himalayan Herbals Under Eye Cream

Namaste guyz....the product I'm going to review today is from Himalaya Herbals which is one of the leading brands in herbal products in India and the product name is Himalaya Herbal Under Eye Cream for all skin types and is a 100% Himalaya herbal actives in spite of any harmful chemicals.It helps to get rid of dark circles and even works as a great anti-ageing skincare product that has promised to get rid of 50% dark circles in 4 weeks.

Since I am in my late 20's, my under eyes have definitely started to age and they are becoming quite dry and is being more sensitive than they used to be.. I definitely need an effective eye cream that gives proper hydration as well as reduce my fine lines. As a result, I came across many eye creams but I have preferred Himalaya Under Eye Cream as I believe natural products doesn't cause any harm to delicate areas under my eyes. So I  therefore am doing a quick review of  the product  of Himalaya Herbals.

As per company's claim, Himalaya Herbal Healthcare is a range of natural effective and safe products that use special herbs carefully selected from nature. Combining the best of Ayurveda with years of scientific research.

As per the description on the Himalaya Under Eye Cream, it claims:

• reduction of dark circles by 50% in a period of 4 weeks
• visible reduction in under-eye wrinkles and fine lines in 4 weeks.
• brighter & smoother eye contour.

KEY INGREDIENTS:

Cipadessa Baciffera (Neem Leaves)

Bergenia Ligulata (Wild Indian Strawberry Flower)

PRODUCT PRICE: 

NPR Rs. 264 (for 15ml) 

DIRECTION TO USE:

After gently cleansing, we need to apply the Himalaya Under Eye Cream in the form of dots into the delicate area beneath the eyes and gently massage with your little finger and you can use it twice a day. 

MY EXPERIENCE WITH HIMALAYA HERBALS UNDER EYE CREAM:

Talking about my experience of this product, I generally use this cream daily, once in the morning and in the night after cleansing my face thoroughly. I apply this cream and gently pat with my ring finger and then I just gently pushed into my under eye area and that way this actually works and it doesn't leave any dry cast. Guys, I'm stressing more upon the wrinkly part and dry areas of my eyes because that is my problem. I can't really speak about the dark circle problem because I don't have much dark circle around my eyes. 

After continuous application of this cream for 6 months, and finishing my two tubes of this eye cream, I can confidently review on this product without any doubt. It comes in a tube and has a nozzle opening so that is a good point and is easy to use in the corner of the eyes. It is a liquid product that smooth-ens my dry under-eye that leaves me with a soft supple skin and it is easily blendable. It doesn't have any kind of smell so If you are allergic to any kind of smell then this is a perfect product for you.

It can also be used beneath the makeup which provides a smooth finish. Since the product moisturizes my dry skin well I would recommend to use just a pea size tiny bit of cream and it covers whole under eye area. And after applying for so long, I couldn't find any change in reduction of the fine lines but it does moisturize and hydrates my eyes area. 

PROS:

1. Self Life is 3 Years
2. Very Affordable
3. As per claims, Contact lens users can also use the product
4. Easy application with nozzle tube
5. Tubular shaped which is easy to carry in the purse
6. Gives enough Hydration

CONS:

1. Claims to be a Herbal Product but contains Paraben
2. Doesn't clear out any dark circles and no reduction in fine lines

VERDICT:

It's very normal eye cream for those who wants it in reasonable price and is readily available at most stores in Nepal. It is neither a good or bad cream as it's just a usual moisturizing under eye cream. I would rather search for a better under eye cream and would only recommend for those who have dry under eyes like me & need proper hydration. 

RATE THIS PRODUCT: 

2.5 / 5

 Thanks for your precious time in reading this review. See you next time..... Have your say in the comments below.

E.L.F. Studio Makeup Mist & Set Review

Hey ladies.....today I'm back with a new review on the E.l.f. (Eye Lip Face) Studio Makeup Mist & Set. As we know, makeup is not just about buying expensive makeup products and the time you take to apply it. It is also very essential to extend the makeup for longer hours especially during the summer because makeup starts to fade away due to dust, sweat & humidity. We therefore require a product that keeps our makeup stay in place all day long without any wear off. Now, for this Summer, I have brought up a very affordable and effective product " E.l.f Studio Makeup Mist & Set" which is a makeup setting spray that prolongs the wear of makeup.

 E.l.f. is a very affordable drugstore brand in overseas and also in the Nepalese market, I was so excited when I recently discovered the store where I could get all E.l.f. products in one shop itself. E.l.f. has a reasonably priced makeup line that produces quality makeup cosmetics but is misconceived to be lower quality due to its cheaper price. Any brands with a lower price could be a hit or a miss based on one's perception as the product that you love might work for you but might not work for me and E.l.f. is also no exception.

Price: $3 for Net 2.02 fl. oz. (60ml)

           NPR. 950

Product Description:

As per product description, E.l.f. makeup setting spray prevents colors from running or fading to keep your makeup in place all day. The lightweight, oil-free formula soothes the skin with key ingredients Aloe, Green Tea, Cucumber and Vitamins A, C & E.

Ingredients:

Water (Aqua), AMP-acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Ve), Retinyl Palmitate (Va) Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vc), Green Tea Extract,Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract, Methylparaben,Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Phenoxyethanol

Directions on how to use:

Spray on after makeup application to set makeup in place or during the day for a quick touchup to refresh. After you have applied your makeup spray a light mist 12-16 inches from your face with eyes closed to set your makeup in place or use for a quick touchup throughout the day to refresh your makeup. Let it dry naturally or blot with a tissue to help speed dry.

Beauty Tip: To intensify any eyeshadow color, spray a little of the Mist & Set on your brush to saturate the fibers prior to dipping into eyeshadow.

My Experience with E.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set:

Today I'm sharing my own experience using this awesome E.l.f. product. I got this spray about a month ago from Civil Mall and since then, I've been using it constantly every other day or so for approximately 3 weeks and I'm loving it. In overseas, E.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set has got so popular that even most of the top YouTube makeup artists have compared it with the original Mac Studio Fix + that cots $22 and E.l.f Makeup Setting Spray is a perfect dupe of it.  As I was unknown on where I could buy the Mac Studio Fix +  here, I in turn looked for E.l.f. spray which was so much cheaper and easily available here in Nepal. I therefore splurged on it. 

I'd like to say that this is definitely the product that I can't live without. I'm going to start off by telling you how I actually use the E.l.f. spray and then explain you on what I liked about it and stuffs I don't like about it.

I first put on my primer followed by concealer and then foundation and I set it up with my translucent powder and sometimes I put on a little bronzer and blush. After it, I spray 2-3 pumps and it will leave your face kind of wet. I know...somebody said that they didn't like how it left their face feeling wet and I quite felt the same. So, I just dab my Beauty Blender on my face to absorb excess wetness to make the skin dry a little quicker. It seems to give my face a complete look without any oily, cakey finish & honestly, I feel that it makes my foundation last all day and gives me a remarkably dewy finish.

Fortunately, until now it hasn't caused any skin breakout on me. As for longevity, I totally believe that it keeps my foundation much longer than without using it as it lasted for 4 hours. I haven't used any other makeup setting spray in the past so I cannot make any comparisons with other products. But in regards to this product's use, it is worth for its price. Beside my love for this product, the only thing I don't like about this spray bottle is it's nozzle which doesn't work perfectly and it also doesn't always give smooth dispersion of the product as I felt like it wasn't consistently giving me even spray. To sum up my experience, this E.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set spray is an amazing product for the price what we pay and now, my makeup is incomplete without using this spray.

PROS:

• Holds makeup for long hours
• Removes powdery and cakey finish
• Perfect for travel size
• Easy to use
• Makes any gel eyeliner creamier
• Refreshes your face immediately
• Doesn't breakout the skin
• Hydrates skin

CONS:

• Spray nozzle isn't perfect
• Excess use may make skin look greasy / sticky
• Contains Paraben
• Uneven spray dispersion

RATING: 

4.5/5

VERDICT:

E.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set is a nice affordable option for all skin types and to those who have a tight budget can also try this mist once as it is a good deal for its price and quality. It holds the makeup for long and gives a definite glow and a dewy finish. In the meanwhile, I recommend this spray to the beginners in makeup as it's worth to give a shot.

Availability:

Civil Mall, 1st Floor

Thanks for your precious time in reading this review. Have your say in the comments below.

Wet n Wild Lipsticks Collection.....Hit or Miss?

Hey Guys, welcome back to my blog.Today's blog is all about Wet n Wild lipsticks. They have come up with two new formulas Silk Finish and Mega Last lipsticks. Wet n Wild brand is a very popular and affordable international brand and when it comes to lipsticks, they are one of the oldest and finest drugstore brand. They have a wide range of shades nude to deep dark color that's suitable to every skin tone. They make the quality dupes of various expensive lipsticks at a very reasonable price.

This blog is all about my opinion & my first impression on these lipsticks which are cheap as in money which are worth buying it or not. I would also like to change my opinion and my readers as well that cheap (price) which do not always turn out to be trash or crap products. I was so skeptic about these products in whether I should buy or spend my money on this one or not and guess what, they were not expensive also which was a factor that made my decision stronger to buy these products.

People have a lot of obsession on many things and when it comes to me, I'm so obsessed in collecting lipsticks of each and every brand and so I have a big collection of most of the lipstick brands. I possess a collection of matte, semi-matte sheer liquid as well as glossy lipsticks. I came to know about this brand and the credit goes to my sis who lives in the US and a few months ago she game me a bunch of lipsticks during her visit here in Nepal as she knows about my obsession towards lipsticks. Among all the lipsticks, Wet & Wild was one of them.

The first lipstick I got of this brand was Spotlight Red, which is one of Mega Long Lasting formula's lipstick. It is a very true red color and it instantly brightened up my face giving me an instant sensuous look. You can put on this lipstick without thinking about rest of the makeup and makes you stand out preety. As the color payoff is amazing, it has power of staying long-lasting and I was totally impressed by this shade I turned out to be a huge fan of this brand.

I am totally in love with matte lipsticks but since I've dry lips, I also try on other Liquid Glossy Formula lipsticks and if i love the color texture I instantly buy them. While I was browsing on the internet, I got to know that Wet n Wild products are easily available here in Nepal at a very reasonable price and it was a win-win situation for me. I found a new range of Wet n Wild lipsticks viz. Silk Finish & Mega Long-lasting Matte formula. I came across good reviews of the Silk Finish Lipstick as they were enriched with Vitamin A & E, Aloe Vera, & Macadamia Nut Oil and most of it were so much cheaper (price) so without thinking twice i decided to give it a try. I bought 2 new lipsticks of this collection and one from Mega Lasting Finish range, which I had used it before and I quite liked it.

 Price:

Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipstick - NRs. 375

Wet n Wild Mega Long Lasting Matte Lipstick - NRs. 499

Talking about my experience, I personally didn't prefer Shimmery Frosty Lipstick as I noticed that when I applied Wet n Wild Silk Finish range, they weren't for me. The only plus point of this range was that they gave my lips much hydration & soft shimmer shiny glossy finish and goes on smoothly. Other than that, the color payoff in lips was poor, and I got disappointed as their lasting power was so bad as they didn't even last for long.and easily smudge. I felt that the Wet n Wild Silk Finish Range were like a non-sticky lip-gloss or a balm  with just a little tint of color. I own two shades of this line and they are:

Nouveau Pink E518D:

This is a medium hot-pink shade and I love this type of type of shade but the color doesn't pay-off nicely in lips as they are like tinted glossy lip balms. It is sheer and glossy in texture but does give a lot of hydration.

Hot Red E540A:

Wet n Wild refers to this as a silk finish as the name of the line would suggest that the finish seems like a satin finish and the formula on the lipstick is a little slick. It feels almost hydrating! It's also a buildable color lipstick but it lacks pigmentation which is a miss for me.

Small Tip: If u want the color show in your lips with this range, you have to apply lip-liner under it it will might work.

I didn't have much expectation from this type of cheap priced lipsticks but i really wish that they wrote sheer covering instead of pigmented color which they lack.

Whereas, I'm blown away by their matte finish of  Wet n Wild Mega Long Lasting Formula which I have already used so again I bought 3 of them of this line ..

Their lasting power is amazingly good and.these gems are a steal & of a surprising quality for its price. There are so many reasons to love them. All these lipsticks shades are beautiful soft &waxy in taste, it goes on smoothly & stays on place for 3/4 hours depending on if i'm eating heavy meal, drinking or talking a lot etc.or not. But after hours you have to do touch ups. I completely love this Long-lasting formula as they are very creamy glides on easily, moisturizing and colors are so much pigmented that impressed me a lot.

I have 4 shades of Wet n Wild Mega Lasting Lipsticks wh are:

Spolight Red 911D:

Its the very 1st shade of this range that I have in my collection. It's lasting power is amazing as u don't have to wear any lip-liner before applying this lipstick but to avoid smudges you can use lipliner. It's a beautiful medium red shade also known as "Hollywood Red". It's a red shade that isn't blue toned or orange and personally, I find that this deeper red suits me the best. The formula is semi-matte. I think this is the most universal shade of the line and true red color.

Some tint remains after removing with my Missha makeup remover that drove me towards buying 3 more colors as they are all semi-matte lipsticks and have the similar texture, pigmentation & lasting power.

Note: I've found a slight difference in the texture of the lipstick that I got from the US and the one I bought here in Nepal. I  found that the code name is slightly different for the same product of the US and Nepal and the question arises on why there is such change?

Dupe for: Mac Ruby Woo, YSL rouge Pur Couture, NARS Carthage (Courtesy: Internet)


Coral-ine E909D: 

It is a bright coral red color with warm undertone and semi-matte finish. This color was very flattering and face brightening on me. It's highly pigmented and the color doesn't settle in the lipline, emphasize flakiness and bleed nor feather. 

.

Dupe for: Mac proenze, Mangrove Lipstick or Mac Lady Danger (Courtesy: Internet)

Red Velvet E910D:

When i firstly opened up the bullet and tried applying it on my lips, the lipstick broke down and I was in a dilemma if it was a low quality product as I purchased it in a highly discounted price. I was dis-heartened as I had been searching for a perfect red for over a year until I found this one which was perfect. It's a red shade with pink undertone and gives semi-matte finish. The lipstick glides beautifully and is less creamy than the previous shade which I tried but it doesn't dry out my lips. The shade is bright but not striking red, something which one is comfortable wearing.

Dupe for: Mac Ruby Woo (Courtesy: Internet)

Mocha-licious E914C:

                

Mocha-licious is a beautiful dark brown 'Mocha' color which looks super amazing and preety flattering on my skin. It is beautiful brown shade with a hint of mauve and wearable color for any occasion. It has a creamy texture and it lasted for a good 5 hours. I apply this lipstick without using a lipbalm underneath but also it glides in my lips easily as it's extremely creamy.

Dupe for: Kat Von D Liquid Lipstick in "Lolita", Lakme 9 to 5 Lipstick in "Brownie Point", Mac Verve (Courtesy: Internet)

Packaging:

The packaging is what you expect for such affordable line and it's kind of annoying how the lipstick gets in the lid no matter how careful you are as you can't wind them all them down. It simply comes in black with transparent cap that fits the case with a 'Click' sound and the bullets of the lipstick can easily be seen from the outside through the transparent cap as you can identify the desired shade from the out.

Verdict:

Without wasting any huge hole in a pocket, when i get a good quality with a lasting finish lipstick then why wouldn't I invest in a good lipstick? Yes! I will definitely continue purchasing but I would recommend a slight change in the packaging of the lipsticks. Please give it a try as it's a great little beauty budget pick-up and you won't be disappointed..

Since Mac original lipsticks of all shades cost NRs. 2,700 each, Wet n Wild lipsticks are a cheap alternative as they cost just NRs. 499 each for similar color without wasting huge money. So why not try out more alternative dupes? If you don't like the color and texture you won't lose much and can try on more shades without regret. So why don't you give it a try..........

Availablilty:

The product is available in various stores in New Road, Express Nepal, Durbarmarg, Beauty Hub and lots of online shopping sites (Kaymu, Gogazzab, Sasto Deals).

BEAUTY BLENDER vs. REAL TECHNIQUES

Beauty Blender (BB)

Real Techniques
miracle complexion (RTM) sponge

Hi all the pretty ladies out there. As we all know that nowadays any make-up is incomplete without the use of  Beauty Blender (BB). These days, a lot of girls are on the verge of getting a Beauty blender as they are aware that it's a very good applicator for getting a flawless air-brush finish make-up look.  Today I will therefore be sharing a review of the two prominent make-up sponges, original 'Beauty Blender' & it's closest dupe 'Real Techniques Miracle Complexion (RTM) Sponge'.

Note: The Beauty Blender I used is an original one that I got from US as here in Nepal I just found the same Beauty Blender alike the original one which was dense in texture and less costly.

Product Description:

         BEAUTY BLENDER                                REAL TECHNIQUES MIRACLE SPONGE
-  Precision tip for smaller areas                       - Precision tip for covering imperfection & spot correcting                
-  Round area for larger areas of face and        - Sides area for blending larger areas of face & flat 
    used to stipple and dab product on skin           edge for contouring around eyes and nose             

-  It comes with cleanser & small booklet         - Instruction given itself at the back of the box
   that gives instruction on how to use BB.        

Price:

-  Price $20 (Imported from USA)                            - Price NRs. 1,075                                                           

My Experience with both the products:

Since we always crave for fresh flawless make-up that looks as if no make-up is used, the basis of a great complexion is based on the beauty products used and how it is applied. With the use of BB, you will actually feel the difference in the outcome of your make-up. As I've been so much interested in make-up, i've seen a lot of make-up tutorials given by various make-up gurus on YouTube. They always have a BB in their make-up kit and always recommend that it's a very essential tool for getting a smooth professional salon finish make-up and that's how I came to know about these products.

I was so much destined on how to get a BB and searched it all over the internet and the local market. But I couldn't find an original BB as I came across different dupes of BB. I was not satisfied with the dupes, so i requested my sister in the US to send it and finally, I got my original BB. As the original Beauty Blender costs a lot and of its rare availability, I investigated on the dupes which are easily available in Nepal and the closest match to the BB. When i continued my search on the internet, I came across the RTM sponge that costs half the price than original BB that provides the same smooth air-brush finish.

After having both the products in my hand, I tested them on my skin and will therefore be sharing my honest review to you all. As far as what I've experienced, i'm pretty happy with replacing BB with RTM sponge and saving myself some money and BB availability issue. It looks like the RTM sponge is worth it if you are looking to save some money and get same comparable results to using a BB.

COMPARISON:

For comparison, I will need to give you a detailed information so as to give you a more clear perception about the product (BB or RTM) that would best fit in your make-up kit.

1. Application:

There wasn't much difference that I found when it comes in applying foundation. The results from both BB and RTM sponge is quite similar and gives a dewy seamless coverage. But during application, the RTM sponge seems to absorb more foundation itself in the sponge than in the face when applying make-up. 

2. Size & Shape:

In comparing the sizes, RTM sponge is slightly bigger than BB in both conditions dry and wet. The BB is egg-shaped at the top sponge with a rounded bottom area whereas the RTM sponge which is also egg-shaped at the top and has a flat edge with a pointed bottom.

3. Texture:

Original BB is a sure-shot winner in this case as it is extremely comfortable to use. Texture wise, the BB has bigger pores whereas the RTM sponge has smaller pores which makes the BB more spongy. During application in wet condition, the BB bounces back immediately on the skin  which seems to lack in the RTM sponge as it stays a bit wet.

4. Ease of Use:

Both the products can be used for any skin types and are easy to use, but with the advantage of the egg-shaped with pointed bottom & flat edge, RTM sponge is easier to use around the eyes as well as to contour and highlight. Since the BB just has a rounded side with a pointed top, it is easy to apply foundation / concealer only around the eyes.   

5. Maintenance:
In regards to the maintenance of the BB & RTM sponge, the BB is easier to clean as it comes with a solid cleanser that cleans out the stains instantly and you just need to squeeze it a fewer times to get the dirt out. On the other, RTM sponge doesn't come with a cleanser so you need to use your own mild cleanser to clean and since the RTM sponge absorbs more foundation, the stains do not get easily washed away. As what I prefer, I use the mild Johnson Baby Shampoo and Olive Oil to clean my RTM sponge and would recommend you the same. After every time you use these products, you have to be very careful in storing them in an airy place to avoid any fungus or bacteria due to its moisture. I would suggest you not to store your BB or RTM sponge in a closed closet. While travelling, you need to have your BB or RTM sponge properly in ventilated pouches rather than storing it in a zip-lock or a make-up bag as it locks the moisture and air flow.

Since both BB and RTM sponge is very delicate, you need to use very light hands else you might end up tearing the sponge with your nails. With my first experience in cleaning BB, I didn't take much precaution and ended up tearing few spots in BB with my nails.

VERDICT:

No matter what people use or say, BB always wins for me in the battle against all the available make-up sponges. I think the texture of BB is unbeatable and a lot easier to maintain and to clean in comparison to RT. But without paying a higher price if I can get flawless sheer complexion then I would rather go for RTM sponge. It is easier to get RTM sponges here in Nepal as well as it's inexpensive for price and value.But if you want to get the extra comfort of application plus easier maintenance, in my opinion nothing compares to the original BB.

RATE:

Beauty Blender: 5/5
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge: 4/5

WOULD I REPURCHASE / RECOMMEND THE PRODUCT:

Yes...Yes...Yes....I would definitely repurchase the products and already have an additional backup of it. Please try these sponges once and you will never regret it as you would rather stay away from using your make-up brushes.

For your ease of purchase, you can get original RTM sponge in Xpress Nepal Store at Rising Mall, Durbarmarg and Beauty Hub Store, Durbarmarg.

Thanks for your precious time in reading this review. Have your say in the comments below.

NYX Wonder Stick Highlight & Contour Stick - WS04 (Universal Shade) Review

Hello ladies..today I will be doing a product review on the NYX Wonder Stick (Universal Shade). Nowadays contouring has been spreading rapidly over Instagram and YouTube and since I'm a crazy make-up lover, I also wanted to try a cream contour. which is in trend nowadays I was super excited when I found NYX Wonder Stick in online site here in Nepal. I was confused on the shade that would suit on my fair skin and after going over the internet & watching a lot of tutorial videos, I finally decided in purchasing the Universal Shade which is suitable for any skin tone.
NOTE:This product can be easily found at cosmetic stores in Malls.

As per the description of the product, it claims:

Amplifies your looks with NYX cosmetics Wonder Stick that has a creamy finish that conceals, highlights and contours with ease. With this easy 2-step wonder product, highlighting and contouring has never been easier. The wonder stick is available in 4 shades Light, Medium, Tan and Universal.

Ingredients:

HIGHLIGHT:

CONTOURING:

Product Price:

Market Price NPR 2,200 (Lucky me!!! I got it on a discounted rate of NPR 1,800)

Application & Experience:

STEP 1 (Highlight):

Apply the highlight stick on the cheek bone, middle of forehead, under eyes, down the center of the nose, on the brow bone and under the jawline. 

STEP 2 (Contouring):

Apply contour stick to top of forehead and along hairline, under cheekbones, down both side of your nose and under the jawline and chin.

STEP 3:

Blend....Blend....Blend

I'm a newbie in contouring and as far as my experience is concerned, I bought this product in Universal shade after reading some positive reviews. As soon as I got this, to be honest I simply fell in love with the product. It's super easy to apply and the shape of the contour side makes it easier especially to contour your nose. I'm really happy with this product as it gets the job done. It's build-able and not too intense. The only problem is that the highlight portion on the Universal is super shimmery. It provides a sheer color pay-off even when blended with my Beauty Blender and disappeared into a bored shimmer. The contour part pretty fades to nothing unless you apply a lot and my face felt a bit sticky in the areas that I applied the stick on for hours. 

This is a cream based contour stick and it tends to run a bit greasy and fades quickly so I have to apply my powder bronzer over it to make it long lasting. I feel that using it with my liquid concealer and powder highlighter was much more easier and long-lasting than this wonder stick. 

PROS:

• Easy to use
• Light weight
• Good for the beginners
• Build-able color

CONS:

• Poor color pigmentation
• Expensive
• Poor texture
• Not effective

VERDICT:

On the whole, the Wonder Stick isn't bad for the beginners as blending takes only a minute and it is really easy to use. I recommend in using a damp Beauty Blender to get a complete finish but Sponge would work too. For contouring, it is not too orangy so who are struggling with finding a good contouring shade can try this wonder stick. As I ordered the Universal shade, the highlighter portion was too shimmery so whoever doesn't like it can try the other available shades of NYX Wonder Stick.

WOULD I REPURCHASE / RECOMMEND THE PRODUCT:

Yes of course! I would definitely recommend this product for anyone who's a beginner and who loves contouring as this stick is extremely easy to blend out.

RATE THIS PRODUCT:

3.5 / 5

Thanks for your precious time in reading this review. Have your say in the comments below.

CETAPHIL Moisturizing Lotion Review

The product that i've selected for review is the Cetaphil moisturizing lotion. Since i've got a very dry skin, I have tried on many moisturizing creams, herbal products but neither of them gave me the desired outcome. I searched over good moisturizing lotions in the internet and came across this product, which had a very good hype in the overseas market, social medias and international blogs. I therefore had the curiosity in getting this lotion at any cost and searched over it but unfortunately I couldn't get this product in the local market. I got this product imported from the United States, tried it on and would like to give my honest review.

As per the description on the product, it claims:

• Non-comedogenic / fragrance free
• Dermatologist recommended
• Non-greasy formula

Key Ingredients:

• Glycerin (to moisturize)
• Vitamin E
• Acrylates (to prevent moisturize loss)

Product Price:

$ 13.99      

Note: I'm unaware of the availability of this product here in Nepal and if anyone knows the price in NPR do let me know.

Volume / Quantity:

16 FL OZ (473 ml)

Application & Experience:

After thoroughly cleansing, pump a small quantity from the container and gently apply this lotion immediately over your wet skin. 

I use this moisturizer every day in the morning after taking a shower and before bed every night. I apply the lotion on my face, hands and over my legs. As per what I've experienced, my skin absorbs this moisturizer quickly and doesn't leave my face oily but leaves a sort of greasiness on my skin. I continuously used it for 2 months and until now I feel there's no breakout in my skin which is good aspect as I have a very sensitive and dry skin.

I've also used it before putting on foundation and since it contains Glycerin, it sticks on your face and keeps it moisturized. Therefore this lotion can also be applied before everyday make-up.

PROS:

1. Light weight lotion absorbs easily into skin
2. As claimed, the product is non-comedogenic (it won't clog pores and leads to no breakout)
3. Easily dispensed from its pump style bottle
4. Moisturizes well and doesn't irritate skin
5. For all skin types
6. Paraben free

CONS:

1. Leaves greasiness
2. Too expensive
3. Not long lasting
4. Not completely fragrance-free as claimed
5. Contains alcohol which is not good for sensitive skin

VERDICT:

As it is a dermatologist recommended, people (male/female) with all skin types can use this lotion once without any doubt. It's a basic lotion that softens skin from head to toe. I think it'd be the best lotion during winter when skin is very dry. It's a very good product but since it doesn't suit my skin well, my search is on.........

RATE THIS PRODUCT: 

3.5 / 5

 Thanks for your precious time in reading this review. Have your say in the comments below.