ibuybeauti

Hello my lovelies!!!

I'm back and I apologize for being away for three and half months. :(

I've been doing a lot of projects lately and literally do not have the time to blog for the past couple months. However, I do post regularly on Instagram, so if you are following me then you know that I'm a regular Instagrammer. ;) 

I am going to thank ibuybeauti.com for sending me some free products to try. :)

ibuybeauti.com is a newly launched Korean cosmetic online shop. 

What I like about this online store is that I actually found some cosmetics/skincare here that I normally couldn't find at other Korean cosmetics online shops. 

Here are the products that I chose:

Left to Right: Tony Moly Luminous Goddess Aura BB Cream, Etude House Wonder Pore Whipping Foam, Etude House Sweet Recipe Cupcake Eyes in Mint Choco Chip

I haven't tried these products since I've been really busy lately. I will do a separate review on them in the future. 

They have also included some samples. :) 

It took about 2 1/2 weeks for the package to arrive from South Korea. 

Their prices are reasonable and customer service is superb! They were very prompt in answering my questions and they also provide free shipping! ^_^

So please check their website www.ibuybeauti.com and let me know your experience when you buy from them. :)

See you guys later! :D

Review: Firmoo Sunglasses

I was contacted to do a collaboration with Firmoo months ago but there was a glitch on my end. USPS lost my package and was sent a new pair of sunglasses right away. I'm supposed to do a review about a month ago, however, I've experienced some technical difficulties with my blog. 

 Firmoo is an online optical store and also the world's most popular online eyeglasses store. They offer over 300 styles of affordable and stylish frames for you to choose from. They also offer a Virtual Try-On system where you can upload a photo of your own and try their glasses/sunglasses virtually.

Firmoo has launched a program offering free eye wear for first-time buyers. It's an excellent way to try their products and to check its quality. This offer is open to almost all countries in the world including the U.S., Canada, Australia, etc. You can read more about this offer here.

Here's my unbiased review:

Overall:

I give it a 3.95 star rating.  

 The sunglasses that was sent to me (for which I chose) is the #OTO2581 model. ($40) Now, currently unavailable.

PROS:

~ Customer Service is superb! USPS lost the first pair of sunglasses that Firmoo sent me and I notified them immediately of the situation and they shipped a new pair right away.

~They do indeed offer a variety of different styles for eyeglasses.

~Delivery was fast.

~I love the quality of the pouch that's included.

~ I love how they offer free eye-wear for first-time buyers.

~ They also included extra screws and a mini screwdriver for the sunglasses that was sent to me.

~The Virtual Try-On System helped a lot for the type of sunglasses that fits me.

CONS:

~ I was limited to a number of sunglasses to choose from (the second time). The first sunglasses that I picked was the one USPS lost. I picked this one because there were only 3 available styles to choose from. I didn't like the other two, so I finally chose this one. There used to have more than 8 styles to choose from, however, it was unavailable at that time.

~ The sunglasses I received has a dent. How unlucky of me! (refer to picture) I wouldn't pay $40 for it to be honest.

~The website is a little confusing to navigate to find their sunglasses. It seems like it only really caters for eyeglasses but not enough variety for fashion sunglasses. 

~ This particular sunglasses that I chose is being phased out by the manufacturer/designer. See here. So I guess there is no way for the others to get a hold of this product.

I am glad that I get to have a collaboration with Firmoo to review their product. This was a great opportunity for me to work with them. 

I strongly suggest to try their free eyewear for first-time buyers program to try their products before purchasing.

REVIEW: Coastal Scents Brushes *PIC HEAVY*

Have you guys heard of the Coastal Scents brushes? 

I absolutely adore them! :) They're pretty cheap compared to high end brushes and I can say they're pretty much the same. These brushes are densely packed, works well and no sign of shedding. ;)

Coastal Scents Bionic Flat Top Buffer Foundation Brush (Synthetic) - I normally use this after applying my foundation to even it out and sorta "buff" it for a smoother more flawless look. I'm in love with this brush! The bristles are sooooo soft and very densely packed. I was going to get some more for back up but unfortunately they're all sold out. :( I seen one on ebay for about $27 from UK! Oh my. I hope you guys got a hold of this. Another buffer brush that I use is from realTechniques called buffing brush. 

Price: $7 and it was on clearance

Pro Blending Fluff (Goat Hair) - I use this one of course for blending my cream or powder eyeshadows. Bristles are soft as well and hasn't shed. I've washed this numerous times already and not a single bristle has fallen out yet. This is a great dupe of the MAC 217 blending brush (see below). It blends well just like the MAC 217 one.

Price: $4.95

Left to Right: Coastal Scents Pro Blending Fluff and MAC 217 Blending Brush (sorry haven't washed it yet :P)

Classic Smudge Sponge - I use this to smudge my eyeliner and sometimes with my eyeshadows for a complete smokey look. Sometimes this kind of sponge is already built in the eyeliner that you buy. I have this smudge sponge on my Prestige eyeliner and it works the same. Does the job well too and it's very inexpensive.

Price: $1.49

Large Foundation/Concealer Brush (Synthetic) - When I say large, it's huge! LOL I've never encountered a brush this big/long before. This is about 8.5 inches long (21.59cm). Pretty long huh? I use this to apply my foundation (first step -then after I buff it using my buffer brush) for full to sheer coverage. No signs of shedding as well and does the job well. Sometimes I use my MAC 190 in place of this.

Price: $2.95 - clearance section

Sorry! It's quite blurry. >.<

Classic Shadow Dome (Synthetic) - I also use this for my smokey look for smudging and blending my eyeshadows at the same time. The bristles are densely packed too and no shedding. :)

Price: $2.95

Classic Shadow Medium (Synthetic) - I use this to almost any type of eyeshadow. Usually I use this brush to sweep my eyeshadow all over my lid. Very dense and no shedding. 

Price: $2.49

Classic Buffer Small (Synthetic) - Ok, if you guys couldn't find the buffer brush I told you guys about earlier, then this will be your best bet. I use this for the same purpose of the buffer brush I mentioned earlier. If my two other buffer brushes are in the process of drying, then I use this. The bristles are very dense, very smooth and no shedding as well. This one is not as thick as the Bionic one but it's a tad thicker than the realtechniques.

Price: $4.95

Destiny Kabuki On a Stick (Goat hair) - Yep! A kabuki on a stick. :) I use this to apply my mineral foundation. Although you can use it for bronzer or blush as well but personally, I like using this to apply my mineral foundation. Picks up the foundation well and blends easily. You can also use this for highlighting your cheekbones. Very durable!

Price: $2.98

Classic Foundation Small (Synthetic) - I personally use this for highlighting/concealer purposes. Sometimes I use it for liquid foundation too but normally for highlighting and for concealer. It blends well and it's densely packed. :) 

Price: $4.95

Classic Angled Brush Large (Synthetic) - I use this to apply blush/bronzer. Personally, I like angled brushes for applying blushes or bronzers. I can control it better or is it just me? I can never work a regular blush brush. I always end up picking the angles ones. ;) I love how dense and how soft it is. 

Price: $2.95

Fan Brush (Synthetic) - Another brush from Coastal Scents that took me by surprise. LOL This one is an oversized fan brush. Normally I thick the fan would go about 2.5 inches wide (6.35cm) but this one goes for about 4.5 inches wide! (11.43cm) The bristles are very dense and soft and no shedding. 

I normally use this to subtly apply blush or bronzer. Sometimes it's a good tool to remove excess eyeshadow that sometimes fall on your cheek. ;)

Price: $2.48 - Clearance

Domed Kabuki and Pro Kabuki - I use the Domed Kabuki if I want a more precise application (around the eyes, nose, etc.). It's also great for contouring! I use the Pro Kabuki for powder foundation sometimes. I love how dense and soft they are and of course zero shedding. ;)

Price: $5.99 and $4.99 clearance

I hope this review helped you guys in picking your next collection of brushes. :)

Also....

Don't forget to visit my store:

CUTE DUMPLING ONLINE STORE

I will be adding more products soon! :)

xoxo

REVIEW: Garnier Fructis Fortifying Conditioner Pure Clean

First of all, I would like to apologize for not replying back for the comments that some of you have left from my previous post. I've been juggling a lot of things this week with school, the online store, shipments, etc. I would definitely get back at you guys by the weekend. :) Oh and plus it's my friend's daughter's bday this weekend (actually it's my goddaughter's bday) :D I'm still pretty happy that she picked me as her daughter's godmother ;). Yes, I've been busy looking for gifts as well. 

Since I have this tiny bit of free time, I would like to give a brief review of the Garnier Fructis Fortifying Conditioner PURE CLEAN.

I stopped using this conditioner. PERIOD. Okay, the conditioner smells gorgeous and all. It also says that it has a unique 92% biodegradable formula, no heavy residue and weightless shine. It did deliver on what it says (no heavy residue and weightless shine) and also it left a great smell on my hair right after I shower.

 BUT

After a few hours, my hair smells nasty! LOL It smells like rotten eggs! My bf even noticed how my hair smelled like. He said "Hmm..your hair smells like you've been fishing on the pier for hours" -__- Gosh! Even though we've been together for 8 years, I was soooo embarrassed when he told me that. Bottom line is, my hair smells like rotten eggs and fish. -_- I wasn't too pleased at all. I thought maybe it's because I went out that day but I tried and showered at night and used the same conditioner and again it smells like the pier the next morning I woke up! XD

I don't know what kind of formula they put that made my hair smell like this. I am never going to purchase this conditioner again. I went back to my old one. 

Rating: 4 dumplings

I am not sure if I should recommend this product to you guys. I don't know if it's just my hair or something else. If you are still intrigued by it, I suggest to purchase the smallest size to see if it will work for you. I really wish it didn't leave my hair smelling like this because I like the other Garnier Fructis line and I'm pretty bummed out that this one didn't work for me. :/

Have you tried this line of shampoo/conditioner before? :) 

REVIEW: Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash

Two weeks ago, I went to my local drugstore and bought a new cleanser, cream and toner. I wanted to get a cheaper alternative for my skincare regimen. 

Left to Right: Pond's Clarant B3, Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner, Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash

 After 2 days of using all these products, I started to develop red bumps on my face. I was thinking that this should be normal since my skin is getting used to the products and will eventually subside. I guess I was wrong. :( 10 days later, a lot more came out. So I was thinking it was either the toner or cream that's causing this. I ruled out Purpose because it's such a gentle wash. I stopped using the cream and toner and decided to finish my old cleanser (philosophy purity) and since it was too late for me to go out and buy a night cream, I was lucky enough I've gotten the philosophy take a deep breath sample from myglam. That night, I washed my face with my old cleanser, used my juju aloe toner and tried out the sample cream. Voila! The next day, the red bumps were half gone! I was surprised! So I kept using my philosophy cleanser until the bottle was empty. Yes, my face started to clear up and I'm a happy duck again. Last night, I started using the Purpose cleanser again and to my surprise the next day, I had those red bumps again! Oh my! I found the culprit! It was the Purpose Cleanser!!! I was shocked because I've read a lot of great reviews about this product. It's gentle for your skin and it's dermatologist recommended. Also, the price is great! ($4)

Purpose Cleanser = :((((

I'm sorry that I have to post my nasty cheek (also have the same amount of red bumps on my other cheek). I just wanted to show you guys how bad it is. I've never had a skin reaction in my life like this before. I am devastated!

Today, I went to Sephora to purchase philosophy Purity and also bought the full size of philosophy take a deep breath cream. I am quite scared of trying new skincare products right now after this incident.

My Rating:

 0 dumpling 

Again, this is my opinion. I've had a bad experience with this product. You may have a different opinion with this cleanser. Anyone with a good experience with this facial cleanser then I'm happy that it worked out well for you.

REVIEW: Tresemme Split Remedy

Hello lovely readers! Tonight, I'm writing a quick review about the Tresemme Split Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner. I received samples of these a while back and decided to purchase the bigger bottles. I was wrong for purchasing these!! >.< 

What it says:

Shampoo - Tresemme Split Remedy Shampoo gently cleanses and strengthens to keep hair healthy and manageable and reduces split ends up to 80% after just three uses. This unique formula, with our innovative Reconstructing Complex, actually binds split ends and keeps working to fix damage and bind splits as they occur. Hair is left looking salon fresh  -softer, smoother and easier to style. 

Conditioner - Tresemme Split Remedy Split End Conditioner provides moisturization for dry, damaged hair and reduces split ends up to 80% after just three uses. This unique formula, with out innovating Reconstructing Complex, actually binds split ends and keeps working to fix damage and bind splits as they occur. You'll notice your hair looks smoother and less frizzy so you are able to create healthy-looking, smooth and polished styles- just like after a fresh cut.

THE GOOD:

1. It smells good.

2. Reduced split ends.

The BAD:

1. Smell doesn't last long. After a few hours, my head started to smell like the "sun". If you know what I mean.

2. I started noticing I've been losing a lot more hair than before. May it be while showering or brushing my hair. I've never lost this much of hair before! 

3. Hair is more brittle than ever. 

MY RATING:

1.5 stars - just because of the smell and how it actually reduced my split ends.

Will I ever purchase this product again?

NEVER

Will I recommend this to product?

NEVER

I am really disappointed of what it did to my hair. I guess I have to either go back to Pantene or Herbal Essences. I'm not even going to bother to finish the rest of the product. I'm scared of more damage it will do to my hair.

How about you guys?

What's your favorite shampoo/conditioner?