Have you guys downloaded Spotify? This isn't sponsored or anything - it's just that it's so awesome! With this app you can search for any music, discover new ones, and save them to play lists so you can access 'em anytime. It's free with ads, but the premium version is just P129 + taxes. Super super cool. 

Anyway, thought I'd start off the week with some quick swatches of the awesome L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadows. I've reviewed these before so I won't go into much detail other than shade descriptions! I don't think these are available in the PH yet, so for now you can order them at Bon Marche, an online seller. You can find drugstore names there much cheaper compared to the local retail prices. ;)

Swatches! I love Bronzed Taupe and Golden Sage. I've had these for a while as the taupe in particular is one of my most-worn single colors last year! Continuous Cocoa is also a great shade, for sexy smoky brown eyes. 

Lip stains used to be known as the most drying lip colors available in the market. Sure theyre long-wearing and convenient, but since they were mostly liquid, they don't offer a lot of hydration to the lips. But times are different now. Lip colors (and cosmetics in general) won't succeed in the market if they don't give us exactly what we want - and a litte bit more.

Cue in the L'Oreal Paris Shine Caresse Lip Stain (P595). It promises to provide long-wearing color with the shine of a gloss and the feel of a lip balm. They came out in 2012 and become hugely popular because of the 30% water and 60% oil formulation, as it's so much more hydrating while feeling weightless at the same time. 

I have here three new shades from a new line called Pearly Shine: Flora, Luna, and Ruby. I don't have the original Shine Caresse products with me, but based on swatches online, the Pearly Shine looks like it's more sheer and sparkly than the first formula.

Here's a quick rundown on these intriguing stains!

I wish I planned my purchases while I was in Hong Kong. If I spared a thought on what I needed versus what looked interesting at that time, I would have grabbed all the available shades of the L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow! No dice about it - this is an awesome creamy eyeshadow that is worth. Every. Single Cent.

Thankfully, Bon Marche Page sells this locally for only P280. It's about the same price in HK! 

So what makes these eyeshadows awesome? Wow, let me count the ways! They are intensely pigmented, they're smooth and creamy, a  dream to blend, and they stay on ALL day with barely any creasing - WITHOUT the use of primer. Yes I need to capitalize those words. These L'Oreal Infalliable pots are everthing bold eyeshadow should be. 

And they're cheap.

These look and feel like cream eyeshadows but they are technically packed powder pigments with a bit of binder thrown in. You can use your fingers for a quick swipe of color but if you want a more refined finish, these shadows work perfectly well with both animal or synthetic brushes.

High-end lipsticks are nice to have, but if you're on a budget there are also wonderful alternatives out there. You won't be getting the same fine texture, lasting power, and packaging of course but for the price you're still nabbing a pretty good deal. ;) Take for example the L'Oreal Color Riche Intense Lipstick (P625). This drugstore product can give those luxe tubes a run for their money!

It's weird that these lippies aren't receiving a lot of noise here - they're quite good! Pigmented, creamy, and beautifull packaged, these come in a variety of show-stopping colors. The texture is smooth and light on the lips. It doesn't feel waxy at all.

Worth mentioning is the fact that these lippies also have no scent or taste. They definitely don't feel drugstore!

Most shampoos, hair conditioners, and toothpastes have sulfates (or listed as sodium laureth sulfate), which is a cleansing agent that gives such products a rich lather. It has gotten a bad rap in the past few years due to rumors of it causing cancer and other skin maladies, but according to my research, the worst it can do is irritate sensitive skin or give you diarrhea if you ingest it. There's not much difference between using products with and without sulfates - except for the slightly higher price tag since the alternative ingredients cost more. Oh and less suds!

"Sulfate-free" does not necessarily beget a better hair product, however, if you have sensitive skin like I do then it may be a safer choice. :) My current hair buddies are the L'Oreal EverStrong Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner (P449 each), and true enough they haven't given me any breakouts or dandruff. I finally decided to use them after I had my hair colored!

The EverStrong line is 100% sulfate-free, 100% vegan, has no harsh salts, and contains natural botanicals (whatever that means). Okay even if I sound cranky I swear I love them. :P They smell like rosemary, quite herby and aromatic! The shampoo has a rosemary and juniper fragrance, while the conditioner has mint. It even feels cool on the scalp.