Prettywittybitchyme: The Balm

Monday, January 10, 2011

The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer and Sexy Mama Anti-shine Translucent Powder

Price: Mary-Lou Manizer: 895 pesos ($22)
Sexy Mama Anti-shine Translucent powder:775 pesos ($19)

Hello pretties, how are y'all? i missed posting for a week coz' i was swamped with so much work. I cannot wait to de-stress and bloghop again:-)

For this post, i played with several images and came up with my own concept (just for fun)...

***Mary-lou Manizer***

This is one of those products that i've been wanting to try but never got around to actually buying. Why? because i'm already "cursed" with oily skin, and any product with the word shimmer would instantly make me quiver *rhymes;-)* The last thing i need is another layer of unnecessary shine.

But all of that changed when i used Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, it was like a wake-up call that "Hey! even oily-skinned girls like me can glow without looking greasy". So when Mary-Lou Manizer re-entered my sphere of thought, it became easier for me to purchase this item without feeling doubtful or least bit apprehensive.

Love the cute tin can

Smooth texture

Shimmery swatch

This versatile product can be used as a shimmer, highlighter (on the cheekbones, chin, nose,brow bone or decolletage), and eyeshadow.

The pale gold shimmers doesn't overpower at all!

It looks so subtle, so natural...like wisps of light tenderly kissing the skin

It's pearly beige/champagne shade will match most skin tones beautifully, leaving you a sheen that seems to radiate from within.

It gives

you that dreamy candlelit glow that you usually only get during romantic dinner dates.

It is buildable so you can control the amount of sheen that you desire. Best to apply lightly since it's highly pigmented. Too much can make your skin look unnaturally shiny/chalky. The coverage is sheer yet it doesn't accentuate fine lines because the light-reflecting particles diffuses blemishes and minor imperfections. I also didn't get any allergic reactions or breakouts while using this. A huge hooray if you have uber sensitive skin. Plus, it's paraben and talc-free!

One pan could probably last me for ages. As i only need minimal amount with each use. This is fast becoming my favorite item, i can't help but smile everytime i look in the mirror and see how dewy soft it looks on my skin. No wonder Mary-Lou has so many guys lining up the wall!

***Sexy Mama***

Before trying this product i was actually crossing my fingers that this will work for me since i've been on the lookout for a cheaper alternative to my T.LeClerc powder. One that I can use on a daily basis without putting a huge dent on my wallet and at the same time without sacrificing quality. One that can still make me look "oh-la-la-ish" even when I'm doing the most unglamorous thing. One that would make me stop feeling guilty everytime i use my Lancome or Chanel when all i'll do is just go to the deli to buy bread.

Handy-sized compact

Soft buttery texture

Blends oh so easily on my skin

Guess what? Sexy Mama covered all that and even more! The moment I applied this powder on my face I knew that I am holding a keeper. True to it's anti-shine claim, it is an awesome oil-buster! It left my skin fresh and matte looking even with just one swipe. It's like pacman gobbling those pellets, only this time it's made of oil. Sorry for the weird comparison I just dunno why I keep picturing that image whenever I sweep all those grease away! Haha! It left my face shine-free for several hours which is a major *weee* considering how fast my face gets oily!

And there's more great news, I can use this powder alone (without foundation or anything) and still be able to go out and face the world with confidence. It's supposed to be translucent but I really cannot explain how it manages to make my skin look even and nice. It is great coz' i can practically skip using other stuffs on my face and still look as if I'm all made up..in a most natural way! Whoa! how cool is that?

. Who know's this might actually bring out the inner Sexy mama in you? Cheers to that! ;-)

"Two-gether"

Under natural daylight

Under halogen light...

I only used Sexy Mama and the Loumanizer here

Okay enough of the gushing, i'm very pleased with these two products. I love the catchy names, affordable price tag, cutesy casing and coquettish 40's sexpots that adorn each and every packaging. But most of all i love the kind of quality these stuffs are made of. I highly recommend these things. I'm so excited to try more products from The Balm. And it's not hard to understand why...these goodies could easily give more expensive brands a run for their money.