Tools of the trade: Which works better?

(L-R ELF studio stippling brush, Etude House baby doll puff, ELF professional foundation brush, ELF studio powder brush)

There are lots of make up tools in the market that are intended for applying foundation. 

As you can see, I have a few. So here goes a comparison review when applying liquid foundation :D

Etude House Baby Doll Puff

*I always use this sponge with my powder primer for Ellana Minerals

*I sometimes use this when applying liquid foundation

*I certainly use this when applying cream based foundation

*I apply the liquid foundation directly on my face, then blend it with this. This tends to absorb the foundation even when it's damp enough.

*The tip is perfect for concealing, I use Ellana's powder concealer for my dark spots, acne, acne marks and  my under eye area

Cons:

*Absorbs the liquid foundation even if it's damp.

If compared to:

Elf Professional foundation brush - 

*less time consuming

*better finish

Elf Studio stippling brush -

*less time consuming

*does not prick my skin when I do the "bounce/stipple" method

*better finish 

Elf Studio powder brush - 

*more time consuming

*powder brush gives a better finish

Rating

4/5

ELF Professional Foundation Brush

*I sometimes use this on liquid foundations

*I sometimes use this on cream based foundations

*It's just basically painting your face. This is the brush I use less.

Cons:

*This is time consuming

*The finish is okay, but when compared to my other tools, this loses.

If compared to:

Elf Studio stippling brush - 

*same finish

*more time consuming

Elf Studio powder brush -

*powder brush gives a better finish

*more time consuming 

Etude House baby doll puff - 

*the puff/sponge gives a better finish

*more time consuming

Rating

2/5

ELF Studio Powder Brush

The brush is has a flat tip, which is great for buffing.

It is dense enough for applying foundations. 

*I always use this when applying liquid foundation

*I sometimes use this when applying cream based foundation

*I always use this when applying only powder foundation to achieve a full coverage

*This gives the best coverage among the tools :)

Cons:

none :)

If compared to:

Elf Professional foundation brush - 

*less time consuming

*better finish

Elf Studio stippling brush -

*less time consuming

*better finish 

Etude House baby doll puff - 

*same time consuming

*better finish

Rating

5/5 :)

HG tool! :)

ELF Studio Stippling Brush

*I sometimes use this brush on liquid / cream based / powder foundation.

Cons

*Not dense enough compared to other stippling brush

*Pricks my skin! 

*Does not give an airbrush finish compared to other stippling brush

*Very time consuming

If compared to:

Elf Professional foundation brush - 

*less time consuming

*better finish

Elf Studio powder brush -

*more time consuming

*powder brush gives a better finish

Etude House baby doll puff - 

*more time consuming

*puff does not prick my skin if i'll stipple it

*same finish

Rating

3/5

Conclusion

The ELF Studio Powder Brush wins!

I love it's coverage

This absorbs less foundation compared to all of the tools mentioned

This is very versatile, I use this also for blushing and contouring 

Soft and dense enough :)

Etude House Baby Doll Puff

Tada! Hi guys! I know it has been a WHILE since my last post, I was too busy with school as well as with my personal life. So anyway, since it's my comeback post, I'm returning with my latest HG makeup tool.

tada! etude's baby doll puff or a.k.a. : beauty blender dupe

The packaging:

(photo grabbed from kikaytrekkie.blogspot.com)

the packaging is ultra cuuute! diba diba? :D

I bought this sponge last quarter of 2011 and it retails for 378 pesos.

This is my latest photo of my sponge, as you can see, it does not stain.

I'm giving you an idea on how 'just right' the size of the sponge is. (sorry for my dirty phone lol)

When DRY

When WET

What's the difference?! LOL.

Unlike the beauty blender, this does not expand a lot at all, it expands a wee bit but it's totally unnoticeable.

How I clean it:

For hygienic purposes, I wash this every after use.

 just rub this on a laundry soap (bar). yes, you read it right, laundry soap.

Dish washing liquid works also but laundry soaps removes all stains. 

I remember when I asked an etude SA on how to clean the sponge, 

she said to use a facial wash because I use this on my face.

But think about this, you use laundry soaps on your garments, on your towels that you also use on your face.

so I really really think that's it's not a big deal to clean your sponges with laundry soaps or dish washing liquid. :)

How I use it:

I USE IT DAMP.

I use the base of the sponge on my whole face, I use the 'stippling method' when applying my foundation on.

I DO NOT put the liquid foundation directly on the sponge (except on cream based foundations), I put pea sized amounts on my face then use my sponge to blend it. I use the pointy tip of the sponge on the size of my nose and on my under eye area. But sometimes I end up just using the base of the sponge. lol.

 Pros:

Compared to my E.L.F. paddle foundation brush and to my E.L.F. studio stippling brush, this does give the best finish, this does not leave any streaks or marks at all. This gives me a 'no make up' make up finish. 

Cons:

If you are to lazy on cleaning tools everyday, then this is not for you.

Price:

378 pesos, if I'm not mistaken. lol

Repurchase?

I might, But I there are new dupes coming out in the market so I might try other brands :)

Recommend?

If you are fond of using cream based foundations, this one's for you. This works amazingly on cream based foundations.

If you are into liquid foundations, gel foundations and bb creams, this will also work for you.

If you are into two way foundations, this will still work on you.

If you are into powder foundations, this will still work, just use it DRY.

so need I say more? :) this one's a hit for it's price. and it's also cute! :)

Lipstick Swatching Time! :)

Tada! Here are my lip products. :) I've got 41 shades :)

I've depotted my lipsticks so it'll not occupy a lot of space :)

Ellana mineral tinted lip color in French Kiss

(L-R) Honey, Passionate, Bliss, Infatuation

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick

(L-R) Angel Rose, Soft Azalea, Blushing Berry, Passion Red

NYX Round Lipstick

(L-R) Pandora, Femme, Doll

Crayon Lipstick

Wet n' Wild Mega Last Lip Color

(L-R) 916D, 909D

Wet n' Wild Silk Finish Lipstick

(L-R) 553B, 502A, 529B, 552A, 516C

Wet n' Wild Silk Finish Lipstick

(L-R) 505A, 511B, 521A, 528A

Beauty Treats
02 - Candy Plum

Cover Girl

Parisian Pink (discontinued) BOO.

Kokuryu

Flame

Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick

(L-R) Mauvey, Skin

Careline Lipgloss

(L-R) 103, 107, 109, 108

ELF Lip Plumper

(L-R) Ruby Kiss, Baby Doll, Mauve Berry

Etude House Auto Lipliner

(L-R) 1, 2

Fashion 21 Lipstick

 (I totally forgot their names, I know that the names of each shades

are a letter i made the purple one -- right one)

Etude House Soft Touch Auto Lip Liner

Finally gave Etude House a try! ;)

Since I don't have any lipliners, this was the first thing that I looked for.

They've got 5 shades (if i'm not mistaken), these are in shades #1 and #2, I just forgot which is which! oops!

I was too excited to try the peachy one :)

Here is the swatch. I think it's #2

and the swatch of #1.

Oh and BTW, they weren't lying about it being soft, the first time I tried this shade, I broke it. but it's still fixable. :)

Price:

P98.00

(Refill - P48.00) GOOD DEAL RIGHT?!

Texture:

Waxy, a bit sticky but tolerable. 

Scent:

No annoying scent at all

Pros:

No sharpening

Easy to apply on the lips

Makes my lipstick stay longer

Cons:

I wish they'll have red shades, the one they have that is closest to red is maroon.

Repurchase?

Definitely!