Krave Minerale Oil Eliminator and Skin Hydrator

Ever since I posted my Mini-makeup area here, I’ve been receiving questions about Krave Minerals Oil Eliminator and Skin Hydrator.  

 From Krave Minerals:

OIL ELIMINATOR and SKIN HYDRATOR with Pearl powder (mineral primer & finishing powder)

100% VEGAN & GLUTEN FREE

HYPOALLERGENIC

NON- COMEDOGENIC (won’t clog pores)

NON-ACNEGENIC (won’t cause acne break outs)

NANO PARTICLE FREE

We highly recommend Krave Minerale’s OIL ELIMINATOR and SKIN HYDRATOR not just for oily gals but for all make up users out there.

OIL ELIMINATOR and SKIN HYDRATOR is translucent so it won’t interfere with other mineral makeup colors you are wearing. Plus, it is specifically formulated to virtually erase the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles & large pores when applied.

SKIN BENEFICIAL KEY INGREDIENTS:

Our formula includes 2 of the healthiest ingredients:

1. PEARL POWDER that aids in healing, skin brightening, anti-wrinkling, and sun protection. It also exfoliates the skin and promotes new cell regeneration.

2. SODIUM HYALURONATE the world’s powerful skin hydrator which brings balance to your complexion & keeps your make up application fresh all day long.

APPLICATION:

Apply it before (as a make up primer) and after (as a finishing powder/veil) to control oil breakthrough all through out the day and for a long-wearing make up effect.

Ingredients: Silica,Pearl Powder, Aqua (Water), Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid)

PRICE:

15 gram jar P285

For online shopping, packaging is really important! Packaging becomes the customer’s first impression since the buyers cannot test the products yet; they simply judge the products on what they see. When I saw this product from the site, I honestly neglected it. Until one day I woke up and everyone was raving about it! Being a beauty blogger, I want to know what’s the rave all about?

And so I ordered to Katrina, the sexy and pretty owner of Krave Minerals, one Oil Eliminator and Skin Hydrator. Then she texted me that she can send one Oil Eliminator and Skin Hydrator for me for free! Isn’t she the nicest?

Packaging:

It comes in a simple yellow container with an applicator. The thing I hate about the packaging is that it is such a pain in the arse to open. If you already had this powder, I’m quite sure you will agree with me. But again... everyone started from nothing , right? I still remember some mineral makeup I used before; they all started in this cheap-kind of packaging.  

This powder reminds me a lot of my Ellana High Definition Powder Primer which I had long long time ago. 

Ellana HD Definition powder primer and Krave Oil Eliminator and Skin Hydrator powders are finely milled.

I even remember the days when I hold my breath while applying Ellana HD powder primer because it sure does make me cough/sneeze whenever I inhaled some products in the air. However, I never had that experience with Krave Oil Eliminator … simple reason why I prefer Krave more than Ellana. (I was thinking of repurchasing Ellana for the sake of comparing them but I’m not yet sure).

I like that Krave does not contains nano particles which are somehow bad for health when inhaled. To those who don’t know what nano particles are, these are extremely small micronized particles ( about 1 x 10^-9 or 1 billionth of a meter). Some companies used nano particles in makeup according to this article  to produces a lustrous, smooth and glow-like finish to the skin and enhances the feel and appearance of the product itself however, pose a serious health risk when inhaled or absorbed into the body. When inhaled, nanoparticles can become imbedded into the walls of the lungs, making it impossible for the body to remove these foreign particles. Loose mineral make-up that includes nanoparticle form ingredients, therefore, can be a health risk, especially to those who suffer from bronchial conditions.

Krave Minerale Oil Eliminator and Skin hydrator comes in a white-translucent powder. It feels soft, smooth and flawless on skin.

What’s great about it is you can use it as primer and as finishing veil. In my case, I use it as finishing veil.

If you’re currently using a powder foundation, this can be a great primer and perfect for touch-ups.

If you’re into using liquid foundation, you may use this powder to set your foundation.

According to some bloggers, this product is amazing in oil control and making your makeup lasts longer. However, in my case, this product does not really make my makeup lasts the whole day during this time of the year.  The weather in the Philippines is just so freaking hot and everything I put in my face melt so easily. Do you remember my favorite “superb” Nyx HD primer which amazingly makes my makeup seriously stay the WHOOOOLLLLEEE Day (I did a review on December)? Guess what! It has no match for summer! Unless, you stay in air-conditioned room, this powder will melt easily on you. 

For me during summer, this product will best work as an Oil Eliminator (just like what the product name says!).  This is a perfect powder for touch-ups. I found out that during the middle of the day, when my foundation is already fading away and my skin is like an oil ready for frying eggs, this powder works wonderfully. It is very light on skin (unlike foundation) and instantly removes shine on my face. Although, it is white in color, this powder does not leave white-cast on my face unlike ordinary powders.

It is much easier to blend compared to ordinary powders.

 Another cool thing about this product is that it makes my face look matte (removes shine) but not totally flat. It has a slight sheen to it making your face look brighter.

Overall, I highly recommend it to all makeup users. It does a great job in preparing your skin for makeup application by making your skin soft and smooth and also a great powder to sets your makeup.

This product would be much more amazing if it will be in a nicer packaging with a mirror for touch-ups. If Krave could recreate this product in a compact powder (just like Mally’s beauty Evercolor Poreless Face Defender), this would definitely be an HG material for everybody.

PROS

-   -Brightens up your skin

-  -As a primer, it makes your skin smooth and soft making your skin a perfect canvass for makeup

-  -Great setting powder as it’s colorless / translucent so it won’t interfere on the shade of foundation you’re wearing

-   -Very light on skin

-   -Not cakey

-   -Instantly removes any shine of your face

-   -100% VEGAN & GLUTEN FREE

-   -HYPOALLERGENIC

-   -NON- COMEDOGENIC (won’t clog pores)

-   -NON-ACNEGENIC (won’t cause acne break outs)

-   -NANO PARTICLE FREE (

-   -2-in-1 product: primer and finishing veil

-   - great for touch-ups 

CONS

-  -Loose powder isn’t as convenient as compact powders

-  -No mirror

-  -Packaging is hard to open Krave already changed the packaging! 

-           

NYX HD STUDIO PHOTOGENIC PRIMER and THE BODY SHOP SKIN MATTE IT PRIMER

Whew. Another year to start. Good vibes for 2012. Hope I could do more reviews, more sponsorships, more contests for you, gain more readers, more improvements in writing and more years for my blog! Hooray!

And to start the year right, I will do a review on two of my primers for 2011 

I couldn’t pick one (best) since both works for me in different ways and I would recommend them to people depending on skin conditions and preferences.

Let’s start with the highly rave NYX HD Studio Photogenic Primer.

I don’t know if it is available in other shades but the one I got is in HDP 01.

PACKAGING:

 

It comes in a sleek black and white (reminds me alot of Makeup forever) packaging with a pump dispenser. One pump will dispense enough amount of product for your face (and probably, neck). The pump is quite good for controlling the amount of product you want to dispense off the packaging--- if you’re someone like me who do not really use this primer all over your face. I usually use 1/2 pump for covering some parts of my face (tzone).

I  like that the  packaging has almost everything you need to know about the product... the name, the ingredients, some info, the claims, the site where you can purchase it.. except for the expiration date (and it’s the most important things of all!--- or maybe, one of the most ;)).

CONSISTENCY:

 The consistency is more liquidy than typical lotions (and less thicker too).  For some reasons, the consistency reminds me alot of Liquid paper (or correction fluid).

This primer contains silicone (Dimethicone), the one responsible for smooth silky feeling (to blend the makeup smoothly and evenly) and helps fills in lines or large pores on the face. Silicones also makes the primer lightweight. However,  in spite of the fact that it contains silicone, i find this primer difficult to blend on my face especially if my face is not totally dry.

Another thing that add burdens in blending out the product was the white color of primer. If not blended really well (or you put too much amount of product) on skin, this has the tendency to leave white cast on your face. On the other hand, if the product is well-blended on skin, this instantly brightens up the face.
NOTE: dispense the product onto the back of your hands. apply pea size amount on your face, part by part. then, blend out. It's better to start from little on your forehead going on your nose and other parts of your tzone, then if you like on your cheeks.... If you put too much products, the only choice you'll have is to erase everything, so I suggest don't do the "dot" rule on this product (dot rule- dotting all the foundation on your face before blending out). sayang naman yung time, effort and products, db? ;p

CLAIMS:

High definition, photogenic primer. Perfect for liquid makeup, foundation or face powder. Silky, lightweight application helps erase the appearance of fine lines and pores for a flawless finish. You makeup will stay fresh until the party’s over!

If I would have to recommend this primer, I would definitely recommend it to people with normal to oily skin since unlike most face primers, it does not have that smooth-silky feeling to it. If you have really dry and flaky skin, you will end up having trouble blending out the product on your skin.

In my case, I have combination skin (oily in tzone, dry and flaky on cheeks). I tried putting this on my flaky skin (cheeks) and i couldn’t make it works for me. I was expecting that it would smoothens out that area so I could apply my liquid foundation better, but it failed me. However, I would highly highly recommend it to people with oily skin!

During my OJT last December, I hardly retouched my face (mostly, no retouching at all). Imagine, 8-13 hours of no retouching??! Pretty amazing, huh. (Note: I haven’t tried it on summer yet)

Overall, I’m pretty amazed. It did make my makeup lasts longer and keeps my oil at bay! I haven’t used any products as good as this in oil control. Plus, it’s only PHP 650! (more or less).

PROS

-Lightweight

-cheap alternative for high-end primers

-It’s HD! (bongga db? High definition talaga)

- Mineral-enriched, talc-free and paraben free

- Cruelty-free, hypoallergenic and lead free

-dries fast (make sure to blend well)

-it does give your skin smoother and flawless look (can brightens up your face)

-not greasy

-superb in oil control

-makes any makeup last longer!

CONS

-hard to blend

-can leave white cast if applied too much

-it has scent (it has a mild powdery smell + something weird) – not really bad, though.

Next in the list is the THE BODY SHOP SKIN PRIMER MATTE IT

PACKAGING:

Unlike Nyx, TBS skin primer matte it comes in a much simpler tube packaging. There’s nothing much on the packaging, no ingredients, instructions or anything like that. While I was searching for the product details (for this post) I was surprised to know that this product main ingredients are Aloe vera extract and camomile extract. And guess what, it can be use as primer for lipstick too! LOL! I haven’t tried it yet, though. I will try, maybe tomorrow? (I wish it was included in the packaging)

CONSISTENCY:

It comes in a clear gel, like the infamous Smashbox primer. Both nyx and tbs contain silicone but unlike nyx, this is much easier to blend on skin.

CLAIMS:

This primer for normal and oily skins creates a smooth base for foundation. It has been designed to deter shine and make make-up last longer.

Smoothes

Banishes shine

Helps make-up stay in place

According to the description, this primer is for people with normal to oily skin. But I honestly think that this works better for people with dry to normal skin (plus sensitive skin). People with oily skin may find this product not-so-well in oil control. I even came across someone who mentioned that she reapply this every 2-3 hours. I was like, “Who the hell reapply primer every 2-3 hours?!” LOL. Maybe, she was referring to foundation, not primer. Anyway. Sorry, I’m being rude again.

Moving on, I apply this on my cheeks where my skin tends to be flaky (due to my acne soap). I don’t know if it’s only me but after applying it on my face, I squeeze another amount of product into the brush and mix it with my liquid foundation. In that way, the primer would help my liquid foundation (or even powder foundation) not to accentuates my dry and flaky skin. You may shoot me now, but it’s how i do it! I am not a professional, so I don’t follow rules. 

Anyway, the oil control works for me (somehow). If normally, I would retouch at least 2-3x a day, using this primer I would just retouch 2-3x at most. It’s pretty ok too. Not superb but it works for me.

In spite of all the bad reviews in the internet, I still recommend it for people with dry to normal skin. It’s my saviour for my dry skin. Definitely, a great base to smoothens surface for better makeup application. (BUT overpriced! It was really pricey for the amount I was able to get. Imagine paying Php 800+ for 25ml??)

Btw, it reminds me of Ellana Primer, but TBS is less greasy. I’m not sure yet since it's quite a long time now since I had that. I will try to repurchase Ellana primer and see if it will be as good as this primer.

PROS:

-great base (smoothens skin) for makeup

- contains Aloe vera extract and camomile extract

- 2-in-1 primer (face and lips)

- helps control oil 

-works really well for people with dry-normal skin

CONS

-overpriced!

-not superb in oil control

Things I failed to blog (beauty-related)

Remember before I told you that I still have alot of things I need to blog and promised that I will do a  blog post about them really soon. Guess what, I failed! I tried, but I couldn’t find time to blog everything (one at a time). So I decided to do a group review. However, I can’t give you a comprehensive on all the products. Nevertheless, If you want me to do a thorough review on some products in this post, just leave a comment so I would know what are the products you are most interested with. (you can also tweet and messaged me on facebook)

PRIMERS:

Dr.Oil Solution Anti-Shine Dual Primer – Price: 498 – I don’t like it. It doesn’t do anything on my face.

The Body Shop Skin Primer Matte It – Price: ?? – Great primer especially if you have dry skin. But it works for people with oily skin too (or combi). Oil control is great but not superb. Amazing primer if you have flaky/dry skin, makes makeup glides easily with it. Yet, it’s quite pricey for the amount of product that I was able to get. Nevertheless, I still love it. It’s my saviour. I have a combination skin, (oily on tzone and really flaky on cheeks) and I use this on my cheeks to smoothens that surface for better makeup application.

Faceshop Pore Minimizer Cover-up – Price: ?? – Pricey for something that does nothing special. Hard to apply on face due to thick consistency.  Though it works for filling up the fine lines and pores.

Nyx HD Studio Photogenic Primer- Price: Php 650 – AMAZING! SUPERB IN OIL CONTROL!!!!! A must buy for people with oily skin (and combination). Brightens up complexion due to its color (white). The consistency is rather liquidy. However, make sure that your face is totally dry when you apply this or else, you’ll find it hard to blend it on your face.

FOUNDATIONS

Fanny Serrano Two way cake foundation in Organza - Php 399 - I haven't tried it enough yet to do a review. But the staying power is decent and coverage is good. 

Faceshop Phytogenic Infinite Foundation - Good foundation. Quite expensive, though. One pot wouldn't last a month if used for everyday.

LIPSTICKS

Covergirl Lip Perfection in Heavenly - Php 395 - The formulation is good. It doesn't make my lips dry but lasts really long. The shade is definitely not nude as described in other reviews. It is slightly brighter (pinkier) than Nyx Tea Rose. However, it does oxidize on me. 

Maybelline Colorsensational lipstick in Coral Pink - Php 299 - The formulation is average for lipstick, not drying and good pigmentation. The shade is pretty, great for everyday.

Etude House Look at my lips in 10 - Price: I forgot again. It's around Php 300- is a nude lipstick with peach undertone. The pigmentation is quite sheer, it doesn't makes my lips dry but do not lasts long.

LIPBALMS

Venus and Mars Lip Butter Tints in Wine Pearl - Php 180 - very moisturizing, nice shade. Great lip tint. People who hates lipstick (drying) will love this.

Mary Kay Lip Balm in Mango - Php 600 (something) - EXPENSIVE! And not moisturizing. The shade is pretty but I don't like the formulation. It accentuates the cracks and lines on my lips. The smell and color are nice, though.

Nivea Soft Rose Lip Balm - less than Php 100 - another disappointment! i don't like it, not moisturizing.

LIPLINER AND GLOSSES

Etude House Soft Touch Automatic Lip Liner - no need to sharpen. Affordable. The shade I got is very close to my lipcolor, thus, appears nothing on my lips. Staying power is so so.

Wet n Wild Lip Liner - I love the formula. Very Affordable, one pencil will lasts me forever. Glides smoothly on lips.

Avon Lip liner and color - Great formulation, great staying power. 

Careline Lipgloss - the best among all the most affordable lipglosses. I love it. great pigmentation, staying power, all! Who says you can't have the best of both worlds?

BLUSHES

Avon True Color Blush in Rose Lustre –Great blush!! Color is pretty. It’s pigmented. Good staying power. Not chalky. 

In2it Blush in CW 03 Sensation- The color is beautiful! It’s a peachy shade on me. Good pigmentation. Average staying power. Not chalky.

Sansan Mousse Blush in Rosy Blush – I apply this before my Ever Bilena blush and it’s gorgeous! gREat staying power when use alone (set with powder) or use as base for blush.

Elf Blush in Peachykeen- Php 250- the shade is to die for. But it doesn’t appear pretty on my cheeks!!! Seriously, it’s like a shimmers with gold (not gold with shimmer lol) on my cheeks. Very chalky and staying power is average.

Prestige Blush – the shade is beautiful (pinky coral). Staying power is great and not chalky. It is pigmented enough.

Ever Bilena Blush in Honest - Php 150- the packaging looks good. The blush is really pretty (coral). The staying power is great. Overall, I highly recommend it

EverBilena in Pink Petal - I don't like the twist-up packaging. The blush is pretty but not as pigmented as EB Blush in Honest. 

Elf Blush in Glow - Php 120- the color is gorgeous, a coral blush with gold shimmers. However, the packaging is very cheap, the powder is not as pigmented as I want it to be, it is very chalky too. I wouldn't repurchase again.

Eyebrow Pencil and kits

Elf Eyebrow Kit in Light, medium, dark - Php250 each - good buy. Comes in 3 shades, quite affordable. The packaging is cute and handy. Stays until the end of the day. The wax in the kit is good enough, the powder is pretty chalky. 

Modelco Designer Eyebrow Kit - Php 1400 - expensive. Comes with 4 stencils (very fine, fine, natural and full), 2 angled brushes, spoolie and tweezer. The wax is really good. The powder is pretty chalky. The angled brushes are perfect for filling the hairs, spoolie is small but useful and the tweezer is good. Overall, a great eyebrow kit but overpriced (for me!)

Etude House Easy Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown- I love eyebrow pencils from Etude House. It works really well on me. This one is a pointed eyebrow pencil, you need to sharpen it. Dual ended. Comes with a brush. The shade is not really dark brown. It's lighter brown, perfect for people with black hairs but wanted a lighter eyebrow. 

MASCARA

The Faceshop Extreme Volume Mascara - my HG non-waterproof mascara. The only mascara I used for everyday. It doesn't smudge on me but can be removed with soap and water. It doesn't give me a panda eyes when I accidentally rubbed it off my eyes. I like it so much

Revlon Beyond Natural Mascara - good waterproof mascara. It does lengthens my eyelashes. Hard to remove, though. Perfect for special occasions.The applicator is easy to use for upper and lower lashes.

Gel Liner

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Gel Liner - Php400 something - I got mine on sale (Php 314). The gel liner is as creamy as Mac Blacktrack. The brush that comes in the liner is pretty good, but I use angled brush since it's alot easier to use. It doesn't last forever on my eyes but lasts longer when sets with black eyeshadow.

Mac Fluidline in Blacktrack -Here is my first review on Mac Fluidlne. Yes, it smudges like it's crumbling. It doesn't lasts long when use alone (lasts longer when sets with black eyeshadow). However, I had this for a year now and I can still use it! Amazing, right? It's expensive but really worth it! 

Liquid Liners

Tony Moly Easy Touch Brush Liner - Php 458 - One of my biggest disappointments this year. I was looking for a waterproof eyeliner. The SA recommended this to me so I purchased it. And yes, the hell, it's non-waterproof. It's quite pricey for my taste.  I used it once and never ever used it again. What a waste of money. When it dries, the color turns to be gray rather than black. 

Fanny Serrano Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner - Php 198 - the cheapest felt tip liquid liner I had. It does stays long on my eyes, but not forever. Can be easily removed with soap and water. Great liquid liner for the price (really). 

Eyeshadow Palettes

Clinique - The purple is gorgeous, (perfect for everyday, work/school and even occasions). The definer (dark brown) is perfect as crease color. The dual ended brush is decent for touch ups.

Avon  Quad  - Another gorgeous color combi in a palette. The colors are quite pigmented and not chalky. The packaging is identical to the blush.

Avon Quad - great for everyday and work. I love all the colors, honestly. 

Nyx Glitter Cream Palette - I got it for free when I won a giveaway from this store. The first three colors are really beautiful, but the two colors, does not appear really well on me. 

Almay Quad-  favorite quad among the rest. The 1st color is gorgeous as highlighter or if you want to brightens up areas of your eyes (or even face). 

Elf Quad - very pigmented. Great for smokey eye look. I don't like it though since it is very chalky.

Sk

FACIAL WASHES

D & G light Blue and Benetton Paradiso and Inferno

Benetton Paradiso and Inferno is a cheaper alternative for D & G Light Blue (has more citrus scent). However, D&G stays longer on me.

Venus and Mars La Chica

Smells really good and amazing staying power!! Seriously, you should try it.  

Goody Stayput (200php plus)

Quite expensive but it is definitely a slide-proof clips. 

ELLANA MAKE IT LAST PRIMER

Ellana Mineral Makeup--- the brand I used to love. 

My second eldest sister discovered this long time ago (She’s a sucker of mineral makeup and organics products) and recommends this to me. I’ve been using Ellana Mineral Makeup for quite a looong time. So here’s my review.

                 

ELLANA MAKE IT LAST PRIMER

                BTW, I tried using their mineral foundation. I used to love it until one day, I met Elf Studio Line Foundation realized convenience of a compact foundation. LOL! 

Back to the product, the make it last primer! This is my first primer… (Together with ellana sheer velvet in white chocolate) that’s why I can’t compare it with other primers out there. 

I love how this primer makes my makeup application lots easier! This makes a perfect base for liquid foundation, BB Creams, loose powders and mineral makeup! It makes my face really smooth as it evens out the application of any foundation. 

 If you like flawless effect, you can use this as base then top it with bb cream then your favorite foundation to sets it! It works for me! 

The only thing I hate about this is, it doesn’t make your makeup last longer. I would prefer the name. Ellana Make it smooth!  LOL! Oh well, at least I’m not a huge fan of forever there makeup. I can live with makeup that lasts atleast 3-4 hours on me (except for brows, mascara and eyeliner). So, I would really still purchase this someday. Or maybe, I would give other brands a try, what do you think? Maybe, Bare Naturals Primer?

Rate: 4/5

Price: 30 ml @ Php 400 and 20ml @ Php 280

*Edited: I discovered that this helps me prevent breakout too because foundation primer helps prevent your skin from absorbing talc and pigments from foundation. Talc clogs pores and leads to breakout.! I tried this underneath my IN2IT foundation and amazingly, it works! Now, I'm using my in2it foundation again together with this and i really love it!