#aboutface

I received these gorgeous cheek and lip duo from Ellana last Christmas from my friend and beauty blogger Liz Lanuzo of ProjectVanity.com (Thanks Liz!). Ellana is becoming one of my favorite minerals makeup brands because they do not clog the pores and they are highly pigmented too just like regular makeup! And they're of high quality too! Not to mention, the lovely top notch paper packaging which I only see with imported brands like The Balm and Benefit.

I love organic or mineral makeup brands who spend on packaging. Packaging that are functional and are sturdy. Just because it's made from all-natural ingredients, doesn't mean your packaging should be inferior. I don't know if I am making sense, but I'm sure you beauty addicts know what I mean about packaging.

Ellana Lip and Cheek Duo Palette, PhP 460/each

I know you're curious! Find out more about this amazing duo after the break!


To be honest, I never used to opt for mineral makeup specially when I am shooting editorial because in flash photography, these products that contain mineral reflect and give a whitish, ghostly cast on the model's face, so I stay away from it. But that was about 6 years ago when mineral makeup brands haven't perfected their products yet for flash photography use. And now, I must say that I am very happy with the results in either natural light or flash photography.

Now going back to Ellana, I like the way they name their products. Here we have Prima Donna and Goddess which is a combination of a poppy red and tea rose pink, and Celebrity and Diva which is a candy orchid and copper bronzer.
I like the color combination of the palettes because they go very well together. I don't know which one you are supposed to use on the cheeks and which on on the lips so I used both on the cheeks instead. I combined the two to make a perfectly harmonious, natural looking blush!

Comparing this with the Lip and Cheek Gel, I would go with this one. Aside from this allowing you to apply it with a brush, it's easily rinsed off your fingers as well.
To be completely honest, I was very surprised to see that these products were this pigmented. I was really expecting to swipe them several times on my hand to get them to show but this is just a single swipe! They are very creamy and very easy to spread too! So you can definitely use your fingers to apply.

If you are going to use a stippling brush, just dip the tip on the pan and it will pick up just the right amount of product on your brush. It will make it look very natural and it won't leave you looking streaky with no hard edges!
I used my MAC 187 Stippling Brush to apply the bronzer on my cheeks from the Celebrity and Diva palette, and then I used the same brush to brush over it the candy orchid shade on my cheek bones and on the apples of my cheeks. I blended them very well together to make it look real natural.

I dabbed on a little tea rose pink on my lips to make it look stained and it really gives a very natural, and fresh look!
I also used this as a primer for my blush to make my blush last longer. Usually after about 4 hours, my blush is absorbed by my skin making me look really washed out. I found that layering this under a powder blush make blush last so much longer! I just use the shade that would match my powder blush the closest.
This has got to be one of my favorite products from Ellana Minerals. I am hoping I get to try more of their products from them. It would have been better if I have the smaller stippling brush from MAC because that would make an even more precise application on the cheekbones and the apples of the cheeks.

On one occasion, I also used my Canmake Cheek Brush which has shorter bristles. It was faster and easier to control than the stippling brush and gives a more intense color effect on the cheeks half the time! You just have to start with as little product as possible because you might end up with hard edges once it sets!



HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS:
Length of usage before review: 1 week


PROS

• No breakouts!
• Doesn't dry so fast so you have time to blend!
• Very lightweight feel.
• Fragrance free.
• Hypoallergenic.
• Non-comedogenic.
• Looks very natural.
• Can be used on either lips or cheeks.
• No sticky feeling.
• Affordable.
• Gel makes is ideal for women with oily skin, and lasts the whole day!
• Works well with dry skin as well.
• Does not cake on the cheeks.
• Can be applied on top of powder foundation without caking!
• Can be used as a base for blush on the cheeks for a natural looking flush that lasts all day.
• This shade will blend well with any skin tone and color.
• Blend-able and easy to use.
• Can be applied with a brush.
• Lasts the whole day though sweat and oiliness! Lasted until I removed it at night.

NEUTRAL

• Comes in only 3 shades.
• Available at The Ramp only and Ellana's website.

CONS

• N/A

MY OVERALL RATING: ★★★★★



Retail Price: PhP 460/each
Purchased For: Gift from Liz Lanuzo (Thank you!)
Will I re-purchase? Yes.
Will I recommend it? Yes.