Glow by Lady E

Right after writing about my inexpensive KKV makeup brushes, I saw these. KKV Mini Cake Powder Puffs. They’re cute. They’re cheap. They’re ₱99 for a box. I can’t remember if there are 4 or 6 or 8 in one box. I just know there’s a lot because I already  own another version of them in purple. Unfortunately, I don’t particularly like them. Which feels like an appropriate continuation of my argument that the price of a beauty tool doesn’t necessarily tell me whether I’m going to like using it. My inexpensive KKV brushes? Some of them are genuinely good. I reach for them despite owning much more expensive brushes because they simply work with my hand. The powder puffs I bought? Not so much. There wasn’t anything particularly impressive about the way they performed, and I found myself reaching for other puffs instead. They were too dense and not very flexible. And they sucked up foundation a lot! The cute but awkward shapes also didn't help.  Expensive doesn’t automatica...

Former Makeup Artist Confession Back in the day, my kit was full of Bobbi Brown, MAC, and Sigma brushes. As a MUA, those brands made me feel legit. And they were good—no doubt. But they also came with a price tag. (Php10,000 for a set of Bobbi Brown brushes, anyone?) Then motherhood happened. Suddenly, the budget went to diapers, formula, educational toys, and learning materials. My beauty kit gathered dust, literally! I still find some kits every now and then that are dusty! Hahaha!  One day, while looking around Miniso, I spotted a rose gold foundation brush in the makeup tools aisle. It was cute. It was very pretty. It was Php199 ($3.50), I think, or Php279 ($4.95). It was definitely less than Php300 ($5.30). I hesitated. “What if it’s scratchy? What if it falls apart?” But something in me said—try. Worst case? I give it away. It's been years, but this is still my favorite foundation brush!  So I did. And it worked! It's dense enough for foundation absorption and appli...

  This little flower came home with me from Baguio — and I have to say, this Miniso brush mat is officially a game-changer in my makeup routine. 🌸 Why I love it: Compact and travel-friendly, it fits into any pouch or case, making it perfect for trips. But don’t let the size fool you — it deep-cleans like a pro. It works better than my big brush cleaning mat. The right 3 petals are designed for big brushes, while the left 2 work wonders on smaller ones. And that maze looking center? That’s my go-to for rinsing. It lifts foundation buildup from deep within the bristles without much effort. It stays put on the sink thanks to the suction cups underneath — no slipping or sliding while I’m cleaning my brushes! ✨ Toolbox rating: 10/10 Miniso continues to impress with affordable, functional beauty tools. I already love their sponges and brushes — this mat just sealed the deal. I will definitely buy another one when I see this at Miniso.  I wash my brushes with this brand of dish soap...