per aspera ad astra

SWATCH + REVIEW FEATURING SelfCoding's Code Crush Matte Liquid Lipstick ⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬ • Packaging  : 7/5 • Smell  : 5/5 • Application  : 5/5 • Comfort  : 6/5 • Texture  : 5/5 • Longevity  : 4/5 /VERDICT/ Starting off with its packaging; just like the first SelfCoding that I’ve previously reviewed on my blog, the packaging is consistent with its minimalist design of the box which is mostly see-through with white accents for the font and the container itself with a white cap and clear bottle. The box has all the ingredients and other important information about the product and of course, a clear print of the shade name as well. Moving on to its scent, it doesn’t smell like any other lip product that I’ve tried before which is why I can’t seem to figure out how to explain or describe the scent. But don’t get me wrong, it’s not bothersome for me nor triggers my allergic rhinitis. It’s just someth...

SWATCH + REVIEW FEATURING SelfCoding's Code : Red Soft Lipsticks ⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬ • Packaging  : 6/5 • Smell  : 5/5 • Application  : 6/5 • Comfort  : 5/5 • Texture  : 6/5 • Longevity  : 5/5 /VERDICT/ When I first saw these, my initial observation was the packaging look very classy with its individual clear plastic boxes and the container of the lipsticks itself look very minimalist. The box has both Korean and English translations with regards the product’s important information. The container of the lipsticks has a frosted cap with the brand name directly printed on it with a white font and a solid white base which gives a simple vibe and clean look to it. The inside of the container where the lipstick is placed and twisted is transparent and you can really see that the amount of lipstick inside is a lot and I meticulously observed all 6 shades and they have the same amounts...

SWATCH + REVIEW FEATURING Milk Touch's Touch My Lip ⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬ • Packaging  : 5/5 • Smell  : 5/5 • Application  : 5/5 • Comfort  : 5/5 • Texture  : 5/5 • Longevity  : 5/5 /VERDICT/ First off, let’s talk about the packaging. It came with a box which is very common with K-Beauty products. The color is very girly and it has very minimal prints on it which is just some letters in black but what made it unique is that, it looks like a milk carton which I find really cute. However, it doesn’t have any English translation of the ones written in Korean, aside from the brand name, product name and shade. The container is very simple as well, matches with the color of the box and again, only has minimal English words on it. Moving on to its scent, it’s very mild and sweet. I’m actually a fan of it because it smells so familiar but I can’t seem to figure out where I’ve enco...

SWATCH + REVIEW FEATURING Black Rouge’s Airfit Velvet Tint PACKAGING : 4.8/5 I am not gonna lie, this is by far the prettiest packaging for me! You guys do not know but Red is my main colour and i have a thing with frosted / matte bottle containers too. I love the holographic accent on the box and that classy, shiny container cap! Although, 97% of the printed letters on the box is in Korean letters which i personally cannot understand. It is a plus point for me and my rating for the packaging would have been higher than it is but as long as i know the shade and if it is really the one that i chose, i am good. I still have so much love for the packaging. SMELL : 10/5 The scent of this actually takes me a trip down memory lane because it smells like one of the those chewing gum that i always ask my parents (or my grandparents, if my parents do not want to buy me one 😅) to buy for me because it smells and tastes really good! It has this grape flavo...

SWATCH + REVIEW FEATURING Peripera’s Airy Ink Velvet PACKAGING : 5/5 I have a thing for lip tints / lipsticks that has a box but this one, i personally think that they (Peripera) really paid attention to everything including the box. I love that the box is matte and with glossy accent such as the illustration of the bottle printed on the box, the ink splatter with the words “Airy Ink Velvet” and the word “Ink” on the top part. I also noticed that the brand, product name, shade, ingredients and other details or information that you need to know about the product has and are in english letters. As you all know, Peripera is a Korean brand and as a believer of Korean Beauty Products, i’ve seen and tried a lot and not all of them has english translation of what is written. The bottle on the otherhand, i find it sleek with it being frosted and very convenient to bring anywhere since its size is pocket and travel friendly. I know some people who got confus...

SWATCH + REVIEW FEATURING Z Cosmetics PH’s Lip and Cheek Tints ⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬  • Packaging : 5/5  • Smell : 5/5  • Application : 5/5  • Comfort : 5/5  • Texture : 4/5  • Longevity : 5/5 /VERDICT/ These lip and cheek tints are really nice! Although the packaging isn’t waterproof, it has all the ingredients indicated and also the shades. Again, these are Cruelty-free and Certified Organic by Australian Chemist. Specified as well on the labels are the tint's base, whether it is water-based or gel-based. So here it says “Water Stain” and “Gel Stain” because they have both formulas to match your liking or preferred base. Smell is sweet and almost fruity just like how most lip and cheek tints being sold by local brands smells like. But it doesn’t have any bitter taste to it which is good as it’s being applied near the mouth and sometimes, you accidentally taste the tints but this one is sweet and is made with...

SWATCH + REVIEW FEATURING Z Cosmetics PH's Tinted Lip Balms ⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬  • Packaging : 5/5  • Smell : 5/5  • Application : 5/5  • Comfort : 4.5/5  • Texture : 5/5  • Longevity : 5/5 /VERDICT/ Let’s start off with its packaging, it’s not overwhelming and kudos that it has all the important details about the product is printed on it such as the brand, product, shade and ingredients. They also indicated that it is “Certified Organic by Australian Chemist Society” and is cruelty-free. It actually smells like bubblegum. Specifically the one that i always ask my mom to buy me when i was a kid. It’s sweet but not to the point that you’ll be bothered by it or something, just the right amount of sweetness that anyone can’t resist. The process of applying this is one of the easiest. You will only need one swipe as it’s very pigmented. But for me, dotting it on my lips was already enough. And in terms of c...