Review & Swatches: Props Tools and Cosmetics - MakeUp Lab Blushes and Bronzer

Props Tools and Cosmetics is a local cosmetics brand here in the Philippines that does not only sell makeup products, but also offer personal and advanced makeup workshops. For months, I have been interested with their Make Up Lab line, which is a make-your-own palette. They have blushes, bronzers, eyeshadows and even concealers in this line. 

The Make Up Lab line is made in USA and is really affordable. Their prices range from ₱165-₱450. The prices were fascinating, but what really made me want to try their products is the ingredients, all of the makeup in this line are TALC & PARABEN FREE. Both of these ingredients are now making talks for being dangerous for our health. Although a strong research that will prove the true connection of these ingredients to different health problems is still nonexistent (or is there already?), it is better to be sure than sorry, right? I don't want to be a hypocrite though, I know I cannot totally avoid these ingredients in my daily life, but there is nothing wrong with trying and to least lessen it... :)

I ordered mine from their website (propstoolsanscosmetics) and received my package a few days later. They offer a discount if you will be able to fill in your chosen palette. I decided to go for the 3 big pan palette, I filled it with 2 blushes and 1 bronzer. Unfortunately, after ordering and paying through bank transfer, I received a viber message that the palette is already out of stock. It was quite a long arrangement but I ended up getting the 6 big pan palette. I did not want to pay an extra money nor get a different product, so props to their management for being patient. :)

SWATCHES & DESCRIPTION:

Apricot Mist (₱165)

swatched(left); blended(right)         

 It is a peach toned blush with a sheen finish.

Sunkissed (₱165)

swatch(left); blended(right)

It is a medium pink blush with gold shimmers

Sunkissed Bronze (₱165)

It is a warm bronzer with a sheen finish.

It is not for contouring because it is too warm.

(I actually ordered Light bronze, but the sticker of the product I received is Sunkissed bronze)

TEXTURE:
These blushes are a little powdery but are still easy to blend which I like. I also like that these blushes are buildable rather than pigmented. I don't know if it's just me, but super pigmented blushes intimidate me. I'd rather build my blush over and over than have a big splash of color on my cheeks(which can happen if you're not careful with pigmented blushes). 
Out of the three that I've bought, I find Sunkissed to have the smoothest application, which I think is because of its shimmery finish...

STAYING POWER:
In a normal environment, it stays on my cheeks about 4-5 hours. I've noticed that it tends to stay longer when I'm in an air conditioned place and not sweating (which is normal because I have combination skin). 


COLOR:

             Sunkissed                          Apricot Mist                  Sunkissed Bronze

(I hope you can see the difference of the blushes on my cheeks, sorry for the low quality photos. hehe)

When you look at the pan, both Apricot Mist and Sunkissed Bronze look matte, but when swatched they actually have a sheen finish. Sunkissed bronze has more shine in it compared to Apricot mist. Both of them looks pretty on the cheeks and gives my face a natural warmth.

I actually use Sunkissed Bronze as a blush(which I put on the apples of my cheeks) rather than a bronzer. I find it to be too red for my skin tone and looks off whenever I put it on the hollows of my cheeks. I really like it as a blush though because it gives my face a natural flush of color without looking too much.

Sunkissed is definitely my favorite out of the three. It gives a nice flush of pink on my cheeks. It has a lot of gold shimmers but it doesn't make my pores look bigger(which is a problem with some shimmery blushes). I also like that the glitters in it are not chunky and gives a beautiful glow on the skin.

PACKAGING:

Individually, you will get it in a plastic container with a sticker on the back which has its name and ingredients. They offer a lot of palettes in their website, I got mine in the 6 big pan palette. It is a standard black palette with magnetized holes for their products. The pans fit the holes perfectly and it is not hard to remove it from the palette. The palette doesn't have a mirror and I find it hard to open. Nonetheless, I like it because it is slim and doesn't take up to much space in my kit.


OVERALL:

I really think that this is a great product especially considering the price. It is definitely something you might want t try if you are looking for affordable blushes without compromising the quality. It's also a great option for sensitive skin because it is Talc and Paraben free.

I found it hard to choose the colors I like from their website because the darker colors look similar on their pictures. If you don't want to face the same struggle I had (hehe), you can visit their physical store in Tiendesitas.

Will I buy it again?
Yes. I definitely want to try more colors. I'm also looking forward to try their eye shadows ;)


Have you heard about Props Tools and Cosmetics before?
Have you tried these blushes and bronzers?



GOOD LUCK! :)