Skincare Review: Earth Therapeutics Heels So Soft Set

This set comes with 1 lotion, 1 pumice sponge and a pair of gel lined socks.

Intensive Heel Repair Moisturizing Balm - This lotion is used to prevent or treat dry/rough skin; very moisturizing and has a very minty scent

Pumice Sponge - very lightweight and can used in the shower or during a foot soak -  helps exfoliate rough skin; I don't really think one should use the pumice very often because this will just make your skin rougher than normal

1 Pair Soft-Heels Gel Sleeves - toe-less sock like sleeve that moisturizes and  protects your skin from calluses; best if used in conjunction with the Moisturizing Balm

Thanks for stopping by!

Makeup Review: Paul and Joe Creamy Matte Foundation

PACKAGING: Paul and Joe's Packaging is evocative of a 1950's boudoir glam.
It is very feminine with pastel colors.  Comes in a bottle with a small spatula.

CONSISTENCY: This  foundation is on the thick side because it is very creamy.  But this has a cream to powder finish which is very matte after application

COVERAGE: It has a medium to full coverage but very light on the skin, you can hardly notice or feel it on your face

SHADE AVAILABILITY: From what I saw there were 6 shades to choose from

OVERALL: I know it is on the expensive side (Php2,375.00) but it really gave me a matte finish which is something that I always try to achieve.  I think I found my HG foundation!!

* This also has a very slight perfume-y scent which reminds of  expensive cosmetics from long ago. 
Available at Rustan's Department Store.

Makeup Let Downs of 2010

1. Chanel Mat Lumiere Foundation - This broke me out all over my face!!!  But will give it another try ;-)

2. Dermalogica Oil free Matte Block - Too expensive for a sunblock

3. Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder - this powder made my skin look ashy

4. Philosophy Supernatural Mineral makeup - it is too shimmery for it to look anything but natural

5. Stila Lip Glaze - The formula is too sticky/too thick for my taste

6. Laura Mercier Eye Basics -an eye shadow base that creased on my lids

7. MAC Prep+Prime Eye - an eye shadow base that made my shadows crease

What are some of the makeup products you regret buying?

Top 5 Makeup Brushes

Among the different types of brushes available, these are my favorite...

1. MAC/Sigma 217.  This brush is very versatile, it can be used to apply the eyeshadow crease color or to blend or to apply an all over lid color.

2. MAC/Sigma 224.  Great for applying concealer under the eye area or on blemishes on the face.

3. Sonia Kashuk Flat Top Buffer/Hakuhodo G527.  Great for applying liquid foundation and pressed powder.

4. Bloom Blush Brush. It is very lightweight and has a flat rounded shape which fit my face perfectly for applying blush

5. MAC 168.  I use it for applying loose powder or for contouring.  Because of its tapered shape it reaches the inner eye corners without any problems. Makes applying contour shades below your cheek bones easier because it has a pointy tip

See you next time!

MakeUp Review: Laura Mercier Illuminating Quad

My brother gave this to me for Christmas. It's not like he picked it but more like he paid for it. I chose Mocha Spice. The timing couldn't have been more perfect since my Palladio mosaic powder was threatening to pull the plug on me. This quad has 4 light neutral shades that when combined gives a subtle glow that can be a blush/bronzer. It's around $34 I think but definitely worth it. Check Rustan's if they have it already and make sure you get one. I love it!

Dr. Evil's Favorites/Not so favorites

Favorites:

1. Bare Minerals Lipstick in Plum Brulee and Gingersnap

2. Bloom Lipgloss in Pout-goes well with nudes

3. My ever reliable Boscia Tinted Moisturizer

4. Benefit High beam

5. Lip butter in Quince mixed with Sugar Lip treatment in Rose

Not so favorites:

1. Japonesque contour blush brush- after a while it sheds like crazy

2. Smashbox 0-glow for the cheeks

3. Makeup Forever concealer in Full Coverage- not doing a good job covering my scars

Skincare Review: Lush Body Butter

I recently tried Lush's body butter specifically the one that has charcoal in it. Of course I was intrigued right away but sadly, i was disappointed. For one, the soap itself is a disappointment because it disintegrates so fast you hardly get to see the results. It's also pricey for a small bar. The color isn't much much of a grabber either but as I said I was curious to try it. To be frank, it's not a good buy at all. But aside from the body butter, I was happy with the sugar scrub I got. Check it out. It's by Lush too. That's it for now. Til then...Merry Christmas to you all!!!

Favorites for the year 2010

FACE:
Primer: I have been using the Murad oil Control Mattifier SPF 15 (been using it with the Laura Mercier Oil free Primer)
Foundation: I have been loving Dior Nude Foundation
Loose Powder: Laura Mercier Loose Powder because it has a beige tint that doesn't make my skin look ashy

EYES:
Primer: Although I love Urban Decay Primer Potion, I have been using Smashbox Eye Lid Primer because I want to finish it already
Eye Shadow: For the eye shadow I have been reaching for my 88 Colors Warm palette and NARS Nepal

CHEEKS:
Blush: Clinique Blush In Charming Rose (113) and MAC Melba

LIPS:
Lip Balm: EOS Honeydew Honeysuckle
Lipstick: NARS Dolce Vita and Giorgio Armani Shine Lipstick #5
Lip Gloss: Laura Mercier Bare Beige and NYX Natural

Special Mention: Dermalogica Spot Treatment Lotion.
Thanks for stopping by!

Skincare Review: Dermalogica Oil Free Matte Block SPF 20

Keeping one's face protected from the sun is always a priority and having a few bottles on hand is always a  plus.  So I decided to get 1 from my current skincare line which is Dermalogica.

PROS:
Since it's from Dermalogica I know that it will not break me out because I am currently using different products from that brand.
It says that it's oil free and has a matte finish.
Can replace your morning moisturizer because it already moisturizes while it protects.
Although it has no artificial fragrance there is a very fresh scent to it, probably because of the Green Tea extract.
Consistency is on the water-y side which makes it light when being applied.  It also makes it easier to blend
Readily available at Rustan's Department Store.

CONS:
It only has a soft matte finish after application.
Not high enough SPF, I would prefer an SPF 30 or higher.
This sunblock is a bit on the expensive side, I think is it is on the Php1,600+ to Php2,000.00 range.

Overall, I don't think this product is worth buying.  There are other sunblock half the price with a higher SPF like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock with an SPF 50+.

Thanks for reading and come back soon!

December 2010 Favorties

I am loving the following:

1. AHAVA Intensive Nourishing Hand Cream - I learned about this product through my brother and he really swears by it.  After trying it.......What can I say, it is amazing! I have been suffering from dry patches on my fingers, to the point that I would always wrap it in band-aid just to keep it from drying out some more.  Now I can go without having to use them.  I would apply a generous amount from time to time just to keep it moisturized.  It has a thick consistency, looks greasy but it's not and a floral scent which I am not crazy about.  But I will endure the smell because it is very effective.  I have been band-aid free for a few days now!

2. MAC Tenderling Blush - a new favorite when I want a natural looking blush

3. Bare Escentuals Lipstick in Nude - a pinkish nude that is similar to my natural lip color but better type of shade

4. Dior Nude Foundation -  this foundation helps control the oil on my face

5. LUSH Snow Globe Soap - the scent is very refreshing; so clean

Wishlist for the New Year

Foundation: YSL Matte Touch Foundation - I am currently obsessed with perfecting my makeup base that's why I am constantly keeping an eye out for a good matte foundation

Concealer: Bobbi Brown corrector and concealer-  People have been raving about these products and I would like to see what the hype is all about

Eyes: MAC pigment shadows - Just plain curiosity

Lips: Chanel Liquid Lipstick in Dragon - yep, an amazing red shade.  Too bad its out of stock in Rustan's (go figure)

What are you wishing for this coming year?

Makeup Review: Laura Mercier Color Wardrobe Palette

This is 1 of the gifts I got from my husband....of course he didn't actually go to the store and buy it himself :)

PACKAGING: a hefty booklet type of palette in white leather; has a large mirror too (nice!)

COLORS: this palette comes with 6 eye shadows, all in nude shades (love it!), 3 blush powders and 8 lipstains (shades vary from light to berry- loving it as well); the sizes are actually a decent size and not one of those that are so small that after a number of uses you are hitting pan on it.

CONSISTENCY:  the eye shadows have a hint of shimmer in them, some brighter (with glitter) than others (but lasts a long time on my lids); 1 of the 3 powder blushes is shimmery while the other 2 are matte; the lip stains are very pigmented and  moisturizing; most are not shimmery.

This palette also comes with mini makeup brushes so it is very convenient to bring when you have to go out of town and you can't bare the thought of not bringing any makeup with you.

What can I say aside from the posh packaging, the products are very good too; very wearable for a daytime look or night time.

Available at Rustan's Department Store for Php3,500.00 + ( can't remember the actual amount sorry)

Are you a fan of Laura Mercier makeup products?

Skincare Review: Lush Christmas Goodies

I couldn't resist the scent coming from the Lush store so I happily indulged.  This time I decided to get 2 of their Christmas edition soaps.

 Snow Globe - it is a light blue soap with little white round soaps inside;very foamy; it smells very lemon-y that I am always tempted to bite it :)
very refreshing; love it!! As much as I am loving this soap right now, what I don't like about it is that the white globes get separated from the blue part of the soap so the whole soap turns into small pieces after awhile.
Minimal inconvenience if you ask me.

I will have to go back and buy some more before it runs out!!

Lemslip - has a lemon-y scent to it but not as yummy as the Snow Globe.  Haven't really used this one so a review will soon after I use up all my Snow Globe

Thanks for stopping by!

Skincare Review: Dermalogica Concealing Spot Treatment

I had a tiny sample of this from the Acne Kit and I liked it so I decided to get the actual size.
Before using I found out that you have to give it a good shake for it solidifies somehow (I don't know why) but once all shaken it is very liquid-y.  After dabbing a small amount onto zits you have to blend it immediately because it dries up quickly.  It helped my breakouts to calm down after 2 days.  In one instance I had a zit was just about to breakout so I thought of applying this treatment 3 times a day.  Voila, it stopped it from getting bigger!!!! I am convinced that it is because of this spot treatment!

It is available in Rustan's for about Php1,000.00+

Makeup Review: MAC Melba Blush

This is my very first MAC blush and I made sure I researched before heading out to the MAC counter.  I was in the market for either a light dusty peach or a dusty/nude pink.  I had a  few in mind but unfortunately what you see on their website is not always available here in the Philippines.

It is very pigmented and blends easily.  Would look great when you just want a bit of color on your cheeks to go with your  nude smokey eye makeup.

After a whole day of errands at the end of the day I could still see a hint of the blush! :) nice!

What are your favorite MAC blushes?

Makeup Review: Chanel Mat Lumiere Foundation

I have heard that this foundation is good for people with oily skin. So I jumped right in.

PROS:
1. After application it is definitely matte!

2. With a mattifying primer before application It was able to withstand the heat for a few hours before I had to blot

3. Has an SPF 15 and is long lasting

CONS:
1. It is a bit on the expensive side

2. It broke me out!!!!! Php2,600+ down the drain!!! :(((( 

I wish makeup counters here in the Philippines give out foundation samples for you to try out for a couple times so you can make an informed decision if your skin will react to it positively or negatively.

Thanks for stopping by and see you next time!

GM's New Arrivals

Here are our new arrivals that I'm sure would excite you.

1. Bare Minerals Lipsticks-rose crepe, gingersnap, plum brulee, cream puff, cherries on top & french pastry
2. Rimmel lipsticks-paradise, jet set red, coffee shimmer and just so
3. EOS lip balm-sweet mint, summer fruit, lemon drop and honey suckle honeydew. available individually or a pack of 4.
4.OCC lip tar-pageant, demure and memento
5. nyx blushes-silky rose, natural, mauve, and sand
6.nyx bronze smokey look kit-9 eyeshadows and 2 lipcolors
7.nyx 10 color eyeshadow palette

We still have our usual staples like benefit, tarte and korres. Send us an email for any inquiries you might have.

Makeup Review: Bare Minerals Lipstick in Plum Brulee

It's been a while since my last review and what better way to come back , with a new shade of lipstick. Another dramatic one but less work. My last review was the Chanel #147 which was very Morticia Adams so I had to downplay it a bit with a bit of pink gloss which came out very well. This time, the Plum Brulee did just that with one application. The lipstick itself is a bit thick so make sure you moisturize your lips first. I matched this with the Prestige Lipliner in Plum (how convenient right?). Don't you just love it when you already own the same shade of lipliner?

If you wish to see other shades of the Bare Minerals Lipstick please check our web store. Hope to hear from you soon.

Haircare review: Avalon Organics Conditioner with Olive and Grape seed

I mentioned last month that I just had a perm and so a conditioner is a must especially at the ends (which needs a lot of moisturizing). I recently made a new discovery and its my current favorite. The olive and grape seed makes my ends soft and gives that refreshing/earthy scent. I highly recommend it. The best thing about it is it's available in Healthy Options and it's around P400, i think. They have other brands too but so far this is "the one".

Happy Hair-lidays!!!

Makeup Tool: MAC 227 Alternative

I have been wanting a large eye shadow brush that can be used to apply a highlight color or to sweep 1 eye shadow shade all over the lid.  I originally wanted the MAC 227 because it is large enough for that purpose but the price is kind of high (Php2,400. or thereabouts).

I was scouring Beauty Bar and I saw Japonesque had a number of brushes.  Dr. Evil already got 1 and said that it was soft and very nice.

What I discovered was the Japonesque Large Pro eye shadow fluff brush.....an alternative to the MAC 227; at a lower price!! The Japonesque is Php 1,350.00.  Just like the MAC, this brush is large enough to cover most of my eyelid and it is very soft as well.

Hope this helps and thanks for stopping by!

Makeup Review: NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss

 Packaging: Black top, transparent body and comes with a doe foot applicator.  The applicator itself is a bit on the bigger side compared to the others that I have 

Consistency:  Slightly sticky but it won't look like as if you're drooling; still easy to apply

Color: NYX has a large selection to choose from

Scent: Has a mild floral-ly scent

If you're one who enjoys a gloss with every application of lipstick, this gloss is for YOU!

Available at Gorgeousme Store! Come check it out!!