Latest Beauty Buys of M

1. Jurlique Lavender Hydrating Mist- gives a dewy look. I use it after i put on my makeup and all through out the day when I feel like my skin looks parched. This I bought in singapore recently. They recently closed their store in Greenbelt 5. aaawww....

2. Becca Jewel Dust in Laila- A gift from my friend, Jasy, these are sparkles for the eyes. It contains blue/white particles that are great during the day. If you want to use it as an eyeliner, just wet the brush and dip in the dust to achieve a more intense sparkle then line it onto your lash line. Available at Adora.

3. Shu Uemura pressed eyeshadow in White 906- this i bought in korea. I'm into this eye "brightener" thing and what better way for me to do that it is to wear eyeshadow with a little bit of sparkle. I also bought one from Missha. Very cheap, love it.

4. Bobbi Brown Long Lasting Foundation in Natural- This is for those who have acidic skin. Doesn't make you dark after a few hours which often happens to those who are acidic. Very smooth application. Light and you don't need a lot to achieve coverage. One pump is all it takes. Available at Rustan's and Essences in Rockwell. Price is p2,900.00

MakeUp review: Guerlain Lingerie De Peau Invisible Skin Foundation

This is my new baby which I bought in Korea. It's a liquid foundation and the shade is 03 (natural). I've been using it for a little over 2 weeks now and I simply love it. It's so light on the skin like a moisturizer and very smooth to apply. I still use a brush just to make sure that all bases are covered. The shade is spot on and one pump goes a long way so don't be too "pump happy" with it. The price is around $51 but am sure if it were somewhere else it could be cheaper. My advice...refrain from buying imported cosmetics in Korea.

The Wristlet Fascination

We (L and M) decided to raid my mom's closet to look at her collection of wristlets. My mom has developed a fascination for the accessory over the years for it's lightness and convenience. Not to mention it's size and leather prints. It holds the basic essentials like your phone, mullah, lipstick/lip balm and whatever small thing that might come in handy. We took some pictures of course to make it more interesting and here you see she has different prints/colors.

She has one with the Eiffel Tower on it.

A white one with patches of butterflies from Coach.

Makeup Review: Eye Shadow Pigments

There are 3 forms of eye shadows, cream, powder and pigments.  Just like the pressed form, these come in a wide range of colors.  What I have are from Makeup Forever which is called the Star Powder and from Laura Mercier which is called Mineral Eye Powder.

• Laura Mercier Mineral Eye Powder.  I have Burnt Copper and Crushed Amethyst.  I was apprehensive at first but they are surprisingly easy to apply especially if you have a primer underneath but even if you don't it is still to apply.  Make sure that you tap the excess before applying it on to your lids to prevent fall out.  They did not crease on me even after a whole day of wearing it.

Alternative to Ordinary T-shirts 3

This is another round neck shirt/blouse but it's long and it has a subtle detail that I really like.  Look closely and you will see that it has clear circle sequins.  This actually sets it apart from the ordinary round neck.
Aside from the usual jeans, you can also wear this with leggings.

Latest Beauty Buys of L

I have been intrigued with the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush because I read that it really stays on your skin and it helps your powder blush to stay on all day.  So I got Blushing Bride which is a deep purple and Exposed which is a neutral beige blush that is perfect with a dark smokey eye and nude lips.

Lately I have been going to the salon to have my nails done and since the selection of OPI polishes is very limited, I tend to order mine in the U.S.  So now, I have decided to try something new, Butter London Nail Polish.  They have a lot of shades to choose from.

I am almost out of my eye cream with an SPF so I decided to get the La Roche Posay Hydraphase UV Eye Hydrating Protective Eye Cream.  With that long name I hope it delivers.  It did win the Beauty Award 2010 so I have high hopes.

Ever since hitting pan on my bronzer (which I use on a daily  basis) I have been searching for a replacement.   And today, it arrived!! Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Bronzer.

Reviews to follow!

My "Wedge" to you...

My love affair with wedges started 2 years ago. Not only does it give me extra height, some are also comfortable enough to be worn the whole day. These are some of my favorites.....

My brown patent sling-backs from Stuart Weitzman, very sturdy and has that classic look.

Next is a nude patent wedge slip-ons by Zigla. I call it a "leveled" wedge because it does not slope down. I also got another one in Black.

Foundation Review: CD Extreme Fit

My new Fave!!!

Last week I went to ATC to meet up with some friends, fortunately they were late so I decided to stop by Rustan's...specifically, at the Dior counter.  Saw this foundation and decided to try it on...and what do u know, I loved it.

It is rather thick compared to the Diorskin Nude but this one has a matte finish.  It is definitely long wearing, so it is perfect for Manila weather.  Since it is on the creamy side I find that it is better to use a small amount first because it sets rather quickly on the skin.  If you still need more, you can always add another pump.  That's what I do, I normally need 2 pumps to cover my whole face plus part of my upper neck.  I use the Real Techniques Buffer Brush because it is not as dense as the Sigma F82 therefore it won't pick up as much product.

Available in Rustan's for Php2,400.00

Makeup review: Laneige makeup mist

In my opinion, mists are overrated in terms of providing moisture. In fact it gives off the opposite effect. The one I have now is Bergamot. Not too crazy about the scent but what can i do, it was just given to me. I started using it a few weeks ago, almost everyday to see the effect. I would spray it after putting on my makeup. At first my face felt fresh but after a couple of hours my makeup looked dry. I didn't like it one bit. Is it suppose to be that way? I think not....boohooo. Maybe Shu Eumura has a better face mist. I'll try it next time....

Mascara Review: Prestige My Biggest Lashes

I don't really buy a lot of mascaras because they dry out quickly so when I see that I am about to run out, I start looking for something new to try.  The most recent is from Prestige.

Prestige has 2 kinds, My Biggest Lashes (pink container) and My Blackest Lashes (silver container).  I wanted to try both but I figured since my lashes are already black I don't really need a mascara that will make it blacker.


I was so surprised at the effect of My Biggest Lashes.  It was truly volumizing and lengthening!  It has a sort of dry consistency and comes with a big brush.  The only thing I don't like about it is that it is not waterproof.  So what I do is I first apply the Prestige and apply a second coat of the Maybelline Hypercurl Volum' Express.  I only apply it on my upper lashes because my lower lashes are too short.

Available at Beauty Bar for around Php450.00+

Alternative to T-shirts 2

The 3rd is similar to the 1st blouse but it has a bat-wing like sleeves and the hem is diagonal.  This shirt is cinched at the hips so it still gives you shape.

Lipgloss Review: NYX in Perfect

I won this lipgloss at a shower I attended a couple of weeks ago. What a treat right? but I was really happy to have won it because it just happens to be my GO-TO gloss as of the moment. When you open it, there's that candy smell that I just love. It's on the pinkish side but hardly noticeable because it also has that "shiny" particles that make your lips pop. The name of the gloss says it all. It can be worn day or night. Price is just PERFECT. :)))

New Stuff! 9/20/2011

Yey!

I recently went to Rustan's in Alabang because I was meeting some friends.  Since they were running late I decided to look around.  I ended up at the Dior counter and ....

So here are some of the things I got.

1. Diorskin Extreme Fit Foundation in 30
2. Dior Nude Pressed Powder in 30
3. Serum de Rouge in 710
4. Phyto Hair Straightening Balm ( yup, I know this is not Dior but the Phyto shelf was next to the cashier) :)

Reviews on these items to follow!

An Alternative to the Ordinary T-shirts

Most of my clothes consists of shirts....mainly round neck t-shirts.  So whenever I would go out I feel like I don't have anything else to wear aside from shirts which is a bad thing since I am almost 40 yrs. old!!

So here are some alternatives that I found.

The 1st is like a shirt but more feminine.  It still has that round neck and short sleeves but has a satin-y neckline and a ribbon.

Monday Skincare: Origins Youthtopia Face Serum

I have read in numerous articles how a face serum can enhance the effectivity of your moisturizer.  So I started searching for a nice and affordable one.

The one that I am currently using is the Origins Youthtopia , an age correcting serum with Rhodiola.  According to Origins, this is best for firming, lifting and tightening lines and wrinkles.

I wanted to know more about Rhodiola and how it helps our skin so I googled it.  What I found was that it helps fight depression, stress and helps prevent the damaging effects of oxygen deprivation.

The color maybe a little off-putting ( has a brown shade which reminds me like melted caramel) but it feels nice on the skin.  I noticed that my skin absorbs it quickly, around 5-10 seconds so I am able to apply my moisturizer right away.  The best part, it didn't break me out.

Most Reached for Makeup Brushes

Although I have an addiction for makeup brushes I don't really use all of them.  Here are some of the ones that I favor the most.

1. Foundation - For liquid foundation I usually use Real Techniques Buffer Brush.  It is synthetic but soft and very easy to clean; For powder foundation I normally use a Kabuki brush
2. Eye shadow - For loose powder shadows aka pigment shadows I use the MAC 242; for the regular powder shadow and it is a light color, I prefer using the MAC 239 but if it is a dark shadow I grab my Sigma 239 because it has a dark brown bristle.  For blending I haven't found any that is as good as the Sigma 224
3. Blush - I use my Bloom Blush Brush.  It is not as expensive and soft as the MAC 116 but I feel that it does its job pretty well
4. Bronzer - Lately I have been grabbing my Real Techniques contour brush but  my favorite to use is my Sigma 150
5. Contour - I alternate between my MAC 109 and the Real Techniques Contour Brush
6. Eye Brows - I use Fanny Serrano Small Angled Brush because the handle is long and it is synthetic
7. 
   

Wish List September 2011 Edition

1.  I have recently hit pan on my favorite bronzer, Laura Mercier Illuminating Mosaic Powder and it is a limited edition item so I am already looking for a replacement.  And I think I found one or two :)) It is the Guerlain Terra Inca Mosaic Powder or the Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzer (shade 01).

Monday Skincare: Benefit b.right! Skincare Line

I bought some makeup from Benefit recently and as part of their promo I received the b.right! Radiant skincare intro kit for free!

This kit comes with a facial wash, an eye cream and a moisturizer.  Here are my thoughts on the products.

1. Foamingly Clean Facial Wash - the first thing that I noticed was how smooth it felt on my skin when I applied it.  The 2nd thing was the scent.  It smells soo good (reminds me of the Ralph Lauren light blue cologne); flowery but not over powering like a cologne.  You don't need much to cover up your whole face and it lathers quickly.  Once I washed it off, my skin felt so clean, and not just your ordinary clean but really clean.  It was able to remove my waterproof makeup as well, which is a big deal
2. It's Potent Eye Cream - this particular eye cream has a rather thick consistency but it doesn't sit on top of your skin.  My skin was able to absorb it after a 20 seconds
3. Triple Performing Facial Emulsion - this moisturizer has the same scent as the facial wash which I absolutely love.  Has a very thick consistency and you will only need a pea-sized amount to cover your entire face and neck.  This moisturizer has an SPF 15 PA++ so you may use it in the day time. For those of you who are living in a place with a hot climate, you might want to use this moisturizer at night.  I tried using it in the morning and it felt like I had cake icing on my face.  Also, this broke me out so I'll probably just use it on my neck

Makeup Review: Max Factor Smoky Eye Shadow

This is a cream eye shadow in a pencil form.  It is dual ended, 1 is a lighter shade compared to the other shadow.

I was really excited because ever since I started using Urban Decay Primer Potion, cream eye shadows have been holding up.  And cream shadows make powder eye shadows become more vibrant.

Unfortunately this product did not agree with me.  Even though I applied a primer potion this still creased on me.  Plus, you can't really blend it once applied because you run the risk of removing the shadow on your lids.  I tried applying it with a brush which didn't exactly transfer, a finger which rubbed off the product and the shadow stick which gave me a thick color but definitely unblended.  I also applied a powder shadow over it to help it be more vibrant. At first it looked nice because I could actually see the color of the shadow but it creased immediately on me.  Since I live in Manila (where it's hot all the time) that added to the  creasing.

I really wanted to like it but...

Makeup Review: Foundation/Face Powders

I use Face Powders when my skin is cooperating or when it is too hot to wear a liquid foundation or when I am pressed for time and lastly, when I am being too lazy to even bother.

I have a few and here are my thoughts.

1. MAC Studio Fix Powder - a powder foundation that gives a matte finish; I apply this with a large buffer brush or a kabuki brush for an faux airbrush look


2. Laura Mercier Foundation Powder - this particular pressed powder has a sheer coverage compared to the MAC Studio Fix but also gives a matte finish; staying power is not as long as the previous powder mentioned

Monday Skincare: Origins Starting Over Moisturizer

In this day and age we can never have enough moisturizer.  I bought 1 recently and I am already half way done with the bottle.  But, not to worry, I have a new moisturizer waiting to be used.

It is the Origins Starting Over Moisturizer.  It is an age-erasing oil-free moisturizer with Mimosa.  My favorite part is the Mimosa.  It really smells soo good that you might be tempted to taste it...but don't :)

I specifically wanted this moisturizer because it has Argan Leaf and Green Algae that helps build natural collagen, repair visible lines and improve skin texture and tone.  I do hope that it's all that and then some.

Unlike most moisturizers I have seen, this has a beige tone so don't think that it has gone bad.  It has a smooth and light consistency that it doesn't feel heavy on my skin.  I don't have to wait too long before it is absorbed fully onto my skin and it doesn't give me a sticky feeling after.  This particular moisturizer also comes in a regular formula, one that is not oil-free for those who have dry to normal skin.

Unfortunately this is not available here in Manila, and the closest place you can buy this is in Hong Kong.

You can buy it from Amazon, Origins and where Origins products are sold.

My latest Beauty Buys....

I recently went on a mini vacation with my sister to the ever dependable Hongkong, I bought 2 BB creams. Yes more BBs for me hahaha. One is the Revlon BB moisture cream and the other is the Missha BB perfect cover. I also ordered a new foundation from Peter Thomas Roth from Amazon and it's called the Un-Wrinkle Foundation.

Makeup Review: Chanel Loose Powder

I know I wrote a rant about Chanel Mat Lumiere but I have searching for a loose powder that has a color as opposed to a translucent one.  I have tried Laura Mercier and Benefit Matterial Girl and both make me look whiter than I actually am.  I tested the Dior Nude Loose Powder but the shade 30 is still kind of pale for my taste.  So I moved on to the Chanel counter.  I was sort of crossing my fingers and hoping that they won't have any available :) You know how expensive they are :) .  Unfortunately, it was available so I purchased the shade 40.  It is darker than my actual skin tone which is exactly what I was looking for.  

 Now that I am on the plump side I wanted to have a slimmer looking face to help the contour powder and bronzer :)  The powder was easily absorbed by my skin and it gave me a flawless finish. Remember that a little goes a long way so be light handed when using this product.  It did transfer onto my blouse so I had to set it with a Makeup Setting Spray.  

Curious about Nude Nail Polish

I have always been a red nail polish girl but lately I have been very curious about nude nail polishes.  To appease my curiousity I bought a few.

Of course being the OPI girl that I am, this is my favorite, Barefoot in Barcelona.  The next on my list is the Wet and Wild, but I am not sure about the shade name (sorry), The third is my Face Shop Nail Polish, I am not sure if they name their shades.  The least favorite is the Orly  with the shade name Coffee Break.  This is not really a nude color, more like a tan but when applied with a single coat, it can pass for a nude polish. 

Makeup Brush Review: Real Techniques

I recently bought a new set of brushes that have been very popular in the U.S. and U.K. lately.  It is the Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Makeup Brushes.

This particular set is for the face and it has 4 brushes.  Contour, Buffer, Foundation and a Detailer.  It is made of synthetic bristles and it is cruelty free.  They have a thick base and is not too long nor is it too short.  I use the Contour Brush for applying a bronzer, a blush or a contour powder.  What surprised me was how soft these brushes are.  And, they dry quickly whenever I spot clean them.  They are very affordable and worth every cent

.                             

Taupe Nail Polish

My fascination with the Taupe has extended to nail polishes.  Recently I bought a nail polish from Sally Hansen and the color is Commander in Chic 370 .  It is a taupe color but when seen from a different angle it seems like it has a hint of lavender / purple.  This particular color is from Sally Hansen's Complete line wherein you don't need a top and base coat.  But I still used a top coat just to be sure :)

This is the very popular Chanel Taupe polish Particuliere.  I borrowed it from M just to be able to compare the different shades.  Don't mind the shoddy application, I only applied it myself .  The photo below shows 2 application of the nail polish.  This type of taupe is leaning more on the brown side unlike the other 2 that are leaning towards the gray.

The last taupe polish I got is from Etude House and the number is     .  I had to use 3 applications to produce the even look that I am used too.  Comes in a small bottle and the price is Php98.00. The bottle design reminds me of the Anna Sui Makeup line.

Here are the bottles all together and even from the picture you will see that the Sally Hansen is very similar to the Etude House nail polish.  Of course the quality is different and the price but shade-wise I would say it's a cheaper alternative.  

New Discovery: Pimple Patch

Whenever I feel that I am going to get a pimple I get all sorts of crazy, in the sense that I put all the medicines I can to help me prevent it from sprouting.  I have used Benzoyl Peroxide Medicines which help clean pores by way of skin peeling.  Then I discovered the Dermalogica Spot Treatment solution which was a favorite because of its performance.

But now, I have recently found this patch that you stick on to your pimple/s.  Simply amazing!  I noticed that after 2 days of using it, the bump decreased in size.

This is from Etude House, a Korean cosmetic brand. They have different lines dealing with anti aging, dryness, acne and they also have a makeup line.  The AC Clinic is the brand dealing with acne.  This 1 pack comes with 3 different sizes of circle patches.  They are transparent and easy to apply.  One pack is Php78.00

MakeupReview: Bobbi Brown BB cream

Are you sick of BB creams yet? Apparently I'm not. My sister, Dawn, got me the Light shade but I wanted the Fair one. Anyway, the only thing I liked about it is the consistency. It's smooth and light. Other than that, it makes my skin look dry. No dewiness there. So far Dr Jart and Etude House are the ones to beat in the BB cream arena. Price is not too attractive also at $40 a tube (and the tube ain't exactly big). Between the version of MAC and Bobbi Brown, I will go with MAC version.

Funny story.... my sister asked the sales person (in Hk) why it's called BB cream just for the heck of asking and the girl goes, "you know its like when you put it on your skin it will feel like a bb's skin" (riiiiiiight). :))))

Crazy for Taupes: Different Taupe Eye Shadows from different brands

What color is Taupe exactly?  Taupe is described as a moderate to dark brownish grey color or a grayish brown color.  These two descriptions are completely different but still are similar.  The first has a more brown tone to it while the other description has a more gray to it.

Taupe is a very easy to use and versatile, it could be a simple neutral look and it could be a sexy vampy look too.

Here are the different shades of taupes that I have....never knew I had so much of  it :)

This Elizabeth Arden Slate shadow looks almost gray but when applied you can see the brown tint to it.  It is very pigmented and blends easily.

The Satin Taupe is one of MAC's popular eye shadow shade.  It is part of it's permanent collection. It is also very similar to Elizabeth Arden's Slate, just a bit lighter when swatched.

Favorites for the month of June

This month I have been reaching for these products the most.

I have been loving Benefit's One Hot Minute to give me a bronze-y glow on my cheeks.  Whenever I use this I can forgo using a blush

Lately I have been obsessed with magenta/purple blush.  Recently I found this when I went to Rockwell to have lunch with my cousins.  It is MAC's Coygirl Blush

Whenever I would fill in my eye brows I would gravitate towards using the gray more than the dark brown.  Most probably because my hair is a very dark brown, almost black and a brown looks fake (in my opinion).  So I decided to buy MAC's Copperplate eye shadow