Makeup Review: Chanel Aqua Vitalumiere makeup

This is one of Chanel's new makeup for the summer and it's a good thing I didn't buy it right away. My sister gave me a sample...Yahoo!! It suppose to be skin perfecting and gives a radiant glow. All the things you want to hear right? Well it definitely gave a radiant glow but the skin perfecting part is still up in the air for me. I think it's a cross between a tinted moisturizer and a foundation.

So today I decided to use the Dr. Jart Water Fuse BB cream to compare and I'm more impressed with (DJ) than I'am with Chanel. I love the coverage it gives and even if there's no radiant glow I'll just put some shimmery powder to get the same effect.

Weekend Pampering: Hair Care Diary featuring Keratin Treatment

I have heard about this Keratin Treatment before and started reading blogs about it.  It is said to restore shine and repair damaged hair.  So when I found out that the salon I go to is offering it, I didn't think twice about trying since  I have been complaining about the texture of my hair after the Digi Perm fiasco.

This treatment includes shampooing of the hair, blow drying, treatment application and lastly flat ironing.  Shampoo took 5 minutes, blow drying was 10 minutes ( give or take because I have long hair), treatment application was 10 minutes ( applying the medicine and combing), and then you wait 30 minutes for the product to seep in.  Flat Ironing took another 15 minutes. Alas, after all that was said and done I can honestly say that I love it!  Only thing I don't like is that you can't wash your hair for 3 days :(

I had it done at Cosmo Salon in BF Homes and it cost me Php6,500.  But it came with a bottle of Keratin shampoo and conditioner.  Nice huh?

This procedure is like hair rebonding minus the bad medicine they use on your hair.  The shampoo smelled of caramel....yum :) and it is soo much better for your hair because it actually restores the oil that helps repair our hair.  I was told that this lasts for 4 months, but with continuous use of the shampoo and conditioner, it might be longer.

Available at Amazon, Ulta, Sephora and at some selected salons

Makeup Review: Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

I'm not so into Matte pencil/lipsticks because they tend to be so dry once applied. But this one isn't. I have the shade called Bettina. It's semi-nude on the brown side. Although it tends to look pinkish after a while. Hmmmmm wonder why? I'm loving it because it's very smooth and it stays on your lips even after drinking and eating. The price tag of $24 is worth it.

Nars website is down for the meantime so check for more colors at Nordstrom, Nars and Amazon

OOTD: Friday Night Lights

Dressing up for night time is always a challenge 'cause I rarely go out and I don't own that many evening outfits to begin with. So when I saw this dress at the store I thought it can actually work both as a daytime or nighttime ensemble. This is a White and Black belted jersey dress from Memo.

Worn with my D'orsay style heels in Black with Gold from Janylyn. Accessories used are my Small black nylon chain strap Prada bag

Banana republic ring, and Cartier watch 

May Favorites: Most reached for makeup products

1. FACE:

• Maybelline BB Cream: I wanted to see if this will really improve my skin after continuous usage 
• Maybelline Aqua Gel Foundation: It's been very hot lately and I don't want to wear anything heavy
• Urban Decay De- Slick Oil control setting spray: Just to help my makeup stay on longer
• MAC Studio Fix Powder in NC35: When I  don't want to use a liquid foundation

Monday Skincare: A moisturizer for oily skin

Even though I have an oily skin, I am told that I still need to use a moisturizer to hydrate my skin and help prevent environmental damage.  But the question is, what is a good moisturizer for my skin type? I have tried Aveeno Daily Moisturizer with Salicylic Acid, which I use at night because it has a thicker consistency. Also, I used Dermalogica Sheer Moisture which was light but felt like it made me extra oily during the day.  Then I  was introduced to Shu Uemura Purenovate by Hikaru.  She gave me a sample so I could try it.  That sample only lasted a few days because I kept using it :)

Makeup Review: Revlon Colorstay Eye Shadow Quad

I have been hearing good things about Revlon's Color Stay line and the first thing I tried was the Liquid foundation.  This didn't really work out for me so I sold mine a week after buying it.  Then I decided I wanted to try out the eye shadow because it is 1 of the things I enjoy applying.

Revlon Colorstay Eye Shadow Quad in Coffee Bean

The Revlon 12 Hour Colorstay Quad Eyeshadow quad has 14 color combinations, although here in Manila I have only seen 6 combos.  The 1 I tried is the quad Coffee Bean.  In this quad you have, starting from the left, 1 dark brown, 1 golden brown, 1 light taupe, 1 beige.  For me, the 2 light colors are not as pigmented as I hoped they would be.  But the 2 darker ones are very pigmented.  They are easy to blend and surprisingly, they lasted the whole day on my eyelids without creasing (I used Urban Decay Primer Potion underneath).  So if you're a beginner and would like to expand your collection, this is definitely a good 1 to try.

Here in Manila, you can buy this at PCX, SM and  Watson's

OOTD: Fashionable Lazy Sunday

Lazy sunday for me means loose. So I always go for my loose tops whenever I can. This top I bought in Paris at COS. It's a light grey silk blouse with a huge pocket on the left side. I'm a jeans girl so I like to wear it with my favorite pair of True Religions 

       

Miu Miu platform sandals and Prada Blue bag with Gold hardware

. Didn't wear too much accessories on me except a Bohemian ring which I got from a Bazaar and my Tiffany Bracelet

Night out Makeup Look

Here is a simple going out makeup look

 Applied MAC club eye shadow all over the lid and past the crease; concentrating a lot of the color on the lid and blending it upward

 I then applied a black eye shadow as a liner and blended the outer corner upwards

I applied Benefit Bad Gal black eye liner on my lower waterline and a Nyx Charcoal Eye liner on my brows and Maybelline Cat Eyes Hypercurl Mascara

I used Rimmel Stay matte foundation, MAC Tenderling Blush, MAC Jubilee Lipstick and voila! A simple night out makeup look in 15 minutes

OOTD: My Weekend Warrior Outfit

Today I'm wearing a Khaki dress from Zara. I call it a "Trench Coat" dress because of its similarities to one except it's sleeveless.

I paired it with my Charles David wedges and Orange Tod's bag. Stackable rings from Liz Claiborne and a Two-toned Gucci watch. 

OOTD: Breaking the Wednesday blahs

This white linen tunic blouse is a favorite not only during work but also on weekends. This is from H&M.

 My black pants and skinny belt are from Uniqlo. The belt is reversible. One side is patent and the other is just plain leather.

Wearing more accessories today like a Cartier Leather watch, Bracelet from Tiffany and a Black onyx ring from H&M. 

I decided to use my Tod’s Blue bag to break the monotony.    I opted for my 2 ½ inch strappy heels in Nude by Steve Madden to create length.

Monday Skin Detox: Skincare for Oily Skin

After years of struggling with adult acne, I finally found a skincare routine that keeps them at bay.  I haven't completely stopped zits from recurring but I am now able to manage the zits when they appear. Phew!!!
Here is my routine.

Mornings:

1. Cleanser. I use Facial Therapy House Anti Bacterial Soap all over my face and neck
2. Toner. Facial Therapy House Salicylic Acid Toner with a cotton pad
3. Serum.  I use Avene Spring Water Soothing Serum to enhance the effectivity of my moisturizer
4. Moisturizer. Currently I am using 2 kinds, Shu Uemura Purenovate and Cle de Peau Emulsion Eclat (Clarifying Lotion). 
5. Eye Cream. Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream and  Dermalogica Total Eye Cream with SPF 15
6. Sunblock.  Etude House Sun Powder Primer Base with SPF 50 PA++.  I know this is not exactly a sunblock but with the high SPF, this serves as my sunblock
7. Mask.  I use 2, Lush Mask of Magnaminty and Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Mask.  I use this 3 times a week only because I don't want to overly mattify my skin since it might over compensate itself naturally

Evenings:

1. Cleanser. Dermalogica Thermal Clay Cleanser.  This is white and minty on the face.  I use this with a facial exfoliating pad.  I don't feel any tightness after using this cleanser
2. Toner.  Facial Therapy House Salicylic Acid toner.  This toner does not sting when used on zits
3. Serum. Avene Spring Water Soothing Serum
4. Moisturizer. I alternate between Cle de Peau Emulsion Eclat and Aveeno Daily Moisturizer with Salicylic Acid.  I like the Aveeno better.
5. Eye Cream.  I alternate between Bobbi Brown Moisturizing eye cream and the one prescribed by my Dermatologist.  The Rx is used every other day because it's too strong to be used everyday
6. Mask.  When I don't use it in the A.M. I use it at night 2 to 3 times a week or whenever I remember to use 1

I noticed that ever since I have been using a serum my skin in the morning is more radiant and softer.  So now I am on the look out for an anti aging serum and an eye cream (with an SPF) since my Dermalogica Total Eye Cream is about to run out.

Other products are available at  Cle de Peau , Avene , Aveeno , Bobbi Brown and Etude House

OOTD: Back to work Monday

One of my many typical outfits for work. I kinda like wearing something basic and yet not so “the usual” so I try adding splashes of color to my tops or shoes. Like this Green with white stripes which I paired with black pants both by Zara. My grey belt is from Uniqlo. 

  My shoes are by Ralph Lauren which I bought at a very beautiful price. Yeah! And lastly, my work bag (Tod’s) in Camel. One of my favorites to carry around because it’s big which means more stuff to put inside.

Fashion Spotlight: COS

COS- A fairly new brand from the H&M group. It means Collection of Style. A bit more expensive like what Massimo Dutti is to Zara. I discovered this when I was in Paris last year. At first their collection looked stiff not like when you see the more lively, cutting-edge designs of H&M but as you roam around you get to see styles that have a bit of a challenge to wear and yet still "cute." For now, the stores are located in Europe only. Hopefully they will open in the US or Hongkong.

Check out their collection at Cosstores.com

Gorgeous Me has decided to venture out into the wild. Tada!..... as Fashion bloggers! We should have done it sooner but we got caught up with all the makeup bruhaha. It was just a matter of time before this idea hit us. Being slaves to fashion, it's not easy to ignore the latest trends, new arrivals and of course the SALE sign that you see outside those windows. So enjoy our featured outfits of the day, latest accessory/fashion finds, and fashion mishaps :)))

We apologize if our photos look somewhat "amateurish"cause we are. :)

Latest Beauty Buys of M

Vichy Fluid Foundation in Sand- very easy to apply though shade, i think, is a bit too light for me so have to mix with darker shade or use a bronzer

Vichy Sunblock cream spf 50- I love this because it's not thick at all. Doesn't make your face too white.

Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush #10- this is a baby pink shade with a bit of shimmer. Great for everyday, gives a lively boost to pale skin.

Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted moisturizer- see previous post in the month of May

Read more on Vichy Products at Vichy or shop online at Vichyusa

Dr Jart is going places

Finally the US has caught up with the BB cream craze. Just saw that Sephora now exclusively carries the brand. Though it only has two products for now. I suppose the formulation is different since Caucasian skin varies differently from Asians.

By the way, for those who haven't tried this product, go get yourself a tube and see what the fascination is all about. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. It may cost more or less the same as a foundation but it does much more than that. They provide whitening properties and repairs the skin's texture.

Check out  Dr. Jart at Amazon and Sephora.

Makeup review: Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer

In my last post about new beauty products, I mentioned this one and it's finally in my hands. The shade I got is Shade 03, which is more on the beige side. Since I bought this in Spain, I had a chance to try it while I was there. It was cold that time so you can imagine how dry my skin was (as in flaking), so what better time to try it right?

 Well sorry to say it didn't help much. I had to double up on my moisturizer but still no can do. But by the time I got to Paris there was an improvement and now that I'm back home (Manila) it's much better now. The good thing about it though is its smooth consistency and great coverage. It can be used as an alternative to foundation once in a while.

All in all, I think the tropical climate somehow helps the product achieve its goal. As long as you don't over do it of course...standing under the sun that is.

Check this out at Clinique and Amazon