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: Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Foundation

During M's recent trip to Europe she got me this because she knows how I love my matte foundations.  Thanks M!
It says that this foundation has up to 12 hours of natural shine control.  Meaning, it uses cotton to help control shine.  Hey, don't ask me but that's what it says on the container.

After application I noticed that it looked a bit dewy but after dusting a loose powder over it, it was completely matte.  After an hour of doing errands around the mall, a couple of hours of taking pictures with M and doing things around the house, I saw that my face wasn't as oily as it would have been if I used  my Covergirl or my Maybelline Aqua Gel Foundation.  Of course the 12 hours natural shine control didn't happen for me but, maybe if I were somewhere cooler it would have.  Has a nice medium coverage and the shade that I have (303 True Nude) is perfect for my skin tone.  Too bad it's not currently available here in Manila.

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.

Foundation Shade Table 2

For those of you who are a bit darker than me ( I am an NC35).  This is Hikaru's shade and she is always 1 shade darker than me.

Korres Watermelon Lightweight Tinted Moisturizer       -    02 Honey
TM OIL FREE

Smashbox Sheer Focus TM                                         -    Medium

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer                               -    Med to Olive 60

Bare Minerals Matte Foundation                                   -    Golden Medium

Nars Sheer Matte Foundation                                       -   Barcelona

Foundation Shade Table I

 This table shows my shade across different brands of makeup.

          BRAND                                       SHADE

1. MAC                                             NC35
2. Paul and Joe Creamy Matte            30
3. Makeup Forever Mat Velvet          40
4. Chanel Mat Lumiere                       30
5. Diorskin Nude                                30
6. Laura Mercier Silk Creme               Bamboo Beige
7. Laura Mercier Oil Free Foun.         Warm Ivory
8. Maybelline Aqua Gel                      True Beige (24)
9. Cover Girl Trublend                        Buff Beige (425)
10. Estee Lauder Double Wear             Tawny
11. Bare Escentuals Matte                    Medium Beige
12. Nars Sheer Matte                           Stromboli

2011 Wishlist

Here is the list of the things I am currently wishing for.

1. Bobbi Brown Oil Free Even Finish Foundation: Searching for a matte powder foundation that will actually stay matte

2. Origins Starting Over (oil free) with Mimosa Moisturizer: According to Origins this moisturizer is best for lines and wrinkles; also for combination oily skin. Although I don't have wrinkles yet it is best to start using a moisturizer that will help prevent it ( my opinion)

3. By Terry Touch Expert - Terry de Gunzburg is the one who invented the YSL Touche Eclat (just a little background tidbit); tried it and I saw the difference it made under my eyes. Only thing is, it's on the expensive side (for a concealer)

4. Cle de Peau Beaute Extra Rich Lipstick - I know I'm never going to get this ($60.00!!) but it's nice to think out loud :); the colors are very rich and they look creamy; I liked the color selection as well

5. Makeup Forever Eyebrow Brush...it's currently out of stock but I think I will definitely get this one :)

Makeup Review: Maybelline Clear Smooth Aqua Gel Foundation

That's quite a name for a foundation :)..

Still trying out foundations.....

This particular foundation is water-based so it's good for people with oily skin.  Since I am one of those people, who better to test it out.  The color I got was Natural Beige, unfortunately, it is too light on me.  So, I use a powder foundation to correct the color.  I noticed that it has a sheer coverage and it is very easy to blend.  I got it at SM Department Store for Php350.00

Makeup Review: Cover Girl Trublend Whipped Foundation

I am currently in search of foundations to add to my kit so I am frequently trying out new brands.

PACKAGING: It comes in a clear jar which makes it easier to see the shade of the foundation

CONSISTENCY: Since it is whipped it has a mousse - type of texture and has a very matte finish; light on the skin as well

SHADES: I purchased mine at SM Department Store and they have about 6 shades available; I have Creamy Natural which is a bit light for my skin tone so I topped it off with a powder foundation  (MAC NC35) to match my tone

PRICE: The price is Php599.00 ( I think)

This type of foundation is good for people with oily skin; although I still used a mattifying primer just to be on the safe side.  It has a very light floral scent which for me is hardly noticeable.  I also used a synthetic brush to apply this and that gave me a sheer coverage but can easily be a medium coverage.  The one thing I noticed after application is that it sort of had that greasy feeling, especially noticeable when applied with fingers.

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 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!

Makeup Review: Dior Nude Foundation

PROS:

 1. After application this foundation gave me a matte finish.  I still use a mattifying primer underneath.  After a few hours I noticed that my face was on the oily side but not so much that it was leaning towards gross.  It only gave me a dewy look.  I noticed that whenever I used this foundation, I didn't have to blot as much as when I use the Laura Mercier Oil-free foundation/ LM Silk Foundation.  I tried not setting it with a loose powder and I noticed that my face less is less oily after a few hours

2. It also comes in a pump bottle which makes it easy to use.

3. It is easy to blend once applied

4. It is hydrating which helps keeping the production of oil at bay;  I was told that even though I have an oily skin, some parts are actually dehydrated

CONS:

1. It is on the pricey side but for those of you who are having a problem with oiliness, this is a must buy, it is worth it in my opinion.

2.  Limited shade selection and limited stocks available


Thanks for stopping by!

MakeUp Review: Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation

Kimmy recommended this to me being a Bobbi Brown afficionado. So I did. Now it's on my wish list. It's just like a tinted moisturizer but slightly thicker. The shade is Natural #4 which is perfect for my medium skintone. It has this weightless feeling and the coverage is fantastic. It also helps that you use a good foundation brush to make sure you're whole face is evenly covered.

Available at Rustan's (Makati).

Makeup Review: Makeup Forever Mat Velvet + Foundation

I have been wanting to get this foundation for a very long time and thank goodness I was not disappointed when I did finally buy it.

SHADE: The artist had a bit of a difficult time matching my skin tone from what they had; for reference I am an NC35 with MAC and with MUFE, I am shade 40

TEXTURE: It has a very creamy and slightly thick consistency but not watery; it is very easy to blend on your skin, as long as you use a dense brush

FINISH: Although it says mat it still had a dewy finish but not as shiny as when I used the Laura Mercier Oil-free Foundation; set with powder and your face is completely  matte

PACKAGING: It comes in a plastic squeeze bottle; easy to use but you have to shake the bottle before using and when you do that, the foundation oozes out so you need to close the lid as soon as possible!

Makeup Review:Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation with SPF 15

I was given a sample of this foundation by Dr Evil because she knows I'm into foundations lately.  Here are my thoughts on the product.

Shade: Beige.  Goes well with my skin, probably because most, if not all, of their shades are yellow based which is good for Filipinos

Texture: It does feel weightless just like what is written on their website; although it is for all skin types I believe it is not suitable for oily skin.  I found myself blotting every so often; it is very easy to blend and it applies smoothly

Overall: a good foundation but too dewy for my skin type.  Maybe I'll try the Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation with SPF 15.


Thanks for stopping by and see you next time!

Makeup Review: Bare Minerals SPF 15 Matte Mineral Foundation

Don’t you just hate it when the weather is so hot that you break into a sweat just after taking a shower? Then you realize you still need to apply your moisturizer, sunblock and foundation?!  Have you ever considered using a mineral powder foundation instead of the usual liquid foundation?  I have tried Bare Minerals Matte Powder foundation and it is truly a must have especially for the type of climate with have.  It is very easy to apply and you won’t even feel as if you are wearing makeup.  Plus, anything mineral is good for the skin because it has anti aging properties. 
For more information regarding the advantages of mineral makeup you can check out Mineral makeup Resource Center.

Thanks for stopping by.

Makeup Review: Different Brands of Foundation

Liquid Foundation Craze
I have been having issues with my skin lately so I’m always keeping an eye out for a foundation that will work with my skin.  Here are some of the brands that I have tried recently:

• Shiseido Dual Balancing – I actually liked this one; it has a high spf and it is a bit sweat proof

• Nars Sheer Matte  – it’s matte after application; it applies smoothly even though I only used my fingers to apply; after a few hours I found myself needing to blot the t-zone; unfortunately the bottle does not come with a pump; I like it but it is a bit pricey

• Estee Lauder Double Wear – it stayed on longer than most foundations I have tried; has a good color matching scheme; bottle doesn’t come with a pump either; somehow I'm having a difficult time applying it with my fingers; when setting this foundation I found out that it is better when I use a velour puff instead of a brush; regret getting this 1 :( and to think I waited for 2 weeks before buying it just to be sure I really wanted it, darn!!!

• Model & Co – this foundation is actually nice but I have a feeling it's on the expensive side :( it's easy to apply, even when you use your fingers

• VMV Metamorphoskin – a liquid to powder formula; it is very matte, no shine whatsoever; paired it with the Smashbox Photofinish Light Primer; didn’t have to blot until after 4 hours; loving it! Really want to buy this but I still have 3 full bottles of foundations  …what do I do?

• Revlon Color Stay – I don’t understand what the hype is all about; color is too pinkish for my skin tone; from where I bought mine, they didn’t have a wide range of shades; is it obvious that I don’t like it?

Have you tried any that you truly liked?  See you next time!