Makeup Tip: Covering acne with makeup

tiSome of us are not as lucky to have the perfect skin, I should know, I go through this dilemma every month (arrggghhhh!).  But all is not lost, there are things we can do to minimize the look of those pesky zits.

1. I learned that there are concealers that are acne spots and concealers for acne itself

2. For acne spots one can use a concealer in a lighter shade to be able to even out the color

3.  For acne itself, one should use a concealer with the same shade as your skin.  If you use a lighter shade this will enhance the bump rather than conceal it.

Hope you found this helpful.  Thanks for stopping by and see you next time!

Makeup Review: Nude Lips for the Medium-Medium Dark Skin tone

One of our followers recently suggested we recommend the best nude lipsticks for the medium-medium dark skin tone. Based on what I've seen in the magazines nudes in the brown side are the most attractive for them.  Here are some of my picks but of course it all depends on you.

1. Bobbi Brown in Cocoa-this is my top pick. Softer shade of brown.

2. Bobbi brown in Hot Cocoa-this one is a bit darker

3. Clinique's Chocolate Ice- this one is sheer, more on the brown/plum side

I hope one of them finds it's way into your collection. When in doubt go natural. :)

Makeup Review: Maybelline The Magnum Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara

Another mouthful but I actually liked using this  mascara.

Brush: Has shorter and long bristles

Texture: Kind of thick but not runny nor is it too dry; not clumpy at all ( Yes!)

Feel on the lashes: I love how my lashes are not stiff, it still feels like normal lashes


Look: made my lashes look thicker

Overall: a success! and I will definitely repurchase

Hope this helps and thanks for stopping by!

MakeUp Review: Lorac Perfectly Lit

I'm not so into shimmer but this one is an exception. The powder is very fine and it doesn't give too much of a shine so it's perfect for daytime. I use it on top of my bronzing powder and dust a bit on my nose, chin and forehead. The shade I have is called Spotlight and and it's now being featured in Allure Magazine (October 2010) as one of their Best Beauty Buys.

Makeup Tip: Day to night Makeup II

II. Somewhat made up for day/work

1. Of course you also need to blot the whole face to remove excess oil

2. Reapply crease shadow.  Then comes the eye liner, smudge after for that smokey look

3. Apply concealer under the eye area, the chin and middle of the forehead

4. Then comes blush

Makeup Tip: Day to Night Makeup

Here are some tips to help you transition your makeup look from day(work) to night (party time!) when you don't have the luxury of time to redo the entire makeup.

I. No-makeup Makeup Look for day/work
1. Blot the whole face with blotting sheet so that you won't remove the foundation you already have on

2. Reapply eye liner, preferably in black and then smudge it a bit so the line will not be too harsh unless that's what you're going for (like the Pin-up Look)

3. Apply some concealer under the eye area and remember to blend

4. Remove lipstick and reapply, preferably in a deeper/darker shade

5. Reapply blush if you have it in you makeup bag

6. Light dusting of powder foundation/pressed powder

And voila! you're done.  Remember to check your teeth for excess lipstick before heading out. 

Enjoy your night out ladies!

Hope this helps.  See you next time!

MakeUp Review: Nude Lipsticks/Gloss

Here are some my favorite nude lipsticks and a few that I've just discovered. They're perfect for the "no makeup" makeup look. Muah!

1.Mac Satin Lipstick in Spirit- highly pigmented but it's a bit hard to apply. Goes well with any skin tone and the finish is fantastic.

2.L'Oreal in Dune- a bit on the bronze side. Great for the beach.

3.Chanel In Mythic #69- lightly pigmented so I add gloss on top

4.Cle De Peau #103-very moisturizing, does not wash out easily

5.Laura Mercier in Brown Sugar- smooth application and very flattering

6.Fusion Beauty Gloss in Bare-on the pinkish side too, not too sticky, you get pouty lips

Treasure Finds 8

Some makeup alternatives I recently discovered.

High End: Benefit Eyebright
Alternative: e.l.f. Eyebrow Lifter and Filler; comes in 3 shades

High End: Duwop Reverse Lip Liner
Alternative: e.l.f. Lip Lock Pencil

Thanks for reading and see you next time!

Makeup Review: Prestige Liquid Eye liner

I have been trying to get into re-learning how to apply liquid eye liner that's why I have been trying out a few.

Unlike the Styli-style, this comes in a pot and has a shorter handle and somewhat thicker tip.  It is not as easy to hold especially for people with bigger hands (like me).  Just like with any type of liquid liner, it needs some getting used to.  Once applied, you need to give it a bit of time to dry or else it will smear onto your eye lids (a hassle).  Comes in different shades but I don't think I will repurchase, only because of the short length of the wand.

Also available at Beauty Bar and they're selling it at a very reasonable price.

Hope this helps and see you next time!

MakeUp Review: Giorgio Armani Sheer Bronzer

I bought the #5 shade (golden sand) which I found a bit too dark on my skin but I like its sheerness. The bronzer is very fine and it's not matte so I go easy on it. So what I did was use it as a contour then combine it with a soft pink blush. Better than letting it go to waste.

* Some tidbit.... Megan Fox (transformers babe) and Lady Gaga are among the celebrities that use them. Fox uses #5 and Lady Gaga uses #8.

Makeup Review: Styli-style Liquid Eyeliner

This brand is more popularly known for their pens.  Eyeliners, lip liners and shadow liners.  What I have is their felt tip liquid eye liner pen.  It is very easy to apply once you get the hang of it.  They have a variety of eye liner tips to choose from, just like pentel pens.  It does not smudge and it dries quickly.

Price is very affordable.  Available at Beauty Bar.

Practice makes perfect  :) Thanks for stopping by!

Makeup Tip: What are the products you can buy on the cheap

1. Mascara -  I think it's okay to buy the drugstore kind because some are very effective; and they dry out in 3 to 4 months anyway

2. Eye Shadows - they have a variety of colors and some are very pigmented; some are not too powdery which is a good thing

3. Blush - wide range of shades and some are very pigmented as well just like the more expensive ones

4. Lipstick - they have different finishes and an assortment of colors

You just need to keep an open mind and be a bit adventurous when it comes to trying out new(cheaper) brands.

Thanks for stopping by and see you next time!

MakeUp Brushes: What's worth your money and what's not

I remember using sponges to put on my foundation and that foam applicator that they include when buying an eyeshadow. I thought they were the best thing ever created until I discovered these brushes. I've had them for sometime now and I'm so happy I bought them. Here's what's in my collection, some though didn't impress me.

1. Mac #187 (blending brush for powder and pigmented color) - I use this as a foundation brush because it spreads out evenly around my face. Doesn't leave any streaks and bristles are soft. It's made of goat hair and synthetic fiber. Fabulous!

2. Mac #116 (blush brush)- Doesn't leave the blush concentrated on one spot. Easy to clean and doesn't shed too much.

3. Laura Mercier (powder blush)- I've had it for over 5 years now and it's still in good shape. It's fluffy and I use it also as a bronzer brush sometimes.

4. Benefit Slant Brush- Not a good brush. Loses it's shape and hard to clean.

5. Chanel Kabuki Brush- This one I got the same time as the LM. Still alive and kicking. So full and soft. I use it with my setting powder. I'm not sure If they still have it today.

6. Sonia Kashuk (foundation brush)- This is a good alternative if you don't want to spend too much on a foundation brush. Does the job well, no streaks. Available at Target.

7. Stila Eyeshadow brush #15 and #5- One I use as a highlighter on my brow bone, the other on my lids. Hohum on these two...

Thanks for visiting us. Check our Webstore for new brushes we'll be having in a few weeks.

Makeup Tips: What makeup/skincare products are worth spending for

I buy some high end products because some of them are actually better than their cheaper counter part.  Here are some products that I think are worth spending for.

1. Eye cream - you will want something that is actually effective

2. Face Primer/ Eye Primer - so far I haven't found a cheap primer that actually works but not all high end primers work too

3. Foundation - high end ones have a better shade selection and I have tried 1 drugstore brand and it was an epic failure ( didn't like the feel on my skin plus the salesperson suggested the wrong shade for me)

4. Makeup Brushes - it's rare to find great cheap brushes but I am pretty sure it's out there; but 1 thing I am sure about is that it won't be as soft as those brushes that are a bit more expensive; it's okay to spend more on your tools because they will last you years if you take care of them properly.

Thanks for reading and see you next time!

Makeup Review: Loose Powders

A list of some of the loose powders available that we've tried.

1.Make Up Forever HD Microfinish Powder -  By Dr. Evil. I definitely recommend this to women who want to minimize their pores. I'm so impressed with it. So fine to the touch and when you put it on it doesn't scream "sahara" on your skin. I concentrate mostly on my t-zone and chin. This powder has been included in InStyle's Beauty Best Buys several times. Price is mid-range and available at their Store in Bonifacio High Street.

2. Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder - Has a beige tint and works great in setting your under eye concealer.  You can use the velour puff or a small fluffy brush to apply.  It has a powdery texture.  What I have came with a concealer duo, and I would definitely repurchase a solo jar once I'm out.  A must-have in my opinion.  Price is around Php1,500.00 ( I think, don't quote me pls.) and it is available at Rustan's Department Store.

3. Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil - Has a light pinkish tint and the texture is very fine but not the powdery type.  Available in 2 shades, light and dark.  Currently not available here in Manila.  Not something I would go out of my way to purchase.

footnote:  I noticed that whenever I would use a translucent(white) loose powder, my skin would look kind of ashy.  That's why I lean towards those that have a beige/yellow tint to them.  Does that happen to you?

Thanks for reading and see you next time!