MakeUp Review: Bare Minerals Lipstick

This lipstick has so much potential. Besides being comparable to Mac (price wise), packaging is also simple but I prefer this one. It's classier I think. The shade I just tried is called Cream Puff. Again, it's a nude color more on the mauve-beige side. At first, application is not as smooth as I would hope for but when it's on the lips the color shines. I suppose the reason is that all their ingredients are 100% natural so it's not only the color you're after but its long-lasting hydration which is good for your lips.

NOW AVAILABLE AT GorgeousMeStore !

Haircare Review: Lush Coolaulin Conditioner

Since I am on a path to hair recovery I wanted a conditioner that will help my tresses.  The sales associate at Lush suggested this and said that this will make my hair shiny and new and it does not affect color treated hair she said...of course, desperate as I am I believed.  BIG MISTAKE!  I read on the Lush website that continual usage of this conditioner will lighten your hair.  I can't have that since I just dyed my hair dark brown.  Good thing I only bought the small bottle which is about Php295.00

So before buying any hair product at Lush, make sure you do your own research first rather than just taking the sales person's word for it.

That'll learn me :((((

Haircare Review: Lush New Hair Shampoo Bar

 After a session of digiperm and  highlights a few months back I have decided to revert back to my original hair color (which is dark brown) and try to improve its condition.

After a long hiatus from Lush I decided to indulge once more. First on my radar, a shampoo.  I was skeptical at first because I didn't think this would lather at all, from the looks of it.  I was hugely mistaken, thank goodness! With just a small application on my hair I had a head full of lather...nice! Smells wonderful too! Reminds of Dentyn Gum :)

According to Lush this is good for dull and falling hair.  I will have to wait about a week or so before I can accurately say if this improved my hair condition.  I will write an update in about a week's time.  But if this does not do anything I would still repurchase because it just made shampooing my hair fun again :)....(cheap thrills) :)))

Makeup Review: Coastal Scents Metal Mania Palette

coastalscents.com

I was looking for the Urban Decay Naked Palette but it's still out of stock so I decided to get this one instead.  Has 88 colors and most of them have a very good color payoff.  The shades vary from neutral browns, purples, greens and even reds/pink.  Even though I will not use some of the colors, it is always nice to have just in case I have a costume party to go to :).
They are easy to blend and but some of the shadows have a tendency to be chalky.  For it to last I always use an eyelid primer underneath.  I think it is a good enough alternative to the Naked Palette until I get my hands on one :) - I am just after the neutrals anyway....

October Favorites 2010

This month I have been loving the following:

1. Lips - Laura Mercier Lip Velvet in Royal Plum and NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Natural because I am giving my nude lippies a break :).  The Royal Plum is too dark that's why I top it off with a Natural gloss.  And after a mug of coffee, I still have lipstick on which is definitely a good thing!

2. Eyes - Benefit Creaseless Cream Eye Shadow in Skinny Jeans and I use the Gunmetal Shade and the shimmery Taupe from Smashbox Beauty A-GO-GO Color Palette to have the neutral smokey look

3. Cheeks - Benefit Powder Blush in Dallas only because I have neglected this blush for a while now

4. Face - Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Bamboo Beige.  Still doing the foundation rotation system...( I seriously need to find a new foundation...I'm getting tired of the ones I have) :) excuses excuses :)

5. Brush - Hakuhodo G527.  An amazing brush; can be used for liquid foundation or loose powder; does not cause streaking; a bit pricey ($54.00) but definitely worth it

What are your favorites this month?

See you next time!

Shopping for MakeUp kits

There are several stores that have a variety of pouches that can mask as a makeup kit. Some buy based on how much cosmetics it can carry, how many compartments it has, how much it costs or simply how cute they are. Here are some of the stores I'd like you to check out just in case you're in the Makeup kit shopping mode.

1. Muji- which just opened its first store here in Manila (Bonifacio High Street). They have all sorts of stuff such as travel pouches, stackable trays, bottle pumps, toiletry case, clear plastic pouches, and much more.

2. Rustan's- they carry the "old school" type of cosmetic cases. Those that are basically made of fabric covered with plastic making it waterproof especially for those bringing it to the beach. Designs are zzzzz but I know some prefer it plain and simple.

3. Beauty Bar- They have this brand called Wicked Sista. They are also covered with plastic but the designs are more fun. Colors are brighter and the prints are animated. I do find it a bit pricey though but worth looking into.

Makeup Review: Jane Iredale concealer

This brand was recommended by the facialist of Dermalogica because  it is organic and is mineral based.  According to the facialist even pregnant women can use this brand. Only 2 shades of the concealer were available and I chose medium dark.  It comes in a squeeze-y tube and has a sponge tip.  The texture felt like a cream to powder consistency and it is very light on the skin.  Easy to blend and try not to use too much for it might settle into the fine lines (that's if you have any, like I do).

Available at Rustan's.

Makeup Review: Shu Uemura Eyebrow Pencil in Hard Formula

I was looking for an eyebrow pencil that wouldn't disappear or melt during the day and I was told that this was a good buy.  So I went and bought.  The Shu counter at Rustans only had 1 shade, shade 6 which
I felt was still kind of light for my hair color but the makeup artist insisted that it matched.  After a few tries at home I decided that it was too light :(  All is not lost.  Shu describes this formula as smudge proof and when I drew a line on the back of my hand and tried smudging it, it didn't move! But how come on my brows it does? hmmm....I think the sweat on my face is the culprit.
But I am not about to give up using this pencil, not for what I paid for it.  I think the only way for a pencil to stay on my brows is when used with a gel or a brow wax to seal it in place.

Available at Rustan's.

Makeup Review: Hakuhodo Makeup Brush

 Hakuhodo Brush G527

I have heard this brush from 2 youtube makeup gurus, Misschievous and Pixiwoo and they raved about the brand.  So that got me curious.  I finally have 1 (thanks to Hikaru!)and..... it's AMAZING! Very dense and super soft; doesn't cause streaking; although it did shed a few strands but that's okay by me.  It can be used for liquid foundation and loose powder.   A must have!!!

Check out Hakuhodo to see other brushes.

MakeUp Review: Rimmel 1000 kisses Lipliner

My sister gave this to me a couple of weeks back and I never returned it to. You

obviously know why. I can't part with it. It's been my favorite lipliner so far, to think I

never had an addiction with any lipliner before. I tried the one of Prestige but didn't like it.

One reason lipliners are used is to seal in the lipstick because of its tendency to bleed.

This one of Rimmel does just that. And it doesn't wash off easily. The shade (Tiramisu)

is perfect with the Cle de Peau nudes that I bought. It's on the brownish/pink side. It has suddenly become the exclusive partner of both.

Not currently available here but soon I hope. :))

Makeup Review: Prestige Browliner / Crayon a Sourcils

This eyebrow pencil has a mini brush attached on the cap which is why I bought it.  The shade is Earth Brown and from what I recall, this line came in 2 shades, this and a lighter brown.  What I like about this pencil is that it doesn't rub off easily.  Yes it gets smudged a little but not completely.  When used with a brow gel, it lasted the whole day on my brows.  It is very convenient to use because of the mini brush attached onto the cap.

This is available at Beauty Bar at Php247.00

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: Bloom Eye Shadow in Bleu

I was given this eye shadow by a good friend and I was excited because I have never tried an eye shadow from this brand.  I was so surprised that the color was the same as the Laura Mercier Marina, and not just the color, but the texture too!  I'm pretty sure the price is not as expensive  so it is a must try/buy.  The colors that are available are what I call 'basic', nothing outrageous and I think you have around 12 shades to choose from.  The shadow was easy to blend and it has a smooth texture.  But I noticed that this Bleu turned silvery after an hour.

Available at Beauty Bar.

Thanks for stopping by and see you next time!

MakeUp Review: MakeUp Forever Concealer Full Coverage

I read about this in Allure magazine (October 2010) and they consider it the Best concealer out there. I got the full coverage, meaning it's mainly for scars. Yet it didn't stop me from buying it even if I was only going to use it for my dark circles. Here's why I like it:

1. It's not heavy on the skin particularly around my dark circles where I normally use it for. The cream is so smooth and hydrating so it doesn't sit on the lines underneath the eyes.

2. A small amount goes a long way, so no worries of running out when you use it everyday

3. No need for a concealer brush, your fingertips are fine.

It's pricey for a concealer but hey, would you sacrifice looking like someone just took a jab at you.

Makeup Review: Benefit It Stick

Conceal it all Stick/ Stick Camouflage

This concealer is in a stick form and it has a flesh/light beige tint to it.  Once you apply, all you need to do is tap to blend onto your skin.  This  It Stick is better for concealing dark spots rather than under eye circles. Unfortunately, this is no longer available at Benefit's online store but I am sure there are still other places where they sell it.  It is very creamy and it comes in 1 shade only.  Very convenient to bring especially for people who travel a lot.

Thanks for stopping by and see you next time!