2012 Favourites

Welcome to my first ever 'favourites' post! I don't know if I can promise to do one every month but I will surely do one at the end of each year, starting now! I may be a tad too late since we already welcomed 2013 a few days ago, but the first week of January is not over yet. So now, keep scrolling and see which products made it to my 2012 Favourites! 

Revlon Colorstay (220 Natural Beige)

Probably the best foundation I've ever used! It's lightweight, doesn't cake up, and stays on the whole day. I got this around February and this is the only foundation I've used since then.

You can check out my full Revlon Colorstay review.

Evian Facial Spray

I spray this all over my face right after I seal my foundation with a translucent powder. Not many people know that this can be used as a fixing spray, I actually just found out when I read the instructions at the back but believe me, this will seal in your foundation concealer and eye shadow perfectly! I suggest you use this before putting on eyeliner and mascara.

Sleek i-Divine Palette (Storm)

My most go-to palette for 2012. It has a wide variety of colours that can be worn in different types of occasions. It's also a perfect palette to bring during trips because it's very compact. The lighter shades are perfect to use as highlighters. 

Purchased from: The Updated Trends

Check out my Sleek i-Divine Palettes Review.

Avon Smooth Minerals Powder Blush (M02 Blushed) 

I've tried a lot of blushers, but nothing gave me such a natural and healthy looking glow like this product had given me, probably because it matches my skin tone so well. Plus, it's a mineral powder, so I never had break outs.

CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume 

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Maybelline The Magnum Volum Express Mascara

My go-to mascara for 2012. I use CoverGirl Lash Blast for my top lashes, I curl my lashes, apply this and I'm good to go. However, when I need that extra umph, I add Maybelline's The Magnum Volum Express Mascara on my lower lashes. It's really good for lengthening but its wet formula makes my lashes droop down when used on my upper lashes.

Etude House 'Drawing' Brow Pencil

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'Color My Brows' Brow Tame

I appreciate perfect looking brows, but I gotta admit that it's the most time consuming step in my whole make up routine! That's why it was such a relief when I found this brow pencil. Its' unique shape makes it so easy to fill the brows, it also comes with a nice spoolie. After the pencil, I use the tame to groom and keep the brows in place.

You can check out my Etude House Brow Products review.

'Drawing' Eyebrow Pencil

'Color My Brows' Brow Tame

Beauty Cosmetics Stippling and Crease Brush
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Suesh Tapered Blending Brush

These brushes are my greatest discoveries of 2012. I have been using the ones I got from Beauty cosmetics for a couple of months now and I have nothing negative to say about it. The same goes with the Suesh Tapered Blending Brush. Two proudly Filipino brands that creates great and quality brushes.

EOS  Lip Balm (Passion Fruit)

I got this online just because I thought it was cute. When I got it, it turned out to be a really great product. I use this before I sleep to prevent my lips from chapping overnight. Plus it has such a nice sweet, kinda fruity scent that I love so much.

Sleek Pout Paints (Milkshake & Port)

A little goes a long way indeed! The most pigmented lip product I've ever tried. It can be a bit drying when used alone though, so I always use my trusted lip balm beforehand. So far, I only have these two gorgeous colours, but I will definitely get more soon!

Purchased from: The Updated Trends

L: Milkshake
R: Port

ELF Waterproof Eyeliners

They were definitely not waterproof because it smudges a teeny bit the moment I use a fixing spray, but I love how easy it is to create thin lines since it has a felt tip. I think it's also nice that it comes in a variety of colours rather than just plain black. I personally adore the Teal one.

You can check out my ELF Waterproof Eyeliners review.

SHADES: Coffee, Teal Black

Lucas Papaw Ointment

Another great discovery I made in 2012. I've been hearing great things about this product so I decided to get it and see whether it's really worth all the hype. And it really is! So far I've used this to treat burns, mosquito bites and dry spots, it works just like magic.

Purchased from: Digital Traincase

That is everything! So what do you think about my little compilation? Have you seen any of your personal favourites as well? 

New toys!

I posted an entry last month about the 1st Anniversary giveaway of Sleek cosmetics, and guess who won? ME! I love Sleek make up and I couldn't be happier when I saw my name on their page! Thanks a million to Sleek Make up Philippines and The Updated Trends, the number one distributor of Sleek cosmetics.

REVIEW: ELF Waterproof Eyeliners

Eye liner is probably one of the items that are stapled in every make up junkie's kits. With the right quality, it can definitely amp up any kind of eye look. Today, I'm reviewing the ELF Waterproof Eye Liners. It comes in 8 shades, and below are some of the best ones (for me).

HITS:

• the felt tip is quite fine, makes it easier to create thinner lines.
• the slightly curved shape of the pen gives you better control and precision.
• it goes on smoothly.
• it's offered in a variety of colours. It also comes in brown, which I heard works perfectly for filling the eye brows.
• it's very pigmented. 
• It's cheap! For Php 129.75, I consider this a steal!

MISSES:

• it dries out fast. You have to shake it first to get the real colour on to your eyes.
• the felt tip gets misshapen after several uses. As you can see in the picture above.
• it is not waterproof. It smudges with a few drops of water. 
• you really do have to set it with powder, especially if you're the type that tends to get oily lids, otherwise, it will smudge on the top of the crease.

SWATCHES:

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream Swatches

When it comes to cosmetics, I don't really invest much on shiny, glittery items. I've always considered myself a matte girl, especially on lip products. And I just adore these ones from NYX! It's cheap (costs 280 php each), very pigmented and long wearing. So if you consider yourself a "matte girl" just like me, or if you're just looking for a really good lip product, I highly recommend this.

It comes in 11 gorgeous shades, and below are the swatches of my favourite ones.

Purchased from: Digital Traincase 

Happy Birthday Sleek Make up Philippines!

Sleek Make up Philippines is now officially a year old! And to celebrate, they're now doing a "1st Anniversary" Sale this whole month of September, in partnership with their official distributor The Updated Trends over at Multiply.

For every 1,000 php minimum purchase of Sleek goodies, you can get a 15% discount just by simply using the discount code: SLEEK1YEAR upon Check Out.

But that doesn't end there! Everyone who joins this promo will also have the chance to get 3,000 php worth of Sleek products! To join, just simply like and share the SleekMakeupPH and The Updated Trends Facebook Pages.

My Kiss 'n Make-up Giveaway!

To my fellow bloggers and cosmetic fanatics! My Kiss 'n Make-up is doing a huge comeback giveaway! Just click the picture below to know more about the mechanics and the prizes. Go ahead, click away and join! Good Luck!

REVIEW: Etude House Brow products

The most crucial part of my make up routine are the brows. I prefer it really defined, slightly-arched and bold. And I always make sure that it's perfectly drawn, blended and tamed before I leave home, mainly because it really does make a difference when you really have nice brows, especially on pictures.

Brow products comes in a lot of forms, there's pencil, gel, cream, there're treat and tame ones that comes in mascara-like tubes and then lastly, there's powder. I've used it all but the best ones I've tried so far are these ones from the Korean brand, Etude House.

Etude House 'Drawing Eye Brow' Brow Pencil

HITS: 

• the pencil itself is uniquely designed to make the application very easy. 
• it comes with a spoolie, it is nothing special, it's just the usual ones you can find on typical brush sets. But the fact that it's attached on the other end of the pencil makes it very convenient.
• it fills the brows perfectly. You get the perfect shade instantly as long as you apply it with light strokes.

Etude House 'Color My Brows' Brow Gel

HITS:

• it does a good job on taming untrimmed brow strands.
• the size is very compact, so it doesn't take too much space and weight on your kit when you travel with it.
• it has a nice small sized applicator which gives more precision and control.

MISSES:

• it has glitters. It does't show that much on a regular room lighting but I'm just not sure with brighter ones. Kinda weird having sparkly brows, eh?
• it only comes in two shades, light and dark brown. Although the one I got, which is the dark one suits me quite well.

And here is a picture of my brows right after using both products for the first time. First, I filled it up with the pencil, shaped it with the brush and applied the tame on top to seal it in.

Copper and violet

I've been practicing eye make up recently but the ones I took before just didn't register well in pictures, plus they're not blog-worthy. But this one is (I think).

Products used: 4U2 Glitz 2 color eyeshadow

                   NYX Soho Glam Palette

               Kiss Beauty Dip Liner

                                  Maybelline The Magnum Mascara