FOTD: 04/06/13

I've always loved combining warm and bright hues. So far, this one's the most wearable of all the combinations I've done. The pics did not do justice for the look at all! Maybe I should put on the colors a wee bit heavier the next time around so it would register much better on cam. Anyway, tell me what you think on the comments section. Keep scrolling for the list of products I used for today's look.

Products Used:

Ben Nye Banana Luxury Powder

Clinique Blushes (New Clover)

Sleek i-Divine Palette (Storm & Snapshots)

Etude House 'Drawing' Eyebrow Pencil

ELF Brow Tame

Covergirl Lashblast

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

EOS Lipbalm (Strawberry Sorbet)

Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick (Dusk)

Face of the Day: 03/28/13

It's all about looking girly girl today with my rosy cheeks and pink lips. Of course I can't miss doing bold eyebrows. And the ultimate girly girl look trick? Long, curled and uber flirty lashes. Keep scrolling to see the list of the products I've used for today. Toodles!

Products Used:

Ben Nye Banana Luxury Powder
Clinique Blusher (New Clover)
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Browlash Water Strong Eyebrow Pen &Pencil
Sleek Lash Out Mascara
Milani Liquif'eye Eyeliner Pencil (Black)
Nyx Lip Liner (Nude Pink)
Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick (Pink Flame)

Face of the Day: 03/18/13

I'm a sucker for thick and perfectly shaped eyebrows. I can simply ditch all the steps in my make up routine except for the brows. My natural brows are thick by shape but the strands itself are sparse so I always feel like I need to fill it up. And doing so really makes a big difference.

Products used: 

• Ben Nye Banana Luxury Powder
• Etude House 'Drawing' Eyebrow Pencil
• CoverGirl LashBlast Volume (for upper lashes)
• Maybelline The Magnum Volum Express (for lower lashes)
• Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler (not in photo)
• Sleek i-Divine Palette in Storm (for contouring and highlighting)
• The Face Shop 'My Lips Eat Cherry' Aqua Tint

J&C Super Clean Solutions Brush Cleaner

Are you having break outs but absolutely have no idea what could be the reason? It must be because of your make up brushes. Most girls tend to overlook their brushes, while some are just too lazy to clean theirs every single day. So allow me share you this amazing discovery that I had this month.

Spray the product against your brush a couple of times, wipe it using a cloth or a tissue paper and it will be ready for another round of make over. There's absolutely no need for rinsing and hours of drying!

Purchased from: Digital Traincase

REVIEW: Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick Collection Complete Shades + Swatches

I'm not a lipstick person but since I've heard so many beauty bloggers rave about this particular product, I figured I'd try it for myself. 

It comes in 14 shades. The colours are pretty basic, the types of shades that someone would use for an everyday look for the office or school. There are lots of nudes, a few pinks, deep reds, and even oranges, which I believe are the newest shades. My personal favourite is Dusk (see the swatches below).

HITS:

• the staying power is amazing, especially if you use a lip liner with it. You'd have to re-apply after eating, but then again, I've never tried a lipstick that does not require me to do just that!
• the packaging looks very classy and it's very sturdy as well. I dropped a few of mine several times and it's still pretty intact and still looks good as new, unless you drop it without the cap on, that will probably leave a huge mess!
• every shade is pigmented, including the nude ones.
• I like that they provided a colour cap so it's easier to find whatever shade you want to grab.
• it's very cheap. Each tube costs only Php155 at Watson's.

MISSES:

• it does not glide on smoothly when used alone. But I don't really mind, since I always use lip balm as a base anyway.
• the lipstick itself tends to melt. It's probably not a good idea to leave them somewhere hot. 
• it does not have any scent. This belongs to 'misses' because I'm actually a sucker for scented lip products, like EOS Lip balm.

SWATCHES:

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This post is not sponsored.

It's raining discounts over at Multiply!

Good news my co-online shopping fanatics! Multiply Philippines is offering a whole bunch of discounts once again! So if you have any more pending items on your cart, it might just be the perfect time to finally checkout!

© Shop at Multiply 

Here are a list of some of the coupon codes you can use for Beauty and Fashion items:

M-PHFREESHIP2011
Get free shipping once you get products worth Php400 and above.

PH-TWENTYOFF 

Get 20% off your total, with no price limit. Exclusively for make-up items only.

PH-CHECKOUT
Slash off Php250 when you get Php500 worth of items.

MEMEME500OFF

Get a minimum of Php2000 worth of MeMeMe products and slash Php500 off your total. 

This discount frenzy only lasts for a limited time only, so watcha waiting for? Go ahead and get that top you've been eyeing before now!

PS: The codes listed above are effective for Multiply's Trusted stores only.

For more information, visit Shop at Multiply 

If you're new to online shopping, score some useful tips on shopping for cosmetics here. 

This post is not sponsored.

DIY: How to De-pot Lipsticks

So many lipsticks, yet so little space. Learn how to make room for all of your favourite lip candies by following 4 simple steps.

First things first! Here are the materials you're going to need:

• A lipstick (of course!)
• Toothpicks
• A stainless spoon (something you won't miss, since you can't use it again)
• A candle
• Stackable glass container (where you'll put the melted lipstick)

Click to enlarge

Et voilà! A more compact home for your lippies!

TIP: 

Take out the label from the bottom of the original lipstick tube and stick it to its' new glass container so if someone asks you what brand and shade you're wearing, you'd still know where to look for it.

I hope you find this DIY helpful. If you know more ways and techniques on how to de-pot lipsticks please so share it with me by commenting below.

Miranda Kerr look

Saw Michelle Phan's video 3 days ago on How to Look Like Miranda Kerr, the lady I always describe as 'an Angel on Earth', and I know many of you would agree with me. I love her face (and her rocking body) so much I'd do anything to look like her. And make up is the closest way possible for me to achieve that, well, somehow.. Or not. 

So what do you think? Yay or nay? Please don't be harsh.You gotta admit though, the dimples looked pretty convincing. Oh how I wish I really do have 'em!

Products Used:

• Revlon ColorStay (220 Natural Beige)
• Ben Nye Banana Powder
• Etude House "Drawing" Eyebrow Pencil
• Sleek i-Divine Palette (Storm)
• CoverGirl Lashblash Mascara
• Physician's Formula 2 in 1 Eyeliner Pen
• Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick (Mauvey)
• ELF Luscious Liquid Lipstick (Perfect Pink)

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 

& 

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

&

'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
&

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? 

REVIEW: BYS UV Top Coat

French manicure have always been my go to design when I run out of nail design ideas. It could go well with whatever you wear, it's so simple to do, and it looks very elegant, especially when it's given that extra shine. How to make it extra shiny? That would depend on whatever top coat you use for it. And now, I'm reviewing one that might just do the job.


I've never used any BYS nail products before, but I've heard so many good things about it. So when I saw their booth at Watson's for the first time, my smile went up to my ears.


The first thing that caught my attention is this nail lacquer. It claims to make your tips "super shiny and glow under UV light."

HITS:

• it does make the nails "super shiny" with one coat.
• it dries fast as long as you don't build up really thick layers.
• when used over French manicures, not only does it give an extra shine, it also makes the white tips appear brighter.
• it prevents the design from chipping. I've been wearing my manicure for 3 days now and so far, not a single nail had chipped.
• it contains a lot of product. This one contains 14mL of product compared to the standard 8mL. 
• it's priced pretty reasonably. I got this one for Php 199.

Check out BYS Philippines if you want to know more about their products and where to get them.

This post is not sponsored.

REVIEW: Etude House 'Surprise' Stick Concealer

Under eye circles are the worst things to deal with when you're trying to prep up your face in the morning. But with the right product, you can achieve that fresh and healthy look in no time. Personally, I've been in a life long search for a concealer that will be perfect for my skin type, and I think just found it.

HITS:

• once you apply, it gives a very creamy consistency but gives a powdery finish after awhile.
• it doesn't set too quickly so you have plenty of time for blending.
• it really does a good job on covering my purplish under eye area. One swipe, blend, set with powder and I'm good to go.
• it contains a lot of product. The product itself is about 4cm long.

MISSES:

• there's only two shades: Fair and Dark. Mine's fair.
• it tends to crease when you don't set it with loose powder.

SWATCH:

Shade: Fair

Useful tips on shopping for cosmetics online

It’s no doubt that on line shopping is one the most convenient ways to get the things you need without having to leave the comfort of your home. You can get the best deals, since the shops don’t really need to pay any kind of rent; they can sell their items much less than the prices at the mall. Shopping on line also enables you to get a hold of some of imported brands that our local department stores do not offer.

Know who the top sellers are

If you shop through Multiply, you can just simply go to the “Marketplace” tab and see the top sellers by category.

Don’t show/tell all

On the transaction process, you don’t need to give out any more information apart from your name, contact number, and shipping address. If the seller asks you for more info like your birthday or a copy of your valid ID then cancel out the transaction.

Use the Multiply Shopping Cart

Using the Multiply Cart enables you to use Coupon codes that can give you amazing discounts, freebies and even free shipping. Currently, Multiply is doing a free courier delivery promo for orders that reaches Php 400 and above just by using the promo code: M-PHFREESHIP2011.

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is

It’s better to research on the product you’re eyeing first (especially if it’s high end) so you know a thing or two about it, especially the price. Now, if you find a seller that sells it way cheaper than everyone else, then there’s only two possibilities: a) it’s a part of a clearance sale, b) it’s fake. Also there’s no such thing as “Authentic Quality from Singapore.” It’s also fake. As simple as that. Personally, I’d rather find a good dupe than to buy fake.

Make sure you purchase from a trusted seller.

Look for the comments from the other shoppers. Most likely, you will find comments regarding their orders, prices of the products and transactions with the shop. Now if you do not find any comments at all, then that’s a bit suspicious. It also helps if the shop also has accounts in other social networking sites, which could mean that the shop is trying to reach more shoppers and is definitely legit.

As for me, here are my most trusted and favourite online cosmetic shops:

REVIEW: Ben Nye 'Final Seal' Matte Make-up Sealer

I don't know about you, but I take a lot of time on my skin and make-up routine every morning. As in A LOT. That's why it's so frustrating when my make up starts to melt down in the middle of the day. If you can relate, then I think you need this product too.

PRICE (59ml): Php 685

HITS: 

• it definitely does a good job on keeping your make up waterproof and smudge free even if you stay under the sun.
• it dries fast once you spray it on.
• it has a nice minty scent. Almost like a mouthwash actually, not for everyone, but I like it.
• it gives your skin a cooling sensation once you spray it on.
• it's reasonably priced. Out of all the sealer sprays out there, this one I think is the cheapest. Not to mention, it does the same thing (perhaps even better!).

MISSES:

• the spray nozzle doesn't really spray fine mists. 
• it does not give you a matte finish. It's more like a dewy finish actually, which I like, especially on days when I don't want to look all made up (so I'm not really sure if that's a miss).

Purchased from: The Style Quarter

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.

There's a new brand in town: BYS Cosmetics

I dropped by the Mall of Asia Department store yesterday for a little make up fix and guess what I found. BYS, an Australian cosmetics brand, is now here in the Philippines! I have been hearing good things about it, especially about their nail lacquers.

BYS has a wide variety of products. From colourful nail polishes, to a bunch of eye shadow palettes, face products, eye liners and even accessories! I've been dying to try out their nail products, so I purchased these 3 special top coats that I've yet to try and review.

PRICES: Glow in the Dark: Php 249
                 Matte: Php 199
                 UV Top Coat: Php 199

I even got freebies! Purchase Php 500 worth of BYS products, and you will get a free compact mirror, a bracelet and a pair of earrings.