Month: August 2015

Bits from Makeup Revolution

I’ve been hearing about Makeup Revolution a lot, when I come across dupe posts, particularly those for the Urban Decay Naked palettes. They’re known for excellent eyeshadow quality, even as a budget brand, so I was thrilled to find out that they would be available here soon. I Heart Makeup Wonder Palette I Heart Chocolate* Since I have/have tried the UD Naked palettes, I decided to give the I Heart Makeup Wonder Palette in I Heart Chocolate* (Php 890) a shot. A long time ago, I mentioned that I had wanted to try Too Faced’s Chocolate Bar Palette, so when I read that this was a pretty spot-on dupe, I knew I had to go for this. The packaging is a little big and clunky, but it’s cute in a kitschy way. Swatches Swatched, L-R: (first row) You Need Love, Piece Me Together, One More Piece, Love Torn, Stolen Chocolate, (second row) Thank Friday, More!, Pleasure Girl, Meet Chocolate, Unforgivable, Love Divine Swatched, L-R: (third/last row) Smooth Criminal, Chocolate Love, You Need More, What a …

Le Métier de Beauté BVVIP June and July 2015

August marks the beginning of the next cycle of the Le Métier de Beauté Beauty Vault VIP beauty subscription, and it’s the first time in the three short years it’s been up that I opted out of it. I think I have gone down a couple of notches in terms of beauty enthusiasm. So, even though a part of me is excited to learn what they’re sending to subscribers this year, I mostly think it’s a good decision for me to save my money instead. Anyway, I realized that I hadn’t shared what I got for the last two months of the sub—again with the absence of enthusiasm—so here’s what I got for June/July 2015. Items from the BVVIP usually pop up on eBay, so if something interests you, you could probably go check there! June 2015: Instant Line Perfecting Serum This is actually still a “coming soon” item on Dermstore, set to retail at $150. It’s a “heat-activated” anti-aging serum that targets lines and wrinkles. “Within seconds of applying Le Metier de Beaute Instant …

Skin Care Savior: Antipodes

A few months ago, I received the best surprise from Liz—a paper bag full of Antipodes! Antipodes is a premium natural skin care brand pioneering “scientific organic beauty.” Created in Aotearoa New Zealand, Antipodes sources its raw ingredients sustainably from the area’s unique native flora. Antipodes is one of the brands I’ve always been keen on trying (the Aura Manuka Honey Mask has been on my to-try list for a long time), but just never got around to since it’s a brand that had to be ordered online. Antipodes is locally available at Wellness Connect New Zealand, which has a store located at SM North EDSA Annex, Ground Floor. I was able to try out four products, and I’m going to write a brief review for each and tell you which ones I ended up liking. Antipodes Ananda Anti-Oxidant Rich Gentle Toner* (Php 1425, 100ml) — I’m suspicious about rose anything in my skin care; I don’t think my skin reacts all that well to it. This was a refreshing addition to my routine, though …

My Personal (Predictable) Lip Picks Lately

I’ve been taking a break from many things recently, and it seems that includes fun lip colors. I’m trying to get back in the mood for my corals, purples, what have you, but I figured I’d show you what I’ve usually been reaching for lately (save for the vamps, which I occasionally reach for but never as a fail-safe option). I know they all look like the same damn thing, and as a dutiful beauty nut, I’m taking it upon myself to tell you that they’re different! Ahem. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Bahama — I love this shade! Except I realized recently that it has a bunch of v. fine shimmer that gets more and more obvious the more you load it on. So, um. Don’t. Anyway, I love this; it’s a bit of a 90s lip, IMO. NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Tonkin — I know this as Bea’s favorite NPML (or ever?) shade. It’s very neutral, a sorta pinky-brown that’s pretty perfect for everyday use. MAC Lustre Lipstick in Jubilee — …