All posts tagged: beauty

FOTD: September 19

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One of my favorite FOTDS in a while. I have a confession: I’ve been mostly putting on makeup in the car, so I go with a few standard, boring combinations because I can’t afford to experiment in a moving vehicle. While I work on the post of my “daily staples,” here’s something I put together on a glorious weekend during which I had the time to actually think about makeup in a fun way. I just went to exhibits and had dinner. I don’t know what possessed me to do this, but I’ve been wanting to do a really dark, matte blue sweep over the lid and like, simple everything else. Also, just an FYI, this lipstick is way pinker and more neon in person. IDK why it went all demure in these photos. It’s ILIA Tinted Lip Conditioner in Shell Shock if you were wondering. Wearing this look made me realize that I miss wearing colors! So much! It’s kind of odd to experiment with eye makeup at the office, I feel like, so …

Bioré Aqua Rich Whitening Essence*

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Just a quick post to kind of get my bearings re: this blogging business. I received this a few weeks ago, and have been using it for a little over a month, if I’m not mistaken. So I think it’s time that I talk about it a bit. To be honest, I wasn’t really expecting much from the Bioré Aqua Rich Whitening Essence* mainly because it seems to be your standard sunscreen and, also, I tend to be automatically averse to anything that claims to “whiten” your complexion. Still, it was worth a shot. Bioré claims to be “Japan’s #1 sunscreen brand,” and judging from how this performed on me, I can see why. It’s incredibly pleasant to use, especially in this humidity. I find that it’s pretty impossible to find a sunscreen that doesn’t leave your face slick and oily, but this is a true gem. I’ve been using it, with pleasure, every day since I first tried it. It has the triple benefit of UV protection, hydration, and whitening (debatable as a “benefit!”), …

Beauty Inspo: One Direction

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Yup, you read that right. My One Direction obsession has leaked into my heart makeup life. Well, as far as the two gifs in this post are concerned anyway. Look 1 Let’s start with the obvious beaut, ex-member Zayn Malik: (source) I mean, I had a really hard time trying to think of an eyeshadow that would match how gloriously slick and shiny (um, lol) the stuff on his eyelids is. And even then, I failed. See, most of the ones I had in mind that could possibly pass as a “dupe” in terms of shade are a little on the frosty side. Anyway, I think this is actually something like vaseline or a lip gloss, to be honest. I ended up reaching for Shiro Cosmetics’ Baker’s Boy (from the Hunger Games collection) patted on a clear primer + eyeliner: concealer: Ellis Faas (S204)*, powder: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder (Ethereal Light), eyeliner: K-Palette liquid liner (black)* and Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil (Crave), blush: Kjaer Weis (Abundance), lipstick: MAKE Matte Lipstick (Jakarta) A true …

Bits from Makeup Revolution

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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

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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

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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

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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 — …