Monday, February 22, 2016

Vampy Lips Must Have! NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams in Copenhagen and Transylvania

Hello everyone! Have you tried NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams? Well I do, and I never thought I would love it. At first I thought it was overrated, then I've seen beautiful FOTDs wearing them on their lips. Now that I've tried it and have my own, I can't wait to share with you my experience, and I'm afraid I won't be using my lipsticks anymore, and soon I'll be buying all the possible shades coz they're perfect to use for my clients. I have a big wedding gig this year and I'm so excited to get all the shades and try it on different people with different skin tones.


Let's go on to my two favorite purchase early this year. I know fall season's over, but I don't really care to rock dark vampy lips all year round. Most people don't like it, or let's say don't have guts to wear it especially around daytime, or  when it's too early in the morning. Not for me, I care less about what others will think, and maybe if I see someone wearing dark lips like I do, I will definitely think they're pretty cool, coz it's not everyday that you see crazy people like me.


NYX lip creams were described as a straddle between lipstick and lipgloss but more on a matte finish, buttery, and deliciously scented in vanilla. Just like its name, it's really soft on lips without tightness/stickiness. It dries slower than L.A. Girl's Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss and not rub proof, coz if you eat with it or drink with it it'll surely fade, but it's transfer-proof and smear proof once on lips. If you hate seeing your glass, straw or cup with your lipstick mark, then you should give these lip creams a try. 


First lip cream 've got is Copenhagen. NYX's bestseller and always a Fall-must have, and usually sold-out.
It's a dark red with a touch of mulberry. If you applied it thickly it'll almost have a black finish with a red base/ red tinge. Very vampy and reminds me of those lips I used to imitate during the Twilight/True Blood/The Vampire Diaries craze. It my second everyday lip color next to peachy pinks.


I use it when I don't want to exert much effort on glamming myself up early in the morning just to look ok, and with my new work wearing a black uniform, it rocks my plain outfit. I originally bought this and Transylvania to pair with my almost Magenta Red/Burgundy red hair last month, but since I was a Winter Camp teacher for a month for Korean students I avoided using it, coz my students were already distracted with my red hair. What more if I pair it with dark lips?. hohohoho. :') Though they love my bright red hair and they don't usually see it inside their classroom/not a normal thing, my mere presence was already distracting them in the middle of the class and they play/ask a lot of questions about my hair.


Now here's my fave shot just using the camera of my Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime.


Second lipstick that I so love to wear but it definitely attracts too much attention is Transylvania. From the shade's name itself, it'll remind you of Count Dracula. It's more on the dark purple side, like an eggplant, and when applied too much it gives a result of black lips with a purple base/purple tinge. It'll somehow remind you of Mavis Dracula's lips.



It looks good on people with fair and pale complexion especially if you're aiming for some goth vibe. For those with darker skintone then just think of how Rihanna perfectly pulls off black lipsticks.


Wear it on your lips when you're wearing a corset and you're now a Victorian Goth, or wear it with your all black street wear and you'll easily achieve the Street Goth fash.

 My work MOTD using Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in Transylvania:


They're often bought in pairs and here's the swatches:


For a grunge look, try to do an ombre lip with the combination of these two lippies. Transylvania applied on corners and Copenhagen on the center. (will try that and do a blog post soon). As much as I want to do a full makeup today I don't have time coz my baby's not feeling well. Mommy duties first.

You can purchase these cool lippies at Sweet Frostings Cosmetics.

More makeups to be reviewed soon!

Friday, February 19, 2016

L.A.Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss in Fleur

Matte lips and lip creams have changed the lipstick game and more and more cosmetics companies have started to formulate and launch their very own liquid lipsticks. It's miraculously well-loved by many, makeup artist, makeup enthusiasts, you name it. NYX Soft Matte lip creams created a storm after it was launched though I haven't really tried to hop into its craze a few years back. It took me a long time to finally realize I need these in my life.

I've had experiences with long lasting liquid lipsticks from the past, and my experience weren't pleasurable. When I was 16 my aunt gave me a long lasting liquid lipstick from Cover Girl and it's called 'Everlast'. It has also a lip balm that you have to reapply once it dries up, and I used it during my college party. It lasted the whole night til the next day, but it was so hard to remove. I had to rub it off or even remove it with cleansing cloths and oil based makeup removers but there's still a lot of residue. By the way, Max Factor has their own counterpart of Everlasting called "Lipfinity". It was also too thick for me and my lips felt really dry and hard. I'm not saying that it wasn't a good lip product, it was actually really good especially if you'll be attending a special occasion and you want your lipstick to stay even if you eat, drink or even brush your teeth. Maybe that time it was too heavy for me as I was still young, and those times I was just more into lipgloss. Take note, I was only 16.

I tried to stay away from lip creams for a decade. Those hype that I always read about Nyx lip creams didn't really tickle my fancy, or maybe I was too busy collecting Mac bullets and other lippies from Etude House and cheaper brands, until lately the hype started again when every mua and makeup enthusiast were raving about L,A. Girl's Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss.

I actually haven't heard much about L.A. Girl. At first it was the same brand/company as NYC, but everything has changed when they released Pro Conceal, which until now I haven't bought any coz I'm still trying to look for the shade I want. In stores it's very limited and more expensive that its original SRP in Western countries. 


When my cousin Nikki suddenly started selling authentic liquid lipsticks and lip creams, she sent me a personal message and a candid shot while she was wearing L.A. Girl's Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss in Fleur. I was sold in that instant! It reminds me of Kylie Jenner's Lip Kits!


So I ordered my own pigment gloss in Fleur and swatched it first at the back of my hand. It dries up fast and definitely rub proof. Unlike those past liquid lipsticks I had, it was solid with full on color/pigment on my lips without  the feeling of dryness and doesn't feel too thick or heavy. Though it was a bit sticky whenever I pressed my lips together a few minutes after application, it was still comfy on lips and a little goes a long way. Definitely a universal flatterer of any skintone coz I let my co-teachers from an English Academy used it, and I gave them a run for their money as I've sold a lot of tubes of it already through advertising.


It's a matte brownish nude shade with a touch of mauve, and the result depends on your skintone. For a fair skinned girl, the color will come out pretty strong and if applied thickly it results to a bit reddish brown shade. For a medium skintone it's peachy brown like, and for darker skintone it'll become beigey nude.

Here's the swatch on my skin, Again the result depends on your skintone and lip's natural pigmentation.


On my cousin Nikki's lips. It looks more gorgeous on her but unfortunately she prefers peachy pinks or bright reds. 

On my sister in law Cherry. I did a simple makeup transformation on her and used Fleur to match her peachy copper brown eyeshadow and peach cheeks. The result's sweet yet tangy looking.


More pictures of me using L.A.Girl's Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss in Fleur. Told you it has become my everyday lippie, and I don't even have to reapply as it is smudge-proof, smear-proof, rub-proof, water proof. It can possibly last for more than 8 hours if applied thickly, except brushing teeth. My co-teacher ate and drank with it, and was disappointed when she brushed her teeth after lunch coz it's gone.


I honestly used it mostly at work, when I'm too lazy to glam up my makeup, or for just an appropriate get together with friends and family. When some of my friends saw my pictures on Facebook, they immediately asked me what's on my lips.. and another run for their money! I bet my cousin Nikki's really happy... 
You can purchase authentic makeups here at Sweet Frostings Cosmetics.


Oh and of course I'm still in love with Kylie and her makeup look has influenced most muas on IG and Pinterest! Surely if you have mastered how to contour or even bake your skit through makeup with a gorgeous tan to match, Kylie Jenner's Lip color will surely be achieved using L.A. Girl's Fleur. Honestly I've been dying once again to get a beautiful summer tan that's peachy and will even out my skin tone like this one.

On my wishlist: L.A. Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss in Fantasy!!
Next blogpost: NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams!!






Sunday, February 14, 2016

Korean Cosmetics Swatches and Review: Revecen Cosmetics

Hi everyone! Im sure most of you have tried korean cosmetics, and we all surely love those. Cute packaging, skin friendly formulation and budget-friendly products.I'm recently addicted to Korean skincare brands coz miraculously it didn't irritate my uberly sensitive skin.


Blaming the Hallyu wave that has greatly influenced my preference in everything be it makeup looks, style/fashion and my taste with men, venturing into everything Korean made my life a bit bizarre yet glitzy.

As an ESL tutor for 8 years, my Korean students have taught me the best korean makeups in the market. Most of us may be a bit familiar to those brands we regularly see at the mall like Missha, Skin food, The Face Shop, Etude House and Tony Moly, but I'm giving you guys one tip and y'all better check it out. Koreana_ph on Instagram! It's the haven for guaranteed authentic Asian Cosmetics! Time to get giddy and swoon over those cutesy makeups for an affordable price. They have Clio, Peripera (fave!), Rire, Lioele and more. The owner, Scherique Gerona-Pena is my colleague and she sent me these amazing goodies, Revecen Cosmetics.




I honestly haven't tried any from this makeup line and to tell you honestly I know for sure they'll be amazing, coz Scherique told me their cream foundation is a good as Japan's Naturactor Cover Creams. Since I'm a big Naturactor fan and Scherique also swears by it, I was so excited to try them all.

REVECEN FACE CONTROL FOUNDATION


Their foundation is one of the creamiest I've tried and one of most pigmented. It's creamier and has thicker consistency than Naturactor and covers my flaws instantly with one swipe, and it has natural ingredients like green tea extract and magnolia extracts so it's gentle and suitable for all skin types. My skin's very sensitive and fortunately I didn't get breakouts from this one. I prefer using the dome brush of my City Color Dual ended brush for my whole face for thorough application and stipple the freckly areas of my face with my Sigma P84 brush. You can go heavy with it by applying it twice, or if you want medium coverage just one layer of it will do. It's still goes on smoothly without primer/base and gives a lasting coverage, doesn't cake up or becomes greasy/oily after hours of application. It doesn't oxidize and since it's a cream foundation it melts and adheres on your skin, and I suggest warming up some of the foundation at the back of your hand prior to application for creamier and seamless result. Sometimes I also use my damp Beauty Blender or just my fingers.


Available Shades:
000 Light Yellow
001 Mint
002 Violet
003 Light Beige
004 Nude Beige
Mint and Violet were corrective foundations used to neutralize skin flaws as they can't be completely hidden by beige colored concealers and foundation. Following the rule of the color wheel, green neutralizes redness so if there are pimple marks, acne or visible veins that are reddish and purplish, Mint can completely neutralize it, then just use another foundation that will even out the skin tone. Violet/Purple can neutralize anything yellow or yellow-orange, then can easily be toned afterwards by beige foundations again. Light Yellow can be used as a highlighter or to brighten up under eye circles. Light Beige can be used as highlighter too, and Nude Beige can be use for contouring if you are fair skinned.
In my case, I love 004 Nude Beige and I mix it up with my Naturactor Cover Face.

The downside of Revecen Face Control Foundations: Shades are very limited. I'm in between 003 Light Beige and 004 Nude Beige so I need to mix both to achieve and match my skintone.

REVECEN NEO VELVET FACE POWDER




I've tried powders from loose, compact and minerals but these loose face powders from Revecen were mineral makeups that quickly adheres to your skin and cover up skin flaws with no heavy feeling. It feels light when applied, usually after your foundation routine and guaranteed lesser touch ups and keeps skin hydrated while the finish isn't too matte. I use the shade Blending for highlighting and mix my usual powder routine with 006 Chestnut which is darker than the usual face powder I use. It comes with a powder puff on its sifter jar and you can easily just pat it on your face without tugging the foundation and primer that were previously applied. It's a good setting and finishing powder. It is water resistant and suitable for wet conditions. In my case my makeup and my client's makeup lasted the whole day.



L-R: White, Mint, Mazenta Beige, Skin Beige, Chestnut, Blending
Available Shades:

001 Mint
000 White
004 Mazenta Beige
005 Skin Beige
006 Chestnut
Blending
The Chestnut shade has saved me up after having a client with a dark complexion and most of my makeups were just 1 to 2 shades ligher than my skin tone. I was so challenged and a bit anxious, but then I used it on her after mixing and applying a darker cream foundation and it really gave her an impeccable look and a flawless finish. I guess she loves it, she was smiling ear to ear.
REVECEN NATURAL SHINE POWDER BLUSHER


These are glamorous shimmer powders for the face that results to glowing skin with a hint of sparkle. It reminds me of my pop cheeks blush that comes with its own soft puff that easily dispense the right amount of pigment for cheeks if used as blush or highlighters for the bony parts of your face. All you have to do is shake the and turn the jar upside down, and the pigments will deposit on the puff, and just tap the puff on your cheeks or bony prominence of your face. I love the Orange Pearl.

L-R: Shiny Pink, Orange Pearl, Matte Pink

Available Shades:
01 Shiny Pink
02 Orange Pearl
03 Matte Pink

These are glamorous shimmer powders for the face that results to glowing skin with a hint of sparkle. It reminds me of my pop cheeks blush that comes with its own soft puff that easily dispense the right amount of pigment for cheeks if used as blush or highlighters for the bony parts of your face. All you have to do is shake the and turn the jar upside down, and the pigments will deposit on the puff, and just tap the puff on your cheeks or bony prominence of your face. I love the Orange Pearl.



REVECEN MINERAL MULTI BLUSHER



These mineral compact blushers gives the right amount of pigment on cheeks, and no need to worry for Raggedy-Ann doll inspired cheeks coz when applied on skin it gives off an outright sheer result though highly pigmented. The powders were not just for creating a healthy pink or peach flush on cheeks, but some of it can be used as highlighters/strobing powder since some were matte and some were shimmery. I love using it with my Gosh stippling brush and my two favorites were 002 Orange as my cheek blush which is matte and 004 Sandy Brown for highlighters coz it has shimmers on it. I love 002 Orange as my everyday cheek blush paired with BYS Matte Lipstick in Day Dreamer or with L.A, Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss in Fleur.

L-R: Orange, Coral, Sandy Brown, Pink

Available Shades:

-Orange
- Coral
- Sandy Brown
- Pink

Overall, I'm impressed with Revecen. The skin friendly ingredients, high pigmentation and flawless results made me add it to my everyday beauty stash. They have better pigmentation than those I've bought from malls. If you have sensitive skin and concerned with skin friendly ingredients, these Asian cosmetics are developed and formulated to suit the skin of Filipino users, and it can even withstand heat and humidity.
To know more about Korean cosmetics and other Asian products that Koreana_ph offers, click here.
More product reviews soon! Coz I've got a lot of new makeups! Yey!
Ciao!!