Coral Pinks and Neutrals

My favorite makeup look should be timeless, classy with a soft glam touch. I'm actually sticking these days to my holy grail products that work, regardless of their price and brand. As long as it works wonders I'm fine with it. For almost six years I never get tired of rocking smokey neutral eyes then play up with my lips just by trying peach toned lippies or corals, pinky peach, baby pink or any shade/hue that belongs to pink and tangerine family. Those makeups that I've used for the past 6 years have changed but I still swear by neutral shades, and I might stick with it for the rest of my life. Gone are those days when I love rocking those colorful eyes any day, any time and hated anything that belongs to bronze and brown family. I even remember wearing a pink shirt during my "nursing days" in college with my RLE group. I paired my eyes with pink and purple shimmery eyeshadow. The funny thing is that we're assigned to a female ward of a certain psychiatric hospital. Somewhat insane but fun! Now that I'm nearing 30's I have to stick with earth tones, and maybe just play with colors if needed.

Here's a sample of my current favorite neutral look taken at daytime. Fresh and flirty.

night time

What I'm keeping as my signature everyday look now simply consists of neutral eyes, neatly groomed eyebrows, glowing cheeks and pinky peach lips. I learned all the fundamentals of makeup application through experience, trial and error, and with the help from my favorite makeup artists who happened to be my friends and watching beauty gurus on Youtube. You can say I'm a graduate of Youtube academy since I'm self-taught/self-learned.

Taken indoors.

taken outdoors, night time with flash on

Speaking of experience, being a good makeup artist takes years of practice not just on your face. You also need to paint other's face.. paint as many as you can. From there, you will learn from your own mistakes and there will be zero error for you once you try doing it on yourself. The best eyeshadow combos that I know these days were just discovered through painting it on other's eyelids. Doing makeup service for 8 years now made me discover and learn what works for me. Then, while painting my cousin's eyelids, I've found a beautiful combination of bronze, gold, brown and black.

Sorry to tell y'all but there's honestly no definition of "no makeup look" in my vocabulary. Simple makeup that should be done for me just defines "neutral makeup", and it means using earth tone colors for eyes and muted lips. These pictures clearly explain my "go-to" look as well, and it obviously requires much time and effort and won't be requiring only ten minutes to finish the whole look. I'm fine with it since I don't have to hurry putting myself up these days. Keep in mind that you still have to look your best, like everyday of your life. Whether you're just at home or elsewhere. I always believe in the saying "when you go out you should always look your best, you'll never know when you'll have a date with destiny" but since I already met my destiny let's change it into "you'll never know when you'll meet your enemy". *flips my hair* Well then my foe, I'm ready. **evil grin**

Enough for my foolishness, here's a list of products I used:

FACE 

Nyx High Definition Foundation Primer 

Estee Lauder CyberWhite Foundation in Cool Beige 

Sugar Skull Cosmetics 10 Correct and Conceal Palette

Sephora 8hr Wear Mattifying Powder Foundation

EYES

Sugar Skull Cosmetics 88 Earth Palette

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Bada Bing

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Corrupt

Christian Dior Eyeliner in Noir

Avon Lengthening Mascara

Glintz false Eyelashes

CHEEKS

Mac Hello Kitty Powder Blush in Tippy

Lips

Mac Lipstick in Flamingo

my new fave pic :)

I'm recently into my Sugar Skull Cosmetics 88 Earth Palette. I've actually neglected it coz I have it since 2011 and this has been my second palette. I once again found out every shade that I want is in here. (I ignored it when I got the Naked Palette).I have every possible earth shades here, but the downside of it is that the 88 palette's too big to carry around. Not travel friendly at all. I'm still in search for a small palette that carries at least one or two neutral eyeshadow, one blush and one lippie. Once found, it'll forever be in my makeup bag. 

Using my phone as a mirror and a tool for selfie.

Second everyday obsession goes for my Mac Flamingo Lipstick. I thought it'll just look pretty in person and during day time, but then even if it's night time the lippie pops out! I still get a lot of compliments and many friends were asking me what lippie it is. Poor best friend Kitty even asked me what lipstick I wear, not recognizing her own gift for me.

I'm happy with the result of this neutral look, it reminds me of my favorite makeup look I did way back 2011 which I haven't recreated for a long time. I finally get to do those beautifully groomed brows, glowing cheeks and pinky peach lips. I'm still in search for new powder blush or mineral blush. I'm thinking of getting Nyx Pinched or Mac Fleur Power. I'm still undecided and I might try and consider other brands. New lippies were a must too! Since I have a big traincase now I MUST replace the old makeups I have. I'm thinking of filling it with NYX cosmetics, Wet n' WIld, Elf, Sephora and Sugar Skull Cosmetics. Those were good brands to use for makeup service.

Though there's bigger home for my loves, I'm also still using my old makeup traincase in gold that I got when I was 19 years old, and here's where I'm keeping my everyday makeup so it'll all be easy to reach. They MUST be replaced as well by new makeups from my favorite cosmetic brands like MAC, Makeup Geek, Sephora, Nyx, Etude House, Elf, Wet n' wild and maybe more from Urban Decay and Maybelline. :) Those big goals of mine SHOULD happen this year. I'm keeping my fingers cross!

There's also a time lapse of my makeup application (ipad mini used), not really a sort of tutorial. When I uploaded it on facebook it reached more than one thousand views and I've received comments from my friends to start a makeup tutorial/vlog on Youtube. Hmmm... I'm not ready yet coz I still don't have time for that. 

Time to doze off now.. it's so quiet and I'm actually a bit scared coz I'm here alone in the living room selfishly doing my silly fetish for vanity.. This might be my last post for Feb, but come March and we'll be flirty and vain once again. Ciao! :)

Bronze Eyes and Baby Pink Pout

Hello there! Another December blog post! Today I think I nailed my makeup coz I really love how it turned out in person and in pictures. Maybe I could also blame the ample amount of time to paint my face. Don't we just hate it when we only have few minutes left, we have to hurry up but then you needed more time to even out the wings of your eyeliner? I really hate those moments. 

Nothing is more productive for me than doing everything at the last minute, but not with my makeup. I badly need an hour for everything. Just like a painter, to be able to get a good canvas and a good outcome, I need time and peace of mind. Sometimes I have to blame my mood and the short time I've got whenever my makeup application s*cks. I even plan the night before on what shades to mix together.

Here's my makeup, all set and done, taken in broad daylight using the frontcam of my fone. Here are the products used:

FACE

Nyx High Definition Primer

Jazzy Collections Cream Foundation in CF-04

Sugar Skull Cosmetics 10 Correct and Conceal Palette

Sephora 8hr Wear Mattifying Powder Foundation in Medium

Maybelline Mineral Foundation in Ivory

EYES

Nyx High Definition Primer applied on lids

Sugar Skull Cosmetics 88 Earth Palette

Sophie Paris Koshize Eyeliner in Dark Brown

Estee Lauder Lash Primer

Estee Lauder Sumptous Mascara

CHEEKS

Clinique powder blush in Cupid

Maybelline Mineral blush in Dusty Rose

Lips

Mac Flamingo Lipstick

City Color Lip Lush Moisturizing Lip Crayon

**I got the City Color Lip Crayon as a gift from my sister in law, Cherry.**
**Thanks sissy!!**

A Short Story to share...

My family and I (extended family included) have suddenly decided to go to Skyranch in Tagaytay just to spend time together and feel the extremely cold December breeze. Just when we thought it's just gonna be a "colder" place, we found out it's gonna be a bone-chilling coldness! It was even drizzling when we get there and our ride was parked on the opposite side of the amusement park and we had to walk on the flyover just to get to the Skyranch (we parked near the casino). That bone chilling coldness felt good at first, but then after staying there for six hours I was having headaches already.. but then.. the makeup's still fresh and dewy, no touch ups at all.

Unfortunately there were too many people and I wasn't able to ride the Super Vikings.

It takes too much time just to fall in line to get the ticket and even fall for another line to get to ride the Vikings. Going there right after Christmas is a bad idea I guess. Anyways, we still enjoyed our time there, eating and playing on the artificial grass. I would definitely want to go back next month.

Adios 2014

I guess this really will wrap up my final post for 2014! One thing I noticed is that I didn't get crazy on my hair this year, and I've been blonde all year long! I really love it, I want to have lighter and longer hair for 2015. For my makeup, it has improved. My eyebrows were done pretty neatly now, it's actually the hardest for me. I could perfectly do other people's eyebrows and I always have a hard time doing mine. This time I'm actually using a lot for it but look how it turns out. For this year I'm still in love with neutral makeup paired with pink, coral or peach lips, and whenever I feel really fierce I just reach for my Mac Russian Red. I've been really skinny too.. which has been my dream since I started gaining weight in 2011. This year I miraculously shed my baby fats without doing anything. Motherhood made me skinnier! Even my skin has improved a lot. 

Resolution

For 2015 I want to paint faces again, I've talked to some people and I'm gonna become a MUA again, so I need to buy new palettes, brushes and a bigger traincase. I want more makeups in my collection, but I promise I'll stick now to cheaper ones.. gotta look out and try cheaper cosmetic brands.**I'm keeping my fingers crossed** Gotta organize my makeup stash, and become a better mom and a better wife.

For my blog, I'm still trying to improve it, and as what my cousins and friends have suggested I'll try to do more product reviews, makeup tips and makeup inspirations. If the time permits, I'll try to write and blog more.

Bye lovelies and may you all have a blessed new year. We're just a few days away from 2015! Thanks for reading!

FOTN: Green with Envy

I rarely go out at night these days, but when I do I always make sure my look for that specific night's well planned and polished. Let me share with you ladies the makeup look I did when I watched SS109's show last night at Imusix Place. To those who didn't know my husband and my younger brother were in an old school glam metal band named SS109. I only get to watch their show whenever it's their mini solo concert. For tonight I've decided to wear my military inspired bolero. Underneath is my favorite black sleeveless top. The supporters of the band were told to wear black actually but then the band's name came from the name of a bullet, so my OOTN was also inspired by the band itself. Since it's night time the quality of the pictures weren't really good.Bored by my typical brown/bronze smokey eyes, I was dying to try green eyes for tonight. 

my eyes zoomed, with flash on

After putting my eye makeup on, it turns out to be a bit too bright for a night time rock concert so I mixed it up with a darker shimmery green eye shadow and matte black eyeshadow which I worked on my non existent crease so I have to create an illusion to have one, and blend it well so harsh edges won't be possible. I want a soft dark smokey green eyes.

A photo of what I've used that night. That's really a lot. You really can't rush perfection, it took me 30 minutes to complete my look, then the remaining 30 minutes were divided for my husband and bro's hair and makeup. Once again, I'm the band's unofficial makeup artist.

The rest of the band members face were painted at the venue.

Products Used

FACE

Nyx HD Primer

Jazzy Collections Cream Foundation

Sugar Skull Cosmetics 10 Concealer Palette

Sephora 8hr Wear Mattifyibng Foundation

Maybelline Mineral Foundation

EYES

Sephora Green Eyeshadows from the Custom Smokey Palette

Dark Green eyeshadows from Sugar Skull Cosmetics 120 Rainbow Palette

Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Mosaic Eyeshadow in Eye Candy for highlighting

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Corrupt

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Mocha

Etude House COde B Gel Eyeliner

Estee Lauder Lash Primer

Estee Lauder Sumptous Mascara

Christian Dior eyeliner in Noir

Cheeks

Elf blush and Bronzer duo

Clinique powder blush in Cupid

Lips

Christian Dior Lip Liner in Linen

Mac Flamingo Lipstick

A different view of my makeup using my Iphone's cam. Picture was taken with low light. Also for that night's place it was dark with just artificial lights on. I did my best in brightening these pictures. It's still dark and grainy.

MORE GIG PICS

Just like my Estee Lauder Sumptous mascara, our food from the buffet that night was also Sumptous! I swear, their food is more delicious than those at Vikings Luxury Buffet, and it only costs 350 pesos per head. I really did enjoy it and went home sleepy coz I was so full.

I also get to use this bag for the first time. Guess what's inside it.

Excuse the liquor! It's from the vocalist, he gave it for my hubby. Don't get me wrong, I have no vices. Although I've tried to learn how to smoke or even drink at a very young age, my body and my lungs have learned to say no. I don't know but it reacts crazily to liquors and cigarettes. Though my husband has vices he said that what he likes about me is that I don't smoke and drink. Crazy to hear when he says it's 'rare'. Well some girls these days really drink as hard as their dad.. and smokes like a chimney. He starts to quit smoking when we started dating and he's drinking less now. It must have been really hard for him so I told him to quit gradually. I'm afraid he might suffer withdrawal syndrome from sudden quitting. A shoutout to those who choose to live cleanly!

He also decided to add a touch of green to match his usual black smokey for a glam metal-glam rock look. He said he wants to match it with his bass guitar. Well then, we matched. He was even mistaken as a girl, many times. :)

So long lovelies! I'm not sure if it's going to be my final post for this year, but I hope I could add up a new one and wrap up my last post. Thanks for reading. Let's all look forward for a fruitful and dazzling new year!

Swatches and Review: Makeup Geek Eyeshadows

Hello there lovelies! Has anyone of you tried Makeup Geek eye shadows?

The long wait's finally over and I've got mine a few weeks ago.

I've actually waited for it for a long time after my friend and makeup buddy Sheena offered and asked me if ever I want to try it. She suggested that these eye shadows can definitely top off those from Mac Cosmetics for a fraction of a price!

I've actually heard about it before but since it's only available online in America I didn't have a chance to get my hands on these. I even thought it's impossible to have them since I don't have a Paypal account and credit card. We've used Sheena's and I just paid her in peso as we converted the total amount including the shipping fee here in the Philippines. Since I saw from the box that it was shipped first class, I doubt that the shipping fee's cheap. Thank you so much Sheena! :)

She also made me watch Marlena's a.k.a Make Up Geeks video for her comparison and swatches of MUG eye shadows vs. Mac Cosmetics. There's an uncanny similarity between hers and Mac for their quality, staying power and pigmentation. Unfortunately there's a huge difference between their price. MUG e/s retails for $5.99 per pan, whereas Mac e/s retails for $16! I will definitely go for the cheaper one, ten dollars is ten dollars!

I've been a fan of Marlena since 2007 when I was trying to learn new makeup tricks, and I've seen her succeed as a makeup guru. I've recreated multiple looks from her and I've loved Nyx Cosmetics coz of her too.

Most beauty bloggers and MUAs were raving about these. Since they're mostly sold in pans you have to provide for your own magnetic palette and they mostly choose the z-palette. Since I only ordered 3 neutral e/s from MUG, I have no idea where to keep them.

**MUG - Makeup Geek

**MUA- Makeup Artist

**e/s - eyeshadow

As a neutral makeup addict, I chose three shades. Mocha, Bada bing and Corrupt.  I heard Mocha's a perfect dupe from Mac Ground Brown, and Corrupt's a dupe of Mac Carbon. You have no idea how I've been lusting over a matte brown e/s a matte black e/s from Mac. Finally I have them and thank heavens they're pretty cheap. Lastly I fancied Bada bing. A bronze-copper eye shadow with gorgeous gold flecks.

Here are the swatches. Photos were taken using Ipad mini.

These neutral shadows definitely match my two fave lippies.

Corrupt is the blackest eye shadow I've ever tried. I heard it's really the blackest and most pigmented eye shadow and even beats down Mac's carbon and Sugarpill's bulletproof! I've used it for first time during my husband's and bro's gig and it's really jet black! I can use it as an eyeliner if I'm aiming for a softer smokey eye or softer eyeliner. Perfect dupe and better than Mac's Carbon.

Mocha's perfect if you're aiming for a "no makeup look" just to emphasize or contour your eyes. I even use it on my eyebrows as an eyebrow powder, or dust it off lightly to contour my nose and blend well with a powder. Marlena describes it as a perfect dupe for Mac's ground Brown eye shadow.

Bada bing is perfect if you're aiming for neutral eyes with a touch of glam. The glittery gold flecks makes my eyes appear like I've had enough sleep. This is my favorite among the three. Why? Because I simply love everything with gold flecks in it.

I've tried it yesterday for a dinner date with my husband. I love how it creates a soft smokey effect on my eyes. It'll be my latest everyday/wearable makeup.

Products used:

FACE

Jazzy Cream Foundation in CF-04

Sephora 8hr Wear Mattifying Powder Foundation in Beige

Sugar Skull Cosmetics 10 Correct and Conceal Palette

EYES

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Mocha (crease)

Make Geek Eyeshadow in Bada bing (outer v)

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow Corrupt (upper lash line, outer v)

Koshize eyeliner in brown

Christian Dior eyeliner in Noir

Avon Extralast Mascara in Black

CHEEKS

Clinique Powder Blush in Cupid

LIPS

Mac Lipstick in Please me

with my date

These new makeup additions were perfect for my new Mac Flamingo lippie and my other favorite everyday lippie Mac Please me. They're all perfect for neutral looks and they're glamming up my everyday makeup.. I'm so inspired to work and go out and look lovely.

Now my main problem is where to keep them or another option is to buy a magnetic palette that can hold 3 eye shadow pans. I've tried looking for Mac pro palette that carries four eye shadows, but it's unfortunately too expensive. The other palette I'm eyeing on is Elf's custom eyeshadow palette that can hold 4 pans, but it's for pre order and it'll take too long. I'm so impatient when it comes to ordering makeups online.

I'll update you lovelies soon on where I'll be keeping these three HG-material eyeshadow pans I've got. I'm loving Makeup Geek eyeshadows now, and I'm really itching to buy more, and this time I want the colorful ones.

To check out more of MUG eyeshadow shades and makeup brushes, blush and more, you can check out Makeup Geek Store.

Check also the comparison between Makeup Geek Eye Shadows vs. Mac Cosmetics Single Eye Shadows.

What about you lovelies? What eye shadows from Makeup Geek have you tried?
Any neutral shadows from MUG that you can recommend? Where do you keep your pans??
I'm sure most of you were enjoying these as much as I do. Please look forward on where I'll be keeping them, I'm still undecided.

Flamingly Gorgeous: Mac Flamingo Lipstick + November Newbies

NOVEMBER IT IS! How are you lovelies?

Today I'll be sharing with you how happy I am for having new makeups as soon as November came. Even the money for buying them didn't really come from my pocket. Who are those generous people? You'll find that out later. I really love it whenever "ber" months come. I don't know if there's a psychological reason behind that but happiest months for me start from September til February.

As you all know, I keep mentioning from my previous posts that I miss my best friend as she's staying in Singapore. One of the things I look forward to for this month is seeing her once again though for sure her short stay will make her so busy. Since she's she'll be here I smell reunion and bonding once again.

Whenever she comes home she sees to it that she has gifts for everyone. She's the most generous person I know, and I even remember she got the "most generous" award when we were in 4th grade. Well she still is.

A few  weeks ago she sent me a message asking me what shade I want. My bezzie's exactly the opposite of me & my vanity. She just likes what I have, use my lippies or get it but when it comes to cosmetics she's really clueless. She said she's too anxious to enter Mac Cosmetics store coz for sure she won't have any idea what to buy, or even where to go. I told her I want a coral pink shade if she can possibly find one. I want a lippie that I can wear everyday, on a normal day, without getting too much attention.(I'm a sucker for coral pink & peachy lips).

When she sent me this picture, I was like OMAYGASH!!!

I actually didn't know what she picked but I gave her few options. Shades like Please Me, Modesty, Angel, Flamingo, Jazzed, Ever hip or if it's possible I want Viva Glam Nicki.

She then sent me a picture of Sephora's paper bag as proof that she already bought the lippie. Since I couldn't wait and I don't think I can bear the agony of wondering and imagining what the shade is, she gave in and told me she got the limited edition lipstick shade "Flamingo". **me: jumps up and down!!!!**

photos from bezzies iphone, sent through Facebook chat.

AAAANNNDD THE LONG WAIT'S OVER!

When I got the lippie last Friday I couldn't resist swatching it at the back of my hand and put it on my lips! Such a gorgeous lippie!

Flamingo is a light milky bright coral shade which has been repromoted for All about Orange collection from last year's Spring trend. I haven't done any research before and I've found out it's a lustre, so the finish is more of like a tinted lip balm with better pigmentation if you apply it twice on your lips. Though I'm not a fan of balm-like finish, it reminds me of my favorite lipstick, Maybelline's Angel Rose. So yes, though it's a bit glossy, I'm in love with this lippie. It's bright in person, more of like a neon peach (is there such thing?) but whatever it is it's too bright but then when applied it becomes glossy and balm-like.

It looks orange from the tube, but once applied it's pinky coral with a glossy finish.

Here's the infamous picture of Mac Cosmetics 2013 Spring Collection

All About Orange. According to Mac Cosmetics Website:

"Orange. It's vibrant energy and modern edge ignites fashion and beauty big time in Korea, the rest of Asia and the world. It's one of the new global super shades that pops with sizzle and cool sophistication. MAC translates the trend with international impact into a colour collection for face, lips and nails."

More lipstick shades to try: Me want some Razzle Dazzler!!!!

Razzle Dazzler - a light peach cream peach (Lustre)

Sweet & Sour - Soft peach cream (Cremesheen)

Tangerine Dream - Warm orange cream (Lustre)

Sushi Kiss - Mid-tone coral cream (Satin)

Tart & Trendy - Bright neutral orange cream (Lustre)

Neon Orange - Bright clean orange (Amplified)

The test drive's on the way of course. I wore this lippie during our mini reunion and dinner.

They're my high school friends, the people I've known for more than 2 decades. Well, some things didn't change. Even when we talk to each other it's still like the same, we're like kids again. This time I've brought my husband. Surprisingly they all get along well since my husband has officially met them a decade ago, when, according to my husband most of them were still thin and how come they're all fat now. We laugh so hard coz of that. This isn't their first time to meet coz they were all there on our wedding day, and we usually hangout whenever we have time.

My bestfriend also tried to apply the same Flamingo lipstick she gave me just to see

what will it turn out on her lips. While mine appeared to be coral pink, it turned to milky pink on her. The outcome of the lippie's shade really depends on every person.One thing's for sure, this lipstick is perfect if paired with smokey eyes. I've found some runway pictures wherein it was used by some runway models. It looked different on their lips, it's more peachy like.

I still have so many makeup looks in mind to try and to pair with my new lippie, and I wish I'll have time for those. By the way for this dinner date with friends here's my FOTN and the makeups I used in one collage.

Products Used:

FACE

Nyx High Definition Face Primer

Jazzy Cream Foundation in CF-04

Sephora 8hr Wear Mattifying Compact Foundation in Medium/Peach

EYES

Sephora Custom Eye Palette in Smokey Bronze

Etude House Gel Eyeliner in Strong Black

Sephora Black Eyeshadow from the Custom Eye Palette for eyelining

Christian Dior Eyeliner in Noir

Avon Extralast Mascara in Black

Revlon Eyelash Curler

CHEEKS

Maybelline Mineral Powder Blush in Dusty Rose

LIPS

Mac Flamingo Lipstick

NEW MAKEUPS for NOVEMBER!!

Say "Hi!" to my new and still my HG foundation from Jazzy Collections and another powder foundation (which I got from my bezzie) from Sephora. It's my first time to try Sephora's powder foundation and it matches my skintone well. Since it's in medium tone it's just right because I really want my face to appear darker than those pale-white faces I see.

I got two more lippies! One is from Victoria's Secret from my bezzie, the shades name is Mauve and the other one's from my other close friend Doc Edsie, it's Pinkerbell from Wet n' Wild! I'm dying to have it for a long time since it's the exact dupe of Mac's Viva Glam Nicki.

I'll review it next time.

I also got Sigma round kabuki brush. It's really meant for mineral powders but I love how soft it is and I'm currently using it for my two new foundies.

ANOTHER NEWBIES!!!

I'm just too lucky to have generous aunt. I've been receiving too many branded bags from her, and nope she's not my two other aunts who gave me two Louis Vuitton bags. Talk about luck. :) But then coz of them I got many branded and designer bags. When I was young I don't mind brands and designer goods, but during high school and college my classmates used to tell me I'm really lucky. Most of my bags that came from them were Guess, Xoxo, Liz Claiborne, Coach and DKNY. Now another new set of Xoxo and Coach! :)

It'll be my first time to wear sling bags/body bags, but this Coach bag is beautiful.

The reason why I don't have sling bags is just I'm not comfortable wearing them. I'll try using it on my son's birthday and I'm not sure if I'll like it or not.

 NEXT UP!!
 Details and ideas from my son's first birthday! It's red, black and white and Mickey Mouse Themed!