Makeup Gifts from my Bestfriend

They're finally here! The much awaited makeups from my bestfriend Kitty. She bought some of it from U.S. during her 1 month tour and some were from Sephora Singapore. Supposed to be there should be mascaras but since her younger sissy has no check in luggage the rest were left.
I've got new makeups, and they're not the ordinary makeups that you can easily buy elsewhere! I'm just too lucky to have a generous bestfriend who buys everything that my heart desires. I'm actually spoiled and she never say no. I wonder when and how I can repay everything. Most of the thing she likes can't be bought by money, or if there's one then they're surely very expensive. **cough Louis Vuitton and Pandora**

My friend Renren and I picked up Jessa (my bestfriend's sissy who had her vacation for a week at SG) at Naia Terminal 3, and Jessa immediately gave my makeups, I didn''t even ask though I was too excited already. The treasures were inside a Sephora paper bag. I checked on them but then got to test them as soon as I went home.

Let's see what I got in here..

Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade in Chocolate

I actually don't know if I should get Chocolate or Caramel or Ash blonde, but this one's too dark for my brows. But then, the most raved brow pomade's here, No complaints, should never complain. :)

Ardell Multi Pack False Eyelashes in Natural

One of the best and most popular brand for falsies, often paired with DUO eyelash adhesive. I've always wanted to try Ardell's but here in the Philippines they're a bit expensive for just a pair of lashes, but then with its softness and natural hair-like feel there's no question about it. However in Singapore, Ardell's cheap! It's almost half the price of what they sell here in my country. I don't have any plans to open it at the moment, or maybe for my upcoming photo shoot for a project I'm currently doing.

Kiko Cosmetics Twin Stars Nail Lacquer & Lipstick

Wow, never owned anything from Kiko Cosmetics but I must say the quality's really good. I actually have no idea about its price. I got mine in Divine Peach. My bezzie knows what shades I really fall for. The nail polish stays right on, didn't chip off after 24 hours (lol) coz cheap and even a bit expensive nail polish these days chips off really fast, unless they're gel type. It's bright milky peach, and the color's too summer-y. For the lipstick I expected it to be brighter and more pigmented, but though it's soft and gave off a mousse like feel, the color wasn't too intense and more on the nude side. Since it's just a lipstick, it's not rub proof nor smudge proof. I like topping it on liquid lipsticks instead. It can lessen the stickiness of matte lippies.

Mac Cosmetics Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

WOW! JUST WOW! THE FEELS! I got mine in Feels So Grand, a dark red shade. I couldn't contain my happiness! When news broke out that Mac Cosmetics will be releasing liquid lipsticks I was already rooting for it. I told myself I should get one no matter what! When I went to several Mac Cosmetics stores they're all sold out. You can just try them using the testers, but you'll never get them and that's the sad part. When bezzie told us (me & Doc Edsie) that in Singapore they have all the stocks, we immediately told her to get us a beautiful red liquid lippie. Mine's "Feels So Grand" while Doc got "Quite a Stand Out". Oh yeah it seems like my fave Russian Red lippie's retiring for good. Will do a thorough review and I did a test and the result's just amazing. Will post it soon.

Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Face Perfecter in Champagne Pop

Another WOW! I appreciate how hard it is for my best friend to search for it, not to mention how much she spent just to pay for it. She bought Mac Liquid lippie and this and OMG. I don't wanna compute the total price. Well, Champagne Pop by Jaclyn Hill is the most raved highlighter. Will also do a separate and thorough review for his cheek bling.

Sigh. My makeups were getting expensive these days but I actually didn't buy them, most of them were gifts from generous people. When I was too busy I wasn't able to blog about Sheena's gifts for me, but soon I'd like to do a review for Mac Mineralize Skin Finish in Lightscapade. Yes, if there are two people who usually give makeups that I love and too die for, they're bezzie and Sheena. I'm so thankful!!! :')

Sheena's Gifts! Receieved last February.

Please watch out for my longer review for those products I've mentioned, plus I just can't wait to review my first Kylie Jenner Lip Kit!!!! Oh God!!!

Hyperventilating like there's no tomorrow,

Vixen's Vanity Lair

Hello lovelies and my dear dolls! I would like to share with you my personal business that keeps me busy these days and keeps me away from blogging. I've opened this shop before as Sugar Skull Cosmetics that used to offer privately labeled palettes from Hong Kong. Unfortunately my supplier has almost ran out of palette these days and due to my busy life as a mom I've neglected my business. Now, my days were never the same after I reopened my shop once again and changed it into Vixen's Vanity Lair.

I've always wanted to have my own store full of makeups and every beauty finds you can possibly get, but surely I can't do it alone in terms of manpower and capital. I'm glad I've got new sisters that were all willing to help.. my sisters from another mother. :) **insert sissy Hershey and Sheena here**plus sissy in law Cherry** plus sissy Kumars Tere and of course my bestfriends Kitty and Edsie plus my supportive cousins Nikki, Atta Marie, Kim, Shane, and Tita Judith. I hope I didn't forget my other sissies here.

I was thinking of selling cheaper liquid lipstick these days and I've delivered and sold some liquid lippies from L.A. Girl and NYX from my cousin's online store Sweet Frostings Cosmetics. For months, I was looking for a supplier of Kylie Jenner Lip Kits. I know they're so expensive but heck! girls and women were going gaga over them. I've read a blog post from a fellow beauty blogger about how hard it was to get a lip kit and how expensive it can be.

One day, my makeup buddy Sheena posted her video of Kylie Lip Kit which she bought on her own. from Kylie Jenner's Official website. She then asked me if I want one, remember I've bought my Makeup Geek eyeshadows from her? Though I was already delighted with her offer, I asked her if she wants to become my supplier instead. Sheena currently resides in Taiwan and I'm her official distributor!

The rest is history now.We didn't expect a lot of inquiries and I was having a hard time balancing my personal life with my online shop. I've got 1 personal Facebook account and 2 Facebook page that were too busy from clients asking for the availability of lip kits, plus 2 Instagram accounts that were busy as well. reason behind the sudden demand for our lip kits? It's because we have the cheapest Lip Kit yet in the market. We're selling them for only 2,000 pesos! We sold 16 lip kits that amounts to almost 30 thousand pesos in just two weeks! The second batch's doing great as well.We haven't promoted it much but this coming June everything will become a blast!

Something to look forward to:on hand lip kits, glosses and metal mattes from Kylie Cosmetics and more makeup brands like Colourpop, NYX, Sleek, Ofra Cosmetics, Dose of Colors, Lime Crime and maybe Jefree Starr Velour Liquid Lippies.. plus makeup brushes, falsies, and makeup artist must haves.

More to look forward to: raffles (we've launched our very first!) contest, give aways, freebies and soon maybe.... BAZAARS!!

You can visit my shop now:

Facebook: Vixen's Vanity Lair

Instagram: @vixensvanitylair

Ciao dolls!! :) xoxo

2016 Makeup Trend Part 1

Mauves and brown lips have made their huge comeback last year and this year with the twist of current makeup trends like strobing, contouring and cat eyes. I've been trying to hone up my skills more by keeping up with the latest beauty trend. These days I've been stacking on strobe powders, liquid lipsticks, contouring palettes and darker foundation shades. Gone are the days when foundations should be fairer that your real complexion, and should I say fair skinned girls were a bit out these days? Well for years I've been taking care of my fair skin but now I'd love to toast myself up under the sun.. it's not because that I want to get darker, it's just because that healthy beach glow makes me look more alive. For years I've been receiving compliments for that after the beach glow, coz they said I look better.. eerrr... healthier.

While flashy, shimerring cheeks were in, it's now often paired with matte lips. I remember one rule I've read from the group of makeup artists that the face should be balanced. There should be shimmery and matte areas. Though sometimes I prefer my makeup being all-matte, adding a highlighter doesn't hurt to amp up my makeup.

One boring day I reached for my new and old makeups to see if I've been really improving as a makeup artist. Again should I blame those makeup slayers on Instagram and Facebook, they always make me question my ability and my existence. With their bomb faces, and mad skills, it makes me feel that my skills need more improvement, which makes me nervous. I'm more nervous when it comes to showing off my skills than showing off the brands of makeups I used. What I learned is that it doesn't matter how cheap or expensive your tools are. What you can deliver to the table is more important.

Now let me show you the outcome of painting my face. I've already applied 3 to 4 eye shadow in different shades and finish but just as soon as I opened my eyes they're gone, almost invisible thanks to my eyelids who seems to "hide" everything.

I was never flawless! But thanks to my ring light, it hides my flaws and made me look poreless and flawless though my pores were as huge as the crater of Taal volcano. The contouring and highlighting made my face look thinner, and my nose were oh so pointy I love it! So surreal though in real life the tip's too bulbous. Not to mention the thick cream foundation that's darker than my actual skintone and the flawlessness never ends lol. The power of makeup. I also had a hard time with my brows as usual.

 Product Deets: copied from my IG post coz damn that's a lot!

@skindinavia Primer Spray
@koreana_ph @revecen_ru Face Control Foundation in 004 Nude Beige
@maccosmetics Select Sheer Powder NC30
@anastasiabeverlyhills Dip Brow Pomade in Chocolate
@makeupgeekcosmetics eyeshadow in Mocha for brows
@maccosmetics eyeshadow in Tempting
@maccosmetics eyeshadow in Texture
@heroinemakeph Jewelry eye in Yellow Sapphire
@sophieparis eyeliner in Stiletto Black
@heroinemakeph liquid eyeliner
@dior Overcurl Iconic Mascara
@thefaceshop.official false eyelashes
@anastasiabeverlyhills powder contour palette
@anastasiabeverlyhills contour cream
@narsissist blush in Unlawful
@maccosmetics Mineral Skinfinish in Lightscapade
@lagirlcosmetics Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss in Dreamy
@menow Kissproof Soft Matte Lipstick in No.9
@skindinavia Finishing Primer Spray

I'm glad I've also discovered the perfect combo of L.A. Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss in Dreamy (330 pesos) topped with Me Now Kissproof Soft Matte Lipstick in No.9. (150 pesos). Both were available at my online shop Vixen's Vanity Lair. Topping L.A. Girl with Me Now Kissproof made it less sticky and longer lasting.

I'm happy to share with you that I've reopened my online store and we're offering Kylie Cosmetics!!

I've been a Kylie fan for a long time and I still can't believe I'm now selling her Lip Kits!!!

My makeup buddy and friend Sheena of Vanity Tease decided to sell these lippies and we're overwhelmed with the orders coz we got the cheapest in the market. In less than a month almost 40 Lip Kits were sold and ready to be delivered.

Since the title said it's part 1, please look forward for my next blogpost, I'll show my new makeups from my bestfriend! Plus her requested makeup look using her gifts.

Hint: There's Becca and Mac. There I said it! 

Another one to look forward to: My very own Kylie Jenner Lip Kit!!!

OMG I'm so excited!!! I hope I'll have lots of time to do it.

Summer Makeup: Warm Browns and Peach

Whether I like it or not, it's officially summer now in the Philippines. The scorching summer heat and heat wave has been hitting the country almost the whole day. Hello once again to sky rocketing electric bills coz my son's enjoying the aircon like there's no tomorrow. I guess I'll save more if I take him to a swimming pool instead, or just fill the inflatable kiddie pool with water.

My current favorite summer makeup happened to be my everyday makeup now, and it's purely accidental. Why do I say so? I was just thinking one day about toning down everything (yes you're reading it correctly, TONING DOWN) and I'm thinking of a quick makeup look (errr... would take 5-10 mins?) that would still make me look glowing yet appropriate enough for a daytime wear, especially for an early morning call time/meeting/agenda that doesn't require intimidating cat eyes and bright lips.

Most of you will also agree with me that this sauna-like hotness in the Philippines is definitely one of the worst feeling, and especially for makeup lover/makeup wearer like me. I hate sweating, oiliness and makeup meltdown! Must invest with everything waterproof and tons and tons of primer.

I skipped mositurizer, as always. Though my skin changed from oily to combination, I still hate using moisturizers on my face. I just use a good primer that'll help me combat oil on my T-zone. So for my MOTD here's the product breakdown that's surely prevent meltdown at the middle of the day.

Sorting and trying to look for treasures in my traincase, I'm so used to copper bronze eyes plus peachy pink or pink lipsticks that easily washes off. I'm honestly addicted to liquid lipsticks right now and I don't think I will ever wear my lipsticks ever again, unless I will top it off with my fave liquid lipstick. But then I've found neutrals that were not overwhelming and I'm too happy to discover another perfert liquid lipstick plus lipstick combination.

Just simple and basic. Mac Eyeshadow in Texture, Makeup Geek Mocha, Makeup Geek Corrupt.

I even use my Mac eyeshadow in Texture for contouring my nose and hollow of cheeks. Makeup Geek's Mocha is my eyeshadow and my brow powder, then Makeup Geek's Corrupt serves as my eyeliner. Pretty versatile!

Now this is my favorite part. I love L.A. Girl's Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss in Fleur, and last year I love BYS Matte Lipstick in Daydreamer. But sometimes my problem is that L.A. Girl's Fleur is too orangey on my lips that sometimes becomes orange red, then Daydreamer is a bit too pale on my lips. What I actually want is just soft peachy lips. Voila! Combining these two is freaking flawless and fabulous! Topping the liquid lipstick with a cream lipstick makes it less sticky as well.

Product Breakdown

FACE

Skindinavia Primer Spray

Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation in Sand Beige

Mac Select Sheer Powder in NC30

Revlon Colorstay Concealer in 02 Light Pale

BROWS

Nichido Mineral Pencil in Chestnut

EYES

Mac Texture e/s

Makeup Geek Mocha e/s

Makeup Geek Corrupt e/s

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in Sepia Ink

CHEEKS

Nars blush in Super Orgasm

LIPS

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

BYS Matte Lipstick in Daydreamer

Then to set everything in place, just a few spritz of Skindinavia Finishing Spray. Zero touch ups for 6 hours. Well atleast that's long enough. :) Face is just a little dewy on cheeks and nose part, not oily, makeups still there.

Then, I've discovered another wonderful lippie combo that I've posted on my IG account, I'll share it with you soon and a little story of my MOTD that day and how I was inspired to put makeup on.

Hint: (This time, it's full makeup that took half an hour) I'm writing it now so I can publish it asap and give you another great news!

Not really flawless af. The ring light, my fone's camera, the thick cream foundation, contouring

and strobing made me look polished and flawless. Contouring's pretty obvious though. :)

Thanks for reading dolls! Watch out for my next blog post!

Kylie Jenner's Beauty Must Haves + Dupes

My favorite Ky from the reality show Keeping up with the Kardashians has changed in a spam of 5 years. Everything has gotten bigger with the new Kylie Jenner. I didn't keep up with the Kardashians these past few years for sole reason of being busy. I had a lot of time on my hands when I was single and a marathon wasn't impossible with my cousins, but know they've been so busy with their work and I'm stuck with season 7. Couldn't keep up with them and I was just always shocked and stunned seeing on my newsfeed that Khloe and Lamar got divorced, Kim and Kanye ended up together, Koutney and Scott split up, Kendall's now a Victoria's Secret Angel, Kris and Bruce got divorced as well and now Bruce became Caitlyn Jenner. The last blog post spilling their beauty must haves plus dupes was way back 2012 I think, and you can check it out here. I can't even believe that this old blog post has 44,016 views! Time to start another informative blog post this time about Kylie Jenner!

Kylie has been really successful in terms of beauty and vanity. I knew then that she had it in her. Wearing makeup at the age of 11 doesn't actually mean she's in a hurry to grow up, it simply means she has passion for beauty. I saw myself in her at that age, coz at the age of 11 I was already wearing makeup too.

Her makeup game changed after she had lip fillers which has been so controversial, and which is so obvious. Aside for her controversial plump lips, her choice of lipstick made headlines for beauty addicts on social media. She brought back matte mauve and matte brown lips of the 90's, and when she said she uses Mac Lip Pencil in Spice on her lips, it was completely sold out on any Mac stores world wide. One intelligent move she did is when she released her very own lip kits. I'm dying to have Posie K, but unfortunately it's always sold out and even impossible to find elsewhere. Oh well, the Kardashians used to be the most influential in terms of makeup and beauty, now Kylie's doing better than any of those sisters.

Just like her older sistem Kim, Kylie is generous when it comes to spilling her secrets. I did a little research through stalking on her Instagram, blog, vlog and interview. I've found out that most of her makeups weren't really affordable for us, mere mortals. With our bad economy, everyday finances, monthly dues and tight budget, I tried to find and search for drugstore dupes.

SETTING SPRAY:

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

LIQUID FOUNDATION:

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation

Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation

POWDER:

Chanel Loose Powder

CONCEALER:

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

HIGHLIGHTER:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighter

CONTOURING:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

FALSE EYELASHES:

Ardell Fashion Lashes in Wispies

BROW LINER:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Soft Brown

BRONZER:

Kardashian Beauty Endless Summer in Cabana Bronze

LIPLINER:

Mac Spice Lip Liner

LIQUID LIPSTICK:

Stila  All Day Liquid Lipstick

Kylie Jenner Lip Kit (of course!)

FOUNDATION BRUSH/BLENDER:

Beauty Blender

Tarte Cosmetics Airbuki Bamboo Powder Foundation Brush

Yes they're hella expensive, not to mention she has other brands like La Mer, Artisan, Buxom, more Chanel cosmetics for sure and Mac. For broke peeps like me, here's a cheaper deal that you can find in any drugstores or online shops. As a Filipino beauty junkie, some of her beauty must haves weren't really available at most stores in my country, unless it's for pre-order in an online shop (cough! Sephora...) so I tried to look for possible online stores to purchase them. I'm a self confessed dupe hoarder, and I always search for cheaper alternatives that delivers the same result like their expensive counterpart.

Let's start with liquid foundations. Kylie custom blends her foundation by mixing two different shades and formulation to enhance her spray tan and with the goal of letting her real skin shine through. I've heard so much about Revlon Photoready Liquid foundation and most users said that it's a dead ringer for Makeup Forever HD foundation. I've only tried the cream version of it and it's really good! It has light reflective pigments and my pictures really turned out great, though it couldn't actually cover my freckles and blemishes.

If you want another HD foundation NYX has their own HD Studio Photogenic Foundation for a cheaper price. More foundies to try: Cover Girl Outblast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation and Max Factor Face Finity All Day Flawless 3 in 1 Foundation. Cover Girl and Max Factor were sister companies launching same makeup line with almost the same formulation hence there's both 3 in 1 Outblast and Face Finity. You can easily purchase them on any drugstore or any beauty section here in the Philippines. Most of their price ranges from 1,000-1,200 pesos.

Kylie applies her liquid foundation with her favorite Tarte Cosmetics Airbuki Bamboo Powder Foundation brush, or sometimes her Beauty Blender. There's a lot of tear drop sponge nowadays that gives good results like the original Beauty Blender. One good example is City Color Cosmetics. For the Tarte brush dupe, there's this Mushroom Kabuki Foundation brush I've been eyeing on that's available at Lazada.com and Miss Bella Ph. Both mushroom brush and tear drop sponge ranges from 250-600 pesos.

For neat brows on fleek, Kylie uses the cult's fave Anastasia Beverly Hills brow wiz in Soft Brown. There are cheaper alternatives out there, and the latest talk of the town is NYX Micro Brow Pencil that looks very much similar to Brow Wiz of Anastasia and it's only 320 Pesos. L'oreal has brow stylist definer, and you can also try Easy Brow Pencil by Milani and Holika Holika Wonder Drawing Skinny Eyebrow. Price range 300-600 pesos.

You can see that Kylie's face has become slimmer and sculpted thanks to contouring palettes and contouring creams. It's also the trend these days like strobing and with the right brush, right technique and right palette you'll surely achievewell-chiseled cheeks, slimmer nose and slimmer face.

Products to try: City Color Contouring Palette comes with a dual ended brush (it's my favorite) NYX has released their Highlight and Contour Pro Palette while ELF has two contouring palettes, one for fair skinned and one for dark skinned gals. Morphe Brushes has their 9 Contour powder and it looks awesome, me want that! Price Range: 500 - 1,300 pesos 

For rosy and flushed cheeks, Kylie swears by the cult's fave Nars Orgasm blush. There's no need to break your wallet, there's a lot of dupe out there! Try NYX Pinched, Milani Dolce Pink, Milani Luminoso, Elf Twinkle Pink Blush, Sephora Cream Blush in Coral Flush, Mary Kay Mineral Blush in Shy (my fave and the closest to Nars Orgasm!) and Elf Blush and Bronzer duo in Sta. Lucia. The blush is a Nars Orgasm dupe, while the bronzer is Nars Laguna dupe. Price Range: 250 - 450 pesos You can get NYX & Elf at any department stores here in the Philippines, while Milani, Sephora and Mary Kay were from online shops. Buy Mary Kay Mineral Blush in Shy here.

There are so many products for Strobing/Highlighting and while Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighters were Kylie's fave, I'm dying to get Becca by Jaclyn Hill Shimmer Pressed Powder in Champagne Pop. Unfortunately, the ever broke me can only afford Elf Baked Highlighters and Colour pop Highlighters. Price Range: 250 - 500 pesos.

For longer and fuller lashes for a cheaper price, try Red Cherry False Eyelashes. They're soft and 100% Human Hair, even Kim Kardashian uses it. You can try #WSP or #43. They're available at DTC Makeup for only 150-160 pesos!

For the Lancome Hypnose Mascara Dupe, I've heard Maybelline The Falsies Volume Express Mascara gives fuller and falsies like effect that's pretty close to Lancome's. Available at any Maybelline counters for only 400 pesos.

Kylie has been loyal to their family's makeup line Kardashian Beauty, but since it's hard to find a seller here in our country, try the best selling matte bronzer by NYX Cosmetics. I heard that it's really worth a try. Price: 350-400 pesos, NYX beauty counters. More to try: City Color Cosmetics Beach Beauty Bronzer and Essence Hello Autumn Multi Color Powder. Price Range: 370- 450 pesos.

                           

To cover up blemishes and under eye circles, try Revlon Colorstay Concealer. It's very creamy and pigmented and can easily lighten those unsighty eyebags under your eyes. Price: 800. Revlon Counters.

Kylie likes using yellow powders to even out her complexion and correct any discolorations on her face. She uses Chanel or La Mer powders. Try Elf Yellow HD Powder. I heard that it's the dupe for the infamous Ben Nye Banana Luxury Powder. Price: 450-500 pesos

                    

Lastly, aside from being born as the half sister of Kim Kardashian, grew up in front of the cameraa and starred in a reality show, her another claim to fame (thankfully) is not through a sex tape, but through her lips. Once again her controversial lips that grew bigger and bigger have finally launched its own lip kit that's sold world wide and very much in demand.She's totally addicted with Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick, then this year she launched her very own Kylie Jenner Lip Kit. It has a lip liner and long lasting liquid lipsticks in which the shades were inspired by her favorite hues. Mauve, Dusty Rose, Brown, Beige browns and Nude,

To achieve the same lip color like Kylie's without costing an arm or a leg, or suffering from disappointments and frustration from her lip kits for being sold out, Try Maybelline's Vivid Matte Liquid, Nyx Soft Matte Lip Creams and Colour Pop Ultra Matte Lips. Another lippies to look forward to this Spring 2016: NYX Lingerie. Price Range: 390 pesos - 600 pesos. 

Lastly, who wouldn't drool over her glam room? She's only 18 but look at her lair! Me want it so bad. Sometimes, life is really unfair.

Well, that's it! Any recommendations or dupes that you know? Please share it with me if you do, coz for sure it'll be really helpful for us beauty junkies and makeup addicts! 

I hope y'all liked my post and my next goal is to do my take on Kylie Jenner's makeup look.

Bye ladies gotta hit the sack now! Thanks!!