MAC LE lipstick in Runway Red

Hi Girls,

I've had this lipstick for about 2 months now neatly stored in my kit. I have used it a couple of times for my clients and as the name states, I actually first tried it out during a fashion show. MAC's Limited Edition lipstick in Runway Red was part of the Shop Mac collection which was released a couple of months ago. I wasn't supposed to add this to my list but since I don't own MAC's coveted Russian Red, I decided to get Runway Red. And I have no idea why I tried this on myself only now.

MAC Lipstick in Runway Red

Swatch

Runway Red, compared to all other red lipsticks comes in a deeper a little darker shade. I kind of prefer this since, I find that this kind of red suits me better compared to others. This deeper type of red looks more classic in my opinion and is the type that will amp up any kind of look. :)

Runway Red on my Lips

The satin finish of Runway Red gives your lips just the right moisture but it also isn't too shiny/glossy looking. I really prefer matte lipsticks because I like their staying power, but this isn't too bad at all. :)

Overall, again I really don't know why I only waited now to try this lipstick, it looks like I have a new go-to favorite red lipsticks. I do hope though that this becomes a permanent product soon! :)

Lastly, here's me bare faced, no makeup whatsoever with just Runway Red on. Please don't mind the puffy eye bags haha. :)

Toodles! :)

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Lime Crime Lipstick in Countessa Flourescent and Centrifuschia

When I saw swatches and pictures online of people wearing Lime Crime lipsticks, the first thing I that came to mind was literally "WOW", the bright lipsticks were so hard to resist that I just needed to get me at least 1. But before I usually purchase a product, especially If I have to buy it online, I do a ton of research so that I won't regret the color I'll be getting. In to my research, I was getting pretty skeptic because of the mixed reviews. So I decided to get the lippies that had the more positive things said about them, the lippies I got are:

Countessa Flourescent and Centrifuschia

Countessa Flourescent Swatch (Top)
Centrifuschia (Bottom)

From the bright swatches, there's no question that your lips will be the focus that everyone will notice right away. That's what I love about these lippies, they can stand on their own.

I decided to get Countessa Flourescent because the reviews said that this was the closest shade compared to MAC's famous Candy Yum Yum, now I love Candy Yum Yum and I'm super sad I only got 1 tube. The fear of running out of Candy Yum Yum haunts me, so I decided to get this Lime Crime dupe. It did not fail, it is as bright and as amazing as Candy Yum Yum. Even my mentor and friend RB Chanco thinks so too. :)

On the other hand I chose Centrifuschia too well, just because i thought it was a pretty color. Hehe. Again it did not fail me, it goes on so smoothly, lasts long and hardly bleeds. :)

This is me wearing Centrifuschia

I've had these lippies for a few months now and I'm pretty happy with their performance, though here are some tips to note down if you are planning to buy Lime Crime Lippies:

- Some of their lipsticks after applying settle in a funny way. This was one major consideration and one of the biggest negative review of the lime crime lipsticks that I read. Some of their lipsticks settle in the lines and look oily (my experience with Countessa Flourescent), BUT, do not fear, here are some solutions to avoid this:

a) Use a lip brush to apply, I've noticed that this way it doesn't settle
b) If you don't have a lip brush, apply lipstick directly on lips, Blot, and re-apply.

- The lippies also have a tendency to bleed, so I suggest using a lip liner first. :)

- These lipsticks last long, and have lip staining ingredients in them. So at the end of the day, give your lips a good scrub to make sure that no residue is left on your lips. :)

Hope this review helps! :)


Toodles! :)

MAC Matte lipstick in Candy Yum-Yum

In my previous post, I described this lipstick as being infamous. Candy Yum Yum is a matte lipstick, a limited edition product which was part of the Quite Cute collection. Before the collection even came out, a lot of buzz was going round about this neon pink must-have lipstick. Because I'm a makeup junkie i just NEEDED it with the fact in mind that it will be out of stock most probably everywhere! So I searched high and low, did what I could to get my hands on one. Thus being infamous, the lipstick sold out right away and getting one was no regret ( Oh I regret not buying 2 actually!).

Candy Yum-Yum is a bright neon pink lipstick and when applied literally looks like it's being lit up, most especially on my dark asian skin tone (think a reflector jacket but without needing light to illuminate it) although don't get me wrong, it is beautiful when worn! :)

Here's the swatch on my hand, although this picture doesn't give justice to it's brightness!

To show you how bright the lipstick is on me, here are pictures of me wearing Candy Yum-Yum under natural lighting.


See how the lipstick is just lighting up on my dark skin tone? The lipstick is just shouting "I'm here go look at my brightness!" haha and i love every bit of it. :)

Here's a run-down on Candy Yum-Yum

Likes:
- A great unconventional addition to the kit
- It's Neon!
- The matte formula allows it to sit on your lips longer without bleeding
- In my opinion it suits all skin colors

Dislikes:
- I only bought one
- It's freakin limited edition


I really really love this lipstick, I think it complements everyone giving just the right amount of spunk to your look. I just wish it becomes part of the permanent collection or they decide to release this shade again. :)


Toodles! :)

I've become addicted to lipsticks

I feel so ashamed, that it has grown accustomed to me to apologize at every beginning of my blog posts. I know I have promised to blog more often and I know I have not lived up to that promise, but I do assure you that I have a valid reason hehe. From January up to this month, work has been over pouring and over whelming that when I have time, instead of blogging, I find myself asleep and resting on my bed. But although I have been super busy, I have not changed one bit with my makeup hoarding! :) And recently I noticed I've become addicted to lipsticks hehe.

Here are my latest hoards:

Left to Right:
The Infamous Candy Yum Yum from the Quite Cute Collection
MAC Pro Longwear Lipstick in Overtime
MAC Pro Longwear Lipstick in Love Forever
MAC Pro Longwear Lipstick in Goes and Goes
Wet and Wild Mega Last Lip Color in 905D Smokin Hot Pink
MAC Lip Pencil in In Synch from the Quite Cute Collection

I didn't realize I was hoarding so much on lip products until I saw my stash and realized they were all still in boxes. I don't know why but I have recently become addicted to lipsticks, and it hasn't even ended, I have a few more lipsticks I ordered coming soon! Weeeh more lippies! :)

As for now, these are my new babies. :) Which one of the lip products do you want to see swatched? :)

Let me know. :)

Toodles! :)

The MAC 189 Brush

I used to think that all brushes were equal regardless if they were branded or not. Then I used to think that buying brushes under a certain brand was just merely a marketing strategy. This was until I became a make up artist and realized that our face need corresponding brushes that will complement the contours it has and not all brushes can do the job well done. With this you know you have a good brush when everything about it is thought about, from its shape, its bristles, density, size and etc.

That's exactly what I felt when I purchased this one of a kind MAC Brush. The MAC 189.


The MAC 189 is no longer available in the MAC website but as far as I can remember this brush retailed for about $50. A hefty price I know but it is surely worth it. I purchased mine at a CCO for about $28, so for those who have access to a CCO nearby I do suggest you check them out. Also since I am not sure if this is a discontinued brush or a PRO product only.

Compared to the MAC 190 foundation brush, you can clearly see how much bigger the bristles are. The bristles are made from Natural animal hair and is about double the size of the MAC 190, making it perfect for application of foundation on the face and Body.

What makes this brush super unique is that the bristles are incredible-y soft yet so so so dense. This makes it perfect for foundation application whether you are using liquid or cream foundation. The density allows you a flawless application one with less streaks on the face. This is also great when used with powder foundation since it buffs in the product better and also, no product goes to waste.

Overall, I think this brush is really a smart purchase. The only thing that can set you back from purchasing this brush in my opinion is:

1. Availability - Since it's no longer available in the MAC website it may now be discontinued or a PRO product.
2. Price - It was priced at $50 in the website but I purchased this for $28 in CCO. Still a hefty price both ways.

But on the other hand this brush has more good to it:

1. 1 Brush for all - can be used with Cream, Liquid and Powder Foundation.
2. Fast - With its size, you get the job done faster without compensating on the quality of work.
3. Big - It's such a big sized brush it can be used for both face and body.
4. Limitless - This brush is not only for foundation type it can be used for other things too. ( I use it to apply body shimmer to certain areas of the body such as the collar bone).
5. Sturdy - This is such a sturdy brush, I'm sure it will last me a long time. :)


So what do you guys think? The MAC 189 surely is one of my favorite brushes. :) What are yours?


Toodles! :)

Heaven sent: Beauty So Clean Cosmetic Sanitizer

This has got to be one of the most useful products I have ever purchased for my kit. As you all know, it is important to keep your make up sanitized and clean. There are a couple of ways to do so like never dipping your brush directly into a cream product, using spatulas, always using clean brushes. But now I am so happy that I encountered this new product during my vacation in North America. It's called Beauty So Clean The World's First Cosmetic Sanitizer!

Especially as a make up artist, you always want to keep you kit clean. The last thing you want to happen is for your products to produce bacteria through cross contamination. I first encountered this product when Crystal S. sent me samples from her contest, immediately I decided I should get myself a big bottle for me to use at home. Until I forgot about it and I visited the Holly North Supply Store in Vancouver Canada, I saw the product again and had no second thoughts and purchased it then and there. :)


Beauty So Clean comes in a convenient spritzer that deposits just the right amount so the product does not soak in the sanitizer (which it is not supposed to) :)

Here are the ingredients of Beauty So Clean and also Directions on how to use the product:

Please click image to see larger

I personally love using the product for my powder Foundations, Eye shadows and lipstick palette. Beauty So Clean also has wipes which they recommend for pencils, lipsticks and the smaller products. Although for me, since my lipsticks are all in palettes, I spray beauty So Clean on them let it sit for at least a minute then gently wipe off the top layer of the lipstick with wet ones.

About to sanitize my lipstick palette :)

If you want to learn more about Beauty So Clean, you can check out their website and their whole product range here:

www.beautysoclean.com

Let's make it a habit and regularly clean and sanitize our products whether they are personal or for professional use. :)


Toodles! :)

MAC Pro Long Wear Foundation with SPF10

In my quest to add liquid foundation in my kit I was choosing over 3 notable foundations. These foundations were Face Atelier's Ultra Foundation, Bobbi Brown's Natural Finish Foundation and lastly MAC's Pro Long Wear Foundation. I ended up getting MAC since not only was it the most convenient and cost efficient for my kit, this new foundation from MAC really lives up to its name being PRO Longwear. For the Pro's and is longwearing. :)

MAC Pro Longwear Foundation with SPF 10
NC20, NC40, NC45

"A long-wear foundation that gives up to 15 hours of wear in any environmental condition. Lightweight and creamy, applies smoothly to provide sheer to medium coverage. Even in hot and humid conditions, controls oil to keep skin fresh, natural and flawless. Provides everyday SPF protection." - MAC Website

I did extensive research on the MAC Pro Longwear foundation before I decided to buy it. I also swatched it many times that I had a chance to pass by a MAC store, and until i bought the product and really put it on the road for testing was I convinced! Most reviews I have read states it to be the best MAC foundation date. Now I was never a MAC foundation fan, I have the Studio sculpt which I love for its coverage but it gets kinda oily. So I wouldn't know what other MAC foundations would be like since I mainly use cream foundation for my clients. But this foundation? I L-O-V-E!!!!!

To give you a backgrounder, I have crazy oily skin and when I use foundation (whatever foundation it may be) I get conscious and check the mirror like every hour to check if my face shines. And usually it does, whether little shine or massive hello blot my face already shine. So you have no idea how happy I was when I find a foundation that allows me lesser "shine moments" like before. Mind you, I still get oily that's just how my skin is, but with this foundation, I noticed that I don't oil as frequently as I did before and that when I do oil, it is not that much. Let's break it down:

Unlike other MAC foundations, MAC Pro Longwear comes in a glass bottle with a pump. Having a pump is more hygienic and the best part of it all you can control how much product comes out of the nozzle, which I like because I tend to get OC with my products hehe.

I first tried this foundation when I was in Vancouver and it worked well for me there. But let's face it, Vancouver weather is far from Manila weather, almost the total opposite. So whenI put this baby to the test in Hot Tropical Manila, I was surprised to find that it still worked, i would occasionally oil but not as bad as I expected. And even if I oil, the FOUNDATION STAYED PUT! AMAZING!

So here's a little experiment I did to show how true to its name this foundation really is.

NC20 swatched back of my hand
(My skin tone is NC42, I used NC20 for the purpose of this experiment so you can see the foundation)

Initially spread into skin under natural lighting

Under white lighting in the bathroom before running under water


While running under water you can see that the NC20 MAC Pro Longwear foundation is staying put and not being washed away.

Just right after running under water, still damp but amazingly the foundation did not budge

Completely dry after running under water. You can still see the NC20 on my hand, there was no transfer and none of the foundation came off. Definitely Pro Longwear

As you can see from the experiment the foundation did not budge even after running it under water. And the best part of it all, this foundation is sooo lightweight on the skin and does not feel heavy at all! The coverage though is medium coverage, but this is buildable so if you want full coverage it can also be achieved! :) So here's my verdict:

Likes:
- Lightweight!
- Buildable Coverage
- I don't oil as much
- LONGWEARING
- Part of MAC's Permanent Line so yayyy!
- Affordable at only $30usd
- Perfect for outdoor shoots and long shoots

Dislikes:
- Don't know when this will be available in Manila and how much in PHP
- I wish it had a tad bit more coverage in one layer instead of building for more coverage.

So overall I will have to give MAC Pro Longwear Foundation two thumbs up!! I made the right decision in choosing this foundation for my kit! Yayy! :)

Lastly, here's a picture of me in MAC Pro Longwear foundation 13 long hours after I applied this foundation. I still had it on! :)

Toodles! :)

Dr. Jart BB Cream Review: Detox Healing & Water Fuse

As Promised, here is a thorough review of Dr. Jart BB Creams. I have broken the reviews down into 2 posts. Based on my last post on Dr. Jart BB Cream variants, I have decided to combine the review for the BB Cream Black Label Detox Healing and the BB Cream Most moist Water Fuse together since I feel that from the 4 variants of the Dr. Jart line, these are the ones that would be the simpler ones or in foundation lingo these two would be the ones with "light - medium coverage".

Prior to Dr. Jart, I have never had any experience with any other BB creams out in the market. I have swatched a few and have received samples. But never had I purchased my own tube of BB cream. Why? Because there was just too many out there to choose from. And in the end, the lack of information for the different BB cream brands led me to buy NONE. So let this be my way of sharing you guys information on Dr. Jart BB creams. :)





Dr. Jart Black Label Detox Healing - 50mL – P1,940.00/ 15mL – P845.00

Amongst the 4 variants of Dr. Jart, this is the carrying variant of the Philippines. Said to match and vanish with the Filipina skin tone, this is claimed that even men can use this product. This is also the current best selling BB cream variant in Korea! Here is a swatch of the Black Label Detox Healing.

Comes in a handy spill proof tube container sure to not waste any product.

Here is a "mongo" size amount of product on the back of my hand, basing from the swatch it initially looks veryyyy light, suiting an nc-25 ish type of skin tone. Fyi I am an NC-40-42 :)

Here is the black label initially rubbed in, it still looks very light on my hand, the consistency is very creamy and it goes smoothly on your skin.

Here it is fully blended into my skin under natural lighting. Under this lighting, it actually looks like its not there anymore.

Here it is with flash, from this image, you can see that there is a slight white cast caused by the BB cream, probably from the Titanium Dioxide content.

Overall, I feel that this product does sink into to your skin and "vanishes" but It just doesn't hold through for all kinds of lighting. I love the consistency of the product because it is not sticky and it really does keep my skin moisturized. I just don't suggest using this though as a base for make up because of the white cast that may appear in Photographs.

I do suggest this though on days when you're not going to take any pictures but can't leave the house without make up. :) On these days you can skip your regular foundation and go with this BB cream and set it with your regular powder, add blush and you're good to go. :)

Dr. Jart Most Moist Water Fuse - 50mL – P1,975.00

From this and the Dr. Jart Black Label, I like this better. From the name of the variant itself, it's kind of intimidating. It actually makes you think that this product will be really heavy with the moisture and may give you the most shine of all. But really it is the opposite. It is the lightest out of all the variants. And it really does give you the "Moisture without the glossiness!" that it says it does. Here is the swatch below.

Comes in the same spill proof tube as the Detox Healing variant.

The same "mongo" size amount on the back of my hand, it also initially looks like an nc-25 ish kind of shade.

Initially rubbed in, here's where you see and feel the difference. This variant is not as thick as the Detox healing variant, and this one really is fused with water. From the initially rubbed in image above, if you click the image and look closely you can see the small particles of water from the product. :) This made the product easier to blend and gave it a lighter feel. :)

Fully blended at the back of my hand under natural lighting.

Under artificial lighting from a flash camera. As you can see there is still a slight white cast caused by the product. A little but lighter than the detox healing one.

I definitely like the Water Fuse Variant over the Detox Healing, I like it better since my skin is oily, and I actually like products that is more water base for my skin since it feels lighter. As a matter of fact, I tried using the Water Fuse variant at night before going to bed after my regular 3-step, so the water fuse became my 4th step. And when I woke up, my face was crazy smooth.

Luckily, I havent really experienced any breakouts, but I haven't been using this on a daily basis too, I actually switch variants depending on my mood and where I'm going. :)


So what can i say about my BB cream experience, well It really is a good addition to my cosmetic and skin care knowledge. It's a good alternative since it is great alone. I would definitely use these when I feel like skipping heavy foundation. :)

I still have 2 more variants left to review, can't wait to share those with you guys soon! :)


Toodles! :)

MAC Eye shadow - Expensive Pink

Expensive pink has been an eye shadow that has been on my list for a couple of months now. And since I'm building my pinks, I finally decided this is the perfect time to get this color. When I went to the MAC Glorietta store, I originally wanted an orange eye shadow. But since there was no stock of orange (well its a pro product so PI doesn't carry it) or off the page (I remember the time the last piece was bought my my friend! :( ) I asked Gee Vee for an alternative.

He gave me the perfect alternative, Expensive Pink. And only then, when he handed me the eye shadow and I swatched it did i remember that once on the lids, expensive pink turns into a coral-orangey color with a pink undertone. Now that sounds very odd but when you see it, you'll get it hehe.

Expensive Pink has a Veluxe Pearl finish which explains the illusion of an orangey-coral color.

Here's what it looks like:


Swatch on finger:


Swatch on arm:

From the swatch, you can see that it really isn't all pink but kind of turns coral-orange. It is a beautiful color and the name "Expensive Pink" is the best definition of the color. :) On that note, I really love how MAC names their eye shadows, their so witty and creative. :) hehe Anyway, here's a rundown on the shadow.


Price: PHP870

Place bought: MAC Glorietta

Likes:
- It really looks like an "expensive pink" color.
- Easy to blend
- Pigmented
- Unique color, haven't seen anything like it
- Permanent color :)

Dislikes:
- Pricey for a single shadow


Toodles! :)