Ellana Mineral Lip Palettes Swatched

I was so excited to see that Ellana has come up with Mineral Lip Palettes. I love glosses and tints for everyday use and I only use mineral lippies since they are less damaging than traditional lipsticks. Since these palettes are not available in their weekend bazaars in SM stores, I made time to go to their showroom in West Avenue to buy these.

Look at the front. It's very cute!

Let's look at the Butterfly Kiss Lip Palette first:

top (L-R): Impress, Venus

bottom (L-R): Bubble, Smitten

Yes, I was so excited that I actually tried one of the shades before taking a picture of it. My bad!

Here are the swatches and descriptions from the catalog:

From left to right:
Impress - tinted magenta
Venus - tinted purplish pink
Bubble - tinted light rosy pink
Smitten - tinted magenta

Thoughts:

This palette is the one with the pinkish shades. I like this palette better because I'm biased to pinks. These are lip tints, so don't expect them to be very pigmented. Some shades are more sheer than others. My favorite shades in this palette are Venus and Bubble, because they make nice MLBB shades. I recommend Smitten if you are going for a bright pink lip.

Next is the French Kiss Lip Palette:

top (L-R): Infatuation, Bliss
bottom (L-R): Honey, Passionate

Here are the swatches:

from left to right:
Infatuation - tinted rose red
Bliss

Honey - tinted light peach

Passionate - tinted earthy red

Thoughts:

This palette is more for the ones who like peachy, earthy shades. I find Bliss to be different from all the other lip tints. It's very matte and much more pigmented that the other sheer, glossy shades. Honey is my favorite in the quad. It's the sheerest among the four but will make a nice MLBB shade.

I'm excited about these palettes and can't wait to use them!

The Haul Before Christmas + I'm in a Catalog!

Hello everyone! How was your Christmas? I'm just enjoying my 4-day break. Breaks these long come so rarely. Anyway, I just want to show you some of the stuff I bought a few days before Christmas. 

First, I gave in and bought a bottle of Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation. Pammy gave me a sample and I loved it! So I bought a bottle for myself :)

A new brush belt from Suesh! I have too many brushes which won't fit in my two brush rolls so I think it's about time that I bought a big brush belt.

Some stuff from Ellana Minerals: Papaya Kojic soap, Lip Treatment in Cucumber Melon Fresh,  Butterfly Kiss and French Kiss Lip Palettes.

I really love lippies so these are great because I get four in one container! And they are mineral lippies so they are much better just for everyday use.

On a personal note, if you've seen their December catalog, you'll find that I'm in their pages! Can you spot me? LOL

And last but not least, my Urban Decay Jackpot that I ordered during the Sephora Friends and Family Sale has arrived. This set has 9 mini-sized 24/7 liners plus a full size pencil of Zero. I really can't wait to use these! I just feel sad that shortly after I ordered these, they released their Urban Decay 15th Anniversary set which includes all of their 24/7 pencils! Wah! At least I didn't spend too much money.

Anyway that's all. Belated Merry Christmas everyone!

All I Want for Christmas is...

An HTC Aria! Or maybe an Ipod touch instead! What do you think? What's more useful? I'd really appreciate any thoughts.

BTW, I've started to become addicted to lip pencils, so yes, any kind of lip pencil would be great for Christmas! And also more mineral lippies!

Something New: Stila Eye for Color Palette

I've been eagerly awaiting this palette, so I was happy to finally get my hands on it. I like Stila palettes because they have good pigmentation for a reasonable price. And packaging is cute too!

It opens up to reveal 13 shades.

Here are some swatches. They have good pigmentation, not chalky, although some of the light colors a little light to see. I just wish they had some matte colors, since they are all shimmery.

Have a great week everyone!

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita

Ever since I tried Pammy's lip pencil, I got hooked! Lip pencils are so much easier to use because the application is very precise, cutting lipstick application time. From my previous post, I showed you that I recently bought my first NARS lip pencil in Dolce Vita.

 

I was really excited to use it. I used it for an event but I wasn't able to put on a full face of makeup due to time constraints. Here is Dolce Vita on my lips:

I like how it looks like, and it will also be a good MLBB shade for gals with darken skin tones.There's no hint of any gloss, it's definitely matte. Lasting power is okay. I wouldn't say it lasts really long. It lust lasts a little longer than lipstick.

I'm loving this purchase! Too bad NARS products are so expensive :( I'm also eyeing another lip pencil in Sex Machine plus one more from a different brand. Oh no! :P

Quick Post: Rustan's Mini Haul

Last saturday, I went to Shangri-La and really couldn't resist buying a few stuff from Rustan's. First I went to Stila to get the Eye for Color Palette, which I've been waiting for since the month began. I also got a Kitten smudgepot! I love the Kitten e/s so I wanted to try out the smudgepot version.

Then I went to the back of Stila, which was NARS! I got a blush in Amour, which is great because I'm really lacking in matte blushes. I can't wait to try it out! I also bought a lip pencil in Dolce Vita, which I'm loving! Reviews to follow shortly, starting with the Dolce Vita Lip Pencil.

Here's my small haul that still burned a hole in my pocket:

But I don't feel so bad because I get to use them on my gigs (nevertheless, I'm going on a makeup no-buy after this month hehe)! Yey for a fruitful December! Have a great day everyone!

I'm Sorry for the Lack of Updates

How is everyone doing? I'm really sorry my dear readers, I've been busy lately, so my blogging has really lessened. As you know, the ber months spell busy-ness for all of us. So I'm going to leave you with a neutral FOTD I put on during my friend's wedding last week.

Forgive the bad lighting. This was taken in my bathroom. Hehe

Here's the version with flash. I added it just so you have a clearer view:

FACE
MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC25
MAC Select Cover-Up NW20

Guerlain Pressed Meteorites in Mythic Parfait
Stila Contouring Trio

EYES
Urban Decay Naked Palette
Stila e/s in Kitten
Maybelline Volume Express Cat Eyes Mascara
Clarins Double Fix Mascara
The Face Shop Brow Pencil in Taupe
Kate Brow Mascara

CHEEKS
NARS Deep Throat

LIPS
NYX Frapuccino

Have a great weekend everyone!

Urban Decay Naked Palette Review Part 2

Hello everyone! Still enjoying the holiday? I for one enjoyed the rest. Anyway, I promised that I would show you the Naked Palette in action. So here is some sample work showing the colors in action. I told 'ya guys that I haven't been able to put it down since I got it last week. I reckon that pretty soon, I'll be needing a new one.

Here are some samples. Note that I'm only listing the colors that came from the Urban Decay Palette. For pictures 2 and 3, I used a different brand for the highlight colors.

Sample number one using the most matte colors in the palette:

 photo by John Richard Velasquez

Highlight: Virgin
Lid: Naked
Crease: Buck


Sample number two:

photo taken by John Richard Velasquez

Lid: Half Baked
Crease: Smog
Outer V: Dark Horse




I hope this last picture won't hurt your eyes too much. I'm posting this to show some more samples. Tee hee!

photo taken by Jomel Tadeo

Lower lid: Hustle
Upper lid: Toasted


And there you have it. The colors in action! If you do a lot of neutrals, this is the palette for you :)

Urban Decay Naked Palette Review Part 1

Hello everyone! It's a thursday, and normally I have a good amount owithf time during this day so I'll be making a post about my Urban Decay Naked Palette. If you've been following my blog, you'll know that my Naked Palette arrived last week with a broken mirror. Sad as I was, I immediately took this baby around with me, and you know what? I'm very happy! Thanks to this palette, I can finally let go of my Coastal Scents 28 Neutral Palette. I've been using it for a very long time, and now I can replace it with something way superior. 

Here are the colors:

This palette is perfect for office use, bronzy looks, neutral smokey looks, and bridal looks. They contain the same creaminess and pigmentation that Urban Decay is known for. I have to say, though, that the two completely matte shades (Naked and Buck) are not as pigmented as their not-so-matte counterparts. Sidecar is a little too shimmery in the pan, but it's not that bothersome when applied.

So here are the swatches. Sorry I couldn't take better shots. The lighting in my house is not so good.

from left to right: virgin, sin, naked, sidecar, buck, half baked

from top to bottom: smog, darkhorse, toasted, hustle, creep, gunmetal

I couldn't swatch gunmetal properly, since I was using only the side of my thumb. I'm sorry for that. All shades were swatched lightly, dry with no base.

The swatches really don't do the palette justice. They're really much prettier in person. I also love how they included my most favorite eyeshadow: sin! Now I'm not so worried about running out of it.

Wanna see these colors in action? Stay tune for part two of my Urban Decay Palette Review.

My Azta Urban Salon Experience

If you've seen me recently, you'll know that the longest part of my hair reaches my waist. Honestly, I've been wanting to have a haircut for a while but I never got around to it. I really needed it, though, since my hair is really doused in chemicals from both rebonding and coloring. I finally found some free time, in Katipunan, while waiting for rehearsals to start. Among the salons there, I finally decided on Azta Urban Salon. I've only gone to Azta once, for a pedicure, back when I was still a student. Even back then, I loved getting pedicures but really didn't want to shell out a lot of money for a haircut. Heck, if I could get a haircut for only P50, I would. I remember that one of my friends frequently got her hair cut in Azta, and I'd always say, "mahal!(expensive)" Now that I'm working, though, I can afford to pay more than P50 for my haircut. Haha! Nevertheless, I'm still not willing to spend more than P300 for a haircut, so Azta was right within my budget. Yes, I'm stingy I know :P

All-in-all, I'd say it was a pleasant experience. The staff is very courteous. The place is comfy and I love how you don't need to lie down when it's time to rinse off your hair because of the way the seats are positioned. Plus, since it was raining, they said they'd give me a free hot oil treatment! It smells guy-ish but I'm not that bothered by it. Hey, for P200 (I got the most junior stylist), you really can't beat that!

The downside, they do try to sell you some products, but they're not too pushy about it. The assistant was telling me about a product good for my hair since it's rebonded and colored and then I asked him what it was. He then left me to get that product, but I told him to finish drying my hair first. He didn't push me again after that, so it's not so bothersome. Another downside, most of the magazines were Candy! Haha, I'm a little too old for that, I think.

I just got a simple layered haircut, nothing too fancy but I love it! I have a little bit of side bangs going on. I'll definitely be back there. Since I still have my coupon from my 2010 BDJ planner, I'll be having my INOA there before the year ends!

Here's me in the grocery a couple of hours after. Yes, I was bored. Excuse the messed up hair, I didn't have a mirror. I just took shots :P LOL

Urban Decay Fail

Everyone knows that I've been lemming for the Urban Decay Naked Palette for a long time, so I finally bought myself one. First of all, I'd like to say that when the item was shipped via Air21, there was a big fragile sticker in the plastic. I opened up my package and excitedly took pictures of my new baby.

But when I opened up my palette, this is what I discovered much to my surprise:

The mirror is broken :( The broken mirror is not a huge deal for me, because at least the pans were intact. It still sucks, though. I contacted the seller about it, and at least she offered me a discount for the damage. I've had more breakable items shipped via Air 21 before, and this has never happened to me. Take care guys. Hope this doesn't happen to you.

Blog Sale!

Hey guys! I'm selling some of my pre-loved items.

6 piece contour and blush palette.SOLD

28 Neutral Palette - There's still a lot of product left since I didn't use this that often - P500

MAC Lucky Tom Palette from the Hello Kitty Collection - 800

Shipping is by Xend or Air 21 (to be shouldered by buyer).
Payment is through BDO or GCash.
Reservation is for 3 days only.

Don't forget to check out my accessories sale HERE

It's Finally Here! The Urban Decay Book of Shadows III

 I totally love Urban Decay eye products. Their eyeshadows are great value for money! Good pigmentation and creaminess that isn't heavy on the pocket. So when these babies became available, I immediately ordered one for myself. So now, here she is in it's splendor...

It lights up!

It comes with two travel-sized pencils in Zero and Ransom as well as a mini UDPP.

Here it is side-by-side with the BOS II. This is the only other BOS I have, since I passed on Alice because I already have a lot of the other colors on that palette. BOS III, though, also has a few colors that can also be found in the Ammo palette but that's okay since I use my Ammo palette quite a lot.

Both of these palettes contain Perversion, a matte black, and Midnight Cowboy Rides Again. I'm happy to say that the new version of this shade has less chunky glitters, since I'm not fond of glittery shades.

Here are some swatches. I had to manipulate the colors a bit to make them as close to the real thing as possible. These are all swatched once, dry and without a base:

from left to right: Perversion, Uzi, Loaded, Kush, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Last Call, Rockstar, Money

from left to right:  Haight, Maui Wowie, Smog, Bordello, Radium, Snatch, Suspect, Psychedelic Sister

Plug: Unique Accessories for Sale

Hey guys, I'm just gonna squeeze in a little plug. I'm selling some unique accessories at affordable prices!

All earrings are P150 per pair.

Necklace and earrings set:

P550

P550

P450

 P550

Shipping via Xend. Contact me at 09053474599 if you're interested :)