Make-up & Mia

MAC Captive

2013-07-17T10:10:00.003+08:00

Another MAC post for today! It's MAC Captive in satin finish. MAC describes it as pinkish-plum which really is a perfect description. It's one of my favorite MAC lipsticks. I love the color. To me, it's edgy and sophisticated at the same time. It really depends on how you dress it up. I also like the texture because it's creamy enough to glide on the lips and it stays on the lips for a decent 4-5 hours without drinking/eating.

Color is actually a bit darker in person. This is the closest color I could get with my camera. You can see that it's creamy but not too shiny. The overall finish is more of a semi-matte which I really love!

What do you think of the color? :)

MAC Angel

2013-07-16T09:47:00.000+08:00

MAC day today! Today, I'll be reviewing a very popular shade of MAC lipstick called Angel. The finish is Frost which I find odd because the color is not too frosty. Maybe it's because color is just light so the "frost" effect isn't too obvious. To me, it feels more like a cremesheen finish more than a frost though this is the only frost lipstick that I have.

This is an everyday lip color that is okay for school or work. It's very subtle and classy. It's not matte or semi-matte so to me it fades easily. I do apply lip pencil (very light pink) before applying this so the color stays longer. I use my Shiseido Smoothing Lip Pencil in RD702 Anemone.

But for the swatches below, I used it by itself to see the real color payoff.

There you go! I think the color is really pretty. Its a fun color but not "too" fun that it looks too edgy or inappropriate for school or work. The pop of color that it brings is really nice. I love to put on a light pink or nude blush with it and really soft neutral eye make up. It can go well with a no-makeup makeup look.

Guerlain Lingerie De Peau Foundation

2013-06-21T13:00:00.000+08:00

Lately, I haven't been wearing liquid foundations because it's been really humid and I just can't stand liquid make-up melting on my face. I usually just wear powder foundation, blush and lipstick. But now that rainy season is upon us, I can wear my medium coverage foundations. My favorite is Guerlain Lingerie De Peau Foundation Invisible Skin-Fusion Foundation. My shade is number 31 (Ambre Pale).

What I like about this foundation is it's light, finish is almost matte but not too "fake matte". It's has the dewy-slash-glowy effect. It's not as runny like Urban Decay's Naked foundation. My applicator of choice is my new Real Techniques Foundation Blush. It's the first time I used the brush and it was really good! Anyway, that's for another review.

I still don't have a photo wearing the foundation because I always forget (sorry!) but I promise to update this with a photo. I've used up a third of the bottle and I dread finishing this up because it's expensive. I shall hoard during the outlet sale (yes, there is one!). Honestly, I wouldn't buy this if it wasn't on sale because it's just too damn expensive. I would rather try out other brands but the quality of this foundation makes me think twice!

Anyway, have you tried this? Will you?

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Denim Ink (28)

2013-06-20T20:25:00.001+08:00

Hey guys! I'm back with another review. For today it's going to be Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Denim Ink. I chose this color because I wanted something dark but not "too" dark like black ink. I was choosing between this and the purple one. I decided to get this because I have a similar purple liner by Urban Decay called Rockstar.

The problem with these gel liners is that they're not as "portable" as pencil liners. First, they're small but bulky. It takes a while to put them on because you have to be really precise and also you need a brush for this. So you need not only bring this small bottle but you also have to bring a liner. I prefer using this at home when I have enough time to prepare.

The brush that I use for this is from Bobbi Brown also. It's called the Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush. My brother got it from me in Singapore but I believe it's also available locally.

I prefer using this brush more than others because it's really fine, the tip is precisely cut and it gets just enough product.

This product is really good and it rarely (because I do have oily lids) fades. It also doesn't melt which I like. I prefer it fading than melting because it looks horrible when it goes on my under eye area. Ekk!

I hope more colors would be available here in the Philippines because these are simply amazing!

MAC Betty Bright

2013-06-03T17:03:00.001+08:00

I know I've been a little behind with this collection and I've also been very busy with work and life that's why I haven't written much lately.

Anyway, pardon my absence. I'm back (hopefully longer this time LOL)!

The lipsticks that I got in this collection is this and also Daddy's Little Girl which I will also make a review soon.

I really like the packaging of this one more than other collections because it's really cute and this is the first MAC tube that I have that's not black. The box is really adorable too!

This has a satin finish which I like because it'll stay longer on my lips compared to other finishes. I also don't like overly shiny lips that's why I don't own any lip gloss.

The color in the photo is quite far from the actual color. It's pinker and brighter. This is considered coral with a hint of pink but to me it's more of a bright pink with a hint of coral (?).

On the lips, it actually highlights the dry patches so I recommend a lip scrub (I use Sara Happ, works wonders!)

It's really a very nice summer bright shade. It looks nice with a neutral, toned down eyeshadow, soft cheeks and defined brows. When in a hurry, I tried using this with just a clean no-makeup make up look and it really brightens up the face!

What do you have from the Archie's collection? Do share! :)

Review: The Face Shop Face It GL 112

2013-03-10T00:20:00.000+08:00

I know, another nail polish post but lately I've been buying nail polish in all colors so I can't help it! Today, I'll be reviewing The Face Shop Face It in GL112. This is a golden shade which I adore. It's a dull gold, a bit two-toned and shimmery which I like. It really pops in your hands and looks like liquid gold. Some people won't like this because it's streaky but what I love about TFS polish is that it's really easy to apply. No fuss and also easy to remove. One more thing I like about this is it stays for almost two weeks without chipping off (unlike some brands, even hi-end ones).

I have yet to make my own DIY lightbox for my product shots. Soon! I'll also show here a step by step procedure how you can make one at home so watch out for that.

What do you think of my liquid gold nail polish? Lol!

Review: Orly Blue Suede in Matte Finish

2013-03-02T16:55:00.001+08:00

Hey everyone! It's been months since my last post and here I am again with a brand new polish post. I'm currently in love with Orly's matte polish. I actually have 3 and the other two I shall blog about soon.

Sooo, matte polish. I actually like them because they're not as poppy as the usual polish which are shiny any super bright. I like it because it's deep and muted and it has a "rough" feel it to. It's not your usual polish and I like that.

Here it is in the bottle.

The color is a deep blue which has zero shine in it and looks amazing!

Also, I should say that I definitely love Orly's handle because it's rubberized and makes it easy to open the bottle.

So have you tried any matte polish lately?

Revlon Nail Polish in Scandalous

2012-06-16T00:52:00.000+08:00

I'm all about the glitter polishes as you can see here (more to come) so when I saw this purple glittery nail polish from Revlon, I instantly bought it because it seems unique and I love the color.

Color in the bottle is super cute, right? Well actually, I didn't expect the glitters to be that big when applied, my mistake. There's nothing really wrong here since I knew what I was getting. But I think the purple polish itself turned out to be a very sheer black than purple. It's only the glitter that is purple.

See the giant glitters?

This polish is a bit hard to apply because it takes two or three layers to make it look like this. It's a bit awkward looks a little bit Cruella de Vil to me, right? I obviously can't return it because we don't have the same rules like in the US which sucks for us customers (~~okay, not exactly sure, just assuming~~).

Anyway, I'm selling this one at my online store. Send me a message or you can buy it directly.

The Face Shop Nail Polish in PP401 & BR802

2012-06-15T23:29:00.000+08:00

This was an accidental buy, really. I was in TFS wanting to buy their super great nail polish remover. I had no cash at hand but they had a minimum for their credit card transaction so I had to buy other stuff and so I settled for nail polish.

PP401 and BR802

First, let me talk about BR802 which on the bottle is very beige and looks super opaque but when applied, looks very orange-y, sadly disappointing. It's a weird orange, it kind of in the middle. It's not too bright and also not too beige-y.

Looks a bit more orange-y in person.

Next is the purple nail polish which is super cute! I like bright nail polish that isn't too loud like neon and this is perfect! I love it to bits and it's also easy to apply and super affordable too.

Each bottle costs around P95. A bit more expensive than local brands and a lot cheaper than imported brands like Orly and China Glaze.

What do you think? Do you have TFS polishes too that you love?

Stellar

2012-05-09T22:21:00.004+08:00

I think I'm back on blogging. I've been wanting to blog lately and if you haven't noticed, I changed the layout of my blog thanks to Blogger.

Anyway, here's a cute nail polish I bought last month at PCX in Rockwell. Yes, there are some stores that carry China Glaze polish. I've seen them in PCX and in Watsons Fort.

Here are the things I like about this polish - it's glittery, it's subtle, it's a mix of fancy and simple. It just works on any occasion and it's so easy to apply. You might need two coats for an even and opaque-y finish. Consistency isn't too runny nor is it too thick which makes it easy to apply.

What I don't like about this polish is it's a bit hard to remove because of the glitters. I've been using the My Nails polish remover which I saw in my mom's bathroom. I finished the bottle so I bought my super favorite The Face Shop Polish Remover. I haven't used it on the China Glaze polish, hopefully it removes the polish better and with less struggle.

It's also a bit pricey for a nail polish - PHP 350 a pop!

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

2012-04-06T12:47:00.001+08:00

I went to Rustan's Makati last weekend to buy the Orgasm blush but ended up buying another blush (will post a different review for that) and this Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer.

I usually use my MAC BB cream for my everyday light weight balm/light foundation just to cover up the redness in my face. When I saw this at the counter, I got really interested and had the SA try it on my face. She used a sponge to apply it but she said it's better to use fingers to help warm up the product to it gets absorbed better by my skin.

This product is pricey at PHP 2,450. For a 50 mL tube, let's see how long it will take for me to finish this tube. I use it everyday with the exception of some weekends where I might use my medium to heavy coverage foundation.

I got the lightest color - Finland but if I remember it correctly, they have at least 6 colors to choose from.

Squeeze tube which I love because I can get precisely the amount that I want.

I intentionally put just a little bit of product to show you long it goes because this beauty is super spreadable and buildable too.

That tiny dot goes a long way, see!

Here it is completely blended. It doesn't have shimmers but the finish isn't completely matte. SA said it's better to finish it off with powder.

Please ignore the hair! LOL

See? It's a beauty in a bottle. No photo alteration here. It just looks clean, clear and radiant!

What I really love about this product is it's buildable, you can use this and it'll stay the whole day! medium coverage since it gets the redness of my face down.

There's nothing really bad about this product other than its price.

Verdict: If you just want a clean, clear and even face without the thick layer that usual liquid foundation does, you must try this!

Thoughts?

Bobbi Brown Denim and Rose Palette

2012-03-22T00:39:00.001+08:00

I recently got the Bobbi Brown Denim and Rose Palette from the Red Girl Shop a few months back during her year end/new year sale. This was probably PHP 1,000 off or something. It was a good deal so I bought it.

There's something annoying about the zipper in the packaging. it's a bit hard to open and close it but it's called "denim" so I guess they couldn't help it. LOL.

Colors are pretty alright. They are pigmented except the sparkle eye shadow. Navajo is a good base, not super opaque, just enough for a good base for eyeshadows. Denim is a good gray matte, something I've been looking for and the Dark Rinse I honestly haven't tried.

As for the lip colors, not really impressed with them except for hot rose gloss which is amazing. makes my lips super plump. Hehe!

I'd give this a 3.5/5 overall because some are not impressive and plain forgettable.

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink

2012-03-21T23:26:00.001+08:00

I recently got the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink because I've really wanted to do the whole eyeliner thing again and want it to be jet-black and super matte. When I was a beginner, I really didn't want to use gel liners, I preferred pencils back then. Now that I kind of got the hang of liners, I am more confident to use gel liners.

I tried to use different brushes for this but nothing works as good as the brush used to apply it at the counter. It's the Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush expensive but I got it for free when my brother went to Singapore and got it for me!

Photo Source: Bobbi Brown Website

I wasn't able to get a photo of it unused so here's how it looks like after around 5 uses, - looks like it takes a lot of product for one use, probably gets stuck in the brush.

Here's the photo when I used it, simple, sleek but very edgy.

You can use it as is or add eyeshadow for a more "full" or smokey look.

Only fallback on this one is it melts down after a while especially when you're sweaty or your eyes start tearing when for example you yawn. Not much but I can notice some of the product melting.

By the way, I believe only black and brown are available here in the Philippines but I've seen more colors online. Hope they send some more colors here in the Philippines.

Loving Bobbi Brown

2012-03-21T22:40:00.001+08:00

Bobbi brown is the most natural make-up I've worn in years. In high school, I remember asking mom to buy me a concealer and the first counter we went to is Bobbi Brown and I was instantly sold. I love the fact that they have a lot of colors so you're assured that you're going to have a shade to match you.

Recently, I've hit pan with both my concealer and corrector. Sometimes I just use the corrector during those days that I'm just in the office so I rarely use my concealer anymore, just during times when I have to dress up or feel like dressing up.

There's still a tiny bit of product in my concealer and I won't buy until I completely finish it. LOL. Corrector still has a lot of product though I already see the pan. I also love how sleek the packaging is. No frills, just a simple, super travel-friendly product which I can bring with me anywhere.

When I run out of the corrector, I'll definitely buy it again. As for the concealer, I might pass up this one because I like the corrector on its own.

What's your favorite Bobbi Brown product? Do share!

Benefit Powda Wowza Blush Palette

2012-03-19T16:25:00.003+08:00

Yes, I am back. After a very long time, here I am back to blogging.

Anyway, my not so latest purchase (because I bought this last year) from Red Girl Shop is Benefit's Powda Wowza Blush set which includes 3.0 grams each of Coralista, Hoola and Bella Bamba. It's such a steal! If you want to try benefit's blushes without getting the full size, this is the best for you. I got this set because it has pink, peach and a contour/bronzing powder. Amazing, right?

This also includes a cute brush which I haven't used ever since I have my own blush brush.

And here are the swatches...

For me, I usually use both Coralista and Bella Bamba for my blush and even mix the two. My only comment is that the substance is a bit too subtle so it takes a while before I really see it on my face. But nonetheless, when applied properly, it creates a nice glow which looks natural.

It doesn't stay that long though in my experience, only a few hours then it's gone.

The bronzing powder has a different texture. It's softer, a lot finer while the blushes are a bit tougher. Also, you can see that the bronzer is super matte while the blushes have glitters on it which I adore!

All in all, I would suggest this to everyone. Works on my skintone and didn't break me out and lasts a long time.

What do you think?

What's New: Shoes, Shoes and more Shoes!

2012-01-08T03:06:00.001+08:00

I know I've been out of the circulation for a while because I was super busy and well, I kind of lost inspiration to write.

Anyway, I'm back and ready! First of all, since I have an obsession with shoes, I'll show you guys the latest ones that I bought in Singapore where my family + boyfriend went for our Christmas vacay.

First is the cream loafers from Charles and Keith. Note that all the shoes I bought are on sale!!! This one hurt my feet a bit the first time I used it but after a while, it acutally expanded which is great! It fits well and looks great too.

Cute right? Problem is it gets dirty easily and not much padding.

Next two shoes are from Hush Puppies. Super comfy shoes and stylish too!

Next shoe is from Melissa. Was actually lost and was looking for another store when we chanced upon a shop that sells Melissa. Good thing I had my size and it was on sale!

The cut-out part was a bit weird but cute. I love the color and the bow detail!

Next up is the cute blue slingbacks from The Little Things She Needs.

Suuuper duper comfy but doesn't have much padding. Very affordable too.

Last but not the least, shiny shimmering blue flats from a small "tiangge" in Vivo City Mall.

Design is both modern and tribal-y because of the shape. Cute, no?

So I got 6 pairs of shoes and super happy!

Thoughts? What did you shop for during this sale season? Spill!

-SOLD- FOR SALE: Charm Pro 21-pc Professional Makeup Brush Set

2011-11-20T00:54:00.001+08:00

THIS ITEM IS USED
21 pcs. complete set
The brushes are completely sanitized using the MAC Brush Cleanser
Some individual plastics are not included anymore, just for the big brushes
Used for 2.5 months
Reason for selling: I have a small pouch and just can't fit the brush handles
Still in tip top shape!
I actually wasn't able to use all 21 pcs. only the big brushes, concealer brush and 2 eyeshadow blushes.
Some are washed but honestly, I haven't used them.
Leatherette pouch included.
Super super great deal! Bought this set at Pure Beauty, Serendra

Selling price: 2,000 still negotiable

FOR DETAILS, please text me at 09175242489 or e-mail me at gimiabreak@yahoo.com

Mel is Love

2011-11-01T02:23:00.000+08:00

So maybe I made a bit of impulse shopping. I saw this in Rockwell at Shoe Salon. The brand is Mel, which is a sister company of Melissa. They're the same material but thinner and also more affordable. They're soooo comfy. Been using the cream one for weeks now and it's so comfortable to walk in. No callus, no wounds. They're actually very fashionable too. The color really pops!

RED

PURPLE

CREAM

Maybe I went overboard when I bought 3/4 colors but these are just soooo nice and comfy I couldn't pass up. I think if I did, I would regret it.

Mel is available at Shoe Salon, Powerplant Mall in Rockwell.

Jeremy Scott for Swatch, Again

2011-11-01T01:49:00.003+08:00

I've been waiting for this since it came out in Chuvaness's blog some time ago. I've always wanted the double wrap watch by Swatch but the original design was too small for me. Plus, it was in pastel colors which I didn't like. Good thing Jeremy Scott made something fresh, unique and biggger! Hehe!

It's seriously super long. Super.

This is how it looks on me. Love the wrap. Love the pop of color. It goes well with most of my solid outfits. It's waterproof and rainproof. It soft and light. Perfect.

Love the details especially this closure x 6. I've never seen anything like this yet.

If anything, I still wish it's bigger. Bigger is better, at least for this one.

Shu Uemura's Cleansing Oil, Facial Wash and Toner/Lotion

2011-11-01T01:35:00.001+08:00

Okay so I bought most of this mid October and I'm only blogging about it now because I want to use them first before reviewing it. Good, right?

First, I got the super raved about cleansing oil because I just feel that I have to take care of my skin more now because it's becoming dry and less "fresh". So, I think I need a cleanser that will thoroughly keep my skin clean but also very soft and moisturized.

Here's how you use it...

I got the anti-inflammatory because my face is sensitive and gets irritated easily especially when it's hot. The super friendly SA over at Rockwell branch suggested that I get this alcohol-free cleansing oil. She used it on my hand to show that it really takes away all the make-up while cleaning your face.

After a few days, I went back to buy another facial wash because I don't want to use the cleaning oil everyday especially when I don't have make-up even though it's okay to use it.

I got the gentle cleansing oil in gel which is so fragrant and so soft on the face. Seriously, it's as if I put on a layer of moisturizer.

I also bought a toner which they call lotion. It's also alcohol-free which is good. It doesn't dry up my face. It actually evens out my face and makes it more radiant.

I think the facial wash will be emptied in about a few months which is sad because it's expensive but super nice.

FYI, I didn't break-out with any of the products. Super love Shu Uemura!

4.5/5. -.5 because it's super expensive, but I guess it's worth it!

Energizer's Energi To Go

2011-11-01T00:58:00.001+08:00

Hate when you're out and either you're phone's dying? Well I do especially since my phone's battery is very inconsistent. I almost came to the point to buy another battery as back up but quite expensive and hard to charge since I have to switch batteries just to charge the spare one, right?

I'm glad I read in some blog about this miracle. It's the Energizer Energi To Go. You can charge it using your laptop. When that red light turns green, it means it's fully charged and ready to go.

There are four tips included in the package. I usually use this for my Blackberry but when my relatives needs to charge, they can just switch the tip and charge their phones.

It comes with this black velvety bag which protects and stores the charger and tips. It's very handy and compact.

Took out the product already since I used this as soon as I bought it. My phone was dead at that time. Haha.

Quite expensive at PHP995 but it's rechargeable so I think it's worth it especially nowadays where we have typhoons often. Bought this at the Mac center in Rockwell.

Have you tried this? Will you buy it? Share share share!

Haul from Cole Vintage

2011-11-01T00:34:00.002+08:00

I got new rings! Rings, earrings and watches are my favorite accessories. I can't go out without them! I think they really complete a look.

Have you been to Happy Lemon over at Rockwell? Well, last night I was waiting for my order when I saw rings from Cole Vintage. I saw these two and bought them without thinking twice.

I think they're fantastic and one of a kind!

They're PHP299 each. Such a steal!

Cute Packaging!

This is so elegant! Black and gold is one of the best combinations.

This is actually adjustable which is cool! Its superrr huge!

Love the color and design. Very unique.

I love that local designers give us something very fashionable at affordable prices, right? I hope they release more rings because they're lovely!

MAC Brush Cleanser Review

2011-10-31T23:41:00.002+08:00

I had a problem regarding what to use to clean my make-up brushes. First, I tried Cetaphil but it seems to be too gentle. Next, I tired my facial wash. It was effective, too effective that it felt too strong for the brushes. So, I had to research on what to use to clean my brushes.

MAC Brush Cleanser seems effective in doing the job, according to the videos and blogs that I've been reading. It's easy to use, dries up fast and takes out most of the make up in the brushes.

I inquired in the MAC store how much it is and I actually got surprised that it's affordable at PHP680. I say affordable because it's just a few pesos more expensive than in the States.

Everyone says that to save the product, it's best to buy a small spray bottle and spray the product on the brushes instead of pouring it into a small pan or directly on the brush. I bought one in Rockwell at PHP40 and transferred the product in the bottle.

Here are the brushes that need some cleaning!

Spray the product with the brush cleanser and then...

Swipe the brush on a cloth or tissue paper back and forth so the make up on all sides of the brushes would transfer to the cloth. Do this until there is no more residue on the cloth/tissue paper.

Lastly, let the brushes dry. I do it overnight just to be sure but it does dry up quickly.

My rating is 4/5 because it takes more than 3 repetitions before the make up is completely gone from the brushes.

What do you think? I saw another brush cleanser in Shu Ueumura and it's so expensive at twice the price!! Haha. Just sharing!

The Balm is The Bomb

2011-10-20T00:11:00.000+08:00

Out of the blue, I decided to visit Beauty Bar over at Rockwell to check out their new stuff, escpecially The Balm. I've read that their concealer is good but I wanted to check out other products too.

Since I just bought my Bobbi Brown Corrector, I didn't buy the correct but instead, I bought a blush, translucent powder and face primer.

First, I want to talk about the primer.

It's sealed which is good so I'm sure it's still unopened. I was just shocked at first because it became watery compared to their swatch at the store. But after a few squeezes, the good texture came out and never again did I see the watery substance. It probably settled.

Anyway, it's a clear substance which is so buttery and so soft that this is actually not just recommended to be placed before make up but also by itself as it makes your skin look softer and healthy. When I'm in the office and no meetings for the day, I usually just wear this and powder and I'm set for the whole day. Not bad.

Next is the blush/eyeshadow in CabanaBoy.

This blush/eyeshadow is usually darker or "more roasted" than my usual blushes. It also has almost unnoticeable gold sparkles which I actually like. You won't see it even if you looked but on the pan, you'll see it. It gives a healthy glow without looking too fake. It's also quite affordable compared to other brands like Chanel, MAC or Bobbi Brown. Winner, right? It also lasts long which is a major plus.

Last but not the least, my favorite of all three is the translucent powder.

This translucent powder seriously has no color even though you put more than usual when it's extremely humid and hot outside. I was actually shocked to see that it lasts almost the whole day or if it's really humid, you only need to re-apply once and that's it. Not kidding at all. It's also packed in a very economical way and still with a mirror which is good because I don't want to carry around a big ass compact. MAC's translucent powder packs only 6.3g while this has 7.08g. And this is so much more affordable. Love love love it! The only down side is it doesn't have a brush so I need to bring one with me.

The only thing with The Balm is they don't have much product just a few, even in their website. Oh well. I'm actually thinking about stocking up on the translucent powder because it's my everyday go-to powder. I know im over exaggerating but seriously, you should check out Beauty Bar and check it out yourself.

Have you experienced The Balm yet?

Satchel Stories

2011-10-19T23:24:00.000+08:00

So many people are into satchels nowadays. But with its steep price? Not everyone can afford it that's why some stores are re-creating it and making it into generic ones. Personally, I love it. The look is the same, it has a different hardware (which is a bit more practical), material is softer and more user friendly (lol) and of course, the price is much much friendlier (at only PHP1,500).

Here are some photos of the bag:

Got it from Invitation House - Basement @ Greenbelt 5

I love the fact that it's magnet type and not buckle type!

Okay, the real color is more like this and not the other pale photos - camera tricks. Haha!

Mind sharing your satchel? :)