Prettywittybitchyme

MAC Studio Fix C30, MAC Speak Louder lipstick and Few More Hauls...

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 08:01:00 +0000

Hello everyone, gosh! it's been like another century since I last posted. And it's already April! It's just that so many things are happening to me that i sometimes feel zapped of energy to even blog or talk. Most of the stuffs i bought are still unused and they just keep piling up. Will have to do something about that soon..hehe:-)

I arrived here in Manila 2 weeks ago. And for awhile jetlag hit me which is always a bummer. Also this coming April 22-May 1, my family and I are leaving again. This time we're going to Sydney, Australia to spend Holy Week there. Whew! So tiring! I just hope i'll be able to control my shopping urge again.

MAC Studio Fix C30

So the product I'm gonna be posting now is a popular one...MAC Studio Fix. I remember loving and being crazy about this way back in college. It gave me that faux flawless complexion look. I remember bugging my mom to buy me this and all she'd say is that I don't need to put too much makeup on. But of course, my stubborn streak always prevails. Hehe! :-)

Through the years, the packaging still hasn't changed

It's still the same old, black and dependable casing

Simple and nothing fancy

The powder is smooth but it's not as velvety as other high end brands like Lancome or Chanel.

It comes with a soft white sponge that blends the powder well with the skin

I chose C30 as its the closest to my face tone

Blend...blend..blah..blah.. :-p

This is excellent for covering minor blemishes and uneven colors. It has the right amount of thickness to provide a natural coverage that doesn't look as if i'm wearing a mask. One or two sweeps are enough to give me that soft and even look. But since i have oily skin, i notice that after awhile i would see my T-zone getting shiny again so i just use my trusty T. LeClerc Banane Powder to keep the oiliness at bay.

I just use this on casual days when i feel like it and when i need a decent powder foundation to give me that instant flawless look. I never use it continuously coz' i noticed that it has a tendency to clog my pores. But i have a lot of friends who religiously use this without getting any bumps or zits. So it really depends on your skin type.

Overall, i like this product. But i'm not as ga-ga about this as i used to. Gone are the days when i was still clueless about makeup and deem this as the ultimate powder foundation of all time. After trying other brands (the more expensive ones), i realized there are better ones that actually work well with my skin.Though in my opinion this is not the best, it is still up there amongst powder foundations that really works.

MAC Speak Louder Lipstick

I was attracted to this bright pink color from the whole bunch of MAC lippies on the counter. I guess i'm really a sucker for loud colors! So instead of buying Creme d' Nude, i changed my mind again and opted for another vibrant shade.I'm beginning to see a pattern in my lipstick selection, they all look like happy colors! Hehe... The color is bold but not over the top. Just right.

The name itself speaks for the color alone...

The cremesheen formula is perfect if you hate the too drying variety (matte). It has blue fuschia undertones yet some people describe this as pink/red. I dunno but on my lips i could see more blue so i guess it also depends on your skin color. It suits most fair/cool toned skin. Even if it's quite sheer, it is very pigmented so it evens your lip tone in a breeze. It applies smoothly, no streaks or clumping there. Lasting power is also quite good.

The color somewhat reminded me of MAC Lustering except that this is brighter and has a tad more sheen to it. Whereas, Lustering looks a bit redder on my lips.

This is what it looks like on my lips. I didn't add any lipgloss or whatsoever. It instantly brightens the face! Even with minimal makeup you will still stand out with this shade. It looks fun, girly and playful. Very wearable! I normally just wear this with taupe eyeshadow and a little blush.Great for everyday look when a bright lipstick is all you need to perk your day. I think this would be a nice color to use for summer or spring.

AND A FEW HAULS...

So here's a few more hauls that i got. I bought these stuffs at our stopover in Taipei. I still had a few dollars left so i decided to bust it at Duty Free there. I was so happy to see so many brands that i like! I ended up buying a few stuffs that i really want and i'll make a review about them soon. I finally got the Chanel JC Rose Petale blush that i've been lemming for sooo long, 2 Nars lipstick in Love Devotion and Jungle Red, and Nars duo eyeshadow in Jolie Poupee. Weee!

I bought these like 3 days before leaving LA. I got the snake ring from Cabazon outlet, the owl ring at Charlotte Russe. I forgot where i bought the owl pendant. Geez! what's up with me and these owls? haha! I also got 2 nail polish. One from NYX-Lingerie and Opi-Paint my toes-moji red. I intend to use these nail polish for my feet as i still don't feel like using them on my fingers. Hmm...maybe in the near future:-)

I got all of these at a Korean mart at Cypress area also in LA. I was happy to see The Face Shop inside the grocery. So while my aunts were busy buying vegetables and stuffs i was happily lurking at the makeup corner and i bought all these. The Shiseido oil makeup remover i got at the toiletries aisle. I still haven't tried em' yet coz' i still don't know where to begin with all my previous hauls.

So that's all folks! so many products to review and so little time. If you're interested in something just do let me know which one you would like me to try first hehe. Thanks for visiting me again and expect to see more in the future. For now, i badly need to be in shopping rehab! It's just that i can't help it sometimes...such guilty pleasures! Sigh..but i'm really gonna try working on that aspect. Love you all!:-)

HAULS! HAULS! HAULS!

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:38:00 +0000

Hello!!! Gosh! i missed everyone... i haven't posted for like ages. I'm still here in LA and i've been so busy going around with my friends and relatives that i barely even have time to comb my hair. hehe!

So i'll do a collective shot of hauls that i've been doing here and there. I'm into some sort of buying frenzy nowadays and the cops should stop me before i find myself broke and penniless. Yikes!

HAUL # 1

Love this place!

A trip to Vegas wouldn't be complete without dropping by Sephora at The Venetian. As they were busy hitting the slot machines, i sneaked out of Aria hotel (where we stayed) and walked across the street all the way to makeup paradise. hehe! I was in a rush so i only got to spend 20 minutes getting these loots. I have yet to try these items except for Benefit powder (Petal) and lipstick (My Treat) which i adore and Buxom gloss (Kanani) which is addictively minty. The UD and Lorac eyeshadows i'll try soon. And the pink YSL lipstick (Rose Opera) is still unused.

HAUL #2

I had it stamped with my initials

I decided to buy a new soft travel bag, the Keepall Bandouliere 55 ($1513.40 with tax) as my previous one is already beaten up and old. I chose the one with the strap this time. Many thanks to the uber nice SA Melissa Tanenbaum of Louis Vuitton, Caesars Palace. She is just so sweet and friendly. I would definitely look for her again the next time i go back to the Sin city.

Then i also got this super soft and chic looking white sandals from Soft ($120). And a pair of Jimmy Crystal shades which is affordable ($38). I like the cute row of crystals adorning the frame.

HAUL#3

Of course somebody like me couldn't resist getting these NYX products as they are not available in my country. You either have to order them online or ask a pal to get it from me here. I also bought Almay shadow, OPI nail polish and some L'Oreal, Joe Blasco and Rimmel lipsticks.

HAUL #4

Cheap but nice looking shoes for less than $20 at DD's Discount

More shoes brought from different malls

I really like the style of this Dooney & Bourke bag -Janine Satchel ($225) so i didn't think twice about purchasing this. The Mossimo Supply Co shoes which can be bought in Target stores are so affordable but stylish. I've been using the clogs frequently coz' it feels good on my feet.

HAUL #5

A few MAC stuffs...i got the Speak Louder, Russian Red (i think i also got Russian Red from the Wonderwoman collection...yikes!) and Chatterbox. Paint pot in Soft Ochre. Concealer in NC30 and Studio fix in C30.

HAUL#6

More loots

...and loots

Some drugstore products like Neutrogena, Almay, Maybelline, Aveeno, Covergirl, L'Oreal etc...etc..i love drugstore products as much as i love expensive ones. There's always a thrill in finding a treasure in this heap o' pile!

The last one is not actually a haul...

Salesman said Speck is a great protective case

Ok, an unfortunate thing happened to me. My old ipod touch (upper left side) accidentally got wet inside my bag. Why? because careless me placed a mineral water inside my purse which wasn't secured tightly while i was playing at the casino. I guess you could already imagine what happened next. It got soaking wet and now it's no longer working...bummer!

But what sucks the most is the 3,000 plus pictures stored inside which has no backup copies. I just try not to think about it too much. So i bought myself the newer model, the one with built in camera and so far i am loving it, it has longer battery life than the old one i think.

So that's all for now! I don't even want to bother showing my clothes haul hehe!

I'll be going back home (Manila) next week. I'm already wondering how i can fit everything in my luggage ;-o

I would definitely make a review on some of the items here.

Thank you for dropping by and geez i have to go out again now!

I have a slight feeling i'm not yet done with my hauls yet...:-)

TA-TA!!!

MACWonderwoman Amazon Princess Blush, Russian Red Lipstick and Susie Cakes

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:10:00 +0000

Hello, i've had a busy busy week here so i barely drop by and check out blogs. Now i can't wait to go back to bloghopping again. Weee!

My post for today is about MAC's sexy superhero...Wonderwoman . Up up and away!

Don't you love to become like Wonderwoman

Sexy, gorgeous and have super awesome powers!

Last week i went to Macy's and i saw the latest MAC Wonderwoman collection. So i immediately checked out what stuffs they got. I know i don't really need any of their items nor am i lemming for anything from this collection but for blogging purposes i bought 2 items that i like...tsk...tsk...

The packaging instantly attracted me coz' the "cartoon-y" effect amused me. It's like one of those fake toy makeup sets that you get while growing up. Plastick-y with bright colors.

After a few swatches i decided to get the Amazon Princess blush and the Russian Red lipstick. I also wanted to get the Star Studded quad eyeshadow from the collection but decided against it coz' at $40 i opted to buy Soft Ochre paintpot, concealer in N30 and a Chatterbox lipstick (which i'm loving so much now coz' people compliment me with that shade). I'll do a separate post with my other loots. And i'm planning to get more MAC stuffs too. hehe...

So here's my pick of the blush...

Amazon Princess blush retails at $24

I was standing at the MAC counter for quite sometime debating to myself if i should get this or the Mighty Aphrodite. I find the deep blue pink with gold pearl a bit different to my usual peachy coral blush shades that Aphrodite has. So for a change i chose this one.

The packaging reminds me of Shiseido's huge white face powder

L-pink with blue undertone

R-deep plum shade

(my skin is a bit dry due to the weather...sorry)

The colors combined together

How it look like on my cheeks

I'm using Bourjois Rose Toubib lipstick here

I have to say that the staying power of this blush is excellent. It almost lasted me the entire day. I use the pink as a blush and sometimes i mix them together to create a more dramatic effect. You can control the amount that you want depending on the look you need. Another good thing about this is that it can also be used as an eyeshadow with the pink as a base and the mauve as crease color. So it's basically 2 in 1 product. The color is vivid at first and then tones down after awhile.

This blush could probably last me for years! so i have to veer away from buying similar shades as this one is enough for me. I'm quite happy with this one. I won't repurchase anymore coz' the container alone is already hard to finish and it's a limited edition as well!... Hehe:-)

Now let's move on to this sexy lipstick shade...

Russian Red lipstick retails at $15.50

It's so easy to spot this lipstick in my makeup bag!

Very bold and daring kind of red

I would've loved to use this shade last Valentines (was also my mom's birthday...Happy Birthday mom!)...but since i'm a thousand miles away, i'm gonna save it til' i get back home. Haha! I don't know why but lately i'm into using dark, bold lipsticks. Yes, for almost 2 weeks i've been using several kinds of mauve, deep red or burgundy colors. The shades that i don't usually use. That's why when i saw this, i didn't think twice about buying this because i thought it would be a nice option for my growing dark lipstick collection.

I guess they must've named it after those bloody-gorgeous Russian women hehe

Matte formulation

Without gloss

I added Wet n'Wild Diamond Brilliance clear gloss

This lipstick made my lips standout even from afar. Everytime i pass by mirrors, the first thing i would notice is my bold red lips. I feel that i could even stop cars with this shade. Haha! The bluish red color is something you cannot possibly ignore as it screams for attention. I only apply this lightly on my lips so it won't look too intense and then i coat it over with a clear gloss. That way it can still be wearable for daytime. Other than that this shade is also perfect to use at night.

Lasting power is good but the formulation is also quite drying so gloss! gloss! gloss! I won't repurchase this too coz' there's still a wide array of other reds to experiment and choose from. But overall, this is still a nice shade for me coz' it instantly brightens my face and the color looks sexy too. :-)

After a tiring day at the mall, we walked to this famous bakeshop at the back of Macy's that sells yummy cupcakes. My aunt swears that it's so delicious that i'm gonna love it. Honestly, i don't have a sweet tooth so i wasn't too excited. But i like how quaint and cozy the place looks like!

Well i'm glad i tried this coz' until now i still remember the sweet, creamy and melt-in-your-mouth texture of the frosting. The cupcakes are simply divine! Even somebody like me who's not so much into pastries is suddenly craving for one of those fantastic treats! If you happen to be around the area do try them and you'd simply love these delicious goodies! :-)

Cute quaint bakeshop at the corner

Welcome to Susie Cakes

Super pretty assortment of cupcakes and sweets

Cake corner

The famous Red Velvet cupcake--to die for!

I forgot the name of this yummy chocolate cupcake

That's all for today...

Sorry it's quite a long post hehe

Again, many thanks for your sweet time!

Until next time pretty peeps

I still have too many loots/new products to post:-)

Maybelline Diamond Glow Eyeshadow in Wine Pink and Burberry Brit Sheer Perfume

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 08:33:00 +0000

Valentines is almost around the corner, can you feel it in the air? Me, i don't coz' i'm so far away...sigh :-(

Shimmery quad of pink

Normally, i don't expect much from drugstore eyeshadows. It's either they crease, line or evaporate into thin air. So one can't be too fussy with these products considering the cheap price tag. I feel that way every time i find myself purchasing any of these items. But Maybelline's Diamond Glow eyeshadow does a pretty decent job in providing pretty and shimmery eye colors.

02 Wine Pink shade

Sponge tip applicator

(but of course we all use brush...hehe)

Swatch

The sparkles are quite subtle

The colors are well-coordinated so makeup application is easier. The sparkles are also quite subtle so you wouldn't get scared using this for daytime. It is also buildable so you can layer it for more intense drama at night (best worn with primer). Staying power is just so-so, but it doesn't bother me coz' i can retouch anytime i want to...:-)

Very casual looking pink eyeshadow

So there you go, not too bad eyeshadows to use when you're on a tight budget. It is great for everyday use especially when you wanna save those more expensive brands for special occassions.

I also wanna share my favorite perfume of the moment...Burberry Brit Sheer. It's quite hard to describe a perfume so i can only go as far as saying that this smells fresh, clean and light. It has a fruity scent to it. I love spritzing this anytime of the day. Plus, the pink plaid bottle is also oh so cute:-)

Thanks for dropping by my precious readers.

Here's a big pre-Valentines Hug to you all!:-)

MUFE Eyeshadow in Irisee

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 10:36:00 +0000

Hello my dear readers, friends and fellow beauty junkies. I left Manila last Feb 3 and i'm back here in LA now for a much needed break. Love the cold weather but i'm starting to have colds due to the change in temp. I'm even sneezing as i'm writing this...sigh:-( I wish to be back in tiptop shape in no time at all.

Right now i'm gonna post this shadow powder that i've been using for quite sometime now. It's a nice shade any purple lover would love to own...

Irisee

This is my "go-to' powder whenever i'm not fully satisfied with any of my purple eyeshadows. It comes to the rescue when the color i'm wearing is not bright or vivid enough. I just layer it over and voila--eyes that instantly stands out! Sometimes i use this powder alone (as shown in the picture above) just for the color itself. The sparkly purple shadow never fails to add oomph and dazzle to my eyes. It shimmers beautifully in different lightings.

Finely-milled powder

Very pigmented

My only gripe is that application can be quite messy. As with any loose powder inside a pot, the finely-milled powder tends to scatter all over the place the moment i twist the cap open. So placing a clean tissue underneath the pot is VERY helpful. You can dab and wipe the excess pigments off it. And you won't have to worry about staining your shirt or your bag.

Vivid color

After a sweaty afternoon

This is how it looks like

PROS:

-highly-pigmented

-beautiful color

-lovely shimmers

-long lasting

-hypoallergenic

-compact pot

-pot will last for ages

-reasonably priced

CONS:

-fallouts

-messy application

WILL I REPURCHASE?

Yes!

I would love to try MUFE's other colors too. A rainbow of these pots would be fantastic! Anything sparkly and glittery would be perfect for me. But for now i'm still completely satisfied with this purple pot so all those other colors can wait for the meantime.

I leave you with a few snapshots i took here one lazy afternoon...

Btw, my flight was one of the bumpiest flights i've ever had. I normally brush off any turbulence, but 4 hours prior to landing the plane was shaking like crazy (for a long time). Man, i was clutching my seat tightly and when i looked out the window it was still pitch black. I was telling myself that if the plane crashes and i survive, i don't want to be thrown in total darkness. Just the thought alone terrifies me! I even saw my aunt fumbling for her life vest readying herself for the worst. Hehe. And to think she is already a veteran when it comes to long flights. Also, the lady beside me brought out her prayer book and even farted twice (out of nervousness). Yikes!

It was pure relief when we finally landed. Thank God!... i can't wait to raid Sephora, Ulta and even CVS drugstore products again!

Thanks for dropping by my site again. I look forward to hearing from you girls!

WARMEST HUGS!!!

Kanebo Kate Lipgloss in PK-6 and Katre Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 07:03:00 +0000

Hello beautiful bloggies! It's already February and it's the love month so I decided to do a post fit to use for Valentines day. Lovely pink lips courtesy of Kanebo and mouthwatering dishes by Katre Restaurant...

Sleek tube casing that looks chic and sturdy

As some of you know, I have a penchant for pink lipsticks and glosses. And this one deserves some extra credit. I have been using this for quite sometime now and I have to say it does a great job in giving me pretty polished pink lips or my "triple P". It can be worn alone or over any pink lipstick as it's nice sheer shade will easily blend and enhance any lip color.

PK-6

93BK

Chose the PK-6 shade

I hate it when they use numbers or letters instead

So hard to memorize!

If i had it my way i'd call this Prismatic Pink hehe! ;-)

There's someting nice and unique

with this applicator

It contours nicely on my lips

The wand is pliable and bends accordingly

to every "nooks and corners" of my mouth

Sheer and shimmery...

The color speaks for itself, it even looks better IRL!

It adjusts to my natural lip tone

The shimmers looks brilliantly pretty when hit by light

It is glittery in a pleasant way

Gives sort of an iridescent effect...

(^worn alone)

So get ready for lovely, moist and kissable looking lips :-)

I would love to try other Kate lipglosses from Kanebo as this one fairly impressed me. Though the lasting power is average, a few swipes here and there won't hurt! It has a great consistency that doesn't feel too thick or gooey. It is less sticky than the regular lipgloss which is actually the primary reason why i was bowled over by this. It is also super moisturizing so even the driest lips will feel drenched and hydrated. At the same time, it doesn't have a strong scent, so no need to worry if you are too finicky or sensitive with smell. The best part is it is very affordable! Sorry, i forgot the actual price as i bought this several months back but i do remember it being cheap. Hehe! :-) For a Japanese drugstore brand, this quality product is great value for your money. I give it two thumbs up!

Moving on, i rarely write about foods or restaurants but since Valentines day is coming, i figured why not post one of my favorite restos in Manila. They serve the most amazing Mediterranean-fusion dishes that will surely tickle your tastebuds. I love coming back to this place, the food is just sooo divine! A true fine dining experience that never fails to leave my spirit and tummy happy! :-) So if you're on the lookout as to where to bring your date/hubby this month of hearts, Katre is definitely a nice/cozy place to have dinner with your special someone.

Seared Tuna...my all time favorite

It has black ink squid rice-Yummy!

The food presentation is superb too

Roast Chicken

Delicious!

My window view

Cozy ambiance

Great date place

Cuisine: Mediterranean
Tel #: 373-4705
Location: #103 Dr. Lazcano St., Tomas Morato Quezon City
*open from Tues-Sun at 12pm-2pm/6pm-10pm

So that's it for now. Thank you again for dropping by and sending some sweet thoughts over. I DO appreciate each and every comment that comes my way. <3 <3 <3

Byeeee for now! :-)

LV Mini Pochette Accessories Patch, an Award and a Beauty Tag

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 05:53:00 +0000

Hi everyone, sorry for the lack of post. I have not been feeling well lately :-( Sigh! But i promise to be back on track soon. I really appreciate those who take time to visit, comment, tag and send me awards. Helps to cheer me up! For today 'll be showing another LV thing that i love...

Been loving this for so long!

Handy mini-size

Very cute pochette

Significant patches

Can store several small items, has a nice inner lining

I put a few of my knicknacks here

Chic way to store any stuff or whatsoever!

The first thing that attracted me to this teeny tiny bag is it's cute design which is a tribute to Louis Vuitton's rich history. The traditional pouch has been revisited with patches inspired from the archives. Each patch represent significant places memorable to the luxury brand.

Specs:

-golden-brass pieces

-zipper closure

-canvas and textile lining

-golden metal chain

-D-ring

I use this bag to store my extra knicknacks or stuffs. I sometimes carry it on its own when i'm too lazy to bring a regular sized bag. It also doubles as an alternate makeup bag when my LV cosmetic pouch is literally overflowing with cosmetics. This pochette helps organized my normally messy bag. I am very pleased with this and i can see myself using this until i grow old:-)

Yey, i got another award again from 3 of the sweetest and most talented bloggers

Michelle-she posts great and clever ideas for makeup/accessories storage

Katrina-gives great reviews on affordable items for budget conscious people

Madiha-her gorgeous eye makeup skills are to die for

I'll be skipping the 7 things to know about me as i have previously answered it and i wanna tag again peeps who are interested.

Also, i got a beauty tag...

I LOVE YOUR BLOG TAG:

I got tagged by one of the fabulous bloggers i love, Eva of Bella Chic. You should definitely visit her awesome blog:-)

1. Why did you create this blog?

I want to share personal experiences from different makeups or items that i've tried and currently using. Put my 2 cents worth to it in the most honest way possible.

2. What kind of blogs do you follow?

I mostly follow beauty/personal blogs. Also, those who follow me coz' i want to know better these awesome peeps reading my site. Learn a thing or two from them. :-)

3. Favourite makeup brand?

I can't just name one, but i <3 MAC, NARS, Chanel, Bobbi Brown and Lancome

4. Favourite clothing brand?

H&M, Mango or Zara, actually i'm not to choosy or particular with clothing brands, as long as it fits and looks good then i'm good to go!

5. Your indispensable makeup product?

Before it's concealer but thanks to La Mer the Eye Concentrate Cream, there's minimal need for it anymore. So my next best answer is a bright pink/rose lipstick. Instant face brightener :-)

6. Your favourite colour?

Undoubtedly,bright pink--happy girly color!

7. Your perfume?

I am super in love with DnG Light Blue and Narciso Rodriguez

8. Your favourite film?

Malena-i can't get over how beautiful Monica Bellucci is and i love the movie's storyline.

9. What country would you like to visit and why?

I'd love to visit Mongolia-exotic and not too "touristy".

10. Make up the last question and answer.

What is your recent makeup discovery that you like-i just tried Maybelline's BB cream and i'm super duper surprised it worked for me, i love it! Two reasons, it made my skin look good and it's cheap.

I tag everybody who would like to try answering fun questions like this...

That's all folks thanks for visiting
Until next time sweeties! :-)

Chanel Blush Duo Tweed Effect in Tweed Corail

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 06:01:00 +0000

Hello pretty ladies! another super busy week has gone by and as usual, i look forward to blogging again. Lately, i've been posting at a snail's pace and i still have lots of stuffs to review. I promise to catch up as soon as i'm done with all the things i need to do.

Anyway, my post for today is about this luxurious Chanel blush. Les Tissages de Chanel Blush Duo Tweed Effect in Tweed Corail. Initially, i wanted to buy Joues Contraste in Rose Petal (i still want it), i've been eyeing that blush for the longest time. But unfortunately, it was out of stock the time i went to Chanel so i chose this one instead since the color suits me...and i also didn't want to leave the place empty-handed. :-)

The first thing i noticed and instantly liked is the embossed tweed effect on the powder. As much as i hated to ruin it's pretty appearance, i knew i had to spoil it one way or another...Or else, i will never have the heart to do so. Hmm, that's one of the pitfalls of owning a lovely looking makeup.

As the name implies, the color is a soft peachy coral pink with a hint of shimmery gold. At first, i was kinda' hesitant to buy this coz' it looks more peach than pink on the pan. I also wasn't sure if i could pull this color off. Plus, i was scared that it might look a bit orange-y on me. Well, i should've known better than not to trust Chanel coz' the moment i applied it on my cheeks i was in love! The blush surprisingly complemented my complexion in a very nice way. It gave me a lovely healthy glow that looks so subtle and delicate. It's not the usual rosy-i-just-pinched-my-cheeks color, it's more of the natural sun-kissed glow. The shimmers/highlights have a combination of fine and larger flecks which blends perfectly on the skin. The effect is not too shiny and not too matte, just right in between.

The downside is the exorbitant price, at 2650 pesos or around $50 it is quite a lot for a blush. I also think that this shade will suit fairer girls more. The color is so light and sheer that it might not be too visible with darker skin tones. The brush that comes with it is also kinda' useless coz' it's one of those typical synthetic brushes that is quite harsh on the skin. It also comes with a velvet pouch which i don't use coz' it's just a major dust-collector and i'm not that OC yet to protect a compact that's already protected inside my makeup pouch...;-)

As you can see from the swatches above, the color looks so sheer, light and has a subtle sheen to it. I had to apply several layers in order for the color to pop out. But it's actually better that way coz' i can control the amount according to how i like it. This is also one of those makeup that looks and feels clean on my skin. I don't even know if there's such a thing but this is what i feel everytime i use this. The lasting power is also ok as it somehow survived through all my sweat and oils *happy*

Will i repurchase?

Yes in a heartbeat! I'm so in love with it right now! I mean, i still love my NARS Deep Throat and Shu Uemura M Pink 30 but this one might just SNAG the throne. I just had to say it over and over again that the color is sooo lovely! This is one classy blush compact that's worth every penny! :-)

So that's it for now...and also, i got another fabulous award!

-Link back the person who awarded you this award.

-Share 7 things about your self.

-Award 7 recently discovered great bloggers.

-Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

I would like to thank Sugar for this award. She is one of the nicest and sweetest bloggers around:-)

In my last post i have already revealed 7 things about me so i think that's enough, i don't want to bore you with details about me anymore hehe! As usual, i wanna pass this award to anybody who is interested. Just let me know.

Thank you all for your wonderful time...

It is much appreciated:-)

See ya!

The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer and Sexy Mama Anti-shine Translucent Powder

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 11:26:00 +0000

Price: Mary-Lou Manizer: 895 pesos ($22)
Sexy Mama Anti-shine Translucent powder:775 pesos ($19)

Hello pretties, how are y'all? i missed posting for a week coz' i was swamped with so much work. I cannot wait to de-stress and bloghop again:-)

For this post, i played with several images and came up with my own concept (just for fun)...

***Mary-lou Manizer***

This is one of those products that i've been wanting to try but never got around to actually buying. Why? because i'm already "cursed" with oily skin, and any product with the word shimmer would instantly make me quiver *rhymes;-)* The last thing i need is another layer of unnecessary shine.

But all of that changed when i used Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, it was like a wake-up call that "Hey! even oily-skinned girls like me can glow without looking greasy". So when Mary-Lou Manizer re-entered my sphere of thought, it became easier for me to purchase this item without feeling doubtful or least bit apprehensive.

Love the cute tin can

Smooth texture

Shimmery swatch

This versatile product can be used as a shimmer, highlighter (on the cheekbones, chin, nose,brow bone or decolletage), and eyeshadow.

The pale gold shimmers doesn't overpower at all!

It looks so subtle, so natural...like wisps of light tenderly kissing the skin

It's pearly beige/champagne shade will match most skin tones beautifully, leaving you a sheen that seems to radiate from within.

It gives

you that dreamy candlelit glow that you usually only get during romantic dinner dates.

It is buildable so you can control the amount of sheen that you desire. Best to apply lightly since it's highly pigmented. Too much can make your skin look unnaturally shiny/chalky. The coverage is sheer yet it doesn't accentuate fine lines because the light-reflecting particles diffuses blemishes and minor imperfections. I also didn't get any allergic reactions or breakouts while using this. A huge hooray if you have uber sensitive skin. Plus, it's paraben and talc-free!

One pan could probably last me for ages. As i only need minimal amount with each use. This is fast becoming my favorite item, i can't help but smile everytime i look in the mirror and see how dewy soft it looks on my skin. No wonder Mary-Lou has so many guys lining up the wall!

***Sexy Mama***

Before trying this product i was actually crossing my fingers that this will work for me since i've been on the lookout for a cheaper alternative to my T.LeClerc powder. One that I can use on a daily basis without putting a huge dent on my wallet and at the same time without sacrificing quality. One that can still make me look "oh-la-la-ish" even when I'm doing the most unglamorous thing. One that would make me stop feeling guilty everytime i use my Lancome or Chanel when all i'll do is just go to the deli to buy bread.

Handy-sized compact

Soft buttery texture

Blends oh so easily on my skin

Guess what? Sexy Mama covered all that and even more! The moment I applied this powder on my face I knew that I am holding a keeper. True to it's anti-shine claim, it is an awesome oil-buster! It left my skin fresh and matte looking even with just one swipe. It's like pacman gobbling those pellets, only this time it's made of oil. Sorry for the weird comparison I just dunno why I keep picturing that image whenever I sweep all those grease away! Haha! It left my face shine-free for several hours which is a major *weee* considering how fast my face gets oily!

And there's more great news, I can use this powder alone (without foundation or anything) and still be able to go out and face the world with confidence. It's supposed to be translucent but I really cannot explain how it manages to make my skin look even and nice. It is great coz' i can practically skip using other stuffs on my face and still look as if I'm all made up..in a most natural way! Whoa! how cool is that?

. Who know's this might actually bring out the inner Sexy mama in you? Cheers to that! ;-)

"Two-gether"

Under natural daylight

Under halogen light...

I only used Sexy Mama and the Loumanizer here

Okay enough of the gushing, i'm very pleased with these two products. I love the catchy names, affordable price tag, cutesy casing and coquettish 40's sexpots that adorn each and every packaging. But most of all i love the kind of quality these stuffs are made of. I highly recommend these things. I'm so excited to try more products from The Balm. And it's not hard to understand why...these goodies could easily give more expensive brands a run for their money.

Also thank you to the sweet Dinorah for this wonderful award. She is such a cutie:-)

The rules:

1. Thank and link back to who gave you the award

2.Share 7 things about yourself

3.Pass it along to 7 beauty blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy

4.Leave your recipient a note telling them about the award

7 Things About Me:

1. I am an obsessive-compulsive person (i think hehe)

2. I finished interior design

3. I am a voracious reader but recently i've been too lazy

4. I hate crowded places

5. I love drinking energy drinks

6. I love artsy-fartsy stuffs

7. I am very moody

Instead of only 7 i want to tag anybody who is interested

Just make sure to let me know hehe...

Thank you for taking the time to read this :-)

*Hugs to everyone*

Chanel Rouge Allure Delicieuse Lipstick

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 06:46:00 +0000

Hello 2011!

I hope everyone had fun during the holidays:-) My clothes feel a little bit tighter now. Eeek! I think i gained 5 freaking pounds! Even my cheeks feels heavy, it's like i'm carrying two sandbags (one on each side of my face). I totally forgot my diet and binged during the holidays. It's so hard to resist food when there's a wide array of yummy dishes staring back at me. Time to D-I-E-T again! And i'm "seriously serious" Haha!

For this post i made it look classic vintage since it's

Oh well...Chanel

I had fun playing with the pictures (again) hehe:-)

A "delicious" lippie to own

This lipstick was part of my wishlist because i saw an acquaintance wear this shade at a party several months ago and since then it sort of got stuck in my head. Every time her name pops up its not the face i remember but her lipstick. So i made it my mission to get one too (jealous much haha)!

Classy packaging that pops open when you press the gold logo.

The casing's black and gold combination looks so posh! And i like the clever way Chanel infused a spring mechanism on the cover to ensure that it securely latches on the tube. Extra points here since i hate loose caps that gets lost in my bag and smears lipstick stains all over. One of my biggest pet-peeves!

An elegant lady's must-have

For some reason the color makes me think of peach-mango nectar

Shimmery swatch...

Sorry i just had to include Zoe's face on the perfume bottle

After all French and poodles go together haha! ;-)

This is almost the exact same shade irl

Delicieuse is a soft peachy nude lippie that can also look a bit coral on certain lip tones (darker). It applies quite sheerly but is buildable. It is not your typical creamy lipstick as there's a slight waxy feel to it. Same feeling i get when i wear my NARS Niagara. There's also a certain rose scent to it which i deem as the "scent of a luxurious lipstick". Haha! Some women might not like it all but i DO love it!

How it looks like on my lips

It has fine gold shimmers that looks beautiful in any light. This shade makes my face look brighter and fresher. The color is perfect for everyday use. Looks so subtle and natural. Lasting power is also good. One observation though is that under soft yellow light (at night) it is not as noticeable. Also, it's quite drying after awhile so lipgloss is a must!

At 1750 pesos or around $30 dollars, the price is a bit steep. I could almost buy 2 MAC lipsticks with that! I just wished it wasn't as drying on me. But overall, i like it. I like it's pretty color. Great addition to any lipstick collection. Right now, i'm eyeing other shades from Chanel, Jersey Rose or Coquette from their Spring 2011 collection. Gosh! i don't want to start another obsession with these Chanel lippies, i'm really trying very very hard to kill that urge!

P.S.

While i was writing this post i caught Zoe stealing the box and chewing it. Tsk..tsk..good thing she didn't choose the actual lipstick or else... Bad girl!

Here's the proof:

THANK YOU FOR VISITING PRETTY LADIES!

Have a fabulous year ahead! :-)

Je vous remercie pour votre visite! :-)

Urban Decay Book of Shadows III:NYC

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 09:59:00 +0000

First of all, here's a big HELLO!!! to everyone

Christmas may be over but i hope you guys are still feeling the yuletide spirit.

Finally, my very own UD Book of Shadows!

(better late than never hehe)

I enjoyed doing the graphics for this post because i love both New York and Urban Decay

Reminds me of the good stuffs...

I was inspired to use street-art/graffiti as my theme

for this one:-)

This palette is such a wonderful creation

because it is an art by itself

The integration of the city's landmarks, lifestyle and people (different races)

is what makes this makeup truly unique

I've been lemming for this for quite sometime

It's like a toy for a grownup lady

Since the time this product came out in the market i cannot get it off my head. For months i've been reading and drooling about this palette from other beauty bloggers. Sadly, Urban Decay is not available locally so these goodies are not easily accessible:-( Paging Sephora! Yoohoo?!

It's amusing how this palette depicted NYC

with its cute mini collage/cutouts (complete with skyscrapers, Central Park, hippies, yellow taxi...etc)

I could just stare at it for hours!

Btw, this pop-up girl caught our (me and Zoe's) eye-- Spunky! LOL;-)

Yes, i tested the pop-up lights in total darkness...

but got scared and quickly turned the lights back on!

So this is how it looks like--interesting huh?

NOTE: The pop-up collage keeps closing on its own-- the ribbon that supports it seems quite

short thus tugging it back. I had to keep holding it open (hassle) so i can take decent pictures. I was almost tempted to pry it as far back as possible just so it would hold still, but of course i didn't do that...hehe:-)

16 chic urban shades

7 Exclusive shades:

Loaded (sparkly emerald green), Kush (green metallic with silver glitter), Rockstar (deep red-purple with metallic base), Money (metallic light green), Bordello (pale pinky-purple with shift), Radium (bright blue), Suspect (sheer sparkly beige)

Existing shades:

Perversion (matte black), Uzi (metallic silver), Midnight Cowboy Rides Again (shimmery pink champagne), Last Call (shimmery deep plum), Maui Wowie (shimmery medium gold), Smog (deep coppery bronze), Snatch (shimmery pale pink coral), Haight (shimmery teal blue), Psychedelic Sister (shimmery bright purple--my favorite)

Most of the colors that i like are in here

Aside from its pretty packaging, rarely do i find a palette that houses most of the shades that i want. The shimmery colors looks even more gorgeous in real life!

My faves are psychedelic sister, kush, radium and bordello <3

"Mi Amor UD!"

Notice the shadow effect on the graffiti wall?...nothing, i just like it... hehe;-)

These eyeshadows are highly-pigmented. Even a single swatch delivers a rich and even coloring that stands out on its own (even without a primer). It is such a delight to sweep it all over my lids as it applies oh so smoothly! It doesn't crease or tug. The interesting play of various textures and finish makes this palette even more fun. You can achieve both neutral or vibrant looks with its versatile range of colors, depending on your mood. Staying power is also great.

Swatches on my arm

I noticed that uzi (metallic silver) has large chunks of glitters that is quite bothersome. It literally looks like the one being used for school projects-scary!I'm afraid that it might enter my eye and irritate me. So i'm gonna pass on this one (unless needed).

Also, after each swatch i would wash my arm with soap and water, and i noticed that i had a harder time removing perversion, loaded, kush, haight & radium. I had to repeatedly rinse and scrub my arms several times to fully remove the tough pigment stains.

It has 2 eyeliners and the iconic UDPP

I'm very happy with my Book of Shadows. It's a real cool item to own. The 7 exclusive colors makes this product even more special. It's worth every penny considering the amount of items you'll get with each box. The size is travel-friendly too. Like a typical pocketbook (slightly bigger) with the thickness of a regular Sidney Sheldon/Dean Koontz novel. Hehe! But for normal daily use, it can be quite frustrating coz' it's bulky size eats a lot of space especially when i'm using a tiny purse. Also i'm slightly worried that i might accidentally squish the fragile cardboard casing knowing how i just throw stuffs in my bag. I'm crossing my fingers that it won't ever happen...

I would love to collect more palettes from UD in the future Really really love this!...that's all for now folks

I'll leave you again with a doggy pic, this time it's Chino taken a few days before Christmas.

As you can see he looks so unhappy and bored here. We were forcing him to do a holiday pose...hehe:-)

Thank you for your sweet and precious time :-)

LV Alma Gold Mirroir and December haul

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 05:36:00 +0000

Prepare to be dazzled by Alma Gold

You'll need to wear your sunnies or you'll get blinded by this..haha!

I cannot think of a more fitting time to post this bag than this holiday season. This is my third Alma bag, i don't know why i keep getting this style especially since i'm the shoulder bag type of girl..Well i got this sometime in December two Christmases ago. This is one bag that i salivated over for a looong time. I was torn between the silver or gold. But settled on the latter as Mr G said the silver looks like a tin foil bag. I had to wait for a month as LV Raffles in Singapore only carried the silver version and the gold one had to be shipped from another country.

(Pardon the poor quality, was still using my crappy old cam when i took these shots)

I remember the first time i held it, i was so in awe with the color, texture, smell and it's exquisite craftsmanship. There's a kind of indefinable high as i slowly trace my fingers on its smooth embossed logo. What a rare vintage 1983 Merlot bottle is to a wine aficionado is what this bag was to me then...

Huge GM size

The monogram vinyl is so brilliant that it shines even from afar!

It has the typical Alma features:

-integral closure by double zipper

-golden brass pieces

-textile lining

-one inside flat pocket and a phone holder

-studs at the base for bag protection

*this bag is very delicate and prone to scratches that's

why i'm always extra careful when i carry this which is hard

to do coz' i'm naturally a careless person..he he

Exquisitely done embossed logo and fine details

Sadly, as much as i like it i rarely use it. I know it sounds crazy but sometimes i feel embarrassed to carry this. It basically screams for attention, it's just too loud and too much of a bling-bling bag for me. Sometimes i get weird stares when i use this hehe. I really don't know what i was thinking that time. Plus it's not easy to match this bag with just any outfit. It has the tendency to make me look eccentric when not worn the right way. So i find myself using this only during the holidays, parties and "dressier" occasions. Though it looks flashy, it can still be worn casually by wearing jeans, plain white long-sleeves or polo and minimal accessories. It tones the whole "glitzy" effect down.

The last time i visited the LV website another Alma caught my eye, a Monogram Vernis in a beautiful pink blush shade.--Rose Florentine. Sooo pretty! I wish i got that instead *sigh* but i still love my gold bag and i'm in a big bag detox now so no plans of getting a new one in the near future.

Now here's my December haul/treats...

I'll be doing a review of some of these products soon...

A few of the items in my wishlist are now realized but i also had to do some changes coz' some of the items/shades that i want are either out of stock or not available locally like the YSL lippies/palette, Chanel Rose Petal blush and Bobbi Brown Mini Bright lights palette. :-( But i finally got my very own UD NYC palette already! yohoo!

Thanks for visiting again sweeties

Hope you're enjoying the holidays:-)

Shiseido Lip Crayon Review in LC7 and a Christmas Greeting!

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 06:06:00 +0000

Hello everyone, it's almost Christmas!!!. Woohoo! I can't wait for Santa to arrive and give me my gifts. I know i've been a very good girl so i truly deserve some rewards. I made my post look "Christmasy" in time for the occasion and the crayon shade itself reminds me of poinsettias, hence the "merry" background...

Nice lip crayon to use for the holidays

I've always liked lip crayons

It makes lipstick application so much easier

No need to use a separate lip brush, liner or whatsoever

Just this tool and a steady hand

And you're ready to go

Reminds me of childhood days

When i'd meticulously outline

All the characters of my coloring book

Only this time it's on my lips...

Automatic liner (love)

I like that this crayon is automatic

No sharpening needed which is always a BIG plus!

Though it's not pointy-sharp

It's good enough to trace/define

Even the most crooked mouth

Pretty shade of warm red

The color looks rich, natural and luxurious

Reminds me of sweet berries

Like a decadent indulgence on my lips...

It glides evenly and smoothly

As i fill the rest of my mouth

With its silky texture

LC7 shade

The lasting power is average

A little reapplication is still needed

every once in a while just like any regular lipstick

It can be quite drying too after sometime

But a little gloss like my trusty

Sexy motherpucker tube helps a lot!

Lovely almost natural looking red

The finish is semi-glossy, not over the top

It is not sticky and feels so light

It will leave your lips with a nice and lovely sheen

That you would really love to be seen in

Will i repurchase?

Yes i will! it is a potential MLBB:-)

I like this product so much that there's a teeny weeny part

of me that wants to collect the other colors as well...

But i promise myself i won't be too greedy with makeup anymore

I have to add that to my New Year's resolutions...

If you are into lip crayons

You should definitely give this one a try

It's worth it! :-)

I will leave you all with a Christmas greeting from me!

Enjoy the holidays!

Hope all your Christmas wishes will come true:-)

See you all again soon

Ho-ho-ho!!!

MAC 217 Brush

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:46:00 +0000

Hello guys, if you noticed i've already changed my template. A new look for New Year! Plus i want my blog to have a personalized touch...

Well i've been quite busy these past few days preparing for Christmas and i can't wait for the day to come already. I'm just too excited for it... he he

Meantime, i can't wait to check out your blogs again :-)

Right now i wanna share to you one of my all-time favorites, my HG brush...my MAC 217. I'm so happy with this because it makes eyeshadow application so much easier. I love it so much that if ever i'll get stuck in an island (God forbid) and could only bring one brush, then this would be it...

The bristles, made of white goat hair are incredibly soft yet firm and strong. A versatile brush that can be used for putting color on the entire lid/crease, concealer application and highlighting. But it excels the most in blending colors for that gradual fade. It makes those harsh lines look more subdued and mixes different colors fantastically. You don't even have to be a pro to achieve great results as it will help create that look for you! If you haven't tried this then i highly recommend this thing. You won't get disappointed! It's a must have arsenal in every makeup junkie's bag.

That's it for now, thanks for dropping by

I'll leave a picture of Zoe in the tub. She absolutely hates it!

She keeps shaking water all over

But she has to smell good so she can sleep on our bed :-)

Have an awesome week ahead! :-)

NARS Deep Throat Blush and Niagara Lipstick

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 09:04:00 +0000

Two of Nars bestsellers!

It's funny how i've been using these 2 items for so long

Yet i haven't even posted a single entry about them...

Hmm...now i will ;-)

I'm sure most of you already have these babies

And you swear and rave about how wonderful they are

Well it's not hard to understand why...

they are simply all time favorites!!!

DEEP THROAT BLUSH

Such a naughty name! ;-)

Has that subtle gold shimmery sparkle

Swatch swipe

Love that rosy golden glow... Weee!!!

Before this, i have only tried Orgasm which i super love! In fact because of that i didn't even bother trying other blushes from Nars coz' i was that contented! I was faithful til' the last swipe...er,ok i admit i've done some occasional cheating with my other favorite--Shiseido's M pink 30...hehe! A few years later i found myself standing infront of Nars kiosk wanting to buy their eye primer, but unfortunately it was out of stock. Of course i didn't wanna go home empty handed so i thought of repurchasing Orgasm. But...the hype about deep throat kept bugging me. So i opted for that shade instead.

And boy was i glad! The color is of course gorgeous! I like how the golden shimmers blend in perfect unison with the "corally" blush. I felt like rejoicing the moment it touched my cheeks. I liked it more than Orgasm.The shade is very flattering! It would look good on any skin tone. Almost like a universal color. Its highly pigmented powder gives me that warm peachy pink glow! And the shimmers doesn't overpower at all, just right. It normally lasts the whole day. Well, i've been using this almost everyday that in fact i'm finding myself back to being faithful again...hehe!

NIAGARA LIPSTICK

Super wearable lipstick shade

The color is fab

But i wonder why they named it Niagara?

Swatch on my skin

(under flourescent)

Smile!!!

Bright pretty pink

This has been a staple in my makeup bag eversince i tried it. I love its "corally" shade! It never fails to brighten my face and my mood! Such a cheerful color for me! Even if it's supposed to be a summery shade i use it all year round. That's how much i like this thing. It doesn't look tacky or too orange-y, it blends well with your natural lip color. In fact, even those who are not so much into corals often find themselves enjoying this shade, as it suits almost everyone. It is richly pigmented so one or 2 swipes will even your liptone. It also glides smoothly and effortlessly. The opaque color has a sheer shine to it that looks pretty under any light. Lasting power is pretty okay (without eating or drinking). It is also quite moisturizing which is a big plus! For me the only downside is the price, but for this color i'd gladly splurge again!

So that's all for now...

Do you also have any favorite coral lipstick or blush?

I'd love to know

Take care pretty ladies :-)

Shiseido Silky Eyeshadow Quad in Rose Tones

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 06:21:00 +0000

Hello there ladies, it's another weekend once again and Christmas is getting nearer and nearer. I hope you're halfway through or almost done with your X'mas shopping. As for me, i haven't started yet and i have no choice but to do it asap. I can't wait to cross off some makeup products on my wishlist *so excited!!!* Plus i will be purchasing a few special items too...not for me but to share something back to my dear readers soon. Will keep you guys posted :-)

Moving on...

Comes with 2 sponge-tip applicators

These are almost the EXACT colors IRL

Classic eggplant casing

I was very excited the first time i got this because pinks and purples are my favorite colors. However, the moment i tried it i got extremely disappointed. Color payoff was quite bad (sans primer), it took me several tries before the color would actually come out. To make matters worse, fallouts were everywhere! I hated the marks it left under my eyes especially over concealer.It made my dark circles seem worse! So i had to be extra careful everytime i apply this which is unnecessary stress. Because of that i stopped using this altogether and secretly loathed Shiseido for creating such a crappy product. I felt duped!

Silky texture

Matte eyeshadow

PROS:

-smooth silky texture

-lovely color combination

-lasted a long time (esp with primer)

-highly buildable colors

-didn't crease nor cake

CONS:

-i hated those fallouts!

-had to relayer for color to pop

-compact is prone to fingerprints and marks

-never liked those sponge-tips

-quite pricey

A few months later, when i discovered the joy and importance of using eyeshadow primer, i decided to give this product another shot. Using MAC's Prep+Prime eye base, i sweeped the shadow all over my lids. This time around i noticed that the colors were more vivid. The silky powder blended well with the base. I was very happy coz' the palette won't be put to waste after all! Now i'm mixing and matching this quad with other shades and brands.

The lasting power is superb with primer! It lasted from noon til' midnight. The eyeshadow still looks freshly applied even after a long day's work. Because of that i started to like this product. I don't know if it's just me but there's something classic and natural about this product. Women who are too busy, who are not so much into makeup but likes branded stuffs, and those who are afraid to venture out of their comfort zones might actually like this. But to the rest who've been there and done that, this might just fall short.

Will i repurchase?

Although i made this work for me, i still am not overly crazy about it. So i'm gonna pass. There are more brands out there that i think delivers better results. I just wish they made this more pigmented. Then that would've been a totally different story...

XOXO!!! :-)

Modelco Lipstick in Abbey

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 06:41:00 +0000

A great find from Modelco's

Satin Lip Couture line

I was pleasantly surprised with this lippie

Wasn't really expecting much from it

I thought the mirror thingy was all its got

And that it's just gonna be another forgettable lipstick

But i was totally wrong...

This lippie feels so darn good!

It even has the feel of a more expensive lipstick

Say hi to Abbey

Clean white rectangular casing...

Easy to find in a sea of black lipsticks

Built-in mirror

I like this clever addition

No need to fumble for your compact anymore!

Makes lipstick application so much easier

Especially when you're always on the go

Super hydrating

(you can tell from this shot)

So soft, silky and satiny!

Really lives up to its' Satin Lip Couture line

I don't even need to apply balm anymore

Coz' its ultra moisturizing!

Swatch test

With flash on my lips

Without flash

(I know this pose looks weird

But i can't think of any other "lip poses"..hehe!)

The color is so lovely too!

It instantly brightens the face

Even with just one swipe

Its creamy texture evens the liptone

And it doesn't bleed nor crease

Only downside is that it's not longlasting

Lasted about 3 hours--tops!

But that's pretty ok for me anyway

Will i repurchase?

Absolutely yes!

I'm very happy with this product

This is the kind of lipstick that you have to try

In order to appreciate

It may not be as popular as MAC or Nars

But it truly is a great find

Ok, enough of the gushing!

Thanks for revisiting

Stay PRETTY!!!

Mwaaah!!! :-)

P.S..

I'm thinking of doing something exciting for you guys soon (maybe after the holidays)...

Stay tuned for updates:-)

Lancome L'Extreme Mascara Review

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 04:08:00 +0000

L'Extreme lashes

Curvy shape

Elegant appeal

Mascara shade in 01 Noir (black)

Fine bristles

BEFORE

AFTER

Extreme closeup

(after lots of coats)

This lovely mascara caught my eye because of it's odd curvy shape. It somewhat reminds me of an elegant, long-necked and lithe...but very much pregnant lady! hehe! The tapered wand conforms to the hand so well that mascara application is easily maneuvered. I also like it that the brush looks neat and clean everytime i use it. Unlike some formulation that looks CHUNKY, messy and "globby" the moment you take the wand out of the tube.

After curling my lashes with Shu Uemura curler (they work best together), i usually apply 2-3 coats of this. It goes smoothly as the fine bristles separates and lengthens each strand. If there's one outstanding quality this mascara has, it's the lengthening power! You'll definitely notice the difference! And it does so in a way that it looks natural, like you were smack lucky you were born with it kind of thingie. It doesn't give that thick, gooey and fake spiderlike mascara effect. So forget trying this if you're aiming for that dramatic dolly look.

PROS:

-really lengthens

-separates and defines each hair

-natural looking lashes

-no flaking

-coats evenly

-buildable

-dries easily

-lasted all day

-doesn't feel heavy

-absolutely no eye irritations

CONS:

-didn't add much volume

-has tendency to clump (when not applied properly)

-curl holding ability is so-so

-pricey

WILL I REPURCHASE?

Yes, because it really makes my short Asian lashes look as if they actually have a life. I'm not after the volume or curling, i just want longer lashes that looks naturally pretty. And L'Extreme gives me that... effortlessly. I have to say that it's still not HG material for me. I'm still in search of a mascara that will give me sky high lashes, has zero clumps and dirt-cheap. But for the meantime, this is the closest i can get...

BLOG AWARD

I wanna thank the sweet GYC for this nice award. :-)

I'm supposed to pass this to only 15 people

But i wanna tag everyone who wants to. Hehe!

Thank you all for dropping by!

Have a sweet and blessed Sunday :-)

HUGS!!!

Chanel Teint Innocence Fluid Makeup Review

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 10:47:00 +0000

Whoa! it's December already, time really flies so fast! don't you think? It only seemed like yesterday when we were all busy making our Christmas lists and now we'll be faced again with that daunting task. Yikes and gripes! The prospect of racking our brains thinking again of what to give, where to buy, holiday rush traffic and loong lines are the VERY reasons why some people (me included) procrastinate each and every year. There are just people like us who works best under pressure especially when there's no choice but to do last minute shopping. Hehe:-)

Oh well, let's just save those things for later...

Meantime, for my first December post i wanna share something that i really really love to use. My Chanel Teint Innocence liquid foundation...

The many faces of Chanel

This is another favorite liquid foundation

I feel glamorous and luxurious everytime i use this

Blame it on the Chanel logo

My pores seem to act all "mighty and haughty"! :-)

But not in a bad way

Only in that

Come-hither

"Look at my skin" manner...

My shade of choice

It has SPF 12 too...

Swatch

The liquid glides smoothly and effortlessly

It veils like a second skin

Coverage is great!

It made my freckles less visible

Absolutely no "whitecast" effect on pictures

My skin looked even and more radiant!

And it lasted me the whole day!

If there's one thing i don't like

It's the bottle

Releasing the fluid takes quite an effort

Coz' i have to shake and slap the liquid out

What more when i'm about to run out?

Radiance!

Considering my oily skin

It did not crease or cake on me

Nor did it made me look like a greaseball

In fact my oil and the formulation blended so well together

That it gave me that soft, natural and dewy glow!

J'Adore Chanel Teint Innocence...

Will i repurchase?

Of course with all my heart!

I'm very happy with this foundation

It may be pricey

But it's worth every penny!

Perfect for holiday use

You will be totally captivated

Once it touches your skin :-)

Ok, that's all for now

Hope to see you all again next time!

To my new followers here's a big

THANK YOU!!!

Stay pretty! Hugs! :-)

Products I Wish I DIDN'T Buy

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:14:00 +0000

Once in awhile we encounter products that promises to deliver great results. We get so excited! Our expectations are so high that we feel we are holding the "ultimate solution" to banish those zits, spots and eyebags...only to be DISAPPOINTED coz' those promises just remains as, oh well., PROMISES!

So i made a short list of some of those products that fell short on me. Here goes:

I'm very disappointed with this expensive eye cream as I never got any results. As in ZILCH! I expected so much and didn't even see any noticeable changes. My eyes looked and felt the same. I don't even know what else to say...

I absolutely hate my sunspots, freckles or whatchamacallit! So you could just imagine my joy when I saw a topical product at SaSa in Hongkong that promises to eliminate those annoying spots. The packaging even looks convincing. But lo and behold, no lightening or diminishing happened. In fact NOTHING happened! The worse part is this crappy product was quite pricey!

*Only Shiseido Purewhite EX (oral tablets)helped lightened those stubborn spots.

I purchased this several months ago which should just be ENOUGH time to see any difference. As you can see with my previous Maybelline Magnum Mascara post, my lashes are STILL short and sparse. Tsk...tsk...and may I add that i'm using this until now just in case a miracle might still happen. Will let you know though. Ho-hum...

This is one of those concealers that I knew would NEVER work on me the moment I tried it. It creased like crazy, gave me white circles, easily wears off on my oily skin...in other words just NOT for me.

These 2 didn't work for me too. The powder looked chalky on my skin. While the liquid foundation made my oily skin look even greasier after a few hours. The good thing though is they have my right shade. But that's just about it! Believe me, I really TRIED so hard to love em' only to get disappointed each time. Sigh!

So there you have it, a roundup of items that didn't work for me. Pls feel free to let me know if some of these stuffs actually worked for you. I'd like to know...

Gotta go, enjoy your day sweeties:-)

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze Review

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:02:00 +0000

Price-2,200 pesos (approx $40)

Such a gorgeous looking brick!

Versatile shade

This multipurpose brick is a CONVENIENT product to own. It can be used as an eyeshadow, highlighter, blush or bronzer...the possibilities are just endless! But its huge and somewhat bulky casing is quite bothersome. It consumes a lot of space in my makeup bag. Also, the powder tends to scatter all around the rim of the casing everytime i sweep my brush which is quite annoying coz i have to keep wiping the edges. But anyway, those are just minor tiffs and i could totally live with that!

Stunning color combination!

Individual swatches

The vertical strips of shimmers looks very pretty to the naked eye!

And the myriad of colors looks so deliciously good beside each other. ..

I often use the lightest shade as a HIGHLIGHTER under the brow bone, side of the nose or at the corner of my eye. Then I use the 2nd and 4th colors as eyeshadow BASE and mix it with deeper shades. The rest I just play around with! On lazy days I even use the darkest color as eyeshadow itself, I just line my eyes, add mascara and I'm good to go!

Mixed together

You can see the gradiation

from my bare skin

(under flourescent light)

On my cheeks

You can see the golden glow!

(under soft light)

The glimmery powder casts a soft glow that ILLUMINATES the face instantly. Its super fine shimmers gives a natural kind of sunkissed look. This would look extra fab on a perfectly tanned skin. The blended shade is lovely, not too orange and not too brown. Just a gorgeous GOLDEN shade.

BUT...

I noticed that only a few light strokes is necessary to achieve that glow as too much can make the face look extra shiny. Which is bad news if you're already suffering from oily skin like me. I made that embarrasing mistake the first time i used this coz' i got too excited, i ended up looking like a greaseball!

Overall, I'm VERY satisfied with this brick. Its many functions compensates for it's pricey tag. In fact, you are even saving more coz it's like having MULTIPLE products for the price of one. Will I repurchase? Yes, but in another shade. I wanna try the pink one next time.

Btw, if you noticed i finally decided to watermark. But not with all the pictures. I'll just choose which ones i like coz' i have the tendency to get lazy putting a mark on each and every shot..hehe!
Ta-ta! See ya:-)

Olay Regenerist Anti-aging Eye Roller

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 04:07:00 +0000

My cousin gave this to me when she got back from US several months ago

Thanks cuz! Mwah!

Finally i have the energy to post about this:-)

I was an Oil of Olay user before i started lusting for bigger and more expensive brands. I only have good memories with this brand coz' i grew up trying and testing their products. And i LOVED most of them! A truckload of Shiseidos or Lancomes can never beat the thrill of finding CHEAP products that works!

Looking back, i remember going to the grocery with my mom. I'd head straight to the toiletries section and check out what's new. I wanted to try all those beauty products on display! But of course i was still cash strapped and the only solution was my mom. I would sheepishly return to our cart with all my loots tucked behind me. When she's not looking i would quickly SNEAK a lipstick under the meat, a balm under the lettuce, and an OLAY cream under the can of tomatoes... whilst all the while pretending i'm only getting one item. Mind you, i wasn't satisfied with only 1 or 2 items. It had to be more! I learned the art of HAULING at a young age. And upon reaching the counter i would DISTRACT her with something while the cashier is busy punching my loots along with the grocery items. I'd always feign innocence everytime she wonders why the bill seems to be higher.

Eventually she discovered my style. So i didn't get it easy anymore. I had to put on that "please-have-mercy-on-me-look" and beg like a child even infront of other people (horrors!). After what seemed like eternity, i would finally get to CONVINCE her with promises of being a GOOD girl and getting BETTER grades next time. But the moment the cashier punches the items my brain's like, "What did we talk about again?" or "Nyak..nyak..nyak...goodluck on the grades part!" And the cycle goes on and on...tsk...tsk..silly girl!

Oops! I'm sorry for the incessant blabber, i got so carried away! It's just that Olay evokes these kinds of memories! Hehe :-)

Now back to the topic:

Just pump and pump...

And the juice will ooze...(sounds a bit?!)

Ooh...

Creamy and milky

Don't you dare think dirty...haha!

3 metal ball roller

I was pleasantly surprised that Olay came up with a roller stick. It makes application so much easier. It lessens tugging coz you won't need to use your fingers anymore. And the roller balls feels refreshingly COOL to the eyes...very soothing! But my weird mind sometimes worries about the hygiene part coz i'm afraid the balls might catch some "micro germs"... roll it back in...then roll it back out to my eyes again. And then they'd multiply until my eyes becomes one giant BLOB...duh?! Seriously speaking, that's possible right? Not the blob part but the germs. I just hope im wrong with this one.

I like to use it before sleeping

Or simply when i want to scrimp on my La Mer eye cream usage..hehe

The eye cream feels MOISTURIZING (of course that's what it's made for!). It doesn't flake unlike other creams that turns into solid particles like a deodorant once they dry up (don't you just hate that?). It just rests on my skin until it gets all absorbed. In fact, i sometimes use this as base prior to concealer application. I dab just a little under both eyes. It is quite excellent in making my concealer glide even better! It instantly SMOOTHENS out the creases.

This is a good option if you want some decent HYDRATION. It is not a miracle potion that will instantly remove those saggy bags and bothersome lines. It just keeps dryness away which in turn helps PREVENT wrinkles. If there's one thing i noticed, it DOES LESSEN eye puffiness( great after every major cry fest)!. Guess those cool roller balls really does some spanking action! Overall, i like this product and this time around i won't have to dupe or beg my mom for it anymore. Nyak...nyak...nyak! :-)

I'll leave you with a sneak peak of some hauls...

La Prairie stuffs

Ta-da!

Will be reviewing some of these products soon...:-)

Thanks for the time!

Stay happy! :-)

Tathion 307 Review and a Few Snapshots

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 06:35:00 +0000

Price: 2000pesos
Quantity: 90 tablets/one month supply

DESCRIPTION:
Endowed with anti-allergic action and with the ability to enhance the liver function. Tathion acts upon allergic disorders (e.g. eczema, uticaria, and toxicoderma) in two respects, viz, the skin and liver. The compound also improves pigmentation of the skin by blocking the process of melanogenesis

Another beauty supplement favorite

Being a sucker for that fair and glowing complexion, i've tried a lot of beauty supplements in the market.Name it and chances are i've already tried it. I have sampled quite a LOT, from herbal tablets, to Sheep placenta pills and even those tacky looking Chinese pearl capsules. I'll try irregardless of any risks which is plain dumb! I literally made a guinea pig out of myself. Obviously, none of those pills worked which was a total waste of money! Good thing i've already stopped experimenting and stuck it out with products that worked for me.

Comes in blister pack

This is one of those supplements that really WORKS!. I learned about this thru a friend who i haven't seen for quite sometime. When i saw her again (3years ago) i was surprised at her transformation. She looked so much better than before! At first i can't quite pinpoint out what it is. I even thought she probably went under the knife. And then it hit me, it's her skin! It is so RADIANT and bright, made her look several years younger. So i asked her what she did and she excitedly told me about this tablet from Japan. Naturally i didn't need much convincing. Her gorgeous skin says it all! The next day i ordered my very first Tathion 307.

100mg each

During the first three months it is recommended that you take this tablet 3x a day plus 500 mg of vitamin C with each meal. On the fourth month you can lower your dosage to twice daily. When you have achieved your desired color, you can start taking only one tablet daily for maintenance

Since im on Saluta IV hiatus, i rely on this for maintenance

BENEFITS:

-lightens dark spot

-clears the skin

-refines pores

-prevents pimples/blemishes

-whitens the skin

-treats skin ulceration

-helps cure melasma

-enhances wound healing

-makes skin supple, fresh and radiant

I've been taking this on and off for several years now coz' i've been alternating it with 2 other brands that i love -PH338 and Shiseido Purewhite EX (made a post about these two). I rely on PH338 for that rosy pinkish glow, Shiseido for lightening my sunspots and this one for overall brightening. Amongst the three, Tathion 307 gave me the BRIGHTEST glow. It was the fastest and most effective one in giving me that radiant fair skin. Leaving me with a well-rested, fresh and stress-free aura. My skin also seems clearer, finer and my breakouts lesser. It also works well with Collagen supplements like Meiji.

I can't help but compare how dull my skin used to look everytime i see old pictures of mine. I cringe at the thought of how carefree and complacent i WAS with my lifestyle. Smoking and staying up late like there's no tomorrow!...tsk...tsk! Fortunately some divine intervention took place and i DROPPED those vices like a hot potato before it would start taking its toll on my skin. Had it happened any later, the damages would have been irreversible and no amount of Tathion, PH338 or Shiseidos can fix that! It's so important that we practice clean living in order to maximize the effects of our beauty supplements. Oops, im getting OT now, sorry i got carried away and started reminiscing about the past. Hehe!

So ladies (and gentlemen?!) if ever you're considering of starting a regimen that includes oral supplements, i highly recommend this one.You will definitely see and feel your skin improve day by day. It's never too early to seriously start taking care of our skin. Tathion 307 will boost your skin to its optimal level. Remember, beauty starts from within...

Thanks for your time!

I will leave you with a few shots i took

A few days ago

City Sunset

The road unknown

Say hi to Zoe

See you all again soon!

Kick back, relax and enjoy your day! :-)

Bobbi Brown Treatment Lip Shine SPF15 in Pink Glisten

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 07:05:00 +0000

Price- 1,100 pesos ($17 US price)

Lipstick and Lip treatment in one

When i was younger i used to be really crazy about matte lipsticks

I hated anything that has a sticky gloss to it

It felt icky and uncomfy on my lips

The last thing i need is additional grease factor to my already oily existence

Oily face + Oily lips= disaster!

I also felt that matte looked better on me

Since my lips are quite huge haha!

Has SPF15-a major plus!

Pink Glisten shade

But that was then...

When my lips were more supple and taut

As i got older fine lines and creases began to form

Sadly matte lipsticks only emphasized them more

So i started to appreciate lipsticks that moisturizes

Especially the glossy ones!

Sheer pink that glides so easily

Shimmery swatches

This treatment really feels moisturizing on my lips

It contains rejuvenating ingredients such as:

Shea butter, jojoba, cocoa, kernel, apricot and avocado oils

It also has Peptides, Paracress and vitamin C that

Stimulates collagen production for softer and smoother lips

The texture is just right...not too oily and greasy

Perfect for dry, flaky and chapped lips

My lips still felt soft even after the treatment is gone

But unfortunately, the color is not longlasting

So reapplications is a MUST!

Super soft lips! Yay!

The color is a bit too sheer for my pigmented lips

Just a hint of pink!

I had to layer it over several times to add more color

Coz' it's barely noticeable with one swipe

This lippie would be great for the shy girl-next-door type

Or for those who barely wears any makeup

The shimmers are so SUBTLE too

Very fine

Very pretty!

Will i repurchase? hmm... even if it's quite pricey

I'd still wanna try their other shades

Especially Berry and Papaya (coral)...

So if you want a 2 in 1 lipstick that treats and prettifies

This one is worth a shot!

Take care beauties!!! :-)

Apple iPad Review

noreply@blogger.com (MINAKICHU) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 02:38:00 +0000

Isn't my wallpaper cute? hehe :-)

My iPod Touch looks like a mini-me version!

Default icons/applications

I haven't downloaded anything yet

But soon i will add games, games and games!

SETTINGS

Very easy to understand settings

You won't even have to read the manual anymore!

(but better if you do...hehe)

CONTACTS

I obviously haven't placed any contacts yet

Too lazy...hehe

But i'll start putting soon...hopefully;-)

CALENDAR

This feature won't give you

much excuses to miss those important

appointments anymore...

Will keep track of your schedules

like a trusty old secretary

PHOTOS

It automatically sorts out photos by events and dates

Very convenient for DISORGANIZED girls like me

You can also use this as a digital picture frame...cool!

NOTES

I use this as sort of a "digital scratchpaper" for blogging

or writing whatever that comes into mind

Comes in handy everytime i forget to bring pen and paper

MAILS

Sending and receiving emails becomes a breeze

as i can do it anywhere that has a wifi connection

MAPS

I especially like this function coz i can conveniently

LOCATE any place, anywhere in the world

No more getting lost!

Just type any address and the map will

instantly show you where...

VIDEOS

You can download videos easily

and watch them wherever you are

Comes in handy when you're super BORED

iPOD

I don't really use this at all

since i prefer using a separate iPod

ACCESSORIES:

I placed a clear plastic casing (Maclove) at the back

to protect it from scratches

I had to buy a separate Apple SD card slot

Since iPad doesn't have one...tsk...tsk!

To be able to transfer pictures straight from my camera

I also got this hot pink padded cover (Javasparks) for further protection

Especially since i'm prone to dropping my things

Chino and Zoe posing with it

My beloved iPod Touch had to take a backseat when this baby arrived.

I have to admit that the only reason why i wanted this

was because of the hype it received

But now that i'm using it

I fully understand why so many people love this!

Albeit the size, its features are very similar to iPod Touch.

Same interface, touch-screen applications and look.

I prefer using this though coz' surfing is more pleasurable

with its huge screen

The battery life is excellent!

You could surf from midnight til' morning

And you'll still have enough left

Saves you the hassle from constant rechargings

It would have been awesome if

only Apple added a built in camera...

But that's asking for too much already!

Nevertheless i'm very satisfied

Truly a great buy!

That's all for now

Thank you sweeties!

See you again next time:-)