Going Thai

Hi everyone!

I just got back from a trip to Bangkok last Tuesday, and it’s taken me a while to settle back into the daily grind.  I was away for 5 days so I had a lot to make up for.

So anyway, before leaving for Thailand, I promised to myself that I’m NOT buying any beauty products or makeup.  The reason being, I have way too many already, and I wanted to save my money for clothes.  I’m pretty sure you all know Bangkok is the place to be if you’re on the hunt for affordable and good quality clothing.

But because this blog post exists, I think you can already guess that I didn’t keep my promise.  I am swearing up and down that I really tried not to buy any makeup, but…. I just couldn’t help it!  And no self-respecting beauty junkie would have.  You’ll find out why in a minute! haha!  Might as well leave you hanging about the beauty products and show you some random things I was able to get.

A small pile of clothes and a traditional Thai sling bag.  I have no idea why I didn’t feel like shopping for clothes that much.  I bought mostly basics and plain colored shirts, a pair of burgundy harem pants, maxi dresses, a funky shirt dress and just 1 striped blazer.  Yes, I think that’s a very small pile! Bawal kumontra!

As far as accessories go, these 3 rings are all I got along with 3 leather belts.   The hot weather isn’t very encouraging when in comes to accessorizing so I bought rings  since they are the least cloying accessories when you’re sweating profusely.

1 of the 2 covers for Thailand Vogue, May issue.  Lovely editorials and mood boards!

I’ve become a caffeine junkie as of late and I couldn’t help my addiction.  I just had to hoard this delicious Thai Milk tea and grabbed a bag of Nescafe karamelly coffee along the way.

Have I left you hanging long enough?  Yes? No?

LOL!

Okay, fine.  I think I tortured you all long enough.

So there’s Maybelline, Garnier, eyelid tape, cute band aids… and ooh what’s that?  The others are local Thai cosmetic brands and products   Scroll down below for the detailed photos.

Sulfate Free shampoo and conditioners from L’oreal.

I already hauled these from my Singapore trip late last year, so I just had to reload my stash.  I know it’s already out in the Philippines, but I’m pretty sure it’s more expensive here.

Oh, I threw in a tub of Hydrating masque for good measure.  Excuse the horrible photo.

Before I proceed to the detailed breakdown of the products, please bear in mind that most of the photos have filters in them, but I didn’t add any to the photos of the makeup to show you the true colors of the products.  I did try to edit them to appear as close to their actual shades.  

I just want to share that I was surprised that Thailand actually has a wide variety and multitude of beauty brands.  I didn’t expect to buy any beauty products on this trip, simply because I didn’t think there would be anything worth trying.

Then I saw that they have Boots, Watsons and a lot of local beauty stores…  I literally heard my wallet say uh-oh as my brain urged me to check them out.  haha!

Anyway, let’s begin with this product!

Garnier BB cream

I don’t know if you’ve heard of these.  I’ve seen a couple of reviews on this BB cream, mostly from Australian and British beauty bloggers on Youtube and they were raving about how wonderful and affordable it is.  So when I saw this while browsing at Boots, I just knew I had to get one and try it myself.

I am yet to open and swatch it but I just have to say I was bowled over with the price.  It was normally 209 baht (roughly 300 Php) but  Boots was having a 10% sale on ALL of their regular priced products so I got this for only 179 baht (roughly 260 php).   It is a 20 mL tube so it is a pretty small amount compared to most BB creams out there, but it still is pretty cheap for something from Garnier.

Maybelline Falsies (Thai version), Lip and Eye Makeup remover, NY Limited Fashion Edition Baby Lips

I’m sure you’re all familiar with these products as they are available locally, though I’m not sure if the Limited Edition Baby Lips is available here.  I bought these only  because they were so much cheaper!  The mascara was on sale so it was 225 Baht (approx. PhP 335.00) compared to Php 499.00 here, the makeup remover was 100 baht (approx. PhP 150.00) versus the local price of PhP 200.00 and the Baby lips was 59.00 Baht (approx. PhP 80.00) .  I think this one is just a little more expensive, but I’m not sure.

I actually wanted to get the Maybelline Lashionista, but I figured it’s best to stick with a mascara that I’ve tried and tested.

Doesn’t the Thai version of the Falsies mascara look so cute?

This is one of the local Thai beauty brands I posted about in Instagram before.  Gino McCray is available in Beauty Buffet stores in Bangkok.   This powder blush is something I got, last minute because it was a dead ringer for Nars Orgasm.

I’ve seen [and bought] a multitude of so-called Nars Orgasm dupes but I think none of them came as close as this one.

This shade is Sandra Rose, and it’s a very vibrant shade of peach with gold shimmer.  I got this for 295 Baht (approx. PhP 450.00) and I picked this up right before the shuttle passed by the hotel to pick us up and bring us to the airport.  This wasn’t on sale but I liked it so much [plus I was rushing so] I just didn’t care.

I’m still testing this blush and I intend to create a separate review about this.  I might include comparison swatches to the other blushes I have that are similar to it so stay tuned for that!

Gino McCray Eyeshadow single in Pale Peach 

This is something I got the first time I went to Beauty Buffet.  It’s a very nice eyeshadow, it’s very pigmented and glides on the eyelids real smooth.  It does appear a bit too brown and bronze in the photo and in actual but the eyeshadow is very peachy when applied on the skin.   It’s such a nice eyeshadow shade for the summer! It’s also buildable so you can layer it to get more dimension for your eyes.

Not sure how long it lasts without a primer.  Will update you guys as soon as I test it out.

Beauty Cottage eyeshadow duo in Milk Chocolate and Peach Choco

I love the packaging of these eyeshadows!  It’s a perfect mix of Victorian and whimsical florals.

Just like the Gino McCray, these eyeshadows are pretty blendable and pigmented!  I was supposed to get the single eyeshadow pots but they weren’t on sale and they cost 260 Baht each.   They’re exactly the same as these except these have 2 shadows and comes in bigger pots…

I’m not fond of duo eyeshadow pots but these were super cheap!  The prices were slashed from 360 Baht to 315 Baht.  But the best part is, these were on buy 1 take 1 sale.  Amazeballs right!?  It was my first time to find a product that is on sale and is even on a buy 1 get 1 free promotion.  My eyes probably popped out of their sockets when the sales assistant confirmed that I didn’t misinterpret the Thai sign.  Now tell me you can resist that tempting sale!  I definitely didn’t. haha!

Here’s how the shades are like!

This is Peach Choco

I think this color combination is perfect for the summer!

This is Milk Chocolate 

Just your regular black and white shimmer eyeshadow.  I got this mainly for the white eyeshadow because it’s a nice highlight shade and the black one is perfect for soft-lining your eyes or for creating a smoky eye look.  You just can’t go wrong with this combination.

A closer look at the L’oreal Ever Pure Color Care shampoo and conditioner

Notice that the shampoo is Rosemary Juniper and the Conditioner is Rosemary Mint?  They have different scents and I find that the conditioner smells a little too manly, even for me.  I like masculine scents and perfumes, but shampoo is another story altogether.

It’s my first time to get the Smoothing System  line but I do hope it smells better than the Rosemary ones.

So that’s it for my Thai Beauty haul post.

I hope you enjoyed this and do let me know what you think in the comments down below.  If you saw a particular product you want a more thorough review on, just leave me a comment

I’m currently working on my Thailand travel diary, a collective April beauty haul post, April beauty favorites and misses, and a whole bunch of posts I wish I’d finish in time. )

I’m actually thinking of creating a Youtube channel so I can just chat away about these but I think it’ll take me longer to post them… Or maybe I won’t post them because I look annoying in videos… uhhh… *goes back to writing*

Seriously though, what do you guys think?

XX

Erika

******

Just have to share this photo of me and my dad being a photobomber. )

My Life in Instagram

Do you have those moments when you put off writing a post this weekend, then the next one, and again until you realize it’s been months since you last posted anything?

*timidly raises hand*

I’ve been burying my head into the In Death series by JD Robb/Nora Roberts the past few months.  It’s been eating up every spare moment of my life that I’m not busy and I managed to go through 35 books in 2 months (yes that’s how obsessed I am).

Which hereby justifies the lack of updates in this poor abandoned blog (not anymore!).

I therefore make up for the absence with this photo diary of how Feb-March 2013 went for me, cut down into sections and all.

First off: Fashion

Outfits!

This one is a favorite.  I absolutely adore the Alexander McQueen-esque blazer and Burberry-ish wedge heels.

I got obsessed with Fall colors a little later than I should have.

But then, I’ve always had a thing for military green and boots.

The parka I bought on a whim (no regrets!), studded sportif top with a sheer panel at the back and an olive green maxi skirt with side slits.  

Pleated leather skirt, studded top and pajama print trousers.

So help me, I went over and beyond budget last month.

My current favorite accessories.

Gold Gold Gold.

Where there is Fashion, Beauty follows:

Finally completed my emergency makeup kit!

Will post an intensive review soon.

My Makeup Academy haul!

Eyeshadow, glitter liners, powder, bronzers, blush, and lip gloss.  Name it, I have it!

Selling most of these items.  Let me just work on my page and I’ll post it here soon

My makeup look for the Magnum event last February 27. I really love having an excuse to wear dramatic makeup.

Bored in the office.

Playing with my hair… Must. Re-dye. SOON.

Love love love this L’oreal nail stickers!

A work-related shindig:

At the Magnum event with Denise.  It was a mad dash from the prepping up until the drive to the venue.  Keeping the details to myself in case Denise reads this. HAHA!

Got another chance to wear my Eric Manansala neck piece and YSL heels <3

Food Business:

Working in the restaurant/Food industry means eating.  A lot.

Ying Ying mini food trip with Denise and Jel.

Tried Sebastian’s red velvet ice cream.

Mary Grace’s Cream Dory and leeks (something) pasta.  Sorry I couldn’t remember!  But I do love this, especially the garlic bread. YUM!

A visit to Friuli Trattoria.

Dolcelatte club sandwich!

AH! Brasas <3

Forever favorite at Banapple!

My Baby Bean the doggy:

Yeah, she’s naturally cute and adorable like that.  She makes me smile in the mornings and melts away the stress of an entire work day the moment she meets me by the door when I get home.  Although she makes it hard to leave the house sometimes. HAHA!

The things that I’ve been busy with lately:

I just moved to our other house and we’ve all been up to our necks moving all of our stuff!  We just finished everything yesterday, although I still have a TON of stuff to organize in my room.   It happens to be significantly smaller than my old room so my “kamada” skills are being stretched in all possible directions.

Will post photos and overhaul my blog as soon as all of the crap lying around in my room gets settled!

ETC

My favorite chips and the best dishwashing liquid ever!  All from Echostore!  I use the dishwashing liquid to clean my brushes or mix it with water and just leave a cup of the mixture in my bathroom or in my room to get rid of the new paint smell.  Why?  Because it smells so nice, relaxing and very much like a spa! <3

(which explains the liter-sized bottle)

My current favorite nail products!

Memories from a trip to Europe.

I adore these Woody stackable containers!  I think they’re perfect for lipsticks or baubles…  But they don’t go well with  my room interior so I’m thinking of shopping for my room organizers this weekend.

CAN’T WAIT!

—

On a completely unrelated note…  I’m planning to get a new DSLR with a flipping viewfinder because I’m planning to start a beauty video blog, plus re-open my online store and overhaul my blog (EXCITED!).

I’m also looking out for an affordable digital camera with nice vidcam features.  Nothing spiffy, just a decent camera that I can take with me to shoot videos or pictures when I don’t feel like lugging a DSLR around.  Please give me a recommendation in the comment box below if you have any suggested models!

AHH!   So many things to be excited about this summer!  I’ll update you guys soon!  <3

XX

Erika

New In My Beauty Box

Time really flies!  I feel like January passed by without me noticing at all. -_- My schedule has been a bit crazy lately so I haven’t gotten round to posting my 2012 beauty and fashion capsule, my first ever bucket list and a whole load of backlogs.  Honestly, I have to back track and review all the materials to see how many posts I neglected to upload.

It’s a bit wearing to go over old posts so I’m jumping right to my beauty hauls this 2013.

2012

That was the year I truly appreciated the benefits of makeup application.  I always leaned towards low-key and natural looks, although I admit that there are times that I pick edgy colors and makeup looks as well.  2012 was the year I explored my adventurous streak when it comes to makeup.

For my everyday look, I always make sure I have the basics covered.  By basics, it means my base makeup (BB cream or foundation) is impeccably applied and looks like my second skin, my blush should be well-blended and my eyes lined and contoured before I head out.  I hate doing my makeup when I am already out of the house because I feel like there are all sorts of grime hiding in my pores, just waiting to be stuffed in by makeup before rearing their ugly heads.  Horror.

So anyway, this year, I started investing in good quality makeup and tools. I had to do a lot of penny pinching to be able to afford some of them but overall, it’s worth it.

Let’s start with my favorite purchase from the bunch!

**excuse the dirtiness please.  I forgot to wash them before the shoot.***

I scored this brush set last January along with the Sigma Classic Brush Roll a few days after Multiply’s 20% Off Sale started.

I first saw this set in Singapore last November, then in the MAC Glamour Daze launch last December.  It was available at MUP as well but I didn’t purchase it (stupid me) because I haven’t made up my mind about investing in MAC brushes at the time.  BIG MISTAKE.  I should have bought it then because it was only P2500.00, the lowest price, when compared to other online stores and the MAC stores here in Manila.

The Multiply discount sale was heaven sent because I got this set for P2600.00 (original price P3200.00) including the shipping.  Great deal right?!  This set is always on me whenever I leave the house.

I’ll be posting a separate review for this so stay tuned!

2nd item 0n this haul post is the…

Neat huh?  I’ve been looking for a nice brush roll because I buy my brushes individually and it felt so wrong to stuff my new MAC 187 and Stila Holiday 2012 brush set in my overflowing brush roll.

I chanced on this Sigma brush roll at Multiply for only P990.00 (most shops are selling this for about P1200-P1500) and add the 20% discount on top of it.  It was a great thing I didn’t buy any of the overpriced brush rolls in local dept. stores because the quality is laughable compared to this one.

In case you haven’t already guessed.  I ended up blowing most of my salary on beauty products last month because of the discounts at Multiply.   Which explains why most of the items in this haul post are bought online.

Their 20% sale is still ongoing until Feb. 28, so hit up the Marketplace to score beauty products at a discount.   I’m trying to stick to my shopping budget  so I won’t overspend this month and I’m currently avoiding the site (and temptation) like a plague.  Hence, I’m passing the urge to shop to you guys.  (Thank or hate me later!) LOL

 Before the sale started, I bought the MAC 187 brush and MAC Smoked Purple but I forgot to take photos, so I’ll talk about them next time

In the mean time, let me entertain you with my blush stash this month:

I’ve been drooling over these Sleek Blush By 3 blushes in foreverrrr but no one seemed to be stocking them and those who did were selling them with ridiculous mark-up  (P950 – P1000).  I was so annoyed and my EQ was shredded to nothingness that I decided to order these and a bunch of stuff from the Sleek UK website and sell the other items. )

I ordered last December 12, 2013.  Everything was intact  and arrived within 3 weeks!  The bad news is I had to deal with the stupid Customs tax and handling fees (nothing like corrupt gov’t agencies to dampen your spirit) but overall, I am very happy with my purchase.

**If you’re interested in Sleek Makeup products, I’ll be uploading the product shots soon, so check back occasionally for updates!**

Can you believe I got this Limited Edition L’oreal Project Runway blush for only P200.00?  These were sold in the States for USD 10.00, but I found a store that sells them for only P250.00 (+20% off) each. I swear by online beauty stores!   They’re awesome!!!!

I ordered this Tarte blush, thinking it was full-sized so I was surprised at how small it was when it arrived.   Apparently it was part of a mini set and the seller only indicated that it’s (0.11 oz.) not that it’s a MINI size.  UGH!!!  This was listed as P899.00 for 3.4g of product whereas the full-sized ones are only P1250-P1450 (6.5 grams). It was a good thing I used the P250 OFF coupon so this was only P698.00.  I know I paid less but I still feel horribly cheated because a set of 4 minis is less than P2000.00 -_-

Oh well, you win some, you lose some.  That’ll teach me to be more careful next time.

More items I got during the sale are the following:

I got the DUO lash adhesive for P350.00 , the MeMeMe Sunbeam for P180.00 (marked down from P360.00) (both +20% off) and the Jack Black lipbalm P550.00 (-P200.00).

The discounts are insane! I’m telling you!!

These NYX Matte Lipsticks were on sale from P300.00 to P250.00 and still subject to 20% discount so I grabbed these three shades that I’ve been wanting to get for the longest time.  The Perfect Red shade is a close dupe for MAC Russian Red, and the consistency of the formula is almost exactly the same.

No matter how much I adore MAC lipsticks, I just have to say NYX lipsticks are the bomb.

***

As much as I enjoy beauty products and hunting for the best deals, I can only use so much items at a time.   Which is why, as difficult as it is, I’m going to make a real effort to cut back on buying beauty products starting this month.  This could be my only beauty haul post for 2013 until May -_- which is depressing.  I guess I’ll have to distract myself by posting reviews and my accumulated unpublished hauls from 2012.

I will try and post reviews of these products as soon I find the time.

If you have any fashion or beauty questions, hit me up with a comment below, and I’ll try to answer as soon as I can.

XX

Erika

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NEWS FLASH! I am about to re-brand and overhaul my blog!  I’m currently working out some of the kinks, but hopefully it’ll be done within the month, along with the new concept for my online store.  WOOT!  Exciting times! <3

Curtain Call

When I decided to maintain this blog, I made a promise to myself that I won’t be writing about my personal life or anything about my work.  I’m not breaking it entirely but I feel like I should at least air out some general things to remind myself of where I’ve been, where I am now, where I want to be and how I’m gonna get there.

Some milestones in life really needs to be written down to feel “official”.

photo from gs.poetry.com

I graduated from DLSU-M last June 2011.  I took some time off, studied Spanish, traveled to Europe with my cousin before 2011 ended.  It was March 2012 when I started to work for MEGA Magazine as an Editorial Coordinator, something I consider as a big milestone.  I consider it the transition from a college student into a member of the work force.

I really enjoyed working in MEGA and I worked hard.  Maybe too much.   I’m going to tell you out and out, working in the publishing industry is nowhere as glamorous as people think it is. Cliché, I know but it’s true.  Though it’s not nearly as horrible as it is portrayed in The Devil Wears Prada, it didn’t take long for my overprotective parents to worry and I waved away their concerns.  As hectic as my work and life was then, I really did enjoy what I was doing.  I won’t elaborate, but certain circumstances made me realize that if I carried on with the rate I was going, I am going to crash.

Little by little, things seemed to have changed for the worse.  Not only at work but also the situation at home.  It came to a point that I was no longer happy and I started to feel restless.  I started to question everything, most especially the direction of my life.  It was hard but I knew I had to make a decision because delaying the inevitable is nothing but a waste of precious time.

Life is short.  Time is something you can never get back so you should spend it doing things you are passionate about.  Follow your instincts and let go of things you already know isn’t working for you.  Most especially when it isn’t worth the effort.  One-sided relationships are not restricted to romantic relationships.  It’s everywhere.

 I am the kind of person that takes time to discover and accept certain facts.  But when I do and decide on a plan of action, I don’t hesitate to go through with it. I realized that my passion does not lie in the publishing industry.  I’ll always love fashion and beauty as much as I love blogging.   However, I learned that working so close with it isn’t for me.  I am better off as an audience rather than a creator, which is why I decided to let go.

After 8 months of  the rollercoaster that is MEGA, I resigned.

Just like at the end of a theater show, there’s a curtain call.  I’ve officially closed the curtains for that brief chapter in my life, hence the title, Curtain Call.

I took a month off before moving to my new job.

I am happy and more settled now, working in a job that is in line with my degree. I have more time for myself and I can write decent blog posts once or twice a week and I’m also feeling my way around a new business I’m planning to set up.  I’m glad to finally have a balance between work and personal life.  It certainly helped me see where I want to be 5 years from now.  I feel unsettled knowing I have to move to our other house early next year, but I’ll deal with that when it happens.  Some things are better tackled one at a time.  It’s all a matter of prioritizing, and sometimes, compartmentalizing.

As for my misgivings about my first job and leaving, I don’t regret working in MEGA.  On the contrary, I’m glad I did.  I have to admit that I miss it sometimes.  Yes, it is a work equivalent to a baptism by fire.  But it is also a job that sets the bar for you to know how much people will expect from you when you begin working.  I learned a lot of things that I know I will not learn had I worked elsewhere.  I made a lot of friends, met a lot of hard working people and encountered a roster of rather colorful personalities that you wouldn’t believe exists. I learned to never give up on things and to be resourceful and make things work no matter how dire things may seem.  Most of all, I learned how to have fun while working.

So before you dismiss that magazine in your hand as something ditzy, easy to produce and made by a bunch of shallow people, think of how much work, time and planning was done to make it a reality.  I’m quite sure you won’t believe or fathom how much work went into it.

xx

Erika

Purple Obsession

I have a very unhealthy obsession with purple lipstick.

My favorite color is purple.  The deep rich-hued kind and for some weird reason, I am more comfortable wearing dark or bold lip colors than nudes and pinks.  Some ladies I know own multiple shades of pink, nude and red lipstick and you’ll never see them without it.  Well for me, it’s purple lipstick.

I used to be okay with my sparse selection of  red and brown lipsticks until MEGA happened.  I blame a certain makeup artist *ehem* and an elusive limited edition MAC lipstick for this obsessive attitude I have towards the irritatingly hard to find shade.

My small peaceful bubble where purple lipsticks do not exist burst forth and unleashed the unrelenting need to get my hands on the perfect shade of purple.

I am yet to find my MAC Heroine, but so far I am happy with what I managed to amass within 2 months of crazed search of sellers, reading various reviews and lots of deliberation over spending hard earned cash over these:

Top:Revlon Balm Stain in Darling
Clockwise: Sleek Pout Paints in Peekabloo, Pin Up and Mauve Over, 
OCC Lip Tar in Hoochie, Maybelline Colorburst Lipstick in Amethyst Ablaze, 
NYX Round Lipstick in Iced Lavender, Medusa and Violet Ray, 
MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Goes and Goes, MAC Rebel, 
Lime Crime Airborne Unicorn, MAC Up The Amp, OCC Lip Tar in Belladonna

Hodgepodge of my purple lipsticks in varying shades

Sleek Pout paints and OCC lip tars

Revlon Lip Balm stain

*****

I was about to publish this when I realized it looks so boring without any swatches so I delayed posting it until I had the time to swatch the products.  I’ve spent so much time blog hopping for product reviews and swatches when I’m shopping for cosmetics, but it was only until I tried making swatches of lip products that I realized it’s not easy at all.

I damaged some of my lipsticks in the process *cringe* but I think it’s worth it as this post will be more helpful.  At least I hope it would be.

But I digress.

(L-R)

NYX Medusa, NYX Violet Ray, Maybelline Amethyst Ablaze, 
MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme Goes and Goes, MAC Rebel, MAC Up The Amp, 
Lime Crime Airborne Unicorn

Both NYX Medusa and Violet Ray look more brown than the actual swatches.  These NYX lipsticks are both dark purple with a red base and have frosted finish.  You could barely distinguish one from the other when worn.

Maybelline Amethyst Ablaze goes on sheer with a frosted finish as well.  It’s very purple, more red-based than blue and because it has sheer coverage, the color may vary depending on your natural lip color.  I suggest using lip foundation if  you have dark lips and want that vibrant purple color.

MAC Goes and Goes is a very light shade of purple with a grayish tinge to it.  With careful application, you can get even and opaque coverage out of this lipstick and because it’s from MAC’s Pro Longwear Lipcreme line, it lasts longer than regular lipstick and dries faster, thus there is less color transfer.

MAC Rebel is a bright red violet shade.  It looks more purple on the tube than when applied.  It has a satin finish and goes on opaque, it leaves a red stain when it fades.

MAC Up The Amp is lavender with light pink hue.  It’s distinctly more violet than pink in actual but looks more pink in the photos.

Lime Crime Airborne Unicorn is a blue based light violet shade with a neon undertone.   It goes on opaque and doesn’t bleed even without the use of a lip liner.

(L-R)

Sleek Mauve Over, OCC Belladonna, OCC Hoochie, Revlon Balm Stain in Darling

Sleek Mauve Over is a bright pink shade with a purple undertone.    I rarely use this on it’s own.  I bought this mostly to mix with Peekabloo and Pin Up, and when done right, I get a perfect dupe for MAC Heroine.

OCC Belladonna - this shade is blue based and very bright violet indeed.  It has a neon undertone and appears to glow at times.  I use this when I have a strong hankering for standout purple lips.

OCC Hoochie - Among all the OCC lip tars, this is the closest shade to Belladonna but it has a red undertone and doesn’t have a neon undertone.

Revlon Darling - this is perfect for low-key days when you want something moisturizing but gives color as well.

****

Which one do you like best?

Do you like purple lipstick?  I’d love to hear from you!

xx

Erika

How Much Is Your Face Worth?

I was blog hopping last week when I stumbled on an interesting beauty post where you calculate the “worth” of your face. By worth, they meant how much you spend on makeup and facial skincare products.

I rotate products sporadically and most of the time I forget about the products I’ve “shuffled out” from my makeup bag. I figured this would be a nice way to keep track of what products I am using, how much I actually spend on my makeup, and also share mini reviews on the products that I use for my daily look.

I’m hoping that seeing the total amount will discourage me from makeup shopping for quite some time. haha!

The products in this post are the default ones that I use often, but not regularly. Most of the makeup here are the ones I have in my bag and I take them with me when I go out of the house *except for the products in the first 2 images*. Like I’ve said earlier, I rotate them depending on my mood and on the occasion.

Anyway, let’s start with the basics

L-R

Caudalie Beauty Elixir (30.00 Euros – approx. Php 2000.00), Neutrogena Hydro Boost moisturizer with SPF 30 PA+ (Php 830.00), Pond’s Gold Radiance Day Cream (Php 499.00), Tony Moly Expert Triple BB cream with SPF 45+++ (Php (930.00)

YES, I’m an SPF monster. In a country where commuting and sun exposure is unavoidable, you can never have too much SPF.

My makeup routine always starts and end with a face mist. This Caudalie Beauty elixir is by far my favorite, and unfortunately, the most expensive. It’s all natural and it has a very refreshing herbal and minty scent that never fails to relax me. I first tried this product on a trip to Paris, hence a spritz of this transports me back to that trip, over a year ago. I repurchased last month in Singapore, and a small 30mL bottle costs 29 SGD and the 100mL bottle costs 70 SGD or so. I got one of each.

I have a ton of moisturizer, so I resort to using a different one everyday, but lately I’ve been reaching for this Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel with SPF. It’s non-sticky and it feels cool on the skin and dries without any greasy residue. I actually got this for free when I was still in MEGA.

Another product I got for free was this Pond’s Gold Radiance Day Cream. I’ve long lost my enthusiasm for Pond’s products, except maybe for their facial washes. This one came with a big tube of Gold Radiance facial wash in the package I got on MEGA’s most recent 20 Most Beautiful party. So far, I haven’t noticed anything special in this cream but I didn’t want it to go to waste so I use it with my usual moisturizer.

I bought this Tony Moly Expert Triple BB Cream sometime last January after I gave it to my cousin. She was with me in Europe last year and Tony Moly wasn’t available in the US, so upon our parting, I gave her my unopened tube of BB cream. I guess we kind of traded since she also gave me a bunch of makeup at the time. Ate Mae, if you’re reading this, I must say you’re the instigator of my makeup addiction. haha!

Kidding aside, I am very satisfied with this BB cream. It’s a matte, full coverage formula. It’s non-drying and long lasting too. I like my makeup light and subtly enhancing especially when it comes to foundations or BB creams. That’s probably the reason why I find the coverage a bit heavy if I apply it on its own. I’ve taken to mixing a dollop of BB cream, moisturizer and the Pond’s day cream in my hand before applying the mixture on my face. It saves time and it gives my face the nice sheer coverage that I like.

Total: 4259.00

I will write a more extensive review on these products soon. Promise!

Ever Bilena Long Lasting Loose Powder (Php 220.00), Sephora Sculpting Disk (SGD 30.00 approx. Php 1000.00)

I’m not fond of powders so I don’t really have much, nor am I particular with it. I use it mainly to set my makeup in the morning and don’t really retouch it again throughout the day.

Aside from the bristly brush, this Ever Bilena loose powder works well for me.

I wrote a brief description for this Sephora Sculpting Disk in this post. It was a bronzer/contour powder, mattifying powder and highlighter in it. I think this is cost-effective and a makeup essential when traveling if you need a contouring kit as there’s no need to bring 3 separate products. This is very mildly scented, which I like. Ladies who are particular about scented cosmetics might not like this.

Total : Php 1220.00

BYS Powder Blush in Coral (Php 235.00), MAC Satin Powder Blush in Modern Mandarin (Php 1350.00), NARS Multi Mini in Copacobana (Approx. Php 800.00)

This BYS Powder Blush is one of my recent finds. I was in SM North Edsa department store and I noticed there was something different in the beauty section. Turns out they rearranged the place to accomodate the new BYS booth. I picked up this pretty coral blush for only Php 235.00. It’s a nice peach blush with lots of shimmer. It looks nice on its own and lasts quite long but I don’t really like re touching my blush so I layer this over other blushes. It works really well as a blush-cum-highlighter.

MAC powder blush in Modern Mandarin – this is my first MAC blush which was a gift from the previous MegaStyle.PH editor. At first I was dubious that it would suit my skin tone because of the vibrant orange shade that borders on peach. The exact shade of blush I used to steer clear of. After months of using this and 5 more MAC blushes later, this is still my favorite. It’s expensive compared to other blushes but it lasts really long. I’ve used this 6g compact everyday for months and it looks like I’ve only been using it for a couple of weeks. Talk about value for money!

NARS Multi Mini in Copacobana – Another item I received as a gift. I use this mainly for highlighting my cheekbones, brow bones and the bridge of my nose. The shade is perfect for me and the glitters are very fine making this a wonderful highlighter. I also have another NARS multi in the regular size, which I rarely use, because it has horrible staying power (read: nil). Same goes for this shade, although it lasts a bit longer, probably because of the shimmer.

Total : Php 2385.00

Makeup Academy Eye Shadow palette in Glamour Days (Php 400.00), Urban Decay Primer Potion travel-size (Php 400.00), Etude House Drawing Show creamy liner in double shot black (Php 498.00), Limited Edition K-Palette Liquid Eyeliner Pen in Jet Black (Php 895.00), Maybelline Diamond Glow Eye Studio palette in Copper Brown (Php 499.00), Beauty UK eyeshadow palette in Earth Child (php 300.00), Maybelline Falsies Mascara (Php 450.00)

As you can see, the bulk of items in my makeup bag are eye makeup! I’m not particular to eye makeup brands for everyday looks. Anything that is well pigmented and comes from a reliable label is fine with me. A good primer is all it takes to ensure the eyeshadow stays in place and retains its color throughout the day. Unfortunately I forgot to include my brow pencils -_-

The products above are my fool-proof yet affordable palettes. I already wrote mini reviews on some of these products in this post.

I’ll create an in-depth review on these items when I have time

Total : Php 3442.00

Etude House Kissable Lip Moisture Care (Php 198.00 ), Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm in Mango Mandarin with SPF 25 (Php 475.00), Fanny Serrano True Light Lipstick in Light Berry (Php 299.75 ), Colour Collection Lipstick in Fine Wine (Approx. Php 200.00 ) Fashion21 Lipstick in Miss Valentine (Php 150.00)

This is a hodgepodge of gifts and products I bought on a whim

The Etude House Kissable Lip care is perfect for prepping chapped and dry lips for lipstick application. It’s very light and mildly scented. It feels like diluted petroleum jelly.

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm is more ideal for overnight wear and for cold and dry weather. I don’t apply lipstick until I arrive in the office so I apply this lip balm before leaving for work.

The rest are for when I’m too lazy to put on full makeup for the day and there’s an emergency (i.e. event, meetings, etc.). At least I have a couple of shades to choose from.

I usually pick a lipstick shade from my makeup drawer at home, depending on my outfit or mood, but since we’re talking about “daily” looks, I didn’t include it in this post.

Total : Php 1322.75

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And now for the grand daddy of all expenses…..

Php 12,628.75

This is how much my face is worth on an average day, excluding costs of extras like additional cosmetics and makeup brushes.

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What about you? How much is your face worth?

xx

Erika

Spoils of Travel

A trip abroad is never complete without going shopping.

Here are  the rest of the “spoils” from my recent Singapore trip:

Casio and QQ watches

I’m not an avid watch collector,  but I have a thing for masculine, oversized and vintage style watches.

First blood from H&M

The mother of all leather vests.  Heavy on zips and butter-soft.  It will go perfectly with the vintage tees and bowler hat.

I make it a point to visit an H&M store no matter what country I travel to.  I know you probably think it odd, but well, we all have our own quirks.

Doc Martens Stella

I’ve always wanted a pair of Doc Martens.  After 2 days of indecision, I opted for this pair over vivid metallic pink and yellow gold pairs.

Topman tank tops

Perfect for lazy days.   Worn with shorts, leggings or jeans.  The possibilities are endless.

Assorted flats.

You already know which is my well-worn favorite.

Cotton On dresses and accessories

Cute tops from Old Bugis market

Phillip Lim 31 Hour-ish bag

From where you ask?  Charles and Keith.  Bought in it’s mother country, I got it a fraction cheaper than if it was bought locally.

My Iphone case that never fails to garner a “is that a camera or a phone?” comment.

xx

Erika