The Great Northern SALE at SM City North EDSA - February 1, 2 and 3

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I can still remember how much I enjoyed My Great Northern SALE experience last year.

The awesome goodies and finds at a fraction of its original price, its every shoppaholic's haven.

Now what's the best way to start the new season?

With the The Great Northern SALE 2013, of course! 

BIG SALE ALERT! 

Ascend to the high point of high fashion for a shopping experience you will never forget.
Indulge at the GREAT NORTHERN SALE this February 1, 2 and 3, with up to 70% off on selected brands"

Don't forget to bring your eco bag and SM Advantage Card! :)

MAC Kanga-Rouge Lipstick - Review, Photos, Swatches

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Here is one of the awesome gifts I received last Christmas! :)

I love how my family and relatives know what I like. This gift is from my Aunt whom I rarely see, but I'm really touched that she kept my love for MAC makeup in mind. Actually, she's the first person who gifted me a MAC product. It was a lipglass in Pink Lemonade, probably 8 years ago. I loved that lipglass so much, and I'm really loving this lipstick she gave me. :)

MAC Kanga-Rouge is a bright red shade in amplified creme finish, though it feels and looks more like a satin finish for me. On the tube, it looks quite similar to NYX Eros. But once applied, it reminds me of MAC Russian Red and MAC Ruby Woo, only in a different finish. This was originally released in the MAC Dame Edna Collection (hence the packaging), then re-promoted in the MAC Ice Parade Collection. I'm honestly not a fan of this packaging. The tacky sticker of Dame Edna's glasses made it look cheap. Good thing MAC learned their lesson and made their LE packaging more sophisticated.

MAC Kanga-Rouge

PROS: One of the best red colors I've had in this finish, creamy, won't dry out your lips nor rest on it's crevices, decent hours of wear
CONS: Not a fan of the packaging (the red sticker), limited edition, pricey


VERDICT:

 I will repurchase when I don't find something better.


Where To Buy:
MAC Kanga-Rouge
(this was a gift, but you might probably get one online)

Viriginia Olsen is on SALE at Zalora

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Another awesome news for makeup lovers out there!

Viriginia Olsen products, including Sophia Eyelash Enhancer, is on SALE at Zalora!

Benefit Sugarbomb Blush - Review, Photos, Swatches

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Benefit has been one of my favorite brands, even before they became locally available. My first Benefit products were High Beam, Bluffdust and Eye Bright. I've been eyeing on their powder blush for quite a while now, so when I got the chance to get Sugarbomb on a discount, I purchased it in a heartbeat.

Benefit Sugarbomb is a pinky peach blush; its more of a peach than pink. This blush gives me a very natural flush on my cheeks. It's a very light blush (also works as a highlighter for me), so this might not appear on darker skin tones (I'm a NC20-NC25, for reference). It has a slight shimmer to it, which I love. It also smells like candy, which I really don't mind. Mine came with the fliptop lid with mirror and brush. Some hates this brush, while I really love it. This is the blush I usually tote with me to save space in my makeup kit. It has decent hours of wear, though I expected more being it's an expensive blush. I've been using it for 1 month straight now, and it still looks full on the pan. Might take a while before I even finish half of this, so at least on that part the price is justifiable.

Benefit Sugarbomb

PROS: Gives the perfect natural flush, works also as a highlighter, comes with a brush and a mirror, contains a lot of product, decent hours of wear (about 2-4 hours on me)

CONS: Might look more of a highlighter on darker skin than a blush, it has a scent (I don't mind), expensive

VERDICT:

 I will repurchase when I don't find something better.

Where To Buy:
I got mine online (hence the discount), you can get this locally in Benefit Counters for P1800

MAC Night Blooming Mattene Lipstick - Review, Photos, Swatches

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MAC Night Blooming is a mattene lipstick from the MAC Taste Temptation Collection. This is a medium fuchsia pink shade with hints of purple. I was a bit apprehensive because I thought it might look too purple-ish and wash me out, but it's such a lovely shade when worn. It's quite opaque and long wearing. It left a nice pink stain on my lips after 5 hours of wear and heavy lunch.

As I've said in my 411 in MAC Lipsticks post, mattene is very easy to apply (creamy) and dries out matte. This finish is the forgiving matte formula of MAC, perfect for those who love the amplified creme and matte formulas.

MAC Night Blooming

swatch with flash

swatch without flash

PROS: beautiful shade, a refreshing take on pink, long wearing, perfect formula, will leave a pretty pink stain when it feathers

CONS: it's a limited edition and pricey

VERDICT:

I will definitely repurchase!

Where To Buy:

MAC Night Blooming

MAC Counters (coming out this January locally)

End of Season Sale in SM City North EDSA - Jan 4 to 13

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Happy 2013, Everyone!

It's the new year already. It's time to let go of all the negativity and bad vibes, and welcome this years with all the positive energy and enjoy a fresh start. I have a lot to be grateful for, especially with my career.

I finally found a job that I love, wherein I fell I'm truly valued. I've met a new set of crazy and awesome people that I know would be a big part of my life. But, there are aspects in my life that I would forever be grateful for,and even with all the new years that will come, I would still cherish them: my family and friends. :)

But for all the stuff that I've let go and will let go, and I'm talking about the material things here, I finally have a chance to replace them with something better and new. *cue in the Shopper excitement*

Calling all Stylistas! SALE Alert!

The big End of Season Sale  in SM City North EDSA is happening right now until January 13!

Up to 70% off on selected items from fashion brands, beauty products, shoes, bags, and more!

Get your shopping bags ready and head on over to SM City North EDSA, Northern Shoppers!

No "MAC Strength Collection" for Asia

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I was so excited when I heard MAC's newest collection, Strength, will carry 2 of my favorite matte lipsticks: Pink Pigeon and Party Parrot. I was equally excited to check out the other lipsticks Absolute Power, Strong Woman, and Firm Form. On the night it was released online, they were sold out within an hour! I was so bummed, but I was still hoping I'd get to snag them all when they launch it here in the Philippines. I dropped by MAC Trinoma last weekend to ask when will they release it here.

 

Guess what they told me? They won't reach the Philippines, or anywhere in Asia.

Why you may ask?

 

Because apparently, the conservative patriarchal Asian countries are uncomfortable with this print ad - a print ad that depicts how strong women are (or could be).

 

Its unfortunate how double standard is still evident nowadays. This issue might seem like irrelevant for some people just because it involves makeup. But think about it, even in cosmetics, women's choices are still regulated.

What's so wrong about strong women? What's so wrong about promoting and celebrating women's strength?

 

I was hoping MAC would come up with an ad for their conservative Asian market just so that the collection will be available here. But when I thought about it, I'm actually glad MAC held its ground and did not put down the ad.

There's nothing wrong with the ad and what it stands for. The only problem here is that some people are still living in the era wherein women's freedom is limited and dictated.