Guerlain Rouge Automatique Lipstick in Vega - Review, Photos, Swatches

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My cousin has been recommending Guerlain lipsticks for the longest time. I've been wanting to try them, but the price is not so inviting; each tube costs more than P2000. I can buy 2 MAC lipsticks with that money! But of course, as a beauty blogger, I can only stay away for a while. Since their lipsticks are pretty expensive, I wanted to get one in a shade that I'll love forever. Something timeless, classic, and gorgeous. So I went for a fierce red. :)

Guerlain Rouge Automatique in Vega is a classic red shade with blue undertones. It looks more like a brownish red on tube, but its really not at all when worn. It's finish is reminiscent of MAC's Satin: opaque with sheen. It doesn't feel heavy on my lips, and it's not drying (true to its name, rouge). My only problem with this is that since it's not matte, it's not as long wearing as I'd want it to be. Yes, it does leave a good stain on my lips after a meal, but for it's price, I was expecting a lot more. I'm also not a fan of its scent / taste. Now, about their packaging, I personally love how "techy" it is. Some people thinks it's unnecessary, while I think it adds just a little bit more elegance. It surely looks luxurious, which is appropriate since it's really expensive.

Guerlain Rouge Automatique in Vega

PROS: beautiful shade, creamy, opaque, gorgeous packaging, locally available

CONS: very expensive, may need a lip primer to extend its hours of wear, has a distinct taste / scent

VERDICT:

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

Where To Buy:

Guerlain Rouge Automatique Lipstick in Vega

Rustan's or online, (more than P2000)

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I've been experimenting on product shoots, and this is the first time I intentionally took ones indoors.

Let me know what you think, please? :)

Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek Blush in Neapolitan Lane - Review, Photos, Swatches

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Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek Blush in Neapolitan Lane is considered a neutral blush. Why? Because it's almost looks (and feels) like a 2nd skin. This is the kind of blush that can be worn with almost any makeup looks. My everyday makeup is composed of foundation / BB cream, filled-in brows, eyeliner (sometimes), blush, and a statement lipstick. Because my lipsticks vary from wearable coral to a witch plum, I usually reach for this blush since it just looks natural. It's long wearing, perfect consistency, blendable, doesn't have a scent and is easy to tote around (thought I wish it includes a brush). Have I mentioned that its matte? I think that's just appropriate since its supposed to look natural. :)

I would also prefer this over Tarte Exposed since this is lighter and less plum / pink.

Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek Blush in Neapolitan Lane

A little lighter than its actual color, sorry. 

PROS: matte, natural looking, long wearing, will compliment a lot of makeup looks, blendable, can be worn sheer or more opaque, doesn't have a scent
CONS: pricey, not available locally,  may not appear on darker skintones

VERDICT:

I will definitely repurchase!

Where To Buy:

Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek Blush in Neapolitan Lane
P1600, Online

Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek Blush in Parasol - Review, Photos, Swatches

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I thought I'm over and done with the shimmery blushes after trying out Tarte blushes, but I was wrong.

I actually missed the glow that shimmery blushes give. I love how that makes me look awake and flushed, especially now that I work at night. This love for shimmery blushes was rekindled with my first blush from Tarina Tarantino.

Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek Blush in Parasol is a warm shimmery pink shade that when applied lightly looks more like a coral. The color can be worn sheer or a little heavier, depending on your skin color (or mood). It's velvety smooth and finely milled. It doesn't look nor chalky at all. This is pretty long wearing also. I love how this shade makes me look healthy and awake! When I feel like it needs more oomph, I apply Sugarbomb on top of it. :)

The solo swatches at the bottom of the page were applied heavily, while the comparison swatches were applied with a light hand.

Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek Blush in Parasol

A little lighter than  how it actually looks, sorry. 

Neapolitan Lane and Parasol

Neapolitan Lane and Parasol (with flash)

PROS: the consistency is perfect, easy to apply, blends well, can be worn sheer or a little more opaque, long wearing, doesn't have a scent, long wearing, comes with a mirror
CONS: pricey, not locally available, not for you if you hate shimmer


VERDICT:

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

Where To Buy:
Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek Blush in Parasol
P1600, Online

Fiona Cologne in Bubbly Pink - Review and Photos

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I'm really not a fan of strong fragrances. I prefer colognes because they're less intimidating and relatively affordable. The only downside with the usual colognes is that they don't last that long. But this cologne that I was able to try really made me love colognes even more because it really lasts long. :)

Fiona Cologne in Bubblypink is my current favorite cologne. It's described as "a bubbly fruity-floral burst of cassis and peach". It smells girly, citrus-y, and fresh.

It's not overwhelming and the scent lasts up to 6 hours, 8 hours max, on me, which is quite impressive since my other colognes only last a couple of hours max. It's like having the longevity of an EDT or other high-end perfumes, without the ridiculous price tags. 

If there's a downside on this particular product, it'll be the packaging. I would have loved it more if it came in a spray bottle; it would be more convenient then. But that's a little set back so it can be overlooked. :)

I'll be posting reviews on their other scents soon! :)

Fiona Cologne is hypo allergenic, safe to be used on children and is a product of Skintec.

Fiona Cologne in Bubblypink

PROS: smells phenomenal, long wearing, affordable, locally available, hypo allergenic

CONS: it doesn't come in a spray bottle (personal preference)

VERDICT:

I will definitely repurchase!

Where To Buy:

Fiona Cologne in Bubbly Pink

Leading department stores and drugstores

You can avail any Fiona Cologne scents in five handy bottles: 25ml (Php 15.00) , 50ml (Php 24.75), 75ml(Php 34.00) , 100ml (Php 39.00) fliptop bottles and 50ml spray bottle (Php 35.25).

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