A few weeks ago, I had a wonderful time getting all primped and pampered (at long last[!]), thanks to Fab, Fresh, Fun Summer Picnic Event held at The Grove in Rockwell!

After so many months of taking a blogging hiatus and toiling in my day job, I’ve finally had the chance to relax and de-stress myself, starting off with painting my used-and-abused manos pink! Nail Spa‘s nail tech used Essie nail polish of what it seems to be of natural pink color (failed to get the exact color name) which looks very much neat and simple.

I’ve always hankered for a big change especially when it comes to my eternally unkempt locks. Finally, my not-so-tiara-worthy crowning glory had undergone some luscious hair treatment using Matrix Sensoria.Care products. The hair spa, coupled with soothing back massage, was my absolute favorite as it instantly softened and untangled my locks while removing the tension away from my back area.  I also enjoyed taking a whiff of my hair every now and then, all because of the conditioner’s yummy fruity scent that relaxed my senses.

Archie of Maybelline once again obliged to do my makeup, giving me an effortless, makeup no-makeup look the way I like it! He simply put some Clear Smooth Face Powder on my face to help nix the extra shine, curled my lashes and applied Volum’ Express Magnum Mascara for that instant vavavoom touch, and painted my pucker with Color Sensational Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Bonbon Pink. I especially love the mascara as it gave my lashes an extra oomph in just a quick swipe!

My friend M whom I tagged along also tried getting a facial from Garnier. I don’t really bring someone along with me when it comes to such events. But being a woman on-the-go that she is, I believe my BFF deserves a breather like this! She told me that it was quite an experience she definitely enjoyed to bits.

I also got to meet L’Oreal peeps, fellow bloggers, editors from Queue Magazine and Manila Bulletin’s Sense&Style.

More about the event in piccies:

Maybelline

Matrix Sensoria.Care Products

Friend M getting a hair fix courtesy of Antonio-Hairdressing Salon peeps

The Nail Spa

Carmela  and Ytwo of L’Oreal

Maybelline MUA’s Archie

Archie doing Bianca‘s makeup

ATV’s Roanne and Friend M

Nikki

Shen

The Philippines

Human Nature Avocado and Gugo Bark Natural Hair Mask - Treat your locks once in a while with this strengthening and moisturizing hair masque from Human Nature. Made from avocado and gugo bark, your hair will surely be soft and manageable while reducing hair fall and breakage with regular use. Best of all, it’s guaranteed organic and chemical-free at a very reasonable price.

Price: Unavailable (inquire at http://humanheartnature.com)

Thailand

Panpuri Thai Original Herbal Hot Compress – After a long day’s work, nothing beats a total rejuvenating pampering session whilst sitting in the comforts of your own home with this best-selling Aromatherapy Hot Compress from Panpuri. This Thai Original Herbal Hot Compress is infused with a mix of exotic ingredients such as lemongrass, turmeric, leech lime and tamarind, which turns into an effective muscle soother and skin enhancer when sprinkled with water and steamed.

Price: 16.50 in Amazon

Japan

Chidoriya Secret de Maiko Organic Facial Cream – If you’re not that much open into slathering the brand’s infamous beauty product into your face, then this one is a much better, dropping-free option. Inspired by the Maiko’s original make-up base, this Shea butter-based facial cream is combined with hand-cold pressed 100% pure Japanese camellia oil, organic rose hip seed oil and pure essential oils of rosewood & geranium. Albeit it’s recommended for all skin types, this better suits those with dry skin. It thoroughly moisturizes and conditions sun damaged, snow-burnt and wind-burnt skin, leaving it smooth and well-hydrated. Plus, its soothing aroma creates an atmosphere of Maiko girls in Kyoto, which is why this cream can also be used in relaxing facial massages.

Price: $29.99 in Chidoriya Yahoo! Store

Korea

Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42  PA++ – Korea in the beauty world is best known for BB or Blemish Balm creams that sell like hotcakes in Asia. This BB Cream from Missha in particular is perfect for all skin types, as it lightens the skin tone by healing visible wrinkles and blemishes, and prevents skin aging with its whitening and anti-wrinkle properties. Unlike other BB Creams, a friend of mine swears that it doesn’t cause build-up or makes the skin oilier, so those with oily skin types like mine can grab this baby!   Need not to worry about those harmful sun rays (UV rays to be exact) that can damage your skin, as it belts a high dose of  SPF.

Price: $20.99 in Amazon

Singapore

Adara Organic Virgin Coconut Oil in Green Tea – This Singaporean brand boasts its certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil in its purest form. Gathered in the Island of East Sumatra, this hydrating and nourishing beauty oil visibly soothes dry patchy skin,  helping to lock in moisture which is essential in maintaining  softness and smoothness of the skin. Known for its versatility, this also acts as an overnight pimple treatment, as its cleansing ingredient, lauric acid, helps remove deep-seated bacteria, reducing redness and inflammation on the zit. It also aids in the removal of dead skin cells to reveal a fresher, suppler skin layer. Furthermore, it also works as an intensive deep conditioning treatment for the hair and scalp. The refreshing scent of Green Tea invigorates your senses, which makes it perfect either as a massage oil or a bath oil with an aromatherapy burner.

Price: $30 in B-Glowing

NARS Spring 2010 Collection is overtly dominated by bright sunny yellows, luscious berries bright lilacs and rich plums, which clearly remind us of the approaching season.  Amber Valletta graced the ad campaign, emulating French actress Catherine Deneuve’s role as Lucille in the movie, La Chamade.

“I love Catherine’s makeup look in the movie. She is the perfect reference for this collection, and apropos for spring, a time to embrace color and get noticed” – Francois Nars

The collection features two duo eye shadows, one single eye shadow, one lipstick, two lip glosses, one glitter pencil and a nail polish. OTOH, Amber’s Impeccably sculpted and contoured face is made possible by using Amour Blush and Albatross Highlighting Powder.

The Collection:

Duo Eye Shadows

in Kuala Lumpur

in Carmague

Single Eye Shadow

in D. Gorgeous

Glitter Pencil

in Bains Douches

Lipstick

in Cruising

Lip Glosses

in Easy Love

in Ophelia

Nail Polish

in Purple Rain

Get to know more about the collection here.

All Images from: NARSCosmetics.com

I would have thought of doing something creative, like getting myself a snapshot in my quirkiest pose donning the quirkiest makeup. But, since fresh is the theme, I’ve chosen this look  I pulled off at a Christmas Party.

Boho Makeup-No Makeup Look at the Christmas Party

Makeup: Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals Liquid Foundation, Dollface Cosmetics Oil-Absorbing Mineral Finishing Silk, Shu Uemura Sheer Face Powder, Maybelline Volume Express Cat Eyes Mascara,  Shu Uemura Pro Concealer, Bloom Retractable Brow Definer, Bloom Eyeshadow Liner,  Nars Orgasm blush, MAC Bronzing Powder and MAC Lip Gelee.

Back then, I remember using loads of makeup. And by makeup, I mean loads of foundation and concealer–obviously to hide “something”.  My face is oily, and so it’s prone to acne and scarring. It’s not that I hate being oily (well sometimes, I do). It’s just that it totally melts the makeup away, and gives me unwanted breakouts here and there. Wearing heavy makeup did cover my flaws, but it made my look somewhat unnatural as much as it felt.  I can’t deny that there’s this heavy feeling wearing such makeup everyday. And so, I resorted into ditching using heavy makeup (well, only if there’s no special occasion).

And so, I learned about mineral makeup–which is well-known for its almost all natural (organic) properties. At first, I was bothered about the mess it always leaves, as it kinda stains on everything it touches. Mineral makeups are usually of loose powder type. But then, as I reap the great benefits of using MMUs, I try adapting to “change”. Later on, I found the El Dorado–MMUs in compact powder and liquid types.

And for the whole look, I always go for the makeup no-makeup look. I just admire [and envy] how Koreans pull it off with so much ease! Maybe because, they’re already born with clear, radiant skin. But, that didn’t stop me from hoping to achieve it. Mineral makeup looks and feels so natural with my skin. Albeit it doesn’t have as much coverage as compared to traditional types, it gives me the just-right coverage that sets in my concealer in place.

Speaking of concealers, I use as little as possible. I tried not to layer it too much lest it will look streaky as soon as my face gets oilier and oilier. Time after time, my face gets clearer and clearer, so I use less concealer. Sometimes, I don’t use it at all!

Whenever my skin gets oily, I just blot the excess oil using oil-control films and dab  some oil control powder on after. With this look, I opted to skip blotting oil from my cheeks, giving ‘em some sheen.

Dollface Mineral Blush & Mineral Finishing Silk Swatches

So here’s what I’ve got:

Dollface Mineral Powder Blushes in Cinnamon Roll (med pink matte shade), Plum Pudding (berry shade with shimmer) and Strawberry Smoothie (light orange-pink  matte shade).

Swatches without flash (Top-Bottom: Cinnamon Roll, Plum Pudding and Strawberry Smoothie)

With Flash

I also got Dollface Cosmetics Oil-Absorbing Mineral Finishing Silk in Butter Pecan Ice Cream (light shade with yellow undertones)

Swatch without flash

With flash

Verdict?

I must say I love all of them! I’m so fond of using each everyday, since they don’t cause any breakouts even after hours of wearing them.

I really, really love the silky matte finish that the mineral finishing silk leaves. It effectively nixes oil and shine, and keeps my skin naturally matte for hours!

Regarding the mineral blushes, I either use Cinnamon Roll or Strawberry Smoothie coz both of them leave a natural shade of pink on me. I usually prefer Strawberry Smoothie should I just want a hint of pink with my medium-light to light skin tone, whilst Cinnamon Roll is best used should I want additional colour for a more flushed look. I find Plum Pudding shade to strong for me. Plus, I’m not really into shimmers for an ordinary, everyday look. So I guess, it’s reserved for special occasions!

Her Fall-Winter collection mainly consists of multicolored printed tights and tunics, inspired by The Little Prince with the presence of stars and other whimsical storybook  prints and characters (do I see little twin stars here? ). Some colors are bright and shiny, while others are subtle sans losing its edge. I like this collection and  found it really cute, bubbly and uplifting! View more of the collection.

On the other hand, I got mixed feelings on her latest Spring-Summer 2010 Collection. Of course, Chisato’s signature prints are still the highlight of the whole collection, albeit it’s a tad bit subtler this time around–more like a Japanese painting. Also, notice how breezy most of the materials are. Texture, drapes and frills are conspicuously present in some of them. View more of the collection.

However, speaking of which, I really do not like this kind of draping:

It kinda looks like an undergarment, more like a  loose diaper.  It reminds me of Balenciaga‘s fall collection that fell short on my expectations — this one in particular.

Not sure if this one’s a sleepwear. It really looks like one! Unlikely to be a suit. I really wanna snug to fit in these, whilst tucked in a very comfy mattress with uber-soft Egyptian linen sheets having my fashionista dreams. I wouldn’t think of wearing this outside, lest people may think I just came straight from the bed!

Tsumori Chisato for Shu Uemura

In case you haven’t heard, the Japanese designer has teamed up with Japanese cosmetic brand, Shu Uemura, for the latter’s Little Prince collection:

The collection consists of palettes, a highlighter, mini brush set, lipsticks, make up bag and studded false eyelashes in its shiny, shimmery packaging.

I’mma include this palette on my Christmas wishlist:

Tsumori Chisato Planet Cat Couture Palette

A limited Edition Couture Compact palette that contains 3 Pressed Eye Shadows (Black Glitz , Shiny Silver, and Copper), 1 cream eyeliner (Black Purple), 1 cream highlighter (Gold Iridescent), 1 blush (Apricot Pink), and 2 dual-ended applicators (wide tip/narrow tip and cheek brush/liner brush)-Shu Uemura USA

Has a royalty damage of $65. Available at  Shu-UemuraUSA.com.

From from tools to makeup palettes and sets, looks like everything you crave for is in store this season.

MAC Magic, Mirth and Mischief Collection

The collection features mineralize eye shadow duos, softsparkle eye pencils, pro lash mascaras, lipsticks, cremesheen & dazzleglasses, mineralize blush and nail lacquer–all sure to bring the shine, sparkle and seduction you need to dazzle and delight this holiday season! Sport a dollface look with this wonderful collection.

I’m soo eying the mineralize eye shadow duos in It’s A Miracle, Under Your Spell, and Blue Sorcery and cremesheen glass in Partial Pink in particular. View the complete collection here.

MAC Lip, Eye and Face Kits

If you’re a wee bit practical about spending on makeup, then these eight precociously pretty holiday palettes are sure to love your purse literally and figuratively, as each set is impeccably packaged in a posh, bubbly compact.

The Sorceress, Mystic Cool and Devil May Care eyeshadow kits caught my attention big time! View the complete collection here.

MAC Exclusives

If you’re a mineral makeup lover, then these sets are perfect to satiate your MMU craving! The collection features  two mineralize sets, each with a mineralize skinfinish, mineralize blush, mineralize eye shadow duo and 181SE mini buffer brush. View the complete collection here.

MAC Lip and Eye Bags

If you wanna give your either peepers or smoochies an extra treat, then you could  grab one of these lip or eye sets stashed inside a fab high-tone metallic bag. Grabbing one is like owning your very own kikay (makeup) kit in a single purchase! View the complete collection here.

MAC Brush Bags

Applying makeup won’t be complete sans the right tools! Each of the three sets consists of 5 special edition short-handled brushes that caters to your direst needs–Eye Brushes, Buff and Line Brushes and Sweep and Define Brushes–all complete with purple tinge brush bags for that glam packaging these fabush brushes deserve! View the complete collection here.

Mischief Makers

The collection features an assortment of lip gloss (lip/lusterglass) and loose eye shadow (pigments/glitter) set in a fancy metallic box that’s just perfect for holiday giving. Avid lipglass, lustreglass, pigment and/or glitter junkies will surely rejoice grabbing one of these shiny, iridescent sets in six glam-ly giftable versions. View the complete collection here.

Miracles Happen Viva Glam

MAC’s Viva Glam Lip Kit is perfect for giving in so many ways, as every cent of your purchase goes directly to MAC AIDS Fund. View the complete collection here.

Anna Sui recently launched its newest makeup collection, featuring Anna Sui Moisture Rich Foundation. It’s packed with SPF 15 and promises to create naturally flawless, pore-perfecting finish. It’s enriched with botanical ingredients such as rose extract, grape seed oil and raspberry extract that have aromatherapheutic, anti-oxidizing and moisturizing properties to make skin healthier and prevent it from drying. Best of all, it’s encased in an iconic rose motif compact that’s just utterly gorgeous!

Honestly, I haven’t tried a product yet from Anna Sui. Yet, this one looks pretty convincing, as it swears by the flawless, pore-less part! Also, one to try out is the Anna Sui Loose Powder that has oil-absorbing ingredients to create a long lasting, soft luminous finish.

Anna Sui Moisture Rich Foundation TVC

If you haven’t seen the TV ad yet, here’s your chance to take a sneak peek:

Furthermore, you can learn more about the whole collection by visiting this link.

At last,  I got a wee bit of labor of love as I’m gleefully typing here in my blog. You see, work starts pouring in on my day job, so I hafta desert this blog for a while.

Hence, I think it’s time to share a secret about this face powder I’ve been using for a while. Shu Uemura Loose Face Powder in Sheer has this certain “magic” in making my face look radiant in just a few swipes and stokes! I’ve been using this for months. I kinda stopped on the first few tries, suspecting it aggravated my acne condition. But, then again, I couldn’t just resist putting it as a makeup finish. I came back giving it a second try, and I’m still using it today. Best of all,  I’m confident to say it wasn’t really the acne culprit, since I haven’t been severely breaking out for months!

Shu Uemura Face Powder Sheer Claim & Use

This face powder promises to leave skin luminous and glowing with vitality. It gives sheer and transparent finish, and is great for highlighting facial structure & shape. It comes with a velvet-textured puff designed specifically for sheer powder application.

You can use it alone or as a makeup finish. You can use a powder brush in lieu of the puff for application.

Gives Matte yet Glowing, Lightweight Finish

So here’s the verdict: Shu Uemura Sheer Face Powder surprisingly gives my skin matte yet glowing finish. Most of the time, I use it to effectively set my makeup. It neutralizes the sticky, greasy trace left by most creme/liquid foundations. I’m using the loose face powder in sheer colorless, which gives me a transculent finish. I definitely love how lightweight it is, which clearly makes my skin breathe amidst all the powder set on my face. Not to mention, it makes my makeup look natural, as if I’m not wearing anything at all!

Also, I use this powder alone for retouch, and it never fails to zap the oily sheen in an instant. It gives me a fresh vibe after, as if I just redid my makeup.

Tip: for oily skin types like mine, be sure to zap the excess grease off using an oil control film (tissue paper will do as well) before application, lest it may feel weirdly heavy on skin or the powder may cake or streak.

Messy & Limited Staying Power for Oily Skin Types

Lucky for those who have normal to dry skin types, coz this powder might just last all day on you. But, for me with super oily skin type, it doesn’t stay long enough.  I’d give it a couple of hours or so, before oil starts to pour in. Well, I guess, I should be getting the matte variant then!

Since it’s in a loose consistency, expect it to be messy.  That’s why, I tend to put some cloth over my lap when applying to prevent the excess powder from spilling over my garb.

Price: $33/ about Php 2,400

I got a sampler of Chanel Rouge Hydrabase Creme Lipstick, which proves to be really moisturizing giving me a dramatic look with every hue. It has this creamy, emollient consistency that easily glides on with every swipe.

Unlike other more tinged, matte lipsticks, it leaves a sorta-translucent, sparkly satin  finish. So, you may require putting on a tinted lip conditioner or primer first before lavishly swiping this sweet, rose-scented lipstick . Never fret on the shine, ‘coz for me, it just gives a perfect lustrous finish. Overall, I really, really like it. The smell is soo addicting to boot!

The Swatches

I currently have the 2009 Printemps Collection which consists of four beautiful hues: rose rebelle (rose berry hue with a bit of shimmer), fuego (subdued red-orange  hue), beige desire (neutral brown hue with golden shimmer) and gipsy scarlet (crimson reddish hue) .

Pardon for the blurry pics!

Here are the swatches:

*Chanel Rouge Hydrabase  Swatches without Flash: (L-R) Rose Rebelle, Fuego, Beige Desire, Gipsy Scarlet*

*Swatches with flash*

When worn

*Chanel Rouge Hydrabase in 158 Rose Rebelle*

*Chanel Rouge Hydrabase in 166 Fuego*

*Chanel Rouge Hydrabase in 168 Beige Desire*

*Chanel Rouge Hydrabase in 170 Gipsy Scarlet*

So ladies, what are your thoughts? xx