Red Lipstick Alert: NYX Matte in Blood Mary

Those who used to follow my old blog know that am a huge fan of red lips.  And because I still am very much drawn to the red lippie look, I decided to revive the Red Lipstick Alert segment where I feature red lipsticks exclusively.

Here's my everyday red lippie makeup look.  

This gorgeous matte scarlet is NYX Matte Lipstick in Bloody Mary.

This is my third tube.  I lost the first while packing in Hong Kong last year and finished the replacement faaast!  Though this is easier to find than my other NYX Matte Lipstick fave in Merlot, I vowed to restock on this whenever I can.  You just can't have enough red lipsticks.

Here it is swatched on my hand:

Because I have zero time for touch-ups, I usually line my lips with NYX Long Lip Pencil in Plush Red to keep Bloody Mary from straying.  I find that Plush Red best matches this shade of red.  Here they are swatched together (L: Bloody Mary, R: Plush Red)

PROs

Matte finish but glides on smoothly

Non-drying

Good staying power

Very pigmented

Cheap

CONs

This is almost always out of stock, but other than that, I can't think of anything!

Tips

Anyone can achieve that signature red lippie look.  Just keep the eyes to a minimum and the blush to a slight flush, and you're good to go! 

I try to wear very little eye makeup with bright red lips.  For standout red lips, I start with a clean canvass.  

Cleanse.  Tone.  Moisturize. 

The next step is to apply primer to make large pores around the nose, forehead, and chin less visible.  I do this before I conceal the dark spots and discoloration on my cheeks and my undereye areas.

Depending on my activity for the day, I usually apply a light to medium coverage foundation.  The cheeks are emphasized with bronzer or blush in berry to rosey shades.  Next, I highlight my undereye areas with Mary Lou Manizer for that divine fresh looking glow.  You can apply the Mary Lou on your lids, cupid's bow, and on the corners of your eyes for nice beaming lids.

The brows are the last to go.  Here, I'm using my new NYX Brow Marker in Deep.

What's one red lipstick you can't live without?

NYX Cosmetics is finally in the Philippines!

Hi, Ladies!

My dream has come true.

It was in the summer of 2010 when I came across NYX cosmetics from a Multiply seller.  I bought my first set of NYX Round Lipsticks and from then on, I was hooked.

I envied beauty bloggers in the US for having unlimited access to NYX goodies. I was limited to viewing the shades online and it was always a risk buying my loot without actually testing them.  There were times that I was glad I ordered a particular shade; but there were also times that I wished I could swatch them first before buying.

Now, 3 years later, NYX Cosmetics is finally in the Philippines!  

I know!  I know!  I am just so happy about it that I have been frequenting SM North EDSA  Annex to check if the store is already up and running.  

Today, I got lucky! 

I was greeted with these wonderful palettes:

And as you go further, more NYX goodies are waiting to be purchased: 

My excitement died down when I realized the products are a tad bit too pricey compared to my trusted online sellers.  Some of the lippies like the Soft Matte and Round Lipsticks were more expensive by P100 to P200 than those sold online.  This is pretty understandable considering that the NYX official distributor has to pay for overhead and lease. 

I was also quite disappointed when I found out that they don't carry the NYX Runway Palettes.  I was looking forward to restocking my Champagne and Caviar palette.  But, overall, I was quite happy with the experience.  The SA was very accommodating and was kind enough to answer my gazillion questions.  I ended up buying these:

I have been obsessing over my brows (or, the absence of it) lately, hence, the NYX Eyebrow Marker:

This swatched on pretty evenly so I went right ahead and bought it in Deep.

 I love that it's cruelty-free too.

I can't wait to try this soon.

Stay pretty!

MAC Staples: Mocha Blush

Hi, Ladies!

I'd like to share with you a look I did using my favorite blush of all time, MAC Mocha.

MAC Mocha Blush is one of those blushes that seem to complement any and all looks.  

Whether you are going for an extreme smokey or a toned down neutral eye, you can count on this blush to seal the deal.

Its matte finish allows you to gradually build color.  It may look sheer during the first swipe but with a light hand, you can achieve this:

Face

Smashbox Photofinish Primer

The Balm Time Balm Concealer

Ben Nye Banana Luxury Powder

Mary Lou Manizer by The Balm

MAC Studio Fix Powder in NC25

MAC Mocha blush

Eyes

Etude House Eye Primer

NYX Runway Palette in Bohemian Rhapsody

Maybelline Mascara

Revlon Brow Pencil

Lips

NYX Soft Matte Lip Creme in Sao Paolo

If you are planning to build your MAC collection, I suggest you start your kit with MAC Mocha.  It's a keeper. 

Stay pretty! 💋

Skincare Products I Love

Hi, Ladies!

Let's talk skincare.

I know.  I know.  Touchy topic.

I gotta admit, as much as I love makeup, I'm not too lucky with my skin condition.  I have combination-oily skin and get a zit or two every now and then.  It's a daily struggle but I've been dealing with this for so long that I've come to embrace it like Fate.

The best way to deal with acne is prevention.  It can take you years to find the best products for you.  I am just glad that I have found mine.

Anyway, here are my skincare stash staples:

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner

I use this toner every morning before makeup.  I leave it on for 5 minutes before putting on primer.  I find that it minimizes the appearance of my pores and controls oil, helping makeup adhere better and stay longer.

Kiehl's Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing  Treatment

A must-have for gals with dark acne marks that linger long after the zit has dried up, this cream is clinically demonstrated to clear blemishes and allow skin healing while helping to reduce the appearance of marks.  I use this almost everyday to keep acne and acne marks at bay.

VMV Hypoallergenics Anti-Acne Toner

For mild to moderate breakouts.  May leave a slight stinging sensation but very effective for drying up the reddest (and plumpest) of acne.  

VMV Hypoallergenics Superskin Toner 2

I have been a follower of VMV's Superskin line for over 10 years now, i.e., their Toner 3 until they pulled it out of production early this year.  Because I no longer suffer from extreme breakouts, I replaced my Toner 3 with the gentler Toner 2.  

Use this to clear away moderate to heavy acne breakouts.  Start your regimen by using twice a week then gradually increase until you achieve twice-a-day usage.  

Do not rush.  

Works like a dream.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

Made from Kaolin clay, this all natural masque is the best there is.  I love the minty smell and the cooling sensation it gives as it dries up your burgeoning acne breakout and tightens the pores.  Best used while doing nothing.  Wait 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing with a warm washcloth. 

What are your skincare staples?

I'm so back. Milani FOTD

Hi, Ladies! 

It's been years since I last blogged!  Whew!  I have been so busy with work and putting up my own law firm, I had to send beauty blogging to the backburner for a while. 

For starters, I'd like to share with you my FOTD using the neutral look that I do almost every day. 

I wanted to achieve that dewy finish, so I started everything with Kiehl's Toner and applied L'Oreal True Match Concealer (not in photo) to my under eye area. I concealed the spots on my cheeks using Revlon Photoready Concealer in Light Medium.  I used Revlon Photoready Airbrush Foundation for that dewy finish and sealed the deal with some MAC MSF.

For that subtle cheeky glow, I used Avon SimplyPretty Lip and Cheek Tint. This is super cheap at P180.00 but really gives you that rosy glow.

Because I am always meeting with clients, I usually opt for a neutral eye and just build the color towards the evening.  Here, I'm using my Milani eyeshadow quad in browns and pinks.  I dabbed a bit of NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk to highlight the inner corners of my eyes.

I finished the look with NYX Soft Matte Lip Creme in Istanbul for my lips.

This look can easily go from day to night. Just add a bit of shimmery eyeshadow for that extra punch! 

Stay pretty!