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! 💋