The minute I swiped on the Lime Crime Velvetine, I was strongly reminded of the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, which I first tried a few years ago. They are both in liquid form and have the same cushy, slightly powdery texture that dries into a matte finish. They even smell alike! Good thing I recently got a new NYX Lip Cream around the same time as the Velvetine. Great timing, huh? 

I even managed to get two shades that are similar - Lime Crime's Red Velvet and NYX's Morocco. These liquid lipsticks are both richly pigmented but they do differ in many ways. Here are swatches and comparisons of the two!

This week wasn't supposed to have a theme, but then I realized that many of the things I want to write about involves - guess - lipsticks. So I decided to do yet another Lipstick Week! I have quite a few new things here so the time is most definitely ripe haha. 

Today let's talk about three lipsticks that would be fabulous with everyday makeup. You know, the natural, clean face, with neutral eyeshadow and a flattering pink blush. These are colors you don't have to think too much about - you just grab 'em and go, really. 

Here's the Shiseido Lacquer Rouge in Metalrose RS322, NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Love, and Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me in Just Married. Check out the swatches and my color notes!

I've already reviewed the NARS Satin Lip Pencil (P1,400+) before so this wouldn't be long. The Satin pencils shine because of their excellent color selection and pigmentation. I'm slightly miffed by the fact that you have to *gasp* sharpen them, but oh well. They are what they are!

This is Descanso, part of their Final Cut collection. It's a beautiful tea rose that looks like a nude on my medium skin.

There are intense, opaque lipsticks, and then there is the Lime Crime Velvetine (P950 at Stuff In Style). This is easily the most ridicuslously pigmented lip product I've ever tried, even more than the OCC Lip Tar or MAC's mattes! It's so pigmented you need a makeup remover just to knock off the top layer. Then you'll need a toothbrush to remove most of the stain left over.

I've had my eye on Lime Crime for a while but was hesitant to purchase due to some of the controversies surrounding the brand. A quick Google should enlighten you. ;) But all that drama aside, this liquid lipstick is quite one-of-a-kind in terms of intensity and staying power. It feels like pure pigment just suspended in oil.

Yup, it's Shiseido Week again! I've been debating with myself whether I should do one whole post on the brand's Spring collection, but everything deserved their own features - that's how much I like them. :) I hope you can explore with me this week as I discuss the latest products from my favorite cosmetics brand in the world!

Let me begin with the Shiseido Lacquer Gloss in Plum Wine RS306 (P1,250). This is a super shiny, balm-thin lip gloss that feels slinky and plush on my lips. It's so thin, it almost feels like a watery lip balm! It's also fairly moisturizing that I don't need to prime my lips anymore.

Texture aside, the color is just right. It's not completely opaque - it's designed to be semi-sheer - so it allows the natural color of my lips to show through. I have even-toned lips so this isn't a problem, but if you have uneven coloration then it's best to wear this on top of a lip liner or lipstick. Either way, you'll be getting a beautiful, uber glossy finish that'll make your lips look full and sexy.

Why do I draw and paint? It's a long list of reasons but it boils down to that feeling of joy of having created something from nothing. I take photos and write for this blog, but my work here is derivative. That doesn't mean it's unimportant or meaningless, but it's just not the same as making something with my hands. So I draw lines and sometimes I color them.

It also keeps me sane. I place a lot of pressure on myself to excel in what I do and be bigger, better. Sometimes, I want to escape from that. Painting for me has no agenda other than to please myself. Although, if in the future I can turn this into a commercial undertaking, then that'd be awesome too! I should know, there are few things more rewarding than earning something from doing things you love.

Buuut let's get back to makeup. I just want to share an FOTD and review of some Canmake products! Like I said in my earlier post I think Canmake cosmetics are beyond cute and offer pretty good quality for the (drugstore) price. I didn't truly understand that, however, until I wore the Canmake Glow Fleur Cheeks and Candy Wrap Lip Gloss together some weeks back.

Ta-dah! I loved this look. Even better, I did it in under ten minutes! I used a Maybelline Color Tattoo cream eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze and then a brown Essence eyeliner. I think the cheeks and the lip gloss stole the show though. They really made my complexion look amazing!

The Canmake Glow Fleur Cheeks #5 looks like something from a toy store but this is nicely pigmented with a beautiful glowy finish. The four colors mix together perfectly to create a cotton candy pink that just melts on top of my cheeks. Such a pretty blush!

Where do I even begin. Revlon recently came out with their Colorburst Matte and Lacquer Balms (P575). If you've read my past reviews on the brand's lip products then you'd know I'm a huuuuge fan of them! I love the Colorburst line as well as the Kissable Balm Stains - so imagine that combination of bold color and moisturizing texture without your head exploding. Thought so.

But how are they, really?

All hyperbole aside, these new Revlon Balms are pretty good except for uneven application when it comes to some shades. The Colorburst Matte Balms look amazing in the packaging and arm swatches but tend to be rather patchy and a bane to all ye who have dry, flaky lips. Well I don't even have dry lips and only experience minimal flaking every now and then, but these mattes seem to not work out so well for me.

The Lacquer Balms, on the other hand, are WOW. I love them. The texture is super smooth, it stays on for a good four to five hours, and the finish is just so high-end! This formula doesn't just offer some meek, drugstore-level shine - it's brilliant and solid-looking at the same time, like a high-end color would look like.

Both formulas do not dry out my lips and I can even afford to skip lip balm (yes even with the Matte formula). The Lacquer is solid in two swipes, while the Matte takes more than that to build up. The Matte also fades rather easily and unprettily, but the Lacquer stays on reliably. I don't know if I just got the "meh" shades with the Matte but this has been my experience with the formula so far.

Swatches: Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm vs the Lacquer Balm

Overall, I love the Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm SO MUCH while I feel just a grudging affection for the Matte for what it tried to do, which is offer moisture with the zero-shine finish. Can't wait for the day when Revlon would reformulate it or come out with something better.

Anyhoo, here are swatches of all the shades I have! Enjoy, and do let me know which ones rock your socks off. ;)

One of my latest lipsticks is the Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in 45 L'Adoree (P1,650). It's my first Chanel anything ever so at first I was eyeing one of its classic reds - it can be a nice signature color for years to come. But then I saw this dark purple bullet at the counter. I decided then and there that I'd much rather invest in a unique color, and a limited edition one at that! I have maybe over 200 lipsticks currently and I do not want to personally purchase anything that looks like something I already have. 

(And besides, MAC Russian Red is already a winner. I can't possibly need another red lippie.)

Chanel L'Adoree is part of the brand's Spring 2014 collection. I believe it's a limited edition shade, the only one out of the new lip products I believe! I knew I had to have it because it was dark, dramatic, and not easy to dupe. It's a creamy plum purple that is surprisingly quite wearable!

It's a muted shade so it's far from garish once worn. You won't look like a cartoon or something straight out of a goth romance novel (I'm sorry if that was what you were looking for, goth lips are awesome too!), because this is such a sophisticated shade. I'd stick my neck out and even say it's timeless, in its own way. 

It's MAC Week once again! The brand just sent me some press material + a bunch of products so I'll be going through them and letting you know what's up. ^_^ MAC remains one of the most relevant brands in the beauty world so it's important to pay attention to its trend reports and collections. It's great if you can buy the products, but more than anything it's the inspiration you take away that really improves your makeup style.

For my first post, here's a daring lipstick from the Magnetic Nude Collection, which was released last month. This collection features a lot of shimmery skintone nudes and molten metals. It's a winter collection, hence the dramatic play in contrast and colors. I know we're moving on to summer but the Carnal Instinct Lipstick (P1,000) is still a beautiful color to wear!

MAC describes it as a deep brick red with gold pearl. It's a dark, dramatic color that can turn off those with weaker constitutions (lol) but if you adore unforgettable lip colors then this you shouldn't miss. Carnal Instinct is a heart-stopping, dare I say vampiric shade of red that you won't easily find in other brands.

Sue me, I have a lot of eyeshadows yet to be written about! They will always be my greatest weakness, along with lipsticks. Now I know many of you ain't a fan of wearing a lot of eye makeup but I hope you'll consider this palette from The Body Shop. It's part of their Spring 2014 Collection along with a pink version, two new glosses, and hair chalk!

I've seen the pink Shimmer Cubes, which are cute, but I think the Shimmer Cubes Palette 30 (P1,295) here is more wearable for Asian skin. They are quite shimmery but I think that the finish isn't all that distracting. Shimmery neutrals are appropriate for any occasion as long as you don't splash it thickly over your eye area.

Let's get started! I've tried TBS Shimmer Cubes a loooooong time ago and was thoroughly unimpressed by the pigmentation. But that was before. Now, the colors are super pigmented! You won't even need to wear a primer to make the colors solid. In fact I'd recommend applying the colors wet instead. They'll stick and won't crease too much, even after three hours.

Top, L-R: Dusty Fawn, Rich Espresso | Bottom, L-R: Burnished Gold, Warm Copper

I felt like a bee drawn to honey when I opened the latest package from The Body Shop just the other day. The smell was so intoxicating, so sweet, so yummy - I just had to use the new Honeymania products immediately! This new collection includes the Body Butter, Lip Balm, Soap, Shower Gel, and Eau de Toilette. I suggest you get everything if you like to layer and intensify scents.

The Honeymania fragrance isn't your traditional syrupy honey; it's actually quite floral, since the bee-goop was supposed to be harvested from wildflowers in Ethiopia. The honey is just the base here and not the main note of the fragrance. It's not at all what I expected but I love it!

On to the products. The Honeymania Shower Gel is my top pick because it makes my bathroom smell like a sweet floral paradise. I also like that it lathers easily and thickly, without me having to use too much in one wash. It's also non-drying on my skin even though it's a gel.

Instant bathroom freshener

Last Sunday, the latest lipstick shade from Happy Skin Cosmetics was featured on the front page of The Philippine Star. Have you heard of something like that before, a lipstick being mentioned right above the headline of a national daily? It's such a huge coup for Happy Skin - a local brand, no less!

But what's the fuss about? Kris Aquino, perhaps the most influential lifestyle personality in the Philippines and a cultural icon in her own right, recently collaborated with Happy Skin to create her first ever lipstick shade: The Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me in Valentine Kiss (P549). She was quite involved in the process, swatching different shades of pink and being very specific about the color she wants to have for her limited edition shade.

I was actually surprised that Kris hasn't done something like this earlier considering how much of a beauty fan she is. Apparently, she really loved the formula of Shut Up & Kiss Me and asked the co-founders, Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez and Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, to help her make her perfect pink.

So that's how Valentine Kiss came to be. I've already reviewed the formula of Shut Up & Kiss Me, so this post will really be more about the shade and swatch comparisons. Read on! 

It's Shiseido Week once again! This week I'll be talking about my new finds from one of my favorite brands ever. I was able to pull out some of the most interesting items in their store sooo watch out for those features in the next few days! Promise, you'll want to see what I chose for this week. ;) Anyway! I'll kick it off with a lipstick - the Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick in Fleur OR341 (P1,250).

I say this over and over again: Shiseido lipsticks are super underrated. This is one of the best lipstick formulas I've tried to date, as they are super pigmented, fairly moisturizing, long-wearing, and comes in beautiful shades. Like Fleur here. This was part of the 2013 Spring Collection but I think it's still as relevant now as it was when it came out.

Matte and satin are forever but there's a renewed love for shiny lips in 2014. Glossy, luscious colors are all the rage as new formulas come out that challenge the stereotype. The new MAC Huggable Lipcolour (P1,150) is one such formula. It promises six whole hours of wear while moisturizing your lips at the same time. Too good to be true? Nope! It's for real alright. 

The Huggable Lipcolour is a cross between the Sheen Supreme and the Pro Longwear. It's shinier than Sheen Supreme, but it has the staying power of the Pro Longwear. It hugs my lips tightly and is loathe to let go even when I eat or drink!

This is limited edition! The Huggable Lipcolour comes in a gunmetal tube, as opposed to the usual black MAC packaging.

Eight hours is the longest I've worn this lipstick. At the end of it, there was still a glossy color on my lips. Seriously. It starts fading by the 5th hour but it never really goes away until I take it off. Even though it's long-wearing, it's moisturizing enough by itself. I can skip lip balm and my lips would feel alright!

Noel, a MAC Makeup Artist, applying the new lipstick on me

Special occasions like weddings, debuts, corporate events, and what not might inspire us to be a little more creative when it comes to makeup. However, these are the worst occasions to mess around with something you haven't tried before. First, it can go horribly wrong and you might not have enough time to correct it. Second, it's possible that the look, while flawlessly executed, could become dated in two or five years. You don't want to check your pictures and think, damn what was I thinking at Sharon's wedding?

When in doubt, go classic and foolproof. If you're a manic cookie though, go ahead and wear something crazy. ;) Anyway! I thought I'd show you a gorgeous new lipstick from Laura Mercier, the Weightless Lip Colour in Play (P999). This will be out in Rustan's next month.

This lipstick feels super light on the lips, as the name suggests. It has no scent at all which makes it easy to forget as soon as you apply it. It's neither drying or moisturizing, so just wear a balm if you have to. Staying power is average at three hours. 

I love the sleek, classy tubes of Laura Mercier lipsticks

Play is a predominantly peach shade with lots of pink thrown in. Very pretty! The finish is frosty - usually a deal breaker for me - but it has a shiny yet delicate quality to it that just draws the eye. It's hard to describe, really, so I hope you can just watch the video tutorial where I featured the lipstick. 

Oh, you're probably grumbling, here she is with yet another bright pink lipstick. I know, I know! Sometimes I just pick these things up without thinking. I know in my heart that I don't need another shade like this but whenever I scan a lipstick selection, pink is the one I always gravitate towards. -_- Sorry. Please bear with me.

(And just yesterday I was thinking of getting NARS Schiap. Hmm.)

Anyway! I just want to share a quick swatch of the Collection Cosmetics Lasting Colour Lipstick in Sweet Tart (P199). The cheery pink shade with a subtle red undertone is quite nice; it's not neon, but it gives a fresh burst of color on the face. 

The formula is smooth although it tends to gather around the lines of my lips. I just blot after the first layer, then apply another one to get an even blanket of color. Staying power is average at 3-4 hours without eating or drinking.

What do you usually do on Saturday mornings? I either read a book or play a video game. I try not to do anything work-related or even blog-related on weekends, but I want to write about these glosses before my themed week officially ends. ^_^ I think they're quite good!

This Stila Lip Glaze Set (P1,750) was part of the brand's Holiday 2013 Collection. It was such an awesome deal, that all told each lip gloss just cost P195. I'm not sure if this is still available, but I would wager that it is since limited ed holiday stuff are usually on counters until late January.

I gave one set as a gift and kept the other two lol. Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons!

What I love about the product

• Surprisingly pigmented, with a super smooth glossy finish. I get medium coverage with most of the shades I have here. It's not crazy opaque but the jelly effect is quite nice.
• The gloss isn't drying. You can also get away with wearing lip balm underneath (it won't affect the texture, that is).

The pliable synthetic brush has a squarish shape that helps you do a more precise application

One of the reasons I enjoy doing themed weeks is I get to dig through my baul to look for things to feature. Sometimes, I forget to write about a certain release (due to the volume of stuff I receive), so there's always something interesting to find. For Lip Gloss Week, it's the Avon Ultra Glazewear Lipgloss (P299). I think I've had this since August 2013!

I remember casually swatching this a couple of times, but forgot about it because I was testing out the Avon Vitaluscious Lipstick. Anyway. The Ultra Glazewear is a fairly pigmented collection of glosses that come in rich, eye-catching colors. I like that it's not sticky, but it does feel a bit thick on the lips. 

It flakes minimally as it dries. You can get away with a wearing a lip balm underneath, so go for it if you have dry lips. :) Staying power is average at three hours. It has a gentle caramel scent that doesn't smell cheap to me.

Here be the swatches!

This kinda sounds like cheating, but technically, it isn't. So. Ha! I decided to talk about the e.l.f Lip Stain in Fashionista (P250) for my third post this Lip Gloss Week. It's an interesting hybrid of stain and moisturizing lip gloss. You get the pigmentation and staying power of a lipstick, and the plumping shine of gloss.

Applying the e.l.f Lip Stain is a two-step process. First, shade your lips with the highly pigmented color. Wait for it to dry completely. Then, apply the moisturizing gloss on top. Sounds simple right? Just remember to use a small amount of color for your first layer. Too much and it streaks! Don't wear lip balm underneath, too. You won't get an opaque layer of color.

Majorly distracted today because of a cold/ allergy I've had for weeks! I'll spare you the gross details but let's just say I need to see a doctor soon. It's really affecting my life. Well, now that's out of the way, I feel slightly better. It's difficult to come up with a coherent thought when you have to blow your nose every five minutes, you know!

Anyway, to continue Lip Gloss Week, I have here the MAC Lipglass in Ready To Roam. This was part of the Fall 2012 Styleseeker Collection. It's no longer available but I still wanna review it if only to talk about the formula and show you how good a red lip gloss can look.

And it looks more than good - it's fabulous. Red as a lip color is traditionally ruled by matte lipstick, but a glossy red, when done right, has its own powerful charms. It looks modern and chic even with just the barest of makeup.

Lip glosses have come a long way from being sheer, gluey, and generally annoying. With new ingredients and technology, even the most affordable brand can come up with a gloss worth switching up your lipsticks for. I thought I'd talk about some of the interesting glosses I have this week. I'll begin with the most intriguing of them all: the Maybelline Lip Polish (P350).

I believe this came out in the Philippines recently. It's popular with YouTube vloggers, and is known as "Color Elixir" in other parts of the world. What makes this special is how it mixes the high-shine glassiness of lip gloss, pigmentation of an average lipstick, and the moisture of lip balm. All that without being sticky!

Think of a lipstick with a very wet texture and that's pretty much how the Maybelline Lip Polish feels like when freshly applied. It'll dry up in an hour and will become tacky then, but I love how that dried-up layer of color sticks on my lips. It feels almost like one of those long-wearing lipsticks that hardens and sets.

Charming. The gloss mold is lipstick-shaped.

And this is fairly long-wearing, for a gloss.