The Best of 2016: Makeup

It's almost a farewell to 2016 but for everyone who'll miss this year especially, don't worry, you'll say more hellos in your lifetime than goodbyes. 

I've finally found some time from all the holiday rush to finally take decent photos and I'm currently writing this at the speed of light. Sometimes a "hello" is soon followed by "I love you" don't you think? And here are the makeup picks that made it to the love list this year!

Additions to the Arsenal #7

It's been a while and it's been a quiet couple of weeks here. I've just hadn't the time to take photos recently. It's been frankly a very busy time which has been taxing on so many levels and aspects which I'll address in a post sometime. But I've recently  acquired a few things yet again which I promise to review in time since I'll need to get writing more and more in my free time.

The Face Uniform

If the title looks familiar, I was inspired in to writing up this post after reading this. And I guess it's time for a little show and tell with my current "Face Uniform". Basically all the reliable products I can't make my daily look without at the moment but I do switch out from time to time, particularly the foundation and lipstick. Fair warning to avid readers, you're about to see some of these for the 145624th time.

Face Base Collection

So it's almost the end of the year and I think I've done almost every major round up so far except for Foundation/CC Cream/BB cream and such and such. Well it's safe to assume that this collection won't be updating any time soon since I'm pretty satisfied and this will last quite long i.e. a couple of years

Project Pan #1

A bit late to start a new series on the blog but then again better late than never. But this is a little ditty on things I've managed to hit pan on or use up in a nonspecific amount of time. Some proving that they've given me a bang for the buck I've spent or may have been a very short love affair. And will be including products here that I'm chucking out if they're being a bit funky on the smell or texture. Nothing lasts forever, including that radiance primer.

Makeup Melange #12 Radiant Bronzed Skin and Peachy Red Lips

Here's a little sporadic Makeup Melange coming right at you.  This time it's a bronzed complexion but with a lot of glow and a very peachy lip that just gives a flirty summery vibe, because we all know that summer is perpetual in the Philippines.

September Favorites

Now that September is over a certain song from a certain band comes to mind. But besides that, a favorites post is due once again.

Additions to the Arsenal #6

Looking back now, it seems that this has become somewhat of a monthly visitor kind of series post. I'm mildly to moderately ashamed of the fact that a good chunk of my salary goes to beauty bits, some well planned and some accidental.

August Favorites

Already more than halfway through the year and a lot of fun new beauty discoveries through out. And this past month there has been quite a selection from all over the place but be assured that they have well earned their places.

Canmake Marshmallow Finish Powder in Matte Ochre

I previously reviewed this in another lifetime when my blog was called A secret Beauty Geek. Time has passed and data deleted but here's a little reiteration and perhaps updated thoughts on this powder.

Makeup Melange #11 Georgia and Subtly Shimmery Eyes

Since I've been finally able to put up a fraction of the reviews I've been meaning to write up, I can now write more Makeup Melanges more thoughtfully with links to reviews of said product. Lately I've been sticking to a more natural eye look, and what I mean by that is just coats of mascara. So I haven't given much thought to put on eye shadow on a daily basis except maybe for a on-a-whim crease color. So the looks I've been doing when I do get the time to doll up have been more heavy on the eyes.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation Review

This is actually my first foundation purchase in nearly two years. Yes, you read that right. I’ve been on a foundation purchasing ban for two years on a vow to make a dent on my existing foundations and base products, to which I am proudly half-ways of my high end foundations. So as a pat on my back, I decided to go for a more luxury selection this time around, so Charlotte Tilbury it was. 

This foundation has been pretty much catching and breaking hearts all around the blogosphere and YouTube. Disappointment? Fulfillment? Read on to find out.

Additions to the Arsenal #5

Just a few new things that have been in rotation lately. Mostly new eye makeup since it was suggested that I buy new eye makeup after LASIK to prevent bacterial contamination from my previous effects, I'm never one to turn down suggestions that lead me to retail therapy, pause, I say that with shame. But here are the few things I've picked up over the few weeks and days.

Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer

To not prime is a crime. Then call me a criminal. I've only started liking eyeshadow a couple of years back. But there just has been this stigma of releasing unnecessary or even redundant products in the beauty industry for profiteering. And for years I believed that and I'm not one to invest in trying new things, so I did try an ELF eye primer before but the results were discouraging, but after watching a few videos featuring this Etude House Eye Primer I decided to give it a go. It's relatively affordable and widely available so why not right? 

Price: P298

Description:

Proof 10 Eye Primer supplies coverage to eyelids and around the eyes to enhance eye shadow color and intergrity for a longer lasting, Perfect 10 look.

Content: 10g

Happy Skin Work It, Girl! Shut Up & Kiss Me Moisturizing Lippie Duo

I think I'm down with that disease every beauty obsessed girl has been infected with for the past couple of years. I call it The MLBB Browny Pinky Mauvey Lipstick Syndrome. We are convinced that we have found the "one" until a new incarnation unveils itself and we are in love once again. And I can proudly say that I think 4 lipsticks in my possession might look similar but have subtle differences in the amount of brown, pink or mauve. And yet the search still goes on and with much glee Happy Skin has released more offerings.

Price: P1099 When bought as a duo, P599 individually

Availability: Happy Skin Stores and www.happyskincosmetics.com

Description:

Beauty Bar collaborates with the country's favorite skin-caring makeup brand, Happy Skin, to empower women with working girl-friendly beauty tools. With Happy Skin X Beauty Bar, make beauty work for you! This Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me Moisturizing Lippie is sure to help you make that lip-smackin' statement.

Swipe on a powerful espresso color and kick butt with Wonder Woman.

Show the world you're Slaying It! with a commanding terracotta brown hue.

Highly pigmented and moisture-packed, these lippies glide on irresistibly smooth and leave behind a rich, creamy pout that's way tempting to kiss. Let your lips say it all and work it, girl!

July Favorites

I have been pretty much away from the blog these past days, mostly because of technical issues and my eyes weren't in their best condition to say the least since I had LASIK last June. And a whole lot of personal issues that have just come crashing down during the course of the month.  But here's the favorite lot this past July.

Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette

I must say that I am all too easily influenced by YouTube Beauty gurus, and for a good while now, I’ve been hearing raves about this certain palette. Though not something that gave great clamor in the beauty community, it was apparently a sleeper hit.

It's been a month since I underwent LASIK and I have been forbidden to wear any eye makeup whatsoever, but luckily I have a few photos of me rocking a few shades on my eyes a while back.

Price: P1106
Availability: Sephora

Description:

The ZOEVA Cocoa Blend Palette features a set of 10 warm chocolate shades you can blend to achieve alluring or sultry eye makeup. Each hue delivers a gorgeous shimmery pigment to the eyes, bringing them glamour and elegance.

Makeup Melange #10 Testing New things

I believe it's been quite a while since I last put up a Makeup Melange. Nearly two months actually. And truth be told I also just haven't been wearing makeup as much lately. So in short nothing really interesting to put up until today. Since I am officially allowed to put eye makeup on again, I have just been itching to reach out to an eyeshadow palette and eyeliner. 

Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Nude Mauve, Lavish Mauve and Seductive Rose

The world has been over the moon for the Hourglass Ambient lighting blush. But I just can't seem drop the cash on them yet. So I've settled for something that is less than half the price and available at my local drugstore. And I believe that they are the best drugstore blushers out there. And I say that with conviction.

Price: P685

Availability: Watsons, Beauty Bar, Zalora

Additions to the Arsenal #4: A few bits from Manila

Hello there. Back from a bit of a blogging break since my eyes are still in the healing process from my LASIK procedure last week which meant a trip to the capital city, Manila. If there's one thing I like about Manila, it's the shopping basically. I love the vast selections of shops and restaurants so that also means I wasn't going to leave without a few little purchases here and there. And just brands that I don't come across in Davao.

Be prepared for how skin care centric this has become though.