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!

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 #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.

The Travel Makeup Bag (5 Day Trip)

I've been literally scrambling for the deadline as I'm writing this post and that I should be packing my bags for tomorrow's trip. And I've been watching numerous how to pack videos, constantly looking out for some tips. And as this will be published I will probably be in Manila by then. But if you fancy a bit of snooping around in my travel makeup bag, have a look at this post.

Additions to the Arsenal #3: More Makeup

And another haul post. I'll have to admit that May has been quite a spendy month for me in the beauty department. I hide in shame. But I have the convoluted justifications to defend each purchase! 

Additions to the Arsenal #2: Makeup and a Mask

A little collective haul from the past week to cheer myself up from my illness and the fact that I've missed a good week of work from this.

The Blush Roundup

I remember when I used to despise blushers. I was completely off track. And seeing how big of a difference they contribute to an overall look, they have become quite an essential in my books.

The Balm Manizer Sisters Luminizer Palette Review

You can never have too much light in your life, but can't that also mean never too much highlighters? 

Price: P1150 from @thebeautyjunkieph

Description:

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this trio of Manizers has been found guilty - of being gorgeous. Designed for girls on the run, this highlighting trio enables you to emphasize your finest features. This palette contains three triple-milled multi-tasking highlighter, shimmers and shadows. These champagne, rose, and golden-bronze shades are flattering on all skin tones and easy to use so you can take your glow on the go.

Colourette Colourstick in Bethany

So after a certain lipstick just made me rave like a mad dog recently, I knew I had to get more shades. And if you know me, it'll definitely be on the borderline of MLBB.

Price: P549 on Zalora, P499 with dealers

Etude House Play 101 Stick #Contour Duo (Photo Heavy) Review

I never thought I'd see the day when the Highlighter capital of the world would produce a contour stick.

Price: P 748.00

Description: A creamy contour duo that creates a look of authentic dimentionality of face.

Content: .05oz/1.7g x 2

The Holiday Edit: Valentine's day Makeup and Outfit

I have been literally swamped this week. But apparently not swamped enough to write a post on Valentine's Day. So here's the holiday edit for the day of the hearts.

What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?

This year, if plans are set in place. I might be going out of the country. So I don't think planning what I'll be bringing with me for travel is a bad thing, right?

Of course everything is subject to change when I get new products or really analyzing what will be more suitable to lug along when I'm travelling. But this is what is currently  am planning on bringing.

Paring down was hard, let me just say that now. As stereotypical as it may seem What if's just keep popping in my head. What if I'll need something long-lasting? Something more moisturizing? More photo-friendly?

But basically I just thought of the products which I just rely on a regular basis which are just what one needs when they're away from the comfort of their vanity table.

Best Makeup Discoveries of 2015

2015 is ending in approximately a day or two depending on your timezone. And it has been such an eye-opening year filled with such joy, melancholia, despair and hope which is pretty much every year right?

Since I figured that putting in old favorites would be too repetitive and some of you are probably tired of my yapping for my favorite products, I decided to do only new products this year.

Maybelline Velvet Matte In Mat 12

Matte lips can be either tricky or simple. Tricky to maintain and to touch up after eating and the discomfort of dry lips beneath the pigment. Finding the right matte lip product can honestly be taxing an pricey but it doesn't always have to be. Not with the Maybelline Velvet matte.

 Price: P349 (Introductory price P299)

Description: 

Hydrating cream color glides on smooth and sets with a matte finish; vibrant, richly-pigmented hues are designed for long wear; lightweight, non-sticky, non-drying formula; velvety, cushion-like texture keeps lips in comfort all day

Content: 5 mL

Call me boring for going with another MLBB shade, but I can't help but love MLBB's! The inner struggle of a person who's trying to figure out if that's your natural shade or are you wearing something on your lips. As much as possible I don't like very flashy colors since I am very fond of cheek products and. And I have observed that subtle colors and browny-pink shades have a plumping effect on my lips rather than a shocking red or pink.

I'm a big fan of the Happy skin lip and cheek mousse but it is quite pricey with less content weight, Not something I'd keep repurchasing if I find a more affordable option. One can go for the Nyx matte lip cream but Nyx isn't available everywhere either, but you can bet you'll find Maybelline on every mall on every corner of the archipelago.

The packaging is sleek and does not scream drugstore at all, it really gives a more professional vibe with black rather than mint and I like where their direction is going with that. The plastic isn't flimsy either, I'm surprised it costs less than it usually should.

It has the usual doe foot applicator but the good kind, not the cheap lip gloss kind. The product itself depending on the color you chose, can either be blah or great. I quite like Mat 12 since it is a lovely browny pink, which you cannot mess up. But seriously I don't think you can mess up with this product since it is practically made on the grab and go concept.

The product is a comfortable matte, not causing discomfort and very creamy and smooth, similar to the texture of the Happy skin lip and cheek mousse only with more opacity on pigment and sets readily. Their description is spot on. I don't think I'll be ever eloquent enough to match their description haha.

At first application I thought I was suffering an allergic reaction since I felt a sort of warm sensation on my lips but I was pleasantly surprised to find it had a plumping effect. If you have tried a lip plumper, you'd know. But this was a mild lip plumper.

It also doesn't take much to fully coat your lips, around a swipe or two is great. Overall I think this product is a great take by Maybelline which I am glad to have bought while it's still on its introductory price. I don't think I have anything bad to say about it actually. It's definitely something worth checking out on your next trip to the beauty department.

When worn, (Pardon the blemish)

Etude House small Haul

So I went to Etude House yesterday with the intention of buying JUST ONE NAIL POLISH, but was swayed by the pretty pretty product placements and wound up getting three products instead.