Best Lip Shades For Pinays

Three lip shades that bring out the 

perfect pout. 

Take your pick from our roster of celebrities.

I thought of sharing this photos because i really admire these lipstick shade and i usually wear them especially nude lipstick shades. I admit that I don't have a fair skin so I find this shade more suitable to me. What I love about wearing nude color ( i also love to wear nude shades of eyeshadows) is that it give you subtle color that is perfect for elegant look and a good contrast to dark eyeshadows (smokey look - like the one Camille Pratts is wearing) and pink cheeks. It also gives your lips a fuller look. Many make up artists always say that 'the lighter the color you wear, the more fuller  it will appear, and the more darker the color you wear the more slimmer it will appear'. You can wear any nude lipstick you have, I usually use NYX Extreme Lipcream in Buttery Nude or Nude Peach Fuzz, Sophie Velvet Nude is a good one also, if you want expensive brand you might want to try MAC lipstick in MYTH it's a matte super nude lipstick.

I never tried this shade of lipstick just before I saw my friend wearing a matte bright pink shade. Then I bought Beauty UK lipstick in Passion. Innocent and Gossip Girl by Beauty UK is quite similar to the shade of  Passion, but I only have the shade Passion. At first I had a second thought if it will suit me since I dont really have fair skin. But I was shocked when I got compliments from people, saying that I should wear that shade more often because it really look cute (I dont really know what they mean by 'cute' hehe) I first use Passion when I attended a friend's birthday party. Avon has a lot of magenta shades of lipstick.Maybelline is a good one also (has more staying power), Loreal has a variety of bright pink shades but not advisable if you are in a tight budget. :)

Red lips will make you look more mature so I seldom use red lipstick. I wear red lips when I want to have a nude eyes, i really love the contrast of the colors. I dont usually put lipgloss on top of my red lips, I think it's an exaggeration already and I dont really find it comfortable, so 'matte' is my type of lipstick.And I don't really advice you girls to wear pink cheeks with red lips, use a plum or pale rose shade of blush on instead. It will make your make up look natural and neutralize other colors on your face ;)

Don't limit yourself on trying different kinds of make up looks, you can experiment combining different colors of lipsticks, blushes and eyeshadows. And if you find one that suits you , you can practice that until you perfected it. You don't need to buy expensive brands of cosmetics to achieve celebrity looks, just practice using all the make up that you already have and that's it...a celebrity look without spending too much  <3

HAIR UP DO 1 ^,^ 
Just want to share one of my favorite hair up do from Ms. Cinthia's video. 
Very cute and elegant :) I love all videos of Ms. Cinthia :))

Watch out for more hair up do. You can also check out hairstyle videos by Luxury hair, she has a lot of braided hairstyles which I really love especially the Five Braided hairstyle. I tried it only once, I think I need more practice, It's kinda difficult to do. haha ;) 

How to Pick the Right Shade of Concealer

This is one of my favorite beauty article I've read online. I definitely agree that it is important to pick the right shade of concealer for your skin tone. I am not really very familiar with what's the best from too many brands of concealers but for me, it depends on what brand you are comfortable to use, just be sure it is not too light and not too dark for your skin. 

I started using concealer for I think 5 months now. :) but I do not use concealer everytime I go out, I'm too lazy to apply it haha. But if I think that there are some imperfections on my face that I need to cover , then that's the time I apply it. I just bought a concealer from a beauty store just to try it and to see how it works for me :) My first concealer to use is  L'oreal's True Match Super Blendable Concealer in Light/ Medium Neutral. They also have other shades like the Neutral (They have Light/Medium or Medium/Deep in Warm, Neutral and Cool Undertones. You can also use Maybelline Cover Stick Concealer this is much cheaper but offer a good coverage), Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage (quite expensive), or Make up Forever Full Coverage Concealer (another expensive concealer). 

I love this concealer, the shade is 2 to 3 times lighter than my skin tone which is perfect to cover dullness and blemishes in my face. you can blend it easily to your skin and it does not smudge/melt with heat and sweat, it's waterproof! I mean it stays long than your ordinary concealer. The concealer comes in a brush/wand that absorbs too much product so don't concentrate on a particular blemish only, be sure to blend it right away after application because it dries easily. It's lightweight so you can use it everyday and easy to use.

Choosing the right shade of concealer can be daunting. Do you go lighter or darker? What about those undereye circles or rosacea on the cheeks. Here, we show you how to pick the right shades of concealer for your skin tone.

When choosing a concealer, you should consider both consistency and color. If you are covering major undereye circles, you're going to want a concealer that provides major coverage. The editors of Allure's "Confessions of a Beauty Editor" suggest testing consistency by dabbing concealer on the blue veins on the inside of your wrist.

Yellow-toned products are your best bet for covering up undereye circles, according to makeup artist Bobbie Brown. Orange-based tones blend best into dark or black skin. You want a shade or two lighter than your foundation (remember, your foundation should match your skin almost exactly). In the March, 2007 issue of InStyle Magazine, Brown suggests avoiding "greasy or chalky formulas that are too pink or white."

Test color on the area of your neck below your ear. Again, the color should be a slight lighter than your foundation. If you go too light, you risk looking like a raccoon.

Concealer is a definite "try before you buy" product. I don't recommend purchasing any product that's non-returnable. Instead, try out different concealers at department store counters or Sephora.

Review on Maybelline Clear smooth 

all in one 

shine free cake powder

Living in a country with tropical climate can be a big factor on choosing the right make up for our face especially when it comes on foundation. Usually, all I do is conceal, powder, contour and add nude or skin tone lipstick or lipgloss, with these Im good to go. It can be your daily beauty routine but mind you girls it wont last long especially the powder. If you have an oily skin (like my skin ^,^) or got sweaty during the day, the powder will surely be discontinued. Im not telling you girls that “All” powders doesn’t stay long. There are some powders or foundations that you can use that will surely reach your expectation but Im pretty sure it will cost you a thousand :>

We all know that Maybelline New York is one of the famous cosmetic brands here in our country which offers cheap but quality products. Compare to other expensive brands, I strongly agree that this product is without a doubt a good alternative for the expensive ones.

Maybelline New York Clear Smooth Extra Powder Foundation

Maybelline New York Clear Smooth All in One Shine Free Cake Powder

I am a big fan of Maybelline even after I went to college. I usually use the old powder foundation, it’s the Clear Smooth Extra Powder Foundation which is also a two way powder foundation but doesn’t offer other benefits that the new one have. I also love their lipsticks, eyeliners and mascara ^_^.

So let’s review this new product from Maybelline, the Clear Smooth All in One Shine Free Foundation. I first heard about it from PCX beauty store in Alabang Town Center. During that time, Im just looking for any kind of pressed powder. Then I heard one customer asking the lady if they have a powder foundation that is cheap but will last long, the lady recommended the Clear Smooth All in One Shine Free Foundation which caught my attention. Knowing the quality that the brand provides, I checked the package and found interesting benefits. ;)) Plus, the price is so affordable. It’s only Php 249.  I didn’t even have a second thought on buying. 

I am using the shade “HONEY” because it’s the closest  to my skin tone. I choose the powder foundation over the pressed powder because it has good coverage and last long especially when you are using a damp sponge when applying it.

I am using the shade “HONEY” because it’s the closest  to my skin tone. I choose the powder foundation over the pressed powder because it has good coverage and last long especially when you are using a damp sponge when applying it. 

I love the packaging. You can find the summary of all the benefits of the product just by looking on the package. The compact’s color is pink which is so attractive to girls. ;) The mirror is huge enough to view my face ( I hate compacts with small mirrors.:>)  And I super like that the puff is separated from the powder. I believe that the puff should not be placed on top of the powder because it will waste some grams of the powder (most especially when the puff is damp).

	The powder foundation has a velvety texture and goes on smoothly on my face. It will give you a matte fresh looking finish. I usually put moisturizer before putting any make up on to keep my skin moisturized while wearing make up. It covers minor discoloration and imperfections on your face. It has good pigmentation and coverage. It usually stays on for 5 to 7 hours depending on your skin type. And it doesn’t need too many retouch or application throughout the day.

What I Like About This Product??

The answers are at the back of the package

The best thing that I love on this product is of course the SPF 25 PA++ which is 5 point higher than their previous powder foundation (Clear Smooth  Extra-Shine Free Powder Foundation), I don’t suggest or buy products without SPF, because we all know that the sun’s UV rays can dry out and damage our skin and known to cause early appearance of wrinkles especially around the eye area.

I love the shades (it comes on 4 shades, I usually use 04 HONEY), coverage (lightweight but covers blemishes and spots), finish ( matte and smooth), and the staying power ( long wearing and doesn’t cake).

Other things I  definitely like in this product… J

-This compact suits everyone’s budget.

-A good setting powder.

-Has no scent.

What I don’t Like About this product??

The powder cracks when you are not careful on handling the compact. So far I haven’t experienced this one yet but I heard a lot of complain about the powder having a soft consistency that it tends to crack easily.

Refill J

Below are some photos of the refill of this product. It’s not my routine to throw compact powders unless the mirror is broken or something is damaged. If you consume the powder and you decided to buy another one, I suggest you get the refill instead of the whole compact again. The refill is worth Php 149 only so you can save money and recycle at the same time. It has a puff inside, so need to buy another new puff  ;)

Additional Infos:

-When using this as setting powder, make sure you pat excess powder to avoid streak lines and too-matte finish (Super Matte make up will make you look  old. Make up artists around the world always say “Dewy is IN, Matte is OUT!”)

-Always use make up base or moisturizer before putting anything on your face, to make your skin moisturized while wearing make up. It also helps smoothen the application of your foundation and eyeshadows. Choose primers or moisturizers with SPF too J. The more SPF containing products you wear the more protected you are from the sun’s rays.

- Be hygienic when it comes on cleaning the puff. Be sure to wash it after every use or purchase another one.

This is me wearing Maybelline New York Clear Smooth All in One Shine Free Cake Powder in 04 HONEY ;))

The Maybelline Clear Smooth All in One Shine Free Cake Powder is my favorite and go-to powder foundation. I will definitely continue using this one until I find a better one J .  I recommend this product to everyone who are looking for an inexpensive powder foundation that works pretty well. J

You can get this one from any beauty stores or ORDER on my online shop The Thirteenth Collection: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Thirteenth-Collection/187425124718678

Have you tried this one yet? Let me know how it works for you. ;)

My Top 5 Must-Have Lip Products + Mini Review

I got this one from a Sophie Business Center in Alabang.(Actually, I'm a member of that business center :)) At first, I really doubt the quality of the product because of its price. :)) I never imagine you can still have a quality product with your Php 79. I have four shades of this lipstick, I have Red Wine, which is a plum color, I also have Caramel Sugar, which offers a pinkish nude shade,  then I got Red Pepper, a warm red color and the last and my most favorite is the Velvet Nude, a beige nude more of a skin tone lipstick. 

Im a big fan of nude lipsticks :))

This is my go - to lipstick, Snob from Beauty UK. I really love the shade of this product. Some might think that the color looks pale but when you apply it already in your lips you can have a gorgeous pinkish plum colored lips. I really love lipsticks in plum or nude shades. :)) I usually put a clear gloss on top of it to make my lips look more full :>

I love the creamy consistency of this product. My friend has 3 of this shade and she always say that she will continue to buy this lip cream. I told myself that i should get one also just to try the product. I like the coverage and it glides smoothly on your lips. You can put a lip spackle or concealer to your lips before applying this cream, 
to help it stay longer.

NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in Buttery Nude has the benefits of a lipstick and a lip gloss all at once :)) For me this is a good product if you are a busy girl and in a tight budget. Lipstick plus gloss in one swipe, how's that? I like Buttery Nude because of its brownish nude glossy finish. :>

Coral and plum shades are my choice for lipstick. One of my friend recommend it to me and will definitely recommend it to you also. :)) I've been using this lipstick for 2 years now, there are also other shades but I only got this one. This is a very neon pinkish coral that has no shimmer and a nice creamy finish. I  really love Maybelline New York products, they offer quality but cheaper cosmetics. 
Try this one! You will definitely love it. :))

-- I usually prime my lips first with concealer or lip spackle (Lora Geller Lip Spackle is a 
   good one but expensive- it a white creamy base that will neutralize the redness of 
    your lips and will enhance or show the true color of your lipstick)

-- Sometimes I use lipliners but most of the time I directly apply lipstick  :)) Lipliners 
    will just guide you on where to put your lipstick (Helps to make your lips fuller)

-- I like putting gloss on top of my lipstick, a clear one will do, but a rosy nude color 
    will add plumpness to help your lips look fuller :))

-- Dont forget to remove chapped skin on your lips before applying lipstick, 
    it will make your lipstick bleed ;>

You can buy this products from my online shop : The Thirteenth Collection http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Thirteenth-Collection/187425124718678

Hope this helps :)) 

MYRA VITAGLOW 

TINTED FACIAL MOISTURIZER

6 BEAUTY BENEFITS in  1 TUBE

This is one of my favorite drugstore product that gives me all i need to look naturally beautiful. For ONLY Php 100-150, you too can have a gorgeous natural glow. :) Again, I'm not getting paid by anyone to do review on this product. (You can see full review on my older posts :> )

How to Avoid Cake Face

Plus, what exactly is "cake face"

You know those women who wear so much foundation it looks like they have to remove it every night with a trawl?

That, dear readers, is a fine example of "cake face," wherein one slathers on too much foundation and concealer, the result being a pancake, mask-like makeup. If you have makeup covering every millimeter of your face, it's simply too much and the first thing people are going to think when they see you is, "She wears a lot of makeup." Why not play up, rather than cover up, your natural beauty?

The following are my best "how to avoid cake face" tips.

The Right Way to Wear Foundation & Concealer

Foundation is meant to cover up only your uneven spots like the cheeks, around the nose and maybe the chin. Once the foundation is in place, you can then dot concealer on any ruddy or pimply spots the foundation doesn't cover.

Remember, with foundation, apply only on the spots that need it.

Matte is Out, Dewy is In

As we age, our skin loses not only its elasticity, but it also tends to lose moisture. This can lead to "cake face." A matte face is not a youthful, dewy face. Our goal is to make our skin appear dewy and as youthful as possible, even if we are 70. This means keeping skin as moisturized as possible. So how to get dewy skin?

What to Do About Those Freckles?

Some women and girls with freckles try to cover them up with thick foundation. Don't! Try to embrace your freckles and grow to love them. Freckles make you unique and accepting them will make you more beautiful. After all, it's almost impossible to cover up freckles without achieving "cake face."

Foundation Primer is Key

The key to perfect skin tone is to create a barrier between your skin and the foundation by applying first a foundation primer. A foundation primer works in the same way as paint primer does, it settles in your pores, fine lines and wrinkles and evens over pimples so that your foundation glides on smoothly.

If you don't have a primer, moisturizer works, too.

Choose the Correct Foundation & Concealer

Cake face is worst when someone's wearing the wrong foundation shade.

It's really important to find the right shade of foundation or tinted moisturizer. You want the foundation to blend in seamlessly with your skin color. I recommend trying out foundation at a place like Sephora so an expert can say "yay or nay."

A couple rules of thumb is to choose a sheer liquid rather than a powder foundation if you have dry skin. If you have oily skin, opt for an oil-free tinted moisturizer or foundation and keep blotting papers on hand to blot your skin as the day wears on.

Keep Skin Hydrated as the Day Wears On

If you have dry skin, it's really important to keep skin hydrated and moisturized all day long. I like to spray mineral water on my face to add moisture. I will also dot on a bit of moisturizer on any "cakey spots."

source: yahoo 

HOME MADE

MAKE UP REMOVER

It’s Good To Know:

Witch hazel is an astringent produced from the leaves and bark of the North American Witch-hazel shrub (Hamamelis virginiana), which grows naturally from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada, and south to Florida and Texas in the United States. This plant extract was widely used for medicinal purposes by American Indians and is a component of a variety of commercial healthcare products.

Uses

Witch hazel is mainly used externally on sores, bruises, and swelling.

The main constituents of the extract include tannin, gallic acid,catechins, proanthocyanins, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin), essential oils (carvacrol, eugenol, hexenol), choline, and saponins. Distilled witch hazel sold in drug stores and pharmacies typically contains no tannin. Witch hazel hydrosol is used in skin care. It is a strong anti-oxidant and astringent, which makes it very useful in fighting acne. It is often used as a natural remedy for psoriasis,eczema, aftershave applications, ingrown nails, to prevent sweating of the face, cracked or blistered skin, for treating insect bites,poison ivy, and as a treatment for varicose veins and hemorrhoids.  It is found in numerous over-the-counter hemorrhoid preparations.  It is recommended to women to reduce swelling and soothe wounds resulting from childbirth.

The essential oil of witch hazel is not sold separately as a consumer product. The plant does not produce enough essential oil to make production viable. However, there are various distillates of witch hazel (called hydrosols or hydrolats) that are gentler than the "drug store" witch hazel.

Olive Oil – (see my older post for the benefits and uses of olive oils)

How to make home made natural make up remover:

Mix the witch hazel and the olive oil in a small bottle (equal amount). Shake it. Use a cotton ball and apply it to your face. J

It’s a natural way to clean up your face from make up. You can use a mild cleanser after that but be sure it’s a super mild one, try using GARNIER or NEUTROGENA. Don’t switch on beauty products too fast, try using one product for 2 weeks before you switch to others. It will help your skin adjust to the chemical changes of the different products.

I’m using Dickinson Witch Hazel, You can buy it from Healthy Options or other health/wellness stores. The 237 ml bottle is worth Php 210-250. My organic olive oil is from Healthy Options also though any olive oil will do.

After using it, you can see the changes, it will leave your skin super smooth and perfectly toned ;>

15 Wonderful Uses for 

Witch Hazel

1. The big one: Spot and blemish control

Witch hazel can reduce the inflammation on a pimple. Some people claim daily use helps with acne, and witch hazel can be found in many over-the-counter treatments. Application with a Witch Stick is the most convenient, but you can dab it on with a cotton ball. Ask your pharmacist before you do this, though.

2. Soothe and heal diaper rash

If your baby's rash isn't healing quick enough, apply witch hazel solution (Dickinson's is good) with a cotton ball and you should see immediate improvement to your baby's bottom.

3. Shrink bags under the eyes

Some people say that the application of hemorrhoid cream to those little baggies under your eyes can take them away. It's not an old wives' tale. One of the magic ingredients in a product like Preparation H is witch hazel, which helps tighten up the skin and reduce the bagginess. And that leads nicely to…

4. Soothe and reduce external hemorrhoids

Not only does witch hazel tighten skin, it's also a good anti-itch remedy. By combining witch hazel with aloe, glycerine or petroleum jelly and rub it on external hemorrhoids, you will reduce itching significantly and dry up most bleeding.

5. Varicose vein relief

Soak wash cloths in witch hazel and lay on legs, which are propped straight out, to reduce pain and swelling from varicose veins. The witch hazel helps to tighten the veins, relieving the discomfort temporarily.

6. Soothe poison ivy and poison oak

Just like acne and blemishes, the witch hazel reduces itching and relieves swelling. Something definitely worth packing on your next camping trip.

7. Treat chicken pox blisters

A combination of aloe, honey, lavender and other essential oils create a spray that will vastly reduce the discomfort of chicken pox blisters. And it's all-natural. Here's what to do:

Mix together 1 tablespoon honey, 40 drops lavender essential oil, 15 drops lemon essential oil, 15 drops bergamot essential oil, 5 drops peppermint essential oil, 1 teaspoon carrot seed oil and 1/2 cup aloe vera gel.

Once completely mixed, and 1/2 cup distilled witch hazel and mix again. Pour mixture into spray bottle and use on affected areas (avoiding eyes). A more potent and less unsightly way to treat the chicken pox than traditional calamine lotion.

8. Heal your bruises faster

Been in a fight recently? Well, maybe not. But if you bang your leg or arm and are left with a nasty bruise, a thrice-daily dab of witch hazel can help speed up the healing time of the bruise.

9. Soothe razor burn (and in some instances, prevent it)

The anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel stop itchy bumps from forming up around your irritated hair follicles. Apply before or after shaving; it should certainly have an impact on your itchy red skin (and that includes ladies, too).

10. Treat and soothe a nasty sunburn

Healing damaged skin is one of witch hazel's specialties. But as sunburn is also a type of skin inflammation, witch hazel is ideal for treating this too (despite swelling not being obvious). Treating sunburn with witch hazel will lessen healing time and prevent the infamous skin peeling and flaking.

11. Treat dry skin

By applying witch hazel immediately after showering, you are locking in the moisture that has just soaked into your skin.

12. Use to heal and soothe various cuts and bruises

Many chemists and pharmacists refer to witch hazel as nature's answer to Neosporin. Applying a dab of it will cleanse the cut, protects against infection, and encourage quicker healing of minor skin breaks.

13. Take the bite out of bug bites

With its anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties, witch hazel is ideal for treating bug bites. Just dab a little on the affected area.

14. Refresh tired eyes

NOT by squirting witch hazel in them, but by soaking a clean rag in witch hazel and cold water and placing the cold compress over your closed eyes. After 10 minutes, your eyes should be refreshed, and any redness should be gone. If you've been doing a lot of crying, this can get you back to normal quickly.

15. Make your own deodorant

Witch hazel is often used in deodorants due to its natural skin-healing and skin-care properties. 

Source: senior writer Paul Michael (Life hacks)

I took this photo minutes after i arrived home from Madrigal, Alabang. Then of course I put my favorite make ups on the sides and would like to share it with you. :))

For my FACE 
- I usually use Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief Moisturizer, my skin absorbs it really well. I don't put foundation directly to my face I usually want my skin moisturized while wearing make up ;>

- After my moisturizer, I use a damp sponge then apply the Maybelline Clear Smooth All in One Powder Foundation in Honey. I use Honey because its the shade that's really near to my skin tone.

For my EYES 
- These are the two of my favorite make ups. Maybelline Master Liner in Black ( I think it has white and brown shades also but i will definitely use the black one :> ) It glides on smoothly and the color is very rich plus the staying power is a WOW! It doesn't smudge like the ones I used before. So I will definitely stick to this one. 
- Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express. Its my go-to mascara :> It fills every side of my eyelashes with thick black color but it won't feel heavy or something. You can brush it in your eyelashes for 2 up to 4 times for definition. (In the photo i only use 2 brushes ;> )Its waterproof so you can only remove it with warm water or eye make up remover.

For my LIPS 
-   I use Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Are you Ready. i'm not really particular when it comes to lipstick, but this one is a two-thumbs up for me :)

** For my EYEBROWS - I use any eyeshadow in dark brown or any taupe eyeshadow, MAC Copperplate is a  good one matching Asian's black hair. ( Your eyebrow color should be one to two shades lighter than your hair color). For blonde, MAC taupe eyeshadow in Ommega or Kid, any will do ;>

** For my CHEEKS - Again, I'm not really particular when it comes on blushes hehe, but in the photo i'm using BEAUTY UK STRIPEY BRONZER (discontinued). (You might always want to contour your face especially if you have a round face like mine :) , it will help your face look slimmer. Yay! The Power of Make Up :))

** You can also add lluminator or Highlighter - NARS Orgasm is a good one, I've also tried MAC Shell highlighter, but these are expensive brands, MEMEME a UK cosmetic is a good alternative and cheaper.

You can buy some of these products from my online shop/page http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Thirteenth-Collection/187425124718678. But these are all available in beauty stores, department stores and Rustans.

I hope i helped a little by just sharing. :)