Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum

I was at an underground mall at Jeju island when I bought this. Enchanted by the beauty and mystery of the island, I grabbed a set on a whim - after all the box said... "From the waters of Jeju island". That definitely sold it to me!

Fast forward to a couple of months later, I was having trouble with oily skin during the afternoons. My skin was undermoisturized, I ended up opening my Green Tea Seed Serum and tried it out. It was just lying around in my room.

Little did I know, I was opening a box filled with wonder. Innisfree is a korean brand built on te idea of eco-friendlyness and harvesting the magic of Jeju island. They use ingredients from the island to make cosmetic products. They also encourage their customers to pitch in by recycling (note the note in my serum's bottle :) ).

I use the serum at night before I turn in and at morning before I put on my make up. The serum gets absorbed by the skin fairly quickly. The first time I used it, I thought it wasn't going to help much. But I was so wrong! This practically solved my "my skin is so oily, my powder's caking, and my nose is so blindingly shiny by lunchtime" problem. After a week or so (I can't really remember how long, but it solved my problem quickly) I found that my skin stopped producing too much oil to compensate for the dryness. Now, I hardly touch up my face, I just use blottingsheets in the middle of the day and I'm good till I go home and takr mu makeup off in the evenings.

You can probably tell I'm loving this! I've used a third of the bottle and it's made its way into my everyday routine. I'd pick up another bottle of this once it's gone but I might not go back to Korea anytime soon. Here's to hoping I could get this locally one day! :)

Merry Christmas!

May you all have a Merry Christmas everyone! May you have the joy and peace that comes from the Almighty.

Nature Republic

I have a weakness when it comes to things that have the word nature in it. Perhaps it's the innate aversion I have with the artificial chemicals in this world. So, when a new Korean cosmetics store opened up in SM Megamall, Atrium named Nature Republic; I just couldn't resist poking my head in it. I love the store's layout. It's minimalistic and earthy, it reminds me of a bamboo garden.  I was expecting that I meet up  with a panda.
When I dropped by they were having a sale... 20% off on everything!
I picked out their Collagen Eyeshadow, Mint Lipgloss in 03; and the extreme black set of mascara with eyeliner - this was already a bargain even without thr additional 20% off! As an added bonus, they gave me a loyalty card which entitled me with 10% off on regular days. :)

Plenty to Wear!

It's a little late, but guess what! I've been featured at Plenty To Wear! Click link to see.

Plenty to Wear is my friend. Jill's blog. She posts her outfits on a somewhat daily basis. The great thing about this is that she doesn't keep on buying new clothes, instead, she digs pieces from her own collection and uses them for her looks. Isn't she awesome! (and economical?) 

Check her blog out for inspiration on how to revive your old pieces.

Changing Directions

It's been a long time since my last post. I think I've finally come to terms that a blogsite for make up reviews isn't for me. For one thing, I'll use up a lot of resources to purchase and fund the make up I review, only to realize that I have way too much make up in my room. And the other is that I have other interests that I'd also like to pursue. So I'm changing directions and blog about other things that hopefully, you guys will like. But don't fear! I'll still talk about make up, when I end up buying something I really like.

-L

Maquillage Professionnel Promo

This little poster that I arrived in my inbox got me excited the past couple of days. I've always wanted to enroll in Pro Makeup Classes in Maquillage Professionnel, but I thought it was just a little pricey. But I was privileged enough to get into the module for Personal Makeup Workshop and I find it enjoyable. So I've come to the conclusion that this would probably be worth it :)

Makeup Your Mind by Francois Nars

Guess who I bumped into the bookstore the other week: Francois Nars. Oh how I wish it were true, but kidding aside, I bumped into the book authored by Francois Nars titled Makeup Your Mind.

Here is the very simple but striking book sleeve. Isn't beautiful?

And let me give you the obligatory front & back cover tour with a bonus photo - the spine!

Now let us move on to the short and sweet table of contents, with the signature NARS style.

The book is actually spring bound.

 

To allow you to do this:

Francois Nars placed the before and after photos of the model side by side so we can study the difference of the two. It is supposed to help us figure out where the make was placed.

 

I particularly like how the transparent film plots out where the make up is used. But sometimes they don't align with the photo beneath that well. It is only a minor inconvenience for me. 

Everything that Francois Nars used on the model is also indicated on the transparency. Clever isn't it?

DIY: Brush Keeper

Keeping makeup brushes clean and dust/germ free is important. It could mean the difference between clear skin and blemished skin which can be caused by the dust and bacteria in the air that settles on the brushes. We all wash our makeup brushes but what do we do with them afterwards, we put them in brush holders but the bristles are exposed. Here's a quick and inexpensive way of keeping all the undesirables - like dust and what nots off your makeup brushes. 

Here's what you would need:
 a covered container that's tall enough to acoomodate all your brushes and something to keep your brushes upright in the container. This could be a pencil holder or the brush holder that you already use.

Materials

This is my setup. I got the container from SM Homeworld and costs Php95. It is meant to be used for cutlery or other kitchen stuff but I had other plans for it. I used my old brush holders for this DIY (my mom got it for me from Muji four years ago just in case you're wondring ü ).

Accessories, accessories, accessories! ♥

I saw this cocktail ring at one of the boutiques in Northeast Square the other week. I was debating whether I should purchase it. I loved the turquoise and the detail of the ring, it just caught my eye. But, the rings were from PhP350-PhP400 and I had my heart set on a bright yellow rose ring, and I just adored it and bought that instead. 

I consider it a stroke of luck that I didn't buy this ring in that botique because I encountered it again in another shop called Girl Shoppe. And you'd never guess how much this is - it's PhP 50! Could you believe that?! It also comes in other colors like red, yellow and purple. There's also an interesting connector ring with the words LOVE all over it - sadly it doesn't fit my plus sized fingers. 

I found the perfect pair of white shorts! ♥

The search is over! I found the perfect pair of white shorts! ♥ It isn't exactly white - its is a lot closer to a light khaki with a hint of grey color. But I adore it none the less.

This is my first ever pair of high waisted shorts (yes, I just climbed out of a rock) and I got it at Una Rosa. Surprisingly, they have it in my size! (I'm usually a US11, or UK14 - give or take a few numbers). It sits comfortably at my waist - making it appear smaller than it actually is. It stops at the right height - yay for the illusion of long legs minus the skimpy short shorts and flares ever so slightly from the hips. I love this bit - it makes my thighs look smaller compared to the usual shorts.

The sales lady found this pair of shorts for me and so many other stuff I wouldn't try on my own. They are really into getting the customer to try out the items on the shelves because they are incredibly persuasive.
I was surprised that they carry clothes in my size, I usually don't find local brands with clothes that fit my body type. I'm psyched about this. Their jeans fit my legs and make them look nice, they have dresses and tops that fit my bust area, shorts that fit  my waist. Best of all - their price range affordable and much lower than the foreign clothing brands.

They found so many stuff for me to try on I spent 1hr and 30mins in the dressing room. Their spring collection is adorable! A lot of florals, prints and pastel colors - sadly I can't take all of them home. I didn't mind it because I believe that trying on clothes is for free - so I want to try everything just to make sure I get the piece that suits me perfectly. Plus the next time I find myself shopping in a hurry, I'll know which type of clothes look good on me.

Before I left the store, the cashier told me to check out their facebook page. They have a mother's day promo where you can get a 10% discount from today until mother's day (May 8, 2011). Just get the promo code (which is Unarosa Moms) at their facebook and mention it at the cashier before you check out the items. 

Sorry no OOTD here - just a clothing item of the day.

This is the back part

Pocket detail. I love how refined the stitching is. 

Hidden zipper - you might want to check if it works well - sometimes this type of zipper gets stuck.

And that's it! Thanks for reading about my shopping adventure!

Blue Line Cosmetics: Eyeshadows

The eyeshadows from Blue Line Cosmetics are well known for their great color payoff, unbelievable shimmer with considerably wide color range plus they are true mineral eyeshadows (Ingredients: Mica, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide). I was excited with this concept so I placed an order. They have arrived a long time ago at my doorstep, I just haven't blogged about them yet. But I am sure that many are familiar with their photo. They are the eyeshadow pans that I placed in my DIY Makeup/Eyeshadow palette. 

in warm lighting

Eyeshadows can be ordered from Blue Line Cosmetics in a palette which comes in 2,4,9,15 or 28 (the palette for 9 eyeshadows come in a freestyle magnetic palette), or they can be ordered in pans for USD 3 for 2.5 Oz of product. Being a little kuripot (frugal) I did the math and found out that it is much much cheaper to order the eyeshadows in singles - which is exactly what I did. (Customs and Taxes in the Philippines is another story)

My First Stiletto Post

My blog's called Photos & Stilettos but there's not a single shoe post in it! That ends now, so allow me to indulge myself as I combine one of my two loves, stilettos and photography! I had fun taking these photos and I feel like it's an interesting way to practice my photography. 

This pair of shoes is from Nine West. I purchased it in Hong Kong - where there are a lot of amazing shoe sales ladies. They can make anything - almost anything fit your feet. This is actually a half size smaller than the shoe size I usually wear, I didn't notice it till I got home. Despite that, they fit quite well. 

The heels might be high, but the platforms make walking much easier. It adds a little poise to the way I walk too.

Closes with a zipper, and it's easy to get into.

It's made of suede and fishnet I believe.

They are pretty comfortable, easy to walk it, just maintain a straight spine (good for me because I slouch a lot) and walk with poise. What I don't advise with this pair of shoes is to go to a concert that involves a lot of standing and jumping around. It will hurt. But other than that, I ♥ this shoe.

My Orange Obsession: Majolica's Blush in OR 211

Shades of orange is the summer season's hottest colors. I thought I'd give this color a go by getting Majolica Majorca's Blush in OR 211 a beautiful matte peachy orange. It costs PhP 495 for 3 grams of product in SM Watsons. I got it a couple of weeks back when I had an impromptu Majolica Majorca haul. I took my pre-board exams that for around 9 hours, not to mention I had the same thing schedule the day before so my brain felt like mushed  tofu. So what better way to cure it than go makeup shopping. 

Anyway back to the Majolica Majorca blush. It comes in a clear case, and the blush just slides out when Majolica Majorca's emblem slides out. 

It snaps right back in when it is closed. Not to mention I don't have to about the cover coming off its hinges - something that happens often with the packaging of my drugstore blushes.

I love the packaging, it makes choosing the color I want much easier (even if I only have one at the moment). Plus I adore clear plastic cases, I think they look classy. 

The pigment of the blush is wonderful. Just one swipe of the brush gets just the right amount of color on the cheek. The color lasts a considerably a long amount of time. I dislike going to the washroom to touch up so the fact that this lasted is definitely a plus for me. But I think the fact that I was wearing Majolica's Skin Lingerie helped it last even longer (blog about this product to come soon).

I'm looking forward to getting more of these, I heard RD 255 is a dupe of NARS orgasm. So if you're in the market for blushes, I think this is one of the brands that you should consider. I really like it. It gives a natural sun kissed flush, I believe it will work well with a bronzer. I think this would be my blush for a while. 

4U2 Pro Palette in Classic

The 4U2 I-Pro Palette  is considered to be one of the budget friendly make-up palettes available and it costs PhP 994.00 (roughly USD 23.10) at Watsons. You can choose to get the palette in vibrant colorful  and shimmery shades, decadent golden hues or dainty matte colors. It comes in a sleek black palette with a big mirror inside (5.5 x 2.5 in) and offers eight colors in each with a total of 20 grams of product (which means each pan has 2.5 grams). 

I chose to get mine in Classic and this is what the colors in it looks like. 

It has four warm neutrals, soft pink, coral red, light grey and carbon black; they all have a matte finish.

The eye shadows feel like velvet when touched. The pigment is easily picked up and shows up well on the skin - what you see is what you get.

Colors from the top row.

Colors from the Bottom Row

I usually use the warm neutrals to add shape to my eyes and the black one to set my eyeliner. There is no or very minimal fall out with these. You have to watch out for the black one - a little goes a long way. If there's too much of it in the brush, you will experience a little fall out. 

The shadows blend well with each other (and even with other brands for that matter). The quickest way to blend these shadows is with your fingers, there wouldn't be any hard edges after. It isn't dry, powdery or chalky. When I used them, they didn't crease or fade on me, but I do have to mention that I almost always use primer for my lids because they tend to get oily.

Would I recommend them to my friends? Yes, I would especially if they're looking for a reasonably priced palette with matte eye shadows to try different sorts of make up looks. Matte shadows aren't commonly found at drugstore brand prices.

Ingredient List.

when closed

Kevyn Aucoin: Making Faces

Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin is the first book I bought covering the subject of make up: the one that started it all. I came across this at a bookstore and saw that photo of the man which Kevyn Acoin transformed into a lady, I was completely blown away.

This is the page that I mentioned above.

This is acually a guy! Isn't Kevyn Aucoin Amazing?

To tell you the truth I have been struggling with writing this little post about Making Faces. What can yo write about a book written by one of the most sought after makeup masters of this century? But I feel that this precious book deserves a place in this blog of mine.

Rouge Coco Shine Campaign by Chanel

I found this inspiring video at the Chanel Makeup Confidential website. I love the video and the make up in it as well. I'm hoping I get to try out this look one of these days. I love the freshness and the simplicity of it. The perfect porcelain skin, the lovely lip colors and my favorite part, the soft muted lavender color finished off the the perfect pair of white shades.

I am thinking of trying this look with my Lovely-Me:ex from The Face Shop in PP402 mixed with white and grey from my 4u2 matte palette. I might go for the lipstick that I have which is closest to Monte Carlo - and that is FACE&it  Wrinkle Repair Lipstick (The Face Shop) in OR 201. I might have to use just a little bit of it since I think it looks like it is a little darker than Monte Carlo

The shades in this collection are: Boy (Top Left), Monte Carlo (Top Right), Adventure (Lower Left) and Liberte (Lower Right)

Anyway, on with the beautiful close-ups of this video! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  And just between you and me, I am guilty of having watched the video a lot.

The Majolica Passion

This is a screen cap from the Majolica Majorca Site

It looks like Majolica Majorca will be very passionate this summer. I was browsing around the Majolica Majorca site and I stumbled upon their limited edition and new items. I think the red mascara will be limited edition while the nail polish  as well as the Majoromantica perfume is here to stay.