What I like about it...
* inexpensive
* pigmented but the highlighter isn't (2)
* pretty colors
* easy to blend
* the shimmer is just right
* the colors didn't fade (I was wearing it for 8 hours)
* it's not powdery / chalky
* didn't experience any irritation

What I don't like...
My Rating: 4 / 5
I didn't really plan on buying this quad but I really liked the orange and green shade (1 & 3), plus it was really affordable and it's my very first L'oreal product. I'm just glad I wasn't disappointed.

I've used this palette for quite a number times now ever since I got it and I'm loving it.  I've already created several different looks for both day and night time with this palette alone, which makes it even more worth it.

The "Autumn Leaves" shade has pretty neutral colors too,  I would recommend this product especially for those who are into Neutrals.

Share your thoughts on this, have you used this product?
If so, what's your favorite shade?

I hope this review helps. Advance Happy New Year Everyone!
God Bless and stay safe.

Cheerios!
***Hollie***

I've been wanting to buy Rimmel London Lipsticks for a while now, ever since I saw it on one of xteener's youtube videos. I've also read a lot of very good reviews about this product.  It's one of the most popular drugstore makeup in the US.

I actually purchased 5 shades but I only kept the Azteque shade because I gave the rest as Christmas presents to my girl friends. I just fell in love with this lipstick. I've been using it non-stop ever since I got it.

What I like about it...
* inexpensive
* awesome color payoff, very pigmented
* soft and creamy
* glides easily
* has a very mild scent
* does not make my lips dry
* I didn't feel any itch or irritation
* lasts long (for more than 5 hours)
* cute packaging (it has a shimmery dark violet color)

What I don't like...
* none, I absolutely love this stuff!

My Rating: 5/5

I will definitely recommend this.  It's a great everyday lipstick and the shades they offer are very pretty. There's no doubt that I will buy more Rimmel London Lasting Finish lipsticks.

I hope you all had a great time last Christmas.
Happy Holidays everyone!

Cheerios!
***Hollie***

This is the first time that I've really splurged on makeup. I bought several items as gifts for my girlfriends and for myself.  I've been doing so much online shopping this month because I received some $ payments from my online clients through paypal.

I don't want to spend the salary I get from my regular job on makeup since it all goes to household expenses and needs for my little boy. So, I do some freelance work online and spend my online earnings on makeup and beauty stuff.


I bought most of the items from http://www.ebay.ph/ .  The Elf products were purchased from SM City Cebu Department Store or Ayala Center Cebu Metro Department Store.

Here is my December Haul makeup list:

Sassy Magnifying Mirror
Generic Powder Brush
Nichido Glitter Powder in white
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Almost Nude
L'oreal Wear Infinite Quad in Landscape
Jordana White eyeliner
Jordana Bronze lipliner
Cover Girl Clean make up Foundation in Buff Beige
Cover Girl Multiplying Mascara in Black
Rimmel London Powder Blush in Berry
Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstic in Azteque
Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstic in Bordeaux
Maybelline Mineral Power Illuminator in Peach
Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipliner in Nude
Maybelline Shine Seduction Lipcolor in Nude Glow
elf Brightening eye color in Butternut
elf Brightening eye color in Pretty n' Pink
elf Duo Eyeshadow in Black Licorice
elf Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara
elf All Over Color Stick in Pink Lemonade

There are several products which I didn't include here in my haul since I will be giving them to my girlfriends as Christmas Presents.

How bout you, share your recent Hauls...

Cheerios!
***Hollie***

I know that everybody is having a hard time with choosing the right foundation. I'm even still searching for the right foundation shade myself.  A makeup foundation is basically one of the most essential tools for achieving a beautiful and radiant looking face.  It evens up skin color and lightly covers unwanted scars, blemishes, and pimples.  The sole purpose of a foundation is to even out your skin color.  Concealers are made to cover or conceal your scars, blemishes, pimples and other unwanted dark spots.

I'm not sure if there really is a perfect shade of foundation, but I've learned from various makeup artists, that they mix two different shades of  foundation to get the perfect shade they want.  As for me, if I use a foundation with a lighter shade, I just apply a slightly darker finishing powder to get the shade that is closest to my skin tone. (or the other way around)

I am not an expert but I did a little research. (sources from google.com)

Step 1: Recognize your skin type.

Normal Skin
- Complexion is even
- Surface is neither too oily nor too dry
- Face is supple with few lines, creases and wrinkles
- Face has few breakouts

Oily Skin
- Face has all over shine
- Shine happens quickly
- Pores are large and/or open
- Face suffers from frequent blemishes (blackheads and/or whiteheads)

Dry Skin
- Pores are undetectable
- Face looks and feels tight and dry
- Cheeks and/or chin are flaky and dry
- Face has lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth

Combination Skin
- has an oily T-Zone and dry elsewhere.

Sensitive Skin
- Face has distinct dry/red patches
- Skin is delicate or thin
- Face has sensitivity to products (burning or flushing)
- Face has Rosacea (Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition which principally affects the face. Rosacea causes facial redness and produces small, red, pus-filled pustules (bumps). It is often mistaken for acne or eczema, or some other skin allergy.

Step 2:  Determine your skin undertone.

You must know whether you look good in Warm or Cool undertones.
Here's a simple trick I've learned from beauty gurus.
Look under your forearms, if your veins are mostly Green, that means you look good in foundations with  Warm undertones.  If your veins are mostly Blue, you will look good in foundations with Cool undertones. If it's combination of green and blue then you will look good in foundations with Olive undertone.

Warm undertone 
- these are for people who are dominantly yellow or has a golden skin tone.

Cool undertone
- these are for people who appears to have a pink or beige skin tone.

Olive undertone
-  these are for people who appears to have a slightly green-brown skin tone.


Step 3: Choose the proper formulation.

- Cream Foundation is ideal for: Normal, combination and dry skin. It is especially well suited for women with uneven pigmentation, or those requiring a heavier coverage.

Hey ladies, I just wanted to share with you my makeup collection. I know it's not much, but I do use all of them. That way they don't go to waste or reach expiry date.  I'm still saving up for a decent makeup train case because they are so pricey.  I would be so lucky if somebody gives me a train case this Christmas. (wishful thinking...lol)

Anyway, I'm just using this plastic organizer which I bought from Ace Hardware for Php 75.00 pesos each.

Here are the NYX swatches as promised!  I decided to show swatches on the lips so that you can really see the color when worn.  I forgot to let my husband take a picture for my NYX Lips in Bravo, so I did it myself but its blurry...What color you see in the tube is what you really get. They are so pigmented.

This is my very first NYX haul! I was so excited to try these lippies out when I got them.  I originally ordered 6 NYX lippies but forgot to take a picture of the other one (it's in a separate image below). Here they are!



From the left: NYX Megashine Lipgloss in Sunrise, Megashine Lipgloss in Silver Plum, NYX Round lipstick in Tea Rose, Doll and Topaz.

So excited to share this with you girls.  I've been wanting to do makeup for my friends and I finally had the chance to do a makeover for them.  My friends called me and asked to do their makeup for Stream's (cebu) Fashion-ish Christmas Party held at Waterfront Cebu and I was so happy that they did.

I went to Robinson's Place here in Cebu last week, and had no plans on buying any makeup.  My husband and I were just window shopping and decided to visit the Perfect Savers shop.  (it's a store that sells imported products)  We went in particulary for the chocolates, and found the LA Colors products by accident since it was right beside the cashier. I couldn't resist and had to buy one...lol.

I bought my Maybelline Watershine lipstick in B22 a week ago.  Maybelline cosmetics is on sale for 30% off.  Got mine at SM City Cebu.

Retail price: Php 299.00 sale price Php 209.00

This is actually my second tube of watershine lipstick. The first one I had was in "natural" which was already discontinued.  The B22 was the closest color I could get. I am a fan of nude lippies that's why I like this stuff.

What I like about it...
* inexpensive
* very creamy and easy to apply
* doesn't dry out my lips, it's very moisturizing
* it has no scent
* pretty aqua blue packaging

What I don't like...
* doesn't last long
* not so pigmented
* I have to keep reapplying

My Rating : 4 / 5

I actually use this more as a "lip balm" or "lip gloss" and not a lipstick.  It's not that pigmented and you'll really have to use several layers to get some color.  I love to use this after I apply my matte lipstick. That way, my lips don't feel dry.  If you're looking for color and staying power I won't recommend this. Otherwise, go get it.

Cheerios!
***Hollie***

Christmas is coming and I know you will be invited to a lot of Christmas party engagements.  So, I though of doing a subtle smokey eye look which doesn't look too dramatic.  I will be using 3 eyeshadow colors to make it easier for you.  This look is inspired by my favorite beauty guru xteener.

Before putting on any makeup, make sure to
moisturize,
put on foundation,
conceal any dark spots, pimples, blemishes and etc.
and lock it with a loose powder.


Don't forget to fill your brows. After I filled my brows with either brown or black eyeshadow , I applied a brow gel to groom it in place. In this case I'm using the elf eyebrow gel. (see image above)
 

Before applying your eyeshadow, prime your lids using an eye primer OR use your preferred light cream eyeshadow base. In this case I'm using ELF studio line eye primer. Apply all over your lid using either a concealer brush or your fingers.

Use a fluffy eyeshadow brush and dip it on to a matte white eyeshadow. Pat on your brow bone and also near the tear duct area. I'm using L.A. Colors Eyeshadow Trio in White Ice.


Fill the inner half of your eyelid with a non-shimmery white eyeliner, I'm using a matte white eyeliner from Fashion 21.  I applied a shimmery white eyeshadow from my Maybelline palette over the white eyeliner. This will help your white eyeshadow become more vivid.


Using an eyeshadow brush, pack the outer half of your lid with a matte black eyeshadow and blend it upwards slightly above your crease and into the white eyeshadow using a blending brush. I'm using the Everbilena single eyeshadow in Cleo.

Using my fluffy blending brush, I applied a dark brown (burgundy-ish) color from my Maybelline palette slightly above the crease area to give the smokey look a warm touch.


Using my crease brush, I applied a matte black eyeshadow on the outer corner which is also the outer "V" of my eye to give more definition.  It really depends on you on how dark you wanted it to be.  I used my blending brush to soften the harsh edges.

The key in creating a smokey eye is to always BLEND BLEND BLEND !

I applied the elf cream eyeliner on the upper lash line and applied a black eyeshadow on the outer part of my lower lash line (you can use any black eyeliner you have). Then I lined the remaining part of my lower lash line with the matte white eyeshadow. I used a dark brown eyeliner pencil to line my waterline.

Use your eyelash curler to curl your lashes and then apply black waterproof mascara to both the upper and lower lashes.


You are now done with your eye makeup.

TIPS:
When putting on your blush color, remember to use a matte blush-on if your eyes are already shimmery.
(it is best to use one shimmer at a time, it is not advisable to use shimmery makeup all over your face)
On the lips, I prefer to use nude lipstick colors, since I already have a dark eyeshadow color.  This way you'll look classy and sexy.

Have fun girls!

Cheerios!
***Hollie***

I finally decided to try out G-lish products by Patrick Rosas. This cosmetic line is only available in Manila, good thing they have a website which takes orders online http://www.g-lish.net/.

I read a post from Shopcoholic's blog about G-lish and made me curious about their products.  I browsed through their website and found a 7-pc Brush set which really caught my eye.  I bought a 7-pc brush set, a bronzer, and a mini gloss trio.  They have a flat shipping rate of Php 80.00 which is great.


Here's a Quick review on the G-lish products I bought.

What I like about it...
* inexpensive
* cute design
* very handy, about 3-4 inches in length (it's more like a travel brush set)
* the eye & lip brushes where very soft
* the lip brush had a cover which transforms into a longer handle

What I don't like...
* Both the blush brush and powder brush were stiff

My Rating : 3 / 5

What I like about it...
* inexpensive
* cute design
* it can also be used as a shimmery eyeshadow

What I don't like...
* it's powdery or chalky
* it's not pigmented if used as an eyeshadow (needs an eye primer for colors to show)

What I like about it...
* inexpensive
* I get to try 3 gloss shades
* smells good

What I don't like...
* it was too sticky
* the colors barely showed
* the gloss lip brush easily breaks

My Rating : 3 / 5



To put it simply, I wasn't impressed.
I felt like wasted my money on these. (sigh)
Maybe I was just expecting too much of the product, and as you can tell it was a big let down. Oh well, that's why product reviews are here...lol

I hope you all had a fulfilling Sunday.

EDIT:  Just received another set of mini lip gloss trio from G-lish today (Dec 2, 2010). They sent me another set since all lip brushes from the trio I bough were detached.
I'm so glad they replaced it for free... Yeepee... Thanks G-lish.

Cheerios!
***Hollie***

To all Fashionista and Kikay gurls out there...
Flaunt UrStyle Online Shop is Now Open for business!

They are selling authentic Korean Clothing, Footwear, Accessories, and even Korean Watches!

What are you waiting for, go ahead and check it out...
it's just a click away!!!

Flaunt UrStyle Online Shop

Contact them at flaunturstyle@ymail.com

I bought this product in black shade about 3 days ago and have been using it since then.

What I like about it...
* inexpensive
* cute packaging
* it comes with a free angled brush which makes it easier to use
* glides easily
* didn't smudge even though I tried to rub it hard with my fingers
* I also tried putting water on it, still didn't smudge
* dries really fast after application
* it did not flake
* I wore it for more than 8 hours and it still looks perfect. ( I have dry skin / lids, so it works for me. I'm not sure if it lasts longer if you have oily lids. You may need an eye primer prior to application.)

What I don't like...
* I had to use an eye makeup remover to remove it, but I don't really mind.
* I don't know if the product will dry up fast in the pot since I've only had this for a few days.  I will definitely keep an eye on this and will give you an update as to how long it lasted.

Update March 16, 2011: It's been four months and my cream eyeliner is still okay, but I noticed that it's starting to dry out... will continue to observe this.

My Rating: 4 / 5

DIRECTIONS from box:
Dip a thin brush into the formula, swirl around gently until brush is saturated with color. Swipe off any excess formula on top edge of the pot. Trace a line along the top lash line from the inner corner towards the outer corner of the eye. If desired, apply on lower lash line as well.

I'm not sure if I will repurchase this, since it will take a while to finish the whole pot. I will probably try the Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel eyeliner in Black since I've read good reviews about it.  Don't get me wrong though, I absolutely love this cream eye liner. I just wanted to try other gel liners so that I can compare the products.

If you're annoyed with having racoon eyes because of your typical pencil eyeliner or liquid eyeliner, a smudge proof cream eyeliner is your solution. In addition to that, you don't have to keep re-applying like you always do with your usual eyeliner.

By the way, I heard that this cream eyeliner still smudges on people with oily lids. So if you have really oily lids, I suggest you skip it.

I hope this gave you an idea gurls...

Cheerios!
***Hollie***

Have been using this morning and night for over a week now and it's awesome.

What I like about it...
* inexpensive
* extremely mild scent
* lathers really well
* my face doesn't feel dry or tight after washing
* no need to put moisturizer after washing (only if it's before bedtime)
* it's hypoallergenic so it's good for sensitive skin
* didn't experience any irritations or breakouts

What I don't like...
* does not remove heavy makeup like mascara or smudge proof eyeliner

My Rating: 5 / 5

TIPS:
Remove your lipstick and eye makeup first, using your makeup remover or baby wipes, before washing your face with celeteque.

I was thinking of trying Neutrogena's facial wash but it costs more. So, I will definitely repurchase Celeteque once I finish my current bottle.

How bout you, what facial wash do you use?
Also, share your thoughts on this product if you have tried it.


Cheerios!
***Hollie***

I felt like eating green salad today!!! So I cooked this one up in just 7 minutes...

I had all the ingredients in the fridge, so that was a lifesaver.  I was running late for work today (Yes I work on Saturdays but only for the month of November) and was so hungry. I arrived home around 1pm and my shift starts at 2pm (I went out to buy some groceries) so I had to eat something... You know what it's like when your stomach is growling...LOL

Ingredients are as follows...
lettuce, carrots, mango, mayo, and shreded cheese

I washed my veggies, and mango...
I used a peeler to peel the carrots and that made it even easier.
I just used my hands to cut the lettuce into smaller parts
Made thin slices of mango...
Mixed it all togerther with the mayo (I used ladie's choice tuna spread)
and topped it off with shredded cheese ( Eden already has a pre-shredded cheese)

and waaalah! you're done...
happy eating gurls...


Cheerios!
***Hollie***

I will probably be buying 2 more shades, the Butternut and Ivy.
I hope you all have a lovely day.


Cheerios!
***Hollie***

Use a fluffy eyeshadow brush and dip it on to a matte white eyeshadow. Pat on your brow bone and also near the tear duct area. I'm using L.A. Colors Eyeshadow Trio in White Ice.


Step 2
Apply the pinkish taupe color on the inner half of your eyes using an eyeshadow brush.
 
Step 3
Using a crease brush, apply the olive green color with golden undertone on the outer corner and define the outer-v of your eye using the tip of the crease brush. Gently blend slightly above the crease area.

Step 4
Use a blending brush and pat the pinkish red color on the center of your eye, gently blend to remove harsh edges.

Step 5
Using the blending brush, apply the flesh color above the crease area slightly blending it with the first three colors. Move your brush in circular motion to blend the colors easily for a softer look.
 
Apply a black eyeliner all over the upper lashline. I'm using L.A. Colors black eyeliner pencil. Then top it with a black eyeshadow using an angled eye brush. I'm using Everbilena's single eyeshadow in Cleo.

Apply the pinkish taupe color (2) just below your lower lash line using the angled eye brush. Then line your lower lash line with a dark brown eyeshadow for a more defined look. I'm using maybelline's dark brown eyeshadow. (see picture below)


Curl your lashes, I'm using ELF's eyelash curler. Then you have to option either use a black mascara or clear mascara.


Do not forget to fill in your eyebrows
Use any brown eyebrow pencil or brown eyeshadow you have to fill in your brows and finish it with a brow gel to keep it in place.

For the Cheeks
I applied ELF Blusher in Glow, using my angled blush brush on the apples of my cheeks. (you can add a bronzer to contour your face if you want. I will be posting a separate tutorial on how to contour your face)

For the lips
I'm using L.A. Colors matte lipstick in Caramel Cream and topped it with ELF lip plumper.


Hope I was able to give you some inspiration for your look.
Thanks for reading...


Cheerios!!!
***Hollie***