It's been a while ladies! A whole lot of things have been going on with me and barely had time to do any posts. I'm trying to catch up with some back logs and so I'll try to post as much as I can.


Anyway, I had a chance to join one of Mark Qua's workshop at Rustan's Cebu last May as he launches Laura Mercier's newest lipstick line, the Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick. He's always fun to watch and I never get bored listening to him. Plus I always learn something new in terms of technique every time he comes to Cebu.


After the event, I got gifted with four shades from the Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick line and a sample tube of the Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish. (thanks to Rustans The Beauty Source)
I've been testing these out for over a month and I can say I'm quite happy with it.


Modern matte lipstick so seductive in colour, touch and texture the sensation is irresistible. Mattifying powders and silky conditioners envelop your lips in the softness and comfort of velour. A collection of 24 vivid shades provide intense color with a dramatic matte finish. The sleek slimline design applies with precision artistry.

Extreme Colour
Intense pigment-rich colour delivers full-coverage intensity in a single stroke. Our highest pigmented lipstick.

Extreme Matte
Innovative mattifying powders enriched with silky conditioners create supreme comfort in a matte finish, that doesn't feel drying and resists cracking.

Extreme Control
Slim precision bullet allows formula to grab and glide over lips, defining and filling in one seamless stroke. Built-in shaper customizes tip for precision lining and detailed filling. Ideal for creating edgy effects and everyday extremes. No liner needed.

24 Extreme Seductively Matte Shades


What I like about it...
* very convenient and easy to use since it is in pen form
* comes in a twist type tube and elegant packaging like always
* comes with a sharpener at the bottom
* excellent color payoff, one swipe is all I need, then I spread it all over my lips
* it is very matte, but very comfortable on my lips and not drying at all
* lasts for a good 2 to 3 hours on me
* feels velvety smooth so it applies easily
* feels very lightweight on my lips, you won't feel like you're wearing lipstick
* unscented, it has no distinct smell at all
* comes with a wide variety of shades
* I did not experience any allergies or irritation

What I don't like...
* a bit pricey for only 1. 4grams of lipstick

My rating: 4 out of 5

I have just been really loving earthy tones lately and I find that these really lipsticks really suit my brown skin. These three all have brown undertones to them, thus I decided to swatch them together.


The Mac Lipstick in Mocha, has a Satin finish. It is described as a Peachy Brown shade. It has a creamy texture with a soft cushiony feel to it. This has been my new go-to everyday lipstick ever since I finished my Mac Lipstick in Cosmo a few months back.  You can read my full review HERE.


The Mac Lipstick in Whirl has a Matte finish. It is described as a Dirty Rose shade which can be worn any time of the day in my opinion. I think this shade will look great on a white variety of skin tones. I have already featured this lipstick before in my One Brand Makeup using Mac, see HERE.


The Mac Lipstick in Sin comes with a Matte Finish. It is described as a Deep Dark Blue Red. This is by far my favorite dark lipstick to date. I've received endless compliments with this shade every time I wear it and they often ask what shade I'm wearing. I feel like the Mac Sin Lipstick is so underrated.

Until next time.

Cheerios!

***Hollie***

I had bought the Mac Amplified Lipstick in Cosmo, over a year ago together with the Extended Play Mascara, and just realised how much I've been loving this colour for a while now.  I remember one of my followers on Instagram had requested for a swatch and I honestly forgot about it. hehehe


The tube is nearly used up now, which shows how much I've been using it. This has instantly become my favourite day time lipstick ever since I got my hands on it.

I normally use this on mornings since, it looks really feminine and just simply easy on the eye. It just has the right amount of colour, enough to make me look alive and less dull.


It has an Amplified finish. Which means it has a cream finish but highly pigmented without being drying. It also gives a hint of sheen upon application, which makes it really comfortable to wear.


Mac Lipstick in Cosmo, is described as a Pink Coco colour. It is a soft pink with a brownish undertone and mostly suites ladies with light to medium skin tone. What I also noticed about his lipstick, is that once it has been on my lips for a good number of hours, it fades into a really nice pink tint that makes my lips still look healthy.


So here's me wearing Mac Lipstick in Cosmo with my Go-to everyday office makeup look.

And oh, before I forget, I bought this at the MAC branch in Rustan's Ayala Center Cebu for Php 1,000. I only ever buy MAC Cosmetics products at either our local Mac Counters or the official Mac Cosmetics website in the US (only when I have a friend that's coming home from the US, so it will be hand-carried). This way I can be sure that it's 100% Authentic.

Do let me know if you guys have Mac Cosmo in your collection too.

Until next time.

Cheerios!
***Hollie***

A few weeks ago the Rucy's Vanity team sent me some of their products and I was excited to try it out since I've already read about them from local blogs.  I've been using the Gleamy Lipsticks in Red and Hot Pink for the last couple of weeks to really get a feel of how they perform...

Not sure if you remember but I posted about this lip palette early this year and some of you might have seen this on my Instagram posts. So, I think it's high time that you know more about the Mac Pro Lip Palette in 6 Editorial Reds.

Yes, you ladies read that right. Tory Burch Beauty and Fragrance is finally available here in Cebu. It is located at Rustan's, Ayala Center Cebu. I was invited by the Tory Burch PH team a couple of months ago for an intimate launch held at Radisson Blu Hotel here in Cebu City.

Hey it's Friday! I got something  new here to review. It's actually not a new product, but it's been around for a while. I discovered this lipstick when my friend (Atty. Hazel) gave me one out of the blue, just because (thanks again!). She says it's one of those lipsticks she liked and she's curious to find out what I think about it.



Well, I started using this about 3 months ago when I first got it. I was ecstatic about the color, since it was so pretty. She gave me the shade Pop Plum (which looks like a bright Magenta in my opinion). Back Story: She originally intended to give me a red shade but the sales lady gave her the wrong color, however I ended up loving it! all is well. hahaha


What I like about it...
* has excellent color payoff, I only need one swipe to get color on my lips
* long wearing, it stays about 4 - 5 hours on my lips before it starts to fade
* leaves a stain, I love lippies that leaves a beautiful stain
* glides easily and really feels smooth to apply
* when the lipstick sets on my lips, it does not transfer easily
* sleek packaging, doesn't feel like cheap plastic
* the tube twists all the way in, so it's easy to close the cap without nicking the product
* has a slim size, so it's easier to control during application
* has a barely noticeable scent (smells a bit like a mild baby soap)

What I don't like...
* a bit pricey at around Php700
* it leaves my lips slightly dry if I don't prep my lips with lip balm first

My rating: 4 / 5

Here's another lipstick that will surely pique your interest. Last August 2014, Mary Kay Philippines launched new shades to its True Dimensions Lipstick range. The four new gorgeous shades are: Citrus Flirt, Coral Bliss, Exotic Mango, and Sassy Fuchsia.

I was lucky enough to try the shades Citrus Flirt and Sassy Fuchsia when the Mary Kay team sent them to me.



The Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipsticks are infused with advance age-defying skin care ingredients that helps lips look plumper, feel firmer and smooths fine lines while drenching them in moisture. It comes in 11 rich stay-true lip colors, including the 4 new shades I mentioned above.

In addition, True Dimensions Lipstick contains Vitamin E, Sunflower Seed Oil, Jojoba, Mango Butter which are known for their moisturizing benefits.


It has been over a month since I started using these lipsticks. So far, these lippies have been good to my lips. It's very moisturizing and hydrates my lips well for a good number of hours. It is has some kind of floral scent to it which can be overwhelming for some, but fragrance does dissipate a couple of minutes after application.


It is not streaky but rather applies really smoothly on my lips while delivering excellent color payoff.  These lipsticks feels very light on my lips similar to lip balms with thinner texture. It leaves a slightly glossy finish but if you don't like that, no need to worry since it gets absorbed on my lips after a few minutes of wearing. Then I noticed that my lips do get a little plump and look healthier since the fine lines on my lips tend to look smoother.

Though these aren't matte and opaque, it has a decent wear time at 4 - 5 hours on me. The shade Sassy Fuchsia stays on my lips for about 4 hours before it starts to fade while leaving a nice stain on my lips. The shade Citrus Flirt stays on my lips for about 3 - 4 hours only and does not leave a stain like the latter did.


Another thing that I really love about this line is it's very creative yet functional packaging. The twists all the way in, so I won't have to worry about nicking the top off my lipstick when I'm about to close it.


Also, this isn't your typical tube of lipstick. The top of the part of cap is made of transparent, thick plastic that allows me to see the color inside, then I have to push down the top cap of the lipstick for the tube to come out at the bottom.

With its stylish packaging, this innovative product has garnered Mary Kay the prestigious Art of Packaging Award from the renowned Pratt Institute in New York for excellence in packaging creativity, aesthetics, sustainability and functionality.

What I like about it...

* leaves my lips well hydrated
* feels light on my lips
* though it's slightly sheer, it still has excellent pigmentation
* leaves a nice stain on my lips
* stays a good 4 hours on my lips
* I noticed that my lips appear voluptuous
* it leaves my lips looking smoother and feel supple
* chic and sturdy silver packaging
* did not irritate my lips

What I don't like...
* this lipstick has a scent which is a bit overwhelming for me
* can be expensive at Php 860 each, but it's definitely worth a try

My rating: 4 / 5

So the question is, would I recommend this? Yes, definitely especially to those who have dry and cracked lips. If you prefer matte and opaque lipsticks, then this is not for you.

Until next time.

Cheerios!
***Hollie***

Wednesday is Yoga day! well, for me at least. hehehe Anyway, I know some of you are already familiar with the Colour Collection Ultimate Wear lipsticks which came out last year.  I was able to snag a couple of shades at Sample Room and had already worn these in several occasions.

I know that summer here in the Philippines is about to end, but I just had to show you girls how much I adore these Happy Skin Shut Up and Kiss Me Moisturizing Lippies from their Turn Up the Heat Summer Collection which I talked about last month HERE.

If you have been following my blog, you probably already know how much I'm drawn to bright lipsticks and this Happy Skin lipstick trio are no exception.  So, when the Happy Skin team sent me these lippies, I was ecstatic! I've been using these lippies all summer and I honestly plan on using them all year long. hehe



What I like about it...
* it is a Filipino brand
* has an eye catching twist type packaging
* has a creamy texture which glides easily on my lips
* has excellent color payoff, very opaque and pigmented
* fragrance free, no scent at all
* lasts long on my lips, starts to fade after 4-5 hours on me
* the shade sunset kiss leaves a stain which I really like
* it is moisturizing, so I don't need to use lip balm prior to application
* does not dry out my lips at all
* does not settle on lips' fine lines
* I can layer it on top of each other and create a new shade
* no irritation or allergies experienced

What I don't like...
* I find it a bit pricey for a local brand, but the quality is at par which mid-range to high-end brands in my opinion, so it's understandable
* not all of their lippies leaves a stain, I prefer lipsticks that stain a bit

My rating: 4 / 5



As mentioned in their box, these lippies can be layered so you can create another range of colors. Depending on how much product you apply, the shades can vary.

Overall, I am honestly loving these lippies and I definitely get the hype now. It actually performs and I'm sure you will get your money's worth. These are Hollie Approved!!!

Have girls tried their Shut Up & Kiss Me lippies yet? If so, what colors did you pick?

Until next time.

Cheerios!
***Hollie***