Quick and Easy: How To Contour the Eye Area

Whenever I do workshops, the most requested tutorial is "How to apply eyeshadow quickly?"
It is a question and request I want to tackle on because I kind of perfected the simple, quick and easy eyeshadow application for so many years!  (Thank goodness I"m lazy!) :P

Would you believe that you can actually define and contour the eye area with just a single shadow?  If you get a small, nifty eyeshadow duo like this from Essence, things will even be easier and you get an additional highlight for the eyes!

Yes, we contour and highlight the eyes!

Essence Contouring Eyeshadow Set 

Shade: Roses  Meet Mahogany

contour the eyes! the eyeshadow duo offers two perfectly aligned shades for contouring the eyes. easier than ever thanks to the step-by-step instructions!

Pixi Skintreats Rose Caviar Essence Review

Surprise surprise!  As you probably expected to have a lip product reviewed on a Monday, I'm moving it a bit on latter part of the week because I have been so busy last week testing out new products at the same time attending meetings, events and parties here and there I wasn't able to take photos for you!  

So today, on a Monday, I am still sharing a pick-me-upper I get to try in the name of PIXI!

Pixi may be known for their makeup line but they do have a couple of bestselling skincare products --- ONE BIG EXAMPLE is the success of the Pixi Glow Tonic!

Under the Pixi Skin Treats Skincare Collection, I got my hands (literally) on the Rose Caviar Essence.

Pixi Skintreats Rose Caviar Essence Says ---

• Encapsulated flower oils suspended in this weightless serum-essence melt onto the skin delivering fresh botanicals to hydrate and restore skin’s brightness for optimum radiance• Formulated with antioxidant rich natural oils, this formula will soften, refine and tone• For all skin types• Not tested on animals• Paraben free

AMW Workshop Series VI: Bridal Makeup

Dear AMW Friends,
Life has been a roller coaster for me (in a good way) because I was extremely crazy juggling so many tasks I almost was shocked it was only 2 weeks left when I posted the registration for this particular workshop!  I was nervous, worried and.... SUPER NERVOUS!

But God is good, and I am very thankful for all the AMW Workshoppers who trusted me and went ahead and joined my 6th workshop called Saying I Do: Bridal Makeup.

Shoutout to Spark It HQ, Thanks Franco and super thanks Kara for helping me

Happy Faces!

As always, all my workshoppers get a personalized bag designed and created by Assembly Line (former Archaic Era).  

Aren't they cute?

Bridal Makeup is my most favorite "type" of makeup because that's were I concentrated my makeup artistry and actually did a lot of Bridal Makeup looks in the past before I concentrated on being a Mom and a makeup instructor.

Essence Camouflage Cream Concealer Review

So I am finishing up concealer after concealers!  I realize, I am turning to be like my big sister (Hi Sister!)  She can't live without concealer and I am starting to understand how she feels!  (All thanks to late night jobs and waking up early morning for Kyle's school!)

That's why when I saw the Essence Camouflage Cream Concealer, I knew I had to pick this up especially since the shade seems exactly what I need!

It comes with a small compact that contains 2 shades of concealer.  The shade I got is called 10 Natural Beige and it comes with a concealer that has more orange base and a lighter version of that on the other side.

Essence Camouflage Cream Concealer says ---

• Very high coverage of skin imperfections and dark circles
• shades to perfectly match every skin tone

Found A Super Natural Blush in Essence Satin Touch

If there's ONE blush that I have to keep-safe even if it expires, surprisingly, I have an answer.  It would be the Mineraux Skin Perfecting Minerals Beach Tan Bronzer.  Oh, I blogged about that bronzer/blush 2009 and it has been what?  8 Years?

True enough, if you open my make up dresser, you'll see this tiny pot of Bronzer until this very day.  There is just ONE big reason why I kept it until this day and probably longer.  Okay, there's 2!

1. It really looks good on me and I feel great wearing it.

2. This was the blush I wore the day before my mom went through her surgery which turned out to be really bad (related post: How to deal with Depression and my personal story), she complimented how nice the color of my cheeks was and I clearly remembered how I did not mention it was because of the blush and accepted the compliment like I was a natural Goddess!  *hahaha*

During one of Bhagi's Shopping Event, I chanced upon an Essence Cosmetics counter and took ONE look at this particular blush, didn't do any swatching, and just knew the shade is right (and very similar to the Mineraux Beach Tan Bronzer that I like which isn't around anymore by the way), I picked this last piece and knew I made the right decision when I saw this photo.

Okay, it isn't exactly the same, the Mineraux one has better sheen while this particular blush leans more to the demi-matte finish, I still find this the closest blush that I would love and keep close to my heart.

Essence Satin Touch Blush in 20 Satin Love

Php149.00 (approx $3.30)

Essence Liquid Ink Waterproof Liner Review

I've chanced upon Essence Liquid Ink Waterproof liner when I was roaming around SM Makati Beauty Section looking for "new products" to watch out for.  This nifty product caught my attention because after looking at the tester, this reminded me so much of the discontinued Benefit Liquid Liner.

So based from performance, I call this the inexpensive dupe of the said product.

Essence Liquid Ink Waterproof Liner

Php249.00

According to Essence ---
This is the must-have eyeliner! the liquid ink eyeliner waterproof with the special fine tip applicator makes applying an accurate, black line as easy as child's play for gorgeous eyes.

Ingredients:
AQUA (WATER), STYRENE/ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, ALCOHOL DENAT., ALLANTOIN, BISABOLOL, XANTHAN GUM, POTASSIUM SORBATE, SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, TOCOPHEROL, PHENOXYETHANOL, FARNESOL, CI 77266 (BLACK 2) (NANO), CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES).

Essence I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base Review

Who uses eyeshadow bases or primers?
I'm lucky to be one of those who have dry eyelid so I don't mind using eyeshadows alone and they lasts usually until removal!  Now, the negative side on having dry lids is the fact that it could be a bit difficult to blend eyeshadows at times, yes, hello dry lids!  I need a bit of oil to make my shadows blend smoothly you know!

So, I finally went for "Eyeshadow Bases", okay, I personally think consumers mistake eyeshadow base with primers!  In my humble opinion, I believe there could be a bit of difference between the two!

Eyeshadow primers at times are meant to be used not only to enhance to vibrancy of the eyeshadows, it also has oil-control properties to help prevent eyeshadow from creasing.  As for Eyeshadow bases, they have similar properties on helping eyeshadows appear more vibrant, more blendable but some of them lacks the ability to prevent creasing.

And that enough said, I would call the Essence I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base to be just the base minus the oil-control.  That's based from months of testing....

Essence I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base Says ---

The i love stage – eyeshadow base is the star of the show! it is multifunctional and can either be used as a base for concealer or eyeshadow. the creamy texture won’t settle in the crease of your eyelid - it makes every eyeshadow last longer and intensifies the color. for a smooth eye make-up that is just waiting for its grand appearance in the spotlight!

Ingredients: 

AQUA (WATER), CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, GLYCERIN, ISODODECANE, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE, MICA, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, STEAROYL INULIN, CERA ALBA (BEESWAX), DIMETHICONOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, TRIMETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, TIN OXIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE).

My Kanebo Selection Colors Eyeshadow + Moisture Rouge Look

I know when it comes to makeup, there's no rules!  But at times, I actually like to use just ONE brand on major areas on my face --- like for Kanebo's case, I went for eyeshadows and lipstick from the same brand because, why not?

I recently got the Kanebo Selection Colors Eyeshadow Palette in 01 Cool Monotone and Kanebo Moisture Rouge in shade 05 Core Red.  These 2 are perfect to create a simple daytime look and can even work for night time!  

I can create so many looks in just one palette but this is the easiest and simplest way using most of the shadows in the palette too!  

Kanebo Selection Colors Eyeshadow

Php3,300.00

There are a total of 3 palettes in the newly launched collection (01 Cool Monotone, 02 Stylish Brown and 03 Gently Pink).  I got the perfect palette because this shade gives me the "oomph" without looking too made up.

Something New: SM Beauty Box

How's your midday?  This is a quick post on what I recently got from SM!  It's the SM Beauty Box!  I am so excited to share this to you I immediately grabbed my camera and took shots!  Please forgive me for the unclear shots as I have an active baby (almost in tears out of boredom) next to me as I gave these products a well deserved shoot!  Yes, you guys are so important I have to share this news so you get to be armed and ready comes August!

What's inside this huge pink box?