Original Tangle Teezer and Compact Styler

Just a quick look at these cute little things that will save you time and energy (and yes I am just talking about brushing your hair).

Tangle Teezers are a time saver.  If you have loo000ng straight hair like I do, then you know full well that the thought of washing your hair, drying and then brushing it is already exhausting, and you are only thinking about it!  I am not saying Tangle Teezers are revolutionary...

(see what I mean? that's a kiddie brush.)

But then again they look presentable and they do have very soft bristles that makes it a joy to use.

Be it noted that even in whatever websites of ANY hair brushes, they would say the best way to brush any types of hair is to do it by section.  I do it with my regular brush, and I do it too with the Tangle Teezer, the only major difference I have noticed is that with the Tangle Teezer I probably lose (or brush away) fewer strands of hair, unlike my old brush which makes the bathroom look like someone has picked gazillions of my hair and dropped it on to the floor (yep, that bad).

Anyway, back to the TTs, the Original and the Compact Styler:  It comes in this packaging.

A somewhat major size difference.  I find that the Original has softer bristles since the bristles themselves are longer, the CS has shorter ones though it is as pleasurable to use.

The Compact Style feel weird to handle though, it is bulky and heavier than the Original even without the cover.  I always am scared of dropping it, which I hate (dropping things, in this case I'm just scared it'll fall apart if it hits the floor all the time).  It also comes with a cover for the bristles.

In any case, a good investment.  Surely there are lots of other prettier brushes that does what it should and more expensive, but base on my personal experience, the Tangle Teezers are practical enough, saves me time and extra effort and takes away the stress (yeah.) of brushing my hair.  Keep one at home and one in the bag.

I got the Original TT from DM Markt in Berlin for 14.95euros and the Compact Styler for 13.30euros from beautybay.com (free worldwide shipping, though be it noted that my one-piece-of-order arrived 20 days (yeah, that's VENTI giorni, people!) and I am only in Italy, not as if they're shipping it to Australia, which is farther away from the UK.  Oh Well.

Thanks for reading!

A (very) old powder from T.LeClerc

Hi everyone! So last year, I was back in my old room at my parents' house and was going over thru some old stuff (YES, most clothes ALL still fit me, some might even be bigger around the waist!) and before my left my mother was like, "yeah so what's in THIS? I wanted to throw it away but it might be important to you cos it's still heavy..."  and what she got in her hand was a sealed silver little tub of my old T. leClerc Banane powder.

I bought it YEARS ago (it was in my OLD room, need I emphasize more? Hehe) and you might think I am pretty gross taking an old powder so excitedly from her hand, reusing it til our holidays and tightly packing it back to Milan with me.  Yes, it might be a little disgusting, but the powder has not been used (I probably used it 3 times after I bought it) and it has been sealed in its tight container and sticker.  So from there came my renewed love for this powder and I will tell you why: because before I never knew how to use it.

So here is a bit of an info from the T. LeClerc website:

"In 1881, the pharmacist Théophile LeClerc developed a secret rice powder formula in his pharmacy, a stone’s throw from the Place de la Madeleine in Paris. This powder gave ladies’ complexions a radiance and smoothness beyond compare.

The legendary “T.LeClerc” powder was born. Théophile LeClerc’s powder was initially commercialised in 6 shades, including the famous “Banane” shade, and rapidly became an essential accessory for all ladies of elegance in the “Belle Epoque”."

I am pretty sure the sales consultant got me into buying this powder.  I used to frequent their counter and have bought several things from there (including the Banane pressed powder) but what I have in the loose powder form is the shade Banane Argentee and this is the one with the shimmer.  I never realized it's going to make me look like a greaseball in hot Philippine weather if I apply it to my face and mind you, the container comes with a mesh sieve to keep the powders from moving around (though you keep want to keep this at home) I only had a huge face brush (also from T. LeClerc) and not a small highlighting brush so you understand the dilemma and hence this one got sealed and kept in it's hibernating place until my mother handed this back to me and I am so glad she did.

This powder gives a beautiful shimmer to highlight my face.  I've not used any highlighter, except Chanel's La Mouche de Beaute and Guerlain's Meteorites (pressed and loose) but the Meteorites are utterly subtle I could use them all over my face, the T. LeClerc not.  This one has only one purpose and it is to powder Angel's faces with sunlight, lots of lots of it, since my tub contains 35g of product.  Yes, it will last you your whole lifetime.

Whoops. It is not what you think (hehe). I wanted to take a pic of the top cover but spilled some powder on the table.

The photo above is taken with flash, the one below in natural light. I seriously have to refrain from using my iPhone for impromptu photo shoots.

It may not be the MOST finely-milled highlighting powder you will have the pleasure to use (come on, Guerlain's Meteorites isn't that all fine-milled either cos of the shimmer/glitter particles and that's the honest truth.  Their other powders/bronzers are though) and I think it is a good thing.  When using, you will know when you are using just enough and not worrying about piling them on like a maniac.  I believe that the powder IS super finely milled (the glitters/shimmers not) but it does what you want it to do and does it perfectly.

A word of caution though: I have noticed that my facial skin, on the sides of my forehead, when it is devoid of makeup can be a bit shiny (I actually do not know why but there it is) so with this powder I avoid putting more on it because I do not want to look like I am sweating.  I normally just put this on top of my cheekbones and the bridge of the nose to give me that beautiful glow.

That is my piece on the T. LeClerc's Banane Doree and for those who have owned this and hated it, I understand why but now I understand the reason to reclaim it from the bin (errrrmmm).

PS: I wonder how this (apart from the obvious shimmer of this powder) compares with Bourjois Java Rice Powder which is all the rage at the moment after its re-release.

Thanks for reading! x
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A Post Script to Summer with YSL Le Fuchsia

Hi Laydees,

It is September and we are still experiencing pret-ty warm weather here in Milan at 30C!  So for those ladies (like myself, ha.) who actually have started experimenting with deeper/darker colours from the Fall 2013 collection, I suggest we celebrate just a little bit more with makeup and keep it cheery and bright.

YSL's Rouge Pur Couture in Le Fuchsia No7 is "Le Fuchsia" of this summer.  It is intense, bright and applies creamy and beautifully rich that completes any look.  I love color on my face, I would be the last person seen with a neutral shadow, but even if I AM that last person, I am sure to put non-neutral color on my lips and everywhere else.  I know it seems 80s to have blue/green shadows and a richly colored mouth, but depending how you would pull such a look, I surely do whenever I can (paired with my equally fuchsia eyeglasses, by Chanel).

Thanks for reading!  Enjoy the remainders of summer!

lots of love x

The Silliness of Buying (US) drugstore brands in Milan

Hi Ladies (and Gents'?)

I would like to share with you something funny ever since I have moved here in Milan (makeup-wise, what else?).  I discovered that for those ladies from the US or anywhere else in the world (Philippines?) who has a passion buying makeup from major "drugstore" brands such as Maybelline, Revlon etc (I guess I should also include the brands Rimmel London and NYX, amongst other fab, affordable brands) and has since moved to Milan or other parts of Europe should be warned and be advised to buy as much as they can from said brands due to, gasp, the ridiculous price they have here, not to mention the exchange rate from USD/whatevahcurrency to Euro

As much love I have for Chanel and Tom Ford, who can resist drugstore makeup when they are raved by make-up artists for being fabulous?  I saw a video of the fantabulous Charlotte Tilbury (for Grazia magazine: link below) with her using Maybelline's Color Tattoo EyeStudio in this super metallic blue color and I thought, WOW.

A few months ago (when I was still slightly blonde), I had the chance to go to the San Diego, Calif. and the day we arrived, me and my (super sexy) husband and our little boy decided we should raid Target and Costco (which my husband actually thought was a fictional supermarket from the movie "The Watch", with Ben Stiller, oh goodness.) and I have satisfied my Maybelline obssession (or, just a bit of it).

Color Tattoos in Edgy Emerald, Tough as Taupe, and Inked in Pink,  Lasting Drama EyeStudio Liner in Blackest Black, MegaPlush Volume Express in Black and Dream Bouncy Blush in Hot Tamale.


Picture Overload and Quick Review:

MegaPlush Volum'Express in Black:  I LOVE THIS!  SERIOUSLY!  I have given up on Maybelline mascaras in the late 90s (hmmm) with Great Lash, it didn't work for me, but then again I didn't know I have to curl my super short, super straight asian lashes before I apply (any) mascara.  This one is the real deal: it lenghtens, slightly volumizes my lashes and it really gives that bright-eyed, doll look that is just so pretty.  I only saw a vid of Ms Tilbury using this and made a note to myself to O-W-N.

US$ Price is about 6$; Local price here is 11.99euros (ouch)

Color Tattoo 24hr in Inked in Pink

Color Tattoo 24hr in Tough as Taupe

Color Tattoo 24hr in Edgy Emerald.



I believe that the day we went to Target I am pretty sure some ladies have raided the Maybelline section because I only found about 6 available colors and the Teal/Blue color I wanted wasn't there so I settled to these 3 beautiful colors.  They are highly-pigmented, creamy eyeshadows that I use personally alone or as base for other colours.  They are easy to blend and when given a short time to set, they stay in place.  I guess most of them have high-shimmer factor (NOT glitter) although the taupe seemed not to have any shimmer which is absolutely gorgeous as a base color.

US$ at around 4.99; Local supermarket price is 8.99euros (F$#k!)

*Note that when shopping, careful to inspect every single thing you buy or you will end up with your little jar opened with a finger mark by some crazed makeup fanatic, hehe (see Inked In Pink above).

Dream Bouncy Blush in Hot Tamale - This is a fantastic little cream (mousse? bouncy thing?) blush that is light as air, highly pigmented and true to colour when applied to cheeks.  I don't know how similar this is to the new Diorblush Cheek Cream but the color is so similar to Diorblush's Bikini so I'm pretty sure it could be a great alternative (not to mention the price difference between the two).

US$ price was about 4.99, I haven't seen this in my local supermarket so no idea.

Lasting Drama 24hr in Blackest Black - the only thing that I would say I am sort-of disappointed about.  I own 2 Lasting Drama in Brown and Black Gold and they were both marvelous.  Both are super smooth and does not move or budge after application.  But this Lasting Drama Liner in Black that I've got is different.  It is inky (now that sounds bad) that you have to be careful where you place the color or it would transfer upon application.  It is a hot mess.  If it weren't for the lovely brush that all Lasting Drama Liner comes with, I would really thing this belongs straight to the bin.  In any case, just yesterday I decided maybe I could use this liner as a black base so I used it at home and did what I can with it and I guess I can say, blended well it works great as a base for powder eyeshadows.  Not bad after all.  (This comes as you see in the picture, the other two I bought locally and comes in a sort of carton packets, I don't know what the difference is, maybe just the packaging?  Both says gel eyeliners.  The one I bought in the US applies more as cream than as gel, just my opinion.)

US$ price at 5.99, locally it is 11.89.


So there you have it.  Ok, it may not be so silly after all, it is just a matter of equation (you earn euros, you spend in euros, same with dollars and whatever currency).   When you want something, you get them regardless of price (and it is not as if we are talking of an Hermes bag here).  Prices may vary in most countries, there are import taxes etc to consider and hence the huge price difference.  It is also true that Milan offers fantastic options regarding high-street makeup, we have Kiko Milano and Madina (Chic and Shine Stick anyone?) which are both super affordable and have colors that calls to you when you walk pass by their stores.  The prices are more "human" (haha.) since for example I believe Kiko sells their lipliners for only 1.99euros and eyeshadows sticks that are comparable to qualities by ByTerry etc since most high-end makeup houses have their manufacturing companies based either in Italy or France so the technology is available for Italian brands as much as their US/European counterparts.

So like I said, I have enjoyed my US mini haul and still enjoying them and would get more whenever I can.

Thanks for reading, y'all!


PS:

That's me at the bar across our hotel enjoying a late-night Mojito after my supermarket makeup-raid.

x

Links:
Charlotte Tilbury: Pop Art Inspired Peacock Eye - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PiNvbGuxlA
Kiko Milano Cosmetics - http://www.kikocosmetics.it/
Madina Milano - http://www.madina.it/

x

What's In Your Make Up Bag?

Hey Dolls!  Truthfully it has not been a long time since I have started carrying a beauty/makeup bag,  I mean, it is ANOTHER thing to carry.  Cannot we just chuck in the bag (apart from the notebook, ipad, phone, pens etc) our favorite lipstick or two, lipgloss, powder, handcream, lipbalm........errrr, yeah, you get what I mean?

(Answer: No, you cannot.)

Apart from incidents of loosely-capped lipgloss (gross), face powders breaking up and making a mess inside your precious bags, I just really got frustrated with the fact that even if most bags have smaller pockets inside and that's where you keep your makeup in, chances are when you REALLY need that blasted lipbalm it would still take you about a minute to finally retrieve it. Oh well.

So I decided, yeah, keep a mini beauty bag inside my bag.  How difficult is that? Not so much.

So this is actually the smaller of a Prada beauty bag which normally includes:
1.lipbalm
2.lipstick/s
3.pressed powder
4.moisturiser (face and body)
5.handcream
6.other stuff (freebie hotel pen/hair ties+pin/mini lip brushes)

These are mine, what's in yours?

Lots of Love x

Le Blush Creme de Chanel in 65 Affinite and 61 Destiny

Hi dolls,

Chanel has just released six creme blushes for Fall 2013 called Le Blush Creme de Chanel and even though I have had two of the colors for months, I am now only writing a review of them now.  Here are they in Affinite (65) and Destiny (61):

They are lovely.  I picked up these two colors because based on the previously released swatches from other sites, the other ones would be too pale for me or would just not suit my coloring.  I just mistook the fact that I thought Affinite was the most intense color in the bunch (apparently not, there is also 66 Fantastic), but the mistake wasn't all that bad, I just always preferred my blushes to be either intensely pink or intense in any other color. hehe.

65 Affinite is a pretty creamy pink color that works and shows up pretty nicely in my bronzed (ie. my summer) face.  61 Destiny is a warm tan/bronzy blush which is a curious purchase since I did not believe this color could be a "blush" (funny how makeup houses label strange colors as "blush", no one blushes in THIS color, but there it is.)  but then again I could say that I use my BRONZER as a contour and slightly on my cheeks, I use Destiny the same way although not as pronounce as a contour color.


Let's have a closer look, shall we?  Taken without a flash indoors:

The photo above is, I can say, true to color.  They both apply creamy and then dries powdery.  I am not very curious with my makeup (once it is on, I do not touch it) and so after applying it, you get the ease of forgetting it and not worry about it since they last quite well (around 6 hours? I guess during the night one might one to pile a bit more on, not that it fades but one can say this is a very buildable color).  I can only compare it with the YSL creme blushes (the only other creme blush that I own) and I could say that the YSL applies more lightly, as in if you are crazy you would just pile it on and on without feeling heavy at all, YSL creme blushes applies sheer in a non-powder sort of way (silicone-y?) the Chanel ones are makeup-y, not that makeup-y is bad, it is just that you know and you see what you pile on and I have noticed that you have to blend VERY well or else it would look like makeup, now THAT is bad.

Here is the one swatch I have taken of both and you will see what I mean:

This is a heavy swatch without flash and in daylight.  Destiny fades (sort of) away with my skin colour (my body is darker than my facial skin) and Affinite is in it creamy pink glory.  I love them, what is not to love about Chanel makeup?  I was practically brainwashed only to love Chanel makeup when I started getting into makeup from when I was in high school (hehe).  I just do not understand why I do not grab these blushes whenever I put makeup on (maybe I should place them where I see them, hihi)  in any case, these blushes are a great addition to any make-up as they are easy to use (fingers, anyone?) and the result is always pretty anyway (oh and the packaging is smaller than the normal Chanel blush/eyeshadow quads) so they are easy to pack in your daily beauty bag.  So get yours now and be pretty!

Thanks for reading!  x

Tom Ford's Viper Nail Lacquer.

Hi beauties, the other day the weather has SLIGHTLY changed and there was a bit of a cloud and grayness and with the weather in Milan trying to remind me that summer will never end (I just feel like a wilted flower and wearing make-up became a freaking challenge to the point that I would rather not wear any), that little chance of me to wear something that does not scream "summer" I immediately went on full Tom Ford mode of wearing Black Orchid on my lips and Viper on my nails.  I had to do 3 coats (*gasp* never have I done 3 coats with a Chanel nail lacquer) to have a sort of even-ish, deep eggplant color.

That was the other day.  The next day (when the photo was taken, it's pristine condition didn't last long, it was sort of thinning around the edge already but I don't mind), the sun was/is now back in full force and I found myself lounging by the pool, loving my unmade-up face and still rocking my Viper nailpolish.  Love. It.

Thanks for reading! x

All the prettiest things I (currently) love!

Hi dolls!

It has been a long time since my last post and all those time I have acquired a couple of things and/or have been using old favorites, the new ones need more test-driving (hah!) before I give my personal thoughts about them but in any case here are a few of the things which have been in my regular makeup routine. Enjoy the photos!

All from Chanel:

Clockwise from left: Le Mouche de Beaute, Le Blush Creme de Chanel in Affinite and Destiny, Les Beiges Poudre Belle Mine Naturelle No. 40, Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliners in Marine, Violine and Beryl, and Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Ultra Rose).




All from Tom Ford and Yves Saint Laurent:

Clockwise from left: Tom Ford eyeshadow quad (new!), YSL Babydoll Liquid Liners, TF Blush in Savage, TF lipstick in Violet Fatale, TF Nail Lacquer in Viper and YSL Rose Babydoll Glossy Stain and YSL lipstick in Le Fuchsia.

No black liners there folks!  I love having colors on my face and I would even tightline my eyes using any of the two liners from Chanel (it looks beautiful, specially Violine, it gives the eyes something really special that a black can't give) excluding Beryl because...doh?

So there you have it, reviews regarding several of these beautiful things in my next post.

Thanks for reading!

x

YSL City Drive Palette in Arty for Fall/Winter 2013

Hi Dolls, today's FOTD and product review is of the YSL City Drive for Fall/Winter 2013 featuring the Arty Eyeshadow Palette.

This is my first Pure Chromatics and I was very excited when I got my paws on the palette and who wouldn't be?  The color combination on this palette is something that drew me in.  The bright green and the almost electric blue colors doesn't actually scream Fall/Winter but mixed with the silver and deep gray it would make the eye look totally dramatic and enticing.

Now I stop with my first impression, i.e., before I have swatched the product.  For those who own Pure Chromatics, the eyeshadows can be used both wet and dry. Here are the swatches, with the dry (above) and wet (below) applications.

Indoor lighting, no flash:

Direct sunlight:

I love the colors but from the swatches I made my heart literally sank to the bottom.  This isn't what I expected from YSL/Pure Chromatics, I have expected intense pigment on ONE swipe just like I have done with most of my Chanel and Tom Ford eyeshadows, and that expectation is with DRY application.  But doing it with wet, I got really disappointed.

Now then, I calmed myself and thought I would wear it today instead of wait til Fall, nor am I going to somewhere special (just gonna do groceries and fetching my lad from kindergarten) but I. Had. To. Know….

I didn't try to copy the look exactly like Cara Delavigne had in the YSL Campaign, but I did try to copy the look interpreting it for non-supermodels like me, and this is what I came up with (using Tom Ford's Black Orchid Lipstick as a lip stain instead of a full-on mouth and minimal face makeup courtesy of Chanel Les Beiges de Chanel No. 40), oh and using my iPhone's front camera so apologies for almost grainy quality of the pics:

I have not used an eye primer, the feelings I had is the same, as it applied exactly the same as I have done with the arm swatch, the look I have done was with wet application and there was a lot of fall out of the glitter and color that I d

idn't even bother with an illuminator because I was a glitter ball already.

Like I said, I have not tried it with an eye-primer.  Maybe if I have done so there won't be much fall-out of the glitter AND eyeshadow (I did use the applicators included for the wet application) so yes, I do not give up that easily and I will try using it again for a night out (seems a little dramatic for me to use all the colours for daytime but I think it is pretty ridiculous to waste such pretty colours and reserve it only for night-time use).  I love YSL and since this is my first Pure Chromatics palette, I'm pretty sure there is some sort of ways to apply it perfectly and I will try it again and again to work for me.

YSL's Fall/Winter 2013 is available from August 2013.  

Thanks for reading!

x

YSL EYELINER Babydoll Collection in Lumiere Mordore, Lumiere Bleu, and Lumiere Amethyste

Not In Love?  You would be!

You definitely would be with liquid liners once you try the new liquid liners from Yves Saint Laurent's Spring/Summer Collection Babydoll 2013.  The colours are just breathtaking!  Ok, maybe each and everyone of us has an eyeliner, liquid or not, in blue, violet or even boring brown...but YSL's topped the notch with this season's Babydoll Collection and I am here to show you why I feel like writing a post immediately after swatching the colours!

But for now, I won't review them, all I know is that they stay put for HOURS (I have been wearing them almost nonstop to test how well they wear on my lids), the colours are very pigmented and true to color, and it feels very light and non-sticky or tacky at all.  They are beautifully sparkly and seriously, I am just impressed, I love these things!

So here are the pretty things for you Dolls to drool over that you will want to own them all too!

The YSL Babydoll Eyeliners featured here are Lumiere Mordore #10 (Golden Brown Light), Lumiere Bleu #11 (Blue Light) and lastly, Lumiere Amethyste #12 (Amethyst Light).

Photo taken without flash, you can already see how beautiful the colours inside are.

Photo taken with flash:

Now for the swatches, time to get playful, the colours are intense enough that depending on lighting they are dark enough to line the eyes though they will not going to be mistaken for a black (taken without flash):

And another one, taken without flash in yellow tone lighting:

And up close, notice how the angle affects the overall colour shading & effect of these liquid liners (without flash):

Taken with flash, now you see the beautiful micro-shimmer:

See what I mean?  I really love them, and I do own other liquid liners with more intense colours, but these are so not tacky at all, easy to apply (I have mentioned in my other blog featuring this liner that I prefer swiping a real eyeliner brush instead of using the actual wand included with this because I can control the thickness and the lines I made better with a brush, the wand is long which I am not used to although it does give a very precise and sharp line if one is used to it) and the colours are just a win for me.  I have worn these with eyeshadows but when I am in a hurry I use them without a base because the colour payoff alone of these liquid liners are intense enough that they could even pass as an eyeshadow (depending on how thick you do your line).

I hope you have enjoyed the pictures and I hope they are helpful in your decision to take them home with you next time you are at a YSL Beauty counter.  

Thanks for reading!

x