Updated Face Routine for Summer 2013

Hi Lovelies!

Am I still welcome to blog? haha I never knew blogging could take up as much time. Kudos to the consistent bloggers out there. :)

I'm back with an Updated Face Routine as my rhyming post title suggests. As the season change, I change my makeup too. I use those that will stand the heat and humidity of Summer. Without further rambling, here it goes...

Of course before we apply makeup to our face, we need to prep it (clean, tone & moisturize). This is a non-negotiable step for me! I may skip the makeup but NEVER my morning skin routine. I use my toner, moisturizer and sunblock on this step. After which, I skip the primer because I guess I don't find it necessary for the foundation I will be using. 

I proceed with my Foundation of choice. I am currently interchanging the use of the Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation and my Vichy Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation. On most days, I prefer the light to medium coverage of the Shiseido one (this comes with a high SPF but it surprisingly photographs well). I only use Vichy Dermablend for days when I need more coverage. Mind you, both are non-comedogenic! I am not someone to sweat it all out when its hot but I definitely perspire a bit. I worry that my foundation will clog my pores when it mixes with sweat. Gross as it sounds but its a reality especially in summer. With a non-comedogenic foundation, I don't need to worry about makeup clogging my dear pores. 

Conceal my blemishes! I use 2 concealers. The Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer for my undereye area and the Kat Von D Tattoo concealer for my other blemishes. Sometimes I skip the Kat Von D concealer when I get too lazy. But the undereye concealing is also non-negotiable!!! haha Yes with three exclamation points. If I can only select one makeup product for my face, it would be my undereye concealer. 

Powder everything! I have an oily combination skin so this is something I do to stop the makeup from moving and being soaked up with my skin oils. I prefer this T.LeClerc Pressed Powder in Banane because of its yellow tone. It kinda brightens my face also.

Contouring for my chubby bunny face! I use The Balm Bahama Mama bronzer to slim down my face. Plus this step makes everything look more natural and not so flat. 

By putting blush, you're making your skin appear healthier. I apply my MAC Pink Swoon Powder Blush at the higher part of my back cheek. Yes on the back cheek just above my contour. And to give it a gradient effect, I apply a tiny bit of MAC Well Dressed Powder Blush on the apples of my cheek dragging it up to meet the MAC Pink Swoon. If I am lazy, I just apply the MAC Pink Swoon. haha

Grooming my brows makes a big difference to how neat my makeup looks. I prefer a subtle arch. I use MAC Wedge Eyeshadow to fill-in and contour my brows. Then set it with MAC Brow Set in Beguile to prevent the hair from straying. 

Lastly, I do 3-4 spritzes of my makeup setting spray.  I use the Urban Decay All-Nighter. This will allow your makeup to endure the heat and humidity without melting. Plus it makes your skin appear just a bit dewy. No need for a highlighter! ;) (Sorry I forgot to take a photo.)

I know some would say I use a LOT of products for my Face Routine. But trust me, if everything is put on its proper place with moderation it wouldn't appear like you've put as much. And throughout the day (even with the setting spray), the makeup will fade. It becomes more natural as the day goes by. 

Everything is available locally except for the Vichy Foundation, Bourjois Concealer and Kat Von D Concealer. But I'm sure you can preorder from various personal shoppers site. I recommend Carefreeshopper.

Freshly applied makeup

There you go Lovelies...

I would like to know if there something unique you do on your routine. Feel free to share at the comments section below. 

LOVE,

Anna 

Etude House Products That I Love

Who haven't heard of Etude House? One of the popular Korean Cosmetic company in the country. I just recently discovered EH this year. They have nice and organized stores, all pink and girly. Even the security guards will greet you "Welcome Princess" as you enter the store premises (which for me is kind of awkward! haha).

I was really hesitant to try their products at first. I am afraid that my skin will break out. This is how I am during my first tries from a cosmetic brand. And also, I don't wanna sound 'maarte' but I don't know the ingredients that goes in the products because they are dirty cheap and super affordable. There are some info written at the back packaging of the products in Korean characters---can't read them though. haha

I have had my piece of ups and downs from EH. As with other cosmetic lines, some products may work and some may not. I will only be mentioning those that work for me. :)

Here are they...

Dr. Oil Solution Oil Control Pact

I always bring this whenever I go out of the house. This is a quick fix for oil control. Although I wouldn't recommend this for girls with darker complexions. This is  a tiny bit ashy on me and I can only imagine have much more ashy it will be on darker tones. Perfect for fair-medium skintone.

Precious Mineral BB Cream

If you're looking for a BB Cream with a decent amount of coverage, this is the one. May come off shiny but can be mattified by powdering on top. Second best from my fave Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream.

Face Color Corsets and Lovely Cookie Blushers

EH has a variety of blushers with different price ranges. The most affordable ones are the Face Color Corsets. I am loving the Face Color Corset in Shadow Lady Fit which I use for contouring (fourth on top). I depotted the blushers I have from them so I can bring them all in one sleek compact, Z Palette. :)

Suprise Essence Liquid Concealer & Surpise Essence Stick Concealer

I use the liquid concealer for my undereye are and the stick concealer for other blemishes on my face. I suggest using a patting motion for applying these concealers. A rubbing motion may cause the pigmentation to appear off. Sheer coverage concealers for everyday use!  

Easy Brow Pencils

Got them in 3 shades: Dark Gray, Brown and Dark Brown. Very easy to pull off making it perfect if you're on a hurry on mornings.

That's it! I hope you enjoyed this post. Sorry for the not so lively post tonight, I am not feeling all too well. Just wanna have something for you Lovelies. 

I would love to know your most loved EH product. :)

LOVE,

Anna

What I Bring in my Makeup Bag

I personally don't like touching up through out the day. It takes time and EFFORT from me to do so. haha And I also don't like the feeling of piling makeup on my face either. The combination of oil+sweat+another of layer of makeup is not nice.

That's why I don't bring a lot of makeup in my makeup bag. Just some basics and some options for when I have to go somewhere unprepared.

Makeup bag that I use...

Kate Spade Pencil Case turned into my makeup bag! haha

What's inside at random...

MAC Sheertone Blush in Pinch O' Peach (1)

All time favorite blush for day engagements. It's something I opt for everyday.

MAC 129SE Brush (2)

A short handled blush brush that'll fit any makeupbag. Got it from a MAC collection a long time ago.

Etude House Dr. Oil Solution Oil Control Pact (3)

Powder I use to diminish the shine on my face. It really works but I think its already discontinued or will be discontinued. Please tell me. So sad.

Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express Waterproof (4)

I don't wear mascara everyday but I bring one for when I want an instant eye opener. This is my option for some not so dramatic lashes from a drugstore brand. For daily use!

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler (5)

A very trusty lash curler. I've had this for years and I think I need to replace the rubber the soonest. haha

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart (6)

One of my fave shades from the new Balm Stain line of Revlon. It gives moisture and color to my  lips. 

Benefit Garden of Good & Eva EDT (7)

Antoher fave EDT from the Benefit EDT Line. Do you remember my Benefit Ring My Bella in my Most Worn Things Tag?

Hygienix Antibacterial Hand Spray (8)

Gotta have some antibacterial everywhere I go. :)

The Optical Shop Eyeglass Cleaner in Lemon (9)

Something I use to remove dirt from my spectacles. This isn't makeup but I just stash it in my makeup bag. haha

Hair Pins (10)

I'm growing out my bangs because I can't stand having them anymore. haha

MAC Lipstick in Chili (11)

Gotta have that red lippie for an emergency on the go glammer. You know what I mean! ;)

Lovelies, what's in your makeup bag? 

Love,

Anna

New MAC Counter at Eastwood Mall + Mini MAC Haul

So I went to Eastwood to have coffee and to hangout a while ago. And what greeted me when I entered Eastwood Mall is a MAC Counter. I always go there but it was my first time seeing it. Tweeted about this MAC Counter and a friend asked where in Eastwood it is because she was there yesterday and didn't saw one. I think its MAC's first day at Eastwood Mall. It's just a temporary counter but the SA told me that they're fixing some stuff for their permanent store there. 

MAC is at Eastwood Mall and it's there to stay. :)

I took the chance to browse and bought some stuff, a blush and two lipsticks that I'm meaning to get a for loooong time ago. I don't know why I just didn't bother checking on MAC when I go to Rustan's. I usually check other brands. And of course, the lazy me just preorder stuff online and have it delivered to my doorstep. haha

So much of the ramble, here's my mini haul...

MAC Sheertone Blush in Pinch O' Peach

I have seen this blush from beauty guru, Allison (Amarixe in Youtube). From then, I started reading reviews and the swatches I saw were really nice. This is a dark peachy pink.

MAC Lipstick in Half 'n Half

Half 'n Half has an amplified finish.

So far this is the best nude lipstick I have found that suits my skintone very well (by the way, I am an NC27-30). It's very hard to find a good nude lipstick that won't make you look like a corpse and I guess this is the one for me. 

MAC Lipstick in Chili

Chili has a matte finish.

Comparison of MAC Chili (left) and Ruby Woo (right)

This shade is very similar to MAC Ruby Woo. Only difference is that Ruby Woo has a bluish undertone and Chili has a brown undertone. If you have a cool skintone, Ruby Woo will pop on your skin and if you have a warm undertone, Chili will suit you better. For us (morena girls), I think Chili will complement our skin tone. 

That's it! I'm sorry I wasn't able to take a picture of the MAC Counter at Eastwood Mall. Anyway, its just a temporary counter. You can find it at the main entrance of the mall and it's near Beauty Bar. The temporary counter's area is decent and not too small so you will not miss it. I'll update you when the permanent store opens.

If you want me to review any of these, please reach me at the comment section below. 

At what MAC Counter do you shop (where I mean) ? ;)

Love,

Anna