Favorite Red Lipsticks

Nothing looks classy than a red lipstick. The sophistication and elegance it brings is timeless. 

Here are my fave reds...

MAC Lipstick  Ruby Woo, $14.50
FINISH: Matte

PIGMENTATION: 5/5

STAYING POWER:4/5

PACKAGING: 4/5 

Who doesn't know this popular red lipstick from MAC? Raved and loved by many from blogs to Youtube. This is a blue-based red.

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/168/310/Lipstick/index.tmpl

Beauty UK Lipstick in Naughty, 265php
FINISH: Satin

PIGMENTATION: 4/5

STAYING POWER: 3/5

PACKAGING: 3/5

Loving the minty taste of this lipstick. That's what first got me to try it on. This is an orangey red.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=127476224052277&set=a.118134304986469.20940.113601765439723&type=3&theatr

NARS Lipstick in Jungle Red, $24 or 1250php more less at Rustan's
FINISH: Semi Matte

PIGMENTATION: 5/5

STAYING POWER: 4/5

PACKAGING: 2.5/5 (Sturdy yet easily gets dirty!)

This is a brown hued red.

http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/lips/lipstick/semi-matte-lipstick/jungle-red

Ever Bilena Lipstick in Love That Red, less than 200php?
FINISH: Matte

PIGMENTATION: 3/5

STAYING POWER: 3/5

PACKAGING: 2/5 

You can never go wrong with this brown hued red from Ever Bilena for that dirty cheap price. That's a steal! And yes a matte lipstick from a Philippine local brand. ;)

And if there is a Fave from the Faves... Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in L'Exuberante, $32.50 or 1650php at Rustan's
FINISH: Matte

PIGMENTATION: 5/5

STAYING POWER:4/5

PACKAGING: 5/5 (Not your usual packaging. Felt like an alien trying to open it when I first got it.)

Packaging is oozing with understated elegance!

I can't say how lux they feel. Sophistication to the finest level. This is a plumy red that feels velvety on the lips. 

http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Lipstick-ROUGE-ALLURE-VELVET-122517

Swatches of my faves...

L-R: MAC Ruby Woo, BeautyUK Naughty, NARS Jungle Red, Ever Bilena Love That Red & Chanel L'Exuberante

Now, I don't know why the Chanel lipstick looks hot pink on the photo. :(


Excuse my dirty brazilet, the blue ribbon tied on my wrist. It is a ribbon from Brazil that grants you 3 wishes. You tie it on your wrist and when it wears down naturally, your wishes will come true. I'll be doing a post and giveaway a new one for you lovelies. haha

Steps in rocking that Red Lipstick...

1) Prepare your lips! 

You want your lips to be all smooth and supple before putting on your lipstick. Go ahead and exfoliate first! 

Grab some brown sugar and olive oil, mix and rub on your puckers. Some use the toothbrush and petroleum jelly technique but I'm sure that doesn't taste good. haha Wipe off all that exfoliation and glide on some balm. Let your lips have some beauty rest for a few minutes. Give the balm some time to soak. 

If you're too lazy to concoct a homemade lip scrub, there are various lip scrubs in the market. Mine is the Sara Happ Lip Scrub in Vanilla Bean. Boy how I love that sweet taste and scent! ;)

Sara Happ Lip Scrub in Vanilla Bean, 1450php from Beauty Bar

http://shop.beautybar.com.ph/sara-happ-vanilla-bean-lip-scrub.html

2) Line your lips. 

Red lipsticks have the tendency to bleed. To prevent this, one popular technique is to line your lips and some also fills it in.

This is my go-to lip liner when I use red lipsticks.

NYX Lip Liner Pencil in 813 Plush Red, 90php from Starmaine Cay

http://www.facebook.com/starmaineshop?ref=hl

3)Pick the right shade of red.

All skintones can wear red! You just have to find the right shade of red for you. You may want to consider your undertone when picking your perfect red: (1) cool undertones can sport the blue and pink hues of red and (2) warm undertones can play with orange and brown hues of red. Usually ones with blue undertones are those with fair complexion. And the ones with warm undertones have medium to dark complexion. 

If you haven't found the perfect red for you, blending shades of different lipsticks might just work. ;)

4) Tone down all other makeup.

You want your red lips to POP! Now go bare minimum on your makeup. Just defined eyes and lesser blush on the cheeks will go hand-in-hand for making your lips the focal point.

5) And lastly, CONFIDENCE is the key in wearing the classy red lipstick.

Red lipsticks when worn can be overpowering. You should have the right character and poise to flaunt it.

If you've done a not so good job in painting your lips, use a concealer to sharpen and clean the outline of your lips. This technique will also make your red lips pop. ;)

Now you're all set to ROCK those red lips. 

And you Lovelies, what's your fave red? 

Love, 

Anna

“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.”

-Gwyneth Paltrow

Favorite Face Brushes

Makeup Brushes are truly an investment. Having nice makeup products but not applying them properly with the right tools is just the same as using crappy ones. You're not gonna make use of the product's full capability by doing that. Sometimes, the products also pick the right brushes that will apply them well. You just have to dig into it!

Get the quality ones! If you get them and take care of them like you should, your money goes a looooooooooooooong way.  They will last you years and will make application MUCH easier for you. Quality ones doesn't mean the expensive ones. There are also some out there from the drugstore that works better than the high end. ;)

Here are some of the ones I find worth investing on...

Sigma Flat Top Kabuki - F80, $16

I use this brush for foundation application. Before, I only use this to apply liquid foundations but then I went ahead and tried them on powder ones. It still applies evenly! This made me so happy. haha I feel like I can apply my foundation without looking at the mirror just by using this brush. Much to my adoration of this brush, I purchased another one because I don't like cleaning my brushes often. And of course, from time to time I switch to a different foundation. I don't like to use the same brush for I when I grab a different foundation. It just doesn't feel right (the OC me kicks in). haha

http://www.sigmabeauty.com/Sigma_Flat_Top_Synthetic_Kabuki_F_80_p/f80.htm

Sigma Round Top Kabuki - F82, $16

This has the same use for me, foundation application. Except that this doesn't work all the same for powder ones. Tried using this but it caked my powder foundation, its density might be the culprit. I grab on to this if my F80's are dirty or if I will apply my Estee Lauder Stay-in-Place Liquid Foundation. That full coverage foundation is super thick I need to use a denser brush to press it onto my skin better.

http://www.sigmabeauty.com/Sigma_Round_Top_Synthetic_Kabuki_F82_p/f82.htm

Sigma Angled Top Kabuki - F84, $16

Again for applying foundation. I feel like this brush allows me to manuever all over my face with ease compared to the flat top and round top variants. Thanks to the angled brush tip! You just have to check how even you applied your foundation. Because it is angled, it allows you to apply with varying pressure thus resulting to uneven application.

http://www.sigmabeauty.com/Sigma_Angled_Top_Synthetic_Kabuki_F84_p/f84.htm

Here is a brush comparison of the 3 Sigma Synthetic Brushes...

T-B: Angled Top, Flat Top & Round Top

L-R: Flat Top, Rounnd Top & Angled Top

There's also this Tapered Kabuki Brush made from the same materials as these Brushes are but I didn't get it. Don't know where I can use it! See it for yourself and please tell me, haha

http://www.sigmabeauty.com/Sigma_Tapered_Top_Synthetic_Kabuki_F86_p/f86.htm

Yes, they're dirty! haha Didn't bother to wash them just for the sake of the shoot.  These brushes may be good but they're A PAIN TO WASH. Super dense brushes! That's the only downside. 

MAC 187 Duo Fibre Stippling Brush, $42

Made from 2 types of brush hair (synthetic and natural hair) hence the name duo fibre. When it first came out, many used it for the Stippling application technique. They say stippling your foundation will give you an airbrushed finish. Never used that technique since I'm always in a complete hurry on mornings. haha But I found a great use for this. When I encounter super pigmented blushes, I apply them with this brush because I can control how much I put on my face. For example, my NARS Powder Blush in Desire or NARS Gaiety. They are both super pigmented that when you try to apply them with an ordinary blush brush much like the MAC 129, you'll likely end up with a punched-on-the-face look. Get it? haha

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/146/772/Products/Brushes/Face/187-Duo-Fibre-Brush/index.tmpl

MAC 129 Blush Brush, $34

This is your perfect blush brush! I have a fairly small face and yet this applies blush perfectly on my apples. Problem with other blush brushes is that they tend to go out of the area where you must apply the blush. Going over that area, it will make your cheeks look bigger.

Can you see those tiny dots on the metal thingy that connects the hair and the brush handle? Got those from washing and not wiping the steel part. They developed over time. Remember to squeeze the excess water form the hair and wipe the body clean after washing. :)

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/146/304/Products/Brushes/Face/129-PowderBlush-Brush/index.tmpl

ELF Powder Brush, below 300php

I use this brush for applying setting powders. After applying my liquid foundation, I need to set it with a powder because I have such an oily skin. This brush is dense yet soft. Purchased two of this! :)

Mine shed some hair for the first time while washing them. But it'll stop on your second washing!

***sorry, I forgot to take an individual picture of this one! :D

Marionnaud No.32 Blush Brush, below 200php (perhaps, >.<)

A great brush for contouring the face!  I know the name suggests that its meant for applying blushes but I find that this applies my contour precisely and blends them in really well. I bought mine from Watson's for a fairly cheap price and it works wonders in toning down my pretty prominent jaws and cheekbones. Have two of this! Like the ELF one, you can also get this from Watsons. :)

THAT'S IT! Some other time, I'll post my fave eye brushes. Thank you for dropping by my blog. Hope to see you soon on my future blog posts. haha

Love,

Anna

P.S.


I'm thinking of a GIVEAWAY for you lovely ladies! If you would be so kind to suggest the prizes you want to receive at the comment area. ;)