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 

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

August Haul: Foundations

I am a very conservative type of makeup enthusiast. The farthest I'd go for color on an everyday basis would be bright blushes. I don't wear eyeshadow or even mascara to work (I do so only on special occasions). For my lips, I'd go for lip balm or balm stains. Plain Jane me! haha

Given that, what I usually have in my haul are those that perfect the skin or make it look polished rather than adding color to it. I LOVE to experiment with foundations! I know hauling foundations is not practical because I need to finish one in about 1-2yrs before they expire but that's just my preference. I'll splurge for a that polished look than bright looks. 

Well this month I have chanced upon 4 foundations. 

Here's my August Foundation Haul...

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light in Intensity 2.0

One thing I can say, DON'T BUY THIS FOUNDATION! Well, I love the regular EL Double Wear Foundation. Suffice to say, it is my HG Long wearing Foundation with a medium to full coverage and a demi-matte finish. So I expected a lot from this one because it is from the same line. Unfortunately, it is nothing I imagined it to be. :( I have an oily skin and this just seeps into my fine lines and highlighted the super-micro-mini-nano-pico lines I have (see its good in your flaws stand out! what a nice foundation haha)! I can't imagine how much horrible it would look if I had a dry skin. Adding to that, it looks ashy on my face. I have to keep this in my stash and maybe some other time, find some love for it. haha

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Makeup in 220 Nude

Hands down to this foundie! I have a review for this and I won't tell more. Just read its awesomenesss in my review. I also have an ongoing giveaway for this one, join now! haha

Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation in 974

This by far is the perfect shade match of foundation for me. Super yellow-based. I will be reviewing it in one of my next blog posts. I am pretty sure I got the one for oily skin as the SA helped me pick out this foundation but its is a big NO for sebum control. Anyways, not much of a problem because I can powder that shiny face! Have to stopped babbling about this and will continue on the review itself. haha

MAC Pro Longwear SPF10 Foundation in NC20

From my recent blog post, you would know my HG EL Double Wear may soon meet its rival Long Wearing Foundation from MAC. Still not sure but in time will see... ;)

So that's it for my foundation haul. I ought to inlcude the other products I bought for this month of August but this will be one hell of a post If I will. haha I have so many things to write about but I am distracted by a game I am playing with my boyfriend. Hey, its not DOTA! hahaha 

I hope you enjoyed this mini haul and let me know if you want a monthly haul post. Next month will be my birthday month so I think I will be doing a birthday haul and a series of mini giveaways each week of September! haha

As always, thank you so much for dropping by my blog even if you only scan through the photos and X your way out. hahahaha I truly understand because I am sometimes that way too when searching for reviews! But just so you know I allot time to write my post kasi nakakahiya naman to have 'puchu-puchu' post for the lovely ladies who visit my bloggeroo. hahaha

What have you been hauling most lately?

Love,

Anna

PS

I don't have a stiff neck just because my photos were not straight, products tend to lean to the right side. haha

First day of Road Test: MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation

Hi Lovelies! Sorry for the lack of posts. haha

I really want to have something new up in my blog but I am having some issues with my camera. Well I use a DSLR (Canon EOS 5D MarkII which was gifted to me by my parents) to take photos for this blog. DISCLAIMER: I am not a pro photographer to be using a DSLR but that's what I have, okay? haha Recently, I think I may have tweaked the camera's setting too much and my photos became blurry. SOS! I need some pro help here. I want to  make use of my camera's features. If you know someone who conducts short course photography classes, please let me know (thanks in advance!). 

So lo and behold, I used the iSight of my laptop. haha  Excuse the messy hair, the mess on my bed and my peasant tank. XD I am about to sleep, just checking on some emails. I noticed my makeup still looks nice at the end of the day. Why not share what I used? And also, I am using a new foundation here. First day of the road test. I had this on for the whole day and it still looks good! What do you think?

PRIMER: Benefit Porefessional

FOUNDATION: MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation in NC20 set with Etude House Dr.Oil Solution Powder

CONCEALER: Diorskin Scuplt Lifting Smoothing Concealer in 001

BROWS: The Face Shop Face It Designing Cake Eyebrow in 2

EYES: Virginia Olsen Oracle Eyeshadow on the lids and blended out plus MAC Carbon Eyeshadow as liner on upper lash line

LASHES: No Mascara 

BLUSH: MAC Immortal Flower

LIPS: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart

Pa-cute picture of the day haha

What I really love about today's makeup is my foundation. I didn't even use my Skindinavia Makeup Setting Spray for this and it lasted me for the whole day: church, movie, dinner and hang out. I just had to powder a bit. During inspection, I had no sign of makeup melting or whatsoever, truly Pro LongWear. Chose the NC20 shade even I'm  an NC25-NC30 because I'm acidic. Foundations usually oxidize on my skin. Do you think this is too stark white for me? Let me know. :)

Now do I choose this over my HG Longwearing Foundation which is the Estee Lauder Double Wear. Still not sure! But 'twas a great first day of road test. haha I say this one gives you a medium to full coverage and the finish is dewy on me. The Estee Lauder one is a demi-matte. It has quite a rival now. haha

I will let you know about this foundation soon! Will also put up a haul post for the things I got this month of August. Thought I bought nothing but when I looked at my stash, I mostly got new foundations to try out. Impulsive me!

Lovelies, what's your pick for a long wearing foundation? Would love to know yours. 

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