Reviews and Other Stuff

Month: November 2018

Current Beauty Favorites

favorite makeup products for fall winter season

 

Hello guys! I am back from a holiday break. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and let’s look forward to more holidays and festivities this season. Speaking of gatherings and feasts, I have compiled a few beauty items I’ve been loving lately. These are the ones I’ve been using pretty much a lot since the beginning of Fall and I will probably be reaching out for these even more throughout the Winter season.

 

Apart from loving my all-black ensemble this cold and gloomy weather, I have this thing of liking beauty products that emphasize a luminous flawless skin with a wide-eyed look and a gorgeous pout. In other words, it’s all about the “glow” for me this season. So, without further ado, here are the beauty items I’m loving lately.

 

foundation for glowy skin

 

Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation in Honey (1 oz: $48) – This is my favorite go-to dewy foundation of all time, and I know I can rely on this if I want to pull-off that youthful lit-from-within lewk. I just love how flawless and seamless my skin looks with this and my pores look invisible, smooth and gloriously glowy.

 

 

Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil (3.4 oz: $100) – My favorite shimmery body oil with a nice luxurious scent. I’m down to my second bottle of this since last summer and I still enjoy the beautiful shimmers that this gives to my skin. It’s pricey but it’s so worth it, and I’m still dying to try that Rose Gold version. See my other favorite body oils HERE.

 

Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation in Honey

 

Tatcha The Pearl Tinted Eye Illuminating Treatment in Softlight (0.4 oz: $48) – Still one of my favorite products for my undereyes. It’s like a skincare treatment/moisturizer that brightens and hydrates my thin undereye area and this also works as a creamy concealer and it doesn’t fade. More Tatcha faves reviewed HERE.

 

 

Glossier Haloscope in Quartz (0.19 oz: $22) – This gives a subtle lit-from-within glow and it goes on creamy and you can use your finger to dab and apply this on the high points of the face.

 

Glossier Haloscope in Quartz swatch review

 

Glossier Boy Brow in Brown (0.11 oz: $16) – Perfect when you’re in a hurry and don’t have the time to perfectly shape your brows. I love how this gives me that lived-in full natural brow look and the brush applicator is precise enough even if you don’t have a lot of brows to fill with. You can buy the Glossier Haloscope above and this Boy Brow together at glossier.com and save $8.

 

Glossier Boy Brow in Brown review swatch

 

Stila Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Vivid Smoky Quartz (0.153 oz: $24) – This goes on fluid and easy to blend without needing to apply much and this sets well. I love this for a quick eyeshadow application and you can blend this using your finger. The Vivid Smoky Quartz shade is a perfect base eyeshadow that isn’t too glittery. Also, you can add some shimmers on top of it for a glam look, then you’re good to go.

 

Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara in Black

 

Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara in Black (0.30 oz: $25) – This isn’t much volumizing but this mascara lifts and curls so well that it helps to give me that wide-eyed fully awake, alert and oriented X3 look, lol. The brush applicator is curved and it helps to reach out every single eyelash strand that needs lifting and curling. More on my favorite mascaras of all time HERE.

 

Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara in Black review

 

Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan 104 Tan-Tastic (0.08 oz: $49) – This my go-to bronzer of the moment and this goes on matte. I love the amazing coconut scent of this and it’s pretty much easy to blend and easy to layer. Also, this stays on my skin keeping it looking contoured and defined for hours.

 

Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan 104 Tan-Tastic

 

 

Benefit Dandelion Box o’ Powder Blush (0.25 oz: $30, mini $16) – I like how subtle this blush is and it sort of complements the kind of flush you tend to get this cold season. This is definitely one of the most natural-looking blushes I’ve ever tried and a great staple for that everyday makeup look.

 

Benefit Dandelion Box o’ Powder Blush

 

 

Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Fusion Powder in #4 (0.12 oz: $58) – I am crazy in love with this glowy finishing powder and this definitely is now part of my holy grail beauties. This has very fine micro shimmers that set the foundation and adds an extra glow, thus making the face appear luminous, healthy, youthful and not flat. It even works perfectly in combination with matte foundations so it won’t look too harsh or too dry.

 

Benefit Dandelion Box o’ Powder Blush swatch

 

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Macro-Color Eyeshadow in #2 (0.06 oz: $32) – This is a waterproof eyeshadow that doesn’t smudge or budge even if you cry a river, lol, and it’s pretty much reliable in any occasion. I picked the shade #2 which is a dark navy color and it has a matte finish that is not only perfect to contour the lids, it’s also great for the waterline.

 

Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum

 

Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum (1.7 oz: $165, 3.4 oz: $$250) – This has such a unique and complex scent that is as mysterious and intriguing as its name. There’s nothing quite like this fragrance and people often ask me what this is. It’s hard to describe this with its blend of sandalwood, musk, amber, naseberry and something else. It’s a complicated, mysterious, elegant and super long-lasting scent that is totally distinct.

 

Viktor&Rolf Magic Liquid Diamonds Eau de Parfum (travel size 0.30: $30, 2.5 oz: $190) – Still loving this scent and I still couldn’t get enough of this. I just love how femininely elegant and beautiful this scent is and it totally can lift any woman’s mood and spirit. This is the complete definition of feminine, luxury, clean, and elegance combined in one magical beautiful bottle. Reviewed further HERE.

 

 

Have you tried any of these favorites already? What the beauty products you’ve been loving lately?

 

 

 

Wishlist and Recommendations For The Sephora Holiday Bonus Beauty Insider Event 2018

Hi Everyone! As promised, here’s part two of my Sephora Holiday Bonus Event Wishlist (part one HERE), together with a few recommendations that you may wanna check out whenever you shop online or in-store today and over the weekend. This weekend’s sale is for Insiders or Non-Beauty Insider Members and you can get 15% OFF starting today November 16 up to the 19th with the code BIBONUS. Also, VIB and Rouge Members have an extended 20% OFF this weekend with the code ENJOY. So hurry up and get those items you missed from last week’s sale.

 

Here’s what’s on my lists

 

Recommendations

 

Recommendations For The Sephora Holiday Bonus Beauty Insider Event 2018

  1. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (1 oz: $44) – This is a perfect add-on for your foundation for that subtle lit-from-within glow. This also can be used as a natural-looking highlight for the cheekbones and other high points of the face. Reviewed further HERE.

 

  1. Briogeo Rosarco Blow Dry Perfection Heat Protectant Crème (4oz: $24) – This is my current favorite heat protectant product and I love that this is not sticky or greasy and it doesn’t weigh my straight hair down. Also, you only need a pea-sized amount and this lasts a long time.

 

  1. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Highlighter (0.4 oz: $48) – A perfect fusion of blush and highlighter in one. This adds a nice flush and glow to the face and it’s multifaceted. Highly recommend this to each and everyone. See the swatches HERE.

 

  1. Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen (0.03 oz: $58) – This is pretty much the only liquid eyeliner that works for me nowadays and it doesn’t disappoint. This eyeliner delivers, meaning – it doesn’t budge, never smudge, and it stays true black in color.

 

  1. Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm (Mini 1.7 oz: $22, 3.2 oz: $34) – A makeup remover that smells great and it removes any kinds of makeup. There is nothing quite like this and this washes off easily without any residue. Reviewed further HERE.

 

  1. Origins GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser (5 oz: $20.50) – One of the best-scented facial cleansers ever hands down, and I love its gentle exfoliation. I look forward to using this cleanser everyday because it’s so invigorating. Read more about this product HERE.

 

  1. Dior Rouge Dior Ultra Rouge Lipstick ($37) – A satiny matte lipstick that delivers strong pigments and can last for several hours. This lipstick is not only gorgeous on the outside, but its formulation is also impressive and it’s one of the best lipsticks I’ve ever tried this season. See some of the swatches HERE.

 

  1. Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Face Butter (1.7 oz: $40) – This a buttery smooth moisturizer that is perfect for this skin-drying season. I love how soft the texture of this cream is and my skin absorbs this easily.

 

  1. Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash (Mini 1.7 oz: $19, Standard 4 oz: $38) – This is my most favorite Kate Somerville facial cleanser and it smells fresh and divine. It is foamy and I love that it has AHA which purifies the pores and this is also gentle enough for everyday use.

 

  1. Shiseido Modern Matte Powder Lipstick (0.14 oz: $26) – Another favorite matte lipstick of mine this season. I like how light this lipstick feels on the lips and it’s very well-pigmented. Also, this is very long-wearing and the shade range is TDF. See some of the swatches HERE

 

 

Wishlist

 

Wishlist For The Sephora Holiday Bonus Beauty Insider Event 2018

 

  1. Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Contour Duo (0.56 oz: $68) – I’ve been curious about this since seeing this on Candice Swanepoel’s 10 Minute Guide to Fake Natural Makeup in youtube. It looks like a very beautiful bronzer/highlighter duo and I wanna try it in Fair/Medium.

 

  1. Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eye Shadow (0.12 oz: $29) – This individual eyeshadow seems very pigmented and creamy. I heard very good things about it and I’m curious as to how it would wear on me. I love how glittery and bold the colors look online.

 

  1. Stila Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow (0.153 oz: $24) – I already own a few shades of this and I need to collect more. This is an easy to wear liquid eyeshadow that requires a good technique upon application, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll love how easy and nice this looks on the lid and this sets fast but also allows you enough time to blend.

 

  1. Eve Lom Cleanser (Mini 0.7 oz: $24, also available in several larger sizes) – I’m curious about this particular cleanser and I’ve never tried any Eve Lom skincare products before. Heard it’s very good and lots of people rave about it.

 

  1. Marc Jacobs O!Mega Glaze All-Over Foil Luminizer (0.35 oz: $49) – This looks like a very stunning and very pigmented highlighter with a very gorgeous packaging. The MJ O!Mega products have been outstanding for me so far.

 

  1. Pat McGrath Labs Mothership V Eyeshadow Palette in Bronze Seduction ($125) – Out of all the Pat McGrath eyeshadows, this is the one that caught my eye. I find this to be the most cohesive in terms of color scheme, and I believe this is super pigmented. Can’t wait to try it.

 

  1. Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 5 (5 x 0.08 oz: $48) – I’ve always wanted to try ND’s eyeshadows. They’re so pigmented whenever I swatch them in store, yet I just couldn’t seem to justify the price tag (like Pat McG) but the pigment of these palettes is totally mind-blowing. Not really sure which one I should get though. I’m gearing towards the Camel Palette, Palette #2 and Palette #4.

 

 

That comprises my Wishlist and Recommendations for this year’s Sephora Holiday Bonus Beauty Insider Event. Have you ever tried any of these products already? What’s in your Wishlist? Any Recs?

 

 

Hope you guys have fun shopping!

 

 

Giorgio Armani Rouge D’Armani Matte Lipstick Review & Swatches

Giorgio Armani Beauty Rouge D'Armani Matte Lipstick

 

Hello Friends! Giorgio Armani Beauty recently released another lipstick to love and it’s matte. I’ve been dying to try this Rouge D’Armani Matte Lipstick (0.14 oz: $38) for some time and I’ve got some shades swatched for you all in this review. To tell you honestly, I’m a big fan of Armani Cosmetics and there isn’t one product from their line that I don’t love. From their beautiful foundations down to their gorgeous lipsticks, I’m a sucker for anything Armani Beauty, LOL, and this new Rouge D’Armani Matte Lipstick has truly captured my heart.

 

At first glance, this lipstick is beautiful and it screams “Si Passione” with its sleek matte red-black casing and a magnetic closure. It has a bit of a flattened oblong-shaped case that you’d find typical in most Armani lip products, like the Lip Magnet (swatched and reviewed HERE). It also feels slightly heavy with an overall robust solid feel.

 

Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani Matte Lipstick review

 

This Rouge D’Armani Matte is a full-coverage lipstick that feels incredibly smooth and easy to swipe on the lips. It is extremely pigmented and it’s one of the most pigmented lipsticks I’ve ever tried. Such intense pigment that you only need to swipe it once on the lips and you’ll get maximum color that will last for pretty much the whole day. This never dried my lips and this feels really weightless. It’s hard to define this lipstick’s texture and I actually find it to be quite fascinating because this feels light yet also thick and creamy, but its finish is totally matte and it doesn’t dry nor emphasize the lip lines that much. In other words, it’s complicated, LOL, but it’s a beautiful well-done matte lipstick with a breakthrough formulation that truly delivers what it’s supposed to be, and it exceeded my expectation being it as a matte lipstick.

 

 

Here are my favorites

 

Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani Matte Lipstick

 

102 Androgino – Antique Rose, great as an everyday lip color this season.

 

201 Nightberry – Described as Scarlet Red, but looks more like a vamp.

 

400 Four Hundred – Red Crimson. This is a muted scarlet red with a hint of orange, quite similar to the Chanel no. 5 lipstick (seen HERE). I prefer this shade better than the Chanel one because this has a bit more red that is intense yet more muted, and its texture is more matte.

 

501 Milano – Smokey rose. Had mixed emotions about this shade at first because it looked like a mauve rose when I swatched it on my arm, but when I tried it on my lips, I kinda looked half-dead, or in need of resuscitation, LOL. Without much light, this shade looks greige and I can’t pull off greige, but on a bright light, this actually looks still greige but with a bit of rose, which I then realized that I could still manage to pull off after all.

 

502 Kimono – Muted pink with a bit more rose.

 

Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani Matte Lipstick swatch

 

Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani Matte Lipstick in 102 androgino, 201 nightberry, 400 four hundred, 501 milano, 502 kimono

Two things I wanna point out about this Rouge D’Armani Matte Lipstick. First, this lipstick tends to lose its shape easily after a few applications because it’s actually soft so it’s kinda hard to accurately line your lips with just this. You may wanna need a lip liner or a lip brush in the long run. Second, the colors of this lipstick at a glance may look pale in comparison to its actual application in which it’s actually super saturated in color. So it’s always a good idea to try to swatch this in store or look at online swatches very carefully. Other than that, this lipstick is one of my favorites this Fall/Winter season and I’m not kidding when I said that this lasted the whole day on me, even after lunch and dinner plus a couple of teas and coffees without any reapplication. Now that’s marvelous!

 

Giorgio Armani Beauty Rouge D'Armani Matte Lipstick review

 

Giorgio Armani Rouge D’Armani Matte Lipstick is currently available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman MarcusHarrods, Bloomingdale’sBarneys New York and GiorgioArmaniBeauty.com