Blues and Neutrals

For the life of me I can't think of any prose to go with these looks tonight. So let's just have the pictures do the talking, shall we?





Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing primer
Meow Flawless Feline mineral foundation in Naughty Abyssinian
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
Meow blush in Europpa

Lips:
Rimmel 1000 Kisses stay-on lipliner in Wild Clover
MAC lipstick in Honey Moon
MAC lipglass in Crescent

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
Shu Uemura eyeshadow in ME Blue 638 on lid
MAC pigment in Azreal Blue inner to mid lid
MAC eyeshadow in Blue Edge on crease and outer V
MAC eyeshadow in Shroom to highlight browbone
Almay Amazing I-liner (liquid liner)
Maybelline XXL mascara







Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing primer
Lauress original mineral foundation in Creamy Yellow and Delicate Yellow (mixed)
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
Meow blush in Orgasmic
NARS blush in Oasis

Lips:
Rimmel 1000 Kisses stay-on lipliner in Wild Clover
Wet 'n Wild Glassy Gloss lip gel in Mocha Glaze

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
Valerie Beauty multi-purpose mineral in Miranda foiled with MAC mixing medium on lid
Valerie Beauty pan mineral eyeshadow in Dolce Vita on crease and outer V
MAC pigment in Vanilla to highlight browbone
MAC Graphic Brown fluidline to line upper lashline
Maybelline XXL mascara

Soft Neutrals, Naughty and Fierce Manx

Here are some looks using Meow's Naughty and Fierce Manx in the Pampered Puss formula. The Fierce shade gave the depth I needed, and I think I am satisfied with the mix. I really like the ultra-light feeling it provides. The family had a light dinner tonight at Applebee's, then did some yard work afterwards. It was still in the high 90s at 7 o'clock at night here, so I did perspire a little (good thing humidity here is very low), but when I looked at the mirror after getting all dirty and sweaty, the makeup was still intact. Amazing? I would say so.

As a side note, let me just say I really love Lumiere's Lumi Lips lipglosses. The one I'm wearing (Full of Grace) is my favorite. I think the shade and the shine are just perfect for my complexion. I love Lumiere Cosmetics, top-notch quality for very reasonable prices, and the customer service is superb as well. I will forever be a fan of Kim's products.











Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing primer
Meow Pampered Puss mineral foundation in Naughty and Fierce Manx (mixed)
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
Lumiere veena velvet blush in Cinnamon
Terra Del Sol #7 skinfinish over Cinnamon

Lips:
Rimmel 1000 Kisses lipliner in Wild Clover
Lumiere Lumi Lips in Full of Grace

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
MAC pigment in Melon foiled with MAC mixing medium on lid
MAC eyeshadow in Malt above crease
MAC eyeshadow in Satin Taupe on outer V and crease
MAC eyeshadow in Vex to highlight browbone
Almay Amazing I-liner (liquid liner) to line upper lashline
Maybelline XXL mascara

Father's Day Sales and Greens and Pinks

I took advantage of some companies' Father's Day sale in order to stock up on items, especially body and bath products. I really love Lure Beauty's body butters and creams, so when Jen e-mailed me about their 30% off body creams sale, PLUS a 10% Father's Day discount on top of that, I didn't hesitate to place body butters in my cart because I go through these fairly quickly. I use them liberally and it pays off because I get to have smooth, soft skin the whole day, and my office literally smells good. One of the couriers at work actually asked me, "are you the one who smells like candy? I dropped off something at your office and it smells really good." I found it hilarious that other people can actually smell these creams.

I bought the huge 8 oz jars in order to take advantage of the free shipping after ordering a certain amount. I got exotic butters body cream, exotic butters body parfait with aloe vera, and the very refreshing and moisturizing shea butter and aloe vera body whip. I also got the biggest sugar scrub in the Baby Powder scent. I love all my goodies and the amount in the jars really generous. I love the idea of aloe vera infused in the creams because it literally cools the skin down, and is very refreshing in this summer heat.


my exotic butters, body parfaits and aloe vera body whip


opened


close-up of the aloe vera-infused Vanilla Sweets Shea Butter and Aloe Vera Body Whip

Meow Cosmetics also had their one-day 20% off Father's Day sale, and I took advantage of it to buy full-sizes of the new Manx breed in the novel munchkin sizes. The munchkin sizes really aren't small, but they are when compared to the gigantic full-size tubs! The wide lid for swirling and the jars of the munchkins are similar and even identical to the full-size jars of Everyday Minerals foundation.




munchkin jars

I used the Naughty Manx foundation and I think it's a tad too light on my summer skin. I need to mix some with a little Fierce Manx to create more depth.









Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing primer
Meow Flawless Feline mineral foundation in Naughty Manx
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
J.Lynne Latin Rhythms mineral blush in Paso Doble mixed with Lumiere veena mineral blush in Violacious
MAC Golden Refined bronzer to contour

Lips:
Rimmel 1000 Kisses lipliner in Wild Clover
MAC lustreglass in Spring Bean

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
MAC Overgrown eyeshadow on lid
MAC pigment in Emerald Green on outer lid and crease
MAC eyeshadow in Lustreleaf to highlight browbone
Meow Feliner in Copycat to line upper lashline
Maybelline XXL mascara

And here's a pink look:





Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing primer
Meow Flawless Feline mineral foundation in Naughty Abyssinian
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
MAC beauty powder in Pearl Sunshine

Lips:
Rimmel 1000 Kisses lipliner in Wild Clover
Aromaleigh lipstick in Honey
Lumiere Lumi Lips in Holy Grail

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
MAC Jest eyeshadow on lid
MAC eyeshadow in Full Flame on outer lid and crease
Lumiere eye glimmer in Deep Plum on outer V
MAC eyeshadow in Ricepaper to highlight browbone
Meow Feliner in Magi-Cat to line upper lashline
Maybelline XXL mascara

Neutral Look and New Eyeshadow Technique

I didn't want to experiment with colors today so I took the easy route of using neutrals. However, I used a different eyeshadow application, veering from my usual technique. I got this new style of application from a makeup board. I really loved how this girl did her shadows that I asked how she does them. She enumerated the following steps (all brushes MAC):

- primer (MAC paints or shadesticks)
- apply medium color with the 224 brush in crease
- apply light color on inner lid with the 239 brush
- apply medium color on outer lid with the 239
- blend everything together with the 217 and a little of the medium color on it with little strokes in one direction
- apply dark color with the 219 in the crease and blend it with the 222
- do outer v also with the 222 and the dark color
- highlight browbones

It took me longer to achieve my eye look using this technique because, simply put, it isn't mine. The result somewhat looked the same as my other EOTDs, but it took longer to achieve it. Lesson learned: if you already have a tried-and-tested application method, stick to it, especially if you're pretty much satisfied with the results. For those looking for tutorials on eyeshadow application, though, you might want to try the above-mentioned technique. Practice makes perfect, I guarantee that.







Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing primer
Meow Flawless Feline mineral foundation in Naughty Abyssinian
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
J.Lynne Latin Rhythms mineral blush in Paso Doble
MAC Golden Refined bronzer to contour

Lips:
MAC lipliner in Whirl
MAC lipsticks in Hyper and Galvanize
MAC lipglass in Pas-de-deux

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
MAC pigment in Goldenaire foiled with MAC mixing medium on lid
MAC pigment in Coco on outer lid and crease
MAC pigment in Coco Beach on crease and outer V
MAC eyeshadow in Ricepaper to highlight browbone
Almay Amazing I-liner (liquid liner)
Maybelline XXL mascara

Yellows, Neutrals, and Revisiting Monave

Don't you hate it when you find a mineral foundation so flawless and beautiful on your skin, only for it to slide off your face a few hours later? Many of you mineral makeup enthusiasts have read my review that Monave has reproduced on its website. Let me say that I still stand by those statements to this day. Monave for me is still the king of all mineral makeup when it comes to staying power. It stays on a whopping 12 to 14 hours on me without retouching with anything but blotting sheets, and without using any moisture spray to set the minerals. I love the medium to heavy coverage, the natural look, and the amazing staying power. I laid low on Monave for a while because I was just enjoying sampling from other mineral makeup companies, and because I thought it would feel too heavy during the intense summer heat. I was wrong because it felt very natural, without any itchies and without feeling like I was wearing a mask. Over-all, Monave is still in my top 3 mineral foundations. I also adore Monave's sheer lipglazes. The texture is smooth and even, with just the right balance of pigment and shine. Monave has absolutely amazing products.









Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing primer
Monave regular mineral foundation in Teporah
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
MAC blush in Petalpoint

Lips:
Rimmel 1000 Kisses stay-on lipliner in Wild Clover
Lumiere Lumi Lips lipgloss in Full of Grace

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
MAC pigment in Goldenaire foiled with MAC mixing medium on lid
Valerie Beauty Dolce Vita mineral pan eyeshadow on crease/outer V
MAC eyeshadow in Firespot on crease
MAC eyeshadow in Almond Icing to highlight browbone
Almay Amazing I-liner (liquid liner)
Maybelline XXL mascara

Here is another EOTD using MAC's shadows in Going Bananas and Firespot from the two consecutive MAC collections of Moonbathe and C-Shock. I'd like to believe they go well together.


I used MAC Corn shadestick as base, MAC shadows in Going Bananas on lid, Amber Lights in crease, Firespot on outer V, Shroom to highlight, Graphic Brown fluidline, Maybeline XXL mascara.

MAC C-Shock's Romping and Other Pinks

I tried the new collection C-Shock's Romping eyeshadow, and I really like the color pay-off. It is so easy to apply, and this look also gave me an excuse to try out my other pinks. I noticed that my other MAC pinks actually work well together. I also used one of my favorite mineral blushes, Lure Beauty's Rosemarie blush. I always feel radiant when I wear this, probably because it lends a healthy, shimmery flush to the cheeks. I also used my MAC lipglass in Sex Ray for the first time in a long time, and I found it so pretty especially for summer. I had to tame it with my MAC Pas-de-deux lipglass (one of my fave lipglasses) so as not to clash with my strong eye look. I look forward to wearing Sex Ray alone in all its glory when I use tamer colors for my eyes.













Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing primer
Meow Flawless Feline mineral foundation in Naughty Abyssinian and Pampered Puss in Naughty Manx
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
Lure Beauty mineral blush in Rosemarie

Lips:
Rimmel 1000 Kisses stay-on lipliner in Wild Clover
MAC lipglasses in Sex Ray and Pas-de-deux

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
MAC eyeshadows in Swish, Playful, Romping on lids
MAC eyeshadow in Expensive Pink inner to mid lid
MAC eyeshadow in Cranberry on crease
MAC eyeshadow in Almond Icing to highlight browbone
MAC Maroon pigment on outer V
Indelible gel liner in Chocolate Mousse
Maybelline XXL mascara

MAC C-Shock Collection

I usually try my best to pass by the MAC store or counter on the day of a launch. Yesterday was C-Shock's launch and I passed by the free-standing store nearest my office. This is the most vibrant-hued collection I have seen in quite a while, truly perfect for summer. The colors are yummy, eye-poppingly gorgeous, but I was only compelled to get three eyeshadows. As much as I love the others, I have enough shadows that can duplicate the color and finish of those I didn't get. I also feel that those three I did get are the most wearable for me and complement my complexion the best.


L-R: MAC C-shock eyeshadows in Romping, Going Bananas, Wondergrass


Romping is a beautiful deep fuschia which for me is similar to Hepcat but has a much more beautiful shade. This would look beautiful with pinks, purples, plums, and even green. I really love this, and color pay-off and texture are excellent.


Going Bananas is my first true yellow MAC eyeshadow. It is neither gold nor cream, it is a true, clean yellow with subtle sheen. I am really excited to play with this. This would go well with any color, really, especially orange, green, gold, okay, anything. This is definitely a summer color, though.


Ahh, Wondergrass. This reminds me of golf, because this is as green as the grass golfers do their putts on. This is usually compared to Swimming in the permanent line, but this is a lot better because it's frost formula compared to Swimming's lustre. It is a true, clean medium green, not too glittery like Swimming, it's simply clean and crisp. It is likewise bereft of any gold sheen, unlike Barbie collection's Springtime Skipper or Golden Olive pigment. I love it and this is a real gem in my collection of green shadows.

Over-all, C-Shock is a winner in terms of color pay-off, outstanding basic, pure and clean primary colors, as well as easy blendability and application.


using Wondergrass and Going Bananas





Meow Pampered Puss mineral foundation in Naughty Manx mixed with a tiny bit Fierce Manx
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
Bare Escentuals mineral blush in Flowers

Lips:
Rimmel 1000 Kisses stay-on lipliner in Wild Clover
MAC lipstick in Honey Moon
MAC lipglass in Corps de Ballet

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
MAC eyeshadows in Springtime Skipper and Wondergrass on lid
MAC eyeshadow in Going Bananas above crease and to highlight
MAC eyeshadow in Humid on outer V
Meow Feliner in Purr mixed with MAC mixing medium to line
Maybelline XXL mascara

Trying out A New Formula

I've never tried Meow's Pampered Puss formula till now, and I think I'm liking it. It's Meow's medium coverage but very buildable formula (Purrrfect Puss is the light coverage and Flawless Feline the heaviest). I love it because it's not as sheer as Purrrfect Puss (as nice as it feels on the skin, Purrrfect Puss fades on me even before the day ends). Pampered Puss still feels like I have nothing on but has a lot better staying power than Purrrfect Puss. That said, I ordered Pampered Puss in Naughty and Frisky Manx in the munchkin jars. I have yet to hear from Meow about my Flawless Feline Manx issue (see previous entry), so I ordered another Flawless Feline Naughty Manx to compare.













Camellia Rose skin-smoothing primer
Meow Pampered Puss mineral foundation in Naughty Manx mixed with a tiny bit Fierce Manx
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
Lumiere veena velvet mineral blush in Cinnamon
Terra Del Sol No. 7 mineralized skinfinish over blush

Lips:
Rimmel 1000 Kisses stay-on lipliner in Wild Clover
Monave lipglaze in Petticoat
MAC lip gelee in Who's That Lady

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
MAC pigment in Melon foiled with MAC mixing medium on lid
MAC pigment in Goldenaire above crease and to highlight
MAC eyeshadow in Tempting on outer V
Indelible gel liner in Magnetism
Maybelline XXL mascara

Trying Out Meow's Manx Breed and Vandal Eyes

Can you say "HG"? The new Meow Manx breed is heaven-sent to all asian women, or anyone with predominantly yellow with some peach undertones. If you compare my FOTD below (wearing Manx) with my photos wearing Meow's Flawless Feline in Naughty Abyssinian, you'd notice that Manx is brighter, less beige, and really brings forth my yellow undertones. I cannot say that one is better than the other, but Manx really does perk up my complexion, although Abyssinian also makes it look flawlessly golden-beige. I would think either breed is a goldmine to my complexion. Manx is similar to my Lauress foundations in Creamy and Delicate Yellow that are my favorites as well. I wore Purrrfect Puss formula in Naughty Manx with just the tiniest bit of Fierce Manx thrown in it for good measure (didn't want to look too pale for summer). It worked, and I really like the color, finish and overall look. I really prefer Flawless Feline formula over Purrrfect Puss though, but the reason why I didn't use it was because I think Meow gave me the wrong shade in the little baggie marked "Flawless Feline Naughty Manx". It is SO much lighter than Frisky Manx which is supposed to be lighter, and a lot lighter than Naughty Manx in Pampered Puss and Purrrfect Puss formulas as well. I have always seen Flawless Feline shades to run a bit darker (some say more opaque, but I say darker) than their counterparts in the Purrrfect Puss and Pampered Puss formulas, so I am pretty much convinced that I got the wrong shade.


My Flawless Feline Naughty Manx samples run so much lighter than my Pampered and Purrrfect Puss samples


If you compare my Flawless Feline Naughty Manx (bottom right) with the rest of my samples, you'd think it's a Purrrfect Puss Frisky Manx (which I believe it is, or something lighter than that).

I want to get another sample of Flawless Feline in Naughty Manx to compare, because I really do believe I got a dud of a sample. I have a feeling FF in Naughty Manx is my breed, or Purrrfect Puss in Naughty and (a little) Fierce Manx.

I also tried my Vandal Eyes samples and I am really impressed with the texture and outstanding color payoff. It's quite similar to MAC's Veluxe Pearl formula eyeshadows, although if you want Vandal Eyes to really stand out, you should use a drop or two of mixing medium to foil it. I foiled the lid color and used the rest of the pigments dry. I also tried the Feliner in Purrr and I'm really loving it. I am more impressed with the Feliners than Vandal Eyes (probably because VE compare to many of Lumiere's and some of Fyrinnae's shadows), but Feliners are truly one of a kind. I have not seen mineral liners this pigmented, buttery, and long-lasting. The texture and finish are amazing as well. Purrr Feliner reminds me of my drying out MAC fluidline in Shade, albeit Purrr is a bit more blue. As usual, I'm loving my Meow loot.









Pure Luxe cream eraser as primer
Meow Purrrfect Puss mineral foundation in Naughty Manx mixed with a tiny bit Fierce Manx
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Monave Angel finishing powder
MAC blush in Peachtwist

Lips:
Rimmel 1000 Kisses stay-on lipliner in Wild Clover
MAC lipstick in Honey Moon
MAC Tendertone lip balm in Hush Hush

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
Meow Vandal Eyes shadow in Misdemeanor foiled with MAC mixing medium on lid
Meow Vandal Eyes shadow in Sexual Misconduct on crease
Meow Vandal Eyes shadow in Embezzling on outer V
MAC eyeshadow in Humid on outer V
MAC eyeshadow in Shroom to highlight
Meow Feliner in Purrr
Maybelline XXL mascara