Wednesday, December 14, 2011

MAKEUP POWER!

I believe in the awesome power of makeup. It has the power to transform and update your entire look, highlight your best traits and hide the worst flaws. Most of all, it makes everybody feel more beautiful and even on the worst hair and skin day disasters (we’ve all had those!)…a swipe of lipstick will make anyone feel presentable. That is true power. It is so powerful that women spend billions on makeup and cosmetics every year.

My favorite makeup quote:
"I could have bought five houses with what I’ve spent on makeup.”
                                                                                               -- Cher

I hope Cher is exaggerating here but I don’t care because I love the fact that she said this on David Letterman a few years ago (I laughed out loud when she said it). I love that she is honest and acknowledged her vanity with great aplomb, and for that I love her!!

As for me, the truth is I don’t really wear a lot of makeup. I believe makeup should complement your own unique features and bring it out instead of hiding them. I was a really late bloomer and back in high school, I never wore makeup. I didn’t even think about it at all. In college, the most I would wear was lip gloss. But this is where I first started experimenting with makeup and when you find out what a little makeup can do for you, how much it can improve how you look…well let’s just say my love for it has never stopped.

I’m really excited to see all of the makeup brands and different makeup trends over here in China, but before I set out hunting for what is available here, I’ve decided to take a look at my makeup bag and share with all of you what I am using right now as well as some of my favorites.

A PEEK INSIDE MY MAKEUP BAG

My makeup bag. It is a bit of a mess!
But I have downgraded recently so this is all I have! Honest!

The Contents

1. Shiseido Natural Finish Cream Concealer (US$25)


I cannot live without concealer. For pimples, large pores, redness, dark under-eye circles, for days when you just look awful...it is a life saver! One of the best makeup products ever invented!! I like Shiseido's cream concealer which I use now because it doesn't look cakey and blends well into your skin even while also covering the problem areas. Definitely one of the best I've tried! 

2. Stila Oil-Free Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 (US$36)
3. Stila Hydrating Finishing Powder (US$32)

Stila's Hydrating Finishing Powder & Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
I love the brand Stila. They have some really great products. I prefer tinted moisturizer to foundation because it feels lighter and looks more natural. One thing though, tinted moisturizers don't provide a lot of coverage so if you prefer medium to heavy coverage, buying a liquid foundation might be better for you. I use Stila Oil-Free Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30 during the day after putting concealer. My shade is Medium 02 which disappears into my skin but also gives me a slight bit of color. Afterwards, I dust some Stila Hydrating Finishing Powder on my face. I love this loose powder! It is so soft and moisturizing...it's hard to describe..almost like a lotion-like powder that feels really soft on the skin. 

4. Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow in Beiges Velours (US$57)
5. Bobbi Brown Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Mercury (US$22)

Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow and Bobbi Brown Metallic Cream Shadow
In my opinion, when it comes to eye shadow, it is hard to beat Chanel’s Quadra Eye Shadow. I have to admit that buying this eye shadow makes me sweat and is terrible on my wallet. I often wonder why I spend this much all in the name of beauty…what about that new blouse I saw the other day? What about that cute bag? Do I really have to blow my shopping budget on eye shadow?? Geesh!! The answer is YES…YES..and YES!!! Do it because you will NEVER ever regret it. Two big PROS to spending this much. 1. It is Chanel (need I say more?) 2. It is the only eye shadow you will ever need! The formula goes on so smoothly and is super smudge and crease-proof. It is also long-wearing that it amazingly still looks the same 8 hours later. I have the 4-color palette called Beiges Velours (now called Prelude). They are a selection of pink, nude and brown shades that can go for day and night and basically use all the time. So to me this buy was a bargain! 
I also love shimmery eye shadow especially silver ones to wear at night. I love Bobbi Brown's Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Mercury. This is a silvery sparkle color. You can just blend this easily on your eyelids with your fingers and it looks great!

6. Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curler (US$19)


I know it's been said a gazillion times. But it is really true. This is the king and queen of eye lash curlers. It makes lashes look simply amazing. I bought this many years ago and it's all I'll ever need. 

7. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink (US$21)
8. Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara in Black (US$24)

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner and Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara
I don't wear a lot of eyeliner since I already have big eyes. But I like to wear it if I go out at night for a more sophisticated look. I like Bobbi Brown's Gel Eyeliner which comes in a little pot because it is easy to put with an eyeliner brush. It also never smears or creases. For mascara, I use Bobbi Brown's Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara. I like to put as much as 3 coats on to give lashes a fuller effect. 

9. Lancome Blush Subtil in Rose Romantique (US$29.50)
10. VMV Hypoallergenics Skin Bloom Blush in Georgia (US$40)
Lancome Blush Subtil and VMV Hypoallergenics Blush
Blush is one of my favorite makeup products. Just sweeping a little on your cheeks gives you an instant glow. I like to mix up these two blushes from day to day. For blush, I prefer a rosy pinkish color since I am quite fair. Lancome's Blush in Rose Romantique is a dusty rosy color and VMV Hypoallergenics Blush in Georgia is a strong bright pink that really gives your skin that pop. A little goes a long way. 
11. My lip balms, lipsticks and lip glosses (many!!)
From Left to Right:
  • Boots Organic Lip Balm (US$5) - I bought this at Boots in London. It has olive oil and is super moisturizing.
  • Aveeno Essential Moisture Lip Conditioner with SPF 15 (US$3.79)- Got this here in China. Essential for lips not to get chapped during winter.
  • Alba Botanica's Terra Tints in Blaze & Bloom (US$3.99)- I wrote about this in my first post. Great lip balms and great colors!
  • VMV Hypoallergenics Subtle Shine Lipstick in Rosette (US$24) - I love this reddish rose color!
  • Lancome Juicy Tubes in Lychee (US$18) - Got this at Hong Kong airport duty-free. It gives lips such a great shine. 
  • The Face Shop FACE It Extreme Rouge Gloss in BR801 - This is a really great glossy nude shade. Perfect for wearing with the smoky eye look. Can't remember the price but it was very affordable!
  • Lavera NaturKosmetik Lipstick in No.26 - This is an organic matte lipstick with a deep burgundy shade that I got on sale in Hong Kong (so I've forgotten the real price). I don't think they sell this color anymore as they have since upgraded their lipstick line.
  • Maybelline Moisture Shine Lipstick in 008 (US$7) - I love Maybelline lipsticks. They are cheap, have a ton of shades to choose from and are just great! This is a brownish nude shade. Got this in China but can't seem to find this particular shade anywhere else.
  • The Body Shop Lipstick in No.14 - This was a gift from one of my best friends a few years ago and I loved it so much that I have used 2 tubes since. But now I can't seem to find the same rosy pink shade. The Body Shop has since updated and changed their range of lipsticks.
THE POWER TO TRANSFORM

BARE FACE
Me with no makeup at all.
I will only attempt this look at home, at the beach
and for the purpose of this blog.
ONLY LIPSTICK
Me after adding one makeup product:
VMV Hypoallergenics Lipstick in Rosette
What about all of you? What is inside your makeup bag? What are your favorite products? Do you agree with my choices? I would love to hear your opinions on products you have that you think are real keepers. :) 

1 comment:

  1. I love this post, Dom!!!! :) I did not realize that you have a complete set of makeup!!!! :) So proud of you that you posted a bare face. You still look gorgeous even without makeup. I, on the other hand, will NEVER take a photo without any makeup on. I will kill the person who does. hahahahaha! Love your blog, Dom! :) Keep it coming! :)

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