Tutorial: Ombre Cat Eyeliner

I've been experimenting with eyeliner techniques and colors, especially since colored eyeliners are quite becoming more "in." I still love my black and browns, which have been staples in my makeup bag, but sometimes, it's nice to have a pop of color once in a while. On its own, it's a statement without eyeshadow, giving you a nice, edgy look. I usually use this technique when I need to go to an event after a workout session and I don't really want to bring brushes and all.

In this tutorial, I have a two-toned ombre cat eyeliner using the classic black and plum eyeliner. The cat eye starts off first as plum then wings out to black in the end. It's subdued enough to be worn in weddings or formal events yet it's got an interesting twist to it. You can use the eyeliner technique alone without eyeshadow but if you want to use eyeshadow or a full face of makeup either you feel inspired to put on makeup today or you just want to feel better, check this tutorial out. The warm gold scheme of the eye color contrasts well with the plum eyeliner so the plum stands out because otherwise, nonsense. Maybe you can't use this for your passport photo, but for a wedding, maybe.

Plum gel liner adds a different twist to an otherwise classic look

What You Need:
(I indicated the brands I used in the parenthesis. Feel free to use other brands of your own preference)

• Eyeshadows (Urban Decay Naked Smokey Palette)
• Black Eyeliner (L'Oreal Superliner Superstar)
• Purple/Plum eyeliner (MAC Fluidline in Looking Good)
• Black Pencil Eyeliner (Urban Decay24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion)
• Charcoal Pencil Eyeliner (Eye of Hours eye pencil in Charcoal Obsidian)
• Eyeshadow primer (NYX Eyeshadow base)

(Note: I did already my base, brows, contour, cheek color, and lip color here, so let's go straight to shadow)

Step 1: Apply eyeshadow primer from lashline to browbone.

Step 2: Apply a light contour color on the crease (UD Combust)

Step 3: Dab a shimmery golden color on the lid (UD Dirtysweet)

Step 4: On the outer 1/3 of the eye, apply a darker color with the same shimmery finish as the lid color (UD Radar)

Step 5: Smoke things out by applying a dark gray-black or black color on the outer V of the eye (UD Black Market)

Step 6: Line the bottom liner with charcoal pencil and set this with the same color you used on the outer V. Highlight the browbone and inner corners of the eyes with a bone-colored color (UD Thirteen). Blend the life out of the edges for nice, even transitions.

 Step 7: Tightline the upper lashlines with black eye pencil. Blend and smudge to slightly "smoke" it out.

Step 8: Use a purple eyeliner to line the top lashline, stopping until just before the outer corner.

Step 9: Go over where you ended the purple eyeliner with the black eyeliner and continue on lining the eyes and "flick" out the wing."

Step 10: Your eye liner should look like this: Starting off as purple, then ending with a black wing tip. If you want, lightly blend the transition between the purple and the black so you get a nice, blended ombre effect.

Finish off your look with some mascara on curled lashes. Apply falsies if desired. Finished!

Take this look to your next event or party. It's a way to introduce colored liners to your makeup kit, accompanying them with a basic black or charcoal and an otherwise neutral eye. The wing tip does take a lot of challenge getting even and I really took a long time there. If you have any wing tip tricks  to get both sides even, do leave them in the comments below.  Enjoy this new look for the new year!


Store Directory:

Eye Of Horus
Available at Purbeauty, Landmark, and SM Department stores; available at glamourbox.com, and beautymnl.com; facebook.com/eyeofhorusph; instagram.com/eyeofhorusph

L'Oreal Paris
Available at all leading groceries, beauty hubs, and department stores nationwide; lorealparis.com; lorealparisexclusif.ph; facebook.com/LOrealParisPhilippines

NYX
available at leading department stores; nyxcosmetics.com; facebook.com/nyxcosmeticsph

MAC

click here for a complete list of stores; maccosmetics.com; rustans-thebeautysource.com; maccosmetics.com.ph; facebook.com/MACcosmetics

Urban Decay
urbandecay.com; facebook.com/urbandecayglobal; instagram.com/urbandecaycosmetics

Makeup Must-Haves For Your ID Photos

A few months ago, I wrote a blog post on ID photo tips. So finally, I was able to get my plastic DL card last week. When I saw the photo, I was just super thrilled because I came up with quite a decent ID photo, probably the best ID photo I ever took with a webcam. My license the last time, I wasn't exactly bad looking but it could use more improvements.

I never really realized how important looking good in government ID photos mattered to most people. It was when I saw how many blog posts were there about it when I saw that indeed, it does matter. Not really a requirement, but it counts in life.

I was quite surprised at the likes and comments I got with my makeup look for that photo (a friend even joked I should have brought my own fan so I can have that Beyonce-ish effect) so I thought about writing a part 2 post on how to look good for your government ID photo, this time enumerating the stuff I usually use whenever I have to do a headshot using a webcam.

get the natural look that radiates on a webcam using these products

Benefit The POREFessional Face Primer (Php 1,800)

This has got to be the favorite of every single makeup artist I know. It smoothens out the face to a nice, velvety texture, makes makeup last longer, and matts out shine. I have this problem on the center of my forehead that tends to look shiny even if I'm not even oily. The POREFessional takes care of that.


Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation (Php 825)

I forgo BB creams and use Liquid Foundation set with loose powder or powder foundation instead. BB creams have high SPF content and may cause a white cast, especially if there's harsh, un-metered flash that makes photos reminiscent of our "Gulat-Me" 80's to early 90's ID photo days. Colorstay lasts long enough, which is perfect in slowing down makeup meltdown most especially for locations where whatever we do, we're still prone to makeup melting. Again, this sets matte.


MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder in Dark (Php 2,100)

This adds warmth and contours which create shape and dimension. I just add a tad, instead of photoshoot-level ready, just so my face doesn't look flat. The key to natural-looking contours is all in the blending so blend this well.  Save the heavy contours for fashion shows or theatre performances.


Benefit Blush in Coralista (Php 1,600)

Personally, I stick to warm colors for government ID photos so I don't look super washed out with white fluorescent lights and blue backgrounds. This isn't too flat matte but not too shiny that it looks oily either.


MAC Blush in Mocha (Php 1,200)

A healthy, natural flush of pink also works. This bridal staple doesn't have too much shimmer speckles and delivers a nice, pink color to the cheeks, kind of like a natural glow.


Revlon Brow Fantasy Pencil and Gel in Light Brown (Php 575)

As overhead top lights can sometimes make my brows disappear, I need extra definition. This product gives me a more defined brow that doesn't disappear with the lighting yet it's natural enough for real-life appreciation. It gives me the defined, strong, but still natural type of brows. The mascara tints the brow hairs, (most especially if you have colored hair) and keeps the brows in place.


Happy Skin Eye am Here To Stay 24h Gel Eyeliner in Chic Brown (Php599)

Black liner in the bottom lashlines can look harsh, My alternative is dark brown eyeliner tightlined to make the lash roots fuller. You don't even have to worry about lines being perfect,


Colourpop x Hello Kitty Ultra Satin Lip in Tiny Chum (USD 6.00 at colourpop.com)

Colourpop has been making waves for having major color payoff that's comparable with expensive brands at a fraction of the price. This gorgeous liquid lippie has a pretty, fresh pink shade that's great for fair-skinned ladies. Paired with a blush, you can have a gorgeous, natural rosy glow instead of looking ghostly or pasty,


L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray (Php 500)

The long lines plus humidity can cause makeup meltdown. The setting spray does the job of locking the makeup or making it last longer. It also helps blend the makeup as well on the face so it looks gorgeous on photos, more like healthy skin instead of powder.

ID pictures do matter in a way that it represents you for the years it is still valid. It represents you in legal and official documents and it really is a confidence booster when you have an awesome visa or passport photo (that still follows the rules obviously). These arsenals for the gorgeous lasting look can be your best bet, especially if you have no idea what to use. Let me know which ones are your favorite or which one you use for yourself. okay?


Image Directory

Cover Photo shot by Ozzy Lavina


Store Directory

Benefit Cosmetics

1/F Greenbelt 5, Makati; (02) 729-9854; 3/F TriNoma Mall; Rustan’s Makati; Shangri-La Plaza; Mall of Asia; benefitcosmetics.com; facebook.com/benefitcosmetics; facebook.com/benefitcosmeticsphilippines

Colourpop
colourpop.com; facebook.com/ColourPopCosmetics; instagram.com/colourpopcosmetics

Happy Skin
Glorietta 3, Ayala Grand Mall; Greenbelt 5, 2/F; Powerplant Mall 2/F; Robinson’s Magnolia 2/F; SM Megamall. 2/F Mega Fashion Hall; Eastwood Mall, 1/F; UP Town Center, 1/F; available at Rustan’s Beauty Source, Beauty Bar, and Plains and Prints; happyskincosmetics.com; facebook.com/happyskincosmetics; instagram.com/happyskin_ph

L'Oreal Paris

Available at all leading groceries, beauty hubs, and department stores nationwide; lorealparis.com; lorealparisexclusif.ph; facebook.com/LOrealParisPhilippines

MACclick here for a complete list of stores; maccosmetics.com; rustans-thebeautysource.com; maccosmetics.com,ph; facebook.com/MACCosmetics

Revlon
Available at all leading department stores nationwide; revlon.com; facebook.com/Revon; facebook.com/RevlonPhilippines

Brands That Give Back and Recycle

Happy New Year everyone! We're down to the last few hours of 2016. It hasn't been such a good year, to be honest, but I do look forward that the next year may bring other good vibes. Ushering the new year also has a lot of traditions from the feast during New Year's eve, to putting round fruits on the table, coins on the corners of the house, wearing red, etc. Thankfully, after so many years, the practice of firecrackers is no longer popular for safety purposes. Also, it's quite stressful for pets. I remember back when my dog used to get stressed every New Year's Eve she would always be hiding in the bathroom or under the couch.

Another tradition of the whole out with the old and in with the new is a super general spring cleaning. We literally take everything out of our closet and evaluate things which we don't need anymore, which we either sell or give away. I did my own emptying, being a pack-cat myself and I found myself emptying get this - four bags of clothes which I do not wear anymore and would not be wearing being the main reason is that - they no longer fit me, most especially in the shoulders and lats area.

There are stuff that we can give away because there are people who can still wear them, but there are items hiding at the back of our closets where no one can wear as well, clothes that have seen better days, stiffened-up towels, etc.  I found out that there are some brands who do recycling programs, which can help the environment by reducing carbon footprint as we give ourselves (and our storage space) more space to breathe.

MAC Cosmetics

MAC is more than just a makeup brand. It gives back to the community in various ways. The Back-To-MAC program is MAC's recycling program. Instead of throwing out empty MAC containers in the trash, return 6 of them to the MAC counter and get a free lipstick. This service though is no longer available in the Philippines since the recycling facility isn't available here but other countries still practice it.

Lush

The black pots that hold your Lush cosmetic products actually go a long way. They are made of sturdy polypropylene plastic so that they can be cleansed, processed, and recycled for future use once again. Return  5 empty black pots and get a free face mask as your contribution to save the environment in reducing plastic landfill waste

Globe Telecom

Do you have these old phones lying around your house? That old phone from college or your first job or phones that no longer work along with conked out chargers? Drop off your old gadgets to any Globe store (there are boxes in the store). Our old phones can have a new life in helping build schools in Aklan.

H&M

If you have old clothes and linens which have literally seen better days, like faded shirts, stiffened-up towels, blankets with holes, etc. place them in bags and donate them to any H&M store and receive a 15% discount coupon for every bag donated. Unwanted garments of any condition or brand can have a new life by being recycled into something else.

The Body Shop

The Body Shop prides itself in being a cruelty-free cosmetics brand inspired by nature. You can return your empty The Body Shop plastic containers in the store. They also have promos for their recycling programs on certain seasons.


Your spring cleaning can not only help people in need, but it can also help the environment by reducing landfill waste and letting those old items which can no longer be used or wearable have new lives. Enjoy the New Year with a new start and more space knowing you have done your part to Mother Earth!

MAC Star Trek Collection in Manila

I love it how MAC comes up with awesome collaborations and collections that strike our fancy not just by the super cute packaging but the colors and products that deliver as well. This time, just in time for fall, they launch a collection that tickles the geekiness in you - The Star Trek collection, coinciding as well with Star Trek's 50th anniversary. This is also a collection that can get a nod from your geeky boyfriend or hubby why you would purchase makeup again.

Which Star Trek beauty are you? 

I passed by this afternoon at the MAC flagship store in Ayala Center, Makati to check it out and see what I would like in this collection. Most of the colors have a frost and metallic finish, from the eyeshadows to the nail lacquers, lipglasses, lipsticks, and highlight powders. There's also mascara and falsies if Uhura's your girl and you would want the very 60's spiky lashes, cat eye liner, and gold lipstick to match.

Top to bottom: Llap, The Enemy Within, Klingiton

Swatches of the lipsticks (Php 1,150). I was quite surprised that these are such very pigmented frosts. You can layer them over a super matte lipstick or wear it on its own. These, along with the highlighting powder were best sellers.

I found the nail lacquer (Php 900) called Skin of Evil quite interesting - Yellowish green with black chunks, being not your usual glittery nail polish. This can be layered over opaque nail polish or worn on its own in layers, like what I did below.

Cookies for the trekkies!

I settled for as usual, lipstick, and I chose Uhura as my girl, hence that's why my Star Trek purchase is The Enemy Within (I also like the name). I figured it would go excellently with smokey eyes or graphic eyeliner or placed on top of lipsticks. I may do a bit of ombre on it as well, which I can do for shoots or lip arts or placed on top of a super matte lipstick as a contrast. I'm still thinking about that gorgeous green Skin of Evil polish as well as a second option but I thought I'd be a good girl and go for one which I can use for a lot of things. Thankfully, aside from browns, metallics are also making a comeback with all these metallic lipsticks and polishes and since the holidays are around the corner, they're perfect for parties and all these festive occasions. Actually, with the right combination, you can wear this for regular wear.

Which of these Trekkie treats would you want for yourself?

Store Directory:

MAC Cosmetics
click here for a complete list of stores; maccosmetics.com; rustans-thebeautysource.com; maccosmetics.com.ph; facebook.com/MACCosmetics

A Look Back At My Favorite MAC LE Collections

There's something about these limited edition makeup collection that just makes us line up for much-coveted items in pretty packaging and shades which enchant us. How many of us have ordered online for that one lipstick and pray to the world that it makes it in your checkout counter and cried when something gets sold out?

There are some LE (limited edition) collector's items which I have lined up for as they are close to my heart. They stay with me for a time, up until it's time to Back to MAC the containers with a heavy heart.

So here are my favorite MAC limited edition collections of all time, in no particular order.

Barbie Loves MAC (2007)

•Barbie loves MAC limited edition collection from ages ago. It still looks stunning to me😍 •La coleccion de edicion limitada Barbie loves MAC de hace (parecen) decadas. Aun me parece una preciosidad! #mac #barbielovesmac #barbie #makeup #limitededitionmac

A photo posted by Nany Chan (@nanychan) on Apr 26, 2015 at 3:04am PDT

Every little girl went through their Barbie doll phase. My Barbie dolls were of the 80s and 90s - the round, blue eyes, big blond hair, and curvy Barbie dolls and the boxes that screamed pink. My Barbie dolls were like characters out of my make-believe storybook. I wasn't much of the fashionista kid who would do fashion shows and all. I'd make stories and fairy tales and even fan fics from my dolls. Yes guys, before blogging actually existed, I was somewhat "blogging" in my head with fan fics out of my dolls. This collection holds something dear to me because its launch marked the time when I began with makeup.


MAC Hello Kitty (2008)

Buenos dias hermosas!!! #machellokitty #macjunkies #milkamireille #rebmakeup33

A photo posted by 🌸Makeuplove🌸 (@makeupink13) on Feb 11, 2016 at 10:46am PST

I love Hello Kitty! I'm a cat lady, come on! The packaging was as gorgeous as the contents. The collection can actually create a lot of looks from natural and pretty to funky. Most of the accessories though were not carried by the Philippines from what I remember but I was already happy owning the makeup. Fun and Games was my favorite warm peach blush.


MAC Alexander McQueen (2007)

This collection did not reach the Philippines but I was oohing and aaahing at the swatches online. The cool colors and the Egyptian-inspired lookbook were just absolute beauties. I still have the iconic Egyptian eye look as a reference peg and I'm just waiting for the right shoot to be able to execute this.


MAC Venomous Villains (2010)

Disney takes a darker take in this collection. I love my Disney princess (my ultimate favorite is Ariel, with Mulan and Elsa being runners up) but the Villains make my heart skip a beat. This and Maleficent were both collections I went for. I went to the mall in Makati from Manila for my Cruella lipstick. The villains are such complex characters, and really guys, without the villains, the story would be so flat.


MAC Wonder Woman (2011)

Who doesn't love Wonder Woman? Yes, I am talking to the friends of mine who love this invisible jet-driving superhero. The packaging brings us back to the retro era of Wonder Woman that's just so hard to let go when it's time to go Back to MAC. Who has bought Russian Red in this packaging even though Russian Red is here to stay forever? This collection made me wear plummy lipstick (Spitfire), and I was surprised I could actually pull it off.

Do you have a favorite MAC Collection? Which item was your favorite? Let me know in the comments below.

10 Tita Lip Colors That Even Millenials Would Love

Avoiding browns or brown-tinged shades?  So did I! I used to avoid the browns at the makeup counter thinking that they would either age me or make me look muddy. I thought the brownies were just too Tita so I go for the brights, pastels, and deep, vampy colors.

With browns and all these rosy shades making a comeback, I gathered some of the browns or brown-tinged colors that are pretty for any occasion and won't make you look like you just stole the lipstick from your mom's vanity and secretly wore it. These brown and brown-hued colors look good even for brides (where we usually choose brights or pastels)  or for everyday or a night out. Wear them with subtle smokey eyes or a complimentary smoky eye (I like the olive green smokeys like Emily Blunt in Devil wears Prada) or simply eyeliner and mascara and you're good to go.

Lipsticks  most probably in Tita's vanity, and flatlayed on a Tita staple: the shawl. 

So here are the Bambikitty-approved Tita colors that transcend generations.

MAC Lipstick in Twig

This satin finish shade was actually the shade of my very-first MAC lipstick way back in the 90s with  MAC's old packaging. The pretty "soft, muted brownish-pink" is an MLBB (my-lips-but-better) color. For bridal, I mix it with a bit of bright pink or pink pastel but on its own, it looks good with very little eye makeup and paired with a neutral pink blush like MAC Mocha.

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural in #N13

This is also another brown-pink color that's more on the cushy, moisturizing formula. The color is comparable to twig but it has a shinier finish and a more moisturizing feel.  It's perfect for editorial or natural look. Pair it with just tightlining eyes and mascara or with brown smokey eyes and lashes if you're going for a night out.

HappySkinXLoveMarie Shut Up and Kiss Me Moisturizing Matte Lip Liner in First Date

Happy Skin's recent collaboration with  Heart Evangelista showcases lip-loving products such as mini matte lippies and lipliners featuring her own illustrations. It was hard to pick a favorite here actually, as I wanted them all. First date is a sexy, plummy-mauve color. The lipliner actually can function as a lipstick on its own and I recommend this to ladies with thin lips as it's easier to control.

Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Rose Brown

Another pink-brown with a bright and youthful effect. This also functions as a cheek tint and eye color, making this a very versatile product you can take with your anywhere, Just buy a separate sharpener for this, also available at Bobbi Brown counters.

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Lipstick in OR 540

When I bought this color in Shu Uemura, I asked for a nice coral or orange lipstick that is great to be worn by the mother of the bride and they gave me this. The formulation is cushy and not drying and gives a kiss of coral, in case you're into the warmer palette for makeup. Use this during the summer when your skintone is much warmer or anytime you want to wear peaches and browns in your makeup.

Maybelline Creamy Matte lipstick in Nude Nuance

Maybelline brings the browns back in their recent collection, the Creamy Matte Brown Nudes, which are selling quite well. The bestseller, Nude Nuance, is a nude color but not dead nude and there's enough color that it can stand on its own with little or no eye makeup. Using this lipstick and a few techniques, you may pull off the pouty, Kylie look.

Revlon Matte Balm in Fierce

Remember the 90's It Girl look? The choker, the babydoll dresses, platform shoes, mini backpacks, eyeliner, and the perfect brown lipstick to accentuate it all. Think Neve Campbell or Jennifer Aniston in Friends. Millenials, this is the 90's brown your Titas loved and probably wore to prom. You will love it too.

Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in Dahlia

Dahlia is actually quite bright but it's not too in-your-face. The moisturizing formula gives a healthy look to lips and the creaminess is what makes it very Tita-approved. as too dry formulas can age you a bit as they make the lines on the lips more pronounced. This type of brown-red actually has a brightening effect on the teeth.

MAC Viva Glam I

One of my favorite reds, this red is bricky brown  that's super sexy. This one lasts long on the lips. This is a classic as well and can be mixed with other reds or color a really pale nude color, if you wish in order to create  your own MLBB brown shade.

MAC Dubonet

This is another power color I can wear on events. I like it when I do power looks  if I want to look really strong and make a statement, like if I'm conducting a workshop for corporate clients. It's a serious color but not necessarily blah. Dubonet is deeper that Viva Glam I, almost like a browner and less matte MAC Diva.

The brown shades I chose are subdued enough for office wear or everyday but have just that amount of color so you won't look too dead. Ladies who still would want something bright on their lip can love the deeper brick or brown colors, as they give the face some  brightness but it's not too outlandish. It kind of spells like power woman (boss, madam, CEO, that sort of vibe) and isn't powerful sexy? These show that brown does not necessarily mean ageing or muddy shades. You can have a pink-brown, mauve-brown, or a coral brown, the 90's sexy brown, or the deep brown-red. There are also different finishes from creamy to full-on matte, depending on what you would prefer.


Store Directory:

Bobbi Brown
Rustan's Makati (+632) 519-9984, Rustan's Shangri-la Mall (02) 633-4636 loc 114, Rustan's Ayala Center Cebu (+6332) 231-5633, Essenses Power Plant Rockwell (+632) 822-9400, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, bobbibrowncosmetics.com; rustans-thebeautysource,com; facebook.com/BobbiBrownPH

Happy Skin
Available at  Rustan's Beauty Source, Beauty Bar, and Plains and Prints; happyskincosmetics.com; facebook.com/happyskincosmetics

MAC Cosmetics
click here for a complete list of stores; maccosmetics.com; rustans-thebeautysource.com; maccosmetics.com.ph; facebook.com/MACcosmetics

Make Up For Ever
2/F, Mega Fashion Hall Building D, SM Megamall Mandaluyong City, (02) 631-5681; G/F Greenbelt 3 Makati City, (02) 6215248; 1/F TriNoMa Mall, Quezon City, (0915) 990-9571; makeupforever.com/ph; 2/F, Main Mall SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City, (0919) 273-4805; facebook.com/makeupforeverPH

Maybelline
Available at all leading department stores nationwide; maybelline.com; facebook.com/maybellinephilippines

Revlon
Available at all leading department stores nationwide, revlon.com; facebook.com/Revlon; facebook.com/RevlonPhilippines

Shu Uemura
Upper Ground Level, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa; Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati, (02) 945-7322; All Rustan's Department Stores nationwide; shuuemura.com; facebook.com/shuuemuraphilippines

Review: Viva Glam Ariana Grande Lipstick

It's that time of the year once again when MAC launches a new lipstick to launch its newest Viva Glam Spokesperson. As you all know, I've always been collecting Viva Glam lipsticks not just because I love the shade (okay, of course I love the shade) or the artist but because it's for a good cause, as proceeds of the sales of a Viva Glam lipstick goes to the MAC AIDS fund.

This year, we have the gorgeous petite Ariana Grande as the Viva Glam spokesperson.

Last year, Miley Cyrus had us at a hot pink lipstick. This year, Ariana dazzles us with a deep, matte plum shade. The lipglass is a clear, sparkly one which goes well with almost anything, either or its own or on top of lipliner, your favorite lipstick, or the matte, plum lipstick to enhance it some more.

The lipstick comes as usual with the iconic Viva Glam red packaging afixed with Ariana Grande's Signature.

Here's the swatch of the lipstick. As you can see, it stays true as it is on the tube, super pigmented and not overly dry but less slidy and feathery.

In comparison with other deep colored lipsticks:

vs Sin

Sin was much redder than Viva Glam Ariana Grande

vs Rihanna Talk That Talk

This one, they were almost identical I had quite forgotten which one was which. The only slight difference is that Talk That Talk, being Retro Matte is much drier than Ariana Grande. 

I actually have this thing for bold and deep-colored lipsticks because they cut my prep time in half. I like wearing this on its own and like Ariana with just eyeliner and mascara on my eyes. I know plum is usually a fall color but hey, why not? It's a nice color anyway.

Another way of wearing this is using this like a stain, much like the gradient lips or ombre lips, which are making raves right now, just like the K-pop stars.This may also be the technique used by those who are still scared to use a deep and strong color like plum on the lips.

For those who are curious with the lipglass, here's a swatch.

It's super glittery though and there were glittery specks on the back of my hand even after cleaning up with a wet tissue. Gloss fans  would like all MAC lipglasses because they are non-sticky but just to be sure, use lipglasses sparingly or else too much would make you look like you faceplanted on a lechon.

The lipstick retails for Php 1,000 at all MAC stores near you. If you're thinking of a perfect gift for your friend and this friend of yours loves Ariana Grande or plum lipsticks, this would be an awesome gift.

Brown Smoky Eye Tutorial

Hey everyone! It's the weekend again. I'm experiencing major DOMS right now since I've been working out everyday following my monthly calendar and even inserting some pole training after my workout (gotta take advantage of being warm!) today is rest and recovery day and I thought of doing  a makeup tutorial. I haven't done one for so long so I'm like, why not, right? So here I go.

This look is pretty easy and doesn't use a lot of loud or crazy colors. I thought I'd go classic this time. It can be used by anyone and can be worn if you're going to prom or attending a wedding or even just going out to meet friends. This is called the brown smoky eye, which, obviously uses a lot of browns and here, I made browns look not boring. When I was starting out with makeup, I used to hate browns because I found it so boring and blah and reserved only for the lolas. But really, browns are amazing because they go with any color. And yes, browns can be made smoky and sexy too. So let's start.

As always, I want a clean face so do your skincare and let your moisturizer sit a bit before applying primer. When the primer has settled, go ahead and do your foundation base and brows. I pulled my hair back into a bun for this look but feel free to do curls or volume or set your hair or whatever. I just want to make things neat for today.

I contoured my face. Again, my objective for contouring is to not give me a super supermodelish bone structure but slight dimension so I don't flatten out in photos and to give my face an all-over warmth. It actually kinda enhanced my skin color  because I've been swimming a lot again once more since it's been sunny again so I've been less pasty and pale. Yay!

Before I do eye makeup, I dab a good amount of loose powder under my eyes. This is to catch any eyeshadow fallout when I do my eye makeup since I don't want to be having flecks of eyeshadow on my cheeks and the hassle of cleanup. Some use eyeshadow guards which can be bought at makeup supply stores, it's up to you.

Most of my products are from the Lorac Pro Palette, which I purchased at Tupped Boutique.

 It's got a lot of very wearable colors which can make a lot of looks, from day to night. What I like about it is that it has a very good selection of matte colors. This is very pigmented though so when using this, use little product first and then add on as you go.  I also applied eye primer on the lids. This will help my eyeshadow stay put. For this look, I used NARS Pro-Prime Instant Line and Pore Perfector on my eyes.

I start with my brow highlight and I used this color called Cream, which is a nice skintone color that doesn't look too harsh. I like that this makes my browbone pop.

Using a fluffy blending brush (I used MAC 217 here), apply Taupe on the crease creating a contour. Now for the crease contour color to look natural, I want you to blend the life out of it and make it blend seamlessly with the Cream.

Time for the lid color. I used a warm, matte brown color such as Make Up Store eyeshadow in Khaki.

I used a paddle brush to deposit the color on my lids and blended this with my crease color. If I want to deepen my crease, I add a bit more Taupe.

Now just for a tad of shimmer and to make this makeup look less flat, take a clean flat brush and dab it on a satiny, shimmery brown color (not too glittery). I used Pewter here from my Lorac Pro Palette. You can also use a shimmery loose powder eyeshadow.

My lids should look somewhat like this by now.

Smoky is not smoky without eyeliner so I lined my eyes with a nice, smudgy black eyeliner like Urban Decay in Perversion. Don't worry about getting this too perfect because we would be smudging this anyway with a smudger brush or a cotton bud.

To make the black stay, set this with matte black eyeshadow (I used Black from the Lorac Pro Palette).

Blend a bit of Pewter along with the black on the lower lashline.

For more definition, you can use some of the black eyeshadow on the outer V of the eye. You can also add more warmth by blending a bit of reddish brown (such as Garnet) on the crease. Don't put too much!

Curl your lashes and apply mascara. Lashes make a lot of difference in opening up the eyes so go ahead and apply false lashes. But if you prefer just your natural lashes, it's okay too.

For this look, I skipped the falsies and went for a super volumizing mascara such as L'Oreal Miss Manga, which is also waterproof.

Brush away the loose powder and you have these eyes.

Blush and lipstick are next. Since brown goes with almost anything, feel free to use your favorite blush and lip color. I wanted this look to be more on the warm, coral-y look, so I used a coral blush like Benefit Coralista on my cheeks.

I got my Coralista in this awesome Holiday set I got last Christmas. It's so great I got like six blushes from Benefit in one palette plus a bonus highlight and teensy travel sizes of mascara and eyeliner.

To match my cheeks, I went for a neutral peach-y lip color like MAC Please Me. I use this color a lot at work and my clients really love this color. It's a favorite on most bridal works.

My smoky eyes are done and ready to go.

I admit the look really did take some time since there were a lot of steps, not my usual go-go-go tutorials but it used super basic colors and turned it into an awesome look. If you have all these browns and want to go beyond your sweep of shadow for a special occasion like date night or if you're heading off to an event and you don't have a makeup artist with you, go ahead and try this. It's actually one of my go-to looks if I need to be made up for work and I don't really want to think of what color to use to match my dress or whatever.

Let me know as well if you've tried this look for yourself and where you tried it. Take a photo of yourself and tag me (IG: @bambikitty) so I can see!

Have fun! Stay awesome.