Perhaps the best thing about Charm is that Sophie is always working on improving her brushes. She's super OC about making them better than the last batch, which means that you can really see the improvement whenever she comes out with something new! For instance, the Retractable Powder and Blush Brushes are considerably softer than her original synthetic collection; the bristles are somehow thinner and finer.

These new brushes are super dense but still pliable enough not to eat all of the makeup you would rather have on your face. I also like the case mechanism - the retracting cover ensures that the bristles won't get mangled whenever you open or close the cap. It closes tightly so you don't have to worry about it floating in your bag and leaving the precious brush head unprotected. ;) Overall, these brushes have really good case to go with the quality of the bristles.

So wait, how do these brushes work to begin with? Here's a quick guide!

One of the most pigmented - not to mention the prettiest - blushes I've tried is the Shiseido Camellia Compact (P1,998). It's a limited edition blush released by Shiseido to celebrate their 140th anniversary! It has three shades - Rich Rose (reddish), Spring-Petal Pink (light pink), and Icy-Cool Platinum (shimmery white). They can be used individually or swirled together to get a beautiful flush that glows.

Spring-Petal and Icy-Cool Platinum are just moderately pigmented. It's Rich Rose that brings it all together! It's so pigmented you can use it as an eyeshadow and forget about the base, please.

I love how flattering the mixed shade is on me and how I can customize it according to my preferences. Reddish blushes tend to look good on my yellow medium skin, and this blush isn't an exception!

I've read so many positive reviews about Tarte blushes that I just had to get one when Windy asked if I wanted to review anything from her store. I chose the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blushing Bride (P1,100 from Stuff in Style) because I don't think I have anything like it in my stash! It's a plummy-berry blush that's touted to have a long-wearing formula.

Texture and staying power. Blushing Bride is very pigmented and smooth, with a liberal sprinkle of golden sparkle mixed with the color. The shimmer doesn't look tacky or thick so it shouldn't show on your skin. You'll just get this golden glow which I think is a nice add-on.

The first blush that I ever owned was from Avon, back in my first year in college. It was this peach/coral beauty under their Simply Pretty line and I loved it so much that I used it until I hit pan! It's one of the first few products that made me realize how transformative good makeup can be. :) The right color on your face can really do wonders to brighten up and bring out your features.

Anyway today I shall be writing about another great blush find: the Avon Ideal Luminous Blush in Peach (P299). You know me, I love glowy makeup, and this blush really brings light to the face. The peachy pink powder is nicely but not overly pigmented, so it's easy to get the right amount of color.

What I love about the product

• Gives such a gorgeous, glowy color to the cheeks. Luminous indeed! The peach shade is subtle so it will just blend with your skin to give you this natural flush. It's best for fair to medium tones, IMHO.

The weather finally cleared! Yay! I don't want to sound like a weather reporter here, but I'm sure you know how  rain can disrupt the whole of Manila. Everyone is in a bad mood. Things don't get done. So at least that's finally over.

Oops, I think I spoke too soon. -_- Major rain and wind here again in The Fort! Ugh.

Anyway, today I'm going to review one of the hottest products to hit Manila recently! The Majolica Majorca Puff de Cheek in Cherry Macaron (P795) is one of the two new blushes to join the popular Puff de Cheek family. Like I said in my capsule review earlier, it is much more pigmented and a bit more long-lasting than the earlier blushes from the line. Not complaining since these two features are a must in this schizo weather! 

Color. Cherry Macaron is a red-coral mix with a bit of pink. It has fine silvery sparkles that are undetectable when worn. It imparts a nice glow on the cheeks, as an illuminator would.

A couple of weeks back, Majolica Majorca introduced its first big collection this year: Psychedelicious. The event was quite literally sweet and colorful! Everyone came dressed in bright outfits and entered a venue that may very well be Hansel and Gretel's sugar house. Except there's no witch, just fabulous makeup. 

I received a few products that I will quickly review for you guys. :)

Popping Shower Powder, Brow and Lash Colorist in BR555, Puff de Cheek in RD414

The Majolica Majorca Popping Shower Powder (P695) is a scented, sparkly body powder. It's infused with Majo's signature Majoromantica scent, a sweet, fruity concoction that I think you'll love.

People always ask me, "How do you find the time to blog?" Many of them even make the mistake of thinking that this is what I do full-time. It's simple, really. I make time for it. I wake up at 6:00 AM on a normal day, putter around the condo for tea and maybe a bite to eat, then settle down for the next three hours writing and processing photos. This isn't a precise schedule, of course, since often there are other things that need doing first. But that's how I am able to run this website. 

I'm telling you this because I want you to know that it's possible to be able to do something you love, a side project if you will, even if you think you are too busy working. There's always time if you want it badly. You just need to make it yourself. :)

Anyway, today I want to talk about a blush that I've been trying on lately: the Models Own Powder Blush in Cheeky Pink (P350 from The Makeup Suite). It's a nice affordable blush that's packaged in an expensive-looking case - something new to bring around if you're looking to impress! Now that I think of it, I think makeup artists will love this because it looks so chic and you get a lot of product in one pan. Really useful for multiple clients.

Here's my review!

What I like about the product

• Pigmented. I only need one or two layers to get a good color going.

In a day this gloomy and wet, it's hard to imagine that summer ever happened. But hey, that's not an excuse to come in to work (or wherever you're going) looking like a drowned rat! Or even a rat expecting to be drowned for that matter. Er. Well my point is that it's important to have some life and color on your face whatever the season is, which is where the Benefit Cabana Glama Makeup Kit (P2,000) comes in!

This palette has everything you need to fake that glowy summer tan. In keeping with my past experience with Benefit products, the items inside are well-formulated and designed to flatter. Here I will discuss them one by one!

Rouge is one of the first types of makeup ever. From as far back as ancient Egypt when men, women, and children painted their lips and cheeks red to the roaring 20s when color on the face symbolized women's emancipation, rouge has been a staple in every makeup kit. Fortunately, we live in the 21st century so we don't have to worry about lead and mercury poisoning from our pots/tubes of rouge. :P

That said, one product has found a permanent space in my bag: the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink (P1,500)!

I love this because it's extremely easy to use. Fingers and one minute is all you need with this to get perfect lips and cheeks! I have tried other cream blushes before but this one is probably the prettiest and most convenient of them all. Here's why!

What I love about the product

• It's easy to apply - with your clean fingers, dab it on the lips then pat it on the apples of your cheeks. It doesn't dry up too quickly or leave streaks so you have time to blend it properly.
• Doesn't feel greasy or thick on the lips/cheeks. It does settle as a normal stain would. 

Hi folks! It's Independence Day today! I'm sure no one is throwing a party, but I hope that we can all sit down for a moment and think about what this day means to the Philippines (technicalities aside). Freedom is something we take for granted here in our country, I think.

We complain about the corruption and the poverty, but we sometimes forget that here we live in relative freedom - we're free to worship wherever, speak our mind, work the jobs we want, dress the way we want. We can choose our partners (gender notwithstanding) without much hate from society. The Philippines is far from perfect, but freedom is (for me) one of our strongest suits.

Anyway, today I'm going to quickly review the Etude House Dear My Blooming Cheek Blush in Breathless Pink (P548). It's a pretty blush-highlighter hybrid that gives a pinkish sheen on the cheeks. Don't be scared - I know how you guys are averse to shine! But if you use just a small amount of this blush, a pinkish glow is a swipe or two away.

I love makeup - not just products per se but the whole process of painting it on. It's a calming and deeply satisfying activity for me, so I don't mind setting aside some time for it. However, I gotta admit that I have lazy days too. There are days when makeup is the last thing on my mind, so I turn to no-brainer products that take only seconds to put on perfectly.

My latest discovery under this department is the Shu Uemura Creamy Dome Blusher in Fairy Pink. It's a cream to powder blush that has a very soft finish, so you don't need to blend it much or even use any tools. Just swipe and go! It's a godsend for hectic and/or lazy makeup days because it takes only all of 10 seconds to wear this.

Fairy Prink is a peachy pink shade that's not too pigmented - it's just right. I usually swipe across my cheeks twice to get a natural pink flush.

My advice to girls who don't like wearing a lot of makeup but still want to look pretty: just swipe on mascara and some tint! If you already have fairly good skin, a little bit of enhacement here and there is more than enough to bring out your natural beauty. Long and full lashes draw eyes towards them (involuntarily at that!), while a healthy flush makes you look fresh and happy.

That said, there are a couple of new Majolica Majorca releases that got beauty enthusiasts into a tizzy: the Lash King Mascara (P795) and the Blood On Cheek Tint (P495). Both were launched around two weeks ago, to good reviews! 

Let's start with the Lash King Mascara.

Okay so you packed your makeup kit with the utmost care because you want to look your best in a meeting or an out-of-town wedding. But alas! You forgot your blush! You brought three lip balms, gazillions of brushes and all manner of eyeshadows, but you didn't bring something as basic as a blush. What do you do?

a. Fall into pieces and cry like a little girl.

b. Run to the nearest mall or drugstore and buy a blush. Being late be damned.

c. Borrow a blush from an acquaintance/ semi-stranger and revel in what might be a bacteria-infested party on the compact.

d. Use your lipstick as a blush!

Kidding, just kidding. The best answer is D. You can actually use your lipstick as a blush, provided that it's matte or satin, that is.

Wearing blush can be tricky business. However, as long as you have the right shades and the right tools with you, your blush should make you look naturally healthy and glowing with little to no effort at all!

Choosing the right shade

Most women can get away with experimenting with different blush shades - that's what makes it so fun. However, if you're looking for the ultimate blush that's like a great pair jeans you can wear anytime and look good in, you need to be aware of what works best for your skin. Here's a short guide of what shades to use for your skin tone.

Light to medium beige skin tone: Barbie pinks, blue-toned pinks, peach pinks

Majolica Majorca Puff de Cheek in Peach Macaron

I have a little secret: I've been using the Benefit Hervana Blush (P1,600) exclusively since I got it some three weeks back. Yes, I haven't been using any other blush! Why? Because it's the kind of shade that goes with everything, and I mean everything.

Let me explain. The thing with blushes is, you have to match them with the lipstick you're wearing - if you have a peach shade on, you have to wear a peach blush. If you have a pink lip, then wear a pink blush. This is not a strict rule ha but it simply looks better when your lips and cheeks match; it's more flattering to your skintone that way!

Benefit Hervana is awesome because it straddles the fine line between peach and pink and so matches all lip colors you can throw at it. That's just one of its many fine points though. ;)

What I love about the product

• Hervana is a gorgeous, flattering shade. It's a pink-mauve-peach that should go with fair to medium-dark skintones.  
• Great staying power! Lasts on my cheeks all day even through the heat, sweat, and oil. I have oily combination skin, btw.

How do you feel about tints? I love them on my lips since they offer long-lasting color, but the trouble usually starts when I try to wear them on my cheeks. They're fine if I'm not wearing any other face makeup underneath. On top of powder, well, now that's a challenge! I find it difficult to blend tints after face makeup without messing up what's below.

And that's why I don't use tints. Still, when I got the Benefit Cha Cha Tint (P1,800), I forgot all my reservations about using lip and cheek tints. Benefit promises a "juicy mango flush" that will "have you looking deliciously sun-kissed from cabana to coladas". How can you say no? HOW?

The short of it is that I love it, especially the color. I still do need to work on some application tricks though, but I'll share a few later on in the post. Let's start, shall we?

What I love about the product

• Hands down, Cha Cha tint provides a flush to die for. It's a vibrant, coral-mango shade that will look great on light-medium to dark skin tones. 
• Stays put all day. Rain, sweat, oil, you don't have to worry about it. It's so long-lasting you will have a bit of trouble taking it off at the end of the day (you'll need a makeup remover).

We love pink and peach blushes best because they flatter our skin so well, but have you ever considered a rose brick shade like the MAC Mineralize Blush in Love Joy (P1,500)? I thought it was an odd color, at first, but it looked beautiful on me when I finally gave it a chance.

This is a scary blush because it's SUPER DUPER pigmented. When I first used it, I looked like a clown with two solid stripes of muddy red on my cheeks! After a bit of experimenting though, I found that taking off most of the product from my brush by rubbing it on the back of my hand delivers the color I want.

Now, I don't want you guys to go off thinking that Yves Rocher is exclusively a skincare brand. It does have a few nice makeup products, you know! I have an Yves Rocher Eyebrow Pencil as well as the Bronzer and Shimmer Powder Duo which I will talk about today.

The Yves Rocher Bronzer and Shimmer Powder Duo (P680) is a lovely combination of matte contouring powder and a shimmery, apricot bronze shade. You can use them separately - shimmer as highlight and the matte powder to shape your cheekbones - but you can also use them together as a bronzer.

I really like the texture and color payoff, although I do wish that it would stay on longer. As it is it's something you have to retouch if you will be out all day.

Jane Iredale is one of the few brands that offer truly 100% mineral makeup. It costs a pretty penny - up there with Colorescience, just less expensive - but unlike cheaper MMU the efficacy and convenience of the products are compararable to high-end traditional makeup. If you have super sensitive skin, true mineral makeup is definitely the way to go.

I've heard so many good things about Jane Iredale way before, so I was psyched to try out their Starter Kit in Golden. It has everything a girl can need for a full face of makeup - tinted primer, foundation, concealer, blush, lip color, and even brushes! However, it's not something you should get for daily use since the products are in sample sizes. It's really more for people who want to try out JI makeup without paying full price.

After using it for a few weeks, here's my review of and recommendations for each product in the kit. You can buy them separately so you don't have to shell out the P5,000+ this Starter Kit costs. ;)

Pressed Mineral Powder with SPF20: This light coverage mineral powder is da bomb. It has a nice glowy finish that looks like skin, just better!

I miss going to thrift shops (ukay-ukay). I used to visit once or even twice a week but these days my schedule rarely permits it. Nonetheless, I made time to go to one of my favorite haunts a few weeks ago. I only wore sunscreen and the In2It Waterproof Blush Set (P375), just to test out the latter.

To give you a backgrounder: it was HOT. Not just normal hot but really hot. On top of that the humidity was crazy, and it was even worse inside the ukay store. I came out after an hour or so, waited for a cab for around 15 minutes, and finally went home, sweaty, with two kilos of thrifted goodies.

So did the blush stay on? Yes. Yes it did. It was as vibrant as I applied it and stayed color true. Aside from the reliable lasting power, it also looked very natural, unlike other similarly-priced blushes that seem to just sit on top of the cheeks!

What I love about the product

• Stays on for at least five hours with no fading. It's waterproof (meaning it doesn't melt upon contact with water, even if you rub it) so it can withstand sweat and occasional splashes of rain. It's also great for oily skin.
• Impressive shade selection that's designed to flatter Pinay skin. There are four shades, but you actually get three different colors in one pan.