Hi! I've read so much about finding the perfect red lipstick for your skin tone, and thanks to this blog I now have 3 :) Anyway, I wanted to ask how to find the perfect shade of pink for your lips. You see, I was never really a pink girl and I feel funny wearing pink, especially the baby-pink clothes that make me feel like a walking ball of cotton candy, BUT I like the way it looks on other people's lips. I like the understated pink that kind of brightens your face and makes you look fresh, but the last few tubes of pink lipstick that I've bought tend to make me look uh... anemic and I feel more awkward wearing fuchsia/ hot pink shades more than I do wearing red... So, uh, any tips? I would greatly appreciate it :D

My skin's fair, with warm undertones. :) and the red that looks best on me would be the tomato-red kind of shade, if that helps. Thanks! - April

Hi April! Thanks for the question! Now not to brag, but I have enough lipsticks to know that finding the perfect shade isn't about our skintones. It's not a rigid "baby pink is only good with beige skin" formula. More than anything, the right lipstick is about our personality, preferences - our style. Look at Nikki Minaj. Anyone would have told her that a pale neon pink won't work for her skintone, but now it's her signature color!

That said, I do have a few tips to make it easier for you to find your flattering pink shade. I will also include recommendations of some of my favorite pinks.

Fair but yellowish skin typically look good with peachy, cotton candy, and baby pinks. The warmer you are, the more brown your pink has, the better. Medium skin looks better with bright pink that has a brown base, plummy pink, or a straight up true pink, while darker morenas would benefit from reddish, purply, or deep pinks. Again, this isn't a strict guideline, but it can quickly narrow down your choices.

Whimsical and ethereal, the new Artdeco Butterfly Dreams Collection is sure to appeal to girls with a soft spot for pastels. There's a beautiful selection of nail polishes and lipsticks that flatter Asian skin, as well as new eye definition products such as a felt tip eyeliner and a volumizing mascara.

Pretty eh? I'll be reviewing a couple of products fully in the future (that blush definitely deserves a whole post of its own), but for now I'll be sharing quick reviews and a look I did using the collection. 

Running out of clever introductions here so I thought I'd get right to the point. :P Today I want to talk about a few Shiseido stuff I received a couple of months ago. They are expensive, true, but if you don't mind then they are definitely worth the splurge. 

When I first saw the Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio in RD299 I thought, boring. Gold, violet, and white? Surely there are more interesting, exciting combinations out there! But I should know that it's not smart to judge an eyeshadow palette by how it looks in the pan. I guess I better show you!

Absolutely lovely, yes?

I should rename this blog Project Lipstick and stop pretending that I want to write about other things. I have soooo many more lipsticks in line for a feature! But naw, I'm just ribbing you. I do love writing about lipsticks though, since they bring so much color and dare I say joy to my life. :)

Today I want to talk about an affordable yet awesome lipstick line: the Avon Totally Kissable Lipstick (P239). This came out last February I believe. To my great surprise, it has a better formula than the Ultra Moisture Rich Lipstick due to its longer staying power and less slinky formula.

Here's the rub!

What I love about the product 

• The colors are pigmented in two layers.
• Texture is smooth and creamy, like lip butter. It feels weightless on the lips. 
• Has less slip than UMR. Formula is more cohesive somewhat so it doesn't slide around if you wear too much. (Hope that makes sense!) This accounts for the better wear time.

Lately I find myself liking the original Clinique Chubby Stick more than I thought I would. It's just that it's so easy to pick up, slather on, and go! More than that though it's also something I don't have to think about until I have to retouch, and that won't be due until three or four hours when the balm has dried up. Sheer, moisturizing colors do make life less complicated.

Still, my heart belongs to opaque lipstick for days when I'm willing to fuss over them. An important event, perhaps a meeting, calls for a nice solid wash of color that hopefully doesn't compromise on moisture and lasting power. I have found something that can do all that: the Clinique Chubby Stick Intense (P920).

I'm so lucky to get hold of this very early (thanks Mira!) in Mightiest Maraschino, so here's a preview for you! It won't be out locally until end of March or early April.

What I love about the product

• It offers intense, even color in one swipe. Mightiest Maraschino is a blue-based, bright red that will look good on a variety of skintones. 
• It has an incredibly lightweight and buttery texture. It has the opacity of a lipstick and the staying power of a stain, but it feels exactly like a non-greasy lip balm.

What is the difference between lip sticks, lip butter and lip tint? Do they actually have distinctive characteristics or is it a matter of labels? - Kris

Hi Kris! Thank you for your question. :) Ten years ago, it wouldn't have even existed! All women had were lipsticks and glosses. However, thanks to technological innovations and new ingredients we now have more formulas to play our lips up with. They may look or even swatch the same but other than a few "confused" lip products I can say that there is a difference in the formula.

Here's the dish on what makes lipsticks, butters, tints, and stains unique!

Lipstick. Mostly wax-based and saturated with pigment, lipsticks can offer you maximum opacity and good staying power. They come in all sorts of finishes from matte, creme, satin, high-shine, to frost. Lipstick colors and finishes are the most complex among all the lip formulas.

Are you still reluctant to wear loud lipstick? I'm not going to force you if it's really not your thing, but if you want to then here are a few steps to ease you into your scandalous color of choice. Remember - it's all in your head! Loud colors are fun to wear and shouldn't be taken too seriously. It's just lipstick.  You can take it off any time.

That being said, today I want to talk about a mini-selection of daring Maybelline Colorsensational Lipsticks (P399). These come in different variations of red (except one) hence the color of the tubes.

The formula is just okay. It's pigmented and fairly smooth, although I find that it can be drying after a couple of hours (you know the SOP for this). The lasting power of the bright reds are good at three hours plus a stain, but the lighter ones like the peach and coral - not so much at less than two hours. It has this strong sweetish vanilla scent that fades away after a few minutes.

Overall, the Maybelline Colorsensational is not too shabby for the price. I do love the reds here, which I have finally swatched for you!

Let's begin.

I've said this once and I'll say it again: Estee Lauder is no longer your lola's brand. They have actually finished reformulating their color cosmetics under the Pure Color line and I tell you, everything is fantastic! From eyeshadows, liners, nail polishes, down to the lipsticks EL has a lot of fabulous, rich shades for you.

To prove my point, here's my lipstick of the moment: The Estee Lauder Pure Color Long-Lasting Lipstick in Fuchsia Fever.

Yes, it is as daring as it looks! It's a bright, ultra creamy fuchsia that just glides on the lips like butter and smells like EL's signature fig scent. It's not drying at all even though it's designed to be long-wearing. While it's rich and heavy with pigment, I find that it doesn't feel thick on the lips even with a couple of layers.

The MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Sunny Seoul (P1,000) is my go-to lipstick lately. It's bright yet wearable, and goes with so many looks! I always pick it up because it's so safe and friendly-looking. If you've been following my Instagrams then you would have seen this lippie a couple of times already. ;) 

Sunny Seoul is a creamy warm pink with a tiny bit of pearl frost. It's not opaque as I hoped it would be, but a couple of heavy layers can easily solve that. It would look awesome on fair skin because it verges on pastel already (very ethereal on light skintones).

Oh, lipsticks. There are so many colors out there that even when I feel I've tried them all, something always turns up to surprise me! One example is the MeMeMe Long Wear Satin Lip Cream in Berry Crush (P580 at Makeupholics). I requested for this shade because I just wanted another purple lippie, but when I finally saw it in person I got something better than I expected.

Berry Crush is a deep berry, almost purple shade that flashes blue frost. I like how it flatters my medium yellow skintone; the bold color is also impossible to miss. The blue frost sounds weird in your head I know but when worn it helps to brighten teeth and plump up the lips - trust me!

The first stories I ever read were fairy tales. My mother would always buy these little books for me, books about frog princes and warty witches and hapless goodhearted princesses. I grew up loving fairy tales and oh, what I won't give to be a princess myself! And then I got hold of a copy of Grimms' Fairy Tales when I was seven or eight. That one was a shocker for someone who had Disney stamped on her forehead.

Well, I still love princess stories no matter how sordid or saccharine they may get. :) Anyway today I will be reviewing the Etude House Etoinette Special Kit, the brand's princess-themed collection which was released last December if I'm not mistaken. It was inspired by the baroque extravagance of Marie Antoinette.

The set contains a blush, lipstick, kabuki brush, and mirror, all in pretty pastel pink packaging with elaborate dull gold flounces. It rather treads the fine line between looking classy and looking like a toy, but I'm inclined to think that it was all done tastefully. They bring a special brand of cuteness to any vanity!

The products themselves do not disappoint. Well the kabuki brush could be softer I suppose but otherwise I am loving the lipstick, mirror, and blush. Check out the swatches and how the makeup looks like when worn.

Hi folks! Today I'll be talking about the Snoe Rouge Deluxe Complete Lip Care Line (P399). Cute packaging eh? But there's more to the lipsticks than the elaborate box. I like the curated shades included in the initial collection, as well as how long-lasting they are. The initial burst of color stays on for a good four hours; expect an intense stain as that layer fades away.  

These lipsticks contain moisturizing oils like argan and jojoba. True enough, it's not as drying as long-wearing lipsticks are wont to be. The formula doesn't cause my lips to flake or crack even if I'm not wearing any balm underneath. I would still recommend your usual balm underneath though if you have chronic dry lips.

You might need to layer to get total opacity on the lips, but I actually like the softer color that I get with only one layer. Here are the complete swatches!

The big makeup trend for 2013 is brite n' matte lips. Pinks, reds, plums - all matte and all opaque. I think this trend is something everyone can jump into because it requires minimal skill to pull off. Plus, it would look good on just about any set of features and complexions! Loud lips are also a good excuse for girls who don't want to wear much makeup, as they require only a flawless base, some mascara, and polished brows to look modern and ultra-cool.

The Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color (P1,350), released last quarter, is something you should look into if you like matte lipsticks. The formula is opaque in one layer, doesn't transfer, and lasts over six hours even with eating and drinking. It is dry, as expected from matte lipsticks, but it doesn't flake compared to its drugstore counterparts.

Creamy Matte glides on nicely even with the dry texture. I don't wear a lip balm under it if my lips are in prime condition, but if they're dry, I just apply a very thin layer.

I used to not like makeup sets before with products that are in way smaller sizes. I mean, how can I enjoy something when I'm so conscious about finishing it up quickly? And what if I like it, what am I going to do then? But now that I'm older, wiser, and more liquid (lol), I have seen the wisdom of buying sets and smaller sizes. 

Small tubes and bottles are great if you want to carry stuff around. It's not smart to bring full sizes of stuff in your bag because of the heat here - it can spoil/dry up makeup faster. Also, if you're like me who doesn't usually bring big bags, every bit of space is valuable real estate. That's not just applicable to when we're travelling y'know!

Thus, boxed sets like the Benefit She's So Jet Set (P2,100) is perfect if a.) You travel a lot b.) You want mini-sizes of your "Bene-faves" for your daily bag c.) If you have never tried Benefit before and would like to start now. This contains four lovely and pigmented eyeshadows, illuminating powder duo, mini Porefessional, They're Real Mascara, and lip gloss. 

I understand that this is part of Benefit's limited edition holiday sets!

What's your favorite holiday collection so far? There are so many, but it's good to have choices! There's something for everyone whether they're on a budget or cost is no object. :) I did observe a general theme though. Shine, glitter, and bright pops of red are du jour, but I've also been seeing a lot of twinkly purples and violets. This is good news - for me at least! - because I find that color group rather flattering on the Pinay complexion.

This time I want to talk about the Etude House Christmas Miracle Collection. I have photos, swatches, and quick thoughts on each product!

Let's start with the Etude House Mix & Mix Eyes PK001. This is a sleek palette of six sparkly shades in the lilac/ purple color group. There's also one in BR401 Holiday Dream that is on the neutral end of the spectrum. Go for PK001 if you're out for an evening party, while BR401 is better for more reserved occasions.

No one makes lipsticks like Guerlain. The brand not only creates beautiful shades that end up being classic choices, the lipstick tubes themselves become collectors' items. It's not the sort of thing you get because you want a pretty shade of lipstick; it's something you buy for the explicit purpose of treating yourself, of owning something you'll keep for the next ten years at least.

I've already made my case for luxury in another post, so you can read that (and the comments) for a more in-depth discussion of spending for beauty products. :) Here I shall review the Guerlain Shine Automatique Lipstick in Pamplelune (P2,200).

Packaging. The Guerlain Shine Automatique line boasts of a one-gesture opening. It's unique because it has no cap, instead replacing it with a button that when pressed downwards opens the top to reveal the lipstick. I lost my composure there for a moment, saying "oooooh" aloud to myself the first time I opened the lipstick. LOL! It's fun. 

The lip balm is perhaps the most basic beauty product a girl - nay, anyone - should own. They lock in moisture on the lips, help heal chapped skin, and provide a bit of shine to instantly enhance that area. Now most lip balms do the same thing, but some are more equal than others (to borrow a phrase). The elements of scent, packaging, and overall efficacy comes into play.

So what lip balm should you get? It depends on what you need and how much you're willing to spend. You can get a P60 lip balm from the drug store and you'll probably be happy with it. But if you're willing to spend a little for a lip balm with more features then here's a nice list! These are the lip balms I always reach for.

Mentholatum Lip Ice lip balm. This is my all-around basic lip balm. It's slinky, never waxy, and really hydrates my lips instead of just sitting on top. It's also easily available in any Watsons branch for only P89. I keep backups of this, and have at least three lying around the house at any given time!

MAC Suntints SPF20 Liquid Lip Balm in Au Rosé. I gave a rather lukewarm review of this balm, and for that I am kicking myself. It has become my favorite lip balm to use before makeup. It smoothens the lips like nothing else I've tried, as if it deeply conditions those dry areas!

The Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura Holiday Collection is perhaps the most awaited of them all this 2012. It features sophisticated colors picked out by none other than Mr Lagerfeld himself, with a quirky muse, Mon Shu Girl, to represent the glam yet aloof theme of the collection. It's been out since mid-October so you should hurry while there are still stocks of the limited edition pieces!

Photo from Beautezine.com

As you can see, it's a pretty extensive collection. Go for the palettes if you love daring sultry eyes, lipsticks if you like shine and sparkle, and brushes if you're looking for a handy travel set. I feel that you can miss the nail polishes since they don't particularly stand out in terms of quality and color selection, as well as the limited ed lash curler. The avant garde falsies though are of course Shu's specialty, so get this set if you're a makeup artist or just really love fun lashes!

So! Today I'm going to review the Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in Celebrity Beige (P1,350).

This is much like the Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine lippies when it comes to the level of shine and slinkiness on the lips. It's light, non-drying, and leaves an au natural stain when it's all gone. It stays on for a decent three hours - as with most moisturizing, light lipsticks - so you will have to retouch every so often during the day. That's SOP really.

Cute box

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books were some of the most memorable ones I read when I was younger. They made me laugh, made me appreciate the beauty of a good mystery, and to look at things sideways. More importantly, HHG taught me the importance of a good towel and to not panic when faced with impossible situations. Well, this is a reminder for me to read the five books again! You should too if you haven't yet. ;)

But why am I blabbering about HHG? I'm here to talk about the Clinique Chubby Stick (P960)! These are hydrating tinted lip balms that come in a twisty crayon-shaped tube. It's the first brand, I think, which came out with such a fun way to package lip balm. The Chubby Sticks are actually similar to Clinique's Almost Lipsticks - the main difference is of course the packaging, and then the color selection. But they feel practically the same.

Here's a quick rundown + lip swatches!

What I love about the product

• It feels thin and light (not waxy or sticky), yet it hydrates my lips for a good 2-3 hours. I don't get flaky lips when it fades away. I like how smooth my lips are even after it's all gone.
• It's deceptively sheer but it can be layered to get a more intense color. It's still not going to look like lipstick but it will show up even over pigmented lips. Oh and it doesn't settle on the rims or catch in flaky parts of the lips.

Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipsticks (P450) never let me down. Ever. They have a rich, moisturizing texture, a full-bodied cream finish, and awesome pigmentation to top it off! I'll say it - they can rival high-end lipsticks from MAC, Makeup Forever, and other expensive brands.

Just remember to wear lip balm beforehand because they dry up pretty quickly (2 hours) although the color stays on.

On to the swatches! Cherries in the Snow is a fantastic, complex color. It's a bright blue-based red that looks like fuchsia on me in certain lighting. From what I understand, Cherries is a classic Revlon lipstick that was launched in 1953. Dorian Leigh, one of the world's first supermodels, wore it in an iconic ad. This is in the same cult level as Fire & Ice. Smashing! 

The ultimate 50s red