It’s been a while since I’ve been literally thrilled by a lipstick collection. You all know how I feel about brown lipstick these days, so to see a line that’s full of luscious jewel tones makes my heart do a little dance each time I pull out a shade to wear. And so, let me present to you the new MAC Love Me Liquid Lipcolour (P1,500 at Lazada), which really should be in your makeup armoire ASAP!

The blk Sunkissed Collection is inspired by the different shades of the sunset, mostly warm colors that will give you a "post-vacation glow, minus the sunburn." From this new collection, I was drawn towards the new shades of the Creamy All-Over Paints since I had a good impression with the Glow shade included in the Blk Bridal Collection. These new releases are marketed as mask-proof and multi-use for the face, eyes, and lips so here's how they fared IRL.

It’s hard not to think of Cruella De Vil when the subject of female villains comes up, more so when it’s specifically about their beauty. Her look - black-and-white hair paired with a red lip - is an iconic one. This is why when Disney announced their live-action film Cruella, it’s no surprise that MAC Cosmetics collaborated with them to celebrate the rebellious, edgy, and glamorous villain.

After all this time, Happy Skin remains as one of my top three favorite local cosmetic brands. I like how they’re always improving their formulations and coming up with new ones. And now, since the launch of Generation Happy Skin a couple of years ago, they have affordable everyday makeup solutions that are all under P400. What a steal, right?

Before you whirled into our lives like a tornado in 2015, you were just a half-forgotten 90s trend. You were something our mothers and aunties wore on their lips in oxidized moldy photos of when they were young. (Remember when people printed out photos and kept them in physical photo albums?) You were something we only saw in old movies and magazines along with jumpers and boyish hair cuts. But Kylie Jenner changed all that with the launch of her lip kits.

Taking inspiration from cherry blossoms, MAC’s Spring 2021 offering is the Black Cherry Collection. Perfectly capturing the spirit of spring, cherry blossoms are no stranger to MAC’s limited edition collections. The collection contains a spectrum of products for the eyes, lips, and skin. For this review, I was able to try and test the Extra Dimension Blushes, Glow Play Lip Balms, and Matte Lipsticks. Here are my thoughts!

When I decided to buy my first “fancy” blush 11 years ago, NARS Orgasm was the one I had my eye on. It was said to be the best blush EVER and was highly recommended by all the beauty bloggers I respected! But Super Orgasm came out around that time so I spent weeks in agony thinking about what to buy. In the end, I decided on Super Orgasm. It was my fave blush for years and years!

Makeup trends during the pandemic I feel were at extremes: either we go bright and loud, or sheer and barely there. I’ve been on both sides. Sometimes I just want to look completely different because I can, and sometimes I feel like it’s too much makeup for the day’s minor occasions. On those days, I go for sheer makeup that looks like I just woke up with it.

I lurk around Shopee and IG a lot, and if you’re like me, you might have heard about Perfect Diary. There is a sea of products available on Shopee but this brand always stood out for me with their eye-catching graphics and packaging. I was given a chance to try a set of the Perfect Diary Rouge Intense Velvet Slim Lipsticks (P789 per tube/ P2,139 for the set), so here’s what I thought about them!

As a makeup artist, I’ve been exposed to several makeup application methodologies from the simple 10-minute glow look up to the complex prosthetics and artistic makeup I do during dance competitions. I’ve also done character makeup for theater and TV. When it comes to my personal style though, I like things done simply nowadays since going out feels like suiting up for battle. I still want to look presentable and put together, but I want less of a production number when half of my face is covered most of the time.

We all have go-to lip colors for certain occasions. I don’t know if it’s just me but I always have a shade in mind for a particular purpose and I’m glad to report that these shades have worked well for me every single time. Whether for work or when I’m attending events as a diplomat’s wife, my lip color was and will always be picked for a particular reason. They say fashion is a great way to send a message and I agree but that philosophy extends to my makeup, too. So not only am I intentional with the clothing I wear, I also choose shades that support my message - whatever it is for that day.

I always watched my mom do her makeup as I was growing up. I love how she would always take her time in applying lipstick. When she was ready for blush, she would smile in front of the mirror, exposing her dimple, which I find so beautiful. This is why the new NARS Claudette Collection is so personal to me. It is inspired by Claudette, who is the mother and muse of François Nars.

Although it feels like it was just yesterday when I reviewed Details Cosmetics’ Powder Pout Collection, I am not complaining one bit! After all, who doesn’t like new makeup? Now, while new makeup brings excitement, it also presents the temptation of spending. In order to avoid unnecessary spending, we look to reviews, which is where I come in!

Prior to the pandemic, I was admittedly not all that concerned about how long-wearing my lipsticks were. I didn’t mind repeatedly re-applying, and I even found the process fun. But with the need to constantly keep the mask on when outside, except for stopping to eat or drink, the search for a mask-proof lippie gets high on the priority list. So let’s turn to a line with an impressive reputation, the Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipsticks (P299).

I first fell for Anne Curtis’ Wedding Lipsticks back in 2017 when it was first released. I promptly went out and bought a set because the whole concept was so timely for me; I also got married that same year. While I didn’t wear the lipsticks for my own bridal look, I recall enjoying Anne’s lipstick shades in Mon Amour and I Do on a daily basis.

It was the bold claim of a mask-proof glossy lip that intrigued me enough to want to try a Korean brand that has been getting consistent buzz within the local beauty community. Bet I got an eyebrow raise with that one. Rom&nd is the brainchild of Kbeauty guru, Saerom Min. (With the “Rom” taken from her name + a stylized version of “and”.) The brand features makeup with minimalist packaging that manages to represent color range well, peppered with some trendy collabs in between.

I was able to interview Heart Evangelista-Escudero last 2016 when she launched her first ever makeup collaboration with Happy Skin. I came into that interview not expecting much - I have met and interviewed celebrities before, and while they were pleasant, they are usually very bland. They don’t like to say anything that might be even remotely misconstrued in a negative way. But Heart? Oh, she was fabulous! She was smart and eloquent and a joy to speak with. Read my interview here!

One of the more amusing side effects of the stay-at-home order is our collective renewed interest in K-dramas and, subsequently, Korean cuisine and K-beauty. The demand for the latter is so that a lot of us are blind buying our Korean products straight from the Land of the Morning Calm.

Collaborations have been the name of the game in the beauty industry lately, so a lot of people expected one when Detail Cosmetics (formerly Detail Makeover) teased an upcoming launch on Instagram. What took everyone by surprise, however, was how the collaboration was with 12 Filipino beauty gurus!

Called Powder Pout (P199), the newest lipstick line of Detail Cosmetics features 12 of the biggest names in the local beauty community scene with their respective signature lipstick shades. I have a lot of things to say about this collaboration, so let’s go straight into the review and lip swatches, shall we?

I don’t know about you, but I’m absolutely living for the comeback of shiny lips. I spent most of the early naughts obsessing over finding the best lip gloss and wet-look lipstick (remember Watershine?), so I get instant nostalgia from a glassy pout. But what makes the 2020 trend resurrection so much better is how the current technology allows for us to get equal amounts of pigment and shine, where we used to have to top a lipstick with gloss to get a similar effect.