I love good questions. I love asking them, more so when it comes to answering them! Some insightful readers asked two cool questions: the first is, how does the Kate Blendzone Eyeshadow duos compare to the Majolica Majorca palettes? Second, how does the Revlon lipstick in Siren compare to Revlon Coral Berry?

Japanese drugstore cosmetics, from what I've tried so far, seem to be at par with more expensive American and European brands. These two eyeshadow palettes from Majolica Majorca and Kanebo Kate are proof. But when it comes down to a choice, which one should you blow your money on?

I'm quite surprised that some people have never heard of KATE cosmetics before or the fact that it has arrived in the Philippines some years back. It's been around since I was in college (well at least, I only noticed it when I was in college and started getting interested in makeup) and I've been cursorily browsing ever since. Hmm, maybe it's not so surprising after all. KATE doesn't have a stand of its own since it's just displayed in the Coffret D'Or counters with no big sign.

Anyway, one of the products that the brand sent me is the KATE Blendzone eyeshadow in BR-1 (P780). It's a duo eyeshadow compact with colors that are designed to be used together. 

What I love about the product

• It's highly pigmented, creamy, long-lasting, well-milled - everything I'm looking for in a quality eyeshadow. Blendzone is comparable to the MAC and Urban Decay eyeshadows that I own.
• Fine shimmery finish that draws light to the eyes.
• Great for traveling. You can easily do a quick neutral look with the sponge applicator that comes with it, or you can use your fingers. 

The dark shade is a shimmery chocolate brown while the other one is beige/white

You are not required to wear bright, cheery colors during summer - but wouldn't it feel so much better if you do? More colorful outfits or makeup just feels so right for the season. It's the time of the year (at least here in the Philippines) when trees are in full bloom and families congregate in their favorite summer destinations. The mood is generally happy and relaxed, so colors are just a natural response to the season.

I've been wearing a lot of neutrals in the past few months but now that summer is here I try to wear colorful eyeshadows and lipsticks again. I find that I am quite attracted to green right now, so I bought green shoes, had my nails done in green, and got a mint belt. It's only natural that I'm taken with green eyeshadows this time.

Thus, this Paul & Joe Eye Color in Picnic (004) from their Parasol Collection is my eyeshadow-of-the-moment!

What I love about this product

• The green and combination is quite wearable. It has an iridescent finish, which makes the eyes pop beautifully as the sun hits the lids. Very flattering on the skin!
• Lovely Paul & Joe packaging, as always. 

The Majolica Majorca Jeweling Eyes palette (P795) has pretty much the same quality as the Trick-On Powder Eyeshadow palette, so I won't review it in detail anymore. It does have one discerning quality from the latter, though: it has more of a sheer, iridescent effect. It's not quite shimmer or glitter. I would describe it as something with a very fine sheen.

Packaging is slightly different as well, with the Jewelling Eyes palette having embedded beads on the side and sporting a jeweled print cover design.

The Majolica Majorca Trick On Powder eyeshadow (P795) is easily one of the best drugstore brand palettes I've tried to date. The quality is at par with the high-end eyeshadows I have in terms of pigmentation, texture, and staying power. P800 might seem steep, but for me it's already a bargain considering that, say, MAC and Shu Uemura palettes are P2,500!

I've read a lot of raves about the Majo palettes, but I thought that while it's good, it's still a reduced-quality Shiseido product. I haven't tried it then. Thank goodness I was wrong.

What I love about the product

• Smooth, silky texture. Not gritty or powdery at all since it's finely milled.
• Highly pigmented, even without a base.
• Good staying power even with no primer. I would still suggest using a primer though because it will crease a bit without it.

A great neutral, travel-friendly palette is a makeup must-have. Plus points if the palette can be used for day to night! Perhaps the best neutral palette that has come out this year in terms of value and quality is the Urban Decay Naked Palette. However, if you're not willing to shell out P2,000+, pine in the endless waiting list, or stress about payment and shipping form the US, then this palette from Wet n' Wild is a pretty nice n' cheap alternative.

The Wet n' Wild Color Icon Palette in Vanity is love at first swatch for me. The colors were pigmented, creamy, and flattered my skin tone (yes, not all neutrals look good on all skin!). It's not perfect of course, but overall this is a solid product that is well worth the P500 you'll be shelling for it.

What I love about this product

• Pigmented
• Creamy, especially the matte chocolate brown and tan colors
• Long lasting. I'd even go so far as to say that these are a bit waterproof. I don't even use a base to make this last all day! I like using the chocolate brown as eyeliner, especially on the waterline since it sticks very well there.

Last Friday, Paul & Joe celebrated its third birthday and launched their 2010 Spring Collection with a small, intimate gathering. The theme was Wild Flowers, based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

Cute birthday cake! So Paul & Joe, don't you think? The brand is known for its cute and classy packaging.

The host looked absolutely fresh and stunning

2010 Spring Creation Makeup. If you like elegant, wearable and long-lasting colors, this is a collection that you should check out. The eyeshadows come in three finishes: satin, silk, and suede. There are 27 colors to match the season. You can create your own palette by picking any three colors that suits your fancy, which makes it rather convenient since it maximizes the products' cost-per-wear (you know you'll be using everything all the time!). The price is rather steep though - for the whole palette, you need to shell out P2,980. Each eyeshadow is P820 while the palette itself is P520.