Makeup for me has never been a way to cover up my insecurities. Sure I'm grateful for the fact that my imperfections are hidden, but that's just secondary to how empowered makeup makes me feel. All these colors and bases and pretty little things allow me to express myself - that is, they allow other people to see me the way I see myself. 

How do I see myself? Well, I think I'm pretty even though my facial structure isn't traditionally beautiful. I've always thought of myself as an artsy person so I love expressing that through the color combinations I wear on my face. Is this how an insecure person with low self-esteem sounds? No. I hope the people who look down on us makeup lovers understand this one day!

Moving on! Today I'd like to tell you all about the Shiseido Face Color Enhancing Trio in RD1 Apple (P1,500+). This is the second Shiseido "blush" I've tried and I can tell you, it's really different! It's much less pigmented but it makes my skin glow gently. I say "blush" because it's more of a brightener and lifting powder than a color.

It's also not available in Japan. Momoko-san, Shiseido's trainer who recently visited the Philippines, actually got a few here since she won't be able to find it when she gets back!

This compact has three colors, a light pink, sheer tan, and peach highlighter. The powder is almost matte but it somehow gives the face a glow-from-within effect.

Do you know how Jennifer Lopez achieved her trademark golden glow? Her makeup artist Scott Barnes would chop up sticks of the NARS Multiple in South Beach, and then mix it with her favorite La Mer moisturizer in a blender. That's a pretty cool idea! I recommend you try it too, except maybe with a less expensive cream color and moisturizer (unless you're loaded and lucky).

Anyway, the NARS Multiples are famous for their fine and uber-flattering shimmery finish, but sometimes a girl needs something understated and velvety. That's how NARS Matte Multiples (P2,250 in Rustan's) came to life. These sticks of pure color apply completely matte and come in skin-enhancing shades that would suit any skin color! 

I'm impressed by how creamy and easy to blend the formula is. The Matte Multiple also leaves quite a stain so staying power shouldn't be a problem even if you're super oily. 

During the launch, NARS International Makeup Artist Janice Daoud showed a few tricks in applying the Matte Multiples. She prefers to use her fingers to warm up the product and make it go on more smoothly. She also recommends you apply it with a wet brush or sponge to get bolder color payoff.

This product can be used on the eyes, cheeks, and lips, which make them a great purchase if you're looking for a product that can bring your face to life in just a few swipes.

Here are the swatches of all seven shades! I love Siam (a bright red orange) and Cappadoce (a neutral tan for contouring). I'll take a closer look in Rustan's one of these days!

Bronzers are usually shimmery affairs, although every so often there's one that's almost matte. This kind of finish is more suited to those who want warmth on their skin but prefer to avoid extra shine on top of their oily face. If that's what you're after, the Stila Bronzing Powder in Sweet Treat (~P800) fits the bill!

Out next month, this bronzer creates a lovely warmth on the face without having too much shimmer in it. It has a couple of shimmery blocks in the grid, yes, but the rest are matte. The colors run the gamut of skin-enhancing shades - tan, brown, peach, and champagne. They're even pigmented enough that you can use them as eyeshadows if you wish.

But don't worry, this bronzer won't give you Snickers bar cheeks when you apply it. ;) It starts out very soft, then you can build it up until you get your desired intensity. It has a smooth, satiny texture which makes it easy to blend and layer.

What if a contour powder can actually slim down your face - for good? That's the amazing proposition of the Snoe Slim Shade Me Face Sculpting Cake (P799). It claims to literally contour your face over time, with ingredients like coffee (to firm and tighten skin) and Magnolia Bark Hot Water Extract (to supposedly prevent fat accumulation and creation).

Coffee or caffeine is a common ingredient in cosmetics nowadays, since it's an effective way to quickly tighten skin. It constricts blood vessels and slightly dehydrates the skin thus effectively de-puffing the area. Caffeine is especially useful in eye creams! As for Magnolia Bark extract, I am not so sure. If it were that simple, everyone would be bathing in the stuff. Why bother with dieting, amirite?  

So yes, I would suspend belief about the permanent face slimming properties of any powder. :) That aside I do like the Snoe Slim Shade Me because the color is great for contouring, it's smooth, and it has a good staying power due to the amazonian clay in it.

Contouring is my best friend. I have a wide, round face that needs all the help it can get! That's not to say I'm addicted to contouring; I only apply some when I'm going somewhere important. I'm not looking to fake the shape of my face forever. I just want it to look defined in photos and harsh lighting.

If you're after the same thing then this week is dedicated to you. Find out what my new contouring finds are, my favorite brushes to contour with, and my current technique, all in the next few days!

I'll start with something incredibly cheap yet fairly impressive: the Elf Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder (P250). This is a blush/ contour duo that's pigmented and looks amazing on my skin. Surprise, surprise. It's been ages since I purchased anything from Elf, so I'm glad that it now offers nice products even at such a low price.

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.

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.

Funny thing - a lot of blushes seemed to be named Desert Rose. I know Bobbi Brown, MAC, Lancome, and NYX has a Desert Rose blush somewhere. :P And now we have Color Collection!

The Color Collection Blush-On Duo in Desert Rose (P360) is an affordable, flattering duo that has a blush and contour shade. The packaging says it's matte, but the powder has a slight shimmer which is quite pretty when worn. I do like the very classy packaging and the wide mirror that goes with it - perfect for retouching while you're out.