Project Vanity

Avon Ultra Moisture Rich Rose Lipstick photos and swatches

2012-02-10T03:47:30Z

My heart always skips a beat whenever I get a package from Avon. They send a lot, but there's always something new that I get excited to share with you guys. This time, it's the new Avon Ultra Moisture Rich Rose Lipstick (P199 intro price).

What's the difference between the UMR Rose and the original one? This collection is done exclusively in ten rose shades - from baby pinks to a deep almost black red - and has a wonderful sweet vanilla rose scent to show for it. The black tube also has a shiny pink band around it, versus the silver of the normal UMRs.

But this is the most important thing: I think they reformulated! The lipsticks are creamier, more opaque, and more moisturizing than ever. They just glide on like a dream without the waxiness of normal lipsticks. Lastly, the annoying glitters are completely gone from this version of the UMR. Before, Avon lipsticks would always have at least two colors with chunky shimmer in each collection, but this time they are nowhere to be found!

And now, for our favorite part: the swatches. Thought I'd show a full face here so you can see how beautiful the shades are. The photos are a little saturated and blurry but in my defense I am still not used to the settings of my new camera. Hope you get the idea though!

French Lace Rose is a delicate nude shade that is brown-based with hints of pink

My top 10 favorite finds last January

2012-02-10T00:40:38Z

It's that time of the month again! Here are my favorite finds last month. There's quite a few lip products here, I noticed, but there's also a couple of skincare gems that I think I'll stick with.

Here you go!

The Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter is not perfect, but the beautiful color selection, texture, and packaging more than makes up for its shortcomings. It still is a pretty kickin' lip product!

Sleek MakeUP True Color Lipsticks are amazingly pigmented and the colors are just wow! They feel rather dry to me, but nothing lip balm can't fix. Mystic, a deep purple shade, is such a statement color.

Beauty affairs

2012-02-10T00:20:29Z

Hear ye, hear ye! If you're a true-blue makeup enthusiast or a practicing professional, you must visit these upcoming beauty events. You'll get to revel in new products, techniques, and looks that I'm sure you can use for yourself and/or your clients.

Don't miss them!

What's happening: See Kanebo's new line of cosmetics, product preview, private sale and event only specials.

New from Avon: Skincare and jewelry

2012-02-09T06:59:26Z

I know I promised to show Avon's Valenine's offering today, but I haven't done the swatches for the new lipsticks yet so that will have to wait tomorrow. Today I'll just be showing you some of the brand's new releases last January!

They have new variants of the uber-good Skin-So-Soft Lotion, plus body washes in that range. I love the body washes - they smell clean and girly without being overly drying. The jewelry, on the other hand, are in Avon's signature classic style.

Here be photos and pricing info!

Skin-So-Soft Signature Silk Replenishing Hand & Body Lotion 250 ml. This body lotion works two ways to provide the most sensual, touchable skin. Price: Php 290.00

Sleek iDivine Eyeshadow Palette in Me, Myself, and Eye

2012-02-09T01:43:35Z

Sleek is the UK equivalent of NYX, and like NYX has gained popularity by offering affordable yet colorful and highly pigmented makeup. I first heard about it when raves of its eyeshadow palettes started circulating around the internet. Naturally I was curious, so I finally scored one for myself called the Sleek iDivine Eyeshadow Palette in Me, Myself, and Eye (P650 in Digital Traincase).

The short of it is, it's pretty good! The color selection doesn't make sense to me but I actually like it that way. I already have so many color coordinated palettes so at this point I'm just looking for unique, stand-out colors I don't have yet. Me, Myself, and Eye definitely has those.

What I love about the product

Colors, hands down. Salt N' Peppermint, Primal Green, Lilac Allen, Supernova, and Blue Monday are memorable shades you can build a whole look on!

DIY with Pinkbox laces

2012-02-09T00:23:14Z

Remember those colorful rubber strings that were popular when we were kids? You can knot them into bracelets, necklaces, and what not. I remember they only cost P3-4 each. I wonder if they still sell that?

Anyway I was at the Pinkbox office the other day and spotted these shimmery shoe laces (P60 per pair) in a heap. My boss gave me a couple, and as soon as I got home I turned one into a braided bracelet.

If you ask me how I braided four strings into this, I wouldn't know what to say! It was pure instinct. :P

Worn with Pinkbox bangles

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation: Initial review

2012-02-08T07:44:59Z

There's a lot of buzz surrounding a new foundation, the one called the Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup ($34/ P1,900 locally). It sounds like the foundation to beat! It promises to feel like tinted moisturizer but with the coverage of foundation. It also has vitamins E and C combined with antioxidants to help brighten skin.

I just got mine yesterday after my meet-and-greet with Maggie and Annie, and I am so excited to use this in the next few days! It's not even out in the US yet, and in the Philippines, the target release is April.

What do I think about it? I was wowed the first time I used it, that's what! It has coverage but it lets my skin peek through. It doesn't look and feel like makeup at all, due to its very light, watery texture.

You better see it to believe it!

The shade I'm using, Petal, is two shades lighter than my actual skintone.

FOTD + OOTD: My birthday look

2012-02-08T03:30:25Z

Yesterday I was at Makati Shangri-La for a one-on-one interview with Maggie and Annie Ford-Danielson, the global brand ambassadors of Benefit. It was such at treat! The girls we're sweet and approachable, so I felt comfortable asking them questions. I'm still working on the story so stay tuned!

Phone cam, hence the quality. Also caught in mid-blink. Hay.

Anyway, I wore a dress from Vestito, which I've had since December. I just never figured out a way to wear it without looking like a wedding sponsor (the matron kind) but I finally got a brilliant idea. What if I tied it with a lace ribbon? My shape came out and the dress fell nicely. Success.

Vestito dress / Ferretti necklace and shoes / Pinkbox bangle

Simple but chic, I think. As for my makeup I did a light smoky eye with my Bobbi Brown Tortoise Shell Palette in Sand and a loud like with Sleek True Color Lipstick in Mystic.

Face: Lancome Teint Miracle foundation, Cinema Secrets concealer, Smashbox Photo Set Pressed Powder, Guerlain Meteorites

Hua Mulan Sandalwood Comb

2012-02-08T02:05:21Z

Last Sunday I was at Megamall with my family. We had a carb-laden lunch at Amici - so good! I missed that place! I ordered from there a LOT when I lived in Makati. Anyways as we were walking off the food, I spotted an oriental-themed kiosk called Hua Mulan, near Payless. The store sold precious-looking combs so after dithering about whether I want to blow P330 on a wooden comb, I just went for it.

It's not a lot of money but I think it's the most I ever spent on a comb. :P I feel it's worth the "splurge" though, because the product looks really well-made. What really sold me on it is the smoothness of the sandalwood. Combs and brushes usually catch on my curly hair, so the roots are weakened and I get hair fall. I think a wooden comb would produce less friction with my hair!

According to Hua Mulan's Facebook Page:

Sandalwood Combs - This kind of wood is very precious. It needs a hundred years to grow up.

FOTD: 24 Today

2012-02-07T01:44:50Z

I am 24 today. After all that drama about my age earlier, I just don't care anymore! Lol. This morning I was dour, but then I walked the dog and the weather was so nice - who can be dour on a nice day? So yeah I'm quite happy on my birthday, thanks to everyone who wished me one.

So. I just want to show a look I did last Saturday. It's not groundbreaking but there are two things that are *new* to me here: using the Shu Uemura eyeshadow in Soft Gold with MAC Amber Lights - they are made for each other! - and then this new lipstick I got which I will keep a secret for now. Okay fine. It's from Colour Collection!

Face: Cinema Secrets concealer, Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Mineral Makeup, Smashbox Photo Set Pressed Powder, Cinema Secrets makeup sealant