Why do I draw and paint? It's a long list of reasons but it boils down to that feeling of joy of having created something from nothing. I take photos and write for this blog, but my work here is derivative. That doesn't mean it's unimportant or meaningless, but it's just not the same as making something with my hands. So I draw lines and sometimes I color them.

It also keeps me sane. I place a lot of pressure on myself to excel in what I do and be bigger, better. Sometimes, I want to escape from that. Painting for me has no agenda other than to please myself. Although, if in the future I can turn this into a commercial undertaking, then that'd be awesome too! I should know, there are few things more rewarding than earning something from doing things you love.

Buuut let's get back to makeup. I just want to share an FOTD and review of some Canmake products! Like I said in my earlier post I think Canmake cosmetics are beyond cute and offer pretty good quality for the (drugstore) price. I didn't truly understand that, however, until I wore the Canmake Glow Fleur Cheeks and Candy Wrap Lip Gloss together some weeks back.

Ta-dah! I loved this look. Even better, I did it in under ten minutes! I used a Maybelline Color Tattoo cream eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze and then a brown Essence eyeliner. I think the cheeks and the lip gloss stole the show though. They really made my complexion look amazing!

The Canmake Glow Fleur Cheeks #5 looks like something from a toy store but this is nicely pigmented with a beautiful glowy finish. The four colors mix together perfectly to create a cotton candy pink that just melts on top of my cheeks. Such a pretty blush!

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.

Continuing our earlier talk about INGLOT, I have here one of their blushes called AMC 52 (P495). This was the only blush shade that I thought fit for contouring, since the other two possible contour shades are either too red or too orange. So is it any good?

Shade. AMC 52 is a neutral tan that looks orange-ish at first swatch but loses that tint as soon as it's blended in. It has a soft matte finish which is ideal for contouring. Now, this was supposed to be my "Goldilocks" shade but upon swatching it on my face at home, I realized how almost undetectable it is on my skin! It's not that the color is sheer; it's just that it's only half a shade darker than my skin tone. 

When I announced Face Contour Week, many of you gals became excited about a tutorial. Hold your horses though - that'll be up on Friday! I need a bit of time to shoot it. ;) In the meantime, I decided to answer a question that was asked several times: what's the difference between bronzer and contour powder? Which one should you go for?

These two products are completely different, although some products that are labeled "bronzer" could be used for contouring. Bronzers usually come in coppery or shimmery tan shades and are meant to be applied on the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, forehead, and chin. It's a product that's designed to create a sun-kissed look - not really to contour, although if your bronzer is deep enough it can be used for that purpose.

Contour powders are usually matte, and can be used define or slightly alter our face shape. You can create a smaller, more angular face with contouring powders. 

My favorite bronzer is the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze, while my best contour powder is the MAC Blush in Harmony.

The most useful advice that I've ever received in my life is Don't Panic. It is so difficult to remember that, you know, when everything is converging towards you in a massive wave and it is impossible to turn anywhere without being swallowed up like a piece of melting chocolate. Well. Grace under pressure is a skill. We can't learn it if we do not truly feel the heat.

The best way to deal with pressure is to take things one at a time. Sounds simple enough. So I'll do that. :)

Today I want to finally talk about the Etude House Color Pop Collection! This collection is all about bright, show-stopping colors in hues of orange, pink, blue, and green. Now it doesn't seem to be available in the Philippines just yet, but I will definitely update this space when it is! For the meantime here are some swatches and quick thoughts about each of the products I received from Korea.

I'll start with the Etude House Color Pop Shine Tint in Sunny Pop. First swatch and I thought I wouldn't like this, for it is such a fiery orange! I tried using a generous amount on my lips and it looked so patchy that I removed it immediately. However, the trick is to use only a couple of dots to get a sheer wash of reddy peach color on the cheeks and lips. It's one of those tints that you can't layer over, as it is meant to be sheer.