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.

Jane Iredale is one of the few brands that offer truly 100% mineral makeup. It costs a pretty penny - up there with Colorescience, just less expensive - but unlike cheaper MMU the efficacy and convenience of the products are compararable to high-end traditional makeup. If you have super sensitive skin, true mineral makeup is definitely the way to go.

I've heard so many good things about Jane Iredale way before, so I was psyched to try out their Starter Kit in Golden. It has everything a girl can need for a full face of makeup - tinted primer, foundation, concealer, blush, lip color, and even brushes! However, it's not something you should get for daily use since the products are in sample sizes. It's really more for people who want to try out JI makeup without paying full price.

After using it for a few weeks, here's my review of and recommendations for each product in the kit. You can buy them separately so you don't have to shell out the P5,000+ this Starter Kit costs. ;)

Pressed Mineral Powder with SPF20: This light coverage mineral powder is da bomb. It has a nice glowy finish that looks like skin, just better!

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.

Foundations even out the skin and soften blemishes, but they don't always give the illumination that our face needs. They usually have a matte or satiny finish so you may need another product to sort of finish off your face in a literal halo of light. Illuminators do this for you by having light-reflecting ingredients that create this subtle haze of light around your skin.

Sounds too complicated? It's actually easy to get illuminated! It's only difficult when you're using the wrong product - by wrong I mean too shimmery, too pigmented, too obvious. I love the Guerlain Meteorites for that instant ethereal glow but for a warmer finish, I prefer to use the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact in Bronze (P2,300).

Shimmer bomb? As the name suggests, the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick is shimmery in the pan. However, when it goes on your face, the fine shimmer diffuses and isn't really detectable unless you look closely. It's more shimmery than the Guerlain Meteories (which is more on the pearly side) but less pigmented than the NARS Laguna Bronzer.

Pigmentation and finish. At first, I was trying to get it to work like a bronzer by contouring my cheeks and the sides of my face with it.

When I think of great blushes I first think of NARS, then MAC, and (because of Sophie's rave) Bobbi Brown. I didn't think of Estee Lauder because the brand isn't really famous for their makeup; they seem to have focused on making great skincare and fragrances instead. So when I got this blush palette from the EL holiday set I bought last year, I really wasn't expecting much.

Don't you love it when I'm wrong? The Estee Lauder Deluxe Blush Compact is a great find because it does everything a blush needs to do exceptionally well. The colors are also thoughtfully selected, since there are shades that can match any skintone and look.

Specifically, the blushes included in the compact are called Signature Silky Powder Blushes. Let's go!

What I love about the product 

• Super pigmented. Check out the swatches! I always use a light hand, which means that I save up on product. I've been using these since October 2010 and I haven't hit pan - granted, I use other blushes at the same time, but I use this one pretty often.

Ok, back story: I've been looking for an awesome blush brush since June. I don't want any normal brush. I want something I will look forward to using everytime I wear makeup, something that feels luxurious and beautifying. Have I lost my mind? I looked far and wide for this mythical brush. There are only two brushes I seriously considered: one from Japonesque and the MAC 116 brush. The problem is that they both cost roughly P2,000. I told mysef to save up, I still have other items to knock off my list (such as a new camera, phone, and the Clinique Derma White Super City Block - such an awesome SPF product). So I didn't get my dream brush.

That is, until I saw this Marionnaud Premium Blush Brush (P299) in SM Makati last Saturday.

I was trolling the beauty aisles aimlessly that afternoon. One of the many Marionnaud stands was right smack in the middle of the walkway so I didn't miss it. I first saw the powder brush, it looked new plus it cost P500! Since when did Marionnaud brushes cost P500 a piece? The label says Marionnaud Premium. I immediately looked for a blush brush and wham! There it was.

I'll go on ahead and say that this is PERFECT. This is what I've been looking for. Don't bother reading my review, dash away and get one from Watsons/ SM Department Store!

What I LOVE about this product

• The natural hair is incredibly soft with the right density. It feels like a dream on my face.
• The brush is the right size and angle for both blushing and contouring. You'll remember that the cheaper Marionnaud blush/contour brush doesn't do much but contour (unevenly while it's at it). This new brush is worlds better.

I've had pigmented blushes before, but the Avon True Color Blush in Rose Lustre (P370) is probably the scariest of them all. This highly pigmented cheek color provides a beautiful reddish berry flush that would look great on morena skin. If you have fair skin, a sheer stain of Rose Lustre will look pretty natural.

The trick to using this is simple: when you use your blush brush (forget about the brush it comes with, it's useless) take most of the powder out on the back of your hand. This way, the blush will look natural on your cheeks and you can layer when needed.

I love my MAC blush in Harmony for contouring, but these days I am looking for something a little more softer for everyday. MAC Harmony is awesome but it can be difficult to work with if you're hurrying since it's quite pigmented - I end up spending longer blending out the edges.

That's why I wanted to get the NARS Laguna Bronzer. I went to the NARS store in Rustans to check it out but I hesitated because of the P1,750 price tag. I knew it was worth it since the two NARS products I own happen to be the best I have, but I don't know, I haven't mentally prepared myself to spend P1,750 that day! So I decided to sleep on it.

Good thing I saw this in a blog sale. I immediately snapped it up!

What I love about the product 

• Smooth, fine-milled and pigmented, but it manages to melt on skin instead of just sitting on top looking like makeup
• Incredibly long lasting. It stays on all day with minimal fading (at least on my combination skin)

Head's up! Paul & Joe, the French-Japanese cosmetics brand, is releasing their latest collection next week at their Rustan's counters. It's called L'Horizon Bleu, inspired by that tropical and romantic place where the sea meets the sky. If you've ever stared off towards the sea's horizon, then you've probably seen the rich colors of swirling blues and sunsets that P&J has in this collection.

The ‘Twin Fish’ Bronzer (P2,250) is perfect for creating that light, glowing, sun-kissed look you want

Fabulous new Eye Colors (P1,250) give you a real sense of the movement of the waves. Choose from 3 fascinating shades. L-R: Adrift, Le Midi, Tranquility

Every girl should have a matte blush. It's the best kind to use when you're having your photos taken or if your skin is oily! Used the right way, matte blushes can look more natural than shimmery ones since your skin's natural oils somehow enhance them.

One of the prettiest matte blushes I've come across is the Majolica Majorca Puff de Cheek (P795). These blushes are housed in a tin can that's shaped like a sweet macaron, with the same colors to boot. Aside from the packaging, the biggest strength of these Puff de Cheeks are their lovely, flattering shades. Even though Majo is a Japanese brand, it seems like the Sugary Trap Collection is made for warm skin tones like ours. 

What I love about the product

• All four shades look good on me. My favorite has to be Apricot Macaron (OR302), followed by Peach Macaron (PK301). I don't have these shades in my blush collection so I find them unique.
• The powder is well-milled, with a velvety texture. It has a smooth, matte finish that don't sit on the pores.

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.

While randomly browsing the Interwebs today, guess what I saw! A mega cute video of the Majolica Majorca Sugary Trap press launch! It was held at Bizu in Greenbelt, where we were surrounded with colorful macarons and cakes. Guests were also given icing, candy sprinkles, and sugar dust to use in designing our own cookies and cupcakes. It was the perfect setting for such a sweet collection from Majo.

Watch the video to see pictures of that beautiful Thursday afternoon.

Everyone also got personalized macarons with their name on it. Of course, we also received products from the latest collection. I've been using these delectable cosmetics lately and oh boy, they are such a treat.

If, like me, you have a problem with your round face and chubby cheeks, contouring is your best bet to a slimmer face. Once you've got the technique down pat, I advise investing in a good, long-lasting powder that looks natural on your skin tone. I love the MAC blush in Harmony for that purpose.

I like using this by itself when I wear heavy, smoky eyes and pale lips or with loud lipstick when a pink blush is too much. It's handy to have around when colored cheeks ruin the statement look you're going for.

What I love about the product

• Harmony is a matte, tan-brown shade that looks natural on my light-medium skin tone. Unlike other bronzers or contouring powders, this doesn't have the dreadful orange undertone that looks harsh on the skin. Love it!

When I started to get into makeup I harbored the secret fantasy of becoming a makeup artist. I never did push through with it though, because I'm not as happy about applying makeup on other people as writing about it! My forte really is writing, hence this blog. I enjoy the process of gathering information and sharing it.

As my dreams of becoming a makeup artist faded away, I do still want to own a makeup artist's ultimate symbol: the train case. That's why I was blown away when Avon handed me this awesome train case made by Suesh. The huge case was full of goodies Avon thoughtfully put in! This will sound really cheesy, but thanks Avon for making one of my dreams come true! Haha. 

Curious to see what's inside? Click click!

Holiday hangover? Hating the fact that it's the first working Monday of the year? Well! Don't let it show on your face. *Wink* There's nothing like a natural flush to instantly make you look more alive. A lot of blushes these days boast of shimmers to give that just-came-back-from-a-run sheen, but if you're looking for cheeks that look like you're just glowing from within, then matte blushes may be better for you.

The Revlon Matte Powder Blush (P625) is as matte as you can get. Nonetheless, the color doesn't look flat and boring, which I found completely unexpected! I made it my business to stay away from matte blushes, but it seems that they have found me - and I am not regretting that day.

What I love about the product

• Very natural finish, as if you're not wearing blush. 
• While the powder is not pigmented upon first application, I find that it's easily buildable, and better at preventing a clown face.
• I like the compact, since it comes with a mirror for application on-the-go.

Perfectly Peach

If you really think about it, it's not natural for morenas to blush. I don't remember ever blushing in my entire life. Pink, healthy cheeks are Western Caucasian concepts. Don't get me wrong, I love my pink blushes - even though they're technically not natural for dark Asian skin, they still look flattering on me. That's the whole point right?

In any case, you know what's natural on dark skin? Peach and apricot!

Peach and apricot are the natural colors that our Asian skin change into when we blush, exert ourselves physically, or tan under the sun. I believe that every girl (Asian or not) should have at least one peach/apricot blush in her makeup arsenal since it could really warm up the skin and even make your face look thinner without the harshness of bronzer or contouring powder.

MAC Cheek and Cheerful Mineralized Blush from last year's Colour Craft Collection

I'm currently loving this blush that I bought from Sophie. I was skeptical of it when I firs

I'm feeling a little glum today because I'm in the office and suffering from pre-period irritability and general sadness. I'm off to Boracay tomorrow and I won't bring my laptop so I hope to finish all my work today - extra stress. What's a great way to feel better? Why, ogle at makeup of course!

One of the reasons I like makeup is because of the bright colors. There are so many things you can do with them! Just like a scent, bright makeup can change a mood and make a day.

the display is not complete, btw!

Anyway, when I visited Bobbi Brown Makati the other day, they introduced me to one of their 2010 Spring collections: Cabana Corals. Ever since then I can't stop thinking about two things! The Pink Quartz Shimmer Brick and Calypso Coral Pot Rouge. 

The colors are sooo pretty! The price not so much at P2,245, but hey, quality usually comes at a (steep) price. The powder is very finely milled and you won't see a speck of glitter at all. The texture reminds me of Ellana's Super Sparkle finishing powder, but less powdery.

Ooooh