There are brands that stick with us in our lifetime. Avon is definitely one that is closely intertwined with mine. My first ever makeup (it was a Simply Pretty blush), my first bra (a beige plain one, because my mom thought colored bras were scandalous) - they're from Avon. I'll probably patronize that 123-year old brand until I die! My Lola and my mom are also avid Avon fans.

That's why I like attending Avon events. I like being among the first to know about their products, as well as having first dibs on them. So what's new?

Avon launched three new beauty products last Thursday, July 15, at the Blue Leaf Pavillon. The very gwapo and debonair DJ Eri Neeman hosted the event. 

DJ Eri Neeman

Avon Philippines' President and General Manager Mr. Mike Gudgin welcoming the guests

Three new products were introduced: the Anew 360° White Intensive Correcting Serum, Skin So Soft Radiant Glow Whitening Hand and Body Lotion, and Avon Ultra Color Rich Mega Impact Lipstick.

Perhaps the most common complaint about NYX Round Lipsticks is their lack of staying power. NYX attempts to solve that problem by providing a slightly more expensive line called NYX Lips.

So how different is Lips from the Round lipsticks? For one, it feels smoother, creamier, and thicker. It is also more opaque and pigmented, and that's saying a lot since RLs are already pigmented as they come. 

Black Cherry and Love Angel

The staying power of this line is definitely better than the RLs. The RLs tend to fade and get wiped out as soon as you eat or drink, but Lips keep their color for at least four hours. Eating and drinking will remove them, but there will be a stain left. In the case of Black Cherry, a very, very strong stain.

I've been checking out Youngblood, a mineral makeup brand, at Beauty Bar for a few years now. However, I never got around to buying anything because their stuff are too expensive! Think about it, ~P2,500 for foundation? That's a no deal for me. Sure, the products are high quality, but I still can't bring myself to spend when there are better and cheaper alternatives out there.

Just imagine my shock when last Tuesday, upon visiting Beauty Bar at the Podium, I saw a Youngblood makeup palette that only costs P995!

Whoaaa

I stilled my heart for a couple of minutes as I calmly swatched each of the two blushes, three eyeshadows, and three lip glosses. It was LOVE at first swatch. I immediately bought the palette without batting another eyelash.

Yesterday I went to do groceries at Market! Market! Very mundane I know, but to shake things up I wore bright, almost frightening, fuchsia lipstick. My face was bare except for the the Dr. Jart Gold Label BB cream (for the SPF45). As for clothes, I just had a plain white t-shirt and bleached shorts on. 

It's shallow, but I felt good. I felt powerful. I had enough confidence to wear a lipstick very few would dare to touch. Lol!

Lipsticks are powerful tools that have existed for hundreds of centuries. I love my lipsticks because they allow me to easily express myself even if I'm just wearing a bare face and boring clothes. Pinks and nudes are fine, but loud lip color is the easiest way to make a statement! Anyway, that fuchsia lip is brought to you by Revlon.

Will review the eyeshadows soon!

Revlon has just released a new line of lipsticks aptly called Colorburst. It's their answer to the popular Maybelline ColorSensational line of lipsticks. They're more expensive at almost twice the price of Maybelline - P575 per tube - so I'm sure you'd like to know. Are they better?

It's funny how the products that actually make it into your daily routine are the products that you forget about. Case in point, my Nivea Angel Star Lip Balm! I haven't taken a photo of it, so you just have to spot it here:

It's the small pink tube on the right side!

This Nivea Angel Star line is targeted towards tweens who are just starting to become self-conscious about their appearance and body. One of the products released is a lip balm that has a slight pinkish tint with a frosty-gloss finish.

Why I like it:

• My lips are evened out by a light, pinkish tint. The finish is frosty, with a hint of gloss. I don't need a mirror to use this so it's very convenient.
• Moisturizing! It really helps my chapped lips in this heat.
• Non-sticky and feels light on the lips.

When you Google for NYX Round Lipsticks you will find that two of the most popular shades are Thalia and Tea Rose. Every makeup enthusiast worth her salt has these shades in her arsenal! They're cheap, plus they're extremely flattering on most skin tones. The swatches were very tempting so I decided to snag these lipsticks when Carefree Shopper's next shipment came in.

Thalia and Tea Rose. They look the same in the picture, but Tea Rose looks a lot pinker in person. Swatches up ahead!

Bobbi Brown is a brand that is usually related to mature, polished women. However, she is now trying to update this image by coming out with trendy, more adventurous collections this season! She started with the Cabana Corals Collection released last February. Check out what's still up her sleeve: the Color Strips Collection, to be launched in the Philippines this April.

The lovely folks at Bobbi Brown just got this preview palette and I'm happy to share it with you guys! I think I'm the first one who got to try it in the Philippines, lol.

A complete spring eye, lip and cheek wardrobe—designed by Bobbi. Each of these three palettes has five Eye Shadows and three shades of Pot Rouge designed to work together beautifully. Imagine the possibilities.

There are five available eyeshadow strips: Petal (pink and taupes), Aquamarine (teal and grays), Bonfire (bronzes) and Orchid (featured above). There are two pot rogue strips called Fresh Coral (above) and Fresh Pink.

What I love about this palette is how compact and travel-friendly it is. The palette is double-decked and has its own double-ended brush. You can mix and match the six strips according to your mood and needs; they just snap right off! You don't have to worry about the strips getting dirty since they come with a clear plastic cover that is attached with a hinge.

More closeups and a look featuring the palette up next!

I'm sure you're tired of seeing the NYX Round Lipstick everywhere! It's that awesome. I mean, where can you find cheap-ass, good-quality lipsticks that have an insane range of colors? Each lipstick is extremely pigmented, creamy, and has a decent staying power. The price is too nice at P160 (the cheapest I know of here in the Philippines). I got my loot from Carefree Shopper. 

Rea, Pumpkin Pie, Power, Fig, Louisiana, Electra

Rea makes my lips look gray. I think this nude is too beige! Still, I enjoy using it. This will look awesome with heavy smoky eyes.

Pumpkin Pie is a nice peachy nude. I'm not a huge fan of the frost finish but I can live with it.

It's only Wednesday, but this week has already been marked with a flurry of meetings and frantic email exchanges. Let me take a short breather by telling you about my current go-to lip products: the Maybelline Watershine Pure and ColorSensational lipsticks!

I'm not a lip person so I rarely buy lip products. However, since I'm out a lot lately, I need two lipsticks that I can wear to all occasions - meetings, events, shopping, dates, whatever! Enter Maybelline's newest lipstick line, the ColorSensational Moisture Extreme Lip Color and an old line, Watershine Pure Natural Water Lip Color (Asia exclusive).

Watershine Pure in BM 23 (a lovely nude pink lipstick), P299 and ColorSensational in Plum Perfect (bright plum), P299