The big makeup trend for 2013 is brite n' matte lips. Pinks, reds, plums - all matte and all opaque. I think this trend is something everyone can jump into because it requires minimal skill to pull off. Plus, it would look good on just about any set of features and complexions! Loud lips are also a good excuse for girls who don't want to wear much makeup, as they require only a flawless base, some mascara, and polished brows to look modern and ultra-cool.

The Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color (P1,350), released last quarter, is something you should look into if you like matte lipsticks. The formula is opaque in one layer, doesn't transfer, and lasts over six hours even with eating and drinking. It is dry, as expected from matte lipsticks, but it doesn't flake compared to its drugstore counterparts.

Creamy Matte glides on nicely even with the dry texture. I don't wear a lip balm under it if my lips are in prime condition, but if they're dry, I just apply a very thin layer.

I used to not like makeup sets before with products that are in way smaller sizes. I mean, how can I enjoy something when I'm so conscious about finishing it up quickly? And what if I like it, what am I going to do then? But now that I'm older, wiser, and more liquid (lol), I have seen the wisdom of buying sets and smaller sizes. 

Small tubes and bottles are great if you want to carry stuff around. It's not smart to bring full sizes of stuff in your bag because of the heat here - it can spoil/dry up makeup faster. Also, if you're like me who doesn't usually bring big bags, every bit of space is valuable real estate. That's not just applicable to when we're travelling y'know!

Thus, boxed sets like the Benefit She's So Jet Set (P2,100) is perfect if a.) You travel a lot b.) You want mini-sizes of your "Bene-faves" for your daily bag c.) If you have never tried Benefit before and would like to start now. This contains four lovely and pigmented eyeshadows, illuminating powder duo, mini Porefessional, They're Real Mascara, and lip gloss. 

I understand that this is part of Benefit's limited edition holiday sets!

What's your favorite holiday collection so far? There are so many, but it's good to have choices! There's something for everyone whether they're on a budget or cost is no object. :) I did observe a general theme though. Shine, glitter, and bright pops of red are du jour, but I've also been seeing a lot of twinkly purples and violets. This is good news - for me at least! - because I find that color group rather flattering on the Pinay complexion.

This time I want to talk about the Etude House Christmas Miracle Collection. I have photos, swatches, and quick thoughts on each product!

Let's start with the Etude House Mix & Mix Eyes PK001. This is a sleek palette of six sparkly shades in the lilac/ purple color group. There's also one in BR401 Holiday Dream that is on the neutral end of the spectrum. Go for PK001 if you're out for an evening party, while BR401 is better for more reserved occasions.

No one makes lipsticks like Guerlain. The brand not only creates beautiful shades that end up being classic choices, the lipstick tubes themselves become collectors' items. It's not the sort of thing you get because you want a pretty shade of lipstick; it's something you buy for the explicit purpose of treating yourself, of owning something you'll keep for the next ten years at least.

I've already made my case for luxury in another post, so you can read that (and the comments) for a more in-depth discussion of spending for beauty products. :) Here I shall review the Guerlain Shine Automatique Lipstick in Pamplelune (P2,200).

Packaging. The Guerlain Shine Automatique line boasts of a one-gesture opening. It's unique because it has no cap, instead replacing it with a button that when pressed downwards opens the top to reveal the lipstick. I lost my composure there for a moment, saying "oooooh" aloud to myself the first time I opened the lipstick. LOL! It's fun. 

The lip balm is perhaps the most basic beauty product a girl - nay, anyone - should own. They lock in moisture on the lips, help heal chapped skin, and provide a bit of shine to instantly enhance that area. Now most lip balms do the same thing, but some are more equal than others (to borrow a phrase). The elements of scent, packaging, and overall efficacy comes into play.

So what lip balm should you get? It depends on what you need and how much you're willing to spend. You can get a P60 lip balm from the drug store and you'll probably be happy with it. But if you're willing to spend a little for a lip balm with more features then here's a nice list! These are the lip balms I always reach for.

Mentholatum Lip Ice lip balm. This is my all-around basic lip balm. It's slinky, never waxy, and really hydrates my lips instead of just sitting on top. It's also easily available in any Watsons branch for only P89. I keep backups of this, and have at least three lying around the house at any given time!

MAC Suntints SPF20 Liquid Lip Balm in Au Rosé. I gave a rather lukewarm review of this balm, and for that I am kicking myself. It has become my favorite lip balm to use before makeup. It smoothens the lips like nothing else I've tried, as if it deeply conditions those dry areas!

The Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura Holiday Collection is perhaps the most awaited of them all this 2012. It features sophisticated colors picked out by none other than Mr Lagerfeld himself, with a quirky muse, Mon Shu Girl, to represent the glam yet aloof theme of the collection. It's been out since mid-October so you should hurry while there are still stocks of the limited edition pieces!

Photo from Beautezine.com

As you can see, it's a pretty extensive collection. Go for the palettes if you love daring sultry eyes, lipsticks if you like shine and sparkle, and brushes if you're looking for a handy travel set. I feel that you can miss the nail polishes since they don't particularly stand out in terms of quality and color selection, as well as the limited ed lash curler. The avant garde falsies though are of course Shu's specialty, so get this set if you're a makeup artist or just really love fun lashes!

So! Today I'm going to review the Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in Celebrity Beige (P1,350).

This is much like the Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine lippies when it comes to the level of shine and slinkiness on the lips. It's light, non-drying, and leaves an au natural stain when it's all gone. It stays on for a decent three hours - as with most moisturizing, light lipsticks - so you will have to retouch every so often during the day. That's SOP really.

Cute box

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books were some of the most memorable ones I read when I was younger. They made me laugh, made me appreciate the beauty of a good mystery, and to look at things sideways. More importantly, HHG taught me the importance of a good towel and to not panic when faced with impossible situations. Well, this is a reminder for me to read the five books again! You should too if you haven't yet. ;)

But why am I blabbering about HHG? I'm here to talk about the Clinique Chubby Stick (P960)! These are hydrating tinted lip balms that come in a twisty crayon-shaped tube. It's the first brand, I think, which came out with such a fun way to package lip balm. The Chubby Sticks are actually similar to Clinique's Almost Lipsticks - the main difference is of course the packaging, and then the color selection. But they feel practically the same.

Here's a quick rundown + lip swatches!

What I love about the product

• It feels thin and light (not waxy or sticky), yet it hydrates my lips for a good 2-3 hours. I don't get flaky lips when it fades away. I like how smooth my lips are even after it's all gone.
• It's deceptively sheer but it can be layered to get a more intense color. It's still not going to look like lipstick but it will show up even over pigmented lips. Oh and it doesn't settle on the rims or catch in flaky parts of the lips.

Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipsticks (P450) never let me down. Ever. They have a rich, moisturizing texture, a full-bodied cream finish, and awesome pigmentation to top it off! I'll say it - they can rival high-end lipsticks from MAC, Makeup Forever, and other expensive brands.

Just remember to wear lip balm beforehand because they dry up pretty quickly (2 hours) although the color stays on.

On to the swatches! Cherries in the Snow is a fantastic, complex color. It's a bright blue-based red that looks like fuchsia on me in certain lighting. From what I understand, Cherries is a classic Revlon lipstick that was launched in 1953. Dorian Leigh, one of the world's first supermodels, wore it in an iconic ad. This is in the same cult level as Fire & Ice. Smashing! 

The ultimate 50s red

A product that's 4.5/5 after 225 reviews at Makeupalley is something to take seriously. It must be really good, or there's a misguided mass hysteria surrounding it. :P Whatever the case is, I think Lucas Papaw Ointment (P450 at Digital Traincase) deserves the raves. It's not particularly special as a lip balm but for healing wounds and minor irritations? This is awesome!

Lucas Papaw Ointment is a petroleum-based salve that is infused with papaw, or carica papaya, that is grown and hand-selected in Queensland. Papaw is touted to have healing properties when applied on stings, cuts, and burns. This was found by Dr. T.P. Lucas who then created his ointment 100 years ago - a recipe that still remains unchanged up to this day.

It's interesting to note that the company making this is still family-owned and that they only employ 12 people. They don't seem to advertise heavily (if at all). This is worth mentioning because Lucas Papaw seems to be a staple in Australia, something both women and men carry with them at all times.

I love how matte lipsticks look but I don't like how they feel on the lips. They're heavy, thick, and drying if I don't prime my lips properly with a hydrating balm. They're less comfortable compared to glossy lipsticks but in exchange they last waaay longer and leave a pretty stain.

One lipstick that I'm really digging is the new Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte Lipstick in M PK 335 (P1,285). It feels like silicone primer on the lips - indeed, it's silicone-based! - so it's cushy, soft, and not at all heavy. Trivia: this lipstick's main ingredient is dimethicone, a type of silicone oil that is largely used in shampoos to keep hair smooth and shiny. It's safe, don't worry! I just think it's neat.

Aaanyway. This matte lipstick lasts super long and doesn't fade completely even after eating. It doesn't transfer too much on glasses and utensils, plus, it's not drying.

Lips-talk. Such a funny word but it actually makes sense for Etude House to call their lip products "lips-talk". They believe that the color we wear on our lips tells the world what we're feeling that day, hence, our lipstick does some talking! It's roundabout but clever.

Anyway, I've reviewed some lipsticks from Etude before and I love 'em. You can't go wrong with a great price, nice texture and color selection! This time, I have a lipstick-balm hybrid that's supposed to condition our puckers: the Etude House Dear My Essence in Lips-talk.

It's described as "enriched with Meadowfoam Seed Oil, this ultra-conditioning Essence-in-lipstick melts into lips with luscious color and brilliant shine, leaving your lips smooth, moisturized, and soft." 'Tis true. This stuff is so creamy it literally melts into a wet, almost gloss texture when it hits the lips. It's also moisturizing, as if you put butter on!

Hey folks! I have some new products from Maybelline that I'm excited to finally talk about. I've had them for a few weeks now and, well, color me impressed! It's been a while since I used anything from the brand so I'm surprised by how nice their stuff are now. 

Here are capsule reviews of Maybelline's latest: The Jewels by Colorsensational Lipsticks, Master Liner 24-Hr Cream Pencil, and Eye Studio Lumineyes Eyeshadow.

The Jewels by Colorsensational Lipstick (P399) is a collection of six jewel-toned lip colors in uber creamy, pigmented formulas. They're not waxy and they stay on for a loooong time given that the colors are on the dark, brilliant spectrum. They leave a nice stain too without feeling too drying!

There are certain emotions and impressions that come with particular colors, which then makes them the perfect weapon if you know how to use them. You can leverage these things according to the effect you want to achieve on people. Some can call it manipulation, but I like to call it resourcefulness. :) 

That said, there are no hard and fast rules when choosing lipstick shades. In the end, it depends on your personality, location, and the kind of people you are with. You can even just pick your signature shade and wear it anywhere you like. But if you're the kind of girl who changes lipsticks more often than she changes shoes, then honey, this is for you! Let your lipsticks do the talking!

Going on your first date with a special someone? You can never go wrong with a glossy, flirty-yet-innocent pink lipstick. It doesn't scream *too much* but it's not blah either! Whether you're wearing a chiffon dress or something casual, a pink lipstick like the Cover Girl Lip Perfection Lipstick in Dazzle will look gorgeous on you. A glossy finish like this makes your lips look plumper and more kissable.

So you guys hit if off, huh? Congrats! If you want to make a good impression when you meet his parents, there's nothing better than a sheer peach or coral shade.

I'm kinda pissed off that two of my favorite, and I mean favorite, coral lipsticks have been missing for a while now. They're the Revlon Coral Berry and Makeup For Ever Rouge Artist Natural in N39, ugh! I do have other coral lipsticks but I think these two are the best-looking of them all.

But one has to move on, I suppose. So, here's one of my new orange/coral lippies: the MeMeMe Long Wear Satin Lip Cream in Coral Cloak (P560 at Makeupholics).

MeMeMe is a drugstore UK brand that has been making waves locally. The products are colorful and highly pigmented, up there with Sleek, Beauty UK, and Models Own - only kitschier with a baroque sensibility. I am not a huge fan of the packaging per se, but the product itself is quite nice for the price. Remember the MeMeMe Goddess Rocks? That one's a great catch.

Coral Cloak is a beautiful creamy orange lippie that stands out without being too loud. The texture is quite silky and smooth, not too thick as to be uncomfortable.

I have a friend who hates wearing lipstick. She said that the stuff migrates everywhere on her face! To get some color on her lips, she just rubs them with tissue to get the blood going. I'm thinking that hurts if she has dry lips, plus it can lead to premature lines in the area. So I told her, try the Revlon stains! She was unconvinced. Until a few days ago.

Beauty problem - solved! The Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain (P575) is made for women who don't like the waxy feel of lipsticks or simply do not like retouching too often during the day. It comes in twelve on-trend and highly pigmented shades to suit your fancy.

 I know you gals have seen the rave reviews, so I'll just make a quick run of it!

What I love about the product

• These are super pigmented stains that penetrate deep within the lips, thus giving them color that goes strong for six hours. There is some fading along the inner part if you eat, but it's not too obvious for me.
• Moisturizes lips without feeling too thick. It does dry up within three hours though, so keep a lip balm on hand if you have dry lips.

"I don't have the skin tone for it!", "My lips are too big!", "I'm shy, and "My boyfriend doesn't want me to" are some of the reasons girls are scared of wearing colorful and loud lipstick. Well I don't want to force you if you really can't but if you've always wanted to BUT blah blah blah then girl, maybe you're afraid of something more than just eye-catching lips. Maybe you don't feel too confident about your own beauty, which is why you don't want to draw attention to it.

That's just wild conjecture, of course. I'm just basing it on the comments I've received in all my lipstick posts. :) Anyway, today I'll teach you how to get used to wearing loud lipstick. The trick is in realizing that you're the only one holding yourself back - not your judgmental friends or boyfriend, not your perceived lack of good looks. I think we're all beautiful and a hot pink or red lipstick is just the perfect punctuation mark!

Step 1: Invest in a classic and universal color. MAC has great lipstick shades that have stood the test of time. One is Russian Red, a bold luscious color that flatters any skin tone. If you like pink, Pink Noveau is also a popular choice. 

In 1895, an enterprising man called Dr. George F. Smith set up the Rosebud Perfume Co. to sell a homegrown balm that fast became a hit among his neighbors. He was able to grow the business by setting up a mail order and door to door sales system that not only sold the trademark Rosebud Salve but also perfumes and aftershaves. At one time, he had 70,000 salespeople going door to door to sell this popular product!

More than 100 years later, the Rosebud Salve (P420) is now a favorite among bloggers and celebrities like Natalie Portman, Eva Longoria, and Beyonce to name a few. This petroleum-based product is infused with oils, smells of roses, and is housed in a vintage-looking tin. It can be used as a lip balm, but it's really for any patch of our body that needs some TLC!

The Rosebud Salve is just okay as a lip balm (thin and moisturizing vs its greasiness and slight waxy texture). But you aren't really maximizing this if you just use this on the lips! It can be utilized several ways, but IMHO it is the best at reviving dry nails and cuticles.

Remember my red phase? Yep, still not quite over it. I was in Powerplant a couple of weeks back when I randomly decided to buy a true red lipstick. For the life of me I don't know why I did it, because I have maybe seven red lipppies in my collection already. I just wanted a true red and there's only one lipstick I know that fits in that category: MAC Russian Red (P1,000).

Like I said, I already have a handful of reds, but Russian Red is on a whole new level of its own. It's a seductive, intense, blue-based red that nobody can miss. It's completely opaque in one layer and has a matte finish. I would recommend this to anyone who needs a memorable, eye-catching red - skintone issues aside as this is touted to match all shades. Makes teeth look super white too!

Now matte lipsticks are great because they tend to be very pigmented and long-lasting. The downside, however, is that they drag when you apply them, plus they can also be very drying.

I'm into red lately, particularly red lipstick. I'm also digging the vintage 50s movie star look, so my outfits recently are along those lines.

Anyway! I know that red on lips can be a rather intimidating color, but worn the right way, it can be your defining polished look. Sounding like a broken record I know, but out of all the lipstick shades out there red is the most liberating color to wear. You'll know it if you've tried it.

I have a LOT of lip products lined up for review so I'm trying to schedule them apart. Still, expect to see a parade of posts from balms to lipsticks in the next couple of weeks! So! Today I'll talk about a nice everyday lip and cheek tint: the Etude House Fresh Cherry Tint in Peach (P328).

The color in the bottle reminds me so much of the Benefit Cha Cha Tint but don't be fooled - they're two completely different colors. Cherry Peach is a milky peach shade that's flattering on fair to medium tones. It gives just the right touch of color, while keeping lips moisturized and shiny.

What I love about the product

• It doesn't streak. You get ample time to blend it because the color doesn't sink in immediately, unlike other stains where you only have a few seconds to work the product onto your skin.
• The color is a nice creamy peach - not overly pigmented but not faint either. You might want to apply a thick layer on your lips to really get the color going.