Every beauty blogger's dream is to have a makeup collection that she designed herself. It would be everything she ever wanted to see in her most-used products, all her favorite colors turned into reality. Maybe someday I'll be able to create my own makeup, but that's just a pipe dream - for now. If I'm going to do it, I need to be able to commit to it, y'know? Or else I'd be wasting time, money, and social capital.

It would be great if I can design my own lipsticks, but the closest thing for now is the OCC Lip Tar Pro's Picks Set v2.0 (P2,750). It's basically five, uber pigmented liquid lipsticks that you can mix and match to create a host of different shades! The colors are also quite beautiful on their own so you can use them as is (save for the white one).

OCC (Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics) is a brand most popular for their Lip Tars. These are opaque liquid colors that are heavy in pigment and oil. They feel a bit greasy on the lips when they are freshly applied, but they dry up in about 15-30 minutes, just adhering to the lips like second skin.

One time, while I was browsing the IN2IT lipstick display, the sales lady told me "Ma'am, you should try this shade, it's what models ask for!" It doesn't really take much to impress me so off I went with this hot pink number. Is it any good? Well duh, it's IN2IT! This brand never fails to come up with great products that won't hurt the wallet. 

The IN2IT Moisture Intense Lipstick in Pink Alarm (P375) is a bright, blue-based hot pink lipstick. It's one of those quietly popular things that are always sold out! I can see why, for other than the eye-catching color, the lipstick itself has no smell, no taste, and no overly-thick feel characteristic of drugstore lipsticks. Maybe that's why it's a bit more expensive than average.

The world rejoiced when the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters came out, because they were so smooth, moisturizing, and pigmented! They were everything everyone secretly wanted their lip balms to be. ;) Okay, sweeping generalizations aside, Colorburst Lip Butters were great everyday lipsticks for women who need something wearable and convenient. They are inexpensive too, at P525 a pop.

I've already done a full review so head on over there to see more details. Today I will just be showing you the latest shades in the Revlon Lip Butter line! These are part of their summer collection, hence the warm and fun shade selection.

Here are the lip swatches + description!

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.

They are impossible to miss in Beauty Bar: the iconic bee, the yellow tubes of lip balm goodness. Burt's Bees has made a mark in the beauty industry as an all-natural skincare brand, but they recently released new color cosmetics. For the lips, still! I can't wait to see the day when BB has foundations and blush at least! That should be awesome, no?

Anyhoo, take a look at some of the newest products from Burt's Bees.

First up is the Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm (P650). This comes in different shades, but the one I have here is Caramel Daisy! The tinted balm glides and feels like butter on the lips. I've tried the plain balm before and wasn't very impressed because of the hard texture, but the Tinted Lip Balm is definitely an improved version. It keeps my lips hydrated and not waxy-feeling. It has a faint jelly bean scent to boot!

If I had to choose only one lip color to wear for the rest of my life I would probably choose something hot pink. Yes, not red! I noticed that while red is a seasonal or moody color for me, hot pink is something I always pick up whether I'm going to the grocery or to a party. It's a fun and happy shade, a lot more user-friendly than one would care to think. 

Speaking of hot pinks, I recently acquired the Shiseido Rouge Lacquer in Disco / RS404 (P1,250). It's a glossy, super bright blue-based pink that makes my teeth look so white! No kidding, you'll see it later. I also like the formula of this liquid lipstick even though it's not perfect. It's moisturizing, doesn't flake, and lasts a decent amount of time (3-4 hours depending on whether I eat or drink). It's solid in one dip but I prefer to dip twice to get the maximum opacity and brightness.

M.A.C lipsticks are some of the most vibrant, complex ones out there. You can find anything from sweet pinks, severe browns, sexy reds, daring purples, or even stark black if you're into that. ;) Each new collection has at least a new shade or two of lipstick so there's always something to covet if you're a collector, or a simple lover of color. 

The downside is that not all lipsticks have a great formula. Some may look streaky or fade easily. That's why you should always check reviews and swatch the lippies in person if you can, as this will save you a lot of grief in the long run. I've reviewed a few already so please do check them out! That said, here's a new batch of permanent M.A.C lipsticks for you to check out.

I'll begin with the MAC Lipstick in Rebel (P1,000). Rebel has a satin finish, which is full-bodied, pigmented, and a wee bit glossy. It's a color that I've always been hearing about from beauty bloggers here and abroad, so I got one to see if it's worth the hype. Dahhlings, it is. It's such an amazing color!

I've always thought of Rebel as a gothic red shade based on the swatches I've seen online, but on me it's a deep fuchsia with a strong purple base. This is daring alright, no question about it! I usually prefer to wear this in full during evening engagements, but during the day a stain of Rebel can live through a greasy lunch. Yes, it's quite long-wearing.

One week is not enough for lipstick week, it seems! I have three other features in mind for this, but I suppose I can always do another LW in the near future. ;) I decided to end this themed week with a bang, with something that I received just two days ago! I got pretty excited about these lipsticks because I'm a huge fan of the Avon Ultra Moisture Rich line, plus I know how y'all appreciate Avon swatches in particular.

The Avon Ultra Moisture Rich Vitaluscious Lipstick (P299) is the latest addition to the UMR line. It features ten on-trend glossy shades and a moisturizing formula that contains Vitamins B, C, and E. In terms of texture and lasting power, the Vitaluscious is the same as UMR - it's lightweight, slinky, and moisturizing, but it doesn't stay put beyond three hours. That's the trade-off for the moisture so I don't mind. I just re-apply as needed!

The scent is the same as all UMR lipsticks - juicy candied watermelon. I really love this scent, and I hope that they never discontinue it. It smells as expensive and fresh as high-end lippies. 

I do wish that the Vitaluscious could be as pigmented as the Avon Totally Kissable Lipstick. Most of the lippies need to be layered over several times to get that solid color, unfortunately. But again, that's their trade-off for the heavy oil content! Actually, they feel more like glossy lip butters than legitimate lipsticks.

You're not a true-blue lipstick junkie unless you have the Japonesque 35-Well PRO Lipstick Palette (P1,450 at Digital Traincase). Okay, okay, I'm only half-kidding, but you have to admit that this is such a cool thing to have. Even Lisa Eldridge keeps a few of these! 

So what is it, really? It's a classy black box that has space for 35 lipsticks. It can also be used to store cream foundation if you wish, which makes it incredibly useful if you're a makeup artist. The case and mold is made of a thin, lightweight plastic, and is closed by a silver clasp.

I spent a whole morning selecting and depotting the 35 lipsticks that I wanted to put in this baby. It was a fun activity, albeit rather messy in the end!

Lavender is an intimidating color to wear with Asian skin - some are virtually unwearable - but they can work with the right supporting colors. If that fails, just blend them with your other lippies to create interesting shades! Today I thought I'd post swatches of three MAC blue-based lavenders with various levels of pink in them. ^_^ 

I have a permanent and popular shade (MAC Pink Noveau), a limited-edition repromote (MAC Lavender Whip from Baking Beauties), and the MAC Viva Glam Nicki 2 which is for the brand's AIDS charity. I have already reviewed MAC lipsticks before so I won't go into details, but quickly, these lipsticks vary in pigmentation and have a decent staying power (three hours). I have to admit that while MAC lipsticks aren't THE BEST when it comes to formula, they come in trendy, one-of-a-kind shades that other brands try to copy.

Here are the swatches and color descriptions!

MAC Pink Noveau is a bright pink with strong lavender undertones. It's a cool shade and a struggle to wear if you're morena, but on my medium yellow skintone it looks striking and interesting. I usually prefer to pair this with a dark, smoky eye to balance the coolness. A barbie pink blush always works with this particular lipstick!

High-end lipsticks are nice to have, but if you're on a budget there are also wonderful alternatives out there. You won't be getting the same fine texture, lasting power, and packaging of course but for the price you're still nabbing a pretty good deal. ;) Take for example the L'Oreal Color Riche Intense Lipstick (P625). This drugstore product can give those luxe tubes a run for their money!

It's weird that these lippies aren't receiving a lot of noise here - they're quite good! Pigmented, creamy, and beautifull packaged, these come in a variety of show-stopping colors. The texture is smooth and light on the lips. It doesn't feel waxy at all.

Worth mentioning is the fact that these lippies also have no scent or taste. They definitely don't feel drugstore!

I've been in love with lipsticks since my first swipe at five years old. I love how they can brighten up my face in a matter of seconds, and how there's a shade for whatever look and mood I have for the day. Lipsticks are never boring. There are always new colors and formulas rolling out from the labs, and believe me, they are getting better and better each year!

So, I've been saving up my lipstick reviews since last month, when I decided to do a Lipstick Week. I thought to start with an amazing lip product called the NARS Satin Lip Pencil (P1,550). If you could look past the price tag (and the fact that they don't twist up), these are total must-haves!

I love them because they're pigmented - opaque in one layer - and feels very thin on the lips. When they dry up (in two hours) they don't feel like a waxy, crackly layer. Instead they feel more like a light, flexible blanket of the color! Not many lipsticks that I've tried have that dry-down texture. 

Hi! I've read so much about finding the perfect red lipstick for your skin tone, and thanks to this blog I now have 3 :) Anyway, I wanted to ask how to find the perfect shade of pink for your lips. You see, I was never really a pink girl and I feel funny wearing pink, especially the baby-pink clothes that make me feel like a walking ball of cotton candy, BUT I like the way it looks on other people's lips. I like the understated pink that kind of brightens your face and makes you look fresh, but the last few tubes of pink lipstick that I've bought tend to make me look uh... anemic and I feel more awkward wearing fuchsia/ hot pink shades more than I do wearing red... So, uh, any tips? I would greatly appreciate it :D

My skin's fair, with warm undertones. :) and the red that looks best on me would be the tomato-red kind of shade, if that helps. Thanks! - April

Hi April! Thanks for the question! Now not to brag, but I have enough lipsticks to know that finding the perfect shade isn't about our skintones. It's not a rigid "baby pink is only good with beige skin" formula. More than anything, the right lipstick is about our personality, preferences - our style. Look at Nikki Minaj. Anyone would have told her that a pale neon pink won't work for her skintone, but now it's her signature color!

That said, I do have a few tips to make it easier for you to find your flattering pink shade. I will also include recommendations of some of my favorite pinks.

Fair but yellowish skin typically look good with peachy, cotton candy, and baby pinks. The warmer you are, the more brown your pink has, the better. Medium skin looks better with bright pink that has a brown base, plummy pink, or a straight up true pink, while darker morenas would benefit from reddish, purply, or deep pinks. Again, this isn't a strict guideline, but it can quickly narrow down your choices.

Whimsical and ethereal, the new Artdeco Butterfly Dreams Collection is sure to appeal to girls with a soft spot for pastels. There's a beautiful selection of nail polishes and lipsticks that flatter Asian skin, as well as new eye definition products such as a felt tip eyeliner and a volumizing mascara.

Pretty eh? I'll be reviewing a couple of products fully in the future (that blush definitely deserves a whole post of its own), but for now I'll be sharing quick reviews and a look I did using the collection. 

Running out of clever introductions here so I thought I'd get right to the point. :P Today I want to talk about a few Shiseido stuff I received a couple of months ago. They are expensive, true, but if you don't mind then they are definitely worth the splurge. 

When I first saw the Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio in RD299 I thought, boring. Gold, violet, and white? Surely there are more interesting, exciting combinations out there! But I should know that it's not smart to judge an eyeshadow palette by how it looks in the pan. I guess I better show you!

Absolutely lovely, yes?

I should rename this blog Project Lipstick and stop pretending that I want to write about other things. I have soooo many more lipsticks in line for a feature! But naw, I'm just ribbing you. I do love writing about lipsticks though, since they bring so much color and dare I say joy to my life. :)

Today I want to talk about an affordable yet awesome lipstick line: the Avon Totally Kissable Lipstick (P239). This came out last February I believe. To my great surprise, it has a better formula than the Ultra Moisture Rich Lipstick due to its longer staying power and less slinky formula.

Here's the rub!

What I love about the product 

• The colors are pigmented in two layers.
• Texture is smooth and creamy, like lip butter. It feels weightless on the lips. 
• Has less slip than UMR. Formula is more cohesive somewhat so it doesn't slide around if you wear too much. (Hope that makes sense!) This accounts for the better wear time.

Lately I find myself liking the original Clinique Chubby Stick more than I thought I would. It's just that it's so easy to pick up, slather on, and go! More than that though it's also something I don't have to think about until I have to retouch, and that won't be due until three or four hours when the balm has dried up. Sheer, moisturizing colors do make life less complicated.

Still, my heart belongs to opaque lipstick for days when I'm willing to fuss over them. An important event, perhaps a meeting, calls for a nice solid wash of color that hopefully doesn't compromise on moisture and lasting power. I have found something that can do all that: the Clinique Chubby Stick Intense (P920).

I'm so lucky to get hold of this very early (thanks Mira!) in Mightiest Maraschino, so here's a preview for you! It won't be out locally until end of March or early April.

What I love about the product

• It offers intense, even color in one swipe. Mightiest Maraschino is a blue-based, bright red that will look good on a variety of skintones. 
• It has an incredibly lightweight and buttery texture. It has the opacity of a lipstick and the staying power of a stain, but it feels exactly like a non-greasy lip balm.

What is the difference between lip sticks, lip butter and lip tint? Do they actually have distinctive characteristics or is it a matter of labels? - Kris

Hi Kris! Thank you for your question. :) Ten years ago, it wouldn't have even existed! All women had were lipsticks and glosses. However, thanks to technological innovations and new ingredients we now have more formulas to play our lips up with. They may look or even swatch the same but other than a few "confused" lip products I can say that there is a difference in the formula.

Here's the dish on what makes lipsticks, butters, tints, and stains unique!

Lipstick. Mostly wax-based and saturated with pigment, lipsticks can offer you maximum opacity and good staying power. They come in all sorts of finishes from matte, creme, satin, high-shine, to frost. Lipstick colors and finishes are the most complex among all the lip formulas.

Are you still reluctant to wear loud lipstick? I'm not going to force you if it's really not your thing, but if you want to then here are a few steps to ease you into your scandalous color of choice. Remember - it's all in your head! Loud colors are fun to wear and shouldn't be taken too seriously. It's just lipstick.  You can take it off any time.

That being said, today I want to talk about a mini-selection of daring Maybelline Colorsensational Lipsticks (P399). These come in different variations of red (except one) hence the color of the tubes.

The formula is just okay. It's pigmented and fairly smooth, although I find that it can be drying after a couple of hours (you know the SOP for this). The lasting power of the bright reds are good at three hours plus a stain, but the lighter ones like the peach and coral - not so much at less than two hours. It has this strong sweetish vanilla scent that fades away after a few minutes.

Overall, the Maybelline Colorsensational is not too shabby for the price. I do love the reds here, which I have finally swatched for you!

Let's begin.

I've said this once and I'll say it again: Estee Lauder is no longer your lola's brand. They have actually finished reformulating their color cosmetics under the Pure Color line and I tell you, everything is fantastic! From eyeshadows, liners, nail polishes, down to the lipsticks EL has a lot of fabulous, rich shades for you.

To prove my point, here's my lipstick of the moment: The Estee Lauder Pure Color Long-Lasting Lipstick in Fuchsia Fever.

Yes, it is as daring as it looks! It's a bright, ultra creamy fuchsia that just glides on the lips like butter and smells like EL's signature fig scent. It's not drying at all even though it's designed to be long-wearing. While it's rich and heavy with pigment, I find that it doesn't feel thick on the lips even with a couple of layers.