BEAUTY BATTLES: BATTLE OF THE FUSCHIA LIPSTICKS

For this edition of the beauty battles, let's look at FUSCHIA LIPSTICKS.

Fuschia lipsticks are gorgeous. The color intensifies and gives a sultry look on tanned beauties and it adds a dash of flirtatious fun look on fair skinned ladies. The color can go from avant- garde to wearable so in a convenient way, this color will work best in any occasion!

I HAVE TWO FUSCHIA LIPSTICKS IN MY MAKE- UP STASH:

MAC HEATHERETTE COLLECTION SATIN LIPSTICK IN HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS

MAKE UP FOR EVER LACQUERED LIPSTICK IN 203 (ORANGE FLUO PINK)

L-R: MUFE AND MAC

You may assume that the pigment pay- off of the MAC l/s is relatively better than MUFE. Well, in terms of pigmentation, both are head- on. I just lightly swatched the MUFE l/s so that's the reason why it appeared less pigmented than MAC. Don't fret. MUFE's products have very good pigment pay- off so you're sure to get the maximum color you're looking for in every MUFE item. 

L- R: MAC HEATHERETTE SATIN LIPSTICK IN HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS AND MAKE UP FOR EVER LACQUERED LIPSTICK IN 203 (ORANGE FLUO PINK)

This is MAC's Heatherette Lipstick in Hollywood Nights. This is described as a clean fuschia pink shade. It's obviously neon with a hint of orange under tone so the color became very vibrant. I bought this from a direct seller and it costed me 1000php.

It's in a satin variant and this glides on easily and is non- drying, unlike Matte variants. Staying power is relatively good. I think this color will flatter any skintone because IMO, Fuschia is a universal color that will look good on almost everyone. 

I bought this because I thought it would be the perfect dupe for my MUFE l/s since my MUFE l/s is slowly being used up. I was planning to get Nars' lipstick in Funny Face but I'm having second thoughts on it since all the swatches looked light. I was planning to check Nars' Funny Face tomorrow but God brought me and this Heatherette lipstick together  because I accidentally dropped by a multiply site that sells MAC items last night.

This lipstick is my MUFE Lacquered Lipstick in 203 (Orange Fluo Pink). It's a neon pink shade with an orange undertone. This smells so good and is non- drying as well. It's semi- matte and the staying power is impressive, though it might take time for you to completely remove all traces of the fuschia color on your lips. This is priced at 1150php.

As compared to MAC, MUFE's l/s has a violet undertone so it appears just a tad bit darker than MAC. But I assure you, Hollywood Nights is 98% the same as 203. Both have excellent pigmentation and both products have good staying power so whichever appeals to you will prove to be a good buy. Regarding the price, both are equally expensive.

So what's my verdict? While the MUFE lipstick is expensive, the Heatherette Lipstick is out of stock so there's no choice but to opt for the MUFE l/s. I would repurchase Heatherette if this were only available here. MUFE is a great buy but MAC's packaging is such an eye candy. But in terms of lipstick color and quality, both are great. If you're in the USA, you could go to CCO outlets and find yourself one but for Philippine residents like me, "pabili" is an option so good luck paying the exorbitant shipping fee. Apart from that, there's a chance that you can't find Hollywood Nights anymore because some claim that this is already out of stock, even in some CCOs. :D I bought my MUFE 2 years ago in The Fort High Street MUFE Boutique but unfortunately, MUFE is not stocking on lipsticks because the lipsticks will be repackaged and they don't have any news yet on when the new design will be released. So we have to wait for the new lipstick line to arrive. But if MUFE's new l/s line comes out, I'm pretty sure this color will be available for us again. Make sure to grab one because 203 goes out of stock most of the time. :D

BEAUTY BATTLES: MY COLLECTION OF VOLUMIZING MASCARAS

For this edition of the Beauty Battles, let's look at Volumizing mascaras.

Here's my collection of volumizing mascaras. It's the treatment that i need the most for my lashes since I have long but sparse lashes on the upper and lower lash line. Volumizing mascaras always does the trick for me in faking my twiggy- like lashes. :)

L- R: Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara, Maybelline Volum Express mascara, Avon Supershock Mascara, Chanel Inmitable Waterproof Mascara

I have tried Lancome, Clinique, Maybelline, Estee Lauder, The Face Shop, Chanel, Skinfood, Dior, Clarins, L'oreal, Nichido, Ever Bilena, Bobbi Brown, Max Factor, Cover Girl and Rimmel mascaras since I'm a mascara eater. It's a staple in my make- up stash. So far, Lancome will always have a soft spot in my heart. But I had to let go of lemming for definicils, flextencils and virtuose because they're too expensive. I found my new volumizing mascara in Maybelline's Colossal Mascara but unfortunately, it's unavailable in the Philippines. I hope they bring it here!

So here's a comparison of the four mascaras. I didn't change their positions so refer to the first pic for the brands.

MAYBELLINE GREAT LASH

- Paris Hilton swears by this brand and it has been consistently the number 1 mascara in numerous magazine and beauty awards. Great Lash swears to improve your lashes' volume up to 70%. And when it says it's waterproof, it really means it. The wand is in a spiral form, and rolling it over your lashes is the right way to use this so you'll effectively make use of the form of the bristles. The formula is so good, even if the bristles are not. It's what makes this formula a winner. Maybelline has produced some of the greatest mascaras in the market and this baby is a classic! Unfortunately, it is unavailable in the Philippines. I got this from a direct seller and I purchased mine for 180php only. Before, it's available locally and was sold for around 400php+. Make sure you ask your relatives abroad to haul you at least two tubes because hauling a lot might not seem like a great idea because you have to dispose the tube after 3 mos.

MAYBELLINE VOLUM EXPRESS MASCARA

- Another favorite of mine when Great Lash was pulled out from the country. The brush hair was thick and the form of the wand is curved, to help create curls and for the semi- U part to specifically catch your lashes when you apply it on. The case is also similar to Maybelline's Colossal mascara. This baby gives you good volume as well. This mascara is washable so expect to see some smudges after some time when you're wearing it.

AVON SUPERSHOCK MASCARA

-This promises to boost your lashes' volume up to 120%. It was so promising in the brochure so I grabbed one. It really shocked me because of the huge wand with plastic bristles that are aligned in a line. The tube is bigger than the normal mascara tubes and is fat, so I have high hopes and expectations from this mascara since the tube and the wand are BIG, it's like an in-your-face "I'm the best volumizing mascara there is." Surprisingly, the formula didn't shock me at all. In fact, Avon's Astonishing Lengths mascara gives much better volume than this one. This also has a tendency to clump when you apply too much. So maybe that's the "shock" in this product. SHOCKINGLY CLUMPY LASHES. :D But don't worry, just use a lash separator to remedy the clumps. But if you have thick lashes, this would do you good. It'll enhance your already thick lashes. Worth trying, but not worth repurchasing.

CHANEL INMITABLE MASCARA WATERPROOF

- Chanel claims that this mascara is precisely made and engineered to give tons of volume to your lashes. The wand is well- engineered: Bristles are strategically aligned and positioned so as to catch every single lash. The formula is made of good wax that glides on easily, clump- free and dries off to a natural finish. The result, natural looking thick lashes. And these characteristics are priced at a whopping 1750php. Well, it does give you your money's worth, at least. Your lashes are volumized up to 80% and it lasts all day, without smudging. The only con of this product is, the formula dries fast in the tube. And when you use it everyday, chances are, you might empty the tube in a month. So there goes your 1750php. I suggest you try Lancome, which is cheaper and has good quality as well.

I hope this helped you guys. :)

BEAUTY BATTLES: BATTLE OF THE FOUNDATION PRODUCTS

For this edition of Beauty Battles, let’s look at two good foundation brands.

I found Shu Uemura and Kryolan in my stash.

Kryolan is my HG for foundation and here comes Shu Uemura, a promising contender in this category.  

L-R: KRYOLAN AND SHU UEMURA

Kryolan is the widely used brand for Film, T.V. and Theatre because of its very good coverage and staying power. It’s sweat- resistant and some variants (especially the Ultrafoundation) are almost waterproof so a lot of MUAs swear by this brand. I swear by their Supracolor palette, a popular variant in the Theatre. I love that the palette comes in a convenient slim metal case. In terms of pigment, this one is rich. It’s also buildable so you could control the amount of coverage depending on what you need. I’m also using their TV paint stick, which offers a much better coverage. The paint stick is so nice, you could literally change your skin color! The Supracolor refills might appear too small for some. But surprisingly, it lasts because a little goes a long way. Supracolor, Aquacolor and Ultrafoundation shades come in Ws (Pink tones), Ns (Brown tones) Ss (Olive tones) and a wide range of crayon colors in foundation perfect for fashion to avant- garde looks.

I can’t say much though for Shu Uemura since I’m not a fan of the line but I was quite impressed with the Face Architect foundation so I made this comparison.  

 

THE REAL DEAL:

I compared the 6W shade with the 734. As you can see, the Kryolan may be a little off than my normal skintone but it doesn’t look bad in person. It just enhances the color of your face by adding a bit of healthy color with the help of the Pink tone. The reason behind my choice for W shades is for my face to look healthy under stage lighting. These colors are designed to give you a natural- looking and a non- pale looking skin tone on stage because the lighting can wash off the colors of your make- up. It’s in cream form so it’s not messy, unlike Shu. Shu is apt for everyday wear because it blends into my skin tone perfectly and is lightweight on the face.

In terms of staying power, Kryolan is definitely the brand to beat. Shu can be comparable to Kryolan in terms of coverage. But if you sweat profusely, you might find a little caking on some parts of your face, especially the oily zones. Don’t worry, it’s where your pressed powders come in to solve the problem. Kryolan may be a little heavy on the face but since it’s buildable, applying a sheer amount could be the answer. Kryolan also has some consumer products like the HD Foundation (a friend swears by this) and their Ultrafoundation liquid. The Supra and Ultra variants are for professional use.

For everyday, I might switch to my Shu, but as far as my profession is concerned, Kryolan will definitely be the brand to beat for me. And not to mention, Kryolan is faaarr cheaper than Shu Uemura. Oh, and did you know that Kryolan manufactures the cosmetics of MAC, L’oreal, Bobbi Brown and Shu Uemura (which is under L’oreal)? There’s a little trivia for you my fellow Beauty Junkees.

THE WINNER FOR THIS EDITION IS: KRYOLAN J  

BEAUTY BATTLES: THE BATTLE OF THE CONCEALERS

Welcome to a new chapter in my blog. It's called the BEAUTY BATTLES: PRODUCT COMPARISONS. Every entry in this chapter will feature two products of any brands and we'll see who wins. Of course, every decision is personal. All are based on my povs and you are free to try any of the two or both products then see for yourself which is best. But nevertheless, I'll try my best to look for then compare two good brands so we'll be able to decide who's really the best and what's really worth our moolah! :)

MAC STUDIO FINISH CONCEALER WITH SPF 15 AND CINEMA SECRETS CONCEALER

Cinema  Secret's concealer has been considered as one of the best concealers in the market. It's long- wearing and appears as second skin when you're able to choose your shade match. The consistency is creamy. Glides easily and is absorbed by the skin. It doesn't appear chalky, unlike other concealers that's why this is one of the best bets when it comes to buying concealers. I have been using CS concealers for four years already, until I changed to MAC.

MAC is one of the best cosmetic brands out there and they boast of their face make- up. Their SF concealers have received good feedbacks in makeupalley. The cool tones of the NCs and the skin- matching tones of the NWs have been perfectly made to suit any skin tone and make your eyes appear brighter by altering the color of the skin under your eyes. In effect, your eyes will look brighter and your dark circles have diminished.

A closer look at the concealers. Check out their consistencies.

SWATCHES (L-R) CINEMA SECRETS AND MAC

Notice the textures of both products. CS has a more creamy consistency as compared to the drier texture of MAC. I think the logic behind the dry texture of MAC is for the concealer to prevent from caking and melting under humid conditions, while the logic behind CS's creamy texture is for the user to experience easier and precise blending, which helps in creating a flawless make- up application.

THE TEST: BOTH BRANDS APPLIED ON DARK CIRCLES ON BOTH EYES

RIGHT EYE WITHOUT CINEMA SECRETS CONCEALER

RIGHT EYE WITH CINEMA SECRETS CONCEALER

Notice the difference. My eye looked fresher. The concealer was able to conceal my dark circles while being true and one with my natural skin color. The creamy texture was easy to blend so I was able to build and control the amount I put on my dark circles. In terms of staying power, Cinema Secrets may turn cakey when you sweat profusely and when you're in a hot or humid place  for a long period of time. It can be remedied by wiping off the cakey part, reapplying a bit of the concealer and setting it with powder again. This is the problem I encountered with CS. Their foundations and Concealers are unable to withstand the hot weather of our country so the staying power of this product on skin may have decreased as compared to those wearing it in cooler countries. But nevertheless, CS foundations have very good coverage and conceals good enough. It also provides a good base for any make- up. Colors appear more vibrant. When you're in a relatively cooler place, CS's staying power is absolutely good.

LEFT EYE WITHOUT MAC STUDIO FINISH CONCEALER WITH SPF 15

LEFT EYE WITH MAC STUDIO FINISH CONCEALER WITH SPF 15

Notice how my eye appeared brighter. The wonderful characteristic of MAC's SF concealer is how it instantly brightens up the eyes. You may notice the slight color difference under my eyes as compared to my face skin tone because I think this is the purpose of MAC's SF concealer: To make eyes appear brighter. But a skin- matching powder will do the trick in making your face's skin color even. When MAC's concealer is topped with a skin- matching powder, the concealer's color is slightly changed but you'll notice that your dark circles are gone. And your peepers are visibly brighter. The texture is drier as compared to Cinema Secrets, which is good in a sense for me because in my opinion, drier textured concealers have better staying power than creamy concealers. These are the characteristics that made me love this product. When you're under a hot and humid place and when you sweat profusely, your under eyes might have a whiter or fairer color, which is not so good looking (aka chalky). This can be remedied by wiping it off or topping it with powder. But MAC's SF concealer is really good if you want to have bright- looking eyes to disguise the "puyat" look.

MAC ON THE RIGHT UNER EYE AND CINEMA SECRETS ON THE LEFT UNDER EYE (YOUR VIEW)

Both products have good effects. But they have their cons too. For me, the best concealer would still be cinema secrets because you'll love how it evens out your dark circles, making it one with your face skin tone. I switched to MAC because I love it's staying power. But as you can see in this picture, in terms of concealing, Cinema Secrets was able to provide a better coverage than MAC. I also switched to MAC because I always look puyat (actually, I AM ALWAYS PUYAT! :)) So I need an eye brightener, rather than a concealer. Look how CS was  able to conceal even the puff under my eyes. While MAC didn't do much justice in concealing my puffs but my eye looked brighter and the puff was slightly covered. The puff is a reminder that there is no such thing as a perfect face (haha :)) But for those girls who would like to try MAC's SF concealer, don't be bothered, MAC's SF concealer is still a wonderful product but in terms of coverage, Cinema Secrets is still the winner for me. The key for a lasting coverage is still, skin care, moisturization and a good powder to set your concealers.

WINNER: CINEMA SECRETS

What are the products that you consider as your HG when it comes to concealers? :)