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A place for me to share all my make-up ramblings...enjoy!

About Me

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My name is Sophia!

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FAQ & DISCLAIMER

About Me

My name is Sophia, and I am in my early 30s. I am from Singapore and I am the sole writer of this blog.

About this Blog

I started this blog in 2006, I like to use a wide range of brands though I seem to have a growing preference for higher-end brands in recent years. I also like to share interesting things I have come across about makeup and beauty.

Currently The Makeup Blogette receives 39,000 unique views monthly or 2,238,932 views and counting.

My Makeup Style

I like classic looks (neutral tones on eyes, anything goes for lips & cheeks), though occasionally I try out dramatic/ statement looks.  I believe that a flawless base is the key to achieving great makeup looks.  I also believe that if you don't have great skin to start with, fake it with a good foundation routine, and even greater skincare.  I am currently loving Clarins & Lancome skincare products, and Vichy NormaDerm for tackling with breakouts.

What Cameras do I use?

Most of the pictures you see in post 2010 entries are taken with my Canon G-11.  Previously I was using Canon Ixus 80.  I do post some pictures which are taken with my iphone4 which I will state in that particular entry.  I have stopped watermarking my pictures as of 2011, because I think watermarks are ugly in general, and does not prevent people from stealing my pictures if they wish to.  I just take it as a compliment that my pictures are even worth stealing in the first place. I might look into getting a Canon EOS next year, not just for blogging purposes, but I also like photography in general.

My Favourite Makeup Brand(s)

It is hard to name just one, but I like NARS, Chanel, Illamasqua and the ocasional Guerlain, Dior & Urban Decay item.  I own quite a stash of MAC items, but recently I have stopped catching up with their collections, and I much prefer to splurge on a few really outstanding items.

Where to find me

Twitter (link button above!)  Email (stated above!)  Instagram (makeup_blogette)

I have no official Facebook fan page, and currently have no intention to start one at all.  The Makeup Blogette remains my personal hobby and property, so as such, I don't believe in having a Facebook fanpage for it.

Final Disclaimer

I bought/ paid for all of the products mentioned in this blog. I am not affliated to any company. If certain products are sent to me for review purposes, I will say so and express my honest opinions about them. In any case, I will only review and showcase the products which I have personally tried and tested, and enjoy using. I do not get paid to review anything.

No ads, no paid links etc please.  I am in charge of all content and pictures here.

I am not a makeup artist, nor do I have any professional training in makeup.

 

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    June 11, 2013

    Shiseido Private Sale: NARS HAUL [Photos & Swatches]


    Hallo!!!

    This morning, a few of us trooped down to the Shiseido office building to shop the Shiseido private sale, which will be open to the public on the 12 and 13 June 2013.  (pic and full details at the end of this entry)
    I technically don't need anything, but I was keen to see what NARS items they have on sale, and I wasn't disappointed.  Granted, I already have a very extensive NARS collection, and most of what was on sale, I already own.  But I still managed to add a few lovely items to my stash.

    Some price information and what I saw there by brand:

    (these are just prices I can recall, if I didn't remember wrongly, please don't quote me)
    NARS single eyeshadow $20
    NARS duo eyeshadow $30
    NARS powder blush $30  - I saw cream blushes too.  The variety is limited, but I saw Liberte, Lovejoy, Cactus Flower, Penny Lane..
    NARS lippies, mascara $25
    NARS bronzer (Casino, Laguna) $30 or $35
    NARS nail polish $15
    NARS Sheer Glow, Sheer Matte foundations
    NARS Creamy Radiant concealers (I spotted mainly the Light 1, 2, 3 shades)

    The single eyeshadows come in a variety of neutral shades, a couple of bold shades - all from their permanent collection.
    There are also Andy Warhol sets and palettes starting from $30 (the Photobooth nail polish set). 
    I also spotted limited eyeshadow brushes. 

    There is also a wide selection of CPB (cle de peau beaute) skincare and makeup, I saw their famous face luminising powder, single eyeshadows, lipsticks and foundations.  Prices start from $40. 

    Then there is the range Shiseido and Maquillage base products, blushes and eyeshadow palettes.  

    I didn't really look at the ZA, Tsubaki brands, but looking at the way people were lugging bags of the shampoo, I am sure the prices are at least half of what you get at retail. 

    Here's what I got from the sale:

    Orgasm Nailpolish
    Exhibit A Blush
    Bangkok pure matte lipstick
    Funny Face 
    Brousse duo eyeshadow
    Bengali single eyeshadow (great for brows too!)


    And quick swatches: 

    I spotted the polishes in these shades
    Dovina, Jungle Red, Purple Rain, Orgasm, Schiapp 


    Swatches of the powder products:

    I swatched the Brousse duo, and fell in love immediately.  It is a lovely mix of taupes...and definitely something super wearable.  
    Bengali is another shade which I have often seen, and played with but never bought, so I am glad to have gotten it now.  It is a medium warm brown, very smooth and pigmented.  It looks matte but not chalky at all.  I look forward to using this all over my lids and also fill in my brows.

    Exhibit A is actually for my sister who loves RED blushes. 

    If I didn't already own so many NARS items, I would have bought a lot more than these.


    I have a bad weakness for NARS lippies, and I am glad to get these two. 

    Funny Face - hot magenta pink this is so creamy and I think I will be wearing it quite often in the coming days ahead.  LOVVVVEEEE!!!!!

    Bangkok Pure Matte lipstick - looks like Monterey Bay which I already have... but I can't resist this nude lipstick that's not too pale. 

    Lipstick swatches: 

    I also picked up a couple of Ettusais products - their limited edition shower cologne - $10 each. 

    I also spotted Ettusais foundations (both liquid and cream), nail polish, their facial mist sprays (I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THOSE SPRAYS!) and a few of their skincare items. 

    If you are not running down to the sale yet, you totally should!

    Details below:


    Hope this is helpful, and thanks for reading!

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    June 11, 2013

    Chanel Le Vernis Taboo [Swatches & Comparisons]

    Hi hi!!

    Finally, Taboo is here... after a few months of looking around, and detecting its presence at our local counters.  Thanks to MabelI managed to get it when I was totally stuck at work everyday the past week.  It is a brilliant shade of deep metallic purple base, with multi color shimmer bits of red, purple and some blue.  Some of the larger sparkling bits actually do show up after application.  It is perfectly oqaque in two coats.  I am very happy to add this to my collection. 

    I am also receiving many requests to review the Chanel Les Beiges collection, which is currently available at the ION and MBS chanel stores, but will be available at all Chanel counters over this weekend.  I will be waiting a while to get the Les Beiges...and will definitely post my review and thoughts once I am done.  Meanwhile Mable has a very comprehensive overview of the collection, so be sure to check out her blog and YT channel!

    Close ups:


    Swatches:


    The inevitable comparison to Malice - one of my fave Chanel polishes - 



    Actually, I think I might prefer Malice - the smooth intense formula and that rich red.. 
    Taboo might be in the same famliy of deep rich metallic purples like Illamasqua Baptise and NARS Purple Rain.


    Hope this entry has been helpful, and thanks for looking!

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    June 09, 2013

    NARS x Pierre Hardy Rotonde Blush [Photos & Swatches]


    Hallo!

    I am currently in love with NARS Rotonde blush - it retails for S$65 at the NARS store at Tangs - it is quite big, almost twice the weight of product as the regular NARS blushes.  The blush is very smooth and intense, and has a golden overspray. The color description on the NARS website is 'tiger lily' - a rather bright orange shade. 


    "Limited edition high voltage blush palette with a shimmering pressing of Pierre Hardy's iconic avant-garde print.

    • Natural, healthy-looking finish that immediately enlivens the complexion
    • Silky texture
    • Micronized powder ensures soft, blendable applications"

    The blush is so beautiful, I had to take lots of pictures of it before I swatch it - 


    Swatches - I can't think of any orange blushes I have at the moment... I might have a MAC blush or something..but anyway, this warm orange blush is just perfect for summer.   I am still considering whether to get Boys Don't Cry... I might cave... or maybe it might be sold out, and I can just softly kick myself for not getting it. 


    Here's how the overspray is gone after a few swipes.


    and a quick LOTD - 

    On my face - Diorsnow Concealer worn as foundation


    on the brows - MAC Dirty Blonde fluidline, MAC Beguile brow gel 
    shades - CELINE new Miss Audrey 
    ignore the mess in the background...currently doing some packing! 


    That's all and thanks for reading!!

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    June 09, 2013

    Shiseido Private Sale 12 & 13 June 2013

    Please read the fine print! 

    Get shopping!
    Filed in: Sale, Shiseido | Tagged with: Sale, Shiseido
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    June 09, 2013

    Dior Summer 2013 Bird of Paradise Collection 002 CORAL GLOW [Photos & Comparisons]


    Dior Summer 2013 Bird of Paradise Collection - I am so glad that Mabel manages to score an extra Coral Glow at duty free, and this is how I very quickly got my hands on the beautiful Coral Glow, for swatches of Pink Glow, click here.  I love all my Diorskin bronzers, they are so natural and so easy to use.  This summer's bronzer and blush duo makes for a great multi-purpose product.  The power is so finely milled and smooth. 
     

    This summer, Dior introduces a multi-faceted product that provides all the tools for achieving fresh-faced beauty. A unique hybrid of bronzing powder and high-pigment blush, Dior’s signature cannage patterned compact holds a quartet of bronzy shades and bright tones ideal for illuminating the complexion and sculpting cheekbones. The iridescent harmonies blend seamlessly to create a multi-dimensional effect, while complementary light and dark shades provide subtle highlighting and define the natural contours of the face.

    The bronzer/ blusher duo comes with a velvet pocket pouch and its own kabuki brush - which is very good quality by the way.  They are great to include in your makeup bag should you need to touch up during the day. 


    Close ups: 


    And swatches - Coral Glow is much warmer than Pink Glow - not that it is any much darker I think.  I love how the shades have this subtle sheen, and just looks so softly pigmented. 


    Comparisons: 


    Have you gotten any of these yet?

    Thank you for reading!

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    June 09, 2013

    NARS x Pierre Hardy Nail Polish [Vertebra]


    Hallo! 

    This is the last set I have to feature from the NARS x Pierre Hardy collection, Vertebra.  This duo consists of a rosy deep nude and a bright coral pink.  I love this feminine color combination.  And the nude shade is just totally suckering me in.  The duo retails for $43 each, quite reasonable, considering the fact that they are regular sized bottles, and each of these bottles retail for $30.  (but no, these sets are not available individually, you just have to purchase them in the set). 

    All the polishes I have in this collection are very creamy and pigmented, do check them at the NARS store at Tangs!

    swatches here - two coats of polish and a cost of Seche Vite on top. 


    Hope you find these swatches helpful, and thank you for reading!

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    June 09, 2013

    NARS x Pierre Hardy Nail Polish [Ethno Run]


    Hi hi!

    This is the third set of NARS x Pierre Hardy polish duo I am featuring... in Ethno Run - a duo of a blackened navy blue and a orange shade. The orange shade is actually quite wearable - it is not neon, not too red and actually looks quite flattering for me.   The blackened navy blue looks almost black, both in real life and in my pictures show.  

    Each set of these duos are full sized polishes - and they retail for $43 (a good deal, given that each regular NARS polish retails for $30).  They are currently available at the NARS Store at Tangs.  Each of these set comes in a sleek solid box, and a mini dust bag. 


    Swatches - 2 coats of polish, and a cost of Seche Vite topcoat. 



    One more set to go!  

    That's all, and thank you for reading!

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    June 09, 2013

    NARS x Pierre Hardy Nail Polish [Easy Walking]


    Hi again!

    Featuring the NARS x Pierre Hardy polish in Easy Walking - I picked this set when I attended the NARS event a couple of weeks ago - this is the only duo that consist of a shimmery shade.  The duo sets retail for $43 each at the NARS store at TANGS (p/s regular NARS polishes costs $30 each).  

    I love the combination of the creamy warm nude color, camel? - almost mustardy.  The golden shimmery shade is very metallic, it's somewhere in between rose gold and pure yellow gold.  The shimmery shade is very pigmented - and opaque in one coat. It is not a combination I would immediately go for, but I am very interested in the contrast of these two shades. 

    Swatches here: 

    I applied two coats of the creamy nude, and one coat of the shimmery one.  
    Seche Vite topcoat applied on top. 


    Have you checked out the swatches of the other NARS x Pierre Hardy polishes yet?  :)

    Thanks for looking!

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    June 09, 2013

    NARS x Pierre Hardy Nail Polish [Sharks]


    Hi hi!  

    This is a swatch of the NARS nail polish set in Sharks - a duo of pale lilac and pale yellow.  Both shades have excellent creamy formula. The yellow is not streaky, and together they create such a cute and cheerful combo.  The shades are opaque enough on their own to layer over each other without any bald patches.  

    The set retails for S$43 at the NARS store at Tangs (each bottle retails for S$30) so you are getting quite a good deal.  
    Each set also comes with a little dust bag, like the Pierre Hardy shoes. 

    Swatches:
    2 coats of color, and seche vite as topcoat


    I will be featuring more NARS x Pierre Hardy goodies in the next few entries1

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    June 08, 2013

    GIVENCHY Le Rouge Couler Intense 306 Carmin Escarpin [Photo & Swatches]


    Givenchy
    recently launched a collection of lipsticks for Spring Summer 2013, Le Rouge - a semi-matte lipstick encased in genuine leather.   It is a long lasting lipstick-as-accessory delivers intense colors and a semi-mat finish all in one stroke. And as the first lipstick to come in real leather, it imparts a soft, supple touch and sensual feeling.  I bought this at Sephora for $49 each - and I picked Carmin Escarpin - a true warm red which just pops. 

    Some close ups of the packaging - 

    The leather detail, the stud, the sleekness of the metal - I just couldn't pass up getting at least one to try, and especially one in RED to match the overall packaging of the lipstick. 

    Product description from Givenchy's website 

    Le Rouge transforms you into a style icon with its signature semi-mat finish and genuine lambskin leather case.

    Each shade is specially concentrated with intense color pigments for easy one-stroke application that lasts throughout the day. This lipstick defines, plumps, and moisturizes lips with its unique lightweight shaping formula and non-sticky texture.

    Lips are sensuously dressed in radiant semi-mat color that is soft to the touch.

    SUPER LUXE packaging!


    Ingredients Information - 

    HYALURONIC ACID MICROSPHERES

    Set in silica beads that are gradually released for moisturized lips throughout the day

    NATURAL BEESWAX

    Envelops the lips with a comfortable creamy texture that nourishes

    WHITE BASE

    Colors more radiant and highly concentrated for easier one-stroke application

    EXCLUSIVE SHAPING FORMULA

    Micro-spheres glide into the fine lines of lips and lock in moisture growing 50x larger. Lips are plumper and revitalized

    FINE OILS & WAXES

    The combination leaves a fine non-sticky finish that feels bare to the touch



    Swatches - 


    Application 




    Overall look
    - please pardon my tired looking face, I just came back home from camp.. on my face, I am wearing Diorsnow Concealer (yes I lightly applied the concealer all over my face for an even and smooth finish, an accidental discovery which works well super well), NAKED flushed palette on my cheeks, and nothing much else. 


    Have you picked up any of the Givency Le Rouge yet?

    Hope this is helpful, and thanks for looking!