YSL on the make-up blogette

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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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YSL Summer Manicure with Vert D'Orient & Jade Imperial

YSL Spring and Summer collections see the release of two highly sought after polishes - Jade Imperial, and Vert D'Orient. Supplies of both shades are extremely limited, though the stores do re-stock them time to time. It is best to put your name on the reservation lists, to avoid any disappointment. They retail for S$35 each.

I recently added Vert D'Orient to my collection, and it is beautiful. I like the fact that it is dark enough, and has that milky muted tone which makes it look less green. YSL polishes have excellent formula, and this is no exception.

I paired both shades together for the ultimate YSL SS2013 Jade manicure look.

Loving this combo!

What's on your nails recently?

Thanks for looking!

Posted on May 04, 2013 at 8:34PM | Permalink | 0 Comments

Filed in: Review, haul, manicure, Swatches, YSL, vernis, SS2013, jade imperial, Vert D'Orient | Tagged with: review, manicure, haul, YSL, swatches, vernis, SS2013, jade imperial, Vert D'Orient

May 02, 2013

My iPhone takes awesome nail pics! [Illamasqua, YSL, Chanel, etc]

pics from my iphone - with the right lighting, it's all you need - the iphone I mean. The colors come out great, the auto focus is very intuitive.
Here's what I am playing with on my nails, including a quick Chanel SS2013 summer sneak peak.

Illamasqua Harem #nofilter

YSL did it again with their nail polish from the summer collection - Vert D'orient. #nofilter

Bobbi Brown Black Pearl which Mabel kindly gifted me!

And one more nail polish:
The Dior mini duo sets are super cute!!!

And Chanel Summer collection, selected sneak peak:

That's all and thank you for looking!!

Posted on May 02, 2013 at 9:41AM | Permalink | 3 Comments

Filed in: chanel, Review, Swatches, YSL, illmasqua | Tagged with: chanel, review, YSL, swatches, illmasqua

February 17, 2013

NARS Dovina Nail Polish [Swatches & Comparisons]

Hi hi!

I picked up NARS Dovina on a quick whim (I think I have a collective NARS entry which I should post soon, plus reviews and features of their new releases). It is a beautiful classic red, brighter and creamier than Jungle Red. It is opaque in one coat, though I applied 2 coats in my swatches. I used this over the CNY weekend, and I just love it.

Of course, it is one of the many classic reds I have in my stash, but I always like to own a classic red from every brand of nailpolish I have, and I am glad to add Dovina to the collection. Besides, I think NARS polishes have great formulation across the whole shade range, and so far I have very good experience with my NARS polishes (I have about 15 or slightly more currently).

A few comparisons to my current fave reds which might be in the same category:

Here they are: It is the closest to the YSL red in this set of comparisons, I didn't pull out my Illamasquas, Diors and Essies for this comparison.. but I think you get the idea.

Which is your fave red nail polish?

Hope this entry has been useful, thank you for looking!

Posted on February 17, 2013 at 4:37AM | Permalink | 0 Comments

Filed in: chanel, Nail Polish, Review, NARS, haul, red, Swatches, YSL, NARS Dovina | Tagged with: chanel, nail polish, review, nars, red, haul, YSL, swatches, NARS Dovina

January 21, 2013

YSL Spring Look 2013: La Laque Couture 35 Bronze Pyrite

Hi hi!

Today I am sharing with you one of the two polishes which will be released with YSL's Spring 2013 collection (the collection is due out early Feb at their ION store, and maybe a week later at Tangs Orchard).

Bronze Pyrite is a very metallic pale olive shade (why it's called bronze, I am not sure) but it certainly has the pyrite element - a search on google image on 'pyrite' yielded pictures of similar hued mineral substances. Which is part of the inspiration for this collection - featured earlier in this entry. It is a pretty unique shade in my stash, leaning in between silver and olive. It also looks slightly different under different lighting situations, at times it's really pale and metallic, and when indoors, the shade becomes richer, and more dimensional.

The consistency is perfect, it is opaque in one coat - which is a good thing when these very foiled metallic polishes are concerned. The paddle shaped brush allows for a very self-leveling application, and the brush strokes are not very visible when viewed from a distance.

This is another set of pic I took on a different day, it was cloudier and the color looks more olive-y and has a slight green tinge.

Just to compare another YSL 'Bronze' shade nailpolish - Bronze Aztec - which is way darker, and contains multi-color shimmer. Both shades are just gorgeous, and the formula is impressive.

I am very happy with my YSL polishes, and I definitely see myself picking up Jade Imperial when the collection launches.

Hope this review and swatches have been helpful, thanks for looking!

Posted on January 21, 2013 at 6:20AM | Permalink | 1 Comment

Filed in: Nail Polish, Review, Swatches, YSL, Spring 2013, bronze aztec, Bronze Pyrite | Tagged with: nail polish, review, YSL, swatches, Spring 2013, bronze aztec, Bronze Pyrite

December 25, 2012

YSL Glossy Stains: All Six of Them! [Swatches & LOTDs]

Hi hi!

I have somehow accumulated six of the YSL Glossy Stains over time, I purchased a couple of them (I think 11 and 19) while the rest I had received from attending various YSL events as they launched in Singapore.

So here they all are. I think my fave YSL Glossy Stains are the peachy pink shades - they apply evenly and show up on the lips very vibrantly. The pale shades like 19 tend to look a little streaky and my own lip color still shows through. The dark shades like 22, applies streaky too and you probably need to wait some time before building up each layer of color.

These glossy stains are very long lasting, and deliver great colors. I have recently featured a cheaper dupe, the Loreal lip caress shine - they are very very similar in terms of consistency - click here for my swatches. However, I think I still prefer the YSL ones, they feel more luxe and comes in a wider range of colors.

In terms of the application - I noticed that as you apply each layer, and purse your lips together, the formula gets a little thicker, and that's when the color seems to become richer and creamy. They also feel a little cooling and very moist when first applied. The applicator is perfectly shaped for direct application onto your lips.

Here are swatches on my hands:

and some mega swatches on my lips:

I was a little hasty in applying 22 - and this is the slightly patchy results. And the patchiness is showing up more in the pictures than in real life.
But I see potential in this shade - think all the dark vampy lips I featured in my previous entry here. This is certainly in the same color family, in a totally different texture and finish.

All products used (all YSL unless stated)

Face: Flash Radiance Skincare Brush, Touche Eclat liquid foundation, Lancome Dual Finish Foundation, touch eclat highlighter pen

Cheeks: D&G The Bronzer 01, Blush Radiance 06, Boreal Palette Face Highlighter

Lips: all the Glossy Stains mentioned in this entry

Eyes: NARS Primer, Boreal Palette Artic Night (only the brown shade all over the lids), YSL Waterproof pencil 01

Lashes: two pairs of Ardel 120 lashes layered

Which is your fave YSL Glossy Stain featured here?

I highly recommend these lipsticks - they are really innovative (before the rest of 'em follow suit of course) and you won't be disappointed.

Thanks for looking!

Posted on December 25, 2012 at 11:29PM | Permalink | 6 Comments

Filed in: Review, Swatches, YSL, LOTD, YSL Glossy Stains, Artic Night palette, Boreal Palette | Tagged with: review, YSL, swatches, LOTD, YSL Glossy Stains, Artic Night palette, Boreal Palette

December 22, 2012

Yves Saint Laurent: La Laque Couture Premiere Neige Top Coat

Hi hi!

Very happy to got myself the YSL Premiere Neige Top Coat in Hong Kong... It wasn't included in our YSL Holiday 2012 collection here...and this is quite a highly raved shimmery topcoat in the beauty community.

It is a clear topcoat, with densely packed very very fine blue and purple shimmer bits. It catches the light at different angles, and very smooth. I had swatched in on my thumb while I was there, and I noticed how it looks very multi-dimensional in terms of the color and finish.

And of course, it comes with the signature YSL applicator brush, which I love and makes application a dream.

I had swatched it over a black base (Deborah Lippmann's Edge of Glory). This is just one coat.

It looks so sparkly like a starry night sky.

A blurred shot to show you the effect.

Love this topcoat!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on December 22, 2012 at 9:12PM | Permalink | 1 Comment

Filed in: Nail Polish, haul, Swatches, YSL, topcoat | Tagged with: nail polish, haul, YSL, swatches, Topcoat, YSL Holiday 2012, Premiere Neige Top Coat

December 15, 2012

Hong Kong updates: Half-time Goodies [Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford, Shu Uemura & YSL]

One of my fave beauty shopping places in HK are the Lane Crawford stores (located at IFC mall, Times Square and Harbour City). Here's a quick update on what I bought the last few days. (not all mine, a couple are gifts etc).

I stocked up on my fave Shu Uemura Farfarllina lashes (SGD$20 a pair here, compared to at least SGD$40 in Singapore). Bought 2 pairs for myself. These lashes are made beautifully and lasts for years.

I also bought the Shu Uemura brow fix (Ash Brown) which matches my brow pencil in 09 Seal Brown. Love love love this! I think I might buy a backup..

At Giorgio Armani, I bought the new Lip Maestro in 400 - click here for Temptalia's swatch and comparison to her HG red lippy, Chanel Rouge Allure Lacque in Dragon. I swatched all the shades in this entry here.
HKD260.

I had really wanted 402, so I had the BA let me wear it on my lips anyway. Definitely getting this when SG launches.

402 is a super bright and yet wearable red.

This is very lightly applied.

Helped my friend to purchase the GA Holiday Palette 01 since the collection is not launched in SG at all. The face powder is really beautiful, and comes with a glittery overspray. This is HKD650.

Swatches I did while at the GA store.

Then we went to Lane Crawford at Times Square, and spent more time at the Tom Ford counter - it is very small, unlike the luxe and spacious one we have at Tangs Orchard.

Prices of Tom Ford in HK is much cheaper than in Singapore.

For example - the lipsticks are about $66 here, compared to $73 in Singapore.

The perfume are at least S$30 cheaper in Hong Kong. Def can buy Tom Ford in Hong Kong.

I ended up with 2 lipsticks - both black orchid. One for me, one for my friend. The BA told me the shade is being discontinued, and they have only 2 left in stock. Why why why! It is a very deepened black berry shade.

The beautiful and very eloquent BA who attended to me, Susan also gave me a couple of samples to try out - the Traceless foundation (in an Asian Exclusive shade) and Santal Blush perfume.

Here's a random pic of me while I went out for dinner last night - at a street shop... yummy and cheap!

I also bought 3 of the YSL Primiere Neige topcoats (this is not brought into the Singapore market) - one for me, one for my friend, and one for Joey.

I bought more little random goodies today... shall share soon!

Heading out for dinner now!

Happy Saturday!

Posted on December 15, 2012 at 3:17AM | Permalink | 3 Comments

Filed in: haul, Giorgio Armani, Shu Uemura, Hong Kong, YSL, Tom Ford, Black Orchid, lip maestro | Tagged with: Tom Ford, Giorgio Armani, haul, YSL, Shu Uemura, hong kong, Black Orchid, lip maestro

November 29, 2012

Yves Saint Laurent Northern Lights 2012 Collection [Photos, Review & Swatches]

Hi hi!

This entry features 3 pieces from the YSL Holiday 2012 collection - the face highlighter, the blush duo, and the eyeshadow quad. I was also given a glossy stain, but I will leave that for another entry where I feature all the glossy stains in my collection.

First of all, the packing on the face and eyeshadow palettes are gorgeous. Instead of the regular black velvet pouches, you get a silver sequin pouch. The quality of the pouch is pretty decent and totally holiday-bling appropriate.

First, we have the Artic Night palette - which can be used wet or dry. The pigmentation is way better when used wet. My fave shades in this palette is the burgundy shade with the blue/silver sparkles, and the deep midnight blue with the same silver/blue sparkles. All the shades work well together, and you will see this palette in a look in the next entry.

Swatches:

The radiant blush duo in 07 is a pale peachy shade, with golden sparkles. The lighter shade is a little gritty, and I found it to be prone to some fallout. If you prefer creamy matte blushes, this is not going to be for you. But if you like some shine and a subtle color to use on your cheeks, you will like this blush duo, and it works very well to balance out the deep hues in the Artic Night palette.

Swatches:

Here, you can see that even with some heavy swatches, the color barely shows up on my hand. I recommend that you check this out in person before you make up your mind about it.

And lastly, we have the Polar Light palette, which is a beautiful pearlescent white face powder with the finest pink shimmer. It is very easy to use, and you don't run the risk of looking like a glitter ball. I found that I could be quite generous in dusting this on my face, and not fear that I would look too glowy. It might run a tad chalky on someone with a very warm or tanned skintone though.

Overall, among these 3 products, I highly recommend the eyeshadow quad - great selection of colors and the colors are stunning. I also recommend the face highlighter, if you like pale pearly pink face highlighters, you will love this too.

Hope this overview has been helpful, and thank you for reading. My LOTD entry is coming up next.

Happy Friday!

Posted on November 29, 2012 at 8:49PM | Permalink | 1 Comment

Filed in: Review, Swatches, YSL, eyeshadows, blusher, ysl beauty, Northern Lights collection, holiday 2012 collection | Tagged with: review, eyeshadows, YSL, swatches, blusher, ysl beauty, holiday 2012 collection, Northern Lights collection

November 27, 2012

Yves Saint Laurent Northern Lights 2012 Collection

(image source)

Hi hi!

Just a super quick entry to show you some products from the YSL Holiday collection, which is already availble at the YSL store at ION and also at Tangs Orchard. A little blown away by the eyeshadow palette and the seriously blingy casing... looks like most of the holiday collections feature lots of sparkles and sequins!

No swatches, but I will be working on these very very soon!

Meanwhile, enjoy the pics!

Boréal Face Palette

Boréal Eye Palette

Blush duo 07 & Glossy Stain 22 to complete the look

swatches of my current glossy stain collection

I am planning a more detailed entry on these soon.

Thanks for reading and looking!

Posted on November 27, 2012 at 7:35AM | Permalink | 1 Comment

Filed in: YSL, Holiday 2012, nothern lights, glossy stains | Tagged with: YSL, Holiday 2012, nothern lights, glossy stains

November 03, 2012

LOTD: Smokey Matte with Lorac Pro Palette

Hi hi!

I will try to do at least 3 different looks with the Lorac Pro Palette. The first one is a dark smokey matte eyelook. Mattes can be tricky to work with, so here, I build up each layer, and try to blend softly so I don't end up with patchy streaks. The shadows are super smooth, and didn't have any fallout at all.

On the rest of the face, I keep the cheeks and lips to a very pale pink, all the more to emphasize the matte brown smokey eyes. I love love love mad love this palette, and if you could, try to get it!

For pictures and swatches of this palette, click on this entry here.

For your information, I only used ONE brush to create this look, so I started with the lightest shade first. I used my new Hakuhodo brush, in J142. It is a dense soft fluffy tapered brush. It is amazing.

I first applied the Lorac eyeshadow primer which comes with the palette. Then I lightly brushed Nude on my brow bones. This is followed by the Taupe shade, which I used on the crease and also to sort of outline how high I want the eyeshadow to go.

Then I intensified the color on the lids by using Sable.. a warm brown.. and closer to the lash line, I used Espresso. I patted on Espresso... and with the same brush, the tapered tip, I used Black as a liner.. (Do note in the following pic, the colors are very washed out... the black is really a matte JET BLACK, and not brown as shown in the pic.. Espresso is a blacken coffee brown).

This is the completed look.

All products used:

Base - YSL Touch Eclat foundation, Chanel Ultra Fine translucent loose powder

Cheeks - Dior Zenith, Dior Rosy Glow, Diorskin Nude Shimmer

Lips - Makeup Store Redwood lipstick

Eyes - LORAC Primer, LORAC Pro Palette

Liner - Makeup Store Chocolate Cheesecake

Lashes - Shu Uemura Farfarllina

That's all, and thanks for reading!

Posted on November 03, 2012 at 5:27AM | Permalink | 4 Comments

Filed in: Review, YSL, LOTD, Smokey, neutrals, matte, makeup store, lorac pro palette | Tagged with: review, YSL, smokey, neutrals, LOTD, matte, Makeup Store, lorac pro palette

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FAQ & DISCLAIMER

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Archives

YSL Summer Manicure with Vert D'Orient & Jade Imperial

My iPhone takes awesome nail pics! [Illamasqua, YSL, Chanel, etc]

NARS Dovina Nail Polish [Swatches & Comparisons]

YSL Spring Look 2013: La Laque Couture 35 Bronze Pyrite

YSL Glossy Stains: All Six of Them! [Swatches & LOTDs]

Yves Saint Laurent: La Laque Couture Premiere Neige Top Coat

Hong Kong updates: Half-time Goodies [Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford, Shu Uemura & YSL]

Yves Saint Laurent Northern Lights 2012 Collection [Photos, Review & Swatches]

Yves Saint Laurent Northern Lights 2012 Collection

LOTD: Smokey Matte with Lorac Pro Palette

Search

About Me

e-mail

BLOGLOVIN

Follow @makeup_blogette on Instagram

Twitter Me!

Latest Headlines

Tags

2210 followers

Hot Links: Basic Makeup!

Reviews: Foundations

Latest Comments

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FAQ & DISCLAIMER

Archive

Archives