&Follow SJoin OnSugar
A place for me to share all my make-up ramblings...enjoy!

About Me

e-mail

themakeupblogette@hotmail.com

My name is Sophia!

BLOGLOVIN

Follow on Bloglovin

Follow @makeup_blogette on Instagram

Twitter Me!

Follow makeup_blogette on Twitter

Tags

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.

 

Archive

Archives

May 2013
SMTWTFS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
April 2013
SMTWTFS
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930 
March 2013
SMTWTFS
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31 

    Email |
    |
    April 30, 2010

    Haul: CHANEL Nouvelle Vague Le Vernis (swatches & comparison)

    The Chanel Les Pop-Up collection was launched yesterday and I was happy that I was in town to catch it, because there are a couple of items in this collection which totally called out to me.  One is the Gloss Fluo de Chanel in Laser, and the second, is this nail polish which I bought.

    Quick story: I was out with Kas yesterday, and while passing by Isetan, she went like Fluoroooooooooo!  I got a little shocked at the outburst, but realised we were walking past the Chanel counter and our eyes (well, her eyes first) literally zoomed in past the store window (you know, at Wisma Atria). And we stopped traffic, made a quick about turn, and quickly went inside the Chanel counter, swatched everything, played with the products (I was pretty sure we irritated the MA like crazy, because the 2 of us were totally rambling among ourselves, and comparing across the range of glosses, and applying the nail polish etc etc) but le sigh, what to do when you are excited BUT the MA was so lacklustre and blah, let me tell you what I did. After swatching everything (and I like to sit at their stools and plonk myself at the counter and swatch like it is happy hour time---at my age, I refused to be intimidated by MAs no matter how snobbish and blasé they want to act) I told her OH my MA at Robinsons actually called me today so I should buy it there (which was true btw), and so off we went to Robs to make the purchase.  I just think....... if she had shown us more interest, instead of coming to whatever conclusion she has in her mind, I would have gotten more than just the nail polish from her.  But oh well, too bad.

     

    Some swatches and more pictures here.  I know that Nouvelle Vague has been compared to For Audrey, so I shall show the difference.   I also thought of Essie's Mink Candy Apply and TFS GR50 before I got home.  But I won't even swatch Mink Candy Apple and GR503, because they are way greener, and can't be considered dupes.  BTW is it just me, but GR503 is SUPER STREAKY!!  I hate the formula! How many layers do you need to apply the product to get an even and opaque coat??

    There is slight shimmer to Nouvelle Vague, but once applied the shimmer is very subtle, almost making it look like a cream finish.  I also thought that For Audrey is darker before applying both on my nails.  In the pictures, you can see them side by side, and the subtle sheen of Nouvelle Vague is there, glistening softly in the sunlight, almost making For Audrey look a little dull.  Oh well.  This could very well be a difference only nail geeks like us would notice, and care about.

    And before we finish, here is a swatch of Nouvelle Vague on NC45 skintone, thanks to Kas for offering her nail space!  Preetttty!!

    After getting the nail polish, and it was pretty late night by then, I was telling Kas, yes, my life is now complete.  I am still thinking if I should get Laser, but it swatched pretty sheer, I swatched the entire collection, and have the pictures, but hmmm... a little lazy to load them now.  Maybe later.

    Next entry will be another haul entry from the same day.

    I hope this helps, and thanks for reading~

    Email |
    |
    April 24, 2010

    Collective Haul! (OCC Lip Tars, OPI, 'Love' bracelet)

    I bought these OCC Lip Tars from a little spree which Gwen organised.  Thanks very much Gwen!!  :)  Each of these tubes costs about $21 after rates conversion and shipping.

    I got them in rather bright colors, and they are meant to be mixed and matched to create your own lip colors, some of them are also wearable on their own.  The blue is just too outstanding for me to pass up, though I will never wear such a smurf blue lipcolor (perhaps I am saving up for Halloween).

    And these are seriously super duper ultra pigmented.  You need just a super tiny amount. And spread it out.  It might stain a little, I noticed, as I swatched these.  I think I can mix these with my MAC clear lipglass, to make it easier to spread across a larger surface on the lips.

    Next, some of you might have heard about my sad story of the OPI nail polish which I bought at the Metro sale (20+10% off) , and so, anyway, I went back to get one of the colors again, just because.

    I bought Suzy Says Feng Shui.... and I will do a dupes/ comparison entry on this blue color tomorrow!

    And the last item, I got it at Accessorize, and cos there is one counter at Metro, I got it at 20% off too.  Usual price is S$10.90.  Yup, I am a sucker, it reminds me of Lorraine's Love Ring which costs USD$620 or smth.. but that came with diamonds or smth.

    It looks huge in the picture, if you have seen my twitpic, this is really delicate and tiny on the wrist.  Very feminine!  :)

    And I also got this little empty palette (S$11.90) from Magical Tannsu, which Kas passed to me today.  :)

     

    Yup that's all my little haul, and I am very happy.

    Email |
    |
    April 23, 2010

    Nails Story: Barry M Cyan Blue

    I really like these blue colors, and I actually bought 2 bottles of OPI at the Metro sale yesterday but LOST them!!!  I am super pi**ed!!!!  ARGH.  Anyway, thank goodness nothing else got lost.

    I was looking at some of the YT videos and Temptalia, and all I can say now is I am lemming a bunch of Chanel products.  Their glosses, nail polish and eyeshadows.  This is bad.

    On another matter, I think I finally got the trick of how to apply individual lashes, thanks to this video here.

    I will do a separate entry on this sometime this weekend, and I will be using these lashes.

    That's all, and thanks for looking!  What are you wearing on your nails?

    Email |
    |
    April 17, 2010

    Haul: MUJI Storage & Laneige Warehouse Sale Part 2

    So yesterday I met up with Kas again to pass some haulage (well, a pair for shoes which she helped me get at the Charles & Keith at City Mall), and we checked out the Laneige warehouse sale at Robinsons Raffles City.  Yesterday was the last day of the sale.

    At the sale, I bought more eyeshadows and liners for my gf and also picked out a bunch of sample sizes Pore Minimising Moisturisers.  If they work out well, I would have a lot to last for me for a long time!

    Then we trooped to Sephora ION, and bumped into Kim (ladeekim) from My 2 Loves: Makeup and Nail Polish.  She has been featuring these foil manicures recently at her blog, and when she said hi to me the first thing I did was to grab her hands and checked out her nails!  Beautiful!  I think they look even better in real life.  Super metallic and bright, and just very unique.  We chatted a while about manicures, and then the subject turned to our Laneige haulage, and so Kas and I sent Kim and her lady (with a very cute boy who had a ton of liner swatches on his hands, woot!!) right to Raffles City to haul at Laneige warehouse sale too. It was great meeting her, and next time we have group outings, you must definitely join us!  :)

     

    Later on, we went to MUJI, where I wanted to get this plastic drawers.  These are not the cheapest, I know, but the quality seems better, and the size is right.  I wanted to put all my nail polish inside (though I don't know how I can find space in my tiny bedroom to put this drawers set) so that I can clear two of the IKEA drawers for more space--- my blusher drawer OVERFLOWING.  And also, I wanted a drawer to put backups and new stuff which I am not using it all in one big place.

    I love these MUJI storage stuff.  If I do my room all over, I want to get all these drawers in various dimensions and put all my stuff inside!

    Thanks for reading!

    Email |
    |
    April 12, 2010

    We got the Blues and Greens! (Essie's Mesmerize & Pigment swatches)

    Nails of the Week (most likely less)

    Essie's Mesmerize - clearly I am a little inspired by the previous post about Essie's Resort Summer Collection.

    Color is darker in real life.

    And I took the following pictures some weeks back, and somehow never got to posting them, and so since in the spirit of the blues and greens, I shall show them now.

    And I need to show a picture of Steel Blue in picture all by itself.  It is amazing the gold tinge, and how interesting and multi-faceted the color looks.  Depending on the base color you use, this would be POW!

    And swatch time!!

    And with Sarah's entry on her bright look model/photoshop HERE, I am feeling the colors!!  :)

     

    Email |
    |
    April 12, 2010

    Nails Story: Major Lemming for Essie Resort Collection Summer 2010

    Ok, no original content in this entry, I am afraid.  I just want ALL the colors in this collection, and if anyone knows of a spree for nail polish when this collection is out, give me a shout!!

    Let's admire and drool at these colors!

    From Temptalia:

     

    From Scrangie:

    Playa Del Platinum

    Lapis of Luxury.

    Whooo hooo.  I haven't hauled nail polish since the CG Up collection, and these look good to start.  Heh.

    Email |
    |
    April 09, 2010

    Nails Story: OPI Java Mauve-A & a Tiny Nail Related Haul

    OPI Java Mauve-A

    I bought this nail polish today at Palz ($32 for 2 colors, gf bought the other color).  I don't think this is a color I usually go for, and this is definitely something I don't have in my stash, which might be surprising.  It is a brownish, nude color, rather warm in tone.   Like a tan leather color?  It is not as pink as the pictures show.

    I also bought the Seche Vite thinner, (it's called Restore topcoat & lacquer thinner) at Palz.  This would be great for all my topcoat and nail polish.  I think it is worthwhile to invest in a good thinner.

    What are you wearing on your nails lately?

     

    Email |
    |
    April 08, 2010

    Nails Story: Pink & Lilac Dupes (OPI, Essie, China Glaze)

    Hi!

    Just a quick entry on nail colors and dupes.  I found a pair of really identical colors in my stash yesterday, I almost forgot that I have the China Glaze colors shown here!  (Prolly too preoccupied with my greens lately.)

    The colors are just perfect dupes in my opinion, so I guess I don't need to go into details of how diffferent or similar they are.

    I will say though, there is a difference in HOW they apply.

     

    Here, we have OPI Mod about You (one of my very all time fave).  It applies very creamy and opaque, and less skilled hands would find this a very streaky thick color to apply, and I think manicurists would also find this a pain to apply.  Think Saint Germaine lipstick which is an Amplified Cream lipstick from MAC.

    The dupe color is China Glaze Something Sweet (from the Up collection).  You need 3 even coats to get the true opaque color, whereas Mod about You is just 2 very thin coats.  Think of it as Color Crafted lipstick(a Lustre?) from MAC.

    The next pair of dupes, we have Essie's Lilacism, and China Glaze Light as Air. Again, the difference is in the application.

    Light as Air applies thick and opaque like Mod about You.  And the Essie Lilacism needs 3 thick coats to get a true opaque true color.

    I just want to say that not all colors within the same brand of nail polish applies the same way.  Some colors are just thicker, even when you just bought them, and some colors are rather 'diluted' in nature.  So, it is not as though you got a 'bad' batch when things don't turn out to your expectations.  It is just different.  And over time, you should have your preferences, and you can tell by the bottle (hold it against the light) to see the consistency of the color.  Usually I steer very clear of the sheer ones, I would much prefer the Mod about You types, which are super thick and opaque, and the color is just POW after 2 thin coats.

     

    I might have a series of foundation/ NARS entries coming up today, if not over the weekend.  Keep posted.  :)

    Email |
    |
    April 01, 2010

    Nails Story: CG's Peachy Keen & Essie's Van D'Go

    Hi!

    Just to show what colors I will be wearing on my nails in the next few days.  I feel like I have nothing to say, cos in real life now, I still can't talk without coughing 12983192089012890 times.

    This is just a swatch picture.  I will eventually paint both colors on random nails later on.  So that I can enjoy both at the same time!  :)

    I know I should prolly sleep the day (&cough) away but for some strange reason, I am super keen to check out the Chanel Coco Lipsticks which are launched TODAY.

    I might a collective haul coming later today?  Not too sure yet.   Keep posted!

    Email |
    |
    March 27, 2010

    March 2010 Favourites

    (Links in this entry will lead you to the original haul/ rave entries about each product)

    • Ilamasqua powder blusher in Chased (pale pink that goes POW pigmented!) Click HERE to see how this compares to NARS Mata Hari.
    • Maquillage Brow Wax in Natural Brown
    • My redhouse eyeshadow in Sheer Satin Shadow 558 (This is a fab all over the lid color, much along the same lines of Benefit Fawn over me, MAC Patina etc etc, and it is not sheer at all!  I love this eyeshadow!)

     

    These are my March Faves.  It was super difficult to pick favourites cos I rotated everything so often this month.  Got loads of freebies, presents, hauls etc etc... so I think I had a rather exciting month in terms of hauling (what's new?)  but yeah,  So these items, while I got most of them in March, there are also old stuff.   These are things which really stood out to me, if I think really hard about it.

    Some items not pictured here, but I want to give special mention:  The Etude House Milk Tea foaming cleanser,  Muji cotton pads (the large ones), Maquillage Gloss Rouge (PK715)

    Yup, that's about it!!