&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

June 2013
SMTWTFS
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30 
May 2013
SMTWTFS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
April 2013
SMTWTFS
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930 

    Email |
    |
    December 06, 2012

    LOTD: Festive Look with cle de peau Palette de Voyage [with Brows & Eyelook step by step!]

    Hi hi!

    This is a look featuring the cle de peau Voyage de Palette which I mentioned in this entry here.  It is not often that you come across a palette with a specific brow powder, so I am throwing in a quick step by step of how I would fill in my brows.  

    I ended up with a smokey sparkly look and as I am looking at the pictures now, I realise that this palette really reminds me of the Chanel holiday, in particular the Harmonie du Soir quad - in terms of the bronze gold, pink and taupe shades. 

    Here is the color placement of everything I used: 


    and a swatch just to recap: 


    I only used the lighter of the brow powder to fill in my brows.   Please note that I have not professionally trimmed my brows in almost a year.  I just tweezed the stray hairs from time to time.  I prefer my brows full and relatively define, but with a soft color.  I like  that the brow powder in this palette is just ashy enough and doesn't contain any red tones which is important for brows defining. 

    * this is by no means an indepth brow tutorial, I have done one before - link here! 

    1. I used the angled brush to draw a line under the shape of my brows - this will form the basis of my brows.  

    2. The line is drawn, and I will proceed to draw a parallel line at the top of where I want my brows to be. 

    3. You see here, I am just filling in the area between the two lines I have drawn. 

    4. Where the two lines meet at the arch, that's where I will sharpen the ends of the brow.  


    and the eyelook -

    1. Apply brow color on the brow bone (I primed my eyelids with NARS primer).  The only shade in the palette which I am using is really a tad too dark for my browbone...but I do want some sheen there..hence I went ahead anyway. 

    2. Apply the golden crease color.  I am glad this is the largest area of the palette, but I think this gold is my fave shade in the quad.  It is pigmented, and as you can see in the picture it contains very shiny gold bits. 

    3. Apply the darkest brown bronze shade on the lids.  The color is easy to blend out, and I try to blend it into the gold...though I think some clear lines could still be seen.  Note that I used the same brush applicator throughout this eyelook.  It is soft enough for blending, and dense enough to pick up and apply the various shades.  When using one single brush for a look, I usually start by applying the lightest shade first. 

    4. I dabbed a little of the pink shade in the inner lids.. this is controversial, some pple might not like it, thinking it might result in a tired eyes.. but I think it looks all neaten up when the liner and lips are on.  (I used a black liquid liner for the look, inside of using the dark brown liner shade).   I also skipped the mascara, cos I don't really use mascara... and I am using a pair of demi lashes from DUP (413).  


    Then I finished the look by dusting on the cheek colors and applying the lipstick.  

    My foundation routine - I am using the cle de peau silky creme foundation, cle de peau concealer, and La Mer powder to set. 


    Overall, this is a pricey palette, but you are getting quite a few goodies in side, and the colors though are not extraordinarily unique, you do get a variety of luxe textures and finish.  The brushes are of decent quality, and you can actually use them, if you are going to travel with it.    It is also a very elegant and luxe gift for that someone special if your life, I may add.   I know I will be popping this lipstick into my bag when I am going out tonight!

    Hope this entry has been helpful, and thank you for reading!

    Email |
    |
    December 06, 2012

    LOTD: Festive Look with cle de peau Palette de Voyage [with Brows & Eyelook step by step!]

    Hi hi!

    This is a look featuring the cle de peau Voyage de Palette which I mentioned in this entry here.  It is not often that you come across a palette with a specific brow powder, so I am throwing in a quick step by step of how I would fill in my brows.  

    I ended up with a smokey sparkly look and as I am looking at the pictures now, I realise that this palette really reminds me of the Chanel holiday, in particular the Harmonie du Soir quad - in terms of the bronze gold, pink and taupe shades. 

    Here is the color placement of everything I used: 


    and a swatch just to recap: 


    I only used the lighter of the brow powder to fill in my brows.   Please note that I have not professionally trimmed my brows in almost a year.  I just tweezed the stray hairs from time to time.  I prefer my brows full and relatively define, but with a soft color.  I like  that the brow powder in this palette is just ashy enough and doesn't contain any red tones which is important for brows defining. 

    * this is by no means an indepth brow tutorial, I have done one before - link here! 

    1. I used the angled brush to draw a line under the shape of my brows - this will form the basis of my brows.  

    2. The line is drawn, and I will proceed to draw a parallel line at the top of where I want my brows to be. 

    3. You see here, I am just filling in the area between the two lines I have drawn. 

    4. Where the two lines meet at the arch, that's where I will sharpen the ends of the brow.  


    and the eyelook -

    1. Apply brow color on the brow bone (I primed my eyelids with NARS primer).  The only shade in the palette which I am using is really a tad too dark for my browbone...but I do want some sheen there..hence I went ahead anyway. 

    2. Apply the golden crease color.  I am glad this is the largest area of the palette, but I think this gold is my fave shade in the quad.  It is pigmented, and as you can see in the picture it contains very shiny gold bits. 

    3. Apply the darkest brown bronze shade on the lids.  The color is easy to blend out, and I try to blend it into the gold...though I think some clear lines could still be seen.  Note that I used the same brush applicator throughout this eyelook.  It is soft enough for blending, and dense enough to pick up and apply the various shades.  When using one single brush for a look, I usually start by applying the lightest shade first. 

    4. I dabbed a little of the pink shade in the inner lids.. this is controversial, some pple might not like it, thinking it might result in a tired eyes.. but I think it looks all neaten up when the liner and lips are on.  (I used a black liquid liner for the look, inside of using the dark brown liner shade).   I also skipped the mascara, cos I don't really use mascara... and I am using a pair of demi lashes from DUP (413).  


    Then I finished the look by dusting on the cheek colors and applying the lipstick.  

    My foundation routine - I am using the cle de peau silky creme foundation, cle de peau concealer, and La Mer powder to set. 


    Overall, this is a pricey palette, but you are getting quite a few goodies in side, and the colors though are not extraordinarily unique, you do get a variety of luxe textures and finish.  The brushes are of decent quality, and you can actually use them, if you are going to travel with it.    It is also a very elegant and luxe gift for that someone special if your life, I may add.   I know I will be popping this lipstick into my bag when I am going out tonight!

    Hope this entry has been helpful, and thank you for reading!

    Email |
    |
    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!

    Email |
    |
    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!

    Email |
    |
    August 20, 2012

    LOTD: NARS Rajasthan & Mata Hari [Plus my DIY Galaxy Manicure]

    Hi hi!

    A few sharp readers have noted the laspe in frequency of entries lately...I have been doing a pattern of weekend spams, and then remaining relatively quiet on the blog front during the week... but if you follow me on instagram, you probably have a pretty good idea of what entries will be coming up next.  However, it's just a little hectice on the work front for me to update as much, and there are days when I feel just a bit overwhelmed, and don't know where to start. Hope to be more 'regular' and catch up in the coming couple of weeks ahead.  :)

    This entry is about this LOTD which I quickly did (in less than 30 minutes) when I visited Sarah together with Joey during EID yesterday.  Rummaged through my drawers, and somehow I always come back to my NARS duo eyeshadows when I want to do something 'different'.  

    Just a brief description on this eyelook (since it is slightly more complicated than my usual one color all over look). 

    I used the lighter shade in NARS Tzarine duo on my browbone...The dark antique gold shade in NARS Rajasthan on the inner corners, and the darker blacken teal shade on the outer corner, and just blend out any areas where two colors meet. Rest of the look is kept rather simple, but quite excited, because I used a mineral powder foundation, and I am quite liking the coverage and effect!  All products used will be listed at the end of this entry. 

    all products used: 

    face - Elizabeth Arden Pure Mineral foundation (shade 01), Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage SC-03

    cheeks - MUFE Mat Bronzer, NARS Mata Hari 

    lips - TOM FORD Blush Nude

    eyes - NARS eyeshadow primer, NARS Tzarine, NARS Rajasthan, Heavy Rotation Liquid Liner 

    also did this galaxy nail art on my hands, totally inspired by Jennifer's brilliant attempt here

    a snapshot of the yummy food I had at Sarah's place, woots!! :)

    Might post a mini rambly update soon, if I feel up to it.. :)  stay tune, and thank you very much for reading!

    Email |
    |
    August 20, 2012

    LOTD: NARS Rajasthan & Mata Hari [Plus my DIY Galaxy Manicure]

    Hi hi!

    A few sharp readers have noted the laspe in frequency of entries lately...I have been doing a pattern of weekend spams, and then remaining relatively quiet on the blog front during the week... but if you follow me on instagram, you probably have a pretty good idea of what entries will be coming up next.  However, it's just a little hectice on the work front for me to update as much, and there are days when I feel just a bit overwhelmed, and don't know where to start. Hope to be more 'regular' and catch up in the coming couple of weeks ahead.  :)

    This entry is about this LOTD which I quickly did (in less than 30 minutes) when I visited Sarah together with Joey during EID yesterday.  Rummaged through my drawers, and somehow I always come back to my NARS duo eyeshadows when I want to do something 'different'.  

    Just a brief description on this eyelook (since it is slightly more complicated than my usual one color all over look). 

    I used the lighter shade in NARS Tzarine duo on my browbone...The dark antique gold shade in NARS Rajasthan on the inner corners, and the darker blacken teal shade on the outer corner, and just blend out any areas where two colors meet. Rest of the look is kept rather simple, but quite excited, because I used a mineral powder foundation, and I am quite liking the coverage and effect!  All products used will be listed at the end of this entry. 

    all products used: 

    face - Elizabeth Arden Pure Mineral foundation (shade 01), Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage SC-03

    cheeks - MUFE Mat Bronzer, NARS Mata Hari 

    lips - TOM FORD Blush Nude

    eyes - NARS eyeshadow primer, NARS Tzarine, NARS Rajasthan, Heavy Rotation Liquid Liner 

    also did this galaxy nail art on my hands, totally inspired by Jennifer's brilliant attempt here

    a snapshot of the yummy food I had at Sarah's place, woots!! :)

    Might post a mini rambly update soon, if I feel up to it.. :)  stay tune, and thank you very much for reading!

    Email |
    |
    March 03, 2012

    LOTD: Smokey with NARS Lhasa Eyeshadow

    Hi!

    I need to put my Lhasa to use, because my girlfriend says she LOVES it, I haven't had much time during the week to do any decent eyelook,  And I also wanted to use my YSL Glossy Stain, but because this eyelook was turning out to be quite dramatic, I decided to use a nude lipstick OVER the YSL stain instead -- which made the whole lip combo LASTED THE WHOLE EVENING AND NIGHT!

     

    Useful links:

    NARS Lhasa entry here

    YSL Glossy Stain entry here

    CandyDoll nude lipstick entry here

     

    What I did - all products used will be listed below:

    I swept Lhasa eyeshadow all over my lids - it is a rather purple-y and yet sort of silvery brown/taupe eyeshadow, and then I decided to take it further by using a darker shade to add more depth to the outer corner of the eyes.  Before I know it, the eyelook was turning out to be quite the full-blown smokey eyes.

    I wanted to keep it very clean nonetheless, hence I left the lower eyelids all bare.

    Strong brows to pull the whole look together for me.

    I slapped on my CandyDoll nude lippy to neutralise the YSL Glossy Stain, and the end results is this bright pop of pink that somehow matches my eyes and my top for the day.

     

    All products used:

    base - Laneige BB cushion, Shu Uemura Smooth Fit foundation, Shiseido white lucent brightening skincare powder (this deserves another entry!)

    cheeks - NARS Torrid blush

    lips - YSL Glossy Stain #11, and Candydoll nude lippy in Ramune Pink

    eyes - MUFE eyeshadow primer, NARS Lhasa all over the lids, MAC Bloodline pigment for outer corners

    Lashes Shu Uemura Farfarlina

    Printed top from River Island

    I styled my damp hair with Bumble & Bumble styling lotion (for some volume and slight hold) and then used my GHF flat iron to straighten and smooth the hair.

    as seen on instagram

     

     

    That's all, and thanks for looking!

     

     

     

    Email |
    |
    March 03, 2012

    LOTD: Smokey with NARS Lhasa Eyeshadow

    Hi!

    I need to put my Lhasa to use, because my girlfriend says she LOVES it, I haven't had much time during the week to do any decent eyelook,  And I also wanted to use my YSL Glossy Stain, but because this eyelook was turning out to be quite dramatic, I decided to use a nude lipstick OVER the YSL stain instead -- which made the whole lip combo LASTED THE WHOLE EVENING AND NIGHT!

     

    Useful links:

    NARS Lhasa entry here

    YSL Glossy Stain entry here

    CandyDoll nude lipstick entry here

     

    What I did - all products used will be listed below:

    I swept Lhasa eyeshadow all over my lids - it is a rather purple-y and yet sort of silvery brown/taupe eyeshadow, and then I decided to take it further by using a darker shade to add more depth to the outer corner of the eyes.  Before I know it, the eyelook was turning out to be quite the full-blown smokey eyes.

    I wanted to keep it very clean nonetheless, hence I left the lower eyelids all bare.

    Strong brows to pull the whole look together for me.

    I slapped on my CandyDoll nude lippy to neutralise the YSL Glossy Stain, and the end results is this bright pop of pink that somehow matches my eyes and my top for the day.

     

    All products used:

    base - Laneige BB cushion, Shu Uemura Smooth Fit foundation, Shiseido white lucent brightening skincare powder (this deserves another entry!)

    cheeks - NARS Torrid blush

    lips - YSL Glossy Stain #11, and Candydoll nude lippy in Ramune Pink

    eyes - MUFE eyeshadow primer, NARS Lhasa all over the lids, MAC Bloodline pigment for outer corners

    Lashes Shu Uemura Farfarlina

    Printed top from River Island

    I styled my damp hair with Bumble & Bumble styling lotion (for some volume and slight hold) and then used my GHF flat iron to straighten and smooth the hair.

    as seen on instagram

     

     

    That's all, and thanks for looking!

     

     

     

    Email |
    |
    July 16, 2010

    LOTD: 'Reverse' Smokey Eyes!

    Hi hi,

    I feel like I have not done a LOTD for quite some time!  I really like this look, the eyes are very defined, but rest of the lids is kept neutral.

    Both the cheeks and lip colors are also super matchy matchy!

    Here are the products which I used:

    Foundation: Sana Pore Putty base, Maquillage Long Lasting Stick Foundation, MUFE concealer palette,  MUFE Super Matte Loose Powder

    Cheeks: NARS Torrid, and MAC Stereo Rose ----- These two colors look kind of similar, I haven't swatch them side by side to compare, but I kind of like the overall effect! And I really buffed and blended in the colors into my cheeks for maximum radiant effect.

    Eyes: NARS eyeshadow primer, MUFE Aqua Cream #14, MAC Style Influencer mineralised trio  (the dark blue shade is used to line the lower lids), and the lightest shade for brow bone and inner corner.  The brown goes all over the lids.

    I applied the lower lids color much lower than usual, partly cos I kind of made the mistake of using a bigger brush to lay the shadow over the Opheus liner.  So I kind of ended up with a very thick line under my eyes.... and I thought  it turned out quite well after I set my foundation and completed the whole look.

    Lips: YSL Peach Faubourg #30

    Liner: Stila Noir Gold, and MAC Orpheus on lower lids

    And some more pictures!

    That's all, and thanks for looking!

     

    Email |
    |
    July 16, 2010

    LOTD: 'Reverse' Smokey Eyes!

    Hi hi,

    I feel like I have not done a LOTD for quite some time!  I really like this look, the eyes are very defined, but rest of the lids is kept neutral.

    Both the cheeks and lip colors are also super matchy matchy!

    Here are the products which I used:

    Foundation: Sana Pore Putty base, Maquillage Long Lasting Stick Foundation, MUFE concealer palette,  MUFE Super Matte Loose Powder

    Cheeks: NARS Torrid, and MAC Stereo Rose ----- These two colors look kind of similar, I haven't swatch them side by side to compare, but I kind of like the overall effect! And I really buffed and blended in the colors into my cheeks for maximum radiant effect.

    Eyes: NARS eyeshadow primer, MUFE Aqua Cream #14, MAC Style Influencer mineralised trio  (the dark blue shade is used to line the lower lids), and the lightest shade for brow bone and inner corner.  The brown goes all over the lids.

    I applied the lower lids color much lower than usual, partly cos I kind of made the mistake of using a bigger brush to lay the shadow over the Opheus liner.  So I kind of ended up with a very thick line under my eyes.... and I thought  it turned out quite well after I set my foundation and completed the whole look.

    Lips: YSL Peach Faubourg #30

    Liner: Stila Noir Gold, and MAC Orpheus on lower lids

    And some more pictures!

    That's all, and thanks for looking!