&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 |
    |
    May 04, 2013

    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!

    Email |
    |
    May 04, 2013

    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!

    Email |
    |
    May 04, 2013

    Make-up artistry by Lancôme: Lessons in Colour Layering


    Lancôme
    creates the most electrifying mix & match colours. Three products, a multitude of shades in harmonies of fuchsia,
    orange and pink, for infinite combinations... Anything is possible, simply follow your desire!

    Thanks to the perfect affinity of their formulas, there’s simply no limit to the ways you can superimpose Rouge In Love and Gloss In Love. Associating their textures seems to create a magnifying glass effect which amplifies the expression of their pigments. Vernis In Love takes on the challenge of creating the most daring manicure imaginable.

    Love your lips!

    Apply Gloss In Love alone using the applicator tip to perfectly define the lip contour. Then kiss the Rouge In Love stick, placing it against the centre of your lips. Accentuate contrast effects by selecting a lighter shade for the central part of the lips: the lively pink of Flash n’ Fuchsia gloss collides beautifully with the fiery orange of Doux Farniente lipstick. Play around with the most daring of duos for a voluptuously plumped pout.

    Petal Effect

    Even the most delicate flowers assert their originality by pairing very pale tones with very dense pigments. Select two contrasting lipstick and gloss shades to recreate this surprising effect. Apply a light veil of a gloss such as Blink Pink then define the entire lip contour with the intense red of Under The Rose with a brush. Simply press your lips together to melt the two colours: a guaranteed petal effect!

    Burning heart

    Dress lips in softness with an initial layer of Rouge In Love before applying gloss to the centre, accentuating the cupid’s bow. Fall In Rose enhances lips’ intensity and goes beautifully with Under The Spotlight gloss. This heart of gloss at the centre of lips is sure to grab the spotlight!

    Mouth-watering tone on tone

    Choose two fairly close shades of Gloss In Love and Rouge In Love. For peachy-toned lips, first suffuse lips with shine using Peach Show gloss, then enhance the lip border by applying Rose’mantic lipstick with a brush. When you press lips together, the two textures blend to create an all-new orange shade that’s deep, lacquered and simply mouth-watering.

    Two-tone kiss

    With the current trend for mixed nail colour, why not apply the same principle to lips for an energised look? Just like a nail varnish base, apply an undercoat of Just Strass Gloss In Love to boost your lipstick’s colour. Apply a lighter, more luminous shade like Rose Flaâneuse lipstick to the lower lip and contrast with Be My Date! on the upper lip. The quintessence of colour block make-up... 

    Email |
    |
    May 04, 2013

    Make-up artistry by Lancôme: Lessons in Colour Layering


    Lancôme
    creates the most electrifying mix & match colours. Three products, a multitude of shades in harmonies of fuchsia,
    orange and pink, for infinite combinations... Anything is possible, simply follow your desire!

    Thanks to the perfect affinity of their formulas, there’s simply no limit to the ways you can superimpose Rouge In Love and Gloss In Love. Associating their textures seems to create a magnifying glass effect which amplifies the expression of their pigments. Vernis In Love takes on the challenge of creating the most daring manicure imaginable.

    Love your lips!

    Apply Gloss In Love alone using the applicator tip to perfectly define the lip contour. Then kiss the Rouge In Love stick, placing it against the centre of your lips. Accentuate contrast effects by selecting a lighter shade for the central part of the lips: the lively pink of Flash n’ Fuchsia gloss collides beautifully with the fiery orange of Doux Farniente lipstick. Play around with the most daring of duos for a voluptuously plumped pout.

    Petal Effect

    Even the most delicate flowers assert their originality by pairing very pale tones with very dense pigments. Select two contrasting lipstick and gloss shades to recreate this surprising effect. Apply a light veil of a gloss such as Blink Pink then define the entire lip contour with the intense red of Under The Rose with a brush. Simply press your lips together to melt the two colours: a guaranteed petal effect!

    Burning heart

    Dress lips in softness with an initial layer of Rouge In Love before applying gloss to the centre, accentuating the cupid’s bow. Fall In Rose enhances lips’ intensity and goes beautifully with Under The Spotlight gloss. This heart of gloss at the centre of lips is sure to grab the spotlight!

    Mouth-watering tone on tone

    Choose two fairly close shades of Gloss In Love and Rouge In Love. For peachy-toned lips, first suffuse lips with shine using Peach Show gloss, then enhance the lip border by applying Rose’mantic lipstick with a brush. When you press lips together, the two textures blend to create an all-new orange shade that’s deep, lacquered and simply mouth-watering.

    Two-tone kiss

    With the current trend for mixed nail colour, why not apply the same principle to lips for an energised look? Just like a nail varnish base, apply an undercoat of Just Strass Gloss In Love to boost your lipstick’s colour. Apply a lighter, more luminous shade like Rose Flaâneuse lipstick to the lower lip and contrast with Be My Date! on the upper lip. The quintessence of colour block make-up... 

    Email |
    |
    April 14, 2013

    Collection Avant-Première de Chanel: Starlet, Paparazzi, Cinema & Provocation

    This entry features 3 new Chanel shades from their latest collectiom, the Collection Avant-Premiere - centred around movies and stars...hence the names, and the very classic and glamorous shades.  All the formula on these polishes are richly pigmented, I applied 2 coats in each of these pictures which show the full color intensity of the polishes. 

    Do note that these polishes are part of the permanent collection.  Though there are news that Starlet is LE.  Provocation is a re-release from last year's Fashion's Night Out collection the Twin Sets.  (click here to see my full review and swatches) 

    These are the 3 I bought to complete the collection. 

    Cinema - tomato red, creamy.  A very soft focus glamorous red.

    Paparazzi - warm plummy rosy shade with gold sheen

    Starlet - peachy pink with fine shimmer 


    Swatches here

    all are 2 coats, no top coat. 



    I think Paparazzi is my fave, it is quite unique (to me).






    comparison of Chanel reds in my collection


    Pirate - most cool toned, almost jelly consistency

    Cinema - creamy, soft red, not as intense as Dragon, looks neutral toned compared to Dragon and Coromandel

    Coromandel - one coater (but I applied 2 coats here), brightest, with slight sheen

    Dragon - looks slightly cool toned here, but more neutral in real life, brighter than Cinema

    I must say that Cinema applies brighter than it actually looks in the bottle. 

    Hope this overview has been useful.

    Next on my Chanel list are the Les Beiges collection!  I want the brush and the powder! Then the summer polishes....

    Sorry that I haven't been able to blog much lately except spamming nail polish swatches, a little out of sorts and can't seem to get down to 'serious' blogging about makeup products and new launches.  I will be fully back soon! 

    Thanks for reading, happy Sunday!

    Email |
    |
    April 14, 2013

    Collection Avant-Première de Chanel: Starlet, Paparazzi, Cinema & Provocation

    This entry features 3 new Chanel shades from their latest collectiom, the Collection Avant-Premiere - centred around movies and stars...hence the names, and the very classic and glamorous shades.  All the formula on these polishes are richly pigmented, I applied 2 coats in each of these pictures which show the full color intensity of the polishes. 

    Do note that these polishes are part of the permanent collection.  Though there are news that Starlet is LE.  Provocation is a re-release from last year's Fashion's Night Out collection the Twin Sets.  (click here to see my full review and swatches) 

    These are the 3 I bought to complete the collection. 

    Cinema - tomato red, creamy.  A very soft focus glamorous red.

    Paparazzi - warm plummy rosy shade with gold sheen

    Starlet - peachy pink with fine shimmer 


    Swatches here

    all are 2 coats, no top coat. 



    I think Paparazzi is my fave, it is quite unique (to me).






    comparison of Chanel reds in my collection


    Pirate - most cool toned, almost jelly consistency

    Cinema - creamy, soft red, not as intense as Dragon, looks neutral toned compared to Dragon and Coromandel

    Coromandel - one coater (but I applied 2 coats here), brightest, with slight sheen

    Dragon - looks slightly cool toned here, but more neutral in real life, brighter than Cinema

    I must say that Cinema applies brighter than it actually looks in the bottle. 

    Hope this overview has been useful.

    Next on my Chanel list are the Les Beiges collection!  I want the brush and the powder! Then the summer polishes....

    Sorry that I haven't been able to blog much lately except spamming nail polish swatches, a little out of sorts and can't seem to get down to 'serious' blogging about makeup products and new launches.  I will be fully back soon! 

    Thanks for reading, happy Sunday!

    Email |
    |
    January 05, 2013

    Dior Spring 2013: Nail Polishes in Gris Trianon, Rosy Bow & Tutu


    Hi!  

    As you have read from my earlier entry, the only items I picked up from the Dior Cherie Bow spring collection are the nail polishes.  I can't resist - the names and the cute pretty shades draw me in immediately when I first saw the collection.  (collection information here)

    Gris Trianon is described as a soft grey, Tutu is a delicate pink, and Rosy Bow is brighter pink with a hint of coral.
     
    Honestly, all three shades are not unique, if you own enough OPIs and Essies, you would have some of these shades in your stash.  Especially Gris Trianon (the Germany and Holland collection feature some grey-nude shades which are definitely in the same family, though not dupes).  Tutu is a dead ringer for OPI Mod about You.  Rosy Bow is a med-toned pink which if you are a pink lover, you would have some variants in your collection.  But I sort of collect the pretty ones, and this trio is superbly pretty...so I must have them! 

    It is also interesting to note that Dior has know printed the names and numbers of the polishes on the front of the bottle instead of the bottom (just like Chanel does).  I much prefer this way of labelling. 

    All swatches here are done with Nail Tek II base coat, and Seche Vite topcoat, and 2 coats of polish.   I had a quick look at the Dior counter just to make sure that the polishes are not of the streaky kind - they look thick and creamy in the bottle, and I am glad to confirm that fact with my swatches here.  All three are opaque in 2 coats - but do apply the two coats evenly, or else you might end up with some unevenness. 

    Gris Trianon - grey nude, neutral toned grey.  I don't have something like this from Dior... and last year's nude releases are nowhere near.  The nudes were truly skintone nudes, in various shades of beiges and tans.  But this is a grey, yet not a black and white grey like Illamasqua DWS (that's my idea of the perfect shade of grey). 


    Tutu - baby pink!!  Milky, white pastel pink.  This applies smoothly, and makes my skin look tanner than it really is.  If you have OPI Mod about You, you don't need this.   Very opaque like a ballerina's leotard, I would imagine. 



    Rosy Bow - a bright warm-ish pink, totally reminds me of OPI's Pink Friday.  Formula is great on this too, and I think this is a very flattering pink for light to medium skintones.  I think I will start wearing this first. 



    A quick comparison of Gris Trianon - just by looking, you can tell which family of nude it falls into. 

    I found it to be very similar in the undertone to Chanel Frenzy & Deborah Lippmann Waking up in Vegas, so I am showing them side by side. 


    Not the same for sure.  Frenzy is much lighter, and Waking up in Vegas is also slightly lighter but very similar. 

    I think I might even do a alternate manicure with all three shades this week.  

    What are you planning to get from Dior's Spring collection?  Please share! 

    Hope these swatches have been helpful, and thanks for reading!

    Email |
    |
    January 05, 2013

    Dior Spring 2013: Nail Polishes in Gris Trianon, Rosy Bow & Tutu


    Hi!  

    As you have read from my earlier entry, the only items I picked up from the Dior Cherie Bow spring collection are the nail polishes.  I can't resist - the names and the cute pretty shades draw me in immediately when I first saw the collection.  (collection information here)

    Gris Trianon is described as a soft grey, Tutu is a delicate pink, and Rosy Bow is brighter pink with a hint of coral.
     
    Honestly, all three shades are not unique, if you own enough OPIs and Essies, you would have some of these shades in your stash.  Especially Gris Trianon (the Germany and Holland collection feature some grey-nude shades which are definitely in the same family, though not dupes).  Tutu is a dead ringer for OPI Mod about You.  Rosy Bow is a med-toned pink which if you are a pink lover, you would have some variants in your collection.  But I sort of collect the pretty ones, and this trio is superbly pretty...so I must have them! 

    It is also interesting to note that Dior has know printed the names and numbers of the polishes on the front of the bottle instead of the bottom (just like Chanel does).  I much prefer this way of labelling. 

    All swatches here are done with Nail Tek II base coat, and Seche Vite topcoat, and 2 coats of polish.   I had a quick look at the Dior counter just to make sure that the polishes are not of the streaky kind - they look thick and creamy in the bottle, and I am glad to confirm that fact with my swatches here.  All three are opaque in 2 coats - but do apply the two coats evenly, or else you might end up with some unevenness. 

    Gris Trianon - grey nude, neutral toned grey.  I don't have something like this from Dior... and last year's nude releases are nowhere near.  The nudes were truly skintone nudes, in various shades of beiges and tans.  But this is a grey, yet not a black and white grey like Illamasqua DWS (that's my idea of the perfect shade of grey). 


    Tutu - baby pink!!  Milky, white pastel pink.  This applies smoothly, and makes my skin look tanner than it really is.  If you have OPI Mod about You, you don't need this.   Very opaque like a ballerina's leotard, I would imagine. 



    Rosy Bow - a bright warm-ish pink, totally reminds me of OPI's Pink Friday.  Formula is great on this too, and I think this is a very flattering pink for light to medium skintones.  I think I will start wearing this first. 



    A quick comparison of Gris Trianon - just by looking, you can tell which family of nude it falls into. 

    I found it to be very similar in the undertone to Chanel Frenzy & Deborah Lippmann Waking up in Vegas, so I am showing them side by side. 


    Not the same for sure.  Frenzy is much lighter, and Waking up in Vegas is also slightly lighter but very similar. 

    I think I might even do a alternate manicure with all three shades this week.  

    What are you planning to get from Dior's Spring collection?  Please share! 

    Hope these swatches have been helpful, and thanks for reading!

    Email |
    |
    November 01, 2012

    Chanel Holiday 2012: Le Vernis 637 Malice [Photos & Swatches]

    You need Malice...as I have told many of my girlfriends. 

    It has the perfect consistency as far as Chanel polishes go.  It can be a one coater if you are in a hurry, and the color is just perfectly on trend this season.  A deep burgundy/red with the most subtle sparkling shimmery red bits. 

    I like that it is not as dark as Strong, and also more dimensional than Rouge Noir.  

    Together with Provocante, Malice is also my top picks for the dark vampy shades for nails this fall season. 

    It is also the only item I picked up from the Chanel Holiday 2012 collection.  

    If you want to see more from this collection, do check out the following links:

    Front Row Beauty reviews the Chanel Harmonie de Soir Quad  (click click)

    The Beauty Look Book reviews and compares Malice to other similar vampy dark reds (click click), all the eye products (click click), and all the glossimers (click click)

    Thanks for looking!

    Email |
    |
    November 01, 2012

    Chanel Holiday 2012: Le Vernis 637 Malice [Photos & Swatches]

    You need Malice...as I have told many of my girlfriends. 

    It has the perfect consistency as far as Chanel polishes go.  It can be a one coater if you are in a hurry, and the color is just perfectly on trend this season.  A deep burgundy/red with the most subtle sparkling shimmery red bits. 

    I like that it is not as dark as Strong, and also more dimensional than Rouge Noir.  

    Together with Provocante, Malice is also my top picks for the dark vampy shades for nails this fall season. 

    It is also the only item I picked up from the Chanel Holiday 2012 collection.  

    If you want to see more from this collection, do check out the following links:

    Front Row Beauty reviews the Chanel Harmonie de Soir Quad  (click click)

    The Beauty Look Book reviews and compares Malice to other similar vampy dark reds (click click), all the eye products (click click), and all the glossimers (click click)

    Thanks for looking!