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

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themakeupblogette@hotmail.com

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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    Posts for August 25th 2012

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    August 25, 2012

    Urban Decay Naked Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup [Photos, Swatches & Initial Impression]

    I ordered my Urban Decay Naked Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup (phew!! what a mouthful, I will just call it UD Naked Foundation in the rest of this entry okay?) ---- yes, I ordered it from Beautybay.com (about 28 pounds - at the most SGD$60...free international shipping).  

    Before I go into the details how I guessed my shade, here is the official product description:

    What it is:
    A weightless and virtually invisible liquid foundation that creates a luminous, demi-matte finish.

    What it does:
    This formula helps skin achieve a natural, illuminated and bright finish— like the beautiful skin you were born with. Naked Skin is formulated with light-diffusing spheres, transforming you to look professionally retouched. Buildable coverage allows women to customize their look. Available in a meticulously calibrated range of shades, Urban Decay’s precise shade numbering system does poetic justice to both warm tones (ending in “.0”) and cool skin tones (ending in “.5”). The finish is matte, never flat, and luminous, but not shiny.

    What it is formulated WITHOUT:
    - Parabens
    - Sulfates
    - Synthetic Fragrances
    - Phthalates
    - GMOs
    - Triclosan

    What else you need to know:
    This makeup loads skin with a list of nourishing ingredients including: Matrixyl 3000 (a powerful anti-wrinkle peptide), protective and brightening Litchiderm, antioxidant Green Tea and Sodium Hyaluronate for optimal skin hydration and nutrient absorption. Naked Skin is suspended in a sleek, sophisticated pump bottle, allowing more control and less waste of product.

    Suggested Usage:
    -Shake well.
    -For professional results use our Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush to apply and buff foundation to a true ultra definition finish.
    -Naked Skin blends beautifully and can be applied with fingers or sponge.

    I love the packaging, it is so sleek, and looks like the NAKED2 palette.  The foundation bottle is typical of most other liquid foundations (looking like Shiseido, MUFE, etc).

    I am using the shade 1.0, which is the lightest warm shade.  

    very fair bisque shade, with soft warm undertones

    and it is the perfect match for me.  

    I would rank this among my fave foundations, and if you like foundations like Clarins Extra Firming Foundation, Chanel Perfection Lumiere, Maquillage White Essence, you will like this foundation too.  Very light, there is decent coverage, buildable, easy to blend, and lasts the whole day on me. 

    p/s I am also currently testing out several foundations, all of which I am enjoying, and I will try to post them soon, I have already taken pictures and swatches... just in the midst of collecting my thoughts. 

    swatches on my hand

    and you can see that the consistency is quite light and fluid

    it really feels weightless on my skin

    and gives a very fine flawless finish

    and lasts very well through the day

    it did not oxidise on me

    see how flawless my skin looks here

    no re-touch, no whatever, what you see is what you get.

    visible pores around my nose area, but I've come to embrace them,

    and I think they have gotten to a point where I think they are at the smoothest

    if ultra definition is more perfect than just high definition, then I am sold!

    overall look 

    I really think it photographs VERY WELL. 

    In real life, it looks very smooth too. 

    Has a luminious type of finish that doesn't emphasise any oiliness or pores, IMO.

    all products used:

    Face - Urban Decay NAKED Skin foundation, Chanel Loose Powder, Laura Mercier Secret Camo concealer

    Cheeks - MUFE Mat Bronzer, MAC Pink Swoon, UD Cream Highlighter Moonstone

    Eyes - NARS Primer, UD NAKED2 Palette (Bootycall on browbone, Suspect on lids, Snakebite on outer corner), UD Stash Liner and lower lash line

    Lips - Rouge Dior Nude 459 Charnelle 

    Really enjoy this foundation, and you should totally check it out when it launches at Sephora soon!  :)

    Hope you find this entry helpful!

    Thanks for reading!

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    August 25, 2012

    Rouge Dior Nude 459 Charnelle [Photos & Swatches]

    This entry features Dior's latest range of lipsticks, called the Rouge Dior Nude (will be launched Sept 2012 - click here  and here for collection information).  The shade which I have is 459 Charnelle, a very soft natural beige shade with a hint of rosy pink.  Though in the first picture it looks rather peachy orange due to the morning sunlight.  It also has a very nice scent that I remember Dior lipsticks used to have (waaaaay long ago when their packaging was blue, and gold and all hexagonal).  Nice memories then.  :)  

    The lipstick will retail for S$45 each, and comes in a total of 10 luminous shades.

    Below is a more true color representation: 

    There is a slight sheen to this lipstick, and it is also described as a lip blush, which means it gives your lips the more natural and enhancing look, very soft and light in the texture.  It has a semi-matte look, nothing too shiny or too creamy.  

    official description

    “CHARNELLE”, a coral-tinted rose: the fusion of disarming charm and absolute elegance as imagined by Monsieur Dior.

    I really enjoy wearing this lipstick it is easy to pull off, something that I can just apply without looking into the mirror.  It feels very lightweight indeed, and didn't dry my lips out. 

    you can see in the lip swatches how the lipstick just enhances my own lip color

    and a quick look featuring this lipstick

    I will be picking up another shade from this range, Grege from this collection when it launches.  

    “GRÈGE”, or the flagship colour of the New Look imagined by Christian Dior in 1947, the association of nude beige and luminous grey that is oh so very Dior.

     

    That's all, and thank you for reading :)

     

     

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    August 25, 2012

    NARS Press Preview at the Art Science Museum

    A couple of weeks back, some of us were invited to the NARS Press event, and it was held at the Art Science Museum.  Even though I was there a little late (made it barely in time just before the presentation started), I could feel the sense of excitement in the air among the editors and journalists. We were privileged anough to be 'teased' by NARS the whole month, and being finally at the event itself, to see the actual products (even though I have seen everything before everytime I have access to NARS counters and stores overseas), right here in Singapore is still something very new and exciting. 

    Just want to share with you some photos I took during the event, and I also received several products from NARS' newly revamped skincare range, and also the sexily red lipstick in Jungle Red - will feature these later on, sometime in Sept or Oct.  The actual launch of NARS will be at TANGS Orchard, mid November ---- Mark your calendars, and get shopping!

    The location was scattered with plenty of iconic NARS images, and also Francois Nars' quotable quotes. 

    Such as this: 

    the presentation & overview of the brand 

    the NARS playground

    we are excited for the new eyeliners! 

    unveiling the skincare range 

    and also a very exciting collaboration NARS x Andy Warhol 

    for Holiday 2012 

    more info on this soon!

    Everyone zoomed in to the makeup counter, impromtu makeovers, swatching,

    and touching the PRISTINE display of nars products....

    swatched the FALL COLLECTION

    and general NARS goodness!

    our matching NARS Jungle Red manicures 

    Exciting or what?   :) 

    For my NARS Teaser entries, click here.

    Hope this has been helpful...in whipping up a NARS frenzy! 

    Thanks for reading!

    Filed in: makeup, NARS, launch | Tagged with: makeup, nars, launch
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    August 25, 2012

    Dior Vernis 223 Trench [Photos & Swatches]

    This entry features Dior Vernis in 223 Trench which will be released with the new DiorNude Skin range of foundations, lipsticks and brushes later in September - click here for collection information.   

    Trench (love the name!) is a medium brown nude shade, it falls into the same category of other shades like Chanel Particuliere (which I have, but not comparing til later on), Essie Mink Muffs (darker), OPI You Don't Know Jacques (browner, darker too?), Dior Incognito is more nude and pinkier. It is extremely smooth and creamy, and is almost a one coater.  I applied 2 thin coats in this entry, to show you the color. 

    Dior polishes typically lasts 5 - 6 days on me without any tipwear although these days I hardly wear any one shade more than 2 days. 

    This will retail for S$37. 

    It is a timeless classic shade that will suit all seasons, and most skintones.  

    There are three other shades of nude which I will most likely be picking up when the whole collection launches. 

    I have several more Dior Nude products to feature, slowly, but surely.  Can't wait to share! 

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

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    August 25, 2012

    Ettusais Foamy Rich Mousse [Photos & Demo]

    August 2012 

    A cleanser with bouncy, enriched foam that leaves the skin firm and soft with a beautiful, fair complexion.

    Ettusais launched a new foamy facial cleanser.   It is a 5-in-1 product - gentle on the skin, makeup remover, cleansing foam, facial mask and also a massage.  Touted as the first ever spongy, rich foam - the product conains an elastic bouncy film formula and microscopic micro mousse.  The structure of the foam is a collection of aerated liquid which adheres to impurities and makeup, which gets washed away when you rinse your face. 

    Gentle on Skin:

    It doesn't strip away skin's natural moisture.  

    Contains high moisturising effect (hyaluronic acid)

    Provides moisture and support supple skin (collagen)

    Moisturising ingredients (Glycerin)

    Cleansing ingredient (Amino acid)

    These ingredients help the foam to glide easily onto the skin without friction and will not strip skin of its natural moisture. 

    Because of the high cleansing effect, this means that double cleansing isn't required (though it is my habit and personal preference to always double cleanse) - the microscopic micro mousse picks up makeup and sebum with its ability to enter into skin's furrows and pores.  

    Product Summary

    • Spongy rich foam with excellent elasticity - bouncy film formula

    • Rich foam that does not require double cleansing, yet exerts the desired cleansing effect

    • Spongy, rich foam that can be used as a mask or massage.

    • Formulated with moisturising ingredients

    • Prevents acne

    • Non-comedogenic formula, dermatologist-tested

    Let's take a look at the Packaging - very nifty pump bottle, and there is this closure which prevents you from accidentally pumping out the product, and you don't need to fuss with an actual separate cap. 

    lift up the tab... 

    and pump away!

    How to use

    Can be used for morning and night, to remove makeup and cleanse bare skin

    Can be used on either dry or wet skin

    Shake the can well

    Take an appropriate amount of foam in the hand, about the size of 2 ping pong balls (3g)

    Massage in circular motion for about 30 seconds to remove makeup or impurities 

    Rinse off thoroughly with water

    The foam has a fresh citrusy scent.  Refreshing!

    How to use: 

    Apply foam over entire face, avoiding the area around the eyes. 

    Massage in circular motions for about 30 seconds to remove makeup or impurities.

    Finally, within the next 30 seconds, massage around the eye area, avoid getting foam into the eyes. 

    Rinse off. 

    A quick demo, on a patch of BB cream on my hand. 

    wiped away with a tissue, looking clean!

    another demo on my face

    I had already removed my makeup (fyi)

    super light but dense foam

    very soapy, and very clean feeling after rinsing off...

    and clean face! 

     

    Really enjoy using it so far, and I will be giving a more detailed review in a later entry on my cleansing routine. 

    Highly recommend that you check this out! 

     

    Hope this has been helpful, and thanks for reading!

     

     

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    August 25, 2012

    Nails Inc Special Effects: Get Sprinkly with Sugar House Lane [Photos & Swatches]

    A while back, I had purchased Nails Inc Sugar House Lane from beautybay.com - this is from their Special Effects, the Sprinkles range.  There are 3 other shades in this Sprinkles range, I think 2 shades of pink, and a shade of blue or teal. I choose this nude.. with all same sized glitter bits in monchromatic shades of black, white, and some matte silver/ grey. 

    The glitter bits in this polish is DENSE.  And the base color itself a pinky grey nude color is also quite opaque.  When I first got it, I was excited and slapped on two coats of Sugar House Lane on my nails.  It was a nightmare.  The surface was uneven due to the overly dense glitter.  And no amount of topcoat could smooth out the surface.  And more nightmare when I removed my swatches.  There was glitter bits EVERYWHERE.  That's how dense this nailpolish is.  

    I learnt my lesson. 

    I applied a nude nail polish as a base color, and then I apply ONE coat of Sugar House Lane on only 2 fingers as a fancy accent, and not on all fingers. 

    This is a much better way to show off and also deal with this pretty and unusual nailpolish.  It does look like cupcake sprinkles.  And like those sprinkles, if you go too heavy handed, they just look messy. 

    Check out the amazing bits inside the nail polish!

    Okay, I should have applied a more matching nude nailpolish (something more pinky I suppose, maybe Dior's Incognito...) but this is really something very pretty, and totally my style.  Sugar House Lane is also a lot smoother with only one coat. 

    The base nude color I am using is Makeup Store's Annelie, for your information. 

    Enjoy the swatches!

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

    What are you wearing on your nails this weekend!

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    August 25, 2012

    Ettusais Reformulates Gel Top Coats [Swatches & A Step by Step Manicure]

    Available July 2012

    Ettusais reformulated their popular quick drying clear top coat that creates glossy nails that look like gel nails done at a nail salon.  No UV light and no soak-off needed!

    Retailing for $24 and contains 9ml of product. 

    Product description:

    Creates a plumper, glossier finish

    Has a longer lasting finish

    Dries smooth, even if base coat applied is uneven

    Dries quickly

    Formulated with a natural treatment ingredient

    Fragrance-free

    The Gel Top Coats has an adhesive polymer entwining, softening agrent that absorbs shock and a luster agent to provide shine. 

    NOTE: if you apply the topcoat before your color is completely dry, they may mix with the colors on your nails, resulting in an opaque (non-gel) look.  The product can be removed with a regular nail polish remover. 

    GEL COLOR TOP COAT (PK)  LIMITED EDITION!

    Retailing for $24 and contains 9ml of product. 


    Natural pink nail color that creates glossy nails, that gives a healthy finish to your nails with the pink shade of Sakuragai.  

    Has all the same features of the original Gel Top Coat and formulated with a natural treatment ingredient. 

    NOTE: Shake before use, and use a base coat is recommended for a longer lasting finish.  You can remove it with a regular nail polish remover. 

    My thoughts: 

    I had first tried out the regular gel topcoat a couple of weeks back, and I made the mistake of not letting my color dry completely before applying the topcoat.  This resulted in a rather dull (and def not gel like appearance of the topcoat). In this swatches, I let the color dry for a couple of minutes before apply the gel topcoat, and there was a tremendous difference.  So, definitely heed the advice given, and allow your nail color to dry first, before you apply the gel topcoat.  I found that it dries quite fast (not as fast as Seche Vite though) and it definitely is better at sealing in glittery nailpolish, and producing a very smooth surface.  (glittery nailpolish tends to eat up my Seche Vite topcoat, fyi). 

    A quick step by step manicure featuring both the gel topcoats:

    Step One - Apply basecoat as recommended.

    Step Two - apply a layer of Pink Gel Topcoat 

    It is a pink sheer creamy polish - neutralises a bit of my yellow-ed nails, giving it a natural healthy tinge.

    Step Three - Apply a gold holographic nailpolish to the tips.  

    This does not have to be neat like a French Manicure.  

    Just slap it on.

    Step Four - Apply Clear Gel Topcoat 

    There you go, almost instant gel manicure at home! 

    Check out the bokeh effect of the holographic!   No photoshop here! 

     

    These gel topcoats are definitely useful to have in your stash.  

    Highly recommended! 

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