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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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Hot Links: Basic Makeup!

How to Fake Flawless Skin

 

How to Contour, Blush and Highlight

 

Applying Eyeshadows

 

Brows Tutorial

Reviews: Foundations

Click to check out my foundation reviews

2011 Foundations & Powder Overview

2009 Foundations Overview

2009 Liquid Foundations Overview

Estee Lauder Double Wear

Shu Uemura Mousse Foundation

Shu Uemura Nobura Cream Foundation

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

Clarins Hydra Luminious Powder Foundation

Clarins Extra Firming Foundation

Cle de Peau Silky Cream & Concealer

Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation

DiorSnow Base Routine

Illamasqua Skinbase

MUFE Mat Velvet+

MUFE HD Foundation & Powder

Lancome Teint Miracle Liquid Foundation

Lancome Maqui Miracle Compact Foundation

Lancome UV Shield BB Creme

Maybelline Pure Mineral Liquid Foundation

Maquillage Long Lasting Cream Stick foundation

Maquillage Esscence Rich White Liquid UV foundation

NARS Sheer Glow

NARS Sheer Glow [Revisited]

Rachel K BB Cream

Shu Uemura Smooth Fit Liquid Foundation

Shu Uemura Mousse Foundation

Shu Uemura Instant Radiant Base

Clinique Age Defense BB Cream

Bobbi Brown BB Cream

Freshel BB Cream

Laneige Snow BB Cushion

Ettusais Mineral BB Cream

ZA True White Liquid Foundation

 

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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    February 02, 2013

    Four Rich Colors from Nicole by OPI

    Hi hi 

    this entry features the last of the Nicole by OPI polishes I collected from the event I attended last week.  The four shades are all very rich autumnal shades.  

    For other Nicole by OPI entries, click on the following links

    Do Good Feel Good 

    Four Kardashian colors 

    Love your Life

    Colors featured in this entry: 

    1. Cocoa a Gogo - a metallic frosty warm chocolate brown, the formula on this is awesome, it is very smooth, and almost a one coater.  I applied two coats for extra measure... and it doesn't look streaky at all. 

    2. Just Busta Mauve - a sheer shimmery brown base with blue, red, orange glitter bits.  It is a little sheer and thin, hence I applied 3 coats to achieve a fuller color payoff.  Very smooth, and very densely packed with the glitter bits.

    3. Shoot for the Maroon - a thicker shimmery deep dark red base with multi-color shimmer - this reminds me of several other similar shades in my stash (think Zoya Valerie, Julienne, etc) The formula is much better than Just Busta Mauve, because you get a really opaque look in just 2 coats. 

    4. Sensational Scarlet - a jelly finish red with larger holographic glitter bits, opaque in two coats, still with the jelly finish.   It feels and looks very textured without topcoat, so you really need to slap on the topcoat to seal in all the goodness.  I showed them here with and without topcoat, and you can see the difference. 


    Hope you find these swatches helpful. 

    Nicole by OPI polishes retail for S$12.90 at selected major Watsons. 

    Thank you for reading!

    Posted on February 02, 2013 at 6:12AM | Permalink | 0 Comments
    Filed in: Nail Polish, Review, Glitter, OPI, Swatches, Nicole by OPI, NOTD, mauve | Tagged with: nail polish, review, OPI, glitter, swatches, Mauve, nicole by opi, NOTD
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    February 02, 2013

    Four Rich Colors from Nicole by OPI

    Hi hi 

    this entry features the last of the Nicole by OPI polishes I collected from the event I attended last week.  The four shades are all very rich autumnal shades.  

    For other Nicole by OPI entries, click on the following links

    Do Good Feel Good 

    Four Kardashian colors 

    Love your Life

    Colors featured in this entry: 

    1. Cocoa a Gogo - a metallic frosty warm chocolate brown, the formula on this is awesome, it is very smooth, and almost a one coater.  I applied two coats for extra measure... and it doesn't look streaky at all. 

    2. Just Busta Mauve - a sheer shimmery brown base with blue, red, orange glitter bits.  It is a little sheer and thin, hence I applied 3 coats to achieve a fuller color payoff.  Very smooth, and very densely packed with the glitter bits.

    3. Shoot for the Maroon - a thicker shimmery deep dark red base with multi-color shimmer - this reminds me of several other similar shades in my stash (think Zoya Valerie, Julienne, etc) The formula is much better than Just Busta Mauve, because you get a really opaque look in just 2 coats. 

    4. Sensational Scarlet - a jelly finish red with larger holographic glitter bits, opaque in two coats, still with the jelly finish.   It feels and looks very textured without topcoat, so you really need to slap on the topcoat to seal in all the goodness.  I showed them here with and without topcoat, and you can see the difference. 


    Hope you find these swatches helpful. 

    Nicole by OPI polishes retail for S$12.90 at selected major Watsons. 

    Thank you for reading!

    Posted on February 02, 2013 at 6:12AM | Permalink | 0 Comments
    Filed in: Nail Polish, Review, Glitter, OPI, Swatches, Nicole by OPI, NOTD, mauve | Tagged with: nail polish, review, OPI, glitter, swatches, Mauve, nicole by opi, NOTD
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    January 27, 2013

    Nicole by OPI Love Your Life [Photos & Swatches]


    Hi hi!

    The first color I wanted to try right away from my stash of Nicole by OPI colors is Love your Life - a sheer pink jelly base, with fine holographic glitter and larger pieces of light pink hearts!  Got to thank Sarah for spotting it and picking it for me! 

    I decided to pair it over a black instead of the typical pinky pale combo.  Love the results, the holo glitter bits show up beautifully over the black, especially so under sunlight, and bright lights. 

    The heart bits took some effort to pick up from the bottle, but they are quite easy to 'arrange' on the nails.   Super super cute!

    Nicole by OPI polishes retail for S$12.90 at selected Watsons. 

    Hope you enjoy the swatches: 



    and a blurred shot to show the glitter bits. 

    Hope you find this entry helpful, and thanks for looking!

    Posted on January 27, 2013 at 4:10AM | Permalink | 2 Comments
    Filed in: Nail Polish, Review, OPI, Swatches, Nicole by OPI, NOTD, pink hearts | Tagged with: nail polish, review, OPI, swatches, nicole by opi, NOTD, pink hearts
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    January 27, 2013

    Nicole by OPI Love Your Life [Photos & Swatches]


    Hi hi!

    The first color I wanted to try right away from my stash of Nicole by OPI colors is Love your Life - a sheer pink jelly base, with fine holographic glitter and larger pieces of light pink hearts!  Got to thank Sarah for spotting it and picking it for me! 

    I decided to pair it over a black instead of the typical pinky pale combo.  Love the results, the holo glitter bits show up beautifully over the black, especially so under sunlight, and bright lights. 

    The heart bits took some effort to pick up from the bottle, but they are quite easy to 'arrange' on the nails.   Super super cute!

    Nicole by OPI polishes retail for S$12.90 at selected Watsons. 

    Hope you enjoy the swatches: 



    and a blurred shot to show the glitter bits. 

    Hope you find this entry helpful, and thanks for looking!

    Posted on January 27, 2013 at 4:10AM | Permalink | 2 Comments
    Filed in: Nail Polish, Review, OPI, Swatches, Nicole by OPI, NOTD, pink hearts | Tagged with: nail polish, review, OPI, swatches, nicole by opi, NOTD, pink hearts
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    November 29, 2012

    LOTD: YSL Northern Lights 2012 Collection


    Hi hi! 

    I did a look featuring the 3 products which I reviewed in my previous entry.  The eyeshadow quad is really gorgeous, and I used them wet in this look.  
    I love a smokey blue eyes anytime, it is smokey without shouting COLORS and in this case, the overall look is quite sophisticated. 

    Here is the color placement of the colors I have used: 


    and a close up of the eyelook:

    Some tips on using the colors 

    1. For more intense color and application, I used the colors WET.  This ensures intense color payoff, especially on the lids, and when you want to line your eyes with the eyeshadow. 

    2. Use the same color DRY over the areas where you have used it wet (let it settle a bit first) - this ensures that you add the shimmering texture back to the intensity of the eyeshadow, so you get a more multidimensional look. 

    3. Use the colors dry when you want to blend the edges of the colors.  For example, I used the burgundy shade dry so I could still have the color, but it's great to blend it up to the crease. 

    Play around using the eyeshadows wet/ dry to achieve your desired effect.  Just remember, wet means more color payoff, dry means ease of blending, and giving the colors more texture. 

    Hope this bit helps! :)

    and a close up of the cheeks - I used the radiant blush duo in 07, and also the Polar Night face highlighter.  As you can see, the blush is really not noticeable.. though I do like the soft glow that the face highlighter gives. 


    The overall look:

    All products used (all YSL unless stated otherwise)

    Face - Touche Eclat foundation, Touche Eclat highlighters to brighten under the eyes

    Eyes - NARS Primer, Artic Night Palette, Waterproof black pencil liner 

    Lips - Glossy Stain 07

    Cheeks - Polar Night face powder highlighter, Radiant Blush Duo 07



    A close up of the nails I am sporting:

    Part of this collection also includes the La Laque Couture in #33 Premier Neige topcoat, but this will not be available in Singapore (a shame, because it is really quite gorgeous).  It reminds me of the Northern Lights holographic topcoat which I have, but here I tried to dupe the general look with my Inglot glitter topcoat (XL06), painted over NARS Tokaido Express.   

    Do check out Eugenia (Ommorphia) who has an excellent entry featuring the Premier Neige topcoat.

    Hope you enjoyed the look, and thank you for reading! 

    Happy Friday! 

    Posted on November 29, 2012 at 9:03PM | Permalink | 3 Comments
    Filed in: Nail Polish, Review, LOTD, NOTD, YSL beaute, YSL Holiday 2012 | Tagged with: nail polish, review, LOTD, NOTD, YSL Beaute, YSL Holiday 2012
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    November 29, 2012

    LOTD: YSL Northern Lights 2012 Collection


    Hi hi! 

    I did a look featuring the 3 products which I reviewed in my previous entry.  The eyeshadow quad is really gorgeous, and I used them wet in this look.  
    I love a smokey blue eyes anytime, it is smokey without shouting COLORS and in this case, the overall look is quite sophisticated. 

    Here is the color placement of the colors I have used: 


    and a close up of the eyelook:

    Some tips on using the colors 

    1. For more intense color and application, I used the colors WET.  This ensures intense color payoff, especially on the lids, and when you want to line your eyes with the eyeshadow. 

    2. Use the same color DRY over the areas where you have used it wet (let it settle a bit first) - this ensures that you add the shimmering texture back to the intensity of the eyeshadow, so you get a more multidimensional look. 

    3. Use the colors dry when you want to blend the edges of the colors.  For example, I used the burgundy shade dry so I could still have the color, but it's great to blend it up to the crease. 

    Play around using the eyeshadows wet/ dry to achieve your desired effect.  Just remember, wet means more color payoff, dry means ease of blending, and giving the colors more texture. 

    Hope this bit helps! :)

    and a close up of the cheeks - I used the radiant blush duo in 07, and also the Polar Night face highlighter.  As you can see, the blush is really not noticeable.. though I do like the soft glow that the face highlighter gives. 


    The overall look:

    All products used (all YSL unless stated otherwise)

    Face - Touche Eclat foundation, Touche Eclat highlighters to brighten under the eyes

    Eyes - NARS Primer, Artic Night Palette, Waterproof black pencil liner 

    Lips - Glossy Stain 07

    Cheeks - Polar Night face powder highlighter, Radiant Blush Duo 07



    A close up of the nails I am sporting:

    Part of this collection also includes the La Laque Couture in #33 Premier Neige topcoat, but this will not be available in Singapore (a shame, because it is really quite gorgeous).  It reminds me of the Northern Lights holographic topcoat which I have, but here I tried to dupe the general look with my Inglot glitter topcoat (XL06), painted over NARS Tokaido Express.   

    Do check out Eugenia (Ommorphia) who has an excellent entry featuring the Premier Neige topcoat.

    Hope you enjoyed the look, and thank you for reading! 

    Happy Friday! 

    Posted on November 29, 2012 at 9:03PM | Permalink | 3 Comments
    Filed in: Nail Polish, Review, LOTD, NOTD, YSL beaute, YSL Holiday 2012 | Tagged with: nail polish, review, LOTD, NOTD, YSL Beaute, YSL Holiday 2012
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    November 20, 2012

    OPI James Bond Skyfall Collection: The Man with the Golden Gun


    Hi!

    This entry features the OPI Skyfall collection - Have you watched the movie yet?  I caught it last Sunday, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I thought this latest installment is a good combination of the old school James Bond and the new modern generation (with new Q, and new M), and well, Daniel Craig is my fave James Bond!

    The nail polish collection features The Man with the Golden Gun, which I only recently managed to get.  For other colors I have picked from this collection, click here here here. 

    This is a 18k golden topcoat - though I didn't spot anything that looks like 18k gold in the ingredient list.. hur hur.  But I bought this at S$22 from timtam00blogspot (link here)   She is my fave local nail polish supplier, always up to date in the stocking of new collections, and reasonable prices. 

    The nailpolish comes in its own collector's box. 


    The description behind the box. 


    And here's how it looks like.  I painted Chanel Rouge Noir underneath.  Black seem a little too typical, and red would have been so Chinese New Year, no?  So anyway.. here it is.  The clear base in which the golden flakes are suspended in, is quite thick.  I wish the flakes are more densely packed... I dipped the brush a few times to make sure that it is picking up enough golden flakes to spread over my nail surface. 

    Swatches here are done without any topcoat. 

    It is really pretty, and definitely a collector's item.  

    Have you managed to get yours yet?

    Hope the swatches have been helpful, and thank you for looking~

    Posted on November 20, 2012 at 11:49PM | Permalink | 2 Comments
    Filed in: manicure, Swatches, nailpolish, opi skyfall, man with golden gun, golden topcoat | Tagged with: nailpolish, manicure, haul, swatches, NOTD, opi skyfall, man with golden gun, golden topcoat
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    June 07, 2012

    Blogging from Onsugar App for iPhone

    Blogging from Onsugar App for iPhone
    On my nails: Dior Saint Tropez Currently editing some pictures for upcoming new entries. I will still be solely blogging from my computer though. I prefer instagram for my mobile updates. :)
    Posted on June 07, 2012 at 12:00AM | Permalink | 0 Comments
    Filed in: updates, Dior, NOTD | Tagged with: dior, updates, NOTD
    Email |
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    June 07, 2012

    Blogging from Onsugar App for iPhone

    Blogging from Onsugar App for iPhone
    On my nails: Dior Saint Tropez Currently editing some pictures for upcoming new entries. I will still be solely blogging from my computer though. I prefer instagram for my mobile updates. :)
    Posted on June 07, 2012 at 12:00AM | Permalink | 0 Comments
    Filed in: updates, Dior, NOTD | Tagged with: dior, updates, NOTD
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    November 28, 2011

    Nails Story: Leopard Prints!

    Hi hi!

    I change my nail colors so often, it's hard to keep up on the blog, but I always snap a picture of my new nails on instagram..or sometimes on twitter... just in case you want to see what my nails are up to.. haha.

    Anyway, I bought this Sally Hansen nail polish strips back in June during my US trip, they are leopard prints --- which I have yet to see in our Watsons... finally tried them.. and if you remember from my previous Sally Hansen entry on the same product, I only use one pack of nail strips each time.  There are 2 packs in each box.  I use a pack of 8 strips.

    I cut each strip in half --- which is perfect for applying on two nails...so each box you can get 2 manicures out of.  The remaining nail strips once the seal on each pack is broken will eventually 'dry out' and will not stick anymore.  So don't open anymore than necessary.

    Loving my leopard print nails!!  This time I did not apply any topcoat over.  Just leave them as they are, I think they will last and look good for at least 5 days... and then the tiny cracks or chips will start to appear.

    I love these nail strips... and I do highly recommend them.  The designs and quality are way better than the Sephora ones I have seen.

    I took a few pictures of my nails in the morning sunlight today, and you can see how they really look like in real life.

    [All pictures in this entry are taken with my iphone4]

    I used the remaining strips on my sister.. who has a smaller and shorter nail bed... and as you can see they fit her nails just fine too.  :)

     

    That's all, and thanks for looking!!

     

     

    Posted on November 28, 2011 at 9:07PM | Permalink | 0 Comments
    Filed in: Nail Polish, manicure, NOTD, nail polish strips, sally hansen salon effects | Tagged with: nail polish, manicure, Leopard Prints, NOTD, nail polish strips, Sally Hansen Salon Effects