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

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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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    September 21, 2012

    Comparison of Chanel & Dior Taupe Brown Vernis

    Hi hi!

    Just a quick comparison and overview of my Chanel & Dior taupe brown nail polish.  I have accumulate a bunch of these in my stash for the past couple of years from various collections, and so I will quickly show you them side by side.

    First off, these I often find these colors very easy to wear, they might look boring to some people, but I personally think that they are more 'classic' than the typical reds and pinks.  They (like the nudes) don't clash with your outfit, and don't take unnecessary attention away from your accessories and outfit. Whenever I wear a taupe brown (browny nude/ beige) you know, the more tanned nudes, I always get compliments and questions on what shade I am wearing.  OPIs and Essies have several dupes too...but that's another story altogether. 

    The shades featured in this entry, and their availability

    1. Chanel Particuliere - Permanent

    2. Dior Trench - current season, Dior Nudeskin launch

    3. Chanel Khaki Rose - Chanel's FNO special collection from 2 years aho

    4. Dior Dune - Current season, Dior Nudeskin launch

    5. Dior Bengale - current season, from Dior Golden Jungle collection 

    6. Chanel Khaki Brun - same as Khaki Rose

    Formula on all these is fantastic, I have showed them with 2 even coats, no topcoat, and pictures are taken when the polish is semi-wet, which explains the ultra high shine. 

    First set of comparisons - the lighter browns, in particular Dior Trench and Chanel Khaki Rose.

    I had first thought that Trench and Particuliere would be a total dupe of each other.. but Trench is slightly paler.  Khaki Rose is warmer in tone.  Dior Grege (not featured) is way paler, so I didn't include in this entry.  Dior Dune is the darkest among all I am comparing.

    another angle to show you the nuances of each shade

    Just Khaki Rose & Trench.

    Second set with the darker taupe browns.   Khaki Brun contains some olive green tones, Dior Bengale is browner than Dune which looks more cool toned, even a bit of purpley undertone in shown in the pictures.  

    I think they are all different, but of course, I would consider them to be in the same family, and if you have a favourite, you defintely don't need to own all of them. 

    a last group shot!

    I hope you find this helpful....and thanks for reading!

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    August 05, 2012

    Chanel Fall 2012 Vernis: Frenzy, Vertigo & Suspicious [Photos & Swatches]

    Hi!

    This entry will feature all the Chanel Fall 2012 vernis, I bought all 3 of them - the colors were too yummy to pass up.  There is Frenzy - nude grey, Suspicious - bright pop of deep reddish pink and Vertigo - dark sooty purpley brown.  I won't be doing any comparison swatches in this entry, but I have paired each shade with the Chanel Mat Velvet topcoat for some variety. 

    Firstly, we have Frenzy - you are looking at 3 even coats for full creamy opaqcity. 

    This is natural glossiness, without any topcoat. 

    with matte topcoat

    I love the muted matte look.  

    Vertigo, with topcoat

    2 even coats for full color payoff. 

    The shimmer and sheen in this is very subtle, so it looks almost just like a purpley black brown shade. 

    I am thinking it looks like a darker version of Paradoxal (I should have painted Paradoxal next to Vertigo...but oh well).

    without topcoat

    Vertigo - matte

    Suspicious is really a deep reddish fuschia, but it is looking a little warmer (more red) in my pictures

    You can get away with one coat if you are in a hurry, but I painted 2 even coats. 

    I didn't use a topcoat, but after Seche Vite, it is very glossy and ultra smooth. 

    and with the matte topcoat - looks like of like marzipan. 

    My fave would be Frenzy, followed by Suspicious. 

    Which of these shades have you picked up?

    Hope these swatches have been helpful.  Thanks for looking!

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    July 21, 2012

    Four Dolce & Gabbana Nail Polishes [Photos & Swatches]

    Finally, I got to swatch these Dolce & Gababana nail polishes.  I got to make my purchase when a friend of a friend was in the US, and got them for us at Saks.   I eyeballed a few shades online, and went for the classic and feminine shades, as opposed to the 'quirky' ones.  I also got my red and nude shades just because I have to. 

    I think each bottle of these works out to about $30 or slightly more.  I really can't remember, since I got them at least a month back, but somehow never got to swatching them. If I have the chance, I would want to buy a couple more.  The formula is smooth, but I can't say that they are the creamiest nor the most pigmented - at least for these shades that I picked. 

    Red - which is as the name states so blatantly, is a true classic sexy red, much like NARS Jungle Red

    Nude - which is a soft slightly pinkish nude, I love this particular shade, and it looks like it really blends in with my skintone

    Cosmopolitan - which is a soft coral shade, a slightly jelly kind of finish, very girly

    Fuschia - the name doesn't match the shade.  It is sheer, and works better as a layering shade, and I have shown here it on top of Cosmopolitan.  It contains sliver bits, and the base has a metallic sheen with very very fine fuschia shimmer. Overall, quite pearlescent.  However, the brush on this is wonky.. :( 

    The nailpolish is made in France, and contains 11ml of product.  The bottle itself is really heavy, and feels really luxe. Kind of like the YSL nail polish.

    There is an inner cap, just most nailpolish with a square bottle. 

    Swatches!

    NUDE

    COSMOPOLITAN

    as I am typing this now, it occured to me, that the color cosmopolitan probably is a reference to the infamous cocktail from SATC

    case in point, see this pic

    and then my nails

    same, no?

    Fuschia over Cosmopolitan

    makes my skin look tanned

    a better shot of the shimmer in this shade

    and lastly, RED

     

    I hope you find these swatches helpful.  Thanks for reading!

    Happy Weekend! 

     

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    July 09, 2012

    Nails Story: Revlon Colorstay Nailpolish Red Carpet & Bare Bones [Photos & Comparisons]

    Hihi, 

    I think sometime last week, the Revlon Colorstay nailpolishes came out in Singapore... and we got a range of maybe 10 colors.  There are more in the US release of course... nothing very very unique in terms of color range, and I just picked 2 classic shades whenever I try out a new range of nail polish - the red, and the nude.   These retail for $13.90 each, which isn't the very cheapest, considering that you can get OPI and China Glaze, and even my fave Essies at under $12, and sometimes under $10. 

    These polishes are touted to have 11 days of wear and a gel like finish.  While I cannot attest to the longevity of these polishes (because, frankly, who wants to wear the same color for more than 10 days?).  In my swatches, I do find them very glossy indeed, even before the topcoat.  However, I would still wear a topcoat anyway, for the quick-drying factor. 

    Both colors are opaque in two coats, even though the red shade look a tad jelly-ish in the bottle.   What I do like, is the brush of these polishes.  They have a slight rounded tip, and the brush is also quite flat.  It is not too big (i find the OPI ones too big for my liking at times), and it's very smooth and easy to paint.  If only we have more shades in this range, that would be even better.

    120 Red Carpet is a classic red that leans slightly cool-toned.

    300 Bare Bones is a nude that leans slighty grey-ish.  No pink hues in this at all.

    300 Bare Bones

    Some comparisons

    OPI Did you ear about Van Gogh is an exact dupe (well, 99% I guess)...if you have this, skip Bare Bones.  Formula on both are similar. 

    very very similar to Essie Sand Tropez too. 

    Zoya Shay is beige-r. 

    120 Red Carpet

    grabbed this pic off my Instagram, cos I forgot to take a pic of it with my camera...duh

    it is looking very very bright here in the pictures....almost blinding my lens

    but in real life, it is slightly muted, and is cool-toned bright red, especially when compared to some other reds later

    some comparisons

    this pic shows the actual colors in the bottle...but all got washed out and looked the same when I swatched on my fingernails

    Sparitual Red is slightly orangey compared to the rest, 

    Butter London Come to Bed Red (to be featured in a later entry) is a true red, quite neutral

    and Chanel Pirate is slightly deeper in tone

    though they all look the same here

    it's not like anyone would be able to tell the difference, if you were to tell them, there are four different colors here

    but for comparison's sake, here we go. :)

    Do check out the range, I think some of the blacken glittery green ones (I think?) are quite pretty, there is a bright cheery orange too, and a couple of pinks that look quite cute too. 

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

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    August 31, 2011

    Nails Story: MECCA Cosmetica Colors

    Hi hi,

    This entry shall feature two nail polishes from MECCA Cosmetica, which the lovely Joey helped me to get when she was in Australia recently.  She showed me these two colors before, and I am really quite impressed with their texture/ formula - think Rescue Beauty Lounge consistency.  Creamy, smooth, and not streaky.  They cost about S$28 each.

    I got two colors,

    Cressdia - which is a purple-ish brownish color, think along  the lines of Metro Chic etc...which is a color I find myself often gravitating to.

    and Maria - which is a rather cool toned skin nude color, something like OPI Tickle My France-y, or RBL Grunge - again, I can never have enough of nude nail polish!

    Really loving these two very feminine and classic shades, and much thanks to Joey for helping me with the purchase.  She also got me a lovely gift, which I will feature in an upcoming LOTD.

    Joey also posted stunning pictures and swatches of the Beauty Midnight series, CLICK HERE to check out, and I think it is so easy to fall in love with these nail polishes and wanting to try out more colors next time. :)

    This is how the box packaging looks like:

    And the names of the colors:

    Swatches:

     

    Definitely going to check these out when I have the chance to in person!

     

    Thanks for looking. :)

     

    Happy holidays, everyone!

     

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    June 25, 2010

    Nails Story: Color Club Front Row Diva & High Society Swatches & Comparisons

    Front Row Diva is a nude-mauvey color with subtle shimmer. The formula is very nice and creamy, you only need 2 coats for opaque non streaky color.

    I am comparing it to other similar shades in my stash, but they are not dupes after I tried out the colors.  Front Row Diva is a lot lighter and more pigmented, creamier, almost.

    I thought that High Society would be one of the many greige colors which I already have (YDKJ, Metro Chic, etc etc) but it is lighter, and more along the lines of Essie's Chinchilly, except that High Society has more brown, Chinchilly is more grey.

    That's all, nothing much here, but hopefully it is useful for those who like these paley light colors that fall in between greys, browns, nudes and taupes.

    Thanks for looking!

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    March 06, 2010

    Swatch Time! YSL Rouge Volupte and Rouge Pur

    Hi!

    I met Kas today, because I needed to pass her my birthday present to her (which she might tell you about in due time) and we had our pedicures done (I brought along my CG XVIII that purple color) -- maybe I will take pictures later on and update -- anyway, it was awfully nice of her to sign for my pedicure off her package.  :)

    So we hanged around town a bit, checked out Too Fabulous again, swatched lots of stuff, talked to Linn at the Benefit counter, and I ended up getting one more lip pencil In Sync, because I had thought of getting it the the day before, but somehow I did... and then lissasioux left a comment saying how In Sync would be great with our YSL RV 19, or 1, and all that... and well, yup... I got it.   She is my YSL enabler, and I guess vice versa.

    Anyway... we ended up at DFS galleria, and went on a swatching spree.. and I got this idea to write the numbers of the lipsticks on my hand, then we went to the toilet to take pictures and all, so you can imagine what an operation all that was.  Thankfully nobody bothered us at DFS at all, and I was able to take these pictures.  Their testers are also super brand new, like newly sanitised, the top of almost every lipstick I swatched were very nicely sliced off.... and I even did a lipswatch of one of the lipsticks (in a pale nude coral shade).

    I really like this color combi!  I think I can prolly dupe this combination with MAC's Ravishing and Underaged lipglass over.

    Edited: It's not RP#144 Silky Apricot, but RV#30 Faubourg Peach--I think I want to buy this color shown below.

    Then came the swatching!!

    All the RV are the Rouge Volupte, and the RP are Rouge Pur.  I didn't swatch the Rouge Shine since they were kind of sheer,  you won't be able to see them clearly anyway.  I love love every single shade ending with "PINK".

    RV#11 (Rose Culte)

    RV#9 (Caress Pink)

    RV#30 (Faubourg Peach)-- new Spring shade

    RV#29 (Opera Rose) -- new Spring shade

    RV#150 (Sublime Red)

    RP#144 (Silky Apricot)

    RP#19 (Fuchsia Pink)

    RP#135 (Candy Pink)

    RP#146 (Romantic Pink)

    RP#141 (Pink Satin)

    And this is my own pink lip combination:

    And some MAC pinky colors which stood out to me at the DFS counter.

    I think the next time we all need makeup remover wipes whenever we hit the MU counters.  And hand creams too.  After a few swatches, I always just wipe (quite roughly with tissue) and I think wet wipes are the way to go.  :)

    Kas and I in the toilet while she was washing her hands.... some artistic and creative shots are in her camera, which I am sure she will blog about soon. Seriously, I don't know why I looked soooo washed out in the pictures which I took today.  I had no time to do my makeup today, and all I had was foundation, brows, false lashes (no liner, no eyeshadow), NARS Mounia, and the pink lipppy.  But it is not as thought you can see any hint of blush going on at all.

    And I like Kas' eyeshadow combination (Emerald Green, and a pinkish color on the inner corner)  today, and the slightly pinky nude lipstick she had going on, even though it isn't technically a nude, but it is lighter than her usual Up the Amp color. I think it was a combination of 2 lipsticks..the names of which totally slip my mind now.

    How's your weekend been?  I am going to watch Alice (...) 3D later today, and then clear some work before the start of another work week.

    Thanks for reading!!

     

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    March 05, 2010

    Haul: MAC Too Fabulous!

    Yup, the collection images are super pretty!!!!  And I love blushes!!

    This is what I got from the collection.

    Yup, just one item.  A nude lip pencil.  It's very aptly called Naked.  I like ALL the lighter lip pencils they put out, especially Mouth Off, Trimmed in Pink, and In Synch.
    At the counter, I swatched Naked then with Boy Bait over it, and the results were one of the best nude lip colors I have seen recently.  But I did not buy Boy Bait. 

    Back at home, I swatched Naked next to Illamasqua's Hex, which is another pencil I own, and I use it primarily for tight-lighting lower lids.

    Yup,  that's all I got.  I have been over-dosed on blushers lately, and while the mineralised duos look super super pretty to me, I didn't feel like I want to buy any of them.  They were quite shimmery too.   But I think Rhapsody in Two might make a nice highlight shade if you like very shimmery pale pinks.

    I think the lip pencils are the stars of this collection.  Check out Temptalia's pictures and reviews of the lip pencils HERE.

    Thanks for reading~

     

     

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    October 21, 2009

    Product Rave - YSL Rouge Volupte (No 7 & 4)

    OMG review!!!

    I am sad that I didn't get to try these products out sooner.  I bought my YSL Rouge Volupte in the last couple of days, because the YSL MU line is pulling out of SG - thanks to Sarah for the heads up.  I have been wanting to try out the YSL Rouge Volupte for ages but the price tag always put me off ($42 for a lippy?!)  but I recently found my lost TANGS vouchers ($70 worth of them) and decided to splurge on TWO lipsticks.  I lurve their Faux Cils mascara too, but I think the lipsticks are worth collecting and keeping.

    First of all, I am amazed by their packaging.  I have always like YSL packaging.  These lipsticks feel heavy in their casing!  The solid metal packaging, the intricate YSL rings, the peek a boo shades on the outside, and the cool mirror on the cap all scream chic luxury to me.  I bought No 7 which is Lingerie Pink and No 4 which is Sweet Honey.

    I have been using Lingerie Pink everyday since I bought it, and I am so impressed by the texture.  I swear, it is so soft, and silky, and the color is amazing wearable, because I thought it would be too Barbie pink to be flattering on me.  I think this might be what MAC's "Way to Love" or "Color Crafted" lipsticks might be like, but I don't own any of those.  Colours aside, I think the texture of the YSL lipsticks is very superior.  I can get hooked to applying this the whole day.  And that is saying a lot, since you know I am not a lipstick junkie.

    Before I continue with my rave, let's look at some product pictures:

    Can we go 'ahhhh' at how pretty the packaging is?

    This sounds really lame, but I really feel good and pretty apply this lipstick thoughout the day.  And you can see the mirror on the cap there, which is really neat.

    The product description:

    "Delight your senses with Rouge Volupte, the first lipstick to instantly soften the lips, providing a unique sensation of pleasure and plus exceptional radiant colour.  The nutri-protective film enables Rouge Volupte to act as a second skin, with a silky sensation that moisturises, nourishes and repairs the lips.  With a colour shine complex, lips are visibly smooth, plump, and radiant with luminious satin colours.  This silky texture is complemented by a beautiful golden metallic case with an intricate ring to discreetly reveal the shade and a clever mirror for quick and easy application.  SPF15"

    My views:

    I definitely agree that the lipsticks 'instantly soften the lips', it has a 'unique sensation' and the colors are super pretty!!  I mentioned how silky and soft it feels on the lips, so the 'second skin' is also true.  Over the weekend, I had chapped lips (really!) and when you see the lip swatches later, you won't even believe my lips were peeling just a few days ago. Therefore, it does "moisturises, nourishes and repairs the lips".

    Not so sure if it 'plumps' the lips though.  And notice it doesn't claim to be a long lasting/ long wearing lipstick... so in that aspect, you do need to re-apply after a meal, etc.  I can live with that, cos it means being able to refresh the silky feeling on your lips again!  I also noticed that it doesn't have a strong scent, cos I know the other YSL lip products have a very strong fruity/ lychee kind of scent.  So that is a plus point to me.

    Overall rating:

    Packaging: 5/5   Color: 5/5   Texture: 5/5   Price: 3/5  -- but worth every penny.

    I lurve my YSL Rouge Volupte!!!

    More pictures below, showing comparisons with similar MAC shades, and also lip swatches:

    No 7 Lingerie Pink

    No 4 Sweet Honey

    Notice in the lip swatches, the lipstick blends like second skin into my lips.  There is color, slight sheen, and really really silky! Me loves!

     

    You see how St Germaine is a blue-tone bright baby pink, Lingerie Pink is actually a little more beige nude pink, and Creme Cup is along the same tone as Lingerie Pink but perhaps darker and less pink.

    From L to R: Blanketty, Sweet Honey, Hug Me

    These colors look more similar than the pink ones.  Blanketty might be a little lighter, and pinker, while Hug me is darker, but it's a Lustre finish lipstick, so it might still come out less intense than it looks.

    There is still time to get YSL products, this weekend will be the last day.  Do you think the DFS outlets will still carry YSL?? Or the airports?  Le sigh.

    Hope this is helpful, and thanks for reading~

     

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    June 06, 2009

    Tagged: Top 5 Fave nail polish & 1 Least fave


    Hi! So I was tagged by the lovely almost famous to do this tag.  Which is cool, because I have been thinking about doing something similar the last couple of days.  I was thinking more of doing a top 10, because it is so difficult to choose just 5!

    But I try, and here is the picture.  Apologies I didn't take the higher quality single shots, but I think you have seen most of them before in my haul/ review/ overview posts.  Which reminds me to get back to my nail polish colour overview series!!!  I stopped at Part 2~~

    Ok this is the LEAST fave.  A regret buy. This is Sephora by OPI nail colour, "I NEED SPACE".  Reasons why I don't like it:

    1. Super sheer
    2. no matter how many coats you put it on it is still sheer and streaky
    3. not a suitable nude/ cream color on me

    I am just not a fan of sheer or super metallic shades.  I can take the occasional super glittery colors for effect though.

    In no particular order

    From L to R:  OPI Black Oynx, Chanel Blue Satin, Sephora by OPI Metro Chic, OPI Melanga Wine, OPI Bare it in Trafaglar Square

    I think I have a good collection of staple, classic colours in the 5.  The perfect BLACK, Blue Black, the perfect 'mysterious' grey purple brown colour, RED, and of course NUDE.   And Except for Blue Satin they are all in cream finish, which is my fave.

    I guess not everyone will think Black or Blue nails are classic nails, but IMO, they are.  Black can just make your outfit look either a bit more chic or edgier. If I am wearing something girly I want black nails to show that I can still kick a$$.  LOL.

    And Melanga Wine is just the perfect shade of RED.  I don't wear red too often these days because I don't like how they 'scratch' and leave red skid marks over papers I am working on etc.  But Melanga Wine is like an old friend.  If I want red, I always go back to this colour.

    Metro Chic is quite a often talked about colour in the beauty community.  A good dupe for this color if it's hard to get for some of you (since the Singapore Sephora doesnt carry this series) is OPI You Don't Know Jacques which I also own.  They are lmost exactly the same.


    I can't resist here, so I must also name honourable mentions to do my huge collection justice, but I won't post pictures of them here:

    • OPI Done out in Deco
    • CG Secret Periwinkle
    • OPI Do you Lilac it
    • OPI Parlez Vous OPI
    • OPI Let Them Eat Ricecake
    • OPI My Private Jet
    • MAC On the Prowl
    • CG For Audrey
    • Barry M No 295 Turquoise

    I have been wearing the lilacs, and blues more often lately.

    So... I tag (I am not surprised if some of you have been tagged already)

    CCee

    educatedbiatch

    icyabstract

    fiend


    And everyone else who would like to do this tag, I would like to know I am not the only nail polish junkie out here!!