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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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    May 11, 2013

    Dior Summer 2013 Bird of Paradise Collection 374 Blue Lagoon


    Hi hi!

    This just arrived, and I am posting the swatches at this point.  Might follow up with an LOTD, depending on my schedule... but this is part of the Dior Summer 2013 collection - in 374 Blue Lagoon.  There's another quint released with this collection, and you can click on my previous entry for more pictures and information. 

    The palette is beautiful, and if you have a weakness for the shades of blue and teal in this quint, you kind of need to get this soon.  I am not much of a blue/teal fan as far as makeup colours go, but I do see myself enjoying the two darkest metallic shades in this quint.  

    Here are some close up of the quint: 


    Swatches:

    The top right shade (shown here in the middle among the five shades) is quite pale and sheer, but the rest of the colors have pretty good payoff. 


    The quint retails for $90 each, and is currently available at all Dior counters. 

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

    Email |
    |
    May 11, 2013

    Dior Summer 2013 Bird of Paradise Collection 374 Blue Lagoon


    Hi hi!

    This just arrived, and I am posting the swatches at this point.  Might follow up with an LOTD, depending on my schedule... but this is part of the Dior Summer 2013 collection - in 374 Blue Lagoon.  There's another quint released with this collection, and you can click on my previous entry for more pictures and information. 

    The palette is beautiful, and if you have a weakness for the shades of blue and teal in this quint, you kind of need to get this soon.  I am not much of a blue/teal fan as far as makeup colours go, but I do see myself enjoying the two darkest metallic shades in this quint.  

    Here are some close up of the quint: 


    Swatches:

    The top right shade (shown here in the middle among the five shades) is quite pale and sheer, but the rest of the colors have pretty good payoff. 


    The quint retails for $90 each, and is currently available at all Dior counters. 

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

    Email |
    |
    April 21, 2013

    YSL Summer 2013: Marrakesh Sunset Palette [Swatches & LOTD]


    Hi hi

    This entry features YSL Summer 2013 collection - the Marrakesh Sunset Palette - it is a beautiful 5 colour eyeshadow palette. 

    "The new must have collector for Summer 2013. A stunning gold case with opulent Moroccan arabesque deesign. Motif engraved with golden satin contrasting against shiny golden reflects. Sublimed in bronze, gold and copper hues reflecting the rays of sunlight with a striking note of violet."

    When I first saw pictures of this palette online, I was captivated by the motif, and the combination of neutrals and violet colors, so I quickly did a look with the palette, using all the colours in it. 

    Here are some close up pictures of the palette: 



    And the palette itself:  all the shades are shimmery.

    1. a violet with blue and purple shimmer bits
    2. medium brown with golden shimmer
    3. peachy shade with light pink shimmer
    4. golden shade 
    5. and in the middle, pale pink toned champagne with silvery sparkles


    swatches - 



    The look - unlike Lindsay Wixson who is wearing the violet shade as the main lid colour, I used the violet as an accent shade on the lower eyelids.  I used the peachy and golden shades on the eyelids.  To give the eyelook more definition, I used the medium brown on the outer corners.  I used the champagne on the lower inner corner. 

    I like how the shimmer in the eyeshadows show up in the pictures, though I probably over-blended the colors on my upper lids.  But this is a look which I am most comfortable with, and would wear anytime. 

    This is not my first YSL 5 colour palette, and I find that the eyeshadows seem quite hard and dry - perhaps I am used to creamier powder eyeshadows (eg, Burberry, Inglot, Lorac, etc) - but I think that to make the YSL colours show up more on the eyes, you need to use a base, preferably a colored one, and really build up the colors to your desired intensity.  The Marrakesh palette is beautiful, and it offers neutal lovers a variety of shades, along with a pop of color.  It is certainly a collector's item if you are a YSL makeup fan, but I don't think the colors in the palette are very unique (quite dupeable, unlike some of their other palettes that have really unique & multi-dimensional shades).  

    * see the violet I have used under my lids, you can see the blue and purple shimmer bits yah? * 

    All products used:

    Face:

    YSL Top Secrets Flash Radiance Skincare brush (still loving this!), YSL Teint Eclat foundation (shade B20), Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder (shade 10), 

    Concealers:

    Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, YSL Touch Eclat (I mixed No 1 and No 2) under the eyes, set with Laura Mercier Secret Brightening powder (shade 02)

    Lips: YSL Glossy Stain No 12

    Cheeks: Urban Decay Naked Flushed palette (LOVE LOVE), Illamasqua Writhe bronzer (awesome for adding extra ormph to cheeks) 

    Eyes:
    Prime with NARS eyeshadow primer
    Use colored bases, on the eyelids Chanel illusion d'ombre in Emmerville, base for violet shade is MAC Pearlglide liner in Designer Purple
    YSL Marrakesh Palette 
    Liners - Heavy Rotation Black Liquid Liner (winged out slightly)
    Customised lashes
    Brows filled in with Urban Decay Naked Basics palette, and brushed with Shu Uemura brown manicure in Ash Brown

    Finally, set the face with NARS Light Reflecting pressed powder. 



    Here you can see how the darker brown adds definition to the outer corners of the eyes. 
    And you can also see the Urban Decay Naked Flushed palette doing its magic on the face contours.  
    I usually dust the bronzing shade all over my forehead, and around the cheeks.  The highlighting shade in this palette is very wearable and gives my face a very noticeable glow. 

    I believe the YSL Summer 2013 Collection will be available next week.  Hope this review has been helpful, and thanks for looking!

    Email |
    |
    April 21, 2013

    YSL Summer 2013: Marrakesh Sunset Palette [Swatches & LOTD]


    Hi hi

    This entry features YSL Summer 2013 collection - the Marrakesh Sunset Palette - it is a beautiful 5 colour eyeshadow palette. 

    "The new must have collector for Summer 2013. A stunning gold case with opulent Moroccan arabesque deesign. Motif engraved with golden satin contrasting against shiny golden reflects. Sublimed in bronze, gold and copper hues reflecting the rays of sunlight with a striking note of violet."

    When I first saw pictures of this palette online, I was captivated by the motif, and the combination of neutrals and violet colors, so I quickly did a look with the palette, using all the colours in it. 

    Here are some close up pictures of the palette: 



    And the palette itself:  all the shades are shimmery.

    1. a violet with blue and purple shimmer bits
    2. medium brown with golden shimmer
    3. peachy shade with light pink shimmer
    4. golden shade 
    5. and in the middle, pale pink toned champagne with silvery sparkles


    swatches - 



    The look - unlike Lindsay Wixson who is wearing the violet shade as the main lid colour, I used the violet as an accent shade on the lower eyelids.  I used the peachy and golden shades on the eyelids.  To give the eyelook more definition, I used the medium brown on the outer corners.  I used the champagne on the lower inner corner. 

    I like how the shimmer in the eyeshadows show up in the pictures, though I probably over-blended the colors on my upper lids.  But this is a look which I am most comfortable with, and would wear anytime. 

    This is not my first YSL 5 colour palette, and I find that the eyeshadows seem quite hard and dry - perhaps I am used to creamier powder eyeshadows (eg, Burberry, Inglot, Lorac, etc) - but I think that to make the YSL colours show up more on the eyes, you need to use a base, preferably a colored one, and really build up the colors to your desired intensity.  The Marrakesh palette is beautiful, and it offers neutal lovers a variety of shades, along with a pop of color.  It is certainly a collector's item if you are a YSL makeup fan, but I don't think the colors in the palette are very unique (quite dupeable, unlike some of their other palettes that have really unique & multi-dimensional shades).  

    * see the violet I have used under my lids, you can see the blue and purple shimmer bits yah? * 

    All products used:

    Face:

    YSL Top Secrets Flash Radiance Skincare brush (still loving this!), YSL Teint Eclat foundation (shade B20), Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder (shade 10), 

    Concealers:

    Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, YSL Touch Eclat (I mixed No 1 and No 2) under the eyes, set with Laura Mercier Secret Brightening powder (shade 02)

    Lips: YSL Glossy Stain No 12

    Cheeks: Urban Decay Naked Flushed palette (LOVE LOVE), Illamasqua Writhe bronzer (awesome for adding extra ormph to cheeks) 

    Eyes:
    Prime with NARS eyeshadow primer
    Use colored bases, on the eyelids Chanel illusion d'ombre in Emmerville, base for violet shade is MAC Pearlglide liner in Designer Purple
    YSL Marrakesh Palette 
    Liners - Heavy Rotation Black Liquid Liner (winged out slightly)
    Customised lashes
    Brows filled in with Urban Decay Naked Basics palette, and brushed with Shu Uemura brown manicure in Ash Brown

    Finally, set the face with NARS Light Reflecting pressed powder. 



    Here you can see how the darker brown adds definition to the outer corners of the eyes. 
    And you can also see the Urban Decay Naked Flushed palette doing its magic on the face contours.  
    I usually dust the bronzing shade all over my forehead, and around the cheeks.  The highlighting shade in this palette is very wearable and gives my face a very noticeable glow. 

    I believe the YSL Summer 2013 Collection will be available next week.  Hope this review has been helpful, and thanks for looking!

    Email |
    |
    September 22, 2012

    Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Heaven!

    Hi everyone!

    I finally have the chance to take pictures of these beautiful golden YSL brand new products.  Good lighting, and good timing are hard to come by these days, and before I go into detail for each of the product, I shall leave you with a very quick pictorial overview of goodies coming your way in the next couple of weeks. 

    Here we go: 

    Happy Sunday!

    Email |
    |
    July 11, 2012

    Dior 3 Couleurs Glow 651 Nude Glow [Photos, Swatches & LOTD]

    Hi hi,

    this entry features the Dior 3 Couleurs Glow 651 Nude Glow, an eyeshadow trio which will be released with Dior's Fall 2012 makeup collection - for information on the collection, please click on this entry here here here

    If you aren't aware, the 3 Couleurs were only released a couple of years back, if I am not wrong, and these have a very nifty way of opening up the palette.  You slide open the cover, and a mirror slides up, and you see the three colours - 2 main colors, and a liner shade. This is quite handy, and the picture below shows the size difference between the trio and the quint. 

    651 Nude Glow is a very pale peachy nude palette, with a matte black liner shade. 

    Here is the product description and how to apply it -- and I followed the steps in my LOTD:

    Within the exclusive 3 couleurs glow sliding case lies the secret to naturally luminous, dramatic and couture eyes.  In 3 easy steps, our 3 new-generation fusion formula enhance your eyes with nude or pastel shades, a highlighter and a liner to define them. 

    - a satiny nude or pastel EYESHADOW with an ultra-fine texture melts into the skin.  Apply to eyelid and blend.

    - a HIGHLIGHTER shade with a wet-look finish illuminates the eyes.  Dab on the center of the eyelid and the inner and outer corners of the eye.  

    - A powder LINER is applied to the upper lash line to define the eyes and create the ultimate fashion touch. 

    swatches without any primer

    and I also swatched the liner wet and dry

    the liner looks darker then it is applied wet

    The lid color is quite soft, and pigment. 

    The highlighter shade is a very fine and shimmery shade, that sparkles without having much of a base colour.  

    This is be used as a layering shade to add some texture/ sparkle as I have done in my LOTD.

    close up of the liner shade

    I swatched using the pointed sponged tip applicator that comes in the palette 

    and my LOTD using mainly Dior products

    all will be listed below...

    base - DIORSNOW UV Shield BB Cream, DIORSNOW Instant Spot Concealer (which I used under my eyes to highlight the area) I didn't have to do much spot concealing -- YAY!   then I set with Lancome dual finish powder compact

    cheeks - DIORSKIN Nude Tan 001 Aurora, DIOR Rosy Glow 001 Petal

    brows - Shu Uemura pencil, Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper

    lips - DIOR Addict Extreme 326 Incognito 

    eyes - NARS primer, DIOR 3 Couleurs Glow 651 Nude Glow 

    lashes - Clinique lower lash mascara, TW All Belle Falsies

    nails - DIOR 605 Amazonia 

    eyelook close up - the lid shade is very natural, and just added a little color to my lids without being too loud, or like I am wearing eyeshadow...like the name states, it's a NUDE GLOW..

    it was very hot, and I was erm...sweating..so I prolly look a little /glowier than usual...but quite nice IMO..nonetheless. 

    Fall collections are all streaming in, and I can't wait to see what's coming our way in the coming months ahead!

    what are you going to pick up from this collection?  

    Thank you for reading!

    Email |
    |
    July 11, 2012

    Dior 3 Couleurs Glow 651 Nude Glow [Photos, Swatches & LOTD]

    Hi hi,

    this entry features the Dior 3 Couleurs Glow 651 Nude Glow, an eyeshadow trio which will be released with Dior's Fall 2012 makeup collection - for information on the collection, please click on this entry here here here

    If you aren't aware, the 3 Couleurs were only released a couple of years back, if I am not wrong, and these have a very nifty way of opening up the palette.  You slide open the cover, and a mirror slides up, and you see the three colours - 2 main colors, and a liner shade. This is quite handy, and the picture below shows the size difference between the trio and the quint. 

    651 Nude Glow is a very pale peachy nude palette, with a matte black liner shade. 

    Here is the product description and how to apply it -- and I followed the steps in my LOTD:

    Within the exclusive 3 couleurs glow sliding case lies the secret to naturally luminous, dramatic and couture eyes.  In 3 easy steps, our 3 new-generation fusion formula enhance your eyes with nude or pastel shades, a highlighter and a liner to define them. 

    - a satiny nude or pastel EYESHADOW with an ultra-fine texture melts into the skin.  Apply to eyelid and blend.

    - a HIGHLIGHTER shade with a wet-look finish illuminates the eyes.  Dab on the center of the eyelid and the inner and outer corners of the eye.  

    - A powder LINER is applied to the upper lash line to define the eyes and create the ultimate fashion touch. 

    swatches without any primer

    and I also swatched the liner wet and dry

    the liner looks darker then it is applied wet

    The lid color is quite soft, and pigment. 

    The highlighter shade is a very fine and shimmery shade, that sparkles without having much of a base colour.  

    This is be used as a layering shade to add some texture/ sparkle as I have done in my LOTD.

    close up of the liner shade

    I swatched using the pointed sponged tip applicator that comes in the palette 

    and my LOTD using mainly Dior products

    all will be listed below...

    base - DIORSNOW UV Shield BB Cream, DIORSNOW Instant Spot Concealer (which I used under my eyes to highlight the area) I didn't have to do much spot concealing -- YAY!   then I set with Lancome dual finish powder compact

    cheeks - DIORSKIN Nude Tan 001 Aurora, DIOR Rosy Glow 001 Petal

    brows - Shu Uemura pencil, Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper

    lips - DIOR Addict Extreme 326 Incognito 

    eyes - NARS primer, DIOR 3 Couleurs Glow 651 Nude Glow 

    lashes - Clinique lower lash mascara, TW All Belle Falsies

    nails - DIOR 605 Amazonia 

    eyelook close up - the lid shade is very natural, and just added a little color to my lids without being too loud, or like I am wearing eyeshadow...like the name states, it's a NUDE GLOW..

    it was very hot, and I was erm...sweating..so I prolly look a little /glowier than usual...but quite nice IMO..nonetheless. 

    Fall collections are all streaming in, and I can't wait to see what's coming our way in the coming months ahead!

    what are you going to pick up from this collection?  

    Thank you for reading!

    Email |
    |
    June 24, 2012

    1028 Brownie Eyes Palette [Photos & Swatches]

    This entry features the 1028 brand Brownie Eyes palette which I bought during my Taipei trip.  The brand is available at most, if not all Watsons in TW.

    For those who don't know, '1028' is a makeup label created by Taiwanese makeup guru *Xiao Kai* - and I have the base makeup (consisting of liquid foundation and loose powder).  If you are acquainted with Taiwanese beauty products, the art of flawless skin, and eye enhancing makeup application are usually the key points, so you know you are in good hands when you are looking for great foundations, and also eye color products.  When we were in Taipei, and browsed and shopped the beauty stores daily, we didn't come across this palette til on the second last day, we were making our rounds at Watsons, and Jerl & Kim spotted this palette (which was probably just released that day, everything was fully stocked), and yelled for Amy and I to go check out.  3 minutes later, we all bought one or two of this palette each, all but wiping out the shelf at that Watsons. 

    It costs less than S$20 each, and consists of 6 beautiful neutral earthy tone eyeshadows, each 2.1g.  The palette comes without a mirror, which makes it lightweight.  Be careful if you are going to pop this palette in your bag, because the closing isn't very tight, and it might just pop open, and you end up with nicked eyeshadows.  The packaging is quite sleek, and reminds me of one of my smaller Urban Decay eyeshadow palettes. 

    There is a matte bone shade, a pale shimmery shade, a light brown metallic, one olive, warm medium brown and lastly a dark brown.  All the shades are equally pigmented, and very smooth.  A few shades are slightly powdery, so be sure to tap off any excess powder to avoid fallout.  It's a versatile palette, and if you are a neutral eyeshadow lover like me, you would love this palette. 

    some swatches in progress

     

    okay, the actual swatches 

    no base used at all

    I love this palette! 

    Thanks for looking!

    Email |
    |
    June 24, 2012

    1028 Brownie Eyes Palette [Photos & Swatches]

    This entry features the 1028 brand Brownie Eyes palette which I bought during my Taipei trip.  The brand is available at most, if not all Watsons in TW.

    For those who don't know, '1028' is a makeup label created by Taiwanese makeup guru *Xiao Kai* - and I have the base makeup (consisting of liquid foundation and loose powder).  If you are acquainted with Taiwanese beauty products, the art of flawless skin, and eye enhancing makeup application are usually the key points, so you know you are in good hands when you are looking for great foundations, and also eye color products.  When we were in Taipei, and browsed and shopped the beauty stores daily, we didn't come across this palette til on the second last day, we were making our rounds at Watsons, and Jerl & Kim spotted this palette (which was probably just released that day, everything was fully stocked), and yelled for Amy and I to go check out.  3 minutes later, we all bought one or two of this palette each, all but wiping out the shelf at that Watsons. 

    It costs less than S$20 each, and consists of 6 beautiful neutral earthy tone eyeshadows, each 2.1g.  The palette comes without a mirror, which makes it lightweight.  Be careful if you are going to pop this palette in your bag, because the closing isn't very tight, and it might just pop open, and you end up with nicked eyeshadows.  The packaging is quite sleek, and reminds me of one of my smaller Urban Decay eyeshadow palettes. 

    There is a matte bone shade, a pale shimmery shade, a light brown metallic, one olive, warm medium brown and lastly a dark brown.  All the shades are equally pigmented, and very smooth.  A few shades are slightly powdery, so be sure to tap off any excess powder to avoid fallout.  It's a versatile palette, and if you are a neutral eyeshadow lover like me, you would love this palette. 

    some swatches in progress

     

    okay, the actual swatches 

    no base used at all

    I love this palette! 

    Thanks for looking!

    Email |
    |
    June 04, 2012

    Bare Minerals Eyeshadow Duo 'The Epiphany' [Photos, Swatches & LOTD]

    I made a quick purchase at feelunique.com (uk site, free intl shipping, no minimum order necessary, what are you waiting for??) ---- so, yes, made a purchase for this Bare Minerals Eyeshadow duo in The Epiphany (rated A+ at Temptalia)  --- and yes, it is another neutral brown eyeshadow pairing. 

    Anyway, I have watched enough YT videos to know that many girls are raving about the Bare Minerals eyeshadow palettes.  I didn't want to plunge and get a quad, so a duo would be nice to start off with.   The whole order and delivery process took about a week, very impressive for free intl shipping (and hint hint to ASOS another free intl shipping UK site which is so notoriously unpredictable). 

    The packaging itself is like NARS - matte, black, rubbery. 

    It is also tiny - both shadows weigh a total of 3g? Well, does it matter?  

    Like my friend said, it is not like I am going to hit pan on it anytime. Hehe. 

    It is made in the USA.

    Just by looking at these, you know you are in for some buttery soft pigmented eyeshadows.

    And I am not far off.  

    The colors are intense, smooth, and easy to blend with a fluffy brush.  

    I tried them out, 

    the shimmery shade on my lids, 

    and the darker matte shade on my crease. 

    Just a quick hasty LOTD with whatever was already on my face for the day (this is makeup after 7 hours). 

    Ettusais bb cream + Maquillage white essence liquid foundation, set with Chanel loose powder

    Chanel Bronze Rose

    Chanel Glossimer 287 Aurora 

    Cosmos lashes, #43  (no liner) 

    I did not use an eyeshadow primer.

    I would be keen to check out more of these eyeshadows.  The quality is pretty amazing. 

    Hope this is helpful, and thank you for reading. :)