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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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    January 26, 2013

    Darling Diva Polish in Ringer


    Hi hi!

    I have another nailpolish to feature today - and be prepared for lots more nailpolish showcases in the next few entries!  :)

    This is Darling Diva Polish Ringer - a sheer jelly purple-ly base with shimmering bits.  They appear gold and reddish in my pictures, but the color description states "A sheer blurple jelly base with copper red to green shifting shimmer" - I don't detect the green, but the shimmer is definitely coppery red. 

    I decided to pair it with a complimenting creamy base, OPI Funkey Donkey - and the combo reminds me of MAC Trax eyeshadow - a warm purple with golden sheen.

    I love how the shimmer is subtle yet it shows up very clearly.  The formula is very smooth, and one coat gives you sufficient sheen and add dimensional to a creamy base.

    Darling Diva Polish retails for S$15, and they can be purchased from Mei Mei's Signatures. 

    More swatches:


    Pretty or what?  Love it!

    Hope these swatches have been helpful!

    Useful links:

    Mei Mei's Signatures FACEBOOK

    Mei Mei's Signatures online store  - she has an amazing array of indie brand polishes, and possibly every combination of glitter polishes you can think of.  Do check it out! 

    Thanks for looking!

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    January 26, 2013

    Darling Diva Polish in Ringer


    Hi hi!

    I have another nailpolish to feature today - and be prepared for lots more nailpolish showcases in the next few entries!  :)

    This is Darling Diva Polish Ringer - a sheer jelly purple-ly base with shimmering bits.  They appear gold and reddish in my pictures, but the color description states "A sheer blurple jelly base with copper red to green shifting shimmer" - I don't detect the green, but the shimmer is definitely coppery red. 

    I decided to pair it with a complimenting creamy base, OPI Funkey Donkey - and the combo reminds me of MAC Trax eyeshadow - a warm purple with golden sheen.

    I love how the shimmer is subtle yet it shows up very clearly.  The formula is very smooth, and one coat gives you sufficient sheen and add dimensional to a creamy base.

    Darling Diva Polish retails for S$15, and they can be purchased from Mei Mei's Signatures. 

    More swatches:


    Pretty or what?  Love it!

    Hope these swatches have been helpful!

    Useful links:

    Mei Mei's Signatures FACEBOOK

    Mei Mei's Signatures online store  - she has an amazing array of indie brand polishes, and possibly every combination of glitter polishes you can think of.  Do check it out! 

    Thanks for looking!

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    December 22, 2012

    Bold & Dark Lips: Tom Ford Black Orchid & NARS Volga Lipsticks

    Hi hi!  Today I have two bold and dark lipsticks to show you.  I have been really into bold lippies lately, I would try all sorts of reds (I personally find reds more wearable than a bright bright fuschia pink on myself), and now it is about time to venture into the deep end, the dark aubergine colored lipsticks. 

    Behold the first one, the iconic TOM FORD Black Orchid, seen on many celebs, beauty magazines and beauty blogs (click here and here).

    Unfortunately it is not part of the collection we have here in Singapore, but I found mine at the Tom Ford counter at the Times Square Lane Crawford in Hong Kong.  They had 2 pieces left (no testers, I couldn't even swatch it) and I grabbed both, one of which I already sold to my gf. 

    This is my second TOM FORD lipstick... and my first in the revised black casing.  If you see in the first picture, the lipstick contains some subtle shimmer bits, which isn't really visible when you apply it on your lips. 
    The texture of Black Orchid is really smooth and creamy, and it glides on your lips.  I personally prefer to apply it straight from the tube. 

    Click here to see Lisa Eldridge demonstrates the wearing of this surprisingly wearable lipstick at least 4 different ways - as a stain, as a class lipstick, as blush, and with a gloss over.  

    Next, we have NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Volga.  I haven't heard many people talk about Volga.  It is very matte, and is a very deep aubergine shade.  I had bought mine during the NARS opening in Tangs, it retails for S$38.  It is a really blackened purple shade.  I haven't got to swatching it til now.  


    And here are two of the lipsticks: very different in terms of finish - and color too. 

    Volga is more plummy, while Black Orchid is a deep red. 

    I will also be showing you how you can wear a bold dark liplook without looking too stark/ harsh/ goth like in my LOTD pics. 


    swatches on my lips - pardon the slight dryness on my lips!  I probably should have exfoliated my lips before taking these pictures - another tip for wearing bold lip colors. 



    And how it looks like overall on my face - 

    Some tips on how to wear dark lipsticks: 

    1. I had blended the edges of the lipsticks with a cotton stick so it looks less harsh. 

    2. I really much prefer a softer look to wearing these lipsticks - hence no lipbrush, no lip pencil to line my lips.  If you need to define the shape of your mouth, go ahead and use a lipbrush to outline your lips.. but I don't need to.. hence I just prefer to slap it on. 

    3. Blot away first layer, and apply a second coat. 

    4. Have some color on your face/ cheeks - this will balance out the dark lips - some eye definition will work too, though I won't advise going for a full on matchy eyeshadow combo.  I just went for my usual defined neutral smokey eyes, but kept the lashes natural. 

    5. Be confident and rock it while you are out, even if it is out to a casual dinner/ lunch or running errands.  Dark lips are not for special ocassions. 


    a close up 

    and Black Orchid:  It is really not as scary dark as I had thought.  This is about two layers.  


    Click here to see makeup artist Mary Greenwell use Black Orchid on a very fair skinned model - and check out her application method.. Very easy, not intimidating at all. 

    All products used in this LOTD: 

    Face - Ettusais Mineral White BB cream, Guerlain Papure liquid foundation, Chanel Ultra Fine loose powder, Laura Mercier Concealer

    Eyes - NARS Primer, Gorgeous Palette, Ardel 120 lashes, Lancome Liner Plume Noir

    Cheeks - All Guerlain -- Terracotta bronzer, Meteorites Blanc de Pearle, Blush Duo Pink Punk 

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

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    November 26, 2012

    NARS Tokaido Express Nail Polish [Swatches & Comparisons]


    Hi hi!

    I love this nail polish!  

    Tokaido Express is a deep plummy purple with some multicolor and golden shimmer bits.  NARS polishes retail for S$30 each.  I wish they brought in a wider color range though.  I saw a much wider range of polishes overseas....and well.  Maybe more shades will come in soon enough. 

    I had thought that it might be too similar to another NARS purple polish I own.. and they are totally different.  Comparisons below! 

    I like the formula on this one.  I had applied 3 thin coats to give the full color payoff.  It is very smooth, and as you can see, very glossy too.  And the shimmer bits show up just as nicely on the nail as they appear in the bottle... which is a huge plus.   I think such warm plum purple shades are quite unique (in my collection anyway), because most purples you see are the royal cooler toned purples... so this one with a red/pink toned purple is something different.   

    Love how the shimmer bits add a certain dimension to the color too. 

    Swatches here:

    And the comparison - and everyone needs to own Purple Rain.  It is a brilliant shade of purple which contains multicolor shimmer bits (you can see the red, gold, blue and purple bits in the bottle), and it reminds me of some jewel or crystal.   Two coats give full color payoff. 

    And the swatches:

    You can see that Tokaido Express looks almost a little brownish next to the blue-toned Purple Rain (and yet Purple Rain looks a little red too!). 



    Bottomline - if you love purples and/or can't get enough of purple polishes, I think you will love both shades featured here!

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

    p.s  pictures here taken with iphone5 - it seems to be the best way to capture the true colors given my artificial daylight lamp.  Simply amazing.  

    Email |
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    November 26, 2012

    NARS Tokaido Express Nail Polish [Swatches & Comparisons]


    Hi hi!

    I love this nail polish!  

    Tokaido Express is a deep plummy purple with some multicolor and golden shimmer bits.  NARS polishes retail for S$30 each.  I wish they brought in a wider color range though.  I saw a much wider range of polishes overseas....and well.  Maybe more shades will come in soon enough. 

    I had thought that it might be too similar to another NARS purple polish I own.. and they are totally different.  Comparisons below! 

    I like the formula on this one.  I had applied 3 thin coats to give the full color payoff.  It is very smooth, and as you can see, very glossy too.  And the shimmer bits show up just as nicely on the nail as they appear in the bottle... which is a huge plus.   I think such warm plum purple shades are quite unique (in my collection anyway), because most purples you see are the royal cooler toned purples... so this one with a red/pink toned purple is something different.   

    Love how the shimmer bits add a certain dimension to the color too. 

    Swatches here:

    And the comparison - and everyone needs to own Purple Rain.  It is a brilliant shade of purple which contains multicolor shimmer bits (you can see the red, gold, blue and purple bits in the bottle), and it reminds me of some jewel or crystal.   Two coats give full color payoff. 

    And the swatches:

    You can see that Tokaido Express looks almost a little brownish next to the blue-toned Purple Rain (and yet Purple Rain looks a little red too!). 



    Bottomline - if you love purples and/or can't get enough of purple polishes, I think you will love both shades featured here!

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

    p.s  pictures here taken with iphone5 - it seems to be the best way to capture the true colors given my artificial daylight lamp.  Simply amazing.  

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    October 25, 2012

    Shimmer Polish in Caroline [Photos & Swatches]

    If you love purple, and if you love glitter, then you need Shimmer Polish in the shade Caroline.  


    Caroline
    is a very densely packed purple glitter nail polish.  You can get opaque payoff in 3 coats, but here I am showing 2 coats, over a coat of A-English Avalon, which is the perfect matching purple shade for Caroline.  The consistency is a little thick, but easy enough for me to work with.  

    What makes Caroline a 'powerful' purple glitter is the addition of multi-color glitter bits that come through the predominantly purple bits and base color.  You can see there's pink, blue, silver, and even some green bits.  This gives the shade some extra kick and also dimensional instead of a homogenous purple. 

    I applied Seche Vite topcoat over the layers of polish, and when everything is dried, and you will be glad to note that Caroline is not a 'topcoat' eater.  Meaning that the surface dries smooth, and not gritty like how some glitter polish can feel. 

    A blurred shot to show you the amazing colors of Caroline. 

    Shimmer Polish carries a range of glittery nail polish, and you can check out more shades here at Shoppe Eclecticco. They are a Singapore based nailpolish e-store selling many indie brand nail polishes, and if you are looking into some of these indie brands, it's a great place to check out.  You can also check out Shoppe Eclecticco on FaceBook for updates and stocks arrival.  They ship worldwide.

    I hope this feature & review has been helpful, and thanks for reading!

    Blog updates: 

    I will be posting blogsale entry on Saturday morning. 

    Doing Halloween trial makeup today. 

    Posting lots of makeup porn entries today too. 

    Heading out for a walk and breakfast now. 

    Happy Weekend! 

    Email |
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    October 25, 2012

    Shimmer Polish in Caroline [Photos & Swatches]

    If you love purple, and if you love glitter, then you need Shimmer Polish in the shade Caroline.  


    Caroline
    is a very densely packed purple glitter nail polish.  You can get opaque payoff in 3 coats, but here I am showing 2 coats, over a coat of A-English Avalon, which is the perfect matching purple shade for Caroline.  The consistency is a little thick, but easy enough for me to work with.  

    What makes Caroline a 'powerful' purple glitter is the addition of multi-color glitter bits that come through the predominantly purple bits and base color.  You can see there's pink, blue, silver, and even some green bits.  This gives the shade some extra kick and also dimensional instead of a homogenous purple. 

    I applied Seche Vite topcoat over the layers of polish, and when everything is dried, and you will be glad to note that Caroline is not a 'topcoat' eater.  Meaning that the surface dries smooth, and not gritty like how some glitter polish can feel. 

    A blurred shot to show you the amazing colors of Caroline. 

    Shimmer Polish carries a range of glittery nail polish, and you can check out more shades here at Shoppe Eclecticco. They are a Singapore based nailpolish e-store selling many indie brand nail polishes, and if you are looking into some of these indie brands, it's a great place to check out.  You can also check out Shoppe Eclecticco on FaceBook for updates and stocks arrival.  They ship worldwide.

    I hope this feature & review has been helpful, and thanks for reading!

    Blog updates: 

    I will be posting blogsale entry on Saturday morning. 

    Doing Halloween trial makeup today. 

    Posting lots of makeup porn entries today too. 

    Heading out for a walk and breakfast now. 

    Happy Weekend! 

    Email |
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    October 21, 2012

    LOTD: A Very YSL Smokey Purple

    Hi hi!

    In this entry, I will showcase a smokey purple eyes using YSL 5 Colour Harmony 04 palette.  I will talk you through most of what I did, along with my thoughts on the products used in this look.  Hope you find it helpful!

    I will also list all products used at the end of this entry.

    Let's start with some swatches & close ups:

    *** it is a little hard to capture the true color of the warm purples in this palette, so I adjusted the colors a little to make it show up truer to the actual color.  As you can see, in the first pic the colors showed up cooler which is not quite right. 

    I used the following shades as indicated in the picture below on my eyes.  My fave shades in this palette is probably the highlight shade (a very very cool toned pale lilac that shows up whitish on the skin, and both the lid shades).  I found the crease color a little dry and chalky.  I used a primer, followed by a colored base to make the colors more intense.  If you prefer only a wash of color on the lids, then you can skip the colored base. 

    For the colored base, I actually used the YSL pencil liner - which is very creamy and black.  I lined my eyes quite messily on my lids, and used my ring finger to blend out the liner, forming a blackish smudgy base, and then I used both the lid colors.  I do quite like the YSL pencil liner, but it is a little prone to smudging because it is so creamy.

    I will be featuring the lipsticks in a separate feature entry, so let's just leave it as a combination of a nude-peachy shade for now.

    I have been totally enjoying the Touche Eclat.  You may wonder why I use BOTH shades.  But if you look, 01 is a peachy pink tone (great for neutralising and brightening) and 02 is a beigy pale shade, which is great for highlighting.  I really only use these two under my eyes, and a little on the bridge of my nose.  There are many many similar products like this, but I guess what makes the Touche Eclat such a classic is the extremely smooth and translucent finsh.  And somehow the fat brush and it dispenses just the right amount of product without any clogging is just a winner.  

    On my cheeks, I am using the YSL Blush Radiance in 06, a bright pop of pink.  It is quite pigmented, and very very smooth.  I do like this blush, and it might be time I look into what other shades they offer in this range. 

    Some close ups:

    On my lower lashes, I used the YSL Faux Cils waterproof.  It is one of the first few mascaras I used even when I was still in school.  Back in the days when I didn't know anything about falsies, I depended on this mascara and LOTS of curling of the lashes to make sure I have big lashes.  This is still the same amazing mascara I have used like 10 years ago, and it is still the same.  Awesome mascara.

    and the lip combo:

    I didn't want a totally nude lip shade, so I went for a natural peachy look. 

    I love this look, the big lashes balance out the purple eyes.  

    More hair chat: I washed my hair this morning, and suffered through a walkathon and a rainy brunch.  

    Still LOVING how it takes zero effort for my hair to look this good. 

    I think I could get addicted to the whole treatment and hair pampering, and shall book myself in for a session every 3 months or so. 

    All products used:

    Foundation: Shiseido Radiant Lifting foundation & Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pearl) --- I want to give this foundation a more luminous glow.  La Mer Powder to set.  Laura Mercier SC 03.  YSL Touche Eclat 01 and 02. 

    Cheeks: DiorSkin Nude Tan 003 Zenith, YSL Blush Radiance 06

    Lips: YSL Rouge Pur 148, YSL Glossy Stain 07

    Eyes: Laura Mercier Eye Base Flax,  YSL Pencil Liner, YSL 5 Colour Harmony 04, Lashes - Shu Uemura Farfarlina

    That's all, and thank you for reading!

    Email |
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    October 21, 2012

    LOTD: A Very YSL Smokey Purple

    Hi hi!

    In this entry, I will showcase a smokey purple eyes using YSL 5 Colour Harmony 04 palette.  I will talk you through most of what I did, along with my thoughts on the products used in this look.  Hope you find it helpful!

    I will also list all products used at the end of this entry.

    Let's start with some swatches & close ups:

    *** it is a little hard to capture the true color of the warm purples in this palette, so I adjusted the colors a little to make it show up truer to the actual color.  As you can see, in the first pic the colors showed up cooler which is not quite right. 

    I used the following shades as indicated in the picture below on my eyes.  My fave shades in this palette is probably the highlight shade (a very very cool toned pale lilac that shows up whitish on the skin, and both the lid shades).  I found the crease color a little dry and chalky.  I used a primer, followed by a colored base to make the colors more intense.  If you prefer only a wash of color on the lids, then you can skip the colored base. 

    For the colored base, I actually used the YSL pencil liner - which is very creamy and black.  I lined my eyes quite messily on my lids, and used my ring finger to blend out the liner, forming a blackish smudgy base, and then I used both the lid colors.  I do quite like the YSL pencil liner, but it is a little prone to smudging because it is so creamy.

    I will be featuring the lipsticks in a separate feature entry, so let's just leave it as a combination of a nude-peachy shade for now.

    I have been totally enjoying the Touche Eclat.  You may wonder why I use BOTH shades.  But if you look, 01 is a peachy pink tone (great for neutralising and brightening) and 02 is a beigy pale shade, which is great for highlighting.  I really only use these two under my eyes, and a little on the bridge of my nose.  There are many many similar products like this, but I guess what makes the Touche Eclat such a classic is the extremely smooth and translucent finsh.  And somehow the fat brush and it dispenses just the right amount of product without any clogging is just a winner.  

    On my cheeks, I am using the YSL Blush Radiance in 06, a bright pop of pink.  It is quite pigmented, and very very smooth.  I do like this blush, and it might be time I look into what other shades they offer in this range. 

    Some close ups:

    On my lower lashes, I used the YSL Faux Cils waterproof.  It is one of the first few mascaras I used even when I was still in school.  Back in the days when I didn't know anything about falsies, I depended on this mascara and LOTS of curling of the lashes to make sure I have big lashes.  This is still the same amazing mascara I have used like 10 years ago, and it is still the same.  Awesome mascara.

    and the lip combo:

    I didn't want a totally nude lip shade, so I went for a natural peachy look. 

    I love this look, the big lashes balance out the purple eyes.  

    More hair chat: I washed my hair this morning, and suffered through a walkathon and a rainy brunch.  

    Still LOVING how it takes zero effort for my hair to look this good. 

    I think I could get addicted to the whole treatment and hair pampering, and shall book myself in for a session every 3 months or so. 

    All products used:

    Foundation: Shiseido Radiant Lifting foundation & Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pearl) --- I want to give this foundation a more luminous glow.  La Mer Powder to set.  Laura Mercier SC 03.  YSL Touche Eclat 01 and 02. 

    Cheeks: DiorSkin Nude Tan 003 Zenith, YSL Blush Radiance 06

    Lips: YSL Rouge Pur 148, YSL Glossy Stain 07

    Eyes: Laura Mercier Eye Base Flax,  YSL Pencil Liner, YSL 5 Colour Harmony 04, Lashes - Shu Uemura Farfarlina

    That's all, and thank you for reading!

    Email |
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    September 07, 2012

    Lancome Midnight Roses for Fall 2012: L Absolu Mat Cashmere 300 [Photos & Swatches]

    L Absolu Mat Cashmere 300 (S$40) is a beautiful purple-y red that settles in matte on your lips.  A velvety smooth intense rich plummy red perfect for this fall season.  This is released as part of Lancome's Midnight Roses for the fall season... and one of my top picks from the collection.  It is a shade that suits a range of skintones, as proven when Joey, Mag and I all tried it out on the spot during our preview session. 

    It is very flattering because it is not super shiny glossy, the shape of the applicator makes it easy for a precise application.  One coat of this lippy gives you true intense color.   The shade of plummy red is not too dark, and yet is not a bright red shade. 

    I really love this shade, and I can see myself wearing it for a very chic and clean look, very feminine too. 

    It is GORGEOUS, right?

    Even without much on the rest of my face, I think the shade doesn't look clownish at all, it just brightens my skintone, and really just look brilliant. 

    I highly recommend this shade, if you have to pick something from the Lancome Fall 2012 makeup collection.  

    On the rest of my face, mostly Lancome products: 

    Pro Base, Teint Miracle Foundation & Loose Powder

    Blush Subtil Palette 126 Nectar Lace*

    Blush Highlighter 001*

    *to be featured in subsequent entries*

    Hope you find the swatches & pictures helpful, and thank you for reading!

    Happy Friday!