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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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    May 11, 2013

    Lancôme Vernis in Love: Jolis Matins [Photos & Swatches]


    Hi hi!

    Good morning!  Hope everyone is enjoying this Mother's Day Sunday.  :)

    Today, I have the upcoming Lancôme Vernis in Love - Jolis Matins shades to share with you.  These polishes retail for S$30 each, and contains 6ml of product.  

    These shades are the 'In Love with Morning' shades - very fresh, classic and wearable.  
    I love the brushes on these polishes - they are paddle shaped, like the YSL and Loreal polishes. 

    The formula and consistency of these polishes are quite impressive.  The color payoff is very intense, and application is a breeze, thanks to the brushes.  I didn't have any problem with visible brushstrokes and streakiness. 


    Just a close up of the brush - and how it is able to cover my nail in one stroke.  

    and now for the swatches: 

    All swatches are taken with a base coat, two coats of color, and a top coat.  
    (except for 010M Cristal Quartz, which is shown on its own)

    010 M Cristal Quartz 
    just a clear polish to give your nails a shine 
    020M Pure Narisse 
    A sheer cream shade, perfect for a french manicure, or just to give your nails a groomed chic effect
    Bonus: this is not streaky at all despite the sheerness.  Application is a breeze. 

    311M Jolie Rosalie 
    A creamy warm pink. 
    Perfect summer shade, great if you want to show off the healthy tan. 
    The formula is extremely smooth and creamy.

    300M
    Rose Plumetis
    A rosy light pink with a subtle sheen.  It is very opaque and creamy.


    105M Corail in Love
    A true coral which is not too orangey - salmon pink.  
    It is showing up a little muted here, but it's slightly brighter in real life. 

    154M  Miss Coquelicot 
    A classic bright red, neutral undertone that suit all skintones.


    and lastly, we have 179M Madame Tulipe
    a rich deep red, with a cooler undertone.  I love this shade. 

    a comparison of both the reds


    My top picks among the Jolis Matins: 

    311M Jolie Rosalie
    154M  Miss Coquelicot 
    179M Madame Tulipe

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

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    May 04, 2013

    LOTD: Quick & Wearable Reds

    Hallo!

    Just a quick LOTD with my somewhat matching red nails and lips.   This took me about 10 minutes to slap on, and out of the house I went. 

    I skipped the primer, and focused on having neat brows and a pop of color on the lips.  I know there's nothing really 'new' to this LOTD..but I rotate my products all the time, so it's nice to experience different product combinations. 

    All products used: 

    Face - Lancome Mat Miracle Liquid Foundation, set with Lancome Teint Miracle loose powder

    * the lack of a primer here is interesting, I got to see how the foundation works on its own, and I am glad to report that it settles very beautifully and flawlessly on its own too.  

    Cheeks - Clarins Mosaique Bronzer, GA Ecailles face and cheeks duo 

    Brows - Urban Decay naked basics palette, Shu Uemura brow manicure

    Lips - Lancome Rouge in Love 174B Crazy Tangerine 

    Nails - Lancome Vernis in Love 154M Miss Coquelicot 

    Ring - ARTY Rose Gold 

    Top - H&M (old) 

    Hair was scrunched up and slept in most of the day, so they seem a little fluffier than usual. 

    Lenses - Blincon 

    Filed in: Lancome, red, LOTD | Tagged with: Lancome, red, LOTD
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    March 29, 2013

    NARS Satin Lip Pencils: Luxembourg & Palais Royal [Swatches, Review & LOTD]


    This is the last installment of the NARS Satin Lip Pencils  (I hope! that's if I don't buy more, but I think I have all the shades I love!) - featuring my absolute top picks from the new range.  These are available from 1 April 2013 at S$37 each. 
     
    Luxembourg - Vivid Watermelon

    Palais Royal - Sangria (same color description as Seduction blush heheh)

    I fell in love with the look of these two when I saw them... and after wearing them, I love even more!

    I notice there is staining with the bolder and intense red / pink shades.  But it is a nice stain.  I don't personally find them drying on me... and certainly the satin dewy finish of the lipsticks fade after about 1 hour or so.  In terms of overall longevity, they are about the same as the Pure Matte Velvet lip pencils.

    Other entries in this series:

    Foralise & Rikugien (the natural and nude)

    Majella - the deep true red

    YU - the hot pink 

    Swatches - I wanted to show the difference in the red tones of Majella and Luxembourg - Majella is a true deep red, whereas Luxembourg is a deep pinky red. 

    I wore Luxembourg out last night, and it lasted very well and wears off pretty well throughout drinks and desserts.  Because it stains, you can't really tell where it's faded and intact which is always a good thing. 

    Lip swatches!


    Palais Royal is just mad love!  It is not scary blackish plum (like Volga) and I think it is along the same line as TOM FORD BLACK ORCHID --- shucks, as I am typing this I wish I had taken a comparison swatch - but my feeling is Black Orchid might be a tad more purple-y. 


    Here's Luxembourg overall: 

    and Palais Royal overall:

    All products used (all NARS unless stated otherwise) 

    Face: YSL Radiant Skincare brush, Sheer Glow foundation shade Deauville, Loose Powder shade Flesh, Creamy Radiant concealer, Light Reflecting Loose powder to finish

    Cheeks: Laguna Bronzer, Gilda Blush

    Eyes: Pro Primer eyeshadow base, Alhambra eyeshadow duo, Larger than Life pencil in Via Veneto on upper eyelids and Rue Bonparte to tightline lower lids, Makeup Store Chocolate Cheesecake pencil for lower eyelids

    Brows filled in with Urban Decay NAKED BASICS eyeshadow palette, and brushed with Shu Uemura brow manicure in Ash Brown

    and here's what I mean by the staining:

    Hope you enjoyed my mini series on the NARS Satin Lip Pencils!

    Cafe Makeup has a comprehension overview of ALL the shades available, click here to check it out! 
    I personally love the more bold and intense shades in this range, somehow the formula just lends itself very well to the reds and the pinks.  I am not so much caught by the natural shades, but then again that's just me.  There's definitel something to suit everyone's preferences among the shades we have, and do check it out at the store when it launches!

    Thanks for looking!

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    February 17, 2013

    NARS Dovina Nail Polish [Swatches & Comparisons]


    Hi hi!

    I picked up NARS Dovina on a quick whim (I think I have a collective NARS entry which I should post soon, plus reviews and features of their new releases).  It is a beautiful classic red, brighter and creamier than Jungle Red.  It is opaque in one coat, though I applied 2 coats in my swatches.  I used this over the CNY weekend, and I just love it.

    Of course, it is one of the many classic reds I have in my stash, but I always like to own a classic red from every brand of nailpolish I have, and I am glad to add Dovina to the collection.  Besides, I think NARS polishes have great formulation across the whole shade range, and so far I have very good experience with  my NARS polishes (I have about 15 or slightly more currently). 


    A few comparisons to my current fave reds which might be in the same category:


    Here they are: It is the closest to the YSL red in this set of comparisons, I didn't pull out my Illamasquas, Diors and Essies for this comparison.. but I think you get the idea. 


    Which is your fave red nail polish?  

    Hope this entry has been useful, thank you for looking!

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    January 31, 2013

    Nicole by OPI: Four Kardashians Kolors [Photos & Swatches]

    Hi hi~
    This entry features four shades from the Nicole by OPI Kardashian colors which I got to pick at this preview event (mentioned earlier in this entry). They look quite Christmassy, but I felt like a metallic red, and all the glitters really appealed to me when I was playing around with the colors at the event. 

    So, without any further ado...let's move on to the colors: 

    All the polishes have a smooth formula, the glitter in this collection are quite fine, and the Nicole by OPI has the same wide brush that all OPIs polishes come with.  I personally find them a little too big and cumbersome, but they so spread across your nailbed very easily and makes for a easier application (wide brush saves you effort in painting from 'side to side' as one swipe can cover almost the whole nail). 

    Keeping up with Santa - a metallic red, this is very smooth and almost opaque in one coat.  I painted two coats here to show off the full color intensity.  The red is very classic, without any obvious cool or warm undertones.  It is just a very neutral red which will suit all skintones in my opinion.


    All is Glam, All is Bright - a silvery base gltter polish that contains darker blue-ish silver and red bits.  Reminds me of an ETK or something.  It is almost opaque in two coats, and quite smooth for a glittery polish.  Love how the glitter bits catch the light even though the pictures are taken indoors. 



    Look at me, Look at me - another silvery base glitter polish, with pink, red, teal (?) --- multicolor glitter bits.  Same consistency and formula as All is Glam All is Bright.  


    And lastly, Kardashing Through the Snow - cheeky name - and this is really made for the Christmas season.  A clear base, densely packed with fine red and green glitter bits. 


    Layered Kardashing through the Snow with Keeping up with Santa - very party appropriate, and I trimmed my nails shorter to rock this combination.  I prefer glittery bright on short short nails. 

    Formula on all four are impressive, and the two glitters provide enough coverage on their own.  Wear time is about 4 days, still looking good, without any tip wear.  (why I mention 4 days, because I seriously don't wear any color longer than that).  

    You can find Nicole by OPI nail polishes at selected Watsons, and they retail for $12.90 each. 

    Hope this entry has been helpful, thanks for reading!

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    October 06, 2012

    YSL La Laque in 01 Rouge Pop Art & 28 Bronze Aztec [Photos & Swatches]

    Hi hi!

    This entry features a couple of YSL nail polishes... I have a few from their past limited edition collections, but I think these are the first ones I properly got from their permanent collection.  I selected a classic red (to match the Rouge Pur Couture in 01 Rouge Pop Art), and a metallic shade which is truly gorgeous. 

    01 Rouge Pop Art is a gorgeous bold red.  I have countless red, but this is BOLD... it is blindingly bright, and the color is really beautiful.

    28 Bronze Aztec is nothing like the name and the color in the bottle.  It is a blackened base with an olive golden sheen.  The shimmer are so fine, they are very very smooth.

    Both look opaque in one coat, but I applied 2 for maximum pop in this pictures. 

    Each YSl Nail Polish retails for $35, and you can get them from the YSL store at ION basement, or order directly from Tangs eStore.

    Now... on to the details and swatches:

    The bottle is sleek and square, I like the clean lines on the bottle.. and the names printed together.  

    The cap is shiny but not fingerprint magnet type. 

    I love the brush most of all (besides the formula), it has a curved tip, and is quite flat.  This means that you can get perfect smooth lines at the base of your nails, because the curve actually fits the base of my nail shape.  

    Swatches 

    It is a little hard to capture the red without my camera going a little crazy, the red is that bright. 

    I think this is best on short nails like mine. 

    The shimmer is very very fine on Bronze Aztec, and you got to see it to believe it. 

    But this is a gorgeous metallic shade, and if you want to pick a dark shade from YSL, I highly recommend this color! 

    My fave shot of Bronze Aztec here.

    Hope this has been helpful, and thanks for reading!

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    October 05, 2012

    Dior Holiday 2012: Diorific Vernis 751 Marilyn [Photos & Swatches]

    Hi hi!

    This holiday season, Dior releases 4 nail polishes that are packaged in luxe vintage bottles, with a gold cap, and a round glass bottle. Retailing for $40 each, they are $3 more than usual Dior polishes.  The one which I am featuring today is in my opinion, the most iconic of them all, in terms of the color, and even the name - Marilyn.

    It is a true creamy red, and the formula is very smooth.  I wore this twice, and it didn't really stain my fingers.  2 even coats give you full color payoff, and I think this is a shade that will suit most skintones.  It is really an ornamental collector's piece that looks very beautiful sitting on your makeup counter, as I have shown here.  The color itself is not ground-breaking, to be honest.   

    I will not be doing any red comparisons...some of you might be tired of all the reds in my stash, I think I shan't bore anyone with the reds!  But I always have a bunch of them in my collection, because, sometimes, you just have the mood for a certain red, and it is nice to have choices. 

    This is how the bottle looks like up close.

    The brush applicator is the regular nail polish brushes... and totally unlike the usual Dior ones which are round and fatter.  I am guessing they are using a different nail polish manufacturer for this serious of nail polish, and hence the different brush.  Regardless, this brush is much easier to use and apply.

    2 coats. 

    Pardon my messy application! 

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

    I have more nail polishes coming soon, stay tuned!

    Happy Weekend! 

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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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    April 21, 2012

    YSL Volupte Sheer Candy 04 Grenade Suave [Swatches & LOTD]

    hi hi,

    This YSL Volupte Sheer Candy is a birthday gift from my girlfriend, and the pictures have been lying in my drafts for more than a month.  Opps!

    The packaging of the YSL Volupte is exactly the same as the regular Volupte, solid and intricate lipstick tubes, except that the Sheer Candy have a silver body as opposite to the regular gold Volupte package.

    As the name of the product suggests, it is a very sheer and see thru lip product.  It is also one of the softest and creamier sheer lipsticks I have ever used.  Even though it is sheer, this particular shade gives  my lips a rather healthy looking reddish pink juicy looking lips.  My gf absolutely love this range of lipsticks from YSL, and it is easy to see why.  It's so extremely soft, and really conditions and keep your lips moist.

    The Sheer Candy has the same creamy texture as the regular Volupte, except that it is sheer.

    In terms of longevity, I would say this lasts about 2 hours, including some light eating and drinking.

    Photos & swatches:

    You can see here how shiny and jelly-like the actual lipstick is here:

    as you can see, the color is very see-thru, but yet it imparts a very juicy and moist look to the mouth

    I think you can also use it to make dryer lipsticks work better

    All products used:

    Face: Rachel_K cc cream (light), Guerlaine Papure Liquid Foundation, Lancome Teint Miracle Loose Powder

    Concealer: Cle de Peau stick concealer

    Eyes: base - Laura Mericer eye basics Flax, Chanel Epatant, Lids - Inglot 444 Pearl, Browbone highlight - Lunasol 04 Light Beige

    Liners: MUFE Aqua Liners No 12 and No 15

    Lips: YSL Volupte Sheer Candy #4

    Cheeks: Dior Rosy Glow, Dior Aurora, RMK 15th Anniversary Cheek Palette

     

    ** Really like this LOTD, because of the greenish shimmery eyeshadow combination **

    That's all, and thanks for looking!

     

    Which is your fave YSL lipstick?