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

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themakeupblogette@hotmail.com

My name is Sophia!

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Hot Links: Basic Makeup!

How to Fake Flawless Skin

 

How to Contour, Blush and Highlight

 

Applying Eyeshadows

 

Brows Tutorial

Reviews: Foundations

Click to check out my foundation reviews

2011 Foundations & Powder Overview

2009 Foundations Overview

2009 Liquid Foundations Overview

Estee Lauder Double Wear

Shu Uemura Mousse Foundation

Shu Uemura Nobura Cream Foundation

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

Clarins Hydra Luminious Powder Foundation

Clarins Extra Firming Foundation

Cle de Peau Silky Cream & Concealer

Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation

DiorSnow Base Routine

Illamasqua Skinbase

MUFE Mat Velvet+

MUFE HD Foundation & Powder

Lancome Teint Miracle Liquid Foundation

Lancome Maqui Miracle Compact Foundation

Lancome UV Shield BB Creme

Maybelline Pure Mineral Liquid Foundation

Maquillage Long Lasting Cream Stick foundation

Maquillage Esscence Rich White Liquid UV foundation

NARS Sheer Glow

NARS Sheer Glow [Revisited]

Rachel K BB Cream

Shu Uemura Smooth Fit Liquid Foundation

Shu Uemura Mousse Foundation

Shu Uemura Instant Radiant Base

Clinique Age Defense BB Cream

Bobbi Brown BB Cream

Freshel BB Cream

Laneige Snow BB Cushion

Ettusais Mineral BB Cream

ZA True White Liquid Foundation

 

FAQ & DISCLAIMER

About Me

My name is Sophia, and I am in my early 30s. I am from Singapore and I am the sole writer of this blog.

About this Blog

I started this blog in 2006, I like to use a wide range of brands though I seem to have a growing preference for higher-end brands in recent years. I also like to share interesting things I have come across about makeup and beauty.

Currently The Makeup Blogette receives 39,000 unique views monthly or 2,238,932 views and counting.

My Makeup Style

I like classic looks (neutral tones on eyes, anything goes for lips & cheeks), though occasionally I try out dramatic/ statement looks.  I believe that a flawless base is the key to achieving great makeup looks.  I also believe that if you don't have great skin to start with, fake it with a good foundation routine, and even greater skincare.  I am currently loving Clarins & Lancome skincare products, and Vichy NormaDerm for tackling with breakouts.

What Cameras do I use?

Most of the pictures you see in post 2010 entries are taken with my Canon G-11.  Previously I was using Canon Ixus 80.  I do post some pictures which are taken with my iphone4 which I will state in that particular entry.  I have stopped watermarking my pictures as of 2011, because I think watermarks are ugly in general, and does not prevent people from stealing my pictures if they wish to.  I just take it as a compliment that my pictures are even worth stealing in the first place. I might look into getting a Canon EOS next year, not just for blogging purposes, but I also like photography in general.

My Favourite Makeup Brand(s)

It is hard to name just one, but I like NARS, Chanel, Illamasqua and the ocasional Guerlain, Dior & Urban Decay item.  I own quite a stash of MAC items, but recently I have stopped catching up with their collections, and I much prefer to splurge on a few really outstanding items.

Where to find me

Twitter (link button above!)  Email (stated above!)  Instagram (makeup_blogette)

I have no official Facebook fan page, and currently have no intention to start one at all.  The Makeup Blogette remains my personal hobby and property, so as such, I don't believe in having a Facebook fanpage for it.

Final Disclaimer

I bought/ paid for all of the products mentioned in this blog. I am not affliated to any company. If certain products are sent to me for review purposes, I will say so and express my honest opinions about them. In any case, I will only review and showcase the products which I have personally tried and tested, and enjoy using. I do not get paid to review anything.

No ads, no paid links etc please.  I am in charge of all content and pictures here.

I am not a makeup artist, nor do I have any professional training in makeup.

 

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    February 17, 2013

    OPI Spring 2013 Euro Centrale Collection: My Vampire is Buff & Polka.com [Photos & Swatches]

    Hi hi!

    I purchased two colors from OPI's Spring collection - Euro Centrale, the rest of the colors look gorgeous, but nothing that I MUST have.  I went for the nudey white, and the glitter topcoat in the collection.  For complete swatches of the whole collection, do check out The PolishAholic.

    You can get OPI, China Glaze, Essie polishes from my fave trusty local seller, Tammy (Timtam) at her online store here.  (link link link)  She is very fast with replies and shipping. 

    My Vampire is Buff - an off white nude shade - This is two coats, and my kind of color, I am a sucker for anything which is a variant of nude/ white.  I like the formula of this, it is quite smooth, and I don't find it too streaky.   And I love the name.  Heheh.


    Polka.com is a glitter topcoat, very densely packed with blue and hot pink glitter bits.  I layered it over My Vampire is Buff - this glitter reminds me of Pibble Polish Faithful Friend (without the square glitter bits though, but totally along the same lines).  


    Another angle to show the reflection of the glitter bits.  It is really pretty. 


    A quick comparison of my fave OPI nudes with My Vampire is Buff:

    I tend to lean towards the creamy nudes (as opposed to the sheer french manicure nudes from OPIs, such as Sweet Heart), and I am glad to add My Vampire is Buff to the collection. 

    Hope this has been helpful, and thanks for looking!

    Posted on February 17, 2013 at 3:57AM | Permalink | 1 Comment
    Filed in: Nail Polish, Review, haul, Glitter, gold, Shimmer, creme, Spring 2013 | Tagged with: nail polish, review, shimmer, gold, haul, glitter, creme, Spring 2013
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    February 17, 2013

    OPI Spring 2013 Euro Centrale Collection: My Vampire is Buff & Polka.com [Photos & Swatches]

    Hi hi!

    I purchased two colors from OPI's Spring collection - Euro Centrale, the rest of the colors look gorgeous, but nothing that I MUST have.  I went for the nudey white, and the glitter topcoat in the collection.  For complete swatches of the whole collection, do check out The PolishAholic.

    You can get OPI, China Glaze, Essie polishes from my fave trusty local seller, Tammy (Timtam) at her online store here.  (link link link)  She is very fast with replies and shipping. 

    My Vampire is Buff - an off white nude shade - This is two coats, and my kind of color, I am a sucker for anything which is a variant of nude/ white.  I like the formula of this, it is quite smooth, and I don't find it too streaky.   And I love the name.  Heheh.


    Polka.com is a glitter topcoat, very densely packed with blue and hot pink glitter bits.  I layered it over My Vampire is Buff - this glitter reminds me of Pibble Polish Faithful Friend (without the square glitter bits though, but totally along the same lines).  


    Another angle to show the reflection of the glitter bits.  It is really pretty. 


    A quick comparison of my fave OPI nudes with My Vampire is Buff:

    I tend to lean towards the creamy nudes (as opposed to the sheer french manicure nudes from OPIs, such as Sweet Heart), and I am glad to add My Vampire is Buff to the collection. 

    Hope this has been helpful, and thanks for looking!

    Posted on February 17, 2013 at 3:57AM | Permalink | 1 Comment
    Filed in: Nail Polish, Review, haul, Glitter, gold, Shimmer, creme, Spring 2013 | Tagged with: nail polish, review, shimmer, gold, haul, glitter, creme, Spring 2013
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    January 19, 2013

    Illamasqua Hemlock Nail Varnish


    Hi hi!

    This is Illamasqua's Hemlock - described on the site as "pale opal green iridescent" - and that's a very accurate description.  A word of warning though - it is a sheer formula.  In these pictures, I painted 2 coats over OPI Skull & Glossbones. 

    It has a pale base, rather off white, and the opal green is really interesting.  There is also a hint of a pink and grey sheen to this shade.  
    Even though it is sheer, the consistency is rich and creamy.  I love it. 

    A few more pictures:


    and one more taken with my iphone5 cos I thought the green opal goodness isn't showing up enough - in real life, the green sheen is more obvious. 


    Love illamasqua polishes! 

    That's all, and thanks for looking!

    Posted on January 19, 2013 at 9:32PM | Permalink | 1 Comment
    Filed in: Review, haul, Swatches, illamasqua, hemlock nail polish | Tagged with: review, shimmer, haul, swatches, illamasqua, pale, opal, hemlock nail polish
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    November 25, 2012

    SpaRitual Gold Collection: Rusted Lux & Conduit [Photos, Swatches & Comparisons]

    SPARITUAL GOLD:

    A Special Edition Nail Lacquer Collection

    SpaRitual introduces GOLD, a special edition nail lacquer collection that celebrates one of the world’s most treasured metals, valued for millennia across cultures.  GOLD, widely known as an ancient symbol of wealth, has always had the power to captivate; at the heart of ancient rituals and modern desire, it holds an elemental energy forged by nature, radiating warmth from within; a symbol of a better moment in time.

    Each of the six GOLD collection nail lacquers is infused with actual 24 karat gold particles that give off an ethereal shimmer.

    Shades include:

    Gilded Age, a rose gold,

    Alchemy, a while gold,

    Aurum, pure gold,

    Electrum, a golden khaki,

    Conduit, copper hued,

    Rusted Lux, golden terracotta. 

    ‘’Spread your inner light with SpaRitual’s special editioncollection, GOLD, as you embrace the symbol of mental growth and general well-being.’’ – Shel Pink, SpaRitual Founder & CCO

    SpaRitual is committed to providing spa and nail care products that nourish the mind, body and spirit connection which are also environmentally kind.  As with all SpaRitual lacquers, the 2012 GOLD lacquers are free of DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde, and Formaldehyde Resin, and are formulated to compliment Slow Beauty practices.

    For 2012, SpaRitual’s overarching theme is to honor our precious resources.  Taking inspiration from the earth’s natural resources and elements all the products and nail lacquer collections launched throughout the year will have a direct correlation with this theme including, the GOLD.

    The complete GOLD collection is available and will retail for $35 each in fine salons and spas locally. SpaRitual products are also available online at: www.mylife-store.com

    Swatches here: 

    I have swatched Rusted Lux last week, and it is brilliant.  It is red, and glistening gold at the same time.  3 coats give you full opaque color, but I am also showing you the option of applying it over a red base.  Personally, I prefer the pureness of the color with 3 coats.  The red base seems to make the shade look too red/gold in a chinese new year way which I am not too keen on.


    what I used for layering, another Sparitual red. 


    Here's how one coat of Rusted Lux looks like. You can see the sheer reddish pink base.


    And more swatches: 


    The gold shimmers sparkle and shine, and even more so in sunlight. 

    Here we have 2 coats of Conduit.  It has a pink toned base, and quite densely packed with deeper golden shimmers. The pink base is very sheer, and not as red as the one in Rusted Lux. 


    And a comparison of Conduit with OPI Goldeneye and Sparitual Solstice:

    Conduit has a pink toned based, more coppery looking. 
    OPI Goldeneye has coarser shimmer bits. 
    Solstice is more densely packed, and more golden, and it looks more intense than conduit. 



    The SpaRitual polishes are of great quality, the bottle and the brush is easy to use, and you are paying for the sheer quality of their polishes.  I enjoy the rest of the SpaRitual polishes in my collection, and these new ones are no exception. 

    To purchase SpaRitual polishes and more, click on www.mylife-store.com to start shopping right away. 

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

    Posted on November 25, 2012 at 3:49AM | Permalink | 2 Comments
    Filed in: Nail Polish, Review, Glitter, manicure, Swatches, Shimmer, SpaRitual, gold collection, conduit, rusted lux | Tagged with: nail polish, review, shimmer, manicure, glitter, swatches, SpaRitual, gold collection, conduit, rusted lux
    Email |
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    November 25, 2012

    SpaRitual Gold Collection: Rusted Lux & Conduit [Photos, Swatches & Comparisons]

    SPARITUAL GOLD:

    A Special Edition Nail Lacquer Collection

    SpaRitual introduces GOLD, a special edition nail lacquer collection that celebrates one of the world’s most treasured metals, valued for millennia across cultures.  GOLD, widely known as an ancient symbol of wealth, has always had the power to captivate; at the heart of ancient rituals and modern desire, it holds an elemental energy forged by nature, radiating warmth from within; a symbol of a better moment in time.

    Each of the six GOLD collection nail lacquers is infused with actual 24 karat gold particles that give off an ethereal shimmer.

    Shades include:

    Gilded Age, a rose gold,

    Alchemy, a while gold,

    Aurum, pure gold,

    Electrum, a golden khaki,

    Conduit, copper hued,

    Rusted Lux, golden terracotta. 

    ‘’Spread your inner light with SpaRitual’s special editioncollection, GOLD, as you embrace the symbol of mental growth and general well-being.’’ – Shel Pink, SpaRitual Founder & CCO

    SpaRitual is committed to providing spa and nail care products that nourish the mind, body and spirit connection which are also environmentally kind.  As with all SpaRitual lacquers, the 2012 GOLD lacquers are free of DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde, and Formaldehyde Resin, and are formulated to compliment Slow Beauty practices.

    For 2012, SpaRitual’s overarching theme is to honor our precious resources.  Taking inspiration from the earth’s natural resources and elements all the products and nail lacquer collections launched throughout the year will have a direct correlation with this theme including, the GOLD.

    The complete GOLD collection is available and will retail for $35 each in fine salons and spas locally. SpaRitual products are also available online at: www.mylife-store.com

    Swatches here: 

    I have swatched Rusted Lux last week, and it is brilliant.  It is red, and glistening gold at the same time.  3 coats give you full opaque color, but I am also showing you the option of applying it over a red base.  Personally, I prefer the pureness of the color with 3 coats.  The red base seems to make the shade look too red/gold in a chinese new year way which I am not too keen on.


    what I used for layering, another Sparitual red. 


    Here's how one coat of Rusted Lux looks like. You can see the sheer reddish pink base.


    And more swatches: 


    The gold shimmers sparkle and shine, and even more so in sunlight. 

    Here we have 2 coats of Conduit.  It has a pink toned base, and quite densely packed with deeper golden shimmers. The pink base is very sheer, and not as red as the one in Rusted Lux. 


    And a comparison of Conduit with OPI Goldeneye and Sparitual Solstice:

    Conduit has a pink toned based, more coppery looking. 
    OPI Goldeneye has coarser shimmer bits. 
    Solstice is more densely packed, and more golden, and it looks more intense than conduit. 



    The SpaRitual polishes are of great quality, the bottle and the brush is easy to use, and you are paying for the sheer quality of their polishes.  I enjoy the rest of the SpaRitual polishes in my collection, and these new ones are no exception. 

    To purchase SpaRitual polishes and more, click on www.mylife-store.com to start shopping right away. 

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

    Posted on November 25, 2012 at 3:49AM | Permalink | 2 Comments
    Filed in: Nail Polish, Review, Glitter, manicure, Swatches, Shimmer, SpaRitual, gold collection, conduit, rusted lux | Tagged with: nail polish, review, shimmer, manicure, glitter, swatches, SpaRitual, gold collection, conduit, rusted lux
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    October 16, 2012

    DiorSkin Nude Shimmer [Review & Swatches]

    Hi hi!

    This is a quick review of the new DiorSkin Nude Shimmer powder, and it retails for S$70 each, putting it at a price range slightly below Chanel's highlighting face powders (usually hovering around the $80-100 range).  It comes in the classic Dior casing with a velvet pouch, and a spongy looking applicator. 

    The DiorSkin Nude Shimmer powder is a very milled pearlised shimmer powder that is used as a face/ cheek highlighter.  It is a very neutral shade of highlighter, neither too pinky, nor too golden.  (not as pinky at the Lancome Fall 2012 cheek highlight powder, not as pinky as Guerlain Cruel Gardenia, and certainly not golden pale like NARS albatross, the Diorskin Nude Shimmer is just a nice beigy nude highlight shade) And I think that it really blends into my skin well, and did not emphasise pores, nor make me look like some oily shiny glitter ball face. 

    I normally apply this highlighter with my own fluffy brush, and didn't use the spongey applicator that comes with the product. 

    For full collection information, click here (link link link)

    Close up and swatches

    swatches

    This is a subtle shimmer that is easy to work with, and softly adds a glow to your skin.  It might show up more on darker skin tones, for me the nude shimmer stays really nude and blends into my own skintone shade.   It is already available, so do check it out at all Dior counters.

    Hope this review has been helpful, and thanks for reading!

    Posted on October 16, 2012 at 9:04AM | Permalink | 5 Comments
    Filed in: makeup, Review, foundation, Swatches, Dior, Diorskin nude | Tagged with: review, makeup, dior, glow, shimmer, foundation, swatches, Diorskin Nude, cheek highlight
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    December 23, 2008

    Blush Overview

     


    I will talk about some of my blushers and which are my faves.

    First, the PINK ones..

    Clockwise from Top Left: Pink Swoon (Sheertone Blush), Pleasantry (Mineralised Blush), Angel (Matte Powder Blush), Azalea (Pro colour, Powder Blush)

    The peachy colours:

    Clockwise from left: Peachy Keen (sheertone shimmer blush), Plum Foolery (Sheertone Shimmer Blush), Nuance (Mineralised Blush)

    The BIG ones.. eg the MSFs and limited ed ones:

    Clockwise from top: Petticoat MSF, Pink Porcelain MSF, Alpha Girl Beauty Powder

    The Non MAC blushes:

    Top from L to R: Sephora's Rose Rebelle, Stila's convertible colour (lip & blush) Lillium, Two Faced's Pink Leopard Bronzing Powder

    Bottom from L to R: Benefit's Throbbb, Smashbox's Dolce Vita, NARS Deep Throat

    (Not pictured: NARS Orgasm -- it decided to go all MIA on me now)

    I swatched the MAC blushers:

    L to R--- Pleasantry, Azalea, Angel

    L to R: Pink Swoon, Peachy Keen, Plum Foolery

    From L to R: Pink Porcelain, Petticoat (the dark colour gave me a shock!! I think I touched mostly the raspberry swirls), Alpha Girl, Nuance

    I will choose 5 of my favourite blushes (in no order of preference):

    1. Stila's Convertible Colour. This pretty pink suits my skin tone, and when I have the time, I use it as a base under my actual blusher for longer lasting colour.  How I use this:  After my liquid foundation and before setting with face powder, I use my 187 brush and stipple this cream blusher onto my cheeks for a thin and even layer, creating a cream base for cheek colours later on.
    2. Azalea: This may look like a bold fuschia, but I use my 168 brush, and with a very light hand, tap the powder off, and lightly dust onto cheeks for instant rosy cheeks.  So the bright pink becomes a very faint flush of colour. 
    3. NARS Orgasm: This may be a cliche, but the colour payoff is awesome and it suits whichever eye looks I am doing.  Sometimes I also use the Orgasm Multiple Stick as a base.
    4. Pleasantry: Pretty shimmery pink and the texture is so smooth and easy to blend.
    5. Plum Foolery: For a darker and almost mauve tone on my cheeks.

     

    I have been using Azalea and Pink Swoon the most often now.

     

    Posted on December 23, 2008 at 10:45PM | Permalink | 5 Comments
    Filed in: fashion and beauty | Tagged with: face, Mac, Stila, benefit, nars, smashbox, shimmer, peaches, make up, blushers, PINKS