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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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FAQ & DISCLAIMER

About Me

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

About this Blog

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

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

My Makeup Style

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

What Cameras do I use?

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

My Favourite Makeup Brand(s)

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

Where to find me

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

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

Final Disclaimer

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

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

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

 

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    September 07, 2009

    Review: MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer

    Hi!

    This will be a review of the MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer.  Some facts about this concealer:

    • Retails for SGD$30 each. 
    • Part of the Well-Defined Collection, with the foundation, which is a gel/mousse like texture.
    • 5.5gram
    • From the MAC website: "A creamy concealer that provides full coverage with a natural matte finish. Brushes on with enough blend time to conceal any size of blemish. Rich formulation allows you to use a micro-amount of product to even out skin. Water-resistant and long-wearing."

    The Well Defined collection is also MAC's answer to the current HD trends that almost every makeup line is coming up with.

    Based on this description from the website, I will try to review the product and see if it lives up to the claims.

    Texture: Very creamy.  Many people have described this as a combination of both the Studio Finish concealer spf35, and also the Select Moisture Cover Up.  Well, I have to agree, as I have used and still use the other two concealers. While the Studio Finish is a tad dry/creamy, while the Select Moisture is runny/creamy... this Studio Sculpt is a happy median of the two.  Very easy to pick up with your brush or fingers, and it is thick enough for concealing spots, and also not too dry if you want to cover up under the eyes - as the Studio Finish might be a little too drying for under the eyes.

    Coverage & Finish: This product definitely as the same coverage as Studio Finish concealer, or also my Ben Nye concealer wheel - which I always hold up as the industrial strength concealer.  Which is quite incredible as you might not expect this great coverage from the creamy texture.  You also just need a tiny amount of product to achieve the desired opaque coverage ---- which I also found to be the case for its foundation counterpart.  A little goes a long way.  In terms of finish, you prolly don't even need to powder over the concealer as it is quite matte and 'sinks' or blends into your skin.  This is very good since I normally conceal AFTER foundation --- because that way you use less concealer, therefore avoiding a layered look.  So the 'rich formulation' and 'micro-amount' is definitely true.

    I really like this product.  It is a great bonus that it comes in this nice glass paintpot packaging.  The only thing which I find a minus would be the lack of spf, which is useful, especially for blemish spots.   But that is something I can live with.

    So.... I say... go get the Studio Sculpt concealer!!!  5 stars!

    I prolly should have swatched all these concealers mentioned and do some demo... but I am feeling a little blah and the lighting at night now is not the best to show the effects, so... that's all you will get to see/ read.

    Mine is in NC20.... which might be weird considering I use NC15 in MAC foundations... but somehow... it just works perfectly.  :)   I also have a couple of NW shades (NW20 & NW25 for other spots/ conceal purposes). 


    In case you are wondering why my concealer is still brand new.. that is because it is a brand new pot.  I bought a new one today.

    WHY???  Just check this out:

    I broke the darn thing!  Dropped it on the toilet floor yesterday after my beach outing... and the sickening sound of the glass cracking.  While the pot still looks intact, and the product is all intact... the glass bits were kind of messy....a bit went onto the surface of the concealer.  I wiped off the layer... and brushed out whatever I can... cos it's still so brand new!! ARGH.  I didn't have the heart to throw it away.. but it will remain safely at home for use... and because I am quite OCD about the whole packaging thingy, I had to go buy a new one, even though of course, I don't need ANOTHER concealer... but I mentioned before in a previous entry that I am kind of worried that this product might be LE or watever.. which I don't think so... well, some excuse for me to get a backup.  That's all.


    Well yeah, so that's the whole rambling story about my concealer.

    I am glad the previous Halloween bruised thingy got everyone into the act.. it's fun to do stuff like this... play with makeup etc.

    Also, I hope to get a few more reviews & 'tutorials' coming soon, in no particular order, and no promises:

    • Maybelline Pore Zero base (but haven't used it yet)
    • Benefit Skinny Jeans (haven't used it yet)
    • NARS Laguna bronzer (this might go up first)
    • Eyeshadow Blending tutorial
    • Brows tutorial


    And of course in the meantime, my usual LOTD, nail stories, and so on.  By the way... isn't it super cool that we are all sharing our stories and FOUNDs (as Diana would say FOUND!) freebies, promotions etc etc.... and we all benefit by getting great deals and all that good stuff??

    I also realised that I have currently 236 238 followers which is awesome-ness!  I hope that in due time, I MIGHT do another little contest (maybe just a random giveaway to generate some buzz).

    Thanks for reading, and have a fab week ahead!

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    August 29, 2009

    MAC Haul (a little of everything)

    This is what happens when you spend 8 hours at work on a Saturday.

    One of the featured artists in the MAC MAC Collection.  I love love the lighting created in this painting, you can see where the light source is IN the picture, look at the shadows of the lashes, the shadows is just amazing.

    I got a little something from all the FOUR new collections I saw at Isetan today. Well, I could have waited til next week to get them at Tangs, but I didn't even check out Tangs today.  I guessed I should have.  But whatever.

    From the MAC MAC collection, I thought I would grab all the technakohl liners, but in the end, I only got the green one which is Color Matters.  And one of the eyeshadows Haunting which is a perfect match for my Otherworldly paintpot from the Alexander McQueen collection 2 years back. I almost reached for the Orange eyeshadow, but then, I don't see myself wearing orange on my eyes.  So, no to that.  The Quads (think it is Richards Philips collection) - look pretty, the blushers and lipstuff are kind of blah looking.  I also got a pigment in cocomotion.  Which is like Tempting eyeshadow in loose form.  Loves the fine glitter in this pigment which I can wear all over my lids or just to add a pop of dazzle on a neutral eyelook.

    Then while at the cashier, I saw the Well Defined collection, and so I had to get the Studio Sculpt concealer, in NC20.  It feels quite thick despite the gel-like texture.  And the paintpot package it comes in is sooo way cool.

    Then there is the Flirt with Fall or Flirt with Lashes collection, and this pair of lashes caught my eye. Not too long, but big on volume.  This is lash no. 43.  There is a mixture of black and brown hairs on the lashes.

    Finally, the Korean nail collection, I got the one color which I knew I wanted, it is Cool Reserve.

    Here is everything:

    Cocomotion Pigment (MAC MAC Collection)

    Haunting Eyeshadow (MAC MAC Collection)

    Color Matters (MAC MAC Collection)  * camera not focusing on the product - it's focusing on my keyboard instead. Boo.

    Studio Sculpt Concealer NC 20 (Well-Defined Collection)

    Cool Reserve (Jin Soon for MAC Collection)

    No 43 False Lashes (Flirt with Fall Collection)

    Not going to swatch anything, it is night now, and the lighting sucks.  I may do a look with all these products tomorrow, and hopefully can take better pictures.

    I think I did good.  I didn't go crazy, but I did get a good selection from each range. (Plus after spending more than $100, I got this $10 voucher, which I used immediately to offset the cocomotion pigment.

    Did you get anything from these new collections??

    Going to watch the MJ concert on TV now!  Cheers!!

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    June 19, 2009

    A few quick reviews: Clinique, MAC Studio Sculpt and LUSH (Super long but FUN post)

    Hi!  How's your weekend been so far?

    This is going to be several quick reviews of new products I have been using, and LOVING this week.

    Right now as I am rambling, I am in the middle of a DIY hair color, and I am using this:


    Most of you would know that I colour my hair jet black, and I DIY most of the times because it is just black (what can go wrong) and my hair is kind of fine, so it is easy to manage and comb through the product, and somehow I find the color stays on better when I DIY.

    Ok, first thing I want to talk about are my Clinique pore minimising products:

    Clinique Pore Minimising Serum (S$51) and Pore Minimising Mask (S$49 - but I got mine free with $200 purchase)

    I used the Serum after moisturiser, applying it with my fingers and focusing on areas with enlarged pores esp around the cheeks and nose.  It absorbs quickly into my skin, leaving a smooth and non-greasy finish.  My skin looks like it is dusted with a fine layer of translucent powder.  The texture of the product itself is pretty runny, and you really just need a little bit and dab quickly onto your skin.  I use this at night, and the next morning when I wake up, my face is still rather oil free (I used to wake up with oily face--eekk), so I really like that. After two days of using it, I noticed my pores do look a little smaller.  But that could be because I am using the mask which I am going to talk about next.

    ***  My face 5 minutes after waking up this morning.  Relatively oil free. Happy!

    Clinique Pore Minimising Mask:

    This is a white clay mask, you are supposed to use it once a week.  But I have been using it daily, again, concentrating it around my problem areas.  The mask quickly dries, and you can feel a tightening effect as it dries.  I rinsed off the mask with warm water.  Again, looking at my face now, I can see a slight difference.  This is after 3 days of using it.  It might be too early to tell, but I think that we might have found an effective pore minimising product in Clinique's range.  I strongly recommend using it with the serum.

    To sum up, I would say GO GET THEM if you have a problem with enlarged pores on your face.  Thumbs up to Clinique!   I am also now rather intrigued to try out the rest of their skin care after this experience.

    I also have been using their Superfit liquid foundation, and the first time I used it, I forgot to set  my face with the usual powder, and it looks perfectly fine! No oiliness, and no oily shine.  Just nice skin.  And the color which I was matched with, suits me nicely.  It is also rather runny, but you don't need to use a lot.  The only gripe I have is that it is a rather small bottle.   GET IT if you would like a oil free foundation that is kind and gentle on your face. 

    Next, I am going to rave about LUSH goodies. I have been using the Yummy Yummy Yummy shower smoothie.  I poured a little into my shower lily, and it foams up really well, and filled the entire bathroom with the bubblegum/strawberry scent.  It also leaves your skin feeling clean and not greasy like how some shower foam can be.  I alternate this with the 'Honey I washed the kids' solid soap which is another great smelling product.  I would not say these products are really cheap, but for the smell, and the fun in using them, it is totally worth the price tag (each item probably costs $20 and the soap about $12).

    I am also using the LUSH strawberry solid body lotion. This is a fun thing to use.  You hold the bar in your hand, and it melts, so then you rub the 'melted thingy' all over your body.  This smell is especially complimentary to the Yummy Yummy Yummy shower smoothie, and I believe, the Rockstar solid soap too.

    My verdict on LUSH: Pricey, but not super high end like Jo Malone, or Molten Brown etc.  Super FUN and smells fantabulous.  I say bring LUSH back to Singapore! Imagine all the fun and options you have when thinking of gift ideas (Come on, Crabtree & Evelyn and Body Shop can get kind of stale after all these years). 

    Now, as you know I am super excited to try out the MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation which will only be coming to Singapore this Sept apparently.  I am using the color NC15 which is the lightest shade.  Many people have said how this has a gel consistency, and yes, when I tried it out last night, I know what is meant finally.  It is not liquid, not cream, but a light moussey kind of cream. Very interesting, and again, you need just a tiny ball of product.  I applied this with my fingers and find that it is the easiest to blend. It also has a very nice coffee/butterscotch scent, I don't know if it is just me, because MAC foundations don't usually have a smell, and I only broke the seal of my studio sculpt for the first time last night.

    In terms of coverage, I would say this gives medium to full coverage BUT you don't feel like you have a layer of foundation like how Studio Fix Fluid can sometimes feel.  In terms of blending, I would say use your fingers (and well, I haven't tried it with brushes yet).   So here is a quick Look of the Night featuring a quick appearance with my sister again.

    My final verdict:  GOOD TO TRY!


    *On the lips, St Germaine Lipstick.  Forgot I had this color, and had to rock it!  On the lips, All that Glitters and Omega eyeshadows.  And Cheeks, Pink Vivid as base and Perfect Topping Msf.

    My face after 3 hours.  No blotting.  I have oily T zone, so there is some shine.  But overall, I am quite happy with Studio Sculpt Foundation!

    Ok, I am done, and my hair is done, got to go wash it now.  Thank you all for taking the time to read through everything, and hope this has been helpful.  Drop me a comment (or two) if you have any questions.