MAC look + new haircolor...

Guerlain Parure Extreme Liquid Foundation in 02
MAC MSF Natural in Light
MAC e/s in Wedge and Blue Enchantment
Majolica Majorca Lash Expander
PAC Brow Kit topped with Beguile brow set
MAC Accentuate and Sculpt
MAC Hocus Focus colorful face kit
NYX l/g in Beige

and my new haircolor:

yep, had enough of sporting a dark shade of haircolor. i asked mom last weekend to color my hair with L'oreal Casting Honey Mocha. After rinsing, i totally freaked out when i saw my new color. I think it's too light most especially on the roots...or maybe i'm just no longer used to light shades of haircolor after wearing an almost black shade for months.

to see my previous haircolor, click here.

so what do you think? what suits me better?

tata!

MAC Magic, Mirth, and Mischief Holiday 2009

Hold your breath (and wallets) ladies...the awaited MAC Holiday collection 2009 has arrived!

MUA Carlos of MAC Shang

MAC Holiday Collection '09

lip, eyeshadow (Php2800) and face (Php3050) palettes

lip/eye kits (Php2800)

travel sized brush sets (Php3800)

pigment and lipgloss sets (Php2100)


i don't really check on upcoming MAC collections that will be released unless they are already here. so when Sol told me that this year's holiday collection is already available, i was like "so? is there anything that is worth getting?" she then sent me some links featuring the collection, and the first thing i said was "packaging is so cute!"

(yeah, i can be that superficial LOL)

I seriously want to get all the eyeshadow palettes, one pigment set and though i've seen a lot of bad reviews about the brush sets, i still wanted to get one. why? because of the pouch that comes with it!

but yeah, i need to keep myself from buying too much makeup that i might just end up not using. so, though i am lusting over the uber-cute pouches and those LE shades of e/s, i ended up just getting these:

Hocus Focus Colorful Face kit and Mystic Cool eyeshadow kit

yey, Back 2 MAC it says!
thanks but no thanks...i am keeping my cute palettes and won't let go even if i used them all up


see, would you have the heart to let go of these?
LOL!

Hocus Focus colorful face kit: Pretty Baby, Sunsparked Pearl and Pretty Baby

Mystic Cool eyeshadow kit: Cool Incantation, Blue Enchantment, Deep Frosted Indigo, Shhh Don't Tell, Rose Potion, Violet Vow


ohhh, it breaks my heart not being able to get more from the collection. in as much as i wanted to, i can't! i am nearly broke and i also have a recent purchase from an online buddy who got me some items from MAC in HK.

and to my delight, they have arrived as well!

15pc e/s palette and e/s refills

it's my first time to see MAC e/s refills. transferring them to a palette is very much easier...no need to go thru the taxing method of depotting and yes, it comes with a magnet and a sticker indicating its shade:

the downside is, you won't be able to get yourself a free lipstick after depotting 6 e/s pans.
=)
(see, you can't have everything really!)

my 3rd MAC palette with my e/s shades
Top to bottom, L-R: All That Glitters, Coppering, Pink Freeze, Sketch and Wedge

LOVE!

now, i would've to depot my other 5 e/s pans.
Five more pans to go and my 3rd MAC palette is complete!

YEY!

I still wish an angel would hear my wish to get the remaining e/s kits from this collection..and maybe at least one brush set too?
(grins)

how about you, anything you like in this collection? or you'd be saying pass and just wait for the upcoming collections?

(thanks to Sol for the MAC collection pics)

Product Review: Clean & Clear Active Clear Acne Control Kit

Clean & Clear Active Clear Acne Control Kit

A UNIQUE and COMPLETE Acne Care System with 4 powerful acne-fighting technologies that work together to effectively help treat and prevent acne. for faster restoration of clear and healthy skin.

Before my review, let me tell you a story:

When Clean and Clear had its market debut years ago (and i won't even say when...LOL) I was one of those who tried their products. I remember using their wash and their toner during my younger days, and when my skin regimen was still simple. I loved their products, but as i grew older, i moved on to other products that i thought would cater better to my present skin concerns.

But there are still two products from this brand that i still use...their oil blotting paper and the daily pore scrub, both of which i love :)

When i was younger, i never had problems with acne or oily skin. I used to have normal type of skin, that rarely gets pimples. Until i started complicating my skin regimen, got exposed to pollution and of course, unhealthy living (lack of sleep, junk food, etc etc). At the age of 23, i started suffering from severe acne. I literally became a walking pimple. I started trying out a lot of products in the market...some would give temporary relief from acne, but most would aggravate my problem. Until i discovered that i am allergic to Benzoyl, that's the time when i started looking out for products with salicylic acid.

Fast forward today, i can say that i am no longer a walking pimple. I was then left with pimple scars, but good thing i found Obagi...but this is a different story. I found an HG toner that really helped me keep pimples at bay but when i ran out of it, i was lost again. I started trying out toners for the nth time and i was back to being an (almost) walking pimple again.

(click to enlarge)

Okay, i may be exaggerating...but hey, i haven't had any pimples for more than a year so to see a few bumps here and there would really make me panic. See those reddish bumps on my nose and cheeks? Those are to be-pimples ready to say hello in a matter of days. I grew tired of experimenting again so i literally stopped using anything on my face except for a mild facial wash and sunblock (and makeup!)

I had to replenish my HG toner ASAP...but no time to visit my derma in the province. Geesh, i don't want to be that walking pimple again!!!

And that's when an angel might have heard me from above.

And was given the chance to try this line from Clean&Clear:

CLEAN & CLEAR® Active Clear® Acne Control Kit has 4 powerful acne-fighting products containing salicylic acid that work together to effectively help treat and prevent acne. When used twice a day, these 4 technologies are proven to work faster and more powerfully against acne.

Active Clear Acne Control Cleanser – The first step of the acne-fighting regimen goes beyond cleansing to penetrate pores. It contains bacteria-fighting salicylic acid that calms and soothes acne-irritated skin.

Active Clear Acne Control Toner – The second step is the highly functioning oil-free toner that works to reduce excess oil, which clogs pores, for effective pimple prevention. The combination of salicylic acid and natural botanical ingredients tones and balances skin.

Active Clear Acne Control Moisturizer – The third step of the regimen is the use of an oil-free moisturizer that provides a hint of moisture to soften and nourish skin, while containing a breakthrough anti-acne technology to help prevent pimples. With salicylic acid to clear and prevent acne, the natural herbal vitamin ingredients in the Active Clear Acne Control Moisturizer also nourish the skin and prevent it from drying.

Active Clear Acne Control Speed Gel – An exciting add-on to the acne-fighting regimen is a highly effective spot treatment that starts working immediately to reduce redness, pimple size and swelling in as little as 4 hours. The combination of salicylic acid and an herbal essence acne-fighting technology visibly reduces acne – fast!

I know that this brand caters to younger women with age range 12-24...but what the heck, i am young at heart anyway! :D

Let me first say that i am impressed with the packaging. It is quite different from the usual packaging that Clean&Clear is known for. I must say that their packaging helped in making their new products more convincing. I love the silver-blue combo used. (Yeah i can be this superficial...such a sucker for nice packaging!)

When i tried the facial wash, i immediately fell in love with the fresh, tingly feeling. My face had been itching like crazy that i've been fighting the urge to prick those nasty bumps but after washing my face with this, the minty cooling effect brought me relief. I got addicted that i always look forward to washing my face with this.

As for the toner, i read some reviews that it can cause too much drying. I've been cursed, errr blessed with oily (VERY) skin so i had no second thoughts in using it. Again, i love the cooling effect. I just made sure i don't use it on my neck.

see my face after toner:


As for the moisturizer, the consistency is a bit runny but it gets easily absorbed by the skin. I love its scent that i tend to use a lot. Once absorbed, it dries up to a matte finish.

Now as for the acne gel, this one didn't really give me results after a day. But it sure did dry up those big bumps i had in 2-3days. i love that it's clear so i can still use makeup on top or under it.

here's my face after putting on all the products:

still not a good sight, i know. but i promise that it got better in a few days of using it.

I can honestly say that this line is promising...just be wary enough in using the toner since it can really be drying to those with already dry skin. Overall, I am liking these new products from Clean and Clear. I am actually using them together with Obagi (I alternate the moisturizer with my Obagi Clear and Blender + Tret) and so far, I am liking it.

I had a facial last weekend and went home with really bumpy red marks on my face from all that pricking, i used the toner a few hours after to cleanse my face (washing is a no no) and i was relieved from redness and itchiness.

For those who want to try this, you can avail of this kit from WATSONS stores nationwide for only Php550.00 This is one affordable skin regimen that worked for me. But remember, though it worked for me i cannot assure that this would work for you as well. If you have the extra moolah to shell out and experiment for a probable solution to your skin problem, this is one affordable kit you can try.

If there's one thing i can say i don't like, that would be not being able to buy the items separately. I am running out of the toner and would have to wait till i run out of the other items as well before getting another kit. I wish they would sell this separately and in bigger containers too :)

have you tried this line?
if so, did it work for you or not?

lemme know :)

tata!

Previous weeks' haul...

i can hardly remember the last time i bought stuff...well, of course, basic necessities are exempted. i've been trying to avoid going to the mall to stay away from over spending, but i guess i need to de-stress a bit because of that darn accident weeks ago.

and oh, an update about it...well my car hasn't been fixed. it hasn't been started yet, and i am really beginning to lose my patience. i am on the verge of just bringing this to court and let that (stupid) guy suffer more.

i considered his offer to just let his insurance take care of this. i can use mine, but my premium would go up by next year if i do. and besides, it will only cost him a small amount for the participation fee so i opted to let his insurance pay for the damages. but it has been two weeks and still no positive response from his insurance. i am giving him until Friday (gosh, i am too patient!) to have this taken care of or else...grrr!

anyways, here's something to brighten up my day:

MAC Sculpt and Shape, MAC Studio Sculpt concealer and Majolica Majorca Lash Expander

Accentuate/Sculpt

i finally got my hands on this one after a loooonnggg time! i was able to finish my first pan (just the contouring part) and haven't been able to find other contouring shade that would suit me and most of my clients

NW20

this is a corrector/concealer in one for the undereyes!


Lash Expander. Well, this one really does the job :) and this comes with a freebie:

freebie

cute, no?

and the following stuff i got when mom came over to do some shopping:

Shiseido Supplist in Ochre 00

i bought a refill for myself then mom bought me a backup, even gave me her White Lucent foundation compact so she can buy a new one. LOL (so wise..)

looks light on me, but i am SUPER acidic that it blends with my skin after a while

freebies i got when mom got some stuff from Shu

too bad the translucent loose powder is OOS, i could've asked mom to get me one as well. boo-hoo!

generous gifts from Lancome

again, came free from Mom's purchase. she's a sucker for Lancome that she ditched her La Mer. LOL

we love the SAs at Lancome Rustan's Makati...she's so generous when it comes to freebies!

and this one i really love:

tadaaaahhhh....

finally!

now i have 3 more Melissa pairs to get..LOL.

previous looks...

some previous looks i came up with...

MAC

Taylormade minerals

MAC

i honestly am getting too lazy with putting on eye makeup.
but i still am a sucker for eyeshadows! ugh.

i am also breaking out so bad lately that i just became more lazy when it comes to makeup. i hardly get more than 4hrs of sleep on weekdays, but needs to wake up early and have to be ready for work in one hour! too impossible, i tell you.

(sigh)

MAC's 6th month birthday...

for a change, i brought him Mango cheesecake

which obviously, he didn't like

isn't he cute?
(sorry for his messy hair)

MAC and my mom

my baby has grown up...

6 more months to go and my baby will be celebrating his (real) birthday. i am already excited planning out his birthday party.
LOL!

tsk...tsk...tsk...

WARNING:

The following images have been caused by the trauma and stress that the recent accident has brought me. Please bear with me.

and the worst:

(makeup inspired by MissChievous' Corpse Bride)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!