Easy Foil Nail Art Using Ciate Very Colorfoil Manicure Kit

Are you fond of doing nail arts?  I once was, but I don't think I have the talent for it unlike some people I know. But from time to time, I still try to do it and if ever I fail, I just charge it to experience.

^_^

Weeks ago, I was sent a sample of a manicure kit from Ciate.  I've been seeing Ciate in Sephora but never really gotten myself into checking it out. I know that they are famous with the caviar manicure, which I honestly find cute but unless you don't do house chores and a whole lot of other stuff, then I find it impractical.  But of course our nails do deserve some special treat from time to time (and so are we, yes!?) So don't be surprised if one day you'd see me with a caviar manicure. (wink wink)

Anyway, what I got is this Colourfoil Manicure Kit in Kaleidoscope Klash which is a part of Ciate's Top Manicure picks. 

Very Colourfoil Manicure in Kaleidoscope Klash

 (AED 145)

This is a limited edition and is inspired by London's urban graffiti artists.  This set takes street wear to new heights. Aside from Kaleidoscope Klash, other styles available are Carnival Queen and Wonderland.





Inside the kit are the following:

1. Ciate Peppermint nail color which reminds me of Tiffany blue. Well, sort of.

2. 30 foil sheets in 6 coordinating colors

3. A bottle of Foil Fix Glue

4. Nail art wheel (not in photo)

ColourPop Cosmetics Lippie Stix: Swatches and Review

And because I am sort of in a lippie roll these days, here's another set of lipstick swatches (plus a bit of review) for ColourPop Cosmetics.

ColourPop Cosmetics Lippie Stix

(USD 5)

I wish I could go and buy all the shades available, because they all look so purrty even on my screen, but oh well...

^_^

Brink

(Warm Dusty Taupe, satin)

Brink as per ColourPop, this is the "Kylie Lip." I really can't say though because from most of the photos I've seen of Kylie, she's wearing something which is darker. To me this is a light, muted pink brown which is an MLBB kind of shade.  I like this color because I can apply it even without looking and it won't really be that obvious if the application is not even.  I can see myself applying this when I'm rushing off to meetings and I don't have time to check myself out in the mirror.  This is pigmented even on the first swipe and has the right amount of creaminess for easy and even application.

Kat Von D Shade+Light Contour Palette: Swatches and Review

I've been wanting to get this Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette since it became available here in our local Sephora but I was still trying to finish the one that I have from another brand. Besides, I don't think I need more than one contouring/highlighting palette...or do I? Hahaha! So when I've finally hit the pan, I knew it's just a matter of time. And so a few weeks after, I become a proud Mom of this baby...



Kat Von D Shade+Light Contour Palette

(AED220)

This contour palette features a total of 6 matte shades: 3 shades for contouring and 3 shades for highlighting.   What I particularly loved about this aside from the amazing color payoff is that the contour shades are neither orange or muddy.  When applied, they perfectly mimic shadows so the effect doesn't look too much like makeup. 

ColourPop Cosmetics Ultra Matte: Swatches and Review

Ah, ColourPop Cosmetics...I've been hearing and reading about this brand for a long time now, but I only decided to get myself some when I saw Beverly posted on Instagram some of the lippies that she order straight from the ColourPop Cosmetics website.  Hahaha, fine...inggit po ang pinagmulan. But seriously, I've been wanting to try some of their stuff for the longest time. I guess all I needed is a nudge from a fellow makeup junkie, tee-hee!

Anyway, after a few more checking out of swatches online, I gave my orders to Beverly (because she realized she didn't have enough yet, and wanted to order more LOL) and waited for my new toys to come. And so they did!  I only got the lippies, but I am this close to ordering their eyeshadows too! And so without further ado, here are the swatches of the 6 shades that I got from the ColourPop Cosmetics Ultra Matte Lip range.

ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip

(Bumble - Midi - Ouiji - Solow - Trap - Tulle)

These are liquid lipsticks that dries to a matte finish. Just like any other matte color, you have to make sure that your lips are well-exfoliated first. Instructions say that your lips should be bare and dry prior to application, but I tried doing that and it didn't turn out good. So what I do is right before I start with my skincare and makeup, I apply my lip balm first and then proceed with the rest of my routine. I always apply my lip color last, so by that time I am finished with everything else, my lips are already moisturized and the balm is not just sitting on top of my lips.

Bumble - Midi - Ouiji - Solow - Trap - Tulle

A Dash of Elegance: Ted Baker Sugar Sweet Bath and Body Collection

Ted Baker is a British luxury clothing retail company which actually started out as a menswear brand in Glasgow back in 1987. Fast forward to today, Ted Baker now offers a wide range of collections which includes menswear, womenswear, accessories and fragrance...and that is just to name a few.  Considered as one of high-street international fashion brands, I must admit I get intimidated just by looking outside their display windows whenever I pass by their stores in some malls in Dubai.  Don't get me wrong, it's not the brand's fault. This is just coming from somebody who's not much into fashion like me, Hahaha!  Maybe somebody, I'd be able to gather all my courage (and my money, LOL) and check out what's inside their stores.  

Fortunately, the brand launched a bath and body collection that's too good, not even I can pass up on.  Called as the Sugar Sweet Floral Collection, it is inspired by one of his most  covetable floral fashion prints depicting a waterfall with luscious flowers set amongst a melting watercolour background of soft mint green or pretty pink. 

Ted Baker Sugar Sweet Floral Collection

The collection features two sets, the Fruity Floral Mint (green) and the Soft Floral Pink (pink, but of course!) Each set has a body spray, body wash, body souffle, body lotion and bubble wash while the pink set also has a lip balm and a hand cream.

The Fruity Floral Mint set has a blend of fruity top notes with violet and a base which combines sweet yet soft vanilla, patchouli and amber.  The Soft Floral Pink on the other hand entwines the soft floral notes of jasmine and neroil and has  a base of patchouli, sandalwood and musk.

Angel Schlesser Pour Elle

Do you believe in angels?  Since I was a child, I've always believed that each one of us has a guardian angel. I dunno how to explain it but there were lot of times when a sudden change of mind or remembering that I need to be elsewhere actually saved me from being in danger. Coincidence or not, I still believe that there's someone who watches over me and protects me.  I am not saying I never had an accident in my entire life ha, but on those times that I did, I feel that I could've suffered worse.  But because of my angel, it was just like a reminder that I ought to be more careful next time.

Angel Schlesser Pour Elle

(AED260/ 50ml, AED350/ 100ml)

Top notes: bergamot, red berries, calendula

Heart notes: jasmine, peony, orange blossoms, apple

Base notes: benzoin, patchouli, vetiker, tonka

This fashion brand from Spain is all about being simple, minimalist and elegant while offering women a stylish wardrobe that is not only suited for their needs but at the same time give them comfort, confidence and beauty. Just like the way the brand sees how fashion should be, their perfume seems to follow suit.  Packaged in a very simple, almost masculine-looking box-shaped perfume bottle with gold colored lid, it insinuates that this perfume is suitable for very feminine women with assertive, almost commanding, personality.  

One sniff and I knew that this perfume is suited for night-time use. But if you feel like being the seductive version of you at day time then by all means, wear this perfume! (wink) For me it comes off strong at first but eventually dries down to a subtle sweet, sensual scent.  I don't have a perfume that smells close to it that's why this became an instant favourite.  My husband might have loved this so much on me he just had to ask what perfume I am wearing, and even requested me to wear it on one of our date nights.  Tee-hee!  

The sillage is really good too and the scent stays on for hours!  You don't need much, just a spray on each of your pulse points and you're good for the entire day.  

I love wearing it on days when I feel and look blah..just a couple of sprays and I feel alluring and pretty already. Hahaha!  Feeling GGSS, if you know what I mean.

^_^

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The Face Shop Oil Control Water Cushion Foundation



 I am not new to the Cushion Foundation thing which has been popping out like mushrooms from  more and more brands recently. The first one that I tried was that from Laneige and I loved it so much I was able to finish it in no time. But I think I still have the refill somewhere Hahaha!  Oh my, what to do.  So many foundations to finish up, so little time.

And now I have here another cushion foundation to review for today:

The Face Shop Oil Control Water Cushion

(AED 120)

I got this from the August box of Glambox and have been itching to try it since. But I still have a lot of foundations to try and finish up so I sort of kept this one on hold. Then one day I was in a hurry and had not much time to go thru all my entire skincare ritual, I decided to give this a try.  It promises  hydration, courtesy of the ingredient called Clean Tasmanian Water and the Italian Pure Mineral Water so I figured, maybe I can skip my moisturiser.  Also, it has SPF 50 so yeah, skipped my sunblock as well. And since this product swears by its ability to control sebum, thanks to the Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract and Blooming Rose Powders, I decided to my trusty primer too. Believe me, it breaks my heart whenever I don't get to complete my skincare ritual be it in the morning or at night. But that day, I only have 30 minutes to spare so I need to move my butt fast!

The result? I loved it!  If only I have the right shade, it could have been perfect. But anyway, let me tell you more about this baby.

It comes in a lightweight, study compact with a mirror and an air-puff sponge which is perfect for this kind of foundation.

The #LUSHCHRISTMAS2015 Event

A few weeks ago, I was invited to attend the #LushChristmas2015 event where Lush would be showcasing their new Festive Collection together with their all-time favorites. The brand is also celebrating their 20th Anniversary, and I bet every one can say that they have really gone a long way: from starting out as a family-run business in 1995 with just one shop in UK until they became a global cosmetics phenomenon with more than 900 stores in 49 countries.

It was not my first time to attend a LUSH event and after having a blast at the first one, I just knew that I shouldn't miss out on this next event.

Christmas in September? Why the hell not!?
^_^

On a huge display is the brand's timeline 

As soon as I entered the location, I knew I'm in for a treat.  I love the fact that the people from both the PR agency as well as from the brand itself are so warm and friendly. When I told them my name, one of them even said, "Oh yes, you are Brigitte!"  I'm not saying she knows me personally or that she reads my blog ha.  It just felt like she knows me, or something of that sort.  
^_^

Gorgeous Brows in Two Steps With Maybelline Brow Satin Smoothing Duo

One time a friend who's also a makeup junkie asked me to choose one makeup product that I think I won't be able to live without.  I said, "eyebrow makeup!"  To which she answered, "But you use a lot of products for your brows, so which one?"  And so I died.

LOL.

Seriously, If you have watched my Eyebrow Tutorial, you'll know that I am using a total of 5 eyebrow products. Too much? I think so too, but if that would give me that vava-voom brows then I am not complaining.  But of course, I would be happier if there are products that will cut my brows' prep time to half since I spend 10-15mins on my brows alone.  So when our friends from Maybelline Middle East sent me these Brow Satin Eyebrow Duos and after trying it out for some time, I just knew I am ready to give my final answer to my fellow makeup junkie friend.

Maybelline Brow Satin Smoothing Duo

(AED 33)

Here in the UAE, there are two shades available: Medium Brown and Dark Brown. I've read online that there's 4 shades available in other countries, tho.

Illamasqua Earth Collection: A Makeup Collection Inspired By The Nomads Of The Deserts

Illamasqua Earth Collection

Earth celebrates origins and the passages of time. Represented only by a symbol, it echoes warmth, iridescent light and power. The collection embodies a nomadic character with a blend of earthy green, burnished red and liquid graphite and is our first to be personified only by an emblem.

When I first heard about this Earth Collection, I initially thought it's gonna be a collection full of browns. But after seeing photos online, I was amazed at how this new launches from Illamasqua have managed to be wearable, exciting (yep, definitely not boring) and well, without any shade of browns in sight.

Nomads of the dessert as the inspiration of this collection

Let's get to know the entire collection one by one, shall we?

Pure Pigment in Ara

(AED 130)

Pure Pigment in Draco

(AED 130)

These two limited edition loose pigments are finely milled but provides an intense colour payoff with a shimmery metallic finish.  These can be applied on its own (wet or dry, but I'd suggest you apply them wet for a more intense finish plus less fallouts) or can be layered on top of any matte shadows to make it look more stunning.  Ara is a soft pewter shade with a beautiful metallic sheen while Draco is  a greenish gold shade with a subtle glisten. 

Our Anniversary Weekend Staycation at Dusit Thani Dubai

A few weeks ago, Mr. X and I celebrated our 6th year wedding anniversary. If you don't know it yet, we've been together for 16 years before we decided to get married and so in total, we've been stuck with each other for almost 22 years. Hahaha!  We've been together for so long we can no longer think of what else to do for our anniversary. We've had dinners, watched movies, went out of town or sometimes, we just spend it at home watching movies all day and eat home-cooked meals. 

Weeks before our anniversary, I initially thought of just buying him a gift. He's into playing basketball again so I thought, I'd buy him a good pair of rubber shoes.  And then I realized, he has a lot already! Geeesh, after being together for so long I am running out of ideas of what to give him. Hahaha!  And so I thought, why not treat him to a weekend staycation in a good hotel?  You know my husband, he's not buying the idea of staying in hotels.  He would rather spend money on something else than to spend it in a hotel because according to him, staying in a hotel is just like staying in your own home. So why spend money? (roll eyes)  In my case, I love staying in hotels because I feel so well taken care of and pampered. And who wouldn't like that?  So I just knew that I need to change his perspective of hotels.  I was in a hunt for a good hotel in Dubai, read reviews online and still couldn't decide. Good thing my friend Sheila recommended Dusit Thani. She got to stay in the hotel weeks ago and she absolutely loved it. She told me she'd happily recommend it to anybody who would be looking for a nice hotel to stay.  She, together with Ms. Danelle, helped me with the reservations.  She also suggested to get the Club Room which comes with access to the Executive Lounge, plus a whole lot of perks. And I did.  Our anniversary happens only once in a year and so it deserves a bit more something special.

We booked the hotel for 3D2N (Thanks to Sheila for giving me a voucher from The Entertainer so I only paid for one night) and we arrived at the hotel almost 3 hrs late from the usual check-in time. Hahahaa, pati sa hotel late pa din!?  Anyhoo, we went straight to the reception at the lobby but after seeing my reservation in the system, they assisted us immediately to the 34th floor for check-in. For Club Room guests, they provide private and priority check-ins right outside the Executive Lounge. Danelle was even there to say Hi and she escorted us all the way to the 34th floor. 

 Dusit Thani Dubai Lobby

Our room was just a floor above the Executive Lounge.  When we came in, everything inside just left me in awe.  Take a look at the photos to see why:

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in How Nude, Redgy and Wine Stock + The Reformulated Miracle Gel Top Coat

What's up, my lovelies?  Yours truly went MIA again but I guess there's nothing new about that anymore, right? Hahaha!  Oh well, if only I could focus on my blog like I used to years ago. If you're not following me on IG yet, please do so as I post there often.  Too often, actually.

So for today, it's gonna be about this line of nail polish that I am loving ATM.  What I love about these polishes is that they keep my nails looking good for 4-5 days before they start chipping. And that for me is already good since polishes only last 1-2 days then it starts chipping because I think I wash my hands too much and I apply hand cream too often.  These nail polishes  have the finish of a gel polish but without the need to cure under a UV light. They're cheaper and is easy to remove too. I love using gel polish on my nails because they really stay put until you have them removed but I have a number of things I don't like about it too.  I usually prefer having gel pedicure because since I am always wearing closed pumps, I need something that won't chip or break. But for my hands, I want something that will give me the effect of gel polishes without the "complications" and long period of "commitment." LOL!

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Color (AED 43) and Miracle Gel Top Coat (AED 45)

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in How Nude

LA Splash Lip Couture in Ghoulish, Latte Confession and Rose Garden

For a non-lipstick kind of person, I have way too much lippies these days!
^_^

LA Splash Lip Couture
(Php600 at DTCMakeup)

In comparison with the Smitten Lip Tint Mousse these lippies have a more liquid-y consistency when applied. But just the same, it applies to a velvety-matte finish that will remain smudge-proof, waterproof and transfer-proof provided you don't eat or drink anything oily.

Ghoulish - Latte Confession - Rose Garden

LA Splash Lip Couture in Ghoulish