IAMBRIGITTE

Prevention is ALWAYS better than cure. If you don't agree then stop reading this blog right at this moment.    'kidding! ^_^   But with all seriousness, I know that you'll all agree on my first statement is absolutely correct.  When it comes to our skin, it is never too early to start taking care of it  and making sure that we keep all skin problems at bay. The earlier we try to avoid aging, the better.   On that note, let's all welcome (with open arms, I should say) the newest anti-ageing skincare line from Boots.    No7 Early Defence Skincare   This new skincare line is consists of a day cream, a night cream and an eye cream. The line works as a stepping stone to help in the transition from everyday skincare to proactively delaying the signs of ageing.    The key to this new skincare range is No7's new and most effective patent pending daily protection called Double Defence, combin...

The last time I had a facial was last August and that was when I was still in PH.  It's been a while yes, but you see I can be quite picky when it comes to entrusting my skin to a facial clinic. I mean, aren't we all?  Well I guess not everybody, but seriously, we should all be.    So when I got the chance to try out a facial treatment from Kaya Skin Clinic, I didn't think twice. Not because I know I'd be getting the service for free, but because they are known to be one of the trusted skincare clinics here in the UAE. As a blogger, I also sometimes get an invite to try out skin treatments but I don't always say "Yes."  You might think I'm being a diva, but I am definitely not. I'm just being careful as I don't want to be just grabbing anything free that comes my way and then end up being sorry or ranting online when it doesn't turn out good.  And remember, it's my skin we are dealing with here.  I'm sure you'd do the same....

  Make Up Forever Plexi Gloss (AED 95)   Make Up Forever launched this range of lip glosses a few months back and from the swatches I've been seeing online, I just knew these are worth checking out.  They are highly-pigmented, ultra-shiny lip glosses which also come with a promise that they stay put and  that they don't bleed.    This line has a wide selection of shades, starting from the softest to the most show-stopping and is divided into 5 categories: 100s are nudes, 200s are corals, 300s are pinks, 400s are reds and the 500s are the artsy shades.   swatches of 104 - 204 - 406   Shade #104   This shade is a beautiful soft brown which I think can be a great topper on most lipstick shades.  It's nude, but no worries as it won't make you look like a zombie when worn on its own.   These glosses have this funky-looking split-tip applicator but it really does a good job in applying...

I can't remember the last time I held a gorgeous eyeshadow palette, but I'm guessing that the last was the Viseart Matte Eyeshadow palette which I ordered from DTCMakeup a year ago. (gasp) Has it been that long? Wow!    Anyway, today I'd be talking (or writing) about this Nomadic Eyeshadow Palette from the Illamasqua Earth Collection.  It's my first time to try out products from Illamasqua and I must say I am really impressed.    Nomadic Eyeshadow Palette (AED 255)          The palette features 4 beautiful shades in either matte or metallic finish. The shades are: Loam (deep earth green/matte), Terra (clay red/matte), Solitude (grayish taupe/matte) and Gravity (pewter gray/metallic).

Make Up Forever Ultra HD Foundation (AED 210) When Make Up Forever came up with their original HD foundation a few years back, I had to make sure I have at least 3 shades of it (light, medium and dark) in my makeup kit.   If you also do make up on other people, I'm sure you'd understand why. (wink) I mostly use that foundation on weddings because it never fails to give me that naturally flawless look and airbrushed finish on and off camera. I had so many clients who ended up buying that foundation because they loved the effect on them. And I really can't blame them.  I used it too, but not for long. Not because I ended up liking it less, but because I have lots of other foundations to try and use.  #beautybloggerproblems ^_^ So when I got the invitation to attend the launch of their improved HD foundation which they now called Ultra HD Foundation, I know I won't dare miss it for the world. And today, I am finally sharing with you my thoughts. ...

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 ap...

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. 

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 li...

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 a...

  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....

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 a...

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 abo...

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

  If you ask me if there's a makeup item that I think I'll never have enough of, I would say, foundations!  I only have one face but I think I have around 20 foundations in my kit.  Oh yes, I kid you not!  Well, it all started when I was still doing makeup on clients.  I have to make sure that I have a foundation for most, if not all, skin types.  And you know that if you are a makeup artist, one shade of each kind is never enough.  You should have at least three - light, medium and dark.   Now that I only do makeup on myself (and on my friends on some occasions), you might say that my "addiction" to collecting foundations might have stopped.  Engk, wrong! Hahaha!  And if before, I lean towards high-end brands when it comes to foundations, I have recently realized that even those that we call drugstore makeup also deserves a spot in my makeup arsenal. One of the drugstore makeup brands that I am loving is Bourjois. Aside from t...

And so after hearing a lot of good (and some bad) things about these long-wearing matte lipsticks from LA Splash, I finally gave in and ordered a few.   Inggiterang palaka , I know.  But after trying them, I told myself I should've jumped into the bandwagon a long time ago.  And maybe, just maybe, this blog post won't be this late.  Hahaha, but that's fine.  I'm used to being outdated. And besides, my wallet won't like it if I always try to be updated with what's new in the makeup industry.  Tee-hee! For today's post, it will be about the three shades that I got from the LA Splash Smitten Lip Tint Mousse. Believe me, I had a hard time choosing shades.  There are a number available at DTCMakeup site, and as much as I wanted to get everything, I had to keep myself from doing so.  Thank god for Sol, for guiding me and suggesting shades that she knows I would wear.  That's one thing that I love about her, ...

 Do you love wearing bronzers? Honestly, I don't.  I just feel like it makes me look muddy and well, different.  Different like I look old or something. I have this idea that if you want to look younger, you should be wearing pinks. I am so wrong, I know! ^_^   But I guess I was bound to change my opinion when it comes to wearing bronzers. Besides, who wouldn't want to glow ala-Jennifer Lopez? So today, I'd be sharing with you two products that absolutely changed my view on bronzing products. But first, can I just say that there were no bronzing products that I really liked in the past.  I might have tried wearing some before, but never really incorporated them in any of my makeup looks.        Maybelline Dream Bronze BB Sunkissed Glow Perfector (AED 47)   Combines instant skin perfecting with the sun-kissed glowing bronze effect to give complexion the ultimate summer bea...

Have you ever been in a situation where you have to make a tough decision of choosing between two sides? And it was just too hard and you just wanted to be in the middle instead?   Case on point:  Choosing between a black eyeliner and a brown eyeliner. A brown eyeliner might look too soft on you while black will look too harsh, or unnatural.  I mean, don't tell me you never had such experience of choosing which of the two shades you should wear. Wait, you didn't?  Like, ever? Oh well fine, it's just me then! LOL.   Anyway, now we, I mean I, will no longer have to be in such predicament.  Thanks to K-Palette (still the best eyeliner for me!) for coming up with a shade that's perfectly between their Super Black and Deep Brown eyeliners.   K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner in Brown Black, Php795     Just like the first two (Super Black and Deep Brown), this one has a glossy finish. It is still very longwear...

Are you a lip gloss kind of person? I am! For me it's the fastest way to put some colour on your lips without having to worry that you'd look too made up after.  They have a bit of colour and have a lovely, shiny finish.   I'm not really a fan of matte lippies but if ever I wear them, I apply a bit of lipgloss on the middle of my lips. It makes my lips appear fuller and look like I have a perfect pout. I was sent some samples of the Rimmel Oh My Gloss! lip glosses and today I'd be sharing with you some swatches and my thoughts on them.  These lip glosses are part of Rita Ora's collaboration with Rimmel called the Colourfest Lips and Nail Color Collection for 2015 Spring/Summer season. I've posted some information and some swatches of the nail colours in this collection some months ago and if you want to check it out, please click here .    Rimmel Oh My Gloss! (AED 42) Non sticky, lightweight formula that provides a cushion soft fee...