TLP Beauty: The Liquid Lipstick Collection

Being the beauty junkie I am, I've never been into using liquid lip products. The concept totally escaped me and I was completely fine with using lip products that came in tubes. That is, until recently. I'm still not into lip glosses, but liquid lipsticks? Man, I am all over those!

I don't exactly know what really brought it all on. My excessive YouTube views of beauty products? Or this rising trend in liquid lip products? I don't know. Either way, I'm so into them, it's insane. Not that I've neglected my other lip products, but I have noticed myself reaching more frequently for my lip stains and such. 

And it doesn't help that Sephora carries all these brands that are coming out with all these gorgeous shades that I feel like I just have to have! Someone, help me! I mean, I don't think my collection is excessive, but the fact that I feel like I need more isn't so healthy. Can anyone recommend a liquid lipstick rehab by any chance? 

(L-R): stila Fiore, stila Aria, Sephora Blackberry Sorbet (14), Rimmel Apocalips Celestial, MUFE 3 and MUFE 50

stila, I think, carries the best liquid lipsticks I have ever come across. Their Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks are just top notch, and I am in love! They're super pigmented and creamy, and stay on for ages! I'll drink tea, eat, wipe my mouth and at the end of the day, it's still a bugger trying to get these off my lips! Super amazing colour range too that I feel suits all skin tones, and the best part is that they aren't at all drying! I love them so much, I've got four out of the ten colours available. Yepp, that's right. Practically half of the line. That's insane.

I've got Fiore (a bright, neon pink), Aria (a magenta plum), Tesoro (bright orange red) and Patina (dusty rose/mauve). My favourites have definitely got to be Patina for an everyday look, and of course, Aria cause I do love me some purple (and how could I not, the name alone is merely four letters short to mine!)

If you haven't tried out any of their liquid lipsticks, you better go and check them out!

Kat Von D's Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks have got to be my second favourite. Provided I've only got two colours right now (Berlin and Bachelorette), I definitely know I want more, specifically Outlaw (a true red) and Lolita (a dusty mauve) which is a b***h to find cause it's always sold out! Anyway, these babies are hella pigmented as well, and stay on for a long time. The colour range isn't one that exactly thrills me because I feel like I've got most of them in tube form and some colours terrify me such as A Go Go and Backstage Bambi. Nevertheless, love these lipsticks and they are relatively cheaper compared to stila's liquid lipsticks, so that's a bonus!

My third top favourite brand in terms of liquid lipsticks? Why Make Up For Ever, of course! Again, I only have two colours from the Aqua Rouge range, but I feel as though I need more - I particularly have my eye on the shades in 7 (brown pink), 14 (light rosewood) and 19 (pomegranate pink)! These liquid lipsticks again, are very pigmented and have great staying power, but I do find them to be pretty drying. I definitely need to pack on the lip balm before putting these on, but I love them nonetheless. I actually grabbed my ones in shades 3 (satin soft pink) and 50 as part of the 50 Shades of Grey lip collections last month, and I found the price to be so worth it then. Alone, I would say that there were better products available like stila and Kat Von D in terms of price. Then again, the MUFE colour range is wider, so whatever - I still have my eye on more shades.

(L-R): stila Tesoro, stila Patina, Too Faced Melted Chihuahua, Kat Von D Berlin and Kat Von D Bachelorette

The Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipsticks also have a pretty kickass colour range, and I'm still slowly figuring out which colours I like. Again, a substantial amount freak the crap out of me as some colours are pretty insane and out of my comfort zone, but I'm getting there. So far, I've got Melted Chihuahua (the name of which totally disturbs me, by the way) which is a serious peach nude lipstick, and I'm loving it for an everyday lip. I don't quite own anything like it in my current overall lipstick collection. I'm getting there in terms of incorporating these cult favourites into my collections!

Sephora's own line of Cream Lip Stains is top notch as well, both in terms of quality and price (hello, only $16? Yes please!) Like the name suggests, these lipsticks are super creamy and very pigmented! Again, I've only got one colour from the line in Blackberry Sorbet (14), merely because Always Red (01) and Marvelous Mauve (13) is always out of stock in store! I remember spotting those two shades during the time I bought Blackberry Sorbet, but I didn't pick them up! Wrong move, Arianna. Every time I walk into Sephora I always check to see if they're available, but no. Damn. Until then!

In terms of Drugstore brands that carry liquid lipsticks, the only one I've ever tried is Rimmel's Apocalips! I've got one in the shade Celestial (101), and I quite like them! The quality is pretty great (thought not as top notch compared to stila and Kat Von D), but I do like them! If you're not sure if you want to fully commit to the higher end liquid lipsticks, I'd definitely suggest trying out the Rimmel Apocalips range. Again, pretty wide colour range and you can choose between those with or without shimmers. But if anyone else can suggest a good drugstore brand of liquid lipsticks, hit me up!

What are your favourite liquid lipsticks and/or brands? Any recommendations?
Happy discovering!

TLP Beauty: Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

About a month before Benefit Cosmetics released their Roller Lash mascara, Sephora was giving out mini samples of it as part of their 100 point perk Beauty Inside program (or for free with a code online I believe), and being the beauty junkie I am, I jumped in to the opportunity to try out a new mascara.

Using the words of Louise from Sprinkle of Glitter, I am an absolute "mascara whore", and I've never really had any loyalty to a mascara. Granted, I do have ones that I love and reach for all the time, but I'm always on the hunt for something new. I have a pretty pathetic excuse for eyelashes in that they're pretty thin, stick-like and just not all that nice to look at. I've got friends, some of which are guys mind you, who have the perfect set of eyelashes and I envy them so. So you know, my constant change in mascara favourites is totally justified. Somewhat anyway.

So Benefit's marketing this mascara as a "roller for lashes" in that it's inspired by hair rollers and its "Hook N' Roll" brush is designed to catch, lift and curl your lashes. The full-sized product itself looks pretty awesome in terms of packaging as it legitly does resemble hair rollers, but what about quality wise?

I've been using these for about a month now, and I'd definitely say that it stays true to the whole lifting part. My lashes do somewhat look thicker and less stick-like and that thrills me to no end. As someone who likes to wear eyeliner which tends to drown out and hide my eyelashes, anything that makes them stand out more I give a two thumbs up! You can check out my before and after pictures below. In terms of curling, well I wouldn't necessarily say that it curls (I did still have to use eyelash curlers to really give it that oomph I need) but the Roller Lashes mascara really does hold the curl for a long time.

Before:

After:

The verdict? I'm in love with this mascara! From my experience, I think that it does deliver what it says on the packaging, and is everything I want in a mascara - staying power and making my eyelashes look less pathetic! For the price ($29 CAD), I would definitely say it was worth it, and when my mini runs out, I would definitely go out to Sephora and purchase the full-sized product. Love, love, love it!

If you're like me and have incredibly poor lashes, I'd say this could be a potential answer in making you look more awake in the morning and not be too ashamed in having such thin eyelashes. Try them out at the counters if you want before purchasing! I'm not entirely sure if these samples are still available at Sephora, but do give them a go if you're ever in store!

Happy discovering!

TLP Beauty: MAC Cinderella

Alrighty guys, so perhaps the greatest MAC make-up collection to ever come out this quarter of the year graced us with its presence yesterday. Which one am I talking about? Well, none other than the Cinderella collection of course!

I've been waiting for this collection to come out ever since MAC announced they would be releasing a tie-in with the movie, and mann... the long wait has been so worth it! I'm a huge Disney fan - and I know lots of people say this, but you do not understand the deep rooted love I have for Disney. As in, I can't even begin to describe this connection I have with Disney. 

Anyway, all those times I spent trolling Instagram and websites for photos and swatches? They all paid off! I absolutely love the packaging for the products in this collection, and granted I was a bit put off when I first saw photos of it, I've come to love it so much. Can we actually just take some time to talk about this gorgeous packaging please? I mean, a lavendery, baby blue and gold? *sigh* Absolutely beautiful!!! I thought the packaging for the Proenza collection that came out April last year was pretty beautiful, but this one just takes it for the win. To me anyway. 

This collection actually came out online I believe on Feb. 26, and man, tons of pieces sold out fast! I've never been one to shop online so that didn't exactly bother me, but it did have me feel quite anxious about heading out to the MAC counters to get my hands on the ones I wanted. But alas, the day came and I got everything I wanted!

Funny story though, Rideau Centre opens up at 9:30 here in Ottawa. I arrived like five minutes after, and when I went to the MAC store, three things were already sold out. I mean, WTF??? Did they open earlier or something? Not that the ones I wanted were the ones sold out, but come on! 

Alright, ramble over. Let's get to the goodies I got!

The Macroviolet fluidline was actually one of the things at the top of my shopping list. I am an absolute sucker for MAC fluidlines, and I knew I just had to get this one. They did have another one, Little Black Bow I think it was called which was a cool grey, but that didn't tickle my fancy like this one. I know, I know, macroviolet is already part of MAC's permanent collection, but hell, I didn't have it. Let's be honest, it's the packaging that really got me here. It gave me the perfect excuse to finally get it, and I don't regret a thing. 

Macroviolet is pretty much your standard violet gel liner, with a silver sheen. It looks absolutely beautiful swatched, and on the lids? Gorgeous! It can be a bit tricky to apply and you do have to swipe it on your lids a few times to really get the colour, but it looks so pretty! (Swatches below!)

Weirdly enough, they only had one of these at my local MAC store. As in, the moment I said I was going to be taking this one, the lady ran to the back to get it cause she said they only received one. Boy, was I relieved when she came out with this in hand for me! Either way though, it's part of their permanent collection so you can still get it, just you know, without the pretty packaging. 

Next thing on my shopping list? Royal Ball lipstick of course! I have to say, I was seriously debating between getting this one and Free As A Butterfly, but based on the swatches I saw on Instagram and YouTube, this one seemed like the best match for my NC40 skin. And come on, the name itself just screams Cinderella and I knew I had to have it. 

I'm super glad I got my hands on this! Royal Ball is a beautiful silvery, muted pink that when swatched, looks so beautiful. Now, because it is a lustre finish, you do have to swipe quite a bit to really get the colour from the tube, but ugh, so so pretty! I can definitely see myself using this as a somewhat everyday lipstick this spring for those 'no makeup' makeup looks to give me just a hint of colour. 

Alright, so I wasn't exactly planning on purchasing this one, but the lady at the store (who I've completely forgotten the name of, but she's always the one helping me out! Woops!) totally persuaded me. When she swatched the Pretty It Up pigment, I swear, my eyes totally widened at the sight of how beautiful it was (how many times have I said beautiful? geez!). 

The MAC website has this listed as a gold, but on me it seems more like a dirty gold with a bit of a muted green sheen to it. It's definitely an intense pigmented little fella, so I'd definitely reserve this for evening looks. But hey, if you want to rock this everyday, go for it! I can't wait to try this baby out!

And last but certainly not the least, the Mystery Princess Beauty Powder. Obviously, I'm a sucker for packaging and I knew right away I would have to get a compact. Again I was debating between getting this one and the Coupe D' Chic Iridescent powder, but when I swatched the latter one, it just came out as pure glitter. Hence, I went for the beauty powder. 

Mystery Princess is a very light beige with a silver shimmer, and is the perfect highlight, I think. MAC's website says it's a pink beige, but on my skin it definitely pulls more light peach. That suits me just fine! And I know a few reviews have said it to not be pigmented, but I think it's alright. I'm not one to really pack on the highlight, so the colour pay-off from this one is fine for me. I just, urgh, I love it so much!

Swatches [for reference, I'm an NC40] (L-R): Mystery Princess beauty powder, Royal Ball lipstick, Macroviolet fluidline and Pretty It Up pigment.

I know people were also pretty hyped up about the eye glosses that came out with this collection, but personally I wasn't too fussed about them. The Stroke of Midnight eye palette? I would have been all over if I didn't already have three of the shades in it. Which is probably a good thing given the amount of money I spent in just this one trip to MAC! But my god, so worth it! I'm totally in love with the fluidline and pigment, and I can't wait to try them out together in a look!

Hopefully, you guys can still get your hands on this collection because I swear, it's so beautiful. I know a few people weren't too excited for this one, but personally, I'm in love. I do know quite a substantial amount is sold out already online (and heck, the MAC store at Rideau Centre no longer has the display!) but for those who still have the chance of getting it, GO GO GO!!!

You won't regret it!
And if you did manage to grab some goodies, which ones are your favourite?

Happy discovering!

TLP Beauty: boscia Multi-masking Medley Face Mask Set

boscia is quickly becoming one of my favourite skincare products, and being the skincare enthusiast I am, I definitely had to try out this Multi-Masking Medley from them. It's basically a pack of face masks with four from their different peel-off mask ranges. I'd already tried out the luminizing black mask before (as shown in my previous monthly favourites post - December or January I believe?) and I could not wait to try out their other ones!

So first things fist, the Luminizing Black Mask. I already knew this one works well for me so I was pretty pleased when this one came with the set. There's enough product to last you three uses (at least for me anyway) given that its pretty opaque already. Fair warning, this face masks looks like tar the minute you get it on your fingers and you definitely can't help but laugh as you slather it all over your face. I know I did. Just make sure to warn anyone you live with you'll be using this product so you don't freak them out the minute you walk out of your bathroom. LOL.

This mask does dry up pretty quick, but they recommend that you keep this on for about 30 minutes. Then again that depends on your skin's sensitivity, so do as you please. Anyway, it's pretty easy to peel of this mask (I suggest moving your face and pulling faces prior to peeling it off to make the process easier and more fun!) but because it does cling pretty tightly to your pores, it can be a tad bit painful pulling it off. No major tugging is needed, but there can be a tendency for little parts staying on your face. Nothing a little water can't fix though. I find that this mask really does make my skin feel smoother and softer, so two massive thumbs up for this one! Definitely recommend this for those ultimate pampering days when you really want to get all the dirt and gunk out of your pores!

The Bright White Mask is pretty similar to the Black one. But the consistency is pretty thick - almost like plaster which freaked me out a bit. Again, it's pretty opaque so it's not difficult to cover your face with this. I'd read a lot of mixed reviews on this particular mask over on Sephora, but I decided to try it out myself.

The verdict? Hate it. It did absolutely nothing for my skin! It just kind of sat there on my face, doing nothing. Zip. Zilch. NOTHING. I completely agree with those reviews that found this to be a disappointing product. It didn't pull of any gunk I had in my face like the black mask, it didn't feel tingly or refreshing at all. It felt like literally putting plaster on my face. Granted that there's probably enough product in the pouch for two more uses, I threw it away immediately. Definitely not surprised why the full bottle of the Bright White Mask retails for half the price compared to the other three. 

Alright, on a more positive note, the Cool Blue Calming Mask was pretty amazing. It does basically what it says on the packaging! It felt so cooling and refreshing the minute I put it on my face! Sadly, the consistency is pretty watery and liquidy, so building this up to make an opaque face mask was pretty hard. In fact, I used up 2/3 of the product that there wasn't enough for another use! The picture on the packaging (the box all these masks come in) is a lie!

But despite that disappointment, I love this mask. My face felt all tingly and cool while the mask was on, and this is probably the easiest peel-off mask to take off. So much so you can keep it intact as you pull it off your face! Compared to the black mask, this didn't get rid of all the dirt, but it did leave my skin feeling much smoother, and the redness on my face wasn't as bad. I'd recommend using this for those days where you just want to have a relaxing night after a full day, or even to use as a nice morning mask to get you feeling all lush and refreshed for the day.

Last but not least, the Green Tea Oil-Control Mask was also pretty kickass. There's enough product to last you about two uses and like the blue mask, it's got that tingly feeling as you put this on your skin. In terms of consistency, it's pretty thick but not as much as the black mask. Again, you may need a bit to really make it an opaque face mask.

I definitely feel as though this green-tea mask is similar to the cool blue mask! I absolutely love the tingly and cooling feeling this mask has, and again, this one is really easy to peel off. I couldn't say that I saw results in terms of oil-control, but then again, there's only enough product for two uses. Perhaps a more long-term try will give me a better overview, cause hell, I've got combination/oily skin so anything that keeps the oil at bay I'm all for. But you know, this one did leave my skin feeling all smooth and nice, and like the cool blue mask, I'd recommend this as an emergency pamper product for those 'meh' days.

All in all, I love this multi-masking medley set! For the price ($23 CAD at Sephora), it's definitely worth every penny, as you can try out boscia's different peel-off mask ranges. There's enough product in each pouch for about 2-3 uses to get a good impression on each product. My favourites would definitely have to be the Luminizing Black Mask and Cool Blue Calming Mask. That Bright White Mask though? Never going near that thing ever again!

So, if you're in the market for a face mask and are wondering which ones to try out, I'd definitely recommend this multi-masking medley from boscia! It's a great chance to try out the brand and see which ones work well for your skin before committing to the full-size products!

Happy discovering!

7 Days, 7 Hairstyles

Because I've been on this 'making up for being so MIA' on here kick, here's another quickie post!

 Because I am quite the kikay (girly and somewhat fashion-forward slang in Filipino), I decided to challenge myself last week and come up with different ways to wear my hair everyday for the next week. I'd gotten so used to merely going about my day with literally an 'I woke up like this' hairstyle, that it felt like I needed to change things up a bit. Granted, that did require me waking up a tad bit earlier to get my hair looking more presentable, but it I think it worked out in the end. I pretty much discovered what hairstyles work for me, and what don't. Then again, what do you think? Hopefully this gives you a few ideas on a few looks to try out for the next week!

On a side note, I'm not one to use products like hairspray and mousse when it comes to styling my hair. Besides the occasional de-frizzing spray after I wash my hair and dry shampoo, I don't like using such products. Not that I'm a stickler for using such products, it's just that I like to keep my hair product-free as much as possible. I mean, considering the fact that it's been all bleached, ombred and stuff, I think I've done enough damage, don't you think?

Monday

 The classic milk maid braid. Nothing new with this really. I absolutely love this hairstyle, but it is a pain securing my hair with about a million bobby pins. But it's so worth it, and I think this hairstyle looks even better if you're currently rocking the ombre. Then again, I may be a tad bit biased. Lol. 

Tuesday

 The 'I-can't-be-bothered-to-do-anything-fancy-but-want-to-look-done' look. Essentially throw your hair into a messy bun, secure with a few bobby pins (a whole butt load if you've got thick hair like me) then put on a cute headband for a somewhat retro feel. Apply some eyeliner and a bright lip, and you're good to go. Done and done. 

Wednesday

 A mini french-braid on one side that merges into one big braid. Is there even a proper name for this? I call this my 'need-to-work-out-and-wash-my-hair-today' hairstyle. No joke. It's super easy to do (no bobby pins required, woop!) and looks pretty chic. It stays put as I go about my day, and keeps the hair at bay while I'm doing my pilates or what not before washing my hair. Hah!

Thursday

So you've probably noticed by now how much I love to rock my braids. This is pretty much the standard french braid on both sides, that wrap around a huge bun at the back. Nothing too fancy, but it sure looks like it. 

Friday

I'd seen pictures of this hairdo about a dozen times over on Pinterest, and thought, hey, when better to try it out than this week? And it's pretty darn easy, provided you've got a bigger mirror to work with than I did. Pretty much just separate your hair into three sections, braid each one, then wrap them up in a bun just below your head and secure with bobby pins. This looks definitely looks much better if your bobby pins actually match your hair colour, and you remember to remove any elastics you used (unlike me, darn it). Nonetheless, a very cute and super quick hairstyle to try out! Perfect for a date or a nice girl's night out.

Saturday

Again, this hairstyle was inspired by a couple of photos and tutorials I'd seen over on Pinterest. You pretty much part your hair into two sections, secure with an elastic band, then loop the rest of your hair through. Then so on until you get this sort of fish-braid effect. It's super easy (and man, I suck so bad at explaining how to achieve this look!) and an absolute no fuss. This hairstyle looks super cute and effortless, and what do you know, it really doesn't take that much effort to do. Perfect for a nice day out shopping or chilling with friends. Try it out - though I'd suggest you try using clear elastic bands unless you like that sort of look (like me!)

Sunday

This hairstyle has definitely got to be the trickiest I've tried, mainly cause of all my hair! The look requires you to wrap your hair around a headband for a chic and vintagey updo, but it is harder than it looks! For me anyway. I probably attempted this three times since during each try, my hair kept falling out of the headband before I could even secure it with bobby pins. LOTS OF THEM.  Nonetheless, once you've got the updo down, it looks so pretty and girly - perfect for a nice Sunday brunch or day out. I opted to use just a simple bronze headband, but I've seen this look done with floral crowns and bejewelled straps, so try it out with whatever you fancy. Perhaps a bit of hairspray or mousse can help keep the updo looking good and in place if you've got a busy day ahead. 

So that's my week done! I had a pretty great time trying out different hairstyles, and as challenging as some of them were for me, I'm super glad I've found what works for me! Try them out and challenge yourself style-wise if you've got the time!

Happy discovering!

February Faves!!

February faves time!

There hasn't really been any discoveries for me in the 'base' part of applying my make-up - I'm still reaching for either my Clinique Stay Matte foundation or MAC Studio Fix Fluid depending on my schedule - but I have been using Revlon's Photoready Skinlights face illuminator to brighten up my complexion a little bit more. It has definitely been doing wonders at making sure my face isn't dull looking, but at the same time not to sheeny shiny. I just apply it with my fingers and pat it on my cheekbones, forehead and tad bit on my nose after I put on my foundation, and voila. Done.

I've also really been loving the Cheeky Blush Trio from Make Up For Ever that came out as one of their limited edition sets for the 50 Shades of Gray franchise. The colours absolutely gorgeous and pigmented, and can double as eyeshadows! You can check out the rest of my thoughts about it here, as well as my review on the other sets part of the collection.

For my eye game, I've been reaching for my Anastasia Beverly Hills eyeliner in Lavish (a bronzy, metallic brown), Maybelline's new Lash Sensational mascara and the new Sephora XL eyelash curlers. These curlers are pretty awesome, and don't pinch my eyelids, so that's a plus! And of course, my Naked 3 palette has been my go to this month - what with my associating February with rose and pink toned everything. And I have fallen back in love with it! And as much as I do like the double ended eyeshadow brush it comes with, I've been using my Sephora crease brush (73) to apply and blend, and it is an absolute dream!

I particularly love Limit and Nooner from the Naked 3 palette together, and for a nice pop of colour, Buzz is amazing placed on the center of the lids!

Here's how they look applied on to the lids (and please don't mind the untamed, undone eyebrows!!!)

Limit all over the lid, Nooner in the crease/outer V, and a bit of Buzz in the center of the lids. 

For lips, I've seriously been on a pinky nude kick! Despite it being the season where almost every girl likes to rock a dark, vampy lip, I've been leaning towards the lighter scale with Make Up For Ever's Aqua Rouge waterproof liquid lip colour in the shade 3, MAC's Oxblood (from the Toledo collection), and BITE Beauty's matte cream lip crayon in Gavi. But you know, I can't resist a nice red as well, and I've been loving the NARS matte lip crayon in Cruella. Did I mention by the way that I'm loving matte finishes too? Hah!

Swatches (l-r): MUFE Aqua Rouge lip colour in 3, MAC Oxblood, BITE Beauty's Gavi and NARS Cruella.

Other beauty favourites have been my boscia Clear Complexion toner (which has really, changed my skin's life and I'm so glad to have it!), the L'Oreal Total Repair 5 hair oil to combat the dryness my hair's been facing with all this cold, and my Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede perfume. For nails, I've been loving the Nails Inc polish in Alexa Cashmere (a textured, light pinky mauve) and my Deborah Lippman polish in Ya Got Trouble (a metallic duo chrome bronze).

For non-beauty related favourites, I've really been loving my blanket scarf from ALDO. With the crazy weather getting to me, this baby has been keeping me pretty warm while I'm out, and I love the fact that it's large enough to use as a poncho type scarf when it gets a bitty chilly during my classes. Speaking of keeping warm, I've been loving Davids Tea's Cold 911 tea - perfect for when you've got a sore throat and feel down in the dumps cause of the weather. For sweet pick-me-ups I've also been treating myself to Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups from President's Choice (not that I don't like Reese's Pieces, but you know, this was on sale) and burning my Bath & Body Works Butterscotch toffee candle. I promise, these four things are absolute essentials for curling up in bed with a good book every night! 

My tune of the month would definitely have to be Neon Jungle's Louder. And my gosh, how have I never heard of them before? This music video came up on my recommendations playlist on YouTube, and my gosh, I'm in love. They're a British girl group that I believe started off on YouTube, and they are pretty kickass! Their single Louder is just amazing - the beat, the lyrics, the melody - just, everything about it I love!! Also go check out Braveheart, Sleepless in London and their cover of Lorde's Royals. Seriously, amazing.

And as a bonus, because let's face it, I can be quite indecisive, my other tune of the month would have to be Nick Jonas's Teacher. While the official lyric video does kind of make me cringe (it's quite sensual and creepy to a certain extent), I still love the beat! It's quite raunchy in its own way, but I can't help dancing to it the minute it comes up on my iPod. Love, love, love me some Nick Jonas. Haha!!!

So that's this month's round up! What have you been excited about this month?
Happy discovering!

TLP Beauty: MUFE 50 Shades of Grey Sets

Alright, so with all the hype that 50 Shades of Grey is getting (I mean, it's coming out tomorrow, or today or whatever depending on where you are), I thought it'd be apt I write a post about it - makeup wise that is. 

Now just before I go in to this, I have to admit, I have never read any of the books. Truth be told, I own the first book, but only got to reading the first 50 pages or so before I gave up and moved on to something else. I definitely remember all the raves (and well, disses) people were giving the trilogy all over social media and well, it's a classic case of you either love it or hate it. I for one, am totally neutral. Not a fangirl, but not a hater either. To each their own, people. 

But, I totally caved once I found out there was going to be a makeup line coming out just before the movie was due to be released. Make Up For Ever released four exclusive limited edition movie tie-in sets in December, and man, they are pretty awesome. And really great deals too! Apparently the movie's makeup artist used a whole bunch of MUFE products to create Ana's looks for the movies, and that's what these sets are inspired by. I was only really interested in three of the sets, so check them out:

Tease Me Innocent Nude Lip Trio Set ($32US/$38CAD) - comes with a Aqua Lip waterproof lipliner in 3C, Aqua Rouge waterproof liquid lip colour in 3 and Lab Shine shimmering lip gloss in D16. This has got to be hands down my favourite of the three sets I got my hands on.

The lipliner I think is the perfect nude liner that matches any skin tone, and you could honestly pair it with any other nude lipstick you've got (or just wear it all over as a lipstick). It's that awesome. I also really love the berry lipliner from the Passionate lip trio, and again, that's something that can be used with any berry lipstick you've got. The colours they picked out for the lipliners in each set just work with things you've got in your collection! 

I was really impressed with the Aqua Rouge liquid lipsticks! I'd never been a fan of wearing liquid stuff on my lips, but I am a total convert. They are crazy pigmented (after swatching them on my hand, it took me a while to scrub them off with my Bioderma makeup remover, no joke!), dry down quickly and no fuss products. It stays put and you don't have to worry about touching up for like 4-5 hours. You can wear it as is if you want a more matte look, but you could apply the gloss (on the other end of the products) for a more shiny sheen. These babies are so great! You can check out swatches below!

As for the lipgloss? Well, I like them. Like I said, never been a fan of putting liquid products on my lips (and putting gloss as a matter of fact), but I really like these. The nude gloss from the Innocent set is quite sheer, with flecks of gold shimmer that really take the mauve/nude lip look to a whole new level that is still quite subtle. The berry one? Well damn, that's shiny stuff so if you like your gloss, you're going to like this one. It's very pink and quite opaque, with fleck of silver that definitely catch the light. 

Did I mention how all the three products from the lip sets are full size? How amazing of a deal is that? 

Tease Me Passionate Berry Lip Trio Set - comes with a Aqua Lip waterproof lipliner in 10C, Aqua Rouge waterproof liquid lip colour in 50 and Lab Shine shimmering lip gloss in D4.

Swatches

Above - Passionate Berry Lip Trio (Aqua Rouge lip colour in 50, Aqua Lip liner in 10C and Lab Shine gloss in D4)

Below - Innocent Nude Lip Trio (Aqua Rouge lip colour in 3, Aqua Lip liner in 3C and Lab Shine gloss in D16)

Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio Set ($56CAD) - comes up with a trio of S-748, I-808 and I-526) a mini 150 precision blush brush and exclusive keepsake pouch. Valued at $128CAD, how could I not grab this set? A trio costs about $50, and this deal has that plus a mini brush and keepsake pouch. HOW COULD YOU NOT?

I'd been eyeing a few MUFE shadows for quite some time now, so when I came across this set, I saw it as a sign and the perfect opportunity to try them out. Blush wise, they are definitely the sorts of colours I gravitate to. You've got your highlighter and a choice between pink or coral/orange for the cheeks. That's awesome. I also love the fact that they can double as eyeshadows (given that you know, two of the products are actually marketed as eyeshadows - the pink and orange), so you've got your bases covered with this set. Again, they are pretty pigmented and stay on for quite some time (I got mine to last a good 5-6 hours for a full day). 

Now the brush? Well, I wouldn't really recommend using the brush to apply the blushes. Granted, it's super soft and nice on the skin, but it barely picks up the product. You can use your own brushes to apply these blushes. That's not to say the 150 blush brush is no good, but you can use it for applying your face powder instead. That's just my personal opinion of course. 

And the pouch? Pretty damn good quality! It's super soft and roomy so you can fit quite a lot of products in it. And I love the little touch of 50 Shades of Grey on it with the key. It feels quite luxe and sturdy. What I would put in it, I personally have no idea as I've got enough makeup bags lying around, but we'll see. 

How gorgeous do the colours look in the pan? *drool*

Swatches!

Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio - S-748, I-808 and I-526 (on my MAC NC40/Clinique Honey skin for reference). 

If I were to judge the book/movie based on the makeup line alone, well, I would give it an A+ because damn, these colours are great! Overall, I give these sets two thumbs up - both for quality and price. So, even if you aren't a fan of the books, I'd definitely suggest you try these babies out. And if you haven't tried Make Up For Ever, these sets are a great way of testing them out. All the sets come with 'How to Achieve the Look' guides, so that's a bonus if you aren't quite sure what to do - especially with the blush set. All in all, they are worth every single penny - you won't regret it. 

The sets are available both in stores and online over at Sephora. Get them while you can! 

Happy discovering!

PS, if you do end up getting the other mahoosive set from the line (and by that I mean the one that's got the quad, mascara, eyeliner and all that jazz), what do you think? Is that worth it too?

And of course, who's going to see the movie?

January Faves!

Woo! First monthly faves post of 2015! Let's do this! Surprisingly enough, there weren't that many new discoveries this month and instead I've re-discovered some old loves. 

For my base, I've really been loving the Clinique stay-matte oil-free foundation and my oh my, why did it take me so long to discover this? It's super light weight but it's got great coverage! A little goes a long way with this baby, and it stays put all day. If like me you've got combination skin that's acne prone, try this one out!

To add a bit of colour to my cheeks, I've been reaching for the STILA custom colour blush in sheer coral. This blush actually works with your skin tone (something to do with the pH and all that) to "create the perfect colour" that matches you. I'd always been quite cautious of applying blush cause I'm terrified of putting on too much, but this one takes all the worry away. Just apply and blend a little, and let the magic of this blush do all the work.

For eyes, I've fallen back in love with the Naked palette (the first one) that's got all the warm neutral colours that works wonders for all skin tones I think. As a quick everyday look, I like to put the Naked eyeshadow all over the lid and Buck in the crease, using the eyeshadow brush from Flower and blending it out with the Sonia Kashuk blending brush. If I want to add more depth, I apply a tad bit of Darkhorse to the outer-v, and voila! Done. Easy peasy. Eyeliner wise, I've been using the Anastasia eyeliner in Gilded if I can't be bothered to do the whole fluidline and brush thing. It's super easy to apply, so it's great if I'm running late!

To complete the eye-look, you can't forget mascara, and I've really been liking the Covergirl Full Lash Bloom mascara. It definitely makes my eyelashes look extra wispy and lengthened, though not as volumized as I like. So for the times where I want the extra oomph (and I have the time), I've been using the Ardell fake lashes in 105. I'd never applied fake lashes before, but these are super easy to use! And plus, they look quite natural, so it's perfect for everyday. Not too over the top POW! but it definitely makes your eyes pop. 

For lips, I've been on a whole red/mauve kick, so this month's round-up includes the Revlon lip butter in Sugar Plum (a nude-type mauve), the NYX lipstick in Thalia (a dark nude), MAC's matte lipstick in Stunner (deep blue-red, from the Nasty Gal collection) and MAC lustre lipstick in 5-Alarm (a sheer pink-red, from the Red Red Red collection).

My other favourites include the Bvlagri Jasmin Noir perfume (I've finally brought my big bottle back from the Philippines, woop!), the boscia luminizing black mask (the mini I've got has run out, and boy, did I rush out to buy myself the full-size bottle), the boscia clear complexion willow bark spot treatment and The Body Shop Vitamin E moisture cream (if you remember, I wrote about this one in my long-haul travel kit and since then I've bought the full size tub) which, as it says on the label, is super moisturizing. A little goes a long way with this (the mini one lasted a little over a month!) so it's super worth every penny.

For nails, I loved the Sephora Formula X polish in Wunderkind, and the Deborah Lippman mini polishes in Luftballoons (the multi-colour glitters) and Ya Got Trouble (a copper-burgundy metallic blend).

As for my non-beauty faves...

I've been using the Forever 21 faux-crocodile skin purse so much, and I'm in love. It may look small but you can fit so much in there! Love love love it! I've also been loving this scarf that's got Filipino sentences written all over it (Filipino pride yo!), this Nescafe Cappuccino sachets I brought over from the Philippines, and this Hot Buttered Rum candle from Bath and Body Works. 

And oh, how could I forget this yogi berry tea from David's Tea? The minute I walked into the shop along Bank and Third, I smelt it and knew I needed it. It's super fruity, and tastes amazing either hot or iced. And with a little milk too. If you love fruity flavoured teas, do check this one out! 

As for my jam? Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud. I know, I know, it's been out for a while now and yes, I listened to it then but I don't know - I wasn't crazy about it. Now I'm just really, really in love with it. Maybe it's cause I've had to listen to it on the radio so much and finally know what the lyrics are, who knows? And besides, the video is pretty kickass, so you know, if you haven't seen it yet, check it out (click the video above!) 

What have been your favourite discoveries (or re-discoveries) this first month of 2015?

Happy discovering!

December Faves!

Wahey! It's time for monthly favourites again! This one is going to be a bit over the place, mainly because I was in Canada for half the month, and in the Philippines for the other half. Man, you gotta love Christmas! Am I right?

I've been using my NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (in Stromboli) for half the month, and my NARS Tinted Moisturizer (in St. Moritz) for the other. Pretty standard stuff. I've been applying them with the Sephora perfect sponge and I quite like it! If you don't know if sponge applicators are the right tool for you (or you don't want to shell out the money for the beautyblender), I think this is a nice alternative - though, yes, I have been eyeing that beautyblender for quite some time now. Mhmm... To add a little more colour to my cheeks, I've been loving the NARS blush in Almeria (part of their holiday collection) and it is gorgeous! It's a plummy pink that gives a nice flush on my skin and urgh, it's beautiful. 

For eyes, I've been using the Maybelline Colour Tattoos in Pomegranate Punk and Chocolate Suede. These two colours just really compliment each other, with that nice deep purple pink all over the lid and dark brown in the crease. I blend them out with the Urban Decay eyeshadow in Buck (I've got it as part of the Naked palette). This combo is so quick to do (you can apply the colour tattoos with just your finger) so if you're ever in a rush, swish these colours on and you're good to go!

Special mention too to the Rimmel Scandalous Eyes Eyeshadow stick in Blackmail (008). For a bolder, smoky look, I've been loving putting Pomegranate Punk all over the lid, and applying Blackmail on top and just blending the two out. It's so pretty! Try it out if you can!

For lips, I've been loving quite the bold colours, with the occassional nude for lazy days. In this round-up I've been reaching for NARS Short Circuit (LE, from the Guy Bourdin Holiday collection last year), L'Oreal Color Riche Collection Exclusive lipsticks in Blake's Pure Red and Laetitia's Pure Red (I swear, they are different!). My nude? MAC's Oh, Oh, Oh from the Archie collection last year. As scary as it looks in the tube, it's absolutely gorgeous on the lips!

Swatches of my fave lippies (L-R): Short Circuit, Oh,Oh,Oh, Blake's Red and Laetitia's Red. How beautiful are they?

I've also been loving the Snow Kissed Berry hand cream from Bath & Body Works (which, oh my, is super moisturizing on my poor hands in this cold winter!), the Urban Decay de-slick make-up setting spray, my mini NEST rollerball in Midnight Fleur, Essie's Toggle to the Top lacquer (cause when else can you wear sparkly red polish?), and Revlon's Copper Penny and Iconic nail polishes - the two polishes combined (you know, nail accents here and there) just look beautiful together! Try it out if you haven't!

And like always, here are my non-beauty faves!

 I have got such a sweet tooth that when I found these Chewy Chips Ahoy Ice Cream Creation a.k.a. bit-sized pieces of heaven, my mind exploded with sweetness and joy. It is a struggle to not grab another box anytime I walk into a Walmart or Loblaw's! And my god, the size of them just makes it so easy to gobble them up - so approach these with caution if you spot them. I swear, I need to stay away from these if I intend on sticking to my diet next year...

 My absolute favourite discovery this month - Ipuddo Philippines, a ramen place founded in 1985 in Hakata, Japan (you can read my post about it here). The shiromaru motoaji is absolute heaven - the soup, the meat... urgh... *drool* I'm addicted, and Ipuddo has ruined all other ramen places for me. That is how amazing it is. I believe the first international branch opened in New York in 2008, and now they've expanded, with over 70 branches all over the world. And I'm absolutely thrilled my parents took me to the branch over at SM Megamall. If you see a branch anywhere near you, go in, have some ramen and swoon over its amazingness. Damn... I could use some of it right now

And my jam this month? Hands down Text Me Merry Christmas by Straight No Chaser ft. Kristen Bell. Granted, the song came out mid-Novemeber but I've been listening to this non-stop! I absolutely find it hilarious and sweet, and it's such a great *ahem* modern way to get into the holiday mood. If you haven't heard if yet - which I highly doubt - have a good listen to it!!! No kidding, this song has been on repeat on my iPod, in the car, on iTunes... Text me Merry Christmas, send a selfie too...

Have you made any good discoveries this month? Any suggestions?

Happy discovering!