Beauty Loot: Bringing Back Summer

It's July, and we've had a bit of rain here and there, which means that the rainy season is just around the corner. We haven't seen a single storm though (thank goodness), and I'm actually still in denial that summer is pretty much over. In fact, I'm so in denial that I'm actually using a couple of very summery products right now. I found them recently, and I adore them so much I use them everyday.

Beauty Loot: Stuff I've Been Using

Since it has been a while since I've been blogging regularly, I thought I'd do a post on stuff I've been using. I haven't really been buying much makeup -- I've just been trying to use up my current stash, but every now and then, something catches my eye and I get it. All my recent loot has been drugstore stuff, actually. Here's the list, and what I think of them.

Beauty Loot: New Things + An Update

Hello! I'm back! I know, it's been a while. I really missed blogging -- and reading other blogs for that matter. The Blue Purse is always on my mind, but life has been ridiculously busy lately. Life happened as usual, and it's the same old story, but this time I have a really good excuse.

Mostly, I've been busy with work. The past month was crazy hectic, and then when things finally slowed down, I had to catch up with family and friends whom I've neglected. Seriously, I don't have the time to sleep these days, much less surf and read and cook and watch TV and focus on any hobbies. I'm going to get a handle on life at some point, and I hope that's soon, but for now, I'm trying, so please bear with me.

Let's start with a fun topic -- beauty! Since I haven't been blogging, products have piled up on me. This is a collective haul of sorts, because I'm excited to share all my new things. Read on.

Makeup Madness: Up Close - Maybelline Color Elixir in Glam 13 [My Favorite My-Lips-But-Better Lipstick]

Hello! This is a sort of Flashback Friday post because I've had this product for a while but for some reason, never wrote it up. (It was part of my mini haul back during the holidays.) I've been using it way too much though, so it's about time I did a post on it.

I like strong colors when it comes to lipstick, but I have discovered the benefits of a good my-lips-but-better shade. It's all thanks to Maybelline Color Elixir in Glam 13. I have no idea what the actual name of the shade is because Maybelline names products differently in Asia, but if I have to hazard a guess it would be either Caramel Infused or Intoxicating Spice. I've had my-lips-but-better lipsticks before, but it easily became my new favorite. Here's why.

The Product

The Color Elixirs first captured my fancy because of the brilliant packaging. It's like a lip gloss with a brush and all, but it looks like a lipstick at the same time. 

Beauty Barrage: Summer Beauty - Products for the Hot Hot Heat

A lot of the world is just getting their first taste of spring, but here in the tropics where there are only two seasons, we're smack dab in the middle of an insanely hot summer. When the heat started coming in, I knew some of my makeup and beauty products wouldn't cut it anymore. I always have to change up what I'm using when the seasons change. Just as I have my cold weather friends, I have my summer stash with products that I can rely on to keep up with the scorching temperatures. Most of these are travel-sized because I like the convenience of getting to throw them into a purse, a beach bag or a travel bag whenever a summer event comes up. I got it all down in one post, but brace yourself! It's a long list.

Beauty Barrage: Manicure Monday - Retro Blue

I have retro blue nails this week, thanks to the nail polish that my friend Sheva got me during a stopover in Thailand (on her way to India). It's an old skool kind of blue, but it's bright enough for summer.

It's Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer in Shocking Seas. It really doesn't remind me of the sea in any way. It's more of the kind of blue that you find in old porcelain teacups or china, that sort of thing. It is shocking in the sense that it's a really attention-grabbing bright blue though.

Beauty Loot: Mini Drugstore Haul from the Holidays

Happy New Year! I'm back from the holiday break. Goodbye 2013! Hello 2014! I'm so ready for everything this year has to offer.

Let's start with a makeup haul, shall we? The holidays were beyond hectic for me, but I was able to pick up some makeup I've been wanting in the midst of all the craziness. Here's the story and my first impressions.

• Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection in Petal Pusher - The Wet n Wild counters have disappeared from SM Department Stores for some reason, so I have gone back to the original place where I get my Wet n Wild fix - Pure Beauty in Serendra. We were in a rush to buy things for our New Year's celebrations but I just had to drop by. I realized during that visit that I didn't have a Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection palette yet. I only have the small trio palettes which have less than half the number of shadows in the Eyeshadow Collection palettes, so I picked one up. The Petal Pusher set has really attractive colors, and I don't have most of these shades in my makeup kit yet. The shadows look pigmented and they look pretty festive too, which I need for party makeup. The palette I got looked a little battered, but it was the only one left at the store and it was the palette I liked the most out of the palettes there, so I got it anyway. 
• Maybelline Color Elixir in Glam 13 - I love this lip color! I've been wanting the Color Elixirs since they were announced, so I just had to stop by the Maybelline counter at Watson's after a long day of Christmas shopping to get one. (Maybelline calls them "Lip Polish" here though. I really have no idea why they need to have different products for Asia.) First off, the packaging is simply clever and cute, which hooked me in right away. I thought the colors were really unique too, and now I want all the shades. I actually started using the one I got immediately -- even ended up using it all throughout the holidays -- but I'll reserve my thoughts for a proper review. To be honest, I have no idea what shade I got. The color name wasn't anywhere in the packaging and the sales assistant didn't have a clue either. I just looked at swatches online and decided Caramel Infused was my best bet. I need to get more colors. This lip gloss is just too good.

That's it for my mini haul. Reviews to come soon.

For past beauty hauls, check this tag: Beauty Loot.  

Makeup Madness: Up Close - Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in Audacious Asphalt

I acquired the Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in Audacious Asphalt awhile back, but I somehow never got around to posting a review of it. Well, I'm getting to it right now.

The Maybelline Color Tattoos are creamy eyeshadow pots that are long-wearing and highly pigmented. The name says it all, actually. Wearing them is like tattooing your eyes with color for 24 hours. I've never tried wearing eyeshadow for 24 hours straight, but so far the Color Tattoos have never faded or smeared on me even after hours of wear. My first Color Tattoo was Bad to the Bronze, and I loved it so much that I got more shades.

Audacious Asphalt is a silvery gray shadow. It's shimmery, dark, and looks like it's really meant for smokey eyes. It looks intense in the pot, but gets lighter when applied.

Beauty Loot: Collective Haul from October to December 2013

Hello Monday! I feel like talking about beauty today, so I'm finally blogging about some purchases that I made the past few months. Like I said before, I haven't been buying much makeup and beauty stuff, but I do buy things I need from time to time. I decided to just do a collective haul of all the new stuff I picked up recently in stores or things I bought from friends from way back in October to just this December. Here we go.

• L'Oreal Paris Smooth-Intense Anti-Frizz Leave-On Serum - As mentioned in my Hair and Makeup Tool Haul, my hair's due for a rebond so it's wild and crazy right now. I need this to keep it in check.
• Revlon 24hrs Colorstay Foundation in Sand Beige - I am always rushing my makeup time so I have been loyal to my MAC Studio Fix powder for years, but I thought I would try liquid foundation for those times when I want to make more of an effort. This has been a favorite among my friends, so I'm trying it out.
• Elf Blush Brush - This is another one for my first set of proper makeup brushes. I only need a couple more brushes methinks. 
• Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe - I have been loving the Color Tattoo eyeshadow pots for a long time. Maybelline Philippines still hasn't released the line here though, so whenever there's an opportunity to get a new color, I jump at the chance. My friend Sheva from Beauty by Berrymix ordered some makeup online, so I bought this new pot from her.

Beauty Barrage: The Little Makeup Remover That Could - Maybelline Eye & Lip

Remember that drugstore product haul I posted last August? If you've noticed, still haven't posted a single review yet! My bad. I don't have a good reason, but on the upside, it means I've been using the products for almost a couple of months now so I'll be able to review them thoroughly.

I'm starting today with the simplest product I got -- the Maybelline Eye & Lip Makeup Remover. I have been using this for years, and it was only part of the haul because I ran out and needed a new bottle. It has become a staple in my makeup bin.

I take my makeup off with cleansing wipes and facial cleanser, but sometimes eye makeup (especially eyeliner and mascara) as well as some lip colors can be hard to get off. That's when I resort to the Maybelline Eye & Lip Makeup Remover. 

Beauty Loot: Drugstore Haul 08.26.13

I haven't gone shopping for makeup and beauty stuff in a long time, but I finally did yesterday! I've been on major frugal mode and I've only been surviving on my makeup stash. After all, I've built up quite the collection and I haven't even used up half of it. Good makeup should never go to waste, so I've been pretty good at that for a while. However, I have been needing a few things lately, so my always supportive husband took me shopping. He patiently waited for me while I stared at products and swatched stuff. I got drugstore everything (frugal mode, remember) and I got a lot of bang for my buck!

My first stop was ELF (Eyes Lips Face), which I've never tried before. It's a brand that comes highly recommended by beauty gurus, but for some reason I have never purchased anything ELF until now. I surprisingly ended up getting a bunch of stuff! I was happy to find out that the brand is so affordable, yet the products have great quality.

Afterwards, I did the rounds of the Revlon, Maybelline, and L'Oreal counters, and got some things from them too. I made a random buy at Clean & Clear as well. I had a few more things on my shopping list, but Robinson's Galleria Department Store (where we went) didn't have the products I was looking for, though I'm glad I was able to find most of the things I needed. [Note: I use the the app Wunderlist for shopping and to-do lists and it's wonderful.] On to the haul!

Makeup Madness: Up Close - Maybellline Bold Matte Lipstick in Mat2

I've been really good at trying to use up my makeup lately. I've built up quite the collection of lipsticks over time and I'm hoping that I get to make good use of it all before it's time to toss them out. I still buy the occasional one when a shade catches my attention though, and one of my most recent buys is the Maybelline Bold Matte Lipstick in Mat2.

Can you tell I already used it before taking a pic? Yeah I usually can't resist trying lipstick on immedietely after getting it.