I know I haven’t been on this blog long, but I’m kinda finding it hard to find to find ads for this blog, being as it that I don’t have my own domain as of yet.  Anyway, starting Monday, 09 February 2009, you may now visit me and link me and send me your love at this address:

http://somethinguncontrived.blogspot.com

catch you all there!

From the ever-revered Specktra.net comes news of an upcoming MAC collection that’s sure to make us all broke women:

MAC Style Warriors

Set for release in May 2009 for US and Canadian markets and some time later for international markets (well at least this would reach our shores, this collection revolves around animal prints and that theme will be reflected in the bags and packaging! Let me repeat:  ANIMAL PRINT!

That being said, if animal print is not your style, you might be a tad put off by the packaging, but you must admit the collection is worth taking a peek into.  Lots of browns and golds and other neutrals, but included is a fabulous pop of color, thanks to the Vibrant Grape eyeshadow.  Thankfully, Specktra people have been kind enough to do a little bit of swatching and photographing some of the products that are to appear in the collection.  But first, the details:

Eye Shadow: $14.50USD/$17.00CDN

• Night Maneuvers (LE)
• Vibrant Grape – Bright magenta purple (Satin) (Pro Permanent)
• Tempting – Sinfully rich cocoa (Lustre) (Permanent)
• Bright Future (LE)
• Soft Force (LE)

Beauty Powder Blush: (LE) – $18.00USD/$22.00CDN

• Eversun – neutral peach bronze with gold pearlized pigments. (LE) (Repromote from Beauty Powder Blush Collection)
• On a Mission

Bronzer: – $21.00USD/$25.00CDN

• Refined Golden – Finely spun medium golden tan with soft pearl (Permanent)
• Solar Riche – Mid-tone brown with slight oranged undertones (LE) (Repromote from Solar Field Collection)

Want to see some swatches?  Then head on over to the Specktra Style Warrios Swatches thread and decide whether you’ll love it or leave it.

made by Liee for y'all

Click on the image to view the entire collection!

I may add more, so do keep checking. And do check out all the other albums and holler at me if you like something.

Details are at the site.

We promise more surprises for y’all this year so keep coming back.

I do have an online store, which is more like a catalogue of the things I sell. We did really well during the Christmas season, so I have all of you guys to thank.

For new customers, welcome! Hope you find something you like.

I swear I must stop shopping or else be chest-deep in debt, but I just couldn’t pass this over when I saw it at Beauty Bar last week. I’ve been looking at it for the past year or so, but I just couldn’t bring myself to buy it. But last week was a lucky day because it was on sale! So introducing my newest baby: The Model Co. Lash Wand Heated Eyelash Curler.

Packaging: It comes in a pink and white box that makes it stand out among the other beauty products in the store. Very simple and chic. It also comes with a little brush thingie to clean the eyelash curler. I haven’t used it yet. I mostly just tissue away any mascara residue before I store it. But do keep it. It may come in handy.

Applicator: It is a lash wand, after all. At the end is a curved plastic lash comb-looking thing. Upon closer inspection you’ll see looping wires and the blue indicator that turns white when it is ready for curling. The curls heat up (very fast, I must say so!) and it is what makes your lashes curl, so to speak. By the way, it runs on an AAA battery.

Ease of Use: You literally use it like you would a mascara wand, with a combing action. You start from the roots and hold the lash wand midway your lashes so the curl will hold. You may need to repeat this action a few times to get the perfect curl. This heated lash curler was meant to be used for mascara’d eyes, though I see no harm in using it on naked lashes, just not every day. The curl holds up great, even in these humid conditions.

Pros and Cons: It says on the box not to worry about getting burns from using this stuff as it is impossible for the lash wand to overheat, but I would like to clear something up. That merely refers to the wires overheating and burning tufts of lashes. Sure, it is impossible for the lash wand to burn your lashes, but it can burn your skin, so proceed with caution and don’t rush this. You can actually feel the heat of the curler when you’re using it.

It’s perfect for me because I hate using traditional eyelash curlers on clients. Most of the time I ask them to curl their lashes themselves. And also, with this heated lash curler, you could actually curl your lashes after mascara application. Now you can be sure that your lashes will stay curly even after layers and layers of mascara.

Price and Availability: I only ever see it in Beauty Bar outlets. This one in particular I got in Beauty Bar Greenbelt, but I’m sure they’re available in other BB outlets as well. I had the fortune to have gotten this on sale (PHP 907.50 or around USD19, down from PHP1650 or more or less USD35 – a whopping 45% discount!). While that might be pricey for some, I believe it’s a good buy for anyone who’s scared of clamping their lashes for fear of clamping their eyelids in the process.

If I haven’t said it already, let me say it again: I’m a fan of 4U2. This is a line of cosmetics from Bel-Air brands (a newbie American brand) that is made from Thailand. I first got introduced to it from the Watsons launch last year, where some 4U2 makeup was included in the goodie bag.

I’m a big fan (yes, yes…) and I spend somewhat serious dough on their stuff. Sometimes I avoid their counter altogether because I know I can’t leave it without buying a few products. I have reviewed one of their products before (the DFY9 liquid eyeliner), even.

So last week, I passed by their counter once again (in SM Makati) and got myself some goodies. You saw my haul. Now here are their swatches:

4U2 Glitz 2 Color Eyeshadow

• Color payoff is fantastic! With or without primer, it’s pretty much the same. The only problem I have with their eyeshadows is that all their shades are either frost or shimmer. I hope they come out with more finishes (matte, satin, etc) because I swear these are greatest eyeshadows you could get. The texture is great for blending, even with your hands. However, be careful when traveling with it as it has a tendency to break off.

• Great color combinations. I actually have a hard time choosing which eyeshadow duo I’ll buy because the color combinations are fantastic. Gold and grey too weird, you say? Just try it. It looks killer.

• Cute packaging. A bit too cutesy for me. I would have settled for a black compact, but we shouldn’t take this against them. Their target market is primarily teens, hence the cutie-patootie ultra-frilly packaging sometimes. But I obviously don’t mind anymore. It’s the inside that matters!

4U2 Xpress Lipgloss

• The SA told me that these two are two of their bestsellers and I believe her. Pinays would actually fall in love with these colors. Lipgloss 07 is a berry color in real life, while #17 is an apricot color. They are both very wearable and pigmented enough and buildable so you could have it sheer or almost lipstick-like in color payoff.

• One problem I have with it: The micas (those sparkly shimmery things, sometimes called “glitter” by most people) they used here are a tad too big for my taste. If they could just find micron-sized micas, these would be perfect.

• It smells like bubble gum. Personally, I like it and my clients have always commented on how yummy the gloss smells, but if you’re not a fan of such then I don’t think you’ll like it.

4U2 Glitz Liquid Eyeliner

• Pretty much stays put, which is a really good thing with eyeliners. These are great for you girls out there who would like to try color but are too scared of bright eyeshadows. Try these on your lashline and see the difference it makes.

• Easy to grasp handle, fine-point brush great for making precise lines. However, if you’re not used to using a brush for lining your eyes you might have a bit of trouble wielding this or drawing a straight line. Tell you what, line your eyes with a similar color first using a pencil eyeliner and then go over that line with liquid liner.

• Micas, again, are a tad too big. Maybe it’s just my thing. I like my micas micro-sized. Heheh…

• For a more detailed review, you could check out Nikki’s take on the 4U2 Glitz Liquid Eyeliner. More colors too!

Posted in 4U2, Swatch, Uncategorized ]]> http://somethinguncontrived.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/4u2-haul-product-swatches-and-mini-review/feed/ 5 somethinguncontrived 4U2 2 color eyeshadow swatch lipgloss xpress #17 lipgloss xpress #07 green and blue glitz eyeliners green and blue swatch http://somethinguncontrived.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/todays-outfit-was-brought-to-us-by-the-color-brown/ http://somethinguncontrived.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/todays-outfit-was-brought-to-us-by-the-color-brown/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:26:01 +0000 somethinguncontrived http://somethinguncontrived.wordpress.com/?p=73 ]]>

Believe it or not, I didn’t really plan for it to be this way.

And I gotta say, not bad for stuff I got in ukay-ukays and tiangges.

• Chiffon ruffled skirt (worn as dress) – from Landmark for about P400, if I remember right.
• Brown cardigan – from an ukay-ukay in Makati
• Brown faux-croc gladiator sandals – P350 from the Tiangge sa Ayala in Ayala Avenue.  This was an emergency purchase.  The sandals I was wearing that day kept falling off my feet, so I rushed inside the tiangge and looked for sandals to wear.
• Fan belt – hee-hee that sounds funny.  Got this from the apartment. Excess inventory, I believe.

And what did you wear today?

Look what came in the mail yesterday for me:

It’s the amazing, fantastic, absolutely phenomenal…

BOBBI BROWN MAKEUP MANUAL!!!

Believe me when I say that I have searched high and low for this.  Well, I found it when Boch told me about it, but I didn’t have the means to buy it then. When I did have the means, I couldn’t find it.  I searched National Bookstore branches in Makati and QC, and 3 Powerbooks outlets as well.

So I tried going online and voila, nationalbookstore.com.ph had it! Wheeness!

And a note to those who want to buy this book:  Better buy it from National Bookstore because it’s cheaper (P1235 compared to P1615 if you buy it from Powerbooks).  For me that’s quite a price difference for the same hardbound book you know?  Even if you add the shipping cost (P100 for Metro Manila) if you buy online, it’s still cheaper.  And delivery is super fast.  I ordered on Monday, 19 January, and I had it in the mail when I got home yesterday! How’s that?!

More views from the book (pardon the poor quality. I was too excited to take decent pictures):
I want a concealer palette like that. One day. If only they delivered to the Philippines sana…

crappy photo, i know. But looks great in person!!!

pics! tutorials!

I love this book. I’m glad I got it.

It seems like only yesterday that Barbie loved M.A.C.  Now it apparently has transferred the love to Stila

I wished I was joking, but no.  This came in my inbox this morning (or probably last night, I’m not sure).  It says on the site that Stila is the official Barbie makeup partner for 2009 (which also happened to be Barbie’s 50th year).  So… they’re probably making this a yearly thing.  I wonder how Barbie Loves Smashbox would look like hee-hee.

You could buy the collection as a set, which I think gives one some sort of a Barbie retrospective.  Each one comes with its corresponding doll, after all, reflecting the beauty from that particular era.

1959 #1 PONYTAIL DOLL
STRIKING & GLAMOROUS

The original Barbie® doll wore the famous black and white striped bathing suit. Striking red lips and black-rimmed cat eyes made this doll the epitome of 1950s glamour!

• 3 Pan Palette with a deep blue eye shadow with white shimmer, a matte black eye shadow, and a luminous coral cheek color
• Lip Color in Ponytail (matte cherry red)
• Liquid Eye Liner in Black

1971 MALIBU DOLL
FRESH & SUN-KISSED

Malibu Barbie® doll debuted in an aqua bathing suit, groovy sunglasses, and an L.A. tan! A sunny beach look featuring aqua shadow and pink lips made this doll the epitome of 1970s fresh, natural beauty!

• 3 Pan Palette with a soft shimmering pale pink eye shadow, a sky blue eye shadow with white shimmer, and a golden bronze bronzer
• Lip Glaze in Malibu (pale pinky peach)
• Lash Visor Waterproof Mascara in Black

1980 FOXY DOLL
BOLD & STUNNING

Foxy Barbie® doll made the scene in a hot red outfit with golden accents and big earrings. A warm, sultry look featuring red lipstick and earth-toned shadow made this doll the epitome of bold 1980s glamour!

• 3 Pan Palette with soft wheat eye shadow with white shimmer, mid-tone brown. with gold shimmer, and matte soft berry cheek color
• Lip Glaze in Foxy (sheer tangerine color)
• Lash Visor Waterproof Mascara in Black

2000 JEWEL DOLL
PRETTY & SASSY

Trendy and glamorous, Jewel Girl™ began the year 2000 with fresh style. A hip, sparkly look featuring blue shadow, shimmery pink lips, and faux gems made this doll the epitome of pretty in the new millennium!

• 3 Pan Palette with a tan eye shadow with pink shimmer, a brown eye shadow. with gold and brown shimmer, and a shimmering pink cheek color
• Lip Glaze in Jewel (shimmering vivid pink)
• Multi-effect Mascara in Black

And might I add, they also have a palette.  A talking one at that:

Barbie Loves Stila Talking Palette features four pretty in pink (and purple) wet/dry eye shadows that create the classic Barbie eye look, and literally talks you through every step of easy application.

Palette includes shadows in cool pink shimmer (base), bright lilac with gold sparkle (lid), deep pink (crease), and dark purple with blue sparkle (liner).

Personally the 1959 (#1 Ponytail Doll) and the 1980 (Foxy Doll) collections appeal to me more.  The old-skool doll looks so vintage and the foxy doll looks a lot of fun.  Other than that… I don’t really know what to feel about it.  But hey, if it floats your boat, why not?

If you happen to have loads of dough and you have a way to have items shipped from Sephora to where you are, then have a go at it and go get some goodies from the Barbie Loves Stila Collection.

Decided to search and add some old posts from an old journal (see, they still have the old url stamped on them — it’s gone now, but you can see the cached pages if you try to search it hehehe) and some from my personal journal and add them onto here.  If they’re makeup related, they just might help someone, right?

FROM THIS: (bare eye)

TO THIS: (almost imperceptible nude/neutral eye for daytime)

TO THIS: (smoke-it-up nighttime eye… still using browns)

….

I remember I wrote instructions for this, complete with pictures, but somehow I couldn’t find it.  Probably because I couldn’t remember the title of my post for that.  Perhaps this calls for a brand new post, then.

Don’t worry.  I promise to get around writing for this.  See, I’m already posting old posts here.