Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Sandwash Pink

Every year, I have to get my hands on a copy of Cosmopolitan's August issue, since it's their big beauty special! I am intrigued with the products that have received their stamp of approval for their annual beauty awards.

Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Sandwash Pink

One product that caught my attention was Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Sandwash Pink, which received the award for Best Nude Lipstick for 2013.

I have the exact same shade in my Bobbi Brown palette, so I figured I might as well share a swatch with you.

I love this shade, but I'm guilty of ignoring in my kit, since it comes in a palette and I don't want to bring the entire thing when I go out, and I don't like dipping my fingers into lipsticks. Look's like I've been missing out all along! I'm actually not very familiar with all the lip color shades of Bobbi Brown, so let's just say I just found out that they do have a full-sized tube version of this. Yay! If I were to splurge on a nude, my lips but better shade, this would have to be it!

Swatches:

Pros:

• Creamy matte texture
• Very natural looking - no shimmer!
• A my lips but better shade
• Not too drying, but a little bit of lip balm would help to prevent lips from drying/chapping
• Color does not easily transfer, though you'd have to reapply for sure after eating
• No strong scent
• Pink beige shade looks very nice on fair skin
• Versatile shade, can be applied lightly or heavily, good for day and night

Cons:

• Pricey
• Packaging of the full-sized lip color looks a bit "old" for my taste

As seen in Cosmopolitan August 2013:

Best Nude Lipstick

Your lips, but better? Yes! Fairer femmes will love Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Sandwash Pink, P1,200.

Trivia: This is the shade Kate Middleton wore on her wedding day!

Will I repurchase? Yes.

Price: P1,200.00

Available in Bobbi Brown counters in Rustan's.

I'll now transfer this lip color from my palette to a small jar so I could use it everyday! I'd love to know, what's your my lips but better shade? :)

Love,

Helen

Bobbi's 20th Anniversary Party

Last Friday, I dropped by Rustan's Makati for a makeover. Since it's nearing the holiday season, it was all about party makeup!

Cupcakes for everyone!

Lipstick Wall

Blush Heaven

Makeup: Magic Jimenez
Photo: Dianna Capco

Bobbi Brown Party Collection for Holiday 2011

Bobbi’s NEW Party Collection is inspired by those memories—and by the glitz and glamour of screen sirens like Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall. To get the party started, Bobbi’s iconic Shimmer Brick is now available in silver and gold and embossed for the first time ever with martini glass and shaker—a toast to the 20th anniversary of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics! Metallic Eye Paint Palettes also make an appearance, but the life of the party is the elegant yet modern Bobbi’s Party Fragrance, a rich bouquet of violet leaves, rose petals and sandalwood that makes a lingering statement. Party is about feeling like a star—glamorous and with all eyes on you. It is sure to be a collection to remember.

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is available in Rustan's Makati, Rustan's Shangri-La, and Essences Rockwell.
Like Bobbi Brown Philippines on Facebook.

Love,
Helen

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual

I love reading but I seldom buy books, because I feel like they are a waste once I have finished reading them. Way back in college, I borrowed novels (and not school books) from our library. One of my favorite books was The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, and I can't believe I got to read it for free. (Thanks, library!) That's one of the things I miss from my college days. But then, there is this one book that I felt I just had to get, despite its hefty price tag, and it's the bestselling Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual. I love playing with makeup, and while I still can't afford the tuition fee of a professional makeup school, I went for the more affordable alternative which could hopefully help me sharpen my makeup application skill.

About Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual:

Bobbi's 25+ years of makeup artist experience is distilled into one volume that includes over 200 full-color photos and step-by-step instructions as well as a "Ten Step Guide to Perfect Makeup" that teaches you how to apply your makeup in ten minutes or less.

Packed with all the tricks of the trade, this book also offers a unique guide for aspiring makeup artists: how to break into the business, put together a portfolio, book work, and work with photographers, magazine editors, fashion designers, & celebrities. (Hardcover, 221 pg.)

This book was launched way back in 2009, and I am wondering why I did not buy it sooner. I covered it in plastic as soon as I got it so it will look good as new!

The first page greeted me with fancy, colorful makeup and I knew that I was going to have fun reading this book.

Makeup Kits

These tips on which makeup to put in your home makeup, everyday bag, evening bag, office drawer, gym bag, and for travel. From the tips I read, I bought small jars to put my skincare samples in (because sachets are messy). I also want to get the facial wipes for travel or for when I am too tired to wash my face.

Tools Guide

This portion described every makeup brush you could think of (and some which I did not knew existed) and the purpose of each brush. Before, I would think that natural brushes were better than synthetic ones, but then I found out that natural and synthetic brushes each have their pros and cons. I learned that powder-based products work better with natural bristles since it blends products more evenly. Creamy products work better with synthetic brushes since they are stiffer than natural bristles and therefore provide more control.

Expiration Dates of Cosmetics

While some products have expiration dates marked, others don't. This is a handy guide on the approximate shelf life of cosmetics.


This part of the book focused on the science and importance of skin care. It sees the importance of caring for the skin from within. After all, skin care is more important than makeup. The healthier your skin is, the less makeup you'd need.

As for makeup, this book also tackled on choosing the right type and shade of foundation for your skin, and detailed tips on applying makeup for the brows, eyes, cheeks, and lips.

Here's a sample of their step by step guide to applying makeup. I appreciate the fact that they included specific and separate techniques for Asian brows and eyes.

The Beauty of Diversity

Blush

Powder Blush Application | Cream & Gel Blush Application

Guide for Selecting Lip Color

Asian Eye Shadow Application

Ten-Step Guide to Perfect Makeup

Bridal Makeup

I find bridal makeup particularly interesting. It has to be clean and it has to emphasize the natural beauty of the brides on their big day. It has to last all day, too.

Special-Occasion Makeup

Makeup for Teens

Ageless Beauty

Finding Inspiration

Professional Makeup Kit

The Fun Kit

Creative Makeup Looks by Gail Hadani & Paul Innis

Makeup for Magazines

Geisha Look

Memorable Makeup Moments & Legends | Who's Who in Makeup

End

What I Love About It:

• This book really did not skimp on beautiful, full-color illustrations.
• The step-by-step guide for makeup application on each part of the face was accompanied with pictures to make it easier to understand.
• It's a very inspiring read. Reading it makes me want to play with makeup!
• This book is not hard-sell on Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. It aimed to educate, not to sell their products.

What I Don't Like About It:

• While there were several looks presented in this makeup book, I was expecting more, like pegs of different makeup looks and tutorials we could cop and wear on a normal day. The looks presented here were either just the finished natural look or the highly creative look (for runways/high fashion shoots).
• A guide on which particular makeup shade goes with what could help. Example: mango lips go with gold eye shadow and bronze cheeks; orchid pink lipstick goes with mascara and black eyeliner, etc. (I've seen this in Allure magazine, and it is really helpful!)
• Sometimes, the tips mentioned in the book contradicted with each other. Like "put dark shadow on the crease" for the smokey-eye look, but when it came to Asian eyeshadow application, dark shadow on the crease is a no-no. After reading the book, I still don't know how do the right smokey-eye look. (Practice, practice!)

I think Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual is good for beginners. It provides a crash course of makeup 101 for those who are clueless with skincare and makeup. For beauty addicts and pros, this book might not be much of a help, even it it says that this book is "For Everyone from Beginner to Pro". However, I do not regret purchasing this book because the tips here are timeless.

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual (P1,235.00) is available in leading book stores nationwide.

Do you also read makeup books? Which one do you recommend?

Love,
Helen

Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara

Usually, I go for drugstore mascaras since they're part of my "scrimp" list when it comes to makeup. I also prefer non-waterproof mascaras since I don't like the hassle of removing the waterproof ones. So imagine my delight when I received this Bobbi Brown mascara in the mail 2 months ago. It's my first "luxury" mascara, and I am so excited to finally use this!

About Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara:

Bobbi’s new gold standard for ultra-long, perfectly separated lashes. The secret? An upgraded good-for-your lashes formula working in perfect synergy with a unique brush. In just one sweep you get noticeably longer lashes & perfect separation. And because it’s enriched with olive-derived emollients, Vitamin B and humectants, this long-wearing mascara conditions lashes while staying smudge & flake-free. You’ll be lash obsessed.

What I Love About It:

• The tube has a sleek feel to it. I love touching it. XD
• The bristles work wonderfully in separating and coating the lashes. It is designed in a way that you won't have to double dip and pump the mascara during use, since it deposits the right amount of product on the wand for you to be able to coat your lashes thoroughly.

• It really lengthened my lashes.

• It won't leave your lashes looking clumpy and spidery. It looks really natural.

• It does not flake.
  
• It comes off with just warm water.
  

What I Don't Like About It:

• It does not make my lashes look fuller (since it is a lengthening mascara).
• This mascara does not hold the curl of my eyelashes. My lashes droops by midday.
• It smudges on the outer corners of my under eyes (something that does not happen when I use cheaper drugstore mascaras).
• 2 days after using this, I developed 2 tiny dots on the lower waterline of my left eye. They look like tiny stys, but it's not like it will grow bigger so I just let it be. I hope they disappear. I think I'm allergic to this product, or maybe I did not remove it properly.

Would I repurchase? No.
Available at Bobbi Brown counters in Rustan's.

I'm looking for a new non-waterproof mascara. What can you suggest? :)

Love,
Helen

Package Day

I hate Mondays. I always get a severe case of Monday blues (which starts from Sunday afternoon). But yesterday was a happy Monday because I got home to find a package waiting for me! Heehee! :)

^_^

Carefully covered with bubble wrap

YEY! A new mascara! :)

I won a Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara from E's Thanksgiving Giveaway. Check out her blog here! I'll use this as soon as I use up my Maybelline mascara. I'm so excited already! :D

Thanks so much, E!

Love,
Helen

Be Pretty Powerful with Bobbi Brown

Early this month, I received a beautiful gift from Bobbi Brown. It was their Pretty Palette, which was released last February 2011. This is actually the very first makeup palette I own.

Bobbi Brown designed this Pretty Palette to make it easy for any woman to feel her absolute, most confident best. This Pretty Palette was created with fairer skin tones in mind.

Image and Tips from Bobbi Brown Philippines

Here are some useful tips for using the Pretty Palette:

1. Cleanse, tone, and moisturize prior to makeup application.
2. Apply foundation (and concealer, if needed) to even out your complexion. I prefer liquid foundation as this looks more natural and dewy.
3. Apply Ivory Eye Shadow from the lash line up to the brow bone to brighten up the entire eye area.
4. Apply Pink Flannel Eye Shadow on the lower lid up to the crease.
5. Apply Pink Chiffon Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow in the crease to add sparkle to your eyes.
6. Apply Chocolate Caviar Eye Shadow on your upper lash line (using an eyeliner brush). This shade is a nice dark brown color that can also be used to fill in the sparse areas of your brows.
7. Apply 2 coats of your favorite mascara.
8. Brush on the Pretty Pink Blush on the apples of your cheeks for a healthy glow. Don't know where exactly to put on the blush? Smile, and pat on the blush in the area that pops up on your cheeks. Make sure to blend well.
9. Apply Sandwash Pink Lip Color on your lips. It is a muted brownish pink lip color that looks very natural. You may top it off with Bubble Bath Lip Gloss for a fresh, natural look; or you may use the Soiree Pink Glitter Lip Gloss for a playful, party look.

The neutral and pink shades of this palette are very lovely. I love Bobbi Brown's concept of creating shades of makeup that will truly enhance one's natural tones. This palette is all you will need to look pretty powerful in an instant. :) This Pretty Palette is available at Rustan's Makati and Shangri-La Mall for P3,000.00.

What is your favorite Bobbi Brown product?

Love,
Helen