Coming up with a Valentine's Day look is pretty easy. Yes, you guessed it right, my Valentine's Day look is always carefully planned. Even after being married to my husband for 5 years, I always want to look my best on the most romantic day of the year.

This year, I chose Covergirl for my look. I have a couple of reasons why I went for Covergirl this year. #1, their new Full Lash Bloom Mascara is new and is just screaming of Valentine's packaging which I love, and #2 their eyeshadow quad Go for the Golds is perfect for my outfit this year.

#aboutface

I swear, this particular product from Covergirl brings back so much memories of grade school. I remember I would ask my relatives arriving from the states to buy me Covergirl makeup because they don't sell them here yet! It's such a classic look from Covergirl! Yes, I started wearing makeup when I was 14. Just a simple face powder, blush and lip gloss though, but makeup nonetheless.

CoverGirl Cheekers Blush in Pretty Peach contains 3 grams / 0.12 oz of product which will actually last you quite a while. The blush also comes with a brush which is soft but the hairs are quite coarse -but can be of good use when you are in hurry and don't have anything else to apply your blush with. I would describe this color as a muted pink with a bit of coral to it. It also has a bit of gold sheen (not shimmer) to it if you look a little closer. This color brightened up my complexion and looks great for summer to highlight a tan, or all year round if you have a warmer skin tone.

CoverGirl Cheekers Blush in Pretty Peach, PhP 395

More after this blush after the break!

#aboutface

I have always opted for dewy skin vs. matte skin. Specially now that pregnancy is making my skin so dry (I am 7 months today!), I definitely need dewy looking skin because I don't want to emphasize my dry skin by making it look even more dry.

For a drugstore brand, this powder has worked so well on my skin. It set my foundation real well without making my skin look overly matte. I think this shade is a really great match for my skin tone. It's not overly yellow or too translucent that it makes the skin really white.

No ghostly cast on flash photography so that one is also a bonus.

Covergirl TruBlend Minerals Mineral Pressed Powder in Translucent Light, PhP 425

Looking for a new affordable pressed powder? More after the break!

#12daysofchrisTMMas


Hey girls! 12 Days of Christmas is back! Sorry I have been over fatigued and sick from all Christmas rush! But now I'm back for the last 3 giveaways from TMM and my favorite beauty brands!

Covergirl is giving away their latest mascara LENGTH mascara to 12 TMM readers!


Want one? Mechanics after the break!

#beautybox

I have been wearing makeup since I was 14, and that was in 1994. Back then, you won't find Covergirl here in Manila, and I had to ask my relatives from the US to buy for me and send it through other relatives who were coming home from the US. And now, Covergirl is conveniently located everywhere and we can now purchase their wonderful products easily!

Unboxing the December Box which is exclusive to Covergirl brought back memories when I first received my Covergirl eyeshadow quad and blush. Back then I didn't really wear full on makeup because they didn't allow it in school, but I did wear Johnson's Face Powder, Covergirl Blush, and tinted/flavored lip balm.

BDJBox December 2014, Covergirl Box PhP 580.00

More about this awesome BDJ exclusive after the break!

CoverGirl Bombshell Makeup Line

#eyespymondays

I am going to start of by saying that this is my first review on any of Covergirl's mascaras. I have always been a Maybelline mascara kind of girl because it was the only mascara in the market that held the curl of my lashes (yes, I have stubborn lashes) -and if you're anything like me, then you should read on! Although most mascaras give incredible length and volume, they always tend to weigh my lashes down making them look like bangs. Ha!

I have the complete collection of Covergirl's Mascara and for the past 2 months, it's all I have been using. I had to finish up my other mascaras before I got to concentrate on this one, and some mascaras I had to give away to my friends.

Now I am proud to say that I have a new favorite mascara to add to my very short list of mascaras to buy that can hold my curled lashes in place.

Covergirl LashBlast Volume Mascara (Waterproof), PhP 575.00

(Click READ MORE to know more...)

One of my best friends, Carla is getting married! Only one month before the big day so I had to plan the bachelorette party in two weeks. Instead of the typical mani-pedi spa kind of bachelorette party, I wanted to give the bride, the bridesmaids, and the other important women in the bride's life products that they can take home to include in their beauty regimen to make them look even more beautiful for the big day -sort of like a "Glorifying Beauty Kit" for them to enjoy!

So I contacted brands who sponsor and support me and asked for their help. Brands that I believe that would give my ladies beautiful skin on the day of the wedding, and long after that.

A week before the big day, I sent the bride two pre-bachelorette party gifts. One to be used the day before the party, and the other for the day itself.


(Click READ MORE to know more...)

One of my favorite lipstick formulas are ones that glide on like balm, sticks like matte lipstick, and has a soft creamy finish. I recently found that in Covergirl's Lip Perfection Lipsticks.

I have always believed that splurging on makeup base like powder or liquid foundation is a must, but you can scrimp on other products like blush, eyeshadow, and lipsticks. Not so cheap that you'll get allergies, but a reasonable price that work just as well as high-end ones. Although there is no problem in wanting to own luxury items, but there are now products available in the market that work just as well for women in a budget but still get top-notch quality.

Covergirl Lip Perfection Lipsticks, PhP 395.00/each

#liptalktuesdays

This is pretty exciting ladies, COVERGIRL has finally brought lipperfection to Manila! I have been dying to try this ever since it was given to me as a gift from COVERGIRL, but it has only been launched last month so I couldn't post it yet! But girl, oh girl -it's now here and it's here to stay!

Covergirl Lipperfection Jumbo Gloss Balm No. 200, PhP 330.00

(Click READ MORE to know more...)

Ombre lips has been around for a while but I just currently jumped on the bandwagon. I think they're sexy and it's a fun new way to update your look not only this summer but for any other time of the year!

I finally got Covergirl's Blast Flipstick Lipstick after seeing it on Sofia Vergara. The sales associate at the CG counter told me that she was wearing the shade STUNNER, and of course, she had me at Sofia Vergara.

#getthelook

When I first saw Preview magazine's cover this month, April 2013, I immediately fell in love with the makeup look, specially that blue eyeliner. I think this look is very wearable whether to work or just window shopping at the mall. It's fresh and chic, definitely adds spunk to complete your overall look!

Have you seen the movie Maid in Manhattan? Well, it's one of my favorite movies and my favorite part is when JLo's character, Marissa Ventura, arrived at the ball all dolled up in a gorgeous chiffon peach-salmon floor length gown, and her makeup was just B-E-A-utiful.

I love that she "shined" or should I say, glowed (?), in all the right places. She was just stunning!

Let me tell you what LOTD means. It means my "Look Of The Day".

I didn't have anywhere to go today, but I wanted to put makeup on and just practice different kinds of looks and share them with you. I made the makeup darker on myself so that you can see the highlights and the contour well too. You don't have to make it this dark.

When you see LOTD on the title, I would like you to do the look as well and practice! Of course, please take note that I am in no way comparing myself to JLo. I am merely imitating her makeup look, so haters, please be kind and keep an open mind :)

So... Here we go! Remember! Practice makes perfect! So here is the step by step instruction for you to do:



1. Prep you skin by cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, 10 minutes before putting on your makeup. (Do not skip this step!)

2. Apply your foundation. Use your foundation lightly, meaning, please do not go overboard. Some women think that the thicker the foundation, the more flawless they look. I would advise applying foundation only on areas you need it: your forehead and cheeks. Dot foundation on your forehead and cheeks and spread towards your hair line. I like using my fingers because it warms the foundation making the product blend on your skin more rather than when I use a brush.

     *tip: mix an illuminator with your foundation like NARS' liquid illuminator in Copacabana, to give your skin a glow (plus, this minimizes dark spots!).


3. If after you have applied your base and you still need to conceal under your eyes, conceal lightly. When I say lightly, always start with as little product as possible to avoid caking. After you have applied your foundation, dust loose powder all over your face to set your base.

4. Do your eyebrows. I love using Fanny Serrano's Eyebrow Quad Kit. If you are used to doing your brows, Fanny Serrano's eyebrow kit is one of the best! I used a slanted brow brush from Fanny Serrano as well.

      *tip: if you are not used to doing your brows, invest in Ardell's Brow Perfection Stencils (available in SM, P495/set), or if you want to splurge a little, try Christian's Eyebrow Powder, it comes with stencils and an eyebrow brush already (available in Beauty Bar, P1,395/kit). These kits come with easy-to-follow instructions on how to achieve those perfect arcs!




5. Apply bronzer on your cheekbones going up towards your temples. This will give your face shape but try not to over do it. Brush bronzer lightly along your cheekbones, a little on the apples of your cheeks and then on your temples. Make sure that you apply along your hairline so it blends well. I like using ELF's Healthy Glow Bronzer in Warm Tan (available in SM, P129.75). It isn't too orange, and that's the kind of bronzer you should look for. Use your finger to erase any harsh lines you may have created applying your bronzer.

    *tip: dust lightly a sheer illuminating blush on the apples of your cheeks like NYX's Illuminating Bronzer in Narcissistic to give your cheeks a nice warm peachy glow.



6. Apply an illuminating powder on top of your cheekbones, creating a letter C connected to your brow bones (shown on photo on me above), remember to blend well!

    *tip: use your fingers to apply for a more natural look because you can blend well. I used The Body Shop's Blushing Daisies 01.







7. Now let's move on to the eyes. Apply a nude eyeshadow as your base. Here, you can use shimmer. Apply with a flat eyeshadow brush from your lash lines up to the brow bones.

I used the Sun City shade from CoverGirl's Queen Collection Eyeshadow Quad in Desert Bronze (the second shade in the quad). Contour your crease with a darker shade of nude that is still on the peach side. I used the Champagne shade (4th on the quad) mixed with a little of Down to Earth (3rd on the quad).

*tip: use a rounded tip brush to apply on your creases. Use a "wiper" motion when applying on your creases so that you can define it well. As you can see on my photo, I extended the contours toward the side of my nose blending it well with the nose line so that there is consistence. Blend the edges with a clean rounded tip brush until there are no lines visible.

8. Use your chosen illuminating powder to highlight the inner corners of your eyes to make your eyes glow! I used the same illuminating powder that I used to highlight my cheekbones.

      *tip: if you want more intensity, use a wet brush. But you have to blend this fast because this can dry up pretty fast!



9. Curl your lashes and layer on the mascara for a dramatic look. My current favorite mascara? Maybelline's The Falsies Volum' Express! I swear by this product! As for me, I used false eyelashes though. I am used to putting false eyelashes on myself so I put them on to better demonstrate what false eyelashes can do. So? Practice practice practice!

     *tip: Open your mascara tube and wipe the wand lightly gripping the wand with a tissue and removing excess product. Apply on your lashes and then repeat this process, completely drying your lashes in between applications. This will avoid clumping!


10. Apply eyeliner on top of the lash bands (if you are wearing false eyelashes), but if not, best to apply your eyeliner before applying mascara on your curled lashes. Make the line thin on the inner corners of your eyes, and thicker as you move outwards.

      *tip: Using a firm tipped brush (or eyeliner wand like Lancome's Artliner, will give you better control of the lines you are creating. If you are using a cream or gel liner, choose a liner brush that has short hairs and is a bit firm like MAC 209 brush.



11. When applying lipstick, it's always better to use a lip brush. The reason is that it's more precise, and that it's more sanitary.  For this look, I used Make Up Forever Rouge Artist #39 Lipstick and applied gloss only on the center part of my lips. My lips are already big, and glossing all over will only make it look bigger. By applying only in the middle part will make your lips look poutier, but not HUGE.







So, how did you do? Remember, practice makes perfect! If you have questions, do let me know! You can send me an email at sabshernandez@gmail.com, with the title of this blog post as the subject. Enjoy!

When it comes to eyeliners, I’ve always preferred liquid liners. Aside from them having really intense color, it’s smudge proof.

I was in SM this afternoon to buy the mineral loose powder 405 from CoverGirl that I mix with my other shades of loose powder for my own personalized customized color. Yes, I have a tone that is very hard to match so I mix my own shade so that sucks a little bit.

But anyway, I will teach you that some other time, right now I will tell you all about CoverGirl’s Liquiline Blast. An eyeliner pencil that has liquid-like intensity (P450) that glides on extremely smooth.

Intrigued, I used their tester and lined my upper lash lines with a thick line and wore it for at least 2 hours doing a bit of window shopping before buying one for myself.

TWO THUMBS UP (three if I had an extra thumb)! I love that even with the intense humidity now a days, the liner stayed put! The liner has a sponge tip at the other end that you can use to smudge the line to create a smokey effect!

Overall? Best P450 I ever spent! LOVE IT!