Lancôme NEW UV Standard UV Expert XL-Shield SPF 50+++, PhP 2,195

#projectbrightskinweek


Ok, I think I may have found my HG foundation. I have raved and recommended foundations in the past but never have I tried anything remotely close to this foundation. Lancôme has always come up with fascinating foundations (my ultimate favorite was is their Photogenic Lumessence but I think that was discontinued?), and I wasn't surprised that this would win my heart as my HG foundation -for now anyway.

Lancôme ABSOLUE Sublime Rejuvinating Essence Foundation in Ivorie-O, PhP 4,495

The heat is at its highest, and we our desire to wear makeup become less and less. The answer is to have a good skin care regimen so you can have the confidence to go au natural, and let your skin breathe!

One good product to invest in is Lancôme's little black bottle, Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate. A product that is backed up by 14 years of research and nine patents, you get visible results in just seven days. This product has received more than 150 beauty awards, making it the most awarded skin care product worldwide.

This little black bottle sells one every 5 seconds worldwide.

Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate 30ml, PhP 4,000

#announcement

I love lip gloss. I can literally shop for gloss the whole day til I drop. The question is, if I want to. I already feel so guilty about owning too much gloss, and still here I am totally smitten by Lancome's Gloss in Love collection.

I don't concealer on myself because I don't think I needed it. But lately, I have been sleeping late and have been crazy busy with shoots that I only get a maximum of 5 hours of sleep which have turned into nightmare-ish baggies. I am very lucky that I do not have horror-esque dark circles, but my eyes do get super puffy at times and tired-ness can look very obvious.

#beautylookoftheday #letsnailitsaturday #notd #nails

Hey ladies!

I just want to greet everyone a beautiful and happy Sunday! Sharing my lippie and nail of the day. Hope you're enjoying your Sunday!

It seems like the new trend is liquid lipsticks turning into matte. First time I heard about this is Revlon, and now it's popping up everywhere!

I bought 2 brands to compare that was more or less first in the market (as far as I'm concerned):

COLORSTAY ULTIMATE LIQUID LIPSTICK IN FIRE (P843)

Let me tell you about this product. I love that Revlon has always been the first on long wearing makeup with their ColorStay line that has been around for ages.

Their colors and products have drastically changed over time more so when Gucci Westman came in the picture!

Anyway, let me tell you about this product. I love that its pigment deserves a 10/10. The color and shade is the perfect shade of red that I have been accustomed to using for my skin color and tone. The only thing holding it back from getting a perfect 10 is its overall feel. It's just too sticky. I don't like wearing makeup that makes me feel uncomfortable. When you are applying it though, it feels like you are applying water on your lips. It kind of has that consistency but it's not that messy. It takes a while to dry so you can erase product that strays.

Remember when you were a kid and after you eat sweets the sugar dries on your lips and you press your lips together and they stick together like glue? Well, that's how it feels like. I have to apply gloss on top of it just so I won't feel uncomfortable wearing it.



The first time I laid eyes on this lippie on my friend and Preview's Beauty Director, Agoo, I just fell in love with it. After we parted ways in Glorietta that day, I had to rush over to Rustan's to check it out. Lancome had 3 matte shades: #300 Magie Pourpre (In photo), #301 Prune Elixir, nd #100 Potion D.

Ok, I went a little crazy yesterday. I popped by Landmark's Cosmetic Sale (again) and see if they had any further mark-downs on cosmetics. I just learned that Revlon had an additional promo of their own, buy-one-take-one free of the Colorburst Lipglosses. Ooops, bad idea. I just hoarded.

Back by popular demand, I was able to compile a few more products from my notes to compare for the Splurge vs. Steal Series! Enjoy!


1. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (P2,250) vs. ELF Mineral Infused Face Primer (P495)


For all you ladies who are addicted to face primers, ELF may be a good alternative for you. And to some who find having to put primers on the face makes the foundation cakey, that just means you have layered on too much.

Now, I have been getting emails from my readers asking me what's a good alternative for Shu Uemura. A good product that is more budget friendly. So it was the perfect time for me to start canvasing. It took me nearly a year to compile the information from different brands (some bottles I finished, some I just gave away).

So, after months and months of testing, these are the products I came up with. I have ranked them from 1 to 6, 1 being the top of my list.

*Before you buy, always, always, ALWAYS test the product first! Apply a tiny amount on your neck or a little on your jawline and leave on for about 5 minutes and see if you have any reaction to the product.*










5. HUMAN HEART NATURE SUNFLOWER CLEANSING OIL (P350.00 P275.00)

Among all the cleansing oils I have tried, this has probably got to be my 5th choice. They didn't have testers in their kiosks so I had to buy one to be able to try it on. As you may already know, I am a sucker for cute packaging and SMELL. Smell of a product is very important to me.

TEXTURE/CONSISTENCY: Quite thick. It takes a bit of effort to massage on your face to remove makeup.

FEEL: The product is thick (maybe because it's au naturel) but I didn't really feel comfortable using it.

RINSE-ABILITY: The moment the water hits your face to rinse it off, the thicker it seemed to get. It was like the oil stuck more while rinsing. Even rinsing under running water in the shower for a full 3 minutes, the product doesn't completely wash away. You will definitely have to rinse this product off with soap or facial wash.

FRAGRANCE: I love the smell. It smells really fresh and sweet.

RECOMMENDATION: If you are the all-natural kind of girl, this product is good. Human Heart Nature sells facial washes too so it'll be a good pair.


4. KANEBO FRESHEL CLEANSING OIL
(P720.00)

I don't know why some people downplay Kanebo. It's a good Japanese brand! And before there was even Shu Uemura in Manila, Kanebo was the Japanese brand to choose!

When it was yet another time to purchase another brand of cleansing oil to review, I was choosing between Kanebo and Revlon's new cleansing oil. Since I was leaning toward Japanese or Korean brands more for cleansing oils, I went for Kanebo.

TEXTURE/CONSISTENCY: It's quite thick. Just like Human Heart Nature and Neutogena. I don't really like very thick cleansing oils.

FEEL: When you apply it dry on your skin to remove the makeup, it's quite thick to be massaging it all over your face. Rinsing is not that easy so you will have to follow with a facial wash. But right after rinsing, it doesn't make your facial skin tight.

RINSE-ABILITY: Difficult. You will have to rinse several times just to get about half of it off your face before you can follow with a wash.

FRAGRANCE: No smell... Yay! I always go for products with either no smell, or a fresh kind of scent (that wouldn't make me woozy).

RECOMMENDATION: Sorry folks, I wouldn't recommend this product (but to each his own, try it yourself. Who knows, you might like it!).




3. PURE BEAUTY PERFECT CLEANSING OIL (P199.00)

I was attracted to it's simple, clean looking packaging. I had just run out of any form of makeup remover in my bathroom, and no more Shu Uemura. So it was time for the cleansing oil search.

This product is made in Korea. As soon as I heard the word Korea, it was considered sold.

So, upon going home, I used this product to clean my face. Here are my findings:

TEXTURE/CONSISTENCY: Smooth and can be easily massaged on the face to loosen the makeup.

FEEL: I wasn't allergic to the product so that was a plus (still, you have to test this product before buying). While I was massaging my eye area to remove my mascara though, it kind of stung my eye but just for a little while. It goes away after you wash your face with water.

RINSE-ABILITY: It's easily removed with water with most of your makeup a long with it. I still recommend using a foaming cleanser after.

FRAGRANCE: This is the only problem with this product. It's supposedly unscented but it has a weird smell that I really want to get rid off with a facial wash after removing my makeup.

RECOMMENDATION: If you don't mind the smell, this is actually not bad!


2. MUJI CLEANSING OIL
(Mild Cleansing Oil - P425.00 / For Sensitive Skin - P625.00)

MUJI has good skin care products. The fact that it is from Japan, of course I immediately trusted the products. Never mind that I can't read what the back of the bottle said. I had to get one.

One of their skincare products that I love using is their Light Moisturizing Milk. It's just divine! So when I came across their cleansing oil, I had to get one to try.

Since I don't have sensitive skin, I was OK with trying the Mild Cleansing Oil.

TEXTURE / CONSISTENCY: The texture is comparable to Shu's. It's light weight and it's easy to massage on the face. You need about 2 pump-fulls to completely dissolve your makeup.

FEEL: I love that it doesn't feel like you're lathering on cooking oil on your face. It feels very light on the face and it doesn't have any tingly or stinging sensations while the product sits on your skin.

RINSE-ABILITY: It can easily be washed with water but it doesn't feel like your skin is completely clean. You will have to follow this with a foaming cleanser.

FRAGRANCE: The smell is very pleasant. It smells clean and fresh. No artificial fragrances added.

RECOMMENDATION: If you're looking for a good Japanese branded cleansing oil, then MUJI is a good alternative. If anyone asks me about it, I would say it was a good product, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it.


1. REVLON ABSOLUTE C CLEANSING OIL
(P695.00)

Ok. Some of you may have violent reactions regarding this. I have read really bad reviews on the net about Revlon's cleansing oil but for me, it's actually the one I keep buying for myself and would recommend.

I love that Lancome's former International Artistic Director, Gucci Westman was hired by Revlon and has been creating comparable products with Lancome. Their line of colors have improved and formulations have also changed dramatically ever since Westman joined their company.

TEXTURE/CONSISTENCY: Just right. It's not too watery and not to thick. You can easily massage it to remove your makeup without it feeling too thick.

FEEL: While massaging it to your face, it doesn't feel icky and sticky. I love that when you pump product into your hand it doesn't just run through in between your fingers.

RINSE-ABILITY: You can easily rinse it off with water. It emulsifies with water into a milky substance. After washing the product off, your face feels fresh and clean and the skin is not taught and dry.

FRAGRANCE: It has a strong citrus smell. Like those of lots of oranges. Some people don't like the smell but I personally like it because it smells really clean and revitalizing.

RECOMMENDATION: Lancome and Shu Uemura are still my number 1 recommendations for cleansing oils, but this would definitely my second choice.

So, how about you? What is your favorite Cleansing Oil? I'd love to hear from you! Just post a comment below.


*Special thanks to Google Images for the product stills, and ProjectVanity.com for the photo of Revlon's Cleansing Oil.*

Let’s face it, there are benefits of buying luxury brands when it comes to lipsticks. Not all, but some local brands lack that extra ingredient that we pay premium for with big international brands therefore giving that “cracked” look when applied. There is no amount of scrubbing that you can do to your lips that will mask those cracks. Yes, it’s in the formula of your lipstick.

There are only 3 products I have tried that was able to fill in our lines to mask these cracks on my lips. But before I get in to those products, let me tell you about ELF’s Lip Primer & Plumper (P249.75). The primer is a concealer type formula that you apply on your lips that I wasn’t really fond of. It was too thick and was way too light, it was exactly like a concealer stick that you apply on your lips. When I applied the lip color on top of my lips, I had to reapply the lipstick several layers to try and erase the “lip concealer” off and made my lips peel making the cracks more visible. I then smoothed on the plumper on top of my lipstick and it didn’t do much either. It smelled like cinnamon which is the only thing I liked about this product. I left the concoction on for about 10minutes but it didn’t have that tingly feeling on my lips for that “plumping” effect. But if you use it alone, it does that tingly thing for about a 30 seconds and then disappears. So, to no success, this product is a total MISS.

Now let me tell you about the 3 products that worked for me best! 

So, Lancome finally sent me the latest collection for Fall 2009. I just fell in love with the ink artliner pot! I have tried different eyeliner pots, and I must say, Lancome has done it! The consistency is perfect, and you don't need a whole lot! I love how it makes such a bold line, and that you absolutely don't need a steady hand to apply it!

The MyLancôme Beauty Club.

"The elite Parisian beauty club that has delighted luxury consumers worldwide is now available to Filipinas who love luxury and beauty". For those who are interested, this is what you have to do to be a member + all the rewards and privileges you can get:

To enjoy all the rewards and privileges of being a MyLancôme esteemed member, simply make a minimum purchase of Php8,000 in a single receipt at the Lancôme Paris Boutique, Greenbelt 5. Complete the application form and submit it together with your receipt to your Lancôme Beauty Advisor. You will receive your MyLancôme membership card immediately.

MyLancôme membership is valid for 1 programme year, between 1 April this year and 31 March the following year. Membership is renewed if you are able to accumulate 600 Rose reward points during the programme year.

BEAUTIFUL REWARDS, JUST FOR YOU


ROSE REWARDS POINTS
• Receive one (1) Rose rewards point for every Php50 spent at the Lancôme Paris Boutique, Greenbelt 5.
• Roses earned during the programme year entitles you to redeem Lancôme products.
• Products available for redemption are classified in 7 tiers:

350 ROSES
Bi-Facil
Non-Oily Instant Cleanser for Sensitive Eyes
Eau Micellaire Douceur
Express Cleansing Water for Face, Eyes, and Lips

500 ROSES
UV Expert SPF 50
Active Triple Protection Make Up Base
Ôscillation Powermascara
The First Vibrating Mascara that Shapes, Lengthens, and Multiplies
Kérastase Sérum Nuit
Overnight Revitalising Treatment for Dull, Tired-Looking Hair

600 ROSES
Rénergie Morpholift R.A.R.E Eye Serum
Lifting and Repositioning Eye Serum
Blanc Expert Eye Cream
Ultimate Whitening Anti-Dark Circles Eye Treatment

800 ROSES
Secret de Vie Cellular Reviving Toner
Perfectly Tones, Re-plumps, and Freshens
Miracle EDP 30mL
A Feminine and Sheer Fragrance Based on a Floral and Spicy Harmony
Kérastase Oléo-Relax Shampoo and Fluid
Smoothing Shampoo and Fluid for Dry and Rebellious Hair

1000 ROSES
Magnifique EDP 50mL
The Newest Fragrance from Lancôme
Trésor EDP 50mL
A Romantic and Enveloping Fragrance Based on a Fruity Floriental Harmony
Rénergie Morpholift R.A.R.E Repositioning Cream
Lifting and Repositioning Cream

1200 ROSES
Blanc Expert GN-White Spot Eraser
360° Action at the Source of Stubborn Spots
Rénergie Refill Intesive Anti-Wrinkle Targeted Serum
Intense Wrinkle Repair

2500 ROSES
Secret de Vie Crème
Ultimate Cellular Reviving Cream
Absolue Skin Care Set (Lotion, Night Serum, and Eye Cream)
Advanced Replenishing Formula

A UNIVERSE OF PRIVILEGES
• Special birthday rewards– Receive two (2) Roses for every Php50 spent at the Lancôme Paris Boutique, Greenbelt 5 during your birthday month.
• Rewards for successful referrals – Receive fifty (50) Roses for every friend who qualifies to join the MyLancôme club. Recipient of Roses must accompany the referral at the time of joining.
• Receive world-class services from the Lancôme Colour Experts. As an esteemed MyLancôme club member, you get two (2) complimentary make-over sessions from our professional Colour Experts. All make-over sessions must be held at the Lancôme Paris Boutique, Greenbelt 5. Schedules are subject to the availability of the Colour Experts. Appointments must be made over the MyLancôme hotline, (632) 729-9394.
• Indulge in the ultimate retail experience as you shop for your favorite beauty products at the Lancôme Paris Boutique, Greenbelt 5 with the assistance of your personal beauty advisor.
• Receive the best beauty coaching from our make-up and skin care experts. All beauty consultations must be done at the Lancôme Paris Boutique, Greenbelt 5.
• Enjoy the company of co-MyLancôme members at exclusive workshops, fashionable events, and private sales.

Lancôme also introduced its new wedding packages, so if you're getting married soon, you might want to consider this:


Lancôme Weddings – packages that will help prepare the beautiful bride for the most important day of her life.

• Professional make-up services by Lancôme Make Up Artists or Lancôme Make Up Experts
• Personalized Lancôme skin-care regimen
• Pre-wedding pampering with Lancôme facial treatments
• Luxurious gifts and bridal kits from Lancôme Paris
• Supplementary Rose rewards points for MyLancôme members

With 3 packages to choose from:
Noces de Or (starts at Php16,000)
Noces de Diamant (starts at Php19,000)
Noces de Platine (starts at Php23,000)

The beautiful bride can now have the most luxurious pampering to prepare her for the big day.

Launched & introduced also last March 25, 2009 were Lancôme Paris' Make Up Artists Sabs Hernandez, Tatin Yang, Stacey Tan Gana-Bravo, Maris delos Reyes, Lancôme Chief Make Up Artist, Gela Laurel-Stehmeier, and Lancôme Make Up Expert Jenny Malayao.

Interested parties may visit the Lancôme Paris Boutique, Greenbelt 5 or may call (632) 729-9394 to inquire or to book a Lancôme Wedding.


Photo of Happy Ongpauco for the Lancome Ambassadors, unveiled last March 25, 2009. Makeup by Sabs Hernandez and Hair by Ogie Rayel. Other Lancome Ambassadors include Tessa Prieto-Valdez, Leica Carpo, Evelyn Forbes, and Angel Aquino (all made up by Gela Laurel-Stehmeier).

"Hi Sabs!

I would just like to send you a picture of me and my sister from the time you did our makeup at the Lancome counter in Makati a few months back! Remember when we got our make over in the morning? This was taken that night when we had dinner with the family. And this was only a phone camera! We love your makeup and took your advise to heart! More power to you!!"

Thanks Ms. Sabs,

Your blog inspired me to pursue my passion for makeup. I've always been a closet kikay. THANK YOU so much for all the tips. I have yet to really study makeup artistry but I enjoy reading your "tips." Do you have recommendations for foundation brands? I don't know how to make my skin look flawless and a bit dewy. I notice how many magazine looks appear to be porcelain-look? Hope you can share the good brands to use.

Thank you!!
Anj

Lancome has always been known for great skin care and mascaras. Now, here are 3 more reasons to try Lancome's Oscillation Mascara! The mascara with the shakes!

1. The Formula is Great!

The Oscillation mascara formula is Lancome's best yet! You can see that at first glance, because there's no clumping on the wand when you remove it from the mascara tube. With other mascaras, what happens is, if you apply too many coats of the product, your eyelashes stick together. With some kind of a restraint, but I found that you can achieve the same fullness with Oscillation with just one coat without the clumps!

2. The Wand Vibrates!

With it's new vibrating wand, you can cover even the smallest hairs. You get to coat each lash with the same amount of product making your lashes full evenly.

3. It's easily removable

I experimented on Oscillation by applying it seven times and used different mascara and make-up removers to wipe it away. Of course, the more layers of mascara you apply, the more remover you use getting the mascara off. Just pour about a pea size amount of makeup remover on your fingertips and massage it around your eye area. After washing your face, use pre-moistened wipes to remove excess mascara product. I prefer using wet-ones cloths and they work just fine to remove the Oscillation mascara.

Visit our Lancome store at Greenbelt 5 to try Oscillation Mascara!

When I have clients who have nice skin like Trina, I still recommend airbrush. Not only is the coverage important, but the overall comfort feel of the makeup. She has never tried airbrush before so I convinced her to give it a shot.

I have a new airbrush foundation formula that lasts for about 12 hours or more, and the coverage is full. It is extremely waterproof (perfect for Trina since she told she was a crier, hehehe). This formula is High Definition airbrush forumla, hand mixed with a little silicone to make the foundation more smooth.

I powdered her face with Lancome's sheer loose powder to make the skin still visible but with full coverage.

On her cheeks is a baby pink blush from Lancome and the eye shadow is from a palette which is champagne mixed with a little peach.

I wanted to keep the lips on the nude/neutral side, but dark enough for an evening setting.

My December 29 bride Myn had her trial session today. She opted for airbrush makeup! I am so jealous of her skin color! My frustration is to have nice tanned skin!

For Myn, I've decided to use a nice peach shimmer blush from Lancôme. For the eyes, I used Lancôme's quad shadow in fleur de peau. For her lips, I used a lip liner that was nude-pink, also by Lancôme. I think the warm toned palette suited her best.

Visit the Lancôme beauty station at the 5^th floor of Rustan's Makati

3pm to 9pm on August 30, 2008

for a complimentary whitening facial with Lancôme’s new Blanc Expert Neurowhite X3 Ultimate Whitening Bio-Cellulose Mask.

Afterwards, indulge yourself and get a free beauty makeover from our Lancôme Colour Expert, Maris delos Reyes and her team.

Advanced bookings are recommended (call 813-3739 and ask for the Lancôme counter).

Schedule of Lancôme Colour Experts (Call for makeup bookings):

Gela Laurel-Stehmeier – Sept 12 in Rustan's Tower, Sept 19 in Rustan's Makati

Sabs Hernandez – Sept 26 in Rustan's Makati, Sept 27 in Rustan's Tower

Tatin Yang – Sept 13, 20, 27 in Rustan's Makati

Maris delos Reyes – August 30 and Sept 12 in Rustan's Makati, Sept 19 in Rustan's Tower

Stacey Tan-Gana - Sept 13, 20, 26