Let's Swatch All My INGLOT Lipstick Pans!:)

I have a special love for Inglot Cosmetics. A very special love.

I crossed paths with Inglot the summer I was in between universities, and was on the last leg of my battle with depression. Inglot was there for me when I needed a fresh start, when I needed to feel good about myself, and when I needed a seed to help me grow into a person I could actually tolerate. Inglot was there for me when I needed to find myself. This would sound like a complete cliche, but I really did find happiness in make-up, and not just any make-up, I found happiness in Inglot. 

My first Inglot anythings were two lipstick pans.. and then two eyeshadow pans.. and then concealer.. and before I knew it, I was building my very first (and only, so far) EBP palette, but like I said, I first fell for the lipsticks (oh by the way, I learned at that as jarring as it sounds lipsticks, indeed, is the plural form of lipstick), and this fondness for Inglot lipsticks just blossomed to full-blown love. 

Swatchfest? READY!

A tiny disclaimer though-- I only swatched my Freedom System lipstick pans, and not the bullets. The first reason is that I chose all these lipstick colors myself, whereas my lipstick bullets all came from goodie bags of gifts with purchase. The second reason is that I find the Freedom System lipsticks to be superior than those of the bullet-type, all in so many aspects. Lastly, I don't always reach for my bullet lipsticks, but my pans are pretty much in regular rotation, so, there you go!

Inglot lipsticks are my holy grail lipsticks. While I do have my own little stash of MAC lipsticks, I still find Inglot generally better. I like the finish of Inglot lipstick pans-- they go on in what I could refer to as matte, but not too matte. When I look at MAC lipsticks, I tend to get stuck, almost wondering if I could get something that's like a cross of a matte and a cremesheen, or a matte and a lustre but with Inglot, everything's just spot-on. It's my perfect fit.:) Sometimes, I tend to go for specific finishes, like with #515, which is a real matte, or with #87, which is a frost, having really big glitter particles, but even with these specific finishes, everything comes out really perfectly!

Okay, I don't think that photo did the colors justice. here's another one, with filters!--

filtered!

I don't think I have a massive lipstick collection. I feel that with this group, I have all my colors covered. Oh wait, I'm speaking too soon. I kind of want a blue lipstick. I'm dead serious.

Okay, I know that the lipsticks come in pans, and that it's not always easy to have to take a lip brush with you wherever, but I feel that the trade-off is worth it, because I get better application with a lip brush anyway, so I don't really lose out. If these would come out in bullets, then great, but since they don't, it's fine too. Everything's awesome!:)

I keep my lipstick pans in their little Inglot empty palettes. What I really like about Inglot palettes is that they have magnets at the bottom to hold the pans, magnets again to close the palette, and magnets some more to stack palettes to take them anywhere on-the go. Inglot has really simple, yet really sleek packaging. Some people would find it bulky, but it's rather space-saving, actually.

I normally switch out the pans. When I go to school, I would just pack one lipstick, one blush, and an eyeshadow rainbow pan, and then I'm good to go. Unfortunately, I've found that storing powders (especially brown eyeshadow) along with lipstick isn't always the best idea, because specks of the powder could get on to the lipstick, and pretty much mess it up. I'm still trying to figure things out. I'll let you know soon. Or not.

Since we're on the topic of storage, let me tell you the story of the lonely red lipstick.

I don't wear red lipstick to school as often as I'd like to, mainly because it's quite messy, especially against a white uniform. Although I have done it in the past (I don't know if you caught my One School Week in Red Lipstick thing), but red lipstick isn't as wear and go as more neutral colors are, that's why I keep in a palette right next to a concealer, with the latter being my "saftey net" for when I accidentally color outside the lines. With respect to color psychology, red lipstick might not exactly be the best option for someone treating a patient in a very anxiety-inducing field (hello, Dentistry!). Red lipstick is outside my regular school lipstick rotation, but it's always there to save the day whenever it needs to.

Oh, Inglot lipstick pans smell like juice by the way.
Haha, just saying!

Inglot lipsticks are my ultimate holy grail lipsticks. What are yours?:)

NYX LIQUID SUEDE -- Tea & Cookies.

Oh look at me, so late to the liquid lipstick party. Hahahaha.
By the way, I'm currently binge-watching Don't Trust the B in Apartment 23.


I don't know why it took me so long to hop on to the liquid lipstick bandwagon, honestly. The thing is, liquid lipsticks have just started appealing to me. No, I wasn't one of those girls who went gaga over Kylie Lip Kits the second they hit Instagram. I did, however, get in contact with an online Colourpop seller at one point, but it wasn't for the liquid lipsticks, though. I don't know. I'm probably just LATE to the liquid lipstick party. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it. Haha.

I wanted to try a liquid lipstick. I had a NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, but I didn't like it, so I asked one of our household helpers to take it with him to give to his sister when he went on vacation last summer. I thought I was sworn off NYX for life, but when I saw really nice reviews for Liquid Suede, I decided to go through with it. Chances, right?

My first encounter with NYX Liquid Suede was when I met up with my friend, Lhara, at SM Megamall a couple of months ago. I swatched a few shades, of course! I think I like Tea & Cookies, but at that time, not enough to actually buy it. Unfortunately, when I really did want it, it was so difficult to find in-store! I was at SM Makati last weekend, and they didn't have it in stock-- They only had the shade Sandstorm, along with some other dark shade that I was simply not interested in.

So I got on BeautyMNL.



Oh BeautyMNL, you always have my back. :*

Okaaay, so let me tell you something about Tea & Cookies. It's pink, it's cute, it's awesome. I'm not really good at describing colors, but I'd probably say that it's a more mature version of a Barbie pink, but way, way, way more neutral. It's something I'd wear with brown eyeshadow and a crisp white top, to at least give myself the illusion of sophistication. If you're into the peachy pinks with mauve undertones, this would be a nice addition to your little family.:)



I wouldn't exactly swear by the formula. It kind of moves around and takes a little while to settle, and to dry. I'm actually having difficulty believing in claims that this is waterproof. I wore this out this afternoon, and the longevity is really just average. I didn't want to think of this as just another drugstore liquid lipstick, but unfortunately, that's the impression I'm getting. It's not as opaque as I had hoped it would be, but then again, it's really not a horrible product.:)

I was kind of surprised by how it doesn't settle into the lines on my lips. I guess that even when it fades, it fades gracefully-- and yeah, even I would have to admit that it's a pro.

Oh come on, we all know that I can't be that white in real life. Hahaha
The sun was shining right on my face, but really, I'm a lot tanner.

I think I've come to realize something-- softer pinks don't look good on me when they're matte; but I kind of actually like how this marries into my lips. Now that I think about it, it kind of really does look like suede! I'm glad that the whole Liquid Suede thing isn't just a marketing thing. This kind of makes me want to try NYX Lingerie.

I'm only just starting to get the hang of using a liquid lipstick. I've been so used to applying lipstick from a bullet, or from a pan, that I feel like I have to re-learn lipstick application through a doe foot applicator, being that the last time I did so on a regular basis was just too long ago. I still have to work on my application technique to give myself an even coat.

Well yeah, liquid lipstick, yeahhh.

If I fall in love with the concept of liquid lipstick, you will know.

Corine Magenta

MAKE ME UP (before I lose my mind).

It's been three days short of a month since the semester started (my oh my, where did the time go?), and since then, I haven't been feeling much like myself. I've been so sleepy, so hungry, and so tired. I've been sleeping a good number of hours, I've been eating well, and I've been getting what I believe is enough rest; but it's like there's this inner tiredness that's just eating me up.

I've been feeling rather bitchy. Oh bitchy. What an ugly, yet so vague, word. If I'm going to trash-talk anyone, including myself, in what let alone is my own space, I think I can afford to be actually act like an educated person by actually being descriptive. Okay, here's the thing-- I've been feeling vile, unpleasant and downright mean.

My emotions have been so unstable, that just last week, I cried while Dr. San Luis was asking me about one of my cases. I also happened to be extra moody when Justin, the Clinicians' Club President, tried to cheer me up when I was frustrated that a patient couldn't make it. Even my Clinic I chairmate had to suffer my meanness after I scolded her because of monitor duties. SERIOUSLY, the stressed-out me isn't a person I necessarily like. I somewhat feel like I'm getting eaten up by a terrible hormone-monster, and that if I don't feed myself with mega-doses of love an happiness, I would just crumble from the inside.

I know that this is a very lame attempt at "cheering myself up", but tonight, I decided to a little bit of pampering. I haven't been doing a lot of fun things lately, so I guess this is a good start to my "regaining" my sense of self (so deep).

New make-up!

I've been all about the department store brands (some people call them drugstore brands) lately. My favorites being L'Oreal and Maybelline. I know I don't really talk about the department store brands so much, but I love them as much as the next guy girl. While yes, there will be hits and misses, we can talk about them some other day.

I ran out of my Maybelline Super BB Cream just a few days ago, so I decided to try the L'Oreal True Match BB Cream today. I was rather iffy about it because it only comes in one shade. Seriously, one shade! I'm your typical Southeast Asian with typical Southeast Asian skin, so you could really understand why this worried me a bit. Of course, I tried it on, and while it did turn out well, I've yet to actually perform a road test. 

I also bought myself a really interesting brow kit, Fashion Brow from Maybelline. It has three pans-- one wax, and two powders. Apparently it's a brow and nose palette. Hmm. Interesting.

I also got myself a pot of Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24HR in the shade Inked in Pink. I know that I have too many eyeshadows, and too many eyeshadow palettes, but I like to believe that this one's special. I want something that I can wear to school without looking or feeling too made-up. I've gone to school in full-on eyeshadow in the past, and it wasn't exactly pleasant. I want something quick, light, but rather pronounced. Oh you know what, I was actually initially eyeing a MAC Paint Pot, but um. No thanks.:)

I tried on a few eyeliners. All Maybelline or L'Oreal. While I happened to really like them, I somehow managed to stop myself, as I'm only halfway through my current one, and I have another pen eyeliner as backup. The same goes for mascara-- all from my mini-haul in Hong Kong a few months ago. Maybelline and L'Oreal have been stepping up their games, I feel. I think I could even come up with a list of the things I want to try. 

What I won't be trying, however is the Maybelline brow powder in the pen packaging. I tried it on, and it honestly looked and felt like dirt. Well you know, like I said earlier-- hits and misses, hits and misses. 

Oh, guess what-- I also had my eyebrows threaded! I'm simply unskilled with the razor, I'm too much of a wuss to do the job myself with tweezers, and eyebrow waxing scared the hell out of me, so yes, ultimately, brow threading is my way to go.

Really pathetic brow situration :(

I'm not blessed at all with nice brows, but I like to think that I'm doing the best I could.

Oh wait, I just had an epiphany--

I'm not blessed with multitasking skills, but I like to think that I'm doing the best I could.

Okay, I feel better now.:)

Corine Magenta

MAKE-UP for When You Feel Like a Haggard Mess.

The first few days of school are always the hardest. I'm not exactly talking about the academic side of things, because at this point of the semester, syllabi are geared towards introductions more than actual hard stuff. I say that the first few days of school are like this because it's usually at this point in time wherein we have to train ourselves to get used to new routines, new policies, new schedules and other stuff.

I'm really okay with change. The adjustment part is just a little bit tricky.

Speaking of change, I'm trying my best to start my day earlier. I'm really not a morning person, so yes, this is a challenge. I also haven't been sleeping very well since school started, for reasons that I really don't know. It's only been like, what, four days(?), but the sleeping hours reduction has been taking its toll on my body, in a sense that my digestion hasn't been at its best, my brain has been feeling foggy, my skin has been horrible, and I'm not as emotionally resilient as I should be, especially when my patients can't make their appointments. I FEEL LIKE A ZOMBIE, REALLY.

You know how they say that beauty should come from the inside? Well, is there anything really wrong with fixing up the outside, when the inside is a haggard mess?

I used to do my make-up before leaving the house, but now, since I'm trying to get to school as early as I can, I've been foregoing make-up, and just leave it for when I have free time (at school). The thing is, I put make-up on to feel better about myself, especially when I need a little bit of internal cheering up-- and yes, today was one of those days.

My patient wasn't able to make it, because something came up. I didn't book a patient for the afternoon, and with my morning suddenly freeing up, I really didn't have anything to do.

I've been developing these really ugly eye bags. This isn't the first time I've had fewer-than-normal hours of sleep, but it is one of the first few times that I've actually had legit eye bags, in spite of my eyes puffing up every now and then. Now, I actually have the bags.

NEW RULE-- Look like be a haggard mess all you want,
but never stop looking for reasons to smile.

The worst part is that the bags are more obvious when I smile. Goodness.

I know you've seen these products time and time again, but the reason why I reach for these over and over is that they're really good. The products here are geared more towards skin care than actual beautifying. In this look, it's more about looking more awake, while nourishing the skin with all the good stuff.

very basic, really.

At this point, I'm really trying not to overload my face.

The real hero of my make-up is the NYX Full Coverage Concealer in the shade Yellow. Yes, really yellow. Yellow, because usually eye bags exhibit blue to purple pigmentation, and by virtue of the color wheel, yellow would neutralize the purple eye bags.

I look.. Traumatized.

I've never looked back since I've started applying under-eye concealer in an inverted triangle. It really beats applying it in curved streaks, or even dots. You can't really see the inverted triangle on my skin because the concealer color blends too much into the natural color my skin, but if you look closely over to where my purple eyebags should be, they actually look a little bit better.

--but obviously, you need to set it.

"ready to face the world", yo.

Make-up is such an awesome thing. It's not always about concealing what you really look like, and creating false beauty. Make-up enhances. It's, like, covering up the ugly that distracts from what's naturally beautiful. I started the day looking like a haggard mess, feeling really down about my patient not being able to make it, and after "putting my face on", and finally seeing the girl whom I actually like, I felt so much better. I felt amazing, and yes, feeling amazing just made the rest of my day fall into place. Positivity does wonders, I'm telling you.

Lots of love,

Corine Magenta

Oh wait, if you're wondering about my clinic day, considering that the patient I had scheduled for the day cancelled on the last minute-- I still didn't get my original patient to come, but I did find a new one.. A single CD + RPD patient. See? Everything works out.:)

Lots of love,

Clinician Corine Magenta

How to Look Miserable.

I came to a really painful realization today-- burgundy lipstick ages me. I look about three years older in burgundy lipstick than I do in pink lipstick, and I don't like it at all. I've been made aware that when you have a lip color that strong, you have to keep the rest of the face really bare-- but when the sales associate told me to go "bare", I thought he was just telling me skip the eyeshadow and the blush. I didn't think that it meant foregoing everything else. I really want to pull off burgundy lipstick (I really do!), but I'm just having too much fun with eyeshadow and eyeliner, that I feel that I'd be adjusting my make-up routine just to accommodate this lip color.

I feel like burgundy lipstick is too sexy for me, for now at least. I look like a vamp. I've come to realize that if you take a tiny face with a giant forehead, large eyes and chubby cheeks (like features you'd expect to see in a small child), and paint it with really vampy colors, you get a certain look -- a miserable look. If you want to experiment, or if you simply want to force someone into organ donation, let me show you how I managed to color my face up to look miserable.

For a miserable person, I look awfully happy.

I've only recently learned to line my lower lash line. For the longest time, I've only been doing the upper lash line, and it's always been liquid since the day I've decided to give up on gel eyeliner completely. I'm actually really enjoying lining the lower lash line, but for that I'd use a pencil liner. I know it seems rather daunting to have to use two eyeliners for one eye, but that's what works for me.

I haven't been rocking the lower lash lining for very long, and to be honest, I'm still experimenting, but now I've learned that it doesn't look good without eyeshadow. Truth be told, I kind of look like a picture on a coloring book. Goodness, it's so awkward. For a similar look, I think I would just skip lining the bottom lashes.

I forewent blush and highlight. I just used my Maybelline Super BB Cream and then Maybelline Dream Satin Foundation on top, and then that's it! ..but you do know that if my lip color would be more on the fresh and neutral side, I'd totally jazz my cheeks up, riiight?

While we're on the subject of misery and negativity, let me share a few of my mistakes. You know, things I shouldn't do again.

Lipstick is almost always the last thing I put on when I do my make-up, so there shouldn't really be any reason for me to screw up my make-up beginning Step 1, but I guess having a new make-up look hanging over my head made me lose it a bit. I've been trying to improve my make-up technique, but oh well, screw-ups happen.

I don't know if you can see it, but there's this foundation demarcation going off to my hairline. I've recently learned a technique for graceful blending, but I just neglected applying it. Foundation should actually taper off towards the hairline. On a positive note, I've been using make-up sponges more now than ever before-- I used to be a stippling brush kind of girl, but after my friend gave me a Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, I think I'm a changed woman. 

I've been using the middle shade of the Inglot Freedom System 112R Eyeshadow as a brow powder for quite some time now. I know it's a bit weird that I'm using an eyeshadow as a brow powder, but you know what?-- it actually performs well. My only problem is the technique, because sadly, I have a tendency to overdo, and my oh my, I overdid it today. 

Oh yeah, and I might need to change my brow color as well.

My skin has been exhibiting some red discoloration, possibly because of the heat as well. Having to deal with that, as well as a red-based lipstick calls for brows that are a little bit on the yellow side. My go-to brow color has too much red in it. I should probably rotate first.

Oh well, mistakes happen. Make-up fails happen. I'm having a lot of fun experimenting with make-up looks every now and then, as I feel that doing so helps define my so-called make-up personality. There are so many facets to people, I should say, and one make-up look will never really be enough to define a woman's personality. The Miserable Look was quite fun to explore, but I don't think that it's going to be a look I'll be having on very often. We live, we learn, we put on lipstick, and we learn some more. Okay? Okay!

By the way, if you think that I put on make-up just for a lovely afternoon at home, you'd be incorrect. I was actually getting ready to step out of the house and read a Pharmacology booklet, and if you think that I left the house looking like a vamp, you'd be incorrect as well. I kept the make-up, but put my loser face on.

Still miserable, but at least, a little bit productive.

Damn you, Corine Magenta. <3

That "BLOOMING" Make-Up Look.

I've been "busy" shopping(?!) at the 107th Philippine Dental Association Annual Convention these past few days. It was only yesterday that I didn't go, because it started to rain hard right when I was about to leave the house. I've been beyond flattered that my ex-schoolmates from Manila whom I haven't seen in years have said really nice things about how I look. I'm about 20% chubbier now since they've last seen me, and while I thought I'd get a lot of ridicule from that, I've come to realize that in order to allow people to see what's good in me, it it I who has to see it first. 

While this whole "blooming" thing does have a little bit to do with the fact that I'm in a much better and happier place in life right now in spite of a few diagnoses here and there, while it does have something to do with the fact that I've stopped being your typical angry person who wants nothing but to outshine everyone, and while it does involve the simple act of making a conscious effort to be genuinely happy from the inside, I really can't lie-- It's make-up. And a whole lot of it.

The last time my ex-schoolmates saw me, I didn't know how to do my brows, I didn't know how to blend eyeshadow (no wait, I didn't even know how to put on eyeshadow), I didn't know how to contour.. The list of things I didn't know how to do properly (or simply did not know how to do, period) pretty much goes on. I also fell victim to really ridiculous, cringe-worthy, and downright embarrassing make-up mistakes that I simply don't even want to look back on (ie. using the wrong BB cream, using black mascara on my brows, using too light face powder). It's really easy to change for the better after having a past that horrible.

Call me conceited or whatever you like, it's okay, because I really can't shake off the butterflies in my tummy! People have been so nice and so sweet, I can't even explain it. I can't explain it, so let me just share it.. By sharing my make-up look.:) I'm not really the best person to give you make-up tutorials, as I'm still learning the ropes myself, so I'll probably just start with telling everyone what's I put on my face today.




You'll see that I have a mix of products from different price ranges. Let me tell you that my mix is very real. We have drugstore brands, higher end brands, Korean brands, mid-ranger brands, Japanese drugstore brands, US drugstore brands-- the only brands I'll never use are the luxury brands, and it's mainly because I can never justify spending that much money on anything.

The make-up standouts for me are the Maybelline Super BB Cream and the Maybelline Dream Satin Skin Foundation-- I've found that using a make-up sponge over a stippling brush is actually better, and makes the skin look natural. It's also nice not having make-up run over to your collar, haha. The Heroine Make mascara, and the liquid eyeliner, both part of a set I purchased abroad, have totally cemented my trust in Japanese cosmetics (though I'll be honest-- Japanese cosmetics are expensive in the Philippines, so my Japanese cosmetics love won't progress).

I don't think I need to explain much on my fondness for the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette. I know how late I am to the party, but I had just gotten this last month, and I'm actually still experimenting with eye looks. For this look though, I think I used five shades. In no particular order: Strange, Dust, Burnout, Liar, Factory, Mugshot, Limit. Oh, I actually used seven shades. My goodness.

Soooo.. This is me without the arrows.



I'm not the happiest person, I don't have the most extensive make-up collection, I'm not exactly a head-turner, but you know what makes me feel "blooming"? It's knowing that even after a few storms here and there, I stuck around to see the rainbow. Having made the active decision to actually stay alive, even when it was difficult, is my achievement. That's where I pull my confidence from, that's what makes me feel "blooming".

Okay, let's all bloom. Together.

Corine Magenta

MASK PARTY! (PART 1)

Last Saturday, I attended a Mask Party hosted by Liz Lanuzo's projectvanity.com and Origins Philippines. I feel a bit bad about writing this a little bit too late, but.. (okay, I'm out of excuses). Oh my goodness, this post is going to have so many pictures, I really hope you would like what you're about to see!:) --by the way, this is a skin post, so please expect unfiltered and unadjusted photos.



I was one of the few lucky girls who got to join the Mix & Mask Workshop, and when I say "lucky", I really mean lucky. Not only did I get the chance to sample some of the most amazing and natural skin care products ever, but I got to spend time with the Project Vanity ladies, as well as other girls who love Project Vanity the same way I do.



I volunteered as the first tribute during the presentation-- and I'm really glad I did! I had three masks applied on to my skin. On my T-zone, I had the ORIGINS Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, which has an insanely smooth and velvety texture.



It's actually known as a worldwide best-seller. Truth be told, if you get the chance to have this slathered on to your skin, you will understand why!

I was asked what my primary skin concern was, and truly, I told Sam, the resident beauty expert, that it was breakouts. Seriously, breakouts! I get really crazy breakouts along my beard area, and yes, I know-- it's a clinical sign of endocrine disorders (because #TEAMendocrinedisorders). Sam helped me through it by applying ORIGINS Out of Trouble 10 minute mask.



The Out of Trouble mask might as well be my best friend because of how bad my breakouts get. My acne goes by a "When it rains, it pours" motto. Since it only takes 10 minutes for the mask to work its magic, it won't eat up much of your time. Fantastic, right?



It's also made with zinc oxide. --which makes me love it more, because we actually use zinc oxide at school. --HAHAHA.

On my cheeks, I got a generous slater of ORIGINS GinZing, which is a nice gel-like mask made with ginseng and caffeine, which play a part in giving that extra glow, especially on tired skin.



GinZing was actually my favorite, having it on my cheeks brought about a very interesting cooling and tingling sensation. It could be because of the caffeine, which is really cool.

After a few minutes, I got everything wiped off, and to my surprise, I looked like I was glowing! Sam said that my skin would look glowy, but I didn't think that it would look that glowy.



Sure, I was still stuck with my gigantic pores, a few remnants from former breakouts, blackheads and uneven skin texture, but I saw improvement after just ten minutes. If that doesn't account for something, I really don't know what does!



It took a lot of courage to even think about posting a zoomed-in unfiltered picture of my skin, but if I can't be honest about my skin issues on my own blog, where else could I? If I can't be real with you, who actually take time to read about the things that I have to say, who can I be real with? I'm letting you see my pores-- I declare that we have reached a whole new level of friendship (while we're at it, you might want to say hello on the chatbox on the right hand of the blog page).

I have so much to work on, when it comes to skin care. I have really large and open pores, blackheads, and white heads here and there, but just knowing that there are good products out there is already a huge takeaway for me, and for that, I'm already really blessed.

Would I purchase ORIGINS products? Oh my goodness, you know I want to! Unfortunately, the only thing that's holding me back is that all these products come with a hefty price tag. Sure, it's fun to shop every now and then, but sometimes, we really need to be realistic in assessing how much money we can spend on skin care. I know I seem like an absolute scatterbrain, but I believe in budgets. I can't say that I adhere firmly to budgeting, but I know it's something I have to work on. Okay, let me summarize this paragraph for you-- I have no money.

Would I purchase ORIGINS products if I had an unlimited supply of money? The answer is simple-- Yes, I would. Their products are effective, natural, and just downright fantastic. If financial circumstances were different, I'd buy all the pretty masks I could get my hands on!:) Then again, I keep telling myself that ORIGINS masks are something to look forward to, and sometimes, the waiting makes the purchase extra special.:)

Yours in brokeness,
Corine Magenta with the large pores.:)

L'OREAL Color Riche in Glamor Fuchsia.

Fuchsia.

Why oh why, of all colors did my favorite one have to be so difficult to spell? That's the biggest reason why I named my blog Corine Magenta-- because fuchsia is too difficult to spell. Oh well. Difficult to spell, easy to love. Life is fair.

After a long day, I got a nice picker-upper from my favorite online beauty hub, BeautyMNL. It's definitely not my first transaction with BeautyMNL, but for some reason, every transaction gives me the butterflies-- the same butterflies as the first ever one!

I was actually lucky enough to snag myself a tube of L'Oreal Color Riche while it was on sale. I'm not sure if it was destiny or just sheer luck, because out of so many shades, only three were still in stock-- and yes, that includes my Glamor Fuchsia. Honestly, I didn't care about all the other shades, I just wanted my one. It was love at first swatch when I saw it at the department store last week, I just waited it out then. It was only when it went 50% off on BeautyMNL that I decided that I'd be downright nuts if I let it slide.

My first impression of Glamor Fuchsia is that it looks a lot like Flat Out Fabulous by MAC. I had a tube of it once, until it pretty much disappeared on me.:( Losing my Flat Out Fabulous was really painful, mostly because it was pretty much my perfect lip color, and well, let's not deny it-- that lipstick was pretty darn expensive. Then again, it's okay, because as I can see now, God had better plans for me-- not only is Glamor Fuchsia my perfect lip color, but it's my perfect formula as well!



I'm really pissed by that little color tile on the tube-- it's not true to color at all. People would miss out on a great lip color if they'd actually believe the color shown on the tube.

I don't mean to compare (oh yes, I do!), but Glamor Fuchsia pretty much submits itself to comparison to Flat Out Fabulous. It has that legit fuchsia thing going on. I don't know how to describe it in *TeChNiCaL* terms, but let's just say that they're about the same color as those pretty violet-red bougainvilleas along Madrigal Avenue in Alabang. The fact that the formula's almost like a creamy matte and is actually hydrating as opposed to that of MAC, which more matte and drying, wins my heart over and over again.

I really need to work on my swatching photos. I can definitely say that the lipstick does not drag!

I think fuchsia lipstick could look good on anyone, but just for reference, I'm Southeast Asian -- and that means that even if I do have yellow undertones, I'm still a little bit tan compared to your typical oriental Asians. By Filipino standards, I have medium tone. My skin tone has been described as "olive" at one point or another. Personally, I don't know anymore.



I could just shower love onto this lipstick over and over and over!

When I was younger, I was really terrified of wearing bright and bold lipstick colors. Most of the shades I used to wear were baby pinks. I didn't know that I was missing out by not wearing something as bold as a fuchsia, but thank goodness for those bougainvilleas, because I've embraced fuchsia lip color with open arms, and more importantly, an open heart. While yes, I do get occasional stares here and there when wearing bold lipstick, but then I've come to realize that wearing make-up (bold lipstick!) requires a special kind of.. Well.. Boldness.

So do whatever makes you happy. The aim of make-up is to help you feel even better about yourself anyway.:)

Lots of love,
Corine Fuchsia.