Today is all about makeup kit weight loss, sticking with stuff that works and what you need. Capsule kits are king this spring/summer because of all the holidays people will be taking and college girls are about to start school again this June. The makeup pouch, kit, sack…whatever… is what always ends up a burgeoning mess halfway out the door for girls who care (like myself) simply because we’re finicky and like trying different things. People are talking about paring down the kit but to make things easier for the variation among you I’m doing a 2-part series. First for today a bare minimum 5 products (excluding tools) for those who need to look done and don’t fuss as much and then a more trooper-esque 10 products next time for the hopelessly devoted. Bear in mind this is not as much about the branded products presented as it is essentially 5 general cosmetic items you will need to put a fresh, lightly done face on. This Part 1 post will also be segmented two ways. It will begin with the “5 to Survive” for makeup noobs (easy to use products with minimal tools) and then the 5 to survive for the part-time “pros” with more skill. Please note that these are recommendations and you can of course substitute different brands that offer the same sort of product. The mixes may or may not work for you but I’m free to present why I think they should work .

THE MAKEUP NOOB’S FIVE TO SURVIVE

So you need to primp and you don’t care as much as the rest of the female population ( And that’s okay, we are born in variants) but you need to keep staples on hand at all times to put a face on as needed. You may or may not be an athlete, social worker, a nurse, a spy (who sees you) or maybe a mother of 10 but whatever the case you do have more important pursuits than fussing with your face. You loathe needing skills to use different brushes other than a powder brush and the idea of using multiple eyeshadow and blending forever recycles itself…binned at the back of your mind. Maybe this lot is for you. I sacrificed eyeliner because mascara works for me at a bare minimum. If you can’t live without eyeliner add to the 5 and make it 6, no one’s stopping you hehe.

CLOCKWISE: 1.) A foundation or base product that can be built to conceal (Shiseido Perfect Refining foundation SPF 24), 2.) A lip and cheek product (Benefit ChaCha Tint), 3.) A volumizing waterproof mascara (L’Oreal False Lash Telescopic this is the non-waterproof , my WP one is already ugly to look at lol), 4.) A liquid brow pen (K-palette 1DayTattoo Eyebrow pen I cheated and used the eyeliner for the photo, but it looks the same), 5.) A mineral compact setting powder (MakeUp Factory Mineral Compact, you can also use MAC MSF Natural but that doesn’t have a mirror)

TOOLS FOR THE MAKEUP NOOB – See no worries, just the Shu Uemura lash curler and a retractable powder brush. My brush is an Ecotools one but you can locally get premium ones by Charm makeup brushes.

This Top 5 set I put together keeping in mind that people without the skill or any plan to add to what they can do with their hands should have convenient options. You can apply the foundation with your hands beginning at the center of your face. This Shiseido one I chose is as thin as a tinted moisturizer, comes in a dinky convenient dropper bottle and offers medium to full coverage so you can add more in certain areas to conceal more. While the foundation is still moist add the cheek tint, the one I chose by Benefit quickly stains which is why you have to massage it onto the apples of your cheeks immediately once applied. Fill in sparse areas of your brows with the brow pen and and perfect the tail. Proceed to powder the T-zone and chin with the Makeup Factory mineral compact. Lastly, curl your lashes and apply mascara thickly at the base of the roots and thinner at the tips. Read more to see the Five to Survive set I chose for part-time makeup pros.

For the next set say HELLO to the hopelessly devoted. We know a little bit more just because it’s our “thing”. Some of us don’t actually know how we suddenly got to knowing this much but there’s always room for slashing the kit when needing to travel light.

THE PART-TIME MAKEUP PRO’S FIVE TO SURVIVE

When it comes to beauty you know more than most, whether it’s because you took a class, pour over blogs and vlogs daily, or maybe because it’s your job…whatever the reason you basically know a lot more about cosmetics. You know things like makeup with next to none or no SPF looks better in photos and you can do your brows properly YOUR WAY with an angled brush and eyeshadow, you can also line them the same way. You know what the pantone color of the year is, most of the time anyway and like products that are easy to use but can still give you room to customize. The relevance of the word CREASE matters to you and you get goosebumps if someone hasn’t taken their base down their neck. These are my 5 picks for the part-time makeup pro.

CLOCKWISE: 1.) A mineral or matte setting powder (MakeUp Factory Mineral Compact #6 = NC35 in MAC), 2.) A neutral eyeshadow palette with light base colors and smoky colors that can be used on brows also (NARS And God Created the Woman palette), 3.) A foundation you can build for heavier coverage. (Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation), 4.) A lipliner shade close to your lipcolor for defining and reshaping (Makeup Factory Lip Definer Pencil #80), 5.) A truly volumizing but not messy mascara (L’Oreal Telescopic Lash Mascara)

As you can see I made a few more tools available and these “5 to survive” products offer more possibilities for the intermediate makeup consumer. Make sure that a few hours or the night beforehand you’ve pre-moisturized your face and prepped your lips with balm. You can begin the look by applying a buildable foundation outward from the center of the face, Koh Gen Do Moisture without SPF is my current fave, if this is too pricy for you try L’Oreal True Match liquid or MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation (tube) . Dab more product over areas that need more coverage. If you like, apply an oil-free sunscreen beforehand or substitute this base for a BB Cream. Using the lip pencil make a few gentle but visible strokes on your cheeks and massage in to create a as apop of color (I’ve tried this). With an angled brush fill in your brows with an appropriate brow shade from your eyeshadow palette. Set your base lightly with mineral powder along the T-zone and chin. Take the lip pencil again to define and fill your lips this time, this will look more natural and last longer during the day than a full-on lipstick. Apply eyeshadow from the palette always beginning with the shade closest to your skintone or lighter, pat all over the lid blend edges. Smoke it in the outside corners or crease of the eye with a natural brown or darker shade if it’s an evening look. Up to you if you want to line your eyes by dampening the angled brush and taking darkest eyeshadow shade along the lashline. Curl your lashes and rock the mascara from the roots upwards, do bottom lashes if you like.

I’ll have to update this post with the finished looks for both Top 5 sets. Next up will be my Trooper Ten selection for a more full on complete arsenal for those who can’t live without a little of everything. Sorry I couldn’t put the face shots in today. If you follow me you already know I’ve been consumed by our dog being ill and confined twice in 2 weeks…he has a liver prob and pain from spinal compression and I’ve been caring for him and have been so sleepy. He’s our older but not so old dog so I do expect him to get better…I’ve just been emotionally put out by seeing Jack in so much pain and refusing to eat. Hoping and praying he gets well soon.

Hey, Beauties!  I’d preferably put up a Valentine Giveaway on the 1st of February to mark the month of love, but since there’s a major wedding the following week and I’m a bridesmaid I just really had to get this up sooner.  This, Ladies, gets the gussy going starting with skincare at least a night or two before VDay which also explains why I’m making the draw on February 10.  No sulking allowed even if you haven’t got a fella, bring on the pamper and polish because you’ve got to look your best!

The winner gets to take home ALL these prizes. It’s a fine mix of skincare, makeup, and haircare this time with brands like Laneige, Lush, Nivea, Benefit Cosmetics, K-Palette and more!  I’m so happy that I’m able to share these prizes with you just before Valentine’s Day!  In order to facilitate this giveaway I’ll be using an embedded Rafflecopter widget like the last time to make it fair for everyone.  Click read more to get to the list and close-up photos of these prizes and enter the giveaway by using the Rafflecopter widget at the end of this blog post .

1.) Two K-Palette 1Day Tattoo 2way Eyebrow pens, 2.) Fairydrops Volume Burst Mascara

3.) Shiseido Benefiance Duo – Wrinkle Resist Day Cream & BalancingSoftener, 4.) L’Occitane Extra Gentle Milk Soap, 5.) Nivea Essential Care Lip Balm, 6.) LUSH Solid Shampoo “Jumping Juniper” (Oil-Control)

7.) Yves Rocher Hydra Vegetal Skincare Trio: Cleansing Milk, Toner, Moisturizer 8.) Ahava – Dead Sea Skincare Trio Sampler: Mud Mask, Hand Cream, Facial Moisturizer

9.) Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Primer 7.5ml sample, 10.) ProStyle Fuwarie Hair Styling Mist, 11.) Artistry Powder Foundation Compact (made in Japan)

12.) Laneige Water Sleeping Pack Holiday Duo Set: 2 Water Sleeping Pack, Multiberry, 1 Yogurt Repair Moisturizer, 1 Multiberry Yogurt Peeling Gel, 1 Water Bank Essence

Aren’t the prizes for this Valentine’s Giveaway simply “the bomb”? I actually don’t want to give away that Laneige set but Mom got me a pot of Water Sleeping Pack when she was in Korea and I haven’t finished it yet, it’s far from being consumed completely but it’s an awesome product. So it’s only fair that one of you wins this set coz I’ve got too much moisturizer. You have to agree, I must admit I’m beaming with pride when it comes to this one!  To join this giveaway please make use of the Rafflecopter giveaway below and follow the instructions.  There are 3 mandatory steps (make sure you really do them then click the +1 buttons on first 3 steps, Rafflecopter tells me) and a few more steps if you want additional raffle giveaway points.  Excited to see who wins   Thanks for wanting to join!

Okay, so I groaned when I realized I had scatterbrained-ly left my makeup kit in my uncle’s house.  It happens to the best of us.  My cousin, Ella, was kind enough to secure that baby the minute I texted her.  If you’re wondering, that illustrated ”Prettify” canvas pouch has most of my personal favorites. It’s a good thing I’m a makeup bug blessed with more than enough to choose from.  Without overthinking it (and in a complete hurry) I managed to put a small temporary kit together using the pretty Kate Spade polka-dot wash bag Mom got me. 

Let me significantly point out that this spare kit came together in 2 groups:

1) What I grabbed the moment I knew I left my kit the other day…

CLOCKWISE (sort of): Wet & Wild Megalast matte lipstick 902C, MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer NC30, Jordana lipstick Beige Glow, NYX Nude Beige lipliner, Korres Multivitamin Pressed Powder, Maybelline Volum Express Falsies Black Drama mascara, Okuma concealer (by k-palette), black Maybelline Eyestudio Eyeliner pencil

and 2) What I added in today with time to think.

FROM LEFT: Stila Smudgestick automatic eyeliner in “Halfmoon”, Za EverBrows pencil with brow brush, Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Eyeliner black (pot) & brush, Missha perfect concealer in natural beige, Nichido mineral concealer pencil (for small spots & perfecting the lip edge after lipstick), and Elizabeth Arden 8-hr Cream Stick.

You’ll notice i haven’t added a lash curler and blush product that’s simply coz I didn’t have time and I’m being super honest. I’d probably add a lash curler and my new NARS Zen blush to make this complete but that’s in the kit I left behind. I’ll have my main makeup kit back with me soon enough but these will see me through.

I like hearing about new items, even if I can’t get them.  There’s something pervasively thrilling about a beauty item that’s not quite within your reach.  You wonder how it might work, feel, or look on you and you start to imagine how you might come by it and there’s always a story to tell when you’re able to get something that’s not readily available.  Here are a few things I’ve spotted that are quite a delight to look upon and the idea of them is like honey to this bee.  Buzz.

ANASTASIA Bold and Beautiful Kit, for brows and eyes.

We begin with Anastasia’s quite necessary Bold and Beautiful Kit.  You have a Great Gatsby inspired box encasing 2 palette volumes.  One is for brows with 2 brow shades tweezers and a dual sized angled brush and spoolie.  The other palette is a quad of rich neutral colors for eyes also with a dual sided eyebrow brush.  This whole ensemble actually looks like something Urban Decay would do, but way classier.  You can also cheat looking like a bookworm with it.

Image from www.cybelesays.com

Bare Minerals READY Foundation SPF 20, hydrating pressed mineral foundation compact, comes in 20 shades to suit.

Now this new READY foundation product by Bare Minerals (it is about time they got pressed I believe), apart from its heavyweight price, could readily be (pun intended) an instant sellout amongst women 30 upwards in a humid country like ours.  I’m sure a lot of you have asked for Bare Minerals as “pasalubongs” before, like a couple of years back?  And probably still  have pots of the stuff sitting unfinished here and there.  Mineral makeup was a fun trend, but it was awfully messy wasn’t it?  Over here I’d confidently say more than half of the populace prefers to apply powder bases on to fight sweat and shine all day, all night.  They claim it isn’t drying even if it is a pressed mineral formula but what I’m wondering is why they pressed their eyeshadows before their foundation… anyway, I’m inclined to believe that their formula is a knockout considering the age of technology the world is now in.  These mineral compacts are already doing well, but they forgot to do one thing…they forgot to come here.

Now, after all that makeup talk we need something to take it off, oh, excuse me keep it on…or both?!  Shiseido brings to the world an innovative primer called the Fullmake Washable Base that works as a primer but emulsifies when it comes in full contact ONLY WITH WARM WATER.  It does the double purpose of helping your makeup stay well on but it also does the job of carrying your makeup off from beneath when you cleanse your face.  Its sudden emulsifying action reportedly won’t trigger with cold water, only with warm water, so no need to worry about sudden weather changes ruining your face.  Now the thing is…not everyone has heated sinks here, but will that stop me from wanting to try this?  Let me think…uhm, no, haha.  It’s currently pre-selling in Japan, British Beauty Blogger says, but I’m not sure if it’s also scheduled to arrive here in March when it launches globally.

I would personally like to thank you for the support of all my readers, half of which I know are family and friends whom I hold dear.  The blog would not be where it is right now without your enjoyment, support, encouragement, and comments and so I’m very very thankful to you guys for being able to enjoy OR withstand my beauty musings and kikay outbursts LOL.  To the rest of you who I may or may not have responded to via your comments on my posts I pray you have a marvelous Thanksgiving.  Just the other day at a wedding I did makeup for one of the entourage guests I worked on turned out to be a reader who wasn’t referred to the blog by anybody I knew…which is a total first.  I was put in a surreal spot when I began doing her makeup, I was like “Really? You’ve actually been reading my blog for a year already?  This is too surreal…”.

I know that Thanksgiving is already this Thursday but so that more people can join this lovely giveaway (my biggest ever I think) I’m keeping this nationwide giveaway open until November 25th, this Sunday.  What you have here are a mix of beauty goodies and/or samples I got from the U.S., Hong Kong, and some excess items some lovely brands have been sending me throughout the year.  Only 1 or 2 things are items I fished out of sample boxes I was given only because I believed you guys would really like to check them out.  Some of the brands included are Estee Lauder, Clinique, Diptyque, Cetaphil, L’oreal, Human Nature, NYX, and quite a few more .

1 Clinique Turn Around Concentrate 15ml, 1 Clinique Liquid Facial Soap 30ml, 1 Clinique All About Eyes Cream 5 ml, 1 Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion 15ml,

1 NYX Luscious Lipgloss Palette 02 The Naturals, 1 Maldita clothing Member’s Discount Card, 1 Benefit Cosmetics Posie Tint Sample 2.5ml,

1 Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Mascara, 2.8ml Deluxe Travel tube, 1 Estee Lauder Hydrationist Moisture Serum 7ml, 1 Fresh Brown Sugar Eau de Parfum Rollerball,

1 Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Toilette Sample 1.5ml, 1 Diptyque Huile Precieuses, Precious Oils sample 10ml, 1 Diptyque Lait Frais, Fresh Body Lotion 10ml,

1 Max Factor Glossfinity Polish, 140 Cobalt Blue 11ml, 5 L’oreal UV Perfect BB Max 5ml samples, 5 L’oreal Youth Code Pre-Essence Serum, 5ml samples, 5 L’oreal RevitaLift Night Serum, 5ml samples,

1 Kai Beauty-M Brow Razor, 1 Human Nature Bamboo Body Scrub, Vanilla Paradise, 1 Davi Napa Lip Balm, 1 Sariayu Martha Tilaar, Indonesian Lipstick, “Kelimutu” (berry shade), 1 Comodynes Make-Up Remover Wipes, Combo Oily Skin,

1 Cetaphil Daily Advance Ultra Hydrating Lotion, w/ Macadamia Nut Oil & Shea Butter, 1 Cetaphil Daily Moisturizer SPF 15, 1 L’Occitane Rose Petals Hand Cream sachet, 1 Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream Sachet #23, 1 ZEN ZEST Cocktail Collection Body Spray, “Cosmopolitan”

Told you it was a hefty one!  Click Read more to get to close up photos of the prizes and use the Rafflecopter Mechanics widget at the very bottom which has the complete list of prize.  Use the embedded widget’s instructions in order to enter and join, there are 3 mandatory steps and 1 optional action for extra points.  IMPORTANT:  Remember, you must follow the instructions in the widget exactly, and REALLY leave a blog post comment before you click “I COMMENTED” on Rafflecopter because I will still check the blog post comments because that is mandatory for the giveaway.  This giveaway is open only to Philippine residents.  Read more to continue to Rafflecopter.

Some of my most favorite items among all the prizes are in this first photo.

That reader I did makeup on at the wedding even said she currently has the blog linked in bookmarks so she can always check it.  I had no idea I’d be assigned to do makeup for the wedding she attended so it was a lovely orchestrated round up for me this Thanksgiving.   Some of you might be sad, oppressed by struggles, or brokenhearted even but just know that the fact that you are breathing, sitting, able to see and read this post right now is reason to rejoice in God’s goodness, know that there is a drop of hope in every second that we live.  Hope you all enjoy being able to take part in this giveaway!  I thought it would also be encouraging for all of us to be able to read what we’re all thankful for.