Pucker Up! | ColourPop Swatches!

So we all went Colourpop crazy on Black Friday after the cosmetics company announced that they're offering free international shipping for a limited time. My Facebook feed was literally swamped with shout-outs from beauty blogger friends and fellow makeup enthusiasts, all ecstatic about the free shipping news.

Things got even crazier on Cyber Monday, when Colourpop announced a 20% discount on everything on their site - as in everything, no exclusions whatsoever. One huge sale event after another - how awesome is that? I was practically grinning from ear to ear as I filled my shopping cart with Ultra Matte Lips and Ultra Matte Satins.

But before I went on a shopping frenzy, I got a little help from my friend who has a massive collection of Colourpop lippies. She loaned me her entire collection so I could swatch and try them on and choose which shades would suit me best. Oh, and she's the same friend who gave me this Ultra Matte Lip.

Colourpop! 

Let's begin this swatch-fest with the Ultra Satin Lip, a lightweight, bold lipstick with satin finish. If you have qualms about wearing matte lipstick because of the 'drying' feel, then the Ultra Satin Lip is right for you. They're very comfortable to wear, they don't make your lips look parched, and their color payoff is amazing. They're not kiss-proof like their matte counterparts, but they're pretty long-wearing nonetheless.

Ultra Satin Lip.

I reckon there are 30 different shades in Colourpop's Ultra Satin Lip line, and here are the ones that I got to try.

Prim, Tansy, Frick & Frack, Too Lips.

Prim is a dark, blackened red; Tansy is a medium-toned, yellow brown; Frick & Frack is a lovely shade of rosy terracotta; while TooLips is a deep shade of brownish plum.

L-R: Prim, Tansy, Frick & Frack, Too Lips.

The last two shades are my favorites. I love Frick & Frack because it looks quite natural on my lips (like a deep shade of nude),  and TooLips because it's a wearable shade of plum.

Ultra Satin Lip in Frick & Frack on my lips.

They're both pretty versatile and would suit a variety of skintones. Both are also perfect for the season - and you know how much I love plums and mauves during this time of the year.

Ultra Satin Lip in TooLips on my lips.

Now we move on to the mattes, starting with these two shades from the Karrueche x ColourPop collection.

Karrueche x ColourPop.

A collaboration between ColourPop and model/actress Karrueche Tran, this limited edition line features matte eyeshadows, a blush, highlighter, and contour bronzer, lip pencils, and these Ultra Matte lippies.

Rooch and Kae.

Rooch is a deepened russet wine - a very bold and dark burgundy red that can be very intimidating to wear and very tricky to apply. I find this shade a little too loud for my taste; not the kind of lipstick that I can wear on a daily basis. 

Rooch on the left, Kae on the right.

Kae, on the other hand, is a muted dark brown with warm, reddish tones. This shade is a lot more wearable than Rooch, and can suit a variety of skintones. 

More Ultra Matte shades!

Also from the Ultra Matte line are these seven gorgeous shades - all highly-pigmented, long-wearing, and quite easy to apply.

Beeper, Chilly Chili, Tulle, and Teeny Tiny.

Beeper, one of the most popular shades in the Ultra Matte line, is a warm, mid-toned taupe. Chilly Chili, on the other hand, is a muted shade of plum with brown undertones. Tulle is a warm, plum-red shade, while Teeny Tiny is a plum-brown shade with warm undertones.

L-R: Beeper, Chilly Chili, Tulle, Teeny Tiny.

Among these four, I like Beeper the most - even if it has tendency to emphasize the lines on my lips.

Ultra Matte Lip Beeper on my lips.

Finally, we have Stingraye, Are & Be, and More Better.

Stingraye, Are & Be, More Better.

Stingraye is a cool-toned mauve brown, while Are & Be is a rich, mauve plum. More Better, perhaps the 'brightest' shade in the bunch, is a dark-berry red shade with cool undertones.

L-R: Stingraye, Are & Be, More Better.

While all three shades complemented my skin tone nicely, I am partial towards Are & Be because of its rich yet wearable color, and More Better because of its lovely wine color. It's a nice contrast to all the browns and neutrals that I have previously swatched.

Ultra Matte Lip in Are & Be.

Ultra Matte Lip in More Better.

Are you a fan of ColourPop, too? Which shades are your favorites? :)

Develop a Hobby with Online Bingo.

With the weather getting worse during winter and dipping temperatures preventing people from enjoying a stroll outdoors, falling prey to depression is easy. People suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) especially experience difficulty in keeping their depression at bay. According to NHS Choices, taking up new hobbies at this time of year can play an important role in keeping us stimulated and energetic – and preventing feelings of lethargy, anxiety and depression.

Thus, to keep the winter blues away it is important to indulge in a few hobbies. Here is what seems to the Britain’s favorite!

Photo credit: We Heart It.

1. Knitting
An interest that has lasted centuries, knitting is one of the top pastimes in the UK. Boosted by celebrities endorsing their love for it, it is estimated that over 7 million people knit on a regular basis. Not only is it a stress buster, but also is a great option to gift friends and family customised hoodies and sweaters for the chilly winter.

2. Bingo
Bingo seems to be the top contender this winter. While travelling to a bingo hall is tiresome, online bingo sites now offer a host of amazing games with incredible themes which can be played from the comfort of ones home. Indulging in a game of bingo also helps mental health and reduces stress. If you are looking for a good site to play at, visit GameVillage Bingo.

3. Exercise
Not only a good hobby, working out itself has multiple effects that stave off depression. When exerting our muscles or increasing heart rate, the body releases endorphins, which are known as the ‘happy hormone’ that produces the high that runners commonly experience.

4. Gardening 
40% of pensioners say that gardening is the hobby that gives them the highest satisfaction in life. While taking a stroll in the chilly weather may be too difficult, cultivating an indoor garden, or a table top garden is easy. In fact, mini gardens as a decorative item is become a new fad, one that promises to keep you occupied while earning you compliments at your office desk!

So this winter, keep the depression at bay. Take up a new hobby or pick up old ones you abandoned and use this time for self development. An idle mind is a devils workshop, as the old adage goes, is true. Get working on that hobby right now!

Sneak Peek | Laneige Milkyway Fantasy Holiday Collection.

With Christmas barely a month away, more and more cosmetics brands have begun to unveil their holiday collections, most of which have been released in stores just in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Not to be outdone, Korean beauty brand Laneige has also launched its holiday collection, and this has got to be the brand's prettiest limited edition line thus far.

Laneige Milkyway Fantasy Collection.

Released earlier this month, the Milkyway Fantasy Collection reflects the beauty of the enchanting universe in its sparkling packaging. With dots of twinkling stars set against the background of the night sky, this capsule range mirrors the 'sparkling beauty' for Laneige has been known for.

For that sparkling beauty.

Revel in the fantasy after the jump!

Seoul Searching | Doota Duty Free + Descendants of the Sun Hall.

Last year, during our first ever trip to South Korea, I had the chance to explore Dongdaemun by my lonesome and enjoy its sights and sounds, its food stalls, and the shopping experience. I made a resolve to take the boys along the next time we visit Seoul, and the plan finally materialized last spring - on a Saturday night when the husband got off work early. And by early, I mean 10 pm.

Off to Dongdaemun!

In the Philippines, most shopping malls operate until 9 or 10 pm. In Dongdaemun, the number of shoppers usually increase during these hours, making the area one of the busiest and most crowded at night.

Weaving through the crowd.

My son was amazed at how many people were still up and about, strolling and shopping, when it's already way past his bedtime. Haha!

Still abuzz even when it's almost midnight!

I, on the other hand, was amazed by Doota's new look. Or should I say, enthralled by its new poster boy? :)

Making our way to Doota.

Apparently, Doota Duty Free - the first 'overnight' duty free store in Korea (because it operates until 2 am) - opened the day prior to our visit, and its endorser is no other than the hottest, most popular Hallyu star of 2016 - Song Joong Ki.

When you see it. :)

More of Doota Duty Free (and Song Joong Ki) after the jump!

Spotlight | Missha x Line Friends Magic Cushion.

Much as I love BB creams and BB cushions, I have actually been shying away from them for quite some time now. You see, the past few months have been unbearably hot and humid here in the tropics, and mattifying powders have become my new best friend.

But now that Christmas is nearing, the days have become progressively cooler and thankfully, more makeup-friendly. That being said, I finally had the chance to use my Missha x Line Friends Magic Cushion, which I brought home from my spring trip to South Korea.

Missha x Line Friends Magic Cushion.

If you remember my earlier post about the Missha x Line Friends 4D Mascara, Missha released two editions of this makeup collaboration with Line Friends. The Magic Cushion was included in both editions; however, there is a difference between the contents of Magic Cushion box.

Inside the box - the Magic Cushion pact, Magic Cushion refill, and two air puff sponges.

While the first edition had one air puff sponge and two refills of the Magic Cushion, the second edition includes two air puff sponges but only one refill of the Magic Cushion. Mine is from the sophomore release, as you can see. Both editions sold for 11000 won, but you actually get more value for money with the first edition since it comes with two refills.

The air puff sponge.

The Magic Cushion is housed in a cute, brown - albeit made with plastic - compact printed with Brown's face. The compact has a built-in mirror and a flip-out tray which holds the sponge and acts as a moisture seal; its edges are slightly curved which makes for a comfortable grip.

Sealed for protection.

When I got hooked to this Korean cosmetics craze, Missha was the first BB cream brand that I tried. I fell in love with their BB creams in a heartbeat, with their excellent coverage, impressive staying power, and nice, powdery finish. The Missha x Line Friends Magic Cushion does not disappoint, and lives up to par with my expectations.

The cushion itself.

The cushion looks quite 'juicy' from the get-go. Its texture is a tad watery and feels 'wet' when applied. It does not feel sticky and settles into a semi-matte, slightly dewy finish. The air puff sponge also picks up a great amount of product and does fine with blending and application. It also feels soft and gentle as it glides on the skin - does not feel rubbery at all!

Shade #23.

One thing I noticed about the Missha x Line Friends Magic Cushion is the shade. They seem to be lighter than the usual, so instead of my usual shade #21, I settled for the darker shade #23.

Shade #23 swatched.

Left without BB Cushion, right with BB Cushion.

Left without BB Cushion, right with BB Cushion.

When swatched, it appears light - perhaps too light for my skin. But when blended, the cushion adjusted nicely to my skin tone, and looked very natural with just the right amount of glow on the skin.

Bare-face.

As for the staying power, it lasts for a decent 4-5 hours, and requires minimum touch-ups. It feels light on the skin, and does not cake or patch after a few hours of wear.

Magic Cushion when worn.

The Magic Cushion is suitable for most skin types, but for those with oily skin, I suggest you wear a primer underneath to maximize the product's staying power.

Products used:
FACE: Innisfree No Sebum Blur Primer,
Ever Bilena Liquid Concealer in Light,
Missha x Line Friends Magic Cushion #23.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
The Face Shop Ink Graffi Brush Liner in Black,
Missha x Line Friends 4D Mascara.
CHEEKS: Ever Bilena Cheek Blush in Raisin.
LIPS: Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Sexy Nude.

Have you tried this cushion before? What's your favorite BB cushion? :)