NEW BLOG/SITE AT MIKKIGALANG.COM

Today,I finally transferred almost all of the content from this blogspot to my new site in WordPress (awww). It was a taxing 7 months doing the new site but I think it's all worth it. i hope I still have you on board for more product reviews, LOTD's, and other stories that i wanna tell! Visit WWW.MIKKIGALANG.COM

REVIEW: The Body Shop Camomile Makeup Removers + GIVEAWAY

One thing I'll do more as I go back to beauty blogging is doing product reviews and I think that this is a first this quarter, and a first for this category! 

As a heavy eye makeup user (I like claiming that haha), it takes time to apply layers and styles of makeup on the eyes. But it takes as much time removing it especially when using hardworking products (water-proof, long-wear, etc). But unlike the usual facial products, I learned the hard way that the eye area is the most sensitive part of the skin. And so I take so much time (and deliberation) on choosing and using gentle eye makeup removers for my full eye do. I'll share my latest discovery below.

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Best of Sample Room

This month marks my 2nd year anniversary as a Sample Room partner blogger. I've been very blessed to be part of this community which believes that trying or sampling a product is a first before buying a beauty product. With the help of fellow beauty bloggers and a community of educated consumers, opinions

I haven't posted a lot when it comes to skin and body care which comprise most of the samples in the website, but I have tried some of the below top products in my opinion and will be sharing these in this post.

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#BelieveinMagique BTS

Yesterday, L'Oreal Makeup Designer / Paris challenged us to believe in Magic - that is to testify to the mattifying and transformative power of the new MAT Magique - a sister of the famous Lucent Magique that I've reviewed here on the blog. As one user of L'Oreal Paris foundations for years, I wanted to try this new line and while you know that I'm a fan of highlighters - which Lucent has in it! - matte foundations are great bases indeed for oily skin types like me!

But also, I heard that BJ Pascual, a renowned protographer represented by At East | Jed Root, would be taking our portraits after trying the line so I was really excited about it, actually quite nervous because BJ is a real PRO! ;) I always see his work in most magazine covers and billboards, and I am a real fan of his work. It was really exciting doing this with him and the team (Thank you L'Oreal Paris and BJ!) despite a super busy first week of January, by creating a look that I've never explored so much in this blog - a matte one that is made possible by the formula made of natural sebum absorber - volcanic pertile. LOTD and review soon at this blog!

P.S. I didn't place so much VSCO filter in the photos so you can see initially how matte and nice the foundation finish is!

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Believe in Magique

Together with fellow media and bloggers, we were so gratfeul to be photographed by BJ Pascual to testify to the power of the MAT Magique, the review of which I'll post soon. As my skin always gets tired from testing a lot of skin care and makeup, I really like how MAT Magique gave my skin a good coverage despite dullness and large pores due to acne and my super oily skin. Similar to Lucent Magique, I like how it helped the imperfections but this time, without the easier way of perfecting skin: illuminators. The matte effect is truly noticeable and versus the other L'Oreal Paris product, this is truly one mattifying foundation.
Anyway, below are more photos, using other L'Oreal Paris / Makeup Designer products with an eye color that I always see in the runway.  #BelievingInMagique, you too can join the L'Oreal Makeup Designer/Paris consumer launch on January 31 to February 1 at SM Mall of Asia Atrium. A special treat await those who simply visit and purchase a Mat Magique for a chance to have their profile photos taken as well by none other than BJ Pascual!

Photography: BJ Pascual
*cover photo with VSCO filter A4

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REVIEW: Pantene 3 Minute Miracle

Lately, I have been worrying about my hair because aside from thinning (ugh, genetics!), it has become extremely damaged and sensitive due to all the coloring (plus retouching), post-trauma from bleaching and curling (now I'm slowly cutting the affected area off) that I  do to my hair. Well, I consider half of my hair practically dead but I don't wanna shorten my hair easily so i just deal with it through products that can help restore the problems of split ends, dryness, roughness, etc . 

So when I got this news from Sample Room that Pantene is introducing a new version of the Total Care conditioner which I had used back in college when I had that really long straight hair which needed intensive and preventive products for damage management, I definitely wanted to try it. I didn't have any problem with Pantene before even with my oily and dandruff-prone scalp (I have always used Head & Shoulders as my shampoo then I use other conditioners for special needs) so it was interesting to test the new bigger promise by Pantene-  a 3-minute damage control.

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30 Things of 2014

2014 was a big year for beauty and with launches, relaunches and limited editions left and right, online or department store level, it gets exciting but also a bit overwhelming. Sometimes, I still get confused and amazed at the same time whenever I visit a cosmetics store, but below are my favorites from last year that are unique, hard-working and special in their ways!

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Orange is the New Black

Ever since I bought the MAC Morange and Sounds Like Noise lipsticks a year ago, I've been interested in this shade. Whether with a plain eye makeup or a full on smokey eye, orange has become my go-to color and for me, is the new classic/staple. Now, I added more to my collection and below are my reviews!

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All About Eyes

Renowned makeup artist Bobbi Brown—famous for her signature black frames—is often asked how to wear makeup with glasses. In line with her philosophy of Pretty Powerful, Bobbi teaches women how to define eyes and make them seen behind lenses. I can definitely relate to this ( I even made an LOTD years before) as a frames user and I agree that makeup should complement and not compete with glasses. It should be a harmonious mix of colors and shapes and styles. These are the key theses of the book: for statement frames, go for bolder colors and for delicate frames, choose a softer look. No matter the preferred shape of and style of frames—round or square, bold or classic—Bobbi makes it easy to create standout eye looks. And this is made possible by knowing the makeup that suits your eye, face shape, etc that Bobbi Brown navigates through her book (and through a counter service and new line of glasses soon!)

But also, Everything Eyes teaches and redefines a lot of makeup techniques that are unique to Bobbi and her philosophy of makeup as style to each individual, but this time, more instructional and step-by-step versus her last book. I will apply learnings in my next LOTD's and this book is definitely one that you would go back to and read again to remind you of style and the right cosmetics for your eyes.

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The Affordable Lipsticks

My theory is that the more pigment there is in the lipstick and it doesn't dry the lips too much, then the price goes up. Unfortunately, based on experience, even in the premium department stores, there are limited options when you're searching for both true comfort and color payoff.

However, there are some affordable brands which have a pretty good level of pigment already, with nice selection of colors, AND with great comfort / wearability which is clear with semi-matte and glossy lipsticks that are available in the nearest department stores or beauty distributor.

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