RiRi Hearts

Hey MAC collection, you 'da one!! I don't usually look at packaging and while I super duper love Rihanna, I always look at the product qualities. But based on the colors and the impressive matte finish as always from MAC, I am definitely buying the whole collection (friends in the US, I'm willing to buy this 2x its worth! haha please let me know)

Bronze and cool coral combine for a Powder Blush Duo in the unforgettable Hibiscus Kiss, while Retro Matte Lipsticks in RiRi Boy, Heaux and the instant classic RiRi Woo make a statement against sheer, shimmering skin highlighted with rose gold Lustre Drops. Exclusively online.

Availability: North America June 18, 2013 at www.maccosmetics.com at NOON EST, 1.800.588.0070; International June 2013 at www.maccosmetics.com, 1.800.588.0070. (source)

What really strikes me is the limited lipstick line, all with Retro Matte finishes. Riri Boy and Heaux are quite unique in a sense that Riri Boy is a matte version of Up The Amp and Heaux is a completely new color. Riri Woo is very similar to Ruby Woo, thus the name, but based on blog reviews I've researched, the former is quite darker and cooler in tone.

• RiRi Woo Matte cool red (Retro Matte)
• RiRi Boy Matte vivid lavender (Retro Matte)
• Heaux Matte berry (Retro Matte)

As I've said, I'm buying the whole range which is being launched in other countries as a Summer 2013 collection. How can I? =( Below is MAC's look for Rihanna where the focal point is really the lips.

I've heard that MAC is selling in the Diamonds World Tour so since Philippines is included in this, I have a chance right? It's so expensive though!

Nonetheless, Temperature Rising, which is also a Summer collection and which has been recently launched in the Philippines in almost all MAC stores, is average for me, but I like the concept of sultry shades.

Summer's most sensual scene is captured in sultry shades of Lipstick, Lipglass and Nail Lacquer shimmering with seductive allure and Powder Blush glowing in peach satin and berry pink frost. Eye Shadow Quads and Powerchrome Eye Pencil create sleek, smoky eyes - all in limited-edition soft-touch bronze packaging.(source)

What do you think? Nonetheless, I'm loving the All About Orange collection which I'll publish in a few ;)

Reunited With The Flawless

When I was in high school, and all I knew was the smoky eyes, I bought my first makeup book and it was Laura Mercier's. I wasn't aware yet of her great talent as makeup artist and beauty maverick but that book actually pushed me to pursue careers in cosmetics because I was really inspired by her philosophy, professional life and her signature technique - The Flawless - a simple, clean and transformed look . From the book, "The New Beauty Secrets", she said that any reader can consider her as mentor after reading everything and I was so lucky to complete it!

Because for her, beauty is so much deeper than lipstick and powder and I very much agree! "It comes from a little door that opens our minds and helps us celebrate our differences and find pride in our uniqueness" Her ways of doing make-up are very much aligned with this because as you can see below from the book, she has various make-up techniques to different eyes, lip shapes, colors because after all, we are all different!

So when Laura Mercier cosmetics invited me to their holiday launch, didn't think twice! I would love being reunited (after all the makeup brands I've met) and I really owe a lot to her and to her book! And sure it was a very fulfilling and as always, insightful event from Laura.

Used a statement color on the lips! Love the total look! Reds and warm colors go well together!

It was a fun afternoon with friends and artists! After the workshop roamed around and tested Laura's newest products which you'll see later!

beuaty bloggers Earth, Marj, Angel and Martha!

Hi Paul and Alyssa!

Lissa and Angel!

Ana who took great pictures of the event (I grabbed some haha), Sarah Tirona, Bec San Diego and Paul!

The Laura Mercier - Rustan's Team! (Kwa is so kulit and cute!!)

Yummy from East Cafe!

Was looking at this while eating! It's Laura's version of the Naked palette but this limited edition features a dozen of Laura's hand- selected Eye Colours, in both shimmer and matte finishes.

Laura's newest lip color collection which I've featured here!

Just through this photo, you can see the intense color and creamy texture! Review soon!

more new products and lines from Laura!

My top picks: Smoky Effects Mini Kohl Eye Liners in fab colors (upper right), Petite Baked Eye Colour Trio- Wet/Dry (lower left) and the Color-to-go portable paletted for cheeks, lips and eyes (second to the left)! Reviews soon also!

Of course, the newest Art Deco Muse collection! I love the reds and golds here!

Base! I really Laura's concealers and foundations! This is the new The Flawless Face Book, a palette featuring four of Laura Mercier's best- selling complexion products namely Tinted Moisturizer Compact, Mineral Pressed Powder, Secret Concealer, and Secret Camouflage! I really neeed to buy this one!

A first from Laura: Bath & Body collection! I've read from her biography that she's really into scents and shower products so this was not a surprise! I smelled the cremes, candles, perfumes and the gels and oh, the scents are very unique like there's Coconut, Pistachio, etc!!!! WOW!!

I tested the Petite Baked Eye Color on Ana and it was super nice! The color and shimmers are good! Perfect also with the nude lipstick we tested from the Creme Smooth collection!

Can't to review and use these for my LOTD's. Thanks Laura Mercier for inviting me and it was pleasure being reunited with yo. And oh, you should visit Rustan's Shangri-la to get free foundation primer (until supplies last) #lauramercierflawlesshitsmanila ;)

Towards Universal Beauty

Master of beauty collaborates with master of fashion converge, East meets West - clearly, Shu Uemura takes the next level in beauty, towards a universal one, combining different aspects of it, through the Karl Lagerfeld collection, an exclusive blogger launch of which, I attended few weeks ago to experience the newest breakthrough.

Mr. Shu Uemura has transformed image of women for years, making sure that beauty is truly a work of art. I have always been a fan of the brand that was crafted and inspired by the hands of a great make-up artist and cosmetics king. Moreover, it is very interesting that "Karl Lagerfeld has been using the Shu Uemura eye shadows to illustrate his fashion sketches. Now he merges his world with Shu Uemura's to create an entire collection in homage to the brand - the color selection and packaging is entirely designed by Karl Lagerfeld who also photographed the visual campaign (which you can see above)" (source)

I already featured the entire collection in my latest entry, and now I would like to share how we experienced the very innovative collaboration of two masters, through the launch.

me with the Mon Shu girl, Sophie, my fav Shu Uemura make up artist and Phoebe

Manila bloggers with the Shu Uemura Team!

The entire collection which is already displayed in the Shu Uemura stores early November. View in detail the products here

#red

Thanks Lix of Project Vanity for this shot ;)

cute Mon Shu Girl!

Event was held at UMU Restaurant in Dusit Thani Hotel which was transformed into a Japanese heaven ;)

The stage

The food! wah I love Japanese!

Business Unit Manager Nina Solano talks more about the collaboration!

Now this caught my attention! The SHU PRETIGIOUS BORDEAUX PALETTE. All my fav colors in one -
glitter wine and deep brown; pressed eye shadows in pale purple, soft brown, and brick gold add sensual accents; coral rose for sparkling allure on cheeks

Now, Patrick Alcober (I think you would always see him in the Shu Uemura counters in the Metro) uses the aforementioned palette on a model. I made sure I watched how he used these prestigious colors!

He used the soft brown, gold and pale purple as base for the whole upper eye area.

He puts the dark purple color as the base, which blended very well with the browns for sensual look

He puts the purple and violet color also under the eye to complete the smokey look.

The finished product with coral lippies and cheeks (which Patrick also got from the palette. Yes, if the eyeshadow has very great pigments, you can use these for cheek color). So great, Patrick!

More pictures from the event!

Hi Nadia of Shu Uemura! Really love the falsies!

Phoebe, Jheng and Rowena in #red ;)

Also took this photo of Liz Lanuzo ;)

lovely Pam Picazo, L'Oreal's Communications Head

Nina with Karen Crisostomo! Love their red outfit!

now with Earth Rullan!

the other creation using the other palettes and products from the collection

Mon Shu girls!

Rich Bordeaux! And oh, I have these falsies! Will share them soon in my next LOTD!

They used the KARL FOR SHU SMOKEY VELVET PALETTE on her which was darker with
glitter black and deep khaki

Red lippies was perfect on her!

Thanks Shu Uemura for letting me experience this! Stay tuned for my LOTD and reviews! Coming up soon really! ;)