Kosé Esprique Precious Dual Gradation Eyes D-2 EOTD

After my pleasant experience with Esprique Precious Dress On Shiny Eyes palettes, it was inevitable to want another palette from the brand, so I picked up D-2 from the Dual Gradation Eyes. A part of their Spring 2011 collection. These are available locally, I bought mine at Rustan's Shangri-la for Php1,450. Surprisingly, price is better there compared to adambeauty! :)

Here is the palette:

Esprique Precious always have very nice compact designs, this one reminds me of MiuMiu Harlequin designs. :)

D-2 has the most gorgeous shade of moss green (A), the main reason why I wanted this palette.

it comes with 2 handy dual-sided applicators which comes standard with Japanese eyeshadow palettes and a plastic sleeve with quick instructions on how to use all 5 shades.

This is the most adorable eyeshadow design I've ever seen in my beauty junkie life, the tiny hearts collectively make a clover shape, which I think is perfect for spring theme! 

The texture of the eyeshadows are soft and buttery, color payoff is superb and staying power is great! The only thing I don't like is the fallout. I always end up with bits of dark powder and loads of shimmer on my face after applying the eyeshadows. >.< 

I recommend putting on eye makeup first before foundation so you won't look like you fell face flat on a floor full of shimmer.

swatches on bare skin:

swatches with primer:

soft and shimmery white cream base, moss green, dark taupe, pinkish cream and apricot highlighters

As you can see its very pigmented they swatch easily even without primer, but I still use primer to minimize fallout and prolong wear.

simple EOTD:

I just followed the recommended application shown in the plastic sleeve, also using Majolica Majorca Lash Gorgeous Wing mascara if anyone is curious.

Overall a nice palette to have if you like shimmery eyeshadows, but if I can find a dupe for the moss green shade, I'd get that since I already have a lot of palettes with the same cream base, and super shimmery highlight shades.

Thank you for reading!

♡,

G

Matching Lips & Nails? Esprique Precious BE280 + Heart-y NOTD

I was browsing my iPhoto and came across some pics I was supposed to blog about but never got around to posting. So today I'm sharing swatches of my Beauty de Kose, ESPRIQUE PRECIOUS Dress On Glossy Rouge in BE 280, a lip gloss I purchased a long time ago, and my (unintended) matching NOTD! haha! thought it was too cute not to share. 

got this from gooddealer.com for USD 25.83 + S&H

the flat paddle applicator has 2 sides: a fuzzy and a flat side

the fuzzy side is convenient to use and being flat makes it easier to apply color on the lips, I think the flat side is meant for thinner application of the gloss. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.)

swatch:

The consistency and color reminds me of Canmake Nudy Glow lip gloss. Its a moderately pigmented gloss in a soft beige-coral-pink shade with very fine shimmers, neutral enough when worn to pair with a lot of colors like green, blue, brown, peach, beige... It feels a bit sticky, but that can always be fixed with blotting. :) I also find this gloss moisturizing, which is great! I'm going to wear this a lot this S/S season, paired with some Lunasol palettes I got recently.

NOTD:

Essie Shop till I drop, 2 coats + Arezia (Sasa brand) heart glitter polish ~which reminds me of Nicole by OPI x Justin Bieber Step 2 The Beat Of My Heart. (please note that this photo was taken last year.)

products used:

Essie Shop Till I Drop, Arezia heart glitter polish

close up of the heart glitters

Its quite challenging taking those glitter hearts out of the bottle I tell you.

But its worth it. :)

Thanks for dropping by and an early happy Valentine's greeting to all of you!

♡,

G

What I loved in 2009

Happy new year dear beauties! 2009 is nearing its end and we will be welcoming a new year of discovering the best beauty products to enhance our already pretty selves! ^_~

 

I would like to share with you some products i used and loooved this year, from skin care to makeup, in short, my beauty secrets for 2009! :)

I have normal skin that used to have an uneven skin tone, dark pigmentation under the sides of my mouth and chin area, but when I started using Kanebo's Blanchir line, my complexion got better and it obviously lightened the darker areas on my face giving me a nice, even and smooth skin. Im down to the last quarter of the Clear Conditioner and Milky Conditioner (i love how it smells!), I may repurchase after trying the DiorSnow White Reveal Lotion i bought. I'm still contemplating on what moisturizer to get. Can someone recommend a good moisturizer?  ^_^

This is basically my regimen: i wash my face, pat toner, serum, massage moisturizer on, apply eye cream and i'm done! when it gets cold and i have drier skin, i use a richer night cream. I also spot correct blemishes when i get them occasionally.

During the day, I always make sure i put sunscreen on. Allie SPF50 PA+++ for my face, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF50 PA+++ for my arms and legs and Bare Escentuals SPF30 Natural Sunscreen for touch-ups.

I'm so glad I discovered Bare Escentuals' sunscreen, its portable and convenient for touch ups!

photo from bareescentuals.com

For makeup, I love Maquillage's Face Creator in 66 (nude pinks), my HG powder, CHANEL's Poudre Universelle (Is this limited edition?) and Jill Stuart's Mix Blush in 07 Lovely Tulip, the white block gives me a nice glow which i really love!

and for eye makeup, after all the Lunasol's I got this year, Esprique Precious wins my heart (and eyes) with this super gorgeous palette. Superb soft texture, soft shimmer and pretty pigmentation, when I can't decide what eyeshadow to wear, i put this on and I LOVE it! ^_^

That's about it! I hope you liked my list! Up next, my gotta get get list! hahaha

Hello 2010! I'm ready for you! ^_^

Gooddealer loot: Jill Stuart + RMK + Esprique Precious

I looove looove loove packages! (who doesn't?!) Stuff I ordered from gooddealer arrived last Monday (sorry delayed post ^_~) and i'm ecstatic about it. You ask why? Well, mainly because it contains my very first batch of pretty pretty Jill Stuart products! Gooddealer Kevin threw in lots of samples, and it came in the mail so that's a plus. Yay! :) 

I got a Jill Stuart loose powder in 01 Natural

I've tried this already and I'm loving it so far! Very fine powder in a beautiful container; it's not recommended for traveling though, as it is a little bulky. How cute is that super soft powder puff?! You'll really feel like a princess while putting powder on your face. Happiness! ^_^

Jill Stuart loose blush powder in 03 Crimson Flush

gorgeous and unique color! I'm very satisfied with the shade i chose because it compliments my skin tone well.

Jill Stuart Mix Blush Compact in 07 Lovely Tulip

I like that this mix blush compact is a bit shimmery as it adds glowiness to your cheeks.

RMK Translucent Cheeks & Eyes 02

I haven't tried this one yet, but I'll keep you posted. ;)

Esprique Precious Dress on Shiny Eyes C-1

I bought this E/S palette because of Fuz, this is one of her faves and now I know why! It's great! maybe even better than the consistency of Lunasol, the shadows are very easy to blend, and the liner is so soft it's almost idiot proof, I have to admit I still have to hone my eye lining skills, but the liner in this palette is so smooth, it was so easy to apply! I'm now lemming over the other shades. uh oh. (^_~)