Beauty Books

I've always wanted to learn how to apply makeup properly, unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of time to enroll myself into a formal makeup course, so instead I collect beauty books and makeup manuals that I can read whenever i need inspiration or reminding on what or how makeup should be done. I am no professional, I just really enjoy it that's all. Plus they make really nice coffee table books too! A little personal touch is always nice. :)

My beauty books @_@-

The 5 Minute Face by Carmindy

This is the first beauty book I ever bought, I didn't know who Carmindy was at the time (2006), but the title caught my attention, makeup in 5 minutes? Im sold. haha! Seriously, if you need guidance on proper skin care and makeup essentials, tools, etc. this book will help you a lot like it helped me. It has tutorials on different looks for a variety of skin tones and different looks for occasions you might be attending (i.e. black tie, weddings) but my favorite part is the 5 minute makeup tutorial, from base makeup to point. no eyeshadows in the 5 minute face sorry to say, just simple, pretty plain jane makeup. 

pages from The 5 Minute Face makeup tutorial

Sephora: The Ultimate Guide to Makeup, Skin and Hair by Melissa Schweiger

After months of reading and re-reading the my first beauty book, I decided to get another one. What better book to have than that of the cosmetic giant, Sephora. This book has a lot of pages dedicated to products, the best mascaras, blush, powder, even perfume! 

product pages from Sephora

Bobbi Brown: Beauty Evolution by Bobbi Brown with Sally Wadyka

This is my sister's book which she let me borrow, I almost always get sleepy when i read this (hahaha!) This one encourages all women, that no matter what age group you belong to, you are always beautiful and you need to take care of yourself. What I loved in this book is the hair color guide. :)

Beauty by hair color, Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual

The newest beauty book of the bunch, I got curious about this when I saw it at the Bobbi Brown counter, this book covers skin care, base makeup, point makeup, making a portfolio, making it as an artist and beauty tools too! *whew* that was quite a list! If you are a budding makeup artist who wants insider info about the makeup industry, this will help you a lot. The only downside is that it is quite redundant if you have the Bobbi Brown Beauty Evolution books since there are a few tricks and topics you can find in both books.

Eyeshadow tutorials from Bobbi Brown's Makeup Manual

Do you have a favorite beauty book you would like to share? I'd love to hear it to add more titles to my puny collection. ^_~

♡ coffretgorge

Gotta get get list!

Making a shopping list is one of my personal yearly traditions, it is where I put all of the things i'd like to try in the coming year. I also make another one with my non-material goals I'd like to achieve during the year, i like doing this because it keeps me focused and helps me stay positive althroughout the year. It also makes me happy when i cross out things I've already accomplished or acquired. (what a great feeling!) ^_^

Let me start off with the gadgetry, I'm thinking of buying a new camera but Lurvey says I don't have to since he can take the pictures for me with his DSLR. Hmm... I'm still pondering on that but if i ever decide to get one, I'm gonna go for the Canon G11. What a sexy little brute! hahaha

photo from gadgetgrocery.com

I also want a new smartphone where I can blog on the go. Hello Blackberry? :)

photo from gadgetgrocery.com

If you have an elder sister who is in her late thirties right now I think you would be familiar with Monchhichi which was really popular during their school years. I've been lemming for some Atelier Monchhichi accessories for weeks now, is 2010 the year to go get? ;)

photo from yesstyle.com

Of course, it wouldn't be a gotta get get list without beautifying products!

Silk Whitia Quick Moisture Anti-Oxidation Masks are on my list.

photo from sasa.com

Rosette x Hello Kitty Skincare - how adorable is this?!

photo from ichibankao.com

KAO Prettia Hair Color - to put some new life into my hair ;)

photo from ebay.com

DiorShow Unlimited Mascara - I would like to rediscover DiorShow Mascaras this year

photo from sephora.com

and a Bobbi Brown Powder Brush - I want a nice brush to use with my now growing loose powder collection.

photo from bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Please feel free to suggest other similar products or kill the lemmings on this post. ^_~

♡ coffretgorge

New year, new makeup!

I really enjoy reading about my fellow bloggers' raves about their Christmas presents and goodies, what can i say, new stuff make us happy! Yes? As i have mentioned in my previous post, I did some shopping during the Christmas weekend and ended up with some Shu Uemura, Lunasol and Bobbi Brown stuff. Yay! New makeup to wear on the new year!

I divided them into 3 categories: tools, base makeup and point makeup to make it easier to view. ^_~

Lunasol Cream Foundation Sponge & Shu Uemura 20H brush

If I ever have a shopping mantra, it is getting the best that you can buy. I invest in Shu Uemura brushes because they are the softest and most durable, the BEST imho. I also bought a Lunasol sponge to work with my water cream foundation. So soft!

Base makeup: Lunasol Water Cream foundation in 0C03, Micro finish loose powder in 01 plus a mini micro finish loose powder in 02 as a GWP. I'm spoiled. hahaha

Point Makeup: Shu Uemura Glow On blush

Lippies! 

Bobbi Brown Rich Color Gloss 01 Tutu, Lunasol Full Glamour Lips G 06 Rose Pink, Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited PK344, Shu Uemura Gloss Unlimited Pink Collection PK310 n

swatches: 

SU Gloss Unlimited Pink Collection PK310 n, Lunasol Full Glamour Lips G 06 Rose Pink, SU Rouge Unlimited PK344, Bobbi Brown Rich Color Gloss 01 Tutu

Pretty pink shades! 

Happy new year everyone! Wishing you a blessed 2010. 

♡ coffretgorge

A Coffretgorge Christmas

Hi everyone! I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas! :) As for me, it was a day spent with my loved ones. It was tiring, but it felt so good to play with the kids and hang out with the family.

Me and my god daughter running around

I got some stuff from Shu Uemura (ongoing holiday sale 15% off on all regular items from Dec.23 - 31,2009), Lunasol and Bobbi Brown on the weekend. 

Here's a little teaser. ^_~

I'll be posting a detailed haul hopefully by tomorrow, I'm so excited to try everything! Happy holidays! ♡ coffretgorge

coffretgorge loves: Bobbi Brown Rich Color Gloss

Happy holidays everyone! It's almost Christmas are you done shopping yet? I hope you are! As for me, I'm never done shopping, its a disease i know. (gotta get get...) hahaha! 

Bobbi Brown Rich Color Gloss

photo from bobbibrowncosmetics.com

If you're looking for a really nice stocking stuffer for your lazy sister, busy mother, girly girl friends and makeup junkie colleagues you have got to get Bobbi Brown's Rich Color Gloss! As i have mentioned in a previous haul post, its a lip balm, lip color and gloss in one tube, its so convenient I LOVE IT! Usually, i apply my trusty strawberry Chap stick on before anything else, but this is so moisturizing it does everything. You can really tell its a lip balm because it is a bit minty when applied plus it's long wearing too. Amazing.

Bobbi Brown Rich Color Gloss in Dusty Rose

swatch: thicker on the left side, lighter on the right

coffretgorge rates it: 

Texture: 5/5 smooth

Shine: 3/5 Pretty

Pigmentation: 4/5 rich color

Applicator: 4/5 fuzzy doe foot

Packaging: 4/5 small, great for traveling

Price: 3/5

It comes in 8 wearable colors, ruby red if you like bright red lips, if you like pink, try dusty rose, if you're into pinkish browns try pink buff, or naked if you like nude. Try before you buy or consult the MA if its for someone else so she can recommend the right shade for every skin tone.

Weekend Holiday Haul + thoughts

Christmas is just around the bend so I tried to shop for everyone in my list last weekend, I still have to shop some more, but I'm satisfied with what I have accomplished so far. Needless to say, traffic around the metro was bad and finding a parking space at the mall was close to impossible but I managed to get by thank goodness for valet!

Of course, I wouldn't be as diligent as a happy camper if i wasn't able to buy some stuff for myself so here are some holiday gifts to self. hahaha ^_~

My Rustan's weekend haul

clockwise from top: Lunasol Star Shower Eyes in 03 Dazzling Night, Stila E/S in Wheat, Guerlain LE Meteorites Perles Imperials, Fair Crea White UV Face Powder SPF 16 PA++ Refill, Fair Crea White UV Face Powder SPF 16 PA++ Case, Bobbi Brown Rich Color Gloss in Dusty Rose, Lunasol Treatment Mascara Base

Product Close ups:

Lunasol Star Shower Eyes palette in 03 Dazzling Night

I could not resist any longer, i just had to have it already! hahaha. This is the main palette for Lunasol's 2009 Autumn Collection. A lot of beauty bloggers have raved and ranted over this, i just had to see for myself. so far im loving the main and shade colors (both on the right side of the palette) As usual, the redundant white shimmer is still there on the top left, only difference is the bling. ^.^ I think this will be perfect for upcoming holiday get togethers. Click on this if you would like to see Fuz Kittie's day to night FOTD using Dazzling Night :)

Lunasol Treatment Mascara Base

I'm using this today and i must say that its really nice, it helps in lengthening lashes, no clumps, its nice on its own, but better with your HG mascara. Its a mascara booster! I'm loving it! :)

Bobbi Brown Rich Color Gloss in Dusty Rose

A lip balm, lip color & gloss in one tube. This stuff is addicting! It feels soft and doesn't dry out my lips at all even without a lip essence. I got Dusty Rose, a pink mauve color, it looks nice on pigmented lips plus its long lasting too! They sell out really fast so if you're in Manila and you're lemming for this, get the one you like NOW. (Rustan's Makati has more shades available the only shade OOS is Tutu, a cool pink)

Guerlain Holiday Collection Meteorites - Perles Imperials

Aside from it being LE, the all black packaging lured me into buying this baby as it looks way better than the cheap looking cardboard packaging of the regular Meteorites. But I'm not complaining, as it beautifully sets make up, evens out your skin tone  and gives you a pretty, pearly glow. It is pink toned and a little shimmery, I don't mind that but some beauty bloggers prefer wearing this only at night. The Guerlain Holiday collection arrived last week at Rustan's. And yes, I'm contemplating on getting the Bal de Minuit E/S palette. *sigh*

Fair Crea White UV Face Powder  SPF 16 PA++ Case & refill

I bought this for travel as I'm always on the go, my Jill Stuart loose powder although pretty, just won't cut it. I need another one with more practical packaging. The Fair Crea White UV Face Powder is really fine and the puff is soft like clouds, aside from the SPF 16, i feel like it has moisturizing properties and the skin really absorbs it. Even if you go overboard it still won't look ghostly as it is translucent. I don't think i can recommend it for oily skin types though. ^_^

I was eyeing the LUNASOL Micro Finish Powder N 01 but the kind, chummy SA's @ Kanebo recommended this because of the UV protection and treatment properties. If you have the Lunasol Micro Finish Powder N, would you recommend it? Because I'm still lemming for it. Kill it please! lol

EYE don't cause EYE care ^_~

Hello beautyholics! i hope you all had a fun weekend! I would like to start the week with some beauty EYE don'ts i've learned through reading Bobbi Brown's book, Beauty Evolution. I think you might be interested in some tips in taking care of our very delicate eye area.

1) DON'T put eye cream on your lids if you're going to wear eyeshadow/s, it will make the lids moist and oily which can cause creasing. Eyeshadow is best applied with a dry surface. A primer also helps :)

2) DON'T rub concealer on your under eye circles. No no no. Skin in this area is very thin and can sag faster when rubbed frequently. RELAX and pat lightly in a circular motion. Always remember that patience is a virtue. ;)

3) If possible, DON'T use waterproof mascara everyday, it can dry out lashes. 

4) DON'T pick a red toned shadow as base, it can make you look tired. (or make you look like you have eye infection) But if you can pull it off, why not. :)

 and the last one comes from me,

5) DON'T be afraid to try different colors, you'll never know what it looks like until you put it on.

I hope you learned something new today. Have a great week ahead! Stay gorgeous! ^_~