Dear Hello Kitty and MAC fans! This is one newsbit you ought to read.

WWD confirms that MAC Cosmetics is teaming up with Sanrio Global Consumer Products to create a Hello Kitty colour cosmetics collection that will include lipsticks, lip glosses, eye shadows, pigment, glitter, and nail polish. It’s been reported that it’ll come in more shades of pink, turquoise, lavender, and green.

We all know that Hello Kitty is one of the biggest exports of Japan, yes? This will definitely be a fun MAC makeup collection you ought to keep an eye out for. Collectibles!

Slated to come out by February of 2009.

Image: MAC Cosmetics

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When I started using makeup (this was way back 1995 but only started on my makeup stash 1999), one of the staple beauty brands you can find sitting atop my vanity table would be Maybelline New York. I’ve considered it the more affordable makeup brand without sacrificing quality too much. I’ve used their eyeshadows, powder foundations, eyeliners and their waterproof mascaras have been a former favourite.

A recent trip to a local beauty shop PCX Boutique over at Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati City had me reminiscing hence the purchase (well, apart from the fact that I failed to put on mascara that morning and wanted to apply one badly). After a short chat with the sales person about the current mascara selection from Maybelline wherein she patiently pointed out the main differences among the ones on display and highlighted the function of the one I chose.

Maybelline Volum Express Turbo Boost Waterproof Mascara boasts an instant 5x volume upon application and promises no clumps.

The brush is slightly curved, which makes application a bit easier. It’s true that I was able to thicken lashes in just a single coat. I opted to get the brown shade. It’s a good choice for an everyday mascara. It looks very natural and hardly noticeable, which is good on instances when I just want that simple look, i.e. makeup only consists of mascara, liner and lip gloss.

In terms of clumping, it still happens if you spend too much time on a particular portion of the lash OR if you fail to tap the tube (something that I’ve grown accustomed to doing) before using it. It’s like my way of making sure that the mascara gets on the brush equally (well, ideally), know what I mean?

I’ve also noticed that I don’t need to use a lash separator when I use it; only when clumping occur.

Anyway, I’m pretty satisfied with this mascara. As I’ve said, it’s quite decently priced for what it promises to deliver. So, if you just want an everyday sort of mascara, this one’s a good buy. It’s even a good gift idea this Christmas. Priced at Php 399.00.

Photo © 2008 Sasha Manuel

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Hearing about the benefits of using Virgin Coconut Oil aka VCO as a beauty product has been an intriguing thing. I couldn’t help but wonder, “is it as good as they claim it is?” I reckon I wouldn’t really know the answer to that question unless I try it myself, hence, a recent purchase of ProSource’s Extra Virgin Pure All-purpose Coconut Oil for Php 109.00.

There are two (2) aspects wherein you can benefit from VCO: Beauty and Health.

Beauty

Skin: Apply it onto the dry, freshly cleansed face and neck in a circular motion before your night cream. Avoid the eye area. It is known to repair, protect, nourish, revitalise and moisturise skin.

Hair: Massage it onto your hair from scalp to tip. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes to an hour (depends on the extent of hair damage or if it even is). Rinse off with your regular shampoo and conditioner. You can do this once or twice a week. It’ll help repair damaged hair, leaving hair looking healthy and shiny.

Health

Supplement: 2 tbsps daily after meal, you can add sugar for flavour. It is known to add energy and extra protection against disease.

Massage: Not only is it a great lubricant (which is already a given), it’s known to be effective in relieving soreness in muscles (no scientific support, though). I can only guess that since when VCO is applied during a massage, it generates enough heat that can help soothe muscle pains or joint sores (don’t quote me on that, though).

You can also check what’s suggested on the back of the bottle.

Admittedly, I can try these out save the supplement. I just can’t imagine ingesting a couple of spoonfuls of VCO. It’s OIL for crying out loud! How can one possibly take gulping down a thick liquid like oil? Never mind its health benefits. Pah.

Have any of you tried drinking it? How is it? Have you seen any effects? I’m working towards experimenting with it so I can write the full review. If you’ve got questions, now’s the best time to ask them so I can take notes!

Photos: Copyright © 2008 Sasha Manuel

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Had I been home earlier, I could’ve told you, beauties, about this sooner. Got pinged while running an important errand. Pah. Time for a little MAC update!

“Giftable ways to exceed the need for glamour with everything a selective girl need to get seriously sophisticated, sensually adept. Gathered together with great style, grandiloquent presentation. Impossible to survive the season without! The perfect holiday must-have! Passions of Red, little darlings, passionately red and Adoring Carmine. Now available at M.A.C. Cosmetics Rustan’s in Makati City.”

MAC, MAC, MAC. The brand that’s popular to a LOT of Manila-based beauties. AND courtesy of MAC Cosmetics, the holidays will definitely be passionately red.

Happy shopping!

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If only it were that easy, yes?

But what if you do find a beauty product that will help tone down the puffiness under your eyes? In five minutes, no less? Wouldn’t you be as captivated with the idea as I am? I bet you’d jump at the opportunity in a heartbeat.

shu uemura
Depsea Moisture
Replenishing Eye Mask
$45, shuuemura-usa.com

A hydrating, fresh sheet mask that intensely moisturizes dehydrated areas of the eye in five minutes. The new shape of the mask perfectly covers the eye contour to significantly minimize the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Includes 8 sheets per box. Each mask contains 4ml of Depsea Moisture essence for an instant moisture recharge.

I’ve told my friends in numerous occasions — whenever the subject of skincare comes up, that is — that I’ve always wished that I’d rather tackle dark under eyes over puffiness any day. One, if I can’t get any decent sleep, concealer will work every friggin’ time. PLUS there’s always the perfect eye cream that will help control the dark circle situation.

However, when it comes to de-puffing my eyes, most of the eye creams I’ve tried often fall short in totally getting rid of it. Tone it down, yes, BUT never truly make it go away. Sniff.

Now, here’s another option that I can experiment on, the Shu Uemura Depsea Moisture Replenishing Eye Mask. It should be worth every penny you spend on it cuz, man, it IS expensive! This almost made me want to just find DIY Beauty regimens to go about de-puffing. I just might go broke.

Suggested Application: Apply mask after preparing skin with lotion and essence for five minutes.

Perhaps I’d stick with the inexpensive at-home treatments like sliced cucumbers, cold tea bags, or perhaps chilled spoons! What do you guys reckon? Thrifty ideas, yes? Oh, wait. Perhaps you guys know other ways to de-puff? Share!

Image: shuuemura-usa.com

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