Loving: Warm nude shades ~

I have a girlfriend who's crazy in love with nude lipsticks. She loves playing up her eyes, and hence, tends to stick to brown and nude lipsticks so it'll work easily into her entire look.

And every time I meet her, I fall into loving nudes all over again. But I love me some pinks and peaches too. Cos I'm greedy like that.

That got me thinking as to what shades I had in my stash (either peaches or pinks) which were still "nude" enough that I could wear them, even if I wanted to play up my eyes.

And I came up with these four easy-to-wear warm nude shades to share with you lovelies. If you love nudes too, but want to just add that little bit of colour for your lips, I think these would work really well.

My Lipstick Collection

I cleared out my makeup collection the other day and did a lip count. Are twelve lipsticks too little or too many? Four of them are in a wee palette though so I am not sure if they should be counted or not.

To get an idea of what colours I go for, check out the swatches after the jump:

Review: Stage Picture Perfect Camouflage

One of the things I picked up during the last Stage Cosmetics sale was their Picture Perfect Camouflage. Usually priced at RM 55, it was selling at half-price for RM 27.50. What a steal.

The shade which I bought is "Ingénue Genie". What that means is anybody's guess -- I was far too busy jumping over the moon for joy. It seems that I have finally found a perfect concealer match!

Balm for A Broken Heart: Stage Moisturising Lipstick in Kirsten

After my newly acquired Chanel Rouge Coco went and broke on me (more on that next week), I was heartbroken. It felt like the end of a love affair.

Like the end of all love affairs, I swore off lipsticks for the next few days. Then, like the beginning of all love affairs, when I was walking listlessly around the place, a new lipstick caught my eye.

I am in the mood for sheer nude shades so when I swatched Kirsten, I stopped short. Then I turned to the MUA and asked if I could try it on.

While I was checking myself out in the mirror, the MUA added, “By the way, Stage is having a 50% promotion for August and if you buy 3 of the same products, you get 1 free.”

“With an offer like that,” my best friend murmured behind me, “it would be a sin NOT to get anything.”

She got a Wondergloss in Gaia by the way. Absolutely adores it.

Stage's Burlesque Ball Wonderkiss Lipcrème

Ho Ho Ho everyone! Christmas is really just round the corner now isn't it? Next week! And my Christmas shopping isn't even done! *Eek*

But nevermind my shopping (I'll be running around the malls as you're reading this today *tee hee*), today I want to introduce you to two Stage Cosmetics lipsticks that I've been given to try out.

Enter Stage's Burlesque Ball Wonderkiss Lipcrème, from their holiday collection.

If you've been following our blog, you'll know that Kahani and I love lip products from Stage. From their formulas, to finishes, it's one thing they've definitely gotten down pat.


And these Wonderkiss cream lipsticks are no different. I received two shades - Swoon (left) and Amuse (right). And they come in such Christmassy red tubes too! Pretty!

Stage says: Wonderkiss Lipcrème is the ultimate lip indulgence when it comes to color, intensity and luxurious care. Wonderkiss is formulated with a unique gel formulation combined with a spherical powder pigment which provides the most intense pure color coverage. Contains hydrating Apple Seed Oil so lips are soft, smooth and pampered. Vitamin E helps defy age and prevent the appearance of fine lines.


Swoon is a cream-finish pink nude which goes on a wee bit lighter than my actual lip colour. On my lips they appear a light pink.


Amuse, on the other hand, is a slightly metallic brown-bronze shade. I didn't expect it to turn out quite so bright on my lips though! (Note: Both lipsticks were paired with Bobbi Brown's Illuminating Bronzer in Maui *glee*)


Both go on super creamy and feel really comfortable on my lips. As with their Wonderlust cousins, I really have no complaints about these two.

You can also have a look at Paris and Connie's take on the cream lippies.

So if you like what you're seeing better run to Stage while the holiday collections are still out. You can pick these up for RM50 each.

Have a great weekend girls! =D

Pretty Polish: Two great shades by Stage

I've had Stage nailpolishes for sometime but never reviewed them simply because until now I didn't have shades I liked. The two on the right - Enchanting (brown) and Fascinating (plum) were given to me by Stage in goody bags but even though they are both lovely colours in their own right both look rather blah on me. They were too dark for my taste and didn't quite compliment my skintone. But I knew that quality wise they were good so during the last BOGOF offer, I seized the chance to pick up two colours I knew I'd love Pretty (Pink - go figure) and Gorgeous (red).

Pretty
I truly adore this shade it's a lovely golden pink but with a cool metallic finish that gives it an edge. Rather Barbie Warrior Princess. =D

Gorgeous
Is GORGEOUS there's no other word. I spend time happily cooing at my shimmery red toes. Not too dark, not too candy, not too scary, it's classy yet fun at the same time. I love this shade to death and have worn it for a month straight on my toes since I got it. Whee!

Formula
Neither of these shades are fast-drying, but they don't take crazy long either. Of course, a lot depends on your top coat as I discovered, but that's another review. Without a top coat, a single coat of Pretty on my nails lasted 3 days without a bad chip. Which believe me is impressive considering what I put my poor talons through. But both shades really come into their own with a good top coat so slap it on!

Conclusion
I love these shades so much I will definitely repurchase when they dry out (who ever heard of FINISHING a bottle of nail polish?). I may be tempted by one or two more shades but truth to tell, Stage isn't blessed with that many colours. Also at RM35 a bottle, the polishes are a bit beyond my budget so I'll be waiting for the next BOGOF offer to stock up. ^_^

Addicted to Stage Wondergloss: Narcissus & Persephone

So you're all familiar by now with my love for Stage Wondergloss, so this review is more about shades than formula. During the stage buy-one-get-one-free (BOGOF) promo I took the chance to splash out on two more shades and gosh they're GORGEOUS. Ladies meet Persephone (left) and Narcissus (right).

Narcissus
Much as I love Venus, I often wished it had a bit more pep to it as if I wasn't using it with a smokey look it could wash me out a touch. Narcissus is like a pinker perkier version of Venus. LOVE.

In the tube it looks pink but when applied the sparkly gold pigments warm it up to a neutral but luscious shade. It's a no-fuss shade that goes with just about anything and has enough pink to make me look fresh.

Persephone
This shade must have been named for the pomegranet seeds Persephone ate in the greek myth that trapped her in Hades for 6 months. In the tube it's a scary bright warm red shade with cool shimmer. On the lips though it's astonishingly wearable and great for glamming up a day look or for a toned-down red lip look.

While not as versatile as Narcissus this shade is beautiful and can amp a neutral office look making you pub-ready in no time.

Strage Wonderglosses are RM55 each. Watch out for more Stage deals if you want to snap up more than one shade. Syen.... bought FOUR during the BOGOF offer. She adores this gloss!

What shade's your fave?

Review: Stage Wunderluxe Lipstick and Wondergloss

I was a lucky girl at the Stage blogger event as I managed to nail both a Wonderluxe Satin Matte lipstick in Baby Blossom (RM48) and a Wondergloss in Venus (RM55). Ok.. I swapped to GET the Wondergloss in Venus, it's a firm favourite of mine as you'll soon see.

Both products smell of vanilla (but not overwhelmingly so, thank goodness) and are very luxuriously packaged. Although the Wondergloss tube does remind me strongly of Revlon's glosses... ah well, the creators of Stage are sole distributors for Revlon. They must be in the know. ;)

Review

By a happy coincidence I got a cool and a warm shade to play with and both work well for me! Baby Blossom is very cool, almost lavender shade with enough pink to perk it up and ensure I dont' look like a frozen corpse.

The satin-matte formula isn't heavy at all and is very pigmented. It also isn't drying which is what you may expect. It makes a very mature, sophisticated shade perfect for work.

The finish is interesting. Although it's matte in the sense it has no shimmer or gloss, it isn't a true matte. As you can see it still has a natural-finish and doesn't sink to my lip lines. Likey!

Wondergloss in Venus is one of those crazy versatile shades and formulas you can't live without. On its own its cushiony formula, high shine and shimmer makes for very voluptuous lips. Shade-wise it's perfect when paired to an intense smokey-eyed look.

For day-wear I also love the effect it has when layered over a sheer red lippie. It makes for a perfect shade. It's also very handy for toning down too-bright shades. You know the ones that have the exact tone you need but are too intense for your look? Slap this on, it brings it down and warms it up nicely.

Conclusion
Both the lippies are high-quality and reasonably priced. And now with a BOGOF (buy-one-get-one-free) offer on till July 6, I'm so tempted to go INSANE and get two more lipsticks and two more glosses... HELP! (anyone wanna share with me?)

News: Stage launches Buy 1 Get 1 Free Deal

If you haven't given our home-grown prestige cosmetics line, Stage, a try yet, now's your chance ladies! Until July 6, the line is offering a Buy 1 Get 1 Free offer on "lipsticks, eyeshadows, liners and more!". I don't know what the "and more" is but run along and check it out. I'm digging the green eyeliner in the pic and they have some VERY nice lipglosses and lipsticks which I will review soon to help you choose.

Beauty Blogger Event at Stage Cosmetics

Last Saturday, Syen and I had a wonderful makeup filled day with fellow bloggers, ParisB, Beetrice, and KimberlyCun at KL Pavillion. This cool makeup workshop was organised by Alliance Cosmetics to promote their latest premier line - Stage. Full credit goes to Beetrice for being instrumental in organising it!

Warning: Lots of pics (taken by professional photographer, Adam) if you read on. But you'll also get a brief overview of my impressions on Stage Cosmetics, and an unqualified rave for ONE product you MUST get!

Running the workshop was John Boudville (above) and though he tried in vain to advise us on how best to apply the products - mostly we were a stubborn bunch and went our own way. I know I did. *blushes* Here's he's explaining the differences between the mascaras, which I have to say are pretty amazing. I used Drama Lash (RM50) for "dramatic lashes" and boy oh boy did it deliver! This one I will go back to buy!


One thing we did learn (and do) was to put our foundation on with a brush (here's ParisB and KimberlyCun hard at it). I was a little frustrated with the foundation they gave us to try though. Although I'd repeatedly mentioned my very oily skin (yes sorry girls) they gave me their Picture Perfect Foundation (RM90)which, although oil free had melted off my face by the time I'd reached home. But that's just my crazy skin. The finish was sheer, but natural and with concealer (Picture Perfect Liquid Camouflage - RM55 ), it covered all my flaws. Still I wish I'd had a chance to road-test their Studio Perfect Foundation for "overactive, shine prone skin".

Syen and I had a hard time choosing the right blush (RM58), but in the end we managed! Their blushers are quite lovely, highly pigmented and very fine. The merest touch with a brush is enough to give you a glow. I can recommend Gerbera, a lovely shimmery peachy shade that will give you a glow, and Amaryllis, a nice nude pink for a pop of colour.

If you know Syen, you'll know she doesn't use mascara - until now! I think this workshop converted her. Even though Angel Lash Mascara (RM50) is supposed to be a "natural effect" mascara, it gave her super-long sky-scraping lashes that were the envy of every girl there.

It's all lips from here on:

I loved the Wondergloss High Shine Lipgloss in Venus (RM55)

Beetrice is now a fan of their Wonderlust Moisturising Lipstick (RM48) although here, she's also using the gloss.

KimberlyCun gives their matte Wonderluxe Satin Lipstick lipstick (RM48) a try. I received a tube in Baby Blossom which I roadtested today and I was surprised at how moisturising and light it felt on my lips - despite being a matte lippy.

At the end we all posed on their "stage" (Yes, Stage cosmetics has a stage) to show off our finished looks.

The only two product lines I really hope they improve are their eyeshadows, which aren't quite pigmented enough, and their brushes, which could be improved quite a bit.

Now for my hands-waving-about you-MUST-buy this rave!

This is the Pro-Lash curler, and at RM35 ladies, it's a steal. A STEAL. How good is this curler? Well, out of five ladies at the workshop, four of us bought curlers.

This curler is so good I didn't even know how lousy my other two curlers (The Body Shop & a free one by Maybelline) have been. It was a revelation. No twisting, poking, adjusting - anything. It fit my eye socket bee-yoo-ti-fully and curled my lashes without effort. No fuss, no muss. It got all the lashes too, and gave them a nice lift.

How does it compare to say, Shu Uemura? ParisB has a Shu curler I believe, and she bought this baby too. How's that? If you're Asian with deep-set eyes, this is a definite must have.

Edit: Beetrice is also totally in love with her curler! Check out her pics (she was hardworking enough to upload her own pics) and her amazing giveaway on her blog! Generous gal. =)

Edit2: Toodle over to MyWomenStuff to check out the incomparable ParisB's reviews, and see if you can snag her offer.