Mary Kay's MelaCEP Whitening Set not very effective

I've been using the Mary Kay MelaCEP Whitening System for a month now and I see absolutely no improvement in my complexion. The set consists of a facial wash, a freshener, a dark spot serum, an essence, a day moisturizer, a night cream and a moisture-rich mask. I'm terribly low-maintenance so the many products were a bit of a turn off. Yet I religiously followed the 7-step program night and day. In the end, I saw no visible lightening of spots or even the promise of a glowing complexion. And for P9,030 for the entire set... Well, that's a bit expensive for stuff that doesn't really work!

And it smells like spoiled milk, too.

The Beauty Writer

*product photo courtesy of Mary Kay

How to do a smoky eye according to Bobbi Brown's Sebastien Tardif

What: Launch of book Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual
Where: Mag:Net Cafe, Bonifacio High Street
When: April 24, 2009

Bobbi Brown makeup artist Sebastien Tardif shows us how to do a simple smoky eye that anyone can do.

Step 1: Prep skin. Smoky eyes are dramatic so the rest of the face should be clean.

Step 2: Groom brows. Eyebrows frame and balance the face so never forget to groom brows! Sebastian used a stiff angled brush to apply brown eyeshadow on to the brows.

Step 3: Pat a black eyeshadow gel all over the lid, but only up to the crease. Beyond that, Sebastien says you'll look like a clown!

Step 4: Choose a color. Sebastien chose blue. Pat this gently over the black shadow. The result is a shimmering deep blue that has depth. Remember you can use any color you like but I think the darker shades are best (blue, purple, green, brown).

Step 5: Trace a thin line on lower lids with a black pencil. And apply mascara to open up those peepers!

Step 6: Use a lipstick shade that is close to your natural color. Sebastien's tip: Before applying lipstick, fluff powder on the sides of your lips to prevent color from bleeding to lines (in case you have them!).

Step 7: Finish with a peach blush on the apples of cheeks.

Voila! Simple smoky eyes in 7 steps! For more makeup tips and tricks, get a copy of the Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro for Php 1,235 at Bobbi Brown makeup counters and Fully Booked.

The Beauty Writer

The Face Shop launches Soul fragrances

What: New Soul Fragrances by The Face Shop
Where: Dimensione, Bonifacio High Street
When: April 23, 2009

I wasn't aware that the third level of Dimensione, one of my favorite home stores, had a loft-like space for events. That was the venue for the debut of the new Soul fragrances of Korean beauty brand import The Face Shop.



There are 4 new fragrances to sniff and select:
Secret Blossom - is floral and fruity, with all of these in its brew: lemon tea, green tea, lilac, red peony, peach flower, wisteria, white sandalwood, amber and soft musk. Designed for the carefree and fascinating woman.
Sweet Pleasure - is musky, floral and woodsy. It's supposed to be adored by young women on the cusp of falling in love. And that smells like violet leaf, wild strawberry, grapefruit, violet, jasmine, gardenia, white wood, musk and vanilla.
Wish Upon a Star - is floral and oriental. Quite exotic really, this scent is created for the sophisticated woman. She's enamored with the mixture of mandarin, orange, lime, Bulgarian rose, white jasmine, sandalwood, white musk and vanilla.
Essential for Men - is fresh, aquatic and yet woodsy. Your man will smell so good in this splash of basil, lemon, mint, cider leaf, lotus, amber, precious wood and musk.

Personally, I quite enjoyed the Wish Upon a Star scent--it's quite sensual but not too heavy for the tropical heat. Sweet Pleasure was okay but it smelled kinda generic. I really did like the Gustav Klimt reproduction prints on the boxes, although the brand failed to explain why they chose that particular artist's work.

If you're looking for a perfume, then do know that each 30mL bottle of The Face Shop Soul Fragrance costs P895. Click here for a store near you.

The Beauty Writer

*product photos courtesy of The Face Shop

I live for beauty!

Hi! This blog is dedicated to all things beautiful--if it looks good, smells good, feels good, makes us look good, then it's bound to end up here!

You'll also find honest reviews of products and services, which I hope will help you in your quest for good buys. In this crunch economy, we all need to know what's worth our peso!

So thank you for dropping by and I welcome all tips, tricks, reviews and opinions because I write beauty for a living!

The Beauty Writer - that's me in the photo getting color and highlights at the Louis Phillip Kee Salon!