10 Things Every girl should never live without #2. RED LIPSTICK. =)

Hi darlings!

I'm back! It's been quite a while since my last blog entry... eight months in hiatus to be exact! teehee hospital work and business juggled altogether make a perfect combination in keeping one from making an entry, yes indeed.

First thing's first. Succeeding blog entries from me may seem plain in terms of color and background... that's because i recently downloaded a blogger app for iphone. i find it convenient especially for busy bees like me... hehehe the only downside is that it lacks the basic settings =( just type, type, type and publish. no edits, no nothing. sigh. but not to worry. i'm crossing my fingers for an update of the app soon. Now let's carry on with the blogging, shall we?

I do recall my last post was about the 10 things every girl should never live without. We started off with the classic, all time favorite LBD. Now let's go to number 2.

Second on my list of musthaves is the red lipstick. Yes, THE red lipstick. hehehe =) Let's face it, most of us opt for the casual pale pink stains for regular days. But who doesn't feel that extra dose of glam when you swipe red lipstick on? Who hasn't gone through those nights when friends suddenly call for a spur-of-the-moment dinner and all you've got is 15 minutes tops? Bath.. check. Blow dry.. check. No time for make up? blush + red lipstick then off you go. Guilty as charged, your honor! hehehe This is so me. But what's truly amazing is that it actually works. I swipe it on my lips and no one seems to notice that i've been juggling heaven and earth in a hurry for that party. People actually think i came all prepared. I do love that fact- looking all prim and proper plus a touch of glam.. minus the effort. There are far more important things to do than spend hours and hours in front of the mirror after all! teehee

So moving on, here are my top fave red lipsticks (and some pinks and pales too! red.. pink.. nude... i'm a sucker for all things lip worthy.) . These are the ones i swear by for every party, event, date night, night out and everything in between.


1. MAC cosmetics in Russian Red.

Sigh. I love this lippie. I'm not so keen with red-orange-y hues and this lipstick is everything but. Its rich bloody red color has taken me from shoots to classy family dinners. And no, you don't need to reapply. It comes on so rich that you'll get that nice bright red color in just one swipe. Do exfoliate and moisturize your lips first before applying. Russian Red boasts of color but not too much in the moisturization department. I'm very particular with this since my lips are always dry. So don't forget to carry a trusty lip balm to match, lady loves.


2. MAC cosmetics in Ruby Woo.

This baby right here is a cult fave. Ruby Woo has that deep ruby red color (thus the name.. i presume. hehehe) that matches almost any skin type. It goes on smoothly on your lips and gives you that oh so gorgeous matte finish. I find this lippie perfect for morenas. And it's not drying on the lips too! Plus points for that.


3. CHANEL rouge allure in Famous.

Now this one, i have yet to get my hands on. I've read so much about it being one of the top faves of make up mavens the world over. They say Chanel lipsticks are known for their rich, lustrous color and unbelievably satin soft finish. I scouted the make up counters along Rustan's just recently, eager to buy myself one, only to find out that all stocks got sold out on the day they were displayed! The lady at the counter told me this lippie has its fair share of followers. Quite a number, in fact, that they get calls everyday for reservations when new stocks arrive. I went home empty handed to my dismay, but I did manage to swipe a tester on my lips. The verdict? Let's just say i find the fabulous reviews understated and i can't wait to get my own rouge allure. And when i do, you ladies better be ready for my review. Wink.


4. MAC cosmetics in Girl About Town

Those days when i find red lips too overpowering? I switch to good 'ol pink. Nothing like a lighter, bubblier and younger shade to spice up a boring day. MAC girl about town is one my absolute favorite fuchsia shades ever. It gives you just the right amount of fun, flirty and fabulous appeal. And yes, it's totally hydrating! Barbie meets Audrey. Definitely a musthave in every make up kit.


5. REVLON colorburst lip butter in Sweet Tart.

The name speaks for itself. I am in love with this lipstick because of how it amazingly moisturizes my lips! Take my word for it, it truly IS lip butter! hehehe This just came out in the market recently and at first i thought it was just another lipstick. Reading through a lot of magazines and their articles of how "drug store make up" has drastically improved and promisingly sworn to give famous make up brands a run for their money, i decided to give this baby a try. (Note: In the US, brands such as Revlon, Loreal and Maybelline are easily found in drug stores, thus the coined term.) To my amazement, this new line truly exceeded my expectations. The colors are very vibrant and so "now". They have this famous orange shade, Peach Parfait,  modeled by Emma Stone. But i prefer the warm pink tone of Sweet Tart. So yes, this one right here is a keeper for me. And at a fraction of the cost of the above mentioned lippies, how can you ever resist?

I've always been a lippie girl by heart. And to cut down my favorites into five was truly hard. (Refer to above photo. The writer's everyday stash.) But there you have it ladies. I hope this entry helps you whenever you feel like updating your make up train case. Remember, it's not the brand of the lipstick, the price nor the popularity. How it suits you, how it complements your skin tone and most importantly, how it makes you feel like a million bucks is what truly matters. And when you do find that imperially gorgeous shade of lipstick you truly cannot live without, don't forget to pair it with a smile. Lots of it. Then you're good to go. Wink.





All my love,

                                                                 ZANDRA LEN




* The writer is sporting Revlon Colorburst lip butter in Sweet Tart.

10 things every girl should never live without =) NUMBER 1.

I've been getting a couple lot of facebook personal messages (PM's) lately. Mostly inquiries for the dresses i sell, others for my longchamp bags, others from friends who just want to catch up... and a couple lot from friends/buyers alike asking me what beauty products i use for my face or what brand of shoes i'm wearing. So here you have it ladies... my top ten musthaves, starting with musthave number one.

I never was the super high maintenance type of girl. But i also make sure i'm no plain jane. There are things every girl should have, things she truly needs. Of course, one woman's "musthave list" may differ from that of others. It's a case-to-case basis.So you may add more to your list if you wish. In the meantime, here's mine.

1. First and foremost on my list IS and will ALWAYS be the LITTLE BLACK DRESS. 

Gorgeous, isn't she? Audrey Hepburn's character in Breakfast at Tiffany's, Holly Golightly, is my all time favorite epitome of class and elegance. No wonder i'm a sucker for LBD's. hehe Seriously, i strongly believe every girl should have a little black dress in her closet. It's the most versatile piece of clothing i can think of. Dress it up with sky high stilettos or keep it simple with classy pearl earrings. No matter what the occasion, you can never go wrong with an LBD.

I'm pretty sure most of you have gone through those "unplanned" dinners where you suddenly get a call and what seemed like one peaceful day turned out to be a mind boggling one after all... what with all the endless hours of scanning your closet for the perfect dress to go with those heels you've had in mind or vice versa. And just when you've finally decided what to wear, you're left with only 10 minutes to shower, dry your hair, change into your outfit and do your make up!  I plead guilty for this ladies. teehee I'd be lying if i said i've never gone through such an ordeal.

But you know how they say, with age comes wisdom. And indeed i've truly learned my lesson. Now i always make sure my closet's armed with an LBD or two. No time? No sweat. You can be sure of that.

And yes, it will always be a basic. You'll be surprised with the many different looks you can come up with. Play with your imagination ladies. Pair this musthave with a sequined bolero, an animal print scarf, a skinny belt or a classy shrug... the possibilities are endless. Soon you will realize you're left with so many looks to "wear" and so little parties/cocktails to attend.

 My favorite shops to snag the perfect little black dress? There's forever21, plains&prints, mango, promod, topshop, tyler, jessica.... the list goes on and on ladies. But do remember this, it doesn't matter what brand you're wearing, as long as it fits you well and you feel like a million bucks in it, it's the perfect one. Looking good in a dress never was about the price tag nor the designer. It all comes down to the wearer- how she carries herself in the dress and how confident she feels wearing the dress. Everything else will follow.

So the next time you think you have "nothing" to wear, think again. There just might be one tiny piece hanging at the back of your closet with "let's paint the town red" written all over it.

 

                                                                
                                                              love and light,

                                          zandra len