Creating the perfect winged eyeliner can seem like a pretty daunting task, but don’t let that stop you; liners can smell your fear! As with anything, regular practice is truly the key in perfecting the feline flick, but that’s not to say that there aren’t methods you could learn to speed up the process. Here are a few tips that I’ve personally learned over the years to help evolve my messy little squiggles into a full cat eye.

TIP #1: LEARN YOUR EYE SHAPE AND WHAT STYLES LOOK BEST WITH IT.

Just like contouring, much of how we apply the product is all up to our natural shape. If you’ve ever drawn eyeliner that seemed too awkward, too tilted, or too long, chances are that you’re trying to recreate a look you’ve seen on someone else, rather than trying to flatter your own unique eye shape. Take time to experiment to see which style you like looks best on you specifically! Makeup.com gives a wonderful rundown on identifying your shape and which styles suit it best, so read it here if you need a guide.

TIP #2: CHOOSE YOUR FIGHTER APPROPRIATELY: PENCIL VS. LIQUID VS. GEL

The eyeliner style you want to achieve largely depends on what medium you have. For example, eyeliner pencils may not be the best for making dramatic wings as they are softer in texture, not as opaque, and tend to round out at the tip; this makes them perfect for creating a smudged effect, tight lining, and running down the lower lash line. Of all the mediums, this is perhaps the most beginner-friendly, but I would use this only for filling in the water lines or for smoking out into an eyeshadow.

Gel liners, on the other hand, come in a pot and a small brush. This type of liner takes a little bit more of a practiced hand, as they are creamier in consistency compared to a liquid liner and may smudge up as it needs a little time to set into place. However, these are also wonderful at creating bold matte lines that will not budge for anyone or anything. I wouldn’t recommend this for beginners, but if you’re looking to get graphic, use gel.

TIP #3: DITCH THE INSTAGRAM HACKS.

Now, this one is entirely a personal preference. While it’s true that hacks such as spoons, tape, business cards, and the like can be helpful, I wouldn’t recommend it for regular use. For one thing, they may not always be available (unless you like carrying around a spoon in your makeup kit!) and may even take more time to use, as you will most likely need to fix up uneven lines. Plus, they might even move your makeup if you have base underneath!

They can function well as training wheels, but I found that free-handing your liner then suffering the consequences later really helps train your hand to get used to the motion faster—the best teacher is self-induced fear of failure! 

However, if you find it more comfortable to use these hacks, then do as you please! Makeup has no rules, after all.

TIP #4: GET READY, GET STEADY, THEN GO.

Just because I like to free-hand doesn’t mean I just go in willy-nilly. There are three things I like to do to get ready for making my wing.

Chin up and half blink. Do you know how Instagram baddies do that sultry hooded eye look for selfies? Yeah, do that. By doing this, you’re forcing yourself to look down into the mirror instead of directly at it, making the surface area of your lid smoother. This lets your liner glide on with more precision, as it doesn’t snag onto any creases or folds.

Support the elbows by placing them onto a table. Of course, after you’re used to doing your eyeliner, you will eventually grow out of this habit, but by placing your elbows firmly onto a steady surface, you’re lessening the probability of shake and unwanted movement. This allows you to restrict your movement only to your wrists, as opposed to your entire arm. 

Anchor using pinky or palm. A useful tip, especially for making the tail, is using your pinky/palm as an anchor point and pivoting around it, rather than moving your entire arm. This gives you added support for a steadier hand!

TIP #5:  MAKE YOUR WING FROM THE OUTSIDE-IN.

Again, this is highly reliant on a person’s dexterity and preference, but I find that creating a wing from the tail then connecting it to the inner corner is much easier than trying to finesse it outwards. This is because as we move the liner from the inner corner out, there’s tendency to push down the fatter portion of the pen tip (for reference, I exclusively use liquid liner pens, so the same may not ring true for gel brushes) as we reach the tail, causing the lines to get fatter and more rounded.

To do this outside-in method, take your liner to the edge of your lower lash line. Follow its natural upward tilt and line it out using light pressure on the very tip of your liner. Then, to create a sharp tail, release the tip gently in a small flick, causing the line to get thinner. Then, flip your hand horizontally and, from the middle of your line, connect it diagonally towards the middle of your upper lash line. Fill in the hollow triangle you just formed, then tight line all the way to your inner corner to give you a smooth, gradually formed wing.

TIP #6: KNOW WHERE TO HOLD THE PEN!

TIP #7: DON’T FORGET TO TIGHT LINE AND APPLY MASCARA!

By lining your upper lash line and filling in the empty space, your look not only becomes cleaner and more put together, but you also give the illusion of an elongated almond shape. Then, by making sure you coat both the upper and lower lash lines, you pull the whole look together!

BONUS: SOME LINERS I SWEAR BY

Julia Benito

Julia is Calyxta’s resident crazy plant lady with an unstoppable caffeine addiction and an ever-increasing love for glitter eye shadow. When she’s not staring out the window mulling over the correctness of her grammar, she can be found drawing on eyeliner, watching anime, reading books, or petting strangers’ dogs.

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Depending on my mood, I just grab the shade I feel like wearing for the day and dab a little on the apples of my cheeks. If I want a monochromatic ensemble, then I also blend some on my lids!

Here below are just a few makeup looks I’ve put together using the four different Cloud Paints I own:

CLOUD PAINT IN DAWN

When I started my makeup journey, I veered away from anything orange. I thought it wouldn’t suit my fair yet warm skin tone. But to my surprise, after playing around with Paprika’s Matte and Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette and pairing it with Glossier’s Cloud Paint in Dawn, it became one of my favorite go-to looks! Orange has become my new obsession.

CLOUD PAINT IN STORM

This particular shade gives the perfect “drunk blush” kind of look. Aside from blending some on my cheeks, I love running my pointer finger (with a bit of the remaining product) on the bridge of my nose. I once lent it to a morena friend, and the color looked so gorgeous on her! Out of all the Cloud Paint shades, I think Storm suits the most skin tones.

CLOUD PAINT IN HAZE

I bought this shade first, because I loved the natural pink flush it gave without looking too bright. If I wanted to use more of my pink eyeshadows, Haze was the perfect complement to the whole look.

CLOUD PAINT IN BEAM

My favorite shade of all—and definitely the most used! I carry it with me everywhere that the prints on the tube have faded slightly already. I just love how the color of this gives me a beautiful yet subtle sun-kissed glow that instantly adds life to my look. On lazy days where I don’t feel like wearing makeup but have a meeting to attend, I just brush up my brows with Glossier’s Boy Brow in Brown then dab on their Cloud Paint in Beam on my cheeks. It’s a makeup look I can do in less than five minutes!

Written By:

Gretchen Gatan

MANAGING EDITOR

Gretchen is a writer, makeup artist, and the beauty and lifestyle blogger behind www.gretasjunkyard.com. Her love for beauty all started when she discovered the wonders of doing her brows with a good eyebrow pen. Despite her girly ways and obsession with skin care, she loves watching wrestling and gets competitive while playing Ultimate Frisbee.

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When it comes to makeup styles and preferences, you’ll notice that each of the Calyxta Crew differs from one another. Some of us love going for peachy nudes, while some prefer just swiping on a bold lip and leaving the rest of her face bare; meanwhile, others are experts at doing a variety of trendy and K-inspired looks. However, despite our differences, we can all agree on one thing—our love for lipstick! Lipstick is the one thing that unites us all, and if you’re curious to find out our top lipstick picks under P500 from Calyxta, check them out below!

“I’ve always loved Pink Sugar’s HD Lipstick in Butter. I first discovered it two years ago when I was looking through Calyxta’s wide selection of lipstick brands, and it just so happened that it was also my first time to be introduced to Pink Sugar. The creamy formulation of their HD Lipstick is so comfortable, and it keeps my normally dry lips hydrated. I don’t even need to apply lip balm anymore! Plus, the Butter shade is a perfect nude hue for everyday wear, and goes super well with my staple peachy looks. If I want something a little darker, then Maybelline’s Superstay Matte Ink in Versatile is my other option!”

– Gretchen Gatan, Managing Editor

“I’m in love with the Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick! It is really affordable, and has outstanding quality. I’m amazed because it proved to be long-lasting and smudge-proof. My personal favorite is the nude shade, Seductress. It perfectly matches my morena skin tone, and it’s a good choice for everyday use. This is the first time I used up a tube! I also got to try another shade named Founder. It’s plum in color, and it helps give a sophisticated look—perfect for date nights and fun parties with friends.”

– Anne Concepcion, Administrative and Technical Assistant

“I’m really lazy when it comes to putting on makeup, so I love easy-to-work-with and fuss-free products for daily use. For everyday wear, I use the Leiania House Of Beauty Organic H20 Kissed Lipcheek Stain in Peach Nectar. I like that it’s pigmented and it’s not that hard to apply. Just be careful not to apply too much. If I want to be a little extra, my ultimate go-to is Maybelline’s Superstay Matte Ink in Ruler. I love this particular shade of red—it gives you the right ‘oomph’ especially on days when you need a pick-me-up. Its long-lasting power is perfect for lazy girls like me who hate retouching or reapplying lipstick on a busy day.”

– Mabel Masangkay, Marketing Manager

“I’m more of a lip tint person and one of my newest holy grail lip products is the Painted Cosmetics Moisturizing Lip Serum with Gold Flakes. It’s a 3-in-1 product. I use it as a lip balm to hydrate my lips, as a lip tint because it gives your lips a sheer pink hue, and as a gloss because it gives such a juicy sheen when applied more generously. However, on days that I feel like wearing a liquid lipstick, I instantly reach for the Milani Amore Matte Lip Crème in the shade Honey because it’s the perfect MLBB—it’s almost the exact shade of my natural lips! And then I just dab a pink or berry shade (depending on my mood) on the center of my lips—in this case, the same Milani Liquid Lip in the shade Allure—to liven up my lips with a bit of an ombre.”

– Shawn Landayan, Multimedia Artist

“These days, I feel myself reaching for the Skin by John Robert Powers in Coral Dream for that daily flush of color! It may transfer easily, as it’s not a matte lippie, but it’s very moisturizing, pigmented, and comfortable to wear—plus it has sunscreen! Another new fave are the liquid lipsticks from local brand, Chihuahua Cosmetics. For such an affordable price and teeny packaging, the pigment really packs a punch! It dries down matte, but isn’t flaky and doesn’t cling to dry spots.”

– Julia Benito, Content Marketing Associate

Written By:

Gretchen Gatan

MANAGING EDITOR

Gretchen is a writer, makeup artist, and the beauty and lifestyle blogger behind www.gretasjunkyard.com. Her love for beauty all started when she discovered the wonders of doing her brows with a good eyebrow pen. Despite her girly ways and obsession with skin care, she loves watching wrestling and gets competitive while playing Ultimate Frisbee.

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My lashes are usually sensitive to products, so much that I can immediately feel its not-so-good effects from first use. I am also one who is guilty of rubbing my eyes thoughtlessly—forgetting that I put makeup on, and often, this habit is what tells me whether or not my eye products are good.

At worst, I’d feel a stinging in my eyes, it would turn red, and I’d need to wash it with water until it’s no longer irritated. Sometimes, I just know it’s not good for me when it clumps my lashes, or when the formula itself easily gets sticky and goopy! Eeep.

Recently, I was asked to try La Localita’s Lash Express Eyelash Enhancer, and truth be told, I was excited to try it, especially after hearing that it’s infused with ingredients that will help my lashes grow!

So in the past weeks, I’ve been trying to alternate it with my regular mascara to see the difference. The good news is, it didn’t irritate my eyes! Despite the eye-rubbing, I did not experience any itchiness and I also noticed less eyelash fall.

And since I was too focused on whether or not the formula would cause irritation to my eyes, I actually forgot that it’s supposed to be lengthening. I only realized it when I went off to run errands and just curled my lashes without applying any mascara. That’s when I realized that my lashes appear to look fuller and longer and I super love it!

Written By:

Patti Sunio aka Tita Pacita

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Tita Pacita of www.titapacita.com is a lifestyle, culture, and fashion & beauty writer from Manila. With her wisdom and almost thirty years of life experience, she likes to share what she knows and give unsolicited advice, true to her Tita ways. Her makeup choices are primarily based on instinct, and, believe it or not, K-Beauty.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that I am a lover (or a fan, or both!) of all things Korean. Well, maybe not all. But yes I am a self confessed worshipper of everything with a touch of K—from the air they breathe to the pavements they walk on.

And while I do admit that there are times when I feel like my K-ness has toned down or my Tita body is forced to lie low when it comes to gushing over Korean things, life always manages to surprise, and I am led to discover more and more reasons to love it.

Case in point is Dear Dahlia Cosmetics. Eeep! It was love at first sight for me! How can you say no to its marbled and gold-lined packaging? I simply couldn’t!!!

Once upon a time I had to write a review for Dear Dahlia’s Concealer Duo Palette and its Paradise Blooming Cushion. I wished for a special event to wear it to, but deadlines are real and so I ended up wearing it on a regular errand day instead.

DEAR DAHLIA SKIN PARADISE BLOOMING CUSHION, P2,500

Back story: I used the Duo Palette purely as concealer. I’m sometimes paranoid about looking too white so I blended the two  colors and just used my fingers! It glides on like a dream! Then I used a sponge to apply my foundation. I love how it feels light on my face! You also need to put only a little, and it’s enough to really make you look alive, awake, and, uh, hashtag blessed.

As for the so-called verdict, well, Korean bias aside, I would personally recommend Dear Dahlia because of its beautiful packaging and I simply love beautiful things. I also didn’t experience any breakouts or irritation on my skin, and have nothing but good memories with this product. I love how it doesn’t look cakey, and its satiny finish looks so well with my velvety lip. And, at the end of my errand day, my makeup was still intact. That’s definitely a plus!

I would say it’s pricier than usual, but you get what you pay for! It’s fun to show off! I would think you won’t really wear the foundation on a daily basis, too (or probably depends on your job!). Overall, I think it’s a worthy semi-splurge to reward yourself with this Christmas!

Written By:

Patti Sunio aka Tita Pacita

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Tita Pacita of www.titapacita.com is a lifestyle, culture, and fashion & beauty writer from Manila. With her wisdom and almost thirty years of life experience, she likes to share what she knows and give unsolicited advice, true to her Tita ways. Her makeup choices are primarily based on instinct, and, believe it or not, K-Beauty.

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DEAR DAHLIA SKIN PARADISE TONE-UP SUN CUSHION, P2,300

In the world of beauty, Korean brands remain a wonderful, shining light of innovation. Gradient, ‘just-bitten’ lips were one of the dominant trends in the recent fashion scene, but any K-beauty lover knows that gradient lips have been around for what seems like forever. We at Calyxta are always excited by new beauty brands, even more so when they’re Korean ones, and the arrival of Dear Dahlia immediately got us ogling their gorgeous packaging and resisting the urge to buy everything on hand. Why do we love it so? Well, how about I introduce you to Calyxta’s Dear Dahlia collection so you can see for yourself:

DEAR DAHLIA SKIN PARADISE TONE-UP SUN CUSHION, P1,840

Dear Dahlia banishes all excuses when it comes to getting your daily sun protection thanks to their super convenient sun cushion. Yup, kind of like your regular cushion makeup, this one is soaked with SPF35 PA+++ sunscreen instead. It’s infused with Dahlia Variabilis Extract and nourishing EcoCert Organic oils to hydrate skin and leave it with a satiny soft, not greasy, finish. Since it’s a cushion, it’s oh so-quick and easy to apply before your makeup and after, to touch up throughout the day.

DEAR DAHLIA PARADISE DUAL PALETTE – CONCEALER DUO, P1,900

Not only does this creamy, blendable concealer have high coverage and a velvety finish, it comes with two shades in one making it twice as nice. Use either of the shades to highlight, conceal, or even contour where needed. Can’t cram all that extra makeup in your bag for a trip? No need! Just bring this along and it’s like you’ve got three products in one. It’s a definite dynamic duo.

DEAR DAHLIA MINI MARBLE BLENDER TRIO, P680

As someone with skin that’s dry, I’ve always preferred using sponges to apply my makeup. Brushes tended to aggravate dry patches on my face and left streaks here and there. This tantalizing trio of sponges is perfect for any skin type though and can help you fake that poreless, airbrushed complexion. Soft, dense, and latex-free they come in three shapes to best suit different areas of your face. And just like the classic makeup sponge, you can use them damp for a dewy, ‘Koreana’ finish or use dry for fuller coverage.

DEAR DAHLIA LIP PARADISE INTENSE SATIN, P1,500

Pigmented, luscious lips that are also shielded from harmful UV rays? That’s what you get with Dear Dahlia’s Lip Paradise line. Want a seductive, saucy red? Go for “Scarlet“. Something a little more sweet and simple? There’s “Kate” or “Lucy” for you. With ten shades to choose from, all I can say is good luck trying to pick just one! Oh, and each lippie has SPF15 in it so even your pout gets its much-needed sun shielding

DEAR DAHLIA SKIN PARADISE BLOOMING CUSHION, P2,500

Over the years, the ‘cushion craze’ still hasn’t died down and for good reasons. Portable, and with formulas that are more lightweight than your traditional foundation makes them wearable for practically any climate, especially ours! Dear Dahlia’s ultra luxurious-feeling cushion rocks the same claim, plus it’s hydrating, full-coverage, and settles into a semi-matte finish.

DEAR DAHLIA PARADISE DUAL PALETTE, P1,900

If you’re the kind of gal that’s always finding yourself hurriedly trying to put on makeup during your commute or in your office cubicle, let me introduce you to your new BFF. It’s a lip, cheek, and eye product all in one gorgeous palette that can fit right in your pocket. With complimenting, similar shades, and six varieties to choose from, it’s more than perfect for monochromatic looks, too.

Written By:

Ari Yupangco

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Ari has been blogging since 2012 about all things beauty with a sprinkle of different topics here and there. She loves makeup just as much as she loves almost anything nerdy like video games and comic books, and is big on Japanese culture.

I was going to attend a friend’s birthday party, so I took it as an opportunity to test out the Superstay Matte Ink. I chose the shade VOYAGER since it was the one that suited my mood and outfit for that night. It’s a dark and vampy almost-maroon that would suit both fair and morena skin tones. I applied it at around 8PM that night. This time, I remembered to bring it in my purse in case I needed a touch-up, since I knew I’d be eating and drinking all night.

The lippie’s formula is very thick, but once you apply it on your lips, it’ll dry into a thin matte layer. The doe-foot applicator is in a weird reversed teardrop shape, with a hole in the middle and a pointy tip. It makes it very easy to apply the product evenly and precisely onto your lips. It’ll take a while for it to dry up completely, but once it does, it’s kind of hard to clean up the edges if you make a mistake, unless you use an oil-based cleanser and a cue tip.

When I got to the first venue, which was Perfect Pint in Greenbelt, my friends and I started to eat and drink immediately. By this time, the product had already dried up completely. I took a sip of my beer from the glass, and VOILA! There was no sign of my lipstick on the glass whatsoever. The formula really is transfer-proof. We ate some bacon chicharon and oyster sisig, and still no sign of my lipstick transferring to any of the utensils.

I got home at around 3AM, and I had to check my lipstick one last time. And OMG, it still looked great! I actually didn’t really need to reapply it the whole night. I finally found the perfect lipstick for those lazy girls (like me!) who don’t like bringing their makeup around everywhere they go.

I would definitely recommend this to every beauty junkie out there. Even if you’re not a lazy girl, you MUST have this in your makeup kit. For those long nights of drinking, or even food trips with friends. You’ll surely be Instagram-ready, even after stuffing your face!

Written By:

Ming Bagaforo

GRAPHICS AND MEDIA ARTIST

Ming is Calyxta’s crazy in-house Graphics and Media Artist. You may have already seen her in some of our quirky Product Reviews and Videos. Her favorite Calyxta find is the CLIO Kill Black Brush Pen Eyeliner, which she uses for her signature Ming-liner look!

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Loyalist

Not too many people know what the true purpose of a primer is—some may think it’s something you can do without while others believe it’s practically the same thing as a moisturizer. In some ways, those two ideas are true. Different skin types benefit more than others when it comes to using a primer (those with normal skin types may not notice a huge difference when using a primer), and yes, a primer, more often than not, contains moisturizing properties since hydration is key for makeup like foundation and powder to adhere better to skin. However, a primer can deliver so many more results besides hydration.

I tried out W7’s Prime Magic Primer, P404, and was pleasantly surprised with the results it delivered. This primer, unlike most of the primers I’m used to, comes in a transparent hue. I found this to be advantageous as it didn’t need to be a perfect match (some primers have a skin tone hue, and can sometimes look too white or pinkish on skin). It was a breeze to apply as it effortlessly melted onto my skin, and got absorbed right away.

LONG-WEARABILITY

I applied this primer in the morning, followed by my usual foundation, then set my entire face with a translucent powder. I also used the primer on my lids (which tend to oil up, rendering my lash line susceptible to eyeliner bleeding). I was happy to see that after about 4 hours, my makeup was still intact and looked fresh as ever.

REGISTRATION IN PHOTOS

One thing I noticed after using this primer is that my skin looked more pulled-together and seamless in photos. It managed to make my skin look natural—not too dewy and not too matte. The T-zone was kept immaculate, so I didn’t have to worry about shine on that area anymore.

I would definitely get this primer again once I run out, and I will highly recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a primer or product that will help ensure that your makeup stays put, and will keep you looking as fresh as the moment you stepped out of your house.

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The instructions state that all I have to do is place cloth under warm running water until it is saturated, then carefully and gently wipe across the entire face. Rub using soft, smooth circular motions until all traces of makeup have been wiped away!

I was excited to try this wonder cloth when I first got it, so I followed instructions as stated.

I was surprised at how fluffy and soft the cloth was. It’s got just the right shape for two uses before needing to wash again. Upon rubbing on my skin in a circular motion, the cloth got pretty icky-looking quickly, and I noticed that my makeup was coming out from every area it went through. I even used it on my eye makeup and all the black mascara and eyeliner wiped away as well! The true test was when I swiped with my micellar water after and discovered just the tiniest bit of makeup left, something that could easily wash away with soap and water. Another great thing about this cloth is I just washed it with soap and water, and all the makeup I wiped off easily washed away not leaving any stains. I simply popped it into my UV cleaner after use and let it dry throughout the day and it was ready for use again in the evening.

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Discovering W7’s Glowcomotion has been the highlight of this month!

I’ve been obsessing over highlighters of late, and I blame it on the recent Chloé Spring/Summer 2018 runway show where models were sent out wearing just the slightest hint of color but strikingly gorgeous skin with a lovely,
iridescent sheen.

For this month’s product review, I was raring to try out W7’s Glowcomotion Highlighting Powder because I had heard so many positive reviews about it from fellow makeup junkies.

Endurance

By the end of the day, the glow had faded a bit but I could still see traces of it. I would advise keeping the compact and a blush brush handy for touch-ups if you know you’ll be out the entire day.

Overall Look

Without flash, the highlighter looks really pretty on skin. Highlighters are meant to be worn on areas that are naturally hit by the light like the brow bone, top part of cheek bones, tip of the nose and chin, and those were the exact places where I made sure to apply the powder. I noticed my skin had a radiance it didn’t have before, and in pictures (especially with flash), my skin glowed.

Wearing W7’s Glowcomotion

Verdict

This one has a place in my makeup kit. It’ll surely come in handy during days when I think my skin needs a radiance boost.

Text by: Agoo Bengzon

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There must be a gazillion contouring powders available today, thanks to the social media powers of the Kardashian clan, and thankfully, there are a bunch of them that are good—like, really good.

When I opened the Colourpop Pressed Powder Face, I was hesitant to try it out at first because my initial thoughts were, “Oh, it looks too dark for my skin tone,” and “Hmmm, it seems a bit chalky…” but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that none of that was true. This was a pressed powder after all, and wasn’t anywhere near my skin tone but, as I’ve learned from countless beauty articles—you can always use a darker pressed powder shade to contour, and that was what I ended up doing.

TEXTURE

The compact it comes in is pretty straightforward. It’s important to note that the product doesn’t come with an applicator.

PACKAGING

The compact it comes in is pretty straightforward. It’s important to note that the product doesn’t come with an applicator.

Under flash, this powder has a really nice finish. It’s smooth to the touch, and the pigment is evenly distributed. Without flash, the powder is a bit heavier to the eye but still registers as really photogenic.

Without Flash

I was glad to have found a dark shade of pressed powder to use as a contouring tool. This powder is easy to apply, and looks really natural on skin. If you’re morena, this powder will look great all over, and if your skin is more on the fair side, it’s a winning contouring hue.

Text by: Agoo Bengzon

I discovered this many years ago, thanks to makeup artist extraordinaire, Jigs Mayuga. The light brown shade is amazing—it can be used by anyone, and it somehow always looks like the perfect shade for that person! I also like that it doesn’t go on too strong or waxy so it looks really natural even under unforgiving light.

I love this—and anything from Glossier! I was never a fan of cream or gel types of blush but this one just blends in like a dream. Beam is a universally flattering shade because it’s a peachy hue that looks good on both mestizas and morenas.

A lot of the concealers I used in the past were really pricey. I’m glad I found this one which performs just as well, and is so unbelievably affordable!

This is hands-down, the perfect nude. It has just the right amount of pink in it to give you color but still look natural.

This is a must in Manila weather. It seals the deal without interfering with your makeup, and makes touching up a thing of the past.

I always used to think primers weren’t absolutely necessary but that has changed after discovering this! It makes my pores appear smaller instantly, and makes foundation application a lot smoother.

I’m chinita so I wear eyeliner basically on a 24/7 basis. This one goes on really black, and stays on forever—even on the most humid days.

One of my tasks as Calyxta’s Marketing Manager is to stay up-to-date with the latest beauty trends. Upon checking my explore feed on Instagram, I noticed an abundance of red and mustard eyeshadow tones that have replaced the usual browns and beiges. Reds and yellows are eyeshadow hues that have been seen mostly on indie brands like Juvia’s Place Eyeshadow Palettes, but are now being incorporated into mainstream brands like Urban Decay’s Naked Heat Palette and Huda Beauty’s Desert Dusk Eye Shadow Palette.

Honestly, I’m not much of an eyeshadow person since I prefer the lazy-girl makeup routine (my skincare routine is another story) and I’m very, very picky when it comes to what I use on my eyes. But I think I’ve found a palette that’s trendy, wearable, pigmented, and can be used by a lazy girl like me! I road-tested a new eyeshadow palette from a land that is 12 years ahead in terms of beauty innovations—South Korea!

Paprika Cosmetics comes from a Korean manufacturer with over 10 years of experience in manufacturing and developing cosmetics. The brand prides itself in professional quality makeup, which regular girls like us can use with ease. The first palette they released is composed of 8 warm tones, ranging from a shimmery champagne to a fiery paprika red. Now, onto the road-test!

I used the palette on the exact same day it arrived in our office (at around 4pm). I used 3 out of 8 shades, namely: Mustard Yellow Matte for my base, Orange Shimmer as a layer, and Orange Brown Matte on my crease. For those wondering, my skin tone is on the fair side.

Right Photo: Natural Light

From top to bottom: Mustard Yellow Matte, Tangerine Silver Shimmer, Pink Orange Matte, Red Copper Shimmer, Orange Shimmer, Gold Shimmer, Orange Brown Matte, Brown Shimmer

I noticed that it does have a slight fallout upon dabbing my eyeshadow brush on each pot, but when I applied it directly on my lids, it came out super pigmented! I only applied each color 2 to 3 times on my lids.

At around 6pm, I did an eyeshadow check and found that it was still intact! I didn’t even use a primer nor a setting spray for this. Now, the real test comes after! I usually walk my dog at around 8 to 9pm—so did a sweat-test.

When I started my daily walk, my eyeshadow had already been on for about 4 hours. I walked for an hour or so, which usually causes me to sweat a lot because 1. It’s Manila, and our weather has been so humid lately, and 2. my dog is considered a large breed so imagine a tall, lanky girl getting dragged around by a Samoyed.

BEFORE

AFTER

After wearing it the whole afternoon plus a sweat-test in the evening, tada! The Paprika eyeshadows stayed put and you can still see the colors—even my blending! To summarize my first Paprika experience:

What I liked about it:

• The shades are wearable
• Pigmented!
• CRUELTY-FREE (My dog approves of this!)
• The price won’t break your bank! Only P1,895 for a set of 8 gorgeous shades.
• The shades can go from day to night
• The palette is compact and fits perfectly in my makeup kit

What I didn’t like about it:

• A bit of fallout from my brush

I was kind of hesitant to try the red tones since I’ve never used red on my eyes before, but this experience has changed my mind. I think I’m more open to trying out a couple more shades and experiment on how it can match my makeup look. So yes, I do recommend Paprika Cosmetics to everyone! Calyxta is one of the first to carry this new product and it even comes with an intro price. If you want to give it a try, shop it here. Let me know how your Paprika experience goes!

Text by: Karina Robles