Avon Simply Pretty Haul

 Due to insistent public demand, Avon brought back its  iconic Simply Pretty Lip and Cheek Tint in roll-on bottles. Currently, it has two shades (top to bottom): Cherry Pop and Pink Blush.

Of the two shades, Pink Blush is still my favorite. It gives a pinkish, natural pop of color to my cheeks and lips. Honestly, Cherry Pop doesn't even show up on my skin. It is not pigmented so I only use Pink Blush. I got these two on sale at Php 99 each.

I also got Avon Simply Pretty Shine No More Dual Powder Foundation in Natural. I've been reading raves about it, and some even compared this to MAC Studio Fix. However, I don't see this as something at par with MAC. Why? Here are some reasons:

1. It has limited shades (only three if I remember it right). I got  Natural which is still too light and has an inappropriate undertone for me. I'm NC30 by the way. The other shades like Soft Bisque and Almond are also too light.

2. It has medium to light coverage, unlike MAC which can withstand even warm spotlights.

3. It has poor staying power. Mine only lasts two hours when applied dry and three hours when applied wet. So, the tendency is, I had to reapply more often. This eventually results to caking at the end of the day.

4. It has so-so oil control. I'd rather have Fashion 21's Tea Tree Oil Powder Foundation to control my oilies than use this one.

Hope this helps!

Avon Shine Attract Lipstick in Guava

I've been seeing Anne Curtis' ad on the walls of Ayala Avenue's underpass - the one with her signature red luscious lips - and so when I saw Avon's Shine Attract Lipstick on my neighbor's brochure, I ordered one just to give to it a try. I got the one in Guava, a natural-looking apricot shade.

The formula (or presentation) is quite unique, as it is a mousse lipstick on the center, surrounded by clear lipgloss on the side. 

Pros:

Nice nude-apricot shade

Moisturizing

Sleek packaging

Cons:

Color payoff is so-so

Not longwearing

Hard to apply

I am just thankful I didn't get the red one, as I am pretty sure it is harder to apply. I use this now on top of my Avon Simply Pretty Lip and Cheek Tint, the way I use a lip balm before.

Red Alert: Avon Ultra Moisture Rich Lipstick in Lava Love

Another good find is Avon Ultra Moisture Lipstick in Lava Love. It is a bold red with slight orange undertone. It's perfect when paired up with curled lashes and 2 coats of mascara.

Will post a lip swatch soon!

Red Alert: Avon Ultra Moisture Rich 24k Gold Lipstick in Golden Wine

I have always been a fan of Catherine Zeta-Jones. Her big bouncy curls, dramatic eyes and most especially her signature look, bold red wine lips. I've been wanting to try red lipstick on me,however, each time I try red lipsticks in beauty counters, I feel I look older.

 But since red lips are having a comeback nowadays (thanks to Anne Kurtis and Anne Hathaway), I told myself, this is the time to get out of the box and have bold lips like them.

Coincidentally, Avon Ultra Moisture Rich 24K Gold Lipstick is now on sale (May 2011) for almost half the price, so I decided to order one. I had a hard time choosing between Ruby in Gold, Golden Raisin and Golden Wine. But since I am after the Catherine Zeta-Jones look, I decided to get Golden Wine. At Php 249, I can say this is a steal.

The color is a lovely wine red that is perfect for day and night. it's not too bold, but its dark. It's perfect for both with cool and warm undertones. From the name itself, it has gold flecks that are not glittery. It somehow gives dimension to your lips. For me, this is better than matte as it is not too flat.

The consistency is creamy and glides well. It is very pigmented, so I think it will last long on the lips. I remember having a hard time removing it using facial tissue. Here is a lip swatch:

For reference, I am NC30. Below are some of the Catherine Zeta-Jones pegs that I love.