Mid Year Blog Giveaway!

I'm in a generally good mood today, and I thought.. Why not have a blog giveaway? :) Unlike the others, this won't be one where you have to come up with the best answer -- all you have to do is tweet & share on Facebook and voila! I'll be picking randomly :) So first of all, what's up for grabs?

Three lovely pieces from Carla's Closet :) We never had the chance to put these up online cause they never seemed to be coherent with the other collections, that's why I'm giving it away here :) These are made in Bangkok and Hong Kong just in case you're wondering :) They're all free size (but I'd really suggest them for small to medium sized girls) :)

And a choice of 3 bracelets  of your choice (2 from the crystal bracelets & 1 from the studded leather collection) from @cutiestuffy on Instagram :) 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Follow me on Twitter @wizCARLIEfa

2. Tweet the following "@wizCARLIEfa blog giveaway now up on http://itscarlasamson.blogspot.com!"

3. Like https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carlas-Closet/284256844923575 (Carla's Closet) on Facebook

4. Follow me on Instagram (if you're on it) @itscarlasamson :)

Promo will start today, July 20 and will end on July 23! The winner will be announced on July 27 by random picking! Enjoy xx

Makeup Starter Kit

Do you guys wanna know a secret? I don't post fashion related things anymore cause I'm really fat -- and it's kind of depressing and disgusting (for me) to look at. Haha! I'm not posting this to get any pity from you guys! No, no. I'm just saying it as a matter of fact, and I've promised to myself that I'll post outfit stuff once I'm back in shape. :) Instead, I'll be posting makeup related things (which is really my passion) :) Hope you guys don't get too bored! 

PS! Keep scrolling cause I have a surprise at the end :)

I've posted some high-end and drugstore products on here :) I'll also list alternatives!

1. Liquid Foundation

This is the only product you will see me splurging on because of how essential it is to me. The benefit of wearing a liquid foundation is that it covers up all the imperfections of my skin and tops it off with a new natural layer that somehow protects my skin from dirt! Compared to a powder foundation, it'll absorb better into your skin creating a really natural beautiful look. 

RECOMMENDATIONS: There are different kinds of foundation for different skin types, for those who have dry to normal skin I'd suggest you check out Nars Sheer Glow or Neutrogena Healthy Skin and for those who are more problematic like me and have oily skin I suggest you use MAC Studio Fix or Revlon Colorstay.

Tips: If you want to know the perfect foundation for you, go to a MAC cosmetics store and ask the makeup artist to swatch you for your shade. After go on over to temptalia.com and check their foundation matrix to see all the compatible shades with your skin from different brands! :)

Revlon Colorstay in 200 Nude (MAC equivalent NC25)

2. Compact Powder

The powder photographed below is from MAC which is actually a full coverage foundation as well! However, I don't like using it alone as it's hard to work with as a foundation -- I often use this to set my foundation and will only use it as a foundation if I'm in a rush. Now the beauty of compact powders is that they are able to soak up the oil in your face and remove that overly shiny look you get. This is best for people who have generally oily skin, and for those who don't have problematic skin, I still suggest that you get a compact powder for quick touch ups -- preferably in a sheer finish just so it gets rid of oiliness on the face.

RECOMMENDATIONS: True Match compact powder by Lóreal, Stay Matte by Rimmel, Translucent Mattifying Powder by Elf

MAC Studio Fix in NC25

3. Concealer

With concealers, I really have no preference be it liquid or creams just as long as they're full coverage and as long as I don't have to put on too much for it to conceal imperfections with my skin. I know that most of you guys (I'm guessing people who read my blogs are either students, or working already) spend sleepless nights trying to finish all kinds of requirements and wake up with dreadful dark spots under your eyes or worst, catch a pimple from all the stress! Fear not, for concealers are with you. I have been saved by this beauty product since highschool, and it really works wonders. I use a lighter shade for under my eyes, to make it look vibrant, and use a skin tone shade for blemishes -- be sure NEVER to put the light shade concealer on your blemishes because it will only emphasize it. If you've got good skin with just eyebags, then I suggest you only use a concealer. I've seen so many youtube makeup gurus just using concealer as a base for their face for a more natural look and it also feels lighter on your face.

RECOMMENDATIONS: YSL Touche Eclat, Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Kit, NYX Concealer in a Jar

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC30

4. Eyebrow Pencil

I honestly would not know what to do with my life if it weren't for eyebrow pencils, eyebrow powders and eyebrow mascaras. Your eyebrows really create a different face for you -- like me, I have a round face, and by creating a high arched brow I'm able to elongate my face and make it look less round. There are many different eyebrow shapes you can create with an eyebrow pencil, and the best use for them is to really fill the sparse areas in your eyebrows with and make them look fuller. Your eyebrow pencil shade should be two shades lighter than your hair color if you have dark hair -- and as for blondies, I'm really not sure! You can top it off with eyebrow mascara so that the hair matches the shade of your pencil, but that isn't necessary for all. 

RECOMMENDATIONS: MAC Eyebrow Pencil, Revlon Brow Fantasy, Maybelline Define A Brow

Maybelline Define A Brow in Dark Blonde (Great dupe for MAC Lingering)

 5. Neutral Eyeshadows

Simplicity is key -- that's how I'd like to put it. But being simple doesn't mean you're not allowed to wear eye makeup! The trick is finding an eye look that still looks very natural and fresh, and that's exactly what you get when you go for neutral shadows. I have a million palettes of different neutral shadows from numerous drugstore and high-end brands and this is something I'm really an expert on, I must say. Neutrals look good on anyone no matter what skin color they might have, and that's why this is a MUST in every girl's make up kit!

RECOMMENDATIONS: Wet n Wild Walking on Eggshells, Benefit's Big Beautiful Eyes, Sigma Bare Palette 

Maybelline Chai Latte Quad and NYX Trio in Dandy

6. Eyelash Curler & Mascara

The eyes are the window to the soul as they say -- and if people are gonna look into your soul, better have a great entrance! Your eyelashes brighten up your eyes and make them look big and beautiful! For girls with big eyes, mascara is not your enemy! If anything, they save you from people staring at your eyeballs and thinking "Oh god look at what big eyeballs she has!" instead with that extra layer of mascara people can say "Look at how her mascara brings out her eyes!" Haha! Especially for chinky eyed girls,this will really make your eyes open (no pun intended!) :)

RECOMMENDATIONS: Maybelline Great Lash, Maybelline One by One Volum' Express, and Maybelline Falsies, Fairydrops mascara

ELF Eyelash Curler and Maybelline One by One Volum' Express

 7. Eyeliner

Often times, I skip this part when I'm putting on my makeup and I realize that everytime I do, I regret it! Especially for us Asians who have generally smaller eyelids, eyeliners can create a different shape for your eyes -- it can make them look longer and sometimes bigger! I prefer doing a winged liner because it makes my eyes pop. Try doing different eyeliner styles on yourself! Photographed below is a liquid liner and a pencil eyeliner, however I really prefer gel liners. They're longer lasting, smudge less and are easier to control!

RECOMMENDATIONS: Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner, Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner, Maybelline Line Stiletto

24 Hr Brow&Lash Water Strong Liquid Liner from Sasa HK and Maybelline Expert Eyes

8. Face Primer

 For those who have imperfect skin, and huge pores, face primer will really save you when you put on liquid foundation! When putting on foundation the product goes into your skin unevenly and you'll see that the foundation looks "splotchy" on your skin. By putting on a primer, it will create a new layer of your face that's even so that your foundation can glide on smoothly.

RECOMMENDATIONS: MAC Prep and Prime, Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer, Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, Laura Mercier Foundation Primer

Benefit's The Porefessional

9. Moisturizer with SPF

Moisturizer's have a lot of benefits like nourishing the skin and hydrating it (something that we really need living in this tropical country), it can reduce the size of your pores, it serves as a protective layer on your skin so that dirt won't get in, and protects it from the sun (if you use one with SPF)! You need this especially if you'll be putting on foundation and powder which can really dry your skin out!

RECOMMENDATIONS: Philosophy's Take A Deep Breath, Lóreal Hydrafresh, Clinique's Moisture Surge

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture with SPF 15

 10. Neutral Lipstick

Pinks, reds and other wilder colors are for another day, but for your basics I suggest that you stick to a neutral lip color -- one that's closest to your natural lip color just to give it a bit of definition. I prefer matte lipsticks over those with frost finishes. My personal favorite is NYX soft matte lip cream! It looks and feels great!

RECOMMENDATIONS: Wet n Wild, Revlon, NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, MAC

Revlon's Mauve It Over and NYX's Stockholm

That's it for today! BTW, I'm planning to have a livestream show every weekend of makeup tutorials and questions that any of you might have regarding certain products! Tweet me @wizCARLIEfa or comment below if you'd like for it to happen or if you have questions already! :)

xx

Review: Drugstore & High End Foundation ♡

I'm sorry if the thumbnail is flipped, but if you watch the video, it isn't. So don't worry! Haha. Enjoy! xx

Girls of One Direction

Make Up Review: High End Mascara ♡

Disclaimer: All the mascaras featured in this post are part of Sephora Favorites Lashtash kit. Not all of them are available here in Manila, I'm afraid. But you can purchase them online through Sephora or Ulta. :)

1. STILA Forever Your Curl

Product: 7/10

Texture: 9/10

Longevity: 6/10

Application: 10/10

Packaging: 4/5

OVERALL: It's more of a lengthening mascara than it is volumizing. It's not waterproof, and did not last me the whole day. At around 2 in the afternoon, I could it see it running a bit already. 

RECOMMEND: No.

2. URBAN DECAY Supercurl Curling

Product: 9/10

Texture: 8/10

Longevity: ?

Application: 10/10

Packaging: 5/5

OVERALL: I loved the brush of this product! It cradles my lashes with the curved brush and helps apply mascara even to the lashes near my eye's inner corner which is really hard to reach. The consistency of the mascara itself was just okay, nothing spectacular -- but it was volumizing.

RECOMMEND: Yes.

3. TOO FACED Lashgasm

Product: 8/10

Texture: 9/10

Longevity: ?

Application: 7/10

Packaging: 4/5

OVERALL: It's a mediocre mascara. It does the job of adding depth to your lashes but it doesn't do a spectacular one. It has an odd scent, almost alcohol like, and the application wasn't too smooth. The packaging looks pretty fancy though.

RECOMMEND: No.

4. MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Lash

Product: 4/10

Texture: 5/10

Longevity: ?

Application: 5/10

Packaging: 3/5

OVERALL: This product is the shittiest piece of mascara I've ever tried on. SUCH A WASTE OF TIME. When I opened the bottle I don't know if it was Sephora or Make Up For Ever's fault, but the product was dry already! The brush looks like a toilet cleaner, and the product was so chunky on the top I don't know how the company imagined putting this on clients! So disappointing for a company like Make Up For Ever.

RECOMMEND: NO.

5. BARE MINERALS Flawless Definition Volumizing

Product: 8/10

Texture: 8/10

Longevity: ?

Application: 9/10

Packaging: 4/5

OVERALL: Oddly enough, this product had a pretty interesting effect on my lashes. It made them "boom", like I grew little lashes all over. It is volumizing, but in a different way I can't explain. It volumizes your lashes in a "natural" way as if you weren't wearing any mascara.

RECOMMEND: Depends on what your preference is.

6. HOURGLASS Film Noir Full Spectrum

Product: 8/10

Texture: 7/10

Longevity: ?

Application: 9/10

Packaging: 3/5

OVERALL: Nothing special about this product. It gives your lashes a little coverage, very natural, and probably just for a day look. The packaging wasn't too special, actually it was too simple. It's got a pretty decent brush which is good for a lengthening mascara.

RECOMMEND: No.

7. JOSIE MARAN GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan

Product: 8/10

Texture: 8/10

Longevity: ?

Application: 7/10

Packaging: 5/5

OVERALL: The packaging is so cute!! That's it. Haha! The brush is awful, and doesn't do anything to volumize your lashes. I like the product though, it has a creamy consistency. I wish it came with a different brush instead!

RECOMMEND: Depends on your preference.

8. TARTE Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart

Product: 7/10

Texture: 7/10

Longevity: ?

Application: 8/10

Packaging: 5/5

OVERALL: The product itself isn't too creamy -- it's more liquid-y? Haha. It's okay as a lengthening mascara for me. Nothing special really.

RECOMMEND: No.

9. SEPHORA Full Size Advanced Lash Booster

Product: 8/10

Texture: 8/10

Longevity: 8/10

Application: 9/10

Packaging: 3/5

OVERALL: Despite this mascara not having much coverage (not really lengthening/volumizing), it feels good on the lashes and lasts for a pretty long time. It's very natural looking but makes your lashes noticeable.

RECOMMEND: Depends on your preference.

10. FAIRYDROPS Scandal Queen

Product: 10/10

Texture: 10/10

Longevity: ?

Application: 10/10

Packaging: 5/5

OVERALL: I absolutely loved this product!! The wand is so cute! It's something I've never seen before (and mind you, I've tried on a hell of a lot of mascara products). The consistency is perfectly creamy, great for volumizing, and the application is just so smooth! I wish we had Fairydrops in Manila! I'll definitely be restocking this when I get back to LA.

RECOMMEND: Yes.

Tweet me @poCARLIEsweat for questions and suggestions! Thank you. :)

Make Up Review: ELF Products ♡

First of all, happy independence day, my fellow Filipinos! :) Since today's a holiday, meaning no classes & work, I got to drag my mom to the mall for some shopping! Decided to haul cosmetics since there aren't really new/radical fashion trends I've been into lately (and honestly I'm over the whole chiffon&print combinations). I was so happy to see ELF restock some of their stuff, and even throw in some new products! For those of you who aren't familiar with the brand ELF (Eyes Lips Face) or are scared to use it because it's way too cheap, this blog post might actually help you guys. 

(L-R) ELF Stiple Brush, Party Purple Eyeshadow Quad, Sea Escape Eyeshadow Quad, and Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder

NARS ORGASM DUPES

SPLURGE: MAC Peachykeen

SAVE: ELF's Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder

ELF's Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder has received so many raves because of how comparable it is to Nars' blush and bronze duo. Some even prefer ELF's over NARS because of the matte bronzer. It's highly pigmented and fits most skin shades -- remember not too put too much of the bronzer product on your brush because when you apply it it'll look to heavy (I learned the hard way!). The ELF product is only P 250.00 :) Such a steal!! I also put the NARS Albatross in the mix because it's an AMAZING highlighter (even better than Benefit's High Beam) haha :) I don't know of any drugstore/affordable highlighters, but will let you guys know. If P 800.00 is pretty affordable to some of you I suggest you get The Balm Cosmetics' Mary Lou Manizer. 

These ELF eyeshadow quads are my best drugstore purchase EVER. For only 199.00 each, you get 4 beautiful AND highly pigmented shades. I really prefer palettes/trios/quads when it comes to eyeshadows because you save a lot of money by getting a lot of products for the price of one rather than spending almost P 800/ P 900 for a single eyeshadow let's say from MAC. The ones I got from ELF earlier today, I was expecting, wouldn't be as pigmented as they came out. The amazing thing is, there's not much fall out, it's a powder eyeshadow but comes out creamy (intensifying the look even further), and so far, the swatches on my hand haven't faded a bit. You can use these quads for a day/night look, whichever you prefer! 

My most prized makeup possessions are my brushes. I've really invested in these and for the last 2 years of my life, they're what I thank for my flawless looking face. Haha. Emphasis on flawless "looking". I used to use just a basic foundation brush from ELF when I started putting on makeup and it was quite good, except that you could see the strokes of how you put on your foundation sometimes which is why I switched for a time to a stipling brush (which is the one in the middle, my Sigma Duo Fibre). But the application didn't feel too right for me since I didn't feel or get that buffed out look, so I switched to Sigma's flat top kabuki brush, and eventually to this angled top kabuki brush. However, some people really prefer applying foundation with a stipling brush and I've heard really amazing reviews on the ELF Stiple Brush which is part of their Studio Line. My Duo Fibre from Sigma came from a brush set which cost me $109.00 which is roughly P 4500, individually it'll cost you $18 which is around P 800, while for the Angled Top Kabuki which is $16 it'll cost you around 750 :) So if you really wanna be able to save a hell of a lot of money and not sacrifice the outcome, get the ELF Stiple Brush which is only $3 in the US and P 250 here in Manila :)

That's all for now! If you want me to review other makeup brands/products tweet me @poCARLIEsweat :) I'm thinking of doing another makeup giveaway soon :) Will keep you all posted! xx

What's In My Bag

I love looking at "What's In My Bag" posts by Youtube bloggers, and that's what inspired me to create a post about it :) And I chose this time to show what's in my bag cause you've caught it at a good time, which is the start of the semester -- meaning that it's still clean and not too cluttered. So the bag I featured in this post is my current favorite and what I've been using lately :) I do change bags every now and then but I always carry around a big one, you'll see why as this post goes on.. :)

Louis Vuitton Speedy 35

I never leave home without some Kleenex, hand sanitizer, cologne and lip balm. These are the things that keep me extra fresh and clean all day, and without these things, I feel uneasy. I've been using Angel's Breath ever since high school (and probably even way back). I do have a perfume which is D&G Light Blue, but on an everyday basis, I'd rather use my cologne. My EOS lip balm is a staple as well! It smells so good, sometimes when I'm hungry in class, I'll sniff this and be all good after. Haha!

This is my wallet... Obviously. Haha. I change wallets a lot, I don't really have sentimental value towards just one. 

I've been having a lot of fun with my Instax and I bring it with me everyday now. Since it's my last term in college (hopefully), I feel a bit sentimental, like I must document every little thing that goes on. I take pictures of Ciaeli and myself during lunch, or my friends whenever we hang out along Miguel, and whatever random thing. Haha! 

This is the organized version of what make up I bring to school. I used to bring my whole brush set, and that was really a hassle. I even used to bring a 10 shadow palette to school for no reason. Haha! That was very unnecessary. Now, I have mastered the art of minimalism and practicality. So basically, I bring MAC Studio Fix powder foundation (for when I'm lazy to put on liquid foundation), Clinique's Even Better liquid foundation, Maybelline One by One Volum' Express mascara, Brows Up eyebrow mascara, MAC Dame blush, MAC concealer, and ELF concealer.

These are the notebooks I copped for 30 pesos each! They are soooo cute, and I customized them by putting dividers so that I can use them for more classes. 

And last but not least, these are the gadgets I always bring. Please excuse my phone's screen protector, it's got bubbles already. :( I bring the iPad all the time because when I don't feel like bringing my readings for class, I can just search for it on the web and read it through my iPad -- hassle free! 

Basically, that's it for what's in my bag! If you wanna request any other blog posts, just tweet me @poCARLIEsweat or check me out on Instagram ( @samsoncarla ) for OOTD ideas :)