Tupped!

This beauty maven took a trip to Tupped Boutique makeup store at Tiendesitas in Pasig City with makeup guru Marlon Rivera and indulged in some much-needed retail therapy! After careful discussion, comparative analysis and research via YouTube’s makeup gurus, we zeroed in on five well-reviewed favorites.

Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette by Tarte

This 12-shade palette is perfect for the makeup novice who is looking for “by-the-book” makeup neutrals. The fact that it is an all-matte powder collection makes it absolutely perfect for women with hooded eyes (read: very little to no visible eyelid and prominent brow bone). The shades are arranged in three rows of four. The top row is a set of Brown Neutrals, middle row is a set of Mauve/Plum Neutrals and the bottom row is a set of  Cool and Smokey Neutrals.

The Tartelette palette delivers smooth and creamy pigments that glide evenly. The pigments are rich and have a stay-on power that allows the wearer to apply the powders even without the use of a primer.

(Find makeup guru Lesley Malhoyt’s product review and tutorial on this matte palette at www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwZoAzAm__k.)

The beautyblender sponge

Seriously? Why would anyone pay that  serious money for an egg-shaped sponge? Well, there are foundation sponges and there is the beautyblender. Invented by Hollywood makeup artists Rea Ann Silva and Veronica Lorenz, this product is the Rolls-Royce of sponges and was originally created for high-definition makeup.

The sponge’s unique shape allows for even coverage in harder-to-navigate areas of the face such as around the eyes and along the nose. The latex-free, handcrafted and hand-shaped product makes applying foundations, moisturizers, contour creams, bronzers and powders virtually fool-proof and allows for a  very even, dewy and flawless (most experts use the term “air-brushed”) finish. The product is easy to wash and can be used several times over (with daily use, the beautyblender sponge should last you about three months). Celebrity makeup artist Kandee Johnson and a hoard of other gurus swear by the beautyblender. Johnson goes so far as saying that every woman who applies makeup needs to own the BB.

(Watch Johnson’s review, detailed instructions and tips on the beautyblender at www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RgBfSrwNAI.)

Makeup Eraser

The hype on this soft deep pink face towel sounded too good to be true. Remove all traces of makeup using this product and water. That’s it. No oils or lotions, soaps or commercial removers.

Über-high brow/no non-sense, Simon Cowell-esque (read: mega mataray) makeup guru Wayne Goss tested the product and was happy with the results. The material is very gentle on the skin that even after wiping it (wet) on the face several times one does not experience any abrasiveness. Ladies, you can stop buying makeup removers now! Just think of it — no more added luggage space required for your remover bottle and toner when traveling. Just throw the Makeup Eraser towel in your bag and you are good to go!

This reviewer did buy the product and tried it at home (washing off full makeup: foundation, shadows, blushes, lipstick, shimmer — the works!) and would you believe it? The darned thing worked! A quick litmus test using a toner-soaked cotton ball showed absolutely no residue.

(Wayne Goss’ product demonstration and review can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvaLxLIakRY.)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow

Before perusing Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow, I was given a quick history lesson by the great Mr. Rivera. Twenty-five years ago, Romanian makeup artist  Anastasia Soare was obsessed with achieving the perfect eyebrows. Her skills for shaping was formidable and very soon, people were taking pilgrimages from all over the world to have Ms. Soare shape their brows. Since then, Anastasia Soare ventured into makeup and Anastasia Beverly Hills was born. This reviewer has yet to meet a makeup guru who does not love the Dipbrow. The waterproof gel brow pomade defines, sculpts, tints the eyebrows. Its special formulation allows the product to glide on to the skin and hair and adheres for hours even during humid weather.

(San Francisco-based YouTube makeup artist Micaela Jordan has a very detailed tutorial on using the Dipbrow at  www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL3in-0ILGY.)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick

This reviewer loves Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick. YouTube makeup gurus Nikkietutorials and Stephanie Lange are also fans.

ABH has come out with an amazingly wide assortment of shades that range from soft, conventional tones  (with shade names such as Lovely, Pure Hollywood and Milk Shake) to absolutely dramatic, vampy shades (Potion, Vamp Midnight). The stay-on power of these highly pigmented liquid lipsticks is incredible. One can smooch, sip and smack all day without this lipstick giving way. One can even eat a cheesy hamburger and still have a vibrant tint on one’s lips after (Yes, this reviewer did go through the hamburger road test!). Some users have complained about the pigments being a bit too dry on the lips for their taste. Not to worry! This is an issue that can easily be soled by a quick swipe of lip balm.

(Makeup guru Nikki French presents Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick 2015 collection at www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uvxc59BcbE.)

(Tupped Boutique is located at second floor, New Fashion Village, Tiendesitas, Pasig City. For more information, call 0917-9657560 or visit www.facebook.com/Tupped and @tupped_boutique on Instagram.)

Photography by Joanne Zapanta-Andrada