MMU on the go!

Now that I started talking about it, I can’t seem to stop!

The prospect of applying my makeup used to be enough to get me out of the bed in the mornings – I just find it too fun putting powdery stuff on my face (to which my husband complains as “inefficient” since I spend about 20 mins on it and still looking “the same” afterwards). So after getting enough MMU to be used at home, I ventured out to get the appropriate accessories to be able to take out the powders with me. (Apart from buying pressed MMU which is actually less messy to bring along)

Depending on where I am going (and the bag I’m using for the day) I’d have different sets to use. For days (or nights) when I know I won’t be needing touch-ups, I’d just have my EM puff jar , with a couple of lip glosses. The EM puff jar is something new – it became available when they launched the new EM site. It is similar size to Philosophy’s The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas SPH 15 or BE’s Rare Minerals. Affordable at USD5.00 – I use it with my finishing dust but it can be used with any powders – foundations, blushes, etc.

For days when I’d have a bigger bag and more time for touchups (like during work days), I’d bring a kikay kit with lipglosses, my refillable powder brush from SEPHORA or my BE refillable mirror compact or the BE Flawless Face Case (depending on my mood). All three are more pricey -- and bulky actually, but I really like to bring my powders along and these three are good options. My current favorite is the SEPHORA brush – the bristles are very soft on my face and are packed just right that gives good coverage. It also comes with a small spatula for you to scoop the powder into the handle.

Now, for those days when I need to do full makeup outside the house (i.e. when I’m still going out after a yoga class) – I’d use my makeup bag with appropriate compartments for small pots and makeup brushes. I’d bring one big pot of whatever – so that I can use its lid to swirl and tap my MMU.

And of course, for going back to Manila where I can put my makeup kit inside a luggage, I’d use a bigger kit with more compartments for my loose powder in jars (so I can bring more colors!) and full-size brushes identical to the ones I use at home. Of course this is apart from the kit I’d have in my hand carry bag, hehe

The only time I don’t bring my makeup along is when I go out with my baby and would only bring her baby bag (I’d just stuff my wallet inside). No time for touchups anyway. =)

Out of my kikay closet

Ok, am FINALLY ‘fessing up. I have been this mineral makeup addict since I first tried it out after reading an article about it in Kikay Exchange. I blame online shopping and shipping availability to Singapore for my continuing addiction. Hehehe.

I have spent $$$ (an amount I can’t fully disclose since my husband reads my blog) on various MMU brands but for now, I am suki of Everyday Minerals. Nothing beats EM’s value for money – cheap but superior quality of products with weekly specials (discounts and free makeup!). I found my perfect foundation shade with EM – they have a wide range available and a number of shades are suitable for Asians. Aside from foundations, I have just about everything -- their blushes, eye shadows, finishing powders, lip glosses (in sticks and pots), concealers, brushes and skin & body stuff. And I am not exaggerating on the plurality of the items that I’ve got... (I plead fifth on the actual quantity)

I had my Bare Escentuals’s phase as well – their products are so prettily packaged -- but their prices (and unavailability to ship to Singapore) made it a short-lived one. During that phase (that spanned maybe around 4 months?) I was able to try out their foundation, mineral viel, blushes, eye shadows, lipsticks, and various prep stuff. Until now, I am using some BE stuff for prepping my face prior to makeup but I stopped using their foundation and mineral veil already. Anyone out there (close to my shade) interested in trying them out?

My heavy duty mineral concealer comes from Lumiere Cosmetics – I use them under my EM concealer during those darker-than-usual-eye circle days. Their concealer comes in creamier form which I found more effective than loose powder form. Their primer is similar to BE's Prime Time -- but cheaper, so its another good buy. Although apart from their concealer and primer, I haven’t found any real favorites from this brand. Am just not that keen to try out their samples since they come in baggies.

Another value for money MMU brand would be Pure Luxe Cosmetics – you can buy generously sized samples (that comes in a jar) for only USD1.00 – USD1.50! isn’t that great?! My favorites from this brand are their USD1.00 eye shadow samples – they offer the most extensive variety that I’ve seen, as well as their eye shadow primer. Their primer really made my eye shadows stay put for the entire day. I tried their cream blushes as well but I think still prefer powder blushes.

Youngblood Cosmetics is another great MMU brand although they are a bit pricey as well. I tried their pressed foundation, blush, eyeshadow, lipstick and mineral dust – all of which I liked (although I can only afford one of each, hehe). Their kabuki brush is one of my staples for applying foundation. I got my YB stuff in Manila from Beauty Bar and I think they are locally available in Singapore as well.

Locally (in Singapore) I have tried TLC’s blushes, eyeshadows and brushes. I have also tried (and liked) the kabuki brush and lip gloss from leezmineral.


So there! My sizeable MMU loot as of now.

*photos from their respective websites, except for Pure Luxe which came from this site (am still a bit shy to show my actual stuff, haha)