VaVaVoom's The Vamp Stamp: Is It Worth Buying?

Whether you're a makeup noob (newbie), a pro, or simply just a makeup addict like myself, it's good to know about innovations coming out in the market that will help apply makeup easier. But the real question is, is it worth every penny? I've seen a lot of reviews about this product on Youtube and there's quite a lot of mixed reactions about it so I thought that it's best to try it myself to see if it works for me or not.


What the hell is it? 

According to thevampstamp.com, it is a patented stamp that allows smooth and perfectly winged eyeliner look. The person behind the brand is Veronica Lorenz, a celebrity makeup artist and co-founder of an iconic beauty product brand "the beautyblender,"  (yup, the popular makeup sponge!). Veronica was diagnosed with a benign spinal cord tumor in 2013 and lost the feeling and strength in her hands. Instead of losing hope, she turned a great challenge into an inspiring triumph by creating The Vamp Stamp brand. The VaVaVoom winged liner stamp was patented in 2014 and launched in 2017.


I purchased the medium stamp on eBay. It comes in three sizes: kitten, medium and large.

the Vamp Stamp kit

How it works

You can refer to this image for instructions on how to use it.

I think this is pretty self-explanatory

Final thoughts

I think this product is good for makeup beginners and if you are always on the go, but if you are comfortable enough with how you do your eyeliner then you can survive without it. So, is this worth buying? To be honest, it ain't cheap, if you can manage to apply your eyeliner the hard way, then you are good. If you just want to try and see if you are going to like it then it's up to you if you are willing to spend or take the risk in buying the fake version (which I discourage because of its possible harmful ingredients). I suggest to check out online reviews first before purchasing, I'm sure that will somehow help you decide whether you need it or not. 

44 Days

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... (one of my favorite classic Christmas songs) oh well because it's only 44 days to go before Christmas! It's no surprise the weather is getting kinda chilly these days. I thought about having a "kris kringle" at home for the sake of my eight-year-old niece so she'll feel the Christmas spirit a little and have something to look forward to, you know how kids get excited over gifts right? I promised her a bicycle if she gets good grades and I hope she's working on it. 

I'm still not over with my makeup shopping I thought this is the best time of the year to pamper myself so I recently got myself a makeup palette from Victoria Secret called the Mega Makeup Kit. It's actually my first time to own such a huge makeup kit, it's pretty hefty because it comes with tons of eyeshadows, blush and lip gloss to choose from for different occasions. The packaging is really nice although it doesn't come with the original box and brushes anymore. An officemate who sold this to me said that his aunt never used it and that it was just a gift so I got it at a discounted price from Php1,900 ($38) to 1,200 ($24) which is not bad because the new one cost anywhere from $500 - $240 (Php24k-11k+) in Amazon.com and the cheapest offer is around $99 (Php4k+). I guess the leather case made it so expensive? I really don't know but I think it's way too costly for a makeup kit. I haven't tried using this yet I just tried a few swatches of the eyeshadows and lip gloss I'm hoping that the price is all worth it. A friend of mine once gave me a VS Ultimate Shadow Trio and to be honest I don't use it that much because I noticed that VS eyeshadows are not pigmented enough it's kinda loose even if I use a primer compared to less expensive brands but like what said I still have to give this a shot and it's a good addition to my makeup collection.  

Victoria Secret Mega Makeup Kit

106 must-haves for eyes, cheeks, and lips

Aside from this makeup kit I also bought a Kylie Lip Kit True Brown K from an officemate for only Php200. I know, it's way cheaper for a KLK which cost around Php1,400+ (about $29 on the website) so you know for sure that it's fake and it's unfortunately sold everywhere. Just like any liquid lipstick, this is super matte once it dries up but the thing is we really don't know what it's made of so this kinda bothers me a lot, the health hazards and all.


I still don't encourage buying fake stuff although the quality may be just as good as the authentic ones, I still suggest going for dupes instead

Kylie Lip Kit True Brown K

So how do you spot a fake KLK? Watch this video.

Thinking Out Loud

Twinnie (my twin sister) and I are housekeepers for the time being while our elder sister is away taking care of some things. As I mentioned in my previous blog, our vacation home is 30 minutes away from town so imagine if we ran out of food supplies and our neighbor sari-sari store (thrift shop) is closed then we are left with no choice but to come up with whatever we can munch on. It's like getting stranded in an island the only difference is, we are sorrounded by mountains instead of water. At first I don't understand why twinnie always make sure that we have flour on stock in the kitchen I thought she merely use it for cooking but one fine day she just surprised me with pancakes for snack I was left wondering because we do not have any pancake mix available like the one you buy in supermarkets. 

I have no interest whatsoever in food making or baking. I know how to cook fried or easy food but I'm quite lazy especially if it has something to do with seasoning. I have issues with proper portions and more often than not it end up tasting weird so I just let my sister do all the cooking while I take care of the dishes lol. I have basic knowledge in baking too during our good old highschool days but baking is such a tough craft to master plus the ingredients are quite expensive too compared to just buying finished products from bakeries so why bother?

Just recently, twinnie got herself into baking again not using a large oven but a steaming casserole with holes in it that thing you use to make rice cakes and it did work out pretty well. Since I am the lazy one, I tried the no bake technique with a little help from youtube of course. I made an Oreo Cheesecake using crushed Oreo cookies, creamcheese and condensed milk as ingredients. I mixed equal portions of creamcheese and condensed milk in a mixing bowl, toppled it with mini chocolate morsels and sprinkles then left in the fridge for a few hours. I have sweet cravings from time to time I'm looking forward to learn more of these no bake recipes which is a good cure for boredom too. 

Aside from dessert making, I am busy nursing our senior German shepherd dog "Brandon" we took him to the vet last week due to his infected callous (hygroma) which is common for large breed dogs. He was prescribed with antiobitics and liver supplement and we have to clean his wound for a week using an antiseptic solution given to him as well. Poor dog, he's 10 years old and 70 in dog years so he needs a lot of T.L.C now. Pets are part of our family and they deserve the proper care that they need for protecting us and it's not an easy task too because they shield us from intruders and they also risk their lives by doing that. 

Speaking of pets, Atari the cat, our 2 year old ginger is keeping himself busy sleeping all day in twinnie's bed. He sleeps comfortably in the comforter and doesn't want to be disturbed. I've had several cats since I was a kid but this is our only cat that bites! Yes he does and he does not eat table food, well ocassionally he does eat fried fish but he loves catfood so much he gives an attitude whenever his plate is almost empty and sees that his catfood is running out in the container. He's turned into a big fat cat since we had him spayed as recommended by his vet so he doesn't spend all day wandering outside. 

Since I've been on vacation for almost a month now and I rarely go out unless necessary, I keep my face makeup free and my current discovery is the coconut oil therapy. I was apprehensive to use coconut oil as night cream at first because I have tried beauty creams before even those expensive brands but after a long period of use it is not as effective anymore. I have been using coconut oil as night cream for less than a month and so far I already noticed that my skin is softer. I like how it feels whenever I apply make up, it glides much easily. They say that coconut is the "tree of life" and I totally agree. 

I love makeup. I wear a lot of makeup whether at work or anywhere I go. I feel naked without it but when I'm at home I don't wear make up at all. I give my face a rest too. I make sure to take good care of my skin and keep it moisturized and hydrated because the more makeup I use, it is most likely for my skin to become dry and age easily. I'm not getting any younger but whenever I get compliments from people that I look younger than my actual age and that my makeup look good on me, I am absolutely flattered. Seriously? Who wouldn't be right? Looking younger doesn't have to cost a fortune but a lot of skin T.L.C. I have nothing against cosmetic surgery because anyone has the right to be beautiful but still, I'm proud that I haven't had any work done. I believe that beauty can be achieved by proper skin care and a healthy diet because whatever you put inside your body, it will show in your skin. I do love makeup and it can hide imperfections but there is no substitute for a healthy looking skin. 

A Dose of "Berry Me"

Product in review:  "Berry Me" by Dose Of Colors

I guess I'm addicted to liquid-matte lipsticks recently I've been comparing which brand is the matte-iest of them all. When Limecrime popularized 'vegan and cruelty free' makeup (vegan meaning they use minerals and plant based/organic ingredients and cruelty free or not tested on animals), a lot of new and cheaper, cosmetic brands came out with the same claim which is good because this simply means that more women are opting for environment and animal friendly cosmetics. 

I stumbled upon Dose Of Colors while browsing Instagram photos from some makeup artists that I've been following. I've never owned any velvet colored lipstick in the past so why not try something like "Berry Me"? According to their website, their products are vegan free, cruelty free, gluten free (allergen free) and paraben free (paraben are cosmetic preservatives). This shade look a little like a mixture of pink and purple on their website so I was a little surprised when I opened the bottle because it's almost fuschia pink to me, just a little bit darker. I was a little disappointed at first and I'm not sure if I can even pull off such strong color but after applying and letting it dry for a few seconds, I realized that it wasn't so bad after all, it's kinda cute actually. The bottle is more decent compared to LA Splash, well it has to be since it is more expensive too. I like the lip applicator better as well, it's not as messy so it's easier to manage the amount of liquid that you will put on your lips. The website suggested to exfoliate lips before use since this will really leave your lips dry just like any other matte lipstick. True to their word, it is long wearing. I think this shade is perfect if you want to highlight your lips and go easy on your eyes. 

Berry, Berry Me!

Dose of Colors is a good brand and of good quality but have limited colors to choose from. I hope in the future they'll come up with more unique colors. I think Pretty Zombie Cosmetics is a good alternative if you are looking for almost similar shades but cheaper.          

Product Description:

Our liquid lipstick is a velvety high-fashion matte finish which envelops lips in a rich color. Glides on smoothly and stays put throughout the day.

• Vegan

• Cruelty Free 

• Gluten Free 

• Paraben Free

Tips: Exfoliate lips before use. Avoid greasy food.

Ingredients:

Isododecane Synthetic Beeswax VP/Hexadecene Copolymer Octyldodecanol Cyclopentasiloxane C18-36 Acid Triglyceride Disteardimonium Hectorite Phenoxyethanol Alcohol denatured Ethylhexylglycerin MAY CONTAIN: ± D&C Red No.28 Aluminum Lake (CI 45410) FD&C Red No.40 Aluminum Lake (CI 16035) Titanium dioxide (CI 77891) FD&C Yellow No 5 Lake (CI 19140) Aluminum Oxide Red 6 Lake (CI 15850) D&C Red 27 Lake (CI 45410) FD&C Red 7 Calcium Lake (CI 15850:1) Iron Oxides (CI 77499) FD&C Blue No.1 Aluminum Lake (CI 42090).

In the mood for Melt Darkroom (A review)

Melt owners Lora 
Arellano and Dana Bomar

Darkroom is 
here to stay

When Melt Darkroom was launched late last year everyone got excited about this beet colored lipstick thanks to the creative minds of Melt's lady bosses Laura Arellano and Dana Bonar who are professional MUA themselves. Just an FYI, Laura is Rihanna's makeup artist and behind most of her looks in her music videos so you know what to expect from ladies who know makeup so well. 

Nope, it's not a shoe box. 
Just my lippie!

Freebies

My first purchase of Melt are By Starlight and Space Cake because Blow and DGAF were out of stock during that time. I instantly fell in love with both, it screams 'me'! I don't care whenever I get weird stares from people like I'm from another planet or something. I love wearing daring lipsticks not because I want attention but I just love make up so much someday I swear I will make a living out of it, lol. I became obsessed with super pigmented lipsticks and eyeshadows I tried other makeup brands and lippie shades such as Five 11 Cosmetics' Free (Almost blue green in color) and Manic Panic's After Midnight (Electric Blue). I've been stalking Melt's website to see what's new until about a week ago they reached 1 million followers on Instagram so they had a 24 hour SALE offering 25% off on every product just by using the code "meltmilli". I wasted no time and bought Darkroom immediately before it's sold out.

Darkroom swatch

My Melt box came via USPS a week after I placed my order which is fast for international orders it usually takes a month to arrive. My very first Melt package came in a white box, now it's black so there's quite a mystery in there. Unboxing this product is the most exciting part. What I loved about Melt is that no matter what the quantity of your order, you always get a postcard and a cute freebie, (sweet!). I got a pocket mirror then, this time it's a mini Space Cake lipstick keychain (yay!). Melt just so love their customers you will feel it at the very moment you opened that box. I'm just really happy with the packaging to start with. 

The signature scent of vanilla and clay stays with Darkroom. I still like the gooey texture it glides easily but compared to By Starlight, it doesn't leave a pink stain when you remove it like a lip tattoo or something. It's still long wearing though not as matte compared to other liquid to matte lipsticks (read my previous review about La Splash Cosmetics in Ghoulish). Great news is, Darkroom doesn't leave your lips dry but applying a small amount of lip moisturizer before and after wouldn't hurt. A lip primer is a must for every MUA but I think any Melt lipstick is good to go with or without it. 

NYX Siren is a good dupe for Darkroom 
and Maison for Limecrime's Salem

Lovin' my Darkroom

Melt Darkroom is good to have especially if you like to play with colors a lot just like myself and would like to try something different, either you're going for a grunge look or simply want to look elegant on a night out. Price wise, there are cheaper alternatives in the market but bear in mind that quality makeup ain't cheap although surprisingly, some cheaper brands can come up with a better version so it would really help to read product reviews before buying. Better yet look for a product's 'dupe' (duplicate) but make sure it is safe to use. Since I'm an animal lover I go for cruelty free, vegan makeup just like Melt and Limecrime. I've been a NYX fan because their makeup is affordable and the quality is good too. I've purchased NYX Siren in the past and I noticed that it is a good dupe of Darkroom. I have NYX Maison too because I was so in love with Limecrime's Salem then. La Splash in Ghoulish became so popular because it is the best dupe of Limecrime's Cashmiere at the moment.

I'm still a Melt fan and looking forward to try their new products in the future. I'm still in the hunt for cheaper alternatives because makeup is forever. So there. 

LA Splash Lip Couture in Ghoulish (review)

I'm not a liquid lipstick fan at all because I don't like the feel of wet lips and I find it kinda hard to manage compared to matte. I've been following a lot of professional as well as self-taught MUAs (Make-up artists) like myself and there's a fuss going on about this new make-up brand called La Splash Cosmetics and their Lip Couture collection. 

What caught my fancy is 'Ghoulish.' I find this shade really interesting apart from the name which invites Halloween, I thought this lippie shade will go well with a dark, smokey eyeshadow or if you just want a nude-natural looking lips. 

I've been shopping online for 9 years and for the most part when it comes to makeup, I order directly from the brand's website unless the shipping fee is way more than the price of the product that I'm ordering then I shop for local sellers that sell it cheaper of course. I ordered my Ghoulish from a local Instagram shop given that I am an Instagram user. I bought this lippie for Php500 plus shipping fee. It was a Sunday and I got it Thursday which is not so not bad at all considering I am based up North. I got so, so excited I unpacked it immediately.

Sorry about the poor lighting

The bottle was pretty neat however, when I opened it I noticed that the lip applicator is covered with a thick amount of that liquid lipstick so if you're not careful at all you might end up spilling everything. I have a thing with smelling a lipstick before using it and this one smells like clay but almost odorless to me. 

In terms of quality, it was really liquid when you first apply it but it becomes matte afterwards. It dries out quickly so make sure to shape your lips and spread it evenly right away. I am impressed that it is really waterproof and smudge free, you can last a day without re-touching it after eating or drinking something hot (yay!). Since it is super matte, I suggest applying a little bit of lip balm before putting it on or as soon it dries out to avoid the dry feeling on your lips. You can use a nude lip liner to line your outer lips to make the color pop a little. 

To sum it up, La Splash Lip Couture in Ghoulish is a must try especially if you're into matte lipsticks and looking for a cheaper alternative of Limecrime's Cashmiere. That's pretty much it for now. I will post more makeup reviews soon so stay tuned! 

Best Cardio

I love it when I sweat a lot I know that I'm burning calories which is definitely a good thing unlike before I get totally irritated when I perspire especially when I'm wearing make-up it makes me feel like I'm melting. They say that wearing makeup while working out is not good for the face but I can't help it I look like a zombie without it. Going back to boxing, this sport did not just help me lose weight but it taught me discipline. I've been boxing for 8 months now, I'm happy with the end result. I feel stronger and healthier.