confessions of an unapologetic makeup junkie

Mini toiletries loot

2011-08-30T05:06:00.000+08:00

Hello my lovelies! I havent really completely disappeared. Im just in a hiatus of sorts. ( it feels like i always am) anywho, iwas at SM Southmall yesterday and picked up a few things.

1. Ponds loot - my mom wanted the free rhet eala bag that came with every 300 peso purchase so we got those. Not sure if she'll use itas we're both completely happy with the gold radiance line. I think the gold radiance line is a little to "old" for me so i'm looking into getting the flawless white line again. :)

2. Lulur asian secrets - since im into scrubs lately, i decided to check this one out as ive been hearing lotsa good stuff about the brand

3. Garnier light bb - i know the concealer-type under-eye roll sold in the states was a big hit so i wanna see if this variant of the same brand can deliver.

4. Schick intuition razor - (repurchase) i love this razor!

5. Rexona skinlight - normally, i go for the spray on deo but as it is too bulky for travel i decided to get this instead.

Im so excited to try the eye-roll and the scrub! :)

Update+ blogger app for ipad (finally)

2011-08-21T05:20:00.000+08:00

Hello my lovelies!! I know it been ages!!! Ive just been busy travelling and climbing mountains and simply tryimg to make this world a better place to live in for future generations.. (deep, right?) lol

Seriously though, ihavent been blogging much cuz i havent been lugging my laptops around much. ( my macbook and netbook are both still with me). I used to have an ipad 1 but i still preferred my netbook then cuz it was a gaming machine in my mind. When i went to europe, i had to install office-related apps as it was going to be my main PC formy entire trip. That's how i rdiscovered my love for it(and affirmed my lovefor allthings apple). When i went back home, i immediately got an ipad 2 for its built-in camera and endless blogging potentials. It's been about three months since ive gotten my ipad 2 and i havent been blogging yet. Whyyou ask?! it frustrates me to no end that there is no blogger/blogspot app for the ipad or iphone!

Enter Blogsy

This is a test post of sorts actually. My prayers of long ago have finally been answered! I discovered an ipad app for blogspot!

This just for trial photo upload and i couldnt resist showing you guys (ehem, bragging, lol) what i did in Paris.

That's all for now. Methinks i will like this blogsy app!

Xxoo
Ella
Makeupjunkie

FOTD using the balmbini palette

2011-04-09T02:19:00.002+08:00

taken via my mac's photobooth using the balmbini palette.

my camera's in camera heaven already so i'm making do with my isight camera.
i was bored and procrastinating. (i'm supposed to be editing the Study Notes for the 2011 bar exams)

Face:
concealer: San-San concealer in olive (under-eye and blemishes)
under-eye highlight: the cream base from the Golden Ratio Face Glam highlighter from Etude House (Golden)
powder: Fanny Serrano two-way cake
duchess - as an over-all powder/used to set the concealer
rajah - as a light contour using the 3-E method

Cheeks:
blush - Downboy and Hot Mama, both from the balmbini palette

Eyes
i have lash extensions so i didnt put mascara/eyeliner in the upper lash line
Brows: ModelCo brow kit in Dark
base: the cream base from the Golden Ratio Face Glam highlighter
Shadow - the two Shady Lady shadows from the Balmbini palette
highlight (browbone and inner corner) - Mary-Lou Manizer from the Balmbini palette
Lower-lash liner - Nichido Eye Pencil in Green Smokes

Lips:
lipbalm: Bayo Lipbalm in green (colorlesss when applied, i got this as a freebie from the Bayo fashion show years ago)
Lipconcealer by Etude House
Lipstick: Coco Copper lipstick from Fanny Serrano
Lipgloss: Herbench Paintbox in Pink Tint

Brushes used:
all from the James Cooper travel brush set
the Kabuki SE brush from MAC. the numbers peeled off already. i used the kabuki to blend the concealer.

Pilipinas Got Talent 2: Collins Gutierrez

2011-04-04T21:57:00.000+08:00

indulge me as i take a break from makeup blogging.

i just wanna show my support for Collins.

His audition in Pilipinas Got Talent wow-ed all three judges! and i am not surprised. i've known him since we were kids and he's really got IT. I remember going to his concerts way back as his mom would give us tickets. He's really an amazing singer! the dude's got good lungs on him. lol

i don't even know if he still remembers me, but he's our family friend, we went to the same schools in preschool and high school. i dunno if he got accelerated tho in between cuz i remember being classmates with him in kinder or prep, but when i went to highschool, he was already a sophomore during my freshman year.

anywho, i dunno how Pilipinas Got Talent works, or how you win that thing, but i remember it being thru votes, so when the time comes, please please please vote for him!!

i'm just suppa proud to know him!!

i hope he wins cuz he really deserve it!

Flying Soon? TSA is a Make Up Diva's Nightmare!

2011-04-04T05:11:00.003+08:00

i know i haven't been blogging as promised, it's not that i've been lazy or anything. it's just that i'm gearing for a big trip, and i don't wanna say anything 'til it's set in stone already cuz i don't wanna jinx it, and i don't trust myself not to spill the beans if i allow myself to blog.

it's not yet completely set in stone as i don't have my visa yet (still processing) but i already have my flight booked and everything so we're pretty confident. i will tell you guys about it once my visa arrives. :D

anywho, the flight imma take is quite a long one, and i even need connecting flights. i know all about the nightmares of traveling but i still wanna look fresh and glamorous once i arrive in my destination (especially since glamour is the name of the game in that place!) so i've been researching about the TSA restrictions when traveling, especially with respect to cosmetics in your carry ons.

if you're gonna fly anytime soon, this post will be of value to you. :D

the basic rule is the 3-1-1

The TSA allows for passengers to carry-on small amounts of toiletries under the 3-1-1 rule. your toiletries must be 3oz or less, placed in 1 quart-sized clear ziptop bag, and just 1 bag per passenger.

remember tho that the container itself must be 3oz or less, and if the container is 4oz but is half full, it will not be allowed throught the security checkpoint.

This zip-top bag must be removed from your carry-on for screening in the checkpoint.
Read more about it here: TSA Regulations.

Regarding cosmetics, here's the hard and fast rule:
if these items are not in the quart-sized clear ziptop bag, it should be checked in.
1. All creams and lotions including Neosporin or

first-aid creams and ointments, topical or rash creams

and ointments, suntan lotions, moisturizers, etc.

2. Bug sprays

3. Bubble bath including gel- or liquid-filled

bubble bath balls, bath oils, or moisturizers

4. Gel Deodorants

5. Gel cap type pills

6. Hair Styling gels

7. Hair sprays of all kinds including aerosol

8, Hair straightener or detangler

9. Lip gels, glosses or liquids

10. Liquid foundations

11. Liquid soaps

12. Make up removers or facial cleansers

13, Mascara

14, Mouthwash

15. Nail polish and removers

16. Perfumes or Colognes

17. Toothpaste

Source.

your tube lipsticks, concealers, and foundations (etc) should be safe since it is solid.

lip glosses, etc, are considered gels so they must be in the baggie, but i've read that since they are in small quantities and containers, Airport Security does not bother with it too much, but just to be safe stick it in the bag.

if you're uncertain if your item will pass through security or not i have two remedies for you:
1. just stick it in your check in luggage; or

2. if your luggage has been checked in already and at the security checkpoint you suddenly realize that your item is prohibited for carry on, instead of letting the airport security guys confiscate said item, just bring a Self-addressed and stamped envelope, stick the prohibited item in there, and send it back home. :D

Happy Flying! :D

(disclaimer: all images are taken via google image search)

Trek with K.I.D.S. Foundation

2011-02-25T19:45:00.000+08:00

hey dolls!

i remember promising a few posts back that imma inform you guys if there's a new trek and you guys wanna volunteer/donate. XD

i'm enclosing the official invite sent to us by ms. rox (KIDS' Program Manager)

if you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to drop me a comment below or contact me at:

SUN:0922-THE-ELLA(843-3552)

GLOBE:0917-UNO-ELLA(866-3552)

XXOO

ELLLA

makeupjunkie

Hi everyone!

It’s the second leg of K.I.D.S. Foundation's, A TREK TO REMEMBER (Medical-Dental Mission) with our partner in Kalinga, IDP Foundation. We would like to invite medical practitioners; doctors, dentists, nurses, nature lovers, travel geeks, or simply, those young at heart to explore another memorable trek going to Tanudan, Kalinga while getting a chance to know 3,500 pangol tribe & locals of 14 remote barangays of Tanudan.

A Trek To Remember - is a bi-annual trek of the K.I.D.S. Foundation that, distributes books and school supplies for public schools in far flung places. This trek-for-a-cause brings the trekker back to nature and assures the participant of a different kind of high that one can only feel when one shares. This month of May we would like to continue this journey and we will be trekking to two (2) barangays; Baccong and Bawak of Tanudan, Kalinga that will serve the fourteen (14) barangays: Ammaboy, Magtoma, Lay-asan, Burninan, Liyang, Cabugao, Gombowoy, Sabila, Allubaggan, Darulog, Pagugo & Mabaca to bring not only school supplies and books but, a Medical and Dental services and conduct a gift-giving in preparation for the opening of the school year. Tanudan is a 4th class municipality in the province of Kalinga.

What: A TREK TO REMEMBER VII: Medical-Dental Mission & School Supplies Gift-giving for Pangol tribe & locals of Kalinga

Where: Tanudan, Kalinga

When: May 20th - 24th ( ETD for Kalinga at 6PM of Friday - ETA in Manila 5AM of Tuesday)

Registration starts today.
Registration fee is Php3,000.00 (meals, transfers & accommodation). Deadline for Registration is on April 30th and Payment is on May 10th.

Kindly send your registration form via email: rt_oquendo@yahoo.com.

In case you want to experience the adventures in Kalinga here are the extra fees that you have to consider for the R&R or explore in Tabuk, Kalinga after the medical mission (whole day of Monday):

- White Water rafting Php2,500.00
- Kalinga purse & bag Php 30.00 - 500.00
- Kalinga wall decor - Php1,000.00/pair
- Kalinga blend Coffee - Php120.00 to Php150.00/box

In addition, we need to bring medicines & medical supplies and we are also willing to accept cash donations to be used to purchase primarily the vitamins for 3,500 children for the medical mission.

We are hoping for your kind response. You may also call K.I.D.S. Office at (02) 708-KIDS (5437), (02) 348-2109 or 0922-854-3733 for questions or clarifications. Look for Rox and June.

KIDS FOUNDATION, INC.

Diether Ocampo

Karina Tanega

Mondo Castro

Tinette Cortes

Bene Go

Rapa Lopa

Darius Hizon

June Hamoy

Rox Oquendo

Thank you and See you all!

Roxanne T. Oquendo
Programs Manager
K.I.D.S. Foundation, Inc.
Ground floor, # 20 G. Araneta Ave.,
Brgy. Santo Domingo, Quezon City
Telefax: (02) 708-KIDS (5437)

(02)3482109 / 09228543733

rt_oquendo@yahoo.com

kidsfoundation_army@yahoo.com
www.kidsfoundation.org.ph

Realizing a Child's Dream Today

Kabataang Inyong Dapat Suportahan (K.I.D.S.) Foundation, Inc.
DSWD Registration Number: NCR-2007-R-035
SEC Registration Number: CN200600126
TIN: 243-359-313-000

Test post

2011-02-08T03:38:00.000+08:00

Am not sure if I can post pics using the safari browser for iPhone. So am checking now if I can do it.

I cannot, for the life of me figure out how to post picture blogs using my blackberry, or maybe globe's GPRS speed is just slow. Anywho, am checking to see if I can do It using my iPhone. I hate that blogger still does not have a native app for iPhone!! Grrr!

Or maybe they do, I just can't for the life of me figure out how to do it/access it.

Do u guys know any native blogger app for iPhone and/or blackberry?! Or even a decent third party app. Drop me a comment below. :)

Kthanks.
XXOO
Ella

Xcess
Nope. Can't post pics here too. Boo.

First Impressions: Revlon Colorstay Foundation

2011-02-07T04:31:00.000+08:00

so I recently acquired the Revlon Colorstay Foundation from my local SM dept. store. thing is, mine doesnt have the softlex thingy which i just realized now. I also got the combination/oily variant. The main reason I got it is because I don't want my Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation to to run out on me before i have the time and the resources to replace it.

First Impressions:
before I bought my bottle, i had myself color-matched last wednesday. then i bought my bottle last friday, and had the lady apply it on my face with the revlon primer.
i dunno if my skin's just that oily but with the primer, it didn't last more than 3 hours on me. i'll have to test it without the primer to see for sure.

also, i never noticed it from the testers, but my bottle have this distinct alcohol-y scent that i've never smelt from any other cosmetics i've owned. it bothers me a little cuz the scent's really strong, but it goes away after a while.

the lack of a pump does not bother me as much cuz i've been used to my estee lauder double wear one which doesnt have a pump as well.

i can't comment on shade choices too cuz the sand beige one matches me perfectly.

i like that coverage is really good that i can apply it without a concealer and still look good.

price-wise i think it's reasonably priced. at 825 for a 30ml bottle, i wouldnt call it expensive but considering the staying power, i wouldnt call it cheap as well. it costs about 1/3 of what i would normally pay for a 30ml bottle of double wear foundation and just about the same ratio of staying power so i guess you get what you pay for.

summary:

what i like:
- great coverage
- i have an exact shade match
- widely available
- reasonably priced

what i don't:
- strong alcohol-y scent
- staying power does not appear to last that long.

do you encounter the same scent? and the same staying power? i'm really bothered with this cuz i had such high expectations with this product.

January 2011 lootbag

2011-02-06T03:37:00.000+08:00

as i've mentioned a while back, i'm trying to budget my money and allot just 1500 per week or 6,000 per month on cosmetics/fashion. since i went a little above budget, i'm cutting it down to 4,500 for the month of February, as a self-imposed punishment.

items bought:

1. balmbini palette by the balm cosmetics - 1695

i've always wanted to try the balm products because they have such a cute packaging and the colors seem to just pop. i decided to get the palette cuz it showcases some of their bestsellers and i am pretty much in love with it! :D review soon.

i cant wait to get the time balm foundation and concealer and see how it works on my not-so-perfect skin. am also itching to get the stainiac and the balms away tinted moisturizer.

2. O.P.I. nailpolish - 395 each

quarter of a cent-cherry - a deep red shade

lincoln park after dark - darkest purple i've seen. almost black but not quite.

i've just recently found a love for nailpolishes and other nail implements and i decided to start getting my nailpolishes from OPI cuz i've been hearing and reading lotsa goodstuff about it. :D i cannot get over how fast this nailpolish dries! seriously.

3. NARS

a. blush in amour - 1350

i love my orgasm blush to the hilt. i'm still reserving judgment on amour.

b. greek holiday lipgloss - 1350

i have the roman holiday lip laquer (i think that's how it's spelt. i'm tamad to google it) from my bridal palette and i love it. i wanted to give this a try. and imma be honest here. the name shade was my sole basis for buying it. XD

c. single cream shadow in corfu - 1150

i wanted to see how it pits against my Rubenesque paint pot from mac. the mac paintpot has been my go-to neutral base for so long and it's never failed me. Corfu is in a deeper and completely different shade than Rubenesque, but it works perfect to pull the no-make up look, especially as i top it off with the All That Glitters eyeshadow from mac. :D

d. Firming Foundation - priced at 2750, i think

i got this one as a freebie from nars. i originally wanted to get the sheer matte foundation from nars, priced at 2450 but when the Nars lady at Rustans told me that they give the full-sized bottle of the firming foundation as a freebie for every 3500, i didnt think twice. i decided to choose other products from nars to be able to get the freebie. as you can prolly tell am a prime target for all those marketing strategies. lol.

if you did your math, you'll know that i'm a couple of hundreds over my budget and that's why i've clamped my february budget as "punishment"

Of New Years and Resolutions

2011-01-01T05:01:00.000+08:00

Wishing you guys Health, Wealth, and Happiness this 2011!

you might have been wondering why i keep on missing for months on end and sporadically show up. two reasons, three actually, but lawschool doesnt count as ive been a law student ever since i started this blog and and if i could find time then, i should be able to find time now. so imma stick to two reasons. it's either i'm busy travelling or i'm in my sickbed. seriously, i've always been a sickly kid but i thought i outgrew that already. certain lifestyle choices have taken its toll on my already fragile health and the past two years i've been in and out of hospitals. nothing too major tho but when i get sick my whole body just shuts down and i can't do anything productive. having a hospital at my beck and call means i get confined for the least littlest things. i've learnt my lesson the hard way tho and i've been trying to change my lifestyle.

also, as i've mentioned, the other main reason i've been gone so often, besides being sick, is that i've been travelling so much.i've always been a spontaneous traveler and i can leave in a heartbeat's notice, all packed and ready to go. i think i've already mentioned in here that i've always had an overnight bag packed and ready to go all the time. and this last year, it's been crazy! my stars have been telling me lately that this year, it's gonna be a lot crazier. i dun wanna divulge it yet cuz i dun wanna jinx it (tho if you follow me on twitter you'll know where exactly imma be! lol! and nope, i'm not gonna divulge my twitter handle either.) imma give more deets tho when everything's set in stone!

this year tho i plan to blog more regularly!

seriously you guys, i've even recently discovered the blog now, publish later feature and i should be taking advantage of it. I'm not making big promises but one thing you can be assured of is at least one blog post per month. i know it doesnt sound a lot but baby steps! :D i plan to join the bandwagon and make the "products am lovin' this month" post. what do you guys think?

- stick to a makeup list

also this year, i plan to stick to a makeup list, as in i listed all the cosmetics imma buy this year, and if it's not in the list, it's not gonna be bought. simple as that. as i need to save up on every bit of spare cash i have cuz of the mentioned top secret trip. it's not as if my parents fund the whole travel thing all the way, i've to save up my meager student allowance to be able to travel to places i wanna go. but as they say, if there's a will, there's a way!

i've already made the list and as of 11:59pm of December 31, the list is officially closed.

here's a vague idea of what the list includes:

recently, i've been really obsessed with The Balm Cosmetics, and i plan to collect. EVERYTHING.. seriously. tho i can only spend 1500php per week on makeup so it's not gonna be like my previous hauls where i literally haul. lol. i just love the packaging of this particular brand and i love the shades! i've been hearing lotsa goodstuff too so 2011 is my year with The Balm.

i also plan to buy some nars, not a lot tho, just prolly the sheer matte foundation, the dolce vita blush and lipstick, harlow lip gloss, and prolly an item or two. :D i've always loved nars better than mac, but i find the items a bit too pricey so i end up with more mac products. this year tho i plan to collect even tho imma start it little by little.

also., i have long received the memo that revlon is pretty good for a drugstore brand but i find the products here in the philippine market a bit pricey for drugstore, and if you add a little bit of dough you get a high end one anyway so why bother? but i've been hearing lotsa goodstuff about the just bitten lipstain and i wanna try it. i also wanna try the famous foundation they have. i heard it can rival the estee lauder double wear one and as i love love love my EL double wear foundation, ive been curious about the foundation as well. speaking of foundations.

also i WANT to try the ponds gold radiance line simply because of its amazing packaging. seriously. this is a whim i know, and it is totally and completely inexplicable, but i want it.

also, i plan to buy some etude house, bb creams mostly, just because it works for me.

i know this sounds a lot and it sounds extremely pricey as well, but if you think about it, i have the whole year to complete the list, so i think it can work. i already did the math a bit, and yea, it can totally work. :D

again, happy new year you guys!

what do you think of my list? i sure hope you guys support me in this endeavor. it is almost like quitting an addiction, right? lol. do you guys have lists like this one too? or am i the only geeky one who makes lists and lists and i even have lists of lists? lol i sure wanna know!

xxoo

ella

my top 10 discoveries of 2010

2010-12-30T21:56:00.000+08:00

I am more surprised that only about 30% is makeup-related. this are more of the products i have discovered just this year and ive loved so much that i cannot imagine how i've lasted for so long without it. for sure imma be using these thru 2011 and more years to come i hope. you mught be wondering why most of them are in sample/travel sizes, if i love 'em so much. rest assured that i have the full sized versions in my place in Manila, but as I am here in my Grandmother's house for the holidays, i have just brought/bought the travel bottles.

the numbers do not signify a particular order. imma just go along as i click through the next picture.

1. L'Oreal Nutri-Gloss light Shampoo and conditioner + L'Oreal Elseve Nutri-Gloss Conditioning Spray

Before i had my Toni and Jackey's Haircut, my hair was just a long mess. it was almost a mermaid-lile length and it wasn't healthy anymore, not to mention it was extremely heavy and unmanageable, but i was always hesitant to cut it because if i give it a proper comb-thru it was still straight and shiny. then i got depressed and had a huge bulk of it cut. after i had the cut, i was at my local Mercury Drugstore when i saw them on stock and i've always wanted to try it so i grabbed a bottle of the shampoo and conditioner and gave it a try. i was so astonished by the results. it delivered on its promised goodness, and i just never had hair that good looking without so much effort or chemicals. seriously. i can even just let it dry without combing it, and just comb thru it with my fingers, and it never tangled! that's how soft my hair became. my only problem with this it that it's difficult as hell to find the conditioning spray nowadays. luckily tho, my local watsons still carries it so i'm good. this product is love love love!

2. Johnson's Naturaly White Daily Moisturizing Wash

I discovered this product when i ran out of my usual body wash and had to buy one. i just grabbed the first body wash i saw in the shelves and boy, was i glad i grabbed this little gem?! i dunno about the whitening properties, and honestly i dont really care cuz am not into whitening. it annoys me endlessly that most products here have whitening properties, or is marketed as one. but i like this particular body wash because it has fine granules that doubles as a milder-than-mild scrub, plus it smells so clean and fresh. that's gotta have top marks in my book! :D

3. Rexona Skin Light with Sunflower Oil.

For the longest time i have been a nivea deo user or a dove deo user, i kept on using their under-arm whitening variant as i am obsessed with a whiter under arm. i think using Secret from way back ruined my under arms for good, plus i am a big girl and as my derma told me before, pigmentation in some areas such as the under-arm, neck, and inner thigh is natural unless i lose the weight. i lost some of the weight before but not the pigmentation in my under-arm. since my adolescent years, i have been beyond obsessed with making my under-arms lighter and i've been using the nivea ones or the dove ones, the one with the pearl whitening properties and the extra whitening properties to no avail. i remember reading about this from one of the beauty blogs i subscribe to but i was still a bit skeptic. then i had to go climb a mountain and i was broke but i needed toiletries. so i grabbed the small version and the travel one pictured above. i placed the mini version in my toiletries bag and this one in my hand bag, just in case i perspire too much and need a quick fix. i was ever so surprised that i didnt need to re-apply it despite sweating like a pig, so to speak. i figured that if it is good enough for mountain climbing, then it is good enough for daily use. i have been using it ever since and even bought the spray bottle and i have been pleasantly surprised that my under-arms have become noticeably lighter. good job rexona! :D

4. Clinelle 3 step kit

i have been either a belomed product user (the one prescribed in the clinics), or a neutrogena or a celeteque user. i might deviate once in a while but i always go back to these three brands. i think they have proven their worth enough. but ever since i tried the clinelle one, i loooved it! and it has no adverse effect on my skin so it's all good! :D one thing that surprised me is despite the mild formula of the cleansing gel, my face felt really clean, plus this is the first time i've actually enjoyed using a toner, i dunno why. plus the moisturizer really gives off a subtle glow but i cannot pinpoint why. i need to get me the full sized versions once im back in manila to give it a proper trial.

5. Garnier Light Complete Multi-Action Whitening Cream

I dunno what it does exactly, but i love this product. i dont use it everyday, but everytime i feel like my face is looking blah and dull and all that bad stuff (we all have those days right?) and i dont feel like going through the hassle of putting on make up, i just apply this for a quick pick-me-up and instantly i feel like i look a lot better! it might be psychological in nature or whatever but i really like this product. it makes me feel as if the skin on my face is a little tighter and a lot, lot, lot less shiny. in fact i feel like my face is non-greasy yet glowy, if you know what i mean. i cannot really explain it, as i suspect it is a bit psychological but i love this product nonetheless. i always keep a small tube in my purse.

6.Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay + Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar

oh, i love this combo! ive been using it on and off for about 6 months now, at first once or twice a week but lately just about twice a month as it really purged my face. i no longer am that prone to pimples and it really sucks out my blackheads and white heads. i just love using this. i especially love the squeaky-clean feeling i get just after i use this. i have to buy my second jar soon as i am running out fast! i think my stock's only good enough for about 2 -3 sessions, tops! lol

7. Eternity Perfume by Calvin Klein

(photo stolen off of google. i cannot figure out how to take a decent photo of this product and it drives me crazy!)

i loved this perfume so much i blogged about it here. 2 days after that post my bottle shattered to pieces. my room smelt of eternity for weeks on end and i felt so wretched. it was a new perfume! i loved it so much. good thing i had a spare bottle and i'm saving up for another spare bottle as i dont ever wanna run out of this product.

8. James Cooper Travel Brush Set + Fanny Serrano Eyelash Curler

okay, so i've long since discovered the fanny serrano eyelash curler. i've had mine as early as 2009, i think. but last April, i acquired the famed Shu Eumura one and i've found a renewed love for my Fanny Serrano one a i felt like the distinction is very minimal. plus ive been so afraid of losing my shu one that ive taken to carrying the fanny serrano one with me instead and just use the Shu one at home. lol.

i've recently just acquired the James Cooper Brush set, but it never left my bag ever since! i've been jetting off to one party after another this holiday season and i've taken to putting makeup inside the car. unless of course i airbrush myself first before leaving. but basically, while i drive, i put on make up. with the infernal traffic around the metro, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do right? i'm just so impressed wit this set as the bristles are all of good quality, and the collection of brushes have been well thought of, like you can do a really professional face makeup with it. i love that aside from the traditional paddle eye brush that usually comes in sets like this, James Cooper has thoughtfully included a crease brush and he didnt bother adding the usual "pampa-dami" or space-filler such as the useless sponge brush and the like. all 7 brushes are useful and handy. imma do a decent review SOON! :D

9. Ever Bilena Mousse Concealer + Marionnaud Fluid Foundation Brush

i've been so in love with this product that i cannot stop raving about it here. i'm happy to report that the love affair is far from being over, in fact i've bought myself a back up just so i wouldn't run out. i have to stress tho that this product works amazing if coupled with the Marionnaud Fluid Foundation brush i've mentioned here. i forgot to take a pic tho.. :/

10. Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream

i've talked a bit about this product here. am not sure tho if imma do a decent separate review as i am not particular with brands as long as it is a bb cream. i was a bit late with the bb cream craze and i didnt have the time nor inclination to chase the expensive ones all over the internet. as far as bb creams i like them all. i never met a bb cream that i didnt like. but then again all of my bb creams are from etude house. what i like about them is that they are thicker than your average tinted moisturizer yet less heavy than a full-on foundation without sacrificing the coverage. loveet! :D i also love that this particular one is conveniently packaged, and i never had a problem with it not squirting product or anything like that as some of the common rants have been.

so there you have it, my top 10 discoveries of 2010. si wanted to post a best and worst products of 2010 as well but then again i feel like i would not be able to do much justice on it as i am blessed with a face that does not react much to whatever product is applied to it. so it wouldnt be as accurate as those with sensitive skin would have wanted.

how about you guys, what are your best discoveries this past year?

Last Loot for 2010

2010-12-30T21:43:00.057+08:00

this is the last (hopefully) makeup haul for the year. it is also an impulsive one. i was just at my local watsons here in the province (not even inside an actual mall, just a stand alone Watsons near the plaza) and i got the following:

1. James Cooper 7-piece Travel Brush Set - i love this brush set! it seems like James Cooper really placed a lot of thought into this one. you can actually do a full face with this set and make it look professionally done!
- large brush: for setting liquid foundation. i actually just apply my liquid foundation in the car with my fingers and use this brush to set my foundation with my pressed powder.
- blush brush
- eyeshadow paddle brush
- crease brush
- slanted eyeliner brush
- concealer brush: which i've miststaken for a lip brush at first, lol
- spoolie: extremely useful
it sucks tho that it doesnt come with a lip brush but i dont mind at all, i can easily get the ever bilena retractable one, with cap, for less than 50 bucks, i think. i also love that the brushroll comes with a pocket. i've stored my Fanny Serrano Eyelash curler in it, along with my cookiie-shaped mirror. in a pinch, i can even easily stick a wedge sponge in it. :D
2. Nichido eyebrow powder - prolly the best eyebrow kit i ever bought, second only to the highly expensive ModelCo one.
3. 13 shades of the Niichido Girls Night Out Liners - i've read somewhere that it is even better than the urban decay 24/7 liners. can't confirm tho cuz i dont own a single one of the 24/7 liners but it got me intrigued. i think i already have at least 4 shades, but since i'm buying the complete set, i might as well pick up the rest right? for 80 bucks a pop. it aint so bad. i love that all of these are waterline safe as well, so it's all good. will post swatches after the new year, and that's a promise! :D
Shades:
- *Bronze Glow
- 24K
- *Green Smokes
- Nice Gal
- *Pink Diamond
- *Thin Mints
- Blackest Black
- Deep Bloinde
- Cool Blue
- Metal Blue
- Vivid Turqiose
- Deep Plum
- Thin Mints
(* - the ones i already have from before)

there you have it, my impulse haul. i actually cheated a bit for including the james cooper brush set as ive bought it several days earlier, but IAG!

how was your christmases? i hope it was a lot better than mine. :D don't get me wrong, i spent it with my family and it was all good, but i am bloody missing somebody. i can't wait for May, when i get to see the brit again.. too long i know. thank god for skype and fb. lol. :P

How I Survived the Boondocks (Bundok)

2010-12-29T00:22:00.000+08:00

first things first:
pl.n. Slang

Wild and dense brush; jungle.
Rural country; the backwoods.

[From Tagalog bundok, mountain.]

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/boondocks#ixzz19U7VLqUY

I've always known that "boondocks" was from our very own tagalog word, "bundok" but just so everyone knows now. i think it was an over-zealous english teacher who taught me this little piece of trivia way back in gradeschool. lol

okay, so as you all know, i went "travolunteering" (i think it was actually Lois of wearesolesisters.blogspot.com who coined the word) in bohol,. and just like any self-respecting beauty blogger, i packed half a ton of beauty arsenal with me, even knowing i would barely use it in the mountains. while there tho, i wasnt able to use even 10% of what i brought because i don't wanna be that girl who wore a full face of cosmetics in the mountains. then again i wasnt that brave to show my bare face. my fellow volunteers were absolute dyosas in their bare faces that it'll leave even the hottest celebs with an insecurity complex. seriously! so what's a girl to do? fake it, of course!

i needed something that i can apply in less than a minute tho cuz travolunteering is one hectic job. you're up at 4-5am if you wanna get a decent shower because you have to share the one common shower room with 30 other ladies, not to mention fetching the water and carrying it yourself. not to put you off of volunteering or anything! lol.

needless to say, i wasnt able to use the pound and pound of cosmetics i packed and brought. so if you'll ever climb up a mountain for any reason, these are the only things you need. (trust me, i learned the hard way.)

1. Avon Lip and Cheek Tint - gives you the right amount of tint. i think i've already made a review of this before. i dunno if it's just me, but i couldnt tell the difference with the other variant from the same brand. while in the boondocks, it gave me a touch of color while still looking natural. and it lasts about half a day, which is okay. :D

2. Lip Balm - alba's unpetroleum jelly - prevented my lips from chapping and drying up while the SPF 18 gave me an added protection. it also left my lips soft and supple for kissing. (i only kissed babies in bohol tho, in case you, uhh, wondered. lol)

3. Etude House BB Cream - i don't care which variant or which brand, i just needed something with SPF, thicker than a tinted moisturizer, and less heavy than a full foundation. this seemed to answer all the requirements. i love that it is thick enough to hide my blemishes and conceal my under-eye circles, even a bit, and it evened out my discoloration. it lasts longer than your average tinted moisturizer too so win-win.

i also love the fact that all of these can be applied directly and using just my fingers for the added speed, and can be applied in less than 2 minutes, i think! lol.

(okay, imma be honest, i've no idea who took this photo but i found this in Mon G's album so i guess twas taken from his camera. lol. i know you could barely see my face but this is the only one i can find. peace! :D if it's any consolation tho, i can say that my face is not that even when bare!)

the number one non-vain and important thing tho was to slather yourself with SPF. i had the belo face sunblock with me with SPF 40 (only because i didnt have time to drop by the belo clinic and get a gel sunblock) and the beach hutt clear sunblock spray with 75++ SPF. thio i barely needed it because i was in the shade most of the time and it wasnt all that sunny when we went.

another tip: unless you wanna be eaten alive by all sorts of insects, ditch the perfume. i had my para'kito mosquito repellant with me but halfway thru the journey i lost it. good thing Ms. Nette C. and Daddy Jack gave me some of their anti-mosquito patches and mosquito repellants. :D

i hope you guys survive the boondocks too if you ever decide on climbing one. :D and if you already did, what make up did you wear? or are you like my fellow dyosa volunteers who were confident enough with their bare faces? do tell! :D

Travolunteering

2010-11-29T17:36:00.000+08:00

the reason i've been MIA for the longest time is because i was travelling to different parts of the country, and one i've been most preparing for is the medical and dental mission trek to Sierra Bullones, in Bohol organized by K.I.D.S. (Kabataan Inyong Dapat Suportahan). Lois was able to put into words the wonderful experience we had HERE.

notice the peak in the background? yea, we climbed that! the highest peak in bohol!

it was a completely different experience for me. i was able to experience a lot of things that i wouldnt normally experience such as riding a chicken bus, sleeping on the floor of a classroom for 2 days, taking a bath in a makeshift bathroom, getting aboard a dam truck, and having the time of my life every single minute of it! :D i was able to meet a lot of people i wouldnt normally be able to meet, and i made a lot of friends. who can complain right?

what i've been up to lately.

2010-11-29T17:05:00.000+08:00

i haven't died or anything like that.. but ive been hospitalized for several times for different reasons and its made me realize that I need a lifestyle change to beat the early grave.

i've been outdoors a lot too, traveling, and part of that traveling is, as my friend lois calls it, travolunteering. but more on that next time. i gotta admit tho that travelling is the main reason why i havent been online much. :D

Also, school work is finally catching up on me, i have never been this busy my entire life.

plus, i was able to stay at Sofitel for 5-days, complimentary breakfast at Spiral and all! courtesy of my aunt. the thing tho was, it coincided with the second week of the semester and i've been trying to squeeze pool time, 3-hour breakfasts/newspaper sesh, and reading law books. it was no easy feat, i tell you. :D

aside from that, i finally bought the kindle 3 and nerd that i am, i've been more interested in reading books than beauty blogging. lol

back to regular beauty posts in a few. i have so much to tell you guys!! :D

The Twin and the BFF

2010-09-08T09:33:00.000+08:00

hey ladies,
just a quick update. My college twin sister, Nina, is now beauty blogging. apparently she has been beauty blogging for a while now and didn't even tell me, the sly one! ugh! lol. It was funny back in college cuz everyone at La Salle, even our closest friends, can't tell us apart sometimes! lol. Didn't help tho that we show up at school wearing the same style of clothing, just varying in colors, and we don't even talk about it! lol.

check her out and follow her! :D
http://thekikaygirl.blogspot.com/

oh, and I have been meaning to make a post about the BFF, Roxy. I think I've mentioned her in about 6-7 posts already. She has been beauty blogging since the summertime, if i'm not mistaken. We became close when i disturbed her one time (3-4years ago) while she was studying and we ended up chatting about lots of things because we found out that we're both southern belles, and it turned out that an ex-boyfriend of mine was a former classmate of hers in highschool. Aaaalso, it happens that our current flames that time were sort of BFFs too! maybe they attended the same "how to be an asshole" seminar or something! lol. i kid, seriously! Talk about small world, huh? LOL

Do check her out too and follow her! :D
http://shimmersandglosses.blogspot.com/

FYI: I only roll with hot bitches! lol :D

oh and i forgot to mention, does the fact that both the twin and the BFF (and the ex-bf) are HS graduates of St. Benedict School (now San Beda Alabang) make me an honorary bene graduate too? LOL

talk to you ladies again soon!
xxoo
Ella

Product Focus: Ever Bilena Mousse Concealer

2010-09-04T00:35:00.000+08:00

Le Price:

180 pesos for 12 grams!

Le Experience:

The coverage is somewhat comparable to Mac's Studio Finish Concealer, sans the hefty price tag. Even the consistency is very similiar Mac's offering, which is weird cuz this product is launched as part of the mousse collection and unlike it's siblings in the blush, eyeshadow and foundation department, there's nothing mousse-like in its consistency. In fact, just like the Studio Finish concealer, you'd have to "melt" the product with your fingers to achieve easier blending. I usually apply it by dabbing a light layer with my fingers on the areas I want to conceal, then blend with the Marionnaud Fluid Foundation Brush. Coverage is medium but easily buildable to full coverage. to avoid caking, what i do is apply a thin layer, blend, apply another thin layer, blend and repeat until i get the desired coverage, then i set it with my Fanny Serrano Two-Way Cake. Usually it takes me three very thin layers to achieve my desired coverage, but that's just because i prefer a heavier coverage. Normally, two layers would suffice for my under eyes and dark spots but i just do three layers to be sure. oh, and before applying this under my eyes, i neutralize the dark circles by applying an even thinner layer of orange lipstick. Yep, you heard me. Orange Lipstick.

To Illustrate, I drew a very thick, very black line across my wrist. An area of my palm that wrinkles and moves alot.

I got the idea from reading Louise's Blog, she did a similar thing while reviewing a different concealer.

Above it is all bunched up and a little cakey. This is the concealer finish alone. I haven't set it yet with powder. Notice the very thick, very black line completely disappeared? Yup. that's how good it is. Granted I had to apply 6 thin layers but hey, my under-eye circles and dark spots are nowhere near as dark as this one! :P

Here it is, after setting it with the Fanny Serrano Two-Way Cake. See how well it blended (despite it being a tad darker) with my wrist coloring without bumps or caking? Note that my wrist is slightly lighter than my face.

Le Verdict:

I've had this product for about 3-4 months now and the main reason I've waited this long before making an actual review is because I wanted to thoroughly test the product. I simply cannot get over how great it worked considering its brand name and price! But it simply delivers!

The final test tho is staying power. I moved my wrist around a lot and this is three hours after application. I was completely not careful with my wrist.

It moved a little but with the proper primers and if the area you apply it with is not as mobile as the wrist, you should be fine. In my experience it stays for about 4-5 hours max.

what i like:
- inexpensive
- great coverage
- very pigmented.
- considering how much product you get, it'll last you a long time

what i don't:
- staying power's not so stellar
- unhygienic packaging - if only they sell these with little spatulas. *sigh*

over all verdict:
3.5 stars
took points off the crappy packaging and staying power. staying power is a big deal to me when it comes to concealers so despite my glowing review it didn't score very high.

LOOT: Etude House Haul

2010-09-02T00:32:00.000+08:00

I was kinda late in joining the Etude House bandwagon but their flagship store in Megamall is simply too far from me. Then Etude House opened in Festival Mall, which is perfect for me as it is a mere 10-15 minute drive from me, 7-if I'm driving. LOL. They also opened another branch at SM Manila which is also very convenient for me, as it is very near my Manila address. At first I was not crazy about them because i find the packaging a little too plasticky and cheap looking, and I feel that for an Asian brand, it is a tad too expensive. I still feel that their prices are a little expensive but now that i have been introduced to them, I think the prices are somewhat reasonable for the quality of the actual products.

i bought a bunch of stuff and got a bunch of freebies. :D

The stuff I bought:
1. Pink Travel Pouch
2. Secret Beam Highlighter #02
3. Petit Darling Eyes - Nude
4. Precious Mineral BB Cream Sheer Glowing Skin SPF30
5. Speedy Total Mineral Base SPF41
6. Pack Brush
7. Peach Skin Pact
8. Color Me Nude Lip Concealer

oh, and i got several freebies:
1. 3 Pink Pens - gave the other one to my cousin and the other one to my grandma
2. cute planner with some Korean actor dude

I actually made two separate trips. one last weekend where i got the makeup base and the pack brush. i got one freebie pen then. My purchase did not qualify for a free pen but they gave me one anyway. They also signed me up for the membership card that they give out for a single receipt worth PhP500. Then i went back today to buy the rest. I officially just qualified for a free planner but they gave me two more free pens. I love my Etude House SAs!

It is also pretty convenient to avail of the membership card as it is a rebate-system type where you earn 2pts for every 100peso purchase. 2pts = 2 pesos. Not bad eh?

I want to hoard the Speedy Total Mineral Base! Seriously!

Next time I'm there imma get the FF:
1. Eyebrow Kit - the one with the wax
2. Several Brushes
3. The BB Balm that comes with a mini brush
4. the Petroleum Jelly-like product that claims to be a fix-all.
5. tear duct liner/powder not sure which one to get yet
6. a mattifier
7. the pink bottle with a pump dispenser

yep. i think i listed it all.

How about you? How did you find your Etude House Experience?

Loot: Youngblood Artiste Palette & Nars Bridal Palette

2010-08-27T06:31:00.000+08:00

Two new palettes came in for me this past month! :D

1. The Youngblood Artiste Palette in Romanticism

Eyes: Alabaster, Golden Beryl, Penny

Lips: Brilliance, Glorious, Mesmerize

Cheeks: Sherbet, Blossom

2. NARS Artist Palette: Bridal Palette

Eyes: Edie, Nepal, Night Fever

Cheeks: Albatross, Orgasm

Lips: Mitzi, Baby Doll, Sexual Healing, Roman Holiday

I haven't really played around with it. I just love looking at them. lol. They're both supposed to be Neutral/earth shades perfect for the prime or bridal Look, but i don't know. the Youngblood palette seems to be the one with the nude shades while the Nars palette seems to be more catered for nightouts.

I know I've been AWOL the past few weeks but I've been busy with school work, plus, lately, I'm more obsessed with the new Kindle3 than beauty blogging! Geekgirl showing thru! lol. :D

Reviews/comparisons coming soon! :D

Product focus: Marionnaud Brushes

2010-07-26T04:51:00.000+08:00

i love all my Marionnaud brushes, some maybe more than others, but i gotta say that everything is worth buying! i did not get the brow brush and comb, the tweezers, and the sponges coz i have no need of those anyway, especially the brow brush and comb which comes with the travel set anyway.

Le Price

ranges from about 70PhP - 299 PhP, depending on the brush you'd get. all worth the money, IMHO.

Le Experience:

i find myself reaching for these brushes more than my branded ones, and finally, i found good quality, yet inexpensive brushes. the handles are quite the right size too! not too long, yet long enough to be able to maneuver properly adn short enough for easy storage in your makeup bags. if you have all these brushes, it would render the travel set quite useless, but it's still good to have, as it is quite handy. it is nice to have in your bag or your emergency overnight case.

the powder brush in the travel set is exceptionally great, especially for blush application. good too for touch ups, to counteract the oilies!

the large powder brush is perfect for setting liquid/cream foundations. it is huge enough to cover huge spaces and soft enough to ensure sheer application. It is also perfect for bronzer application if you just want to warm up your look.

the fluid foundation brush blends liquid and cream foundation quite well. since i don't normally wear liquid/cream foundations, i use it to blend my concealer and it is perfect!

the Slanted blush brush dispenses color quite strongly, so you might want to use a light hand with your blush. i find tho that it is perfect for contouring and highlighting, as it comes on really strong. just remember to blend it really well with another brush (i.e. the large powder brush) to avoid harsh contour lines.

pointed eyeshadow brush is perfect for cutting the crease in your eyes and also for applying a light colored shadow in your tear ducts!

concealer brush - completely useless for under the eye as it is a bit scratchy and hurts the skin under my eyes, which are generally more sensitive than the other skin in the face.

eyeshadow brush - i find this weirdly with the same texture as the concealer brush, only, it's not scratchy at all. completely useless with powder shadows (too many fallouts!) but perfect for cream shadows!

the slanted liner brush is perfect for applying brow powder and lining the upper lid! i cannot stress how much i loveeeee this brush!

L-R: Travel Set, retractable brush, large powder brush, fluid foundation brush, slanted blush brush, pointed eyeshadow brush, concealer brush, eyeshadow brush, slanted eye line and spoolie brush

1. TRAVEL SET

a. powder brush - soft, great for touch ups, can double as a blush brush.

b. fluid foundation brush - small, better suited as a concealer brush.

c. eyeshadow brush - stiff, great for cream shadows tho.

d. eyeshadow applicator - just a fancy name for sponge applicator.

e. eyebrows and eyelash brush - great for brow grooming, and lash separator.

2. RETRACTABLE POWDER BRUSH - i love that it has a cap, very travel friendly! quite similar to stila's retractable brush, even softer, yet rounder.

3. LARGE POWDER BRUSH - perfect for bronzer application, best used with setting/loose powders

4. FLUID FOUNDATION BRUSH - works best with cream foundations and concealers

5. SLANTED BLUSHER BRUSH - perfect for blush application, even better for contouring

6. POINTED EYESHADOW BRUSH - defines the crease very well

7. CONCEALER BRUSH - scratchy. but i think i just got a bad stock cuz i've read great reviews for this one.

8. EYESHADOW BRUSH very similar in texture to the concealer brush, tho it's not scratchy at all!

9. SLANTED EYELINE & EYEBROWS DOUBLE SIDE BRUSH - LOVE! perfect for grooming brows. I've been using the slanted eye line brush to line my brows and my upper lid

Large powder brush and retractable brush comparison

Big Powder Brush vs Retractable Powder Brush

-basically functions the same way, only the big powder brush is fuller, while the retractable powder brush is more travel friendly and hygienic

- maybe bought alternately, as it is very similar. you don't really need both.

FAVORITES

if i were to choose just 3 brushes to recommend and buy, i'd choose the following

L-R - Fluid Foundation brush, Slanted blush brush, Eyeliner brush and spoolie duo

(excuse the messy brushes, i have been using it prior to taking pics)

1. Fluid Foundation brush - dual use: Cream/liquid Foundation brush and concealer brush! blending prowess is fantastic! can also double as creme blush applicator!

2. slanted blush brush - perfect for contouring, and with a light hand, blush application!

3. slanted eyeline brush - two words: brow grooming.

these are the 3 brushes i use every single day and i love it!

Quick Tip:

do not throw away the plastic packaging. it can be used to store the brushes when not in use, and especially if you have the travel brush, its plastic packaging is perfect for storing ALL the other brushes!

Le Verdict:

LOVE LOVE LOVE! 4.5 out of 5.

i took points off of the concealer brush which is HORRIBLE!

i love:

- affordable

- soft

- does the designated job and more

- hygienic packaging - each one even comes with a brush guard (except the travel set and the retractable brush)

- does not bleed when washed.

- no hair fall out when washed.

i hate:

- the scratchy concealer brush.

only the concealer brush is crappy.

Forever 21 haul, among others.

2010-07-23T01:35:00.000+08:00

YAY! finally, i made my forever 21 pilgrimage! it really feels like a pilgrimage cuz you guys know i hate hate hate malls in the QC area. Southern belle speaking. lol

i was kinda disappointed that the ones i wanted from rustan's mac and nars are all out of stock. :( still tho, i'm super happy with my purchases! :D

HAUL #1: FOREVER 21

1. Skimpy shorts

2. Sheer top

3. Floral dress

4. Dress shorts

5. bonnet (?)

1. gotta love the skimpy shorts.. eh? it's the new miniskirt! lol

2. Sheer sleeveless top - can be worn over any top. LOVE!

3. Dress Shorts - depending on the accessories, can go from semi-formal to casual. LOVE. sheer top may be worn inside too!

4. Floral Tube dress.

excuse the messy appearance. no make up. i was dead tired from the shopping and was about to sleep when i took the photos. :D

5. Crocheted bonnet. i didnt get accessories, so i just bought this. :D

HAUL #2: SM DEPARTMENT STORE

1. Parisian Red-Soled Heels - wore it the entire time i was shopping, and didnt hurt one tiny bit! LOVE! i most love that i can wear the shoes with any one of the outfits i bought from forever 21

2. James Cooper Cream Foundation

3. James Cooper Matte Loose Powder

didn't get the chance to wear 'em pa, but it sure looks promising!

HAUL #3: MANGO

1. Mango Shades - dual purpose for buying: a. didn't like the ones sold in Forever21, and I broke my H&M shades several minutes before buying this.

HAUL #4: AQUAZORB

i've wanted to buy aquazorb towels for the gym, but i didnt have time to go to shang. since i was finally there, i decided to get me some aquazorb. i love!

1. Oversized towel w/Breathable pouch - comes free with the huge orange bag, which i'm pretty sure is waterproof.

2. Large WorkOut Towel with breathable pouch

3. Hair Towel.

since it is over a thousand all in all, it came with a free box as well. :D now i gotta take my gym membership seriously. lol

Haul #5 LUSH

1. The Olive Branch hair and body shower gel.

ever since they phased out my sonic death monkey hair and shower gel, i was at a loss, since i loooovveed that stuff! will try this one if imma love it as much as i did my sonic death monkey.

that's all folks. was super tired from all the shopping i did, i literally passed out in my bed. :D

hope you enjoyed my QC malls haul. :D

Product Focus: CK Eternity for women

2010-07-22T04:39:00.000+08:00

CK Eternity for Women

i have been a late bloomer when it came to perfumes. i never really bought my own bottle until late last year. most of my perfumes were gifts by family and "ninangs" (godmothers). i prefer buying colognes any day because it was cost effective. hehehe. Eternity was the second perfume ive ever bought for myself.

late last year, i the very first perfume i bought for myself is the Estee Lauder Pleasures. and i was sorta "forced" to buy it, cuz i wanted to get the discounted make up set of Estee Lauder then, and the only perfume that came with a giftset was the pleasures one. i didnt really care much for the scent, i just wanted the free bag. SHH! you can check out the whole loot HERE.

the scent was okay, i guess, floral and all, but i was not gaga with it. three of my closest friends however would always try to steal it from my bag cuz they absolutely adore the scent! to each her own, i guess.

I was introduced to Eternity when last year, my mom gave me the CK Eternity Moment lotion (she kept the perfume for herself.) it was lying around in my room for soo long without getting love from me. then, on a whim, i went to Malaysia late March, and as i was hastily packing, i just grabbed the first lotion i could reach. it turned out to be the Eternity Moment lotion. while in malaysia, i can't get over the scent of the lotion. it was love at first sniff, i guess. :D then completely forgot about it again, cuz i was travelling so much. (Malaysia was the only impromptu trip tho, cuz my other trips were planned waaay ahead of time)

after all the travelling i did, late May, i was finally back home here in Pinas, and i was on a shopping trip with my friend Roxy when we chanced upon the Calvin Klein store in MOA. i went inside and asked for the CK Eternity perfume (i got a bit confused, i thought the lotion i had was eternity and not eternity moment). I instantly fell in love with the Eternity Perfume, tho it was a bit more stronger than the CK Eternity Moment was. I just could not get over how good it smelled! So I made a mental note to grab a bottle soon.

a few days later that was exactly what i did. i got myself my now beloved CK eternity perfume (which i think will be my signature scent.) i loved the scent soo much that i again bought another bottle as "back-up." i never want to ever run out of this stuff, you see.

THE SCENT:

top notes:

citruses, green notes, mandarin orange, freesia, sage

middle notes:

lily, carnation, violet, jasmine, marigold, lily of the valley, rose, narcissus

base notes:

sandalwood, amber, patchouli, musk, heliotrope

*notes description copied from fragrantica.com

i really don't understand the top notes base notes thing, as i am really a perfume noob, but from what i can tell, the first spray would come on a little bit strong, and a tad horrible smelling even, but as the different notes settle and fuse it leaves a very classic, floral, and femine scent. i love love love it.

i think it is best worn during quiet, romantic evening dates as it just gives off that classic, subdued vibe.

despite being introduced in the loud 80's, it's packaging and bottle is very simplistic, sophisticated and elegant, quite like the scent itself.

History:

i did a few "research" work and i found out off of the net *cough* wikipedia *cough* that:

it was created by CK circa 1988
won an award for the most Successful Women's Fragrance at the 1989 FiFi Awards
in 2003, it was inducted in the Fragrance Hall of Fame

if you are thinking of getting a perfume, this one is highly recommended by me! 10 out of 10 stars!

if you, my lovely readers absolutely have to choose just one perfume to wear all the time what would it be? or have you found the perfect one? i sure wanna know, cuz i feel that me and my Eternity perfume will have a looong and fresh smelling relationship for all of, well, eternity. lol

sidenote:

this is my I'm-too-excited-for-my-forever21-pilgrimage-to-sleep blogpost. bear with me. lol

**photo taken off of google images.

pre-forever 21 post

2010-07-21T03:22:00.000+08:00

i know.. so late. i kinda feel like i'm the last lady blogger to visit forever21.. it's just faaar from my place.. and i hate the malls in the north (sorry northern gals, spoken like a true southern belle.. lol)

but...

finally this thursday imma be visiting the flagship store with my bestest kikay gal pal, roxy! yay!

i already have a list of the things i wanna get, hopefully i stick to it! :D

1. SUN GLASSES - everyone who's ever met me would know that i am all about the SHADES! lol

2. tops - laid back tanks would be best

3. short shorts - can't get enough of these skimpy shorts! LOVE

4. Dress - optional tho, depending on le budget! lol

5. Accessories - maybe a belt.

*since imma be visiting megamall, might as well hit the dept store for these:

1. James Cooper Cosmetics - not all SM dept store carry the line and ive been hearing really good stuff bout the cream foundie and the setting powder. imma check that out.

2. Parisian Shoes - the ones that figured in the Manila Fashion Week last june. I WANT!

i want the one in the far left and the one third from left! lol

*imma definitely hit up Shangri La na din to get a few essentials

1. the nars mini multiple trio - ive been salivating over these since january pa and i will get it na.

2. MAC Pink Noveau Lipstick - that's been getting buzz na talaga.

haaayyy just thinking about it makes me salivate.. imma be a whole lotta poorer, but hopefully a whole lotta happier too! and ive been saving so show me the cashier! lol

(i'm really a "lists" person so i just gotta make lists ALL the friggin time)

imma check back thurs or fri to show you guys my loot!

**photos stolen via google images. peace! :D

Product Focus: Ever Bilena Mousse Blushes

2010-07-10T19:00:00.000+08:00

TOP: L-R Aster, Rose Pink

BOTTOM L-R Scarlet, Dusty Mauve

Le Price:

125 pesos per pot.

the packaging is very similar to mac paintpots, except that the caps on the EB have a weird shape on them. also, while mac paint pots contain 5g of the product, an EB mousse blush or eyeshadow contains 7g.

Le Experience:

i was able to swatch EB's new Mousse Cosmetics while doing some grocery shopping. i fell in love with them right away, so much so that i was making a beeline for the nearest watsons the following day in order to get me the mousse line!

i was not exactly blown away by the mousse blushes at first because i didnt like the way it swatched on my hand, but i figured i could probably use it as a base for my blushes.

let me tell you now that first impressions are not accurate! once i got home, i decided to test out Aster, the one that looks pale pink in the pot. once i blended it on my cheek, i fell right in love! it gives you the right amount of a fresh-faced glow! it is very moisturizing too! The air-whipped consistency is living up to its rep. the mousse itself is very light on the skin. (and that's saying a lot cuz ever since i used airbrush cosmetics, i find that most conventional makeup is heavy on my skin,) with this product tho, i hardly ever felt like i had makeup on.

L-R: Dusty Mauve, Aster, Rose Pink, Scarlet

1. Dusty Mauve - Peach Colored. will give you just the right amount of tinge in your cheeks, without appearing to be blushing, if that makes sense. it will just enhance your features.

2. Aster - Appears to be pale pink on the pot and when swatched, but don't let it fool you! once blended, it gives off the best blush of the four! it's healthy pink. no other way to describe it.

3. Rose Pink - Reddish Pink, tho pink is more dominant. it's a stronger pink than aster, i think this one would be better used on night outs or photo sessions when you want to make a bolder statement with your blush. best paired with a flirty pink lipstick and nude eyes.

4. Scarlet - Reddish Orange - more on the red side tho with just a hint of orange, if that makes sense. this one i would take to the gym to fake that healthy flush that can be achieved thru working the thread mill.

Applied and Blended

L-R Dusty Mauve, Rose Pink, Aster, Scarlet*

*note - scarlet does not look like an ugly muddy-brown color in real life. i guess the lighting of the room clashed horribly with my flash and the distance between the camera and scarlet.

Le Verdict:

4.0 out of 5 Stars

What I like:

great color pay-off
consistency
light weight
inexpensive

What I don't like:

un-hygienic packaging
ugly, cheap packaging (i've had it for a day and already the silver logo's peeling off)
staying power's not so great (3 hours, max. tho setting it with a powder blush should do the trick.)

i highly recommend this product because, considering the price, quality is great. (i feel like i say this all the time, but hey, if the product is not so stellar, then i wouldn't even bother making a product focus post on it.)

Another Watson's Haul

2010-07-09T10:21:00.001+08:00

I was feeling a little down lately so i decided to amp up my makeup collection! As Samantha Jones would say, "break ups are bad for the heart, but good for the economy." and what better way to bolster up the economy than to buy local brands, right? also, i am gearing up for another asian trip and i prefer to bring fanny serrano cosmetics than my high end ones because i simply don't trust the stevedores and baggage dudes to handle up my fragiles.

These are what i bought:

the boring stuff first

essentials:

1. contact lens (monthlies)

2. contact lens case - my old one was getting dirty already

3. small lens solution - something that would fit my bag

4. packets of disposable teeth cleaner - i got curious, and with 15pesos a pop, i decided to buy several.

okay. 'nuff of boring non-makeup stuff! lol

The Good Stuff:

Marionnaud brushes

I originally bought the travel set, pointed eyeshadow brush, and the slanted eyeline and eyebrows double side brush but i left it in Waterfront Lahug in Cebu. :( so I had to re-buy them. within the span of 1 week, i was able to buy most of the ones in watson's. i am just missing the retractable brush which i plan to pick up tomorrow. :D i have the following now (L-R in photos)

1. Travel Set

2. Large Powder Brush

3. Fluid Foundation Brush

4. Slanted Blusher Brush

5. Concealer Brush

6. Pointed Eyeshadow Brush

7. Eyeshadow Brush

8. Slanted Eyeline & Eyebrows Double Side Brush

I will go into detail about this brushes when i do the formal review next! :D

Fanny Serrano Cosmetics

I fell in love with Fanny Serrano Cosmetics since last year, and unlike boyfriends, i have never fallen out of love with FS yet. lol!

1. Two-Way Cake in Rajah - for contour

2. Two-Way Cake in Orleans - to warm up my face, so i don't look too pale.

3. Eyebrow Powder - self-explanatory. lol

4. Two-Way Cake in Organza - my natural shade

5. Two-Way Cake in Silk - for highlight

paired with the FS concealers and used with the Marionnaud brushes, it creates a fantastic no-make up look, yet it covers blemishes, dark spots and under-eye circles!

Ever Bilena

I came across Ever Bilena's new line, the Mousse Cosmetics, and i have been curious enough to test it out in the counters. i loved what i saw so i got the ones i wanted. haven't roadtested them much tho as i've just gotten them yesterday. :D

Top:

1. Mousse Matte Foundation in Hazelnut - with pinkish undertone for under-eye.

2. Mousse Matte Foundation in Acorn - my natural shade

3. Mousse Concealer in Pure Beige - to conceal blemishes.

Bottom:

1. Mousse Blush in Dusty Mauve - a peach colored blush

2. Mousse Blush in Rose Pink - reddish-pink colored blush, more on the pink side tho.

3. Mousse Eyeshadow in Amber - copper-nude mousse shadow (think paintpots)

4. Mousse Blush in Aster - Pink. no other way to describe it. amazing color tho.

5. Mousse Blush in Scarlet - Reddish-Orange blush.

expect swatches, especially of the blushes on my next posts. :D

there you have it. i hoped you enjoyed viewing these as much as i have enjoyed buying them! lol. a truly hope this "inspires" you into looking into the treasures of our local makeup brands. :D

Product Focus: Fanny Serrano + Swatches

2010-06-13T21:16:00.001+08:00

Trizh at the GirlTalk forums have requested some swatches of the Fanny Serrano Concealers.

I have discovered the joys of Fanny Serrano cosmetics through my friends, Anna and Abbie. They were the ones who introduced me to the inexpensive, yet high-quality products of FS, and i have been a convert ever since!

Fanny Serrano Cosmetics have been my fave local brand ever since!

I have 3 of the 4 shades,Sand, Walnut, and Chestnut.

I don't just use these shades as concealers, i also use them as highlight, contour, and normal foundation stick.

with flash

without flash

Sand for under-eye concealing and highlighting.

Walnut for spot concealing and as an over-all foundation.

Chestnut for contour.

I basically set these with the FS Mocha powder foundation, and i look fab.

I recently went to an Asian Tour and a Philippine Tour, if you may, and i was terrified of bringing my high end makeup as i fear for their safety! lol! so i packed all my Fanny Serrano Cosmetics, and it held up quite nicely!

I am looking into buying the FS two-way foundations, as I've been told that they are comparable to MAC Studio Fix, so I am excited to try that! :D

I also heard that the Brow Powders are a definite must-haves so imma check that out too!

Bonus:

I recently bought two FS lipsticks, because of the great reviews from girltalkers!

i bought the Coco Copper, which they say is a Mac Twig dupe,

and i bought the Pink Chic L/S, because of the great reviews as well as the fact that KC Concepcion is a fan of this Lipstick. lol. She also said that she sometimes use this in her cheeks. :D

i love both lipsticks, and i am looking into getting some more! :D

Quickie: Pond's Cold Cream

2010-05-28T06:22:00.000+08:00

How do you guys take off your makeup?

i seem to have tried it all: from the commercially available ones like Estee Lauder makeup remover, The Body Shop, and more brands than i care to remember, to home remedies such as extra virgin olive oil, evian water (i read that la greta, gretchen baretto, uses evian water and tissue/cotton balls to remove her make up. tedious process, trust me!), and even petroleum jelly for those stubborn mascaras and eyeliners, but after a while i seem to just go back to this tried and tested vintage favorite.

The Pond's Cold Cream has been around for ages, and still a lot of women (including yours truly) swear by this stuff! with good cause too! i find that this baby not only deep cleans my face and rids it of makeup, it even leaves it feeling soft and supple!

some would say that they don't like this product too much coz it leaves them feeling greasy, but it doesn't bother me that much.

Directions for use (listed at the back of the jar)

Apply pea-sized amounts on your forehead, cheeks, and chin. Spread and massage gently over your face and neck.
Tissue off or remove with a wash cloth to take out deep-seated dirt.
Re-apply as necessary.
Wash off with water and face cleanser, like Ponds Facial Wash.

but this is how i do it

Apply pea sized amounts on forehead, cheeks, chin, nose, neck and a little on the lids too.
massage gently but thoroughly in small circular motions until the product turns translucent and then maybe even more massage.
Tissue off using a baby wipe - i find this a lot less straining than a dry tissue does and i feel like it cleans my face more
i reapply 3-4 times, even 5 when my make up is heavy and 2-3 times if it's light. i repeat the process til i see that my baby wipe is completely without dirt when i tissue off.
wash with water and face cleanser, an oil-free one like celeteque. sometimes when i'm lazy and i'm about to sleep anyway, i skip this process.

i find that using a baby wipe makes a whole lot of difference, cuz i don't need to tug as hard to get the cream off, and it doesn't leave me feeling greasy.

additional tips:

as a moisturizer - sometimes when i'm out of moisturizer or during my travels abroad when the weather gets really cold and leaves my face really dry, i use this as a moisturizer. i use a teenie-tiny amount tho, to avoid the greasy feeling, and i pat dry it. works like a charm!
as a makeup base - call me crazy, but i remember our stylist before, Tita Sol (a good friend of my grandma) during my highschool days, when i need to attend an event my grandma would hire her to do my makeup (during my grandma's time she was the only one who knew how to do makeup. she studied under named makeup artists of her time, or my grandma would tell me.) Tita Sol's quite good too! she could prolly give a lot of the makeup artists of this time a run for their money. Anyway, i digress too much. Tita Sol would use this as my makeup base, she told me to soften my skin and to make sure the product really grabs on, and you know what? it totally works! altho i think the pan-foundations of the time is more answerable for that fact. lol

how about you? do you guys use the cold cream too other than as a makeup remover? do you love it too? lemme know in the comments section!

p.s

photo lifted off ponds.com as i am too lazy to take pictures. lol.

Product Focus: Avon Simply Pretty Lip and Cheek Tint

2010-05-26T04:46:00.000+08:00

ever since an Avon branch opened near my school, I applied to become an Avon Lady, if only for the discounts. i never expected to love almost all of their cosmetics. Avon has always been an inexpensive makeup go-to for all of us at one point or another. i remember starting my makeup love affair early on, as my yaya used to be an Avon lady and she would give me stuff for free. :D

when i started college, i began to lose interest in Avon because i dunno an avon lady, but when i started lawschoool again, my landlady was an Avon lady and i became reacquainted with their stuff. looking back, i feel kinda bad for not being an Avon lady earlier on, for i have spent A TON of my money buying Avon products! and now, at the very top of my Avon must-have products is this little baby! The Simply Pretty Lip and Cheek Tint.

I have gone thru a lot of lip and cheek tints, looking for the perfect one. ive tried the body shop (old and new formula), HerBench (which incidentally is a close second.), Ellana Minerals, Benefit Benetint, in2it, and the old Nars one which i dont remember the name. The Nars one, i loved so much but if im not mistaken, that's discontinued now. My HG lip&cheek tint used to be The Body Shop's old formula, but since they changed the formula, it's just not working for me.

Le Price:

i think this is less than 150, even without the dealer's discount. because it's dirt cheap, it's good to have this in your kikay kit as an everyday blusher. i cannot remember how many tubes of this product ive already went thru because my cousin and friends kept on fishing this off of my bag!

Le Experience:

i love how it glides on smoothly, does not dry fast, which makes for easier blending, and the color is just perfect. not too pink, not too in your face blood red, but just the right amount to give you that natural flush. i also like that because it is a tint, you can barely tell that you are wearing a makeup at all. the product is light and breathable, and even if you build the product to your desired shade, it still will not feel heavy. especially with the infernal Manila heat we are experiencing now, I loathe to put make up on, but then again, i look like death without some color in my cheeks. With this product, I'll just swipe some on, put some balm, and put on my Simply Pretty face powder and i'm good to go run errands. Feeling good cuz i know that i look good without going over the top and without the heavy makeup feel that just melts thru the heat anyway.

i had to layer on and build the color for it to show up on camera

i usually take this to the gym to fake that flush, and because it is sweat proof, it stays on while i do my cardio.

Le Verdict:

no makeup, not even concealer, just the lip and cheek tint on. see how natural it is?

(excuse my messy appearance, i'm about to go to sleep when i took this. nagpapaantok lang.)

i give it 5 stars out of 5 because it is dirt cheap, does the job spectacularly, color is perfect, and it's not heavy and uncomfortable to wear because of the Manila heat. it also stays on after all the sweating! I suggest y'all give your Avon lady a call and order this product!

Hong Kong anyone?

2010-05-18T21:25:00.000+08:00

i might be in hongkong again next week. operative word is *might* tho.

do you guys want to make "pabili"? just send me a comment below regarding your request, and your email address.

i know for a fact that the shu uemura eyelash curlers are cheaper there, and even the glow ons.

i can't remember how much cheaper a mac lipstick and eyeshadow is there but most items that are not available here but are on the permanent collection are available there.

the H&M lip glosses are great too.

regarding the Sephora store, i dunno if it's open again, but the last time i was there it was closed.

anyway, if you want to make pabili just send me a comment below with your request and email address

new Watsons haul

2010-05-18T04:43:00.000+08:00

1. Garnier Light Brightening Eye Roll-On - i have been putting off buying this stuff coz i know i have a discount coupon from my BDJ planner, and i didnt realize i missed the coupon period. i was supposed to buy it in hong kong, but it was more expensive pala there. it's 99hkd in hongkong. roughly 500 pesos. talk about expensive! granted, it was a bit different than the one sold here, but still! lol.

2. neutrogena wave - so i wanted to get this for a long time but i read some not so stellar reviews so i removed it from my must-haves. then a couple of weeks back, i was able to try it thru my friend roxy and i kinda liked it. i was supposed to buy right there and then at MOA, but they didnt have the free refill promo so i didnt. it was lucky that my local Watsons still has the promo!

3. Garnier LightComplete Multi-Action Whitening Cream - it was actually Cammille(SHOBE) of LittleBeautyBlog 's review that convinced me to get one. i'm not into whitening, but it is the promised 6-hour shine-free look that i'm after!

4. Marionnaud Pointed Eyeshadow Brush - i've been looking for a good but inexpensive pencil brush, and at 89 pesos at your local Watsons', it can't get any better than that! lol

Went toiletries shopping at watsons. i have been dying to buy this stuff for a long time, but i have pushed it off my must-have everytime.

i am quite happy with my purchase!

FOTD: Tropical Sunset

2010-05-15T23:44:00.001+08:00

so one of my dearest friends Tish, visited the Philippines and he threw a beach-themed party. i thought i'd share my Saturday night party look with you guys.

products used:

Face: GlamBox Foundation in Barcelona and Cannes

Concealer: GlamBox Corrector in yellow and cheek color in Cancun for under-eyes, and Florence for spot-correcting

Cheeks: GlamBox in Malibu

Eyes:

Base: E.L.F. Studio Line E/S base

Coastal Scents 88pc regular palette palette

liquid eyeliner from divisoria

The Body Shop black mascara

eyebrows: The Face Shop eyebrow duo

Lips:

The Body Shop strawberry lipbalm

MAC Shy Shine lipstick

MAC PlushGlass in Angel Cream

Product Focus: Glambox Airbrush System

2010-05-13T21:48:00.003+08:00

So i recently bought the GlamBox Airbrush kit and i love love love it! I ordered the kit last week. I have been obsessed with airbrushing since the last time i talked to you guys, and i could not shut up about it! Wednesday night, I finally gave in to temptation and called the number in the GlamBox website. I talked to Valerie (i think. lol!) and she was very pleasant to talk to. she answered all my questions regarding the unit and she told me to email my order. They sent me their bank details and on Friday, I paid them, and they confirmed my order and my shipping details. they told me that the item will arrive on Tuesday as per what the courier told them, which suited me cuz i was about to attend a debut on Tuesday. However, there were some misunderstanding regarding the shipping dates, and to make up for it, the GlamBox ladies told me they'd send a corrector of my choice which will arrive on Friday. (tomorrow) (Yay! thanks Valerie & Andrea!) My orders came Wednesday afternoon, just in time too coz i was to attend another formal event with the 'rents.

Le Price:

It's actually steep considering i am on a very tight vay-kay budget but Santa decided to give me an early Christmas gift, considering I've been a good girl. LOL. I ordered the Deluxe kit with a price tag of 11,800Php, and along with it I ordered the two newly-launched luminizers, priced at 890Php each. My total bill was a whopping 13,280Php but considering the items i bought, i'd still say it's a steal! also, the GlamBox ladies gave me free shipping (in the province) so i'm happy with it! :D

The Stuff I ordered:

A. the De Luxe

The GlamBox Deluxe Kit includes:
ALL COLORS++
FOUR - 30ml Foundation:
- Florence (light beige w/ yellow undertone)
- Cannes (natural beige w/ reddish undertone)
- Barcelona ( medium beige w/ reddish undertone)
- St. Tropez ( dark beige w/ yellow undertone)
TWO - 20ml Cheek Color:
- Malibu (light pink)
- Cancun (darker rose pink)
ONE - 20 ml Luminizer in Venice Gold (highlighter)
THREE - 30ml Cleaner and Thinner

Compressor
Airbrush Gun (w/ accessories)
Gun holder
Adaptor
Airhose
DVD
PLUS+++ (the new) carrying case!

(lifted off their website)

B. the New Luminizers

New Luminizer Colors:
Seoul Silver - creates a healthy Korean-style dewy glow
Vegas Sparkle - creates a shimmery high street night out look
Both water based, P890 for 20ml each

so all in all, I had 12 bottles of airbrush makeup, the compressor, the gun, adaptor, hose, gun holder, DVD, instructions manual, and the new carry case. not too shabby right? I know it's too soon to tell, since I've only had it for a day and a half, but ! have a good feeling about this. Money well spent!

Le Experience:

the bag

First off, the advertised bag is colored pink so i was a bit surprised that i received a black bag. tho, am not too bothered with this coz even prior to receiving the items, i have already decided on using a different bag to house my GlamBox kit. Also, I kinda like the black bag coz it's not too much of a dirt magnet as I imagine the pink one would be. Plus, it comes with a cute GlamBox keychain which i really really like!

the compressor

i like that I dont have to deal with the PSI (whatever the heck that is, but i heard it's a pain to figure out) in the GlamBox Compressor since it has been pre-configured already with the following settings:

Low = hair, eyebrows, and eyes

Medium = Face and Neck

High = Body

the foundations

L-R St. Tropez, Barcelona, Cannes and Florence

the shade descriptions are already stated above

I basically use the darkest one, St. Tropez for contouring and the Lightest one, Florence, for initial concealing. what i would do is i would use 6-8 drops of Florence first to conceal any blemishes and discolorations and dark under-eye circles. i use the low setting on the compressor for this. then i customize my shade by mixing Barcelona and Cannes. I would ordinarily use about 4 drops each. i mix two colors by blocking the end of the gun (the one that releases color) with my finger, and lightly press on the trigger thing (i dunno what it's called, sorry!). i would then apply using the medium setting on the compressor. after that's applied i proceed to put blush and highlight, then i contour using the St. Tropez shade. i use about 4 drops to contour my whole face.

Cheek Colors

L-R Cancun, Malibu

Shade description above

I prefer Cancun to Malibu, but that's only because i prefer a more defined blush. i use about 4 drops of Cancun, or sometimes i mix a drop of Malibu with 3 drops of Cancun. I also use the medium setting on the compressor

The Luminizer

L-R Vegas Sparkle, Venice Gold, Seoul Silver

Shade description above

At first glance, Vegas Sparkle and Seoul Silver looks very much alike that i wondered if i wasted my money by buying both when i could've just bought one.

Vegas Sparkle, Venice Gold and Seoul Silver lightly blended

However, when i lightly blended Vegas Sparkle and Seoul Silver i immediately saw the difference. Vegas sparkle, is more sparkly with more chunkier glitter in it, altho it does not look like glitters at all. Vegas sparkle is definitely a good choice for a face and body shimmer during a night out. Seoul Silver on the other hand has a more fine shimmer, it is perfect for highlighting the areas in your face that you want to highlight. Venice Gold on the other hand is perfect if you're going for the 'bronzed goddess' look. i love love love these shades

the first time i used it, i was to attend a formal event, and since it arrived a bit late in the day, i did not have the time to play with it more. i just went by instinct. when i saw my face all blemish free and evened out, i was a happy girl! i loved that it looks oh so natural that after the initial concealing, foundation, and blush, i went to change my clothes and hop in the car. we were really running late that day that i had to apply the rest of my makeup inside the car. during this time, i was still marveling on the fact that it looked oh so natural! it also felt so natural, it almost looked and feels like i had a blemish free skin without make up when in reality, i had a far from clear complexion and a ton of makeup! However, when i arrived there, i felt a bit under made-up coz twas a really formal event with all the ladies dressed to the nines and glammed up! me on the other hand, it looked as if i attended the event with barely a hint of bronzey eyeshadow and nude lips!

Le Verdict

twas not that bad tho, since it was the first time i used airbrush makeup! next time i attend a formal event tho, i will ensure that i add a bit more layers of foundation and more cheek color so would not look like someone who went au naturale for a formal event! lol! Also the foundation only "melted" after all the alcohol i consumed kicked in and i was sweating from all the alcohol-induced dancing i did.

the Kit itself, is well worth its hefty price tag, IMHO, i really thought i would not be able to use all the colors included, but lo and behold, i used everything, in one event too, and i did not do any makeup for anyone else.

i just wish the makeup line would have a wider shade choices and a wider spectrum of specialized products like the eye guard, special primers and setting powders, and those other products other airbrushing companies carry since GlamBox is at present, the only company that sells airbrush kits here.

if you are curious about the airbrush system for personal use, i highly suggest that you get this product! i promise you, it is well worth the investment!

you can also definitely use the kit professionally, but honestly, the system is very basic and i would imagine that it lacks the necessary blows and whistles that a professional system has.

but as i mentioned, it serves the purpose of a personal airbrushing system, and does the job quite fantastically too!

Airbrush Anyone?

2010-05-03T05:17:00.000+08:00

i know i poo-pooed the idea of airbrushing in my makeup philosophy post but i am curious enough and interested enough to try it.

Recently, (read: last saturday) i have been re-fascinated with airbrush makeup. i saw a video about it from one of my fave YT gurus, and i have been curious ever since.

curious enough check out the local airbrush base and conduct a little google search on airbrushing in manila. so far so good.

i stumbled across glambox cosmetics' airbrush kits and i am seriously considering getting a set.

but i need to know how if it fares well despite this infernal Manila heat.

also, i know that the prices are low enough next to the competition (which needs to be shipped from overseas anyway) but it still is a steep price tag considering my student budget, so i'm still having second thoughts. i need to know that i get the biggest bang for my buck, if you know what i mean. :D

so, tell me, what are your thoughts on air brushing? have you guys tried the glambox sets?

waiting for your response guys.

till then, stay sizzling! :D

My Hong Kong Haul

2010-04-25T20:42:00.000+08:00

hi lovelies! i'm back! :D been outta the loop for sooo long as ive been battling some personal demons, but i'm back now. will try to update as often as possible.

was also outta the loop cuz ive spent the past month or so travelling round the country and asia.

am on a really tight student budget, not to mention that it's vay-kay, hence my allowance has been on vay-kay too! lol. also, i refused to be sucked in with all the campaigning hullaballoo my family has been obssessed with so am having none of it. suffice to say, am not very popular with my kin at the moment. no worries tho, am always public enemy no.1 during elections. this year tho i'm keeping it smart by staying outta everybody's way and jetting out every chance i get.

my HK makeup haul is not much due to said budget constraints, and ive been busy flirting with one very hot, half-british-half pinoy. My efforts have been in vain tho, he has too much of that so-called "European arrogance" to take me seriously. ts all good tho. he's been good for my ego while it lasted. :D downside tho was that i spent more time flirting than shopping.

the stuff i bought:

1. shu uemura eyelash curler

2. shu uemura mini eyelash curler

3. shu uemura glow-on in M RED 15

4. Nars Bronzer in Laguna (lost mine after all the travelling i did so i had to replace it)

5. MAC E/S in All that Glitters

6. MAC E/S in Tempting

7. MAC L/S in Creme D' Nude

8. H&M hello kitty body splash set

9. H&M L/G in Waterlily (clear)

10. H&M L/G in Bella Bellina (shimmery peach)

11. H&M L/G in Irresistible Irene (nude)

12. H&M E/S set in Gold Digger (nudes)

i'm loving it!

i just wanted to post these items cuz i cant contain my excitement over them. i can't believe that the shu curlers cost half the price in hk than in manila so i bought several for my friends who asked me to. wont be posting reviews tho, cuz most items are not available here (especially the h&m ones).

i am sad to report tho that i was not able to visit the sephora branch in mongkok as it was closed. ive no idea why tho. i felt soo disappointed by that fact as i was looking forward to it for months on end that i lost the urge to visit sasa, bonjour and facess as well. sorry.

also, i have heard that my good friend A, has shown my blog to her boss (which i happened to be such a huge fan of) and i cannot contain my *kilig* that her boss loved my humble blog! grabe, i am super kilig talaga! i'll have to talk to A first to confirm tho, and ask her permission to divulge who her boss is.

will talk to you again soon! will be leaving again in a few days.

yea, am loving the jet-set life! :D

Massive 4u2 Haul!

2010-01-24T16:43:00.000+08:00

i know, i went really crazy in the 4u2 stand at SM manila. but can you blame me? they are just soo pretty!

the haul as follows:

1. 4u2 I-pro Eye Makeup Modern Palette

2. 4u2 I-pro Eye Makeup Classic Palette

3. 4u2 I-pro Eye Makeup Impressionist Palette

4. 4u2 I-pro Eye Makeup Contemporary Palette

5. 4u2 DreamGirl Color EyeShadow in No. 03

6. 4u2 DreamGirl Color EyeShadow in No. 13

7. 4u2 DreamGirl Color EyeShadow in No. 09

8. 4u2 DreamGirl Color EyeShadow in No. 06

9. 4u2 Chic Couple 2-Color Silky Blush in No. 01

10. 4u2 Chic Couple 2-Color Silky Blush in No. 10

11. 4u2 Wave Three Color Blush On

i originally bought the neutrals palette, which they call the Modern palette, along with the single eyeshadows, and i was able to get the i-pro palette for free. when i went home, i cannot get over how pigmented and nice the shadows are that i just have to have the rest of the palette. when i went back, two days later, i was supposed to get the Contemporary and Impressionist palettes, but the SA showed me the Classic palette which is the matte palette and i just had to have the matte ones! so i bought the Classic and Impressionist palettes, along with 3 blushes. again i was able to take home 2 of the ipro freebie palettes. then finally, i went back to get the Contemporary Palette so i could have all 4 palettes.

the freebies

technically, they arent free cuz you have to pay 1 peso for each once you've reached a minimum single receipt purchase.

to get the i-pro palette (which looks like the Nars' Bridal Palette, but more on that on future posts) you have to get a minimum of 1,500PhP single receipt purchase. i was able to get 3. imma give away one or two, so stay tuned for the details! :D

also, for a minimum of 300 peso purchase each, i was able to get:

1. 2 pcs freebie foundation

2. Glitz Mirror

L-R no. 03, no. 13, no. 09, no. 06

no. 3 is a beautiful silver white, my favorite of the bunch, no. 13 is a deep copper brown, no. 09 is a pretty old rose color, which would be spectacular as a highlighter/blush as well, and no. 06 is a beautiful yellow-gold color.

i already posted swatches cuz i've no intention of posting separate reviews/swatches for each.

i love:

-highly pigmented

-lotsa colors available

- does not crease

- long lasting

i hate:

- cheap packaging

- breaks easily (as you can see, i just salvaged my no. 03 shadow)

L-R Chic blush in no. 10, Wave blush in no. 05 and chic blush in no. 01

i realized i don't have enough blushes, so i bought some fantastic yet affordable ones.

top L-R Impressionist palette, Classic palette

bottom L-R Modern palette, Contemporary palette

there you have it, my massive 4u2 haul. will post swatches and initial review of the palettes soon! :P

update in the midst of stress..

2010-01-22T01:09:00.000+08:00

hi lovelies,

i miss everyone already! i havent been posting for so long, i know. i just wanna let you guys know i havent fallen off the face of the earth.

my net connection at home went kaput for no apparent reason and ive been following it up and with PLDT for weeks now and still they havent acted on it! soo annoying! that's the main reason why i havent been blogging. i do have wifi here in manila but it's shared with 40 or so other girls that connection's reallyyyyyyyyyyy slow lately that uploading pics is just a nightmare! i don't have the time nor the patience for it!

oh and i have fallen in love with a drugstore brand that i'm dying to show you guys my haul! maybe this weekend.

the holidays have just been crazy and ive been behind every other chore that i have. i'm still neck-deep into all the post holiday chores. sometimes i pray soo hard for time to literally stop in order for me to get everything done. i will not procrastinate ever again.

first, i got into all sorts of trouble with the school paper, including the layout and the printing, i might have to give up the editor-in-chief thing. it's too much work.

with my writing and my gigs and lawschool, i just don't think i can give the paper its due work.

also, midterms just blew over and i think i literally failed everything! i'm losing my focus already.

i'm just into too much stress right now that my blood pressure literally shoots up every so often, i even have to take medicines. i dunno the medical term, but i usually have a low blood pressure. but now, my BP just rises up to alarming levels every so often and i'm actually very scared.

oh and i just found out that the only hottie in my lawschool that's worth making gooey eyes with has been taken off the market. he is no longer single and available.

le sigh.

oh well.. his loss. :P

i do hope you guys are well! i read your posts regularly, i just dont have the time to comment.. will do after all these blows over.

stay sizzling!

xxoo

makeupjunkie

2010-01-14T03:31:00.000+08:00

i'm pretty sure most of you beauty junkies out there have read this "holy grail" article by now from philstar.com, as it is available online. if you haven't read it yet, well then read on! i'm actually just posting it so that i have a copy anytime i want to access it, especially when im in the mall and i need to quickly scan it before buying a product. :)

i found this in my old blog, but the links dead now. good thing i have it stashed in my old blog. it's a looong read but i hope you'd find it as helpful as i did. :P

Best beauty buys
CULTURE VULTURE By Therese Jamora-Garceau Updated January 30, 2008 12:00 AM

To make sure you live up to your resolution of looking great this year, we surveyed models, makeup artists and our own Lifestyle beauty experts to bring you the best beauty products on the market today. And, mindful of the fact that not everyone has the budget to splurge on name brands, we’ve included affordable options that — just because they’re reasonably priced and available at your local supermarket/drugstore — don’t mean they’re not the best in their fields. It just means they’re incredible value for money.

Now that we’ve taken care of your outer beauty, the inner beauty is up to you.

Makeup

FOUNDATION PRIMER

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer with SPF 15. Everyone agrees this creates the perfect, makeup-ready canvas. It fills in lines, helps foundation last and has SPF to prevent aging. What more could you ask for?

Available at Beauty Bar.

Affordable option:

L’Oreal UV Perfect (XL Block). “It’s light and makes your skin tone a tad bit lighter naturally,” says “Chuvaness” columnist Cecile Zamora-Van Straten.

Liquid Foundation

Clarins True Radiance Foundation and Make Up For Ever (MUFE). Clarins True Radiance “goes on smoothly, leaves a luminous sheen and has mineral pigments that act as UV shields” says Shopsifter Ana Kalaw.

Available at Rustan’s.

“MUFE Face and Body Liquid Makeup looks and feels so natural no one will guess you have anything on!” raves Lucy Torres-Gomez.

Available at Make Up For Ever Shangri-La, Bonifacio High Street, and SM’s The Block.

Affordable option:

L’Oreal True Match. So-called because it really matches skin tone.

CREAM FOUNDATION

Make Up For Ever and Shu Uemura. MUFE Panstick goes on sheer yet covers every imperfection, so no need for a separate concealer.

Available at Make Up For Ever Shangri-La, Bonifacio High Street, and SM’s The Block.

Shu has many excellent cream foundations “go on evenly and have great coverage,” says beauty columnist Jackie Cohen-Antonio.

Available at Rustan’s.

Affordable option:

Cinema Secrets. “The product name is already a dead giveaway,” says makeup artist Cristine Duque. “Makeup artists find this product indispensable.”

TINTED MOISTURIZER

NV Perricone and Laura Mercier. Perricone Active Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 is simply “the best,” says Lifestyle editor Millet Mananquil.

Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer is “an all-in-one product that hides your flaws when you’re too lazy to put on foundation,” says “Penny Lane” columnist Rebecca Rodriguez.

Both available at Rustan’s Essenses.

Affordable option:

Nivea Visage Tinted Moisturizing Care. “I’ve been using this since 2000,” says Cecile. “I discovered it in Holland and am so happy they have it here now.”

Concealer, Powder

UNDEREYE CONCEALER

Shu Uemura and Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat.

“Shu’s Cover Crayon is a double-tipped pencil in two shades that are a couple tones apart,” notes Bea.

“YSL Touche Eclat brightens up the face when this magic wand is applied to key areas,” says “At Liberty” columnist Jackie Cohen-Antonio.

Both available at Rustan’s.

Affordable option:

Michiko Breathable Concealer. “Super-cheap but super-wonderful,” says Lucy Torres-Gomez.

Available at the second floor of Liberty Center, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.

BLEMISH CONCEALER

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage or Camouflage Cream. “No matter how red and angry the blemish is, this concealer will camouflage it,” says Lucy. “Plus you do not have to retouch constantly because it really stays put. Best when applied using the Laura Mercier Concealer Brush.”

Available at Rustan’s Essenses.

Affordable option:

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil concealer. “Just one dab and it heals zits with anti-bacterial tea tree oil,” Becca says.

PRESSED POWDER

MAC. Whether Studio Fix, Select/Sheer or Blot, MAC powders are ultra-fine but still provide matte coverage with a healthy glow. “Because the shades in NC are yellow under-toned, it looks totally natural and goes on light and sheer,” says model Raya Mananquil.

Available at Rustan’s.

LOOSE POWDER

Chanel and Christian Dior. Makeup artists use these for shoots, and their clients love it. Both boast superb quality and give transparent coverage, not the “polvo” look.

Available at Rustan’s.

Affordable option:

Maybelline Expert Finishing Loose Powder. “Sets makeup for hours and gives a translucent finish,” says Becca.

Blush, Bronzer, Glowifier

POWDER BLUSH

Nars in Orgasm. The unanimous favorite. It’s “crazy beautiful,” “so natural,” gives a “cute flush,” and “you don’t have to do the act to get the AS (After Sex) glow”! Raya sums it up thus: “Love this pinky-peach shade with subtle gold flecks!”

Available at Rustan’s Essenses.

Affordable option:

The Face Shop. Has just the right amount of sheen to look like you glow from within.

CREAM/GEL/STAIN BLUSH

Smashbox O Glow. A clear gel that, blended well on the cheeks, works with your own body chemistry to give you the shade you blush naturally.

Available at Beauty Bar.

Affordable option:

Mistine Liquid Blush. Makeup artists like this because it doesn’t rub off.

Available at Watsons.

BRONZER

Lancome Star Bronzer and Guerlain Terracotta.

“Lancome Star Bronzer is an all-in-one bronzer and blush for body and face and it’s a limited edition,” says Becca. “I hope they bring it back because it was presented so prettily,” adds Ana.

“Guerlain’s Terracotta Tan Booster is an active bronzing powder that prepares, activates and prolongs your tan,” says Bea. “Ideal for use when you’re tanning, I use this powder every day to relieve my pallid complexion.”

Affordable option:

Artdeco Bronzing Powder, available at Rustan’s Essenses.

GLOWIFIER/ILLUMINATOR

Red Earth Secret Potion. “Radiant skin in a flash,” promises Cecile. “Almost makes me feel like a movie star.”

SHIMMER PRODUCT

Awake Aqua Trans Powder Stardom. “It feels cold when applied. Like ‘a magic,’” laughs Cecile. “It’s water-based, feels cool on the skin and leaves a shimmering glow,” adds Becca.

Available at Rustan’s Essenses.

Affordable option:

The Body Shop Shimmer Waves compact

Eye Makeup

POWDER EYE SHADOW

MAC. “Makeup artists I’ve asked swear by the pigmenting powers of MAC’s shadows,” declares Ana.

Available at Rustan’s.

Affordable option:

Elianto. Bright, highly pigmented colors that are longwearing, plus the shadows come in pans that can be stuck inside magnetic palettes.

Available at Elianto stores in SM Malls.

CREAM EYE SHADOW

Awake Eye Tint Stardom liquid eye color. Says Lucy, “My favorite shade is Cognac. I love that it is so easy to apply. I just use my ring finger to dab a small amount on my eyelids and instantly my eyes looks like they were made up by a professional!”

Affordable option:

Revlon. “I love the colors,” says Lifestyle assistant editor Ching Alano.

PENCIL EYELINER

Lancome Le Crayon Khol. Water-resistant, lines like a dream and soft enough to smudge for a smoky look. Brun Noir is the most versatile shade: softer than black but more intense than brown.

Available at Rustan’s.

Affordable option:

Ever Bilena Eye Pencil. “The most long-lasting one,” says Millet. “Fashion models recommend this.”

LIQUID/GEL EYELINER

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner. “It doesn’t smear. It’s easy to apply with a thin brush and you never have to wet it,” says Cecile.

Available at Rustan's Makati.

Affordable option:

VOV Liquid Liner. A Korean brand that has already won a following because all its products are value for money.

Available at Landmark.

NEW FIND

Artdeco Glam Couture liner. “Over black, your lids will look like they have diamonds on it,” reveals Lucy.

Available at Rustan’s Essenses.

MASCARA

Lancome. Hypnose, Definicils and Virtuose are tops for thick, long, curled lashes.

Available at Rustan’s.

Affordable option:

Maybelline. Maybelline’s Great Lash, Sky High Curves, XXL and Lash Discovery are all longstanding model and makeup-artist favorites.

NEW FINDS

Awake mascaras. Says Lucy, “I love that the wand is purely metal — it looks like a screw. You don’t get any ugly clumps, just neat, long lashes.”

Scott Barnes Eye Ices. “Rock-star loose powder shadows in iridescent shades,” says Ana.

Becca Cosmetics Line & Illuminate Pencil. “Quick and easy way to get the eyes gorgeous,” shares Becca. “Color lids and use the eyeliner at one end and then you’re ready to go.”

Hylexin anti-dark circle treatment. “Works like a charm,” says Jackie. “For me, it’s the best to combat dark bags.”

All available at Rustan’s Essenses.

BROW FILLER

ModelCo Eyebrow Kit and Shu Uemura.

“ModelCo’s cute little kit contains everything you need to shape, color and define brows, even a tiny tweezer and brow stencils,” notes Ana.

Available at Beauty Bar.

Shu’s Retractable Eyebrow Liner and Brow Pencil boast the perfect browns to give natural-looking brows.

MAKEUP REMOVER

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil. “This is a total winner for me,” says Raya. “It’s the only one that can remove waterproof mascara and layers of foundation after a fashion show or shoot.”

Available at Rustan’s.

Affordable option:

Pond’s Cold Cream. A vintage classic that still works.

Lips

LIPSTICK

Chanel, Shu Uemura and MAC. Chanel Rouge Allure feels trés luxurious, looks glossy and rich, and features beautiful colors (nothing beats Chanel’s classic red).

Speaking of red, “I love Shu Uemura’s red lipstick; makes me look great even when I’m stressed!” enthuses Lifestyle assistant editor Ching Alano.

MAC has a vast range of colors that are long-staying and leave a pretty tint when they come off.

Available at Rustan’s.

Affordable option:

Avon. Colors and moisturizes at the same time.

LIP TINT

Bobbi Brown Lip Tint with SPF 15. “Nice, minty flavor and shine,” says Becca.

Available at Rustan’s Makati.

LIP GLOSS

MAC Lipglass. The original megawatt-shine gloss for patent lips, in a staggering range of shades.

Available at MAC in Rustan’s.

Affordable option:

Elianto. Cute colors and fills in lip lines for ultra-smooth shine.

LIP BALM

Kiehl’s Lip Balm. The balm that became the bomb, Lip Balm #1, is now available in tinted variants with SPF 15. “You can’t refute the hype about this product,” states Ana. “It’s one great lip moisturizer; works on the most parched lips.”

Available at Kiehl’s Greenbelt 5.

Affordable option:

Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. All-organic, and “ironically enough, these don’t feel ‘waxy’ on my lips,” says Raya. “The moisturizers are absorbed (as opposed to other cheap brands that just feel like wax on your lips) and keeps my lips soft.”

Available at Beauty Bar.

LIP PENCIL

MAC. Spice and Chickory are the most universally flattering shades.

Available at Rustan’s.

Affordable option:

Wet ‘N’ Wild. Despite its unfortunate number, the nude #666 is already a hall of famer among bargain beautistas.

NEW FINDS

• True Gold Lip Gloss. Becca finds this “super-cheap, moisturizes lips and gives lasting color and shimmer.”

Available at Rustan’s Essenses.

• Philosophy Kiss Me Exfoliating Lip Scrub. “Smoothens dried, cracked lips and is a great primer for lip color,” shares Ana.

Available at Beauty Bar.

Makeup Tools

MAKEUP BRUSH LINE

Shu Uemura and MAC. “The best,” the soft, all-natural bristles “feel lovely against the skin,” “beautifully designed,” “last forever” are just some of the raves about these professional-quality brushes.

Both brands available at Rustan’s.

Affordable option:

Elianto. You can buy a whole set in its own nifty brush roll for P999.

Available at Elianto in SM Malls.

EYELASH CURLER

Shu Uemura. “I think everyone loves this one,” observes Cecile, and she’s absolutely right.

TWEEZERS

Tweezerman. Very precise, good grip, angled just right, stays sharp longer, plus cute colors to boot. Tweezerman’s design for Laura Mercier is a particular favorite: “I’ve used it for years and it gets every single hair, even the fine baby ones,” Raya admits.

Available at Beauty Bar and Laura Mercier in Essenses.

NEW FIND

• Bobbi Brown tweezers by Rubis. Rubis is a Swiss brand that manufactures high-precision instruments and top-of-the-line tweezers. Some makeup artists find that Rubis grips better than Tweezerman.

Available exclusively at Bobbi Brown in Rustan’s Makati.

BLOTTING PAPERS

Clean & Clear by Johnson & Johnson. The makeup artists’ choice for retouching during shoots. This blue film absorbs oil like crazy, won’t lift makeup off the face, and you don’t need much to get the job done.

Skincare For Face

CLEANSER

L’Occitane, Shu Uemura and Chanel. L’Occitane’s range of cleansing oils, gels, milks and waters use the finest natural ingredients and are gentle to the skin.

Shu Uemura’s Cleansing Oils have already achieved near-legendary status.

Chanel’s Purifying Deep-Cleansing Foam with micro beads sweeps away every trace of makeup yet never leaves skin feeling dry.

Affordable options:

Pond’s and Cetaphil. Pond’s Deep Cleanser Cold Cream takes off the most stubborn makeup while leaving skin clean and soft.

Cetaphil is soap-free so it’s gentle to sensitive skin and doesn’t cause pimples. “I’ve used this product since high school and still nothing can beat it,” says Ana.

TONER

Mario Badescu. With variants to suit every skin type, these toners cleanse and tone without drying. Try the addictive Seaweed Cleansing Lotion or Glycolic Acid Toner, which keeps breakouts at bay while renewing skin.

Available at Rustan’s Essenses.

EXFOLIATOR

L’Occitane Almond-Apple Sweet Peel. “It has the fresh scent of apples,” says Cecile. “You can feel the small crystals gently exfoliating. An instant pick-me-up for me.”

MOISTURIZER

Guerlain Orchidee Imperiale, Lancome Hydra Zen and Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. Guerlain’s is all-in-one for all skin types. Lancome provides instant moisturization to dry skin and calms irritated, sensitive skin. Clinique is hypoallergenic and does the trick for incredibly dry skin.

All available at Rustan’s.

NEW FIND

• Clinique Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer. Has a unique complex of eight delayed-effect antioxidants that help repair skin even hours after exposure to sun and environmental damage.

ANTI-AGING TREATMENT

Murad, La Prairie and NV Perricone. Murad’s Age Reform regimen is clinically proven to improve smoothness by 33 percent in two weeks, and diminish fine lines and wrinkles by 55 percent in 12 weeks.

La Prairie’s Caviar and Anti-aging Creams are luxuries that really work.

Perricone’s skincare with retinol,DMAE and NTP Complex leave skin dewy, firmer and more even-toned.

La Prairie is available at Rustan’s. Murad and Perricone are available at Rustan’s Essenses.

Affordable options:

Olay Total Effects, Pond’s Flawless White and Avon Anew. Rapid anti-aging benefits, moisture and protection are all available in these high-tech creams.

NEW FIND

• Clarins Lift-Affine Visage. “I love this; it makes my face look thinner and smaller,” reveals Cecile.

Available at Rustan’s.

FACIAL MASK

The Face Shop Mask Sheets. “Those individually packed sachet masks feel sooo good on the skin, especially after a long, stressful day,” says Ana.

EYE CREAM

Lancome. Blanc Expert gets rid of dark circles and discolorations under the eyes. Primordiale Skin Recharge absorbs quickly and goes on lightly. Progres provides intense moisture and leaves skin dewy.

Affordable option:

Nivea Anti-Wrinkle Q10 Eye Zone Crème. Non-irritating, plumps incoming fine lines and also makes a great base for concealer.

Skincare For Body

BODY WASH

L’Occitane. As lush and renewing as an early morning in Provence. Verbena is especially eye-opening in the morning.

Affordable option:

Dove. Loaded with moisturizers, this softens skin as it cleanses.

BODY SCRUB

Kiehl’s Soy Milk and Honey Body Polish. Smells delicious and removes dead skin without drying.

Affordable option:

Bench Organics Papaya Scrub. Whitens as it softens skin and, layered with the Papaya Lotion, leaves a lingering, heavenly scent.

BODY LOTION

L’Occitane and Kiehl’s. L’Occitane’s lotions melt into skin like a dream with no greasy afterfeel, and its subtle scents transport you to Provence.

Kiehl’s Crème de Corps, now in a light formula with SPF, is another favorite. “Feels awesome on the skin,” says Bea.

Affordable option:

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter. “A thick, non-greasy lotion that smells like chocolate,” says Becca.

DEODORANT

Mistine White Spa Deodorant “because it whitens as it smoothens, eliminating chicken skin!” enthuses Lucy.

Available at Watsons.

HAND CREAM

NV Perricone and Kiehl’s. Perricone’s Phosphatidyl-E Hand and Body Lipid Replenishment “works instantly!” according to Millet.

Kiehl’s Extra Strength Hand Salve “feels like an invisible glove and is not greasy at all,” Becca testifies.

Affordable option:

Cetaphil Hand Lotion. Works after only one application.

FOOT CREAM

Kiehl’s Intensive Treatment for Dry or Callused Areas. With avocado oil and shea butter, “this is perfect for the heels of my feet which are totally abused,” says Jackie.

Affordable option:

Aveeno. Aveeno has a wide range of moisturizing lotions that work like a charm, relieving both stress and skin.

SHAVING CREAM

Gillette. The cream we all steal from our dads, hubbies and boyfriends. Nicely scented, foamy, and moisturizes skin besides.

NEW FINDS

• Intuition shaver. “Comes with soap already. You will never get nicks on your legs, even if you’re not looking,” says Cecile.

Available at Rustan’s Supermarket.

• Stri-Vectin. “Really works on stretch mark disappearance,” says Jackie.
Available at Rustan’s.

• Veet Wax Strips. “It even works on short hair (I swear!),” says Ana.

Available at department stores.

Fragrance

EVERYDAY FRAGRANCE

Acca Kappa, Gendarme, Clean, and L’Occitane. All are unisex favorites that give you that “fresh from the shower feeling,” says Millet, and smell head-turningly good on both women and men.

All available at Rustan’s Essenses.

Affordable option:

Remember by Lucy Torres Gomez for Bench. A refreshing body spray with sexy undertones of musk and amber.

NEW FIND

Marc Jacobs. Lucy’s favorite is Cotton. Bea says that Jacobs’ blends are “so bright and floral that everyone loves them.”

At leading department stores nationwide.

NIGHTTIME/SPECIAL-OCCASION FRAGRANCE

Thierry Mugler’s Angel collection. Whether it’s the youthfulness of Angel Innocent, the femininity of Garden ofStars or the edible sexiness of the original, both ladies and gents notice the Angelic among us.

Available at Rustan’s.

NICHE/BOUTIQUE SCENT

L’Artisan Parfumeur and Annick Goutal. Cecile uses only L’Artisan’s Bois Farine, “upon the kind recommendation of Sofia Coppola — uy, close!Just kidding. I generally don’t like scents, but I like this one.”

“L’Artisan’s La Chasse Aux Papillons smells like you are in France” observes Jackie.

Annick Goutal’s Eau d’Hadrien is a fresh, unisex blend that is the brand’s icon. Also iconic are Goutal’s rose scents and Eau du Ciel.

Available at Rustan’s.

INEXPENSIVE SCENT

Bench. Baby Bench Cologne can be worn “anywhere, every day.” Ditto for Bench Bubblegum, which is pure, scrumptious fun.

FAVORITE FRAGRANCES ON MEN

Gendarme and Clean Men for Millet.

ISM’s Deauville. “Light and doesn’t make me nauseous unlike other men’s perfumes,” says Bea.

Bulgari Au Thé Vert and Nenuco, according to Lucy.

CK In2U, “a sparkling-fresh scent,” says Becca.

Marc Jacobs. “It’s light in this weather,” says Jackie.

Boss in Motion by Hugo Boss – “maybe because the ad (a bare-chested guy running) was so sexy,” admits Ana, and Higher Dior by Christian Dior – “crisp, elegant and sophisticated. A man should wear this if he wants to smell rich.”

Any Creed scent, especially Green Irish Tweed, smells money to Therese, who also finds retro classics Drakkar Noir and Aramis dead sexy.

Suncare/Self-Tanners

SUNSCREEN

VMV Hypoallergenics Armada Sport SPF 70. Not oily or greasy, plus we love the high SPF.

SELF-TANNER FOR FACE

Lancome Flash Bronzer Instant Bronze Glow for Face. “I don’t look like George Hamilton when I use this. ‘Nuff said,” says Ana.

Affordable option:

Jergens Natural Glow Face. “It really does give a glow, minus the orangey look. It’s got SPF 20 too ... bonus!” says Raya.

SELF-TANNER FOR BODY

Lancome Flash Bronzer. Quick, effective, and won’t stain your clothes.

LIP SUNSCREEN

Nivea Sun Lip Balm SPF 30. Has vitamin E to nourish lips.

NEW FINDS

• Nars Monoi de Tahiti Body Glow “is the beach girl’s dream tan,” says Bea. “This lovely, coconut-ty formula gives a glossy, brownish glow that is impossible to resist. You can put it all over your legs, arms and décolleté and it smells so good!”

• Scott Barnes Body Bling. “If there’s one thing I like about J. Lo, it’s her overall glow, thanks to this phenomenal shimmer lotion,” notes Ana.

• Maui Tan Browning Formula. “Tans skin evenly after baking under the sun,” says Becca.

Hair

SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

Propoline and Kerastase Soleil. Propoline’s shampoos use aromatherapy and natural ingredients to address a multitude of hair needs, from split ends to healthy shine.

Available at Rustan’s Essenses.

Kerastase’s Soleil range is great for sun-damaged hair.

Kerastase is available at fine salons.

SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER FOR CURLY HAIR

Kerastase Oleo Curl. The moisturizing and curl-defining haircare system of choice for our own ringleted writer, Becca.

SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER FOR COLORED/CHEMICALLY TREATED HAIR

Kerastase Chroma Reflect. Conditions and makes hair shine.

SHAMPOO FOR DANDRUFF

Clear has proven very effective at removing flakes.

SHAMPOO FOR HAIR LOSS

Phytoaxil. Helps avert the horror of watching your strands wash down the drain.

Phyto is available at Essenses and the Univers Phyto Salon in Rustan’s.

DEEP-CONDITIONING TREATMENT

Kerastase Anti-Drying Nutri-Protective Treatment for Dry and Sensitized Hair. As if you just stepped out of a salon.

Affordable option:

VO5 Hair Pack. Minty sensation with long-lasting softness.

AT-HOME HAIR COLOR

L’Oreal – easy to use and not messy

NEW FINDS

• Jason Natural. “This body and hair-care line is mostly organic,” says Ching. “I love that the company signed up with the Safe Cosmetics Campaign.”

Available at Healthy Options and Rustan’s Supermarket.

• Kerastase Specifique vials help thinning hair and hair loss.

• Kerastase Soleil Voile Protecteur is a leave-on spray that protects and beautifies colored hair.

• TiGi Bed Head Ego Boost Leave-In Conditioner mends split ends, protects hair and smoothens flyaways.

TiGi is available at fine salons.

Hairstyling Products

GEL

Citre Shine Water-based Gel. “Doesn’t clump hair and no residue,” says Becca.

CREAM

Kiehl’s Crème with Silk Groom. Lightweight, herbal scent and keeps hair in place.

WAX/POMADE

L’Oreal Professional Wax. Gives body to lifeless hair and keeps it in place.

SHINE ENHANCER

TiGi Catwalk Fashionista Smooth and Shine. Smells good and lives up to its name.

Affordable option:

Monea Shine Serum. Cheap and keeps hair shiny without oiliness.

Available at Landmark.

ANTI-FRIZZ/STRAIGHTENING

Phytodefrisant and TiGi Bed Head Control Freak.

“Phytodefrisant works wonderfully,” says Jackie. “Only a pea-size drop is needed.”

“This light, greaseless leave-on works to give silky, straight hair or smooth curls,” Ana says about Control Freak.

Affordable option:

L’Oreal Professionnel Lumi-oil Smoothing Oil Essence. “Controls bangs and baby hair without that awful stiff effect you get from sprays and gel,” claims Bea. “You get control without the greasiness.”

VOLUMIZER

Kiehl’s and TiGi.

Kiehl’s Stylist Series Super Thick Volumizer has a nozzle that lifts hair at the roots.

TiGi Bed Head Superstar Queen for a Day Thickening Spray and Catwalk Root Boost give hair remarkable fullness with just a few sprays.

HAIRSPRAY

L’Oreal. L’Oreal Professional, Elnett and Tecni Art all provide superior hold yet leave hair natural-looking, not stiff.

NEW FIND

Matthew James Res-Q Treatment. “I found this at Beauty Bar,” says Cecile. “It’s a tall bottle that lasts long. I use this to detangle hair. Smells good.”

HAIRBRUSH LINE

Acca Kappa – wide-toothed brushes that are super-gentle.

Affordable option:

Denman - sturdy and bristles are comfortable against the scalp.
HAIR ACCESSORIES

Goody and Evita Peroni.

“Goody hair clips hold my hair just right,” says Ching.

“I am an Evita Peroni addict!” exclaims Lucy.

Nails

NAIL POLISH

Chanel Le Vernis. The most high-fashion colors that dictate the trends, plus they don’t chip.

Available at Rustan’s.

Affordable option:

The Face Shop. “They have the cutest shades,” says Lucy.

NEUTRAL SHADE THAT SUITS EVERYBODY

Essie. Essie is the mistress of nude pinks, though Ballet Slippers and Mademoiselle are the top sellers.

Available at Rustan’s Essenses.

RED SHADE THAT SUITS EVERYBODY

Chanel. Everybody agrees that Chanel has the best reds, like the deep-red Vamp.

TRENDIEST SHADE

Chanel Black Satin. “If Lindsay Lohan and the Olsen twins were spotted wearing it for eons, then it’s official,” says Bea. “I asked my friend to get it for me in the States and the waiting list was like an Hermes bag line — too crazy! But it was worth it. Black Satin is intense and not too shiny — more elegant boheme than goth girl.”

BASE & TOP COATS

Essie takes really good care of nails.

Affordable option:

Sally Hansen. Makes color last longer and doesn’t chip as quickly compared to others.

CUTICLE TREATMENT

Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream. Great for dry nails from too much polish.

NAIL POLISH REMOVER

Sally Hansen. “Strengthens nails, moisturizes cuticles and doesn’t leave that white residue that you get from using acetone,” says Ana.

Teeth

WHITENING TREATMENT

Crest Whitestrips. Visible results after just a few uses, and work wonders if you are diligent and finish the pack.

WHITENING TOOTHPASTE

Colgate Advanced Whitening - great taste and effective

MOUTHWASH

OraCare. Bye-bye, morning breath.

Quickie: fake your Orgasm

2009-12-20T22:01:00.000+08:00

blush and gloss i mean. i don't own an NARS orgasm lipgloss and i can't find my NARS multiple in orgasmm so i can't really compare but i still have the Orgasm blush from nars so i can swatch the blush against all these local products.

L-R Fashion21 Color Shine Liquid Lipstick in #2, Fanny Serrano Silky Coral blush, Nichido Multiple Stick in South Beach and NARS Orgasm blush.

each one has this amazing peachy-pink color with gold flecks that NARS' orgasm is soo famous for.

the actual review for the fashion21 liquid lipstick may be found here and the product face-off between nars' orgasm and fanny serrano's silky coral blush may be found here. i haven't done a review for the nichido one yet, but i will soon. :D

i stumbled across all these local products without actually looking for an orgasm dupe, except for the silky coral one. i have no idea our local market has all these amazing colors.

kinda makes me respect the local brands, as nars' orgasm has been a cult favorite, i am still surprised that the shade has been duped by our local brands. this just shows the amount of research our local brands put into the product they sell.

more swatches for the fashion21 liquid lipstick

2009-12-12T05:40:00.000+08:00

as promised, here are the additional swatches of all the fashion21 liquid lipsticks i have. the actual review may be found here.

note that i have nothing under each swatch but a swipe of Carmex lipbalm.

i love love love it!

i dunno how to make the pics as sharp once it's been zoomed and cropped so please bear with me. color shows up fantabulously anyways. :D i am an absolute rookie when it comes to editing, lay out and all that techie stuff. :P

as you can see, this one is a nice, peachy pink shade with gold flecks, very similar to my Orgasm blush from Nars, or my Silky Coral one from Fanny Serrano. might post a comparison post later.

a very nice candy-apple red. it doesn't look orangey-red in person as it did here. i dunno, i guess it's my lighting that distorted the color of this one.

as i told you, this shade is a very nice translucent pinkish/purplish color. i love love love this. unlike in my previous post where i wore this with my Shy Shine lipstick from MAC, this time around, i wore this without anything underneath but a clear balm.

number 5 is a very very nice, flirty pink shade. very girly, yet very wearable. perfect for those date nights. :P

oh, i love this shade to bits! number 7 is a darker pink version of number 5, less shimmery but still girly. very flirty. feminine too, but with more attitude than number 5.

oh i love this nude shade. this one has very little to no shimmer, very similar to number 10. you can get this one and number 10 alternately, as ive mentioned.

a beautiful pinky-brown nude shade with just the right hint of shimmer! nudes are love!

a bit more severe and conservative than its companions, number 12 is a very beautiful old-rose shade. it doesnt look matronly at all! this one would be perfect in a board meeting!

there you have it, 8 out of the 12 shades that is available in fashion21. take your pick ladies. :D

Product Focus: Fashion21 Color Shine liquid lipstick

2009-12-07T08:20:00.000+08:00

hi dolls!

it's been a hectic few weeks!

i was out at sm the other day picking out stuff to buy for this project i promised the kids i'd be doing this christmas break with them. part of it is to actually let them play with my kit! so i went to sm to pick up some "play makeup" for them.

with this project, i discovered a lot of things.

first on the list are these fantabulous lipglosses/liquid lipsticks from fashion21

le experience:

it says liquid lipstick, but it has the consistency and the feel of a lipgloss so imma call it a lipgloss.

these are offered in 12 shades, but i opted to get 8 out of the 12 as the other shades are very similar to these ones already

the shades are numbered, as you can see, and here are the color descriptions. imma try to describe them the best i can.

2 - a peachy pink shade with gold flecks. i'd say this shade is the best one you could pair off with your silky coral or orgasm blush. since i don't have an orgasm lipgloss, i can't really compare, but looking at this particular gloss, i'd say it's very similar to the silky coral or orgasm blush.

3 - an apple red lipgloss. i'd say it'd be a perfect partner to a red lipstick like mac's dubbonnet or fashion21's wild cherry

4 - more of a translucent pinky-purple, almost violet. it's very sheer too which makes it a perfect companion to just about any shade! you'd see for yourself later, as i tested this one. normally i would not get a shade like this cuz it's purplish, and i'm just not a fan of dark lips, but this one is very, very translucent. this has become my ultimate favorite outta the bunch. which surprised me most.

5 - baby pink with a subtle hint of shimmer. very wearable, very young and flirty too! :)

7 - a darker shade of number 5, less shimmery too. this is the one that called out to me the most. before i even swatched this, i knew it's gonna be the one imma fall in love with!

9 - a pinky brown nude, perfect for that MLBB look.

10 - also a pinky brown nude, very similar to number 9, only this one has gold flecks in it which gives it the extra oomph! 9 and 10 may be purchased alternately as they are very similar. i purchased both cuz i'm a big fan o' the nudes..

12 - a beautiful old rose shade that is just pretty! a bit darker than its companions, and by far has the most solid color of the bunch. this one is not sheer at all and is the only one that looks and feels like a liquid lipstick. i love the touch of shimmer in it too!

i love that all of them glides on very very smoothly. they are not sticky too which i love, cuz it means it's gonna stay put.

i especially love the packaging cuz it comes in a tube with a brush applicator which makes it easier to use and a bit more hygienic than the doe-foot applicator ones. oh, i hate hate hate those doe-foot applicators!

time to test!

okay, imma just test one for you guys cuz im heading out the door. if you wanna see more pictures with the other shades, lemme know in the comments section. :P

imma use shade number 4, but imma try it on on top of mac's shy shine lipstick.

i absolutely love mac's shy shine lipstick as it is one of their pinky-nudes, but le x-bf hates this on me. he says it makes me look too pale. i guess he's right too, especially as i pair this one with barely-there blushes.

here is mac's shy shine with shade number 4. don't you think it makes a whole lotta difference? i do!

le price:

it retails for a hundred bucks(pesos) a pop! yea, i can't believe it too! the box says it contains 4g, so technically it costs 25 pesos per gram!

le verdict:

i say get it all! i just wish they used a bit more time in coming up with names than just boring old numbers, and i wish they'd come up with more shades!

a very merry estee lauder christmas haul!

2009-11-23T22:33:00.000+08:00

for christmas and my birthday, i decided to give myself some estee lovin'!

i bought the Color Spectacular giftset, a 20 thousand worth of products that you can avail for just 3,500, if you buy any estee lauder product worth 4thousand pesos. insane right? each year, estee lauder comes out with a makeup giftset that you can avail with a product purchase.

to get the promo, i decided to get myself a perfume giftset and an estee lauder Double Wear foundation which is guaranteed to stay in place for 8-9 hours. it's a little over the 4,000 minimum, but that's okay because i am definitely happy with my purchases!

Collection includes:
- Deluxe Eyeshadow Compact with 15 coordinating shades (Sugar Cube, Ivory Box, Honey Drop, Lavender, Chocolate, Tea Biscuit, Copper Penny, Petal, Mulberry, Pale Moon, Cinnamon, Apricot and Mocha Cup in Pure Color Eyeshadow, plus Sage Duo in Estée Lauder Signature Eyeshadow).
- Deluxe Face Compact (Estée Lauder Signature Silky Powder Blush in Rosewood and Nude Rose, and Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer).
- Four Pure Color Long Lasting Lipsticks (full-size, in Candy, Rose Tea, Fig and Tiger Eye).
- Three Artist’s Eye Pencils (great for smoky eyes, in SoftSmudge Black, SoftSmudge Brown and Slate Writer).
- Projectionist High Definition Volume Mascara (10-day supply, in Black).
- Lash Primer Plus (10-day supply).
- Gentle Eye Makeup Remover (3.4 oz.).
- Four deluxe makeup brushes (powder, blush, lip and eye).
- Golden standup mirror.
- Cosmetic traveler case.
- Companion makeup case. A $340 value.

the perfume giftset includes the toiletries case, Estee Lauder Pleasures perfume and Pleasures body lotion.

the foundation is very promising and i will make a review about it once i have played around with it.

i say this haul is one of my most expensive hauls. this is me in dire need of some retail therapy. i'm just thankful i am not binging on dazs' famouse ice creams.

my hauls policy and products review policy.

2009-11-08T04:03:00.000+08:00

i have this thing regarding hauls. i love love love reading other people's hauls and i don't have anything against it, but i am not too comfortable posting mine. don't ask me why, it's just my thing.

you've seen my hauls, obviously and there'd been a lot, but ive a policy regarding it:

1. if i didn't pay for it myself, it won't get featured as hauls.

simple as that. if i asked my mom to buy it for me, or if it's gifts, or if i used my mom's or my aunts' credit card extensions, it won't be featured as hauls.

imma only post haul products that i bought from my own savings. as i am on a student budget with no other income than my parents' education grant my hauls are bought with my own money. so i can proudly post it as hauls as i actually starved myself to get it. it's very fulfilling for me.

that's it.

regarding product reviews, i will only post products that are widely available in the philippine market, or is in the philippine market at least.

no product reviews for items i got online or bought outside the country that are hard to find. i would only post products that are bought online if the seller has a lot of stocks available and one can easily get it from them, even without a credit card. i think it's useless to review stuff that other people cannot get a hold of easily, or is not available in this market. it's just like bragging, and it defeats the purpose of product reviews. i mean, the main reason i do product reviews is because i want to share with you guys a really really good product so that if you feel like getting one yourself you can easily do so.

again, i've nothing against other blogs who do this. this is just my personal preference.

you might've also noticed that i am quite partial to gawang pinoy products or products carried by local brands. it is just my way of showing my love and support to our beloved country. this does not mean tho that i will not be reviewing foreign brands, but i just want to feature more local brands and to prove those brand snobs wrong.

also, i do not delude myself into thinking that other people would actually pay me money to advertise their products. i am not that popular. yet. i kid, i kid.

so as of press time ALL product reviews are based on my initiative and bought by me (or gifts, as long as it is widely available in this country).

an open letter to the makeup artists in the santino serye

2009-11-03T15:47:00.000+08:00

Dear Makeup Artists in the Santino Serye,

Splattering blood all over does not a believable accident wound make.

that's all.

xxoo,
a thinking viewer.

okay. ever since sembreak, i've been hooked to the santino serye.

the last episode i saw was the one where desiree del valle pushed dina bonevie off the cliff.

before des pushed dina off tho, they were having this fabulous confrontation scene. and i have to give it to Desiree del Valle. she acted her ass off even tho her foundation was several shades lighter for her skin tone. she completely soldiered on. it was kinda distracting to watch her, with the ghost face and all, but she acted her ass off as if the MUA did not butcher her face. then she pushed dina off the cliff or sumwhat. the next scene tho was in her house, a follow up of the cliffpushing scene and her foundation was totally the right shade already. good job MUA!

what boggles me off in this serye tho is that they looooove pushing people off the cliff and putting the actors in car accidents. i mean, ive been watching the serye for two weeks on and off and ive seen dina push someone off the cliff, be pushed off the same cliff, and participate in a car accident. that's all fine tho, wouldnt be a pinoy serye if nobody got pushed off the cliff. i'm actually surprised nobody's got blown up yet.

it's kinda distracting that in all these accidents, dina, the mother of santino, and dina's son did not sport any accident wound at all. they all just splattered blood all over! where did all those blood come from when there's no open wound huh?!!?

so i did this:and a more elaborate:

and all these just using aido eyelash glue, ever bilena concealer stick and setting powder, fashion 21 lipstick in wild cherry and aido brow duo.

i'm pretty sure with your makeup training and your more sophisticated makeup tools you can do a better job.

pick up the slack people!

how to sanitize cosmetics

2009-10-27T05:23:00.000+08:00

in my cosmetics' expiration dates post, ive talked about sanitizing cosmetics.

in this post, imma talk about how to sanitize the cosmetics. this will serve as a guideline not just for you but for me as well. :P just so i can just look through my blog when i need information myself, and i don't need to do the whole research thing all over again. and this way everybody learns. if you know of other methods, please feel free to lemme know in the comments section so we can update this post. :P

this post is especially handy too if you get pre-loved cosmetics, either via a swap or a sale.

i cannot stress enough the importance of a good makeup hygiene practice. you don't want to cause breakouts now, do you? oh and a pink eye to go with your eye makeup or mascara'ed lashes ain't a pretty sight.

so here goes.

mascaras, lip glosses and everything else that comes in a tube with a wand applicator.

first off, mascaras. - there is no way to sanitize them, and i find it useless since you'll be throwing it out anyway after three months. so just don't share mascaras. or if you do, please, please, please use disposables and dont ever ever double dip. i said that there's no way to sanitize them once it's contaminated cuz it's liquid and it's in a tube. once it's contaminated, it's kinda hard to contain the contaminated areas.

the same is true with lip glosses and every other cosmetics that's liquid and comes in a tube with a wand applicator. so i suggest never ever ever share them. if you must share these or get these products pre-loved make sure that you trust the other person and their hygienic practices, cuz as i said, there is no way you can sanitize them, or at least there is no way that i know of. so the only way to ensure that a product in this sort of packaging is sanitized is:

a. by using disposables and/or petri dishes

b. by never ever ever double dipping

pressed powders, compacts, blushes

as long as it is dry it is fairly easy to sanitize. just wipe off the top layer with a tissue. for the extra clean freaks, you might want to scratch the top layer off. you might lose some of the products but at least you know you're getting fresh products. better be safe than sorry ladies.

another way to sanitize them is to take cotton ball with alcohol, wipe the top layer with it, let it air dry then scrape off the top layer. once a pressed powder product gets wet, it gets unusable anyway so better scrape it off.

eye pencils/ lip pencils and any other pencils

just sharpen them and you'd be fine. for retractables tho, just chop off the used section, that way you get a fresh tip.

mousses, creams, etc.

quite the same actually with powders. this time tho, you might want to actually scrape off the top portion. and as long as it doesnt look as if the previous owner abused it by mixing and dipping through the bottom, the products down at the bottom are pretty safe.

lipsticks

okay, this is the tricky part cuz i researched online and most tips i read was to scrape off the part used. somehow i don't agree with this.

i've actually seen my favorite mac makeup artist, frances, sanitize a lipstick before actually letting me try it. she just doused the whole thing in alcohol, let it dry for a while and handed it to me. that simple. ive seen other make up artists do this too. so i guess that's the simplest way. this is how i do it too.

now, if you're doing some one else's lips. scrape some of the lipstick off using a spatula or a little knife or something, transfer the product in a petri dish or a clean handy surface and apply with lipbrush.

anything with pumps or a tightly sealed opening

like liquid foundations, gel tints in pumps, should be safe, unless contaminated. then i guess it's the same as mascaras and glosses.

brushes, sharpeners etc.

the tools, when brand new or pre-loved, must be doused with alcohol, and then washed with a mild shampoo, then let it air dry. it should be sanitized using that method. then please please please practice brush hygiene by giving you brushes a bath once every two weeks and spot cleaning them after every use. or if you're like me who does not have time to spot clean them, i wash my brushes once a week, and i don't share brushes. if i do share my brush, i don't use them on me unless ive already given the particular brush a deep bath.

practice makeup hygiene in a makeup counter when testing products.

-Avoid testing on lips and eyes, which are the most vulnerable to infection. Use the back of your hand instead.

-Try makeup on at a counter manned by a salesperson who can oversee hygienic usage, and use single-use applicator. Or ask an in-store makeup artist, who likely has been trained to use sanitary measures, for help.

-Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer before and after visiting a makeup counter.

-Test products that come from a shaker or squeeze-pump dispenser, not an open container.

well i guess i pretty much covered everything. for questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave me a comment (i think i mentioned this already).

til next post dolls! have a lovely week!

will try to sneak in another post before halloween. haven't decided yet what imma be.

product focus: Fashion21 fruit gloss

2009-10-23T23:25:00.000+08:00

this is a quickie post. for pics please refer to my old hauls.

a clear gloss does not get the love it deserves. i strongly believe that it is a must-have in every cosmetics' case.

i have been in constant search of a good but inexpensive clear gloss, preferably something in tube, just like the clear lipglass that mac sells, but my search has been in vain.

luckily tho, i found a clear gloss in our trusty watsons. it is from fashion21.

le price:

for 29 pesos, i say it's a steal!

le experience:

i basically use matte lipsticks coz they are more lasting. i find though that they look flat and drying on the lips. with this fruit gloss, that problem is solved! i also find that using colored lip glosses are a bit of a hassle as it smudges a lot more than a lipstick does and it does not last long. so i put this on top of my lipstick and not only does it make my lips shine, it also protects the lipstick. i don't have to retouch every so often using my lipstick. for touch ups, i just rely on this baby!

other uses:

my pigments and other colors can now double as a gloss or a lipstick. i just premoisturize my lips with a balm, press on the color i want and smooth on my clear lipgloss. it effectively widened my range of c0lors.

sometimes even with a colored lip gloss, i dab a tiny bit in the center of my lips to create the illusion of a fuller lip. :)

you can also use it as a highlighter to emphasize the highplanes of your face such as the nosebridge, cheekbones, brow bones, etc. - yea, i found that weird too! but risa of makeupbyrisa in youtube made a video where she used her cleargloss for that purpose and guess what, it totally works!

le verdict:

i cannot stress how handy a clear lip gloss is. i urge you to try it! what i don't like tho is that it comes with a doe-foot applicator. when my lips are all done up and i just need to seal it with the gloss, i find that the lipstick stains on the applicator and it just mixes with the gloss inside the container. i woulda preferred a tube one without a brush applicator. all in all tho, it's still a good buy!

i'm off to philippine fashion week, so til next post ladies. tata! :D

what's in your gym bag? gym essentials. :P

2009-10-19T23:53:00.000+08:00

hi dolls!

i'm on a roll today! maybe the reason i feel so energized is because i just came from the gym. as a lawstudent myself, i tend to find that lifestyle to be helluva unhealthy. i mean, we're always stressed, hence the need for comfort food, and we don't get to burn it off cuz we're always by coffee shops and doughnut stores studying. we use up all our energies studying and we combat tiredness and sleepiness by eating or at least munching. and that means junk food. so at the end of the day (or by break of dawn for most of us) we are stressed, from our taxing mental exercises and our stomachs full of caffeine and sugar, and little to zero physical movement at all. highly unhealthy.

so, everytime i get the chance, especially during breaks, i really make it a point to visit the gym. no, i dont go to the gym to get thin, as i happen to love the way i look, but i go to the gym in a bid to get a little healthier. get some physical movement.

if you are thinking of going to the gym here are a few guidelines:

first off: think long and hard cuz it's a pretty big commitment. you'll be shelling out 1000-3000 a month for gym membership alone so it's a big big big decision.

second: try to check out teh facilities your gym offers, and mentally compute your travelling expenses along with the other gym expenses see if it's gonna be worth it. i do this mostly to motivate myself to go to the gym.

location is very important too. check out gyms that have branches everywhere, that way you don't get restricted to just one. sometimes, after working out, i study by the gym lounge. that way, i save up on coffee. SHH :P

i dont really have a lot of advice to give in choosing a gym club cuz i was not given the chance to choose. my aunt enrolled me to one back in college and ive been faithful to that one ever since. ive been going to the gym, however irregularly, for 4-5 years now.

having said that, what i'm really an expert about is the gym essentials! what to bring:

1. gym bag - fitness first, the club i belong to gives a gym bag upon membership, but i have long since discarded mine in a pursuit of a more roomy (ehem stylish) gym bag. i honestly prefer knapsacks for comfort, since it distributes the weight evenly. but since when do we fashionistas care about comfort? :P adidas and nike have a pretty good collection of lady gym bags. it's pretty sturdy too. but whenever i get tired of my gym bags, i just use my oversized bags as gym bags

2. gym clothes - highschool or college p.e. uniforms will do. again, most sporting stores sell gym clothes, but i find i am most comfortable in running or gym shorts and a loose shirt.

3. face towel - again, fitness first gives out a face towel upon membership. but you can use any face towel. a face towel is an essential part of your gym life. you need it to wipe out those sweat beads! :P

4. gym shoes - any rubber shoes will do. again, i prefer running shoes cuz it's soo much lighter and it's breathable. ooh.. and a non-bulky shoe bag is preferred too! i use dust bags most of the time.

5. socks - any sports socks will do.

6. wrist band - optional but i use it as a sweat band. sold in most sporting stores.

7. headset and/or ipod - again optional. fitness first gives out a free headset upon membership and you can use it to listen and watch TV while doing your cardio

8. water bottle - something that's free again upon membership. this is also an essential. you would not want to dehydrate while working out, right?

9. big towel - for showering. most gyms sell towels too if you've forgotten to bring your own.

10. sports bra - this is very important for it gives you support. SoEn has a pretty good sports bra line. the price is pretty affordable too compared to the competition.

11. spare undies - for after showering.

i dont bother to bring a different set of clothes. i just use what i wore before i changed for my gym clothes. that way i dont have too many things in my bag

12. rubber slippers - so you don't walk around the locker room barefoot. most of the time i go in the gym in my rubber slippers already, that way i dont have to bring too many pairs with me.

13. deodorant - pretty self explanatory

toiletries to bring:

the essentials you need for showering. check tho if your gym provides for them. my gym provides for the shampoo and body wash so i dont bother bringing my own.

the toiletries that i bring is actually for the steam room and sauna.

14. body scrub - to use inside the sauna

15. hair spa

16. face mask

this is optional. i just do this inside the sauna if ive a lotta time to kill. and i just bring pretty generic stuff from watsons. does the trick everytime!

oooh and remember this. fitness first does not condone birthday suits inside the sauna or steam room. at least wear your undies. usually, for inside the sauna after showering a bit, i am still in my undies and sports bra.

i dont normally wear make up while working out. okay that's a lie. i wear a cheek tint. but that's it, i swear! :P

i think i pretty much covered the what to bring part. :P til next time dolls!

lemme leave you with a popular tagline from fitness first that is written in their walls--- wait lemme give a disclaimer first -- I AM IN NO WAY AFFILIATED OR CONNECTED TO FITNESS FIRST ASIDE FROM BEING A PAYING MEMBER. THIS IS NOT A PAID ADVERTISEMENT. I AM JUST SHARING WHAT I KNOW FROM MY EXPERIENCE ALONE IN A BID TO HELP ANYONE THAT'S INTERESTED.

okay. since we're done with the disclaimer, here is the quote i promised:

motivation is what gets you started. habit is what keeps you going.

more toiletries haul

2009-10-19T23:35:00.000+08:00

hi dolls! :P
i went ballistic at watson's today.

i had a gym date with the girls so i picked up a few gym things before actually going to the gym and then i picked out a few other things after hitting the gym. :P

1. facial massager - ever since i saw the clarisonic, i've been wanting it but i just don't wanna spend 149-229 usd for a face toothbrush. i am not that crazy yet. luckily our trusty watson's have a reasonably priced alternative. ive used it once already and i'm in love!!

2. body treats moisturizing body scrub in lavander - for the sauna after workout

3. hair treats hair spa in lavander - also for the sauna. i just love matching things

4. active firming stretchable mask - again for the sauna

5. johnson's melt away stress daily calming lotion

6 johnson's melt away stress daily calming wash

since i fell in love with the 24-hour moisture, i wanted to try this set as well. if you remember from previous haul, i bought the powder to go with this set already.

7. eskinol oxygen skin renew facial wash/gentle mask

8. eskinol oxygen skin renew facial toner

9. eskinol oxygen skin renew cream

now this one came highly recommended by my friend roxy. i wanted to try something new too so i bought the whole set!

10. nichido sheer lipstick in tender lips

11. fanny serrano true light liquid lipstick in light petal - love love love

12. fashion21 fruit gloss

okay. that's my kikay haul. hopefully my next haul would be in november na cuz imma be broke soon. no classes = no allowance.

let's do our part. eliminate plastics

2009-10-16T01:56:00.000+08:00

bags, i mean. :P

even before ondoy, i've always patronized stores who offer reusable totes, or at least paper bags since i really do not want to use plastic bags anymore, or at least minimize the use of plastic bags when i shop. ive a splendid blog on sm plastic bags imma repost here.

with the flooding of ondoy and all that, i've been a little more OC about garbage. before i used to just carry a tote bag or a huge bag so i wont use plastic bags anymore when i shop, but grocery shopping is another thing cuz i simply forget ask them for a tote or bring mine. but now, i vowed to use tote bags even when grocery shopping as well. i don't do much grocery shopping anymore, as i used to cuz my landlord does not allow personal refs inside the room and i just do not wanna use the communal refs.

most of my toiletry shopping is done on watsons and sm dept store nowadays, so i never saw the need for tote bags.

i used to do my shopping at shopwise too, back when i was still at la salle, since it's nearer there and shopwise alabang is on my way. but now that i am in the recto-mendiola area, i just cannot find the time to drop by at grocery stores, until i started my belo sessions and discovered rustan's fresh at il terrazo.

ive been meaning to go grocery shopping there since am almost always at tomas morato area, what with my coffee-study sessions there, and my now monthly wensha pilgrimage, and my b-monthly belo sessions, i'm always always there, but i get tamad to go grocery shopping. i'm always deceiving myself by saying i dun wanna go grocery shopping cuz i'm on a diet, and end up eating more junkfood from the minimarts downstairs cuz i get hungry in the midnight and no stock of food anywhere! needless to say, i went hungy when ondoy hit. enough about this. i tend to ramble.

anyways, what i wanna talk to you about is tote bags. especially the rustan's fresh one cuz

you eliminate the use of plastics. less plastics, less garbage. less garbage the more we can avoid a repeat of ondoy.
you double your points in your rustan's fresh card (you can also use your shopwise card, but i opted to get the fresh card for 200 pesos) as long as it all fits there.
it can help you save - if you're like me who's a sucker for points, you'd make sure that all your purchases would fit into the bag so you get to double the points. if it doesnt fit, it doesnt meet the cash register. simple as that.
for just 99.50 you get a tote bag and give mother nature a breather.
you can use it at shopwise supermarkets as well.
it's a lot easier to carry rather than plastic bags that are susceptible to breakage
admit it, it's a lot more chic to be seen carrying tote bags than ugly plastic bags. :P

yea, aside from the first reason, it was the last reason that sealed the deal for me. i kid you not. :P

anyway, here's what it says:

EARTH-FRIENDLY REUSABLE BAG

Dear Customer,

Rustan's supermarkets has embarked on a worthwhile mission in doing its small part in preserving the environment. By collaborating with WWF, the global conservation organization, we have developed a series of programs that are geared towards building consciousness and awareness for Earth-friendly and Earth-saving programs.

One of our projects is to encourage customers to cut down on the use of plastic bbags by selling re-usable shopping bags. using these bags lessens the use of non-biodegradable plastic materials. plastic takes about 100 years to dissolve thus polluting air and water, depleting natural resources and damaging natural habitats.

With every purchase of Rustan's Supermarkets re-usable bags, you have done your small part in saving Mother Earth. Every use of these bags also allows you to earn double points on all purchases that fit into the bag. the points you earn with the use of these bags will be credited to your Fresh Shopping Rewards Card account automatically. so the more you shop with these bags, the more points you will earn, the more rebates you receive, and the longer we preserve Mother Earth.

Join us in this valuable mission...

Get your Rustan's Supermarket

Re-usable Bags now!

Thank you and happy shopping!

i hope that is enough to convince you. I AM IN NO WAY CONNECTED WITH RUSTAN'S FRESH. i have dedicated this blog post in an effort to help mother earth. i do not care where you do your shopping. JUST DO MOTHER EARTH A FAVOR AND REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE. please. i know SM supermarkets, Savemore, and shopwise all have these bags as well.

Shops like SM department stores, National Bookstore, HBC, Ipanema, The Body Shop all have reusable totes too that you canuse in lieu of plastic bags and/or paper bags. for about two years now, i dont shop in stores that use plastics if i dont have my reusable totes or a big bag with me. that's just my little way of helping mother nature. hit me up the comments section if you know any other stores that has them so we can update the list.

xxoo

makeup junkie

toiletries haul

2009-10-16T01:33:00.000+08:00

i went grocery shopping today. with the event of ondoy, i didnt realize i was running low on supplies here in manila as i was cooped up in the province. when i went back last week. i had to use everything up to the last drop! i didnt have the time to hit the groceries last week, see.

so i went grocery shopping at il terrazo yesterday, and got the ff:

1. pantene smooth and silky shampoo

2. pantene total care conditioner - with free 3-minute conditioner thing

3. johnson and johnson's 24-hour lasting moisture lotion

4. johnson and johnson's 24-hour lasting moisture body wash

5. johnson and johnson's floral bouquet cologne

6. johnson and johnson's baby oil lite

7. johnson and johnson's baby powder and calming powder twin pack

8. generic qtips

9. kleenex

10. alcogel

11. katinko - for headaches and muscle pains

12. double mints

(not in picture)

13. schick razor with soap - i totally forgot to take pics and i'm annoyed cuz the packaging's all ruined now and i used it already but i soooo wanna post it cuz i think it's a splendid product! and i wanna do a review too! maybe they'll lemme take a pic of it in the grocery next time? :P

14. closee up toothpaste

15. 4 packs of modess all nights

other misc junkfood.

yea. you mightve noticed that majority of what i bought were j&j prods. ive just been hearing lotsa goodstuff bout it and rox convinced me to get them so i did. :P

i used to date this dude who once told me that you could learn a lot from a person's grocery purchases. we used to go grocery shopping together. i dunno how to explain it, but yea. you could totally get to know a person by the way he/she picks out grocery items.

so, what can you tell about my partial list of grocery picks? :P

when it's time to hit the can

2009-10-15T13:09:00.000+08:00

okay, so this post is about makeup expiration dates.

all of us, at one point or another have been guilty of this. i know i am. but it's juuuust painful to throw away barely touched makeup just because it is past its 2year mark.

for the oc's here's a little guideline

most makeup has a 2year mark.
cream concealers, cream blushes, cream shadows, anything cream-based-12-18 months
water-based foundation - 12 months
oil based foundation - 18 months
powders, either blushes, shadows, foundies - 24 months
pencil liners - 24-36 months as long as sharpened regularly
mascara - 3 months, no exceptions!
liquid liners - 3-6 months
gel-based blushes, cleansers, etc - 12-18 months
lipsticks - 12-36 months depending on usage and hygienic practices
lipgloss - 18 - 24 months
nail polish - 1 year
mineral makeup - as long as you don't wet them it lasts forever.
sponges - as long as you dont share them and wash them once a week it should last you a month.

my rule of thumb tho is as long as it smells the same, looks the same, feels the same, it's still good.

but this is because i keep a very strict makeup hygiene.

here are tips to make your makeup last longer:

keep your make up in a cool dry place. i have a spare ref in my room, and i put all my liquids and cream based makeup there
never , ever share cosmetics, or if you do, make sure to use disposables and never ever ever double dip
if you use a water-based foundation, and it dries out, just add a few drops of alcohol-free toner and shake.
i always keep sharpies (pentel pens) and stickers in my train case. every time i open a new product, i date them, so i'd know when it's gonna expire. you can also use tape for this. i find that if i write directly on the product it tends to fade away no matter how permanent the marker is.
i cannot stress this enough. throw away mascaras after three months
before my lipsticks expire, i melt them, add petroleum jelly if needed, and a few extra drops of vitamin E.
sharpen pencils regularly. this will keep them fresh and bacteria-free
if you're doing makeup, even for your mom or sister use a petri-dish. never ever double dip. sometimes i use my sponge case for this. sometimes i use a santized non-working cd. i also use a stainless spatula to scoop out products. if i can't find them, i use a disposable plastic knife. sometimes, when i am in a jiffy, i even use the tip of my brush. shh.
you can use the previous tip too if you wish to add water or liquids to your makeup. it keeps them sanitized. remember that bacteria festers on moist materials.
disposables are your best friends. i always keep a box of kleenex to sanitize my products when other people touches it. qtips are very handy too! it can double as an eye brush or a lip brush. i also keep a bag of disposable sponges.

i hope this helped you out.

(photo lifted off the net)

update

2009-10-15T13:05:00.000+08:00

hi dolls!

still alive! ive a lot of things to say.. a lot of catch-up kwentos but ive no time as of yet.

ive a loooot to do. i have a lot of posts in store for you but lemme just get through saturday, the last of my finals and it's blog flood for you guys! :D

ive one post coming up.. a bit of a stress reliever for me really, a breather from reviewing.

til next post then dolls! :D

xxoo

makeupjunkie

of m.a.c and mags

2009-09-19T14:54:00.000+08:00

hi hunnies

so sorry for the lack of post.. you know how it is..

had a catch up dinner with my girls and a couple of guy friends @ restorante pia y damaso which is heavenly! i loove it there!

it's funny how the supposed ladies night got invaded by two straight guys.

anyhow, my girls were ooh-ing and aah-ing at my new mac brushes which was a gift from my bestfriend kath who lives in the states. then, funnyman mike unson said "no big deal, that's just a pouch and several brushes"

abbie goes: " they're limited edition mac brushes and a mac pouch. that's kind of special" mike continued staring at us blankly then abbie says "imagine your bestfriend getting you new mags and customized headlights for your car" and mike goes "oh... your bestfriend must really love you then"

so there you have it ladies. if you want your man to understand and support your makeup addiction, you gotta learn the car talk and convert cosmetics into something guys could understand better.. car parts. :D

til next post.

ciao bbs

channeling KC

2009-09-13T01:23:00.000+08:00

i know i'm a far cry from her, but i just find her beautiful! she's the cover of Metro's September issue and i was just drawn to the simplicity of the make up. mine's not perfect at all, but i'm just starting out and the no-make up look for formal events is not my forte at all. i prefer those loud looks cuz it's just a helluva lot easier to do.

i was doing some practice makeup for my cousin's sweet 16 party. in the end tho, i decided to ditch the falsies and had my hair braided. don't worry, i didn't go out at all with the falsies on. i peeled it off, washed the makeup off after and slept.

excuse the chaos in my room.

majority of the products i used for this look is gawang pinoy or philippine-made products

Face

under-eye concealer: fanny serrano concealer stick in sand

spot concealer: fanny serrano concealer stick in walnut

setting powder: everbilena loose powder

foundation: fanny serrano cake foundation in mocha

eyes

shadow: 28 pc neutral palette

liner: everbilena eyeliner in black

falsies: something from divisoria

eyebrows: the face shop eyebrow duo powder

cheeks: fanny serrano cheek blush in silky coral

lips

balm: Carmex

liner and lipstick: fashion21 perfect lips in flamingo

gloss: fashion21 fruit gloss (clear gloss)

i know it was a badly executed application of falsies, but i think i'm getting the hang of it! :D