Counting Gifts for Christmas: My Christmas Wish List

With Christmas just 5 days to go, I cannot help have the little kid in me create a short list that I'd wish from Santa. If only magical elves and flying reindeer's were still applicable to older people I would have still sent my wish list to North Pole!

Anyway, this is pretty much the top 5 things that I'd wish to see under the tree on Christmas day!

1. Rocki Wifi Music System - who hasn't suffered bad sounding Wifi speakers? I've had countless incidents when I had to make do with those cheap portable speakers whenever I'm streaming music from my Ipod. Enter this handy little thing that can turn all speakers into wifi speakers! Really cool thing right? Though not yet available on retail, I can settle for the next best thing. Pledge on its Kickstart Page to be part of the initial production. Delivery is estimated by February of 2014.

2. Form 1 3D Printer - Let's just say, this is more of a want than a need. But who doesn't want to have a 3D printer? I mean, you can make a lot of things with it. I'm dreaming of creating ornaments, accessories, cases and other what not's with it. This Formlabs product actually is cheaper and handier than the other 3D printers.

Pencil 101: Write the Lines the Right Way

Sometimes you're just wondering, how come I can't get the perfect cat's eye? Why does my eyeliner looks like Taylor Momsen was my image peg? And what in the world! My lip liner looks so dang crooked! Well, fear not, our friends from The Beauty Department just gave us the answers to our life's question on penciling. 

Eyebrow Pencil Week: Holika Holika Wonder Drawing 24hr Auto Eyebrow

Whew! Busy, busy, busy! Christmas is fast approaching and with this little bee very happy buzzing around, I cannot help but scrimp on makeup prep time. As you may remember, I am a huge fanatic with regards to creating perfect eyebrows. Unfortunately when you say "perfect brows" that means taking time to do them up. Thank goodness for these amazing products that helps me accomplish my desired brows in a jiffy. 

So it begins: Eyebrow Week.

  

First stop on my beloved eyebrow pencils is the Holika Holika Wonder Drawing 24hr Auto Eyebrow. I got the shade 04 which is Red Brown in color as I am planning on dyeing my hair burgundy in the following days.

Make Your Lips Bloom: Etude House Rosy Tint Lips

I'm really envious of young girls today. They came in at a time where makeup has become adventurous, creative and accessible. As a student back in 2002, the time where I had found my love for makeup, I was limited with the number of products to choose from and can afford. Big brand names where out of the question and I had to rely to the occasional gifts from Aunts. 

Anyway before I go too far down the memory lane, I really am happy that with the entrance of Korean brands. Girls nowadays have more options to choose from, in budget friendly prices and can easily find a shade that can work as perfect dupes for big name brands. 

Such is the Etude House & Rose Collection for Fall 2013. Going through the products included in the collection, I picked up the Rosy tint Lips in shade 8 called After Blossom.

The product comes in a hard plastic tube, which to be honest is a little too hard to squeeze. Quite annoying because it always makes me feel like its almost empty. The tube has a sponge applicator on the end that looks a lot like a woolly cotton sponge. It doesn't spread as evenly on, and  in my opinion not really hygienic.

Sneak Peek: Inglot Has Landed

If you've been following my blog you would have noticed the count down I posted for the opening of the first ever Inglot store in the Philippines. I was so excited that I needed to have a visual reminder of the number of minutes I have to wait.

But Inglot Ph upped the ante by giving their fantards a sneak peek 2 days before the actual opening of the store. My makeup fairy must be in hyper mode (remember the MUFE thing? *smirks) because I scored exclusive passes.

Now I'm sharing you first dibs of this exciting day.

Shu Uemura Week: The Hard Formula Brow Pencil

If there's a part of my face that I wish I can magically change, it would be my eyebrows. I have asymmetrical eyebrows with my left brow a lot shorter than the right. Over all it's also very sparse with hair growing on all directions. They happen to be really bad that one hapless MUA exclaimed "Pwedeng ahitin ko nalang kilay mo, tapos drawing tayo ng bago? Hirap kasi eh."(Can we just shave off your brows, so I can just draw them on?). 

Though I am still struggling with it, I can definitely say that I am at least lucky to find my HG brow pencil that brought us to talk about Shu Uemura all this week.

Yup, it's the Hard Formula Brow Pencil today folks. I will never stop raving about this pencil because I've found a partner, a soul mate and the best soldier to combat my ill-shaped brows. Though a lot of other brow products have come and go, I know this one will always hold the glory of staying put in my makeup kit.

Makeup DIY: Kool-Aid Lips

Sometimes you just want to be a cheapskate, and that includes makeup so what a better way to do that by reaching for that handy dandy container of Kool-Aid you have on your cupboard eh? Our friends from The Beauty Department just gave us the deets on how to get the swoon worthy lips without breaking the piggy bank. 

Just keep in mind not to suck on your lips too much. I know that would be a bit hard, because the powder is just yum!

Shu Uemura Week: High Performance Cleansing Oil

So my day has been amazing. I woke up with the smell of longanisa and daing na pusit wafting through the air (Filipino's know how amazing that smells, yum yum!). The best breakfast of the champions on the dining table, nobody can surely beat that eh? 

Anyway, before I go and completely salivate let's get back to great topic at hand. 

For those who just tuned in it's everything  Shu this week, so today I bring you one of their makeup cleansing products, the Skin Purifier High Performance Cleansing Oil.

Shu Uemura Week: POREraser

Yep, I'm doing a week on everything Shu! I've always mentioned how much I absolutely love their hard formula eyebrow pencil, especially how artistic they do the sword tip so I thought "that isn't the only thing I love about them". So I figured let's devote a week on all the Shu products so close to my heart.

So let's start it off with this amazing makeup primer, the POREraser. This product creates a pore-less effect from its 2 unique qualities. The light diffusion complex that optically minimizes the appearance of pores, and the sodium salicylate that gently exfoliates giving your skin a smoother surface and less pore visibility. It can also control the oil secretion on your face, helping your makeup stay longer.

Pucker Up: Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me Moisturizing Lippie

By now you must have known how much I absolutely love lipsticks. I am a major proponent of keeping your eyes and cheeks very simple and just going bang bang on the lips. Good thing that this year, big and bold lips are very much in. You can take a look at every cosmetic brand and can be sure to find 3 different versions of the red lipstick.

Happy Skin is a very new local brand built by the amazing model Rissa Mananquil and Jacqe Yuengtian. Their line of cosmetics really plays on makeup that cares for your skin. Just launched this October, their products have been getting a lot of raves from the blogger community.

Anyhow I picked a new lipstick from their line, to join my battalion of lippies.

The Shut Up & Kiss Me is their line of moisturizing lippies. They have 6 shades to choose from that ranges from nude, to the dark reds. As I have the aversion to nude and pink tones I immediately grabbed Girls Night Out which has the plum almost violet color.

One Wink Away: The Shu Uemura Takashi Murakami Party

Gotta love all the great things happening to the makeup world today. Joining my top list of events to drop by is the Shu Uemura Philippine's official celebration of its new holiday collection, the Takashi Murakami. From November 22 to 24, Shu Uemura will be holding the party on their select stores and counters.

Photo credits Shu Uemura Philippines 

The collection includes 2 distinct palettes. First of which is the Pink Princess which gives the best shades to achieve the sweet, girly kawaii look. If you want to go dark and edgy, the second one called Black Princess boasts colors that can create the perfect smokey eye. 

Photo credits Shu Uemura Philippines

Photo credits Shu Uemura Philippines

Achieve the Ultimate Finish: Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Powder Foundation + Bless My Bag

If you know me well, then you know that one of my favorite hobbies include stalking my beloved makeup bloggers finding out which events I can be able to catch them. Julia Arenas of Bless My Bag recently gave this amazing chance for her readers to join her for a makeup workshop showcasing the new product from Make Up For Ever, the Pro Finish Powder Foundation.

I'm thanking my lucky stars that Julia was so kind to pick me. I've always wanted to be able to join MUFE workshops but sadly a real session is only available in Singapore. By the way, we should be thankful that MUFE is back after almost 2 years of being hiatus in the Philippines. I just was having the hardest time getting a bottle of my HG foundation, the HD Foundation and has to resort asking friends abroad to buy me one.

Anyway, I just love their pop-up shop in SM Aura. Just shelves of beautiful makeup that I just can't take my hands off.

Calling Bloggers: Blogapalooza 2013 is Happening!

I'm pretty stoked to take part on my very first B to B event. Make's me feel like real, bad ass blogger (though in reality I cannot really align myself to those around living, breathing bloggist) teeheee! Anyhow When in Manila just organized this amazing event and is inviting the blogging community to show its force and let everyone see the presence that they provide to businesses, not just locally by globally. We all know anyone as far as Alaska can be able to to check out a post you did from the little island of Guimaras. 

Inglot Philippines is Coming!

We're counting the days! I am so excited to have Inglot here in Manila. I've seen the product up close when I was in the US and it was just so pigmented and rich. I am definitely queuing to grab my own eye shadow pan on opening day!

The clock is ticking!

WEBSITE COUNTDOWN WIDGET

Save that Makeup! DIY Fix for your Beat Up Faves

Don't you just hate it whenever you drop you bag and you hear that ominous cracking sound knowing for that was the wail of your favorite blush breaking into pieces? I can clearly remember one heartbreaking scene when that happened to my Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder. I just teared up seeing the chaos upon opening my bag. Powder all over the place and cracked into bits and pieces is my bronzer. Sigh! There goes the money. 

I wished I saw this DIY before. Had I found out that I can salvage it, I wouldn't have easily chucked it to the garbage can. Thanks again to the awesome team of The Beauty Department for giving us this solution.

BDJ Box Beauty Social Primp and Beautify Event

The perils of the birthday month, you're just too busy celebrating and having fun that you end up forgetting your blog! I know this is definitely bad practice, but apparently quite a lot of people love me so much that they just want to celebrate my birthday for a whole month! LOL! Kidding aside, please pardon me for doing a photo dump (the last resort to keep a blog active). Regular posting will resume shortly so please don't leave me my dear loves!

By the way the event posted here is the BDJ Beauty Social event held at the Sky Dome at SM North. Super fun day as they had lined up very interesting and educating talks per the hour. 

Horray for Sale: Beauty Fair 2013

People from the North rejoice! Beauty Fair 2013 is just around the corner! It isn't everyday that our favorite online shops get together to make your makeup shopping this easy. You can do your early Christmas shopping on amazing beauty product choices for your Mom, Lola, Tita, favorite Cousin, your girlfriends and even your beki best friend! Digital Traincase is gonna be there so expect me to line up for the Ben Nye powder.

Entrance is free so you can come on both days without worry. So don't dilly-dally and drop by the Beauty Fair this weekend at Ariato Penthouse in Tomas Morato.

Slap it On: Lip Smacker Coca-Cola Edition

From my past posts, you've heard me screaming my love for lipsticks. The love is just so intense that if in the not too distant future, that zombie apocalypse erupts I know for a fact that I will be eaten and die because I couldn't decide which shade of lipstick I'll be bringing as zombies trample my door.

Because of this passion for lipsticks, I am of course a regular victim of discolored, dry, peeling lips. And when I say peel, I literally mean that I can pull out chunks of dry skin that can put a shedding snake to shame. I know this can be easily remedied by a very good lip moisturizer like lip balms. But as you also know, I am a very lazy person. If I can skip corners to get things done faster (but not putting the quality on the line mind you), I will take that route without qualms. And waiting for lip balms to set before applying lipstick is just a very long route.

So I figured, maybe I just need to make my lip balming experience a lot more fun so I'd love to do it more. Enter the Lip Smacker Coca-Cola Edition.

Of Life's Questions and What-not's

How do I prettify for an event? I was asked to answer this question in my bid to score passes to the upcoming Beauty Social Event brought to you by BDJ Box team. It sort of morphed into a blog post as I felt this is one of life's questions that anyone can really relate to and can show some insight on a person's character. 

Hmmm... Let me count the ways. But unfortunately if I go and count all the ways, I'd end up talking myself blue even before I get to finish. Anyway just to make things simple, I'll just focus on the 3 easy steps I take whenever I'm preparing for an event. 

Step 1:

Take advantage of the reason to stay longer in your bath. 

Makeup can only do so much. A clean, smooth and healthy skin the best base for anything. So I take my time scrubbing my skin with my favorite Human Nature Body Scrub and make sure to rub it all the areas I don't get to put much attention on during my daily bath. This just helps in breaking down all the dry skin, making way for the new supple layer of skin.

Belle de Jour Fair 2013

Calling all Bella's! Mark your calendars and don't dare miss out the BDJ Fair 2013 this 13th of October to be held at the Mall of Asia Music Hall. Exciting activities are coming up our way as BDJ lines up an impressive menu that includes inspiring talks from their amazing roster of speakers, remarkable shopping finds from their Lifestyle Partners and ultimate give away prizes. 

How to Create Your Own Sparkly Eyeliner

Remember the last time I mentioned on my NYX Pigment post that this makeup is so versatile that you can use is as an eyeliner? Just found this amazing instruction guide from our friends in thebeautydepartment.com. Hope you'd guys enjoy trying this out!

The House of Wink: Japan Home Eyelash Case

I know I'm supposed to be be writing stuff from my coming soon list, but I just can't help myself posting this new find that I got from Japan Home Center. It's just so kyoot! I know how great Japanese people are with organizing things, but it's just how amazing that they've thought of even having a special container for false eye lashes.

I don't use false eyelashes that often, but sometimes you just want to have that extra oomph that no amount of mascara can really give what falsies can do. I've got a couple that I adore, and though I've kept their original box to house them, dust just seems to find it's way to it.

I'm really so happy that I found this, as this would be so perfect in having all of my falsies in one container. Very easy for me to grab and take wherever when I need them.

Coming Soon! My New Finds

I've got a couple of new babies to try and write so expect a very busy blog for the coming week. Weekends used to be the only time that I allot for blogging but writing has been such a release - and the easiest stress buster - that I've found myself spending more and more time around here.

I'm really enjoying checking whatever makeup my greedy two hands can pick up and try so that I can have something to talk about. So here's a sneak peak at what products you'll be hearing from me in the coming days.

I just love my friends, they know how much I adore makeup that whenever they see a makeup sale they automatically buy some for me. These two lipsticks from NYX came from a good friend in SG, I guess they were doing a warehouse sale hence the old packaging.

Revlon has always been my go to drugstore brand, you can pop into almost any department store or drugstore and you know you'll find this makeup. I'm reviewing 2 new colors from their Color Burst line.

A little classic lipstick should be included so I'm trying out Estee Lauder Pure Colour Long Lasting Lipstick. 

I'm also trying out another concealer, the ELF Concealer palette in warm shades.

And do you know NYX is already open at SM North Edsa? Was giddy down to my toes when I saw that it was. I'll be talking about my field trip, which included a not so happy experience for me (more of that later - sorry to dampen the mood a bit, but it was just a very grrr moment).

Now I'm looking forward to writing about all this stuff!

Color My Lids: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Pearls Marbleized Eye Shadow

I can never get enough of eye shadows. Though I have stacks of palettes waiting for me to open and use, that doesn't stop me from getting a new shade every time I'm at the makeup aisle. Such as the case of this new toy.

I had a couple of minutes to spare before my lunch time ends, so I invited my lunch mate to swing by Watson's with me (which was oh so conveniently located just across the street where I work -  oh temptation!) just to go and window shop. Needless to say, good thing I had just enough money left in my wallet to buy only 1 thing because I would have gotten so much more.  

Here's the Maybelline Eye Studio Color Pearls Marbleized Eye Shadow.

The Great Brush Debate

Whenever I look at makeup brush sets I just feel so confused. Why do we need so much? Particularly the number of brushes used just to do your eye shadow, just focusing on that can make you go crazy. From my experience a nice fluffy dome brush is already enough. 

Great thing our friends at thebeautydepartment.com narrowed it down to just the must have's. Click on the image below to know details of each brush.

Hide that Sneaky Pimple: ArtDeco Camouflage Cream

I am very thankful that my skin has definitely become better as I grew older. Going back to my teen memories I can distinctly remember how bad my acne was then. Talk about cottage cheese face with intense oiling up on the the T-zone and cheeks. I didn't have the means to cover them up and had to live through it au-naturel. Nowadays, though I'm still getting a smattering of these annoying bumps, a little makeup base and foundation takes care of it pretty well.

EXCEPT, the dreaded PMS related mega zit that comes by every once in a while.  So for those days that my regular coverage does not help, I turn to my to my beloved concealer the ArtDeco Camouflage Cream.

I was introduced to the product by a friend that does her makeup flawlessly. She's one of the dying breed of girls that make's sure that her hair and makeup is already done perfectly before she even gets to step out of her room. Anyway, it was from her that I had finally met the greatness of this concealer.

Clinique Bonus + Project Vanity Party at Clinique SM Aura

Last week Liz Lanuzo of Project Vanity announced that she was inviting 14 lucky girls for an afternoon date of girl talk, skin care and makeup in partnership with Clinique at their new store at SM Aura. Being new to the whole makeup blogging business I took the chance in trying out to be part of this event and hastily emailed Ms. Liz. I kept both my fingers and toes crossed the whole day hoping that she'll pick me. Imagine my happiness when I saw her reply!

Oh my gosh! I'm such a noob! I was jumping and squealing like a school girl. I was just so surprised that I couldn't stop myself from replying this back.

Didn't think I'd be invited on my first try. Thanking my lucky makeup fairy god mother up there, I headed out to the soiree with a giddy heart. We were welcomed graciously by Mira (Marketing Manager of Clinique) and started with a little question program talking about what we should look for in picking out the best product for our skin, how different is one moisturizer to another and the best topic I heard so far, what the hell is UVA and UVB (I mean wha??!)

Here's us girls doing a little "what's your best beauty secret" sharing.

The Foundation Drama: Makeup Factory Oil-free Foundation Review

Thank goodness the God's of Makeup created skin foundation. It has given us, the pimple scarred girls the opportunity to experience the feeling of having a clear-smooth skin even just until the next wash-up. I already have my HG, the Make Up Forever HD Foundation that gives full coverage even without concealer. But with the price that just burns a hole in the pocket, I think this should be best reserved only for special occasions.

So today, I'm road testing another brand, the Makeup Factory Oil-Free Foundation that hopefully I can substitute for everyday use.

Makeup Factory Oil-free Foundation in shade N0. 15

Banish the Wrinkly Face away - Pond's Age Miracle Cell ReGEN Day Cream

If there's a talent that I can do really well, it is applying moisturizer and sunblock on my face evenly without needing to look in the mirror. So imagine my surprise while I was doing my makeup one day, lo and behold! Wrinkles! Under my eyes! On my forehead! Ughh! I was just so bothered that I had a mental rundown on what I've missed in my beauty regimen to have received this curse. I know I'm not too young, (yes I'm 28 and counting) but this is definitely premature aging. I wasn't expecting this until I was at least 35!

Even though the skin has wonderful powers in responding against the initial distress of our skin, it just couldn't keep up fast enough because of the continuous onslaught. It needs all the help it can get to regenerate through preventive protection such as sunblocks, keeping our skin clean and of course products that focus on rejuvenating our skin.

So I knew I had to find a solution to slow down the system as much as I can, stat. Going around the internet for ideas, I saw quite a lot of reviews raving about Pond's Age Miracle Cell ReGEN Day Cream.

Ponds Age Miracle Cell ReGEN Day Cream

The product promises to work deep in our skin by giving 3x more renewal power while protecting it from getting damaged further. It provides a shield against UVA and UVB and can visibly reduce fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. It also has an SPF 15 sun protection which is the usual for most makeup and is fine for regular use just as long as you're not under direct sun for long periods of time.

Let's Nail It! Tony Moly Nail Polish DIY

Ever since Tony Moly released their nail polish, I've been hooked! I absolutely adore the colors available in the line. One of my definite favorite is their nail polish in ND05 Nude tone. It really compliments my skin that whenever I put these on my toes it automatically makes it very artistahin! Lol!

But seriously, I can only say good things about the product. First of all, it dries so quickly! Unlike other brands that even an hour has passed but it's still wet, this one dries up in 20 minutes flat. Not kidding, timed it myself during a mani-ped and that was even done in 2 coats and a top coat of another brand. 

Another great thing is how it doesn't chip off as easily. This lasts 1 week on my hands, and doesn't show any sign of cracks by the time I'd take it off on the 7th day (I never ever keep nail polishes on more than 7 days because it leaves my nail beds really dry and weak). Best of all, it never leaves a yellow residue that can make you look like you have Hepa.