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.