Ring a Round a Rosie: Sweet Little Rings

Accessories makes or breaks a whole look. I've been known to sport the largest stack of bangles (almost up to my elbow just to give you a visual) ever, in the name of perfecting my outfit of the day. This season though, I gotta give my a-go-go look a break as the runway showcases more subdued looks.

Just like any druggie, weaning off from accessories overload is a little hard to bear so good thing I got these cutesy stacked rings to help get through the season.

These are from Forever 21, which they sell in packs of 3 to 6. This pack of 4 retails at Php. 285.00. Really sweet looking that it made me think of the little kids game "Ring-A-Round-A-Rosie

I know, a little too dark to as this game actually pertained to the Black Plague. Made you wonder how demented the teacher was to teach this to little girls. Anyway back to the rings, my sausage fingers never looked better!

Really cute right? So how about you? What's your favorite accessories this season? Would love to start a gabfest on the comments section below!

Line Em' Up Like a Pro: Lip Liner 101

By now, everybody would have tried out the lipstick comeback look; the hot lips. But have you really thought of the right way to get that perfect pout? The secret to any good red lips is making sure to line your lips well. It helps the lipstick from "bleeding" or as I call them skanky mouth, and it also helps you add a precious millimeter for that amazing Jessica Rabbit plump pout.

Here's the how to from our friends in The Beauty Department.

MAC X Maleficent: The Evil You'll Love

Evil Queens in fairy tales are generally hated and repulsed, I mean who can forget what happened to Snow White's step mother? According to the real Grimm story, she ended up being forced to step into red-hot shoes and dance until she fell down dead. Pretty gruesome right?

Anyway, flip to today and we're actually celibrating the evil witch that cursed Sleeping Beauty to die with a prick of a finger. Disney's Maleficent partners up with MAC to create a titillating colour collection.

"Mysterious, magnificent and much misunderstood – Disney’s most iconic villain, brought to life this  summer in the epic new film, “Maleficent,” inspires a limited-edition colour collection in specially designed packaging to delight the most demanding of dark sorceresses. Intensely admired for her evil elegance, despite her efforts to instill fear in the hearts of generations, this icon casts a spell of absolute adoration with sensuous shades for eyes, face, lips and nails  so wickedly gorgeous, who needs beauty sleep?"

Remembering What's Important

From forbes.com

A Breathable Flawless Foundation: Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation Review

I love having luncheons with friends, its a quick way of getting a breather in between my very (now) hyper work days. But after a short walk from where my lunch party was back to my office, which is by the way very near, I was just sweating buckets. I totally have to consent that indeed S-U-M-M-E-R is here. 

Got me thinking that I should revamp my makeup routine to fit the season more. Something more light weight and breathable for my skin. Cue in the first item in the sunshine bag, the Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation.   

The Benefit Hello Flawless has been in the market for quite some time already and has been reviewed by other bloggers as one of the top medium coverage foundation in the mid-priced level. I didn't join the bandwagon then as I felt medium coverage just wouldn't cut it with my very oily skin. Good thing the weather made my regular foundation too sticky feeling or I wouldn't have the push to finally see why other beauty bloggers are raving this product.

Bobbi Brown Makeup Master Class

I believe education is the key to greatness, I know sounds very in tune with the graduation theme happening right now. But really, I've never been the type that just accepts one way to get things done, but rather more of constantly looking for other ways to make it more doable (or in the usual case quicker and enjoyable ) in my mind. So when Bobbi Brown announced that they're giving 10 lucky girls to join the Bobbi Brown Makeup Master Class with their international makeup artist Felix Nguyen, I readily jumped at the chance and had a dozen eggs prepared for special offering at Sta. Clara!

LOL! Anyway, turns out I didn't need to pull some strings as I squealed in delight in finding out that I got picked. Oh lucky stars! How bright you shined that night! Anyway, here's what happened on that glorious day indeed. 

Felix showcased how to create 3 amazing looks; the Pretty Natural, Pretty Radiant and the Pretty Bold. I loved how simple it was to re-create the looks and how wearable they are any time. Felix stressed the importance of taking care of your skin and how you should prepare it as it serves as the foundation of your makeup.

He also educated us on the proper use of color correctors and concealers. Now, if only I can afford the BBU palette which he was wielding like a warlock's book that can magically make eye bags disappear I'd be the happiest gal in the world. Imagine, 13 shades of corrector, 14 shades of creamy concealer and 20 shades of foundation stick in one handy palette. No wonder it costs USD$ 250.00 (yes, that's almost 15k for you). Well, a girl can dream (le sigh!).

Match your Brush Up

So, how to makeup artists achieve that amazing foundation coverage? Is there something special with their hands? Their techniques? You'd be amazed at how a simple correct choice of makeup brush can help you get that perfect coverage you've always wanted. Thanks again to the amazing team of The Beauty Department for sharing this great info!

Quest for The Red: CoverGirl Outlast Lip Color

I know Valentines day has long gone past, but for me red can never go out of style. In my quest for the perfect red lipstick, lets's take a look at the one good contender, the CoverGirl Outlast Lip Color.

This lip color promises 16 hours of color that stays true even undergoing the strain of a hearty dinner, a nice glass of wine, an intense workout and get this, even some frisky lip smacking! Those are some big words that can make you turn into a doubting Thomas.

The secret they say lies on the easy 2 step formula. First, is the lip color which you can apply as liberally as you want. No need to do the press the lips together to spread. 

Win Your Favorite Ellana Minerals with their Flash Facebook Giveaway!

Ellana's having a Flash Giveway! Get a chance to score the Top Choice product of Ellana simply by commenting on their Facebook post with your favorite product. 

If you ask me, I absolutely adore their new Pressed Mineral Foundation. Same coverage as their regular loose foundation with out the hassle of powder flying around. Anyway like Ellana Cosmetic's Page and join the giveway here or by clicking the image above. 

The Connection Lost

I remember crying my eyes out over coffee to a girl friend how uninspired I've become and vindictive I am turning into. Clearly very emotional of the changes in my life that I absolutely didn't want to be, I went to her to confide everything hoping that somehow, she may be able to help me in figuring out why this is happening.

In the middle of my very impassioned monologue, she pull's out  her phone and takes a photo of her cupcake to Instagram. Seeing her do that just made my tears zip back to my eye sockets faster than a speeding train. In my mind I felt like, seriously?! That cake is so much more important than what I'm sharing to you?! (Though when I saw the photo the next day, I was like "so pretty!") But really, we may seem so connected with each other because of the ease of communicating through our phones that we actually fail to see how disconnected we've actually physically become with the people we love.

Anyway, don't believe me? Here's a video to show how stupid you actually look staring at your phone.

1st Ever Haul Post: The Shiseido Hoarding

I generally shy away from posting hauls. I kinda feel its a lazy way of blogging all the stuff you got just you know, for the sake of posting it. Then like everything else you dump on the side and totally forget testing it. This is of course based on experience, like the coming soon post I did a couple of months ago. I'm half way through the tube of my Revlon lipstick and still have not made a proper review.

Anyway, though I've sworn off doing another coming soon post, I just cannot help but share my Shiseido haul! It's just too great that it would be selfish of me not to show you guys!

I know right? MAJOR haul alert. I can be even accused of hoarding on some of the things. Here's a break down of the stuff I got.

Foundations:
The Hydro -Liquid compact refills (which I so nice as it's in cream form then transforms into powder) and my all time favorite Pore Refining foundation.

 

Can I Move to Thailand Because Sephora Just Got "Divergent"?

Call me melodramatic for wanting to move to Thailand just for Sephora, but you don't understand! You just can't! Only us with equal aptitude for different factions understands the drive to take part of this special offering found only in Sephora stores. Okay, I know I'm a tad bit overemotional but if you're like me and the millions of rabid followers of the book Divergent (and now brought to the big screen) you would rush like Dauntless as they catch the speeding train.



Sephora has just announced their line of Divergent makeup that will be released in their store this March. It includes a Multi-Piece Collectors Kit, which carries eyeshadow and blush sets, custom shade lip gloss and double ended makeup brush. This retails at $59.50USD.

Let's Talk Fat Shall We?

Uhhhhh... Yes, you heard right, I'm talking about FAT today. And uhhh... to be quite honest this stemmed from this picture you see below.

I posted this image in pure confidence that it looked good. I mean, great sky, beautiful white sand, and I felt I didn't look too bad either. Was even proud of my face and was like "Dang girl! You look fine!" so I was pretty confident to post and share to IG and FB.

So imagine my surprise that I seem to have offended someone so much that it warranted them to comment the big F-A-T word on this photo. I didn't mind being called that, its just how they blatantly said it with a hint of disgust on the undertone.

I'm not that deluded not to see that I'm heftier than the average ladies my height, more so that I know I've grained more weight in the past year. As a kid I've always been the chubby kid at school. I was the first one to have boobs and wear training bras during 3rd grade, was even used to seeing the perpetual size Large on my uniform, was always the base on the pyramid during cheer dance and by golly have been poked and pinched on the cheeks far too many times not to notice that I AM FAT. 

So why do you need to state the obvious? Do not comment on the photo in pretense of "Oh, I'm just worried for your health, blah blah", because if you really care, there's always a thing called "Private Message". Or maybe pickup the phone and call me because "I've got this amazing weight loss story that would inspire you"? 

Unboxing: The January - February BDJ Box

Hey guys, Gong Xi Fa Cai! My family has like, only 1/16th Chinese blood but hey! Who wouldn't want to celebrate when this is the holiday that I can pig out on tikoy? By now you should know how much of a pig face I am. I should have my own hashtag by now #littlepigletgoestoeat right?

Speaking of celebration, I'm doing a happy dance because this little box came in the mail yesterday. Halloo BDJ Box! So let's get to unboxing it shall we?

The theme of the box is "Change it Up!". I get it, new year, fresh start. And what better way to do a little change of your appearance but through a new hair color. First item on the box is a full size Garnier Color Naturals in Darkest Brown. I'm actually looking forward to getting a striking hair color this year so I might tuck this in the corner for the mean time. 

Next full size item on the box is Avon's Face Pearls. A shimmery blush that comes in compact beads! Really pretty, reminds me of The Body Shop Brush-on Beads. Will do a separate post on this as I think I need proper swatching on this.

Another full size item on the box is the Beauty and Bright Moringa Soap. Moringa seems to the it beauty product at the moment, (Moringa by the way is malunggay for us Filipina's). But who wouldn't love this stuff? It's packed with vitamins and minerals and comes from a very natural product, hence the number of brands churning out their own take of this ingredient. The plus thing about this beauty bar, is that other than mooring, it also has papaya and kojic acid. With all of that stuff, ewan ko pa kung hindi ka pumuti! LOL!

De-potting Party: How to Take that Pot Out

You might have heard me mention de-potting my Stila Portrait of a Blush Cheek Palette a couple of days back. So I know you'd be wondering how to do it. Thanks again to our friends at The Beauty Department for this amazing instructional.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Well from my 1/16th Chinese Family to yours! Happy Chinese New Year! We'll be partaking tikoy with siopao asado later and hopefully stay up till 12 to watch the fireworks of our neighbors. 

Did You know? The Perils of Pronouncing French Brands

Filipino's have this weird way of pronouncing my name. According to Google the correct way to say "Faith" is this way:

With an emphasis on the "TH" right? In the Philippines, if I say it that way, often times my name gets spelled as "FAYE". I'm like wah?!! 

Me: "Sir it's Fai-T-uh". 

Sir: "Fayah?"

Me: "As in, walk by Fay-T"

Sir: "Oh! Fate!"

Me: *closes eyes and does cleansing breaths

Holiday Gift Sets: Stila Portrait of a Perfect Blush Review

I know the holidays have been over for like, 2 weeks already. But hey, that doesn't mean I can't snag some holiday gift sets anymore! Especially if we're talking about the Stila Palettes. I wasn't able to drop-by their counter during the mad Christmas rush, so by the time everything calmed down and mall crowd begins to thin out, I immediately set my eyes on going to Rustan's to check out their makeup counter. 

Lo and behold! Stila still had their holiday sets, which includes this pretty package. The Portrait of a Perfect Blush Cheek Palette. 

The palette consists of 5 different shades that includes a bronzer, an illuminizer of some sort and 3 blush shades that goes well for skins light, medium and dark. The product comes in a hard cardboard type packaging which in my opinion is a little flimsy. Like my previous Stila palettes, I will be depotting these once the box starts fraying. But for now, I'll keep it as it is.

The first shade on the palette is Golden which is a bronzer. But I think it's a little light for me to show up that well. This would work well with lighter skin tones, someone in the MAC NC35 shade.

Time to Start Loosing the Christmas Fat

Truth be told, I was a pig during the holidays. All the "trying to eat sensible" just flew out the window the moment I saw my Mom's ultimate Chicken Salad. Sigh... Now I'm living with regret, as I sit on my bed trying to zip up my pants (take note of the word trying as an operative word).

Anyway, just saw this really easy and fun video from Erwan Heussaff. Really great points. Something I should do just before bikini season hits.

Lip Color Guide: The 2W's of Lip Color

Some What and When to use color guide for lip shades. Of course some items (e.g. the first date, what if he brings you to a roller derby park eh?) still may change due to personality and location of the events. Anyway, this is pretty much gives you a general idea on which colors fit best for certain events. Because wearing red lipstick in a wedding pretty much means "want to upstage the bride". 

Another Smacker on the Lips: EOS Lip Balm

Technically cold season in the Philippines starts at October, but it peaks up during January to February. Even though I love these months, because I can finally use again my favorite light winter stuff (hello scarves and pretty coats!) what the season does to my lips isn't so fine at all. My lips tends to dry and oh hello wind burn! Not so nice to apply lipstick on because it just ends up looking like color maps on my lips.

Enter the Evolution of Smooth (or as most call EOS) Smooth Sphere Lip Balm in Honeysuckle Honeydew.

The product, as mentioned, comes in a ball shape hard plastic packaging. Very easy to handle, you wouldn't worry much on it slipping from your fingers because of the nice thumb grip on the side.

The cap twists off to reveal a semi hard lip balm. As you can see, majority of the product is already exposed so there's no more the usual twisting to get the product out of the tube.

With it's unique dome shape, the product glides on easier. The balm has a nice sweet scent of honeydew which is not overpowering. It does have a slight flowery taste on it unlike most lip balms which are sweet. What I love about the EOS lip balm though is its feel. Not greasy but moisturizes really well. It doesn't have any color, so you wouldn't have to worry of it affecting the color of your lipstick. I've eve noticed that lip glosses that tends to streak, doesn't when ever I have this balm as my base.

What's in the Bag?

As a blogger, some days you're just stumped in picking out a perfect topic to write. Enter Pinterest, the amazing wealth of ideas of things to inspire you on your next great post. Browsing the site a while ago, I've noticed a number of people pinning the items they have inside their bags. 

I'm astounded by the number of things people slip inside their bags. And I mean really? You carry a pair of extra shoes around? Plus that hard bound book of Catching Fire? Anyway, seeing all this made me pull up my bag and check what I have inside as well.

My very sturdy and basic Michael Kors bag. Ultra utilitarian, I love that it doesn't have any frills just a pretty sack that you can have no problem dumping things in.