December Favorites

December is almost over and 2011 is fast approaching. It felt like I just posted my November Favorites and here I am now sharing my favorites for the month of December. Soon, I will be doing another Best and Worst post like I did for 2009. For the meantime, let's take a look at the products that got thumbs up from me for this month.

1. Shu Uemura Glow Ons M Pink 30 and P Pink 30 - just as I have mentioned on my November favorites post, M Pink 30 will forever be a favorite of mine! I have recently started using P Pink 30 again when I got my compact earlier this month since I won't have to worry about the broken hinge of the original P Pink 30 case.

2. Shu Uemura Compact Case - for $8, I couldn't be any happier! I can bring these 2 favorite blushes of mine wherever I go.

3. Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation in 774 - smooth and creamy foundation, feels like second skin. Review to follow.

4. Clarins Truly Matte Foundation - before there was Shu FA, there was Clarins. A perfect shade match with decent oil control properties. Dries to a powder finish without looking cakey and still manages to make it look natural.

5. Chanel Rouge Allure in Comedia - my new favorite pink lipstick! Review to follow.

6. Mentholatum Lip Ice in Lemon - moisturizing and the only mentholated/minty lip balm that I really like! Just like other Mentholatum Lip Ice lippies that I have previously reviewed, definitely not waxy as I really despise waxy lippies.

7. MAC Studio Finish Concealer - I have rekindled my love for this concealer. I have ignored the others I have for this. I like how it conceals my dark circles very well and has good staying power.

8. Revlon Brow Fantasy in Brunette - I know I have purchased this just recently but I just instantly fell in love with this product so much that I bought a back up of this the following day while it was still on sale. Definitely better than the ELF Studio Eyebrow Kit I have raved about before. Two words - better brows. Review to follow.

This is lesser compared to my November favorites but these are the products I have been reaching out for these past few days.

What are your December favorites?

Happy New Year, super awesome peeps! May your lives be blessed and may you have a prosperous 2011! :P
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I Broke My Promise! :( (Last Hurrah for 2010)

As I have mentioned earlier, I was heading out to buy a new cleanser and I promised that that's the only thing I will buy. Guess what? I went home with other goodies. Gah! But I will be trying to justify my purchases so read on for my pathetic attempts. :D

The only makeup I purchased. See? I'm getting better at it. Haha! Estee Lauder Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Crystal Pink.

How can one not fall for this lovely color? Haha! Dang, an epic fail to justify purchasing this lipstick. I honestly think I made the wrong decision because this is not fragrance-free.

I bought mostly skin care stuff since I need to invest more on that. What's the point in having all those really nice makeup if my skin is awful, right? Am I right or am I right? :P (I think this is pretty much acceptable.)

I bought a planner (the pink Rilakkuma one) because, well, I need a planner and a more organized life. Haha! Jeez, that sounds so pathetic and so not me. I hate schedules and planned things. A little spontaneity won't hurt. The cute little pen matches the planner, that's all. The notebook is just something I grabbed to reach the minimum charge amount of Php300. Thinking of who to give it to though.

Tomorrow, I will just be staying home while waiting for 2011 so I am safe from buying anything else. I should probably start doing a Project 10 pan soon so I can keep myself from buying unnecessary stuff. My response to my very own brilliant idea - Yeah right! You need more than just good luck with that. Haha!

New Year's almost here. I will be soon doing a Best and Worst for 2010.

Happy Thursday once again, super awesome peeps! :P

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Mini eBay and online purchases

Here's the mini eBay and online purchases I made before this year ends. This will just be a super quick post since I am heading out and going to EDSA Shang as I need a new cleanser since my Superhero Soap has suddenly stopped working for me. Found out it's the culprit for my skin's bad condition. It all started from eating cookies with nuts (Yes, I am allergic to nuts) then spots suddenly started popping out on different parts of my face but I will go into that soon. I have my eyes set on this cleanser from Healthy Options. And no, I won't be buying anything other than that. I'm keeping my promise of not doing another mini haul or whatever. Going back, here are my online purchases.

From eBay.ph  - Wet 'n' Wild Ultimate Eyebrow Kit in Ash Brown, Wet 'n' Wild Coloricon single eyeshadow in Envy (such a gorgeous shade), NYC Color Wheel Mosaic Face Powder in Pink Cheek Glow, Tracy by Tracy Ellen EDP vial. I have yet to recieve a Max Factor Lash Perfection Mascara from a different seller though.

From Girltalk - goodies from strawberryswitchblade

The sample of Chanel Mat Lumiere Liquid Foundation in Clair 20 that Dianne got for me and other ladies since we wanted to try it first before buying. Oh no, I am on a foundation phase. Liquid to be exact.

Of course, another book. I have several books lined up and I guess I'll be on a nerd mode next month. A friend of mine said he didn't know I was such a nerd or a dork. Haha!

Anyway, that's all for now. It's raining and I gotta get there early so I can avoid the dreaded rush hour when going home.

Happy Thursday, super awesome peeps! :P

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FOTD: Neutral Eyes (a first!) using Laura Mercier Colour Classics Face Palette

I'm not the type who wears neutral eyeshadow because they have the tendency to look muddy on me. For some reason, neutrals just don't work for me but since there are 3 neutral shades on my Laura Mercier Colour Classics Face Palette, I decided to play around with them and surprisingly, they didn't end up looking that awful on me. In fact, it turned out well. So here's the very simple and neutral look I came up with.

Neutrals on me (Please ignore that spot in between my eyes. It's infrared for my super powers.)

Half FOTD. I had to cut the pictures in half because I poked my left eye while talking these shots and I didn't realize how red it was until I saw the pictures.

Stuff I used:
- Celeteque Facial Moisturizer
- Smashbox Photofinish Primer
- Lancome Teint Idole Ultra in 02 Lys Rose
- Chanel Vitalumiere Eclat Compact in 20 Beige Rose Tendre
- Revlon Brow Fantasy in Brunette
- Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in Rose, Topaz, Coffee Ground
- B! Kohl eyeliner
- Clinique Lash Power Mascara in Black Onyx
- Shu Uemura Glow On M Pink 30
- Mentholatum Lip Ice Lemon
- Chanel Rouge Allure in Comedia

What do you think of neutrals on me? Muddy or not? :P

Happy Wednesday, super awesome peeps! :)
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Laura Mercier Sheer Lip Color in Baby Lips + Lancome and a bag

Pink is my favorite color in the whole wide world. Some may think it's too girly or too feminine but I don't care because I love pink! Lately I have been really digging pink lipsticks. I just can't wear those that are outright and screaming pink like MAC Pink Noveau and NARS Schiap because they make me look gay. No offense to gays because God knows I love gays and I love my gay friends but that's just how I look like with those two lipsticks. I prefer more subtle looking pinks and this is the latest pink lipstick I have purchased (and I actually just purchased it yesterday and yes, I am blogging about it) - Laura Mercier Sheer Lip Colour in Baby Lips. You know how I am when I get really excited over something that I super like.

See? So pretty. :P

I was really surprised as to how low the rating for this lipstick at MakeUpAlley is. Most complained about this lipstick being too dry but most of those reviews were written like 3-4 years ago so LM must've changed the formulation of this lipstick because it is not in any way drying. I find it to be in a way moisturizing since I can skip wearing a lip balm underneath this lipstick and not worry about my lips flaking and chapping. In fact, my lips feel smooth and soft even with the color gone. I am honestly not a fan of the packaging. I hate the brown tube but I guess I can't really complain because this lipstick, after all is not that expensive, priced at Php895. Almost 50 bucks lower than MAC. This applies really smoothly and leaves a hint of gloss behind. It is sheer so a few swipes are needed for the color to really show up on the lips. Being the sheer lipstick that it is, it does not have a great staying power and the color is gone in just about an hour or an hour and a half tops. But I really don't mind reapplying because I like the color. I have worn it last night and today and I still have pretty much the same observation about its lasting power. This is a really nice lipstick especially for those who want something that isn't screaming I'm-wearing-lipstick and it's definitely MLBB and will make your lips look more youthful. However, if you are the type who prefers really opaque and pigmented lipsticks, this isn't the one for you.

Swatch

Lip swatch

Okay, I really promise, these two are the last of my 2010 purchases (except for the eBay goodies I expect to receive this week) - Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Liquid Foundation and a big hobo bag from Mondani New York. I was honestly going to skip this foundation but I had a dream last night that one of the Richards from The Amazing Race Asia 4 bought this foundation for me. I was like, "Why him? And why this foundation?" Haha! And when I dream about something (makeup, of course), it usually means I have to get it; otherwise, it will haunt me for days and even weeks, perhaps. I bought the bag yesterday but I just forgot to post it together with a perfume and a lip balm.

Have you tried this lipstick? :P

Happy Tuesday, super awesome peeps! :)
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Yum Moments: World Chicken

While walking around Gateway doing just a little bit more shopping (I'm done after this, I promise), I realized that I still haven't had lunch and it was already 3:30pm so I decided to buy food at World Chicken and eat everything when I get home. I ordered the usual for me - one side dish of Asian Noodles and Ranch Sauce for the chicken sauce. Here it is.

Plus here are the last purchases for my holiday shopping. (Kamiseta shirt not included)

Have you tried World Chicken? What's your fave from them?

Happy Monday, super awesome peeps! :P
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Christmas Collective Haul

I'm a happy girl this Christmas season. I got a couple of the things on my wishlist and then some. I'd like to share what made me broke now. Haha! :P These are basically some of the stuff I got for the past couple of weeks (December). I have a mini eBay haul coming up soon. :)

From Rustan's

From Duty Free - got 2 from my Christmas Wishlist (The Chanel lipstick shouldn't be part of this haul but something went wrong that I had to just keep it.)

From SM :D

I can't get over the brush included in the Chanel compact. :P

Laura Mercier Colour Classics Face palette + 1 mini lip glace (Pink Diamond)

2 blushes and 6 eye shadows (will review soon)

My latest fave scent - Acca Kappa Hibiscus

Did you get items from your Christmas wishlist? Went shopping this Christmas? :P

Happy Sunday, super awesome peeps! :)

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Product Review: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

If you're the type who does not like wearing heavy makeup but want to even out your skin tone, tinted moisturizers (or even BB creams) are perfect for you. Tinted moisturizers are basically moisturizers with just the right hint of color that provides sheer to very light coverage. There are different brands of TMs (tinted moisturizers) and more and more companies are manufacturing their own version. One of the more popular TMS is the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. As I have mentioned on my previous posts, I now prefer light coverage makeup so when I saw this being sold online, I immediately grabbed the opportunity to get myself one of the most talked about moisturizers. It has mixed reviews but still, I went ahead and purchased it. I have had this review on my drafts for weeks now and I only remembered about it just now. I was hesitant to post this since I no longer have this item with me but I guess it still deserves a review after all.

What I like:
- The shade Nude (the lightest shade, I think) matches my skin tone perfectly.
- Not too thick nor creamy. Consistency is just right for me and I think that's what makes it easy to blend.
- I like squeeze out tube packaging since it gives the control needed when getting product from the tube.
- It has SPF20
- Locally available at Rustan's.

What I don't like:
- Smells funny.
- Oxidized on me.
- Made my face itch every single time I used it back then.
- Awful results when used during hot days. My faced looked really awful on really hot and humid days that I used this but it was okay when the temperature was colder.
- Very sheer to almost non-existent coverage.
- Made my face look greasy after an hour or so.
- Expensive for a tinted moisturizer.

Overall rating: 2/5

Will I buy again? No. The fact that I no longer have it with me means that I do not like this product at all. If I want something super light on my face, I will just use bb cream.

Swatch

Blended

Have you tried this product? If yes, do you like it or not? :)

Merry Christmas to all of you, super awesome peeps! :)
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Yum Moments: Creamy Cheese Pasta at Qizia Cafe

Here's another Yum Moments post from Qizia Cafe at SDS Medical Hospital (near SSS Village) in Marikina. Yes, a cafe right next to a hospital. I love pasta so that's what I ordered yesterday. Here are pictures. :)

That guy in green was looking at the camera. :P

Inside the cafe...

The almost non-existent pastries. :P

From outside the cafe.

There's a small souvenir shop right beside it.

I ordered "creamy cheese" pasta. Basically penne with tomato sauce with hotdog slices and cream sauce.

I consider this good for two because I can only finish half of it and the serving's quite big. This dish costs only Php110. Iced tea is for only Php35. Not bad, right?

Red and white sauce mixed together. This dish is really good. The sauce is really tasty but the pasta is a little bland for my liking. A little salt will do.

 
The only thing I didn't like - too much oil. I remember having their beef pesto before and there was also too much oil. Not good.

I've only eaten at Qizia Cafe four times. The first one was a major disappointment. I went there with my former colleagues and most of us ordered bacon cheeseburger. They were all done with their meals and I was still waiting for mine to be served. They initially served a tuna sandwich but I told the waiter what my order was. Half an hour passed and there was still no sign of my meal so I called the attention of one of the waiters to follow up on it. After another half an hour, they served me a hamburger with no bacon and cheese when I specifically told them I ordered bacon cheeseburger. That was when I decided to talk to their manager and complained. She was really apologetic but I made sure I gave her a piece of my mind. It wasn't funny going there hungry and see all your friends done with their meals while I was still waiting for mine. Of course, I didn't make a scene but there were a lot of people eating there at that time so I'm sure they heard me because some of them were looking at our direction. I promise I didn't bitch out on the manager though. :D She rushed inside and after a few minutes, another hamburger was served but the bacon still wasn't there. At that point, I already lost my appetite and once again told them that what I ordered wasn't a hamburger nor was it a cheeseburger but a bacon cheeseburger. I then advised them that my meal was "to-go". I was really disappointed that time and my friends knew I was getting pissed. It took more than an hour for them to finally get my order right. And it wasn't even gourmet! Plus, none of the waiters apologized which was a big turn off.

Anyway, the second and third times I dined there went pretty okay. But yesterday was different. I asked permission if I can take pictures and to my surprise, they were on their best behaviors. I just didn't like that they kept on glancing at my direction, watching every bite I take. Their service was better since they probably knew I was going to feature their cafe somewhere. Haha! Still, the waiting time wasn't good. 30 minutes is pretty long so I wish they work on that.

Overall, I like the cafe even after what happened the first time I was there. I like their food and not their service. Haha! I guess I just have to make sure that I won't go there starving or else, I'll probably pass out. And I like the place too. It has an "at home" feel to it.

I wore my fave shirt too.

Have you tried Qizia Cafe or have had similar bad experiences while dining out? :P

Happy Thursday, super awesome peeps. :P
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Tag: Updated Makeup Collection

I love seeing other people's makeup collection. Shallow as it may sound, I find looking at makeup therapeutic. Anyway, this is a loooong overdue tag from Joice and I finally had the time to take pictures of my mini makeup collection. I have been doing a lot of de-stashing and downsizing because I want to narrow down all my makeup to only those that I really really use and I'm proud to say that I have succeeded so here are pictures.

Meet Sparky (train case) and Soapy (cosmetics pouch)

Sparky is where I put all my makeups. I had to put stickers to make Sparky a little more feminine.

Concealers, lip balms, mascara

Eyeshadow, eyebrow kit, lip balm

Lipsticks and lipglosses

Liners, mascaras, MAC studio fix

Blushes, foundations, a couple of eyeshadows, lip balms and lipgloss (Can you tell I love lip balms?)

Sparky wide open :D

And Soapy is where I put all my brushes and other tools.

Sponges are in the pocket.

So there's my humble mini makeup collection and I am happy to say that I am able to show everyone of them lotsa love. :)

Happy Wednesday, super awesome peeps. :)
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