Haggard Yuppie Goes to Cosmo Beauty Block 2016

Hello, guys! I'm so back! Wait, rampa lang ako...

As you can see in the first photo, I just attended Cosmopolitan Philippines' first ever Cosmo Beauty Block (will be referred to as CBB in the next paragraphs of this entry) last August 27 at SM Megamall's Fashion Hall. I know, this is not something you expect from someone whose beauty arsenal includes Safeguard, Johnson's baby powder, and Johnson's baby cologne (feeling high school pa rin si bes) but I am *sincerely* interested in learning about beauty and hair and makeup because:

1. I'm fat AF and I need to make it up for what I lack in the sexiness department dahil sobrang kawawa ko naman kung mataba na 'ko, pangit pa; and
2. my boyfriend deserves a decent-looking girlfriend and eventually, wife. Enough said.

So yun nga, my CBB adventure started with the registration. I read this article several times because I was feeling excited and praning at the same time: http://www.cosmo.ph/beauty/makeup/here-s-why-you-can-t-miss-cosmo-beauty-block-adv-con. I decided to avail a 6-month subscription so I can have VIP access to the event (feeling mayaman, ganoin). The VIP access included early entry to the venue (10 AM instead of 11 AM), VIP seating during the program, and 3,000 pesos worth of makeup workshops by MAC (this sealed the deal for me). I shoot Summit Media (subscriptions@summitmedia.com.ph) an email right away to get the subscription form. Unfortunately, the message bounced back and I had no choice but to call them. Luckily, Ms. Ethel Marie Trabado, Subscription Administrator for Print, was one very accommodating person and after numerous email exchanges (I had lots of queries), I was able to avail subscription orders for me and my high school friend Pria (also a blogger). We also got to send names of eight friends (four for each person) we wanted to bring to the event. 

Ang daldal ko noh? So eto na...

It's the big daaaay!!!

I arrived at the venue a few minutes before 10 so I was able to score freebies easily, way before long queues formed. Registration was a breeze. I just presented a valid ID and they proceeded to checking if my name's on the list. Afterwards, they gave me my loot bag, a freebie card, and a sticker I can put on my shirt to indicate my VIP access status. Shala!

Excited Cosmo girls (and boys?) lining up at the registration area

I don't have a photo posing in front of this lakas-maka-awards-night wall
because I'm shy, hihi.

I took photos of the venue and the booths first before the crowd got thick.

Chic white seats 

Brow Lounge booth

Tokyo Posh booth

Pantene booth

Ever Bilena booth

Revlon booth

BYS booth

I want these throw pillows! They provided a nice pop of color
to the white cushioned seats.

Revlon products on display

I went to the event bare-faced because I was looking forward
to a makeover.

Eh yung ang ganda ng kasama kong straight from night shift
at two hours lang ang tulog. Nasaan ang hustisya, bes?

As far as I can remember (Sabado lang to nangyari pero dahil lola na ako...), here's how it went down:

• I got my free smokey eye shadow palette from BYS, while Pria got a lip palette. I was expecting to get the nude palette that won the Cosmo Beauty Award but who am I kidding, it was worth a thousand pesos a pop.
• We lined up for a freebie at the Revlon booth. We had to pose behind a heart-shaped frame for a photo, post said photo on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with their prescribed hashtags, show the posted photo to the booth personnel, draw a piece of paper from a magic bowl, and get whatever is written on that paper as a freebie. I got a balm stain which I added to my 12-piece lippie collection, yey!
• I played a pin-the-eyebrows game (what I want to call it, LOL) at the Brow Lounge booth. I had to stick the missing eyebrows on the pictures of Angelina Jolie, Cara Delevingne, Emma Watson, and Beyonce correctly in just a minute. Of course, I won this game and so I got a gift certificate entitling me to a free brow shaping session.
• I proceeded to the Beauty and Butter booth, liked their Facebook page, and got a 150-peso discount voucher, which I can avail for a minimum purchase of 1,000 pesos. Great. 

Commercial break muna...

I was also able to meet my former colleagues because I submitted their names to Ms. Ethel for regular access. Parang high school reunion ang peg ng ingay namin because we were so excited to see each other.

With Rona, Yna, and Klenia (who I haven't seen for more
than a year, I think)

And back to regular programming...

Honestly, I wasn't able to fully experience the CBB because I was busy attending to Pria and her friend and then to my co-teachers. Yes, feeling organizer naman ako. I just can't leave any of them and mind my own business. But then, here are the other things I accomplished despite acting like a mother hen to the girls:

• I claimed my free pair of white Sunnies at the Pantene booth. I also got a GIF picture taken with Klenia, Rona, and Yna. Here it is!

• I managed to sit down for a few minutes to listen to the talks and watch the demos of some of the members of the Cosmo Beauty Council. My favorite was the one by photographer Pat Dy because he shared some tips on how to achieve the perfect selfie. 

Host Cerah Hernandez opened the program.

A makeup demo. Forgive my lola memory for I cannot remember
the brand who sponsored this one.

The Myrza Sison, Cosmo PH's Editorial Director, gave the opening remarks.

Photographer Pat Dy talked about the picture-perfect lighting and poses.

NARS lead makeup artist Archie Tolentino talked about how to make it big
in the industry.

Salon de Maquillage Creative Director Laurent Herbert demonstrated
how to do different hairstyles for different occasions.

Jeline Catt taught Cosmo Girls how to do
the no-makeup makeup look.

          Tokyo Posh owner Denise Aquino discussed how she established her business and how we can also earn from our passion for beauty.

• I got my free makeover!!! After waiting for hours (I just stood near the Ever Bilena booth like a stalker), I finally achieved my goal of having a date-ready face.

Brillante Mendoza-shot, charot!

Pak ganoin! Eyebrows on fleek and matte nude lips

Funny and helpful EB makeup artist

And here are the other captured moments amidst the frenzy of getting freebies and more freebies...

Yna, as well as Klenia and Rona, got free hair chalk application
from the Pantene booth

Pria and her friend were able to try on some really expensive
hair extensions from Tokyo Posh. Of course they took selfies!

Mandatory crowd shot. Cosmo PH accepted walk-ins
that's why things got crazy and my friends weren't able
to get many freebies.

With Pat Dy

With mumshie Myrza. Ang fab at bango niya, please.

I had a blast attending the CBB and I wish there will be another one next year.  Hopefully, it will be held in a bigger venue and will have more booths. 

My almost completed freebie card. I wasn't really interested in
trying on hair extensions and posing like a mowdel
against a sparkling silver backdrop.

Syempre, pang-finale ang freebies!

The Pantene conditioner, Revlon perfume sample, and Avène sunscreen
were already in the loot bag handed to me upon registration. I also got
a tube of Celeteque facial wash but I gave it to Teacher Lhet because
she arrived late and didn't get a loot bag. 

Now it's time to embrace my make-up loving kikay self!