My Current Makeup Collection

I actually own a good number of makeup items and tools despite being plain-looking on a daily basis. I just don’t use them often because 1.) I don’t wake up early enough to have time for putting on make-up and 2.) I’m too shy to show up in the office with a fully made-up face.

Some of the stuff I have were gifts from family and friends (specifically the lippies). As for the others, I bought them because I felt like I will need them (e.g. when I want to look pretty for a date, when I have to attend a special event). And so, here they are…

FACE

FS Cake Foundation in Toffee

This is a perfect match to my skin tone but I replaced this with another brand that

TRULY MATTIFIES the skin because my face is just so oily and pawisin, too.

Also, BF often complains about the smell of this product.

Ever Bilena Studio Finish Stick Foundation in Beige

Replacing this one as well with one that also has a matte finish.

What the EB Studio Finish looks like

L'Oreal Infallible Stay Fresh Foundation in Radiant Beige
 and L'Oreal Mat Magique BB Veil in Golden Amber
I just bought these recently because I was hella excited to
replace my foundation stick and powder. Their finish is matte
and so far, they are doing amazing things to my skin.
I might not look completely poreless and dyosa-like
with these on my face but they definitely improve how I look.
Bonus: The foundation smells like lotion. BF-approved!

FS Concealer in Cashew

Slightly lighter than my skin tone, as how it should be I guess.

Or maybe not. Enlighten me.

Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser

This just can't handle my badass pores, LOL. It also

doesn't help strengthen my make-up's staying power.

Makeup blender

I got this from Landmark Department Store in Trinoma.

Really blends foundation well. Looking forward to hoarding more of this sponge.

Left to right (L-R): Nichido lip brush (part of a set...why is it even here, LOL),
Artist Studio angled brush, and Nichido blush brush (part of a set)
You can buy Artist Studio brushes at Landmark in Trinoma.

EYES

BYS Matte Eyeshadow in Matte Deep Space

One of the freebies I got from Cosmo Beauty Block.

Highly pigmented!

FS Single Eyeshadow in Dark Caramel

I use this both for my brows and lids. Talk about multi-tasking!

Bench Paint Box Eyeshadow Duo in Latina

Shimmery colors that are perfect for morenas like me

Fashion 21 Color Bar

Previously owned by BF, hahaha. He decided to come

to a Christmas party as a reindeer and he needed

cheap makeup to do a reindeer's face.

elf Volumizing Mascara

I need to buy a new one because this already

went beyond the six-month mark.

elf Waterproof Eyeliner Crayon and Ever Bilena Dip Stick

I haven't learned how to use these things properly YET.

I don't have a steady hand for these.

Ever Bilena Advance Perfect Eyebrow in Medium Brown

Works wonders when used with the FS eyeshadow

(L-R) Ever Bilena Eyebrow Shaper, Artist Studio angled eyebrow brush,

Nichido eyebrow comb and brush (part of a set), unbranded spoolie,

and Nichido eyeshadow brush (part of a set)

Eyelash curler. I can't remember the brand.

HERE COMES MY FAVORITE PART!!!

LIPS

(L-R) Naturactor in No. 6, Bench Matte in Pink Craze, Bench Matte in Pastel Pink, L'Oréal Collection Star by Aishwarya in Pure Brick, Ever Bilena Matte in Dusk, and Ever Bilena Matte in Love That Red

The Naturactor lippie isn't actually dark brown or black but a clear one that turns reddish later on.

The L'Oréal lippie's staying power is AH-mazing. My favorite among these babies though is EB Dusk.

Revlon Balm Stain in Crush Beguin and BYS Matte Color Balm in Passion

Easy to use because of their form :)

(Top to bottom) NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Monte Carlo, Copenhagen, and Transylvania

Requested for these babies as a birthday gift because I badly wanted lippies as dark as my soul.

elf Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Pink Lemonade and Aeropostale Lip Gloss in Pineapple

A lip gloss palette I rescued from a box of stuff that will be thrown away at home.

The back label says it's distributed by D & C International, Inc.

Forme Berry Lip and Cheek Tint and Lip Like Sugar lip scrub

Nivea Fruity Shine in Strawberry

This is what I use to prep my lips for matte lippies.

Also, this is the only product in this blog post that I use every day.

WHAT I STILL NEED WANT TO BUY 

All photos are from www.beautymnl.com, unless indicated.

• Makeup setting/extending spray

• Matte blush on in a shade that is not red or pink because ~duh~

• Contouring kit, powder or cream, in palette or stick

• A nude eyeshadow palette, matte pa din syempre

www.bys.com.au

• More Beauty Blender-like sponges (because I cannot afford the authentic one)

• More makeup brushes for specific uses (e.g. stippling brush)

• Matte lippies because I can never have too many of them, hahaha.

What else should I buy aside from the ones I listed above? Please let me know so I can...

Nah, just kidding.

My Fave Makeup Gurus

Hello there! ^_^

I am currently obssessed with MAKE-UP. This craziness started when I got a full makeover during the Cosmo Beauty Block last month. I looked and felt amazing and I got compliments as well, so I decided to learn how to apply make-up and be the woman that I truly am, charot.

While I already have a stash of Cosmo magazines (and more coming, because I subscriiibed!!!) as my learning materials, I still want to see how makeup looks are actually done step-by-step. So I searched for beauty vloggers on Youtube I can binge-watch using the following criteria:

• clear and simple instructions
• great visuals (proper lighting, nice and clean studio/room)
• sense of humor (because I have the attention span of a five year-old)
• use of affordable products
• relatability (and I mean the vlogger also has oily skin and needs to cover up breakouts every once in a while)

The following vloggers may possess only some of the qualifications mentioned above, if not all, and that is completely fine. Also, they are listed here in no particular order.

Note: Just click on their names to check out their videos! :)

Michelle Phan

Photo source: www.youtube.com/user/MichellePhan

This woman is an inspiring online success story and has a very sweet, soothing voice I can listen to all day. Her videos are visual treats that I will never get tired of watching.



Heart Defensor

Photo source: www.youtube.com/user/ThatsHeart

Heart is a ball of energy and a ray of sunshine in one. Her humor and quirkiness make her a cut above the rest. Still, her unique persona does not make her videos any less informative or helpful; it just makes them more worth the watch. 

Jennifer Chiu

Photo source: www.twitter.com/chiutips

I love the simplicity of her videos. She may not be the funniest or perkiest vlogger around, but her tutorials are helpful and that's enough for me.

Kris Lumagui

Photo source: www.youtube.com/user/krislumagui

My girl is so underrated; she deserves more subscribers! I can say that she is my favorite local beauty vlogger because she's the perfect mix of sweet, sexy, and sassy, the ultimate babaeng bakla we all want to be friends with. It helps that she is freelance make-up artist too, so you can definitely trust the tips and tricks she shares. Also, she uses a lot of drugstore products perfect for make-up addicts na nasa laylayan like me.

Michelle Dy

Photo source: www.twitter.com/michelle_dy

Another funny Youtuber who should be in everyone's subscription list. She has very creative ways in doing her tutorials (love the series where she takes on different personas) and she also recommends affordable products every once in a while.

Joanne Clutario

Photo source: https://www.youtube.com/user/THEanneclutz

Popularly known as Anne Clutz, this beauty vlogger makes Taglish videos that both the shala and the masa can learn from. Her videos may not be as fancy as the others, but the way she teaches how to do make-up looks and gives feedback on products will make you feel like listening to a dear makeup-loving friend.

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!

How I Spend Most Nights

Photo source: unintendedgirl.tumblr.com

It saddens me how my nights are always uneventful.

Most of the time, I just go home after work. I unlock the key of my room, turn on the light, kick off my shoes, lie on my bed, and stare at the cardboard that covers the top bunk. When I’m not engaged in a staring contest with said cardboard, I drown myself in social media. Social media is my junk food; I won’t stop consuming it even if it’s not good for me. Usually, I do only a few things when I’m online.

1. I rave about food and cats.
2. I complain about politics and current events. I already stopped complaining about religions because I don’t want to get into word wars and lose friends. 
3. I enter my not-so-secret fangirling world. Yes, I still follow that local loveteam that the rest of the country already tagged as laos. I refuse to believe that.
4. I like or comment on witty, insightful, or interesting posts of friends I know well or even people I barely know. What do I do with other types of posts? I judge them.
5. I try to be self-righteous/all-knowing and post a “wise” piece of advice or opinion.

When I feel happy, sad, or stressed, I eat out (usually alone). I live in a street lined with restaurants so you can imagine how big my midsection is. I hope this doesn’t happen to you. It’s just so difficult to buy clothes for this body nowadays.

Currently, I’m replaying some anime shows I loved aside from watching a variety of movies with my roommate.

I wonder why I can’t make my nights more exciting when I’m only 23 and I’m earning enough to buy myself a drink or two. Sometimes, I imagine myself getting dressed up and putting on some dark lipstick so I can hang out in a bar and look cool as hell. Or maybe check out paintings I’ll never understand and read poetry in a hole-in-a-wall café because I aspire to be a hipster.

However, if I become that fun, partying type of person the society expects me to be, would I still be myself? Or should I just accept the fact that not having fun is my idea of having fun?

Where the hell am I going with this? We all know the truth.

I’m just lazy as f***.

Pauses and Stops

Source: websummarizer.blogspot.ca

When I read our story

I breathe and savor

Every phrase, every word

That's when we love

Each other and more

A few times I pause

And take a breather

That's when we don't

Love each other that much

Now I seem to read too fast

The words suddenly run out

And then I realize

Our story has come to a full stop

Rainy Days and Memories (1)

Source: www.papemelroti.com

Renee makes her usual trip to that old novelty shop. Every Friday, she picks up something that catches her eye; it can be a bookmark, a keychain, or a pin. She just loves how the items look old but smell new, like history repeating itself. She already has a box of knick-knacks from the said shop, and she barely uses them.

She is sort of collecting them for someone: her history that never repeated even if she wanted to.

She remembers meeting Paula a few years back in the very same shop. It was a rainy afternoon.

Paula had a lithe frame and a shock of spiky pink hair. Her eyes looked eager as she was perusing the designs of the journals in the shelves. Renee tried her best not to stare, but she was too beautiful a girl.

She was a girl, as she looked too young to be called a woman or even a lady.

She focused her sight on Paula’s fingers instead. They were slim and white and they gently turned the pages of that insignificant-looking notebook. Renee had to shake off the feeling of being hypnotized by the beauty of this stranger. She grabbed a couple of trinkets she didn’t even like and walked towards the cashier.

“Hey! You dropped your keys.”

Renee turned around and looked straight into the girl’s ochre eyes, then at the outstretched arm up to the hand that cradled the keys. They were just standing and staring at each other for a moment.

“Thank…you.”

Renee slowly took the keys and put them inside her pocket, still staring at Paula. The latter broke into a small, shy smile.

We shall see each other again, she thought.

04.14.16

Mahal mo ako

Bawat titik at tuldok

Isinulat mo nang 

Walang pag-aalinlangan

Ngunit ngayon

Ako'y nasasaktan

Sa tuwing dumadaan

Ang pulang panulat

Sa ating mga salita

Hindi nagtagal

Inaalis mo na rin

Ang mga talata

Ng mga pangako

At pangarap

Na ating binuo

Ano na lang

Ang matitira sa atin

Meron pa bang atin?

Sa manuskrito mo

Ako yung pahinang

Wala na sa libro

Isa na lamang akong

Papel na maraming guhit

Isang pagkakamali

Hindi dapat paglaanan

Ng papel at tinta

Photo source: https://www.pinterest.com/ladygramla/fading-away/