Don't you just hate dry and chapped lips? Because I do. 

Unfortunately, I am not spared in injuring myself from picking that extra skin from my lips. Despite hydrating myself by drinking lots of water, I also put on some petroleum jelly just before going to bed to wake up with a fresh, hydrated lips.

Lip balms are my recent obsessions and just recently, I was able to grab a piece of Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose.

I’ve always been curious how to construct a dress! And I mean the real one. My fashion sense I’d say is a work in progress and for that I am always in the lookout of beautifully styled ensemble to make me look well put and if possible, without breaking my waley (read: wallet).

I’m a fan of reality fashion inspired programs such as America ’s Next TopModel or Project Runway. I feel so envious of these girls strutting their butts wearing skyrocket heels with their pretty makeup while those from Project Runway are able to come up with such a beautiful dress in 24 hours. 

Wow. Such a labor of hard work indeed.

When I think of Pinkbox, I can only think of one word to describe them: Pretty! 

These pretty thingamajigs are the surely the bomb! Whether you are a kid or all grown up, who can say “no” to irresistible things such as Pinkbox?

And yes, I had my share of “pink addiction” as if the only pretty things in the world come in pink. Why am I babbling about this? 

I have two words for K-Palette products: Just Wow!

I mean, I pretty have much luck in all of their products since I started buying their brow liner which I reviewed here. Or their Zero Kuma Concealer here. These are really excellent products!

And so one day, I came out with a mission: Get the K-Palette 24H Real Lasting Eyeliner in Jet Black!

I was searching for a good read when I stumble on Stella Boonshot’s entry on sizeism. Stella originally posted a "controversial" photo on her Tumblr account, The Body Love Blog, before it was picked up by photographer Brandon Stanton and published on his photography site Humans of New York. 

Curious to see what was the picture? Click here.

With Manila ’s unpredictable and yet humid weather, I often find myself thirsty when it’s hot outside. But bringing with me some water is just inconvenient for me so I turn to mints or candies to keep me sane.

So when Rio Mints PH invited me for their latest product launch, I had to say yes. Rio Mints is a brand of sugar-free mints and comes in different exciting flavors namely Burgundy Grape, Pink Grapefruit, Honey Melon and Green Tea & Peppermint and the latest, Sweet Mango. 

I never saw the need to use concealer(s) before. Well, that’s because I generally have moderately clear skin except for some zits usually caused by my monthly visitor. Other than that, my skin I think  is okay.

Then came the night shift duties….. My oh my, all hell broke loose, lol.. Just few years working in the night shift gave me some excess baggage(s) which are very hard to deal with--- EYE BAGS!

And so I started using concealer targeting my under eyes as they have now became very prominent. Usually cream type concealers would work for me but hey you, I’ve finally found the best concealer for me to date.

 It’s the K Palette Zero Kuma Cover Control Concealer in 03.

While preparing for work, I am amazed that now, I can only survive with very few products in my makeup kit. You see, while I was starting to learn how to put makeup on to myself, I was always trying to execute everything I want to learn all at the same time. It was good at the some point as it was my way to put my knowledge to test but bad for my schedule because I would often be few minutes late for work, lol.

To give you a glimpse on how my makeup routine goes, let me give you an idea:

- Tinted Moisturizer/ BB Cream

- Concealer

- Set with a colorless powder

- Fix my brows

- Eyeliner (Optional)

- Curl my lashes and then mascara

- Blush

- Balm Stain

As you know, I get pretty lucky when I use little or minimal makeup in my combination to oily skin. So now, I’d like to tell you about some colorless powder I’ve been using to set my makeup. 

Meet Ben Nye Neutral Set Colorless Face Powder.

Sometimes I wonder why I like makeup. You see, aside from the fact that I have combination to oily skin, I think my face sweats more than an average person does. 

And so for many years, I did a number of experiments and it was only recently that I was able to understand the right makeup for my skin type.

Here are some makeup tips for sweaty face:

"Why bother being good?"

The day I asked this was the day I decided I will do better in being good to people. 

You see, life is not that fair. Even when we are nice, there are people out there who would constantly critic us beyond the reasonable criteria as possible. There is a "bad" character in all of us no matter how we try to be good. But the question is how much of this bad character make us.

When we were kids, we were taught about the value of honesty. We know that kids are supposed to tell the truth and never cheat. It is with this premise that I grew up thinking no matter how awful reality sounds, we must deal with it. I had been tempted in many occasions not to say the truth but I feel guilty every time I think about it.

Picking the right foundation that matches your skin can be tricky. Personally, I had to wear a foundation and deal with an orange face soon after. So over time, I tried to understand the reason why.

So you ask yourself: "Why does my foundation turns orange on me?"

When a foundation oxidizes, it turns orange, or one or two shades darker, on your skin. The oils on your skin or those present in the product can affect the pigments of the foundation. In my experience, oilier skin are more prone to experience a change in the color of their foundation.

There are several ways to prevent an orange face. Here are some:

During the weekend, I could not stop myself from buying my fave ice cream at Dairy Queen. 

Seven years ago, my friends and I would often hang out at this place in Glorietta 4 drowning ourselves with these delightful desserts coupled with so much fun and never ending stories! Oh, those were the days!

I just love their "blizzards" especially Strawberry Banana.. Awwwww.. I could just imagine it in my mouth as I write this.

I have been in love with Mexican food lately. And I never thought I'd be very fond of it given my limited knowledge of food and my own taste buds. I mean, since I live alone most of the time, my cooking skills are way rusty, I had to shake my brain to remember the last time I turn on my stove.

So in my times of solitude and making peace with my not-so-picky taste buds, I would need to content myself with take-out food. And so my cravings for Mexican food has finally evolved into much more. 

Enter--> Mexicali!

I know I've not been consistent but here I am posting my September favorites. I have not been able to review as much products as I can because I had been extremely busy with lots of things.

But so far, here are my September favorites:

 Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Smitten 

Review here

I've been very curious about Ben Nye products. For more than 45 years, Ben Nye has earned the respect of artists who simply want the best in makeup.

And so far, here is my latest Ben Nye baby: the Ben Nye Final Seal Matte Makeup Sealer.

Lookie, lookie what I received from Bloggers! 

Bloggers.com is a dedicated site for Blog Authors all over the world!

You must have remembered my Post Card Project here. 

But since I decided to lie low on my travel plans this year as I had other priorities, I could only limit my chances of sending letters or cards at some extent while travelling.

So when my friend Ryan sent me one all the way from Laos after traveling from India, I was so elated! 

Ryan & I traveled to Bali last year. Click here for more Bali travel stories. 

This week, I was booked to do a client's hair and makeup for an event. I've been trying to be religious in accepting makeup jobs lately so I can have more practice and to take a breather from my regular job.

There are still makeup jobs however that I still can't accept as my office job remains to be my priority for now. If I become as famous as Michelle (Phan) maybe I can ditch my job in favor of the dreamy glitz and the glamour (hahaha, as if!).

If you have been following my blog, you must remember my purple lippie addiction phase here.

So when Emjay asked me to do her hair and makeup, I was curious to try on her my purple lippie. And so here's the final result.

No money needed! All you need is sign up. You don’t need to be physically present on the said event. 

Just fill up the form here:

I get several questions on how I keep oilies at bay. While living in Manila has its usual perks, the weather can be unforgiving at times. 

Two things: too much SUN or too much RAIN! Now you choose!

In humid days, I add some extra "toppings" on my makeup! And yes, I like those High Definition powders from Eshiko, ELF and the like. 

But wait! My recent discovery is this---- Ben Nye Neutral Set Colorless Face Powder!

"No language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a mother’s love."
- Edwin H. Chapin
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During the weekend, I had the chance to be a MUA in my second try at maternity photography. The very first maternity photo shoot I had was last year which I blogged here.

I love maternity photo shoots because I think a woman is at her most beautiful when she carries a life inside her:)

I was recently introduced to a very talented photographer named, JV by a common friend a day before the actual shoot and was asked to be their MUA. Of course I said, yes!

On the day of the action, I was however 30 minutes late in the studio because of my regular office job (boooo). 

Anyhow, JV and clients, Chris and Mika were already waiting for me when I arrived. And so the action began! 

I have not taken photos of the studio because I did Mika's makeup right away then Chris' but the place was pretty decent and better from the last shoot I had.

So here are the photos from the shoot:

Photography: JV Libunao

Hair & MUA: Miss J

Location: JMT Creative Photography Studio, Makati

When I remember my days as a struggling early twenty-something corporate slave, one of the brands I was fond of was Maybelline. They sell reasonably priced powder, mascara, eyeliner and the like.

Well you have heard it a countless times that a woman must invest into a good and reliable foundation (be it powder or liquid) so she can conquer the world! 

But I am writing this post for all girls out there who are still on a budget and yet looking for a foundation which worked for me in the past and even now. 

I am talking about the Maybelline Clear Smooth Extra Shine Free Powder Foundation SPF20.