In continuation of my foundation series, I'd like to talk about my true-blood Japanese foundation- the Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation SPF 15/ PA++. If you follow me, you should know that I think Japanese products are one of the best in the world. Everything I own made in Japan just delivers. 

Said to be a high-definition, long-wearing mineral foundation, it is formulated with minerals from the deep waters of Bretagne and botanical emollients and extracts, this skin-conditioning foundation smoothes and covers imperfections while feeling weightless and comfortable. This product is also said to be cruelty free and does not contain artificial colors, fragrance, or mineral oil.

I have recently been wearing jeans a lot. From going to work and all through the weekends. I temporarily stopped wearing shorts on weekends until further notice except when my mood changes.

Perhaps I am getting old. Or maybe I just want to simplify. 

Since I decided to run a foundation/ base series this week, I figure it's the excellent time for me to talk about some drugstore foundations I have. So today's pick is from a drugstore brand you're all familiar with, Maybelline!

The Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse foundation is ideal for normal skin according to their website. But the following are the selling points for me:

My latest MAC foundation is the Pro Longwear Nourishing Foundation courtesy of my friend (thanks, Mira-belles!). The shade is NC30 (for reference, I am NC35) and I didn't know whether it would match me completely.

This baby had favorably good reviews and I must say that this foundation photographs really well. The NC30 shade was a surprise match to my skintone after it sets. I was careful not to apply too much as it would for sure cake on me (this girl has oily skin!). It never sticks to my face like a paint, my face can breathe (I am feeling it!).

My recent cardio check up was a bitter pill to swallow. I was told immensely I need an exercise! I mean, I enjoy walking and running but my crazy schedule at work is always a consideration. But overtime, I knew deep inside me that all these are but excuses.

I am not an athletic-kind-of-girl. Except for swimming and running, other sports always take a backseat. But now, I can't continue living like a pig. I must move, sway my arms altogether and start catching on my breath if and when I want to live longer.

 How wonderful it is to have one product with four (4) concealers, right? This was the same thought I had when I first saw the Ben Nye Media Pro HD Tattoo Coverall in SK-11. For less than a thousand pesos, I should be out, ready for my next selfie pose at anytime of the day.

The Ben Nye Media Pro HD Tattoo Coverall in SK-11 is a compact concealer said to cover tattoo, contour the face, hide the veins (yes, I was told),  hyperpigmentation or undereye circles! They also save room in your kit, as each is wheel divided up into four (4) blendable colors.

I am compelled to tell you how wonderful the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Standout is!

It is a such pretty red which reminds me of MAC's Russian Red in terms of color pay off. But Revlon wins in terms of its formula I think. Let me tell you the reasons why.

First, it is superbly opaque and would flatter almost any skintone. It is not a red lippie with a bluish hint on it. Instead, it leans towards the brownish-red tones if you know what I mean.  Also, it is never drying on your lips.

But let me share a trick or two: upon application, take a tissue and give it a quick smack to take away most of the pigments. Now pack on some more color then smack on tissue again. By then, your lips should be matte with its color.

I am quite surprised I spent only few moolah on makeup since last year. Yes- it must be a sign of maturity but my gut tells me it's because I like to invest on my skin more than what makeup can camouflage. Now that's probably hilarious if you knew me from way, way back.

If you can leave your place without any makeup on, it means two things: You are awesome and you know it!
But for “mortals” like everyone of us, this is quite a feat. Now, imagine what if a great looking skin is possible with very minimal coverage. Well, the answer can be found in Olay Total Effects Pore Minimizing CC Cream with Sunscreen.

Last month, I traveled to Hongkong on a whim. In short, it was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing after enduring some months of work, life and everything in between. I didn't have much plan and in times like this, I could make use of my fervent wish that "the best plans are NOT having plans at all".

I didn't plan on staying long, in fact just for the weekend. Hongkong seemed to be so elusive in all my Southeast Asia travels. I have never visited this city before when most Filipinos already did. Well, that came without a surprise, I am a late-bloomer afterall.

Hongkong boasts of a different Chinese air- so different from the mainland China as the city enjoys a higher degree of autonomy, as its political and judicial systems operate independently. I had been in Shanghai and Beijing but Hongkong is quite different indeed. I heard rumors that the Hongkong people are flabbergasted when you compare them to the people from the mainland.

First order of the day is food!

Of course I wouldn't miss it for the world. Nah. Never.

Hola, hola and lots of hola to you! What was I thinking? I've been missing in action for the nth time! Oh goodness, the months have passed just like that without me realizing how fast they went. Yes, I've been busy with gazillion things and one of them is...... C-O-O-K-I-N-G!

I must admit, I am not domesticated and since I started living alone right after university, I rarely cook. So yes, I had undeniably been stressed with my usual routine so one fine day, I looked for something to keep me busy while not working. Armed with my phone and Google, I started searching for Filipino dishes I could practice cooking and voila, the rest as they say is a small history.

I'm trying to cook at least twice a week most especially during weekends because by then I have the energy to do it. Else, I would find a "nice" excuse to miss work. The joy in cooking, I have yet to experience but for now, I am especially elated that I no longer live in a cave.

So presenting my not-so-goodlooking dishes for everyone to "critic':

Sauteed mung bean stew (a.k.a. Monggo)