I'm a voracious blog reader. Personally, I enjoy reading honest-to-goodness writing and lovely photos. Professionally, I need to listen to the pulse of the industry. That's why I'm happy that there are so many new beauty and fashion blogs that cropped up this year! They introduced me to more individuals with interesting styles and points of view.

Photo from Paul

Aside from following popular beauty and fashion bloggers (like Nikki, Sophie, Shen, Jill, Laureen, Camille, and such), I also like to browse through every blog in the niche that I can find. There are other bloggers, however, whose updates I really look forward to reading. I like how they talk, mostly. :)

Bless My Bag. Gorgeous photos, writing, and blogger. Julia is now working as a professional makeup artist, which I really admire! If you don't follow her blog yet, you MUST.

Anartechoke. Ae looks like a model, but she's actually an architect. Her makeup musings and looks are practical and straight-to-the-point, but she has a quiet glamour about her. I know because I met her once. Love.

The last event I organized in 2010 was for a brand that's very dear to my heart. I invited beauty and fashion bloggers to experience the Asian Secrets lulur body scrub the best possible way - why, in a spa, of course! You'll remember that I really enjoyed my time at Qiwellness in Salcedo Village, so I managed to hook up the two brands for this relaxing event.

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Happy bloggers!

It was a very casual get-together as bloggers lounged in the soft white chairs of Qiwellness. I just gave them a short introduction about how lulur is part of an ancient Indonesian beautifying ritual for brides.

The Vanity Fair is the second event I co-organized this year. It was stressful but totally worth it of course! I got to hang out with the beauty and fashion bloggers I see in other events. Better yet, I got to bond with new young 'uns like Krissy, Ava, and Ana! I was also happy to see Karl and Nicole (of Soule Phenomenon) - such a chic duo. I think that Vanity Fair proved that we have a vibrant local blogging community in the beauty and fashion niche.

So what was the event about anyway? Held last Friday at SM North EDSA Skydome, it was a health and beauty expo featuring brands like The Body Shop, The Face Shop, Organique Acai Berry, Philips hair and body tools, and the like. There was a special segment exclusively for bloggers where they participated in a game, a short essay writing contest, and listened to talks held by a rep from John Robert Powers (poise and posture), The Body Shop (makeup tips), and me (blogging).

Enough talking and on with the pictures!

Bloggers! photo by Kira

The Face Shop's busy booth. They did free hair and makeup for everyone!

More photos after the cut.

I've already raved about the Kotex Luxe Ultrathin pads when they came out last March. I never bought from any other brand since then! I just love they absorb extremely well without compromising comfort. This time around, the Kotex Luxe pads have gotten an upgrade: you can get them now in fun, flirty, and pretty prints. This is Kotex's answer to the question - "why only white?"

There are six different prints available, three each falling into two categories: Indie Chic and Girl-Next-Door. The one you see here is an Indie Chic design which is quite intricate and a bit artsy. If you're concerned about the ink getting to your privates, well, the concern is unfounded. The dye is applied on the other side of the cotton and it doesn't spread when it gets wet. I know, I tore it open.

Anyway, enough about the product! Let's move on to the special launch that Kotex prepared exclusively for bloggers. A lot of my favorite people were there so I really enjoyed the event held in Bizu, Glorietta 2. Of course, a great event is not complete without pictures.

Nakiki-style blogger! Haha. Photo from Lloyda

Sasha's "kissed" design, Shen's totally kikay work, and Teeyah in her Mango blouse (!)

As you may know, there was a minor tiff among bloggers that happened last week. I refuse to call it a controversy, because for me, having basic values like common sense, respect, and quality of output should always be a given when dealing with businesses - they're not negotiable nor reason for controversy. These values that constitute professionalism are important whether you're a blogger or not.

Anyway, we've all been hearing bloggers like me blabbing about the issue on how blogger-advertiser relationships should be handled. But what about advertisers? Are you curious about how they bring products and events to us? Most importantly, don't you want to know what they think of us?

...we also want to get to know bloggers and build long-lasting relationships with you—but we want the relationship to be built on equal respect for each other and not build a relationship with bloggers that are based on FEAR. Fear that you can lash out on our brands, and our campaigns, and criticize our every move and turn. We are just still learning, and if you can just give advertisers time to ease in.