Everyone, and I mean everyone, needs an MLBB lipstick the same way they need a pair of blue jeans and black ballet flats. Forget the lip tints and tinted lip balms, if you're a newbie in makeup or even a certified pro, a reliable and flattering My Lips But Better shade will serve you well in any occasion. It's basic. It's a must-have!

Now the question is, what makes a good MLBB and how do you choose one for yourself? The best kind of MLBB has a creamy, slightly glossy finish. This type of finish will make your lips look healthier and fuller instantly. As for the shade, choose one that is close to the actual color of your lips - that's the most basic guideline. Think of it as foundation. That's why most MLBBs have a flesh-toned, sometimes brown base. Their aim is to enhance actual skin and not to saturate it with color.

Warm skintones look best in peachy and warm pink MLBBs; cooler skintones look good in paler, lilac-toned shades. Of course, there's a lot of room for choosing a color that looks good on you. You can go slightly cooler or warmer, as long as you pick one that brightens up your face instead of making it look sallow and gray. I wish I can be more specific, but you'll know it when you try it.

As per your request, I've rounded up my favoritest MLBB lipsticks. If we have the same skin tone (medium yellow) and level of lip pigmentation, these will rock your socks off. Promise.

L-R: Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Curviest Caramel, Revlon Lipstick in Pink in the Afternoon, MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Bare Again, MAC Lipstick in See Sheer, Etude House Lipstick in Worrisome Beige, L'Oreal Color Riche Intense Lipstick in Fairy Touch

I've already reviewed most of these lipsticks so please just click the links if you want more information. Here I will be sharing swatches for you to browse and compare, so enjoy! ^_^

Brush Week is finally drawing to a close. I think it's only fitting to write about my five favorite brushes, the ones that I never fail to use! I mean, there are a lot of brushes that I rotate quite often, but these five are absolutely indispensable to my routine. 

You'll notice that my picks here are mostly inexpensive. I don't feel the need to invest in a lot of expensive brushes since I only apply makeup on myself, and the ones I have here work perfectly. In fact, my favorite powder brush is only P120! Seriously. It's so awesome but unfortunately I can't find it anymore.

Anyway, here's why I LOVE these brushes!

The Large Powder Brush is my favorite foundation brush, hands down. It's super soft and quite large, but I like the size because it really cuts down the amount of time I spend on powder application.

I love various eyebrow enhancers but there are only three that I have been consistently using since I opened them. These are the most reliable ones - the ones that match any look I throw at them, that receive the most compliments. They're also foolproof when it comes to application. Even if my eyebrows look like a hairy hot mess, these three eyebrow heroes make them look neat and polished! All day.

Here goes!

I raved about the Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow pencil in 09 Walnut Brown last July 2011. Wow, it's been that long? I knew this pencil was a keeper but I didn't know it was going to be so literal. I shit you not I'm not even halfway through this one, after a year and a half of continuous abuse.

I almost forgot to write this one! The last month of 2012 was a big lump of murky goings-on for me. I wasn't particularly busy, but neither was I especially lucid. Well I'm just happy it's over for January is always an exciting month. :) Here are my top 10 best finds last December!

I'll put the Snoe Poudre Extraordinaire on top because it's something that I always reach out for. I use it almost every time I got out! It makes my skin look smooth, bright and flawless even if I'm just wearing it as is. It has medium coverage, almost like foundation in retrospect. The SPF30 in it is a nice bonus!

The Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer is possibly the most pigmented concealer I have tried to date! That's good for people who need to cover drastic body/face marks, but they ought to be prepared to spend time blending it properly and then smoothing the whole thing over. It's not an everyday concealer for me, truth be told, but it's great when I have an angry red pimple. ;) It's so good covering up that it feels like cheating.

I have developed a taste for handy, pre-meditated makeup sets like the Benefit She's So Jet Set box. It's a nice kit for travelers and low-maintenance girls alike! Those four eyeshadows are pigmented and long-lasting enough without a primer so they're winners in my book.

It's a holiday, the second to the last day of the year. The day is beautiful and bright, with a cool wind blowing from the south. My mind turns to oranges. I can't wait to go to the fruit market to haggle and hoard. Who wants to spend a day like this blogging? :P That's a rhetorical question though.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my top five lipsticks with you. I already shared a list of my best lipsticks last July so you can check that for more choices. This time I want to share the ones that I ALWAYS keep on hand. In my bag. On the top most tier of my dresser. 

These are lipsticks I can't live without, mainly because their colors work perfectly in sync with my skintone!

It's time to put a little perspective to all the reviews I've been posting! Starting this September, I'll be sharing my top 10 best finds for the month. These are the products that I've been using heavily, the kind of stuff that I don't mind purchasing when they run out (ceteris paribus - all things remaining constant). In other words, these are the things I can swear by.

Here goes!

The Sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash is a total savior. Don't get me wrong, I still use my Clinique Liquid Facial Soap (Oily Skin Formula). But since my skin is really, REALLY dry lately due to the acne serums I've been using, I need to use a more moisturizing facial wash that doesn't completely strip my face of oil. That's where Sebamed comes in. I love it with all my heart.

I've been using the Clinique Derma White City Block Anti-Pollution SPF40 PA+++ since May but given that I only wrote about it yesterday, it's included in my September list. It's awesome. Read the review!

The Estee Lauder Idealist Cooling Eye Illuminator conceals and heals. When I stopped using it for a week, my eyes hated me! 

It's Christmas tomorrow! For me, this is the time to re-evaluate the things I've done in the past year as well as the things I plan to do next year. It's also time to look back on the beauty/fashion items that I loved best. Here's my top ten last year. Curious about what made it this year?

Presenting, the Project Vanity Top 10 - the best in beauty and fashion that I've come across this year! Warning: excessive raving up ahead!

1. Clinique Moisture Surge

This baby does wonders for my skin. I've raved about it several times here! Definitely the best moisturizer I've come across.

2. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Feels and looks like second skin - only more perfect! I can NOT stop talking about this.

3. Levi's Curve ID Jeans

These jeans promise the perfect fit and it delivers. You will never have to buy another pair of jeans again once you wear these, I bet. ;)