Getting an iPhone last year changed my life. I've been an Applephile ever since I can afford one, but I was just really hesitant to cough up the cash for one of the smartest phones around. What was I thinking! Because of the iPhone (on a Smart unlimited data plan), I am able to be on track with all my clients even if I'm out running errands or attending meetings and events. I can shoot product photos and swatches on the fly, and use apps to manage my finances and increase productivity. I'm never really bored. It's pretty awesome!

I'm sure everyone will tell you the same thing: it's not worth getting an iPhone unless you have unlimited data in some form. Smart is my network of choice, not just because they work with me, but because the connection is reliable. Well there are rough patches but 95% of the time I am able to connect to LTE and have a clear phone call. That's much better than my last network.

Anyway, I'm happy to announce that you can now get the iPhone 5c and 5s from Smart today. The packages are pretty attractive, so if you're looking to upgrade to a new phone and perhaps a network, too, then check out the plan matrix after the cut. :) I think the best deal is paying the cashout fee of P6,000 for an iPhone 5c 16 gig with an P1,800 postpaid plan. Not bad!

Are you feeling unhappy with your BB cream? If you think that it's time to replace it with something that'll hopefully work better, ZA Cosmetics has a great promo for you. From October 12 to 31, you can take the ZA Half Face Test, turn in your old BB Cream*, then get the ZA Total Hydration BB Cream at 50% off! It'll be P213 only after the discount!

You should def do this if you have old tubes of BB Creams around. ;) Or if you just really don't like your current one. The ZA Total Hydration BB Cream is supposed to visibly make skin brighter and translucent in just 10 days. It is supposedly multi-purpose and has a whitening effect with SPF50 PA+++. 

So! Let's make this a little more fun. I'm giving away the Total Hydration BB Cream UV White, True White Cleansing Foam, True White Prizmizer, and True White Day Protector to FIVE lucky winners. This set is worth P1,710. ^_^ The winner (or her representative) must be able to pick up the set at Luxasia's office in The Fort. Good luck!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hi folks! The Commenter of the Month for September is none other than Stacie Chan. Congratulations! Please email me your address so I can ship your MAC loot. ^_^

For October's Commenter of the Month, I am gifting him/her with two Real Techniques brush sets from KALM Cosmetics. KALM is actually the official distributor of Real Techniques here in the Philippines, so do visit that store for good deals and wholesale arrangements. 

I'm a huge fan of RT brushes. The products, designed by famous vlogger Samantha Chapman, have a precision and softness that would cost a lot more in other brush brands. The Core Collection is something I've never failed to use since I got it, while the Duo-Fiber set is a nice refining addition to my existing tools. I thought it's about time to gift these to one lucky PV reader!

Do Like KALM Cosmetics on Facebook and follow them on Twitter if you're interested in knowing how to get RT brushes here. :)

Okay, same mechanics as before! Every month, I'll pick a commenter on my blog.

I love Watsons. There's always something new, something interesting in that place! It can be a little bewildering though. Big Watsons branches like the one in SM Aura, for example, offer so many choices that it can be discouraging to look around for new stuff. 

I suppose that's one of the reasons for the existence of the Watsons Health, Wellness & Beauty Awards. This aims to help consumers choose only the best health, personal care, skincare, cosmetics, and hair care products. In turn, being aware of the Watsons Recommends Seal of Excellence can help us get more value for our money.

Wanna know who won the Watsons HWB? ;) The list is after the cut!

I have a love/hate relationship with SM Aura. I hate that the food choices are limited (as are seats during the weekend) and that the cinemas are almost always full. Seriously what's the point of having an IMAX theater near me when it's fully booked most of the time? I love the SM Store - so many well-curated items in there - but it's also limited. 

Still, the shopping at SM Aura blows High Street, Serendra, and Market! Market! out of the water. Before I would need to go to Makati to shop at stores like Forever 21, Uniqlo, Miss Selfridge, and Bershka. Now all that is 10 minutes away! I also love Suite Blanco (it's like a much cheaper Zara) and L'Indochine. 

Aside from clothes though, beauty shopping at SM Aura is also leveling up. The SM Beauty and Watsons there have excellent drugstore selections, but I love that MAC is also now available in the mall.

It's a huuuuge store, bigger than the one in Rockwell I think. It's all gleaming black surfaces and bright lights, as if you're in a real studio. The latest collections are also available there - check out these palettes!

The MAC Illustrated Ccllection by Rebecca Moses features limited edition kits and palettes. The palette containing the blush, four eyeshadows, and two lip colors retail for about P3,000. Not bad!

Here are more photos from the event!

Heya folks! Announcement time! The Commenters of the Month for August are Caterwauler and Rochelle Rivera. I also super appreciate Marie Watson's helpful comments (she already won last month actually), so I'll send her something nice as well. Kindly email your addresses, girls!

For September, I decided to give away something from my personal stash, from one of my favorite brands. Three guesses.

That's right, MAC! The loot will include a full-sized MAC Lipglass in Naked Space (a lovely nude) and MAC Fluidline Eyeliner in Little Black Bow. The CoM will also get 30ml bottles of the MAC Lightful Marine Bright Moisturizer and Cleanse Off Oil. Awesome right? 

Okay, same mechanics as before! Every month, I'll pick a commenter on my blog. She must be able to leave useful comments, such as sharing feedback about a product I reviewed.

I feel extremely foolish for forgetting this, so I am sorry in advance for the very short notice! Mira (Clinique's Marketing Manager) and I have been planning this for a while! I will be hosting a small afternoon soiree at Clinique in SM Aura this Saturday, August 31, from 2-5 PM. Nibbles will be available, and the confirmed guests will receive a gift from Clinique. 

There will be a short personal makeup workshop featuring Clinique's best-selling products. All attendees can also avail of a free facial right there in the store. Then, we'll have a fun activity where you guys can win full-sized goodies. ;) It's going to be awesome!

So, if you don't have plans this Saturday and would like to be part of this exclusive gathering of beauty fans, please do let me know if you can come. Just email your name and mobile number to lizlanuzo [at] projectvanity.com! The first 14 who confirm will be automatically included in the guest list. As a kindness to those who are truly interested, please only email me if you can make it for sure. Thank you so much and see you then!

Next announcement! The Clinique Bonus will be happening again this September. You'll get a set of deluxe samples free with your single receipt purchase of 4,500 from September 1 to 15, 2013, while supplies last. If you step up your purchase to P5,000, you'll receive a Clinique tote bag (one per customer).

Here are more deets on what's inside the Clinique Bonus set!

This August, I will be having not one, but two Commenters of the Month since VMV Hypoallergenics kindly sponsored two sets of prizes for CoM! First things first. Project Vanity's Commenter of the Month for July is none other than Marie/ Apple Watson. She has commented on almost every single post - thoughtful, informative ones - as well as on the Ask Liz! forum. :) Congratulations Marie! Please email me your full name and address.

And now, for the August gift!

The August CoMs will win a set I personally handpicked from VMV. :) If you've been reading this blog then you'll know how much I enjoy using these products. I have here the VMV Hypoallergenics Skintangible (12 grams), Lipstick, ID Monolaurin Gel and Skintensive Facial GC worth P1,500 each. Do click the links to see my reviews of these awesome beautifiers!

You may also follow VMV Hypoallergenics PH on Facebook to be updated with their new releases and promos.

Okay, same mechanics as before! Every month, I'll pick a commenter on my blog. She must be able to leave useful comments, such as sharing feedback about a product I reviewed.

I am once again late in announcing this so I decided to schedule the next CoM gift for July. It's a pretty exciting loot from Benefit which I'm sure you'll love! But first, congratulations to the Commenters of the Month for May and June respectively: Paulina and Maggie! They've been very active not just on the blog post but on the Ask Liz! forum as well. Even I'm learning lots of interesting tidbits from both these girls.

Paulina will be getting the Clinique gift for May, while Maggie will also get a pouch from Clinique with some samples and a few full-sized things from other brands. :) Again, congratulations and thank you for your intelligent and kind words on my blog. Please email me your full name and addresses so I can ship your gift.

Moving forward, I requested for two of my favorite products from Benefit for the July CoM gift : the Cha Cha Tint and Hervana Blush. If you read my reviews, you'll find out why I love using these two cheek prettifiers whenever I'm craving for a coral or pinky flush. The kind folks at Benefit also added their latest product, the Benefit Fake Up Concealer! So jealous, as I haven't tried this yet myself haha. 

Please do like the Benefit Philippines Facebook Page to keep updated about the brand's latest promos and prizes. ;)

Hi y'all! I finally have the commenter of the month for April - Ohms! Congratulations, you just won a Pinkbox mini-closet! Please email your full name and mobile number to liz [at] projectvanity.com. As stated in the terms, you can either pick up the closet in the Pinkbox office or have it shipped to your address. :)

So, for the May gift I'm giving away generous samples from Clinique and a full-sized Chubby Stick in Two Ton Tomato. I love the Chubby Sticks, and I'm sure you will too! They're easy-to-wear lip colors that you literally just swipe and go, while also taking care of your lips. There's also a smaller size of the Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry (the best-selling shade) for you to enjoy. ;)

Oh, please don't forget to like Clinique Philippines on Facebook to get up to speed on the brand's latest breakthroughs!

Okay, same mechanics as before!