Dr. Jart (the brand name comes from Dr. Jung, the company's head of dermatology + art of skincare), one of the biggest and most popular BB cream brands in Korea has finally arrived in the Philippines! I'm pretty excited because I've gotten my hands on the whole line, so I can review each one for you guys and make recommendations.

I didn't buy into the raves before I got my own tube of the famed Urban Decay Primer Potion. First, I'm lazy! I don't want to add an extra step in my makeup routine. Second, it's expensive at $18. It's not available in the Philippines which means that the price is jacked up to as high as P1,500 per tube.

So, what changed my mind? What makes this product worth the extra work and the price?

• Easy to apply and blend. It only takes 15 seconds for it to dry up.
• It creates a clean base, neutralizing dark lids and even stray eyebrow hairs effectively.
• You only need a bit of product per usage.

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.

It's funny how the products that actually make it into your daily routine are the products that you forget about. Case in point, my Nivea Angel Star Lip Balm! I haven't taken a photo of it, so you just have to spot it here:

It's the small pink tube on the right side!

This Nivea Angel Star line is targeted towards tweens who are just starting to become self-conscious about their appearance and body. One of the products released is a lip balm that has a slight pinkish tint with a frosty-gloss finish.

Why I like it:

• My lips are evened out by a light, pinkish tint. The finish is frosty, with a hint of gloss. I don't need a mirror to use this so it's very convenient.
• Moisturizing! It really helps my chapped lips in this heat.
• Non-sticky and feels light on the lips.

I have a dirty confession to make: I have never used a face mask before now! This is embarrassing for a beauty editor and blogger, haha. Anyway, the reason I'm not into face masks is because they require a lot of time (25 minutes at the least) to put on and remove. I also thought they were unnecessary and redundant. In any case, there's always a first time!

I've had this Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Masque pack for more than a month. Now that I've finally used it, I regret that I didn't get around to it sooner. 

What I like about the product:

• It has a heavy milk chocolate aroma. I love it! Several bloggers have sworn that it smells deceptively good enough to eat. I heartily agree. The yummy smell stays on your skin for a long time.
• It has a thick, creamy texture that's easy to spread all over your face. It feels very luxurious once applied.
• A pack has a lot of product (20g); you can slather it on generously without feeling stingy.
• Super cheap! It's only P78/pack at Watson's. It's skincare that's right up my alley.

It's finally here! The DKNY Delicious Candy Apples collection is distinguished by its saccharine, but not cloying, scent. Sweet Caramel is a light fragrance that combines juicy fruit (apple and pear), fresh floral (jasmine pertals, muguet, and violet leaves), and tantalizingly sweet notes (caramel, vanilla, and marshmallows). If I can eat a smell, I would definitely eat this one!

The cute bottle is designed to look like a candied apple. The top screws out smoothly from the perfume in one twist, so you don't have to worry your pretty head about getting it stuck or, god forbid, dropping the bottle in a fit of eager twisting.

Note: To clarify, this post pertains to bloggers who deal with businesses, not to those who write about what they ate for lunch or how their dog died.

You might have heard a silent bomb explode on the blogosphere today. It's about this, supported by this, and answered by this.

Now, I normally don't join the fray of blogger politics. I usually have better to do with my time than bicker about issues like this. I do think however that this one is different.

Professionalism

Blogging is only now treated with new respect by Philippine companies and traditional media outfits despite being around for a decade. Why? Because there are a lot of bloggers who work very hard to be professional in doing their blogging duties such as attending events and reviewing products. They practice proper decorum and courtesy when facing media contacts, and then objectiveness and meticulousness when reviewing products. In other words, professional bloggers make themselves relevant by being ethical, well-mannered journalists and media personalities in their own right. 

I once spent a summer working in the Senate for my practicum credits. I was often at Senate hearings and loved observing the senators as they fight to make the laws of our land. Since I was a member of a senator's staff, I get to sit directly behind the lawmakers and take notes. One day, Loren Legarda was presiding. She was wearing a fitted purple jersey top with 3/4 sleeves. Imagine my horror when I noticed that her bra straps were already down her arms! She probably couldn't feel it because her top was too tight!

Moral lesson of the story: even mega-rich senators wear bras with loose straps. If you love your old bras too much that you don't mind suffering through embarrassing booboos every time you wear them, then you shouldn't leave home without this!

So what does Inti-Mate do? It simply holds your bra straps in an "x" across your back. This means that you don't have to worry about falling bra straps anymore! Aside from that, you'll be able to wear racer-back tees without having to show tacky bra straps.

This product is especially helpful to women who like sports as well as those who are into sexy tops. Oh, it's also heaven sent for lazy daisies like me who absolutely hate removing convertible bra straps and criss-crossing them manually. It's so frustrating! And can get confusing. I know you know what I mean.

One pack contains three units in different colors: black, neutral, and clear. It's nice how they just bundled everything together for convenience! If I remember correctly, it's only P250 per pack.

Do you like marathon runs? Me, not so much. I remember my horrid PE days in UP where we had to run 6-8 kilometers around the academic oval per two hour session. But don't mind me! Running is good for you. It's a great way to lose weight and tone your leg muscles and butt. It's nice to sweat it out once in a while and feel those happy hormones coursing through your veins! Also, it'd be great to stock up on Neutrogena sun protection products while you're at it.

Neutrogena, the skincare brand most recommended by dermatologists, is mounting its first ever run dubbed Chase the Sun: The Neutrogena Run, on Sunday, May 16, 2010 in Fort Bonifacio , Taguig City. Runners, both men and women, can register for the 3k, 5k, 10k, or 15k races at R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street , Planet Sports Trinoma, New Balance Glorietta and Shangri-la Mall and Athlete’s Foot Alabang Town Center until May 12. Registration fees are P400.00 for the 3k, P550.00 for the 5k, P600.00 for the 10k, and P650.00 for the 15k.

Armed with Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 50+ and Waterlight Lotion SPF 50+ PA+++, runners will finally get the chance to run under the summer sun with maximum sun protection.

If you really think about it, it's not natural for morenas to blush. I don't remember ever blushing in my entire life. Pink, healthy cheeks are Western Caucasian concepts. Don't get me wrong, I love my pink blushes - even though they're technically not natural for dark Asian skin, they still look flattering on me. That's the whole point right?

In any case, you know what's natural on dark skin? Peach and apricot!

Peach and apricot are the natural colors that our Asian skin change into when we blush, exert ourselves physically, or tan under the sun. I believe that every girl (Asian or not) should have at least one peach/apricot blush in her makeup arsenal since it could really warm up the skin and even make your face look thinner without the harshness of bronzer or contouring powder.

MAC Cheek and Cheerful Mineralized Blush from last year's Colour Craft Collection

I'm currently loving this blush that I bought from Sophie. I was skeptical of it when I firs

This summer is getting more exciting with PLDT myDSL’s search for the Watchpad crew. The final 10 was revealed last Thursday, in a night dubbed as “X”, ultimately getting closer to the five teens going from anonymous to famous. They will be chosen through online voting, revealing who really has the x-factor to make it.

My skincare routine is not only basic, but relatively cheap. I wanted it to be quick without ignoring my skin's needs. The products have to be affordable too, since I use them for maintenance - I should never run out.

Everyday I follow the most basic skincare routine: cleanse, tone, and moisturize. I use additional products when the situation calls for it, such as eye cream, SPF tinted moisturizer, or makeup remover.

So now, presenting my skincare basics! This is everything I use to take care of my face.

RDL Placenta Soap

I've been using this product for more than three years now. It's super cheap at only ~P50 per bar, one bar lasting me for about 3-4 months of twice-a-day usage. Awesome right?

It keeps my combination skin clear from pimples and has a lightening effect. This is is not the best facial soap out there, however. It dries my skin and doesn't stop my pre-period breakouts completely. Nonetheless, in my rare skincare exploits, this is the best soap for me that I've found so far.