I've never had my hair colored, ever. Whenever I go to salons to get a cut, I always smell the distinctive stink of hair dye. It's the kind of odor that goes straight inside your nasal passage and stays there, painfully. That's a huge deterrent for me! My hair is really thin plus I suffer from hair fall so I've been staying away from any sort of chemical treatment for years now.

And then came L'Oreal INOA. A play on the words "Innovation No Ammonia", L'Oreal's revolutionary hair coloration system promises optimal scalp comfort and the absence of smell. It's because there is zero ammonia in the formula. At the heart of INOA is the ODS (Oil Delivery System) which is supposed to optimize the hair penetration of the coloring active ingredients.

Robbie discussing the system

Demoing. The system has three major components just manually mixed with each other.

I liked the silver and blue, but pink is still my favorite color! I ended up snagging these dark pink Sebago Docksides because I figured it will go with more outfits and look less dirty over time. See there, that's me being practical. I want to be able to wear these for as long as possible!

I've been using these boating shoes for a week so much I'm actually even wearing it right now. The insides are lined with super soft leather. I love how the shoes hug my feet and feel light even with the thick rubber sole. They're made for walking - in style, of course!

Anyway, as promised, here are a few outfits that I came up with these shoes!

I used to find myself intimidated by Clinique. The products are expensive, and the clean aesthetic of the packaging - even the counters - can be alienating to those on a budget. However, after meeting the people behind the brand and using their products for a year now, I can say that your skin (and your money) is in very good hands.

May from Clinique invited me to their Rustan's Makati counter last Thursday to introduce me to two of their newest products: the Derma White Bright-C Stick Makeup, a cream foundation in stick form, and the Lash Power Volumizing Mascara. I got the mascara so I will be reviewing that separately (one word - wow). For now, I'll be talking about the Derma White stick makeup and how hands-on the brand is in teaching its clients to maximize the products.

Derma White Bright-C Stick Makeup SPF 15/PA++ is a two-in-one foundation stick that incorporates makeup and brightening benefits in one product.  The formula contains a high concentrated infusion of potent Vitamin C and Vitamin E located at the center of the stick to help brighten and soothe damaged skin immediately.

I have never heard of Sebago shoes until the uber stylish Rosanna (of Little Miss Dress Up) blogged about it. Who knew that boating shoes could look so chic! Sebago has been around since 1946, first selling hand-sewn penny loafers, then moving onto authentic boating shoes for the enthusiasts of the sport. 

Think it's not for you? Think again. Boating shoes have now become a fashion staple under the dressy preppy category - the actual nautical shenanigans aside. Sebago happens to have the icon in that style department since the 1970's called the Docksides.

Since their very first time out of the shoebox and onto a boat, Docksides have been beloved by sailors everywhere. Appreciated for their handsewn genuine moc construction that wraps the foot in a single piece of form-fitting leather, delivering seamless comfort and hardwearing durability. As well as for their slip-resistant, non-marking rubber soles that offer sure-footed security, the functional rawhide laces, and their non-corrosive brass eyelets that help them look as good as they wear.

The iconic Docksides will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The kind folks from Sebago asked me to pick my very own! I was very delighted, to say the least. I fancy my personal style to be on the preppy spectrum when I dress casually which is why the Docksides are right up my fashion alley.

I initially wanted to get the two-toned silver ones, like Rosanna's, but I generally don't like knowing I have the same shoes as someone I know (not know as in know, if you get my drift!). Just a quirk, but there it is. These silver shoes are irresistible though!

It's the weekend! How's it going for you? Me, I don't really have weekends since I mostly work from home. Right now I'm preparing to go to my mom's house, but before I leave, I want to share a product that I've had for a few weeks now: the Etude House foundation brush.

I find myself struggling to say something about this brush. Why? Because all I can think of saying is "meh". It's so-so. I can live with it, I can live without it.

What I like 

• No shedding
• Easy to clean with only baby shampoo
• It looks neat, compact, professional
• Relatively affordable for only sub-500 pesos

I've been checking out Youngblood, a mineral makeup brand, at Beauty Bar for a few years now. However, I never got around to buying anything because their stuff are too expensive! Think about it, ~P2,500 for foundation? That's a no deal for me. Sure, the products are high quality, but I still can't bring myself to spend when there are better and cheaper alternatives out there.

Just imagine my shock when last Tuesday, upon visiting Beauty Bar at the Podium, I saw a Youngblood makeup palette that only costs P995!

Whoaaa

I stilled my heart for a couple of minutes as I calmly swatched each of the two blushes, three eyeshadows, and three lip glosses. It was LOVE at first swatch. I immediately bought the palette without batting another eyelash.

This is my second time to be on TV! The first time (QTV Channel 11, Fit and Fab segment on fashion bloggers) was quite embarrassing so I won't link haha. This time though was pretty fun - I was with Lauren, and we just talked about Ukay Manila and our blogs.

Tek Tok TV is a show hosted by Hannah and Vince that's all about tech news, trends, the Internet, bloggers - anything geeky and cool. It airs live every Wednesday, 10:30-11:30 AM on the Global News Network channel of Destiny Cable. 

Pics!

Bambi, Lauren, me, Hannah, Vince, Glambox Airbrush owners (pic from Lauren)

Bambi being interviewed. Love her smoky eyes and pale pink lips!

My go-to lipstick lately is my Revlon Colorburst in Fuchsia. For this look, I challenged myself to come up with an eyeshadow combination that will not clash with the loud lip. I thought of warm colors like gold and pink to flatter my skin tone as well as lend a hand in accentuating the fuchsia!

Photo tutorial up ahead.

Step 1: Pat a warm pink eyeshadow (Urban Decay's Sphynx) all over the lid. 

Step 2: Pat on a gold eyeshadow (Twice Baked) on the outer third of your lid.

You may (or may not) know that I'm the buyer for the Ukay Manila Store. I visit ukay stores all over the metro to find unique pieces to sell on the online store I co-own. I'm proud to say that the store has been successful in its first year, but more than that, I'm proud that I don't just sell ukay-ukay - I live in it!

There are some pieces that I simply don't have the heart to sell. Sometimes, I find something that I know won't sell, but it's just too unique or cheap to not buy. There are so many beautiful things in an ukay, more than what you'll find in a run-of-the-mill department store. Cheaper, too. That's why most of the clothes I have in my wardrobe are thrifted.

Here are a few outfits I came up with in a fit of boredom. I took pictures so I'll remember to wear them since I absolutely hate being late just because I keep changing my clothes!

After a meeting yesterday I visited Rustan's Makati to check out the makeup. I love Rustan's makeup - they've got the best! Literally. I wanted to get the NARS Laguna bronzer, then the Laura Mercier Spring palette (which is so gorgeous and pigmented by the way - definitely worth the P2,450 price tag), but then I changed my mind the last minute after realizing that I have too much makeup as it is. I thought to get shoes and a bag, for a change.

I trawled Rustan's for half an hour before I spotted the perfect bag for me! I've always been intimidated by LuLu, a brand based in New York, because I thought that the bags are too expensive. Much to my surprise, they're actually affordable! This tote bag is just the right size, done in the softest of leather with edgy chain accents. This would go perfectly with all my outfits.

I was drawn to loud n' proud eyeshadow colors when I first started playing with makeup. I'd go out in emerald greens and stunning blues all the time! But now, perhaps because of age (lol), I find myself wearing neutral, accentuating eyeshadows more than the shocking ones. That's not to say that I don't love me some heavy black smoky eyes and pops of color once in a while, of course.

Anyway, I was excited to try the new Revlon Luxurious Color eyeshadows because I got, you guessed it, neutral shades!

Revlon Luxurious Color eyeshadow (Satin finish) in Polished Bronze, P475

Revlon Luxurious Color eyeshadow (Perle finish) in Sunlit Sparkle P475

Last April, Revlon released its newest line of eyeshadows that come in two finishes - Satin, which has a smooth, luminous effect and Perle, which has a sparkling effect.

What I love

• The Satin finish is made of LOVE. The texture is very smooth and fine - like "suede", just as the press release promised.
• The Satin finish has very good pigmentation.

I need makeup but I don't know anything about it. What should I get? This is a question I get asked a lot. The type of women who ask aren't usually vain beyond lip balm and the occasional foundation, but needed to step up their looks because they're looking for a new job (or their work requires them to be presentable), a new love in their lives, or just a makeover to feel good. At some point, all of us have to look better, and that's where makeup comes in!

I have already written about how important it is to have quality products in your daily routine. I believe that it's best to spend big for items that you will use for at least one whole year. After much thinking, my peg is P5,000 for the whole deal - foundation, concealer, blush, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and lipsticks*. That's actually pretty cheap if you think of it in terms of cost-per-wear.

So here are my suggestions for the ultimate makeup kit!

In2It Oil Control Foundation

This foundation has received consistently good reviews from, oh I don't know, most of the beauty bloggers I know! It's cheap and does its job amazingly well. It's TONS better than the MAC Studio Fix, in case you're wondering. The silky texture and feel is quite similar to my Holy Grail foundation, the Shiseido Supplist. The In2It is only ~P450 for the refill, around P600 for the case.

MAC Studiofinish Concealer

Invest heavily in concealers because they need to provide good coverage and lasting power. My personal favorite so far is this cream concealer from MAC because of the wide color range and pigmentation. Yeah, I take back what I said in my review! I use this everyday now. For a cheap but mindbogglingly limited alternative, try the Etude House Surprise Concealer for P300.

I was on my way home from the PFW opening night when I had an inexorable urge to visit the Beauty section in the department store. I immediately saw a mineral makeup brand I've never seen before: Beauty Treats! I checked the prices and oh boy, these are cheap. Most of the products are under P500. I was delighted to see a pressed face powder, since I've been dreaming of one that's cheap AND mineral for the longest time. I grabbed it without a second thought.