I woke up at 2am today and decided to watch a movie until I felt sleepy again. I'm into period romance dramas these days, so I decided on Curse of the Golden Flower (2006) starring Chow Yun-Fat and Gong Li. Other than the gripping, operatic story, I loved the movie for its moving visual landscape, the costumes, and of course, the makeup!

I first watched Gong Li as the anti-hero in Memoirs of a Geisha - loved her there, and in fact I'm watching it again soon just to see her. In Curse of the Golden Flower, Gong Li cuts a beautiful, regal, and cruel figure in her role as the Empress of China during the Tang Dynasty. She is always dressed in exquisite silks and heavy, rustling robes with embellishments that tinkle as she moves. Her makeup is perfect, with a dewy, flawless face, angled eyeshadows, and full lips with gold dust.

Here are her best looks! Actually, I just failed to include two (one almost bare-faced and another in lilac makeup) because they weren't as striking as these.

This is her first look. She sports gold eyeshadow on the inner lid, with a plummy, slightly purple eyeshadow that goes up on her outer lid. Her eyes are lightly lined with a bit of mascara. The lips are a plum shade with gold dust patted onto the bottom.

I was supposed to go to this event last Friday, but I didn't push through because the traffic was utterly horrible. I couldn't flag down a cab for thirty minutes so I just gave up. I mean, I do love nice events, but not when they come at such a hassle. Unlike trad media, bloggers don't get salary and reimbursement for transportation whenever we go to an event. :P

Ok that's just me being bitter that I didn't make it. Hehe. Anyway, I did do a nice look with a lilac lipstick, so all my preparations last Friday were not totally in vain! A reader requested that I show off how the Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Primrose can be worn. I feel that if you're medium-toned, the best way a pale lipstick like this can work is with smoky, lined eyes. 

Face: MAC Studiofinish concealer, Clinique Perfectly Real powder foundation, Guerlain Meteorites

Cheeks: MAC Harmony to contour, Estee Lauder Silky Powder Blush in Tender Petal

It's no big secret that I have an ongoing love affair with Clinique. The brand is quite pricey locally, but the products I use work extremely well on my skin. Again, it's always a matter of being hiyang, so I'm really lucky that I found my skin's "soulmate"!

I'm a fan of the Clinique Moisture Surge because it gives me a nice glow and more supple skin without the oiliness. However, it's not designed to help much during and after a big breakout. I try a lot of products for this blog so something always ends up giving me pimples - I need something that can help clear them and deal with the pesky blemishes that crop up afterwards. That's why I wanted to try the Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clearing Moisturizer (P1,600/50mL).

It's pretty good. Here's why!

What I love about the product

• Helps dry up pimples faster, especially the smaller ones. It has salicylic acid, a key ingredient that targets acne. It has no parabens and has very little comedogenic ingredients. (See here for reference)
• It lightens blemishes, but this takes time, two weeks at least. I'm very happy with it nonetheless.
• Blackheads and whiteheads are no longer a problem whenever I use this.

Super light gel texture

Ok, so I finally gave in! Curiosity got the better of me, really. I wanted to know if expensive nail polishes like Orly are indeed worlds apart from the P30 ones available in any drugstore. And? 

The Orly nail polish in Gilded Coral (P349) is a gorgeous shade that looks like a peachy pink champagne on my nails. It's very wearable and can go with most looks you can think of. You can scour any drugstore but I can tell you right now that you won't find a cheap dupe of this locally! Gilded Coral is part of Orly's spring collection called Precious.

You guys know that I love the cheap yet utterly trendy accessories that can be found in SM Department Stores. I've bought, oh, so many hats and little trinkets in the past few years, many I didn't get to blog about. So when SM invited me to the media launch of their accessory department, I braved the strong rains just to get to One Esplanade that wet and traffic-heavy night.

The fashion show featuring SM's latest and upcoming accessories was nothing short of a spectacle. Top models like Ria Bolivar walked the runway, as well as celebrities like Bianca Valerio, Tim Yap, Chesca Garcia, and Mariel Rodriguez.

Here are some photos (and at the end are the accessories I picked in SM).

Ria Bolivar

You know, my salary just goes back to my boss because I end up buying her shoes anyway! :P I do have an employee discount (20%) but at the end of the day it's still my own money I spend. So if you love shoes, take my advice: don't work for a shoe brand that sells great stuff! (Loljk)

Anyway, I got a couple of new pairs from Ferretti last Wednesday. Both were love at first sight for me so I had to get them asap. I knew (doi) that all designs come in very limited quantities so I didn't want to leave anything to chance. 

Exhibit A: gunmetal woven flats with a ribbon (P999). Self explanatory. Major win. I like how sophisticated the design is! I almost got the silver version, but I opted for a toned-down gunmetal instead.

Last Wednesday, I met up with Kira, who was incidentally meeting up with Mira (the Marketing Manager of Clinique). Haha. It was great seeing my girls since it's been quite a while! I also got to shop a bit (more Ferretti shoes and some Forever 21 pieces - more of that in the next post) so overall a nice Wednesday even though I got a ton of work then.

Yes, I'm wearing glasses here. I look kind of...off now with spectacles outside the house. I actually meant to buy a new set of contacts but I got sidetracked! 

Thrifted chambray polo/ Redhead skirt/ Ferretti tan wedges/ SM hat and necklace/ Parfois bag

So anyway, even though I was just sabit that day, Mira generously gave me a cute gift. I already have a number of Clinique pouches lying around the house but I swear, I will never get tired of that stuff. The brand makes some of the best cosmetic bags out there (great fabric, high-quality make) so if you have the chance to get one, don't hesitate. You can usually get them during promos since they are not for sale.

Curious to see what's inside?

I visited Rustan's Makati yesterday for my regular "what's up" checkup. Guess who I ran into! Why, Carrot of Bobbi Brown! She was doing her usual counter visits at La Mer and Bobbi, looking all fresh and pretty even though I know she's probably already mega stressed by that time (as all the Estee Lauder girls are!). I asked her if there's anything new, so she told me about Bobbi's latest product: the Bobbi Brown BB Cream with SPF35 PA++.

Developed by Bobbi Brown for customers who want a product with serious skincare and makeup benefits, this all-in-one cream perfects and smoothes skin’s appearance—instantly and over time. Its easily buildable formula evens out and gives skin a lit-from-within glow. Skin is filled with moisture as oil and shine are kept at bay. Plus SPF helps protect skin against UVA/UVB damage.

In a short while, fine lines and wrinkles appear less noticeable, visible redness is reduced and pores appear more refined.

This new BB cream is so popular that it's already sold out within the month! According to Carrot, they will restock by the end of June or early July so BB cream fans, you have to wait 'till then. In the meantime, I have swatches and first impressions for you.

I love good questions. I love asking them, more so when it comes to answering them! Some insightful readers asked two cool questions: the first is, how does the Kate Blendzone Eyeshadow duos compare to the Majolica Majorca palettes? Second, how does the Revlon lipstick in Siren compare to Revlon Coral Berry?

Japanese drugstore cosmetics, from what I've tried so far, seem to be at par with more expensive American and European brands. These two eyeshadow palettes from Majolica Majorca and Kanebo Kate are proof. But when it comes down to a choice, which one should you blow your money on?

There's a keen demand among women nowadays for more "natural" skincare solutions. But what do we mean when we say "natural"? Usually, a product is considered such if its ingredients are from natural and unrefined sources. For example, the ingredient list must mainly consist of water, fruit and plant extract, oils, combined with naturally occurring preservatives, humectants, surfactants, and emulsifiers (link). Natural skincareproducts do not contain synthetic chemicals.

That said, Pond's new line called White Beauty Naturals does not claim to be natural. But it does feature one of nature's beautifying agents: the Camellia Leaf. Why that particular plant? Dr. Sona Pushker, Head of Research at the Pond’s Institute says, “...The Camellia leaf extract is known to reduce the formation of melanin deep within your skin, and the proven skin lightening technology of the Pond’s White Beauty range inhibits melanin being released to the skin’s surface, reducing skin darkening and imperfections.”

Nature’s most potent skin-lightening secret! With Camellia Leaf Extract, Pond’s White Beauty Naturals works double time – it reduces the formation of melanin at a cellular level and inhibits melanin from being released to the skin’s surface, thus effectively fighting skin darkening, diminishing imperfections and delivering beautiful, pinkish-white skin.

Okay! Basically, the new line is a new formulation (upgrade?) of Pond's existing White Beauty products. What sets it apart is the inclusion of camellia sinensis, which is actually known as the "tea plant", because green tea is traditionally made from its leaves!

I have already reviewed the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks (P450) so I'd just like to share swatches of the two new shades here. I think these came in a couple of months back, so if you haven't seen them yet, I do think one of the shades is worth a gander in your nearest Revlon counter!

Primrose and Coral Berry

I am in love with Coral Berry! I find it a unique lipstick shade that has a very rich, satiny finish on my lips. As the name suggests, it's a medium coral pink that looks great on warm-toned skin like mine. I highly recommend this to anyone - it's currently one of my favorite lipppies. It goes beautifully with peach cheeks and gold eyeshadow. 

I woke up at 2am today and started reading blogs since I didn't feel like working yet. After going through my usual routine, I visited Pammy's post on beauty blogging again to see if there are any new comments. I've been keeping track of it since she wrote it, and I really appreciate all the insights in the post and in the comments page. This time, I'd like to share what I think about beauty bloggers "selling out" or losing credibility. This is my comment.

Been following this post for a while, and I'd just like to share what i think. :) Ideally, in beauty blogging, the blogger must pay for all the products that she reviews. But while that's ideal, it's also unrealistic. First of all it's difficult to get content unless you're sitting on a mound of money exclusively for makeup/kikay things.

Second, a good beauty blogger spends a lot of time coming up with a post - swatching, taking pics, testing, and finally, writing are all time-consuming (I spend 2-3 hours on one detailed review on average). Sure we do it out of love, but then again, it's unrealistic to continue unless there is some form of return.

Here's what I wore to a quick shopping trip last Friday! It's quite no-nonsense since I didn't have a lot of time to go around (was trying to avoid the weekend rush hour traffic!). I was in the mood to buy something since I figured I won't be able to have much fun. I'll be taking on new responsibilities that will leave me very little free time soon. 

Anyway, there was heavy downpour that afternoon so I chose to wear black to fit the mood. Do you do that, pick your color scheme according to the weather? I do! Almost all the time. 

Top from Landmark/ Shorts from Folded & Hung/ Pumps from Ferretti/ Bag from Parfois/ Necklace from SM Accessories

I like the cowl-neck and asymmetrical details of this top. Got it for only P230 in Landmark! Steal.

Hola! Sorry this was really late. It's been extra hectic lately. Like super. Anyway, the Commenter of the Month for May is Issa Chavez! She commented on almost every post I published last month. Dedication ka, 'te! Hope you like your Pond's Gold Radiance set.

Now, are you ready for the new Commenter of the Month gift? It's from one of my favorite brands ever. ;)

I’ve reviewed quite a few Myra products in the past and you know that I’ve been consistently impressed with the brand. Before, I thought that the low price points speak for the quality; I was obviously wrong. If you’re on a budget and you want affordable products that are similar to high-end brands, then Myra is for you. I really like their moisturizer with SPF, face powder, and lip balm.

My absolute favorite, however, would have to be the Vitaglow Tinted Moisturizer. It’s the cheapest and best tinted moisturizer in drugstores right now at only P150!

The best thing about the Vitaglow is that it's touted to be mineral makeup, which means that it doesn't clog pores and should help your skin in the long run. It also contains a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin E is vital in protecting skin cells from ultra violet light, pollution, drugs, and other elements that produce cell damaging free radicals. It also helps the skin by strengthening its moisture barrier and maintaining its oil balance whenever you cleanse.

I'm quite surprised that some people have never heard of KATE cosmetics before or the fact that it has arrived in the Philippines some years back. It's been around since I was in college (well at least, I only noticed it when I was in college and started getting interested in makeup) and I've been cursorily browsing ever since. Hmm, maybe it's not so surprising after all. KATE doesn't have a stand of its own since it's just displayed in the Coffret D'Or counters with no big sign.

Anyway, one of the products that the brand sent me is the KATE Blendzone eyeshadow in BR-1 (P780). It's a duo eyeshadow compact with colors that are designed to be used together. 

What I love about the product

• It's highly pigmented, creamy, long-lasting, well-milled - everything I'm looking for in a quality eyeshadow. Blendzone is comparable to the MAC and Urban Decay eyeshadows that I own.
• Fine shimmery finish that draws light to the eyes.
• Great for traveling. You can easily do a quick neutral look with the sponge applicator that comes with it, or you can use your fingers. 

The dark shade is a shimmery chocolate brown while the other one is beige/white

Once the novelty of the gel formula and wand applicator wore off, I started to look at the new Majolica Majorca Majoromantica scent in Fruity Forest (P995) with a more critical eye. Does it have good staying power? Is it all cute and no substance?

What it is: Fruity Forest is a strong scent with juicy fruits as top notes, floral as the mid notes, and sugary sweetness as its base notes. It assaults the senses as soon as you pull the wand out, but it mellows down quickly as it spreads on your skin and dissipates in the air. Fruity Forest is part of Majo's latest collection called Fake Sleeping.

Lasting power: The wand is designed to apply the gel cologne on your pulse points (on the wrists, behind the ear, base of the throat, back of the knees). Doing so allows the scent to heat up and stay longer. However, I find that the fragrance is completely gone from my skin in three hours - not surprising, because this is not even an EDT, it's a cologne.

I did discover something else though.

I wore this look to a gloomy Saturday out with Marco. I had some time to play with my toys so I thought of using some Estee Lauder makeup that I bought, but don't wear out as often as I would like. I was inspired by my Forever 21 jeggings (cheesy but true!) so I used some dusky blue eyeshadow and added smoke almost up to my eyebrows. For a change!

The colors don't quite appear as they are in the pan when applied, but I do like the effect nonetheless. They're very subtle, very classy together.

Face: The Balm TimeBalm liquid concealer, Ellana mineral foundation and finishing powder

Cheeks: Estee Lauder Silky Powder Blush in Tender Petal (I really should review my EL blush palette soon)

Eyeshadows: TFSI primer, Estee Lauder Pure Color eyeshadows. Refer to the diagram for the shades.