I eat lipsticks for lunch. Ok not really, but I can if I wanted to! Hehe. I think I have 140+ lip products lying around here - and counting. It's fun to have so many choices, but I often forget what I have! Need to do something about that soon.

Anyway here are some new lipsticks I received from my kind brand benefactors. Each of them has an amazing formula but if you ask me, that's just not as important as the color. ;) Which one is your favorite?

First up, I have the Artdeco High Performance Lipstick in 487. It's a dark plummy purple packed with silver frost. Kinda intimidating if you think about it, but that's precisely why I like it. it's a fierce, commanding color that says "take me seriously or else!" 

BB or blemish balm creams have gone a long way. From being overly thick and white just a few years ago, they have now evolved into light textured semi-foundations that come in different shades. Everybody wins, really! 

Today I'll be reviewing the Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream (P798). It's a nice BB cream with heavy coverage and the lasting power of your average liquid foundation. No, it can't be categorized as tinted moisturizer. It's a nice brightening foundation that comes in four shades which can accommodate Pinay skin.

What I love about the product

• It delivers an even, smooth finish that looks like skin. It has brightening properties so you get a glowy finish!
• Medium to heavy coverage with only a small amount.
• Has SPF30 PA++! Pretty good sun protection, so even if you only use a little, you still get adequate cover from the sun.

I'm the kind of person who doesn't mix and match while shopping. Let me explain. My modus operandi is simple: explore store minutely, buy the prettiest most cost-worthy items!

When I went on a Forever 21 rampage recently (er) I bought a few pieces that I didn't consciously match in my head. That's why I was so happy when, upon getting home, I discovered that this peach knit shirt went perfect with this black sequined skirt! #mababaw

Forever 21 top and skirt / SM necklace / Pinkbox ring / Ferretti pumps

Separately though, I think that this skirt and top can play with many other items in my wardrobe. That was one successful shopping trip, if I do say so myself.

Have you seen the new Block & White commercial? It shows a young, tanned girl skateboarding with the boys. Her two girl friends, who are sitting on a bench nearby, decides that this tomboying will not do; they whisk her away to shop for new clothes and give her a makeover with makeup. But wait! She's dark! So, they hand her a bottle of the new Block & White lotion. She is now transformed into a fair, dress-wearing, skateboarding beauty who makes boys' heads turn.

I wish I can find the commercial on YouTube, but feel free to watch it on Block & White's Facebook Page. There's over a hundred comments condemning it. They say that it sends the wrong message to impressionable young girls, telling them that only white is beautiful. 

Don't expect fire and brimstone from me, criticizing women who want to have whiter skin. If that's what they need to make them feel more beautiful and confident then by all means! Let's not patronize them. Girls who want to change their hair color do not necessarily hate their hair. Likewise, women who want to be fairer do not necessarily hate their skin (and/or themselves).

The best eyeliner I've ever tried is the K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner (P895 at Beauty Bar). There. I said it! It's a lot to claim, I know, but I am totally awed by this Japenese liquid eyeliner. I've used sooo many eyeliners in the past but this is the only one that combines convenience, lasting power, opacity, and ease of application in one small tube.

Lasting power. The "1-day tattoo" eyeliner lasts all day and doesn't smudge even if you're sweaty or oily. Nonetheless, it washes off with water and soap without leaving any nasty smudges. It's not 100% waterproof, meaning if you splash your eyes and rub it will disappear. But who does that anyway?

You don't need a makeup remover to take this off. Not like I'd suggest leaving off the makeup remover, but it's nice to know if this is the only eye makeup you're wearing.

Perfect pointed synthetic-fiber brush. It's no wonder that the Japanese are crazy about this! This received a lot of rave reviews and awards in magazines over there. It's so easy to use that I'm sure that eyeliner newbies can get a perfect line with no fuss.

I'm in Bonifacio High Street at least three times a week. It's where I grab my favorite drink (Happy Lemon!), walk my dog, run errands, eat dinner every so often. It's one of my favorite places to hang out but I've always wished that there were more shopping choices. I only like the shoe and bag stores there; when it came to clothes, there wasn't anything spectacular.

Until Vogue Concepts opened new stores, that is. :) Bonifacio High Street Central is becoming the next high-street (get it?) shopping mecca. The latest addition is Promod, the French fashion brand! With this new opening, Promod now has 10 stores in the Philippines.

I've talked about Promod many, many times before. Bottomline is, it's a great place to look for on-trend but never tacky pieces to make your existing wardrobe come alive. They also have dresses in classic cuts, as well as the basics like shorts and cotton tops.

This season, Promod presented six key looks that is sure to tickle your stylish imagination. Check them out!

SAINT TROPEZ. Who says summer is over? Mix and match playful pieces with white and  pastel shades that keep you looking and feeling fresh, just like what you need on a hot summer day!

I've been to a lot of events, but it was very new to me when the people of Bench handed me a credit card at the end of one. Lol! That doesn't bode well for my shopping habits, but I've been able to control it so far.

Frankly, the Bench x BDO x Mastercard is my first credit card, and I'm actually glad because shopping with it entitles me to so many cool perks. I'm already a loyal BDO customer (easier to pay through online banking), I love Bench brands, and Mastercard is accepted worldwide. This card is perfect for me!

Dingdong Dantes and Isabelle Daza are the endorsers of the Bench credit card

So, here's what you get when you avail of the Bench x BDO x Mastercard CC!

Privileges:

• DOUBLE REWARDS POINTS for purchases made at Bench & partner stores NATIONWIDE.
• 0% INSTALLMENT options for 4 & 6 month terms.
• PRIORITY ACCESS to sales events.

I'm currently reading the Fifty Shades Trilogy. It's interesting, in the same way that Twilight is interesting - overly self-aware girl doesn't know how pretty she is, domineering mega-rich guy falls for her. Same old. It does have a lot of, er, physical scenes. It takes the boredom away! :P

After Fifty Shades I plan to read the John Carter Barsoom series. I just watched the movie last Friday and holy hell, it was horrible! I like the premise though, so I'm looking forward to see how it originally rendered on print. What are you poring through these days?

And this is the part where I segue into makeup. Haha! I recently got my hands on the Beauty UK Lip Vinyl in Pure Pacha (P250 from The Makeup Suite). Long story short, I love this stuff! It's a liquid lipstick that's intensely pigmented without feeling thick or waxy on the lips. I'd say it has a watery texture that glides on smoothly.

The lasting power is very good at 4-5 hours before it starts fading.

It's raining pretty hard in Manila right now. It's a welcome respite from the intense heat that we've been experiencing these past two months, of course. Maybe it's time to score some hot boots and new jackets? Game on!

Revlon Colorstay Creme Gel Eye Liner

Anyway, Revlon has new products coming out soon (if they're not already released). I love that they're focusing on eye makeup this time as you know that I'm into crazy eye makeup!

A good pair of heels can make your legs go a loooong way. The heels don't even have to be particularly high! Here are some visual tricks to make your gams look longer: 

• Wear strappy heels, preferably one that has an ankle strap. This slims your feet and ankles.
• Nude-colored shoes blend with your skin, fooling people that there's more flesh exposed, therefore your legs look leaner.

Last Thursday, I got a haircut at the newly-opened Louis Phillip Kee Salon in Burgos Circle. I've heard of so many good reviews so I decided to get my waaaay overdue cut there (P750 / senior stylist)!  

I didn't take pictures because they're still on their soft opening. The place is a bit crowded and smells like paint and smoke. I found it odd, the slight smoke odor, but apparently there was a small fire there a couple of weeks ago. Anyway! Ambiance and decor aside, I like the salon because I got a fabulous hair cut.

Not a lot of hair stylists understand curly hair, so I'm really glad that the lady from LPK (didn't get her name unfortunately) did my hair properly.

I've never tried mousse makeup before so I have zero expectations when I started using the Revlon PhotoReady Airbrush Mousse Makeup (P925). Apparently, mousse makeup is just an aerated version of liquid foundation. The air makes the foundation easier to spread and control, so you get to avoid streaks and uneven patches.

Okay, back to the PhotoReady mousse! This foundation is extremely watery once the foam settles down. I love the texture and natural-looking - dare I say "airbrushed" - finish. Let's see!

What I love about the product

• It's lightweight on skin. It doesn't feel greasy or oily at all so you get maximum comfort.
• Coverage is medium to heavy, so it covers up most of my blemishes in one layer! Even with the heavy coverage, it doesn't look cakey or makeup-y. It has a dewy finish.

I visited the Ferretti store in Glorietta 1 yesterday and positively ooohd when I saw the new pumps. They're the highest we've come out with yet at 4.5 inches, but of course they're still as lightweight and as comfy as ever. There's a basic black, sky blue, pastel pink, and a true lemon yellow. I bought the yellow as soon as I fitted it!

Forever 21 blazer / Topshop blouse / Ever New skirt / Aldo Revera bag / Pinkbox bangles and headband / Aldo ring

I love it! It's my third pair of pumps from Ferretti (again, yay employee discount).

The Makeup Suite, a local online store that sells UK makeup, recently sent me a package containing some Models Own cosmetics. I've seen Models Own around, but I didn't think much of it. I should have paid more attention though, because I am really liking these products!

Models Own Powder Blusher, Hyperbrite Lipstick, and Nail Polish

First surprise: the packaging looks and feels expensive. The cases are made of glass or thick, sturdy plastic, and has some heft in them. If I didn't know that Model's Own is a drugstore brand in the UK, I wouldn't have guessed that they're are just P350-400! I've tried more expensive products that aren't packaged half as well as these.

But I am getting ahead of myself. I will review everything separately, so for now I'll talk about the Model's Own Nail Polish in Tangerine Queen (P350).

This nail polish looks like sunkissed oranges on my nails, all sweet and loud at the same time. It's very pigmented - two coats and I have an opaque coverage.

Scenario: It's a busy weekend and you're out with your friends during the day, maybe for coffee and a bit of shopping. Afterwards you plan to go to a romantic dinner with your special someone (kilig!). However, you don't want to fuss around with changing your makeup since you're in a hurry! What do you do? Simple! Wear a different lipstick and add lots of smudged eyeliner!

I'm going to show you a step-by-step tutorial on how I did these looks, but first I want to share my thoughts on the new Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips Talk Lipsticks (which I'm using here). They're pretty good and costs only P478 locally! The colors are vibrant and opaque, with a smoothing and moisturizing effect on the lips. 

They come in several in-demand shades like Breathless Pink (hot pink), Love Pink (baby pink), Worrisome Beige (nude), Excited Orange, Thrilling Red, and Bashful Coral. The packaging is a cute princess pink color with a metallic ribbon accent.

Pretty, yes? So! Here are two looks using these Etude House lippies, and a guide on how I did them. They're super simple and fun, promise.

There are nice stores, but then there are stores where you want to take every single thing home. "It's so me!" you squeal. It takes an epic amount of self-control to walk out with only a few choice pieces but it is done.

Something like this happened to me when I visited Ever New on their opening day.

The store is fabulous, for lack of a better word! The pieces are all feminine and sophisticated - think Blair Waldorf on A-grade crack. Colorful prints and fabrics are arrayed according to a theme.

In one corner, you'll see summery white, orange and hot pink affairs. On another there is a modern nautical combination of green and navy blue. A wall displays glamorous formal wear while another has body contouring dresses in glitzy gold and black. 

Take a look!

Not gonna lie - I prefer to use premium products over cheaper alternatives. You can call me a brand snob but the fact remains that pricier products look, feel, last, and color better. But hey, that doesn't mean that I don't buy cheap things! I'm still on the lookout for bargains to play with so I always visit Watsons and other beauty stores.

A few weekends ago, I bought some Ever Bilena eyeshadows in Watsons Mall of Asia. I did some major swatching all over the place but these won me over because of their cheap price tags and nice color payoff. They're not quite like the high-end stuff, but for the price, it's really hard to nitpick. 

First off, we have EB cream eyeshadow in Peridot. This is a nice leafy green with gold shimmer. It's not opaque, but it shows up nicely on the lids.

What's the last thing you wear before you leave the house? Mine is perfume. For me, how I smell like seals my whole look. I spend a lot of time on doing my makeup, choosing my outfit, picking the right accessories and shoes - but that is just visual flavor. My perfume is the smell of the person I want to be when I walk out that door. Preppy? Flirty? Serious? Sultry? It's all in a bottle. 

I know I am sounding incredibly vain right now (Project Vanity, get it? Lol.) but I find the process of choosing and putting on what I want to wear more fulfilling than the actual result itself. Some people get a kick from cars. Others, gadgets. I like mixing, matching, and painting on a personality.

You could say, in a sense, that I'm a show-off. I'm not an attention whore but I like being noticed. Don't we all? That's what all this fuss is about, isn't it, to get noticed by the right people at the right time.