The richest people that I personally know are ironically the most frugal ones out there. If they can save on something, they would. Every cent counts when they’re doing business or just simply purchasing something for themselves! This means that, even if they have the money to buy something (say a designer bag) they won’t do it if it sets them back more than what they get out of the deal (vis a vis personal gratification).

And yet, these people understand the value of high quality products, and spend accordingly. They have cost-per-wear down to a science. So that got me thinking: what are high-end beauty products that are absolutely worth their hefty price tags? I have five suggestions!

Guerlain Meteorites Perles in Teint Dore 03. I reviewed this wonder powder last April 2011. I’ve been using it almost every time I wear makeup. In one year and five months, I’ve only used up maybe 25-30% of the powder! That aside, however, the powder is the best complexion enhancer that I’ve tried EVER. It smoothens and illuminates skin instantly. To do all that you only need a bit of powder. It’s worth P3,000 but for a product that you can use up to three years, that price is a steal.

Benefit Hervana Blush. This is a fantastic blush because it goes perfectly with fair to medium skintones and most makeup looks you can think of. It’s a harmonious blend of peach, pink, and mauve, so it’s very versatile. It’s P1,600 but you get 8 grams of product which will take forever to finish. (The blush has good staying power on skin too!)

Hi everyone! I'm very excited to try something new for Project Vanity. Are you ready? Two words: live streaming! My podcast, which I've decided to call Project Vanity LIVE, will be on tonight at 9-10 pm.

I just wanted another outlet to share things I like that are outside of beauty and fashion. I love makeup and clothes and other pretty things but that's not all there is in my life. More importantly, I want to be able to interact with you guys! I've been receiving a lot of questions lately and it would be nice to answer them live as I would be able to demonstrate stuff. :)

Here's what's going to happen tonight:

• Beauty Sneak Peek. Be the first to see the latest products to hit Manila.
• Fresh from the Supermarket. Adventures in grocery shopping, some neat finds that make my life easier.

• Issue of the Day. I will be commenting on an issue that I find relevant to women.

"I don't have the skin tone for it!", "My lips are too big!", "I'm shy, and "My boyfriend doesn't want me to" are some of the reasons girls are scared of wearing colorful and loud lipstick. Well I don't want to force you if you really can't but if you've always wanted to BUT blah blah blah then girl, maybe you're afraid of something more than just eye-catching lips. Maybe you don't feel too confident about your own beauty, which is why you don't want to draw attention to it.

That's just wild conjecture, of course. I'm just basing it on the comments I've received in all my lipstick posts. :) Anyway, today I'll teach you how to get used to wearing loud lipstick. The trick is in realizing that you're the only one holding yourself back - not your judgmental friends or boyfriend, not your perceived lack of good looks. I think we're all beautiful and a hot pink or red lipstick is just the perfect punctuation mark!

Step 1: Invest in a classic and universal color. MAC has great lipstick shades that have stood the test of time. One is Russian Red, a bold luscious color that flatters any skin tone. If you like pink, Pink Noveau is also a popular choice. 

In 1895, an enterprising man called Dr. George F. Smith set up the Rosebud Perfume Co. to sell a homegrown balm that fast became a hit among his neighbors. He was able to grow the business by setting up a mail order and door to door sales system that not only sold the trademark Rosebud Salve but also perfumes and aftershaves. At one time, he had 70,000 salespeople going door to door to sell this popular product!

More than 100 years later, the Rosebud Salve (P420) is now a favorite among bloggers and celebrities like Natalie Portman, Eva Longoria, and Beyonce to name a few. This petroleum-based product is infused with oils, smells of roses, and is housed in a vintage-looking tin. It can be used as a lip balm, but it's really for any patch of our body that needs some TLC!

The Rosebud Salve is just okay as a lip balm (thin and moisturizing vs its greasiness and slight waxy texture). But you aren't really maximizing this if you just use this on the lips! It can be utilized several ways, but IMHO it is the best at reviving dry nails and cuticles.

Is it chocolate or is it makeup? The Shu Uemura Chocolat Donna Limited Edition palettes look good enough to eat! In fact I wanted to keep mine pristine so badly that I only used it a grand total of three times since I got it last July. I know it's silly, but if you had something this pretty you'd want to keep it new-looking for as long as you can.

Packaging aside, the eyeshadows can stand on their own. They're super creamy and pigmented, and the color selection is great too! The one I have, the Orange & Pistachio Palette has a glittery orange shade, a matte green, satin beige, taupe, chocolate brown, and dark brown all together. They don't have names, just numbers (1,2,3,4,5, and 6 respectively).

Remember my red phase? Yep, still not quite over it. I was in Powerplant a couple of weeks back when I randomly decided to buy a true red lipstick. For the life of me I don't know why I did it, because I have maybe seven red lipppies in my collection already. I just wanted a true red and there's only one lipstick I know that fits in that category: MAC Russian Red (P1,000).

Like I said, I already have a handful of reds, but Russian Red is on a whole new level of its own. It's a seductive, intense, blue-based red that nobody can miss. It's completely opaque in one layer and has a matte finish. I would recommend this to anyone who needs a memorable, eye-catching red - skintone issues aside as this is touted to match all shades. Makes teeth look super white too!

Now matte lipsticks are great because they tend to be very pigmented and long-lasting. The downside, however, is that they drag when you apply them, plus they can also be very drying.

The thing about pomeranians is that they're well, extremely hairy. They have fine, dense hair that sticks everywhere, plus it grows super fast. That's why I have Snaps groomed at least once a month - that's non-negotiable!

When Purple Groom asked us if we want to be brand ambassadors, we immediately said yes. I was pretty excited because Snaps loves having his photos taken. :D It's his first time to be in a real shoot so I knew that it would be a grand experience for him. There would be other dogs too which means that he'd get a chance to play!

So! Here's what happened at the shoot.

Friday! Many people think that working (mostly) from home is one big party. It's not. You still put in eight, maybe ten hours a day. I'm not going to whine about the pressure, the endless to-do lists, and scheduling woes - every job has that really. I'm trying to say that my job is like any other job, and like any other person with a job I look forward to doing absolutely nothing on weekends.

That said, time for my top 10 favorite finds last month! There are quite a few gems that I think are for keeps. :)

I'm gonna start with this one because I use it everyday. The Etude House Wonder Pore Line is a doozy. I'll swear by it up and down because it really helped my skin loose the bumps, the major blackheads, and even the pimples! I still break out occasionally (due to trying out new products) but this set helps clear the pimples faster and they leave lighter marks for some reason. I will definitely purchase the set when I run out!

Here's another cleansing product that knocked my socks off: the Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil. It takes makeup off much better than the other Shu cleansing oils, and it leaves skin nice and bright too. The downside is it will cost you a pretty, pretty penny, but if you don't mind the splurge you should definitely try it.

The VMV Hypoallergenics Skintangible SPF30 is another fantastic find. To quote myself, "it's a moisturizer, sun screen, primer, illuminator, and tinted makeup all in one."

Great news! Aside from Greenbelt 5 and Rustan's Shangri-La, you can now get your Benefit fix in Rustan's Makati. It's a boutique, not a counter, which for me makes the shopping experience so much better.

The new and shiny pink store

Aubrey Bautista, Benefit's Brand Manager, with event host Isabel Roces

Here are photos of the launch. I unfortunately was not able to make it (boohoo), which makes me sad, because everyone looks like they had a blast! Anyway aside from the new store, watch out for the new Benefit kits: three for the face and three for lips and cheeks. You'll love 'em if you love Benefit's clever palettes. ;)

Have you heard of Real Techniques brushes? They're this super popular brushes made by none other than Samantha Chapman, one of the Pixiwoo sisters. I've been trying to buy a set for a while now, but they're always out of stock in the usual online stores. So when Jun of Makeuplove emailed me to ask if she can send me one, I got a huuuuge smile on my face. Serendipity sure is sweet!

Finally, the Real Techniques Core Collection Brush Set (P1,100).

Yes, you get four full-sized face brushes and a display/travel case for only P1,100 (cheaper in the US of course). Sorry to sound like an informercial but admit it, it's a really good deal. The brushes themselvers are perfect and do exactly what they were designed to do. Here's a quick run-down!

What I love about the product

• Super smooth synthetic hair picks up makeup nicely and deposits it without eating it up.
• Slightly hefty, doesn't feel cheap. The rubber-coated brush handles and the hair looks like they're of good quality.

This was a difficult choice since there were a few wonderful avid commenters last August, but I only have one set of Clinique Pore Refining Solutions to give away. I've chosen Jennifer Castillo (ManilaJen) as my Commenter of the Month for August, as she has also been active not just on my blog but on my Facebook page and Twitter as well!

Don't worry though, because I have an awesome September gift for the next winner! She will get four of my top eye makeup of all time - from none other than K-Palette!

The winner will get the K-Palette Lasting 2-Way Eyebrow, Zero Kuma Concealer, and  two Real Lasting Eyeliners. Cheryl of K-Palette Philippines was really kind to sponsor this one as I believe that this set is worth almost P4,000.

When I posted this foundation review yesterday a few girls asked me what highlighting powder I used to achieve that glow. One of them even asked if I was using Guerlain! Well, the Guerlain Meteorites powder is invisible and almost devoid of any shimmer. No, I'm using something more glowy with a hint of bronze: the MeMeMe Goddess Rocks (P825 from Makeupholics)!

I love this stuff. It's a shimmery highlighter with subtle bronze and rose tints. I wouldn't call it an all-out bronzer because using too much will make you look quite shiny; a little goes a long way but don't expect any obvious color. 

Sponge topper to keep the rocks in place. The packaging is just cardboard so I wouldn't recommend it for traveling. Just keep a couple of the rocks in a clear jar if you want to apply it on the go!

There are days, like today, when I am at a complete loss about what to write here. I have maybe 20 products ready to be reviewed but I just can't think of anything to say about them. All I really want to do today is glue my ass on the sofa and play Final Fantasy 8 until I fall asleep and wake up tomorrow, all bright and shiny and refreshed. But that's not going to happen, eh?

What is going to happen is a day full of calls and more writing and maybe a P6,500 hair cut (if I still have enough daylight). And, of course, a review on a fab fragrance called the pureDKNY!

Look good. Feel good. Do good. This pure new scent adds a drop of vanilla to a world that needs a moment of calm. More than a fragrance, it embraces a way of being that takes time out for the simple things, the things closest to the heart: love, joy, comfort, relationships, and community.

I'm in a contemplative mood today. I've just been thinking about responsibility and what it truly means. The hardest way to learn it is when something needs to be done, you don't want to do it, but there's no one else so you get on your knees and get to work. You are not truly responsibly for something unless it's a thing you have to do completely alone.

My, what heavy words to start the week! Back to makeup. I want to talk about a really nice foundation I've been test-driving for a while now - the Human Heart Nature Perfect Coverage Mineral Foundation (P475). It's 100% mineral makeup, it's pressed, and it has heavy coverage! Products like this usually cost a pretty shiny penny, but thanks to Human Heart Nature it's now affordable and easily available.

Here's what I think about the foundation!

What I love about the product

• It delivers medium to heavy coverage while only requiring a bit of product. It's heavily pigmented, not chalky at all, so opacity is easy to achieve.
• Smooth, matte finish evens out minor imperfections and discoloration. My skin looks like a doll's whenever I wear it!

Hi folks! Last week I received my monthly box from Etude House Korea. This month, it's all about eye makeup! This has got to be my favorite month so far because you know I love eyeliners, mascara, and eyeshadow. <3

This month's main feature will be the Etude House Lash Perm 3Step Volumecara. This intriguing mascara has three settings

Last Thursday I guested at Karrots Nazareno's show, Live Love Lolz. It was the most fun I've had in a while! There we tried the Pagoda Cold Wave lotion (the real thing), talked about beauty and fashion tips, and blogging of course.

Click the image to view the 44-minute podcast!

Before you watch I would like to apologize in advance for my very obvious scalp (got my hair blowdried and the salon person put something in my hair that sort of separated them on top) and for fidgeting a lot. But! It's okay. Hope you still enjoy watching.

Some highlights:

Pagoda Cold Wave lotion review: the ultimate beauty review. Hehe.

"You're not wearing falsies?!" is something I've gotten used to hearing these past few months. Okay I'm bragging but only because I happen to own some of the best mascaras in the country - by themselves, my lashes are all sad and thin! So mascara and an amazing eyelash curler take all the credit.

I've raved about and used up my favorite mascaras from last year, so this time I thought I'd share my top mascaras this year as of August 2012. There are the ones that I always reach out for - they're all good, but they have different features that I need for certain looks.

Let's get started!

If I have to choose only one mascara to use forever, it would have to be the Shu Uemura Ultimate Natural Mascara. It's everything that mascara should be  - lengthening, volumizing, and still natural-looking overall. Most importantly, this baby washes off but doesn't smudge or budge while you're wearing it. San ka pa!

Best for: natural, clean looks 

I'm into red lately, particularly red lipstick. I'm also digging the vintage 50s movie star look, so my outfits recently are along those lines.

Anyway! I know that red on lips can be a rather intimidating color, but worn the right way, it can be your defining polished look. Sounding like a broken record I know, but out of all the lipstick shades out there red is the most liberating color to wear. You'll know it if you've tried it.

Earlier this morning I was looking for two wayward lipsticks that I haven't seen for months now. I did not find them. What I did find though was this shimmery perfumed hand cream, at which I snorted "What a sad useless thing!" I mean, really, who wants a shimmery perfumed hand cream? Had to stop and think about that. Who?

via

Apparently, that would be me. I realized that it's these small, seemingly unneccessary things that make life a finer thing to live. You don't need 'em, but when you do have 'em the things around you are a little more exquisite, stylish - refined. I think our grandparents understood this, with their ornate powder cases, silk robes, and hand-rolled cigars. 

What do we have? Shimmery perfumed hand creams. And linen sprays and room diffusers.

Ever since I tried the Daphne Home Scents I can't go back to a diffuser-less condo. Like what Raymond Guttierez said before, we spend a lot on our clothes, but we forget to touch up our home. A diffuser is my small bit of indulgence in much the same way I would wear perfume or accessories.