I saw a quote earlier today that went something like, "Creativity changes the way people behave". I believe this. Creativity has a role in functionality, but creativity for the sake of it is also powerful. A pretty picture, for example, has no practical use except for the emotions or ideas that it evokes in the observer. It can change how a person looks at the world and that's a damn amazing thing, if you ask me.

I think it's the same for beauty products that are nice to have but are not necessary to keep. Why make them if only a few people can truly appreciate them? I somewhat answered this in an old post. An object, however useless it may seem, can make a person feel cuter, refined, more put together. If something can do any of these things then I wouldn't call it useless!

I scoured through my photo archives and found three products that are nice but unnecesary to have. Of course, this list is subjective, so what might not be super useful to me might be useful for you. Have at it!

The weather is kinda muggy and sticky lately. It's super humid in the day, and then it rains at night. That's your typical Philippine weather, but it's just weird that it's happening in September. Shouldn't it be a little colder by now? Anyway, I've been using a new-ish scent to make me feel cleaner in this irritating heat: the Benetton Bianco Woman (P850/ 30ml, P1,350/ 100ml).

I've had this for months but it's just recently that I started using it. I really like it because it's so presko (fresh) and doesn't cloy in this heat. It's a mix of gardenia, linen, with some green into it. It's a crisp scent that I find universally flattering and just well, pleasant!

I love the look of fresh, dewy and glowing skin. Can you give me a few products that will help me achieve that? Thank you. - Therese

Hi Therese! I love this question because I love glowy skin as well. I don't understand the obsession with matte skin because our skin is not matte in its natural state. Nothing screams *makeup* than a face that's covered in a blanket of matte powder, for me! Shine is fine as long as you're able to control it and place it strategically on your face.

A dewy-looking face starts with good skin, of course, so make sure that your skincare routine is up to spec. I find that using serums make a huuuuge difference - try the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate or the Shu Uemura Tsuya Skin Serum (which I am testing recently). These work super well! As for makeup, there are many products that you can use to achieve a glowy face. The trick is to use only one or two of them at any given time, depending on the look you want to achieve.

Face Base: for an all-over glow

A thin, light-coverage foundation can deliver dewy skin simply because it allows our natural skin to shine through. Remember, in order to achieve dewy skin, you must not cover up your bare skin with too much makeup. Light, illuminating makeup will just enhance your skin, not blot it out.

The Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup gives such a nice dewy finish. If you want something with even lighter coverage, try the VMV Hypoallergenics Skintangible SPF30 which is a tinted moisturizer with SPF30. 

During my graduation photo shoot a few years back, the organizers hired some makeup artists to do everyone's faces. I didn't bring any of my stuff with me because I expected a certain standard - fresh applicators, at the very least.

Imagine my horror when I got there and saw the MUAs reusing the sponges and the brushes ON EVERYONE. Wet foundation sponges, eyeliner brushes, lip brushes, all reused and not sanitized. It's a nightmare but I didn't want to walk out because the place is in far away QC and I don't want to go back. So I just swallowed my disgust and let them do their worst. (I got pimples ugh)

Okay now I sound like a jerk. But my point is, please don't subject yourself to such unsanitary practices for any reason. If you're having your makeup done (by you or anyone else) always make sure that the brushes are clean and your disposable applicators, fresh. Sometimes it's not the product itself that causes the pimples - it's what you use to apply them! 

Anyway, one brand that has made a commitment to keeping makeup application as hygienic as possible is Nippon Esthetic Solutions. They have a wide range of products that makeup artists and personal makeup mavens will love, from disposable lip gloss applicators, lipstick and mascara brushes, to brush cleaners (remember Parian? Love that one!).

The effervescent Sydney of Nippon sent me a few stuff to try, and I have been using them since! Here's what I think of them.

I'm kinda pissed off that two of my favorite, and I mean favorite, coral lipsticks have been missing for a while now. They're the Revlon Coral Berry and Makeup For Ever Rouge Artist Natural in N39, ugh! I do have other coral lipsticks but I think these two are the best-looking of them all.

But one has to move on, I suppose. So, here's one of my new orange/coral lippies: the MeMeMe Long Wear Satin Lip Cream in Coral Cloak (P560 at Makeupholics).

MeMeMe is a drugstore UK brand that has been making waves locally. The products are colorful and highly pigmented, up there with Sleek, Beauty UK, and Models Own - only kitschier with a baroque sensibility. I am not a huge fan of the packaging per se, but the product itself is quite nice for the price. Remember the MeMeMe Goddess Rocks? That one's a great catch.

Coral Cloak is a beautiful creamy orange lippie that stands out without being too loud. The texture is quite silky and smooth, not too thick as to be uncomfortable.

As a beauty blogger I am in a unique position to try a LOT of makeup, skincare, fragrances, and other nifty gadgets and services related to beautifying our body. Brands and companies usually send me products to review, and that's cool because I get to sift through a pile of stuff to bring you a curated list of what's worth trying out. But nothing beats trying something yourself, right? That's the proposition of online beauty sampling services, a fairly new phenomenon in the Philippines!

Basically, you can subscribe to a sampling site, pay a fee (depending on the business model) and get a curated box full of products in trial sizes. This way you won't need to buy a full-sized item item only to find out that it doesn't suit you. In the same vein, you can also discover good, spend-worthy products that you otherwise won't venture to try by yourself.

I keep three to four mascaras on rotation at any given time. Too much? I don't think so! I like getting different lash finishes depending on the look I'm going for. Sweet and nice? Thin and defined lashes should do the trick. Need to look fierce for an event? Volumized and super long lashes will stand out in photos. Casual and lazy? Then I need my lashes to look curled but easy to wash off when I get home. See, it depends. I'm not some crazy mascara junkie.

If you're a fellow mascara junkie lover, then I think you'll love one of the newest mascaras out now: the Etude House Lash Perm 3-Step Volumecara (P748). This mascara promises to give you doll lashes with three different settings and I rather think it does!

The mechanics of the thing is simple enough - just twist the upper portion of the tube and settle on the number with the effect you want to achieve. Step 1 gives you clean definition, Step 2 has more volume and length, while Step 3 is an all-out thick fringe. You can really see the difference! Here's a more detailed take.

What I love about the product

• It's neat that you're basically getting three different mascaras in one tube. How it works is that the twist tube controls how much product gets on the wand. Step 1 only allows for a bit of product, hence the cleaner finish, and so on. Simple but it's a great idea.
• It brings out lashes you didn't know you had. If volume is your thing, this is one good mascara to try.

I was really touched and overwhelmed by the comments some of you left on my post about confidence last week. Many of you have gotten over their confidence issues, but there were some who are still trying or haven't even started. So, I thought I'd share some of the ideas that help me feel more confident about myself and the things I do!

1. You don't have to prove anything to anyone but yourself. Why? Because no one truly cares. Sure some people might outwardly pressure you to be this and that, but they're doing it for their personal gratification - not yours. Do what makes you happy and fulfilled. That's something that no one else can define for you, so stop listening to everyone who says you can't and shouldn't. Fuck them. Just do it!

2. You're never as ugly as you think you are. We are our own worst critic most of the time, and we endlessly cut ourselves to pieces comparing ourselves to this "perfect" girl we know.

Hi folks! How's your weekend so far? I am definitely enjoying mine!:D Anyway today I just want to briefly step in to share an awesome promo from Avon. Mara, a friend of mine who works for the company (it's her birthday today incidentally) told me about it. It's simple, just buy Avon's new Ultra Color Rich Brilliance Lipstick (P199) and get a freebie worth P199 just by showing tweets of their celeb endorsers at the counter!

Isnt' that cool? Just buy and get something in equal value, and the best part is you can do this again and again and again until the promo ends. Here are the mechanics:

1. Avon's celeb endorsers Anne Curtis, Shamcey Supsup, Angel Locsin, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and Sarah Lahbati will all tweet about the "Brilliant Tweet Treat" inviting all their followers to show their tweets to any Avon branch nationwide to get a freebie worth P199 with any purchase of their new lipstick: The Avon Ultra Color Rich Brilliance Lipstick (SRP P199).

2. Fans can claim the freebie themselves. Just go to any Avon Branch and show either a printout of or their mobile phone with the tweet.

Hi guys! Sorry for the late announcement, but yes, I will be airing my podcast, Project Vanity LIVE, tonight! It turns out I will be stuck at home tonight (too lazy to go out more like it) so I thought hey, why not talk to the Internet again! Most likely no one will watch but I don't mind so much. :P I hope you do watch though if you're just at home, I have so many cool finds to talk about.

This is your chance to get your beauty questions answered, live. Or any question I can answer, for that matter (i.e. blogging, career, personal questions, etc). Here's what will happen:

• Beauty Sneak Peek. Be the first to see the latest products to hit Manila.
• Food and Life In General. Adventures in shopping, some neat finds that make my life easier.

I love the VMV Skintangible, but as fantastic as it is it has limitations due to it being a tinted moisturizer at best. Girls who are looking for better coverage, shade match, and higher SPF may not find it compelling enough. But never worry! Skintangible has a grown-up sister who can take all the heavy lifting: the VMV Hypoallergenics Skin Savvy 60 Foundation (P1,840).

This foundation is exactly like Skintangible in terms of packaging and how it's dubbed to be 75% free of common allergens. But that's where the similarity stops. Skin Savvy is a cream foundation with SPF60, six available shades, and full coverage. It lasts fairly well under the tropical heat, too! Just set it with loose powder and you're done.

However, because of these "extra" features, Skin Savvy has some down sides.

Good morning girls! Have you started your Christmas shopping already? If you have, thought I'd share this huuuuge sale next week at Megamall. Luxasia brands like Guerlain, Yves San Laurent, Burberry, and BVLGARI will be there, and knowing Megabrands, expect some items at 40-70% off. IN2IT will be on sale too, so don't miss it!

MEGABRANDS SALE is considered as one of the most anticipated events where shoppers buy their favorite brands at reduced prices. On its 4^th Edition, the Megabrands Sale will be happening on September 28-30, 2012, at Megatrade Hall 2 & 3, Mega B, SM Megamall.

The 4^th MegaBrands Sale has over 150 participating brands

Remember my list of five expensive beauty products that are actually good bargains? That turned out to be a pretty popular post! So I thought I'd do another version, this time on super affordable products that I think should cost way more. :) Isn't that the sweet spot, beauty products that are too good for their price tags?

Here's my top five!

Etude House Nail Polishes. Smooth, opaque, fast-drying, and fairly tough, it's hard to believe that these nail polishes only cost P50 to P175 (for the pricey lines). In my opinion, they're better than O.P.I. and Orly in terms of quality. High-end brands do have the best colors, but Etude is simply easier to wear. Can't believe they're only fifty bucks.  

In2It Waterproof Blushes. Actually, anything In2It is such a steal! I love their eyeliner, foundation, and eyeshadows. I thought of including the blushes here though because they're my best find from that brand. Smooth, pigmented, and long-lasting, In2It blushes are worth more than P375 (for me). The colors are so flattering too!

It's been 20 years since Estee Lauder Companies launched their Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. Since then, it has been active in more than 70 countries and has raised more than $35 million to fund 140 Breast Cancer Research Foundation grants for medical research. This 20th year alone supports 13 research grants across the globe. 

This year's campaign theme is Courage. Believe in a world without breast cancer. Know we’re here until it’s true. This year’s empowering message highlights Estee Lauder's commitment to defeating breast cancer through education and medical research and celebrates hjgjthe life and legacy of BCA Campaign Founder and Pink Ribbon co-creator, Mrs. Evelyn H. Lauder, who passed last year. 

(Do read that link, it's a story on her by the New York Times.)

To celebrate, there will be a big press event on October 9 - quite exciting because I know they will illuminate a local landmark in pink! They also have a featured product

The first blush that I ever owned was from Avon, back in my first year in college. It was this peach/coral beauty under their Simply Pretty line and I loved it so much that I used it until I hit pan! It's one of the first few products that made me realize how transformative good makeup can be. :) The right color on your face can really do wonders to brighten up and bring out your features.

Anyway today I shall be writing about another great blush find: the Avon Ideal Luminous Blush in Peach (P299). You know me, I love glowy makeup, and this blush really brings light to the face. The peachy pink powder is nicely but not overly pigmented, so it's easy to get the right amount of color.

What I love about the product

• Gives such a gorgeous, glowy color to the cheeks. Luminous indeed! The peach shade is subtle so it will just blend with your skin to give you this natural flush. It's best for fair to medium tones, IMHO.

I don't know why but I woke up today thinking of Young Adult, this film starring Charlize Theron and directed by Diablo Cody. There's a conversation in particular that stuck to me. Context: Charlize's character, Mavis, is a 37-year old woman who still thinks the world is one big high school and that she's still the queen bitch. In one scene she talks to an awkward woman who idolized her back in school (Sandra). Mavis feels that she needs to be a better person, but Sandra convinces her otherwise. 

Mavis: I need to change, Sandra. 

Sandra: No you don't. 

Mavis: What? 

Sandra: You're the only person in Mercury who could write a book or wear a dress like that. 

Mavis: Yeah, but most people here seem so happy with so little. It's like they don't even seem to care what happens to them. 

Sandra: That's because it doesn't matter what happens to them. They're nothing. Might as well die.

I can relate to Mavis, minus her nastiness. We're both vain and we both have pomeranians! Lol. But seriously it's her ennui that I can relate to the most.

I have a friend who hates wearing lipstick. She said that the stuff migrates everywhere on her face! To get some color on her lips, she just rubs them with tissue to get the blood going. I'm thinking that hurts if she has dry lips, plus it can lead to premature lines in the area. So I told her, try the Revlon stains! She was unconvinced. Until a few days ago.

Beauty problem - solved! The Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain (P575) is made for women who don't like the waxy feel of lipsticks or simply do not like retouching too often during the day. It comes in twelve on-trend and highly pigmented shades to suit your fancy.

 I know you gals have seen the rave reviews, so I'll just make a quick run of it!

What I love about the product

• These are super pigmented stains that penetrate deep within the lips, thus giving them color that goes strong for six hours. There is some fading along the inner part if you eat, but it's not too obvious for me.
• Moisturizes lips without feeling too thick. It does dry up within three hours though, so keep a lip balm on hand if you have dry lips.

I was never the pretty girl growing up. I wasn't rich, either, nor did I have a sparkling personality to offset the ugliness and the lack of beautiful expensive things in my life. What I did have going for me was my intelligence. I wasn't the brightest in my class but I was the only one who devoured fiction and dreamed of worlds beyond my own, adventures beyond my imagination. 

What I had was a strong sense of identity and purpose. I knew who I am, what kind of skills were at my disposal, and I knew what I wanted out of my life. Was I wrong about how I identified myself or my goals? I think that's  the single biggest potential blow to anyone's self-confidence: how sure, how secure can you be about your identity and purpose? Answer: you're only as sure as you allow yourself to be. No one else should help you with that but yourself.

My motto then (and even now) is this: no guts, no glory. Or put less dramatically, if you don't do something, then nothing happens. That's just common sense but I know a lot of people who are afraid to try something because they're not perfect enough. Can't sing in public because they miss a few notes. Can't speak in public because they lisp. Can't wear a mini-skirt because they have marks on their legs. Can't quit a full-time job they hate because they're not sure they can make it as a freelancer.

Well I have news for you, toots: you'll never be perfect enough. Work with what you have and just. Do. It.