College is a time to just enjoy yourself. Meet as many people as you can, excel in your interests (academic or extra-curricular), and just have smashing fun! While doing all that, keep your face clean everyday with skincare that suits your skin's needs, and wear minimal, enhancing makeup that can keep up with your busy lifestyle.

How? Ta dah, I made a tutorial! I took into consideration the late nights a college gal would spend on reports (and/or parties teehee), the sun exposure while rushing to classes, and the occasional zits that may pop up. This is also a quick routine with only one basic brush required and fairly affordable product recommendations. Ready? Here goes!

Step 1: Wear makeup that offers some SPF protection, or wear an SPF cream before your foundation of choice. This is a must! Sun damage can show as early as your 20s so protect your skin ASAP. Here I used the Laneige Snow BB Cream with SPF50 because it's in a handy compact.

"It only takes a moment for your eyes to meet, and then, your heart knows in a moment you will never be alone again," says that song from Hello, Dolly! It's one of my favorites, something I hum randomly or even wake up to in my head. Does it mean that I believe in love at first sight? Nah, it's way more complicated than that. However I do believe that there's a point when you realize that you would very much like to spend the rest of your life with someone. It only takes a moment.

Aaaand segue to makeup. The Stila In The Moment Palette (P1,800 at Stuff In Style) is inspired by the moments that shape our lives. I love the eyeshadow colors since they're well rounded, plum and purple with gold, bronze, and other supporting colors -  these are always flattering on Asian skin. You can do an quick day look or a heavy smoky eye with these combination of colors. You also get a non-smudging eyeliner in the package.

Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons of this palette!

What I love about the product

• The eyeshadows are pigmented, smooth, and easy to blend with each other.
• I love the loosely coordinated colors with flashes of rose beige and gold. They're perfect! The dusky colors are quite sophisticated and perfect with morena skin (specifically, although they go with anything). The darker colors can be used as eyeliner, just use a wet lining brush.

I have a few Kiehl's products but I haven't taken a serious look at the store before, not really. For instance did you know that they have hair products? They have shampoos, conditioners, volumizer, and even a hair oil very similar to Kerastase at less than half the prize. They also have specialized skincare lines with a heavy focus on natural ingredients like acai berry, amazonian clay, and sunflower oil to name a few.

Inspired by its city of origin, Kiehl's brings a piece of New York in all their stores here in the Philippines. Here's what their space in Rockwell looks like!

Moving Statue of Liberty holding a Kiehl's torch. Cheeky!

The place looks more like a bistro than a beauty store

I was out very early today for work errands. After the serious stuff, I roamed the mall for something I can wear to the Pinkbox event on Wednesday. Preparing for it has been super stressful so I better damn well look good on the day itself! Hehe. 

Anyway, it turns out it's hard to look for a classy pink outfit. I went to Zara, Mango, The Ramp, zilch. So I went to the trusty Forever 21 store. There is SO MUCH pink in that place right now! I didn't have much time left so I just grabbed some stuff that would somehow fit the purple/pink theme of the party.

I got this lavender dress for only P619. Yeah I'm not kidding! It was P1,435 originally but a lot of the stuff are on sale at Forever 21 Makati right now. I would love to wear this but I'm not sure if it can still fit the theme. Hmm. Maybe a pink headband can make it work.

Another sale find. This blazer is now only P505. Crazy. It was P1,685 originally. The fit is nice on me, even though the only size left is small.

Good day Ms Liz! What's the best brush for liquid foundation? Pointed foundation brush or stippling brush? Brand? Cheap alternatives? Thanks!

Hi there! This is a complex question because the best brush for your liquid foundation use depends on the texture of the product and the effect that you want to achieve with it. You need to take into consideration where you need the coverage the most and what your skin needs from your foundation.

But it's not as difficult as it sounds. Here are different foundation brushes and how best to use them!

A flat foundation brush is best for heavy, opaque coverage. It can be used with any foundation texture but it's nice to use with very wet, sheer types if you want to maximize the coverage. To use, start from the center of your face, blending downwards and out.

Try: Estee Lauder Foundation brush, Charm Essentials Pretty in Pink Vegan Foundation Brush

A duo fiber stippling brush is ideal for heavy, viscous liquid foundation since it can distribute the product evenly without dragging and tugging on skin.

Have you guys heard of BYS Cosmetics? It's the latest brand to hit the Philippines, all the way from Australia. I hear that they're very affordable - think NYX with lots of colors and sub-lines. I can't wait to check them out in SM Department Stores and Watsons. 

If you want to try BYS for free, just purchase Smart Call and Text Card P500 from any retail point inside theparticipating SM Malls, namely: Fairview, Mall of Asia, Makati, Manila. Megamall, North Edsa, Pampanga and Southmall. Then you get a coupon that you can redeem from the BYS inside those department stores. 

Here are the freebies that you can get! Oh and more details about the promo.

Some people know what they love from the beginning. Some find it sooner, but when they do it's like there was never anything before it. 

I met Patti Dizon a few weeks ago. Her parents are a lawyer and a doctor, and she was well on her way studying medicine when she quit. Why? She knew that she wouldn't be happy pursuing the profession. While she had some downtime she found out how much she loved baking for her friends and family. They loved her creations, and this encouraged to start her own business: A Spoonful of Sugar.

With only a P1,000 capital, she was able to build a cupcake business that now supplies to Moonleaf Tea Shop and various other cafes. In a month or so, she will announce another major coffee retail chain on her roster of distributors. She's only 24 and her business is just 10 months old but she's on her way to making it big!

Patti's best seller is the Red Velveteen, but my personal favorite is the Salted Caramel de Leche.

I'm hosting a retail event tomorrow for my client then we have a media event on Wednesday. Stress, pressure, eyebags, and a gray face - you name it, I got it. After this flurry of activity I need to plan another event again. I'm overwhelmed, surely, but I'm happy! Seriously though I need to go on a vacation real soon. A beach sounds good. Lots of sand, sun, clear water. I'd pile on sunblock and see if my dog knows how to swim (conclusively).

Anyway! Just wanted to share something I wore yesterday. I bought this dress from Unica Hija a few weeks back, my first from the brand, ever. It didn't look much in the rack but when I wore it, man, it looked fab! So I got it. 

Unica Hija dress / Wicked Drops bib / Pinkbox ring / Zara heels / Blowdry by Entice The Salon

Lips-talk. Such a funny word but it actually makes sense for Etude House to call their lip products "lips-talk". They believe that the color we wear on our lips tells the world what we're feeling that day, hence, our lipstick does some talking! It's roundabout but clever.

Anyway, I've reviewed some lipsticks from Etude before and I love 'em. You can't go wrong with a great price, nice texture and color selection! This time, I have a lipstick-balm hybrid that's supposed to condition our puckers: the Etude House Dear My Essence in Lips-talk.

It's described as "enriched with Meadowfoam Seed Oil, this ultra-conditioning Essence-in-lipstick melts into lips with luscious color and brilliant shine, leaving your lips smooth, moisturized, and soft." 'Tis true. This stuff is so creamy it literally melts into a wet, almost gloss texture when it hits the lips. It's also moisturizing, as if you put butter on!

Estee Lauder's best serum has got to be the Advanced Night Repair. It's ideal for women in their early 20s to 30s who want something to keep their skin refreshed and supple. If you're looking for something to combat sagging skin and wrinkles though, you should check out the Estee Lauder Perfectionist [CP+R].

I didn't try it myself but I gave it to a friend who loved it! She has extremely reactive / sensitive skin but she didn't get any pimples using it. She likes the brightening effect, but beyond that she needs more time to see the wrinkle lifting benefits.

Interested? Here's more information for your reference!

Estée Lauder introduces NEW Perfectionist [CP+R] Wrinkle Lifting/Firming Serum, featuring breakthrough CPR-75 Technology, a dual-action, advanced amino acid and protein complex that supercharges and re-strengthens skin’s natural collagen-building power.

Fast, effective and dramatic, CPR-75 Technology helps skin supercharge its ionic “pump” to help boost its critical, natural energy potential, promoting optimal repair.

"So why do you charge P6,500 for a hair cut?" I asked Jude Hipolito as he was busy snipping at my hair. He looked me in the eye and said, "It's not about me, it's about you." He explained that some women are at that point in their lives when they can afford to splurge on themselves. They're able to buy designer bags and clothes - so why not a designer hair cut? He knows what he's worth, and he has his price out there. If you can splurge for the best hair cut ever then go to him. If not, you don't have to.

Jude and Rose, the dynamic duo behind JURO Salon

Now I don't mean that to sound snobbish. Even though Jude has 20 years of experience as a hair cutter, doing the hair of the stars and training celebrity hair stylists, he's a pretty laidback guy with a genuinely warm and humble personality. He relishes telling stories and you can see that he also likes to listen. He's a quiet, soft-spoken guy, not the big shot hair stylist type who can't even part with a smile.

Jude doing my hair

Jude tells me that he trains in the US every year to be updated on the latest trends and techniques in the business of hair. He calls himself a precision hair cutter, meaning that each cut is tailored to your face shape, hair texture, lifestyle, down to how your hair will grow out in the months to come.

I fell in love with Beauty Bar in college. There was a big shiny branch in Robinson's Ermita, right in front of my university. I swear I would spend hours every week just looking at their stuff! Yeah it was a little embarrassing, seeing as I rarely bought anything, but I couldn't stay away. It was my special place at a time when I was just discovering the colorful world of beauty.

When I talk about myself from all those years ago (well, barely three years ago) it's like I'm talking about an entirely different person. Today these opportunities are open to me and sometimes, it's hard to believe that's it's all because I blogged. I feel giddy that one of my favorite stores invited me to visit their new branch. I feel good that if I want anything from the store, I can buy it without batting an eyelash.

I'm not bragging ha, I'm just looking back with a twinge of pride that I've come this far. :) Anyway! You can now find Beauty Bar in Bonifacio High Street, on top of Muji. The place is breathtaking - it's well-lit, spacious, and luxurious-looking. There's even a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in one corner, which spills out to an al fresco area that looks over to Serendra. Do I sniff a new hangout place?

Have you guys heard of Fairydrops? It's a fairly popular brand from Japan, known for their mascara's patented "3 teardrop" wand. The brand is so popular, in fact, that it's also distributed at Sephora in the US. Google it and you'll find a lot of rave reviews. ;)

And so, I'm happy to announce that Fairydrops is finally here in the Philippines! They set up shop last week at Beauty Bar branches in Manila. Aside from their best-selling mascaras, there's also a BB cream, loose powder, and a glossy balm in the selection. I swatched the BB cream and it looks super promising!

What I will be reviewing today is one of my current fave mascaras: the Fairydrops Platinum Mascara (P1,195). It's a super black, clean finish mascara that washes off with only water. I've been using it for three weeks now and I love it! Did I say it washes off with just water? Yet it's smudge and smear-proof, and fairly water resistant as long as you don't rub it.

Here's a more detailed take!

What I love about the product 

• It's an office and school-safe mascara since it has a clean, enhancing finish. It's not in-your-face. It volumizes and lengthens just enough to make your lashes stand out, but not so much that it looks TOO much!
• Curls lashes and holds them all day. It's best used with an eyelash curler, but the wand does wonders by itself.

Hey hey! It's been a while since I posted an outfit. I wish I have someone who can snap photos of some of my looks (I'm vain, sue me) but it's embarrassing to ask random people I'm with. So I just leave it. But I really like my outfit yesterday so I stuck the camera on a flat surface and posed without shame!

It was a toss between heels and sandals but I wanted more pink so I went with the sandals. They're cute no? I got them for only P350! They're weird though. Everytime I wear them for more than a couple of hours, my feet are sore the next morning (like right now). Might be because they're too thin and flat?

And people say heels are bad for your feet. Pfff.

Hi! My name is Mae and i need your advice and expertise badly. I'm 30 years old and a newbie in make up. As in I know no tricks, techniques or best products when it comes to make up. I was content on sponging on a powder foundationand slathering on lip balm since I have suffered from severe chapped lips since forever - thus my aversion to lipstick - and thats about it.

Ironically, I was hit with the desire to put on make up at a time when I could hardly squeeze in some time to learn, research, experiment and practice. You see, I'm a new mother to a 4-month old baby boy, very hands on and breastfeeding at that. To top it off, I have to be at the office by 8am. With the stress of adjusting and lack of sleep I realized I look pale and dry in front of my clients when I caught my reflection on a glass wall. Here I was marketing to them and I looked so unpolished! I felt myself shrink and what a jab to my confidence. That's when it hit me, the importance of make up to [achieve] a polished and professional look. Thus my hunt on beauty blogs and getting to know you beauty experts!

I've been following your blog for some time now since I can go online while breastfeeding but I admit it leaves me quite overwhelmed. Could you please help me? How can I sport an easy and speedy office look? Simple but polished and professional. Think of it as a tutorial for the dummy. What products do you recommend? 

Hi Mae, thanks for sending in this letter. I've already done a tutorial on a quick office look with long-wearing makeup (try Bobbi Brown - expensive but the best!), so you can check that for one way to do it. :) I decided to show another routine here with only nine products and 15 minutes of your time every morning! 

You will only need one brush and your fingers to do this look. If you use the right products, they'll stay on all day with only minimal retouching. :) Before you do all this though, don't forget to wear sunblock and some eye cream! That will keep your skin protected from the sun and other environmental stressors. Here goes!

Step 1: Use a face primer like the Benefit POREfesshional to smoothen your skin, cover up pores, and help your base makeup stay on longer.

I was at the Mall of Asia last Sunday with my mom. I dragged her to Uniqlo to check out the perpetual sale going on there (not that I'm complaining), and that's where I found this beauty!

It's only P390 at the current sale price and I love it. It's super comfy as a body shaper, not too restricting and hot, plus it doubles as shorts for days when I'm wearing short dresses. Did I say it was only P390? A similar thing from Bench would cost as much sans the nicer fabric.

Hey folks! I have some new products from Maybelline that I'm excited to finally talk about. I've had them for a few weeks now and, well, color me impressed! It's been a while since I used anything from the brand so I'm surprised by how nice their stuff are now. 

Here are capsule reviews of Maybelline's latest: The Jewels by Colorsensational Lipsticks, Master Liner 24-Hr Cream Pencil, and Eye Studio Lumineyes Eyeshadow.

The Jewels by Colorsensational Lipstick (P399) is a collection of six jewel-toned lip colors in uber creamy, pigmented formulas. They're not waxy and they stay on for a loooong time given that the colors are on the dark, brilliant spectrum. They leave a nice stain too without feeling too drying!

Hi guys! I finally have a name. It was a difficult decision as many of you were commenting almost everyday, so what I did was, I put all the names in a bowl and picked one randomly. So! The winner is Jaja. Please email me  your full name, address, and contact number.

For October I have a big prize to the lucky commenter of the month. Avon kindly sponsored all these goodies for this giveaway! I was actually just asking for a set of lipsticks and maybe a couple of blushes, but they pulled out all the stops for this massive set of some of the best Avon pieces.

The winner will be getting nineteen products: