A month or so ago Sol of Digital Traincase invited me to her first-ever event: a personal makeup workshop with THE Jigs Mayuga! As you know Jigs is one of the country's premier makeup artists, working with no less than the most sought-after celebrities, brands, and magazines. To be part of his personal makeup class is a great opportunity to learn from the master!

Did you know that Jigs used to work as an airline attendant? Unfortunately, he was laid off when the airline experienced difficulties at that time. Instead of feeling sorry for himself though, Jigs took it as a sign to finally pursue the thing he loved the most: makeup artistry.

So, he took his savings and invested the money on a cosmetology course at the Center for Aesthetic Studies in Makati. He eventually got hired by L'Oreal to manage a Shu Uemura counter in 2005, and then a year or so later got promoted as Chief Makeup Artist for L'Oreal Paris. How's that for turning your lemons into lemonade?

I wasn't sure if I should post this outfit, but what the heck, I spent so much time obsessing and second-guessing what I would wear last weekend that I might as well just freakin' do it. I'm not a fashion blogger hence the blurry pictures and awkward posing, but these pictures are the only thing I have.

So, please don't judge me harshly. :P Moving on! I've spent the last couple of week scouring the malls for the perfect fall outfit, but found it difficult to find something that would keep me warm in the 15 to 5-degree weather AND still be wearable here in the PH. I love Stradivarius's current black and white, 90s grunge collection, so all of the clothes I found were from their store in SM Aura.

Coat, black sweater, and skirt from Stradivarius | Tights and socks from Uniqlo | Sneaker wedges from Sketchers | Bag from Aldo

Purple sparkly nails courtesy of a P99 nail polish from Essence. Argh, forgot the shade! But you won't miss it in the display, it's very eye-catching.

November was a very hectic month so I wasn't able to arrange for a Commenter of the Month prize. Which means that the CoM wasn't announced at the end of October...which then means I will announce the winner now! She is Marianna Fernandez. Congratulations! Please email your address to liz[at]projectvanity.com.

Since I wasn't able to announce a prize for November, I will have two Commenters of the Month for December. I have one lovely set of Revlon products and a gift certificate of P3,000 from POSH Pocket Shoes.

I picked out some of Revlon's latest products for the winner. This is a fabulous selection that's just perfect for the upcoming holiday parties! It has a purple smoky eye palette, foundations, neutral polish, and sheer yet bright lip colors.

^_^ The other CoM can choose P3,000 worth of shoes from POSH, which btw is an awesome brand since they're one of the first in the country to offer durable folding shoes. You can read my ooooold post about it!

Please do follow POSH Pocket Shoes on Facebook!

Okay, same mechanics as before! Every month, I'll pick a commenter on my blog. She must be able to leave useful comments, such as sharing feedback about a product I reviewed.

I've only ever read about autumn in books and seen it in movies, but experiencing it first hand is a different thing entirely. It's amazing, how the leaves change into vibrant colors and then fall slowly in a heap on the ground. Fall is beautiful the way flowers are beautiful - they both last only a short time, which makes us appreciate them more.

Fall in Shinjuku, Tokyo

Anyhoo, one of my favorite lip colors this season is the Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Berry (P1,300). This is a limited edition shade from the Rich Chocolate collection! I've already reviewed Bobbi's lipsticks before so I won't get into detail about the formula - I just really want to show you how gorgeous this color is! 

Berry is a luscious deep berry shade with pink undertones. It looks fabulous on my medium skin, although I think that this is the kind of color that works pretty much on any skin tone. 

I love this departure from the usual fall lip, which leans darker, redder, more vampy. Berry is a sexy shade but not in an intimidating I'm-gonna-bite-you kind of way!

It's so easy to get caught up with everything that's wrong with your life. It's also equally easy for people to lecture you that there's always a silver lining, that there's a positive side to things. But I guess that the most useful truth to remember is this: nothing is permanent. Not your relationships, not your problems, and not your life, even. Everything ends eventually. You can either look forward to the ending, or to the beginning of something new and perhaps even better. 

You just need to hold on and enjoy the ride. :)

Moving on! This picture was taken during the event I organized for Ellana Minerals. It's a candid shot of me by Yuki being stuck to my phone as usual - I should put it down more often, I know. It was a looooong but super fun day that I hope won't be happening again any time soon. :P Events are only fabulous when you're attending them; making them happen is a completely different planet. Nay, galaxy!

Photo credit: Yuki Tansengco

If you've been following my Instagram (@lizlanuzo), you may have read that Ellana recently hired me to work on their branding and marketing. I'm ecstatic about this partnership because I'm a huge fan of the Ellana mineral foundation since I was in college. I went through jars and jars of that stuff! Not kidding. It was the best thing I could afford then - imagine, pure mineral makeup for only P400? MMU that has heavy coverage and great staying power? It was my acne-prone college self's perfect base!

I'm back from Japan! I'll be blogging about my trip soon, just let me detox from all the awesomeness I had to take in last weekend. Haha. I had a ton of fun going around Tokyo and then visiting the Shiseido factory in Kakegawa. It was great to witness the brand's commitment to excellence firsthand, how it always strives develop new, sustainable techology. More on that soon!

Today I'd just like to quickly rave about this new line of brushes called SOFFIA. The brand is the latest venture of Sophie Uy, the same amazing woman behind Charm brushes and Sample Room! It's her first time to venture into high-end tools and frankly, my dears, she is nailing it.

SOFFIA Opulence Blending Brush (P950) is indeed the best blending brush I have ever tried. It's waaaay better than the MAC 217, which was my absolute favorite before when it comes to refining my eyeshadow work. This brush is ridiculously soft - it's the softest brush I have ever had the pleasure of using.

Purity is natural. We come to this world with all the right instincts, we are innocent and, therefore, perceive things as they should be, rather than how they are. Our conscience is clear, our hands are clean and the world at large is truly beautiful.

Who would've thought a facial wash would inspire me this way? You may have heard the exciting news already: Philosophy is back in Manila! This time around, the line of products are more expansive although the only makeup is the lip gloss. Who knows - maybe they'll bring their foundation soon.

Philosophy will have its flagship store in the new wing of Megamall this December 12. Please do visit it then. ;) In the meantime, here are some well-loved products to look out for and their prices!

The best sellers: Purity Facial Wash (P1,395), Amazing Grace Spray Fragrance (P2,495) and Hope In a Jar Moisturizer (P1,995)

The Grace Series: Shower Gel P1,495), Grade Spray Fragrance (P2,495), and Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion (P2,145)

I realized, belatedly, that the BB creams I lined up for you this week are all from Western brands. I wasn't able to acquire Asian BBs for this round, but never fear! I promise to have an Asian BB cream week next time. ;) 

Allow me to discuss one last product to wrap up this themed week: the Revlon Photoready BB Cream (P725)!

I like that it has a brightening finish even though the coverage is quite sheer. The SPF30 is a good addition too! I also like that it didn't slide off after four hours of wear, even though others who have tried it say that the staying power is dismal. Remember people: setting it properly is key!

I found a great shade match in Light Medium. The shade is yellow-toned with subtle shimmer for that skin-illuminating effect.

Confession: one of my favorite things about traveling is, er, packing. Okay I said it. I love planning what outfits to wear, skin and body care products to bring, and picking out the best makeup to wear for the weather. I get such a thrill putting all of these things together in my head! I also enjoy physically placing them in the best possible arrangement. 

However, don't get any ideas about me being a pack rat. I like to travel light, which ups the challenge of planning the exact items to bring. If I can do without it for the next few days, I most likely won't be taking it with me!

That being said, one of my serious problems when packing is decanting my beauty products. I found these tools from Muji the other day to make my life easier!

BB creams are some of the most convenient bases in the history of forever to use. They're much like liquid foundations but with added benefits of hydration, sun protection, and skincare properties. This type of makeup is generally fuss-free to apply, but if you want to maximize them, I just have a few suggestions!

Apply sunscreen beforehand to get the right amount of sun protection and to create a smooth base for your BB cream. Just because your BB cream has SPF so-and-so, it doesn't mean that you'll get that exact number. You will need to apply a whole teaspoon of makeup all over your face to get that promised SPF - but who does that? Realistically you would only use a third of a teaspoon lest your face looks like unbaked cake. You'd still get some sun protection, but it's considerably less than what's noted on the bottle.

CC creams are excellent sunscreens because they're so sheer! Or you can use an ultra light sunblock like the one from Kiehl's

If your BB cream has SPF 50 then you can skip the sunscreen. But at SPF30 you won't be getting much, so just apply your usual skincare with SPF.

To maintain your protection from the harmful rays of the sun, either retouch your BB cream with a powder containing SPF every three hours, or re-apply the BB cream. The former is more convenient. :)

Smooth the BB cream equally all over your face using your hands. Personally I like the smear the BB cream in neat lines, to make sure that I am distributing the product evenly.

Have you already done your Christmas shopping? If not, I just have one reminder: make sure that your gift is something the other person can actually use. I know, I know, it's such obvious advice! But it's easy to forget in the heat of elbowing your way through the holiday mall rush. 

If you're not a fan of big crowds and passing by several stores to get stuff for different people, you should look at these VMV Hypoallergenics Holiday Sets. There's a set for the guys, kikays, mothers, and pretty much anyone in your life! They come in a nifty box made of recycled paper and tied up with a grosgrain VMV ribbon, which means that you don't even have to bother wrapping them. ;)

Here they are, with detailed info from VMV:

My VMVery Favorite Things (P1,000.00, a Php 1,725.00 value). Seven of our greatest hits, sized for on-the-“glow” portability. From basics to powerful protection, mmmoisture to multi-tasking therapy, these popular pickings are guaranteed to keep those at the top of your list skin the pink of health all year long. 

• Re-Everything Face-Hand-Body Lotion Head-to-toe anti-aging glow! 30 mL (1 Fl Oz)
• Id Sweat Acne and Overall Anti-bacterial Gel. Our multitasker: treats bumps, disinfects, keeps skin cool, fresh + matte. 50 mL (1.69 Fl Oz).
• Armada Sport SPF 70. A wait-in-line-for-it fave for its skincredibly light feel + powerful protection. 15 g (0.53 Oz).

Don’t you just hate it when your hair goes flat like a fizzed-out soda drink? Flat hair can be caused by too much humidity, product build-up, and improper styling. Thank goodness it’s easy enough to fix! Check out these three easy steps to volumize your hair.

1. Use a clarifying shampoo to remove all traces of product build-up. That mousse, hairspray, and hair serum you love using? They don’t get completely washed away with normal shampoo! They tend to just pile up on the scalp and hair, thus weighing your locks down.  

High-end clarification: Kérastase Cristalliste Shampoo and Serum

A good clarifying shampoo can remove any lingering gunk on your hair. It can restore bounciness and shine instantly. However, it’s not meant to be used on a daily basis (two to three times a week is enough). Stick to your normal shampoo for everyday cleansing!

I saw a quote the other week that went, "If you don't build your dream, someone else will pay you to build theirs." This is true. If you love something you're probably thinking of striking it out on your own, perhaps earning money from it. But there is that ever-constant fear of failing, so instead of chasing after what you really want to do, you just end up getting paid by someone else to do it for them. It's practical, yes. Also sad at the same time.

Moral lesson: if you're gonna slave away anyway, do it to build your own empire.

So. Let's continue BB Cream Week! On the chopping block today is the Kiehl's Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream (P2,200+). This is a sheer, moisturizing base with SPF 50 and broad spectrum protection. It contains Vitamin C to help rejuvenate and clear skin, as well as soften fine lines over time.

MAC's latest collection brings the holidays to a fever pitch - of the disco persuasion. (I thought about this line for one whole day, because I'll be damned if I didn't put "disco" and "fever" in my opening sentence.)

Anyway! Divine Night is MAC's flagship collection this season, dominated by rich shades of gold, bronze, plum, and pink champagne. The look is composed of a fierce darkened eye, stark contour, and a dirty plum lip - a very modern discotheque vibe. Check out the photos from the super fun launch that happened last week!

Divine ladies: Ria Bolivar, Catriona Grey, Jessica Yang, and Ella Pap

Play area

Have BB creams gone the way of the dinosaurs? Certainly not. BB creams are here to stay no matter how many alphabet creams come after. It revolutionized the way everyday makeup should be, with its thinner texture, skin-friendly ingredients, and high SPF protection. Think about the options we had before BB creams came. This type of makeup opened up a whole dam of possibilities!

This week, I'll be talking about some of the newer BB creams I have in my kit. :) Let's begin with the best one I've tried to date: the Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF35 PA+++ (P2,000+).

Yes, you heard it right - this is my new favorite! The best thing about it is that it comes in five shades* that are yellow-toned and works best with our Asian skin. You never have to worry if your face flashes gray or beige (a chronic problem with BBs); you can easily find a perfect match! I have yet to see a locally available BB cream with a better shade selection that this one.

Texture, coverage, and finish. The Bobbi Brown BB cream has a light yet creamy texture that would suit dry to combination skin best. It has a dewy, illuminating finish that looks like second skin - a trademark characteristic of all Bobbi face bases. Coverage is sheer but can be layered up to medium. It looks really beautiful when worn!

Facebook is not a good place to be in at the moment. Ideally it should be a source of stories that will inspire and galvanize the country to do more for those affected by Yolanda. However, it has mostly become a breeding ground for false news, righteous comments, and a feeling of helpless hysteria. Perhaps I'm exaggerating. In any case, I'll be keeping to Twitter for now. 

Let's all stay calm and carry on helping. 

Anyway, here are my best finds last month! I realized that I reviewed (and enjoyed) more products than usual. I'll just be picking out the best of the best. :)

The Shiseido Natural Finish Cream Concealer is my current favorite under eye concealer. It's light and easy to blend, but it covers up darkness under the eyes well. What I love most about it though is the fact that it doesn't sink into my lines in the middle of the day! Good stuff.

Another one of my recent Shiseido finds is the Perfect Rouge Lipstick in Fuchsia RS320. This is a crazy bright magenta-fuchsia that never fails to draw quick glances whenever I'm wearing it. It's a fun lipstick to have in any kit.

Aaand here is my lipbalm-of-the-moment: the Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Moisturizing Stick! It's something I can wear under my lipstick without ruining the texture of the product. This is a pretty neat feature to have in your lip balm if you love lipsticks as much as I do.

Most days I can not be bothered to wear more than one shade of eyeshadow. Or any eyeshadow at all for that matter! But since I like highlighting my eyes, I at least make an effort to quickly swipe a cream eyeshadow on my lids. The Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal Eyeshadow in Barely Branded (golden cream) is a great daily color that'll brighten the eyes and stay on all day even with no primer.

Getting an iPhone last year changed my life. I've been an Applephile ever since I can afford one, but I was just really hesitant to cough up the cash for one of the smartest phones around. What was I thinking! Because of the iPhone (on a Smart unlimited data plan), I am able to be on track with all my clients even if I'm out running errands or attending meetings and events. I can shoot product photos and swatches on the fly, and use apps to manage my finances and increase productivity. I'm never really bored. It's pretty awesome!

I'm sure everyone will tell you the same thing: it's not worth getting an iPhone unless you have unlimited data in some form. Smart is my network of choice, not just because they work with me, but because the connection is reliable. Well there are rough patches but 95% of the time I am able to connect to LTE and have a clear phone call. That's much better than my last network.

Anyway, I'm happy to announce that you can now get the iPhone 5c and 5s from Smart today. The packages are pretty attractive, so if you're looking to upgrade to a new phone and perhaps a network, too, then check out the plan matrix after the cut. :) I think the best deal is paying the cashout fee of P6,000 for an iPhone 5c 16 gig with an P1,800 postpaid plan. Not bad!

I rarely use conditioner which is why my hair's overall smoothness rests heavily on hair oils. I find that oils are lighter on my fine hair and do not cause me to have bumps on my chin. They moisturize nicely, keeps my head from looking like a hay stack, and do not build up on my scalp! What else can I ask for?

My favorite hair oil slash serum is the Kerastase Ultime, but its amazing-ness comes with a hefty price tag. There are a lot of alternatives out there, however! One of them is the Lucido-L Repairing Oil for straight Hair (P295).

I admit that I wasn't familiar with Lucido-L until I visited one of those drugstore beauty stores in Tokyo - this is one of the most prominent brands displayed! So I got curious. I finally tried this oil which I think I got half a year ago.

The holidays are just around the corner. It's a time for celebrations and reunions with loved ones, but if you're a beauty junkie, then there's one other reason this time of the year is special: holiday sets! Most high-end brands have their own limited edition collection that features wearable art or sets for gift-giving. Now is a good time to collect some precious pieces, give an impressive beauty gift, or just get more value for your money.

Today I'd like to show you the Estee Lauder Holiday 2013 Sets. Every year the brand releases beautifully detailed solid perfume and powder compacts, and this year is no exception. These designs are inspired by the Zodiac and charms traditionally synonymous with good luck. Check 'em out!

Estée Lauder elevates the popular Zodiac theme with sleek golden-matte compacts adorned with a clear Swarovski® crystal and magnetic closure. In recognition of the 2014 Year of the Horse, Estée Lauder added a colorful, eye-catching crystal compact symbolizing success in the Chinese tradition. 

The Zodiac powder compacts feature the universally wearable Lucidity Translucent Pressed Powder. 

The new solid perfume compact collection exemplifies the theme of luck with elaborately crafted compacts, including the Golden Horseshoe and Lovely Ladybug.

This season’s solid perfume compacts feature Estée Lauder’s Beautiful, pleasures and Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia fragrances. 

Other than collectibles, Estee Lauder also has great sets that'll make even the hoariest makeup enthusiast giggle in excitement. Lol. (I've been meaning to use the word "hoary" here for years now). Click after the jump to see the sets + prices.