It normally takes me a week to write about press junkets, but this time I decided to try writing everything down while my memory is fresh. I want to remember everything! El Nido, Palawan is the most beautiful place I've been to so far. Thanks to Nivea, I was able to experience it and #embracethesun!

I was invited along with fellow bloggers, press, and celebrities to attend this annual event. We stayed in a gorgeous resort for three days - El Nido in Lagen Island - and got to visit the surrounding islands. I'll write about our stay in a separate post, but in the meantime, I'd like to introduce to you the latest product from Nivea.

Guys, meet the Nivea Sun Protect & Bronze Spray (P599)! It simply lets you tan beautifully and safely, without having to resort to self-tanners or tinted oils to get bronzed. The liquid is completely clear as it works in such a way that your skin develops its most natural tan, versus orangey and fake-looking tans out of a bottle. It promotes the skin's natural melanin production so that you get a color that is truly yours.

It comes in SPF 20, 30, and 50, which means that you can choose the level of protection as you need it. If you're in the beach though, you should go for the PF50! It protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays for about 4-5 hours (depends on your skin). Did you know that you actually don't need to go higher than 50? It should bounce off 93% off all harmful rays from the sun! (If properly applied, that is.)

This is already available in all major drugstores and supermarkets. ^_^ Keep an eye out for it if you're soaking up some sun soon! Anyway, here are photos of the actual launch.

I'm baaaack! Just came from a Nivea press event all the way in El Nido, Lagen Island. The place was breathtakingly beautiful - think clear azure waters, 360-degree views of basaltic islands, and awesome locals. It was an experience that I will never forget! I'll blog about it later but first, I'd like to show you something interesting from Avon. It's the 8-in-1 Eye Palette in The Metallics (P349)!

I believe this came out over the holidays so I can't guarantee that it's still available. It's better to ask your Avon lady! Nonetheless, I think it's interesting how Avon is coming out with even more interesting products and color selections. I mean, just look at this! 

There are three versions of this palette - the one here is all about metallic colors. They aren't THAT metallic to me though; I'd say they look like normal eyeshadows with shimmer. Pigmentation is pretty good, texture is a little rough but workable, and staying power is okay as long as you use a base. 

This palette doesn't blow my mind away, honestly, but it does have one thing going for it: eight pretty colors for only 349 bucks. Observe!

Bronzers are usually shimmery affairs, although every so often there's one that's almost matte. This kind of finish is more suited to those who want warmth on their skin but prefer to avoid extra shine on top of their oily face. If that's what you're after, the Stila Bronzing Powder in Sweet Treat (~P800) fits the bill!

Out next month, this bronzer creates a lovely warmth on the face without having too much shimmer in it. It has a couple of shimmery blocks in the grid, yes, but the rest are matte. The colors run the gamut of skin-enhancing shades - tan, brown, peach, and champagne. They're even pigmented enough that you can use them as eyeshadows if you wish.

But don't worry, this bronzer won't give you Snickers bar cheeks when you apply it. ;) It starts out very soft, then you can build it up until you get your desired intensity. It has a smooth, satiny texture which makes it easy to blend and layer.

We already know that we need to exfoliate and/or have a facial regularly. All that dirt, oil, dead skin, and makeup builds up on the surface, even if we already use facial wash everyday. It's the same with our hair. We use shampoo whenever we take a bath, right, but we also need to "deep clean" our tresses like we do our face. Not a lot of people know that!

Which begs the question: what should we use to "deep clean" our hair? Answer: clarifying shampoo! This type of shampoo is usually meant to be used only once or twice every week, to remove whatever residue is left by our shampoo, conditioner, and styling products. The formula has more intense surfactants to help wash off the gunk, and has no conditioning ingredients that may deposit even more gunk. 

Love this Celeteque Clarifying Shampoo (P200), it works and it smells nice n' clean. 

A clarifying shampoo can thus feel drying, which is why we should limit its use to once or at most twice a week. It's the same reason we're cautioned against using exoliators regularly.

So! When do you need to use clarifying shampoo? What are the dead giveaways? Here's five!

Matte and satin are forever but there's a renewed love for shiny lips in 2014. Glossy, luscious colors are all the rage as new formulas come out that challenge the stereotype. The new MAC Huggable Lipcolour (P1,150) is one such formula. It promises six whole hours of wear while moisturizing your lips at the same time. Too good to be true? Nope! It's for real alright. 

The Huggable Lipcolour is a cross between the Sheen Supreme and the Pro Longwear. It's shinier than Sheen Supreme, but it has the staying power of the Pro Longwear. It hugs my lips tightly and is loathe to let go even when I eat or drink!

This is limited edition! The Huggable Lipcolour comes in a gunmetal tube, as opposed to the usual black MAC packaging.

Eight hours is the longest I've worn this lipstick. At the end of it, there was still a glossy color on my lips. Seriously. It starts fading by the 5th hour but it never really goes away until I take it off. Even though it's long-wearing, it's moisturizing enough by itself. I can skip lip balm and my lips would feel alright!

Noel, a MAC Makeup Artist, applying the new lipstick on me

Happy Monday to you! I'm going to El Nido tomorrow and I have a hundred things to do before I can finally chill out. But maybe not. I will most likely bring my laptop to work in the evenings/early morning - I might not be able to finish everything in time. Best of luck to me!

Anyway, thought I'd do Manicure Mondays today. Buuut I have to apologize first. This nail polish came out last year and is limited edition; it is no longer for sale. I wasn't sure if I should still post it but what the heck! This color is easily in one of my top five favorite nail polishes EVER. I think it deserves the space, albeit posthumously. 

The NARS x Pierre Hardy Collection came out last summer, featuring two blushes and six nail polish duos. I got Sharplines, two colors individually called "Left" and "Right". Haha. Simple enough. The polish I'm wearing here is Sharplines Right. I can not, for the life of me, find the Left but I will post it on Instagram (@lizlanuzo) when I do since it's also a lovely color.

Sharplines Right is a beautiful deep burgundy, slightly wine-y color that looks like duhat. Remember duhat, that grape-slash-cherry-like fruit with a pit inside? My grandparents had a tree in their backyard when I was younger. During the summer, when the fruit is ripe, I'd climb the roof with my cousins and fill our pockets with it. Fun times. I had a really awesome childhood.

At first swatch, the Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Plum Radiance (P995) doesn't look like anything. It's barely visible and the color looks blah, too. But wait till you get it on your face with a proper blush brush. This formula turns into a glowing, "second skin" color on your cheeks!

This blush is perfect for people who don't like colors that sit like prissy princesses on top of their cheeks. It's sheer but easily built up, and the texture is just so that you don't pick up a load of powder after a brisk kiss with a brush. 

Staying power is decent at about four hours. Well, it doesn't promise to be long-wearing so I don't really mind.

Plum Radiance is a beautiful pink shade that leans towards plum, and dare I say, is there a hint of peach in the mix? It has fine shimmers that makes cheeks look dewy and fresh - not oily!

Where do I begin. The Ellana Intensive Blend Mineral Foundation (P460) has been an old favorite of mine, way back when I was in college and couldn't afford high-end foundations. It's the foundation that made my acne and blemish-devastated skin glow, the one that make made it look even - against all odds. And, it was just 400 bucks then! 

With the relaunch of Ellana, I've had the chance to finally try this foundation again. Is it as good as I remember it? YES. Whenever I have it on, people always ask me what foundation I'm wearing! Even makeup artists ask about it. Seriously, the feedback has been amazing. 

Here's a rundown of what's awesome (and what's not) about this foundation!

What I love about the product

• It gives me medium to heavy coverage with a beautiful dewy finish. It doesn't look like makeup - it looks like healthy skin, which is how your base should be. It covers minor blemishes and redness by itself yet it never appears too heavy. This is ideal for troubled, acne-prone skin!
• Texture is very silky and smooth - unlike other mineral foundations, this doesn't require tons of blending to get an even finish. I recommend using something dense like a kabuki or flat top brush to apply it, but any ole powder brush will do the job too.

• I never break out from this. If you want to just chill from your normal heavy makeup, this is a good alternative. It'll let your skin breathe, and heal it over time since it actually has vitamin C, E, and allantoin.

Need to dash out to a meeting in like 30 minutes so this would be a very quick post! Haha. Anyway, you already saw the Laura Mercier Metallic Creme Eye Color (P995) in action, which makes it easier for me to describe. This is a cream eyeshadow that comes in pro-looking silver tubes. Now I know you're thinking: buuuut it's metallic! How wearable could it be? I assure you that they're very nice on the lids, alone or mixed with other eyeshadows.  

These cream eyeshadows last around 3-4 hours without creasing if I'm not using primer. If I have primer though (which is normally the case), they pretty much stay on all day, with no creasing. Fingers could be used to apply them quickly, but I prefer to use my MAC 217 for a finer finish. I suggest you watch my video to see how I worked the product onto my lids. ;)

Even when fecal matter hits some electric rotating blades, I have been able to update this blog as if everything is completely fine. It's what I do, it's what I'm good at. It's what keeps me on track.

Anyhoo, thought I'd show you what I wore yesterday! I just met a couple of people, which would normally call for a more subdued palette. However it was so gloomy yesterday that I could not pass up the red faux leather jacket I have hanging around. That and my pouffy rose skirt is my middle finger to the cloudy weather.

My birthday is in three weeks and I am feeling old. My skin is just not as supple as it used to be! I've also been having my legs lasered these past six months so they feel quite dry. Then, there's this freaky cold weather in Manila lately that just sucks out the moisture from my skin. Rant rant rant. Bottomline, I'm dry and I feel uncomfortable and old about it.

So I've brought out the big guns. My goal is to reclaim the smoothness of my skin, if for no other reason than to spit in the eye of my 26th birthday. Lol. I'm not yet that age conscious, okay, just very conscious of my changing skin. Anyway, here are three things that I've found most effective in battling the dryness on my arms, legs, and neck!

Whenever I get argan oil from brands, I usually give it away. Now I realize that's a huge mistake. It took me a while to open my eyes!

I love this Melchior & Balthazar Argan Oil, as it takes my legs back to their erstwhile youth! I'm not kidding! This stuff is crazy. It makes my legs super duper smooth and velvety again. I can't believe it. I never thought my legs can feel that way!

Buuut are you ready for the price tag?

Special occasions like weddings, debuts, corporate events, and what not might inspire us to be a little more creative when it comes to makeup. However, these are the worst occasions to mess around with something you haven't tried before. First, it can go horribly wrong and you might not have enough time to correct it. Second, it's possible that the look, while flawlessly executed, could become dated in two or five years. You don't want to check your pictures and think, damn what was I thinking at Sharon's wedding?

When in doubt, go classic and foolproof. If you're a manic cookie though, go ahead and wear something crazy. ;) Anyway! I thought I'd show you a gorgeous new lipstick from Laura Mercier, the Weightless Lip Colour in Play (P999). This will be out in Rustan's next month.

This lipstick feels super light on the lips, as the name suggests. It has no scent at all which makes it easy to forget as soon as you apply it. It's neither drying or moisturizing, so just wear a balm if you have to. Staying power is average at three hours. 

I love the sleek, classy tubes of Laura Mercier lipsticks

Play is a predominantly peach shade with lots of pink thrown in. Very pretty! The finish is frosty - usually a deal breaker for me - but it has a shiny yet delicate quality to it that just draws the eye. It's hard to describe, really, so I hope you can just watch the video tutorial where I featured the lipstick. 

There is only so much you can learn from YouTube and beauty blogs. It's better to stand in front of a true artist and see how he does his fabulous tricks up close! That's why I always try to attend events where brands bring their own international makeup artists. There's always a new technique to see, a new style to absorb. I may not have formal training but I'm fortunate enough to be invited to witness these masters at work.

Last Saturday, I did just that. Gregory Arlt, the Director of Makeup Artistry for MAC Cosmetics, came to visit the Philippines to demonstrate new techniques and products. Gregory does the makeup of Dita Von Teese, Gwen Stefani, and Katy Perry to name a few. He's done covers, campaigns, and shows. I loved watching him since he was so eloquent and entertaining!

He showed us a simple, everyday look and a more glamorous yet understated evening look. You may have heard much of the advice if you already know the basics of makeup, but he also imparted a few lesser-known gems that I think would help all of us improve our daily makeup routine. Here they are!

Tip #1: Moisturize, prime, and spritz. What you wear under your makeup is just as important as what’s on top. Remember to use a brightening moisturizer, a smoothing primer, and a lip conditioner before you put on anything else. Spritz something like the MAC Fix+ to liven up your skin and plump it up. Your moisturizer and primer will seal that water in for better hydration throughout the day.

Tip #2: Use a flat foundation brush to apply heavy coverage powder foundation. You think you can only use THAT for liquid foundation? Think again! If you use powder foundation like the MAC Studio Fix, apply it with a paddle brush to get a finer, more precise coverage. We tend to slather it on with sponges and dense powder brushes, I know, which gets us a mask-like finish. Build it up patiently with a synthetic flat brush, like what Gregory did here.

I tried this at home with a loose foundation and it works!

A couple of weeks back, Rustan's sent me a few items from Laura Mercier's Spring 2014 Collection. This will be out in February, but I thought it'd be great to give you guys a full preview. I've already done a video tutorial featuring the products - that should give you an idea of how gorgeous the makeup is! But now it's time to get down to the nitty gritty.

This 2014, the beauty trend is along the lines of dewy, fresh skin. Heavy-looking, super matte bases are a huuuge no-no, and really, why bother? If you can get away with just a little makeup then that is precisely ALL you need! Take advantage of amazing technologies, such as a brightening base. Something like the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiance (P1,550).

What it is and what's it isn't. I initially thought that it's a primer for extending the wear of my foundation, but that is not the case. This is, more than anything else, a brightening base. It helps foundation glide on better, smoother. It makes your skin look more radiant and hydrated in the process due to the high water-content.

This is not an oil-controlling primer. Just wanna make that clear. However, if you have dull, sallow-looking skin, you'll love this! It perks up my skin in no time, without making it look shiny. It can subtly reflect the light back, thus blurring imperfections. I think this is a must-have if you're enjoying good skin and want to cut down on foundations and concealers. 

This is a more affordable dupe of the Becca Skin Perfector and the Bobbi Brown Illuminating Face Base which can easily cost over P2,500 here. ;)

Finish and texture. The product looks like tinted moisturizer off the tube, but don't be fooled. It's completely sheer! It does leave a gorgeous champagne glow though.

Hi Liz! The moment I got the invitation for my cousin's wedding, I have instantly told myself that I should ask you for advice re make up :) I have a few make up pieces for special occasions but my eye shadows are not very colorful , I have preferred to keep them in conservative hues. Also, [please] include tips on how to make them last longer for the duration of the event esp lipstick.

P.S. I am coming just as a guest. - Kris

Hi Kris! Attending a wedding, even just as a guest, is a fun opportunity to dress up and make up. Of course you'd want to look your best among friends and relatives! Now, a few pieces of makeup (when used correctly) can really take you a long way. I decided to do a video tutorial of this look with only minimal products to show you how it could be done.

I used the Laura Mercier Foundationer Primer in Radiance here, topped with the Shiseido Brightening Spot Control Foundation. I used the Shiseido Natural Eyebrow Pencil in Deep Brown to sculpt my brows.

How to make your makeup stay on longer

Primer (on the face, eyes, and lips) helps to keep your makeup down for a longer time. However, it's also important to bring blotting sheets and a powder brush to help retouch your makeup as you oil up.

How important is packaging to you when it comes to perfumes? I've seen really expensive ones that come in simple bottles - I guess in those cases, the scent is queen. But I do like having beautiful mini-sculptures to have as a keepsake. Someday, when I have my dream dresser, I'm going to keep my favorite bottles there just to look at.  ^_^

Anyhoo, I recently received the new Anna Sui La Vie De Boheme Eau de Toilette to review. The box and bottle alone immediately made my day (it doesn't take a lot, really!) because they look so striking. I don't have anything like it!

This scent is inspired by the modern bohemian woman. She lives an unconventional lifestyle. She's an adventurer who loves to travel, an artist with a romantic streak. She prefers to be herself and to express herself, sometimes against what is considered acceptable in today's society. The ruffled, printed skirt and floppy hats are just optional!

Yesterday, I got these ugly pair of shoes from Topshop in Powerplant. I saw them last November and wanted to get them then, but I'm so happy I waited. They were at 50% off! I shouldn't be surprised though. They are rather ugly, after all.

I like how chunky and awkward they look. It's kinda trendy at the moment, this affair with 90s grunge. But the main reason I got them is that I used to have the same pair of shoes before.

Oh, you're probably grumbling, here she is with yet another bright pink lipstick. I know, I know! Sometimes I just pick these things up without thinking. I know in my heart that I don't need another shade like this but whenever I scan a lipstick selection, pink is the one I always gravitate towards. -_- Sorry. Please bear with me.

(And just yesterday I was thinking of getting NARS Schiap. Hmm.)

Anyway! I just want to share a quick swatch of the Collection Cosmetics Lasting Colour Lipstick in Sweet Tart (P199). The cheery pink shade with a subtle red undertone is quite nice; it's not neon, but it gives a fresh burst of color on the face. 

The formula is smooth although it tends to gather around the lines of my lips. I just blot after the first layer, then apply another one to get an even blanket of color. Staying power is average at 3-4 hours without eating or drinking.

Can I just say, it's hard to feel beautiful when your back feels like an 60-year old's! I'm always hunched in front of the laptop so my neck and upper back sometimes feel stiff. Last week, the stiffness has evolved into a dull ache. It's not really that painful but I can feel the muscles all knotted up!

Then I remembered that I just got the Zenutrients All is Well Salve (P88/20g and P225/50g) in a press kit. I blogged about some of my fave Zenutrients stuff before, and I really liked the Ginger Rx for muscle aches. Perhaps this salve can do the same, or even better?

It did! I rubbed some of the salve on my neck/upper back and sure enough, the muscles felt less tight and achy after an hour. I couldn't believe it. Maybe I'm giving it a placebo effect? I tried it again the next day and I got the same positive results. Placebo effect or not, it helped my back feel better! I'm not going to argue!

How many mascaras does a girl need? Honestly, you only need two. One should be a daily mascara that volumizes your lashes and is easy to wash off - no waterproof nonsense unless you have extremely oily lids! Then you need one mascara for special occasions, something that's waterproof and looks practically like falsies. You can layer these two to get different effects.

The Estee Lauder Double Wear Extreme Zero-Smudge Mascara (P1,350) is something that falls between those two categories. It blackens, fattens, and lengthens my lashes in just two coats, looking a little like falsies when I close my eyes. It's sooo black! And matte. 

I love that this doesn't smudge all day. Just yesterday I wore it from 10am to 6pm - eight whole hours - and it did not smuge at all. It has also never flaked or smeared on me (I've been using this for about two months now). Even though it's long-wearing, the Double Wear Extreme Mascara is super easy to remove with just a water-based makeup remover. This is currently my fave everyday mascara!