A lot of readers have requested me to do a meet and greet in the past, and I want to do one too because - what else - I want to meet you! Some of you guys have been reading this blog since the beginning, and you can't believe how much I'm choking up just thinking about that. It's been five years of vanity, of learning, and sharing how we could be better women both inside and out. Half a decade, huh? I want to do something special to celebrate that with you guys.

I've been thinking how to do this for quite a while, and I finally figured it out. What if I did it in one of my favorite places in the world, with some of my favorite beauty brands? And that's when my brain went ding ding ding! Haha. Presenting, the Project Vanity: Five Years of Vanity Event!

It will be held at Beauty Bar Bonifacio High Street (on top of Muji) on March 9, 2-4pm and will be co-sponsored by K-Palette, Fairydrops, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and of course Beauty Bar. It will be a fun afternoon of mingling with other beauty enthusiasts, coffee, and freebies! I will be doing a demonstration showing a quick but high-impact everyday look, and of course I'll be doing a Q&A on all your beauty concerns. It's like Ask Liz! live and on crack. ;)

Bobbi Brown is one of the most underrated brands in the Philippines. The price intimidates most people, I suppose, but in my experience it delivers what you pay for. Each product does exactly what it is meant to do and some, even a little bit more! I don't want to play favorites but out of all the brands in my vanity, Bobbi Brown is one of the names I pick up the most. It's been consistently amazing since Day 1.

A lot of praise, I know, but it's from the very bottom of my heart. If you have a few gs to spare and want something that you will actually finish up, Bobbi Brown is a foolproof choice. :) Anyway! I actually want to talk about Bobbi's February release, which is called the Sparkle & Glow Collection.

Sparkle & Glow is designed to give the skin some much-needed lift and brightness. There's shimmer of course but it's very subtle and fine; just enough to bring light to the skin, but not too much that it looks tacky. I have one of the sparkle eyeshadows so I'll talk about that in a bit! In the meantime here's more information about the individual products in the collection.

I'm extremely picky when it comes to moisturizers. I try something new once in a blue moon, but then I always end up coming back to Clinique Moisture Surge. That's one moisturizer that I know I can depend my life on. Others would break me out or cause my skin to look dull after a few weeks, but never my Clinique.

That's why I had absolutely no expectations from the Etude House Moistfull Collagen Enriched Cream (P898), even though it was touted to be the brand's best-selling product with 9 jars sold every minute. But surprise, surprise - it's actually pretty good! I use it interchangeably with my Clinique Moisture Surge Intense as they're very similar. Both are rich moisturizers that make my skin smooth and positively glowing.

They're similar in texture but the Moistfull has this strong jasmine scent. I love the smell, don't get me wrong, but if you don't like that in your skincare then I thought I'd let you know. I use only a tiny bit during the day (as in one small swipe on my index finger) as it can make me oily, but I'm more generous when I slather it on at night.

I've said this once and I'll say it again: Estee Lauder is no longer your lola's brand. They have actually finished reformulating their color cosmetics under the Pure Color line and I tell you, everything is fantastic! From eyeshadows, liners, nail polishes, down to the lipsticks EL has a lot of fabulous, rich shades for you.

To prove my point, here's my lipstick of the moment: The Estee Lauder Pure Color Long-Lasting Lipstick in Fuchsia Fever.

Yes, it is as daring as it looks! It's a bright, ultra creamy fuchsia that just glides on the lips like butter and smells like EL's signature fig scent. It's not drying at all even though it's designed to be long-wearing. While it's rich and heavy with pigment, I find that it doesn't feel thick on the lips even with a couple of layers.

I want to write a book someday. It's probably going to be chick lit, nothing deep, as it happens that I live in a world straight out of chick lit. But I won't be the clumsy albeit well-meaning heroine; I'd be the side character who has no patience for bullshit. I'm just not vicious enough to be the villain! How about you, which character would you be in that genre?

So chew on that, haha. In the meantime, here are some interesting snaps of my last two weeks.

I bought this shirt for P200 at SM Hypermart along C5. Crazy right? I love it! Hope I can come back to hoard all the other colors!

This would be my ideal Sunday afternoon makeup - very light and fresh. MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Petticoat, Fairydrops Platinum Mascara, MAC Girl Boy, and Etude House jellybean lipstick

During my recent trip to the mall, I was trying to find miself a good concealer. Upon asking for assistance, the first question I got from the sales rep was "Ma'am acidic po kayo?" I didn't know what to say because I really don't know if I am or I'm not, to cut it short she said I am acidic and should get a shade lighter than my color (I'm NC30). Thing is, when I went to the other stall, the sales rep told me I'm not acidic so I ended up confused and yeah, empty-handed. I wanted to find out my skin type first. Any tips on how I can find out? - Purplechef

Hey Iko! Our skin is actually naturally acidic with a pH level between 4.5 and 6.2. It is coated by what is called an acid mantle, which is crucial in protecting our skin from bacteria, fungi, and other irritants that might get into our skin. It's also what keeps our skin moisturized and healthy overall.

Natural factors like age, level of your skin's oiliness, moisture, and sweat, can affect how acidic you are. External factors like the products you use (soaps, cosmetics, lotions, etc.) can also affect your skin's pH level.

So how does this all apply to your foundation or concealer? Some of you might have noticed that your face makeup turns darker or changes color the longer you wear it. That's completely natural, as you really have to give your makeup some time to settle and adjust on your skin's surface. No base makeup ever looks 100% like it does when you first swatch it on your skin!

How dark or off it looks depends on two things, I find: the formula of the foundation and how oily/acidic your face is.

What makes a good soap? For me, it has to be moisturizing with a creamy lather. It has to smell nice - never obnoxious, never chemical-y. If it has a few promised skincare benefits then great, but I'm not going to expect more than smooth and soft skin after a bath! (That's not too much to ask right?)

So lately I've been using this new bar called the Beauty and Bright Moringa Soap (P114). I love it because it fits all my qualifications for a good soap. It smells like this old peppermint and oatmeal soap I used to steal from my mom's bathroom, and that alone scores it extra points! It's been more than half a decade since I used that one. :P Other than the smell, the Moringa Soap lathers up nicely and does not leave my skin feeling tight after a shower.

Its main active ingredients are papaya enzymes, moringa extract, and kojic acid. Hmm, did I notice any lightening? I've been using the soap for almost three weeks now and I have noticed that my skin is more even somehow.

I was thinking, if only I could get past February then I can relax and laugh all the way to the bank. But my March is starting to fill up with more events to organize, more work to accomplish. I thought it wasn't possible to get this busy! The only times I get to eat is if I'm at a meeting! Aw. (Now if only all my meetings were in a vegan resto or something, I won't have to worry about my waistline.)

Someone asked me how I'm still able to blog even with everything on my plate. I have thought about leaving Project Vanity for a while, just until work eases up a little.

Hi Liz! Long-time lurker, first-time asker:)

So, I followed your tips on how to create a flawless base, I think I got the steps right, because I'm satisfied with the look I've achieved. I even checked it in natural light (OC!). But when I start contouring the blemishes resurface and darken, it's like they take up the pigments of my blush and contour. Wrong choice of concealer kaya? Thanks! - Tin

Hi Tin! This is an excellent question. It could be the concealer but it's probably your application technique. To prevent your painstakingly-painted base from being erased once you start brushing on color cosmetics, just pat or bounce your brush! Swiper, no swiping! (Yes I went there.) Just use a small amount of product for your first layer since patting it on increases its intensity on your skin.

Don't rub the bristles on either. Just sort of bounce the brush in quick patting motions while going upwards to your hairline. This way, your foundation/concealer/powder will just be pressed onto your skin, instead of coming away with the brush.

Bounce it like you mean it

It will take a bit of practice but you'll soon get the hang of it, I'm sure! Here are a couple more additional tips to keep your base in place.

I feel like a total traitor saying this, but the Bobbi Brown Eyelash Curler (P1,200) can rival the one from Shu Uemura. There. I didn't think it was possible for me to like any other lash curler as much as I like Shu's, but hey I've been wrong before.

Now let's backtrack first. What makes Bobbi's curler surprisingly amazing?

The thing I love most about it is that it never goes near enough to pinch my lids and lashes. In so doing, it doesn't erase the careful eyeliner work I've done on my upper lids! It also fits my eyes perfectly so no lash is left uncurled - yes, even the innermost ones. It's easier to angle than the Shu curler because it's sliiiighly smaller, so I get to all the hairs I want to reach.

Liquid blushes are usually watery red tints, so it's refereshing to see a creamy one like the Majolica Majorca Cream de Cheek Blush (P495). These come in four colors I believe, and I have two of them to swatch for you today.

These liquid blushes aren't solid and dense like say, lip gloss. It has powder particles suspended in a sliiiiightly oily but fast-drying liquid solution. They're intended for use on the cheeks but they are surprisingly nice on the lips once you get over the initial powdery feel. I found out just like, right now! You should try it too if you're in a pinch and this is the only color you have on hand.

Anyway. Got a bit sidetracked there! Here's a quick rundown of the Cream de Cheek.

What I love about the product

• The shades are just lovely. I have Shell Pink Cream (PK312) and Kiichigo Cream (RD411), and I love how they look on me. They have a matte, natural finish that seems to melt on skin instead of sitting on top looking fussy.
• It says on for a good four to five hours even in extremely humid weather. To extend the wear, you can top it off with a powder blush!

Pro tip: if you're going to an important engagement, do not wear anything new. Could be shoes, a cool makeup technique, bra, whatever. As long as it's new, forget about it! You don't know what can happen so don't use anything you haven't worn out first hand. You'll save yourself a lot of time and grief.

However, it does pay to make careful exceptions to this rule. Like last Saturday, when I wore out some new Shiseido goodies for the first time! I hosted a blogger lunch for Wink Laser & Wax Studio (more about it soon!) in BHS so I wanted to look my best. I loved how the Shiseido palette and lipstick swatched on the back of my hand so I just went with 'em.

Such a cute look, this one. I also wore out this faux leather skater skirt that I scored from a thrift shop. I've been looking for the exact same one for a while now, which is why I'm incredibly happy to find one for P150! Crazy! I must go thrifting more often. 

Quite a lot of you gals asked me this question when I posted Avon's latest serum. It seems that there's some confusion about the proper age for starting an anti-aging regimen, but that's the thing: there's no standard recommended age! Even anti-aging ads don't drop exact numbers as to when you should start using the products, if you've noticed. It's very vague. Here's why.

Your skin is unique due to genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Some women can look incredibly young for their age, while others are prone to premature wrinkles and sallowness. If you're lucky to have fabulous genes then good for you. But even so, excessive drinking (of alcohol), sun exposure, stress, or lack of sleep can hasten the aging process. Your skin won't be able to regenerate as quickly or as thoroughly if you don't do basic maintenance.

In other words, you should drink lots of water, wear sunscreen everyday, avoid alcohol and sleep as much as possible. I know it sounds trite but this is advice you can bet your life on! You will age slower if you religiously do all of the above - with or without a knockout anti-aging serum.

Anti-aging beauty products won't stop the hands of time. The best that they can do is brighten skin, fill in wrinkles and even re-inflate them a little over time, and plump up sunken areas of the face.

Hi Ms. Liz! Just curious, are there any beauty products and/or tools that you can't live without? :) - Yana

Hey Yana! This is a difficult question. I am utterly useless when people ask me "what products will you bring to a deserted island?" or "what will be in your zombie apocalypse survival beauty kit?" I intensely like a lot of things and making me choose destroys me.

Seriously though, this is easy to answer once I start thinking about the products I use all the time. You know what I'm talking about. There are things that you immediately reach out for, without any thought process involved. Now it would be too easy to just list down skincare. Hence, I won't include any skincare in this list because that would be facial wash/toner/moisturizer and you already know what my favorites are.

I also decided against body products since I'm very low maintenance in that department. So, here are my five absolute favorite beauty aids for the face!

Artdeco Camouflage Cream Concealer. This concealer is opaque and stays on all day - considering it's less than P500, that's quite an achievement. It's a concealer that I finish down to the last swipe; it's what I've been using consistently since Artdeco came back to Manila last year.

I've been wishing for a real, professional blow dry bar in the Fort area for some time now. I've only read about the bars in Pasig but they're just too far for me. Yes, hair salons offer blow dries but the ones I like are in awkward pockets of Makati. The only reason I would get a pro blow is if I'm going to an important event, and these events are usually in Rockwell or The Fort area.

So you can imagine my excitement when I saw the "Coming Soon" sign of Blo Blow Dry Bar in Serendra late last year! It just opened last week. I was also v.v. happy to find out that there's already another branch in Powerplant. Double yay!

But wait, what is Blo Dry Bar? It's actually the first to market the no cuts, no color concept in North America. It specializes in blow drying alone. From what I've seen in my visit, they only use reputable hair products and tools to achieve that perfect coif! The attendants are well-trained and pleasant. The interiors are in hot pink and white with a feminine minimalist feel.

Reception area in Serendra branch

Seating

The procedure is fairly straightforward: the attendant will shampoo your hair, then she'll hand you a menu of services.

Hi folks! I finally have the winners! :) They are Kitti Banzon and Tara Cagadoc. They've scored for themselves a chauffered lunch date in Tagaytay in the All New Ford Focus. Yay! See you on the 23rd then! The agency will get in touch with you soon. 

See their sweet entries here. <3

Have you always wanted to try the Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation but balk at the P2,200 price tag? Well,  I have news for you: the L'Oreal Lucent Magique Foundation (P845) is a very close drugstore dupe. That's not surprising since L'Oreal owns Lancome, after all! The texture, finish, down to the ingredients are very much the same with only minor differences. 

Lucent Magique promises to give skin a "radiant halo" with its liquid-light technology. True enough, it's quite illuminating - I love how my skin looks like with this foundation on. Now this kind of stuff is right up my alley, but if you're oily this might be something you want to think about.

Here's the run down!

What I love about the product

• It gives a gorgeous radiant finish on skin. I don't see any shimmer in the formula but it has a subtle satiny shine. It looks absolutely natural with its sheer to medium coverage. Expect to it to cover reasonable blemishes and discoloration! 
• Watery texture is light and easy to smooth all over the skin. It never feels greasy or mask-like even if the humidity is in full force.

The last two months of February are extremely crucial to me. I have added a new set of clients and with it, an assistant (yay)! There will be quite a few events and plans to execute and everything. Is driving. Me crazy. I'm happy and psyched to be working with exciting brands, don't get me wrong, but the next two weeks will make or break these new relationships. Everything must be perfect. All must be in sync.

Anyway, I attended this event last week. I loved the venue! It's this rooftop bar at the new Seda Hotel beside Bonifacio High Street. The place is so airy and light that just thinking about it soothes me. I must visit again soon, perhaps to work!

(I don't drink because I'm boring pfft. I do interesting things but I really am a boring person.)

These Ferretti heels feel like summer

If you know me you will rarely see me in distracting prints, colors, and lots of detail.