If you've been following my tweets then you know that last week was an extremely stressful week for me. To be quite honest, I hate being busy. That's why I took the freelancer route but alas! Reality does not agree with my theories about it. That's why when I got an invite to try Mandarin Oriental Hotel's Thai massage last week, I couldn't wait for my appointment! I was sooo looking forward to a couple of hours just lying face down, eyes closed, my mind completely blank...you get the idea.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental is currently hosting a renowned Thai masseuse based in their sister hotel in Dhara Devi, Chiang Mai. Aside from taking part in the Thai Festival, Treen Paleeriam is here to train the hotel's spa staff. He's only going to be here starting today (May 31) until June 7, so if you want to experience an authentic, world class Thai massage, you better book him!

I was given the option of a Traditional Thai Massage or the indigenous Lanna Massage (natively called Tok Sen). The Tok Sen used to be popular in Northern Thailand, but has since been practiced rarely. Being the curious cat that I am, I went for the Tok Sen.

I have already introduced Dr. Jart BB Creams last week. This time around, feast your eyes on a photo essay of their public launch last May 29 at The Plaza, Ayala Museum. The dresses featured were designed by Jun Escario. I found the event super entertaining because each BB cream got its own mini dance and fashion show!

I was at the PFW Opening Night last Wednesday to witness the top designers and retailers in the country show off their latest designs. I made it to the Visions and Trends/Design Fusion Collection where Anna Leah Salvador, Aries Lagat, Benjie Pañizales, Don Protasio, Enrico Carado, Happy Andrada, Harley Ruedas, Jaki Peñalosa, Jan Garcia, Martin Bautista, Mitzi Quilendrino-Bustos, Nolie Viñeza, Norman Noriega, Patrick Galang and Raoul Ramirez presented. SM also showed off their latest designs already (or soon to be) available in their department stores.

Click here for more photos by Francis Tuason for thePOC

I love PFW for what it is trying to do - to showcase Filipino talent, especially young designers who are trying to get a leg up on the first rung of the fashion ladder. However, I think that the designs, while beautiful and obviously made with attention to detail, are too safe. To put it bluntly, some of the designs were unoriginal. A lot of the pieces showcased in the Visions and Trends show were cocktail dresses or evening gowns that capitalized on existing trends or took their inspirations too literally to the point of becoming costume-y.

Hi Ms Liz!

Where can I buy affordable but good quality tinted moisturizer? Im not exactly the kikay type but I do take the time to wear even just a little makeup when I go out. Right now, I use Mary Kay liquid foundation even during the daytime (I know it's a NO NO but Im not satisfied unless I get a really even complexion even if I already have blemish-free skin. Im that insecure). I only apply tiny dots all over my face before I spread it. Problem is, even if I only use little, there are still some "flakes" near my hairline and chin area which I have to tediously brush away. Is this normal? This prompted me to give tinted moisturizers a try. Maybe you have cheap but good ones in mind?

Also, how do I get rid of my dark undereye circles? People either think Im insomniac or a junkie! But I do sleep as early as 9pm during workdays and I've never actually seen, much less use, "shabu". So far Ive tried Mary Kay and Garnier eye roll-ons but to no avail. Do you have an effective but affordable recommendation? 

Hi Weng! If there is flaking when you apply foundation, it could mean one of two things: your foundation sucks, or you have very dry skin. The first step to fixing the latter is to get properly hydrated - drink lotsa water! Then pick a heavy moisturizer that's especially designed for dry skin (if you don't have one already, that is). Unfortunately I can't suggest anything as I have oily-combination skin. You should visit Nikki's blog since she has dry skin and has a lot of recommendations.

Tinted moisturizers...if by cheap you mean less than P500, I can't help you with that. The cheap drugstore ones like Nivea, Skinwhite, and Maxipeel feels like cheap crushed face powder mixed with body lotion. Well that may be a little OA, but yes, I hate the texture and the feel. You're better off investing in higher-priced TMs. To start off, the Etude House Magic BB Cream is really nice. Only P598, too.

Pureology is well-known for its line of hair color care shampoos and conditioners. Their products has Anti-Fade and ZeroSulfate properties to ensure that colored hair is always in top notch condition. Now, the popular brand has branched off to provide not only products, but hair care and styling services!

Alex Carbonell of Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell and Chrissy Calderon-Uy of Hairworks Salon attended the Pureologist Certification Training held last April 27-29, 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ms. Lynna Choi, the Asia Regional Education Manager of Pureology, facilitated the three-day training and certification.

The beauty writers with Alex Carbonell (photo grabbed from Nikki)

If you've visited a Watsons lately you have probably seen this suavely packaged line - the GrapeBella range. They come is sophisticated-looking, dark purple bottles that really catch and hold your attention if only to make you intrigued about what they are. If you didn't know better, you'd think you're looking at bottles of fine wines!

The Watsons GrapeBella product range is the latest innovation from Watsons, which provides a total solution for perfect skin. Truly, it is the new secret to a more youthful beauty.

It has been proven by scientific researches that grapes have antioxidant benefits to provide nourishment to the skin to keep it soft and smooth. 

Hello hello to everyone. How's your Monday? Me, I have a writing deadline. I also have a few errands today at The Fort, huhu. Anyway, I'd just like to announce the addition of two new features to Project Vanity that I hope you'll find useful!

If you check the sidebar, you'll see the feeds of the Beauty & Fashion Channel of thePOC. Now you can read my site updates and the POC's all in one place! Oh by the way, please don't forget to like us on our Facebook page and follow our Twitter account. You don't want to miss what's up at our channel.

I've also set up a Press Releases page on this website. So, why? Two reasons:

It's a muggy, lazy Saturday for me. I have a ton of stuff lined up for this week so this is probably the last day I have for myself in the next few days. I better start vegging out in front of old DVDs and doing random useless things around the house (I'm in my mom's house every weekend) while I still can.

One of the random useless things I thought of doing is posting some photos I took recently. Here you go!

Margaux is a writer for Sense & Style magazine. I first met her in a Clinique event last November - she was wearing a super hot pink lipstick, so I just had to ask what it was! It's NARS Schiap. I met her again last Thursday at the Dr. Jart launch and when I saw her I blanked out for a while before screeching "MARGAUX!" How can I forget her? I'll drag her and Marbbie to hang out with me one of these days. I'm a bit shy though because I know that these girls are insanely busy. Heehee.

This is my favoritest snack in the whole wide world. I haven't seen these for years though! I was so happy when I found them at Cash & Carry in Makati. I live far from there now, so I don't think I can drop by to buy these heavenly things anymore. Sad, sad.

Dr. Jart (the brand name comes from Dr. Jung, the company's head of dermatology + art of skincare), one of the biggest and most popular BB cream brands in Korea has finally arrived in the Philippines! I'm pretty excited because I've gotten my hands on the whole line, so I can review each one for you guys and make recommendations.

I didn't buy into the raves before I got my own tube of the famed Urban Decay Primer Potion. First, I'm lazy! I don't want to add an extra step in my makeup routine. Second, it's expensive at $18. It's not available in the Philippines which means that the price is jacked up to as high as P1,500 per tube.

So, what changed my mind? What makes this product worth the extra work and the price?

• Easy to apply and blend. It only takes 15 seconds for it to dry up.
• It creates a clean base, neutralizing dark lids and even stray eyebrow hairs effectively.
• You only need a bit of product per usage.

As you may know, there was a minor tiff among bloggers that happened last week. I refuse to call it a controversy, because for me, having basic values like common sense, respect, and quality of output should always be a given when dealing with businesses - they're not negotiable nor reason for controversy. These values that constitute professionalism are important whether you're a blogger or not.

Anyway, we've all been hearing bloggers like me blabbing about the issue on how blogger-advertiser relationships should be handled. But what about advertisers? Are you curious about how they bring products and events to us? Most importantly, don't you want to know what they think of us?

...we also want to get to know bloggers and build long-lasting relationships with you—but we want the relationship to be built on equal respect for each other and not build a relationship with bloggers that are based on FEAR. Fear that you can lash out on our brands, and our campaigns, and criticize our every move and turn. We are just still learning, and if you can just give advertisers time to ease in.

It's funny how the products that actually make it into your daily routine are the products that you forget about. Case in point, my Nivea Angel Star Lip Balm! I haven't taken a photo of it, so you just have to spot it here:

It's the small pink tube on the right side!

This Nivea Angel Star line is targeted towards tweens who are just starting to become self-conscious about their appearance and body. One of the products released is a lip balm that has a slight pinkish tint with a frosty-gloss finish.

Why I like it:

• My lips are evened out by a light, pinkish tint. The finish is frosty, with a hint of gloss. I don't need a mirror to use this so it's very convenient.
• Moisturizing! It really helps my chapped lips in this heat.
• Non-sticky and feels light on the lips.

I have a dirty confession to make: I have never used a face mask before now! This is embarrassing for a beauty editor and blogger, haha. Anyway, the reason I'm not into face masks is because they require a lot of time (25 minutes at the least) to put on and remove. I also thought they were unnecessary and redundant. In any case, there's always a first time!

I've had this Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Masque pack for more than a month. Now that I've finally used it, I regret that I didn't get around to it sooner. 

What I like about the product:

• It has a heavy milk chocolate aroma. I love it! Several bloggers have sworn that it smells deceptively good enough to eat. I heartily agree. The yummy smell stays on your skin for a long time.
• It has a thick, creamy texture that's easy to spread all over your face. It feels very luxurious once applied.
• A pack has a lot of product (20g); you can slather it on generously without feeling stingy.
• Super cheap! It's only P78/pack at Watson's. It's skincare that's right up my alley.

It's finally here! The DKNY Delicious Candy Apples collection is distinguished by its saccharine, but not cloying, scent. Sweet Caramel is a light fragrance that combines juicy fruit (apple and pear), fresh floral (jasmine pertals, muguet, and violet leaves), and tantalizingly sweet notes (caramel, vanilla, and marshmallows). If I can eat a smell, I would definitely eat this one!

The cute bottle is designed to look like a candied apple. The top screws out smoothly from the perfume in one twist, so you don't have to worry your pretty head about getting it stuck or, god forbid, dropping the bottle in a fit of eager twisting.