I was at Watsons Mall of Asia last Sunday, looking for a new pair of tweezers as I seem to have lost my old one. Yes, mundane, but not what I found in the racks! I know this twisty hair removal thing has been around for years now but it's my first time to see it in a drugstore. Plus, it's only P89!

Yes it does look like a torture device but it's super neat. Just twist it into a u shape, apply anywhere on your face where fine hair is growing, then twist in and out. It takes out even the finest hair! I didn't find it painful as I'm used to threading/plucking on my face but if you're a newbie then it will sting a little. 

If you love Japanese cosmetics then you might have heard of Dolly Wink. I believe that the brand is well-known for its pen eyeliners, with about the same level of popularity as Majolica Majorca and K-Palette. Interesting but I haven't seen any Dolly Wink resellers here! That is, until Wicked Drops contacted me. Now you know where to go if you want to try or restock this intriguing Japanese eyeliner.

Anyhoo, the Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner in Deep Black (P800) is pretty good if you ask me. It has a sharp, bendy tip that delivers precise lines. It's pigmented enough (but you have to go over a couple of times if you want a super black line) and has a bit of a glossy finish. It also doesn't smudge once it sets!

I also love that this eyeliner is easy to remove with just a bit of soapy water. It's water-resistant just as long as you don't rub it.

Chipped nail polish is inevitable, like sore feet from glam heels, panty lines in tight pants, and well, leg hair. Still, one shouldn't take the inevitable to be an excuse to be lazy. It's impossible to be perfect but it is possible to be neat at the very least. Nothing says "lazy girl alert!" more than obviously chipping nail polish!

Still, I get you. I get that you're busy with work, your social life, your hobbies, etc. so I'm sure nail polish is the least of your worries. But with great nail polish comes great responsibility. If you don't want to bother with the upkeep, then just don't bother putting it on and/or leaving it there. Seriously you won't miss much! If, however, you have a bit of time to retouch your chipping nail polish, then this tutorial is for you!

This is super easy and not at all time-consuming - well, not factoring in the drying time of course. All you need is the original polish color, a nice top coat, a toothpick and a scrap of tissue. Let's do it!

I would call myself a relatively happy and optimistic person. The secret? I don't worry about the things I can't change. I work around them instead of cracking my head open trying to get through. I know in my bones that there are other (maybe even) better things to want, to conquer. There's always something else for me, I just need to keep an eye out for it. And so do you!

Dress, heels, belt from Forever 21 / Pinkbox bangles, ring and ribbon

Makeup: Models Own Hyper-Brite Lipstick in Annalise's Pink, Revlon ColorStay nail polish in Wild Strawberry, Stila In The Garden Palette (eyeshadows), Fairydrops Volume Burst Mascara

So you already know what my favorite bag is right now. Here's what's inside! Surprise, there's A LOT of stuff in it. I'm big on travelling light but if there's extra space I tend to throw in more things just because. Oooh I forgot to take a picture but I also sometimes stuff a pair of thin heels inside if I need to!

Breakdown:

 1. Book of the moment: The Bride Wore Pearls by Liz Carlyle. It's a romance novel, haven't gotten too far yet to tell if it's any good. I like bringing books if I know I'm in for a loooot of waiting in meetings and what not.

2. House keys. See that Happy Lemon key chain? Proof that I'm addicted to that stuff. You get a key chain for free if you complete 16 stamps on the loyalty card. I stopped getting stamps because I felt embarrassed by all the Happy Lemon I'm gulping down.

Yesterday I went to the mall with only serum, an illuminating SPF base, a spot of concealer, and pressed powder. I felt I didn't need foundation! I used to have a TON of blemishes on my face, but they are clearing out faster because of a product I've been using these past two months: the Shu Uemura TSUYA Skin Serum (P3,250).

The TSUYA Skin Serum is perhaps Shu Uemura's star product of the year. It promises bright, translucent skin in seven days as it re-activates the cells that make our skin look younger. Yes, we've heard that before in other serums released this year. I'm still not sure if it's possible for skincare to do that, but claims aside the TSUYA is damn good and here's why!

What I LOVE about the product

• I did indeed get brighter, less tired skin in seven days or less. That may be due to the fact that the serum is infused with a purplish pearly shimmer that instantly gives skin a subtle glow. It's also an illuminator aside from skincare, but I didn't spot shimmer once it's on.

My bag of the moment is this black Avon Manzzini Bag. I first saw my friend Mara carrying it at an event in Marriott Hotel and I honestly thought it was a high-end bag! Just yesterday someone also asked me if it was designer. It does have an expensive, discreet look to it (minus the key wallet), which may explain the first impression it usually gets.

Dimensions: 12.5" L x 16" H

Best thing? It's only P1,750. It's expensive for an Avon bag, since the normal collections are just around P600-1,000. But if you like the design then why not right? These bags come with a key chain wallet (for the black), detachable organizer, and dust bag (for storage). 

I love how matte lipsticks look but I don't like how they feel on the lips. They're heavy, thick, and drying if I don't prime my lips properly with a hydrating balm. They're less comfortable compared to glossy lipsticks but in exchange they last waaay longer and leave a pretty stain.

One lipstick that I'm really digging is the new Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte Lipstick in M PK 335 (P1,285). It feels like silicone primer on the lips - indeed, it's silicone-based! - so it's cushy, soft, and not at all heavy. Trivia: this lipstick's main ingredient is dimethicone, a type of silicone oil that is largely used in shampoos to keep hair smooth and shiny. It's safe, don't worry! I just think it's neat.

Aaanyway. This matte lipstick lasts super long and doesn't fade completely even after eating. It doesn't transfer too much on glasses and utensils, plus, it's not drying.

The past few weeks have been extra stressful because of the two events I've been working on for Pinkbox. They are finally over! Not to say that I had a horrible time, but everyone's nerves are understandably frayed. There's this intense pressure because it's our first time to do something of this scale. We had to be perfect. We had to be smooth.

Thankfully, everything turned out well!

Forever 21 shorts and blouse / Shoe Etiquette heels / Pinkbox headband, ring, bangle

Last Saturday, I hosted a meet & greet for sisters Vern and Verniece Enciso. You may have heard of them! They're only some of the prettiest, most popular fashion bloggers in the country. ;) They're so very Pinkbox so we thought we'd invite them to one of our stores to finally meet their fans. And oh what a fan base! More on that in a bit.

I didn't want to wear anything elaborate since the venue was in SM Southmall (biggest Pinkbox store) and I had to carry lots of stuff going there. Hence, just the shorts and the blouse. On most days you'll find me in different variations of this fuss-free template. It's easy, it's comfy, and it flatters me.

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.