Feeling pretty is not the be all and end all of life, I know. But doesn't it feel so damn good to know that you look great? When you feel good, then you're probably more productive and sociable. That's why everyone should put some effort into looking as pretty as they can! 

Allow me to help by giving you the chance to win some pretty sweet (get it) items from some of our best local brands. Up for grabs are Anthology Piccadilly flats and a Charm Holiday Brush set. Whoever wins these is super lucky as I'm sure that the products will be a permanent part of your Can't Live Without list. :P

Mechanics

1. Show some love! Like the following pages on Facebook: Project Vanity, Anthology, and Charm Makeup Brushes.

2. Follow us on Twitter: @lizlan, @anthologyshoes, and @beautynminerals.

3. On the comments below, tell us what makes you feel pretty. It can be anything - from the perfect shade of lipstick, your hubby tucking your hair behind your ears (yihee), to a dainty dress that makes you look like a doll. 

After reading comments from readers day in and day out, I realized that few people actually know about proper skincare. That is, they don't know much beyond what TV advertisements tell them about their skin problems and how to solve them. Make no mistake - Filipinas are serious about skincare in the sense that they try a lot of products in their quest for healthy skin, but they're not informed enough to decide when to quit experimenting and to just see a professional.

I should know. I used to think I can solve all my skin problems myself. It was only after my visit to a derma that I realized I just can't! Now I'm not saying I have perfect skin, but it's definitely a lot better after I had it treated. The best thing to do is to go to a dermatologist and ask for advice, but other than that, read up! Here I have Dr. Frank, the brand endorser of GoodSkin Labs, answering three of my skincare questions from New York. ;)

What is the quickest way to calm red, inflammed acne at home?

Dr. Frank: To calm red, inflamed acne at home is to place a cold compress over the spots to help alleviate some of the pain. If the pain persists and the blemishes aren’t going away, visit your dermatologist to best determine how to treat.

It is not a secret that I love lipsticks and other lip products. I think that it's the easiest, most accessible, and most prettifying thing a woman can wear. Thus, I've been steadily collecting lip stuff in the past couple of years, and I think I've amassed enough for a fun guessing game! Are you ready? :D

Snaps is challenging you to a battle of educated guesses and dumb luck. The game is super simple: just guess how many lip products (lip stick, stain, tint, balm, gloss - so technically not just lipsticks) are inside this box. 

If you guess correctly, you win this Avon loot! (thanks Avon team!) 

Contest mechanics

1. Follow Project Vanity on Facebook and me on Twitter.

2. Share the contest over both platforms! The more players, the merrier. Don't forget to tag me and please make sure it's public. :)

I’m not that big on mouthwash because the stuff tastes awful. You know it’s true! Maybe it’s just me but using most mouthwashes these days is equivalent to mild torture - it stings your mouth and leaves it with a burning sensation for a while after you spit it out. That’s not really something I want to subject myself to on a regular basis.

I do however still use mouthwash every now and then, particularly when I want my breath to be fresher for a few more hours. It’s really useful when I’m going to a meeting or an event where I need to be at my most confident.

Still, I know, I know, we should all use mouthwash everyday. It goes beyond giving us fresh breath - it also helps with preventing plaque build-up and tooth decay. It’s just one of those unpleasant things you have to live with I guess...but not really. It seems that I’m not the only one with ~issues~ so Swish swooped down to solve the problem!

There are three neat things that sets Swish apart from other mouthwashes that I’ve tried before.

1. Swish is super fun to gargle, so I can actually swish it around for a good 30 seconds (and more!) without wanting to throw it up. It’s because these mouthwashes don’t have any alcohol content.

I've had a Ferretti gift certificate (intended for the press) lying around the house for months now so I thought, hey, why don't I just give it away to a Project Vanity reader? I asked my boss and she said yes. So here we are!

I'm giving away one pair of Ferretti shoes - any pair you want. The mechanics are painfully simple. ;)

What you need to do

1. Follow BOTH Ferretti and Project Vanity on Facebook.

2. I want to know the pair of shoes you'd like to win.

Have you been out? It's such a nice Saturday! I guess everyone agrees because there are very few updates on my social networks. Hehe. Anyway, before I go off, I just want to announce the Commenter of the Month for August. Her name is Julz! She's been so helpful with her comments and product feedback on my posts last month. So, she's getting the cool Tony Moly skincare and makeup set. 

And now, get ready for my Commenter of the Month gift for September!

The best commenter this September will win this Yves Rocher loot bag containing a Lash Plumping Mascara, 3-in-1 Eye Pencil, Moisturizing Cream Lipstick in Rose Cannelle, and Agave Sap Velvety Moisturizer. I'm so envious! I wanted to keep these! But I think the CoM deserves them more than I do. ;)

A few weeks ago, Tretorn asked me if I wanted to participate in an international campaign called The Nylite Project. The rules were simple: they'd send me a pair of Tretorn Nylites then I am to wear it my way. Truth be told I'm not into sneakers, but I'm tickled pink by the concept of incorporating a vintage classic in my girly-preppy-sleek wardrobe.

I remember my mom wearing these exact same Tretorns in the early 90's with high rolled pants and an oversized tucked-in shirt. I'm not sure, but I may have also had a green version of these for my PE classes. LOL! Those were the days of gray cotton shorts and school-printed tees, jackstones, Pogs, and Chinese Garter. Nostalgia: commence.

Anyway, here's the outfit I came up with my new old Nylites. I got the dress and shades from Forever 21, but it was only when I got home that I realized that they look like soulmates together.

There were a lot of beautiful looks sent in, but in the end I had to pick one winner. Her name is Radz Bolambao. She sent in not one, but six FOTDs! I like that she maximized all her makeup and came up with flattering looks that anyone can cop with affordable products. I also like that her looks ranged from bare to smokey, with different themes.

Here's all of her six looks, and the link to the page where she detailed all the products she used. I highly recommend checking out all of them and maybe you can be inspired just as I was! As they would say, effort ang lola mo!

Go Bare (Click the link for product details)

Peaches n' Cream look

Last Friday, I was invited by SM and OMD Media to talk about their newest campaign. They just launched the Redhead Model Search, and they're inviting everyone to join! They will be choosing the three new faces of Redhead, SM's clothing line for spunky young women. So if you're 15-25 y/o with the "k" and the guts to be one of the future top models in the country, I highly recommend you compete. This might be your big chance at the spotlight!

Can you strut it?

Flaunt it?

And pose like you mean it? Then join The Redhead Model Search now! Here are the detailed mechanics for your perusal:

Estee Lauder just relaunched their lipstick line, Pure Color. You'll remember that I reviewed it some months ago - the EL Pure Color is definitely one of my favorite lipstick formulas ever. Whenever I blog about a lipstick, I use this line as my basis for determining what the ideal formula should be like.

Estée Lauder and Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux introduce new Pure Color Lipstick, uniting fashion and technology with two new luxurious formulas that set the stage for modern lip looks. The high-performance formulas are fused with an expansive palette of hues that promise a lip look for any desired occasion from a subtle whisper of color to a vivacious, siren red. These lipsticks are expertly crafted and specially formulated to maintain the highest quality of color performance, shine and wear… the new Pure Color Lipstick.

Now, Estee Lauder would like to give Project Vanity readers a chance to win P3,500 worth of EL products! Simply answer the question: what's your mood today and why? Here are the mechanics

Mechanics

1. Like the Project Vanity FB Page and the Estee Lauder Philippines FB Page.

Contest time! I thought of doing something more fun than the usual like-comment game. You see, I'm running out of FOTD inspirations, and perhaps you can help me and others who'd like to try out new looks! So, all you need to do is post your best FOTD (face of the day) on my Facebook page, and then I'll pick the best. I'll try to copy it too. :D

So here's what's up for grabs:

It's super easy to join!

Mechanics

1. Do your best FOTD and post it on the Project Vanity Facebook Wall. Don't forget to list down the products you used.

Hi girls! Here's another contest courtesy of GoodSkin Labs, the makers of the awesome Smooth-365 serum, Eyliplex-2, and Tri-Aktiline Deep Wrinkle Filler. Get a chance to win one Tri-Aktiline Total Face Moisturizer and any GoodSkin Labs product of your choice (pssst...go for Smooth-365 if you win). Just answer this: 

Here are the mechanics!

• Answer the question, "What extra skincare step do you take during the summer?" in the comments below.
• Like the Project Vanity Facebook Page (if you haven't already) and the GoodSkin Labs Facebook Page.

Terms and conditions

• Contest ends on April 30.

The first skincare product I EVER reviewed was the Pond's White Beauty cream. That was in 2008! I loved it, and I used it for two years until I switched to the Flawless White variant (more potent and slightly more expensive than White Beauty, but almost the same thing). I switched moisturizers again - I found awesome, expensive ones in the course of trying out so many things for this blog - but at the back of my head I sometimes wonder if they're better than my first love, Pond's.

Best skin ever with Pond's: A few pounds lighter, two years younger

I encourage you to click the links above because they document my long-time affair with Pond's, and maybe you'll also understand why I work with the brand. :) If you read beauty blogs, I'm sure you've already seen that there is a Pond's Flawless White Blogger Contest where bloggers and their friends document their 14-day experience using the Flawless White line exclusively.

It's a contest with a prize, so of course everyone wants to win. I think that fact may make you think that the point of the contest is undermined. You may think that our "reviews" are already compromised because of the campaign. There's a high probability that you'll be reading raves for Flawless White from all the contestants, and it may also be difficult to believe 100%.

As a beauty blogger, the only thing I can really be proud of is credibility

Loving makeup or clothes is just only one facet of our personality. Often, we have other hobbies like painting, reading, or music! That's the rationale behind this giveaway - it's a combination of two loves! It's super easy to join. All you have to do is tell me which musician is your beauty/fashion inspiration in a fun Facebook post.

I'm giving away this loot:

Estee Lauder brushes (face, blush, lip), Purederm Face Mask, Revlon New Complexion loose powder, Obagi Gentle Cleanser, Purederm BB Cream, Celeteque , Purederm Deep Moisture Hand Mask, Leona Lewis, Michael Jackson and Ciara original CDs (c/o Sony Music Philippines)

Contest mechanics:

1. Like the Project Vanity Facebook Page.

2. On your personal Facebook Wall, share which musician is your beauty and/or fashion icon. Add a photo of your favorite look, too!

The new year is in full swing as major brands come out with their latest products and promotions. Interested in what they may be? Read on!

High-street fashion brand Promod just released its Trendy Jet-setter Collection. It's designed with the chic traveler in mind, thus including coats, scarves, and turtlenecks for the cold weather abroad.

Complement the classy floral top with a gray cardigan, gray beret and a maroon knit scarf to turn heads anywhere in the world.

Everyone is rushing for Christmas by now, what with all the shopping, cooking, gift wrapping and parties. I know I'm stressed! So, I thought to have this little giveaway for all Project Vanity readers out there. I want you guys to relax and take a breather. I'm giving away three GCs from Qiwellness Spa that entitles the bearer to a 90-minute signature massage of his/her choice: Qitranquility, Qivitality, or Qireflexology.

You're getting not one, but THREE Qiwellness GCs. Since Christmas is a season for giving, I want you to give two other friends/family members a relaxing afternoon at the spa.

Here are the mechanics:

1. Like the Project Vanity Facebook page.

2. On your personal profile, paste this and tag the names of two friends: "I want to take @____ and @____ to Qiwellness spa for a free 90-minute massage. Visit this link for more details: http://www.projectvanity.com/projectvanity/2010/12/13/contest-alert-win-three-qiwellness-spa-gcs.html" 

This is what your Facebook entry should look like:

It's that time of the month again! I'm giving away lots of beauty products to one lucky Project Vanity reader. Check out this whole cartful of prettifiers for the face, hair, and body:

Mechanics

1. On the Wall of the Project Vanity Facebook Page, answer the question: What are three beauty products that you can't live without? I'm asking because I'm genuinely curious about what you keep on buying and using!

2. Like the blog's Facebook Page. You must do steps 1 and 2 to qualify for this contest.

Optional: You can also blog about the contest (+3 entries). If you blog about the contest, leave a link on this post.

3. Contest ends on October 30. Winners will be picked via random draw.

Terms and conditions

I am crazy about button-down polo shirts lately. I wear them with just about everything: shorts, skirts, pants, and even dresses! There are just so many looks you can do with this basic piece. It also helps that it comes in different colors, prints, and variations. The possibilities are endless!

This particular polo top is a find from an ukay in Baguio. It has poofy, voluminous sleeves, and this big v-collar running down the front and back. Very vintagey, eh? I wore it with another thrifted find, a button-down black a-line skirt.