The holidays have come and gone, but the glittery glamour that accompanies it doesn't have to leave as well. The beauty holiday collections are still on the shelves, so if you want to score some good deals or collector's pieces, you better hurry for one final look at the counters!

The Lancome Holiday Collection is another memorable ensemble for me. The inspiration is Hemingway's "A Movable Feast", where he wrote about his life in Paris. It was the 1920s, a decade remarkable for its smoky opulence and subversive elegance. The Lancome collection imagines Paris dressed in gold, with shiny crystal chandeliers flashing on sequined dresses, as if in a dance of light.

The Ombre Hypnose Mono eyeshadows (P1,395) look fantastic! They feature a mesh/ sequin imprint on the powder, while the top of the compact has coated golden glitter.

What's your favorite holiday collection so far? There are so many, but it's good to have choices! There's something for everyone whether they're on a budget or cost is no object. :) I did observe a general theme though. Shine, glitter, and bright pops of red are du jour, but I've also been seeing a lot of twinkly purples and violets. This is good news - for me at least! - because I find that color group rather flattering on the Pinay complexion.

This time I want to talk about the Etude House Christmas Miracle Collection. I have photos, swatches, and quick thoughts on each product!

Let's start with the Etude House Mix & Mix Eyes PK001. This is a sleek palette of six sparkly shades in the lilac/ purple color group. There's also one in BR401 Holiday Dream that is on the neutral end of the spectrum. Go for PK001 if you're out for an evening party, while BR401 is better for more reserved occasions.

When I give gifts, I make sure it's something the other person will really use and appreciate. What's the point otherwise? Gifts are meant to be enjoyed by the other party and not just an obligation one must selfishly fulfill. :D Still, a good gift doesn't necessarily have to be expensive. I mean it's great if you can afford to treat everyone you love but that's not always possible! The good news is that there are brands like Zen Zest that come up with great products that are shockingly affordable.

I love the Zen Zest Holiday Sets because they're nicely packaged in a matte box and features products that were specially created just for this season. I'll talk more about them in a bit! For now I want to share lovely photos (from Chai) of the event I organized for Zen Zest last November. :D

We did a Diva-Off contest at Red Box in Greenbelt 5 one Saturday night. Why all the singing, you ask? Well bloggers usually go to sit down lunches and dinners. They're fun, but it can get too common and formal. I wanted to do an event where everyone can just sit back, eat a lot, and have a smashing time in a different setting. So, buffet diva-off it is!  

News alert! Clinique is finally re-opening a counter in Mall of Asia this December 8. They will be located beside MAC, in the same row where Forever 21 is. :) To celebrate the opening month, they are giving a new door gift, free (one per client) for a single receipt purchase of at least P1,995. This is valid for opening day only on December 8. Starting December 9 to 31, this exclusive gift will be available for a minimum purchase of P3,000.

If you're at a loss about what to try from Clinique, you can try the Moisture Surge (best moisturizer for me!), Airbrush Concealer, Pore Refining Solutions Foundation (will be reviewing soon), and their popular Chubby Sticks. :) Those are just a few, there's a lot to love from this brand. You can check all my past reviews for reference.

You can also looks into the special Clinique Holiday Sets for 2012. They're a great way to get a lot of stuff for a fraction of the cost - great for first time Clinique users as well as those who need to restock their faves. :) Do note however that you can't buy the set then avail of the free door gift.

Here's detailed info with prices!

Taste of Honey

A sweet treat for lips.  Cult favorite Black Honey is a shade any woman can wear, yet somehow looks different on everyone. 

Would you believe that it was only a couple of weeks ago that I finally tried Laura Mercier? I mean I check it out in Rustan's every so often, but something else ends up catching my attention. I think it's high time to look closely at the brand and what it has to offer!

Laura Mercier started out as a painter in France, and then moved on to become a makeup artist to the biggest stars in the 80s and 90s. It was in 1996 when she built her own company. She is all about creating the flawless face, with focus on glowing, natural-looking skin. Most of her makeup are neutral but I observed that they come in quirky and interesting shades far removed from the usual browns.

Art Deco Muse, the Holiday 2012 Collection of Laura Mercier, is inspired by the decorative architecture, style, and mood of the Art Deco Period in Paris in the mid-1920s. The look features golds and bronzes paired with high-shine reds and deep blacks. The face is sculpted and nails in rich shades of blood red and noir.

Nail Lacquer (P745), Lip Lacquer / Glace (P995), Creme Smooth Lip Colour (P1,250), Faux Lash Mascara (P995), Caviar Eye Liner (P995), Second Skin Cheek Colour in Wild Bouquet (P995)

Eyeshadow singles (P950)

Are you feeling Christmas in the air? I sure am! It's not just the cool air in the evening - mornings are misty, more gentle. And the smell! The holiday season has a scent to it. I don't know, maybe I'm just crazy but if you agree please assure me I'm not. :P

Anyway! I just thought to share Smart's Christmas promos. With the “All I Want for Christmas is Bro” holiday promo you get a FREE eco bag with every holiday purchase of a Bro product. The bag is entirely environmentally friendly and a good place to stash away all your new holiday beauty products, shopping or wardrobe for travel! 

Smart is also holding a massive contest where 50 winners shall receive a much-coveted gadget. If you want to join the fun, do check out the contest mechanics. (You can view bigger images by opening them in a new tab)

The reason I haven't been blogging is because I have been reading. A lot. I used to read dozens of book every month when I was younger, but all that changed when I started working. I've marathoned a few books, but always in spurts. Tis' the perfect season to devour books along with the tastiest food! Hehe. 

Yesterday, Christmas day, my dad, mom, and I visited Tagaytay. It seems as if we weren't the only ones who had that brilliant idea. It was traffic-fest as carloads of families poured into restaurants and tourist spots! It feels as if we spent most of our day trip there mucking in traffic. Still, it was fun, and I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend the day.

Now, what I'm really waiting for is New Year.