Context is everything when it comes to wearing makeup. At least, it's important to me. I try to match my face to where I'm going because I believe that makeup should complement the situation and not be too much in contrast to it. You know what I'm saying? Paint your face and dress appropritately, too, and people will respect you. 

(Then again if respect isn't your priority then go ahead and wear whatever the hell you want. Seriously.)

So! A couple of girls asked me about the makeup I had in one of my recent reviews. It's something I wore to a lunch meeting, hence the thoroughly neutral color scheme. But neutral doesn't necessarily mean "flat and boring", which is how some people seem to do it. Neutral makeup can be fun, beautiful, and equally effortless, too! Here are some tips on how to liven up your neutral makeup.

1. Matte eyeshadows are lovely in photos but in person, they just look...flat, unless you're a crazy gifted makeup artist who can layer and blend it perfectly. I still prefer to wear satin or shimmery eyeshadows since they brighten my eyes better. There are tons of awesome neutral palettes out there, but this time I tried an old one from revlon called Graffiti.

I wore the shimmery champagne on the lids, the light tan on the crease, and contoured with a tiny bit of that charcoal color on the outer v. Easy and simple, true, but it's the finish that takes the cake. 

Sue me, I have a lot of eyeshadows yet to be written about! They will always be my greatest weakness, along with lipsticks. Now I know many of you ain't a fan of wearing a lot of eye makeup but I hope you'll consider this palette from The Body Shop. It's part of their Spring 2014 Collection along with a pink version, two new glosses, and hair chalk!

I've seen the pink Shimmer Cubes, which are cute, but I think the Shimmer Cubes Palette 30 (P1,295) here is more wearable for Asian skin. They are quite shimmery but I think that the finish isn't all that distracting. Shimmery neutrals are appropriate for any occasion as long as you don't splash it thickly over your eye area.

Let's get started! I've tried TBS Shimmer Cubes a loooooong time ago and was thoroughly unimpressed by the pigmentation. But that was before. Now, the colors are super pigmented! You won't even need to wear a primer to make the colors solid. In fact I'd recommend applying the colors wet instead. They'll stick and won't crease too much, even after three hours.

Top, L-R: Dusty Fawn, Rich Espresso | Bottom, L-R: Burnished Gold, Warm Copper

It's Valentine's Day! Some people are crazy about celebrating it (flowers-chocolate-wine-the works), some people are bitter about it, but I am honestly apathetic about it. I've been with the same guy for almost seven years now and it's never been our thing to begin with. I mean, we don't even know when our anniversary is. We don't celebrate that - why celebrate something as random as Valentine's?

But if he gives me a video game today I will not say no to that! Haha. Or shoes. 

Anyway, just wanted to show you what I wore yesterday. What's fun about being a beauty blogger is that I also get to talk about the makeup I wore! I think that a well-dressed person pays attention to details, from hair down to the fragrance. If you're going to make an effort then you better make an effort, you know what I'm saying?

I'm mostly a lazy dresser these days but I always rise up to the occasion, if there is one. 

Dress from Dororthy Perkins | Bag from Rabeanco | Pumps from Ferretti

This dress got lots of compliments yesterday! I want like ten of these in different colors and prints. If you know anyone who can make the same thing, I WOULD BE SO GRATEFUL if you can point me to his/her direction! I want a black, white, navy blue, and purple version to start with haha. The backless cut isn't necessary!

On to the makeup. I didn't want my face to clash with my loud outfit, so I kept everything soft yet defined with peach and brown. This is actually an excellent look to wear to a Valentine's date! Understated yet sexy, the kind where he thinks you're barely wearing any.

Face: Shiseido Sheer and Perfect Foundation, MAC Studio Finish Concealer, Shiseido Spot-Control powder foundation

Since the onset of this insane heat, I've received a few questions about the kind of beauty products one should take to a beach vacation. Sunscreen is, of course, SOP, but you have a little more freedom when it comes to makeup. There are only two things to keep in mind: don't wear a lot, and make sure it will melt beautifully or not at all!

I followed these two rules while I was packing for El Nido a couple of weeks back (was it only two weeks?). Anyway, here's what I brought with me to the beach. You'll notice that I didn't bother with powder, instead going for cream or liquid colors. Why? Because cream/liquid makeup looks more natural, more "one" with your skin. Powder makeup looks off in the beach, since it can look thick, cakey, and overdone in such a casual setting. It's best to go with wet formulas to achieve a chic summer-at-the-beach look!

I packed everything in my Happy Skin brush bag. It's so cool no? I get to take these neatly-packed, travel-sized brushes and fit a whole face of makeup in too. The brushes are handy (my favorite is the flat top, sold separately as it happens), but the bag is really something else. It's compact but roomy, and I love the two-level arrangement for the brushes.

I brought my favorite bases from Shiseido: the Sun Protection Liquid Foundation SPF43, White Lucent Brightening Spot-Control Foundation, and Natural Finish Cream Concealer. Together, they're long-wearing and provide a good amount of coverage + sun protection. I used the Sun Protection foundation while swimming and it stayed on fairly well. I mean, it faded of course, but there were still some left over when I washed my face. It's very water-resistant!

The Fairydrops Platinum Mascara is still the best for extreme humidity, I think. It won't stay on after swimming but it will not fail you under the heat.

I do tons of makeup reviews, but what actually ends up on my face during a full day out of the house? Now that's the question. I guess the best way to show that is to do regular FOTDs (Face of the Days), where I can discuss the logic of each makeup choice. Haha. Look at us, talking about logic here.

Anyway, I just want to show you a look I wore last week. I failed, terribly, at capturing what I wore (it was a printed navy dress from Dorothy Perkins with a classy pair of nude pumps), so this is all I have to write about here. -_- I'll wear that outfit again, it deserves to be chronicled!

Okay! For my face, I just wore the MAC Studio Finish Concealer with the Ellana Intensive Cover Foundation. That's it. No other hoopla. I love the flawless finish I get with this duo! It's mostly matte but there is a subtle sheen to the foundation. 

The runaway favorite from the latest cosmetics brand to hit Manila is the Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me Moisturizing Lippie (P499). I think that us girls are just naturally thrilled about crayon-type lip colors (part nostalgia, part insta-fun), but it's not just that. The seven colors available are all crazy gorgeous and super pigmented - each one was obviously chosen with a  lot of thought. From sunny corals to a seductive plum purple, Happy Skin has something for the color-loving you!

So let's get down to it! Shut Up & Kiss Me has a creamy texture and a nice opacity with just one layer. Two is enough to get a solid blanket of color! Staying power is pretty good at four to five hours; there's also a stain left even after I eat and drink. It's the kind of lipstick that's perfect for those who like bold colors but don't like to retouch or apply balm all the time. It is a little moisturizing, indeed, although I prefer to use a layer of balm underneath first.

The formula has no scent and no taste. It also doesn't flake when it dries. The lippies' finish look like a creme to me, but they become decidedly matte after an hour or so!

Girls Night Out is a stunning purple red that could be a dupe of the famous MAC Rebel. I noticed that it changes color as I wear it; the first hour, it looks like a plummy fuchsia red.

I love bright violet, purple, and magenta makeup on me (in moderation of course) because I feel that they flatter my warm yellow skintone. That aside, these are also my favorite colors in my clothes, shoes, accessories and what not! I like how they're fun and bright to wear. Sometimes though, I also wear their pastel variations.

Here's a look I did wearing some of my Shiseido makeup. ^_^ The eyes are a soft purple, with pink pastel cheeks and a toned down magenta lipstick. Hope you like it!

Face base: Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation, Shiseido Natural Finish Cream Concealer, Shiseido Sheer Matifying Compact to set (I ended up getting the right shade, but there's still a bit of white cast from the SPF base)

A lot of girls seem to be intimidated by smoky eyes - I can't blame them, it is a tough look to pull off if you're just starting to play with makeup. I had to practice A LOT to get the blending and the shape juuuust right; it helped to finally acquire the right brushes for the job, too. But it was a rewarding adventure. I'm gonna call it an adventure because I can recall with horror how my early smoky eyes looked like. Hehe.

Still, I hope I'm not totally scaring you off this dramatic eye look. It can elongate and widen your eyes, perfect for evening engagements or instances where you'll get photographed! Now one drugstore palette that I really like to use for smoky eyes is the BYS Eyeshadow Palette in Guilty Pleasures (P499). This has a nice selection of colors with good pigmentation - not bad for the price!

This caught my eye while I was shopping at Watsons (only place where you can find BYS since they're exclusive)!Anyway, I like the payoff of the colors, especially the darkest ones; you'll really get an opaque olive or black if you layer it properly. You'd still need an eyeshadow base to make the light and medium colors to show up, but I use a base with almost all my eyeshadows so no biggie.

The texture is smooth albeit chalky. As long as you tap the brush before applying the color, you'd be okay. ;) Check out the swatches and my FOTD wearing it after the cut!

Confession: I've been steadily collecting false lashes in the hopes that one day I'll be brave enough to wear them out of the house. False eyelashes intimidate me. However, I know that like eyeliner and lash curling, I just need to practice my lash application! I mean, if other people can do it, it should be easy enough to learn.

Anyhoo it's been a while since I did an FOTD! I think Instagram is the best way to publish looks like this, but I also wanted to say a few things about the Ardell Fashion Lashes (P600) that I got from Watsons. They're pretty natural, I think, without losing any of that fluttery effect false lashes give to the eyes.

I got this pack specifically because it's a three-piece set. I wanted to get some Ardell glue for my other falsies, plus I wanted to try out that nifty plastic lash holder (which is sold separately too). The lash glue did not disappoint - it held the lashes until I pulled them off. It also rubs off with water-based makeup remover. Sadly the lash holder thingie was a disappointment. It did nil to help me attach the lashes. :/

Nice lashes overall. I just need to practice more. :) On to the look - these days I prefer "clean" makeup with big eyes and bold lips. The whole thing can look overdone with blush, so I just contoured my cheeks, nose, and jawline for extra definition. 

Here's what I used to achieve the look!

Have you guys heard of Hayan before? It's a Korean beauty brand that has been in the Philippines for a year now, with 18 branches already opened as of this month. It seems to be quietly successful so far - I can see why! Hayan's products are quite affordable. According to the brochure (which I will attach for your review later), there is nothing over P500 in the skincare line, and the P390 BB cream is the most expensive makeup they have. 

Of course, I had to try the makeup. I'm always on the lookout for inexpensive products to recommend to girls who want to beautify on a tight budget, particularly students who are building their first makeup kit. I'm happy to say that there are a few things here that are worth the purchase - whether you're trying to scrimp or not!

The packaging of Hayan products are surprisingly nice considering how affordable they are. Most of them come in a matte black box, with the appropriate product information. The cases look fairly sturdy and solid, again, not bad for the price.

The quality of the products are nice - some nicer than others, exceeding my expectations - but you do have to remember that they are affordable for a reason. :) They won't smell as good or feel as light as more expensive Korean brands. Imagine our local drugstore makeup, but Korean. They work well and look good, but you must adjust expectations.

That said, I want to show you a look I did with all of the Hayan stuff above. ^_^ I will also be discussing my favorites briefly!

A few girls were asking yesterday about the look I wore in my MAC Dollymix Sheertone Shimmer Blush review, so here are the details! Wasn't planning on blogging about it since this is more or less what I like to wear when I have time (same techniques, different colors) to do my makeup. But hey if you're interested in something I mention or wear please just let me know! ;)

Thrifted Giordano shirt / Forever 21 skirt / Ferretti pumps / Pinkbox necklace and bracelet / Tory Burch satchel

Okay on to the look! I wore this a couple of days ago. My day started in a corporate setting and ended in a beauty event on a hotel rooftop so I chose something that would look appropriate in both. Hence, I wanted the look to be subtly dramatic; that explains the striking eyes and toned down lips and cheeks. 

Face: Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow liquid foundation, Benefit Boing concealer (blemishes), K-Palette Zero Kuma Concealer (under eyes), Ben Nye Banana Powder to set, Guerlain Meteorites to illuminate

I hereby declare the next five days as Bobbi Brown Week at Project Vanity. Seriously, I have quite a few Bobbi products piling up (they're all fantastic) so I want to release the reviews in one themed week. I'll be featuring one Bobbi product everyday for the next five days, so stay tuned for those posts. ;)

To start off the series, here's an FOTD-slash-review of the Bobbi Brown Twilight Night Shimmer Ink. This is unfortunately limited edition from the Desert Twilight collection last year. However, I think that the brand has something similar in the cream eyeshadow line. I'm sure you can also find dupes in other brands if you're on a budget. ;)

Now Twilight Night is actually a gel eyeliner, but the twinkly dusky color is so pretty that it deserves to be used as a cream eyeshadow.

A dark cream base can make eyeshadows really pop up, plus the uber fine shimmer in this particular product adds more dimension and light to the eyes. I dabbed a layer of it on my lids using just my fingers.

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. 

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.

I think of shades as beauty products. Why? Because wearing them instantly provides you some level of sun protection on the eyes and face. If you have a major pimple, puffy and red eyes due to crying or an allergy, or if you came from a chemical peel, shades are your best friends. It covers up most of the unglamorous things on your face and immediately gives it an aura of mystique. What's not to love?

FLY Shades sent me these sunglasses about two months ago and I've been wearing them since then. I'm not one for high-end, uber-expensive sunnies (not yet?) so I really appreciate that these pretty FLY Shades are just around P340-P390. They're not flimsy at all - I've dropped the ones I use regularly and they're doing fine, if not a bit scratched up. Anyway you can find more information about FLY on their Facebook Page. :)

FLY Shades / Zara dress / Veloci watch / Ferretti heels / Tory Burch satchel

Yes, I'm wearing shorts underneath. I doubted the wisdom of this mini-dress as soon as I left the house, but oh well I like it like this. I can't think of it as a top because it's too long and thick so I will stubbornly maintain that it is in fact a mini-dress until the day I die.

Is there a way to wear bright eyeshadows conservatively? It sounds like an oxymoron, true, but it can be done. The trick is to show just a flash of color on the lids - there's no need to cover every centimeter of available space you know! Keep the crease color a neutral brown, taupe, or charcoal (go light or as deep as you want). The bright colors should only show whenever you close your eyes. ;)

You don't see it

Now you do!

And that's my quick tip for today. ;) Anyway I wore this to a couple of meetings last week. I finally took out this fringe skirt I bought last December - it's a crowd favorite, at least the people I met seemed to like it. But it's quite difficult to style! How would you wear it?

Earlier today I had lunch with two lovely ladies - Ms Nelly See, the whirlwind behind Pinkbox, and Verniece Enciso, the prettiest blogger in the country (for me!). It was more of a "wala lang" lunch! I mean I wouldn't call it work since we just gossiped lol. It's always nice to spend time with these two, since the conversation is coming from three different...genres if you will. Verniece is a sweet young thing, I'm this pragmatic know-it-all, and Ms Nels is a super hyper mom and businesswoman. You'd think we have nothing to talk about but we do! Talk. Quite a lot.

Now that we're here, we should all start pressuring Ms Nelly to blog soon. I told her I'd make hers, plus it's not like she'd be short of content since she posts tons of Instagram photos everyday. She's @nellysee there btw! 

At the Pinkbox store in Greenbelt 5

Anyhoo. I'd just like to share my FOTD and (what sorta passes off as a) picture of my outfit. I just threw everything on in under thirty minutes because I was already rushing.

I slept at 3am today because I leveled up my new characters on Disgaea 4. I haven't gotten far to be honest because I was so engrossed making everyone as powerful as I can make them! So, I had to swig down a whole pot of tea to keep myself chipper after only three hours of sleep. Many things are afoot today - I can't look dead!

Anyhoo, I just want to share a look I wore last Tuesday. I finally wore leatherette skirt I got from Forever 21. It's so...shiny and squeaky. It's easy to go overboard when styling it but I wanted to look clean and classy, hence, I toned it down with black everywhere.

Forever 21 top and skirt / Shoe Ettiquette pumps / Pinkbox bangle / Aldo snake ring

I was also supposed to make a date look tutorial but I made a mess with my eyeshadows. -_- I do love how the eyeliner turned out though! I used a thick black Dolly Wink liner on top, then dotted some brown K-Palette on the bottom lashes to make them look thicker without actually creating a line.

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

"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.