Trying New Products

Happy New Year,everyone! So much has happened since my last update. My son and I went to Singapore on short notice because my SIL needed us. We spent several days there and my husband followed to celebrate his birthday over the weekend. I was able to buy a few new products which I will feature here soon.

Today, I will share with you this lip balm find from the local Watsons.

It looks like an EOS knock off so I checked the back. It's made in the US and not from China. My SIL doesn't buy stuff made in China and ever since I spent time with her, I became interested in knowing where the items I buy are made from. But of course, we all know that everything is made in China these days. I guess it's just a matter of brand recognition and trust for me. There are still great products out there from recognized brands that have transferred their operations to China. They still use their production standards so I'm not really worried.

Anyways, I really like this lip balm. I was super stressed when I bought this and needed to have some stress shopping but I didn't want to blow a  ton of money. I thought this would satisfy my inner/hidden shopaholic goddess.

I think this comes in 2 or 3 flavors. I chose the watermelon one because watermelon is one of our favorite fruits. I was worried that it would taste awful but it just has the right hint of watermelon flavor. I also didn't have high hopes for its moisturizing properties but it performed surprisingly well. I believe this is less than 100 pesos. I also like its tiny size as you can see in this photo.

I vowed to buy only small or regular sized products when I got home from Singapore because one, we are lacking in space (toys have taken over) and two, I need to finish the products before they expire. I used to buy really big lotions and toiletries but it takes so long to finish them. There are times when I just want to try something new but couldn't because I wanted to finish the opened one first before it expires. So now, I buy the small stuff. Aside from these benefits, they also look cute on my vanity and I save a ton of space.

So much has happened in the past two months and my life has been so hectic. I hope now that I have a new routine and schedule in place that I can blog more. Fingers crossed. A blessed New Year to everyone!

Where am I?

Hi guys! I have been MIA again because my laptop broke. It will take some time to recover my files. All my blog stuff is in there so please bear with me for a few more days. Meanwhile, you can search the archives for skin care tips, makeup tips and so much more. See you guys soon!

Makeup Kit Essentials that will Take You From Day to Night

I used to work for an advertising company and that meant going to events after office hours. I needed to have a few essentials in my makeup kit to bring along with me every day so that I can transition my makeup from day to night. Today I will share with you my essentials.

A sturdy, roomy makeup kit -  My current kit is from Harajuku Lovers. I've had it for a long time and the material is starting to chip but I still like it as it is lightweight and roomy.

Here are my basic essentials.

Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray - I use this to keep my face hydrated especially when it's hot or when I'm stuck in an air conditioned room for long hours. This is also great for travel.

Ocean Potion Moisturizing Lip Potion SPF 45 - I've been using this for a long time and I am very happy with it. If you've ever had mouth sores, use this product to prevent them from coming back. I also like the SPF 45 protection.

Etude House Help My Finger - I use this for my super dry cuticles. It does a good job. I just apply it all over my fingernails and cuticles. 

L'Occitane Hand Cream - I can never go wrong with this hand cream. I have no complaints. This is my favorite hand cream. 

Kleenex Oil Blotting Film - This is such a cheap product that is a must-have in any oily (and combination) girl's kit. Use it to get rid of accumulated dirt and oil. 

For touch ups during the day, I rely on these products:

Paul and Joe Powder Foundation - Unfortunately, Paul and Joe have left Manila. I stocked up before they left so I have a couple of these babies in my vanity. This is the only foundation that works with my super acidic skin. 

Estee Lauder Signature Silky Powder Blush in Rose Nuance -  This is an ombre-type blush so you can use the light one for day and the darker one for night. You can also combine the colors for a totally unique flush.

NARS Lipstick in Dolce Vita - This is my daily lipstick as it's very close to my lip tone. 

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler - I've had this for years and it doesn't disappoint. 

IsaDora Flashing Volume Instant Effect Mascara - I rarely use mascara during the day because my eyes are very sensitive to it. This was a gift. It is not available locally. You can click on the link if you want to try it. It's a really good product and my eyes didn't react when I used it for half a day. 

Here are extra products that you can bring if you want to transition your look from day to night. 

Too Faced Glamour to Go mini palette - This is actually a complete palette but I use it mainly for the eyeshadows. By the way, it's a good idea to have some travel brushes stored in your office table. I recommend Sigma brushes. 

Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight in Super Starlight - This is my current favorite product for strobing. Use a sponge to apply. 

Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencil in Juju - Sometimes you don't need a whole palette to get a good smokey eye. You can use this pencil and just blend, blend, blend. Line with Urban Decay's eye liner, apply some mascara and you're all set. 

Benefit Erase Paste - I normally don't bring a concealer as I only apply once. If you have oily skin, you may need to bring one and this little pot is my choice. Be sure to apply on clean skin. 

L'Oreal Lipstick in Pop Up Pink - this is a very pigmented lipstick that lasts a long time, perfect for events. Similar product here. If you don't like pink, you can also go bold in red. I like this Wonder Woman lip gloss that is super rich and pigmented. 

Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder - I reserve contouring for special events but if you like to contour your face during the day, this is my pick. 

These are my picks. Feel free to add or remove products to create your own kit. I hope you found this post useful. Let me know what your must-have products are for transitioning from day to night. 

Feel free to Pin the photo down below if you want to save this list for later. 

Affiliate links have been added for your convenience.

Teach or Treat?

What I like about Clinique is that they let you experience the product first without pressuring you to purchase. When I was new to Clinique, I was given a skin consultation, typing a makeover and was even given basic makeup lessons. I never felt pressured to purchase. I was also given samples to try at home. For those who are not familiar with the brand, they give generous samples, travel size ones and not products in sachets that you can only use once. These samples can be used for a week, allowing you to really experience the effects of the products. It didn't take a week for me though. I was sold what with the excellent customer service and the impressive array of products. 

That was many years ago. Today, Clinique has gone a step further by launching the Teach or Treat You service. You can either get a sample or you can experience the product at the counter and be given a demo. The beauty consultants will also give you a ton of useful information on how to use the products that you chose and the benefits they bring. You can choose from the menu of products and services above. 

This is Blue. He is Clinique Rustan's Makati's resident Beauty Expert and MUA. I was privileged to get some pampering that day and be taught some strobing techniques. 

You can clearly see both our highlights in the photo

As you may know, strobing is very in nowadays. Blue used Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight in Super Starlight on me. I already have this product and use it whenever I feel blah to add some glamour to my day. 

He used a sponge to apply it. When strobing, apply product on the highest point of your cheekbone and above the arch of your eyebrows, making a 'C' shape. As Jigs Mayuga said, be careful not to go overboard as you might end up looking oily so avoid the bridge of the nose when strobing. 

These are the products that Blue used on me. The Cheek Pop is in Ginger Pop and the lippy is in Plum Pop. 

I am excited about the product above which is the custom-repair serum. It fights the 4 signs of aging and makes your skin feel really good without the heavy feeling. This product, in combination with the one below made me feel as if I had a facial spa day. I'm already using the Turnaround Moisturizer below. I'm pretty excited to add the serum to my routine pretty soon. 

So there you have it! I hope you learned a lot in today's post. Please stay tuned for more new products and events from Clinique. 

Passport to Pretty

After the success of the Doctor is In at Clinique Shangri-La, I attended the Passport to Pretty event of Clinique Rustan's Makati. Check out these photos.

There was a selfie booth to take photos

Snacks were served

The holiday sets are still available so go grab them!

When you purchase at least Php4,500, you get to take home one of these babies. 

Check out part two of this post that will feature a new Clinique product and strobing!

Vanity Organization with Daiso Japan

As you may know, Daiso Japan is one of my favorite stores..and for good reason. They offer affordable products but with excellent quality. We use their products for different purposes and you can find them anywhere in our house. Today, I will share with you some ideas and Daiso Japan products to help you organize your vanity.

I love acrylic organizers. If you want a clean look to your vanity, go with acrylic organizers but make sure everything is acrylic. I think if you add other elements such as a wooden box mixed in with the acrylic pieces then it won't look as good as when everything is in uniform.  

These plastic organizers are great. Khloe Kardashian uses them to store her accessories. These are a more affordable option. 

Like she said, take a photo of your accessories, print them and stick on the organizer for easy access. 

This one is great for lipsticks. 

I totally forgot to buy this one. I went around the store to take photos and then grabbed a few items to buy. I went around twice and I still forgot to get it! I will use this for my earrings. 

This drawer is perfect for bracelets and watches as there is a non-slip material inside. You can also use this for your blushes, small palettes and powders. Stack them up and you have a more affordable version of the very expensive acrylic organizer you see online in other beauty blogs. 

The one on the left can be used to hold your toiletries. Hang it on the wall to save space. 

Use these to organize your necklaces and bracelets. You can also put your earrings on the mesh part above. 

To add more character to your vanity, get one of these frames. Go to Pinterest or Instagram, print a photo or a verse that you like and pop it in. I guarantee, you will smile every time you see your vanity. 

I hope you found inspiration in this post on how to organize your vanity. These are all available at Daiso Japan Shangri-La Mall but you can probably get them at your local Daiso Japan branch. 

A Dermatologist-Approved Skin Care Regimen for Working Ladies

Meet Dra. Gina Banate, a licensed dermatologist and member of the Philippine Dermatological Society. I met her last Saturday at the Clinique Event and I tell you, I've learned a lot from her. 

Today, I will share with you this skin care regimen that is tailored to fit a working lady's lifestyle, courtesy of the good (and might I say, beautiful! ~~ she's so photogenic!) doctor.

First, my definition of a working lady - She commutes every day to work. She gets stuck in traffic with all the pollution around her. When she gets to the office, she is stuck in front of the computer for long hours and gets blasted with cold air the whole time she is there. I asked the doctor for the best skin care regimen she can recommend for this kind of working lady. 

First off, you need to wash your face when you wake up in the morning. Be sure to use a mild soap with a pH level of not less than 5.5 as anything less than that is considered acidic. This protects the natural environment of your skin. 

Then apply toner that is right for your skin type. 

Lady E's Quick Tip - You can go to any Clinique counter for a free skin typing session. Mention my blogs or me at the Rustan's Makati or Shangri-La Mall counters to get a Treat or Teach You Time service wherein you can experience the products and get a free consultation. 

There are 4 skin types - Normal, Dry. Oily and Combination skin. The toner normalizes your skin. It returns what the soap has removed. After that, apply moisturizer. 

Apply sunscreen when your skin has absorbed the moisturizer. Your sunscreen SPF should not be less than 30. Apply on your face and neck and also the back of your hands as these are also regularly exposed to sunlight. 

After that, you can apply your favorite makeup!

While you are in the office, make sure to drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated. 

Lady E's Quick Tip - Be sure to do some stretches and take breaks often to keep your mind. body and spirit sharp while in the office. 

Stay tuned for more tips from our guest dermatologist!

The Doctor is In Clinique Event at Shangri-La Mall

Last Saturday, cousin C and I went to Shangri-La Mall to attend the Doctor is In event at the Clinique counter. Check out these photos.

Macarons from Bizu were served. 

These are the limited edition sets. Get them while they are still around. The set on the left are 5 small bottles of perfumes. The one on the right are 7 lipsticks designed for each day of the week. 

I really like this lippy set.

There's cousin C waiting for the doctor. 

You can get this bag free for every Php4,500 purchase. 

Busy, busy, busy.

Guest doctor for the event was Dr. Gina Banate, MD, DPDS who is a licensed dermatologist and member of the Philippine Dermatological Society.

Guests got to have a personal consultation with the doctor. I asked her a few questions and I will be sharing the things that I've learned from her in my next post so watch out for that.

Join Us for Another Clinique Event!

Join us at Rustan's Makati Clinique counter today for the RCC Makati Anniversary Selling Event. The event starts at 2 pm. Food and drinks will be served. You can also learn makeup techniques from the resident beauty experts as they conduct a makeup workshop.

See you there!

7 Q's with Ms. Verna Marin

Hi everyone! Sorry for being MIA for so long. I had a few health problems that needed to be addressed but I am okay now.

For today's post, I will share with you some nuggets of beauty wisdom from Ms. Verna Marin, Chief MUA of L'Oreal Philippines.

If you missed my post about the L'Oreal Workshop featuring Ms. Verna, you can read it here.

1. What's your favorite makeup and why? (blush, lipstick, etc.)

For now it’s mascara, I’m a girl and I have mood swings!!! Or maybe because the Voluminous Million Lashes of L’Oreal that I’m trying out is super good it opens up the eyes with thick long lashes. It’s coming out soon!

2. Modern moms lead very busy lives that they tend to forget about themselves. What's the most important thing they can do before leaving the house to look more polished without exerting too much effort?

Develop a 10 or even 5 minute makeup routine! It can be concealer mascara, blush and lipstick routine for everyday wear.  Concealer for the imperfections ,mascara to open up the eyes, blush to look healthy and lipstick for confidence!

3. What makeup should women splurge on? save on?

Splurge on foundation if synonymous to your skin. Splurge also on mascara and don’t ever share it with anybody. Save on blush-on buy peach shade it can work on varieties of lipstick colors.

4. Aside from cellphone and wallet, what are the 3 things you always have in your bag?

Tooth brush, tooth paste and lip balm or my favorite lipstick

5. What's the greatest thing you learned in the industry?

The makeup industry is constantly evolving, better products better techniques don’t be afraid to try new things and upgrade you skills :)

6. Who is your dream client?

 I am blessed with the most wonderful clients in the industry from personal, bridal, editorial, corporate, stage and TV, if i’m to wish for more it’s for a couple of personalities I see on TV that I know can benefit from a better makeup… let’s not name them. I just love the challenge!

7. What's the best makeup advice you can give to anyone?

One face to live with love and learn as much as you can about it! Try the makeup you like on the magazine or billboard but have a reality check. We all have different facial structures you may look best with less or more makeup it’s all about trying and finding out ;)

Thank you Ms. Verna for giving us the time and sharing with us your knowledge!

The Doctor is In

Clinique Shangri-La Mall will be having another The Doctor is In event this coming Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 2 pm.

The guest dermatologist will answer your beauty and skin questions.  There will also be a Teach or Trick activity and a giveaway. Food and drinks will also be served. You can reserve a slot at the Clinique counter.

See you there!

30 Days of Watsons Beauty - Day 30

Welcome to the final day of this series! This is the last day so I want to share something special with you.

This is the True Match Blur Creme from my favorite drugstore brand, L'Oreal. I don't know why I've been ignoring this brand. They have excellent products at very affordable prices. Their products are also comparable to higher end brands. I have recently only discovered it. 

This product is used as a primer. I was looking for a primer to replace my Laura Mercier primer. I wanted to try Smashbox but I did a double take when I saw the price. Now that I am a mom, price is a huge concern for me when it comes to beauty products. I would pay for a good foundation or a palette but not that much for a primer. Fortunately, I wandered the aisles of Watsons at Beauty by SM and found this primer. It's only 400 pesos. Yeah, you read that right!

The micro-blur technology 'blurs' the pores to create a smooth look. I apply this before my foundation. You only need a small amount. Ms. Verna, chief MUA of L'Oreal Philippines also sings praises about this product. She used it in her workshop which you can read about here.

Be sure that you work fast when applying this product as it easily disappears into the skin. It's very lightweight. It feels really nice on the skin. This is now my official primer.

And that's the end of this series. I hope you enjoyed it! Thank you for sticking with me throughout. I will be making more of these in the future so watch out for that.

30 Days of Watsons Beauty - Day 29

Today's product is from K-Palette. This is the Real Lasting Eyebrow Pen. This was a personal recommendation by MUA to the stars, Jigs Mayuga. I had the privilege of attending his workshop and after the workshop, we talked about brows. The trend for eyebrows nowadays is towards the natural look. This pen is perfect for that.

This is water resistant and long lasting. When you are ready to take it off, just rinse it out with soap and water. This is also perfect for beginners as the pen leaves a very light mark. You can fix any mistakes as you go. You can use this with an eyebrow pencil or powder. I use powders and it works just fine. You can also use it alone for a more natural look.

Stay tuned for the last day in this series!

30 Days of Watsons Beauty - Day 28

Happy Monday everyone! Do you have the Monday blues? I don't. I woke up feeling great this morning.

Today is Day 28 of this series and it features this product from Purederm. This is a pore cleansing pad. I really like this product. I used it after I removed my makeup with makeup remover wipes. I scrubbed my face and rinsed with water. I am too OC when it comes to makeup removal so I followed up with Physiogel after.

I thought that I had already removed a lot of makeup but when I looked at this cleansing pad, it still had a lot of foundation on it. My face ended up feeling raw as I got carried away scrubbing. I didn't notice it at first because the pad is soft but it can hurt if you are not careful. Just gently scrub away.

I will buy more of these cleansing pads and stock up as I rarely see them at Watsons.