Glow by Lady E

Back in 2015, I shared How I Packed My Baguio Vanity Kit — and looking back, I realize how timeless some of those essentials were. This year, I returned to the cool Baguio breeze with a curated kit of products that do it all: hydrate, enhance, and perform — even in mountain weather. My vanity kit this time? Fierce and functional, housed in a bold red NARS pouch that I got last year as a GWP. Thank you, NARS!  Here's a peek at what made the cut: 💄 NARS Foundation Weightless, buildable, and my skin but better. A must for evenings out and cozy café moments. Since getting MCAS/Histamine flares and rosacea, this NARS foundation has been my go-to foundation to cover up all the rashes and the redness on my face. Let me know in the comments if you want a review for red/acne/rosacea prone skin.  🎨 Bobbi Brown Palette For subtle daytime definition and quick smoky eyes at night. It also includes a blush! ✨ Chanel Eyebrow Kit I used to use Bobbi Brown eyeshadows for my brows but ...

If there’s one makeup product I never travel without, it’s a red lipstick. It's actually usually the only lipstick I bring because I like traveling light.  Not a coral. Not a sheer pink. Not even a tinted balm. A full-on, unapologetic, show-stopping red. But not just any red — this one. ✨ MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in Ruby New ✨ (Made in Italy) It’s a Power Move in a Tube Whether you're running late for brunch, headed to a museum, or grabbing last-minute dinner at the hotel lounge — red lipstick always pulls your look together. You can wear the most basic tee and jeans and still feel polished with a swipe of this color. This is my day look. I muted the red with my Laneige Lip Mask From Day to Night, It Travels With You MAC’s Ruby New is a soft matte. I'm not a fan of matte lipsticks because they dry my lips out. I have super dry lips and skin to start with,  but I'm confident to wear this because I use it with my Laneige Lip Mask .   You can blot it on duri...

If sunshine had a scent, this would be it. 🌞 Light, bright, and citrusy — The Face Shop’s Botanic Lemon Verbena Lotion brings an instant mood lift without overwhelming the senses. The scent reminds me of Clinique Happy — cheerful, not clingy. 💛 What I love: Absorbs quickly : No sticky feeling even in the heat of summer Perfect for everyday use : Hydrating but never greasy Family-safe : Even my son, who has eczema-prone skin, uses it on his arms and legs with great results Skin-friendly : His eczema wounds have healed and haven't flared up since using this 💡 Caution: If you're very sensitive to scents or have eczema, always do a patch test first : Apply a small amount to the inside of your elbow, wait 15 minutes, and observe. If you react, wash the area immediately with soap and water. If there's no reaction, try it on a small area of skin before applying more. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Price:  Less than ₱1,000 Where to buy:  The Face Shop 📝 Final Thoughts: This...

We just got back from a week's stay in Baguio. This is our third time there in the last 6 months. It was both work and vacation for me and my family. A few days before going there, I looked for a crossbody bag to bring. When we went there in March, I had a hard time bringing all our stuff. It was just my son and I with my mom and sis. My son can't do a lot of heavy lifting yet. On our first trip, I bought my big tan Charles and Keith bag thinking that I can use it as both my personal bag and shopping bag. I was wrong. I ended up with sore shoulders because the bag itself is already too heavy. On our second trip, I used my burgundy Charles and Keith bag but that too proved to be a failure. I needed free hands and free shoulders because of my backpack and other things that I needed to hang there like totes and stuff. A bulky shoulder bag is not the way to go. So, on our third trip, I was determined to find a crossbody bag that was light, small enough not to interfere with the oth...

If you’ve ever been so tired your under-eyes practically scream, this little pink jar from Laneige will whisper a soft “shhh… I got you.” 💗 The Laneige Bouncy & Firm Eye Sleeping Mask is technically a night product, but I use it during the day — especially when I need a boost. It's a refreshing, cool gel that instantly soothes tired under-eyes. Just a dab and you’ll catch yourself sighing, “aaahhh…” No applicator? No problem. I use a cotton bud for hygiene since it’s a clear gel, and I only peel the foil cover a little at a time to prevent dust from getting in. The jar is cute — soft pink with a nice, tight screw cap that travels well. 🧴 Texture & Feel: Light, hydrating, and soothing without any stickiness. A little goes a long way. 👃 Scent: A subtle sweet scent — gentle enough for someone like me with rosacea, MCAS, and histamine intolerance. I’m super sensitive to fragrances, and this doesn’t trigger anything. 💖 Results After Almost a Month: Undereye area looks a litt...

I started using this cream during the last week of March, and as of writing this (May 31), it has earned its place in my skincare rotation — especially on flare days. Let’s break it down. 🌊 Texture & Feel This cream is thick. Not in a “suffocate your pores” way, but in a rich, comforting, “I got you, girl” kind of way. When I apply it consistently (which is most days, minus the two I skip for skin rest), it hydrates beautifully — especially when my rosacea or MCAS flares leave rashes that eventually peel. On those days? This cream soothes like a lullaby. 💧 Scent Light. Pleasant. Non-invasive. If you’re allergic to heavily fragranced skincare like I am, this one passes the sniff test. It’s there — but just enough to make you smile, not sneeze. 🧴 Packaging Let’s talk form and function. The packaging is adorable, sleek, and user-friendly — no struggling with slippery lids or awkward scoops. I originally bought the small bottle in Baguio (yes, I went to Watsons for facial tissues an...

I got this Laneige Dreamy Lip Kit in Baguio. I was looking for a good lip balm for a few months before I discovered this.  The Body Shop Avocado lip balm is not cutting it. I wanted something light and more powerful. While in Watsons SM Baguio, I happened to pass by the Laneige stand. I saw the moisturizer and thought that I might give it a try (more on that soon). Anyway, I also saw this Dreamy Lip Kit and asked the attendant how much it costs. I think it's Php950 (I'm pretty sure it was under Php1000). What a steal for 4 pots! So, I immediately got it and the moisturizer.  It comes in 4 flavors - Berry, Mango, Peach Iced Tea, and Sweet Candy. I'm currently using Sweet Candy. There's no applicator. I use my Bobbi Brown Lip Brush. The container is very good, nice and sturdy and compact enough for traveling.  The texture isn't very thick, which I like. It feels very smooth and easy to apply. After application, I immediately feel my lips calming down. I ha...