Moved to Projectvanity.com

Hi girls! It’s official. I have now moved to Projectvanity.com. Please update your links on your sites as well as your feeds.

Projectvanity.com

See you in my new home!

Love lots,

Liz

Announcements

Hows the new year treating you? I hope it’s all been good - or even better - so far. As for me, I’ve decided that this year will be all about beginnings. New things. 

And so I’m happy to announce that a new Projectvanity website is on the way. I’ve customized the design myself and got 75 gigs of bandwidth, which means faster loading times and less to even zero down time. I can’t automatically export this blog, unfortunately, so I’ve decided to manually export only half of it. I’m halfway done already, so it’ll just be a couple of days before I permanently move to Projectvanity.com.

Projectvanity.com currently points to this I.ph blog, but I’ll give a heads up soon when my website is officially up. I hope you guys will be patient about the lack of content lately as I take care of all the details. ^_^

Speaking of new things, the Ukay Manila Store now has a new look. It is soo cute, believe me! Also, we’ve updated the URL to Ukaymanila.com (formerly Lauren’s fashion blog) from Store.ukaymanila.com. Please do visit the official domain name, so you’ll be directed straight to the main page. 

Stila Illuminating Finishing Powder in Rose Gold

I’ve always wanted to get something from Stila because, well, it’s Stila! I’ve been hearing rave reviews about the brand for some time now. Since I was looking for a convenient finishing powder that could give me a nice glow, I went with their Illuminating Finishing Powder in Rose Gold.

It’s very pretty on the pan. As promised, it does look like a golden rose, so I was excited to see how it looked on my skin. Truth be told, it didn’t look like anything. The baked powder is hard - you have to scrape the domed surface with your brush to get a decent amount of powder on it! The glitters are too obvious for my taste. I was expecting a subtle shimmer but there was nothing like that once you get the powder on a brush. It just looks like gritty powder with gritty glitter.

I’m really disappointed. I was stumped on how to use it since the powder was quite hard to scrape off with a soft powder brush. To salvage the situation, I used my NARS bronzing blush and poof! It worked. The brush hairs are stiff and the brush head is dense, so I picked up a decent amount of powder. 

I’m not sure if the powder does illuminate my face, but it will do. I use messy, loose mineral powder which is quite inconvenient to apply when I’m in a hurry so I think this is ok for my purposes. Still, I’m very disappointed. I expected more from Stila, since the brand is so respected.

I won’t buy this again, and I suggest you don’t either since you won’t get your money’s worth. Sad face.

More closeup pics after the jump.
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How to: Begin Your Freelance Journalist Career

Hi guys! This is a sponsored post so it’s quite off topic, but it’s actually very helpful to those who want to go into freelance writing, as I do. I swear it’s not spam, lol. I actually read it.

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Beginning your career as a freelance journalist is not an easy task.  The world is filled with writers and you will have to have the determination to prove yourself as a viable commodity.  Beginning your career as a freelance journalist means molding yourself into a product and then marketing that product.

Make Sure You Have The Right Motivation

If you think of freelance journalism as a glamorous life then maybe you should take some time to understand what this field is really about.  Writing is not as easy or anything like what you see in most movies or TV shows.  Writing is a sometimes arduous task that needs to be its own reward because it does not always pay off as you might hope.  You need dedication to complete your writing and the ability to handle the rejections that freelance writers inevitably face.  If you just want the acclaim of being a famous writer then perhaps freelance journalism is not for you.

Get Educated

You may or may not have formal journalism training but you need to have an intimate knowledge of your craft.  Creativity does not make up for exceptional grammar skills or vice versa.  You need to hone your rudimentary writing skills as well as your unique writing voice.  This takes time and practice to develop but is essential if you wish to become a successful freelance writer. 

You will want to pay attention to what other writers are putting out that is getting published.  You will want to look at content and the style of the writing so that you can get a feel for what is effective in the current market.  Of course, you will also have to be well-versed in whatever topics you wish to write about.

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Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

I love my MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack but sometimes I want a quick fix, if you know what I mean. When I’m late for work I just want a fuss-free line without having to pick up a brush, clean it, dip it on a pot of  eyeliner, perfect the line, then clean the brush again. Don’t get me wrong, I still prefer cream/gel eyeliners but when I don’t have time, I reach for my Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencils.

Best-selling shades: Zero and Bourbon

What I LOVE about these liners:

• Extremely pigmented! One swipe and you’ve got an intense black line when you use Zero. Bourbon is a medium brown with pretty gold flecks, perfect for day/ natural makeup.
• Glides like butter. No pulling or tugging on the lid.
• Once it dries, it sticks on your lid like nobody’s business.
• Waterproof! I rubbed my hand under running water and they’re still there. Refer to the picture further below.
• Has a cap, so the tip won’t dry and harden too fast. Very thoughtful.
• Easy to sharpen since the rubber is soft.

What I don’t like:

• I hate sharpening pencils. Also, I haven’t found the right sharpener for these so I keep on wasting product.
• When not freshly sharpened, the line these pencils deliver is not precise enough for me. Sorry, I’m spoiled by cream eyeliner.
• These smudge when you use them on the lower lid.
• The tip is too soft - check out Bourbon, I nicked the tip when I removed the cap.
• Pretty expensive at $17, versus MAC Fluidlines or even Powerpoints and Kohls that cost ~$15
• Not available here in the Philippines, boo.

Verdict? These are really good eyeliners if you prefer pencil ones. I use them often enough actually, but the best eyeliner for me is still my MAC Fluidline. When I need convenient makeup though, Urban Decay’s eye pencils are my automatic choice! I will purchase them again, if I find a decent local reseller.

Basic Day Makeup

Something smells like Christmas today! I hope you’re enjoying the holidays. Anyway, a lot of readers have been asking me how to do basic makeup so I made this video to help them along. If you have more requests or feedback, please do email me or leave a comment.

Pre-Foundation

Good skin precedes good makeup. Make sure that your face is properly cleansed. Use a toner that has no alcohol and then pat on a moisturizer with SPF. You should try using tinted moisturizer since it acts as a primer, making your makeup last longer. 

Foundation

For beginners, I suggest using powder foundation. It’s fool-proof, convenient and (for my oily skin) is the best foundation type. Blend the foundation all over your face in downward strokes. Pat a little on your eyebags to serve as base for concealer. I used the Shiseido Supplist in this video.

Concealer

Dot concealer on problem areas first and then blend using your ring finger. The ring finger is the weakest so using it to blend out concealer means that you won’t be able to exert too much force. Use a concealer shade that is close to your skin tone or at least one shade lighter. For eyebags, yellow or salmon concealer is best since these shades cancel out their purplish undertone.

More application tips after the jump!
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In2It Waterproof Eyebrow Color Review

I got my first ever eyebrow powder from In2It almost two years ago. It has served me well throughout the years, so well that I never found the need to buy a high-end substitute. Like all good things though, our relationship must end. The thing is only held together by tape while the tiny brush has long been lost. What’s impressive though is that I after daily use I never even hit pan!

This item which was P250 back then is now phased out. In2It has introduced a new eyebrow kit that has three shades, a mirror, and a brush so of course I need to get it.

Only P300 pesos, this kit is definitely a must-have. The packaging is elegant and has some heft to it, which keeps the whole thing from feeling cheap. The flowers printed on the powder is a nice, thoughtful touch.

What I love about it:

• The three shades are perfect for me. The caramel shade is best for days when you just want to fill up your brows for a natural look, the brown (which I prefer) is for more defined, natural brows while the gray is for strong eyebrows. If you want the brown to be lighter, just mix it with the caramel shade.
• The colors are not too pigmented, which is best for shading brows. You don’t want to have scary eyebrows with just one swipe right? This is why I don’t use plain eyeshadows for filling in my brows - it’s hard to control the pigmentation.
• I love the texture of the powder! It’s silky and not chalky at all. Its easy to spread and blend.
• Staying power is pretty awesome. I never have to re-apply.
• The tiny brush is stiff, which I like. The angled tip is great for shaping and filling in brows.
• It has a mirror! You can use this on-the-go with minimal fuss.
• Multi-purpose. My old kit has saved me countless of times before, when I forgot to wear or bring my eyeshadows. The gray shade can be used for lining eyes (tip: use it wet) too.
• It will last you a loooong time since a little goes a long way. My old kit is a testament to this!

What I don’t like about this:

• Absolutely nothing. It’s perfect!

If you’re looking for an eyebrow kit that’s hassle-free and dependable, I highly recommend this. I’ve been a loyal fan of the In2It brow powder for years since it never failed me. Must have!

Ellana Super Sparkle Finishing Powder in Yellow Submarine

I wasn’t expecting much from this product. I just wanted a highlighter in loose powder form so I can mix it with my Ellana Finishing Powder, which I find too matte for my taste. However, as most Ellana products tend to do, I am surprised by how good the Super Sparkle Finishing Powder is!

I’m sure you’re already intimidated by the name - Super Sparkle. It brings scary mental images of faces that look like disco balls and oily disasters. I thought it’s going to be chunky and glittery, but I flipped my misgivings aside since this is only P200. 

The powder doesn’t look yellow at all, as the name suggests. It’s white and the texture is fine. You won’t see any glitter here! After I saw the powder I was a little worried that maybe this doesn’t have the shimmer I was looking for. Wrong again. 

Is this gorgeous or what? The powder, once blended on the skin, shows off a lovely light gold shimmer that is just perfect for highlighting or dusting over one’s foundation. It can also be used as eyeshadow, for highlighting the browbones. Apply it thinly on your eyebags to reduce darkness. I love it! I love it even more since my original misconceptions about it were so wrong.

The only thing left to do is to mix it with my Espresso Con Panna finishing powder and I’m all set. This is such a good buy for only P200 bucks!

FOTD: Electric Blue, Baby Pink and Gunmetal Gray

How’s your monday? Me, I can’t wait for the holidays! I just have a couple more gifts to buy and then I can happily vegetate the whole weekend.

Anyway, here’s what I’m wearing on my face today. I wanted something bold and different from the looks I’ve been wearing lately, so I thought of a smoky blue and pink eye.

FACE: MAC Studio Finish Concealer (NC30), Clinique Perfectly Real Compact Foundation in Cream Beige, Stila Illuminating Finishing Powder in Rose Gold, Shu Uemura Glow On in Amber 83

LIPS: Blistex lip balm, Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Skin, The Balm Pumping Gloss in Rootbeer Float

EYES: In2It eyebrow kit, Urban Decay Primer Potion, Urban Decay Sphynx on inner lid, Jinx on outer lid, Gunmetal on creas, Smashbox #1 and 3 as highlighter, MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack, Clinique High Impact Mascara

More closeups after the jump!
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Blogging Backlog

Guh, I have so many things to blog about! I’ve taken pictures and everything but never seem to find the time to review the items one by one. Anyway, I’m listing the stuff that are up for reviews here so I won’t forget - and also so you’ll prod me into writing about them if you’re interested in something.

Clinique Superfit Liquid Foundation

The Balm Staniac Hint of Tint

Urban Decay 24/7 Liner and Primer Potion

Shiseido Stick Concealer

V05 Curling Mousse

In2It Eyebrow Kit

Ellana Lip gloss

Ellana highlighter in Yellow Submarine

Ellana Stick Concealer in Alive

Stila Illuminating Finishing Powder in Rose Gold

A couple of FOTDs

I should have more time to blog during the holidays!

Svelte Wellness Center

Have you guys seen the newly-opened Svelte Wellness Center in Eastwood? I missed the media event, but May from Mega Mazine kindly sent me the press kit. I have yet to try them but I am wildly curious about Svelte’s cosmeceuticals (a portmanteau of “cosmetics” and “pharmaceuticals”) as well as their skin and body treatments. Did you know that Sevelte sells concealers for surgical scars? That must be one tough concealer!

Svelte specializes in selling beauty products for sensitive skin and surgically damaged skin, facials, and body treatments (non-invasive lipo, cellulite reduction, microdermabrasion). Here’s a short intro of some of the products Svelte sent me:

Seba Med Liquid Face and Body Wash 100% soap and alkali free, gentle deep cleansing of pores, with natural moisturizers

SkinMedica Ultra Sheer Moisturizer and TNS Illuminating Eye Cream I used the eye cream for two consecutive nights. I love how it really moisturizes my under eyes since it’s quite heavy.

Heliocare Gel SPF 50 For mixed/oily skin, post-peeling/post-laser photoprotection, melasma and vitiligo, treatment with oral and/or topical retinoids, treatment with photosensitive or immunosuppressive drugs.

Avene Cleanance Anti-shine purifying toner

If you’ve got sensitive skin that needs special care and protection, Svelte should be worth a visit. Its difference from other beauty centers is that its treatments and products are friendly to people who have undergone an operation and/or are taking certain medication.

Oh, also: no fax payday loans!

How To Wear Red Lips

Red is the default color this holiday season! I’m sure that you have a lot of parties to go to before the year ends. What better look is there to wear than red lips? It’s simple but attention-grabbing and goes well with most outfits. However, I’m sure that you’re worried about looking clownish and overwhelming, so here’s a tip - the best way to red flaming red lips is with confidence. 

Here are two wearable looks that I did with red lips. One is with a blue-based red (the default red for all skin tones) while the other is orange-y red (for warmer Asian tones). 

If you’re doing red lips, make sure that everything else on your face is clean and almost bare. I didn’t wear eyeshadow here - I just applied the pencil eyeliner on the top lid and smudged it with a brush. Likewise, the blush I used is barely there and just adds a bit of glow and warmth on my cheeks. The focus should rest on the lips since it already packs a lot of punch on its own.

What I used: Shiseido Tinted Moisture in Medium, Shiseido Concealer Stick 02, Ellana Caramel Latte, Ellana Espresso Con Panna, In2It brow powder, Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Zero, Shu Uemura Glow-on in Amber, Chapstick, Dollface 32-color lip palette 

If you want something more polished, use eyeshadow to add depth to your eyes. Sweep a subtle champagne shade all over my lid and then pat on brown eyeshadow near the lashes. Line your eyes thinly and precisely on both the upper and lower lid, winging it at the end. Don’t forget the mascara of course! (As usual, I did. Nuninuninu.) I used an orange red in this look and I love the effect! It complements my yellowish skin tone well don’t you think?

 The eyeshadows and liner I used here are from Smashbox

Last words: to make red lips last longer, apply lip balm, then sweep on the first coat. Blot it with tissue, then apply the lipstick again. Seal it with lip gloss, if you prefer.

Formspring Me!

I’m sad that no one is asking questions on my Formspring account. It would be great if you can ask me something, be it makeup-related or personal, to keep things interesting. You can do it anonymously too! Give it a shot, make your own account while you’re at it.

Ask or tell me anything.

My Top Ten Best Beauty Buys of the Year

I don’t buy a lot of makeup, but when I do, I make sure that I get only those that give me full value for my money. Here’s a list of some of the best products I’ve ever tried this year in terms of quality, consistency and overall performance.

1. NARS Super Orgasm

The price (P1350) may sound daunting, but this blush is an invesment that is worth every cent you pay. NARS blushes are highly pigmented, they last all day and one pan can serve you for more than a year even with daily use. If you’re looking for a great go-to blush then NARS blushes should be on top of your list. Try Orgasm or Super Orgasm.

2. Shiseido Supplist Poreless Powder Foundation

This is my current foundation love. I’ll definitely buy the refill, regardless of the price (P1650). I think I’ve gushed about this product too much in all my online accounts (lol) so just read the original review.

3. MAC Fluidline

Remember when I was looking for the best eyeliner ever? I found it. MAC Fluidlines are very creamy, they don’t budge or smudge, and a little goes a long way. All the makeup gurus swear by this eyeliner. It takes a little practice to get the application right but once you do it will only take a few seconds per line.

4. Urban Decay Book of Shadows Volume II

This is one set that every makeup enthusiast should have. It has the 24/7 Glide On pencils and Primer Potion which are cult favorites in the makeup world. The eyeshadows are pigmented, silky, and long-lasting. What’s best about it is that you get all these products for only a fraction of the price if you buy them separately. 

More featured products after the jump!
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Ellana Mineral Stick Concealer

I wanted to buy the Ellana Mineral Stick Concealer ever since Shen posted about it. Intriguing right? I’ve been trying to find a cheap concealer to use daily since I don’t want to run out of my MAC Studio Finish and Shiseido too soon.

Anyway, I looked for the Ellana stick concealer in their official website, but it’s not yet available. I tried looking for it in the malls but couldn’t find it either (actually I couldn’t find Ellana even though I read that they have counters in SM). I emailed Ellana about it and they said that the concealer can now be bought online even though it’s not yet available in their website. I think they’re still fixing a bug that prevents them from putting up this new item.

Click to zoom

So, if you want this, just email them at ellana.minerals@gmail.com. I just ordered Alive and a bunch of other stuff. I might have a love-hate relationship with Ellana but I always go back to this brand since it’s consistent with product quality. 

FOTD: Smoky Purple, Yet Again

This is a super rush post about a super rushed face! I did Anne’s makeup for the wedding so I barely had time to do mine since our ride was already waiting outside. Nonetheless, I like the result. The picture was taken by Fritz.

FACE: Shiseido Tinted Moisture in Medium as base, Shiseido Supplist Poreless Powder Foundaiton in o40, Ellana Minerals Espresso Con Panna

CHEEKS: Shu Uemura Glow on in Amber

EYES: In2It brow powder, Urban Decay Primer Potion, Urban Decay Ecstasy on inner corners, AC/DC on outer, Gunmetal to contour, Smashbox Wish Palette #s 1 and 3, MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack, Clinique High Impact Mascara

LIPS: Nyx Pumpkin Pie

A Wedding

Our favorite Internet dick slash rising internet star, Mike Villar, was married yesterday to his lovely girlfriend of two years, Maffy. It was a solemn, intimate event but the couple looked so happy! Congratulations, you  guys.

The usual culprits were there, of course.

The Internet crammed in a church. (Photo from Pao)

The cool crowd? (Photo from Jayvee)

Spent, but the night wasn’t done yet. Everyone headed out to Eastwood for a drink. (photo from Jayvee)

  Monochromatic! The reception is at the Glass Garden. PS I got my dress form Karimadon. (Photo by Fritz)

We wonder who’s next!

Shiseido Tinted Moisture Protection Review

I am starting to fall in love with Shiseido as a brand. First it’s the Supplist Poreless Foundation, now it’s their tinted moisturizer! Sigh. If I had more money, I would hoard all their face stuff.

I wanted to own a nice tinted moisturizer because I didn’t want to put on heavy foundation everyday. I like looking presentable all the time, but I don’t want to go through a lot of fuss to do it when the occasion doesn’t call for it. Also, when I do wear foundation, I want extra sun protection and staying power. I’m so happy that I came across Shiseido’s tinted moisturizer because it’s got everything I need.

I use twice this much to get decent coverage on my face. It doesn’t dry and absorb into my skin immediately so I have time to spread it evenly on my face. The coverage is light (hello blemishes!) but it does a great job of evening out my skintone. It feels a bit greasy on my skin when freshly applied but the feeling goes away once it dries.

It has SPF20 which is a big plus. It also acts as an excellent makeup base since I noticed that my powder foundation lasts longer when used on top of this product. I didn’t break out with this at all and I even noticed that my skin’s texture and glow has improved since I started using this. The only complaint I have is that the shade I got - Medium - is a little beige/pinkish on me. It’s not that obvious though!

Wearing only the tinted moisturizer. Loving how it improves the apperance of my skin!

I got this on sale for a mindbogglingly cheap price (P600) at the SMX Mall of Asia sale, but I will definitely buy this at full price when I run out. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this is P1600+ originally. Soo worth it.

So, it’s your turn! Tried any tinted moisturizers? How did it work for you? What do you want to try next? 

Urban Decay Book of Shadows II

It was true love the first time I laid eyes on the Urban Decay Book of Shadows II online. The love was sadly tempered by the fact that UD is not available here in the Philippines. However, by a stroke of luck, a close friend was abroad so I asked her if she can get this for me. It was like Christmas in November, I said.

Graphic design on top and peacock prints inside

Where the lookbook is

So, without further ado. What I LOVE about this palette!

• Short of mascara this has everything you need for eye makeup, be it for day or night. There’s a balanced combination of neutral colors that match with the fun ones.
• Now I understand why everybody raved about the 24/7 glide-on pencil and Primer Potion. There’s going to be a separate review for these so watch out for that.
• Highly pigmented colors that go on evenly. The texture is smooth and silky. Even without the primer itself, UD eyeshadows can stand on their own.
• Great packaging! Two thumbs up, people.
• It costs $48 (but $51 with taxes), so I paid P2,500 at a $1-P48 exchange rate. The price tag is hefty but the item is worth it. No regrets!

 Bird’s eye view

What I don’t like about this and close-ups of swatches after the jump!
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NARS 16-Piece Brush Set

One day, I was browsing through Girtalk’s Beauty Bazaar when I chanced upon a NARS brush set put up on sale by one of the forum members. It took me all of five minutes to decide that I NEED those brushes in my life. I messaged the seller with my fingers crossed, hoping against hope that no one has reserved it yet. She emailed me a day after saying that the brushes have already been reserved.

I was crestfallen, but decided to move on. However a day after the seller emailed me to say that the buyer backed out and that these brushes are mine if I want them. So yay! I bought them within the day. The brushes are secondhand, which explains the good price I got them for. They’re still in very good condition, being just six months old, so I have no complaints.

At first I was paranoid that the brush set was fake (no offense Chrissy!), but after a lot of research I’m pretty much convinced that these are original brushes. The brush hairs are the softest I’ve ever touched, and they’re dense enough to keep their shape even under pressure. The handles have a rubbery feel (trademark packaging of NARS products) and the logo is embossed on them. I haven’t gone to a NARS counter to check their authenticity personally but believe me, if they do turn out to be fakes they are still worth every cent I paid for them.

Gush!

 The NARS Ita Artisan Brush. The Ita has got to be my favorite in the set. It was mindboggling at first, but it’s perfect for applying blushes, bronzers and highlighters!

Close-ups of the other brushes and their functions after the cut!
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