Brighter Than The Sun 2014

I like 2013 so much I'm feeling really positive for 2014 so I got my 2014 planner already (photo above). Actually I bought the planner from my recent trip in Seoul and I feel like it will bring me better luck for 2014 because, well, Seoul is my happy place :)

I can say that 2013 has been good to me. However, I don't feel that it is an accurate statement to make as this year has been been quite challenging not only physically - I don't think I've ever been so sickly - but emotionally and academically as well. Maybe I can say it has been a good year because when it was good, it was really good, and that got me through the rest of the year, good and bad experiences together. That said, I do hope I can get more free time in 2014 while keeping the successes of 2013. I would like to do more traveling and less working. HA! You know what they say, write your goals and watch them come to life. So again universe, my goals for 2014 is to TRAVEL MORE, earn MORE MONEY and get MORE REST. Thank you in advance :)

The curly haired kid with the orange jacket sat

on the girl with the pink jacket so they both fell.

Life is a matter of perspective. It is what you make of it. There will always be happy times and sad times. You'll get your heart broken. You'll fail. But you pick yourself up. You believe that it is not yet the end, and it really isn't. You can wallow in self-pity and drown yourself in all the awful things that has happened and is happening to you and get stuck in that dark abyss of sadness and failure. Or you can cry, bitch, whine, complain and then move on. Do something about what hurts you. Do anything to get you started. Do whatever it takes to be happy again. You deserve to be happy and loved.

The future looks bright but only if you choose to wake up to see the sun shining :)

Photo taken in Mt. Seoraksan, Sokcho, South Korea

I'm looking forward to sharing my South Korea trip and all the Korean beauty products I will be reviewing :)

REVIEW x SWATCH: Rimmel Forever Shape Mascara

Rimmel Forever Shape Mascara is a life changer! My make-up artist friend Finella Manuel got me this from her recent trip in Japan. After a quick search online, I've come to the conclusion that this is an exclusive Rimmel Japan only product. Rimmel Forever Shape Mascara comes in two variants, Super Long and Super Volume. I got Super Long and I need Super Volume. It is waterproof even on my bottom lashes and lasts a whole day on me. It literally keeps my lashes long and curled from morning until night without need of re-application. Not that I would advise re-applying mascara as this can lead to all sorts of makeup mishaps. 

It has a curved wand with short fine bristles. Admittedly I was apprehensive when I saw how seemingly clumped together the bristles were but I soon discovered their very effective use. Upon application, it doesn't feel like the brush actually touches all my lashes. However, I realize that the dense bristles allows for the wand to coat my lashes sparingly without clumping while "pulling" it upwards and giving it a curled effect. 

Bare lashes.

One coat of Rimmel Forever Shape Super Long Mascara. You can see that it has visibly extended my lashes already without particularly thickening it giving a natural look. I apply the mascara by wiggling the curved (middle) part of the brush sideways on my lashes while pulling the brush upwards. 

 This is 3 coats of mascara (could be more :) ). Yes I like to apply a lot of mascara especially if I don't have any eye make up :) You can see that it has added volume to my lashes without clumping it. 

I curled my lashes and voila. Drama drama drama. I usually curl my lashes before I apply mascara but for purposes of this review, I decided to curl it after applying the mascara. Notice how my lashes look thicker and longer? It has also opened my eyes and that is even without eye liner. Needless to say, I absolutely love this Rimmel Mascara and I am on the hunt for the Super Volume variant so I can layer them! :)

WHO SHOULD BUY:

• Anyone who is in Japan (Please buy for me too!)
• Wants longer lashes
• Wants an affordable mascara

WHO SHOULDN'T BUY IT:

• Who does not want long lashes (Seriously!?!?!)

REVIEW: Beauty Bar Cosmetic Brush Cleaner

EVENT: Canmake Launch

On 9 May 2013, Canmake had a mini launch at Wine Museum to introduce their products to some bloggers and makeup artists. The nice thing about it was they did not only provide information about their products but they also let us test their products and give our own comments and suggestions. 

Canmake really has such cute pretty packaging!!!! I felt like a kid in a candy store with all the cute makeup they were passing around and using for demos!!! Best thing about it was we got to try them all!  I made sure to leave the event with full on kawaii makeup ;)

REVIEW: ChapStick Strawberry Lip Balm

 My lips dry and chap easily so I always carry a lip balm or lip gloss in my bag. Oddly enough, it's my first time to try ChapStick. I got the strawberry flavor for 89 php at Watson's.

It has a smooth waxy feel to the lips and a sweet strawberry scent. However, I don't like the taste because it does taste a bit like wax. It has a low spf of 4 which I suppose is better than nothing. I just like that it's not messy at all and doesn't melt.

REVIEW x SWATCH: Guerlain Kisskiss Lipgloss Rose Florida

Guerlain Kiss Kiss Rose Florida is currently my favorite lipgloss and the reason why I decided to blog about makeup. When I first applied, it was so beautiful in its own way I just felt like I had to share it.

REVIEW x SWATCH: Urban Decay Naked Basics

I got my Naked Basics Urban Decay Palette as a gift from MUA Finella Manuel and I absolutely loved it!!! It's now my favorite go-to palette and is always in my makeup bag :) 

Korean Christmas in Summer

It's like a Korean Christmas morning :D Thanks to generous and indulging friends and family, I finally have my Innisfree stash :D I'm so happy really! Now all I'm waiting for is my CC cream and then no more buying until October! HA! I'm so excited for my upcoming trip and the makeup haul that will definitely be happening :) But for now, I've got my hands full with these Korean goodies :)

Let me know what your favorite Korean brands or products are :)

Review on these coming soon ;)

REVIEW: Bioderma Sebium Facial Cleanser

I'm very particular about my makeup remover because of my oily, acne-prone skin. I avoid those with alcohol and never that would be too oily. The only one I've stuck with is Shu Uemura's Cleansing Oil but I find it too expensive for everyday use. I was really happy to discover Bioderma, a French brand that specializes in skin care that targets the different skin types. Moreover, this does not cause me to break out. 

EVENT: Laura Mercier Arabesque Look Workshop

Last February 22, 2013, Laura Mercier held a workshop conducted by Chief Make-up Artist for Laura Mercier, Qua Mark Kingson at the 1st level Cosmetics Floor of Rustan's Shanri-la.. 

REVIEW: Real Techniques Stippling Brush

 Real Techniques brushes are the brainchild of YouTube beauty vlogger Samantha Chapman aka the other half of Pixiwoo. I was so happy to learn that several multiply shops sell them here in Manila. I ordered mine from Carefreeshopper because they were the cheapest (695 php) amongst 3 sellers I found in multiply. It was delivered 2 days after I paid for it which was surprisingly efficient :) I use my stippling brush mainly for my BB cream and cream blush and sometimes for powder highlighter.

REVIEW x SWATCH: Missha BB Boomer Cream

Missha B.B. Boomer is a BB boosting cream. It's supposed to make your BB cream last longer and make it appear brighter. Initially I thought this was just a regular BB primer. From first application though, I knew that this was no ordinary primer. I don't know exactly how much this retail because this was just given to me but the Missha website says $20.

EVENT: MEGA FASHION CREW 2 Extreme Edition Finale

The Mega Fashion Crew 2 Extreme Edition Finale Party was held at Privé Luxury Club last January 23, 2013. Me and some friends went there to support Finella Manuel, one of the make-up artists in the Mega fashion Crew Season 2 and a very good friend of mine.

Privé was brimming with creative and beautiful people that night! The drinks also kept coming. I do love the people at Prive for their efficiency and kindness :D

Me and my favorite MUA!!! You'll always be the best and prettiest MUA for me :D

REVIEW x SWATCH: MAC Fluidline Brow Gelcreme

I think it's just apt that my first blog post is about a product I am currently obsessing about, the MAC Fluidline Brow Gelcreme. This is part of the Stylish Brow Collection that quickly sold out online and is not yet available in Manila. 

A little backstory on how I acquired this lovely product. I asked my friend in LA to get me this one. She couldn't buy it online and fortunately for me, the day she went to the MAC store was the day the Stylish Brow collection arrived in-store. This was the last piece available because the person who reserved it did not pick it up. Beauty luck has smiled down on me :)