I've always wanted to own the famous Shu Uemura lash curler, but whenever I go there with my monies, I blanch at the thought of spending P1,000+ on a mere eyelash curler that doesn't even come with a refill. I know, I say that one should always buy the best products first to learn what true quality means and then find cheaper alternatives once you do. But right now I don't feel the need for a kick-ass eyelash curler - I can do with an okay curler because my Clinique Lash Power Mascara curls and holds my lashes pretty well.

So, while trolling Watsons for a new curler to replace my cheapo Nichido one, I came across the Fanny Serano Eyelash Curler.

It's pretty famous in its own right, because I remember it having the Cosmo magazine stamp of approval. In fact its mini-version currently does! Seeing as it was only P175, I bought the full-sized curler.

What I love about it 

• It takes only a couple of presses to curl my lashes. 
• It makes my stumpy, stick-straight lashes show up and separated nicely.

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I won't mince words with you: the Revlon Beyond Naturals Blush & Bronzer isn't a stellar product. I'd say it's so-so. Its only wow factor is how beautiful this blush looks on me! Unfortunately I don't have a picture to prove it so you'd have to go on my word, haha.

What I love about this product

• Looks natural on my face. The plum blush looks like my actual flush while the bronzer is a subtle shade close to my skin that makes it perfect for contouring.
• I get that "glowing-from-within" cheeks.
• Covenient. It saves me time blending and picking up two different products for contouring/blushing.
• Generous amount of product in the big compact. 

What I don't like about the product

• The powder is hard, so you may have to scrape with your brush.
• Texture is a bit coarse.

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Updated on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 10:08PM by Liz Lanuzo

I've written before that Indonesian lulur was originally invented for brides who need to look beautiful on their special day. It helps slough off dead skin cells without removing moisture and, if used regularly, should even out and lighten your skin! But of course, great skin, while an absolute must-have, isn't the only thing you need to have on your wedding day. There are other details you need to take care of to get that makeover before the big day!

Asian Secrets wants to congratulate all brides-to-be* out there by giving them a chance to win a full body makeover package worth P15,000. It will include a relaxing spa day, waxing, hair cut, color, facial, nails, makeup lessons, and other similar treatments in the best salons all over the metro. Aside from that, we will also be giving the lucky bride a beauty loot worth P5,000 which she can use on her wedding day. I will be personally handpicking what goes in there (definitely NARS, MAC, and other favorites!). She will also win a supply of Asian Secrets.

Not a bride-to-be? Don't worry! There will be a second winner. The winner will get a 32 gig iPod Touch to help with her daily productivity and lifestyle. She will also get a beauty loot worth P6,000 full of goodies to be handpicked by me. She will also win a supply of Asian Secrets.

My gosh, I already envy the winners. Here's how to join!

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Good morning from Baguio! I'm here with Marco to chill - quite literally. It's very cold here. Unfortunately I was naive enough to think otherwise, so I brought only one jacket and mostly flimsy clothes. Horror, I tell you, especially for someone who has low tolerance for cold. How I wish I sneaked off some of the new Ukay Manila blazers from my store! (Yes I just have to say that lol. New arrivals today ladies!)

Anyway, I'd just like to share with you the kikay stuff I brought. You can easily guess from my what's in my bag post that I prefer to travel extra light. I don't mind sacrificing a few comforts, routines, and favorites if that means that I don't have to worry about the weight of my bag, breaking anything, or god forbid, losing anything important. 

Only three small pouches and the rest are clothes. Yes I brought my POSH Pocket Shoes! Soo travel-friendly.

This VNC bag is perhaps the most useful thing I ever got from an event. It has divisions, garter holders for brushes, and has this hook so I can hang it. It's also a shoe bag. It's thin and small but very roomy so I prefer to use it for stocking makeup when I'm out of town. Everything is protected and nothing jiggles around while my luggage is in transit. I'm not sure if this is for sale, but if you ever see it, get it asap!

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Sorry for the late post! This week has been extra hectic for me. I only had time today to review all the entries, then I'm off to Baguio to vacation! Whee. So. Anyway, I judged entries based on the quality and honesty of the post.

Here are the three winners of my Levi's contest! Hope you click their links and read their entries, because there are valuable lessons to learn from them. ;)

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Today I want to talk about love.

I've been in love with the same man for more than three years now. First time we met, there was no explosion of feeling. No fireworks crackling. No romance, we weren't swept away. First time we met it was the most natural thing in the world. It was like we've known each other for ages and that we knew exactly what we wanted from that day on - to simply be together. Corny but true story.

It's not fun to tell our story because nothing much happens in it. There's rarely any drama or conflict. We never fight. Our life together can be summarized in two words: quietly happy.

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Grow Luscious by Fabulash is Revlon's latest mascara offering. It just came out last month! The kind folks at Revlon sent it to me for review. It's supposed to lengthen and strengthen lashes overtime, but I can't vouch for that because I reckon it will take at least a month of regular use to see any difference. What I can talk about though is its formula, texture, packaging, and overall performance.

Grow Luscious has three shades: Black Noir, Black Shimmer, and Blackened Brown. They come in two formulas, Regular and Waterproof.

What I like about this mascara

• Minimal clumping. Take note to work quickly while coating your lashes to avoid clumping.
• Didn't smudge or budge on me. I used it the whole day, but I was mostly in cabs and airconditioned rooms. I didn't sweat much.
• No flaking that I noticed.

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This, my friends, is perhaps the cutest thing that you'll see today.

The Charm Luxe Baby Buki brush is a small kabuki made of super soft synthetic hair. You might be wondering, what am I going to use a tiny kabuki brush for? Won't that take me extra time and work to cover my face? Well that's the thing. Baby bukis are not meant to use for full-face makeup. It's for hard to reach areas by your bulky normal-sized kabuki brush like the sides of the nose and under the eyes.

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I have never heard of lulur before the kind folks behind Asian Secrets clued me in. So what is lulur? There is an ancient Indonesian custom that requires future brides to apply a luxurious body scrub mix 40 days before their wedding.  The lulur is traditionally made from jasmine, ground rice, green tea, scented moisturizing oils, and yogurt. This practice of applying lulur originated from the palaces of Java, and is intended as a purifying, beautifying ritual to prepare brides-to-be for the big day.

Of course, you don't have to be a bride to reap the benefits of lulur! It's for every woman (and man, if they are so inclined) who loves having radiant, soft skin. 

Finally, lulur is here in the Philippines. The brand is called Asian Secrets - apt, if I may add, since this beauty ritual is indeed one of Indonesia's best-kept secrets. It is marketed as a luxe whitening body scrub, formulated to target dark skin areas like armpits, elbows, knees, and the singit. 

Asian Secrets is available exclusively in Watsons and Beauty by SM. 250g/P130 and 135g/P80

What I love about this product:

• It's a gentle yet effective exfoliating scrub. I hate abrasive scrubs that feel like my skin is rubbed raw! The lulur felt light but still left my skin feeling squeaky clean after I rinsed it off. 
• It's creamy and moisturizing. I didn't have to apply lotion afterwards. No kidding. This is a huge achievement for a body scrub. I scratched a fingernail on my arm and look ma, no dry white lines!

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Whenever I go out I run through all the places I have to go, at what time I need to be there, plus the things I have to bring. Then I wear shoes accordingly. If I'm going to the office, I need to hurry and bring my laptop so I wear flats. If I'm going to an event, I need to look glammed up and tall, so I pick heels! But wouldn't it be nice if you can wear both flats and heels whenever and wherever you want to?

That's the dream that POSH Pocket Shoes set out to realize.

POSH Pocket Shoes are exactly what they say they are - posh shoes in a pocket! It's the size of an average kikay kit or makeup bag and could fit comfortably into shoulder and hand bags. The shoes conveniently fold halfway, fitting in a black, zip-up purse which can be converted into a bag for your heels. Ingenious eh? Now you can just take off your heels anytime you feel uncomfortable since POSH shoes are lightweight, small, and thus easy to bring.

The shoes themselves are extremely comfortable. The soles are very cushy while the inside of the shoe is lined with what feels to be soft, faux suede.

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