It was love at first sight when I saw the promo materials for Bobbi Brown's latest collection, Sea Pearls. The look was perfect! The coral pink blush and lips whispered dainty, while the big lashes and shimmery green shadow flashed drama. It was a great study in contrasts, with such an elegant output. Of course I had to copy it!

I initially wanted to do the full smoky eyes yesterday but I ran out of time, so I came up with a modified, simplified version of the Sea Pearls look. I also don't have the full collection which is why I used other brands - but I have the exact same blush! It's amazing. I mean look at it. Coral Pink is my current favorite blush!

To achieve dewy, natural-looking skin, I used the Bobbi Brown BB Cream, concealed whatever needed to be concealed with MAC Studio Finish, then topped everything with a thin layer of Ben Nye Banana Powder.  

Confession: I've been steadily collecting false lashes in the hopes that one day I'll be brave enough to wear them out of the house. False eyelashes intimidate me. However, I know that like eyeliner and lash curling, I just need to practice my lash application! I mean, if other people can do it, it should be easy enough to learn.

Anyhoo it's been a while since I did an FOTD! I think Instagram is the best way to publish looks like this, but I also wanted to say a few things about the Ardell Fashion Lashes (P600) that I got from Watsons. They're pretty natural, I think, without losing any of that fluttery effect false lashes give to the eyes.

I got this pack specifically because it's a three-piece set. I wanted to get some Ardell glue for my other falsies, plus I wanted to try out that nifty plastic lash holder (which is sold separately too). The lash glue did not disappoint - it held the lashes until I pulled them off. It also rubs off with water-based makeup remover. Sadly the lash holder thingie was a disappointment. It did nil to help me attach the lashes. :/

Nice lashes overall. I just need to practice more. :) On to the look - these days I prefer "clean" makeup with big eyes and bold lips. The whole thing can look overdone with blush, so I just contoured my cheeks, nose, and jawline for extra definition. 

Here's what I used to achieve the look!

Have you guys heard of Hayan before? It's a Korean beauty brand that has been in the Philippines for a year now, with 18 branches already opened as of this month. It seems to be quietly successful so far - I can see why! Hayan's products are quite affordable. According to the brochure (which I will attach for your review later), there is nothing over P500 in the skincare line, and the P390 BB cream is the most expensive makeup they have. 

Of course, I had to try the makeup. I'm always on the lookout for inexpensive products to recommend to girls who want to beautify on a tight budget, particularly students who are building their first makeup kit. I'm happy to say that there are a few things here that are worth the purchase - whether you're trying to scrimp or not!

The packaging of Hayan products are surprisingly nice considering how affordable they are. Most of them come in a matte black box, with the appropriate product information. The cases look fairly sturdy and solid, again, not bad for the price.

The quality of the products are nice - some nicer than others, exceeding my expectations - but you do have to remember that they are affordable for a reason. :) They won't smell as good or feel as light as more expensive Korean brands. Imagine our local drugstore makeup, but Korean. They work well and look good, but you must adjust expectations.

That said, I want to show you a look I did with all of the Hayan stuff above. ^_^ I will also be discussing my favorites briefly!

A few girls were asking yesterday about the look I wore in my MAC Dollymix Sheertone Shimmer Blush review, so here are the details! Wasn't planning on blogging about it since this is more or less what I like to wear when I have time (same techniques, different colors) to do my makeup. But hey if you're interested in something I mention or wear please just let me know! ;)

Thrifted Giordano shirt / Forever 21 skirt / Ferretti pumps / Pinkbox necklace and bracelet / Tory Burch satchel

Okay on to the look! I wore this a couple of days ago. My day started in a corporate setting and ended in a beauty event on a hotel rooftop so I chose something that would look appropriate in both. Hence, I wanted the look to be subtly dramatic; that explains the striking eyes and toned down lips and cheeks. 

Face: Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow liquid foundation, Benefit Boing concealer (blemishes), K-Palette Zero Kuma Concealer (under eyes), Ben Nye Banana Powder to set, Guerlain Meteorites to illuminate

I hereby declare the next five days as Bobbi Brown Week at Project Vanity. Seriously, I have quite a few Bobbi products piling up (they're all fantastic) so I want to release the reviews in one themed week. I'll be featuring one Bobbi product everyday for the next five days, so stay tuned for those posts. ;)

To start off the series, here's an FOTD-slash-review of the Bobbi Brown Twilight Night Shimmer Ink. This is unfortunately limited edition from the Desert Twilight collection last year. However, I think that the brand has something similar in the cream eyeshadow line. I'm sure you can also find dupes in other brands if you're on a budget. ;)

Now Twilight Night is actually a gel eyeliner, but the twinkly dusky color is so pretty that it deserves to be used as a cream eyeshadow.

A dark cream base can make eyeshadows really pop up, plus the uber fine shimmer in this particular product adds more dimension and light to the eyes. I dabbed a layer of it on my lids using just my fingers.

Whimsical and ethereal, the new Artdeco Butterfly Dreams Collection is sure to appeal to girls with a soft spot for pastels. There's a beautiful selection of nail polishes and lipsticks that flatter Asian skin, as well as new eye definition products such as a felt tip eyeliner and a volumizing mascara.

Pretty eh? I'll be reviewing a couple of products fully in the future (that blush definitely deserves a whole post of its own), but for now I'll be sharing quick reviews and a look I did using the collection. 

Pro tip: if you're going to an important engagement, do not wear anything new. Could be shoes, a cool makeup technique, bra, whatever. As long as it's new, forget about it! You don't know what can happen so don't use anything you haven't worn out first hand. You'll save yourself a lot of time and grief.

However, it does pay to make careful exceptions to this rule. Like last Saturday, when I wore out some new Shiseido goodies for the first time! I hosted a blogger lunch for Wink Laser & Wax Studio (more about it soon!) in BHS so I wanted to look my best. I loved how the Shiseido palette and lipstick swatched on the back of my hand so I just went with 'em.

Such a cute look, this one. I also wore out this faux leather skater skirt that I scored from a thrift shop. I've been looking for the exact same one for a while now, which is why I'm incredibly happy to find one for P150! Crazy! I must go thrifting more often. 

The last two months of February are extremely crucial to me. I have added a new set of clients and with it, an assistant (yay)! There will be quite a few events and plans to execute and everything. Is driving. Me crazy. I'm happy and psyched to be working with exciting brands, don't get me wrong, but the next two weeks will make or break these new relationships. Everything must be perfect. All must be in sync.

Anyway, I attended this event last week. I loved the venue! It's this rooftop bar at the new Seda Hotel beside Bonifacio High Street. The place is so airy and light that just thinking about it soothes me. I must visit again soon, perhaps to work!

(I don't drink because I'm boring pfft. I do interesting things but I really am a boring person.)

These Ferretti heels feel like summer

If you know me you will rarely see me in distracting prints, colors, and lots of detail.

I think of shades as beauty products. Why? Because wearing them instantly provides you some level of sun protection on the eyes and face. If you have a major pimple, puffy and red eyes due to crying or an allergy, or if you came from a chemical peel, shades are your best friends. It covers up most of the unglamorous things on your face and immediately gives it an aura of mystique. What's not to love?

FLY Shades sent me these sunglasses about two months ago and I've been wearing them since then. I'm not one for high-end, uber-expensive sunnies (not yet?) so I really appreciate that these pretty FLY Shades are just around P340-P390. They're not flimsy at all - I've dropped the ones I use regularly and they're doing fine, if not a bit scratched up. Anyway you can find more information about FLY on their Facebook Page. :)

FLY Shades / Zara dress / Veloci watch / Ferretti heels / Tory Burch satchel

Yes, I'm wearing shorts underneath. I doubted the wisdom of this mini-dress as soon as I left the house, but oh well I like it like this. I can't think of it as a top because it's too long and thick so I will stubbornly maintain that it is in fact a mini-dress until the day I die.

Is there a way to wear bright eyeshadows conservatively? It sounds like an oxymoron, true, but it can be done. The trick is to show just a flash of color on the lids - there's no need to cover every centimeter of available space you know! Keep the crease color a neutral brown, taupe, or charcoal (go light or as deep as you want). The bright colors should only show whenever you close your eyes. ;)

You don't see it

Now you do!

And that's my quick tip for today. ;) Anyway I wore this to a couple of meetings last week. I finally took out this fringe skirt I bought last December - it's a crowd favorite, at least the people I met seemed to like it. But it's quite difficult to style! How would you wear it?

Earlier today I had lunch with two lovely ladies - Ms Nelly See, the whirlwind behind Pinkbox, and Verniece Enciso, the prettiest blogger in the country (for me!). It was more of a "wala lang" lunch! I mean I wouldn't call it work since we just gossiped lol. It's always nice to spend time with these two, since the conversation is coming from three different...genres if you will. Verniece is a sweet young thing, I'm this pragmatic know-it-all, and Ms Nels is a super hyper mom and businesswoman. You'd think we have nothing to talk about but we do! Talk. Quite a lot.

Now that we're here, we should all start pressuring Ms Nelly to blog soon. I told her I'd make hers, plus it's not like she'd be short of content since she posts tons of Instagram photos everyday. She's @nellysee there btw! 

At the Pinkbox store in Greenbelt 5

Anyhoo. I'd just like to share my FOTD and (what sorta passes off as a) picture of my outfit. I just threw everything on in under thirty minutes because I was already rushing.

Do you guys still like FOTDs? I rarely post them these days because, well, I don't often wear interesting looks. On a normal day out I'd be in neutral makeup and a bright lipstick. It's only for parties and events that I go all out! As it should be, at least for me.

Yesterday I was taking a few standard photos of my face since I used a couple of new products. Yes it's vain but because of this blog I have the valid excuse of, erm, documentation for purposes of reviews. Hehe. Anyway I was really surprised with how the photos turned out.

Zero editing. At first I thought it was the light, but I don't get photos this good at 4:30pm when the light is starting to fail. So what could it be?

I slept at 3am today because I leveled up my new characters on Disgaea 4. I haven't gotten far to be honest because I was so engrossed making everyone as powerful as I can make them! So, I had to swig down a whole pot of tea to keep myself chipper after only three hours of sleep. Many things are afoot today - I can't look dead!

Anyhoo, I just want to share a look I wore last Tuesday. I finally wore leatherette skirt I got from Forever 21. It's so...shiny and squeaky. It's easy to go overboard when styling it but I wanted to look clean and classy, hence, I toned it down with black everywhere.

Forever 21 top and skirt / Shoe Ettiquette pumps / Pinkbox bangle / Aldo snake ring

I was also supposed to make a date look tutorial but I made a mess with my eyeshadows. -_- I do love how the eyeliner turned out though! I used a thick black Dolly Wink liner on top, then dotted some brown K-Palette on the bottom lashes to make them look thicker without actually creating a line.

I would call myself a relatively happy and optimistic person. The secret? I don't worry about the things I can't change. I work around them instead of cracking my head open trying to get through. I know in my bones that there are other (maybe even) better things to want, to conquer. There's always something else for me, I just need to keep an eye out for it. And so do you!

Dress, heels, belt from Forever 21 / Pinkbox bangles, ring and ribbon

Makeup: Models Own Hyper-Brite Lipstick in Annalise's Pink, Revlon ColorStay nail polish in Wild Strawberry, Stila In The Garden Palette (eyeshadows), Fairydrops Volume Burst Mascara

Yesterday Snaps and I were part of a photoshoot for Purple Groom. It was fun, super! I'll post BTS photos once I've post-processed everything. For now here's what I had on. I really like this look - in fact I bought the blazer and skirt together to match! Again, both are from SM, this time the ladies wear section. Lol. Am I a walking billboard for SM or what? I am not connected to them in any way, I just really like shopping there.

Folio blazer / Blanc et Noir skirt / Wacoal corset / Forever 21 necklace / Pinkbox bangle and ring / Charles & Keith heels

...And here I am about to be run over by a cab. I don't know how fashion bloggers do it! 0_0

I have too much makeup that sometimes I forget the really good ones in my stash. There are so many new things coming in, therefore more new things to love and maybe even rave about, that I neglect my old picks. Take this Avon UMR lipstick in Carmen Rose. I believe I've only worn this twice since I got it in February. Seriously, wth. It's a fab red lipstick that suits me perfectly!

I would describe Carmen Rose as a brilliant ruby red. It's not something one would call classic since it's quite shiny, but if you like a more modern, younger red, I think you'll take to Carmen Rose. :)

That said, I did this look upon the request of a reader. The reader, who is ironically named Cherry, asked if I can post a photo of me wearing the MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Blue Stripe. I said "ironically named" because Cherry said she is afraid of red.

This is what I wore yesterday to an event. I didn't want to overthink it so I just put on stuff that I felt naturally went together. Seriously, five inch heels and a good bag can make even the simplest of dresses look, well, dressy. 

Kashieca dress/ Charles & Keith heels/ Pinkbox bangle and ring/ SM belt/ Louis Vuitton bag

As for the look, I found inspiration from Ginnifer Goodwin. I've been keeping this photo for Lord knows how long! I meant to copy the look but somehow always wound up with neutrals or colors. 

I love it! Skin is matte and flawless, eyes are heavy on the top with black eyeshadow, winged out eyeliner, and loads of mascara. Cheeks have a slight peachy blush while lips are nude.

At first glance, it looks like something only a fair-skinned girl can wear, but with some tweaks, I adjusted it for medium Asian skin like mine.

You know, not a lot of people look good in white (me included). White is such a fattening non-color when it comes to clothing. Buuut I don't really care. I still have a soft spot for white dresses so I can never seem to let go of the ones I have. Here's an old one, from around two years back, that I wear every so often.

Eyelet dress and cardigan from Market! Market! / Headband and bangle from Pinkbox

So yeah, had that on yesterday. As for the makeup I just decided to go with something "happy" looking, light eyeshadow, pink cheeks and lips. I haven't been wearing a lot of makeup lately because I simply don't have the time. I'm having fun digging through my makeup collection though, which means I'm re-discovering some old but good products in my stash.

Face: Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW liquid foundation, Lancome Maqui Blanc powder, Artdeco Camouflage Cream Concealer, Clinique Airbrush Concealer (under eyes)

I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I have no interior design sense whatsoever. I don't know how to dress up a space and even how to pick furniture. Sure I like a few pieces but I have absolutely no idea where to put them or how to make them work with the furniture we already have. That's why our two-bedroom condo looks a bit...haphazard.

Peacocks top / Landmark skirt/ Ferretti espadrilles/ Pinkbox necklace

But it is home and we have all the stuff we need. It's just not particularly fixed up! Anyway, this is what I wore to watch Prometheus with Marco last Sunday. I always dress down when I'm with him because he's so chill. Too chill, in my opinion, but who's asking!