It's always a treat to hang out with fellow beauty bloggers, no matter where or what for. You see, most of us have day jobs that are worlds away from what we gab about online, so getting together is the best opportunity to actually talk about makeup and skincare as true-blue hobbyists. It's not like we talk beauty - in-depth - to our bosses and friends, no?

Bambi, me, Kira

The House of Obagi dinner was one such opportunity to get together. The best beauty and fashion bloggers, as well as members of the press, got to hang out and of course find out more about the brand's new skincare line called Obagi 360. It's hard to explain thoroughly in just a few sentences, but I'll try (and you can always refer to the document below for more information)!

Obagi 360 is a collection of HOO's best selling individual products that are put together to work "synergistically" with your skin. It carries the Obagi Nu-Derm Foaming Gel, Toner, Clear, Exfoderm, Blender, Physical Sunscreen SPF 32, Pro-C 10%, Elastiderm Eye Cream, and TR Complex - HOO's dream team. Obagi 360 also recommends its treatments to go along with 360 for your best skin yet.

Here are more photos of the event!

Lissa Kahayon, Marj Sia, Sophie Uy

If you look inside my bag - at any time, in any bag I'm using at the moment - you'll see the Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover Powder (P850). I like carrying it around because the compact is pretty and unique, plus it's handy for blotting in the middle of the day without getting my face looking cakey. I find to be a basic, non-fussy powder which is exactly what I need for retouching.

That doesn't mean that this is just for retouching. This well-milled silky powder instantly smoothens and mattifies skin, blurring out pores, so it's also an excellent finishing powder on top of liquid/ cream makeup. 

What I love about the product

• Very smooth, airbrush finish. It's subtle, but it's there. Does it even out pores? I don't have big pores so I can't tell. But I notice an overall smoothness when I use this.
• Translucent shade can easily match fair to medium skintones.

You know those pesky Facebook ads? They can be annoying, but they're useful sometimes! That's how I found out that The Pink Slippers Boutique is selling the Sigma Flare Eyeshadow Palette. It's part of the latest palette collection of Sigma featuring eight eyeshadows bundled in with a double-ended brush (the E55 and E40). At P2,000 it looks expensive, but I think the brush + eight eyeshadows more than make up for the cost. Bought this a couple of weeks back and I really enjoy the brush, most of all.

What I love about the product

• Great selection of fun colors - warm and cool - that can work well together. Indeed, this is the one feature that convinced me to buy the palette. 
• Intensely pigmented with the right eyeshadow base.

Eyeing that Forever 21 dress but put off buying it for some reason or other? Well, there's no reason now since Forever 21 Makati is having a three-day sale with selected items at 50% off! I hope I can catch the sale this weekend, there are some pieces I've been mooning over. X-ing fingers!

There’s just so much to look forward to at the Forever 21 3 Day Sale at SM Makati from August 19 to 21:

• Aug 19 10AM-12nn: 10% off on regular priced items when you use your SM Advantage Card/BDO Rewards/SM Prestige Card.

I got this Wet n' Wild Fast Dry Nail Color in Gray's Anatomy (P199) a few months ago at Watsons. I tried it once, but I didn't like how it was so sheer that even three layers weren't enough! This time though I decided to use an opaque base just to make the duochrome effect pop out. I'm glad to report that it worked. :D

This duochrome effect is very similar to Chanel's Peridot polish at only a fraction of the price. Don't be fooled by the bottle though, the effect is not as pronounced when worn. You'll see it only at certain angles.

When I first saw the Bobbi Brown Tortoise Shell Collection in Temptalia a couple of months back, I was floored. I like the theme and the fact that this collection is targeted towards women who wear glasses (me)! You see, it's a more difficult to use makeup when you wear glasses since they bring focus to the eyes. You don't want to be caught dead with droopy or tired-looking eyes, right? The Tortoise Shell Eyeshadow Palette is specifically designed to highlight our peepers without them looking overdone or trying hard. 

Aside from the palette, a set of mini-brushes with tortoise shell handles will be making a debut. If you've ever wanted to try Bobbi Brown brushes but can't afford them, this set is your best bet since you won't have to pay full price for them to get the same quality. It's P3,000 for the set but that's considerably less expensive than the normal size brushes which can go up to P2,000 a piece.  

Click after the jump to get more tips from Bobbi Brown on how to wear makeup with glasses on!

I was so giddy when I got my grubby hands on these Pinkbox goodies. I made sure to pick items that I'll wear a lot in my day-to-day activities since I've made the mistake of choosing accessories that are, er, too flashy for just running bank errands or doing groceries before. Don't get me wrong, I love flashy accessories! But I figured it's time to get pieces that are a *bit* more subdued than my usual fare.

Here goes!

I like this faux pearl and gold chain necklace because I can wear this with practically anything. I can jut put on shorts and a t-shirt and this won't look too much. I can wear a fancy dress and this is just the right complement. 

I was also wearing this headband in that look. It added a feminine touch to everything.

When I think of great blushes I first think of NARS, then MAC, and (because of Sophie's rave) Bobbi Brown. I didn't think of Estee Lauder because the brand isn't really famous for their makeup; they seem to have focused on making great skincare and fragrances instead. So when I got this blush palette from the EL holiday set I bought last year, I really wasn't expecting much.

Don't you love it when I'm wrong? The Estee Lauder Deluxe Blush Compact is a great find because it does everything a blush needs to do exceptionally well. The colors are also thoughtfully selected, since there are shades that can match any skintone and look.

Specifically, the blushes included in the compact are called Signature Silky Powder Blushes. Let's go!

What I love about the product 

• Super pigmented. Check out the swatches! I always use a light hand, which means that I save up on product. I've been using these since October 2010 and I haven't hit pan - granted, I use other blushes at the same time, but I use this one pretty often.

Hello! I'd just like to announce the commenter of the month winner for July. Her name is Ivy Boto. I really enjoyed reading her well thought-out comments both on this blog and on Facebook! Hope you enjoy the Colour Collection set I'm sending over, these products are seriously some of my faves in my kit. ;)

Now, this is a bit unusual, but I would like to announce a runner-up CoM. Her name is Mrs. Brigoli. I love her enthusiasm in commenting as well as how she writes her comments. I would love to send her a blush (she's on a blush phase, I hear), but I'm afraid I don't have anything brand new at the moment. I'll just send over this Elizabeth Arden White Glove Extreme Skincare sample set. Will also add a couple of goodies.

Now, are you ready for the CoM August gift? :D

Yes, Tony Moly!

Ok, back story: I've been looking for an awesome blush brush since June. I don't want any normal brush. I want something I will look forward to using everytime I wear makeup, something that feels luxurious and beautifying. Have I lost my mind? I looked far and wide for this mythical brush. There are only two brushes I seriously considered: one from Japonesque and the MAC 116 brush. The problem is that they both cost roughly P2,000. I told mysef to save up, I still have other items to knock off my list (such as a new camera, phone, and the Clinique Derma White Super City Block - such an awesome SPF product). So I didn't get my dream brush.

That is, until I saw this Marionnaud Premium Blush Brush (P299) in SM Makati last Saturday.

I was trolling the beauty aisles aimlessly that afternoon. One of the many Marionnaud stands was right smack in the middle of the walkway so I didn't miss it. I first saw the powder brush, it looked new plus it cost P500! Since when did Marionnaud brushes cost P500 a piece? The label says Marionnaud Premium. I immediately looked for a blush brush and wham! There it was.

I'll go on ahead and say that this is PERFECT. This is what I've been looking for. Don't bother reading my review, dash away and get one from Watsons/ SM Department Store!

What I LOVE about this product

• The natural hair is incredibly soft with the right density. It feels like a dream on my face.
• The brush is the right size and angle for both blushing and contouring. You'll remember that the cheaper Marionnaud blush/contour brush doesn't do much but contour (unevenly while it's at it). This new brush is worlds better.

These days, I never leave the house without wearing perfume. It's the final finishing touch to my look, that factor that holds the whole thing together and establishes the mood I want to hold for the day. Yes, a scent is that important!

One perfume I recently got the chance to try is the Mary Kay Bella Belara (P2,300) EDP. It's a sweet floral scent that's not too young or cloying, if you get my drift. The top notes have fruity elements like nectarine and apricot, while the mid-notes sing of rose and jasmine. The dry-down is a subtle wood and moss combo, the perfect finish that sets everything to ground.

My verdict? It's nice! The Mary Kay Bella Belara is something I'd wear with floral-printed dresses and lacy tops since its subtle sweetness complements that particular look. I recommend this happy scent to women who are quiet, elegant, and always smiling.

And now, for the contest! If you want to get your own bottle of Bella Belara, simply accomplish the steps below to join the raffle. It's super easy to join! :D

One product I've only recently tried is the Dove Foaming Makeup Remover (P350). It was introduced to beauty writers just last Tuesday at the Watsons Beauty Lab so it's literally fresh off the shelves.

It's a great product, but I have to say that it's not new. Pond's has the same thing called the Gold Radiance Boosting Cleansing Mousse which they launched last October. I'm a fan of it alright (I finished off a 150ml bottle), but it has limitations - it can't take off eyeliner or mascara so it's really more for removing face makeup. The Dove Foaming Makeup Remover has no such limitation! It comes with a couple of caveats though.

What I love about the product

• Melts off face makeup (foundation, concealer, powder, blush) quickly and efficiently. It dissolves eyeliner and non-waterproof mascara with gentle rubbing so it's a one-stop makeup remover for the whole face.
• A little goes a long way. I use three pumps for my whole face.

Last week, I was complaining to Kira that I am running out of content. "It's such a struggle! I have nothing to write about! How am I going to maintain my two posts every weekday routine?", I moaned. The universe must have heard me and decided to send a deluge of stuff all at the same time. My place is a mess right now since it's full of press material!

I'm not complaining of course! I only wish I have a minimum of three faces so I can churn out reviews faster. As it stands it's going to take a bit of time to go through everything I received from all the kind brands who support this blog (thanks so much, you know who you are!). In the meantime, I'd like to share some of the things I'm excited to try! Out of everything I got, these are the most intriguing and promising. My beauty product sense was tingling as I swatched these.

Skincare and illuminator in one? Why not! Estee Lauder recently launched their Idealist line which features a Cooling Eye Illuminator and an Even Skintone Illuminator serum. I've been using the eye cream, I am always amazed that the applicator is cold even though I never put it in a fridge. I can also skip under eye concealer with it!

I squealed (internally!) when I received the Clinique Superbalanced Powder Makeup yesterday. I'm on the hunt for a new HG powder foundation and who, knows, this might be it!

I know, Tony Moly again! Can't help it, I have quite a number of TM products here. They're too intriguing not to review! This time, I'd like to talk about the Tony Moly Nail Polish in NEO2 (P178), a traffic cone orange that really grabs attention. This is the brand's latest color and will be out later this August.

To be honest with you, I didn't think I'd like it. I've never worn orange on my nails, much less a bright neon one that can go dangerously wrong in so many ways. I was afraid that this kind of orange will look tacky, but surprise surprise, it actually looks quite classy on the nails.

I'm sure you've seen this kind of brush before - a brush with two ends, a flat, angled one, and one with a spoolie. I never appreciated them because they didn't do much for my eyebrows. Sure the spoolie end is good for blending, but the angled end doesn't pick up enough brow powder nor apply it evenly because the brush is made of synthetic hair (which is best for cream/liquid makeup).

I like this dense eyebrow brush from Nichido for applying eyebrow color but I find it too stiff and hard to wield properly. The tiny brush that comes with the In2It Waterproof Eyebrow Color works well except that it's too small to be comfortable. Yes, I'm Liz McWhiny! I don't know of any brand that makes the perfect eyebrow brush for me!

That is, until Charm made THIS.

Why is this different from brushes you can find in the mall? The thing that sets the Charm Double-Ended Eyebrow Brush apart from all the other brushes is its thick, natural hair that is the right density and stiffness for applying eyebrow powder.

I'm low on eyeshadow primer so I went on a swatching spree a couple of weeks back to decide on a new one. I LOVE the  Urban Decay Primer Potion and the  Too Faced Shadow Insurance - two cult favorites in their own right - but I still want to check out other locally available eyeshadow primers. Laura Mercier's primer looks promising, but I didn't want to spend P1,000 at that time.

I ended up buying the E.l.f. Eyelid Primer Collection (P249)

The E.l.f Eyelid Primers aren't comparable to UDPP or TFSI, but hey do the job of intensifying eyeshadows and keeping them more or less intact during the day. That's not too bad considering the friendly price tag they come with. 

The set has three shades of the primer: Champagne, Sheer, and Pearl. Champagne is a dirty, shimmery beige-brown that looks weird on my lids as a primer. It definitely doesn't look like the usual champagne shade! Sheer is, well, sheer, although it leaves a whitish cast on my medium skintone that I still need to blend out afterwards. Pearl is white with big, gritty glitters that really look off on skin.