Thrifted sequined dress/ Muji stockings/ Charles & Keith oxford heels

...I actually don't know what I was going for in this look. I do know that I loved the delicate, twinkling blue sequins of the dress so I had to put it on at least once in my life! I wore it to low tea at the Manila Peninsula with blogger friends. Elizabeth Arden hosted the event since they wanted to introduce their latest perfume called Pretty Hot. I'll post a detailed review of that scent soon, but in the meantime, here are a few more snaps of that idyllic afternoon!

Those chocolates are TDF!

I've been looking everywhere for a cool mint nail polish, so I'm glad that I finally found this one from The Face Shop! It's only P95, too. It's quite streaky so I had to apply a LOT of product - two thick coats - before I got the smooth finish I was gunning for. I used the Orly Top 2 Bottom as base and finishing coat.

The nail polish actually looks a little greener in person. Love how it looks like on my nails. :D

Majolica Majorca released two new Jeweling Eyes Palettes (P795) in their Sugary Trap Collection - one in bronzy browns and another in candy pinks! So pretty, I tell you. I've been using Caramelisee (BR631) pretty regularly since it's so flattering on the eyes. Sugar Cookie (PK330) is cute, but I have yet to find an occasion to wear it. I promise I'll take a snap when I do!

Both palettes have warm colors that can work with our tan Asian skin. I like that they show up well even without a base, plus the sponge applicator is actually useful.

Contest time! I thought of doing something more fun than the usual like-comment game. You see, I'm running out of FOTD inspirations, and perhaps you can help me and others who'd like to try out new looks! So, all you need to do is post your best FOTD (face of the day) on my Facebook page, and then I'll pick the best. I'll try to copy it too. :D

So here's what's up for grabs:

It's super easy to join!

Mechanics

1. Do your best FOTD and post it on the Project Vanity Facebook Wall. Don't forget to list down the products you used.

We don't have spring here in the Philippines, but that shouldn't stop us from wearing spring colors! I was inspired by one of Avon's quad palettes so I built this look around its pretty green, pink, and blue colors.

Now, the trick to wearing pastel eyes is to make sure that all the colors sort of melt in together. Use brushes that can give you the precision you need, such as a domed bullet brush for the crease, a mid-sized flat brush for the lid, and a big fluffy brush for blending all the harsh edges.

Face: Majolica Majorca Pore Cover Skin Remaker foundation, The Balm Liquid Time Balm concealer, Clinique Blended Face Powder in 20 Invisible Blend

Cheeks: Revlon Matte Powder Blush in Perfectly Peach

We're brainwashed to think that the higher the SPF number, the better. Well sure, higher SPF means that you get more protection, but did you know that the protection is not increased proportionally? "SPF 15" means that you will not burn/damage under the sun 15 times longer than when you are without it. "SPF 30" means that you can stay 30 times longer without damaging your skin.

Says the American Melanoma Foundation: "Consumers need to be aware that SPF protection does not increase proportionally with an increased SPF number. While an SPF of 2 will absorb 50% of ultraviolet radiation, an SPF of 15 absorbs 93% and an SPF of 34 absorbs 97%." Read up more about sun protection here and here.

All things considered, an SPF of 30 to 50 is already a good number for daily use. Any number higher than 50 is just a little extra - it's not a necessity. So you don't really have to HAVE an SPF130 sunblock like the one from Sun Play. But it would be nice if you did. 

The Sunplay Super Block with SPF130 (P349) is a white fluid with the consistency of water.

When I was in high school and college, you can bet good money that you won't catch me wearing flip flops outside. It was a principle thing. I considered the flip flop as a fashion faux pas when worn to somewhere else other than the house, palengke, or beach/resort. I didn't understand why girls insisted on wearing these rubber slabs to everywhere thinking it's cool.

Well, now I'm a little older and (I guess) wiser, so I've learned the value of this thing called compromise. Rubber slippers are quite comfy so they're my default choices for running errands like going to the bank or doing a grocery run. They're also perfect for a lazy stroll in the mall, just window shopping.

Sooo...I'd like you to meet my first ever pair of Havaianas! I know, I'm late. Very late. But the brand generously gifted me with one of the styles from their newest line called Slim Dolls. It features two traditional dolls from Russia and Japan - the Matryoshka (symbolizing health and family) and Kokeshi (for good luck and happiness). I got the Slim Kokeshi in Grey Silver (P1,495).

Tony Moly, the Korean cosmetic brand similar to Etude House and The Face Shop, quietly opened its first branch last April 30 in SM Fairview. I've never tried anything from the brand because I'm not so interested in Korean makeup, but I've read promising reviews of some of Tony Moly's very affordable products. 

Photos from Timeless Confection. Read her full blog post, she has more shots!

Tony Moly has the usual Korean fare: BB creams, face masks, skincare, perky makeup. Overall, I can't wait for a nearby branch to open so I can buy a couple of stuff for myself. Here's a list of future branches and their tentative opening months

I attended a couple of meetings last Thursday in Makati. They weren't really the formal type so I wore something comfortable, heat-friendly, and non-fattening! Anyway, I've been wearing this block-striped bodycon dress a lot lately. It's my absolute cheat dress right now, if  you must know. Thought the Ferretti wedges matched the dress's stripes so in they went.

No brand dress/ Thrifted chambray polo/ Satchel from Muradito/ Accessories from Avon/ Ferretti wedges

For the FOTD, I chose to wear as little makeup as possible. Since I like my skin lately, I opted for a sheer formula, lush lashes, and fool-proof red lips. It's my good ol' red lippie look only with different products.

Hi girls, hope you can grab Manila Bulletin's Style Weekend issue today! Aside from its the excellent cover story on our homegrown international supermodels, there's a great article on BB creams by Pierra Labrador. A couple of weeks back, she asked me for a quote about my fave BB creams, to which I wrote down an 890-word treatise. MY GOODNESS. 

What can I say, I got carried away. Pierra expertly cut it down to some two paragraphs. Whew. Here's the ish, plus my quote. :D Hope you like it!

I usually politely decline whenever PR companies and brand managers invite me to events about products unrelated to Project Vanity's niche. But last week, I made an exception for two events hosted by PLDT MyDSL! You see, Marco is crazy and I mean crazy about cars right now. Most of his free time is spent tinkering with his race car, watching car films, and reading car websites. It's quite irritating (to put it mildly).

In his favorite talyer (auto garage) in Fairview. Fairview! The things I do for love.

He watched the last four films of The Fast and the Furious franchise because, while he thought the story sucked, the fast cars alone are enough to make up for it. So when PLDT myDSL invited me to the exclusive movie premier of Fast Five last week, I knew he'd love to come! I do like seeing him happy.

Ultra Moisture Rich...Moisture Seduction? Yes Virginia, Avon has a new lipstick line coming out this June! The Avon Moisture Seduction Lipstick (P249) is built on their best-selling Ultra Moisture Rich line. They already have a winner formula in the UMR lipsticks, but it seems that the brand wants to push the envelope a little bit further by creating something ultimately more moisturizing.

The Avon Moisture Seduction line has 10 shades ranging from nudes to deep reds. It's infused with white swirls that seem to be lip balm, charging the colors with much-needed moisture.

Ribbons of moisture

What I love about the product

• Super moisturizing to the next level chuva. It feels like you're wearing lip conditioner. You definitely don't need to slather on lip balm before using Moisture Seduction.
• Zero flaking and drying. As in zero.

Don't you just hate how our faces turn into impromptu grease pans when the heat goes up? When I know that I'll be out the whole day, I take extra precautions to keep oil at bay. I use a reliable primer (Guerlain L'Or) and dust a generous amount of loose translucent powder on top of my makeup.

The Clinique Blended Face Powder and Brush in 20 Invisible Blend (P1,800) has been a trustworthy ally this past month or so. It's a huge help in absorbing oil! I like that it has very little coverage; since it's translucent, it doesn't make my face look too white. I love using it on top of tinted moisturizers like the Clinique Supermoisture Makeup and the Colour Collection Gluta-White BB Cream. This combo feels lighter than full makeup, plus it looks more natural since coverage is sheer. I just cover up spots with concealer.

What I like about the product

• The powder is fine and well-milled. It is easy to distribute evenly with a big fluffy brush.
• Helps control oil. When I have it on, oil becomes a problem only after four or five hours. (But then again, I use the Clinique Liquid Facial Soap for oily skin, which helps tremendously).

It's been two years and BB creams are still popular. They're not a topic for hysteria anymore, but there are still fans out there. And why shouldn't there be? Claims to providing blemish-free and beautiful skin aside, BB creams are awesome makeup bases or even substitutes to foundations. One such BB cream that's just been recently released is the Colour Collection Gluta-White BB Cream (P379 for 40mL).

I'll save you the suspense and tell you straight out that CC's BB cream is a pretty good product at a crazy cheap price. Never mind the BB cream label. It's a great makeup base and tinted moisturizer that doesn't make Pinay skin too oily or too white! It also has sun protection.

What I love about the product

• It's the right shade for me. I do wish it comes in a slightly darker shade though but it works for me as is. The shade is best for medium to light-medium skin with yellow undertones.
• The coverage is sheer, but it evens out my skin nicely and hides lighter blemishes. It basically lets my skin shine through while concealing minor imperfections.

I've held off wearing red lipstick for a while because summer demands more flirty colors, but now that the mood seems to be coming to an end, the classic palette is back. But that's just me though so don't take my word for it. ;) Hehe.

Anyway, one of my favorite shades of red is this new color from VMV Hypoallergenics. It's their Lip Glitter Gloss in Cherry Fizz (P1,200), a bright red with silvery blue glitters. I know that this is probably sounding a few alarm bells in your head, but don't worry - the glitters are quite fine so they don't really show when you have the gloss on.

The Lip Glitter Gloss formula is closer to being that of a lipstick than the usual lip gloss. It's highly pigmented and doesn't have that goopy feeling on the lips. You only need very little (like one dip) to apply the color evenly, so it feels comfy and cushy when worn.

Beauty cheers me up, in whatever form. God knows I need cheering up. Thanks to Elizabeth Arden for the gorgeous bouquet and their latest scent, Pretty Hot. It smells divine and sexy at the same time!