Marco and I have always talked about getting a dog, but we never got around to actually pushing through with it. We live in a condo with rather strict pet rules, plus our schedule can be unpredictable sometimes! All the logical reasons point us toward NOT getting a dog. But last Saturday, we did not listen to reason.

I was in Tiendesitas, having a late lunch after a meeting. I knew that Marco was passing my way so I waited for him to pick me up. I've never EVER been to Tiendesitas before (I know, I know), so I took the opportunity to explore what the fabled shops have to offer.

I saw this Pomeranian.

There were lots of dogs everywhere, but they weren't interested in me, nor I with them. I wasn't looking to buy a dog to begin with. But when I met this Pomeranian puppy, he looked so happy to see me and immediately held his paws out of the cage. He also put his nose out so I can pat his head. We spent a few minutes like that, but I had to go since I knew I couldn't afford him right now.

I'm a huge, huge fan of Lisa Eldridge. She's a celebrity makeup artist based in London, who has done the faces of Emma Watson, Katy Perry, and Nicole Richie to name a few. Even with a successful career in makeup artistry, she still took the time to go into vlogging on YouTube. What sets her apart is how clearly she explains and demonstrates makeup techniques and trends with the experience of a true professional.

So, when she posted this video of her top makeup favorites after twenty years of using tons of products on herself and her clients, I got interested in the Clinique Airbrush Concealer (P1,300). If you've watched a number of her videos, you'll notice that this concealer is one of very few products she constantly uses. It's practically her default undereye concealer. Of course I had to get one for myself!

What I love about the product

• This concealer was not designed to be opaque like, say, the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit. Its coverage is quite light, working more as an undereye illuminator than as a traditional concealer because of its light-reflective properties.

For today, I thought I'd feature an interesting question from the Ask Liz! forum. If you have your own beauty question, just leave it there and I'll try my best to answer. Do make sure I haven't written about it before though!

Hey Liz, when I read the post, "6 Things I Learned From My Chemical Peel Experience" it shed more light on how I need to take care of my skin. And so I also worried. Aside from the basic 3 (cleanse, tone, moisturize), I was thinking about getting a facial and then maybe maintaining it since I heard it cleanses and rids dead skin cells (not sure). Also, I have acne scars. They are pretty small but they make a constellation in my face. Bottom line: do I consult to a dermatologist first? (having doubts since my case isn't as crucial) or get a facial already?

Audrey

Hi Audrey! Yup, that's definitely true, facials take off the old skin and clean blocked pores (blackheads, whiteheads). You can also have your pimples pricked so they won't get too big and leave a bigger blemish. Everyone should definitely do a facial once a month or, if your skin is pretty good already, once in every two months will do.

Of course, have it done by a derma instead of going to spas - a lot of people make that mistake!

Don't you just love how Manila is fast-becoming a world-class shopping mecca? All the best brands are finally arriving in our shoes, and the latest to join the growing list is Japanese casual fashion brand UNIQLO. It's definitely something Pinoys will love because we're very much into laidback basics.

SM, who recently brought Forever21 to Manila, will also carry UNIQLO. It's slated to open come early 2012 so that's something to look forward to next year! The good news is that judging by the pricing of F2, it's reasonable to speculate that UNIQLO pieces will still remain affordable.

I miss going to thrift shops (ukay-ukay). I used to visit once or even twice a week but these days my schedule rarely permits it. Nonetheless, I made time to go to one of my favorite haunts a few weeks ago. I only wore sunscreen and the In2It Waterproof Blush Set (P375), just to test out the latter.

To give you a backgrounder: it was HOT. Not just normal hot but really hot. On top of that the humidity was crazy, and it was even worse inside the ukay store. I came out after an hour or so, waited for a cab for around 15 minutes, and finally went home, sweaty, with two kilos of thrifted goodies.

So did the blush stay on? Yes. Yes it did. It was as vibrant as I applied it and stayed color true. Aside from the reliable lasting power, it also looked very natural, unlike other similarly-priced blushes that seem to just sit on top of the cheeks!

What I love about the product

• Stays on for at least five hours with no fading. It's waterproof (meaning it doesn't melt upon contact with water, even if you rub it) so it can withstand sweat and occasional splashes of rain. It's also great for oily skin.
• Impressive shade selection that's designed to flatter Pinay skin. There are four shades, but you actually get three different colors in one pan.

After writing the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil post, I got to wondering how many makeup removers I've stashed in the past year. I have a tendency to hoard, in case you don't know yet! After taking stock, it seems that I have...sixteen different makeup removers at the moment. I have the Clinique Take The Day Off but I forgot to add it in the picture.

Anyway, this won't be a battle royale a.k.a comparison post because I haven't reviewed some of these products yet. However, I thought I'd write a little more about the different types of makeup removers. Hopefully this information will help you better decide on what's ideal for your skin type and lifestyle!

Cream-based makeup removers are milky in appearance and rich in texture. They're best for girls with really dry skin because they moisturize while taking off the makeup. Usually, you need to massage cream removers into your skin to break the makeup down completely so they take more time to use. Can work for face, eye, and lip makeup.

Best buys: Estee Lauder Take It Away Total Makeup Remover, Pond's Cold Cream, Yves Rocher Serum Vegetale Cleansing Milk

The humid weather in the Philippines is the perfect breeding ground for oily t-zones and blocked pores. The sweat and sebum we generate while wearing makeup is no joke, so we try to wash them off with soap or alcohol-based cleansers because we feel cleaner that way. But did you know that normal makeup removers can strip your face of moisture?

The truth is, soap-based makeup removers are quite drying while cream removers are too heavy ang may clog your pores more (because the skin tends to absorb it). That's why cleansing oils may be the best option for Pinay skin because they're gentle while removing makeup, oil, and dirt mercilessly. It may sound counterintuitive that you're trying to clean your skin using oil when you should be avoiding it, but believe me, it works better that way!

For that purpose, one of the best, if not The Best out there is the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil. Google it, I'll wait.

Ok satisfied? :D Shu Uemura's CO is an old cult favorite for a reason. I've tried a few cleansing oils before - waaay cheaper ones - and found that they work really well for the price, but there are a few things that makes Shu Uemura worth the dough if you can spare it. Let me count the ways!

Patrick Alcober, Shu Uemura's top makeup artist, explains the magic of milk

• It emulsifies into a nice, milky texture that you can wash off easily with absolutely no residue on your skin. Cheaper cleansing oils may feel like they leave a film on your face, so you use another cleanser to wash it off. Not with Shu Uemura! Skin is left feeling clean, soft, and moisturized after you wash it off.
• It has skin benefits like anti-aging, brightening, moisturizing, purifying, etc. so it's more than just makeup remover - it's technically skincare.

There's an upcoming party that's gathering a lot of buzz lately. Can you guess? ;) Well, it's the Multiply Shopping Party happening this October 18 at Whitespace, Makati! It's for fashionistas and makeup enthusiasts who love shopping for unique finds online. This time, all your favorite Multiply stores will be brought to you in an exciting night featuring a fashion show and live performances from DJ Mars Miranda and rock band Techy Romantics.

The catch: you have to have tickets to get in. But since I love you, I'm giving away 20 tickets to 10 Project Vanity readers! How to get the tickets? It's painfully easy. 

One of my best finds in a while is this Randy Ortiz x Kashieca convertible dress I got in Greenbelt 5 some weeks ago. Did I say convertible? It can be worn as a skirt, a venus cut dress, or as a tube dress. Best thing about it is that I got it at 70% off! It was originally around P2,500 but I got it for ~P700. It's an old collection, but it's definitely timeless.

Randy Ortiz x Kashieca dress | SM belt | Ferretti bag | YRYS boots | Pinkbox and Parfois accessories

I wore this look to a coffee date with a Project Vanity reader (hi Sara!) yesterday. She will be reviewing a couple of cool products for the blog soon so that's one thing I'm looking forward to.

Oh, here's my bronzy blue eyeshadow. It's a combination of Shu Uemura and Majolica Majorca colors! Patrick Alcober, one of Shu's top makeup artists, mentioned that the best way to wear blue is to mix it with brown.

Christmas is in two months, and while that's more than enough time to prepare, it pays to start early. Malls will be unnavigable by November so it's best to start your Christmas shopping right now. Are you out of Christmas gift ideas? No sweat, I have a few of my own!

Of course, this list is intended mostly for your female friends and relatives. Even if they're not kikay, they'll definitely appreciate these very affordable beauty treasures! They're guaranteed to brighten anyone's day since they work extremely well. On your end, they don't cost much BUT they're far from looking cheap and ending up on your recipient's re-gift basket. ;)

Let's do it!

Asian Secrets Lulur is hands-down the best body scrub I've EVER tried. More importantly, I'm not the only one who thinks so! Almost everyone has tried tried it loved it. No joke. It's only P130 in Watsons too.

WHO TO GIVE IT TO: A friend or relative who's always stressed, with skin looking a little dull. This scrub instantly brightens skin and allows the user to loosen up and enjoy the gentle scrub beads.

The Avon Ultra Moisture Rich Lipstick is one of the most user-friendly lipsticks I've ever tried, with a quality similar to high-end brands. It's moisturizing so you don't need lip balm - swipe and go! It's perfect for your low-maintenance friend who's looking a little pale.

I’m not that big on mouthwash because the stuff tastes awful. You know it’s true! Maybe it’s just me but using most mouthwashes these days is equivalent to mild torture - it stings your mouth and leaves it with a burning sensation for a while after you spit it out. That’s not really something I want to subject myself to on a regular basis.

I do however still use mouthwash every now and then, particularly when I want my breath to be fresher for a few more hours. It’s really useful when I’m going to a meeting or an event where I need to be at my most confident.

Still, I know, I know, we should all use mouthwash everyday. It goes beyond giving us fresh breath - it also helps with preventing plaque build-up and tooth decay. It’s just one of those unpleasant things you have to live with I guess...but not really. It seems that I’m not the only one with ~issues~ so Swish swooped down to solve the problem!

There are three neat things that sets Swish apart from other mouthwashes that I’ve tried before.

1. Swish is super fun to gargle, so I can actually swish it around for a good 30 seconds (and more!) without wanting to throw it up. It’s because these mouthwashes don’t have any alcohol content.

Blemish-prone women on a budget, rejoice! Now there's no need to save up for MAC, Makeup Forever, or Cinema Secrets concealers with a cheap substitute in town: the Revlon PhotoReady Concealer (P725).

This concealer is THE BOMB. It's highly pigmented, almost opaque, creamy, and has pretty good staying power in our humid weather. The best part really is the P725 price tag. Even with a quality similar to high-end concealers, the price is still friendly to those who are always looking for more affordable alternatives to expensive brands.

What I love about the product

• Medium to heavy coverage in a couple of swipes. 
• Didn't break me out - always a major plus. I was worried that it will but my fears were for naught. It's fragrance and paraben-free.

Friday fun day! Hope everyone is feeling perky and happy. As for me I feel like Marvin the Paranoid Android, dour and in a perpetual funk. A new book and a movie should fix me up quick.

Anyway, I just want to share a couple of FOTDs I wore this week. They're neutrals because I wore them to meetings; their main difference really is the color story. One is predominantly peach while the other is coral-y. Lately, these are my favorite themes since I find that they brighten up my face instantly. So if you're yellow-toned, you must try peach or coral makeup (if you haven't yet!) with gold eyes. Always a winner combo!

Face: MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer, Revlon Photoready Compact Foundation, Jane Iredale mineral foundation

Cheeks: Yves Rocher Bronzer and Shimmer Powder Duo (matte side to contour), In2It Waterproof Blush Set in Sentiment

A couple of weeks ago, French skincare brand Yves Rocher invited me to their official launch at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. I didn't know quite what to expect because the invite requested me to proceed to a suite instead of a function room or restaurant where events are usually held. Well, I'm always up for something new!

The Luzon Suite was transformed into a foot spa and makeup paradise surrounded by Yves Rocher's products. There was a makeup artist who was only eager to give everyone a makeover, and an attendant who did an excellent job at giving a foot scrub, massage, and pedicure. I like that the atmosphere was very relaxed and intimate. The whole afternoon was also very educational as I got to learn more about the 50-year old French household name.

Getting a foot spa!

Yves Rocher was one of the first, if not the first, to produce beauty products consistently sourced from botanical ingredients. They did it waaay before it was trendy to be green, organic, natural, and animal cruelty-free! Each product is created with as little harmful chemicals and preservatives as possible, and are inspired by a particular plant in mind.

Face products

YR's best-selling product, Elixir 7.9 (P990)

All the ingredients are planted, harvested, and manufactured in Yves Rocher's farm in the village of La Gacilly, in France. Yves Rocher, the founder, was a small-time businessman in rural La Gacilly.

I planned to talk about the Dear Me BB Cream and the powder Pact in one post, but it's too long and I have too many pictures. So I decided to do it in two parts! This time, I'll be reviewing the Tony Moly Dear Me Petit Cotton Pact (P348).

This powder compact is pretty nice since it blots oil without giving any coverage. If you love the Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover but found it too expensive or too matte, this compact by Tony Moly is a great substitute.

What I like about the product

• Very soft, satiny texture. The powder is well-milled and not chalky at all! The texture sort of reminds me of the waaay expensive Guerlain Meteorites.
• This translucent powder has no coverage, which makes it perfect for retouching. It can work with any skintone.

You'll remember that I really liked the Tony Moly Baby Doll BB Foundation, so I was looking forward to try other BB creams from the brand. I just waited until my pimples cleared up before trying the Tony Moly Dear Me Petite Cotton BB Cream (P348). I was super relieved when I didn't break out again! I think I'm hiyang with Tony Moly face products, thank goodness.

Anyway, the Dear Me BB Cream has a few interesting things to offer, enough that you may want to check it out for yourself.

What I love about the product

• Good for oily and sweaty skin! It's creamy but it dries up quickly when you apply it - and stays that way. It's more or less water resistant, and it also doesn't melt in a goopy mess even under the midday heat. Perfect for the schizophrenic Manila weather, if I do say so myself.
• Great coverage. It covers light blemishes and eyebags pretty darn well. Actually, I think it's an excellent undereye concealer.