I've said this once and I'll say it again: Clinique makes some of the best foundations out there. The brand has a foundation for your major skin concerns, and the lasting power + finish are always amazing. My top Clinique foundation favorites are the Perfect Real Compact Makeup and the Superfit Makeup because they give the most natural finish that actually looks like my skin. They're second only to my Holy Grail foundation, the NARS Sheer Glow.

Anyway, today I'll talk about another favorite, the Clinique Supermoisture Makeup. It's Clinique's version of the tinted moisturizer, but without the limitations that usually comes with TMs. Convenient moisturizers that provide coverage are everywhere now - some of them cleverly called BB creams - but the main problem with these is that the shade selection and coverage are very limited. Not so with the Clinique Supermoisture Makeup!

What I love about the product

• I skip moisturizer when I use this! That's one step slashed from my makeup routine. You know I love the Clinique Moisture Surge, but sometimes I'm in a rush and I prefer to skip it.
• Light to medium coverage. It covers redness and light blemishes.
• Has a glowy, natural finish, as if I'm not wearing any makeup.

Do you like seeing your makeup together? I do! I'm sure you understand how I feel if, like me, you enjoy collecting and using makeup. You get that tiny thrill inside when you know that you have nice stuff you can depend on. 

That's why I thought to feature a neutral palette face-off. It's limited to my small collection of neutral palettes, but I wanted to quickly share with you my capsule review of each palette for, well, posterity. I've been steadily using neutrals most of the time these past few months, and I guess I want to keep tabs on my constant beauty companions. Hope you find this feature useful!

Note: Most of the palettes featured here are sadly limited edition or not available locally.

Let's start shall we?

I blogged last Saturday that I was off to Mercato Centrale, posting along with it a crappy web cam photo of my Topshop t-shirt. Lol. Nona (the lone commenter) asked to see what my outfit looks like.

This is not it:

Topshop burnout tee/ SM belt and elephant necklace/ Folded & Hung shorts/ Ichigo pink flats (not shown)

I thought this outfit was cute, but I found it a bit dressy for a casual two-hour stroll to a weekend market. Because seriously most girls there are just in their jeans and t-shirts, with barely any makeup on. I would hate to be overdressed for something that's supposed to be chill.

So I wore this instead!

The Colorescience Lip Polish is perhaps the most misleadingly named product I've ever come across. One can reasonably expect that something named "lip polish" will give gloss and shine, but that's not the case with this one from Colorescience. The finish is matte, and it's unlike any gloss - or lip product, for that matter - that I've tried.

Instead, I'd say that this is the best lip stain ever. It sticks like no one's business; at times I like to think of it as a semi-permanent lip tattoo. Okay now that's just a hyperbole, but I want to give you guys an idea of the level it performs.

The texture of the lip product itself is not waxy like lipstick, tacky like gloss, or watery/gel-like like your normal lip stain. Instead, it's oily. Yes, oily. That's what it will feel like on your lips when you apply it, but later on it will turn a bit sticky. 

The color on the tube looks like a dark berry red, but when applied, it's a very natural red-pink.

I got these shoes more than two weeks ago but I only remembered to post them now. Anyway! I love these shoes because they're super comfortable. I've been wearing them quite often lately since I'm mostly running errands these days. They're perfect with jeans and shorts for that carefree, preppy look. I'd say they're a nice masculine finishing touch to any outfit.

Everyone is rushing for Christmas by now, what with all the shopping, cooking, gift wrapping and parties. I know I'm stressed! So, I thought to have this little giveaway for all Project Vanity readers out there. I want you guys to relax and take a breather. I'm giving away three GCs from Qiwellness Spa that entitles the bearer to a 90-minute signature massage of his/her choice: Qitranquility, Qivitality, or Qireflexology.

You're getting not one, but THREE Qiwellness GCs. Since Christmas is a season for giving, I want you to give two other friends/family members a relaxing afternoon at the spa.

Here are the mechanics:

1. Like the Project Vanity Facebook page.

2. On your personal profile, paste this and tag the names of two friends: "I want to take @____ and @____ to Qiwellness spa for a free 90-minute massage. Visit this link for more details: http://www.projectvanity.com/projectvanity/2010/12/13/contest-alert-win-three-qiwellness-spa-gcs.html" 

This is what your Facebook entry should look like:

I just saw Kookie Buhain blog about these boots. Want so bad! Major shoe lust here! Whoever is handling Gold Dot is doing a fantastic job. I remember seeing Bestie tote a Gold Dot envelope bag once that also got me drooling.

I see them with socks, pleated skirts, loose shirts, polos - all in autumn colors. Now I know that the clogs trend has been rehashed to death, but I like this particular combination of laced boots and gold studs over a leather lining. These shoes have a tough look about them, but not so tough as to lose that element of femininity.  

I was browsing online a few days ago when I saw a link that led to the Avon Voices website. I was invited to the launch last December 1, but I wasn't able to make it so I just promptly forgot about it. I did have a vague idea that it was about empowering women, giving them a voice, something like that. It's Avon's advocacy after all. But when I saw the site, I was surprised that my impression was waaayyyy off the mark!

Avon Voices is actually the first-ever global online singing talent search. It's a contest for budding singers and songwriters all over the world! All they have to do is pick and/or write a song and upload it. There will be 200 finalists who will get to travel, receive professional coaching, Avon makeovers, and even record performance videos. The 200 will ultimately be whittled down to two winners - one an Avon Representative - who may get to record their own albums! So cool right?

Here are some photos during the Philippine launch at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Of course, Ms. Lea Salonga headed the charge not only as an Avon endorser but also as a world-class musician and one of the international judges for the contest.

Lea Salonga is ageless

Mechanics and more photos after the jump!

Eco bags are not a trend - they're here to stay! Using them helps reduce plastic waste, which we all know is not biodegradable. According to CNN, "What's wrong with plastic bags? Lots. They often wind up as litter, or in trees. They drift into oceans and rivers and kill fish. They can take 1,000 years to decompose. And every time we use a plastic bag, we drive up the demand for oil - which is used to make plastics."

Wow, a thousand years! Think about it. Something we used for two hours carrying a box of shoes can continue polluting the environment for a millennium. This is why I prefer shopping in stores that use re-usable paper bags instead of plastic ones! Also, when I buy something that can fit into my bag, I always tell the attendant to skip the plastic kasi kalat lang talaga. If I have to use plastic, I stuff as many things inside as humanly possible, then re-use the bag for the trash cans at home.

Now, I'm sure you've seen SM Eco Bags being sold at SM Supermalls nationwide. I'd like to invite you to use them because aside from the environmental angle, SM Eco Bags are total must-have because they're:

• Extremely convenient. Instead of toting several shopping bags at the same time, you can just put them inside the roomy fabric bag and sling it on your shoulder. 
• Fashionable. So you've got a great outfit going on while you're shopping, but you're carrying three or four plastic bags by hand. How unflattering! If you spend so much time primping, it wouldn't hurt to carry a pretty eco bag with you whenever you go out to shop. SM Eco Bags come in four wearable designs.

• Compact and light. They tie up neatly in a thin rectangular bundle and weigh almost nothing.

So yesterday one of the maintenance personnel in our condo knocked on the door and said that the power will be out from 11pm to 6am. As we had things to finish, Marco and I thought to stay in a hotel overnight. After calling up at least four hotels, we decided to settle on Marriott Manila since it's the nearest one (albeit not as affordable as I might like).

from the Marriott Manila website

I guess we just wanted to relax and break the routine for even just one day. Anyway, for those who are looking for a place to stay (especially Balikbayans, it's just right in front of NAIA 3) Mariott is a good choice. I wouldn't say the best since I expected a bigger room and at least a free breakfast because the rate is not cheap, but I am very happy with the service. I also loved the gorgeous pool area, which I sadly forgot to take a picture of before my 7am swim.

Food from the restaurant is just so-so for the price. We ordered spaghetti bolognese and kare-kare, which tasted rather bland. I think it cost P1,700 for the dinner, including drinks.

I have already mentioned a recent awesome discovery called Liberté. It's an in-house brand that can be found in Robinsons Department Stores. It sells modern, trendy basics as well as pieces with an unexpected, beautiful twist. The clothes are meant for yuppie corporate wear but I do believe that everyone who likes elegant clothes without breaking the bank will love this brand! Nothing is above P600!

Now I know that "trendy basics" sounds a bit like an oxymoron, so let me explain. Liberte takes basics, mashes them with the trending cut and fabric, and comes up with something infinitely wearable yet far from boring.

I guess I better just show you.

This is my favorite find from the brand. It's a dirty-white dress that's done in a sort of cotton-chiffon blend. It has this sexy triangle cut-out back that I sadly forgot to take a picture of! This dress is only P600 if I remember right.

A staple in the wardrobe of Hollywood A-listers such as Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Katherine Heigl, Lindsay Lohan, Emmy Rossum, Olivia Palermo, Fergie and Jessica Biel, Vita Fede is also a favorite among Manila’s fashionable celebrities including Ruffa Gutierrez, Georgina Wilson, Anne Curtis and Kris Aquino.

Known for attention to detail, Vita Fede is committed to using only the finest materials and techniques.

Clean & Clear used to be my go-to skincare brand during my adolescent years, but I have long since outgrown their formula and have tried and loved other brands. That's why I wasn't expecting much from Clean & Clear's newest facial wash called the Deep Action Cleanser.

However, surprise surprise! It's pretty awesome. I've been using it fairly regularly this past month. 

What I love about the product

• Amazing oil control. When I use this, my face holds up better under extreme heat and humidity. I still oil up of course, but let's say, only half as much as when I use other cleansers. I get and oil-free face for a good two to three hours with zero makeup; longer with makeup on, at four to six hours. That's nowhere near the promised 8 hours, but that's still quite an achievement! Please note though that I am not super oily. At best I only have combination-oily skin.
• Leaves my skin soft and glowy immediately after washing.

Have you checked up on your closet lately? In all your shopping sprees, have you remembered to stock up on the absolute basics? I did a closet sweep last week and noticed that out of my many my white t-shirts, I didn't have THE white t-shirt: a Hanes v-neck cotton shirt! How could I have been so foolish all these years?

The small size fit me perfectly, and better yet, it only cost me a little more than P200. How cool is that?

So anyway, speaking of basics, I love how the combination of my straight-cut Levi's jeans, Charles & Keith leather loafers, and thrifted faux leather jacket looks like! It's relaxed yet extremely stylish. Perfect for errand days and for meeting with friends. I also love that I can easily amp the look up with some accessories and crazy high heels.

Last week, I received a beauty loot from Anne, a friend who lives in Canada! You remember that I swapped with her last September. This is our picture with Noemz, another friend I met online, who kindly shipped the package to me even amidst her busy schedule!

me, Anne, Noemz

These two girls are the sweetest. We only met online, eventually met in person, and, thanks to the Internet, we manage to keep in touch! I can't wait for Anne to visit the Philippines again so we can have a proper dinner or something. 

Anyhoo, this is what Anne sent me:

Are these brogues? Oxfords? I am not entirely sure, so to be safe I'll just call them "laced flats". Lol. I was at The Ramp in Glorietta the other day and couldn't resist the lovely muted pink color of these shoes. If you haven't noticed yet, I love pinks - light pinks, specifically. These Ichigo shoes are just the perfect shade of pink in my book.

Love the box!

They're originally P900 something, but since Ichigo had a 40% off on some designs, I got them for only a little over P500! How awesome is that?

A friend of mine (hi Anne!) sent me this Maybelline palette from Canada. I don't buy Maybelline palettes because whenever I swatch one in the store, I always feel underwhelmed. However, I was really surprised by how this particular palette performed! The eyeshadows were silky, highly pigmented, and performed well over a base. Definitely a keeper.

Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad in Natural Smokes

I love the color selection because they make for a quick, flattering smoky eye that's not too dark. I'm not sure if this palette is available in the Philippines, but if they are, I will definitely buy one in different colors. 

Face: Clinique Supermoisture makeup, MAC Studiofinish concealer, Ellana mineral foundation and finishing powder, NARS Super Orgasm