Mascara for your bottom lashes? Why not! It's an awesome idea, actually. I've poked my eyes many times with a normal mascara wand, trying to coax those itty bitty bottom lash hairs into existence. For someone like me with sparse, short lower lashes, a mascara specifically designed for them is heaven sent! It's perfect for getting that clean, wide, doll-eyed look or just generally younger-looking peepers. Lush fringe of lashes = illusion of younger, less tired eyes.

The Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara (P1,150) is exactly as it is called: a mascara for your lower lashes. It has a small, conical wand that can easily coat fine lashes without messing up the skin around it. The wand is a breeze to maneuver and could actually also be used as a mascara for those hard-to-reach upper lashes near the inner corner of the eyes.

It's pretty awesome. Here's why!

What I love about the product

• Volumizes and lengthens in one coat. One coat is usually enough to bring the lower lashes out; two coats give a little too much va-voom for me.
• Doesn't smudge. Very valuable since the mascara is precariously used in the smudge zone - the lower lid.

Last Friday, I was invited by SM and OMD Media to talk about their newest campaign. They just launched the Redhead Model Search, and they're inviting everyone to join! They will be choosing the three new faces of Redhead, SM's clothing line for spunky young women. So if you're 15-25 y/o with the "k" and the guts to be one of the future top models in the country, I highly recommend you compete. This might be your big chance at the spotlight!

Can you strut it?

Flaunt it?

And pose like you mean it? Then join The Redhead Model Search now! Here are the detailed mechanics for your perusal:

Estee Lauder just relaunched their lipstick line, Pure Color. You'll remember that I reviewed it some months ago - the EL Pure Color is definitely one of my favorite lipstick formulas ever. Whenever I blog about a lipstick, I use this line as my basis for determining what the ideal formula should be like.

Estée Lauder and Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux introduce new Pure Color Lipstick, uniting fashion and technology with two new luxurious formulas that set the stage for modern lip looks. The high-performance formulas are fused with an expansive palette of hues that promise a lip look for any desired occasion from a subtle whisper of color to a vivacious, siren red. These lipsticks are expertly crafted and specially formulated to maintain the highest quality of color performance, shine and wear… the new Pure Color Lipstick.

Now, Estee Lauder would like to give Project Vanity readers a chance to win P3,500 worth of EL products! Simply answer the question: what's your mood today and why? Here are the mechanics

Mechanics

1. Like the Project Vanity FB Page and the Estee Lauder Philippines FB Page.

So, this is the look I wore to the Bloggers United bazaar last Friday. I was inspired by my turquoise nails at that time, so I thought of building a look centered on an eyeshadow called Shattered from Urban Decay. It's a golden teal, almost turquoise shade that's super flattering on Pinay skin.

I wanted to keep things light since I'm going to two events in the afternoon. I added a rich golden eyeshadow from MAC to add depth to the eyes and a nude brown color to blend everything seamlessly. Lips and cheeks were downplayed since the eyes had center stage.

Face: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, MAC Studio Finish concealer, Clinique Blended Powder to set, Guerlain Meteorites

I was at the Ferretti store in Glorietta 5 last Saturday to turn over receipts (I work for the the brand) when I spotted the new bags. It was love at first sight! I immediately bought one of the structured satchels since I am into that particular look right now.

Well, I was once seriously considering those Cambridge bags but a friend aptly observed that they're the new Longchamps - meaning everyone had them. I prefer having more unique pieces, and this Ferretti bag fit the bill (quite literally, too, since this style is only available in very very limited quantities).

Did I mention that the bag is just P899? :D It also comes in light taupe.

The truth is, mascaras mainly differ from each other through their wands. A winning formula plays a role but it's really the wand that seals the deal (in my experience anyway). So a mascara that has two wands is like buying, well, two mascaras!

The Revlon CustomEyes Mascara (P750) promises to deliver two lash looks: one that has length and definition, and another that has length and drama. It's possible via a wand that has swiveling bristles controlled by a twist mechanism built in the cap. So, is there a difference between two settings? There is.

Length and Definition delivers sharper lashes while Length and Drama volumizes. It's best to use them together!

Available in three shades: Blackest Black, Black and Blackened Brown

What I like about the product

• Washes off easily with room temp water, at least, the non-waterproof version. Saves me a lot of hassle whenever I take off my makeup.
• The CustomEyes mascara is all about options. You can pick from two settings, two fomulas (waterproof and non-waterproof) and three shades.

This year, Avon is celebrating its 125th year in the business of making women beautiful. They kicked off the celebration with a party at Republiq with all their iconic brochure models and brand endorsers: Lea Salonga, Ruffa, Gutierrez, and Angel Locsin! It was a fun intimate night for all guests as their latest colletions were presented to the press to the beat of The Beatle's greatest hits.

Among their newest products are the Avon Ultra Moisture Rich Moisture Seduction Lipsticks and the Retro in the City jewelry collection - do click the links for my review and photos. This time, I'd like to share the event photos.

Here you go!

Yes, our local Forever 21 now carries Love & Beauty cosmetics! I visited SM Megamall last Friday and found them in the accessories section with their own stand. There were blushes, eyeshadows, lip glosses, nail polish, sets, and tools for makeup newbies who are just starting to experiment. The products were reasonably priced at less than P500, too.

I really wanted to try the Smokey and Natural Palettes that come in these huge-ass cardboard boxes, but I don't want to blow P400+ on something I haven't even swatched. :/ I mean yeah it's not expensive but it would be so annoying to find out at home that the palette is a dud (if ever). Hopefully F21 provides testers soon! It wouldn't make sense to allow everyone to try on shoes, clothes, and accessories, but not makeup.

Last Friday, I did the stupidest thing I've probably ever done in my life: I walked that gravel parking lot next to The Podium from Megamall to ADB in 5-inch stiletto heels. Never again! What was I thinking? Anyway.

I managed to drop by the Malayan Plaza hotel for the Bloggers United bazaar. I wanted to see all my blogger friends, maybe chat a bit, because I don't know when I'll be able to see them next! I didn't get to stay that long though because I wanted to talk shop with Paul, one of the two guys behind PMP Communications. Had fun seeing everyone nonetheless.

Pax and I. She's wearing Ferretti!

I met Mr. Fu of Love Radio!!! The dude's a riot. And we both love NARS!

One of the most beautiful lipsticks I own is this Paul & Joe Lipstick C in Afternoon Delight. What an apt name! The cardboard packaging features a beautiful floral print in grays and fuchsias while the lipstick tube itself has Paul & Joe's iconic chrysanthemum engraving.

As with all Paul & Joe products that I've tried, this lipstick has a superb formula. It feels like lip balm, very thin and moisturizing. The finish is a hybrid of satin and gloss which makes lips look more supple. As for the color - it's cute!

One thing I love about blogging is that it's not just a one-way exchange of useful information. I learn a lot from readers as much as I share what I know, which is why I always look forward to reading all the comments in my posts. I may not reply all the time due to my hectic schedule, but believe me, I remember what you say!

A wise reader once advised me to invest in a good basecoat and topcoat instead of buying expensive nail polish. This advice makes so much sense, no? The good nail polish brands like Essie, OPI and Orly are pricey for a reason -  the quality is superb and the colors are perfect. But at this point in my, er, nail enthusiasm, I'm not ready to blow P300-400+ for a huge bottle of nail polish I'll probably only use for five times max. It's more practical to buy something I know I will use until the last drop, while still getting beautiful and reliable nails even though the nail polish itself is cheap.

So, I decided to get the Orly Top 2 Bottom Basecoat & Topcoat (P245).

What I love about the product

• It's thin and runny, not goopy. It's very easy to work with. I like the brush!
• Keeps my nail polish pristine for at least three to four days. They don't chip nor do I notice significant tip wear.

Do you have a femstache, that is, a fringe of hair on the upper lip? Removing most of the hair on a woman's face (except her eyebrows) is considered part of good grooming. Women with mustaches are objects of derision because of that cardinal rule, but if you ask me, that cruelty is unfair and underserved! I think women have the right to keep their hair if they so choose, as long as said hair is clean.

All things considered, I choose to keep my upper lip hairless. The face is simply brighter and clearer that way since even a faint fuzz of fine hair can cast a shadow, thus making skin look uneven. Before, I denied the existence of my femstache. I thought nobody can see it - but it's one of those things we just gloss over until someone calls it out. And someone did call it out.

Since then, I started either plucking or shaving my stache. However, plucking is painful and shaving gives that sensitive area chicken bumps. So I get lazy. That is, until I discovered the joys of DIY waxing. It made the process faster with less side effects so now I do it regularly.

I like using the Veet Ready to Use Hair Removal Wax Strips, the small ones for fine hair. It's easy to use and can remove most of the hair in two swipes.

I loved my ColorBurst lipsticks - they're one of the most-used tubes in my collection. That's why I had great expectations from the Revlon ColorBurst Lip Gloss (P575) which was released just a couple of months back. It promises to make lips "shine with killer color" and "pop with 5X more shine than patent leather."

Strawberry and Rosepearl

I was fervently hoping that these ColorBurst glossies would be an evolved version of the Revlon Creme Gloss, and yay, they actually are. They're thinner on the lips without that tacky, plasticky feel. They aren't quite liquid lipstick, but they give a nice color payoff with even just one swipe.

Here's a detailed rundown!

What I love about the product

• Not sticky or tacky, my number one requirement when it comes to glosses!
• Gorgeous shades that are quite wearable and pigmented.
• Color goes on smoothly and evenly, making lips look plumper and less wrinkly.

If you haven't noticed by now, I am a fan of Majolica Majorca. I'm impressed by the quality of their products, especially by the fact that they come in affordable prices. The Majolica Majorca Cream Pencil Eyeliner (P595) is not an exception - it's a smudge-proof and water-proof eyeliner, perfect for our humid weather.

What I love about the product

• Doesn't budge even when worn all day. It's smudge-proof and more or less water-proof.
• Pigmented, it goes on a matte black in one swipe.

You know, it's just Tuesday, but I'm already tired. What's up with that. Working from home is not a piece of cake, believe me. You actually end up spending more time working because you more or less have to be on call. It's not a 9 to 6 thing with free weekends.

Don't get me wrong though, I love my job and the people I work with! I just need to better manage my time since I juggle a lot of things right now. Anyway, before doing my tasks for the day, I just want to show you what I wore to Parfois when I became their stylist for the day.

Topshop maxi dress/ Topshop cardigan/ Fuchsia top from dept store/ Parfois bag/ Charles & Keith mary jane platforms (photo by Kari)

Once again (drat it), I didn't have much time to do my makeup so I settled for heavily-lined, semi-cat eyes and a loud pink lip. Eyeshadows were used to just contour the eyes while the blush was as understated as possible. I just used a stippling brush both for blush and contour to get that natural, barely there effect.

Parfois (par-fwa) is a Portuguese brand that just opened shop in Manila last year. I remember checking it out in Glorietta 4 then, but I had the impression that it was too expensive for my budget. The store definitely looked swanky and intimidating! But what do you know, the accessories are actually quite affordable. All of them, even the elaborate ones, are less than P1,000, with an average price of P380 to P600+. That's about the same price range as Forever 21 or SM accessories.

I'm really glad that Parfois invited me to be their blogger stylist of the day last Friday. It was my first time to assist customers in a store and I must admit, it's exhausting! Nonetheless, meeting everyone was a real treat; I was impressed by the diversity of Parfois customers. There were students, yuppies, working moms, and even grand old ladies with white hair. I guess this diversity speaks for the kind of items you can find in the store - timeless, versatile pieces that can be worn by anyone regardless of age.