It's 2 am as I'm writing this. I am starting this week with a feeling of anticipation, mixed with a healthy dose of dread - I'm going to need a lot of patience and energy to get through it! Today, Monday, is going to be dedicated to meetings so I need to finish my tasks as early as humanly possible!

So anyway, let's talk about moisturizers (again). Body moisturizers don't need to do a lot of things to impress me. I just require three things: that it moisturizes, feels comfortable, and smells good but not overwhelming. One product that I am loving right now is the Nivea Express Hydration Body Lotion because it delivers these three requirements exceptionally well. I am pleasantly surprised because it's unlike the other Nivea lotions I've tried before!

Texture and feel. The Nivea Express Hydration is, hands down, the lightest body lotion I've tried to date. It's watery and absorbs almost immediately on skin without any sticky or greasy residue. It doesn't feel "thick" even when it's super hot and I'm all sweaty. Plus plus plus points - I can't stand greasy lotion.

You'll remember that I liked the Nivea UV Protection Body Lotion because of its lightness compared to other Nivea lotions. Well, the Express Hydration is considerably lighter than UV Protection!

Fluffy, watery texture

Have you guys heard of Pinkbox? It's the mother of all cute accessories in the Philippines and has been around for almost ten years now. The owner, Nelly See, started the business because she couldn't find nice hair accessories for her daughter and, she said, "I hate Disney!" So she brought in her own merchandise to Pinkbox's first kiosk in Robinson's Galleria. The rest, as they say, is lost to the misty fringes of history in a puff of pink and purple. The brand is now available in practically everywhere!

I think I've walked in a Pinkbox kiosk or store a couple of times before, but I didn't find anything compelling enough to go home with. The brand was more for moms and their kids so I couldn't really relate for obvious reasons. Just last week though, Pinkbox has come out with trendy accessories targeted towards teens and yuppies. My verdict? Worth checking out if you like dainty, cute, and feminine trinkets in your wardrobe!

Photobombed by two teens, one who dragged her friend, squealing, to check out the accessories 

When I first saw this kiosk at Shangri-La Plaza, I thought it looked small and that there was nothing to see. Was I. So wrong. I have 47 photos to prove it, so click to get a tour of this mini-wasteland of cuteness! I can only imagine how many good finds there are in the actual stores.

I know that I don't have any earth-shattering new tips and techniques in applying makeup - I don't use crazy colors and I have a pretty standard way of doing eyeshadows - but I share my FOTDs mainly because I want to document what I wore and hopefully give you an idea of how to better maximize the colors you have. My philosophy in makeup (and style) is simple: have fun, but make it wearable.

So yes, green again. I've been wearing some form of green all week! I don't have any particular explanation, I just like it right now. Here I have mint on my lids.

Face: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, MAC Studio Finish concealer, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit (for dark circles), Clinique translucent loose powder, Guerlain Meteorites

I've been applying makeup on myself for years now. It's all routine so I don't make many mistakes when putting on tricky products like eyeliner, mascara, and heavily pigmented lipsticks. Still, I do get shaky hands or I rush the whole process sometimes, which inevitably lead me to uneven application! Does this happen to you?

To correct makeup mistakes, I dip a cotton bud in either foundation, concealer, or makeup remover (I love the Clinique Take the Day Off for this purpose) and try to erase the errant makeup. It's a neat trick but the problem with using a cotton bud is that it's not precise; I tend to remove more product than I actually intended. Also, this is ridiculous, but I'm too lazy to do the cotton bud routine. That's why I just usually use a finger to even out lipstick or remove mascara from my lid - again, messy!

So yeah, I felt like a total barbarian when I got hold of Tony Moly's Simply Style Makeup Eraser (P398). It's the first time I've ever tried something like it! 

How it works. The rounded yet slightly pointed felt-tip marker is damp with a thin, oil-based makeup remover, which means that you can apply it directly on the messed-up makeup without having to use a clicking mechanism or a separate product.

During the SuperSale Bazaar at Rockwell a couple of weeks back, I got a chance to chat with Sol of Digital Traincase about our favorite topics: makeup and nail polish! That aside, I find her to be one of the most inspiring businesswomen in the online beauty niche. Even with a hectic job at an international organization, she managed to start her online store selling NYX cosmetics, a venture which later on proved to be a major success. Even celebs like Pia Magalona buy from her!

So anyway, while I was at her booth at the bazaar, I was browsing for some NYX Girl Nail Polishes to buy. She said that she didn't like these polishes before, but the revamped version, which she has, really impressed her when her supplier offered her to try samples. That coming from a nail polish fanatic who has Dior, Chanel, and other expensive brands in her extensive collection, I was sold.

I got three NYX Girls Nail Polish bottles: Luscious Green, Fire Amber, and Pacific Blue. Did I say these are only P150 a pop? It's pricier than local drugstore brands, but I swear, the quality and finish is similar to high-end polishes! The formula is smooth, easy to apply, extremely pigmented, dries fast and has pretty good staying power. I've been wearing them for the past two weeks so I can say with conviction that they're awesome.

I tried Pacific Blue first.

What are your favorite ways to de-stress? Mine is tea (iced, hot, or with milk), shoes, makeup, and Scrabble. When I'm sick of work I turn to whichever is more accessible at the moment. Right now I'm playing Scrabble on my iPad and writing a makeup review, so yeah, I'm feeling ace. 

Moving on! I saw the Wet n' Wild Coloricon Eyeliner Pencil (P119) last time I was in SM Makati. I was impressed by how creamy the texture is, plus it was so cheap, so I grabbed one immediately!

What I love about the product

• Super creamy. It glides on the lids easily so there's no tugging or pulling. 
• Pigmented. It's no MAC or Urban Decay, but the color payoff is very good for the price.

Have you guys seen and heard the rain? It's furious. Take care while commuting to and from work! Of course, don't forget to wear your fabulous boots out. With this kind of weather you can't even call wearing boots a fashion decision - it's a practical one!

Weather ramblings aside, I just want to share a look I wore yesterday. It's subtle but I think the colors work together. I chose green eyeshadow, peach lipstick, and a pink-orange blush.

Face: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, MAC Studio Finish concealer, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit (for dark circles), Clinique translucent loose powder, Guerlain Meteorites

Cheeks: Tony Moly Partylover Shine Blusher in Love Orange, NARS Laguna Bronzer

The quick rise of Internet use in the past three years gave ambitious and style-savvy individuals a great opportunity to  make a dream come true. With the Internet, they can easily let the world know that they have something special to offer - be it their unique fashion sense, beauty finds, or products that they designed and had made locally. For the latter, there are three brands that I really admire: Anthology, Frannie & Vinnie, and Gold Dot.

Anthology

This brand is best known for offering real leather shoes that are comfortable and versatile - in short, the cool, laid-back chick's absolute must-have. They have a new collection which I just saw on Twitter this morning. It's a collaboration with Team Manila featuring canvas flats with graphic prints. I find the collection a fresher, less trying-hard take on "fashionalism".

I woke up with a headache today - it must be from watching Dune (2000 version) and playing Scrabble on the iPad all night. Apparently we are going on a road trip today so I need to fix myself up pronto. Then I saw an email from someone who's writing an article on Inquirer's 2bU asking my opinion on the whole DTI contest permits for bloggers chorva, so I started to update myself on the latest comments for the nth time this week.

Might as well write down my thoughts while I'm answering the writer's questions.

Two things you REALLY need to know about this issue

One, the initiative to require bloggers to get a permit before running contests is not from DTI. It's from one person only, and her name is Janette Toral. You will remember her for her push to create a National Bloggers Association a few months back. She supports the institutionalization of blogging.

As of now, DTI has no official statement about this issue. It is all coming from one person and her personal blogs. I believe she has had a dialogue with DTI about this but only her side and her cause has been heard so far.

Two, a business entity who holds a contest requires a permit. This is not up for discussion. This is already a law - it's called the Consumer Act of the Philippines. The real question is, does this law apply to bloggers and blogger contests?

Two provisions for contention

This is the definition of sales promotion according to CAP.

I’m very happy to observe that as Filipinas are starting to step up their style chops, malls are also keeping up! I’m sure you’ve already observed the influx of amazing items in SM malls in the past year or so - from shoes, accessories, to clothes, the previously “outdated” mall chain has risen up to become one of the country’s most fashionable places to shop in. 

SM malls in the main Manila area have reinvented themselves, but the South will not be ignored. Before, stylish Southerners in the Las Pinas and Alabang area may be obliged to make a trip to Makati or Ortigas to get dibs on the latest fashion pieces. Now, SM Southmall can be your one-stop shop in the South for the best fashion finds.

SM Southmall recently held a fashion show to showcase some of its most stylish brands. Promod, Parfois, Accessorize, and All Flip Flops were some of the names that took part in the event. Models donned the latest collections from these brands and strutted their stuff on the catwalk.

This girl is totally rocking The Promod Clogs That Got Away. Huhu.

It doesn't matter how great your skincare system is - if you're not careful about the other junk you put on your face, you will. Still. Break. Out. I've made quite a few mistakes these past few weeks so lately my face looks like a blemish exploded on the surface and made little babies while shitfaced with alcohol. Terrible imagery, I know. But that's how my face looks like at the moment.

My recent FOTD photos show no blemishes, but that's because I use two heavy concealers to cover them up. They're like magic or (if we're must be more prosaic) Photoshop in a tube/jar. I love the MAC Studio Finish Concealer but sometimes a blemish is too dark or fresh that I need something more opaque and absolutely budge-proof. This is where the Makeup Forever Full Cover Concealer comes in.

Ta-dah!

This MUFE Full Cover concealer is pretty awesome in covering up ANYTHING on your face. It could be a mole, pimple, blemish, anything will disappear when you wear this and it will not rub off even if you sweat or oil up. It's truly waterproof - it just dries and stays put much like how an Urban Decay Primer Potion would (you know what I mean if you've tried UDPP).

So let's do it!

What I love about the product 

• Completely opaque. It's perfect for covering up very dark blemishes, moles, angry zits, or discoloration. It meant business when it said "full cover, yo".
• Waterproof. When it dries, it's a lot like how the UDPP primer is. You can't make it budge anymore unless you rub very, very hard or use a cream/oil makeup remover. Perfect for oily and sweaty skin.

So, I just want to share what I wore yesterday. I didn't want to don rainy weather clothes (what are rainy weather clothes anyway?) and I only had like five minutes to grab everything and go. Thought to air out this tutu skirt I got from Tomato some weeks back for only P300 - how I wish I bought the other colors while I was there!

Promod cardigan/ Tomato tutu/ Ferretti heels and tote/ SM necklace

I just bought the tote bag yesterday when I visited Ferretti in Glorietta 5. I wasn't really out to buy a bag specifically, but I vaguely wanted something that can carry my laptop and junk without bursting to the brim. The only "trendy" bags I have are small so was looking for something current yet more practical. 

Ok I know I said I'm not a bag person but when I saw this in the store, I just...felt compelled to buy it.

Last July 14, Avon introduced its Advance Techniques hair care line to the press. The event happened at the plush Marriott Hotel, where the whole ballroom was transformed into a salon supervised by Lourd Ramos, makeup counter with pro MUAs, and a studio where Jay Tablante took everyone's photos. It was a beauty addict's paradise!

Everyone got a wash and blow dry - of course, all products used were from the Avon Advance Techniques line

Jay Tablante doing his magic

The svelte and style savvy Theresa Herrera hosted the program. Avon Director Ashley Ferguson flew in to introduce the star of the show, Lotus Shield, while Sen Yang, a Senior Manager at Avon's Global Research Center, went on a video conference call to talk about the technology behind Lotus Shield.

So, this is what I wore to a meeting last week! I just got my Sigma Flare Eyeshadow Palette from Pink Slippers Boutique and I was super itching to use the greens, but I restrained myself and went the plum route instead. Can't look too crazy in the boardroom, y'know.

To be quite honest I don't know how I feel about this palette yet. It's nice, but it didn't meet my expectations, considering the price. Will talk more about it soon, but in the meantime here's a look I did with the plum/violet eyeshadows!

Face: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, MAC Studio Finish concealer, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit (for dark circles), Clinique translucent loose powder, Guerlain Meteorites

Someone over on Facebook asked me about tinted moisturizer brands to try. Since I knew that my answer is bound to be pretty long, I decided to blog it instead! I included BB creams in this list because they are actually tinted moisturizers just called differently - they work on the same principle of providing sheer, natural coverage and moisture in one product.

I made a list of all the TMs/BB creams I've ever tried according to budget and what they're best for. Please note that it's a given that the shades are very, very limited plus TMs/ BB creams in general are not designed with morena skin in mind. Sad but true - still, I have a couple of TMs here that might have a shade for darker skin!

Click the links to see the detailed review!

Super affordable

Myra Vitaglow tinted moisturizer (P150)

Pros: Incredibly cheap at P150 but still works pretty well for the price. Provides natural coverage and comes in two Pinay skin friendly shades (they're light but they blend in nicely). Has SPF15 and Vitamin E.

SM Accessories recently released their latest collection called City Safari. It brings out the urban warrior in each of us as it features sumptuous, ornate gold pieces inlaid with bright beads and adorned with fringes reminiscent of bygone civilizations that rose from the dusty steppes. 

I can't wait to check these out in person! I'm liking that necklace with turquoise beads and the gold cuff made out of twisted wire. What caight your eye?

My cherished hopes of having a quiet week has just been dashed. But it's ok, I'm up for the challenge! Before I dive deep into the workload, I just want to write a quick review of the Tony Moly Partylover Shine Blusher in Love Orange 03 (P378).

I find the name cute and funny at the same time. Partylover shine blusher? Images of crazy teens in sequins and glitter ala Katy Perry and Ke$ha come to mind. But this blush isn't actually that shiny. I'd say it has a sheen, but it's natural and quite wearable.

Shade. Love Orange is a rosy peach shade that will look good on just about any skin tone. It will blend easily with your skin so you don't have to worry about it looking obviously like blush.