Going inside Rustan's and inquiring about prices is nerve-wracking: agree or disagree? Call it shallow but checking out the luxury store was so intimidating when I was still in college! I knew I couldn't afford most of the things there, so I was quite shy and a bit scared to look and ask around. I couldn't bear the thought of being ignored or looked down on.

Now that I'm working though I am less intimidated. :P Once I was over my insecurity I found out that I was wrong about them. The people in Rustan's are actually super nice and always helpful! I love the attendants in the Clinique counter, as well as in Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, NARS, Paul & Joe, and Laura Mercier - the ones in Rustan's Makati, where I always visit. They're very warm, easy to talk to, and I never felt unwelcome.

Anyway! I just wanted to share the new website called the Rustan's Beauty Source. At first I thought it was an online store like Beauty Bar, but it's actually more of an online catalogue with photos and prices.

Brigitte is a true-blue makeup addict who started collecting, reading, then blogging about cosmetics a few years ago. Then, she moved on to study and practice makeup artistry professionally. Finally, she came out with her own cosmetics line called Beauty PRO Cosmetics only recently. If that's not passion, then I don't know what is!

I like to think of Beauty PRO as makeup made by a makeup addict for makeup addicts. It has the perfect pigmentation and texture, with carefully chosen colors that are designed to be wearable (the Sweet and Smoky palette) and exciting (Crazy Colour). Let's go through the pros and cons, shall we?

What I love about the product

• Beautiful colors that offer amazing color payoff. You don't need a base to make them pop out.

Ahh, December. It’s the month where frenzied shoppers stake out bazaars and mall sales as if shopping for the end of the world. It’s also the season for Christmas parties and family reunions. That’s why this month is the best time to give yourself a makeover - everything is on some sale or discount, plus you need to look your best for the barrage of parties coming your way anyway!

So, here’s some friendly advice on how you can change your look to match not only this season, but for the whole new year ahead.

Get an updated hair cut. A new hairdo can profoundly change the way you look to other people as well as yourself. That’s why a smashing cut is a must-have if you want to reinvent yourself. If you’re not ready for new hair though, you can just style or color it differently; ask for the advice of a hair stylist like, say, Lourd Ramos of Creations Salon (Glorietta 5).

I wasn't impressed the last time I tried a Nivea lip balm. The formula was somewhat better than similarly-priced alternatives in the drugstore, but I found that the balm didn't do much to actually moisturize my lips. It dried up quickly so I had to re-apply several times during the day, too. But that was two years ago, I think! Nivea has gone a long way and went on to refomulate their lip balms.

The Nivea Fruity Shine Lip Balm (P80) is a non-waxy, moisturizing lip product that comes in three variants: Cherry, Strawberry, and Pomegranate. They feel wonderful on my lips plus they offer a hint of tint that goes on evenly.

There's really nothing like a gaggle of girls just chillin' like villains in a fabulous salon. It's all laughter and crazy one-liners as everyone does their favorite thing, which is to primp and prettify just because!

That's what happened at the opening of the newest FAB Salon branch in Valero Street, Makati. Beauty bloggers got together to try the salon's services such as hot oil, foot spa, mani and pedi, hair cut, and even a makeup makeover. They are pretty good considering the fact that FAB Salon is a relatively inexpensive salon. I already reviewed some of their services here!

I got a hot oil and a looooong overdue haircut.

Remember my war with acne around three, four months ago? It's almost over now. I'm enjoying relatively good skin lately since the pimples have stopped. Well, I still get one or three on occasion but they're not cystic. It means they don't leave a deep mark and it's easier to get rid of them.

Anyway, I have recently re-discovered these acne drying products I bought from the House of Obagi three months ago. I got two new (thankfully small) pimples last week so I needed a quick fix, and thought of giving these Acne Clearing Solutions another chance.

Why another chance? Well, the last time I used them, they dried up my skin quite horribly. My face felt rough, dull, and flaky. After that I swore off using them because it took my skin weeks to recover! But I think I was just applying them incorrectly. I used to pat two squirts of the liquid all over the affected area and, predictably, that area became extremely dry (Duh! Why didn't I think of that earlier). Now I use a cotton bud to apply the product only on the pimple itself.

Works like magic, I tell you. My pimples dry up overnight. That's awesome considering that these Acne Clearing Solutions cost only P500 for one bottle.

The trend today is to "excessorize", i.e., to pile on different accessories in two or more body parts. I do think it's a fun style and some people can carry it wonderfully, but more often that not it dives into the realm of Trying Too Hard. Accessories are best worn as the highlight of your outfit - not the star of the show. You want people to ogle your face and overall look, not the shiny distracting things dangling from your limbs.

My accessory style is simple, verging between cute and ornate. I pick out sets of accessories and just match them according to what I'm wearing for the day. My sets usually consist of a pair of earrings, bangle, and then a ring, but I take out (or add) depending on the outfit I'm wearing. I don't want to look too overdressed! I group the sets according to their color: goldtone, silver, bronze/ battered metal and level of being casual or statement.

Anyway, I just want to share where I like to get my accessories and why. :)

Pinkbox. Since I re-discovered this homegrown brand last August, I always check out its stores wherever I can find them. There are now more trendy pieces at reasonable price points. I also like that there are tons of choices. Check out the earrings and bangles! 

How do you feel about tints? I love them on my lips since they offer long-lasting color, but the trouble usually starts when I try to wear them on my cheeks. They're fine if I'm not wearing any other face makeup underneath. On top of powder, well, now that's a challenge! I find it difficult to blend tints after face makeup without messing up what's below.

And that's why I don't use tints. Still, when I got the Benefit Cha Cha Tint (P1,800), I forgot all my reservations about using lip and cheek tints. Benefit promises a "juicy mango flush" that will "have you looking deliciously sun-kissed from cabana to coladas". How can you say no? HOW?

The short of it is that I love it, especially the color. I still do need to work on some application tricks though, but I'll share a few later on in the post. Let's start, shall we?

What I love about the product

• Hands down, Cha Cha tint provides a flush to die for. It's a vibrant, coral-mango shade that will look great on light-medium to dark skin tones. 
• Stays put all day. Rain, sweat, oil, you don't have to worry about it. It's so long-lasting you will have a bit of trouble taking it off at the end of the day (you'll need a makeup remover).

My job doesn't usually take me more than six hours out of the house, which means that I don't need a long-wearing foundation on a regular basis. I'm fine with using ultra-light mineral foundations on a normal day; I like the comfort they give to my face since they don't feel like a sweaty mask after a few hours. 

Still, there are days when I need something more heavy duty. It's the kind of day when work and social engagements pile up so I need something that can keep up with me. One foundation that I love for that purpose is the Smashbox Studio Skin 15-Hour Wear Foundation (P2,300).

To be honest, I didn't expect to like, nay, love this foundation. It looked odd the first few times I wore it, odd in the whereabouts of "I am wearing too much makeup lolz." But after playing around with application techniques, I did discover a trick on how to go around that obstacle. It's pretty neat actually.

Coverage and finish. I'd say that Smashbox Studio Skin has medium to heavy coverage. It'll smoothen and even out skin in a jiffy, plus it won't set on lines and creases.

I was so busy running around during the Bloggers United Bazaar last Saturday, which means that I can't write any useful post on it. Nonetheless, I just want to say that I had so much fun! I got to meet a few sweet Project Vanity readers, plus a lot of people dropped by the Ferretti booth to buy and look around. 

Anyway! I just want to share what I wore to the event. I went for something simple because IT WAS SO HOT OUTSIDE and I wanted to be comfortable at the venue. Thanks to Paul for the photo!

Ferretti pumps | Nine West satchel | Thrifted top | Tomato skirt

As for the makeup, it was in keeping with the black/ taupe color theme. Here's how I did it!

Face: Smashbox Studio Skin Foundation, MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer, Clinique Airbrush Concealer (undereyes), Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Mineral Makeup

Job interviews are nerve-wracking encounters especially if you really, really want the job. There's even more pressure because you know that you're not the only one after it, what with hundreds of equally (or even more) qualified candidates out to get into the same industry if not the same job. So how do you get it? 

The no-brainer answer is, make sure that you have developed the right skill sets for the position (this is what college is for surprise surprise). Be fluent and relaxed while your potential employer is talking to you. Smile a lot. Look 'em in the eye and mean everything you say. But that's the thing with no-brainers - everybody knows (or should know) this! The real question should be: how do you set yourself apart from being just another person who wants a job?

I believe that *part* of the answer lies in how you dress, rather, in how you phsyically present yourself to a potential employer. I think that few new graduates or even old hands know how to properly dress for a job interview. I see them on the streets of business districts and I already know they're looking for employment; it is, to put it mildly, unimpressive. Familiar with this uniform? With matching brown envelope?

This outfit says, "I am not a creative person. I am probably competent as my resume will tell you but don't expect any initiative or new ideas from me. I will say yes to everything you say even if I don't agree with it." To me, at least. It's a hasty generalization, sure, but you have to admit that anyone who wears this to a job interview looks instantly uninspiring. 

So that's the trick: look inspired. Look sharp. Look smart. Walk your talk (literally with great shoes). That's how you dress for a job interview. And here are more tips!

1. Learn as much about the company as you can and dress to match that company's culture. Google is your friend! Find out what kind of people work there by doing some stalking. Are they chill and laid-back? Are they stiff corporate types?

Here we go again, my list of top finds last month! November has been a good month for me, blogging and work-wise, because I got to try a bunch of great stuff plus finalize new projects. It also ended with good news, so I'm in a really great mood right now. Happy is the word. How was your Movember?

Before you let me know, read through my top picks first! Lol.

The MAC Mineralize Blush in Love Joy looks amazing on me. It's a gem of a shade. This is my favorite blush as of the moment! The formula is a little intimidating to use at first but once you get the hang of it you'll love it too.

Love the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Mineral Makeup SPF15! It's my default foundation of late, when I expect to be out for half a day (I use a longwearing foundie when I plan to be out 8-12 hours). It looks amazing on me - like, no joke. Really looks like skin just better! 

Looking for eyeshadows on a budget? Fret not, for the IN2IT Eye Colour Palettes are there for you. They're pigmented and the texture is amazing. Must-try.

For someone who used to buy only a total of one bag a year, this is a huge development! I think this is the fourth bag I bought with my money this year. I consider this as an early Christmas gift to myself - there's nothing better, is there? 

Anyway! Before I babble on, I just want to share what I got from Nine West in High Street yesterday. I was alternating between the Turn The Corner Tote and this black, multi-textured bag, but I ended up getting this one since it's younger and more casual. The color scheme can take it from day to night plus it was the perfect size, too.

A few weeks ago Lancome Philippines invited bloggers to visit their Greenbelt 5 Atelier. It's my first time to actually go inside so it was, to say the least, an interesting afternoon for me!

The atelier is posh, all gleaming glass and silver panels decorating the bright interiors. I immediately scoured the displays for makeup (surprise surprise?). Hehe.

One of the brand's latest foundations - Blanc Miracle

The makeover table

After lunch at Greenbelt 5 yesterday with friends, I stowed away to visit the Pinkbox kiosk at the third floor. I actually didn't know there was a branch there until Kira pointed it out! Silly me.

Anyway, I immediately gravitated towards the earrings collection. I haven't seen them before in any store, and to be quite honest they were beyond that I expected since the last time I visited! I like the price points, too - most of them are in the neighborhood of P200 only but they didn't look cheap to me.

Bow earrings with tiny details

Here are my top picks! There is literally more than a hundred other designs but I just snapped away at those that immediately caught my attention.

Last night I watched Lisa Eldridge's video on how to wear red eyeshadow. I was so inspired, I re-recreated the look as soon as I woke up! I'm bored with all the neutrals I've been wearing lately so I really wanted something that would POP. I also wanted to play around with some of the new makeup I got.

Obviously, this isn't a look that you can wear to the office. But if you have a party to go to or if you just really don't care if you get stared at, then by all means try red eyeshadow! Anyway, since I have yellow-toned skin, I went for a bright, tomato-red eyeshadow. I just used one color and blended it up the crease.

Here's how I did it.

I have a red lip version, see it after the jump!

It's the first day of December today - the last month of the year! Omg! I can't believe that 2011 is coming to a close. But before we all reflect on that important bit of news, let's all look into the upcoming bazaars this month. It's time to get your shopping claws (and eco bags!) ready as cool deals and finds flood the metro.

The Moonlit Bazaar at Rockwell Tent will be resuming for the next two weekends of December. Fashion fiends will love the great buys there, but if you're a true beauty addict, you MUST visit Digital Traincase's booth! That's the best place to buy affordable NYX, Milani, and Sleek makeup.