The name of this product cracks me up. Get this: according to the label, it is the Snoe Body Ritual Recipes Scrumptious Body Spritz in Honey Dew Melon Yogurt (P249). The person who thought of the name is a sigurista, that is, he or she definitely wants to cover all the bases when it comes to naming things. :P 

Kiddng aside, I like this cologne. It smells of sweet melon candy, with a touch of the creaminess of yogurt. Lasting power is not too bad for a cologne at two to three hours too.

I've done quite a few looks in the past, but I think this purple eyeshadow confection is my favorite yet. This deep-socketed, sunken eye look gives the face a sense of drama and mystery without looking overdone, methinks.

For this look, I used the Lancome Teint Miracle + Benefit Watts Up highlighter to get luminous skin. I did my eyebrows using the Benefit Brow Zings, contoured with the NARS Laguna Bronzer, and blushed with Benefit Hervana. And now, for the eyes!

Step 1: Apply an eyeshadow primer like the MAC Prep + Prime Eye Base. Then, apply a matte purple like Allure from the Sigma Flare Eyeshadow Palette on your lids.

There is a dizzying bevy of anti-aging products out there, with extraordinary claims to bring back your skin's youth. How do you find out what actually works? Simple, you try them! After some research on reviews and ingredients, of course.

That said, I want to give you a bit of information about Avon's latest anti-aging product: the Anew Genics Treatment Concentrate (P1,799). It claims to help skin look ten years younger with the help of the brand's patented YouthGen Technology. It is supposed to re-activate one's "Youth Gene", that genetic component in our cells that keeps skin elastic, wrinkle-free, and glowing - young, in other words. 

Sounds too sci-fi? Perhaps, but it is quite intriguing. Promises aside, the quality of the serum itself is pretty good.

What's your ideal lipstick like? For me, it has the comfortable texture of a lip balm but with the opacity of normal lipsticks. I've always wondered why companies don't make a product like this more often. Perhaps it is too expensive? Not enough demand? In any case Revlon took it upon themselves to make a kickass lip product called the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter (P525).

There are serious raves about these lipsticks online, and I can see why!

What I love about the product 

• As the name promises, it does glide on like butter and feels moisturizing on the lips. It doesn't feel waxy or thick at all. Girls who can't stand lipstick will love this!
• Colors are gorgeous and trendy, with great color payoff. It feels like balm but doesn't look like one when you have it on.

I was going through my traffic stats when I noticed that a lot of people were coming in from a US website/forum called Makeupalley. In case you don't know - I love Makeupalley! It's a sort of bible for me, my ultimate reference when it comes to information about products I want to buy or review. So, it's a big deal for me that one of my links is over there. 

Of course I clicked to the page where the link is. Apparently, it's a forum thread about guesses on how old I am. The general consensus is that I am in my thirties, although a couple of people threw in some forties guesses. The guesses were based on this post. 

I was mortified! At first. I know I look quite mature for my age, but I always thought the general perception is that I am in my mid to late twenties.

Last Christmas, my boss from Pinkbox gave me this lovely jewelry box as a gift. You know how I'm such a sucker for boxes so I shall say no more!

Every girl needs a bright and sophisticated red lipstick in her purse. However, not everyone has the chutzpah to wear it yet; red lipstick is an idea one needs to grow and nurture in the mind before it debuts in person. :P If you're not ready to wear a full-on red, then I suggest you try on a "training wheel" red like the Tony Moly Kiss Lover Lipstick in RD03.

RD03 is a juicy cherry red that shies from being opaque. It's red, sure, but it's not the scary kind which makes it perfect for those who are just starting to explore the shade.

When Liz of Estee Lauder asked me if I wanted to try the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate (P4,800), I was like, "Fug. Not another anti-aging product!" in my head. I am up to my ears with anti-aging products - and I'm only 23! I am extremely reluctant of using one for four weeks tbqh, but since I like Liz, I thought I'd give it a chance.

So that's the challenge: use the ANR serum for four weeks and write about it once a week during that period. I just got to try it last night because I broke out last week plus I was sick, so I don't have much in the way of a review just yet. I will however share my first impressions for now.

Not an anti-aging product LOLZ

Okay. First off, the ANR serum is technically not an anti-aging product (read the description). I just assumed it was, on first glance, which is very careless of me but it is admittedly a common misconception. Estee Lauder is associated with mature women after all!

Wearing blush can be tricky business. However, as long as you have the right shades and the right tools with you, your blush should make you look naturally healthy and glowing with little to no effort at all!

Choosing the right shade

Most women can get away with experimenting with different blush shades - that's what makes it so fun. However, if you're looking for the ultimate blush that's like a great pair jeans you can wear anytime and look good in, you need to be aware of what works best for your skin. Here's a short guide of what shades to use for your skin tone.

Light to medium beige skin tone: Barbie pinks, blue-toned pinks, peach pinks

Majolica Majorca Puff de Cheek in Peach Macaron

This time, I have two people that I want to say thanks to. They always comment, and they offer useful - and sometimes funny - tidbits about the stuff I write about. :P So, for the Commenter of the Month for December, I have Iko Hanajima, who will get the VMV Hypoallergenics gift certificate. Nicole Eniego will also get something, I just haven't decided yet! But it'll be fun. 

And now, for the January gift!

The winner will get a P2,500 gift certificate from FReSH Fragrance bar. FReSH has an extensive selection of premium imported scents—from luxury designer brands to retail favorites, as well as the latest from sports, fashion, and entertainment superstars. 

When I was younger, I couldn't leave the house without a watch. I felt naked. In the last few years though I managed to wean myself out of my watch-wearing ways. It doesn't make that much sense to wear a watch (for time-checking purposes that is) if you always have a cellphone in your purse or pocket!

So yes, it's been a while. Still, watches can be worn as accessories, especially if they're handsome like this Avon men's watch.

Thanks for the well wishes, guys, I am feeling much better now. I have a horrible croaky voice though...not cool because I need to be at my best tomorrow. Good lord. This week will be crazy, again.

Anyway! I just wanted to talk about the Snoe White Beauty Bar (P139), particularly the Exfoliating Oatmeal Beauty Bar. It's what I've been using in the shower lately since it's pretty good. Let me tell you why!

• Has this nice oatmeal yogurt scent that's very relaxing. Doesn't smell too chemical.
• Incredibly sudsy and slinky.

You knew this was coming, right? I did a list of my top foundations, lipsticks, eyeshadow palettes, and now, eyeliners! Eyeliners come in three major forms - cream pencil, liquid, and gel. It's not a question so much of what is the best eyeliner out there. It's more on what is the best eyeliner that fits your needs?

If you're always in a rush and want a soft, natural line, go for pencil liners. If you want sharp cat-eye lines, go for liquid. If you're a pro and want your eyeliner to be immaculate and easily controled (using your preferred brush), go for gel liners. No brainer!

And so, here are my favorite eyeliners. I use them depending on the look I'm going for and how much time I have to dress up my eyes. ;) PS - my all-time favorite eyeliner is the MAC Fluidline, but I didn't include it here because I simply wanted to share other eyeliner finds.

The Kanebo Kate Gel Eyeliner is a nice dupe of the MAC Fluidline, at almost half the price for P660. It's too creamy and skids a little, but who cares as long as it doesn't budge and delivers a solid black line in one swipe?

I love the Majolica Majorca Perfect Automatic Liner. It has an excellent brush that gives me this perfect, precise line everytime, and it doesn't smudge on me all day.

I am so sick today. -_- Was trying to write a proper blog post but couldn't bring myself to concentrate. Anyway, Kira will be sharing her review for now!

Who suffers from an extra active t-zone? I do! And although I know that there's no product can permanently make pores disappear (they say it's virtually impossible since we're born with it!), I am still on the lookout for pore minimizing solutions no matter how temporary or pricey they may be.

It was timely that Liz asked me to review this little product as I've been battling with big pores on my nose and and oily complexion (blame it on stress and this schizo weather we're having). It's called Z-Pore (P1,600)!

Z-Pore™ combines special silicone polymers and optical diffusers to instantly reduce the look of pores and provide a soft matte finish to the skin. This water-, sweat-, and humidity-resistant formula lasts all day."

What it is:

A lightweight, nude-colored cream that resembles the consistency of mousse cream.

How to use it:

After my usual skin care regimen (wash+tone+moisturize), I just apply small dots of the GSL Z-pore on my problem areas -- my forehead, nose, chin and the cheeks near my nose.

I've been hearing a lot of great things about Sleek MakeUP, especially about the blushes and eyeshadow palettes. The brand offers high-quality cosmetics at really good prices (less than P600 locally) so it's definitely something to keep an eye out for if you're looking to try something new.

Sleek MakeUP doesn't have a brick and mortar store in the Philippines, but you can visit Digital Traincase to see some selections. 

Anyway! Last December, I was in a violently purple/ plum mood. I've been looking for a kickass purple lipstick but couldn't find one that fits my exact specifications. I want the shade to be dark and deep and opaque, but I don't want it to look too goth nor too shockingly bright. Difficult? A little. But I found what I needed from DT's new stocks of Sleek True Color Lipstick (P450). 

Quality-wise, the True Color Lipstick is okay.

Hay, I keep making FOTDs but I keep not posting them! I am back to my neutral streak since these days I only go out of the house to work; there's hardly any opportunity to play with eyeshadows. Nonetheless, I thought I'd show you a simple peachy  gold look I did last Friday. I really enjoyed wearing this one.

Face: Lancome Teint Miracle liquid foundation, MAC Studio Sculpt conceaer (blemishes), Clinique Airbrush Concealer (undereyes), Clinique Blended Face Powder in Invisible bend (loose powder to set)

Cheeks: Benefit Hervana Bush, NARS Laguna Bronzer

I feel a little apologetic writing this because almost all of my best finds last month teeter on the expensive side (those are what I've been receiving from brands lately). They truly are worth it though, if the specific product fits your skin and lifestyle needs that is! This January I hope to try unforgettable mid-priced products to share with you guys, so hold on to your seats for that.

In the meantime,here's a list of my top 10 favorite finds last December!

The Benefit Brow Zings is currently my favorite eyebrow product. They sculpt and define my eyebrows, giving them this dark tint that I normally won't go for but looks great on me anyway.

Safe for work and perfect for fun, the Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Pink is a lipstick shade that wiill never go out of style. It's one of those colors that works for all skintones.

The Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil is the best makeup remover out there because it's not just a makeup remover - it's also a pretty awesome skincare product.