The rainy season here in the Philippines can be as brutal as summer in the sense that it can disrupt routines, important scheduled activities, and worst of all - our makeup, hair, and outfit! Ugh! There's nothing more annoying than having our immaculate look being ruined by mud and sprays of rain.

Oh sure it's great if you're unexpectedly reuniting with your long-lost first love (ala The Notebook). However, if you're going to work or school it's not a good idea to look bedraggled with (oh no!) smeared makeup in front of your peers.

We wish!

So, should you change your beauty routine to accommodate the rainy season? Definitely yes! The changes need not be drastic, but these tweaks can help you keep your polish in non-stop, torrential rainy days. ;)

Wear waterproof makeup. D'oh! Long-wearing foundation is already a staple whether we're going through a sizzling or wet day. It's a given. But waterproof mascara and eyeliner are non-negotiables if you're going to go head-on with the rain. They're harder to take off but at least you won't be worrying about raccoon eyes everytime they get wet. Tip: Go for gel liners; they won't dissolve or smear with water.

Majolica Majorca Lash King Mascara - you can swim in this stuff!

Kanebo Kate Gel Eyeliner

Men should be more invested in a proper skincare routine. Not for the sake of vanity, mind you, but for the future of their skin! A simple cleanse and moisturize routine today can make a huge difference in say, twenty years from now; their skin will maintain a more elastic texture with less wrinkles at the very least.

Anyway, when LAB SERIES, a premium skincare brand for men, asked the press to bring a male +1 I immediately thought of one friend: Osmond! I'm sure he'll be receptive to the idea of investing in skin care. Besides, I haven't seen him in ages. Reuniting for the love of skincare was an excellent idea.

So here's what happened. He got a high-tech skin analysis that determined his skin type and condition. Unlike other skincare brands where analysis is based on a Q&A format (it is subjective), the Lab Series analysis is objective using a sensor specifically calibrated for male skin. Cool eh? It only took a few minutes.

Osmond was found to have fairly good skin already, with a bit of oiliness around the t-zone and dryness in the cheek area. The skincare specialists recommended that he use the basic cleanser (Multi-Action Face Wash, for all skin types) and exfoliator (Invigorating Face Scrub) to maintain his skin.

In a day this gloomy and wet, it's hard to imagine that summer ever happened. But hey, that's not an excuse to come in to work (or wherever you're going) looking like a drowned rat! Or even a rat expecting to be drowned for that matter. Er. Well my point is that it's important to have some life and color on your face whatever the season is, which is where the Benefit Cabana Glama Makeup Kit (P2,000) comes in!

This palette has everything you need to fake that glowy summer tan. In keeping with my past experience with Benefit products, the items inside are well-formulated and designed to flatter. Here I will discuss them one by one!

This is a little late I know but I thought I'd share my two cents anyway. The protest train has come and gone, Belo has apologized and taken down the ads. But I thought this is a worthy point of discussion, particularly about irony and hypocrisy.

Last Sunday, Belo Men has released a new campaign promoting their whitening range for guys. Three ads came out showing a conyo guy who is supposedly 10% lighter and thus 100% more sosyal and attractive. 

The knee-jerk reaction is that the ads are racist and promotes social stratification. But you know what? I think they're funny (while wrongly promoting social stratification, though definitely not racist)! The ads are tasteless but what Belo has here is self-deprecating sarcasm. Notice how the guy has a Kia - an old, far from sosy car. That's your giveaway. If there were only two ads or if his car is say, an Audi, I would think that Belo is being an asshole. But they're just trying to be funny, even going so far as to poke fun at their target market and even themselves.

Okay let's backtrack. From the car ad, we see a good looking guy throwing his keys at a valet in a swanky place. But he speaks in over-the-top conyoese and drives an old Kia, which means that he's not rich but that he's trying to climb the social grapevine.

Do you guys watch Downton Abbey? YOU SHOULD. It's a historical drama about the lives of an English titled family and their servants in the early 20th century. Affecting them all are events happening in the larger world like the sinking of the Titanic and the first World War. The actors are fantastic, the story, poignant, and the clothes! My dears, you shall be inspired.

The ladies wore charming tea dresses with immaculate, softly tailored tops. While we can still definitely do this today, wouldn't it be a little impractical to be walking around in heavy lace and full-length dresses? It is. Which is why I love JC Buendia's collection for Kashieca: it's inspired by Downton Abbey, except the clothes are made for the 21st century no-fuss working woman.

Don't expect any print-crazy trendy stuff. JC Buendia had something a lot more sophisticated and body-friendly in mind! The collection is full of figure enhancing tops and bottoms done in practical fabrics that can handle daily wear and tear.

The cuts aren't the sort that you'll see in your average Bangkok and China rebranded stores. Since the clothes are exclusively designed, you get the extensive experience and knowledge of the female body only a trained designer can give to his work.

I've been terribly busy last week so I haven't had the chance to take as many photos as I want. The only time I get to take a breather is when I'm eating; hence the gratuitous food portraits. Hehe. Enjoy!

Doodle earlier at a meeting. "He never came." 

Made mechado for dinner. It took me two hours to make! The beef is of some unknown type of diamond.

Bought these Grendha sandals yesterday at Bambu BHS. It's the perfect errand/rainy day flipflops.

Do you know how the "pinup girl" came about? During the Second World War, American soldiers would put up posters of sexy women on their walls or lockers. Sex symbols of the day such as Betty Grable, Marlyn Dietrich, and other girls who became pinup stars had an honored place in these testosterone-filled military camps. Popular pinup artist Gil Elvgren also drew women for these posters, one of which is this:

Photo from Oh, for the love of vintage

So that's a short history lesson for you. :) Anyway, today I want to talk about MAC's latest collection to hit the Philippines - Hey Sailor! It's inspired by the nautical pinup girl, with shades of bronze and tan capturing beautiful beach skin while brilliant blues and greens remind us of the sea. Here's the price list for your reference.

I went to the launch to have my makeup done (will show you in a bit). Of course, the girls from MAC were also there to join in on the fun. Check out their Hey Sailor! looks:

Rizel Magno in navy blue smoky eyeshadows and a bright red lip (Red Racer, a bright yellow red)

I've been beauty blogging for four years now, and in that time I've answered a lot of questions about makeup - especially ones referring to application. Some questions I've answered waaay back in the past, so I take it for granted that everyone who reads this already knows a thing or two when I review products.

But I still get a lot of inquiries from new readers (welcome, guys!) so I thought I'd compile all the basic tutorials I've done for their benefit.

Beauty Basics: What every girl needs in her makeup kit

How to apply flawless face makeup: learn how to maximize your liquid foundation and concealer to fake perfect skin (this is more for girls who need heavy coverage).

I initially wanted to include my review of this powder compact along with its soul mate, the Etude House Precious Mineral Sun BB Cream, but I thought it deserved a separate post on its own. It is A Really Good Powder, after all, one that I've been using ever since I got it!

Truth be told I was initially excited and then intimidated about the SPF50 the Etude House Precious Mineral Sun BB Pact has. Would it be too white? Higher SPF products usually have more titanium dioxide in them, a minerally-derived substance that's responsible for the white cast in photos (or even in plain sight).

I wanted to talk about how shorts are a staple yada yada but I'm sure that everyone else has exhausted the topic. To summarize: we live in a tropical country. Shorts are part of our national identity.

On a completely different note - one phrase has been running in my head repeatedly this morning. "If you want to lose weight, EAT LESS." It's like a freakin' mantra. But how less is less, and at what point do we need to eat more? I've been on a no carb diet for the past three weeks and it's consuming me. I do cheat once in a while, of course, but I make sure to make it up in the next meal.

Ferretti bag / Forever 21 knit top and blazer / Bench shorts / Pinbox headband and bracelets / ZARA heels

Just a few years ago, a makeup junkie's options for awesome and affordable palettes were very limited. Thanks to online resellers though, we now have access to drugstore brands from other countries like NYX, Sleek, Models Own, and Beauty UK. Kids these days are lucky! :P

Anyway, one product that I've recently come across is the Beauty UK Eyeshadow Palette in Earth Child (P355 at The Makeup Suite). It's a set of smoky and earthy neutrals that should give you sultry eyes for a dressy day out.

What I love about the product

• All colors have high pigmentation. There are some chalky textures (the white and beige shades) but they still apply opaque.

A male friend of mine asked me last week, "How much pain are you willing to go through for a pretty pair of shoes?" I said, "A lot!" Someone once said that good shoes can take you to good places, so if you're willing to take some pain for your vanity then you can potentially get some satisfaction out of it.

Anyways, I recently got two new pairs of shoes just to update my wardrobe. I've been mooning over them for a few weeks beforehand - they're not exactly cheap, so I had to think long and hard if I really needed them. I just felt miserable until I gave in. Next time, I won't put myself to all that trouble! If I badly want something, I'll just go freakin' get it if I can afford it.

First off, I finally got these Zara Basic Sandals. I've seen a lot of fashion bloggers wear them (especially abroad). I'm not the type to fall for trendy things, but I just love how beautifying these heels are!

Got this interesting question over at Ask Liz. Read on!

Hi Ms. Liz! I don't know if I'm really asking a question or just seeking affirmation...I'm really "balbon": my arms and legs are hairy (but not like a man's, whew, could've been worse right?). Worse, I have facial hair! I have "baby bangs" that aren't really part of my "real hair" anymore (they're more facial hair than real hair because it's on my forehead already), and I can't even have the part above my eyebrows threaded for fear that it'll look really weird!

But I guess the worst part of it all is that I have a moustache! Eek! I really want to have it removed but I don't want to deal with it growing (thus I do not want it waxed). I would really love to have it lasered but that's too expensive, and I'm just in my early twenties! :(

Oily girls, listen up! I have a great reco for you: the Etude House Precious Mineral Sun BB Cream (P978). It's a long-lasting, water and oil resistant BB cream that has SPF50 to boot. It's ideal for those days when you need to hustle under the sun for long periods of time - super useful here in our country where summer is the default weather.

I'm really diggin' this product, and here's why!

Coverage and finish. The Sun BB Cream has a medium to heavy coverage. It can hide minor blemishes and eyebags - really useful for those who have far from perfect skin. The finish is quite matte (not flat though) and very smooth. Just remember to blend it very carefully to avoid uneven coverage.

Shade selection. There are three shades available, Light Beige (for fair skin), Natural beige (fair medium), Sand Beige (dark medium). The one I have, Natural Beige, is roughly two shades lighter than my skin upon application but it settles down to one shade lighter.

I was dawdling in First Aid, Greenbelt 5 while waiting for a movie to start. There's a wide range of practical beauty products and tools that's exclusive there such as my fave Sebamed Face & Body Wash! Anyway, I ended up buying my first ever pack of cellulose sponges and you know what? I can't believe I only got one now.

This stuff is amazing. A pack of two Aqua Massage sponges is only P52 (crazy) but you can do a lot of things with it! Here's how I like to use these sponges:

• With my facial wash as a pore cleanser and exfoliator. The sponge is soft and firm at the same time so it can take off deep-seated dirt and flaky skin without being abrasive. 
• As a physical makeup remover. I soak it in warm water then gently rub it on my face to dislodge the makeup. No need to use anything else while doing this.

Here's whats been happening in the beauty industry! For your information. ;)

Be Part Of The Beauty Buzz with Pond's

Visit the “Pond’s Institute” Manila booth at the SM Mall of Asia’s Main Mall Atrium and be one of the privileged ladies to experience beauty and technology when you join Pond’s beauty activities from June 15 to July 4. Get a free skin analysis and a derma consultation every Saturday and Sunday. 

Rouge is one of the first types of makeup ever. From as far back as ancient Egypt when men, women, and children painted their lips and cheeks red to the roaring 20s when color on the face symbolized women's emancipation, rouge has been a staple in every makeup kit. Fortunately, we live in the 21st century so we don't have to worry about lead and mercury poisoning from our pots/tubes of rouge. :P

That said, one product has found a permanent space in my bag: the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink (P1,500)!

I love this because it's extremely easy to use. Fingers and one minute is all you need with this to get perfect lips and cheeks! I have tried other cream blushes before but this one is probably the prettiest and most convenient of them all. Here's why!

What I love about the product

• It's easy to apply - with your clean fingers, dab it on the lips then pat it on the apples of your cheeks. It doesn't dry up too quickly or leave streaks so you have time to blend it properly.
• Doesn't feel greasy or thick on the lips/cheeks. It does settle as a normal stain would. 

Have you read Gabbie Tatad's article on Philippine Star called "A fashion blogger reality check"? Do! It's a great opinion piece on the culture of fashion blogging in the country. I agree with many of the things she said, particularly in these passages:

As far as I can see, everything in this world has its place. Sure, clothes have a myriad of positive effects — changing the way you feel, skimming down features you’re not exactly thrilled with, expressing the facets of your personality only you might be aware of. And yes, I will be the first to tell you that fashion is art, expression, freedom, inspiration, and creation.

But it is also function and comfort, and days when clothes really are just clothes. Because while we’ve been made to believe that they might make the man, they aren’t magical enough to produce substance where there is none. They serve their purpose, but fall second to character, skill, intellect, and depth —something so easily forgotten in a haze of lens flare and digitally-retouched lighting.

I do have a comment on something else she pointed out. 

You can get a pretty good idea of what a person is really like when you check his or her Instagram feed. Pictures do speak a thousand words, and I so enjoy listening! In a sense.

Here's what peppered my week.

Cooked grilled rosemary and lemon chicken for dinner.

Tried using this sea sponge with warm water to remove my makeup last night. Think I need more practice!

Dreaming of salmon.