I eat street food because I want to see just how tough my stomach is. I want to challenge fate, spit in its eye, you know? I feel invincible because I've never gotten typhoid from all the unnamed fishballs I've consumed. Related (but not really) is the fact that a random flu bug can take me down swifter than any street isaw I deliberately ate. Well played, Fate. Well played.

Anyway. Here's my monthly list of ten amazing finds!

My current favorite cheek beautifier is theBalm Instain Blush. This is incredibly long-wearing and pigmented! I like how it makes my skin look like it's just naturally blushing. Highly recommend this for oily girls.

Here's another one from theBalm - the What's Your Type? The Body Builder Mascara. I love this because I get major volume in just one coat, plus it doesn't smudge or smear on me. It's also very easy to take off - it melts right off with just my water-based makeup remover!

I adore the Naturactor Cover Face Foundation because it has this smooth, baby-skin finish that I haven't seen yet in other foundations. It's just one of those things you have to try and see for yourself! I promise you'll be amazed. However, the shade selection is severely limited. If you're medium yellow like me, I don't think that 151 (darkest shade) will work. But who knows! I might be able to try that shade out soon.

Clinique is probably not the first brand on our minds when it comes to eyeshadow, but it won't fail to surprise you in that department. Remember the Clinique Chubby Stick for Eyes? Those are pretty good! Recently, the brand released an all-new, reformulated eyeshadow duo. Is it worth a look-see?

The Clinique All About Shadow Duo (P1,250) comes in a luxe silver case just like the brand's powder foundation. I'm really liking this direction; silver is a much more updated color than Clinique's minty green! Remember when their duos came in green plastic? Haha. This time, thick acrylic case looks more expensive and sturdy.

Do tell me, after all the persuasion I've thrown your way, that you have one or two cream eyeshadows already in your possession. Please. No? Bah! If you can trust this blog on ten things, one of them would be the fact that you MUST have at least one basic cream eyeshadow for quick looks. You're missing out if you haven't tried it yet!

I think some girls are scared that cream eyeshadow would just slide right off their oily lids, but with new formulas like the Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadows (P320 at Bon Marche), you never have to worry about silly things like staying power. Or brushes. Or eyeshadow primers!

This Maybelline Color Tattoo eyeshadows have received a lot of raves because they are practically waterproof, smudge-proof, and crease-proof. It's true! You can run a marathon and these things would most likely still be on your lids. 

The product comes in a sturdy glass jar, and a cap that seals completely

They are easy to apply with just fingers although I prefer to use my MAC 217 to blend them properly.

This year has been good to me, skincare-wise. I've discovered a lot of new, amazing things that really helped my skin be its best possible version. I still break out every once in a while due to new cosmetics; that's just part and parcel of the job I guess!

One of the readers asked me why I just don't go to the derma to fix the blemishes and occasional acne. It's because I already know what works - if I just stick to it, then I'll be fine. But testing out new foundations and creams, even though I screen them beforehand, is necessary if I am to properly review them. It's risky yes but it needs to be done.

Anyway! Here's my current skincare routine. My core skincare as you know is the Shiseido Ibuki line - I can't say enough just how awesome this stuff is. Seriously. Not sponsored. No agenda. The facial wash, softener, and refining moisturizer works SO well on my skin! 

Cleansing Skincare. I've tried a hoarde of products from various brands, but for cleansing, no other country does it better than Japan. It's probably because the Japanese have a better appreciation of Asian skin than Westerners in general - I don't know! But I tell you, Japanese skincare is the best at clearing off makeup, lessening oil, and preventing blackheads.

My favorite makeup remover is Bifesta, specifically the Moist variant. It's not as drying at the Sebum one (blue bottle). For waterproof mascara, I prefer to use the Shiseido Instant Eye and Lip Remover. This is crazy expensive, for a makeup remover that is, but it's gentle and doesn't irritate my eyes and lips.

As you know I love the Shiseido Ibuki Gentle Cleanser to bits. I'd probably bite you if you try to take it away. Then there is the Cure Natural Aqua Gel, which is the BEST exfoliator for me. I don't have to worry about blackheads because of this! Check out how economical it is. I haven't opened a new bottle since April, and I never fail to use this at least once a week. 

Hi folks! The Commenter of the Month for September is none other than Stacie Chan. Congratulations! Please email me your address so I can ship your MAC loot. ^_^

For October's Commenter of the Month, I am gifting him/her with two Real Techniques brush sets from KALM Cosmetics. KALM is actually the official distributor of Real Techniques here in the Philippines, so do visit that store for good deals and wholesale arrangements. 

I'm a huge fan of RT brushes. The products, designed by famous vlogger Samantha Chapman, have a precision and softness that would cost a lot more in other brush brands. The Core Collection is something I've never failed to use since I got it, while the Duo-Fiber set is a nice refining addition to my existing tools. I thought it's about time to gift these to one lucky PV reader!

Do Like KALM Cosmetics on Facebook and follow them on Twitter if you're interested in knowing how to get RT brushes here. :)

Okay, same mechanics as before! Every month, I'll pick a commenter on my blog.

I've been intrigued about the Real Techniques Duo-Fiber Brush Collection (P1,149) ever since it came out, more so after I read the good reviews! I finally nabbed my own set, thanks to Kalm Cosmetics. This store is the official distributor of Real Techniques here in the Philippines btw, so check it out if you want a better deal or if you're interested in selling wholesale.

Anyway! The RT Duo-Fiber brushes are a great addition to your collection if you want a finer, soft-focus finish to your makeup. If you're the sort who hates having sharp lines of color on your face, cakey makeup, or having to consciously use a light hand every time you apply color, the this set is for you!

Weighted handles and metallic white ferrules make for a luxe feeling, even though the brushes aren't that expensive

The duo-fiber (well, technically these brushes don't have "two fibers" - they're just two different colors of synthetic hair) material of these brushes is super soft and plush. They don't feel scratchy at all (although the eye brush has a couple of pointy bits). The sparse white tip picks up a small amount while the black, dense hair at the bottom blends it. Pretty handy.

Here's a quick rundown of what each brush is for!

A lot of girls seem to be intimidated by smoky eyes - I can't blame them, it is a tough look to pull off if you're just starting to play with makeup. I had to practice A LOT to get the blending and the shape juuuust right; it helped to finally acquire the right brushes for the job, too. But it was a rewarding adventure. I'm gonna call it an adventure because I can recall with horror how my early smoky eyes looked like. Hehe.

Still, I hope I'm not totally scaring you off this dramatic eye look. It can elongate and widen your eyes, perfect for evening engagements or instances where you'll get photographed! Now one drugstore palette that I really like to use for smoky eyes is the BYS Eyeshadow Palette in Guilty Pleasures (P499). This has a nice selection of colors with good pigmentation - not bad for the price!

This caught my eye while I was shopping at Watsons (only place where you can find BYS since they're exclusive)!Anyway, I like the payoff of the colors, especially the darkest ones; you'll really get an opaque olive or black if you layer it properly. You'd still need an eyeshadow base to make the light and medium colors to show up, but I use a base with almost all my eyeshadows so no biggie.

The texture is smooth albeit chalky. As long as you tap the brush before applying the color, you'd be okay. ;) Check out the swatches and my FOTD wearing it after the cut!

Have you tried Avon eyeshadows before? I have, but they were woefully unimpressive last year. The texture and pigmentation needed a lot of work, and the sponge they came with? Useless. I have good news though! Avon has finally refomulated their quads, and I tell you, they are pretty good! 

I've been using them quite often since I got them, so I thought I'd start Eyeshadow Week at Project Vanity with the new Avon True Color Eyeshadow Quads (P449).

The new formula is a lot smoother and more pigmented than before. I also love the sophisticated color selection, and how well each color in the quad goes together. You can get a nice day look by mixing just two colors or a dramatic evening look by combining all four. The darkest shade in each quad is a deep matte that's pigmented enough to be used as eyeliner (wet or dry works!).

Chocolate Sensation is a lovely smoky neutral palette. I love ALL the colors, and I think they'd look good across most skintones!

Kohl eyeliner makes our eyes more dramatic and intense, but the sad fact is that most of them simply are too creamy to stay in place. That's just the nature of the formula - the creamier, more emollient a product is, the less wear-time you get out of it. 

So who wants to wear eyeliner that looks great for only two hours? Not a lot of people, I imagine. But they're still pretty to look at, especially the Revlon Photoready Kajal Intense Eyeliner + Brightener (P525). 

The formula is very smooth and creamy, while the finish has a satiny opaqueness to it. Some colors are immediately solid, but I find that the lighter ones need to be layered on to get maximum color pay off. I can live with that.

Oily girls rejoice! There's a new blush in town that'll defy the sebum and the sweat. theBalm Instain Blush (P895 from Beauty Bar) promises to be a staining powder blush. Indeed, this is one of the longest-wearing cheek colors I've ever tried! It sticks so well that it barely fades even after I've worn it for eight hours. I have yet to try it for longer than that time, but I can imagine that it can last up to ten.

Other than the staying power, I love the finish of Instain. It's, how do I say it...it's like another layer of skin. It doesn't look like it's sitting on top of the cheeks like a powdery monster; it's how my skin would look if it were blushing at the moment. It's not a flat matte but it's not shiny or shimmery either.

Okay I think I have it. The finish is like a cheek stain's, except that it's in powder form! It doesn't actually stain the skin though, which makes for hassle-free removal at the end of the day.

Nelly See, the owner of Pinkbox, is one of the most kikay women I know. She's a mother of five and extremely busy with running her own successful business, but that doesn't stop her from always looking her best. She's up to date with the latest makeup releases, and since she's so well-traveled, her makeup kit is stocked with finds from abroad!

We had an hour to kill before a party (Joey Samson's 10th anniversary!), so I decided to snap pics of what's inside her clutch for that evening.

BCBG Max Azria clutch, a find from Thailand. This is a classy piece that can be toted from day to night!

Ms Nelly's beauty routine is about focusing on great skin and minimal makeup. She also takes time to style her hair, as it's definitely one of her best assets! Yes, she blowdries her own hair! For special occasions though, she prefers to have her favorite hair dresser to come over and do her locks. 

Her skincare comprises mostly of Japanese brands like Kanebo and Shu Uemura. Her makeup also leans towards Asian brands, but she does love Benefit! Okay I'll stop rambling now. Here's what's inside Ms Nelly's clutch!

Hello beautiful ladies! The weather has been crazy and I am at forced cabin arrest. I have a serious issue with makeup mistakes, esp when people wear 'em with pride ;) I am no pro in makeup but I know a lot more than the basics. (Yes, I am claiming it) I cant stand unblended/cake-y or too white foundations, bright and unblended blush and spidery lashes and racoon eyes. Fourth is lipstick on teeth or anywhere but the lips. So, Id like to know, what top 3 makeup mistakes do you hate? - ManilaJen

Hi Jen! Same here, I'm just stuck at home working. Hope all is well on your end. :) So, about your question. Makeup is a fun way to express ourselves and I'd like to believe that we can wear whatever the hell we want, when we want - as long as we're ready for the consequences, that is. There is a wrong way of doing things, like when our makeup is rude or makes us look the opposite of good. 

My makeup pet peeves are ones that go against my makeup personal philosophy. These are also lessons I learned the hard way!

Watch this video, it's funny!

Pet Peeve #1: Too much makeup. Makeup looks best when it's used as a way to enhance our best assets and downplay our less desirable features. Personal, everyday makeup should be a way to show that you're healthy, successful, confident - not the other way around!

Too many layers of foundation, overdone eyebrows, goopy lip gloss and over five eyeshadow shades on a normal day out counts as "too much".

What we want to happen versus what actually happens are two completely different things. And you know what, that's perfectly fine. There are many variables in any given situation that it's difficult to predict the exact outcome. The trick is to be flexible and to adapt as quickly as possible. When life throws you lemons, you can do better than lemonade! Find a chicken then bake it with lemon sauce. 

Just don't give up, is the hardest and most important part.

Anyhoo, today I'll be reviewing a foundation that you're probably super curious about: the Naturactor Cover Face Foundation (P790 at Digital Traincase). There have been a lot of rave reviews floating around the web for some time now - is this Japanese foundation worth the hype?

It is. It is. When I first wore it, I exclaimed out loud: "Seriously? This is intense!" I can't believe the ultra-smooth, baby skin finish! I've never tried a foundation with this kind of finish before. The cream felt thin and light, yet it has medium to heavy coverage. It sets into a powdery layer so I doubt that I'd even need a finishing powder. 

Everyone, and I mean everyone, needs an MLBB lipstick the same way they need a pair of blue jeans and black ballet flats. Forget the lip tints and tinted lip balms, if you're a newbie in makeup or even a certified pro, a reliable and flattering My Lips But Better shade will serve you well in any occasion. It's basic. It's a must-have!

Now the question is, what makes a good MLBB and how do you choose one for yourself? The best kind of MLBB has a creamy, slightly glossy finish. This type of finish will make your lips look healthier and fuller instantly. As for the shade, choose one that is close to the actual color of your lips - that's the most basic guideline. Think of it as foundation. That's why most MLBBs have a flesh-toned, sometimes brown base. Their aim is to enhance actual skin and not to saturate it with color.

Warm skintones look best in peachy and warm pink MLBBs; cooler skintones look good in paler, lilac-toned shades. Of course, there's a lot of room for choosing a color that looks good on you. You can go slightly cooler or warmer, as long as you pick one that brightens up your face instead of making it look sallow and gray. I wish I can be more specific, but you'll know it when you try it.

As per your request, I've rounded up my favoritest MLBB lipsticks. If we have the same skin tone (medium yellow) and level of lip pigmentation, these will rock your socks off. Promise.

L-R: Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Curviest Caramel, Revlon Lipstick in Pink in the Afternoon, MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Bare Again, MAC Lipstick in See Sheer, Etude House Lipstick in Worrisome Beige, L'Oreal Color Riche Intense Lipstick in Fairy Touch

I've already reviewed most of these lipsticks so please just click the links if you want more information. Here I will be sharing swatches for you to browse and compare, so enjoy! ^_^

Have you tried a metallic lipstick before? I think this would be my first time! The Estee Lauder Pure Color Chrome Metal Lipstick in Coral Halo (P1,400) is part of the brand's Autumn 2013 Collection called Pure Color Metallics. This limited edition line is all about smooth, liquid metal finishes that are not your mother's frosty makeup. Think chrome, its dull sheen. That's what Estee Lauder was shooting for!

The formula is creamy and doesn't feel like a thick blanket on the lips. Staying power is average at 3-4 hours; it adheres well enough that it won't disappear after a meal, but it will fade. As with all EL cosmetics, this smells like fresh fig fruits. It's very pleasant and luxe!

I love Watsons. There's always something new, something interesting in that place! It can be a little bewildering though. Big Watsons branches like the one in SM Aura, for example, offer so many choices that it can be discouraging to look around for new stuff. 

I suppose that's one of the reasons for the existence of the Watsons Health, Wellness & Beauty Awards. This aims to help consumers choose only the best health, personal care, skincare, cosmetics, and hair care products. In turn, being aware of the Watsons Recommends Seal of Excellence can help us get more value for our money.

Wanna know who won the Watsons HWB? ;) The list is after the cut!

I'm crazy about facial mists lately. I've used them before, irregularly, but now I spray my face right after I'm finished with my makeup routine! This new habit started while I was traveling last July and August. It was the height of summer in Japan and Hong Kong, so I needed something that works to dispel the icky, hot feeling on my skin - a feeling that won't go away with just powder and blotting sheets.

I discovered (rather late!) that spraying on a facial mist is a great way to refresh your makeup in the middle of the day. My skin also feels re-energized because of the cool water, taking away the sensation of being a wilted flower. 

It's obvs not that hot in the Philippines right now, but I continued misting because it's also an excellent way to remove that powdery look.