All the Vanity Blog :: Beauty, Fashion & Shopping

I always expect the raging heat for a beautiful tropical country where I currently stay. This country never fails to amuse me, as it belts quite a variety of precious waters and fine sands. And, to think that the summer heat is back again after a period of intermittent rain showers, it’s finally the right time to bring out those summery essentials, as I plan to escape to some beach paradise pretty soon! xx

So, what to bring then?

*(L-R) Goggles from Speedo, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 50+ Sunblock, Two-piece Bikinis from Speedo and H&M*

Quite frankly, I do not see a point lugging a mammoth-size bag and pack in bulk, not unless you are coming along in a huge group or staying for a time. Clearly, the weather gives us an ease when it comes to packing, since clothes to don are definitely smaller and thinner.

However, just mind the few basics:

1. Bring a sunblock. Your spf buddy in a bottle is this season’s mush-have BFF. You may love the sun, but I don’t think you’re gonna enjoy loving your stinging, sunburnt skin later on. Moreover, it helps your skin fight against premature aging. You’ll know what I mean by reading this post.
2. Keep in mind: Goggles and gadgetry. For sure, you’re gonna need this in order to make your beach escape more fun and hassle-free. Goggles, for instance, protect your eyes from getting reddish and irritated by the pool’s chlorine or by the beach’s high-sodium waters. I, for instance, also bring earplugs in addition to combat pressure sickness underwater. Gadgets, such as an underwater camera, watch or inflatable lifesavers help you capture those moments impeccably, whilst keeping you safe and secure.
3. Wear a Swimsuit! Of course, never go swimming sans wearing your swimming gear. Your swimwear surely has a lot to offer, aside from flaunting your curves or flashing your washboard abs. May it be a two-piece bikini, a one-piece boyleg swimsuit, trunks or boardshorts, these fashionable garments help you move along the water and swim better.
4. Pack Enough Clothes & Addons. I know you’re gonna wear your swimwear all day and night long, but of course, you still need some clothes on! Remember to pack enough clothes, depending on the duration of your trip. Keep two-piece clothing (aka tops and bottom) in pairs, so does your lingerie! You may have an option to pack some coverup, should you fret exposing your skin too much and need to take some cover.
5. Lastly, one pair of flipfops could do wonders. Of course, exploring the rest of the beachside is something you ought to do once there. A pair of flipflops can take you afar without actually hurting your footsies. Not to mention, wearing them always feel refreshing. Once in the beach, ditch your shoes and grab your nifty flipflops.

And oh, I just forgot to mention. If you’re not staying in the hotel, make sure to bring most of your toiletries. At the end of the day, you must always head for the real shower! Another, it does not hurt to bring an extra, waterproof case to stash your wet garments inside.

All in all, enjoy Summer by smiling for thing in the morning. It’ll surely give your day a blast!

I’ve been meaning to have my hair colored again one of these days. But, due to my busy and uptight schedule, and the fear of damaging my hair and my clothes, this idea was put onto hold for quite a while.

Upon checking Sephora, this hair coloring set loomed me. I was immediately attracted to  it–not just with its lavender-ish tones and interesting accessories included in the set. But hey, this one’s a product of Frederic Fekkai, one renowned celebrity hair dresser. And, I’d say his products surely got a lot to offer!

Frederic Fekkai Salon Color is a do-it-yourself permanent brush-on hair color that promises to deliver salon quality results.

The tried-and-true Fekkai “brush and bowl” approach allows for thorough blending and precise application. The brush-on method offers optimal control, even coverage, and excellent color adhesion—with no drips or missed strands.-Sephora.com

It’s also available in a wide range of brilliant colors. After use, hair looks healthier than before, sans any trace of grays. It also makes hair 40% shinier, silkier and softer.

Too bad, it’s not available locally. So, I’ll be asking someone from the States to buy it for moi. It might be a bit pricier for $30. But, if it swears to be drip free (meaning less mess and chances for my clothes to be stained), then I’m pretty sure this would be worth shelling out for! I’m thinking of getting a Dark Blonde, Light Golden Brown or Medium Auburn. xx

If you wanna get yours today, feel free to visit this link.

Now that summer’s officially over—at least due to the humidity we have been experiencing since the onset of May, have an option to turn your skin into its rosy white state. Good thing, L’Oreal Paris Dermo-Expertise introduces its newest product: L’Oreal White Perfect Radiance Boosting Double Essence.

Clearly, this is not your ordinary whitening potion. By way of whitening, L’Oreal White Perfect Radiance Boosting Double Essence promises a healthy pinkish glow. Thanks to its Tourmaline gemstone, as it helps stimulating skin’s microcirculation, giving you intense radiance and rosy glow. So, bid farewell to those whitening products that make you look fairer, yet look lifeless, livid and paler. This product boasts its Advanced Melano-Block, that acts to regulate skin’s melanin production right at its source, and Pro-Radiance Complex (potent combination of Lactic and Glycolic Acids), that helps to exfoliate darkened surfaced dead skin cells charged with excess melanin. All of these actively boosts your skin’s transparency,  making it less yellowish in appearance.

The dual pump houses two essences that work perfectly for anti-dark zones and pro-rosy transparency.

An association of 2 textures: one creamy white essence and one watery rosy essence that melt together to bring immediate comfort to the skin with a fresh feeling upon application.-L’Oreal Paris

(more…)

Lancome is bringing another fountain of youth to its thriving skincare arsenal–the Lancome Genifique Youth Activator. After a decade of research & production, this anti-aging potion has been perfected to target skin right through the core–the skin’s DNA! It mainly promises to revive the genes’ activity and stimulate the production of youth proteins. It is the first skin care product to claim working directly on the genes.

Our Research Laboratories have identified a protein profile specific to young skin. Using our in vitro reconstructed skin model, we have been able to demonstrate that the concentrated innovative active substances in the Génifique formulation relaunch the activity of certain genes, thereby boosting synthesis of the proteins that typify young skin. In this model, the skin recovers the profile of youth after 6 hours.-Lancome

Furthermore, This is Lancome has to say: (more…)

A picture says a thousand words. So, check out the newest fab eye lash collections from Shu Uemura Tokyo Lash Bar coming this June 2009.

*Eye lash “fabulosities” at mega different hues and styles*

*Wickedly mesmerizing Ice Queen!*

(more…)

I heart mascaras because they give more definition to my eye lashes–creating curls & more volume to it! I recently compared two sample mascaras: Exceptionnel de Chanel Mascara & Lancome Virtuose Mascara.

Exceptionnel de Chanel

Exceptionnel de Chanel Mascara claims to be volumizing, curling and lasting. Its exceptional brush provides lash-by-lash application and creates an intense volume effect for precise makeup from roots to tips. Moreover, its creamy and resistant formula stretches perfectly over the entire length of lashes, and curls them to the extreme sans any clumps in sight.

Its texture ensures resistance to humidity and provides lasting hold–so rest assured that it won’t run or flake!

It comes in four sensational colors: Smoky Noir, Smoky Brun, Smoky Marine and Smoky Violine.

Lancome Virtuose

An Allure Magazine’s breakthrough award winner, Lancome Virtuose Divine Lasting Curves Mascara boasts a 100° lash curve with divine length all day.

It has CurlGuard™ formula lengthens and holds a divine lash curve for 12 hours.  The KeepCurl™ brush provides an outstanding eyelash curling effect. Its long-lasting formula is virtually smudge-proof, tear-proof and easily removable.

The Test

First, I put Exceptionnel de Chanel on the left eye (right on the pic) since I’m a leftie , and then Lancome Virtuose on the right eye (left on the pic). I wish to have a clearer image, but my camera’s not doing that. Anyways, here are the results!

Lancome Virtuose gives a bit more definition than Chanel. It’s also easier to apply. With Exceptionnel de Chanel‘s unique application, I think it’s kinda time consuming to pull off. Lancome Virtuose looks more dramatic and lengthy in this picture. The camera facing up close. Eyes facing the camera.

Here, you can now visibly see Exceptionnel de Chanel. If Lancome Virtuose puts some length on my lashes, Exceptionnel de Chanel puts some volume to it–naturally! Camera facing up close. Head titled. Eyes looking upward.

The Verdict? (more…)

I would have shared to you some tidbits on the latest L’Oreal Luxe Beauty Group Event here in the Philippines, but this one requires some sense of urgency. Deadline of entries is tomorrow, May 7th!

I gotta heart someone who posted this contest in her Multiply blog, as I’ve been wanting a brush set from Shu Uemura. Beauty for a Living is giving away this lovely brush set which consists of 4 brushes: a goat brush for the face, a pony and squirrel brush for cheeks,  a sable and kolinsky brush for eyes, and a  sable brush for lips. All enclosed in a lovely floral makeup brush kit!

The Mika brush set is Shu Uemura’s collaboration with photographer Mika Ninagawa

Of course, it doesn’t stop there.  Up for grabs is this luxurious introductory skincare set from Jurlique. It contains a Balancing Foaming Cleanser, Rosewater Balancing Mist, Daily Exfoliating Cream, Herbal Recovery Gel and Balancing Day Care Cream.

Finally, win another fab Shu Uemura loot–a lippie case that fits at most two lipstick tubes. It comes with a compact mirror for quick touch-ups!

At last, here comes the sun! Now’s our chance to free ourselves from all the layers of clothing and makeup, and finally don those skin-revealing bikinis and bare-faced skin whilst embracing its glorious rays.  Of course, you won’t be caught dead sans wearing a sun block that ensheaths  your skin from the  damaging UV rays, lest you’ll end up like a burnt mud pudding!

So here’s one to try from Shu Uemura. Shu Uemura launches its UV Armor High Proctection Sun Protector Face Cream that promises to serve as your armor against those ominous UV rays, leaving your skin radiantly looking all the day long–minus the stinging burns! UV rays are one of the major culprits of premature aging, so wearing this face sun block saves yourself from double-trouble!

It’s currently available into two variants, oomphed with much SPF power to withstand those UV rays as long as it could. Choose one from SPF 30 and SPF 50, whichever suits your skin better. Just a tip: the higher the SPF, the greasier it gets but the longer you can stay on the sun, and vice versa.