All the Vanity Blog :: Beauty, Fashion & Shopping

First of all, please check out to see how you can help Typhoon Ondoy victims that wrought the wrath of nature in the Philippines last weekend, killing hundreds of people and leaving thousands homeless.

A tiny contraption like this comes as a great companion-slash-accessory especially for those who are having a hard time reading small texts, particularly in dim-lit rooms and candlelit restos. I got this Pocket Magnifier from Great Point while checking some reads in Fully Booked. I thought of making a purchase,  since it comes with a bright LED light, so I can simply sneak at night leafing my current read. It was kinda sad that they ran out of colors available, leaving me with only blueberry & bubblegum to choose from. And so, chose the pink one (picture shown on the left).

It really looks glam, so using flaunting it in public won’t be quite a problem (on the tacky/nerd scale)! Best of all, it’s really lightweight and fits right into your purse or pocket, measuring only around 4 1/2 x 2 inches (est) and just 1 centimeter thick. It can magnify up to three times, while the LED light is powerful enough to give you a pleasant sight even at the darkest places. I tested it with lights off, and it worked just fine. I could even use it as a flashlight!

To use: Just slide open to activate LED light and start magnifying. It will provide 30 hours of light on two replaceable CR1130 lithium batteries (which are  included).

*Great Point Pocket Magnifier with LED Light in Opaque Blueberry, Black and Cherry *

Colors are available in opaques (black, cherry, bubble game and blueberry) and translucents (cherry, bubblegum, blueberry, blueberry and plum. Price is $ 9.99 (Php 499 in Fully Booked).

Anna Sui caught my attention with its latest TVC starring this ever stunning British model (and singer, yes) Agyness Deyn. I have been seeing the ads for a time on cable TV, and so I thought of making it a blog feature.

Anna Sui recently launched its newest makeup collection, featuring Anna Sui Moisture Rich Foundation. It’s packed with SPF 15 and promises to create naturally flawless, pore-perfecting finish. It’s enriched with botanical ingredients such as rose extract, grape seed oil and raspberry extract that have aromatherapheutic, anti-oxidizing and moisturizing properties to make skin healthier and prevent it from drying. Best of all, it’s encased in an iconic rose motif compact that’s just utterly gorgeous!

Honestly, I haven’t tried a product yet from Anna Sui. Yet, this one looks pretty convincing, as it swears by the flawless, pore-less part! Also, one to try out is the Anna Sui Loose Powder that has oil-absorbing ingredients to create a long lasting, soft luminous finish.

Anna Sui Moisture Rich Foundation TVC

If you haven’t seen the TV ad yet, here’s your chance to take a sneak peek:

Furthermore, you can learn more about the whole collection by visiting this link.

Cleary, vanity is one of the seven deadly sins, and undeniably my favorite one! Ironically, this sin (i.e. your feverish lust for beauty product hoarding) can actually save an innocent life.

Mio at a very young age is already fighting the greatest battle of his life. Albeit cancer-stricken, his illness doesn’t show on his very happy and radiant facade. Leukemia is a tough opponent, and a very costly one. So, here’s one way to help: buy beauty products!

A kind-hearted blogger (Beauty for a Living) is currently selling really nice stuff (BeneFit, Laura Mercier, Kenzo, Mugler, etc) at bargain prices. Discounts go from around 30-50% off! Proceeds will go to Mio’s chemotherapy treatment.

Visit the site now and save this young soldier’s life!

You can also check out Mio’s own website to learn how to help.

*Let his fight be our fight, too! Help Mio defeat Cancer. *

A package came a week ago containing my small haul of Korean beauty product samples. And so, I had a chance trying out Skin Food Gold Caviar Lifting Prime Skin for the first time. It’s an anti-aging primer with Russian Caviar and Nano-gold Ingredients that helps moisturize the skin and improve its elasticity. The ingredients sound luxurious, don’t they?

I remember hearing from someone that the quest for keeping the skin from premature aging starts at age 25. I haven’t reached past that age, but I believe the earlier the better!

And yes, though the term moisturizer quite haunted me in the past, I’d say this moisturizing primer is simply a must-have addition to my ever-growing skin care/makeup armament. Here’s why:

Hydrates the skin sans over-moisturizing, leaves skin softer and smoother

I never religiously used a moisturizer during my teenage years since my face was so sensitive and overreacting then. Hence, rich, creamy moisturizers often aggravate my oily, greasy skin condition. Given so, they also give me the worst breakouts you can imagine! That’s why I try to lay off using them as much as possible, since I believe that my skin is well, if not, over hydrated with all the gunk of sebum on it. However, this has changed when I started working few years later.

The oiliness has lessened, and from very oily, it has become a combination of oily skin on the T-zone and normal-dry skin on the V-zone. At times, I feel that my skin is way too dry. To cut the crap, this is when my love of moisturizers all began.

Going back to the product, the gold caviar lifting prime skin does not leave a greasy feeling most moisturizers do. For me, it gives just-enough moisture my skin needs. It’s not that emollient, which I like the most. However, I don’t think it has enough moisturizing capabilities on those who have extremely dry skin types. Additional potent moisturizer should be followed, had the skin been quite dry.

I have also started to feel that my skin has smoothened since I started using the product. Unsightly bumps and roughness were reduced.

This actually perfect for someone on-the-go like me who sometimes apply as little skincare and makeup as possible esp when rushing to work! I can wear it alone sans applying another moisturizer.

Breakout-Free, Dewy Finish

Another thing I love about this product is that my skin didn’t react to it! There were no breakouts occurred. Also, the gold caviar lifting prime skin has a watery, creamy consistency that is easily absorbed by the skin. It doesn’t leave a sticky feeling, and has a light, dewy finish. I don’t have to wait for a minute or two before applying base makeup. It also does not make makeup cakey or streaky.

It may be bit pricey for about Php 1,874 ($ 38.66), but it’s definitely worth it. 

I recently went to the beautiful island of Boracay in the Philippines for a weekend beach trip with friends. Of course, whilst the weather was a bit gloomy on the first two days of our stay, slathering on sunblock was still a must-do.

The sun may hide and the clouds may conquer the vastness of  the sky, but the killer cancer-causing UV rays won’t!

So I got to stash in Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50. This is my current fave since it is the ONLY sunblock my oily face can stand!

I must say, I wasn’t really much of a fan wearing sunblock everyday, until I met this. Sunblock tends to be too greasy on my face, causing more buildup. More buildup means more face trouble in the future–count the zits in! My second favorite is VMV Hypoallergenics Armada SPORT in SPF 70, since it belts a higher SPF. The problem is, most VMV Armadas, even at SPF 30 (the lowest SPF they have), feels greasy on my face. However, I don’t have any problem using it with the rest of my body.

Going back to Netrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, here’s my RAVE review.

Lightweight, Non-Greasy Feel

Truly, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock lives up to its name. Its lightweight formula gives a just-right matte finish. This is really perfect for those who have very oily skin and acne-sufferers like me. Though it’s not really meant for oil-control, it won’t surely cause your skin to grease a lot. You can wear it alone or under makeup, and I’m pretty confident it won’t cause any caking, streaking or buildup on your foundation.

Mild Scented, Breakout Free

I love its mild scent, unlike other sunblock that kinda smells gross–like chemical! Ah yes, just as I said earlier, it won’t cause you breakouts!  Well, as for me, it didn’t cause a single dot. So, it’s skin-friendly, and is suited for all skin types.

Also, I heard it comes in SPF 70 and even 100[!] should you want extra sun protection.

Best is: the price! It only cost me around Php 550 (around $ 11.34).

Whilst most of us (consider me as one) are aching to see The September Issue, a documentary featuring the devil in Prada herself, Vogue’s EIC Anna Wintour, let’s take a breather for a  moment on the latest trends conquering the runways these days!

I featured 3 haute collections before from Marc Jacobs, Lanvin and Balenciaga, where Parisian style, ruche, brocades and boudoirs dominate. Truly, I miss hitting the spot that fierce yet chic biker look is oh-so in fashion this season! Here’s a closer look:

All from Style.com

*Balmain for Fall 2009. This monochromatic garb is overall casual with white blouse, cropped skinnies, and girly pumps. Chained biker jacket adds spunk to this smart casual wear.*

*Charles Anastase for Fall 2009. Unlike Balmain above, Charles Anastase surely pulls off quite a statement with fur neckpiece, leather vest and woven cardigan topping it off with a statement tee and a pair of  skinny jeans. Tan platform leather boots is absolutely ferosh–something to love about this ensemble!*

*Gucci for Fall 2009. Gucci appears to be ravishing and scintillating with its leather cropped jacket, shiny button-down shirt, and glistening tapered(?) pants. Look is slickly finished with peep-toe shoes for footwear.*

*Jean-Charles de Castalbajac for Fall 2009. Red is flaming hot this season, and Jean-Charles de Castalbajac screams scarlet with this multi-zipline leather dress. I’m hearting the hair and the studded shoes. Absolutely winner garb!*

*Jean Paul Gaultier for Fall 2009. Extreme biker chick in stud, leather and fringe encapsulates this ensemble from Jean Paul Gaultier.*

*Rick Owens for Fall 2009. Rick Owens calls for a more futuristic look applying geometrical cuts on this nonetheless leather dominated wear.*

*Rodarte for Fall 2009. One word: SUPER! This ensemble from Rodarte melts my heart out! Ultimately tinged in ecru, the woven scarf, embellished top, gloves, loop fringed skirt, and thigh high leatherwear are just well put together! This is something to lust die for! *

Biker Jackets: Save, Spend & Splurge!

Here’s some of super yummy dark leather finds to choose from! (more…)

I had a bit of shopping yesterday. I failed to resist the urge on getting a new pair of footwear for my impending beach trip! ^^

*I got one from Shoe Salon. I also scored a bikini from Speedo, but I’m too shy to show it here. All I can say is: it’s nevertheless a classic piece.*

*Look ma, it’s not Havaianas! Let me share to you a secret: I destroyed four pairs already, and I don’t have any plans of destroying some more pairs in the future. So, I got something from Ipanema instead (thinking I could destroy something new), and I promise you they don’t look like your ordinary iridescent floral-printed flip-flops*

(more…)

I thought about using Garnier products as a challenge to see if I get positive results after 30 days or more of using them. It all started when I got the loot from my mission a couple of months ago. All I can say is, so far, so greattt!

First on my review list is this Overnight Whitening Peeling Cream from Garnier. I was never a fan of night creams, because they’re too heavy and/or greasy on my already-greasy skin. There’s rarely a night cream that suits all skin types. And as for my skin which is sadly oily and acne-prone, most night creams I tried gave me horror stories to tell.

Garnier Light Overnight Whitening Peeling Cream’s Claim

This Garnier night cream is infused with pure lemon essence and natural peeling fruit extracts that exfoliates dark skin cells and peels off dullness as you sleep, revealing fresh and fairer skin in the morning. Not only will it lessen dark spots, but it will also prevent your skin from further darkening.

Away from external aggressions, night is the ideal time to reinforce whitening action. With the combined attributes of Vitamin C from lemon essence, Vitamin CG from herbal extracts, and the natural peeling fruit extracts, you’re sure to wake up with a healthy glowing, visibly fairer and more even toned skin! You will never have to walk in the dark again!-Garnier

Apply a liberal amount at night (after cleansing and toning), and wake up fresh and dewy in the morning!

Verdict: Evens out my skin tone, and helps clearing out my skin!

This is one of the very few night creams and moisturizers that my super sensitive skin agree with. Garnier Overnight Whitening  Peeling Cream didn’t cause any adverse reactions on me. It didn’t  irritate or break my skin out! So, it’s safe to assume that it really did a big help in gradually clearing my skin from those nasty zits I’ve been suffering for more than a decade.

Now, I’ve never loved my skin like this before (scratch the pre-pubescent years, ‘coz my skin was flawlessly awesome then ). Worry not, ‘coz this won’t actually make the skin peel, which is a common aftereffect of chemical peeling treatments. I guess the term applies on its ability to strip off skin’s dullness. However, I notice that it didn’t actually lighten my skin tone up a notch, but it surely helped to even it out particularly in fading those dark spots and blemishes. My only concern is that it feels a bit greasy after application, so I always make sure to use a considerable amount (say, pea-size will do), rather than slathering a dollop of product on my face. Nevertheless, no scary breakouts were ever recorded the day after, just fresh-looking skin!

I’m confident to say that I’m on my way into finally having a virtually blemish-free skin!

Best of all, it’s really affordable! A 50ml jar only costs Php 329 (about $ 6.73).

It’s been almost 3 months now since I’ve started religiously using it and it’s still halfway full!