All the Vanity Blog :: Beauty, Fashion & Shopping

Tsumori Chisato is one of the numerous fashion designers I like today. She has this unfathomable creative juice–mixing  cartoonish ideas & high fashion altogether–that I really envy and crave for! I really, really love her bold, playful prints that do not go overboard. Her collections are audacious yet  wearable, albeit most would only fit a woman-girl of my age–at max.

Her Fall-Winter collection mainly consists of multicolored printed tights and tunics, inspired by The Little Prince with the presence of stars and other whimsical storybook  prints and characters (do I see little twin stars here? ). Some colors are bright and shiny, while others are subtle sans losing its edge. I like this collection and  found it really cute, bubbly and uplifting! View more of the collection.

On the other hand, I got mixed feelings on her latest Spring-Summer 2010 Collection. Of course, Chisato’s signature prints are still the highlight of the whole collection, albeit it’s a tad bit subtler this time around–more like a Japanese painting. Also, notice how breezy most of the materials are. Texture, drapes and frills are conspicuously present in some of them. View more of the collection.

However, speaking of which, I really do not like this kind of draping:

It kinda looks like an undergarment, more like a  loose diaper.  It reminds me of Balenciaga’s fall collection that fell short on my expectations — this one in particular.

Not sure if this one’s a sleepwear. It really looks like one! Unlikely to be a suit. I really wanna snug to fit in these, whilst tucked in a very comfy mattress with uber-soft Egyptian linen sheets having my fashionista dreams. I wouldn’t think of wearing this outside, lest people may think I just came straight from the bed!

Tsumori Chisato for Shu Uemura

In case you haven’t heard, the Japanese designer has teamed up with Japanese cosmetic brand, Shu Uemura, for the latter’s Little Prince collection:

The collection consists of palettes, a highlighter, mini brush set, lipsticks, make up bag and studded false eyelashes in its shiny, shimmery packaging.

I’mma include this palette on my Christmas wishlist:

Tsumori Chisato Planet Cat Couture Palette

A limited Edition Couture Compact palette that contains 3 Pressed Eye Shadows (Black Glitz , Shiny Silver, and Copper), 1 cream eyeliner (Black Purple), 1 cream highlighter (Gold Iridescent), 1 blush (Apricot Pink), and 2 dual-ended applicators (wide tip/narrow tip and cheek brush/liner brush)-Shu Uemura USA

Has a royalty damage of $65. Available at  Shu-UemuraUSA.com.

HeyWhereYou is turning one year old this month, and they’re inviting you to their private sale party next Sunday, November 29 in Viktor Jeans Store, Trinoma Mall, Quezon City.

Avail items up to 50% off on clothing and accessories featuring brands such as Glamour Kills, LRG, Royal Elastics, Fox, Odd Men Out, Cartel NYC, Rockett, Lore Clothing, Electric Zombie and Viktor Jeans.

Gatecrashers are NOT allowed, so hurry and RSVP now!

Entrance fee is at Php 100 only. More details on how to RSVP here.

I’ve been battling dandruff for years, and I haven’t tried any topical product that works and cooperates very well with my flaky scalp. For somehow, my dandruff problems were put to a halt during the time I was taking isotretinoin (anti-acne oral medication that shrinks oil glands, keeping the grease at bay). But, I must say taking this drug requires a great deal of patience and effort, since it entails so many contraindications–something that I won’t risk to try again. I stopped taking the med ever since my skin cleared up, and so my dandruff boo-boos started to show signs.

I started loving Kerastase when I got Oleo Relax back then, but I got little to no time spending on such meticulous hair treatment. Recently, I got Kerastase Oleo Relax Nuit, a night time leave-in treatment which smells and works wonders as well in making my hair uber-soft and more manageable (reviews soon!).

Left: Kerastase Specifique Bain Gommage Shampoo, Right: Kerastase Specifique Fluide Purifiant

Much to my dandruff annoyance, I also got Kerastase Specifique Bain Gommage. It’s an anti-dandruff shampoo meant for dry hair. My hair has long been dried out, so I got this instead of the oily hair variant. For more aggressive treatment, a coupled it up with Kerastase Specifique Fluide Purifiant, a leave-in serum that purifies, softens and re-balances flaky scalp for a much lasting dandruff-free hair.

The verdict?

Soothes Itchiness, But Does Not Totally Eliminate Dandruff

I have used the products for 5 days straight. I must admit that I’m not super happy about the products, although I’m glad that the shampoo somewhat helped soothing the itchiness sans over-drying my hair. The purifying fluid, on the other hand, perhaps contributed in lessening the flakes.

Unfortunately, both still didn’t do a lot in completely nixing all the dandruff, albeit I could say that it virtually minimized the dandruff by a bit, something that cheaper products could also do (such as Nizoral).

On the other hand, both smell kinda good; you’re gonna like it if you’re a man ‘coz they smell somewhat masculine.

Oh well, I guess I hafta give it a chance and use it for some more time. If all else fails, I’ll keep on searching for the right anti-dandruff product/s for me. I’m eying to get something from Phyto soon. Until then, icky flakes will still continue to haunt me.

Damage: $29 for Bain Gommage and  $34 for Fludie Purifiant

Okay, I finally succumbed to my Marc Jacobs bag craving.

I would have gotten a Planete, but I could not just afford losing this lovely baby!

Albeit I didn’t get a $$$ leather stam bag (just coz I can’t afford it/I’m saving moola for some prized gadget), I got this fab floral tote from Marc by Marc Jacobs. Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Tate Tote is an old collection–launched around 2008 if my memory serves me right.

It’s a ruby red/purple floral print nylon tote with scrambled logo quilting and twill lining. Handles are of knotted detail. What’s nice about it is that it’s really big and spacious that my 14″ laptop can fit in. I think there are only few stores left that sell these pretty nylon totes in various colors and prints. Plain ones are available, too!

For my bag, check out Bergdorf Goodman today.

The most anticipated Holiday Collections from MAC Cosmetics are finally here, and will be hitting the stores real soon!

From from tools to makeup palettes and sets, looks like everything you crave for is in store this season.

MAC Magic, Mirth and Mischief Collection

The collection features mineralize eye shadow duos, softsparkle eye pencils, pro lash mascaras, lipsticks, cremesheen & dazzleglasses, mineralize blush and nail lacquer–all sure to bring the shine, sparkle and seduction you need to dazzle and delight this holiday season! Sport a dollface look with this wonderful collection.

I’m soo eying the mineralize eye shadow duos in It’s A Miracle, Under Your Spell, and Blue Sorcery and cremesheen glass in Partial Pink in particular. View the complete collection here.

MAC Lip, Eye and Face Kits

If you’re a wee bit practical about spending on makeup, then these eight precociously pretty holiday palettes are sure to love your purse literally and figuratively, as each set is impeccably packaged in a posh, bubbly compact.

The Sorceress, Mystic Cool and Devil May Care eyeshadow kits caught my attention big time! View the complete collection here.

MAC Exclusives

If you’re a mineral makeup lover, then these sets are perfect to satiate your MMU craving! The collection features  two mineralize sets, each with a mineralize skinfinish, mineralize blush, mineralize eye shadow duo and 181SE mini buffer brush. View the complete collection here.

MAC Lip and Eye Bags

If you wanna give your either peepers or smoochies an extra treat, then you could  grab one of these lip or eye sets stashed inside a fab high-tone metallic bag. Grabbing one is like owning your very own kikay (makeup) kit in a single purchase! View the complete collection here.

MAC Brush Bags

Applying makeup won’t be complete sans the right tools! Each of the three sets consists of 5 special edition short-handled brushes that caters to your direst needs–Eye Brushes, Buff and Line Brushes and Sweep and Define Brushes–all complete with purple tinge brush bags for that glam packaging these fabush brushes deserve! View the complete collection here.

Mischief Makers

The collection features an assortment of lip gloss (lip/lusterglass) and loose eye shadow (pigments/glitter) set in a fancy metallic box that’s just perfect for holiday giving. Avid lipglass, lustreglass, pigment and/or glitter junkies will surely rejoice grabbing one of these shiny, iridescent sets in six glam-ly giftable versions. View the complete collection here.

Miracles Happen Viva Glam

MAC’s Viva Glam Lip Kit is perfect for giving in so many ways, as every cent of your purchase goes directly to MAC AIDS Fund. View the complete collection here.

A few weeks ago, I went to The Body Shop to finally get myself some  DIY waxing strips, so I can nix those icky stubby hairs in the comfort of my own home, instead of braving myself to go to the nearest salon sporting my hairy Chewbacca legs.

I love buying stuff from The Body Shop, coz they just smell so good. I’m keen to get something from their Japanese Cherry Blossom line one of these days. They’re soo pink, and smell so girly!

Anyhoos, I got the Sugaring Roll-on Hair Removal Wax and Cotton Hair Removal Strips. Since I forgot to get a pack of reusable cotton strips, I tried using the disposable ones first.  Here’s the claim:

Ultra convenient, easy to use pre-coated wax strips to remove hair quickly and effortlessly. Ready to use in seconds. -The Body Shop

Ther verdict?

Just like TBS’s claim, I found it very convenient and easy to use. Waxing has never been so effortless. Just warm the pads by vigorously rubbing the strip between your hands, and then peel apart and put the waxed area on the skin  (hence, my legs). Press firmly and repeat the “warming” procedure. Finally, pull the strip against the direction of hair growth–and, voila, hairless legs in pronto!

It may leave a wax residue after use, so make sure to stash a bottle of body oil so you can slather it after the whole procedure. This will help you remove the sticky residue, and make your gorgeous pair of gams gleam as well!

I could say that of all DIY cold wax strips I’ve tried, such as Sally Hansen, this is by far the best! I really prefer waxing than applying depilatory creams or shaving. Depilatory creams will leave you hair-free for only a couple of days, which is the same as with shaving. Moreover, shaving could make the hair coarser and thicker in the long run. I don’t think anyone of you will want to have a pair of hairy legs like that of your boyfriend’s.

Price is at Php 300-ish, although I got it half the price because of the ongoing discount. Yes, they’re currently on sale [in the Philippines]!