Hello lovelies, I’m alive once again!!!

Been very busy with my life for the past couple of weeks — y’know, duty calls (ha-ha)! But now, I’m back to blogging (finally, sigh).

First off, let me share to you this wonderful campaign from Estée Lauder Companies. Please take your time on reading this.

Estée Lauder’s Breast Cancer Awareness campaign aims to connect and spread the message across the globe about this forbidding, chronic disease that is responsible for 15% of all cancer deaths among women.

In the United States alone:

• About 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women
• About 57,650 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be found (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).
• About 39,520 deaths from breast cancer (women)

- based on 2011 statistics, cancer.org

This year, the BCA Campaign digitally connects with millions of audiences worldwide through its global launch of BCAcampaign.com  – the campaign’s first-ever dedicated website devoted to provide the latest news and campaign events, useful information, and health and healthy-living tips about this type of cancer. It also paves a way to make year-round donations to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

This year’s 2011 BCA Campaign initiatives support its Campaign’s concept “Together. Connect. Communicate. Conquer. For A Future Free Of Breast Cancer”, a compelling call-to-action that emphasises the power of millions joining together, with one voice, to communicate the life-saving message about the importance of breast health and early detection.

Moreover, the new website features “Shine a Light on Breast Cancer”, a social media programme through BCA Campaign’s Facebook page, where you can virtually share your messages of hope and inspiration about breast cancer with others worldwide. With this, you can also help light your corner of the world on The Estée Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Illumination Map in pink.

I highly encourage you to take part of this campaign by simply sharing your thoughts and messages of hope, inspiration and awareness about the disease.

In order to share your message of hope or view the global illuminations, click on the “Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign” tab and then “Click To Share Your Message of Hope Today”. Enter in your message of hope to illuminate the Philippines in the global illuminations map. All local Facebook brand pages Estee Lauder Philippines, Bobbi Brown Philippines, Clinique Philippines and DKNY Philippines also have the link to this app to raise awareness of the importance of breast health and early detection among fans.

I just shared mine. I hope you can share yours today, and tinge our beautiful country in pink!

http://www.bcacampaign.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/BCACampaign

Twitter: @BCAcampaign

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate – Martha (Comment)
L’Oreal Total Repair gift pack - Lany dela Cruz (Facebook)
Majolica Majorca Majoromantica Perfume - @michelleame (Twitter)
L’Oreal White Perfect Moisturising Day Cream - Agnes Dc (Comment)
Garnier Light Complete Multi-Action Whitening Cream gift pack – Maridel Terrado (Facebook)

In addition, each of you will get a 20g sampler jar of Asian Secrets Lulur Whitening Body Scrub for you to try.

Thanks for joining! To those who didn’t make it, I’ve lined up more giveaways in the future. So, stay tuned! x

I’ve been meaning to get my bushy brows fixed, and finally I just did!

I used to drop by the nearest hair salon to have my brows fixed, but I was never superbly satisfied at the results. I decided to deliberately let my brows grow fully, until I get them fixed back to shape. Knowing a salon solely dedicated into fixing brows (and lashes) nearby the area where I work, I made a quick stop to Browhaus.

…and I didn’t regret doing that! It was really refreshing to be seated on a soft reclining chair, whilst a skillful brow technician meticulously fixed my brows. I decided to have them threaded to make things (like pain) quicker.  Unlike the usual threading sessions I experienced during the past, this one lasted a little longer than expected. The technician diligently checked all angles, and removed even the ingrown hair left after threading — the latter is something I’ve never experienced in a typical hair salon.

Of course, expect some pain whilst threading, but for me it’s really bearable. She asked me to pull my skin above the cheek area on the side, depending on the area she’s gonna thread, in order to make the session less painful.  She even put some cream (I think she called it “Ice Cream”) atop of the threaded part after. It felt so cool and relaxing, as if I didn’t have my brows plucked from its roots.

Overall, I was very satisfied on how she [brow tech] groomed my brows. The shape and fullness thereafter is just right. Thank heavens that my brows are naturally full and almost in shape; she simply removed the excess, and didn’t have a hard time!

Am I going back? Hell yeah! I’m so happy with my perfectly groomed brows. It’s a Php 580 well spent! Apart from the brow and lash services they offer, they also have brow and lash care products that really pique my interest. I’m thinking of getting the post depilatory cream (Php 1,200) or the x’ed out cream (Php 1,650), as they’re perfect for hair removal in general.

Browhaus is located on the 2/f The Piazza at Serendra, as well as at Greenbelt 5.

www.browhaus.com

Congratulations to Rhea Paragsa! You will receive your prize courtesy of Montagne Jeunesse and RCKA PR.

Kindly send your mailing details thru e-mail: author[at]allthevanity[dot]com. Optionally, you can send it via Facebook (watch out for my message).

My Grand August Giveaway isn’t over yet! Week 2 is still ongoing. For more details, click here.

I was aiming for a simple look  that’d blend well with the afternoon’s affair. I used blues and whites for my eyeshadow (which clearly matches my blue and white NIVEA-themed ensemble), a dash of nude pink shimmer for my cheeks, and a nectar colour for my pucker.

For the Face:

Tony Moly Baby Doll BB Makeup Base

Majolica Majorca Skin Remaker Pore Cover in O10 (review here)

Cinema Secrets and MAC Concealers

Monave Mineral Setting Powder in Angel (available at Beauty & Minerals)

For the Cheeks:

MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Afterdusk

For the Lips:

Smith’s Minted Rose Lip Balm

Tony Moly Berry Berry Magic Lip Tint in 01

Human Heart Nature Love Minerals Passion Fruit Lipstick in Sweet Nectar

It’s been quite a while since I had my eyebrows fixed. I’ve been meaning to save my bushy eyebrows until sometime soon!

As for my peepers, it was just an easy-peasy gradient blend. I used a blue-black colour on the outer corner, and a shimmery white colour on the inner corner. I blended the two contrasting colours together on the middle. It felt like oil painting 101 all over again!

For the Eyes:

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin

Maybelline Magnum Volum’ Express Waterproof Mascara

Majolica Majorca Majolook Trick On Eyeshadow Quad in GR750

Monave Multi-Purpose Powder in Turquoise (for blending)

Majolica Majorca Aurora Tearliner in PK (for highlight)

With The Royal Power of Q10 etched on it, I immediately thought it had something to do with Kate Middleton, now Duchess Catherine of Cambridge. I remember one time reading an online article before, where one of Kate’s beauty secrets was revealed — a £5 NIVEA Visage Pure and Natural Moisturising Day Cream.

As also reported by the Irish People newspaper, Kate was spotted shopping at a Boots store hours prior to her official royal engagement with now-husband Prince William.

Image fr AP

And there she was, buying a tub of Pure & Natural moisturising day cream. Nina Swift of People UK quoted Kate’s friend saying, “Kate is not someone who believes in spending a lot of money automatically guarantees quality. She has never been afraid of a bargain. NIVEA Visage Day Cream is now a real favourite with her. She’s been buying it for some time.”

Furthermore, her friend revealed that “she’s also quite a fan of NIVEA Visage Anti-Wrinkle Q10 Plus Night Cream” via IBID.

Seems like this would be one of the reasons why the duchess looks effortlessly elegant. The camera loves her indeed!

Image fr AFP

Pure & Natural day cream may not be available yet in the Philippines, but the Q10 night cream is! Going back, here’s what’s inside the opulent purple box.

Nivea Q10 Plus product line

NIVEA Q10+ contains coenzyme Q10,  a naturally occurring skin energiser and antioxidant.

Q10 actively stimulates skin cell protection and regeneration. However, the levels of Q10 in our body diminish over the years. Hence, wrinkles and other signs of aging start to appear.

The Q10 Plus line includes:

Nivea Visage Q10+ Anti-Wrinkle Light Day Care Cream with SPF 15 – Php 385

Nivea Visage Q10+ Anti-Wrinkle Night Care Cream – Php 385

Nivea Visage Q10+ Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream – Php 350

There’s also Nivea Visage Q10+ Anti-Wrinkle Cleansing Milk (not in the pictures) for only Php 200. I gave the night cream to my mum, so she can use it in conjunction with her Revitalift day cream. As for the day cream, my friend K will give it a try. Looking forward to both for their short reviews soon! x

I’ve known airbrush technology for a long time, and been quite amazed at its “pore-less, flawless” results! I remember ogling to get an SK-II Air Touch Foundation before. But, due to the steep price tag for a disposable (now discontinued) air brush makeup, not to mention shipping and handling, I decided not to! Of course, it’s still crossed my mind, like a fiend whispering temptation in my ears, to finally grab one.

A few weeks ago, I resolved to attend the Glambox Airbrush Workshop. I got to learn more about the airbrush makeup, especially the one that Glambox offers. Of course, it wouldn’t be possible without these makeup mavens, Nikki Tiu of Askmewhats and Sophie Uy of Beautynomics, who served as mentors.

Thanks to Valerie of Glambox Airbrush Cosmetics for the wonderful workshop!

Workshop in Pictures

Warning: Picture heavy!

One representative (Ara, who’s one of my seatmates ) was culled among the crowd for a demo. Nikki cleansed her face with a makeup remover for starters.

Dabbed on some concealer using the purple corrector to cover her freckles, following up with the skin tone coloured one.

Asked the crowd to pick the right foundation shade.

It’s airbrush time! Glambox foundations are silicone-based, if I’m not mistaken.

Ara with air brush foundie at one side of her face (left side facing the cam).

Now, it’s Sophie’s turn contouring her face using air brush.

Applied eye shadow using their own concoction of mineral makeup + Glambox foundation.

Dabbed on some lip colour using a lip brush this time.

Makeover done, well half-done!

More Workshop Pictures

Mentors: Nikki and Sophie

With their model, Ara

My seatmates: Ara, Charisse, Vian and Veronica.

Photo taken by: Clarissa Martin for Glambox

The crowd

Ara

Charisse

Shen of Shensaddiction

Jamie, Brigitte and Tara

Anyhoos, here’s the second week of my Grand August Giveaway. Get the chance to win either one of the following:

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate

I would’ve given this serum a year ago. But due to unforeseen circumstances, I kept it on hold. Bottle is still sealed for freshness!

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concencrate is a replenishing elixir of Pure Essential Oils and Distilled Bonatics to visibly rejuvenate stressed skin by morning. I underwent a 15-day challenge using this product.

L’Oreal Total Repair Night Essence, Repairing Treatment & Conditioner

L’Oreal Total Hair Repair is infused with Cement-Ceramide that promises to repair the top 5 hair problems — hair fall (due to breakage), dryness, dullness, roughness and split ends.

The L’Oreal Total Hair Repair gift pack includes the conditioner, repairing treatment and night essence for deep conditioning and extra hair nourishment.

Majolica Majorca Majoromantica Perfume

Part of the Fake Sleeping collection, Majolica Majorca Majoromantica is a limited edition  fruity-floral perfume. I already made a review here.

Whilst it’s my current favourite, I decided to let go of one of my bottles so I can share the magical scent to you!

L’Oreal White Perfect Moisturising Day Cream

L’Oreal White Perfect Moisturising Day Cream is packed with Melanin Vanish, a technological-breakthrough formula that helps reduce dark spots and visibly brightens the skin. Tourmaline Gemstone helps stimulate skin micro-circulation, giving your skin a more rosy white glow. It’s also packed with SPF 17 to protect your skin against UV-induced darkening which triggers the appearance of brown spots.

Garnier Light Complete Multi-Action Whitening Cream

Garnier Light Complete Multi-action Whitening Cream acts on dullness, dark spots, excess oil and acne marks for visibly fairer and clearer skin.

The gift pack consists of 20 and 40ml tubes.

Mechanics:

As a Facebook User: Please “Like” the All The Vanity page in Facebook! Share this post through your own wall tagging the All The Vanity page. Update: Please post the same on the All The Vanity wall so I can better keep track of your entries.

As a blogger: Re-post one of the following giveaways you want to win,  linking the post to http://www.allthevanity.com/?p=2117. Leave a comment containing the link of your blog post so I can view it myself. One post = one raffle entry!

As a Twitter follower: Simply “Follow” All The Vanity in Twitter, and post the following:

“@allthevanity I want to win (name of the giveaway you wanna win) in All The Vanity! http://www.allthevanity.com/?p=2117“

As a commenter: If you don’t have any of the aforementioned, you can simply comment by answering the following question:

“Why do you want to win (name of the giveaway you wanna win)?”

Please leave a valid e-mail address, so I can contact you directly as well.

–

Each corresponds to one raffle entry. Entries are valid until Sept 29th, 11:59 pm. Winners will then be announced on September 30, 2011 via blog post, Twitter and Facebook. I will randomly pick the winners.

For winners, please contact me via e-mail within the next fifteen days after the date of announcement. Failure to do so will forfeit your winnings. Hence, I will conduct another raffle for such unclaimed prize/s.

Moreover, each winner will receive a 20g sample of Asian Secrets for you to try.

Last week, I received a gift from Giordano Philippines, including my very own Giordano Ball Tee.

I love my tee’s classic monochromatic print, complemented by bright yellow polka dots. You can get the ball tee for only Php 899. Mine’s small, which can fit from small to medium frames.

Print up-close

It has a loose fitting, which is perfect to pair with a bondage skirt and/or a pair of tights. Anything “skinny” at the bottom will do the trick.

I also got an umbrella and a smiley sphere-shaped jar in addition.

I’m not really into branded or designer umbrellas. I simply use the run-of-the-mill ones anyone can buy at the nearest supermarket or department store.

Umbrellas aren’t really my cup of tea. We’re not best of friends. I hate bringing one ‘coz it’s an added weight (and bulk) to my tote or backpack, not to mention the toll of time it takes just to tediously fold it back into its neat shape. But of course, I’ve no choice but to bring one especially when the rain starts pouring in.

They gave me a plain black tri-fold umbrella with a red Giordano logo print on it, which I likey. Black is my go-to colour by default. I honestly prefer umbrellas in monochromatic colours, since they blend well with any outfit. I opened it, and it seemed sturdy. Probably, it could withstand the violent gusts brought by typhoons of today. However, I couldn’t vouch any longer if it’s a supertyphoon.

The smiley jar piqued my curiosity. I didn’t know Giordano has beauty products until recently. It’s Giordano’s CheerÜup (perhaps, read as “cheer you up”) Body Butter.

Giordano CheerÜup Body Butter when opened

To my juvenile excitement, I tried it immediately. It was okay. I’m not sure if it works like Smiley Happy Therapy, which contains chemicals commonly found in chocolates that purport to elevate the mood. I wasn’t a fan of the body butter’s smell though, but its packaging’s just so adorable. I’m still amidst mulling whether to make a separate post-slash-review about it or not.

As for the Ball tee, I’ll try to post a decent picture soon. Please bear with me as I’m not really much of a “stylist”.

Pardon for not posting for the past three days. I resolved to rest this time around by spending my long weekend in deep slumber (well, most of the time). It has been quite a lethargic week for me, mainly due to PMS I assume. Nevertheless, here’s to welcoming a new week bursting with energy.

It is evident how I’ve been very fascinated with Majolica Majorca. For starters, the brand had me at its whimsical packaging, which is indisputably beautiful! Of course, there is no mistake that their pore remaker (powder foundation) and lash expander (mascara) really do the job well!

Majolica Majorca Counter at SM Makati

Along with Marbbie whom I met a few years back during one of L’Oreal’s events, we passed by the Majolica Majorca counter in SM Makati to witness vis-à-vis the magical prowess of Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus Mascara.

Marbbie removing her eye makeup

Before road-testing the product, the SA handed the Majolica Majorca Eye Reset Gel to Marbbie to remove her eye makeup. It successfully nixed traces of mascara she donned earlier, although she told me it stung her eyes a bit.

Majolica Majorca Eye Reset Gel

Then, the SA led her into a dresser-like counter, patted Majolica Majorca Skin Remaker Pore Cover on her face, and curled her lashes using Shiseido Eyelash Curler.

SA applying Skin Remaker

Curling Marbbie’s lashes using Shiseido Eyelash Curler

After which, she applied the Majolica Majorca Lash Bone Black Fiber In that served as a mascara base to hold her curled-up lashes.

The Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Mascara was applied thereafter. Using the flat part of the brush, the SA generously applied the product on her lashes.

The SA lifted up and spread the product further using the crescent part of the brush.

…onto the other side

Et voila, Marbbie with her now-gorgeous doll-like lashes!

Left: with Lash Bone Black Fiber In only. Right: with Lash Bone Black Fiber In and Lash Expander Frame Plus

Prices:

Eye Reset Gel – Php 695

Skin Remaker Pore Cover – Php 895

Lash Bone Black Black Fiber In Mascara Primer – Php 795

Lash Expander Frame Plus Mascara – Php 795

Majolica Majorca is exclusively available at leading SM Department Stores and Watsons outlets nationwide.

I don’t know how much does a Shiseido Eyelash Curler cost, but you can check it out at Shiseido Counters in Watsons or Rustan’s.