All the Vanity Blog :: Beauty, Fashion & Shopping

There’s truth to the adage that good things come in small packages. And, I must admit that I’m fond of collecting these itsy-bitsy pieces–from small bags and clutches to mini-sized coin purses and wallets. Recently, I’ve just got two lovely pieces in addition to my growing collection. One of which is this Mini Snakeskin Wallet I got from Mango.

When I first saw this whilst brushing along other wallets and purses, I immediately fell in love with it! I consider this a mini male-version of  bulky ladylike wallets around, since most male wallets I’ve come across with are really compact and small.

What sets this wallet apart from the quaint ones is its faux snakeskin leather in cream color which utterly spells fierce, yet the plain tinge keeps it simple sans losing the chic factor.

It’s also designed as a typical feminine wallet with dual flap button closure on opposite sides. It has a built-in card slot inside and a coin slot at the back in addition.

Coin Slot

Card & Bill Slot

Since the wallet’s really small, it could only fit at least one card inside the slot attached. Also, my peso bills can hardly fit inside the bill slot, so I hafta fold them in half in order to insert them fully. However, I believe the euro bills can fit perfectly, given their much smaller size.

On the other hand, I don’t think I can substitute this for my bigger everyday wallet, especially since I have a lot of cards (IDs, ATMs, credit cards, membership cards, etc) I need to bring with me everyday. But I guess, this wallet is perfect for special occasions that require me to bring a less bulky tote.

Price: around Php 750

Unlike most men, we women got this so-called unwanted hair growing on places where it shouldn’t be. We wax or pluck out the extra hair on our eyebrows in order to maintain that perfect arch, making us look good in return. We tend to wax, pluck or shave our arms, legs and most specially underarms to nix all unwanted hair. Ideally, these places should be smooth, clean and hair-free in order to make us ladies look all neat and sexy! =)

For arms and legs, I prefer waxing than shaving, since it takes much less effort—as you the remove the hair from a large patch of skin in just one quick pull. Also, the hair takes a while to grow back (say, 2-3 weeks). Once it does, it usually grows back less coarse. This is when The Body Shop Cotton Removal Strips come in handy should I prefer doing this myself at the very comforts of my own home.

For the underarms, I remove sightly unwanted hair by means of either plucking or shaving; though I prefer the former even if it requires more effort since (like waxing) the hair takes a while to grow back. I’m really wary when it comes to waxing underarms though, lest they may get darker in return.

Of course, for the eyebrows, I usually ask for a professional’s help to thread them. I just pluck stray hair every now and then for maintenance.

For plucking, my Tweezerman Tweezers do the job. I had Mini Slant Tweezers in flamingo pink before, but unfortunately, I already lost them. Recently, I replaced the lost pair with another one in green tea. The thing with these mini tweezers is that they are cheaper and more pocket-friendly than their larger counterparts. In addition, it also comes with a transparent tube for easy storage.

We’ve all been annoyed by using tweezers that don’t properly grip.  With superior calibrated tension and perfectly aligned, hand-filed precision tips, Tweezerman tweezers close evenly and firmly, creating the cleanest, most advanced pulling power.  These are the tweezers you’ll own your lifetime — and they come with a free sharpening guarantee. – Tweezerman

Slant Tip, Easy Storage and Cheap

What I like most about this pair is its slanted tip that makes plucking easier and more precise. Like what I said earlier, the mini version of these tweezers fits any pocket. So, it takes no hassle to fit it inside a small stash, like my makeup bag or even my wallet!

It also comes with an affordable price tag for only $12.50 a pair here. I got mine for P 650 in Beauty Bar.

Harder Grip for Larger Hands

However, for those who have larger hands like mine, you’d probably get a hard time handling this diminutive piece. It’s really small that it takes more effort on my part to make that “perfect” grip, thus precisely plucking the hair out from its root.

A few weeks ago, I had a wonderful time getting all primped and pampered (at long last[!]), thanks to Fab, Fresh, Fun Summer Picnic Event held at The Grove in Rockwell!

After so many months of taking a blogging hiatus and toiling in my day job, I’ve finally had the chance to relax and de-stress myself, starting off with painting my used-and-abused manos pink! Nail Spa‘s nail tech used Essie nail polish of what it seems to be of natural pink color (failed to get the exact color name) which looks very much neat and simple.

I’ve always hankered for a big change especially when it comes to my eternally unkempt locks. Finally, my not-so-tiara-worthy crowning glory had undergone some luscious hair treatment using Matrix Sensoria.Care products. The hair spa, coupled with soothing back massage, was my absolute favorite as it instantly softened and untangled my locks while removing the tension away from my back area.  I also enjoyed taking a whiff of my hair every now and then, all because of the conditioner’s yummy fruity scent that relaxed my senses.

Archie of Maybelline once again obliged to do my makeup, giving me an effortless, makeup no-makeup look the way I like it! He simply put some Clear Smooth Face Powder on my face to help nix the extra shine, curled my lashes and applied Volum’ Express Magnum Mascara for that instant vavavoom touch, and painted my pucker with Color Sensational Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Bonbon Pink. I especially love the mascara as it gave my lashes an extra oomph in just a quick swipe!

My friend M whom I tagged along also tried getting a facial from Garnier. I don’t really bring someone along with me when it comes to such events. But being a woman on-the-go that she is, I believe my BFF deserves a breather like this! She told me that it was quite an experience she definitely enjoyed to bits.

I also got to meet L’Oreal peeps, fellow bloggers, editors from Queue Magazine and Manila Bulletin’s Sense&Style.

More about the event in piccies:

Maybelline

Matrix Sensoria.Care Products

Friend M getting a hair fix courtesy of Antonio-Hairdressing Salon peeps

The Nail Spa (more…)

After joining the previous contest (and sadly not winning it ), here’s another contest from HairinManila which entitles everyone within the Philippines to get these super faboosh loots!

First up, this uber-yummy Kérastase hair care line in minis!

One very lucky voter will get a chance to win this super cool set.

To win this, just e-mail us a photo of yourself at hairinmanila@gmail.com that shows how you participated during the May 10 Elections. Whether you voted (show that indelible ink!), volunteered as a poll-watcher, counted votes, or any other way possible, send your entries in! Please include a short description of what you did on May 10 with your photo entry.

But wait, there’s more! Simply spread the word about this contest using your own blog or website, Facebook, Twitter, Plurk, Tumblr, Multiply or whatever social media you have and win these goodies from Pureology and L’Oreal Professionnel!

Not just one, but two lucky posters will win these luscious hair care products!

One will win a shampoo and conditioner from Pureology, and another will win a shampoo and masque from L’oreal Professionnel’s Serie Nature line.

The contest is open to all Philippine readers! The winner of the Kerastase minis set will be HairinManila’s personal choice, whilst the two winners of L’Oreal and Pureology will be randomly selected. Contest runs from April 29-May 15 at 11pm. So what are you waiting for? Click here for more details!

Having an oily skin like mine can be so frustrating! My skin gets insanely greasy, as oil starts to build up profusely 2-3 hours after taking a shower. Thus, it is a must for me to stash oil-blotting sheets in my purse in order to blot the excess sebum off my face especially in case of a beauty emergency.

I’ve tried a lot of oil-blotting sheets available in the market, and of them is the Natural Rice Oil-absorbing Rice Paper Tissues I bought a few weeks back.

Here’s a thing (or two) about these rice paper tissues:

Here’s how it looks inside after flipping the cover.

Pulled out a paper tissue. You can use either sides of the tissue. Use the darker one (left) if you just want to blot the excess oil sans the power. Opt for the lighter, matte one (right) if you want to set the rice power on your face for a smoother finish.

The verdict?

Effectively Blots the Excess Oil Away

Just like other oil-blotting tissues I’ve tried, it effectively removes the extra oil away from my face. On the other hand, the  special thing it has is that I get to choose from one of the two sides: the one with rice powder and the one without. In this case, I usually opt for the side with the rice powder on for a one-step finish, since it doesn’t require me to put a setting powder on thereafter.

Colorless?

One thing I’ve noticed is that the rice powder does not leave a hint of color on my skin, even if the label says it has a “natural” color (with definitely a color code, RPA6, written on it). I’m not sure if it’s a good or a bad thing for some, but I actually prefer it that way ‘coz I just want a natural, no-makeup finish.

Quite Expensive

Anyway, I find it very expensive than other oil-blotting tissues on the market. It costs around Php 250-300, considering that it contains only 40 pieces. I find The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Facial Blotting Tissues cheaper for almost the same price but with 65 pieces, although it does not come with an “extra” powder variant. Even better, Clean & Clear Oil-Absorbing Sheets costs only about Php 100 for 50 sheets, and it comes with powder and powde-free variants!

Anyone living in a tropical country will agree that this year’s summer has just been too hot to handle! I myself always end up so parched and exhausted. For most scorching parts, I could see myself even sweating profusely, thus feeling a bit vexed and woozy.

That’s why, taking a shower as often as I can within a day is the most liberating and invigorating feeling ever! And so, my scent of choice is anything citrusy, particularly orange, which is just refreshing as it effectively calms my jarring senses whilst giving me enough zing to withstand the heat throughout the day’s work.

This is when The Body Shop’s Satsuma Body Polish comes to the picture. I love the fact that it cleanses whilst exfoliates my body–thanks to the teensy apricot[?] beads it has. Unlike other bath products I tried, this one is non-sticky and easy to rinse thoroughly. Plus, I just love the orange scent it effuses whenever I take shower sans getting overwhelming–it’s really that therapeutic! On the other hand, people may find the beads kind of irritating, since they’re not as fine as other exfoliators around. Not to mention, they don’t melt into your skin unlike some sea salt or sugar body scrub. Anyhow, though it functions as a daily cleanser, I rather recommend using this product sporadically (like twice a week will do).

I’ve been very busy for the past couple of months, but now (hopefully) I’ll be back this May with a vengeance!

I have a lot of stuff on my plate to review and feature–from beauty to fashion–which will be published come this month.

Just hang in there ladies! xx

Remember the ALDO sale I posted last month? Well, here’s what I got @ 50% off:

Side View:

Top View:

It’s a funky twist to the quaint, so-last-season oxford heels in shades of brown. I immediately fell in love with this pair the moment I laid my eyes upon it. I’m digging the vintage feel of these leather shoes. In addition, the stacked heels will help me keep from falling, since I’m not a “high-heel” person. :p

Sale Price: around 2,000 Php (originally 4,000+ Php)

Here’s an interesting skincare entry to start our tropical summer right!

The surging temperature has been bothering me recently, aggravated by the killer El Niño phenomenon. Now, I’m missing the cool, refreshing months brought by the holiday season, as I’m painstakingly bracing the crazy heat both indoors and outdoors—not to mention, I’m amid doing yoga which requires me to stay in a heated room for about a couple of hours!

The sudden temperature change is taking quite a toll on my skin. I’ve been experiencing breakouts especially on my chest and back since the heat starts rolling in. Now, even my face is kind of breaking out, which is something that I really, really don’t want to happen ever again!

This provokes me to grab a tried-and-tested acne regimen to answer my zit woes. Murad Acne Complex Kit has been proven by some friends of mine that it really works. Well, it could have worked on those who mainly have mild to moderate acne. So, I did not hesitate to grab a starter kit in pronto and give it a try, hoping that this will be perfect for my current skin condition. Moreover, it claims to clear skin in just 4 weeks—guaranteed!

Murad Acne Complex Kit is a three-step regimen (Cleanse-Treat-Hydrate) that must be regularly used twice a day. The set includes:

Murad Acne Complex Kit – (L-R) Murad Clarifying Cleanser, Murad Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel, Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion and Murad Acne Spot Treatment

Cleanse

Murad Clarifying Cleanser is an antibacterial gel cleanser that promises to kill 99.9% of surface bacteria without causing skin irritation.

Treat

Murad Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel is a gel-like serum that helps heal existing blemishes whilst preventing new ones from forming. It penetrates deep down into the pores, and eliminates skin cell-buildup.

Hydrate

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion is an oil-free moisturizer that keeps your skin well hydrated, as well as calms skin’s redness and irritation sans clogging your pores.

Plus, I also got Murad Acne Spot Treatment that stops a zit from brewing like crazy, while reducing redness and irritation. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the Clarifying Mask, though you may get one should you order directly from their website.

I’ve been religiously using the complete set for three days in a row. So far, I haven’t noticed any adverse reactions, such as purging, caused by these products. I’m happy, on the other hand, as my skin momentarily stops breaking out even more! I still got around 27 days left, so let’s see how it is going to perform after a month!

I just lost my quaint mobile broadband dongle recently, and so I’m in the verge of what I call as “emergency shopping” for a brand new mobile broadband and in lieu of the old one.

I must say I’m not much of a mobile broadband fan, coz they are not that 100% reliable—especially at home where the mobile broadband connection is just so darn slow. But since I bring along my laptop everywhere with me most of the time for surf ‘n work, this little piece of gadgetry really does a lot of help in keeping me stay connected.

I got one from the same provider, Globe Telecom, after finding out that its competitors were wayyy slower. Good thing, however, is that they have these brand new chic designs to choose from, so called the Globe Tattoo Femmes Edition. Here’s what I got:

Globe Tattoo Femmes Edition in Mint Green (the pink one’s unavailable when I bought it)

It still bears the same pocket-sized body (comparable to the size of the lipstick). It also doubles as a Micro SD card reader. Unlike my old HUAWEI device, this ZTE one doesn’t have an adapter for external antenna, which is something that I might probably need particularly should I access the Internet at home where the signal’s kind of low.

Anyhoos, I really love the cool colors and girly chic design, something that my old one totally lacks!

Price: Php 895 (used to be about Php 1,900)

Click here for more information.