I won third prize in the company sponsored Essay Writing Contest and got a thousand bucks. I went to SM Taytay for a follow up facial and added Php 250 for the facial mask.

Shopping is therapeutic but purchasing make up is addictive. I continue to increase my make-up artillery almost everyday. I recently bought Allue Brushes from HBC. I also got red and peach lipsticks, age defense orange blush, black mascara and an eyelash curler - all from Sansan.

I visited the department store section and purchased Nichido loose powder in Natural. I chanced upon E.L.F.'s booth and was amazed on how cheap the cosmetics were. Most of the products cost Php 130.00. Make-up Heaven talaga!

Elf is love! I got two sets of eyeshadow quads, peach blusher and a foundation brush. I looked for an angled blush brush but unfortunately it was out of stock. Believe me,  I had to control myself from spending beyond my alloted budget .

I gave the saleslady my number and gave her a few tips on contour makeup as well. *winks*

I would be getting a few eyeshadows more and pen eyeliners in the future. I guess I need to buy a larger makeup carrying case as well. Officially, I now have more makeup than my mom. Ang taray diba?!

I am excited to use these products on my friends in the office. Monday's theme is red lips day and Tuesday's theme is green eyeshadow day.

I researched on this topic whilst waiting for him to finish his shift. I took notes and saved sample pictures for reference.

Mom's right. Make-up trends indeed come and go. In fact, the new millennium look is a fusion of different makeup trends, emulating the best practices from almost each decade.

I particularly like the 30's makeup look. It's dark and dramatic. Uber thin brows, dark eyeshadows and modified lips. It looked gloomy, distant and perverted, which is perfectly understandable because it was the time of the great depression.

I'm certain I could replicate the look, however I need to find store where I can purchase eyebrow waxes, the type of gum Michael V uses to change the shape of his brows without really shaving it. Help!

Makeup looks define the spirit of an era and is a testament to the ever changing standard of beauty.

I went to Farmer's Plaza earlier today becuase I originally wanted to visit HBC. I ended up visiting two other places as well - Japan Home and US Lifestyle.

I got a matress protector and a clear toolbox from Japan Home. Well, the toolbox is intended for makeup hehehe.

Speaking of makeup, I bought 3 LA Colors foundation - 2 liquid and 1 stick. I also purchased loose powder. The foundations and the powder costed Php 99 each. Bongga lang! I also got lipliner in Nude for Php 75. I was supposed to buy the Covergirl foundations but I figured that they have pink understones which doesn't suit Asian Skin. I also wanted the LA Color lipliner in forever red but I realized that it was a blue shade and would make my subjects look slutty.

My last stop was HBC I got Sansan lipliner pencil in Red (warm shade). Php 66. Dirt Cheap!

I contacted a friend from ACS because he sells MAC, Estee Lauder and Clinique. A package from the US will arrive soon.

I am so excited!

I continue to collect make-up to complete my collection. I am going for the cheap ones because I am just using it for practice.

I recently acquired two Colormate eyeshadow trio in gradients of violet and suede. I also purchased black liquid eyeliner from Nichido. I am about to receive my black mascara and pink lipliner from Avon. I also ordered Charm Holiday brush set from Beauty and Minerals.

I am gathering my resources to be able to purchase the following:

• Dollface 16 piece brush set (Php 1000)
• Nichido Loose powder (Php 150)
• SanSan Champagne Collection lipstick in Mango (Php 100)
• Ever Bilena eyeshadow 24's (Php 375)
• Fanny Serrano eyelash curlers (Php 350)
• Max Factor cake foundation in Tan 1 and Tan 2
• VOV concealers (Php 500)
• Fanny Serrano eyeshadow in Stone (Php 350) 
• VMV red lipsticks (buy 1 take 1 until the end of June) (Php 700)
• Colormate clear lipgloss (Php 80)
• Brown eyeliner (Php 20)
• Colormate black eyeliners (Php 80)

Whew! Now I understand why mom controls herself from buying make-up. It's addictive!

I am currently working on my make up skills. A friend gave me a copy of Mary Kay color insider DVD. I lurve it!

I am done with basic make-up and contouring. I need to master putting eyeshadows. Next would be bridal and period make-up.

The eyes are my favorite. I usually opt for smokey eyed look (not necessarily black). I then match it with my bronzer with a tinge of pink and my mauve Sansan lipstick.

To achieve nude pink lips, I mix my Sansan Berry Margarita Lipstick with my Ever Bilena Nude lipstick in 112.

Try it :)

I went to Surgiderm in SM Taytay for a facial. Prolonged sun exposure and sleep deprivation caused me to break out.

I hate it when aestheticians use customer's imperfections as a selling point for upgrades.

These are the things you often hear from them:

"Sir, ang daming moles sa mukha nyo, baka gusto mong ipa-cauterize"

"Sir, ang lalaki ng pores nyo, bili na kayo ng pore refiner namin"

"Sir, ang lalaki ng pimples nyo, gumamit kayo ng erythromycin para hindi na siya lumaki"

Yeah right, thanks for rubbing it in!

I perfectly understand that these girls need to earn a living, but what I can't comprehend is  that these girls are oblivious of the fact that they are already insulting their respective customers.

I wasn't able to control myself and gave Bernadette, my attending aesthetician, an impromptu Customer Service Training.

"Ate, naiintindihan ko na kelangan mong mag-upsell, pero hindi mo dapat iniinsulto ang customer mo. Dalawa lang naman ang posibleng mangyari, makinig sila sa iyo o suplahin ka nila"

"Kung ayaw mong suplahin ka, mas maganda kung unahin mong sabihin yung benefit ng produkto mo tulad ng mga bagay na makakatipid sila or makakalibre. I try mo kaya next time"

Fact: People Buy Benefits.

I went to Marikina last Thursday to play volleyball at the complex. It was three hours of intense sunlight and adrenaline action.

I observe that I usually breakout after hitting the beach or playing under the sun. Could it be possible that I am suffering from solar allergy?

I visited ukay ukay stores in Marikina and the clothes were as organized as the people of the city itself. I was able to purchase three long sleeved shirts (G2000, Calvin Klein and an unknown brand).

I also found a relatively new UCB white blouse which I know my mom will love.

I am going home this Sunday and will pay my seamstress a visit hehehe.

I seriously contemplated about going out tonight. It has been months since I last partied and I kinda miss the Malate scene as well.

I used my black hat in deciding and I realized that I don't want to put my money into waste.

I decided to purchase makeup instead. I went to HBC and I fell in love with their Champagne Temptation and Krisanne Coral Collection. I purchased Champagne temptation blush mosaic in RSVPink and Coral Collection lipstick in Pink Berry Margarita.

I also bought Ever Bilena De Luxe Lipstick shade 112.

I might post my own product reviews if my schedule permits.

Put strawberry jam on Lemon Square cupcakes and place it in the freezer. Strawberry cheesecake in a matter of minutes.

Spend on Palmolive Naturals Complete Repair and splurge on Finesse shampoo.

Spend on Bench Green Tea and splurge on Elizabeth Arden.

Spend on Green Lewis and Pearl and splurge on D&G Light Blue

Spend on Aficionado Dennis Trillo and splurge on Bulgari Blue

I love make up. I developed my penchant for cosmetics at a very young age. I grew up seeing my mom effortlessly highlighting her features everyday.

I remember when I was young, I used to volunteer myself to be my mom's guinea pig. I would beg her to put a mole on my face to look like Madonna. Beauty mark galore.

There came a time when I was the one who shops for my mom's make-up. I know her shade - from foundation to lipstick!

Fast forward. I am now a trainer in a call center in Cubao. I usually put on make up on my trainee's faces. Contour make up and smokey eyes are my favorites. Full figured women are my muse.

I was supposed to enroll MBA subjects this coming semester but it was too late. I just decided to study make-up instead. On top of that, mom has put up a parlor so  I have all the reasons in the world to pursue my dream of becoming a professional make up artist. *gora Japan!*

I came across Daphne Oseña's blog and I've read about Beauty for a Living's contest. I want those brushes, i really do *winks*

Life is for sharing. In the spirit of world peace i'll tell you how to join. Just blog about the contest, go to the website and leave a comment about your post.

I am one with the Universe. I will win that  limited edition Shu Uemura Mika Hearts Shu Portable Brush Set!

Being beautiful never felt this exciting!