Sharing a little something different today.

I love blogging. I like taking photos of products, swatches, and looks. I also like writing about it, how I feel, how I find it, how interesting a certain product is to me. Don't get me wrong, I like doing reviews and e/lotds but sometimes it can get tiring. EOTD-Review-NOTD-Review-Current Faves-EOTD...it sometimes feel like a routine, you know? I somehow feel like I need to shake things up every now and then. That's why I like making a list of other beauty-related topics I can blog about.

I know, I know. It's probably tiring to see another quest of finding a MAC 217 dupe but what can I say, anything like the 217 intrigues me. I love 217. It does a great job of blending powders and creams. I mainly use it for eye shadow blending but I know other beauty gurus and MUAs who use it to blend concealer, shadow sticks, and gel liners. I can't for the life of me use it on creams because I only have one 217 and I'm legit scared that it might get ruined if I use it on non-powder products. Hence, I have a never-ending 217 dupe quest.

It's been a while since I incorporated the color blue on an eye look so I decided it'll be my color of choice for today. When I was coming up with a look, I knew I didn't want blue shadow on my lid; I wanted it somewhere else. Then out of nowhere, a peg appeared: Temptalia. I saw a look where she was sporting a teal liner on her lower lashline. Bingo.

From there, I sort of went with the flow. I lined my lower lashline with a blue liner, smudged it with a different hue of blue, then added a couple shadows more. Personally, I prefer not to leave my lid space blank when I fill in the lower lashline. I like things balanced, so I usually go for a neutral color scheme on my lid space then go crazy with the lower lashline which was what I did for today's look. This way the eye looks balanced and not too bottom heavy. I also went ahead and used a colored liner. I don't use colored mascara that much but it's great every now and then since it adds fun to any eye look in a subtle way. It's like channeling Jeannie Mai, only through your lashes. ;)

Products Used:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Sleek shadow in Honeycomb (entire lid space)

Sleek shadow in Toast (lid)

Too Faced shadow in Teddy Bear (crease)

The Body Shop Eye Definer in Brilliant Blue (lower lashline)

Too Faced shadow in Cop A Teal (lower lashline)

Cosmoprof Pink shadow (lower lashline)

The Body Shop shadow in Pink Shimmer (brow bone highlight)

The Body Shop Super Volume Mascara in 03

Whenever I see a palette, I always check out the neutral shades. Browns, subtle pinks, wearable golds, the blackest of blacks...neutrals will always be my first love in makeup. But sometimes, they can look the same to the point where you can find a high-end shadow dupe in the drugstore. Plus, admit it, too much neutrals can sometimes be boring. And when things get boring, I reach for the one thing that will instantly shoo the woes away- color.

"Maybe we're like two pitbulls, you know. You put either with another dog and that dog's toast but together they're couch buds."

Two weeks ago, I saw Saab's post about the recent tv show she was watching. I'm always up for something new to watch so after doing a bit of research about the show, You're the Worst, I decided to give it a go. I guess it's safe to say that I fell in love with it since I binge-watched all 10 episodes in two days hehe.

The show's protagonists are people with toxic personalities: Jimmy (played by Chris Geere) is an insensitive, self-centered British writer and Gretchen (played by Aya Cash) is a self-destructive, cynical PR executive. The show is basically how they attempt a relationship. With two negative personalities, you'd think this will be depressing to watch but the protagonists' dynamics, chemistry and never ending hilarious banters are just too good to pass up. The supporting characters are funny as hell too. I highly recommend this show and I cannot wait for the second season. Seriously, 10 episodes per season isn't enough. At least bump it up to 12!!

Anyway, this look is inspired by Gretchen's eye makeup in the season finale. It's a really nice balance between dark and nude. Aya Cash's eye are quite droopy so it was hard to see her eye makeup when her eyes are open, thankfully I got a few shots of her with her eyes down or closed. If you wanna know the look, you better watch the show! :P Again, this look is inspired. I ended up doing something darker but the colors are pretty much similar/close to the ones she sported on the show.

Products Used:

Too Faced Show Insurance

Urban Decay shadow in Kinky (all over the eye area)

San San shadow in Warm Copper Fire (crease)

Urban Decay shadow in Backdoor (outer v; lower lashline)

San San shadow in Deep Earth Brown (lower lashline)

MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder (waterline)

NYX shadow in unnamed nude peach shimmer (lid: light wash)

Graftobian Cake Liner in Jet Black

Maybelline Volum' Express Hypercurl Cat Eyes

Is my title too dramatic for you? Haha. But seriously, that was my first thought the first time I used this brush. I have used and encountered different brushes but this one's life-changing, just like my brush favorites, MAC 217, EcoTools Bamboo Angled Eyeliner Brush, and the Royal & Langnickel Flat Eyeliner C450.

Sorry this took so long but I'm ready to share the makeup remover I've been loving for the past few weeks. Ready?

Matte is everything- there I said it. I don't know why but I love incorporating matte finishes in anything beauty related in my life. I LOVE matte shadows even if they're a bitch to blend out. I like matte lippies even if some of them are drying as hell. I, of course, prefer to have a matte face than a "glowy" one. Don't get me wrong, glossy, luminous finishes look good too but I feel that they're used and seen quite often. Mattes, not so much.

First EOTD of 2015! It's been a while (read: 4 months) since I did one and I missed it. What made me do an EOTD is an eyeshadow I bought several days ago from Jazzy Cosmetics. I was deciding on whether I'll get their brow gel or not (I didn't, in case you're wondering) when I saw their shadows and this one just got me. It'll make an appearance here in my blog in a few days but lemme tell you, I had a damn hard time capturing it on cam because the color on cam was different from the product's color in real life. More on that soon.

For now, here's a look I did with the shadow. Also, ignore my whack falsies. I realized I cut this one poorly (ugh, can you see how awful it is in the inner corner? *shudders*) so sorry for that. Maybe I'll just stick with halfsies or nothing at all next time.

Products Used:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

MAC shadow in Folie (crease)

Urban Decay shadow in Faint (outer v; outer half of lower lashline)

NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk (lid)

Jazzy Cosmetics shadow in #12 (lid)

Too Faced shadow in Satin Sheets (brow bone and inner corner highlight)

Graftobian Cake Liner in Jet Black

Maybelline Volum' Express Hypercurl Cat Eyes

Catrice Cosmetics Made to Stay Highlighter Pen

Sasatinnie Falsies in 08 Fantasy 

Nails for the New Year.

You know what I did for the first day of the new year? Change my polish. Although not really. I was too lazy to paint my nails, wait for it to dry, add a second layer and top coat. I wasn't just feeling it. So I thought it was the perfect time to try something new: nail wraps. Nail wraps are supposedly easier than polishes since you only have to slap em on, add top coat, and call it a day. No more drying time and risks of denting or smudging. Appealing, right?

Sometimes the supermarket is an interesting place for beauty shopping. Just when you think nothing's interesting, BAM! New products that'll make your heart thump in excitement. 

I did a little snooping in the nail section and found three interesting products. First up's the Bobbie Cuticle Oil (31php). After all the polish and stickers during the holidays, I'm giving my cuticles a little TLC. This one's quite cheap for it's size (35ml) so there's no harm in trying it, I guess. The next one is Caronia Nail Hardener & Base Coat (49php). See, I don't have an actual base coat but I'm eager to try one. I got the smaller sized one (15ml) for now. Don't wanna splurge too much on things I haven't tried yet, you know? Last but not least is Bobbie Matte Top Coat (36php). HELL TO THE YES! I was actually surprised to see a local brand with a matte top coat but there ya go. Time to mattify everything! *evil laugh*

Around November of last year, my skin was a mess. I had big dry patches on my cheek areas that drove me crazy. Said patches were rough to the touch and there were splinters of dry skin sticking out. The only way I could "tame" them was by applying moisturizer but sometimes it didn't stand a chance. After weeks of not giving a damn about it, I decided enough's enough, hence the switch of face cleaners and products.