NYX Black Label Lipstick in Dusty Rose & NYX Matte Lipstick in Angel Swatches

All pictures are taken in indoor lighting. If you would like me to take pictures in natural lighting please let me know in the comment box.

This is a bit sheerer than the original NYX round lipsticks  yet I find it more moisturizing. The color is buildable and it glides on the lips. I like the formulation of the new NYX lipsticks. :) I tried this as soon as I got it and it lasted for quite some time. I had to re-apply it after I ate though. 

This is a mauvish pink color. It looks a bit more pink in real life.

Of course I just had to try the new matte lipstick too. :p

NYX Matte Lipstick in Angel

The consistency is thicker than the Black label lipstick. The color is very opaque and it will totally cover the lips. It's also moisturizing but it sort of emphasizes the dryness of my lips. :/ Also I don't think I picked the right color LOL! This is too bright and I won't wear it unless I combine it with a lipgloss to tone it down or maybe I can wear it alone for a night out with friends.

I also think that this would be more suitable with ladies with a cool complexion and I have a warm skin tone. 

a corally water-melon pink. :)

I'm not going to lie I totally messed up the lipstick application because I just applied it without looking at the mirror. :p I think though that the swatches are quite realistic so you can use these for reference if you want to buy these lippies. :) 

I think I'll be getting a couple more NYX lipsticks just because I really like how moisturizing the formulation is.

Hope everyone had a nice day. ;)

I'M BACK! (Ugghhh again...? :P) + Bits+Treats Thanksgiving giveaway

Hi everyone! Sorry if I have been MIA lately. I got stranded in traffic the other night while it was raining very hard and now my car smells like rotten fish thanks to the wet flooring. :) LOL! Yes, I think I need to laugh at it otherwise I might get wrinkles for frowning.

Moving on... I just wanted to let everyone know that Lady E is having a Thanksgiving giveaway on her blog, Bits and Treats ATM.

Prizes include:

There are so many wonderful prizes up for grabs so I suggest you join her giveaway too. Lady E is one of the first people I followed on Blogger. I met her during the Bobbi Brown event. She's just lovely, friendly and well generous too! <3

EDIT: Will post a review later. :)

If your dad was a fictional character or super hero, who would he be and why? - Contest winner!!

I started a contest a while ago to inspire everyone to express their feelings towards their dads because I don't think everyone gets to express his/her feelings on a daily basis. I realize that not everyone has a good relationship with their fathers, however you would not be here on earth if it weren't for them (your fathers). Also, if your father is great and loves you so, you are likely influenced by him and look up to him up to this day; if he isn't then you should have learned what not to do when you become a parent. Good and bad experiences when put together mold us as persons, please keep that in mind.

Now without writing an over dramatic entry I have chosen a character for my dad when I first thought of the contest.

source

Ok, I know Dumbledore is gay and my father isn't, but sexuality didn't serve as a basis for my comparison.

To summarize:
- Had a good heart and has touched the lives of many people.
- Not only intelligent; he is wise.
- Despite widely known as being a great man, he remained humble and still has a good time in the oddest possible ways.
- He was always there for Harry and appeared every time Harry needed him the most but also gave Harry time to grow on his own.
- Above all I think, of all the characters in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, Dumbledore always believed in Harry and never doubted him for a second.

Without further ado...

The winner is

Charles A.K.A. wickermoss 

with her entry

 Have you met your Maximus? I did.

source

I think the best pieces of writing are those which are able to convey the thoughts of the writer to the reader. Reading her post made me feel a sense of longing, pain, sadness and love. I also know she put a lot of effort in writing it. As I said before, the best words ever written are those that come from the heart, Charles post is an affirmation of that belief.

Charles will receive the following gifts from me. Of course the prizes only come in 2nd because I think the real prize is being able to express the feelings and having people appreciate what you have written. :)

Sigma F80

A Travel size powder brush from Sigma.

OPI lil shooters

NYX Black Label Lipstick in Dusty Rose

And....

image source

A dinner at Mister Kabab because I personally want to hand her the prizes as soon as I get them because I just ordered everything except for the Sigma travel brush. :) I actually have a spare of it here and Charles told me before that she needed a good powder brush. Actually, Charles helped me shop for her prizes LOL! I was asking her what she though a while ago in twitter and she help me decide.  I previously said that I was going to pick out prizes depending on who won did I not?  :)

Thank you for being so cooperative Gorgeous! Hope to see you soon! <3

Have a great weekend everyone! =)

P.S.
I would like to apologize for the delay in announcing the winner. >.<" My wifi connection has been really wonky lately.

Benefit feelin' Cheeky!

I have previously used the Benefit's Posietint and High Beam. I know that these tints often get mixed reactions from different users depending on their preference, etc... I really liked both products but I don't want to purchase full sized bottles because I don't think I'll be able to finish it before the expiration date.

I was delighted when I saw that this set was being sold in a local online shop:

Benefit Cosmetics Feelin' Cheeky! Minis ($26 Value)

What it is: A travel-size set of Benefit's three bestselling cheek products: Benetint, Posietint, and High Beam. What it does: This trio features Benetint, for the sexiest flush you can get from a bottle; Posietint, which imparts a poppy-pink tint to brighten cheeks and lips; and High Beam luminescent complexion enhancer. This set contains: - 0.13 oz Posietint (poppy pink) - 0.13 oz High Beam (shimmering pale pink) - 0.13 oz Benetint (rose) - source

This set is a Sephora exclusive. 

If you have a local Sephora near you, I suggest you go check it out.

These are travel sized bottles - it's going to be easy to carry these around. :)

All come with brush tip applicators.

Swatched on NC30 skin. 

Not blended, yet benetint quickly blended well with my skin. 

Benetint has a very liquid-like consistency while Posietint is more milky-like and easier to blend.

PROS:

- A little goes a long way. If I am not mistaken a travel sized bottle will probably last me a year with constant use.

- Long lasting.

- Easy to blend - you can use your fingers.

- Did not break me out.

- Travel sized bottles are convenient to take along when traveling.

- High beam gives a lovely iridescent glow.

- Tints are perfect for summer. 

CONS:

- Can be a bit pricey.

- May be hard to find.

- Benefit and Posietint may get a bit streaky. It's best to quickly blend once applied on your skin.

- Benefit and Posietint stain your lips and cheeks - use a good makeup remover.

In comparison with other Korean products I have tried:

- Posietint is not flat and sort of has a Blue undertone to it. It looks more natural and gives skin the loveliest glow.

- Benefit gives a more natural flush on the cheeks when blended in and somewhat lighter than the other red tints.
- Highbeam gives an iridescent glow and is not loaded with shimmer/glitter particles unlike other highlighters.

Because it was raining pandas and koalas... :P An OOTD featuring Manel's Catch bag

I haven't done an OOTD for quite a while so I thought of snapping some pictures while waiting for my sisters to get ready.

HAT - Zara

Top - Espada

Shorts - Greenhills

Shoes - SM Dept. Store

Bag - Manel's Catch Line

Rings - gifts from friends.

Trying to model the bag & look fierce at the same time. Rawr!!!! .w.

FOTD

FACE:

Good Skin Labs Smooth-365™ Intensive Clarity + Smoothing Peptide Serum

Hera HD Foundation

Inglot AMC Face Blush #32

 Lioele Blooming Shimmer Pearl Base pink

EYES:

Tony Moly Crystal Stick Eye Shadow (White)

Bourjois Liner Clubbing Ultra Black

Tony Moly False Lashes

Urban Decay 24/7 in Zero

LIPS:

NYC Lip Slickers Tinted Lip Balm in Sugar Angel (Thank you Pammycakes! ^-^ )

(Yes, I don't style and brush my hair. Please learn to live with it.)

Manel's Catch Bag. :3

Costs less than 2,000Php or around $45.

Mr. Mark Siggaoat of Manels contacted me and told me that I could pick up a Catch bag from one of their branches so I could experience what their products were like. I have previously mentioned in a feature post that I haven't tried any Manels products so they were gracious enough to let me pick one out for myself. YAY!!!!! Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity. :)

My sisters accompanied me to Megamall and I made them choose a bag for me (I usually take about a day to choose a bag. :P). They enjoyed the experience and even modeled several bags before arriving at a decision. Manels staff were very helpful, patient and found it funny that I was reaching on the top most shelves on my own to get the bag. My sisters finally chose this stylish black bag which has buckles and  brown leather for details. 

The bag is made of soft leather and is very roomy inside - I prefer big bags to small ones because I usually bring a lot of stuff with me when I go out. The lining inside looks durable enough - I check for that too because I don't like bags which easily get torn inside. 

It even has a handle and a strap - it's very easy to tote around.

My little sister has mentally claimed the bag as her own and will only let me use it when she's not using it. :/ She's such a brat. Tsk, tsk... I will try to post a picture of her and the bag next time so I can document how bratty she is LOL! x)

Wondering if I should just head out on my own and leave my sisters hahaha! x)

Have a great week everyone! As promised, this is not a food post.

Do you prefer black, brown or colorful bags? =)

Contest CLOSED + June 19, 2011 Pictures - Food Glorious Food!!! =)

Hello everyone! It's almost 1AM  in the Philippines so I want everyone to know that my contest which can be found HERE is closed. =)

Ideally, I should have written a post to answer my question, but I think I won't be doing that since the last family I wrote a love letter to never got to read it and is no longer with us.

I will need the help of my co-judges to decide who will win. Thank you to everyone who joined! I truly appreciate your efforts. I shall announce the winner next week. :)


It' been raining hard since last night so we thought we wouldn't be able to go out to celebrate Father's day. As I said on Twitter, it's been raining cats and dogs and maybe pandas and koalas too. We were surprised when my parents along with my brother traveled all the way from Nueva Ecija so we could have dinner together as a family.

We went to Alba's - a Spanish Restaurant in Tomas Morato.

The wall of their waiting area is full of news clips and awards.

Lechon de Leche and Roast Beef. 

I forgot to take a photo of the Lengua Sevillana. >.<

Pollo (chicken) something and another dish which I am not familiar with. :p

 Pescado (fish) LOL! Feels like I'm having Spanish 101 again.

Sorry I also forgot what this dish is called. :p

Chicken Lollipop on the left! LOL! Some mushroom dish is on the right.

 Tortilla and oriental salad.

Paella Valenciana

No left over policy - means don't horde food you can't eat.

Paella Negra 

Canonigo

Fresh Fruit Platter full of tropical fruits. :)

Spanish singing Trio.

The other "Kuya" was camera shy and hid in the corner.

They also gave my Father a goodie bag:

 Enky examining the contents of the goodie bag.

Still in the process of examining...

Family picture! =)

Alba's was jam-packed with diners who wanted to celebrate father's day. You will rarely hear me rant about the service of a restaurant. If you hear me rant that probably means you shouldn't even go there because they have terrible service. I think all the servers were nice and one server even cleaned after me when I twice dropped a watermelon slice. :p Yes, I'm kind of clumsy. One of the restaurant patrons looked at me with accusing eyes and I ignored him and kept getting more food. 

We all ordered the buffet which I believe was reasonably priced at around 700Php. All the food I ate I labeled properly and the ones I skipped were the ones I wasn't interested in. All the food disappeared really quickly and the staff kept replenishing the food. I guess some diners were famished. LOL! 

My only complaint is that the food was rather a bit oily for my liking but it's always been like that in Alba's. I guess some people like oily food... :/ 

We also had bubble tea but I'll just post about Bubble Teas next time. I promise my next post won't be about food though. LOL! x)

Alba Restaurante Español

Tomas Morato cor. Sct. Lozano, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines