I’m not a big make-up person. I still don’t know how to put eye make-up on my own or even blush properly.  My friends (hello Carlo!) used to laugh about my blush.  I’m jealous how other girls can play around with their eyes using different make-up strategies.  I was tempted to attend a make-up short seminar 2 years ago in one of the top make-up schools in Manila but I figured that 30-50 grand could go a long way somewhere else –besides, I do not have that amount in my make-up kit much more my wallet.  With this hurdle, I kept my cosmetic enhancement to the basic (powder, mascara, blush) even to big events like weddings.  Once in a while, I dabble into shimmers and what nots, but applying them is my drawback (Rihanna’s Disturbia in my singing version ”dumb dumb di dumb dumb”)

I needed to buy a new mascara 3 months ago and my favorite Lancome Hypnose mascara (sold at PHP1,500 as far as I can remember) was out of stock in black.  It was available in brown but I don’t know if I want to go brown again.  Lancome Hypnose gives volume to your eyelashes to create that “hypnotic” look.  I thought of changing to Lancome L’Extreme and try extending my lashes with the product.  Unfortunately, they were also out of stock in washable mascara at Rustan’s Shangri-la and Rustan’s Makati.  They have Lancome L’Extreme but it’s in the water-resistant formula.  I’ve tried waterproof mascara (L’Oreal dual mascara) and I really harmed my shrill lashes back then.

Lancome is one of the brands I’m really loyal to.  It started with the release of their Juicy Tubes 4-5 years ago (?), which I’m really fanatic about.

Since the Estee Lauder brand has been my favorite as of late in foundation and compacts, it was an opportune time for me to give their mascaras a shot.  They had a special offer on their Magnascopic.  For PHP 1,500, you get the mascara at its price with 2 add-ons.  They threw in an eye gel cream and a mascara remover in the pack.  It looked like a good buy then.  Although I have to say I really miss the Lancome brand.

My face was a nudist back in college.  I was really a late bloomer when it came to make-up and beauty products because I felt it takes too much time and effort to do so… and being a tomboy that I was in high school, I was not able to utilize that period of my life to practice. 

In La Salle, the make-up that I only had in my bag were face powder and lip tint, which I rarely used.  I started putting make-up on when I started at Sabiclub Corp. Up until now, I am still an adolescent when it comes to putting make-up but I like experimenting.   My old Nine West make-up pouch (poochie) used to house a L’Oreal Foundation in Silk Ivory, Body Shop lip and cheek tint, Mac brown Mascara, Lancome Juicy Tube lip gloss, a cheap (from Yakuyen store haha) Japanese eye shadow, clip and toothbrush.  I actually only use the powder and the lip tint most of the time, but I had the rest just in case I need to be made up for some event/dinner that pops up. I was up in arms when I found out that L’Oreal is pulling out their Airwear line.  When I go buy, it’s always almost out, so why are they about to go extinct?  One of the beauty specialist explained to me that even if it’s sellable in the Philippines, if it’s not sellable overseas then they get rid of the line and put in a new one. Too bad.  I really liked Airwear and have been using it for 3-4 years.  It doesn’t feel like a foundation at all.  It’s so light and it makes your skin breathe through that layer of powder. I did not want to try out the new line because I tried another L’Oreal product, which was Ideal Balance and it wasn’t friendly on my skin.  That beauty specialist told me that the new line after Airwear is similar to Ideal Balance so I decided to go look at another brand. During an exclusive Rustan’s sale, I bought Estee Lauder powder foundation (which I got only for PHP1K something from its original price of 1,900.) and some other products.  I really liked the Estee Lauder powder until it fell from my bag and smashed on the floor during a Davao/Gen San trip. Last month, I finally decided to buy from Estee Lauder and spent 2,500 for the powder and 800 for the compact.  I really don’t get why I have to pay separate to get the compact with the mirror.  I guess because of the quality and the brand, I have to pay premium.  (Thanks Racq for helping me pick my skin tone/shade)

I got Hydra Complete face cream along with it, which is a multi-level moisture gel cream.  This is perfect for my dry skin.  The powder doesnt cake when I apply Hydrate before putting on the powder. 

On top of that, I got a new mascara from Lancome, which came in a promo pack with a Lancome eyeliner and mascara remover.  I found great use for the mascara remover since I used to only wash off my mascara and that doesn’t take out all the make-up.  My eyes are pretty sensitive but the Lancome mascara remover is gentle to the eyes and it somehow relaxes them. 

With all my new buys, I didn’t want to use my old worn-out Nine West cotton poochie.  When I got home that night, I was so happy to find in one of the boxes I have not used, a Tommy Hilfiger make-up pouch.  It was a freebie from a Tommy Hilfiger box that contained a perfume and a hand lotion.  Lucky me!  I remember when I first saw the pouch that I didn’t like it because it was yellow with red detail.  Now, I love it!  (Thanks Ninang Mary!) and it’s the perfect shelter for my new cosmetic items.