Lessons from the past.

2015. A fresh start. A new beginning. But for most people, it's just another 'new' year. Another year to write down a (new) set of resolutions that most are unsure of even doing. Let's be honest, were we even able to do all of our listed plans from last year? Or the year before that? I gotta admit to myself, I've already stopped writing those for years since I know in myself that I'm really not sure of doing it at all. Not because I've forgotten it, but because I didn't know how to do it without 'it' being a distraction or hindrance to my work or problems that I needed to solve back then.

And yes, I might even be just reasoning out to myself. 'You can't do this resolution yet because.' It's easy to list things down but it's actually harder to do in reality.

PHOTO DIARY: Two Months' Lost Memories.

I've been inactive for two months or more with this blog and I'm really sorry about that. I've already made some draft posts but was unable to complete them until this month. I guess I was just too stressed or busy to do my routine, things that I personally told myself to do, but neglected otherwise. But right now, I'm back and I decided to collate some of the photos that I took during these past two months of absence. So this post will be more of a photo diary.

RANDOM MUSINGS: A Shy Person's Shoot.

I'm a very shy person. I think I've said this before, probably even tons of times already. And believe me, it's really hard especially since I wanted to do a lot of things in my life and being shy isn't really helping. I'm still trying though. I mean, I sometimes volunteer doing things, which I don't normally do. Observing people and listening to talks or workshops really does wonders. Lately, I've also noticed how being into beauty and make-up has (slowly) helped me to step up and be more confident. I've been joining online contest that involves posting my face, against many other more pretty girls. Even if I know that deep down inside, there's really a low, low chance of winning, I'd still join it.

EVENT: BDJ FAIR 2014: LIVE IT UP!

Last October 19, 2014, I was lucky enough to take part of BDJ's fair for this year called, "Live it up! Dance to the beat of your dreams!" held at SM Mall of Asia Music hall.

REVIEW: Canmake Smooth Clear Lotion

I've been an avid fan of Canmake ever since they became available locally. I've already tried some of their products and they've never let me down not even once. So I was really ecstatic when they released a new set of skincare this year.

EVENT: BDJBOX CAMP GORGEOUS

The first BDJ Box Social event that I attended was Tres Chic, which was held at SM Aura just last March. I've known of the event way too late to join any workshops. All the of the workshops are already full and I was really envious of the people who were able to register and get loot bags. Also, despite enjoying all the beauty booths that were there, I wasn't able to try everything because I was really shy back then and I didn't know what to do. I felt a bit awkward being in a place full of girly things. So I thought that maybe next time, I'd be more adventurous to try everything that I can, I mean, I'd love to see which products out there are the best for me.

I was lucky enough to partake in their latest event, Camp Gorgeous, which was held just a few weeks ago at the Skydome at SM North Edsa. Since I've known the event early, I was able to sign-up and get a slot from two of their workshops from Shu Uemura and Benefit Cosmetics.

RANDOM MUSINGS: Beautiful Stranger

Life, as we know it, can be a drag. You can either be happy for a minute and then sad after another. Everything can be at the top but suddenly would come crashing down. The sad truth is that, in life you can't really be too sure of anything unless you do something about it.

The road that we sometimes walk thru can be very dark and twisted. And gloomy. And cold. And we tend to get lost in it. But somehow, despite these hurdles, we always survive the depths of those dark moments. The result only differs on how we've handled everything.

REVIEW: Ellana's Strawberry Vanilla Lip Scrub

I never thought that lip scrubs existed until I saw one online via a blogger's post. And in all honesty, the only types of scrub that I know are those facial and body scrubs. But I love scrubs! Seriously! And I've been wanting to try those lip scrubs out ever since. Sadly, the only brand that I know sells them in big jars.

I was in luck when I saw Ellana's Lip Scrub which was just posted on their Facebook page during that time. After some research, I instantly dropped by one of their stalls located at Cinderella, Alabang Town Center and bought a pot!

EVENT: TCFS Second Workshop with the Dinosaurs!

I've never been a part of any beauty workshops. I've always wondered how to be a part of those. So I did my best to look after any brand's events and newsletter, especially my favorite ones.

A few weeks ago, I saw Too Cool For School's ad regarding their second make-up workshop. They were going to introduce some of their newest products there. So, I instantly messaged them, chose my preferred time (they were offering four different schedules) and registered.

And I was lucky enough to be chosen to partake in this event called the Cool Girl's Make-up Workshop!

RANDOM MUSINGS: That Ackward Little Monster.

I'm a very shy person. I always get fidgety or anxious when I'm doing something a bit out of the ordinary like doing poses or hanging out with a new crowd. I have a tendency to cower or hide behind people too.

Why hello there manry legs of mine.

SPOTLIGHT: Too Cool For School.

I first encountered Too Cool For School during the BDJ Tres Chic Event last March. I honestly have no idea who they are or what they specialize in. During the event, they were giving out free samples of their BB creams and Pumpkin Face Mask. Me, being the curious little lass that I am, took a few samples. But it took almost a month before I decided to give their BB Cream a try. And my, my, I'm glad that I really did took a sampler of their item.

I initially wasn't expecting to like their BB Cream since upon seeing the cream itself, it looked a bit dark on my skin. But upon application, it had blended perfectly in my face. And I love that it has an SPF 37 PA++.

 

Photo taken from http://www.roseroseshop.com

This, of course, caught my attention. I wanted to try out more of their products, so I did my own research about them over the net.

Of Colorful Palettes and Yuki.

A friend of mine once asked for a recommendable place to do a shoot for his doll. Being a meticulous person, he wanted a place that was fit for a princess. The first place that came to mind was none - other than this princess - themed cupcake place that I personally like.

Sprinkles!

April Make-up and Skincare Hauls.

For the past few months, I've been reading endless blog posts about make-up and skincare. Saw different products, others recommended by friends. I personally would have liked to try them all, but with a limited budget, I had to choose which ones to buy first and save the others for future purchases.

Yes, this is my April to early May haul. Mostly are just small sized or samplers, because I'd like to test products before getting a full size. I have an oily skin and  I do get breakouts easily so I had to be careful to pick items that will fit my skin type. Still, I guess one can say I'm an eager beaver when it comes to trying out things even though I'm a bit anxious about it.

SPOTLIGHT: SNOE Beauty Inc.

It's not everyday that you'll see local beauty brands lasting for years in this country. Since a lot of people still prefer buying foreign brands, I'm amazed as to how these local brands survive. (Thank god for beauty bloggers!). Take this one for example: Snoe Beauty Inc.

I've first known Snoe a few years ago after seeing their stall at Robinson's Galleria. Initially, I thought they were just another brand from a different country until a friend of mine mentioned that they were actually made by a Filipina. Sadly though, during that time, I wasn't much into make-up and decided to just buy their Hard Candy lip color Strawberry Shake, mainly because I found it cute. It was a set of 3 different colored lipsticks that can be bought as a key chain. It was also being sold at an affordable price!

Photo from http://www.codenameaya.com

Adventures in BGC: The Mind Museum and a lot more!

I'm not the type to tell anyone of my birthday, though I do like considering March as my month. I've always preferred to celebrate on my own or at least buy myself things that I've always wanted to buy or go places that I've always wanted to go to or hang out. This year, I decided to celebrate my day by visiting The Mind Museum. It's considered as a first-class Interactive Science museum in the Philippines. Ever since it opened years ago, I've always wanted to go there but sadly, it's either I don't have the money or the time to do so. But last month (since it's already April right now) I told myself that I have to go there by March, whatever happens, my plan will push through!

And lucky me, it did!

Catching up with Ramen

A few weeks ago, a friend of ours told us that she will be visiting Manila during the upcoming weekend. She's originally from Nueva Ejica so it's not everyday that we get the chance to see her, plus, she also just came back from a trip to Vietnam and was excited to see me and my boyfriend. So we decided to meet up and eat out at Shang.

GIVEAWAY: Happy 5th Anniversary @The Beauty Junkee!

I've only started blogging again this year (despite making this site last year).  But, this is the first time that I've blogged about things that I haven't thought of writing: beauty items and cosmetics. To begin with, I'm really not that interested in those things unless I needed it for cosplay. Still, I guess there will always be a time in a girl's heart that eventually, they will fall to the magical world of make-up. Now, I'm getting more and more addicted to the point of wanting to try almost everything. But, one thing that I've learned in this field is that one shouldn't go on buying everything that she sees. I'm scared that I might buy the wrong make for me, I'm an oily-faced girl and I don't want to go out looking like an oiled frying pan just because I bought the wrong make for my face.

So before buying anything, I started reading other beauty bloggers. Seriously. They are very, VERY helpful.

FOOD: GO-EN: The Japanese Ramen Shoppe Plus!

If there's one thing that I love, it's to try out new places to eat! Who doesn't like eating in the first place? Being a curious beaver, I usually look around the net for places to try-out, read for reviews and know the usual budget needed.

We first discovered Go-en during a Japanese food festival at the Festival Mall in Alabang. They had a booth there that sells kendamas. You can either try it out first or buy one. The booth-keepers were even nice enough to teach us how to play! And then they told us about their place. Ever since then, we were itching to try their food out.

Luckily, this ramen place was very near my boyfriend's workplace. So just the other week, we decided to give it a try.

EVENT: BDJ Box's Tres Chic.

I'm pretty new to his particular...umm. thing? And though I've heard before that Beauty events do take place in this country, I haven't attended even a single one. Until now. I was actually torn at first - within that weekend, because there were two beauty workshops that was about to take place, The Shiseido International Beauty Fair at Megamall (which by the way, was held for 3 days) and BDJBox's Tres Chic event at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura. Both workshops were for free too.

Even though I was really tempted with the Shiseido event, I decided to choose Tres Chic instead, since they were having a lot of booths and different activities, seriously, very inviting. They also have five different (and very interesting) workshops. In order to be a part of those workshops, you have to email them. Sadly though, since I learned about this event just a few days before it began, my email didn't make it to the deadline. But then again, I still decided to go.

Make-up haul 03 / 07 / 14 (part 2.)

This is a continuation of my make-up haul blog post. Part 1 is posted here.



I'm not an eyebrow enthusiast, since I've got reeeally thin eyebrows. But, to achieve a better look, you need to fix your eyebrows. Since I'll only be needing a tester, I decided to get this retractable eyebrow pencil, Winmax by Daiso Japan. Bought for just 88php!