I'm playing with colors again today. :)

This time it's Orange! Like Oh-range! I remember trying fuchsia in the past when I reviewed the Avon Ultra Color Matte and realized that the color wasn't just for me. You can read my review here. So, how did it go down for me with this baby?

Read more after the jump!

Before I get down to business, let me first do a back story about how I got hold of this lipstick. I've mentioned a lot in my blog that we have been affected severely by Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan in November 2013. You can read my reflections here. There was an outpouring of love and support from so many people around the world and we received lots of things from food and housing supplies to hygiene kits. But in December 2013, shortly before Christmas, my father came home with a different kind of relief goodies. Guess what it was?

Yes, it was a goodie which contained a combo of Maybelline and L'Oreal products. In the face of a huge challenge such as Yolanda, L'Oreal reminded us that prettifying ourselves is part of getting-back-on-our-feet process!

Product Name: L'oreal Color Riche Moisturizing Lipstick

Shade: C411 Wild Tango (Pearly)

"According to L'Oreal Paris . .

Packaging

I think it's a hit in the elegance department. It's golden in color and the cap lock closes well. It haven't observed any breakage in it.

The Experience

Sniff sniff.. And no, it doesn't have any scent. :)

At first glance you can indeed see that it's very vivid in color and that there are golden flecks incorporated in the stick.

Indeed, it glides smoothly and is creamy in texture. It is also very moisturizing and doesn't settle on the lines of my lips. It's very moisturizing in fact that I would understand that if it can't live up to its other claim that can last an all day wear. Long wear is always associated with matte lipsticks. 

It lasted up to 4 hours on my lips, with eating and drinking in between. It fades into a coral shade then leaves a reddish-pink tint in the end.

If it were up to me, I'd like to wear this very lightly. Just one swipe maybe. It also needs a lip liner because the color tends to bleed easily outside of your lips.

 

Orange is indeed a transformer, especially if you are feeling a bit gloomy. It can immediately add life to your face or to your complexion.

I was beyond thrilled when this uberly adorable pair of sunnies arrived! I've been wanting to own one from Sunnies Studios and for a long time I've been scrolling through their equally adorable Facebook page to check out their collections. Unfortunately, they don't have a store in my area. But thanks to Zalora, I was able to grab one! :)

Grabbing this makeup set is very anti-me for so many different reasons:

1. I don't know how to use a bronzer. I've never been around baked bronzers before. My makeup routine is very simple that I consider bronzers as non-necessities.

2. I'm not a fan of lipglosses. All of my previous experience with lipglosses led me to believe that they're just gooey, globby stuff that always make me feel uncomfortable. Like eating lechon baboy (roasted pig) and not wiping my mouth.Oh! But I don't even eat pork. Hehe

3. I've never used and illuminator before. Beauty bloggers say that they're supposed to highlight the parts where you put it. Yikes!

4. I'm still happy with my current primer, the Maybelline Babyskin Pore Eraser so maybe I didn't need the primer here.

But that's just me. I went against myself again and decided to grab this still and try to be adventurous, otherwise I would never know how it feels to use a bronzer or an illuminator. :)

I went through the usual phase of being a teenager: pimples here and there. Not plenty at once but never without one. By the time I got older and established a better skincare regimen, they all cleared up. It might have been because my hormones were no longer as crazy too. But by then, I knew the damage had been done and I was left with some scars to deal with. That's just one problem. I've been pretty much bullheaded about staying up late and now I have these dark circles under my eyes. I think it got worse when I gave birth and now it's just a usual sight. But I admit that they darkened my sparkles. *Hehe*

Last year I discovered this little product: The NATURACTOR COVER FACE FOUNDATION/CONCEALER. Although it can't totally hide all the signs of sleepless nights, I'd have to say that it's one of the most satisfying products I have ever tried.

Thanks for dropping by!:) 2015 is on our doorsteps and of course we are excited! But before we bid adieu to 2014, I'm going to share my review and swatches of one of the makeup stuff I purchased on the first quarter of this year. It's the MUA Heaven and Earth Palette. Now I'm aware that this isn't a new release from MUA and that countless reviews have been made about this and still more bloggers have compared it to the UD Naked Palettes. I can't tell for sure because I don't own any Naked Palette. But UD dupe or not, I heart this palette. I'll tell you more after the jump!

I have never felt happier seeing a plane land safely. Up until the eve of January 17, I have been wondering if Pope Francis would push through with his schedule here in Leyte. What if the authorities won't allow him to board the plane because of the typhoon? But seeing him wave happily and tirelessly to the waiting crowd despite the downpour and the howling wind, I knew that he wanted to be here. He was clearly overjoyed that thousands of people welcomed him despite the bad weather.

Yellow hope. Pope Francis wears the same raincoat as the ones worn by the Taclobanons. This image is property of www.inquirer.net. No copyright infringement intended.

Hurrah people of Leyte! The Holy Father has landed safely. This sight on TV made me exhale loudly. And bravo pilot! This image is property of www.gmanetworks.com. No copyright infringement intended.

Hearing him in his homily during his mass in DZR Airport increased my admiration for him a thousandfold. This is the Holy Father, speaking with all humility and speaking from the heart. And I cannot help but be on the verge of tears because I knew in my heart that he was sincere in his actions. He has been with us in his prayers. Seeing the somber crowd from the TV screen, I knew that we who have come toe to toe with Yolanda feel the same way.

Yolanda was fourteen months ago but the memories and the lessons it has taught us will remain forever. Some people may say that we Waraynons are still wallowing in it and that we can't get over it. Dear friends, it's not about being melancholic. It's about the fact Yolanda has left us irreversibly altered for the rest of our lives, especially those who have lost their family members.We remember but we move forward.

We move forward with the knowledge that Jesus is here for us. As imparted by the Holy Father himself in his homily, Jesus is capable of understanding our pain because He himself has gone through suffering on the cross. We are never alone. He never lets us down.

No copyright infringement intended. Image is property of GMA Networks

I remember when Yolanda was ravaging us, I cried, Lord and Mama Mary, please make it stop. But if this is the end of us, know that we lived in faith until the end. We felt so alone then, me and my family stuck in our kitchen. When the winds stopped, we moved to another undamaged part of our house because we knew that the winds will be back again coming from the opposite direction. Lo and behold, there were people outside our gates and soon enough when Yolanda came back pounding there were about four dozen people in our garage. There were babies and toddlers, pigs and clothes. Suddenly I didn't feel so alone. With renewed strength I knew that we could weather the storm together. These were neighbors and strangers alike and I thanked God for sending them in safely. This memory came vividly into my mind when the Holy Father said in his homily that we are like brothers and sisters because we help each other.

When he faced the crowd in Tacloban, he acknowledged with all humility that he doesn't have the words to express himself but he reminded us that Jesus is here for us. Mama Mary is also here for us. And he reminded us too that we all have each other as brothers and sisters. Suddenly I felt warm despite the cold weather. I would have said that it gave me chills if it were possible but nah, let's stick to warm. :)

Brothers and sisters we are all. Image is property of  Rappler. No copyright infringement intended

Yolanda brought him here but it is sad that another storm, Amang, made him leave early. The Holy Father had to go back to Manila four hours earlier than his scheduled departure. I bet many were saddened but I know that the Waraynons would understand that his safety and security is important. His short but sweet speech at the Palo Cathedral even made me smile. He asked for two things: Pray for him and Be quiet. And then the talk about leaving things in the hands of the Mother.

Photo Credit

He leaves the Philippines today, January 19. Many are still euphoric about his visit and suddenly we all want to be good, to do good. He has left us all with so much wisdom. I hope that our desire to follow his teachings transcends the euphoria and even if a month, a year, or a decade has passed, we would still remember him and keep his words in our hearts.

Xo,

..Alas! The holidays are over. I still have a hangover though from that very yummy and moist chocolate cake. Hmm. But enough of the food. There were other more fun things that happened this month! But on a blow by blow account, it started pretty off with the threat of Typhoon Ruby looming on the first week. At least Supertyphoon Yolanda has taught us so many things in the past and now we know that there is no such things as being over-prepared. :) Here's a rundown of the things that happened before I said hello to 2015.

I'll admit that I'm a bit scared of wearing bright pinks such as fuchsia or magenta, especially in matte formula. I've always associated it with being too bright or that it can make your teeth look yellow. That being said, I know that I won't buy something of this color on my own account. I got hold of this product because my mother gave it to me. So, did it work for me? I'll tell you after the jump! :)

My 'little makeup adventures' these past few months have led me to the conclusion that if I am to be better at makeup application, I need to find myself a proper makeup brush set. I spent countless hours trying to find the right set. Right now I'm not the type who'd do makeup gigs for a living. This is more of a hobby so I wasn't all out for getting something  that cost 3,000 Philippine bucks per set. However, I also wouldn't want to get something sub-par in quality. So that was the dilema that I had to settle: quality and affordability. My search brought straight into the arms of Suesh. More after the jump!

Hello and welcome back to my blog! 

I'd like to give you a virtual hug and cheek to cheek air kisses 'coz it's so sweet of you to drop by. :) Maybe just to give some warmth because it's cold cold cold. December's finally here but sad to say there's another juggernaut of a typhoon that's threatening our country. I wish all typhoons would just melt upon entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Sorry to start on such a grim note but let's accept the fact that stronger typhoons are a reality in this day and age. And as stewards of the Earth we have to endure and weather it with a lot of preparation and prayers. Moreover, there's still a lot to be thankful for. And that's where I divert from the topic at hand :)

But I have experienced none of that with Keringkeri Store.

Those two Maybelline products: the BB White and the Baby Skin Pore Eraser, I got them at lower prices than in malls. For added measure I checked the expiry dates when they arrived and they were certainly freshly manufactured and definitely authentic. The Palgantong Powder and the Naturactor Concealer are now my makeup kit staples. And the MUA Eye Primer, Eunice the owner was nice to inform me that it's like a dupe for Benefit Lemonaid.

That's how nice she is. She always replies promptly even on Sundays. With just one text I can settle my ordered goodies and in like 3 days I get the package. Very hassle-free.

The store has a website which is so much better than those who only have Facebook Accounts. It is easier to search for the products that you want. 

Keringkeri Store

Eunice even sends some freebies sometimes.:)

So, I hope that with this simple blog post I was able to show my appreciation. I have found some other online stores but I keep coming back even if I've gone astray. In the end, hassle-free and good service matters in the face of thousands of sellers who compete for the buyer's attention.

How about you, have you shopped with Keringkeri Store before? Share your experience.

...Wait. What year is it? It's 2014 now, isn't this post a bit late?

Way too late actually, I would concede. But first things first. The annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show which is a televised event in the US is always something I look forward to year after year. More than the beautiful long-legged ladies strutting their stuff on the runway, the production itself is just amazing. You will see that everyone behind this show really gives attention to detail. Anybody who's seen it would agree with me. Anybody who has not seen it would take about 20 seconds to like it.

However, 2013 was a different game and something bigger than Victoria happened. Her name was Yolanda and well, we didn't have electricity for four (yes! four!) months so please cut me some slack. I was only able to watch this show very recently and it still made me giddy. This is pure appreciation sans any drop of insecurity. These are my favorite moments/people/etc from the 2013 Show. 

1. Candice Swanepoel opening the Show with the Fantasy Bra. I actually don't know the deets about the underwear (gah!) but in general it's the centerpiece of the Show. It's supposed to cost millions of dollars because it is encrusted with real gemstones. You can't really guess when it will come out because it doesn't necessarily have to come first. Only the 'Victoria's Secret Angels' supermodels can wear it. Some of the previous wearers are Gisele Bundchen, Karolina Kurkova, Miranda Kerr, Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio who are still currently part of the Show.

And now it's finally Candice. What better way to start the show than with this bombshell walking? I first saw her in the 2010 Show and I learned that she was actually just hired to be a fit model - models that are hired just to see how a dress with look like on an actual body; kinda like a live mannequin - but the organizers saw her potential and four years on and here she is!

2. The performers: Fall Out Boy and Taylor Swift. They  opened the show singing the anthemic "Light 'Em Up" Ooh Ooh Light Em Up Ooh Ooh I'm On Fiiiire (My songs know what you did in the dark)! And they literally set the stage ablaze. 'Nuff said. They're like one helluva deadly combination.

3. Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine (with his clique) sitting on the sidelines looking absolutely pleased. This pleased and we ask why.

4. Adriana Lima's heart-shaped wings. Back and Front.