Trash time!
Here are what I've used up the past few months.

Wearing someone else's hair can be off putting to some, but it's essential if you want hair extensions that are as real-looking (and feeling) as possible. My sister cringes everytime she sees the extensions and tries to scare me by exclaiming that it used to be someone's hair. That never swayed me from enjoying them though.



I've had my short hair for over two years now and while I don't miss the weight and the unnecessary heat my super long hair brought, I do miss all the different looks I could come up with it. Madison from Irresistible Me must've sensed my slight distress (she's part psychic) and asked if I wanted to try their clip-in hair extensions.


I chose Silky Natural Black in 24 inches, 200g ($219) from their Silky Touch Line because according to their site, it's the easiest to use by beginners and looks most natural.

Silky Touch is our best-selling line. These 100% Remy human hair extensions are fantastic quality for a friendly price and can be very easily washed, heat styled, cut and colored to blend in your hair perfectly. The thickness of the hair decreases slightly towards the ends just like normal hair does which will provide a completely natural look while wearing them.

For the latter part of 2015, I dare say I've accumulated a few new lip things. This isn't counting the already sizeable lip "things" I currently own. But let's just focus on these fairly recent ones. Besides I haven't done a makeup haul post in a while.

Most were bought but two in particular were given as gifts by family (EB Advance Liquid Lipstick and Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm). Here's a run-down with the prices.

• Pinkies Collection in Calalily and Bark - Php 169 (Price is currently Php 199)
• Secret Key Chubby Jelly Tint Pack in Plum Purple - Php 300
• EB Advance Liquid Lipstick in Soft Lace - Php 180
• Maybelline Lip Polish in Glam 6 - Php 150 (Sale)
• Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Sultry - around Php 287 (Sale)
• Essence XXL Shine Lipgloss in Nude Candy and Wood of Roses - Php 50 each (YES)

I asked my sister to buy me the Revlon Matte Balm in Sultry  as my advanced Christmas gift a few months before December. It was on sale for half off and I've wanted to try it for the longest time. I settled for one of the three shades available because these were flying off the shelves. Apparently our Revlon here hasn't been that generous (huge discounts) in a long time. Sultry is a deep old-rose shade a tad similar to bark (I'll be investigating this soon). A little mauvey but on my lips pulls a little more brick red. It's still pretty and moisturizing despite the matte part in the name. It's so weird using something dubbed as a matte balm, but it does feel really comfortable. Not at all drying. Glides on smoothly and really delivers on pigment akin to a matte lipstick. Good job me.

Same story as the Maybelline Lip Polish, I got suckered in by Essence Cosmetic's half-off sale and settled on Nude Candy and Wood of Roses. I figured if they were too sheer I can always put them on top of my lipsticks to alter the colour. Surprisingly these pack quite the pigment. It's not as sheer as I thought especially Wood of Roses—a slightly reddish brown with multi-coloured shimmers. Also it's not as sticky as I thought. Like the Lip Polishes, these are very comfortable to wear. As you can see there are glitters but they aren't chunky nor do they look "kiddy", you know like play makeup? It also has a scent that reminds me strongly of Fruit Loops (a little "kiddy" but who cares).

I learned that Nude Candy, the creamy baby nude pink with silver shimmers, is a good dupe for Nars' Turkish Delight lip-gloss.

Create-your-own and made-on-the-fly burgers aren't new to the food scene. But one that's at the same price point (plus actually good) as the heavily processed and controversial fast-food burgers - now that's something new. Well at least to me.

After a few hours of hard-core and sweat-induced lollygagging, my sister and I went to Megamall's (Makati) food area (directly facing the supermarket) to satisfy our hunger and settled upon Fuel Burgers for our my burger craving.



The wait wasn't that long and the process was fairly easy since the menu wasn't complicated as let's say Teddy's. I take so long ordering from there; so many options. (one might argue that it's too many.)


The decent-sized meal was plated on a wooden board with parchment paper to soak up some drippings. A+ people. The plastic utensils were a little useless since they can't cut shit still, A+ on the presentation.

The vegetables still had some bite to them, the patty was seasoned enough and cooked well. Not the glued together kind of meat (you know the kind). The buns were soft, fluffy and had some denseness to it. The oatmeal crumbs on the top made for a good looking bun.


As for the fries. They were okay. As standard as I fry can be.


All in all it was good. The meal with the drink I believe was around Php 190? Give or take Php 200. It was absolutely value for the money. 100% I would go there again. Don't expect a ton of seating though as the spacing allocated to each "restaurant" at the food area is limited.

I don't know if it was only a promo at the time but do check it out if you're nearby and craving for some cheap but very decent burgers.


xx,
CJ

Majority of 2015 I was feeling unqualified and insatiable, unworthy and bullheaded. I was feeling down but I didn't really like that; It didn't feel good so I trudged on. I denied what I was feeling and the more I did that and the more my life refused to adhere to what I was envisioning, the heavier my heart sank.

In retrospect I didn't realize that I had a lot going for me this past year, i.e. my blog. It's easy to overlook the small accomplishments in face of your perceived "goals" or success. I like to think I've grown this past year. :)

I already know and understand everything below but I do slip sometimes so I like to remind myself of these nuggets of wisdom. Here are five things I want to take in with me into 2016.


Never compare your life to others
It is extremely easy to compare how your life is going to your peer's when you open your Facebook. Extremely easy. Those "instagram models" and young hot celebrities that go to exotic places before they're even legal to drink can make some put on those emerald green shades.

But you have to understand, what people post on their social profiles are highlights of what they want you to see.  Most of these are stories they concocted to make it seem like their life is smooth sailing all the way, but it's rarely that. Everyone has struggles, they might not just post it.


Your success is defined by you. Not by your school, parents, friends and society.
Have a great job after college. Get an amazing house by 30. Have a family before 35.  Retire by 40. Have your own thriving start-up as soon as you can. Etc. Etc. Etc. You know how that goes.

Remember, this is your life. Your rules. Success for a fisherman is getting enough to sell and take home for the family whilst success for a CEO might be closing a billion-dollar deal. Success is subjective. It's a state of mind. It differs from person to person.


Celebrate those "small" accomplishments!
Getting up early for 2 weeks straight after perpetually being a night owl. Quitting caffeine after years of being a coffee junkie. Signing up for a dance class when you have two left feet.

Those things might seem inconsequential compared to your other "real" "adult" goals, but habits and long term success start from those little seemingly inconsequential things. So pat yourself on the back. It might not seem much for now but keeping to consistency very rarely doesn't pay off.


If your friendship/relationship becomes toxic. Walk away.
Friends. Family. Business. Bottom line if they're hurting you even after civil communication and trying to understand them, just leave. Not that you should burn bridges, you should just walk away.

It's not giving up. It's choosing your happiness.


Don't be afraid to say yes. Don't be afraid to say no.
It's tricky. "Fear of missing out" is a real and valid thing. It's also not good to agree to everything then force yourself to enjoy it. But once you get to master it you know who to say no to or who to say yes to. Including opportunities.

My blog didn't start picking up until late 2014 to early 2015. At the start of last year, I've been consistent with posts, pictures and updates. I said yes to most opportunities that fell on my lap. Opportunities that made me grow as a professional and as a person and if it weren't for that I wouldn't have met new and interesting people. I wasn't afraid to say no too. Other things that fell on my lap felt off-brand and just off  period, so I politely refused. And that's ok.


How about you? Any life lessons you learned last 2015? How are you planning to attack 2016? :)


xx,
CJ

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Happy New Year everyone! It's another new year, another go at a fresh beginning. At least for me. I have a post coming up about things I've learned in 2015 and realizing I had a lot going for me despite my "claims".

I decided to do a quick makeup even if my only plans for the night were eating [and eating] in my hole-y tank top and ratty denims. Here was the relatively simple makeup look I did to greet the New Year.



For the base I went with a BB cream, because I didn't really have another base product that worked for me and so far this light and creamy Proud Mary BB (not pictured) is doing well. To set I used my gigantic tub of 3W Clinic loose powder or Palgantong (old name) in shade 23  to set everything.

As for contour I used my trusty Shawill Perfect Powder in 003 —a really nice taupe colour. To blend the contour and give some warmth back to my face I whipped out my W7 Honolulu Bronzer, a supposed dupe for the Benefit Hoola. I used a peach blusher from Careline to keep the face muted making way for the loud lip colour I wanted to use. Glowy is my thing so I lightly swept on some ZA Cheeks Groovy in June Bride — a light champagne-gold highlighter, on the tops of my cheeks, tip of the nose, cupid's bow and forehead.


The look I was going for was bold lips + understated everything else. So I just dusted some gray-brown matte eyeshadow on my lashline from my Catrice Absolute Matt Palette and coated the lashes with Shawill mascara (don't get this one! wet, takes a long time to dry and not waterproof. Ew). I lightly filled in some sparse brow areas with Pinkies Collection Brow Pencil in Black to match my dark mane. I'm liking this one at the moment. It's creamy but a little hard which I prefer and has a spoolie at the end.

And now for the pièce de résistance, I whipped out my very neglected MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer in Kooky for a little something special to my otherwise "bland" look. This matte lip cream is a little hard to apply in my opinion because the doe foot isn't as precise as I would prefer and the formula is a little hard to come off when it dries. I tend to re-do my base when that happens. Maybe I just need more practice with this. The colour is very pretty though ; A dark berry purple shade.

How was your NYE/NY? Did you also "dress up"? Going for a really bold lip colour gives me an excuse to put as little as possible everywhere else. Do you also do that?

Wishing for more love, discoveries and successes this 2016 to come your way!

Hello everyone! After my little depressing self-loathing post prior to this I decided what I was feeling was normal and if dwelled too much upon, is detrimental to my mental and emotional well-being so I stopped and looked at the bright side of 2015 — Lots of opportunities for my blog. Apart from that I wrote much frequently this year compared to last year and the year before that. There's always a shining moment, you just have to look past what you didn't get/have and look at what you did receive.

Speaking of opportunities for my blog, affordable Korean brand [based in the Philippines] Rucy's Vanity, kindly sent me a few things to check out. One of which is their Gleamy Lipstick in Qute Pink.


Cute with a Q.

Rucy’s Vanity is a 100% Korean skincare and cosmetics brand [made in Korea] offering high quality products in a reasonable price.

PACKAGING & SCENT

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The tube is very sturdy, surprisingly. The box also contains both Korean and English words, so no worries about the ingredients. It has a light scent of crayons or wax but nothing overpowering.


TEXTURE & COLOUR

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Emollient and slippery but I wouldn't say it's moisturizing. Because of the texture it's smooth and non-draggy. It gives off a nice shine but emphasizes crusty lips. So exfoliate and/or hydrate prior to wearing. Even if it's emollient and smooth it definitely can't take the place of a lip balm.


MAGIC LIPSTICK?

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As you can probably tell it's quite sheer. Almost like a tinted lip balm if you only swipe it once or twice but it is buildable. The shade itself [initially] is a blue-purple undertone-d creamy baby pink. On my particular skin [yellow-olive medium] it's a little hard to pull-off partly because I'm not fond of cool-toned pinks and it makes teeth look more yellow. BUT after a while the lipstick changes colour. I don't know if it's just on me, but it turned just a few shades darker so it was little more wearable for me after that. [might update this post with a picture of me wearing the lipstick after a few hours]

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