Jean Therese of ohitsjean for GARAGE Clothing #BloggeroftheYear

★See full set of photos here.

Outfit details: Clothing Garage

082014 12:55

'Wag ka ng umasa Puro ka nalang sana Wasak na puso Punasan ang luhang tumulo

Sa likod ng mga ngiti Ay ang lungkot na ikinubli Ang aking pusong sawi Umiiyak tuwing gabi

Really? We’re almost in the middle of March? Woah, wait, REALLY?

Okay. I’ve checked my calendar. Right. It’s fast. I still can’t get over that fact. So much is happening, I can’t barely keep up. Gotta chop-chop.

Anyhow, I know that it’s a bit late to feature my February Favorites, but please bear with me as life has been intensely busy lately.

e.l.f. STUDIO CONTOURING BLUSH & BRONZING POWDER

I’m not really into contouring, not until I’ve watched too much make-up tutorials on YT and read too much articles stating how important contouring is. This is my first contouring kit and it has been my favorite since. I don’t do contouring everyday, unless there’s an event or photoshoot or dinner to attend to. I also use this when practicing make-up looks, using my own face as the canvass. I’ve also come to realize that a makeup look isn’t complete without contouring.

I like e.l.f. because it’s cheap, but it performs like a high-end one. It’s highly pigmented, long lasting and easy to apply. But make sure that when you use this, don’t put too much, as you don’t want a harsh looking contour on your face. What I do is, I dab my brush on the kit very lightly, shake the brush to remove any excess powder, then dab it on my cheekbones, nose bridge, and other areas that I want to contour, very lightly.  Then I blend it using a fluffy brush. Then I apply the blush on the apples of my cheeks. Lastly, I apply foundation powder using a fluffy brush to seal everything.

This is one look I’ve made using this kit. As you can see, the contours are noticeable, but it doesn’t look harsh on the face. It perfectly highlighted the cheeks, the whole face in general.

BOOTS No7 POWDER BLUSHER BRUSH

This brush is a gift that I got from my mom on my birthday. It came with other beauty products. This brush is from No7, a beauty line from BOOTS Pharmacy. This brush has soft bristles that glides on your face very gently. I use this to apply my foundation and blush.

RIMMEL EXAGGERATE LIQUID EYELINER

I am very poor with eyeliner application, and this was the first liquid eyeliner that I tried, owned and used – and I loved it. The color is intense, the applicator is precise and easy to use, and it dries quickly.  It’s smudge-proof, flake-proof, smear-proof and run- proof, and it has a long lasting formula that lasts up to 16 hours. I know how much we hate smudged eyeliner as it makes us look like a zombie or a person that hasn’t slept for 100 years. Eyeliners are meant to open up your eyes, and to shape it as well. From a simple line to a winged one, it can transform your look instantly. If you love wearing eyeliner or wanted to try wearing it, get this one from Rimmel. I swear, it’s good!

These are some of the looks I’ve created using this eyeliner. Notice how her eyes were defined.

NYX SOFT MATTE LIP CREAM IN ADDIS ABABA

I was born with full lips, so imagine the era wherein glossy lips were in. And imagine me wearing gloss on my lips. I look nothing like sexy, but a girl who just ate too much oily food. Thank the heavens for matte formula and hooray for matte era. I can’t wear anything but matte on my lips. Apart from it looks good on my full lips, matte formula is long lasting. I’m at the stage wherein I love experimenting with lip colors, and NYX is one of the brands I fell in love with. Their soft matte lip cream line is divine. And it’s cheap compared to MAC.

My favorite would be Addis Ababa. I like how bright and intense the color is. The shade could instantly give a girly impression. And it looks good from fair to morena skin ladies. This has been my everyday shade. I apply it after putting tint on my lips.

THE FACE SHOP’S MY LIPS EAT CHERRY AQUA TINT

I got this tint when I went to Manila for a vacation. I was actually wanting to get Tony Moly, but I thought, I should give this a try, since this was on SALE during that time - around $4 I think. It was a good decision, because I loved it. I should’ve gotten two, because it’s almost finished now and Face Shop here is a bit expensive compared to Manila price. It’s 0.17 oz and I’ve been using it for 3 months now, and I think I’d be able to use it for another 2 weeks.

I am using the shade Juicy Red. The other color, I think, is a bit orange-y. What I love about this is that, it’s easy to apply and it gives you that natural blush that lasts the whole day. You’ll never have to worry about looking pale.

MAC PREP + PRIME LASH

I wish I was born with long and thick lashes, but since I was not, I have to work on what I have and use products that will make my lashes look longer and thicker. This MAC primer was given by my old officemate who has very beautiful lashes, that type you see in the magazines! She said that she applies this before the mascara. It goes on white, dries to a semi-clear base. It helps in holding the mascara, so it would last longer and wouldn’t smear or smudge. It also makes the lashes look longer and thicker, even before applying the mascara itself. So that’s like x 2 the effect and she’s right! Oh, the power of putting a primer.

NYX PROVOCATEUR MASCARA

I’m a loyal Maybelline user when it comes to mascara, but this NYX, that has two styled brushes got me – one for lengthening, and one for thickening. Now, who wouldn’t want that?

I’ve been using this for quite some time now and I am happy. It’s a-okay for such cheap price. It’s good as an everyday mascara. I rarely use the thickening brush though, unless I’m going for a heavy look. I always use the thin wand as it gives a more natural look. What I like about this is, it dries quickly, and it doesn’t clump. It’s easy to wash off, too!

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So, that’s it for my February favorites. Feel free to try any of these products, and let me know your feedback. I also accept suggestions. If you know any good product that’s worth trying, whether it’s a beauty product or good find, send me a message! I would love to check it out.

Ang ma-off load ang flight? Parang pag-ibig.

Handa ka na sumugal. Ready ka na. Desidido ka na. May tatak na rin ang passport mo. Pasado ka na sa immigration. Kaso tumatakbo ang oras. 5 minutes.. 1 minute.. Aalis na ang eroplano. Iiwan ka na.

Tumatakbo ka na. Nagdadasal na umabot. Pinipilit mo. Lumalaban ka

Tapos biglang may pipigil sayo,

"Maam, sorry po. Naiwan na po kayo. Di na po kayo aabot. Umalis na po."

Bigla ka nalang mapapaupo sa sahig at mapapatakip sa mukha. Nakatingin sa malayo. Maiisip mo, "Ayun na ‘eh. Sobrang lapit na." Pero huli na na ang lahat.

Huli na ang lahat.

Iniwan ka na. 

Mag-isa. 

Luhaan. 

Sugatan. 

Nanghihinayang.

Uuwika nalang. Magpapahinga kasi pagod na pagod ka na.

Hahanap ka nalang ng susunod na flight. Yung di ka maiiwan. Yung sasamahan ka sa byahe mo.

121814 16:47

I want to write But I know this isn’t right I am trying to hold my feelings with all my might But words are trying to escape from a hug that’s tight

I want to read And try to harvest a love-healing seed I thought it’s our love story that I need Now I noticed the danger sign I didn’t heed

I want to walk It’s our memory lane that I want to stalk Fly across like I have the wings of a hawk Glide like I was never broke

I want to run As far and as fast as I can This should be fun Not like the feeling of how I was stunned

I want to sing And wait for the phone to ring As I mend my heart’s broken strings I will think about what tomorrow will bring

I want to dance I will twirl fast and try to catch your glance I’ll extend my arms far enough to reach your hands And I will wear this smile so grand

The smell of dying roses in my room. The fading memories of me and you. The glowing stars in the lonely night’s sky. The sight of the free dove flying up so high. The cold gusts of the winter wind. And the excruciating loneliness and sadness that I am trying to heal.

Where are you? Why do you have to go?

-when you said we will make it last a lifetime. Now, it seems like loving you has been a crime. How can I unlove you, when all I ever wanted was you? If you thought letting me go was the key to save me, well, you’re wrong, your goodbye smashed my heart and you still don’t have a clue.

Now, all has been said and done. I finally let go of your hand. Tomorrow’s going to be a brand new day, a brand new life.  And I am going to be out of your sight.

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.” ― Anaïs Nin

I don’t know how it happened, but I just stopped writing. I used to write all my heart’s content, and put it out there for the world to read, for the world to feel. I used to write without hesitation, without restriction, with no boundaries or whatsoever. I just write– word after word, sentence after sentence, and when I go through the whole writing, wow, I made sense. I don’t know how it happened, but writing used to be my salvation, the only thing that keeps me sane, the only thing that put all my messed up emotions into words and makes sense - it’s how I get through life. And I don’t know how I suddenly stopped writing. Maybe, life happened?

Last night, I went through all my old writings and I was amazed at how I can write such things. It’s pure. It’s true.I sure do have a way with words… before.I write as a therapy and for me, writing has this certain magic - magic that allows me to build a whole new universe thru words. I make up stories. I make dreams come true. I mend broken hearts. I make happy endings. I speak for myself. I write for others. The power of writing is beyond measure, indeed.

So here I am, trying to write again, like a journey back home, or back to the arms of someone that I used to love. I am going to rekindle the old flame that I have with words. Sure, I’m no writer. But you don’t have to be a writer, to write, right? So let my words speak thy heart’s deepest and darkest feelings. Let thy writing be the frame of your story - beauty out of sorrow. Let my writing be “our” story. And let this blog be our home.

I got my Nikon 1 late last year, and it’s just this year that I started opening my doors to photography opportunities as I thought of building my portfolio. Nothing fancy and really pro-ish as of the moment, it’s just a hobby, but I want to get a little more serious on this one, and do hands-on training by actually going out and doing actual shoots.

I was never hired as an official photographer, ever, and to cover an actual gig was something that I did for the first time. FIRST TIME. I knew that I don’t have the right gear and I have no idea as to what to expect and how to do this (but I did some research of course), but I still said yes on the offer to cover a duo’s first gig for this year. What made me say yes? Maybe the extra bravery pill I took that day. It wasn’t a good idea, but it was a very good decision, because I learned. And so I went there, all dressed up, with nothing but extra-confidence and trust in my pink camera. And I went through the night with a mantra that I kept on saying in my mind, “I can do this”. And I indeed did.

These are some of the photos I took during Arcade 82’s gig at Audiotonic’s Sunset Sessions at Bar 360, Jumeirah Beach Hotel last 6th of February. 

Arcade 82 is an electronic duo hailing from the UK, based in Dubai, they produce, song write, DJ and perform the tracks live.