The Unica Hija

Date Ideas for When You’re in a Long Distance Relationship

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I’m sure many people will either be spending it happily with the special people in their lives, or maybe boycotting the holiday altogether because they’re single. Whatever the case may be, it’s just another day of the year. (You know, when people are meant to shower affection and love for you, but whatever.) However, while there are tons of couples who will…

Now that I’m out in the real world, I often wonder why I was in such a rush to leave university. As difficult as it was, it’s nothing compared to being shackled by the realities of adulthood. Still, I’m thankful for having that chapter of my life closed, and now I have pearls of wisdom to take with me onto the next.

It was a tough row to hoe, but if I could give my sixteen year old self a kick up the butt to set myself straight, here are some of the things I wish I could tell her:

Your education should always come first*.

Graduation Day

I was quite lucky to attend one of the best universities in the country, and I was privileged enough not to worry about finances. If there was one thing I deeply regret doing, however, it was taking this privilege for granted. Unlike many of the people who went to my university, I had the means for a good education, and yet, I didn’t take it as seriously as I should have that I nearly let it slip through my fingers (read: kicked out).

If I hadn’t wasted a few semesters slacking off, I might have graduated on time, but more importantly, I wouldn’t have squandered my parents’ money. It dawned on me that I had frittered away the hard-earned money that my parents worked night and day for in order to provide for me. I also realized that the best way I could repay them was to prioritize my studies and work hard rather than neglect it the way I did. Besides, this was all my parents ever asked of me, which is why it was crucial that I be able to give it to them.

Having said that, I understand that not everyone is as privileged. A lot of my friends had no choice but to work in order to pay for their tuition fee, so they had to balance school and work, while some ended up forgoing their education. Thankfully, with services like Earnest, which provides personal and student loan services, you can apply for financial aid and focus on getting that diploma.

*This obviously depends on your priorities in life at the time. For me, aside from my family, I knew that this was something that I needed to pour my heart and soul into achieving.

Going after your dreams takes time, but it’s worth it.

Handmade paper flowers we made for our thesis production

“Who in their right mind would pursue an arts degree, much less one in theatre? There’s no money in that!” is something I often heard (non-verbatim, of course) throughout my university life. People would think that our course was all about having fun doing skits and making props, but it’s so much more than that. I’ve been passionate about theatre since I was young, and I’ve learned so much – not only in the theory and practice of theatre, but also in life outside of the stage. My course was more challenging than it seemed, but every moment was a lesson and a memory that I would always be grateful for. I’m glad I took my time because it definitely was worth chasing after.

Your journey is different from the rest.

Midnight madness on campus. Yes, that is me.

In relation to the previous point I made, I figured that I shouldn’t compare my journey to someone else’s. They have different goals and other ways to achieve them, so instead, I should focus on my own path. At one point, when most of my friends (outside of my course) were posting their graduation photos, I was disappointed with myself because I was only halfway there. However, I realized that there was no use moping about it. That was the path I chose to take and that was where I was meant to be at that moment in my life, so I might as well savour it. What matters is you, and not them, so just focus on yourself.

Enjoy it while it lasts.

The face you make when you’re absolutely proud and happy

This leads me on to my last point (do you like how they all intersect with each other?). I had the best years of my life at university. Despite all of the crap I went through, I wouldn’t change a thing. Amidst all the stress and grief of group projects, assignment deadlines, and final exams, it was one hell of a rollercoaster ride because I had great friends, brilliant professors, and a supportive family who made my experiences so worthwhile. I don’t know why I was in such a rush to graduate; it was so much better there than it is here! (Just kidding mom, adulting is awesome!) In short, as frustrating as it can be, those moments will pass quickly, so don’t kill yourself over them. Make the most of your time there and don’t forget to have fun once in a while.

To follow what I wish I could tell myself, there are also a few things I’m thankful for doing. I may have made a few mistakes here and there, but ultimately, I made some pretty good decisions that made my university experience so much more meaningful.

It’s worth doing what you love. 

Aside from theatre, I was also passionate about learning British literature, so I’m glad that I took classes that I was truly interested in. I’m proud of myself for expanding my horizons and immersing myself in the works of Austen, Marlowe, and Chaucer. Not only that, I also took classes in French, American History, Environmental Science, Fencing, and so on! By taking those classes, I didn’t have theatre be the only thing that defined me. They encouraged me to embrace the diversity of academic fields, and inspired me to learn more about the world and what it has to offer. In fact, since I enjoyed my classes so much, not to mention the fact that my professors were absolutely inspiring to me, I worked even harder and got really good grades. So, if you have the freedom to choose which classes you can take, I highly suggest you find something outside of your field. I promise it’s going to make your semester(s) so much more exciting.

It’s worth having a great support support system.

The Fabulous Four

Without my friends, my family, or even my mentors, I don’t think I would have gotten through it, so I am honestly very grateful to them. They kept me sane, cheered me up, helped me during the rough moments I was going through, and motivated me to keep moving forward. When the weight of the world was bringing me down, they were always there to come to my rescue no matter what. Surrounding myself with good people and positive energy allowed me to progress, so I’m fortunate to have those people in my life.

Nothing worth having ever comes easy.

Sunflowers: The symbol of success in our university.

Remember, you reap what you sow, especially if you strive to make it happen. After going astray, I have since turned my life around. I have never been more focused and more diligent in my life than when I was in university. Obviously, I had my moments where I would procrastinate, but I always made sure I got the job done well. My studious efforts eventually led me to become a university scholar, which is a big deal for me as I had never had any academic achievements before that one. I was proud of myself, not just for having my efforts recognized, but for pushing myself to the point where I have something to show for all my hard work that I can give in return to my parents. Looking back at it now, I wonder why I didn’t do it in the first place, though I suppose it’s good to learn from our mistakes. Just remember that everything does fall into place eventually, and hard work is (almost) always rewarded.

For more information, find out how Earnest can help you by visiting their website here.

How was your college or university experience? Was it as ridiculous as mine? :)

What To Do With Broken Makeup

Have you ever been in a situation where you’re happily putting your makeup on when suddenly, your favourite product smashes on the floor? It’s so shattered that it’s practically dust or spilling all over the floor that you don’t even know what you’re going to do with your life… If throwing it away isn’t an option for you, or if you’re a little into DIY, these ideas just might help! I’m quite…

In other words, the turn of phrase that sums up what I’ve been experiencing for the past few months, except it isn’t winter where I live – far from it, in fact.

I’m suffering from a serious case of cabin fever, and I constantly feel the dying urge to get out of my damn house. Gone are the days when I would rush out the door to flee my home early in the morning only to return late in the evening from an exhausting day at school/work, or sometimes even to arrive in the wee hours of the night after going out with the girls. I’ve spent majority of my time in the confines of my home after my academic life consumed me, and even now as I’m working, my means of livelihood is still home-based. How cruel. 

At 22, I feel like I should be more outgoing and find that spice to help keep me moving forward. I’m scared that I’m slowly morphing into a hermit because it seems like I’m heading towards a more anti-social path. I refuse to let this happen because I’m definitely an extrovert, and I’m afraid that my effervescence is dwindling at an alarming rate.

Coincidentally, around the time that I was moping around the house while feeling sorry for myself, I received an email from EventBrite. Their campaign for getting into the habit of GOMO (or Going Out More Often) really piqued my interest, and I realized that I haven’t taken any opportunities to experience anything interesting or enjoyable at all this year. I took this as a challenge. Since then, I’ve been pushing myself to get off my ass and do something beyond these four walls. Here’s how I plan to continually put GOMO into action:

1. “You should be more outgoing”

These are words I never thought I’d hear from someone else, but I repeated this to myself until it sank in. I racked my brain for reasons as to why I was always home. Is it because I’m always too focused on work? Is it because I just can’t be bothered to take public transportation? Are my friends too busy to spend time with me? Am I too poor to go out, or am I just plain lazy? I knew I didn’t want to be cooped up at home, but what was holding me back? I suggest that you should first try and figure out what’s keeping you from doing the things that you want to do and tell yourself that you need to change*. I still haven’t found my answer, but I know that I do want to improve my current situation.

Working on my thesis for months on end.

*Obviously, if you’re happy with your lifestyle of staying at home, that’s perfectly fine. If you ever feel like upping your GOMO game, then maybe consider following the next few steps.

2. Always Say “Yes”*

Much like improv acting where the key is saying “Yes”, the same idea can be applied to GOMO. How many times have you declined an offer to go out with friends, have dinner with your family, or even that date you planned with yourself to have some me time? It’s time to stop saying “no” and start saying “yes” to new opportunities by welcoming them with open arms. Think of it like Jim Carrey in Yes Man. 

Okay, maybe not *exactly* like Yes Man…

Since I started “Project GOMO” (yes, let’s go with that), I’ve been out at least twice a week. I know that probably doesn’t sound like a lot, but keep in mind that this is going to be a slow process as I become accustomed to my new routine of being out of the house more. It started out with me taking my dog for a walk around the park…

I don’t think my dog approves.

Followed by mother-daughter bonding days with movies, watching my friends’ plays…

The Rustan’s Beauty Addict Event

The Rustan’s Beauty Addict Event

…to attending a beauty event at this luxury department store.

*You don’t really have to accept every single invite. It’s okay to say no, but for things that spark your interest, take that chance.

3. (Re)establish connections

In relation to what I mentioned earlier, you may have declined one too many invitations with your friends and now they’re a bit upset with you. Maybe this is the time when you should reconnect with them and make up for lost time by catching up over drinks. The same thing goes for family. If you haven’t seen your parents in a long time, go visit them or take them out for dinner. They deserve to see you more often. I’m sure that even though they felt neglected in the past, they’d appreciate having you back in their lives.

If you feel that there’s room for more people in your life, maybe you could meet new people and make more friends as well. You never know, someone new might have a real impact on you and make a difference in your life. Being a bit more sociable wouldn’t hurt, right?

My bestfriend studying for med school while we were at the bazaar.

Recently, my bestfriend, whom I rarely see (since she’s in medical school), and I have started making plans for our bazaar. This is our third year of selling things, and we decided to make this year a ‘big one’ since it could be our last. This is one of my favorite things to do with her because aside from it being an interesting experience, it gives me a chance to bond with her for a longer period of time than our usual 2-3 hour dinner out. It’s a great way for us to spend time with together and strengthen our friendship.

4. Go solo

If the opposite occurs and your social circle decides to momentarily abandon you instead, or everyone else is just too busy to pay attention to you, why not go solo? Being independent is so liberating! To be honest, sometimes, I’m perfectly happy with my own company. I don’t mind going out by myself – I’m able to walk around, shop, and even eat at a restaurant alone. I even like watching movies by myself, much to my mother’s dismay.

It might be strange to some of you, but I genuinely enjoy having moments alone with my thoughts. I find myself entertaining (talk about narcissistic) and I’m amused by the conversations I have with myself. Is that weird? Aside from that, I have this habit of people watching, which I also find interesting. However, I do need to learn how to stop eavesdropping on other people’s conversations or staring at strangers longer than I should, otherwise people might brand me as a gossip or a complete lunatic. Regardless of what they think, at least I went out and had a lovely time by myself, no?

5. Find something that inspires you

The one thing that I know truly inspires me is my strong sense of wanderlust. The excitement of taking a trip with friends or family is something that I live for, and I’m always thrilled at the thought of gallivanting through unfamiliar destinations, whether it be local or abroad. I never turn down an invitation to travel, and I often think about my wishlist of places I want to visit and what activities can be done. I think my mother passed on her “happy feet” gene to me, which probably explains why I’m so passionate about it and I’m always itching to travel.

Currently, my family and I have planned two trips abroad: one by the end of this year, the other, a long trip for the next. I’m already feverish with excitement at the thought of travelling with my family – although, I am anticipating that there will be moments of “What was I thinking?!” when we’re at each other’s throats. It’s been ten years since my family and I have travelled abroad, so this is certainly going to be an interesting journey. At the moment, the thing I’m most excited about is making spreadsheets of our itinerary as well as making packing lists!

Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy

In the mean time, I’ll stay inspired with memories of my past trip to Europe. This will keep me motivated to keep planning for our trips!

6. Be impulsive

The other week, my plans to watch a movie with my bestfriend fell through. I was disappointed, but I figured that I could stay home that night and finish working. Just when I started, my phone went off and I saw that I missed a call from one of my closest friends. He left a message asking “Julia, where are you?!” I wondered if he thought he saw me while he was out, so I called him back to say that I was just at home doing some work. I’d forgotten that it was his day off, so it was perfect timing when he asked me to watch a movie with him. He’d been wanting to watch Train to Busan and invited me to watch it with him, so I was happy to oblige. This was a last minute decision, and part of me was hesitant to go since it was already dark outside and I didn’t have a car (I fear public transportation beyond sunset, though only in Manila).

When we saw each other, we had such a laughing fit at our spur of the moment decision to see one another. We usually planned when we’d next go out, but I observed that when making plans with friends, the likelihood of it actually pushing through is doubtful. However, when doing things on impulse, and my friends and I make last minute plans to go out, we have a hell of a time together. I suppose the added excitement of acting on impulse makes the experience all the more thrilling, so maybe try to be more impulsive. When you feel the urge to do something, do it now. Not every decision has to be carefully planned out or meticulously thought through*. Sometimes, these impulsive decisions are the best ones we make. (This does not include impulse buying of fluorescent yellow skinny jeans or drunken weddings in Vegas, but you do you.)

*Please know your boundaries and remember to be responsible. 

A month has passed since I started my project of GOMO, and I can honestly say that I’m much happier now. I’m taking baby steps, but my cabin fever is slowly subsiding. I know the photos I shared aren’t exactly current, but I assure you, I really did go out a lot. I (almost) always keep my word.

GOMO doesn’t translate to just going to parties or getting hammered. It’s about investing in experiences and making the most of it by saying yes to opportunities for adventure and excitement. Hopefully, this post inspired you to get involved in spreading GOMO. I swear you won’t regret it.

If you’re interested in finding activities or events where you live or anywhere else in the world, visit the EventBrite Event Management page to keep up to date with the copious amount of events that are happening. You can even create your own events for free and sell tickets through their planning software. I’m sure many of you want to find something fun and interesting to do, so it’s time to get involved in GOMO!

Here’s to new adventures up ahead.

How would you start GOMO?

Thankfully, this time around, I did have a purpose for buying these items (and not just because their body butters were on 40% off). I actually did need to top up my skincare arsenal since I was quickly running low. I only picked up the necessities as well as things I’ve been wanting to try for a while, so let me show you:

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost Instant Smoother

1. The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost Instant Smoother

I’ve got a lot of pigmentation in my skin, and after doing research for my Rainy Day Skincare post, I realized that I needed something with Vitamin C in my routine. It’s meant to help with brightening the skin and reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation and acne scars – both of which I have an abundance of.

I use it as a serum, so I apply it before my moisturizer. It feels a bit like a silicone primer, except a bit more oily or slippy. It also has gold shimmer running through it which adds to the glow. I’ve only been using it for a few weeks so I can’t guarantee if it’s helping with the pigmentation in my skin, but it does make my skin feel really smooth, especially with a moisturizer on top!

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Protect Emulsion

2. The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Protect Emulsion

I purchased this item after being inspired by my research as well. I was on the hunt for a daytime moisturizer that had a built-in SPF since I didn’t want to use my Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream everday. Besides, that only has SPF15, and I wanted something a bit higher. I was also a bit guilty that I skipped moisturizer in the morning and headed straight for the SPF, so I was hoping to strike a balance. When I saw this, I knew this was the perfect combination of what I was looking for. I remembered that Vitamin E really helps with giving moisture to the skin, and with the SPF, I wouldn’t have to worry about layering skincare products underneath my makeup.

Recently, I’ve been using this in place of a regular SPF since I’m usually at home these days, though I do also use it when I go out. It has a runny consistency when you pump it out, but it’s very light and thin when applied to the face so it absorbs very quickly. I haven’t had a problem with it interfering with the longevity of my makeup either.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Face Mist

3. The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Face Mist

I have to admit that there are nights when I just can’t be bothered to go through my entire skincare routine. I take ages to do it and sometimes, a girl just wants to hop into bed after a long day’s work. After getting into the habit of skipping the whole regimen completely and substituting it with a face spray (this was back when I was working on my thesis), I figured that this was the lazy girl’s way of keeping her skin moisturized without having to go through all the steps of a normal evening skincare routine.

When I’m feeling too lazy (which admittedly, is happening quite often these days), I just take my makeup off with a micellar water then spray this all over my face right after. When I wake up in the morning, my face doesn’t feel dry or flaky; I can still feel the oils in the spray on my skin, too!

When I’m feeling ‘extra’ on an evening where I go through the whole process, I add this as an additional step after my toner and before my serum. It really pumps up the moisture in my skin and leaves it feeling even more hydrated.

The Body Shop British Rose Petal-Soft Hand Cream

4. The Body Shop British Rose Petal-Soft Hand Cream

This is one of my favorite ranges they’ve ever come out with. Everything smells bloody amazing – sorry, I probably shouldn’t try to sound British. I figured I would pick this one up since I’ve been neglecting putting hand cream on, and my hands have been feeling like I’ve been doing carpentry again. It becomes a bit watery when you rub it into the skin, but this is a fast absorbing hand cream, though it’s probably not the most hydrating one I’ve ever used. Like I said though, it smells luxurious and I love using it right before bed. Is it weird that I love smelling my hands now?

The Body Shop Blue Corn 3-in-1 Deep Purifying Scrub Mask

The Body Shop Blue Corn 3-in-1 Deep Purifying Scrub Mask

5. The Body Shop Blue Corn 3-in-1 Deep Purifying Scrub Mask

Okay, I’m going to be honest. Part of the reason why I bought this face mask is because when I saw “blue corn”, I immediately sang Colors of the Wind from Pocahontas. I literally sang to myself while I was looking at a tub of face mask. In public. (Admit that you would do the same thing, or at least associate blue corn with Pocahontas. Please?)

Anyway, embarrassing scenario aside, I’ve been really liking this face mask! Think of it like if a clay mask and an exfoliating face scrub had a baby, this is what it would be. I use it when my pores feel clogged or my skin feels like it needs a deep cleanse – it works so well for both! It also has a bit of a minty scent and makes the skin feel tingly while it’s on, so I probably wouldn’t advise this for people with sensitive skin. They might also find it a bit too abrasive. For people with dry skin, it would probably work on certain areas of the face only, and not the entire thing. For oily skinned people, I’m sure you would like this a lot!

I love how The Body Shop is on the more affordable side and feels like it’s a lot more expensive. When I’m buying items in bulk like this, of course it does have the tendency to break the bank. However, they do have sales often and I think that those who are interested in trying them out should take advantage of those sales like I do. These items have been doing such a great job for my skin lately, and I’m happy I made those purchases, so you might be, too!

Do you love The Body Shop as much as I do? What products are your favorites?

Coincidentally, it’s still ‘Back to School’ season on this blog. I figured that I’d do a makeup haul for those who can’t afford to splurge on pricier items, or even for those of us who just love a good bargain. Now, since I have these items to add to my collection, I believe that I will be able to do a makeup look using all these affordable products which is why you won’t find swatches here. I’m very excited to make the video though, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Anyway, I’m sure you are curious to find out what I got my hands on recently, so let’s begin:

1. MaxFactor FaceFinity All Day Primer

MaxFactor FaceFinity All Day Primer

I’ve been looking for an alternative to my more silicone-based primers for a while now to use with my NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint. I’ve never enjoyed using liquid primers because the ones I’ve tried have always failed at preventing shine and filling in my pores. After watching videos of fellow oily skinned beauty gurus, I saw one who used this product and she mentioned that this product was great for prolonging the wear of your makeup. I was  definitely intrigued.

When I tried it out at the store, it didn’t feel as slippy as some liquid primers do, and it made the skin on the back of my hand feel very smooth. It was also on sale, so that was a great bonus. I know it’ll work with my NARS foundation though I haven’t tried it just yet. However, I have tried it with my favorite drugstore foundation (which I’ll mention in the video next time) and it looked pretty great. So far, I am definitely impressed with this product!

2. LA Girl Pro Conceal Concealer (Creamy Beige, Toast)

LA Girl Pro Conceal Concealer (Creamy Beige, Toast)

LA Girl Pro Conceal Concealer (Creamy Beige, Toast)

LA Girl Pro Conceal Concealer (Creamy Beige, Toast)

In comparison to my swift fondness for the MaxFactor primer, this fell a bit short of my expectations. I ran out of my Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer, and I’m not a big fan of the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer either, which is why I was curious to try this one. I’ve seen so many beauty girls using this in their tutorials, and some of them swore by this product.

I’m a MAC NC30-NC35, so I went for the shade Creamy Beige to use as a general concealer and as a highlighting shade for under my eyes, while the shade Toast I intended to use as a cream contour. I was surprised to see that it wasn’t as full coverage as it seemed on other people; it has a bit of of a peach undertone, so it’s good for under the eyes, but it won’t fully cover up any of my hyper-pigmentation. The contour shade is also lot warmer than I would want and it’s very intensely pigmented, so a little goes a long way! You have to be careful, otherwise you’ll have a muddy-looking mess on your hands – well, face.

I also suggest working fast with these products as they become quite a bit difficult to blend if you leave them on for too long or if you apply too much. If you have any tips on how to use these, please leave them in the comments section. I really want to love this product so any help would be much appreciated!

3. Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (Translucent)

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (Translucent)

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (Translucent)

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (Translucent)

I’ve had this product before, but it was in the wrong shade and it cracked so I had to throw it away. I’m glad to have this back in my life because I’ve been wanting the translucent shade for a very long time. I will say though that since trying it again, I found that this isn’t the most mattifying powder that I own, nor does it stay on as long as the others. Upon initial application, it looks great on the skin because it looks natural as opposed to flat. However, the oils start to peek through after an hour or two, but I don’t mind too much since I could easily blot the shine away. I still like it and will continue to use it as a setting powder, but that’s just something to bear in mind if you have excessively oily skin. If I find any changes in the longevity of its mattifying properties, I will report back.

4. Milani Baked Blush (Luminoso)

Milani Baked Blush (Luminoso)

Milani Baked Blush (Luminoso)

Milani Baked Blush (Luminoso)

Milani Baked Blush (Luminoso)

This is probably one of the most ridiculously raved about products in the history of makeup, and I can certainly see why it has a cult following. I wouldn’t say it trumps all of the other blushes that I own, but it is definitely a pretty thing to have in your collection. It reminds me a bit of Benefit Coralista, but with much less shimmer and more peach injected into it. It’s not as amazing as people made it out to be, but I really do like it enough to consider purchasing the other shades. I will grow to love it more, I’m sure!

5. ELF Baked Blush (Pinktastic)

ELF Baked Blush (Pinktastic)

Now, this item was a bit of a wildcard for me. I saw it for the first time on the shop’s list of items, and the caption said that it was comparable to the MAC MSF in Soft and Gentle. I sold mine a long time ago because I didn’t like highlighters back then (I know, crazy times!), and I knew that I was never going to get through that huge compact. When I saw this however, I had a soft pang of regret that I sold it, and I felt like I needed it back in my life.

Realistically, I didn’t need another highlighter, but I didn’t have any affordable highlighters that I liked and used consistently. Thankfully, I saw this one and it comes in a smaller size so I won’t feel too bad about wasting any product. It definitely does remind me of Soft and Gentle (maybe even a bit of BECCA Opal), and I am really liking it so far! 

6. ColourPop Super Shock Cheek Highlighter (Wisp)

ColourPop Super Shock Cheek Highlighter (Wisp)

ColourPop Super Shock Cheek Highlighter (Wisp)

ColourPop Super Shock Cheek Highlighter (Wisp)

I added this product to my shopping cart sort of on a whim. I wasn’t sure if I’d like the one from ELF since I do like my highlighters that are a bit more golden in tone, and I saw that Colourpop made highlighters too. I looked at the Temptalia website and thought they looked nice, then I needed more justification by looking up more shade swatches on Youtube. I wasn’t sure about which color to get, but when I saw someone using this in their video, I knew that this was the one for me.

It’s a bit of a darker gold than I thought it would be, and the formula of Colourpop products is a bit funny so I’m still figuring out how to work with this – so far, using it with fingers seems like the best method of application. This reminds me a bit of the MAC Cream Color Base in its reflective quality and creamy consistency, though it differs quite a bit in texture.

7. ColourPop x Jenn Im Jenn Ne Sais Quoi Super Shock Eyeshadows

ColourPop x Jenn Im Jenn Ne Sais Quoi Super Shock Eyeshadows

ColourPop x Jenn Im Jenn Ne Sais Quoi Super Shock Eyeshadows

ColourPop x Jenn Im Jenn Ne Sais Quoi Super Shock Eyeshadows

ColourPop x Jenn Im Jenn Ne Sais Quoi Super Shock Eyeshadows (Un)

ColourPop x Jenn Im Jenn Ne Sais Quoi Super Shock Eyeshadows (Deux)

ColourPop x Jenn Im Jenn Ne Sais Quoi Super Shock Eyeshadows (Trois)

ColourPop x Jenn Im Jenn Ne Sais Quoi Super Shock Eyeshadows (Quatre)

When I saw swatches of this on their website, I was instantly attracted to this particular set. I’ve been digging the warm toned eyeshadow look this year, and this seemed like the perfect addition to my eyeshadow family. I was also swayed by the French theme, as well as the cleverness of the quad’s name (though I’ve stopped following Jenn Im on Youtube now since I’m not big on fashion channels).

As I mentioned previously, the texture of Colourpop products is tricky. I’ve been treating them more like creams than powders, so I’m still figuring out how to use them. Regardless, the resulting eye makeup look is absolutely gorgeous and I was so impressed with how it turned out! I also thought to myself that it looked eerily similar to the Charlotte Tilbury Dolce Vita eyeshadow palette, though it does lack the gold glitter shade. I might do a comparison swatch soon.

8. Wet’n’Wild Fan Brush

Wet’n’Wild Fan Brush

Wet’n’Wild Fan Brush

Wet’n’Wild Fan Brush

I’ve seen fan brushes being used by tons of beauty Youtubers to apply their highlighter, and I was wondering if it makes a difference in the resulting makeup look. I was thinking about purchasing the one from Morphe, but they’re a bit hard to come by over here. When I found these by Wet’n’Wild, and saw how affordable they were (plus they’re cruelty free!), I jumped the bullet and added it to my order. When I first used it, it did not go the way I thought it would. Is there a learning curve with using fan brushes? I’m not sure if it works better than what I normally use to put on my highlighter, which is the Real Techniques Setting Brush, but over time I’m sure I’ll figure out how to use it.

I hope you guys liked this haul! I’m really excited to use these in a video soon, too. FYI, if you’re wondering, I bought these items in two online shops, and one cosmetics counter.

Have you tried any of these products? If so, which ones are your favorites? Also, if you have any suggestions for the items that I’m a bit unsure of, I would love to know what you have to share.

You obviously don’t have to put on a full face everyday. It can get a bit tedious having to get up early in the morning just to put on makeup, though that is something I genuinely enjoy doing (the putting makeup on part, not the getting up early). Luckily, I was skilled enough to do all my makeup in the car on my way to school, so I didn’t always have to wake up too early. Anyway, the reason I always made an effort to put on a full face was because I realized that I had quite a collection of makeup. If I kept thinking that I should only put makeup on when there’s a special occasion, I’m never going to get through any of my makeup – and I had so much of it! So, I decided to make the most out of my collection and start wearing makeup everyday.

Going to the main objective of this post, I wanted to share with you how I was able to make my makeup last all day. Now that I’ve entered the adult world after graduating from university, I felt like I should pay tribute to my student life by passing on my knowledge. These tips can be applied to any makeup look, especially if you want to make sure your makeup endures during those long days, whether at school or at work.

Here’s how I did it:

1. Always start fresh

With any canvas, you always want to start fresh. First thing in the morning, I’d shower and wash my face with a good cleanser to get rid of any excess oils from the previous night’s skincare. Then, I would apply a de-puffing eyecream under my eyes, and finish it off with a good SPF all over the face, neck, and chest. The one that I used consistently throughout the year was the Clinique Super City Block (SPF 40). It never interfered with my makeup, and it protected my skin especially during the summer when I had to go to school in the sweltering heat. It also has a yellow tone to it so it doesn’t give off that weird white cast that sunblocks usually have.

I never bothered with a full skincare regime in the morning. It might be due to laziness, but it was also because the simpler I kept my routine, the faster I would get out the door. I also figured that the more layers of moisture I slathered onto my skin, the more likely my makeup would slip and slide off my face. I kept it to the bare minimum in the morning and left the more extensive routine at night. This was suitable to my skin’s needs, and I suggest going by what you feel is best for yours.

2. Prime

As cliché as it is, “Not to prime is a crime” always stood true for me. I always, always, ALWAYS primed my skin. I had a bunch of different primers that I used on rotation. Each one was used for either a short, medium, or long day – The Body Shop Instablur, the GOSH Velvet Touch Foundation Primer and the Benefit Porefessional respectively. I also used primers for my eyeshadow and my eyelashes so I could ensure that my eyes looked like they did when I first put my makeup on. I was always so paranoid that my face would just melt off if I didn’t prime my skin beforehand. There were times when I had just one class and I figured I could risk not using a primer, and I survived. However, risking it on longer days was definitely not ideal especially for a person with oily skin such as myself. I found that priming just made everything look/apply so much better and last way longer.

3. Work in (thin) Layers

I know how tempting it can be to just slap things onto the face and get things over with, but I’ve found that working in thin layers has been one of the most helpful techniques I’ve incorporated into my makeup routine. Instead of caking on a ton of foundation to get maximum coverage, I say start slow and build up the coverage to your liking. The same goes for other aspects of your makeup look. If you have a blush you want to last longer, apply a small amount first, blend the edges into the skin, reapply, then repeat the process. With eyeshadow, I noticed that sandwiching the product works best – I usually apply at least 3 layers of eyeshadow to get the best results in terms of pigmentation and longevity. It is a bit tedious to just sit there and continuously reapply products, but trust me. If you want your makeup to deliver, you have to be mindful of your application to get the best results.

4. Go Waterproof

With any makeup look, I usually prefer products that I know can withstand armageddon. (Okay, maybe not armageddon…) I like to check the label before purchasing a product – if it says waterproof or long lasting, I know it’s definitely up my street. Naturally, there are some products out there that will claim that they’re waterproof or long lasting, but in fact they actually aren’t, so I say test out the products before purchasing. Some makeup items aren’t marketed as such, but some of them are actually reliable in cases where you need your makeup to last. I say try to observe which items in your collection don’t fade as easily throughout the day, then make sure you use that.

Makeup products that I prefer to be waterproof or long lasting are mascara, brow products, concealer, blush, and lipstick.

5. Setting Spray

If there’s one thing you should take away from this post, I would suggest that you invest in a good setting spray. People have been raving about the power of setting sprays, and that’s because it really does work. Think of it like nail polish: you put on a base coat, then the color you want, and finish it off with a nice top coat to make your polish last a whole lot longer. A similar idea goes into setting sprays. I mean, if you’ve already done all the hard work and put on a full face of makeup, you might as well make it stay all day, right?

My holy grail setting spray is definitely the one from Skindinavia. I much prefer it to Urban Decay, and I’m currently testing out the Ben Nye version (though I still like Skindinavia the best). With the Skindinavia and Urban Decay setting sprays, I like to spritz my face every so often. For example, once I’ve finished my base makeup, I spray. After I’ve finished my eyes or cheeks, I spray. Once I’ve finished doing my makeup, I spray. I know it can be a bit excessive, but that’s how I like to do it and it works wonders.

In terms of application, I don’t bother with the whole T + X motion of spraying because I just never get it right. I prefer to spray it in a way where I actually hit the spots on my face that I want to lock in. I’ve also seen other people dampen their makeup sponges using setting sprays then apply the product directly onto the skin. It seems to work for them, so I suppose you could figure out which technique you like best.

I’ll keep you updated in a future post with some kind of setting spray smackdown of sorts.

Bonus: 

6. Bring Touch Ups

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, it just doesn’t last. But let’s stop talking about relationships and talk about makeup. (ba-dum-tss) Okay, kidding aside, you just can’t avoid makeup disappearing or your face getting oilier throughout the day. It happens to everyone, so I like to make sure I pack the items I know are going to need touching up. I always like to bring blotting sheets, a good touch up powder, and the lipstick I’m wearing that day. If you feel like you need to bring other things, feel free to do so. Just remember to pack the essentials so that you’re not lugging around so much stuff all day long.

Note: Before applying powder where I get oily, I like to blot my face first. I find that the more I apply powder to get rid of the shine, the more cakey my makeup looks. If I blot my face and I feel like I still look oily, that’s when I apply the powder. Most of the time, I don’t even bother with the powder anymore, but I bring it just in case.

How do you make your makeup last? What products do you like to use for long days?

(Keep an eye out for a blog post on long lasting makeup you can wear to school or work!)

So this is a little bit late. Six months to be precise. Regardless, I found the clips in my hardrive and wanted to share it with you guys anyway. Here’s how I got ready for my pre-birthday celebration with friends! My friends and I had a lot of fun just eating and talking, plus we capped the night off with dessert and a glass of…

Glowing Skin for Dull, Rainy Days

For many of you who are basking in the summer sunshine, those of us in the Southern hemisphere (well, the Philippines) are drenched in the pouring rain. As much as I love the cuddle weather that it brings, my skin just doesn’t go well with grey. Good thing the folks over at the Dollar Shave Club invited me to talk about skincare for this dreary time of the year. They pointed out that with the…