January Haul

I know I've been away for so long and no amount of apologies will ever suffice. It's just so hard to keep your blog updated when your hands are overflowing with things to do. But thank you all so much for leaving me comments and messages on my chatbox and for sending emails. I'll try to reply to all of them as soon as I can. For the meantime, I'd like to share with you the things that I've purchased this past month. Bear in mind, however, that my reason for posting my [monthly] hauls is not to brag about my purchases but to keep track of my spending because it was while I was taking photos of my purchases that I realized that doing so helps me keep track of my expenses and control my spending.

These were purchased together with the hot pink lipstick and the romantic beauty stand, both of which I forgot to take photos of. Etude House nail polishes are among the must try's of the brand. They're relatively cheap, have excellent pigmentation, and never goopy. Oh, and excuse my dirty brush. I realized how dirty it was after the photo was taken. It went straight to my bathroom counter after this.

I bought these Revlon Colorstay Mineral lipglazes the moment I saw them selling for Php350 (around $) 7on Ebay (mall price is Php520 [around $11], I believe). I love these and I want to collect all the shades. I also got a tube of one of my favorite mascaras, L'Oreal Voluminous, coz my two other tubes have already dried up. I was so glad to see someone selling this mascara on Ebay coz L'Oreal Philippines does not carry this line. I always have to ask my beloved to get it for me in the US. The Covergirl Lashblast, on the other hand, was purchased coz I'm a sucker for volumizing/thickening mascaras. The two shimmer cremes on the upper left were freebies from the seller.

Since purchasing waterproof mascaras in December, I've always felt the need to get a bottle of makeup remover especially made to remove waterproof makeup. Thank God for this cheap yet effective gentle makeup remover from L'Oreal.

I bought the sponges and brush cleanser at the Suesh booth at the Rockwell bazaar sometime last month.

This is one of my most exciting [and expensive] purchases for January. This roll unfolds to reveal...

...a 30pc brush set from Dashe Cosmetics! While some find Php3000 (around $66) pricey, this 30pc brush set is still way cheaper compared to MAC brushes which are priced at $20-$30 each.

This nose contouring brush is one of my favorites from the set.

Bare Naturals is one of my most well-loved mineral makeup companies; their products always impress me.

Please don't ask me why I got another brush set. I know I have way too many brushes (I own all of the brush sets that BN sells) but I just felt like I had to get BN's deluxe brush set because of their gold handles. They look so classy! By the way, the mineral bronzer (the one with the black lid) and the Natural Pink Lip and Nipple Gel along with the sample size soap and other samples in makeup baggies are all freebies.

I don't really use moisturizers (I'm tooooo lazy), but I signed up on the J&J website and got this set for free.

Been wanting these pencils since forever, so when I saw the set on Ebay, I immediately placed my bid until I won. I may have paid more (almost $10) but I think it's worth it. I love Urban Decay 24/7 glide on pencils.

I got the Himalaya's face packs because of the raves I've been reading about them. They may not smell that pleasant, but they work well. The pimple gel from Eskinol is just an experiment.

Here's what I got for my beloved. He's been eyeing this since we saw it at The Fort. He didn't buy it then (coz I told him not to), coz I had plans of getting it for his birthday. He's so stoked to have this; he wears it only on special occasions.

And his birthday cake :)

These may not be a lot for many others, but I feel like I've bought so much more than what I need. I have enough makeup to last me a forever, but it's so hard to pass up good deals on some items you've always wanted to have. Besides, it's such an eye candy when you see your collection growing.

Thanks for stopping by beautiful ladies. Have a good night sleep.

December Haul

December is the month of bazaars and endless sales in the Philippines. Although bazaars usually start as early as November, it is (usually) still the (best) time to go shopping for gifts for yourself and for your loved ones when sales are up and when bazaars are left and right. That is, of course, if you'd discount the traffic. Though I didn't really do that much Christmas shopping, I pretty much hit the biggest bazaars in the metro and took advantage of the sales. I didn't score that many great deals at the bazaars that I went to because nothing really caught my fancy apart from the vintage-y accessories that I spotted. So when L'Oreal and Maybelline announced a sale in mid-December, I knew I had to take advantage of it. Revlon didn't announce a sale but they slashed off 20% off of selected items.

So without further adieu, here's a photo of my December haul (not in it's entirety, though). I didn't include the accessories, nail polishes, some random hauls from The Face Shop and my Etude House haul, coz I was too lazy to take out everything that I got in December just for a photo.


So what did I get?

• Four different foundations. Three from Revlon and one from Maybelline.
  
• The Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner. I got it in both black and brown.
• Maybelline Cats Eye Hypercurl Volume Mascara. What a mouthful!
  
• Eye Pencils from Maybelline and Prestige.
  
• Revlon Matte Lipstick in Nude Attitude.
  
• Revlon Colorstay Mineral Lipglaze. I love this! This is actually my second tube and I think I'll be getting the other shades, too! Oops, my wallet just ran away from me.
  
• Some ELF False Eye Lashes. I was looking for some more items from the ELF Studio Line but it seems like Robinson's Department Store isn't carrying most of the items.
  
• Some mineral makeup from Pureglow Mineral Cosmetics. Jamie, I love your products!
• Vintage accessories (not in photo).
• Nail polishes from The Face Shop and Elianto.
  

Ah! I can't remember all that I got. I spent quite a lot in December but I justified my spending as "a way to treat and reward myself for all the hard work."

Anyway, I didn't really feel guilty after spending so much coz I got a good 20%-30% off of some items. Revlon slashed off only 20% while Maybelline gave me 30% off of every item I got (which is around 6. haha!).


As of this writing, the only thing I've purchased is the Romantic Beauty Stand from Etude House. I got it the other day when I returned the tester bottle of the nail polish that I talked about here. I would've gotten more than the beauty stand but I'm still waiting for them to stock up on their duo fiber brushes. Besides, I was running late for work that day. So technically speaking, I think I've been a pretty a good girl so far. We'll see how long I'd be able to keep this up.

So have any of you beautiful ladies hauled yet?

Ah... Etude House!

As soon as I read posts about the opening of the first Etude House branch in the Philippines, I knew I had to pay that cute little store a visit. I could have done so before the 25th, but the heavy traffic (especially in the Ortigas Area) and sea of people flocking malls put me off for a while. And so after all the holiday rush (and after doing Ynez' makeup), I headed to Megamall and began my search for Etude House. It isn't that hard to spot if Megamall's your turf, but in my case, I got lost a wee bit before spotting the store.

On my first visit to Etude House, I spent only about 10minutes or less inside the store as I still had to meet my beloved and his mother in Mega B before rushing to work. I could've picked up more than a Secret Beam Highlighter, Top 10 lipgloss and Dear Darling Lipgloss (these three items got me a free Code B Eyelash Curler) that day, but I didn't have enough time to look around and search for a good find. After admiring the gorgeous packaging and after being stunned by how inexpensive their products are, I promised to go back to Etude House to search for the items that have been getting so much raves and recommendations over the internet. I was supposed to go back on Tuesday, but my beloved asked if I could put it off to the morrow so he and I could have dinner together. I, of course, obliged. To tell you frankly, I've been itching to go back to Etude House since my first visit and well, I did...yesterday. What did I pick up the second time? A Black Head Heating Scrub, Black Head Off Finger Tip Silicon, Nude Lip Concealer, Proof 10 Eye Primer and a nail polish. Shopping blunder: I picked up the tester bottle of the nail polish in my frenzy. Haha! This gives me a reason to go back to Etude House to return the tester and well... pick up a few more items!

My haul (from my first and second visits)

Apart from spotting and picking up great products at Etude House last night, I spotted two pretty girls: our resident Kikay Pinay, Shen, and the lovely Korean SA, Sarah. I first saw Shen two Tuesdays ago while I was doing a bit of shopping at SM Hypermart (again, before work). I wanted to say a quick hello but I was in a rush as I had a meeting to attend at 2:30. Weeks passed and what do you know, I bumped into her in Etude House! I greeted her and she almost instantly recognized who I was. Cool eh?

Ahhh... Shen is lovely even without makeup. She also seems like the perfect shopping buddy! I recommended a few items to her: the Nude Lip Concealer, Proof 10 Eye Primer, Black Head Heating Scrub and Black Head Off Finger Tip Silicon, all of which she put in her shopping basket. Who knew I could enable the Kikay Pinay to purchase these?

Anyway, here's the doll-like SA, Sarah.

Me with Sarah (I look harassed. hehe)

Sarah with Shen

It was such a pleasure meeting you, Shen. Too bad I couldn't stay long. I hope we could go on a shopping date one of these days. Till then, see you on blogger.

5hours and 12minutes to go till 2010! Wooooooohoooooooooooooooo!

Latest Haul

This has got to be one of my most exciting purchases ever. Well, okay, I always get giddy when I buy something. But... you get the feeling.

I've always wanted to try the Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencils but always ended up putting off buying them. I was even more gaga to buy these pencils when Urban Decay came up with the VIP and Velvet Rope sets. But since I wasn't big on makeup then, I put purchasing these babies on hold for while. When I saw that 24/7 Super Stash a month ago, I didn't think twice on placing an order. Think about nine 24/7 pencil liners for $36, not bad eh? Glad to finally have these amazing pencils in my collection. Now I'm lemming for MUFE Aqua Eyes.

The main reason I got Too Faced's Glamour Revolution is because of the Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder that I've been meaning to try. As most of you know, I'm obsessed in looking tanned. My beloved is, too. I enjoy faking a tan coz it makes me look so much healthier and radiant. I feel like a completely different person when I'm tanned. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I feel a whole lot sexier with a good tan. I have to be honest though, I hate being out in the sun. I love going to the beach but I always make sure that I'm bathed in sunscreen before exposing myself to the harmful rays of the sun. I just don't want to get sunburned. Anyway, instead of purchasing just the bronzer which already retails for $28, I thought, why don't I just add a few more bucks and get this set that has everything I'll ever need sans mascara. It has a mini eyeshadow primer, 9 eyeshadows, 3 lipglosses, 1blush and 1bronzer. Isn't that a good deal for $39.50? Imagine $100 worth of Too Faced products in one compact set. I sure wouldn't pass on that.

I love to accessorize. I don't always wear necklaces but I always have to be wearing earrings and rings. These were purchased at a hobbies and crafts store near my place. They're pretty inexpensive at $1.50-$2 a piece.

There goes my latest haul. I probably won't be buying anything for the next few weeks so I'll be doing mostly reviews of products I've had and used for some time but never got the chance to write about them.

What have you bought recently?

Collective Haul + Gifts + Nails + Updates on Makeup Sale

Though rain has been pouring outside for about 4hours already, I’m glad it’s not as heavy as it was last week. No storm signal has been raised in Metro Manila yet. But even if PAGASA won’t raise any warning on Manila, be prepared for heavy rainfall, possible flood and even landslides (especially if you live in Antipolo).

Since I’m feeling very jittery about Typhoon Parma wrecking more homes and lives, I decided to look into some of my photos on my laptop and maybe write a review on something or just post some random stuff to cheer myself up and get my mind off the typhoon. I would love to write a review for all you ladies (I owe you a handful already), but since my head is giving me a tough time, I’ll just share with you some stuff that I’ve bought over the last month or so, some of the gifts that my beloved bought for me in LA (I won’t be taking pictures of everything coz I know my beloved will be very suspicious), and some nail arts that I did this week.

Milani products purchased from wackywancho on Ebay.

Earrings purchased at the Fab Finds Bazaar at Eastwood. The ring was bough at St. Francis Square. My black ring is missing :(

Shoes bought at Shoe Crazeee. Check out the heels! Love the details!

My Sephora purchase. I used the e-certificate that I won from Sassy Jadore's Summer Look Contest. I had it sent to my beloved's address in LA so it took a while before it reached me.

The samples that came with my Sephora order. My beloved chose these samples. I love Issey Miyake's L'eau D'Issey, the one in the middle. I want to buy the full sized bottle!

My beloved got me this Colorsensational Lipstick from Maybelline.

My beloved also got me this 1 1/2 Revlon Hair Curler and John Frieda Curl Perfecting Spray. He got me a hair spray from John Frieda but I didn't take a picture of it. I have yet to use all these to see if my hair would finally curl.

Some sexy shoes my beloved bought for me in LA. I'm surprised the shoes fit so perfectly!

Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick. I have another one in Top Tier Truffle which I haven't opened yet.

MAC Matte Bronzing Powder. I don't know if I've said it enough, but I love myself tanned so much that I bronze myself every single day. This is the perfect product to contour and to add a bit of color and warmth to pale skin.

My nails for the week. I did a bit of nail art early this week since I decided to call off work in consideration of our employees who were greatly affected by the flood.

My cousin's nails (excuse her hands; my cousin suffers from eczema). She got jealous when she saw my nails so I had to do hers. She wanted flowers that's why her nails look very Hawaiian.

That's about it for this post. I'll try to be a bit sneaky and take photos of the other items my beloved got for me when he was in the States.

As for the makeup sale, I'm thinking of creating a multiply account where I can post pictures and product information of all the items that I'll be selling. But if you're wondering what I have in stock, here goes: 2 Coastal Scents Warm Palettes, 2 Coastal Scents 88 Color Palettes, NYX eyeshadow palettes (Runway Collection), NYX Round Lipsticks, NYX Eyeliners, etc. If you're curious about the price, feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email at practicalvanity@gmail.com.

See you all in my next post!

NOTW: Weng Weng + Latest Haul

I did my nails again. I got a little bored with my Christmas nails so I decided to change it to something prettier two nights ago.

I was choosing between this shade called Weng Weng (ridiculous, I know) and a pretty sparkly sky blue one called Sleigh (both from Bobbie), until I decided to paint Weng Weng on my nails.


As you can see, Weng Weng is a gorgeous but very complex hue. It looks somewhat like a hologram to me, with touches of purple, blue, green, gray and silver. The micro glitters/sparklers are another complex thing. Oh, and there's some kind of a purplish pearly iridescence to it, too. Really, I can't describe this shade. It's such a gorgeous shade that gives a somewhat sophisticated appeal.

This shade is so one of a kind. I've seen nothing quite like this shade here in the Philippines. I'm not sure if this is part of Bobbie's holiday collection, so I suggest you grab yourself a bottle of it and their other nail polishes. I will surely get myself a back up of this as I see myself wearing this color on both my tips and toes for quite a long time. I guess the complex but beautiful tones of this nail polish make up for the silly name, eh?

I am in love with it. The photo just doesn't do it justice.

Before I end this quick post and go back to sleep since I'm still feverish, I'll post a photo of my latest haul for the week. I have about three packages coming next week, though I'm not sure if I'll be posting those. I just thought I'd add this one.

1. ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzer Duo
2. NYX Runway Collection 10pc Eyeshadow Palette in Champagne and Caviar
3. ELF Mineral Blush in Tickled Pink
4. ELF Mineral Blush in Peachy Keen
5. NYX Long Lip Pencil in Pinky
6. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Black Bean
7. NYX Round Lipstick in Fig (Finally!)

a. The Face Shop Mask
b. Sample of UDPP
c. Wine Elixir sample (anti-wrinkle and firming night cream)
d. Aqua Vita sample (24hour moisturizing cream for normal/dry skin)

Will do reviews and swatches of these in the coming weeks! So keep an eye on them!

*Sorry for the crappy picture quality. I took all pictures with my phone since I'm still sick.

Skinfood Mini Haul

A lot of my friends know how gaga I am over Asian cosmetics and skin care products, especially Korean and Japanese; however, I rarely pick them up here in the country since the prices are usually jacked up two or three times. Luckily, there are some sellers on multiply who arrange a monthly pooling of orders. The downside? You have to wait 3-4weeks before you get your hands on your orders. This is what I usually do if I want to order from other countries, especially if they don't ship to our country (yes, NYX, I'm talking to you) or if I can get the items at a much cheaper price from their country of origin. In this case, I purchased some Skinfood goodies from Claud, a multiply seller who has the lowest prices for some really sought after Korean skin care and cosmetic products. I believe I placed my order a month ago, and it was just yesterday that I got my hands on my new babies. The parcels were actually shipped on Friday; but since I'm barely home, I had my package shipped to my cousin's so I could just get it from her when Monday comes.

I didn't order that much coz I still have a lot that I need to finish up; I just really want to try their BB creams and salmon skin care line coz I've heard so much raves on these (and other products as well).

If you're in the Philippines and want to try Skinfood products but are horrified by their prices here in the country, I suggest you guys check out Claud's multiply site. Just click her name and start shopping! Claud sells Skinfood, Liole, Etude House, Laneige, VOV and Missha and a lot of other BB Creams.

My order was neatly packed! (They were bubble wrapped, too, to protect the glass container from cracking or breaking in transit.)

Claud was so generous to include 5 product samples in my parcel. Thank you so much Claud!

1. Skinfood Salmon Dark Circle Concealer Cream
2. Skinfood Salmon Dark Circle Powder
3. Skinfood Agave Cactus BB Cream (I was thinking of getting this one, but since I didn't find any reviews on it, I opted for the much raved about Aloe Sun. I might get the rest though --- Gingko and Mushroom, and this one if it works for me)
4. Hyo Yong Essence
5. Coenzyme Q10 Whitening Sun Cream
6. Skinfood Agave Cactus BB Cream
7. Missha Super Aqua Waterfull Cream
8. SkinfoodChlorella Nose Clear Patch