A Merry Christmas!

A happy and blessed Christmas to all!!!

Love,

Pam

Face Paint: Guerlain Meteorites Poudre De Perles

Guerlain Poudre De Perles in Beige Lumineux 03

Guerlain Poudre De Perles. What is it? It's an "illuminating perfecting pressed powder." This is one of the cult-favorite Guerlain Meteorites Balls spin-off in a travel-friendly pressed compact form. It was first introduced in 2008 as part of Guerlain's Summer 2008 Collection.

I have forever been eyeing this in Rustan's, but it is just too expensive. I got this new and unused Poudre De Perles from another Girltalker, who was selling it at 1000 pesos cheaper than its selling price in Rustan's Essences. I believe she bought this from Duty Free and this (and 2 other shades) were her back-ups. What a steal huh?

So, again... Meteorites. What is it exactly, and what does it do apart from look pretty in its packaging? It's a finishing powder that diffuses light and corrects skin color imperfections. Don't expect it to provide coverage. It is applied after all your make-up routine is done. It transforms one's complexion into a polished and natural look. I don't mean polished as in shiny-glossy-polished, just a more put together and luminous skin -- like it's lit with a candle from within. It does this by employing different colored powder particles to blur imperfections. In the case of Beige Lumineux, the three differently toned beige powders neutralizes the skin color and the big purple powder in the middle brightens sullen looking skin. 

I have tried searching for a Meteorites dupe from other brands, but I have never found anything that has the exact fine finish that it gives. A very near dupe to the original Meteorites Balls in Mythic is probably Nyx Mosaic Powder in 01 Highlight. 

When first opened, the Poudre De Perles compact has a fine micro shimmer on top of the powder. Don't think that it will create a disco-ball shimmery effect. The micro shimmer is just sprayed on top of the powder, which disappears after about two uses. When lightly applied with a soft face brush such as a skunk/stippling brush, you get a very soft, almost matte (but not quite) perfecting powder that creates a glowing soft-focused effect. It's an instant pick-me-upper.

The Poudre De Perles is also available in three other shades:

• Mythic Parfait: It has pink and white powders and a big green powder ball in the middle. The green ball reduces skin redness while the pink and white illuminates for radiant looking skin.
• Rose Frais: It has a white pearl and two pink powders. It evens the skin tone and make the skin appear fresh.
• Nacre Des Mers: This was a limited edition. This is closest to the Beige Lumineux, but lighter. It has a blue ball in the center and ivory and light gold pearl and apricot powders. This is great for ladies who think Beige Lumineux is dark for their skin tone.

I almost forgot to mention, this smells heavenly too. 

Facepaint: Urban Decay's NAKED Sequel

photo from Urban Decay website

Urban Decay just launched its Naked 2 Palette. I just recently got my original Naked, and now here comes a new one! The swatches posted all around the web are quite tempting. I'm not too sure though if I'll be joining the bandwagon and get it soon. At $50, its no joke to splurge again on an eyeshadow palette. The shades seem metallic in the pics. It also has more taupes and greyish beiges, which I prefer more than the bronzes and browns of the original. Oh well.  Maybe I can ask Santa for one? ;)

Hair Styling: TRESemme Heat Tamer Spray

Not all women are born with perfect hair. For us lesser mortals, shampoo and conditioner is not enough. We have to subject our tresses to constant heat torture from time to time to tame it and make it presentable. That, or perpetually shove our hair into ponytails and buns all the time. 

I've had my share of burnt ends and fried hair from all the hair blowing, flat ironing and hair curling. It was about time I sought a product that would help lessen the hair damage, or give up heat styling which I can't completely do without.

TRESemme Heat Tamer Spray is a relatively inexpensive product that claims to protect from heat and friction of styling tools, while nourishing hair with moisture and vitamins at the same time. This used to be available at S&R Congressional, but they no longer have it. I had to order it thru pre-order at kissnmakeup in multiply. It cost me 480Pesos, including shipping to my home in QC. I was expecting it to arrive late November but was glad they shipped it on the first week.

I have used it three times since I got it: twice for blow drying and once for hair curling. I could say that it does keep hair soft, glossy and less frizzy even if it was humid out. I hope this works its magic (or science?) and my hair will thank me in the long run for protecting it from further heat damage.

Facepaint: Urban Decay Naked Palette

Succumbed and finally bought the much-raved about Urban Decay Naked Eye Shadow Palette:

Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette has twelve full sized neutral eye shadows in different finishes: matte, satin and shimmer. Thank goodness the shimmer is not OTT. The shades are mostly warm and would suit any skin color. It came with the Good Karma eye shadow brush and a mini-sized Eye Primer Potion. I'm generally happy with this purchase, as I could open just one palette to do an eye makeup routine instead of having several palettes and pans on my vanity. Also, since its my first time to try UD's eyeshadows, I am so amazed how this trumps most other products out there texture-wise. It's so buttery smooth! My only gripe is that I wish it still came with the dual-ended 24/7 eyeliner instead of the brush. Due to high demand versus manufacturing constraints last year, UD decided to make these with an eye shadow brush. Another wish on my end (as if UD will listen to my demands, haha): I hope they make a neutral palette with more cool tones, too. Oh, also a palette like Too Faced's that's all matte.

I would highly recommend this for ladies who likes their eye paint wearable and subtle. This could also be used for a strong eye by defining more with the dark colors. This would be all you need to get you through a work-to-party day.

Will play around with this baby and post some EOTDs soon ;)

Home Design: Organizing Vanity

As much as I want to streamline my grooming routine, I always find myself with quite a clutter after I'm done making myself presentable for the day. My dressing table or vanity, is built right into my wardrobe closet. It has only two storage drawers. Pretty much everything else that doesn't fit into those two tiny compartments are placed atop the desk, effectively obstructing mirror and tabletop real estate.

A vanity could be a loose furniture placed inside the bedroom, or it could be incorporated into the bathroom if the bathroom is spacious enough. Functionality-wise, it should be able to accommodate all your grooming essentials such as beauty and skincare products and styling tools. If you want minimal clutter, one should opt for a dressing table with some sets of drawers to hide everything from sight when not in use.  The style is also not limited to your traditional lola's tokador. In this time and age, furniture style no longer has to be pegged or limited with what's uso or in fashion this decade/era. Now, it's all about the end-user: her/his style preference and lifestyle. It could be shabby chic, minimalist, ultra modern, mid-century modern, filipino, asian… victorian, even. Whatever floats your boat, really. Any of these styles, particularly the period-inspired ones could be brought to 'now' by adding a contemporary twist to them. 

Some bedroom and bathroom vanity ideas:

source

source

source

source

source

How about you, how do you organize your vanity?

Food Chronicles: Enjoying the sweet life with Sweet D's Cakes and Pastries

Sweet D's Cakes and Pastries is a home business started by Pastry Chef Cha Cleofas in 2010. Fresh from the Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School in Bangkok, Thailand, Chef Cha wasted no time when she got back home in Manila. She immediately started churning out delectable concoctions in her kitchen for a test clientele of family and friends. I was one of the lucky few to sample her delicious treats, much to the chagrin of my waistline. A few months later, Sweet D's was born. Cha's five-year old niece came up with the name Sweet D's -- short for Sweet Desserts. 

For the 2011 Christmas Holidays, Sweet D's has launched three mouth-watering cakes that are sure to test any dieter's conviction. All cakes and pastries are homemade and baked to-order, so you are always guaranteed of the quality and freshness of each batch.

Sweet D's indulgent offerings:

Sweet D's Kahlua Chocolate Cake: "a perfect combination of dark chocolate and kahlua, sinful... but worth it!"

Red Velvet With Fresh Fruits and Cream Cheese Filling: It doesn't get any more festive than this!

White Chocolate and Oreo Cheesecake: Creamiest cheesecake base I've ever tried!  Together with the generous Oreo pieces and white chocolate, it's smooth and crunchy at the same time.

For an easy sweet-tooth fix, Chef Cha also makes scrumptious cookies: Chunky Peanut Butter and Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Chunky Peanut Butter Cookies -- "baked with dark chocolates and chunky peanut butter."  One is never enough!

Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookies -- Cookies with generous chunks of premium dark chocolate and roasted cashews. This is my all-time fave!

These treats are perfect for parties and as gifts.

You may contact Chef Cha Cleofas at maycleofas@yahoo.com or at 09178065534. You may also visit Sweet D's facebook page . 

*All photos courtesy of Sweet D's facebook page.