In the last two months and more that I have been home, I only ever stepped out of the gate once - to chase after a vendor selling ripe mangoes. Except for my birthday when I made sure I looked pretty, I haven't applied a full face makeup since we started working from home. Although I use Ellana Loose Powder Foundation and a swipe of lipstick for meetings, filling in my eyebrows and applying blush became things from a not so distant past. I always have lip balm within reach for my chapped lips, though.

I try, but most days I can't muster enough enthusiasm nor energy to swipe on lipstick or even lip gloss. It's not a necessity, but you would think that someone whose blog has had peace, love, and lip gloss as subhead since 2008 could be a little bit more excited about lip color. 

When Liz announced back in March that In Her Element is donating 100% of Butterlips Conditioning Color sales to Philippine General Hospital, it gave me the push I needed to finally try these out. I actually wanted to get all shades but I could barely justify the purchase when I had 200+ lipsticks in my kit. Beauty by Tellie's vlog with swatches helped a lot, and I decided on Mayari and Tala. 

After about a month of waiting since they had to stop operation during the ECQ, they finally arrived.

Sold at Php 345 each, the In Her Element Butterlips Conditioning Color comes in three shades: Mayari (clay brown) named after the Filipino folklore goddess of the moon; Tala (berry plum) named after the Filipino folklore goddess of the stars; and Hanan (bright coral) named after the Filipino folklore goddess of morning. I only got Mayari and Tala because those were the colors that jumped at me, and because I didn't think Hanan would suit my skin tone. 

The quote "Beautiful things don't ask for attention" from the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty came to mind when I saw this shade on me. Tala is a very nice pink that easily brightened up my mood and added a pop of color on my otherwise bare face. 

Now Tala is very pretty but Mayari is easily my favorite of the two. Easily. It is such a nice shade of clay brown that is very flattering and I love how it looks natural, but with an added oomph. If I were a cartoon character, this would be my lip color.

How nice it felt to be wearing lip color and walk on sunshine (even just outside the door and inside the gate) once again! How are they on the lips, you ask? Like lip balm, only better! This is Maybelline Baby Lips (that was my makeup kit and every-bag staple) x 100, and baby that is a big deal. It kept my lips soft and hydrated. Chika na sa staying power because I don't mind re-applying. 

So, yes, you could say that I would be needing backups soon. Since these are the only things I have been putting on exclusively lately, I am sure I would use these up in no time. Maybe on my next purchase I would even get Hanan just so I could try it.

I guess my only gripe is the packaging. It's not flimsy, but it's easy to mistake the tube to look dirty because it seems like the color goes all over the place when you put the cap back on. I don't know, maybe try an opaque lipstick cap next time? I like that it looks simple, but it could be a little bordering on clinical already. That's just me and my personal preferences, though. Otherwise, congratulations and great job, Liz and In Her Element team! I am looking forward to more new things from this local powerhouse brand!

Have you used In Her Element Butterlips Conditioning Color before? Which shade is your favorite?

Working from home afforded me a little bit of extra time so I was able to dig drafts and stored photos, and I realized I haven't published my review of Ellana Minerals Lip Drunk Blush despite it being my go to-blush for a year now. I am posting quick reviews and swatches of the first five shades they released here.


Please note though that I am not sure if they are phasing these shades out as these are almost always out of stock online, but you may also check Ellana's stores when the community quarantine is lifted.

I have since bought more palettes to hold all of them, tyvm

Perfect your tipsy flush with this super-moisturizing, cocktail-inspired drunk blush. Made for lips and cheeks! This multi-stain glides on smoothly, with a soft, natural-matte finish and creamy, hydrating texture that is infused with Camellia “Tsubaki” Seed Oil. Your Lip Drunk Blush is all you need to glow on the go. You’ll notice your skin just gets better and better every day!

You only need a couple of light swipes because these are very pigmented. You may apply using clean fingers or brush. Personally I prefer using my ring finger to swipe and blend.

From left to right: Autumn Martini | Mimosa | Sangria | Strawberry Daiquiri | Pink Flamingo

See how much color one swipe can generate?

Ellana Minerals Lip Drunk Blush in Autumn Martini on my cheeks

Ellana Minerals Lip Drunk Blush in Mimosa on my cheeks

Ellana Minerals Lip Drunk Blush in Sangria on my cheeks

Ellana Minerals Lip Drunk Blush in Strawberry Daiquiri on my cheeks

Ellana Minerals Lip Drunk Blush in Pink Flamingo on my cheeks

I even used to swipe a little on my eyelids as a light shadow for a monochromatic look until I saw the note of Ellana founder/ formulator that there are pigments that may not be safe for the eye area. Eep!  So, yes, a word to the wise: the Ellana Minerals Lip Drunk Blush are only for your lips and cheeks! (You may use the Multipurpose Color Cream if you want an all-around product that you can use as eye shadow, blush, and lip color.)

At Php 449 a pop, these can be a little more costly than your average drugstore brand blush, but the quality is so much better than a drugstore brand's, and staying power is also A+++. You can get a lot of use out of one refill so your Php 449 can go a long way.

The only comment I might have is the scent. I don't mind and the scent fades after a while, but some people might find it too strong. I hope the new shades have addressed it.  

Last year I had the opportunity to customize my own Lip Drunk Blush shade and it was a lot of fun! There were plans of extending that service to the stores but I haven't seen it yet, although Ellana released four new shades, two of which I have already ordered: Peach Bellini and Espresso Martini. Give me another year and perhaps I will be able to share my review and swatches of those as well. Heh.

Did you like any of the shades I featured here? Do you have plans of trying Ellana's take on the drunk blush trend? Do you still do your makeup while working from home? Let me know in the comments!

By the way, if you did like this review and are thinking of getting your own, please use my referral link so we both get Php 100 Ellana coupon each. TYSM!

Disclosure: All products here were not sponsored. I bought them using my own money.

I can survive with just groomed eyebrows, face powder, and lipstick combo any other day, but for special occasions I do like experimenting with more creative makeup looks.

For Batman Day 2019 I decided on a bold lip and lots of glow.

Here are the products I used:

Only the ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* glowiest golden glow *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ for my favorite Caped Crusader.

And you guys, I'd like to thank my lucky stars as I really hit the jackpot with this set of products because save for one Stunna touchup after lunch, my makeup did not budge at all! I really need to hit my blogging stride again because I'd like to post more makeup reviews here.

This is what I looked like hours later, while waiting for our xiao long bao to be served.

My makeup survived hours of going around the huge Fully Booked store in Bonifacio High Street, movie screenings, and walking around BGC lugging heavy bags to take photos of my boyfriend J in Batman Beyond cosplay.


Did you know that the first time we met, one of the first things we found out we had in common is that we're both BatFans? Look how spiffy he looks here. ^_^ Batman Beyond suit from Spandex Hero Philippines! Contact the Page if you're still looking for your Halloween costume!

Because it's Batman Day, all Batman titles and graphic novels are being sold at 20% off. I made a bee line for the Sandman volumes and got these:


This morning, while checking Facebook, this appeared on my Memories:


I wore the same lip color last year and even got the prequel and first volume of Sandman! I also have the same arm candy with me but he wasn't wearing a costume then, heh.

Cheers to spending more Batman Days with my favorite BatFan, and cheers to posting more makeup looks here!

Did you know that September is Self-Care Awareness Month? I was today years old when I learned about it. Perfect timing, too, as I have been ruminating on this post for days now.

Self-care is underrated, but there has recently been a surge advocating it. More than slapping on face masks and lighting some candles though, self-care is any activity that we do deliberately to focus on taking care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. It's a simple concept in theory, yes, but it is something we very often overlook. 

It is important to carve time from our daily hustle and bustle and smell the flowers, so to speak, because good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety.  The weekend before last was one of the most restful weekends I've had: rain pitter pattered outside and I was so cozy on the a sofa reading my Kindle while nestling a mug of freshly brewed coffee and listening to Taylor Swift's Lover album. Definitely a Pinterest-worthy day. Here are some of the other things I do to practice self-care:


Write
My current favorite journal is my customized medium Quest Journal in Canary that I got from I Love BDJ. It's such a happy color! There are two fillers: the monthly and weekly undated filler and filler with blank pages. The monthly view gives me an easy view on the important events for each month, and the weekly view has more than enough space for my to do lists. I jot down my daily tasks here every day, and I get immense satisfaction from crossing out each item. The blank filler is for my notes and things I am thankful for.

I feel like I have become rusty as I don't get to write nor blog as much as I want, but I'm hoping this exercise will help me get back to my writing groove.


Look at pretty little things
The newest addition to my desk is my Alice in Wonderland Nendoroid Doll which is a gift from my boyfriend. She's completely poseable and has replaceable hands! I want to get her cute outfits and face plates with various expressions, too! Ughhh so cute!


Eat healthy food
I am so happy that my former boss RJ opened a Saranglayap branch in Metro Manila to add to their first branch in Baler (that J and I tried to visit but was closed when we went there for our anniversary). It's in Maginhawa, Quezon City though and it's still too far from me so I'm hoping they can open another store in Makati or Taguig. Shown here is the Vitality Classic Smoothie Bowl with sugar beets, mango, pittaya, and acai. Yum! So good!



I don't wander beverages sections of supermarkets that much so I'm happy to have discovered the new Alaska Yoghurt in the office. They're made of milk, yoghurt, and real fruit juice and THEY'RE SO GOOD! I keep on switching between Blueberry and Strawberry as my favorite, heh. And look at them matching my laptop case, makes me go heart eyes emoji.


Read
I get lost in mindless scrolling on social media sometimes and I don't get to read as much as I used to, but I try to read at least one chapter before bedtime. I like anthologies because I get bite-sized stories that make me feel like I'm reading more than I really am. My last read was Bojack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg's collection of short stories, Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory. I really liked most of the stories and it's a book I won't forget for a long while.


Look at pretty colors
Makeup especially eyeshadow palettes, and watercolor pots, and crayons, and book spines, and flowers...the list will never end.


Put makeup on.
Whenever I feel like I'm not myself, I just put a little color on my face and watch myself transform. On my eyes are Ellana Loose Mineral Pigments in Bluebell, a shade given to me by Ellana owner/ founder Theresa herself when I visited their office for an event around two weeks ago, and on my lips is Avon Mark. Prism Lipstick in Energy Flash.


When all else fails, I lie and ignore the world.
Just kidding. My job actually doesn't allow me to do that. But I do have deep pockets that I have stashed with little moments and memories that bring me joy so that I have something to pull out any time I need to. And that, my friends, is-what I think-the most important thing to do.

It's a rainy Saturday afternoon and I'm taking a break from resting by reading my old blog posts.

2009 me: Rest assured though that I will not hoard makeup products since I do not have any plans to become a professional makeup artist at all. 

2019 me: Welp 

It is timely that I should come across this now seeing as how I broke a supposed two month makeup-buying ban barely three weeks into it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ELLANA MINERALS WAREHOUSE SALE MADE ME DO IT! On a related note, that 2009 blog post also chronicles the first time I tried and purchased makeup from Ellana Minerals.

Ellana Minerals is my favorite local makeup brand and I will recommend their products to everyone who would listen. I love everything I have tried from them and the fact that their products are skincare and makeup in one, and I even got to be a face on their old website representing the shade Café Mocha!

Rainy Friday night + Makati = traffic and extra challenge in booking a Grab but I persisted and here is my haul:


I missed out on the brushes (we were told stocks ran out on the first morning of the sale!) but I am so glad I got to restock my favorites, buy backups, and even purchase some items that are no longer being sold online!

Here's a closer look at the products I got:

Ellana Loose Mineral Foundation in Café Mocha to refill my big Mirror Glass Jar

Ellana Sheer Velvet Matte Powder and small Mirror Glass Jar to house it in

Ellana Makeup Brush Cleaner for spot-cleaning my brushes

Ellana Multipurpose Loose Powders in Caress, Crush, Sensational, and Shine I'm planning to mix a little Sensational on my Sheer Velvet Powder

I hit the pan on my Ellana Pressed Mineral Foundation in Café Mocha a long time ago and haven't gotten the chance to restock until now

Ellana Pressed Multipurpose Powders Light Roast - a matte cool brown shade that may be used as a contour powder for cheeks and nose, eyeshadow Butter Rum - an iridescent gold satin shade that may be used as a highlighter for cheeks, nose, and eyeshadow Flirtation - a matte strawberry pink that may be used as a blush and eyeshadow Peach Passion - a warm earthy peach shimmer that may be used as a blush, highlighter for cheeks and nose, eyeshadow

I already have two Gaia Magnetic Palettes to house my Lip Drunk Blushes but I had to get my third one for this:

It looks so neat and pretty yet completely practical!

I got all these for only a litte over Php2,200! My face and wallet are so happy with beauty that does more, hee. The Ellana Minerals Warehouse Sale is happening until 9 PM tomorrow so if you have the chance, go visit their HQ at 3400 Gen Lim, corner Rodiguez Ave., Bangkal, Makati.

Special bonus when you visit: Ellana Minerals HQ is home to several adopted kitties so you may also see this super adorable cat!

Ellana also regularly holds special promotions so make sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates!

Now I'll be back to enjoying the rest of my long weekend. I hope you have a restful one!

What do you get when you cross two of the biggest names in the local beauty scene? A collaboration that's sure to revolutionize how we do our daily lewks!

I have been a huge fan of Ellana Cosmetics even before I even started blogging, I even used to be an Ellana Beauty Advocate and sold their products to my officemates! (I told an in-depth story here.) Meanwhile, Project Vanity remains one of my favorite beauty websites and I am continuously amazed at how its founder Liz has grown the site and even put up her own skincare brand. And now, Ellana and Project Vanity have teamed up and brought us the new Life-Proof Eyebrow Gel!

This package arrived yesterday and I was so excited I took a break from my never-ending to do list and put these to the test.

The Project Vanity x Ellana Cosmetics Life-Proof Eyebrow Gel is a revolutionary product that promises life-proof, last-all-day hold, in shades specifically suites to Southeast Asian skin and hair. Aside from being sweat-proof and water-proof, it is also infused with marula oil to encourage healthy hair growth. I am thrilled about this because some eyebrow products made my previously bushy eyebrows thinner and sparser.



The 4 gram-gel type pomade is housed in an acrylic jar with a matte metallic Project Vanity-pink cap. So chic and it's light enough to squeeze into your everyday makeup kit and tote anywhere!

Project Vanity x Ellana Cosmetics Life-Proof Eyebrow Gel in (from top to bottom) Light Brown, Red Brown, and Dark Brown Red Brown is more suited for those with colored hair, while Dark Brown can also be used as an eyeliner!

On the left: brows without Life-Proof Eyebrow Gel On the right: brows with Life-Proof Eyebrow Gel in Light Brown

And because I wanted to test its claim of being life-proof, I put the back of my hand with the swatches under running water. True enough, it didn't budge!


So I rubbed on it.


It stayed put so I rubbed on it some more; as you can see on the photo there was some smudging but I am still very impressed because I used a lot of force. I don't think I would be rubbing my eyebrows that forcefully though so I am very happy with this eyebrow gel's staying power.


I did my laundry when I got home and washed my undies by hand. The swatches looked like this after. Very impressive!


As you may know, I moved to a condo unit closer to my workplace so I don't have to deal with traffic anymore. Here is how my eyebrows looked like after my 30 minute-walk to the mall adjacent my condo where I dropped by to grab dinner.


This is my officemate/ friend Jean with the Project Vanity x Ellana Cosmetics Life-Proof Eyebrow Gel in Red Brown.

All in all, I am very happy with this product and would recommend it to everyone who values great looking brows and dedicates time to making sure their brows are on fleek. My only wish is for a mini slanted eyebrow brush to have been included (at the bottom of the cap, maybe?) for on-the-go brow makeovers. Still, it's Php 499 well-spent considering how much some brow products with the same promises cost.


You may grab yours now from Project Vanity, Ellana, Shopee, and Lazada, and at select Ellana counters starting tomorrow. If you would rather see them in person first before purchasing, they will be available in all Ellana counters nationwide starting on December 10.

Happy brow life-proofing!