Heads up: the new L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Electric Lip Collection is not for the faint of heart.


Leave your nude, MLBB, and vampy lipsticks at home in the meantime because this summer, BOLD is in.

Orange Power, Glamour Fuchsia, Lincoln Rose, Touch of Amaranth, Pop Up Pink

These lipsticks are so pigmented that two swipes yield this much color Glamour Fuchsia, Lincoln Rose, Orange Power, Pop Up Pink, Touch of Amaranth

I will be posting individual swatches of the lipsticks on me but first, I'd like to talk about the formula. I love L'Oreal Color Riche lipsticks because even though L'Oreal is a drugstore brand, its lipsticks never felt cheap. I own and have reviewed several L'Oreal Color Riche lipsticks already (Fairy Touch and Barely Moka are two of my favorites) and I love them because they are non-drying, the colors complement my skin tone, and they feel luxurious to the lips. As for the shades in the Color Riche Electric collection, I'd have to say I got a bit scared when I first saw them in person. The press release wasn't lying when it described the shades as electrifying! My lips can also get a bit dry sometimes so I was worried that the matte shades will look horrible on me. Buuut as the swatches below will prove, I didn't have anything to worry about. The three matte lipsticks (Glamour Fuchsia, Lincoln Rose, Orange Power) are true mattes that are flat but never boring, while the satiny lipsticks (Pop Up Pink, Touch of Amaranth) are more wet and creamy. They are very easy to apply, matte lipsticks included, and do not tug on the lips. The matte lipsticks also tended to stay on a bit longer than the other two.

I tried to take individual photos of the lipsticks but my iPhone couldn't seem to capture the raspberry redness of Lincoln Rose (it looks too orange in the photos) nor the exquisite milky-pink beauty of Pop Up Pink so I decided to forego them and just post my lip swatches. Aside from the L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Electric lipsticks, I wasn't wearing anything else on my face in the photos below so you can see how the lipsticks instantly brightened up my face. But then again, with shades as bold as these, you wouldn't really need to pile on too much. A clean canvas, a Color Riche Electric lipstick, and a simple cat eye and the glam factor would already skyrocket!

Glamour Fuchsia

Won't you look at that and tell me how gorgeous the color is! This was the color I wore on my birthday. Doesn't it look like the kind of lipstick Barbie would wear? This is my second favorite from the bunch.

Lincoln Rose

I was reminded of raspberries and candy apples when I was testing this out. I had a hard time choosing, but this is my favorite because I have a lot of red lipsticks but I don't have anything like this in my collection. I wore this at the Easter Komiket.

Orange Power

I already have an orange lipstick but it was my first time to try a matte orange lipstick. It's such a unique and fun color that I see myself wearing with my teal eyeliner.

Pop Up Pink

It's a creamy milky pink that may look mild and sweet in this photo but looks more neon in person. This reminded me of OFRA 205 but I liked the formula of this one better. It also looked like a prettier version of MAC Pink Nouveau (that no matter what I did, I couldn't get to work for me so I just gave it away to Kira).

Touch of Amaranth

This one reminded me of my favorite MAC Girl About Town. Aside from Glamour Fuchsia, this is another lipstick shade I could imagine Barbie wearing.

You know how some makeup products can "Insta-boost" your mood? These shades are so vibrant they could easily chase all your woes away! When I have any of these shades on, I feel like I want to bust my heels out and take over the world!

These colors last on me for at least five hours. Aside from the highly-pigmented and creamy formula and the outlandishness of these shades, my favorite thing about these Color Riche Electric lipsticks are the fact that they don't settle on my lip lines. Any bold color would look ridiculous if that happens, but you're safe with L'Oreal Paris.

I also liked its elegant rose gold (for the matte shades) and gold (for the satin shades) packaging that doesn't feel flimsy at all. It's also classy enough that you wouldn't feel embarrassed to whip it out for a quick touch-up anywhere you are.

In conclusion, L'Oreal Color Riche Electric lipsticks are lip colors that are ultra-bold, ultra-trendy, yet easily wearable and can instantly brighten up any look. If you're feeling down, all you need is a swipe or two of any of these colors and I SWEAR you will instantly feel better. If you feel intimidated, DON'T! After all, it's just lipstick. ^_~

Here's a side-by-side comparison of all five shades

Now here's the fun part. L'Oreal Paris was so generous to give away Color Riche Electric lipsticks to five of my readers! Check out the widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Note: This giveaway is open to those residing in the Philippines only. The five winners will be announced on the first week of May. Good luck!

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche lipsticks are now at a special price of only P499 for a limited time only so check out its 30 matte and satin shades in L’Oréal Makeup Designer/Paris counters nationwide.

Disclosure: The products have been sent to me for review but I was not required nor compensated to write this post. Giveaway prizes will be coming from L'Oreal Paris via Pulse Communications - Ogilvy Public Relations. Read my blog's complete Disclosure Policy here.

When I was very young, I didn't have many friends because I always kept to my books and my toys. I didn't like going outside to play and my strict grandpa didn't want too many noisy and rowdy kids in the house so I wasn't allowed to have over more than three playmates at a time. I didn't mind because I preferred reading and playing by myself anyway, constructing elaborate story lines for my Barbie dolls and cooking up a storm at my play kitchen. I was happier that way so I never felt like I missed out on anything.

I had friends in grade school but I didn't really "connect" with them. I shuttled back and forth between different cliques and never felt like I belonged anywhere, resulting to a few misunderstandings and elementary-level rifts. I actually became best friends with Jerome during this time! (The full story of how this came to be actually inspired Nate and Tanya's story.)

I only started to feel like I really belonged in a barkada when I was in high school already. Now I don't know what exactly I did right, but from that moment it suddenly felt like I was the Queen of Making Friends.

Life is but a series of hellos and goodbyes, and along the way I have been blessed with a lot of friends from different aspects of my life. I have friends from school, from my old and new job, from the blogging community, from different places I've been to, online-turned-IRL friends I wouldn't have crossed paths with otherwise, and friends of friends I became good friends with also. Different circumstances, different sets of friends, but everyone's special to me nonetheless.

Heh, such a long introduction for a post where I just meant to show you how my friends made me feel special on my 29th birthday. (ღ˘⌣˘ღ) 

My best friend Jerome, after learning that I intend to just stay at home the whole day, asked me out for dinner. We - together with his girlfriend Dale, twin brother Jonas and girlfriend Trisha, and friends Raymond and Gino - went to a Chinese restaurant in Malabon and ate until we felt our stomachs would burst.

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I turned around, it was my Breakfast Clubmates, there to surprise me!



What a wonderful feeling, being surrounded by friends who love you. (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)

I also wanted to post here Ed's photo-collage that shows the evolution of our hairstyles, weight, and my eye shadow-blending skills.

I'm a terrible friend I almost forgot. And you're just amazing instead of being mad, you simply reminded me. Hehe. Nasabi ko na ata lahat sa'yo. Bata pa lang tayo sa ampunan di na tayo mapaghiwalay. Nabaliw na? Lol. Browsing through our photos through the years brought back so many beautiful memories. Hindi ako sure pero parang may pagluhang naganap. Haha. We've always found a way to stay connected. And in my often boring, lifeless days, when feeling alone is default, it's a relief to know I have you. Ever constant. Ever there. Happy birthday dearest Krissy! Love you always.

Heartfelt messages are the best.

And today, when I walked into my office cubicle, I saw this:


A Batman birthday banner prepared by my friend/ Breakfast Clubmate Chum. I am so touched!

I seriously don't know what I did to deserve such great friends, but I no longer want to question the Universe!


And just because there's a How I Met Your Mother quote suitable for all kinds of sitch:

And that's how it goes, kids. The friends, neighbors, drinking buddies, and partners-in-crime you loved so much when you're young - as the years go by, you just lose touch. You will be shocked, kids, when you discover how easy it is to part ways with people forever. That's why when you find someone you want to keep around, you do something about it.

I have lost a few friends along the way but I'd like to think it's all for the better, because now I am secure in the knowledge that everyone who have stayed are true. I no longer have the energy for fake and forced friendships, for I'd rather put in more effort in showing my true friends how much I cherish and love each one of them. To friendship, to love, to conversations, to memories, to laughter, to tears, to surprises, to dreams, to more stories, to POSSIBILITIES. Cheers to 29!

This is another special edition of This Week, Currently because...

I took a leave from work and I spent all day resting at home, eating the simple feast my Mom prepared (chicken curry, buko salad, fresh pineapples, spaghetti, garlic bread, and cake!), painting, reading, and responding to a LOT of birthday greetings coursed through phone calls, text messages, emails, private messages, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook wall posts. I especially liked the sweet and heartfelt messages and hello-I-still-exist-happy birthday messages from people I haven't heard from in a while. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I feel so loved! (ღ˘⌣˘ღ) My best friend Jerome also made plans for us to hangout tonight; he said he'll treat me to dinner! Yay!

Head in the clouds

Today I turned 29. (Yes, really. Thanks for acting surprised!) This year I intend to write another book (or more, who knows?), paint more, discover more, be more physically fit, and generally be a better human being. Maybe I'll even fall in love this year. (^_~)

Sometimes I forget to acknowledge how blessed I am and instead dwell on the things that are missing. Note to self: let those old habits go. Every day I am thankful, and every day I aim to live and not just exist. 28 was awesome, but this year is going to be awesome-r. Cheers to 29!

I am turning a year older tomorrow, and I spent my last day as a 28-year-old in today's Komiket held in Elements at Centris. 

My main reason for going was to get my hands on the newest installment of Manix Abrera's Kikomachine Komix so I wouldn't have to hound my favorite bookstores if they already have a copy, and to also hopefully have it signed by him.

I also came to support Vlad. He was supposed to just go and check out the event, but he also decided to sell his own comics, Shards, and the two-part origin stories of the three main characters.

I finished reading all the origin stories already as well as the first volume of Shards, and I liked it! Very promising and I'm excited to read the rest! Among the three, my favorite character is the Wolf because he's so mysterious. I wondered earlier whether I could coax Vlad into giving me clues as to what would happen next, but I figured it's better to find out myself when the next volumes are already available. (^～^)

Also saw some friends today!

My dear friend Michelle kept me company while waiting for my turn for Manix's autograph and also took our photo! So nice to see her again after quite a while. To think we used to go to and from work together every day as I used to live in an apartment beside their house!

Fellow April baby Mimai! Craft birthdate soon, please!

My former officemate Thysz!

And, I was about to go home, another photo with Manix!

I got home before it got dark. Enough time to buy my favorite milk tea and relax at home with my new comic books.

My Komiket haul: Kikomachine Komix Blg. 11: Mga Kirot ng Kapalaran! by Manix Abrera, Shards and the two-parts each origin stories of the Wolf, the Monkey, and the Panda by Vee Jocson, and Komiks Galing sa Aking Kaluluwa by Andoyman

Exactly a year ago today, I had the #LegenwaitforitdaryKrissyParty. In contrast, today was pretty low-key and relaxed but still with things I love and people I like the company of. Not such a shabby way to say goodbye to 28, yes?

I used to like applying polish on my nails. I have a huge stash of nail polish bottles at home and I'll have a different color on each week. I did it frequently enough that even my left hand became proficient on applying nail polish on my right hand! For fun I also used to do nail art on myself; strawberries, watermelons, dots, and stripes were regular fixtures on my nails.

As I became preoccupied with work and other hobbies, prettifying my nails took a backseat. I'd tell everyone who would care to listen that I find cutting my nails too cumbersome because it will just grow back! 눈_눈 I still buy a bottle or two of polish every now and then, but mostly they just got mixed in with my other stash, unused and forgotten.

When the Queen of Nail Art Nikki herself invited me to the Girlstuff event held in Stacy's last Monday, I did not hesitate to confirm because nail polish! Blogger friends! Fun! I wasn't able to leave work early though so the event was already in full swing when I got there. Here are some photos!

An explosion of color

Bottles of nail polish! Fimo clay! Dotting tools! Nail stickers!

This candy and dessert buffet and I were MFEO

Anyone could have their nails done but because I was late I wasn't able to participate anymore. Good thing we were given our own Girlstuff bottles to play with when we get home! You may see what I did with my nails below. (^_−)☆ The event was held to launch the four shades in Girlstuff's Bloggers’ Elite Summer Collection, a capsule collection in partnership with four of Manila’s top and sassiest lifestyle, fashion, parenting, and beauty bloggers.

Clockwise from top left: AskMeWhats by Nikki Tiu, Go Jackie Go by Jackie Go, Strutting on Sunshine by Cristina Decena, and Topaz Horizon by Frances Amper-Sales

AskMeWhats is an orchid pink shade with lilac undertones that fit Nikki's cheerful personality. (Also, can I just say that if anyone deserves to have a nail polish shade named after her, it's Nikki? I'm a big fan of her nail art posts!) Go Jackie Go is a lime green shade that can remind you of a tropical paradise. Strutting on Sunshine is a bright sky blue shade that depicts clear skies and cerulean seas. Lastly, Topaz Horizon is a bright chartreuse. These are all pastel shades that can work with any skin tone. Seriously, I dare you to paint your nails with these shades and see if it doesn't brighten up your day. Perfect for summer!

Wearing Nikki's and Jackie's outfits' love child （⌒▽⌒） Hello, Juro!

With my twinnie Tellie who is celebrating her birthday TODAY! Drop by her blog and greet her, will ya?

Stacy's facade is too cute to pass up a photo-op

Girlstuff is a local brand but their polishes are made in France and are free of harmful chemicals. The Girlstuff Bloggers’ Elite Summer Collection uses their well-loved sophisticate gel-type formula to turn four fun shades into sassy, shiny, trendy, and long lasting polish. I applied AskMeWhats last Tuesday and my nails have been enjoying a chip-free life for six days now! Ah-ma-zing!

AskMeWhats and a sprinkling of Star Dust

I especially like AskMeWhats because the shade differs depending on the light. Sometimes it looks light pink, other times it looks orchid. I love it!


I can't wait to try the other shades in this collection. Thank you for renewing my love for nail polish, Girlstuff!

Is one's excitement for his/ her birthday inversely proportional to his/ her age? I'm turning 29 in a few days and unlike my previous birthdays (last year's How I Met Your Mother-themed party here!) I am not feeling up for a celebration. Maybe because 29 doesn't really sound like a milestone birthday like, say, 30? I don't know.

Nevertheless,

I'm spending the Holy Week holed up at home watching movies and resting and on Saturday, I'll pick up my birthday presents for myself. Yay, me! Sunday is exciting because I'll be attending the Komiket and get myself a copy of Kikomachine Komix Blg. 11 and hopefully have it signed by Manix Abrera himself. Check out Vlad's comics, too!

I realized I didn't want to stress myself with birthday plans anymore. If I come up with something for April 6 or if someone makes plans with me, great! If not, I'm good with staying at home, too. I signed up for Mina Esguerra's new online class, Spark NA, which will officially start on my birthday and I'm both anxious and excited to get my writing knuckles cracking again. In related news, the stories from our buqo YA class will be released very soon!

I don't get birthday blues because I prefer to collect birthday pinks, but birthdays always make me reassess my life and reevaluate my choices.

Clementine speaks my truth.

Still, I know I shouldn't give in to these thoughts and just be.

I'm wishing you all an amazing April. Take care of your hearts. ♥

PS: I also have giveaways lined up so watch out for that!