Work was extra stressful today. It was raining hard also, so as expected traffic was horrible. Social media is rife with angst and sometimes I just want to look away but it's part of my job to be updated so I have no choice but to scroll, scroll, scroll.

A lot of things are going wrong. But, today, I tried caramel apples for the first time.

THESE ARE S'MORES CARAMEL APPLES FROM ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY AND THEY ARE GLORIOUS

Every thing was right with the world again.

I'm thankful also for shared laughter with my officemates Jean, Mich, Hannah, Levon, Sasha, JR, and Joel today. They warm my heart and tickle my insides. ♥

Flushed cheeks, racing heartbeat, and giddiness all over --- these were my body's immediate reactions when I first heard about this collection a couple of months ago. I couldn't wait to tell my friends but we were sworn to secrecy, and keeping secrets is difficult for me especially when it comes to news as exciting as this! Finally, after waiting for so long, the Barbie Loves Plains & Prints collection officially hits all Plains & Prints stores nationwide today!

My Barbie walking on sunshine in her Teenage Fashion dress

Ever since her debut 58 years ago, she continues to inspire many women around the world to be everything they want to be. She’s career-oriented, fashionable, and never goes out of style. Her influence is ever-evolving and continues to be relevant from generation to generation. 

This international fashion icon is none other than Barbie and her timeless elegance truly mirrors what Plains & Prints is all about.

Anyone who would dare listen as well as people within a ten-mile radius knows how obsessed I am with Barbie. I started collecting dolls again recently (blame my boyfriend) so you might understand why I am particularly excited for this. We did an event with Plains & Prints to celebrate this launch and everything was absolutely pink-tastic. Only the best for this fashion icon, indeed!

Even my Barbie doll joined the festivities, seen here looking very fancy and featured on Super by Inquirer's Instagram!

Plains & Prints collaborated with international brand Mattel to reinvent some of Barbie’s most iconic looks for a new 10-piece capsule collection, perfect for all the holiday parties you'll be attending!

Bringing functional style and glamour together, the Barbie Loves Plains & Prints collection features pieces inspired by Barbie dolls from different eras:

All That Jazz (P2,198) inspired by All That Jazz Barbie from 1968

Ballet Wishes (P2,598) inspired by Ballet Wishes Barbie from 2013

Blush Beauty (P2,298) inspired by Blush Beauty Barbie from 2015

Chinoiserie (P2,598) inspired by Chinoiserie Red Barbie from 2004

Mod Redux (P2,198) inspired by Mod Redux Barbie from 2004

Parisienne (P2,798) inspired by Parisienne Barbie from 1959

Party Perfect (P2,498) inspired by Party Perfect Barbie from 2016

Soda Shop (P2,598) inspired by Soda Pop Barbie from 2016

Teenage Fashion (P2,198) inspired by Teenage Fashion Model Barbie from 1959

Winter Concert (P2,298) inspired by Winter Concert Barbie from 2002

Anne Curtis looks like a Barbie in real life! ♥

What I like best about this collection is that they were able to encapsulate Barbie's timelessness as a fashion icon, not reducing Barbie to a mere plaything for kids. I still don't know which one I'm going to get for myself but I'm leaning towards getting either Teenage Fashion, Mod Redux, or Soda Shop!

For every P10,000 purchase, you also get a limited edition Barbie doll wearing a piece from the collection

Barbie party with my friends Ana, Ava, and Ashley ♥

Get dolled up for the holidays with the limited edition Barbie Loves Plains & Prints collection, available at Plains & Prints stores nationwide starting today, November 7. For more information, visit Plains & Prints on their official website, Facebook Page, Twitter, and Instagram. 

I try so hard to get enough sleep every night but between all the books I want to read, all the TV shows and movies I want to see, and all the other things I want to do, time is never enough.

Dark eyes never used to be a problem for me no matter how late in the night (or early in the morning) I stay up, until about two months ago. I looked in the mirror and there they were: two dark bags staring back at me. @_@ How could this have happened? They manifested themselves more clearly last week, after indulging in a Starbucks Grande Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew resulted to myself finally drifting off to la la land at 3 AM.

Maybelline's Brighter Days Ahead gift couldn't have come at a better time.


This kit contained an Instant Age Rewind Concealer, a Magnum Big Shot Mascara, and a sassy eye mask perfect for slumber parties, attracting sweet dreams, or when I just want to be fancy.

Here's a quick review of the Instant Age Rewind Concealer and Magnum Big Shot Mascara. ♥

I never bother with concealer and mascara on ordinary days, TBH, because (a.) despite going to makeup school I never got the hang of applying concealer and I feel like I can make do without it and (b.) I tend to scratch my eyes. In hindsight, I think it's better to apply mascara to prevent myself from scratching my eyes. Hmm. At the same time, I'm at a point in my life where I'm trying to look as polished as I can so maybe I should really start getting the hang of it.

Anyway, here's my face devoid of any makeup product so I can show you a BEFORE photo:


Yep, I've started growing my hair.

Maybelline promises these two new products can instantly brighten up one's eyes in just a few easy steps and that's what we're trying to prove.

De-puff, brighten, treat and conceal ALL IN ONE! the Instant Age Rewind Concealer promises to do all these in just two easy steps. All you have to do is twist and swipe to cover up those under eye dark circles with a special cushion tip that was customized, especially for the delicate under eye area. This 2-in-1 CONCEAL + TREAT concealer has Active Formula Haloxyl, which is the main ingredient in reducing dark circles and Goji Berry to hydrate the skin, so it does more than just conceal - it treats the skin as well.

Aaand here's the customized special cushion tip after I used it:


I kinda freaked out a bit because I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing when I was twisting the cap. I was sitting there twisting and wondering why no product was coming out, twisting and wondering why no product was coming out, twisting and OH there it was! I was scared I did something wrong LOL. You'll notice immediately when the product has come out already so you don't have to worry about spillage. A little goes a long way!

After getting the product on the cushion tip all you have to do is swipe and blend, swipe and blend. You can use either a concealer brush or your ring finger. In my case I used my ring finger. Whatever you use, just make sure it's clean!


Here I must have gotten a lot more product on my left under-eye but that's fine, nothing that an adept hand and good blending skills can't handle. ;)

So, yes, it's so easy to use even for concealer noobs like me. Plus points for the conceal + treat properties! The Instant Age Rewind Concealer comes in three shades and costs P399.

Now take that bright eye to the next level and take your big shot while flaunting your fullest lash look with the NEW Magnum Big Shot Mascara! The maker of the world’s most iconic mascaras brings you the most volumizing mascara that captures the biggest shot of volume in just one stroke! Go powerful with this waterproof mascara that’s equipped with a unique Big Shot brush that features wavy bristles to fully coat each lash to deliver fuller and bolder lashes!

Some say the mascara's power lies not necessarily on the formula but on the brush. Here's what the brush looks like for those who are interested:


Here's the thing... I am genuinely curious as to why cosmetics companies feel the need to release a new mascara every other month or so. I mean, I'm not even done with the tube I'm currently using and here come new ones to try. Maybe they're trying to cater to everyone's needs [in a mascara, anyway] and some people's needs are too specific? I don't know. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. Or in this case, different mascaras for different mascara-users.

As for this specific mascara we're talking about here, it did what it was supposed to do: add volume and stay put. I have no complaints. but the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara is still my favorite. The Magnum Big Shot Mascara costs P349 and is fortified with collagen but I'm not sure what that was supposed to do in this case.

Here are the AFTER photos:




My eye bags did not magically disappear to oblivion but at least they weren't dark anymore. I look much more decent and alive, especially with color on my cheeks and lips.


Aside from the Instant Age Rewind Concealer and Magnum Big Shot Mascara, all the products I used for the rest of my face are from Maybelline: Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Powder in 220, Maybelline Fashion Brow 3D Cream Pencil in Dark Brown, Maybelline V-Face Blush Contour in Wine, and Maybelline Color Sensational Powder Matte Lipstick in Almond Pink. This is my PERFECT MLBB lippie and I'll share more swatches of this and the entire Maybelline Inti-Matte Lipstick collection on my next post!

Products are available in Maybelline counters nationwide and online over at Lazada. For more information about Maybelline, please visit their Facebook Page. In the meantime, I think I'm sticking to using the Instant Age Rewind Concealer every day so I never look tired and harried even when I am. Of course nothing still beats getting enough sleep but I'll take what I can get.

Happy Halloween! What have you been up to?

This month was probably the busiest month I've had this year, made worse with a bout with the flu. I barely noticed the days flying by, and now it's almost Christmas again!

Aside from the book launch of Beyond Vol. 2, we also did events for JBL, Sennheiser, and the launch of Barbie Loves Plains & Prints collection. The collection won't be available nationwide until November 7 but I'll show you more photos from the launch and of the pieces on my next post!

My sister also celebrated her 18th birthday this month, and it was fun-filled night attended by our extended families and her friends.

I loved that night.

While I am not looking forward to panic-buying for Christmas gifts again (like I always do), I am excited for the Justice League movie coming out this November. To kick off the pre-event promotional campaign for this movie, the Justice League #UnitedTheFans weekends were organized, starting with the Glorietta leg that happened last Friday to Saturday.

J was asked to display some of his toys, and I played the part of supportive girlfriend.




His birthday comes exactly a week before Christmas so I should start thinking of gift ideas stat. My birthday surprise for him last year came as a total shock for him but it was appreciated, so I need to top that.


He's back to racing Tamiya cars again (that pink car's mine!) so I'm glad he has another hobby to keep himself busy when he's not working. His schedule for the next months are going to be erratic and I'm not sure how we're going to see each other -- it will be like being in a long distance relationship again.


As for me, my doll collection grew exponentially over the last month. You've already met my extra tall Madeline Hatter, well J got me the regular-sized Madeline Hatter, so now I have two of my favorite Ever After High character! I also got the Adult Collector Skelita Calaveras from Monster High, shown on the first photo at the top of this post. She's so pretty despite being a skeleton! Aaand I got another Ever After High doll but I don't have a decent photo of her yet as I haven't taken her out of the box. I'm thinking I should get her out come Valentine's Day, as befitting her character, but we'll see if my EQ can stand waiting that long. ;)


Meanwhile these are a couple of beautiful babies I haven't had the chance to delve into yet: The Art of Neil Gaiman and my Daycraft Notebook from Scribe. I finished all three seasons of Bojack Horseman this month so there's that, but I just wish I have more hours in a day to accommodate all the books gathering dust in my shelves and every little nook and cranny of my house as well as all the Netflix and iflix shows and movies I want to watch.


New month coming up! I wonder where November will take us.

Back in June I hinted at working on a project with three of the best names in the local comic scene:

Me and my short hair with Hulyen, Rian Gonzales, and Mika Bacani after our first meeting in Le Petit Soufflé in SM Megamall

Four months later, and look at them now:

Hulyen, Mika Bacani, and Rian Gonzales holding their variant covers of BEYOND Vol. 2!

In a bid to celebrate creativity and innovation through modern technology, Apple Premium Reseller Beyond the Box compiled these artists’ original works in the second volume of BEYOND, a comic book compilation drawn entirely using the Apple Pencil and the iPad Pro. You may remember the first volume that featured Mervin Malonzo, Harvey Tolibao, and my idol Manix Abrera last year.  It's amazing that Beyond the Box did it again this year, this time featuring female artists.

They were given three things: an Apple Pencil, an iPad Pro, and the keyword "beyond" and they ran with it fiercely and assuredly. Mastering their new tools and the tight deadline proved to be a challenge, but they did not disappoint!


I love that they were able to showcase their own take on the theme using their respective art styles.

In my five years in this industry, this is definitely one of the projects I am proudest to have been a part of!

Lending her signature humor to her take on the classic folktale Alamat ng Pinya, Hulyen shares that Beyond gave her a new experience, “Nabigyan ako ng Beyond ng chance mag-explore ng bagong medium sa pag-drawing. Ginamit ko yung Procreate app and na-enjoy ko 'yung experience nung nag-drawing ako with the Apple Pencil at iPad Pro kasi halos tulad lang din siya ng traditional na pag-drawing with pen and paper. (Beyond provided me the chance to explore a new medium. I used the Procreate app and I enjoyed the experience using the Apple Pencil and iPad Pro because it’s almost the same as drawing with the pen and paper.)”

Describing her style as “visual problem solving”, Mika explored non-traditional comic formats with the help of the Adobe Photoshop Sketch app in her story It’s Fine. Her story depicts the emotional journey of a long-distance relationship. When asked about gender representation in the industry, Mika takes the side of neutrality. “I am not defying any gender biases and stereotypes. I’d like to consider our field as gender-neutral. As an artist, I’d like to focus on the challenges that revolve in my craft.”

On the other hand, Rian brings in an adventure about rekindling a forgotten passion with Candy Dreams. Using the Procreate app, she showed what her signature anime-slash- Lisa-Frank gouache style would look like if it were digital. “I like that I was able to draw directly on the screen using the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil, it makes the whole process easier,” says the young artist.

We launched their comic books at a special event at The Studio in Fully Booked BGC early this month, and it was so heartwarming to see their friends, readers, and fans support them and their new book! (I remember my own book launch that coincidentally happened exactly two years ago!)

Of course I got my copy signed by all three artists.




♥

Congratulations, Hulyen, Mika, and Rian! Congratulations, Beyond the Box! Thank you for inspiring and empowering Filipinos to go beyond their limitations by exploring the possibilities of their creativity using the power of modern technology. I wish this series goes on to discover and collaborate with more comics creators!

Alex, Jean, Hannah, and yours truly of ARC PR!

Get your copies of Beyond Volumes 1 and 2 at select Fully Booked branches. Fully Booked is the exclusive distributor of Beyond comics series.

It's pink, it comes from the Beauty Wonderland that is Korea straight to your doorstep in 10 to 15 days, and it can drive everyone into a beauty frenzy --- it's Althea! Now that they have developed their very own product range, I am all for it!

The first product they came up with is the Althea Petal Velvet Powder, and I'm sharing with you my review!

Althea's very own product range is here, and we're starting off strong with the Petal Velvet Powder! This debuting beauty is a translucent powder that sets makeup and leaves behind a silky finish to the touch. Infused with oil from Althea seeds, this powder works to keep sebum production at bay without drying out the skin for a radiant, fresh look, all while giving out a gentle scent. Keep your makeup looking great all day or dust some on to stay shine-free!

If, like me, you experienced dusting baby powder on your face growing up, then using loose powder like this will bring those memories back, except this one is a more "grownup" version. Being their first product, I admit I didn't have high expectations especially as I already love my Ellana Sheer Velvet Powder Primer and Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder which serve the same purpose, but of course I was willing to try this one and see if it works well.


The Althea Petal Velvet Powder is definitely more compact at 3g so it's a nice addition to any makeup kit. I would have preferred it with a mirror just so I wouldn't have to tote a separate compact, but for its P210 price tag I guess it's not so bad. The powder is very finely milled and blends nicely on the skin.


I can definitely say it's ideal for everyday use/ quick grocery runs/ casual day-outs, but I also put it to the test on a big event we did.


It makes for a great setting powder to make sure your makeup doesn't budge. It also mattifies the face and keeps the oilies at bay! My makeup definitely stayed on longer than it usually does so if you're looking for a setting powder that won't break the bank, then purchase your own from Althea Korea now! ;)