All In The Mole.

I wasn't always proud of this mole. I actually spent most of my life hating it because as I was growing up, kids just kept teasing me that it makes me look ugly and weird or maybe they were calling me "Nora" or "Gloria" ( An actress and a former president in the Philippines). It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but for kids, they made it seem like it was. Some of them even went as far as mocking me for my mole and told me that it'll grow bigger and bigger until it eats up my whole face.

It didn't really stop there. Some of the adults would comment on it that my mole looks "alive" (buhay na buhay) and would describe me to people as the really light skinned kid with a mole. I just hated being described like that and it just made me think that one day I'll have it removed. I was so convinced on removing it until I was 17. You could tell that I just hated it so much because I would even go to an extent of covering it with makeup just because I thought I looked better that way.

I later realized that this mole is what actually differentiates me from other people. It's cool to think that I could actually pull off having it on my face and being lucky that it's natural and doesn't cause any complications to my health. I then started calling it my beauty mark. What added to my confidence was looking at Norma Jean a.k.a. Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn was a very beautiful woman that her mole became a very big asset to her. Her mole was definitely natural, although a little bit faint, she would enhance it more by darkening it. She did however got tired of it in some part of her life, especially with people trying to replicate that mole, so she in a movie that she starred in, she covered up her mole. Nonetheless, she still rocked that look and I'm happy that I have the almost exact same one. (Fun fact: I was born years after the same date that Marilyn Monroe died, a few minutes difference but technically the same. Maybe that's why I feel so passionate about her?)

I'm really happy that I overcame something that everybody made fun of me for and that made me hate how I looked. I have no more plans on having my mole removed and I now want to keep it forever and I actually want people to notice it more.

I'm just really proud of it now.

Painting above is made by my friend Elix. I showed her a painting of some lips that I told her I want it done almost the same but add a mole to it. So, thank you Elix if you're reading this. Her blog will be coming soon all about her artwork, I'll keep you guys posted about that. For now, if you wanna see more of her work or if you want something to be made by her, click HERE.

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What's In My Bag? Holiday Edition

I don't really know if I ever done a what's in my bag before so I guess today would be that day. I'm warning you now though that I practically pack my whole house in my everyday bag because I'm very paranoid and would most likely need to work on it. This is a Holiday edition because I packed even more just incase I get stuck in traffic or have to wait in a long line for public transportation. 

The bag that I'm currently using since June is my Parisian bag that I got for about P1000 at the SM Department store in SM Megamall. I was so into this style and almost didn't get it because I thought P1000 was a tad pricey but it lasted me this long which is surprising because I usually break bags alot due to my overpacking. It does has some damage now on the lock and stuff so I'm thinking about getting a new one so we would see.

On the back pocket, I got my keys, my phone, my earphones, coin purse and a sharpie. I usually keep things that I would wanna grab in an instant without having to dig through everything that I put inside the bag.

On the front pocket, I keep my meds, my tissues, napkins, hair tie, doctor's prescription, my eye glasses cleaner. Sometimes I keep my grocery list in here too along with some other things that I need to return or just simply things that I should remember.

On the main zipper, you would first see my ipad, my makeup bag (which I will tell you more about what's inside soon), an extra shirt, a scarf that I can wrap myself on when I feel cold, my wallet, more hair ties, cellphone charger and a big eco bag incase I need to do some shopping which I forgot to take a photo of.

Now that I do think about it, it looks like it ain't that much but I can't deny that it feels super heavy but I just can't leave anything else behind because I'm afraid that I might need them for something and I don't have it so yea I bring a lot. 

Anything special in your holiday bag?

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5 Beauty Brands That I Wish Were In Philippines.

It is quite frustrating when you follow all these amazing makeup artist, beauty junkies / enthusiast and gurus all around the world and then you see a specific product that they use that aren't available anywhere near the place you live. Finding a legit seller online for these products are what I think is the hardest, the reason is, its more expensive than the usual price or what you would expect if it ever came to the Philippines. It's pretty crazy and you just know that you'd have to deal with those things all over again just to get a product or two that you really wanna have. Dedication, I applaud all of us for having the patience for beauty.

So these are the beauty stores that I really wish would open here in the Philippines: 
Disclaimer: Logo Images aren't mine, found them on google.

1. Urban Decay

When I was starting out with makeup and watching all these beauty gurus play around with their looks, I have always seen these NAKED palettes, foundation, etc. And this was years ago, until now, I do not own a single urban decay product because I really do wanna see them in person, swatch and match my color, or just to simply stroll by (their products are also a pretty sight).

2. Soap And Glory

Not gonna lie, I was first attracted to these products because of it's packaging. And then after awhile, I just kept hearing all the recommendations and reviews about all sorts of products from this brand. And if what I heard is true, this brand is considered to be on the drugstore range, so I'm guessing if it would open here in the Philippines, a lot of us would surely invest / try out as much as we can.

3. Rimmel London

I'm pretty jealous that this brand is so well-known + its also a drugstore. The quality, the packaging and the actual product are what I love about this brand. Knowing how affordable their products are, beauty junkies like me would most likely be happy if they finally decided to open one here since seeing how many people are already buying as much as they can from online sellers from this brand, its no doubt that this would be quite a hit in the Philippines.

4. Bath & Body Works

I often see this around youtube, their products are so cool that I tend to get upset that I realize it is available nowhere near from where I live. 

5. Kat Von D

The first product that I seen on youtube under this brand is the Shade + light palette, I know I'm kinda late on actually knowing this brand but after having to deal with not having most of the brands available in our country, I try to stay away / not listen to unfamiliar names but seriously, I just wanted that palette so much that I was pretty bummed when I knew they didn't have it in the Philippines. And is it just me or whenever I get curious about a brand, its when I see all these products that I wanna get my hands on? And it isn't just 1 or 2 products, it's a handful.

Runner ups - It is pretty hard to narrow it all down, but I definitely wanna see these brands hitting the stores in the Philippines too!
♥ Too Faced
♥ Lorac
♥ Tarte 

So what do you guys think? What brands do you want to open in the Philippines? Leave a comment down below and hopefully, these brands would answer our prayers and also make our beauty journey easier.

Also, I'm currently searching for some online beauty stores in the Philippines. I already found some but would love to have more options, so if you guys know any, do leave a comment down below. 

Thanks for reading and until the next blog!

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Things I've learned since turning 21!

It was my birthday last August 5th and now I am officially 21 years old! Oh my gosh how time flies. Anyway, here is a list of 21 things that I learned the easy way and the hard way within the years of my life. 

1. The "cliches" are cliches because they actually work.
2. In any form of relationship, the best way to maintain it is for both parties to learn to feel for 2 people rather than just themselves.
3. There is nothing wrong with spending money on things that you like as long as you could afford it.
4. Listen to your gut. If you're feeling uneasy about a situation, then you're probably right. 
5. Some of the things you learn from high school really doesn't prepare you from what to expect once you've reached the legal age.
6. Not everybody will be your friend for a long time.
7. Being bullied in school isn't the end. 
8. Do what you think is right today, the rest will just have to follow. Take one step at a time.
9. Express yourself as much as you can as long as you're not violating any rules or hurting anyone. It helps us become comfortable and confident with ourselves.
10. There is nothing wrong with making sure about your decisions. Ask questions about anything you'd wanna know before making that final decision.
11. It is fine to say no to something you really don't wanna do.
12. Everyone would always have an opinion towards you, good and bad, it's just best if you not care at all and live how you want to.
13. Know your worth, do not settle for less.
14. Sometimes, other people around you does have good intentions. Just take the time to really get to know them.
15. Be grateful for what you have today rather than missing it once its gone.
16. It's easy to say anything about or to someone, but remember that you can never take it back.
17. Every once in awhile, we will have a really hard day and it's okay to let the people around you know that.
18. We aren't alone in everything, there is always somebody out there going through the same thing.
19. Money is very important but making time to be with the people you love is much more meaningful.
20. Do not have high expectations if you do not plan on getting disappointed.
21. Being the underdog doesn't mean anything, if you are good enough to be in the competition, then you also have a good chance of winning. 

So those have been the important things that I remember and still live by and some of the things you should consider too. Most of these are advice from people I come across with and some of them I learned the hard way. When I was really young I just always thought that life isn't that hard after reading books that I thought would prepare me mentally and emotionally. Sadly, there really isn't a guide or a manual in life. Having to grow up faster than what should be was probably the shock of my life. I think no one could really fully prepare you on what life has to bring, I know that it took me awhile to get over my shock and just keep going and learn to ask questions if I really don't know what to do. Then, once I kind of got the hang of it, I learned some more ways to improve my strengths and work with my weaknesses. I'm not saying I understand life to its fullest, I'm saying that as long as I manage to smile just once through a very rough situation, I know that I'll be okay. 

Thanks for reading and until the next blog!

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What's In My Makeup Bag?

Although I may have a huge wish list on the makeup that I wanna try, I have a set from my collection that I used quite often. It does change from time to time when I wanna change up my look but these have always been a must for my everyday makeup.

So I use Benefit's Stay Flawless 15-hour Primer all over the places that need prepping and then I take my Benefit's Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation in the color "I'm so money honey" and put it all over my face. Next I use Benefit's Fake Up Concealer in the shade 02 Medium to hide my dark spots, blemishes or under my eyes. I set them using my Benefit's Hello Flawless powder in the shade "I'm cute as a bunny honey".

Before I start doing all of the over makeup, I put on my Classic Cherry Chapstick so that my lips would be moisturized enough when it's time to put lipstick. And then I fill in my eyebrows using my Drawing Eye Brow in the color #2 from Etude House. Doing my eyebrows takes up most of my time and when I'm satisfied, I apply my Color My brows in the color #2 from Etude House to set and also lighten the color of my brows to match my hair color. Next is I will be using my BYS Eyeliner Pencil in the color 31 Sky Blue for my water line just to bring out my natural dark brown eyes color. Lastly for the eyes I use my Roller Lash By: Benefit and yes, I don't need to use an eyelash curler 1 is because my mascara does the job of lifting it up and I don't really like carrying an eyelash curler. So I do love this mascara alot.

Lastly, I have 2 lipsticks in my makeup bag that I carry everyday, and they are the Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in the color Abu Dhabi and Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick in 03 Patina. I use them both depending on what color I feel like rocking that day. So I apply which one that I would like and done! Most of these guys are travel size so I don't really have a problem carrying this little kit wherever I go and is pretty much a life saver when I have to go to some event unexpected.

So those are all the products that are on my makeup bag and do tell me, Are any of these products are in your makeup bag too? Or what are some things that are in your makeup bag? I'm really thinking of changing or building a new makeup bag so do leave some suggestions below!

Thanks for reading! Until the next blog.

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