‘Tis the Season to be SEPHORA Glammin’

Happy Holidays from me!


With Christmas day coming in 11 days, I am definitely feeling the holiday rush. There is the last minute holiday shopping to buy gifts for our loved ones and food for our feasts, and also the slew of holiday parties. And because everyone is busy, we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves. And the older we get, we forget to buy clothes or makeup for ourselves for those parties because of the holiday rush (I dont know about you but its kind of a thing for me to buy new clothes for the holiday season) which is kind of sad because WE DESERVE IT, especially for those times we have worked hard to earn it. Good thing there is online shopping to make things a bit easier!

Farrah's Finds: BYS Brow Gel

It's been a long, long time since I wrote a Farrah's Finds post! But then again, it's been a long time since I found a beauty product that I liked almost instantly. Just like with my friends, I'm really picky with the products I use. If I find one I like, I stick with it for a long time. :) I was initially hesitant to buy the product because I didn't see any review for this particular product online, but I really did end up liking it so I'm doing one myself.

Eye of Horus now in Davao!

Cult favorite brand Eye of Horus is now available in Davao!

Eye of Horus is an Australian make-up brand that looks to Ancient Egypt for inspiration. Their make-up range was created for women with sensitive eyes and brittle eyelashes. Their cosmetics are infused with beeswax, ricebran, candelilla and carnauba wax as well as moringa oil, their secret to an easy-gliding, long-wearing formula that is non-irritating. I was invited to the media launch at Echostore last November 7.

Here's to (Self) Love

Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow! Here's to a "holiday" that's been the bane of my existence throughout my tumultuous, hormone-charged teen years. Here's to a day that's caused me tears (both of joy, but usually of envy and self-pity :( ) but gave me smiles and memories worth remembering too (especially during my days in UP :) ). Here's to a day I've finally come to terms with now that I'm older, "wiser" and definitely more accepting of myself.

Uncovered

It's been a week since I last blogged and since these photos were taken for Gelianne's make-up portfolio. My bloggies (blogger besties/buddies, whatever you prefer) spent Chinese New Year shooting and they were so excited about how the photos turned out that they blogged their outfit shots immediately! I'm usually the most active among us but now I'm the last one to post one of the outfits we shot. Haha.

Makeup Workshop

Last Tuesday, Kwesh, Dawn, Gelianne and I went to Rien's house for a make-up workshop conducted by her mom. I already attended the FIDA workshop 2 years ago but I didn't get to apply much of what I've learned because I (still) don't have the necessary tools. HAHA. But it's important for me to apply what I've re-learned since I'm now a blogger (charot). I have to put my best face forward, so to say.

Stuck in a Moment

Hello everyone!

I'm so sorry for "abandoning" my blog. First of all, in light of recent events, I don't think anyone would be too interested in fashion (or what I have to say about my day or my problems) because everyone is so busy helping those in need. Have you been able to help? I've been stuck home for a couple of days. We don't have school because it's our teachers' retreat. While I was supposed to have something to do (AIESEC ACON), I decided not to go. I'm kind of regretting it now; I think I'm starting to develop cabin fever.

So what have I been up to the past couple of days? Well, I've been trying to blog but since I haven't been up to much, what is there to blog about? Simply put, I'm stuck in a rut. Usually, even though I'm not too excited about stuff, I can still churn out blog entries, but this rut's different. I guess sometimes us bloggers are so in tune with our online personas, what we have to do--editing our life into something deemed blog-worthy, that we fail to see that our blogs are not our life, but mere narratives or chronicles of our lives. Sometimes, we need reminding that we are just normal humans who have boring days. It can't be all excitement. (Honestly, I loved the idea of having a blog because I thought it would promise exciting days; I know I'd always have to find something awesome to happen to me so I can blog about it. But like my mom has been reminding me, life isn't always about excitement. There are also downtimes)

So what does Farrah do when she's not blogging (or in the mood for blogging)?

I cultivate my other skills such as make-up artistry

I was practicing a Lana del Rey-inspired kind of 60's look for a shoot Aidx and I will be doing later. Sadly, I don't have enough make-up so my "brow powder" did not match my actual brows. My "brow powder" also happened to be really shimmery (1). My eye shadow was also shimmery but I picked a photo where it wasn't as (2). Heavy winged liner for the trademark 60's look (3). Contoured cheeks in bronze blusher to complete the look (4). 

Notice how the light keeps changing? I was doing make-up from 4:30-6pm.

What else did I do? I started my Trigo homework (yipee) and reading The Catcher in the Rye for English. I also tried making a database of SOUL customers because I'm OC like that. I don't really remember the rest (probably just refreshing my Facebook and Twitter feed), but I'd like to thank you guys for not abandoning my blog.

Thank God it's Friday, and thank God it's Awkward day!

Wednesday Wishlist: Birthday Edition!

Wishlist by farrahgarcia featuring a shimmer eyeshadow

Hi guys!

So, my birthday is coming up in 12 days and I will be... Forever 21. Here are some of the things I am wishing for:

1) A surprise something.
My cousins surprised me on my 18th birthday but I haven't tried being surprised by my friends. I just remembered Valentine's Day in Ateneo with the gimmicks like the flowers, signs, cakes and shiz and as much as it pains my pride to admit it, I want that. :( Though I guess I have to keep dreaming cause it's not like I'd even have someone to lunch with on my birthday. (Sorry I sound so negative, but I'm being real here) Friends, call me on my birthday at 12nn-1pm while I'm having lunch, just so I don't feel alone please :(


1. a) letters from my friends in Manila would also be nice, although I'm not counting on it cause I know they are busy.
(letters nalang cause I always give them that!!)


2) Bags.
My "dream bag" used to be a Mulberry Alexa but now I am lusting over Proenza Schouler's PS1, available in beautiful and bright colors. le sigh


3) Spiked shoes.
I have been eyeing them since forever!! They have it in Heur Sheen, Romwe, OASAP, etc!

4) Gift checks or money
('nuff said)
Cheyser, I am counting on the gift checkS, as you promised birthday buddy! =))

5) Books.
Some books I want are still here, but the list includes Perks of Being a Wallflower, Can I have your number (Sophie Kinsella), Chicken Soup books (except the first ed, teens and college cause I have those) and Gossip Girl books. Any chic lit book actually--light and fluffy, like cotton candy! :)

6) Quintessential iPhone/camera/laptop
though I doubt this will happen.

7) make-up brushes and make-up


8) Accessories
Hint: I'm a huge necklace girl!
I want those that are timeless yet make a statement and can be worn everyday; something that would last long and wouldn't tarnish easily.

Brands I am eyeing: Love Diva, Island Girl

So there! :)
Lemme just say, it was quite hard to think of stuff to ask!!

Stuff from Multiply

Pardon the boring title but I just couldn't think of anything creative!

Just showing you what I got using the Multiply Discount Code they gave at the Multiply event about 2 weeks ago. I got myself Nyx Lip Cream in Tokyo (photo on the right shows me wearing it. I love it cause it just looks natural) and I got my mother Milani Illuminating Face Powder, which can act as a blush, bronzer and highlighting powder. Both are from Digital Traincase.

I also got this book from Books for Keeps because I couldn't think of what clothes to get and I was scared they might not fit. Personally, I think my subconscious is telling me to take a break from fashion and go back to my nerdy bibliophile self. Besides, I read the first 2 books of Queen of Babble and I was dying to know what happened. BTW, she didn't end up with the guy I was rooting for! In the 1st and 2nd book, he sounded so perfect. In the 3rd book, he behaved like a total ass. (Yes, I finished reading it already!)

A tip: 

Follow Multiply on twitter (@shopatmultiply). Every so often, they have this thing called Multiply Discount Frenzy wherein they tweet discount codes so you can shop and save as much as 500php!

Manila tomorrow!

xx

Wishlist Wednesday: Christmas Edition!

Hi friendsies!

Gift ideas if you're willing to you know... spend for me. :-)

I haven't been the best girl this year and yet I've received so many blessings despite that. I haven't been big on asking for gifts. I mean, if people want to give me, then great but I don't want to be the one to tell them outright that "Hey! I want a gift from you!" But if they don't give me, then it's okay. I never really expect. Lately, I haven't been a huge gift buyer myself.

1) Filed 2012 planner

I wanna try something new. I've tried planners that have their weeks set out vertically (Belle du Jour). I still also like Belle du Jour though. I've bought BDJ for 2009 and 2010. My planner this year was a blank one from NBS cause I thought I'd be able to dooooooooooodle on it, but I didn't have enough time. I more of treated it as a diary instead of a planner though. The Filed planner has weeks set out horizontally so there's more space for my to-do's and little doodles.  :)

I'm definitely a planner girl. As in I really design them, etc. I'd love to show you photos of my past planners soon. =)

Farrah's Finds: Maybelline Lip Smooth Color Bloom

I was in the mall the other day when I found this in Watson's.

 It's the Maybelline Lip Smooth Color Bloom Lip Balm.

I wrote a post before about how dry lips are so unbecoming, especially on women. My mother always had us carry lip balms around. I like this product cause it's a lip color and lip balm in one. Perfect for me, because I don't like putting on lipstick or lip gloss, yet I complain how pale my lips are.

It appears clear, but has a really nice shade of pink when put on. It's also available in a peach color.

The best part? It only costs PHP 99! Hardly expensive!

Now, no one has an excuse to go around with dry (or pale) lips! Hahaha. 

Cheers!

*Farrah's finds is a new section on my blog which aims to share to you all my cheap yet fab finds. :)

LVL's First Blog Giveaway! ***CLOSED***

LAYERED VINTAGE LUXE TURNS ONE!

I wanted to do something special to cement my return to serious blogging, so I am happy to announce my very first giveaway!

As you can see on my blog's sidebar, I love joining giveaways, so I am just thrilled to be hosting my very first one. Remember about two weeks ago how I wrote that I attended the Natasha Beauty Soiree? I was very blessed to have them sponsor a blog giveaway for me.

Most of the loot to be given away are from Sketches, Natasha's make-up line made for teens. I also included some of the free samples we were given at the Beauty Soiree also. I opened them to take a photos only but I never used them. Would that be okay? Sorry about that. :(

FIDA Basic Make-up Workshop

Last May 12-14 (I know, it's been about 3 months! Haha. But I didn't have this blog then), I took the Basic Makeup Workshop under Archie Tolentino, Chief Makeup Artist of Maybelline Philippines (He replaced Barbi Chan when she got married). It was from 9 am-4pm, and held at the Fashion Institute of Design and Arts, a fashion school here in Davao. I took the class because I wanted to learn how to apply (as my classmates in makeup class put it) LEGIT makeup.

Pamper Me

That's a picture of me, covering my nose. My nose is huge, I feel insecure about it!

Anyway, enough about my nose.

This week was relatively stress-free. 

After Wednesday, I was able to relax. I headed over to the nail salon right after class to get a mani-pedi. I chose this purple shade from the Face Shop. I have been thinking about that shade of polish ever since I tried it out. I was supposed to buy it but I decided otherwise. 2011=better spending habits! Anyway, I also chose this because it was my grandfather's birthday that day and his favorite ice cream flavor was (is) Ube. He's in the States now; I wonder if he still gets to enjoy his favorite ice cream flavor.

Today, I got summoned to do the make-up for our batch's Ms. ChE, which is a pageant for ChE week. It's the first time we'll ever be holding that. I hope that next year, I'll be our batch's representative! hahahaha. I told my friend Heidi that that was my new motivation to lose weight. I love that woman! She's like a mother hen! Anyway, I didn't have to do a lot with regards to putting make up on our Ms ChE (mostly, eye shadow changes. haha) but I did enjoy wielding the make up brush like a pro, and helping direct the shoot a bit. :)

I headed to Trinoma afterwards to withdraw, but I ENDED UP SPENDING ALL MY MONEY. I bought a bag in Tomato--my first huge BLACK bag which I have needed for school the longest time! Anyway, there was also a hot pink one as well as a sort of greenish-gray. I swear, I am coming back for them! Before I left, I passed by the MAC counter and I was instantly drawn to the eyeliner. Other than blush, I think it's the best way to brighten up your face or call attention. Luckily, the make-up artist/saleslady (but I'd much prefer to call her make-up artist because she's legally one! yep, I asked her!) was really nice. She made me sit in the make up chair and applied liner and blush on my face. I felt like a model, at least for a little while. :)

It re-piqued my interest to go to make-up school!

So, that's how I got that photo.

PS. Good thing I covered my nose, cause I am also conscious about my upper lip. I have yet to have it waxed! Also my eyebrows, I have yet to have them fixed. Then maybe I can wear contacts. People in Chem Eng'g are contacts-crazed right now! I don't know why. My friends have been bugging me to go about it too. We'll see. I still am conscious over my nose! :|