TOPAZ HORIZON

Omigosh, Mother's Day is upon us! What are you getting your mommy to show her your appreciation? If I may make a suggestion, check out Ni-QUA's Mother's Day gift: a piña cover-up and a mother-of-pearl and leather necklace!
The gift comes packaged like so: the cover-up in a pouch of the same material, and the necklace in a satin-lined suede envelope. Yes, it's two gifts in one!

The necklace features five pieces of golden mother-of-pearl linked together with golden chains. You tie this around the neck with soft leather bands. It's very light on the neck and the gold hues really flatter your face.

The piña cover-up comes in two colors: black and taupe. I got taupe. It's light enough to wear even here in the tropics but the weave does offer warmth when the night (or the office) gets cold.

 Here's the cover-up and the necklace on a real mommy: me!

The back flows behind you like a cape (because moms are superwomen, diba?). You can wrap it around your body when it gets cold or when you need coverage (for breastfeeding your baby, for example).

Get one for your mommy now! Only available at the online shop of Proudly Pinoy brand Ni-QUA. Shop now!

* * * * * * *
P.S.
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Love me on Bloglovin'

Good Monday morning, beautiful readers! I know all my posts lately have been about beauty products but I promise this isn't turning into a beauty blog. It's just that I've been mostly at home being a mom (for those adventures, you can check Topaz Mommy!) so I just write about the stuff that's making this pregnancy a beautiful one: beauty products!

Anyway, I did venture out of the house last week because Lancôme, one of my favorite brands in the world, invited me to an intimate brunch at Manila Peninsula to launch the new Lancôme Absolue Golden Glow, its latest luxurious skincare line created after 20 years of research into skin stem cells. Skin will look younger with a distinct golden glow. I'm super excited to try this line!

Here I am with Sasu Hurme, Lancôme's product manager. He was amazed that this was my third pregnancy, and said very kindly, "Your husband must be so very happy." He is, he is, Sasu! That's why I need to make myself beautiful for him because he makes me happy, too!

Here are a few products from the new Absolue Golden Glow collection. Inspired by nature's endless regeneration abilities, this skincare line uses precious oils from flowers, extraxts from linseed and chlorella, and Pro-Xylane technology which produced Lancôme's most effective anti-aging molecule.

Oh yes, there's makeup, too! This is the foundation but it's really a skincare product because it contains the same ingredients as the Regenerating Oleo-Serum so with each use, your skin becomes more radiant, wrinkles and fine lines fade, skin is infused with a healthy glow.

We also had a chance to check out the other anti-aging products from the Lancôme family:

(black bottle) There's Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate, to use after toner and before serum. This is what Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, uses!

(blue products) The Visionnaire line boasts that women who use it stopped or delayed cosmetic clinical procedures! This refines skin—pores and fine lines seem to disappear, texture improves and smoothens.

(black jars) Absolue L'Extrait. These are skin elixirs for erasing lines. A clinical study showed that with just 11 weeks' use, there was remarkable improvement in forehead wrinkles, frown lines, crow's feet, undereye wrinkles, nasolabial fold, and lines around the mouth.

(white and gold products) Absolue Premium promises extreme moisture to plump up skin.

At the event, we also got skin consultations and luxe facials. I didn't avail of the facial since I've already bought facial treatments at Lancôme Shangri-la Plaza. Drop by the Lancôme counters/shops and ask about their facials. They are so relaxing and makes me gorgeous!  

Anyway! Here's my Lancôme loot from the event:

A small vanity kit in gold leatherette.

Golden boxes inside!

Oh my! I die! I die!

The Absolue Sublime Rejuvenating Essence Foundation. A full size tube costs Php 3995.

The Absolue UV Global Youth Protector SPF 50, Php 3595. I love Lancôme's sunscreens! They're some of the best!

The Absolue Yeux Global Multi-Restorative Eye Concentrate, Php 6995. Can't wait to try this!!!

The Hypnôse Star mascara. Lancôme's mascaras always make it on the favorites of beauty editors and makeup artists!

I'll use these products after I give birth and I'll give a proper review.

For more information, visit the Lancôme website, or their shops and boutiques at Greenbelt 5, Rustan's Shangri-la Plaza, Rustan's Makati and Rustan's Alabang. Like the Lancôme Philippines Facebook page. Follow them on Twitter and Instagram (both @LancomePH).

* * * * * * *
P.S.
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Love me on Bloglovin'

Just a few weeks ago, I blogged about being a redhead. Well, I'm not a redhead anymore. It's been a month and I've adjusted to my new darkness.

My hairstylist, Louis Phillip Kee, decided it was time for me to go dark since I can't maintain my red. That's the big deal with coloring your hair with hues so different from your original hair color: You have to maintain the roots with frequent visits to the salon. Since I go to the salon twice a year (believe it or not!), my roots are crazy long, as you can see in this photo:

So Louis said it's time to color my hair back to dark brown. Sigh. I'm going to miss being red but he's right. I also wanted to keep my hair long and Louis usually goes along with his client's wishes, but this time he pointed out that no amount of hair treatment would fix my dry ends (as you can see here). So he advised me to chop it off.

And he did! I feel lighter and fresher and my hair is so soft and healthy again!
I like my healthy hair but I do miss the red. I'll go red again maybe two years from now, when my about-to-be-born baby is old enough to allow me more frequent visits to the salon.

The thing with shoulder-length hair is it's tricky to style. My hair is naturally wavy so it follows the curve of my neck when it meets my shoulders, as you can see here:

So I'm super glad my friend Mariel gave me Moroccanoil because my hair looks this fabulous even after I just took a shower here at home (do you see my waffle robe?).

* * * * * * *
P.S.
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Love me on Bloglovin'

I rarely attend events now because I'm so pregnant and I don't like being stuck in traffic, so I appreciate events that are scheduled in the morning. I'm fresh and happy and relaxed, then I have the rest of the day to enjoy! When Polish beauty brand Inglot held a brunch at the Early Bird Breakfast Club for beauty editors and beauty bloggers a few weeks ago, I just had to go!

Inglot launched here in Manila late last year, with a store at Glorietta 5. Now they wanted us to share with you ladies their summer collection. It's real purty!

Model Jasmine Maierhoffer showcases the summer collection that makeup artist Mickey See painted on her face. As you can see, the summer colors are all about pretty pinks, flawless skin and freshness!

Here are the new colors of the Bright'N'Matte lipsticks. The colors you see on the tube are the colors you'll see swiped on your lips. Yes, the purple is really purple! I have never ever tried purple lipstick before. I shoulda given it a go!

Here are the HD Illuminizing Powders, with premium silicons powders for perfect for a matte and smooth finish, but your face won't look flat because of the diamond dust (meaning you can use it to highlight). I do need highlighter. I used to use highlighter—I'd dust it on my brow bone, the tops of my cheekbones, the bridge of my nose, my collarbones. I wasn't able to try this one either, though! I was too busy chatting up fellow bloggers! Oops!

Thank goodness I was able to take home a blush from the new Fusion Blush and Illuminator collection! I love blushes. They make me look less ghostly and more rosy, healthy, young, pretty. Just a little bit and I have color already! What I especially love about this blush is the illuminating part (that's the smaller, lighter part).

Then, for the girl with the sparkly personality, these nail polishes from the Pro Perfection Sparkling Nail Art Enamel! Ang haba ng pangalan! I'm a boring nail polish girl—I have a ton of pinks and beiges (ridiculous amounts really), although I do have a few bottles of reds and golds and blues. But these glitter polishes look perfect for a night of summer fun.

And now for pictures of moi at the brunch! 
I haven't cut and colored my hair yet! I'm with my friend, Tara Cabullo, who blogs at Chronicles of Vanity.

With Pauline Lim of Inglot (in white) and PR consultant Martha Sta. Barbara who blogs at The Beauty Junkee.

Find out more about Inglot's summer collection at their store in Glorietta 5, Ayala Center, Makati, or at the Inglot Philippines Facebook page. Have a colorful summer!

* * * * * * *
P.S.
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Love me on Bloglovin'

Got this from a friend's Facebook feed.

Say it, girl.

* * * * * * *
P.S.
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Love me on Bloglovin'

My friend Mariel, who blogs at NY Minute Now, is based in NYC and works for Moroccanoil. So when she breezed through town last week for a really quick visit, she gave me a few products. Now, I've known about Moroccanoil for years. As a Hollywood fan and former celebrity magazine editor, I've seen this oil keep cropping up on lists of celebrity beauty secrets.

Kim Kardashian told Elle UK: "Moroccanoil really helps to smooth my hair and makes it so soft."

Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas told Marie Claire, "I use this at night and it leaves my hair really soft."

Lauren Conrad told website Fashion Fantabulous, "Moroccanoil is my go-to hair product."

Katy Perry discovered Moroccanoil from ex-husband Russell Brand. She told Popsugar.com, "He's very protective of his hair... It's really beautiful. He uses the Moroccanoil stuff, which I love. I use it, too, but sometimes he catches me because it has a really nice, potent scent, and he's like [sniffing], 'Have you been using my products?'''

Other celebrity fans are Kristen Stewart, Lady Gaga, Amy Adams, Emma Stone, Minka Kelly, Emily Blunt, Faith Hill, Diane Kreuger, Scarlett Johansson, Zooey Deschanel, Ashley Simpson, Jordana Brewster, Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood, and lots more!

So I was super excited about my new product! I've used other argan oils, my favorite being the one from Souq Organics, but I prefer using it on my face because when I tried it on my hair, it weighed down my super fine baby hair.

When Mariel gave me the tiny bottle above, I unscrewed the cap, took one whiff and was put off by the strong scent. It's not unpleasant, but it's—how do I describe it—it smells like it came from the Middle East, you know musky, heady, heavy. Then when I tried the oil on my fingers, it was thick and velvety. I figured, "This is going to coat my hair and make it greasy!"

But look look look!

My hair was so light and bouncy and soft and smooth all day long! And the scent? It didn't stick to my hair that much. I love my Moroccanoil hair!

This was what it looked like the next day. Still smooth and soft and glossy. I didn't wash my hair for another day (I wash my hair only twice a week since all the beauty experts say washing is very bad for hair and scalp) and yet my hair didn't become oily or heavy. It just remained glossy and gorgeous.

I love Moroccanoil! Here's how to use it:


Now where to buy it? I asked my beauty editor friends and they said they've seen it at high-end salons. I'm happy to say that it's available at my hairstylist's salon, Louis Phillip Kee Premier Salons! He has branches at BGC, Libis and Quezon City.

This product is not cheap, however. A tiny bottle is at least Php 1,000. I'm still trying to check if it will be cheaper if I just buy from the US and have it shipped here. Nevertheless, I am hooked. I will use Moroccanoil—and no other argan oil!—on my hair forever!!!

Mariel! Thanks again for my pasalubong! I love it!

UPDATE: Buy from BeautyMNL!

* * * * * * *
P.S.
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Love me on Bloglovin'

In case you didn't know, the VW Beetle is my absolute dream car since I was a little girl. I remember thumbing through my Papa's collection of old Reader's Digest magazines and loving the Beetle ads. It was unlike any car I've ever seen and I wished with all my little girl's heart that one day I'd own one.

So when I saw on my Facebook newsfeed that the Beetle is back in the Philippines, I got really excited! I actually went to the VW showroom in Bonifacio High Street after a client meeting just so I can see, touch, smell and love the new Beetle!


The Beetle is probably the most iconic car of all time. Well, that's my opinion. I'm no car expert so when I look out my window and watch cars passing by, if you took away all the logos, I wouldn't know what the car brand is. But one look at the Beetle—even without the logo—and everyone knows what that car is!

The iconic shape hasn't changed much since 1939, although of course, with the advent of modern times and technology, the Beetle had to undergo a few tweaks here and there to cater to the evolving taste of car lovers.

How does one redesign a classic, though? Just make it cleaner, wider, longer, bigger, but still remaining true to its perfectly rounded shape!

I try to learn something new every year. I guess it should be "I try to learn something new every day" but I'm a mom and, believe me, I learn something new about myself, my kids, my husband, about life and about God every single day! So I try to take up something so completely far off from my everyday life. Last year, it was doll-making. This year, I learned how to make shoes. Or sandals, to be more specific. It is one of the most difficult things I've ever done!

The idea came to me suddenly as I was idly scrolling down my Facebook feed last month. I'm subscribed to the page of Craft MNL, which hosts regular crafts workshops. I'm actually not a crafty person. I'll do the occasional homemade cards but that's about it! Still, I subscribed to Craft MNL because I wanted to learn a skill, in case the world decides it doesn't need writers anymore haha. Anyway, I saw that Craft MNL had partnered with Renegade Folk to offer a shoemaking workshop, and I signed up!

The fee to the workshop is Php 3,000. The style of shoes we were going to make is called Summer Breeze and it's for sale on the Renegade Folk website for Php 1,450. So the workshop fee is actually Php 1,550 and that covers the venue, the tools (cutter, hammer, screwdrivers) and the instructor fee.

There were lots of straps since we were making strappy sandals. There was plain leather (silver, neon yellow, nude) and snakeskin leather (pink, nude). I chose pink, of course!

The soles were already pre-cut and pre-holed. Hehe, I made that term up. We had to squeeze the straps into the holes. That was not easy at all. We had to use screwdrivers to make the holes bigger.

Then we used a special set of pliers to pull the strap through the hole. All you need is half an inch of strap for each hole. Snip away the extra length.

Two holes down, eight more to go! That's just one shoe! My fingers were not happy at all, even though I looked happy in the photo haha

Yup, the bottom holes are for two straps each so that was an extra difficult step. Anyway, once all straps are in, you fit a foot form into the sandal, tighten the straps around it, then cut off the excess straps.

Tada!

So here's the assembled shoe. The insole with the straps, welt, outsole and heel.

Being pregnant, I had to step out of the room when it was time to apply the rugby to the welt. Our instructor (I forgot his name!) had to do that step for me. I do think that that was one failing of the workshop—the venue. Since we were going to be working with rugby, we should've been outdoors, or at least in a well-ventilated garage. Inhaling rugby fumes is not good!

Anyway, after applying the rugby and letting its sticky magic work for a few minutes, you help the sticky process out by hammering the welt and insole together. I suppose this is to get rid of air bubbles? The hammering step wasn't explained but hammer away we did! I also hit my thumb with the hammer. Ouch.

Once you've hammered in the welt to the insole, the straps underneath will make the welt bulge out. This is not going to be comfortable to your feet so you take a sharp knife or a cutter to level the material. This is careful work. You can slice yourself! After my hammer-meets-thumb incident, I did this slicing step very carefully.

And here it is! My almost finished sandals! Pretty! We had to leave them with the Renegade Folk people so that they can finish it by sanding the sides so that all the soles are perfectly aligned. But I took a photo of me wearing my new sandals (that I made myself!) and shared it with all my Instagram and Facebook followers:
Excuse the swollen pregnant feet and ankles! I insisted on getting my real shoe size (US 6) since my feet always go back to normal two to three months after giving birth. So there! I now know how to make sandals. I have a deeper appreciation for all my shoes now. Also, I am never going to buy cheap shoes ever again. The amount of work that goes into a single pair is amazing. That work should be compensated well so I guess cheap shoes mean the brand is paying slave wages to their shoemakers!

To shop from Renegade Folk, click here.

To check out Craft MNL's workshops, click here.

Now you know what to do this summer!

* * * * * * *
P.S.
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Love me on Bloglovin'