The Big Move

Hey, guys. :) I haven't been on this blog for the longest time because I've moved to a new domain. I wasn't able to get my winawonders domain renewed so I had to get another domain. :D You guys can now find all of the things I wonder about at winapuangco.com! I would appreciate it greatly if you guys want to follow me on there or whatevs.

I'm currently working on a lot of fun projects aimed at growth in personal style and well, improving my overall outlook on life. See you guys on there and definitely let me know over there if this is what lead you there.

Thank you!

Wina

July 2013 Favorites

Soooo I know I didn't do a favorites post for June and May, mostly because a lot of the products I was using last month were either already old products or stuff I'd just started trying but I'll try to be more consistent with this, from here on in. I like doing these posts mostly because I do use a lot of cosmetics and if I don't write about it then it seems kind of like a huge waste of knowledge I could otherwise be sharing with the collective cosmetic unconscious.

 

I tried a lot of face products last month because I'm always on the hunt for good, non-sticky/non-greasy face products that either will help improve the over-all health of my skin or at least not damage it. First off is the Lancome Pure Focus Moisturizer for Oily Skin. This is hands down the best moisturizer I've ever used. (Shout out to my sis-in-law Ate Audrey who gave it to me!) It really sinks into your skin and leaves your skin feeling smooth and silky without having it feel greasy. It gets the job done and it works really well under make-up because it keeps your pores from clogging without leaving your skin feeling dry or flaky. :)

 Next is the Ever Bilena Advance Perfect Concealer. Okay. This is probably the best value for money product, ever. EB is impressing me more and more, these days: this concealer is perfect. It stays on all day, it doesn't clog your pores, it doesn't cake or make you get those weird lines under your eyes and it gets the job done. Dark circles, blemishes: BAM, concealed like a mofo! I like it way better than other more expensive concealers I've tried like the Cinema Secrets one or the Collection Last Perfection one. :)

 It's been raining like crazy lately but it's also been insanely humid, so I've refrained from using any muskier or heavier fragrances. I've been using Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh because it's light and stays on for a pretty long time (although not "all day" by any means). I could sniff this shiz forever.

 I don't think I've mentioned it on here, ever (mostly because I'm also a little embarrassed by this) but I'm a huge lipstick junkie. Lip things (although I must say, lipsticks in particular) are definitely my favorite make up bits. This month, I've been a lovin' the Pure Gloss lipgloss from Collection. I have the one in the color Lollipop and I love, love, love it. Of all lip products (balms, glosses, glasses, sheens, sticks, liquid lipsticks, tints) lipglosses are probably my least favorite. I don't like how they get all sticky and bothersome--mleh. That being said, this is one of the few glosses that don't do that. It's a really pretty, sheer pink color and it isn't sticky or too much. It sinks into the skin but still gives your lips a noticeable little lift and (obviously) gloss. :) This was P169 at the Metro Department Store.

Next are two lipsticks from Avon's new collection (click here to see the TVC--Avon names their collections and lines with really not catchy names--aka Ultra SomethingSomething and Ultimate Something--which doesn't bother me too much but they're just so difficult to remember!). I have them in the shade Crush (left) and Hot Pink (right). Beautiful!!!! I love how they go on (the formulation) and I love how they look on the skin. I had some of their Totally Kissable lipsticks too, but I found that while those felt moisturizing, the pigment just sort of sat on top of the lips and got really drying throughout the day. These don't do that and have a lot better (in my opinion) shades than he last collection. These go for P249 each. :)

 Aaaand, that's it for this month! :) Tell me how you guys like this post (either here on Twitter or message me or whatever--ya'll know where to reach me).

Kinda Bought A House!

So. As some of ya'll might know, I started up a Tumblr that was supposedly for my writing, but I felt limited by the layout and felt slightly uncomfortable with the reblog format with regard to full-length pieces of work, so I've decided on a compromise: I'll be uploading excerpts on Tumblr which will link to the full-length work over at my new online writing home of the same name: thetorturesessions.com is now live! :) I'm not sure why but putting it up feels like I bought a house or something. Weird. 

Anywho, I feel very comfortable with this arrangement and am sticking to posting up new work every Tuesdays & Fridays. I'll also be announcing cool stuff about events I'll be at this June and stuff I'll be selling, then. :D I hope you guys enjoy!

Also, I've decided that while this blog started out as a Fashion/Beauty type endeavor, I don't really have time to do that stuff anymore so I'm going to be instead focusing on events and more personal things. I will take outfit shots and do reviews from time to time but that'll no longer be the major focus of this blog. So. That's it, pancit!

How Does A Raisin Blush?

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this on here, ever but one of the jobs that I'd love to have is being the person who gets to name these make up lines and products. And when I saw this on the catalogue, I just could not believe that it was called Blushing Raisin. It's a beautiful eyeshadow quad and there is not one color on their that I wouldn't wear; this quad is like a beautiful girl named Petrifica--it just doesn't fit. :)) But ah, well. What's in a name?

The four colors that come in this quad are Brulee (top left), Rose Nude (top right), Raisin (bottom right--why, Avon, why?) and Plum (bottom left). All these colors are awesome and are super soft; I swear the texture of these is super creamy. The only thing that sucks about these is that the color pay-off isn't too good. You have to really get in there and build these up if you're using them alone. However, I've found that these go on really nicely on top of the Avon Simply Pretty Marbelized Shadow Sticks which are similar to the NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils. :)

This quad cost me P 249, also from their February catalog and it's worth it, for the most part. But if you're looking for absolute bang for your buck, then maybe this isn't the quad to get? For an additional hundred, you could get the big palette from Fashion21 or for a couple hundred more you could get one of the big ELF palettes so...yeah. This is great for stashing in your purse though and again, I love that mirror. So I'd give this a total rating of 3.5/5 because despite some of the drawbacks the colors are just too gorgeous to be pissed off about. :D

Make Up Bag Tag!

So, yesterday I was browsing through my feed and saw this post by Denise of Simone's Fashion Closet and it was just absolutely so much to read that I decided to do one of my own and tag people! :) Before we begin, I will say that I have a lot of make-up and I apologize if this post seems bitin (like it doesn't quite make sense haha) but I took the title into consideration and only decided to cover the stuff that was in my make-up bag at the moment. Hence, no eye make up (if you'd like to see that though, do leave a comment below)--I'm not fond of putting my eye make-up in my teensy make up bag because my palette is huge (Denise has the same on if you head over to her blog). So this is mostly lipstick and face products.

 Leather make-up bag. Pretty standard. Puzzle-piece design.

 My favorite lipsticks--arranged here from (L-R) the peachiest to the pinkest.

Always, Curly Sue: Hair Care!

I am currently in the process of growing my hair out; I've finally gotten sick of Twiggy-inspired pixie cuts and have made the decision to go back to the Allison Robertson-inspired mop-y dos that I used to sport. The thing about curly hair is that it has a drier cuticle than straight hair and so needs a lot more care to ensure that it grows out well. So these past few months, I've been seeing to it that my curlicues  (I sound like my mother) get all the nourishment they need.

So you guys can see how my hair's been growing (as well as how it used to be), here's a little "Hair Story" photoset (forgive the quality of some of the photos, I haven't put up a set as goofy as this since the beginnings of this blog) that I hope you guys find amusing.

(1) In 2011, I went through a really traumatic friendship break-up and decided, one night to cut all my hair off. Before the morning this decision was made (August 8th), my hair was long and curly and flowy. And stuff.

{This photo was taken from my old blog, Taft Life which is now extinct--forgive the camwhore-yness, this was back before I had an actual camera. Or a tattoo. Or a degenerative eye condition.}

Perfection Indeed!

I recently tried out the Cream Silk Perfection (full-bodied straight, every day treatment) conditioner by accident--there were free samples with everyone of my Powerbooks SALE hoarding sessions (which you can view on the I'm Reading part of this blog; check the Navigate WW bar to your right). And yeah, one day I was on a trip with Keav and I decided to bring the conditioner samples and I just fell in love with it. 

I don't usually go for products that have the word straight in them because I find that they do terrible things to my hair. I've tried out a couple of Rejoice and Palmolive products with the words straight on the label and they made my hair all sort of soggy. Plus, the straightening formula sort of uncurled by hair and that made me look very strange in deed. :)) But, yeah with this I find that the formulation is perfect for curly hair. It deals with frizz but doesn't make it so that you almost don't recognize yourself. Also, it moisturizes your hair and just gives it this beautiful silky feeling (sorry for the cheesy commercial languange haha but it's true) that lasts for 24 hours. Plus, it smells like heaven. I like a lot of smells but this definitely, definitely, definitely takes the cake.

So yeah! I'm definitely giving this a 5-star rating. Plus, the hydrating formula is perfect since I'm growing out my hair and I really, really hate it when my hair is growing out and it's dry and awkward. This is the perfect way to bypass the awkward hair stage. :) It's pretty affordable too. This is the 160 mL bottle and I got it for around P130, if I'm not mistake. It's a bit pricier than my usual Loreal conditioner but I definitely think it's worth it. :D

Beauty | Magic Lipstick

I kid you not--that's what these beautiful products are called. Okay, before that let me give you a summary of the local make-up industry as I've experienced it. Most of the locally manufactured quality make-up are sadly, local franchises of international brands like Avon, Maybelline or Loreal. It isn't often that I buy local brands because I tried once--it was Ever Bilena lipstick--and it was the worst experience of my life. It was cakey and just...terrible. Think of everything you don't want a lipstick to be and yeah...imagine putting that on your face.

Anyway, I discovered Fanny Serrano's line of cosmetics a couple of months ago and it's really quality stuff. Fanny Serrano is one of the country's beauty experts and so I wouldn't have expected less from him. The wonderful thing is that along with his designer, sort of high-end brand (FS Cosmetics) he also came out with a sort of middle-brand: Fashion21. Fashion21 is a pretty awesome make up line--I like their eyeliners; they're soft enough to blend but solid enough to stay on for a whole day. I'm not sure but I think that they're also linked to Natasha, which is one of Avon's sub-brands; they have excellent cosmetics too.

Alright, now let me get to the meat of this entry. Yesterday, me and Ina were browsing through the cosmetics section of the newly opened Metro Gaisano Department Store here in Alabang and I showed her the Fanny Serrano aisle because I am a pretty big fan of his make-up line. And there, in the Fashion21 aisle were these lipsticks by Aido. They were being sold in the same kiosk and being advertised by the same saleswomen who were selling Fashion21 so, I was brave enough to try it. The saleswomen called the line Magic Lipstick because it's a lipstick but the way it glides onto your lips is similar to lip balm. That and the color-stay power is amazing. I tried it on and jeeez louise. The Maybelline Just-Bitten line to shame. And I say that almost sadly because I love Maybelline but I also definitely believe in supporting local brands put out by local endorsers, so yeah. :)

The one I got was in the #2 shade. And I know it looks terribly girly pink in the package but once you put it on it looks pretty damn great. That's also saying a lot because I find that not a lot of local lipsticks (ironically enough) go well with morena skin.

Below is a photo of me wearing the said lipstick. :) This is an outtake photo from today's outfit post Kissed by Fire and I think this shade doesn't just do well for my face (haha) but goes well with this entire ensemble as well, which was pretty freaking awesome. I also bought another lipstick from Aido (not magic, that one though) in the shade M and it's wonderful as well. It's a more deep brown shade and is wonderfully matte. I'll do a review on that too very soon.

The best thing about these lipsticks is the price--one which you will not believe any quality product could be sold at. Each of these lipsticks goes for P50.00 each. Yes, don't worry--I know how you feel. I had a sudden flashback of all the very expensive MAC lipsticks I own as well; this was accompanied by the desire to beat my fists against the ground. Anyway. :) I hope you tries these out and let me know what you think! They should be available at your local department store--at the Fanny Serrano/Fashion21 kiosk.

Q & A on a Friday!

Hi, everyone! :) So sorry for posting the answers to your questions late! As I mentioned in my previous entry (which you'll find right below this one), I was sick this week (to go with the terrible Manila weather) and just had zero strength to get myself to the computer. :) But yeah, here are your questions received by e-mail. Requested names changed!

For next week's Q&A, send your questions in to gmd.puangco@winawonders.com as per usual! Thanks to everyone who sent their questions in!

Andy, 16 from Marikina asks: Hi, Ms. Wina! I'm morena, with very dark skin and people make fun of me in school whenever I wear blush on or bright make up. What do you recommend? Can morenas not wear make ups? 

Hi, Andy! I hope everything over there is going alright; I hear that Marikina flooded pretty badly. Anyway, I know how it feels to be made fun of because of things like that. And of course you can wear make up (btw dear, just a note--make up is plural already :))! You just have to know which type products to choose. The beautiful thing about    m,m darker morena skin is that a little bit of the right blush goes a long way. No doubt there are a million products out there that'll look cakey and terrible but there are also a couple that'll look great on sun-kissed skin! If you're looking for an affordable powder blusher that looks great on dark skin, then I'd definitely recommend ELF's coral blush (which goes for around P140, if I'm not mistaken) which is sheer and which has a hint of bronze in it that allows for natural blending into darker skin. If you want something that'll blend easier and last longer though, I'd recommend a cream blusher by NYX in Boho Chic (which is a neutral, natural type pink; this goes for around P300-P400 last I checked) or cheek tint from The Body Shop (which goes for around P400, I think). This'll blend right into your skin and give you that brown, rosy glow!

Georgy, 17 from Taguig asks: Hi Wina! I stumbled on your site from (haha) Stumble Upon and I just wanted to let you know it's great what you're doing with the Brightside Entries!

Hey, Georgy! Thanks! :) I'm so glad you enjoy them! Thanks for reading!

Apple*, 21 from Paranaque asks: Hi! I saw last week someone asked you for relationship advice so I hope you don't mind that I ask you for some too. I was wondering how do you get someone to like you? Or to ask you out? 

Hey, Apple! Of course I don't mind. Although yeah--like I said in last week's post, not sure I'm the best person to ask since I'm pretty weird with relationships. But well. Okay. Since you asked. :)) Sadly, there's no sure fire way to get anyone to like you--that's also why it feels so good when someone does like you. Although here are a couple of things I've learned over the years: be yourself, be funny (don't be afraid to make fun of yourself), always make it a point to look pretty but not overdone and finally don't ever feel bad about it if the person doesn't like you back. No one likes a sore loser. :) There will always be someone else, if this isn't the person for you. And that's it! Goodluck with your matters of the heart! :D

John Doe, 24 from Alabang asks: Hey Wina! The link to your blog keeps popping up on my feed. So THIS is what you've been up to! When'd you get into fashion?

What up John Doe. Obviously, that is not your real name. xD Anyway whoever you are, thanks for reading this blog! And I've really been a hooj fashion enthusiast ever since I was a kid--I used to draw dresses a lot and yeah; I was just a little shy since I'd always portrayed myself as kind of nerdy and smart and crazy and well yeah. You know how that goes. :))

Annie, 18 from Pasig asks: Hi, Wina! Top 5 Pet Peeves?

Hey Annie! :)) Only 5? Baahahaha

1. Being unreasonably late (reasonable = an hour, tops)

2. Complaining about something you can still do something about/a situation you chose

3. When girls insist that their boyfriends stop hanging out with their friends who are girls without them then you just end up sandwiched between a couple trying not to fight every goddamn time you hangout with them. Ick. 

4. People who use their faith as an excuse for something bad they did ("I cheated on her because it was meant to be" or "I killed her because God willed it")

5. When plans change last-minute right when you're dressed up and good-smelling already :))

That's it for the week! :) Thanks everyone!

Beauty | Khiel's Abyssine Cream

This is another one of the lovely products my uncle sent me from New York. :) This is perfect as well as my Myra moisturizer's just gone dry. So far, I'm loving this moisturizing cream. I have oily skin so it's important for me to use a moisturizer that is lightweight and I swear, this is so light it's crazy! I put it on and it's like it seeps right into the skin; there's no oiliness or greasy aftermath. 

Also, I know that this is a anti-wrinkle defense cream and that raises a lot of eyebrows as I'm 21 and don't really have a lot of wrinkles yet, but I am a huge believer in a teensy bit of prevention being worth a whole lotta cure. So I'm definitely not going to wait for my face to fall off before taking care of it. :) I think this is available at Rustan's if any of you want to check it out!

P.S. Me and Price Tag's giveaway is still open. :) You can still win some starshine over here. This is only open up until tomorrow so hurry hurry hurry!

Favorite Things | Shiseido Baby

 Today, I bought this Shiseido pressed powder compact. I'm not usually into compact powders but I bought this one from Trizh's aunt because it's a medicated oil-control powder that is translucent so it doesn't leave your skin feeling as though you've put anything on it at all. Plus it's super effective--although it helps if you use oil control paper first (if you're applying the powder within the day) to rid your skin of dirt (hence, not soiling the wonderfully soft puff that comes with it) or applying the powder in the morning post-moisturizer so the powder has something to cling to. I should do a morning make-up routine post soon. :) Definitely a thumbs-up on this, although I'll review it thoroughly when I've gotten the chance to try it for longer (more than 8 hours).

Favorite Things | Manicure Mondays

So today I found myself in Taft, with the most terrible chipped nails. I delivered a couple of things to my good friend and editor Akire + had coffee at McDonald's (because that's what broke people like to do). And then because I couldn't stand the unsightly condition my nails were in, I decided to treat Akire to a manicure at this place in UM (University Mall) that I'd only ever glimpsed from the outside. It's called B.A.R. (Beauty & Relaxation) and is bar-themed. It's really, really clever what they did: they've got cocknails, eyes bucket and other quirky services. Hilarious. :)) And I spied a couple of bottles of Absolut behind the counter so I'm guessing that you really can have a cocktail to go with those fabulous cuticles. :)

Here are a couple of snappies from Manicure Monday!

 I cannot express how sick I am of Taft Avenue and how unappealing the thought of seeing it everyday again this coming week is--but that's life. :))

 Akire's bag of goodies! :)