My make up essentials for everyday (the 2020 version)

Saturday, January 4, 2020 • ,

Let's get the pretty started!

It's been two years since the last time I posted about superficial stuff, and god, how I missed it!

I do not have a lot of things in my make up bag - I successfully downsized the makeup products I own to the ones I only use on a regular basis. I think as you get older, you'll develop the habit of keeping it basic, buying just the things you need and stop wasting money for stuff that won't kill you not to have (or maybe this is just me, idk). For how long I can keep this, I don't know - because soon there's a package somewhere full of make-up on its way to my doorstep. But for now, here are the make up products I use everyday. 

Face



I categorise sunscreen as a skincare product so it's going to appear on a different entry (please watch out for it) and I only use primers when I feel so extra in the morning, or to make sure that my make up stays in place for when I have somewhere else to go after work . I was never the foundation girl - bb creams and cc creams are my go to if only to put a barrier between my face and the pollution of Metro Manila. The BLK Universal Skin Tint Sun Shield in Butterscotch is what I use these days - it makes me look fresh and glowing, plus it has a satin finish so my skin doesn't look too flat after I apply it. Then I am going to set this with Maybelline Pressed Powder, the powder I've been using ever since the beginning of time. I've tried other powders, but I always come back to this. I guess first love never really dies. 

Eyes



If to others, kilay is life, mine is eyeliner is life because it does wonders to my eyes. My favourite Essence Long Lasting Eyeliner was out of stock when I went to buy one, so I decided to pick up another brand and I ended up with the Easy Eyeliner in Black from The Saem. For the mascara, I wanted to try something different so I ended up with the Perfect Curling Mascara also from The Saem. Not that I don't like the way this works, but I feel like I'm gonna end up getting the Maybelline Hypercurl Volume Mascara again when I'm done with this one (haha!). For the brows, I don't need a lot of product, just the Defining Eyebrow Pencil from The Face Shop does the job in filling my brows, and I'll just brush the hairs in place using its spoolie.

Multi-Purpose Products



Eversince I've discovered BLK's Creamy Cheek Paint, cream blushes have become my favourite tint of all time. I love how cream blushes dissolve in my skin and and make me look like I'm perpetually smitten, or embarrassed. I got the Glam Pocket in The Bomb from Skin Potions for Christmas and I easily became obsessed with it. Its peachy shade gives me that natural flush, if not a drunk blush effect depending on how I applied it. What's more, it also comes with a highlighter, a make up product I just discovered last year, and I'm just in love with how it gives me the glow I need (now I'm like where are the highlighters all my life?!). The Colourette Coloursnap in Lucky is also a bomb, if I want that pinkish glow, while the Water Fit Tint in Picnic Red from The Face Shop is perfect for when I am after the Korean ombre red lips. Oh and yeah. Glam Pocket and Coloursnap also works as eyeshadow, for that monochrome effect. 

Lips



Oh yes, I currently own four shades of lippies, all from BLK and I love just how I was able to keep myself from buying more! I figured I only need two shades though, a nude and a bolder color so I picked these Mini Soft Matte Mousse in Garnet and Rose Quartz for this entry. The formula is so soft and creamy, a far cry from the matte lipsticks that dominate the market these days that do nothing but make my lips dry and dull. I use Rose Quartz everyday, while Garnet is for when of course, I want to look fiercer. I also have my go-to lip balm, the Born Lippy from The Body Shop to keep my lips moisturised. The Outrageous Plump Lip Gloss in Rose Oversize is also in my stash for that plump, glossy, 90s lips. 

See, I don't need a lot of makeup products for everyday, and I can even have upgraded glam looks just with all the products mentioned in here. And yes, with these products I can make myself look so put together within 6 minutes, tops. But always keep in mind that these are just superficial stuff, and that happy girls are the prettiest so always keep that smile because that's the most beautiful accessory you can ever have. 

Stay happy, and pretty. 

xo
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#BackToBasics2020: What's life like the past decade

Wednesday, January 1, 2020 •

Time flies by when you're having fun - this is what I always say whenever I feel like I am running out of time to meet deadlines, or catch myself wondering where the days have gone. Another decade has come to an end, yet oddly, it feels like it was just yesterday when it began. I was going thru my drive the other day in an attempt to delete unnecessary files when I came across pictures that depicted how the past ten years unfolded. Some of them were blurry (phone cameras sucked 7-10 years ago) and most of them were raw and filter-free. Looking back, I felt nostalgia and longing - those were the good old days frozen in time where I can never go back to, yet I'm glad because they happened.

2010


July 2010

It's my fourth year in the BPO, which meant I had been spending 3 Christmases and 3 New Years at work. It was around this time when I discovered eyeliners and the wonders they could do to my eyes. Hoop earrings were also my thing, along with mini-dresses, denim jeans, fitted shirts, hoodies, Converse sneakers, and sling bags. Life wasn't that hard, and I'd been listening to Avril, Linkin' Park and Backstreet Boys on my phone, thru the downloaded Youtube videos I converted to mp3s.

2011


May or June, 2011

Nothing much has changed, except for the hair, which was longer and rebonded. I gave up the hoop earrings in favor of stud earrings because I thought they made me look more feminine. Though I was still a fan of Converse sneakers, denim jeans, and shirt, I grabbed my empire tops, denim skirts, and ballet flats more often. I could no longer remember what was my reference for this style, I only remember how I loved the way I looked in that ensemble. This was also the year when I got fond of red lipsticks and nail polish in bold colors.

2012


2012

My health was starting to deteriorate during this year. My eyelids began to droop and my vision sometimes doubled, which I thought was due to stress and the toxicity of my job. There were times when I couldn't swallow my food and my speech were slurred. I had to be on medical leave for 6 weeks, and a doctor later told me that I have multiple sclerosis, a condition that was showcased in one of my favorite novels and deemed to be fatal. Another doctor said it was GBS. Later that year, I was rushed to the emergency and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, and was told that my final diagnosis was myasthenia gravis. 

2013


December, 2013

This was the darkest year of the past decade. I had to leave my job at the beginning of the year as my myasthenic symptoms worsened. I couldn't get off the bed - it was too difficult to brush my teeth and comb my hair. Going to the bathroom was a struggle, and it's a good day when I could eat a full meal. Decent meals meant porridge or bananas and milk. Mid-year I was rushed to the emergency and once again admitted to the ICU, and stayed in the hospital for a total of 6 weeks. It was due to a myasthenic crisis, and my respiratory muscles were already affected because of pneumonia (infections of any kind have become my mortal enemy). I could no longer breathe on my own and I had to be put on respirator. It was a kind of nightmare that I was too scared to wake up from, because I might fall asleep and dream of it again and I didn't want that to happen. But I survived, thru the prayers of my family and friends, I lived to write this and share my story.

2014


August, 2014

Things weren't better, but certainly got more favorable than the previous year. I had to be on respirator once again, this time I stayed in the hospital for three weeks. September of that year, I went to a different hospital to seek better treatment and government-subsidized medicines. There I met the doctor who made the difference, and he later recommended me for thymectomy. Christmas eve of that year, I received the complimentary copies of Destiny Cheated Me from Lifebooks, the first book published under my name.

2015


MIBF, September, 2015

This is my moon-face year. I was on Prednisone after my last hospital confinement which was earlier in the year (this was just in the regular ward due to an infection, not ICU). Things are finally getting better. I started a new career path as an online freelancer. I read and reviewed books for a fee, wrote for online content, and edited manuscripts for publishing (I still do book reviews and editing manuscripts until now). I attended a writing workshop that allowed me to release an electronic copy of what would be my first self-published book. October of that year, Come and Rescue Me was published by Lifebooks.

2016


PGH, June 2016

After I launched three books, I finally underwent thymectomy in June. It's a surgical procedure where thymoma is removed, the alleged cause of my excessive antibodies that results in MG symptoms (this is how I understood it, please ask a medical professional for verified information). October of this year, my second self-published book, If I Knew Then is released in the market. 

2017




I regarded this year as my Year of Great Photos. 2017 was basically a happy year -  I was glowing, clad in skater dresses and pastel-colored accessories. Red lipsticks became my thing again, though I completely gave up on denim jeans and Converse sneakers as they proved to be an inconvenience and a lot of work to a myasthenia gravis patient. Lifebooks printed another book under my name, May Forever Nga Ba? I also wrote a short story which became part of an anthology launched on October that year.  

2018




This is the year when I got in to the corporate world. I was able to get a 9-5 job that's too considerate of my condition. That same year I launched Right Where You Left Me, two days after my birthday. That was also the year when I started eating healthier food. By the last quarter, things got a little bitter, as I had to leave the organization I helped established. 

2019


December 2019

Not much happened this year (but here's the summary for you). I had no books to launch, or even a huge project to execute. Basically, I got sidetracked, my worries and useless anxieties took me over. To be very honest, I had no idea what happened to me. Maybe I was too stressed. Or disillusioned. Or I got demotivated. I even got to a point where I wondered if I was still surrounded by the right people.

But on top of this all, I am grateful. I am grateful for the fact that I was obviously guided by God. It was so hard for me to understand what He was trying to tell me, and to know and accept the things I must let go so I could move forward. He was there all along, surrounding me with the right people in moments when I ran out of hope and didn't know what to do. I was never alone.

Writing this entry has helped me come up with how I am going to approach the new year, since I want to spend it spontaneously. As I went back and reviewed the things I did, I am also reminded of where I got the strength to make those things happen (thank God for everything!). Maybe I should go back to where I started. What were my motivations to write the books I've written? What made me look forward to dress up and look put together? What was my ultimate reason for waking up in the morning (or at night, from 2010 to 2012 since I was on graveyard shift). Going back to basics must be the right thing to do, don't you think?

xo
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In 2020, I have no goals

Tuesday, December 31, 2019 •

If there is one thing I regret doing in 2019, it's all the time I spent scrolling mindlessly on my social media apps.

Baler, April 2019

2019 was supposed to be a year of adventures, new discoveries, and accomplishments. I wanted to meet new people, visit new places, sit on a new table dining, and try to do things I've never done before. The first weeks of the year were full of excitement and hope, as I thought of the stories I'd be sharing about the new things I would learn. But I guess I wasn't meant to do all that. Instead, 2019 became a year of self-discovery, discernment, and cultivating my existing relationships with other people.

Work peepz. Only two people in this photo are still in the company. Guess who!


College friends, February 2019

I've read somewhere that if you do not have the need to filter the words you say, it means you're with the right people. I proved this to be true, on so many levels. I learned to accept the fact that I cannot please everyone, that some people would take offense on what I'm saying regardless if it's a joke or not. And I understood that I do not have to change the things about me that makes me who I am just to appease these people. That it's okay to walk away and choose to be with those who'd tell me I'm going overboard without depriving me of my right to speak my mind.

CCP Theater, March 2019


Mother Falls, Baler Aurora, April 2019

Social media is not a cure for boredom, that I also discovered. It only increased my anxiety of being in a place I thought I don't want to be. I convinced myself that I am just getting some inspiration from other people’s Instagram feed on where to go next and what to do in that place. I tricked myself into thinking that watching makeup tutorials and how-to-be-productive vlogs on Youtube will motivate me to finally get off the bed, take shower and do my own thing. Looking back, I could have read more books, or added more words to my WIPs, or soaked myself in the sun (not that I am allowed to do that for long periods of time). I've always said that the time I enjoyed wasting is not wasted time at all. Did I enjoy wasting time on social media? Maybe? But I definitely regret it.

Taytay, May 2019

National Museum of Natural History, June 2019

I also denied myself a lot of opportunities in 2019. Opportunities that could have helped me in my long-term goals. Did I fail to find the time? Maybe. Did I lose the motivation? Probably. I do not have any concrete reason for saying no to most of them. The only thing I can remember is that I wasn't ready to do any of them. I got too busy planning for just one simple project, worrying about the possibilities of failure and rejection that I ran out of time to actually execute those plans and get the project in action. It was too late when I figured that ready or not, I should've just taken them. Started doing them. Who knew, maybe my unreadiness could've actually made me the best person to do it.

#TeamRickyLee, July 2019

With Papa, August 2019

Though I missed a lot of things this year, it wasn't just all about my regret of not doing things. Because while I failed to find the time to work on my long-term goals, I was able to spend the time with the people and things that mattered. I didn't go to a lot of new places, but I was able to go out with my some of my favorite people and talked to them about just anything over cups of coffee and expensive pasta in an overrated place where you pay not for food but for the experience. New people in an old place meant new experience. New place with old people meant new memories.

Ohana, September 2019

Himala, Isang Musikal, September 2019

Did I accomplish any of my goals in 2019? A little bit. But I definitely could have done more things.

My MG peepz (Spill The Tea Sisters), October 2019

With Pat and Kim, November 2019

So in 2020, there are no goals. I am not setting myself anything to accomplish for this year (apart from the one that my high school friends and I are cooking up since last year). In 2020, I just want to live. It’s way too hard to be an inspiration to other people when you, yourself are not inspired enough to do exciting things. This year, I’ll keep myself from planning ahead and just do what I feel and think is right. This year, I’ll count the number of moments, and not the things I need to prepare in order to enjoy that moment. I have to keep in mind that happiness, sadness, and anger are feelings, and therefore it’s okay to feel them along the way. I do not want to plan on how to be happy. I want to be happy.

Lam-Ang, CCP Theater, December 2019

In 2020, I have no goals. I just want to laugh. Cry. Breathe. Live.

And maybe just delete my social media apps.

Cheers to a better year ahead of us. Stay weird.

xo
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Himala: Isang Musikal gave me an intimate, one-of-a-kind, magnificent experience

Tuesday, September 24, 2019 • , ,

There's not much that I know about the Himala film of 1982, except for one, the main lead was Nora Aunor; two, it was written by Ricky Lee; and three, the film is constantly played in local TV stations during the Holy Week. When I saw the poster of the musical I got thrilled, and told myself that I should see it after 2 musicals slipped off me. Plus it's a Ricky Lee classic. So I got myself a ticket to one of the shows during the opening week. Turns out, it's going to be one of the best things I forced myself into. 


The venue isn't that huge - I suppose the PowerMac Center Spotlight can hold not more than 500 people. The audience surrounded the stage, kinda like what they did in Si Saldang, Si Marvin at ang Halimaw ng Gabi that reminded me of the classroom-held plays back in high school. The performers didn't require lapels and microphones, and there was only a single piano that accompanied their powerful theatrical voices. They didn't have makeup (maybe except for Nimia and her pouty red lips relevant to her role) and their clothes were typical of the neigborhood where I grew up. I was sitting on the first row and it allowed me an up-close and intimate moment the entire show, like I was one of the casts - albeit a mere expectator but still part of the production. 


With Elsa

I'm not gonna lie, I got sad when I realized it wasn't Aicelle that's gonna be playing Elsa in the show I was in. But my sadness dissipated within the next five seconds because Celine Fabie is just splendid - she and her powerful voice gave me goosebumps in various parts of the show. Then there's our favorite pokpok, Kakki Teodoro who plays Nimia, Cupang's cabaret owner and for many times I am reminded of the people I've met in my life who were too relatable to her character (or similar). I've read somewhere that it's not impressive when art imitates life too closely but to hell with them because I stan relatable art. And I am not just talking about Nimia, but also Orly the journalist played by David Ezra who was staying at Cupang only to make a name for himself out of Elsa's alleged miraculous faith healing. And of course, how can I forget Chayong and Pilo, played by Neomi Gonzales and Sandino Martin respectively - the lovers whose dreams and future plans brought me back to when I was a kid and my aunt would listen to drama series in the AM station at two in the afternoon. Needless to say, I drowned in nostalgia and familiarity. 

This is Nimia and Orly.

I can no longer remember the story from the 3-decade old film. And even if I still do, I suspect I'd still have the same goosebumps, speed of heartbeat, and teary eyes during what have become my favorite scenes. Himala isn't just Elsa's story. No, it's not even just Barrio Cupang's story. It's about us, the Filipinos, who made fanaticism and relying to miracles a tradition and our ultimate salvation. It's about us who claim to be afraid of God and yet we practice faithless religion. The magnificent portrayals of the characters though, is another story. Everyone should watch it. 
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The making of Right Where You Left Me

Sunday, September 15, 2019 • , ,

Right Where You Left Me is my latest release to date – I introduced it to the world in April last year, two days after my birthday. It was supposed to be for a workshop but I wasn’t able to finish it on time. While I must say that I had so much fun writing this book, needless to say, the making of this book was actually more challenging than doing all my other books combined.



The inspiration

Just like If I Knew Then, some people in this book exist in real life. Dan Almendras is based on Dr. Danni Diestro, the neurologist behind my successful battle against myasthenia gravis. He gave me full consent to do this, provided insights on a day in the life of a resident doctor and even gave me the permission to use one of his adorable graduation photo as the book cover, courtesy of the UPCM Collective. Sahara Sevilla is based on the female lead of that random Thai romantic comedy movie I saw on Facebook (yes, on Facebook) one lazy, rainy afternoon. The lady was an ESL instructor and she was so cute I decided she deserves a spot in one of my books. The Judgmental Titas are just a collective persona of the Filipino elderlies I meet every day who have the most toxic traits of being know-it-alls oozing with superiority complex. And Jaymie… of course, how could I ever forget my LGBT friends?

The challenge

Resident physicians are busy people and they do not have the time for this kind of life and I have said this again and again, says one critic and another person (or maybe two) agreed to this. Not that I don’t welcome criticisms but it could have been something like, hey, I love to see how this story unfolds because I happen to know resident doctors don’t normally have the time for love life. Maybe this is one of the reasons I lost the motivation to finish the story in time for the workshop. I didn’t want to be one of those who had to revise their entire plot just because people thought the writer only cared about how TCVS surgeon is a cool sounding job and didn’t really know what they’re talking about. It was a challenge because, I wanted to continue writing about a resident physician who barely has the time and at the same time I was trying to prove a point. I guess I don’t care about the criticisms. What I care about are people who believe in possibilities.

Like I said, the cover is adorable.
I had to consult actual doctors and teachers to make sure the story is plausible. Dr. Sharon Borromeo was too kind and too willing to write down all her comments and suggestions and I considered each one of them. Kim is a grade school teacher, and more or less knows the comings and goings in the academe. Nicole and another romance writer friend helped me come up with the ending. This is also the first time that I included vivid love scenes in my book as I was trying to fulfill certain requirements. It was a scary but at the same time liberating move – a chunk of my network consists of friends from the church and I dread their judgment but again, I care more about people who want possibilities.

Where to get the book

I am trying to make my books available in all forms. Amazon print on demand requirements are too simple I find it so hard to comply (I can’t seem to get the right size for the book cover image). But the digital version can be bought there. PH residents can always buy the print book here, but if you’re from overseas, I’ll keep you posted as to when the Amazon print version is finally available.

Right Where You Left Me is a light and entertaining read, or Dr. Diestro told me so when he finished reading it. And I was glad about it because it was basically what I was trying to produce to begin with. Books that are light and entertaining. Because after a long day, all we want to do is curl up, relax, and maybe fall in love a little bit.
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