An open letter to the girl my boyfriend cheated on me with

For your sake, I won't say your name.  I know it well and only now have I gotten it out of my head.  But to you, you who hurt me, you who took away my relationship, you who selfishly thought of only your own happiness, thank you.

We have never met, but I know you must know who I am.  I am the woman you saved through the strangest means possible.  My boyfriend cheated on me with you.  Through social media, you must have known I existed.

I could say congratulations or you win, or even the cliche -- you deserve each other, but I won't.  I will say thank you.

You would think I would hate you, because you did to another woman what all women fear most, but I don't hate you.  You have done me an incredible service that I did not have the courage to do myself.

Thank you for setting me free.  Thank you for saving me a future full of pain and lies.  Thank you for showing his true colors through your joint actions.

Thank you for giving me a reason to say goodbye to the biggest blockade I have ever faced.  Thank you for opening my future up again.

Thank you for taking the blame, for giving me a reason to leave, to give me a reason to start over.

Thank you for reminding me that I am worth so much more than lies and deception, that I don't have to take the emotional abuse and trauma of this experience lying down.

Thank you for showing me that my mom was always right, and for letting me feel the overwhelming love of the friendships I have forgotten.

Thank you for showing me that there are better ways to spend my time and my tears.  Thank you for sending me running to Jesus, for reminding me that I am nothing without my true Savior.

Thank you for giving me a chance to have another first date, another first kiss, another chance at a pure and Christ-filled relationship.

Thank you for bringing me to my knees, for reminding me of what pain feels like, for without pain we cannot understand the beauty of healing.  Without bad, we cannot understand good.  Without your interference, I would not have lost my breath; but because of you, I have learned to breath again.

Thank you.


Most sincerely,

The girl you helped set free

The Staying Philosophy

In one particular episode of Veronica Mars, Kristen Bell, who plays the show’s leading lady (um, Veronica) says something that I always believed to be quite poignant. Sitting in her bedroom, she turns to her sheriff dad, Keith, and says: “The hero is the one that stays.”

This particular quote became my life motto for most of my college life. But almost six years have passed since CW’s cancellation of the show and I find myself questioning the worth I once placed in (what I’d like to call) the staying philosophy.

At 27, I’m starting to believe that it’s unhealthy to take leaving against one another.

Because leaving does not always mean betrayal. And I think that, sometimes, we’re not particularly afraid of losing people. What we’re really afraid of is having to learn to do life without them. Because, ultimately, we are creatures  of habit and comfort.

One day not far from today, that just might be our demise.

Because the world is changing and we are changing, all the time, forever and ever. And, sometimes, by holding on too hard, we lose.

And loss can be ugly, beautiful, scary or all of the above but I have found that it is, more than anything, necessary.

When we say things like ‘people don’t change,’ it drives scientists crazy. Because change is literally the only constant in all of science. Energy, matter, it’s always changing. Morphing, merging, growing, dying. It’s the way people try not to change that’s unnatural. The way we cling to the things that were, instead of letting them be the way they are. The way we cling to old memories instead of making new ones. The way we insist on believing, despite every scientific indication, that anything in this lifetime is perfect. Change is constant. The way we experience change, that’s up to us. It can feel like death, or it can feel like a second chance at life. If we open our fingers, loosen our grips, go with it, it can feel like pure adrenaline. Like at any moment, we can have another chance at life. Like at any moment, we can be born all over again. (Grey’s Anatomy)

So when people leave, I’ve learned the secret: let them. Because, most of the time, they have to.

Let them walk away and go places. Let them have adventures in the wild without you. Let them travel the world and explore life beyond a horizon that you exist in. And know, deep down, that heroes aren’t qualified by their capacity to stay but by their decision to return.

All great people leave.

And, yes. One day, a great person just might leave you.

But our lives are made of revolving doors and for every person who leaves, a new person enters. Not as a replacement but as a completely new character in the ever-evolving story of your life.

When you leave, you begin to understand the worth of what you walked away from. You discover that walking out is not always equivalent to closing doors. Sometimes it means leaving them half-open for the journey back. It is not a virtue possessed by the easily contented. It has always been the beaten down path of the brave.

One fine day, it will be your turn. You will leave homes, cities and countries to pursue grander ambitions. You will leave friends, lovers and possibilities for the chance to roam the world and make deeper connections. You will defy your fear of change, hold your head high and do what you once thought was unthinkable: walk away. And it will be scary. At first. But what I hope you’ll find in the end is that in leaving, you don’t just find love, adventure or freedom. More than anything, you find you.

Maybe the truth is that Veronica was wrong all along. It’s the coward who is the one that stays.

I could not have known then that everybody, every person, has to leave, has to change like seasons; they have to or they die.  The seasons remind me that I must keep changing, and I want to change because it is God's way.  I will change into a wife to love a man, into a mother to love a child, change houses so we are near water, and again so we are near mountains, and again so we are near dear friends, keep changing with my husband, getting our love renewed so it dies and gets born again and again, like a garden, fed by four seasons, a cycle of change.  Everybody has to change, or they expire.  Everybody has to leave their home and come back so they can love it again for all new reasons.  I want to keep my sould fertile for the changes, so things keep getting born in me, so things keep dying when it is time for things to die.  I want to recognize and cherish and preserve the things and people in my life that I have kept coming back to no matter how far I have gone.  I want to keep walking away from the person I was a moment ago, because a mind was made to figure things out, not read the same page recurrently.  And my prayer is that your story will have involved some leaving and some coming home, some summer and some winter, some roses blooming out like children in a play.  My hope is your story will be about changing, about getting something beautiful born inside of you, about learning to love a woman or a man, about learning to love a child, about moving yourself around water, around mountains, around dear friends, about learning to love others more than we love ourselves, about learning oneness as a way of understanding God.  We get one story, you and I, and one story alone.  God has established the elements, the setting and the climax and the resolution.  It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn't it?

It might be time for you to go.  It might be time to change, to shine out.  I want to repeat one word for you: Leave.

Roll the word around on your tongue for a bit.  It is a beautiful word, isn't it?  So strong and forceful, the way you have always wanted to be.  And you will not be alone.  You have never been alone.  Don't worry.  Everything will still be here when you get back.  It is you who will have changed.  

YouTube makeup (batch 1)

So it's a lazy Saturday morning.  Nothing much to do.  You get up and make breakfast then plop down on the sofa but there's nothing good to watch on the telly.  So you whip out your laptop and begin a YouTube video marathon mainly about makeup and beauty of course otherwise you wouldn't be reading this blog.  And then your favorite YouTube guru swipes on her favorite lipstick or puts on a coat of her favorite mascara or gushes over and over again about how that palette has the most amazing colors.  Then you think to yourself, "I'd die to try that out if only we had it in this country."

Now I don't intend to build a makeup empire like Michelle Phan (although if that's part of Gods plan for me then I'm all for it) or be the next Zalora or Luxola.  I'm just a simple girl like you who really, really wants to try out Lauren Curtis' favorite mascara and makeupbyleinabaaaby's favorite new eyeshadows and Judy's very own itsjudytime palette.  I just wanna bring a little beauty back in the country (not that we are ever lost any).  

The following items are available and are also currently being sold in Tiendesitas at the Props Beauty and Wellness Hub.  You can text/viber me at 09166294941 for inquiries, orders and reservations.

You see I was gonna get some for myself but then I thought, "what about you?"  I'm pretty sure you want in on this so I got a few more pieces of each.  After all, what are sisters for?  

1. Revealed palette by Coastal Scents for Php 1,500.00

emilynoel83

2. Revealed 2 palette by Coastal Scents for Php 1,500.00

makeupbyleinabaaaby

3. Itsjudytime palette by BH Cosmetics for Php 890.00

itsjudytime

4. Jordana Easyliner for lips for Php 200.00
          Shades available :
               a. Tawny
               b. Cabernet
               d. Baby Berry
               e. Plush Plum
               f. Sedona Red

makeupbycheryl

5. Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara for Php 280.00

laurenbeautyy

6. Physician's Formula Nude Wear Glowing Nude Blush in Rose and Natural for Php 720.00

itsjudytime

7. Physician's Formula Spotless Foundation in Light and Medium for Php 850.00

carah amelie

8. Rimmel Stay Matte Primer for Php 450.00

makeupbyalli

9. Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer Apocalips for Php 480.00
          Shades available :
               a. Nude Eclipse
               b. Celestial
               c. Bigbang
               d. Out of this World
               e. Apocaliptic

fleur de force

10. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge for Php 390.00

pixiwoo

11. Real Techniques Mini Brush Trio for Php 560.00

Now I wanna hear from you guys.  What makeup or skin care product have you seen on YouTube that, sadly, isn't available on our shores?  I wanna help you out cos I went through the same agony.  

God bless and be #everbeautiful

But first lemme take a selfie

I'm really not into selfies.  When I do do it it's usually a two-fie or a group-fie (as my brother so eloquently put it).  But over two weeks ago I got over myself (and my insecurities) and decided if there was ever gonna be one time in my life I would have a selfie this would be it.

Last August 9-24 Chanel Philippines introduced 8 new palettes of the iconic LES 4 Ombres Eyeshadows with a personalized makeover using the new eyeshadow shades AND a bespoke portrait by fashion illustrator @peterichchiuwan. What's new about these eyeshadows is that they were inspired by tweed. To quote Chanel:

"Gabrielle Chanel makes tweed her own. This fabric, originally from Scotland, revolutionises a woman's allure. Feminine, masculine, modern and timeless all at once, it reveals women's beauty.  LES 4 OMBRES comes in 8 original harmonies inspired by the favorite fabric of CHANEL. With the four eyeshadows, women can have as much fun with makeup as they do with fashion.  Sophisticated, androgynous, classic and always surprising, Tweed can be worn in a variety of ways." (copied from the Chanel website) 

Truth be told, and I did tell him this, I scurried my little butt over to Rustan's Shangri-La for the chance to meet Pete Rich and have a fashion portrait of me by him.  If you don't know Pete Rich he did the fashion illustration for Ms. Liz Uy's now famous book "stylized."  What's that?  Now you've heard of him?  Think he's good?  He sure is!

actual Chanel eyeshadows were used in the making of this portrait

That day was perfect!  It was amazing!  Of course, the fact that I was in a Chanel counter getting Chanel makeup on my face helped tremendously in making that day memorable.  It did rain when I was about to go home.  I dreaded walking to the parking lot lest I ruin the fabulous watercolor portrait (imagine me crossing the road bent over to almost a 90 degree angle just to protect the most important selfie I ever took) but I guess what they say is true : nothing can rain on my parade!

Apart from the fashion portrait now hung immaculately in my room I did get a few things to immortalize my first encounter with Chanel makeup.

Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in 217 Radieuse (Php 1,650.00) and a Chanel Eyelash Curler (Php 1,250.00)

Pretty, yes?  And I mean it is Chanel!  I just can't get over the quirkiness of the lipstick packaging.  It's genius and very different!  The first time I opened it I stared at it for a full minute thinking, "What sorcery is this?"  If I may copy EJ of the #RichKids of Beverly Hills I would also say, "the Chanel counter is my everything."

The Chanel counter is my everything!

You must be real jelly but now you know you don't have to be a big time blogger or a YouTube beauty guru to get into events like this.  You can be a novice, barely starting blogger like me or a simple quiet makeup fan to get in on this action.  You don't need an invitation, you look for the party!  If you want a piece of this action I suggest you head on over to the Rustan's Beauty Source on Facebook and everyday check out what's going on or what's gonna go down. This Friday I will again head down to Rustan's Shangri-La but this time for a free Flawless Masterclass with Global Makeup Artist Benjamin Ruiz sponsored by Laura Mercier.  I promise more pictures this time.  

So what are you waiting for?  Why are you still here?  Head on over to Rustan's Facebook page and see you at their next event. 

Disclaimer : This post is not sponsored.  I RSVP-ed for the Chanel personalized makeover and waited patiently in line for my turn.  Just sharing so you guys don't miss out on future Rustan's promotional events.  I just love Rustan's. (swoons...)

Photo credits : Rustan's the Beauty Source Facebook page

July Favorites

I'm actually half blogging, half watching Beautiful Creatures right now.  Well anyway... For this month I have quite a few new things, mostly from my birthday haul.  And I'm obviously trying out something new with the pictures.  It's not exactly what I had in mind.  Anyone else ever get that?  When you're visualizing something in your head and your hands are doing the complete opposite?  Yup.  That's it.  Onto the favorites.

Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea Fine Fragrance Mist
I usually go for perfumes because they tend to last longer.  But I also like the feeling of being refreshed mid-day when you spray something on and with fragrance mists you don't really pack on the scent so it doesn't get overpowering.

Earphone Case
That pink round thing has saved my earphones ever since the day I got it.  The boyfriend always gets irked when he finds them tangled on everything else that's in my purse.  So this has been a Godsend.  Plus, it's very affordable.  I think I got it for Php 75.00 at National Bookstore.  However this is the only color it comes in so it may not be a great gift for male friends or boyfriends.

Forever 21 Detangler
The color is beyond cute.  The bristles are actually sturdy for a detangler.  And the color is beyond cute.  Let's be honest.  Any girl would buy this for the color.

The Balm Bahama Mama
I was a loyal fan to the Sleek Contour Kit until I hit pan on the bronzer and still had a lot of the highlighter.  It was a shame to throw it away and I still keep it on hand for clients.  After that I knew I had to find an alternative for my everyday makeup.  And this was it.  Don't get me wrong I still love the Sleek Contour Kits.  I have all three but those are stashed away in my makeup-for-clients arsenal.  I find Bahama Mama to be the perfect contour color.  Absolutely no red or orange undertones and the powder blends really well it's almost creamy even though it's a powder.  I purchased this last year and though I've hit major pan I think I can still get at least 2-3 months use out of this.

Shawill Pretty Blush in 002
Don't be dissing on this blush just because it's not NARS or Tarte or any other high end brand.  Don't be scared of the color too.  It's a pretty pink that looks oh-so-natural!  I have medium tan skin and I've been on a desperate hunt for a baby pink blush that's not cool toned and this was it.  It lasts really well too.  On a not so hot day that won't make me super oily the color lasts on me for more than 8 hours.  Believe me!  You need this and it will work brilliantly for you as it did for me.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Barcelona
For reference I'm a MAC NC35 so if you're the same shade and you wanna try out this foundation go for Barcelona or Stromboli.  What everyone who's ever raved about this on the internet says it's true.  It makes you glow without making you oily.  A necessity for girls here in the Philippines because we want our skin to look alive without looking like a greasy slice of pizza.  It sets well too and lasts a really long time.  Because it's so gosh darn expensive I usually wear this on night outs, parties and on days where I need to really look good but don't have ample time to ready myself.  If you've got the dough, this is a worthy purchase.  If not, better save up honey because this is a definite must have.

YSL Rouge Volupte in Nude Beige and Fetish Pink
My only beef with this is that everyone on YouTube says it smells like mangoes.  I live in a country where mangoes are locally produced and this smells nothing like our mangoes.  Thailand mangoes, maybe?  Or some other foreign mango.  Don't get me wrong it does smell good just the not the kind of good I expected.  It's very creamy and glides on like a dream.  I have to use this with a lipliner though or a really matte lipstick to make sure it stays. The colors are also beautiful.  Nude Beige may come off a tad too pale on my NC35 skin but it works if I use a warm nude lip base underneath.  Fetish Pink is a kinder version of MAC Pink Nouveau.  It's not as cool as the latter so it works well for my warm medium tan skin tone.  I can't get enough of these two lipsticks and I am saving up to get more.

Shu Umuera Eyelash Curler
Again another raved about wonder.  I also have the S curler but I find it a better use when curling other people's lashes.  This one doesn't grip my eyelids and gives the most perfect curl.  With practice, of course.  And it's relatively cheap for a beauty "product" (I feel it's too small to be called a gadget, tool maybe?) that doesn't get used up.

Brushes

Props Small Definer Brush
This little brush has helped me greatly in depositing intense color on my lids.  It's small enough that it gets into anywhere and loosely packed enough to blend small areas.  I guess it really is the small things that count.

Sigma E40 Blending Brush
To make the easiest wash of color on the eyes, I use this.  I also use it to blend out nose lines and put on highlighter powder underneath the eyes.  Blends like a dream and the handle feels very elegant.  Very sturdy and polished unlike other brush handles that seem light and flimsy.

Suesh Fluff Brush
I originally wanted the Sigma Fluff Brush but due to financial constraints (I'm looking at you YSL lippies and NARS foundation!) I settled on this.  I love this little brush and I've always wanted to own one since the first time I saw Robert Jones on YouTube use this to deposit highlight color on the brow bone.  It also works well to blend out the edges of your eyeshadow and nose lines.  Haven't tried it for contouring but I think it can work if you're one who likes really strong lines.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush
This is the only brush I use to blend out my base.  Whether it be foundation, concealer or highlighter. I've been very loyal since the day I got it.  I don't even look at my other foundation brushes because I don't want it to get jellie.  I'm actually thinking of getting the RT Sam's Picks solely for this buffing brush because I don't really want another core collection set.  I do hope it comes out in individuals.  Makeup gods, please hear my prayer.

Cover Girl Clump Crusher Mascara
Buy this!  Please!  Buy this!  I have really bad allergies and putting on mascara is a pain because as soon as I put it on my eyes turn red and within 2 hours they get itchy.  I've tried more expensive mascaras like fairydrops and clinique but nothing compares to this.  It separates the lashes, lengthens them and true to it's word no clumps!  I've worn this for an entire day and I felt no allergic reaction whatsoever.  Finally!  I found a mascara that works for me!

Maybelline Age Rewind Under eye Concealer in Medium
I didn't really understand what all the fuss was about with this concealer - that is until I used it.  You see, before I didn't really need an under eye concealer.  My under eyes weren't puffy and there were no discoloration or darkness.  That is, until I started losing weight.  When my weight loss began I suddenly noticed a shadow under my eyes that wasn't there before.  I wasn't ready to splurge on the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and then I found this on one of my suki Instagram shops and decided I'd give it a go.  Long story short, I'm glad I did.  I think next time I'll get a lighter shade because this blends almost too well with my foundation.  Gotta have an obnoxiously light shade to get that Kim K look.

E.L.F. Matte Lip Color
Okay... So this smells like Crayons.  I mean literally like Crayons.  But if you can get past that then you've got yourself a long lasting, peachy, youthful lip color.  I forgot what shade this is but it's the only peachy color in the bunch.  This is perfect as an everyday nude even when you have medium tan skin like mine.  Don't be shocked on initial application.  It's not washing you out, trust me.  It has enough warmth to make your skin look alive.  

I guess this is a long post, huh?  I just feel like we're long time friends that haven't talked for years.  I missed you reader.  Talk again soon.

Beauty & Love,

Denys

Birthday Haul

Weeks before my birthday I had started to plan what makeup I wanted to get since birthdays are like a free pass to spend whatever on whatever.  Thanks to the Instagram shops I follow I was able to get more for my budget than if I had actually gone down to the stores to get them (extremely high Philippine Tax, I'm blaming you!).  I'm a real lipstick addict but I wanted my birthday stash to be well-rounded and have a little bit of everything.  I won't be writing reviews just yet as I got the package just this week.  I guess you'll have to tune in and wait for the reviews.  So without further ado, here are my picks for this year's birthday extravaganza:

This bag I actually got for myself and I got it for a steal at this wonderful Facebook shop.  It's the Michael Kors Neoprene Jet Set Tote Bag.  I used to hate the color neon green cos when I see it I automatically think vomit.  But now I feel like I'm drawn to it.  It looks young and vibrant and very refreshing.  I'm all about refreshing these days given our hot climate. (My pink stuffed ladybug in the background says hello.)

Facebook: MyInklings     https://www.facebook.com/pages/Myinklings/124634414296632

Ah... The Nars Sheer Glow foundation.  Heard many great things.  Decided to try it.  Now have it.  End of story.  My shade is Barcelona, btw.

Instagram: @makeupyourmindstore

This is the YSL Rouge Pur Couture and I got the shade #24 Blond Ingenu.  I had originally planned on getting the YSL Rouge Volupte but the shade Nude Beige wasn't available.  I couldn't pass up the chance to get a YSL lipstick so I opted for the shade closest to it.  

Instagram: @makeupyourmindstore

The Urban Decay Naked 3.  Now who hasn't heard of this?  When this came out, it really came out!  Every beauty blogger had it and there were countless tutorials on how to use it.  This was a gift that came with a really handsome dude - Andrew Garfield.

Before I end this post, I wanna take this time to give a shout out to the Make Up Your Mind Store.  The owner was very accommodating and sweet.  I told her my purchases were my birthday gift for myself so she threw in a lot of goodies and I mean a lot.  Viber her anytime and she will answer.  The store claims to have the lowest prices on IG and on some items I definitely agree with her.

What about you?  If you're birthday was coming up what would be your make up splurge?  

January Favorites

If you take a stroll down YouTube you'll find that most beauty gurus have already put up their January Favorites video.  So... I guess here's mine too.  I'm trying to get into the habit of writing down my favorites cos I think it's a great way to share products that I think are really good without the overly long review and the need to do an intense trial on the products.  Without further ado...

1. ORIGINS Clear Improvement Active charcoal mask to clear pores

Sad to say Origins has left our shores but how I wish they'd come back.  This activated charcoal mask works wonders.  My skin feels lighter and looks brighter after each use.  Just last week my skin decided it hates me and wants to ruin my life by acting up.  Uneven skin tone, little pimples here and there - the overall feel and look of my skin was tired and I truly was but I didn't need to look it.  So I went into battle armed with this little gem (and the other skin care items mentioned in this post) and in 3 days my skin was back to its glowing self.  I still felt tired though but no one would have guessed it (aside from the fact that I would fall asleep everytime and everywhere I would rest my head).

2. Clarisonic Mia 2

Probably the best money I ever spent.  Remember the week I was talking about a while ago? (Look up) Well this was another one of my weapons.  In that same week a huge zit on my chin was attempting to break through and I Clarisonic-ed the hell outta that thing.  I'm proud to say me and the pimple have parted ways.  

3. Snoe Snoe White Vitamin C-Rich Calamansi Whitening Detox Clay Mask

I've been into charcoal masks lately because the oiliness of my skin has reached critical levels.  This was one of the first ones I tried because the Origins one I was waiting to get on a trip out of the country.  It also works fine though not as remarkable as the Origins Mask.  What I like about is it contains Vitamin C and if you've read my older post this specific vitamin is very good for the skin and works best when applied topically.

4. SKI-II Facial Treatment Essence

I only have the sample size (or is the travel size?) but this little bottle made my skin look flawless without makeup.  It's like an imperfection blurr-er (get it?).  I think this is available locally only through luxola.com.ph and will cost you a whopping Php 8,295.00 (about an arm and a leg and 1,000 hairstrands). Now I'm not saying everyone should go get a bottle because this is one of those products whose effects justify the price.  It probably is because the celebrities that we look up to swear by it and I think pretty soon so will I but what I am trying to say is this is one of those products that everyone should definitely try to know if they will love it or not.  It's the fountain of youth if it works for you, if not it's a huge unnecessary expense.  If you're hk bound you'll find sample sizes in Sasa and the amount is substantial enough to produce an effect on your skin so you'll know if it's a good buy or a goodbye.  If you're not hk bound well... leave a comment and maybe I can help you out.

5. Neutrogena Deep Clean Energizing Foaming Cleanser

This is my 2nd tube and so far one of the best cleansers I've tried.  Great smell - check.  Gently exfoliates - check.  Rich lather - check.  Removes makeup effectively - check.  Doesn't dry out the skin - check.  Leaves behind no oily residue - check.  Like I said so far one of the best cleansers I've tried.  

6. Pond's Gold Radiance Precious Youth Serum

This has been a favorite for about 3 months now.  I'm really into serums and I've tried at least 3 (cos nobody really sells samples in the Philippines and it's hard to finish a bottle even with the help of my mother).  I think serums should be the first line of defense against aging.  They're concentrated forms of vitamins and other organic ingredients that are good for your skin and they're made with really thin consistencies so they're absorbed faster and more completely than other forms of skin care.  Now this one doesn't do much for pimples or scars but it excels in brightening the face and making you look well-rested.  Everyone's been asking my mom what she does to her face ever since she started using this serum.  Skin looks happy and radiant and glowing.

7. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Me = Really Oily Skin.  I apply this with a duo fibre brush because it can look caky when applied with a dense brush.  This works.  I am telling you it works.  If you've got oily skin, you need this in your life.  If and when I win the lottery I will buy 10,000 units of this and give it to all the oily skinned girls I know.  Can't say enough about it.  Basta.  It works.

8. MAC Pro Longwear Foundation SPF 10 in NC35

The SPF isn't really life changing but boy does this stay on.  When paired with the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder they stay on the whole day.  I still get a little oily, yes, but the color stays on.

9. The Balm Bahama Mama Bronzing Powder

I use this to sexy up my face.  It glides on real smooth almost like a cream product.  The color is excellent because it's very neutral - no orange or red undertones.  It's almost like a taupe, I think.  It can get powdery if you swirl or tap your brush in too hard but it does last a long time.  This specific one I've had for 5 months now and I've still got about 70% left.  

10. Hy-Touch Personal Flushable Wipes

This costs a little more than what I'm used to paying for wipes but I got it anyway cos it's biodegradable and I'm all for going green.  If you're reading this, I urge you to buy these wipes.  Let's all make smart decisions in everything we purchase.  If we buy these wipes, we'll produce less waste and help the company earn more so they can make more biodegradable merchandise.

11. NBS pencil case

I always carry lots of pens with me so I had a dream pencil case.  And this was it.  And I'm glad I found it.  Bow.