Etude House Play 101 Pencils: Review + Tutorials

Hey guys! As promised I'm back with another review, accompanied by two tutorials for two different looks you can create with the new Etude House Play 101 Pencils.

These little guys  were kindly given to me at the wonderful people from Etude House to try so here's the low-down how these hold up against the Philippine eat, how they wear and about all the colors sent to me!

Packaging
So one pretty awesome thing about these liners is that they're twist up! No need for any makeup pencil sharpeners and if you want a sharp point, it comes with an attachment at the bottom which is actually a tip-sharpener. Convenient!

One thing I'm not too fond of however is the fact that they're all black, mostly because it's so easy to get dirty. But other than that, this is some pretty good packaging, and for organization purposes it's really convenient as well, since the pencils are color-coded at their bottom, and have the number labels in big, bold, artsy-fartsy print.

Colors and Wear

Let's start off with the two lip colors, shall we?

#21 is a bright, warm-toned and straightforward red, perfect for you classic red lip. It has a glossy finish which unlike the other pencils that are meant to be used for eyeshadows, means that they're prone to movement the first few minutes you apply them. After that first five minutes though, this is great for lining the lips because the color stays put like crazy! Be careful about staining though. As with almost all reds, this leaves a significant stain, but nothing that can't be dealt with with makeup remover and warm water.

#25 is more of a bright fuchsia color that has a cooler tone to it. It's on the same vein of a lot of lip-stains out there and is perfect if you want to achieve that Korean gradient-lip look. 

On to the more glittery and shimmery colors

#35 is a glittery midnight blue that's perfect for that extra pop if you want to line eye your eyes. This is ridiculously smudge proof, so I wouldn't recommend it for a smokey eye, but for some extra lining art or some nice colorful sleek liner, this is definitely what you need.

#4 is that perfect tear-drop shimmer color that can be used as a highligher for on your cupid's bow, in the inner corner of your eyes and some cute looking aegyo-sals. It's also pretty forgiving  when it comes to blending so you can use it as a shimmery base or over some eyeshadow if you want to add some sparkle to your already applied eye shadow.

The next two colors are creamy ant matte and are perfect to use as eyeshadow bases, or even on their own.

#18 is a pale lavender that's very flattering on fairer skin tones. You could probably get away with this as a blush, but it looks best on the eyes where it gives a nice matte finish on its own or as eye shadow base.

#30 is a red-violet aubergine color It has a matte to creamy finish and can be used as a deep blush or mauve eye shadow for more subtle but daring looks.

Here are the swatches of each color. They're truly a diverse bunch with different finishes and uses! Aren't they ridiculously pretty?

Longevity
So I left out the lip colors from this test because, as I mentioned before, their texture and consistency make them really smudgy and they really aren't meant for the eyes anyway.

Here I tested (from left to right) #35, #30, #18 and #4 for water resistance and smudge resistance.

As you can see, #35 and #30 are virtually budge-proof, even after rubbing them with water. #35 exhibits some glittery displacement, but the color still stays intact. #18 loses some color when smudged, but since it's a light color, it's pretty forgiving. That also allows it to be more blendable for use as base eye shadow or as an eyeshadow on its own. #4  is a bit all over the place, but because it's usually only used as a highlight or to accentuate corners that catch light, that's not too much of a big deal.

All in all, these bad boys are pretty tough and wear all day (from experience) on my non-oily lids.

In action
So as promised, I created two looks  using these awesome versatile liners. One girly, classic look inspired by a vintage rose and one rocker party chic look inspired by a midnight mosh pit. Check out how good these eyeliners work in action in the videos below!




So, which look do you like better? do you have any ideas on how else to use these awesome Play 101 liners by Etude House? Leave me your thoughts in the comments below!

Have fun, and play Etude! Ada, signing out.
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Teaser: Etude House Play 101 Pencils in # 4, 18, 21, 25, 30, 35

Hey guys! I'm back! Call this post a teaser post of sorts since I have some pretty exciting posts (and videos) ahead!

This month I was fortunate enough to try  Etude's new line of pencils - Etude House Play 101 Pencils. These pencils are some of the most diverse that I've seen from this brand and boast their various uses as eyeliner, eyeshadow, highlighter, lip liners and cheek colors.

That's some pretty legit inspector gadget-esque uses going on there.

With 50 colors and five different textures/finishes to choose from, you can pretty much create any makeup look you want with these bad boys.

For this line, Etude House has collaborated with Pony, one of the most popular Korean makeup artists and beauty bloggers, to promote the almost infinite ways to use their new Play 101 Pencils.

There's a lot of diversity in this line of pencils, with cream, matte, glossy, glitter and shimmery finishes to choose from. Creamy and matte textures can be used as eyeshadow, shadow base, concealer and eyebrow colors. Glossy textures, can be used as blusher or lipstick for a more glowy look. Some shimmery and glitter finishes provide a soft glitter look that is a staple in Korean makeup trends.

Because of the multi-functional nature of this line of pencils, these are the perfect convenient makeup tool, whether you're a veteran makeup artist or even just a casual beginner. And because each pencil is made from waterproof polymer, you're supposedly guaranteed all-day wear.

Mix and match your favorite pencils to create the look that's perfect for you. For some ideas on how to achieve different looks with these pencils, check out some pretty useful tips from Pony herself.

Pure Girl's Look : Angel’s Drop (left)

EYES

• Draw eyebrows with #41. 
• Spread out #33 along eyelid. Blend #28 to the outer corner of eyelid and lightly smudge with finger to soften the harsh line. Create a tear on lower eyelid with #4. 
• Define eyes with #48 as eyeliner. 

FACE

• Brush about 3 times with #18 alongside the cheekbones and spread out with hand.  

 LIPS

• For gradient lips, apply #20 on the middle of lips then spread it out using finger tip. 

@}~...........~{@

Lovely Dolly Look : Baby Doll (right)

EYES 

•  Draw your brows with #41.
• Apply #6 on the entire eyelid. Spread #33 evenly from the head to the tail of eyes in layers. 
• Draw eye line with #50 and use #4 for the inner corner of  lower eyelid. 

FACE  

• Draw diagonal lines on your cheeks with #15 and blend. 

LIPS

• For gradient lips, apply #26 on the middle of lips then spread it out using finger tip. 

Now, I was fortunate enough to be sent six of these babies to try out, and while I'll definitely be reviewing these, in the spirit of Etude House's new line, I'll also be creating two of my own looks with these babies in the coming days, so make sure to stay tuned for when those out!

For more information, visit Etude House Philippines' official website at www.etudehouseph. Like Etude House Philippines on Facebook, follow @etudehousegirl on Twitter and @etudehousephilippines on Instagram for more updates and promos.

I'll be back soon! Ada, signing out.
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MAYBELLINE: The Perfect First Impression Mission

Research shows that it only takes up to 8 seconds to make a first impression.

Believe me -- I know how nerve wracking it is on the first day. Be it for work, for class or just meeting someone new, first impressions aren't always spot on, but they matter. So to avoid those awkward misconceptions, it's always good to put your best foot forward.

There are a few simple things you can take into consideration to make sure you leave the best impression.

#1 The Look

They say that clothes make the person. The way you put yourself together and your entire demeanor is affected by the way you dress. So one simple rule to remember? Dress to impress. Be it for meeting new friends, the first day of school, the first date or your first day on the job -- the way you dress makes all the difference.

Another way to make an impression?

#2 The Eyes

It's amazing what a difference the eyes can make. After all, they have been said to be the windows to our soul. So change your look up, not just with your eye makeup, but with your eyebrows as well. Go for the natural look, the polished look, or the more recently popular Korean eyebrow look to go from playful to sultry to a natural beauty.

Eye makeup also does half the work for you, whether you want to appear like a sweetheart girl next door or go the extra mile with those mile-high lashes, your eyes tend to tell a lot about you.

So if one half is the eyes, what's the other?

#3 Instant Skin Perfection

Some people are fortunate enough to have that natural flawless finish. Lowly humans like us, however, have Maybelline.

Maybelline wants to help you make the perfect first impression with its new line of 8-in-1 BB Creams that are perfect for everybody.

The Maybelline Clear Smooth Shine Free Clear Stick the first BB Stick to offer 12 hour anti-shine matte finish perfect for people with oily skin. If you want that put-together matte look, this stick is perfect for you. Rest assured that your makeup will stay in place and shine free, and with SPF21 PA+++, this stick offers decent UV protection for hot days out.

Apply the stick in key areas of the face and blend outward, giving you a matte even finish. Top the look off with some modest matte contouring to achieve that put-together professional look.

If your skin lacks that radiant glow, Maybelline Clear Smooth 8-in-1 Skin Transformer BB Cream offers brightening, evening, smoothening, refining, clearing, concealing,and moistrurizing properties. So for that natural glow, and all-day wear, you don't need to look any further.

And for those of you recovering from that fresh summer tan, keep your skin in check from harmful UV rays with Maybelline Clear Smooth BB White with SPF50 PA+++ for ultimate sun protection.

Use both these products to achieve the perfect radiant glow. Choose a shade that matches your skin tone and apply in dots in key areas before blending outward for a smooth even finish. Highlight points of your face that catch light and blend liberally to achieve that radiant natural glow perfect for a day out or meeting your friends.

Change yourself up and make that perfect first impression.

Want to find out what first impression you make on others?

Take Maybelline's First Impressions Meter and find out. It is a fun, one-of-a-kind app that gives you 8 seconds to decide your first impression of other people, while they decide their first impression of you!

Because #firstimpressionsmatter

Wanna learn more? Visit Maybelline Phillippine's Facebook Page for more tips and tricks on how to make the perfect first impression.

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May Favorites 2014 + Life + Music

I've been really complacent with blog posts lately, huh? Hahaha I guess I just really got into the rhythm of making videos :P I'm honestly not going to  go into the details of all the stuff I showed you in this May Favorites video because I feel like I'm just ridiculously talkative most of the time in my videos :P

So if you guy have any questions with the items above, feel free to ask them below -- I'll definitely get back to you! :3 BTW, if you're looking for where to find those What's Your Flavor Shirts you can find more info here (http://goo.gl/eyjPDr)

Now that I have an outlet for creativity in the form of videos and getting back into my art, I can actually use my blog more for talking about life and you know, what's really been going on haha.

So it's finally June and everybody's on their way back to school. It got me wondering whether or not I should try doing a Back to School Video. Although that'll probably come out pretty late considering I have yet to film it ahaha.

On the same note, I'm also on the way back to work. After a month or two-month-long break from labwork I feel rusty so I need get back into the rhythm. In case you guys I wondering, yes I've graduated, but I still have some labwork and research that I need to tie the ends on. Hopefully if I try hard enough all that research might actually pay off ;)

Meanwhile, this blog will finally become what it's supposed to be -- a stress reliever instead of a stress additive. I hope you guys don't mind me talking much about this stuff :P If not, you can always just skip these introspective and life-themed posts in favor of the ones you like.

ALSO! I've really been getting back into making playlists lately. Granted, they may not be as organized and themed as my previous Mixtape Mondays, but I'll definitely be sharing more with you guys soon so look forward to that!

And if you haven't already seen, I recently did an unboxing video of my recent Etude House package, so if you're interested go check that out!


I'll definitely have more cohesive and planned out blogposts soon guys, so look forward to that!

Ada, signing out!

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VACATION LOG: Ada goes to Bataan - Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWYEAH. I'm on a roll! 3 videos in a row. Granted, this video wasn't too hard to edit. It was basically just stitching and picking from a ridiculous amount if clips I took from my vacation LOL.

So as I promised, I'm diversifying my posts. It's no fun for anyone if all my posts are just about beauty and fashion, so for my oldie readers out there, here's a little travel blog.



So my labmates and I had the amazing opportunity to visit Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar which is a heritage resort created by Gerry Acuzar, an art collector with a passion for traditional Filipino architectue. He's made a hobby of collecting and restoring old, neglected, ancestral houses to their former glory, and to support and bring awareness to such pursuits, he opened up this wonderful resort.

This was the first stop on our 2-day lab strategy planning ;) I'm no stranger to Bataan. My family owns some property in Morong and I probably visit almost once a month. But I'd never really explored Bagac long enough to get to know this place.

This place is breathtaking - a far cry from the state of a few of the old houses in Manila. We were fortunate enough to experience a tour of the 34 renovated houses which were transferred from their original homes to this complex. The resort isn't too far off from its goal of 50 fully-restored Filipino houses :)

Some houses have been restored and renovated as lodging for resort guests and some are owned by the creator's friends and family.

There are even entire houses that are for rent if you want to experience immersion into the 15- and 1600s. I didn't bother asking for the price. It's almost definitely out of my price range.

We ended up renting out two rooms at Paseo de Escolta (pictured above and below), built based on a strip of commercial structures replicating the Escolta buildings in Manila, dating early 1900s. The first floor is all shops, services and tourist information while the 2nd and 3rd floors are some pretty legit rooms. Our room had a loft, two queen-sized beds, a bathtub, shower, and cable TV. It's not exactly roughing it when the room is fully air-conditioned but hey -- it makes for a great stay ;)

Each house has its own history, secrets and mystery. Most houses were transferred from their original foundations in different parts of the Philippines - Binondo, Quiapo, Cagayan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, La Union, Quezon and a lot more. Each house has part of its original structure incorporated (mostly the preserved wooden workings and grand staircases) while the rest of the unsalvagable portions are recreated.

 The house we're standing in front of below is their First Class accommodation. It's ridiculously posh with murals and ceiling mosaics, fancy tiles, chandeliers and table settings. If I'm not mistaken it has five bedrooms that are all fully air-conditioned and all its toiletries and amenities are reportedly Hermes.

Sounds like a dream come true right? Well for 150,000 PHP a night, you can make you dream come true and rent out the entire house ahahaha. That's just way out of my budget.

Even their Reception Area is a spectacle. There was very little of the original structure left and they only had one front-facing picture of it to go on while creating it. The rest was left to the architects' imaginations.

We even got to see Casa Hidalgo, designed and built by the first Filipino to practice architecture in the Philippines during the Spanish Era. It was originally used as the first campus of the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts.

After which its less remarkable history took over and it was utizlied as a boling alley, boys and girls dormitory, sex live show house (wth? :o) and an abortion clinic. It stands here fully rebuilt and reconstructed according to its former glory.

The rest of the resort is just as beautiful and rich with history. Even the house of Teodora Alonzo (Jose Rizal's Mother) has some of its juicy secrets and stories. I'll leave that for you guys to find out yourselves when you get there. (You guys should definitely go!)

Overall, the ambiance of the entire resort is absolutely surreal. The statues, the roads, the lights and the architecture all contribute to its overall appeal.

And if you're not much of the scenery type, you can always enjoy their wonderful beach front and pool. Even their pool blends perfectly into the atmosphere of the resort, being modeled after a natural batis or pond similar to those used in early times.

Overall, this has been one of the most informative and enjoyable trips that I've had in a while; not only because of the resort, experience and scenery, but also because of the wonderful people I got to enjoy them with.

Thank you Disease Molecular Biology and Epigenetics Laboratory for this wonderful strategic planning trip! It's one I'll never forget! :3

 All pictures courtesy of my good friend and lab mate, Brandon Sy. 

So tell me, did you like this post? Should I do more like them? I really hope you enjoyed this because I really do plan on bringing more to the table than I did before :3

But that's it for now! Tell me what you guys think!

Ada, signing out!
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