Makeup Your Mind by Francois Nars

Guess who I bumped into the bookstore the other week: Francois Nars. Oh how I wish it were true, but kidding aside, I bumped into the book authored by Francois Nars titled Makeup Your Mind.

Here is the very simple but striking book sleeve. Isn't beautiful?

And let me give you the obligatory front & back cover tour with a bonus photo - the spine!

Now let us move on to the short and sweet table of contents, with the signature NARS style.

The book is actually spring bound.

 

To allow you to do this:

Francois Nars placed the before and after photos of the model side by side so we can study the difference of the two. It is supposed to help us figure out where the make was placed.

 

I particularly like how the transparent film plots out where the make up is used. But sometimes they don't align with the photo beneath that well. It is only a minor inconvenience for me. 

Everything that Francois Nars used on the model is also indicated on the transparency. Clever isn't it?

DIY: Brush Keeper

Keeping makeup brushes clean and dust/germ free is important. It could mean the difference between clear skin and blemished skin which can be caused by the dust and bacteria in the air that settles on the brushes. We all wash our makeup brushes but what do we do with them afterwards, we put them in brush holders but the bristles are exposed. Here's a quick and inexpensive way of keeping all the undesirables - like dust and what nots off your makeup brushes. 

Here's what you would need:
 a covered container that's tall enough to acoomodate all your brushes and something to keep your brushes upright in the container. This could be a pencil holder or the brush holder that you already use.

Materials

This is my setup. I got the container from SM Homeworld and costs Php95. It is meant to be used for cutlery or other kitchen stuff but I had other plans for it. I used my old brush holders for this DIY (my mom got it for me from Muji four years ago just in case you're wondring ü ).

Accessories, accessories, accessories! ♥

I saw this cocktail ring at one of the boutiques in Northeast Square the other week. I was debating whether I should purchase it. I loved the turquoise and the detail of the ring, it just caught my eye. But, the rings were from PhP350-PhP400 and I had my heart set on a bright yellow rose ring, and I just adored it and bought that instead. 

I consider it a stroke of luck that I didn't buy this ring in that botique because I encountered it again in another shop called Girl Shoppe. And you'd never guess how much this is - it's PhP 50! Could you believe that?! It also comes in other colors like red, yellow and purple. There's also an interesting connector ring with the words LOVE all over it - sadly it doesn't fit my plus sized fingers. 

I found the perfect pair of white shorts! ♥

The search is over! I found the perfect pair of white shorts! ♥ It isn't exactly white - its is a lot closer to a light khaki with a hint of grey color. But I adore it none the less.

This is my first ever pair of high waisted shorts (yes, I just climbed out of a rock) and I got it at Una Rosa. Surprisingly, they have it in my size! (I'm usually a US11, or UK14 - give or take a few numbers). It sits comfortably at my waist - making it appear smaller than it actually is. It stops at the right height - yay for the illusion of long legs minus the skimpy short shorts and flares ever so slightly from the hips. I love this bit - it makes my thighs look smaller compared to the usual shorts.

The sales lady found this pair of shorts for me and so many other stuff I wouldn't try on my own. They are really into getting the customer to try out the items on the shelves because they are incredibly persuasive.
I was surprised that they carry clothes in my size, I usually don't find local brands with clothes that fit my body type. I'm psyched about this. Their jeans fit my legs and make them look nice, they have dresses and tops that fit my bust area, shorts that fit  my waist. Best of all - their price range affordable and much lower than the foreign clothing brands.

They found so many stuff for me to try on I spent 1hr and 30mins in the dressing room. Their spring collection is adorable! A lot of florals, prints and pastel colors - sadly I can't take all of them home. I didn't mind it because I believe that trying on clothes is for free - so I want to try everything just to make sure I get the piece that suits me perfectly. Plus the next time I find myself shopping in a hurry, I'll know which type of clothes look good on me.

Before I left the store, the cashier told me to check out their facebook page. They have a mother's day promo where you can get a 10% discount from today until mother's day (May 8, 2011). Just get the promo code (which is Unarosa Moms) at their facebook and mention it at the cashier before you check out the items. 

Sorry no OOTD here - just a clothing item of the day.

This is the back part

Pocket detail. I love how refined the stitching is. 

Hidden zipper - you might want to check if it works well - sometimes this type of zipper gets stuck.

And that's it! Thanks for reading about my shopping adventure!

Blue Line Cosmetics: Eyeshadows

The eyeshadows from Blue Line Cosmetics are well known for their great color payoff, unbelievable shimmer with considerably wide color range plus they are true mineral eyeshadows (Ingredients: Mica, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide). I was excited with this concept so I placed an order. They have arrived a long time ago at my doorstep, I just haven't blogged about them yet. But I am sure that many are familiar with their photo. They are the eyeshadow pans that I placed in my DIY Makeup/Eyeshadow palette. 

in warm lighting

Eyeshadows can be ordered from Blue Line Cosmetics in a palette which comes in 2,4,9,15 or 28 (the palette for 9 eyeshadows come in a freestyle magnetic palette), or they can be ordered in pans for USD 3 for 2.5 Oz of product. Being a little kuripot (frugal) I did the math and found out that it is much much cheaper to order the eyeshadows in singles - which is exactly what I did. (Customs and Taxes in the Philippines is another story)

My First Stiletto Post

My blog's called Photos & Stilettos but there's not a single shoe post in it! That ends now, so allow me to indulge myself as I combine one of my two loves, stilettos and photography! I had fun taking these photos and I feel like it's an interesting way to practice my photography. 

This pair of shoes is from Nine West. I purchased it in Hong Kong - where there are a lot of amazing shoe sales ladies. They can make anything - almost anything fit your feet. This is actually a half size smaller than the shoe size I usually wear, I didn't notice it till I got home. Despite that, they fit quite well. 

The heels might be high, but the platforms make walking much easier. It adds a little poise to the way I walk too.

Closes with a zipper, and it's easy to get into.

It's made of suede and fishnet I believe.

They are pretty comfortable, easy to walk it, just maintain a straight spine (good for me because I slouch a lot) and walk with poise. What I don't advise with this pair of shoes is to go to a concert that involves a lot of standing and jumping around. It will hurt. But other than that, I ♥ this shoe.