In these uncomfortable summer months it's a hassle to put on any face base, but at the same time my face is so splotchy that I can't go out without one. I love BB creams for this because they provide moisture and natural coverage in one step. First formulated in 1960s Germany and popularized in Asia twenty years later, BB creams have been trickling into US brands only in recent years. I find that Asian and American BB creams often differ in consistency and performance. Click on to see how Maybelline's Clear Smooth B.B. Cream fares.

Disclaimer: My hair rarely, if ever, behaves. It may look pretty tame on this blog (especially with my new 'do) but that's mostly to do with creative cropping and spritzes of water. More often than not it looks like this:


Or this:


Only without the wind.

I have a LOT of hair, on the coarse side for an Asian, and often frizzy and wavy. For years it was wild, savage. Now it's calm, shiny, mostly straight; enough to elicit questions about the hair products I use. (Speaking of reader questions, drop me a line at my ask.fm anytime!) I tell you, it's not hair treatments, it's not straightening procedures that helped me in the long term. The most effective way I tamed my hair was with the right conditioner. You can be more flexible with shampoos, but it's the conditioner that makes the hair. Right now I owe the sleek appearance of my ~raven tresses to Organix (OGX) Hair Care, which boasts an "award-winning" collection of shampoos, conditioners and styling/treatment products, which "have been met with rave reviews by retailers and consumers alike." Marketing spiel aside (I have no idea about these awards they speak of), all I know is that Organix works for me.

The brand has a ton of varieties, and from experience they all tame my hair to different degrees so when choosing a new flavor to try I really just go by smell. Read on for impressions of the four varieties I've tried.

I love Metro Manila during Holy Week. Barring the heat and crowded churches, everything else seems so peaceful what with the mass exodus of people from the metropolis. We didn't make any travel plans this year, but it got me to thinking about packing for out-of-town trips anyway. After living out of a suitcase for 6 months, I think I have it down, somewhat. Above are the non-makeup beauty stuff I took with me on a three-week trip to NYC, where I stayed with my good friend and her very talented sister Sarah. I was there for interviews, where you only get one chance to make a good impression, hence all the extra hair paraphernalia. Read on for my choices!

Park Sheridan and Eleanor Douglas are two misfit teenagers living in Omaha, Nebraska in 1986. Park is half-American, half-Korean while Eleanor is Danish and Scottish. Dealing with issues of race and abuse, the book tells the story of their love after the two bond over comic books and music on the school bus, the obstacles they face being in love, and how they ultimately change because of it.

This is cutting it kind of close, but it's still a few minutes until the end of Wednesday. ;) I've been reading some mild to moderate praise for Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl, but it was love story Eleanor & Park that caught my eye. Perhaps because slugging through a months-long breakup is taking its toll and by nature I am inclined to immerse myself in bothersome thoughts and get sadder and sadder until one day suddenly it feels as if I've finally come up for air and all feels good, nearly all-right. ANYWAY. Feelings. I have a lot of them. Read on for spoiler-free (and thus very vague) comments.

Almost a year ago I got this Origins Facial Greats set in New York. The purchase was really triggered by Julia of Bless My Bag's raves about the Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. This set also contains a deluxe sized Modern Friction Dermabrasion facial scrub and a dinky sponge that I lost soon after unboxing.

Well this is long overdue. Two weeks ago Tellie kindly gave away seats to the Shiseido talk at the BDJ Box Social. Thank you Tellie!! While I didn't actually make it to the talk (heehee), I was happy to see old acquaintances and meet girls I've only "spoken" with online. See above: Tellie of Beauty by Tellie, yours truly, and Bea of The Dalaga Project. Also, the rather flattering effect of blown-out flash on wrinkles, pores, and dark spots.

Tellie and Bea derp it up while Tellie's better half struggles to provide a modicum of decency.

The only talk I sat in for was Benefit's Primed and Ready spiel, where they featured new products Lollitint and The Big Easy, as well as old favorites like High Beam and Porefessional. I'm a big fan of Benefit's Hello Flawless liquid foundation (my current everyday face base) so I'm excited to try The Big Easy. Although BDJ encouraged girls to pre-register for the talks, things were pretty informal and anyone could join as long as there were still seats available.