Lessons learned in 2009. :)

Hello my lovely ladies. How are you all doing? I hope you're all happy and fine. Wow. Time has been running sooo fast, and we can't deny the fact that 2010 is fast approaching. As much as I want to slow it down, I can't help but wonder what 2010 would bring us. But, before we all get excited, I just wanna share with you a couple of things that I learned in 2009. This year passed by hella fast, I know a lot has happened, but I forgot what it was. Took me 2 days to think about doing this post or not. Looking back 2009 literally gave me a headache, I was trying to remember the highlights of it. Well anyways, let's get on with the main purpose of this post. Here are the things that I learned this year:

- Cherish every moment you have with your loved ones, because that may be the last time you'd ever be with them.
- Talking behind a person's back is a big no no, you'll never know how much trouble it would cause you. :\
- Time really does heal any wound.
- Having a lot of enemy is hard, real hard.
- Learn to forgive, and ask for forgiveness.
- Friendship is very important. When going through a rough road, try your very best to fix things up.
- Fight for your rights.
- Do not judge a person by simply looking at him/her.
- You'll know who your true friend are in times of sorrow and defeat.
- Always use both your heart and mind together, and use it wisely.
- Like and love, two different words, with two different meaning.
- Do not rush into things, take it slow.
- Spend your money wisely.
- Sometimes, internet isn't good.
- You'll know how important a person is when he/she is gone.
- God made us all fairly.
- Life isn't all easy. Sometimes your up, and sometimes your down.
- We all make mistakes.
- Everyone deserves a second chance.
- It's important to take extra care of yourself.
- Be contented and make use of what you have.
- Want and need, there's a difference.
- Moisturizer is a must.
- Revlon, Maybelline, and L'oreal isn't the most expensive brand of makeup. LOL.
- Don't forget to unplug the iron when you're done using it.Oops.

Looks like I learned a lot huh? Nope, the list isn't done yet, and it goes on and on. This year was full of ups and downs. All we have to do now is remember all the things that happened, keep it in our hearts. Let us all leave the past behind and move forward. Let's welcome 2010 with a big smile and make it a good one. :D

So how about you ladies, care to share the lessons you've learned? :)

- Nicole <3

*Excuse the inconsistent font, too lazy to edit. ;)

A not so merry Christmas. :\

Hey girls, Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope you're all safe and doing good. :)

I just wanna share a photo though..



Looks like some kinda pyrotechnic show, right? But no, it's actually a fireworks explosion, and it happened here in our city. A lot of people was hurt, some dead, including a pregnant lady. Sad. Let's all pray for the victims.

- Nicole <3

Just a quick hello. :)

Hello ladies! How are you all? I bet ya'll are busy doing your Christmas shopping. Just like all of you, I love Christmas too. Who doesn't, right? :D

Anyways, there's a couple of reason why I went MIA..
-First, my laptop's charger is broken.
-Second, the dorm's WiFi was busted for a couple of weeks.
-Third, I was 'hibernating' (aka saving up) for Christmas. :D

Now I'm just making a quick post to thank 2 generous ladies. This week, I got early Christmas gifts.

First up,


This I got last Monday, it's my prize for Geneys' Small Giveaway. Yes, I won, and that's a first. :D


And here's what I got. :D

Geneys, thank you sooo much. :)

Next,


I just got this today. I decided to go to the Post Office cause it has been 3 weeks ( I think), and I still haven't received it. I thought it got lost or something, now that's gonna be real sad. But, it was all worth it when the guy came out bringing a white box. :D


A special gift from a special girl, thank you. :)


Stila
My Mother, My Hero

Now here's the inside. xD

Guess who gave this to me? I'll give you a clue. She's one little sneaky lady, oh yes she is. ;)

Yes! You got that right ladies, it's from Thiamere. ^_^

Thia, thank you oh so much for your gift. You're indeed a generous person. I love youuu. :D

~ Now I'm kinda back, I'm not sure though if I could post up something from time to time, I still have to get my charger fixed. And I still have to study for our exams next week. Just one more week before Christmas break. Ohh yeah! :]

Take care ladies. Enjoy your Christmas shopping! And, don't forget to spend your money wisely.

<(O.O<)<( O.O )>(>O.O)>

- Nicole <3

Bye for now. :)

I'm gonna be gone for awhile, I'm not sure when I'm coming back.

Ya'll take care.

Byee. :)

- Nicole <3

MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE, CRYING FOR JUSTICE.

It has been three days since the bloody and brutal massacre, 50+ people lost their precious lives. Very sad indeed. My deepest sympathy to the friends and family of the victims. The whole world is mourning, and I hope justice will be served.

- Nicole <3

My liiiiiiittle blog sale. :)

Hey girls, for the past 5 months, I've bought a couple of stuff that I don't really use everyday, that's why I've decided to sell some of them. :)

I'm selling the following:

*ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer-P100
-I've had this for like a month, used not more than 5 times. Still has its box.

*Lot of 6 BRTC and Missha Cream Samples-P50

*Lot of 2 Cover Girl Single Shadow-P50 (Mauve Twinkle and Storm)
-Used. Doesn't have its sponge-tip applicator cause I threw it away.

I'm gonna post up pictures once the internet connection's a little bit faster.

For Philippine-based readers only.
To those who are interested, email me here: oh_chico14@yahoo.com.ph

- Nicole <3

A random questionnaire. ^_^

Just being random. ;)

1. What is the name you want to go by: Nicole
2. Your favorite animal: I honestly don't like animals. I'm scared of them. -_-
3. If you're deserted on an island and can bring one thing, what will it be: Lotsa FOOD.
4. What is your style of clothing: Laidback
5. What size do you wear (shirts, pants, dress; you do not need to answer this if you don't want others to know): Medium
6. Favorite color: Black
7: Favorite place for vacation (or relaxation): at home. ;)
8. Favorite make-up: Blush.
9. Favorite perfume/body spray: Victoria's Secret Endless Love
10. Favorite lotion and why: I don't wear lotion. :\
11: Favorite season: Summer
12. Favorite place in your apartment/house: Definitely the kitchen. :D
13. Your religion, if any (I'm just curious, no need to answer it if you feel uncomfortable): Roman Catholic
14. What is the best thing during Christmas, to you: People being all happy and friendly. Just love it. :D
15. Have you ice-skated or done any "snow" activity?: There isn't any snow here. And no, I haven't done any. :(
16. Favorite Holiday: Christmas
17. If I live close to you and we met up in person, will you ditch me or be my friend? (haha): Be your friend of course.
18. Describe what type of person you are DURING Christmas shopping, that is, if you go Christmas shopping: Thrifty. I make sure my money's enough to buy something for everyone.
19. When you draw a heart, do you start with the left or the right side? Right. lol

And oh, our Christmas tradition. I celebrate Christmas with my family. On the night of December 24, we all go to Church and hear mass. When the clock strikes 12, we all open our gifts, or go outside and see the fireworks, and after that we eat Noche Buena which is a Filipino tradition. We basically eat together as a family.

Well this was fun. :D

- Nicole <3

Update on my skin dilemma. -_-

I hate my skin. :(

Just last week, I bought myself a new moisturizer as seen in my haul post. It was Biore Shine Control Moisturizer, and as what I've said in my other post ages ago, my skin has been really dry. Man I'm stupid, I bought a moisturizer which is formulated for oily skin. Yes, my skin's oily when it's humid, or when I'm sweating and under the sun. But I've observed that my skin gets very dry when I'm inside an airconditoned room. To make it worse, all the classes I go to everyday are rooms with aircon, which sucks. I feel like my whole face is dry, especially around my nose and mouth, sometimes my cheeks and forehead.

I'm thinking about getting another moisturizer, I'm still gonna be using my Biore one, but this time it's gonna be my day moisurizer. Now I'm torn between two products which I could use as my night moisturizer. These are readily available here in Davao that's why I'm stuck with two options. Here they are:

*Image from CosmeticMall.com


*Image from Yahoo.com

I don't know if you could see the 2nd picture, but that's the St. Ives Collagen Elastin. The 1st one's the Ponds Dry Skin Cream. So has any of you tried these 2 products? Any comment? Negative feedback? Anything? Please help me girls. :(

Thanks ladies. :)

- Nicole <3

Giveaway Galore. :)

Hey girls, some fabulous ladies are having a giveaway on their, be sure to check it out. ;)

- Mommy Fabulous
- Dainty*Dollymix
- ShakespeareandStilettos
- Sweetcheeks1910
- Nancy Lauren
- Maria
- Juju Jewelry
- Princesa Livia
- Jbreezy
- Niki
- I Heart Cosmetics
- Jhoy

:D

- Nicole <3

EOTD. Update. I think. O_o

Hey ladies. While I'm making this post, I'm also chatting with my lovely girlfriends, Thiamere and Gracie. Here's a shout out to both of you, it's been a long time since we had our last conference, I really enjoy all the things we talk about, *wink wink*. I missed you both so much. :)

So anyways, as the title says, this is an EOTD that I did awhile ago. Nothing special though, I was just bored that's why I played with my makeup and came up with a look. I actually did it to my right eye only because I was busy watching the TV. ^_^

Please excuse the nasty zit. ;)

I don't know if you could see it clearly though, but yeah, it's like a smokey eye look. Notice my lid? It has like 2 folds, weird. My right eye has been acting real weird this week.

And also, I got a haircut, nothing dramatic, it's just shorter.

Excuse the messy hair too, just came home from school.

That's basically it. Have a great weekend ladies. :D

- Nicole <3

*Made this yesterday. ;)

Review: ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder Review

Finally, a review. It's been a long time since I made one. ^_^



For today's review, the spotlight's on the ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder. I've had this for like a month already, and I've used it for a couple of times, always actually. ;)

Now a closer look..



It's two products in one, there's a blush and bronzer. It is said to be a dupe of the NARS Orgasm/Laguna Duo, only difference is the packaging. ELF's compact has a plastic packaging, unlike NARS' which is rubber. It's a perfect size, not too small, and definitely not too big. It comes with a huge mirror inside, but there's no brush, which is still fine.

For a much closer look..


Let's start off with the blush. It's a peachy-pink shade with gold flex. It looks really pretty in the pan, but the shimmer's also scary. The very first time I tried the blush, there wasn't any peach nor pink color showing on my cheeks, I could only see shimmers. Tried another swipe and saw a little bit of color, and at the same time, more shimmer. It's a good thing that the shimmer's not chunky and huge, cause if it was, then I would look like a glitterball. One time, I went out under the sun wearing the blush, when I saw my reflection in the mirror, I saw the peachy-pink shade on my cheeks, and the shimmer wasn't that visible already. It just made me look more awake and glowing. I loved the effect. I think it lasted for four hours, which is alright with me.


This is honestly my first bronzer. I use it to contour my cheeks, but I find it too dark and unnatural. It is also shimmery just like the blush. Should be very careful in applying this, especially those with lighter skin. I think this is just an okay bronzer, not that crazy about it.

Swatch:





And now to sum it all up..

PROS:
- dirt cheap, $3
- comes with 2 products in 1 compact
- sleek packaging, plastic, thus, dirt wouldn't stick
- pigmented
- comes with a huge mirror

CONS:
- too shimmery
- bronzer's color is unnatural
- might be too light or too dark for others
- powdery
- poor lasting power

I would still recommend the ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder. I love it. :)

I think that's it for my review. O_o
I hope this helped you, thanks for reading. :D

- Nicole <3

HB1 Haul. ^_^

During my vacant period awhile ago, I decided to go to NCCC Mall to buy some stuff, it's kinda far from our school so I had to ride the jeep. I withdrew some cash and went to HB1. The main reason why I went there is to buy a moisturizer. Here's what I got..



*Biore Shine Control Moisturizer (Thanks sis Aicha for convincing me with your review.^_^)
Aicha: I was supposed to get 2 thinking that you would hoard some more, but I decided not to, money shortage sis. :))
*Carmex
*Pack of Band-aid

As what I've said in my post a couple of weeks ago, my skin has been very dry, that's why I decided to get the moisturizer Aicha recommended. Not just my skin though, my lips has been dry and chapped too, that's why I got Carmex because I've heard a lot of raves about it. And last is band-aids, because my feet hurts like crazy because of my shoes. :(

Now that's my drugstore haul, thanks for the time to read this. Byeee. :D

- Nicole <3

My very first swap. :D

This totally made my day. :D I've been waiting for this to arrive since Saturday, and after how many days, I now have it. I knew Air21 would deliver my baby around noon, so I went out to eat lunch, the guard handed me a little something.

Wanna know what I got? Well then, here it is..







Yeeeeees! For my very first swap I got my first NARS blush, and it's in Deep Throat. It's sooo pretty, I can stare at it forever. It's peachy-pink with gold shimmer. The shimmer's very subtle compared to the blush from the ELF blush/bronzer duo. I love it to bits. I wore it today and it just gave me a certain glow. I needed 2 swipes to make it show up on me, and it lasted for a long time.

That's it, I just wanted to share with you my successful swap. Bye2. ;D

- Nicole <3

Guess who's back? Back again. ;)

Hiyeee Ladies! I missed you so so soOoOo much! How are you all doin'? I know I've been a lil MIA, but I'm baaaack. I'm sorry for the title though, it's from Eminem's song, LOL. So anyways, yes, I'm alive and kickin'. :D

While I was gone, I did a little online shopping and here's my collective haul:



*Revlon Colorstay Makeup with Softflex (240 Medium Beige)-P275
*Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner-P100
*L'oreal Voluminous Mascara-P205
*Ellana Intense Coverage Mineral Foundation (Caramel Latte)-P100
*Ellana Oil Absorbing Mineral Finishing Powder (Espresso Con Panna)-P100

I wanted to try Ellana so I just got the 1g jar to test it out, plus the seller had a promo of free shipping that's why I grabbed the chance. I also got my very first liquid foundation, eyeliner, and mascara, yehey for me! Luckily, the 2 foundation I bought was a perfect match to my skintone.



And I also bought a drawer for my makeup storage, plus it's pink, and on sale. :D

Yes, that's my haul. I hope you have a safe and great week ladies, take care. ^_^

- Nicole <3

Looking for..

a new moisturizer. OMG. Recently, my skin has been really really dry, and I don't know why. I need your suggestions ladies, I need like a cheap but effective moisturizer. I've used Celeteque already, it was alright, but I need a better one. I'm thinking about getting Clean & Clear, not the Philippine-made one, cause I've used that too, and it broke me out. Sooo yeah, a little help here. :)

~Our semestral break has already started, yay for that. I'm home right now, like home home. And it feels good to be back. I just sleep and eat everyday, talk about being a pig. LOL. I'm gonna be doing my first swap in MUA, so wish me luck with that. I hope she's not a swaplifter or something, fingers crossed. :)

I'm sorry for the lack of posts, just enjoying our SemBreak, but I'm still here, alive and kicking. :D

~And also, let's pray for Thiamere's brother, he's in the hospital because of dengue. Be strong sis, to you and your family, God bless you.

- Nicole <3

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR THIAMERE! :D

Happy Birthday Thiamere, Happy Birthday Thiamere, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to YOUUUUUU. Wish you all the best in life sis. Stay young and happy. Thanks for being a good friend. I love you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIAMERE! :D

- Nicole <3

Something new. :)

Hey girls. While I was browsing for some NYX stuffies, I came across this..



Something new from NYX, and it's an eyeshadow base. It has 3 shades available: white, with pearl, and skin tone. Interesting huh? Maybe it's like the MAC Paintpot version of NYX. It's for $6 in MsCuppyCakes.com. :)

So has anyone tried this? ;)

- Nicole <3

Someone visited me, and I'm sooo happy. :D

Guess who? Mr. Mailman did! Woot! I was just chilling inside our dorm room, when suddenly, Mr. Guard knocked on the door and said, 'Someone's looking for Nicole, there's a letter for her, she has to pay P35'. I was like, OH NO. BUSTED. O_O Remember when I told you my mom's visiting me and she doesn't know about my dirty little secret? Well she's here, and now she knows. -_- But it's alright, I'm still happy. :D

3 weeks ago, I ordered something from Makeup Masala, well, not actually me. BTW, thank youuuu Thiamere for letting me borrow your CC, and advance happy birthday! Woot again! I was expecting it to arrive a month after, but it came in earlier, ohh yeah. It's actually my first time to try our PO, and I'm happy with my first experience. Mr. Mailman delivered it straight to our dorm, without me having to go to the post office and claim it.

I got:
-1 Complexion Brush
-1 Powder Brush
-2 Blending Eye Brush
-2 Eye Shadow Brush
-2 Mineral Eyeshadow Primer
-1 Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder

Over all, I'm happy and satisfied with my purchase. I'm glad I got everything all complete and fine. Definitely gonna do a review soon.

That's it for my haul. And oh, last day of exam tomorrow, hell yeeeeah. Thanks for reading. Byeee! :D

- Nicole <3

A verrrrry tiny haul. ;)

Hey girls, just came back from the mall. Me and Aicha met up cause she bought a lippie. woot! Thanks for being my first customer sis. ;)






So anyways, after meeting up with her, I went straight to the cosmetics section, been a long time since I visited one. I checked out a sale rack with Cover Girl stuffies, my eyes caught the one and only shadow in the rack, and it was Champagne. Ohh yes, eureka moment baby. I've been looking for the perfect highlight color, and now I found it. I've seen xteeener and Duhpinayprincezz use this, that's why I got it. It was P114.95 before, and bought it for P99.95. Not bad. I also bought Careline's Glamour Eyes. It was also on sale, from P80.oo to P35.00, great deal! Though it's not as creamy as my NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil, it still works well as a sticky base. I also bought this because I promised myself I'm gonna start buying Philippine-made cosmetics. ;)

I went home right away cause my mom's visiting me. For 5 months of staying here in Davao, this would be the 2nd time she'd be visiting. My mom doesn't have any idea that I buy makeup using my allowance. Bad bad girl. Now all my makeup's gone, I hid it inside a big bag, inside my cabinet. Sneaky. That way she won't see the skeletons inside my closet. LOL.

That's it ladies, have a great weekend. :D

- Nicole <3

NYX Round Lipstick FOR SALE. :D

As what I've said in my last post, here are the pictures of the lipsticks I'm selling.

NYX Round Lipstick Army. ;)

Thalia-Circe-Tea Rose


Thalia-Ceto-B52



Strawberry Milk-Indian Pink-Pumpkin Pie-Vitamin

I'm selling 'em for P225 each. :)

If you're interested, just leave a message below, or you could email me at oh_chico14@yahoo.com.ph

Thaaaanks. :D

- Nicole <3>

Attention Philippine-based ladies. :)

I am selling NYX Round Lipsticks. Ohh yeah. ;)

If anyone's interested, just comment down below.

~I'ma post up pictures and update later, I gotta run to class, I'm already late. D:

Ciao! :)

- Nicole <3

Me want! :D

Hey girls, just trying to squeeze in some blogging before I finally doze off.

I've been reading a lot of raves on the new Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick, especially the shades Pink Please and Born With It. Dayuuuuum, how I wish it was available locally. I wanna try it so freakin' bad. -_-

That's it, just a random midnight blab. Take careeee! Hugs and kisses. :]

- Nicole <3

Pepeng, please go away, so not cool. -_-

Just got home from school and I'm dead tired. I was planning to get some rest, but the TV was on and my cousin was watching the news, so I decided to join her. Typhoon Pepeng, the main issue amongst the news tonight. It is said that it's more stronger than Typhoon Ondoy, which is not a good news, at all. I can't help but worry. To all of you in Luzon, please be strong. Prepare all the things that will be needed. Keep your faith strong. We will all be praying for your safety.

- Nicole <3

I'm gone, I'm going. -_-

Hey girls, how are you all doing? I hope you're all doing great. And to all ladies from Luzon, I hope you're all safe and well. Watching the news just breaks my heart.

So anyways, I'm gonna be gone for quite sometime. My laptop's down and I have to get it fixed, and also, finals week is coming so I have to prepare and study. Wish me luck. I'm gonna miss all of you. :)

Take care. :D

- Nicole <3

Purple Friday. :)

Hey ya'll. It's Friday once again, TGIF. So how was your week ladies? Was it fun? Stressful? Mine was fun and stressful, and it's all because of school. For 3 straight nights, I have been playing around with makeup, again. Now, I'm gonna be sharing the look that I did today. It's another purple, I wanted it to match my purple shirt. Sorry if the quality sucks, my camera's not the best. -_- Been very vain lately. LOL.














Camwhorin' much? Just excuse the face, I was bored and all. Thanks for dropping by ladies. Take care, and ciao! :)

- Nicole <3

Edit: Today's Saturday, and I made this yesterday. :D

Again? Are you kidding me?

Hola ladies. I just wanna share with you a look that I did just awhile ago, I was bored so I played a little. It's a neutral look, BTW. Yes, another neutral look. IDK why, but I'm really in to neutral looks.






Notice my brows? I asked my mom to pluck it last weekend, cause I went home. I think she did a pretty good job, instead of going to the salon and getting it shaped, less hassle.

That's that for my short post. Thanks for reading. :)

-Nicole <3

Long time no blog. :)

Hey girls. How are you all doing? Just writing this post to share something. Notice anything different? O_o Go on, obseeeeerve carefully. Got it?

~Yes! I got myself a new banner. Woot! Gracie, who has been my friend in blogger for quite sometime already made me this. It was so sweet of her, she is really sweet, TBH. I enjoy our late night conference with Thia. Thank you Gracie for being so generous and kind. Thanks for being a good friend. And also, to Thia, thanks too for being a good friend, advance happy birthday. ;)

That's it ladies, just dropped by to say hi and thank you. I know I haven't been posting anything lately, but no worries, I'm still alive, just lurking around blogger. Take care ya'll. Sending out my love to all of you. :)

- Nicole <3

Plaaaaay Time. :)

Today's a lazy Sunday. We're stuck here inside our room, doing nothing. What's a bored girl gonna do? Play around with makeup, yes. :) So I used the CG e/s I bought yesterday and came up with a sorta everyday look. I'ma call this, the Pink and Taupe Everyday Eye Look. ;)

I used my Adorned with Grace sample shadow in Sensitive, and Cover Girl Eye Enhancer in Tapestry Taupe, which I looove. :)

The light's washing out the color, I'm sorry. But that's it. Nothing special. Ciao ladies. ;)

- Nicole <3