JAPAN TRIP 2015

One of the best times of my life has got to be my trip to Tokyo, Japan last November. I was invited by the Beauty Bound Asia team (Google) to attend the finals of the competition as a coach/judge! I literally cried when I found out. I didn't expect it at all. I've been meaning to go to Japan and I totally did not expect that it would happen this year. Here'a a recap of what happened during my trip, guys + bonus photos I have not uploaded on social media! Enjoy!

DAY 1 

• Flying with PAL, arriving at Haneda Airport
• First time using the restroom in Japan (CRAZY CLEAN)
• RITZ CARLTON HOTEL ROOM TOUR (I swear, the best hotel I've stayed at!!!)
• SO MUCH GOODIES FROM BEAUTYBOUNDASIA haul video here!
• Welcome dinner at Gonpachi in Shibuya
• Meeting fellow beauty creators from all over Asia 
• Meeting Michelle Phan and her bf Dom, in the flesh! (EEEEK!)

Seriously, guys, the best first day in Japan. Michelle Phan inspired me to start my own channel. And finally, after 5 years, I meet her in real life!!! Catch all the fun times in this video blog - 

DAY 2 - 

• Getting lost in the streets of Ropponggi (but I loved it) met a cute dog along the way
• Workshops and mentoring sessions at YouTube Space Tokyo (coolest place, ever!)
• Tried pirikura (Japanese Photobooth) at YouTube Space Tokyo
• Lunch at AFURI (ramen)
• Dressing up for the Beauty Bound Asia FINALS
• After Party at B&R Akasaka, got to talk to Michelle Phan and JKISSA!
• Had a bit too much champagne, and yup, you'll see a little drunk side of me in this vlog LOL
• After, after party at a ramen place hahaha :)

Watch it here - 

DAY 3 -

• Visited Samantha Thavasa with fellow coaches and we took home a bag each! I am so inlove, thank you Samantha Thavasa!
• Borrowed an umbrella from Ritz Carlton because of the rain!! Thank you Ritz Carlton :)
• Visited FAMILY MART for lunch, tried the onigiri OMGGGG soooo good. 
• SHOPPED at Don Quixote, my favorite place in Japan! I did a haul on this. 
• Ate at a curry place called COCO CURRY, I loved it!!! 
• Met up with a friend of mine! Hi ARI!! :)
• Rode the train for the first time
• Went to the HACHIKO STATUE, I had to see Hachiii. 
• Went to SHIBUYA
• I love Japanese vendos, and the warm milk tea is my fave
• TOKYO TOWER
• Ramen for dinner with Ari
• Took the taxi back to the hotel because my legs were killing me!
• Started packing, and it was almost impossible!

Watch all the fun in the vlog -

DAY 4 - 

• Last day in Tokyo
• Made a last trip to Don Quixote to buy more stuff I did a haul on this. 
• Took the taxi to Haneda Airport
• Bought more pasalubong at TIAT (super inexpensive chocolates!)
• Flight back to Manila, had the whole aisle to myself WOOHOO!

One of the most memorable trips EVER.
I am definitely coming back for you, Japan. I love you forever and ever and ever!!!

Michelle Phan Inspired Look

Whoever said Halloween is only for gore-ish, bloody, scary characters? You can definitely dress up as your favorite anything! I’ve been getting requests on doing a tutorial inspired by Michelle Phan… So here it is!Michelle Phan, as we all know, always channels this fresh & radiant look. From the numerous makeup looks she taught the world, I drew inspiration from her look in this video that Promise made for her a couple of months back. I just basically followed what Promise did sans contouring around the eye area.

As usual, I skipped the concealing, foundation, and brow routine in the video to save time. Although I promise to put up an updated version of those three for the sake of those who still want to watch the process.

Products I used for the face & brows:

1. The LuLu Makeup Concealer in Light http://www.thelulumakeup.tk
2. Revlon PhotoReady Makeup in Medium Beige https://www.facebook.com/revlonforless
3. Maybelline Clear Smooth All in One Shine Free Cake Powder in 04 Honey
4. Easy Brow Pencil in #1 from Etude House

Now here are the steps to achieve an ala-Michelle Phan look:

1. Take any brownish mauve eyeshadow and apply this on the crease area. This will give more depth to your eyes. *Nichido Stardust Palette in Totally Neutral*
2. Take any highlight color and highlight the brow bone. *ELF Smoky Eye Quad (white)*
3. Load up your brush with white+silver eyeshadow and apply on the bare area on the lids. *ELF Smoky Eye Quad (white & silver)*
4. Line your lower waterline with white eye pencil. *NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk https://www.facebook.com/thepurpektionshop*
5. Line your eyes using a liquid or gel liner. Create a subtle tail. *Fanny Serrano Long Wear Gel Liner in Black*
6. Curl your lashes & apply mascara on top & bottom lashes. *ELF Mechanical Lash Curler + Maybelline Hypercurl Mascara in Black*
7. Apply demi lashes (half lashes).
8. Contour nose bridge. *Fanny Serrano 2-Way Cake in Rajah*
9. Apply blush. *The Body Shop Roseflower Blush*
10. Apply a red lip color & blend. *CoverGirl LipPerfection Lipstick in Hot Passion*

There you have it, ladies. Those are the 10 simple steps on how to achieve that radiant Michelle Phan look.

More photos:

WATCH THE TUTORIAL HERE:

Reader Submitted: My Eyes’ Accidental Feature on StyleHaul (Remake of Michelle’s Summer Sunset Eyes)

Thanks to Mariechrist Tuico Pascua for posting this on my page in Facebook! I would’ve never known about this if it wasn’t for her.

The only StyleHaul video I have ever watched is the one where Jarmaine (of JLovesMac1) was the host. I never came across this one! StyleHaul [must’ve accidentally] used one of my photos from my Remake of Michelle Phan’s Summer Sunset Eyes look for Michelle’s part in the video. It’s pretty cool seeing my eyes featured in there!

I got a good laugh out of this. Well, I hope one day someone actually features me somewhere—and not by accident or mistake!

You can watch the video here:

Here’s the remake I uploaded last April 6, 2010:

Blog post about my remake of Michelle Phan’s Summer Sunset Eyes here.