The Beauty Junkee

One of the biggest highlights of my year happened last saturday; it was my blog's mega anniversary and it's even more special because The Beauty Junkee has turned 10 this year. For a Gemini like me, this is big news LOL.

My issue with most Korean beauty brands is I can't seem to find a shade that fits; so many types of base, but tragically lacking in shade options. 

During Innisfree's SM Mall of Asia opening, I gravitated towards the foundation display and was pleasantly surprised to see very warm shades of foundation! I couldn't believe my eyes; I thought I was looking at contouring liquids, but they were indeed foundation! I picked up My Foundation 1.5, which had some of the darker shades. Aside from offering options to warm skin tones, this foundation provides intense coverage, matte finish, and long- lasting effect!

Aside from environmental causes, Education is one of my biggest advocacies; the back bone of The Beauty Junkee is education; since its inception, teaching has always been a huge part of me as a blogger: from informing readers of the latest product, reviewing product performance, to teaching them how to do their eyebrows. Education is the difference between good and bad eyebrows, and education is the difference between a good life and poverty; that's why I wish to reach more people with The Beauty Junkee and for more underserved individuals to have a chance at education.

But did you know that just by having your eyebrows groomed at Benefit, you can send a young lady to school and provide the first step to a better future?

I don't know about you, but I think this has been the most grueling summer yet; temperatures hitting 53 degrees, heat mirage appears not only on the pavement, but on the horizon as well, and it's like you're in a burner when you walk down the street! We really need trees and we really need to find a way to fight climate change.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil- Gel Cream has been my savior for the last two months in this intense weather. I couldn't tell you how much I love this moisturizer because it's so refreshing, hydrating, and moisturizes without heaviness; it's truly made for Philippine summer!

The American Dream- for most of us, America is the land of opportunity that's why according to one census I have read, a majority of overseas Filipinos are living in the US. I have a lot of relatives living in the US!

I love my country; my career, family, and husband are all here so I don't think I am moving anywhere anytime soon, but visiting the US has always been part of my bucket list; I want to see the Grand Canyon, explore New York, chill in California, see the stars in Los Angeles, swim in Hawaii, and so much more.

But to be able to do all of these things, I must have a US Visa. 

Filipinos are required to obtain a US Visa before visiting the USA and its territories, and luckily for me, I got approved so I'm sharing with you the step-by-step on how to process your US Visa requirements, what to do on the interview day, useful tips, and realizations in my 2- month long preparation for the US Visa interview.

What's a makeup topper, anyway? It can range from a waterproofing powder, highlighting veil/powder, shimmer powder, or a correcting powder; it's the last glam touch to your makeup and technically, it helps bring back the naturalness of the skin and counteracts the finish of matte makeup.

Next to makeup mists and setting sprays, I think makeup toppers will be the next big thing in every makeup routine.

Skinpotions gets ahead of the trend with Glow Dust, a multi-tasking finishing powder that adds luscious glow to the skin. After using these powders for a couple of times, I realized, they're a good alternative to Hourglass Ambient Lighting powders!

Beauty Blender may be the cult favorite beauty sponge, but there are a lot of good ones out there that are waiting to be discovered and I've pretty much discovered five of them and I'll share it with you!

- A super soft, bouncy, and sturdy sponge from local beauty brand, Riot. Riot's Polyblenders have the right softness to them, rinses easily, and a great, affordable (and also, sturdier) alternative to Real Techniques.

P.S. Don't forget to get the Polyblender Sponge Shampoo because it's good!

One of the glossy lipsticks I like is Dior; I think they have perfected the juicy pout look through their cult favorite Dior Addict lipsticks, though my favorite lately is Dior Lip Glow; it's an amazing lip balm!

I recently received the new Stellar Shine lipsticks, the newest from Dior; these new lipsticks are even juicier, sexier, glossier, and deliver a punch of moisture that lasts.

Fenty Beauty Bomb Baby Mini Lip and Face set review

Thank goodness makeup minis became a thing; it's a dream come true for frequent travelers and makeup lovers who want to test out a certain product first before committing to purchasing the regular-and more expensive-version.

Two makeup products that I've been meaning to try are Fenty Beauty's Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter and the highly raved Gloss Bomb, which is dubbed as a 'universal lip gloss shade'. I was ecstatic when I learned that both are being offered as minis in the Bomb Baby Mini Lip and Face set; I got one and I'm telling 'ya, this is set of glow weapons for the pocket that you should get if you want to glow like Rihanna!

The latest election broke my heart. I can't believe we still haven't learned our lesson no matter how many times it has faced us, no matter how many times we were taught. We're still a long way to go from becoming informed voters, but as always, a new day is always a new chance. Taking the lessons from this recent elections, let us go out of our way to educate, inspire, and instill change in the mindset of the voting public so we will get the politicians who are just and the government we deserve; every day is a chance to start anew, to change one's perspective, to enlighten one's mind. I'm still not giving up on the Philippines!

Ever Bilena Advance is always shaking up things with frequent new releases like the Face Trio Kit and Eyeconic 6- color eyeshadow palettes that come in pretty combinations and are definitely travel- friendly.