You, too, Can Get that Ulzzang Look!

The first time I ran through the shots of the girls sporting the ulzzang (or ullzang) look, I dissed myself for not knowing make-up and stuff as much as I should.Despite my run-of-the-mill skills in make-up, I pushed myself to watch youtube vids on how to get the much coveted "ulzzang" look. Ulzzang is a Korean term that connotes a pretty face. Who wouldn't want that? And so I ventured...(thanks, Nikki of Askmewhats for the inspiration)(Disclaimer: This is my death-defying act with make-up because I badly wanted to TRY the fad... the authentic ulzzang look necessitates circle lenses and falsies... but I don't have those and so I went ahead with what I've got on hand.)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxFive Cheap (and easy!) Ways to Get the Ulzzang Look

: Make your eyes magical with double eyelids

My biggest problem is that my left eye's lid is waaay thinner than my right eyelid.

my assymetric lids

I scanned youtube for tuts on creating double eyelids. I made sure I practiced these "lessons" several times till I got used to using an eyelid glue right. Koji Eyetalk is what most of the girls use, but since we don't have that locally, I opted for:

we glue and poke!

Finally, I now have a better left eyelid!Ulzzang Look Step 2: Conceal the bags and line the eyes!A Nichido concealer came in handy to hide my eyebags and dark undereye areas.I used a black gel liner to line the upper and lower (outer third) lash lines. Then, I used a silver highlighter on the inner lower corner of the eyes (used L'oreal illumination in 915 Highlight Reflets)

Fanny Serrano's gel liner, 220PHP (roughly $ 4.50)

the black liner+white liner tandem widened my eyes

Ulzzang Look Step 3: Apply eyeshadowI am no pro at eyeshadows. They are the last thing I'd learn to do mainly because it looks difficult. So I just slathered a basic bronze shadow on my lids and highlighted my browbones (used L'oreal illumination in 915 Highlight Reflets). If you can do shadows well, I'd bet you'll be perfectly uzzlang-ish!

Body Shop Cubes Palette, I used Shade 04, Rich Bronze $22

now you know what i mean by hating eyeshadows... i can barely let them appear on my eyes!

Ulzzang Look Step 4: Apply Mascara and fill the browsUsing light sweeping motions, I filled the gaps in my brows with Avon eyebrow liner (brown).I used my all-time fave mascara to add that girly touch to my flutters.

Lash curler and Maybelline Unstobble Mascara in Shiny Black, around 300PHP (roughly $6)

Ulzzang Look Step 5: Finish with light powder and lip balm!Just to keep the oil at bay, I used Aromaleigh's Ultra Resolution Finishing powder. Add Burt's Bees Lip Balm, and you're all set!Although the real (and very pretty) Ulzzang look is based on circle lenses and long flirty lashes, I skipped those parts because, one, I have yet to buy those, and two, I haven't found the guts to play around with circle lenses and falsies. Here is my final ulzzang look:If I can be Ulzzang (even just on the average), then so can you! Go ahead, quit hesitating and start digging up that train case! Try on that Ulzzang look you've long been wanting to do!

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Of Croslite Footwears and Mobs

To the many non-conformists like me, this is why you shouldn't be wearing Crocs these days :DThe Crocs Mega Sale at The Tent in Meralco Ave today may have been as busy and as crowded as Singapore's.

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AN OPEN LETTER TO MY DAUGHTERS by Francis M

When I learned that our Creator gloriously ended Francis Magalona's battle with leukemia, I dug out the June 08 ish from the stash of Seventeen mags in my shelf. Here, I rekindled the most "personal encounter" I had with this unbelievable man:AN OPEN LETTER TO MY DAUGHTERSArtist and cool dad FRANCIS MAGALONA opens up his heartTo My Dearest Daughters,When I first learned that I was going to be a father, I felt a sense of pride, unlike anything I had felt before. Suddenly, I was going to be responsible for this "unborn being" that would have to be nourished, nurtured, and protected. It bought on a rush of different emotions --- anxiety, uncertainty, excitement and happiness. I was also hit with afeeling of exclusivity: I was going to join a fraternity called "fatherhood." It was, in my perception, something that separated the men from the boys.Before you were born, I prayed to God for a safe birth for you and that no untoward incident would happen to you and to your mom. The first time I ever laid eyes on you, I felt tears well up in my eyes. I felt pure, unadulterated joy.My most memorable moments from your childhood are your first steps, your first words, your first days at school, but most importantly, something I still experience now that you're all grown up, your hugs and kisses.Of course, I remember the good times more than the bad, and I am grateful that you are all obedient, respectful, God-fearing and loving children. All of you are special in your own way. Unna, you have displayed wonderful characteristics as a mother and you've shown great responsibility for a woman your age. Maxene, you're naturally gifted as a speaker and as an actress. You're very articulate and you have a commanding presence. You are also a very fine specimen of a woman --- gifted with height, beauty and brains. Plus, you're a hard-worker --- and very generous to your family.Saab, you are special because you are beautiful, period. In my eyes, I see myself in you --- loner, a non-conformist, and a passionate person. Gifted in the literary arts, you exude intelligence way beyond your years. Clara, you are, pound for pound, the best seven-year-old in everything. A natural born talent who started singing at age three, who has a penchant for fashion, and is truly, intelligent, academically and theatrically. You have finished First Honors this 2008 with an average of 94.67 percent --- now that [i]is[/i] special!What I love most about our father-daughter relationship is the fact that it is based on mutual respect, admiration, friendship, and love. I respect that you all need your personal space; I never intrude in your personal affairs, except maybe when you get hurt emotionally or physically. I let you fight your personal battles so you'll learn to be strong. Always remember that I have an open hotline 24/7, for any problem you may have --- mentally, spiritually or emotionally.Please understand that I am an ally at all times and never the enemy. Your welfare is my only concern. Heaven forbid that anything bad happens to you, I only wish you the best. And I will always be here for you - my home and my heart are open for you at all times. I am your friend, protector, and father all the days of my life.Like all fathers, I just want to love you unconditionally. And I write this with tears in my eyes.Love,Dad

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

With swollen eyes, I closed the mag and remembered my dad. I felt as if he talked to me through this letter. He might not be as well-versed and as poetic to tell me of his love through a letter like this, but my heart has engraved all the unconditional sacrifices he's done for me. From buying my notebooks at the MCGS bookstore and delivering it right through my first-grade classroom, to hugging me tightly after theater auditions I failed to pass.Thank you Francis M for braving a teen magazine and pouring out yourself not only to your family and friends, but to everyone. My dad deserves a big hug from a stubborn girl like me, and I hope you see me from above and know how much you have touched many.

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Win a set of Aromaleigh's Spring Solstice shadows!

I've never dared to fuss too much about eye shadows since they look so complicated to be applied on properly. I felt that you've got to be a pro to end up looking like you're wearing great colors on your peepers; otherwise, you'll end up looking like you've been badly hit on the eye.When I chanced upon Aromaleigh's Spring Solstice eyeshadows, they were just too tempting for me not to give in to learning the art of great eye make-up! Knowing how Aromaleigh creates superb products, I might snag a few samples to try for myself. I've tried their Ultra Resolution Finishing Powder in translucent and I can't help but notice how flawless my skin looked with it. Perhaps, the Spring Soltice pigments can help me change my mind on forever skipping eye shadows!Miss K is giving out FIVE (yes, five!) full-sized sets of the Spring Soltice pigments through her blog. You may want to check it out HERE. Could this be a good sign that I ought to get into eye shadows? My relationship with shadows is kicking off with a good start, don't you think?

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