Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!! And for those who don't celebrate Christmas, Happy Holidays!!! :)

Here's my look for Christmas Eve (left) and Christmas Day (right).

On the left, it was all about the red lipstick. On the right, it was all about the eyes.

Which look is your favorite to wear?

Have a safe and happy holiday! Hope it was filled with lots of joy, happiness, and most importantly fun!

Stay maganda! <3
-K

Holiday Glam!

Need a last minute look for the holidays? Check out my day to night video! Depending on your personal style, you can go natural or bold.
Enjoy!

Video:

Stay Maganda & Happy Holidays!! <3
-K

Trying to lose weight?

If you are trying to lose weight or want to maintain healthier eating habits, eat blueberries!

Why?
Blueberries are actually very high in (good) fiber and also have a high water content. So, essentially you will feel fuller longer. It also helps that they are so delicious and can be mixed with anything!

I like to eat blueberries in homemade smoothies and as a snack with other berries, or by itself. You can also eat them in cereal or oatmeal.

Foods with a high water content are good because sometimes when you feel "hungry" you're actually thirsty! If you still feel hungry after eating foods with water or drinking something, then that's how you know your body needs food instead.

Always drink something when you feel hungry so that you can make sure that you're actually hungry and not mistaking it for possible dehydration. This is guaranteed to prevent over-eating.

"So what if I don't like blueberries"
If you don't like blueberries, then opt for other foods high in fiber and with a high water content:
Spinach, apples, citrus fruits, or other berries - just to name a few.

Remember, the trick to healthy eating is picking foods that can benefit your body in multiple ways.

What's your favorite healthy snack?

Happy eating & Stay maganda!<3
-K

Don't forget to like me on Facebook for regular updates & tips!

I got my ipsy Glam Bag in the mail yesterday and made a review with some first impressions too! As always, these opinions are my own and are as honest as possible.

Also, this is actually my FIRST glam bag! I never made the investment before, but with their new facelift on the site and everything, I decided to give it a try. So let's hope things will work out. My overall opinion about this month's glam bag is positive. I am pleased with the products included, my favorite being the hair oil (see video).

This month's Glam bag enables you to be a "Bombshell" So get sexy ladies!

Here is the review:

I will be making a "bombshell" look using the products included in the bag so stay tuned!

Any Glam Bag users out there? What are your thoughts on this month's glam bag?
Share below or on my Facebook page!

Stay Maganda<3
-K

It's been a while since I've added posts to the "Back to Basics" category so here we are again with a new addition: Polka Dot Dresses

Here I paired it with a skinny belt to define the waist and black tights because it's cold today in NY. The scarf is just an added flair.

For those of you who think you can't wear one, you're thinking too much into it. Polka dots (unlike stripes) look good on anyone because it's a simple, small, subtle design that's added to a plain piece.

The reason why this dress would be considered a basic is well, it's a dress. It's only one piece that you ladies can slip on and be out the door! It's perfect for when you're rushing in the morning or suffering from morning blues, or you're just stuck on what outfit to wear.

The completed look: black pumps, black cardigan, statement earrings.
Makeup: basic black eyeliner, matte rose lipstick, brows filled, matte face.

I'm wearing this outfit at work. It's a corporate office with a "business casual" dress code. However, business casual doesn't mean sacrificing basic, yet fashionable pieces!

What's your go-to basic attire? Share it in the comments below or on my Facebook page!

Stay Maganda<3
-K

So during my hiatus not too much has changed, but I did make some new major purchases and have new styles due to the fall season. Let's see....

Well, I cut my own hair which I've been doing for over a year now. Now I have bangs!

This look was cut & styled by yours truly.
The glasses were purchased from Style Suzi's online store.  These have become my favorite accessory ever since I got them in the mail (about 2 weeks ago).
I usually rock bangs during colder months because my face doesn't get as oily due to the drier air so the look is more low maintenance.

Here's my OOTD from yesterday.

I actually wore my hair down the entire day, this was taken at the end of the day where I usually just throw my hair up in a messy bun.
Still cute though, huh? ~.^
I paired this look with a hooded leather jacket and my favorite wedge sneakers (see below).

These sneakers came sometime towards the end of last month. They resemble the Isabel Marant wedge sneakers, and in my opinion they are pretty much the same, minus the price tag.

These can be paired with pretty much any outfit since black can be rocked with anything.
I wear them with skinny jeans, jeggings, leggings, and even the tights & shorts combo!
They're super comfortable, you forget you're even wearing heels (no joke.) These give me a good 2.5 inches extra :)

What's new with you? I'd love to hear/see it - share below or on my Facebook page!

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Hi everyone, I'm back!

I know I've been gone for quite some time now from the blogging scene. That's because I started graduate school and have been swamped balancing that and a full time job. In my miniscule free time slots, I've been posting quick updates on my Facebook page and have become a super frequent Tweeter!

I definitely recommend following me on one of those (or better yet, both) as I still manage to get out those quick tips/tricks and you can also stay up to date with me in real time!

I have a bunch of things that are being edited or still waiting to be filmed/edited like:
-Specific product reviews (Filmed. Currently being edited)
-Favorite drugstore products (To be filmed.)
-Everyday face routine (Filmed. Currently being edited)
-Halloween makeup (To be filmed.)
-Eyeliner 101 (Filmed. Being edited.)
-Regretful purchases (To be filmed.)

These are all videos so I can revive my Youtube page once again. In the meantime, check out my latest video "Lazy nails"!

What would you like to see? Hair, Skincare tips, Product first impressions, makeup, nails?

Let me know on my Facebook page or leave me a comment below.

Remember beauties, Stay Maganda!<3
-K

This question has been heard among women (and men) who strive to have longer locks for a very long time. However, have you been following a mere myth or is it actually proven and true?

  

MYTH or FACT:
Hair grows faster and longer if you get it trimmed regularly.

>MYTH<

Yes, this is a myth. Hair cannot grow longer physically if you are getting it trimmed often. Your hair grows (on average) 1/2 inch each month, and if you're cutting off your hair every 6-8 weeks, of course you won't seen any progress in growth because your hair is staying at the same length or starting at a shorter length (depending on how much you chopped off.)

Simple - hair will not grow faster if it is getting cut off. The speed it grows will remain the same as it was prior to trimming.

Clearing up the myth - They say to cut your hair to make it grow because trimming your hair will get rid of split ends. However, if you tend and baby your hair every single day, the amount of split ends you actually have will decrease immensely. So in the end you won't need haircuts or trims as often.

So how can you grow your hair? Check out these tips on how to get longer locks.

Just remember ladies (and gentlemen), growing your hair takes time, depending on how long you want it to be. As long as you keep your hair healthy and are preventing breakage, you will notice less hair breaking off, leaving you with luscious, healthy, long hair!

Good luck & Stay Maganda<3
-K

Happy Sunday Funday everyone!

Today's outfit is a crop top from my friend's graphics line -- Sucksess and a high waisted shorts. To balance the darker tones, I added a pop of color with the pink belt.

The shirt - I'MMATURE - is a clever play on words for young adults who are still kids on the inside. I know that's how I feel most of the time. I'm also one of those people who reminisces about her childhood often. How many of you also miss your childhood sometimes?

Definitely check out the website for some awesome graphic tees, tanks, stickers, and even hats. And just like every up & coming company, there will soon be more to come. They're currently having a "Back to Cruel" sale so grab these hot items while they're cheaper!

Also, continue to have a safe and happy Labor day weekend!!

What were/are your plans for the long weekend?

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

*My affiliation with Sucksess is simply a good friend who offers to promote products. I do not get paid to promote. Anything I say about the merchandise is my truest and honest opinion.*

I've gotten many requests on how to actually do what I call my "Lazy Nails". I've showed you them in a previous post as part of my "Weekly nails" series.

Now you can see just how easy it is to achieve these glamorous looking nails, in minutes.

If you do this look, share pictures with me on my Facebook or in the comments below!

Also don't forget to subscribe to my Youtube page if you like what you see. There will be many more videos coming up :)

Good luck & Stay Maganda<3
-K

If you woke up and your eyes still feel so heavy, why not accessorize? Sometimes makeup just won't do the trick and people can still see how tired you are based on your eyes.

What I do is simple -- Wear Glasses!

I'm in for another hectic week so I can foresee me wearing these babies often. Today was one of those days where I just couldn't wake up and kept snoozing my alarm. Does that happen to you too?

If you don't wear glasses, you can get really inexpensive ones from Ebay, even in the trendy thick framed ones. Most don't run for more than $10.  You don't need a prescription either because they will be non-prescription glasses or "plano". They're perfect for these types of days.

I've bought larger framed ones (similar to the "nerdy" ones) that are non-prescription just for the style. However, these in the photo are my real prescription glasses (Prada frames) so if you're shopping around, I recommend these :)

Remember: When wearing glasses, lighten up the area under the eye since the glasses will cast a shadow.

What's your favorite accessory? How do you cover up tired eyes?

Stay maganda!<3
-K

Ps: Do you like my shirt? I totally stand by thinking positive now-a-days. Be grateful for what you have in your life :)

After a LONG hiatus, I'm finally filming again!

Here's a screenshot of my rekindled passion -- filming beauty videos :)

This is where my love for teaching future beauties what I know started and I took a long break from it. But now I've set a new goal for myself to continue making videos and bringing my ideas to life again.

Stay tuned!

SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE: http://youtube.com/kelx0

What videos would YOU like to see? Leave your suggestions on my Facebook page or in the comments!

 

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

 

My trick for keeping my eyeliner in place all day AND my lids oil-free is this ^^

It's not necessary to wear every day (unless your lids get super oily) but on hot / humid days, this is definitely your go-to solution. You don't need both, one will do if that's all you have.

Urban Decay's Primer Potion is my FAVORITE eyelid primer. I've tried others and I haven't found one that does the job so well. I love how a little goes a long way, so one bottle can last your a really long time depending on how often you plan on using it.

Rimmel's Stay Matte Pressed Powder is my favorite powder to set my makeup. It super light and it really takes away the shine on your face, leaving a nice matte surface. Also, it's a drugstore brand so it's fairly inexpensive. Good deal!

On your lids, you can use one (or both) and just pat it on before adding your eyeliner/eyeshadow. With the primer, you see the minuscule amount I use? You really don't need a lot to get the job done. Keep in mind, I have smaller eyelids and I was only putting on eyeliner. If I wear this with eyeshadow I'd use more so I can prime all the way to my brow and under my eye.

Remember: Oily skin is not a death sentance or a tragedy. As long as you have the right tools, you'll be on your way to oil-free skin in no time!

How do you keep your face oil-free?

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

 

Sleep and Dark Circles

Did you know that dark circles aren't caused from lack of sleep?

Lacking sleep actually causes the eye area to become puffier than usual. This "puff" casts a shadow under the eye which in turn looks like a dark circle. If you get enough sleep, this puffiness can be avoided somewhat, but not completely especially if your eyes are naturally like that.

To remove the puffiness, a quick tip is to cool and refresh the area. Cool cucumbers can do this since cucumbers are full of water. You can also use creams with caffeine in it to get rid of the swelling.

Do you know the source of your dark circles? See if you can pinpoint your dark circles using my list.

Dark circles also become more prominent with age (unfortunately). So for a normal day, I recommend the Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Roller, which is a personal favorite of mine. Find out why here!

If you have any questions about dark circles or don't know how to target yours, feel free to share it with me in the comments below or on my Facebook!

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin and Facebook! I'll appreciate it very much :)

Myths Unveiled: Chocolate and Acne

Myth or Fact?
Chocolate gives you acne.

MYTH!

Chocolate has no ingredient in it that contributes to acne or breakouts. Having a bad diet is what can trigger breakouts. If you eat too much chocolate, you might see some emerging pimples or breakouts, but that's because you are putting too much fat and sugar into your body, not because of the chocolate.

The same thing can happen if you eat too much chips, fast food, or even drink too much soda. Your diet will show on your skin.

So you don't have to give up chocolate or fear getting breakouts if you take a bite of your Hershey's bar or M&M's, it won't hurt you. Just remember what the food pyramid says - eat your sweets in moderation.

There your have it!

How many of you knew this already? Any choco-holics out there?

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin and Facebook! I'll appreciate it very much :)

Weekly nails: Balance & Luck

Me and my boyfriend are complete opposites, but at the same time we compliment each other so well. Because of that, we gave ourselves the nickname - Yin & Yang - which is where I got my inspiration for this week's nails.

I didn't want it to be overwhelming so I balanced it out with plain nails using as close to a  Jade color as I could. Jade stones are said to bring you good luck in Asian culture :) My boyfriend gave me this Jade necklace which has a horse on it since I'm the Year of the Horse in Chinese astrology.



 

Would you like to see a tutorial for this look?

What's on your nails this week? Post a picture on my Facebook page or a link in the comments below!

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin and Facebook! I'll appreciate it very much :)

Myth or Fact?
Washing your face more often will lead to acne-free, clear skin.

    

MYTH!

Over-washing your face is counter-productive because all of that scrubbing will lead to a drier face and that flawless look you were going for will cease to exist. When your face becomes overly dry, your skin starts to produce more oil, resulting in an even oilier face! If you suffer from acne, stick to washing your face twice daily using products made for your skin type. If you're in your early teen years and are new to this, it will take some trial & error to get a proper routine going, but once you find it - don't stop doing it if it's working!

Washing your face is important and effective if done properly. Remember, too much of something is never a good thing.

So there you have it beauties, over-washing your face is counter-productive and leads to oily, dry skin.

What's your skincare routine?

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin and Facebook! I'll appreciate it very much :)

I'm starting a new beauty series where I unveil common beauty myths or misconceptions and get down to the truth of them all.

Myth or Fact?
Shaving or waxing makes your hair grow back thicker and darker.

         

MYTH!

When you shave or wax, hair essentially is growing back shorter, giving it the appearance of thicker hair. The base of the hair is thicker than the tip and so it appears to be thicker once it starts growing back (similar to the hair on your head!) Notice how if you let the hair grow for a while, it appears thinner than when it first started growing? When you cut or pull the hair out, what starts surfacing is naturally going to be thicker since it is new hair, but that doesn't mean your hair became thicker just because you removed it.

So there you have it beauties, shaving or waxing does not change the thickness or pigmentation of your hair.

Shaving, Waxing, Epilating, or a Depilatory - What's your preference?

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin and Facebook! I'll appreciate it very much :)

Growing your hair can be the most tedious chore for us ladies. Those of you who yurn for longer hair have tried almost everything and often see  little results, right?

Truth is - there is no product in the world that can stimulate hair growth and unfortunately it really depends on your hair type and your genetics.

Straight hair grows slightly faster for the sole reason that it is straight. Wavy or Curly hair grows slower because it twists and coils around. Notice how when you curly lock girls comb your wet hair straight it appears longer?

So is there any trick or technique you can use? YES! The real trick is to prevent breakage on already grown hair AND to stimulate your scalp because well, that's where all the new hair is coming from.

Bloglovin!

Hey all!

I've finally created a Bloglovin account! To follow me click here!

Bloglovin is great if you follow multiple blogs on multiple sites - blogspot, wordpress, blogger, etc. It allows you to see all of the blogs you follow on one page so that you don't have to log into so many different accounts to like a post. Definitely check it out! It makes following blogs 10 x easier :)

Follow my blog on Bloglovin!

If you have an account, comment with a link to your page and I will follow you to show support :)

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

With the latest trend being nail art and funky nail colors, it's hard resist temptation to try them. But, the only way you'll achieve nice looking nails is if you take care of them properly. I've gotten many compliments on my nails since I started doing them myself and some even mistaken them for being done professionally! I used to get my nails done at a salon in high school, but when I went to college, I wasn't close to my trusted salon and started doing my nails myself. It later became therapeutic for me and is now one of my favorite stress relievers. No more salons for me!

Here are my 7 tips on achieving healthy looking nails:

Happy Friday everyone!

Did anyone else feel like this week was super long, even with the holiday - or is that just me?

Since it's Friday, in most work places it's "casual Friday" meaning that you can dress down your everyday work outfit. It's unfortunate that there isn't a dictionary defining "dress down" in a way we can all understand and as a result, people often misinterpret the phrase.

Well, it really depends on where you're working and the industry itself. If you work in corporate, jeans are a definite no. But that doesn't mean you can't take part in the casual Friday. Check with your human resources department or one of your co-workers who's been there longer to see what's appropriate on casual Fridays. If you work in a creative industry, chances are that your dress code is much more liberal, but double-check just in case. The last thing you want is to be the talk of the office due to inappropriate work fashion.

Here's my outfit of the day:



Today I'm working at the design company where the dress code is more liberal, so jeans are allowed. To still make it work appropriate, I went for a dark wash jean, and completed the casual outfit with a structured blazer and some jewelry.

The key to a good looking blazer is to make sure it's fitted, but not too tight. The shape of this blazer curves inward at the waist and doesn't cut off at the bottom, so it doesn't give that boxy man shape you see in most blazers.

What are you wearing today?

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Arm Candy!

The "Arm candy" trend exploded this year once springtime hit. Bracelets all of a sudden became the hottest thing, practically becoming an obsession for some people. So what exactly is "arm candy"?

Arm candy is when you stack your bracelets. Really, that's it!

This can be done however you want to fit your style and fashion sense. Some people stack similar bracelets that come in packs, while others buy separate bracelets and simply stack them. You can mix and match big and small bracelets, colors, expensive and inexpensive jewelry - whatever your mood desires that day.

Arm candy can be worn on any occasion and is a great way to add some pizzazz to your outfit. So for those of you who don't like to experiment with prints or bright  colors in your wardrobe, opt for some cute arm candy instead to instantly dress up that outfit!

Here are some examples of what I've been wearing, mostly with everyday, casual outfits:

    

My yin-yang and patterned bracelets are significant to me, so I always try to find a way to incorporate them into my outfits. Good thing they're versatile!

Have you taken part in the arm candy trend? Send me a link to your pictures or post them below!

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Also don't forget to LIKE my Facebook for daily tips & tricks in beauty or fashion! Click here to LIKE!

Back to basics: Patriotism

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

I repainted my nails a little earlier than intended to celebrate the holiday. This basic French manicure is super easy and super stylish with the added color. If you've followed my weekly nails then you know I'm into basics when it comes to almost anything. But being basic or simple doesn't mean you can't be stylish right?



I love taking classic styles and adding my own twist to them. The thing with the French manicure is that it is such a simple design so why not add colors to jazz it up? In this case, I've used patriotic colors, but it can be done any way you want - experiment!

I plan to spend my day shopping (yay July 4th sales!) and spending time with friends and family. A day off from work is needed sometimes to indulge in life's good company.

What does everyone have planned for July 4th? What's your favorite nail trend?

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

To all my followers and supporters......

Hi everyone! This is a recap post as well as a thank you.

Sorry I've been missing again. I've been posting up quickies onto my Facebook page with quick tips of the day and pictures among other things. If you have not yet liked my page you should to keep getting those quick tips I have to offer, and you can even take a look into what I'm up to on a day-to-day basis with the instagr.am feed on my page.

Like my page here: Click!

I just wanted to say -- Thank you so much for the support. My followers and supporters keep me inspired to continue writing. I'm glad I can share my knowledge with you and I'm so grateful to have such lovely followers :)

Stay tuned for a new product review and my new nails of the week coming up soon!

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Art Lesson: Complementary Contrasts

In art terms, complementary colors are colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel. They are called complementary colors because although they are opposite from each other, they go together harmoniously. When placed directly next to each other, these colors tend to "vibrate" (try it with color swatches from the paint section).



For the primary colors (Red, Yellow, Blue) their complementing colors are the secondary colors (Green, Violet, Orange).

Being a designer and an artist I have a knack for colors and I see colors in their entirety. If you point out any color to me I can tell you just how much of each color is mixed in and if you give me paint, I can replicate it. (Crazy huh?)

The traditional color combos are commonly seen anywhere colors are used - fashion, makeup, and nail trends.

For this week's manicure, I wanted to display my love and understanding for color in the most basic of ways. Complementing them.

Using summer hues, I went with the Blue-Orange approach. What do you think?

You can try the same combination or experiment with other combinations like Red-Green or Yellow-Purple (Violet). If you don't like to be limited to just primary/secondary colors, look at opposing colors in the color wheel and combine those. Have fun with it!

Good luck & Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Wet Weather Hairstyles

New York, along with other parts of the East coast, has been hit with a series of humid weather, thunderstorms, and plain rain. On these days, trying out your latest sleek style may not be the brightest idea because you're actually going against your hair's chemistry.

When there are high levels of moisture in the air your hair naturally curls up aka, frizz. Even the straightest hair experiences frizzy hair. However, you don't have to have a "bad hair day" on these days, just try a different approach.

Some hairstyles you can try to have yourself a good hair day are:
1) Tie your hair in a side ponytail. This classic look is very elegant and can match with just about any outfit. Dress it up with cute hair accessories like clips or headbands. For a little sass, add a hair scarf.

2) Sport the wavy hair. Beach waves or even the classic bed head waves are highly supported by humid and wet weather. This would be the perfect day to finally try out the hairstyle and you'll notice that it will stay longer than on a dry day. For this look, spray on salt spray or use a pomade/wax and scrunch up your hair until you achieve the desired wavy look.
Check out this article to make your own salt spray or how to achieve the wavy look if you have stick straight hair.

3) Braid your hair. Braids are so versatile and can also be worn with any type of outfit and style. Any type of braid would suffice. My favorites are the Fishtail braid or the classic French braid. (Comment for a tutorial on either braid!)

What hairstyle do you wear on rainy days?

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

It's officially summer time meaning you're going to be spending a lot more time in the sun. However, spending that much time in the sun doesn't mean you need to give up on your makeup. Makeup doesn't adapt to the seasons, you have to change your makeup depending on how your skin responds to weather changes. In the summer, your skin tends to be more oily, leading to more shine. The trick is using the right type of makeup.

Weekly nails: Sephora inspired

I was in Sephora the other day and came across their booklet with all these sweet nail trends to try. They even come with step-by-step instructions on how to achieve the look. It was time for me to do my nails again and I decided to try one of their trends a try - the Nude nail.

Here's the original:

And my spin-off:

This was probably one of the more time consuming designs I've done due to the super steady hand you need when doing this look. I wanted to make each nail slightly different from the next, but I still kept my personal favorite trend of making one nail totally different from the rest of the nail.

Nude nail colors are another hot trend for this season along with bright colors, neons, and pastels. Nude nails are a personal favorite of mine because they go with everything and are appropriate for every occasion! At least one nude color is an investment worth making.

What do you think of this look? What's on your nails this week? 
If you'd like to see a tutorial, let me know in the comment box!

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

My "Lazy nails"

For someone who's always painting her nails, one wouldn't suspect that I do get lazy doing it sometimes. However, lazy never equals sloppy in my book. Check out a quick and easy nail look you can achieve with your favorite glitter color. Here I used Essie's Luxeffects in "A Cut Above", which is actually pink glitter.

All you need is base coat, your favorite glitter polish, and top coat - that's it! You paint half your nail and depending on how much glitter you want, you can go over it once or twice. I did it twice.

What's do you do for your "lazy" nails?

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Flashback Friday: Hair AND Makeup

It's Friday, the start of your weekend, so kick it off right! Here are two looks you can try if you're going out tonight or this weekend to hang out with friends. They're so versatile that you can wear them to any nighttime occasion. You can even combine the two for a sexy hair/makeup combination.

Natural Waves Look: 

*Tip* Always pair bright lip colors with a basic eye. You should always pick a feature you want to emphasize and stick with it. 

Quick Sexy Eyes:

*Tip* If you want to tone down the look, stick to brown tones instead of black. You can also switch up the look using different base colors, have fun with it!

What's your favorite weekend look?

Good luck & Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Less blowdrying equals healthy hair

If you want to cut down on your blowdrying, opt for a microfiber towel.

These towels absorb much more water than ordinary cotton towels because of the fibers intertwined within, essentially cutting down on your blowdrying time. They're fairly inexpensive and can even be purchased at drugstores like CVS or Wal-Mart, in addition to beauty supply stores.

The brand I use is "Turbie Towel" which is the same brand that created the "Turbie Twist". All I do is pat/blot my hair and tie it into a little turban for 5 minutes. When I take it out, the amount of water removed is very noticeable. It's even cut down on my air dry time!

Less blowdrying = less heat = less damage = HEALTHIER HAIR!

How do you cut down on the heat? Do you use microfiber towels?

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Tip of the Day: Changing your BB Cream

For those of you who never tried BB Cream because of the limited skin tone colors available, there are ways around it.

A little background: The reason why BB Cream comes in limited colors is because of its origin and where it is popular today. BB Cream was developed in Germany and then became highly popular throughout Asia, where skin tones are fairly light for the most part. BB Cream is supposed to oxidize to match any skin tone perfectly, if not closely.

For darker skin tones, BB Cream probably won't oxidize to that point of matching the skin tone perfectly and may leave a gray cast, but no worries!

There are several ways to fix this:

1. You can mix your BB cream with a tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation that is your skin tone, just enough to tint the cream.


2. Set your BB Cream with a powder that is your skin color


3. Use bronzer over your face after you apply the BB Cream

So go ahead and try BB Cream! If you don't want to shell out so much money at first, buy cheap samples from Ebay so you can try this technique before you commit to a full size.

Good luck & Stay Maganda! <3
-K

Weekly Nails: Cupcakes

I've gotten many compliments on my nails this week from both guys and girls! These fun, quirky nails remind me so much of a cupcake with sprinkles. It's so easy and simple to achieve this look, yet it looks pretty and eye-catching.

 I used Essie nail lacquer in "Figi" and Deborah Lippmann's "Happy Birthday".

What's on your nails this week?

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Tip of the Day: Puffy Eyes

If you ever wake up in a rush or didn't get enough sleep the night before you may suffer from puffy eyes.

A quick way to relieve this is to immediately wash your face with cold water. This will tighten up the skin on your face, including the eye area. If you need an additional boost, try a chilled eye mask and place it over your eyes for 10-15 minutes. You'll notice the eye area slowly reducing and it will continue to reduce as you go about your morning.

Garnier's Anti-puff roller is a product you can also use to de-puff your eyes, especially if you're in a rush.

Another classic is the old cucumber trick which works because it hydrates your eye area.

Have you tried these tricks before?

Good luck & Stay Maganda!<3
-K

This is a first for me, but being it's Saturday I thought I'd share with you what I've been up to this past week.

Tuesday: I had a job interview and this is the look I wore. It's simple and clean, which is a must for a job interview. You never want to be over the top or else you'll scare away your employer! Those are heels by the way, not flats. I also wore no jewelry, other than the necklace. (I got the job!)

I was eating blueberries and found this - it's green! Has anyone ever seen a green blueberry before? This was a first for me. It look kind of like a grape, but I knew it wasn't so it freaked me out.

  

Wednesday: This was my outfit and jewelry of the day, with a focus on the owl ring. If you follow me on instagram (@kelx0) you've definitely seen my staple high-low skirt before. It's my favorite piece for this season and can be dressed up or down. I wore this look to lunch with my mom and sister, and then to dinner later with friends.

Flashback Friday: Beachy Eyes

Happy June 1st! It's almost summertime so to celebrate I'm taking you back to a look I did last summer inspired by the beach at sunset. I love the color combination of blues and oranges/corals. What do you think?

What inspires you?

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Weekly nails: Timeless dots

My nails for this week were partially inspired from a drawing technique called stippling.

"Stippling" is a drawing technique when many dots are used to create a picture. Although I didn't quite create a picture on my nails, I was using the same technique to achieve this look. Several dots to create a semi-solid space, and less dots at a smaller size when I moved down the nail. It was fairly time consuming doing the dots but it worked out in the end since I ended up with such a unique design. I decided to use classic colors like black & white because the combination is timeless and it goes with just about everything. What do you think of this look? Would you like to see a tutorial?

What's on your nails this week? Leave a comment or pic below!

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

Reversing your dry hair just got easier

How many of you have heard of Wen cleansing conditioner? Tried it? Haven't because it's too expensive?

I wanted to try it since I first saw it on the infomercial, but didn't solely because of the commitment I would have to make financially. I also didn't want to get hooked on it and then end up having to shell out $40 a month, especially with my unpredictable income as a new college graduate.

When I heard L'Oreal created their own cleansing conditioner as part of their famous ever care line, I will be honest, I was skeptical. However, I have tried their EverStrong line in the past and it worked well for me, so after reading some reviews I bought the L'Oreal EverCreme Cleansing Conditioner.

Here are some forgotten items that I never wrote blog entries about, but wanted to share with you nonetheless.



This is a nail look I did about two weeks ago, before the nude one. Chanel is my favorite luxury brand. What's yours?



These are my current favorite arm candies. I've been rocking them almost every day, especially the yin yang & flower bracelet as they have special meanings to me. What's your favorite accessory to wear?



This was my outfit of the day two days ago (wednesday) which is a crop top & a high-low skirt + some major arm candy. I'm wearing a button necklace that a friend made for me & my hair is in beachy waves, since it is almost summer!

If you follow me on instagram (@kelx0) then you've already seen these pics. However, I wanted to share them with those who don't follow me or don't have instagram at all.

Stay Maganda on this lovely Friday! <3
-K

Faded Nails

Yesterday I attempted one of the hottest nail trends - "Ombre nails". This gradient/faded effect has been seen all over the beauty world for months, and it's actually not as hard as you may think. My favorite part is the versatility of this look and how it doesn't have to be so perfect, the more blended, the better. You can also use all kinds of colors to create different looks. Next I will try a complementary look using opposite colors.

This is my attempt at the nail trend using dark to light blues. What do you think?

Have you tried the "ombre nails" trend yet? If you would like to see a tutorial on how to get this look leave a comment below.

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

PS. If you follow me on instagr.am then you can keep up with my latest looks/styles/happenings before they hit my blog. Some of my instagram feed doesn't even make my blog until much later. Follow me @kelx0 (thats a zero.)

Back to Basics: Destroyed jeans

Destroyed jeans or shorts basically scream casual. They are also very versatile and you can pair them up with just about anything to achieve all kinds of looks. Here's a look I wore last week during my "back to basics" week.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="270"] back to basics destroyed[/caption]

I toned down the destroyed jeans with a flowy crop top and a black fitted blazer. What do you think?

How do you wear your destroyed jeans?

Stay Maganda! <3
-K

Travel necessities

I've semi-unpacked and here's what I brought. Not included is my face wash, my epilator, my manicure case, and my perfume since they're still sitting in my suitcase. Notice all of the drugstore items!?

Are you a heavy or light traveller?

Stay maganda!<3
-K

Ps. I am currently testing out the Wordpress app on my phone and can't check how the layout is appearing. But I wanted to share my trip with you all and this is as good as I can get to a computer right now. In the words of Tim Gunn, "make it work!"

Vacation time

Hey guys! Sorry for the long break again. I finished my busy finals week and am now a college graduate! It's been a crazy, but fulfilling week and weekend for me between the finals, graduation, packing and unpacking to pack again for vacation! Now its break time...

I'm on vacation right now in Virginia with my family. It's pretty relaxing so far, we just got in last night. Some upcoming posts will be travel related and how I organize myself to travel effectively.

How do you guys organize yourselves when you travel?

Stay maganda!
-K

Back to basics: "Does it all" Nails

Hey everyone! I'm super sorry for my hiatus lately, it's finals week so all my free time has been going to studying and doing projects ;(

As a part of study week I've had almost no time to do anything for myself so I've been pulling together a lot of basic looks lately, which really isn't all that bad with the right accessories!

This week I will be posting my basic looks that are quick and easy, yet still stylish. Cut down on your morning routine once in a while!

Check out these nails. Nude is an IN-color for all seasons and it goes with everything! Have you rocked this color?

[caption id="attachment_420" align="aligncenter" width="300"] essie nail lacquer in "mamba"[/caption]

Nude is another nail trend for this spring/summer, which is a good alternative to neon nail polish or crazy designs, which isn't always appropriate for work. If your job says your can't wear nail polish, a nude polish gives that "barely there" effect, so it's not always noticeable.

When picking a nude color, make sure you opt for a color close to your skin tone. Don't forget to pay attention to undertones as well!

Lighter skin: depending on your skin undertones, try a pink or yellow based nude.
Medium skin: try a nude with gold undertones
Darker skin: try a brown based nude

Remember, you want that "barely there" effect!

What do you think of the nude nail trend?

Good luck & Stay Maganda! <3
-K

Accessory obsession

For those who don't already know, I go through phases with my jewelry obsessions. First it was earrings, then it was necklaces, then bracelets (which I haven't really outgrown), and now rings. I think the obsession started sometime last summer because out of nowhere my ring collection just skyrocketed!

I wanted to share with you all my latest purchase which I've been dying to have for quite some time now. If you follow me on instagr.am then you've seen these babies already.



I was shopping for my graduation outfits in Forever 21 and (as always) I ended up in the jewelry section to see what new things they have and there they were! Two gorgeous rings that are total statement pieces. I've been looking for rings like this for a while, but could never find one that suited me properly. These are by far my new favorite rings & I've been rocking them almost everyday. I'm a big supporter of statement pieces because I believe it's good to stand out in all the right ways, so why not stand out with an awesome fashion piece? :)

What are your favorite accessories to rock? Any obsessions with a certain kind?

Stay Maganda!<3
-K

My recent stress reliever

I've been pretty overwhelmingly stressed lately due to it being the end of the semester, finals, graduation, you name it! To keep myself from getting TOO stressed, I've found something that really calms me down - painting my nails.

I've always been "that girl" who never has her nails not painted, but this time it's different. I've been trying to get more and more creative with what's on my nails and attempting techniques and using colors I don't normally use.

Check them out!

Look 1:

I call this "zig-zag" because I couldn't think of anything...What would you call it?
As you can see, I tried a little step-by-step thing here to show you how easy it is! Play around with different colors & designs. Tell me or send me pictures of what you did, I'd like to see!
*Tip* make sure the base color is completely dry. I waited overnight before I painted the top colors. 

 Look 2:

This is what's currently on my nails.
It's a simple french manicure but with different colorful colors. I wanted to do neon colors but my selection isn't that great so I opted for just bright colors. I did this by hand with no guides because I've developed a very steady hand over the years of painting and drawing. However, if you don't have a very steady hand I recommend getting French manicure guides, which can be purchased at any drug store. Again, see what variations you can come up with.

How do you deal with stress? Have you tried these looks before? Love? Hate? Leave me a comment (or pics) of what's on your nails this week!

Stay Maganda! <3
-K

All-nighters. Many of us have pulled one at least once, if not many more times. Being a college student, all-nighters are necessary to complete projects, papers, studying - you name it. The time that all-nighters tend to sky-rocket is during midterms and finals week.

For those of you following me on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram (@kelx0) - you know I've been pulling all-nighters this past week. However, you probably couldn't tell because of the tricks I use to look awake with little sleep. There really is an art to dealing with late nights/all-nighters.

These types of nights don't discriminate. You can encounter them in high school and as an adult with a career as well. So how do you handle them?

How to: Hair oils

The latest trend within the beauty world is putting oils in your hair. I know I'm guilty of taking part in it since I started my new hair care regimen last year. However, if you want it to be effective, there's a certain way you need to use these new (or not so new) hair oils.

These popular oils include: Moroccan/Argan oil, Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, etc.

Truth is, you can use any oil in your hair because these products contain Vitamin E, an essential vitamin needed to replenish your hair. Coconut oil doesn't have Vitamin E, but has other properties that help bind and protect the protein in your hair so that stays in your hair and keeps it from breaking. No oil is "better" than the other one.

People use oils essentially because of too much hair processing or excessive heat damage. It's true, these oils can replenish what was lost from your hair, but only if used properly.

Mini-Haul

The other day I made a few purchases on Amazon.com for items I've been eyeing for a while. Let me just say that I love Amazon because they have such a wide selection of items available and have trustworthy sellers for the most part. Also, investing in AmazonPrime is AMAZING because it's guaranteed FREE 2-DAY SHIPPING! 

I ordered this Tuesday night and got it Thursday (today) afternoon :)

With that being said here's my purchase:

Sunshine Award

I am honored to receive a nomination for the Sunshine Award from Whitney (Wands & Pliers)! I started this blog in December, went away, and really kicked it up in March. I want to thank all of my supporters for your ideas, support, and kind words. It's feels good to share my knowledge with people and I'm glad I've been helpful to most! You are all my inspiration :)



My nomination came from Whitney who runs her blog Wands & Pliers. She is an awesome blogger who shares her everyday life with readers of all kinds. Anything from hauls, to food, product reviews, and anything in-between. She's also a sweetheart so check her out!

Now to the instructions:

• Include the award’s logo in a post on your blog


• Answer 1o questions about yourself


• Nominate 10 other bloggers


• Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs, letting them know they have been nominated


• Share the love and link the person who nominated you

Here’s my q&a:

1. My favourite color: PINK


2. My favourite animal: PANDAS


3. My favourite number: 15 or 7


4. My favourite drink: GREEN TEA


5. Facebook or Twitter: FB: facebook.com/magandapanda // TWEET ME: @kelx0


6. My passion: ART & DESIGN


7. Prefer giving or getting presents: GETTING >.< I DO LIKE GIVING PRESENTS TO THOSE DEARLY SPECIAL TO ME


8. My favorite pattern: ARGYLE


9. My favorite day of the week: FRIDAY OR SATURDAY


10. My favorite flower: LILIES

Here’s 10 other bloggers you guys should check out =)

1. eyemasq


2. pearlessence


3. themakeupnerd


4. makeupbyleelee


5. blissno.9


6. lilmissshanghai


7. fancieland


8. productjunkiegirl


9. sleepingbootay


10. smokeyeyesmua

Stay Maganda!<3
-K