SIMPLE MAKEUP LOOK

Growing up, I've always been interested in makeup. At such a young age, I was known to be that girly child--taking ballet lessons in the hopes of becoming Barbie in Barbie of Swan Lake, and having to put pink clips all over my newly braided hair. I even recall stepping into my mother's office and being amazed with all the beauty products I laid my eyes on. In fact, I enjoyed the free samples given and being able to keep the products for myself. Haha! Up until this day, my love for makeup products still stays. It absolutely serves as an everyday reminder of how fun it is to be a girl!

I go by the saying, less is more. I try not to go overboard with makeup. I like it looking natural! These are the products I highly recommend. 

MAKEUP PRODUCTS: 

Makeup Forever Step 1 Base Hydrating Primer

Loreal True Match Concealer in Fair/Light

MAC Studio Fix Powder in C4

The Face Shop Brow Master in Dark Brown

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade

Avon Luminous Blush in Peach

NARS Laguna Bronzer (for the eyelids)

Lancome Alber Elbaz Mascara

Maybelline Hypersharp Liner

Burt's Bees Replenishing Lipbalm

Kylie Jenner Lipstick in Koko K

ARE YOU IN A FILM OR IN REALITY?

T-shrit from Zara / Pants from Uniqlo / Bomber jacket from Harajuku / Watch from Casio

In the game of would you rather one question always seems to leave a mark, "live in the past or live in the future?" Through the years, I've unceasingly answered past, due to the fact that the mid fifties always stood out to me. Whenever I'd see photographs of my beautiful grandmother in her twenties, I'd pause and wonder what it would be like to strip off my millennial badge to live during that time. Besides my undeniable infatuation for James Dean, my source of entertainment consists of watching Marilyn Monroe documentaries, appreciating vintage style (like Nancy Wheeler's shearling jacket from Stranger Things!) and listening to Ella Fitzgerald. 

You get the picture, right in the midst of Rebel Without a Cause and Grease, an era that never fails to make me blush. May it be the colorful diners with fifties jukeboxes, a classic baby blue Chevy parked outside, clothes that spell - dress to impress, and hours on end spent teasing your hair with cans of hairspray, there is absolutely no surprise that the glory days will always come back in trend. 

SAKURA BELLA

First and foremost, please do know that I have been mia for the longest time. I don't even want to mention how long, because when has that ever been a surprise? But I'm back and better, and I promise to post regularly. If not you have been granted the permission to unfollow me and block me out of your life... Slightly kidding aside :(

If you follow me on Instagram you'll know that I recently came back from my trips to Japan and Batanes--both spectacular places that I'd be more than willing to rave about. As you can tell from the pictures, this post is about Japan and how I casually try to take decent photos in front of the ever so beautiful Cherry Blossoms. Also known as Sakura, this flower was actually one of the main reasons we booked a flight within the months of March and April. It's true what they say, there is absolutely no better time to visit Japan than during Cherry Blossom season.

For this trip, we focused on going all around Tokyo. We visited places like: Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya, Ginza, Akihabara and Roponggi. We actually stayed in Shinjuku, which was my absolute favorite. There's a special vibe to Shinjuku that makes you want to stay and just roam around in your comfiest clothing while heading out for some midnight Family Mart. Don't get me wrong though, I loved other places too! I absolutely enjoyed sight-seeing and shopping in Harajuku, especially since I got to admire all the cute and colorful outfits that I don't get to see in Manila. 

I enjoyed everything so much--from the food, to the ambiance, to the warm and welcoming people... Everything in the places I went to made me want to stay there, except for the loooong lines I had to endure whenever we wanted to try something out! Although, I honestly didn't mind because the Japanese restaurants sure did verify their worth. Food was authentic and clean, which to me, was a huge thumbs up. :) As my mother ticked off a box from her bucket list, I on the other hand, pictured myself coming back to this city to see the Cherry Blossoms countless times.