Back To Regular Programming

I think I just grew wrinkles that aged me 20 years older, due to some site problems. This blog had several issues the past week. It was loading uber slow that I decided to change hosts after encountering various problems with my previous host. Also, I was using an old version of wordpress which puts this blog at risk for more troubles.

I've attempted in the past to upgrade to the latest wordpress but I ended up with an empty blog. The techie wanna-be in me tends to try out things that often leads me to technical misadventures. Good thing I was able to restore my blog that time although I didn't know how I did it.?!? Uh, divine intervention?

I transferred to a host specializing in wordpress just so they'll have my back the next time I encounter difficulties troubleshooting my blog. However, the issues plaguing my site was larger than life and it had to take the award-winning  technology blogger, Jaypee of Jaypeeonline.net to figure things out. If you are reading this far from its sickly disposition, I owe that to him. Thank God I was also saved from bleeding my brains out trying to solve something way beyond my capacity. To think I was considering using Drupal and Joomla before. *covers self in shame* Yeah, I just heard you say, "ambisyosa."

Aside from the upgrading, Jaypee was able to find some errors that were making this site an easy prey for attacks. Some of which, were probably of my own doing. I could just imagine him shaking his head in disgust over the mess I created in my own site, but  I couldn't thank him enough for sharing his expertise that would have cost me an arm and leg had I hired a techie professional. No wonder he's blessed to have plenty of blogger friends who are all praises for him. And yes, he has minions who read his blog all the time.

If you're having problems with your current web hosting and are looking for a new hosting service, you might want to try WP webhost where you can avail of 30% discount using Jaypee's code: Jaypee30. Cool, huh?

Thanks are also in order for CDO Bloggers president and wordpress theme designer, Chiq Montes for her expert advice.

By the way, my apologies to the email subscribers of vanityclinic.com who received an alert yesterday about an entry I wrote for my semi-personal blog on another site. I didn't know how that happened (yet again!). Oh well, welcome to another episode of my technical misadventures. It's so creepy, it's like parking my car in the wrong house. Sorry about that.

Ok, now that my blog just came out of the ICU, prepare for for more makeup tricks and answers to some of your beauty questions. Til then!

JLo's Beauty Secrets

If you're wondering who's the artist responsible for most of Jlo's trend setting makeup looks, it's Scott Barnes. He is Jennifer Lopez' favorite makeup artist who just launched a book called " About Face,"  revealing celebrity beauty secrets.

J.Lo was there to attend the book launching, wearing a strapless classic black Louis Vuitton dress. She appears on the book's cover, and wrote the foreword in support to her makeup stylist and beauty adviser. She shares that Scott Barnes taught her tricks on highlighting and contouring, among other tips that she learned from the beauty guru.

Scott Barnes spills his secrets on replicating JLo's beauty in "About Face". According to reports, he wrote easy to follow instructions on doing makeup on yourself. It's just like hiring Scott Barnes himself to do your makeup, except that it's your hands doing the moves.

JLo is starring in an upcoming movie, "The Back Up Plan," which is due for release in April. There are rumors that she will be appearing on the hit TV series "Glee," soon.

About Face is available from Amazon.com.






About Face is a compendium of everything make-up artist Scott Barnes has learned during his career working with A-list celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jennifer Aniston. About Face is packed with techniques for every area of makeup application. Part One focuses on dramatic makeovers of real women with a twist: each woman comes in looking the best she thinks she can look. The author then deconstructs and debunks their look taking them from attractive to (more...)

Cosmetologie 2010

Following the success of last year's Cosmetologie 2009, the Philippine International Cosmetologists Association (PICA) and Premier Events Plus Group, Inc. are staging Cosmetologie 2010 on February 23-24, 2010 at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia, the same venue where it was held last year.

I attended some makeup lectures by Fanny Serrano (Classic and Bridal Makeup) and my make-up teacher Lourd Ramos (TV Makeup) during the Cosmetologie 2009. They gave out certificates for attendees.There were booths that sold beauty supplies that are hard to find. The Fanny Serrano booth, from where I got my Sea Sponges, gave discounts on the make ups.  Suesh had their exhibit booth where I met one of the owners, Sheryl. I tested their makeup brushes that I didn't have yet and I must say the superb quality is consistent in all of their brushes and other products. I bought a leather makeup traincase from them during the event. The exhibitors were varied. Apart from the beauty products showcased, there were lucky charms and magnetic bracelets sold, while health supplements including herbal sleeping pills samples were given away.

Apart from the paid lectures (around Php200 per session), they had free demonstrations in the hall where prizes were also given away. Celebrities  like Pops Fernandez either performed on stage or simply graced the event. Although most of the attendees were salon owners and workers, the convention is a must-attend for all beauty enthusiasts, including makeup newbies. There is much to learn in the trends of makeup artistry and hairstyling that you have to be updated on.

According to  PICA, here's what to expect in Cosmetologie 2010:

Cosmetologie 2010 will provide the most rewarding educational experience to all its participants with different activities conducted by professionals and experts in various disciplines of cosmetology such as:

Interactive Workshops on Classic Cutting, Comprehensive coloring, Seasonal & trendy styling, Specialty make-up, Nail Enhancement, Hair Enhancement, Aromatherapy & Reflexology.

Live Demonstrations where visitors can watch and learn from the best in the industry as international celebrity experts conduct demonstrations on-stage

Daily Runway Shows where visitors will see total looks come together with fabulous fashion, amazing accessories, spectacular hair and make-up all set to vibrant music and expert commentary.

For more info, please visit the PICA website or the Cosmetologie 2010 page. The former is the source of the event poster above .

Smashbox Eye Wish Palette Now On Sale

Smashbox is having a beauty blow-out sale with 25-50% discounts on selected items. Included in the sale is the Holiday special, Eye Wish palette which used to be $44. It is now sold for only $33! This has much lesser colors than the Ultimate Palette which I got in 2008 but it contains bolder shades, the Smashbox Lid Primer and a lookbook that teaches step by step applications for 13 party looks.

The $49 travel brush that I featured in an earlier post is now reduced to $36.75.

What sets me on panic mode is the Hybrid in 2 Luminizing Primer which is marked down from $34 to $17! Here is a brief description from the Smashbox website:

Get instantly smooth and glowing skin and create a perfect canvas for makeup application with this revolutionary dual formula PHOTO FINISH FOUNDATION PRIMER and ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. It’s packed with vitamins, antioxidants and botanicals for added healthy skin benefits. Wear under foundation or alone for a gorgeous natural glow. Can be used all over face for a radiant complexion or blended over cheekbones, brow bones, the bridge of nose and chin to highlight.

There are plenty more products and gift sets on sale which you may find interesting, just go head over to Smashbox.com.Tip: Grab these makeup goodies while you can because most of these are limited edition items. They are placed under the curtain call area of the website which means they will be gone soon. The next time you look for these, they will probably be sold in eBay by retailers who will sell the set items individually at a higher price.

Images from Smashbox.com

Blogger's Block & Some Contests

Ever since the new year started, I've been out of words to write. It's like my brain's been reprogrammed that I don't know how to blog anymore. Sheesh. I think I have a bad case of a Bloggers' block. It's taking my neurons forever to rise to its action potential from the holiday rest, as though it's on a vacation in Panama city beach FL. Hope it doesn't wait for the Chinese New Year to get its blogging groove back.

There are plenty of topics that I still have to cover yet I don't know where to start. Some of the entries are still on draft mode which I should finish before the month ends. I got a couple of emails requesting for particular topics, please do hang on!

I promise more contents for this year. And oh, if you're looking for a chance to enroll in a makeup artist course for free, Minute Maid and Beautynomics.com are having a contest til January 29, 2010!  The ad is frequently being shown below. They are giving away a P15,000 worth of makeup short course  at SOFA, the school featured on Project Runway Philippines. For the full mechanics, please head THIS WAY.

If you're a coffee-loving fashion plate, you might want to try your luck at Equal's contest for a free Figaro Coffee and let the world know of your fashion style. 150 winners are chosen daily. Read more details on THIS SITE. Good Luck!

Speaking of contests, I have something under wraps for you. Will draft the mechanics soon when I fully wake up from this blogging slumber. For now I'm still "sleepwriting" so pardon my incoherence. Please watch out for the coming posts.  ZZZZzzzzz...

Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel Agency

From Wow Philippines:

WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is celebrating it's 5th year in business during July of 2010, and we would like you to have a chance to celebrate with us, so we have decided to give-away a FREE Boracay Package complete with 5 Star accommodations at the luxurious Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel on Boracay Island. The lucky winner will win the following Boracay vacation package:

Vacation Package Inclusions:

- 5 Days / 4 Nights Luxury 5 Star Accommodations at the Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel

- Flights to Boracay from Manila to Caticlan Airport on Philippine Airlines

- Island Transfers - Door-to-Door from Manila to the resort and back to Manila Domestic Airport

- Three (3) Meals each day, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

- Boracay Activities - Horseback Riding, Island Hopping, Glass Bottom Boat

- PLUS - 5,000 peso Spending Cash

Read More Information: http://www.boracay-packages.com

Prepped up for the win?  Get ready with those swimsuits and digital cameras as you visit the white sands of Boracay. Good luck!