The Nail Diaries

Finances have been a little tight the past couple of months so, my bi-monthly splurge of gel manicure is dunzo.

If you take a look at the blue nail polish with my name ring, those are my hands in their greatest glory, perfectly gel manicured.

The ones on the top left are a slight cooler version of the lee press on nails, and I will admit Pussy Cat doll Nicole Scherzinger the spokes person, was the final sell for me >_< but sad to say they don't last long.

To satisfy my urge for fun nails on a budget, Sally Hansen Salon effects nail stickers have either been just as good as a gel manicure or a hot ass mess.

The blue leopard pictures lasted for ten days and the gold victorian print lasted for three. Tragedy!

However, they are the best alternative. if you follow the instructions exactly and put on a clear top coat.

If you get one of those cheap cuticle cutters from Walgreens, you're or step closer to feeling like a rich girl again with an expensive looking manicure :)

Smokey Eye and Big Hair: Urban Decay Naked Palette

The Perfect Smokey Eye by boothebootch featuring urban decay eyeshadow

The Urban Decay eye shadow palette has been the bane of my existence.

I was really excited when I first bought it, but as time went on I found that the colors were not as awesome as I hoped they would be.

The palette has a bunch of colors that would look great on any skin tone, but it just didn't go well with mine. Or so I thought.

I decided to make a plan of attack, cuz god forbid I wasted $50 on an eye shadow palette,

So I bought better brushes and watched a couple of youtube tutorials, and I think I've found eye shadow success!

For years I've been working on my smokey eye, but there was really no technique to it. All I did was fill my lids with black shadow, without any sort of blending or layering. I looked like a raccoon by the end of the night. It wasn't until I found this video below that I finally had an "aha" moment with my makeup, and I achieved success!

Homegirl in the video is using the Naked 2 palette, which I heard is so much better. However, I used the colors on the Naked palette in the same order as she demonstrated, and my eyes were the best that they've ever looked. Be sure to have a lot of eye shadow primer. I used M.A.C prep and prime eye

The tools that I listed in my Polyvore collage are most of the tools that are in the video. Of course I did some contouring to my face to add to the effect of the look.


As for my hair, I cannot find the original video that I used to learn how to do "Kim Kardashian" hair. I remember I did the look for my homegirl for a wedding, but big hair cannot be achieved without velcro rollers. The video below is the closest to what I do for my hair, except I tease the crown a bit before I put the rollers in for that extra Jersey effect.

My hair is super long, so to get the sex bomb hair takes about an HOUR. However, I love sporting this style for special occasions. Once you get it right you feel instantly sexy, like Jessica Rabbit sexy :)  As they say, the bigger your hair... the closer you are to god.

Bill Cunningham

"Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life"

Bill Cunningham is such a compelling character for film, because you can't judge right away whether of not he is empowered or disempowered.

At first impression, you wouldn't assume that Bill was in the fashion industry. Every day he dons a blue jacket from a hardware store, but he is freakishly obsessed with clothes to a point that makes you wonder..... why?

Hailed as the "Most important person in the word," his fashion photos are a coveted feature for the New York Times. Bill has spent his career photographing clothes of people of every size, shape, and color. There doesn't seem to be a cruel cell in his body. I would even declare that he might be the nicest person in NYC.

He truly is a purveyor for art and not a socialite, and would push aside a famous celebrity in an instant to get to the regular person with the most interesting outfit.  He calls everyone "child" and squeals "you kids!" with such sincerity and energy, you wonder how this  a beautiful light navigates through all of the snooty patooties in the fashion industry. Everyone in the industry clamors to get Bill at every major event.  It's beautiful and frightful at the same time.

I projected a lot of feelings of loneliness and sadness when I watched this documentary. Behind the smile, the bike, and the endless pockets of powerful friends, I just saw this little boy in an 80 year-old body. And at the same time, I just love him to pieces. Fashion truly is an armor. Life is freaking hard, why not look good while trying to get through it?

Bill's documentary is currently on Netflix. Check it out.

Raja Inspired: How to Contour an Asian Face

Contouring Tools by boothebootch on polyvore.com

The first time a makeup artist tried to contour my nose she made me look like a Klingon. Not only was I saddened that she was trying to reshape my nose, but the lines that she used to contour my face were too harsh and too obvious. In the Philippines they use this method for T.V. so that they can create the illusion of a thin pin nose, but when the contouring is too obvious it's pretty horrible.



I have a love/hate relationship with my nose as you can tell by over butt-hurtness of the Klingon situation. It wasn't until I saw Raja (WHO I LOVE) on Rupaul's Drag Race, that I started to understand the purpose of contouring, and how it can accentuate an Asian face without butchering the beautiful nose that was god given.

I'll be the first to tell you Raja as a dude is FIONE. With absolutely no makeup he's gorge and perfect just way he is. When he gets in drag he contours the sides of his nose and his cheekbones.  As a result showcases his eyes and lips more and displays a more feminine look.

There are a tons of videos on YouTube that will show you how to do it, but after much research on  I found that this video best explained how to best "blend in" the contouring without looking like a Klingon.



After much practice with the right tools, and the proper tutelage, last night was my best contouring session.  Not only was I happy that my efforts reshaped my cheekbones and nose, but I was able to kind of hide my ole forehead! I rarely go out without my bangs, but because I contoured it, I definitely felt more comfortable showing my dome.





  The two godsend tools that make contouring success is the MAC 187 brush and the Sephora concealer brush. To set it up you have to the do the tribal warpaint step that they show in the video,  and that's what I use the Sephora concealer brush for. The MAC 187 brush is what I use to blend everything together. This is the miracle brush, and also my most favorite of all my brush children.

I further highlighted my cheeks with a MAC peachy blush, and voila! You have a contoured face :)

I'm all about loving one's face. Everyone has features that are not their favorites, and contouring is not a way make them vanish, but rather to a way to embrace the face that you have. The links below have the product info for all of the contouring tools. Enjoy!

Contouring Tools by boothebootch on polyvore.com

Tatiana's Look

My good friend Tatiana asked if I would be her stylist next time I came to the bay. Of course I was flattered, and was happy to help since I'm trying to curb my own spending at the moment. I suggested that I make a fashion board for her instead.  Eh, it's not really at Vogue status yet, so I'm gonna have to practice some more. The names by her outfits are celebrities that give her a fashion boner.

Anyhoo, Tatiana is a major babe. I hope she shops for the both of us and *sniff* makes me proud :D

Tatiana by boothebootch featuring a suede jacket

Golden Globes GORGE: Salma Hayek and Charlize Theron

Kelly Osbourne: A True Pinay in Her Golden Globes Dress

PS I know I spelled her name wrong, but I'm too lazy to change it.

Second Hand Adventures: Clothing Swap and Crossroads

I got invited to a clothing swap in Long Beach this past weekend. I was sort of overwhelmed to walk into a room of 20 Filipino women dumping clothes in the middle of room, but the whole day was super fun and it was cool meeting new folks.

I suppose a clothing swap is appropriate for the new year. I like to reassess my closet every year and get real with what I do and don't wear. However, when my closet starts to lose weight I fill it back up again with more clothes.

Before this past weekend I had cleaned out my closet to sell, but I ended up coming back from Crossroads with more stuff than I sold =/ I seriously have a problem. I'm not sure if it's because I'm not dating, but I just feel so comforted by my clothes. Hello someone submit me for Hoarders! Whenever I get home from a binge I b-line for my room to avoid my roommate clowning the shit out of me, as I clutch my clothes and yell "It's my money fool! I can buy whatever I want!"

Well even though my last binge was all second hand stuff, I can't say that I actually saved money or created more space. But I came up like a true shopaholic. Below are my favorite items.

So my shopping choices are half delusional and half impulse.  Every girl looks at an outfit that puts them in a fantasy of a fabulous future event. So I'll let you know what the fuck I was thinking!

1. Puma Sweatshirt: I'm a huge fan of Weezer.  I might go to a casual dinner in this and talk about the 90's. Actually I found this sweater in the pile after a bootch tried to take item #3 off my back, but I'll get into that later. Anyhoo, I got really nostalgic when I saw this sweater.  I'll probably rock it with some shorts and kicks.

2. Shaun White Flannel: I see myself lounging around a coffee shop and being hip in this shit. Look at me on my laptop I'm writing fucker! *sips on expensive coffee*

3. Adidas Jacket: So during the swap the rule was, if you are already wearing it, it's yours. If it's not on you, you have to rock paper scissors for it. This tall bootch wanted to rock paper scissor for the jacket, so I looked at her with my mean ass bootch face. I let her try it on, and then the sleeves were too short. I told her I would shed a tear for her, and then said "now give me my jacket back bitch."

4. Cynthia Vincent Sweater: If your guess was that I would be hiking up Machu Pichu in this, then you are a snarky asshole. I got this from Crossroads. It's actually mad cute and comfortable. Wool and cashmere! Woot Woot! I have an all black maxi dress that I can wear this with.

5. United Colors of Benetton Jacket: Hopefully I can march around Sweden in this solving a murder with a girl who has a dragon tattoo. It's super Euro, but quite comfortable. Very rarely does it get cold enough in LA to sport this, but I have it just in case.

6. Ethnic Man's Shirt: Oh Boy... looks like I'm going to have to organize a rally! Where's my headwrap! Got this at the clothes swap. This was actually longer, but I hemmed it just now to give it a more feminine look. I'm gonna pair this with my black leather shorts or some wide legged pants.

7. BCBG Heels: Dude fierce and comfortable! When I saw these at Crossroads I sort of died. These are shoes that will last beyond getting from the car to the dining table. I can actually trek around the city in these.

8. Boutique 9 Kitten Heels: Another Crossroads find, but I'm gonna be real. These shoes are two sizes too big for me. Just listen..... I couldn't find them online anywhere. They are the perfect heel, very Ashley Olsen, with a touch of Rihanna. I will stuff the shit out of these shoes until they fit me.

9. Jewelry From the Clothing Swap: Bout to get my Erykah Badu on! I was actually eyeing all of this stuff while the coordinator was making the rules. I saw the two fingered ring from the corner of my eye, and at the same time was grabbing the door knockers and bangles. Yo, do not mess with my shopping. I will kill a bitch to get to the the stuff that I want.

Closing thoughts: Second hand can be a killer to the wallet even if you don't buy anything new for the whole year. However, it's worth it if you like bougie shit. There is no way I would have been able to afford the Cynthia Vincent sweater at full price, that sweater was probably $300. So there. Enjoy your second hand adventures.

Santee Alley: The Harajuku of Los Angeles

My good mate Joi is a very talented fashion stylist. Meaning this bootch is a professional shopper, and she is my "pusher" for clothes. One day I went to her house, and I saw these super cute Jeffery Campbell booties lying on the floor. When I tried them on she told me that they were knock offs from Santee Alley and she only got them for $25.

So later in the month I met her at Santee Alley, and got a whole bunch of goodies. I had quite an adventure buying a bunch of cheap but fashionable crap.

I'm not sure if I'm committed to labeling Santee Alley as the "Harajuku" of Los Angeles. I just saw that in the google search and I thought it was a funny comparison. Unlike the Harajuku district in Tokyo, you can walk out of Santee Alley with at least 20 items without filing for bankruptcy.

Here's a link to find more info about Santee Alley.

The four items above is pretty much what I walked out with. Okay everything I purchased was fierce, with the exception of the "MAC" makeup. I got super suckered into buying this because of the colors, even though I opened up the products knowing full well that they didn't smell like MAC products at ALL. *FACE PALM* I bought them anyway for $10 each. So I tried the eye shadows, and to my surprise I didn't get an eye infection. The colors are nice on the palette, but they don't blend well. Not worth the $10 or the space in my makeup bag. SORRY!

Okay so in the picture the boom boom shorts look mad pleathery, but I swear they don't look like that in person. The $5 dollar shirt..... well it's a $5 shirt. LOL

My favorite purchases are the eyelashes and the SHOES! I got JC's for $30 and the SE's for $60. I pay about $6 for my favorite fake lashes at Walgreens, so I sort of made a stock pile of eyelashes when I got to Santee Alley. My shoes have gotten a lot of compliments, except from some man friends who think they kind of look ridiculous.

I really want to hammer kick someone in the Sam Edelman knock offs. I have to be careful putting them on or else I'm going to cut myself LOL.

Bring cash and go with a friend. For the most part, you can negotiate a discount if you go with a friend and buy in bulk. Although I joke with Joi that I need to stay away from her, I really just need to stay away from Santee Alley or else I'm going to go bankrupt forreal.

My Journey in Vanity

My Christmas Look

I will be first to admit that Los Angeles has made me super vain. I tried my best to resist, but I miserably failed. I'm not even going to explain myself. It is what it is. I pat myself on the back for not buying as much clothes this year, but omg, I bought so much makeup I feel like a freaking Kardashian. Well I can also blame my penchant for youtube beauty blogs and Rupaul's Drag Race. 

Not that I aim to look like a drag queen in my every day look, but it changed some perspective. I look back on the years where I looked like shit, and I tremble. It was not a reflection of my best self, because I was a wreck. There's this god awful picture at my grandma's house from when I had boy short hair and no makeup. My brother jokes that he didn't know he had a brother -_-

So guess what? I got tips! Here's my two cents.

1. Ritualize Getting Ready: Remember the opening scene to To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar?  It's actually my favorite part of the movie :) When I shut the door and get ready in my bathroom, it's my selfish bitch time. I will take as long as I need to. I got my "Pretty Girl Rock" playlist on, and I do what I need to do!

2. Get that Good Shit: The holy trinity of awesome is MAC, NARS, and sometimes Urban Decay. Primer, bronzer, MAC brushes, and HD cream blush have been my favorite purchases this year. Although all these steps has extended my getting ready time, I've gotten better at putting on makeup. The purchases were a good investment in my vanity :)

3. Night With the Girls/Gays = Pictures: So shellac the shit out of that grill of yours! All I'm gonna say is, you don't want to be plain face in a group picture. Yes, this includes the gays.

4. Magazines In The Bathroom: I have a Mt. Everest worthy stack of magazines in my bathroom. So now you've learned that I'm a "reader" in the bathroom. However, I take this time seriously. I've learned some of my best beauty techniques during this time. There is a lot of irony in that.

5. False Eyelashes: Are the bomb! Learn how to use them. They make pictures look better, and my smokey eye look is never complete without them.

6. You're Still Smart. You Just Have A Cuter Outfit: I often dream that Stacy and Clinton from What Not to Wear will ask my brother and I to take over their show. If there is a talent that my brother and I share it's talking shit in a really loving way. Of course, I doubt we are qualified to take over the show. Anyhoo, I'm digressing. I used to have this perception that I had to reflect my beliefs through my appearance. If you went to a college with a lot of activist influence, then you'll know what I'm talking about. "I'm just down to earth," great, well you're face is also shiny in pictures.

It is very possible to have both a low maintenance personality and a hot look. If people judge you, that's their problem. As long as your beliefs remain in your heart, who gives a shit on how much money and time you spend on yourself. If I don't see you kick a baby or push an old lady, then go ahead and buy those shoes.

Poshmark

I just joined Poshmark, which was an idea I got from Yoshi. It's an iphone app that helps you sell clothes to a community, with a instagram-like experience. I've been super addicted to instagram, and when I saw there was an app that sells clothes with the same feel, I thought I'd give it a try. However, like instagram, it's only an app for your phone so there isn't an actual website.

If you are Poshmark my user name is @boothebootch. Most of my clothes are a size 4; Small/Med; Shoes: 5 1/2 or 6. This is what I'm selling right now:

Just a side note: Modeling the clothes was a funny experience in itself. I'm shitty at taking my own pictures through my iphone. This a huge reason why I'm not a fashion blogger.

So I used photobooth on my mac instead. I waited till my roommate left the house, so that I could use the kitchen as my "studio." As I propped my computer on my kitchen table,  I sucked in my gut like all hell,  so I could give fierce body like a drag queen after a buffet. 

If anyone has questions about the clothes. Just give me a holler in the comments. 

AH MAH GAWD!

My friend Alexis.... very talented and very beautiful. Dang girl we should be dating! LOL Jk she's married and has an adorable daughter.

We come from the same artist community, and over the years I've been a fan of all of her plays and just overall pleasant disposition. She's always remains positive and insightful in the most difficult situations. Did I mention she's also funny as fuck?

I follow the MISS Crew blog and when they did a call out for beauty bloggers/contributors. I knew that Alexis would be perfect for the job, so I forwarded her the call out. Yes, everyone... I'm giving myself CREDIT! Damn I should be a talent scout. Teehee.

I always look forward to her meticulous yet accessible beauty posts. She has an enviable medicine cabinet and that I just want to rob. She shares my love for NARS cosmetics and gay men. What a beautiful combo!

Of course it comes of no surprise that Miss Crew snatched her up! She is now a contributing beauty blogger. Check out Alexis' first post for them. If you see Alexis on the street give her a high five. Love you girl!

Photoshoot with Ann Borja

contact:
e. annaborja@gmail.com
m. 415. 240. 2131
Website

Shot with Canon EOS 50D.

It's Great to Have a Best Friend

Who is also a great photographer. Thanks so much Miss B17 for always being there for me.



By the way, that's a 29 year old jump! Behind my big ass smile was a big girl grunt.

I Found My Red Lipstick

I've always shied away from red lipstick because it made me look more Chinadoll and not Gwen Stefani. I've always envied those girls who can just put on nothing but red lipstick and walk around like some chic Parisian in the Spring. I also love retro looks so I've been trying to find the right shade that fit my skin tone and my face shape.

After much trial and error I think I've found my match. Lipstick: Rouge Artist Intense from Makeup Forever and MAC's LipGelee in Lush and Bright. The Lipgelee Lush and Bright is discontinued for the moment, but any of the Lipgelees with a bright, glittery, and shiny pink should fine. I like this gloss because it's thick and rich and it makes the pout look extra luscious!

I asked my male/straight roommate, "So what do you think of the red lipstick? Does it work?"

"It's very.......red."

-_-

Later that night. Tinna says to my roommate, "Why don't you just compliment her red lipstick!

LOL.

Here's to the Chinadoll! Yay Red!

Would you like a Whores DU Vore?

I've worked only in non profit and in food service.... at Red Robin. I've never been asked to look Hot for anything.

Then my cousin calls asking me to cater, and she says has I have to look sexy =/ Cocktail dress showing cleavage she specifies. Geezuz.

Alright..... sounds fun. I go to the insta-babe routine. Everyone woman has one. Mine is part hooker and part Kardashian. Don't judge bootch.

There is this show called "Secret Diary of a Call Girl." If any of you whores know this show you know that the biggest rule to looking sexy is big hair and heavy eye make up. It's summoning Bridget Bardot, but I'm Asian so I have to make some compromises.

Big hair= rollers, teaser comb, and hella hairspray.

Sex eyes= heavy black makeup and fake eyelashes.

DSL lips= lots and lots of mac lip gloss in pink or neutral.

Video chick legs= Sally Hansen Spray tan

Skank dress= Forever 21

Before Whore-fication


Big Big Whore ready to serve Whores DU Vores aka hors d'oeuvres

That night was a lot of fun. Working in non profit my wardrobe consisted of mostly hoodies, jeans, and air maxes. I was totally wearing a costume. I was talking to the bouncer that night about my airjordans. His reply was, "YOU wear airjordans?"

So yeah.... total costume. Need a pick me up? Try the whorefying your face once a month ;)

I Am Sasha Bootch

So before I got laid off, but I knew that they were going to lay us off. I started to become obsessed with fashion blogs.

I'm like.... how are these prepubescent skinny pretty asses getting all this money to wear $2,000 bags and these bougie ass clothes? The self portraits KILL me! The pouty pseudo sexual I call it.

Well these pretty little bootches have allowed me to sort of take chances with my style.

So on Friday night I was like fuck it. I'm going to try that pompadour style I've always wanted to try. I styled a friend of mine with it and it looked sick!

I'm hiding behind my laptop at a coffee shop as I post this pic......

I disappointed that the pompadour wasn't as high as I wanted it, but it lasted throughout the night. I got Chinese province hair so it's heavy as shit. It never holds curls well, I hella don't regret it! Below is the video on how to do it.

Rules of the Drunk Clubbing Pictures

Everyone gets caught with a moded drunk clubbing picture. You got a drink in your hand. You're sweaty. You think you look cute, but you HELLA don't.

Take a look at this beauty. Exhibit A:

Glossy Eyes. Moded. Sweat. Moded. Pseudo "Wassup wit it Pose." Moded. Non-Flattering Angle. MODED. At this very moment I am having the time of my life, but what I did not consider is..... how will my drunk club picture look? How will this piece of art be perceived by the wide audience on this dude's picture website. It's a harsh world out there.

Ah. So I learned. Take a look at Exhibit B:


Tip one. Keep eyes OPEN. No matter how drunk you are keep your eyes open. Show your good side, wipe your sweat, and angle to your good and flattering side. Here's a two dollar tip, if you have a megawat smile. Use it. It hides drunk better than not showing your full glass of rum and coke in your picture.

It takes a rock to make a gem. Top Model challenge, how to not look moded in a drunk in the club picture. This should totally be a Top Model Challenge. Tyra don't know about this shiet.