Spotlight | Vice Cosmetics x BT21 Collection.

Local beauty brand Vice Cosmetics dropped a bomb a few days ago and the K-Pop community, most especially the ARMYs, went wild! I'm talking about the Vice Cosmetics x BT21 collaboration, which has been the talk of the town ever since Vice Cosmetics started posting teasers of the new collection in their social media pages.

Vice Cosmetics x BT21 collection at SM San Pablo.

This Vice Cosmetics x BT21 collection was launched at Vice Cosmetics stores and kiosks nationwide last October 5, but this buzz-worthy collaboration had an early launching at BeautyMNL on October 1. And just as the husband predicted (lol), I was among those BTS stans/K-Pop fans/beauty junkies who were up at midnight, frantically adding to cart and making a mad dash for the checkout page.

Ironically, my orders arrived the day after Vice Cosmetics x BT21 collection's nationwide launch. And I blame BeautyMNL for that. It took them forever to verify my bank deposit, which should not have been the case had they accepted my credit card payment in the first place. Oddly enough, all four of my active credit cards (which are also in good credit standing, by the way) were rejected by their website. I've already raised this concern with the BeautyMNL customer service, and I'm still waiting for their response regarding the matter.

Moving on, here's my Vice Cosmetics x BT21 haul. The complete collection includes an eyeshadow palette (the first-ever from Vice Cosmetics), four blush and highlighter duos, four liquid lipsticks, and four lip tints. I skipped the eyeshadow palette because I hardly wear eyeshadow these days; instead, I purchased two blush and highlighter duos, two liquid lipsticks, and one lip tint.

My Vice Cosmetics x BT21 haul! :)

The BT21 Aura Blush and Glow Duo (Php 245) is a compact which contains a powder blush and a highlighter. I got the Universtar duo which features a peach blush and a peachy gold highlighter; and the Prankster duo which contains an orchid pink blush and a pink highlighter.

BT21 Aura Blush and Glow Duo - Universtar (left) and Prankster (right).

I love the smooth, buttery texture of both blushes, and how nicely pigmented they are. Prankster has a deeper shade which may seem intimidating from the pan, but it looks lovely when blended on the cheeks. The bright, orchid pink blush will work with most skin tones, while the lighter, peachy blush of Universtar will suit those with fair to light skin tones.

BT21 Aura Blush and Glow Duo in Universtar.

BT21 Aura Blush and Glow Duo in Prankster.

As for the highlighters, they're soft and finely-milled which leaves little to no room for fall-outs. Both shades give off a nice, luminous glow without looking too shimmery.

Swatched - BT21 Aura Blush and Glow Duo in Universtar.

Worn - BT21 Aura Blush and Glow Duo in Universtar.

Swatched - BT21 Aura Blush and Glow Duo in Prankster.

Worn - BT21 Aura Blush and Glow Duo in Prankster.

The BT21 Phenomenal Velvet Single (Php 225) is a 'modern liquid lip color' with a soft, matte finish. Like the Phenomenal Liquid Lipstick, the Velvet Single has a creamy, long-wearing formula, opaque texture, and flat matte finish. However, they don't have that subtle, chocolate scent that the Phenomenal Liquid Lipstick has. Still, I love the velvety, non-drying formula, and the intense color payoff of this product.

BT21 Phenomenal Velvet Single in Shooky.

Shooky - a natural, nude color that's perfect for everyday wear.

BT21 Phenomenal Velvet Single in Mang.

Mang - a perfect plum shade which gives major autumn vibes.

Finally, we have the BT21 Water Gel Lip & Cheek Tint (Php 175) an easy-to-blend, water-based tint for the lips and cheeks. Its formula is the same as the regular Vice Cosmetics Lip & Cheek Tint - not too runny, not too watery, nicely pigmented with buildable color. It also has the same fruity scent and long-wearing formula which I love.

BT21 Water Gel Lip & Cheek Tint in Chimmy.

Chimmy - a gorgeous old rose shade (more like berry to me)
that can be worn gradient or full lip.

Here are the swatches of all the lip products in the Vice Cosmetics x BT21 Collection. It's the reason why I visited the Vice Cosmetics kiosk here at SM San Pablo a few days after the nationwide launch. The lip tints and most of the liquid lipsticks (save for Koya and Mang) were already sold out by then. I hope they will restock soon for the benefit of those who were not able to buy online and had planned to buy them in-store.

Swatches (L-R top): Koya (Blushing Pink), Shooky (Natural Nude),
 RJ (Brick Red), Mang (Perfect Plum);
(L-R bottom): Chimmy (Old Rose), Kooky (Deep Red),
Van (Terracota), Tata (Red Orange).

If you're a fan of BTS, BT21, or simply a fan of affordable, good quality makeup, the Vice Cosmetics x BT21 collab is a great buy. Sure, they're a tad pricier than Vice Cosmetic's regular line, but I'm sure BTS/BT21 stans wouldn't mind shelling out a few extra bucks for this limited edition collection. On that note, Vice Ganda surely knows which market to tap and which demographic has purchasing power, lol.

Wearing BT21 Aura Blush and Glow Duo in Universtar on my cheeks +
BT21 Phenomenal Velvet Single in Shooky on my lips.

Wearing BT21 Aura Blush and Glow Duo in Prankster on my cheeks +
BT21 Phenomenal Velvet Single in Mang on my lips.

The Vice Cosmetics x BT21 Collection is available at Vice Cosmetics stores and kiosks nationwide, at the Vice Cosmetics official website, or at the Vice Cosmetics flagship stores in Lazada, Shopee, and BeautyMNL. They're selling like hotcakes so act fast! These limited edition babies might be gone before you can even sing 'oh my my my... for a boy with love!' :)

Understanding The Necessity Of Disability Insurance

Far too many young working professionals disregard the importance of having disability insurance. While this is mostly because no one believes that they are realistically at risk of becoming disabled or injured at a young age, it is logically impossible to rule out the possibility of accidental injuries. Unfortunately, you should consider the unfortunate reality of becoming permanently or temporarily disabled and how it would affect every aspect of your life from caring for your children to performing at work.

Kim Won Hae in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017).

Financial Implications
Not being able to work as a result of an injury can be a massive financial setback. Depending on the severity of the situation you may even be unable to work. Rather than maintain a misleading belief that you are excluded from such an unfortunate possibility, you should prepare for potential loss of income. In addition to this, it is also a notable aspect that treating an injury will be a costly affair, which means that the initial financial costs would be crippling.

Benefits To Rely On 
Disability insurance policies differ greatly, which is why you should take the time to assess what different insurers are offering by comparing quotes and reading policy details. You would need to determine which policy is most applicable to your individual situation as short-term policies are not suitable for everyone, although there are instances when short-term cover is the best solution. Some insurers may be willing to supplement up to 60% of your lost income, while others may provide less alluring benefits. You should also ensure you are opting for a policy with benefits that will assist with the medical costs of your injury.

Do Kyung Soo and Jo In Sung in It's Okay That's Love (2014).

Emotional Impacts Of Physical Injuries
While the physical impacts of an injury or a physical disability are most focused on, the emotional turmoil that can result is often overlooked. Considering an injury that keeps you from work will likely restrict your general abilities, coping with the rollercoaster of emotions may be the hardest aspect. Even temporary disabilities can have a massively negative impact on an individual's quality of life. Therefore, while you are comparing quotes for the best cover, it would be wise to determine how you would be able to handle the emotional impacts. As mentioned, assessing policy details is crucial when comparing quotes as some insurers may be willing to cover costs of therapy while others may not.

Park Seo Joon in The Divine Fury (2019).

Maintaining A Healthy Lifestyle
Preparing for the worst-case scenario is vital for peace of mind, although, the effort of maintaining a healthy lifestyle will essentially reduce your risks of accidental injuries. Even though strength training, regular cardio, and a balanced diet will not completely diminish the chances of becoming injured or disabled, leading a healthy life will aid your sense of well-being. Whether you are concerned about the possibilities of becoming ill or injured, exercise and diet are able to improve almost every aspect of your daily life regardless. There are several ways to plan for potentially crippling situations and ensuring your financial situation is taken care of is an assertive way of caring for the future of you and your family.

Top 5 Mountain Biking Destinations in Colorado.

When you think of the top destinations for mountain bikers, Colorado is commonly included since it features numerous mountain bike trails. Whether you’re looking for sky-scraping mountains, thousand-mile singletrack, or challenging bike trails such as the ones in Breckenridge, Aspen, or Vail, you’ll definitely include Colorado in your bucket list.

Here are five of the best mountain bike destinations in Colorado that will surely take your breath away.

Photo credit: Pexels.

Breckenridge or Summit County
Summit County is popular for being one of the best skiing sites in the U.S. It features the spectacular, high alpine single bike track. From Breckenridge or Summit County via a single track, you can also ride across nearby towns such as Copper, Leadville, Keystone, Silverthorne, Dillon, and Breckenridge. Summit County features over 250 miles of singletrack within its borders. Nevertheless, the general count is at least 812 miles of mountain bike trails within a 25-mile radius in Breckenridge.

It’s quite challenging though to deal with the mountain-scaling black diamond single tracks and low-lying starter trails in Summit County. You can also observe lift-serviced DH trails, dirt jump parks, pumptracks, and bike parks.

Crested Butte.

Crested Butte
Crested Butte is most popular as being one of the pioneers of mountain biking as a sport. The bike trail at Crested Butte though is incomparable to any bike trail outside Colorado. This mountain biking destination takes pride in its magnificent high-alpine bike trails that go for hundreds of miles.

Most of the bike tracks at Crested Butte though are old-school 750-mile singletracks. Nevertheless, modern flow trails and DH are being adopted because of the continuous expansion of Evolution Bike Park at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Crested Butte also features two unique in-town parks and progression bike parks that continue to blossom every night.

Grand Valley.

Grand Valley
The Grand Valley is considered a geographic area in the Western Slope of Colorado which also includes the towns of Palisade, Loma, Fruita, and Grand Junction. The bike trail in this area is mostly desert singletrack, which is ideal for a spring, winter, or autumn riding trip. Grand Valley though does not have high-elevation singletrack, and this accounts for Colorado’s diversity in terms of its bike tracks.

Trails are constantly being built in the Grand Valley. Tourism has also been improved through certain establishments like micro-breweries and restaurants. Grand Valley also features Powderhorn, a ski resort situated on the Grand Mesa. A new bike park was also opened in Powderhorn to draw more riders from other regions in Colorado.

Durango
Durango is considered one of the first mountain bike towns that have hosted the first UCI mountain bike world championships. This town also features the oldest mountain bike shops in the country, the Mountain Bike Specialists. There are about 300 miles of bike trails that can be accessed within 30 minutes in Durango. These bike trails are basically high alpine singletracks above treelines and dry, desert in-town trails.

Fort Lewis College in Durango is regarded as one of the most legitimate mountain bike race programs in Colorado. It has constantly produced world-class athletes as well. Durango also features about 20 trailheads, shuttles, five local breweries, six bike shops, bike paths, a new bike park, a skate park, and a BMX track.

Salida.

Salida
The Arkansas Valley located in Salida is known for its diverse climate zones. You can go cycling above the treeline in Salida’s high-alpine singletracks down to the desert area on the valley floor. Because of its unique ecosystem, Salida is an ideal mountain bike destination during winter or hot summers.

In just 45 minutes of driving to Salida, you will see about 500 miles of superb bike-legal singletracks and miles of doubletracks and jeep roads. There are also three main long-distance trails that intersect Salida and a range of bike-packing routes.

Colorado has a lot to offer when it comes to adventure through its spectacular mountain bike destinations. It is just a matter of discovering the various singletracks, trails, and routes that are quite hidden in the state’s alpine mountains and valleys. However, mountain bikers should take the necessary precautionary measures, especially if it’s their first time. But if you do get involved in a bicycle accident, know that you can recover from your injuries and get compensation for it through the help of legal experts such as a personal injury attorney. So remember, be safe and have fun throughout your journey!

Letting Go of the Past and Learning Forgiveness.

It is certainly true that the past dictates how one behaves presently. Unfortunately, past traumas or circumstances which impacted us have shaped how we perceive and relate in the present. If this is true, then the opposite can also be true, too.

Letting go of the past can shape the future and improve your present state of mind and being. We don’t have to remain hostages of our past. There is a certain freedom and release that happens when you are able to forgive and move on. This is easier said than done, especially if traumatic events have played a part in the wrongdoings of others. Fortunately, there are ways to address forgiveness in constructive and healthy ways, but first, let us examine the health toll it takes on our bodies.

Song Seung Heon in Black (2017).

The Toll On Your Body
Many people don’t know that holding onto a grudge or anger is detrimental to their health. Feelings of negativity, resentment, and unforgiveness affect the physical, mental, and emotional health of a person. Often, the negative effects of grudges manifest in physical ailments or diseases, which further affect the negative cycle of distress. Prolonged or chronic anger can affect your body in the following ways:

• Increase your blood pressure, which leads to an increase in heart disease 
• Affect your quality of sleep, which affects cognitive functioning and recovery
• Lead to overeating or malnutrition
• Increase levels of anxiety
• Contribute to depression
• Keep your body in a state of fight or flight mode
• Affect your immunity Increase the risk of diabetes
• Increase cholesterol Increase in the stress hormone cortisol
• Incidence of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Therefore, the act of forgiveness and the release of that burden will affect your health in positive ways and reduce the toll it takes on your body. Forgiveness is literally good for your health.

Lee Dong Wook in Goblin (2016).

The Freedom Of Forgiveness
Understanding the connection between past experiences and the way it affects your current state of being is paramount to letting go and moving on with your life. Past experiences have shaped your behavior and feelings and altered how you cope with certain circumstances. Understanding and deconstructing the process of how your past is affecting you is a step in the right direction when trying to move on with your life through forgiveness and acceptance.

The psychological aspects of healing are best dealt with in a holistic manner. Counseling sessions, healing sessions, and the support of loved ones are the strongest tri-factor in overcoming grudges. Psychological counseling sessions can address the root of anger and resentment whilst providing coping skills and psychotherapy. Spiritual healing sessions can provide the inner peace and energy realignment needed to fully let go. The support and understanding of loved ones improve the mental space of the person who is suffering while working through their emotions.

Cantabile Tomorrow (2014).

The Alternative Option For Healing
In addition to counseling or psychotherapy, energy medicine is an option that can aid you in letting go of the past completely and restoring the balance within yourself. The process of forgiveness is a tough and laborious one as it involves the active and conscious decision of letting go. Letting go of hurt, anger, disappointment, resentment, and hate. These negative feelings, especially if harbored over a long period, have a certain resilience and tend to linger when one has decided to finally forgive and move on.

Forgiveness does not happen in a one-off session; it is a gradual process of healing. Once you have identified the need for forgiveness, healing becomes a mindful process of working through the feelings and thoughts and then releasing them. The releasing part is notoriously difficult, which is why energy healing can have a significant impact on the process.

Energy healing can be used to ease or release the suffering and torment associated with resentment. The blockages of energy are caused by mental, emotional, and spiritual suffering, which can be addressed by energy healing. Addressing spiritual hurt is part of the healing process and can provide peace after a long period of suffering and pain.

The objective of energy healing is to address the energy blockages, work on removing them and provide relief. Spiritual healing aligns the inner being and facilitates the healing from within – a sense of true inner peace. It is important to remember at this point in time that you will need to be patient with the healing aspect. Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that forgiveness is a process and not just an act of compassion.

IU in Hotel del Luna (2019).

Learning Forgiveness
Forgiveness does not excuse the offender’s actions or validate their behavior. Forgiveness is accepting the deed happened and moving past it. Forgiveness is a self-care act, something that you do for your benefit and healing. Forgiveness is the act of acceptance, compassion towards yourself and finally letting go of the negative aspects of the deed. Forgiveness is not surrendering to the emotional enslavement of trauma, but rather the decision to release anger, resentment, bitterness, and malice. This ensures your life is your own and is not governed by the trauma. Your past does not have to define you.

Interrupting the cycle of resentment and anger, actively working on emotions, and striving for equilibrium within one’s self is the best way to let go and move on. The act of forgiveness is an act of healing. Be kind, be patient, and be present when letting go of the past and learning the gift of forgiveness.

How to Make Friends When You’re Traveling.

Today’s employee has freedom. Millions of people work from home. Countless others are enmeshed in the gig economy, picking up work where they can. For these workers, going to the “office” is a rare or impossible event.

If you’re in this position, it means you’re free to travel. In fact, the modern workplace is so flexible that you may have this option even if you’re not a remote worker. Unlimited paid time off is becoming more and more common.

Traveling solo can be a ton of fun if you plan correctly. One of the biggest challenges, however, is making friends. When you’re an adult, your social life is most likely formed around your job. If grabbing drinks with your coworkers isn’t an option because you’re not going into the office, you have to ger creative. The fact that you’re traveling adds an extra layer of difficulty.

On board Air Asia for another round of Seoul Searching! :)

Take a Class
In most major cities, you can find a class that meets regularly. It could be a workout group, a cooking class, a bible study. The options are endless. What matters is that you get out of the house (or hotel room) and do something that interests you. Making friends will come naturally. You’ll be engaging in an activity with like-minded people.

Let’s say you’re traveling in Texas and you interested in kickboxing in Kingwood TX. At Elite MMA, their classes “combine techniques from Thai kickboxing and western-style in order to provide a program that will teach you how to defend yourself and will give you a great workout while you are learning. You will learn with your colleagues by sparring at different levels.

Kimchi and bibimbap cooking class in Seoul.

Go Online
You can use the internet to enhance your social life. To start, you can find new friends online. By joining chat groups, commenting on social boards, etc. You can even go online to create a real-life connection. If you know that you’re going to be traveling in a certain soon, you can scout events to go to in advance. You can try to forge a connection with one of the attendees.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to find a group of friends and acquaintances across all of the cities where you travel.

Stay in Hostels
One of the easiest ways to meet people when you’re traveling is to stay in a hostel. They're designed to appeal travelers. A lot of hostels cater to a younger clientele, but there are plenty that accept guests of all ages. You will encounter a range of different accommodation options. The bunk bed, dorm-style option is the cheapest option. It’s also an automatic way to meet people. If that doesn’t suit your needs, you might be able to find a private room.

With Kim Jin Ah of Teseum in Seoul.

Go to BarsGoing to a bar is a classic social event for a reason. People go for the atmosphere. If someone simply wants to get drunk, the can do it at home for a fraction of the price. No matter what city you’re in, you can probably find a friend if you head to the bar. Now, these may not be lasting friendships. But who cares? You’re trying to expand your social circle. Having a casual acquaintance can be a blast.

Bar Da in Seoul.

Use Dating Sites
Dating sites and apps are a useful tool to meet people if you’re willing to put yourself out there. You’ll meet a lot of duds. But you may meet some fun people as well. If you’re completely against the idea of dating someone, there are apps geared toward friendships. However, it can take a while to find someone who you actually click with. Expect people to be very flakey.

Go Outside 
This is a simple one. Just go outside. Play Pokemon Go, walk around the park, hang out at the local pool. If you’re cooped up indoors all of the time you’ll never meet anyone new. Another benefit of going outside is that you’ll become more familiar with the area. It may feel strange at first if you’re walking around aimlessly, but it’s actually a good way to meet people in the neighborhood.

Yue playing Pokemon Go. :)

Ask Friends
If you have any friends in the city you’re traveling to, see if they can introduce you to anyone new. It’ll be easier to get invited to events if your friend can vouch for you. Other people will know that at least one person thinks you’re socially acceptable and fun to hang out with. Making friends doesn’t get any easier as you get older.