My New Glasses

    I recently got my eyes refracted and got myself a new set of glasses and honey-colored contact lenses. I don’t care what all you un-hip people say. ‘Geeky’ is the new ‘Cool’. Just ask Pikachu.

    I’ll post pics of me in my new contacts (I used grey previously) once I get some good shots. Sometimes I think my new contacts make me look like a demon but then again, I should be used to shit like that. I wasn’t called the Green-eyed Monster in High School for nothing! 

Bad and Good Mineral Makeup

    Mineral makeup boasts of being au naturelle and safe for all skin types but that is not necessarily the case. Before you buy mineral makeup, make sure that they do not contain any of the following:

    Bismuth Oxychloride is responsible for producing that pearly shine/glow that mineral make up gives to your skin. However, some people suffer from break outs and skin irritation (which includes rashes and itchiness) after using products which contain it. Why is this the case and what exactly is Bismuth Oxychloride? This ever-popular ingredient of mineral make up is actually a by-product of copper and lead refining and it shockingly resembles arsenic in its chemical make up. It won’t stick to your skin unless you force it into your pores (break out alert!) so this, on top of its crystaline molecular shape, causes irritation of the skin. Bismuth oxychloride is also used as an inexpensive filler.

    Talc has been linked to lung cancer, which is pretty scary if you think about it considering that most body/baby powders and cosmetics contain this ingredient. The particles of talc are very small, and when inhaled, can cause inflammatory effects in your lungs. Used as a filler as well.

    Other ingredients you should watch out for are cornstarch (used, again, as a filler. It has a shelf life so make sure to check out the expiration date. Causes irritation in some) and parabens (unfortunately you can find this ingredient in most bath and body products. It can cause hormonal imbalance and is linked to breast cancer).

    These are some of the most common ingredients in drugstore mineral make up brands such as L’oreal, Avon, and Neutrogena to name a few. Bare Minerals and Bare Escentuals also contain some, if not all, of these ingredients. So does that mean that we should not consider using mineral makeup at all? Not if you know where to look!

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Manila Comic Con

And yet, another convention! Check out this press release about the upcoming Manila Comic Con:

The long wait is finally over. Buckle up, Manila, because the Mecca of Comic Culture is coming to town. On 18th and 19th of October 2008,
the Glorietta Activity Center and Glorietta Tent will be transformed
to a Comic Culture Wonderland as Hobbylink Productions, Inc. presents
the first world-class comic convention to hit the Philippines, The
1st Manila Comic Con.

The 1st Manila Comic Con will bring together the best and the
brightest comics talents the country has to offer. Celebrated Filipino
comics artists will honor their patrons, staunch comic book
aficionados, by conducting an exclusive book signing and book
launching all throughout the event. Not to be outdone, Filipino
sculptors will join in and exhibit their masterpieces. To top it all
off, a Cosplay Masquerade Party will be held on October 18 at the
Glorietta Tent to create an awesome venue where enthusiasts, hobbyists
and artists can get together socialize and build a positive comics energy!

Too good to be true? Think again! The 1st Manila Comic Con will go
where no other comic convention has dared. It will bring a hail storm
of toy sale, panel discussions, life-size and museum-type displays -
all done in an international-convention style.

What are you waiting for!? Spread the word and Get ready for the next
Big Thing!

Cosplay Mania ‘08

     Cosplay.ph are putting together this big cosplay event on October entitled Cosplay Mania ‘08. They’ve got a bunch of activities and contests lined up such as workshops, a cosplay catwalk, exhibits, costume building contests and even a cosplay video contest. So, yeah, it’s gonna be all about coplay, cosplay, cosplay!

    The entrance fee costs P100 but I’m going in for free because I helped out one of the organizers. Yay, me! A co-worker asked if I have any backstage passes to check out Sauron in the buff but, no, I’d rather see Sauron fully clothed, thank you very much.

    Check out their official website here. 

Conceptart Here I Come!

    For a long while now I’ve been thinking about starting another account in a different art site. Not that I will close my deviantART account, it will remain active but let’s just say that it gets annoying being there. It’s like one big popular contest with extra points if you cosplay or look cute (hell, sometimes you don’t even have to be that cute. Just don some anime chick’s outfit and you’re bound to get noticed).

    I want to join a community where it’s all about the art. Not that cosplaying isn’t art in itself, what I mean to say is that I want to be in a place where skills in digital painting are valued over the artist’s physical looks. I want to be in a community where I can get critique from people who actually know what they’re talking about and not from people (and kids) who think they do. It gets redundant getting comments like “Cool!” or “She’s hot!” with every artwork I upload. And quite frankly, it gets very depressing. I’ve outgrown the phase of wanting to get alot of “faves” or pageviews. I want something substantial! God damn it!

     So it’s settled. I will join Conceptart as soon as I’m done writing this post. They’ve got alot of serious artists there with no gimmicks attached and their art is absolutely mind-blowing!

    DeviantART has been good to me for the past 4 years that I’ve been there. I’ve gained alot of exposure and contacts, but in the long run, I’ve come to realize that it’s a good place to start as a n00b. It’s time for me to level up.