First time I lost my make-up kit was some time 2004 I think.  I was still with SE then and we were at Glorietta 4 going around.  From the Glorietta 4 entrance (near Breadtalk), we alighted the escalator going to the second floor.  We were talking until two guys in front of me picked up something on the step right before the edge of the escalator, which blocked our way.  I was so nervous at the thought that we would collide with them that I said, “excuse me” loudly.  They were able to stand up just in time that we had enough space to step into the 2^nd floor without bumping into them. 

As we turned towards the next escalator, I told SE that I’d go back down and check quickly on the Terranova store.  I agreed to follow and meet him in the upper floors.  When I entered Terranova, I clutched my bag and found it open.  I immediately checked what was missing.  Thank goodness, it was only my make-up kit that they were able to get, probably mistaken it for a wallet.  I felt bad that time because I’m the type who’s really attached to my things (I guess it’s the OC behavior) and even if it’s only a highlighter or pen, I’d feel really bad losing it.  I’m so particularly careful with my things.  What more if I lose different items at the same time?  Such is the same in the case of a make-up kit. 

Thankfully, I got over it a few days later since my mom bought me replacement (plus I was using L’Oreal powder foundation that time which is way more cheaper than EL) and because I thought I was luckier not to get more valuable stuff stolen.  I’m sure the culprit/s (it’s a widespread escalator-thieving modus operandi up to this date) weren’t gunning for my make-up stash.  They probably thought it was my wallet.

Last Saturday, Bubba and I went around to canvass furniture in Hemady, Pioneer area, and Greenhills.  Trying to make my bag lighter, I removed the make-up kit and placed it on the side pocket of the car door.  I’ve done this maybe 8 times before but never had any problem.  Sunday, I realized that I didn’t have it in my bag and immediately looked inside the car.  It was gone.

Two points where I probably lost it:

1. In Greenhills, Bubba went back to the car and got something out of my side of the car thus opening that passenger door.  His leg must have bumped into it?  Or I might have bumped into it at one point or another getting in and out of the car and I didn’t notice.
2. We had dinner at La Tienda that evening.  I debated whether to change clothes and shoes (I was wearing a shirt, shorts and Fit Flops.  There’s a dress code at La Tienda and most of Makati restaurants.  I asked out front if I needed to change, they let me in without having to change into my shoes even.)  I think I debated inside my head whether or not I should freshen up.  I don’t have any recall if I grabbed my make-up kit.  I went straight inside the washroom when we came in.  I might have placed it on the counter and left it there.

We called La Tienda yesterday and called 3-4 times to check but the staff said they didn’t find anything.

I went on a cleaning rampage yesterday that took me until almost 12mn to finish because I felt really really really bad.  I even cleaned my big make-up bag at home and threw some old stuff.  There’s nothing to use there for my day-to-day, it’s mostly eyeshadows, lipsticks –basically variants in case I need to put heavy make-up on for an occasion or an office Christmas program or something.  I had no appetite for dinner last night.  I didn’t eat lunch today.  All I had was sky flakes.

I’m sure somebody else must have found it.  Upon seeing the contents, I know there’s no personal interest in it for them.  Besides, why would anyone want to use a used make-up on their face?  What if I had warts or some skin infection?  But it’s nowhere to be found and nobody has returned it.

You see I don’t use much make-up on my face.  Lipstick, lipgloss, eyeshadow, blush can last me up to 1 year and even beyond that because when I do use them, I only need to put a little.  I’m not good at putting on make-up anyway so I just stay with the basics.  Less means less mistakes.  What I usually run out of is powder but that even takes 6-9 months before I need to replenish. 

Inside the small pouch:

Estee Lauder Cyberwhite Powder Refill PHP 2,150 (I just bought 2 weeks ago)

Estee Lauder Powder Case approx. PHP 1,800 (2 years old)

Lancome Juicy Tubes Fraise approx. PHP 1,150 (almost full, bought in August 2009)

Lancome Mascara L’Extreme Black approx. PHP 1,500 (almost dried out but only 2 months old)

Lancome Eye Pencil (free with a Lancome promo before)

Lancome Flash Retouche Concealer approx. PHP 1,995 (about ¼ full)

Shu Uemera Glow On Blush approx. PHP 1,500 (can still last me for 1 whole year or more)

Cheap lipstick I got in Japan Yakuyen Store (can still last me for 1 whole year or more)

L’Oreal Lip Gloss PHP 200 (I got on a sale)

Cheap Eye Shadow I got in Japan Yakuyen Store (1 light pink shade out –2 darker pink shades can still last me until end of 2010)

Oral B Travel Toothbrush approx. PHP 75 (2 months old)

Tommy Hilfiger Make-up Pouch (gift from my ninang in 2005 which I only used in 2007)

TOTAL: approx. PHP 10,370

It’s so heartbreaking.  It takes time to build up that make-up library again.  And this is the only time I wished I lost my darn wonky phone instead of that.  I could have bought a new phone with that much investment.

I’m pushing the envelope with this living room project I’m currently working on.  And this “missing make-up kit” is pulling the plug on my plans.  It’s a letdown, a distraction and another financial load.  I feel like screaming and at the same time I feel like curling up in my bed and sulking 🙁

I didn’t realize that losing a make-up kit could be really depressing.

Learning Points: 

1. Never to put anything again on the side pocket of the car door
2. Put a calling card inside the make-up kit or tag it with name and contact details (sounds silly but might help)
3. I know I’m OC but I got to be fierce in double-checking each place I just left.  I do this regularly already but my wandering mind must have slipped and forgot
4. Get a new bag where I can store everything without hurting my back

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