Living the dream!

Please grab a copy of Chalk's 10th Anniversary Issue
featuring Kim Chiu on the cover =)

I am no Kim Chiu (a local celebrity here in the Philippines) but I can definitely say that I am living a dream! One year ago, I wouldn't have thought that i'd be doing what I am doing now. When I took a 6 month vacation to think about what to do with myself, I didn't think that this is where I would end up.


Funny how everything all comes together before you even realize it. And this blog, which I started out of boredom, turned out to be the storybook of how I got to where I am at the moment. Now, I have a part of my life in my own little space on the internet for me to read someday and reminisce. hahaha!


Anywayys, was super lucky to have done makeup for this months issue of Chalk. 10th anniversary issue, no less! how monumental! haha Me and Caby were tasked to do makeup on 2 college beauties who also talked about how their own style has evolved in the last 10 years. I loved that we asked how they normally do their own makeup and added our own twist to it. Wee! anyway here are the scanned pages (thanks Cabs! )

Beauty Feature
Lexi and Honey

Wee! =)

Getting your work published in a magazine, is such a dream come true for someone who is pursuing a career in Makeup. And to have this and the Lifestyle Asia, overwhelms me when I think about it hahaha. And so a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has made this possible, everyone who helped shove me right along this path haha =)


Words are not enough to express my gratitude but THANK YOU, thank you, thank you to Michelle Katigbak-Alejandro for this wonderful oppurtunity, RB Chanco for being the most wonderful mentor in the whole wide world!!! and Chad Tyler Meadows for the amazing photos!

And that ends my Oscar speech *bow*
Have a great weekend everyone! =)

Makeup Competition!

Hey Beauty Junkies! Ready to showcase your work? Join the first International Online Makeup Competition which is sponsored by Faceup1.com! This landmark makeup event eliminates the barriers of location via internet submission - and is a terrific opportunity to get you or your school on the beauty map!

Get the word out across the world and represent.

Details:

Application Deadline: August 08, 2010
Competition Begins: August 12, 2010

Competition Levels:
1. AMATEUR /STUDENT
2. MAKEUP ARTIST
3. MAKEUP MASTER

Events:
1. WOMEN'S FASHION MAKE-UP 2010
2. PIN-UP BABE
3. CREATE YOUR OWN HERO

Register yourself:
1. Send a letter of interest to press@faceup1.com
2. After the response e-mail, you’ll receive a registration letter with the registration code
3. Activate your registration via the website provided in letter

Go to http://faceup1.com for more details! =)

Brow Powder + Swatches

Just swatches of a good eyebrow product. Fanny Serrano's eyebrow powder! I do like this although some people find it powdery. I dont have problems with it though, except for the 2 shades on the left being too dark (its darker in person) but I have seen some with lighter shades, so perhaps the new ones have lighter shades than the one I have.

First 2 are shades on the righ side of compact, last 2 are the shades
on the left side of the compact. Shades look a bit lighter in photos than in acutal.

Most of the time I use the first 2 shades swatched (the shades on the right side of the compact) I find the other 2 are too dark and barely use them. I wish they would come out with single pot shades or just the 2. But it comes handy when you do makeup since you never know which one you'll need. I really like it because the shades have a hint of gray to it, pure brown shades on eyebrows look really fake. And its very pigmented. Ive had this for almost 6 months now although im running a bit low on the 2 ligher shades.


Would I repurchase this? I would, but i'll probably go and try a different eyebrow powder after running out. In any case, its affordable so I can just go and get it when I get dissapointed with whatever product I will try after this ( around 400 PhP).


Another great product from a local cosmetic brand! Now I wish they would reformulate their powders and make them unscented haha. Anyhoo, have a great weekend everyone! :)

Mugshot

Can't let a week go by without posting another mugshot of myself haha. Was trying my Kirkland Mineral Powder on myself. I use it as a highlighter because its yellowish. And blech it looks patchy and uneven on photos. I used it under my eyes. Theres goes another 100 points for mineral powder. I know many are happy with it, just doesnt work for me. But anyway here are the mugs hehe

Patchy and uneven coverage. blechhh

Mac Twig is <3

Mini Eyelash Curler

As many of you know, the Fanny Serrano Eyelash Curler is a fantastic tool. Not only is it much more affordable than the ever famous Shu lash curler, it also delivers as well as the more expensive ones. Fanny Serrano also has a mini lash curler, which is perfect for those hard to reach inner and outer corner lashes. I find it very handy, rather than curling the whole lashes, I just use the mini lash curler to go over the areas I missed. Also use it for people who have smaller eyes =)

Here are photos and size comparisons.


Please right click to view in full size :D

Winner of Cosmo's Beauty Awards! :)

Baby Lash Curler hehe

Size comparison.

Left: Regular sized Fanny Serrano Lash Curler.
Right: Fanny Serrano Eyelash Curler Slim

I am PINAS

Want great looking and creative photos?

Join Represent Manila's I am PINAS Open shoot!
Proceeds of the shoot will be given to Gawad Kalinga. So not only do you
get awesome photos, you also get to help a great cause =)

Read on for details....

Join the I AM PINAS, The REPRESENT MANILA Open Photoshoot.NO QUALIFICATIONS,THIS IS OPEN FOR EVERYONE!

THIS JULY 23, 24 AND 25 2010 at SM MEGAMALL ATRIUM.
Come anytime between 10am-8pm.

...Registration is 900 pesos inclusive of 1 high resolution of soft and hard copy of your photo, hair and make up, PLUS FREE ENTRANCE and an OPEN BAR in the upcoming events of REPRESENT MANILA!

WHAT TO BRING? FOR GIRLS BRING ANY KIND OF TUBE. FOR BOYS,BRING SANDO..

Proceeds of the shoot will be given to GAWAD KALINGA!

1000 pictures
1 nation
1 voice

I AM PINAS


To register, TEXT your FULL NAME to:


REPRESENT MANILA- 09158801148

or visit, www.irepresentmanila.com

WE ACCEPT WALK IN'S..

SEE YAH THERE GUYS!!!!!!!!

Plus! Tonight!

"I am 'Pinas" pre-launch PARTY by Represent Manila @ Fiamma Bar & Lounge, Jupiter St Makati Ave! Welcome drnks will b serve 'til 12mn! Hosted by d Queen of Events, Nikki Cortez-Lim! Bring all ur friends & party with us! Be on d guest list! Txt ur full name to 09158801148. Dis Wednesday! Door opens @ 9pm. Show ur LOVE for our country! See u there!

SALE Alert!

Yes, you read right. Another sale! Paul and Joe is having their end of season sale, better check it out! :)


Please Right-click to view in full size =D

♥ ♥ ♥

A photo from a shoot I did a few months back, its from the same shoot where I had a chance to work alongside Jamie of www.mizzmakeup.com =) Photographer, Carwei just uploaded this photo and I think it looks lovely =)



Please right click to view image in full size :D

Photographer: Carwei Angeles
Hair and Makeup: Maui Manalo
Styled by: Top Picks Clothing
Model: Marian Ong

Hamptons, Soho and the whole shebang

After missing out on the styli-style craze I decided to get a bunch, and theyre all finally here! Except for one, I think the seller ran out so she just reimbursed me. Anyhoo, here are the swatches =)



Please right click on image to view in full size :D

Wee! :)
Top to Bottom: Soho, Hamptons, Midtown Flat Pencils.
Sand, Bare and Sun Line and Seal

Flat Pencil Swatches

Line and Seal swatches
Sun was broken the liner kept on coming
out of the pencil so I couldnt get a decent watch. boo :/

Take note, its very hard to tell what the actual shades are from the photos. I got 2 which I thought were pinkish and as it turns out theyre actually violet :/ Hope these swatches help when you decide to purchase some for yourself as well!

SALE Alert!

And another one! Items on sale include Revlon, Paul and Joe, Lola Cosmetics, Stila, Nars, Mud and many more!

The CAS Cosmetics Fair tomorrow, July 16, Friday at the

Center for Aesthetic Studies, Jupiter Street, Makati City.

Shop ‘til you drop from 12 noon to 7 PM.

Contact CAS Makati at 8970383, 8970307, 09188970383 and 09178970383 for details.

Mugshot

As if no typhoon would stop us, Caby and I got ready to head out to to the Metro Weddings event yesterday thinking it wouldn't be so bad. We decided to stop by a friend's house to avoid traffic and started heading home by around 10pm. Which was when the winds started to get strong. By the time we got to my house, the winds were really really strong. It was so hard to walk because the wind was blowing me away! hahah

Anyway because of the rain we got stuck in traffic for quite a bit, I got a bit bored and took some photos instead haha. So here are mugshots of myself for the week. Was actually tweaking with camera flash settings hehe.


Right click on images to view in full size :D

My Magic (siopao) hair! haha As you know I have very short hair
and it looks really akward when I tie it so I wanted to cover it up with something.
Its actually synthetic hair extension I got at Landmark for P170 pesos!! and I did my hair
in about 5 minutes!

Closer look at my eyes =)









What I used:
- Stila kitten, MAC charcoal Brown, Cranberry, Embark and Coppering
- Stila Smudge pot and in2it gel liner pencil
- Random ardell lashes and MAC Fibre rich mascara

Hope everyones okay. Keep safe and take care! =)

Gel Liners vs. Pencil Liners

I've learned to appreciate applying eyeliner with a brush and gel liner or pencil liner. I find that it gives a more precise application rather than using liquid liner (unless you have super steady hands). I used to be a fan of liquid eyeliner because it was fast and easy to apply...on myself! Not so fast and easy on other people! haha. Plus with most liquid liners, you had to wait for it to get dry unless you want to ruin your eye makeup.

in2it Gel Liner Pencil in Very Black vs. Stila Smudge Pot in Black

Over time, I've switched from gel and pencil liner depending on what I have. A few posts back, I mentioned that I really liked in2it's pencil liner. I liked that it was affordable (around 300+), very pigmented, doesnt smudge and budge and waterproof. It gives me the same effect as the Stila Kajal Liner without the mess. Granted its called gel liner pencil, well it still is in pencil form with the same effect of a gel and kajal liner.


But lately, I have been using another Stila product. Stila's Smudge Pot in Black, it was part of a set I received as a gift. What I like about gel liners is that I find it more cost effective, a pot lasting me more than an eyeliner pencil would. So now I save my in2it gel liner pencil for lining the waterlines which it is perfect for! =)

Swatches:
Top - in2it; Bottom - Stila

In2it Gel Liner Pencil

Pros:
- affordable and locally available
- Water proof and smudge proof (will not transfer on to lower waterliner after applying on upper waterline)
- Creamy and very pigmented
- Has qualities of both gel and kajal liner

Cons:

- Will last for about 1-2 months max with daily use



Stila Smudge Pot

Pros:
- Dries easily so no need to worry about smudging your lids. Stays put and does not smudge even when rubbed
- Does not budge as easily as other gel liners
- Stays creamy even after several uses (remember to keep lid closed tightly)
- More cost effective, one small pot will last you a long long time!

Cons:
- You'd have to shell out more for this (but in the long run, turns out to be more affordable to get this)
- If youre a bit of an OC keeping this sanitized can be tedious



So, who wins? In my book its Stila's smudge pot. Only because it turns out to be cheaper than getting a new in2it gel liner every 1-2 months. Both are great eyeliners though, in my opinion.

Paris and Madison

I'm probably the last person to purchase the styli style liners haha. Decided to get them after getting to try a few at Beauty Bar where they are sold for around 400 I think. But of course I ordered on ebay where it's sold for 50-100 pesos. hehe.

I ordered 9 I think, I cant remember since I still dont have all of it. But for now heres a swatch of the 2 that I already have, Paris and Madison.



Right-click on images to view in full size :D

Paris & Madison


I thought it was weird to have frosted violet lipliner
until I saw the marks at the back (eye for eyeliner and lips for lipliner, doh'! haha)


Left: Paris; Right: Madison
The lipliner (Madison) is creamier in texture as compared to Paris

Top: Madison; Bottom: Paris


Better photo of the swatches

Tip:

- If you can, drop by Beauty Bar and check them out. Swatches on site are usually not accurate. I got Paris which I thought was like a pink lipliner shade and as it turns out its actually a purple eyeliner haha.

- There are different kinds as well. Flat liner pencils, flat liner etc. Also different finishes, make sure you check or ask the seller what kind of liner it is to be sure
- Make sure to get the styli style sharpener which is 150 (I think) the flat liner pencils cant be sharpened by regular sharpeners.


Will post the rest of my Styli-style haul when it finally arrives! :)

Hurray!

For someone very new to the industry, I feel immensely blessed. I am literally living a dream and often wonder how I have stumbled to where I am now. One things for sure, I am blessed with such wonderful people in my life. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you! Thank YOU and you and you and you! haha. What I have achieved would not have been possible without the help of someone very dear to my heart (very dramatic!) If you get to read this, you know who you are! :)

If you can remember, posted THIS a few months back. And here it is, its finally out! Officially my first work on an actual magazine! haha wee!

On Lifestyle Asia's July Issue



Rico Hizon =) yay!!


Some BTS shots




Hope you all had a great weekend! And heres something to keep your
new-week perspective positive =)

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty =)