New layout...Again!

Hey everyone! Finally got around to changing my layout. I downloaded a free template a few months ago and decided to tweak it without considering screen resolutions. People were telling me that they couldn't read my posts because the left side of the page was missing haha. Being the procrastinator that I am, it took me a while to look for a new one. Until I found this template a few days ago while surfing around the net (forgot where but will link back when I remember hehe) EDIT: Thanks to Template Block for my cool new layout :)

Anyway, tweaked it a little bit this morning since Makeup classes for today were postponed for next week (BOO!) I hope I didn't mess up this new layout haha. Please let me know if you're having any problems with the page so I can try and fix it hehe. Still slowly tweaking the page, hopefully be done in a few days :)

Have a great weekend!

Artistic Makeup 2nd Class + M.A.C. Workshop

Perfect brows, everyone's frustration haha. Last Saturday, we were supposed to do the prime/ no makeup look for class. However, we all got stuck with doing the eyebrows and the class ended at that since we also had to attend the M.A.C. workshop at 2 pm.

My model and Carl's model :)



The Makeup Artists at M.A.C. Glorrietta



During the workshop we were taught how to transform day makeup to night and
to smokey. We also got a rundown on some of the most essential items that M.A.C. carries.



Hey Classmates! haha :)



yumm!

We all know that the eyebrows frame the face. As with choosing the right lipstick shade, the eyebrows can make or break a look. A good shaping of the eyebrow can change the way you look. I personally had eyebrows that barely had an arch, so I now shape them using a brow pencil or eyeshadow (I use m.ac. charcol brown) and draw in the arch.

Doing eyebrows on another person is a different story. I was lucky to have had a model who had good eyebrows (and good skin to boot!!), so it was supposed to be easy but I had to re do it 2-3 times before our instructor, RB Chanco, thought it was good enough.

No makeup yet



With foundation. Didnt need to use concealer
since she didnt have any blemishes :)



With the eyebrows after soo many tries hehe

Aside from the frustrating eyebrow lesson, we also learned how to custom mix foundation when you only have the 3 most important shades in your kit (light, medium and dark) I was lucky to have had my Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundation Palette in kit #3 which covers from light to dark.

Our first evaluation will be on Saturday and we need to come in at 8 and be done with prepping, foundation, concealer powder setting and eyebrow application by 8:30. Will need all the luck for that haha! Then we will continue on with the prime look :) As always, excited for Saturday hehe. Now, ill go practice shaping eyebrows again haha i'll leave you all with a video of Petrilude from youtube on how to shape eyebrows.

Gesso + Expensive Pink

Last Saturday we were able to sink our teeth in on some discounted/used makeup. I was just actually going to look, but found 2 eye shadows that Ive always wanted to get: Gesso and Expensive Pink.

Photos borrowed from: M.A.C

After sanitzing and allowing to dry, decided to play with them. And what better way but use both colors in one look hehe. Gesso on the inner corner and lid, expensive pink on mid lid and crease, embark and a bit of carbon on the crease, MSF in refined for highlight. Used a brown eyeliner from fashion 21 (I really hate the aplicator btw) and random Mascara (I cant remember haha). Dont mind my unruly brows, was too lazy to do the whole she-bang haha

That's all folks! :P

Happy New Skin!

Part of my new years resolution is to take better care of my skin. And though nothing we can do will ever turn us into Angelina Jolie or Scarlett Johansson, we all know that having good skin as canvas is much better than having to conceal flaws and blemishes. Part of taking good care of your skin includes drinking enough water, exercising, avoiding sun exposure without protection, not smoking and following a beauty regimen that best suits your skin’s needs. And though I drink water more than most people do and exercise (ehem! Haha) I tend to neglect my skin in other aspects. Take sunbathing, I’m naturally tan but I love burning my skin. Quite literally sometimes and I sometimes skip the spf, which is a big no-no.

A few months ago, I noticed that part of my back had some sort of Hyper pigmentation. I thought it was just because my skin didn’t adjust too well when I stayed in the US for a few months. It’s almost a year, and its still there, which is troubling because it’s almost back baring season again haha. Which is why I was ecstatic when I won The Beauty Bin’s contest about a month ago. I won third prize and I got a free TCA peel of the back from 6F Aesthetic andAnti-Ageing Center.

Due to moving (to a new house) I didn’t get to go right away. I was glad that Jovie, the receptionist at 6F was very accommodating and didn’t get annoyed that I had to reschedule my visit to the Clinic. After a few weeks, I finally got an appointment and headed over to Medical Plaza in Makati. I got there at 6 and noticed that all the other clinics and office spaces were already closing. Then I learned that 6F usually closes at around 10 or 11 pm, and the clinic is by appointment only. So you can imagine all the clients that come in each day!

Mineral Eyeshadows swatched. They Remind me

of M.A.C. Goldmine, Violet Trance and Amber Lights

Had the Chance to check some of the makeup they carry when Dra. Sixta Foronda greeted me. She was very nice and fun to talk to. We chatted for a bit before the procedure hehe. She also answered all my questions about other skin concerns. She took time to make sure that I understood everything, the procedure and what it was for.

in different percentages. I think these are 5%, 10% 15% and 20%

The whole process took about 30 minutes. I had to wait while the fan was blowing on my back hehe to lessen the itch and sting. Basically the meds are applied on to the skin thats going to be peeled, starting from the lowest percentage and gradually increasing. Some people may not need to go up to 20% The procedure ends once you feel that your skin is tingling. It wast painful or anything. The itch went away after a few minutes and lasted for about 2-4 days only. Dra. Sixta gave me some meds to use, one of which was Betamethasone Cream that helps with the itching. Typically, your skin will start peeling in 10 days, the peel will last for 2 to 3 weeks. Mine started peeling on the 7th day and its still peeling. The first week my skin was just a tad bit shiny, now it looks like I have sun burn hehe. Although Dra. Sixta told me that it might take another session or 2 to completely get rid of they hyper pigmentation, there is a marked difference in my skin!

She also gave me these to take home! Im a happy lucky girl :D

Kojic acid soap, Sunblock Cream, Betamethasone Cream, Clindamycin and Arbutin Lotion

She asked me if I wanted lighter skin, but I said that I love my tanned complexion. She gave me 2 bars of Kojic Acid Soap to try and to help with the hyper pigmentation on my back. She said that it really does work and lightens the skin of her clients in just a few months. I decided to use it all over just so my skin tone is even, been using it for a little less than a month and even my boyfriend (who always thinks that im nuts for noticing when my skin gets a tad bit lighter lol) commented that my skin was getting lighter.

Overall, im very happy with Dra. Sixta Foronda. I need to schedule an appointment once my back stops peeling, and so we can talk more about what I can do with my other skin problems hehe. Clear, beautiful skin here I come!! :D

You may check out 6F Aesthetic and Anti-Ageing Center's website to see the list of services they offer over HERE. 6F Aesthetic ans Anti-Ageing Center is located at Unit 1411 Medical Plaza Makati Amorsolo Cor. Dela Rosa St., Legaspi Village, Makati City Philippines. You may call to schedule an appointment using these number: (632)752-2087, (632) 887-5941 or (0906) 324-5315 please ask for Jovie :)

Viva Brazil!

The College I went to hosts a yearly Beauty Pageant to celebrate its foundation week. I decided to go since I loved the theme this year, Brazilian Carnival! A good excuse to go crazy on the eye makeup haha and I think one of the reasons I got into makeup or what started me getting more into makeup was joining the said pageant a few years back LOL (See my entry about that HERE. hahaha) I kept on getting frustrated because they made my face too white or used a very light foundation making me look gray, when the official picture was taken I looked like a lion. seriously. haha. Anyway, my frustration eventually grew into wanting to learn more, so that if ever the time comes that I needed my makeup done I could just do it myself and voila! here I am now :)

Anyway, enough blabbing. This was supposed to be a short entry to just show my EOTD hehe.

Straying from neutrals for a while but nothing too crazy hehe. I love color! :)


A bit of creasing by the inner lid.
Took this pic by the time I got home hehe

What I used:

UDPP
M.A.C. E/S in nylon and goldmine (for inner corner and lid), orange? and amberlights(crease), Purple/pink e/s from coastal scents shimmer palette and Twinks (outer lid and crease)
Wet n Wild Liquid Liner
Lancome High Def Mascara
Stila Kajal eyeliner in Onxy (waterline)

Thats it. My camera died on me so I didnt get to take pictures of my favorite crazy costumes. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!


Upcoming Posts:
-LCI Update
- TCA Peel from The Beauty Bin and Six Foranda Aesthetic and Anti-Ageing Center

Im blue

Just sharing an EOTD I did last thursday, trying to make up for the lack of posts and testing out my new camera! woopie-doo! As my friend Kathy puts it, no longer need to apologize for the crappy quality of pictures you post on your blog haha. Thanks to my super wonderful mom for the awesome Christmas Gift! :)

Pardon my unruly eyebrows, im trying to grow them out hehe




What I used:

UDPP
MAC limit, deep truth, prussian, carbon, vanilla and femme fi
Loreal HiP Gel liner in Black
Lancome Hi Def Mascara


Nikon Coolpix S220
And my Christmas gift! :) Still trying to learn how I can
take better pictures, any help would be great haha :)

Im baccck! + Back to (Makeup) School

GAHH! Finally have internet connection at our new house. More than a month without internet is seriously nuts. I dont know how people survive without internet haha. Im finally backkk! wee!

Anyhoo, as some of you may know, I enrolled myself in an Artistic Makeup Course at LaSalle College International (LCI) last December. I had attended one class last year and then decided to continue the course with the next batch. Classes finally started last week! There are more of us in this batch than the last, but its quite an interesting mix of characters =) Last Saturday, after our class we all headed to Glorietta to have lunch and proceeded to M.A.C. and swarmed the counter haha. It was a frenzy; I think we might have panicked the MUA’s there for a bit haha. We also went to the Beauty Section of SM and Landmark to get the things we’ll need for Saturday. I honestly can’t wait for Saturday! We’ll be learning and doing the prime look and going to a Master class?/M.A.C. Workshop after. Wee!

Everyone busy getting things needed for our next class

My classmates! Haha =)

WILD! LOL

So far, I’m very happy with LCI’s Artistic Makeup Course. Chose to go to LCI because it was the most affordable, they give an internationally accredited certificate after the course, and because of RB Chanco. RB Chanco is the instructor for this class, she worked for M.A.C as a Senior Makeup Artist for 6 years and have been freelancing as a makeup artist for about 12 years years. She recently went to New York to complete an advanced makeup course on HD makeup and airbrush.

Another thing that I like about LCI’s course is that they have certain hours allotted for apprenticeships and OJT’s. Last Tuesday, 6 of us had shifts to apprentice under RB. It was a shoot, and Caby and I got the 2^nd shift. When we arrived the makeup was already done, so we just observed, gawked and drooled over RB’s train case hahaha. We overstayed though haha. I think they had 3 layouts, we wanted to watch RB in action. So thank you to Pinky, Lai and RB for allowing us to stay for a bit longer hehe. I cannot begin to tell you how much I love RB! Haha She’s an excellent artist and teacher!

As we were leaving and saying our goodbyes and thanking people, RB asked if we wanted a picture. Haha, I totally lost my composure and scurried through my bag for my camera hahaha. I still laugh every time I think about it. Caby and I were giggling like school girls (the whole time) over the hot model LOL

While observing, I also saw firsthand how RB does the 2 colored theme. I personally go crazy with colors and can’t just pick 2 haha so I was amazed at how beautiful it turned out. Didn’t get to take a picture though, because all 4 of us were all up on the models face already haha. I also remembered that I needed to put a mark on my brushes when I saw RB’s brushes. So me and Caby passed by Landmark to get a few more stuff we were lacking and to get nail polishes to mark our brushes. Always indecisive, I got 2 haha. I used Caronia Goddess (Frosted green shade) on some of my brushes but changed my mind and used Caronia (No name – purple, pink, lavender shade) on the Dashe Brushes I’m going to use for the class. I wanted to put a mark on my brushes so I can easily identify which ones are mine, since I chose a working area beside 2 classmates who are also using the same brush set and to easily spot my brushes if someone steals it. I seriously hope no one has the case of itchy hands, but you never know so it’s best to be sure.

I’m so excited that I have my train case all ready and packed for Saturday and its only Tuesday! Hahaha. I wiped the material inside the train case and tried to bring only the things I will need so I can make it all fit and keep all my makeup inside the case and lock it. Haha I’m being such a freak, but id die if I lose anything.

All marked and ready!

You’ll need a bobby pin, a plastic container’s lid and a Nail polish. Pour some nail polish on the plastic lid, use the bobby pin to make sure the polish is evenly spread out and dip the tip of your brush.

I was done with 30 brushes in less than 10 minutes! I don’t know what I was thinking, when I tried painting on the brush haha it was a hassle and I just made a mess.

Some of my personal brushes with Caronia’s Goddess as marking. Still trying to decide if im going to keep the frosted green color or just use the lavender/pink polish for all my brushes. EDIT: I changed them all to the pink/lavander shade haha

Packing my train case hehehe.

I keep saying it, but I honestly can’t wait for Saturday! I’ll keep everyone updated on how the classes go. Oh and they’re now offering Artistic Makeup 2 at LCI – Manila. The course will focus on airbrush, high definition and Master’s Technique Modular under RB Chanco. The classes will start on February 2, 2010 (Tuesdays 9:00 am – 4:00pm) and February 4, 2010 (Thursdays 1:00 – 7:00 pm). The class will run for 8 days. Those who are interested may call LCI at 840-1476 or840-1543 ask for Coleen Mariano

I’d like to give a shout out to Carl and Carla LOL Two fellow bloggers who are with me in this class haha. =)

boo :(

I miss going online and blogging. No internet for almost 3 weeks? :( hayy ive so many updates, hope we get the internet back within the week *crosses fingers* im so out of the loop with all of you hahah

Venus and Mars Lulur Bar

As I've mentioned, I'm kind of nuts about Soap bars. Currently I have 6 which I use interchangeably. I do have favorites though, so those are about to run out.

About a month ago, I came across Venus and Mars' Multiply Store. Ive heard good things about their products so decided to look around and find something to try. I saw the Lulur bar and it intrigued me, since I'm a sucker for products that promise clear skin. I also thought that the mix of ingredients used for this bar was very interesting.

Product image taken from Venus and Mar's Multiply Store

Main ingredients used for this soap:
Emu oil, Tea tree essential oil, tumeric, Tea tree leaves, Shea Butter, Arbutin, Calamansi, Papain, Olive Oil and Coconut Oil

If the curious mix of ingredients isn't enough to entice you to get one bar for yourself, here are some of the benefits of the Java Tumeric Spice*:

• Reduces Skin Pigmentation
• Makes the skin supple
• Inhibits cell damage
• Reduces hair growth
• Helps heal Acne
• Excellent skin beautifier

(*You may read more about Venus and Mars' Lulur Bar over: HERE)

So you see, not only does it promise great skin, it can even reduce hair growth? Yeah, yeah, I'm a sucker for advertising haha. So, I imagined that I'd get great results and got the big bar which sells for P195 (120g). I also got Caby excited about it, and she got one for herself too! haha
'
This is some powerful soap! I don't suggest you leave this on your face for more than 3 minutes when ou first use it. Caby got to try it first and she told me it stung. The pain, she said, can be compared to getting a chemical peel. So I didn't try to act brave and let it sit on my face for more than 2 minutes. But it still stung a bit. Ahh, the price you pay for vanity :P

After using it for about a week, I noticed some slight peeling on my neck. I was actually very impressed and dubbed it as my Organic Chemical Peel ( I know that doesn't make sense haha). I actually wanted to blog about it already, but I told myself I'd have to wait 3 more weeks so I can conduct a proper review. boo! haha

As expected with soaps that cause you to peel, you wont see the effects immediately. So while I was slightly peeling (nothing crazy or anything so don't worry), I was waiting for when my good skin would come out.

2nd week...

3rd week...

I had to stop. I know I should have waited at least one more week. But one morning, I woke up and my cheek felt itchy. I rubbed it a little and youch! it was painful! So i ran to the mirror and checked. My skin was slightly burnt - it was similar to the effects of when I had used pimple drying medications a few years ago. And while taking a shower, I noticed I had similar burnt areas on my clavicle too. Yeek. Not good.

I also decided to stop using it, because my normally combination skin was now Dry. Not even my facial moisturizer could save my face. So I banished the Lulur from my Soap Kingdom haha. Its too bad since I cut up the bar into about 8 pieces and I'd only been able to use 2 small bars. Lesson learned, when trying something new, get the sample size!


Why you should buy it:
- Its organic
- The mix of ingredients used for this bar are all good for the skin.
- I suppose it did help dry up some of my pimples (including the rest of my face)


What you should consider:
- Probably not a good idea to try this if you have sensitive skin (or have low pain tolerance lol)
- Do not leave this on your skin for too long. Might be best to use it for just a few days a week.


As with any of my reviews, whatever is stated here is based on my personal experience and opinion. And as with any product, some might notwork for me while it could very well work for you. If you check the Venus and Mars Multiply Store, you'll see tons of raves for this product. So you see, it does work! ( just not on me haha) I'll probably still try a few more items from Venus and Mars.

Main reason I threw out this bar, was I found it too drying. If there's anything I hate, its dry skin! I did, however, find a great facial wash that helped soothe and improve my skin. I will post about it next time :) But so far, I'm loving it!

Busy Bee

Hey everyone! sorry for the lack of posts. Im sure everyone else is busy doing last minute christmas shopping and preparing for christmas, yes? I wish I was busy with holiday related stuff haha. Ive actually been packing and preparing to move to a new house. It is crazy to go through old things. And being a pack rat that I am, ive accumulated a looot of things! From notebook doodles to letters from highschool. So hard to let go even though I have no use for them haha. I even find it so hard to throw out college handouts! what a cuckoo I am. Maybe I would slowly weed out the useless stuff in the new house..maybe..I should! haha


Whats fun though are all the christmas parties! :) 2 days ago, we had a christmas party and also welcomed Caby's Birthday!


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

Here we are, waiting for our food. Caby, Jaja and I
were first to arrive. We were very hungry!! haha



And a few hours later...Guess who? haha were both very particular with
our pictures. I actually dont like this one either but this picture was the
only one that showed the black and purple gradient so please dont
mind my woozy look- I was not drunk haha

Did have another christmas party with some of my highschool friends but idnt get to take pictures since we were a little preoccupied wolfing down on the food haha. Last week, our church's fellowship group also had a christmas party for College kids who werent so well off but very deserving. It was nice to see that they enjoyed and hopefully encouraged to strive harder to finish College :)

Me and my friends Michie and Kathy (Ive known
them since the 1st grade! haha)

And as promised, a picture from wedding #2. I was busy taking pictures the whole day since we went early. Ran out of memory space and forgot to take pictures of myself haha so this is the best one ive got lol

LOL you can easily spot me