Steven's Home!

Wonder why my blog has been silent for quite a while? Well yes, there's work but most of all, I've been busy with this fellow:

That's my dance partner at home, who I nicknamed Steven (after Steven Tyler, nonetheless). In other words, there's a pole already. It's not just any pole purchased from a hardware store - it's a sport pole from X-pole, ordered from my teachers, the Polecats, who are X-pole dealers. These poles are made for dancing, really, and they hold up to 250 lbs of weight. Heck they could even support two dancers when pole dancers do doubles.

This was me in the studio all smiles. This was my second attempt in installing the pole. Of course, Myla taught me how to install it first. I actually thought it was a lot of rocket science involved, but once we got the hang of it, it was pretty easy to connect. The only problem though is that it's heavy so during installation, there needs to be two people in installing it. I got a stationary pole, so it doesn't have a spinny mechanism. I'm not a spinny girl, since I tend to get dizzy quite easily. So at home I can practice my tricks that need polishing, master my cross-ankle, and do my lifts and conditioning exercises for stronger core, thighs, knees, and arms since my classes are only twice to three times a week.

I remember Donna telling me that pretty soon, I'll be addicted to pole. Well what do you know? I got hooked! Actually, Stevie's still slippery (since the pole still has a factory coating, which wears off with usage) so the solution? Spin and climb on it till it wears off. Six-pack and muscle tone, hear I come!

New Hair? Let's See!

While learning hair, I kinda got obsessed with hoarding hair stuff on top of the makeup stuff. I didn't realize though that it's not just gel, mousse, and hairspray that I could toy with. Just last month, I bought a 32-mm ceramic curling iron for big curls since it was on sale. Haha. Anyway, I found another great find yesterday, while at Eastwood to meet up friends after work. Guess what I found? Hair extensions.

My "new" hair. See below how I got my hair to look like this.

I get really inggit at those who purchased hair extensions because it seems really fun to make flat hair into vavoom hair in just a few steps. I got the chance also to use them in a few shoots and I found it fun. But alas, a set is very expensive and it's one of those that remained in my forever "wish list", even the synthetic ones. Anyhow, I found a stall at the Eastwood bazaar that sells hair extensions at an affordable rate - 1721 is an online shop run by sisters Kaye and Kat and now they're branching out to bazaars where clients can see their products and try them on if they wish. They sell synthetic hair extensions in various shades and styles, whether it be poker straight, glamour waves, or sexy curls. They also have clip-on bangs for those who want to try having fringes without having the scissor commitment. And of course, since I want to play with extensions, I bought some.

I chose glamour waves and sideswept bangs, both in black-brown, which matches my original hair color (tip: In buying extensions, better that it's in a shade that's very close to your own color, so it's more natural). I can also use it for shoots, since that's a safe and general hair color. a purchase also comes with an instruction brochure, which shows us how to care for our extensions as well as how to use them. The extensions are also heat-resistant so they could also be styled, especially when the curls start to loosen.

Anyway, using hair extensions is easy. First of all, we got to make the extensions blend in. If we purchased straight extensions, then we should make our own hair straight, same if we purchased curly extensions. Otherwise, it's gonna look funny. So here, here's my hair without the extension: it's naturally wavy but the curls aren't as bouncy.

So I curl it using a curling iron, mimicking the soft curls from the extensions.

After curling, I make a horizontal part on my crown, above the ears. Try to make an even, straight part. I do understand if the part isn't perfect when you're doing this solo, but let's just try. Clip the top portion with a clamp.

If you're the type of person who has slippery or fine hair, a bit of teasing on the roots can help give the extensions some "grab".

Next, unclip the clip from the extensions by giving it a bend so it opens.

Position the extensions on the hair. I like placing it nearer the roots. When the clips have a firm grab to the hair, give it a firmer grab by closing it till it's secure (maybe a few headshakes will give it a good test).

Finally, release the top hair from the clip.

Blend your own hair with the extension so the clipped part is hidden.

And then just flip over and then:

Yaye! Victoria's Secret curls!

See? From the back it's so much prettier when even your own hair is curled. If you want bigger and thicker hair, you can add more extensions and sections and probably a bit of highlights and

lowlights.

Using the bangs is quite harder than the extensions. First, we have to position the bangs on the head in such a way that it looks natural on the hair. Clip it on just like what we did with the hair extensions.

To hide the partition where the bangs are clipped here's what I did - accessorize. Get a pretty scarf and use this as a headband to "hide" that little gap thing.

And I have bangs and they look like I got some scissors and chopped the fringe off. There are lots of bang styles and colors too that are available.

Hair extensions are a fun way to give your look an easy upgrade, like if you want to go long hair for an event or a shoot. I probably would use these at a shoot when I want the supermodel curls or what the heck, a special event to go to if I want to look extra fabulous. Be sure to check out 1721's Facebook page to know also their updates if they'd be in a bazaar or if they have new products. Have fun and Happy New Year!

My Thoughts on Angelo Falconi Professional Make Up Brush Cleanser

Brush cleansers are one of my must-haves. If I'm doing makeup for several faces, for example, a brush cleanser makes my tools clean for the next user. Having a bottle of brush cleanser sure beats having several brush sets or duplicates of the same brush (and it's way cheaper too). Plus, cleaning brushes in between colors enables the colors to come out much more vibrant. I notice that if I use the same brush over and over without pausing to remove excess pigment, colors can tend to get muddy. So instead of peach, I end up with a somesorta brownish hue.

There are several brush cleansers in the market - some from luxury brands and others from professional makeup brands sold in most makeup supply stores. I've tried them all, and I've narrowed down my choices to those that are quick-drying, retain the quality of my brushes, and smell good, fresh, and clean instead of chemical-like.

A makeup artist friend of mine has raved about a brush cleanser created by Angelo Falconi III. Trust a makeup artist when he or she raves about a product because these are people who use makeup for a living. I also trust most products created by a makeup artist because these are people who understand both the needs of a professional makeup artist and a client. For those who don't know, Angelo Falconi III is a makeup artist who owns a branch of salons in the South area. He also taught in a makeup school and many talented makeup artists have graduated under his helm.

Anyway, my makeup artist friend says that his brush cleanser has all the stuff that I want namely:

• smells really good and fresh - a combination of tea tree and peppermint oil. So no scent that your brushes came from a chem lab. Yaye!
• leaves brushes clean without drying out the bristles - even gel eyeliner and lipstick and stubborn liquid foundation
• dries fast - so it's ready for use with a little swish and flick.
• affordable - a bottle costs almost half of other brush cleansers in the market.

I learned about it probably 2 years ago, but I never found out where I could purchase it until I saw bottles at Purebeauty in Serendra. Wow! Now it's available in a place that's super near! There are two kinds of bottles available, both 250 mL - one with a spritzer and one with just a bottle cap. There are also two strengths available - regular strength for quick-cleaning in-between usage and extra strength (don't get scared, wait for the description) for deep cleansing of all brushes and to remove concealer, eyeliner, and lipstick buildup.

I just came from an early client this morning, and as I got home, it would be the perfect time to test the brush cleanser. I usually clean my brushes with a brush cleanser first before washing them, since it's easier that way, plus it helps me develop the habit and make me constantly aware of the fact that I have to, even quick cleaning between usage. Anyway, when I spritzed a good amount on a tissue, I took a sniff and I was glad that it smelled quite nice. It smelled like peppermint and tea tree oil. The peppermint part made it smell more like aromatherapy oil than vapor rub, and we all know how clean and refreshing the scent of tea tree oil could be. FYI, tea tree oil has antibacterial properties so yuckies are zapped and killed in a spritz and swish. As the label says, it "eliminated 99.9% of germs without damaging makeup brushes".

Anyway, so I road-tested my cleanser. There are two ways that I cleaned the brushes. First, I used this method:

Step one was spritzing the bristles with brush cleanser, just a couple of sprays would do. This works on big brushes, like in this case, my 187 brush, which I use for liquid foundation. Then, after a good spritz, I rub the bristles against a paper towel (I prefer paper towels because they're disposable and I wouldn't worry about unattractive stains that might be left on the towel even after laundry). I repeat the process if I want it super clean.

Another method is over here, which works if I'm cleaning several smaller brushes, not to mention it saves more product. What I do is spritz some product (i.e. brush cleanser) on the paper towel and swishie the brushes on it.

After my quick-cleansing, my brush looks clean. Foundation, especially dark-colored ones stain my white brushes, and sometimes, for really pigmented colors, they leave a faint stain even after washing. I like the fact that I could confidently use my brushes for the next client. Plus, it's quick-drying so I don't end up getting brush cleanser on my makeup.

The bottle costs Php480 at Purebeauty in Serendra, and they're both available in a spritzer and regular bottle, both at the same cost. Better check though if you're purchasing a regular strength or regular strength cleaner. I purchased regular strength though, since I use it for pre-cleaning brushes before washing them and cleaning brushes before starting on another face, if I'm doing more than one face in a gig. I'm glad that there are more Philippine-made products that are coming out for makeup artists (and makeup fanatics) to use.

Look 10 Younger With ANEW Genics from Avon

Avon launched a breakthrough anti-ageing formula that promises to help the user look up to 10 years younger. Isn't that fabulous? It's actually here, in this bottle of their new product: Avon ANEW Genics.

Apparently, this concept of anti-ageing goes to the genetic level. Scientists have studied that there is actually a gene called a Youth Gene, which is present in everyone (hmmm... now that's like a built-in fountain of youth), although there are some people who have highly active Youth Genes (like those who live long, like 100 years) it's still with us. This Youth Gene, by the name states is what keeps the body healthy and the skin cells, as we call it alive and kicking, or fierce and fabulous. Obviously, as we age, the Youth Gene actively declines and we get all the signs of ageing which happen with time - wrinkles, lines, dry skin, name it.

So with this Youth Gene discovered, scientists came up with a way to stimulate this gene and keep our skin looking younger. This discovery is bottled up in this amber bottle of ANEW Genics, a treatment concentrate to help the skin look younger.

ANEW Genics isn't like the regular sunblock+moisturizer you use. It's actually a treatment you use on the skin before you put your entire routine. This is applied on cleansed and toned skin first. Spread it and let it absorb. Then after this you can start applying serum, moisturizer+sunblock, and then makeup, if it's a day you put on makeup. If putting another layer of cream on the skin sounds suffocating to you, you'd definitely be glad to know that this is a very light formula that sinks into skin quickly. I dunno what ingredient it was though, because it actually had a cool feeling on skin. Immediately, I felt my skin feeling considerably softer and smoother. I tried it too on the skin on my body and saw a difference. The skin on my body is really dry and that little thin layer of ANEW Genics made its chaffed state quite relieved. Yes, I am guilty of trying to use this all over my body, but of course it's really made for the face down to the neck and extend to the chest. It's not recommended to apply this on the lids but I've been told that some apply this on the undereyes. Usually, the instant effect is having the skin looking and feeling firmer, expression lines visibly softened (bye bye frown lines, laugh lines, and crow's feet!), and visibly restoring skin's vitality. I love that there's the word "visibly", which means we don't need a microscope to know that there is a difference. We can just see and feel it.

This product is highly recommended for mature women as well, especially if they're about to wear makeup. Remember the main problem of makeup cracking or somehow not cooperating with mature skin? This product, giving the skin a bit of TLC and "youth-boosting" power makes foundation glide so much easier.

To whom do I recommend this product? Women age 26 can start using this. Obviously, teenagers, pregnant women, and children should steer clear of anti-ageing products. This one I have on my pro makeup kit too. Yep, it is an extra step in skin preparation, but trust me, makeup looks so much better in nice skin. The price isn't bad too at Php 1799. This can last me months, since I only need a little bead-sized amount, which I spread throughout the face and neck.

Bridal Work: Kristine

photos by Jay de Jesus

Teen's a very fun person to talk to. She's very receptive and open to ideas and makeup suggestions and doing our trial was actually very fun. During our trial, it was funny because when she knocked on the door and when I opened it, the cat out of nowhere went inside straight to the cat food. We had to shoo the cat away before starting. "Yep, it does that a lot, and four others," I said.

When I asked her about her wedding, she told me it was going to be a morning wedding, so makeup has to be very light and fresh. But light and fresh doesn't mean almost nothing. There's still got to be something of course. There are subtle contours, a kiss of rosiness, highlight, glow, and enhancement on the eyes.

Her look during her trial makeup:

It's actually a mixture of pinks and peaches, since the motif of the wedding was blue and silver. Teen's hair during her trial isn't her hair on her wedding of course. I just set it in rollers and then brushed it down for swingy, pretty volume. I also brushed her brows with one of MAC's bestselling products: Brow Set in Girl/Boy to give the look an overall bridal beauty softness.

Our preps for her wedding started as early as 5 am. Teen was her very usual joyful self, and despite everyone's lack of sleep, Teen was surrounded by her family, and friends (who were the wedding coordinators), we were giggling and hyper and falsies haven't been applied yet.

For her wedding updo, our original plan was for her to have a side ponytail but we opted to have a sideswept bun for church and loosen the bun into a low side ponytail for reception. Hair was done by my good friend and labs, Lei Ponce.

At her bridal car, Teen looks very princess-like waiting to step out. Her dress looks absolutely gorgeous, with clean lines and just lace.

This was the time she had a lot of pictures from friends and their official photographer. By the time she had to walk down the aisle, she was just by herself outside. She was the only one with a bouquet of red tulips. Pretty!

Another fact with Teen and her (now) husband Teej is that they both sing in the choir. Music during the church ceremony was provided by Hangad Music Ministry. Plus, the homily was given by one of their closest friends in the choir, who's an ordained minister.

My blogger friend Jay was there too, as he's friends with the couple since they work together in the same company. We were fascinated by the vintage car the couple hired so we took pictures.

Yes, and Jay was also able to capture me in my julalay moment.

Teej never let go of Teen's hand the entire time. Awwww....

The couple still had shots around the church too, and we had to head back to the hotel for the reception. Going from the church (Nuesta Senora de Guadalupe Church) to Richmond Hotel in Eastwood took almost forever with C5 being clogged. The reason was due to an accident wherein a container van tripped over some cable wire in Eastwood causing the entire C5 to turn into a parking lot in minutes. Taking some detours didn't work though as there were a lot who took detours too. Nevertheless, we made it! Traffic's not gonna bum anyone!

Avon BB Cream Review

Unfortunately for me, I have to steer away from BB creams, not because they're horrible but because I have yet to find a BB cream that's okay for my skin color. As you all know, I've tanned quite considerably and I've gone a few shades darker in my powder foundation. Also, I have yellow-toned skin and most BB creams I find are too beige or too pink and whenever I wear them, it seems as though my face belongs to a different body and vice-versa. In other words, my face and body shades don't match at all. Sometimes, If I wear something too pink, I can appear ashy. This is too bad since BB creams perform absolutely well on some girls with fairer and pinker complexions giving their skin that flawless glow fit for a star at one step. I still need the sunscreen and coverage benefits of my BB creams so as not to let them go to waste, what I do is adjust with a darker foundation/bronzer or use it only as undereye highlight/concealer to hide the dark undereye circles.

Avon sent me a sample of their BB cream. The affordable price (Php 399) makes it a good steal but will it be okay for my personal use? The thing I like with BB creams is that it's a one-stop shop for everything I need - moisturizer, sunscreen, and coverage in one. All I have to do is toner, apply this, powder, and go and I'm okay.

It's such a tiny tube so I'm able to take this with me also for travel. Anyway, the one I have is named "light" and I was in uh-oh mode because I thought I'll have that same experience again.

I swatched it in comparison with two BB creams that I have and as you can see, the Avon one although light, is more on the yellower side of things than the beige-y ones the others have.

When rubbed and blended, you can see that the two others are more obvious than the Avon BB cream, which blended with my skin. At most, it looked like a highlight if it's got that "fairer skin" factor. BB cream 1 is obvious it practically screamed "HELLO I'M SNOW WHITE!" BB cream 2 was more subtle but I could still see a hint of grayness since that BB cream is on the pinker side than usual.

For application, I recommend placing dots strategically on the face and spread it around. I apply more on key "highlight" points like cheeks, chin, and bridge of the nose and blend outwards so in case I get to apply too much, it looks more like highlight rather than my face dipped in white powder. Just to be sure, since this is quite a lighter shade, I tone and adjust with some bronzer or contour. With regards to coverage, it fares well like a very sheer foundation in minimizing redness and discoloration. For stubborn spots, concealer to the rescue.

The thing that's nice with BB cream is that it gives a nice glow to the skin. I just applied powder and mattifying blush (no MSF highlight). My skin looks healthier yay! And not much on the oiliness zone. Another double yay. And take note, I danced wearing it and my skin didn't feel like it was on fire.

Yay to this for making this yellow-toned instead of pinkish. I do wish for a bit more bronzey BB cream shades to cater the morena clientele here in Asia. In the meantime, a bit of bronzer and the strategic application I did can help. Oh, and I don't apply a lot at first. I apply more as the need goes.

The Industrial Strength Concealer that Boi-Ings Boo-boos Away

It was quite hard for me to choose what to buy when I visited the Benefit Cosmetics store in Greenbelt last week. It was such a pretty store with so much pretty items. After much deliberation, I went home with this:

Concealers can be our best friends - on those days when we're plagued with zits (on, well, those days) and on times when we lack sleep or hydration. So why not another one in the market yes?

Boi-ing actually had the subtitle industrial-strength concealer. It's so funny because the name actually sounds like it came straight from a comic book. However, its job is serious business, stating that it's industrial strength. If that pan can talk, it would probably say, "Don't judge me by the name. I can make your red spots disappear before you even blink."

I got shade #2, which is an in-between shade that's okay generally for most skin tones. For my makeup purchases, I always have to take note that it's not just one person who would be using this. It's a cream-type concealer in a pan, but although the pan may be thinner than most concealers, a little goes a long way.

Applying this is best using fingers. The warmth of the fingers and hands help the product emulsify and blend on to the skin better. For clean and hygiene-OC,s you can scrape a bit of product with a clean spatula and use your fingers (clean and sanitized of course) to apply them to the little trouble spots. With this case, I apply this before foundation, regardless of liquid or powder.

Here's where I took it to the road test. As you can see, I need to cover up a little spot over there. All I did was clean the skin and prepped it before applying the concealer. It was relatively easy to use. It didn't even sink into creases or cake on undereye areas (provided I apply the right amount). Okay, It's not completely 100% covered but that's where airbrush makeup came about.

I'm really not the type to super cake on foundation and concealer to the point our pores can't breathe. What I do is just diminish the spots. This one worked well in the concealing part. The spot over the left brow is almost completely unnoticeable. I guess that's what they mean by industrial-strength.

Like I said earlier, this could also be used on the undereye area. Shade #2 is more on the yellow side, so it's better suited for those with purplish dark circles, like me. For my personal use, it's my one-stop shop for redness and undereye circles. I even used this on a client with mature skin and whereas some super creamy concealers tend to cake on lines, this one blended better. It's nice on oily skin or combination skin. If your skin is dry, though, you might want to revert to a creamier or liquid concealer as this can make dry patches obvious since it sets into a powder finish.

The price of the concealer is Php 1,100. It's a very potent product so a little product definitely goes a long way, it probably would take a you quite a while to use it. I think I'll purchase another shade that's more specific to certain needs, but I'm glad I found another concealer alternative and a brand to use.