Packing For Touch-Ups

It's quite impractical for me to bring out my entire makeup kit come touch-up time during weddings, since the makeup kit is very heavy and I really don't like splaying out my entire case for the whole world to see. Sure it would look nice during the hotel preps and all but say on location, I opt for more portable and convenient packaging, since I need very few items anyway for touch-ups.

Prior to leaving the hotel and going to the church, I already take note of what to bring with me to pre-ceremony pictorials before the bride starts to walk down the aisle. A bride's moment is her bridal march when she walks down the aisle, so she has to look strikingly good, and even though makeup is made sure to last humidity, sweat, and tears, I still need to be OC.

So anyhow, here's what I bring for touch-ups:

I love, love, love this cosmetic pouch from The Body Shop. It's not a regular item in store though. You get this as a GWP when you buy Php3,500 worth of The Body Shop products, and that should include an item from their spring collection Brush With Fashion.

My only qualm is that it's white so a little makeup smudgie would show, so it means I have to wash it really, really well after so it looks spic and span for my next gig. It looks like a tiny laptop bag actually, except it houses my makeup essentials:

Tissue is needed to catch tears before they run down the face, blot out oil and sweat that have beaded in, and cleaning up smears and smudges. For the groom, it's to wipe off the lipstick mark that has travelled during the part of "You May Now Kiss The Bride". Anyway, handy packs are needed, so keep them in handy.

Lipstick of course, since that's the thing that gets worn out a lot, even with sealer. Should blush fade off, keep a natural-looking one with you so the bride doesn't look pale.

Powder, powder, powder. Powder to mattify any oiliness and keep makeup looking true. For travel and touch-ups, the pressed version is preferred because it's less messy. I swear by MAC Studio Fix Powder, but I could also alternate it with MAC Blot powder or any pressed powder the couple prefers. Most of the time, I have two powders in handy, one for the bride's color, and one for the groom.

For times that tears are shed: Lash glue, mascara, and cotton buds. Cotton buds clear out messies and are used to spot-apply lash glue should too much tears cause the falsies to be dislodged at the sides. Mascara darkens lashes for an extra coat needed.

I only use three brushes for touch-ups: A powder/blush brush, a lip brush, and a smaller fluffy brush to apply powder on hard-to-reach areas like undereyes, sides of the nose, and corners of the mouth. I choose a brush that functions both for powder and blush, so I don't have to bring an extra brush. I wrap them in tissue so the makeup residue on the brush doesn't travel inside the case.

My be-all-end all makeup fix for makeup to look fresh and natural: MAC Fix+. I love it because it refreshes and moisturizes skin and it smells really good. It also helps makeup last longer. I need to purchase another bottle really soon because this one's about to run out. I'm totally lost without it.

Another very portable touch-up bag I have is a brush case from Suesh, which I bought last year. It looks like a small thermos bottle, when you look at it, and the strap slings over the shoulder so it's pretty convenient.

It's quite compact and convenient, not to mention very discreet. It does however, conveniently open up and converts any table into a tiny makeup station:

Since this slim container can't fit some pans of blush and lipstick, I use this to carry my Fix+, brushes, mascara, lash glue, and lipstick, and have a separate cosmetic case, which I keep in my bag for the rest. I like especially how the top cover could convert into a brush and everything holder. Now my lipstick doesn't roll off to a loss.

For touch-ups, it's important to pack light so there's less frantic scrambles and you have what you need. Also, makeup artists are given only 10-15 minutes to retouch before the reception so we have to work fast with little equipment as possible to save time.

New Makeup Case! Wheeeeee!

For prolly a year, I've been carrying a silver makeup case that fits the basics. Now, I have an addition to the family, and this I use for bigger shoots where I would be needing more colors and more storage space. Don't get me wrong. I still love my old silver one. In fact, I use it when I do makeup that calls for male grooming or if I'm just having one client whose face I already know (i.e. gigs where I don't need to bring more stuff). Of course I needed more storage to fit my ever-growing makeup space.

Nix was selling this since she upgraded to a three-tier malette. She was selling it for a really low price so I really grabbed the chance. Yep, I get my malettes second hand, as the first one was second hand as well. Nix really did take care of it, and I got it on top condition, save for inevitable signs of usage.

Now officially, the malette takes my identity, with a tag that states that, IT'S MINE!



And yes, it's filled now with all my stuff.

It's still three-tiered like my old one, but since it's bigger, it holds more space at the bottom compartment. I can place my brush roll and my bigger palettes inside easily instead of squishing them in my backpack. Aside from the extra space to hold my brush roll and palettes, I could easily fit my little pouch of skin care. Two days ago, I did makeup for a TV show and all I had to bring was this. So it really saved me luggage space.

Now that I have an extra malette, I think I have more room to place these new babies in, 'no?

Estee Lauder Sale Haul

Warning: Picture-heavy post up ahead :P

Last week, I was guest artist for the MAC booth when the Estee Lauder group of companies had a big sale held at the Mandarin Hotel. Aside from the huge discounts (50-70% off), I also got the chance to be surrounded with makeup, make huge sales, and uhmm... of course I can't help but make a few buys.

What's being sold are actually limited edition collections and extra stocks that are still good (of course! they're unused) but they have to get rid of them to make way for new collections. Participating brands were Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Origins, DKNY, Dolce and Gabanna, and of course, MAC! The sale lasted for 3 days with brush sets, makeup, and fragrances flying off the tables. Sales like these only happen once in a blue moon (I don't know if they'll have this next year though, so we sure took advantage).

And my own hauls by the end of the sale period:

Colorforms advanced brush set. Wheee!

Nail polish at 70 off. I was glad that there was a basecoat as I don't have basecoat and I need something to protect my nails especially since I like wearing dark polish. I also got nail lacquer in black, which I'm wearing now.

I got a can of leg spray, which could be used as a body bronzer (thanks to Sam, plus it was 70 off) I was advised to get the dark shade. The dark wasn't really clownish. I used this on a photoshoot with my model. She's actually very fair, about an NC25 but when I bronzed her, the bronzing didn't look muddy. She looked sunkissed. Very good buy, and one to review soon.

The following day, I was glad that they had new stocks of mineralize satinfinish foundation. I'm more of a fan of mineralize satinfinish since I like the dewy glow it gives. I got one in NC42 and since it was 50 off... I just had to say yes.

Foundation is important! And I was glad to get a very universal Asian shade.

Since I've been yearning for MAC brushes for the longest time, the Colorforms Advanced Brush Set was the tip top of my buys. Retail price for this is 3,600 but I got it at half off. It's actually a good buy since a MAC brush costs really expensive at the store. I got really premium brushes look!

168 Brush for blush and contouring

275 for eyeshadow lid and nose contour

219 brush AKA pencil brush for setting pencil eyeliner so they don't run or slide

212 brush for tightlining, eyebrows, gel liner, and also setting powder shadow

187 brush... NEED I SAY MORE WITH A MAC STIPPLING BRUSH?!?!?!?!?!

The purple case (that also comes with the makeup case) that holds the brushes also doesn't hurt. So pretty and at least my brushes stay in top condition. :)

The brushes are all short handled brushes, meaning travel-sized but the performance is still the same with full-length brushes. They're okay to travel too, so I get to have more space on my purse or makeup bag.

These are purchases that I surely can't wait to use, and this also means I have to work ten times as hard. :)

Oh, and my MAC collection as of this day (not shown: MAC pencil in lingering and MAC Mineralize Satinfinish Foundation NC35 backup)

;-) Makeup Addict!

My Very First...

Train case that is...

Would you believe that I NEVER OWNED A MAKEUP CASE/TRAIN CASE - EVER! Until now. I just thought it was deadly expensive and a gym bag would be practical for someone like me who refuses to take a car, refuses to renew her driver's license, and just go, "I don't want to plunk an extra 5,000 on something so heavy that I'd have to pay double my fare. Although practical for me since I could just put the thing in my lap, It was a pain having to set up since I have to bring out all my pouches whereas my colleagues with makeup cases have an easier time setting up. They'd just lay out the stuff on the table and open their malettes and then go whereas I have to take everything out and cleaning up is a chore.

Since my back and shoulders have been strained with the gym bag and the gym bag broke down, I got a trolley (A small suitcase that I pull), and it could accomodate my equipment for hair, rollers included. This, though was another pain especially if I only had one model to shoot. My problems with setting up were not resolved though my back pain was solved.

Anyways, I was searching online and I found someone auctioning her train case. It looks like this: the exact picture she posted:

It's a a 3-layer case made of aluminum. It's relatively small, 8x7x7 I think, but it's okay if I'm doing bridal where there are only select colors, if I have just one model/client, or if I'm doing male grooming. Anyway, I bid before at 350 only to lose. But she relisted it again and I won the bid for 1k. Usually, they sell stuff like this at 2,500 at makeup schools so 1k is a good buy.

Since, it was bulky, we decided to meet-up instead at Glorietta. I asked Mika (the girl selling the makeup case) why she's selling it and she said that she doesn't need it anymore and since it's been hanging in her house long enough, she decided to sell it (good decision heeheehee). True enough I needed a good train case to save me from the hassle and this was a good buy. When I got it, it was still in pretty good condition, save for a few bumps and scratches from wear-and-tear. It was just dusty from storage but with good cleaning, it will be okay.

I showed it to my other co-MuAs (first Mikee of MAC, who taught me how to clean it then the people at Paul and Joe). I disinfected the exterior and interior and wiped them clean with soapy water and wiped them dry and sprayed it again with disinfectant. After which I proceeded brushing the exterior to remove the dust, rubbed it with a damp cloth, and polished it. I let it dry then organized my "Bridal Supplies" in it. It was able to accommodate foundations, concealers, powders, pencils, blush, some palettes. I just have to keep the lipsticks, mascaras, and skin care in another bag or trolley but at least, setting up and working would be easier.

So here's the makeup case:

Reconditioned and newly-polished

And now full of goodies:

It was such a good bargain. I'll be fixing the interiors this weekend, since the bottom floor still needs work. Actually, once I get used to it, I'll be able to toy around with the exteriors wth some aluminum paints and all.

Looking at this train case, I can't wait for my next gig where I could use this. :D Now for a labeler!

Thanks Mika for the train case. Rest assured that it will be in good hands. ;-)