Ivory and White 2014 Shoot

I'm sharing with this post the photos and behind-the-scenes for the shoot last month I did with Ivory and White Bridal Store. For those who haven't heard it yet, Ivory and White is a bridal boutique based in Quezon City that sells ready-to-wear bridal gowns at a fraction of the cost of what usual designer gowns cost. Now couples have that extra money to spare for the honeymoon, a new TV set or oven, or whatever they want to buy in order to start their new life together.

Our model for the shoot is DJ/stage actress Carla Dunareanu (coincidentally, I was listening to her radio show on the way to QC for our shoot). You guys might have last seen her in the stage play Grease where she portrayed one of the Pink Ladies. I saw her first in The Kitchen Musical,a TV series in AXN, which I regularly followed.

I upgraded my candy pink palette that I had back in 2011 for something that's more neutral, like the bride is naturally glowy and rosy. Loose and big curls for effortless beauty. Veil optional for breezy garden weddings.

This look is more classic bride, like she can look back in her photos when she's 80 and go like, "Wow! I must be a hottie when I was younger!" I see a lot of smokey eyes in brides lately in weddings being posted in Facebook. For brides who want emphasis but still want the classic look overall. In other words, brides who go, "I want to look natural but I really want my eyes to pop out."

I recommend this look too for weddings at night or with receptions done in hotels, where there's mood lighting and light makeup can look washed out.

Oh, I also did hair in this shoot. Here's a close look on the updo I did. It's a classic low bun with loopy hair.

For the third and last look, we included a rose accessory which inspired me to change up the look altogether.

Pop of color for bridal? Why not? Red lips made a lot of difference. I made the features warmer by additional contouring and added a bit of eyeliner to tie the eyes with the lips so the eyes don't look that lost . The red by the way, is Collection Cosmetics Queen of Hearts. For those who have it, you guys agree with me on the staying power, right?

Carla's three looks. Each one is very different from the other. Awesome how makeup can change things.

It seems like we were whisked off at a faraway place for this shoot. We shot at Studio Namu in Quezon City, and this studio is quite popular for prenup sessions where the couple would want a lot of layouts without travelling away from the city. They've got a lot of layouts to play along in one big studio too.

Thank you everyone! It was such an awesome day and the first shoot of the year.

Official Photo Credits:Photographer: Niel Ong
Model: Carla Dunareanu
Clothes: Ivory and White Bridal
Makeup and Hair: Me!
Location: Studio Namu

E-Session: Kaye and Lennart

Kaye is the sister of my client/friend Touie, who has been my client since I started doing makeup. I've been doing makeup for their family since 2007. Kaye already booked a different makeup artist  for her wedding, so she asked me to do her makeup for her e-session (for her wedding, I did the makeup of her sisters, tita, and cousins). I really love my loyal clients. They're practically like an extended family to me.

Kaye and Lennart have a beautiful love story, where fate directed them together. You can see it in their eyes that they're truly happy with each other.

Photo credits:
Photo: Ariel Javelosa
Makeup: Bambi de la Cruz Makeup Artistry
Hair: Wacks Joaquin
Location: La Mesa Ecopark

(Note: Kaye's hair was done by my good friend and hairstylist Wacks Joaquin. This is one of Wacks' last work with me as he already is an angel in Heaven making his fellow angels prettier. I'm really going to miss him. The curls were so pretty, and Kaye and Lennart really loved the curls.  Thank you Wacks. It was a pleasure working with you.)

Candy and I Pose for PAWS

Animal welfare is a cause I truly believe in. It's what inspired me to go vegetarian in the first place. I've also been more aware of it after rescuing Candy, my fat tabby cat and meeting all the wonderful people of CARA who helped us in their rescue. Each time I look at how Candy was then, and how he turned out now, it still makes me cry, that amidst the cruelty the world has, there is still hope and love, even for innocent animals.

So imagine my joy when Candy was selected as one of the winners in the recently concluded Bow & Wow Next Pet Model contest. I didn't actually expect him to win, but I was so happy that the cat that almost got broken in half ends up modelling with 11 other beautiful pets in a calendar shot by a very talented photographer. I was also excited that he would be posing for February, which coincidentally is his birthday month, since that was the month of his rescue. As a generous donation for a cause dear to my heart, I volunteered my services to be the makeup artist of the pet parents who would be posing alongside their furbabies. (I love how they coined the term furbabies to the pets, it's like they're part of the family). The photographer of this shoot happened to be Daemon Becker, who I worked with previously at two photoshoots with the Polecats. His wife, Tanya, helped us so much with Candy too, during his rescue.

The shoot took two days and imagine my joy meeting the other pet parents, their furbabies, and the rescue doggies and kitties  of PAWS and talking with their volunteers. Candy did well too in his first-ever photoshoot and being the stage mom that I am, I couldn't be prouder.

I got giddy when I got our calendar a while ago at Bow & Wow Greenbelt.

Look who's in February!

I just love the slogan that said "Love knows no breed". It really touches the heart. Candy, as we all know is a mixed breed cat. Pusakal, puspin, street cat, jologs cat, name it.. But it just gives everyone that spark to not give up in adopting and rescuing a stray. Even a stray deserves a happy and loving home, not just those bought from breeders.

September gives a strong message to say no to animal abuse. I am totally against animal abuse and I can't fathom people who throw cats in the garbage, torture animals, sell dogs for dog meat, or just randomly torture animals.  I'd be meowing with these dogs too against animal abuse.

The calendar is available at all Bow & Wow stores. The stocks arrived at the store today so they will be available already by tomorrow. It retails for only Php150 and it's the perfect giveaway to friends and family for Christmas. Also, it's for a good cause since 100% of the net proceeds from the purchase of each calendar will be donated to The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). This will help keep animals off the streets and make the world a better place for animals.

Yes, that's him alright, telling everyone to purchase a calendar.

Candy and I would be raffling off one calendar to a very lucky reader. all you have to do is to comment below to answer this question:

How can you make the world in your own little way a better place for animals?

It may not be big. It can be using cruelty- free products or volunteering for an animal welfare group. Whether it be slowing down your car whenever there's an animal crossing the street or having one meatless meal a week, it's up to you. The best answer will win a Bow & Wow Calendar. Good luck!

My Work Appears In Women's Health!

Being an advocate of fitness and health, I was really giddy when my friend Kate contacted me and asked me if I could do makeup for Women's Health feature on women who have won the battle against weight loss. This monthly section in Women's Health magazine features a girl who was once on the heavy side but with hard work and dedication, lost the excess weight. The girl to be featured in that month is carefully selected among various stories sent by readers. I've done makeup for them since the September 2012 issue up to this month and I would like to share them all to you:

For September, I had the chance to work with not one but five women, shot at CSA Makati.

The October issue features a petite girl named Lorie, who found her love for boxing. This shoot was shot after the storm with no name, and it looked like Mother Nature meant for that day to happen as the day was just sunny and paved way for the shoot to be done on Natural light.

This is a behind-the-scenes shot

For November, I met a girl named Paz, who was once double her weight. She even brought the gown that she wore when she was still overweight. Her weight loss program started only last January. She's absolutely the sweetest, travelling all the way from Iloilo to Manila for this shoot. She shares her love for running and willingness to try more fitness workouts when she visits Manila, like crossfit, pole dance, trx, and yoga.

December is something close to my heart. It features someone that I've known for two years and who pushed me towards awesomeness. She's our momma cat herself, Christina Dy, founder of Polecats Manila. It's hard to believe that she was once 20 pounds overweight, looking at her photos. But it's such an inspiration that if she started doing pole at her 30s, gained flexibility, strength, founded a dance school, that with no fitness background at all.

From the four months and many more that I've shot with these girls, I've learned and picked up a few things that I would like to share with everyone

• There are no shortcut diets. Sure, trend diets work to a certain extent, but after a while, they're bound to come back to their regular routine.
• Find an exercise regimen that you would learn to love. The exercise depends on each person. For Alona and Paz, it was running. With Michelle, it was boxing. CD of course, was pole. With that, you will learn to love other stuff. 
• Don't be discouraged if you sucked on your first day. We all did. Soon, our body gets stronger.
• Enjoy and be patient. Although the initial goal is to lose weight, having that as your sole and main focus may end up getting you frustrated and stressed out. Just enjoy every minute of it. That hot body you wanted may come sooner than you think.
• Once you reach your ideal weight, make it a lifestyle change. This time, it's not about losing weight anymore, it's being healthy and happy.
• You don't need to be rich to get healthy or start a fitness routine.

Shoots like these are so close to my heart. Not only did they reinforce my love for fitness, but I really get inspired by their own stories that nothing is impossible. I really look forward to doing more shoots like these!

Overcast

This shoot was done during the time the Philippine Area of Responsibility was expecting another tropical depression or typhoon. Thankfully, from where we are, the raindrops and cloudy skies were our allies in this shoot that seemed to channel European fashion line's A/W collection. No angry downpours though, just happy drizzlies.

Photo: Christine Day Lorico
Styling: Ian Cartalba

Male Grooming: Thomas and Freddie

Had two shoots last week, this time on male grooming. Yes, boys do wear makeup on photoshoots and special occasions. In my wedding packages, I include groom makeup. Why? Because grooms need to look flawless and shine-free too on their wedding day. 

Here's proof  to you guys that male makeup looks natural. As much as possible, I don't want guys to look like they're wearing makeup. I just want them to look fresh and flawless but not pale. 

photo credits: 

model: Thomas of Elite

photographer: Christine Day Lorico

stylist: Rolee Umali

light design: Michael Yu

makeup: Bambi de la Cruz Makeup Artistry (in other words, MEEEE!!!!) 

And I promise you guys, to the grooms who are reading my blog, I do male makeup really fast. The makeup for the shoot (above) took only 10 minutes, tops. With hair.

And yesterday's shoot with Freddie turned out awesome and fun. The shoot took around two hours. :) I love it!

photo credits:

model: Freddie Abrahams

photographer: Michael Yu

stylist: Rolee Umali

makeup: Bambi de la Cruz Makeup Artistry 

So how are guys in makeup: Make them look like them - just minimize shine and even the skin out. And make them comfortable wearing makeup. :) 

Bambi Got Fritzified

When my good friend (and fellow blogger) Fritz decided to pursue his dream as a photographer, I was in full out support. I've followed his blogs and seen his photos and noticed that he has an eye for color, light, and most especially, art. That's why when he took his natural talent to the next level, I really got excited for him. When he asked me to be his model in one of his practice shoots, it was a big yes!!!! Actually to be honest, I was raising my hand and volunteering already before he even asked. Heehee.

Fritz is not the usual blindly point-and-shoot photographer or just an average Joe with a camera and then clicks away 100 shots per minute and goes, "Pwede na yan!" or relies solely on photo-editing. He studies a concept, tries to see how we could execute it and make it our own, and sits down and talks to you as to how he exactly wants it done and lists them on paper or Powerpoint presentation.

Oh and speaking of crew, it was a team of two in our shoot here, no big crowds or huge teams. We brought our own outfits (No pullouts, take note) in our own suitcases. I did my own hair and makeup, and he did the styling, art direction, photography, and arranged his own lights. But I have to say, we did rock the shoot as I share three of some of our favorite shots.

And speaking of rock, here's a very biker chick inspired rockerish peg where I pulled my hair back in a tight ponytail. It was like I raided Fritz's closet here practically as he lent me his pants, shoes (love those Aldo boots mehn, they're like air), shades, and bag for this shot. As for the bra, that's obviously mine, A 200-peso black bra I sewed beads to.

The pants were a tad tight. Either Fritz is really skinny or I have been doing too many squats and lunges. I was about to freak out and say to the world, "DOESTHISMEANIMFAT????" But they did fit me well. Note: Must look at the men's department for awesome jeans. And the abs, I'm proud to say are real as a result of intense pole dance training and not eating junk for the weekend.

Prior to this shoot, I watched the James Bond movie with Grace Jones in it and I was so blown away by the bad Bond girl peg of the one-piece body suit peg. The high-cut of Grace Jones was a bit too much though, so I turned my 80-ish French cut bodysuit into something more conservative with boylegs. Lie down on them speakers and emote and PAK! From Bond villain, here's my love for music and dance.

That cuff was bought on sale and Fritz chose the cuff for me. Love how he understands and knows what things go well together and he made sure that no lock was straying and each crease was smoothed.

Bling it is as I pull my hair back again and let the accessories and bodysuit take place. My epic wedding headpiece goes with a bejeweled bodysuit in this fab headshot. The designer behind the outfit is my good friend Dennis Celestial. I love how the red pops out. It's currently my Facebook profile photo and I'm getting lotsa likes.

photo credits:
photography, styling, lights, and art direction: Fritz Tentativa
makeup, hair, and model: ME!
location: Bulb Studios

Fritz and I had so much fun in this shoot. Take note that I haven't been in front of the camera for quite some time like this but I loved how looking at the pictures, it looks like I had no rest era. Fritz made me feel very much comfortable and brought out all the best angles and assets. Afterwards, he gave me a bit of coaching as to how to improve next time with regards to modelling and what strengths to consider.

Thanks Fritz for a fabulous afternoon and looking forward for more shoots and shenanigans.

Pole Photoshoot with Leo Castillo

Two weeks ago, Stevie and I met up with a very good friend of mine for a shoot. With Stevie all tacked up and more tricks up my sleeve, it's time for a pole photoshoot and who to do that but a photographer who has witnessed my growth from 2007 (the year I started with pro makeup) up to the present?

Leo Castillo is the first-ever photographer I worked with. I'm really honored to work with him in all these years I've done makeup. He's a very established photographer already but despite all his accomplishments, he remains very humble and down-to-earth and every shoot is fun with him around. I've worked with him first with both of us behind the camera and also eventually with me being the subject of his shots and then with me doing backstage work again. I thought that he be the first  photographer to do my pole photoshoot.

I wanted the shoot to showcase athleticism and strength instead of the sexy and erotic nature of pole dancing. This is more of pole fitness, in fact. I was inspired by sports ads or dancer pictures practicing in the studio.

Love to my favorite supply of sport tops, Forever 21. They have the best sport tops ever for me!!!!! And very affordable too.

Our shoot was so much fun! His studio had a beam which fit Stevie perfectly. Stevie was shorter there than he was at home by just a few inches, but I was still able to do my vertical tricks. To save time, I got to the studio The shoot took about four hours, warm-up and stretching included since I had to rest after a series of tricks or recondition the pole. It was practically like poleling for 4 hours straight. I got bruises and my body hurt but it's okay and fun.

This scary trick bow and arrow but super pretty. The hubby had to help me recover upwards here as it's pretty hard to recover for me still.

My friend Dennis Celestial made me this super-pretty bodysuit/top. Doesn't it look super pretty and sparkly? I swear the flag is such a badass trick. Would you guys believe I learned to flag before inverting?

More photos

top hand viva

modified alesia

hip hold

Definitely this won't be my first shoot on the pole as there will be many more. It's like documenting our tricks in class with makeup and awesome lighting. :) 

Photos by: Leo Castillo

Makeup, Styling, and Model: Me!!!!

Venue: Photoworks Studio 

Back In The Grind

Guess what?

I'm shooting again.

After a long hiatus from photoshoots and collaborations, my friends and I had another shoot. Christine asked if I could do a shoot with her and Mike on a Saturday morning. Of course I said yes. I love these two to bits plus I trust their work.

It's all about male makeup here, and they were styled really well. Looking at the photos, they're not your typical mail catalog shoot here in Manila. You think it was done abroad but nope, it was done right here, in a studio in Pasong Tamo.

I love how the outfits are so very wearable.

I did super minimal hair here. The model requested we let his hair be. Of course I obliged.

Slicked back hair and hammered with gel+hair spray reminds us of Leonardo di Caprio's character in Titanic, but we're not in Titanic's era so here we go.

For male makeup it's just simple - clear up the skin, add shape, mattify, look clean, spritz, and go. I only have one rule for male makeup, which I have passed to some of my gigs: No Foundation Day look. :P

Shoots gave me so much energy, and I think that's why I had that much energy that day since it was fueled with shoots. After the shoot, I flew off to an out-of-town trip and back and charged with a massage at Ton Tons. Following that was a random night out with Romina where we cooed at the cats CARA had on display at their event in Greenbelt and then dinner + coffee at Bizu. At this part of the day, I had no pictures at all to show. It was one of those super random and fun moments that I stopped documenting and just relished that moment. My kind of weekend.

credits:

PHOTOS: Michael Sy Yu and Christine Day Lorico

MODELS: Pablo Coelho and Thomas Jonathan Norder

STYLISTS: Kaye Awatin and Rolee Umali

LOCATION: Bulb Studio

Behind-The-Scenes: Polecats Manila 2012 Calendar Shoot

Last September, Polecats Manila and I had a photoshoot for a project which was a little secret until, well, last week. We shot for their 2012 calendar, which had a pretty theme which will make anyone smile: PINUP! But instead of the regular pinup photos we see, what separates this calendar from others is that the subjects also showcase their awesome pole skills and strength.

I will show you the contents in a bit.

10 dancers, one photographer, one makeup artist, and one hairstylist. It was time for a rocking photoshoot. The shoot started at 9 am and we started with hair and makeup at Kris's apartment.

I brought out the big guns here - literally. I used airbrush makeup on them. Instead of identical makeup, they each had different themes, depending on the month they represented, which was just so cute. I think my toys were just as excited too because everytime I do gigs/shoots like these, they cooperate so well. Anyway, Lorybelle Barretto, a hair and makeup artist I met online via common friends and network did hair for the shoot. It was our first time to meet personally actually. She worked fast and did all ten heads before 4 pm, even switching hairstyles.

After half had their makeup done, we proceeded to Pioneer Studios where we started doing the photoshoot. I told you about different themes right? Here's a preview of Amaya's summer theme - beach ball, shades, bandana, and all.

with matching balancing act and pointed toes. The Polecats always emphasize on pointed toes all the time, in heels or barefoot or boots and I agree it really makes everything look prettier. (Note: As I am typing this, my toes are actually pointed for practice because I have class later.)

Daemon showing the results to Amaya and AJ.

Caryn, Chot, and Myla by the couch, waiting for the group shot.

One of the prettiest shots is the Christmas themed shoot. I love the white outfits on them with the matching Santa hats. Usually, I use a yellowy red on them but for this shoot, I used a different wine red, to make everything deeper, but still keeping with the festive red theme. Subtle smoky eyes because I want it to be pretty and festive. During the entire shoot, it was drizzly or rainy outside, but we all didn't feel it. We were having fun working and picture-taking.

The Polecats Manila 2012 calendar is already available at Gen Studios Ortigas for Php350. Here are some more shots to convince you to get one:

Mara as a witch for October. She had crimped hair and green smoky eyes and hot pink lips here, I took inspiration from Bewitched and Barbie dolls. After crimping her hair, Lorybelle curled her hair into soft curls for the next photoshoots.

I asked Lorybelle to put Kayleen's hair in a high ponytail, just like the Cheerios in Glee. Sweet pinks were used on Kayleen here for makeup. I asked her if she could sign also my calendar. Heehee. Fan mode!

I won't post more pictures because that means you have to get a calendar to see all the photos yourself. And probably, this could also convince you to try out pole fitness. :) Currently, my calendar is in my workstation here at home, by the living room. When time comes that it's 2012 and I get to use the calendar, friends who come over might see it and ask me, "Who are those in the calendar?" I would reply, "They are the Polecats, they are my teachers in pole dancing and they are awesome!"

credits for the calendar shoot:

• Polecats Manila
• photographer: Daemon Becker
• makeup: Bambi de la Cruz Makeup Artistry
• hair: Lorybelle Barretto
• location: Pioneer Studios