Makeup Must-Haves For Your ID Photos

A few months ago, I wrote a blog post on ID photo tips. So finally, I was able to get my plastic DL card last week. When I saw the photo, I was just super thrilled because I came up with quite a decent ID photo, probably the best ID photo I ever took with a webcam. My license the last time, I wasn't exactly bad looking but it could use more improvements.

I never really realized how important looking good in government ID photos mattered to most people. It was when I saw how many blog posts were there about it when I saw that indeed, it does matter. Not really a requirement, but it counts in life.

I was quite surprised at the likes and comments I got with my makeup look for that photo (a friend even joked I should have brought my own fan so I can have that Beyonce-ish effect) so I thought about writing a part 2 post on how to look good for your government ID photo, this time enumerating the stuff I usually use whenever I have to do a headshot using a webcam.

get the natural look that radiates on a webcam using these products

Benefit The POREFessional Face Primer (Php 1,800)

This has got to be the favorite of every single makeup artist I know. It smoothens out the face to a nice, velvety texture, makes makeup last longer, and matts out shine. I have this problem on the center of my forehead that tends to look shiny even if I'm not even oily. The POREFessional takes care of that.


Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation (Php 825)

I forgo BB creams and use Liquid Foundation set with loose powder or powder foundation instead. BB creams have high SPF content and may cause a white cast, especially if there's harsh, un-metered flash that makes photos reminiscent of our "Gulat-Me" 80's to early 90's ID photo days. Colorstay lasts long enough, which is perfect in slowing down makeup meltdown most especially for locations where whatever we do, we're still prone to makeup melting. Again, this sets matte.


MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder in Dark (Php 2,100)

This adds warmth and contours which create shape and dimension. I just add a tad, instead of photoshoot-level ready, just so my face doesn't look flat. The key to natural-looking contours is all in the blending so blend this well.  Save the heavy contours for fashion shows or theatre performances.


Benefit Blush in Coralista (Php 1,600)

Personally, I stick to warm colors for government ID photos so I don't look super washed out with white fluorescent lights and blue backgrounds. This isn't too flat matte but not too shiny that it looks oily either.


MAC Blush in Mocha (Php 1,200)

A healthy, natural flush of pink also works. This bridal staple doesn't have too much shimmer speckles and delivers a nice, pink color to the cheeks, kind of like a natural glow.


Revlon Brow Fantasy Pencil and Gel in Light Brown (Php 575)

As overhead top lights can sometimes make my brows disappear, I need extra definition. This product gives me a more defined brow that doesn't disappear with the lighting yet it's natural enough for real-life appreciation. It gives me the defined, strong, but still natural type of brows. The mascara tints the brow hairs, (most especially if you have colored hair) and keeps the brows in place.


Happy Skin Eye am Here To Stay 24h Gel Eyeliner in Chic Brown (Php599)

Black liner in the bottom lashlines can look harsh, My alternative is dark brown eyeliner tightlined to make the lash roots fuller. You don't even have to worry about lines being perfect,


Colourpop x Hello Kitty Ultra Satin Lip in Tiny Chum (USD 6.00 at colourpop.com)

Colourpop has been making waves for having major color payoff that's comparable with expensive brands at a fraction of the price. This gorgeous liquid lippie has a pretty, fresh pink shade that's great for fair-skinned ladies. Paired with a blush, you can have a gorgeous, natural rosy glow instead of looking ghostly or pasty,


L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray (Php 500)

The long lines plus humidity can cause makeup meltdown. The setting spray does the job of locking the makeup or making it last longer. It also helps blend the makeup as well on the face so it looks gorgeous on photos, more like healthy skin instead of powder.

ID pictures do matter in a way that it represents you for the years it is still valid. It represents you in legal and official documents and it really is a confidence booster when you have an awesome visa or passport photo (that still follows the rules obviously). These arsenals for the gorgeous lasting look can be your best bet, especially if you have no idea what to use. Let me know which ones are your favorite or which one you use for yourself. okay?


Image Directory

Cover Photo shot by Ozzy Lavina


Store Directory

Benefit Cosmetics

1/F Greenbelt 5, Makati; (02) 729-9854; 3/F TriNoma Mall; Rustan’s Makati; Shangri-La Plaza; Mall of Asia; benefitcosmetics.com; facebook.com/benefitcosmetics; facebook.com/benefitcosmeticsphilippines

Colourpop
colourpop.com; facebook.com/ColourPopCosmetics; instagram.com/colourpopcosmetics

Happy Skin
Glorietta 3, Ayala Grand Mall; Greenbelt 5, 2/F; Powerplant Mall 2/F; Robinson’s Magnolia 2/F; SM Megamall. 2/F Mega Fashion Hall; Eastwood Mall, 1/F; UP Town Center, 1/F; available at Rustan’s Beauty Source, Beauty Bar, and Plains and Prints; happyskincosmetics.com; facebook.com/happyskincosmetics; instagram.com/happyskin_ph

L'Oreal Paris

Available at all leading groceries, beauty hubs, and department stores nationwide; lorealparis.com; lorealparisexclusif.ph; facebook.com/LOrealParisPhilippines

MACclick here for a complete list of stores; maccosmetics.com; rustans-thebeautysource.com; maccosmetics.com,ph; facebook.com/MACCosmetics

Revlon
Available at all leading department stores nationwide; revlon.com; facebook.com/Revon; facebook.com/RevlonPhilippines

Faking it With Benefit's They're Real! Mascara

Ahhh, mascara, you are indeed a lazy girl's best friend. I mean, come on, we all love putting on makeup, but there are those days when it can be a chore since for one thing, it takes a whole lot of time to do makeup. What if you have other chores to do or somehow decided to take the day slow and embracing the yin of it all? For eyes that look more wide awake, I really rely on mascara. That instant definition of  curled lashes gives that wide-awake look and suddenly, you have eyes, and lashes. It's faster than putting fake lashes and much more comfortable too.

I purchased Benefit Cosmetics' They're Real! Mascara a few weeks ago after hearing good reviews from those who've tried it. The picture on the box got my un-mascara-ed eye popping because from ho-hum lashes, they instantly turned to vavoom lashes as according to the label, from a consumer-panel survey, these were the results:

94% dramatic length and volume

90% base-to-tip curl

94% saw visible lift

100% saw long-wearing results.

If it can turn eyes that are meh-level to yowza! level, then this must be worth a try.

I have to comment Benefit Cosmetics again, as they have such awesome packaging. This one looks like a spy weapon, like an elongated grenade or something.

I like the wand has got the end with bristles to get product wedged in those hard-to-reach areas. This could also be used by those with really sparse lashes or lashes on the bottom lashline to avoid those mascara speckles.

I didn't use makeup for the test here, though. Just the mascara. So that's my bare eye

Then I curled my lashes using my favorite lash curler. Sure, curling your lashes does give it a bit of definition.

To apply mascara, I got the brush, dabbed excess on a tissue, then wiggled the wand from base to tip

The bottom lashes, I used the pointy end 

Then after, you can see my new lashes.

It's not really super falsies effect. It still looks like my own lashes, except they're longer, darker, and more defined. Normally, volumizing mascaras thicken the strands so they plump up, but sometimes, they clump when you go a little too overboard. this one, I'm happy to say didn't but just to be sure, don't go too overboard with the coats (3 is fine). From my personal experience, it didn't weigh my lashes down and it still looked pretty defined and natural. Natural with impact. I could actually use this alone with no eyeliner.

Closed eye detail.

Just a reminder though, if you're a bride, and you know that you'll be crying, this isn't a waterproof mascara. it is, however, long-wearing so it can withstand probably an entire day or even a workout session (I worked out to this). Don't worry, non-waterproof formulas aren't that bad. We need them to give our lashes a break once in a while from those waterproof formulas, which can be a pain to remove everyday. Just use this if you have that extra-special occasion that you know you won't cry or submerge your face in water. We all deserve to be pretty everyday right? Even while giving our lashes a rest.

Benefit's They're Real! mascara retails for Php 1,200 and it's available at all Benefit counters. It's a bit more expensive than most mascaras, so this belongs to my treat-to-self category of mascara. It does last long, however, especially if you take good care of it. For pro use, I recommend using this in beauty shoots or editorials with natural-makeup pegs without using false eyelashes. 

Some tips:

• Never, ever, pump the wand into the bottle. This could cause air to get trapped inside, thus drying and/or clumping the product.
• For small eyes, make them appear wider, rounder, and larger, by concentrating application on the center lashes instead of the edges. 
• To elongate very round eyes, concentrate on the outer edges. It's almost like the wing-tip eyeliner or wing lashes. 
• Blot used wand with a tissue before storing. This would avoid clumps. 

One-Stop Glow With Benefit Pocket Pal Plus Tutorial

I've heard great reviews with Benefit's Benetint from a lot of blogs or just conversing with friends, how it provides a natural flush on the skin and a slight tint on the lips instead of looking clownish and funny. It was quite intriguing that when Benefit cosmetics wasn't here yet, it was a pasalubong list of many girls from relatives going abroad. So I decided to try it out for myself last Tuesday, to see what the fuss was about.

When I got in the Benefit Cosmetics branch in Greenbelt, I was intent on purchasing the full-size bottle. But before my purchase, I wanted to ask for a sampler first. Thinking that I would be given the full-size bottle, I was surprised that I was handed a double-ended wand, with one end containing clear gloss and one end containing the Benetint liquid. The girl instructed me on how to put it on, like dab a little first on the apples of the cheeks and blend quickly. For the lips, I had to dab some of the stain on the lips and top with the clear gloss. Although the full-size bottle was available, I thought I'd purchase this one first. For one thing, it's cheaper (PHP 1,100 as opposed to the full-size bottle which was Php 1,800) and also, I was still trying it out. Makeup usually lasts quite a long time and it pains me to see makeup dried up in the closet. Maybe if I ended up liking it, I'd purchase another one, yes? By the way, if the pink isn't your thing, there's also a Chacha Tint version of the pocketpal, for a peach glow.

The pocket pal looks like this:

It's as big as a regular lip gloss and it could fit into any a teensy bag. Anyway, the darker end, like I said earlier contains the lip and cheek tint while the clear one contains the gloss.

Just be very careful in opening the container. When using the tint, remember to open the container gloss side up to prevent spilling of product or else you will cry. Why? Because your beloved tint will fall on your dress or the ground and since it's a stain, it would be hard to remove.

When I tried it on counter, despite the deep red shade the tint had, it came out fairly natural on my skin, like I just ran a few rounds or did a few inverts. I like natural flushes though, and since I was pole-ling that night, it was perfect. The gloss also wasn't too sticky. You know I don't like sticky glosses.

Just some key points, since this is liquid, apply this under powder so the glow is more natural. Since stains can be quite drying, prep up lips with lip balm before applying the stain.

On my skin, I tell you, it looks very natural.

I especially like the lip color has got that just-eaten-a-strawberry-popsicle look, minus the red teeth and tongue stains.  can take this with me anywhere if I want to look alive, like during travel after a loooong plane or road trip.


Anyway, since I was feeling ill today, I wanted to share a tutorial for, well, you got it, people who are feeling ill but still want to look human. We all are guilty of still leaving the home even when nursing a fever, cough, or cold. We all need to work, and it's hard to be absent. I myself am guilty of going to school despite a 40-degree fever and taking an exam. But of course, I looked horrific then, you'd think I was struck with the Ebola virus miles away. Looking back, there is a way to fake the health, until we get better. We may go out looking ill, but it doesn't mean our looks have to announce it right?


The look is quick and easy and I'll describe it as quickly as possible. It's an effortless no-makeup look that will make you look alive. In my own technique, I didn't use brushes at all, and you'll see why. Maybe in yours, a brush or two may be used, depending on the products and personal preference.


What you'll need:

• Concealer to hide your eyebags and redness
• Tinted moisturizer (you may use your favorite BB cream or go DIY by mixing a droplet of your favorite foundation with your moisturizer)
• Eyeliner - black or brown
• Face Powder
• Eyebrow pencil or your favorite eyebrow makeup
• Benefit Benetint, because this is the product I'm featuring, in my case, the Benetint Pocket Pal
• Eyelash curler and mascara (try Benefit's They're Real!) 

1. First of all, wash your face well and pat dry. Get your tinted moisturizer and massage it on the face and neck. Don't just apply and spread. Massage it. Why did I emphasize on massaging it? It will give the face a lifted look and boost circulation. Take as much time as you need here. 
2. Conceal your panda eyes or redness around the sniffly nose with concealer. Blend well to create the illusion of even skin tone.
3. Before setting the makeup, apply Benefit Benetint on the apples of the cheeks and blend in. This will create the rosy and healthy glow. Make sure to blend very well. Dab some on the lips and blend outward for that just-bitten look.
4. With the complexion looking rosy and even, set makeup with powder to prevent sliding. I prefer using pressed powder in here, because loose might exacerbate your snifflies.
5. Eyebrows need to be defined, so go ahead and frame your face by defining brows with eyebrow makeup. A groomed brow instantly gives the look impact.
6. Tightline the eyes with eyeliner to accentuate them. When I say tightline, just wiggle the pencil on the roots of the lashes to make them look fuller. use a trusty and smudge-proof liner here. I lined just my top lashes, but depending on your preference, you can go and line the bottom lashes. Just use brown for a more natural look.
7. Curl lashes and apply mascara.
8. Finish off with the clear gloss that comes with Pocket Pal or your favorite lipgloss. 

I decided to skip the use of eyeshadow and go with the essentials in looking healthier, focusing on evening out and brightening the complexion. For those who still want to use eyeshadow, just apply a matte skintone eyeshadow to brighten the eyes from lashline to browbone to open things and reapply top liner. Again, I used little brushes here because I want it quick and simple and making use of things that are easy to tote in a purse or tiny makeup kit.

While in the process of getting better, remember to drink lots of fluids and get some rest when you have the time. I'm doing that now because I want to get better. Hope you like this quick and easy tutorial!

Reviewing Benefit Cosmetics' the POREfessional

Primers may be an extra step to makeup application, but promise, they help a lot. Just like the primer in the world of painting walls, in painting faces, face primers do the same thing - they prepare the surface for makeup application, evening and smoothing out the surface so makeup glides and sits on so much better.

A primer I was introduced to is Benefit Cosmetics' the POREfessional, a PRO balm designed to help minimize the appearance of pores. It's oil-free and it's said to not only minimize the appearance of pores but also fine lines.  I understand that there are quite a lot who want to have the airbrushed, satiny smooth skin look and this may help, and I did a test run of it. I received a sample pack from our Stellar 2 goodie bags (yaye!) and I gave it a try one hot June afternoon pole class (yes, I do love subjecting things to high temperature, high stress, and high endorphin levels of life). As I don't have a photo of the actual product, I saw some pictures in the Internet and this is how it looks like, full size.

Image credits

When I first posted about Benefit Cosmetics, I raved about how cutesy and non-intimidating their packages were, no matter how hardcore the purpose may be. This one does not disappoint. Take me to San Francisco candy stores!

The POREfessional is supposed to be applied on clean skin after moisturizer sinks in. Apply this product outward from the center of the face. Focus more on problem areas such as the T-zone, forehead, or anywhere shine usually sits too much. Let sink in before applying makeup so it sits on better.

So that's first a clean face devoid of makeup.

I applied the primer as the package says. The primer on its own is a bit tinted and I was glad that it didn't interfere with my skin color. It felt velvety on the hands and also on the face. There was an improvement on the feel of the texture of the skin. I also noticed some areas have been mattified. I have this humongous problem in life where my T-zone naturally shines even without the presence of oil. So anyway, on to my makeup.

Fresh look, since it was daytime.

I took the makeup to the ultimate road test - that is, to pole during lunch class. Travelling in Metro Manila during lunch hour, the sun blares like it's mad at the world and wants to burn it to the ground. Doing pole on lunch class with all the intensity will put it to makeup meltdown test.

But wait... what makeup meltdown?

My makeup practically was almost baseline state as I got home. The makeup I used here is a full face of makeup - liquid foundation, powder foundation, contour, blush, eye makeup, lipstick... the works. My face doesn't feel sticky and heavy and at most, a bit of tissue blotting away the dirt and powder was all it needed to freshen up.

With flash. I love how the usual shine is minimized here.

There is a bit of product that somehow got tissued off along with the dirt, but hey, I still look normal and not like a raccoon dipped in a vat of oil.

Is the POREfessional something I recommend? Definitely and most especially if you have the budget for it. This can be used if you're:

• a bride (if your wedding is outdoor) who wants to look fresh on her wedding, whether the makeup is traditional or airbrush.
• a performer (actor, dancer, singer) and your face would be cooked in stage lights. This was the primer used at our Stellar 2 show. We looked fresh up until curtain call.
• a model in a photoshoot
• a girl having a long day/event ahead and you want minimal retouching on your fabulous makeup.

A primer is something I'd recommend if you would be needing to wear full makeup the whole day and if you want makeup to last longer. If you do, however, wear makeup the whole day everyday, then you may use this too. Always do a patch test in purchasing products, especially for the first time to see how it reacts to your skin.If you want to save products you can just tap and target this on problem areas just to even things out.

Benefit Cosmetics is located at the ground floor of Greenbelt 5 mall and also at Rustan's Shangri-La Mall.  

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.

Benefit Cosmetics In Manila

Benefit Cosmetics has been a very popular brand with beauty fanatics. First heard via online reviews and YouTube v-logs and raves, it has gotten to many pasalubong or pabili lists since it's not available locally. When Benefit Cosmetics came to Manila and opened last week, it was welcomed by its Manila fans. I got there at around 3 pm. The store was packed with fans and friends who were busy trying out products and shopping.

The store totally whisked me back in time to flirty boudoirs, powder rooms, and everything pinup girl chic. I remember the quaint candy shops in San Francisco when I stepped in the store.

Lippies are Bambi's best friends. Shy is the bestselling shade of lipstick, which is a pretty lilacy-pink shade.

Bathina is a body balm that's great for beauty editorials and brides for a sheer body glow. Not for pole dancers though pero when I'm out for a special occasion, I could whip out one for a sheer glow on my legs and collarbone. (Hmm... Kiars and I were hoping that there'll be a grip paste and Bathina collaboration so we can pole with glowy skin :P)

Goodies like primers, concealers, and blush (in jars like candy) are in this shelf.

Aside from makeup and skincare, Benefit Cosmetics also provides waxing services to defuzz our bodies of unwanted hair.

Cheriza mentioned to me that this is one of her favorite Benefit makeup sets.

This looks interesting - concoctions to give the user the most glowing skin ever.

This store won't be hard to miss. It's located at Greenbelt 5 ground floor, right next to Shiseido, where Jurlique used to be. :)