My Green-and-Lilac EOTD using my Baxi Shadows

Just a few weeks ago, I saw a pallete of Baxi eyeshadows and 2 blushers and after finding out how super pigmented they are got myself one (At Php100.00 a pop. ha!)

Since I'll be heading off for a shoot in a few minutes, I thought I'd share first my EOTD using my super inexpensive and super colorful Baxi shadows.

So here's the guide:

Basically I just used colors marked 1, 2, and 3. For the others, though, I did incorporate a bit of other makeup. :)

So here's how to do it:

I applied concealer on areas that need evening out and buffed mineral foundation on my face and set it with Setting Powder.

Groomed and defined brows and tightlined my eyes with dark brown eyeliner.

Then, I lined my upper eyelids with black kohl pencil and smudged this up to the crease for a smoky effect and also to act as a base (im going for colorful smokey eyes here)

On inner upper lid, I dabbed color #1 and blended this through halfway.

On inner lower lid is color #3, and i blended this halfway.

On outer upper lid, I dabbed in color #2. I blended where the two colors meet (a defined boundary is yucky) and also up towards the crease. I blended this so it does not look like a stroke of color. I also swept color #2 on the lower outer lashline to act as a drop shadow.

Finally, I highlighted the ball of the lid with a shimmery green loose powder eyeshadow (you can use your favorite MAC pigment/Careline loose powder shadow/MMU eyeshdaow) and BLEND well.

Then, for more definition, I lined my eyes with black pencil liner and smudged to soften. Curl lashes and add lots of mascara.

No blush here, since I made my eyes take center stage. I added a frosty glittery pink lipstick to go with the whole scheme.

Gotta go now! Hope you like this EOTD!

Olay Regenerist Line: Own It First!

With Olay Regenerist's arrival here in Manila quick approaching, to those who can't wait, here's a treat:

Olay Regenerist will have a pre-sale so you could own it first before it officially arrives!

On October 18, 2008, Selected Watsons at SM Department stores will be carrying Olay Regenerist items to purchase. There will only be limited stocks available so sign up for the priority list at:

http://www.olay.com.ph

or

http://www.femalenetwork.com

or check with the Olay Beauty Consultants in the participating Watsons branches at

SM Makati
SM Megamall
SM Mall of Asia
SM North Edsa
SM Cebu

Got your interest? Want my say on the product? Click here.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up now!

My Skin Care Ritual

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Lately I haven't been wearing much makeup than I used to since I have been working behind lenses plus I get really early call-times. heeheeheee. Anyway, so of course, inasmuch as I love makeup, I always take care of what's underneath that, and that's my skin. Okay, don't get me wrong. I'm not all flawless all the time, 24/7. I do have my days of oiliness, haggard skin, and also my breakouts, but that's due to lack of sleep, abuse of skincare, and too much junk food (I can't help it... I love french fries and potato chips and wasabe popcorn and ice cream and boxes of chocolates!).

One tip I learned too, was the fact how my skin dramatically improved when I finally quit my smoking habit. Smoking dried up my skin before and I really subsisted on moisturizer and had to pile on that makeup. I also keep myself hydrated with lots of fluids and of course, plenty of healthy food. I guess they had it right when they told me that taking care of the skin starts from within.


(Me without makeup. Photo by Lauren Dalao)

So here, I'm writing to finally share my skin care ritual. It's not as complicated as you might think...

Morning:
After or during I hit the shower, I wash my face with facial wash. Soap can be too drying on my face and it could strip my face of its natural moisture. Depending on the season, my preference for facial wash could change. On hot days, I prefer gel-type or liquid-types that can strip away oil and dirt and yucky stuff. On cold days, I might need the extra help of a cream cleanser. If I have time, I do a final rinse of cold water to close the pores.

I like toners because they sort of seal the face and prep it up for moisturizer. I whisk this on my face and throat and let it evaporate first, then I put moisturizer with SPF. Yep! We all need SPF!
Eye cream has been an added step after I became conscious of my skin around the eyes. I didn't know how delicate they were and how they need a lot of TLC. So there.

Lip butter is next since I'm such a fan of matte lipsticks. Since they tend to be a bit harsh and drying, I slather on lip butter or lip balm then wait 5 minutes before I proceed with my makeup (if I do)

Evening:

After a day of shoots, shopping, or just lounging around, I need to clean my face of all that dirt and germs. I use cleansing oil to remove my makeup. Cleansing oils have been my best friend after I discovered how potent they are in removing even the most waterproof mascara. If I have time, I go old-fashioned with cold cream or cleansing milk.

My face needs a wash and so it gets washed... I want a really really clean face before I go to bed. Toner as usual to seal in the pores and I put on an intense eye cream made for night.

Lastly, I apply firming night cream on my face and neck and massage it well so that it gets easily absorbed into the skin. After which, lip balm comes next since I want my lips soft and smooth when I wake up in the morning.

Extras:
Sometimes i like to pamper myself. Twice a week, I use exfoliants to rid myself of dull skin. Plus, when I feel like it, I use a super hydrating facial mask to give my skin its much-needed vitamins. I don't overdo this though, as this could traumatize my skin.

Whatever skin ritual you may have, aside from a healthy lifestyle, always follow these cardinal rules:
1. Never leave the house without SPF!
2. Never go to bed with dirty skin!
3. Never prick your pimples!

Anyone care to share their skin rituals?

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

To the most well-loved, and one of the most talented photographers here in Multiply

STANLEY ONG!

Have a Happy Happy Happy Birthday!

Here's to more shoots, more fun, more kakulitan, more success, more love, more fans, and more happiness!

Mahal ka namin Stan forever and ever and ever! NAAAAAKKKSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From your ever-so-loyal fans at STANLEYDDICTION!

Burger! Burger! Burger!!!! :D

Our Neutrogena Contest Winner!

Winner for our contest:

"what keeps me energized all day is a better outlook in life. maybe it's just me but as an individual- a better individual- a nice outlook in life is a great help. some looks forward for inspiration and some for achieving their goals. others could answer this question by saying their rituals and routines, but mine is different. well, different strokes for different folks:-)"

This is none other than JC Glifonea!

Congrats JC! will send you package by next week! :) I have your contact details. :D

Photography Debut

With as far as macros are concerned (and my product shots for blogging), I need to find my way around a camera (even if it may be a trusty P&S). In my photoshoot last Wednesday, despite the rain and Metro Manila being declared as Signal #2, we still continued on our photoshoot at Rouge Studio, I was watching the shoot and trying to do a bit of coaching on the model. The owner of the studio, G, seeing that I wanted to take a few shots, lent me his camera (a lovely Canon 40D) and encouraged me to take some shoots.

Needless to say, this is my debut in photography - or sort of. He already pre-adjusted the camera and the lights. All I had to do was angle and click:

Here's my model, Amor. Don't you think she reminds you of Nik Pace from ANTM Cycle 5?

Amor is another trooper. She came all the way from Pampanga (commuting with all her luggage) for this shoot. I was worried that the shoot would be canceled due to the rains but the whole team braved the shoot.

Another bonus was that Dennis and Stanley also passed by. Sweetest people on earth! The shoot was so much fun. The studio is turning to be another favorite of mine due to its relaxed atmosphere. We sure enjoyed a lot and we didn't feel any pressure. In this layout, I gave Amor smoky eyes but with a twist. For the lid color, I used cream eyeshadow in a gray color and packed on glitter to make it look like glitter shadow and encircled the crease with a matte black color. I kept the lips nude to focus on her eyes. Lucky Amor already has curled and thick lashes.

We finished at 8 or 9 pm but it sure was worth it!

The Body Shop Launches Nature's Minerals

The Body Shop takes makeup and friendliness to the next level by launching their own mineral makeup line, limited edition of course!

While I was at MoA for some retail therapy, I passed by the Body Shop and saw their display. Luckily, Toni was there and invited me to have a look at the products. I must say that a lot of big makeup companies are going to the mineral makeup craze nowadays. I also have mineral makeup on my makeup kits, and I use the mineral makeup foundation as loose powder in some of my shoots. I just apply little though, as this can be heavy if applied too much. For everyday, though, sometimes I go with just mineral foundation. :)

Anyway, so I zeroed in on the brushes....





My camera angle doesn't show it but the smaller brush is for the blush brush and the bigger one is for foundation. Like all TBS products, these brushes are all made of synthetic hair. I asked about the difference between that brush and my current kabuki brush, also by The Body Shop, which I got for my birthday. These brushes, though, are more compact and specified for the face whereas my kabuki brush can be used for both face and body.

Texture wise, this brush is so soft. No prick. No hurt. No owie, even with the slightest pressure. However, I still apply my makeup with the lightest touch!



The foundations here...







are in loose form and here's what The Body Shop says about them:



"A premium, up-to-the-minute loose powder foundation, made from minerals. Long-lasting, blendable powders act like a veil to help defend the skin against sun damage with SPF 25. Ultra light powders apply evenly and blend easily for a radiant, natural-looking complexion. Colour builds easily to provide an adjustable light to medium coverage. "
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So what you do is just dispense a slight amount on the cover, swirl the kabuki brush, tap the excess off, then lightly buff on face and blend. You can add another layer if you feel you need another coverage. I like the glow actually. Since I had some redness problems, they applied concealer first to even out my skintone and then proceeded to buff the mineral foundation. It actually didn't feel heavy on my face, another thing I'm particular with my makeup.



All mineral makeup is in loose form and come with specialized brushes as well. I particularly like the glow the bronzers and blush gave me, although it can be hard to control since it's loose so better just apply little first. And also, as we all know, mineral makeup can be very intense. Eyeshadows are just as pigmented as well, and they are also in loose form. I actually bought myself an eyeshadow brush (all brushes and mineral makeup are Php100.00 off and if you buy a set, you get it at Php300.00 off. Each purchase of Nature's Minerals gives you a free mascara. Discount+freebie!)



I actually like the effect it gave me (pic is actually repeat performance from my food blog post). Natural with just definition on the eyes and glow on the cheeks. Lips? That's just lip butter!






Natural natural natural. :)