Monday, February 23, 2015

Coral Pinks and Neutrals

My favorite makeup look should be timeless, classy with a soft glam touch. I'm actually sticking these days to my holy grail products that work, regardless of their price and brand. As long as it works wonders I'm fine with it. For almost six years I never get tired of rocking smokey neutral eyes then play up with my lips just by trying peach toned lippies or corals, pinky peach, baby pink or any shade/hue that belongs to pink and tangerine family. Those makeups that I've used for the past 6 years have changed but I still swear by neutral shades, and I might stick with it for the rest of my life. Gone are those days when I love rocking those colorful eyes any day, any time and hated anything that belongs to bronze and brown family. I even remember wearing a pink shirt during my "nursing days" in college with my RLE group. I paired my eyes with pink and purple shimmery eyeshadow. The funny thing is that we're assigned to a female ward of a certain psychiatric hospital. Somewhat insane but fun! Now that I'm nearing 30's I have to stick with earth tones, and maybe just play with colors if needed.

Here's a sample of my current favorite neutral look taken at daytime. Fresh and flirty.



night time
What I'm keeping as my signature everyday look now simply consists of neutral eyes, neatly groomed eyebrows, glowing cheeks and pinky peach lips. I learned all the fundamentals of makeup application through experience, trial and error, and with the help from my favorite makeup artists who happened to be my friends and watching beauty gurus on Youtube. You can say I'm a graduate of Youtube academy since I'm self-taught/self-learned.
Taken indoors.

taken outdoors, night time with flash on

Speaking of experience, being a good makeup artist takes years of practice not just on your face. You also need to paint other's face.. paint as many as you can. From there, you will learn from your own mistakes and there will be zero error for you once you try doing it on yourself. The best eyeshadow combos that I know these days were just discovered through painting it on other's eyelids. Doing makeup service for 8 years now made me discover and learn what works for me. Then, while painting my cousin's eyelids, I've found a beautiful combination of bronze, gold, brown and black.

Sorry to tell y'all but there's honestly no definition of "no makeup look" in my vocabulary. Simple makeup that should be done for me just defines "neutral makeup", and it means using earth tone colors for eyes and muted lips. These pictures clearly explain my "go-to" look as well, and it obviously requires much time and effort and won't be requiring only ten minutes to finish the whole look. I'm fine with it since I don't have to hurry putting myself up these days. Keep in mind that you still have to look your best, like everyday of your life. Whether you're just at home or elsewhere. I always believe in the saying "when you go out you should always look your best, you'll never know when you'll have a date with destiny" but since I already met my destiny let's change it into "you'll never know when you'll meet your enemy". *flips my hair* Well then my foe, I'm ready. **evil grin**

Enough for my foolishness, here's a list of products I used:


FACE 
Nyx High Definition Foundation Primer 
Estee Lauder CyberWhite Foundation in Cool Beige 
Sugar Skull Cosmetics 10 Correct and Conceal Palette
Sephora 8hr Wear Mattifying Powder Foundation

EYES
Sugar Skull Cosmetics 88 Earth Palette
Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Bada Bing
Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Corrupt
Christian Dior Eyeliner in Noir
Avon Lengthening Mascara
Glintz false Eyelashes

CHEEKS
Mac Hello Kitty Powder Blush in Tippy

Lips
Mac Lipstick in Flamingo

my new fave pic :)
I'm recently into my Sugar Skull Cosmetics 88 Earth Palette. I've actually neglected it coz I have it since 2011 and this has been my second palette. I once again found out every shade that I want is in here. (I ignored it when I got the Naked Palette).I have every possible earth shades here, but the downside of it is that the 88 palette's too big to carry around. Not travel friendly at all. I'm still in search for a small palette that carries at least one or two neutral eyeshadow, one blush and one lippie. Once found, it'll forever be in my makeup bag. 

Using my phone as a mirror and a tool for selfie.

Second everyday obsession goes for my Mac Flamingo Lipstick. I thought it'll just look pretty in person and during day time, but then even if it's night time the lippie pops out! I still get a lot of compliments and many friends were asking me what lippie it is. Poor best friend Kitty even asked me what lipstick I wear, not recognizing her own gift for me.

I'm happy with the result of this neutral look, it reminds me of my favorite makeup look I did way back 2011 which I haven't recreated for a long time. I finally get to do those beautifully groomed brows, glowing cheeks and pinky peach lips. I'm still in search for new powder blush or mineral blush. I'm thinking of getting Nyx Pinched or Mac Fleur Power. I'm still undecided and I might try and consider other brands. New lippies were a must too! Since I have a big traincase now I MUST replace the old makeups I have. I'm thinking of filling it with NYX cosmetics, Wet n' WIld, Elf, Sephora and Sugar Skull Cosmetics. Those were good brands to use for makeup service.
Though there's bigger home for my loves, I'm also still using my old makeup traincase in gold that I got when I was 19 years old, and here's where I'm keeping my everyday makeup so it'll all be easy to reach. They MUST be replaced as well by new makeups from my favorite cosmetic brands like MAC, Makeup Geek, Sephora, Nyx, Etude House, Elf, Wet n' wild and maybe more from Urban Decay and Maybelline. :) Those big goals of mine SHOULD happen this year. I'm keeping my fingers cross!

There's also a time lapse of my makeup application (ipad mini used), not really a sort of tutorial. When I uploaded it on facebook it reached more than one thousand views and I've received comments from my friends to start a makeup tutorial/vlog on Youtube. Hmmm... I'm not ready yet coz I still don't have time for that. 



Time to doze off now.. it's so quiet and I'm actually a bit scared coz I'm here alone in the living room selfishly doing my silly fetish for vanity.. This might be my last post for Feb, but come March and we'll be flirty and vain once again. Ciao! :)


Sunday, February 22, 2015

Chocolate Cranberry and Mauve

Hi lovelies! I'm now sharing with you my second favorite makeup look of all time, thanks to my new Lacoste polo shirt that I've got from my husband a week before hearts day. I felt so inspired of creating a look that will match with the polo shirt's color and I've discovered the gorgeous result of mixing chocolate brown eyeshadows and berry hues, which I honestly never tried before. The result is perfect smokey eyes that definitely screams autumn, but it's still snowing on some areas so it might still be a bit in time for western countries. Here in the Philippines it's still a bit cool but were also about to expect the hot sauna-like weather a few weeks from now. Fortunately this look is still wearable, just tone it down a bit by pairing smokey chocolate brown eyes with just a simple pink lipstick. If you would want a darker look it's also perfect to pair it with purple lips. I wore this specific look when we celebrated hearts day together, the same day when we bought the Suesh makeup traincase. I've been receiving compliments from it, and husband definitely approves. He said it's beautiful. Prior to our mall date we went to the bank and some were looking at my eyes.
The combination of Makeup Geek Bada Bing eyeshadow is perfect with the cranberry shade I got from my Victoria's Secret Mosaic Eyeshadow palette in Eyecandy. It's like they compliment each other for a sexy smokey look. I've been wearing this look for almost 2 weeks now, and I still love it. I don't know why I'm into smokey eyes these days. Just a few weeks ago I just had my penchant for neutrals and I had a photoshoot for it which I will also post maybe a day after this so better check it out as well.

More pictures of my eye, just one eye. :) Just kidding. I've added falsies to it but then with or without it it's still fabulous.

The strong pigmentation of Makeup Geek eyeshadow in Corrupt is definitely shocking, but thanks to my hooded eyes a.k.a. Chinita eyes it can hide the rest of my crease so most smokey eye makeups still looks wearable for me during daytime, and and it never looks too much.

a shot from both sides of my face. I'm actually tired of just featuring the left side so here's a balance...
 showing you the right side of my face for the other shot...
 List of Products I use



FACE
Nyx High Definition Foundation primer
Jazzy Collections Cream Foundation
Sephora 8hr Wear Mattifying Powder Foundation

EYEBROWS
Nichido Pencil Eyebrow liner
Fashion 21 eyebrow powder

EYES
Makeup Geek eyeshadow in Badabing for crease
Sugar Skull Cosmetics bronze eyeshadow from the 88 earth palette
Cranberry eyeshadow shade from Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Mosaic Eyeshadow Palette
Christian Dior Eyeliner in Noir
Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Corrupt
Glintz false eyelashes
Estee Lauder Sumptous Mascara
Revlon Eyelash Curler

CHEEKS
Elf bronzer for contouring
Mac Hello Kitty Powder blush in Tippy
White gold eyeshadow from Sugar Skull Cosmetics 88 Palette for highlighting

Lips
Maybelline Lipstick in Pink Punch
mixed with
Everbilena Matte Lipstick in Mauvey

A lovely Valentines gift. So precious and for me they're actually priceless considering the happiness I felt, but then with or without gifts my heart's always happy and in love. In life, there are things money can't really buy. Suesh Makeup Traincase blog post here.

As soon as we reached home I got this shot and I just changed my lipstick into Mac Pink Nouveau and it still matches eyes, plus no eyeshadow creasing and fading. I'll be experimenting with more lip colors I could use and match with it. The fun thing about face painting: experimenting and discovering, then BAHM! There you go gorgeous creature.

And just so you know guys... please be reminded:
I'm back doing makeup service and for this month and I've done 7 heads, with 4 pending clients. Some were really generous coz I received more than my usual fee and free makeups, free food, though those weren't necessary I'm grateful and thankful... but then some were asking me to work on their budget..Unfortunately working on their budget means chopping the price of my actual fee in half. That's just so unfair. I take my craft seriously, and if I work on you, the other clients will also get the same treatment and service. I'm meticulous and I just don't want an "ok look". It's unfair not just for me but for other clients who are all willing to pay. Please be considerate, my future clients.

There goes my post, I have another article to work on which will be published asap. If you have any suggestions for good single eyeshadows in cranberry (please not Mac Cranberry) that's really shimmery and pigmented please let me know, I'm in search for them! TIA!






Monday, February 16, 2015

A Shelter for My Gems: Suesh Makeup Traincase

Hi lovelies! How's your valentine's? This year my heart's really happy because I received pre-valentines day gifts from my husband. First, it's a Lacoste polo shirt in dark plum and I love pairing it with burgundy plum eyes. My FOTD for this particular look will be up for my next blog post. Second, it was a surprise. A few weeks ago my husband and I were talking about something when suddenly he says he has a surprise and it's gonna be a valentine's day gift. It was actually a tough and busy week for me coz I have a few makeup gigs (you know it's prom season) then I'll be attending an alumni homecoming and a dinner party with my elementary-highschool alma mater, in which my family will be having our dance numberand we'll be awarded as Outstanding Family. Since I won't have time on heart's day, my hubby told me we'll go to Alabang Town Center and buy "it" before those busy activities I mentioned earlier. On our way to Alabang I was so excited and giddy I kept asking him to give me clues. I told him if it'll be from a makeup store he should tell me immediately coz I hate deciding under pressure. He just laughed and I got anxious.

When we get to Alabang Town Center I saw Suesh store from a far. My eyes went big coz I remember I used to frequently visit their multiply site coz I want to buy their brushes.

Suesh has been known to produce high quality makeup brushes for a cheaper price. Used to be sold online, it has its own store now at Alabang Town Center, Greenhills, Trinoma and Market!Market!. Now they also have their own cosmetics line that I'm dying to try soon. We went inside and my husband was actually taking the lead and though he's holding my hands he's like pulling me to hurry up and enter the store. While staring at the brushes he immediately said "Can you see that? (pointing on the shelf) That's my gift for you. Pick any color you want." What I saw from the shelf were big makeup traincases. My mind went blank and the first thing I said was "No. I think I don't like it"...

It's not that I don't really like it, I just couldn't believe what was actually happening, still not sinking in and flustered and couldn't decide. He said "No we really have to buy it, you need that for your makeup gigs this week, you have to organize your stuff". The sales assistant was laughing at us. Little did I know, my hubby has visited the store many times, inquiring about those traincases so they seem to know each other already. He even know the price. I just said "Give me some time. Let's eat first so I could think." Oh yes we ate steak! Then my mind's still flying, thinking if I really need it, trying to figure out if it'll be a good or bad decision if I get it.. Or is it really necessary?

He then starts to brainwash my already confused brain. He said I could fill those traincases with new makeups and brushes, and it'll add up angst on my makeup career and make me feel like a better makeup artist. He really insists. I'm just not used to this kind of situation, that I'm getting something expensive and I'm not the one who's paying for it. Yes I always buy stuffs for myself and I've never asked anyone to buy them from me. Whenever I want something I never ask for help from anyone, even from my parents. I should work hard for it. Getting something in an easy way is new to me.

look at that black big traincase on the first layer of that shelf, it's gonna be mine! :)

meet my generous manager, my husband Francis.

After weighing things down and even thinking about the pros's and cons, I said "Ok let's get it". So we get back to the store and I told him I want the black traincase. It's big, and of course I'm picking black coz it's my favorite color.
Upon opening, it has three layers then a separate container for brushes. There's also a shoulder strap and a bigger compartment for bigger palettes. It's made of synthetic leather with visible studs. The materials used looks very durable. There's also a lock at the top, and a key. I won't lock it, or should I say I have no plans of locking it in. I might have trouble opening it in the future and I don't want to take risks.


Just when I thought I have lesser makeup collection now from accidentally losing some it, some has been stolen, some were borrowed and never returned, some were now inside my cousins' kikay kit, I was still able to fill my big traincase!

On the first layer it's for my lip products. Several lipsticks and lip glosses, a few lip liners.

Second layer's for my eyeshadows and eyeliners. Third layer's for powder and cream foundations and a few cheek products. At the bottom is where I'm keeping my big eyeshadow palettes from Sugar Skull Cosmetics and Sephora.


At the side there's a container for my makeup brushes, hair products and makeup remover.


To clean it I just need to wipe it with a tissue and a makeup remover or makeup brush cleaner that is oil free. There's a strong scent of the synthetic leather too.


I'm now in love with it. It really helped me a lot during my makeup gig. It made everything seemed easier, and my clients and their parents were even amazed by what's inside it.
I also received personal messages saying it suits me, or should I say the design of the traincase is definitely so me.
I used it the next day for my makeup gigs, and I've been actually using it for five days straight! Though it's heavy I love the feeling of carrying everything with me. It's like I have everything I need in one simple case. 

More pictures with my useful traincase. My cousins love to play with it.

 I would like to share with you my favorite pic, this was when we're attending an alumni homecoming and dinner, and we received an award as an Outstanding Family.


By the way, Suesh will be having their makeup workshop on 21st of February. They were inviting me but I'm still not sure yet, maybe soon I'll try to contact them. They offer basic makeup workshop, Advanced makeup, airbrush, hairstyling, haircutting and extensive makeup.
Hope y'all like my Feb post and there will be more soon on my draft!
Happy hearts day everyone and spread the love!