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Buy One Take One Fever!
Olay bundles in discounted prices! Yay!
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LOTD: Lissa's Wedding Day Look!
Already, I received almost 10 emails about my bride Lissa Exaltacion's makeup look after I posted her photo in my website last night when I got home from Bulacan to do her wedding. Women asking me what products I used to do her makeup.
Well, ladies! Here are the products I used:
FACE: Lissa has very oily skin. So I airbrushed Lissa's face with OCC's water-based airbrush foundation in Y1, and set it with Face to Face Color Corrective Powder in Yellow. Color correcting powders are ok as long as they are milled super fine as to not reflect on camera.*tip: Use MAC's #224 tapered blending brush to smooth powder in the eye area to avoid caking.
EYES: For Lissa's eyebrows, I used Christian Semi Permanent eyebrow powder in Dark Brown mixed with Charcoal. Since Lissa's hair is not dyed and was more black than it is dark brown, I had to make her brows blend. Black eyebrows are too harsh.*pro tip: Don't be afraid to mix colors and products! This is the only way you will find the perfect shade you are looking for. As for brushes? I used to use Fanny Serrano's slanted brow brush but then, I discovered that using a softer smaller brush will make a more precise and well blended brow! I now use Shu Uemura's 4F brush for the brows.
For Lissa's lids, I used Lancôme's Colour Design Eyeshadow in Kitten Heel blended with MAC eyeshadow in Rule and Sushi Flower. Softly blend together to create that nice soft coral color. Then I lined her eyes with MAC's Fluidline in Blacktrack using a MAC precise liner brush #210.
*tip: apply with a smaller brush rather than with a big flat brush. Smaller brushes give precision on where you deposit color. Use a rounded fluffy eyeshadow blending brush like #217 or #224 from MAC. Lightly swirl your brush on the edges of your applied eye shadow to soften the edges.
CHEEKS: I defined Lissa's cheekbones with a matte bronzer. I didn't contour heavily though, I just brushed enough to give her cheeks and temples some color. I used MUD's Matte Bronzer in Sunshine. I dusted the apples of her cheeks with NARS' blush in Orgasm.
*tip: When bronzing your cheekbones, use a bronzer that is, #1 not to orange, and #2 is matte. This will give your face an instant lift, and depth on your cheeks when needed. Shimmer will only attract light making the area look protruding.
LIPS: Mixing lipstick is the perfect way to get shades that would look perfect on you. Has it happened to you, when you are putting on your favorite lipstick and suddenly wish if it were just a tad more pink? Or maybe orange? or a little bit on the blue side maybe? The only solution is for you to mix shades to get that perfect color! I mixed MAC Lipstick in Please Me with Prestige's Beautifully Buff.
*tip: Always use a spatula and a palette to mix foundations and other cream products. Stainless steel palettes and spatulas are easier to clean. By using a spatula to scoop out product from pots and tubes, you preserve the product, and you avoid transferring bacteria to it. It's just like avoiding double dipping your tortilla chips in the salsa! I use Cinema Secret's Stainless Steel Palette and Spatula from Proface Palette (www.proface.ph)
Thanks for the emails ladies! Keep 'em coming!
CHEEKS: I defined Lissa's cheekbones with a matte bronzer. I didn't contour heavily though, I just brushed enough to give her cheeks and temples some color. I used MUD's Matte Bronzer in Sunshine. I dusted the apples of her cheeks with NARS' blush in Orgasm.*tip: When bronzing your cheekbones, use a bronzer that is, #1 not to orange, and #2 is matte. This will give your face an instant lift, and depth on your cheeks when needed. Shimmer will only attract light making the area look protruding.
LIPS: Mixing lipstick is the perfect way to get shades that would look perfect on you. Has it happened to you, when you are putting on your favorite lipstick and suddenly wish if it were just a tad more pink? Or maybe orange? or a little bit on the blue side maybe? The only solution is for you to mix shades to get that perfect color! I mixed MAC Lipstick in Please Me with Prestige's Beautifully Buff.*tip: Always use a spatula and a palette to mix foundations and other cream products. Stainless steel palettes and spatulas are easier to clean. By using a spatula to scoop out product from pots and tubes, you preserve the product, and you avoid transferring bacteria to it. It's just like avoiding double dipping your tortilla chips in the salsa! I use Cinema Secret's Stainless Steel Palette and Spatula from Proface Palette (www.proface.ph)
Thanks for the emails ladies! Keep 'em coming!
LOTD: "Maid in Manhattan" Makeup Look
I love that she "shined" or should I say, glowed (?), in all the right places. She was just stunning!
Let me tell you what LOTD means. It means my "Look Of The Day".
I didn't have anywhere to go today, but I wanted to put makeup on and just practice different kinds of looks and share them with you. I made the makeup darker on myself so that you can see the highlights and the contour well too. You don't have to make it this dark.
When you see LOTD on the title, I would like you to do the look as well and practice! Of course, please take note that I am in no way comparing myself to JLo. I am merely imitating her makeup look, so haters, please be kind and keep an open mind :)
So... Here we go! Remember! Practice makes perfect! So here is the step by step instruction for you to do:
1. Prep you skin by cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, 10 minutes before putting on your makeup. (Do not skip this step!)
2. Apply your foundation. Use your foundation lightly, meaning, please do not go overboard. Some women think that the thicker the foundation, the more flawless they look. I would advise applying foundation only on areas you need it: your forehead and cheeks. Dot foundation on your forehead and cheeks and spread towards your hair line. I like using my fingers because it warms the foundation making the product blend on your skin more rather than when I use a brush.*tip: mix an illuminator with your foundation like NARS' liquid illuminator in Copacabana, to give your skin a glow (plus, this minimizes dark spots!).
3. If after you have applied your base and you still need to conceal under your eyes, conceal lightly. When I say lightly, always start with as little product as possible to avoid caking. After you have applied your foundation, dust loose powder all over your face to set your base.
4. Do your eyebrows. I love using Fanny Serrano's Eyebrow Quad Kit. If you are used to doing your brows, Fanny Serrano's eyebrow kit is one of the best! I used a slanted brow brush from Fanny Serrano as well.
*tip: if you are not used to doing your brows, invest in Ardell's Brow Perfection Stencils (available in SM, P495/set), or if you want to splurge a little, try Christian's Eyebrow Powder, it comes with stencils and an eyebrow brush already (available in Beauty Bar, P1,395/kit). These kits come with easy-to-follow instructions on how to achieve those perfect arcs!
5. Apply bronzer on your cheekbones going up towards your temples. This will give your face shape but try not to over do it. Brush bronzer lightly along your cheekbones, a little on the apples of your cheeks and then on your temples. Make sure that you apply along your hairline so it blends well. I like using ELF's Healthy Glow Bronzer in Warm Tan (available in SM, P129.75). It isn't too orange, and that's the kind of bronzer you should look for. Use your finger to erase any harsh lines you may have created applying your bronzer.
*tip: dust lightly a sheer illuminating blush on the apples of your cheeks like NYX's Illuminating Bronzer in Narcissistic to give your cheeks a nice warm peachy glow.
6. Apply an illuminating powder on top of your cheekbones, creating a letter C connected to your brow bones (shown on photo on me above), remember to blend well!
*tip: use your fingers to apply for a more natural look because you can blend well. I used The Body Shop's Blushing Daisies 01.
7. Now let's move on to the eyes. Apply a nude eyeshadow as your base. Here, you can use shimmer. Apply with a flat eyeshadow brush from your lash lines up to the brow bones.
I used the Sun City shade from CoverGirl's Queen Collection Eyeshadow Quad in Desert Bronze (the second shade in the quad). Contour your crease with a darker shade of nude that is still on the peach side. I used the Champagne shade (4th on the quad) mixed with a little of Down to Earth (3rd on the quad).
*tip: use a rounded tip brush to apply on your creases. Use a "wiper" motion when applying on your creases so that you can define it well. As you can see on my photo, I extended the contours toward the side of my nose blending it well with the nose line so that there is consistence. Blend the edges with a clean rounded tip brush until there are no lines visible.
8. Use your chosen illuminating powder to highlight the inner corners of your eyes to make your eyes glow! I used the same illuminating powder that I used to highlight my cheekbones.
*tip: if you want more intensity, use a wet brush. But you have to blend this fast because this can dry up pretty fast!
9. Curl your lashes and layer on the mascara for a dramatic look. My current favorite mascara? Maybelline's The Falsies Volum' Express! I swear by this product! As for me, I used false eyelashes though. I am used to putting false eyelashes on myself so I put them on to better demonstrate what false eyelashes can do. So? Practice practice practice!
*tip: Open your mascara tube and wipe the wand lightly gripping the wand with a tissue and removing excess product. Apply on your lashes and then repeat this process, completely drying your lashes in between applications. This will avoid clumping!
10. Apply eyeliner on top of the lash bands (if you are wearing false eyelashes), but if not, best to apply your eyeliner before applying mascara on your curled lashes. Make the line thin on the inner corners of your eyes, and thicker as you move outwards.
*tip: Using a firm tipped brush (or eyeliner wand like Lancome's Artliner, will give you better control of the lines you are creating. If you are using a cream or gel liner, choose a liner brush that has short hairs and is a bit firm like MAC 209 brush.
11. When applying lipstick, it's always better to use a lip brush. The reason is that it's more precise, and that it's more sanitary. For this look, I used Make Up Forever Rouge Artist #39 Lipstick and applied gloss only on the center part of my lips. My lips are already big, and glossing all over will only make it look bigger. By applying only in the middle part will make your lips look poutier, but not HUGE.
So, how did you do? Remember, practice makes perfect! If you have questions, do let me know! You can send me an email at sabshernandez@gmail.com, with the title of this blog post as the subject. Enjoy!
My Ombré Faux Pas
I know what you're thinking... Sabs' is sooo late for the Ombré party right?
But, just like a teenage girl in High School, I gave in to the peers of having Ombré hair done because I saw it everywhere, specially in the US when I was there on vacation a couple of months ago. So when I got back from SanFo, I got obsessed with the idea of getting Ombré hair.
Let me define what Ombré hair is:
"The word Ombre is a French word for shading or graduating. Hair stylists have coined this terminology to describe a color technique that they have been using in the salon.
If you need a visual, think of dark hair at the scalp and lighter on the ends. Usually the color blends from dark to light with no harsh transition line.
Ombre hair color has become a popular concept; however, many are still not sure of what it is exactly.
The color style is worn by many “A” list stars of Hollywood such as actress Drew Barrymore, Jessica Biel and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Although this technique could be used on short to medium hair, it tends to look best on long flowing locks. Depending on the two tones used, you can have a very contrasting color or a natural subtle look.
Ombre offers a wonderful color technique for individuals who desire a softer, low maintenance color. Ombre color works perfectly for those gals who only color their hair every three to four months. When I think of Ombre hair color I think of a natural yet stylish bohemian look." - (source: beautybandaids.com)
Now, having defined that and after looking at countless photos of A-list stars sporting the Ombré hair, I knew I was screwed.
I remember I had shoots and weddings that whole week so I didn't have time to go to the Salon. I heard it could take up to about 3 hours to have this done so I really had to schedule a whole afternoon for it. Before I begin telling you about my experience, allow me to show you how my hair looked before:
When straightened, my layered hair hung down to just above my waist. I took care of my hair in spite of it being color treated for a wedding I attended last February.
There were several tutorial YouTube videos on how to Ombré your own hair (using stronger bleach though), so I thought, "how hard can it be?"
So I went ahead and followed the tutorial to the letter. And I must say, the end result was not at all that bad, but of course, the bleach wasn't strong enough to give the full effect that a salon would give you:
As you can see, my hair ends are lighter. It's actually lighter in person, my camera just wasn't able to capture the real effect. I was actually pretty satisfied, but I wanted it to be more noticeable. I did some research which salons in Makati did Ombré hair but all salons who offered the service were in the north. I had to wait 2 weeks before I could go to the nearest salon which was in Eastwood because my schedule was pretty tight.
So, being my impatient self, I called Bench Fix in Glorietta 4 and asked my regular senior stylist who colors my hair (whom I will remain nameless out of respect), if he did Ombré coloring. He eagerly, and actually a little too enthusiastically (and confidently) said yes and that it was easy. I got excited because my client that day cancelled on me so I had time to go to the salon. And off to Bench Fix I went.
The first stripping they did on my hair, it was a DISASTER. After they shampooed my hair, my hair looked like I had a dark brown helmet on top of rust-colored hair. The bleach was NO WHERE NEAR gradient, and I literally wanted to cry. They had to bleach my hair 4 more times but the effect was still not achieved. It really looked as if I had a helmet on but it was the best that they could do. I had an appointment I had to go to, so I had to leave the salon 4 hours later... Disappointed. Good thing they had a promo on coloring, 50% off on hair dying services so I only had to pay P1,600. It wasn't even worth the P1,600.
As you can see, I wasn't too happy with the result. It actually doesn't look bad on camera, but in person, it was way too orange, and it wasn't gradient. I had to live with my kalawang-colored hair for a week before I had the opportunity to have it fixed. The wedding I was doing the following week switched venues, and preps was not being held in Richmonde Hotel in Eastwood. I called Azta Urban Salon (supposedly they eat Ombré colorings for dinner), and found out that their salon was just across the hotel. Luckily, I had nothing scheduled after the wedding I did (which ended at 12:30 sharp) and I was sitting in a salon chair just 30 minutes later.
They began working on my hair at exactly 1PM. I forgot the name of the stylist, but it seemed like he knew what he was talking about so I just showed him a photo of Drew Barrymore's Ombré hair and he went right to work. He told me that my hair was damaged so they had to do color correcting first before they could do the Ombré coloring.
Meanwhile... 4 glasses of iced teas, 5 cigarettes, and 7 hours later, they were finally able to fix the gradient effect I was after, but the color WAS ALL KINDS OF WRONG. The stylist bleached my hair several levels until it was ash-white blonde. It was definitely NOT what I wanted. He told me that it looked better and that he had always wanted to do that color, but that was besides the point. It WASN'T WHAT I WANTED. They offered to fix it but I was already on that chair for 7 hours, not to mention, I had to pay P11,000 because they gave my hair some kind of hair treatment (2 vials that cost 1,400 each) that I didn't ask for! I was tired and my back and my butt hurt, so I just let it be:
The photo on the left is when I was on my way home from the salon. I took a photo of it with a flash to see the effect. Again, it looked OK on camera, but my husband was actually pretty scared. In the day, it really looked as if my hair was greying. It was a disaster. The photo on the right it a few days later. I tried curling it and tried to see what the effect was. I was really quite unhappy.
After one final attempt to try and fix my hair, I decided to ask my mom for help. She was been dying her own hair for a long time and I knew she would more or less know how to fix my cataclysmic hair. When she saw my hair, she too was shocked. My mom always thought I was adventurous and was vivacious when it came to fashion and makeup, but she never thought I would go for white hair. HA!
So, my mom and I went to good ol' Landmark to buy hair dye. I got 2 boxes of Wella's home hair dying kit in Hazelnut to try and tone down the starkness of the greying hair. When we got to my parent's house, we went straight to work.
An hour and a half later, after I have dried my hair. I was FINALLY happy with my hair:
I sported my Ombré hair for a while but the damages have been done. My hair was sticky because the strands were already so thin and lifeless. It looked as if I had a broom at the ends of my hair. I tried to repair my hair with lots of mayonnaise (2 times a week), Keratin treatments, no heat, etc. But the damage was too severe to bring my hair at least have a decent shine or softness to it.
So just after 2 months and almost 12k poorer with Ombré hair, I had to say goodbye to my long hair, and am now sporting shoulder-length layers... Which I haven't had the courage to take a photo of yet.
Lesson here? If you want to have something extreme done to your hair? Do your research well, and ask people who have first hand experience. Then go to a reputable salon who will listen to what you want.
Matte Vs. Shimmer
If you have no creases in your eyes, like me, I love using matte shadows to create a false crease to make my peepers appear more deep set than they actually are.
Matte shadows allow you to define and contour your eyes, and look natural because its texture is similar to your skin. These matte eyeshadows absorb the light therefore making the "shadowed area" look recessed.
For the best application, put on the shadow with a dome shaped brush. You can put on a matte taupe in the crease and keep the rest bare. Your eye shape will be the focus instead of the makeup.
Shimmer shadows make your eyes appear smaller and your lids bigger because they reflect light. As you can see, my eye with the shimmer shadow appear more puffy than it really is. If you want to really use shimmer, apply only to the inner half part of your eyes not going beyond the creases and use matte to define and contour your creases. Use shimmer to highlight your brows to make them pop!
If you have no creases like me, I love using matte shadows to create a false crease to make my peepers appear more deep set than they actually are. Matte shadows allow you to define and contour your eyes, and look natural because its texture is similar to your skin. For the best application, put on the shadow with a dome shaped brush. You can put on a matte taupe in the crease and keep the rest bare. Your eye shape will be the focus instead of the makeup.
Simmer shadows make your eyes appear smaller and your lids bigger because they reflect light. As you can see, my eye with the shimmer shadow appear more puffy than it really is. If you want to really use shimmer, apply only to the inner half part of your eyes not going beyond the creases and use matte to define and contour your creases. Use shimmer to highlight your brows to make them pop!
Same effects go for lips. Matte make your lips look smaller while gloss (specially the ones with glitter) make your lips bigger and poutier. That’s why ultra glosses are best for women with thin lips.
Shimmer shadows make your eyes appear smaller and your lids bigger because they reflect light. As you can see, my eye with the shimmer shadow appear more puffy than it really is. If you want to really use shimmer, apply only to the inner half part of your eyes not going beyond the creases and use matte to define and contour your creases. Use shimmer to highlight your brows to make them pop!
Same effects go for lips. Matte make your lips look smaller while gloss (specially the ones with glitter) make your lips bigger and poutier. That’s why ultra glosses are best for women with thin lips. me tell you something about Matte and shimmer. It’s not a matter of trend anymore but these two finishes do serve a purpose.
If you have no creases like me, I love using matte shadows to create a false crease to make my peepers appear more deep set than they actually are. Matte shadows allow you to define and contour your eyes, and look natural because its texture is similar to your skin. For the best application, put on the shadow with a dome shaped brush. You can put on a matte taupe in the crease and keep the rest bare. Your eye shape will be the focus instead of the makeup.
Simmer shadows make your eyes appear smaller and your lids bigger because they reflect light. As you can see, my eye with the shimmer shadow appear more puffy than it really is. If you want to really use shimmer, apply only to the inner half part of your eyes not going beyond the creases and use matte to define and contour your creases. Use shimmer to highlight your brows to make them pop!
Same effects go for lips. Matte make your lips look smaller while gloss (specially the ones with glitter) make your lips bigger and poutier. That’s why ultra glosses are best for women with thin lips.
Flirty Lashes
It’s been a while! Sorry I haven’t been able to post recently, the past few months was a bit crazy for me! Anyhoo, I have always love, love, loved false eyelashes. They open up the eyes and can give even the simplest makeup look look fab! I was going to attend a party last Thursday night and normally I would get a pair of lashes from Landmark (P44.95@) and use my undying Duo Lash Glue. But I was no where near Landmark (and my Duo was in my work kit at home) and I had to put on my makeup at my friend’s house. So I headed to Watson’s which was the closest drugstore I could go to and went in search for a decent substitute.
That’s when I saw Ardell’s stand. Countless lengths and styles, and I was in eyelash heaven. I have used Ardell’s before when they sponsored Rajo Laurel’s Gala a couple of years ago, we put them on the models and I just adored them!
They’re just a bit too pricey to be considered as disposable (to use for shoots and weddings) so Landmark lashes was a great alternative (made from natural real hair too!) It took my about 15 minutes to find the length and thickness I wanted and bought myself a pair.
I wanted lashes that could help thicken my natural lashes and would blend perfectly. I chose the most natural one (P350@). The hairs are strung together by an “invisible” band so that was a plus. So even if you don’t use an eyeliner to coverup the lash band, they would still look natural.
I was about to buy Aido’s lash glue (which some makeup artist friends of mine swear by, but I never had the chance to try), when I saw that Ardell had an adhesive! It’s called LashLite Adhesive and the glue itself is black (P350@). Although the name of the shade of the glue is “Dark”. I just loved it. Applying it was a little tricky though since it doesn’t come with a tiny brush or a narrow nozzle for you to apply on the lash band. I tried using cotton swabs but they were absorbing too much glue (what a waste!) so I used a plastic toothpick (unused of course!), the kinds you buy in the supermarket and dipped it in the bottle. It worked out great and didn’t waste anymore product.
Yes yes, I spent P700 for lashes but it was totally worth it! Normally I would suggest products that are budget friendly but I must say these products are worth it when you are in a splurging mood, or maybe to be used on special occasions like an anniversary maybe? Your wedding?
The lashes are washable and reusable so another plus for me. Truthfully, I will still stand by my choice of Natural Lashes at Landmark (P44.95@) for my brides. It looks very natural, and it's reasonable too.
That’s when I saw Ardell’s stand. Countless lengths and styles, and I was in eyelash heaven. I have used Ardell’s before when they sponsored Rajo Laurel’s Gala a couple of years ago, we put them on the models and I just adored them!
They’re just a bit too pricey to be considered as disposable (to use for shoots and weddings) so Landmark lashes was a great alternative (made from natural real hair too!) It took my about 15 minutes to find the length and thickness I wanted and bought myself a pair.
I wanted lashes that could help thicken my natural lashes and would blend perfectly. I chose the most natural one (P350@). The hairs are strung together by an “invisible” band so that was a plus. So even if you don’t use an eyeliner to coverup the lash band, they would still look natural.
I was about to buy Aido’s lash glue (which some makeup artist friends of mine swear by, but I never had the chance to try), when I saw that Ardell had an adhesive! It’s called LashLite Adhesive and the glue itself is black (P350@). Although the name of the shade of the glue is “Dark”. I just loved it. Applying it was a little tricky though since it doesn’t come with a tiny brush or a narrow nozzle for you to apply on the lash band. I tried using cotton swabs but they were absorbing too much glue (what a waste!) so I used a plastic toothpick (unused of course!), the kinds you buy in the supermarket and dipped it in the bottle. It worked out great and didn’t waste anymore product.
Yes yes, I spent P700 for lashes but it was totally worth it! Normally I would suggest products that are budget friendly but I must say these products are worth it when you are in a splurging mood, or maybe to be used on special occasions like an anniversary maybe? Your wedding?
The lashes are washable and reusable so another plus for me. Truthfully, I will still stand by my choice of Natural Lashes at Landmark (P44.95@) for my brides. It looks very natural, and it's reasonable too.
Hassle-free Waxing!
Finally! A DIY hassle-free waxing product!
For as far back as I can remember, it has always been Epilin. A DIY home waxing kit that comes in a small pan that needs heating on the stove before you use it.
Recently, I had a very unfortunate incident with Epilin waxing kit that literally almost killed me (seriously), but this accident didn’t stop me from searching for the best replacement for Epilin.
I tried Veet’s waxing strips but their strips are too small and thin that even after you have finished the entire box, you still have the other armpit to do! Hahaha! So Veet is out of the question. (not to mention, it’s pricey)
I was so tempted to try hair removal creams but I have had noticed before (when I used it on my legs at 6th grade), that the pores on my legs appeared larger! The hair doesn’t get removed from the roots so the hair is just clogging the pores making the pores appear larger. Imagine that in your pits… Eew.
That’s when I discovered Nanny Rose’s Sticks & Pulls All Natural Hair Remover. (PhP 99.75). I got the smaller pot (50g) because I wanted to try it first. Oh! It comes with waxing cloth strips as well!
I followed the instructions to the letter ( avoiding a repeat of the Epilin Incident), you microwave the plastic pot for 10-15 seconds to heat the wax. I made the mistake of not letting the wax cool a little bit so I burned a small patch of skin in my pits so I ended up doing just that 1inch patch.
I waited for the was to cool completely, like before I heated it and tried again. I found that it’s harder to apply but it still is spreadable. Spread it as evenly and thinly as you can and apply the waxing cloth on top. The going against the growth of your hair, take a deep breath and rip! I won’t say that it’s pain-free but if you have been waxing for a while then it should be a piece of cake.
I love this product! It smells like cocojam! Made from honey, lemons and sugar, it’s as natural as they come :)
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