The Lipstick Tag

Today, I got a surprise IG comment from Make up in Manila, that she tagged me on her blog for The Lipstick Tag. I'm not really a lipstick girl, I put on my make up but would not apply lipstick. The reason was because I was not that confident wearing it as it feels not normal lip color. I would only use lipbalms or lipstains before but this year, I vow to wear them. Why? Well, one I feel that some colors does fit me and its only a matter of confidence. I'm a no make up makeup look kind of girl and I now understand that putting on lipstick is part of the look. Coincidentally with this tag, my mom gave me a new lipstick. Found it on my desk last Sunday when I came home.:)
So here's my lipstick tag.

1. How many lipsticks do you own?
9. All of those were given to me, and I only bought one which is the Revlon Just Bitten lipbalm. Told you I'm not a fan right. But aside from that nine lipstick, I also have a lip pallette which I bought from The Makeup Artistry after our Ultimate professional make up workshop. I'd say through that workshop I've learned to love and play with lip colors.

2. What was the first lipstick that you owned?
Could not really remember cause I know I used one during college but its already ages ago. I would go for the one I remembered using in college which is a Clinique sample. Don't really remember the title or maybe I just did not pay attention to it. It was another gift given to me by my Aunt in the US.

3. What is your favorite lipstick brand?
This one's really tough, as I don't really have that much information or experience with lipstick so I have not really chosen a favorite. But before I often used Maybelline's lipstick as I feel it fit my skin tone and it's not too heavy on my lips. (if there's such a thing, ooh I hope someone could give me some lipstick 101!! hihi!) I also like Careline for my everyday use because aside from it's cheap it also tints my lips very naturally.

4. What is your most worn lipstick?
I would say it would be L'Oreal Natural lipstick. Need I say more, I'm a natural nude no make up kind of girl so it really fits me. I also don't feel shy about wearing it but it makes me not look too pale.


5. What is your favorite finish?
I'm a matte to semi-matte type like Maj of Make up in Manila. As I'm still not comfortable wearing lipstick, much more if I put shimmer on them. I would only wear shine on my lips on evening parties or if I have a nude eyeshadow for an event.


6. What was the last lipstick you bought? 
The last lipstick that I bought which is not included in my stash now is Careline. I bought it out in 711 cause I forgot to bring mine and I needed to look more alive that day( FYI, I have a very pale lips so I need to really apply lipstick to literally look alive or healthy) I am already done with it though.

7. How many lip products do you currently have in your bag?

I have only two lipsticks in my bag. One is Revlon carnation and the other is Mac Razzle Dazzler. I used Revlon when I'm feeling under the weather or if I want to glam up. While I use Mac for everyday. I love the color so much I want to wear everyday!!!!


8. What is your favorite red lip color?

I have only tried two Revlon's Just Bitten Cherry and Elf Red lipstick (Sorry, I misplaced that lipstick so I don't know it's title) I love how revlon works as a lipbalm and lipstain and that it stay really long on my lips. I love ELF as well because it's the only red lipstick I had the confidence to wear. Though, my problem with red lipstick is that it becomes cakey (is that even the right term?)

9. How do you store your lipstick?
I put them all inside my traincase with their special spot for those I don't often use. For my most used lipstick, I have an acrylic organizer where I place them for everyday easy access.

10. Which lipsticks are you currently lusting after?
Because I have limited knowledge with lipstick, but was truly amazed by MAC lipstick. It was a gift from a friend, and it is my first ever MAC lipstick. I'd say it's really gorgeous on me and it's staying power is long. I'd have to save first before I could purchase one on my own. My other cheaper lipstick brand would be NYX, I learned about its dupes and would like to collect each one of them. hihi!:)

This was a fun activity, especially for someone like me who has 0 to 5 knowledge about lipstick. Thanks for tagging me Maj of Make up in Manila. I sure learned a lot from reading yours and others lipstick tag. I'm tagging Arn and Lani. I hope you both find the time to do this as well. For any other readers who might have drop by here, hope you could comment your blogspot so I can read and follow you as well. Thanks in advance!!!:)

FACE TALK: ALL ABOUT MAKE UP BRUSHES

This is a follow up on my post about the 5 Basic Make up Brushes Every Girl Must Have, I decided to write about my recommended brands of brushes as some of my readers suggested (it feels good to say/write "my readers") Anyway, I have a set of make up brushes and I bought it from Props Tools and Cosmetics in the Fashion Bazaar at World Trade Center in 2011 or was it 2012. Sorry, I can't remember the exact year. It's a 15-pc make up brush set in a leather clutch. It's made of squirrel hair so it's very soft to the skin when used. It also has a leather clutch so the brushes stays intact and safe. It's also very compact so it makes it very easy to bring anywhere. It also only cost Php1,200 in the bazaar. It's actually a great deal for a beginner make up artist wanna-be like me. :)

I have only been familiar with make up brushes after reading Bobbi Brown's make up book. I had been a fan ever since because her style is more of the no make up or very natural make up look.  That's also my style in make up, I don't really like heavy make ups except if its needed and is really necessary. So reading her book, I learned that there are different hairs used in make up brushes, it is because its absorbs cosmetics better and applies it a lot smoother on the face. Some brushes are made of squirrel goats, and horses. Although, there are also types of make ups that needs to make use of synthetic brushes like gels, liquid foundation, and concealers. Knowing this basic things about brushes can really help you know when and where to use it.

This is the reason why there are so many brands of make up brushes in the market. Each one claiming that they are the best. So here's my recommended brushes for you to consider. 

1. Japonesque - These are my dream brushes. It's made from Japan and can be bought in Beauty Bar here in the Philippines. They are really very soft to the face and they they only have travel sets which comprises of about 5-7 brushes. They are a bit expensive. You may explore their site here: 

2. MAC brushes - is also a bit pricey, but they're really recommended by professional make up artist. Although they don't sell sets of brushes and only have it sold separately. It has very soft brush and it weighs a little heavier. I have not really tried to use it to apply make up, but I tried it in the stores just to see its feel on my hands. You may look into their website to see their professional make up brushes for eyes, lips, and face. MAC Professional Brush Finder

3. SUESH - I have known this brand through a friend of mine who likes it. I also get to try to use her brushes and it is really soft. I also have seen it in Fashion bazaar and they offer trendy and colorful styles of brushes. They have everything for different personalities. They also offer travel set, and professional sets depending on your needs. I'm not sure what type of hair they use in their brushes. Here's their site: Suesh Professional Brushes

4. ELF - They have different types of make up brush set from 5 to 25 pieces.  You can also buy each separately and it only costs about Php150 each. I'm an avid fan of ELF ever since I first got my 4 eye shadow palette. I love not only their brushes but the variety of their cosmetics as well. You may check out their brushes here: ELF Make up Brush sets

5. Paganini - a wide variety of brushes for a very cheap price. If you would want to practice your skills first before buying a high end brand this can do for everyday use.:) Their brushes are very smooth and soft plus they also sell different clutches for your brushes. I can't find pictures of Paganini on the internet but you might want to look back into my previous post of 5 Basic makeup brushes must haves, its all from Paganini.

That's my Top 5 Brands of Make up brushes, some are quite expensive but some are also cheap. Just remember to research and try out different brands first before deciding to buy. That way you don't only have nice brushes you also get your money's worth.

Share your other favorite make up brushes brand with me. I'd love to hear about it!:)

Disclaimer: Pictures are all taken from the internet.

FACE TALK: Green and Purple with Envy

I got the chance to be a HMUA for my sister-in-law in a wedding she attended last year. She wore a beige empire cut gown so we decided that we can have a colored eye shadow on her so it would contrast her neutral shade gown. 

I love green shades of eye shadow but i mixed it up with her favorite color which is purple. 

I also contoured her nose a little because it was her request.:) I'm not really good at contouring yet but I think I'm getting the hang of it already.

I'll share the step-by-step process I did with her whole look. 

Her complete look.:)

STUFF I USED:

Foundation

Fashion 21 Natural loose powder

concealer

ELF 100 eyeshadow pallette

in2it eyebrow kit

Clear mascara

ELF contouring and blush duo

false eyleashes

liquid eyeliner

blush on

lipstick

brown mascara

(I don't remember what brands I used for some because she had her own set to match her complexion etc.)

MAKE UP HOW TO:

1. Start with a clean face. Wash, tone, and moisturize.

2. Using a stipple brush, apply your foundation all over the face.

3. With your powder brush, dab loose powder all over the face.

4. With your forefinger, conceal any skin blemishes you may find. Dab with powder.

5. Before putting on the eyebrow powder, make sure that the eyebrows are properly groomed.

6. Dip your eyebrow brush in water, blend in with your choice of eyebrow color and test it in your hands before applying on the eyebrow.

7. Apply clear mascara to help it stay in place.

8. Apply eyelid primer on the eyes, dab with your base color eye shadow.

9. Put loose powder on the under eyes.

10. Apply blue shadow all over the crease.

11. On the outer corner of the eye, apply purple eye shadow making a triangle form of it.

12. Blend the two colors so the division will not be visible.

13. Put in your sized false eyelashes.

14. Draw your liquid eyeliner. Let it dry.

15. After drying, apply powder eyeliner to keep the liquid eyeliner from smudging.

16. Softly draw eyeliner on the lower eyelids.

17. Brush off loose powder.

18. Using a blush brush, apply blush on .

19. Apply lipstick and gloss.

20. Using a fan brush, remove excess make up all over the face. 

Closer up of her make up look

 *Note: To contour the nose, I made use of eye shadow. 1 lighter shade than her complexion and the other a little darker for her complexion. Apply the light colored on the bridge of the nose extending it on top of the eyebrows. For the darker color apply it on the sides of the nose and blend well. The shape of the nose depends on the color you put. Remember, light colors highlight, while dark colors contour. 

Without flash.

With flash.

Colored eyeshadow gives emphasis on the eyes but always make sure to only choose one part on your face. You don't want to look like a clown right? So balance everything. If you have colored eye shadow, go for a light lipstick. If you're going for a dark lipstick, get a neutral eyes. 

But whatever works for you, you need to have confidence.:)

Enjoy, ladies.

TTFN!!!

FACE TALK: KPOP Inspired Blue and Pink

Last December 2012 in our school/office Christmas party, our department  decided to have a KPOP inspired theme. So    i dressed up like Girls Generation, 2NE1, etc with my other office mates. Its the best impression we can  do to look like KPOP stars.

For my look, I wore a pink mini skirt, topped it with an owled designed sleeveless and a black blazer. I also wore high knee socks and shoes. I made sure I wore very colorful if not neon  clothes to emphasize the Korean Pop style. I also wore a clear hello kitty glasses. 

Sorry, the photo's a little blurred but I hope you can see my eyes

For my make up, I used a two-colored eye shadow on my eyes. I chose blue and pink cause I already put different colored eye shadows on some of my office mates and I wanted to have a different look.:) 

What I used on my eyes:

ELF Eyelid Primer

ELF   eyeshadow pallete

EVER BILENA Liquid Eyeliner

711 False eyelashes ( I had to buy from there cause I didn't have any choice but it was still very useful to complete the look)

A better view of my eyes.

Eyelash glue

Eyelash curler

How to do it:

1. Do your usual make up routine of foundation, loose powder and eyebrows.

2. Put ELF eyelid primer on your eyes.

3. Dash loose powder on your under eyes.

4.  Apply your base eye shadow all over the crease.

5. On your inner eyes, apply pink eye shadow only halfway through.

6. On the outer corner, apply your choice of blue eye shadow. 

I have really small eyes, but the mascara,
false lashes, and eyeliner
helped open it up.

7. Then using your blending brush, blend the middle part of your eye shadow so the pink and blue color would look seamless.

8.   To apply your fake eyelashes,  make sure your false lashes is the same size of your lashes. Cut the  lashes if necessary.

9.Using a tweezer put glue on your lashes and place it on. Remember, to look down while the glue is drying out.

10. Draw your eyeliner.

11. Curl your fake lashes very softly so as not to misplace the lashes.

12. Using your  eyeliner pencil,  draw on your lower lids softly just to emphasize the eyes more. 

13.  Remove excess loose powder on your under eye.

14. Apply a natural blush on your cheeks.

15. Using a lip brush, apply a pinkish or close to your natural color lipstick.  

My husband and I at the party.

So there's my take on a KPOP inspired look for our Christmas party. I hope I did those KPOP stars justice!:)

FACE TALK: The Primer/No Makeup Makeup Look

I did a primer make up look last Friday, and I thought its one of those looks worth posting to show my make up learning from all the workshop and readings Ive been doing for the past months. Im no Pro in make ups but I really enjoying putting it on and trying it out on some of my friends, (when I mean some, I mean just one person).

So here goes, my first primer/no make up make up look: 

What I used: 

1. Facial Cleanser: I used NIVEA White

2. Tone: Im a fan of Nivea so, I use the same brand

3. Liquid Foundation: Ever Bilena Oriental. For everyday use I prefer this brand as its inexpensive and covers really well. I usually use my fingers to blend it in but realized a triangle sponge could also do the trick. Remember to always wash your hands and make up applicators to avoid having pimples.

3. Loose powder: Fashion 21 Natural. With a powder brush, dusk excess powder first and use it all over the face. It seals the foundation which makes it oil and shine free. 

4. Eyebrow: In2it eyebrow kit, medium brown.The eyebrows shape your face, and its very crucial that you keep it clean and with color. Its the easiest way to look young. You dont want to look like Mona Lisa, right?

5. Eyeshadow: Avon Neutral Shade. I am a fan of the brown shades as it is very easy to match with any color of attire and its the best color to look natural. I did the 3 color shadow technique with a little contour on the eye.

6. Eyeliner: 711 eyeliner. (yes, 711 offers different cool and cheap make ups) Make sure that you apply it really near the eyelashes. After, its good to apply a powder shadow on it to keep it from smudging. I dont usually put eyeliner on the lower eyelids cause its really hot here in the Philippines so it smudges. (Ill try to learn how to be able to smudge proof it.)

7. Blush on. Avon cheek tint. I put on a very light blush so I would still have a tint of blush but does not overpower the primer look.

8. Lipstick: Careline. I use my fingers to dab on my lipstick so it would look natural. I also tap it with loose powder, (very lightly) to keep it stick.

9. Bring in the CONFIDENCE. The confidence makes any make up look stunning, well, some of it!:) 

10. I didnt put mascara as I dont have it with me during that time:)