Becca October Promotion: Ask and You Shall Receive

**you can click photo to enlarge

Dear Philippine Readers:

Time flies super fast and it's the month of October already!

Our dear friends from BECCA Cosmetics Philippines has a special promotion for their facebook fans!

Members can post questions for BECCA founder, Rebecca Morrice Williams, in the discussion thread. Questions can be anything about the brand or about make-up in general. Rebecca will answer the top 10 questions, and the authors of the top 3 questions will each receive a special prize especially chosen by Rebecca!

Promo period is from October 1 to 31, 2009.

This promotion can be a venue for our customers to interact with the BECCA founder herself. The BECCA CEO, Steven Schapera, also leaves comments regularly.

What are you waiting for? It's a win-win situation! You get to ask your make-up related queries and you get the chance to win! Smile and click HERE to head on the BECCA Cosmetics Facebook site.

Goodluck!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

I Wonder: "Straight or Curly?"

My hair has always been on a safe mode. Either I tie it up on a ponytail or I let it flow. My only hair styling tool is my trusty Philips JetSet Control blowdryer or most of the time, as simple as a fan to dry my hair.

Then, I upgraded for a flat iron, because of my super layered locks, I wanted to create a bit of "volume" with a flat iron, so it's either a blowdryer or a flat iron, and I'll be fine!

Just like a baby who crawled first then started to walk and run. I am now using my curling iron more often! I've reviewed on my New 1.5 inches curling iron from Remington and I'm loving it.

So a question came into my head which I would like to know what YOU would say ---

I Wonder:
"Are you into straightening or curling your hair?"

**note: My hair color is the same,
just that the straight photo doesn't have a flash
and the curly hair photo has flash on :)

Hair products used ---

L'oreal Professional Texture Expert Bounce Whip



Nick Chavez Hollywood in a Bottle Volumizing Extra Hold Hair Spray

I am into curly hair nowadays. With the right curling product and right heat protection. I am game for lovely curly locks that lasts a day! :)

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: Clinique's Turnaround Concentrate

You know why I've been reviewing a couple of Clinique products? Well aside from the fact that their 3 step skincare system works so well for me, I like it that the company gives importance to testers. I love how they package their testers in cute packaging and I love it that their testers can last for at least 2 weeks or more.

I have a sample of the Clinique's Turnaround Concentrate which I've been meaning to try when I read raves about this. I am glad this came along with the Clinique Sample Kit, I seriously bought full size of skincare products after trying out testers!

**photo from Clinique

Clinique's Turnaround Concentrate says ---

High-performance cocktail of exfoliating ingredients prompts a renewal process that is multilevel, time-released. Speeds fresh cells to the surface. Continually unveils brighter, more radiant skin. Leaves skin with a velvety feel and a perfected look.

AMW says ---

Pros

• easy to use, not too liquidy or creamy, texture is just right
• makes my skin very soft
• no breakouts
• no weird scent
• absorbs to the skin easily
  

Cons

• the "brightness" won't be seen at once, so please, be patient lol
• quite pricey
  

Overall

I've stressed this before and will be stressing this again. This is a kind of product that you see results after weeks or more. Do not expect overnight changes! I find that most products takes it effect on me at least 2 weeks after of constant use. The first time I've used this product, I thought it didn't do anything for my skin, but after weeks and weeks, I've finally realized how smooth my skin is! The brightening effect I still haven't seen but definitely, I got lesser breakouts.

I've been using my Clinique's 3-step system and so far, I think my skin has reached it's saturation point, meaning, I can't seem to find any differences or changes anymore. I've found my skin getting flaky and dry again for the past weeks. So I've tried incorporating this after my 3-step Clinique Skin Care System and it works really well! I woke up the next day with lesser flakes and after a week of usage, I'm back with the skin I'm loving! *knocks on wood*

Tips

• use this twice daily, morning and evening after your skincare system
• apply just a thin layer will be enough
• do go to Clinique counters to have your skin type checked before purchasing any products
  

Will I repurchase?

Seriously? If it goes on sale! I will definitely add this up to my skincare. I've been using it til now combining this with different skincare program and it still works! Doesn't cause me problems.

Where to purchase and how much?

At local Clinique Counters (Rustan's) for PHp3,000 (approx $62.50)

A tiny amount of Clinique Turnaround Concentrate
on my hand

Spread a bit



Absorbs to the skin quickly
Check mark is the area I had the concentrate on

Do you seriously think serums or concentrates are helpful to your skincare regimen? In my case, I can live without it but its an added luxury to have the extra step. I know my oily skinned friends are hesitant to add any additional step to their regimen so please be careful in putting any stuffs...if you see any signs of allergies or negative reactions, STOP using the product..IMMEDIATELY :)

Keep smilin'
Stay happy

d

Feel free to read other reviews
by smiling and clicking ---
Beautyholics Anonymous
So Loverly

Readers' Corner: Makeup for Men

"I am getting married soon and I've already booked a makeup artist to do my trial makeup on the day we will be hiring a photographer to do our prenuptial shots. Do you think my boyfriend needs to put on makeup too? I don't want him to look like a girl. What do you think?"

AMW Rule of the thumb: "If the guy does not want the makeup artist near his face, just let him go!" lol I am a strong believer of not forcing anyone. I'd rather paint smiling faces rather than frowning faces. PERIOD. :P

Seriously, I understand why men are scared to have their faced touched by any forms of makeup. They're scared to look girly and they have the "clown" face. Here's my tips based on my personal experiences...of course there's a lot of rules from different schools or books but experience is the best teacher.

1. Always make the men comfortable. I ask them their skin condition. Oily skin? Dry Skin? Which part oils up faster?
2. Is he ok to put on liquid/cream foundation? If not, I settle for powder foundation. Be careful not to go for a matte finish as it'll look unnatural and cakey.
3. Always check on his skin color and go for a deeper foundation, let's say 2-3 shades lighter. As opposed to regular makeup, apply the thinnest coat as possible to make it looks natural.
4. Do make corrections, conceal blemishes, lessen his undereye circles.
5. Contouring is allowed! Give him the nice chiseled face like Brad Pitt
6. Brows can be brushed but never shave or cut the brows without permission! (Did you know that? Most Chinese men does not like to touch their brows! Don't ask me why, I'll go on and on and on with explanations lol)
7. Eyeliner is allowed if the guy is comfortable, choose a brown eyeliner instead.
8. No need for blush
9. For older men: If they have white eyebrows and wanted it a bit darker? Use a mascara and gently brush it on the eyebrows. Applied too much? Use a spoolie and keep on brushing to lessen the mascara.
10. Apply lip balm or clear lipgloss. I try to steer away from lipsticks that has shades.

Here's one Male Makeup I've done for a prenuptial shoot. Ephraim is a cool guy and he's game to put makeup on! :) He doesn't like the full makeup but he just wanted a "clean" look.

Products used ---
Primed the "oily" areas with Smashbox Photo Finish Light
MAC NC42 mixed a tiny bit of NC25
Shu Uemura Setting Powder Clear on oily areas only
MAC Shadester for contouring
Kiehl's No. 1 Lip balm

I am honored to learn that I was the first to touch his "virgin" face lol
Thanks Ephraim for being such an easy client :)
Please pray for him and his family as I just realized his home is at Provident Village, Marikina. The area that has been hit hard with floods. I hope he is ok.
God bless Ephraim.

Keep smilin'
Stay happy

AMW Reviews: Shu Uemura Face Powder (Sheer/Colorless)

I've had this Shu Uemura Face Powder in Colorless/Sheer lying around, not wanting to use it as the packaging is too cute! I haven't been using this as I thought it won't be of any purpose to me. But when I got a gig on doing makeup to multiple clients with different skin color, I told myself I have to pack smart on makeup! I have to save some space and go for a setting powder that's great for almost all skin color.

The cutie that's on spotlight --
Shu Uemura Face Powder in Sheer

Shu Uemura Face Powder ---

Leaves skin luminous and glowing with vitality. Sheer and transparent finish. Great for highlighting facial structure and shape. Packaged with a velvet-textured puff designed specifically for sheer powder application.

Ingredients

talc , synthetic fluorphlogopite , zinc laurate , methicone , paraffinum liquidum / mineral oil , dipentaerythrityl tetrahydroxystearate/tetraisostearate , octyldodecanol , diisostearyl malate , dimethicone/methicone copolymer , silica , aluminum dimyristate

Shades available
Light
Sheer/Colorless

AMW says ---

Pros

• very sheer and gets to be invisible
• feels so light
• doesn't give out white cast on photos
• never cakes up, no matter how many times you re-apply
• a little goes a long way
• colorless version is perfect especially if you are a makeup artist, this goes for all clients with all types of skin color!
• I used this on a client with oily skin and I got a feedback that it held up. But of course, you have to be reminded that this is NOT perspiration proof.
  
• very smooth in texture and the powder is obviously finely milled
  

Cons

• since this is in loose powder form, this tends to fly up everywhere, product wastage as compare to pressed powders
• for dry or mature skin - be careful, as this can crease up the foundation or make your skin flake
  
• of course, this is a bit pricey for a setting powder.
• again..MESSY MESSY MESSY on my makeup train case lol
  

Overall

This isn't the face powder for me but this is definitely a setting powder every makeup artist should have! This looks great on photos and it gives out a radiant glow without the "added makeup" look. No matter how many times I retouch, the makeup won't look overly done and the makeup sets like a dream! A worthy investment!

Did you know that?

I haven't tried the Make Up For Ever HD Powder, I do have the Coastal Scents Silica Powder --- which one won my heart? Shu Uemura Face Powder is my "dependable" setting powder! *smacks*


Tips

• if you or a client has dry skin, use a large powder brush to gently brush this all over the face to set the makeup.
• if you or your client has oily skin, you can use a large velour puff to press the powder gently on areas that tend to oil up
• do not use the same puff on different individuals
• for personal use: make sure to wash the puff regularly to prevent bacteria
• you can use this powder to "highlight" areas you want to highlight, I prefer using a smaller fluffy brush to brush through the powder on the underage area.
• plan to create a dark eye makeup? Apply this sheer powder on the undereye area and brush it after eye makeup application to prevent fall outs.
• if you plan to use the puff that comes along with the powder, do tap the puff or scrape the extra product on the cap, as using it directly will make you look like "Sadako" :P
  

Will I repurchase?

For myself, I don't use this as much as I don't oil up. But I enjoy using this for clients especially during "retouching" moments!

Where to purchase and how much?

At Shu Uemura counter for approx Php2,300 (approx $47.00) for full size

Here's a trial size in 3.2 g
full size is 20g



Swatch on hand
scary and looks like a candidate for white cast

If blended well
Goes invisible

Shu Uemura is known for its quality products, I don't have a lot of Shu Uemura makeup on my traincase at the moment but this is definitely a start of a wonderful relationship with the brand.
Have you tried this?
Or are there any cheaper alternatives for setting powder?
Spill the potatoes baby! :P

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!