Hair and Makeup For The Day + Update

 

Has it been THIS LONG?
My last post was last month and February is almost ending!  I am putting an update here because I am turning 46 years old this coming February 28th!  Ahh, I have been celebrating yearly birthdays on this blog for the past 17 years!  I am so grateful to celebrate 17 full years with you guys!  If you are a long time (I mean LOOOONNNGGG TIME) reader, please comment and say HI!  I'd love to know who have been here since 2008 or early 2010s?

Remember how I started Blogging as HR Professional then studied Hair and Makeup on the side?  Then I got engaged, married and turned into a mom?

My life was put on hold - but Beauty Tips sharing NEVER Stopped instead, I ventured to sharing about life and motherhood on this Blog!  Today, I felt like I am in this chapter of my life where I need to update where I am as of the moment.  

There may come a time *knocks on wood* that I might forget about all these memorable moments and experiences of my life so I'll just read and reread it here!

I am currently, actively working as a PR and Marketing consultants for Big Brands locally.  Big companies distributing and producing Health and Beauty products, I also have other clients who seeks my help when it comes to events activation.  I also do a lot of PR Coordination between clients and content creators. So most of my days, you'll see me in front of my phone, Ipad and/or Computer or laptop!  

I also do a lot of hostings nowadays (Grateful for that) and I also do makeup lessons and trainings.  Ahhh, this is the life I've been aiming for but of course, my priority will always be my family!  My son who I takes to and from school and tutors him almost daily - whenever he doesn't understand his lessons or needs assurance of someone "testing" him.

If you are new here, you're probably wondering what I've been blabbing about.  But my online persona has always been Ms. AskMeWhats.  The girl who shares makeup, skincare, hair and nails tips for busy people like YOU and Me!  And that doesn't stop!  Whenever I do my makeup for quick hosting or event attendance, I take videos and photos to share how I came up with such look as the shortest amount of time possible, just like this one....

No matter how crunched I am with time, I never skip a skin prep!  In this look, I prepped my skin by removing dirt and grime after sending my son to school with my favorite Bioderma Micellar Water for Sensitive skin.  I also used my 3rd bottle of Kanebo Fusioning Solution and prepped my Lips with MAC's PREP n Prime Lips.  Estee Lauder ANR for the undereye area - the wand helps depuff my eyes!  Adding cream to fill in dry lines and wrinkles from Kanebo - this product I don't use it daily.  

Check out the rest of the tutorials and products used in this IG Reel Video.

Gatsby Look

 

I attended an event with the theme of Modern Gatsby and I've decided to play along with it not only with clothes but also hair and makeup!

Thankfully, my mom-in-law loves fashion and owns a couple of good clothing pieces and I was able to put together this look.

I played with my hairstyle and makeup and came up with this.

It was in the middle of humid summer when I attended the event so I made sure the makeup I used are mostly transfer-proof and sweat-proof.  

Here's a quick video on the products I used and how I applied the makeup look.

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Kate Tokyo 2024 Look

 

I love it sometimes when I use just ONE Brand for my whole face!  When Kate Tokyo releases their Spring 2024 makeup collection, I grabbed a few for the eyes, cheeks and lips and here's what I have created.

Because of this look I created, I have been a fan of Glossy Makeup look and it was because of the Kate Tokyo Lip Monster which is super hydrating lipstick that I used on my cheeks since I didn't get my hands on new blush powder this year's collection.  It was a blessing in disguise as I've found a better way to apply Lip Monster - both cheeks and lips and it looks amazing!

Products Used:

• Designing Eyebrow
• Kate Designing Brown Eyes Palette
• Kate Tokyo Double Line Expert 
• Kate Tokyo Fit Rare Gel Pencil
• Pearl Awaking Mascara 
• Lip Monster

How do you like this look?

Wearable Strawberry Makeup Look

 Hi AMW Friends.

It has been going round the beauty community a cute look that focuses on the cheeks.  A beautiful flushed cheeks and bright lips I name it Strawberry Makeup since I am a fan of Strawberry Shortcake and I remember putting her blush and lip color when I was younger.

Here's my wearable version any age can rock!

For this look, I focus on a super clean base so the blush and lip color will pop.  I used a neutral shade for eye makeup and made sure to highlight my cheeks.

Makeup Used:

• @itcosmetics CC in Light
• @tartecosmetics Sculpt Tape , Radiant & Corrector Shape Tape
• @pixibeautyph On The Glow Bronze Warm Glow
• @bobbibrownph Espresso Brow Pencil , Gel Liner Black Ink
• @narsissist Uninhibited Eyeshadow Palette
• @maccosmeticsph Stack Mascara , Locked Kiss Ink Vicious, Fix Plus Lavender
• @lauramercier Transulcent Pressed Setting Powder
• @cliniqueph Berry Pop Blush
• @makeupforever Ultra HD Lip Booster, Aqua Liner Pencil
• @cathydollphils Lip & Cheek Beauty To Go Gangnam

New Kanebo Autumn Look

 

I love creating looks based from the makeup products I am using.  Today, I am showcasing Kanebo Autumn 2024 makeup with this look.

I love Kanebo Comfort Skin Foundation it is one of my favorite foundation find this year as it is comfortable enough to be worn daily.  It fits any sort of weather from very hot to humid —- see my choices there?

Making sure to hydrate my skin with a good skincare, you can definitely see the glow shining through.  Proof below.

I also love how they upgraded their eyeshadow quads.  This is their Colored Shadow in EPIC FRONTIER palette wich includes a nice taupe shade and a blue shade that works for warm complexion.

And don’t let me get started with the Kanebo N-Rouge Lipsticks, if you can get them all, please feel free to do so as these are the world’s most DRY -LIPPED friendly lip product.  It constantly hydrates my lips throughout the day and reapplying is like applying lip balm with loads of pigment.  

I am wearing BABY RED in this photo and it is so beautiful.

Issy & Co Look

 

I read, watched and personally heard people rave about Issy & Co and after owning my first Issy & Co set, I finally understood why.

Just look at the aesthetic, looks so expensive, classy and visually addictive.  I just want to stare at their makeup for hours!  But the true test came after using these for months!  I've done a quick first try and all over makeup look but at the back end, I have been using these products on a daily basis and it wasn't as hard as before when we were on lockdown, I can literally wear them whenever I drive my son to and from school and test them out under strong heat and humidity.

I will be posting the products I like and used a lot one by one with more in-depth review but as early as now, I am telling you guys how much of a fan I am to this local brand.  

These are some of the Issy & Co. items I've used for this full face look ----

* Active Concealer (PM3)
* Creme Cheek Blush in Gold Digger
* True Flex Powder Foundation (Fawn)
* True Flex Illuminator

Kiko Milano Look

2 weeks ago, I visited Kiko Milano's store opening at SM Megamall.  The brand has been making waves in the beauty world because it opened up a couple of stores in Manila!  I was one of those who got super excited because this is a well known European makeup brand that is turning out to be a "pasalubong" for those who loves makeup.  I for one received a couple of Kiko Milano makeup products as gifts when my friends or relatives arrive from their Europe trip.

I posted about my shopping experience at SM Megamall (watch HERE) and you can check out how you can do what I did when you are faced in a store with so many products.  Yes, I will teach you how to focus and buy only things that you need! :D

After buying my top Kiko Milano products, here's a quick GRWM  look that I did!  

Because I did not buy any Kiko Milano brow products, I used their Green Me Eyeshadow palette 105.

I  picked this medium brown shade (lower middle) as my brow powder.

I started with brows because there could be fall out before I do my base makeup.  Out of all the foundations available, I veered towards their stick foundation as it can double up as concealer on busy days.

Kiko Milano Active Foundation shade 2G is a perfect match on me.

Bobbi Brown First Date Look

 

* Bobbi Brown Skin Longwear Weightless Foundation
* Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil
* Bobbi Brown Powder
* Bobbi. Brown Luxe Matte Lip Color in Tawny Pink

The hustle and bustle of makeup school.  I remembered lugging my heavy trolley makeup traincase after a busy day at work to Basement Academy - the first makeup school I enrolled to.  It was not an easy feat.  We started classes as early as 6pm and sometimes ends at around 11pm to 12am!  That was intense!  

And because I get so many faces to prettify - make up school provides model, I remembered saying a short prayer thanking GOD how the school is located right by the mall!  I was able to hop on to Rustans at Shangri-La Mall Ortigas to buy some of the must-haves when it comes to makeup artistry.  

I had to purchase the Bobbi Brown Gel Liner for Avant Garde makeup looks.  I had to draw a whole TREE OF EDEN on the face of my model and a gel liner is my favorite "outliner".  Ahhh those were the fun days.

Looking back, I have been using a lot of this brand professionally but always kept the best for clients and not really using them for myself.  That said, this year's Valentine's Day, I've decided to create a full Bobbi Brown Makeup FIRST DATE Look because I did not get to wear makeup on my first date --- I was only 17 years old when I dated my then BF now Husband :D.

Don't judge my pose, this will be my makeup look if I am ---

17 years old.
Going out on a first date.

Please keep in mind that we have different makeup styles!  Some likes to wear more makeup on first dates because that is just how they are!  They wanted to show their artistry through makeup and props to you for that!  

To Each Their Own --- when it comes to make up and all other things!  SO yes, you do you!  I do me.

THIS IS ME!

I like to have a clear, matte base because to be young, is to have matte skin :P  Everybody's oiling up with our crazy weather so I wanted to depict the look of --- I am fresh, I am NOT bothered by my sweat and oil glands! 

GRWM: A Busy Girl's Guide

 

What's up guys!

This look took me less than 10 minutes (5 minutes to be exact) and I do this look whenever I get to meet someone at early hours or I just needed to look makeup and professional enough to make a client believe what I'm saying!  

It really pays to have a good base, a skin that is hydrated enough to accept all the products and can withstand all the friction - i mean brushing, blending, tapping.... you get me right?

Here's a quick video on how I achieved this!  Hope you like it!

Products used ---

• Mac strobe cream
• Strokes Brow Sculptor Duo in Deep Brown
• The Body Shop Full Coverage Concealer
• Bobbi Brown Longwear Cream Shadow Stick in Sand Dune
• Kanebo Quad Eyeshadow
• The Body Shop All-In-One Makeup Face Base Powder  (04)
• Heroine make prime liquid liner in dark brown
• MUFE Aqua Resist in Bronze
• Becca Lowlight/highlight
• Silkygirl Vitamin Lip Balm in Rose Pink
• Hourglass Ambient Lightning Edit
• Benefit Mascara
• MUFE Mist & Fix

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Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

  

Sparkly Eyes Makeup Look

 

A quick make up look and I added a tip on how to clean up those fallouts.  After years of being a Bridal Makeup Artist, I mastered the art of “cleaning” because in the eyes of Professional Photographers and Videographers, the skin of their subject must be 99.9% perfect.  

You know why I said so?  I have been called so many times by photograhers and videographers to “clean up” the face of their subject - it could be a smudged eyeliner, lipstick or falling eyeshadow!

So here, I am sharing a quick tip on how to prevent dirty-looking eyes.

Yes, you are free to zoom in my photo because I cleaned up well! :D *proud*

I used my newest eyeshadow palette Natasha Denona Palette which I got from Sephora.

Purple Stare Look

 

I haven’t been playing eye makeup for YEARS!

Ever since I grew …ahem..older, as you can see, I have stopped myself from using colors just because….I got lazier, and I felt that the pandemic made it harder for me to enjoy colorful make up.

I have been loving the color Purple because of BTS!  So I’ve decided to make this an Ode to me being an ARMY! 

Check out the make up products and brands I’ve used.

Products used:
- @hudabeauty Naughty Palette from @sephoraph 
- @kpalette_ph Procast Eyeliner in Black
- @imagic.ph Pencil liner in black
- @lauramercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder 
- @nipponph lashes 
- @makeupforever Blush and lipstick
- Extreme Lip Plumper from @barrym.ph deal 

Hope this gives you a quick idea on how to recreate this look, if you want to! 

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Butter inspired Makeup Look

 

Butter - Billboard’s No. 1 song as of the moment.

I have been listening to it ever since it was played on BTS Official Channel.  

For fun I recently got a package from Secondate Beauty and decided to create a BUTTER-inspired makeup using the Secondate Beauty Instapeach Eyeshadow Palette.  

So I ended up with this look! What do you think?

I also got some safety merch from KORMNL.  The face mask container is the bomb! I super love it and it comes with yellow-colored masks!  I mean the colors aren’t important more importantly, I am protected...but let’s face it the color does matter in brightening up my day!  

I also have a cute heart-shaped yellow alcohol container!  Been using it ever since I received this!

Sand Haze Look

 

I got this Huda Beauty Sand Haze Palette from Sephora PH.  I used to watch Huda Beauty on Youtube when I still have enough time but stopped for years since turning into a mom!  That does not mean I am not updated with the industry though!  I may not watch as many Youtube Videos as before but I still do duly research for updates on makeup trends and brands.

Huda Beauty, based from my research, rose to fame several years back.  Their makeup and skincare line got raves and rants but I made sure to keep in mind their bestselling products.  One of their bestsellers are their eyeshadows and I want to know why.

A basic and easy-to-use palette called Sand Haze is the way to go if you like a neutral and/or party looks in one.

There are 3 types of palette to choose from: Sand, Purple and Khaki.

According to Huda Beauty —-

This palette comes in 3 different colour stories. Each palette represents the off-duty chic street style scene, that is awash with muted tones of ecru, and cappuccino, tempered with darker, more serious colours like deep brown, khaki green, plus dashes of soft, sophisticated shimmer. Each palette contains beautifully buttery mattes, metallics, and shimmery eyeshadow toppers, in complementary shades of eyeshadow, designed to be used individually or together to create an array of arresting effects. The matte formula is pigmented, creamy to the touch, and seamlessly blends on the lid. The metallics have a creamy, richly pigmented, multi reflective, foil texture. For a subtle shimmer finish, apply with dense, flat eyeshadow brushes. For higher foil-like payoff, these work best with a damp eyeshadow brush/sponge brush or finger. The shimmer toppers, slightly sheerer than the metallics, were baked using a mix of finely milled pearls, to highlight and give an alluring pearlescent glow to the lids. For a subtle shimmer finish, apply with a dense, flat eyeshadow brush. For higher payoff, these work best with a damp eyeshadow brush/sponge brush or finger. The palettes come in a hard shell for extra durability and have a full-size mirror inside for on-the-go ease.

Sand Haze

Php1,850.00

Available HERE

Here’s what I have to say after using this palette for months, without eyeshadow base, without ANYTHING BUT the Huda Beauty Palette.

Summer-Ready Look (Fake Tan) inspired by Cleopatra

 

Yes, I am not sure what Cleopatra is doing in my summer-inspired look but when I think about Cleopatra, I am thinking about her bronzey-glowing skin and I had her in mind when I was creataing this look!  Instead of going Cleopatra-style with the winged liner, I changed it into something more wearable!  Here’s the final look!

Do you like it?

Products Used: (@ is the account on Instagram, feel free to search for them!) 

• @niyoandco_ph Mr. Foundation no. 3
• @benefitph Hello happy Air Stick Foundation shade 2
• @lauramercier Translucent Setting Powder in Translucent Honey
• @benefitph Brow Microfilling Pen in Light Brown
• @imagic.ph Brow Tint
• @bobbibrownph The Essential MultiColor Eye Shadow Palette in Bold Burgundy
• @bobbibrownph High shine Liquid Eye Shadow in Copperhead used on both eyes and cheeks
• @lifefordparisph liquid liner pencil in Black
• @makeupforever Aqua Resist Smokyshadow in Quartz and Cinder
• @imagic.ph Warerproof Eyeliner Pencil in Black 
• @ofracosmeticsph All Glowed Up Beverly Hills
• Mark by @avonph Pro Line Perfector 

The star product in this makeup look is the Bobbi Brown High Shine Liquid Eye Shadow in Copperhead.  It brought a natural glow on both my eyes and cheeks.  It wasn’t supposed to be used on cheeks but we all know we love multi-tasking products.  Anything good for the eyes can work for the rest of the face!  I’m glad the bronzy color is just right even for fair skinned gals!  

The lip color is also another thing, if you made glowing eye makeup and cheeks, stick to matte lips to divert attention towards the upper half of your face!  Can you imagine how confusing everything will look with shiny lips too? 

NARS Look

 

Nars Philippines recently launched 3 collections and all are exciting!  I got to dip my fingers on each collection with Nars Afterglow Lip Shine in Dark Deeds (Erratum: It should be Dark Deeds on Video instead of Deep Realm).  

I was able to try 3 Air Matte Moussse from Air Matte Blush Collection and an O Eyeshadow Palette under the Ox Collection.  For some reason, all these colletction looks so inviting to create 1 dainty look and I actually did!  

Before the look, let me show you a closer look on why Nars can always give me a flutter in the stomach because it brought me back to so many good ‘ol Bridal Wedding makeup days!  These Air Matte Blushers are so pretty to use I can imagine the term “BLUSHING BRIDES” for all 3 shades below.

Left to right: Orgasm, Freedom and Scandalous

Swatches:

Top to bottom: Orgasm, Freedom and Scandalous

Son Ye Jin Inspired Makeup Look with Bioscience

 

I am inspired to create a Healthy Makeup Look for Christmas as everyone seems not to be in the mood to apply makeup!  

I totally understand you. Who would?  I’ve had maskne a couple of times whenever I came home from wearing masks more than an hour or so!  

But truthfully, 2020 is sad enough so I don’t want to end it in a sad note as well.  Festive season is still around the corner (because we say so and we can trick our mind in believing!)  As much as we are both not confident enough to create glam look, well, my look for Christmas this year is inspired by one of my favorite Korean Actress - Son Ye Jin.

I’ve loved her way before Crash Landing on You. I love her makeup when she wore a somewhat beach wedding dresses on last scene.  I liked her simplicity and beauty when I first saw her on Personal Preference.  Whenever I see her photos online, it’s always on a fresh, natural-looking side.  Close to my kind of makeup look.  

East vs. West Makeup Looks

 

Hi AMW Friends!
I have been meaning to do this video ever since I started doing short IG TVs.  The laziness to edit and busy schedule got me so I only had a couple of months after to finally made this half face versus look into reality and I am so happy I did it because I've always wanted to know which particular look would suit best my face shape and features.

What do you think?  Can you spot which side is the Eastern side and which side is West?

As written on my IG post, I am not discriminating a particular look, I just based my makeup styles from books I read, videos I've watched and several photos I have seen online.  The western look has always been my style even when I was doing makeup professionally.  This is the type of makeup that would look great on photos, videos and a bit darker in person but with the right technique, you would still look like yourself in a more polished way.

Eastern side, I am basing on our Korean, Japanese and Thai counterparts.  I've followed a couple of makeup artists from those countries and noticed a common denominator and put it on my other face!  The effect?  Very natural, glowing and dewy skin!

A closer look on Western side.
Defined and arch brows.  Creating bigger eyes with cut-crease method, winged liner, bronzer, contouring and highlighting and defined lips!