Happy February

Revlon, my favorite drugstore makeup brand, gives us one more reason to be happy for february.  Look good while falling in love with their Febraury 2013 promotion.  For every purchase of their Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede Lipstick you get Php 200.00 off on any 2-way foundation.  Also enjoy 25% off on selected items.  

For myself I think I'll be getting the Colorstay Suede Lipstick in Front Row and the Photoready 2-way foundation which will only cost me Php 795.00 (instead of Php 995.00) thanks to this month's promo.  If you're having your prom soon this is the perfect time to buy your own Photoready powder that you can bring along in your purse.  This is your perfect sidekick for all the photo-op that will be going on that night.

Another reason to be happy with February are the new episodes of The Walking Dead Season 3.  I was able to watch the first one last Saturday and I can't wait for the next!  

Product Review: Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

If you're a big fan of Pixiwoo you've probably heard of the Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer.  Even Lisa Eldridge is a fan and Tanya Burr has one too in her recent video of makeup collection and storage.  

Sadly, there are no online shops carrying this here in the Philippines but if ever you will be heading off to Europe this is one of the things you absolutely must acquire.  Here's why:

Collections 2000 is a drugstore makeup brand or as they call it in the UK a highstreet brand.  The consistency of this concealer is very thick and I remember reading somewhere that these forms of concealers are best for undereyes since they are moisturizing.  I was sent 2 shades, one of which was super light (Medium 3) and the other was my perfect color (Deep 4).  I sometimes use the really light shade when I'm going for Kim Kardashian Highlighting and Contouring.  On regular days however, I use the Deep 4 for concealing my undereyes, redness around my nose and my blemishes.

I love how great the pigmentation of this product is that it can cover my red pimples and the redness around my nose.  I love the thickness of it because it really stays put and somehow my skin's oiliness was kept at bay with this concealer.  I would swipe it all over my face and buff it with a domed shadow brush to get an even coverage and then just buff in some mineral foundation afterwards.  It does dry very quickly so you have to work really fast so you don't get patches of thick concealer on your face.

For the past 2 weeks I've been having spots on my chin and this concealer works perfectly for when I don't want to wear too much makeup.  I just make sure that it dries completely wherever I've applied it before I powder it in so my powder foundation doesn't clump.  I'd also like to report that it gave me lasting coverage for about 5- 6 hours however the product claims to conceal flaws and blemishes for up to 16 hours.     

swatch of Medium 3, Deep 4 and No 7 Instant Radiance Foundation

I highly recommend this concealer for all skin types but most especially for oily-skinned gals as it stopped my oiling up for the same amount of time it stayed on.  This is one product that is worth crossing oceans for.  

Working on the Resolution

Every new year my family goes to the prayer mountain to thank God for the past year and prepare us for the new one.  We have done this for the past 4 years, the first of which was with my father.  And every year we bring out our new year folders which contain our yearly devotions, favorite family worship songs and lists of everything we ask for from God.  It's not really a new year's resolution but more of a prayer item we lift up to God.

a good dose of positive

Looking back on my folder it was a great surprise to find that some of the things we had wrote down actually came true.  I had wrote down some material things - iPad, driver's license, new cellphone - all of which I am now in possession of.  Also some other non-material things like a boyfriend, a year without getting hospitalized and a new business which God has also supplied.  One thing though that I keep writing down has never come into fruition - losing weight.

I had realized that for the past 2 years I had been writing it down and praying for it but only occasionally getting up and actually doing something about it.  God can make miracles happen because He is not bound by natural law.  However, I am.  And if I want something done I'd have to work my ass off for it and pray that God bless my hardwork.  We are not given anything we don't work hard for.  Such is the natural law.  

I was told in a seminar that the power of sin lies when it is hidden.  So I translate it to this, that the power of unaccomplished goals is when it is hidden.  No one will know that you have not accomplished what you set out to do unless you broadcast it.  Which is why in this little space of mine in cyberspace I will document my progress or lack of progress and be judged by both.  

I read this a while back and was really moved and rebuked by the words.  

It's not that I am unhappy with myself or how I look.  I am, really.  Losing weight is the only chance I can show myself that I can push through what I think I can't.  We are all forced in different directions and choices we never thought we would make.  We never really know how strong we are until being strong is the only option left.  With losing weight I choose to push MYSELF in a direction that forces ME outside MY comfort zone.  Coincidentally, by broadcasting this pursuit I make MYSELF accountable to the progress I have to show.  For all my ladies out there who are "not chubby but simply accumulating mass," if you want to lose weight as well go forth and make it happen.  With me, if you wish.  Weight is the most simple of issues yet the hardest to surpass.  For myself, if I get through this and come out triumphant in my mind I would think that there is nothing else I can't get past.

look at those hip hop abs!!!

For this endeavor I turn to Hip Hop Abs by Shaun T.  I will be starting out at 200 lbs. or roughly 90.72kg.  What I really like about this program is that some of their workouts last only 5-30 minutes making it perfect for women on the go.  Another thing is the little timer on the bottom of the screen.  Einstein's Theory of Relativity (as explained by LL Cool J) states that when you put your hand on a hot pan a minute can seem like an eternity but when you put your hand on a hot woman a minute can seem like a second.  In the same principle focusing on how much time has already passed and how little time is left (on the workout's timer) can make the work seem a little less intense.  I would think, "just a little more only 15mins left."  And it feels kind of exciting and thrilling when the timer is down to the last 5 minutes.  It almost feels like a basketball game (for me) when everything is at stake and you think you've got no more energy left but you explode with more because you know the game will end soon.

just do it!

I also like the simplicity of the workout.  I've started out with the Fat-Burning Cardio and the steps are simple and the intensities only have 3 levels.  You will find yourself mildly sweating after 15 minutes but when you finish the workout even your rubber shoes will be slippery from the amount of sweat dripping down your body.  

My boyfriend told me he doesn't trust the program because Shaun T is a dancer who developed his bod from training and not from his actual workouts.  I told him the workout made me feel good about myself which is ultimately what any workout routine should make you feel.  So I'm sticking to it and hopefully after a few months I can prove my boyfriend wrong.

One other thing I have done to ensure the success of this venture is to look for inspiring stories, quotes and such.  I found this set of rules and decided to pin it up on our fridge.  So far even my mom reminds me of the rules everytime we eat.  

I have downloaded several apps on my iPad to help me keep track of workouts and the things I eat.  My mom even got me a calorie counter which you put in your pocket and estimates the amount of energy you've used while the gadget is on your person.  It's not the most accurate of gadgets but it makes you aware of how much energy you actually use in a day and how much more you'll need to burn the extra calories.   

My trainer before said that it's alright to eat as long as you workout more than what you eat.  At that time I hated working out because my trainer was a sadist (I still love you carmel!) so I would really cut back on food.  After that my nutritionist advised me to still eat normally (up to 2000 calories per day) because when we don't eat our body will think that it's gonna go through starvation and hold on to the fats more and instead burn muscle when we work out.  And that's not the right way because becoming fit is burning fat and exchanging it for muscle. 

So here's the plan.  I have tried C-Lium Fiber and it works really well at flushing out toxins and I need that since I quit the gym and no longer have access to a steam bath and sauna.  I'll be taking the C-Lium Fiber every other weekend when I'm at home.  I'll also run down to Watson's to get me a box of Carbtrim to use on splurge meals.  I'll be doing the Hip Hop Abs workout, um... every other day and get back to running in the UP Diliman Sunken Garden (one lap is 2.2km).  Oh and also my mom entered me and my brother in the Bible Marathon this March so I'll really need to step into my running shoes soon.  

For interested parties please see Registration Form here

It's quite sad that I am aware of all these weight loss facts yet don't really have anything to show for it.  So this is the time.  This is the moment.  This is when I will put everything I've learned from the experts and put it all together to finish what I have set out to do for the past 2 years.  

hay... so true

Pray for me.  Or better yet join me!  Tell me, through the comments section, where (weight) you will start and what you will do.  I'd love to hear it and I'd love to be a part of your fitness journey.  

Product Review: Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion

I had been lusting after the Bioderma Crealine H20 Micellar Solution for quite some time now.  My only beef with it, why I haven't gotten one, is first of all the price (Php 1,400.00 is the cheapest I've found) and the availability or rather the scarcity.  After the Bioderma makeup remover was raved about so much by several bloggers, if not all, and showcased as part of favorite products video of several youtube makeup gurus it has been very very hard to acquire.  You can only get it online and let's face it some gals out there are just not born with the patience to wait for packages (like me).  Going back to the price, even if it's considered very mild yet very effective in removing makeup I just can't bring myself to shell out that amount of money for a makeup remover.  Especially because I can also use foaming facial wash for the same purpose.  

My mother has this habit of not washing her face before she sleeps because she says splashing water on her face wakes her up and she loses her sleepiness resulting in her staying awake until 3am and of course if she's awake so am I.  Therefore I had to search for a solution to the makeup removing problem that I felt comfortable buying.  

I had come across a blog post regarding this product by the lovely and smart Liz Lanuzo over at Project Vanity.  A quick stroll down Watson's gateway and I came home with my very own Bifesta Cleansing Lotion, and of course a few makeup goodies.  

Previously known as Cleansing Express, Bifesta is claimed to be Japan's first water-based makeup remover. According to the company's mission they aim to provide simple, quick & reliable makeup removal solutions to cater to hectic lifestyles without compromise to effectiveness with added skincare qualities.  BI means Beauty in Japanese and FESTA is an abbreviation of festival.  Together, BIFESTA means Beauty Festival, a celebration of beauty where beautiful skin care can be achieved quickly, easily and joyfully with effective, fuss-free makeup removal.

Moist, Sebum, Brightup, Agecare

The Bifesta Makeup Remover comes in four variands.  You have the Moist for dry and sensitive skin, Sebum for combination to oily skin, Brightup for dull skin and Agecare for mature skin.  Seeing the whole product range, I think the company came through with their promise of "added skin care qualities" with the whole range being targeted for specific skin concerns.

I got the Sebum Cleansing Lotion type and here I present to you the good and the bad.

What I love about this product is that it's really cheap and can be found in your nearest Watson's.  It's only Php 419.00 for 300mL of product and it's widely available (no need to wait! yey!).  I've used this with gel eyeliner, waterproof cake eyeliner, liquid foundation and waterproof mascara and my makeup didn't stand a chance.  Though my mascara bled a little on my undereye a swipe of the soaked cotton removed every trace.  I also love how efficient a small amount can be.  I cut into half a round cotton pad and use 1 pump.  I get 2 more cotton pads and again use 1 pump each.  The two halves of cotton pad go on the undereye to catch the residue of the mascara.  The other two whole cotton pads go on top of the eyelid.  Wait for 10-20 seconds while gently patting the cotton pads onto the eyelid.  Remove the cotton pads with a gentle pulling motion away from the face and voila!  But wait, there's more.  I use the same cotton pads I used on my eyes and swipe it all over the face.  And that's it.  All makeup removed.  Per removal I use only about 3 pumps, sometimes only 2 because so much product comes out per pump.  Also, the product contains no fragrance so it would be ideal for people with sensitive skin.  Your face feels refreshed and supple after makeup removal you won't feel the need to rinse.  But that's not very good practice.  

What I don't love about this product is the pump, the temporary English translation and the after effect.  The product is far too fluid to have a pump as a dispensing system.  There's actually a lot of wastage when you pump it too much and the liquid seeps through or squirts out of the cotton pad.  I'm currently finishing my big bottle of brush cleaners from beauty bar and when I do I'll probably use that bottle's spray and take out the pump of my Bifesta bottle.  Another thing is the english description of the product that will come off once you take off the plastic.  I like reading the facts on the backside of products and I wasn't able to with my Bifesta because in my hurry (and excitement) I ripped the plastic cover also doing the same to the sticker with the English translation.  I'll probably run down to Watson's just to read the facts on the bottle.  The last thing I dislike about this makeup remover is that after using it I felt a slight itch with redness all over my face which lasted for only about a minute.  I think this can be attributed to the acid content.  No need to fret however because the itch did go away and didn't cause any permanent redness or bumps.

On a side note, I didn't experience any difference with regards to the oiliness of my skin since this makeup remover was meant to target combination to oily skin.  It's still it's same old oily self.  I'll also update you on how long it took me to finish this 300mL bottle.  

"Un-making up" yourself is as equally important as learning the techniques for proper makeup application.  What about you?  What's your getting un-ready technique?

A Good Night's (Beauty) Sleep

For the past 2 weeks I had been testing out the Snoe S Skin cream and because I wanted to obtain pure results from the product alone i opted to use just that. Therefore whatever is written there showcases the unaided, pure effect of the cream itself.

Somewhere along the way as i was preparing myself for bed i had realized that because of said test i had completely neglected my original skincare routine and my other beloved products, especially my night regimen.  Proof of this is my vanity which now only holds my s skin cream, oil blotting powder, lipsticks & makeup brushes.  I stopped my s skin application midway only to realize it can't be undone, short of washing my face again which really isn't good cos my skin will dry out too much and i'm oily as it is.  So I go through another night, my face unarmed and with limited powers to resurrect itself.

You see, the night regimen is the key here.  After smiling this is the second most important tool of beauty. And now in this very long post I will document how I have perfected MY OWN night miracle and how you can too.

I used to think that simple was best.  Cleanse - tone - moisturize.  But with the number of products available in the market that serve different purposes and do different things, the simple is best rule may be a little outdated.  Science has provided us with countless products to make our skin better.  Even now, as I write this blog, more researches are being made to prove the efficacy of the new "wonder skincare product."  There is no more excuse to not look your best.  Budget-constraints aren't even forgivable because there is always a cheaper version to every product.  Now this is not a discrimination to the people who find themselves too busy to "put on" a face.  this is a challenge and encouragement to go out there and make yourself better.  Living in the new era, we have the technology and necessary resource to make this possible.  You just have to go out there, ask and get informed.  We have to remember that people respect people who take care of themselves and the first thing that manifests this is how we look or rather how people see us.

Now I'm guessing you'll be off to buy the perfect shade of foundation and concealer and the perfect coral lipstick that will give an extra bounce to your step.  Hold your horses, girl.  There's something even more important than that.

The makeup we put on our face can do no good if you have to use a lot just to hide a whole lot of (insert something unsightly here). We all go through with the occasional pimple and trust me, I know. 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Symptoms of which are, you guessed it, pimples and a whole lot of nasty things. Before that however, I had really great skin. I mean really great considering the fact that I was a bit mannish and paid not much mind to the latest skin care technology. I rarely put on makeup because I didn't see the need and because I wanted people to see I'd look great even without it. That was my main goal - to look great without makeup so concealers were very much alien to me and foundation was just an occasional friend.

blemish on cheek aside my skin looks pretty good here right? no makeup was used.

no makeup used here either. seriously. unless you consider contacts makeup.

The trick of that whole my-skin-looks-great phase is my before bed skin care routine. I hated wearing moisturizers during the day because my skin was oily and I felt that it just contributed to that. So my lack of care in the morning I would make up for at night.

Studies show our skin cells are renewed while we sleep.  Some say 10pm-2am and others say 11pm-4am.  What we should take from that is that every night we get a new layer of skin and so what's left for us to do is help our skin transform itself.  How you go about the evening routine is very important. There are steps you must follow to ensure you get the most out of your skins nightly recharge. Always remember to go from thinnest to thickest. I'll explain further in a few.

Serums are the real girl's best friend. They are packed with minerals and vitamins your skin needs times 10 of regular moisturizers. Because these are meant to be used at night they contain no sunscreen which gives it a fluid consistency and gives more room for nutrients to be added in the product (more sunscreen = thicker consistency). The sole purpose of serums are to nourish and they come in very concentrated forms. This should be the first step for your night regimen because the thin consistency allows it to be absorbed easier while still giving your pores the freedom or space to accept other products. I have been using the Olay Regenerist Serum for a year now and I have been told my skin looks younger now than when I was actually young. One other serum that is noteworthy is the Pond's Gold Radiance Precious Youth Serum. You will find in other blogs that it brightens, not lightens, the face giving you a lit-from-within glow much like how gold looks.

Next step are eye creams. You are never too young for eye creams. Well maybe if you're 13 then you probably are. But for my 20 year old sisters out there this should be part of your routine. The eye area has the thinnest (favorite word for this post? I think so...) skin layer on your entire body. It is very sensitive and as we age this area loses collagen and elasticity fast. Save yourself the effort and cost of having to buy undereye concealers in the future. Take care of that area now! Some eye creams come in liquid form so they're not really eye creams but eye... Um... Liquids, I guess. You don't really need the fancy packaging with the metal ball rollers although it does help the product be absorbed easier and it massages the eye area gently.  Depending on your concern you should look for eye creams with ingredients that target your specific need.  Preparations with caffeine or aloe vera work well for puffiness.  Retinol works best for anti-aging and fighting wrinkles.  I will go into more detail on my next post but for now, read the label and try the product out.  My mother and my boyfriend are currently testing out two different eye creams (1 budget, 1 a bit higher end). I will be posting reviews about those soon with my mother and boyfriend as guest bloggers. Stay tuned because I really wanna give you an idea of what you could try. I, on the other hand, have used the Garnier Eye Roll-On on and off for the past two years and I can say it has worked fairly well. I don't have the need to use undereye concealers on a daily basis even though my sleeping hours are only from 1am-5am. And no it's not genetics because my mother has eye bags and I don't... Yet (fingers crossed).

Other night creams are your last step. Depending on your need - whitening, brightening, anti-aging, etc. These products are a lot like your regular moisturizers that have a creamy to semi-solid consistency. If you have oily skin this is probably your chance to use a skin care product that is not oil free. I don't think you'll have to get up in the middle of the night just to blot your face. The minerals, vitamins and nutrients in other night creams are lesser than that of serums but still more compared to day moisturizers. Do not, I repeat, do not use night creams during the day (I just feel this has to be said). They provide no protection for the suns harmful rays and the whitening night creams may contain bleaching chemicals that will react to the sun and give you dark spots. Permanent dark spots! Personally, I use two kinds of night creams. One for whitening and one for anti-aging. Now don't go judging my whitening night cream and saying I should love my morena Filipina skin. I do. The whitening night cream is for my blemishes which is a sad after effect of the PCOS. I find that it lightens my blemishes, in the long run completely erasing them, without altering my skin color. The best product I use that serves this purpose is the Garnier Night Cream. Now I'm no KC Concepcion that's gone 2 shades lighter on the Garnier Skin shade scale but I promise you my blemishes fear this product. I used to have really dark brown spots on my chin area where my pimples occasionally hold a soirée. I decided to try this product with a good dose of sunscreen during the day and after 4 weeks the blemishes were completely gone. As for the anti-aging night cream I use the Olay Regenerist Firming Night Cream. I use this basically because it's what my mom buys and uses so I also get to use it for free (Bwahahaha!). But kidding aside I find that this product makes my chubby cheeks soft and supple. No signs of lines or uneven skin tone here. 7 signs of skin aging fought!

I know you're probably tired of reading but bear with me as I put this post to a close. The best thing you can do for yourself (and your makeup artist) is to care for your skin... Intimately and intensely. After diagnosed with PCOS I had to go the extra mile to keep my skin clear and healthy because I like looking good on no makeup days and so can you! I've only given you the basics of how to go about your night skin care routine. You have to do the rest. Go out there and find the product that works best for you and stick to it like a fat kid on a lollipop. I mean really stick to it and be determined to make yourself naturally beautiful!

I'll probably go to makeup artist hell for this but makeup can only do so much. There are great makeup products that give amazing results but once you take all that off you will be left with whatever your skin actually is and you don't wanna be shocked (in a bad way) when you take your makeup off, do you? I thought so... Like I always tell my mom - this is just makeup and your natural beauty is still the base for the makeup. We guarantee you will be beautiful but we, as makeup artists, cannot guarantee ultimate perfection. We are not God or Vicki Bello. We cannot do much with your skin if you don't help yourself. It's just makeup, not surgery.

Do you have a night skin care routine that you stick to? Care to share? Leave a comment cos maybe, just maybe, there's a girl out there dying to try that product out.

Portfolio : Open Shoot

Shoot For A Cause
02 February 2013
Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife

Photographers :   Lito Caleon IV
                         Elaine Cedillo
                         Antonio T. Luna

Model : Kim Baturiano and Rina Domalaon

A lot of firsts that day - my models first photoshoot and mine as well, seeing my classmates after makeup school for the first time, first outdoor shoot and first time in the wildlife park.  Hope it won't be the last. :)