Make Up 101

The moment I told my boyfriend I was going to try and learn proper make up application, he raised his hands up in the air and said, "At long last, that's the single greatest decision you've made in your entire life." (I think he forgot to count the time I agreed to be his girlfriend.)

Why the sudden interest in prettying myself up? To be honest, I don't know - with money to spend, I believe it's my way of learning, experiencing and experimenting as much as I can, while I still can.

I asked our local hairdresser, Ester Garcia, to help me out and she agreed. Ms. Garcia is one of the trainers in the Ricky Reyes institute and has served as a judge in many local and even international hair and make up competitions. She even conducts seminars, training people to do their hair and make up. Her salon is in our barangay, which makes her parlor very accessible to me, in addition to the fact that we've been her customers since even before I was born - so the relationship is already there.

(Click here for an article of one of her latest endeavors - she is the judge wearing the orange top and khaki mini skirt)

So this is how our course went.
She started the session by instructing me to wash my face - it is vital to wash one's face before applying make up. After that, she began teaching me the basics. She painted half my face and instructed me to copy what she had done for the other half. Of course with different hands, I have strokes of my own - not to mention I'm not as adept to the art as she is. She consoled me by telling me that with daily practice I can refine my skills. Once I've completed doing my half, she let me rest for a while before asking me to wash my face again and do my whole face all by myself. I think I did pretty well, though I don't have pictures to prove it.

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Let me share some of the basic pointers she taught me.

1. First and foremost, wash your face before applying your make up. You want to start with a clean face.

2. Put on your sunblock and let it dry before applying foundation on your face. The good thing about make up is that is shields your face from the unwanted effects of the sun and your environment, just make sure that the brand you're using works well with you. You can apply your concealer at this point too.

3. Put on your foundation. I used a cake foundation today, so a wet sponge is needed. Whenever using this type, you'd have to bear in mind that the rest of the make up you'll be applying has to be wet so that it would stick to your face. There are other kinds of foundations out in the market though, like the creamy foundation, with this kind, you don't need to dampen your other make-up to paint your face.

4. Foundation is applied using an upward stroke, taking note of facial crevices like the nose and under the eyes.

5. Lightly powder your face a brush, also with upward strokes to "lift" the face. One of the strokes I notice Ms. Garcia used starts from the nose bridge then swoops towards the temple then follows the contours of the chin going down on both sides of the face.

6. Using eyebrow shadow, begin outlining your eyebrows. Brown is more youthful, black makes one look more mature. Make sure your eyebrows are plucked clean so that you'd just have to follow the curve of the eyebrow, emphasizing the height of the brow and ending it with a fading tail.

7. With regards to application of the eye shadow, paint the arc of the eyeball first (from out going in), then with rainbow strokes pull the color out until it fades and blends with the skin tone. Don't forget to clean excesses with the sponge.

8. Apply black lining below and above the eye.

9. Powder the face again lightly with an L stroke from the top side of the nose making an L as it goes under the eye area. (The stroke is in going out)

10. Putting on the blush, keep in mind that once you've started with earth tones, stick with earth tones - once you've gone with violets, stick with colors playing along that line. In putting on blush, start with the cheeks, going up the temple. The emphasis has to be more on the temple side of the face, not on the cheeks.

11. Apply lipstick, lip gloss then lip liner. In putting on lip liner, make a big Joker smile to spread out the lips and make it easier for you to outline.

12. Curl your eyelashes, then put on mascara. Mascara just needs to be on the tips, giving your eyelashes more volume and emphasis.

13. Check your face for any corrections, then lightly powder your face again with a brush and you're good to go.

Future Wedding Planning

Last Saturday, I accompanied my friend and her mom to a Wedding Expo at the PICC Forum, CCP Complex. Of course, the place was packed with couples canvassing for their perfect wedding suppliers. The main question we learned early on is that people will always ask who's getting married, and the second question, when?

Since none of us are tying the knot soon, I agreed to be the searching bride of the pack, and thus was overwhelmed with brochures and offers. When asked when the date will be, we would respond.. "The groom hasn't asked yet." That must be a real downer to the enthusiastic salesladies who thought they already have hooked a deal. Some of the stall owners would kid that they're open to reservations and would gladly just move the reservation when the groom is ready to pop the question.. Uhmm.. talk about pressure.. hahaha

The stalls were all offering a discount package if the couple would book during the expo, and I learned that most weddings are planned one to even two years ahead. There were a lot of things that have to be considered - first of which is, will you be hiring an events coordinator? If so, then you're generally easier off; but if you are stingy and highly meticulous, then feel free to plan your wedding on your own. Think about church location, wedding receptions, invitations, strings, caterers, gowns, the wedding car, souvenirs, photographers, videographers, program flow, program host and a whole heck of other things, not to mention the emotional whirlwind going inside your head and the constant worry if you're doing things in accordance to etiquette and tradition.

Whether or not my groom would approve, I've already set my mind on Lito Sy as my wedding photographer and videographer - no questions asked. I've seen his works in many of the weddings I've attended before and confess that they completely take my breath away, not to mention, they are professionally taken and beautifully retouched, if ever. His photographs always has a hint of elegance and flair that doesn't look overdone.

Going to the wedding expo, I've settled for a second option which is Smart Shot Studio. Their photographs are a bit more common, and a little crass compared to Lito Sy's portfolio, but at least they have some photographs that get my attention - though their website doesn't show off the ones I liked on their brochure. I am just drawn to their Trash the Dress segment, although of course, I can't help but think how inconvenient some of the shots are.

My wedding date is still far away in the future, but I guess since we're already hitting our 4th year anniversary, I think it would be cool if I can start doing my budgeting and forecasting, as well as planning so as not to incur too many problems when the time comes. Weddings are a million dollar business, according to a friend of mine, so I better be ready with my cash when my time comes.

Hon, I'm not pressuring you! :D

Depression Cooking with Clara

While surfing the net a couple of days ago, prophecies of a really bad 2009 seems to be abuzz - it is the return of the great depression. Here in the Philippines, the depression has long been in existence so the economic downturn in the US is not as dramatically felt as in other bigger nations around the globe, or so I'd like to think. Aware of this years unfavorable tides, people are finding ways to tighten their belts and generally be as cost efficient as possible.

Being the master of bringing in overnight superstars, the net got everyone hooked on a unique cooking show that would really draw you to love, respect and adore your chef. Reminding you of your old sweet grandma, 93 year old great grandmother, Clara Cannucciari is now teaching the world some simple and basic recipes she learned from the great depression of the 1930s. Forget about those fancy indecipherable and unheard of ingredients in cookbooks, Clara teaches recipes that are generally kitchen staples, like potatoes, onions and eggs. Clara entertains and shares with everyone not only her frugal and nourishing meals, but also with her stories and warmth. I heart watching her shows on YouTube now that I learned about it - she reminds me of my grandmother, and oh how I miss her.


I also learned that you can even add her up and be a fan or friend in facebook, and that totally got me stoked. I added her up in a jiffy.

Her grandson is very lucky to have thought of recording his grandmother's long kept knowledge and memories. Sometimes I wish I could still have my grandmother backing me up and teaching me the many recipes she used to want to pass on to me.

Pamper-Me Sunday

Every once in a while, we all seek some time for ourselves and try to get some much needed pampering - but I recognize that I am not all that happy-go-spending; throwing my money to the next spa salon I see, especially during this economic downturn. Trying to experiment, I bought myself Melissa Pinzana-Cruz' "The Home Spa" (from Powerbooks), an interesting book where she lists down several recipes using some of our common, natural ingredients - sure to be found in many of our kitchens.

I've decided to try a new recipe every week - dubbing every Sunday, a "Pamper-Me Sunday", starting today. So what did I do to myself today? I tried out three home-made spa recipes namely: Sugar Foot Scrub, Egg Yolk Hair treatment and Egg and Honey Mask. Dimming my room, I laid an old towel on the floor and one on the bed and prepared all the stuff I needed. I then popped my Cool Sexy Jazz CD into my laptop and had it begin playing some nice soothing music. Let the pampering commence..

The foot scrub is a simple combination of sugar and baby oil, which I used to rub and scrub my footskies, after which I washed the mixture off then pat dried my feet. It left my two feet soft and smooth.

Although the recipe for the Egg and Honey mask is meant only for the face, the quantity was much more that I even got to coat my whole body with the mixture. I lied down on the towel I placed on my bed and waited for fifteen minutes. As expected the mask was very sticky that I couldn't wait to get to the shower after my timer began ringing. Honey, as you all should know, is known to have healing abilities, not to mention a popular humectant.

I got into the shower and washed off the Egg and Honey mask only to apply the Egg Yolk hair treatment - a mixture of egg yolk, shampoo and water. Left it on for five minutes before rinsing.

Generally, I'm pretty happy with today's little feat although I am not sure if I did the recipes correctly or if it would have a substantial effect on me, but what I liked most is the feeling of being pretty after all that quote and quote, pampering. Sure left me a little tired though, think I'd like to lie down now and get some sleep. :D

Eyes 03.2009

After work yesterday, I headed to an eye clinic to have my eyes checked again. Actually, I was more than prepared to shell out the cash for my eyeglasses. I informed the doctor that I had a complete night's rest but my eyes were still tired from a day of computer exposure. We had the testing done and the result - my left eye is still in perfect condition, but my right eye seems to be showing a grade of 75. He suggested that I return the next day and redo the examination to get a more accurate result.

Following doctor's instructions, I returned to the clinic and redid the whole examination. My left eye passed, but my right eye still has a low grade of 25, astigmatism. I inquired if it would still be possible to correct my sight and he did assure me that it is still possible. He wasn't really recommending a pair of glasses to me, but since I was so adamant to get my perfect eyesight back, he said it is possible to give me a pair to fix my right eye's current problem - 6 months until the next check-up.

I'm just going to pick up my current eyeglass frame at home and have them checked - maybe I can save myself the pains of an extra 900 Php cost. My dreams of being a stewardess is not yet dead!

Special Celebrity for Disney!

OMG OMG OMG! I just couldn't believe this is actually happening! :D

BIG SMILE ON MY FACE!

100 Days of Solitude

Today marks the 100th day since my grandma first passed away and the general family has gone to Manila Memorial (Dasmarinas, Cavite) to pay their respects and perform the obligatory rituals. I wish I could go, but since I had work, my family advised me not to absent myself. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if she were still here. *sigh.

Digital Make Over

Let's not be hypocrites, no matter how pretty we are (whether or not you believe it), sometimes we don't feel as pretty as we ought to be. An unflattering camera angle can highlight or hide one's human flaws and since photographs usually bear big memory-lane weights, we want to make sure that the picture either goes unnoticed, gets forgotten or gets fixed. With modern technology, your prayers have been answered.

I saw this earlier while surfing online. More reason not to patronize those Barbie magazine cover girls.

Vanity. Vanity. Vanity.

Of course, aside from the fact that I have to make sure my hair's not a mess when my picture is being taken.. I'd have to think about the pose. Yup, summer's just about here and that means - outings, which means - pictures! So I surfed more and found this! haha

Dogs. Rabies. Money.

Dogs are man's best friends, but that is only after their anti-rabies vaccination. Unless you have almost 10,000 pesos to spare, don't get bitten by a dog.

Yesterday, trying to intercede two of our fighting dogs, my sister was accidentally bitten on her arm. There wasn't any blood, no grave visible injuries, just a small mark of its teeth on her skin. We brought her to several hospitals which pointed us to San Lazaro hospital - a government hospital that specializes in animal bites.

According to my dad, being bitten by a dog under the waist would mean a week-long incubation period for the rabies disease to manifest. While a bite above the waist would mean that the person has less than a day to find treatment else would have higher chances of going bonkers and dying on that same day.

Another trivia to know: the rabies virus is smaller than a dot on a piece of paper or a pinhole, which means even the most harmless looking bite can prove fatal - so unless the dog has been vaccinated, you are going to be splurging on your treatments for the next month. Aside from paying for an expensive ERIG treatment, PVRV and some anti-tetanus, you'd have to return to the hospital four more PVRV shots to make your system immune to the virus for a year or two. The doctor will be providing a schedule when the patient has to go back for her next shot - follow it religiously because missing one shot on the prescribed date means going back and starting from the beginning. Is it costly? read the first line of this post.

A last pointer which I learned - you can actually try to ask the doctor if the prescription for the patient can be halfed, compared to purchasing a full vial - then you can find someone who'd be willing to share the other half with you in order to save some money. A full vial though is recommended especially if the dog can no longer be traced or has died, as a safety measure - so keep in mind what the dog looks like, and if it would be possible, try to keep an eye on the dog that bit you until you finish your shots - according to my gramps, once the dog goes crazy, you're bound to go rabid soon after.

Can we tell if the dog has rabies? You can bring it to a center to have it tested. If it's positive, the answer is yes. If it's negative, it can be a false negative. Do the math. So you have to still go through the treatment? As if you have a choice.

An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Have your dogs vaccinated with anti-rabies as soon as possible rather than go through all these unnecessary processes we have to go through now.

Going Back to Nature

Back in third year high school, I was using an ointment for my pimples - it's a Chinese whitening for-external-use ointment that's supposed to help clear up my face and give me a more oriental beauty glow given to me by my grandma. Because I was so desperate to get the pimples off my face, I layered the ointment onto my skin and the result? My skin got burned. The ointment kind of made big red spots on my face which lasted for weeks, that was more horrendous than just a constellation of pimples.

What did I do during that time? My grandma suggested I try using egg whites onto my face everyday to heal it, she also told me not to use the ointment for the time being. She used the same ointment every night, but kept it as thin as possible onto her face. I am not sure if the egg whites really helped, but it sure did make my face feel tightened.

On other occasions, when my face was already back to normal, she would suggest combining egg whites with calamansi and use it like a facial-slash-toner since I was complaining that Eskinol really stings my skin and dries it up.

Earlier this year, I found a friend selling organic products in her online site, called Earthly Delights, and was intrigued. She guarantees that her products are 100% ORGANIC, 100% PHILIPPINE INGREDIENTS and 100% NO HARMFUL CHEMICALS. Our family was always a big fan of organic stuff - from organic rice to organic eggs to organic I-don't-know, so I took the liberty of purchasing some of her items. By some I mean - organic shampoo, facial wash, toner, night and day treatment, lotion, etc.


Pictures were lifted from Earthly delights site and was slightly Photoshop-ed.

I tried most of the products I bought, a couple of nights ago and I attest with an extremely big grin on my face that - they work. I got the egg white and aloe vera shampoo and tried on my dry, brittle hair (yes, my shampoo right now are just those recycled hotel shampoos from my grandparents' many trips abroad - so you can imagine). It resulted to a softer and fuller head, a result similar to the time I tried to put mayonnaise on my hair but without the irritating mayo smell or the oiliness that goes with it.

I also tried the Calendula facial, then Tomato toner, followed by Royal Jelly (Day or Night), and I am really impressed and can really boast that it made my skin feel so much softer. It does give a feeling of refreshment too.

My happiness meter is full with regards to my purchase. Definitely a good buy, not to mention, they're pretty cheap too! :D Why harm oneself with chemical concoctions and weird unheard of acids and bases when natural products are available at reachable prices? Just saying.

*UPDATE: I tried to pry a little more and learned that the products are from a group called Human Heart Nature. This said group is spearheaded by the daughters of Gawad Kalinga's Tony Meloto and is geared towards making this world a better place through patriotism and environmentalism by selling and distributing organic products.

Summer of 2009

It's going to be a beach-filled summer!

Summer is just a few more days away, and my friends and I are already planning our next outing. Finally, we were able to make reservations at La Luz Beach Resort - a beach we've been meaning to go to, or if not, a beach I've been nagging to go to for almost two years ever since I read this - just perfect, no "rude oglers". This year, I'm doing most of the planning parts and I think I've done a successful job of getting everyone's approval and chaining them to that conviction because of the 50% down payment required by the said resort for the reservation.


Pictures were lifted from the La Luz Beach Resort site and Photoshop-ed a little bit.
(Please note, it took me practically forever to make a reservation at this resort - for some reason their customer service is a little slow - irritated me that I was following up on their responses via email, text and even by calling - the first two garnered no response, although they claimed to have replied.. twice!)

The next big question after reserving the beach is the bathing suit. After my boyfriend's rather expensive attempt to make me wear a bikini, I finally learned to find the inner bikini body in me and actually feel comfortable in wearing one - provided that it gives me the support and coverage that I need. Post my grandmother's demise, our family has been banned from wearing yellows and reds in the next 2 years - so my boyfriend's red hot Victoria Secret bikini would have to stay in the closet for that time. Not to be held back, I took the initiative of actually trying to look for a bikini myself.

Surfing online, I found Cocotini Bikinis and absolutely fell desperately in love with her collection. The additional details most definitely add to the overall appeal of the bikini. Compared to the many non-descript swimwear I've been finding online, which generally showcase the same cuts with just a variety of printed patterns, Cocotini has added some embellishments and features that make the products stand out and not look like just-another-bikini.


Pictures were lifted from the Cocotini Bikinis site and Photoshop-ed a little bit.

To cut the story short, I sent a PM detailing my inquiries. I think I was so desperate, not to mention, so eager to get the bikinis, that I think I checked my multiply every other hour just to check if there was already a reply. :D

We finally agreed to meet at her place last Thursday, after my work, so I can fit her swimwear since I have a rather hefty top and might not fit in the general Large for Asians. The owner was so kind to me the whole time, as she showed the tops that she thinks would suit my size. She even taught me the proper ways of wearing and caring for a bikini. What happened? I bought two bikinis for only 1,200 php (Well, one two piece and the other, just the top). I think that was a rather good deal, don't you think? Well my boyfriend gave me his two thumbs up for my purchase.

Overall, it was absolutely a five star buy for me and I couldn't wait to show it off to my friends in our definite summer outing at the end of the month.

*giddy with excitement!

Crossroad

A week ago, I went to a nearby eye clinic and had my eyes checked. I observed that I was experiencing awful headaches, vertigo and a difficulty in focusing my eyes. Through the test, I learned that I have already incurred eye damage - near-sightedness. Due to this, I feel compelled to revamp my current lifestyle of being in front of the computer over 15 hours a day.

Today, perhaps paired with the lack of sufficient rest and sleep, I am experiencing the same throbs in the head and a slight hint of nausea as I battle the computer screen. Yes, I've already reduced the screen brightness to almost nothing but I cannot deny how much it still pains my eyes.

I have no intention of compromising my health to this degree, as my eyesight is one of my favored pride and asset - needing to wear corrective glasses is a very regretful thing for me, indeed. I am asserting myself to increase my Vitamin A intake and improve my diet, as I've noticeably become wider in the past few months. I don't know how I can squeeze in more rest into my schedule, but I will strive to find the best possible way to do just that. Physically, aside from a substantial weight gain, people notice that I am usually haggard, aged and tired - exhibiting irritability, fatigue and a general lack of enthusiasm.

Are my earnings a good enough reason to be enduring this? After my back pain a couple of weeks ago, I've come to thinking that my lifestyle these past five months is slowly depriving me of my life, and is, quite frankly, killing me. Something must be done, and that something must be done soon.

I really do hope everything would turn out alright.

Too Much Bacon

This lunch, I challenged myself with a Wendy's Baconator, a sinful pack of calories and fat paired up with some deep-fried french fries and a glass of Sprite - truly I can imagine it whacking my whole system with all it's juicy lard. Processed pigs and cows held together with white mayonnaise and a couple of buns.

I wasn't able to finish my burger in one, even two seatings - it lasted me the whole day just to completely consume the whole burger - a serious slap to a girl who used to pride herself for her seemingly insatiable appetite. My current lifestyle is depriving me of my daily food intake and has already weakened my buffet bonanza powers.

And right after finally overcoming this gigantic feat, I get to click onto this site from a work mate's YM status.. Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing the "Bacon Explosion Pork Bomb Barbecue Recipe" by the BBQ Pit Boys.

You must admit, that bacon weave looks mighty tasty.

That's why heart disease is the leading killer of mankind - but at least you die happy.

My Problem with Semi-Pro Camera Users

Yesterday, I met up with a good college buddy. He happened to be in the vicinity and had requested for some company. Having not seen him in what seemed like ages, I met up him and had some drinks in the Powerbooks coffee section of Greenbelt. He was in Glorietta covering a Honda event for one of his part-time jobs. Being an avid car lover and photography enthusiast, he has combined the two hobbies into a profitable sideline. In the course of the conversation, he had mentioned how competitive the photography profession is especially with the current surge of demand for professional cameras.

Admittedly, back in college, while I was taking up my Communication Arts course, I used to go crazy over photography, putting it up on the pedestal as one of the professions I hope to pursue. Beknownst to me, the world was gradually seeing the photography in the same light and those who can afford it have invested at the very least, a semi-professional cameras, which they proudly and quite boastfully bring to major events.

I had no problems with this until one of my uncles brought his semi-professional camera to my great grandmother's funeral last year. For some reason, I felt offended at how he kept taking pictures as the people wept around the casket and walked behind the black funeral car with the dirge playing old Chinese favorites. He felt so impersonal that I realized how detached he appeared to be - like he wasn't present to mourn the loss of his grandmother, but seems to be either showing off his expensive camera and making keepsakes of his outstanding angles. I doubt a funeral is something you'd like to plaster all over your family album.

With the digitalization of photography, people can take pictures for granted - no longer worried about wasting good film or a blurred shot. Pictures can quickly be seen, assessed, erased, and plugged into a computer for editing. It's because of this hassle-free technology that people are drawn to it - to an irritating point that you hear everyone boasting about angles and blurs and apertures - that it makes you wonder if they have any idea what they are really talking about.

I am not sure if this is a form of sourgraping, but I know I don't like trends very much - they just ruin the fun when you know everyone's doing it. But... honestly, seeing flighty kids my age and sometimes even older use these semi-professional cameras to show off or just to camwhore is really irritating.

Now, having sufficient money to buy myself one - I am sitting in the middle feeling extremely hesitant it would be a worthwhile investment.

Starting a Personal Customized Shoe Collection

During the Christmas break, my dad had us all wake up early in the morning to do some jogging/ walking. Our grandfather also joins us in these dawn treks around our neighborhood in order to improve his blood circulation. Due to this, it has come to our attention that I don't have any more functional rubber shoes. They are either of the wrong color, or at the verge of being put to the grave. By the wrong color, I mean that it has bright vibrant colors, which I or my siblings are not allowed to wear.

Following Chinese tradition, once a family member moves on to their next life, we would have to go through a period of mourning. During these times, bright colors, reds and yellows are forbidden in the next two years. I had to pack away almost all of my good clothes in a big suitcase, not to be touched until the mourning period has elapsed.

Going to back to my story, since I don't have any rubber shoes, I decided to buy a pair of cheap Advan canvas shoes and customize it to my own liking. A pair costs around 200 pesos. This is what I finished.



For bigger images, check them out in my multiply site. I entitled it "Butterfly", in loving memory of my late grandmother. It is believed that the spirit of departed beloved returns to us in the form of a butterfly.

After seeing what I finished, my mom and a couple more friends felt that it would be wasteful for me to wear it and have it all dirtied up. My boyfriend suggested that I start a collection - buy another pair of Advan and continue producing these customized shoes, keep the nice ones and wear the not-so-interesting pairs. Sounds like a pretty outrageous thing, but it's pretty cool, thinking you have your own collection of customized shoes. I can also probably consider this for my next Christmas give-away. :)