ConCeaLer RouTiNe***

Concealers as we all know plays a very big role in make-up nowadays as it hides our dark areas as highlights our entire face as well. There are a lot of types of concealers out there but the main focus for this post is on how to apply them. So i'll be showing you my routine in applying my concealer.

Revlon Colorstay Concealer in Medium/Deep Tone

I prefer to use cream concealers because its very easy to apply and most of all its very easy to blend away for that natural look.

You'll have a choice of your own on what material you'll use to perform this process, you can have it either by a concealer brush, a sponge, or by your own ring finger (I use my finger if i do it on myself because its so much easy Ü).

Concealer Brush and a Sponge

How To Use Your Concealer Brush:

• As we all know you must use a very clean brush. You don't want to get acne or pimples for this right? hehehe
• place the right amount that you desire in your dark under-eyes (if you have one Ü).
• gently blend away the concealer to make it look natural, but still focusing on your darkness.
• also, don't forget to apply around the redness of the side part of your nose and the redness on the sides and under your mouth area.
  
• then gently pat the brush to blend and secure the concealer on the eyes.
• finally, set the concealer with loose powder to prevent it from slipping off your under-eyes.
  

How To Use Your Sponge:

• Use a disposable sponge for this method, because if you don't then you'll get pimples due to the bacterias trapped on the sponge.
• start by applying the right amount or concealer around your eye area. Also, apply on the sides of the nose and on the sides and under of the mouth as well.
• begin to blend the concealer by patting the sponge around the areas where it needs coverage. Make it look natural.
• Set the concealer by patting on loose powder.

How To Use Your Ring Finger:

• Start off by a very clean finger. You already know the consequences right? hehehe
• then apply the right amount of concealer on your under-eyes, nose, and mouth.
• start blending off by patting the concealer using your ring finger. Remember to be gentle specially around your eyes to prevent wrinkles and pre-mature sagging.
• set by patting on loose powder.

comment if you have the same way of applying concealer as i do! Ü

FoUnDaTiOn MeThOdS***

This post will be all about the methods i've learned for applying my foundation. I actually started learning this from make-up guru's that i watch ever since i started doing make-up. And so i'll be sharing what i knew to all of you.

Lets start with the most basic one...

the what i call " Sponge Method ":

disposable sponges

this method is often used by a lot of beginners for make-up, even by some of the make-up artist cannot lose this method. For me this is the very first method of foundation application.

How i do it:

• first i wash the sponges to make sure they're clean and safe to use.
• then i dip the sponge in a glass of water. This way the sponge will absorb less product so it won't be wasted.
• then i dot the 4 main parts of my face, the forehead, nose, chin and the cheeks.
• after which, i blend the foundation evenly by dotting it all over my face. Apply more if desired, but not too much as it will cast a ghostly appearance.
• after the face go on to your neck for a more natural and even look.

Likes:

• this method gives me a more natural look because i can control the amount of foundation that i will be applying on my face.
• good for everyday look if applied properly.
• does not cake the foundation
  
• makes it easy to apply my foundation.
• gives my face that light-weight feeling as if i'm just wearing sunblock.

Dislikes:

• burns out money because you have to buy another pack of sponges if you used all your sponges. That's why its disposable because you need to throw it away after using (for hygiene purposes).
• if you don't soak the sponge with water, it will surely sip all the foundation that you're supposed to put on your face. (well i guess the sponge needs it more than you do, hehehe)
• you really need tome to work on blending more because some sponges are too tiny like the triangular-shaped ones.

Next will the " Foundation Brush Method ":

Foundation Brushes

I really love this method because this evens out my foundation evenly using criss-cross motions. The brush for this method is like flat and square-shaped, this will help distributing and the foundation all over the face and blending it in a breeze. I have observed that a lot of make-up artists uses this method, even Michelle Phan is a fan of this foundation method as she uses this in almost all of her tutorials. This way of applying liquid foundie is a delight for me.

How i do it:

• i pour a pea-sized amount on the back part of my hand.
• then i dip this brush on the foundation that i have just poured in my hand.
• apply on the 4 main parts of the face.
• start distributing the product on your face by using the criss-cross motion to avoid streak marks.
• after your done distributing, blend the foundation for an even coverage and a more natural look.
• go on for your neck area for that natural and even skin tone
  
• apply more if desired but not too much.

Likes:

• very easy way to apply foundation
• does not waste a lot of product compared with the sponge method
• creates a more natural look
• does not cake the foundation
  
• does not cost much
  

Dislikes:

• gives off streak marks if not used well. But if in case of streak mark emergency, use the sponge and dab it all over to blur the foundation and make the streak marks disappear.
  

Finally we have the " Stippling Method ":

Stippling brush

Stippling method is one of the most amazing way to apply foundation because it gives an amazing result, an air-brushed effect if i may say so. No doubts this is my favorite among all but its just that it takes time to perform this method if you want that amazing result. But still this method does wonders to every make-up artists and make-up enthusiast.

How i do it:

• pour a pea-sized amount of foundation at the back of your hand as always. (This warms the foundation and will make it easier for you to apply it on your face)
• swirl the stippling brush on the foundation with a generous amount.
• then start stippling the brush from your cheeks and spread the foundation all over the face but still so the stippling method. This will make the "staying power (is that what you call that? Ü)" of your foundation longer.
• blend by stippling from the face until the neck area for that even and natural look.
• apply more i desired, but again, not too much.
  

Likes:

• lengthens the staying power of the foundation
• creates an air-brushed effect it used well
• does not cake the foundation
• perfect for clubbing or parties and other events

Dislikes:

• takes time to perform this method

Overall, whatever you do to apply foundation, either by stipling, by sponge, or by a foundation brush, do it, but just remember that you have to obtain that natural and flawless look always. Never apply too much foundation as if your wearing a mask (except for Halloween Ü) because it hides your real beauty. I remembered someone say, "Make-up is not to hide your real face to look beautiful, but rather, it is to show your real face and make it look beautiful."

HaViE's NeW OuTFiT***

Last week a local mall had their midnight sale, and so me and my mom decided to be a part of that great opportunity. As we were walking around the mall, i was twisting my head 360degrees (as if i could do that, hahaha) for something that i could use for school, but my eyes were caught by these items, a dog's shoes and a shirt (or maybe a jacket hehehe). So for this blog i give you my haul for Havie!

I got the items for a really really low price (for the shirt P350 and for the shoes P200) because of their midnight sale.
Havie seems happy with what she wears, i mean no offense but we also want to treat them special right? We should love our dogs the way we love our family.


Look! she's even bragging her new outfit with Odin (our Labrador). They're the best buddies in our home. Every afternoon we give them time to go out and play together. They're so sweet when they're playing, but if its time for their meal its time for them to be separated, i mean this chihuahua is so darn selfish for food (hahaha).

After i dressed havie with fer new outfit, my mom was really entertained watching her. Even our neighbors drop by to say hello and bid goodbye after watching him walking around our grounds.
Because my mom was so pleased with what she saw, She asked me to get more outfits for havie, well, i can't say no if it will be the reason for this cutie to look cute! Ü

HoW I cLeAn My BrUsHeS***

Ü!! Warning - Picture Loaded Post!! Ü

Cleaning our brushes is one major factor in make-up that we shouldn't forget to do, this action is a must for us make-up lovers and addicts. However, there are people who tend to overlook on this issue not knowing what will be the effects of this. Not cleaning your brush is just the same as not cleaning your face, because the bacteria that has been in that brush will be on your face the next time you'll be using it (and i swear you don't like to have breakouts, pimples and acnes all over your gorgeous face, so minus points for our guys out there right? Ü ). Actually i got the way i clean my brushes from some of my favorite make-up gurus in youtube. So in this post i will be sharing you my way of cleaning my brushes. Ü

Things you'll need:
Hair shampoo, Olive oil, Honey Shampoo
and a little bowl
and a spare make-up (non-latex) sponge

How i do it:
(Ingredients mixing)

-pour half a tablespoon of olive oil (this ingredient moisturizes the brush)
- (optional) add a tablespoon of honey and vitamin rich shampoo (this nourishes
the hair of the brushes as it contains honey and vitamin E which is also good
for the skin)
- now pour a tablespoon of your hair shampoo (this cleans and sanitizes the brush)
-after everything has been poured its time to mix all of them.
-this is how it should look (very much like a soup. Ü)

(Time for the Brushes to get cleaned!!! Ü)

• first things first! wet the brushes to get rid or make-up residues or particles.

• step two, dip the dirty brushes on the little bowl where our mixture for cleaning is at.
  

• step three is swiping it against the hand in a circular motion. doing it this way, the brush will absorb the cleanser to also clean and kill the bacterias and germs that built their homes inside.

- as for the eye brushes (which includes the concealer brush), use the spare non-latex make-up brush to do this step.

• the fourth step would be rinsing off the shampoo from your brushes. This will take way the germs and bacterias that had their build-up in the hard-to-reach areas inside the brush. Thus, will give you a fresher and cleaner brush to use.

• the fifth and final step is drying. After i have just rinsed it i take off the excess water by swiping the wet brush in a circular motion on a piece of cloth or a dry towel. Then i'll leave laying on a top of a table with it's head hanging out for airdrying.

Tips:

• never leave your brushes standing up after washing as the water will soften the glue that binds the hair to the ferrule and handle making your brush hair separated from its body.
• be gentle when your washing this to avoid shedding.
• to make the drying time short, leave the brushes the way i did but with a turned-on electric fan in front of it.
  
• always know that synthetic brushes dries longer than natural hair. Natural hair dries quickly compared to the synthetic ones.
• never give a try on blow-drying your brushes, i swear you'll never like the result like i do.

mAyBeLLiNe's WaTeRsHiNe 3D CoLLaGeN LiPsTiCk***

as what i've been mentioning from my previous reviews on products, i said that i'm not really a fan for lip products but i admit that i'm a sucker for face products like foundation base, liquid foundations, pressed powders, etc.. ok lets move on with this, to cut this short, i wanna introduce you to another lippie of mine. Presenting my Maybelline Watershine 3D Collagen Lipstick!



Likes:

• gives my lips that lucious color
• feels refreshing on my lips
• does not feel heavy on me
• don't need to apply lip balm anymore (but i still do)
• has a lot of color to choose from
• contains smooth natural oils for easy application
• has collagen which is another addiction factor for this
• very affordable (priced reasonably)
• locally available
• moisturizes my lips more than any lipstick that i've got
• this product reminds me of maybelline watershine diomond lipstick
• can stay longer if applied properly

Dislikes:

• nothing much... maybe is just that as what i said before "i'm not a lippie addict" Ü
  

Tips:

• to make the lip color last longer, pat a little bit of powder/foundation on your lips, apply your lipstick then blot with a tissue to set everything, then finally reapply you lipstick and top with your lipgloss. That way the color will last longer.
• for this kind of lipstick that maybelline made, you don't have the problem to choose the right shade for you anymore! pick one color and its already the best for you!
• i would prefer using a lip brush for this as a brush will give the lips the most perfect coverages (even the ones between the "bumpy" part of your lips)
• close the cover well after using if you dont want your kit to use the lipstick more than you do (swatches on your make-up kit galore!). Ü
  

mAyBeLLiNe cLeAr SmOoTh FaCe PoWdEr***

Among all of my finishing powders or should i say pressed powders, this baby turns out to be my favorite among the bunch. Presenting the most abused one, my Maybelline Clear Smooth Face Powder!

(back part of the compact case)

Likes:

• it has SPF18 to protect skin from the sun
• contains oil absorbing ingredients to prevent oil production on the T-zone area
• extreme fine powder that glides on skin so easy and melts smoothly.
• coverage is perfect
• looks natural on the skin
• does not cake when applied too much (but will look weird though, hehehe)
• blends well with your skintone
• no weird scents like any other make-up
• really takes the shine off your face for a long time (not really all day, 6hrs maybe)
• has a lot of shades to choose from
• comes in two sizes the small one and the bigger one
  
• very affordable (priced reasonably)
• locally available
  

Dislikes:

• just that the logo from the compact's cover fades that's all. Ü
  

(the product with my Mary Kay Powder/Blush Brush)
see? i really mean it when i say "the most abused one" Ü

Tips:

• upon choosing the right shade, don't go for the shade lighter or darker than yours, get the shade that best matches yours.
• i recommend using a brush for this product because if you do so, more powders will get stuck with the powder puff that came with this leading to wastage.
• if you decided to retouch your make-up, make sure to blot the oil from your skin if you don't want that pimple to get on your face (based from what happened to me, huhuhu).
• avoid dropping the compact to prevent the product from breaking or shattering (you don't want to waste your hard-earned money right? Ü).
• for travel its best to use a kabuki brush for this. Trust me, buffing this powder well makes your face look gorgeous at its best looking natural of course. Ü

PoSt MoThEr'S DaY GiVeAwAy***

This awesome Contest ends on May 23, 2010. Click HERE to know the contest rules! Good Luck to all of us!!!

mAyBeLLiNe cLeAr SmOoTh AqUa GeL FoUnDaTiOn***

Another foundie on my stash. Presenting, my Maybelline Clear Smooth Aqua Gel Foundation!



From Maybelline:

• water-based formula that gives skin a light and fresh sensation
• controls shine for an all day perfect and healthy-looking complexion
• evens out skin tone and covers imperfection
• feels soothing and cares for your skin with chamomile, aloe and vitamin E

Likes:

• water-based formula that makes it easy to apply
• color blends my skintone well (i have the SAND)
• does not have that make-up scent
• does not dry up too quickly (so we get the time to blend it well)
• glides on the skin smoothly
  
• moisturizes my face well
• contains chamomile, aloe and Vitamin E to nourish the skin
• feels cool when applied to the skin
• evens out skintone well
• does not cake-up if applied too much (but will really look weird if you do so)
• does not irritate my skin
• locally available
• affordable (priced reasonably)

Dislikes:

• Does not really cover my imperfections
• not long lasting (as it vanishes in about 5hrs after)
• for oily skin you really need to wear primer first to make this last longer

Tips:

• apply moisturizer before application (for dry skin)
• apply skin primer first before this foundie to make this last longer (for oily skin)
• use with a foundation brush for a well-blended look
• you can also use your stippling brush for that air-brushed effect
• don't use with sponge as it will absorb your product leading to wastage, instead, use the sponge to even out the part where you thickly applied your foundie to even it out.
• some people say "get the shade lighter than your skin tone", some says, "get the one darker than your skin tone"... screw that hahaha! Be sure to get the shade that is "YOUR" shade, not lighter, not darker, get the Shade that matches your skintone.
• before application, get the right amount (pea-sized) at the back of your hand to warm the foundie so it will be easy for you to spread it on your face.

mAyBeLLiNe***

Actually i made this haul last march, but blogging was not really what felt at that time.Though i'm late, i'm still gonna give you this haul report that i made before my bestfriend's graduation, as they say, "its better late that never" right? So here they are, Take a look at my mini Maybelline Haul!

Maybelline's Clear Smooth Aqua Gel Foundation

Maybelline's Watershine 3d Collagen Lipstick

Maybelline's Clear Smooth Face Powder
Maybelline's Eye Studio Eyeshadow Quad

To be honest, i just got an hour or less to do this beauty shopping, i mean, my bestfriend is really excited to get her shoes from a favorite boutique (well i'll get the blame for that because i promised to get her a new pair for her graduation ball). So overall, i'm still happy with what i got!
So keep posted girls, i promise to give a review of each product!

mAyBeLLiNe's EyE StuDiO EyEsHaDoW QuAd ***

The only eyeshadow palette that you'll find sleeping in my kikay kit. Presenting, the most abused one, my Maybelline Eye Studio Eyeshadow Quad!



From Maybelline's Website:
Rich color. Smooth feel. Now silk makes shadow new again. Our exclusive formula with silk pigments creates the ultimate shadow texture and luminosity.

For Best Result:

"SUBTLE CHIC LOOK"
Illuminate– sweep lightest shade all over eye using wider side of applicator, from lash line to brow bone.
Blend – apply second shade across full lid; using tapered end of brush, add shade to lower lash line for depth.
Emphasize – sweep third shade from inner corner to middle of lid.
Contour – line darkest shade on upper lash line with tapered end of brush for added intensity.

"HIGH IMPACT LOOK"
Illuminate – sweep lightest shade all over eye using wider side of applicator, from lash line to brow bone.
Emphasize – blend second shade from inner corner to middle of lid.
Intensify – apply third shade from outer corner to middle of lid; line upper and lower lash for extra pop.
Deepen – add darkest shade in crease and line upper and lower lash line for more impact.

Likes:

• gives my eyes intensity at its best
• makes my eyes pop
• love the color that i chose (i think i got the "Give Me Gold" color)
• texture is very soft and light
• does not make my eyes feel heavy
• color pay-off is really great
• gives me that vibrant color even without an eye primer
  
• blends easily
• gives off that shimmery look for the eye
• packaging is good
• locally available

Dislikes:

• too shimmery if not used properly
• glitters all over the cheek area after application
• expensive (for a quad i think)
• can easily break due to its texture (too powdery)
• applicator is not really useful (for me, hehehe, but read till very end to find out how you can use this effectively)

Tips:

• if applying this quad, better use with a brush to achieve that classy blended look.
• place a tissue or any paper that will protect your cheeks from the fall-outs of this quad as this will really stick to your cheek area and you'll find it so hard to take the shimmer out.
• use the applicator which comes with this quad to apply the lightest shade to your tear duct area for a more vibrant eye look (this method will brighten your eyes).
• don't use too much of this if you don't like your eyes to appear like a shimmering disco ball.
• i don't really recommend this for day use as the sun which reflects natural light on your eyes will make it appear more glittery.
• better use this quad for evening parties, clubbings, and gigs.
  

Overall, i really like this product, why shouldn't i when it brings out the best of my eyes right?
Although i must say that this product is pricey compared to such brands as E.L.F., Elianto, or Nichido, the price you'll pay is worth of what you'll get from this. Good thing for me because i bought this when maybelline had their sale (20% off the original price maybe? not so sure), as a matter of fact, i bought other product from them too. So if you're a make-up addict like me, why not get this right?

Total Damage: P400.00+ (not so sure anymore, i forgot.)