The best part

Another awesome vacation in Vancouver meant re-stocking my goods. This is the best part, now I'm re-energized to get work done! :) Let's do it! :)

 

Oh btw, meet Rebel, my airbrush model on paper haha she just came to say hi. :)

 

Toodles! :)

Recommended Detox Weekend: The Farm at San Benito (Pics!)

Hi All,

Let me share with you some pictures from the best weekend I have ever spent in my life. Last weekend, me and my brother went to The Farm at San Benito located in Lipa City Batangas. The Farm is known for its all vegan food menu and their 49 acres of abundant coconut land transformed into a wellness and spa resort. I had been to The Farm years ago for a day trip with my parents and remembered enjoying their Pure Vegan buffet, but I never really went around the place and experienced it till now.

Since I realized that this weekend was the closest I'd get to a holiday this summer, I decided to make the most out of it. And the most it definitely was. The Farm turned out to be the perfect place for me since it is very conducive to my new lifestyle choice (healthy healthy-han haha). 

The Weekend was composed of Yoga, Self meditation, Swimming, SPA treatments and Exercise. That, and the fact that everything you're eating is healthy, pure vegan and it was absolutely delicious! Mostly all of the ingredients found in their recipes are grown in the Premises too, organic and full of good things for the body. 

(click on images to view larger)

We stayed at the Sulu 10 cottage, it was stunning :)

My most favorite place in The Farm would be the SPA, I would hang out here just look out to the view, do some laps in the pool and just sit, bask in the calmness.

 

I even managed to do some Yoga on the Edge  and around The Farm

And of course, some of the food that we ate (Yes all is PURE VEGAN, not even Dairy!)

 

Beautiful mornings :)

And they have a bunch of peacocks roaming the vicinity, beautiful!

Me and my Bro swimming

 On the last day, I found this hidden meditation spot and fell absolutely in Love!

And of course, the Beauty Junkie that I am, I didn't leave without some all natural Skincare products from The Farm, Yummehhh!! :)

Overall, I would give my The Farm at San Benito experience 100 THUMBS UP!! It was the best weekend ever, I know i have kept saying that over and over during and after my stay but it really was. The Farm is definitely my kind of place, something I would choose over and Beach trip. Me and my brother were so elated with our trip that we are planning on our next one already! :)

I do recommend a Detox weekend like this once in a while in a place like The Farm,  for a healthier mind, body and soul. :)

Namaste!

Toodles! :)

Follow me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarlaAvancena

Twitter: www.twitter.com/cabyness

Instagram: Cabyness

MAC LE lipstick in Runway Red

Hi Girls,

I've had this lipstick for about 2 months now neatly stored in my kit. I have used it a couple of times for my clients and as the name states, I actually first tried it out during a fashion show. MAC's Limited Edition lipstick in Runway Red was part of the Shop Mac collection which was released a couple of months ago. I wasn't supposed to add this to my list but since I don't own MAC's coveted Russian Red, I decided to get Runway Red. And I have no idea why I tried this on myself only now.

MAC Lipstick in Runway Red

Swatch

Runway Red, compared to all other red lipsticks comes in a deeper a little darker shade. I kind of prefer this since, I find that this kind of red suits me better compared to others. This deeper type of red looks more classic in my opinion and is the type that will amp up any kind of look. :)

Runway Red on my Lips

The satin finish of Runway Red gives your lips just the right moisture but it also isn't too shiny/glossy looking. I really prefer matte lipsticks because I like their staying power, but this isn't too bad at all. :)

Overall, again I really don't know why I only waited now to try this lipstick, it looks like I have a new go-to favorite red lipsticks. I do hope though that this becomes a permanent product soon! :)

Lastly, here's me bare faced, no makeup whatsoever with just Runway Red on. Please don't mind the puffy eye bags haha. :)

Toodles! :)

Follow me:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/cabyness

Instagram: Cabyness

Facebook: Click here to Like :)

Weeknight dinner FOTD + OOTD

Hi Girls,

Today is labor day holiday here in Manila on a hot Tuesday, and my post for today will be my look on a weeknight casual dinner with friends. This was from last night, a farewell dinner for a friend who will be leaving to live in Canada for good. These kind of dinners are always bittersweet, nights shared with so much laughter and stories. :) It was great seeing these girls, it's always a good idea to end the first day of the week over great food and friends! A blessed Bon Voyage to our friend Mia. :)

FOTD

 Face:

MAC NW25 Concealer for under eyes

MAC Setting Powder

MAC NC40 Studio Fix Powder

Graftobian Powder Foundation in Cleopatra for Contour

Kryolan Blush Palette for cheeks 

Eyes: 

Maybeline quad (champagne, bronze and dark brown) for lightly bronzed lids

Maybeline Falsies mascara 

Eyebrows:

MUFE Brow corrector in 0

MAC Girlboy

Lips: 

MAC Kinda Sexy

OOTD

 

White top from Forever 21

Printed cullottes shorts from Jellybean

Red belt from a friend bought in Bangkok 

Platform platform wedges from Primadonna

Bag + Accessories

Yellow Epi Speedy 25 bag from Louis Vuitton

Green leather braided bracelet from Alati

Mix of 4 thin bangles from H&M/Oxygen

Technomarine watch

 

Here's a fun collage pic with my friends from last night! :)

Follow me:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/cabyness
Instagram: cabyness
Facebook: Click here to LIKE my Make-Up Artist Page :)
Have a great week ahead! :)

Toodles! :)

Saturday grocery shopping FOTD + OOTD

Hi Girlies,

Happy Saturday evening to all! I have officially crossed over as I would rather sit on the edge of my bed and write this entry rather than be out partying. Yes, I am what the youngins' this generation would like to call "old" hehe. 

Recently though with this heat, it takes so much energy to do anything out for long. Aside from that my new lifestyle change a.k.a Project Weight Loss has hindered me to stay out too long in the fear of eating anything that I shouldn't be eating (read: ICE CREAM today at SnR and PIZZA!). But this new diet has made me look forward to grocery shopping since I love picking out ingredients for me to whip up! :) So here's today's FOTD.

 

 

FACE:

 RCMA Color Process Foundation in Shinto 2

RCMA Setting Powder

Ben Nye Banana Powder to set under eyes and T-Zone

MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NC40

Graftobian Powder Foundation in Cleopatra for Contour

NARS Orgasm for Blush

MAC Iridescent pressed powder in Belightful to highlight top of cheekbones

EYES:

Estee Lauder Eyeshadow peachy shimmer color for lids

L'oreal Mid tone brown for crease and lower lashline

Estee Lauder Eyeshadow in champagne color for brow bone

MAC Gel Liner in Dipdown

MAC Eye liner in Fascinating for lower lashline

Maybeline Falsies Mascara for Upper and Lower Lashes

BROWS:

Fanny Serrano Brow Powder

MAC browset in Girl boy

LIPS:

MAC lipstick in Pink Nouveau

OOTD + NOTD

OUTFIT:

Dress with open lower back in Salmon + Aqua print from Jellybean

Gold Sandals are from Abarca (The most comfortable leather sandals ever!!!)

Brown Shoulder bag is from Parfois

Necklace from Cole Vintage 

Watch is from Technomarine

NAILS:

China Glaze in Aquadelic

OPI Summer Orange

So that's my Saturday afternoon for everyone, for the rest of this evening I will spend it with my remote control and my TV. :) A happy weekend to all! :) :) :)

Follow me on:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/cabyness
Instagram: cabyness
Facebook: Click here to LIKE my Make-Up Artist Page :)



Toodles! :) :)

My Cleanse, Tone and Moisturize + Sunblock in this Summer Heat!

Hi girls,

I know all of you here in The Philippines feel it to, this recent summer heat has been crazy. It makes you want to do nothing but stay indoors since any movement for sure will make you sweat buckets. The whole of Manila has turned into BIKRAM YOGA 24/7! (Although I am in Love with Bikram, I think it should be confined in it's studios hehe)

Because of this heat, I'm sure a sum of you are thinking of discontinuing with their beauty products regimen because it makes you feel more icky and oily. But hold on to that thought, this is the time to actually be more cautious and use the right products to protect our skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Whether staying indoor or outdoor it is important to have a complete regimen. So here's my summer edition Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize + Sunblock products.

CLEANSE 

Avene Cleanance Soapless Cleanser

 For my cleansing, day and night, I use Avene's soapless cleanser. It is very light on the skin and after every wash ensures you a squeaky clean finish without frying effects of 'soap'. I'm not sure if this can be bought in the market, I bought this at my Dermatologist for PHP2,000--

TONE 

Sebamed Clear face Deep Cleansing Toner & Clindamycin Solution

  I have oily skin which is prone to breakouts, so I regularly have to control excess oil that my skin produces. My favorite toners especially in this heat is Sebamed Deep Cleansing Toner, it does the purpose of cleansing my face of excess oils which may have been left behind. After toning, I like to put Clindamycin Solution prescribed by my Dermatologist, this helps dry out pimples and remaining blackheads and whiteheads. Both were bought and prescribed by my Dermatologist. Sebamed I think was around PHP1,000-- while the Clindamycin Solution is PHP500--

 MOISTURIZE

SkinMD Natural

 Skin MD Natural remains to be one of my favorite moisturizers after having it sent to me to try. With enough luck, I found the product available for sale in local Guardian Pharmacies in Singapore. What I like about Skin MD is that it feels very light on the skin, non-greasy yet super fresh, you can really feel your skin regain back moisture after cleansing and toning. It serves as a good base too! :) Bought in SG for SGD30--

SUNBLOCK

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse BB SPF27 and Heliocare advanced SPF50

 The most important step in any skincare regimen summer heat or not is Sunblock. This is your skin's shield, this is what protects you from the harsh elements of the sun that want to penetrate your skin and cause damage. My favorite sunblocks for this heat are Dr. Jart's Water Fuse BB, I use the Water Fuse variant because compared to all other 3 selections of Dr. Jart this is the lightest, this is the only water based one too so perfect for summer. The light tint is perfect, I can just dab on my favorite powder after application. :)

For more intense exposure to sun like going to the beach, any outing, more hours under the sun I use Heliocare's Advanced Gelcream sunblock SPF50. This gel based tinted moisturizer does wonders. I wish I could use it everyday, I just notice that for my skin I tend to breakout when SPF50 (in any brand) is used on an everyday basis, hence I save this for days when I need more SPF. :)

Just be wary when using SPF, because the main ingredient of sunblocks is Titanium Dioxide. This is the ingredient responsible for making your face look white on photos with camera flashes. Hehe So remember to tone it down with makeup when you know you will be taking photos. :)

Dr. Jart BB cream is about PHP2,000-- can be bought in selected Mercury drug stores in Manila, while the Heliocare SPF was bought from my Dermatologist for PHP3,500--

 So that's a run down of my skincare products this summer. What products are you using for this summer? :)

Toodles! :)

Facebook Make-Up Artist Page! Click! Click! :)

Hi girls,

I have finally fixed my Make-Up Artist Page on Facebook. I realized that since most people are on Facebook, it is more convenient to put up a page on my Make-up Artistry there. :)

Hope you guys can show me some love and Like my page! :)

Click Here!! :)

www.facebook.com/CarlaAvancena

Thankies :)

GEMINI: A Glasnost x Alati Collaboration

GEMINI: A Glasnost x Aláti Collaboration from OVERMiND Creative Consulting on Vimeo.

Hey girls,

Check out this awesome collaboration of Glasnost and Alati. One of a kind clothes paired with unique accessories. This is spearheaded of course by Glasnost's Stacy Rodriguez and Alati's Gabriela Tatad as they bring you their latest collection.

Pauline Prieto and Helene Belmonte are the muses for this collaboration and watch as they give life to these one of a kind pieces. :)

Video done by Overmind creatives, Photographs by YourEvilTwin An and En Estrada and Makeup was done by yours truly and I had such an amazing time with these girls! :)

What are you waiting for, make your orders now:

Aláti by Gabriela Tatad http://shopalati.com (twitter : @shopalati)

Glasnost by Stacy Rodriguez http://shopglasnost.com (twitter : @glasnostbystacy)

MAC Shopmac lipstick in Watch Me Simmer

Hi Girlies,

I'm back for another lipstick review, this time on Shopmac's Amplified cream in Watch Me Simmer. This year's Shopmac, Cook mac collection surely had a lot of really nice funky colors I couldn't resist. All funky yet, wearable looking shades.

Amplified Cream lipstick in Watch me Simmer

Swatch on back of my hand

Watch me simmer is a beautiful coral-pink shade which at first I thought would not really suit me, so I held back first and not used it for a couple of weeks. Until, I was at a shoot, I had a lot of waiting time, I decided to try out the lipstick on myself, and I guess I was wrong, It didn't look too bad on me. hehe

Watch me simmer on me (please don't mind the puffy eyes hehe)

The only thing I probably don't like about this lipstick is its formula. I really do prefer matte lipsticks because creamier based lipsticks tend to run. But there is a quick fix to this, blot with a tissue after first application and then apply again. Aside from that I guess, I really love the fresh pop of color it gives my lips. :)

This color is perfect for summer! :)


Have you found your summer lippie? :)


Toodles! :)

Carla

Shopmac Lipstick in Naughty Saute

Hi Girlies,

Out of all my Shopmac Lippies that I recently bought, I have been using only 1 so far on a more than once basis. Its creamy barbie pink color is probably what leads me to use this more often, Shopmac's Naughty Saute. :)

Here's what the lipstick color looks in the tube


Here's a swatch on the back of my hand

Now the pictures are low res since they were just taken using an iPad, but i assure you that it is true to its color. It is such a fun barbie pink lipstick, I can't get enough of it, on me and on my clients! :) This is also in cremsheen formula so you have those little glittery particles in the lipstick, but it don't worry it won't make you seem you are wearing a mettalic-y lipstick, it just gives you the right amount shine as light hits the little glittery particles. :)

I recently wore Naughty Saute in an epic night out with my friends and I must say, it stays on pretty long too. :) I really love this color. Here's what it looks like on me, I'm an NC40-42 girl, so it matches even if you're on the morena side. :)

Will do more blogs about the other shopmac lippies as soon as I am able to try them both on me and my clients too. :)


Toodles! :)

It's make your dreams come true day!!

Just want to share with you all something I came across as I was fixing my bookshelf at home. Back in the beginning of 2010, I had this red planner/journal that documented everything I did.


In the opening page of the planner I made a self-message to inspire as I was to take on an endeavor which at that time I really didn't know where it would lead. The self message wrote:

"Start taking the steps to achieve your dreams. It's make your dreams come true day!"

Looking back now after 2 years put a big smile on my face because without knowing it, that's what I did. In the past 2 years there were ups, there were downs. There also was struggle but overall a whole lot of good times. Most importantly though, I gave it my all for the one thing I love most, put in all my effort and put in all my heart to being a Makeup Artist, and it has been the best thing that I have ever done for myself! I took risks because I knew it felt right, because I trusted myself, and it was telling me this is where you should be and this is what you should and want to do. This is what makes you happy. :)

I wouldn't know where to begin with the recount of my wonderful experience in the past 2 years. All the people I have met, worked with, given me wonderful opportunities, all the amazing work which I have been blessed with are all unbelievably surreal to me. Blessed, I am so thankful and elated. It is wonderful, being a Makeup Artist has really fulfilled me, I'm fueled, it's my true passion. And I have RB Chanco to thank for that, My teacher, Mentor, Friend, Family and Maui my best friend who experienced this whole thing together. :)

Had you asked me 2 years ago If I knew I would have achieved this much by this time I would have said no. But definitely I would say that this is where I want to be heading. And right now I am happy to be where I am as a Makeup Artist and I will continue to dream, and just do what I love to do. Because who knows, I may end up surprising myself again. :)

Let's make everyday a "Make your dreams come true day" and before you know it, you will be farther than you ever thought! :)


Thank you for reading girls! Whatever it is, your passion, Go for it! :)


Toodles! :)

Shop Mac and Chenman Lippies!

Hey girls,

Finally a makeup related post and this is a haul. I have recently been expanding my lipstick range for my kit and here are the latest additions to my kit's collection.

MAC Shop Mac, Cook Mac collection and MAC Chenman collection:

MAC Shop Mac lipsticks

From left to right:
Watch Me Simmer
Runway Red
Naughty Saute
Innocence Beware


MAC Chenman collection

Budding Love

These lovely colored lipsticks are such standouts. I have actually yet to swatch them because they're so pretty to try on still and the box packaging is sooo cute! I think I'll be storing them in the box. But I will do a review on them, which ones do you first wanna check out? :)


Toodles! :)