The MAC 189 Brush

I used to think that all brushes were equal regardless if they were branded or not. Then I used to think that buying brushes under a certain brand was just merely a marketing strategy. This was until I became a make up artist and realized that our face need corresponding brushes that will complement the contours it has and not all brushes can do the job well done. With this you know you have a good brush when everything about it is thought about, from its shape, its bristles, density, size and etc.

That's exactly what I felt when I purchased this one of a kind MAC Brush. The MAC 189.


The MAC 189 is no longer available in the MAC website but as far as I can remember this brush retailed for about $50. A hefty price I know but it is surely worth it. I purchased mine at a CCO for about $28, so for those who have access to a CCO nearby I do suggest you check them out. Also since I am not sure if this is a discontinued brush or a PRO product only.

Compared to the MAC 190 foundation brush, you can clearly see how much bigger the bristles are. The bristles are made from Natural animal hair and is about double the size of the MAC 190, making it perfect for application of foundation on the face and Body.

What makes this brush super unique is that the bristles are incredible-y soft yet so so so dense. This makes it perfect for foundation application whether you are using liquid or cream foundation. The density allows you a flawless application one with less streaks on the face. This is also great when used with powder foundation since it buffs in the product better and also, no product goes to waste.

Overall, I think this brush is really a smart purchase. The only thing that can set you back from purchasing this brush in my opinion is:

1. Availability - Since it's no longer available in the MAC website it may now be discontinued or a PRO product.
2. Price - It was priced at $50 in the website but I purchased this for $28 in CCO. Still a hefty price both ways.

But on the other hand this brush has more good to it:

1. 1 Brush for all - can be used with Cream, Liquid and Powder Foundation.
2. Fast - With its size, you get the job done faster without compensating on the quality of work.
3. Big - It's such a big sized brush it can be used for both face and body.
4. Limitless - This brush is not only for foundation type it can be used for other things too. ( I use it to apply body shimmer to certain areas of the body such as the collar bone).
5. Sturdy - This is such a sturdy brush, I'm sure it will last me a long time. :)


So what do you guys think? The MAC 189 surely is one of my favorite brushes. :) What are yours?


Toodles! :)

What's been keeping me busy

Hi girls,

Yes yes, I know I have been absent in the blogger scene for the past couple of months (almost 3 to be exact). But I do have a valid reason for that, my work has been taking the driver seat in my life for the past couple of months and it has been nothing but bliss. :)

Here's what has been keeping me busy for the past couple of months:

Print Advertorials


Advertising work

eLive on some Saturdays

Shoots

Shoot with CS Toledo

My sister's wedding

Star Power 5 girls:
Angeline, Akiko, K-La, Monica and Krissel
From their journey in the show until the finals, from Star Power to Asap.

So that's a glimpse of what has been really keeping me on my toes for the past couple of months. It has been tiring but super duper fun! :)

Btw, please please grab a copy of CHALK Magazine March 2011 issue, me and Maui have an article there. :)


Toodles! :)

A Flawless Big 4 day summer promo!

Flawless Face and Body Clinic has come up with a very special treat for everyone. We have all been affected with the recent political and environmental unrest happening here and around the world and one way or the other this may have affected us emotionally and physically. It's almost summer, let us all look and feel good about ourselves this season.

For 4 days only (March 17-20), Flawless is offering 50% off on their best services to get your skin smooth, youthful and radiant! :) You get Flawless hot summer services at half off the price!!! :) Here are the special offers for only 4 days!

• Get a single session of Laser hair removal on your underarms, lower legs or bikini area at 50% off! :)
• Get smooth and even skin with Flawless White Injectables at 50% off! :)
• Make your skin youthful and supple with Youth Boosters at 50% off! :)
• The best selling Flawless Nano Powerpeel is also on 50% off!!! :) :) (Read about my Nano Powerpeel experience here )
  

What are you guys waiting for? grab this 4-day special opportunity from flawless and feel better about yourself. :)

To get the latest news and promos about flawless like Flawless face and Body Clinic on Facebook. :)


See you all in Flawless in the next 4 days! :)


Toodles! :)

A Beautiful 2011! and first Haul!

Hi Girls,

This is my first post for 2011 and I would just like to greet everyone a Happy Happy New Year! :) May 2011 be filled with love, happiness and a whole lot of beauty! :)

This year I have decided to focus so much on my work as a make up artist, this is the year I will conquer the industry. 2010 was filled with so much blessings and good decision making. I also hope to blog more. I have been guilty the past couple of weeks for not being able to blog, Work got pretty hectic last December. But in 2011 I will try my very best to squeeze in blogging my new goodies. :)

Speaking of new goodies, look at what came in for me this morning:


Isn't it such a wonderful morning? Got some Mac goodies sent from Canada for my kit upgrading. :) Starting the year with an upgrade, the rest of the year follows. :)

Only better things to come for everyone! :)

So, I wish you all a beautiful 2011! Let's not let beauty go out of style :)


Toodles! :)

An early Birthday and Christmas Gift!

Hi all, I know i have lacked in the regular updates, product reviews and in all makeup related with this blog. I have been a little busy with work since December is a crazy month for Make Up Artists. I have been so busy that I forgot that Christmas is so close and my birthday even closer (December 20). But amidst the crazy sched, I received such a wonderful surprise. Probably one of the best in my life so far. Something which reminded me that yes, Christmas and My Birthday is just around the corner, and I received such a wonderful gift. :)

I was featured in Metro Weddings Volume 10 No. 2 in a half page article about my work. And I tell you I am in total Bliss! It is such a wonderful blessing. This year has got to be the best year in my life so far. I am so happy that I finally found myself in this industry. Here's the feature in the magazine.

Click image to enlarge and click again for a closer look

A cropped version

So far it has been such a wonderful journey. I am ecstatic beyond words for this and I can't stop smiling. I really from the bottom of my heart thank the beautiful Metro Weddings Editor-in-chief Michelle Katigbak-Alejandro for this dazzling feature, thank you so so so much! Thank you to Sheena Ramos for the awesome write-up and to Cathlyn Pavia for her beautiful face. You guys are in my hearts forever. You have no idea how happy you guys have made me. :)


For those residing in Manila and in the Philippines, you can grab a copy of this issue's Metro Wedding Magazine in the nearest news stands and bookstores. :) This issue features the beautiful bride to be Kristine Hermosa and a lot more real life brides, beauty and wedding fashion features.




Happy Christmas Y'all! Let's share the blessings through love and happiness :)



Toodles! :)

Talika Lipocils Expert: Longer, thicker and fuller lashes! :)

Just like full eyebrows, I am really big on big, full, long and thick lashes. I'm addicted to mascaras that promise me bigger and fuller lashes. Nowadays I feel empty when I don't get to make my lashes feel fuller and longer with different products. That's why when an angel (also known as Gian) sent me a package , it immediately fluttered my fancy. Gian sent me a sample of Talika Lipocils Expert.

"Discover the absolutely safe solution to naturally enhance the beauty of your lashes in just 28 days.
This amazing lash enhancer is composed of a blend of natural actives from the inventor of the original eyelash growth product in 1948 in France. It has no side effect.
Whether you feel your lashes look too short, sparse, brittle or lack shine and curl, or if you just dream of longer, shinier, sexier looking lashes, Lipocils Expert is your answer…. without side effects."

Talika is simple in creating products that give solution to our appearance's stressful concerns such as our eyes, nails, hands, face and skin. We all want to look better and with Talika's innovation in giving us products that provide emergency solutions for immediate results, they are sure to cater to everyone's needs.

I'm really excited to see the results of Talika's Lipocils expert on my eye lashes. I am currently using them now and will definitely show you guys the results. :) Everyone should have flirty lashes, and now that's possible with Talika's Lipocils Expert! :)

If you are interested in trying this wonderful product, you may place your orders at:

www.talika.com

Soon, these products will be available in local department stores! Weeeehh! :)


Toodles! :)

MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme

I will give a short but sweet review on probably one of the best lipsticks on earth. I purchased MAC's new Prolongwear lipcreme while I was on my MAC shopping spree in Vancouver back in September and since then they have been my go-t0-lipstick.

It comes in a different packaging from the regular mac lipsticks and actually looks sleeker. :)


I got them in 2 shades, Perpetual Flame and Unlimited

Notice how much I've used already! :)
Perpetual Flame (Left)
Unlimited (Right)

Perpetual Flame (Top)
Unlimited (Bottom)

What I really love about this lipstick is that it stays put for so long but isnt drying on the lips. When I use this lipstick, I receive so many compliments from my friends since they notice that even after a ton of drinks I still have lipstick! :)

Here's a picture of me and my friends during a birthday celebration. The time of the pic taken was probably around 12 midnight. I applied perpetual flame at 6pm and I have not yet retouched the lipstick and by that time, I already had drinks after the other. Lipstick still in tact! :)

My friend Mar, Moi and Jaja :)

I definitely give this lipstick all stars and thumbs up! :) And I will definitely repurchase and buy more colors! :)


Toodles! :)

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita

Don't you just love sudden splurges? I must say yes even though it burns the pocket. I made a sudden splurge yesterday at NARS, I finally purchased their Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. I have been wanting this product for a long time now but the steep price always sets me back.

Nars Velvet Matte Lipstick in Dolce Vita
$24 in the States
PHP1300 in local Nars Counters
Purchased at: Rustans Shangri-la

"Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
Combining the convenience of a pencil with the application of a lipstick in a jumbo-sized crayon design, these pigment-rich sticks provide a matte, creamy finish that will not dry the lips. Enriched with emollients, vitamin E, and unique silicones, each gorgeous shade glides on and stays put.

Size: 0.086 oz"

Dolce Vita

After swatching Dolce Vita on the counter I knew this was a color that would fit my skin color. It looked naturally flushed but not too much. The best part of the product is the texture, "velvet matte" it really feels velvetty and is matte but does not feel dry.

The only thing about it is (aside from its price) is that it doesn't stay as long as my favorite MAC Pro Longwear Lipstick, you have to keep applying this product every now and then. :)

Here's me the same night I bought the lipstick over family dinner. I love the color :)

Toodles! :)

P.S Really sorry about the different font sizes, my blogger is acting up. lol

Kryolan Dermacolor Concealor Wheel

One product I am obsessed about is foundation. No matter how many foundations I already have in my kit, I always make it to a point to compare different foundations. This was the case when I visited the Kryolan showroom in San Fransisco. As all of you may know, Kryolan has a ton range when it comes to foundation alone. Because of the wide range they had, I asked for assistance and specifically asked for something that would:

a) Do a good job in covering blemishes without looking cakey
b) Something that is light, not heavy on skin (unlike TV Paint Stick)
c) Has yellow undertones

When I told the helpful SA in Kryolan what I was looking for in a foundation, they handed me the Kryolan Dermacolor Concealor Wheel.

I know what you may be thinking, why but a concealer wheel to act as a foundation when ryolan has so many foundation lines out there. My answer is simple, it can provide the most coverage with very little product and its the only wheel with a yellow undertone. Most of the kryolan foundation palette's closest to Asian skin is in Olives but I was still skeptic. Thus, I got this wheel.


"The most effective and long lasting professional makeup for the concealment of tattoo, scars and skin pigment displacements.

It includes the following 6 colors from dark to light: D375, D100, D61, D4, D3, and D32"

D375, D100,1, D4, D3, D32

From the swatches you can see that the product is really pigmented, and this wheel alone can cover both cool and warm undertones given the red (D32) and yellow (D3). So this product hits 2 birds with 1 stone. :) In the case of asian skin or warm undertones, I mixed both D100 and D3 to match with the client's skin tone. And the result is Flawless, full coverage but light on skin make up. hat i like about it best is that whenit sets, the product looks just like skin! Allowing you a flawless face everytime! :)

Below is my good friend Dia, i did her make up using Kryolan's Dermacolor Concealor Wheel. Dia has some blemish marks left by pimples making Dermacolor a perfect product for her. Here's her Before and After picture. What do you guys think? Isn't she beautiful? :)

(click to enlarge)

Kryolan Dermacolor Concealor Wheel now finds itself a home in my make up kit. It is an awesome go to whenever I need a foundation with more coverage. I am really happy I came about this product. :)


Toodles! :)

Heaven sent: Beauty So Clean Cosmetic Sanitizer

This has got to be one of the most useful products I have ever purchased for my kit. As you all know, it is important to keep your make up sanitized and clean. There are a couple of ways to do so like never dipping your brush directly into a cream product, using spatulas, always using clean brushes. But now I am so happy that I encountered this new product during my vacation in North America. It's called Beauty So Clean The World's First Cosmetic Sanitizer!

Especially as a make up artist, you always want to keep you kit clean. The last thing you want to happen is for your products to produce bacteria through cross contamination. I first encountered this product when Crystal S. sent me samples from her contest, immediately I decided I should get myself a big bottle for me to use at home. Until I forgot about it and I visited the Holly North Supply Store in Vancouver Canada, I saw the product again and had no second thoughts and purchased it then and there. :)


Beauty So Clean comes in a convenient spritzer that deposits just the right amount so the product does not soak in the sanitizer (which it is not supposed to) :)

Here are the ingredients of Beauty So Clean and also Directions on how to use the product:

Please click image to see larger

I personally love using the product for my powder Foundations, Eye shadows and lipstick palette. Beauty So Clean also has wipes which they recommend for pencils, lipsticks and the smaller products. Although for me, since my lipsticks are all in palettes, I spray beauty So Clean on them let it sit for at least a minute then gently wipe off the top layer of the lipstick with wet ones.

About to sanitize my lipstick palette :)

If you want to learn more about Beauty So Clean, you can check out their website and their whole product range here:

www.beautysoclean.com

Let's make it a habit and regularly clean and sanitize our products whether they are personal or for professional use. :)


Toodles! :)

MAC Pro Long Wear Foundation with SPF10

In my quest to add liquid foundation in my kit I was choosing over 3 notable foundations. These foundations were Face Atelier's Ultra Foundation, Bobbi Brown's Natural Finish Foundation and lastly MAC's Pro Long Wear Foundation. I ended up getting MAC since not only was it the most convenient and cost efficient for my kit, this new foundation from MAC really lives up to its name being PRO Longwear. For the Pro's and is longwearing. :)

MAC Pro Longwear Foundation with SPF 10
NC20, NC40, NC45

"A long-wear foundation that gives up to 15 hours of wear in any environmental condition. Lightweight and creamy, applies smoothly to provide sheer to medium coverage. Even in hot and humid conditions, controls oil to keep skin fresh, natural and flawless. Provides everyday SPF protection." - MAC Website

I did extensive research on the MAC Pro Longwear foundation before I decided to buy it. I also swatched it many times that I had a chance to pass by a MAC store, and until i bought the product and really put it on the road for testing was I convinced! Most reviews I have read states it to be the best MAC foundation date. Now I was never a MAC foundation fan, I have the Studio sculpt which I love for its coverage but it gets kinda oily. So I wouldn't know what other MAC foundations would be like since I mainly use cream foundation for my clients. But this foundation? I L-O-V-E!!!!!

To give you a backgrounder, I have crazy oily skin and when I use foundation (whatever foundation it may be) I get conscious and check the mirror like every hour to check if my face shines. And usually it does, whether little shine or massive hello blot my face already shine. So you have no idea how happy I was when I find a foundation that allows me lesser "shine moments" like before. Mind you, I still get oily that's just how my skin is, but with this foundation, I noticed that I don't oil as frequently as I did before and that when I do oil, it is not that much. Let's break it down:

Unlike other MAC foundations, MAC Pro Longwear comes in a glass bottle with a pump. Having a pump is more hygienic and the best part of it all you can control how much product comes out of the nozzle, which I like because I tend to get OC with my products hehe.

I first tried this foundation when I was in Vancouver and it worked well for me there. But let's face it, Vancouver weather is far from Manila weather, almost the total opposite. So whenI put this baby to the test in Hot Tropical Manila, I was surprised to find that it still worked, i would occasionally oil but not as bad as I expected. And even if I oil, the FOUNDATION STAYED PUT! AMAZING!

So here's a little experiment I did to show how true to its name this foundation really is.

NC20 swatched back of my hand
(My skin tone is NC42, I used NC20 for the purpose of this experiment so you can see the foundation)

Initially spread into skin under natural lighting

Under white lighting in the bathroom before running under water


While running under water you can see that the NC20 MAC Pro Longwear foundation is staying put and not being washed away.

Just right after running under water, still damp but amazingly the foundation did not budge

Completely dry after running under water. You can still see the NC20 on my hand, there was no transfer and none of the foundation came off. Definitely Pro Longwear

As you can see from the experiment the foundation did not budge even after running it under water. And the best part of it all, this foundation is sooo lightweight on the skin and does not feel heavy at all! The coverage though is medium coverage, but this is buildable so if you want full coverage it can also be achieved! :) So here's my verdict:

Likes:
- Lightweight!
- Buildable Coverage
- I don't oil as much
- LONGWEARING
- Part of MAC's Permanent Line so yayyy!
- Affordable at only $30usd
- Perfect for outdoor shoots and long shoots

Dislikes:
- Don't know when this will be available in Manila and how much in PHP
- I wish it had a tad bit more coverage in one layer instead of building for more coverage.

So overall I will have to give MAC Pro Longwear Foundation two thumbs up!! I made the right decision in choosing this foundation for my kit! Yayy! :)

Lastly, here's a picture of me in MAC Pro Longwear foundation 13 long hours after I applied this foundation. I still had it on! :)

Toodles! :)