Make Up For Ever Meet & Greet Marie Digby

It was just by accident that I dropped by Make Up For Ever at Bonifacio High Street last December 15, 2011 right smack in the middle of the meet and greet with Marie Digby!

I was just there to check whether they already have the powder fan brush on hand. Lucky for me they already did and even luckier since I got to see YouTube Sensation Marie Digby in person. She was so sweet and pleasant to everyone there. But I was too shy tohave my photo taken with her...

I didn't know that with any product purchase during the Meet & Greet, a customer is entitled to one (1) raffle entry for a chance to win: 1) a signed CD album of Marie Digby's "Your Love" or 2) an exclusive Beauty Make Up Class with Marie Digby in Maquillage Professionel.

I was just thrilled about seeing Marie and instantly joining a raffle but I never expected to win anything. But I just learned from Make Up For Ever's Facebook page that I won a copy of the signed CD...Yay! I think this is the first raffle I won after a really long time...hehe. Early Christmas gift for me then!

RH BILL AD

All I can say is WOW...

Image from RAW School. Jovert O. Bantilan - Workshop one Inc. 

SPOTTED: Mich Dulce Hat on Gossip Girl 5

Months after Michael Cinco's featue in ANTM, another Pinoy, well make that Pinay, makes us proud. Mich Dulce's hat is seen on Leighton Meester (Blair) at the set of Gossip Girl Season 5...

Great job, Mich!

Now,for more info about Mich Dulce and news about her latest collection, check her blog

INSPIRE: A Michael Cacnio x LEGO Collaboration

In celebration of Michael Cacnio's 20 years in brass sculpting, Cacnio does an unusual but fun collaboration with global giant LEGO for an exhibit aptly called INSPIRE.


Think combination of brass sculptures with colored LEGO bricks, this collaboration truly challenges and defies preconceived notion about traditional brass sculpting.With its theme, INSPIRE truly promotes the importance of imagination as it goes out of the box and pushes the artist's playfulness and creativity in its unlikely combination of freeform monochromatic brass and polygonal yet colorful plastic.

Over the years Cacnio's earned accolades from various organizations with his depiction of social realities in his works. Some of his known achievements include being part of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in 2006 and the distinction of being the first Filipino artist to have had his work showcased at the Headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels.

INSPIRE will be featured at THE GALLERY of Greenbelt 5 on Friday, September 16, 2011.

Magnolia's ROBOT TVC

When I saw this TVC over the weekend, it made me realize how we as mothers tend to talk harshly, without really thinking, and normally it's simply due to our emotions at that particular point in time. It reminded me of how I would sometimes raise my voice and say "No!"," That's bad!" or "Stop that!" to my 20-month old son...oh yes, as if he could actually understand why...After that, he would just smile, hug and kiss me as if nothing really happened...Haaay...kaka-guilty! I promise, from now on I will really try to be more patient with you, my super kulit Baby Boo!!!

Great Job Magnolia, it's now quite rare that we get to see commercials that touches us the way this one did.

S&R Members' Treat 2011

Are you ready for another grueling shopping spree at S&R? Set your alarms early starting tomorrow, as branches in Metro Manila start its sale at exactly 8AM  from Sep 14-18, 2011. (S&R Cebu will be on sale from Sep 21-25).

As always, don't forget to come in early, bring refreshments and try to stay nice and avoid cat-fights! Hahaha

Kid Robot for Swatch Launch

This is too cute to miss... :)

3rd ARTBIKE

Wanna tour various art galleries in Manila all in one day? Why not do it riding a bike, perhaps? It's the one great opportunity to get physically fit and aesthetically full all in one go!

Briefing from Rock Drilon on the 2nd Artbike

Join the 3rd Artbike happening this Saturday, September 3, 2011. Rock Drilon, artist, bike enthusiast and Director of Mag:net Gallery came up with Artbike, which is actually a bicycle tour of Metro Manila's art galleries. Call it "gallery-hopping" perhaps...


Below's a list of the galleries included in this year's route:


1. Art Informal
2. Secret Fresh
JJ Zamoranos: The Unwaking Hour
3. West Gallery (where refreshments will be served)
Gallery 1: Mike Munoz
Gallery 2: Dave Lock
Gallery 3: Ranelle Dial
Gallery 4: Tanya Villanueca
4. Krem Comteporary
5. Green Papaya
Gallery Collection/Artist Studio Visit
6. Boston Gallery
7. Megamall Artwalk (Optional)
8. Lopez Museim (Optional)
+ 1 artist studio visit (TBA)


Assembly is at  8 AM at the Greenhills Parking Lot ( in front of Life Cycles).


For more updates on this event, check out this FB page

Limited Edition UAAP Hand Sanitizers

Last July 2011, Watson's, the country's leading health & beauty store, partnered with ABS-CBN Licensing to sell Limited Edition University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Hand Sanitizers with Holders at Watson's outlets in Metro Manila and Luzon. This may have stemmed out from the Bath and Body Works' Pocketbac craze which hit the country since 2010.


The UAAP Sanitizer holders are available in eight colors, representing each UAAP member teams --Blue Eagles, Green Archers, Fighting Maroons, Growling Tigers, Tamaraw, Red Warriors, Bulldogs and Soaring Falcons.


It was also nice to know that aside from promoting your love for your Alma Mater with each purchase, a portion of what you paid will go to UAAP's fund for its athlete scholars.




I was only able to see these sanitizers over the long weekend at a Watson's counter in the SM Supermarket near our place. If I remember correctly, it is being sold for Php 69.00.

 Here's a closer look at the BLUE EAGLES sanitizer I got.

The size was actually very comparable to the Pocketbac and the scent (well at least for the Blue Eagle's one) was fairly decent.

NARS Workshop

Hello Lovelies! Another one of them consumer workshops from one of the leading make-up brands available from Rustan's - NARS. Mark your calendars!

"Day to Night" Photography

I almost can't imagine how someone could spend a minimum of 10 hours taking hundreds of shots of one scene/frame. Such was what photographer Stephen Wikes did for his series "Day to Night", literally showing day-to-night shots of each NYC landmark.

He had to weave in and seamlessly blend about 30 to 50 parts of each scene to showcase how each landmark transforms from day to night.

But with results as remarkable as these, I definitely wouldn't mind doing it at all...

My Li'l Artist

My 19 month old son, Joaquin Alfonso just discovered the art of doodling, through his yaya who loves to draw. Hence, over the weekend, I got him some washable, non-toxic crayons and a drawing book.

Look at what he came up with....

Oh, of course I framed it! Haha

I really think, that aside from his love of singing and dancing, my boy's also a budding artist, don't you all agree?

MAC Art of Powder Collection

I love art! As far as I can remember, I have loved art. And just recently, I fell in love with the art of make-up. And as if MAC was teasing me when I found out it was launching the MAC Art of Powder Collection this September 2011.

Description from MAC: " A collection of three MAC Artist Powders inspired by the Masters and modern art movements. There's an op art Optical Bronzer that explores depth, dimension and sheer illusion of bronze. A Street Art eyeshadow personalizes the eye with a madcap act of pure graffiti - an for those who love random acts of light and shade, an In The Abstract Highlighter. These palettes empower creation...make some art!"

Optical Bronzer

Street Art

In The Abstract

*Photos courtesy of Temptalia


Each palette are limited edition and will be sold for US$ 38.00/ CDN$ 46.00. Now I wonder how much they'll be when they launch in Manila...boo!!

Z Palette

A couple of months back, I was able to find a local seller of the Z-Palette. It was also nice that they had the large zebra print one which I have been lemming for. Since the time I got it, I have long wanted to post a review on this magnetic palette and finally, I found the time to do so...

Anyway, what is a Z-Palette you may ask? It is a customizable magnetic palette. It can hold any pan size from any brand. Below are some shots of the Z-Palette I got

So why choose the Z-Palette over the MAC Pro Palette?

• It is more spacious. It can actually house 28 MAC eyeshadow pans ( at 7 columns x 4 rows) vs. 15 pans on the MAC Pro Palette (at 5 columns x 3 rows).

• It has a clear cover which allows you to see its contents without having to open the lid. This saves time especially on make-up gigs.

 It's magnet attaches to the pans more firmly than on MAC's Pro Palette. 

•  It comes in various colors and prints (like this cute Zebra print).

However, there are still some things that made me prefer the MAC Pro Palette than the Z-Palette

• The Z-Palette is much much heavier than the MAC Pro Palette. I could already imagine the additional weight this would bring into my traincase if I would use this instead of MAC's Pro Palette.
• I prefer having dividers in between each make-up pan, especially for pressed powders/shadows as having them lined next to each other would be quite messy.
• It is made of laminated cardboard so you cannot really keep it anywhere near liquids.
• It is a little more expensive than the MAC Pro Palette.

In case you're wondering where to get this in Manila, you can try http://weheartmakeup.multiply.com

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

One of my recent make-up gigs brought me to Bagac, Bataan, at a "heritage resort" called Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. It was unlike any other resort I've been to so far since the highlight of this massive, (talk about 400 hectares of land), and I mean massive space are the reconstructed Philippine architectural masterpieces from the 18th to the 20th century. Each of this architectural structures (from mansions to buildings) were brought from all over the country and rebuilt, plank by plank within the estate. In essence it looked like a large and well maintained Calle Crisologo of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, with cobblestones and all.

As it was actually raining throughout most of our trip, and since I was not there for leisure, I only managed to take a few shots of the place.

If you want to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and be transported back into time, then Las Casas Filipinas Acuzar will be a perfect place for you. They also have accommodations for as low as Php 3,800++ per room good for 2 adults + 2 kids. It might be worth the 3-hour trip especially if you dig the vintage feel.

For more information about Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, visit their website.

Benefit Matterial Girl Finishing Powder

I was searching for a mattifying setting powder for quite sometime. Lurking on ebay paid off as I stumbled upon a seller that had Benefit's Matterial Girl which I was able to buy for less than Php 800.

I haven't really tried anything from Benefit cosmetics before so this was the perfect chance for me to get to know the brand. As usual, prior to purchasing the product, I Googled for reviews about it and everything I saw online gave me the green signal. So I didn't really feel any hesitation when I placed my bid for this product on eBay.

Anyway, below's a summary of  Benefit Matterial Girl's Pros & Cons, at least after about a month of using it on me and on clients.

PROs:

• Must love the packaging! I totally dig pink girly packaging. I know I'm the "all-black" type of person, but this powder really stands out inside my train case filled mostly with cosmetics in black packaging.

 

See how it stands out inside the traincase?

• The powder was silky and applies flawlessly. Just be careful on the amount of product you use as if used in exCess it shows a white cast on photos. But if blended thoroughly  (I love using SIGMA's F80 brush for buffing this out), it evens out the face.

Sigma F80 Flat Top Synthetic Brush

Perfectly even and invisible after blending

• Best of all, it mattifies the skin for quite a long time

CONs:

• Well, the only thing I could think about is its being unavailable locally...Boo!

Muji Large Make-Up Bag

While juggling my regular work as a media person and as a freelance Make-up Artist, I always feel the need to have a load of my make-up and tools with me all the time. This is so I'll be ready just in case  I would need to do a make-up gig on weekdays. I used to carry everything on a canvas Caboodles cosmetic shoulder bag which was able to carry everything I need from brushes to palettes, foundations, pencils, compacts, etc. But it was such a huge pain in my arm and back having to carry it around since it was just a shoulder/hand bag. Hence, I hunted down a lightweight cosmetic bag with a strap and can be carried across my body. And look at what I found the other night at Muji in Bonifacio High Street...

Looks pretty amazing right? It's also quite spacious at 12" x 7.5" x 7.5" (approx.) and very lightweight too. They are selling this bag for Php 1,850 and I think it is made of nylon.

Here are photos of the empty bag.

See how many interior compartments it has?

And below are pics of how I stuffed my make-up and tools inside...

Contracts, brochures, manuals and business cards on the inside pocket of the cover

Liquid foundations and -primer on one side, palettes and compacts in the middle

Cleaners, sprays, setting powders, primers, mascaras on the other side

and some more palettes, pencils, browsets, brow powders, lip balm, etc.

It could even fit my airbrush kit on top

The only lowdown is that I do not have space for my brushroll anymore. It was either I stuff the airbrush kit or or the brush roll. As such, the brushroll went inside my normal "work bag". Also, the mini brush pouch it came with was darn useless for me as it only had about 5 slots for brushes and was actually too short for my MAC face brushes so I just tossed it out. :)

But all in all, I'm happy with this make-up bag. Despite the amount of make-up and tools I stuffed inside it, it was still not as heavy as I expected it to be which was just great for an everyday beauty arsenal!