Quick Tip! Eye Bags Remedy And More!

Having problems with eye bags? Fine line and crows feet?

I had the same problem since I have eye bags too. I have fine lines and crows feet as well.

What I do to keep them at bay and prevent from having them again is I use Pond's age miracle Dual Action Eye Cream. I only use this before going to sleep (I use different product during day time).

Pond's age miracle Dual Action Eye Cream has two different cream in two different formula inside. 1st cream (with pink color) I put on lid and 2nd cream (which is white) I put on under eye area.

I've been using this since 2011 and it helps reduce eye bags discoloration, reduce puffiness, and reduce/prevent fine lines and crows feet.

I am hesitant to use it at first because the more popular product didn't help me at all, but my make-up instructor and friend told me to try it since it works really well on her. And I'm glad she was able to convince me because it works well on me too.

Having the same problem? Try using Pond's age miracle Dual Action Eye Cream too, this might be the one solution you've been looking for.

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Quick Tip! Get That Smooth and Kissable Lips!

Want that smooth and kissable lips?

Here's how:

1. Exfoliate your lips by brushing it gently before you sleep at night.
2. Then using cotton bud get half a pea size amount of Carmex and roll the cotton bud onto the lips until dry skin is removed and lips are smooth.
3. Use carmex the next day and make sure to purse lips together.

Carmex is effective yet affordable. Available in pots and in tubes. I use this on both male and female clients.

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Review! Nyx Eyeshadow Base in Skin Tone!

NYX Eyeshadow Base in Skin Tone - is my little secret on how I make the eyeshadows pop (and last) on my client's eyelids.

What the website says about it:

Maximize the intensity, longevity and unashamed brilliance of your eye shadow statements with our eye shadow primer pots. Each of the three NYX Eye Shadow Bases—for vibrant, pearl or neutral tones—creates a smooth canvas for color, increases its durability and prevents fallout.

I actually came across NYX's eyeshadow base by accident. I was looking for orange and green correctors then when I found this gem. I found it on a makeup shop (I forgot the shop's name) in Glorietta (it's on the 2nd level near the area where SM Makati and Glorietta are joined). That time the correctors that I were looking for were not available so I end up trying several other products instead and one of these is NYX Eyeshadow base which I like instantly.

My NYX Eyeshadow Base in Skin Tone.

I put a small amount of the product on the back of my hand to test its consistency. The texture is creamy just like your cream concealer. It has a flesh tone just perfect for most skin types.  I gently pat it on the back of my hand to blend. It did blend well on my skin.

Then I took some of the available eyeshadow testers on the store and tried to swatch them without the base and on top of the base. The eyeshadows on top of the base pops! And right then and there I bought a jar for myself. And ever since NYX Eyeshadow base is my go to eyeshadow base for my clients.

What I like about NYX Eyeshadow base:

• The texture is creamy just like concealers which is easy to blend on the eyelids;
• The color is flesh tone so it will look like skin on most skin types;
• It is opaque so it will even out the eye area for eyeshadow applications;
• It helps eyeshadows to look its true color;
• It helps eyeshadows to have something to grab on to so eyeshadows will stay and not stray;
• It helps eyeshadows last all day long without fading and creasing (with proper technique);
• The pot has 7g worth of product so it will definitely goes a long way;
• It is affordable (under Php 500.00).

What I don't like about NYX Eyeshadow base:

None that I can think of really. Even the oiliest eyelid will benefit from it (you just have to know how to prep your eyelids).

Here's the comparison of NYX Eyeshadow base VS a 5 peso coin.

How I apply it?

I first prep the eye area to remove excess oil to make sure that the base will not crease and fade.

I just use my Jazzy concealer brush from James Cooper Cosmetics to get the needed amount of eyeshadow base from the pot. I use this brush for this purpose only. One dip and swipe is all I need for one eye. Then I use my ring finger to blend it.

NYX Eyeshadow Base when open.

Dip and swipe Jazzy concealer brush to get enough product for one eye.

That product on the brush is enough for one eye.

Then I swatch it on the back of my hand. See photos below on different lighting condition within my room. The left part is unblended while the right part is where I blended it on skin. Looks like skin, right? Well only better.

I took some of my eyeshadows so that you can see the difference with and without the makeup base. The top part are eyeshadows without the base and the lower part are the eyeshadows with the base underneath. See how the color pops, especially on the rightmost eyeshadow where it is almost not visible without the base.

The black looks true black and became opaque, same with the brown. Check photo below under different lighting condition.

I even tried placing my hand under running water just to check what happens. Well, since I'm using waterproof eyeshadows the eyeshadow stays but the ones with base beneath still looks the same if not became more opaque.

I really like NYX Eyeshadow base because it is creamy and flesh tone, it makes eyeshadow color pops, it extend the staying power of eyeshadow, it prevents crease and it's affordable and one pot will last very long.

And when I ran out of it, I will definitely purchase again.

Have you tried NYX Eyeshadow base? What do you think of it?

Rating: 5 out of 5

NYX Eyeshadow Base and NYX eyeshadows are used in the photo above.

Photo credit:

Model: Cheska

Makeup: Makeup Artistry by Hxero

Photography: Henry G. Anima II Photography

For Anton Belardo Collection

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Review! YSL L'Homme Eau De Toilette!

Disclaimer: I'm in no means a perfume expert. I only rely on how I feel and think about the scent, on how I like the scent and on how the scent tickles my senses.

My love for perfume was heavily influenced by a classmate (Edgar) in college who wear different perfumes everyday. I noticed that wearing perfume help Edgar look confident and my lady classmates love to be around him all the time. Maybe because he smells good and looks clean all the time.

I used to accompany Edgar in malls just testing and trying out perfumes. At first it got my nose runny after a few tries when a lady in the counter noticed me she had me smell coffee in between perfumes so I could reboot my nose and will not mistake one scent from another.

Since I have no means buying perfume in college, I usually saved up the stipend I got from my scholarships so I could buy stuff and perfume is one of them. The first two perfumes that I got are Acqua di Giò Pour Homme by Giorgio Armani and Clinique Happy for Men.

Anyway, here is my review on YSL's L'Homme Eau De Toilette:

Perfume: L'Homme Eau De Toilette
Brand: YSL (Yves Saint Laurent)
For: Men
Price: $78.00 for 3.3 Fl. Oz - 100 ml

My YSL L'Homme bottle.

 I got mine in Hong Kong last 2010. I was not planning to buy any perfume that day; I just accompanied my mom while she shops around. Then I saw the golden colored liquid inside the golden colored covered glass on a perfume counter. The sight of the bottle was so hard to resist so I asked the lady in the counter to let me test and smell the perfume. She let me hold the bottle (it's the 100 ml bottle) and it feels just right in my palm. Not too heavy but enough to hold paper as paperweight. The moment I smelt the perfume, the top note got me and all my resistance were gone. I had to get it. I bought it that instant. I like it so much that I had to request for a traveler's size which the lady in the counter gave me for free. *wink wink*

 Me waiting for my food in HK night market.

 With Mom and little bro in Macau.

Size of 100 ml bottle when held

What YSL tells about it?

A fresh and woody fragrance that plays on contrasts and leaves a magnetic, sensual trail. A fresh and sparkling opening. An elegant and modern character, made of floral and spicy notes. A woody ambery structure, deeply masculine. Notes of Bergamot, Ginger and Vetiver make this a must-have fragrance.

Notes:

Bergamot, Cedar, Ozonic Notes, White Ginger, Basil Flower, White Pepper, Violet Leaves, Cedarwood, Haiti Vetiver, Tonka Bean.

Ingredients:

ALCOHOL. AQUA (WATER). PARFUM (FRAGRANCE). ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE. LIMONENE. BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE. BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL. TRIS(TETRAMETHYLHYDROXYPIPERIDINOL) CITRATE. LINALOOL. COUMARIN. PROPYLENE GLYCOL. GERANIOL. ALPHA-METHYL IONONE. CITRAL. DISODIUM EDTA. CI 15985 (YELLOW 6). CI 19140 (YELLOW 5).

A lot of product left. A little goes a long way.

What I think about it?

Top note:

The mix of Ginger, Citrus and spicy ingredient (pepper maybe?) are very evident and well balance. The moment I smelled the perfume, I knew I had to get it. The scent makes me think of champagne, I feel it sparkles when touches my skin. It's cool at first touch.

Middle note:

The creamy vanilla and slight floral scent make the perfume sweet but ginger balance the scent out to make it sexy and seductive. I mentioned that it's cool at first touch but it gets a little warmer once it settled.

Base note:

Fresh powdery feeling just like you feel after you get out from the shower and towel dry yourself - and the feeling stay for hours. The base tone smelled and felt creamy but light and woody. It gives you a matte feeling instead of oily, which makes you feel secured that you're not going to mess all day.

Overall:

I like the scent of L'Homme by YSL. The scent is soft but masculine. It makes me feel young, fresh, clean, and rich. It gives you a matte feeling instead of oily, which makes you feel secured.

I can wear it day and night. And when I wear this perfume I feel sexy and it boosts my confidence. This is definitely a scent for a man with style.

I like that the smell is not too strong and does not project that much. I like the smell of the base tone and how it lingers over time like a fading smile leaving a sensual trail.

Although this scent is for men and very masculine, women might find this one attractive enough for them to wear it too.

It's expensive but it made me feel really luxurious when I wear it so it's good enough for me. And I will buy again if I ran out of it.

The longevity for me maybe is about five to six hours. I always keep a traveler's size with me just in case I need a little more.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

P.S. Check fragrance notes here: Note (Perfumery)

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Review! Top Tomato!

 

What do you think of red lip color? There are a few ladies that I know of are afraid of red lip color simply because red intimidates them or they think that red is just too bold for them. I can’t really blame them. Red with tone not flattering to one’s skin tone is bound for disaster.

My make-up instructor introduced me to Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick in Top Tomato one day. She told me that this red lip color is flattering to most skin tone. She even wore it in class and I instantly fell for it.

Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick in Top Tomato

I went to the nearest beauty shop after class to check it out. I found out that it’s kind of expensive but the beautiful color it gives to my instructor’s lips gave me enough push (courage?) to purchase it.

What Revlon website says about it:
· Food-proof lip color with a built-in, ultra-conditioning topcoat;
· One-step application- No topcoat required for comfortable wear;
· Stays comfortable and wears beautifully;
· Does not feather or fade; no touch-ups required, even after meals.

Revlon Website

Top Tomato is in liquid form. It’s truly red without any orange or mauve or pink tones. It has blue sparkly little things on it but once worn and has dried on the lips you hardly notices it. It dries into matte finish and very flattering to most skin types. It even makes your teeth looks whiter!

Most of my clients told me afterwards that some of their friends were raving on how good they look with Top Tomato on their lips. They instantly become head turners themselves. Even boys started noticing them.

What Revlon website says about it are mostly true except that the formula makes some of the lips dry. Since most mattes and long wearing lip colors tend to make lips dry, Top Tomato is no exemption. So I advice you apply generous amount of lip balm first and leave it for a minute or two before applying Top Tomato to moisturize and protect your lips.

You also need to know that Top Tomato is kind of hard to remove, especially when you did not apply lip balm or moisture prior to wearing it.

I also noticed that the color adopts to skin type of the one wearing it.

Below are two of the clients I have who haven’t tried wearing red lip color before that I convinced to try Top Tomato and love it. They both look absolutely gorgeous with it.

 Lizle (Left) and Jedda (Right) wearing Top Tomato

Follow the steps below to get their gorgeous looks. Ratings, pros and cons after the tutorials. 

Get Lizle's Evening look:

Lizle wearing Top Tomato

Lizle loves to emphasize her fair skin, so red lip color will definitely flatter her pale skin (think of Snow White). But she hasn’t tried red before so she’s not really sure how she could pull it off. I reassured her that she would look beautiful on it.

She has a combination skin so I combined liquid and mouse type foundation for her skin.

I prep her skin first to make sure that her make-up will last since she will be partying all night. I applied a generous amount of lip balm on her lips to prep it for her matte red lip color later.

Then I used corrector under her eyes and set it with loose powder. Then mix two different colors of liquid foundation to match her skin tone. Then applied mouse foundation on her T-zone for the oily part of her skin. I applied concealer under her eyes extending up to her temples down to sides of her nose for flash photography during the party (you don’t want that dark shadow under-eye look on your photos, right?). Then spot concealing on areas that needed more coverage. Then I set the foundation and concealer with loose powder. Contouring and highlight are then applied.

On Lizle’s eyes:

I first prime her entire eye area with NYX Eyeshadow Base in Skin Tone.

 NYX Eyeshadow Base in Skin Tone

After the primer was set, using Dollface 88 Earth Color Palette, I put brown (skin tone) matte eye shadow (1). Then applied golden shimmer eye shadow on her lid towards the upper lash line (2). The same eye shadow is also applied on her lower lash line. Then lightly applied black matte eye shadow (3) from the outside corner of her lower lash line stopping ¾ towards the inner corner. Then using the same black matte shadow I apply tight lining on her upper lash line for full lash effect. (See image below for eyeshadow application with number guide for step by step application.)

 Dollface 88 Earth Color Palette

Then applied black cream liner on her upper lash line and flicked it slightly towards the outer corner for wing effect.

 ELF Cream Eyeliner in Black

Lengthening (first coat) and volumizing (second coat) mascaras are generously applied before putting on false eyelashes to finish the eye make-up.

 Maybelline Volume Express Hypercurl Mascara

Then I filled in her eyebrows with dark brown brow color.

On Lizle’s lips:

Since her lips are well moisturized already, I used a red lipliner to shape her lips. Then applied Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick in Top Tomato at the center of her lips and filled the red of her lips using a lip brush. I applied a second coat after the first coat dries for long lasting lip color.

Finally applied blush on her cheek for that flush from within look.

Listed below are the products used on Lizle to get the look. You may click on the product name for more info about it.

Face Primer: L'oreal Base Magique

Corrector: Nyx concealer in a jar in Orange, Elf concealer corrector palette using the Green one, Jazzy photo ready in PR-001

Concealer: Covergirl and Olay Simple Agless eye concealer in 215

Foundation: L’oreal Revitalift and Maybelline Dream Mouse

Powder: Nars Loose Powder in Eden mixed with Fashion 21 in #1.

Contour and Highlight: Dollface

Eyes: Nyx Eyelid Primer, Dollface 88 Earth Color Palette

Eyeliner: Elf Cream Eyeliner in Black

Eyebrows: Wet and Wild Ultimate Brow Kit

Mascara: Maybelline Hypercurl Volume Express

Cheeks: Maybelline Blush in Peachy Sweetie and Creamy Cinnamon

Lips: Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick in Top Tomato, Nichido Lipliner in Red

Get Jedda's Day look:

 Jedda wearing Top Tomato

Jedda will be having her second baby’s 1^st birthday party that day. She opted for a simple look with browns on her eyes. I suggested red lip color to go with it but she told me she hasn’t tried red lip color before. I told her we try it first and if she doesn’t like it then we replace it. She ends up loving it.

She has a normal skin (not oily, not combination) so liquid type foundation will suit her skin.

I prep her skin first to make sure that her make-up will last since she might be partying all night while taking care of her two girls. I applied a generous amount of lip balm on her lips to prep it for her matte red lip color later.

Then I used corrector under her eyes and set it with loose powder. Then applied liquid foundation to match her skin tone. I applied concealer under her eyes and spot concealing on areas that needed more coverage. Then I set the foundation and concealer with loose powder. Contouring and highlight are then applied.

On Jedda’s eyes:

I first prime her entire eye area with NYX Eyeshadow Base in Skin Tone.

NYX Eyeshadow Base in Skin Tone

Then I put brown (skin tone) matte eye shadow from Dollface 88 Earth Palette.

 Dollface 88 Earth Color Palette

Then using Kryolan 10 Eye shadow matte palette, I applied TV brown (1) matte eye shadow starting from the upper lash line and smoke it out just pass beyond her crease below the brow bown. The same eye shadow is also applied on her lower lash line.

Then lightly applied Anthracite (2) matte eye shadow from the outside corner of her lid and blending and fading it towards the center of the lid. The same eye shadow is also applied on the lower lash line ¼ of the outside corner. Then using the same black matte shadow I apply tight lining on her upper lash line for full lash effect.

Then Highlight (3) matte eye shadow is applied on the brow bone and blend it towards the TV brown matte eye shadow applied earlier. (See image below for eyeshadow application with number guide for step by step application.)

 Kryolan 10 Piece Matte Eye Shadow Palette

Then applied Highlight shimmer eye shadow on top of the brow bone just below the arc of the eyebrow.

 4U2 I-Pro Contemporary Palette

Then applied Maybelline Eye Studio black gel liner on her upper lash line, thicker line on the outer corner and fade into a thin line towards the inner corner.

 Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner in Black

Volumizing mascara is generously applied before putting on false eyelashes to finish the eye make-up.

 Maybelline The Hyper Curl Volume Express Mascara

I shaped Jedda’s eyebrows with dark brown brow color.

On Jedda’s lips:

Since her lips are well moisturized already, I used a red lipliner to shape her lips. Then applied Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick in Top Tomato at the center of her lips and filled the red of her lips using a lip brush. I applied a second coat after the first coat dries for long lasting lip color.

Then I applied two colors of blush for that flush from within look.

Listed below are the products used for this look. You may click on the product name for more info about it.

Face Primer: L'oreal Base Magique

Corrector: Nyx concealer in a jar in Orange, Elf concealer corrector palette using the Green one, Jazzy photo ready in PR-001

Concealer: Covergirl and Olay Simple Agless eye concealer in 215

Foundation: L’oreal Revitalift

Powder: Nars Loose Powder in Eden mixed with Fashion 21 in #1.

Contour and Highlight: Dollface

Eyes: Nyx Eyelid Primer, Kryolan Eye Shadow Compact, 4U2 I-Pro in Contemporary Palette

Eyeliner: Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner in Black

Eyebrows: Wet and Wild Ultimate Brow Kit

Mascara: Maybelline Hypercurl Volume Express

Cheeks: Maybelline Blush in Peachy Sweetie and Creamy Cinnamon

Lips: Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick in Top Tomato, Nichido Lipliner in Red

Have you tried  Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick in Top Tomato? What do you think of it? 

If not, go ahead and try it. It's definitely worth a try.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pros:
-Amazing Red Color
-Long Lasting
-Flattering Red Color
-Makes Teeth Looking Whiter
-Does not Fade
-Food-proof
-No need or less retouching

Cons:
-May cause lips to dry
-Pricey

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