Stuff to tame the crazy curly!

Even before I got my hair permed, I've been hearing and reading that the number one issue girls have with curly hair is the unmanageable volume due to frizz. So, aside from researching about where to have my hair digipermed, I simultaneously searched for products to switch to. Here are some of the stuff I bought within the past 3 months.

(Clockwise from left to right)

Bed Head Foxy Curls Shampoo (Php 1,540.00) and Conditioner (Php 1,605.00)
Being in such noticeable metallic violet bottles, I bought these instead of the initial products I intended to get from Basement Salon. Bed Head Foxy Curls boasts of its Frizz-Fighting Sulfate-Free qualities. The first time I tried the shampoo and conditioner, I loved its gummy bears-ish scent and the fact that it helped keep my hair looking smooth and relatively frizz-free. Unfortunately, I think my scalp and the products do not get along very well so I decided to buy another brand for curly hair so I can occasionally switch shampoos.

Gatsby Wax (Php 91.25)
After getting my hair digipermed, this is the brand of wax that the stylist used on my hair. There are different levels of wax's hold and I went for the Natural Hold. 
Things I love about this product: the scent,  leaves my hair bouncy and not crunchy, and its price!

L'oreal Studio Curl Power
My sisters and I bought this product way before I got my hair digipermed. We initially purchased this for whenever we curled our hair via the trusty curling iron. I haven't seen the Shine Curls Mousse in groceries for some time. Does anyone know if L'oreal still carries this product or not?

VO5 Obey! & Play Gel Wax (Php 204.75)
I've read from some sites that this brand's products for curly hair are exceptional. However, this fell short of my expectations. Not only does the wax smell icky, it also leaves your hair feeling crusty. I know it's wax and you should sort of expect it to make your hair flat but as its name suggests, it should make your hair obey and (still) PLAY.

Body Shop Cottonseed Curl Booster (Php 695.00)
This is another product that has been getting great online reviews. I guess I purchased this because I got too excited with the reviews. The curl booster is not a leave-in conditioner but is more of a serum. What it does is it helps keep your hair look shiny and bouncy. Several people are debating over its scent though. Some like it (they say it smells fresh), some don't. I, sadly, don't like its smell.

VO5 Extreme Style Mousse (Php 204.75)
This product is also from the well reviewed VO5 line. Although I didn't like their gel wax, their mousse I adore. This weightless and volumizing mousse lives up to its name. After I used this product, several friends noticed that my curls and waves became more prominent again.

Kerastase Bain Oleo-Curl (Php 1,240.00) and Oleo-Curl Intense (Php 2,160.00)
The moment I tried these, I knew that I should've stuck with my instincts and got these first. My hair feels soft and clean and not all tangled up (even without the conditioner). The conditioner, Oleo-Curl Intense, is exceptional. Even if it's quite expensive for a jar of conditioner, I think you get the most out of your 2,000 bucks. I use this daily as my conditioner (leave it on for 5mins and rinse) and I also use it to deep condition (leave it on for 10-20mins and rinse) my hair.

How about you, curly haired PK girls? What are your tried and tested hair products?

Nail Salon Review: Beauty and Butter

I've been going to the same nail salon whenever I want to relax and have my nails done for years now.  But lately, I've been going to other nail salons to try their nail art. Although I couldn't help but compare it to my favorite nail salon, I was able to objectively review this nail salon in SM Megamall called Beauty and Butter. It is conveniently located at the 5th floor of Mega A, away from the bustling crowds.

To be honest, even though I've been loyal to one salon for the longest time, I was quite excited to have my nails done at B&B because of their highly detailed hand-painted nail art designs. So it was a good thing that we had reservations for Friday afternoon because it's one of their busiest time slots. One observation I had when we arrived there was that it seemed like they lost our reservation along with our customer form but fortunately, they still accommodated us. We availed the Hand and Foot Spa with Manicure and Pedicure for Php999 and Designer Nail Art for Php600.

We were given four choices for the scrub that they were going to use for the hand and foot spa and these were: floral, fruity, minty or chocolate. My sister chose mint while I chose chocolate. The process is the same as other hand/foot spas. They soak your feet and fingernails, then they use your chosen scrub, rinse and then apply the mask and wrap you.

If there's one part I'd remember about my Beauty and Butter experience (apart from the nail art part itself) it would be that they wrap your feet and hands in a very cute manner which temporarily makes you look slightly like a mummy.

Anyway, after wiping the mask off with a wet towel, they massage your hands and feet and start to focus on your digits. I was a bit uneasy because the buttercups (that's how they refer to the nail technicians) assisting us didn't ask if we wanted our cuticles to be removed and just proceeded to do so. Luckily, everything went well and no one got injured. So, if you are also critical about having your cuticles removed, don't forget to tell your buttercup beforehand.

Beauty and Butter has their own nail polish line. It doesn't matter if you're getting a manicure, pedicure or nail art, they'll give you the freedom to choose the color they'd use on you. But keep in mind that when it comes to the nail art, this 'so-called-freedom-to-choose-the-color' also depends on the design of your nail art. With the design I chose, I didn't have the luxury to choose what colors they'd use for my nail art (hands only). I did, however, choose brown for my feet but the shade I chose turned out to be copper-ish.

I was surprised to see two male nail art design technicians. The two guys are their experts when it comes to painting the intricate designs. Instead of the usual nail polish and nail art pen, they use acrylic paint and fine tipped art brushes. (I was a bit hesitant about them using acrylic paint on my nails but I researched about it and found out that it is actually safe to use on nails. In fact, there are acrylic nail polishes in the market.) After patiently waiting for 45 minutes, my nail art was done! Once the acrylic completely dried, my buttercup applied the top coat and placed my nails under the nail dryer.

For the 3 hours that I stayed there, all I can say is that I enjoyed my first try. I loved watching Ace Ventura on their flat screen TVs, I enjoyed the yummy scent of their chocolate scrub and most of all, I loved how my nail art turned out.

Voila! Here's how our nails look like:

Wanna have your nails done too? Visit their site by clicking here .

Sleepless in Seatt..err..Manila?

Do you ever have nights wherein you just can't seem to fall asleep? I've been having those nights since last Monday and it's taking a toll on my skin, sinus and weight. Yes, girls..in case you didn't know...lack of sleep causes us to 1. get more pimples 2. seem like we have a darker complexion 3. weaken our immune system (easier to catch colds and cough) and 4. gain weight (we tend to eat more when we're sleepy because our body unconsciously wants more food so it can have more energy).

So, it was such a coincidence that I saw an article in Yahoo which gives tips on what to do to make it easier for you to fall asleep. Reading it gave me an idea. I tried to come up with my own list of do's and don'ts to help you fall asleep. Most concepts are similar to that of Yahoo's but I included it in the list because I find it useful.

Wanna get a good night’s sleep? Then follow these tips:

1. No caffeine after 7:00 P.M.

The guilty dog barks first. No caffeine after 7? Guess that means no more coffee-while-chatting-with-friends-after-dinner for me. But hey, I’m still up for the chatting-after-dinner part. It usually takes about 6 hours for the caffeine of half the amount of coffee you take to last in your body. So think about the other half left in your body. This also means that you may be able to fall asleep but according to experts, your body isn’t getting the benefits it can get during deep sleep.

2. Avoid doing any kind of work that takes alert thinking AN HOUR BEFORE BEDTIME.

You can fold laundry or put your clothes in your closet or sort the mail but stay away from budgeting your cash for the month or planning next month’s out-of-town trip.

3. Adjust your bedroom temperature to be slightly chilly.

4. Keep your bedroom dark.

I am aware that others sleep with the lights on but did you know that studies show that even a digital alarm clock’s light can disrupt your sleep cycle by disrupting cell division (making you more prone to having cancer!). Somehow our biological clock and brain attribute darkness to a calm environment which helps our bodies to relax and regenerate.

5. Slather lotion on if you’re having trouble sleeping.

I’m not sure why but slathering lotion relaxes me and makes me feel sleepy.

6. Gently stretch

Your whole body (once, twice or as much as you’d like) or your toes up and down (for several times). I love how stretching helps me relax. When I’m tired at work, I impulsively stretch my arms while preparing to yawn loudly, only to realize that I’m IN THE OFFICE. Also, I try to stretch my whole body (yes, from fingertips to toes) whenever I can’t sleep. Stretching relieves stress and in turn, induces sleep. It helps you feel less stressed by increasing the flow of oxygen in your body.

7. Just keep yawning!

8. Imagine that you need to get up already.

The thought of being rudely awakened by your alarm, the act of having to turn it off, the feeling of dragging yourself out of your bed and into the shower is actually an exhausting prospect. But that’s also why it works. Knowing that you have to do it soon makes you want to sleep early to get the most out of the night.

9. Take a warm bath.

Remember that you should take a warm bath, not a quick cold shower. You know how spas give you warm baths to relax you instead of cold showers? The same concept applies here.

10. Keep a small jotter and pen beside your bed.

Sometimes I can’t fall asleep because there are a lot of things running in my mind. To clear my head, I usually write down my thoughts or the things I want to remember. What’s great about this technique is that I get to remember the bouts of ideas that came to me the night before because I’ve already noted it down.

I hope these tips help you get to dreamland faster. May you also notice clearer, fairer skin and a slimmer, healthier physique. Happy snoozing!

Instant pick-me-uppers!

Do you have those days when you don't feel like putting make-up on? I have to admit that most days, I do get that feeling. Ms.D willy prolly get furious at me for admitting that I rarely paint my face pretty but I'm just so sleepy in the morning! Haha. But of course, as the title suggests, I don't completely go through the whole day without make-up. Instead, I wear minimal make-up that'll make me look (and feel) wide awake! I choose to wear one of the following (depending on what I'm wearing, what I'll be doing for the day and what my mood is):

1. Nivea Lip Care Star Fruits Cherry

Let me tell you about the make-up that is technically NOT A MAKE-UP. The first time I tried the Cherry flavored Nivea lip care, I didn't like its scent and taste because it reminded me of my medicine when I was a kid. That's also the reason I settled for the Strawberry flavored one. Although I don't remember what triggered my shift to Cherry, that's what I use now. I started to fall in love with this product when I saw that my lips were chapped-no-more and the hint of color (glossy&reddish yet still looks au naturel) is perfect for my skintone! Another perk of this product, it's quite affordable at P79.

2. Model Co. Cheeky Tints Cheek and Lip Tint

The texture of the product is a bit thick that's why I use this more for the lips (and rarely for the cheeks). There are several things that I like about this product (as a lip tint). One is that its finish isn't shiny. Remember the Lipps candy? The one that gives you pinkish lips after eating? The effect of this lip tint is similar to that. The only difference is that the shade this gives is darker and redder than Lipps' pink. Another thing I like about this product is that when you accidentally lick it from your lips, it doesn't taste bad. Fine, it tastes a bit salty but this tastes okay compared to the other cheek/lip tints I've tried.

3. Lip Color

Whenever I want to feel like a grown-up, I use lip color instead of lip tint or lip gloss. I use my Bobbi Brown Coral Pink lip color to get a natural-looking pink pout. According to the Bobbi Brown Cosmetics site, the shade I got is a bright warm pink, hence the orange-y shade. I like how subtle this hint of pink is on my lips. There's something about the color that helps me achieve that oh-so-feminine look I aim for whenever I opt to wear this. I use my Mary Kay creme lipstick in Sunset to get a warm red shade that's perfect for my skintone. I got this for 650php and it promises to defend your lips against wrinkle-causing free radicals with its Vitamin E and C derivatives. Also I like that it doesn't bleed when I wear it, making me unworried about getting lipstick on my teeth. There's also something about the Mary Kay lipstick that makes it quite appealing to me. Until I checked, I had no idea that it had a hint of vanilla flavor. But once I read it I had an 'Aha!' moment. I figured, that's why I like to use it so much...that's why I seemed addicted to it!

4. Nars Blush in Orgasm and Bobbi Brown Face Brush

I use the most popular shade of Nars' Blush, Orgasm --yes they also have the Super Orgasm. Orgasm is a peachy pink shade with shimmer while the Super Orgasm is a peachy pink shade with gold glitter. I use the Orgasm shade because I need this for everyday use, that means I need the less shimmery one. Ironically, I don't wear this everyday either. I especially avoided using this last summer because upon analyzing my face, I noticed that my face tends to turn red once I transfer from an air-conditioned room to a room with no air-con. So, using blush on really hot days would just make me look like a tomato.

5. Maybelline Volum' Express Lift-Up/Cat Eyes Mascara and Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

To highlight the eyes, you can emphasize your long, luscious lashes. To achieve that look, just curl your lashes then apply two coats of mascara. If I want thick looking, full lashes then I use the lift-up. If I want the sectioned (err, sorry can't think of a better term) and thick strands effect then I use the cat eyes. Another wonderful thing about mascaras is that there are a lot of good brands out there that are affordable.

If you plan to try the tips above, please take note to NEVER highlight your eyes and lips at the same time (you run the risk of looking clown-ish). Also, another tip we can give you is to assess your face. Maybe you need to conceal but don't need to put lipstick on (lip balm would do). Or maybe you need to put powder on your T -zone and skip putting blush. How about you girls, what's your fail-proof/ go to beauty product? :)

Project: Digiperm

Since 3rd year college, we've been dreaming of getting our hair permed. But everytime we seriously think about it we chicken out. Instead what we do is we just curl our hair with curling iron or curlers. Lately, my curly hair fantasies have relapsed.

I'm set to have my hair digipermed before June ends but to appease my longing, I googled tips, read magazines and asked around about stuff related to digiperming. To make it much easier for us to understand, I've divided the tips (do's and don'ts) according to 'timeframe'.

1. Pre-Digital Perm

Perm?What perm?

You're probably asking yourself "Am I sure that I want to have my hair permed?" Here are some facts to help you decide. First of all, there are two types of perms. The first one is a cold or traditional perm. The other one is the hot or digital perm. Some say the cold perm uses less chemicals, some say it's the other way around. The correct definition though is that with a cold perm, a solution is applied to your hair and makes your curls appear more prominent when it is wet. The cold perm is for you if you want tight curls. However, a number of people say that cold perms are not for recently treated hair nor for 'unhealthy' hair. A digital perm, on the other hand, is the process of applying a solution and heat to your hair, which in turn, makes the curls appear more prominent when it's dry. People say that with digiperm, it is easier to recreate the curls styled with a curling iron. So obviously, this is for you if you want to get loose curls. Most Japanese/Korean salons in the Metro also claim that digiperm is safe to use on hair that has been treated. Which brings us to our 2nd point..

Where shall I get my hair permed?

A lot of Korean salons and several Japanese salons have spurted around Manila. In considering where to get your perm, try calling the salon first or searching for reviews (consider the raves and rants) about their services. So far, I've read about the following:Tony and Jackey Hair Salon, Lee Chul Hair Ker Ker (1 Constellation St., cor. Makati Ave., 403-3728/29), Shine Girls (3/F Don Rafael Bldg., Guerrero St., cor. Makati Ave., 467-4302), Hair News Korean Salon (103 G/F, Raffles Bldg, Emerald Ave., Ortigas Pasig, 916-4582), Beauty Brick Hair Art (Unit 103 Doña Consolacion Bldg, 122 Jupiter St., Makati, 473-5108), Genic (G/F Pan Pacific Hotel, M.Adriatico cor. Gen.Malvar St. Malate, 4965853), and Shunji Matsuo (17 West Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo Pasig, 631-9424).

If you think you've found the salon that fits with your needs, go right ahead and book an appointment.

Among those on the list above, I'd love to try Lee Chul and Shunji Matsuo (if I had moolah to spend) and Beauty Brick and Hair News. However, the only one I've tried is Tony and Jackey. My tita has tried Hair News, though. Also, even though digiperm's technology originated from Japan/Korea, I heard that several Filipino (??) salons already offer perming services (like Bench Fix and Azta Salon).

Still unsure?

Why don't you try using virtual make-over sites? See how you'd look like with curly hair. Try one of our favorite sites, Taaz.

2. Day of Digital Perm

Washed hair or not?

It doesn't matter if you shampoo and condition your hair before going to the salon or not because once you get to the salon, that's the first thing they'll do (wash your hair).

What to bring?

Don't forget to bring your money. Digital perm costs around P2,500 to P8,000 depending on the salon but the average salon charges P3,000-P3,500 (depends on your hair length). You can also bring a picture of the type of curl you'd like to achieve. If you can't find a picture of the type of curl you want, don't fret. Salons will give you a variety of images to choose from. Another thing that's quite important to bring is an open mind. Sometimes, the stylist will give suggestions (such as using a different sized rod or giving you bangs). Don't shut out his/her suggestions right away. Listen to the stylist's reasons for suggesting certain things and from there, compromise. However, don't be a pushover too, ayt? If it feels as if the stylist is forcing a service on you just because it's more expensive (and not because he/she has justified that your hair needs that kind of treatment), you have every right to refuse. Lastly, don't forget to "bring your patience" because you'll be spending around 2 to 3 hours in the salon.

3. Post-Digital Perm

Low Maintenance?

What sold the idea of getting a digiperm for me was the fact that I get volume (exactly what my hair needs) without having to blowdry my hair every single day. All I have to do is towel dry it. Since it's supposed to look a bit messy, I also figured that I don't need to comb it (yes, I'm THAT lazy at times). Another bonus is that it's easy to maintain with just the proper shampoo, conditioner and mousse/wax/gel/cream.

In reality though, most people who had their hair digitally permed said that it's actually quite high maintenance IF you want to maintain the curliness of your hair for a longer period of time. If, however, you want it to look wavy (and not curly) then it's not that high maintenance.

Retouch?

Ask your stylist (you can give them a call to ask this, if they forgot to tell you). Usually digiperms last for 4-6 months. Others say that it stays 'forever', you just have to put products to define the waves. Take note, it would only be waves, not curls.

Well, are you more excited now? Did we help you decide? I hope this lengthy post helped you with your digiperm queries. Will post soon about my own digiperm experience! :)

photosource:http://doublyhappytoo.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html

Smoothness in a box

Since I discovered the (painful) joy of waxing, I've been waxing eversince. You know I use Strip It's Sugar wax but because I ran out of stock and I was too lazy to go out and pay via gcash/bank deposit, I decided to just get a box of Veet wax strips instead.

The box contains 12 strips all in all and as you can see, each is as big as my hand. Like what I do with Strip It, I cut the wax strips into smaller pieces to lessen the pain. Sorry didn't get to take a pic, but just imagine it cut crosswise.

Sooo... let's go to its pros and cons!

PROS: So easy to use! No more sticky applications, no excess wax, no prep time needed!

CONS: A little expensive, since the strips can only be used once and they are only enough for both legs, the price of php229.75 does not give good value for your money. Compared with Strip It which costs less then 300 bucks per tub and could last you for more than 4 waxing sessions, then I say, go for Strip It!
Also, for some reason the hair grows back faster. I'm only in my second week and already I can see it growing back. This comes as a surprise co'z I'm used to waiting for at least three weeks to a month before they start to regrow. *sigh*

Anywaaaaay, this isn't supposed to be a comparison of the two. It's just that I can't help it! In the end, I say, I'm still a Strip It girl but for times of extreme need, then Veet is the next best thing! :)

So with what's left of summer, I wish you all "smoothness" everyday!

This Summer, go Soft

Maybe it's effective advertising. Or maybe it's because I'm currently fixated on the color peach and baby pink. But I find myself getting drawn to Johnson and Johnson's 'Soft Look' ad as (sometimes) featured on the site (I hope you see the ad I am seeing right now)

All the pieces are just so whimsical! I couldn't resist dropping by Bayo to see them up close. I am loving everything! But the hefty price tag is keeping me from getting all the pieces in the collection. Ugh!

They are so nice up close! But then, because they were styled so well, you can't help get the exact same pieces and wear them the exact same way as well. Lol!

If you want to see more of the collection, check out their facebook (it's the same link as when you click on the ad. lol!)

DIY: sugaring

This may be the most stupid and most wonderful thing I have ever done: Do-it-yourself waxing-- or to be politically correct: sugaring.

It started with me staring at my semi-hairy legs. It doesn't really bother me that much especially since the hair is very fine anyway so it doesn't look ugly. I just get self-conscious whenever I get foot massages (the worst was when I was in China and it was a boy who massaged my legs. eek! embarrassing).

Somehow the idea of removing the hair appealed to me so I began researching about it. I went around different sites and I found out about the beauty of waxing. Says you won't have ingrown hair, the skin will be softer, it takes a while for the hair to grow back and when it does, it appears soft and thin, and lastly: in the long run, hair will disappear permanently! Wow right? I was immediately sold by the idea of waxing! Besides, celebrities wax all the time so I guess this really is the best method to use!

I opted for cold wax since a lot of people claim that it is less painful that hot wax. I ordered from Strip It co'z it says it's from natural ingredients and it's basically melted sugar so it's safer and hypoallergenic. After a few days of letting it sit in a corner, I finally decided to try it.

Here's the entire kit which contains the wax, applicator and cloths.

Just before using it, I popped it in the microwave for 12 seconds just to heat the wax a bit. It's a little tip I got from other users. I figured I had to do it too because it was too sticky, I couldn't even pull the lid co'z the wax was sticking to it.

I wanted to test it on a small portion of my leg. I've been preparing myself for the pain of waxing by practicing pulling band aids from my skin. I was expecting a lot of pain that when I finally pulled, I was so surprised that it hurt only a bit! I know I have low tolerance for pain so when I say it didn't hurt that much, it really means it didn't hurt that much!

After a while, I got a bored so I tried pulling more hair at a time and using a big strip of cloth, but boy did it hurt! lol! I realize it's less painful when you cut the cloth strips into small rectangles and doing small portions like I did:

Tips: Try getting extra cloth strips co'z even if the strips are reusable, you'd still find yourself short on cloth strips. I find it a little messy to reuse strips with wax on already so I say just get an extra pack. It's also best to have a place to put your used cloth strips co'z it's sticky and can create a mess. For me, I didn't bother saving the strips or the applicator, I threw them all out after using. Besides, I used up all the wax anyway. hehe :P

In less than an hour, I finally was able to get all the hair out of my legs. The amazing thing about it is how soft the skin on my legs was! I don't know if it's just because there's no more hair but I tell you, it feels so soft--comparable to that of a baby's!

I know what I did was stupid--having my first waxing experience at home but I tell you, it's the best stupid thing I've ever done! lol! I love it! Sugaring not only sounds sweet, it's effect is as saccharine too!

Buy at: Strip It

Naturally pink lips!

I'm a study of contrasts. I'm at extremes especially when it comes to makeup. I also go without and when I do put on some, it always ends up looking haute couture! (I love runway eye makeup!)

S' makeup artist mentor commented on how good my skin is and told me to NEVER put on makeup. Never? Alrighty! lol! Seriously though, what she said got me thinking. How do I go about not wearing makeup when almost everyone around me is wearing some?

After pondering on it, I realize I can always cheat! Lips! It's all in the lips! Know how when you put on lipstick, people immediately assume you're wearing full makeup? Hihi :P

Well, the idea of wearing lipstick still feels a little weird to me so I went for the next best thing: Lip tints!

I've been researching for months for the perfect lip tint. See, lip tints are the perfect things to use if you want to achieve naturally pink/red lips. The only problem with these is that they are often sold as lip/cheek tints. Why is it a problem? It's okay for the cheeks but it tastes horrible.

I've tried Ever Bilena's but I didn't last. The taste was unbearable! Next was the Face Shop's. The color was wonderful and application was so easy co'z it had an application brush but again, horrible taste! It's such a pain to lick your lips!

Well, for some reason, I found myself getting a tint from an online store. I know it's very risky co'z the brand is not famous but somehow, the "homemade" idea got to me and I wanted to try it!

Crushed Berry Lip & Cheek Tint in Peach berry Pink

I like this one co'z the seller says its basically gel with food grade color & flavor, fortified with natural lip plumpers. It has natural ingredients plus it has Vitamins A, C & E! And you know what's the greatest thing about it? It doesn't taste bad!

Here's my lips with the tint. The color is adjusted depending on how much you put. Just a tip: it's best to apply on your upper lip first then pucker up to transfer some color to your lower lip. Just adjust after. (I had to say that co'z I learned it the hard way: applied first on my lower lip, puckered up and got a lighter and uneven application on my upper lip! eww)

The only downside to this is that it doesn't have an applicator and you have to use your hands. I know it's for practical purposes because as indicated, it can also be used on the cheeks and we all know you apply cheek tints with your hands. Even so, I still think it's ugly and a little unhygienic.

I will be researching for a way to address this "scarlet pinky" problem. I mean, it's just a little boo-boo, I still think the tint is wonderful! And for its price, definitely a great deal!

Prices:
Peachy berry pink (Strawberry flavor) - P100 / 20ml
Berry red-violet - P110 / 20 ml
Mini tints (pinky size) - P50 / 5 ml (trial size)

Buy now at: Strip it

Basic Make-up Necessities

Hey girls! Some of you mentioned that you don't really use make-up but you want to know what products are necessary to jump-start your kits. We came up with a list which contains products that could help you create the natural look and is for everyday use. It is numbered according to the order of applying the products on your face. Hope this helps! ;)

1. Concealer

The most important thing to remember in putting on make-up is that you want to make your face look flawless. This means that your goal is to hide your dark under circles, acne scars, brown spots and redness. Concealing is all a matter of balancing the color of the flaw. So for our dark circles under the eyes (which has a bluish/purplish undertone), the salmon colored concealer works best - because of the pink tones it possesses. Avoid yellow concealers for dark circles because it would give you racoon-ish looking eyes. Some swear by the salmon colored concealer. They say that it also works when you want to conceal pimples and redness. I haven't tried that though (I've only used salmon-colored concealers for my dark under eye circles). What I've tried using are (1)green concealer and (2)professional grade concealer that is similar to or very near my skin tone.

Product Suggestions: Bobbi Brown's Corrector in Bisque, Mac Studio Fix Concealer in NC35/NC42 (depending on your skin tone), Make-up forever's HD Concealer in Beige Apricot, Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage in SC-03, Revlon Age Defying Spa Concealer, L'oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Concealer in Light/Medium Warm, Skin Food Rice Concealer

2. Eye Products

A. Eye Shadow

If you're still studying or already working, then we're assuming that you don't plan to wear loud colored eyeshadows in school or work. Besides, all you need to achieve the natural look are 3 shades (which, again, look natural) - light, medium, dark. So let's say I'm getting pastel pink, gold or copper, and taupe or tawny. I can use one, two or three colors alternately. Try getting eyeshadows in matte or semi-shimmer to avoid looking O.A. during the day. However, if you are going to a party or a night-out, then that's the time for you to use color and shimmer shadows.

Tip: Shape your eyebrows! Make sure they aren't too thin or thick or sparse :) Blend your eyeshadow, we shouldn't be able to tell up to where you applied the color! Watch youtube videos on how to blend.

Product Suggestions: Mac, Max Factor, Make-Up Forever, Coastal Scents, Elianto, PAC

B.Eye Liner

If you want to make your eyes look bigger, then use eye liner. Opt for brown eye liners for a more natural look. Pencils are the easiest to use and the most natural-looking. But, there are gel and liquid eye liners.

Product Suggestions: Lancome Le Crayon Kohl, Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner, Prestige Liquid Liner, Fashion 21, Ever Bilena, VOV Liquid Eyeliner

C. Mascara

Curl those lashes! Then make them look thicker by applying mascara. I can't believe how I've discovered the beauty of mascaras just now. I love how it makes my lashes look thicker and longer.

Product Suggestions: Lancome, Awake, Maybelline

3. Blush

There are a lot of blush options in the market. You can opt for the powder, cream, stain, or gel. I've tried all of these and all has it's pros and cons. So it is a matter of finding the right formula for your skin type (oily skinned should stay away from cream and opt for powder, etc.) . Just remember that your goal is to look like your cheeks are naturally flushed and not like someone b*tch-slapped both your cheeks! Some gels and stains leave more pigment on your fingers than on your cheeks. Powders are a bit inconvenient to apply (most don't have brushes that function well).

Tip: Blend the color to your cheeks so you won't look like you have a red or pink strip across your face! Asians have warm skin so opt for corals, browns, and warm reds.

Product Suggestions: Nars in Orgasm or Super Orgasm, Face Shop's Color Nuance, The Body Shop's Cheek Color, The Body Shop's Lip and Cheek Stain, Smashbox's O glow, Revlon Powder Blush.

4. Lipstick

The right shade of lipsticks for you are said to be the hardest to find. But Bobbi Brown (the well known make-up artist and make-up maker) said that your everyday lipstick should be 2 shades darker than your lip color. While Nude, should be 2 shades lighter. Red will depend on your skin tone. Find your shade of nude, pink and red lipstick to expand your make-up horizon. If you have the correct shades of these 3 for your skin tone, then you're good to go.

Tips: You can also try tinted lip gloss if you're a bit hesitant to use lipsticks. Also, you can try using a lipliner to prevent your lipstick from bleeding.

Product Suggestions: Mac, Bobbi Brown, Shu Uemura, Avon; tinted lipgloss: Nivea, Mac, Elianto

Optional:

1. Primer

If you have oily skin, use a primer! This also helps to make your make-up stay on your face longer. That means you won't have to keep on retouching after every subject (haha)!

Product Suggestions: Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot, Urban Decay Eye Primer, Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, L'Oreal UV Perfect

When to use: Before applying anything else. Right after you tone (no need to moisturize if you're applying make-up - which are oil-based)

2. Foundation

Please please please choose a shade that is closest to your skin tone! Try different shades on your jaw and go to the part of the store where they have natural light (sunlight). Choose the one which 'vanishes' to your skin because it means that's the one nearest your skin tone. This is important because I'm sure you don't want to see your photos and look like you're a person who does pantomime! You can opt for a foundation which has sheer coverage (but don't expect that to fully cover your flaws,ayt?).

Tip: Try the tinted moisturizers. Some suggest that you go for this to save you a step but I haven't tried using one so I can't really comment on this product yet. Hehe.

Product Suggestions: Mac, Revlon Color Stay, Mary Kay, Max Factor, Clinique

When to use: After concealing

3. Powder

If your concealer is sheer and you only concealed a small portion of your face then you can skip this. But if you used foundation and/or if you concealed a big part of your face, setting it with powder will be a must!

Tip: Prioritize application on the T-zone. Whatever amount of powder that's left on your brush, apply it on your cheeks and neck.

When to use: After putting foundation.

4. Brushes!

You could either make do with whatever brush comes with the product you purchased but if there aren't any then you can get brush sets or individual pieces.

Tips: Clean your brushes with a brush cleaner after you use it and try to wash it with regular liquid soap (not dishwashing soap or fancy shampoo!) under running water once a week to prolong its life.

Product Suggestions: splurge with--> Mac, Smashbox; save with--> E.L.F., Suesh

To help you girls, we've listed products which are both expensive for those who are willing to splurge and are affordable for those who are under a tight budget. If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

P.S. Some of the products in the product suggestions haven't been tried by the PK girls. Those were only researched and are loved by lots of people. So please be careful and if you can try the product before purchasing, we urge you to do so :)

So there, happy cosmetics shopping!