My Brush Collection

Happy New Year everyone! I still can't get over the fact that it's a long long holiday for most of us here in the Philippines! Wow!!! This is the longest vacation as far as I can remember! Hope your holidays are as good as mine. :)

To continue with my post, I decided to share my brushes to the world. Since I've been sharing some of the makeup and skin care I use, why not share the tools, right?

So in a glance, here are the brushes for my personal use. (Take note that I have a different set for my clients' use.)

I have Suesh 21's and some individual brushes that I'll be discussing later on.


To break them down: (This is quite a long post, so bear with me. I haven't been posting for a while. :p)

Powder brushes:
I use these when I just want to retouch or use powder for my face.


The flatter one is my smaller brush which I use for powdering the cheek pane area, and the round one I use for the whole face.


Charm Kabuki brush:
I use this brush when I want fuller coverage. I normally wear mineral makeup (specifically Dream Minerals Charlene foundation), so using a kabuki brush is quite handy. When I go out partying or go out at night, I normally use this brush.



Another foundation brush:
I got this brush from Aunt L. She bought this in Japan, if I'm not mistaken. I actually don't know what this is called (if anybody knows, do send me a shout out.) Anyway, I normally use this for my mineral foundation because it gives full coverage and the hair is really soft!



Foundation Brushes:
Suesh 21's and Elianto
I have 2 personal foundation brushes. 1 I use for my liquid or cream foundation and the other, I use for applying Skin Hour Mattifying Day Cream. I prefer using a brush when applying creams because I find it more sanitary. Foundation brushes are used for liquid and cream form of cosmetics.



Stippling brushes:
White Collection and Charm
I have 2 stippling brushes because I can't get enough of them! They give this wonderful airbrushed effect which I love love love and it's very easy to use, gives natural coverage which I like.



Retractable Kabuki Brush:
I have this in my kikay kit all the time. I don't really like using sponges, I prefer brushes. So even with a compact or pressed powder, I use this brush for touch ups.


Fan brush:
I love love love using this brush. Before, I didn't know what the fan brush is for, but after taking my makeup artistry course, I learned that this does a whole lot more than brushing the fallen pigments. I use this for contouring (sometimes), for my blush and bronzer!

I normally suggest my students to get this brush!


Angeled blush brush:
I like using an angeled blush brush for contouring my face. I try not to leave home without contouring since I have a round face. This brush helps me achieve more dimension to my face. :p


Concealer brushes:
Charm and Suesh 21's
Another must have for me! As the name goes, it's for concealing. :p I have two, because I like that I have 2 sizes, one bigger for bigger areas and one smaller for smaller areas such as the sides of the nose, etc.


Blending brushes:
Charm and Suesh 21's
Again, I like having a lot of blending brushes. This I use for blending the eye makeup color. So when browsing my eotd, when I blend, I use these brushes. Blending is the trick to perfect makeup!


Eyeliner brushes:
White Collection, Charm and Suesh 21's
I have 2 bent liners namely White Collection and Charm, and a felt tip kind by Suesh. I like having different types of eyeliner, because I love lining the eyes. Bent liners are God sent especially for those who are just starting to learn how to line properly.


I have other brushes included in the 21's set, such as eyeshadow brushes and the like, but I wasn't able to take photos of them anymore. :(

Lastly, here's another set that I have.

Charm Travel Pro:
I bring this with me when I travel, go overnights, or I have an occassion during the night, yet I have to leave the house early. Everything's there already, so this is the only thing I need to bring, this set.

So there you go... my collection of brushes. I'm pretty sure it will still grow because I love love brushes. But I really try to go for cheaper yet good quality ones than buying the branded ones. I try to research first for other alternatives to get my money's worth! :)

Almost all the brushes are available at Dream Collection. Ciao!

Wedding Jitters

I got this from someone's multiply and I'm just reposting. :)

Wedding season is upon us, and as you watch excited friends and family members scurry down the aisle, you might be wondering: When will it be my turn to tie the knot?

It is not unusual to get antsy about ascending to the next stage in your relationship, especially when you see friends of the same age (or younger!) already in the land of happily ever after. Of course, not everyone needs a ring to create a lifetime commitment with their partner, but for those who do want to get married, waiting for the proposal can be agonizing.

So, why in the world isn't he proposing?

Men Don't Hear the Clock Ticking. While men are fertile well into elderly years (Hello, Hef!), the biological clock keeps a different timetable for women. Even though medical advancements can now allow women to have babies well into their forties, the chances of conceiving and carrying a healthy baby to term decrease rapidly with age. Men often do not realize the extent of this fertility timetable, and even if they do, they might not feel the same pressure to settle down. The good news as to why he hasn't proposed yet? It's not you -- it's Mother Nature.

Men Dread the Big Day. Not all women dream of the big day and the white gown, but many do. As a result, some women crave marriage more than men, simply because they can't wait to be princess for a day! However, the groom-to-be usually feels something akin to dread -- not because he doesn't want to spend the rest of his life with his blushing bride, but because he doesn't want to spend hours deciding table arrangements or corralling his family into a reception hall. The upshot? Be sure your man knows your future wedding isn't going to be a three-ring circus, and get him thinking about possible honeymoon spots. The thought of you in a bikini in Aruba might get him down on one knee.

Men Want to Be Prepared. Yes, romantic comedies make spontaneous proposals look tempting, but the truth is that marriages fare better in situations where the finances and big life decisions are already planned out. If you and your significant other haven't seriously discussed marriage, let alone where you will live, if you will have kids, etc., chances are that he hasn't proposed because your relationship isn't prepared for that next step. The cure? Figure out if your life plans are on the same track by casually mentioning your own future goals, whether it is to own a business, buy a house, or have a baby.

Men Fear the Proposal Moment. Have you ever thought about how scary it must be to plan what is supposed to be the most romantic moment of you and your partner's life? From JumboTron proposals to hiding engagement rings inside of Crab Rangoon, previous grooms have created a lot for your partner to live up to. Assuage his fears by letting him know that skywriting is nice, but sweet, simple gestures are best.

Finally, if you know that you are ready for the next step in your relationship, but you still haven't seen any bling, you might want to consider summoning up your bravery and popping the question yourself!

My thoughts: Last paragraph.... Or not?! :p

Listverse.com

I've mentioned in my previous post in Twitter, I have been visiting this site recently and I am loving it. So I think it's time to share this site to everyone.

Welcome to Listverse.com. There's so so many topics to choose from. I find this site really interesting and quite informative. I hope you do too! :D If you like snooping around like me, you'd like this site. Haha!

Jason Magbanua

Can I just share? I found this video a couple of months back and I can't help but get goosebumps when I watch it. It's so so sweet and the effects and the music just made it even more breath taking.

Watch James and Tania's wedding video here.

I am officially a Jason Magbanua fan. I actually inquired about his rates. He's definitely out of my reach. But his work speaks strongly about his reputation, his name, his brand. :)

To soon-to-weds, you might wanna check out his packages!

Jason Magbanua
Unit-6 Star Centrum Condominium,
317 Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City
817-1989

Elianto Brush Cleanser

After a weeklong deep retreat (without any spa! BOOHOO!), I've finally brought myself up and I'm feeling better now. Whew! Well sooner or later, I'll be back to normal in no time. ;)

Anyways, after a long hiatus, I've decided to post something close to my heart, makeup. :p

I'm sharing one of a makeup artists' best friend. A brush cleanser!

Take note: I actually use a mild soap to clean my brushes. You can also use a baby shampoo to do this. However, there are some events that require you to work fast and work on several faces with a limited amount of time. So what do you do? It's quite unsanitary to use the same brush for other faces. You would want to sanitize and clean it before using it again.

So I use my Elianto brush cleanser in times like this.
(This bottle has been with me for more than 7 months and it's more than half full!)


Back view:


I transfer it to an atomizer spray bottle for easier usage and compact storage.



What I do is after using a brush a spritz a small amount of the cleanser to the hair of the brush and swirl the brush to a tissue paper and voila, all clean.

Tutorial coming soon!

Note: I still clean it with my mild soap when I get home though. I only use Elianto brush cleanser when I need to sanitize my brushes during a gig that requires me to work on many faces.

Tips:

1. You can never have too many brushes especially if you're a makeup artist! :)
2. Invest on your brushes! You'll be using it so many times and good quality brushes will save your day!
3. Use brush cleanser (whatever brand it is) sparingly. The components of the cleanser may be too harsh on your brushes. It has alcohol, so if you don't want to ruin your babies, spray just a small amount of cleanser until all the pigments are removed.
4. Clean your brushes after every gig! You don't want your brushes to be infested by bacterias and use it for your clients again.

Nobody told us to get our trophy, says Franz

By Abac Cordero of Philippine Star

Saturday, September 27, 2008

It wasn’t really on purpose that La Salle failed to accept the runner-up trophy last Thursday at the Big Dome following a very painful loss to Ateneo in the UAAP finals.

Coach Franz Pumaren said as the hurting Green Archers locked themselves inside their dugout after the game, nobody really told them that it was time to receive their trophy.

(Related stories on Page 15)


“Nobody told us to come out and accept the trophy,” said Pumaren yesterday. He was no longer as bitter as he was right after Ateneo clinched the title with a 62-51 win.

“Of course we were feeling bad but we were never really told to come out,” said Pumaren, who rued the officiating in the game that turned out to be the last of the season.

According to Pumaren, UAAP president Sergio Cao of host University of the Philippines decided to hand the champion’s trophy to Ateneo, amid all the celebration going on in the court, even if La Salle had not accepted theirs.

“I was told Mr. Cao told Fr. Bernie Oca (of La Salle) that they did not bother to call us because they felt that we were feeling really bad. That’s why we were not told to come out anymore,” said Pumaren.

Pumaren said it has already happened in the past that the runner-up team in the UAAP was no longer asked to come out and accept the trophy.

The Green Archers, their coach added, have already accepted defeat.

“We’re okay now. In fact we’re already looking forward to next year,” said Pumaren, adding that from the Big Dome the Green Archers had a sumptuous dinner in a Chinese restaurant in San Juan.

Last Thursday’s match was the last game for JV Casio in the UAAP, and probably also for Rico Maierhofer who might turn pro since he’s about to finish his studies.

“Whatever Rico’s decision is we have to respect. We will not hold him back. He has played for La Salle for so long and he has given us a title (2007). He’s ripe for the PBA,” said Pumaren.

Pumaren raised the fact that during game the Blue Eagles were awarded 28 free throws (making 18) off 29 fouls called on the Green Archers.

“And compared to us, we were awarded only eight free throws during the entire game where Ateneo only had 13 fouls in 40 minutes of play,” he said.

“It’s quite a disparity. But that’s how the competition goes,” he said.

Swivelz

O was so so excited to show me a "gadget" he recently bought. I've always laughed at the fact that he has so many small gadgets that not all people know about, much less own. Anyways, so when he showed me his new found gadget, he followed by telling me he bought me one too.

Here it is... Swivelz! It's P79.75 found in Handyman.


It's for cleaning glass tops. Cleaning of Swivelz is actually very easy too. Simply wash it with water and soap and let it dry.


Here it is. O bought a red one for me, and black for him.


It can be opened just like the photo below for easier cleaning (such as watches).


It's very very handy and has a keychain, so you can keep this in your purse.


Use it for your eyewear. It really does clean.


For your watch. Small dirt? Swivelz leaves nothing but clean lenses!


For my calculator. Hehe! You can also use it for your laptop screens and pc monitors. Those are always always dirty. Just make sure you clean Swivelz after.


My cellphone. You're sure it doesn't scratch the lens, unlike our normal wipes.


Let's just say even though I laugh at the gadgets of O, I'm always always impressed. :p So happy he got me this too, what a thoughtful gesture. :)

Siam Ocean World

Are you serious?????????

This is the only question I have in mind!

Recap! O went to Thailand early this month and he took photos of his trip. He mentioned that he went to this mall and was surpised when he saw a "tourist attraction" inside the mall. When I asked what it was, he showed me these photos.

See the fishies? I wasn't really stunned, I thought that there were are aquariums in the mall, and you get to see them. But no!!!

There was a shark shop?! What's that about? Dive with the sharks??????????

The last photo made me scream!

Walk with the sharks? Dive with the sharks? Are you kidding? Who in their right mind will want to be in an aqarium full of sharks? Eeep!!! The thought of it already makes me sick. (I guess it's pretty obvious that I'm afraid of sharks! :p) So I asked more information about it from O. He wasn't sure because he didn't try it, but he thinks you'll be placed in a "cage" and will be suspended to the water, so that the shark can't really eat you but you can still see it upclose.

See upclose? How about feel upclose? WAAHH! What if he bumps and bumps the "cage" and if the shark's too strong, what if he destroys the cage? I'm being paranoid, I know. But being trapped in a "cage" while the predator is aiming for me and I can't really do anything about it, swim fast, nada... it doesn't tickle my fancy! OH MY!!!! What an "attraction!"

Magnifying Mirror for Eye Makeup

One of the most important tools in doing my makeup- my magnifying mirror!

I bought this at SM department store and it costs around P150.00. I don't quite remember since I got this last year. Anyways, I decided to share with you one of my tricks. I use this magnifying mirror when I do my eye makeup. Promise, it makes a difference!

It has 150% zoom so I see every area of my eye and I can even see my pores! Hahaha! I love this when I do my eye makeup most especially eyelining.


I really suggest to get one for yourself, especially to beginners in doing makeup. It really helps! One tip, you have to hold it really close to your eye (if you're doing eye makeup just like me), or else you'll get a blurry image and will just become dizzy.


This actually has double sided stickers so you can stick it onto the wall, but I decided not to so I can hold it and position it whatever or however I want.

I think there are different kinds of magnifying mirrors so do check them all out and see what you like best. There's 120, 150 and 200% zoom. :) Hope this helps! Good luck! :D

Cleansing Oil Challenge!

I own two cleansing oils. I have Skin Hour Deep Cleansing Oil and --i--t- Honey Cleansing Oil. So one night, after a tiring day of makeup gig for a photo shoot, I had to clean all my brushes and containers.

I always make sure that I take care of my brushes by giving them a bath after using them. I used a lot of liquid foundation that day, I got my container (where I put and mix my liquid foundie) and experimented and tested the cleansing oils. I normally use a mild soap for my brushes and containers, however, we all know that it will be difficult and close to impossible to remove liquid foundation with it. So here goes the challenge.

This is the container. As you see, the liquid foundie has already dried up.


These are the 2 cleansing oils that are up for the challenge.


First, I tried using --i--t- Cleansing Oil. I scrubbed really well.


Here is the result. The liquid foundie just spread out but it's still there.


Now, I tried using Skin Hour Deep Cleansing Oil. I used the same container. And again scrubbed well.


Here is the result. Tada! Clean clean container!


The verdict: Skin Hour Deep Cleansing Oil wins!!! :D So I used this for my baby brushes also!

However...

The Cleansing Oil of --i--t-, even though it can't clean liquid foundies, can be used to clean eyeshadows and blushes (mostly powder). This is what I used for my other containers that I just used to foil my shadows. It is also foamier. So when used on the face gives a soapy texture.

So I still have the two until now. Although of course, I use Skin Hour's more often. It shows how organic products are really magical! :) Imagine what these two do for your face when you use them as cleansers. :) Skin Hour proves that it deeply cleanses but is still mild and refreshing!