Liebster Blog Award

 The Liebster award is for given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers. If you get tagged, you have to present 11 facts about yourself and answer the questions asked by the blogger who tagged you. After that, you must create your own set of 11 questions and tag 11 bloggers who you think are deserving for the Liebster award. It's a fun way to get to know more bloggers in the online community. Thank you Make-up Maite (http://makeupmaite.blogspot.com/) for tagging me!

11 Facts About Me:

1. I am a realist. I always avoid sugarcoating things. Expecting things to go my way all the time will just leave me depressed.
2. I am the most insecure person I know. I always have something negative to say about myself.
3. My dream career is to be a doctor, yet I am stuck in the business route. I want to be a doctor because I am addicted to House MD and I want to solve puzzles like Gregory House. HAHA
4. I like being creative. I love coming up with new ideas and being resourceful.
5. When I read books, I don't get to finish them most of the time. I get bored by the time I reach half of the book.
6. I work better under pressure. My mind is able to generate more ideas this way.
7. My favorite film is Romeo and Juliet - the 1968 version. I was so in love with this movie that I was able to memorize the lines for 1 act and 1 scene.
 8. My other favorite movie is Mean Girls. I quote it everyday. HAHA
9. I am a frustrated dancer. I've always wanted to be a ballerina, but I never got to learn since classes are so expensive.
10. My biggest dream in life is to walk the Victoria's Secret runway. HA! Not going to happen. LOL
11. I am obsessed with pandas! I have about 7 panda shirts, 5 stuffed toys, a pillow, 2 necklaces, and 4 pairs of earrings. <3


 Make-up Maite's questions:

1. What do you think is your most attractive feature?
I think my best features are my eyes. I know most people will answer their eyes, but I really think it's the most attractive part of my face. Naww.. That sounded narcissistic, but what the hell. People tell me I have big eyes and a small face, thus making me look so much younger than my age. During my seventeenth birthday, the organizers for my party thought I was seven when they saw my photo. HA! It's kind of irritating, but flattering as well.

2. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully, I would have graduated by that time. Currently, I am studying accountancy which is such a pain. I am hoping I won't be forced to shift to another degree because I want to finish this what I have already started. If my fate won't be as I would like to be, I'd probably be a med student five years from now.

3. What's your blogging style?
When I blog, I just type whatever comes into my head. I don't prefer highfalutin words and write as if I am just speaking. I think it makes readers more comfortable and it is gets straight to the point.

 4. How do you feel about plastic surgery?
Plastic surgery is okay if you have bucketloads of money. I don't really have much control on the people who are willing to undergo such treatment. Honestly, I think it's unnecessary. Everybody has their unique beauty, they just fail to see/appreciate it. 

5. Who is the most influential person in your life?
I don't really know. Haha. The safest answer I can give is my mom. My mom is very hardworking and patient and I admire her for that. I want to be like her because these traits can help me with my career and life someday.

6. Do you have to be a size 2 to be sexy?
Lol. I think I am a size 0 and I don't really like my body. I am 99 lbs and people always tell me I am anorexic, when in fact I eat like most people do. Sexiness cannot be attributed with physical features, it is determined with your attitude.

7. What is the first thing you do when you get up in morning?
Ask my mom for another 5 minutes of sleep, then go to the bathroom and do the usual things. Haha

8. What is the last thing you do before you go to bed?
Check my Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, mail, Formspring until I get sleepy.

9. What is your personal style?
My personal style is random. There are times I dress really lazy (e.g. in school, I wear jeans and shirts only) and sometimes I dress girly (skirts, dresses, accessories). It depends on where I am going. I admire the style of Camille Co, whatever style you call that. 

10. How do you feel about calorie counting?
Never done this. I feel neutral about it. As long as people eat and get the nutrition they need, I don't have anything against calorie counting.

11. If you could send a message to your future self, what would it be and why?
Don't forget to thank the people who helped you become who you are now. Haha. It pays to appreciate those who were there with you in your ups and downs. :)

I am tagging:

http://yonderhorizons.blogspot.com/
http://buttondownboulevard.blogspot.com/
http://thegeekwearsstilettos.wordpress.com/
http://anjhelikah.blogspot.com/
http://poptartselle.blogspot.com/
http://itsmisskarlee.blogspot.com/
http://rhiandrach.blogspot.com/
http://lockslipsandlashes.blogspot.com/
http://makeupbyanna888.blogspot.com/
http://ellemariee.blogspot.com/
http://shebby-chic.blogspot.com/

My questions:

1. What rule do you live by?
2. Are you spontaneous or a planner?
3. If you would have a tattoo, what would it be?
4. What's your favorite book and movie?
5. Who/what inspires you?
6. What is your biggest fear?
7. What issue in the society are you interested in?
8. What place in the world would you like to visit?
9. How do you come up with the outfits that you wear?
10. How can you describe yourself in one word?
11. If you could have all the money in the world, what would you do?

The Beauty Junkee's Grand 3rd Anniversary

This is another blog giveaway post. The Beauty Junkee is celebrating it's third blog anniversary and Martha, the author, is giving away PHP 70 000 worth of prizes. 16 lucky contestants will each win a loot bag containing products from her sponsors. The brands are Camaru Naturals, Strip It!, Nivea, Carmex, Beauty and Minerals, Digital Traincase, Brown Belly, Majolica Majorca, Tupperware, Flawless Face and Body clinic, LapDance bags, Fresh Fragrance Bar, Royal Effem, Max Factor, and Covergirl.

For more details, go here.

Note: This contest is open to Philippine residents only.

I'm so excited with this blog giveaway and I hope I win! :)

Make-up Maite's Blog Giveaway

I'm in the process of joining a blog giveaway. This is the first giveaway I am joining in and I really hope I win. The winner will get an Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette. I hope I win. I've been dreaming of owning Urban Decay stuff since I first knew them. lol.

http://makeupmaite.blogspot.com/2012/05/giveaway-naked-2.html

Copied from Make-up Maite's blog:

The Naked palette 2 came out late last year and, apparently, could not stay on the shelf for more than two hours every time they put it on display. If you're one of those who lucked out and walked into the store only to find they were sold out, or simply don't want to dole out the ridiculous amount on the price tag (it retails for around SGD80 or USD50), I have good news: You can get one FREE!

Win the Naked Palette 2 by Urban Decay!

Yes, that's right! I am giving away Urban Decay's Naked 2 palette! This is my first giveaway since starting this blog late last year. This is my way of ending the summer (and welcoming the new school year) with a bang.

Here's a sneak peek of what you'll be getting.

Comes with a mini-tube of Lip Junkie lipgloss.

Naked 2 boasts 12 neutral colors (5 of them new!) in matte, shimmer and glitter textures.

The palette comes with a dual-ended Good Karma crease and eyeshadow brush.

*The pictures above are of my own Naked2 palette. The one the winner will be receiving is sealed.


I was lucky back then to win the grand prize in a raffle. I do hope I'll get lucky again this time. :D

Basic Makeup Brushes

If you're a beginner like me, you don't need to splurge on expensive 28pc brush sets. All you need are these basics. You may begin to expand your brush collection when you have mastered the basic makeup application techniques. In my opinion, these are the must haves:


FACE:

Powder brush

(source: beautybar.com)

There are different types and sizes of this kind. Some popular ones include the flat top and angled brushes. Powder brush is usually used to spread powder products on to the face (Although I have written in a previous post that powder brushes are used to knock off excess powder. A lot of people use this brush this way and you may find it convenient; it depends on your preference). Powder brushes should be dense so it is easier to pick up loose powder or even blush (if you don't want to spend on a separate brush).

Kabuki brush

(source: E.L.F. UK website)

Kabuki brushes originated from Japan. They function similarly to powder brushes. These brushes are also dense and are mostly used in applying mineral makeup. They also vary in sizes (i.e. for application of foundation, blush, etc) A Kabuki brush is used in a circular motion.

Stippling brush

(image from amazon)

I personally want to own this kind of brush seeing that it is versatile. A stippling brush may be used for applications of liquid and powder foundation, and blush. This is used in a "stippling motion" (also a circular motion. lol)

EYES:


Eye Shader brush

(MAC 239 brush; source: makeupgeek.com)

A basic eye shader brush is flat. Eye shaders may come in small, medium, and large sizes for precise application. The flat shape of an eye shader brush provides the ability to pack lots of color into the bristles.

Crease brush

(source: lauramercier.com)

Crease brush are of course used to put color into the crease. Basic eye shader may be tedious to use in this area so it is recommended that you own a crease brush especially when working on smokey eyes. Crease brushes are dome shaped and they may also be used for the lower lids.

Blending brush

(MAC 217; source: maccosmetics.com)

For more advance eye makeup, blending brushes are used to soften up hard edges and create a 'gradient' effect. Blending brushes may also be used for shading. A blending brush is usually fluffy to ensure flawless blending of eyeshadows.

Angled eyeliner brush

(source: amazon.com)

Angled eyeliner brushes are commonly used to apply gel eyeliners. They may also be used for eyeshadows used as liners (wet/dry eyeshadows) and for filling up sparse areas in the eyebrows.

For the lips, a lip brush is not really necessary if you're doing makeup for personal reasons. However, if you'll be using a lip product on another person, it is recommend to use a lip brush for hygienic purposes. As for concealers which comes in pot form, some people would prefer using their fingers as this warms up the product. On another note, it is unhygienic to use pot concealers if more than one person will be using it (Imagine all the fingers which have gone through that pot!)

There are lots of other makeup brushes there but I believe one can do simple, everyday makeup with only these. I hope this helped! :)

My First Facial Experience.

Sorry, I do not have any photos to display in this post. Anyway, my mom, brother, and I went to the nearby mall to get a facial. They've been getting this service for years now while it's my first time today. I wasn't allowed to have a facial before because the attendants say that I am too young. Since I recently turned 18, my mother agreed but she warned me that it'll hurt. In reality, my mom was exaggerating. At least for me it was tolerable. Having my brows threaded hurt more.

Facials are done to remove blackheads and whiteheads. The lady who did my facial explained that the nose is usually the area in the face which have a lot of these flaws. This is because the T-zone (the area along the nose and the forehead) tends to produce a lot of oil. Oily skin attracts more dirt and grime. When we don't clean our face thoroughly, these dirt builds up and forms the blackheads.

Sounds disgusting, right? That's why it is recommended to cleanse our faces deeply. A facial may be done at least once a month. Invest also in good skincare products. You may wash your face with a scrub once a week and a mild facial wash should be used everyday. To get great results, wash your face with warm water and rinse off suds with cold water. This will close your pores and prevent dirt to accumulate in your face. Afterwards, apply a toner to cleanse the face thoroughly. Some toners may strip off moisture from the face so moisturizing is also an important part in any skin care routine. Also, make sure to protect your skin from UV rays by applying sun screen every time you go out (not only when swimming!) To gals who wear makeup everyday, please let your skin breathe. Remove all your makeup before bed so as not to clog your pores.

Taking care of your skin is as important as knowing the basics of makeup application. Clear acne-free skin provides a great canvass to apply your makeup. Start taking care of your skin while your still young. You won't regret it when you grow up. ;)

YouTube Makeup Guru: gossmakeupartist

I spent half my day watching makeup tutorials on YouTube. Of course, I had my dose of Michelle Phan videos and I decided to watch other gurus since I might pick up some new tips. It actually interested me to see these guys doing makeup tutorials. I was curious so I just clicked on to the related videos side. I watched videos of 'gossmakeupartist' and I was really impressed! To think that he's a dude, he has mad makeup skills. And he really knows what he's talking about. What separates him from others is that he teaches techniques for all types of eye and face shapes. Some gurus will just do their own generic makeup tutorial. For beginners like me, I recommend you watch this guy's videos. You'll surely learn lots of useful information. Here's a link to his YouTube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/gossmakeupartist

Subscribe to him! You won't regret it. :)

Edited Posts

I edited some of my makeup review posts to make them sound more professional. Please check them out! There were some additions and changes that might be helpful. :)

Miss Match.

I recently discovered a site wherein you can mix and match clothes from different brands. I think this is similar to Polyvore. However, this one has outfits from local brands like bench, Bayo, Human, Jellybean, etc. Since I don't have a Lookbook, I'll just resort on this. For now.

What a girly website!

This reminds me of my paper dolls when I was a kid. I'm gonna start creating some looks. :D

Lip Colors.

Almost all brands of makeup offer a range of lipsticks, glosses, and tints that somehow make it harder for you to choose. This is basically just a guide slash my opinion on lip colors.

RED

 I think red is a universal color for all skin types. Red is a perfect color for an evening makeup look because it is more dramatic. Personally, I don't like this shade on me because it makes me look older and serious. For women in their 20's and up, this is a great lipstick to invest on. However, if you decide to wear this shade, make sure that the eye makeup is simple (although there are some who can pull off red lips with smokey eyes). Reds with blue undertones also makes your teeth whiter.

PINK

Pink lipsticks shades are my ultimate preferences. For me, pink is such a girly and playful color. It is also suitable for younger ladies and teenagers. It reminds me so much of Barbie! Pink, especially brights, indicates that you are adventurous and fun.

CORAL

Coral is like a muted version of orange. However, I think this one isn't really appealing on darker skinned people. This can be used as an everyday makeup and gives off the right amount of color without going too overboard.

PLUMS

Plum lips are perfect for women with medium to dark complexions. This is a combination of red and purple tones. Similar to red, this can also be too serious and is best to use at night occasions. IMO, people with fair skin who wear this color makes them look like they're antagonists of some soap opera.

NUDE

Nude is great if you are trying to sport a natural or a no makeup makeup look. This is also a popular partner with darker eye makeup (I love blue smokey eyes and nude lips). Nude is a lipstick color which you can wear everyday and every girl must have at least one tube. Look for products which aren't too matte because it may be a bit unflattering. 

There are also colors which are not suggested for everyday wear but are used as 'studio makeup'. Examples are orange and violet. If you're brave enough, you can still purchase products in these shades.

and then there's black for gothic makeup looks.

(awesome eye makeup for the purple and black lips!)

What's your favorite shade? :)

*All pictures are from Google.

What's In My Makeup Stash.

Short story first. Every Christmas, when I was a kid, I was hoping that I would receive toy makeup like the ones they sell at Toy Kingdom. I secretly gave hints to my mom but she never got the clue. For a kid, I was too girly and now that I am already eighteen, I can buy makeup to my heart's desire. I'm still dreaming of becoming a makeup artist. Michelle Phan is my idol. :D

This post is just to enumerate the stuff I got. I'll be doing reviews on some items in separate posts. The pictures in this post are taken from my iPod so expect super grainy shots. I was too lazy to get our dSLR. :))

First of all, I'm throwing these out.

Sally Hansen lip gloss, Careline eyeshadow, Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips, Avon Trio (conclear, gloss, eyeshadow, Avon foundation + concealer, Nivea lip gloss, generic lip gloss I got from my aunt (lol), Clinique lipstick, Avon lip gloss, and an old eyelash curler.

Currently, I own three bags of makeup. I just couldn't fit them all in one bag. HAHAHA.

The black with polka dots bag contains eye makeup, the beige one has my lippies, and the pink one has face/cheeks makeup, accessories, and brushes.

MASCARAS:

Wet n' Wild Mega Lash Mascara, Wet n' Wild Waterproof Mascara, Elf Lengthening and Defining Mascara, Estee Lauder Bold Volume Lifting Mascara, Covergirl Lashblast Volume

EYELINERS:

Elf Brightening Eyeliner (I have two. I bought one and the other was a gift.), Elf Eye Widener, Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner

 EYESHADOWS: (No matter what I do, I just cannot rotate this pic.)

 La Pensee four color dome eyeshadow, 4 Elf blendable eyeshadow duo, Elf brightening eye color, Estee Lauder Pure Color eyeshadow, Stila eyeshadow trio, Beauty Rush Luminous eyeshadow

FACE/CHEEKS:

Avon Simply Pretty Lip and Cheek Tint, Avon Simply Pretty Pressed Powder, Loreal Bare Naturale Mineral Foundation, Lancome Ageless Minerale Blush, MAC Beauty Powder, Revlon PhotoReady Liquid Foundation, Lancome Oscillation Power Foundation

LIP BALMS:

Lip Smackers Strawberry Snowflake, Lip Smackers Skittles Blueberry, Nivea Cherry Kiss, some generic lip balm that feels too waxy, Lip Smackers Skittles Strawberry

LIP COLOR:

Etude House LuciDarling Lips, Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lip Color, The Body Shop Hi-Shine Lip Treatment, Beauty Rush Minty Lip Shine, Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipstick, Lancome French Touch, Careline lip gloss, The Face Shop Fruit Jelly Tube

TOOLS:

Elf Foundation Brush, Elf False Eyelashes, Etude House Multi Eye Shadow Brush, Elf Eyeshadow Brush, Elf Smudge Eye Sponge, Elf Eyelash Curler, Elf Face Brush. (Everything is from Elf and nothing hurts. No. Actually, it's because Elf brushes are the cheapest.)

And this is everything.. Couldn't fit in a single frame. 

 It's such a waste that I don't use everything. This summer, I vow to watch more YouTube tutorials so that I can learn how to properly use them. I need more brushes though. :(