Hello Everyone!

A few weeks ago my friends and I spent the weekend together on a Harry Potter inspired getaway. We went to an amusement park and later our friend's house where we played games based on the books and movies. We were sorted into houses, "conjured" Patronuses, and collected Horcruxes every time we won a game. I was sorted into Slytherin~ very happy to say that my team was the overall champion! We all had a lot, lot, lot of fun and towards the end of the event, we had a Yule Ball photoshoot (even though it was technically still summer haha).

(photo: A. Aquino post-processing: T. Rosario)

We made the decision to make sure that Slytherin streamlined and we had a unified look. The end result was very "Old Hollywood" with the warm defined smokey eye and red lips.

For my base, I did my usual routine with the Bourjois 10-hour Sleep Effect Foundation in #72 and the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone on my cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose. I also used my new Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 15 Fair under my eyes and mixed in with my foundation to cover blemishes. On my cheeks, I used my YSL Blush Variation in 3 Camel. 

On the day itself, I had Danie of That Nugu, do my brows, but here I used the Majolica Majorca Lash & Brow Colorist in BR555 Maroon Brown. On my eyes, I started with the Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze all over the lid and layered on more in the outer V. I deepened that with Erotica, a cool-toned dark glittery brown from the Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette. I took the warm gold Honey Pot shade onto the center of my eye. I blended everything in with Cocoa Puff, which is a warm glittery chocolate brown. Everything applied with fingers and blended with my BYS Synthetic Domed Shadow Brush.

 Then I went in with the Nichido/Precise Eye Pencil in Black Ebony in light dots and small strokes right on the lashline for subtle definition. I used the NYX Retractable Eyeliner in #08 Silky Cashmere on my lower waterline and on the inner part of my lower lashline (not on the tear duct!) I put a line of the Jessica Automatic Lip & Eye Liner Pencil in #22 Metallic Brown winged out slightly parallel to the lashes to elongate the eye. To further elongate the eye, I used my Eyeko Alexa Chung Lengthen & Strengthen Mascara, combing them up and out toward the sides and on the lower lashes. I also used some Andrea Individual Falsies right on the outer lashes. 

Finally on the lips, I prepped with Fresh Sugar Treatment in Rosé. On the day itself, I used Pauline's Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Mandore. To re-create that, first I stained my lips with L'Occitane Lipstick in #0141 Améthyste, then I mixed my Covergirl Queen Collection Lipstick in #Q415 Tawny Port and the VDL Expert Lip Color Lip Cube EX in #502 Hello Stranger.

(photo: A. Aquino)

Pauline (in blue & white) wanted to do a dark red lip (she's also done a post about this look here), Bella (in white) wanted a brown-toned smokey eye, and I wanted to use bronze-gold shades. We even put some bronze and brown shadows on Niño (in blue), which gave a nice sheen and some definition. I'm really happy with how everything came together and we all looked pretty damn good :)) The decision to have similar elements really paid off.

On this shoot, I also got to do makeup for five of my friends and they were all quite happy with how they turned out (especially my friend Marty who tried contouring for the first time XD) This has gotten me really excited for future photoshoots and I hope I get to do another one soon~

P.S. #SlytherWIN

The first of the -Ber months has come to an end! This month I was in and out of the country quite a bit and I did not want to carry too many products with me. At the same time, however, I really did not want to need makeup and not have it. The items I listed down below are a few of the essentials I packed with me that performed beautifully whenever I needed them.

Tony Moly Delight Circle Lens Mascara in #03 Clear Circle

It was a tough call leaving my black mascara back at home, but I decided to sacrifice mega long lashes in favor of a product with two uses. This clear mascara may not lengthen or thicken the look of my lashes, but it certainly helps keep them looking curled and defined. On top of that, this makes a pretty good clear brow gel as well. The best part about it was that I did not have to spend ages easing waterproof mascara off my lashes when I was dead tired at the end of the day.

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine in #1122 Ultra

Don't we all get really dry lips after a flight? Mine are the worst. They peel and flake, but worst of all I get tempted to bite them, which only makes matters worse. This lip plumping gloss is the best. It has peppermint which not only tastes and smells amazing, it also helps keep my lips hydrated and full-looking. I take this with me everywhere and I always put it on right when I am just about to start putting my makeup on. So when I finally finish the rest of my face, my lips are moisturized and a lot of the gloss has sunk in and does not look gloopy and sticky.

BYS Synthetic Eye Shadow Blending Brush

This brush was an absolute steal at Php 300. It is super fluffy and the hairs do not fall out. It is also the perfect size for those of us with smaller eyes and creases because a lot of other brushes are too big and sometimes ruin the eye makeup as a result. This makes blending along the crease really easy and it is also really portable.

The Face Shop Illuminating Cushion Blusher in #02 Orange

Don't worry, I have not given up my Borjois Cream Blush yet. This is the blush I've been choosing to layer over it. It's a bright orangey pink shade. It has a little bit of shimmer in it so it is great for blush that's a little higher on the cheeks. It really helps brighten up dull skin because a little glitter makes you look fresher in the sunlight. I chose to bring this also because it had a little puff inside which meant I didn't need to bring a blush brush. (teehee)

Too Faced Natural Eye Palette

This has nine gorgeous shadows (six shimmers and three mattes) that brighten up the eyes even after a fourteen hour flight. It is a pretty versatile palette and I love the quality of the shadows. My favorite combination is Silk Teddy as an all-over color, Push Up on the outer corner and Cocoa Puff along the lash line. Velvet Revolver is great for putting in the crease and for contouring the nose as well. I avoided bringing anything too expensive because there was always the chance I would lose them, but I could not resist bringing this along.

K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner 24h in Natural Brown

Speaking of things I lost. I could not find the photo I took of my K-Palette eyeliner so I apologize for this stock image. Though it is a big improvement because all the text on mine has been rubbed out due to use. I'm a big fan of brown eyeliner because of how you get the definition you need without it being as ostentatious as a bold black line. I am also a fan of a brush tip because for as long as you hold it properly, it will not lose its point and become blunt or frayed. I loved using this along the lash line and for filling in spaces along the lash bed itself.

My makeup looks this time around were still a bit natural, but I definitely had a lot more shiny, glittery products on. I find that it really does help especially if your skin is a bit dry and lackluster from planes and jet lag. Nothing too fancy on this list, but I think it's a pretty good run down of what was essential to me when I'm forced to limit myself. I did not include a lipstick on this list though. I could not possibly choose from the six I brought with me, but I definitely believe it is incredibly essential as well.

 Hope you all had a good month! See you in my next post!