Posted in Makeup Tips and Guide

Affordable Makeups for Graduation

Thursdays and Fridays for Instagram freaks are usually meant “throwbacks” and “flashbacks” ( with the hashtags of course) And for millennials (as what we called) and titas of Manila (which is more fitting for me, lol) we cringe whenever we see our photographs from way back. Be it baby pics, family reunion, office functions and the most timely graduation. Yep! Do you still remember those studio pictures that doesn’t even give justice ( to think it’s taken from the studio *roll eyes roll*) Those makeups that you don’t have any say at all just because you’re too scared to ruin the artistic vibes of the makeup artist or else her mood will be all over the place and you’re the one to blame. And those sky scrapper bangs. Ugh! It’s either I wasn’t able to move on or because I was hoping to share that achievement of my life to my children or grandchildren in the future but afraid of the mockery by my own kin. Anyways, gone were the days. At least now we could edit out our imperfections from different photo application. Or we could go to a salon to get ourselves fixed for the main event. But not all are for the shamcy fancy. Most are still opting for practicality like doing it their own since there are so many affordable stuffs now to choose from. It’s also a good investment for makeup enthusiast or those who wants to put up their own collection of necessities just in case a function needs it. So with this in mind, I’ve listed makeups, tools as well as shops that could be of help now that graduation is here. 

First things first, let’s not put aside the natural beauty of a youthful skin. We should always bear in mind that we have to maintain that youthfulness by moisturizing our face. Moisturizers gives a very good base for your skin. It also helps to keep the makeup adhere more. The best to use are the light ones that are non-greasy such as Celeteque Hydration Facial Moisturizer 

via BDJbox

 I know some are still skeptical in using moisturizers in a tropical country like ours but believe me this is a very good investment that your skin will surely thank you for someday. A 50ml tube retails for Php 115.

Next is to Prime. This event calls for long hours of waiting. Primers is like setting a good canvass for a good makeup. So if you still want your look to hold until the moment the Dean calls your name, girl you have to prime. A highly suggested, affordable and a very close dupe of Benefit Porefessional is Maybelline Baby Skin which solds for only Php 299.

via Maybelline Facebook page

Then we proceed to our good foundation. We have to put into consideration something that will look good under the lights and could withstand the long hours of waiting without melting. At the same time feels lightweight and finishes like a second skin. With this in mind I immediately thought of Wet n Wild Photofocus Foundation

via WetnWild.com

This retails for Php 525.

Moving on we go to our eyes. We would want to have our eyes speaks the joy we have for the said event so we would opt for the basic but at the same time looking professional. We need an eyeshadow product that we could use not only for this occasion but also after like job hunting right? So the Ever Bilena Brown Eyeshadow Palette is very suitable since it has beautiful nudes suited for a tame but business-like look. Retails at Php 150. 

via Tackthis

Still with our eyes we now go to our brows. Some of you might still have virgin eyebrows. I highly suggest that you keep it that way. You might want to get rid of some strays to have a perfect shape. Other than that please don’t overdo. So many pays a grand just to have thick brows. Mumuso has a wide array of eyebrow pencils, eyebrow mascara and pen to choose from. The price is so affordable at Php 99 only.

via YouTuber Toni Sia

And we now go to the cheeks. Eventhough it’s a night ( well for the long wait) event I suggest to still have that naturally looking flush. Don’t be scared that it won’t last till picture taking time. Going overboard is not a valid excuse. We wouldn’t want to be looking like a clown on this occasion. Remember if we have a good foundation/base  our blush will stick with us through thick and thin. Detail Cosmetic’s Influential and Ever Bilena Fig are both very flattering on our Filipina skin. These two are also versatile by serving as a contour and eyeshadow as well. Very affordable at Php 175. 

Still on our windows to the soul is a very dependable Mascara.  It is very inevitable that we’ll shed tears of joy so we must be needing a waterproof but at the same time could hold our peppers curl intact after that situation. What better more that I could think of is none other than Maybelline Hypercurl Mascara. For only Php 199, those eyes is worth fluttering. 

via Maybelline.com

Last but not the least is the lips. After the ceremony, we will be exchanging kisses with our parents as our gratitude for this milestone. Friends, classmates and teachers that we won’t be seeing for awhile. So what a better way to be prepared for this is to have a long lasting lip color that will stay with us. Something that we will comfortably wear all throughout even at the after party, right? So Maybelline Color sensational Matte lipstick is very much forgiving on this. Lips will still look hydrated even though it’s matte. I chose a color that very much accentuates our morena skin but at the same time would look fresh and natural in the shade Touch of Spice. This retails for only Php 299. And if you were lucky, you could avail for a good discount with their ongoing sale.

Makeup is complete, we now go with the tools. You could find affordable makeup brushes and sponges as well as hair tools for the do at Divisoria’s 168. At Php 250 you could already own a decent set of makeup brushes and for Php50 a beauty blender. But if you don’t have the patience to conquer the world of divi I must say Landmark is the place to be. They also sell affordable brushes that are Korean made and eyelashes. I got this egg blender there for only Php99. 

 Graduation is the end and at the same time the beginning of another chapter in our life. I believe no makeups could amount to the inner joy of having completed this course. That alone is picture perfect. Also let us not forget our parents for the sacrifices they had in order for us to achieve this success. We owe it all to them. To the graduates of 2017, Congratulations!

Posted in primer

The Nivea Men After Shave Balm Experience

The cult following of Nivea After Shave Balm got me. And yes, I’m only one of many who saw nikkietutorials use it. She’s the current “it girl” in the makeup world so you can’t blame me. In addition, Kylie’s makeup artist use it on her face. Not a follower but that simply seals the deal.  To be honest you guys,  it’s purely just all.my.large.pores in mind.

The acquisition of this being here in the Philippines is pretty exhausting. It’s not your ordinary product I tell you so I’m giving everyone who are interested a heads up. This is one devil that you have to face. Lucky for those who have relatives abroad. I know Rustan’s carries this but if you are lucky enough to spot them. There are online shops on Instagram who offers but the price with the shipping and tax, remarkable!

I was just lucky that I were able to pursue my brother to buy me this on his vacation trip abroad. Maybe he was thinking that it was for his own consume. Hehe.. And so I got mine for SD 6.50. (220.64 in Philippine Peso)

My large pores is really unforgiving. So much to the fact that a sunblock and a primer is my go-to combo. It annoys me seeing those pores waving “HI!” whenever I see my reflection in the mirror. It’s like a wake up call also about my real age which sucks.  That being said, I really have to invest on a good one. Unfortunately there ain’t a good one that you can’t throw a big bucks to gain, right.So, I have to spend. All for the glory of looking fresh and young. The recent brand that I’ve been using is a Korean product that really costs a lot. Not to mention that it’s not always that available, so stashing is needed. But, forgive me I don’t have the luxury to stash and even I have the chance, I just don’t..

This Nivea Balm just points in me that I don’t have to. Even if I have to buy two bottles ( all 100ml) it’ll already serve me a lifetime. Really that convenient. And yes, it really makes your makeup adhere to your face.  I have an oily one so as much as possible I want something that I don’t need to check on my face every now and then. That’s why I use a primer. It’s like prepping your canvass, smoothes out everything. Nivea though doesn’t contain silicone which fills up skin imperfections such as large pores and fine lines, is less harmful and  really gives the assurance that your makeup will last. Few bummers would be the masculine scent ( some might not like it) which doesn’t really bother me at all. It’s kinda sticky as you wait for it to settle. Availability could also be a problem but at 100ml, it gives you plenty of time to save up just before it empties.And even if you still buy two, still doesn’t break the bank. So no worries of breaking up the momentum just because it’s already sold out or out of stock. Unless, your boyfriend finds that Nivea bottle.

So what is that fine ingredient that makes us love this shaving balm on our skin? Glycerin. This is used as a moisturizer to treat or prevent dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin and minor skin irritations (e.g., diaper rash, skin burns from radiation therapy). It helps soften and moisturize the skin and decrease itching and flaking. Making us understand more why it is the main component of this after shave balm. But let us be informed that we don’t use this humectant  in it’s purest form. Usually it is combined with other ingredients, emollients and oils. As for makeup, the high concentration of glycerin serves as a binder making it a good primer.

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This experience is just good as the bottle lasts on me. Who would have thought that a boyfie’s toiletries necessicity would be your makeup’s needs? Thank you nikki for introducing Nivea to us. I’m just one of those blogger who raves on this and also wants to spread the good news. Try it, it’s definitely worth the hype.

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