I've found a new home at HelloBeauty.ph :)
The Prioress's Tale is a no-fuss make up and beauty blog centered on fresh faced, natural looks. The blog title comes from Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. This beauty blog imagines how Madame Eglantine from The Prioress's Tale would do her make up today.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Face of the Day: Feminine, Natural
Foundation: Shu Uemura Glow Enhancing Powder Foundation (applied using a damp Beauty Blender so it doesn't look cakey :D)
Undereye concealer: Benefit Erase Paste
Eyebrows: MAC Eye Brows in Brunette
Eyeshadows: NARS Bengali, Urban Decay Naked 2 (Tease and Bootycall)
Eyeliner: K-Palette Super Black Eyeliner (upper lash line only)
Mascara: The Face Shop Collagen Volume Mascara
False Eyelashes: The Face Shop Daily Beauty Tools Eyelashes
Contouring: Shu Uemura Glow On in Medium Amber
Blush: The Face Shop Face It Designing Blusher 02
Highlight: Benefit High Beam
Lipstick: Laura Mercier in Barely Nude
Lip Liner: MAC Lip Liner in Subculture
some of the products I used |
My favorite makeup look!
Labels:
benefit,
fotd,
k-palette,
mac,
nars,
natural look,
shu uemura,
the face shop
Nails of the Day: OPI Samoan Sand
My Asian Skincare Routine
I always hear things about Korean women using about 18 to 20 different products at night for their skin. Although I'm a little doubtful of that statistic (if I used that much product at one time, I think my face would start melting), it makes sense why people would say that. Koreans have amazing skin!
Following the habit of the Koreans and the Japanese, I've also updated my skincare routine accordingly. I've actually rediscovered my love for The Face Shop about a month ago when I was bored at the mall and got a bit tired of going to Rustans/the drugstores for cosmetics and skincare all the time. So hooked!
My skincare products - day and night. |
It makes sense to use a different set of products sometimes especially when you have combo/oily skin. In the daytime, I try to use lighter products which have oil-controlling properties. In the evening, I use heavy, clarifying products to nourish and deep cleanse the entire day's dirt and residue off my face.
Day skincare |
2.) Salicylic Acid Cleanser: Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti Aging Salicylic Acid Cleanser. -This is a great cleanser for those who have troubled skin, or just want to have a prevention plan in case acne wants to break out lol. It has fine micro-beads which lightly exfoliate the skin gentle enough for everyday use. I don't know if this is available here in the Philippines though.. but Garnier has a new anti-acne line called Pure Active and they carry a salicylic acid scrub cleanser too. :)
3.) Light Toner: The Face Shop Clean Face Mild Toner - a light, non-drying, oil-controlling toner that doesn't leave your skin tight/dry after application. I use a light toner for the day because having a skin that's too dry might cause your makeup to look cakey during the day.
4.) Serum: The Face Shop White Tree Snow Facial Treatment Essence- another light serum with a really fresh scent! This essence evens out the skin and gives a radiant and dewy finish without feeling heavy on the face.
5.) Day Cream/Moisturizer: Clarins Multi-Active Day Early Wrinkle Correction Cream - I love Clarins! I love their Multi Active age prevention line. It's moisturizing without the oily feel.
6.) Sunblock: The Face Shop Natural Sun SPF 50 PA+++ - I think this is the only sunblock I've used so far that didn't break me out or didn't give me a harder time with makeup application. My old Shiseido Very High Sun Protection Lotion was terrible. The Neutrogena Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock was terrible. You can definitely trust Koreans to make a sunblock that's safe for sensitive Asian skin.
Evening skincare. |
2.) Deep Cleansing: Shu Uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil - I use this at night because it's made to unclog pores so I'd have less problems with blemishes such as blackheads, whiteheads and acne caused by the makeup I wear during the day. I find that this has a denser formula than the Purple cleansing oil too.
3.) Anti-Acne Toner: Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Lotion - I use this every night as a preventative toner even when I don't have acne. It's a little drying, much like the feeling of a salicylic acid treatment on the face. But it gets the job done!
4.) Serum: Neutrogena Fine Fairness Brightening Serum - I've read good reviews about the Neutrogena Fine Fairness line as it's exclusively distributed here in Asia because every product from the line was made in Korea. I love this serum because not only does it brighten and even out my skintone, it also has Retinol which is has great healing properties for the face (anti-aging, anti-acne, etc.) Although putting retinol on the face makes it more vulnerable to the sun so better use all your retinoids at night!
5.) Eye Cream: Clinique All About Eyes Cream - In all my experiences, eye creams or eye treatments which claim to lighten under eye circles are usually bogus. (I honestly believe that if your undereye circles are genetic or caused by allergies, your eyebags won't ever lighten - that's what concealers are for!) This eye cream is good for puffiness though. Sometimes when I cry at night and apply this, my eyes don't look puffy the next morning! lol! As for eye wrinkles, I don't really know as I don't have them yet. hehe
6.) Night Cream: Clarins Multi Active Night Youth Recovery Cream - this is the counterpart of my Clarins day cream. It's much more rich and moisturizing. Although if I put on too much, my face ends up greasy the next morning! If you have combo/oily skin like me, make sure to put just the right amount of moisturizer XD
*Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover - something I use before pre-cleansing/deep cleaning if I wore makeup that day.
~Human Nature Sunflower Oil - a treatment I put all over my face if I wear extra-heavy makeup on a certain day like a wedding or when I go out at night.
+Garnier Pure Active Roll On - a salicylic acid treatment I use on troubled spots to remove/prevent acne.
^Clean and Clear Active Speed Clearing Gel - a salicylic acid spot treatment for those ugly cystic acne.
It's definitely better to use salicylic acid than benzoyl peroxide for acne. Benzoyl peroxide products like Panoxyl actually leave those dark acne scars on your face after it removes the pimple!
Weekly exfoliation |
I exfoliate once a week with my Olay Pro-X Cleansing Brush and Cleansing Scrub. Again, I'm not sure where you can buy this here in the Philippines as I bought this from abroad... but this is a great product! A $20.00 dupe to the famous Clarisonic MIA which costs around $200.00!
Facial Masks |
Also, I try to remember to put on a mask once a week too. The Face Shop has nice masks for different skin types and skin problems. I only managed to get a COOGI once because I ordered something from a Korean website and the lady gave me free samples, this mask included. I would recommend getting a Raspberry Roots Sleeping Mask from The Face Shop. Makes your skin look dewy and supple in the morning when you wash it off. I also ordered a bunch of Queen Helene Mint Julep Masques from amazon so I'll definitely post a review once the orders arrive here at my house. :)
Hope you liked this post! What's your skincare routine?
Labels:
acne,
asian skincare,
clarins,
clean and clearsensitive skin,
clinique,
garnier,
human nature,
japanese,
korean skincare,
neutrogena,
olay,
retinol,
shu uemura,
skincare routine,
the face shop
Friday, March 16, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Purple Blush: Flattering for all skin tones!
Did you know that purple blush gives a softer look than the ordinary pink/red toned blush?
My Shu Uemura Glow-Ons that I customized using their color atelier palettes :) a matte amber (contour), medium peach (color/accent), shimmery brown (contour), matte lilac/lavender (color/accent) |
This purple blusher I'm using has some pinkish undertones So I googled images "purple blush" and saw that not much people wear it - but when they did, it looked so soft and flattering. |
Miz Naomi wearing a purple blush. |
Lara Stone for a Tom Ford fragrance ad with purples all over, including her cheeks! |
So I was convinced that the barely used purple blush should look flattering on all kinds of skin tones!
I experimented a bit and put dark foundation/bronzer all over one-half of my face, and the lightest foundation on the other half.
Purple blush shows up looking like a "natural flush" even on darker skin tones. Surprisingly, it still appears subtle even when applied to lighter skin. :) |
natural looking cheeks for everyone! |
lol! Hope you liked my little experiment! And definitely check out Shu Uemura's glow-ons. I saw 3 different purple blushers displayed in their store. Pick one that gives you the most natural looking flush! :)
Shu Uemura YUME Advanced Makeup Class
MOVED TO A NEW HOME AT http://hellobeauty.ph :-)
Wow, I'm really glad I took this class. At first I thought "oh, I'm just taking this for fun. I don't think I can learn any more tips and tricks more than what I've learned from watching so many Michelle Phan videos." (... ... ) but I was so mistaken! Apart from the fact that it was really FUN, I learned so many things including the technical side of makeup like Color Theory, Shape and Texture, and even Face Structuralization.
And we got to take home a Shu Fanatic Black Membership card (which can only be retrieved when you have a single receipt purchase of P 12,000)! Although I'm a little problematic as I still have points in my white membership card so I can't use the black card yet. le sigh. That, plus discount and makeover coupons and a gift from Shu Uemura.
If you take this class, there's also a culminating activity you can join in the future which can earn you P10,000 worth of products from Shu Uemura! Gah! I don't think there's a definite date yet, but I will ask around. :)
It was really tiring (we extended an hour so we took the class from 1 PM - 7 PM) but really fun and worth it. I love Shu Uemura!!! :)
Wow, I'm really glad I took this class. At first I thought "oh, I'm just taking this for fun. I don't think I can learn any more tips and tricks more than what I've learned from watching so many Michelle Phan videos." (... ... ) but I was so mistaken! Apart from the fact that it was really FUN, I learned so many things including the technical side of makeup like Color Theory, Shape and Texture, and even Face Structuralization.
We were made to go through the following steps: Shu Uemura skincare routine, Healthy glowing makeup, Day-to-night makeup, and Runway makeup.
Unfortunately I didn't get to take a lot of pictures as I was really focused on the class XD lol! I took a bit but only using my camera phone. I'm glad I was classmates with Nikki (http://askmewhats.com) and Wendy (http://animetric.blogspot.com) who I noticed took a LOT of photos. So I'll just ask permission to steal from them when they post. hehehe.
Enrolled with my one of my closest friends Jen. Taking a break. Still wearing "natural look" :) |
Our teacher, Ms. Sharon Soledad Malig teaching us how to do a smokey eye using colors (not just black or brown) :D |
Me and forever youthful Nikki being becky with our lashes!!! hahaha!! |
Jen's runway makeup |
chos |
lol! thanks for the picture Ms. Sharon! Keri lang ang lashes! |
with Roy, who always assists me when I shop at Shu Uemura! :) |
Jen and I with our finished runway makeup :) |
If you take this class, there's also a culminating activity you can join in the future which can earn you P10,000 worth of products from Shu Uemura! Gah! I don't think there's a definite date yet, but I will ask around. :)
It was really tiring (we extended an hour so we took the class from 1 PM - 7 PM) but really fun and worth it. I love Shu Uemura!!! :)
Monday, March 5, 2012
Concealers 101
Acne scars, redness, uneven skin tone, dark under eye circles, hyper pigmentation, huge pores. If you're someone who's had any of the following problems with the face, it's a safe guess to say you're a huge fan of concealers.
Almost everyone I know who wears makeup has at least one concealer stored for everyday use. For emergency breakouts, late nights, puffy eyes, and touch ups throughout the day... concealers are definitely "holy grail" material for anyone vain enough to pile up gunk on their face. (that is me, yes)
In this post, I'll be discussing the different types of concealers and the specific skin condition it's supposed to be covering up. (Note: All from experience! :D)
My collection of different types of concealers. |
1.) Correctors
2.) Pot Concealers
Pot concealers are best for covering up blemishes such as pores, acne, scarring, and age spots. Consistency-wise, these are pretty heavy - sometimes too heavy to be used for dark circles. If you use pot concealers under your eyes, you probably notice them crease throughout the day. The skin around the eye area is thinner compared to the rest of the face so the weight of your products tend to pile up.
Laura Mercier Secret Concealer, MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer |
3.) Concealer Palettes
Most concealer palettes come from brands who cater to studio/professional makeup (e.g. Ben Nye, Graftobian, Make Up Forever, Kryolan, Coastal Scents etc.) and they usually comprise of at least 5 shades including colors like green, purple and red for very specific skin coverage. Laura Mercier's famous Secret Camouflage is a very usable concealer palette which only comes in two shades - a yellowish one, and a salmon-y one. This concealer is very versatile - it's stiff enough to be used on blemishes, but creamy enough to be used under the eye (albeit sparingly). I use it mainly on my blemishes by first patting on the salmon color to even out the skin tone, and then finishing off with the yellow color to cover up the area :)
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage - HG Blemish Concealer! |
4.) Liquid/Creamy Concealers
If a concealer is liquid or is being marketed as being "creamy", it's safe to say that it's meant to be used under the eye area. Like I said above, the skin around the eye is pretty delicate so it's best to use aqueous products with light and buildable consistencies around it. Also, these concealers tend to have a "brightening" effect which is perfect for tired eyes and dark circles.
5.) Highlighter/Concealer Pens
AAAHHHH! These things are miraculous! At first, I wasn't convinced as my first experience with a highlighting/concealing pen was the YSL Touche Eclat and it didn't really do anything for me. But then I got to try the Clarins one, then the Dior one... then okay, I am hooked! These pens are great because they not only conceal, but they also have little speckles of light reflecting particles which make your eyes 10x more brighter than just wearing an ordinary under eye concealer. This is wonderful for girls with light under eye circles. But for girls (like me!) who have dark ones from genetics or perennial allergies (p_p. me again), this is a great product to layer over your favorite under eye concealer. :) Miracles!!!
Hope you enjoyed this post! And if you have any more concealers to recommend, please do tell me! I'm a HUGE fan! :D
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Japonesque Silhouette Brush Set + Everyday Travel Essentials
I've been on a makeup brush craze recently and bought one 24 pc professional set and one 12 pc vegan brush set from Charm Essentials (a local brush brand which has GREAT quality brushes! If you took away the label, I'd say it was exactly the same as MAC. And I think it is. They're all made in China anyway lol!) But I wanted a travel size set since I was planning on refurbishing my makeup bag.
So yeah I saw this on the Japonesque shelf in Beauty Bar Shang and thought it was perfect. Travel size with brush pockets + separate divider for storing travel cosmetics. And it came with a mirror too. Yay!
Aah! If you still don't have your travel brushes/everyday makeup case, try to get this one if you can! What a great find! :)
So yeah I saw this on the Japonesque shelf in Beauty Bar Shang and thought it was perfect. Travel size with brush pockets + separate divider for storing travel cosmetics. And it came with a mirror too. Yay!
Japonesque 5 Piece Silhouette Brush Set |
Details, etc etc |
The bag looking classy |
There's the mirror!!! and my arm lol |
It's kind of two tier i guess |
Powder/Blush Brush, Eyeliner Brush, Concealer Brush, Eyeshadow Brush, Lip Brush |
There are enough pockets to fit maybe one more fluffy brush and two more thin eyeshadow-type brushes. I was still able to fit my Smashbox mini Contour Brush! :D |
organization perfection O_O I love this cosmetic case!!! On the first divider is where I store the brushes and the skincare stuff. |
On the other pocket is where I store the cosmetics. |
Monday, February 27, 2012
Clinique: Take the Day Off!
Most makeup removers are only formulated to remove eye/lip makeup, but Clinique has one that's gentle enough to be used on the entire face.
Clinique Take The Day Off
I love the pun!
Packaging is okay - typical Clinique. and it didn't come with a box (which is alright i guess. just makes it more environmentally friendly) |
Using a cotton pad wet with Clinique Take the Day Off on my right eye |
Now on the left.. |
Oooo all gone!!! |
YAK! |
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