September 2015 – Acie Fores

Arigato Gozaimasu Biore

The world is looking to Asia for inspiration, trade and business and for innovation. With the proliferation of new Korean and Japanese cosmetics and skincare line available to the consumer, it is inevitable that products that have become familiar to us gets an upgrade. Today felt like a shopping spree to Sasa, Mannings or Tokyo Hands.

Biore has been in the Philippines since the early 80’s and is still under the umbrella of the Kao group. Remember their Pore and Blackhead remover? Yup same company. Kao has also improved on this product but we will see it s relaunching in a few months.

Biore just recently launched their makeup removal and SPF line and Unified Makeup Artists of the Philippines (UMAP) was invited for the demo and launching.

Biore launched its Makeup Remover product line in the Philippines as a result of a study conducted in Asia that despite hard economic times, women turn to the beauty industry to lift their spirits up. The instant gratification one feels is a testament to the female buying power of a non negotiable aspect in their consumer buying habits.

From L-R Charisma Vergara President of UMAP, Chistabel Low ASEAN Manager Skincare/Haircare Business of KAO Singapore Private Ltd. and myself

Photo taken from Charisma Vergara — UMAP Members pose with the Biore organizers

Makeup Removers are vital components in the makeup application simply because what we put on needs to be removed. Kinda like the yin and yang of things. With more R&D in the cosmetics industry, makeup nowadays have improved in extending its longevity and increased pigmentation therefore making makeup removers step up its properties to match it. We need makeup removers because soap and water sometimes doesnt cut it.

The Stats

Biore Cleansing Oil

Instructions are in English. It comes with a plastic lock for the pump to avoid spills.

Biore Micellar Water

Micellar Water removes all makeup, stubborn mascara and liners. Best used for light-medium makeup application. Non comedogenic, does not clog pores. Alcohol, oil and fragrance free and allergy and Opthalmologist tested. Comes from the Japanese Alps and enriched with collagen and white tea extract.

Apply and soak a cotton pad and press against the face and eye and wipe off. Also a good dupe for the expensive French Pharmacy counterpart.

Biore Cleansing Facial Oil Sheets

Best used when you’re on the go and have no access to water and soap. It boasts of its unique cloth construction that is thick enough to hold more liquid inside. It’s actually the cleansing oil in a pad form. Press for a few seconds and swipe down.

Best when you have ‘tamad” days and dont want to go through a lot of cleansing rituals.

Its container is perfect for travelling. Hygienic and portable.

Well sealed so it wont dry out. It will last 3-4 months. It comes in refills too.

Biore Cleansing Oil Facial Sheets Handy Pack

Handy Pack. Ideal for the “tingi” user who only wants to carry it in her handbag.

Biore UruUru 2-1 Cleansing Foam

Best used for light makeup with sunblock application. It has a high cleansing ability and no tight after feeling after washing. UruUru means Soft and Moist.

Biore UV Sunscreen

Aqua Rich series UV Sunscreen is water based, Texture is light and not sticky. May be used as a primer prior to makeup application. No white cast, sweatproof and lightweight. High SPF blocks harmful UVA/UVB rays.

My Personal Favorites

I personally like the Facial Cleansing oil, Micellar water and the UV Aqua Rich Sunscreen. Aside from its reasonable and affordable price points, these products attest to its claim and since July when UMAP first met with them, I have been trying their products and my skin has had no adverse reactions except that it has also found its match in an Asian brand. True to form, Japanese products never fail, and they are effective. “In the Pink of Health’ is symbolic in the cutesy pink packaging that appeals to the Japanese market.

Japanese Packaging simplified and beautiful to look at and receive

Unboxed and filled with goodies. This was the highlight of the morning. I felt like I won a Kabuhayan showcase. WootWoot!

We were left with a great reminder, “The best makeup needs the best makeup remover, invest in having good skin too”. Do you agree?

Thank you to Olive Soria, Brand Manager and Mr. Vincent Genato, President of Vibelle Distribution Inc and their staff for extending their generosity and hospitality to UMAP and its members.

Biore is locally distributed by Vibelle Distribution Inc and all its products are available at Watsons, PCX Exchange, Landmark, Metro Dept Stores and SM Department Stores.

0 Likes 775 Views

September 18, 2015

Beauty Behind the Scenes Makeup Haul

Charlotte Tilbury: Its really all about the Glow

When I’m obsessed with something, I go on a hunt until I have it. I’ve been following Charlotte Tilbury for quite some time ever since she made a video collaboration with Lisa Eldridge, another makeup idol of mine. Charlotte Tilbury has been in the makeup business for the past 20 years and has worked with many famous photographers like Mario Testino, Terry Richardson and has collaborated with many international makeup brands like MAC Cosmetics and has painted the faces of well heeled personalities like Penelope Cruz, Sienna Miller, Cara De Levigne and Kate Moss and she did the makeup of Amal Clooney. Growing up in Ibiza Spain surrounded by a creative family, she was surrounded and shaped by the colors and scenes of that area.

I finally got to visit her flagship store in The Grove in LA. Her concept for her line and freestanding store is a throwback to the 30’s and 40’s era where silver screen sirens encapsulated the essence and glamour of the times. The Art Deco feeling in her packaging is so evident in her belief that it was a golden age for mysterious and glamorous women.

Her Signature looks are grouped in sections and contains all you need to recreate them.

One of my favorite looks is the Uptown Girl and The Vintage Vamp.

IMG_2917_2 — Wonder Glow covers a multitude of skin tones .

IMG_2922_2 — Her Magic Skin Trilogy which gives you the candlelight glow.

IMG_2915_2 — Her Magic cream is what I was after.

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset — Her Filmstar Bronze and Glow Sculpting Powder and Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder Compact are her two of her Bestsellers. My shade for the airbrush powder is Medium. Her sculpting palette is the perfect warm brown that is best for fair to medium skin tones. No orange loompah loompah color here.

Packaging is consistent with her love for the Art Deco era. Gorgeous. To the extreme bottom left is the photobomber MAC s Oval 6 brush.

Her Filmstar Bronze and Glow looks like a minaudiere. Powdering your nose never looked so elegant in her Airbrush Flawless Finish powder compact.

Swatch of the Filmstar Bronze and Glow powder. Its buildable and suited for light to medium skin tones. It reminds me of the NARS Bronzing powder in Laguna with light flecks of gold.

CTilburymagic-cream — Charlottes Magic Cream that evokes memories of our grandmothers cream potions. This is the bomb!

This Cream is composed of peptides that stimulate skin collagen, Hyaluronic boosters that plump the skin, Vitamin E and rosehip oil to revive the skin’s appearance. It’s antiaging, and has an SPF of 15, all good stuff to restore your skin to youth levels. She has put skincare in the forefront of her product line as she is a firm believer in having good skin before any makeup application.

I wasnt able to get a hold of her cream since I have so many jars of moisturizers that I need to use and finish and I wanted to put this on hold. However I was able to get a sample and I used it during the summer. It is very creamy, emollient and hydrating. I was a bit hesitant to use this on my normal to combination skin as I didn’t want to have anything heavy on my face. What it does is, when applied before makeup application, one gets the dewy and JLo glow. Not bad but in our weather, it may give you a slightly greasy feeling during the course of the day. I would use this in the cooler months when our skin will not create excess sebum.

It is a great moisturizer for those with dry skin as it instantaneously transforms your parched skin into an oasis of moisture. It has a slight odd smell but disappears and does not really bother me at all.

Charlotte Tilbury products are on the pricey side but if you want to spoil yourself, it’s worth it. Locally her products are available at the MUP store. You may follow Charlotte Tilbury in FB, YouTube and Instagram for her videos and products.

0 Likes 590 Views

September 18, 2015

Behind the Scenes Demos Interviews Tips and Tricks Uncategorized

Bloggers Day Out: Em Alcantara

Lately, I’ve been watching the Philippine Madrigal singers on YouTube. Their videos came out in my feed and I clicked on a few of them and 2 videos stood out, the one in Uruguay where they sang Eres Tu and my favorite, the one at the Abbey of Saint Michel, they sang Izar Ederrak. It makes me so proud to see Filipino excellence appreciated in so many parts of the world. Truly we Filipinos are blessed with so much musical talent, we are world class.

I met Em Alcantara through Martine De Luna. Em is part of the community of bloggers called Mommy Bloggers Philippines and also happens to be a former member of the Philippine Madrigal Singers. I love it when the universe is conspiring with you. She needed a refresher course on stage makeup since she is now on her own, performing for various events. It was music to my ears. (Pardon the pun, couldn’t resist). Em was also concerned about her skin condition, which is oily to dry and rough which she said was exacerbated during her pregnancy. Here is what went on.

Skin Analysis:

Oily in the T Zone Area but dry on some parts of her face.
Big Pores, redness in some areas like the cheek and chin and skin texture is rough.
Pigmentation around the chin area and sides of her face

Skin Prep:

I just discovered this new Exfoliating toner called Cure Natural Aqua Gel which is made of 90% Hydrogen water and is preservative, coloring, mineral oil and artificial fragrance free. Made in Japan and can be purchased at Beauty Bar. I used this on her since I knew she had sensitive skin and didn’t want to add to her sensitivity. Her skin was smooth after this.

1 pump and massage into the face for 30 seconds. Dead skin flakes will fall off. Rinse with water and follow with your normal skin care routine. Use 2x/week to get maximum results.

Instructions in English. Love this product.

After Exfoliating the skin, Water treatment Skin Cream was applied to the face as a moisturizer.

I used a combination of Kryolan Camouflage Concealer mixed with Coverderm Camouflage makeup in 3A and 5A and Judith August Everything Pencil in Golden Beige to hide her pigmentation.

Makeup:

Eye Makeup

Face:

Makeup Forever Scultping Powder in Shade 2, NARS Orgasm Blush, MAC Highlighter

Lipstick:

She is ready for her performance. Love her beaming smile. I can’t wait to hear you sing Em!

What do you think of her look? Book Em Alcantara through her website, FaceBook, Twitter, and Instagram account of @touringkitty.

0 Likes 600 Views

September 13, 2015

Behind the Scenes Interviews

Blogger’s Beauty Kit with NIKKI TIU

I’ve always admired beauty bloggers like Nikki Tiu of AskMeWhats.com, for their professionalism in the blogging craft, and in their know-how for beauty products. Really, it baffles me to see how a woman like her juggles a career, motherhood, marriage, and a popular blog! Today, she is my interview guest for this new portion I am bringing to the blog, called Bloggers’ Beauty Kit. Each edition, we’ll be interviewing a blogger about their makeup kits and their blogging tips! Read on for Nikki’s informative interview.

1. Please tell us a little bit about your beauty blog and what you enjoy most about being a blogger?

My blog (askmewhats.com) started January 2008 due to my wanting to help other people with problems! It turned out, most of my friends would ask me beauty-related questions so it ended up to be a Beauty Blog.

nikki and son — A woman of many talents, Nikki isn’t just a popular beauty blogger and makeup artist. Her most valued role is that of a wife and mom!

My Beauty Blog focuses on my journey as a makeup artist, I tend to acquire a lot of makeup for clients and because of that, I test them first for safety and put up a review. Thus it includes loads of makeup, skincare, nails etc.. review! I also include makeovers, tips and tricks on what I learn as a Make Up Artist and a lot of snippets about my personal life especially when I turned into a mom.

What I enjoy most about being a blogger is the fact that I get to meet a lot of friends (like you guys)! As a Blogger, I do have a voice and I’m glad to know I also get to help other people in my own “kikay” ways.

2. Can you tell us about you makeup essentials? What do you love to use and why?
My makeup essentials are Brow products, Eyeliner, Powder and lipstick.
Given the chance to grab only one product when I’m in a hurry, I’d go for powder (it used to be just lipbalm) but due to my lack of sleep, and some redness (from allergies), I now need the power of powder for that extra coverage!

3. What’s your advice to other beauty bloggers out there?

Just keep going! I started blogging without an audience but I didn’t care! I just want to put out there what’s on my mind hoping someone who needs help or has beauty emergencies will get to read it! It also helps to focus on what you like to do, as for me, writing about beauty is my “solace”, my “me time” and it relaxes me! If writing or blogging is starting to feel like work, you’ll definitely feel the “burnout”. So make sure to blog what you love and what interests you and the rest will come along.

Nikki is also tapped by brands to give beauty and makeup workshops.

4. Please tell us your blog link, social media links.

Blog: www.askmewhats.com
Twitter, instagram and FB: @AskMeWhats

0 Likes 797 Views

September 3, 2015

Month: September 2015