Behind the Veil – Singson Camara Nuptials

Most of the time, simple is best.  It keeps things fluid, effortless and comfortable.  Michaela is all that.  Just in her short story below, we met through her now husband, who is my chiropractor at Intercare.  I wasn’t expecting anything from that meeting since I figured Michaela already had finalized her makeup artist options since the wedding was a few months away.

Both families come from a line of professionals and achievers, I admire the values that her mother Tang and father inculcated in their children.   Seeking higher education is always  worth pursuing more than the material values that are fleeting and superficial.  I also saw how the family came together and pulled out all the stops, to help, soothe and calm a nervous bride specially as the magic hour is nearing .

This is what class is all about.  I love how you were so cool and calm throughout your preparations and your inner glow definitely showed through, just like how a blushing Bride should be. Thank you for making me a part of your love journey,  I wish you and Miguel a happy and prosperous marriage filled with blessings, joy and happiness.

1. Please tell me a bit about yourself. What do you do for a living, what are your hobbies, passions?
Hi! I’m Mika. I’m an architect who specializes in sustainability. I work with the Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Carbon Lab team that does a mix of ensuring energy efficiency, low carbon and LEED/WELL consulting. 
 
During my free time, I love to  paint, eat BBQ popcorn + watch movies, hike, play board games, and skate. I started skating with my sister earlier this year, and we both love it so much that we go at least once a week. 
 
2. How did you find out about me (Acie Fores Makeup Artist)? What made you want to work with me?
I first heard about you from my (now) husband Miguel. He randomly gave me a calling card saying his patient was a make-up artist and I should try her out. Admittedly, I didn’t call you RIGHT after that, because in my head – “he does not know the difference between foundation and primer” But a few days later, my tita had mentioned you too, saying that her friends had worked with you previously, and that you had made all her friends look amazing! 
 
3. How did you like the outcome of our time together, for your special day? 
Today’s forecast, bridal showers
I liked you trial pa lang! Haha! By that time, I had tried na three make-up artists and was already getting frustrated that I had not found “the one” for my big day. I sound so arte, but my skin is actually so sensitive. (Full make-up really feels like a chore because of how heavy it feels on my face.) I had broken out in rashes after the trial with make-up artist #3, and ended up with a bad stye with make-up artist #1. I was close to picking make-up artist #2 just cause I did not break out into rashes after the trial. Buti nalang, Miguel and my tita mentioned you. So, I said, “Sige na nga one more trial.” 
The minute you started prepping my skin I knew na you were different. I mean, how many people have tried a make-up artist who will exfoliate their skin and then massage it before the make-up? 
As the trial went on, you airbrushed my make up on. (My first time to try airbrushed make-up) Not only did it feel great – feeling like I didn’t have any make-up on my face, but I loved how you made me look too! I felt the make-up looked so natural – like I was still me, but a flawless, glowing version of me! Totally what I was going for, for my big day! 
So of course, on the day itself I sat on the make up chair with no worries at all. The full trust I had in you made all the difference. 
4. What’s one special memory you have of your wedding that you love? Could you share that photo with us?
It’s not the wedding itself, but the day before. Getting ready with my family was such an intimate time for me. This includes both my immediate family and my extended family. My extended family – siblings of my parents and their children, were with us prior to the wedding too. They all came to Tagaytay the day before and we spent the night hanging out. I felt as if they were all hand-holding me all the way to the wedding.
5). What was a good beauty moment for you during the wedding day itself?  
Can I say none? Haha! It’s not that I didn’t feel beautiful on the day, but I didn’t have what I would call a beauty moment. The day was beautiful over-all, because of the way everything fell into place.
6)  Favourite beauty product, application used during your wedding and why?
If you cant get to a dermatologist, this is the next best things to flake off dead skin cells and give you a smooth canvas, ready for makeup.
I really loved the Cure Aqua gel exfoliator that you used on me. I felt like it got (cause i use it regularly now) all the gunk/dead skin cells out. I also liked the eye massage. Felt great to get a facial massage on the day itself! 
7)  Any bridal tips you want to share for future brides planning their wedding?
Find the best suppliers for the big day – suppliers you are happy with, then on the day just watch them all work their magic and watch everything fall into place. 
8)  What is one thing you could change during your wedding preparation? 
I don’t know if I would change anything to be honest. Wedding planning was definitely stressful, but the day itself – the ceremony and dinner went perfectly. Everything that happened prior ended in something beautiful.
9)  Any beauty rituals you did or received that you want to share?
None really, aside from the Cure Aqua gel exfoliator that I mentioned in # 6.
10)  Favourite photo of you during the wedding and why.

The wedding ceremony was quick, and felt surreal. I didn’t realize I was smiling and laughing a lot too throughout the ceremony. So when I saw the photos, it was such a pleasant surprise to see so many photos where Miguel and I were just laughing. It’s such a great reminder of the day that unfolded, and how much fun we had (and have) together.

Products used:

Lisa Eldridge Foundation 13

MakeupbyMario Ethereal Eyes Palette

Dior Contour Palette 001 Universal

Dior glow Face Palette 001 Universal

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Blush

Makeup Forever Nude Creme Lippie 08

Gown:  Mark Bumgardner

Makeup:  Acie Fores
Hair: Vilma Legaspi
Photography:  C/o Bride Michaela Jaja Samaniego
Venue:  Anya Resorts Tagaytay, Antonio’s Tagaytay

How to get the Lit-From-Within glow.

 

Now that Covid restrictions have eased up on most parts of the world, Currently I see events and weddings resuming although cautiously,  I couldn’t ‘ve been happier and excited.  We’ve had 2 1/2 years of lockdown to learn how the disease works, we have seen the beneficial effects of being vaccinated and the more we know the more we get better at learning how to cope with the pandemic.

So the past few months, have seen me working at weddings beginning at the start of this year with all the Covid protocols in place and frankly I’m enjoying the intimate celebrations.  Things move faster, it becomes more special and memorable.

So I’ve put together a few things that inspire rebirth, positivity and radiance since my beauty philosophy is to always enhance what’s already there, here they are:

 

Skin:

Cure Natural Aqua Gel

 

I always start off with a fresh canvas and I normally ask Brides to exfoliate their skin prior to the makeup.  This ensures that there are no dry flaky skin that can hinder the absorption of products that can give the skin a boost in preparation for the makeup.  Most of them usually get surprised how much dead skin comes off with this application.  Its called gommage exfoliation.

 

Glossier Super Glow Vitamin C with Magnesium Serum

 

https://images.ctfassets.net/p3w8f4svwgcg/6jYsk2gkdy7SdeQacRi5cD/91c5caac963a174980341a3573df6120/SuperGlow_0_Global_01.jpg?w=1400&q=80&fm=webp

 

We all know that Vitamin C when applied to the skin brightens the face.  This is a Vitamin C derivative (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate aka MAP) which helps even out skin tone and improve the appearance of dark spots (and because it’s stable, it won’t oxidize or degrade after you open the bottle), while Magnesium PCA enhances hydration and replenishes moisture, so skin looks recharged, fresh, and glowy.  It has all the good stuff, Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter, and Sunflower Seed Oil and Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract to condition and nourish the skin.  Its lightweight, and the fragrance-free emulsion soaks in immediately with no filmy residue.  (source:  Glossier.com)

 

Sonia Roselli Water Elixir, Water Oil

 

Formulated with Ceramides, the water elixir plumps out the skin and gives it a hydration boost.  It helps restore the skin barrier and calms redness.  Added to this is the water oil applied to the cheeks and neck to hydrate dry skin.  Both products are lightweight not oily, greasy at all.  I know, you’re probably thinking oil on top of a serum may be a little too much for our humid weather.  Trust me this doesn’t make you feel oily.  The Water oil contains Squalane oil, Camellia Seed Oil, Avocado oil, Sea Buckthorn oil, Argan and Rice bran oil to name a few.  Some of these have antibacterial properties to heal and make the skin supple.  Apply 1 pump and massage into the face and neck.  Most skin types I work with are actually dehydrated from either over scrubbing  or not drinking enough water.

Moisturizer

https://www.clinique.com/product/1574/58208/3-step/step-3-moisturize/dramatically-differenttm-hydrating-jelly

Applying a moisturizer on top of the water oil seals the skin to make it plump, hydrated and primed.  Make sure that the moisturizer you apply is the right one for your skin type.

 

Face Roller

 

https://duty-free-japan.jp/narita/en/goodsDetail.aspx?sCD=5527450055

 

I use a face roller to massage away any tension, puffiness and to warm up circulation on the face.  Most Brides are holding so much tension and stress from their planning that the jaw and neck are usually hot spots that need relaxation and de stressing.

 

Ice Roller

 

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31nOsEOkQAL.jpg

 

To add to the chill factor, this is the last step in my skin prep to further soothe irritation, redness and puffiness.  Stored in the freezer, these rollers constrict the blood vessels on the face.  I recently added this to my personal skincare regimen specially after I had laser done on my melasma last year.  This really soothed my face after that hot and warm sensation from the laser treatment and brought the redness and swelling down immediately.

 

Makeup

Jung Saem Mool Foundation

https://m.beautykoreamall.com/FileData/product/1588831344/20200507_E4709EA7EA0E32E6.jpg

 

I chose this foundation mainly because of the coverage it provides.  Its dewy when applied but doesn’t look oily.  Its light,  the texture is serum based but slightly thicker not as watery.  Typically Korean made, you can be assured that you are going to get dewy, its ingredient list is comparable to the other Western brands and the shades are suited for the Asian skin tone.  You can apply this 2 – 3x for medium to full coverage.  One pump is really enough to cover the face but for longevity and fuller coverage I used 2 pumps and I had a little more to spare.  Wait a few minutes for the first layer to sink in before applying the next layer.  I used a blending brush to apply then tapped a beauty blender sponge to even out the coverage and to make it look more seamless.  The shade I used was Medium.  I also love the packaging.  Nude just like the coverage.  Its your skin but better.

 

Charlotte Tillbury Flawless Filter

https://images.ctfassets.net/wlke2cbybljx/2UYfjx8v5iYehpDx7Qd2VP/6a3cea423d640eaa80c5f415c944a3dc/Mini_HFF-GUIDE-SHADE-4.5.png?w=500&h=500&fit=fill&fm=jpg&bg=

 

Its Airbrush in a bottle.  I apply this on the high points of the face, top of cheekbones, cupid’s bow, bridge of the nose to highlight the face.  I sometimes add this to the foundation to give the face an added shimmer.  Ingredients include a polymer, porcelain flower extract, glossy oil to give the face a blurring effect.  Its a skin filter so to speak.

 

 

Dior Universal Glow Face Palette

 

https://eco-beauty.dior.com/dw/image/v2/BDGF_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-master_dior/default/dw691d24d9/assets/Y0015002/Y0015002_C001500001_E01_ZHC.jpg

 

Another secret weapon is this palette.  It can be used on the face and the eyes.  I use the Rosy and yellow gold shades for the cheeks and eyelids, the copper shade can also be used in the hollows of the cheeks and the eye crease as well.  Its subtle highlight gives the skin that natural sheen and luminosity without the lit from NASA space effect.  If you have overpowdered your face, apply this with a soft brush to remove the chalky and look.

 

Charlotte Tillbury Pillow Talk Cheek to Chic

 

https://images.ctfassets.net/wlke2cbybljx/35DXUylviDLN8jq3lmHT8i/7de96a54b1ba3aadb4dbfa2e7065aa38/Pillowtalk-Makeup-Secrets-Bundle-Cheek-Swatch-Packshot.png?w=500&h=500&fit=fill&fm=jpg&bg=

Swish and Pop as the product description says, its a nude pink shade that flatters everyone.  I swirl my blush brush on the two shades and apply on the cheeks for an instant glow.

 

Most of these products are available at Sephora, Shopee, Lazada and SoniaRoselli.com  Share with me your other favorite products that give you that lit from within glow.    Take care and keep hydrated!