This time, a fellow member of the Unified Makeup Artists of the Philippines, Maryann Obias, did my makeover. It was actually a makeup peg for a fashion showthat we provided services for and the makeup peg was an elongated, exaggerated black cat eye to evoke drama. Bold red lips and heavy contoured cheeks completed the look. This is what went on during our Polishing workshop that day.
Face chart below is the preferred look of choice.
Swatching and matching the foundation
Maryann used a buffing brush to apply the Inglot HD Foundation on my face.
This is definitely an Editorial or Fashion look. Brows do not follow the natural arch but rather reshaped to match the height of the cat eye.
Up Close and personal.
Products Used:
One of Inglot’s bestsellers is their HD line of Foundations. It’s formulated for High Definition TV. It looks natural, and is lightweight. It’s buildable depending on the coverage you want. Your skin look like perfect skin.
Makeup Forever Aqua Brow in shade 0
Makeup Forever Aqua Gel Eyeliner in Black. Consistency is very dense and creamy. You have to work fast when using this because it sets very quickly.
Inglot blush and eyeshadow palette. Blush and contour used are the top items left to right.
Lipsticks used were a combination of MAC Ruby Woo and Russian Red to give that brick red color.
Obviously, this is a look that will merit stares, and thoughts of What-was-she-thinking? I liked the way it made me look very edgy and hip and worthy of a editorial photo shoot (although that didn’t happen). Despite the few products used to create this look, a good dose of patience and a pair of steady hands is required to pull this off.
Here is my own take on the avant garde look. This is an old photo of me taken during December 2014 when I had a client that needed a Chinese Empress Look for their Christmas Party. I was doing a sample look for the client.
How bold do you want to be?
MaryAnn Obias Makeup Artist can be reached at https://www.facebook.com/makeupbymavo
Unified Makeup Artists of the Philippines can be reached in FB www.facebook.com/umaphils
Opening your home to host a fashion show for a lauded designer is a very chic thing to do. It has to be a very special event to make you want to open your private sanctuary to host such a milestone. The designer — Ditta Sandico — was also launching her new atelier (which is in her home), so a rebirth or coming full-circle of sorts was a good excuse to celebrate. After all, 30 years in the fashion industry is no small feat (pardon the pun) for this petite designer,who has beenpromoting natural, organic, indigenous fabrics that are woven into stylish pieces that can be added to one’s wardrobe.
The fabric that is synonymous with Ditta’s name is banaca, a mix of banana and abaca fibers similar to piña or pineapple, unlike its earlier abaca counterpart that was very rough which was a good material for making ropes and footwear. Banaca is a fabric that is versatile as a mold or wrap, due to its pliability and soft sheen cast. Ditta’s pieces are well known for these mold and wrap structures, because of her very haute couture architectural style. Each piece is therefore a true statement piece in one’s wardrobe.
Two wraps are better than one! Modeled by Ava.
Stunning silver white and gray wrap against a simple black column.
The Lady in Red.
Looking regal.
Its easy being in green.
Model Betchay Montserrat, formerly of Karilagan Modeling fame, in a black and yellow cropped bolero. She still has the X factor!
UMAP or Unified Makeup Artists of the Philippines was tapped to lend hair and makeup support to a team of 22 models, five of whom were professional models, and the rest were Ditta’s friends and clients who were as good as the pros when it came to the catwalk. The show was directed by Raymund Villanueva, a good friend of Ditta who is a crack and a half. Full of wit and biting humor, he gave us an idea of how the concept was to be laid out. The ramp was the walkway to Ditta’s atelier against a clear backdrop of her shop, while the models inside posed and channeled their inner goddesses while waiting for their turn to come out.
Hair pegs a la Lady Gaga in the American Horror Story show. Edgy meets Imelda Marcos classiness. Photo taken from Entertainment Weekly
A modern Maria Callas. Photo taken from Entertainment Weekly
Makeup pegs for the show. Top face chart was to be recreated on the friends and clients while the face chart below was reserved for the 5 pros. Severe, mesmerising and mysterious cat eyes to go with the sculptural pieces of Ditta. Face Charts courtesy of Lesley Lim of UMAP.
#SquadGoals! UMAP Glam Squad from L-R: Guilly Valenzuela for hair, Lesley Lim, Sydney Dee, Maryann Obias, Myself and Pilita Guadines for Makeup.
The calm before the storm. Another shot with Aiky Nar in front for hair
Taken before they walked out on the ramp.
Quick, one more shot please. Photo from Yi Domingo.
As you can see, banaca can also be made into jewelry or accessories as modeled by Cherie Mercado, newscaster of ABC 5. Accessories were created by Thalia Javier. Photo from Yi Domingo.
Best rack in town.
UMAP teamed up with Inglot Cosmetics to provide the cosmetics for the show. Photo from Sydney Dee, UMAP Member.
I’m blushing. Deep bright colors mixed with neutral eyeshadows to complement the clothes. Let freedom ring. Photo from Sydney Dee.
Biore Skincare Products all packed and ready to go. Biore was also a sponsor with regards to makeup removal and maintenance. Inside the bag were cleansing pads, A bottle of Micellar water and a tube of sunscreen.
Annie Rosario Maceda, a cousin of Ditta Sandico, was wearing a Maria Clara inspired outfit.
With Riza Lim a yoga instructor. She can pass for an actress.
With another yoga and wellness advocate, Yi Domingo.
Sandwiched between friends, Ito Lopa on the left and Betchay Montserrat on the right.
Dwarfed by these beautiful ladies!
Congratulations Ditta!
Ditta’s posse! With gratitude.
Happy faces and smiles. We did it!!! Yahoo!!!
As I wrote this, APEC 2015 was happening in Manila, and it is very fitting to say, we have shown the world that Filipinos are excellent hosts! We have shared our best business acumen, excellent world class talent in the fields of entertainment, culture, food and design. In fashion, Ditta, you have done us proud, we are Pinoy Proud! Wishing you more years of clothing wonder.
Inglot Cosmetics is available at Glorietta 5, SM Megamall B.
Biore products are available at all leading Department Stores, and PCXchange.
Ditta Sandico is available at 5 Mabolo corner Balete Drive Quezon City.
UMAP or Unified MAkeup Artists of the Philippines can be reached at Facebook and Instagram, Umaphils.
There is a famous saying that “You are good as your last work/deal/job/success and the list of nouns go on. Part of the process of getting ahead of your game is through continuous learning which comes in many forms. For me, its through the classes. forums, OJT training, apprenticing with a mentor or whatever the case may be and I was able to secure a slot with one of my highly respected teachers Jen Delica of Proface Palettes and Pigmentsfor a High Fashion Editorial class. The photo of Miss Teresa Herrera was our inspiration for an editorial peg. Miss Delica worked on this May 2011 Rogue cover.
It is a rare opportunity to obtain a slot with her due to her numerous commitments both here and abroad for her highly prized skills in the beauty and fashion industry. The bulk of her work is seen on many TV commercials, videos and documentaries like Discovery Channel (and did I mention, she worked on the Bourne Legacy movie set filmed here a few years ago?) to name a few. I can’t even begin to describe how great this woman is, and may I add very humble and respectful too. Rare qualities you find in a celebrity-kind-of- way-makeup artist you see nowadays whose egos are so inflated as their ginormous makeup trolley. She was my teacher a year ago when I took up a High Definition class with her. Her vast wealth of knowledge, technical artistry and experience is what takes your ego down a peg or two to as she has turned my perception of makeup artistry upside down.
I am not going to reveal the details of the class, as I highly recommend you or the makeup artist reading this, to simply take her class and see for herself what I mean by turning your perception of makeup application upside down. This class is not for beginners as one is expected to have a basic understanding of color theory and makeup application under her belt. This class is meant to teach you how to improve your skills and learn her technique of makeup application. She begins by asking you questions about what it is you want to learn and improve on and you bring photos of the looks you want to recreate and then proceed from there. In a nutshell, you go out of this class armed with the understanding that makeup application is not about slap dashing makeup colours on the face but rather an intelligent capability that it is a technical skill that one has to master. It’s all about the face and seeing how you can be an expert in disguising and creating that perfect illusion that is beauty in the eye of the beholder.
I showed her a couple of my editorial projects, which she critiqued and mentioned there is room for improvement pa rin. In gay lingo, kontingkeribels pa. Of course she meant it in a good way!
Lesson of the day: Easy Smoky Look
In all photos except the last one, the left side of her face was done by Miss Delica while the right side was done my me.
Would you believe, model’s name is also Jen?
Lesson 2: Smoky Look with a Feline Flick
(term borrowed from Charlotte Tillbury another makeup artist whose work I admire)
Lesson 3 High Fashion Smoky Look
Lesson 4 My version of a Smoky Eye with a Nude Lip
