Bianca lost her father about six years ago to cancer and when I was prepping her for hair and makeup, that s when Bianca said those 6 words. Dad was in the form of a yellow and black butterfly hovering among the plants in the garden.
She and I almost teared up. True enough, the yellow butterfly was hovering until I finished her getting prepped.
I said, “Bianca your dad approves of Joe.” Right away Bianca nodded and said her dad appeared in her dream and is really happy it’s Joe for her.
Bianca and Joe met at a Coachella concert but they went on separate groups but they shared similar friends. Based on the best man s speech that night, it was Joe that fell head over heels the moment he met her.
I ve spent a little time with the couple before their December wedding over a beach weekend and you know when they re the right fit. From what I gathered is that they seem to have a good head on their shoulders, Bianca just finished her MA in Education and Joe has his sights on the family business.
They described their wedding plans and I must say it is so appropriate and fitting to the present times. S I M P L E not complicated is how they want their special day to be. They dispensed with the unnecessary frivolities when it comes to the wedding preparations. The only difficult task was trimming the guest list since both come from big families.
Bianca the ever practical lady, said she didn’t want a big fuss and didn’t need the special treatment since she preferred to spend it on their new home and Joe has plans of taking his Masters abroad.
There are so many positive things going on for this couple and they seem to be the perfect couple.
Your Dad was right Bianca, Joe is the perfect man for you. You chose well.
1. Please tell me a bit about yourself. What do you do for a living, what are your hobbies, passions?
I am an Elementary school teacher, I love working with kids, baking, crocheting, and ballet.
2. How did you find out about me (Acie Fores Makeup Artist)? What made you want to work with me?
I’ve worked with you in the past for graduation and loved working with you.
3. How did you like the outcome of our time together, for your special day?
Before Bianca said I Do
It was perfect!! Everything was perfect from the hair to the makeup, got so many compliments about it too 🙂
4. What’s one special memory you have of your wedding that you love? Could you share that photo with us?
I loved that it was someone who I’ve known my whole life and she knew how I liked my make up and what look I was going for. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
5). What was a good beauty moment for you during the wedding day itself?
I loved that I didn’t have to keep stressing over how oily I was or just stress about eyelashes falling or mascara running.
6) Favourite beauty product, application used during your wedding and why?
I’ve been meaning to look into the Chanel Tan De Soleil and now that I know the color works for me I will definitely make that purchase when I am able to find it.
7) Any bridal tips you want to share for future brides planning their wedding?
Intimate Wedding
Don’t stress over all the small things, everything will come together.
8) What is one thing you could change during your wedding preparation?
Nothing 🙂
9) Any beauty rituals you did or received that you want to share?
I need to exfoliate more, have been forgetting to do that.
10) Favourite photo of you during the wedding and why.
These pictures really highlight the makeup and hair which is exactly what I wanted.
Disclaimer: The products featured here are not a paid promotion, these are products that I use and work for my skin type. Please consult your Dermatologist or Skin Esthetician if you suspect you may be allergic to any of the ingredient components of the items featured here and to prescribe what will work for your skin type.
For the past 20 years, I’ve had oily to combination skin and as I’ve gotten older, my skin type had changed to Normal to Dry. My Dermatologist had said that this is due to changes in my body chemistry and hormones brought about by aging. My normal areas like the cheek and sides of the forehead have gone dry and have patchy skin sometimes while my T-zone is not as oily in my 20’s.
Because of Aging, my face needs a little boosting, my jowls have slowly been more prominent, blame it on what doctors call a texting neck since we spend a lot of time hunched up looking down on our phones, my jawline needs definition and eyes have become a little puffy due to poor diet choices and lack of sleep.
So here is what my skincare routine looks like and sometimes, depending on the weather, where my skin tends to be oily during the summer months and dry in the cooler months, I switch up skincare products to address current skin issues.
Cleanse the skin – Use any cleansing soap that suits your skin type and make sure that it doesn’t strip your skin of its natural oils. Over cleaning your face sometimes can make you produce more oil due to the lack of moisture and hydration in the skin. If your face feels tight after a wash, your soap may be a bit too drying. Switch to a milder soap that’s good for sensitive skin.
2). Tone – Look for a toner that has no alcohol that can further dry your skin. The purpose of a toner is to bring back the ph levels of your skin, remove the last traces of dirt in your face and remove minerals and chlorine from the water. It also closes the pores.
I like the Japanese variant, the Elixir Lifting Moisture Lotion II, (a Shiseido product), good for normal to dry skin. Its watery texture doesn’t leave skin feeling tight, just refreshed. It contains Collagen to lift skin and give it a dewy effect. I’m so happy with the purchase, I added a refill so I won’t run out.
3). As an added boost, I apply a Hyaluronic Acid to retain moisture in the face and plump up the skin. When skin is plumped up, fine lines are not visible. When skin is hydrated, it helps in cell production because skin is not fighting hydration. Why I like this brand? Its lightweight and easily absorbed in the skin. The name Mineral 89 is derived from the number of minerals found in the volcanic water used in this formulation. This acts as a moisturizer as well.
Alternatively, I use a Vitamin C and E serum prescribed by my dermatologist to brighten and plump my skin. Pictured above. I squirt 3-4 drops and apply on my face.
4). Moisturize – Because of our tropical, humid weather, most women shy away from oils because it will make their skin oilier. With better research and development over the years skincare products have improved in texture, its availability to penetrate skin and since this is plant based, the science behind it supports the claim. This is one of my favorite moisturizers because it’s easily absorbed and doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. Apply a 3-4 drops and warm it against the palm of. your hand and massage it in the face.
Easily absorbed and not oily at all
5). Massage – I saw this roller being demoed in a store in Japan, and what it does is, the rollers simulate physical kneading by a face esthetician on your face and neck to make it firmer and help contour the face. For aging women that’s the jowl and jawline area. The solar panel in the middle of the handle acts as a microcurrent, you know you’re doing it right if you feel a slight tug when you roll it across your face. You can use this for the arms as well. You may purchase this at Sephora online. If this doesn’t fit in your budget, you may look for dupes in shopping sites but look for one that has platinum coating not plastic to minimize irritation.
What is pictured above is a dupe and the solar panel is missing. The thicker roller I alternate using, not pictured here, contains the solar panel. I was experimenting on the different rollers.
Refa Carat Roller simulates kneading techniques to depuff and refine the contours of the face.
6). Lash and Brow Serum –
I’ve tried the expensive ones but nothing worked, I made a simple recipe using the Essential oils from Young Living and researched on the recipe. (I’m a member of Young Living Oils), It’s made from Castor oil, Lavender, Cedarwood, Rosemary and Vitamin E oils, ingredients that help lengthen and speed up the growth of lashes. I apply this on my brows and lashes 2x/day. See results in 6 weeks to 2 months if applied religiously.
If you’re applying brows and mascara during the day, skip this step and apply at night. It does work and most of all doesn’t cost a lot.
Lash Serum DIY
7). Eye Serum –
I use this eye roller from Clinique as it contains caffeine to depuff and lighten the eyebags. Again, aging hasn’t been kind to my eye area, the top eye are is slowly sagging creating a hooded effect. To counteract this, by day I use the lighter eye serum and at night I use a slightly thicker eye product and apply on the top corner and contour of the eye avoiding the lid and in the undereye portion as well. The rollerball gives a cooling effect. Put this in the fridge to maximize the cooling effect.
8). Massage eye area
This pandemic has caused me severe retail therapy habits. This led me to this gadget that vibrates and helps the eye product penetrate the eye area. Battery operated, it’s perfect for the smaller parts of the face and doesn’t cause electric shock. It feels like a soothing hum that can put you to sleep. It also helps in the circulation around the eye area, an often neglected area. It helps minimize puffiness, use this around 1 minute per eye area.
Soothing, helps in the circulation around the eye area.
9). Sunscreen
The Holy Grail of Skin protection, again this is water based and does not feel heavy on the face. Since its geared for sports activity, the longevity of this sunscreen will last longer and give your UVB/UVA protection a longer coverage. Dermatologists can never stress enough the importance of applying sunscreen as this prevents aging, wrinkles and pigmentation on the face. I’ve worn this under makeup and it doesn’t cause flashback.
I also caution Brides and clients sometimes to shy away from a high SPF as this gives a white cast on the face when photographed. An SPF of 15-30 is good if worn under makeup.
This is the must have if you want to skip the 5 steps of skincare.
9). Lip Balm
One of my staples both in my personal and client makeup kit, I bought this in one of my trips to France and discovered this in their pharmacies. This was recommended by their in house sales staff as a bestseller. It contains Honey, plant extracts, Shea Butter and Grapefruit essence, one jar is sold every 2 minutes! It combats dry lips in the winter and she also taught me you can use this in the face when you have dry patches. I bought a jar and 2 lip bullets to carry around with me. It is now available locally in major department stores.
You can use this on dry patches on the face too.
Do you have any skincare products you want to share with me?
You may purchase these products online at Sephora.com; Amazon, Lazada, Shopee and in Sm and Rustans Department Stores
I’ve met Raeanna twice, once during the Bridal Trial and the second was on her wedding day. When I went to her apartment, what greeted me was a tray of cookies just freshly baked and her mother and boys waiting to be fitted by their tailor and designer. Introductions were immediately done and I also met her fiancee who made us feel at ease. Raeanna immediately ushered us (my hairstylist and I) into her room to start the trial where she made sure our comfort was being attended to.
While our communication was through SMS, I got the feeling that Raeanna had that easy going vibe, which made communication seamless. All she wanted was to be her best version of herself without the feeling of being too made up. She hardly wears makeup, according to her, a swipe of lipstick and sunblock is all that she can do to make her ready for the day. I don’t blame her as this is also sometimes my 5 second makeup routine when my day is about to get overwhelming.
This was the Bridal Trial of Raeanna.
Below is how our day was spent :
1). Please tell me about yourself, what do you do for a living? What are your hobbies, passion?
I work for a hotel and restaurant management company, working on new projects. I like to run, I was a former triathlete and I bake.
2). How did you find out about me (Acie Fores Makeup Artist), what made you want to work with me?
You were referred to me by my friend Monica Alturra, I wanted to work with someone who came recommended by someone I know. There are a lot of Hair and Makeup artists out there, and some of them would change the Bride beyond recognition and I didn’t want that at all. As an “older” bride, I wanted to still look and feel my best but age appropriate. I didn’t want to look “matronic” or a “Tita of Manila”. I also appreciated that the Bridal trial was incorporated as an option, other HMUA didn’t.
3). How did you like the outcome of our time together for your special day?
I loved the outcome, it was exactly what I wanted to look like. Very light and natural in the photographs. You captured the personality of each of us, (the Maid of Honor my younger sister had a more dramatic look while my older sister had a natural look).
4) What is the one special memory you have of your wedding that you love? Could you share that photo with us?
Love this light hearted moment, Bride Raeanna was breaking into dance as she was coming out of the bathroom to change into her gown.
Every moment was very special, to be surrounded by close family and friends.
5). What was a good beauty moment for you during the wedding day?
The entire experience of the hair and makeup was “a good beauty moment” because it was easy and effortless, no fuss. I didn’t have to worry about anything.
6). Favourite Beauty product, application used during your wedding day.
L-R 24K Beauty Bar, Q10 Eye pads, Vichy Masque Peel and Dr. Morita Hyaluronic Essence Mask. These were used during her trial and on her wedding day.
My new Dior Palettes which fall under the warm earthy colours look good on almost everyone. They are now available at SM Makati
We loved it all! We ended up buying the eye pads, water gel exfoliation peel, and we tried to get the same Dior lip and eye palettes. The Vichy Face mask was the best since I have very dry skin.
7). Any Bridal Tips you want to share for future brides planning their wedding?
Get a team that you can trust preferably recommended by someone you know. All my suppliers were tried and tested so I didn’t have to worry about whether they would be Ok or not. Be organised, don’t leave things to the last minute. Don’t sweat the small stuff and don’t go overboard with little details that unnecessarily cost money. Make a realistic budget and stick to it. After all the bills were paid, I was happy that I was less than 10K over my budget estimate! Focus on the marriage, not just the wedding.
8). What is the one thing you could change during your wedding preparation?
I should’ve made sure that you and JM ate lunch on time!!!! So sorry about that…
9). Any beauty rituals you did or received that you want to share?
They are the best in facials!
I did the regular facials every month leading up to the wedding. I should’ve insisted that the groom apply sunblock while at the beach and pool before the wedding so he wouldn’t look so dark and peeling on our wedding day.
10). Favourite photo of you during the wedding and why.
Collecting her thoughts before the Bridal March.
This is one of my favourite photos, to keep the edge off, goofy photos are what make any event fun and light.
It was so hard to choose a favourite because there were so many good ones that just captured the moment.
Thank you Raeanna and family, may your new life ahead be filled with joy, happiness, love and support and moments that will bring out the best in each one of you.
