This is the last of my May “Mother’s Day” themed posts. A good way to end a good month, I say!
Peachy and I go a long long way back, since the 80’s. She has my best friend since high school. Partner in time, crime, lime and dime. Everything about her is big. I don’t mean that in a bad way. Anything that she does, she does in a big way. Her laughter is so infectious, even if you don’t know what s so funny, you are caught up in her world of happiness. As best friends, we have had our ups and downs, we went through a lot and it is the bond of friendship that keeps us connected no matter what.
Admittedly, life had taken over and sometimes we are kept in our own world and sometimes drift or lose touch with one another. As we have gotten older, hopefully wiser, we have taken a vow to always keep in touch. Mother’s Day was a perfect excuse to see her again. That morning was a laugh-fest, I couldn’t keep my eyeliner straight on her.
I asked her if she can be my model for my Mother’s day blog series and I’m glad she said yes. I asked her because I wanted to give her a nice thank you gift. Recently, she became a single mother to her two boys, but she has managed to see life as half full and not half empty. What a super trooper.
I can’t even begin to tell you how fortunate I am to be her friend. She has taught me so many life lessons without her telling me with an attitude of “I-Told-you-so attitude. She leads by example and she is in no way a saint or perfect. Life lessons on forgiveness, generosity, living life to the fullest and loving unconditionally are the priceless gifts she has shared with me even if she doesn’t know it.
She works for an insurance firm and is currently in Brazil as a gift for being one of the highest sales top notcher of the firm. Well deserved my friend!
To my Dancing Queen and now Zumba queen, a big shout out to you and may your tribe increase. Love you lots. I want to give you an insight as to how loveable and hilarious Peachy is when she posted her Mothers Day beauty photo on my wall. Thank you, Speachy!
You are the monay in my monalisa smileWith Lipstick only
People ask me if I had worked with celebrities as part of my job perks and highlights. Yes I have done a few and I am still working on my portfolio to say the least and besides, anyone who sits on my beauty chair will still look and feel like a celebrity. Last December, I was privileged to work with Rhea Lopez Valmadrid who was cool as a cucumber and hilarious during her special day. We shared a “personal” moment in the bathroom while she was being prepped for her second look for the reception. Good thing she showed her good humour and was classy all the way on how she handled that delicate situation. She was a celebrity on her right and I have compared her to Bea Alonso and Judy Ann Santos who by the way lost so much weight and is looking so good these days as shown in her Rite Med and Sunshine Spaghetti billboards.
Here is my celebrity inspired interview with her.
Photo from Kenneth Uy Photography
1. Please tell me a bit about yourself. What do you do for a living, what are your hobbies, passions?
“I ‘m a Government employee, working at the Central Bank and so does my husband Ivan. Hobbies? I practice and enjoy doing Bikram yoga, but I can’t say that I am a good yogi! I still can’t do a headstand. I also enjoy watching YouTube videos, which is more interesting than watching TV because I’m a frustrated Vlogger. I always wanted to make videos about beauty products, talk about a little bit about fashion, traveling and reviews about bags/purses. I love traveling and I’m a self-proclaimed bag hag! I also love going on dates with my husband, eating out (OMG I love food!), watching movies, shopping, or just simply staying at home with Ivan watching reruns of FRIENDS or any comedy shows on TV.”
2. How did you find out about me (Acie Fores Makeup Artist)? What made you want to work with me?
“I met you at a Bridal Fair at the beginning of the year. Alam mo yung feeling na instant chemistry? I felt really nice and comfortable when I was asking about your work while browsing through your portfolio (bridal and magazine photoshoot). You spoke very well and your work looked natural, doon ako na-amaze. I know I made a good decision in booking you, and I think it’s important to work with someone you could trust.”
3. How did you like the outcome of our time together, for your special day?
” I’m just so happy and grateful! I’m so satisfied because you did a beautiful job on my wedding day and also during our prenup shoot last August 2013 in Ilocos Norte.” We communicated through email about the pegs that I wanted for my Prenup and Wedding day , and it’s so nice that you sent me reminders on what to do or how to prep my skin a few months before the wedding. You’re like my beauty guru! Your team did amazing work, I felt like a princess (haha!). You are so professional and so fun to work with. The makeup and tools that you used were all high-quality and top makeup brands talaga! I also enjoy our chickahan while you and your team were doing my makeup and hair, and it’s nice that I was able to ask you for tips and advice about makeup, and we also talked about some personal stuff. You’re so sweet and it’s so nice working with you.
4. What’s one special memory you have of your wedding/prenup that you love? Could you share that photo with us?
“I loved every single minute I spent with you! On my wedding day, you and your team came very early in Tagaytay. I wasn’t able to sleep that night, but you made me look so pretty & well-rested! I also remember that you had this “magic powder” that you used to make me look fresh. During our prenup shoot in Ilocos with Mr. Kenneth Uy, our photographer, it was like an adventure and also a wonderful experience. I’ll never forget that day, I really felt like a model and actress (haha!).. Ganun pala yung feeling ng photoshoot sa malayong location, long drive, naging changing room ko yung van, nag-hike sa hill just to find a perfect spot, humiga sa damuhan, and we had amazing native Ilocos cuisine. It was so tiring but it’ was so much fun!
You also called me “Bea Alonzo” and I was so kilig and flattered haha!
On my wedding day, my friends and family were amazed on how perfect my makeup turned out, my childhood gay friend (one of my members of the entourage) actually told me “Ang galing ng makeup artist, pinalutang ang ganda mo.. hindi ka coated ng makeup!” and that is exactly what I love about your work: You transformed me into this classic, beautiful bride!” (Both photos below from Kenneth Uy Photography)
Prom season is upon so many young ladies this month and I thought of creating some looks for inspiration . I decided to go for a wearable smoky look with a light pink lip for those who want a well dressed appeal but without going overboard. It can be adapted to suit a day look as well by toning it down like removing the false lashes and switching from a black eyeliner to a brown one. I kept in mind also the sweat proof factor of this look by using waterproof products that will carry you until the evening. Hope you like it and give me your thoughts on what looks you’d like to see for your prom.
The beauty of workingas a freelance makeup artist, is tying up with a salon from time to time. It is another venue to hone your skills and get a first hand experience of working with real women with real beauty issues or needs. Guess who happened to drop by at Elevation Salon,? Regal beauty herself, Mrs. Amparito Lhuillier! She walked into the salon a little past her appointment and reasoned the Manila traffic was to blame for her tardiness. She just came from her homecoming at St. Scholastica College in Manila.
While waiting for her to arrive , I immediately went to the internet to do some research about her and found photos of herself in many glossies with her trademark look of dark smoky eyes with a red lip, and I was thinking immediately a la Paloma Picasso. Only a few women can rock this look and being of Spanish lineage, it really is fitting although it may sound like a cliche look for most women of the same heritage. Pressure is on when you’re doing someone famous!
In terms of the look, I thought of doing something else for her but something in me decided to stick to her signature look. I will not reveal her age, but she does have a figure and stature of a model still in her prime. Defying gravity you say? (Did I mention she is also a Facial Care Center spokesperson? Beauty Secret #1 revealed. )
Armed with her little baon of beauty staples with her, I was surprised that she carries with her a handful of laminated photos of the hairstyles and makeup looks that suit or she thinks will complement her. This is a woman who knows what she wants! Due to her numerous social engagements, she has perfected her beauty routine to a T and mentioned that she has a lady that does her hair and makeup in Cebu that knows her face like the back of her hand and has been at it for many years now. On top of that this lady does her hair and nails, too, and Mrs. Lhuillier excitedly narrates that she does supply her with all the beauty things she needs whenever she goes abroad to keep her abreast of what’s new.
“Flaunt your assets but hide your flaws”With Thomas Ellsworth Senior Hair stylist at Elevation Salon
I was overwhelmed by her beauty. the hour actually felt like a blur, but she gave me the most wonderful advice:
“Flaunt your assets and hide your flaws”.
I just had to ask her about her famous daughter, Monique Lhuillier, the famous bridal designer who is making her mark in the global bridal fashion industry. Mrs. Lhuillier (being a proud parent) casually mentioned that she gave her daughter a small loan to start her business not thinking how it will succeed. She even told me that in the early years, she would go help her daughter during her trunk shows at Bergdorf Goodman and Lord and Taylor by steaming and packing the gowns and dresses and helping her sort out her orders in her high heels and cocktail dress.
Now that is what I call effective marketing — two chic sophisticated ladies selling bridal gowns!
And, of course, the rest is history. Now she says she can’t even afford the dresses that her daughter makes when asked if she always gets to wear her daughter’s own creations. Being the greatest supporter of Cebu fashion, she also proudly wears the creations of Jun Escario and Phillip Rodriguez alongside her internationally branded couture ensembles.
Spending an afternoon with her was like chatting with an old friend who you have not seen for years. She does get animated and her face lights up when you bring out the topic of philanthropy (which her event that night was all about). She does not have any airs around her, and spoke to everyone at the salon. She treated the staff with humor and grace. She also mentioned that she is planning to join a fashion show next month in Manila and the designer asked her to model and proceeds will go to a charity organisation that she supports. How cool is that? She made us laugh with her humor, and gave us a glimpse of her fabulous life which will always be fascinating to anyone.
Thank you Elevation Salon and Mrs. Lhuillier for a well spent afternoon.
And now, here is my breakdown of her makeup look. I was amazed at how she also combines low end and high end cosmetics when she showed me her lipstick arsenal. She actually uses Fashion 21 Cosmetics in Red Sea as her signature red lip. Mixed with that, she also discovered the color of the season, orange, which she perfectly mixed with her red one. She finally decided on MAC Dubonnet for this particular look. Check out the print of her blouse. She really doesn’t leave home without her red lipstick — or two.
