Acie Fores, together with the UMAP team members headed by Charisma Vergara President of UMAP had the privilege to be a keynote makeup artist assistant at the Beauty & Momness event in Evia Center this weekend. Like all harried mothers with no time to spare for themselves, pampering oneself is key in keeping your sanity intact. Beauty is not an option but an outlet to express your creativity and spark an inner joy that makes you feel you are right in this world.
In this workshop, UMAP member volunteers taught the ladies how to do their own makeup from skincare, choosing the right products that match their skin type, using the proper tools, applying proper methods and techniques to create a polished looking face ready to face any challenge.
Mom Beauty Tips:
Skincare is essential in creating a good makeup application. The 4 key steps of a good skincare routine is cleansing, toning, moisturizing and applying sunscreen.
2. Choosing the right foundation or Base for your skin depends on the skin tone and type of skin. Usually when shopping for your base, choose 3 shades of foundation closest to your skin tone and swatch each shade from the jaw line extending to your neck. When blended, the closes shade that blends with your neck is the right shade for you.
3) Choose earthy tones for your eye color palette. For newbies in the makeup sphere, warm browns, plums are your best bets for our brown colored eyes. They are complementary colors that bring out the eyes.
4) #Kilayislife
When you have groomed brows, half of your work is done. Groomed brows are easier to fill in whether your preference is a pencil or shadow. They frame the face and if you’re in hurry, killer brows and a good lipstick color is all you need.
5) A good lipstick color that also suits your skin tone is all you need to complete basic everyday look. You can also wear bright colors like red or pink depending on your mood for the day.
Moms were divided into different skin categories. All photos below are from Michelle Viray.
Finished Makeup looks under my Combination Table. Beaming and happy should I say.
A huge shout out to all our sponsors and organizers who made this event a fun activity for everyone! Looking forward to the next workshop Moms!
July 30 and 31 were one of the best working weekend dates I had after coming from a long vacation. Remember the Inglot Polishing Workshop I wrote about before? While I only had 2 days to work with these lovely ladies, the rest of the United Makeup Artists of the Philippines (UMAP) artists had a month to bond with these beauties. Saturday was for the “Mutya ng Pilipinas” Candidates 2016 and Sunday belonged to the Mr. and Miss Chinatown 2016.
Both events were sponsored by Inglot Cosmetics and by Cynos Hair products. Status Salon Manila provided the hair and makeup requirements while the rest of the team was composed of the UMAP members.
Here is what I learned from this gig:
1. Be prepared to wait.
Patience is a virtue you need to master, if you are a makeup artist. Call times are usually early (like 7 am at the venue in this case). It was in Resorts World Manila Newport Theater and we considered ourselves lucky that we had ample time to set up. Mirrors with lights and a table were provided, so we were thankful for any kind of help. Candidates showed up at 8:30 am and we began working on them between 9:00-9:30 am. In between this, all candidates are being called by the director for a technical rehearsal which lasts from 2 -6 hours depending on the amount they have to cover. While waiting, we went through our pegs, makeup and saw to it everything had to be ready when the ladies came back. Clean your tools, glue single lashes, tidy your work space were some of the things we did to while the time.
2. Be flexible in your expectations.
This is not about you but more importantly this is a test of character. There are many things going on simultaneously from the floor and stage directors screaming. “Girls, you have 3 minutes to change” to“Girls, you have to run! We’re starting the evening gown portion!” Mind you, these gowns are heavy and difficult to put on. Part of the job is to be able to help these ladies move as fast as they can by helping them dress up, strap on their stilettos and sometimes be a fashion stylist like securing their gowns with a safety pin because the gown is simply a size smaller than expected. Yes, you will be a multi-tasker in events like these, and you have to be OK with that.
3.Pageant Makeup is designed to be seen.
Because of the Polishing Workshop we had to undergo with Inglot, pageant makeup is a glamourised version of the classic look, a bolder version of your traditional smokey eye. Harsh lights can drown out the colours you’ve put on. It is important to layer your makeup, and make sure it is still blended and well put together. Peg for all seasons, Pia Wurtzback, 2015 Miss Universe.
4. Be a Jack of All trades
When we were all done with the candidates, our work did not end there. We were assigned tasks to do last minute touch ups before the ladies were whisked away onto the stage. Two artists were in charge of applying powder and blush, one was assigned to check the lashes and bring glue, and one was in charge of applying lipstick and gloss. The hair team was also divided so they can do touch ups for the hair. It didn’t end there: We were looking at the TV monitor to check the makeup to see if we needed to add or lessen the makeup. We were required to always be on standby behind the wings for costume changes.
Mindset: You are the hired help for the day so leave your ego at home.
5. Makeup tips learned from the event
Ace of base was the Inglot HD foundation in shades 71, 73 and 77 to create that flawless “Cutis Porcelana” look. No airbrush here, we layered this 2x and buffed it well into the skin,
Blush Palette used were:
To set the makeup and make it last longer, we used the baking technique. We also had to use a lighter concealer to give the face a nice highlight.
Contour does not need to be heavy but sculpted cheekbones were a must for this event to give depth to the face. We used Inglot no. 505
Since the eyes needed to stand out, we were instructed to use fuller, wispy lashes to add drama.
Neutral palette was used on the eyes. No blue, green, pink or lavender colours here, just earthy brown tones. No glitters or frost as this looks dirty on camera.
Male grooming should be simple and natural. Bronzer was used to warm up the face. Skin tone was evened out with a light application of foundation, concealer when needed and loose powder o set the makeup. A touch of lip balm was applied to make the lips soft.
Contact lens were used by the candidates to make the eyes stand out in front of the camera.
Scenes from the 2 events
Being on the other end of this event, pageants are definitely hard work both for the candidates and for us hair and makeup artists. It is a stepping stone for most of them and while they pursue their dreams of becoming ambassadors of change or tourism, for us makeup artists, we are glad to share in their experience on their path to success and hope.
Running late from an earlier appointment, I barely made it to the opening of their store pop up in Glorietta 4, I was pointed to Vanilla Cupcakes when I asked the security guard where Banila Co was located. That made my day. As I arrived, I was pointed to Mr. Jon Lim, the one responsible in bringing in this line. They were about to begin their makeup demo with Senior Korea makeup artist for Banila, Mr. Kim Kangpil who has a show Get Beauty in Korea.
Established in 2005 to cater to the 20-30 year old woman, it ‘s product line focuses on skin care. It boasts of its cleansing balm Clean it Zero in its pink tub. It has papaya extract for the exfoliation part, Mineral oil and Acerola and herbal extract to tone the skin. It is recommended for normal to combination skin. Consistency is sherbet like, looks so good you can eat it. Comes with a spatula. Apply a little dollop into the palm of your hand, apply to your face and smooth in circular motions to remove makeup and dirt from the face.
Clean it Zero feels like an oil makeup remover in paste form and without the oily residue. It has a moisturizing effect that leaves you squeeky clean. It has a fruity smell that dissipates after but does not linger on you. I think this is purposely done to appeal to a younger crowd. I like the smell and it does not bother me. It’s perfect for travelling since it comes in a tub with a spatula, making it very travel friendly and portable.
Science behind the brand
With the Filipino’s fascination with Korean Telenovelas, its not hard to understand our warm reception to this Korean Skin care brand. It was explained and demonstrated by Mr. Kim Kangpil that Korean women approach beauty from the underlying root of “proper skincare”. Korean women do not want to show that they have makeup on, The Korean glow comes from having perfect skin, of having the perfect makeup base.
When I heard this, I was jumping on my seat. Finally! I wanted to high five Mr. Kangpil on this one. Most of us think that having that perfect glow comes from all the highlighting products we pile on our face but to achieve perfect skin is really all about layering your skincare and applying your base on top of that.
Here is how to achieve that glow:
After cleansing your face, apply a brightening toner to cover our yellow undertones. This also locks in moisture needed to prep the face for the base.
Price points are in the medium price range, not too expensive. This will definitely be on my favorite list things and I see myself replenishing my skincare faster than usual since these are products I will be using a lot more often now. I can never stress the importance of having the perfect skin and now you have no excuse to achieve that. Banila Co simplified it for us.
Banila Co is available at the 2nd floor of Glorietta 4 and Landmark Trinoma.
Follow them on www.banilaco.ph, BanilaCo Philippines on Facebook and Banilacoph on Instagram
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.
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.
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.
Anyone posting a selfie is fair game for anyone on social media more so, if you are a celebrity or someone famous. Consider the Instagram photos of Miley Cyrus’ dyed armpit hair or Kim Kardashian’s famous gleaming booty that resembles a Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut, is proof that a face or a body part is now a typical form of self expression. Haters and bashers went to town with those ones.
I’m not going to do a self righteous rant but rather share with you how those with skin issues and afraid to post their selfies can be a thing of the past.
Previously, camouflage makeup was relegated to the medical sphere and not readily available, since various skin diseases or imperfections like birthmarks, acne, rosacea, psoriasis, burns, moles, couperose, vitiligo, age and sun spots, pigmentation, freckles and facial redness are considered skin diseases or conditions that needed medical assistance. Now, skincare and cosmetics are intrinsically connected via advances in research and technology that most cosmetics contain healing, restorative and medical benefits which make it accesible to the consumer. Coverderm, formerly Covermark before, was recently launched in Manila by Brady Pharma, its local distributor for everyone to obtain.
It was developed by Lydia O Leary, an American chemist who had a birthmark on her face that she wanted to conceal. She wanted to develop a product that had coverage but was light on the face and easy to apply. Her goal was to rid skin imperfections and make ordinary people lead normal lives through makeup, as explained by Rome Maglalang, sales account executive.
Has to be removed with its waterproof makeup remover cream. It s not really a bad thing but due to its high coverage, soap and water will not easily remove it.
Has a Waxy smell but slowly dissipates.
Not available in palettes.
Final thoughts on Coverderm.
It’s consistency is really smooth, creamy and lightweight. It does cover skin imperfections really well without the feeling of heaviness. I would compare this to the Kryolan Cream Camouflage and will use this as a concealer if not as a foundation too. Product comes with a spatula, its best to warm it at the back of your hand apply with a concealer or foundation brush, or damp sponge. The packaging of the foundation can be improved by coming out in tubes like their leg makeup counterpart, instead of a jar for portability and convenience. For artists, a palette with global tones can come in handy. However, I would still consider getting this for my kit.
Photoshop just met its match.
Coverderm is available in select Watson and SM stores and retails between P1700.00-P2000.00.