Top 10 beauty tips for brides

(i guess it's time for the h2b to contribute something about wedding stuffs... )

IN the past, as full-time beauty editor, I took on hair and makeup jobs on the side to supplement my magazine income. I worked on advertising shoots, music videos and weddings during my free time.

Weddings proved to be the most challenging of them all. I never knew what to expect. But at the same time, working the bridal circuit taught me many things, and the experience is currently helping me put together my own nuptials.

I caught up with two other makeup artist friends to exchange ideas on the dos and don’ts when it comes to one’s big day, and essentially gather tips on how to look one’s best (and most photogenic) on the event that took months to prepare.

Their answers were both hilarious and helpful. I am only too happy to share them with you.

10. “Do not sleep later than 12 midnight even if your wedding is after lunch,” says Barbi Chan, chief makeup artist at Maybelline New York, who has worked with more than 300 brides. “Trust me, it shows, [and] it’s so hard to conceal swollen and tired eyes!”

9. Steer clear of foundation that contains titanium dioxide (a common sunscreen ingredient), as it turns white in pictures. This only emphasizes the importance of making it to your trial makeup session and reviewing the photographs. On that note, “Do not be late or miss your appointment,” says Mayone Bakunawa, a former Estée Lauder guest makeup artist who has been doing makeup for five years now. “If you have to [cancel], inform way ahead of time [as a] courtesy to the makeup artist and her other clients.”

8. Avoid any medical or dermatological treatments like facials, waxing or threading at least a week before the wedding, and never ever the day before. “No amount of makeup can cover burnt skin or an infected pimple,” explains Chan.

7. “Do not drastically change your hair color,” warns Bakunawa. “Asian hair has a lot of copper undertones so if you’re going for a light brown shade, you’d have to bleach first.” Bakunawa recommends going to a reputable salon or a professional stylist. “It will be worth it, otherwise you might end up with orange hair.”

6. Don’t treat your suppliers like hired help. Your makeup artist, hair stylist, photographer and everybody else are there to make sure you look your best, and they deserve to be treated with respect. Treat them right and you’ll be rewarded with a well-made-up face, great hair and amazing pictures (even, possibly, lasting friendships).

5. Avoid unrealistic expectations, at least from the hair and makeup team. “Do not expect us to be magicians or surgeons,” says Bakunawa. “Granted, we will do everything we can in our power to make you the most beautiful you, but you’ll still look like yourself.” So brides, take note: no asking for ‘nose lines’ please!

4. “Do not neglect skin care and ‘leave it up to the makeup artist,’” shares Bakunawa. Chan agrees, having advised many women in the past to take care of their complexions. “Clear, blemish-free skin is the perfect canvas for makeup to go on,” she says. Besides, if your skin is in great shape, you won’t need that much makeup.

3. Try not to stress about the small things. “Brides should learn the art of letting go,” says Chan. “As long as you have your photographer, makeup, gown, and of course, groom, then everything else can fall apart and you will still be the most beautiful bride. Let go and everything will be alright.”

Says Bakunawa: “Stress will manifest in different ways, such as hair loss, dry skin, breakouts, rashes, you name it. And it shows in pictures.”

2. “Your wedding day is just one day, do not expend all your energy and be drained afterwards,” urges Chan. She also encourages couples to focus on the pending marriage itself, and not just get caught up in the preparations. “Planning a wedding is easy, getting married is not. So make sure that you are sure about it—no doubts, no hesitations, because we are talking about spending the rest of your life with this person.”

1. Don’t forget to feed your suppliers. “Do not assume that while we work in the fashion and beauty industry, we do not eat,” expresses Bakunawa. And Chan shares the same sentiment: “Even if it’s just a simple mamon [small butter cake], it really helps a lot!”

By Mariel Chua
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:07:00 07/09/2009

link here

Scrapbook

Posting my 1st attempt on online scrapbooking.

This is so nice. Wwwweeeeee!!!! I think this will be my new addiction. :P

Actually, I have my own scrapbook. Unfortunately, I dont have more free time to do it. It's much easier doing it online. And much cheaper. I can just print it if I like. :D

Until next time...

I blogged about her come back dated April 7, 2009.

She just had a three-week vacation here then she'll bring Josh with her to NZ where they will live for good. (Hay, nakaka-sad pa rin isipin na ang layo layo layo layo layo layo nyo na *Sigh*) But since we have our own schedules and engagements to attend sad din coz we have not maximized our time together.

Last April 17, was her day with the berks (A, me, Jeng, Mike, Carol and Bro. Sope). Mervs and Edwin coundn't make it because of an out of town getaway. Lades ofcourse is at SG. Nonetheless, that night was a bonding over food, videoke, laughers, asaran, kwentuhan at syempre piktyuran!!!

Ofcourse, I will not allow Mheh to go back to NZ empty handed. I gave something for her and Dheh. ( I hope you'll love it....and use it please! Hihi.. BTW, buzz me on your comments ha?)

Ok back to my story....^__^

Then for A being Josh' Ninong...I volunteered to look for an item for Josh that will be useful especially when he starts for schooling. Good thing I asked her mom first on what's his favorite cartoon character or anime character. Guess what? It's the Dark Knight! ^_^

So me got him an uber cool thermal lunch bag with matching thumbler and food container. I got him a awesome Car pencil box that moves when you pull the string from the trunk. Cor's Josh loved it. He even tried to cute his Mom out just to let him play with it asap. Hehe.

Well, I will surely miss them. A and I were actually kidding around that 2 years from now, Josh will call A "Ninong KULOT" with an accent. Hehe.

Hay! I love my Berks. Too bad we never been complete in a picture. I hope that time will come...SOON.

hair + booze

Who said you can't have a haircut while drinking your booze?
They ain't no rules...especially for Keekai! :P

It was one of those nights where u just want to chilax and let your work-baked body get tired more by lights, the busy street, booze and shopping!!! Last week, we went to Marikina Shoe Expo at Cubao to check out Mogwai and a possible buy of new pair of shoes. But we instead ended up checking out "i love you" store. It's an art store. Cool store! Loads of weird or better say artistic items from dress, blings, trinkets, shirts, pants, bags, shades, etc. Keekai promised that she's not going to leave the store without having one for keepsake. Very tempted that I was too of grabbing a shirt but nah...they were too pricey to consider (Sticky Rice Alert! alert! hehehe). So what did we have instead? A HAIR CUT!!!! Yey!

(before)


(the works)

(after)

I got a new hair cut too. I had my hair layered again but now with bangs! :P Too bad, no one care to took my before and after pic. A and Cadz wer busy trying on the bioman shades, laughing their hearts out on how they look in the mirror while I'm having my time with the hair stylist. But that's A-OK. :)

And the one who went home very happy with an item was A. He got himself a 1994 VINTAGE RAY BAN CHROMAX Driving shades. (As if he can drive!!! Oh Yeah, he drives me Crazy! Will that count?)

It's a combination of thank-you-Jhan-for-a-very-tasty-find and wtf-i-am-robbed-CA-to-the-rescue thingy for him. Well, it's original and good buy! Here's other stuff I found in the store.

(I heart his pink flask :-( 'cors I didn't buy coz its so pricey)

(My view of the ceiling)

(A, bored yet comfy on the couch)

( A table full of odd-shape shades)

(Trying on Lola shades)

(now, the Red Heart-shaped bangaw shades)

Well, it's a night of fun with people I love. *wink*

9th on 9

Today marks our 9th year! Ahiheee
If I will do the math, that's
78,840 hours
3,285 days
432 weeks
108 months

Whew! and few months more from now, we will be counting again back to Zero for another milestone in our lives.

Celebrating our 9th is not that too special anymore but is equally romantic and happy compared to the rest. Instead of glass of wine, we say our "cheers" with Fraps. Instead of a limousine drive, we just take a cab. Instead of romantic lunch for 2, it was Mang Inasal's Chicken for 4 (A, his mom, his brother and I). Instead of a stroll to the mall holding hands, it was a quick stroll at the grocery hands held+sweet embrace while on queue at the counter.

There may not be fancy food to share with, no out of town nor out of the country trip, no extravagant gifts (speaking of gift, i have to collect mine by monday pa! *sigh*), but we spent it TOGETHER and I am simply contented.

Everyday can be as special as your anniversary as long as you want it to be. I am learning more...loving more.


Simply happy for 9th on April 9, 2009.

Cheers to our 9th Moks!

ahlabsyumats

Reunited

Yehey! After 1 year, we finally met again face to face. One of my best pals is here. Back in her hometown. A and I met her finally last Sat for dinner. Coz i can't wait for Apr 17!!!!

I understand that it is a very busy vacation for her to accommodate family and friends. But duh! we're not just friends....we are almost sisters!!! We are best of Pals!!!!

(aawww....i miss Lady too). How I wish she's here too.

As expected, we updated each other. Shared our respective kwentos of almost everything. The daldalhan doesn't stop over our dinner plates. We even extended it over frappuccinos. Hehe. Well, the night was obviously not enough for us coz we talked and talked until pass midnight. We laughed and reminisced our times together and how time fly so fast. We talked about plans...future...dreams. Oh how I really missed her...(I miss Dheh too). How i wish they can make it again here for the BIG DAY. :-(

*deep sigh*

Oh c'mon, i should stop now...I might wet the keyboard again. :P But I can't help it. On the BIG DAY....as much as possible i want all special people in our lives to be there....to celebrate with us. But reality check, there are cases that are out of our control. (Lades, you better make that promise come to life....or else!!!!!......or else I WILL LITERALLY CRY MY HEART OUT!!!)

*fingers crossed*

There's a couple of weeks more before Apr. 22nd. Apart from the 17th, will surely find ways to be with Mheh before she fly back to NZ. Good thing there's internet to stay intouch.

Here's some pics:

Here's my Whiri Twist Paua (pasalubong from Irene) - Represents the bonding of Friendship & the joining of lives for eternity.

I miss my Berks. :-(

Search for my Wedding Dress

We've attended several bridal affairs since Jan of this year and I talked several friends who tied the knot for recommendations for their gowns. I phoned several local suppliers and grabbed almost every supplier brochures for wedding designers, couture, etc. Send several emails here and there. I even read entries on W@W. (but so many entries nakakahilo magbasa..hehe)

So, just last night...I was checking new pictures of Richard Buan and Paul Vincent. For the record, Paul Vincent was my favorite Photog. I've been a fan/follower of him for almost 2 years now. However, we settled with Richard Buan because of budget. I must say, Richard Buan though is equally talented. (I hope hindi magtampo si Richard if ever he reads this. :P )
Anyways, to continue my story..... as I was browsing Paul Vincent's site, I went to one of his links. Hovered my mouse to "The Veluz Bride". Instantly I was WoWed by her creations. It's beautiful. I browsed and browsed for older posts and every bride was amazingly beautiful with the her dress. I sent her an email asking for her rates, etc. then went to sleep.

So today, I was lucky to be home early. I opened my rig...checked emails to see if Veluz replied then visit Veluz' site again. Since there's no reply, I sent SMS to the mobile number posted on the site. As expected I got a reply but not from Veluz but from Gercel. Exchanged few SMS with her. I was already stitching thoughts of myself, with my gown made by Veluz when an SMS came from Gercel. The SMS was:

Gercel: "Ms. Janice, sori po bt we r fully bookd na po on dat date..."

Me: "why? how many brides do you accommodate ba?"

Gercel: "Yes po, we only accomd8 4 brides in a day.."

Me: "Ganun? So quota na kayo? :-( "

Gercel: "Yes po, so sori po tlaga.."

Me: *sigh*

My dream dress from Veluz....Gone!!! :(

Bleeding

I guess you really don't understand me at all. The x number of years we had together does not guarantee how perfectly well you know me. It's Vice versa.

I admit, i am complicated. You always tell me that I am such a big puzzle to solve. And each time you find the correct connecting piece, the picture suddenly changes. How inconsiderate right? At one point in time, we are in heaven, few minutes passed, we hit the floor face flat. Why? I bet you know the answer.

It's the choice I take that oftentimes crashed my heart. And everytime I chose the option which favors you most, I suffer. Suffer in a sense and in a different way that you really can not comprehend. My heart bleed endlessly when I made a wrong choice. And I wear my mask coz I need it. But You know, I really can't fake what I feel within. If only you really know how to look within, you'll see. You always look at my eyes. But can you really see through?

It takes two to tango. Yes. Well noted. It will not be in history if I didn't permit it. I'm not saying I don't want ANY of it. Ofcourse I do! It's beautiful. It's something worthy to treassure. It's a gift. But It's also a gift not meant to be open yet. Not meant to enjoy yet. Not meant to taste yet.

I guess, bottomline, I made a decision at wrong a time.
I am still vulnerable. I am weak. I am not so brilliant at all.

Yes, You will not understand ME.

He Did it

Ahem...do i have to spell it out?

New Phone!!!!

Weeeeeee!!!!! I have a new phone! And I so luv it. I can't believe that He, who has been a super certified STICKY RICE would give me something like this with no occasion to celebrate nor any apparent reason i can think of. Well, there's one, we almost end IT but patched it somehow. (exept....hhmmmmmm....he might have done something (again?!) that i dont know. wag naman sana *cross fingers*)






But its in my hands now for exactly 2 days and 18 hours. :P
I even won P20 on the "Money money booth" plus a free 4R print of myself with A.








Well, I'm still familiarizing myself with its features.

QT

QT as what we call it. Short term for Qualiy Time.

Since He came back, it's been almost two months now. But still, we can't be together at all times. Work ofcourse is the biggest barrier. My weekdays are full and I'm really exhausted as the clock ticks 6PM.

Another factor is distance. He lives in Valenzuela, while I stay in Caloocan. Not an issue since of same way if we travel from Makati where I work. But then, still, if he's gonna pick me after work, from their place to Makati, that's gonna be tiring. I am now considerate honey...and you know that...hehehe

And so, the weekend is saved to have our QT sessions. Swigs at bars is out now. While chillin' at coffee shops is still in. Trip to moviehouses ofcourse will always have its fair share of our QT and ofcourse, food trip will never ever be erased from our list. From sidewalk goodies like tukneneng ni Aling Patty, fishballs, kikiam, chicken balls and squid balls, isama pa ang Ice scrambled (mango and melon flavors) ni Manong sa may simbahan, isaw at tenga ng baboy ni Bading, which i missed so so much now.... ( Haba nguso)... up to burger, pasta and grilled food trippings lalu na ang Seafoods!!! Yum yum (makes me hungry as i typed these words....hehehe).

Well, believed me or not...we visitted museums and planning to go to Zoo by next week siguro. hmmmm....i'm getting excited on that one. Haven't been to Malabon Zoo yah know?



Ang Sago, (vow) masarap na, masaya pang ibala gamit ang straw... hahaha...Lagkit noh?)


QT at Singkit, one hot Saturday noon.