Makeup For Prominent Eyes

As much as women with small eyes would try every technique to achieve bigger, brighter-looking eyes, those on the opposite end would search for ways to make their big eyes more subtle. If you see someone whose eyes remind you of headlights, you just got yourself a model  of “Prominent Eyes.”

The walking headlight is an exaggerated example, just so you could  get the picture. When you see the headlights coming out  of the socket, that’s a prominent-protruding variety just like this man on the left. Don’t confuse prominent with protruding eyes, which will be discussed separately. As mentioned on our post on the “Different Eye Shapes,” a particular shape can overlap with another and produce a combined effect such as the “heavy duty” prominent-protruding type. The anime or doll eyes would more likely illustrate the prominent eyes type alone.

Let us get enlightened on how prominent eyes are subdued through makeup techniques.

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Shop & Share Celebrity Auction

While our country is still recovering from the damages caused by  back to back typhoons Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma), celebrities have innovated a way to generate more funds by donating their goods. Actress Angel Locsin lives up to her name and spearheads this noble project.

Don’t be jealous of the beneficiaries, though. Authentic Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Burberry items will not be directly given to the victims, as fashion is not among the priorities of Mang Juan and Aling Nena for now. Instead, the expensive and fashionable bags and shoes will  be auctioned online through  the Shop & Share website which opened yesterday. The revenues will go straight into the Philippine National Red Cross’ Disaster Relief Efforts.

Joining forces with  Angel Locsin are Anne Curtis, Kris Aquino, Dimples Romana, Jake Cuenca, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Luis Manzano, Marian Rivera and couple more. Yes Papa P (Piolo Pascual) is showing his support as well. But sorry girls, a date with him isn’t up for auction.

If you want to walk in the shoes of Pokwang (LV size 6) on glass tiles or fill the bigger shoes of Ruffa Gutierrez ( Tory Burch Heels size 10) and you have the money for it, go and start bidding now at http://shopandshare.ph! The LV monogram tote of Kris Aquino is waiting for its new owner and Heart Evangelista’s pretty face might just rub off on you when you wear her Fendi shades (but don’t blame me if it doesn’t).

If you are a true-blue fashionista and are finding ways to reach out to the typhoon victims, bidding at the site is a win-win situation. But do hurry. As of writing, the $399 starting bid of Anne Curtis’ LV backpack has escalated to $900, with 23 rabid bidders. International buyers are more than welcome to join because the auction process is made possible through ebay.com.

This early, I’m congratulating the organizers of this project! We’re starting to see the other side of these celebrities beyond the superficial facets of their showbiz lives. May God bless their beautiful souls.

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Booty Call

Cosmetics companies are now leaning towards the formulation of more effective anti-aging products. Miracle serums are the hottest thing in the beauty industry but the question remains, ” which one really works?” Does a resonating rave from users validate the effectiveness of a product? When the reviews are as convincing as those of Boots No. 7 products, you can’t help but be lured into its promises.

My friend Isobelle, who now lives in Denver, Colorado, asked for my opinion on the apparently “miraculous” product originating from UK which is now creating a buzz in the US.  Unfortunately, I haven’t used one but it did trigger my curiosity. Here is the info I gathered on Boots No. 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Serum, making me wish we had it here in the Philippines as well.

What is Boots No. 7?

Boots is a known pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer in the UK, named after John Boot, an agricultural worker who opened a herbalist store in 1849. Eventually, the  No. 7 brand was launched in 1935.  Boots No. 7  is said to be Britain’s number 1 make up and skin care brand that has an extensive array of scientifically-proven products. Tinted moisturizers, eyeshadows and lipsticks from this brand are impressively earning the thumbs up of beauty aficionados. What’s even more buzz-worthy is its anti-wrinkle skin care line.

Boots no. 7 Protect and Perfect Serum

Boots product—No 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty serum (previously known as Refine & Rewind Beauty Serum), was  formulated by a team of scientists lead by Dr. Steve Barton in 2003. The BBC Science show featured this product as having underwent a 12-month independent clinical trial drawing the conclusion that this was the real deal, the only product they tested which worked. The stampede-inducing feature prompted the product to be sold out almost instantaneously. The studies were later backed up by a new study published at the British Journal of Dermatology, confirming its effect on improving the appearance of wrinkles and additionally, proving its repair properties on sun-damaged skin, broadening its market range from the old to the younger ones who show premature signs of aging. Even those with allergy issues can benefit from its hypoallergenic formulation.

It is a beauty serum which promises to deliver a younger-looking skin within 4 weeks. If you look into consumer reviews online, you will notice how it garners raves more than rants.  I’d like to believe that it does hold the key to that evasive fountain of youth. Dr. Steve Barton, however, counters this “miracle product” claim but affirms that it does reduce lines and reveal younger looking skin. After its launch in 2004, it easily became the front-liner of the Boots No. 7 brand.

Ingredients

The serum is  a unique compound of silicone, anti-oxidants, lipo pentapeptides and an extract of white lupin flower.

Price

A 1 oz  bottle ranges from $19.99 to $22.99.

Availability

It is frequently sold out but you can check it out on Target or Drugstore.com in the US. Its online store in the UK does not sell it internationally and neither do the US-based stores so it may take a while before we consumers in the Philippines can try it out. Hopefully, not long enough for us in the thirties to start manifesting visible signs of aging.
cupless shelf bra

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Rebond at Tony and Jackey CDO

I was long overdue for a rebond. After raving about the affordable home service that I availed last year, the months that followed after that rebond left me with a dry, tangled, and damaged hair, not to mention to unusual amount of falling hair that almost clogged our bathroom. I have all praises for how the stylist did the ironing and how courteous she was but I figured it must be the product she used that caused the marked damage. Like what I always say, you get what you pay for.

This year, I had to make sure that I go to a reputable salon to prevent the same thing from happening. I asked around and one of my models, Kristine, recommended that I go to Cebu or Manila at a certain Korean salon. Unfortunately, like me, she is frustrated about the lack of salons here that are known for their rebond services. The best rebond I have tried were in Hairbytes Shangrila in Mandaluyong and Ricky Reyes in Megamalll.

Tony and Jackey was the salon that Kristine suggested. I made a mental note to squeeze in a rebond session when I visit Cebu or Manila. With the law of attraction working on my favor, I later found out that a Tony and Jackey branch has just opened at SM-CDO! Whoah! That was real quick. I lost no time in scheduling an appointment before a Cyber Monday. The front desk personnel was pleasant to talk to and sounded really professional over the phone.

There are 3 Korean stylists working at the CDO branch. The one who attended to me was Nick. Despite the language barrier, he courteously explained that the status of my hair needed the L’Oreal formula instead of the Korean preparation which may be harsh for my already damaged hair. In fact, he warned me that another rebond may aggravate the condition of my poor hair. But my thought bubble went: “what could be worse than this fluffy, witchy hair I’m sporting?”

They have a 5000 package using L’oreal for rebond on any length of hair plus additional services like hair manicure, hair cut and something else which escapes me at the moment. The 3000 package uses the Korean medicine, inclusive of the other hair treatment services. For rebond alone, it is P300O using L’Oreal and P1,500 for the Korean formula. It would be easy to fall for the cheaper package but as I understand it, it would be an option only for those with “virgin” hair. For the uninitiated, it refers to hair which hasn’t been ravaged by a previous treatment such as rebond, relax or perm. It doesn’t have anything to do with one’s purity or experiences in intimate matters. Ack! That leaves my hair under the slut category.

I figured it may take forever if I choose the whole package. Besides, I wanted to get the feel of paying for a not more than P4000 for a rebond at a famous salon. I usually pay P7000 for my rebond sessions before and I do realize now what that amount could buy me. I opted for the L’Oreal Rebond for P3000 plus haircut for P300. It took around 5 hours to finish.

After the routine shampoo and blowdry, Nick cut my hair, following the style I pointed on their catalog. I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to cut before rebonding but after the whole process, there were damaged ends that he had to cut once again, making my hair a lot shorter than it’s supposed to be. His assistant Cacay did the blowdrying and most of the ironing process, but Nick was constantly checking out her work and did some ironing too even if the salon was getting packed with clients.

My assessment? Except for the occasional instances when the iron would bump into my scalp, the shorter-than expected hair and the deafening voices that greet a new customer entering the premises, the experience was a fine one. They offered free coffee, and their staff members were trained to treat their clients right.  Generally, the results are good. A few days after, I did notice some frizzy strands near the nape but then I also encountered that after my rebond in Hairbytes so I guess it’s a complication I have to deal with afterwards. Regular hot oil will handle this.

The haircut rates of Tony and Jackey is something that may be intimidating for CDO residents because we are used to low prices (one of the reasons why I don’t push my makeup artistry). You can enjoy a P120 haircut at some posh salon here which serves Iced Tea for free. But then with reputation of Tony and Jackey’s excellent Korean hairstyling, it is certainly worth a try. Both male and female clients kept the stylists busy when I was having the rebond. The regular rates are P500 for women’s haircut and P300 for men. Currently, they are on promo: P300 for women and P150 for men. If you guys in CDO want to score Korean hair-do a-la Lee Min Ho, do check the place out. It is located the the 2nd floor of SM CDO , or you may contact them at 859-3022.

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Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer

When it comes to primers, Smashbox is a sure winner. With its Photo Finish foundation being a multi-awarded breakthrough product, we expect nothing less from its eye primer version.

Smashbox recently came out with the  Photo Finish lid Primer which aims to make the eye makeup adhere better and last longer. From the way it looks, it appears creamier than the eye primers I’ve gotten used to (Urban Decay Primer Potion and the Artdeco Eye Primer). It claims to have moisturizing properties owing to its Phytomoist formula, a plant based hyaluronic acid with skin perfecting amino acids. What’s interesting about this is that it can be used as an under eye brightener and concealer for dark eye circles! I’m guessing the formula glides more easily than other eye primers that tend to clump due to its glue-like properties.

Will it be at par with the cult favorite UDPP? Or will it just be a mini version of the Smashbox foundation primer ?  That we’ll have to find out. The ingredients are different so I’m expecting it to be be on a league of its own. Smashbox ships for free in the US so get it while it’s hot.

Watch Emily Noel’s review of the product:

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