Makeup Artist In A Bag

Are you a sucker for makeup tutorials? I just came across Stila’s latest product, a portable makeup player that lets you bring your makeup guru in the bag. The Stila Makeup Player is a makeup bag and video player in one. After you download free beauty videos from www.stilabeautytube.com, you can connect the makeup player to an mp3 player or smartphone for audio or video playback right on your traincase.

Aside from the sleek bag and the portable video player, it contains $110 worth of Stila makeups including the One step makeup foundation, Convertible Color for the lips and cheeks, Eyeshadow trio and #7 eyeshadow brush, plus a full sized Lip Glaze. The whole package is worth $250 but is being sold for only $69.90! They’re even offering it on 2 installment payments of $34.95.

This is great for makeup newbies who want guidance on the proper application of makeup from the Stila Pros themselves. The bag size is just right for those beginning to build their own stash of makeups. While you do primp yourself up facing the large mirror on the bag, the video will show you how it’s done step by step. Even if you already have a cell phone or laptop where you can easily view the tutorials, the affordable price of the whole package is just too good to ignore.

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Regine Velasquez in CDO

Last December 4, 2009 at the Limketkai Atrium, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez took Cagayan de Oro by storm with her rendition of the fans’ most requested songs.

Too bad I wasn’t there to watch the concert because hubby was on duty, but I watched Regine’s show a few years ago in Manila and she’s definitely one artist whose performances are worth every penny you spend for the concert ticket.

Buzz around town is that her Eraserheads and Hearts Medley were among the most applauded numbers. Her duet with Jed Madela of “The Prayer” blew people away and sharing the stage with her childhood singing rival, Eva Castillo, was a spectacular showdown of vocal power. Thanks to Youtube, I was able to catch a few clips from the concert.

Team Oro covered the event and one of the photographers, Bon Aserios, permitted me to post some of his shots. Bon is the same photographer I worked with during the Geisha shoot we did about 2 weeks ago.

If you need a photographer for your wedding or portrait shoots, please visit his website at http://bonaserios.com. His rates and contact details are posted on his site.

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Protected: I enjoyed my Century Bangus Fillet at the Hospital

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Acne: #1 Beauty Pooper

“It is difficult to face your problems if the problem is your face,” goes the old saying that holds a stinging truth to it. Growing up, pimple attacks have not been kind to me. It left scars and pockmarks as an ugly reminder of what I’ve been through. Needless to say, acne can be a top source of insecurity especially among teens. No amount of makeup can boost your confidence if red zits keep popping up and digging holes on your face afterwards. I blame my pimples for ruining my chance to be a dermatologist. Some establishments boldly state in their requirements that applicants must have a flawless complexion. Discriminating, but I get their point. It would be hard to convince patients to trust your judgment if you’re a living proof of how curing acne is hopeless. Until now, pimple still pops up every now and then, albeit lesser in severity in comparison to the attacks during my college years.  Looking at the brighter side, it sharpened my makeup skills because for the longest time, I’ve been trying to search for ways to conceal the damaging effects of acne. Eradicating acne is a difficult feat, but avoiding its causes and knowing its treatments will make it more manageable.To win a battle, you must study the enemy, and here are some facts about acne that you have to know:

image source:www.dermalogica.bs

Acne occurs when the pores of your skin are blocked. The deep seated dirt is not able to come out to the surface, initiating the inflammation process and leaving permanent lesions. Contrary to the belief that acne arises from what you eat or do, the causes are a lot more complicated than these. The interplay of factors lead to the beauty pooping pimples:

• Genetics. Did your folks suffer from acne attacks when they were younger? If so,  you are inclined to inherit the same fate because it’s in the genes. The ability to produce  excessive amount  of keratin, a protein found in the skin, could have been passed on to you. Normally, dead skin cells are brought to the skin surface from the hair follicle when the hair grows. When keratin is abnormally abundant, they constrict the lower portion of the hair follicle.

• Hormones. When your body starts producing hormones called androgens, it triggers the production of sebum or oil which benefits the skin in normal amounts, yet when in excess, turns your face into an oil factory. Women on monthly period produce more androgens. This is why acne pop out more  during that time of the month. Acne is more likely to grow on oily skin because sebum is trapped at your hair follicles. This in turn, feeds the bacteria because they thrive in the environment of blocked pores.

• Bacteria. The type of bacteria feasting at the site of sebum-filled pores is called Propionebacterium acnes. It has the ability to convert triglycerides into fatty acids through the enzyme lipase. Fatty acids irritate the cells in the area which react by staging an inflammatory process.

• Diet. They say chocolates and oily food trigger an acne attack. From my own experience, I do notice zits popping out following a chocolate binge or a sumptuous meal of greasy delights but scientific evidences have been inconsistent as to the relationship of food to acne. However, there was a study done in 2005, showing that drinking more than 3 cups of milk can increase severe acne by 22%. It becomes worse when skim milk is used. They attribute it to the hormones in cow’s milk. If you observe certain foods causing you flare –ups, then avoid them even if studies tell you otherwise.

• Hygiene. Having pimples does not mean that you’re a slob, although it would help fight it if you observe proper hygiene.  Avoid frequent touching of the face with dirty hands. The blackheads are mistaken to be dirt because of its color. They are black because of the oxidation of keratin.Regular washing of the face with a mild cleanser helps to keep your skin clean to prevent the accumulation of oil, dead skin cells and dirt. However, be careful not to overdo the washing of your skin because it could cause dryness. Dryness of the skin would tell your body to produce more oil, turning you into a walking oil mine.

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No More Bad Hair Day

One of our readers, Bianca/Sunmom, named a few local manufacturers of organic beauty products in a previous blog post on organics. Human Heart Nature was one of them, thus I researched about it immediately. Surprisingly, upon browsing the goods on the Human Heart Nature website, I noticed  that the prices are very reasonable. Knowing organics, they usually come at a price, but their company proves it otherwise.

Unlike other local online stores that require going to the bank or Globe outlet to transfer payment, the Human Heart Nature online shop conveniently accepts credit cards. Being a supporter of organic products, I took advantage of the affordable prices and purchased some items including the Hair Mask- Intensive Gugo Bark and Avocado (Php 84.75) and the Hair Styling Cream- Acapulco and Mango Butter (Php 89.75).

Hair Mask-Intensive Gugo Bark and Avocado

After shampoo, the Hair Mask is to be left for 30 mins before rinsing. It is said to have strengthening, nourishing and moisturizing properties, boosted with Vitamin E and B complex. The Omega-3 in Avocado helps in restoring moisture and elasticity while the Gugo Bark, a time-tested natural hair enhancer that our grandmothers swear by, nourishes and minimizes hair loss. The addition of organic virgin coconut oil adds shine to worn-out locks.

The ingredients are as follows:

Water, cetrimonium chloride (from palm/vegetable oil), cetyl alcohol (from coconut), organic Entada Phaseoloides (Gugo Bark) extract, organic Persea Americana (Avocado) oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, natural honey extract,  Rosemary fragrance oil, gluconolactone (natural preservative), Rosemary essential oil, tocopherol (Vitamin E), Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Peppermint essential oil, citric acid, and sodium benzoate.

The peppermint oil makes it a cool and fragrant bath essential that you would want to use often. It is just as effective as hair spas or intensive damage control conditioners sold at department stores, minus the harsh chemicals.

Hair Styling Cream- Acapulco and Mango Butter

I say this is the bomb! This has light to medium hold that affords a great hairstyle without leaving nasty residues. After bath, I apply it on my hair that has been ravaged by regular rebond. As I mentioned before, my hair has frizzy strands that looks fried by the bathroom lights and it isn’t easily solved by my usual leave-on conditioners or hair cuticle coats that come with a greasy feel. It had to take an organic hairstyling product to tame my damaged locks.

At first, I dampened my hair with the cream a little too much that throughout the day, I sported a wet-look as though I’ve been out playing in the rain. By wet, I mean water-wet and not the oil spill kind.  I learned that it only took a little amount to get it working. Noticeably, the frizz were gone and my hair was more manageable without being oily.  The effects are even more remarkable when I use it after the Hair Mask which I don’t apply on a daily basis because I’m scrimping and I can’t wait for 30 minutes before rinsing it every time.

It contains the following organic ingredients:

mango oil, vegetable-derived cetyl alcohol, mango butter, purified water, Philippine carrageenan, acapulco extract, natural vitamin E,  and peppermint fragrance oil.

On my next order, I’d like to try their organic shampoos and conditioners. For something that you apply daily, wouldn’t it give you some peace of mind if you know that you’re using products that are environmentally-friendly and healthy? Human Nature’s price is not a prohibiting factor so I expect more people turning to organic products eventually. Hopefully, more Filipino companies would take after the example of Human heart nature and offer quality products from natural resources found locally.

Human Heart Nature has a satellite office in La Palma, California. Readers from the USA can order online from the Human Heart Nature US website.

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