Beauty Addiction: Has It Gone Too Far?

Yes, I admit it. I am a beauty junkie. I don't buy expensive clothes, bags or shoes, but I do spend a lot on makeup and skincare.

I recently stumbled across an issue of a magazine targeted for tweeners (ages 10-12) up to the age of seventeen. I used to read this magazine when during my elementary days up to my early high school days. And now, years later, I browsed through it and I was surprised to find that they are featuring products from Make Up for Ever and Kerastase. As we now, these products are around P1200 to more than P2000. It's highly unlikely that their target audience can afford these things on their own. Unless, these teen magazines have shifted their demographic to the children of elite families OR early teenagers are that vain already that they will pester their parents or save up their tiny allowance to be able to buy products like these.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm a vain person (hence, this beauty blog) but I couldn't even buy my own Make Up for Ever foundation until after I graduated from college, even though I came from a family with means. And to think I've been working part-time already since I was in first year college. Surely these kids don't have their own means too and rely on their parents. Could it be that society today is pushing young girls to be obsessed with looking good? And if they're willing to spend that much at such a young age, what will they be pining for by the time their 20? Cosmetic surgery, perhaps?

Has beauty addiction gone too far? What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear them.

How to: Men's Makeup

Before I went to Basement Academy, I had absolutely no experience doing men's makeup. I'm glad it was tackled in class because now, I can do makeup for them already. This is very handy because at some point in our lives, we'll be doing makeup for men when we do weddings, photo shoots, etc.

So here's my how-to when it comes to men's makeup:

• Make sure to cleanse and tone very well because men normally have oilier and have more dirt on their faces compared to females.
• Powder foundation is your best choice for males because they hate that sticky feeling on their faces; plus, men tend to be oilier. A two-way foundation is handy because you can apply it dry for men who have good skin already and then use it wet for men who need more coverage.
• Generally, men hate looking white because they think that it doesn't look manly. Since they're not the type who are color and sun-conscious, their arms are probably darker than their face. Use the color of their arms as a guide to what foundation shade to use on their faces. However, some men do not want to look darker, so I think it's best to inform them first of what you're going to do. If they agree, then go, but if not, then use a shade that matches with their faces.
• Don't forget to put powder in the ears and the sides of the neck to make sure that the color is even throughout the face.
• Use concealer as needed.
• When contouring, use downward strokes to make a chiseled appearance.
• NEVER use anything with shimmer. It has to matte all the way.
• Eyeliner, curling lashes and brow trimming are optional. Unless his brows are majorly thick, putting on clear mascara will do.
• A neutral blush can be used especially for men who are pale. Blush through the forehead, chin, cheeks, etc.
• For the lips, a cherry chapstick comes in handy, since a clear lip balm can make them look pale and most men don't want gloss on their lips.

I hope that these tips are handy if ever you decide to do makeup for males.

To finish off, I'd like to share with you an example of doing men's makeup. I made this during my makeup makeup classes in Basement Academy. HTH!

Camwhoring!

Who knew I could be such a camwhore? Just want to share with you some pictures I took with my friend during our concert last week. The lighting was really terrible that's why there are some shadows. We did what we could :P It was actually a bad day for me to be taking pictures because my right eye was red. I hope these won't hurt your eyes too much :P

















P.S. For Philippine residents, if you haven't joined my giveaway, check it out!

Basement Academy Makeup Classes: Bridal

Yes, I'm talking about makeup makeup classes. I spent some time on Basement Academy to take some makeup classes on the classes I missed before. One of the classes I missed was smokey eyes. During the day I went back, we did a bridal look and then changed it to smokey eyes after. Anyway, I didn't have a good picture of the smokey eyes I did (it was too dark) so I'll just show you the bridal picture.

Here's her before and after shot:



That's all for now. 'Til next time!

The Polka-Dotted Apple Giveaway

The Polka-Dotted Apple is having a giveway! Check her goodies out. And see, look! There's an Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. II!



And to answer the questions:
* What is your most prized possession?
My Flute! Definitely. I'll just die if I lose it.
* What is your definition of beauty?
Beauty is the real you.
* What makeup item (Brand and name of product) would you recommend to me?
ELF Studio Liner Sealer. I just discovered it and it works great!
* What is your favorite KIND of makeup item and why?
Lipgloss. I've always been a lipgloss girl ever since I was a kid. It adds instant color on your face.
* A weird factoid about you. :B
I still play with stuffed toys. It's something I never outgrew.
* What is the fondest memory of your childhood?
Watching cartoons all day during summer vacation.
* Describe yourself honestly.
I'm really small, quiet but really bubbly once you get to know me.
* Tell me something I could do to improve my blog.
I can't tell yet since I just started following but it looks like a great blog!

To find out how to join her giveaway click HERE

Need Help + Giveaway Update

Good afternoon everyone! Today is a major holiday but I still had to teach a student today. But it's okay I'm home now. Anyway, I'd like to ask you guys for a little help: What peach-pink lipstick or pigmented lipgloss would fit well for morena skin around NC40 and darker? I'm thinking of something that would go well with NARS Orgasm or NARS Deep Throat. Preferably something not so expensive.

Moving on, I'd also like to clarify some things regarding my giveaway. Please note that you have to be a follower to join. And also, please check your links to make sure that they're not broken links. Thanks everyone and have a nice day!

Belle de Jour Event + MusicalfanLovesMinerals Turns 1!

Hello everyone! I'm terribly sorry for the lack of updates. I've just been very busy. Last Oct 25, I attended a Belle de Jour Event in Eastwood Mall where there were a lot of freebies like free fortune telling, free ice cream, free massage by The Spa, free hairstyling by Azta, etc. There were also some talks about fashion and beauty and our favorite planner was sold at a special price! The best part is that some of the proceeds of the event were given to the victims of Ondoy.

So why am I rambling?

It will be Musicalfan Loves Minerals' 1 year anniversary soon, so I would like to give one lucky girl her very own Belle de Jour Planner!



photo taken from www.belledejourpowerplanner.com

So what are the mechanics for this giveaway?

This is open to Philippine residents only. I'm sorry to my international readers, I promise that not all my giveaways will be exclusive to Philippine readers. I'll have something up for you next time :)

How to join:
1. You have to be a follower.
2. You have to answer the question: What is/are your favorite entries in this blog?
3. You can join whether or not you have a blog, but I will be requiring that you have a blogspot account.

For those who DON'T have a blog: You can just leave me a comment answering the question and please leave me your email address (Worth 1 entry).

For those who DO have a blog: You have to repost this in your blog, then leave me a comment answering the question and providing me the link (Worth 2 entries).

This contest will end November 7, 2009 at 11:59 pm.

Good luck everyone!

Make Me Blushhh Anniversary Giveaway Part I

It's Make Me Blushhh's anniversary and she's having a series of giveaways.

For Part 1, she's giving away the ff:

* OPI Nail Polish
* LUSH Snowcake Soap
* Dior DiorShow Mascara sample

To find out how you can join this giveaway, click here