Contest for the period (Mar 8 to Mar 14) has ended. Only one person was able to join, Thanks to Madel Martin. Here is her entry.

These are the tips she shared:

To create an effective evening look, go for colors that number 1, matches the color of your outfit and accessories. Number 2, don’t be afraid to go bold with dark colors such as red. It’s the evening so you won’t be noticed much if you’re wearing darker shades. And lastly, no matter how you wear your makeup, it still goes down to how you carry yourself that exudes your confidence. Go out and show the world how beautiful you are.

Congratulations and Thank you Madel!

I will post another contest on April after the holy week, I hope more people will join this time.

There are many sunscreen products that are available in the market nowadays. Choosing the right sunscreen that will work for you can be an overwhelming task,  that is why it is important to remember that you should look for a full/broad spectrum when buying a sunscreen, and Armada is one of them.

What does this product offer? First, they claim that it is hypoallergenic coz it’s a VMV Hypoallergenics product. Second, it offers full (UVB and UVA) spectrum protection (for more details about full spectrum, view this post). Lastly, VMV claims that it can protect from visible lights and infrared light.

Upon using this product, I asked myself two questions, first was, what does it take for a product to have a full spectrum protection? the answer is, look at the ingredients. Armada contains 3 active ingredients namely:

Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid (ensulizole) - this is a common sunscreen agent used primarily as UVB protection.
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone) - this is an oil soluble ingredient used to absrob spectrum of UVA rays.

and indeed, my first question was answered.

then my second question was, how does it protect us from visible light like halogens (PFV) and Infrared Lights (PFI)? In fact, it’s a question I have submitted to theVMV Website, and the 3rd active ingredient was the answer, which is:

Titanium Dioxide, i will qoute below what they’ve said about it.

“Good, ol’ classic titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are actually very good at protecting against several light rays, including visible and infrared. Often, it’s not the newest or hottest ingredient that is responsible for dermatological or cosmetic breakthroughs, it’s understanding ingredients better, how they work, and how they can be maximized or used differently. While we do use several new ingredients, we always skew towards ingredients that are better studied, proven via evidence-based and published clinical studies to work (in other words, we’ve always been more about the “steak” than the “sizzle” at VMV).”

That being said, Armada has won my trust on the technical aspect of things.

Now let’s proceed on how my personal experience of using it went. But before saying anything yet, please know that I have a sensitive and combination type of skin and I don’t have discolorations (melasma) on my face.

I’ve been using it for over a month now, and what made me fell in love with it, is that it’s hypoallerginic, it never reacted to my sensitive skin.

It is very light, doesn’t feel that you have something on it when you apply it. It is not that oily as well. Just apply an ample amount all over your face and your good to go. It can serve as your moisturizer also and it is not as oily as most moisturizers are, just right for our humid weather.

Another thing I have noticed is that it is water resistant coz I apply this in the morning before I jog and when I sweat, I can feel that my face doesn’t absorb my sweat.

My personal review for this product is so far so great. There is just one question that I cannot prove yet, can it really lighten up skin discolorations? I am not sure yet but I am defenitely buying their statement that It can prevent melasma.

Value for money – the one that I am using (Armada Face Cover 30 – 30ml) is worth Php800 plus plus on beauty counters and VMV botiques, a little more expensive than other sunscreens but it is worth it because they have raised the bar by being hypoallergenic and having protection factors against visible light and infrared light, and indoor lights in particular. So you defenitely get the value of what you pay for.

Will I buy this again? hell yes!

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Submission period: March 1 – 714 (Extended til Mar14)
Voting Period: March 8 – 14 15-21 (Extended from Mar15-21)
The prizes (please see photos below):

1. BodyShop Camomile Water-proof Eye-Makeup Remover
2. Awake Skin Renovation Makeup Fluid (Shade 04 – Honey)

Please read the updated rules and mechanics for this contest

So without further ado, I’d like to introduce to you my contest portion, which I call “Vanity Unleashed!” and below is my teaser

(CREDITS: photo – Arthur Trinidad; Model: Marge Arciaga; Makeup Artist – Me and my team in RT Salon)

RULES and MECHANICS:

The contest will run every month starting on March 1, 2010. The prize for the winner will be anything from makeup tools, makeup, gift certs (maybe @ rustans, spa, facial clinics), etc.. (prices may vary depending on the monthly theme). Budget will be shouldered by yours truly (so please expect not so extravagant prices, just the ones that I can afford) .

1. Entries submission will last for one two one week (14 7days), only one entry per person. And since wordpress is not capable of letting other users upload a file (well not in my free subcription), entries shall be emailed to me at rtsalon2009@gmail.com.
2. The photo of your final entry should be taken within the submission period or at least 2 weeks before the submission period has started, otherwise it will be disqualified.
3. Behind the scenes photos (at least 2 shots) should also be included in your submission. This would serve as your proof that you have done the work you have submitted.
4. Please include your full name, and a few tips about your work submitted.
5. Entries submitted are properties of the contestants, this means, I cannot use your photos for any other purposes.
6. Any form of post processing in the photos of your final entry are not allowed, I will check the exif file when you submit your entries.

Judging: the readers/visitors of my blog are the judges, the one who gets the most votes wins. I am thinking of setting up a poll for judging (this is still tentative, if I can think of a more accurate way to gather votes, then we shall use that, otherwise, we use polls).  Juding will last for one week (7 days).

Anyone can join as long as you have the passion for beauty.

Claiming for prices: It shall be send through you or we meet up, which ever is convenient for the winner.

I hope you like my idea, I hope you join this contest, together we shall learn from each other, more importantly, let’s have fun!. Ciao Stay tuned for more updates

I’ve been scanning some bookstores for a good book guide about Makeup for quite sometime now, and this book
(Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual) has caught my attention amongst hundreds of books about fashion, hair and makeup.
I feel that it’s calling my name everytime I browse for books in the makeup and fashion section, so I finally bought it.
(@Powerbooks for 1,600Php, in Fullybooked, you can get it for 1,300Php)
True enough that this book is “For everyone, from beginner to pro”, well I’d say beginners (like me) will
benefit more from it. This book will give you enough dosage to spark your interest in the beauty industry more.
It contains all the basic information, from Skin theory, skin care, tools, to basic makeup applications and short overviews
about advancing in the makeup industry.

The book is very straight forward and briefly comprehensive.

What I like about the book?
1. It contains step by step illustrations on how to correctly apply makeup on the whole face.
2. It contains color charts to guide you in selecting shades for lips, eyeshadows and eyebrows.
3. The do’s and dont’s tips in most sections 
4. Troubleshooting tips
5. Photos are superb

For the pros, it’s also good to have a copy of this so that you have a handy reference.

Here is a layout from some of the pictures I took from the book.

Get your copy now.

Look and Learn Seminar Schedule:

10am – 10:30AM – Dermclinic
10:30am – Intermission by Caronia
11:00am – 12:00nn – Sunsilk
1:00PM – 2:00PM – Matrix
2:00 PM – 3:00PM Sunsilk
3:00PM – Intermission by Caronia
3:30PM – 4:00PM – Makeup demo – jazzy collection by James Cooper.

MARCH 9, 2010 9AM – 7PM
World Trade Center, Roxas blvd. Pasay City

An event for The Beauty and Wellness Industry. The event celebrates the importance of being beautiful inside and out. Co-organized by PICA and PEP Group

Who should attend? Salon Owners/Managers, Pro Make-up artists, Pro-Haristylists or even just a simple beauty enthusiast.

What to expect? Interactive workshops about haircutting, hair coloring, makeup, nail enhancements, reflexology. Live Demonstations from the experts in the industry. Daily Runway Shows where visitors will see total looks come together with fabulous fashion, amazing accessories, spectacular hair and make-up. Plus Showcase of beauty and wellness products from diffrent suppliers.

For more information please go here

I haven’t been to this event before, and I’d like to go, the problem is it is scheduled on weekdays (February 23 – 24), they should have started it on Monday instead, when it is a holiday, grrr!!. Anyway, as a salon owner I think I should go only if I will be able to re-schedule my meetings in the office on that day, I’d defenitely go to this event.

A summer, sunny weather is what most people anticipate for, because this means beach, party, skin tanning, etc.  And I guess most people do know and consider to protect themselves against the harmful sunlight, BUT, do you know that SPF ain’t just enough anymore? … Yes you have to be very serious and cautious about this, especially if your skin, and ultimately, your health will pay the price.

“How much is enough?”  Read on so you’ll know.

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) has now become a standard when it comes to skin protection from the sun, it has been in many products, such as moisturizers, lotions, etc.  SPF is the ability to protect your skin against the UVB light, the light that you get from a bright, cloudless day. This causes tanning, burning, photo-aging, melasma (more commonly known as skin discoloration, dark spots) and other hyperpigmentation. The minimum recommendation for SPF is 15. The higher the number, the better protection you’ll get.

But do you know that you should also protect yourself on an overcast day. A cloudy, gloomy day doesn’t shield you from the harmful sun rays. The light comming from an overcast day is called UVA and it is as harmful as UVB. So, what acronyms will you look for in a product to fight against UVA? PFA is the answer, “Protection Factor A” (UVA).  This is also now considered as vital as SPF to protect against skin cancer, photo-aging and hyperpigmentation.

Oh, there’s more, you think SPF and PFA is about enough?.. nope nope!! Aside from protecting yourself from the outdoor lighting, I, myself, was also surprise to know that you should also protect yourself from Infrared lights (from heat sources like open fires, stoves and saunas) and visible light (from halogens, flourescents and even computer screens). These light sources have proven to cause or exacerbate hyperpigmentations. So what acronyms should you look for now to combat against infrared and visible lights? They are PFI (Protection Factor for Infrared Lights) and PFV (Protection Factor for Visible Light) respectively.

The sun and other light sources are completely unavoidable, especially in countries that provide constant sunny environment, like here in the Philippines. Protection is the key to combat against the irreversible damages caused by exposure to these lights. Remember that you should guard your skin, not only from the outdoor light, but also, from indoor lights, ALL YEAR ROUND regardless of the weather.

Regulate your sun exposure, avoid being on the sun from 10AM to 4PM and wear sun protection.

When choosing a sun and light protector product, please remember this

“SPF fights UVB while PFA fights UVA; furthermore; PFI and PFV fights Infrared and Visible lights.”

and it should also answer the questions below:

•  Is it hypoallergenic?
• Does it have a broad or full-spectrum? This means that it will be able to protect you from both UVB and UVA
• Is it opaque?
• Does it have high SPF and PFA?
• Does it have PFI and PFV?
• Does it have a UVA:UVB ratio? This rating means how much of the product protects agains UVA vs UVB.

Armada, a product of VMV Hypoallergenics, claims to have these all. Please read my review about this product.
Other good sunscreens that I also know are:
Banana Boat
Burts Bees

Since HD technology (in photography, in television) is becoming more popular nowadays, flaws on the face or even tiny pores on the skin will be very more obvious, hence, HD makeup was introduced.

Now, Let’s dissect some of their technical terms they have on the box, which they claim of what the product can do for your skin. Text below is what is written on the box click here to see image.

“The HD range includes complexion products designed for the new needs of high defenition image using very fine ingredients for an invisible natural makeup finish.”

So what are those fine ingredients that they are referring to which can give you an invisible, natural finish?

One unique ingredient I found is Fagus Sylvatica Extract – this is used in cosmetics to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and aging, and to give skin a healthier look. Other ingredients I found that are in this product are yeast protien, relipidium and Sericite or Mica.

“The Sericite contained in HD foundation hightens the diffusion light and intensifies the glow of skin.

Sericite is a fine grained Mica. Mica is a mineral which creates smooth repeating surfaces that are visible both in the microscope
and to the naked eye. The word “mica” is thought to be derived from the Latin word micare, meaning “to glitter”,
in reference to the brilliant appearance of this mineral (especially when in small scales). I am assuming the Mica/Sericite is the key component in HD makeups.

“Enriched with Relipidium and prepares the skin for makeup.” Relipidium in cosmetics is used as a natural moisturizer.

I have provided unedited pictures of me trying the foundation:

On the 1st  picture below, I tried putting HD foundation just on one side of my face

In this next picture below, I’ve applied the foundation on the whole of my face (I just applied less on the other side)

So what can I personally say about the product?

Two words: Flawless and Magic. With just a spread of the brush, it can work wonders on your face and make your skin look like porcelain-smooth.

Feels light on the skin but coverage is from medium to full. Very ideal for photoshoots because it perfectly hides imperfections, making you look like a celebrity. It is designed to meet the coverage concerns of those in the spotlight, it can withstand bright or harsh lighting. I have personally used this in a photoshoot that is why I can attest to it. Texture is smooth and silky when applying. It is long-wearing, it can stay for about 8 hours. They have a variety of shades to choose from, mine is 155 (medium beige, on the warm undertone side)
Two thumbs up for this foundation. If you want to be chased by paparazzis, this one is for you. Also ideal for special occasions such as weddings and parties. The Price is 2,250, just right for what you will get. I’d defenitely but one of these again. I will rate this foundation 4.5 out of 5 stars

Here is another good review about MUF HD Foundation and other MUF products

After trying this foundation, I wasn’t disappointed nor happily satisfied. Flawless coverage has been achieved by this foundation but after a few hours of wearing it, i noticed some blotches on my face already. The blotches are not that noticable though. 

MAC  has a wide variety of shades to choose from, the one that i got is NC40, it made me look a little bit yellowish which I did not quite like.

The coverage of this foundation is medium to full. It is long wearing, it can last for about 8 hours. It has SPF 15. Texture is smooth, a little bit sticky (just a little).

So what’s my verdict? This foundation is just ok, just right for those who don’t want to splurge more on the higher-end. The result is just good, flawless at the first few hours Doesn’t feel heavy nor light. Will give this a score of 3 out of 5 stars.