Friday 29 August 2014

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger




August is nearly coming to an end. September is just around the corner. Even so, my blog has not been very active. I apologize for that. I know it is not a good start for me as a beauty blogger. I haven't been doing what I said I would. I do make drafts of blog posts, yes. However, I never really have the time and/or inspiration to complete them. So, here I am, left with a folder filled with a bunch of blog entry drafts and photos of hauls, tutorials, FOTDs, and whatnot. Indeed, I haven't been managing my time efficiently.

The past few months have been rather harsh on me. Being in my senior year means that I have a lot of things to do. There are exams to pass, requirements to deal with, stress to cope with, and simply, an endless list of problems. Being a Captain of my school's Debate Society isn't really helping me attend to these responsibilities. Then, there's college to worry about. Since I'll be taking BA Digital Graphic Design AND Cosmetology, it will be essential for me to learn to manage my schedule wisely. Also, if I want to succeed as a makeup artist, I'm going to need as much views as I can get in this blog. Basically, a truckload of stress has been dumped on me and quite frankly, I'm not sure how to remain in a stable state. Things are just not going the way I want them to.

Earlier, I was filming a makeup transformation video from tomboyish to feminine and girly. I was nearly done when suddenly, my camera bailed on me and the 25 minutes of footage was lost. I was just so frustrated and disappointed, I just wanted to smash something. Then again, that really isn't going to help me, so, I just took some photos of myself using my MacBook Pro's Photobooth feature.

My little misfortune made me think things through. Indeed, things are pretty messy lately. I've been having plenty of downs as of recent, a lot more than my ups. Knowing myself, I would have expected myself to have a breakdown of some sort. The failed video was the last straw for me. Everything keeps messing up. However, surprisingly, I'm sitting here, calmly typing this entry. I'm rather teary-eyed, I must say (because I'm hella sleepy T^T). Anyway, basically, I'm not reacting the same way I normally do. Is this it? A further sign of maturity? I mean, I have always been the earliest kid in class to "grow up". Has my not-so-recent birthday finally shown its perks? Is this my new achievement? [Achievement Unlocked: Obtained further maturity!] I must say, I am rather pleased with myself for this.

Anyway, basically, I have come to the realization that all the stress has driven me to reinforce my maturity. What doesn't kill me makes me stronger. The more pressure I am put through, the better, because I can toughen up to become a diamond. (Too quote-y? Sorry. I'm feeling inspired AND sleepy at the same time. :P) All I am trying to say is that, to all those people who are going through a rough part in life, just hang in there. It'll all be better soon and you will be on your way to a smoother ride. Just keep your cool and try to divert your attention from all the negative aspects of your life. Try as much as possible to keep a positive outlook. [Believe me, I do not intent to come across as a preacher. I am probably one of the most pessimistic people you will ever have the displeasure of meeting.] Just don't swell on thinking about the bad stuff, and you should be alright.

Before I forget, here is the look that I was going for. I know it's not what you would call "wearable", but I'm just really excited for the 'ber months, and usually, during this time of the year, you can literally get away with crazy colours and stuff.

So, here are some photos:

Full face of makeup is already done. The camera and lighting is not doing the colours any justice. :(

Products Used

FACE
Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer in 03 Medium (This is actually too dark for me, but I still made it work by setting it with a lighter coloured powder)
Aido Cream Powder in 01 (lightest powder I own, I used this to set my under eye concealer)
Fashion 21 Loose Powder in #1 (Again, this is too dark for me, but I applied it sheerly.)
San San Single Eyeshadow in Deep Earth Brown (for contouring)
Shawill Collagen Rosy Touch Blusher in 005

EYES
ELF Eyelid Primer
James Cooper Jazzy Eyeshadows (I forgot the shade numbers, but basically, on the left, I used matte green, matte black, and gold; while on the other eye, I used matte black, silver, and this sort of burgundy-cranberry matte shade)
Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in 01 Black Fever
Aido Classic Liquid Eyeliner
Ever Bilena Thick Lash Mascara (I still haven't gotten myself a decent mascara :( )

EYEBROWS
San San Kohl Pencil in Black (I used black for my brows because I couldn't find the sharpener to sharpen my brown brow pencils.)
Ever Bilena Colorless Mascara (used as a brow gel)

LIPS
Pinkies Collection Lipgloss in 03 Mauve

Tools used

FACE
Generic makeup sponge
Generic kabuki brush
ELF Studio Blush Brush

EYES
ELF Eyeshadow C Brush
Artist Studio Dual-ended brush (angled brush on one side and a pencil brush on the other)
Essence Smokey Eyes Brush
San San Eyelash Curler
Here is the finished look:

The hat/cap/whatever you call it is from SM Department Store (men's accessories section)
Blonde wig was bought from a friend who does cosplay (Hi, Nicole! :D Although, she isn't an active blogger anymore, I'll still leave you the link to her blog: http://kionezhialeron.blogspot.com/ )
The coat was a present, so I don't really know where it was purchased from. :(
For the glasses, yes, they do have graded lenses. For those who were wondering, those are Levi's (brand) :)

Well, I suppose that would be all for now. I have my exams next week, so, I'm guessing I wouldn't be able to post any time soon. Anyway, as always, thank you for stopping by!











Saturday 2 August 2014

FOTD: Adoring Dear August




First post for August!

I have not posted in quite a while. My schedule has been really tight. The stress from school has probably aged my face by 10 years already [Haha]. Hopefully, I would have more time for blogging in the next few months to come. I have already drafted some possible blog entries here. I just need to get myself a decent camera to take photos. Anyway, enough of that and on to the actual blog entry.

August is one of my favourite months. Why? Well, first of all, it is my month of birth. Second, it gets pretty rainy during this time of the year. I love rain. Third, it reminds me that September is just around the corner. I have a certain fondness for “-ber months”. Fourth, it is my "Senti-Month"; meaning, I am most sentimental when it is August. I am not sure why, though. 

Due to my lack of time to actually go out during weekends, I have not had the time to fix myself up lately. So, when I found out we were heading to the mall, I decided to take advantage of this chance to make myself look a little bit fancier than usual (but not overly made up to the point that I would look as if I would be going to a party).

For my makeup today, I just had simple brown smokey eyes paired with a peachy-nude lip. I did not want to put too much effort into my makeup today because I wouldn’t be out for too long and it was raining. Ladies, I don’t know about you, but when it rains, I personally don’t like to wear heavy makeup on my face.

Products used:

FACE

Kokuryu Summer Cake Foundation in "Jade" (as a corrector) and "Orange Blush" (my actual foundation)
Ever Bilena Compact Powder in "Natural" (to lighten the foundation as it is a tad bit too dark for my skin tone)
San San Eyeshadow in "Deep Earth Brown" (used as a contour shade)
ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzer Duo (I used the blush)

EYES
San San Eyeshadow in "Charcoal Brown" (This shade is GORGEOUS. It's a frost chocolate brown/taupe colour. It's actually difficult to describe the shade because it can vary depending on how you apply it. I find that applying it sheerly will yield a taupe colour. When applied heavily, it appears deeper. I applied a sheer base layer (wet) and layered it on dry on my outer V and crease. Seriously, I never knew you could make a smokey eye using just one shade of eyeshadow.)
Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in "01 Black Fever"
Ever Bilena Thick Lash Mascara (I don't really like it, but it's the only mascara I have at the moment)
San San Eyebrow Pencil in 03
Ever Bilena Colorless Mascara (used as a brow gel)

LIPS
Wet n Wild Colour Icon Lipliner in "Willow"
Kokuryu Moist Lipstick in "Chypre Rose"


That is all for today. Hopefully, I can post again soon.




Thank you for dropping by!