FLATTERSHADES: Smokin' Hot Green Hues!

It was raining all day , got nothing to do, wasn't able to come to the office because of the typhoon . Spent the whole morning with my daughter just lying around sound tripping but then the electricity went off...Cait - my little princess had her afternoon nap, I started getting bored---but not that long :) Knowing myself, I never entertain boredom. I started cleaning my closet and I suddenly remember that I recently got this Lacoste shopping tote. I haven't inspected the bag yet, hmmmm let me rephrase that-- I haven't got the chance to "savor" the bag yet :) yes! that's more like it hahah! I instantly fell in love with the color combination of the fabric the moment I saw this. I'm sure you will too , Check it out :)

Lacoste's R. George Foldable Shopping Bag

Its big enough to carry all your stash!
It's lightweight yet its obviously durable enough to be called a "shopping tote"
Its definitely a shopaholic's must have!

Now enough of the bag, what really made me post this entry was the bag's military color. I just simply love it, I was inspired to do a FOTD :-) Whew! Its been a while since I last posted an FOTD entry, to makeup junkies out there, I hope you find this interesting. But before anything else, let me apologize for the poor pictures that I'm going to post here. I just used a cell phone camera that's why I can't capture the colors vividly.

First, before applying any makeup products to your skin. Don't forget to cleanse, tone and moisturize which may aslo serve as a primer so that your skin will hold your makeup really well, and that your makeup will last for a longer period.

As you can see on the picture above, 1st pic is obviously my "before look" or also known as my "terrible- haggard- 3 hours -sleep- look" :)) , now you know I'm the girl with the guts to post my before picture :). Next, after your primer, you can now put on your foundation, here I used MAC studio fix in NC 35. Obviously I have dark circles , I used MAC Studio finish concealer in NC 30. You can now see a much clearer and even toned skin. Now its my turn to say ... THANK GOD FOR CONCEALERS. Next picture , I already did my eyebrows wherein I used MAC's lingering eye pencil.

Now for the eyes, I just played with coastal scents palette in green hues. First I applied a brighter shade of green, then mixed it with a darker shade of green, just don't forget to blend it well, make sure that there are no harsh edges everything should be well blended. For this particular eye makeup , I used 3 different shades of green besides the browbone hi liter.
For hi-lite, I used Makeup For Ever's star powder in yellow. After the eyeshadow, I used green eyeliner to line the eyes, just the inner rim and the water line. For the outer rim, I used black eyeliner. Just smudge along the lines to give a smokey effect. For the lashes, I used 2 coats of Maybelline Volum Express. For me, there's only one mascara brand that works - its Maybelline.

For the cheeks I used MAC's PInk Swoon, and Makeup For Ever contour palette for contouring.

For the lips, I used MAC's Select Cover-up to neutralize the color of my lips. Select Cover-up is actually a liquid concealer but I also use it for the lips specially if you need to cover it up to better achieve a certain lip color. After applying the cover-up, I topped it with Maybelline's Iced Caramel and finished it off with Nars Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight.


There you go, a military color inspired makeup look! :-), who says you can't wear green? Now if only I can find my fatigue during my CAT days...... LOL

Just incase your loving that bandana, its from Evita Peroni :)

Stay dry & Be safe!




Vida Belle of Makeup By AnneVida also conducts Personal Beauty Makeup Workshop for Makeup Avenue. Aside From day makeup,corporate makeup and evening makeup, the module also includes a step by step demo on different looks such as The Smokey Eye and The Bronzey-Summer makeup. For inquiries on rates & schedule, you may send us a message through: annevidaglam@gmail.com or at +639175776136

PROJECT: Shop For A Cause

10 Years ago, I was the girl with no plans. I work to earn. I earn to live. Setting goals was never my priority I was just going with the flow. I grabbed the first job that landed on my hands, without thinking if it interests me or not, all I knew was that I graduated from college and the next sensible thing to do is to have a job.

What are these for? Why am I here? And what am I to others? These are just some of the unanswered questions that keep popping in my head which I refuse to deal with.

Stepping out of my comfort zone and meeting special friends who encouraged and helped me to go for what I truly love doing was probably one of the biggest blessing that God has given me. Starting a new career wasn’t that easy for me I had to learn and go through the process but as the saying goes, believe in yourself, have faith in your abilities. Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. It’s never too late for anything that your heart desire.

And now, here I am again. But this time, I have dreams, I have plans, I have goals and I’m slowly getting there with a happy heart. Why with a happy heart? The moment I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around. That’s when I realized that a blessing is not about what you receive or what you get in return after doing a hard work. It’s all about what you are willing to give, it’s all about being in the position or being able to give and most importantly having a heart that’s capable of giving – that for me is what you call a blessing.

Last May, Makeup by AnneVida celebrated its 4^th year anniversary with the orphans of Little Angels Home Inc. It’s our simple way of sending our heartfelt gratitude to the Lord for giving us 4 successful years in the business.

I was lucky enough that my business partner – Anne and I share the same ideals when it comes to these things so we decided to do this on a regular basis.

What made it even special was that we were able to encourage our past clients and friends to share their blessing to these kids as well by raffling off a Beauty Makeover to few chosen donors, we conducted a raffle contest :

A Beauty Treat for A Beautiful Heart.

Our studio was filled with toys, clothes and books. It was a huge success.

Just this month, I celebrated my birthday and made it more meaningful by launching my Shop for A Cause Project. I gathered all my personal stuffs both used and new ones and sold it to my close friends. 100% of what I earned from it was used to buy grocery items and food for the kids of Little Angels Home Inc. Again, it was a success. We were overfilled with joy because these kids were really grateful for having us around to support them in our own little way. I thank each and every one of my friends who participated, even for a single item- every donation counts for these children. They say that the smallest good deeds are worth a thousand grand intentions.

My Shop for A Cause Project is still up, I decided to maintain it so I can continuously support these kids, at the same time this will give my friends and other people a chance to share their blessings despite of their busy schedule. Again, 100% of the earnings from my personal items will automatically benefit the Little Angels Home Inc.

Moving forward, I am also opening my shop to my friends who wanted to sell their items as well, once you choose to buy their stuff, 10% of it will automatically benefit the Kids of LAHI or to any charity organization that we wish to help in our next project. As of now, we are set to celebrate Christmas with the kids of LAHI this coming December.

For those who are interested to view my online shop, you can send me a message through mymakeupjournal@gmail.com. In the future, I will also post a Shop for A Cause entry on a regular basis here in my blog site.

Thank you very much for all your support.

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OoTD: My Very First

This is it! my very first OoTD!! For those who aren't quite familiar with the beauty blogword, OoTD stands for Oufit of the Day.

Im quite hesitant to do an OoTD entry since I don't think I have the fashion sense that I could even consider as "blog worthy". But hey, its my journal - here I can share anything to anyone without any apprehensions. I learned that the minute I decided to put my thoughts online, I'm opening up to the whole world..now enough of the drama... hahaha!

This is what I wore today at the office. Smart-casual.

Note that I'm a plus size figure , I think its a bright idea to share my OoTD atleast every now and then since this can also help other plus size figures to get some tips on where to find clothes that doesnt only fit them , but also look good in them and that being big doesnt have to be a hindrance to looking fashionable and fabulous.

Knitted Top - Espada
Pants - Dorothy Perkins
Shoes - Kenneth Cole , Reaction

accessories:
Bag -spotted and scored this bag along the bangketas of Baguio City,
got this for only......guess what? ------------Php 200.00
Belt - Forever21
Black and Gold Cuff- Hermes


Thats about it for now, I hope I wasnt able to put you to sleep :-)

HAVE A HAPPY WEEKEND!!

A HUNT FOR THE BEST HAND CREAM: My Top 5 Picks

One thing I can’t stand having are dry rough hands. Besides the fact that it’s a total turn off to your man who can’t keep his hands from holding yours, don’t you just love the feeling of having supple smooth hands? I even used to spend time for a paraffin wax session at Relaksasi just to give my hands a treat! (imagine a chocolate -smelling- super- soft- hands after! go check it out at Relaksasi). Some people say that possessing rough hands only show how hardworking a person is. Oh well, spare me. I got two jobs, besides being a mother and a wife. Still, I refuse to have coarse palms.

Hands exposed to heat, cold dirt and harsh detergents can get rough and dry. Let me share with you my top picks for the best hand creams that are available in the market today which can help you keep your hands beautiful , soft and smooth!

Top 5: Marks & Spencer Almond Hand Cream

Why I'm loving it:

• It easily nourishes and softens your hands in an instant, its main ingredient is sweet almond oil. Almond oil has traditionally been used to soften skin due to its excellent properties as a skin moisturizer.
• The scent of Almond is too sweet to resist!

Damage: approximately Php 270-300 for 75ml, available at Marks & Spencer.

Top 4: Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Hand

and Body Cream

Why I'm loving it:

• The texture of it feels really good to the skin, the richness and thickness of it gives you soft hands that could last throughout the day.
• I just love the mysterious and addicting scent of it, makes you want to sniff on your skin all the time :))
• It can be used not only for your hands but for the whole body as well , You know you got one great loot when it gives you more than what you paid for right?

Damage: mine was given by my sister in law, you can check with your favorite PX stores to get a good price.

Top 3: Burt’s Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Crème

Why I'm loving it:

• If you’ve got seriously coarse hands, this is the product for you. This super emollient almond cream could easily penetrate through that stubborn dry skin.
  
• Burt’s Bees is known for its beauty products to be 100% all natural.
• It can also be used for the common dry areas of your body : elbows, knees and feet…sweet!

Damage: approximately Php 500 for 57g, available at Beauty Bar.

Top 2: SHIKAI Borage Dry Skin Therapy lotion

Why I'm loving it: I accidentally bought this product when I was buying my jar of Sara Happ lip scrub at Beauty Bar. I'm obsessed with hand creams and these tubes are situated right beside the cashier counter...it was a tempting site to see :) The packaging looked serious...it gave me the impression that it means business, the business to give me the softest hands that is!

• Don't under estimate the power of this tiny tube because a pea size of this cream can instantly give you iressitably softer and smoother hands! my daughter can't even help but notice it and insisted that she use it as well (she's 7 by the way, but why do I have this feeling that she's had enough of Aveeno already? :)) )
• It's very effective, its all natural and it uses "borage oil". It is said that borage oil naturally and effectively helps moisturize dry cracked skin and it was clinically proven to relieve the symptoms of chronic skin problems. I was also able to read that this product is often recommended by dermatologists.
• To those who are not into scented creams, this one's for you.
  

Damage: I really can't remember how much I paid for a tube. If I'm not mistaken it was around Php 350.00 for a small , 29ml tube. Quite pricey but definitely worth every penny.

Top 1: Crabtree & Evelyn: Lasource Hand Therapy

Why I'm loving it:

• I only have one thing to say about this product. If you want to experience unbelievably soft hands – this is the one.

• I love the simplicity and subtleness of its scent, the pure softness and suppleness that it gives me , I felt like having a baby’s hands!

Damage: I got mine from HK and it costs around Php 900-1,000 for a small tube then. I’m not sure how much is it here in CT&E Manila. I better warn you though , La Source Hand Therapy easily runs out of stock, so if ever you spot one, go grab it quick! Available at Crab Tree & Eveleyn Shops.

That's it! Now there's no reason for you not to have hands that are "holding-hand-worthy" I know there are other great hand creams in the market today, Nivea Hand cream is also good. What I listed here are just some of the products that I experienced using and actually worked for me.

If you happen to know one product that you can strongly recommend that was not included here, please feel free to share the good news with us.

Catwalk Cosmetics for the catwalk.

I've been working with brides for 4 years now, I just simply love doing bridal makeup. Nothing beats the feeling of being a part of a woman’s most special day. If you rummage through my train case it’s definitely a bride’s beauty haven.

I had the chance to work on a few fashion show stints while I was still in makeup school , but I’m most confident to say that bridal makeup is my forte. Until one day, Makeup by AnneVida was offered a special project – we were asked to be the official makeup artist for the fashion show of Logic’s 3rd Anniversary: The Jeans Revolution. Logic Clothing is one brand that the industry has to look out for , it specializes in customized jeans, tuxedos and gowns. We were lucky enough to work with the talented and young designer-- Mr. Jc Ulanday.

We had to go through all the models and think of the different looks that we have to present. Since this is (technically) our first time to present AnneVida on the fashion scene everything has to be excellent. We were asked to go bold with the eyes and play with different hues on the lips, I was getting really excited since this is my chance to experiment and get away with the usual bridal look! We were about to do a test makeup when I noticed that all I have in my palette are neutral basic colors and a few dark (boring) shades. That’s when I came across Catwalk Cosmetics. From the sound of it- hey, this is destiny.

Accessories - your fashion emergency kit.

I am not so sure with some girls but I find it tedious to dress up sometimes. I’m your basic black dress kinda girl I can’t even label myself as fashionista as much as I want to cope up with the latest “fasyon” I don’t have the patience and the skills to pull it off :)

When it comes to make up- now that’s a different story of course , but since I’m not that too adventurous when it comes to dressing up, I find ways to at least give my look an instant oomph! And the easiest way to do it is to…..accessorize!! For me my favorite accessories are earrings. I just can’t get enough of it. A nice pair of earrings can instantly perk up that boring look. I want mine dangling- long enough to elongate my round face and bold enough to be seen.

If others are swooning over Forever 21 for its clothing line, their accessories section is what I look forward to the most! I also love going to antique shops for their vintage pieces – there’s one in Megamall at the 4^th floor where the art showrooms and shops are lined up. You can also find unique pairs at Backstage. Backstage is this quaint little shop located at Serenda which carries Filipino designed ready-to-wear and made-to-measure clothes and accessories.

Here are some of my favorites as of the moment:

These pieces are all from Forever21

The Gold pair is from Backstage, the black vintage piece is from Bugis Singapore and the silver pair from Forever 21.

So whenever I dress up in a plain black outfit, (which is most of the time since that’s our work wear during our makeup gigs) I just put on a really gorgeous pair and I'm done ;-) ---for me, its all about balance.

Thanks,