Thursday, December 4, 2014

The Kim Kardashian Look

Last night,as I was scrolling through the photos on Instagram, a surprise came upon me. I saw a post from Mr. Mario Dedivanovic. If you haven't heard the name before, *ehem he is the long-time make up artist of Kim Kardashian. The man who defined "contour". I think he's one of the reasons why Kim's popularity has sky-rocketed. The well-sculpted face of the Kardashian is all thanks to this awesome and very talented make up artist. He posted a true photo of his face alongside  a cartoon version of him that he said will be a part of Kim Kardashian's app. I found the cartoon a bit funny because of how thick the eyebrows were! I went and commented on his photo. And omg! He mentioned me on his comments. I never knew the feeling of being star struck until last night. It was just a simple funny answer he gave me but it meant a lot to my whole being. Call me a drama queen but it just is. I've watched tons of tutorials and have seen a lot of different works of artists but I can only name a few to whom I really look up to. Mario is one of my inspiration when it comes to make up. 


I had to do a screen shot as a remembrance of this wonderful moment. :)

I woke up with Mario's comment still in my head. I decided to do a look inspired by his work. I did a Kim Kardashian look. I typically wear either a smokey eye with nude lips or nude eyes with bold lips. If I have enough time to do an elaborate look, I usually go for the heavy make up. I will mention all the products I have used in creating this look.


Eyes:
Prime with Mac Pro Longwear Concealer in NW35
Cream Base--Maybelline Color Tattoo in Taupe
Transition--Naked Palette (abbrev. NP) Naked
Deeper Crease--NP Buck
Brow Highlight--NP Virgin
Lid--NP Sidecar
Outer Corner-- NP Creep
Eyeliner-- Pen Liquid liner by Nichido (from the Philippines) 
Lower lashline--Lorac Pro Palette (abbrev LP) Sable
Inner corner--LP Champagne
Waterline-- Maybelline pencil liner in Silver 
Mascara--Maybelline Great Lash
Eyebrows--Maybelline Brown gel liner

Face:
Primer-- Loreal Studio Secrets Professional
Foundation--Loreal Infallible Make Up
Under Eye Highlight/Concealer--Loreal Touche Magique
Under Eye Powder-- Givenchy
All Over Setting Powder-- Clean and Clear pressed
Bronzer/Contour--Loreal Glam Bronze
Blush-- Nichido in Tomato

Lips:
Mac Velvet Teddy over a pink lip liner

I loved this look. The shades I used are very universal and will suit any skintone. Most of the products I used are L'Oreal. I have a lot of cosmetic products from the drugstore. I don't really agree when they say that these brands such as L'oreal and Maybelline are cheap. When you compare them to the professional brands, of course they're a lot cheaper. As a beginner in make up especially when you're a student, buying a 400 peso worth of mascara from Maybelline is already a splurge. 

 Some of these products I have purchased from the Philippines and here and some are given by my friends and relatives. I'll do some reviews on these brands and all about my favorite products from them.

I hope you liked the look as much as I do. You can try to recreate it and tag me on Instagram @pinaykoloretes.


Sweet dreams and see you again! Kiss and Make Up!




Tuesday, December 2, 2014

New Mac Brushes!!!

Mac Cosmetics recently launched its newest collection-- Keepsakes. All the brushes that i use on my clients are all from Mac. Personally, The only Mac brush I own is a 266. It's an angled eyeliner brush that I had to buy just because I needed to practice on applying the perfect eyeliner when I just started working as a make up artist. My personal brushes are assortment of different brands. I have 2 collections from Real Techniques, some Sigma, Stila but rarely Mac. Mac brushes aren't cheap. They are actually expensive. My boss is a Mac lover and would always tell me that brushes are investment. I've been using their brushes for over a year now on my clients and they never fail. It's just that I haven't got myself enough push to buy some for myself. 

One fine day, my friend told me that Mac has launched it's newest collection and that we should go and check it out. We called and check with Mac stores here in Dubai and asked if they have it in their stores. Some stores haven't displayed the collection yet and are not ready yet for customers. After so many phone calls, we found a store that can sell us the collection even if it's not in their counter yet. Thanks to a Kabayan lady who took the call. I got in the car and went with my friend to Dubai Mall. 

We were ushered in their backroom to view the Keepsakes collection. It was so glittery and so tempting! The collection has 3 brush sets. Each set comes with a matching make up bag. The brushes are all short-handled. After my friend's persuasive talk, I got one of the brush sets for myself. It costs 321 aed for each set. I got 2 different single brushes as well. A 217 and a 212. 


They're so nice! I don't want to use it! I can just stare at them all day long. :)




I saw another collection that also came with a brush set. It's their basic brush set. What I wanted from this set is the blending brush. The handle says 224 yet I feel that it's a bit tapered than the typical 224. This set is also black which I love. I bought the set after so much contemplation. It costs 325 aed.






I didn't know what was in me that day that I was so overwhelmed in that Mac store. I felt like a kid in a huge candy store. Though I'm not a fan of candies even as a kid. I also bought a Pro Long Wear concealer in NW35. I've always wanted to buy this concealer for myself. It works great on every client of mine. I felt I had the need for a Mac blush, I grab Gingerly.




 Ugh! So much Mac stuff in one day! Well, it's Mac. A lady needs it. 




See you soon! Kiss and Make up!




Monday, December 1, 2014

The Artist In Me

Hi! Thanks for wandering into my page. I am Cornelia, otherwise known as @pinaykoloretes on Instagram. I'd like to give an overview of myself and how I became a makeup artist.

My love for make up and cosmetics started when I first bought my teen magazine. I would always go looking for the models' make up on the pages instead of reading the articles and would try to copy it using my mom's make up kit. I always take note of the brands of cosmetics rather than the clothes and shoes. The usual brands I read about are Mac, Nars, Red Earth, Make Up Forever, Clinique and you know the others. I grew up in a not-so-posh town in Manila so the nearest mall doesn't cater to these brands. I remember the first time I went into Essences in Robinson's and actually saw and touch and try a Nars lip gloss. It was like a dream come true for me. I asked the lady how much the lip gloss was. She gave me a disapproving look, made an eyebrow higher than the other and said "It's 1,200 pesos." I can never forget that day. I felt sorry for myself. I wanted to try other products there but that lady just broke my moment. The lip gloss was expensive. Though I have a monthly allowance, it was not practical to spend that amount...for a lip gloss. I was just 14 at the time! I buy some local and drugstore products for myself yet I still dream of owning even just 1 item from the professional brands.

Finally, the heavens have heard my prayers and my sister started sending me make up products from the US. Can you guess which brand? Clinique! Oh my! I felt like a movie star everytime the sweet- smelling lipstick glide on my lips. My sister would always tease and tell me to take up cosmetics as a degree. From then on, I have started wearing make up everytime I go out. Whenever I receive a new palette, I would try it on myself and on my niece and other friends.

Fast forward, I got myself a bachelor's degree but not related to make up. Then came YouTube. I wanted to do an arabic look on myself so I googled some techniques. I ended up watching numerous women on youtube doing tutorials. It was really helpful and I got hooked! I didn't know anything about brushes and suddenly I was overwhelmed by the different kinds and brands and tricks on how to do certain looks. I was only using those small eye shadow wands that come with any palette. Oh poor me! I will insert some photos of me with make up made with those brushes and it's okay to laugh. We all went there.

Prior to my discovery of the blending brush:

 I was trying to recreate Jlo's make up in one of her music videos! :) 


 Arabic eyes complete with the scarf. I watched MakeupGeek on YouTube for this look. She used Urban Decay eyeshadows. I worked with what I have--some avon and other stuff.

 I got excited with a purple eyeshadow. 

She's my niece. I was inspired by Kim Kardashian's make up. That brown and black smokey. Haha!


The first blending brush I had was the wand that came with the Naked 2 palette. Yes, it took me that long to own a blending brush. And it was free. I started getting more creative and abused that synthetic brush. I will also post some photos using my Naked 2 palette.

What a big difference a blending brush does!!!
These photos were taken 2 weeks after I got my Naked 2 palette.







Fast fast forward, I came to Dubai and tried applying as a make up artist. During the interview, I had to create 2 different looks on each half of the face. All products on the table before me were Mac. Thanks to YouTube, I am so much familiar with all Mac brushes. I aced the interview and got the job!

Now, I am working as a full time make up artist here in Dubai. I can say I have come a long way from looking through Seventeen magazine to being judged by a sales lady and finally being able to afford myself some nice make up.

Hope to see you again! Kiss and Make Up!