So You Like Purple?

I must have gone crazy at some point today, because I am writing this.

This one’s done by request – my very first (and probably the last?) make-up tutorial. Yep, you've read it right. This post is about make-up. I’m not much of a fashion/beauty blogger, but I was chatting with a couple of kikay girls (my babe Tina Siuagan, who is a model, and make-up guru Jessa Magcaling) last night and I thought this would be a cool thing to do for them (so they can laugh at my silliness!).

So, before I lose the courage to post something as insane as my own make-up tutorial in my blog, I’ll start telling you the step-by-step process of doing an elegant purple eye make-up using mostly drugstore finds. Meaning we will be using stuff you can generally find at Watsons at very reasonable prices. Here’s a list of what I’ve used. You can customize/improvise  of course! Use whatever you have in your beauty kit!


Myra E Tinted Face Moisturizer (Beige)
Mary Kay Sheer Mineral Face Powder (Beige)
Nichido eye shadow and blush compact
Cover Girl Instant Cheekbones Contouring Blush in Rose Radine
Nichido Color Eyes Mascara and Liquid Eye Liner(black)
Nichido Satin Moist Lipstick in Candy
Avon Dual Ended Lipstick+Lip Gloss in Rose Quartz and Rose Shine

The How To’s


       1. Prime your face for make-up with foundation and concealer. Hide away your dark circles, and the dark/reddish areas around the nose and the mouth. I prefer using tinted moisturizer for this, though, because it has triple purpose: it prevents my skin from getting dry, it can be applied fast, and it gives me a good base to work on.


     2. Set your base with your favorite powder. Using your brush or your sponge, lightly dab the powder all over face. I use mineral make-up for this step, because it’s water resistant, and it doesn't crease.

     3. Define your eyebrows. Since this is a day look, make sure that it’s not overwhelming. There are many ways to do this: using a chisel brush, pick up a dark brown or gray eyebrow make-up and fill-in your eyebrows; or you can use your eye pencil. Don’t color your eyebrows in! Flick the pencil lightly for a more natural look. Follow the direction of the hair. If you have unruly eyebrows, try this trick: take an old mascara that you have lying around and use the wand to comb the hairs into place.

     4. Now the lids. Using your brush, sweep the lids with a light pink or white eye shadow. This will serve as your base, and the light color will help open up your eyes. Also, dab some on your brow line to highlight the area. For this part I actually used my Cover Girl blush. (Hey, it’s pigment, you can use it any way you like!)

     5. Pick out the second darkest shade and, starting from the corners of the eyes, apply it going towards the middle. Blend it to the light pink eye shadow, and sweep some over your crease. Of This will add definition and contour to your eyes. Do this only to the outer half part of your lids. Be careful with using too much pink, though, as it might make your eyes look irritated.

     6. Take your blending brush and swipe a thin layer of gold eye shadow over the entire lid. Gold is a warm color, and it complements most skin tone.

     7. Apply your purple eye shadow to the outer V’s of the eye and sweep it into the middle. Blend it in with the gold and the pink.

     8. Dab some gold eye shadow to the middle of the eye to highlight the area.

     9. Put some white eye shadow on the inner corners of your eyes. This will open them up further and make them look less tired. I promise it makes a difference!

    10. For a pop of color, use the purple eyeshadow to line the upper and the half lower lash line. Lining the lower lash line creates balances our eye make-up. I also like to line the inner half of the lower lash line with white, just to open the eyes more.


    11.  Using your favorite liquid eyeliner, line your eyes as close to the lashes as possible and wing it. The wings will lift your eyes further. Don’t pull on your lids, though! That would cause premature lines and wrinkles. Instead, use a q-tip.

    12.   Curl your lashes to prep them for mascara. Here’s a tip if you like using water-proof mascara: these products can actually dry your lashes! After taking the make-up off, use Vaseline to restore the moisture and keep your peepers healthy.

    13.   On to the cheeks. I’m using the same blush that I used on my eyes. Take your blush brush and use it to contour your face. Sweep it in the hollows of your cheeks.

     14.   Use the white eye shadow and sweep some on the bridge of your nose and on the apples of your cheek to highlight the areas and give you a dewy look.

     15.   Moisturize your lips and put on your favorite gloss or pink lipstick to complete the look. I'm using Nichido Satin Lipstick in Candy. I blotted it then topped it off with Avon’s Rose Shine lip gloss for a light shimmer. For fuller lips, dab some white eye shadow to your cupid’s bow. 

To turn this look from day to night, simply darken the colors.

Have fun with your make-up and I hope you enjoyed that tutorial. ^_^




PS: Happy Birthday Nr. Tina Siuagan! I don't know HOW you convinced me to do this, but you did anyway. So this one's for you ^_~

Five Women I’d Happily Go Bi For

Of course I have my ovaries, my estrogen and all the other physical attributes of being a woman. I am in a relationship with a certified member of the male sex and am very happy with him. However, that does not change the fact that I have girl crushes: I admire other women for their simple kick-arse-ness. There are a LOT of them - strong, intelligent, brave women who are no fairy tale princesses or old school Maria Claras – ladies that I would happily trade my eggs for.
And here are my five hottest picks.



Tina Siuagan, Nurse, Musician, Writer and Model
(On the left: Tina featured in Zen Health Magazine)

I’ve got to tell you the truth: I am giddy to be able to call this girl my babe. Tina Siuagan is an all-in-one kind of woman. She is like the perfect girl friend: pretty in a rock star way, but smart and funny. A woman of substance who can drive you nuts with her wit. Never a dull moment when you’re with this girl. What’s really great about Tina, though, is that despite the not-so-good situation nurses are now facing, this girl makes it a point to pull up the morale of nurses whether through her articles or her music.

A registered nurse, Tina is also the lead vocalist of the rock band Amihan, and is the face of Rachell Allen Reviewers, USA, a center for exams such as the NCLEX and IELTS. This hot chick was also the cover of Zen Health magazine’s August-October.

Why she rocks: Because Tina is Nursing pride personified.




Ana Santos, Single Mom, Writer and Sexual Health Advocate
(On the left: Ms. Ana's Project Headshot Clinic for HIV advocacy)

I met Ms Ana during Writers Block Philippines’ Jumpstart Your Freelance Writing Career 2.0. I was a lost little wannabe writer with absolutely no idea of what to write and how the publishing world works, but I did have a lot of idea about sexuality and the stupidity of being strict conformists to age-old beliefs that maggots are now feasting on. Ms Ana was the inspiration as to why I came out as a reproductive health supporter and a women’s health advocate, particularly the sexual abuse victims. Her way of presenting sex and sexual health is passionate, intelligent, funny, but far from lewd (although a lot of her articles are also no-nonsense advice on how to get things hotter in bed).

Ana Santos is the editorial director of sexandsensibilities.com and co-founder of Writers Block Philippines. She is also a reproductive health and HIV/AIDS awareness advocate.

Why she’s hot: Because she can say “vagina” without flinching.



Dr. Raquel del Rosario-Fortun, Forensic Pathologist and Teacher
(On the left: Dr Fortun, featured in "Filipina Firsts: A Salute to 100 Women Pioneers 1898-1998")

I saw Dr. Fortun for the first time when I was having lunch at UP Diliman’s Chocolate Kiss, in Bahay ng Alumni, August 19, 2011. Yes, I know the EXACT date of when I first saw her. I was totally star struck that I forgot to swallow. She was talking to some people, and I had to fight the urge to get up and ask for an autograph.

Long before the introduction of the hit show CSI, I had wanted to be a forensic pathologist because I thought it was most awesome profession in the entire world. Actually, I still think it is one. Forensic pathology, the subdivision of pathology, is mostly concerned with the determination of the cause of death of a victim via external and internal examination. Specializing on the field means having an intensive background in medicine and pathology. The multi-awarded Dr. Fortun had her formal training abroad, but is now teaching in the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. She is still tapped by the National Bureau of Investigation whenever her expertise in cause of death determination and procedure is in need. Dr. Fortun, after all, is the First Filipino Woman Forensic Pathologist

True to her desire to battle ignorance, Dr. Fortun has been very outspoken about the need for training and better protocols when it comes to crime scene processing and corpse examination.

Why she’s awesome: Because she has opted to stay in the Philippines to teach.



Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Philippine Senator, First Filipino and First Asian from a Developing Country Elected as Judge in International Criminal Court
(On the left: Senator Miriam in her Filipiniana)

She is not the kind of woman you’d want to piss off. Debating with her is suicide and her verbal rebuttals are enough to send even the most hard-headed opponent into hiding under their mama’s skirts. Apart from her prowess in discussions, Senator Miriam is also the author of controversial laws-to-be such as the RH Bill and the much-needed and much-sensible Anti-Epal Bill.

Considered as one of the most intellectually prepped politician, Senator Miriam is also known for her witty one liner. My personal favorite: “I eat death threats for breakfast.”

Wow.

Why she’s hardcore: Because Senator Miriam’s so crazy by normal people’s standards, she makes total sense.




Grace Bondad-Nicolas, Writer, Engineer, RH and Environmental Activist
(Ms. Grace celeberating Jose Rizal's birthday, wearing the traditional Filipiniana in abaca)

I met Ms. Grace during a rally in Ayala Alabang, protesting the condom ban, and again during the RH Bill-I Support Facebook group eyeball in Carlos Celdran’s The Living Room. Looking at her, you would probably not think that she frequents the rally lines, lobby for better laws for reproductive health and the environment, and write power pieces for several print and online publications. Possibly because this petite lady loves going around in killer shoes and her signature Louis Vuitton bag.

Ms. Grace is also an online activist and a very approachable person. She is always happy to educate people with regard to her stands, regardless of how hostile they are in opposing her. Regardless of how hot-headed and whatever cusses spew from the mouths of those who oppose her, Ms Grace would still talk to that person calmly and respect their beliefs.

Why she’s cool: She’s so into her advocacy, she literally wears it.