Makeup Menu

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet - This is good for normal to oily skin.  The texture is light-weight and transforms into a soft-powdery finish which means you have to blend it onto your skin quite fast because it dries up quickly.  Coverage wise is sheer to light and it holds up well.

Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Cream Eyeshadow in Mirage - This shade is a dark brown bronze with a warm gold metallic sheen to it.  It's very creamy, easy to blend.  You could wear this alone or layer it with a powder eyeshadow to add that extra Oomph.

I find this a great combination for that New Year's Look.

Office Space Revamp

I've been in a hiatus for  a while, there was a lot of stuff that went on but hopefully I'll be able to get back to my writing mode.

A few months ago, we moved to a smaller space which we had to downsize a few things and one of them is not having a private work space.  It was quite a struggle not having that place where you can have a spot to retreat to for a positive effect on your creativity.  

Creating a work-friendly space made it to my to do list project.  Since we're just renting, we are restricted to hang anything on the walls so adding some shelves was not an option.  We had a spare corner by the Living room area, it does not really call out invigorating but it can transform to a natural work-efficient extension of the living space.  I propped my desk and a chair, I added a few elements that played together like a task lamp, a plant, a candle, an art work and some office accessories.  Underneath it is a small filing cabinet and on it rested my printer.  There's also a storage box to store papers, magazines etc.

See, sometimes an unused corner or space is all you need to achieve that spot for productivity.

Lighting Tech

65W Ring Light

This was a recent purchase from Amazon.ca, it's called the 65W ring light.  This has been a substitute from my softbox that I currently decided to leave it in the studio and use the ring light as it's easier to carry around.  This is well suited for product shots and portraits especially if you like that light circle in your eyes.

Another lighting that I use is the Lumahawk LD 312A On-Camera LED Light from Henry's Photo.  This is what I use to travel with if I need additional lighting in a small space.  It's quite small that it can fit in my bag or just to carry around.

Lumahawk LD 312A On-Camera LED Light

Both lights gives a flattering effect and creates a shadow-free lighting.  It's also ideal for small spaces.

Pick of the Week: Contour, Highlight and Blush

Lately, most people are into contouring, highlight, and blush.  But what does it exactly do to our face? where do you apply the products? what products to use?

Contour: It basically adds shadow to the parts of the face that you want to recede.  It also draws attention away from the features that you may not have.  I have a heart shaped face so the widest part of my face is my forehead and it gets narrower from my eyes to my jaw.  

For the products that makes an appearance for those days that I want to add some dimension to my skin, I reach for my Mac Pro Conceal and Correct Palette in Medium with my Real Techniques Contour Brush, and I use the shade in NW35 which is the darkest shade in the palette.  This palette is amazing because it's all in one, if you want to hide dark circles, dark spots etc. this palette does it all.  If you don't have this product, you can also use a matte bronzer, foundation or a concealer that is two shades darker than your skin.  Since I want my forehead narrower, I applied the NW35 on to my temples, then I sucked in my cheeks and applied it to the hallow right below my cheek bones from my ear then continue halfway to the corner of my mouth.  I also applied it downward on the corner of the bridge of my nose, Blending is the key for looking natural and to avoid harsh lines.

Highlight: This creates the illusion to bring your best features forward to look more prominent.  Such as a fabulous cheekbones.  To achieve this look, you can use a liquid or cream foundation, powder product or concealer that is two shades lighter than your skin.  I still used the Mac Palette in Mid-yellow shade with a Real Techniques foundation brush.  I applied it to the centre of my forehead, between my eyes and top of my cheekbones, under my brow for an extra lift and the centre of my nose applying it downward.  I also set this product with a setting powder and with a Real Techniques setting brush.  Here I used the Mac Prep and Prime CC in illuminate.  

Blush: This is to add a beautiful flush of colour to your skin, apply it to the apples of your cheeks.  I used the Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Stereo Rose with a Sigma F40.  This blush has a subtle coral toned with a Gold shimmer which gives that hint of glow to the skin.

These techniques will definitely make your face appear defined and proportional if it's done correctly.

Until next time.

Wardrobe Ideas and Style for boyz

I was at the grocery store one day and I over heard 2 moms having a conversation on how little girls are more fun to dress up than boys.  It made me think just a bit, maybe to some extent they could be right because you're not going to put a boy in a dress with tights or a faux fur coat... That's just wrong! For boys, it may be just a shirt and a pair of pants and they're good to go but you can make those pieces turn into something boring to equally as interesting and fun as girls, you just have to be creative.  I myself like to look my best when I go out and having my 2 boys do the same by looking like their mom made an effort to dress them up says something.  What I like to do sometimes is to dress them up in layers.  I think putting pieces together and layering them will make a tasteful statement.  For some visuals - see below.  On a side note, I planned this photoshoot days before where I made sure I had a time frame of 15 minutes of each of my boys before they get restless and antsy and I must say it turned out well, they did their own poses which made it fun for them.  Mission Accomplished!

White Shirt with collar - Lee
Yellow and White V-neck - Mexx kids
Shorts - Target
Hat - Children's Place

Yellow and Grey stripes long sleeves - Gap Kids
White long sleeves with collar - Lee Kids (Philippines)
Pants - Joe kids

Teal Long sleeves - Target
Navy Blue Sweater #8 - Tommy  Kids
Pants - Joe

White Long Sleeves - Target
V-neck Black and White Stripes - SM Philippines
V-neck Blue short sleeves ( underneath ) - Gap Kids
V-neck Green short sleeves - Gap Kids
Brown Cargo Pants - Children's Place

Kat's Beauty Find: Mac Lustre Drops

During the winter, my skin sometimes needs a 'pick me up', it needs a little bit of a boost from looking dull and haggard.  I tried adding a step to my makeup routine, but I was quite clueless on what product I can grab to achieve a glowy skin for this type of weather.  If you are in the same page as me then this blog might help.  

I went to the Mac store over the weekend and one of the girls that works there that I quite know for years happened to be there at the right time that I need some product recommendation for my "situation".  She introduced me to my new best friend called "Lustre Drops".  Some of you may have discovered this long before this review but when I came home and tried it on my face, I was like "Dude, where were you all my life?" well during the winter season that is.  There are two shades available in terms of your preference.  One is called 'Pink Rebel' which is a pink, peachy base with golden shimmer.  And the other is called 'Sun Rush' - more of a bronze base which will be nice for the hot summer months.  She recommended 'Pink Rebel' for me and that's what I went for.

This has a smooth, creamy texture that you can apply with in so many ways.  All you need is 2-3 drops of the lustre drop.

1. Mix it with your foundation, apply it evenly on your face and voila, it gives that dewy, glowy skin.  

2. Use it as a highlighter on top of your cheekbones.  

3. Apply it on top of your blush and blend, blend, blend.  It gives your cheeks a subtle pinkish glow.  

4. Apply it on the inner corner of your eyes and even on your lips.

This product is plain brilliant.  It does not demand that much time and effort to put it on and hey, you look fresh and healthy, now, who wouldn't want that?

To reference this product I posted a photo using 'Pink Rebel'.  Due to lighting, it may not be as noticeable.

On to another note, my target is to post a review every Sunday or every second Sunday, to those that find my blog helpful, I'll meet you guys again next week.

INSPIRATION IN STYLE

Sometimes we look for a dose of inspiration around us, it's like craving for a cup of tea, coffee or chocolates.  And today I found that in a shade of colour, Rose Gold.  To me, it's a colour that any complexion can embrace.  Through makeup, jewellery and clothing it gives that freshness, warmth and a great amount of punch to add to any look.  I put together a few Rose Gold pieces that screams prettiness.  

Makeup:

Naked3 Palette by Urban Decay (www.urbandecay.com/urban-decay/eye-makeup/naked3/409html)

Nars Blush in Super Orgasm (www.sephora.com/blush-P2855)

Jewellery:

The Current Custom Cuff Bracelets (www.thecurrentcustom.com)

American Eagle bracelet 

Clothing:

Cardigan/Kimono Style from ForeverXXI

See you again on another post.

Kathy

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