Illamasqua Powder Foundation Review

Hi lovies! Today, I will be featuring my HG powder foundation. Ever since I started make up school, I've been really picky when it comes to my make up. It doesn't really have to be expensive; what's important is the quality of the product.    

Illamasqua states : "Be the star of your own drama. The mainstay of film and theatre make-up artists, Illamasqua Powder Foundation glides over your skin, covering blemishes, correcting skin tone and leaving a shine-free look that lasts all night. Create a stunningly flawless base that begs to be touched. Comes in a mirror compact for touch-ups on the go". Let's start the review on what Illamasqua states on its powder foundation- GLIDES OVER YOUR SKIN: I agree that it glides over your skin! It really does because it has this very fine and smooth texture when applying and it does not feel heavy at all. The thing I like most is its pigmentation. Having a product that does not give you a heavy feeling when applied but gives you the coverage you want deserves to be a holy grail product. Surprisingly, it's not chalky at all!                                       COVERING BLEMISHES: This powder foundation gives you the medium/heavy coverage so it does cover blemishes even if I don't put my liquid/cream foundation on.                                             CORRECTING SKIN TONE: I really agree on this. I never go out without make up because I have uneven skin tone but each time I use this, one application does cover the spots I want to be concealed. It's like a foundation/concealer in one product!                                                   LEAVING YOU SHINE-FREE ALL NIGHT: This is where Illamasqua fails. It does not leave you shine-free all night. I do my make up for an hour at least, and taking that much time applying, oil starts to come out especially on my nose area! (I have a very oily skin, I tell you). After applying my liquid foundation and setting it using this powder and another light layer of my RCMA Transluscent Powder, surprisingly after 20 minutes, OIL COMES OUT :( I know it's a major failure if a product does not protect you from oil especially if you're out on a date or an event where you have to go to the restroom every 30 minutes, right? (I feel the same way, ladies! It's such a disgrace to see that your face shines bright like a HUGE diamond! Lol But still, Illamasqua remains to be a holy grail powder foundation for me, why? because at times when I am super lazy to put on the whole liquid foundation-concealer-setting powder routine, what I do is just apply this and voila! It covers all the things that I need to hide from the world haha! By the way, this doesn't make you look like you're all made up! It gives me the natural look that I want :) 

Illamasqua Powder Foundation in PF135 10g 0.35oz £24.00                                                                      This is a gift from my sister, by the way! :) I love her so much!!! :) This has a jaw dropping price but it's worth it for me :) I got the shade of PF 135 (for light skin with golden undertones). I was hesitant at first on which shade to choose (I was also eyeing the shade for medium skin with golden undertones) but finally ended up with this shade which I don't regret at all! :)

Look at the very elegant packaging! The name is very queen-like and the packaging makes you feel royalé! Lol! I love the powder puff! Everything is just so elegant! 

Without flash (I am really sorry for the terrible photos; I only used my i5 camera. The shade looks too white for my skin but believe me, once applied, it blends well with my skin tone and does not make me look like I am a living espasol lol! 

 (With flash) Just one light swipe of the product and gives you that much pigmentation? truly a must have product! So there goes my review on my as-of-the-moment holy grail foundation. I was not paid to do this review (I am just a newbie stating my opinions on products). Til next time my lovies! :)

Cat's eye - everyday and evening look

Hi ladies! I'll show you another look that I did at the HD Makeup Studio and Academy. I'll add in the evening cat's eye look that I did that same day :) Let's start! 

I wasnt able to take a before photo of the model, so here's a picture of her (without the cat's eye look). To give you a background of her skin, her face was really oily and had a lot of pimples with pus! she also has thick eyebrows so I shaved and ahaped it according to her face shape. I used a lot of concealer correctors here (Graftobian Derma Wheel and Graftobian Corrector Light) and I used the Graftobian HD Pro Foundation Palette for her base. She has a prominent forehead so I contoured it and highlighted certain areas. 

Here's a thin line of her cat's eye for everyday look. You should use one color of eyeshadow only. Im glad her pimples are all covered up! (By the way, these are actual photos and are not edited) 

I have not placed blush and lipstick yet since that day, we're asked to do two looks for the cat eye. 

This is the smokey eye/cat's eye evening look that I did :) I used the colors black and green for her eyeshadow. Blending is your bestfriend, so blend blend blend! :) 

Hope you guys enjoyed my looks! :) For bookings/appointments for makeup services please feel free to contact me at 09178222727. I only use HD products (Graftobian, RCMA and MAC that can surely last for long hours!) HD makeup for a very affordable price :) Ciao, beautiful ladies! 

HD Makeup Studio and Academy Classes

Hi darlings! :) Today, I will show you how good my makeup school is. Let me give you first my background on my makeup experience. I love makeup! I remember putting the white eyeshadow on the inner corner of my eye when I was 10 years old! I used to do my sister's makeup whenever she has to attend events (I was only 14 back then and she's 28). I am really kikay in short :) Now, I am 25 and I want to enhance my skills and consider this as a profession. HD Makeup School teaches you not just the techniques on how to apply the right makeup on occasions but also wants you to master the High Definition way of putting it! They want your makeup to look good even on pictures! (You dont need edited photos to get a good look) This makeup school really pushes you to do your best on your craft (they will notice even the slightest oil left on your model's makeup!) That's how good my instructors are (Sir Jeave Gabiana and Ms Steph Sing) At first, I admit, I got scared and intimidated because some of my classmates are already makeup artists! but I tell you, you will really learn from my mentors! You will not be scared to ask questions and they will not hesitate to answer all! (I am really makulit when it comes to putting makeup like how do you perfect this, how do you master this technique, etc) Never did I hear anything from my mentors, instead they teach you until you master it! When doing our demos, they do their rounds. We're 18 in class now (I LOVE our batch! They're all very friendly! I just wish time will slow down for I dont want my class to end yet) I thought they will just look at your work once you're halfway on putting it but I was wrong! After the 18th student, they will do another round until everybody's done! Imagine how good they are as instructors! They dont rest actually, even if Sir Jeave is done teaching for the day, he will still join the class and listen at the back and will comment and give tips. Ms Steph, my very beautiful and bubbly instructor never leaves our side even if it's not yet her turn to teach :) In short, I LOVE THEM!!! :) Anyway, here are the before and after photos of the models I did :) I am really happy and satisfied! :).      

This is the before photo of my model. She has very oily skin! Worst, she used a very jet black eyebrow pencil on her waterlines and eyebrows, even a makeup remover didnt erased it but Im glad everything worked out. So here's her after photo. 

I did a morning to evening look on her. I didnt want her to look mature for her age, so even if her facial features are strong, (plus the heavy eyeliner she placed on herself) I still made her look young and made sure that her makeup is appropriate for her age :) 

I used earth tones for her eyeshadow and a barbie pink lipstick for her. :) I will list down all the products I used on her here and will do separate reviews :)           PRODUCTS USED:                                         Graftobian High Definition Color Palette in Warm #2 (for her base match, I used #30352 Golden Sunset RAS3) P1500 for the whole palette available in HD Makeup Studio and Academy in Ortigas;             Graftobian Pro Fix Collection Rubber Mask Grease Wheel in Derma Wheel P1500 available again in HD Makeup Studio (I used the pink shade for her brown spots, yellow shade for her dark under eye circles and green for pimples; RCMA No Color Powder 3oz P1250 with free powder dispenser, available at HD Makeup Studio. I used this to set her foundation. This is the best setting powder ever! Will do a review on this;        YOUNGBLOOD Crushed Mineral Blush in Rouge P1150, Beauty Bar. I used this to give her a lil natural, flushed look. (by the way, I also used the Graftobian HD Color Palette for her highlight and contour).       BYS Eyeliner for her eyelids and waterline;  EVER BILENA pink lip liner for the outer corners of her lips and I filled all her lips with this. I forgot the price and shade :).   BYS Matte Lipstick in I Dont Pink So P299   since this lipstick dries your lips crazy, (read my first blog post) I put a lot of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly on her lips. By the way, I also placed natural false eyelashes available at our school for only P50! :) For her eyeshadows, I used DOLLFACE Combo Palette P850, The Ramp Crossings Trinoma. Anyway, let me show you more...    

This is the before photo of my model. (we did men's makeup) As you can see, the model has a lot of blemishes, scars, pimples, uneven skintone and a very oily skin! This according to my instructor Sir Jeave is a very challenging one since makeup for men should not appear like they have makeup on! How did I pull it off? Here are the products I used on him.   Graftobian Pro Fix Collection Rubber Wheel Mask in Derma Wheel. I used the shades pink, (for his brown spots, uneven skintone, dry pimples) green for his red, namamaga pimples, yellow and orange for his dark under eye circles) To be honest, with the Graftobian products I have, even if his face looked like this, it wasnt hard to pull it off, why? Because these are high quality and very pigmented products! I just love them! :).  

Here is the after photo of him. Despite the heavy and large amount of products used on his face, he still looked au naturalé! :) My instructor said I did a really good job covering and making him look natural! Yay!!!! :) I used RCMA setting powder by the way to remove all the oil and mattify his very oily skin.            

This is the before photo of my model (for mature makeup). As you can see, the right side of her face is sagged, (due to a stroke) so it was another challenge to even out the makeup. Thank GOD my instructors are really good on explaining to us as to how to apply makeup for such. She also has a birthmark on the left  part of her cheek and she has uneven skintone so I have to cover that up as well. Another challenge was her very wrinkled eyelids but she has a good skin.  

 This is her after photo :) I loved how she looked her because the makeup didnt made her look more matured. I didnt want to use dark shades for her eyes because it will only make her look older and not fresh at all. I applied a blush that matches her skintone because she is acidic by the way plus the birthmark on her left cheek will make a pink blush look gray-ish. I softened her eyebrows with a brown eyebrow pencil and for her lips, I used a peachy pink shade to compliment her earth toned eyeshadow. Dark lip colors will only make her look older so I opted for a fresh looking lipstick. :)          

 This is by far the best make over I did. My model has an oily/combination skin. In short, the tzone is really oily while the other parts of her face has a lot of flaking due to very dry skin. I put a moisturizer on the dry parts of her face and a lil bit of toner on her t-zone. She has a good skin overall. I advised her to put moisturizer eveyday so she can minimize the flaking. 

These are her after photos :) I was commended for blending! :) My instructors loved it! (My model and I did too! Lol!). For this look, we did smokey eyes using only one shade of eyeshadow which is the color black and a red lipstick. We are not allowed to use other shades for the eyelids because they wanted to see how good we can blend for the smokey eyes. (except for highlighting the brow bone) She looks stunning after the makeover! :) Even with the dark shades for her eyes and lips, it didnt made her look matured for her age (the fresh look is always a must for me cos I dont want my future clients to look older than their age). So there you have it guys! :) These are the looks I did for my makeup course. You can contact me if you want me to do high quality makeup for a very affordable price! :) You can text me at this number -09178222727 :) Ciao, lovies! (Will post more pictures from my school soon!) Also, check out the HD Makeup Studio and Academy for high quality makeup courses! :) www.hdmakeupacademy.com

An HD Makeup Studio and Academy Student

I never thought that a makeup school would be this fun! Thanks to my very professional instructors - Sir Jeave and Ms. Steph of HD Makeup Studio and Academy (check their website - www.hdmakeupacademy.com) for making the course not just worth every peso you paid but the lessons and tips on how to be a PRO makeup artist. The first day was nerve-wracking; I was intimidated cos the only makeup I brought was the basic everyday products I use (powder, foundation, concealer and brushes). Imagine how my jaw dropped as I saw my seatmate (new found best buddy Lizel) brought a whole LOT of branded makeup products! My classmates brought with them their makeup boxes and some of them are pro makeup artists already! To my relief, I was thankful to see one classmate brought nothing; but before the class ended, she bought ALL the products available in our school (worth 42k+ but mind you, these products will make your eyes pop!) If only I have that much money to spend on such, I DEFINITELY WOULD!                                                         I will share with you one of the many lessons I learned from sir Jeave - "pag hawak ni J.Lo ang isang makeup, hindi ibig sabihin nun ay magiging kamukha mo na si J.Lo or magiging ganon kaganda ang face mo" (If J.Lo endorses a makeup product, it doesn't mean that you will look like her or make your face as beautiful as hers). In short, don't buy it because it's endorsed by a celebrity; instead TEST the products and see for yourself the pigmentation and the quality of it.                                                         
Now, I will show you the products I use everyday.                                                

Givenchy Givenchy Matissime Absolute Matte Finish Powder Foundation Spf 20 - # 14 Mat Pearl, .26 oz (bought it online for P400; She is not fond of makeup so she sells all her branded makeup products; Sorry I forgot her name and info as to where you can purchase).                          I love this powder foundation! It really lives up to its name. It's full coverage for me; I can use it alone for those "I-dont-want-to-tire-myself-from-putting-makeup days" (hihi😁)                                             Here's the description I got from    http://www.eglobalbeauty.com            Givenchy Matissime Absolute Matte Finish Powder Foundation SPF 20 - # 14 Mat Pearl 7.5g/0.26oz.

Contains ColorIntact pigments to absorb sebum & perspiration Ensures color holding for long hours And allows skin to breathe freely Infused with a powerful astringent agent Minimizes pores for smoothing skin texture Gives a perfectly matt, radiant complexion

Givenchy Matissime Absolute Matte Finish Powder Foundation SPF 20 - # 14 Mat Pearl 7.5g/0.26oz.                                        I would definitely recommend this but it's really pricey and not available locally. (The seller only has one stock for every product).                                                   NEXT IS MY...                                  

YOUNGBLOOD CRUSHED MINERAL BLUSH IN ROUGE P1150, ANY BEAUTY BAR STORES (bought mine at Shangri-la, Plaza).           This by far my holy grail blush on. My sister Irene told me about this and honestly, when I saw that it was a loose powdered blush, I wasnt that interested because I am very stingy (kuripot talaga! Hahaha) but she explained how a tiny amount of this can last for long hours! She showed my a tiny amount placed at the bottom of the cover and applied it on my face, again, my jaw dropped cos a tiny amount can cover your cheeks really well! She was using her youngblood blush in rouge for about a year now and I cant believe that the amount she used was only 1/4! (to think that this blush is really small) So i immediately purchased it! 👍                                                           PROS:                                                            Very pigmented! (You wouldnt believe it really!).                                                     Since it's mineral, it doesnt clog my pores and doesnt make me break out.        If you want the "kakatapos-ko-lang-mag-jogging-mamula-mula- fresh-look" (I just finished jogging and have this flushed fresh look) then grab this shade! They have tons to choose from and if only I have enough budget, I'd definitely buy all these lovies!                                         Very lightweight;                                       CONS:                                                               A bit pricey for a small blush but I tell you, it's worth every cent! Been using this for the past month and it looks like I havent used it!                                                     NEXT UP IS...                                                  

DIOR DIORSHOW MASCARA (got this for free by the seller that I was talking about since I purchased 4 products from her).         This is my holy grail mascara! I have never been this "in love" with a produc before. (By the way, all my reviews will be completely honest and will tell you if it's worth your money or just "ginamit-ni-ganitong-celebrity-kaya-gaya-din-ako 🙈 " (this-was-used-by-this-celebrity-that's-why-i-purchased-it). First coat will be enough for an everyday-makeup-look, but since I like my eyes to pop, (I have deep set eyes) I put on a 2nd coat. It doesnt smudge, doesnt make you look like you're absolutely wearing exaggerated, clumpy and fake eyelashes; instead it balances all the things that I want from a mascara (volumizing but not overly lengthening my lashes). It's pricey for sure (high end kasi!) but I tell you, it's worth it! 👍                                                NEXT UP IS..                                                

KUMA CONCEALER in 01 NATURAL BEIGE P895, BEAUTY BAR STORES (bought this at Shangri-la Plaza).                                     This used to be my holy grail concealer. (will tell you my holy grail concealer now in a bit!) I have always been on the search for the best, highly pigmented and natural looking concealer but I always end up wasting my money! Not until Kuma came 😁 I will tell you the Pros of this product.                                      PROS:                                                           Highly pigmented; really covers my dark under eye circles and Natural Beige compliments my skin very well that's why it doesnt look like I highlighted my under eye circles;                                                   Easy to blend! I really hate it when concealers get really sticky and hard to blend; but with this, it's effortless! The consistency of this product is similar to a liquid foundation.                                        Price is worth it! You wont find a cheap concealer that's very pigmented. P895 for a concealer is a good investment. (I have no cons for this since I love it!).          NEXT UP IS...                                                    

BYS MATTE LIPSTICK IN I DONT PINK SO 3.5g P299 SM DEPARTMENT STORE (bought this at SM North Edsa).               I have pros and cons with this product. I liked it but after several times of using it, I discovered the cons of it. Let's start.       PROS:                                                           Affordable for a highly pigmented matte lipstick;                                                        I love how many shades they offer; I chose this because I wanted the "nicki minaj" glowing pink lipsticks type that's why I opted for this shade (neon pink barbie lips);                                                  Simple packaging (you can clearly see the shade and makes it more attractive);  It lasts for long hours (haven't tried other shades though, probably that's why it lasts on me because of my chosen shade.                                                CONS:                                                         

Dries my lips crazy! (my opinion) that's why i use a lop balm/gloss;                         It melts! Not to the point that I can put it in a round lip container but it melts and scatters on the side of the case and on the cover (I think you can see it from the picture). It looks messy tuloy.                       WILL I REPURCHASE?                                 Maybe. I wont because I dont like how it really dries my lips; I will because of the neon colored lipsticks they have but for the more neutral shades, I will definitely purchase another brand.                            NEXT UP IS..                                                

BYS CREME FOUNDATION in LIGHT BEIGE 10g P649, SM Department Store (bought it at SM North Edsa).       

 I really dont know what had gotten into me when I got this shade. It was too light for my skin! (my face is whiter than my body) but it really made me look like an espasol! I tried it at the mall but never thought that this would make me look ridiculous! (The sales attendant gave me this shade because I told her I am acidic) It's highly pigmented, that I am sure but it's very sticky to apply.  A small amount can cover my whole face but it doesnt cover blemishes, worst, it highlights it. I never used this as soon as my brother, Nikko laughed and told me I looked like my face was dipped in flour lol! I am sorry for those who love BYS creme foundation, this just does not work for me.

 NEXT UP IS...                                              

CHANEL ROUGE ALLURE LAQUE #78 (a gift from a dear friend).                                   I love this lipstick/lip gloss! It's highly pigmented. Just one swipe and you're good to go; but this is not my holy grail lipstick. (I'll post after this my holy grail makeup products). I love the packaging of this, (who wouldnt be in love with the infamous Chanel logo hihi!). Longevity-wise, it only lasts for 2-3 hours. I use this on special occasions only haha! 

NEXT UP IS...                                                   

ELF MINERAL INFUSED FACE PRIMER 14g P399.75 SM Department Store (SM North Edsa)                                                           In all fairness to this face primer, it really holds my makeup for long hours! For a relatively cheap price, you cant go wrong with this. The thing that I dont like about this though is sometimes, after I apply this, once I put my cream based foundation, there are flakes coming out (but it's okay because it comes off easily). I like the texture of this when applied! It's a gel type of primer and once applied, it dissolves and gives you that powder finish feeling. Oh and by the way, if you are very oily like me, this isnt for you because it doesnt keep your makeup looking matte.  Overall, I like this.             WILL I REPURCHASE?                                   I just found out that this is silicone based :( I like this pa naman! A tip I learned from our makeup school - never use silicone based products (except if you live in the US and the likes that has a cool weather) but for humid weather like here in the Philippines, silicone based products are a major no no! You may be wondering why? It's because silicone based products worn after a few hours will more likely produce oil and will worsen your oily  face condition. Make sure to bring a blotting oil or a good setting powder (I will recommend you my holy grail setting powder that's very affordable but highly effective!)                                                 NEXT UP IS...                                                    

MAJOLICA MAJORCA EYEBROW MASCARA in BR333 4.5g P595, SM Department Store (SM North Edsa).                                         If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to MAC's brow set in Girl Boy, this will definitely be it. It's somewhat affordable, because you will get the same results as Mac's (except for the shade, this is a lil darker than the shades of MAC but it still makes your eyebrows lighter!) I love the shade of this! I believe they have 2 shades only and the other one is darker. I recommend this for those who color their hair with light blondes or ash brown shades. Longevity-wise, it lasts! I know some of you share the same dilemma that I used to experience - putting eyebrow powder after a few hours would fade and leave your eyebrows empty. When I saw this and tested, I immediately purchased it! This is what I use everyday, by the way :)               That's about this dahlings! Will upload after this post my holy grail makeup after I started makeup school! :) i just love them! Ciao, lovies! ❤