He talks about his creative inspirations and where they draw from in this Nars interview .

Check out the vibrant colours and culture inspired Nars’ Thakoon Summer brights collection as an extension of their NYFW Collaboration. Thakoon was inspired by the vibrant colors found in Indian spice markets. The highly saturated, high-shine shades come in an opaque finish, perfect for spring. Truly long-wearing, chip-resistant (I tested it out on my finger and toe nails on the beach!) and toluene-, formaldehyde- and DBP-free. I want them all!

The shades are: Anardana, a hot azalea pink inspired by dried pomegranate seeds. Kutki, a strong and powdery blue that’s fab on a tan, and Amchoor a sunshine bright yellow for the daring.  Love the deep turquoise of Koliary  and last but not least, Ratin Jot is a perfectly edgy vibrant orchid violet, my  second fave! The top on my list and most similar to the mandarin red shade of the polish I often asked for at my fave Belle and Cat Studio  in Manila, is only availabe online and is called Lal Mirchi- aptly inspired by hot chili peppers.

Head to your nearest NARS counter at Holts or Sephora or order online and grab your faves now! Or visit my new Must-Have Makeup Shop and shopping site Smart Shopper  for more Beauty deals for Nars and other brands

Hello TORONTO,Canada! I’m back and ready for action. Call me at 416 648 5956 or email me at mcbaguio@hotmail.com subject: Makeup Inquiry or Makeup Lessons.

I got the email, read the tweets and even a couple of blog posts on Laura Mercier’s “Custom Artist Portfolio for Home and Away” ($98)
So.. I’ve yet to see it up close but my first thought was…”It’s Laura’s glam version of my/my friend Cathy’s Actor’s Bag!” Shortly followed by, “Aaaay…Want it. Not sure about the shiny pewter snakeskin material. But, I Like.”

“New Limited Edition. Laura let’s you be the artist with her luxurious all-in-one beauty Portfolio for home and away. This organizing essential includes four custom designed removable mesh cosmetic bags, a pocketed brush page and refillable 6-well and 3-well Custom Compacts to hold your favorite Laura Mercier products”.

I already have her refillable 3 and 6 -well Custom Compacts, but I’m looking forward for the launch of her Limited Ed. “Portfolio Animation” Collection of new eyes, lips and cheek products that can all fit into her Custom compact Palettes.

*Sigh* I love Laura Mercier <3

The Custom Artist Portfolio for Home and Away includes:
Portfolio Organizer
4 removable mesh bags
Removable pocketed brush page
6-well customer compact
3-well custom compact
Dimensions: 11.5” x 9.5” x 3”

Products not included- so you get to choose/customize your own portfolio according to your needs and style.

This post is about my makeup and hair work for the gorgeous, talented food writer (writer & photographer) and all around wonderful Ms Lori Baltazar of Dessert Comes First (DCF) last year, for Fully Booked – my fave bookstore in the Philippines. I posted some behind the scenes shots on my Facebook Page about this several months ago.

Lori was so sweet, and fantastic to work with, even at a 3AM call-time! Her energy and vibe were infectious. I’m so glad to have met one of Manila’s pioneer bloggers (and so sorry to have missed all the desserts she brought out for the shoot!).

Lori was on the cover of Fully Booked Zine’s 20th Issue and her face and video (below) can be seen up on the walls inside Fully Booked and outside as one of their latest ambasadors.

Lori Baltazar for Fully Booked

Point and click on the images to view in full or slideshow.

Thanks for the photos and for taking such care of us, Victoria of Fully Booked, Marketing and thanks, Ces!;)

The original Beauty Blender

 If you haven’t heard of the Beauty Blender, watch this:

I must admit, being a fan of traditional makeup to Airbrush Makeup (although I agree that Airbrush has it’s benefits and I get plenty of requests for it), I was very happy using my egg-shaped Laura Mercier foundation sponges, with uh..her Flawless Face techniques (yes, everybody knows, I’m a Laura M. girl!) So when I came across these colorful egg-shaped oval sponges in the local Sephora in Toronto, I thought- Cute! (but gimmicky)..And left it alone. I was very happy with what I’d been using: sponge and sometimes my MAC 188 Small Dual Fibre Face Brush, or my fingers! But after seeing a few clips of other MUAs using the Beauty Blender, I tried it out at a shoot… and fell in love with it!

If you know my style and makeup principle, you’ll know that I don’t like seeing Foundation on my client’s skin. Love the Flawless Face look of foundation, but..Love it to look like skin (not foundation). However, you know what I love even more?? Finding something just as good, for a lot less. Yup, cheaper. (Keep it “Streetwise”, baby!) :p    Or, as some call it: finding Dupes (= Almost as good as/the same quality but less expensive than the original, without claiming to be ‘the original’. Duplicates).

So, when I spoke to Ms Sheryll of Suesh, and she asked me to check out their Sponge Blenders (P550.00)- and gave me one as a gift to try out …

Suesh Sponge Blenders Php550.00

The result was: I’m coming back for more, please! It expanded to almost twice its size when wet, and blended makeup beautifully when slightly damp! It’s not too porous so no product waste, and feels and looks very durable. Love it so much, I used it on my Bridal client last week. Congrats Raxl!

Me setting the beautiful bride, Raquel's makeup with the Suesh Sponge Blender.

Watch this video of a similar review by gossmakeupartist’s channel on YouTube. And make sure you leave me some Sponge Blenders when you hightail it to Suesh to pick some up;)

Happy Valentines! Love,

The professional brands any artist needs to create the best results available at Proface (for short) include Ben Nye, Face to Face /Makeup International -set up 25 years ago by internationally recognized and awarded makeup artist Walter Schneiderman,  “developing and supplying cosmetics to meet the ever exacting standards of the professional media industries”.  Also available -Temptu and TSZ Airbrush Makeup (the first airbrush technology and brand brought into the Asian market in Taiwan by the TSZ sisters, pronounced like the “ts” in “its”) equipment and supplies. TSZ is also available at Belle and Cat and is distributed by Makeup Artist, Denise Go at ProMakeup Central Manila- along with other professional brands, contact numbers: 09189285850 09173207500. ProMakeup Central delivers free in MM for purchases worth P3,500 or more!). Pick up a bottle of Beauty So Clean  -wipes and spray (the world’s first makeup sanitizer, which I use to keep my kits and products clean and longer lasting) and they are the exclusive distributor of Taz Merah kits and bags. (Taz Merah also offers private label services as well as makeup kits, chairs, lighted mirrors and equipments under their Brand). Find brush aprons and holders, transparent totes and set bags, organizers, sets of lashes at p650 per box of 10, empty palettes (Japonesque, Make Up For Ever and others), hair pins, Special FX starter kits for in-kit FX like aging, gashes, bruises and cuts at P5,200 and prosthetics by Proface. 

There’s even a makeup station that new and veteran Makeup Artists alike can use for their clients or just to practice and hone their skills for just P300 per hour, including use of the professional cosmetic palettes and products available there!

I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting the owner and makeup artist, Ms Jennie Delica, who is currently working on the set of the latest Bourne Legacy movie filming in Manila. Yes, she gets up close and personal to those handsome beings(!) But if I had any questions or needed help, the friendly Ms Lina Marcelino, seen in the picture (above) is always around to ask.

Contact the store Cell. 0920 417 2340/0949 162 7607 and pop in to shop for yourself.

See you again soon, Ms Lina!

Since my computer or WordPress doesn’t seem to be cooperating with me this AM, this will be (unusually) short and sweet! If you’re looking for a recognized makeup school that has a great reputation (the largest in the US, launched in 1998, California) and is in a great area – Makeup Designory (MUD) Manila, has classes right behind the cash register desk seen in the picture below. It’s a school by makeup artists for makeup artists:)

Shop for your favorite and hard-to-find makeup, nail and hair supplies here and then go out for lunch, dinner or drinks with the girls at BGC high street. Better still, get the man to treat you for all of the above for Valentine’s Day!

First, a shout-out for the tips Cathy and for the supplies for my makeup classes Sydney Go -of China Doll Style Blog fame, and Nippon Esthetic Solution -I LOVE Parian Spirit brush cleaner.

On to the star of this post: Suesh Makeup Toolkit.

Suesh Alabang Town Center Opening: February 5th 2012

It’s pronounced “Sue-Sh” and not as I’d been saying- “Swesh” the past 9 months(!)- giving me away as a newbie, much like my “Tor-on-Toe” pronunciation does of the Canadian “Toron’-O” City where I’ve been based for several years. Anyway, I’m like a kid in a candy store in this place! Everytime I’ve been there. Check out these snaps that I took of their new branch in Alabang Town Center (ATC) at the Mall’s  Gardens (wing) last Sunday:

I can’t shop too much because of the luggage-weight limitation going to Toronto, but it made sense to stock up on my disposable wands (a pack of 10pcs for P75/3 packs for P200), powder puffs (stand-out from the rest Leopard print design P70 each), a neat finger glove P400- to protect me from burns when I use my hot curler/straightener on clients;  a box of Natural-Look false lashes for my brides (P400-Great deal considering, so far I’ve seen them sold at prices that are more expensive than Toronto (I mean, “T’ron-O” suppliers) and a face guard (P250) to shield client’s face from hairspray- also a good deal, since I cracked the one I had and felt bad for spending on a new one til I found the Suesh ones. Love that they have a rubber grip handle and the shield is smaller than the regular sizes I’ve seen in the market, yet large enough to do a good job. Plus, they come in blue, pink…

These babies came home with me last weekend. Replenishing makes "Shopping" feel guilt-free haha!

There’s so much more to see, including the director’s style makeup chairs, makeup kits that have drawers, brush holders, sharpeners, hair stylist’s tool kits/rolls in fun colors…It’s also a fantastic plus, that the Suesh staff are so friendly, knowledgable and look the part!:)  

Visit their website to find out more:  http://suesh.multiply.com/

I was browsing through their website when I found their contact no. re: Direct orders and inquired about their makeup chairs (since I need one and had missed the IMATS in Canada last year).

 Good news! We are currently accepting individual orders and we will deliver for *free in Metro Manila! Just text us at 09178942625 or call our landline: 8068013/7823797 to order.

Payment through Bank Deposit at BPI/ BDO /Gcash/ PayPal.
Please see PRODUCTS page for all our product listings and prices. -Suesh
 

Someone texted me back, in perfect English and their friendliness came through the text- I could almost imagine her voice answering my queries. Wasn’t until that evening and the following day that I found out it was Ms Sheryll herself, one of the sisters who own the boutiques, who I was communicating with! Haha. She invited me to the ATC opening and gave me a gift pa. Thank you!

Alex and Mylene Wollboldt, Jeena and Me at Cibo. We missed my GF Jazel.

That was a lovely Sunday afternoon with friends and…Makeup Shopping!

Thanks Ladies. I’ll see you again soon!

Come be pampered, relax or shop at Belle & Cat Nail and Wax Studio, Makati.

In my previous post, I introduced my good friend Cathy and the rest of the

 team. Now, take a look and see why this is one of my favorite Beauty Havens in Manila, aside from the place being co-owned by Cathy, Isabel, Stacey, and their silent partner Chris Cantada!

I have been conducting my Makeup Essentials, Tricks’n'Trends, Art of Airbrush and International Bride classes, and tailored personal classes here. So, you’d think I’d want to go elsewhere for my services, just to get away or for a change but nope -the B&C staff make all their clients feel relaxed and special, it’s near my place and far enough from the busy mall traffic to give me the peace and quiet I crave when I go for a pampering. Oh, and they serve good coffee!:)

Here, I have my brows threaded (P180); underarms waxed (tmi! haha) P350); and have enjoyed their Ultimate Spa Mani and Pedi (P450/P550) enough times to refer them to the fussiest friends (and mum!) who all agree that the girls know their stuff and give one of the most detailed, long-lasting mani/pedi’s we’ve experienced:) And I’ve even tried their Gel Polish (P650) and loved the long-lasting glossy effect!

I’ve seen new clients wonder in (my makeup students included!) and get all girly upon seeing the clean pink and white interiors, then get excited over seeing how there are cool accessories and makeup, bath & body products and hair products for sale there, too! And it’s always great to see regular clients come and leave the place again and again happy & satisfied after a nail, massage, waxing service Etc, and especially after a hair & makeup service- right at the studio’s makeup station. It’s one big happy family:)

Take a peep through these photos (click and view as a slide) and see for yourself! You might even meet the lovely owners when you come in! Makeup artists Cathy Cantada-Dizon and Stacey Tan Gana-Bravo, often service their clients at the studio and, along with Isabel de Dios open and close Belle and Cat and play receptionist themselves. Cathy’s brother Chris- is a silent partner and does the marketing and promo job for the girls (graphics designed by makeup/graphic design artist Stacey!) whenever he’s not on tour and busy with his Heartbeat CD concert tour. Yes, (so that’s why the name sounds so familiar!) he was the drummer for Filipino band Sponge Cola before releasing his self titled solo artist album last year- I got a signed copy! (Hehe yay!)

Come in and meet the dynamic quartet and the ladies in pink at Belle and Cat Nail & Wax Studio at : GF Sterling Centre, 131 Esteban cor Dela Rosa Sts. Legaspi Village Makati, Philippines. (02)480-6204 / 0916-6467568. Mon-Fri: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm and Sat & Sun 11:00 am – 8:00 pm.

About 7 years ago, my cousin asked me to help her good friend’s little sister out by letting her “shadow” me as my assistant or apprentice makeup artist. Since I loved sharing knowledge back then as I do now, I said yes (hoping I wouldn’t regret my decision!). Well, it all worked out well and we even became friends. I knew she had the natural touch and skills to make it good in the Beauty Industry. She quit her band, (yes she sings and plays to add to her many talents!) took her parents’ up on their offer to allow her to study makeup in a fantastic school in London UK, returned to the Philippines and continued to work with me on shoots and fashion shows until I immigrated to Toronto in 2006.

Fast forward to today. She is now one of the most sought-after and talented makeup artists and entrepreneurs in the Philippines, and she has been one of my blessings, dear friend and…Partner in business (and in crime a.k.a. makeup shopping, adventures and food trips) in the Makeup Industry. (Hey, it’s true – Pay it forward, and you never know when those blessings will make their way back around to you!) She’s got a long list of celebrity clients, including Paris Hilton, on her Philippine business visit last year, and recently Ms Shamcey Supsup- runner up on the 60th Miss Universe Pageant, has done so many magazine covers and Ads that I’ve lost count- and is still as humble as the day I met her. Who is this girl? Meet Cathy Cantada-Dizon and the rest of the Belle and Cat team:

Aside from the Look magazine article (above) get this month’s Meg magazine and read this article about       .  I’m just waiting for Isabel, Cathy and Stacey to sign mine so I can frame it in Toronto! (I will miss you all, my B&C family) <3

Me with the Belle & Cat partners on their 1st Anniversary last Nov 2011: Isabel, Chris (rock star) Cantada, Stacey, Cathy:)

Learn and see more about Belle and Cat Nail and Wax Studio  (referred to as “The Studio” by team insiders) on their website or in the following posts where I highlight MY top makeup maven hot spots in Manila.

A few minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Ayala Malls in the Makati Central Business District is a cozy one-stop beauty haven. Belle and Cat Nail and Wax Studio is the place to go for your Basic (P170-200) to Luxury (P210-250) mani/pedi, Long-lasting Gel Polish (P650), Hand/Foot paraffin treatment (P350-400), Ultimate Spa Mani (P450) and ~Pedi (P550) indugence, Nail art (P25/35 per nail), face and body waxing needs for men and women (P220-P1250), and private Spa Party Packages (starts at P5000)! They also offer: Hand, Foot, Back and Body Massage (P250-P550); Relaxing Facial Spa (P450); a 90-minute Body Scrub treatment (P950), Face and Body Threading (P180-700), Skin and Bath & Body products from Leyende, Human Nature (100% Natural and Made in the Philippines!), Vanity Park cosmetics and brush sets, Belle & Cat’s signature fragrances (love their green tea!), bath gels, lotions and room and linen sprays; Makeup and Hair services (P1500, 20% Off during current Valentines deal!) and Makeup Classes with… Me! (Sort of a “soft launch” of a pipe dream of Cathy’s and mine to have a Makeup School? Institute? Academy some day (had I not left, or if I were to move back. YES pleeease!). It’s been my second home and family here in Makati, and I love it!

I’ll be sticking around until the end of March, so it’s NOT too late to call in and book slots for my makeup classes. They’re currently on a “my last leg of visit” promo on Sulit. Call/Text 0926 680 5617 or go to my Facebook Page (button on the right panel of this page) to inquire today and join the fun!:)

Visit my Facebook Page where there are photos of some of my classes held at the Studio so far. Enjoy!:)