BTS: Daniel Tan Photography (pt2)

Hi guys! So here's the continuation of my work with Daniel Tan...

After I'm done with Lily's makeup, next on my workstation is another young model Holly (Erin White). She has very nice fair skin. As per instruction of Miss Eughie Teng (Managing Director of Elite Manila), I did very natural and fresh makeup on Holly too.

No makeup yet, but she still looks so pretty!

Me at work

Hairstyling by ate Glo.

I failed to get Holly's "after" photo. But I gotta tell you she looks gorgeous! Will definitely post her photoshoot photos once I get the copies.

I also did Robbie Becroft's makeup.

Before and After: Robbie Becroft

And that wraps up my visit in Elite Studios. I had fun and I met new friends too! Jen Chua and Fashion Stylist, Shane Alebastro.

BTS: Daniel Tan Photography (pt1)

Recently, I got invited by Daniel Tan to be the makeup artist for his photoshoot in Elite Studios. He's a professional photographer and Nikon Ambassador. I was so excited to work with him again. You gotta love his refreshing works, check them here. Thumbs up!

Gloria Cruz (hairstylist) and I arrived in A Venue 45 minutes before the appointment, so we had enough time to have our breakfast first before heading to the studio.

Minutes after we had set up our workstations, a beautiful 6-footer girl walked in and we suddenly felt like Hobbits. Ms. Eughie Teng (Managing Director of Elite Manila) instructed me to do natural and fresh makeup a la "Ponds", our first model just arrived...

Before

Meet Lily, a young Russian model who specializes in catwalk. She told me that she's been modeling for 5 months. She's very shy and apologized that her English is very bad, but I told her not to be sorry and that maybe she can teach me some Russian words instead. She's very sweet and taught me how to say "Hi!" (Privet!) and "How are you?" (Kak dela?) in Russian. She was giggling when I was trying to repeat the pronunciations, I hope it don't sound bad! But I'm glad the Russian beauty loosen up while I was doing her makeup.

All dolled up

Hairstyle by Gloria Cruz

Doing retouches before the photoshoot. See how tall she is?

I will be posting Lily's photos next...

What's up "brow"?

A nicely shaped eyebrows attract attention and frame our beautiful eyes. The shape can totally make a person's appearance look different. If you tweez too much and create a very thin line, it will make the person look weird or worse, OLD! We don't want a kontrabida look, right?

Kontrabida? Me?!

Shaping your eyebrow for the first time? I would advice that you have a professional shape it then do the maintenance by yourself every time there is a sight of stray hair. However, you can always go to a salon monthly if you're not very tight on the budget.

Here are the steps on shaping eyebrows:

• Look at the natural shape of your brows and then follow the shape on the photo

• With the use of an eyebrow pencil place it vertically at the side of your nose (see figure 1) then you can put a mark on your brows so you have a guide. Then remove any hair that is outside that line.
• Next, starting at the side of your nose again, tilt the pencil and cross the pupil of your eye (see figure 2). That is where your arch should be.
• Then tilt your pencil further more until you reach the corner of your eye (see figure 3). That's where your eyebrow should end.

Tips:

• The end of your eyebrow should be slightly higher to give a lift or make the eyes look "happy". 
• Never over pluck. Thin brows makes the person look old.
• The color of the eyebrows should be slightly lighter than your hair color.

Shaping a client's eyebrow used to take me ages! Once I'm done with the last brow, I feel like the other brow already grown already. LOL. But of course, that's purely exaggeration. Kidding aside, it simply takes a lot of practice!

Let me share with you an eyebrow experience last weekend during a fashion shoot with a friend. Meet Danica, 14. She is starting her portfolio on becoming a model. She's very young, sweet and pretty!

Here's the thing when it comes to shaping the eyebrows of teenage clients: I always ask if they've done eyebrow shaping before (except if it's obvious that their eyebrows are already neatly shaped). If yes, then proceed. If no, I always ask permission if you should proceed on shaping it.

In this case, Danica has never done eyebrow shaping and doesn't want it to be touched yet. But she's ok with trimming them. Here she is after I did her smokey eye.

So what do you think?

Makeup for Men

Your makeup artist won't do this to you!

During the weekend, I was with my friend photographer, Jeffrey Aguillon, for a fashion shoot. He introduced me to the models Danica and Rocky. Both of them are starting their modeling portfolio now, so watch out!

Aside from the nice and reserved personality, I can tell that Rocky takes care of his skin very well plus he has this very fair complexion with a slight hint of blushing cheeks.

Jeff adviced me that Rocky doesn't want makeup. I told them that he might look pale in the pictures if we will leave his skin as it is. I also explained that I would just need to apply a bit of darker foundation for him to look better and healthier.

So with my convincing powers... <chimes sound>
Rocky sat and had his makeup taken care by yours truly <bow>



He was a bit shy at first so I try to manage a little chit chat while doing his makeup so he can feel comfortable. He told me that it was his first time ever! Then I asked him how it feels like to finally experience getting a makeup, he beamed and told me "Ang saya nga eh, parang facial massage" :))

Here's Rocky:

Before (notice his pinkish cheeks and forehead)

After

Most men doesn't really like the idea of putting makeup especially for photoshoots and special occasions. It is understandable that they probably feel like it lessens their macho-ness and that it is only girly stuff. But some men nowadays wear makeup too and it is acceptable... hence, we call them "metrosexual men"!

For the guy's daily grooming it is ok to use face powder to absorb the facial oils, concealer for any blemishes, and lip balm for dry lips. Skin care is also important for them to look better and feel great too.

So next time guys don't be shy! It's ok to be kikay a bit but not too much, ok? Looking good boosts confidence!