PROJECT 2013: My Face of the Month for April

APRIL : Somewhere Between the Sunbeams and  Your Daydreams

Make-up and Styling: Arielle Alvarado (message me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alvaradoarielleeee; Twitter: @airshies; Instagram: alvaradoarielleeee)

Photography: Charissa Soriano (www.charissasoriano.tumblr.com)

Countries all over the world experience different climates and weather during the month of April - it could be one of the most humid months during the year, for others it could still be rather chilly, and still for some.. it could be the month of bloom.  There is one event, however, that is shared by most (if not all) countries, and that is April Fool's Day.

Now, some people may think of the holiday as one that is rather negative because it involves, as the name implies, making a fool out of other people.  It is the day that people get away with pulling pranks on others - ranging from something as simple as an anonymous text message or phone call to something as mean as putting glue on someone's chair.  It is a day, in the eyes of many, that is full of nonsense and ludicrousness.

I am not a firm believer of the "holiday" myself; I never really went out of my way to pull a prank on someone (though I have been a victim of some).  However, I do appreciate April Fools' Day because it serves as a reminder that sometimes it is okay to be silly and completely ridiculous.. to just let loose.. to not take things too seriously.. to just laugh at yourself, at others, and with friends.. to just to have the craziness and wackiness of a kid without caring about how others will view you. To just live. Really live. LAUGH.  And enjoy the surprises that life may bring. 

Sandi Suplido is a friend who reminds me of just that - to just be comfortable and honest with yourself.  Her smile, laugh, and carefree nature are all so refreshing and infectious.  She'll come in a room and instantly brighten it up just by saying hi to you.  She has the capacity to listen to your problems without making you feel like you're such a burden, and after talking with her, you'll feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of your shoulder.  She'll make you feel like a kid again - to have faith, to dream, to wish, and that everything will always be okay in the end.  In fact, she likes to involve herself in activities and projects that give hope, joy, and laughter to other people like the "Make a Wish Foundation" that focuses on granting a wish for children who have been diagnosed with detrimental diseases.  She's a person with a pure soul and with a heart of gold that will just give you a break from the real world that is full of cruelty, harshness, and stress.  

I guess, in a nutshell, my friend Sandi is someone in my life who reminds me to go back to the basics - especially since medical school always requires me to think critically and demands so much of my time.  Just by simply being herself, she is more than able to revive my appreciation for the simple, silly things in life by not over-thinking and just breathing.  Through Sandi, I have learned how to laugh at myself and the mistakes I make, accepting that these are a part of my growth, and most importantly to just listen to and with my heart.

For all these (and then some more) I am truly blessed to have a friend like Sandi in my life. :) and I know that I have found a friend worth keeping :)

Here she is now, my face of the month for April.. Sandi Suplido :)

Products used: Fanny Serrano Two-Way Cake Foundation, Elf Concealer (Stick and Liquid for the Eyes), Elf Liquid Eye Primer, Sleek Oh So Special Palette, Maybelline Liquid Eyeliner, Face Shop Eyebrow Pencil, Covergirl Mascara, Covergirl Natureluxe Lipstick

                 

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.  God has made everything perfect in its time." 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11

Top 10 Favorite Lipsticks

I just got home from another photoshoot with one of my friends and I realized that the common thing that each of my friends have asked about after their own respective shoots is, "What lipstick did you use on me? Where did you get it?"

I'm a HUGE FAN of lipsticks; in fact, everyday, you would see me wearing simple liner and a different shade of lipstick -- not much I can do since I'm a medical student so I am in all white everyday and definitely don't have time to put on eyeshadow-- but the point is, your lipstick can make or break your outfit / look for the day.  (Yes that is how grave it is! HAHA) 

So anyway, here are a few of my favorite lipsticks that I think almost any girl can pull off. :) I'll also state where to find them, what skin type and outfit will most probably suit the lipstick colour, and of course, pros and cons.  Do take note that I am a medical student with budget constraints (HAHA) so if you're one to find the best for reasonable prices, then this is the blog post for you :D

Anyway, hope you find this useful :) Questions, Reactions, etc comment below or contact me on my facebook page. :) 

1. ARE YOU RED-DY by Maybelline (only P300 plus)

This is one of the best red lipsticks that I've ever tried on myself; if not, the best.  This kind of red can really make a simple outfit come to life because it is bright enough to draw attention, but still subtle enough to give the aura of mystery and lust.  This kind of red can make any lips look kissable and sexy; and can make any good girl look bad. Think.. Taylor Swift's new album, Red. 

Quality of lipstick is great too, btw.  Very pigmented -- you don't need to get a lot on your lips to bring the color out; and it's also long-lasting. I had already eaten dinner and I still didn't need to re-touch my lipstick! Furthermore, it's very creamy but with a matte finish so it looks elegant, classy, and it's very easy to apply. :)

This lipstick would look best during parties, celebrations, or evening events -- but it would also work with basic outfits where you just want something different to bring your outfit to life. :) 

Warning!  There is a certain shade of red that goes on different kinds of skin types and people so be sure to try on red lipsticks (on your lips!!) before purchasing them because you could be making a terrible mistake. 

Me wearing Are You Red-dy

2. COLORSTAY ULTIMATE TOP TOMATO by REVLON (P400 plus)

Revlon is, was, and probably always will be known for their great lipsticks; but I really found this particular shade really great on me.  It's also a red lipstick only this shade is a bit deeper than the previous one by Maybelline; so it adds a little bit more of drama and maturity to the face. 

Quality-wise, I love it also -- a bit tricky to apply because it is liquid but apart from that, all is good. :)  And yes, it does stay true to its name because the color definitely stayed on me throughout the entire night; and was even difficult to wash out without makeup remover!

Again, it's a red lipstick so be sure to try it on first! Get your perfect shade of red.  :)

Me wearing Top Tomato Ultimate Colorstay

3. PEPPERY PINK by EVER BILENA (P150)

Ever Bilena really really really surprised me with this perfect shade of pink because they weren't exactly top of the line here in the Philippines; but, when I came across this shade of pink, I knew that Ever Bilena was slowly gaining momentum in the market.  (In fact, it is the FAVORITE lipstick of many of my friends that have modeled for my photoshoot! A lot of them have already bought the shade.)

Why is it the perfect shade of pink?  Because it's not too bright, it's not too light, and it's so soft and creamy on the lips that would make any girl look soft, dainty, and simply beautiful.  

Normally, I use this shade on girls who have a yellow undertone to their skin.  This shade of pink would also look incredible when you're pulling off the smokey eyes because when there's so much going on on the eyes, you would want to keep the lips simple yet still elegant and beautiful enough to carry and support and balance off the smokey look.  

Here is a friend of mine during our photoshoot wearing the shade:

Jairah Alto wearing Peppery Pink

4. Watermelon by Ever Bilena (P150)

Another shade of pink that I simply love by Ever Bilena! (good job to them for making really really good quality and pretty shades of lipstick!)  

The difference between this and Peppery Pink is that the Watermelon is a warmer color on the lips.  It's a bit brighter and it has an orange-red undertone to it.  It brings the lips to life and it makes the face look brighter and younger, perfect for outdoor events and afternoon get-togethers with friends. 

This shade, however, chooses its skin tone.  It will look best on women who have a certain orange undertone in their skin, usually those with dark green veins (that signify that you look best in warm colors like orange, brown, dark green, etc.)  but at times, it also looks good on women who have light skin tones. 

Quality-wise, it's easy to apply (just like Peppery Pink) and it doesn't take a lot to get the color on the lips (whereas for Peppery Pink, you'll probably need to repeat application for about 3 times to get a good color on the lips); both lipstick shades do not last very long and will need re-touching especially after a meal; but that's probably the only down side to this lipstick which is also not necessarily something bad if you really think about it. (haha) 

Here is a friend of mine wearing the shade in our photoshoot:

Ica Ducanes wearing Watermelon

5. TOFFEE by MAYBELLINE (P300 plus)

This is one lipstick color that I ALWAYS go back to in the department stores.  It is such a BEAUTIFUL and ELEGANT and CLEAN color.  For women who live by the phrase, "simplicity is key" or who appreciate minimalism, then this lipstick is for you. Basically, this lipstick is like "your lips but better" -- the phrase that I use to describe it.  It's not very pigmented but it looks great that way.  It's the kind of lipstick that you'd love to wear everyday because it brings out the natural color of the lips and for sure this shade will look good on ANYONE and on ANY OUTFIT. :) 

But of course, there are times that it would be great to do something different with the lips and not just stick to this color.. all I'm saying is that if you want to go for a beautiful simple everyday and a very clean and classy look, this is the lipstick to get. :) 

Here is a picture of my friend wearing the shade:

Jessica Clemente wearing Toffee

6. SWEETIE by MAC (about P1000)

So, this is one of the lipsticks that costs a lot, but definitely a good investment. Mac is famous for having great lipsticks; in fact, for my debut, I got a makeup artist affiliated with Mac to do my makeup and hair.  I've been on the hunt for that particular shade of lipstick since the year I turned 18!! (and I'm 21 now haha)

Anyway, that's how beautiful the quality is -- easy to apply, creamy so it sort of melts perfectly on the lips, long-lasting enough to not have to go back to the restroom every so often to check if there's still color on your lips, and lastly there is no need to apply a generous amount on the lips since the color gets on after about 2 swatches. 

This shade of pink, however, does not look good on everyone. I would recommend people with yellow undertones to go for lighter shades of pink by Mac or people with naturally darker shade of lips to go for darker shades of pink.  It is good for everyday use because just like Toffee it is supposed to highlight the natural shade of your lips. :)

Me wearing Sweetie

7. LIGHT BLOSSOM TRUE LIGHT LIQUID LIPSTICK by FANNY SERRANO

This liquid lipstick is amazing!  First of all, it has awesome features -- twist open the cover and it has a light shining and then a mirror on the side so that even in the dark you can apply the lipstick on and check it out in the mirror! :D Secondly, this shade is so beautiful on the lips.. it has a pinkish golden shimmer that lasts relatively long and it doesn't have those white lines on the side that most liquid lipsticks do after spending some time on the lips.  It's very easy to put on and not sticky or heavy on the lips, as well.

This particular shade of pink would look great on women who have dark skin tones and a yellow undertone to their skin. :) It's great for anything.. but particularly for early morning events :)

Me wearing Light Blossom

(apologies for terrible lighting and low quality photo.. wasn't able to do justice to the lipstick huhu)

8. RETURNING ROUGE by PRESTIGE (P300 plus)

One of the red lipsticks that I also love because of its deeper red with bluish undertones that give off an even more mature and sexy vibe.  This is perfect for just simply looking sexy.. like say you're wearing an animal print blouse or a simple black or white top. :)  It has a very nice matte finish and it lasts relatively long; difficult to smudge. 

The thing that I don't really love about this lipstick, however, is that it is rather difficult to put on because of its dryness so make it a point to moisturize your lips really well with a good lip balm or petroleum jelly (more natural, less chemicals!) so that the lipstick will slide on your lips.  

Keep in mind that this shade of red will look good on certain types of skin tones also because it has a bluish (sort of like red wine) undertone to it.. so once again try it on!  However, I think this will look particularly good on women who have fair to light tan kinds of skin tone :) 

Me wearing Returning Rouge

9. Russian Red by Mac (P1000)

Another one of my favorites from Mac! As you may have noticed, I am a huge fan of red lipsticks.. simply because it really adds so much "boom" to an outfit even if what you're wearing is so simple.  

The thing about this red lipstick is that it is probably one of the sexiest shades of red that I have ever seen!  Think Angelina Jolie or Rihanna.  It's a deep red that can make the lips look so full and luscious.

I don't think that I need to say more about this lipstick because it is definitely a good investment.. any Mac lipstick really is. Just choose the shade that suits you best. :)

As for this particular shade, I think that it's not very choosy.. for as long as you have the confidence to wear it and the attitude to bring it, then it will definitely bring out the inner sexy beast in you ;)

Here's a picture of my cousin wearing the shade in one of our mini photo shoots:

Mawi Alvarado wearing Russian Red

10. MARBLE NATURELUXE GLOSS BALM by COVERGIRL

Very pretty shimmery gloss balm that gives a very refined and elegant touch to your look.  It looks best with outfits that have lace, pastel colors, white, and basically anything light and dainty.  I got a lot of compliments when I wore this with my white turtleneck sleeveless top; many girls said that it made me look like one of those old Hollywood superstars. :) 

It has a rough texture on the lips that will take a while to get used to but very easy to apply.  It lasts long on the lips and it doesn't leave the white on the sides of the lips.  Not to mention.. it is one of the healthier options for the lips because everything in it.. based on the name is natural.  I have really sensitive skin; and Covergirl is one of the brands I really trust because my skin never reacted to any of its products that claimed to be natural. :)

Me wearing the Marble Natureluxe Gloss Balm

So, those are my top 10 favorite lipsticks that are mostly within a strict budget. :) A few quick tips for putting on lipstick:  Remember that less is more!  Always start off light because it's much easier to add more than to lessen the amount that you already put.  Secondly, follow the shape of your lips and be sure to wipe off any smudges (especially with red lipstick!).  If you put too much, or if you want a more natural look, then simply put a tissue paper in between your lips and press your lips down. :) 

Hope you found this entry helpful!  

HAPPY SHOPPING :)

PROJECT 2013: My Face of the Month for May

MAY : Vibrant Awakenings

The month of May falls during the season commonly known as Spring; although, if you are from a country like that of mine wherein there are only 2 seasons to choose from, May still does count as one of the warmer months that is full of life - flowers are in bloom, fruits are more in season, butterflies are fluttering all around, etc.

Our lives are pretty much like the seasons, as well; there are times of doubt when we are unsure of what the future may bring or even feel lost enough to question what you're doing with your life.  It's definitely not an easy thing to go through, especially for those belonging to my age bracket and can still have the chance to change the course of their lives in terms of career choice, romance, and even as far as a complete personality do-over; but the patience of getting to know yourself again and spending time pondering and reflecting, always brings about bounds of peace, a sense of fulfilment and direction, and vibrant awakenings.

Denise Jacela is someone that I consider a bigger sister in college.  She was always there for me when I needed sound advice or someone to talk to about my problems (no matter how petty they were at the time).  She would spend time with me in the hallways of our school just talking to me about her experiences, her major life decisions, and even things that she regrets.. all of which were conversations that I enjoyed having with her because of the wisdom she imparted, the joys and tears that we both shared together, and that after speaking to her about something that somehow left you perplexed, you are finally able to address the issue with a more objective and mature view on the matter, and you learn more about yourself in the process. 

Thank you so much for everything, (Ate) Denise. :) I hope that this was enough to show you my gratitude. :) 

Make-up and Styling by: Me (Arielle Alvarado) Contact me through twitter (@airshies) or leave me a message on Facebook :) 

Photography: Immanuel Anthony (Ian) Meru (https://www.facebook.com/ianmeru?fref=ts)

Brands Used: Maybelline, Elf, and Sleek 

(Ate) Denise has so many sides to her personality; and so do you.  I think that what's important is to find out who you are, be honest with yourself, and finally embrace it.  It truly is a life worth living when you've established what it is you're truly living for. 

"I have set the Lord always before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.  You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." - Psalm 16:8-11