Nail Art DIY 2: Nail Art Sticker

This is my second nail art tutorial which is a very hassle free and super cheap too. You may be wondering why I have some photos here with the PREVIEW MAGAZINE (vol. 16 no.2) of March 2011 issue. Well... I got my inspiration from this issue. =) This magazine captured my attention because of the vibrant color of the cover and Georgina Wilson and Borgy Manotoc are so hot! hot! hot! They are both the Bench Body's newest endorser.

I love the dramatic and slick look of Georgina and Borgy here... Of course going back to our topic for today, the leopard print design of Georgina's nails are so awesomely wild!



photo taken from Preview Magazine
March 2011 issue p.166



p. 164 of Preview Magazine
March 2011

... then I remembered I have a nail art haul bought months ago and I have a similar leopard nail art sticker design with Georgina's nails. So I decided to give it a try on my nails.

                         

                  

Here's How To Do It Yourself:

*Materials needed:
-nail art sticker just like the photo above
-tweezer

-clear nail polish
-nail file

(Make sure that you already had your manicure done)

1. Cut the nail art stickers according to its shape.

2. Trace the cut out stickers on your nail so you would know

     what length of it you will need.

3. Lightly moisten the back of the sticker so it would separate easily.

4.Pick it up with a tweezer and put it on the nail.

   The round end has to be at the cuticle.

5. Trim again just close enugh to the edge of your nail.

6. Make sure that it is fit on the shape of your nails and

    smoothen it out that no air bubbles inside left.

7. You can now apply the sheer nail polish.

     Don't worry about the excess edges because

     it will melt upon applying the clear top coat polish.

8. Smoothen the edges with the nail file and let it dry.

Here's my version of the "leopard nail art design"

similar to Georgina's digi-stamped nail art.

TIPS:

to prolong this kind of nail art just apply a clear nail polish after 2 days.

Hope you'll try it too! There's a lot of fabulous designs and it's easy to do. Have a nice night! (Enjoying my Preview Magazine over a cup of hot tea latte and with a bossa nova music playing in my background) 



Choosing The Right Shade (What Foundation Are You Part 2)

Choosing the right shade of makeup foundation can be daunting for us ladies right? If we picked the wrong one, we would end up like a clown or a ghost! We don’t wanna scare the person who sees us. I admit I’ve been in a situation wherein I had a photo where my face looks so white compared to my skin color. I bet you don’t want that to happen to you. That was before when I still don’t know the “what nots and “what tos” about cosmetics.

Now that we have a better understanding on how to choose what kind of foundation suits our skin type, the crucial part of picking the perfect shade is our next step. With this said, understanding our skintone and undertone will lead us into choosing the right shade. This will also be a helpful guide in choosing the best color of eyeshadow, lipstick, blush on or in choosing the color of our clothes that will best compliment our color if we have a better understanding of these 2.

Skin tone is the actual color of our skin. We Filipinos ranges from fair to medium dark brown skin tone. Our skin tone changes depending on our sun exposure. Take me for example, my usual color is lightly tanned but during summer especially if I spend sometime in the beach my skin tone turns into a medium dark shade.

Undertone is the color beneath our skin. It is the color that casts like shadow beneath our skin. This never changes no matter how many times our skin tone changes. Undertones can be yellow, orange, red, pink, blue, brown, or olive. It’s also divided into 3 categories: warm, cool and neutral.

How do we determine if we fall under warm, cool or neutral undertone? From what I’ve learned the easiest way is to look at your wrist or the underside of your arm. Take a look at the color of your veins. If it appears to be purplish blue then you are under the cool category. On the other hand if it appears to be greenish blue, you’re under the warm category. With the neutral undertones the color of the vein is less obvious and cannot be easily recognized.

Now that we are armed with this enlightenment we can now look for the perfect shade of foundation for our skin tone. Cool toned skin are best suited with pinkish colors or bluish colors while yellow, peach or golden shades are for the warm toned skin. We Asians usually have yellow undertone, so when scouting for your make up foundation look for a yellow based ones.

Tips tips tips

choose 3 shades closest to your skincolor
swab each of them on your jawline

• Choose the shade that matches the depth of the skin on your jawline/neckline.

• Be sure to test to color on your face (not your wrist or hand!)

• We often have oily skin, which can cause the foundation to oxidize and appear darker when it mixes with oil, so try a foundation that is slightly lighter than your complexion.

*blend each of the shade but be careful
not to mix with the other shades
*choose which shade disappears on your
skin
*for this photo I picked #1 as the shade of
foundation closest to my skin color

• From my personal experience, when I look for the right shade I ask the SA to apply 3 shades closest to my skin color at my jawline. I wouldn't buy right away, I’ll tell the SA that I’ll come back after I do whatever errands I need to do at the mall. The reason for this is that I had the mistake of buying right away of what I thought is already the right shade for me, when I got home it turned out the shade is a bit darker since the color oxidized already after sometime. The thing is, in our country it’s very hard to return and exchange products.

• The reason why I have different foundations, my skin color changes quickly when under the exposure from sun. During summer I get a shade darker than usual. I also prefer to use Shisheido waterproof with a high SPF (SPF 43). Since my family loves going to the beach at summertime I opt for a waterproof liquid foundation. I usually use this alone, I don’t put on a powder to set it and just use a cheek stain for my blush for a light and natural look.

• (I’ll also add how to choose a concealer since this is related to the topic.)

According to famous makeup artist Bobbie Brown, Orange-based tones blend best into dark or black skin. I have also read into one article that is best to choose a peachy or salmon color when you wanna hide the the dark circle of your undereye. Use a light pat of concealer under your eyes then blend.

Are you overwhelmed already? This is why I don’t believe that being beautiful should be effortless. If we wanna look at our best we should have a conscious effort in doing it. Enhancing the beauty within us will help us stand out. It’s fun to be a girl! (Expensive too!--- as uttered by "H")

***( The content of this post is basing from my personal experiences, tips I got from make up artists, SA from make up counters everytime I try different brands of make ups and also acquired through reading over the years.)

Which Makeup Foundation Are You?

My Makeup Foundations:
Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation SPF 43 PA+++
MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SPF 15  (NC35)
Paul & Joe Protective Fluid Foundation (16)
Cover Girl TRUblend (3)
Paul & Joe pressed powder (03)
Revlon PhotoReady compact powder (020) Light/Medium
Youngblood Mineral Loose Powder in honey
BRUSHES: Paul & Joe's loose powder brush
Charm's mini kabuki brush

Choosing the right make-up foundation is very important facet of makeup. It’ll be the canvass where the rest of our makeup will be applied to. It’s purpose is to hide facial imperfections such as blemishes, scars, wrinkles, flaking or some hyperpigmentations of the skin.

Nowadays there are various types and formulas of foundation. Finding the right coverage, choosing the right color and the right formula for our skin type can appear to be different also in every individual. As we age also the right variant of foundation changes too since our skin changes as we age. Using the right applicator also I such an important factor for you to achieve a good effect. A lot of things huh?! I am not a professional make up guru but through research and charging through my experiences I’ll try to lay them all out for you. I’ll post this topic in series to cover its different areas.

In purchasing any products especially for our skin is very crucial. Choosing the right shade and undertone is a tough call too! We don’t want to waste our money right? It should be worth every penny we spend for it especially if we choose the top of the line cosmetic brands available in the market. I myself have tried so many brands with different formulas and types and before, I just buy what is in or what I see in commercials. Lacking knowledge about it, 50 % of it I always end up buying the wrong kind. The quality and price of the brand you’ll purchase will be entirely up to you.

In general there are 3 coverage types of make up foundation. Sheer coverage, medium coverage and heavy coverage.

>SHEER COVERAGE: Sheer coverage is lightweight and provides minimal coverage of the skin. This type of coverage will be the softest and least noticeable.

>MEDIUM COVERAGE: Medium coverage is the standard coverage formula. It provides light to medium coverage and can be used sparingly for less coverage or built upon with other products, such as powder, for a more opaque, heavy coverage.

>COVERAGE: Heavy coverage will cover almost any imperfection in the skin, and is usually on par with the texture of a concealer. Color match is especially important in this category.

Types of Foundation:

Tinted Moisturizers: All skin Types

They are moisturizers with a slight tint to them, often contain sunscreen, and are the lightest and easiest to use foundation makeup. Falling into the sheer category, perfect for someone who is just starting out with makeup, such as a teenager or for someone who wants to even out skin tone with minimal effort. This makeup is also ideal because you don't have to put on moisturizer and then foundation: it's a one-step process. Can be used also under foundation or alone for minimal to no coverage. Can be applied by a sponge or fingers.

Mousse or whipped foundation: Normal-Dry or Matured skin type

makeup with air whipped in, making it lighter and smoother. It comes in a spray or aerosol-type can, like whipped cream. Good for all skin types, but it's especially nice for those with dry or aging skin because of its tendency to go on smoothly instead of caking up in facial lines.

Liquid Foundation: Dry, Normal or Combination skin type

A thin film of liquid foundation is best for 'natural look' makeup. It's widely available in sheer, medium, or heavy coverage. These are formulated for all skin types. Available in moisturizing formulas with a satin finish for dry skin or oil-free versions with a matte finish for oily skins. Liquid makeup foundation captures moisture within the skin. It also lends a luminous finish. If you want to achieve an “airbrush effect”, use a brush in applying with a light circular motion. Some would prefer using their fingertips to apply. Sponge can be used also, wet the sponge and squeeze the excess water. Just use the right amount to prevent caking. To cover imperfections you may use concealer following the application of foundation and blend. Use a loose powder to set the foundation. Nowadays, liquid foundations have SPF already.

Cream Foundation: Dry to Normal Skin types

Falls into the medium to heavy coverage areas, and it's rich and luxurious consistency keep skin look soft and smooth, without drawing attention to fine lines and wrinkles. Ideally for dry skin, known for their heavier coverage and more intense moisturizing properties. This makeup is best applied with a foundation brush or with the sponge supplied by the manufacturer.

Cake or Stick foundation: Oily Skin

These foundations are solid in form and they have a greater drying effect. The cake or stick foundations are best suited for an oily skin. These foundations give a dense matte cover and are good for covering blemishes and scars. Due to their texture, they can also double as concealers.

Powder Foundation – Combination to Oily Skin Types

Powder foundations often appear semi-matte or matte in appearance, making them the best choice for skin that tends to be on the oilier side. They provide medium to heavy coverage and are best applied with a thick powder brush, such as a kabuki style brush to achieve a more natural look or may use the sponge provided in the package. Some brands offer SPF ready powder foundation. Its best to use a primer on face before putting on this kind of foundation to control shine and to avoid frequent retouching. Some also prefer to use a different powder like a sheer powder for retouching because using this same foundation for touching up will build up and will appear cakey. A tip I got from a makeup artist is just to touch up the areas on your face which appear to be oily like the “T-zones of our face”.

Mineral Foundation- All skin types

One of the hottest trend right now. Most of these minerals are used to prepare foundations to suit all skin types. These foundations are medicated and they can also be used to cover acne and pimples. Loose mineral foundation can be applied dry or wet and usually provides full spectrum sunscreen. This can be from sheer- medium coverage depending how you applied it. Best to use a kabuki type of brush for a better coverage. If you wanna achieve a sheer coverage use a bigger brush for a more natural look. Contains mica, titanium dioxide, iron oxides and zinc oxide, mineral foundation provides a dewy fresh look.

In choosing the coverage would be your personal choice. Bear in mind the needs of your facial skin and always check the ingredients of the product you're goin to buy because you might have some negative reactions with a certain composition of the foundation. Apply foundation 10 min. after moisturizer. If you don't allow the moisturizer to absorb into the skin, your foundation will "come off" in a matter of hours. If oil surfaces during the day, blot the area with a tissue then apply a light dusting of powder. Always apply powder to set makeup and reapply throughout the day to prevent shine. Don't overdo touching up because instead of hiding the imperfections it'll be emphasized and will become cakey. Remember "less is more".

I hope I was able to help and check out for the posting I'll discuss about choosing the right shade and understanding the undertone of the skin. Have a blessed Sunday everyone!


*** The products mentioned above are my own and purchased by me. Companies didnt pay me for posting this.
*** I'd appreciate some comments from you. Letting me know that I have enlightened you with this topic will be much appreciated. Just click the button POST A COMMENT below. =)
*** I can also be reached thru bayacasarsy@gmail.com .