Makeup for Chaos & Confused Weather

I know it's been a minute since my last post and it's mostly because I haven't had enough idle time in the past few weeks to drop lines for everyone.  From makeup jobs (which I am either not allowed to post pics of yet or do not have the official photos for yet) to projects (one very significant makeup-related project I will be unveiling soon) to preparation and execution of my son's birthday weekend (yes, it was a series of fun celebrations); busy, busy, busy.

In effect, I haven't really come across anything particularly new in makeup and beauty this month.  However, that doesn't leave me empty-handed as I write today.  I figured I would share information connected to what I've been through lately and I'm sure you can all relate.

Basically, for my son's main birthday celeb, Hubby and I took him and close family members to a full day at Enchanted Kingdom (for non-Philippine based readers, this is our humble take on a theme park FYI).  Let me tell you that it was one chaotic day. First of all, lines were insane due to the fact that it was a weekend crowd plus several different schools had chosen to do their "family day" all at once.  Can anyone say body heat? Then of course, we had to deal with the schizophrenic weather ("I'm blazing hot" "No, I'm raining cats and dogs" "Uh uh, I'm blazing hot").  Which leads me to my topic for the day: makeup for chaos and confused weather.

Here are the products that I packed for EK:

Olay Total Effects w/ Cooling Essence - Some people don't like Olay moisturizers, because they're more on the heavy side, but this one is water-based and light in texture.  You feel a mild, cooling sensation along with quickly locked in moisture, slight pigments to cover imperfections and of course active agents to protect against the sun and signs of aging. Great for any skin.

Max Factor Facefinity Compact Foundation (in Natural 03) - I skipped on concealer and instead relied on my trusty compact which provides ample coverage and also has SPF15.

Just can't shake my infinite love for Facefinity

L'Oreal True Match Blush in Golden Apricot - For a modest amount of color and sparkle that wouldn't battle with natural flush from the heat.

L'Oreal Double Extension Mascara - Somehow, I prefer using this compared to waterproof mascara, because at times, even waterproof formulations smudge from extreme weather situations or lashes tend to lose their shape in the humidity.  Whereas, the conditioner (the white side) of the tube acts as a sort of extra hold gel on the lashes.  Therefore, when mixed with the actual mascara, lashes take shape (even without a curler), stay curled, and mascara only comes off when rubbed off (you can feel an almost glue-like texture when you rub your lashes in between your fingers with water or product).

Mentholatum Lip Ice - A little shimmer, a little moisture and sunscreen. 

Paul and Joe Moisturizing Mist - Spritz. Ahhh.

Tony & Guy Dry Shampoo - No one wants sweaty scalp smell right? 

• OFF! Lotion - Does that count as a beauty product? In any case, didn't want to take any chances with mosquitoes.
• Rubbing alcohol - Definitely not really a beauty product, but still very necessary!

So there may have been a few items that I could have brought along like actual sunscreen, but fortunately, it didn't stay scorchingly sunny for long periods of time anyway.  With respect to the products I did bring, well, the point was to maintain a decent look, hygiene, and protection from weather conditions.  Besides, I find it weird when ladies look all made up at active spots like theme parks.  I like to be a bit more realistic when it comes to beauty for these types of outings so I skip things like filling in eyebrows, lipsticks, eyeshadows, eyeliner, and the like (even the most amazing fixier sprays can't save those when you get soaked on the water rides!).  A simple look also poses as less of a hassle when it comes to touching up, because mind you, not only do the rides have crazy lines; the bathrooms lines are equally crazy.

Now I'm not sure that any of you are planning to make similar trips in the near future, but the holidays are just around the corner so you never know.  Nevertheless, I hope this information helps in any way possible for other hyperactive happenings. Have a great week ahead!

Mineral Flower Power

I haven't really been too experimental when it comes to moisturizer.  I've tried the usual Pond's, Olay, and even Shu for as long as I could sustain supply (not easy on the pockets); but other than that, I've pretty much stuck within that rotation.  Months ago, I was given some Mineral Flowers (Dead Sea Cosmetics) products and I must say, I do see and feel the benefits of dead sea ingredients.  And while these lines may not be new and launched over a year ago here, I thought I'd share anyway since I've gotten a number of inquiries about good moisturizers.  Besides, I haven't heard many people flat out endorse Mineral Flowers.

The whole Rose & Geranium line for Normal & Mixed Skin

I am actually pretty lucky when it comes to skin.  I don't easily get blemishes, I don't have dry spots and my skin falls in the normal to combination category.  However, I've often felt as though the sunlight has been sucked out of my face whenever I first wake up.  In other words, pale with sunken under-eyes.  So first, I started using the Mineral Flowers Rose & Geranium night cream and that alone had a visible difference in the mornings. My skin looked brighter and more supple, like beauty sleep had done me good.

So I figured, why stop at that? Might as well try out the day cream, the toner, and the facial mask as needed (which were also given to me).  Now that I'm fully satisfied with the results, I'm even considering trying out their facial wash and the rest of the line.  My skin looks and feels great so this must be working.

That's that mineral flower power

Okay, so obviously, different people have different skin types and some are very particular about scents (in fact, I usually don't like flowery scents but these are very mild). That being said, there are different lines for dry and sensitive skin or oily skin and different scents like Almond & Blossom, Chamomile, etc.  If you're interested in trying, and I am highly suggesting that you do, then there's a fair variety for all.

Mineral Flower Power!

Chamomile

Almond & Blossom

FYI, Mineral Flowers products can be found at all Watson's and PCX branches.
Product line photos from www.mineralflowers.com

MAKE AN IM*PAC*T

You may have seen these streamers all over Edsa lately and I'm pretty sure most of you have been just as curious as I have been.  Prior to the brand's arrival, I admit that I had not heard of it before.  So while I'm yet to try out their products, I took the liberty of finding out a little more for everyone's benefit.

Since most of the literature that I found on the company was in Indonesian (it is an Indonesian brand), I just tried to gather as much as I could from simply viewing their website and also soaked in some good reviews from Indo bloggers.  Basically, PAC was created by professional makeup artist Martha Tilaar and her team and mostly displays ultra bold paint and loose powder eyeshadow pots as well as lipsticks that wouldn't come in your usual shades.  With these products, the Martha Tilaar group maintains a makeup academy in their hometown and trains mostly in fantasy and avante garde makeup concepts.  In fact, their site offers a number of free tutorials that I happen to think are a lot of fun.

Take a look at some of their palettes as well as looks you can learn to do from http://www.pacbeauty.com:

Some looks out of their "artistic" gallery

A makeup tutorial that puts a spin on traditional Indonesian makeup

Futuristic beauty makeup

This is like Princess Lea meets Ice Queen

Using one of their best-selling kits complete with foundation, concealer, powder, lipstick, eyeshadows, and blush/contouring powder

Picks from an Indonesian designer. Those metallic pots are not too shabby, huh?

A better look at their makeup kit

Okay, so this is probably not the makeup brand for wallflowers, but for those more daring, this is something that you might want to try.  Fyi, their tutorials on-site give a complete breakdown of products to use with step by step application.  I, personally, think that PAC products are worth trying on self for special events and when doing makeup for more "out there" shoots and catwalk shows.  It really is the makeup brand that lets your imagination run wild.

See, as I've repeated several times since the first post that ever went up on this site, there is so much more to makeup than just putting it on.  So why not step outside of the box once in awhile?  At least once, throw caution to the wind and make an impact.

A couple months back when PAC arrived in Manila, my beloved makeup school Center for Aesthetic Studies (CAS) held a workshop/sale for the brand.  Perhaps you can stay tuned to http://www.casmakati.wordpress.com for the next or you can go ahead and check out their head office at 401 B Marvin Plaza Bldg., Chino Roces Ave. Makati or booths in Robinson's Department Stores.

Loose Cannon? Or Perhaps Trigger Happy...BEWARE

As much as it pains me to do this, it really has to be done.  For those that have been following my blog or have come across it, you will have seen that its been filled with nothing but love and passion.  For makeup and beauty, for artistry, for other artists; whatever the case may be, this blog has been a medium for everyday positivity.

Nevertheless, what comes with love and passion is also having to stand up for what you believe in and showing support to those that you care about.  So after a great deal of consideration and coordination with others, I am putting out this warning message as an act of conviction and as a way of backing up my peers.  I must firmly warn my family, friends, colleagues, and any artist/entrepreneur out there (especially those just starting out) about the con-artistry and multiple crimes an Editor-in-Chief (who I will refer to as Señorita) of a so-called fresh, high-flying mag has committed and continues to get away with.  With the amount of people she has put in distress, I must state that she is indeed a loose cannon or perhaps trigger happy in firing off lie after lie after lie.

I worked with Señorita and her magazine on several spreads (advertorial, fashion editorial, etc.) as well as her editor's note profile for both the maiden and 2nd issue.  With respect to each shoot, I passed my invoices and was given specific dates (after publishing of issues) as to when payments would be ready.  Considering I was aware of the fact that magazines do take time to process payments, I was unfazed about the amount of time it would take to receive my fees.  I completed the series of shoots for the 2nd issue the week that the first issue had been published and was told that my payment was nearly ready and that I would be updated. Even when certain dates were not met and I had to be the one to follow-up and receive word about my fee, I listened patiently about later dates given to me by Señorita herself that I could expect my money instead.  I would be told to wait "a week, within the week, by Thursday, Friday..." over and over again and she fed me stories about how the magazine was working out finances and waiting for sponsors to pay up.  Though my hesitation was growing, I gave her the benefit of the doubt.  That benefit of the doubt, however, wore thin in the next few weeks.

About a month after the magazine launched (first issue was December 2010), was when a domino-effect of very negative information about Señorita was revealed to me.  First, other suppliers that had worked for the magazine began approaching me to find out if I had gotten paid yet as they, too, were waiting.  They, too, had heard the tired "next week, within the week..." default delays. Second, I received an in-depth email from her ex-husband who she had scammed and left with a landslide of debts back in the US. And while I would have liked to treat his words as hearsay (being that ex-spouses don't speak very highly of each other), his email also included the following evidence: 1) a scanned copy of a WANTED poster from the county they lived in with Señorita's photo and grand theft, identity theft and fraud stated as her crimes as well as a reward for $1,000, 2) A list of other magazines in the US and Philippines she had owned and/or worked for and victims of similar crimes with their contact information, and 3) Not just her insanely large amounts of debt, but backed up information on how she was able to garner and run off with a car due to manipulating a colleague's loan (she is possibly still using this SUV).  Third, together with some of the other suppliers, we were able to get confirmation and full details on her criminal acts with the magazines she had worked with here (under high profile publishing companies, mind you).  Finally, we were able to learn that she also owes several companies who had already paid her for rebranding and catalogue services, which she and her team failed to carry out.

With all this plus nearly a year later and not even the initiative from her end to be the one to update us with what she owes us (though she continues to reply and ramble on about the same excuses), our backs were against the wall and it was time for us to take further action.  Yes, we are in talks with legal teams for this matter (in fact, she already has a number of pending lawsuits/settlements that she attends hearings for), but we also felt it was our duty to publicly warn others about this exasperating woman and her ability to continuously commit crimes and get away with them. It is one thing if Señorita and her magazine had really fallen into financial demise, but it has been proven that she has received immense funds from sponsors/advertisers (and her investors, which I am still learning more about) and just misappropriated the same.  She has the ability to sweet-talk clients and brainwash people with "inspirational words" about change, reaching dreams, launching artists, and helping to promote their talents.  Furthermore, if you see the way that she and her team have the nerve to talk about the magazine's success in numbers on Facebook and other networking sites, it completely negates whatever it is that we were supposed to understand and be patient about in not being paid for our works.  It's one or the other, isn't it? Either the magazine is a flop (which I doubt because covers have been graced by our country's top ATHLETE, POLITICIAN and veteran MUSICIANS) and they are falsely advertising it or it really is doing well and she selfishly benefits from it while her suppliers are not compensated in any way.  Regardless of how you put it, it is all lies and all wrong.


Being a makeup artist, I have to stand for my fellow makeup artists when I say that what we do is not merely put on makeup.  We create our works out of passion and time spent with proper training, we do our best to translate our clients' visions on to faces, and it has to be said that our services are very labor intensive in the sense that we literally break our backs for lengthy gigs (due to bending over, standing for hours on end, etc.) and we bring a pretty heavy load of equipment with us in order to be completely ready with clients' needs.  I'm sure a lot of the same applies to photographers, designers/stylists, and the like.  That said, we deserve to be compensated for our work, especially based on formal agreements made.

See don't get me wrong. I have done my share of strictly promotional or ex-deal/barter gigs for purposes of building my portfolio and gaining good exposure.  So it is not as if I can't do jobs without pay, because obviously, I'm well aware of the fact that I'm still technically starting out and trying to launch myself.  But a deal's a deal and even when Señorita did not keep up her end of the deal, she still used and exploited my efforts along with that of others.  She still published our works, which in effect, she did not have the rights to do so.


I'll be the first to tell you that being in this business, one of the hardest things to do is to launch yourself.  I've been doing makeup professionally for at least 2 years now and I still consider myself as someone that is just starting out.  Aside from industries getting pretty saturated, it takes a lot of practice and work to fine-tune one's craft.  It is sad that people will fill your head with fake dreams, take advantage of your eagerness to reach for the stars, and never look back.  I'm doing my part in making sure this stops.  I wish I could say that this will never happen again, but apparently, Señorita is still at it.  She is still putting out issues and still hiring new suppliers.

If you understand where I'm coming from, then please assist me and others in spreading the word.  Feel free to re-post this on all your sites, blogs, through email, etc. Enough is enough. Let's unite in fighting against this woman and her criminal acts.  She thinks she's invincible at this point and acts like a trigger happy gunholder firing off without a care, but she must be stopped once and for all.  Let's try our best to make sure that no one else gets shot.

The Run-Down on My Runway Makeup

Credits
Fashion Show Photography: Art Alera
Backstage/behind-the-scenes photos: MJ Izon and Edzen Pineda
Assistant Makeup Artists: MJ Izon and Nybie Ng
Hairstyles: LuxAsia team
Fashion: Dimple Lim/OHM Playground
Accessories (jewelry): Anica De Guzman for LAURA
Accessories (bags): Reshma Chulani for Trosseau


Last July 27th, I was blessed with the opportunity to creatively direct and exhibit my makeup style for a spectacular trunk/fashion show called Empresario.  The event also featured the works of some of Manila's freshest, most impressive entrepreneurs from different art fields like Art Alera for photography, Raoul Olbes & David Rapaport with Vice Ink Tattoo, Anica De Guzman with LAURA for jewelry architecture, and Dimple Lim with OHM Playground for fashion design (to name a few).

When hearing the word "empresario", you'd assume that it is just a fun spin on the word "impress", but it actually means "entrepreneur" in Spanish.  Nevertheless, what these entrepreneurs did do throughout the whole planning and launching of the event, was truly impress me.  So you can imagine how nervous I was trying to keep up with these guys.  With an amazing team, though, and a whole lot of confidence building from the Empresario organizers, I was really happy with the overall makeup presentation.

Here are some shots of the models as well as my exhibit space at the launching night (Note: apologies for the order, blogger isn't quite working with me today):

There was a brewing typhoon that day so the wind kept blowing my tarp around

Profile done by Empresario Manila

Some of the models backstage before changing into first outfits

The stage and a portion of the exhibit area.

To give a little run-down on my runway makeup, I was (and still am) obsessed with the trending metallics seen everywhere in fashion and beauty so I decided to make use of bold, metallic eyeshadow in an almost mask-like manner.  In order to make a full impact for the show, my team and I agreed that strong eyes and strong lips would work.  So we paired the dramatic eyes with lush, berry lippies.  I figured with the exception of the eyes, my look and how to achieve the same is pretty explanatory.  Therefore, I will provide just the products used on the eyes and steps on how to achieve the same.

Here are all the products that were used for eyes:
-L'Oreal HIP cream shadow paint in Witty
-Gun metal gray eyeshadow from the Coastal Scents 88 matte palette
-Black eyeshadow also from the Coastal Scents 88 matte palette
-White eyeshadow from Makeup Forever
-Clear tape
-Thick false lashes
-L'Oreal Contoul Kohl Eyeliner in Black
-L'Oreal Liner Intense (liquid eyeliner) in Black
-Silver glitter glue

Now, steps on how to recreate my look:
1. Place clear tape from below your upper lash line until your hairline
2. Then get another piece of clear tape to place from the tip of your eyebrow tail also to your hairline so that it meets with the tip of your other piece of tape in a > shape
3. Paint cream shadow over your whole eyelid until your brow line and within the > shape
4. Extend cream eyeshadow downward on sides of nosebridge
5. Contour eye crease using the gun metal gray shadow and blend outward along the lower piece of tape
6. Add some smoke to the corners of the eyes (I did not apply the usual techniques on eye types and instead enjoyed seeing the same effect on different eyes) using the black shadow and again, blend outward along the lower piece of tape
7.  Line eyelids with liquid liner, but do not add "wings"
8. Place thick, false eyelashes and re-line as needed
9. Add "jewel" accents on the cream shadow in the nose bridge area/corner of eyes (it is up to you how many you would like to put)
10. Line outer to middle of water line with kohl eyeliner and lightly smudge
11. Finish off with white shadow along the brow line and under the inner corner of water line

There you have it. Obviously, I wouldn't expect any of you to try this look out on a regular day, but it is definitely something fun and whimsical to see at special events or for concept shoots/shows. I'd like to reiterate how jittery and scary the idea of putting myself and my ideas on blast was at first, but now that the event had settled in my mind, I was ready to share.  What I would truly appreciate is feedback on this look for improvement purposes in the future and of course, photos of your adaptations if ever.

Thanks and enjoy! <3

Go Green: A L'Oreal Paris Product Contest

That's right. Trending this season are bright, bold green eyeshadows! So what better way to set off this trend than with the most striking emerald eyes of all?  You can achieve just that with L'Oreal Open Eyes Pro eyeshadow quad in Vivid Green.  See, I take pride in my readers and I felt it was time to reward you guys.  I'm giving you all a chance to win this very sought after palette!

All you have to do to join the contest are these 2 easy steps:

1. Become an official member of this blog. Click on "join this site" on the right-hand side of the page (if you are already a member then disregard this step and just make sure you are logged in)
and
2. Invite your friends to join the blog too.  Once you are signed in, you will see the option to "invite your friends" under the list of "FOLLOWERS" also on the right side of the page.  Please include a screenshot to show how many friends you invited and email to this address moniquejseneres@gmail.com


Whoever invites the most friends, wins this quad!

This contest will end on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 3:00pm. Good luck!

Before I go, I thought I'd leave you with some noteworthy green eyeshadow looks on celebrities:

L'oreal endorser Beyonce is actually wearing Open Eyes Pro in Vivid Green in this photo

Always with the lovely eye makeup, Ms. Keys

Brown smokey effect on Jessica Alba's green eyeshadow

Jada Pinkett-Smith also wearing L'Oreal with a more deepset  effect

Now who's ready to go green?

Empresario Launching Night

I feel that art, in all its forms, are somewhat synonymous with one another. They are all mediums of self-expression and they are each born from inspiration based on the artist's loves, passions, and perceptions.  In fact, one artform can inspire the next.  So much so that I often find myself drawing ideas from the passion I see in others as they execute their works whether it be music, design, paintings and other types of visual art, etc.  That said, I am very blessed and honored to have my own works of art put on focus amongst those of extraordinary individuals.

8 days from now on Wednesday, July 27 at 1Esplanade (beside SM Mall of Asia) beginning at 6:00pm, Makeup by Monique Jaramillo-Señeres (MJS) will be featured in what I'd like to refer to as a hybrid trunkshow called Empresario.  It is a "trunkshow redefined", because of its unique lineup of Manila's up and coming entrepreneurs from different areas of art.  You can expect a fashion show and exhibits from clothing designer Dimple Lim, jewelry designer Reshma with Trosseau, Vice Ink Tattoo, photographer Arturo Alera, and more.

You should all definitely check out this one-of-a-kind event, not just to support me (well, yes for that reason of course hehe), but also to learn about and support the outstanding entrepreneurs and their businesses.  Aside from our exhibits, we will also be doing live demos (in my case, also makeup for the fashion show beforehand) and be giving out goodies/gift certificates/you name it.

For inquiries or concerns, you can can contact the Empresario team through the following:
(02) 964-2326
marketing@empresario.com
http://www.empresariomanila.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Empresario-Manila/167421129981777

BTS for the launching night video teaser

"Great brands don't chase customers; customers chase great brands" -Gary Friedman