Alexandre

Situated at the heart of Bonifacio Global City, Alexandre is the perfect place to experience the smorgasborg of tasty treats that France has to offer. Alexandre's elegant and classy interiors goes perfectly with its offerings from the other side of the world.



This place delivers ultimate relaxation with its cool ambiance, coffee, and various pastries. I personally loooove the Almond and Chocolate Croissant! Whenever I go to Alexandre, I always find myself staying a wee bit more because of the comfortable surroundings, and the oh-so welcoming staff. Owned and operated by Alexander Guignard and her gorgeous fiance Anna Gala, Alexandre is their labor of love that will sure tickle the tastebuds of any discerning customer. Crepes, croisants, baguettes, salads, wines, coffee.. they have it all. And the best part is, its not heavy on the pocket at all!! Now that is a definite plus.

Visit a piece of France in 31st street, corner 1st Avenue, Fort Bonifacio Taguig. It's directly in front of Bonifacio Technology Center. Unwind, relax, study, eat.. you can basically do anything at Alexandre. Oh, and I forgot to mention.. THEY HAVE FREE WI-FI!!!!!!!!!!!! :))

Some of their items:

"Salade Niceoise" - Tuna Salad (also served with a bunch(and I mean a bunch!) of breads)


"Vive la Pizza" - They have this 1.2 feet.. WHOA! :)) This one is super yummy. Also a favorite.

(pictures from Alexandre's facebook)

Add them to your facebook account. They are very interactive with their customers :)Click here.

Review: Maybelline Impact Express Smooth Felt Liner

I was out doing some make-up shopping in Landmark,Trinoma when I chanced upon Barbi Chan of Maybelline in the Maybelline counter (wherelse??!! lol) Being a make-up freak that I am, I approached her and asked for a picture. We chatted a little ( ye-hesss haha), and talked about make-up.. and then, she whipped out this product that she was raving about... The new Maybelline Impact Express Smooth Felt Liner! She tested it on her hand.. and well.. it looks buy-able to me, being a smoky / black liner-loving girl that I am.

she's very pretty and skinny! :)

So then I bought it. Unfortunately I forgot about the price.. but as far as I can remember it is very inexpensive, at about 300 plus Php. It comes in only one color though, which is in black. I was in a hunt for a pen liner because I have to do very precise lines for a photoshoot. Let's see how Maybelline's liner delivered...

Description:
-Black
-Shaped like a pen
-It dispenses the black liquid on its own, with no twisting or clicking (which is not really positive since one has to guess about the amount of the product, or how the amount that it will dispense.
-Smooth felt tip ( can really draw precise lines, but it would be much better if it is a bit more stiff. After harassing it in the shoot that we did, the tip has become softer but very much usable still)

The product:
-very helpful in drawing precise lines, like a winged eye!
-dries up fast
-application is a breeze with this one
-easy to grip because of its pen form
-The color of the product is a little on the shiny side ( i like matte better)
-I tested the product on my lids and slept through the day wearing it. when I woke up, it is still intact. I forgot that I am wearing it and rubbed my eye vigorously.. and it produced one hell of smudge! (so much for the no smudge claim. lol. )
-If you're going to apply a second layer, make sure the first layer is still wet, because if its not, it will not adhere to the skin.. it will only remove the first layer of liner that you applied.
-after prolonged use, the felt tip will slowly get softer and softer
-this product will always keep you guessing.. one day it seems as if its about to run out because it won't dispense a generous amount, and the next day it will.

Some pictures:

I love how it can make very defined points! (Experimenting on myself here)

The product

The tip that makes precision a breeze

swatches: unsmudged and smudged. (excuse the glitter, its from another product. :))

Over-all:
-This product is a steal because of it's lovable price. It delivers the general purpose of a felt liner because of its precision. This is perfect for personal use. It won't smudge unless you touch with pressure/harass your lids. :)

Love,
Maru

Cheetah / Old Hollywood Photoshoot

As I am writing this, I've still got the make-up school hangover ( I even get dreams involving make-up!), and I'm wondering what to do next. I'm about to leave for Singapore in a few weeks, and it's a shame that I wasn't able to maximize my full make-up artist potential here. :( sniff. Oh well, I hope I can widen my network there so that I can probably score little make-up gigs here and there. I hope!

We culminated the end of our very fabulous make-up class with a photo shoot. There was an electric excitement in the air, but also a sad realization that we are all going to part ways soon. Aww, I miss them already :( Everyone was helping each other out, no pressures, just plain fun with the thing that we love most.. MAKE-UP!

Before we proceeded to the main make-up application to our models, the very creative Ms. Nina Dumpa was there to demo her amazing amazing skills. Her work shows that technical skills + creativity = astounding make-up. having the complete make-up arsenal won't do it for you.. one has to have that passion. Ms. Georginna Desuasido was also there to demo a bridal look, with the use of an airbrush. The finish was really really clean and natural.. perfect for brides , and for TV. With the HD technology looming over us, it helps to be make make-up as seamless as possible, because a flaw is a no no in the HD world.lol. Ms Georginna also shared really helpful tips and advices about being a make-up artist. She is an inspiration, as her neverending journey of learning is very obvious in the way she talks. She is always walking the path of reinvention. It was really nice meeting you Ms Nina and Georginna! :))

So.. for my first look, I emulated safari glam. It was all browns, bronzes, blacks, and of course the highlight of the face is the cheetah print. Rar! Here's a picture of my first look.. and I'm very happy with this one!

The second look that I did was Old Hollywood.. Romantic and elegant! Here's a pic:

Over all, I am very happy with the job that I did for this shoot, and I can't wait for the final pictures to come out! I'm so looking forward to collaborating with my other Make-up artist friends :) I hope to be able to at least shoot some before I leave..

Some pictures with the Basement people.. to bad our beloved teacher Cheryl wasn't there to send us off.. Please get well soon!!!!




That's it for my post! Ciao for now!!!

Love,
Maru

Basement Academy (6th day)

It's almost my last day in school, and I don't want to leave! In such a short period of time, I've grown to be attached at Basement and I will surely miss the place, and of course the people there. A special shout out to my inspiration and wonderful teacher Cheryl Cabanos, Sir Jeave Gabiana, Blue, Aldrin, Rick.. my classmates Janet, Tet, Karen, Tin, Cherrie.. I will miss you all! :(

Enough of my sentiment though, I'll write about my 6th day at school first. :) The day's topic was Black and white photographic makeup. Black and white pictures requires very heavy make-up, for it to register well on the pictures. Regular makeup will cause the face to be flat, drab, and well.. not so dramatic.

The eyes should be smoky. Two tone color works best for black and white (gray and black.) The contouring should be very intense, and the lipstick should be red (or dark).

Here's a picture of my model from full color to monochromatic:

(COLORED) Oh no!

(B&W) Oh yes!!!:))

That's it for my sixth day at school... I'm about to write about my finals in school which involves avant garde and old hollywood looks. I can say that I'm proud of the makeup that I did that day! Soon!!! :))

With the great lighting in Basement, we can't get enough of taking so many pictures! here are some :

An eye makeup experiment on my classmate Flip.:)
hello me!

Love,
Maru

Review and Tutorial: MAC Russian Red

Red lips brings images of Old Hollywood glamour, of elegantly dressed women sipping cocktails, and red carpets. Yes, it's that one thing you need to instantly add femme fatale to your resume. The red lipstick is like the LBD... classic, and never goes out of style. As long as women wants to glamorous, the red lipstick is here to stay.

With the wide array of lipstick colors that MAC offers, the company formulated several reds that suit different moods, characters, etc.. depending on what one wants to achieve. So then I bought Russian Red from Kate, that imports MAC from Canada and sells it at a lower price. Got mine for 600 only!!!! :)) Russian Red is a matte intense bluish red.. nice!

I was initially planning on purchasing Ruby Woo (matte vivid bluish red), but settled for Russian Red instead because both are almost the same, and 600 pesos sweetened the deal. When I swiped on Russian Red, I instantly looked as if I have somewhere important and star-studded to go to! lol. This lipstick is one staple that every girl should have!




Over all, it gives just the right red... and you can always layer to achieve what you want. Worn alone, it is perfect.:) Applying red lipstick is trickier though, you cannot just swipe it on like other nudes, pales, or pink. It requires precision and a lip liner!

How to wear red lipstick:
1. Carefully line you lips with a lip liner starting at the edges, and fill it out all the way in.
2. Apply lipstick with a lipbrush.
3. Blot with tissue to remove excess.
4. Dust with a little loose powder to seal it in.
5. Fill the lips again with red lipstick.
6. Blot again with tissue.
7. Remove any stray color outside the lip with a sponge or concealer.

An important RED LIPSTICK RULE: Always check your teeth of any red lipstick smear!!! that is so not elegant. lol. :))

Other Red lipstick alternatives at MAC:
-Ruby Woo (vivid bluish red.matte)
-Brave red (bright yellow red. cremesheen)
-Chili (brownish orange red. matte)
-Fresh Moroccan ( Brick red with gold pearl. frost)
-Lady Danger (Vivid bright coral-red. Matte)

Here's a shoot wherein I used Russian Red:

Love love love it! My theme for this make-up is Old Hollywood... a time of outrageously elegant women, especially in the entertainment industry. My favorite time in history!

Until my next post!

Love,
Maru

Basement Academy (5th day)

Hello world!

I'm back to rattle on about my make-up education in Basement, which is nearing its end. (soooo sad :( ) In a span of a five days, I've seen different skin tones, shapes, types, and so on. I've wrestled with keeping to heart the troubleshooting techniques (yes, this is face i am talking about still. haha) that I have to always, always consider. In a span of five days, I've learned so much already. Weeee!

Ms. Cheryl is not your typical teacher. When others teach the techniques, she also teaches what goes on behind the whole male-up regalia. The rates, the horror stories, the worst-case scenarios, and so forth. She is basically a peep-hole of what it is like to work as a full-time living and breathing make-up artist.

So, for the fifth day, it was all about bridal beauty! This may be the most lucrative of all the forms of make-up. Brides expect to be the most beautiful in the most reveled day in their life. And this is not just the bride we're talking about here... there's the MOB ( Mother of the Bride), MOG (Mother of the Groom), Maid of Honor, etc....oh, and let's not forget the groom with the manly make-up!:)

The main objective of bridal make-up is achieving NATURAL BEAUTY. Medium shadows, peach /pink blush, flawless skin usually does the trick.

I'm so looking forward to having my first bride! I'm keeping my fingers crossed! :) Calling out soon-to-be brides, I am ready for your taking! lol :p

I will post my sixth day at school, as soon as I finish this.. I hope. :)


Love,
Maru

Basement Academy (4th day)

It was raining men in Basement Academy on our 4th day. Yep, men of all shapes and sizes.. and they became the subject of our brushes and make-ups! All of them were really nervous with what was to happen, but as the night progressed, they warmed up to us and the army of make-up harassing them, and almost looked thankful for the facial scrutiny they received. haha.

Male make-up is a lot different from women's make-up! Although it is simple, the key is to find the perfect shade of foundation, and it is not associated with the color that is visible in the male model's face. Women's foundation application banks entirely in the compatibility of the skin color, and this is what will make the look natural and not cakey. With the guys, the foundation should be three-tones darker than the skin tone, as this will adjust accordingly. Applying foundation that is the same as the skin tone will immediately make your male model perfect for a role in the Thriller music vid. :) White, pale, ghost like, and worst of all ( what guys dread)... being obvious that they are wearing makeup! (which will brand them for life lol).

And the most important of all... Hold out on the eyeshadows!!!! haha :D

Luckily, I got the perfect foundation tone for my model. Surprisingly, the darker foundation I applied to him really matched his skin tone! Amazing ,really :) From the right foundie and contouring, his looks really improved after the make-up. I wonder if he will purchase the products that I used on his face! lol.

Day 4 was fun as usual, impromptu photoshoots for everyone aspiring to be a model (especially for Vincen, a former haircutting student at Basement.) Strut your stuff!

Some snaps from that day:

Tin's model

A candid shot of me applying brow powder, a must. :))

The Basement People, with Flip (Blue, Aldrin, Flip, Rick)

Janet (a classmate) in action :)

I learned so much in 4 days.. and I don't want to graduate soon! (Monday July 20). Wish me luck guys, I'm gonna pull-off a avant garde cheetah look, a make-up that I've been wanting to do for a long time already! rar. :))

Wish me luck! :)

Love,
Maru