SGT Goes To: Suesh and Mizon Makeup Workshop

Hello, lovelies!

I know this post is waaay overdue, but I want to tell you about my experience anyway.

A couple of weeks back, I attended the Suesh Makeup Workshop in Alabang Town Center. There were multiple legs in other Suesh branches, but I was most available during their ATC run.

I was actually running late and since I left my car in Makati, I had to take the van going to Alabang. Good thing the workshop started a bit late, I didn't miss much. When I got there, there were about 8 ladies intently waiting and eager to learn about the latest in (Korean) makeup techniques and products. I should probably tell you that the workshop was graciously sponsored by Mizon and it featured the makeup artist, Ms. Kim Bit Na.

If pictures are worth are a thousand words, then please feast your eyes (instead of hearing me babble, haha!):

The event invite

From the Suesh Facebook page

Pictures from the workshop

The lovely ladies testing out each product that was used on the model (I got to swatch them on my hand too.)

Step 1: Prep the skin by cleansing properly, toning, and moisturizing.
Ms. Bit Na used multiple products for each, but I fell in love with the CC cream,
 which works as a multi-functional skincare product. (Spoiler Alert: I ended up buying the pink CC cream!)

I will write a separate post about the wonders and go in-depth about the said product (the CC cream) which is the latest craze in Korea (and other parts of the globe) right now. Some call it a color corrector, and there are other meanings for the acronym, but it all just points to great skin care in one amazing product. Unlike the BB cream, the CC cream will not promise to give you coverage. On me, however, it gives me a nice radiant glow (even when I put foundation on top), makes my skin look more alive than flat, neutralizes the redness and even manages to "color correct" some of my dark spots and imperfections on the face. On lazy days, I just use this and conceal other visible spots and I'm out the door! Again, watch out for my separate review on the product.

She now proceeds to apply the rest of the makeup, keeping the product usage at a minimum.

According to Ms. Bit Na, the trend in Korea, as far as makeup looks go, is to appear as fresh and youthful as possible. Therefore, matte is not the hero. You know how KPop stars manage to look so dewy and young all the time? It all boils down to using the right products that won't snatch the freshness factor from your skin, but restore and boost that glow! It's a natural-but-not-naked face that they go for in Korea. After all, we go to great lengths to chase down the fountain of youth, right? 

Tip: Use lighter-colored products, especially on your cheeks and on your lips. You can never go wrong with pinks and peaches. Just find one that's flattering for your skin tone and skin type. You need not be KPop fair, you can achieve that youthful glow and rock that tan, girl! Just remember never to deprive your skin of that dewiness and freshness that it needs.

Anyway, while the whole face makeup was being applied on the model, I kind of wandered off, looking around the room for distractions stuff to take pictures of and show you guys!

Some of the products used

Mizon's products are available in all Suesh branches

I got the pink CC Cream, which, according to the brand representatives of Mizon, was specifically formulated for gals with combination to oily skin types, like myself. Believe me when I say that this does not make my skin look like a grease tank when I use it. 

Check out the pictures for inspiration. See the glow?
I'm sure us Pinays can also rock that youthful vibe! Who says you have to be porcelain to be beautiful?

Finishing off the look with brows...

Some more goodies to ogle at...

Here's the pink CC cream being demonstrated to the group.

Group picture! Oops, there I am in the back row, beside the wonderful Ms. Kim Bit Na!
Picture was grabbed from the Suesh Facebook page

And here I am, posing with the guest makeup artist. Please pardon the slight wardrobe malfunction.

Thank you so much to Mizon and Suesh for hosting this FREE makeup workshop. We got to take home goodies and a complimentary Pro Card from Suesh (also for FREE!).

Oh, and before I end this post, I will also share the makeup look that I did for this event:

Please note that after the commute, my foundation has slightly worn off due to sweat

and the humidity. You will see in the picture before this that my forehead has started to

show some of my breakouts. I used the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse with a  wet sponge

 on this particular day, but since that method has proven to be a flop, I now apply the

 foundation with my clean fingers and buff any remaining product on with a flat top brush.

Most of the products I used are from local brands. For the eyes, I used my San San CYO Eyeshadows, which I recently reviewed, Ever Bilena Eyebrow Pencil in Medium Brown, Collection Gel Eyeliner, San San Cream Concealer, and Ever Bilena HD Waterproof Mascara. On my cheeks, I just used Bench PrettyWhenPinched Cheek Stain, and on the lips, I have on Wet N' Wild Megalast Lipstick in Mauve Outta Here. 

Catch you crazy kids at the next event! 

Weekend Warriors: Pink Sisters + Mile Hi Diner

Every weekend my mom and I try to unwind. She's been very stressed at work, so whenever we get the chance, we make gala. This Sunday's choice of destination: nearby Tagaytay City. It's roughly a 30-minute drive from our house, so getting there isn't much of a hassle. Plus, we really like hearing mass at the Pink Sisters Chapel. The mass there is so solemn and the place is just downright comforting. Afterwards, we headed to our new-found fave breakfast place, the Mile Hi Diner on the opposite side of Tagaytay. They also serve full meals and appetizers for lunch, dinner, and happy hour. :)

Check out what happened here. Warning: Photo-heavy post up ahead. ;)

I love their 50's-inspired interiors!

My mommy! :)

Some of their selections of wine.

The female restroom. Guess who's posted on the male side?

Saloon-style restrooms  a la Wild, Wild West!

...it's Zorro!

Some souvenirs and items you can take home.

The view from our table. Woops. Stupid menu's blocking the way. :))

Effervescent. :)

Managed to squeeze in some vanity shots too.

I was playing around with my camera's features and settings. Check out the end-products:

Selective color: Red
Pretty neat, eh? ;)

Selective color: Yellow
That's my mango shake. <3

I had this watch since I was a kid!

Arm candy. :)
I'm not dead, okay? I just used the selective coloring option. ;)

Chipped nails = NO-NO! Not a pretty sight. :-/

Overlooking the view outside.

Our usuals. :) Above: mine, Below: Mommy's

The food is very good! (hey, that rhymes!) LOL. For about Php 150 (around $4), you will get a full meal with rice, a viand, and a side of tomatoes and a leaf of fresh Tagaytay lettuce! The mango shake costs Php 70 (less than $2). We walked out of Mile Hi Diner with full tummies and uplifted spirits, for sure! :)

Do we look an awful lot like each other?

Awkward leg alert! :)) I'm not the best poser in the world, I know! 

Striped top: from Greenhills

Black cover-up: Penshoppe
Belt: Genevieve Gozum

Pants: Terranova

Sandals: from Liliw

First two bracelets: from Landmark

Last three bangles: from Quiapo

Took some more vanity shots while waiting for mom in the car, as she purchases fruits for our table. :)

No foundation day today! Just used the following:

• Etude House BB Magic Cream,
• E.L.F. Liquid Eyeliner in Brown
• Careline lip gloss in 02
• Ellana Minerals Concealer in Smile and Awake
• Ellana Minerals Finishing Powder in Espresso con Panna
• Ever Bilena Pro Liner (for my eyebrows)
• Maybelline VolumExpress Mascara
• Etude House Oh M'Eye Lash Volume and Length Mascara
• Etude House Bling Bling Stick in Shooting Star

Hope your weekend went extremely well! I know mine did! Heard some very good news about a possible career here in the Philippines. I might not have to leave after all! ;)

It's true what they say, when one door closes, another door opens. In my case, about ten bigger ones opened up in place of that one I've been waiting on for 8 months. T____T We'll see how things will go. I don't want to jinx it! >_< Wish me luck! :)

Love,

SGT <3

Ever Bilena Mousse Matte Foundation in Walnut

This is one of my random grocery purchases. Ever Bilena products are on sale in the nearby supermarket and I cannot just let that pass without taking advantage of the price slash!

Anyway, I'm gonna get down to the nitty-gritty. I haven't found much information on the Ever Bilena website, which is unfortunate. I do a lot of my background check and review check on the product on the internet. Sadly, I think they're phasing this line out. They've already phased out the mousse concealer and the mousse eyeshadows are on sale too (for clearance purposes). If you're thinking of trying out this foundation, I suggest you run to the nearest store and get your supply now.

The packaging...

It has a plastic covering on top to ensure product safety.

The shade isn't exactly what I wanted. This one suits a cool skin tone better.
The one I was supposed to get ran out of stocks. :(

A sample swatch

Swatch on the back of my hand.

When blended

 What I like about it:

• The price is such a steal! I got it on sale for Php 75 (less than $2) at a local supermarket
• Widely available. Many drugstores, department stores, and groceries carry this brand.
• It's a local brand. Support PH made!
• Matte. My face doesn't get too oily right away, much to my surprise. But it's important to set it with powder to maximize its matte property.
• There aren't much variety of selection available. Many shades are out of stocks already. It's kind of hard to find the shade that would best suit my skin tone.
• Staying power: about 3 to 4 hours. I only had to retouch my nose (since I have combination skin, my T-zone is my oiliest spot in the face) once all afternoon. For a cheap (not derogatory, promise!) product, that's kind of commendable. Weather when I used this: very humid!
• Works well as a concealer (for dark circles) too! I used it as a base to my Palladio Rice Concealer Stick and The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Tone-Correcting Concealer, and it helped cover the discoloration from my lack of sleep.
• Doesn't clog my pores.
• Didn't break me out (so far)
• Doesn't irritate my sensitive skin (surprisingly)
• Not too creamy. (can be its downside too)
• Blends well into my skin. I had to set it with my powder so it can completely mesh with my original skin tone. I wish I had gotten one meant for warmer skin tones with yellow undertones.
• Not heavy!
• Build-able. It has sheer to medium coverage. If you want something for like a night event, this may not be for you. This is okay for day or light makeup.
• You're getting a lot of bang for your buck with the amount of product that's in this thing! Sulit!

I used to have a bias against locally-produced and cosmetics but over time, local cosmetic companies seem to really amp up their products, step up to the plate, and rise up to the competition! That said, I'm still on the fence but I'm slowly dipping my toes into the possibilities and the potential that they offer. Besides, as long as we're supporting local enterprise, it counts for something, right?

What I dislike about it:

• It has an annoying scent. It's not necessarily funky-smelling but I just don't like it.
• The packaging. It's made of plastic. It's in a pot. (Unhygienic, unless you use disinfected hands before every dip or unless you use a foundation brush)
• Again, the packaging. It's obviously "inspired" by Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse Foundation, only this local dupe is bigger. Their copy-cat style of packaging adds to the cheap factor of their products, sorry. :(
• It's too bulky. :(
• It has glitters! UGH. One of my biggest con's for this product. I just want my foundation to be straight to the point, without any fuss like unnecessary shimmer. That's where the highlighter comes in!
• Not happy with the shade match! :( What do you think? Is it close enough?
• I actually dislike its grainy/rough consistency.

Although I cannot give a hands-down verdict to the Ever Bilena Mousse Matte Foundation in Walnut, I can honestly say that it's not a complete waste of money. It's a good transition product or something to use in-the-meantime. I don't know if I will purchase this again because I'm quite happy with my BB Cream from Etude House. I'm not really much of a foundation user anyway. But whenever I need extra coverage, I can whip this out and rely on its decent performance.

If you're still curious, I suggest you visit an Ever Bilena counter or stall and try them out yourself first and see if it sits well with you. I'm not over the moon with this product, but I'm not completely disappointed either. At Php 75, I got more than I initially expected.

Check out how it looks on me. (All shots are done in natural lighting)

Eyes:

  ~ NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Lime from Digital Traincase

~ Maybelline VolumExpress Mascara

~ Etude House Oh M'Eyes Volume and Length Mascara

~ The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Tone Correcting Concealer in 01

~ Palladio Rice Concealer Stick

Face:

~ Myra Daily Sun Protect Moisturizer SPF 10

~ Ever Bilena Mousse Matte Foundation in Walnut

Cheeks:

~ Ever Bilena Mousse Blush in Cinnamon (contour)

~ 17 All About Nude Summer Palette Cream Blusher

Lips:

~ Forever 21 lip gloss

Please pardon the sabog hair. I haven't combed my hair yet. :))

Please pardon the messy background. :P
It's so hoooot inside the house!
The dirty kitchen/the garage seemed like the better-ventilated areas at home. :)

What's your latest cheap thrill? Have you tried this foundation yet? How was your experience? :)

Love,

SGT <3