One of the most popular terms right now is “vegan.” Research says that it’s because of people being more aware and concerned about the animals. I mean, you don’t have to be an animal rights activist to be disturbed by whatever is going on in many animal testing laboratories.

But what does vegan really mean? And how are vegan products different from cruelty-free ones?

Vegan products do not contain any animal products or animal-derived ingredients such as beeswax, lanolin, collagen, cholesterol, gelatin, among many others.

Burn is a hustling single mom and has worked in the wonderful world of advertising for five years. She loves the concept of clean beauty. During her spare time, Burn listens to podcasts about life, literature, and other worldly things all while doing chores.

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With Zoom meetings with your colleagues, Google Meets with your friends, and FaceTime with your special someone becoming the life-force of communication during this pandemic, it’s unsurprising that many of us (like me) have gotten so used to putting zero effort into our appearance—especially if you’re too shy to turn your video camera on. However, just because we’re stuck at home doesn’t mean we can’t glam up. In fact, it’s important for us to try getting dressy every once in a while! Not only can it be incredibly therapeutic, but getting dressed and putting on a fresh face of makeup can be just the right motivation we beauty junkies need to get through our work day in a chipper mood. Here are some simple eye makeup looks that are professional and video ready—no more hiding your cameras now!

There’s nothing better than a pair of feathered lashes to really bring out your eyes! Even with just a simple base and a little brow gel, the addition of some falsies never fails to add a little extra oomph to any look. Go for the full dramatic effect with extra-long, extra-thick lashes! Don’t forget to coat your natural lashes with some mascara before applying to help the falsies stick. Make this look pop even more with a stunning glossy lip to make sure you’ll be the star of the show.

If thick eyeliner scares you, then quarantine is the perfect time to practice and face your fears! This gorgeous sharp wing will definitely catch anyone’s attention, so what better time to master it than now? After all, no one will be there in person to see if you went just a tiny bit out of line, right? Personally, what works for me is starting from the outside going in. Start your line from the base of your lower lash, and then carefully flick upwards in the direction of the end of your eyebrow, following your lower lash line’s natural angle. Then, twist your hand the other way and connect the tip to the center of your upper lash line. Finally, fill in, connect to the rest of your upper lash line, and tight-line your waterline. For total beginners, we have a little guidebook for you here if you’d like to read through it. When you’re done with your wing, top it off with a little bit of inner corner shimmer just to brighten up the overall look.

This kilowatt cut-crease is a guaranteed no-fail when it comes to catching some attention. Start off with your transition shade, bringing it all the way over the crease; this is to make sure that you can see the clear contrast when you finally make the cut. Add dimension to the look by darkening the outer corner and the crease, making sure to blend out any harsh lines. Add a bit of warmth to the outer half of your lid. Then, with a concealer, cut that crease, girl! Apply on the lid up to the area where your natural crease is—not any further up or you won’t get the dual-toned effect! Pack on some as much shimmer as desired on the concealed area, and then blend with the rest of the look.

This classic look is great anywhere—be it video call or in person! Getting the hang of a neutral smokey look is essential for any beauty lover. Luckily, we have everything you need for just that. Start off light; take a light tan shade all over the lid and above the crease. Follow it up with the light coral shimmer on the center of the lid. You can also pack that down on the center of your lower lash line for added dimension. Then, deepen the outer edge with a dark brown shade, sweeping it under the lower lash line to define your eyes. Pack more of the shimmer as needed, then blend! Finish off with some liner and mascara; don’t forget to put mascara on your lower lash line to give the illusion of larger eyes! Give this eye look extra polish with a well-defined brow. This brow pen from Rude Cosmetics comes with high recommendation, as it has both a pencil and a powder all in one—perfect for that soft, K-Beauty brow!

Julia Benito

Julia is Calyxta’s resident crazy plant lady with an unstoppable caffeine addiction and an ever-increasing love for glitter eye shadow. When she’s not staring out the window mulling over the correctness of her grammar, she can be found drawing on eyeliner, watching anime, reading books, or petting strangers’ dogs.

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There’s no such thing as a dull makeup day when putting on our latest ROM&ND finds! From pressed shimmers to liquid glitter, everything you need to make any look pop can be found right here with this iconic K-Beauty brand. Read on to find your next glitter makeup look perfect for online meetings, looking extra for errands, or just a quick #MOTD for the ‘Gram!

ROSE GOLD GLOW

K-Beauty lovers would love this gorgeous, peachy cut-crease! Marrying together the softness of Korean makeup and the sharp structure of more Western techniques, this cut-crease is the ultimate everyday look for a feminine pop of colour with an added serving of edge—plus, it’s really easy to do! Simply take the tan shade from the Better Than Eyes eyeshadow quad in Dry Rose and sweep over the crease, blending upwards toward the brow bone. Since we’ll be putting on some concealer on the lid later on, it would help if you limited the product on your lids to only the outer third; this helps make sure that the eyeshadow and the concealer won’t mix together as much, which can lead to a muddier appearance. Make sure to blend your eyeshadow higher than your crease to really make sure you can see the contrast!

Next, take the rose shade and add definition to the crease, outer corner, and under the lower lash line. When satisfied with the depth, take a concealer brush and coat with your favourite concealer. Layer on some concealer onto your lids up until your crease, and then extend this to cover a little over half of your lid. Then, pat on the golden pressed shimmer onto the areas with concealer.

Finish off with a defined wing, some falsies, and gorgeous structured brows to complete the look!

MYSTIC PINK

Those that follow K-Beauty trends on Instagram have probably been dying to achieve the beguiling subtle shimmer looks they’ve perfected in Seoul—I know I have! The only problem is, there aren’t many brands available in the Philippines that sell the perfect shimmer: adherent soft glitter particles that don’t fully cover the lids with colour. Luckily, we have ROM&ND to help us fulfil all of our shining fantasies!

Take the tan shade all over the lid and blend upwards to help the pigments blend softly into your skin. Then, pack on the pink shade onto the lid and under the lower lash line. Deepen the edges and the lash lines (both upper and lower!) with the dark brown shade, and then bring out the beautiful Liquid Glitter Shadow in Rose Star for the finishing touches! Gently—and I mean very gently—press on the pigment in swift pats onto the center of the lids and lower lash line, blending it out softly with your fingers to achieve a subtle, separated glitter finish!

Finish the look by accentuating your eyes with slim winged liner, preferably in brown to keep the look gentle.

GO FOR GOLD

Love a layer of glitter? Me too! These Glitter Shadows from ROM&ND are perfect for getting the ethereal K-Beauty glow, but can also be layered on for full glitter lids—like this simple golden look that’s great for applying in a rush while still bringing out your fun personality!

Make sure to have a clean base first; we recommend the Zero Layer Foundation for weightless and natural coverage—plus SPF to protect your skin! Bring a natural flush back into your skin with ROM&ND’s light yet buildable blush, then proceed to pack on the liquid glitter all over the lid!

BRONZE GODDESS

A good bronze look can slay absolutely any occasion, from business meetings and nights out or even brunches with the family. Keep this versatile style in your arsenal of go-to makeup looks and be ready for anything!

Start off by laying down a transition shade close to your natural skin tone all over the lid. Then, define the edges with the deep brown, blending it out from the outer corner of your eyes and into the crease. Sweep some pigment under your lower lash line to help bring out your eye shape! Next, pop on the champagne shimmer from the center of your eyelids to your inner corner.

Make this look pop even more with some face shading! Take the Better Than Shape contour powder and define the areas that naturally give your face shadows: under the cheekbone, under the jaw, on the sides of the nose, and across the perimeter of your face into your hairline. Top the look off with a glistening mauve lip! We recommend the Glasting Lip Tints; they’re buildable for more pigmented and opaque coverage, non-sticky, and gorgeously glossy to boot!

GLITTER CREASE

For days you want to look just that much more extra, you can try this beautiful neutral look with a glitter-lined crease! This look is great for days and nights that you want more drama, as the glitter lining is sure to catch the eyes of anyone you pass.

Begin this cool-toned look by taking the grey shade and sweeping it up over the crease, then deepening it with the brown shade. Take the brown shade to the outer third of your eyes as well, sweeping some beneath your lower lash line in the process. Then, pack on the silver shimmer all over the lid, and then going back with the brown shade to blend. Now, for the fun (albeit nerve-wracking) part!  Take your liquid shimmer and make sure to wipe off the excess product on the wand to help make sure you create a precise line. Then, trace your eye shape right above the crease and under the brow bone—so you can see the strip even if you open your eyes!

Complete the look with a neutral MLBB shade. We love the See-Through Matte Tints for their thin, comfortable-to-wear consistency that doesn’t seep into the cracks of our lips. Layer it up for full coverage, or blend it gently with your fingers for a subtle gradient.

Julia Benito

Julia is Calyxta’s resident crazy plant lady with an unstoppable caffeine addiction and an ever-increasing love for glitter eye shadow. When she’s not staring out the window mulling over the correctness of her grammar, she can be found drawing on eyeliner, watching anime, reading books, or petting strangers’ dogs.

Other Products You Might Like:

Before purchasing a makeup product, there are usually two things that we have in mind: quality and price. Does it have a flattering pigment? Does it give good color payoff? Is the price worth it? These are the questions we constantly think about before pressing the “add to cart” button. Thankfully, answering these questions will be easy with the affordable yet quality products from Painted Cosmetics!

Here, we list three easy makeup looks that you can do for any occasion—or in your bedroom just for fun! Recreate these three versatile makeup looks using cruelty-free products that won’t break the bank.

CREAMY PEACH DREAM

We love a soft and sweet makeup look that makes you look fresh wherever you go. Define your brows with the On Fleek Brow Pen and recreate that Instagram-worthy structured brow. With the All-in-One Clay Blusher in Reese, dab some on as an eyeshadow with a soft, creamy finish. Blend the product in using your fingers until you achieve the desired effect. As for your cheeks, use the All-in-One Clay Blusher in Dessert for a natural-looking sun-kissed glow. Set your makeup with the Refreshing Rose Water Mist. Tip: you can also use this before applying your makeup for an all-natural glow!

NUDE CHAMPAGNE GLAM

This simple yet glamorous look can be worn both for daytime and nighttime. Use the On Fleek Brow Pen to fill in your eyebrows using short hair-like strokes to create the trendy bushy brow look. From the Limited Edition Beach Sunset Palette, apply the golden brown pigment on your lids and then blend using an eyeshadow brush. Add a little bit of color to your cheeks with the All-in-One Clay Blusher in Peach. Swipe the product on your cheeks and then blend gently with your fingers. Finish the look with the Velvet Matte Lipstick in Toasted for the perfect MLBB lippie.

BRIGHT & BOLD BLUES

It’s time to face your fears of wearing a bright colored eyeshadow! First, prep your skin with the Rose Hip Serum to give yourself a natural pinkish glow while healing blemishes and moisturizing the skin. Then, use the On Fleek Brow Pen to get that defined yet natural-looking arch. Using a brush, apply the bright blue shade from the Limited Edition Beach Sunset Palette on your lids. You can use tape to guide you in making a winged eyeshadow look. Then for your lips (and even your cheeks), use the Blush & Glow in Pixie Dust to add a luminous pop of color to your face!

Written By:
Nathalie Cuisia

Nathalie is your curly-haired ambivert Internet best friend! She discovered her love for makeup and skincare during her time as a chaotic journalism student. When she’s not thinking of her next beauty product purchase, she likes watching movies, cuddling with her dog, and looking for gluten-free ensaymada.

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Half of our faces may be covered in masks, but we shouldn’t let that hinder us from expressing ourselves! Have you been dying to experiment with your day-to-day looks? Stand out from the crowd with these easy eyeshadow looks that are perfect for adding a playful pop of color to your “new normal” ensemble.

Those looking for an uncomplicated pop of color will never fail with this spunky orange lid. Conceal any imperfections (above the mask line!) and under eye darkness first, then sweep the shade boldly across the entire lid. Blend out any harsh edges, accentuate your eye shape by sweeping some below your lower lash line, then top off your monochrome creation with a sharp wing for a sultry yet sweet look that instantly brightens up the face! This eyeliner in particular is built with an extra fine tip to help you get that so-sharp-it-could-cut-you wing—highly recommended!

This peek-a-boo spot of teal is an adorable way to add color to your look without the fuss! Take a shade similar to your skin tone to help you blend in the color, then add a pop of teal to your inner corners! Spread lightly onto your lower lash line and blend in. Give your eyes some added oomph with a generous coating of mascara; build up volume by taking the mascara wand and applying product to the base of your lashes in small horizontal motions first, then lengthen the strands by flicking upwards. Separate clumps and add definition by holding your wand vertically, moving it in short upward strokes. Top off your minimal look with natural, well-defined brows by coating them in brow gel. Bonus: this brow gel is formulated to help promote hair growth, too!

Want an upgrade to a classic nude lid? Amp up the shimmer! This multi-purpose palette from Physician’s Formula is perfect for looking like a glittering goddess; simply pack on the light tan shade across the entire lid, add definition to the crease with a darker shade, then pack on the gold in the center! But wait, don’t forget your brows! A sparkling look as gorgeous as this needs the perfect frame, so carve out those brows with this all-in-one brow kit. Shape first with the gel, then fill in with the powder! What I love about this kit is that it comes with multiple powder shades, so feel free to mix and match as needed. If you’re feeling a little extra, top off the look with a voluminous pair of lashes to give your eyes more definition!

Brighten up a nude smokey with a vibrant pop of yellow! This 35-shade palette from Rude Cosmetics is great for both makeup beginners and veterans alike with its wide range of shades—perfect for playing around with all sorts of looks! For this one, take a lighter tan shade as your transition shade and sweep it across the lid and up over the crease. Pack on your yellow shade from the inner corner to the center of your lid, then intensify the outer corner with a deeper brown. Blend these in to soften any harsh edges, sweep the darker brown under the lower lash line for depth, then complete the look with a tiny bit of golden shimmer in the inner corners. Add an extra helping of glam with a pair of wispy lashes and you’re all set!

Give the term “feeling blue” a fabulous makeover with this gorgeous cerulean lid! Take a tan shade as your transition shade and sweep up from the crease. Then, pack on your lighter blue shade across the lid. Add some drama and deepen the outer corners with the darker blue shade, giving your lower lash line some love as well to really define your eyes. Blend, blend, blend, and finally, complete it with everyone’s favorite eyeshadow step–some inner corner shimmer! This level of glam needs sharp, beautifully defined brows to match, so grab this sculpting kit from Rimmel to carve them out to perfection!

Who doesn’t love a good purple moment? This quad from Rimmel is the perfect, travel-friendly palette for quick yet versatile looks. Simply sweep the purple shade across the entire lid, deepen the outer third with the black shade, and blend away! We recommend topping it with a high-intensity pair of falsies, but if you’d rather go au naturel, this volumizing mascara from L’Oreal is definitely a go-to to achieve a stunning thick lash! Give your lower lashes extra, extra attention with multiple coats to get this gorgeous, separated Twiggy-esque look.

Written by:

Julia Benito

Julia is Calyxta’s resident crazy plant lady with an unstoppable caffeine addiction and an ever-increasing love for glitter eye shadow. When she’s not staring out the window mulling over the correctness of her grammar, she can be found drawing on eyeliner, watching anime, reading books, or petting strangers’ dogs.

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CORAL CUTIE

Invoke summer vibes any time of the year with bright, coral shades for a matchy, monochrome look. After finishing your base makeup, sweep a coral or peach shade all over lids and blend at the edges to soften them. With a soft blush brush, lightly pat on the L’Oreal Paris Lucent Mono Blush in “Earthy Coral” onto the apples of your cheeks. Finish with the L’Oreal Rogue Signature Matte Liquid Lipstick in “I Don’t.”

RED-Y FOR SUMMER

Red never goes out of style, no matter the season. Add a hint of glam to your summer days by lining eyes with the L’Oreal Paris Eyeliner Super Liner Ultra Sharp and combing on two coats of the L’Oreal Paris False Lash Butterfly Waterproof Black Mascara. Swipe on the L’Oreal Rogue Signature Matte Liquid Lipstick in “I Am Worth It” last and set with the L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set Makeup Extender.

Written By:

Ari Yupangco

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Ari has been blogging since 2012 about all things beauty with a sprinkle of different topics here and there. She loves makeup just as much as she loves almost anything nerdy like video games and comic books, and is big on Japanese culture.

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When it comes to creating fresh, glowing-from-within looks, Korean beauty is unparalleled. Dear Dahlia, though one of the pricier brands in the spectrum, achieves just that—and so much more! Aside from being cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, this brand takes pride in formulating their products without any trace of sulfates, silicones, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, or synthetic colors.

However, their main claim to fame (as if the aforementioned aspects weren’t more than enough!) is their inclusion of their signature Dahlia Flower Extract in all of their products—hence their name, Dear Dahlia. This ingredient is incredibly rich in antioxidants, nutrients, and antibiotic properties that help promote good skin health. Plus, as a heaping pile of icing on the cake, their packaging is to die for!

Now that I’m done blabbing up a storm about how interesting this brand is, let’s get into the two easy makeup looks that anyone could rock using (mostly) Dear Dahlia!

SOFT AND NATURAL

Pony is the epitome of feminine freshness with this soft, pink look. To start, pat on the Skin Paradise Blooming Cushion. As you may have inferred from its name, this cushion is an ultra-hydrating foundation that helps retain the skin’s moisture throughout the day. It dries into a semi-matte finish, so for those looking for a manageable, non-greasy glow while living in the tropics, this one’s for you! It also contains SPF, so you’re sure to be protected from harmful rays.

Using the adorably compact Paradise Dual Palette in Lady Oxford, take the peach tone all over the lid and accentuate the outer corners using the dark brown. Now, let’s move on to blush! A nice beauty trick to use when you don’t have a blush on hand is using lipstick! Since Dear Dahlia’s Lip Paradise Intense Satin lippies are pigmented and creamy, these are perfect for blending out on the cheeks. Take the shade Kate and lightly dot it onto the apples of the cheeks. Blend with your fingers, and build up as needed. You can use the same shade on your lips for a perfect match!

FRESHLY SUN-KISSED

Instead of actually frying your epidermis, why not fake it with this adorable makeup look by Nadine Lustre? While you could always go out into the sun for a real sun-kissed look, we’d rather you don’t for the sake of your skin. Or, at least, take the Skin Paradise Tone-up Sun Cushion with you! With SPF35 PA+++, this moisturizing cushion will keep you from damaging your skin in the long run! After letting that set, you can cover any and all imperfections and also brighten the undereye area as needed with the Paradise Dual Palette – Concealer Duo!

Much like the previous look, you can take a lipstick and pat it on like a cream blush. The Lip Paradise Intense Satin Lipstick in Adele is a deeper, more brown-toned shade—perfect for creating a sun-kissed appearance.  Blend some onto the cheeks and the bridge of the nose. Take the same mahogany shade and swipe some onto the lips!

Julia Benito

Julia is Calyxta’s resident crazy plant lady with an unstoppable caffeine addiction and an ever-increasing love for glitter eye shadow. When she’s not staring out the window mulling over the correctness of her grammar, she can be found drawing on eyeliner, watching anime, reading books, or petting strangers’ dogs.

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It’s common knowledge among my peers that college life can be hectic and sometimes, expensive. Budgeting expenses while trying our best to balance schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and personal life can be a challenge – trust me, I know! Amidst it all, taking care of ourselves, and making sure we look and feel good is still a must. Sometimes, sleep is not enough and having a go-to product that makes you look more like a kolehiyala than a caffeine-dependent zombie is a total lifesaver.

We asked college girls all around what their go-to beauty products are—that are both affordable and gets the job done!

I love it because it makes my eyebrows look fuller and keeps my brows in place all day. It became my essential when I started college, because I enjoy fixing myself up before going to school—but I often have limited time to get ready.

When my makeup artist used this product on me, I loved how it made my eyebrows look—so I purchased it for myself and it was surely a good buy!

Available on Calyxta? Not yet, but here’s an alternative:

Its water-based formula is what I love the most about the product. Since the Philippines is a tropical country, I tend to sweat a lot especially during summer, and I hate that feeling. This moisturizer, as it hydrates my skin, also gives a refreshing feeling before I apply my makeup.

My skin type is oily and back then, when I still didn’t know about this product, I had a hard time dealing with cream-based moisturizers; I felt like it made my skin oilier! That’s why when I found out that an aloe vera moisturizer existed in the market, I didn’t hesitate to try it. Luxe Organix’s Aloe Vera Gel saved me from having a super oily face, that’s why it became my essential and I’m still loving it until now.

Available on Calyxta? Not yet, but you can try these:

Ever since Vice Ganda released his powder foundation, the first thing I had in mind was that I had to try it. And I did! I was surprised because it had SPF – which is what I also love about the product.  It is very lightweight and very comfortable to wear. The shade selection was great as well.

Yes, I will definitely recommend this to my fellow college ladies. The product is a must in our makeup kits as it will give us way more than what a high-end one can give. Plus it’s budget/student-friendly.

Available on Calyxta? Not yet but you can try:

I love it because it’s consistent with its promise of volumizing the eyelashes. It’s a beauty essential for me because it gives life to my eyes.

Of course, it’s highly recommendable! The price is affordable especially for students who have other fees and expenses at hand. The curl-lock formula is superb and would save college girls from the hassle of checking their eyelashes and retouching every now and then.

It’s available on the site! Get your Maybelline Volume Express Hypercurl now at Calyxta!

It has a great color pay off. It’s really pigmented and compliments my skin tone!

Its shade is wearable, can go well with any outfit and, even though it is a matte lipstick, it doesn’t make my lips look dry.

Available on Calyxta? Not yet, but you can try these alternatives:

It has been compatible with my skin type, as my skin is sensitive and easily gets pimples. But whenever I use Ever Bilena, I don’t get breakouts. It’s also an excellent fit for my morena skin! And it can survive Philippine weather. It became my essential, since as a college student, I stay up late all the time to get my schoolwork finished—which means lack of sleep for me. With the EB Powder Foundation, it covers up my haggard, no-sleep face, and evens out my dark eye bags. It makes my face look fresh every day!

Available on Calyxta? Not yet but you can try these alternatives:

I love it so much because their product lasts the whole day and it doesn’t smudge. This product was introduced to me by my sister—she gave it as a gift then after that, I ended up buying their products.

Yes! Because it is worth buying and it is very affordable!

Available on Calyxta? Not yet but you can try:

Got inspired? Find your new go-to beauty product on Calyxta and be fabulous while slaying those deadlines!

Nathalie Cuisia

Nathalie is your curly-haired ambivert Internet best friend! She discovered her love for makeup and skincare during her time as a chaotic journalism student. When she’s not thinking of her next beauty product purchase, she likes watching movies, cuddling with her dog, and looking for gluten-free ensaymada.

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Ottoke, the wonderful world of K-pop is a gift that keeps on giving– especially to beauty girls! Whether it’s their power-packed MVs or daebak stage performances, there are always new trends to try and looks to cop. Here are our faves:

RYUJIN’S YOUTH APPEAL

Ryujin is such a fave! She only happens to be the main rapper, lead dancer, and center of one of today’s fastest rising K-pop group, ITZY. Other than chart-topping tunes, the girls are worth following for their youthful beauty looks that you can wear every day to the office or even to events.

With a glowy base, Ryujin brings the focus on her eyes with a flicked liner, eye shadow, and an aegyo sal that makes her look wide awake. We also love her straight brows, and her pout that looks as if she just used her fingers to dab on color!

PRODUCTS TO USE:

PRODUCTS TO USE:

SEULGI’S DARK DRAMA

Be honest: one of the reasons why you can’t get Red Velvet’s Psycho out of your head is because they all look so *glam* in their comeback looks, right?

We especially love the dark lips, as seen on Seulgi, which adds to the drama and chicness of the look. We stan!

PRODUCTS TO USE:

PRODUCTS TO USE:

HWASA’S FEMME FATALE

Ever since she launched her solo, Hwasa has been on a roll since (not to say the other MAMAMOO ladies are any less fierce!). She’s got that commanding stage presence that’s made even better with her standout outfits and killer beauty looks.

Work on a flawless base to make sure your uber-red lips pop out like cherries! Add a subtle swipe of blush on your cheeks and nude, peachy eye shadow on your lips.

PRODUCTS TO USE:

Patti Sunio aka Tita Pacita

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Tita Pacita of www.titapacita.com is a lifestyle, culture, and fashion & beauty writer from Manila. With her wisdom and almost thirty years of life experience, she likes to share what she knows and give unsolicited advice, true to her Tita ways. Her makeup choices are primarily based on instinct, and, believe it or not, K-Beauty.

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Take a closer look at your Beautyblender. While it appears to be an unassuming sponge that takes the shape of an egg, it reveals to be a lot more useful than you think—especially when used right. From makeup tricks to hacks, here are eight Beautyblender tricks to know:

ABSORB LESS PRODUCT

Other than dampening your blender so it doesn’t absorb too much of the product, another way to do it is by putting on primer directly on the sponge. Not only will it absorb less of the product, application will turn out smoother and flawless, too.

BOUNCE!

Remember not to use your blender to rub or wipe products onto your face. Lightly tap or bounce the blender onto your face for an airbrush-quality finish.

CORRECT MAKEUP MISTAKES

Did your eyebrows too harsh? A cakey foundation? Too much blush? You can use your blender to soften the look. With your brows for example, even out your brows and add concealer to the tip of the blender to correct your brow line. You can also spritz on face mist or a toner to do away with excess blush on your cheeks.

AN OVERALL MAKEUP TOOL

Aside from your base, you can actually use your blender to apply highlighter or blush, or even the mini blenders to put on your eye makeup. Many beauty experts swear by this hack!

Written By:

Patti Sunio aka Tita Pacita

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Tita Pacita of www.titapacita.com is a lifestyle, culture, and fashion & beauty writer from Manila. With her wisdom and almost thirty years of life experience, she likes to share what she knows and give unsolicited advice, true to her Tita ways. Her makeup choices are primarily based on instinct, and, believe it or not, K-Beauty.

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FIERCELY FRESH

Keep things practical, but still pretty, with just a few key products for a fresh-looking finish. Using a damp sponge, apply a light layer of the Pink Sugar Our Lil’ Secret Foundation all over face and just underneath the jaw line. Then dab on and blend the Pink Sugar Our Lil’ Secret Concealer 2  on key problem areas only, like on the sides of the nose, under the eyes, or any visible blemishes. For a more natural look, skip the foundation and reach for the concealer already. Then, swipe on a nude lip color like the Pink Sugar HD Lipstick in “Naked” or “Sugar”. Finish by grooming brows with a brow gel and adding just a touch of highlighter to the apples of your cheeks.

CEO CHIC

Give off true girl boss vibes with structured and shaped brows to go along with a bold lip. Once you’ve finished your base, shape and define your brows with the Pink Sugar Honey I’m Good Brow Kit. Stick to one color that best suits you, or mix and match to customize and create the perfect shade. Add more ‘oomph’ and definition, and keep every hair in place, by combing through brows with the Pink Sugar Honey I’m Good Brow Gel in the natural direction of the hair growth. Tie the whole look together with a luxurious lipstick like the Pink Sugar Velvet Matte Lipstick (P349) in the shades “Deja Vu” or “Senorita”.

A soft, peach shade suits many complexions and occasions. With a blush brush, and a light hand, buff the Pink Sugar Sweet Cheeks HD Cheek Color in the shade “Summer Nights” onto the apples of your cheeks. Apply closer to the hairline and ear first and blend inwards instead if you want a subtly contoured face shape. Use the same product all over your eyelids, applied with a fluffy shadow brush, for a seamless monochrome look. Blend and soften any harsh edges and add a touch of highlighter to the inne corners for a pinch of glam. Define eyes with mascara and the Pink Sugar Ey Candy All Day Eyeliner, and wrap up with the Pink Sugar Creamy Matte Lipstick in the shade “Breakfast In Bed.”

Written By:

Ari Yupangco

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Ari has been blogging since 2012 about all things beauty with a sprinkle of different topics here and there. She loves makeup just as much as she loves almost anything nerdy like video games and comic books, and is big on Japanese culture.

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Local brand, Pink Sugar, is your new K-beauty BFF! The brand offers a range of versatile products that you can purchase on Calyxta, and use on different K-inspired looks.

Here are some ideas:

 TAEYEON’S ORANGE PUNCH

A great day-to-night look is Taeyeon’s orange beauty look that matches her blue eyes so well! It’s a fresh, glamorous take for a going-out look, and a pop of color to her monochrome outfit, too.

Taeyon’s flawless base highlights that punch of orange, the subtle glow on her cheeks, and her matte lips.

PRODUCTS TO USE:

 SHIN MIN-AH’S RED & ROSY

Bright and bold pops of red seem to be taking over the beauty world these days, and a favorite look is Shin Min-ah’s. Her lips are a perfect pop of rosy red, and you can also see the slight sheen of blush on her cheeks so it’s not overpowering. Subtle eyeliner and clean brows complete the look.

PRODUCTS TO USE:

SONG HYE-KYO’S GLITTER GLAM

How to create a youthful look? Glitters, pink, and the aegyo sal. Ageless Song Hye-kyo pulls off a super fresh and off-the-moment look, focusing on her sparkly eyes and big hair.

PRODUCTS TO USE:

WENDY’S NATURAL BEAUTY

A key K-beauty look is the natural look, which usually sticks to a warm color palette such as blush, orange, nude, and peach. Essentials are a flawless base and a glowy complexion, plus straight brows for that youth appeal.

PRODUCTS TO USE:

LISA’S FIERCE FASHION

The girl with bangs rocks in her new black hair, winged liner, and super glowy skin. An ultra-glamorous look like Lisa’s requires a flawless base that won’t budge and eyeliner that’s too fierce for words

PRODUCTS TO USE:

Patti Sunio aka Tita Pacita

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Tita Pacita of www.titapacita.com is a lifestyle, culture, and fashion & beauty writer from Manila. With her wisdom and almost thirty years of life experience, she likes to share what she knows and give unsolicited advice, true to her Tita ways. Her makeup choices are primarily based on instinct, and, believe it or not, K-Beauty.

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Even some beauty gurus still get intimidated with applying false lashes. That’s why we’ve made it a little less scary with a quick and easy guide to getting your eyes fun and flirty with falsies!

Not all lashes are created equal, and choosing the right one can be tricky at first. If you’re a beginner, avoid super long and glamorous falsies for now. Stick to a simpler, more practical pair that you can wear and practice applying often. The pair included in the Ardell Fashion Glamour Lashes Starter Kit is the perfect kind for newbies and false lash experts alike.

While using your fingers or a pair of tweezers is perfectly fine, a lash applicator makes the process a whole lot easier. You can stick to the one included in the starter kit, or upgrade to the Ardell Deluxe Lash Applicator. The curved design lets you easily grip any lash strip and perfectly position it against your eye with less effort and no fuss.

While most people just casually pull off their false lashes strips at the end of the day, using a proper remover, like the Ardell LashFree Individual Eyelash Adhesive Remover, is still best. It dissolves the adhesive quickly and safely, and there’s no risk of you accidentally pulling out any of your own lashes.

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Ari has been blogging since 2012 about all things beauty with a sprinkle of different topics here and there. She loves makeup just as much as she loves almost anything nerdy like video games and comic books, and is big on Japanese culture.

Other Products You Might Like: