Tuesday, July 31, 2012

MAKEUP TUTORIAL: Neutrals

Here's a makeup tutorial using only neutral colors --- meaning all brown / flesh tones. You'll be amazed with how just all brown tones can make you look really fresh and most of all, your makeup will look really natural.

You can use an eyebrow palette (one with two or three tone colors), and use this both for your eyebrows and as eyeshadow.

First of all here's a before and after shot of what this tutorial is about:



Here's the palette I used:


I normally use this to fill in my eyebrows, but I also love it for contouring my eyes as eyeshadow. Here's how:


Make sure to start with a clean face. Absolutely no makeup. Always cleanse, tone and moisturize before starting to apply your makeup. Here's me after washing my face and applied toner and moisturizer.


Next step is to apply foundation. I apply several dots all over my face and spread with a foundation brush. Just a thin layer of foundation will do. Not too much because you don't want to look "cakey". =) For my foundation, I used Loreal True Match in Golden Beige or G3.




Next, set the foundation with powder using a powder brush. Just lightly brush powder over the foundation as soon as it dries. I used Maybelline Clear Smooth All In One Shine Free Cake Powder in NATURAL or #03.


I don't want my face to look flat so it's time to contour.



A little bit of contouring on the nose and on the cheekbones. =)


Next, fill in the eyebrows. I used the medium brown tone to match my brown hair.


After filling in my eyebrows, I used the lightest brown to cover the whole eyelid. careful not to go beyond the brow bone so that it doesn't look too much.


Then I use the medium brown (same one I used for my eyebrows) to contour the eyes. Just apply a small triangle at the corner of the eye.


Next, apply the darkest brown with an eyeliner brush at the top and under the eyes.


Done with eyeshadow, now it's time for blush. Apply a neutral color blush on the apples of the cheeks.



For the lips, first apply some lip balm and then top with a neutral but slightly pinkish shade lipstick.


Enhance the lashes with an eyelash curler and some mascara.


and VOILA! Finished! Very fresh and natural looking =)



Here's my before and after shots... See the difference? =)
Try it, it's super easy! And I'm sure you will love the results. =)



Wednesday, July 11, 2012

RECIPES: Easy Shrimp Bake


I saw these magnificent babies at the wet market and I just couldn't resist! I wanted to try something new (and EASY), so here's the recipe I used:

EASY SHRIMP BAKE

Ingredients:
Giant Prawns
1/2 cup butter
1 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice


Step 1: Butterfly shrimp but don't cut all the way through.


Step 2: Spread and flatten. Place shrimps in a baking dish. Sprinkle with a portion of lemon juice.


Step 3: Combine butter, bread crumbs, cheese, salt and lemon juice.


Step 4: Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over shrimps.


Step 5:  Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes, or until shrimps are cooked and topping is golden brown.


VOILA! Your Easy Shrimp Bake is ready to eat! ... SUPER EASY and SUPER YUMMY! =)