A #BetterMe Make-Up Session with The Painter's Wife

Make-up is not my strongest point.  Save for 1-2 eyebrow pencils, all of my make-up items are given to me as gifts or as part of swag bags.  My mom was not fond of make-up and had the barest minimum and I guess I learned by example.

However, being a professional, I realized the need to learn how to put on make-up.  Did you know that my former boss gifted me a make-up kit (hint! hint! I should start putting make-up more often!) which until now I have never fully utilized?

When I found out that one of our #betterme sessions was going to be a basic make-up tutorial by fellow SoMom Eliza Ypon, The Painter's Wife, I immediately freed up my schedule and signed up.  Eliza is a professional make-up artist who honed her skills at The Make Up School.  She is currently part of the Priscilla make-up crew and you can see her behind the scenes post on her Instagram profile.

Let me first talk about our venue and food.  The activity was held in Casa Marcos at Burgos Center.  I grew up in Davao City so I have no memories of Casa Marcos in Greenhills.  However, friends who are Manila brats share fond memories of the dishes served at the now-closed Greenhills' Casa Marcos.   Even when the restaurant was closed, Casa Marcos' pandesal bakery continued and the grandkids eventually expanded it and started The Bread Bag Pandesal, a sandwich restaurant which capitalized on their famous pandesal.

my plate

For our #betterme lunch, we shared several dishes and my favorite among them is the almejas -- succulent clams baked in cheese and top with crispy garlic!  I also enjoyed the tenderloin tips -- the name is a perfect description as the beef was really tender.  The black paella (paella negra) was savory and flavorful.  We had to remember to stop eating so we could go on to the make-up session!

We were also happy to have Cheryl of K-Palette with us that day.  She generously gifted each participant a set of eyeliner and eyebrow pens - perfect for me to add to my meager make-up kit.  I was initially hesitant to use the eyebrow pencil because liquid and I have zero make-up skills.  However, I was pleasantly surprised that it was not at all difficult to use.  Both eyeliner and eyebrow pens were indeed real lasting -- no need to reapply even if you are out the whole day! These items are readily available in Beauty Bar and Rustan's Beauty Source stores.

With these tools, we started with the main part of the session - learning how to put on our make-up in the least possible time.  A group of 10 SoMoms gathered together and armed with mirrors and our own make-up kits, we went to work.   When she asked us about our expectations, I told her that I wanted a quick no-fuss make-up which I can do in the midst of my busy day.   

our make-up model, Jenny of Mymommyology

My favorite quote from our make-up guru Elai is "You only need what your life needs." Hooray! I honestly did not want to spent a fortune on make-up and I was happy that Elai was focused on making use of the make-up we had and giving us tips on the barest minimum items that we had to add to complete our "made-up look".

Elai also emphasized skin care.  Sadly, I am not big on skin care and I hardly put anything on - just argan oil.  Elai emphasized that whether you have a full kit or just use very little make-up - you should have a skin care regime - cleanse, tone and moisturize.  I used to skip the 2nd step so I went and bought a toner after the session!

practicing practicing

I focused on drawing my "kilay".  Elai did my right eyebrow and she told me to do my other eyebrow. Practice, practice, practice is the key! The activity was a hands-on practice and application.  It was a great environment for learning.

Thammie does her eye!

Elai regularly does basic group make-up classes for those who want to learn or practice.  Gather a group of friends or relatives and email Elai at eliza(dot)painterswife(at)gmail(dot)com.

Meanwhile, you can try the almejas and other delicious dishes from Casa Marcos and the following branches:
Fort Branch: F121 Forbeswood Heights Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City Taguig City +632 5523781 Ortigas Branch: Unit 20a/20b, Ortigas Home Depot J. Vargas St. Pasig City +632 4703637

Thanks Eliza for the wonderful session, to Casa Marcos for the food and venue and to K-Palette for providing the tools of the trade!