I attended a dinner-cum-mini beauty workshop hosted by Dove last week and one of the first lessons taught was for women to have good skin before one can have truly great make-up. And one word came up in the discussion several times that I promised it will be my mantra: moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

I can’t fault Dove for selling the idea to me since they are a leading moisturizer brand. It’s an institution in itself and Dove’s white beauty bar was one of the first products I discovered to leave me smelling real good To prove that Dove is not just a woman’s turf (there is Dove Men after all), the brand’s product manager in the Philippines is a guy. Meet Gem Laforteza.

After his short talk was the main part of our little get-together which was a tutorial + demo on how to achieve the “no make-up” look (while still using make-up!) with popular make-up artist Xeng Zulueta.

In a nutshell, here’s what she said:

1. It’s best to use combination products like a concealer that also doubles as foundation or brow definer that can also work as mascara. Saves on storage and cost.

2. A mini eyelash curler is best for Asian women who have relatively shorter lashes.

3. Cream blush is preferable over powder blush when trying for a no-make-up look.

4. When going for the natural look, one can skip the eyeliner and aim for natural shades of lipstick.

5. Begin your make-up by applying concealer on oil-prone areas, especially the T-zone: forehead, contour of nose and also the chin. Then apply powder foundation.

Bloggers Hannah and Angela are glowing examples that the no make-up look works indeed!

Our group picture:

It was my third time to visit the Ascott Hotel Makati and I should remember it for this yummy chocolate tart.Diet PHAIL!

For your make-up dilemma and instant make-up tips, follow @xengzulueta on Twitter

Also check out Dove’s Facebook page

1. Candidate No. 6 – Patricia Tumulak
2. Candidate No. 16 – Sabrine Al-Tawil
3. Candidate No. 25 – Isabella Manjon
4. Candidate No. 26 – Shamcey Supsup
5. Candidate No. 27 – Janine Tugonon

6. Candidate No. 27 – Janine Tugonon
7. Candidate No. 33 – Diane Necio
8. Candidate No. 34 – Mary Jean Lastimosa
9. Candidate No. 11 – Diana Arevalo
10. Candidate No. 23 – Luzelle Felipe

Who’s your bet? This post will be updated when the winners are announced …. of course! tee hee

Lately, I’ve been getting compliments from friends about the make-up on my face and I tell them am using the Artistry Hydrating Foundation with SPF 20. I like how it blends so smoothly on my skin and makes my face appear all so natural and not oily.

I guess the only drawback for this brand is that they’re not readily available in department stores and retail outlets. You’d have to search for an Amway dealer, or best to call the hotline at 8148181. There are reports that online ordering will be available soon, and that should be good news to all beauty enthusiasts.

Anyway, I was happy to be introduced to another revolutionary product from the Artistry makeup range recently. I call this the diamond peel killer because it does away with clinic slash dermatologist visits, which can get expensive, especially as they’re required to be done regularly. What I like about the new Artistry Intensive Skincare Renewing Peel is that this is something anyone can do in the comfort of one’s home, in as little as eight minutes!

The renewing peel is a gel-like component which is applied all over the face (except the eye area). It is recommended to be left on for eight minutes and before rinsing, you gently massage skin with wet fingertips to assist with exfoliation. That simple.

Mr. John Scimeca, Artistry’s R & D Research Associate, explained that when used twice weekly for six weeks, the renewing peel provides benefits comparable to a professional chemical peel treatment.

The secret, he said, is in the product’s Mucor Miehei mushroom enzyme, which resembles the exfoliating enzymes produced naturally in the skin. The good thing, he added, is that the peel is non-abrasive and promises clarity and reduction in the appearance of age spots and fine lines after six weeks of treatment. There’s also seen an immediate improvement in the look and feel of skin texture.

The Artistry Intensive Skincare Renewing Peel comes in a 20 ml bottle at P4,900 (or cheaper if you get a discount from your Amway dealer) The bottle can last you anywhere from four to six months already. I’ll let you in on how this turned out, after I finish with my full-course regimen

Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete was crowned Miss Universe 2010. She’s one of those whom we earlier predicted to win the crown in an earlier post (good job Ojie!)

Miss Philippines Venus Raj was acclaimed 4th runner up in the final pageant ceremony held at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was a favorite in the preliminary competitions early on.

The rest of the winners: first runner-up, Miss Jamaica; second runner-up, Miss Australia; and third runner-up, Ukraine.

Navarrete’s shining came in the question and answer portion when she was asked about the unsupervised use of the internet among the young. Through an interpreter, she said: ” I do believe that Internet is an indispensable, necessary tool for the present time. We must be sure to teach them the values that we learned as a family.”

Venus Raj answered a question by actor William Baldwin. What is one major mistake that you’ve done in your life and how do you intend to repair it? Venus said : “In my 22 years of existence, there is nothing major, major problem (sic) that I have done in my life.Because I am very confident with my family and the love they are giving to me. So thank you so much.”

Congratulations to all the winners and beautiful girls in this year’s Miss U!:)

The Miss Universe channel in Ustream

Miss Universe TV, simply called Miss U TV

The Official Miss Universe Youtube channel

Try also channelsurfing.net

In the US, the live teecast of Miss Universe 2010 will be aired by NBC at 9 p.m. (their time). In the Philippines, we are going to watch it at 9:30 in the morning today, August 24 on ABS-CBN with delayed evening telecast and replay on Studio 23 and the Velvet Channel. I bet the ABS-CBN coverage will have a lot of commercials again and that is why looking out for live streaming over the internet will come in handy. With the power of social media like Facebook and Twitter, I am also sure that winner of Miss Universe 2010 will be known at least an hour ahead before the official TV coverage finishes. Uh huh.

Eight hours to go before Miss Universe 2010 goes live at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Team Philippines is betting for our very own Venus Raj to bag the elusive Miss Universe crown this time. After today’s hostage incident at the Quirino Grandstand – an unfortunate but isolated incident – we are raring to share something good and beautiful with the rest of the world. Go Venus!

Miss Universe 2010 pageant hosts are rocker Bret Michaels and Natalie Morales of NBC News. Judges for the Miss Universe 2010 live telecast are the following: Chazz Palminteri, Chynna Philips, actress Jane Seymour, Criss Angel, Evan Lysacek, Niki Taylor, Sheila E., Tamron Hall, and actor William Baldwin

Here’s our Top 10 list:

1. Miss Philippines Venus Raj (of course!)
2. Miss Venezuela Marelisa Gibson
3. Miss Puerto Rico Mariana Paola Vicente
4. Miss USA Rima Fakih
5. Miss Russia Irina Antonenko
6. Miss India Ushoshi Sengupta
7. Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete
8. Miss South Africa Nicole Flint
9. Miss Trinidad & Tobago LaToya Woods
10. Miss Ireland Rozanna Purcell

Venus Raj’s glam shot from the Miss Universe website. She’s oozing with animal sex appeal!

The good news is that Venus Raj appears to be a strong bet for Miss U. Hopes are high that she’ll land in the Top 15 semifinalists, at least. It can only be positive, knowing that the Philippines has has a long drought in Miss U (the last crown won was in 1973 yet). And it’s good that the earlier move about her dethronement has put Venus in the spotlight all the more.

Judges for the Miss Universe 2010 live telecast are the following: Chazz Palminteri, Chynna Philips, actress Jane Seymour, Criss Angel, Evan Lysacek, Niki Taylor, Sheila E., Tamron Hall, and actor William Baldwin

If you’re into online contests, there’s still more chances of winning. For the rainy month of July, am giving away three tubes of Dr. Jart BB cream to two lucky winners. Thanks to our friends from Event Visions/ Dr. Jart for sponsoring This should be good if you’re a beauty enthusiast who would like to step up your BB cream regimen, or want to try it for the first time. Like what happened with me, it’s guaranteed to give your skin the healthy glow!

In a nutshell: one winner will receive a 50ml tube of Dr. Jart Rejuvenating Cream Silver Label with a total value of P1,780 (market price). This formulation perfectly conceals skin blemishes with a matte finish. It contains albutin that gives skin a brighter tone, and has a sebum controlling function that addresses excessive oil production.

The second winner will receive a pack of 15ml Dr. Jart Detox Healing BB Cream Black Label and another 15ml of the Rejuvenating Cream Silver Label (total market price of P1,585.) Don’t worry if the pack looks small. Since you should only use a pea-sized amount each time, your BB cream is expected to last for months!

To join, you only have to do two things:

1. Spread the word about this contest in your blog, Twitter or Facebook using the unique URL (link of this post: http://www.annalyn.net/2010/07/07/bb-cream-craze-three-dr-jart-freebies-to-be-given-away/#more-3672

2. Leave a comment in this post, with the URL (link) of the post in your blog, Twitter or Facebook.

Only those who follow the above procedures will be drawn for the raffle, which will be made through random.org

That’s a swatch of the Dr. Jart Water Fuse BB cream Green Label that I am using now. It looks lighter when placed on my hand, but it actually blends with my akin tone when applied on my face.

Am glad that I haven’t had any unwanted breakouts with this product. I also like the fact that I don’t anymore have to use a separate concealer, moisturizer and foundation because it’s all-in-one. At yesterday’s event by Samsung Home Appliances, somebody complimented me for my skin and I was thrilled. Needless to say, I was wearing Dr. Jart. I don’t know if the doctor can heal my eye bags though. It seems blogging + late nights don’t mix. LOL.

BB cream is today’s wonder cream, indeed. And as I always say, make it Dr. Jart!

Francis Libiran has dressed up young celebrities Anne Curtis and Bea Alonzo and we certainly enjoyed viewing his 2010 wedding gown collection. I dunno if it was just the model-perfect, reed-thin physique of those women sashaying down the runway but Libiran’s gowns certainly looked immaculate.We loved his emphasis on sleek lines, bottom layering and free-flowing silhouettes.

Artistry’s chief make-up artist Victor Ortega (shown here with host Tessa Prieto-Valdes and a model) preached the gospel of applying foundation the right way. We must not be a make-up victim and apply foundation too much, he said

We still have to review the foundation bottle and skin products they gave us to try, but the new Artistry line holds much promise. It claims to be the only foundation products now with the highest SPF (at SPF 20) for sun protection. Price is only P1,400.

Artistry Balancing Foundation promises to banish shine and control oil for up to 12 hours while Artistry Hydrating Foundation maintains moisture levels for up to 8 hours. We like that both products intuitively match individual skin tones and contains formulation that helps shield against free radicals to combat the signs of premature aging.

Congratulations to Amway, and Artistry, for a successful launch!

Artistry make-up products are available through your favorite Amway dealer,
or the head office at:
G/F Feliza Building
108 V.A. Rufino Street
Legaspi Village, Makati City 1229
Tel. No. 8148181

The Cafe 5845 launch was hosted by local actress Dimples Romana who we found to be articulate and refreshing. Of course we see her in Agua Bendita where she plays the role of Criselda Barrameda. But believe me, she is lovelier in person.

Anyway,my fellow bloggers were gushing about how Dimples lost so much weight from the last event they saw her. It’s not the kind of weight loss where one looks anorexic though. So I asked her about her diet secret and she said: ” I only eat one full meal a day and that happens at three o’clock in the afternoon.” By that she means one FULL meal, with nibbles in between. Whoa, such self-control.

Guess what? I don’t think a non-showbiz, ordinary mortal like me can do that. I’d be cranky like a very old hag for sure. Still, am curious about diets since I must have gained close to 50 pounds during the just-concluded pregnancy!!

During my visit to Serenitea in BF Homes, I saw that they were selling Valens Carnipure Solution so I bought the orange-flavored bottled drink for P2,500 which will last approximately two weeks (!!) Carnipure is supposed to speed up your metabolism, and that’s important since am still not exercising so much post-partum. More on this in the future as I try to see if it really works.

Am just glad some of my friends are already telling me I lost weight. It’s not from Carnipure though since I’ve only been taking it for barely a week. It must be the late nights with the baby

here’s me at the blogger event holding sparkling soda in hand, and after eating a four-course meal that ended with cheesecake. LOL

You read it on the net and all beauty-conscious ladies are talking about it: the latest make-up bag must-have called BB cream (BB is short for blemish base/blemish balm). It’s the latest phenomenon from the country which brought us chap chae, Kim Bum, and Boys Over Flowers. Really now, there’s no stopping the Korean invasion – from the shows we watch, the food we eat, the clothes we dress up in and how to look good.

The BB cream is hot because of its all-in-one benefits. You might not need separate tubes of concealer, sunblock, moisturizer, make-up base and anti-wrinkle agent again. One month of continuous use and the skin is supposed to be softer, clearer and smoother.

I love the fact that BB creams are now available in the Philippine market and we don’t have to badger our friends or relatives in Korea to bring home one. Of the various labels, am most excited to try the leading Korean brand Dr. Jart+ which had its launch in Ayala Museum recently. Now that BB is all the rage, beware of wasting money on imitations. Dr. Jart+ is initially available at Mercury Drug.

During the Ayala Museum launch, we were thrilled to hear it from celebrities themselves about how they adhere to a strict BB regimen. They all use Dr. Jart!

Georgina Wilson in denim jacket and cream booties from Topshop

Cheska Garcia-Kramer and former Miss Earth Priscilla Meirelles

A fashion model showing off a creation by designer Jun Escario.

The full Dr. Jart line-up includes: (from the official press release)

Detox Healing BB Cream Black Label (prices at P1,940-50mL/ P845- 15mL) – the house bestseller is specially made for dry skin, with chamomile extracts and allantoin to provide excellent moisture. It promises to even out skin tone, reduce wrinkles, and is equipped with SPF25 to protect one’s skin from harmful UV rays.

Water Fuse Green Label (P1,975- 50mL) – has SPF 27 and is formulated with a groundbreaking water holding system to maintain a healthy moisture level and give a dewy, flawless finish

Rejuvenating Silver Label (P 1,780-50mL/ P740-15mL) – contains albutin that gives skin a brighter tone and a sebum controlling function that addresses excessive oil production.

Premium BB Cream Gold Label (P3,160-40mL) – has a powerful SPF45 UV protection and anti-oxidants to enhance skin elasticity and improve skin texture. Its high level of coverage conceals all blemishes while leaving a natural look and keeping the skin moist for a long period of time.

Anyway, I was fortunate enough to get hold of all four variants and will post a review soon. Been using it couple of times already and expect to see results over time. Someone like me who’s not exactly getting younger needs the Dr. J emergency kit ASAP Am also sharing one pack with a lucky reader, so watch out for my blog contest! Let’s all share in the BB love