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

Even though I hardly use make-up myself, except for the reliable lipstick, I do believe that it goes a long way in enhancing one’s looks and aura. We should approach it like art, and used wrongly, it can make us look like zombies, hehe.

Thankfully, Mr. Ortega is a proponent of the “natural look,” and this has made him popular in these parts (plugging:he has his own eponymous salons in Boracay).

For our class, he taught about how to do daytime make-up and transforming it with a few touches for the night. I caught a few precious lessons along the way.

1. Good make-up comes with good skin care. Don’t forget to cleanse, tone and exfoliate.

2. When buying foundation, choose the nearest color to the skin. It’s purpose is to just even out the color of the skin, so don’t put TONS.

3. When contouring the cheeks or the nose, use a darker shade of foundation or pressed powder.

4. Don’t use foundation on your neck.

5. Apply concealer only after you put on foundation.

6. Eyebrows frame your face, so always aim for the perfect one.

7. When applying mascara, concentrate on the roots.

8. Use blush-on to enhance the overall color of your face.

Victor puts daytime eyeshadow on Liz, which is basically lighter. Use light color for the base, and use darker shade on the upper lid, like pink or peach. Apply a highlighter, like shimmery white shadow, below the brow bone. Then finish off with eyeliner.

To transform one’s daytime look to evening, Victor blended in darker eyeshadows on Monique to achieve a smoky effect.

I really enjoyed the class, especially since a whole stack of Artistry make-up products. complete with brushes, was laid out in front of us. This way, we got to have hands-on practice. Victor also had his hands full as we fell in line and had our respective eyebrows trimmed. Obviously, we have no time even for a bout of threading – busy women that we are

After the class, and a yummy brunch from Bizu, we were treated to a private make-up sale with a 20 percent discount on Artistry products. As am new to the make-up line, I ordered the indispensable blush-on. It was interesting to note that Artistry has a whole range ranging from acne treatment, skin whitening, sun protection and make-up which were all carefully researched and formulated to be safe for the skin.

At the end of the lessons, we can’t help but say “cheese!”

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

Victor Ortega @ Emphasis Salon
Tel. Nos. 403-0117, 4030119