Unlike some women, I was not blessed with a beautiful face that would launch a thousand ships 
(photo from imdb.com)
And while some women do something about not having been blessed with beautiful skin (dermatologist visits, facials, etc), I do nothing about my face. The most I do is to slather my face with my own cocktail concoction of creams (Olay, being my fave!) just to make sure I don’t get a lot of lines and crow’s feet.
(photo from mayoclinic.com)
The worst part of it all was, I was (and still am) exposed to an industry which places a high importance on beauty. I worked for a weddings magazine for some 5 years, and would often sit- in on photo shoots and fashion editorials *which entailed watching expert makeup artists put on makeup on our models*. After all those years, I walked away from the weddings magazine having learned absolutely NOTHING about makeup. I could have very well been the sloppiest- looking managing editor there was in the Philippines at that time (and I wouldn’t have been surprised too– and guess what, at the time, I actually didn’t really mind!! hahaha).
But as I age each year (and my face shows my age too– hello age spots, discoloration, dark circles under the eyes, eyebags… I can go on and on!!!), I am already beginning to feel the pressure of learning to put on makeup just so I can start concealing the very evidence of age on my face *cough… like anyone looks at my face anyway hahaha*. Seriously though, I think this is why I’ve hesitated posting my own photo here. There’s just no photo good enough. I mean, if I post a photo here, I’d be mocked for sure for my looks– onion bulb nose, acne farm, bucktooth (hahahahaha)…
I’ve never really found the one makeup artist who was able to give me a “natural-look ” face. I have a good default makeup artist that I go to for events when I need to look “made up”, but then there are times I just want to look like a fresh- faced girl 😉 This “look” is something that remained a big challenge because with a face like mine, there is MUCH to be done and MUCH to be concealed. And to hide evidence of “concealment” would be nearly impossible, I think! *Sigh* I wish I can get my “face” made up everyday, but I shudder to think how people would react to seeing me when I go out without makeup (after they get used to seeing me with it) hahahaha. *They’d probably run the opposite direction, and I’d probably have to tie a bone around my neck for my dog to like me again hahahahaha*
Anyway, last week I had a collaboration with Rockwell Center peeps for something (more on this soon) and they offered to have me “made up”. Initially I said no, embarrassed. But then, dang, this was another opportunity for me to see if the makeup artist can work with my face hahahaha. So I asked them again if the offer still stood, to which they said yes. *Wooohooo!! Free face makeover!!!!*
I met the very friendly owner, Fritz Webb, who was there with Rockwell “project” peeps James, Joseph, and Ina. *Hey guys!! (Waves) hehe* James and Ina introduced me to Precious Medina, Basement Salon‘s super sweet makeup artist. 
Precious has flawless skin– so I told her “can you make my skin look like yours?” Hehehe (tall order). In the end though, she managed to make my skin look clear, at the height of a serious acne breakout (aka farm). And she made me look “natural” — like that “girl-next-door” natural look 😉 I loved my “face” and was so sad to have to wash it out tonight hahaha. This only means one thing– I’m definitely going back to Precious if I want that “natural” look again! 🙂
x
Mrs.T
Got here from Mark’s blog. When I got stuck in the Philippines for a couple of months I usually spend more than 10,000php for skincare every month and I visit the spa every weekends. I am not really fussy but the weather there doesnt seem to cooperate with my skin plus the pollution. But now back at home I just maintain my skin with tea tree oil facial wash from bodyshop since they have a higher concentration. I read that it can do wonders especially to people with acne and it lessens the breakout.
I believe regular skincare through a dermatologist is more important than starving oneself for a birkin.
Hi Mrs. T
I have the same dilemma (“the farm”) before and my officemate recommended to use the VMV Skincare line. My initial VMV purchase costs Ph1600, which lasts 3months. After a month I can see improvements on my skin and acne attacks is not that of a problem for me. For my VMV supply, I only buy when there is sale announcement posted on email -so that I can buy the products for 25% off (ie. facial scrub regular price is 490 – on discount its at 367.50 only)
I also have sensitive skin and derma treatments scares me. Home skincare regimens changed my facial problems so I dont really bother spending on a treatment.
Also, I’m taking this multivitamin – CONZACE (12.40 per capsule), which is good for the skin as well (also recommended by a colleague).
hi, please let us see your make-up 🙂
– mrs. a
Mrs T
You have a good skin but we still all need to invest in a good skin care!
Go Mrs T!
MPR
Hey Mrs T,
The most I spend on my ‘beauty creams’ is about $20 every 3 months or so. $13 something for my Coppertone SPF 45 Oil Free sunblock and $6 something on Oxypads. I find that they help clear my healthy ‘sheen’. 😀 Plus, they have 2 % salicylic acid which helps with moderate acne.
I’m an Olay user too. If I can recall, their marketing pitch was that you could use this one single cream to solve all your skin problems (lines, age spots, dull skin). So does this mean Olay is not doing its job well enough? Or maybe it’s time to shift to Ponds’ Age Miracle? 🙂
Hey, Mrs. T! think of it as in investment for yourself and not as a “luxury”. Everyone needs a little break right? Think of it as a ~Php178-a-day “I’ll look much better” treatment, it doesn’t sound so expensive now doesn’t it?? hahahaha (Formula: total cost divided by 28 days.)
Mrs. T, you should have posted your photo! 🙂
hi! Am very curious about the “natural” make-up which Precious did on you. I’ve been looking for a good make-up artist as well. Perhaps you can post some pics?
Thanks!
Xtine
Hi Mrs. T,
For skin discoloration, you can try the “age renewing” line of Olay. Actually, they have a whole line that could help — from your overall cream down to your eye cream. It’s hard to say how your skin will react since it might be sensitive, but you can go with your basic day-and-night cream, eye cream plus a soap that lightens discoloration.
I just basically spend maybe 1000 max on skincare. Perhaps much credit goes to genes. 🙂
Try Proactiv. It’ll cost Php 4,000 but it lasts 2 months. I’ve used it since I was in high school and it has never failed me!
Hi Mrs. T! Sending you our greetings from downunder..I regularly read your blog to keep myself updated on Manila and the latest trends. Have only recently begun buying “serious” bags mainly because I would spend so much on my skincare and cosmetics ever since I was in High School.
Im pretty loyal to La Mer, SKII and Estee Lauder. Have used them since I was 25 and spent more money than I can add up through the years. I feel it’s worth it because at the end of the day, you can discard your worn out bags or shoes,but only have one face to face the world with. Cheers!
I swear by Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum. I used to have the occasional zits even at 30-plus, but after I started using this, I very rarely get anything anymore.
hi! i know you got a lot of inquiry as to where we can get a longchamp eiffel tower bag. i know these websites sell it way way over its original price. however, i really want to get one! so i’m willing to pay for whatever price they’re selling! heheheh. so please advise as to where i can get that beautiful eiffel tower bag… 🙁
I use Neostrata renewal cream at night and Neostrata Smoothing lotion for day. Cleanser – Cetaphil.
taking care of our skin is a must! that’s the first thing everyone sees – not your bag or your bling! it is a sin to have a Birkin yet your skin is aghhh.
Heheheh WOW!!! I’m amazed you guys know SO much about skincare, while I have remained clueless, or am just plain lazy. I find it such a chore to put on all these things on my skin, but I guess you’re all right. That’s one of the “things” I should be investing on. More than a bag 😉 I should, for starters, rehydrate my skin by drinking more water. Because I honestly don’t like drinking water. (I must’ve been a prisoner who had to be subjected to some kind of water torture in a past life HAHAHA).
THANKS SO MUCH, everyone! I will go through the comments one by one (with product recommendations), and see which one will work better for me 🙂
x
Have you heard this SOS spot treatment pen from Garnier? When I was in the Philippines I got it for less than 200 php at Watsons. I tried it and it worked wonders for me. I don’t have acne but sometimes I get a pimple or two and it really irritates the hell out of me so it’s usually nice to have like an emergency backup. LOL
@CharlesRavndal: I hear tea tree is good for spot acne treatment too 🙂 I should look for my old bottle.. Or maybe I should already buy a new one haha. I used Murad for spot treatment in the past. It worked wonders but darn, it’s so expensive 🙁
@Monica– Maybe you can help me about proactive== I’ve had mixed reviews about that in the past. May i know if you had a lot of acne or just those sporadic “sprouts” of acne. And how long did it take before your skin completely clear up? 😀 Your feedback is appreciated! I want to know how long the “down time” is for this proactive treatment before my skin gets better.
@BillyJean: Is Conzace like teramycin? (or whatever that medicine was for pimples??)
@RizdelaPlana: Do you use that Estee Lauder product with any other brand?
@Mrs.A and FashionJuice and Xtine: My photo will eventually pop up *somewhere* (with the makeup of Precious). 😀 Just wait for it hahaha. 😀 Meanwhile I’m too shy to post it here. Just try Precious. She was trained in NY and LA from what I remember her saying 🙂
@Boogie: LaMer is so expensivoooo though 🙁 🙁 Although I heard it works wonders. Is it more anti-aging than anti- acne though?
AprilJ: You’re right. Good skin is inherited too. I once told my dermatologist I wanted to have skin like Gretchen Baretto’s and she literally balked at me. Hahaha. Pointed to the door and told me she can’t really help me hahahaha. 😉
After i quit smoking, my complexion improved and it improved even more after I stopped drinking cow’s milk ( only soya milk). Apparently, something in the hormones of the mommy cow gives us zits galore. I use Ponds antiwrinkle cream,day n night. It had lighten my sunspots. It has AHA,i think. Of course palagi akong nakatago sa araw. Daily,I wash my face with Cetaphil and use face cloth to gently wipe it clean.Now,no more zits. Simple and inexpensive. I hope this helps.