Jiva Jimenez Fashion Photography Workshop

It cannot be stressed enough how photography and makeup artistry compliment each other. Like an obstetrician working hand in hand with a pediatrician when delivering a neonate, poetry in pictures cannot be brought forth in perfection without a skilled photographer capturing the work rendered by the makeup artist on the subject.

I have always wanted to learn digital photography to document my works  but the potential addiction to the the craft is scary, knowing the costs of the gadgets. On second thought, it amazes me how some people can use cheaper alternatives yet come up with excellent shots. Perhaps I can work something out to be good at it without breaking the bank.

When photographer Jiva Jimenez announced that he had an upcoming  photography workshop, I volunteered to do the models' makeup on the premise that he'd allow me to sit in at the seminar. Luckily, he took me in as his student.

I have done fun shoots with Jiva in the past and he is now one of the most sought after wedding  photographers here in Cagayan de Oro and Mindanao. He and his wife Julie Nabong Jimenez own the Lakshmi Photography Studio, named after their adorable daughter.  Lakshmi refers to the Hindu Goddess of wealth and beauty.

Jiva Jimenez comes from a family of photographers in Manila ,whose work in one of the leading newspapers brought him to Mindanao. Julie Nabong-Jimenez, on the other hand, is a nurse who was into photography since her college years. Together, they make a powerful husband and wife team capturing precious images for keeps, while sharing their knowledge to fellow photo enthusiasts.

The Jiva Jimenez Fashion and Creative Lighting Photography Workshop was successfully held last July 24 and 25, 2010 at the Basamanggas Resort in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. It was an event that I was proud to be a part of.  Our models were very professional and easy to get along with. Tina Mende, a football varsity player who catwalks for Pepsi Herrera in the Philippine Fashion Week, is a stunning beauty inside and out. Vence Mae Bacus, a professional ramp model with super fair, flawless skin matched with blonde hair  reminiscent of the Volturi,  and the gorgeous physique of a human Barbie Doll, has power poses and flexibility of the "Incredibles"  superheroes.

Glamour was boosted by stylists and creative directors Zoe Botwin and Pol Nabong, who fabulously assembled top designer Benjie Manuel's collections and coached the models on their poses. Acknowledgments are also in order for Allan Alejandrino of MVP Digital Video for his support to the event.

I couldn't thank Jiva and Julie enough for allowing me to join the seminar.  I'm sure the other participants are happy with their decisions to sign up.  Students got their money's worth because the mentors constantly checked on each one if the lessons were understood, and the outputs tell so. For only Php4000 for the 2-day workshop, we were stuffed not only with amazing tricks on photography and editing, but also on the yummy  food served in between. The ride to the venue was free . Simply put, the experience was priceless.  If you want to learn how to make the most of your camera, be sure to enlist yourself for future wokshops.

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The following are professional shots by Jiva Jimenez during the event :

Some behind the scenes shots:

For more photos, please visit the Lakshmi Photography Site.

Lakshmi Photography Studio is located at 2nd Floor, Lina Building, Capistrano-Abellanosa Sts., Cagayan de Oro City. They can be reached at (8822) 727357 or (88) 2316697. For more information on their services and future workshops, visit their website at http://www.lakshmiphotography.com/

Charice and Botox

International singing sensation Charice recently went for Thermage and  Botox treatment at the Belo Clinic in preparation for her entry into the hit television series, "Glee".

Controversies spring regarding her Botox injection at the young age of 18 .  Had it been a Caucasian actress of the same age going for the procedure, it wouldn't have been a big deal. But this was Charice, one of Oprah's most talented kid discoveries who may be 18 but looks like she just graduated from grade 6. Fans are worried that she may be too young for the treatment commonly performed on older people.

Celebrity doctor Vicky Belo advised the popstar to undergo the said procedure because of Charice's contant chewing of bubblegums.  The  singer's representative says she complains of jaw pains. Botox, according to Dr. Belo, blocks the electrical impulses that tell the facial muscles to contract. Now I wonder how the muscle relaxation would affect Charice's singing.

Let us get acquainted with this popular aesthetic treatment sought after by many celebrities. What does it do and why does it seem to be a standard procedure they have to go through?


What is Botox?

Botox is the registered name of Botulinum toxin, a protein complex derived from a bacteria called Clostridium difficile. There are about 7 strains of the toxin and 4 of them are known to cause disease in humans.  Food poisoning caused by these toxins, called Botulism can lead to paralysis and death.  But  how is a toxin beneficial to beauty?

Botox Background

Taking note of the paralysis side effect of botulinum toxins, scientists diluted it in amounts that could potentially be useful to the health and cosmetic industries. In 1960's , they used strain A in an experiment to treat crossed eyes. The US Food and Drug Administration approved it 20 years after, as a treatment for strabismus (crossed eyes) and for spasms of the eyelid muscles. Patients who were treated for these conditions were noted to have pleasantly reduced crow's feet  and wrinkles near the eyes, as a side effect.  To confirm the findings, clinical trials were done, which subsequently lead to the approval in 2002 of Botox A as a temporary relief for facial wrinkles. In 2004, it was also approved as treatment for excessive underarm sweating.

Who Benefits From Botox?

As you may have observed, patients who usually avail of Botox treatments are older people who show signs of aging (read: wrinkles). Lately, individuals suffering from excessive underarm sweating have been shown to benefit from the toxin as well. The uses of Botox are evolving as  newer clinical indications get approved by the FDA. In March of this year,  Botox got the nod as  a treatment for spasticity of the flexor muscles of the elbows, wrists and fingers in adults, usually in those afflicted with stroke, brain injury, or multiple sclerosis.

Other less known cosmetic uses are brow lifting,  facial slimming and contouring of the legs, which is why younger people likewise submit to the treatment. As for Charice, the indication is said to be Bruxism or clenching of the teeth caused by spasticity of the facial muscles.

Microneedles and disposable syringes are used to inject the toxin . Some degree of pain may be present but it's an outpatient procedure. They can resume normal activities after the trip to the Doctor's clinic.

How does it work?

Through our nerve endings, the brain tells the facial muscles to contract or relax. This creates facial expressions like laughter or frown. Repeated facial expressions cause wrinkles to be visible over time. Botox treatment works by attaching itself to nerve endings, preventing the release of the neurotransmitter  called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is responsible for triggering the muscles to contract. The signals telling the facial muscles to move are blocked, thereby making the muscles relax for a long period of time. Acetylcholine likewise carries signals from the sympathetic nervous system to the sweat glands to stimulate sweat production. Blockage of the acetylcholine achieves control of hyperhidrosis, at least for the underams.

Are the effects permanent?

No,  because the effects of Botox injection lasts for about 3 to 4 months.  So after around this time, you can smile and frown again like you used to do, or you may set an appointment with your doctor for another session.

Risks

Injecting poison into your face can indeed come with risks. Some of the reported side effects include drooping of the eyelids (if targeted near the eye area), headache with double vision,  twitching of the eyes, flu-like symptoms, stomach upset, and mild swelling and redness at the injection site. Serious side effects include the spread of the toxin to distant sites and breathing difficulties. All of these could be lessened, if not avoided, under the hands of an experienced and competent doctor.

Cost

A vial of Botox costs around $4oo.. It could be used for 4 to 5 treatments  a few hours after opening, after then, it has to be discarded. A session can cost from $200 to $500, depending on your location, the experience of the doctor handling the procedure, and the reputation of the clinic.

More Homemade Facials and CAS Scholarship

Ms. Mari Wild of Center for Aesthetic Studies (CAS), shares with Flippish Girl Next Door  Ms. Chrina Cuna, some DIY tips on caring for your skin using ingredients normally found in groceries or your kitchen. They discuss recipes on exfoliants, eye masks, skin lighteners and facial hair reducers that are easy to make, on a video from Flippish.com. Be sure to watch til the end of the clip to get a chance to win a scholarship at the Center of Aesthetic Studies! Visit the video on the Flippish site to watch it and enter your enter your answers to the contest. Good Luck!

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Carrot The Bride

This post does not go into the DIY section where we raid veggies in the kitchen to prettify ourselves. Instead, Carrot is the name of the bride that I dolled up recently, and is the cousin of Audrey from the Geisha shoot.

She was raised in Cagayan de Oro but is presently based in Manila. What makes her different from the other brides is that she works as the marketing manager for Bobbi Brown and La Mer Philippines.  Doing makeup for someone who knows her way around makeup can surely make you conscious about the execution of the client's look. Good thing that like her cousin, she was very pleasant to deal with. I kept in mind her suggestions during the trial makeup to achieve a perfect look for her big day.

She is already very pretty sans makeup.  I didn't want to ruin her her delicate features, hence I sticked it out with the Bobbi Brown way of doing makeup, while resisting the urge to break a few rules. Her beauty had to stand out naturally.

Carrot got married to Hadj (from Pangasinan) at the  San Lorenzo Parish here in Cagayan de Oro.  Bridal preparations took place at Mallberry while their grand reception under the event styling of Flower Matters, was held at the Dynasty Court Hotel. Here are some photos taken during her wedding by the funky photographer, Bon Aserios.  Bridal hair was by Jeanette of Vida Salon.

For more funky wedding photography, please visit Bon Aserios' website at http://bonaserios.com.

Blossom Where You Are Scented

Studies show that fragrances have an effect on moods. A drab day can turn 360 degrees into a fab one by just spritzing on the right scents. Just like the DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom, the fresh, floral, feminine scent is said to energize our spirits, perfect for busy career girls like us.

A best seller among the DKNY array of fragrances, the Be Delicious Fresh Blossom transports you into a stroll  at  New York's Central Park when it's abloom with flowers (*cue in Empire State of Mind by Alicia Keys*). The scent is touted to be pretty and delicate as the first bloom, and as uplifting as spring.

As much as I wish that blogs came with sample strips for fragrances that you can rub off, we'll have to wait for technology to catch up on our crazy ideas. For now let me give you an idea on how it smells like:

Like a flirtatious smile – it charms everyone it encounters. Lighthearted and intensely feminine, the scent is a mix of luscious fruit and delectable flowers. A blend of sparkling grapefruit, cassis and sun-kissed apricot meets a heart of sheer muguet and petal rose, wrapped in luminous jasmine. The apple sensation finishes with a body-lingering base of blonde woods and smooth skin accords. You can’t help be instantly smitten – as will he.

A scent so innocent, so fresh, so playful, It lives up to the Apple Blossom itself – A symbol of love, youth, beauty and happiness, To seduce your spirit and inspire your heart. Inhale its radiance, embrace its vibrancy. You won’t be able to resist, now or ever.

If you're on the hunt for a potion that will charm people around you, a bottle of this perfume might just help. If not, the packaging itself will give you an extra reason to consider this for a daily scent. Fresh Blossom is bottled in the iconic silver-topped apple, only this time the glass bottom reveals juice that is a soft, sophisticated pink, reminiscent of an Apple Blossom. The carton is white with white sketched blossoms. A silver DKNY logo punctuates. The presentation is unabashedly pretty.

Spring on a rainy Philippines? Possible with DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom, which is available in 100ml Eau de Parfum (SRP: Php 4,200) and 50ml Eau de Parfum (SRP: Php 3,100), at Rustan’s Department Stores.

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Temptu Airbrush Training

Sprint Asia Logistics, the company that carries Temptu brand in the Philippines, is offering a complete introductory course in airbrush makeup on Monday, July 19, 2010, from 9AM to 5PM. This is the second time that they'll be conducting a training for makeup artists, to enhance skills in beauty, film, television and fashion using the airbrush.

The basics of airbrush makeup application, along with product knowledge of Temptu, will be tackled during the whole day seminar at the Sprint Asia Logistics Inc office: Unit 302 Quadstar Bldg. No. 80 Ortigas ave. Greenhills. Since airbrush involves machines, troubleshooting tips will be discussed, along with techniques on how to get the most of your equipment. Participants should bring their own compressor and airgun.

Training fee is Php 12,000, with a reservation fee of Php 6,000, which is redeemable in products. The fee for Intro Workshops is non-refundable. For more information about this seminar, please contact them thru their website at http://www.sprintasiabeauty.com or call them at telephone numbers  744-6210 / 725-8854 or 0922-8065633.

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Maybelline Magnum Volum' Express

No matter how Maybelline has been put up the pedestal in the mascara department, I could not relate to the raves made by beautyholics. Oftentimes, I find their mascaras too heavy, weighing down the lashes that I painstakingly curled. Although I like a lot of other Maybelline products, I was about to give the cold shoulders to their latest mascaras until I recently visited their counter in one of the local malls. Among the sales attendants from different cosmetic brands, the one from Maybelline was the most accommodating, hence I gave her the chance to convince me into buying some of their products.

I have super straight and short lashes that are pointing downwards. Using the waterproof Magnum Volum' Express Mascara, the Maybelline attendant wiggled it into my stubborn lashes which weren't curled beforehand. I was surprised how it thickened the lashes and opened up my eyes instantly. I observed how long it would last without smudging, and amazingly, it lasted until I got home, which was about 4 hours later. Normally, after a few minutes, ordinary mascaras including some of Maybelline's popular mascaras would start transforming me into a panda bear. Even waterproof formulas would create dark smudgy circles around my eyes after some time.Miraculously, this did not happen with the Magnum Volum' Express.

So what makes Maybelline Magnum Mascara tick? The product promises to deliver colossal results, with 9x more volume to our lashes. In case you're wondering, its yellow packaging is very similar to the Maybelline Colossal which is US-released. Magnum is its Asian counterpart. I read that there are differences between the two, but Asian mascaras generally perform better for challenging lashes like mine. The collagen formula is said to be the secret weapon that plumps up lashes without clumping, and the patented brush with more bristles that reach even the smallest lashes.

Notice how the wand is slightly curved, following the eye shape to lift the lashes. There are flat sides with shorter bristles that enable reaching the corners and short lashes.

I used it on on my clients which yielded good results. My problem on lashes being weighed down by heavy mascaras has found a solution on the Magnum Volum' Express. Although the lashes become thicker with a few strokes of this mascara, it effectively holds up the curl in place. The product is being marketed for its volumizing more than its lengthening properties, but it does help lengthen the strands even without the aid of lash primers or fibers.

As to its no-clumping promise, this, I don't fully agree with. It has the tendency to clump, depending on your method of application. To lessen clumping, make sure you brush off excess product against its container before applying the wand to your lashes.

If Maybelline continues to come up with clever mascara innovations like this one, it won't be long til false eyelashes become a thing of the past. Maybelline Magnum Volum' Express Mascara is sold for Php 429 at leading stores nationwide.