Elizabeth Taylor’s Emerald Diamond Bracelet

Famed fashion and beauty icon, actress, and jewelry collector (as well as husband-collector) Elizabeth Taylor may have passed away last month, and she may be auctioning off her personal jewelry collection at Christie’s (reportedly worth $150 million!), but that doesn’t mean you can’t own an emerald diamond bracelet much like Dame’s herself!

Among Dame Elizabeth Taylor’s vast and luxurious jewelry collection, is her Bulgari emerald parure. A gift from her fifth (and also sixth) husband, Richard Burton, the decadent parure was given on several separate occasions: the emerald diamond brooch was a gift to celebrate their engagement, while the emerald diamond necklace was a wedding present. Later, Burton gifted her with a matching emerald diamond bracelet and earrings, also from Bulgari. It was even said that some of the emeralds in the jewelry set were from the Grand Duchess of Russia.



While Elizabeth Taylor’s own emerald diamond bracelet would no doubt cost a fortune (probably both my arms, legs, and most likely a kidney) what few know is that the Dame herself designed an emerald diamond bracelet that costs less than $1 million.

Currently being auctioned off at Christie’s, the emerald diamond bracelet designed by Taylor, was manufactured by the House of Taylor Jewelry, a company created in 2005 (whose principal shareholders include Elizabeth Taylor—duh!—and Kathy Ireland).



Obviously, the bracelet is nothing like Elizabeth Taylor’s but it’s the closest thing to owning jewelry that have passed the Dame’s own hands, and no doubt her taste.

Designed with a wide flexible band, containing nine circular-cut diamond lines, and several square-cut emeralds, mounted on 18k gold, the bracelet retails for $49,000 at Christie’s. Fortunately, jewelers such as Povada Fine Jewelry provide an exquisite line of emerald diamond bracelets that you could actually let that Elizabethan dream a reality.




Bibliography

Christie's. 2011. Web. 26 Apr. 2011.

"Elizabeth Taylor's Enduring Love Affair with Bulgari. | The Jewellery Editor." High
Jewellery, Jewels & Watches | Expert Advice from Maria Doulton. 30 Mar. 2011. Web. 26 Apr. 2011. .



Hughes, Richard W. "Gemstone.org." Welcome to ICA - All About Colored Gemstones.
2011. Web. 26 Apr. 2011. .


The above article is a guest post by Cara L.

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Carmina Villarroel's Shoe Business

I would wear whatever Carmina Villarroel is wearing. I've always considered Carmina as one of the few showbiz people with excellent fashion sense- trendy but  not tacky for her age, and sexy without revealing too much. She's the type who can wear fashion rings and have the accessories trending the next day. Carmina simply looks good in whatever she's donning since her teenybopper days. Eventually, she found a productive way to channel her fashion sense by creating her own shoe line, taking after her middle name- the Muniz Shoes .

Muniz Shoes reflect Carmina's personal style, showcasing designs that are eye candies that don't compromise comfort. The products are said to be globally appealing  but less expensive since they are sourced locally . The shoes are mostly named after the special people in her life. Maura (which is currently on sale), for example, is named after her maternal grandmother. If I'm not mistaken, Gianelli is named after one of her best buds, Gelli de Belen whose real name is Ana Gianelli.

From more than 2 dozen designs of sleek pumps to comfy flats, get your dose of shoe fix online through munizshoes.com. Recently, limited styles are also available  at  Trinoma Ensembles. As much as I love online shopping, I noticed they only have bank transfer as payment option. Why can't all online shops offer credit card or paypal as mode of payment?  Anyway, the good news for shoe addicts is that Muniz Shoes is having an end of season sale from March 1 to 31, 2011! Up to 25% discounts are available on selected items.

photos from munizshoes.com

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Mac Peacocky Collection

After its US launch in January, the Mac Peacocky Collection hits the Philippines this month. It is currently available in all Mac counters in Manila except for Mall of Asia which will start carrying the collection on February 25,2011 (Friday).

Product Description from Mac:

Arrogance or elegance? The showy display, the undeniably sexual spectacle, the iridescent irreverence…it’s awe-inspiring. We fetishize the exotic peacock as a symbol of extreme beauty, an act of elaborate nature, raging against everything simplistic. Peacocky fans out in a foray of intense colour for Lips and Eyes, exotic and sophisticated with a touch of ’30s F. Scott Fitzgerald glamour and mesmerizing metallic sheen.

New Kissable Lipcolour combines full flash with creamy comfort. It’s molten, with elastomer technology that imparts a velvety, aerated feel without sacrificing shine. Light as a feather. Mega Metal Shadow gleams like chrome, with light-reflecting properties – yet creamy, crease-resistant, vitamin-fortified flexibility. Dramatic doesn’t even begin to describe the girl who knows she’s Peacocky.




Kissable Lipcolour
Enchantée - Light blue pink
Woo Me - Light pinky nude
So Vain - Muted dirty coral
Vanity Fair - Mid-tone blue pink
Exxxhibitionist - Red-toned coral
Strut Your Stuff - Bright true red
Scandelicious - Blue fuchsia
Peacocky - Sky blue with red pearl
Super - Muted neutral brown
Temper Tantra - Mid-tone reddish brown
Flaunting It - Grey mauve
Love Peck - Blackened blood red

Price: Php 1,150.00

Mega Metal Shadow
Peek-at-You - Frosted yellow white
Dalliance - Light champagne
Prance - Frosted mauve pearl
Top of the Posh - Frosted white pink
Tweet Me - Gold bronze
Mating Call - Dirty frosted violet
Odalisque - Deep teal
Sexpectations - Metallic burgundy
Paparazz-she - Deep copper bronze
Ego - Forest green
Noir Plum - True purple with silver pearl
Dandizette - Navy with silver pearl
Spectacle of Yourself - Deep bronze
Centre Stage - Frosted chocolate brown
Unflappable - Frosted black with purple pearl

Price: Php 1,175.00

Available at the ff. outlets:
RUSTANS MAKATI 8128265
RUSTANS SHANGRI-LA 6319310
ROCKWELL POWER PLANT 8982045
MARIONNAUD MALL OF ASIA 5560419
TRINOMA (Opening end of December 2010)

International: February 2011 at all M—A—C locations,
www.maccosmetics.com

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Fashbook - A Makeover Show

Who doesn't love makeovers? The idea of transforming plain Janes into style divas is as empowering as turning Clark Kent into Superman.  Makeovers prove  that everyone is distinctly beautiful- which becomes more evident with the right attitude, tools and help from people around. When I heard of a local makeover show brewing up at  GMA News TV 11 (QTV 11), I simply couldn't wait for it's pilot episode  scheduled on on March 2, 2011 at 10 to 10:30 PM. All the more that it's model/fashion designer/painter/makeup artist -turned- actress Solenn Heusaff who will be hosting the show.

Solenn will be joined by other team members who will make up the glam squad for a total makeover:

Jigs Mayuga- a CAS graduate who later on became the chief makeup artist for L'Oreal Philippines.

Eric Poliquit-  the resident stylist at GMA Network and a fashion designer

Ali Gui (not the crab fat) aka Miss A- psychologist/ life coach

Thirty minutes per week seem too short for a makeover show but I'm crossing my fingers it will be fully packed with ideas on boosting a person's self esteem. Apparently, it is not limited to female subjects as shown on the teaser. Average Joes get their dose of fashion upgrades too. I have high expectations for this show and I can only hope it doesn't disappoint us.



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Suesh Portable Make-Up Studio

Make-up gigs are usually done in Hotels where the lights are yellow or warm, which is a nightmare for make up artists. Yellow lights can be flattering and the client may love what she's seeing on the mirror but we need to see the actual colors we are putting on her, as seen on broad daylight. She needs to look beautiful even when she goes out of the hotel room, when the camera flashes, or when she's exposed to strong lights.  Yellow light will yield the following effect on the colors we are applying: turns red into white, fades away yellow, darkens green, turns blue into purple, and violet into pink.

Here is where the makeup trolley with lights come in, to solve the problem of yellow illumination on our work space.  Ironically, they are sold with free yellow lights which defeats the purpose, but you can always replace them with white bulbs.  Like how a surgeon needs bright lights at the operating table, a make-up artist needs all the light she can get to achieve polished, precise, and perfect look for her client.

I purchased the Make Up Station/Portable Studio from Suesh about a year ago but wasn't able to write a review on it. I was debating with myself whether it was a good buy or one of those products I bought on a whim just because other makeup artists were using it. After giving it much thought, here is my take on the Makeup Trolley with lights:

Rule In:

• I need bright, white lights on gigs. The makeup station provides it.


• It's a standard tool for most professional make up artists


• I have my own working area even if the hotel doesn't have a vanity table (or if their available table is swamped with bags and things of the whole bridal entourage)


• It has an additional socket that can be used for hair dryer, curling iron, etc.


• It has its own legs. I can either put it on top of a table or spread its legs so it can stand on its own.


• The wheels make it easy to bring along


• It's convenient to use at home for trial makeups because I can fold it up afterwards a la Transformers, which means no need for space-occupying dressers

Rule Out:

• Heavy! (how does 15 kgs sound to you?)


• The process of making it stand on its own legs needs superpowers (you will need a strong assistant, preferably Superman or Darna)


• Making it stand on its legs will take up huge floor space- not suitable for small hotel rooms


• I find it difficult to tug along on uneven grounds and stairs


• Not practical to bring on flights since this is already 15 kgs, the maximum limit for baggages, without any makeup inside yet


• I always need an extra makeup bag since not all makeup products fit inside the case


• My makeup rates are too low for this expensive tool (hah!)

Cost: Php15000 plus Php1300 for shipping from Manila to CDO
Dimensions: 570x440x210 mm
Where to Buy: Suesh- http://suesh.multiply.com (they now offer payment through paypal!)

There were times when I thought of selling it because of its weight discouraging me from bringing it to gigs, but lately, I appreciated its use especially during events where I had to put up with yellow lights because there was no sun even if we open the windows. This is also a winner when doing trial makeups at home. I  just wish I bought a smaller variety with wheels, like the one used by John Lapus on "Here Comes the Bride" but I couldn't find an online vendor who sells that kind. I've decided on not letting this go because I still think this is a good investment for professional makeup artists.

For those who are just starting out, bring a study lamp with white lights to get a better view of what you're working on. That's what I do when I don't have an assistant to bring the trolley around, or I take pictures with flash to check if the makeup is even. If you really want a portable studio, choose the smaller cases or the ones with fluorescent lights, they are cheaper but serve the same purpose. Upgrade to this bigger kind once you can afford to hire Captain Barbell to bring it for you.

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Lala Flores' Daughter is Supermodel of the World

It's in the genes! Danica Magpantay, daughter of former supermodel-turned-makeup artist Lala Flores won the Supermodel of the World title on January 22, 2011 in New York City.

Who could forget Lala Flores' reign on the ramp 2 decades ago? Oozing with X-factor, she bagged  the much coveted Supermodel of the Philippines title in 1990 and got the Crest Best Smile award when she represented the country abroad.  After getting married to Pogs Magpantay and shying away from the spotlight, she continued to make her mark in the fashion industry as a topnotch makeup artist.

Now, the spotlight is on her 17 year old daughter Danica, who bested more than 70 other candidates from all over the globe in the prestigious Ford Modeling contest. Danica's dusky complexion, killer bone structure, and long legs are all reminiscent of the younger Lala Flores. She has an equally stunning sister named Danielle who made it to the top 8 of the Supermodel of of the Philippines competition last October 2010, in which Danica grabbed the plum prize. Danielle, however, is proud and in full support of her sister.

Danica, a UP Fine Arts  student, brings home the title of the first ever Filipina Supermodel of the World (Charlene Almarvez was 1st runner up in 2010, Charo Ronquillo placed 3rd in 2006). She also snags a $250,000 modeling contract with the Ford Modeling Agency.

credits to the respective owners of the above photos

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Regine and Other Women Who Did Their Own Bridal Makeup

Let me begin this entry by sending out good vibes to everyone as we start another year. Before 2010 ended, I vowed to update this blog on a daily basis yet like all other New Year's Resolutions, they remain just as they are- resolutions. So here I am making an update after almost past mid-month of January of 2011. But hey, if for any consolation, at least  I made it before the Chinese New Year. I have products for review in tow and I'll make sure I blog about them before the next decade. Ok, kidding on that one.

Just a few days before the 2010 Christmas, Regine Velasquez finally tied the knot with Ogie Alcasid. Besides the red bridal gown and boots defying  traditions, it was noteworthy that the Asia's songbird, at her stellar status, chose to do her own wedding makeup.



While my readers would know that I did my own makeup during my wedding in 2009, it was easy to understand why. Apart from the fact that I studied the craft .. and some trust issues, cost-cutting measures played a large part on that . But Regine is an entirely different case. She is a star. She earns by the millions! Her job surrounds her with the best makeup artists in the country. She could have easily booked Juan Sarte or Steven Doloso on her big day. Instead she had to take matters into her own hands, literally. The video coverage of their wedding on GMA showed Regine meticulously lining her eyes, among other things that make up artists routinely do, while somebody else was styling her hair.

As her fans would know it, Regine Velasquez is a multifaceted artist. Apart from her exceptionally great singing voice which made her a star, she also dabbles into tattoos and sketching. In most  shows, she does her own makeup because she's  more comfortable  in doing so. She reasons that having different makeup artists result into varying looks, so she wants to make her appearance consistent by becoming her own makeup artist.  As I would agree with her, "no one else knows a woman's face better than herself."

Apparently, she's not the only celebrity who took the road less traveled . See who joins the list of  women with talented hands that deftly created magic  on their own wedding day.

Geneva Cruz

Besides being a brazen PETA advocate , Geneva is a true artist at heart. She writes her own songs and paints pretty pictures. A fan of writer Kahlil Gibran, she will surprise you with her thought-provoking insights on things.

Although it has long been confirmed that this original Smokey Mountain lead vocalist had split up with KC Montero, Geneva did her own makeup during their wedding in Washington on January 2004. The intimate gathering was attended by family and close friends. Unlike Regine who left the hair to a stylist, Geneva  did her own hair and even designed her wedding gown.

Barbi Chan

Barbi may not be an actress or a rock star but she is no doubt  famous on her own merits. A celebrity makeup artist schooled at the Makeup Designory in California, she stresses the importance of knowing the difference between a "beautician"  and a makeup artist although she says she has nothing against the former.

A make-up diva doing her own bridal makeup seems to be the most logical thing in the world. When she got married more than a year ago to Jorge Friebel, she went for the smokey eyes  and donned a pink and black wedding gown in Boracay. Barbi is presently based in Portugal with her husband.

Watch their video from Jason Magbanua  here.

Kate Middleton

Yes, the soon-to be-princess. Prince William and Kate are still to be wed on April 2011 but the 28 year old lass worked her way through the brushes and did her own makeup for their engagement pictorial with Mario Testino.

One would expect an entourage of top-caliber makeup artists for such event but Kate preferred to do things her way, at least for the shoot. She darkly lined her eyes and balanced it with muted shades of blush and lipstick. Simple but splendid. Bobbi Brown herself had nothing but positive remarks about Kate's excellent job at doing her own makeup.

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