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Monday, March 16, 2015

Beau-tips: Primer for BB Cream

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Hello beautiful people!
I'm back with another post.
Today I will cover some beauty tips (or beau-tips) that I learned and applied.
So, it's a 100% guarantee that it's tested and is successful.
I'm very happy to share this with you all.

For this post, I'm going to be specific on the brands of cosmetics that I use.
The reason being I have tested many brands, but nothing works as well as these ones.
But not to worry, you're free to use my method and experiment with others if you're using different brands from mine.

 Let's get started!


How many of you are using BB creams?
Yes, they're the innovative new beauty product that rocked the world from a few years back.
From my knowledge, this type of foundation + moisturizer + sunscreen originated from South Korea.
Now, there are lots of BB Cream types from numerous cosmetic brands from all over the world.
Now the question is, which one is for you?

Well, for me, I've been using Etude House's BB cream for almost 4 years now, and it works wonders on my skin.
Since then, I've fallen in love with all of Etude House's beauty products.

If you're using the same one as mine, I bet there are days when you noticed your face gets darker after a few hours (this process is called oxidation); or the fact that your face become 'cakey' from applying BB cream a little too thick; or you don't look natural when using BB cream (means your face color doesn't match your neck or hands); or when your face gets oily, your whole face just feels disgusting; and to add to that, you've tried every single method demonstrated from the Internet and any of it doesn't work on you!
Been there, done that.

From years of experience, I finally found the perfect method of using BB cream without any of the problems above! (feeling extra super proud right now haha lol)

I would like to start by describing my skin type.
My face is part oily, part dry (or combination skin), and very very sensitive.
The T-zone (forehead and nose area) is oily and everywhere else is dry.
My skin is probably the most tricky one to take care of, plus I have allergies to a few skin care brands in the past.
So, I reckon that this tutorial and the products that I'm using will work on most people's skins, normal ones and even sensitive ones too. 


PRODUCTS LIST:
* Toner *
SKII Facial Treatment Essence
Yeah, I know that this brand is very pricey.
I only use this because I was told by my mom, but you can basically change this to any toner brand that suits you.

* Moisturizer / Primer *
L'Occitane Fluide Ultra Matifiant | Ultra Matte Fluid
This product is super great!
It can be used as a primer and moisturizer at the same time, so you basically save up money for 2 products in 1.
It's tiny, but it sure is powerful.
This fluid is the key of success to my secret method.
If you don't have this, you can just use a normal primer (if you're using one) and a light moisturizer.
Make sure that the moisturizer is light enough so your skin can absorb it quickly!

* BB Cream *
 Etude House Precious Mineral Bright Fit BB Cream - N02 Light Beige
N02 is the color I use, you can try on other colors to match your skin tone.
You can replace this with other brands of BB creams.
I'm not sure about liquid foundations though, I wouldn't recommend it.

* Powder *
 Etude House Precious Mineral BB Compact - N02 Light Beige
The current BB compact packaging might not look like this (I have the old series) but the powder on the inside is the same.
Use the same color powder as your BB cream, I wouldn't recommend a lighter color unless you want to look like a clown (trust me, I've tried).

This tutorial uses 4 products for foundation before applying makeup.
I bought all these products in Indonesia, but I'm sure they're available in most countries in Asian makeup shops!

STEP 1:
Start out with a freshly washed face (pardon my bare face).

Put some toner onto a cotton pad and wipe your whole face with it (avoid eye areas).

STEP 2:
 Put 2 pumps of the primer/moisturizer onto your palm.
Give it a little mix with your finger and distribute to your whole face starting from the widest parts of your face first (forehead and cheeks) then everywhere else after (again, avoid eye areas).
 Your face should still feel light as if you're not wearing anything and has a matte finish.
You can apply more layers if you have extra dry skin or in winter time.

STEP 3:
  Pump out moisturizer and BB cream in a 1:1 ratio onto your palm.

Mix them together with your finger until the BB cream becomes a bit watery.
The BB cream might separate a bit (like the picture above), but don't worry, it's fine.

 Apply the mixture onto your face starting from the widest parts, then the nose, chin, and everywhere else.
Make sure you blend it well!

Afterwards, your face should still feels light and maybe a bit heavy because of the BB cream.
But it shouldn't be too heavy.
Remove extra cream mixture from your hand.
Rub your hands together until warm and put them on your whole face part by part to set the BB cream in.
(Sorry for the grainy pictures >_<)

Unlike my past methods, this one feels very nice and looks natural as if I'm wearing nothing at all.
Not to mention long lasting and protective!

STEP 4:
The last step is to apply powder for a matte finishing touch.
You can apply the powder after or before makeup.

 I get a totally natural finish at the end every time.
(My hand for color reference)

You wouldn't believe how amazing this combination is!
My face condition stays the same from morning 'till night.
I major in fashion design, my classes start from 9am to 3.30pm, usually I run errands before going home to take off my makeup, I'm currently living in Melbourne where the air is dry, and I started doing this routine in summer (yes, Melbourne summers LITERALLY BURN AND FRY SKIN!)

After all those things, I still feel amazing, I never use face oil paper anymore, I don't get sunburns, my BB cream doesn't melt, my skin color stays the same and feels light as a feather.
 I literally love myself for coming up with this method!


Please comment below if this tutorial is useful for you or if there are things that I should've wrote clearer or if you have any suggestions at all.
Show me if you tried this by taking a selfie of the result and tag me (@cindygonzalesss) in an Instagram post!


See ya next time!






Photographed and edited by. me
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Saturday, February 28, 2015

One grateful heart

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27.02.15 ; 19th


Dear family, friends, readers:
Thank you for all the birthday surprise, presents, prayers and wishes!

I'm grateful to be born and to be loved by many.



Today's post is a special birthday post!

Although it's not much, but I'm working hard to make this blog better a step at a time.
I've been planning to post my drawings soon, continuing my style posts,
and I might give some make-up tips.
I need a lot of boost to make this blog successful.
Please support C H E K B O K S in the future too!

 

Took these quickly before my birthday ended.
I hope you enjoy them!


xoxo,
Cindy Gonzales








Photographed by. Ivana Gonzales
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Friday, February 6, 2015

Styling 101: Petite Bags

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Hey guys!
Time sure flies, we're already into February of 2015 (yay!!)
A month full of happiness and love.
For all the lovely ladies out there, I've got something special to share with you today.
I'm going to show you how I style MINI BAGS and CLUTCHES!

As you mostly know, mini bags are all the rage these days.
In any designers' runway recently, we find many versions of mini bags.
From the original Chanel quilted bag, Valentino's rainbow rockstud bag, to the 'It Bag of 2015' Fendi Micro Peekaboo bag (yup, noted)!
People are finding new ways to make a statement and exploring their originality.

Maybe some of these bags of mine are vintage and a bit old, but I'm going to share on how to style them from casual everyday-wear to party-wear my way!

Check it out!


CASUAL FRIDAY


 For the first look, I'm wearing a Marc Jacobs black mini sling bag with a casual outfit.
I feel that a black bag is an essential in every girl's closet because it's the most basic thing there is.
A red-black checkered shirt layered with a printed sweater with ripped jeans.
This look is perfect for a walk outside or a quiet study time in the library.



SUN-DAZED

A bit of a turn up for casual-wear.
I've paired up this Tory Burch neutral-colored clutch with a black shirt-dress, an earthy leather jacket, and some gold bling for accessories.
For you leather-lovers: go hard or go home!
A great tip: choose pieces of the same element to create a stunning look, in this case leather and gold.
Less is more!



A FUN DAY AT THE BEACH



My vintage Chloe amber-colored mini sling bag totally suits holiday-wear!
For this look, I've chosen colors which complements each other, a great combo between the cools and the warms.
A daisy-patterned mini dress, topped with a sheer baby-blue crop top, and a daisy choker.
Chokers are indeed popular here in Melbourne, maybe they will start to trend in Indonesia too?
Don't forget your sunnies, girls!




EFFORTLESSLY LUXURIOUS


Whites can be matched with everything.
And let's face it, nothing can beat an all white look!
Totally luxurious with no effort whatsoever.
A loose white shirt, white skorts, a Louis Vuitton classic mini bag, and a quirky gold necklace to complete the whole outfit.

You can also add in a large scarf and tie it like a sailor collar.
(I should've removed the necklace, oops!)
Perfectly suit you who loves to cruise during the holidays.
Anyway, my bag can be changed into a mini sling bag so it's pretty handy.
There's nothing wrong with a little luxury once in a while, right?
When in doubt, wear white!



A DAY AT THE OFFICE


Feeling like a total pro in with this bright yellow look.
A blinding Charles & Keith's boxy yellow mini bag, a black & white one piece dress, yellow blazer, and a baby blue flower necklace.
Totally playing the color-block game here.
Yes, I know, each yellow is in a slightly different hue to each other.
But, if you can find another piece to even them out, why not?
Cheer everyone up by bringing sunshine inside the dull office (or classroom) today!




NAUGHTY OR NICE?



Shopping for something special to wear on Valentine's Day?
Be romantic in an all-lace look (and if may I recommend: curls and semi-smokey make up!).
A Karen Millen hot pink lacey clutch, paired up with a lace crop top, and a mini pencil skirt (the bow is optional).
Again, choose pieces that connect with each other by looking for that one specific element!
This outfit is perfect for a party or a date with that special someone.
Black is the new pink!




Leave comments below or send in questions to chekboks.blog@gmail.com

Thanks for reading!
#helloFebruary







Photographed by. Ivana Gonzales
Edited by. yours truly~
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Monday, January 12, 2015

Before the After

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Heyya!
How y'all doing?
Well, the holiday is nearing its end and soon we'll go back to either school or uni classes, right?
I know it can be depressing at times, but let's look at it on the bright side.
That way, we'll face each day with joy and a thankful heart.

So, for today's post I'm going to share something of my passion which is fashion, specifically in styling.
My interest in styling grew since I started to like shopping.
K-pop was also a huge influence to me (not surprisingly haha).
I wasn't really a 'girl' in middle school and I disliked shopping more than anything, I was really into online games and stuff like that.
But, ever since I cared about how I looked, I started to change too!
And voila! I've become the self I am today.

 To start off, in my Instagram post I promised to talk about my recent fashion obsession.
Nowadays, (i don't know why) I start to shop for monochrome colors, or plain clothing with a certain type of silhouette.
I have always loved boxy, loose/oversized kinda clothes.
For the photoshoot, I also wore similar shapes.

 Whether it's black or white or grey, I kept on looking for the same stuff.
Is it maybe because I changed my hair color?

I think most of you know, my hair was always brown (either light or dark).
Well, the thing is I got tired of coloring my hair so much that I returned it back to black.
And apparently, black hair is now started to trend (and I had no idea at all). 


Back then, I didn't have a particular style.
I just picked up whatever I like.
I slowly started to study styles of all sorts of people, whether it's the people around me or in social medias.
For me, It's always a good idea to broaden your knowledge and to know many different styles.


Personally, my style pretty much depends on my mood.
Not too long ago, I was totally into bright, colorful clothes with cute pop art patterns.
After that, I liked 1960s boxy crop tops, baggy sweaters, beanies, plain loose clothing.
Now, I'm beginning to like 1900s silhouettes when they had big bows and ribbons on their clothing, especially around the neck.
A very vintage take influenced by my favorite K-girlband, A Pink!
If you're curious, you can check out their performance videos on Youtube.
The song is titled 'LUV' 

I'm also obsessed with photoshoots (pardon my narcissism).
In this one, I tried to portray a dreamy innocent look.
Quick tip: you can just stare blankly into the camera or look elsewhere but try to give a gentle expression.


By the way, flower crowns are so in trend right now and can't stop obsessing over it too.

This shoot was taken in the infamous Jalan Gula here in Surabaya by my very talented friend, Budianto Siswoyo.

Tea time after the shoot at Cup and Crumbs Surabaya.
Enjoyed freshly brewed sweet-scented green tea.


Usually I would write where did I got my outfit from, but now I wouldn't.
Style is not about the brands, it's about attitude and the way you portray it to the public.
But, if maybe you really wanna know where I got them from, feel free to comment below or send me an e-mail anytime!


Had a blasting good time shooting and catching up with an old friend over tea.
P.S. a very nice quote up above!


I hope I didn't bore you guys to death haha.
I tend to skip and talk about something else, then go back to the first thing I was talking about.
Sorry if I confused you, but I'm just excited!
It's really fun talking about the things that you're passionate about :)


A quick message for you style hunters out there:
DON'T BE SCARED!
Just grab anything that you like, then take a very good look at how you fit in them.
Experiment is the key!
 I personally don't really care what people say about my style, so maybe that's a good tip too.
Just ignore everyone and be as crazy and creative as you want~



BE BRAVE and most importantly, BE YOU!






Photographed by. Budianto Siswoyo
Edited by. me!
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