A Blotting Miracle

Blotting paper is one of the beauty products I tend to overlook when I'm in a drugstore. I find it unfortunate that I only paid attention to it a couple of months ago when I noticed how much my sister loved using it.

I used to think that blotting paper only catered to people with oily skin as opposed to someone with dry skin like myself, but, I couldn't have been more wrong. I only realised otherwise when I decided to try some just for the heck of it and I was quite surprised to find so much oil had transferred to the blotting paper causing it to become transparent. Apparently, it doesn't really matter what skin type you are, you will get oily during the day. After that incident, I decided to buy a pack for myself.

I started using Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets because they're practically available everywhere. I'd use it during late afternoons in the office when my face seemed more dewy than usual and I noticed that the oil being sucked out by the blotting paper left a matte finish on my skin. I didn't need to reapply any powder after that.

Using blotting paper can be an inexpensive solution to keep your skin looking fresh and matte without the added layer of chemicals on your face. It's better for your skin and it's more hygienic because the sheets are disposable, as compared to face powders. I find that most people who use face powders are guilty of not washing their makeup sponges regularly causing bacteria to grow on the product. This can lead to all sorts of skin problems. So unless you actually do clean your sponges then I have nothing against it.

So for the practical beauty, you can leave your big bulky face powders at home and try using these light weight and handy sheets instead! For those who absolutely cannot live without face powders, there are also blotting papers with a little layer of powder on them. One is called the Palladio Rice Paper Powdered Blotting Tissues and they sell it at Beauty Bars all over the country. Still a better alternative than bringing a bulky face powder everyday.

Image taken from Google.

Moisturiser: How To Use It In Four Ways Other Than The Obvious

1. ADJUSTABLE COVERAGE: MIX FOUNDATION WITH MOISTURISER

This technique makes it easier for you to adjust your foundation to the weather conditions and to your skins needs. On days that you need less coverage you can mix more moisturiser with the foundation. It blends easily with cream or liquid foundation and results in something like a tinted moisturizer depending on how much you place.

If you're looking for something heavier then simply apply a pea sized amount of your moisturiser for smoother application and more coverage.

*This technique results in healthy dewy looking skin.  

I got this foundation palette at Makeup Design Academy (Robinsons Galleria/ Mother Ignacia, Q.C.). It usually needs to be mixed with 244 fluid for a more liquid consistency but since they didn't have stock at the time I was studying there, I experimented with moisturisers mixing them with the cream foundation and I found that it worked just as well. The foundation resulted in a smoother liquid state making it easier to apply.

Cream Foundation (alone)

Cream Foundation (with moisturizer)

(Not completely blended out for comparison purposes. On the left side is the cream foundation without moisturiser)

Both blended with a Beauty Blender. The Cream Foundation with moisturiser was able to cover a larger area as compared to the one without. Plus, it took half the time to blend. When blended out fully, both still result in the same form of coverage. 

2. INTENSITY AND PRECISION: MIX EYEBROW POWDER WITH MOISTURISER

Dab your eyebrow brush on some moisturiser before placing brow powder for a clean line. Personally, I find that it works better than brow wax and it's perfect for simulating real brow hair.

Brow powder (alone) applied using MAC 208, a very excellent brush.

Dab some moisturizer.

As you can see, you get a cleaner, more saturated hue as compared to using brow powder alone. 

3. MIX WITH EYESHADOW TO CREATE EYELINER

This also works well if you want to use your eyeshadow as eyeliner. What I do is I take my MAC 208 brush and dab on some moisturiser before placing it on an eyeshadow of choice. The result is just like the one seen above. A very clean polished line perfect for creating strong and accurate liner looks. 

4. MIX WITH EYESHADOW FOR COLOUR INTENSITY

Moisturiser works like water as well so if you want your eyeshadow color to pop an extra mile than mix the two for more intensity. It helps when you don't have an eyeshadow primer on hand. I use moisturiser instead of water because you're practically combining the benefits of the moisturiser with the product you're using. Benefits that water lacks. 

I used Aubergine from Smashbox and applied it on with a MAC 219 brush. The one on the right is mixed with moisturizer and is evidently more saturated. 

NOTE: Do not drown your brushes with moisturizer otherwise it will just remove the makeup you're trying to apply. 

Hand Model: Corrine Barcelona