Make the Outside Match the Inside: Beauty During Cancer Treatment

Hello everyone! Today, I will be sharing a post written by a guest blogger.

Jackie Clark does outreach for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, a leading web resource for mesothelioma cancer. She emailed me and asked if I would post her article, and I said yes. Like her, I also believe that all women need to feel beautiful, no matter what circumstances they may be facing. Some women who undergo cancer treatment have low self esteems, lose self confidence and sometimes get depressed on account of their external appearance. I hope that women all over will have an idea of what cancer patients go through and that it inspires women from all walks of life.

Women undergoing cancer treatments often suffer from decreased self-esteem.  Cancer therapies like radiation and chemotherapy can cause extensive hair loss and weight fluctuations. Persistent nausea and fatigue may make them feel ugly or undesirable. However, the strategic use of cosmetics and beauty products can help these women feel beautiful and strong in spite of their diagnosis. 

One common complaint from women undergoing cancer treatment is that these treatments make their skin dry and itchy.  It can appear red and irritated, almost as though they are sunburned.  Fortunately, there are many organic moisturizers on the market that can help to sooth and rehydrate problem skin.  Organic moisturizers contain all-natural ingredients, which, unlike synthetic moisturizers, will not irritate the particularly delicate skin of a woman undergoing cancer treatment.

Another great product for women undergoing cancer treatment is BB Cream.  Incredibly popular in Korea and now making its way West, BB Cream is a combination moisturizer, treatment, foundation and concealer.  These creams contain soothing botanicals and have healing properties to calm skin redness, and also provide great coverage without the need for additional foundation.

Cancer treatments sometimes cause women’s eyelashes to fall out.  However, a brown or black eyeliner pencil provides an easy fix!  Simply trace a thin line along the top of where the lash line was, and smudge gently with a cotton bud.  This creates an optical illusion that the eyelashes remain, without the hassle of applying false eyelashes.

Blush is an indispensible tool in any beauty arsenal, and pink or rosy tones are a great way to add life to sallow skin.  Focus the blush on the apples of the cheeks and lightly on the nose to brighten up the whole complexion.

Finally, a pretty lip gloss is a great way for a woman undergoing cancer treatment to spice up her look.  Women can experiment with bolder or richer colors that compliment their personality and make a statement.

For many women, a cancer diagnosis like mesothelioma is not only daunting, but the physical effects of treatment can make them feel unattractive.  However, such a diagnosis has no effect on who they are internally.  A way array of beauty products and cosmetics can help patients to look like their former selves, or to experiment with exciting new possibilities they may not have previously considered.  

By: Jackie Clark

I made this using Polyvore. These are some of the products Jackie mentioned. Of course these are just my suggestions, there are a variety of products to choose from.

Lastly, whether you have cancer or you do not; whoever you are, whatever situation you are in right now, remember to smile, because ---

"A smile is the best makeup a girl can wear."

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in 6 Powder Pink

NOTE: I purchased the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge last Friday night and have been using it since then. For long hours and under extreme conditions e.g. walking in the rain. :p

I first had a chance to try this blush out at the Bobbi Brown event. At that time I was still not sure whether I wanted to purchase it or not. I have many blushers that I still need to use so I tried to control myself. The rest of the story is quite easy to figure out, isn't it? But I have no regrets. I am actually loving this product! 

Pictures and swatches:

Price - 1,500 Php

The packaging looks like it's made for professional makeup artists. 

Quite plain in my opinion - not catchy in my opinion. It has a black cover and a glass bottom that contains the product. (Not a fan of the packaging. :P)

I got - Shade 6 Powder Pink

Unscrewed to reveal the pot of rouge.

A warm pink shade that will look flattering on light skinned ladies.

It is a warm pink which gives a nice sun kissed glow! :3 For your reference I am NC 30 in MAC and am considered to be fair skinned (not so in my opinion. :P) 

Swatch

APPLICATION:

- I use brushes, either the Sigma F82 or F84. (Any brush designed for cream products can be used.)
- One may also use her fingers to apply the products directly to the apples of the cheeks or lips.

This product is very easy to blend and apply. Creamy to the touch but not overly done. It goes on smoothly and does not form into chunks and streak like other cream blushes do.

SCENT:
 - Subtle cherry candy like scent which I like.

LASTING POWER:
- Amazing! Lasts for long hours on my cheeks and I have combination-oily skin.
+ I ran in the rain wearing this blush thrice on different occasions and it didn't smear or streak on my cheeks. :3

PRICE:
May seem a bit expensive but you're getting a lot of product. I don't think I will ever use it all up on my own. Luckily one of the babies(my sister) like the blush and will also be using  it. She mentally claims whatever she likes as her own so I will be getting most out of the product.

NEUTRAL:
- The product is quite pigmented. One only needs to apply a little, otherwise that person will end up looking like a clown.
- Not sure whether this color will show up on ladies with darker skin.

NEGATIVE:
- As the product is contained in a pot. One may fear the dreadful contamination of germs. (Use a brush, a spatula or cotton bud when using the product. Never dip your unclean fingers in it.)
- I find it a bit too drying on the lips.(A lip balm is needed to moisturize.)

I haven't tried it as a base like Pammy did. She has a review of the calypso coral here. I just use it on its own and it's amazing!

OVERALL:

I am in love with this product! I needed to rave about it! This is why I'm posting this review first. :P I do not regret purchasing it because I believe it is worth it. I love the shade and it looks natural on my skin. I can also use it as a balm or days when I am feeling extremely lazy and just want a bit of color on my face. Note that this will look natural if properly applied.

Thank you Pammy for being B.I. and showing the swatches of Calypso Coral on your blog. I WUBBB YEWWW!!! <3

(Mini) Haul + Update on upcoming posts :)

I shall call this a mini haul because the items I got does not comprise 1/4 of what my mom did. (Yes, I'm trying to justify that I didn't hoard.) Below is a picture of the items I picked up while I was waiting for my mom while she shopped.

-MAC full lash curler

-The other whale pouch from Paul & Joe which I got as a GWP because my mom bought stuff from them. ( I have the 2 whale pouches now! glee~)

- Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in 6 Powder Pink

- Paul & Joe Protective Fluid Foundation N in 30

- Paul & Joe Eye Color B in 003 Tranquility

- NARS Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer 

- earrings from Accessorize

I think I did a good job on not hauling things I did not need. If you think I failed you should see what my mom and the little Liger my little sister got for themselves. LOL! x)

Reviews, pictures and swatches will be posted some other time. :)  Let me know if there's a product that you would want to see a review on so I can prioritize.

Had lunch at Pepper Lunch(Edited! Sorry I don't know why I typed Pepper Steak LOL!). The babies (my sisters) love to eat here while I find the place overrated.  It's not bad though. I'm just not fond of it. 

Paul & Joe's Marlon with my mom.

Marlon previously worked for Shiseido and remembers my mom as a hoarder  buyer who patronized their brand. LOL! x) He actually did a good job but I wasn't able to take a picture of the transformation. I just thought I should post his picture here because I keep mentioning him on my posts.

Kerastase treatment at Salon ESA on 6750.

I shall do a more detailed post on the treatment next time too. I just wanted to update everyone of what I have been up to. 

What are your plans for the weekend? Well, I hope everyone has a great weekend whatever your plans may be. :3

Killing 4 birds with 1 stone + bronzing noob on the loose! :P

I agree - I shouldn't think of titles for blog entries as I always come up with pretty lame ones. :P

I haven't done a FOTD for quite a while so I'll post one now, so  you can see how all the recent products I have posted about look like when applied on. :)

Hera HD Foundation in 23

Bobbi Brown's Classic Evening Palette

Guerlain Rouge G Serie Noir in 71 Rose Desir

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder Moisturizing & Long Lasting in 01

Have you noticed that product names seem to be getting longer lately? Or is it just me..? O.o

Before you see my FOTD, I feel that I must inform you that this is my first time to use a bronzer. :P I actually had bought many drugstore bronzers which I have never touched. I find that most drugstore bronzers are so shimmery and kind of look intimidating so I use them as eyeshadows LOL! :P

This is sort of a first time for me ok? :3

Also, I would like to note that I did not look like a toasted beach bum in real life and my camera seems to be exaggerating the bronzed look for reasons I do not know. :/ This looks so much natural and prettier in real life. I will have to deal with my cameras settings one of these days.

I put a broken line as a mark for all the areas I applied bronzer on.

It's sort of like the number "3". 

I previously learned that holding cute props will make your pictures more appealing. :p Hence, here I am with Hello Kitty.

Primer -  - Smashbox Photofinish Foundation Primer

Foundation - - Hera HD Foundation in No. 23

Bronzer - Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder Moisturizing & Long Lasting in 01 

Blush On - Bobbi Brown's Classic Evening Palette, Desert Rose

Eyeshadow Primer - UDPP

Eyeshadows - Inglot  #16 AMC + Bobbi Brown's Classic Evening Palette, Navajo, Flint, Black Plum 

Eyeliner - Majolica Majorca Cream Pencil Liner BR611 + Prestige 

Mascara - Majolica Majorca Lash Extreme Fash Plus BR666

False Eyelashes - Missha Eye Lash #04 Natural Long & Clear Eyelash + HK bought falsies cute in half applied only to the outer corners.

Lips - Paul & Joe - Moisture Lip Treatment + Guerlain Rouge G Serie Noir in 71 Rose Desir

Pictures were taken last Monday. I got sick after hehehe. :p

Also, if you watched Xiaxue's latest tutorial on how to achieve noticeable lower lashes without applying lower falsies, you will notice that it's what I did on my lower lash line. :) 

Forgive my vain pictures. :) I took this picture on the way home.

This is the road side at NLEX. :3

A sunflower! There was a bee when I attempted to shoot this but it got away before I could press the camera. >.<"

Do you like shimmery bronzers or do you prefer matte ones? :)

Bobbi Brown - Bye bye, Dark Circles (Saying goodbye has never felt so good!)

I was given the opportunity to attend my first blogger event! YAAAYYYY!!!! Thanks to Charles Angel for inviting me. :3

I have been an insomniac for as long as I can remember. Thankfully, I do not have the worse eye bags and dark circles which I will attribute to genes. However I realize that I am growing old - I cannot help but get conscious of my appearance. Usually, I just apply foundation on and skip the concealer but I learned that a corrector and a concealer is a must in our makeup routines because it makes the face brighter and more fresh! 

The ever gorgeous Charles Angel!

Owell of Bobbi Brown moisturized my face with Bobbi Brown's Hydrating Line. 

Then proceeded to apply the following products:

Corrector: in Peach

Concealer: Warm Beige

Foundation: Oil Free Even Finish in Warm Beige

Powder: Sheer Finish Loose in Warm Beige

Cheeks: Pot Rouge in Powder Pink

Lips: Pot Rouge in Powder Pink

Patting on the concealer. :)

Done! :)

While I may not be the best person to ask whether an under eye corrector and concealer works, I can attest that the concealer that was applied under my eyes made my face brighter! :3 I also like the fact that it's easy to apply and the consistency of the products were creamy and can be applied using the ring finger.

Let's get this straight girls, should you choose to apply a concealer with your fingers use the ring finger because it has the lightest pressure among our fingers. You want to apply the concealer on, not rub it off. Hence, a patting motion is the best way to go.

Kai Vinson of Makeup Artist & Trainer of Bobbi Brown New York.

Kai answering our questions and giving us tips.

Kai talked about Bobbi Brown. He said she was very hands on with their products and that she wouldn't release anything if it did not meet her standards. He also said Bobbi wanted normal girls to be able to apply makeup the way professional makeup artists do, that's why they have products that are fool proof and are very easy to work with! 

EG: Their pot rouge can be used on the lips and cheek. 

He also told us that their BB cream was sold out! That it has 3 different colors and caters to women with darker skin tones. :)

Kai is very nice and was eager to answer our questions. He said that he likes the food here, and that he was surprised to find out that our magazines were in English. It was really a fun learning experience! :)

He also gave us some advice on makeup application. Some of the tips he gave us are the following:

- If you are attending an important event lessen the intake of salty and sweet food. Also drink lots of water. Your skin will look better and you will become more radiant.

- The best way to apply concealer in our country is with a brush because the weather is so humid.

- Dark under eyes? Apply a tea bag or a cucumber on the area before you take a shower.

- Wear a bright lipstick when you're in a hurry so that no one will notice the rest of your face is bare.

I look fat in this picture. :] Hihi~

Kai with Charles.

Me with Lady E. =)

Mona Borromeo, Manager of Bobbi Brown also handed all of us a wonderful palette as a parting gift!

Bobbi Brown's Classic Evening Palette

Back.

The colors are wearable and great for everyday use. ;)

swatches.

INITIAL THOUGHTS ON THE PALETTE:

- I like the blush "Desert Rose" very much! It's such a pretty color and is very pigmented. It also applies smoothly. :3 

- Navajo is a cream and can be used for highlighting. It is matte and does not have sparkles/glitters.

- Flint is a matte taupe and is a good base for eye makeup.

- Black Plum is such a gorgeous eyeshadow with shimmers and I definitely love how creamy and pigmented it is! (I always gravitate towards shimmery eyeshadows anyway. :P)

Truth be told I have no Bobbi Brown makeup in my dresser. I have been honest with you, and regular readers might know that I have always been a sucker for pretty packaging and Bobbi Brown's packaging looks professional and sleek. Being the way I am, I have never really checked out their items before. Now, I realize that I need to pay their counter a visit soon! There's no turning back now - I really like their blush, pot rouge and concealer. :D

After the event I went to Rustan's, ended up at Guerlain's counter and picked these up:

Guerlain's Rachel was super nice and gave me a discount plus a purse for my purchase. :3 Will be showing the items next time with a proper review. 

Thank you so much for reading. :3

What's your favorite concealer?

NOTE: I stand at 5 fee 11 inches. Filipinos are generally known to be a short race so I guess I'm the odd one out. :)