ROGUE LOOKS

After almost 3 years of growing out my natural hair color, staying away from hair dye because of my terrible bleached hair history: my hair was too damaged for any color after. (You can read more here and here.) I finally had the chance to color my hair again!

It was a good excuse because it was for a shoot, and I don’t have to pay for anything. I will let you know more about that soon. But you have probably seen some BTS photos on my instagram already.

I went to the new Studio Fix at the glorious Century City Mall in Makati. Everything about the place was chic.

They let you wear this robes before they start on anything. A must for me since I get too cold easily. Looks like I’m about to go to a spa right?

After shampooing and conditioning my hair, they started applying the color.

About the color, I don’t know what shade exactly. Since its for a shoot, I just trusted them with what color they think will suit me. Mike, the senior hair stylist told me that any hair color would suit me cause I’m fair. I believed him cause he’s the genius behind Mond Gutierrez’s lustrous silver hair.

They lightened my hair first, not with bleach but an organic hair lightener, which explains the ORANGE roots in this picture.

After lightening my hair, they applied an ash brown color.

All throughout the visit, I had hot coffee with me, I think I finished two cups! My trip to the salon took about 5 hours. The coloring was fast but what really took most of time was drying and straightening cause my hair was that damn thick and curly, haha!

It didn’t bother me though, they have fast free WIFI so I can play from my Spotify playlist, and I had this Shailene Woodley magazine cover with me! Her interview and spread inside changed my life. Ugghh she’s too perfect. I think I’ll go watch TFIOS again for the nth time.

After waiting, ta-da! Softer lighter hair! I swear it’s the best my hair has been and color didn’t damage my hair. I luhhh it so much!

They also had my hair straight cut so its shorter now. It looks like and instant hair ad! Bye bye flyaway layers!

Thanks Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell and Cynos for my hair transformation!

When it comes to beauty, I always look up to the famous celebs and models. But when it comes to hair, It’s Tricia Gosingtian that I look up too.

Why? Because we pretty much have the same hair history. (Okay I admit, I stalk a lot.) That’s why I was so thrilled when I read her post about how she maintains her ever shiny and pretty colored hair.

She uses this:

(Photo by Tricia G)

Lucido-L Treatment Oil in 2 variants - one for permed hair and one for straight hair.

If I were to choose, I would use the Lucido-L Hair Make Supplement Treatment Oil. Cause growing up, ever since I was in high school, I’ve always been having my hair rebonded, It’s only now that I decided to stop having it undergone these damaging procedures.

I was born with naturally curly hair, which is famous for its frizz and dryness. So It would be a life-saver if the Lucido-L treatment oil would help tame my frizz and would moisturize my hair.

(Photo by Tricia G)

The other product featured was the Lucido-L Hair Make Supplement Styling Milk

On casual days, I do let my hair rest and I just let it be curly. But on special occasions, I need my hair to look silky straight.

So I think the Lucido-L Hair Make Supplement Styling Milk would be perfect for me

This is how my hair looks like when it has been blow dried and straightened by an iron. Imagine the damage! The top half looks pretty shiny but the bottom half looks damaged and dry.

I never really had my hair ombre-d. The bottom part was actually what’s left from my bleached, rebonded and colored hair.

(Year 2011. Back when I had may hair bleached.)

(After I had my hair bleached, I had it colored to ash blonde.)

(This was my hair before all the bleaching and coloring happened.)

So you can really see the change that happened to my hair after it was bleached and colored. I am fully aware how unhealthy bleaching is, and how dry and frizzy my hair is now.

I’ve tried so many thing to bring back my hair to life, like serums, mousse, treatment masks, but I haven’t use a product that has cause dramatic improvement.

I really want to try the Lucido-L hair care treatment! I know it’s super effective because Japanese models have the best colored hair. And I trust Tricia so much. Hope I win!

Hi there! Just want to share you guys my hair resolution this 2013. I started trying to be “all natural” and accepting my natural features, especially my naturally curly hair.

Growing up as a kid, I have very curly hair that I inherited from my mom. My hair was thick, dark brown and curly. As I go to high school, I hated my hair. I remember it being too thick and super curly. So I decided to have it rebonded, and I haven’t stopped going to the salon like every 6 months or every year to have it rebonded, straightened or relaxed. (If you’re like me you’ll probably know the difference between the three.) Having my hair burned and dried to it’s fullest, I followed the “korean” hair trend and I decided to get my hair bleached and dyed. Which just made my hair worse, it became so fine it just breaks all the time, and the split-ends won’t just end. Until last year, when I decided to stop having my hair treated and just to let the curls and my natural hair colors to grow out.

But damaging my hair didn’t stop. I become fond of heat styling that I used flat irons and curling iron almost everyday without using any heat protection. That ended this year because I decided to get my hair healthier and I want to tell you guys how I did it!

As you can see from this HD photo, my hair is not something to be proud of. The ends looks really weak and there’s no sign of healthy at all. This hair has already been straightened then curled, so imagine what it looks like if I haven’t done anything to it. It will be way worse than this!

I researched ways to make my hair healthier again and here’s what I found.

1. You only shampoo your scalp and the top of your hair. Forget the middle parts and the ends. You do this only every other day or if you feel that your hair is getting greasy. Because the more you wet your hair, the dryer it gets. So don’t go skipping washing out those chlorine from a day of swimming. (I personally use L'oreal smooth intense shampoo for frizzy and rebellious hair, I also recommend Dove hair damage therapy shampoo in intense repair and nourishing oil care. Or you can go as organic as possible)

2. You use conditioner starting only from the middle parts to the end. If you need to get your hair wet and you think you don’t need shampooing yet, just condition. Condition also on days when you feel that your hair is already dry and unhealthy on the ends. (I use L'oreal smooth intense conditioner, or you can also use Dove Intense repair and nourishing oil conditioners, check for harmful chemicals like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate because it dries out your hair)

3. I use L'oreal Smooth intense daily rinse out treatment daily. But I don’t use it if I’m using conditioner. I will use it if I’m going to style my hair right after shower. I use conditioner when I’m going to use Dove intense repair over night treatment (which will be number 5) So I don’t use conditioner and the daily rinse out treatment on the same day. I know it sounds confusing but so :) (When my bottle runs out, I’ll try Cream Silk perfection hair treatment or Tresemme’s. Just so I could compare)

4. I use L'oreal Smooth intense anti-frizz serum before I blow dry my hair and before I apply my mousse. Or if I think my hair needs a boost of shine and “tame” when it is already dry. Like a leave-on. 

5. Dove intense repair overnight treatment is a miracle to me. I have used it twice in a row, (but the package only says almost once a week) and it has done so much already. My hair is smoother, shinier, healthier and my curls are bouncier, tamed and much more defined. I recommend you all to try this product and see the difference!

So you may be confused why do I use two hair treatments. If I will blow dry my hair, I will use L'oreal’s daily rinse out treatment. Then put serum, then mousse. If I will just let my hair rest, I will use L'oreal conditioner then this Dove damage treatment. But if I will not use the Dove damage treatment, I will not use conditioner, I will use the daily rinse out treatment. :)

6. The finesse curl defining mouse has also given so much change and improvement to my hair. It made my curls tamed, my hair is shinier and softer than ever!

After I followed this routine for only one week, I’ve seen a huge amount of change! This is what my hair looks like now after I had it moussed and blow dried with a diffuser. Yes! No straightener or curler involved!

My hair might look like a bit dry because of the grainy-ness of the photo. But it really is smoother now, and I only used blow dryer to have this hair. Will post better photos soon, and if you have any questions just comment below. I would love to answer it, or if you have more tips, please do help me! :)

(SM GTW metallic shorts, Sheer top from Paseo Sta. Rosa; Hype this look on lookbook.nu here)

Look at my cat ears! I’ve seen this trend all over Japanese magazines and I miss doing crazy hair styles that I decided to try it out. This Nekomimi hairstyle ( as Japanese would say) is a very simple hairstyle but definitely a hardwork in the process. I’ve watched tons of Nekomimi tutorials on youtube but it’s really all about trial and error. But with patience, you’ll get it perfect but definitely not on the first try. 

Anyway, another thing that I’m obsessed about this season is the metallics. Found this bronze shorts on sale at SM, and I love it so much I bought the same color in pants!

Check out my other pictures on my “Jap magazine style” inspired look:

Sheer tops over statement shorts are my favorite style go-to’s. It can look casual, pretty, sexy and party! Very easy to style and play with.

Love my look so much I took photographs very seriously. I also manage to copy some cheesy but high-fashion Korean/Japanese poses.

Finished off my look with a simple pair black glitter pumps for a very classy but fun outfit!

So what do you think of my overall look? Leave a comment or subscribe to me on FACEBOOK, follow and mention me on TWITTER and follow me on INSTAGRAM!

I love having chit-chats :)

New York Fashion Week is just around the corner, and to give my own opinion/reaction on what’s latest in the runway, I’m going to show you hair and make-up tutorials inspired from one of my favorite designers, Rebecca Minkoff.

Rebecca’s SS 13 collection stays true to her brand, playful and subtly edgy. Known for her theme as “downtown romantic”. Rebecca plays with colors, textures and prints like florals which is a trend that is not going away anytime soon. Rebecca calls her looks, feminine meets tomboy channeling glamorous yet relaxed style of  Slim Aarons’ poolside photography of the 60s and 70s. 

Here’s some of the looks from her gorgeous collection:

I love the combination of sheer and floral print on this jumpsuit. Looks very sweet and playful. You can wear it to the beach (outdoors) or a fun date at a restaurant (indoors).

Now here’s one of the most beloved pieces in her collection. This jacket is definitely original and lovable! You can look bad-ass and sweet at the same time with this combination.

Now this look is my favorite. I’ve always loved caped styled coats or jackets. And I’m beginning to see a new trend here “ombre prints”? A definite YES!

So now, her designs are not the only one well thought of for this fashion show, I certainly love the hair and the make-up used to tie up the looks. Take a closer look at these photos:

This is one of the famous look for runway, bedhead hair, undone, sophisticated curls. But with a twist, straight ends! I’ve never seen this done before but its a must try for me.

Now the make-up. The main highlight of the make-up is the two-toned eyelids of green and brown, and the beach babe look that never goes out of style, long and full lashes, amber cheeks, thick filled eyebrows and very natural almost nude lips.

Want to try this look? I can give you some ideas with my tutorial. (P.S. I’m not a professional and this is my FIRST tutorial)

Let’s start with the hair:

1. To start, part hair in the middle or slightly to the side.

2. Divide the hair into two parts for easy curling.

3. Start curling from the bottom, pinning the thick part leaving a thin portion for you to work on.

4. Curl hair outwards, make sure to leave the ends out! Do not curl the ends. Continue until you finish one side of the hair

5. One’s the other side is done, repeat steps 3 to 4 on the other side of the hair.

6. This is what it looks like from the sides. Apply hairspray, rake through hair with fingertips from roots to ends.

This look works for medium length to long hair ladies. For curly lads there like me, straighten your hair first by blow drying then curl.

To complete the look, I will also show you how to do the make-up:

1. Clean your face, apply moisturizer/primer then apply your liquid foundation. I skipped power foundation for a more natural look.

2. Fill in eyebrow shape with eyebrow liner or dark eye shadow. Tweeze unnecessary hair.

3. Apply primer on your upper lids and lower lash line. You can just use concealer if you don’t have any primer.

4. Apply brown/orange shade to your upper eyelids. Focus on your lids without going over your crease.

5. Apply the same color to your lower lash line.

6. Apply a green shade to the inner corner of the eye starting from the middle part of the eyelid. Creating a two-tone effect.

7. Line the upper lash line with a black liquid eyeliner. Make it as thin as possible. We’re only doing this to create fuller lashes.

8. Rim the inside of the upper lash line with a black pencil eyeliner.

9. Apply two coats of black mascara on the upper lashes.

10. Apply mascara on the lower lashes too! For fuller lashes you can always apply false upper and lower eyelashes.

11. Using your shadow blush, apply coral/orange shade blush only to the sides of the cheek to frame the face.

12. Apply nude or your favorite brown/orange-ish lipstick outline beyond the line of your lips for a fuller effect.

More photos of the finished look:

Have fun enjoying the Rebecca Minkoff SS 13 look!

I love having my hair done but I hate it when I don’t get the color I want. My hair’s been colored before; in black, brown, light brown, red and such but I still don’t get a bold color. So I decided to have it colored again.

First day in curls:

I was talking to someone when I took this. Haha.

Second day in fishtail braids:

In a hairbun:

And this is what it looks like unstyled:

More hayley-ish. The color is in lightest blonde but I had it bleached first.