Hi! It’s me and I thought I’d put in a normal, blabby, non-beauty bloggery post just to give you guys a primer on what’s been going on with me.  At the moment a huge career opportunity has come up and I’ve never been so excited and pensive.  It’s a role that is still in makeup and the beauty industry but it would mean a temporary side-step from a fulltime freelance career and a stepping stone leap into the corporate scene.  I am still pursuing the path of makeup it’s just that a possible position has opened up that involves a bigger responsibility which involves the makeup professional in me.

By the way the top in no way suggests I might be working for someone scary okay? LOL,  they’re just random visuals to support the relevance of a cosmetic job opportunity.  Should things push through, my lovely blog readers, don’t worry the blog of course is here to stay!  In fact, should this thing land smoothly (I pray it does) I’d definitely have even more insider-y things to post for you because this involves a lot of traveling, skincare, and makeup, however because it’s a more regular job I might have less time so daily posts (which actually aren’t very daily right now) might not be sooo daily, more like 3-4x a week, but I assure you guys this blog will go on as usual giving you, as best as I can, wonderful content.  The manner in which it will most likely change, if the position goes my way, is the number of brands I’ll be able to publicly review for all of you may lessen, however, it’s great that I review a mix of both foreign and local stuff so not everything will be in conflict of lockout since some brands I review anyway aren’t available here and that also means more tips, how-tos, travel, and editorial posts.  The opportunity that has come my way involves a huge beauty brand so there will be a reasonable handful of limitations on what I can review if I do land the job (God-willingly), but they also completely respect that I’d still like some freedom to feature various brands or products that aren’t direct competitors or even more style, and lifestyle brands once in awhile.  So in effect I won’t completely have my hands tied and that’s fine with me.

The reason why I’m hopeful for this opportunity and went gung-ho for it is not because I don’t enjoy being a makeup freelancer, but it’s because honestly this year business for me was not as good as last year…it was a sudden drop and it was quite spotty.  The Philippine market is quite saturated with freelance hair and makeup suppliers at the moment.  Every major entry point you want to take means the possibility of maybe “supplanting” already very well-loved regulars on jobs they do.  Every-other-other person I know has taken a class and though I know I have quite good skills everyone’s got their “manok” as we say here, those who have started several years before our batch.  It takes a minimum of 3-5 years to make a name for yourself amongst A-listers because the positions are all currently filled.  I’d love to apprentice with someone as well but the people I’d like to apprentice for to my knowledge don’t take apprentices.  I felt that because of my goals I didn’t have time to wait and work that long to put my name on the map and I certainly needed to establish myself professionally by working with top people, teaching, working on more faces on a regular basis, and being able to travel more with a stable income, too.  I was told that random freelance jobs that come along if ever need not always be turned down as long as it’s a day I can file leave for in advance, so it’s nice to hear they’re quite understanding about clients I’ve already touched base with.  I also read this article via Caroline Hiron’s blog about a freelance makeup artist named Katy Messer who took a sidestep of several years with another brand, Laura Mercier  and ended up working with the biggest names in the biz, alongside Laura Mercier herself.

CH: When did you get your ‘big break’? 

“After working in make-up for 7 years I left freelancing to work for Laura Mercier and quickly worked my way up to the position of International Make-up Artist. That put me in the position to travel the world and I got to work directly alongside Laura herself on some fabulous projects. This opened up so many amazing opportunities and I got to see parts of the world I’d not have got the chance to otherwise.” - KATY MESSER, Pro MUA

CH: What advice do you have for aspiring MUA’s trying to get into the industry? 

“Nothing beats experience. You can train as much as the next person but assisting, practise, passion for the art of make-up will hold you in better stead than any certificate. It’s a dog eat dog world and people will climb over you in a heartbeat to get to the top but if you’re truly passionate about the work you do, that will hold you in good stead. For experience, don’t overlook working at least part time for a cosmetics brand. In the right company they will nurture your artistry and it’s also a great way to build your kit.” - KATY MESSER, Pro MUA

So I do believe that, given the right job description, corporate opportunities in the cosmetic industry do not take away from the possibility of becoming an established  freelance makeup artist in the far future.  My dream job that comes with that, is to be Creative Director for a world renowned beauty brand, or at least an internationally on the map brand, the way Lisa Eldridge does it for No.7 cosmetics, the way Tom Pecheaux does it for Estee Lauder, or the way Pat McGrath is Global Creative Director for P&G Beauty.  I’m waiting on God basically at this point after the interview and I’m praying that this is the moment my wheels turn on the runway…I’m ready for takeoff.

The silence around here is deafening isn’t it? Blame it on Europe. I’ll promise you loads of yummy posts in the next few days (not to mention truckloads of pictures) but right now I’m in the UK somewhere in Wales with the Valencianos, my cousins, and it’s my birthday I am now thirty, people here could hardly believe it, and our Swiss host in Zurich said it was impossible…but here I am.

I get quite shy when people pull for me or go out of their way to make things happen for me. It’s always so much easier to say “I’m okay, you don’t have to…” but I’m realizing now that it’s sometimes even better to just say “Thank you…I’m so glad you did…” from the bottom of my heart. I feel very spoiled for my age in fact and I think I have God to “blame” for all this.

My lovely beauty inspired Marks & Spencer birthday card given by the Vees…

There are many things I can’t explain, like why I look so young, or know too little, why too many wonderful people love me or why I haven’t reached certain places…but then I hear a still small voice begin to say “You are here and you are Mine because I love you.” and all doubt walks out the back door. My life is awesome thanks to Him and I only hope I can find lots of ways to spread the love. Thank you all for being there for me…what a truly remarkable life this has been so far. We head out to London tomorrow and I can’t wait to be up and about.

Once upon a time, ages ago…I set foot in a jungle called U.P. Diliman as a Fine Arts freshman, naturally, I was somewhat clueless on the first day of school.   One of the first friends I made on that day in 1999 in search of blockmates was Mark Nicdao.  We trekked on foot to find and join up with blockmates (and find food lol).  It felt like the WWII D-day drop in Diliman after the welcome blast, “paratroopers” aka students were broken up from different blocks trying to find each other.  I also happened to have a cousin named KC who was being labeled the industry’s freshest IT girl a year or so into my college stay. 

Mark decided to leave college after 2nd year and found himself apprenticing for photography then discovering that this was his true calling making him the best and most in-demand portrait and commercial style photographer in the country today. He mentioned here and there to me that he sooo wanted to meet KC. Although their encounter did not singlehandedly happen ‘coz of me the rest is art history. It’s KC’s birthday today so Mark and I last night already wished her all the best. He had come over to bring her a birthday gift.

At a lovely and delicious impromptu dinner at Chef Jessie’s in Rockwell Club (I recommend the Duck L’Orange), KC blew her birthday candles among family. I said it in Instagram and I’ll say it again. I thank God for my gift of a cousin who has the best years of her life right before her. ” I Love You, KC! Happy Birthday and Carpe Diem.

Hey, Ladies I want to meet YOU!  Although I can’t meet ALL of you just yet here’s an opportunity for 10 of my blessed blog readers!  I’ve only ever dreamed of having a meetup with you and I even prayed that it might be something exactly like this and it is kindly made possible by Shiseido.  I almost called this a workshop but more truthfully this Saturday, March 23, 2012 from 3pm-5pm I’ll be demonstrating looks to 10 selected readers using “fantabulous” Shiseido products and will also be raffling off a Shiseido prize to 1 attendee!  This photo isn’t from where exactly we’re going to have the session but you get the idea, it’s still Shiseido so you get the vibe.   The workshop will be held at Shiseido in Alabang Town Center.

To be one of the 10 readers to attend exclusively please read the mechanics below and join.

To get a chance to WIN 1 of 10 “Shiseido passes” to my makeup session:

1.  Simply Like the blog’s Facebook page,  and Shiseido PH’s Facebook Page

2.  Follow me and Shiseido PH on Twitter @blessmybag and @ShiseidoPH

3.  Answer this question in 10 sentences or less in the comments below.  Pls. comply with the 10 sentence max rule because I will be narrowing down for best selection.  Feel free to answer in Tagalog if you express yourself better.  The 10 most inspiring, clear answers (to me) will be selected.  Here is the question to answer in less than 10 sentences in the comments below.

“What is your most favorite DIY (do it yourself) beauty routine and why?” (Example answer: getting my nails done with nail art because I enjoy getting creative)

DEADLINE for submission of entries before selection is this Friday, March 22 at 10:00 AM, winners will be announced that afternoon.  Metro Manila Venue for the Shiseido Makeup Session by Blessmybag will be disclosed privately to the 10 selected winners.  Schedule for the session is this Saturday, March 23, 2012 from 3pm-5pm