The No-Make-Up Make Up Look

Recently I learned a new way to put on make up. It's called the "No Make Up Make Up" Look. Ironic isn't it? But for a powder-blush-lipstick kind of gal like me, it was a revolutionary discovery.While I have friends like Jen and Eli who are passionate about make up and take time to learn about different products and techniques, for me, putting on make up was something I would do unceremoniously, as quick as possible, using whatever was just necessary.I'm sure I'm not the only mom-on-the-go whose time spent in front of the mirror is usually a rushed one. On days where I go from one meeting to the next, sometimes the vanity mirror at home even has to be replaced by a pocket mirror inside the family car's backseat, or on driverless days, it's the car's rear view mirror that witnesses my equally rushed sprucing up.I was also never really into make up perhaps because I grew up with very sensitive skin and my 10 or so dermas my mom brought me to since I was young always told me to just be very careful with what I apply on my skin most specially my face.  Thus the session organized for us SoMoms by BYS Cosmetics was truly eye opening (in a mascara kind of way, lol) and as I said, revolutionary.  It was a MAKE UP 101 class, very apt for a beginner like me...BYS stands for BE YOURSELF and is a make up brand from Australia which is now available in more than 30 countries.  At the event, they set up stations for each of us and even for those with minimal interest in make up, isn't it every girls dream to have a set up like this in our dressers?Tina was my partner for the day.Bys Chief make up artist, Carell Garcia proceeded to teach us our first lesson for the day, the No Make Up look.Knowing that some of us were really beginners when it came to make up, I was thankful she taught us the essential basics. Here are lessons I picked up along the way:1) Lay a good foundation (and that just doesn't mean foundation!). The first step ideally is to use a primer, this will help prepare your skin for the products that you will apply afterwards, and will make your make up last longer.  Due to my childhood allergies, my skin tone is uneven so I found that using a concealer is like magic!  Just dab lightly using your ring finger because this is the finger that puts the least amount of pressure on your skin (facial skin is very sensitive so just dab, don't rub!)Next is to use a good foundation. I used to prefer two-way powders, but noticed that as I age and my skin changes, I've started leaning more towards using liquid foundation and I was quite happy with BYS' matte foundation which we had the chance to try that day. (I now alternate this with my BB cream, depending on the weather and how long my day will be.)Third basic is using loose powder. This helps smoothen out your foundation, makes it look more even, and it also makes it last longer.2) Spend time to shape your eyebrows. We've heard this all before: good eyebrows frame the face and can really amp up our beauty points. Besides regularly working on shaping your eyebrows and removing stray eyebrow hair (I go to May of Emphasis Salon Rockwell for threading. She is the best!), at the BYS session, I learned that the few minutes spent shaping your brows and properly applying make up to it makes a huge difference.  I swear, since I learned this I've been spending time looking at people's eyebrows!You can use a white eyeliner pencil to mark your desired eyebrow shape..Photo courtesy of BYSand follow this graphic illustration...Once you've lined the right eyebrow shape, you follow the lines and fill in the areas carefully with your eyebrow pencil.3) Bronzers make a difference. So, this is the secret to those perfectly angled faces we see in those glossies. Carell shared with us another useful illustration of where we should brush on our bronzer.You can use a pencil to make a visual mark of where you should brush..It was fun learning these discoveries with my fellow SoMoms...L-R- Michelle, Jackie, Cai, Kris, Jenny (foreground), Tin, Jen (back)Beauty blogger and BYS consultant Shen teaches Tin some useful techniques, with little Berry and Karrots beside herSoMoms own make up afficionados, Jen and EliSince the Make Up 101 session, I've overcome challenges and some apprehensions about make up I realized I've had since I was young. First, I've learned to apply eyeliner on my eyes which has always been a challenge because I do not have folds on my upper eyelids.  Second, I used to dislike mascara because I've experienced eye irritation with some brands perhaps because I'm a contact lens wearer. Now I've learned that using a good brand of mascara helps. Third, I've become a bit more adventurous in choosing make up shades. While before I would go for rose or dark pink shades of blush, I loved this bright pink blush we tried at the event.Also BYS' chief make up artist, Elaine (in black) was so helpful in giving us personalized tips during the session. Photo courtesy of BYSSo here's THE Before and the After pics. The differences are subtle and for me that's how it should be, it is, after all, the No Make Up Make Up look, we are going for! Perfect for everyday!I had to leave early for Reese's swim competition but had to stop to take another photo in natural light...Not bad, right?So I now have a somewhat stocked up beauty kit below, with my fave BYS retractable eyeliner pencil. (This makes putting eyeliner so much easier!)Filled with some products gifted to us by BYS during the session, and more that I purchased on my own.BYS primer, matte liquid foundation, loose powder, bronzer, concealer stick, assorted eyebrow pencils and eyeliners, mascarablush, lip pencil and lipstick-lip gloss duo, my kabuki brush, eyelash curler and tweezers. I also have BYS eyeshadow palettes which i am learning to use as well.So far, my derma has not protested.  BYS products feel light on the skin, it stays on even with the changing weather, and it's a plus that the brand is affordable because it's makes playing around with make up more fun and less prohibitive.Since we founded the SoMoms,  we've made it a point to make our meet-ups productive by always incorporating sessions and lessons that would help us become better versions of ourselves.  Thank you to BYS, for hosting this very enjoyable and informative Make Up 101 session for us and for Michelle of www.mymomfriday.com for organizing:) It was truly a worthwhile afternoon for everyone.BYS Cosmetics is available at SM Department Stores and Watsons. Are you a beginner like me?  Visit their kiosks and try out their products. Their make up consultants at their counters are always very helpful and accommodating.The BYS Facebook page can be found here.