Top 5 Instant Face Brighteners For The Busy You

It’s been quite a while since we had a beauty entry in the blog. If you see The Pink Tarha ladies in real life, we don’t usually adhere to a strict made up look every day. We have our literally ‘no make up look’ days which Eyecandy usually refer to as the literal “wala pa akong mukhang ihaharap sa mundo.” (I don’t have a face to face the world.) And then there are those days when we woke up on the right side of the bed and had enough time to do our make up for work. "Maganda ka nang bongga today!" (You're extra beautiful today!)

I can say that I had a routine down pat: foundation + BB cream (to get my right skin tone color... because when it comes to foundation, I tend to be color blind :P), eyebrow pencil (lighter than what E and Sampaguita Pride would recommend), a bit of eyeshadow swipes, blush, powder to set everything in, and lipstick. That simple. But what if you just have a minute or less before you have to really face the world? What would make a difference in your face? What would make it bright in an instant? 

In Saudi Arabia, most expat women work and most are in the medical field where time is of essence. Sometimes, you’re too tired to even put powder before a shift. So, here are a few instant face brighteners that I’ve tried and tested over the years. Please note that I am not a makeup artist (I’m prone to tsamba) nor an expert in beauty products. I’m not even a nurse to make hurried choices in front of the mirror (I’m just lazy sometimes, lol!). 

1. BB Cream 

One of the available BB creams in KSA

Saudi Arabia is a bit far behind when it comes to the Blemish Balm craze. May panibago nang uso, nasa BB cream pa lang tayo. But I must say that BB creams do wonders! It's an all-in-one product that all you need to do is put them all over your face and you get moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation, etc. in one. What a time saver! I haven’t tried a lot of BB creams but I would recommend The Face Shop’s Power Perfection BB Cream. However, it’s not available here so I also tried Garnier’s version. While it’s not as effective as The Face Shop’s, it’s good enough for every day wear. Wish it has more shades though. The Body Shop also launched their BB Cream and the lighter shades are gone in an instant. What’s your favorite BB Cream that’s available here in Riyadh? 

2. Bright Colored Lipstick 

Choose your hue!

You can leave most of your face bare, just don’t forget to put on a hued lipstick that instantly brightens your face and gets attention. I’m not saying you wear shocking red or hot pink (although you can if it’s permitted in your work place). Wear a color that you don’t usually wear. I am a fan of nude and beige shades but once in a while, I switch to fun, playful colors like pink, purple, and coral. If you think they’re too bright that a religious police might suddenly ask you to wipe them off, then tone the color a bit with lip balm or lip butter. I like Nyx Lip Crème (available in Centrepoint), MAC (available in Kingdom Mall, Harvey Nichols, and Granada Mall), and Make Up For Ever (available in Debenhams). 

3. Black Eyeliner Pencil 

Perfecting the art of putting eyeliners takes time. Well, not if you’re an Arab lady. They have a way of putting their eyeliners effortlessly flawless! I envy them for such grace. I am such a klutz when it comes to eyeliners but I cannot deny the fact that they’re an instant solution to a lazy make up day. And so, I present to you, the pencils. Forget the eyeliner gel or liquid eyeliner pen. Use the pencils. They’re easier to control and easier to erase when you commit a mistake. And use a black one because it’s classy and suited for work. Create simple lines. Smoldering looks must be left for a night-out with friends. Very affordable eyeliner pencils include the ones in Riyalin (only SR2 each!) and the eyeliners of Essense (available in Whites Pharmacy). 

4. Hair Part 

We’re such creatures of habit eh? When I was younger, I used to part my hair in the middle. Every day of my school life! (Told you I was boring.) Only when I worked and gone to a really good salon did I consider parting my hair on the side and voila! An instant “makeover”! So, try parting your hair in the side or center, if you’re used to the side angle. It instantly updates your look! You might feel awkward at the “new look” at first but it’ll pay off especially when other people take notice. “Hey, there’s something new with you!” I bet they wouldn’t even guess what it is but there’s definitely something new in you! ;) 

5. Earrings 

Nope, choose the subtle ones for work.

Eyecandy is the “girl with the many earrings” among The Pink Tarha. And with good reason. It instantly gives her beauty a boost (because she’s naturally beautiful already!). It’s like she’s always made up without even putting too much effort on make up. I’m the one who doesn’t wear earrings often because my ears get irritated easily (sadya s’yang maarte, pasensya na, haha!). But whenever I can handle the itchiness, I insert a pair once in a while to update my simple look. I and Shoegarfreeruby are all for studs while E and SP like danglings. 

While these top five face brighteners are not new to you, it’s nice to take note of them especially with your lives getting busier by the minute. That’s the beauty of these tips… they only need a second or two to help you face the world every day. That's why they're "instant." (Count how many times I used the word "instantly" in this entry! Haha!) 

Stay beautiful, Riyadhizens! ~ Sundrenched

Images via Google.

Q&A Portion 8

Another round of questions and answers... We're on a roll here. :)

1. Hi there! I am from South Africa and would like to work in Riyadh. I can only speak English and is a qualified nail technician. Where do I start to search for work? Is it possible for a woman to go there alone?

We're not sure how they process it in South Africa, but in the Philippines, any one who wishes to work in Saudi Arabia for any position goes through an agency. The agency will be in charge of processing your employment papers and will guide you to the steps you need to do and undergo (interviews, medical exams, etc.). There's no problem for a woman to go here alone once your employment papers are already done. Just make sure that your agency and employers are legit, legal, and will compensate you well.

2. Where can I buy MAC lipsticks?

MAC branches are available in Sahara Mall (ground floor) and Kingdom Center (second floor). There's also a MAC counter inside the Harvey Nichols store in Faisaliah Mall.

3. Hi! I'll be flying to Riyadh soon. Can you tell me if I can bring a bunch or two of dried curry leaves in my luggage? It's the key ingredient to some of our dishes and I didn't find it the last time I came. I know poppy seeds and nutmeg are banned but I'm not sure about curry leaves. Thanks.

Poppy seeds and nutmeg are banned in the Kingdom because of their narcotics properties (a high dosage can make you 'high' so to speak). Saudi Arabia has very strict regulations on drugs and they impose heavy sanctions on those who violate this rule. On the other hand, curry leaves are widely-used in cooking in the Kingdom so we don't know know any reason why they should be banned. Curry powder are available in almost all groceries and stores. Just to be sure though, ask your embassy about it. There are cases that some produce are banned for certain reasons (like curry leaves imports were restricted in UAE in 2009 because of cancer-causing pesticides in some batches).

4. Will I be violating any company rule when I get a part-time job? Where can I look for part-time jobs in Riyadh?

It depends with the policies of your company. Technically, you cannot take any job if you are employed full-time in a company because your iqama is bound with them. But some people are allowed as long as the schedule will not interfere with your real work here. Restaurants who are short on staff and crew usually accept part-timers but they won't really announce openings publicly. Ask your waiter/cashier friends and acquaintances, they usually have more inside info than we do.

5. How to find a maid in Riyadh?

Find one through agencies. The process is long and tedious but that's the legal way of hiring one. Most maids here are under the sponsorship of other employers so it's upon their discretion to give permission to their maids to work outside (with other families).

Got more questions? Hit the ?Ask the Pink Tarha button right over there! ;P

The Lipstick Effect

This is another "our favorite things" entry.

We're girls, we want need lipstick!

We noticed that we haven't been focusing on the kikay factor of the blog (really!). One of the main staples of our kikay kits is a lipstick. That tiny bottle of pigments, wax, oils, and emollients. Sounds like a lot of stuff to be stuffed in a little tube. But seriously, a lipstick makes a difference. One swipe on the lips and a lippy can change the look of the face. Even the mood of the wearer. And when it comes to lipstick, MAC is undoubtedly the best lipstick brand. It's expensive for just a small product but you really get what you pay for.

The Pink Tarhas are late bloomers when it comes to MAC. It is only now that we're discovering the benefits of having a lipstick that works like a dream. And so, we introduce you to our humble stash of MAC lipsticks. Here's what we have and tried so far:

Cosmo

This is undoubtedly the best lipstick color for Sundrenched. She swears that this color never fails her. It's neutral enough to be worn everyday. It's her go-to shade.

All Styled Up

Shoegarfreeruby is not really adventurous when it comes to makeup but she dared to wear a bright pink on her lips when she bought this lipstick.

Viva Glam Gaga

Although hyped up by its name, Viva Glam Gaga is a pink that is pretty and very much wearable.

Lovelorn

This soft baby pink lipstick is smooth and creamy. It provides a nice sheen and luster to Eyecandy's lips too.

Ruby Woo

The perfect shade of red that matches a Filipina's skin is the hardest one to find. But this retro matte lipstick is a match to most morenas. It's a little bit drying but its seductive, alluring properties never fail to deliver second, third, and so on looks.

We know there are other less expensive brands out there than can dupe MAC's lipstick but one or two Mac lippies won't hurt right? :)

It's October! 83 days before Christmas! Weeeeeee! :)

Malling 'Til 2AM

Ok, has the Ramadan schedule cramped out your weekend night outs?

We've sure been feeling the pinch.

Most stores are open during the day at 1PM to 4PM...but expect food chains to be closed. Last Thursday, S and I, along with our friend, A, had to get our repressed shopping souls free after restraining ourselves after the SALE Season. S called the phone nos. of malls like Granada Mall, Sahara and Hayat just to know what time they'd be open (Yes, we're addicts like that. But wait, there's more). For some reason, S got hold of the info that Hayat is open by 6pm. So, we scooted off as soon as we could arriving to the vicinity at around quarter to seven. This is what we found.

Abandoned.

An empty parking lot in both Sahara and Hayat Mall engulfed us. I have NEVER seen this place so empty as this is always jam-packed with cars and heavy traffic. But lo and behold, you could drop a penny in this place and hear it hit the ground a hundred yards off. We couldn't do anything but laugh at ourselves really. Half-funny, half-scary. Half-funny 'coz of the absurdity of it all, and half-scary because the whole place was like a scene from Dawn of the Dead horror flicks. I mean, look at that trolley! lolz.

But hey, we're hardcore Pinays right? So what do we do? Kodakan na! Hahaha.

E-M-P-T-Y!

Mas empty pa sa Empty Quarter.

S and E.

Jump shot!

Feeling nasa EK?

We were able to have dinner at Tony Roma's in Hayat, [By the way, if you're ever there, don't bother ordering the ribs (they've been out of ribs for 2 months!) and they also don't have corn (which S and A were craving for but na-dah!)]. Srsly, TR at Hayat, if you're reading this, your service has gone waaaaay down, bordering on underground since I first ate at your branch there. Better close your branch if you don't carry your supposed MAIN course items. DOH!

Anyhoo, we had to endure the place until stores opened at 9 PM. And by then, we were like a bunch of rats scrambling for the shops! Oh yeah, and we were scrambling and strolling til half past 1:00 AM! AND, naisipan pa namin pumunta ng Kingdom! Gawsh, the last time I was out THIS late was during my party days in college...in the Philippines! We mainly bought make-up and beauty products from MAC and The Body Shop. But take note, the main goal of our trip was supposedly help our friend find a dress! Haha. That is what you call diversion.

There you have it folks. We opened Hayat Mall and closed Kingdom Mall (at 2:00 AM). We plan to make this past-midnight rendezvous a weekly habit this entire Ramadan schedule. Next week, we hope to hit IKEA. All night long baby, all. night. long.

How's that for shopaholics?

Cheers!

-ec-