8 Must-Have Muck Diving Accessories

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The month of June is still associated with sunny days, sandy shores, and salty waters. It’s that time of the year wherein people travel to Papua New Guinea to make the most out of their summers. From picturesque bodies of water to numerous thrilling activities, the country has it all! But what truly attracts tourists from different parts of the world is the chance to muck dive in its beautiful bays.

Muck diving in Papua New Guinea is a dream experience for divers as it features unique marine biodiversity. Due to several active volcanoes, sediments (volcanic sand) are deposited in bays and become home for rare critters. The waters and muck are also abundant in species such as wasp fish, seahorses, stingrays, stargazers, flying gurnards, ghost pipefish, snake eels, garden eels, scorpion fish, crabs, shrimps, frogfish, octopus, cuttlefish, barracuda and whale sharks. Thus, every muck dive session at PNG promises you a beautiful sight of coral reefs, fish schools and macro marine animals.

To ensure that you are ready for that unique underwater experience, arm yourselves with the necessary gears and equipment such as diving mask, wetsuit, fins, gloves, tanks, regulator, gauges, dive computer, snorkel and defogger. Dive resorts in Papua New Guinea commonly provide these muck diving essentials. Moreover, it is also vital to slip on your accessories for a safer muck dive. These are the following

:

1 Compass

Wandering on the ocean bed is very different compared to traveling on land. Sharpen your navigation with a dive compass. Easily find your boat, track your company and go for a distance without the fear of being lost.

Trident Large Glow in The Dark Dive Compass with Retractor Cable

 

2 Torch

It is dim underwater. Use a flashlight to find the marine life residing in the muck. These dive lights are the key to capturing high definition underwater photos. These can also function as your means of communication with your fellow divers.

Thorfire Scuba Diving Flashlight

3 Dive Knife

Being trapped in algae and dealing with rope tangles are a headache. Keep a diving knife with you to cut your way to a smooth diving session.

Cressi Diving Knife

4 Whistle

Bring a noisemaker to release signals for your boat and your co-divers. In an emergency or upon seeing a rare species, alarm your co-divers with just a single blow. This diving whistle can be heard up to a half-mile away and can be clipped on your wetsuit.

Diving Dolphin Shape Whistle

5 Tank Banger

Divers also prefer tank bangers as noisemakers. It is often used to point out critters in the muck and to capture the attention of other divers. It can also indicate when to take photos or when there are other groups of divers present.

ScubaPro Tank Banger

 

6 First Aid Kit

Interacting with aquatic animals makes divers swim and walk in the field of rubble and slippery rocks. This makes them prone to sprains and wounds. If this happens to your companion, promptly assist your co-diver by carrying him to the boat and applying first aid.

Boater First Aid Kit

7 Camera

Pictures or it didn’t happen! Carry a waterproof camera with you to preserve your muck diving memories in Papua New Guinea. In case you don’t have a waterproof one, cover your gadget with a waterproof case and you’re good to go.

Olympus TG-5 Waterproof Camera

8 Muck Stick

Muck sticks stabilize a diver who lacks good buoyancy-control skills and function as a crutch when the current is strong. You can also use a muck stick to help you get a perfect shot instead of stepping on the silts and disturbing the animals.

Diving Stick

 

The next time you muck dive in Papua New Guinea, don’t forget these accessories to easily communicate with your co-divers, take underwater photos and make the whole trip safer. Enjoy a trouble-free diving session knowing that you are well-prepared!

 

Your Back-To-School Makeup Kit Must-Haves

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Hello, Filipino cosmetic lovers and aspiring makeup artists!

We hope that you have enrolled yourselves already as June is only a few days away! Soon, you will be hitting the school grounds, learning new lessons and making more memories with your best friends. It’s time to get out of your cozy bed and ask your family to go back-to-school shopping with you! A fun bonding sesh with your loved ones will surely boost your cheery levels. Besides, it’s also good to have some company when it comes to decision-making in shopping (whether it is about shoes, accessories or school supplies). You know, there are a lot of products in stores, yet you only need a few so make sure that you only get the best and essential ones.

Speaking of the essential ones, we expect that beauty products are on your shopping lists. After all, #MakeupIsLife! And when it comes to school, cosmetics are a yes to keep on looking prim and fresh even after 5th period Trigonometry! To give you a heads-up on what products should comprise your makeup kit, we have curated different cosmetics that will likely fit your needs.

 

Foundation

When someone asks you “who’s your newfound friend?” proudly raise this foundation! The Duo Finish Foundation by Vice Cosmetics has eight (8) shades that suit the skin tone of every Filipino. It provides a flawless look from light to full coverage. Plus, it’s multi-use! You can apply it with a wet sponge (for a sheer look), or a dry sponge (for a matte look). It’s also a guilt-free cosmetic and an exciting treat for your skin! Its price is Php245.00, and it’s available at Vice Cosmetics kiosks nationwide.

 

Eyebrow Pencil

Be more confident on your first day of school knowing that you’ve got the Liza Soberano vibe with you. That’s right, replicate the eyebrows of your favorite Filipino celebrity idols with the Brow Define and Blend retractable pencil from Maybelline! It’s a personal favorite by makeup artists as its thin angled tip draws realistic brows. It also comes with a brush at the opposite end that properly blends the strokes for a more defined but natural look. Its retail price is Php249.00, and you can avail it online or in different stores nationwide.

 

Mascara

The heat and the rain are the worst enemies of mascaras as these factors make the result clumpy and smudged. Happy Skin formulated the bristle-free At Long Lash Supercurl Waterproof Mascara. Your eyelashes can now stay long and curled amid the rain, sweat, sebum, and tears. You can get this at malls nationwide and on Happy Skin’s official website. It’s a little bit pricey at Php999.00. But according to Filipino makeup artists, it’s a pretty good investment as its results are totally worth it!

(Source: Happy Skin)

 

Lipstick

You deserve a kickass lipstick for a classy you! And for that, Human Nature got your lips! It has five (5) shades of Made to Bloom lipsticks which are very wearable. Its creamy formula is rich in organic ingredients which beautifies your lips while moisturizing it. Say chapped lips no more! You can get these at supermalls for only Php495.00.

(Source: Human Nature)

 

Kit

Of course, your back-to-school makeup kit will not be complete without a pouch! Luckily, BLK has dainty handy bags that can fit your makeup essentials. These cute bags are available in different colors and priced at Php249.00. Avail them at BLK kiosks nationwide or order through their official website.

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(Source: blk cosmetics)

 

And that’s a wrap! Now that you know what kind of makeup to look for, it’s easier to roam the malls. Prep yourselves now and wake up the Filipino makeup artist within you but not after you get all your school essentials!

Underwater Photography: 6 Points To Remember

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Underwater photography in Papua New Guinea scuba diving is truly a rewarding experience. Ask local and foreign divers, and they will say that being able to savor the moment of being in the beauty of pristine reefs, live fish schools and rare species in one click is tripling the fun of scuba diving. However, taking beautiful underwater photos requires a lot of work. You must know how to dive, have the proper gear and know the best spots. On top of that, you must make sure that the way you take photos is also on point! Fortunately, you don’t have to worry much about the latter as we already sorted the six points that you must remember to ensure breathtaking underwater photos. These are the following:

 

Camera

A waterproof camera is essential in underwater photography as this tool is less hassle to handle. However, your existing camera can also be good enough. Just get a waterproof casing for your camera to prevent water from seeping in.  We also advise you to learn your camera functions and settings first. For underwater photography, it is advisable to take shots using the highest resolution, lowest ISO and macro lens. Doing so will result in more accurate color rendition, wide-angle shots and “clean” noise-free images.

 

 

Light

The sun is your best friend underwater as it provides natural lighting for your photos. For best results, shoot in 20 feet of water or less with the sun behind you as this will leave you vibrant and true colors to work with. But if you’re going to 30 feet, it is beneficial to use a strobe. This will help introduce more light to the scene and reduce the green and blue wavelengths that dominate most underwater images.  Moreover, a strobe also helps freeze motion and triggers the shutter speed of your camera to obtain more focused photos of highly active marine life. Make sure to bring one before scuba diving!

 

 

Shutter

Shutter speeds are a tricky issue in underwater photography as the waters in Papua New Guinea continually flow. To help you navigate and capture sharp photos, here are the ideal speed settings for your shutter: 1/30th for still objects, 1/60th for slow-moving objects (such as fish schools), and 1/125th for faster moving organisms (such as skittish fish).  Moreover, you can increase your chances of taking beautiful shots by using burst shot (continuous shooting mode) to catch more action underwater and leave you several choices.

 

 

Distance

Your distance to the subject highly influences the result of your photo. Be it fish, corals or wrecks. Seize the chance to get as close as possible to let your strobe and shutter bring out the alluring details of the subject. Be patient too and let the scene unfold its artistic potential right before your eyes.

 

 

Post-processing

Upping the quality of your photos is easier through post-process. You can use apps to add a little contrast, brightness and saturation. You can also remove shadows, clear noises and crop unwanted parts. Color correction filters are available too! Using these will get you better-looking photos without seeming overdone.

 

 

Papua New Guinea already promises scuba diving adventures and numerous underwater photo opportunities for you. Remember the six points stated above so you can surely make the most out of it!

 

Bridal Makeup Showdown: Airbrush VS Traditional

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Admit it, girl: one of your greatest fantasies is your wedding day. The thoughts of being your best beautiful, marrying Mr. Right, and beginning your happily ever after are more than enough to sweep your imagination off its feet. However, bringing that fantasy to life is a different story. Before your dream wedding takes place, a lot of planning must be done. You have to pick the venue, hire a caterer, invite guests, find the perfect dress —and the list goes on! On top of that, you also have to make sure that you’ll achieve your desired bridal look. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry much about the latter as there are many professional wedding makeup artists in the Philippines.  The only thing in question is whether you’ll go for airbrush makeup or traditional makeup. To help you select which cosmetic best suits you, here’s a thorough comparison of the two.

 

Costs

First, let’s talk about price. Although there are many tools and products used in traditional makeup (such as sponges, brushes, powder and pomades), airbrush makeup is still more expensive according to beauty artisans. The technique utilizes an air compressor, airbrush gun and special airbrush cosmetics which are typically pricey and imported from other countries. If you’re working on a small and tight budget, airbrushing may not be perfect for your needs.

 

Skin

If you’ve got normal or combination skin, we highly suggest airbrush as it is guaranteed to look great on a hydrated complexion. Its spray technique application process will result in a lightweight and smooth finish. Moreover, most airbrush cosmetics are silicone-based, water-resistant and last longer than regular makeup. This will help you keep your bridal look on point despite the sweat, hugging and kissing. The only downsides are:

  • It has a few limited shades; some may not match your skin tone.
  • It’s difficult to re-touch and re-blend once applied.
  • It’s too thin to cover imperfections such as acne, scars, fine lines, wrinkles.

 

On the other hand, traditional makeup works best for dry and acne-prone skin. The wide range of products offers maximum coverage for every skin tone that can effectively hide skin imperfections. It’s also easier to apply, blend and retouch. Cosmetic brands have also upped their formula to make makeups last longer. However, regular makeup also has its cons:

  • It may feel heavy to the skin due to the number of products applied (such as primer, foundation, concealer, bronzer and setting powder).
  • Heat can make the bridal makeup cake up and seem unnatural.
  • Most traditional makeup products are not waterproof and tend to rub off on clothing.

 

Eyes

According to professional wedding makeup artists in the Philippines, most brides prefer traditional makeup when it comes to their eyebrows, eyeshadow and mascara. Regular makeup is a clever way to achieve a classy, dramatic, simple or elegant look as there are many colors available which are easy to blend. Meanwhile, airbrush cosmetics offers limited hues which are harder to apply, blend, correct and retouch. So if you want to rock perfectly-groomed brows, popping eyeshadow, cat eyes and long curls all throughout your big day, traditional makeup is what you’d want to go with.

 

Lips

From welcoming guests, kissing your groom, delivering your speech and eating meals, your lips will be doing a lot of moving. Luckily, you don’t have to worry as you can keep them on their best hue and shape with the help of makeup. Both airbrush and traditional makeup can help you ensure a gleaming smile with their long-lasting and glossy finish. The only difference is that regular makeup provides you a wide array of options that vary in type (matte, liquid, glossy) and color.

 

Airbrush and traditional makeup have their fair shares of pros and cons. But whatever your choice is, it all boils down to the skill of your wedding makeup artist. You can get the best of both techniques with the help of beauty artisans who have mastered the art of combining the two. Hence, don’t forget to book the experts in the Philippines to ensure your radiant and beautiful bridal look.

 

Appreciation Post: The undervalued eyeglasses Wiping Cloth

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When we talk about improved vision and clear eyesight, we tend to immediately think of eyeglasses in the Philippines. What we Filipinos often forget, and not to mention, take for granted, is that no matter how stylish our glasses are, how multicoated the lenses may be, our eyeglasses are no match to an oily smudge or thickening layer of dust on the surface.

 

Good thing we always have a wiping cloth prepared!

 

The cloth that is most acceptable to use on glasses are the ones that most eyewear come with. it is as important as it is plain: right off the bat, you will notice that regardless of design, it’s hard to miss how it feels on the hands.

 

Eyeglasses cleaning clothes may be called different names in the Philippines but it’s mostly known as microfiber towel. Microfiber is a synthetic yarn stretched very thinly; even thinner that silk. It is because of this that the microfiber can perform better at absorbing wetness, making particles and impurities stick to it, and also easy to maintain.

 

To properly clean your eyeglasses dry, never wipe it with anything else aside from the microfiber tower that it comes with. Cotton, paper, tissues, jeans and other materials might scratch the surface of the glasses. It’s going to be a waste of a very good pair of unscratched glasses.

 

If there are stubborn material on your glasses, a less popular but recommended way of cleaning it is with water. Run it through some tap water, soap it up with a mild detergent or glass cleaning soap, rinse, dry, then wipe clean with your microfiber cloth. Of course this method is a less popular way to clean eyeglasses in the Philippines but it is effective in removing facial oil and other stubborn dirt on your eyewear.

 

Next time you think about poor eyesight, remember that even though the glasses are the MVPs when it comes to correcting your vision, the support they get from miscellaneous items like the microfiber cloth helps so much in making eyeglasses wearable though it gets very little credit  for doing so!

Slay On Your Graduation Day: Makeup Tips and Products

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Your most awaited graduation is nearingr. Congratulations in advance! A few days from now, you’ll surely be busy picking the cutest graduation dress and searching for the most memorable graduation hairstyle. But what about makeup? Will you be hiring a professional makeup artist in the Philippines or will you be doing it on your own? Whatever your choice is, here are the tips and products that you and your glam team can try for a head turning look on graduation day.

 

SKIN

Your skin will be on the spotlight since you’re going to have a bunch of pictures taken with your friends, family, teachers and hopefully, crush (fingers crossed!). Make sure to put on the right products to avoid that cakey outcome and sticky feeling.

 

A primer is a must

Thinking that your skin care routine is enough to hold your makeup on is a big misconception.  When it comes to smoothing the skin, minimizing pores and keeping cosmetics in place, nothing works better than a primer. Promise! You won’t regret taking a few seconds to apply it as its effects go a long way!

ETUDE HOUSE – FIX&FIX TONE UP PRIMER SPF33/PA++

 

Find the right foundation

Chances are, you’ll be doing a lot of “beso-beso” with your friends on your graduation day. Hence, it is best to choose a foundation that:

  • Doesn’t clog the pores
  • Has no sticky and greasy after-feel
  • Lasts for a long time

Fortunately, two-way cakes are available in the market. You can use it with a dry sponge to have a matte effect. But if you’re aiming for a sheer and more natural finish, you can wet your sponge first then apply the product on your face.

MAYBELLINE – CLEAR SMOOTH ALL IN ONE POWDER FOUNDATION (TWO-WAY CAKE)

 

Take it easy on using concealers and highlighters

L.A. Girl – Pro HD Conceal

Keep in mind that concealers and highlighters are not meant to be applied on your whole face. Just dab a little amount of concealer on stubborn shadows and spots to easily even your skin out.

 

BLK – UTRA GLOW HIGHLIGHTER

 

On the other hand, only apply highlighters where and when needed. Here are the face points to be considered to get a natural-looking dewy finish:

(Source: Pinterest)

 

EYES

Your graduation is bound to be a day filled with tears of joy as you think about your friends, receive your diploma and see your parents be proud. Therefore, your eye makeup should be on point. Take it from Kelsey Merrit’s graduation look!

 

(Source: Instagram)

Groom your brows

Perfectly-shaped and well-groomed brows are a thing! Don’t worry if you’re not used to eyebrows pencils, pomades or powder. This Maybelline Microblading Eyebrow Tattoo Pen will have you all set up.

 

Avoid dramatic eyeshadow

Use colors that are appropriate for the occasion. Warm colors such as pink, gold and orange will make you look awake, fresh and glowing. Moreover, don’t forget to apply primer to your eyelids first to prevent smudges.

PINK SUGAR – EYE CANDY PALETTE

 

Careful on lashes and liners

No one wants panda eyes on their big day! It’s wise to use waterproof mascara and eyeliners to keep your eye makeup intact.

MAYBELLINE – WATERPROOF MASCARA

 

EVER BILENA – PRO EYELINER

LIPS

When it comes to lips, keep it simple but elegant. Say no to heavy lipsticks because it often leaves a sticky feeling. Stay gorgeous and carefree by using lightweight lipsticks.

Compliment your look

According to professional makeup artists in the Philippines, one must take note of their skin tone, outfit color and nail polish to determine the lipstick color that will best suit them.

VICE COSMETICS – PHENOMENAL VELVET LIP KIT

 

Note: Your lipstick and blush must live in harmony. Keep in mind that the darker your lips are, the lighter your blush should be.

 

Add gloss

Glosses add shine and moisture to your lips while keeping your lipstick in place. Don’t forget to make a few swipes to avoid color traveling.

CHRISTIAN DIOR – DIOR ADDICT LIP GLOSS

 

You’re only ever going to be in that graduation stage once in your life (maybe a couple more times if you take up more studies) so make the most out of it. Stand out amongst the sea of caps and gowns by using the products mentioned above and following tips from professional makeup artists in the Philippines.