Wedding Supplier Review: Our Prenup Photo Shoot with Bob & Zab Photography

I'm going to jump a few steps ahead of my Wedding Wednesday posts to tell you what happened behind the scenes of our prenup photo shoot in February.

I wrote this supplier review to help other brides-to be out there in their quest of finding their wedding photographers, and to determine if they should even proceed with having an engagement/prenup photo shoot.

I remember when my brother and I were talking many years ago, he told me that he didn't want to have a prenup photo shoot. He said he found it awkward to be posing in front of people he barely knows, and that a couple who already had a lot of photos together (especially ones from their travels) didn't need a photo shoot anymore. It would probably best for couple who haven't been together for long. At that time, prenup photo shoots weren't a staple at weddings yet, and finding a good prenup location was hard especially for city folk.

When Jay and I got engaged, I initially didn't want to have a prenup shoot either. We have been together a long time and have accumulated more than our fair share of photos, including ones of our local and international travels. But my main concern was the budget. I felt like it was an unnecessary expense.

But when we booked Bob & Zab Photography as our wedding photographers, their package included a free engagement shoot. We got a really good deal from them, and I began to warm towards the idea of having our prenup shoot.

There are five main things to consider when preparing for your prenup shoot aside from your photographers:

1. Shoot Location
2. Hair & Makeup
3. Outfits
4. Props/Styling
5. Food & Transportation

If you add all those costs, they can really put a dent on your budget. So I had to make sure we can pull off a shoot without shelling out too much. Fortunately, my good friend and groomsman's family farm in Tanay, Rizal was a great location for our shoot. We didn't really have a theme in mind yet, our photographers just suggested an outdoor shoot and preferably with lots of greenery to blend with their light and vibrant style. After doing an ocular with Jay and our friend Kenneth, and getting the go signal from his lovely aunt to use the farm, we checked number 1 off our list.

For the hair and makeup, the best suggestion is to do a trial with the hair and makeup artist for your wedding. Trials usually come with a fee, so it's best to do a trial when you have an event to attend, or in this case, a photo shoot to do. When I asked my bridal HMUA if they were available for our shoot date, they already had a booking. Since it's harder to book my photographers, I had to search for an affordable HMUA. Tats Dionisio was recommended by a sister from W@W. 

I contacted Tats thru Facebook Messenger, and only got his phone number a few days before the shoot. Tats does both hair and makeup, and he offers unli retouch for the day. His rate is very reasonable, and I only added a couple of hundred bucks for his transportation to our meeting place.

When I was searching for a HMUA for the shoot, I was a bit baffled why they would give an initial rate then ask for an additional stipend for their transportation. I asked my other bride friends why they wouldn't just automatically add them up to their rate. Some told me that it depends on the shoot location/meet-up. And that we need to consider the heavy tools and equipment they would need to lug around especially when they are only using public transpo.


As for our outfits, I knew we wouldn't hire a stylist anymore because that would be beyond our budget. I only planned for three layouts: one casual, one formal, and one for our picnic layout. Jay's suit designer, Bianca Cordero, had an RTW gown at her studio and it fit like a glove when I tried it on. It was light peach/pink and had a long, wide train, perfect for windy and willowy shots. Back story: Jay was supposed to wear a suit for our formal layout, but as mishaps go, he forgot to bring it on the day of the shoot. Hehe. Good thing he had several long sleeved shirts to choose from.

I had a short trip to Singapore before our shoot, so I asked my Maid of Honor to accompany me to Bugis Street to buy some of my outfits. I then picked out Jay's outfits to match mine, and consulted a couple of friends with my choices. Zab also helped me out by suggesting to bring/buy a flowy dress, and to bring matching white shirts. After the shoot though, Jay and I wished we changed one of our outfits as we think they didn't really translate well on the photos.

As for our props, I didn't need to look further than my own stuff! Aside from being a hoarder and natural maarte, I thank my experience doing production management for our high school plays and later on, producing magazine shoots for work. They certainly came in handy. It was also perfect timing that my aunt got married in Tagaytay a couple of days before our shoot, so she gave me several flower arrangements (including her bridal bouquet!) to use. And just to push my wish to wear a flower crown, I bought a simple headband at the grocery, and using the wires from the bouquets, I created my own flower crown! Haha.

For our transportation, we rented a van for Php3,500 for the whole day (driver and gas included). We brought breakfast sandwiches and snacks for everyone, and we had our lunch at a nearby restaurant. Our gracious hosts served us dinner before we left. We were lucky that our photographers and our HMUA waived their out-of-town fees (OOTF) when we informed them that we'll be providing the transportation and food for the shoot.

We decided to meet with Tats along Kamuning in Cubao, and then proceed to Bob's residence also in Kamuning. Bob & Zab brought along their friend Earl to assist them, so all in all there were 7 of us traveling to Tanay. It was a Friday and we thought there would be heavy traffic along Katipunan and Marcos Highway because of the LRT construction, but were surprised that there wasn't. We arrived in Tanay a little past 9am. After showing Bob & Zab around the farm, laying out our outfits and showing them our pegs and props, Zab suggested we take a nap before heading out for lunch.

We started our makeup around 12:30pm. Everything was going well at first. Tats had a light hand, his tools were clean and arranged neatly, and he worked relatively fast. But we hit a snag when my right eye wouldn't stop tearing up because of my contact lens. I thought it was just natural at first as it happens every time I'm being made-up, but when it wouldn't stop even after I inverted the lens, we decided to just remove both lenses. Later on in the bathroom I found a makeup particle on my right eye, but even after flushing it with running water, it was already irritated. Also, I couldn't wash it out properly as I was already fully made up, and we will get delayed if we'll start over again.These things happen.

I'd like to commend Tats for his patience. I've lost count how many times he retouched my right eye makeup. He was also attentive during the shoot, ready with a tissue to wipe away my tears as the winds were picking up and further irritating my eye. I also requested him to take behind the scene shots using my phone. His makeup also lasted the whole day, and aside from retouching my eye makeup several times, he only needed to change my lipstick shade and my hairstyle for the other layouts. In Filipino, his work was plakado (in place or perfect).

Bob & Zab were a delight to shoot with. They kept a light and jovial mood during the shoot, cracking jokes and playing music to keep the atmosphere lively. They would direct us and find our right angles. During the portrait shots, Zab took my photos while Bob took Jay's. Bob also gave Jay tips that proved useful come our wedding day. And when they noticed that we were getting tired, they would remind us to smile. I won't disclose it here, but Jay and I really loved Zab's special way of getting us to smile and laugh. Even after the shoot, Jay and I would do it and it still makes us giggle.

Our contract stated that our prenup shoot is only for 3-4 hours, but of course we had Bob & Zab for the whole day. The duo is set to get married later this year, and during our breaks we talked about our wedding preps. This is when it dawned on me the importance of having a prenup photo shoot. Not only will you have great photos to remember this milestone by, but it will also allow you to bond with your suppliers, be at ease in front of the camera, and trust that your photographers will capture your best moments on your wedding. Having a supplier that goes above and beyond what is required is a great thing to have on your most special day. 

Bob & Zab required us to bring a laptop or external hard drive and right after our shoot, they gave us all the raw files. This is a good step because you'll already have a copy of the files and you can retrieve them just in case your photographers' files get corrupted.

Because they have a specific style that requires color editing, we didn't get the edited photos right away. Zab just said to choose around 20 photos that they will edit immediately, so we can post teasers on our social media and wedding pages. 

Prenup shoots are usually done around a month before the wedding, but I think it was a good decision for us to hold ours two months before our date. We received the teaser photos around 3 weeks after our shoot, and the whole set of edited photos a couple of weeks before the wedding day. I would suggest this if your chosen photographers still has a small team and do the editing themselves. Zab is a self-confessed OC and has particular standards for their output. But I can assure you, the wait will be worth it. 

For more photos of our engagement shoot, head over here. 

Suppliers' Contact Details:

Bob & Zab Photography

Facebook: Bob & Zab Photography

Instagram: @bobandzab

Website: www.bobandzab.com

Engagement Sessions: Singapore, May 14-22 & Japan, July 3-7

Tats Dionisio Hair & Makeup Artist

Facebook: Tats Dionisio

Instagram: @tatsdionisio

Mobile No: +639361094709

Van Rental c/o Kuya JR

Mobile No: +639225454980

Road-tested: Sleek Matte Me Ultra Smooth Matte Lip Cream

My first entry for #Romyroadtests was the Happy Skin Glam Squad Liquid Matte Lipstick. It's the most-read entry out of all my posts! After reading my entry, my sister immediately messaged me and we talked about some products I should try next. First, she said she also uses Chapstick as her lip primer, and after I did a little research, it turns out it's a thing! You can indeed use lip balms to prime your lips. My sister recommended I also get my hands on Sleek Matte Me Ultra Smooth Matte Lip Cream.

Sleek is a high street brand from the UK that specializes in creating makeup for all skin tones. In 2015, Sleek finally landed on our shores. It is a brand favored by students and women on a budget, with price points that don't go over Php1,000.

My sister personally swears by the Sleek Matte Me in Birthday Suit, saying it's the perfect shade for  My Lips But Better (MLBB). It's the best-selling shade and it gets sold out really fast.

So when I dropped by Sleek's counter at SM MOA and the sales assistant told me they had Birthday Suit in stock, I immediately got myself a stick, and road-tested it right then and there!

The lipstick comes in a simple matte black and transparent tube and has a doefoot applicator. The formula is a bit sheer, and you have to apply a couple of coats to get color into your lips. I know the lighting in the department store helped, but my first thought upon seeing myself in the mirror with the Birthday Suit on was: It's like a highlighter for your lips! It looked like my lips had a spotlight of their own, and my face appeared brighter. And the magic of it all was, it didn't even look like I had any lipstick on! Talk about MLBB.

I promise to take better selfies for you, dear readers!

The best thing about Sleek Matte Me is its price. At Php450, it's a steal. Birthday Suit is a bestseller for a reason, as it's flattering for my skin tone, and I'm guessing for others as well. When I wore it at the office, a male office mate even complimented me and said my lipstick shade looks good on me.

The downside is, it's not as long-wearing as my first liquid matte lipstick. The sales assistant told me I need to use petroleum jelly to remove it, but at the end of the day after road-testing it, I didn't need to use one because there was barely any lipstick left on my lips.

After applying it at the store, I walked around the mall for a couple of hours and enjoyed my lip highlighter. The lippie feels sticky so you have to resist smacking your lips. When J and I had coffee, I ordered an iced latte and used a straw to drink. A lot of the lipstick still transferred even when I was careful not to mess it up. By the time I finished dinner (I had burger and fries), my lips were back to their pre-Birthday Suit state.

Clockwise from left: freshly-applied, after drinking an iced latte, and after dinner. 

The formula also dried my lips, even when I used Chapstick as my primer. After using it for a couple of days, I noticed the difference on my lips. I exfoliated them using my toothbrush (just gently brush it over your lips), but when it didn't improve, I had to rest my lips for a few days before I used Matte Me again.

The Sleek Matte Me Smooth Matte Lip Cream in Birthday Suit is a great shade and for its price, I don't mind reapplying throughout the day. But I recommend you don't use it every day and alternate it with your other lipsticks.


Sleek MakeUP is available at SM Beauty outlets, Landmark Trinoma and Makati, and online at Zalora. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram.

*Road-tested is my review of products I purchased (unless indicated otherwise). If you have product recommendations or situations for my next road tests (waterproof products on the beach), leave a comment below!

Road-tested: Happy Skin Glam Squad Liquid Matte Lipstick

Homegrown makeup brand Happy Skin recently launched their latest collaboration, the Happy Skin Glam Squad. Known for their collaborations with celebrities, Happy Skin has now teamed up with four of the country's top makeup artists: Juan Sarte, Mickey See, Jigs Mayuga, and Denise Go-Ochoa. 

Makeup artists Juan Sarte, Mickey See, Denise Go-Ochoa, and Jigs Mayuga. 

"By collaborating with the country's star-makers and most celebrated makeup artists, Happy Skin Glam Squad gives women the celebrity experience while keeping the brand's well-loved promise of makeup that cares for your skin," says Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, who co-founded Happy Skin with Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez in 2013.

Rissa and Jacqe have long been a part of the fashion and beauty circles, with Rissa being one of the country's top models and Jaque previously working for an international skincare brand.

Rissa shared with us why Happy Skin chose the four Filipino makeup masters. "In my fifteen years in the fashion and beauty industry, I have not seen anyone as enduring as these four," she says in an email interview. "They are the people responsible for elevating the visual language of beauty in our industry. The standards they've set have become aspirational to their peers and to many women. It's no wonder they have become the most sought-after makeup artists of celebrities."

The collection includes liquid matte lipsticks (Php699), eyeshadow duos (Php899), a color and contour palette (Php1,399), an arch definer & brow mascara (Php949), and a special brush set with case (Php2,999). The main Happy Skin line is known for its eye-catching pastel packaging, but the Happy Skin Glam Squad collection comes in an elegant rose gold packaging.

Juan Sarte's makeup chair has been graced by the likes of Judy Ann Santos and Maine Mendoza. To achieve a modern look, he chose a universal mauve liquid matte lipstick and eyeshadows in bronze and champagne. 

Mickey See is sought after by brides and has painted on the faces of Kristine Hermosa-Sotto and Liza Soberano. You can create a blushing look with his deep blush liquid lippie and eyeshadows in shimmery peach and light brown. 

Jigs Mayuga is the go-to makeup artist for Cheska Kramer and Shaina Magdayao. He chose a rose-brown liquid lipstick and matte eyeshadows in black and brown to help you create a bold look. 

Denise Go-Ochoa's celebrity clientele includes teen queen Kathryn Bernardo and Bea Alonzo. She came up with a peach liquid lippie shade, and eyeshadows in caramel and medium brown shades to give you a fresh look.

Days before the launch, I chanced upon the collection at their Trinoma stall. Being a makeup newbie, I was drawn to the liquid matte lipsticks. For me, when my eyebrows are groomed and I have lipstick on, then I'm good to go. I swatched the four shades, and found the one by Mickey See suited me the most. 

From top: Denise Go-Ochoa, Jigs Mayuga, Juan Sarte, and Mickey See. 

For the roadtest: 

When J's sister let me try her Colour Pop liquid matte lippie, she also had the lip primer. Now as I said, I'm a total beginner, so I only have Chapstick in my arsenal. I used that to prime my lip, then I applied a single coat of Happy Skin's Mickey See shade.

Look at that rich formula. One swipe at the bottom and one at the top.

The lipstick glides easily and the formula is long-wearing. Simply using tissue paper won't remove it. You only need a few seconds to let it dry, and it's not sticky. Pretty soon you forget that you're wearing it at all. 

When I say it's long-wearing, I mean it. After drinking water, eating lunch, and grabbing a sandwich, this lippie passes the test. Yes, the lipstick leaves a trace on your water bottle or the spoon, but not enough for you to need a major touch-up. The only time I did was after eating a bowl of ramen. Just a little note: when worn, the shade leans towards the color purple more than blush. I don't know why it doesn't translate into my photos. A photo here shows a closer resemblance when worn.

Left: Freshly-applied. Right: After eating dinner.

My favorite thing about the Happy Skin Glam Squad liquid matte lipstick is it's not drying at all! Lipsticks tend to make my lips dry, and matte lipsticks are more notorious for that. Maybe the Chapstick helped too, but I've been using my Mickey See as an everyday lipstick and my lips remain moisturized and chap-free! The lipstick contains Cupuaçu Butter, which hydrates and heals your lips.  

I highly recommend you pick your own Happy Skin Glam Squad liquid matte lipstick (and a few other items from the collection too if you're a makeup junkie). With four shades to choose from, you'll definitely find the one for you. A portion of the collection's sales will also be given to the four makeup artists' choice of charities. So you'd be helping others too with your purchase! Now that's beauty with a purpose, ain't it? :)  

Happy Skin is available in major malls, Plains & Prints and Beauty Bar branches, and online.
Like them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram. 

*Road-tested is my review of products I purchased (unless indicated otherwise). If you have product recommendations or situations for my next road tests (waterproof products on the beach), leave a comment below!

**The first six photos used in this entry were from Happy Skin's Instagram. 

Topaz Horizon x Bobbi Brown: Eye Make-up for Girls with Glasses

I was one of the lucky few who won a slot at Frances Sales's Topaz Learning Workhop for girls with glasses last Saturday. The workshop was held at the Bobbi Brown branch in SM Megamall.

There were seven of us in the class, and we were taught by Bobbi Brown's Training Coordinator, the lovely Tamara Pineda. While she was explaining each step, resident make-up artist Jerome applied it on Frances, who was our host and model for the day. The talk lasted for less than an hour, but we were given a bonus, what any make-up lover or make-up newbie would die to have: a free trial/makeover! This workshop was so much fun and more than what I expected.

My best takeaways are putting your face on doesn't have to take up too much of your time, definition is key, and that just because you're wearing glasses it doesn't mean you have to skip applying make-up on your eye area.

Then, using Bobbi Brown products (great investment I’m saving up for to add to my arsenal), Tamara explained that applying your eye-make-up can be divided into three easy steps: applying corrector and concealer, defining your eyelids, and drawing your brows.

The most important thing to remember upon starting is to apply your skincare before applying any make-up on. Prevention is key so in this case, you must apply your eye cream, serum, and moisturizer. Then you apply your foundation. Now we can begin!

1.  Your eyeglasses highlight the shadows under your eyes so it’s important to correct and conceal. There are two shades to choose from, if you have fair complexion, go with the bisque. If you’re a morena, go for the peach family. Apply the corrector first then layer with concealer. 

What’s great about Bobbi Brown’s concealer kit is it includes a pale yellow setting powder, which you apply after the corrector and concealer. 

2. Next are your eyelids. Remember not to put concealer on your eyelids because it causes creasing of the eye shadow. Apply a primer instead because whatever you put on top of it becomes longwearing, which we all want! 

Then, using the Bobbi Brown eye shadow quad, use the light shade all over the eyelids to highlight them. The other three shades of the quad are mid-tone brown (to create depth), taupe, and dark (for dramatic effect or liner shadow). When using colored eyeglass frames, don’t fight their color but instead enhance them using your make-up. This makes people look at your face and your eyes, and not be confused with your color frames on.  

Most important tip: define the eyes with the liner. What Tamara recommended is putting the mirror just under your chin and look down while applying your liner to make sure you don’t miss anything. Then use a waterproof mascara for your lashes because sometimes the mascara smudges your frames especially when your lashes are long. Curl your lashes before applying the mascara, girls!

3. Last are your eyebrows. You know that eyebrows frame your face, right?  Sometimes just stepping out with your brows on can let you get away without any other hint of make-up. Get your brows shaped professionally, and remember to not use a black eyebrow pencil! Choose one that's at least a shade lighter than your hair. Then using light, feathery strokes, draw your brows from the inside out. With an eyebrow brush, brush your eyebrows in an upward motion, never down.

Et voila! You’re ready to seize the day because you just got your face on! Thank you so much Topaz Horizon and Bobbi Brown for this very enlightening workshop. I'm so happy!

So what did I do after getting all prettified? Went on a date, of course! And, just to add mileage to my Bobbi Brown face, I had my ID photos taken too.