Wednesday, March 31, 2010

AMW Reports: Shiseido's White Lucent Skin Care Launch

I got an invite last week for Shiseido's White Lucent Launch at the Ayala Museum!  It was a long and lazy Monday but I was actually looking forward for this event because  I know a dear friend works there so I'm  excited to see her!  Hi to Vianca, who aside from being a friend, also works for Shiseido. *waves*

Aside from the excitement of seeing a friend, the brand itself is close to my heart.  A couple of years ago when I went to Hong Kong for a business trip, I left my whole skincare regiment back home *gasp* and you would think I'll freak out?  Of course not!  I'm in Hong Kong baby! Its a perfect excuse to go to Sasa and purchase a trial sized skincare brand!  Amidst all the brands, I've chosen Shiseido's Brightening Cleanser, Emulsion  and Moisturizer.  After 2 weeks stay in HK (sample size lasts more than 2 weeks).  I actually saw a huge difference on my skin, I can definitely see a healthy glow and brightness and I was able to meet people without makeup!  Looking back, I wonder why I never purchase any Shiseido skincare when I got back.  So fast forward to today, I am looking forward for a reunion.





The stage looks simple yet very elegant. The event was hosted by none other than the gorgeous model Ms.Georgina Wilson. I knew she's tall but in person, she's way taller and even more beautiful!


We were also introduced to the Area Manager of International Sales Department, Ms. Momoko Nagai!  I can't help but check out her skin!  She does has great skin!  Wonders if its the genes or Shiseido? I should've asked! :P


We all joined the countdown the bright skin! 
5...
4...
3...


2...
1....

Shiseido's White Lucent!



According to Shiseido:
Since its launch seven years ago, Shiseido's White Lucent skincare line has illuminated the true benefits of whitening skincare to women around the world.
In response to the rising global demand for whitening products, we have researched what women consider to be "ideal skin" and came to one conclusion.  Women dream of vibrant skin that glows from within, with a bright and even-toned clarity.

The newest technology of White Lucent makes this dream a reality.

We succeeded in compounding our exclusive whitening ingredients with new, advanced technologies.  Empowered by this harmony, the formulas help to visibly diminish dark spots and uneven skin tone white targeting various types of spots and helping to prevent their formation.
Enhanced by replenishing moisture that effective improves skin texture, skin begins to capture light with a pure radiance that appears lit from within.

White Lucent Serum on my hand
Gently rubbed until absorbed



It was such a lovely event meeting a lot of people from traditional media, and most of them are also part of the blogging industry!
L-R Ms. Vicky Marchadesch from Luxasia, 
Marichelle Ligon from Metro Society, 
Shen and myself

L-R Me! Jane, Frances and Shen

And of course, who could miss the wall of fame?  Me and my blogging friend Shen giving our final pose before we bid each other goodbye!


Have a wonderful day!  Holy week actually started but Philippine Holiday starts tomorrow!  To my Philippine readers, have a wonderful holiday and stay safe!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!


Tuesday, March 30, 2010

AMW Reviews: Revlon PhotoReady Make Up


One of the biggest challenge as a make-up artist is to create a natural-looking foundation sans the "ghostly" white cast especially on photos! 

High-definition (HD) makeup has been created recently and widely used by makeup artists worldwide.  Most HD makeup available in the market are quite pricey and a lot of us would just leave it to the makeup artists to purchase and for the rest of world?  Probably rely on PhotoShop to create clear looking skin!

One company taps into the emerging HD technology beauty trends for flawless skin under any light at an affordable price!  The collection is designed to provide flawless results even under unflattering conditions such as harsh lighting environment and high definition scrutiny!

That company is Revlon...Revlon PhotoReady provides flawless airbrushed look in any light!

 **photo courtesy of Revlon

Intrigued?  I was too!  

Monday, March 29, 2010

AMW Reviews: MAC Mineralized Blush in Superdupernatural


I've said it gazillion times, I am never updated with MAC Collections, because if I am, I'll go crazy with the purchases!  I"d rather steer away from it to stop myself from lemmings!  Funny how I've purchased several MAC products a tad bit late.  Why? 2 things: I'm big on savings and I'm a cheapo!  Oh...that's only ONE thing right? :P

A good friend of mine owns a brand new MAC Mineralized Blush in Superdupernatural and I'm glad she told me she's selling it! I purchased it in an instant...even faster than a speeding bullet!

I can go without eye makeup but I always make sure to put on a healthy color on my cheeks on regular days to bring out the healthy, natural glow!  A natural makeup lover like myself definitely gets sold with a blush shade called "Super Duper Natural"!  N loves N! Nikki loves Natural!



MAC Mineralized Blush in Super Duper Natural says ---

Superdupernatural is a rusty coral with a subtle sheen. It’s also rich in color and easy to layer for increased intensity.

AMW says ---

Pros
  • very pigmented, a little goes a long way
  • looks shimmery on pan but comes out semi-matte on cheeks
  • no chunky glitters
  • very pigmented
  • this will last you forever!
  • lasts longer than regular powder blushes!  I don't even need a cream blush underneath
  • does not accentuate pores or zits!
Cons
  •  not available anymore because it's LE
Overall
This blush is limited edition launched Holiday of 2009 under "Magic, Mirth and Mischief".   

This blush lives up to its name!  This is indeed very natural looking!  It's peachy in color and this actually reminded me of a lighter and gentler version of Nars Orgasm!  I like how pretty it looks on photos.  Lighter skin tone would enjoy this by lightly dusting this on the apples of your cheeks.  If you have darker skin tone, piling this up a bit would give a natural healthy glow!  This would work perfect for MAC NC20-40 skintone. Definitely a LOVE for me!

Tips
  • want a natural healthy glow?  Use a stippling brush to apply it as highlight
  • want to use this as blush?  Use a blush brush and apply on the apples of your cheeks blending outwards

  • never drop your mineralized blush
  • though the name is "superdupernatural" never over apply, due to its pigmentation, this can make you look like a clown
  • over applied your blush? gently apply your regular powder foundation over the blush to lessen the pigmentation

Will I repurchase?
No as one is enough and this isn't available at MAC counters anymore.

Where to purchase and how much?
You can purchase this via friend, as this was part of the limited edition.

Here's a regular day with foundation, lipbalm 
and MAC's SuperDuperNatural!


Have a lovely start of the week!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!



Sunday, March 28, 2010

Weekend Food Tripping at:: Teriyaki Boy

I know I've been to this restaurant a million times!  But I can't help include this on my weekend food tripping posts as I've ordered different dishes this time!  I have to share as the restaurant revamped its interior and even their menu changed!  They are definitely leaning on the hippier side!  How do I find their dishes?  Glad to report they maintain the quality and added more great tasting dishes!


Teriyaki Boy Philly Cheese Steak Roll
Php175.00 (approx $3.80)
I love how they infused the cheese on the roll and it still taste wonderful!
the cheese is just right and does not overpower the overall taste


Philadelphia Roll
Php210.00 (approx $4.57)
I love both Salmon and Cream cheese 
this is such a perfect combination
melts right into the mouth!


Sushi
Can't seem to remember the price! Sorry!


Chawan Mushi
Php85.00 (approx $2.00)
Tea cup steamed egg!  Love it!  Definitely something new
A great appetizer to look forward to!


Teriyaki Boy Chicken
Php195.00 (approx $4.24)
Bestseller! Can't dine at Teriyaki Boy without trying this!

Bento Boxes
Php350.00 (approx $7.61)
Choice of Teriyaki Chicken


Fried Fish Fillet
I believe they have Ika Fry and Shrimp Tempura too!


New Soup in Town!  Love it that they have more choices of soup! They serve it and pour the soup right in front of you which I find it quite appealing to the eyes!

I will update the name and the price next time as the Teriyaki Boy website is still under construction and I forgot about their names and prices.  But these 2 are worth the taste!  The taste buds are happy!

Beef Soup


Mixed Seafood


Teriyaki Boy is a casual dining.  They accept both cash and credit card and no service charge included in the bill! Their house tea is fabulous and the service isn't bad!

Ahhhhh, weekend food tripping is always fun!  I do love to eat and I believe you do too!  Because you're still reading this post!  Go ahead!  Reward yourself and eat anything you like!  It's weekend anyways!

Have a wonderful Sunday!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!



Saturday, March 27, 2010

AMW Reviews: TBS Love Gloss

I haven't been a gloss person for the longest time because I have been sporting a natural lipstick look.  But the nice natural lips always turn into a parched-land!  Definitely a turn off right? So a gloss is definitely needed to save me from embarrassment!  

When The Body Shop came out with a gloss called The Love Gloss, I can't resist, such a cute name, with cute packaging!  Judging by the look of the packaging, it feels like Valentine's Day over again!  


The Body Shop Love Gloss says ---
Best if you want to create alluring lips with brilliant color and shine.  Best for all skin tones.
What this is designed to do:
  • The specially designed heart-shaped brush has a reservoir that stores the gloss during application for an even layer of shiny color.
  • Organic, virgin, cold-pressed Community Trade coconut oil softens and conditions skin.
  • Community Trade cocoa butter is an excellent moisturizer that melts at body temperature, leaving skin soft and silky smooth.
Ingredients:
Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Beeswax, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Trihydroxystearin, Acrylates Copolymer, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Passiflora Incarnata Seed Oil, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Talc, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Flavor, Tin Oxide, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 7 Lake, Red 28 Lake, Red 6, Blue 1 Lake].



AMW says ---

Pros
  • non-sticky
  • good staying power
  • after the "super shine" fades, the lips ended up looking still moisturized!
  • nice doe-shape (almost heart shape) applicator

  • applicator is easy to clean or wipe as it's not too thick
  • fool proof lip applicator, it'll be hard to mess up with this easy-to-apply applicator!
 
  • very shiny yet natural looking, like you just licked your lips (sexy!)
  • the more I use this, I actually felt my lips getting a bit softer and moisturized!
Cons
  • others may not find this a con but I don't like the fruity scent, it smells like mango, pineapple...fruit salad? *hahaha*  I swear, others like this scent, I just don't! :)
Overall
If you are on a look out of a gloss that's non-sticky, moisturizes the lips and lasts, this is the one!  Gives a nice three dimensional look on a boring matte lipstick.

Tips
  • always remember to exfoliate your lips once to twice a week for softer, more supple lips
  • top this over your favorite lipstick for a nice, healthy shine
  • wipe the wand after every use 
  • never share this gloss with anybody else, use a disposable lip brush or wand if sharing is needed :P
Will I repurchase?
Yes!  In other shades!

Where to purchase and how much?
At local The Body Shop stores for Php650.00 (approx $14.13)


Easy to apply on lips with the heart shaped applicator


Applied on lips without lipstick or lip balm
Sorry, my lips are naturally pigmented, 
but this gloss is definitely clear :P



Have a wonderful lip smacking Saturday!!!
I'll be off to prettify someone today!  So excited!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!



Friday, March 26, 2010

AMW Reports: Discover the Hollywood Secret at The Spa

Hollywood...
The mere word reminded me of the "unreachable", living the life of total beauty and glamor.  Beauty treatments are readily available as the demand calls for it.  But one treatment has been raved by so many and here are just some of their testimonials.
"I love the treatments, so does my face!" --- Madonna
"The treatments are a necessity before every major event." --- Eva Longoria
"I use this skin treatment to hydrate my skin and give me that fresh, well slept glowing look before any performance or appearance" --- Katy Perry
"I am in the business of beauty and perfection and this is the ultimate secret weapon." --- John Galliano, Fashion Designer, Christian Dior

Intriguing right?  I, together with some of the beauty bloggers were invited by THE SPA to take a sneak peak on what the celebrities have been raving about!  To "Discover the Hollywood Secret" is the theme of the event.  Perfect!  I love secrets!  And I spill the secrets on beauty to my readers!

As I got into Crustacia at Powerplant Mall, an area was covered and a table of products immediately caught my attention.   Products from Intraceuticals Infusion.  Too medical for my regular brain! :D



An Intraceuticals Infusion is an all natural, non-invasive treatment that simultaneously infuses moisture, vitamins and antioxidants into the deeper layers of the skin via therapeutic grade topical hyperbaric oxygen creating visible age-defying results you can immediately see and feel.
This combination of pressured oxygen and specialized serums promotes superior dermal hydration, neutralizes free radicals, stimulates collagen and elastin production and supports healthy cell growth, all in all contributing to youthful, healthy, vibrant skin.


  • Rejuvenate Infusion for Age Defying
  • Opulence Infusion for Brightening 
  • Atoxelene Infusion for Wrinkle and Line Smoothing
All 3 products above are used together with the  Oxygen machine in which they named it Hyperbaric Oxygen Technology (H.O.T.) 
The Company has also developed a complementary line of skin care products called Essential Home Care to prolong the results of an Intraceuticals Infusion and designed for total product synergy.

Ms. Emily Sia-Koa, the Marketing Executive of The Spa, conveniently volunteered me to be their model for the night! (such a lovely girl who's got an energy of an energizer bunny).  It was a bit stressful at first as I've never done any treatment in front of a crowd!  I can be shy at times you know! *winks*  I didn't eat much as the mere thought of having a crowd taking a peek on my face during and after treatment scare the bejeebers out of me!


Before they start the oxygen therapy, I was introduced to the CEO/Senior O2 Therapist Dr. Lorenzo A. Mata Jr. to evaluate my skin.  Spot on to my skin problems.  He talks about my dark undereye circles (due to late nights), some lines around my eye area (signs of aging? *sigh*) and minor pigmentation on my right cheek (due to the harsh sun)


And let's start the Oxygen therapy!  I am so ready!  


As my skin was being prepped, I was all ears listening to the presentation wonderfully done by The Spa's Marketing Associate Ms. Jo Vicencio.  I learned that this treatment fits for all skin types.  It helps increase the skin's moisture levels and effectively targets dry, dehydrated, prematurely aging, sensitive or stressed skin and addresses fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, pigmentation and uneven texture and tone.  All are major skin problems men and women suffers.  In a treatment of 40-60 minutes, I was told to expect plumped, tightened and lifted skin with visibly reduced wrinkles and pigmentation.  Yay right?  That got me really excited!

The treatment was very soothing and calming and seriously painless!  I am trying so hard not to fall asleep. 



Half of my face was done to show the world the instant effect of the treatment! *shudders*  As seen on photo below, everyone gushed on the lesser puffiness on my right eye (left on photo).  If you could reach out and touch my skin, it does feel like a baby's bum!  I should also add that prior to this treatment, I had a dry, flaky patch on my lower right cheek and it was gone right after the treatment up until the very moment I am writing this post.

This treatment was said to be proven safe and this is the only treatment that you can go to the areas not only around the eye but also on the eye area itself.  My skin looks shiny because of the moisturizer applied right after the treatment!  It absorbs to the skin right after.  Oh yes, I was told that you can apply makeup right after! 


As the result is immediate and visible in just one treatment, it is still advisable to continue the treatment up to 6 sessions of repeated infusion as recommended by Dr. Mata.  There will also maintenance treatment to prolong the result.  Of course, the individuals' lifestyle will always play a very important role for results.  Better say goodbye to the three S's --- Stress, Sleep-deprivation and Sun Exposure!

L-R Shen, Sab, Teeyah, Jamie and myself

Overall, it was a wonderful treatment, I've never felt my skin so rejuvenated  in my entire life!  And the great thing about this is that, the Hollywood Secret was finally brought down to our country.  We don't have to be in Hollywood, we do not need to sing "Material Girl" gazillion times hoping to turn into Madonna. (A little birdie told me Madonna bought 3 machines on all 3 homes as she's in love with this treatment!)

Scared of the treatment rate?  I was told that The Spa is trying to tie up with credit card companies so women can enjoy this luxurious service at staggard payment 0% interest!  Let's cross our fingers this will push through so  more and more women can enjoy this wonderful service!  I will definitely keep you updated!


Again, the Oxygen treatment is now available at The Spa, Acropolis branch.  You can give them a call or visit them to ask them about the treatment and rates.


The Spa Acropolis
Acropolis Center, Acropolis Green Subdivision
80 E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Libis, QC
Tel. nos.: 634-2848 / 634-2709 / 0918-8-THESPA



Serious stuffs right?
Well we should always get serious with anything related to our skin!
Have a wonderful Friday!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!



(note from the author: I did not get paid or receive any form or kind of payment to write this post.  This is reported by me base on my own personal experience.)


Thursday, March 25, 2010

Something New: Jean&Rosz Accessories



Dear Philippine Readers:
Have you been salivating on some fashion pieces from the stars but the unavailability plus the high priced tags put you off?   Here's what I've found over my email box early this week!


The brand targets fashion aware females from 16-45years old with pricing maxed at Php1,000 (approx $22.00).
 The store sells Fashion jewelries ---


Hair pieces 
Jean&Rosz is owned and managed by Jeanny Lyn So (29) and Krisha Rosz Iliscupidez (28).  Jeanny and Krisha have been best friends since high school days and have been fashion aware probably since birth.  Young entrepreneurs!  I sing nothing but praises for them!  According to these two: "We serve as Accessory Trend Spotters who make the lastest pieces accessible to you at Best Value".

Want to check out more of their gorgeous pieces?
Smile and click Jean&Rosz multply page

Enjoy computer shopping! 
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!