FASHION: Giordano Oxford Shirt Style

 Who remembers Giordano in the 90's?  I mean every single cool kid has at least a Giordano piece whether T-Shirts, Polo Shirts or in my case, the Long-Sleeves Oxford Shirt.  

You know why I have it?  I borrow from my brother!!! 

Looking back, I just wore it one way, tucked in a Levi's Jeans and a Nike shoes because I felt so cool like that.

Fast forward to many decades after, I still feel like a cool-kid wearing this Oxford shirt but this time, styling it differently because we aren't into fast fashion nowadays, I want clothing pieces that I can wear multiple times!

I also like to mix pieces that are on a pricier side and affordable ones.  I am literally wearing a less than Php400 worth of White Tube Romper and I layered it with a less than Php200 mustard top adding a belt in between to make it look more formal and put together.  

Added the Giordano Long Sleeve Oxford Shirt as my cover up and it works so well and I felt so good!

Romper: Lovito
Mustard Sleeveless Top: Shopee
Belt: Gucci Store

Bag: Coccinelle Available at Zalora.

Sandals: Shopee

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

MomStyle: Black or White?

 

I can’t count the number of black, and white outfit I have inside my dresser!  I love clothes by the way!  As a Beauty Blogger, you would think I only collect skincare products and makeup products.  Well, this woman has a lot of likes *ahem*  I honestly love clothes and I have good imagination because I have been shopping online for clothes for YEARS!  And can you believe when I say it’s 0.1% returns?  

I almost never get to return the clothes I bought because they, most of the time, fits, and works for me!  I have this mala-computer brain and I can immediately imagine the clothes worn by me!  Do you have that same talent?

Yes, I call that talent!  Thank you Lord!  :P

These 2 dresses are old dresses I bought via Zalora #NOTsponsored .  I’ve worn both of these on special occasions, the black one during one of my important makeup workshop in a hotel while the white one was during a Cathy Doll anniversary held in Bangkok Thailand.  That dress met Mario Maurer by the way!  *winks* 

This dress is surprisingly very comfortable to wear!  I think that year, the irregular-shaped and overlapping skirt is a thing!  I saw Jennifer Lopez wore a similar dress and I am NOT saying she got inspired by me!  LOL  But it is so good to think so! Hahaha Bear with me!

This lacey black LBD dress is such a comfortable dress to wear!  It is simple yet classy.  I like the A-line skirt giving me the waist I never had!  :P

By the way, this transition - nobody asked for!  But I enjoyed doing this,  it is not professional yet I poured my heart into this!  Enjoy! 

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Time to vote!  Are you team Black or White?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

 

Red and Black OOTD

 

Red and black has always been my no-brainer outfit combo!  Some would go for Black and White, it’s always Red and Black for me!  No wonder I have a lot of different shades of red outfit in my dresser and of course, various black outfit too I can easily mix and match!

I recently hosted Lazada 10.10 Big Brand Sale Livestream for 2 days and I was required to wear a deep red outfit and I came up with this.  Comfortable yet classy!  What do you think?

The top is an old top I bought from Zalora years ago when I just gave birth to Kyle, I needed a top that is loose enough for me to breastfeed!  I actually cinched the top at the back fo this livestream so make it more “fit”.

The shorts is an inexpensive shorts on Sales which I purchased at SM Department store.  I like the extra buckle and ribbon that made this shorts unique from the hundreds of other black shorts I have! :P

For my hair and makeup, I loosely curled my hair using a 1.5 inch curling iron and applied heavier makeup - yes, that make up is quite heavy, I just have strong lighting during the livestream so my face was heavily contoured for dimension!

How do you like my livestream look?

Bluer Than Blue OOTD

 

Happy Fri-yay!

Seems like the weekend is what I am always looking forward to because I can sleep a few hours longer!  Kyle’s online school starts too early I can’t believe I am waking up at 6:00am again like I used to when I was in school!  (Ahem, not true, I wake up at 5:00am before!)  

But showing you my comfortable OOTD perfect for days you need to look good yet comfortable enough to do your tasks on the floor!  Yeah, I love sitting on the floor while Kyle is having classes.  I have issues with certain chairs and sitting on the floor helps my spine in some way or another!  

The dress is actually an old blue spaghetti-strap number which I got from Zalora a few years back and I recently purchased a Long Sleeved Cardigan Cropped Top (Shop Link HERE) in different shades becuase I honestly feel more comfortable covering my arms when I go out!  

I also paired this blue number with a new Precious Stones I got from good friend Mrs. M from Shopaholicmissus.  This is a Sunstone Faceted 12mm bracelet that brings good fortune and luck!

Happy Lunar Year of the Metal Ox!

 

Serving you some reds and style for the year of the Metal Ox!

I am full blooded Chinese (Both parents are Chinese) and to be exact, both sides are Cantonese so yes - full blooded Cantonese but born and raised in the Philippines so I am accustomed to both cultures and traditions.

Up until this very day, we follow Chinese traditions and celebrations and the Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebration!

We may have some changes and not be as strict as my grandparents’ times - I won’t be able to wear that black belt with my Lolo and Lola around!  

Born on the Year of the Goat, we were told the year of the Metal Ox is not compatible people born on the Year of the Goat, but I am quite positive these are just guides and I am in charge of my own happiness, success, failures.  

How 2021 will look like?

We all can’t tell, no one can!  But I pray for your constant peace, happiness, good health and fortune!

Happy Lunar New Year AMW Friends!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

 

Barry M Nail Paints Now In the Philippines!

The first time I laid my hands on a Barry M product was actually a nail polish which I won from a contest year 2009.  (You don't believe me?  Click HERE).

Beauty Blogging was way different back then.  I don't have access to a lot of international brands so I ended up doing a lot of "Blogger Shopping Switch" (I purchase items for an International Blogger and they shop for me in their country!)

So anyway, back to the brand story!  I have tried Barry M polishes and knew they were great!  But since the brand never arrived our shores, I just set this aside (at the back of my head wishing and hoping they'll be available locally).

Who would have thought it would happen on a crazy 2020?  I mean everything about this year has been bad so hearing such news is such a wonderful bud of leaf peeping through a dried out soil (okay, I'm too negative here but you know what I mean right?)

So a lot of you would probably shrug your shoulders and say: "Meh".

The nail polish and nail art lover in me is REJOICING! 

You can easily see it by the look of my face - pure joy as I applied a coat of Barry M Gelly Shine Nail Paint!  I got 3 shades to play with and used 2 immediately + a top coat!

Barry M Gelly Shine Nail Paints are indeed high shine (a coat is enough to see the shine!)  and it is quick drying!  I applied this on a whim while doing an unboxing video and had a busy day ahead so I washed my hand 5 minutes after I applied the top coat expecting them to be ruined!  Well, it did not!  And I am still sporting this lovely nails while typing this blog post!  

Please watch my quick nail art video and see the real SHINE and how opaque these are!

On-The-Go Mom Fashion

What do I wear when I know I'll be meeting up a very important client at the same time I need to take my son to school? 

Wear something very comfortable yet chic!  I ended up going for "block colored" outfit but there's always something "Nikki" in all my style!

But first, I need a good cup of coffee!  My favorite is Cafe Latte in Low fat milk (no sugar).

AMW Wears: Busy Mom's OOTD

I plan my outfit the night before, because I get only less than an hour to prepare in the morning (because sleep is Life!) :P

Most of my days, I wear casual outfit as it just entails me to drive my son to and from school and run errands like Grocery Shopping, Bills Payment, Bank Visits and a lot of those tasks that do not require me to look good.

But at least once or twice a week, I insert meetings and events ON TOP of the tasks mentioned above.  So planning an outfit is actually a talent I've been mastering for years.  I am not the type who would change clothes in between (too hassle for me as I would rather save up on energy!)

Last week, it was a FULL day and I needed an outfit comfortable enough to last me through humidity, sweat and stress.

I came up with this and was able to celebrate Benefit Party with Jared Bailey at a Posh Furniture Store in Makati!

Top: Plains & Prints, Pants: Bought from Korea, Shoes: Zalora, Watch: Philip Stein and Bracelet: Charriol

 A white top you say?  To last you through the day?  Well, thankfully, this white top I bought from Plains & Prints comes with a very nice fabric.  It does not easily wrinkle and it does not easily get dirty too!  (Yes, surprisingly, it looks spic span white even nighttime!)  The added "choker" detail added an oomph to the simple look making the overall outfit look more in trend!

Let's give a moment to celebrate this wide-legged trousers!  This is stretchable, garterized and you can actually wear this even if you're pregnant!  The fabric is extremely soft and stretchable!  I can run with this I swear!  And you know the best part?  I can easily lift the pants up when I'm driving which "shookt" the life of my #yayaTab !  (Walang poise but who cares?  Comfort is life!)

AMW Wears: White Chic

There are days I will have the mood to share my OOTDs and today is one of those days!

I am not calling myself a Fashionable person but I know my style.  I'm a type of girl who can actually go through stores in less than 5 minutes and know if something would work for me or not!  Call that a talent, but my husband was actually the one pulling me into stores to SHOP and can't believe how I can see everything and "know" nothing would work!

I guess, I knew my style, my body type and my needs.  And today, I'm sharing some tips how I mix and match my outfit making me look like I have gazillion of clothing items, but in reality, I just have hundreds (Joke lang!)

Whenever I purchase an item, I usually go with fashion and trend and maybe purchase 1 or 2 pieces and match it with old pieces to update my wardrobe!  I also like prints but I try to keep it at minimal and invest on key pieces.  

Since Blogging Events started, it is a requirement to own Black and White in your closet because most of the time, the event calls for it!  So now, you see me invest on gorgeous white pieces just like this one which I got from Plains & Prints.

The piece calls for a nice pants but I want to wear it several ways!  For this one, I went for my old Forever 21 skirt and it looks like a complete dress!  What do you think?

As a mom, I usually prepare early in the morning and go straight to event after sending my son back home!  I also make sure my outfit is comfortable enough to be worn the WHOLE day, at the same time, easy enough to move for driving, to look care for my son!  

I am actually surprised I survived the whole day without messing up my top!  Again, it must be another talent I didn't know I have! 

Wedding Guest Makeup Look and Outfit

So it has been a while since I attended a wedding!  Several wedding invitations passed by my hands but I wasn't able to attend any of them for so many reasons and I told myself I had to break the "bad luck".

My Best Man got married but Kyle was extremely sick.  

My college barkada got married this year and I was looking forward to attend her wedding but my dad had a stroke.

My highschool classmate invited us for his Wedding last week and I told myself I had to go, praying so hard nothing bad will happen again.

THANKFULLY, I was fully made up and was able to dress up...so you know I was able to attend - FINALLY!

This is my hair and makeup by YOURS TRULY.

Makeup products used:

Base makeup: Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation,

 Hello Flawless Powder and Lancome as contour.

Eyes: Etude House Play 101 Blending Pencil Shade 6 as base and L'oreal Nude Palette, K-Palette Liquid Liner and L'Oreal Super Liner in dark brown.

Brows: Benefit Goof Proof Brow pencil shade 3 and Karadium x Pucca Brow Cara

Cheeks: Clinique Sculptionary Cheek Contouring Palette in Defining Nectars

Lips: Silky Girl Matte Junkie Lip Crayon in shade 04

Versatile Outfit For Busy Moms

It was a Holiday in the Philippines but it is a "working Holiday" for me.
I need to take my son to his Speech School and leave for a meeting for lunch.

From Tomas Morato, I am flying to SM Aura for a Korean Cosmetics launch (Welcome The Saem!), then I have a scheduled Brow Wax session at Benefit then leave the rest of my schedule for family!

I don't tediously plan my outfit but I roughly have an idea what to wear before I go to sleep!  I wanted something comfortable where I can move around at the same time, chic enough for meetings!

Here's my ensemble!

Culottes Onesie (got this on Sale from Shop Thrift Shop Fishermall)

Bag: Zalora

Shoes: Alberto Shoes

I have the say, the material of this one piece culottes is so comfortable yet it works even for professional setting!  The only complaint?  I need a bit of time inside the washroom as I need to remove the ribbon tied at the back of my neck, the ribbon on the waist and a zipper!  But once you went back and forth the washroom for 2-3 times, you'll get the hang of it!  *laughs*

I have to sing praises to my newest and comfiest pair of Alberto Shoes!  I usually bring with me a flats to change in between meetings and work but for this particular pair, I was able to survive 9:00am-10:00pm wear!  Seriously, I even ran around chasing my son inside the SM Aura mall and my feet did not die! 

Dressing Up My Style

One thing for sure, I am NOT a fashionista.

I don't go by trend but if the trend is something I'm comfortable with (Hello Off Shoulders!)  I would wear them like no tomorrow!

My style has always been girly, frilly and all-things sweet and nice.  Even my close friends and family can tell: "That's  a Nikki-Outfit!"  

A Nikki-Outfit will always be loose, does not hug all the bumps and flabs instead, it covers and makes me feel like I can even join you in a buffet table! 

But that does not stop me from looking made-up, confident and good.  Because wearing nice clothes does not need you to be in a particular shape or size....

I used to be a size 4, size 6 then size 14.  I went through my slimmest stage of 104 pounds up to the heaviest of 145lbs (I wasn't blogging back then!), I am not at my best weight at the moment but one thing I'm positive of, I keep myself healthy by eating right, walking and running as much as I could and of course, I wear that huge smile to distract people from my flaws.

Because nobody is perfect!

So for this rare instance, I'm sharing one of my favorite Nikki-Outfit post which I wore during our Facebook Live event at Eastwood Mall a couple of weeks back!  Only half of my body was shown during the FB Live session and someone messaged me and asked me where I bought my TOP so I've decided to showcase this dress in its' full glory :D  Because I'd wear this over and over again!

Max Factor Facefinity All Day Primer SPF20 Review

Hi AMW Friends!
After a long while, I'm finally posting a review for a face primer!  As much as I dislike to use face primers on a daily basis, I highly depend on them professionally as a Make Up Artist.

I lug so many primers because I use primers depending on skin condition of my clients.  And I personally test each of them before putting them in my professional KIT just because I want the best for my customers.

I got the Max Factor Facefinity All Day Primer with SPF20 last year, it took me a while to test this out since the weather is quite cool for the first 2 months of 2017, I had to wait for the weather to really get hot and humid before I can finally share my final thoughts.

Max FactorX Facefinity All Day Primer Says ---

The Facefinity All Day Primer from Max Factor is the secret to makeup that stays put the whole day. It contains micro-correctors to banish excess oil.

• Keeps makeup in place the whole day
• Mattifies skin
• SPF 20

Cathy Doll's 5th Year Anniversary Celebration in Bangkok, Thailand

So today is my birthday!  Yes, I am a year older and this post came right on time!  For me, getting older means getting extremely grateful for a year's worth of "life" and "experiences", a year older means conquering your fear too!  

I look like a very strong woman, but I do have my own fears!  Okay, this may sound too "OA" (Overacting) but I fear of separation with my toddler, you guys who follow my travel "logs" would probably realize how I haven't traveled for the past 3 years (last one was in the US with Kyle and Mr. AMW).  

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email to attend Cathy Doll's 5th Year Anniversary in Bangkok and I told myself it is TIME for me to go and conquer my fear of Separation Anxiety #Sepanx at the same time, appreciate the opportunities that was offered to me!  I finally said YES, and it was one of the BEST YES I did before I turn a year older.

Juggling multiple tasks and jobs on hand, I guess I don't have enough time to expand my learnings, so I guess at this stage, the best learning is through life's lesson and this short trip is an eye-opener for me!  There really isn't any "division" when it comes to the world of Beauty...people really flock together, giving each other's smiles (even with the lack of language skills) just because we all understand our similar passion.

That's me, sick and all but happy in Bangkok 

I realized Cathy Doll is indeed super Big in Thailand, they have ads almost EVERYWHERE! 

With just a full day in Bangkok and the rest of the days for travel, I am so glad to get to squeeze in a quick visit in one of their Karmart Store located at Siam.

Karmart is where you will find Cathy Doll products in Thailand same in modern trade channels such as 7-Eleven, Watsons, etc.. 

I got in to check out Cathy Doll Products and actually see which products we don't have here locally.

How to Use NYX Cream Highlight & Contour Palette Medium + Review

Note from your friendly AMW, cream contour and highlighting is definitely NOT for the first-timers!  Even for someone who studied makeup artistry, it is still a challenge to "perfect" cream contour and highlight application and it takes a whole lot of practice!  But once you get the hang of it, the effect is longer-lasting, more dramatic and photographs prettier the "powder counterparts".

I recently got my hands on NYX's newest product that arrived our shores --- the Cream Highlight and Contour Palettte in Medium.  What the hell am I doing with a medium shade when I'm this fair?  Well, trust me, I don't mind!  Though Light will be the more perfect shade for me, I seldom do cream contouring and highlighting on myself and most Filipinas (clients) fall under the Medium division!  

This, my friend is your AMW wearing NOTHING but NYX Cream Highlight and Contour Palette.  As much as I am tempted (very tempted) to fix my brows and wear lip color for this particular photo, I want to prove to you that a 3 dimensional face makes a huge difference on your overall look!  Well, well-drawn brows would look much better but you get the point!

Note: with barefaced photo like this, I usually look like a "bun-face", thankfully, with the right placement of contour and highlight products, I look a bit healthier and slimmer!

Side View on how my contour and highlighter looks.

And here's the nifty product I got to test for the past 2 weeks!

You are So Difficult To Use But...

...the end result is precise!

I'm talking about the newest Liquid Liner from Max Factor X called the Masterpiece High Precision Liquid Liner.  This liner isn't the usual liner you've imagined!  This is unique because of...

The paddle-shaped tip that is rounded (not pointy).

L-R Front and side view of the unique paddle-tip.  This product is said to give the intensity of a liquid liner with the precision of a pencil.  Note:  The tip isn't soft though, it literally felt like plastic paddle so I'm sharing my complete thoughts and how much I dislike/like using this!



According to Max Factor X ---

The intense black, velvet formula glides on smoothly and dries quickly for chic sophistication or bold drama. The paddle-shaped tip gives you two glamorous looks in one: thick and dramatic, or fine and elegant, so you can dial up the drama to suit your look.

• Switch from thick line to thin line in a flash
• Intensity of a liquid eyeliner with the precision of a pencil
• Two looks from one versatile and easy to use paddle tip

Pixi By Petra MultiBalm 2-in-1 Cheek & Lip Review

I've reviewed a couple of Pixi By Petra products in the past and I'm quite amazed how this simple brand in simple mint green packaging can really catch my attention.  How?  With innovative products that you think you've had enough off (or probably don't need) but end up liking/loving them just because of the way it appears on your skin.

And these 2 products are no exemption!  They were on top of my makeup station for quite some time but I don't have this urge to really test them out until I sat down, fixed all the "to review makeups" in the bin and found these and decided to use both together. 

Pixi By Petra MultiBalm 2-in-1 Cheek and Lip

Shades: 58 Baby Petal and 59 Sheer Sculpt Cocoa

Php650.00 each

During application, I was thinking at the back of my head : "What the heck?  Both products doesn't do anything for me!"  NOT UNTIL I saw this photo taken by Mr. AMW with me wearing both products together.  Okay, I look younger no?  And oh yeah, my skin looks extremely nice and healthy!  And mind you, I contoured there using the multibalm and it doesn't look like I had any contouring products on!  What do you think?

Automatic Aura with Cathy Doll

You've probably seen me posted all over my social media platforms last week something quite pink with a double digit... AA.

AA, what?  As what Mr. AMW said.  Automatic Aura is the meaning of AA and that itself explains what we Filipinas want!  Uma-aura everyday!

I am lucky enough to be invited by Cathy Doll Philippines to be their host that day for an intimate Media and Blogger get-together!  The star of the day of course isn't ME (how I wish!)  but I have to give it up to the AA Series!

Let's welcome the AA (Automatic Aura) Family!

Automatic Aura Cream with SPF45 PA+++ (Php750.00)

Automatic Aura Matte Cushion Oil Control SPF50 PA+++ (Php1,100.00)

The crazy group photo with guests that I had to post because everyone just had fun swatching, playing with the cushion pillow and just bond with each other again before the rush of Holiday Season!

Now let's focus on the benefits of using Cathy Doll Automatic Aura Cream with SPF45 PA+++ (Php750.00)

Happy Skin x Disney Limited Edition Makeup Launch

Even in my 30s, I have to admit, I still watch Disney Movies because I feel so good deep inside.  Especially Disney's Iconic Princesses like Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and who could forget Frozen?

The list could go on because deep inside, I believe all women are Princesses!  We deserve to be treated as one too!

Beauty Bloggers during the Happy Skin x Disney Limited Edition Makeup Launch
L-R Tara, Phoebe, Me, Sophie, Earth, Angela and Jackie

Just as Disney plays a significant part of everyone's childhood, it is even more exciting to see these Princesses in our favorite makeups!

Happy Skin made our dreams come true!

Photo taken from Happy Skin FB Page

 The collaboration between the two brands Happy Skin x Disney equates to a limited edition makeup collection that girls are going crazy about!

Cathy Doll C'est Bon Bon Cushion Blusher in Sugar Pink Review

Cushion Foundation has been a huge hit for this year!  But would you believe there is a Cushion Blusher too?

To see is to believe and I found it through Cathy Doll C'est Bon Bon Cushion Blusher!  Based from research, there are a total of 4 shades (01 Chewy Berry, 02 Sugar Pink, 03 Lolli Peach and 04 Jolly Orange).  But locally (correct me if I'm wrong), I believe I saw 3 shades (2, 3 and 4) and I got my hands on 02 Sugar Pink.

I may not be a fan of pink blush because most of the time, they look unnatural on my sallow skin, but for this particular one from Cathy Doll, I am giving this an exception.  It could be the fact that it's not the usual blush powder but it's in cushion form making application a breeze and the effect very natural!

You'll find them at Cathy Doll stalls Watsons Branches looking so cute and cuddly.

Cathy Doll Cushion Blusher Says ---

Cathy Doll C’est Bon Bon Cushion Blusher uses an ultra-moisturize formula to leave your skin feeling fresh and healthy.

Ingredients: