Friday, March 28, 2008

Threading Experience

Since I posted about eyebrows yesterday, let me just complete it with another brow issue :) hehehe THREADING!

Fabio Salsa, the first time I heard this, I thought we were talking about Food, something about salsa that was made by Fabio! Don't laugh! hahaha You can't blame me, I'm not only a make-up junkie, I'm also a food addict! hehehe

Well, I am going for a "Threading" session as scheduled at Fabio Salsa SALON after office hours. For my dear readers, Fabio Salsa Salon is part of the Franck Provost Group. And I'm not into threading, the reason why I went through all this is because of the photoshoot I'll be doing for a make-up class :) Fairy look, remember?

My threading experience with them is quite nice. I would say you will just sit down on their chair and the wonderful Ms. Celia (who's the only person in charge of threading) will do her stuff and she will take a look at your brows first and you can always tell her your concerns on your eyebrows. In my case, I told her not to make it too thin and sparse :) She understood perfectly. This was my 2nd threading experience and I would say, ALL Threading hurts, but with Ms. Celia, it wasn't that painful because she's quite experienced and she knows what she's threading for.

You guys will probably ask for the price, it is quite affordable...for only Php 165.00 ($4.00) I suggest you give them a call first (contact details further below) and book an appointment :D












FABIO SALSA Power Plant Mall
312 Amapola Street Corner Estrella Street
1200 Makati
tel no: 8981431


Your askmewhats,
Nikki (threaded girl)

Thursday, March 27, 2008

AMW Version: Drawing Your Own Brows

I have been doing make-up to other people since high school. Honestly, one part of the face that seldom touch would be their "eyebrows". I felt that if I made a mistake in plucking, shaving or even trimming it, they're gonna freak out and not let me touch my face for the rest of their lives! (paranoia!)

I myself have been doing a "boo boo" on my own brows, and when I had to chance to learn make-up? I make it a point to learn about the art of "brow-tifying"!

After months of practice, I would say I haven't mastered it but I learn a whole lot and would like to share them to you guys :D

What you need:
1. Brow Pencil - I used Paul & Joe Eyebrow Pencil Duo No. 4 (yup, its very light but don't worry, it'll work!)


2. Petroleum Jelly/Lip Balm - I used my old chapstick balm which doesn't work on my lips but works on my eyebrows



3. Eyebrow powder or E/S that is one tone lighter than your hair - in my case, I use MAC e/s in Coquette


Tools needed:
1. Mascara Brush




2. Eyebrow Brush




Before I did anything to my brows, here's how it looks like ---



I have 2 steps to share it to you guys, the long cut version and the short cut version, so your choice ladies!

Steps: (long cut version)
1. Clean your brows
2. Draw in the top of your brows with the eyebrow pencil - drawing the top part looks more natural (Eureka moment: Pencil isn't just used for outlining or drawing the brows, this also serves as a "Base" for the eyeshadow to stick on to your brows to make your eyebrow powder lasts longer)
3. Using your eyebrow brush, fill in the gaps with mini strokes or check-marks with an eyeshadow one tone lighter than your hair (as you all know, a black one will make you look older and unapproachable)
4. Use your mascara brush to brush off harsh lines
5. To tame your brows, use a petroleum jelly (or in my case, lip balm) to tame your brows and brush it again with the mascara brush

Steps: (short-cut, in a hurry version)
1. Clean your brows
2. Gently apply petroleum jelly/lip balm to your brows (this serves as a base for the e/s to stick)
3. Using your eyebrow brush, fill in your brows and create the shape you want
4. Use your mascara brush to brush off excess powders and remove harsh lines

Of course the long cut version's outcome looks more professional and brows looks really neat. But the short version, trust me (I'm doing this everyday), works just as well. Your choice, your brows! *winks*

Here's the AFTER look ---




For better comparison, check out this pix comparing my left and right eyebrows. Sorry, bad picture as I'm just using a camera phone :D



Hope this helps! I'm sure there's a whole lot of other versions out there, but this one works for me! So I'm sharing the info! :P

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

My Office Table Looks Like this....

Just to share with you pretty gals...

When my colleagues wanted a makeover before their night out, or be it a date, or there were days they just wanted to be pretty, here's how my office table looks like (note: I'm doing this during break time ok? shhhhh)

I only bring the basics and whatever skin tone or whatever "looks" the request of my friends. No point in lugging around everything and not using 'em right?

Pardon me for all the crazy stuffs on my table!




And here's my ever lovely gorgeous brushes ...




And here's where I store my sponges, cotton buds, cotton balls, mascara wands etc...clear box so that I can see everything clearly (update: I just bought 60 pcs Triangle sponges which I kept in this box as well)





Awww, just looking at these pix makes my heart skip a beat :P

Your askmewhats,
Nikki

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Smashbox Skin Tint Review



** Photographed by : Keith Tiu
** bought at the duty free shop for $24.00


Smashbox Skin Tint is like the regular lip and cheek cream that a lot of cosmetics company has been doing to save time and energy for cheeks and lips make up application. What's famous here in Manila is the Body Shop Lip and Cheek stain and it has been the buzz for quite some time now. I heard they're going for the buy one take one lip and cheek stain...again.

I never got myself interested with lip and cheek tints or taints or whatever they call it. But when this lady from the DFS Smashbox counter told me about the discount I may get if I purchase $50.00 worth of their products (can't remember but something like that). So I kinda got myself into panic buying again (in case you're wondering why I'm getting more of those smashbox stuffs..sue the Smashbox lady!)

Anyways, this was like my last resort as I didn't find anything I really want from Smashbox except the Photo Finish Primer. And I got my hands into this without even testing this.

Anyways, I got home, tested it on my cheek, and I was a bit surprised how nice it came out. It is a bit "peachy pink" in tone with a li'l bit of gold shimmer on it (Hello NARS Orgasm, you the cousin?)

Here's a photo of me putting this on my cheek (Note: I don't put this much, I did this on purpose for the camera to do some justice on this wonderful product)



Blended it with my fingers...


Voila! Healthy peachy pink tone


And since it's a lip and cheek tint, let's give test this on my lips! I used a brush as I don't want my lips to kiss my face (hahaha that didn't sound right) but you got the point!


My lips are super dry (as I stated over and over again), though the color came out really nice and nude-y...I had to finish this off with....



A LIPGLOSS!!!!!



I LOVE how it looks! I never thought a nude lipstick would look nice on me..but it did! Personally! trust me! hehehe This color is my hubby's fave...everytime we're ready to leave, he'll be like..."are you using the TINT?" hahaha cute




Smashbox says ---

SKIN TINT glides over cheeks and lips for a flush of natural-looking color, making you look lit from within. Sheer enough to risk mirror-less application, the antioxidant packed formula contains vitamins A, C, E, aloe, and echinacea to nourish skin.


Askmewhats says ---

Pros
  • It does glides on the cheek and lips smoothly
  • Does not have any yucky taste
  • natural/healthy looking
  • very convenient to bring
  • has the light amount of shimmer that looks natural and not too made up
  • it stays on your cheek, for lips, had to re-apply
Cons
  • I honestly don't know how long I'll be using this, as this is HUGE
  • For Oily Skin: I have a feeling this will be a con for some of you gals as this is cream blush, may "add" to the oiliness looking cheeks
  • I am not sure but I believe this has been discontinued (sorry)
Tip --

Apply to cheeks for a beautiful radiant glow. Start at the apple and blend upward, using fingers.
Always follow up with a clear lipgloss as I find this not creamy enough to be a lipstick

Will I repurchase?
No, I HAVE TO FINISH THIS UP!


Your askmewhats,
Nikki

Monday, March 24, 2008

Tip for the Day: Home Made Brush Cleanser inspired by Koren


This one is dedicated to Iamsutil and Devi

I am a clean freak, and I am a proud owner of make up brushes (lots of them). So cleaning my brushes is really one of the most important step for me in make-up, especially I love applying make up to other people. Sanitation is super important.

Here's what I've been using for months now and so far, my brushes are in good shape. This is best used for each application but do not forget to deep clean your brushes with baby shampoo and warm water at least once a week :D

Hope this is as helpful as it was to me.
What you need ---

Distilled Water
Alcohol (70% or 91%)
Detergent (Dishwashing liquid)
Regular hair shampoo (for normal to oily hair) or baby shampoo
Leave-in conditioner (the spray-on ones)
Mixing jar
Empty bottle (to put in the mixture later on)
Stirrer

Here are the steps ---
1. Pour in 1 cup of water to your mixing jar
2. Pour in a quarter of a cup of alcohol, this will be your disinfectant/anti-bacterial
3. Use a 1/2 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid
4. Then 1/2 tablespoon of shampoo
5. Finally, add a tablespoon of leave-in conditioner (spray on liquid) to condition the brushes
6. Gently stir everything, do not stir fast as the detergent may start to suds/foam
7. Pour all of the mixture into the empty bottle and you can store this for future use

Voila!!! Your home-made brush cleanser Koren style. Thanks Koren of Enkoremakeup!!!