Thursday, September 18, 2008

HK Hauls

A lot of you wanted to take a peak on my HK hauls that are beauty related. Trust me, I bought a lot of non-beauty related items and mostly gifts for family and friends which I don't include here coz....it's going to take forever for me to crop the photos! LOL

Anyways, the more "personal" side about the trip will be coming up soon and I separated the post on the haulage first before the real thing. To be honest, I've armed myself with information on stuffs I plan to buy before I left for HK, but things changed because I've been to HK quite a number of times when I was working in China and I wanted to be the "tour guide" rather than the shopper. I went with Keith, with his mom and dad and his younger sister. I think I panic bought these stuffs, LOL coz some of them I shopped on the departure "day".

Here's the haul I've been wanting but kept stalling coz I've been guilty of spending so much on stuffs and I don't think I need more. But with hubby around who pointed a gun on my head and forced me to buy them *tee heee* What a wife to do but follow right?

(note: no price indicated, I will include the prices when I do a review on each of them, but if you are in a hurry to know the price, feel free to message me and ask)





1. MAC 187/Stippling brush - this is the only MAC product I planned on buying for liquid foundation application for that clean airbrush look for future clients and gigs.

2. MAC 217/ Blending brush - since I have been using my prestige blending brush EVERYDAY for my e/s application, I find it a bit big for my small eyes, so I wanted something smaller that can be used for both powder and cream e/s

3. MAC Charged Water - I honestly can't decide on buying Charged Water or Fixed plus but when I tested both, I was in LOVE with the scent. So I bought this for that "moisture" I need for my dry skin.

4. MAC Fix+ - after purchasing the MAC Charged Water, I was thinking about the Fix+ and how it kept on being Out of Stock, hubby again pointed the gun and said I can always keep one for back up since we're not sure when we will be going back to HK. So...end of story..lol

5. The small pot is a sample of a MAC Strobe Cream given to me by the MAC staff at Harbourcity (Facess). I didn't get any freebie at the MAC Sogo Dept Store.

Can I just add everyone looks GORGEOUS in there? They have flawless make-up application and great customer service.


Next stop, my Kiehl's Haul




1. Kiehl's No. 1 lipbalm - I have been using the famous Kiehl's No. 1 lip balm as part of my night routine. I have to moisturize my lips or else I'll wake up with dry bleeding lips in the morning. I have the Kiehl's lipbalm near my bed and I've been using this for months. I am loving it and I need back up!!!!

2. Kiehl's Hue - I have tested this lip balm with a hint of brownish red shade in the Philippines but it was out of stock. Since they are available in HK, I bought another one. Yes, back up! lol

3. Samples of Kiehl's Shampoo and Conditioner - 'nuff said, samples...I HEART!


The next one if for my mom,
Her HG night cream from
Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Refining Moisture Cream Complex
Can I just add that it is 3x cheaper compared to the price here in the Philippines?
I think this will be my mom's 5th one! Works so well for her! She's 61yrs old but she doesn't look like one, I think I need to use this too???? lol




My Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler Back Up
because it is cheaper again compared to the Philippines.
I think it is approx Php300 ($6.50) cheaper in HK



I have been using Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil on days I have a lot of make up on. I have used both A/O and A/I version and I planned to buy more BUT, the lady insisted that I use this one as it feels lighter compared to Shu and she promises that it cleanses way better than SHU. I know..she's just doing the marketing strategy thingy but this is way cheaper compared to Shu Uemura....so why not give it a try right?

YuMei Cleansing Oil
This one is also made in Japan



I have been coloring my own hair since I remember. Well sometimes my mom does it for me. I have told someone that I seldom repeat a hair color, but I always go for the safe color (the browns). I've seen a couple of hair color that I can't seem to find here in the Philippines. So....it is embarassing, but yes, I bought 2 hair coloring treatment, I am a L'oreal Feria user but the Revlon one looks interesting too!

Check out the box, both models look alike!!! I swear, I thought they're both the same!!!



Left - L'oreal Feria in Frosty Beige
Right: Revlon Color Silk in no. 43 Medium Golden Brown


The lipbalm I carry along my make-up bag when I'm lazy to use my Kiehl's
Mentolatum Lip Ice
We don't have this in the Philippines but it's available all across Asia, grrrr



Now now, it gets more embarrassing, LOL this is honestly Keith's Fault. I was getting ready with the stuffs to pay at the counter, he came up to me and said : "This looks really nice and the plastic doesn't look cheap, it's thick and it has a sifter!" <-- yes! He used the word SIFTER! I am going to kill myself, I am educating my hubby the wrong stuffs! LOL What can I do? My hubby is a smart shopper too and he has eye for useful products! 9HKD (approx $1.20) for 6 cases? Not bad....




I am glad Keith was wrong! It is NOT a sifter but it's just an additional cover to protect whatever product you put inside...lol...but really....SIFTER??? lol



I honestly have a lot of makeup pouch but hey, this color is just so cute and great for traveling! This baby is calling my name...."nikki ...nikki...nikki" and I just can't say NO!



Yup, that's it!
Surprising huh? I didn't buy a lot of cosmetics because I do know how to control myself and I just bought stuffs I have "planned" to buy for months. Yes, I was patient and I am IN CONTROL! :) I didn't overspend and I was able to come back home with gifts for my friends and family!

Oh yeah, now I remembered I bought a KATE by Kanebo eyeliner.... *looks around* where did I put it??? Well, I will be writing a review on that ...IF I find it! (Note: Yup! Found it! but I'm too lazy to take a shot of it so let me search the net)



Thanks for reading this mah friends!
And thanks for being interested with the boring stuffs I buy! LOL

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Askmewhats Meets Kikay Pinay

Before I left for HK, I got a message from Shen if I could help her look for Sana Pore Putty, I immediately said YES because I know how it feels like to want something so bad but you just can't buy them because they're not available! She wanted a Sana Pore Putty and Givenchy Phenom'eys.

I did my research before I go to sleep to make sure I buy her the right product. I just felt bad because I was able to buy her 1 out of the 2 products she requested. I have been walking to different Lane Crawford and Facess and even the HK Duty Free shops and I just can't find the Givenchy mascara!!! Damn you Givenchy for hiding!

Anyways, the moment the plane landed and we were allowed to text message, I texted Shen right away because I am more excited I guess! LOL

I'm even more excited when she said she'll drop by the office to get the Sana Pore Putty!!! The last time I met her, it was quite short and I felt an instant connection with her right away, it's just too bad we didn't have enough time!

The beautiful Shen arrived at the office around 3pm and we chatted like there's no tomorrow! She even met Beatrilicious (my dear guest beauty blogger) and we chatted like we've been friends for decades!

Shen, my officemates thought we're college friends or something LOL

And i finally saw the wonderful PINK camera she got for her birthday!

Sorry I look like crap coz it was just 2 hours of sleep for me, and yeah, I went to work that day!!! NERD= Nikki lol




The sweet "future lawyer" gave me wonderful gifts!
I've got 2 falsies from her, a mineral veil and purple mineral e/s from ELLANA
Check out her online shop here



If you want to read more about the Sana Pore Putty she's been lemming for quite sometime, you know what to do!!!

Smile and click HERE

My Stila Goodies from the B-licious

When I started to blog, I was blogging for my "current" friends who may find some useful information. I never thought blogging could really move further to a higher level. Not only do I meet new people, but I meet new friends whom I share emails with and just brighten each other's day.

Blogging is my stress reliever. I never expected anything from anybody as just the fact that someone reads my blog and learn from it meant the world to me. But I guess life is really full of surprises!

The lovely B of Clumps of Mascara knew I've always wanted to try Stila products as you guys know, we don't have it here and the only Stila Product I have is the Stila Smudgepots in Black (I bought online) which I love so dearly. I have already accepted the fact that we don't have Stila so I gave up and never "lemm" for any of their products.

Boy! Just when I've given up, she sent me a wonderful package not 1 but loads of Stila goodies!!! I got this early morning before I left for the HK trip! And B, you do know that I got so excited I temporarily had an amnesia and forgot about my flight! LOL

Here's what greeted me early morning




Aren't they just PRETTY!!!!???!!!



1. Stila Cheek Color in Soar
2. Stila Illuminating Finishing Powder in Bronze
3. Stila Illuminating tinted moisturizer Shade 01
4. Stila Color Push-Ups All Over Color in Rose Flash
5. Stila Lip Glaze in raspberry (FINALLY!!!!)
6. Aaawww she called me Nikkilicious....
(my dear guest writer Beatrilicious, just lend the title to me ok? just this once! lol)


And here are the swatches for you gals who are interested on how it looks like



Looks like a MAC mineralized powder,
the color is just "stare-worthy" and super pigmented


The famous all over color swiped on my hand 2x



Cheek Color swatch
Very matte, can be used as eyeshadow as well



Check out the size of the Illuminating tinted moisturizer
with SPF 15



Can I just say, the color is just so ME?



Here's how it looks like when scattered on my hand
It doesn't show up so much color but it has a hint of glow



B promised me some of the products above would let me die and go to heaven (I hope not so soon) and she was right! It's like I got a personal shopper who knows my skin color and texture who shopped for me and send them all to me without any effort on my side. B, you made my days, months and years! Thanks for these goodies. I did receive them in a short period of time before the year 2009! LOL

*dances with joy*

Really, I must be doing something good to deserve all these! :D
Thank you so much B and to the everyone (you know who you are) who sends me stuffs and offer their help to buy me stuffs because they knew how much I would love to try on products and not being able to find them here. Really, its not about the product but it is the effort of making me happy and helping me! I do appreciate it!!! I am being sentimental...but to everyone who gives sweet comments everyday too?....THANK YOU and BIG HUGS!!!

Can you just believe with only 2 hours of sleep, I am still awake at 10pm?
I guess blogging keeps me awake!

I've got a couple of stuffs to blog about, a couple of orders I received and more gifts from lovely people....bear with me, LOL blame the postal office for sending me all at once hahaha

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

I am back! But my mind and body isn't

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for wishing me a great trip and it indeed came true! I just got back around 12am Philippine Time and got out of the airport 2am and got home around 3am. And I'm back at the office! Yup NERD! lol That meant one thing, I lack sleep, I walked too much, I am so tired!!!

But I am so excited to be back, a lot of blogs to read...so excited to hear from you all!

I will have a couple of posts coming but bear with me...the HK adventure post will probably take a bit of time as I have to upload and resize the photos..and that ain't easy LOL

Oh yeah, HK was fun!!!! (as expected) but the weather was too darn hot! Though I should get used to hot season it is just so HOT and sunny and for someone who doesn't perspire much, I perspired like a PIG! And shopping was fun!!! I didn't buy a lot, but yeah, I'm still a smart shopper! LOL Will let you guys take a peek on how it went soon!

To my Philippine readers who want to know how the new airport terminal is...Terminal 3...it is clean, cold, but it sucks because the "tube" won't work and we have to wait inside the plane for 15minutes and we have to go out of the plane via stairs! :( and the custom people are SUPER OC!!!! They opened everyone's luggage and checked on the items one by one and of course, to tax the people (we didn't thank goodness) ....I guess it's because the flight was from HK, but still!!!! It was like 1 something am and I am super sleepy!!! Uggghhh (sorry, tired, sleepy..complaining mode) lol

I'll be back with posts ....soon.....

*HUGS HUGS HUGS* to all!!!! I missed everyone!!!!


Thursday, September 11, 2008

Short Hiatus...Blame HK!


** photo from discoverhongkong.com


Hi Askmewhats Readers:

I will be off to HK with Hubby Keith and his family tomorrow and I'll be back September 16th (Tuesday)! I am looking forward for a nice trip to relax and forget about work for a couple of days! (I'll worry about it again when I come back lol) I missed HK so much although the last time I went there was just last year! lol

I am excited because I am armed with more information from Paris B! Thanks Parisb for those articles, came just the right time!

Check out her post by smiling and clicking ---

Things you must do in Hong Kong

and
Where to Shop for Makeup in Hong Kong


I will be back for more posts!
Please miss me! :P