I'm Back with Photo Stories to Tell! :D

Hey pretty gals! I'm finally back!!!! I know I confused some of you who thought I arrived because of my scheduled posts and I've been checking my blog once in awhile at my brother's place! Thanks for all the well wishes for my happy travel. It was really a fun trip and I had a wonderful time with Keith and my family.

This won't story telling as I don't want to bore all of you, but I'll include some photos to show you what fun I had!!! I didn't shop much on make-up or beauty stuffs as you gals know, everything "imported" in China is more expensive. I've had a blast trying out their food though and enjoying the wonderful colder season of 19-24 degrees. Winter time is almost near in China! But since I got there during their Public Holidays, boy is the large city CROWDED!!!! To see is to believe, I"ll show you with some photos ...so read on :D

Here's the wonderful fully-furnished apartment my brother rented for a week for us to stay. Sorry we had everything laid out the moment we arrived, LOL the OC-ness in me wanted to hang all my clothes!

We traveled a lot by bus, subway, taxi and of course...on foot! Everywhere in China, you have to walk. I'm traveling with my mom and dad and they're not getting any younger, so we always started out with adventures of taking the subway and bus then always end up night time taking the cab.

Here's a photo of me and my brother Nap (who's living in Shanghai) buying subway tickets. People DO line up but they tend to take a peek on what you're doing LOL Privacy is nothing I guess!

After a couple of blocks from the subway station, there's a famous street food area selling different delicacies. Trust me, it's not only crowded but I can smell the "STINKY TOFU" :( :( :(

Dumplings, Bread, Squid, Stinky Tofu, Egg Tarts, you name it, they got it all in this street!
And people are lining up to get to the Stinky Tofu (I can still smell it at the moment I'm typing this lol)



That's me paying for my "Japanese Samurai Balls" and Egg Tarts
Eldest Bro Stephen is lining up for HIS stinky tofu! lol



This is a milder version of an Original Stinky Tofu
Hubby and Bro tried it, I just can't :( No matter how much I love tofu




And here's a yummy egg tart!
The best egg tart I've tried in Shanghai is from Lilian Cake Bakeshop!

We walked the whole afternoon, then did a couple of stopovers, (meaning eating, drinking coffee) because my dad is having a hard time walking far. We're quite lucky we were able to take a cab to the People's Square then to The Bund area.

I've never seen a lot of people in my life and I've never been pushed around like that :( :( :( But the site was worth it though!

Here's to show how crowded this place is and it's already 9pm. We stayed in this area around an hour!

A closer look of the Oriental Pearl Tower



Opposite side is The Bund
I love the lights
Shanghai is definitely a city of lights!



We love playing around and I'm always game! I'm NOT near the garbage can! LOL

Such a nice city with lovely architecture!
Shanghai is a mixture of OLD and Modern China!

With Mom and Dad
Stephen (eldest bro) and Mr. & Mrs. Askmewhats :P

There's so many buildings and sites!
I kept on looking for the building where Tom Cruise jumped for Mission Impossible
and it's near the JinMao Tower

At Shanghai Times Square
It looks almost the same as HK Times Square but 2-3 times bigger!

In the middle is Nap (my Architect bro who's living in Shanghai)

I'll update more as soon as I have more energy to resize the photos! :)
I missed everyone!
Have a great day!!!!

Askmewhats Reviews: Stila Lip Glaze in Raspberry

Everyone's been raving about the Stila Lip Glaze and I just don't get it... I mean, a lot of other brands have been selling lip glosses, lip glazes, lip plumpers, lip shines...in variety of colors, textures, shapes and sizes! What's the difference with this?

Until I got my hands on this baby, courtesy of the lovely B! I know what people are raving about!

** Stila Lip Glaze in Raspberry (high gloss fuschia)

Stila Lip Glaze Says ---

Want lips that get all the attention they deserve? Turn on the shine and you'll be turning heads with Stila's most popular lip gloss. Choose from an array of delectable shades that add a splash of color and fabulously matching flavors and scents in one easy click of the famous pen. Cosmetics experts agree-this top seller is an essential addition to any beauty bag.

Askmewhats Says ---

Pros

• tastes yummy!
• it is a bit stickier than MAC lip glass, but I am ok with this (Kiss test from Hubby results to --- "yes, it's a bit sticky")
  
• I love the click / dial lipgloss
• the shine lessen after several drinks but the color stays on my lips
  

Cons

• the click sounds cool, but it takes forever for the gloss to come out. (I've checked that a couple of people have problems with this click pen thing, as if you clicked too much, product will overflow). So far, I don't have problem with this YET
• not available in the Philippines!
  

Overall

What I love about the Stila Lip Glaze in Raspberry is that it looks good on almost everyone I've tried this on. I've brought this pen to the office and tried on to my colleagues and everyone looks good on this, but it doesn't look universal. I think this gloss blends well with the natural lip color thus giving out different looks on different individuals!

Tips

• click once or twice with your pen upside down for the product to easily come out
  
• apply thinly one coat before you re-apply the 2nd coat to keep product from being wasted, there are some days that one coat is enough
  
• I know this is OC of me, but I always wipe the brush tip with paper towel before I close the cap
  

Will I repurchase?

I WISH!

And before I go... Let me show you some visuals!

Thanks B for giving me the opportunity to try this gloss!
I love this and this is in my make-up bag since I got it!
I heart you!

Askmewhats Reviews: Thevi Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation

It took a loooooongggg time for me to be able to review this product because of ONE reason. This color is too dark for me and I needed a model who goes with the shade of this product and test it on her.

Bea of Beatrilicious was on her US trip for almost a month when I got this product, SO....sorry for the delayed review, but it's always better late than never right?

I got a couple of products from Thevi Cosmetics for a road test and so far, I've been impressed with their products as I tested on them one by one. This is the last and I'm not disappointed.

Product Solo Shot :D

Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation with SPF 15
in Sandy Beige ($32.00)

You can see the size of the product beside my hand A swatch on the product itself See how dark it is on me?
(Not Thevi's Fault though, this is just a test on their products)

Here's how it looks when you rub it on your skin

Easy to blend!

And here's how the Thevi Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation Looks
on Bea's Skin :)
No other make-up applied
Isn't she pretty?

Thevi Says ---

Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation SPF15 ($32.00)

Smooth start to a flawless finish. This creamy fluid, fortified with a muti-mineral complex, provides just enough coverage to even out your complexion, not cover it up, while a blend of natural light diffusers creates a soft, flawless finish. Enriched with vitamins E& C for anti-oxidant protection, and skin-conditioning Vitamin A. Hypoallergenic. Oil-free.

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• fragrance free
• easy to blend
• doesn't feel heavy
• stays on for hours
• very natural looking no matter how much you apply

Cons

• not available in the Philippines
  

Overall

Bea's skin is a combination of Oily and Dry. Her make-up tends to darken on her as she's got acidic skin as well. I find that using this is a breeze on her as the foundation goes on smoothly and moisturizes the areas that needed moisture and controls the oil on areas that goes oily.

After application, Bea told me that she doesn't feel any make-up on her. Everything felt natural and light, and the best thing? The make-up did not darken on her.

What I like about this product is it is build-able, you can go on several layers and it doesn't look too cake-y. Always gives out a smooth, healthy finish.


Will I repurchase?

Yes, I would love to use this in my shade!


I am still having a time of my life in Shanghai at the moment
But doesn't mean that I'm not thinking about you guys!
Miss you all!



Want to check out other reviews from Thevi Cosmetics?
Smile and Click
Thevi High Impact Lipstick
Thevi Dome Blush Brush
Thevi Triple Split and Matte Shadow

Some Shopping You Can Do While I'm Away :P

Isn't this an EYE CANDY?

My wonderful friend and Shobe Sophie will be accepting prebuys for the lovely babies!!! I can't help but DROOL, soft brushes and in PINK???? What more can a girl ask for???

Check out her site by smiling and clicking Beauty & Minerals
*Drool drool drool*

Another prettylicious friend Shen gave me a couple of freebies from Ellana Minerals. I haven't had the chance to do a review on it but I am loving it!!! The minerals are fine and really...great for sensitive skin! Take a look at her uber girly shop and you find that there's a whole lot more to choose from for your Mineral Make-up Orgasm! :P

Check out her site by smiling and clicking Shen's Minerals

Shanghai City!!! Here I come!!!

**photo courtesy of Lonely Planet by Strangelolah

I will be off for a one week trip to Shanghai tonight to visit my brother who's working there as an Architect! I can't wait to be there after 4 years!!! I missed Shanghai!!! I am sure the city changed so much I will definitely get lost! :D

I have scheduled some posts as the day goes by (but not regularly) so don't miss me too much...but do not "NOT" miss me, oh heck! LOL I'll be back with more posts and hopefully wonderful stories to tell!!! :)

Oh yeah, before I forget, today is a Special Holiday for all Muslim friends out there!!! They call today the observance of Eid al Fit’r (The Feast of Ramadhan)

Happy Holidays!!!!

Take care 'ya all and please always keep that smile!!!
See you all when I get back!!!