Monday, November 3, 2008

Playing Shop in your Stash

My dear blogger friend Paris Beaverbanks started a lovely topic in her blog called "Let's Play Shop in your Stash" (check out her blog for rules and goals)

I want to be part of it as it's fun! I only need to look at my stash on skincare, make-up, clothes or anything I own that is over 5 months that I haven't used in a while and blog about it. It's like a wake-up call for me...to appreciate what I have and what works for me and stop me from lusting on more! *ouch * lol

Here goes, I shopped at my stash last night and I saw my Paul & Joe Dual Crayons! Everybody knows I'm a P&J Addict but sad to say, I've been buying so much that I tend to play favorites and leave some of them behind.

In the photo below, I have 2 but I will talk about the P&J Dual Crayon no. 3 (the one in White and Red) in which I have for months now but I didn't have the chance to use it because.....I only have one face and I hauled so much :O




Available at Paul & Joe Rustan's Makati for Php950.00 (approx USD22.00)


Swatches




Both pencils are wonderful, I have been using Paul & Joe Dual Crayon no. 1 everyday. It has the blue side and the black side. I love it that it's dual purpose, and it doesn't crease, glides easily on the waterline and best of all? It lasts all day!

What I NEED to use is my P&J Dual crayon no. 3 which is the white eyeliner and red lipliner! The lovely SA of Paul & Joe Rustan's Makati Von (not sure the spelling) recommended me to buy this because aside from getting 2 products in 1, I have a lipliner that works on any lipcolor plus a white eyeliner that brightens the inner corner of your eye like you had 8 hours of sleep!

I seldom use lipliner and I'm too lazy to line my eyes with a white eyeliner after using a black eyeliner. So it was left in my stash and it's just right for me to wake this liner up after it's hibernation!

Thanks to Paris B for reminding us to always SHOP IN OUR STASHES before we go lemming for more products! :)

What about you?
Care to share what's left in your stash that's worth looking back?




Weekend Food Tripping at: Flavours of China



Note: I went for a haircut but when I arrived, I learned that my Hair Stylist resigned already and moved to China :( :( :( I felt so lost because he has been my stylist for years! And I love the way he cuts my hair, I love the way he layers it and it doesn't look like the "typical" layers most stylist would give. Anyways, I went to Bench Fix Salon at Glorietta and had my hair cut for the 2nd time. I can't remember the first stylist so I go for whoever's free.

He did what I requested though, cut 2 inches off, fix the layers and make the hair into a "U-shape" rather than the old "v-shape". He has done his part and I like it :) Here's a photo of my new hair in my pajamies! :D





Anyways, it's weekend food tripping once again.

If you want affordable Chinese food, I would say Flavours of China should always be a part of your list! Their servings could be small on some orders though, but if its affordable and tastes good? So who cares?

Here's their lovely Menu




I used to be addicted to Shanghai Rolls, but it has been YEARS since I last had my Rolls. I can eat 1 piece but if I go further, the oil bothers me...it's just me though. But this tastes yummy! I hope it's crunchier though.



My favorite! You'll definitely see this on the table if I dine in a Chinese restaurant.

Steamed Garlic Fish



Me and my hubby most of the time do not order rice, so what we need to fill our tummy? Noodles!
Pancit Canton



Flavors of China has a lot of branches and you find them in different malls and self-standing location like in Makati, Tomas Morato etc...

You will spend less than Php1,000 (approx $20.00) for 3 dishes!

Good food at an affordable price! And if you use Metrobank credit card and spends more than Php1,000 You can get a free dish! :D So always check out with the waiters/waitresses on freebies!


Eating, Chatting, Relaxing...

ahhh......
Life!
What more can you ask for?
Enjoy the food you eat!
Let's not think about dieting for once :D



Sunday, November 2, 2008

NYX Herades and Natio Cherry Lipgloss Swatches


Note: I've got my Joppa Large Sized samples! I love their shipping, it's always a week! I got the larger size of Medium Light #2 and their Finishing Silk in Sheer! I took advantage of their free shipping and I'm happy!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As seen in my previous post here

I've got lovely gifts from Bee! A lovely friend from Malaysia. Some of my lovely readers were asking for swatches and I finally found the time to take shots! Yup, I did it all myself!

In this post, you'll see 2 lip products!

NYX Round Lipstick in Herades
Natio Ultra Shiny Fruit Gloss in Cherry


Let me start off with NYX Round Lipstick in Herades
Brownish Orange in Color
Very creamy




Here's how it looks like when applied on my lips




And to make the swatch more "imagination-proof" lol
I have taken a shot with sunglasses lol
so you'll see the effect on the full face!

And not drawn to look at my puffy Asian eyes LOL





Now let's continue with another Lip Gloss

Natio Ultra Shiny Fruit Gloss in Cherry


Though it's Cherry, it isn't DARK red in color but Dark Pink IMO
It is super shiny and doesn't have the big glitters as some shiny glosses would have
Just like any other glosses, it is sticky
So if you are not into sticky glosses, this isn't the one



And here's how it looks like on my lips

Glosses makes my lips looks plumper and full



And can I have fun?

I wish to have lashes this long :P
Well not in red though LOL




** MUWAH ** to everyone!

Pucker up and show me some pouty lips! :P

I am having my haircut today!
It's nothing drastic, just trim a couple of inches
as I'm starting to get tangles (a sign that I need a hair cut)
Enjoy the rest of the weekend! Take care


Saturday, November 1, 2008

Askmewhats Revisits: Clinique Moisture Surge Extra Thirsty Skin Relief

All Saint's Day today!

I will be off to the Cemetery to visit my loved ones who has passed away. But before I go, I will leave you guys with a new entry I call "Askmewhats Revisits". What made me decided to do posts like this? Well, I have been using and reviewing a lot of products and some of the products I've reviewed just after weeks or months of usage. Which, of course could change after longer period of time. Some products may work at the start but not after some time or vice versa. That's when I thought of revisiting these products and talk about them.

What inspires me to this post is when I finished up my Clinique's Moisture Surge Extra Thirsty Skin Relief *whew* or can I just say MSE?

I have done a very simple review in the past and now that I'm done with this tub, I think it is just right for me to talk more about this product! (Check out the old review by smiling and clicking MSE)





Clinique's MSE says ---
  • Rapidly boosts skin's moisture level, restoring balance to comfort, soften and smooth in a flash
  • Plump up fine dry lines
  • Oil-free - For all skin types
  • May be used as a refreshing, moisture-intensive 5-minute mask
Askmewhats Says ---

Pros
  • Absorbs quickly
  • Doesn't feel heavy on the skin, NOT sticky at all!
  • Definitely moisturizes DRAMATICALLY
  • Oil free --- I am dry skin as you all know but this works for oilies out there :P
  • I wake up with really smooth soft skin
  • No skin irritations or breakouts
  • It's allergy-testetd! (Yay! I'm a woman with a lot of allergies! lol)

Cons
  • no SPF (but it's ok, this supposedly acts as a night moisturizer)
  • unhygienic packaging, you will definitely expose the product to dirt "everytime" you use the product. (take a look at the photo below)
  • this product has been discontinued and replaced by Clinique Moisture Surge EXTENDED Skin Relief (haven't tried this yet)


Overall

This is my HG moisturizer. Although this product was made to "BOOST" moisture, meaning, you need to use a separate moisturizer then "seal" the moisture with this MSE, in my opinion, find this step unnecessary as I have super dry skin and using this product alone is enough to "hydrate" my skin. I find the texture of this gel really light and absorbs quickly on the skin, which makes my make-up application really fast and easy.

After almost a year of usage, I can say I don't have dry skin anymore with this moisturizer and I find this as my HG.

I use this as a day moisturizer and I use the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion at night (my own preference).

Tips
  • Since I find the jar to be unhygienic, I transfer the contents with a plastic spatula to my sample jar of MSE. I've transferred approximately 10x for a 75ml jar


  • I tend to judge on the price easily, so what I do is I mark the day I started to use the product so no matter how expensive a product is, if it works, and it lasts long, it's worth it! I've used this once a day since January 19, 2008 ---- WORTH IT!


  • Some people claim to use this as a face MASK, I find this is unnecessary because applying this product thinly over your face is enough to moisturize. And applying this thickly as a face mask will let you finish up the product faster <-- which, could be a marketing strategy
  • For Combo Skin: Apply thickly on areas that tends to dry or flakes your skin and apply thinly on areas that has more moisture
  • You must use a face sunblock still because this product doesn't have any SPF

Will I repurchase?

YES

Where did I purchase and how much?

I purchased this at the Duty Free Shop in the Philippines for $46.50



I will revisit my Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion as soon as I finish it up. So you know where I am at the moment with my DDML here's a photo I took just yesterday!



Still a long way to go huh?

I had a review about this early on and I find this works OK but NOT dramatic at all, (check it out here). Did I change my mind? We'll see! :)

*yawns* I have to dash off!
Keep that happy face coming and smile!
It's free 'ya know *winks*

Friday, October 31, 2008

Askmewhats Reviews: YuMei Nano Whitening Deep Cleansing Oil



Ingredients:
Mineral Oil, PEG-12 Diisosotearate, PEG-8 Diisosterate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Water, Camellia Kissi Seed Oil, Isostearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Butyl Paraben

YuMei Nano Whitening Deep Cleansing Oil Says ---

  • Based on main ingredient of Camellia Oil with excellent skin affinity, this cleansing oil clearly wipes out effete matters and make up remains deep in your skin without irritation
  • This oil not only works for perfect cleansing, but also gives the effect of treatment with face washing, making your skin clean and clear
  • Nano tech allows the cleansing oil quickly spread to your skin and deeply cleanse every pore.
  • Makes your skin soft with treatment effect as well as cleansing effect.
  • No irritation on skin.
  • Keeps your skin healthy and moist after cleansing and sufficient water-retention effect

Askmewhats Says ---

Pros
  • imagine water that does the "oil" cleansing
  • very light to the skin
  • easy to emulsify
  • removes eye make up without stinging the eye
  • easy to wash off
  • I didn't break out using this
  • packaging is simple yet it works, I actually like this pump better than Shu

Cons

  • not available in the Philippines
  • there's a very tiny hint of scent which I can't explain but bearable

Overall


I was sales talked by the sales lady at the Bonjour Shop HK when I was looking for my Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil. She told me that this product is also made in Japan and has a milder formulation compared to Shu Uemura. After 10 minutes of sales talk, I gave in because of it's price, yes, almost half the price of Shu Uemura and I kinda told her I'll be going back to her and return the product if it doesn't work! (of course I won't go through buying RT airfare to return this but I just want to check out her faith on the product she's selling) lol

Anyways, I would say, this product didn't fail me. I find it works just like Shu, but the oil is not as potent as the Shu Uemura. It felt lighter on my skin but the effect is the same. It doesn't sting on the eye area.

Tips

  • be careful not to wet your hands or face before use
  • pump out proper amount of oil on your palm, apply it over your face and massage using your fingertips.
  • If you have waterproof mascara on or very dark make-up on where you like to clean it well, use a cotton to wipe the area thoroughly
  • Massage your face in outward motion with lukewarm water until the product emulsifies
  • Wash your face with warm water making sure to clean all areas.
  • If you experience spots, swellings, irritation , STOP using the product
  • Store this product in cool dry place.
Will I repurchase?

Yes, but not online, shipping is too expensive! I will probably wait for friends who'll be going to HK and ask them to help me purchase :D

Where did I purchase and how much?


Hong Kong Bonjour Store for approx HKD 232.00 (USD33.00)
For people outside of HK you can purchase this at http://www.bonjourhk.com
To check out the YuMei product sold in this site, smile while your wallet frowns and click HERE


HAPPY HALLOWEEN Dearest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TRICK OR TREAT?????????
I go for TREATSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!