Askmewhats Food Tripping: MexiJap anyone?

I went over the Trinoma mall over the weekend. We had late lunch so when dinner time came, we weren't that hungry to really eat in a restaurant.

Just in case you don't know, me and hubby loves to eat snacks of different varieties. This was the day! :) I call it MexiJap because we munched on Mexican food and Japanese food in a day!

Let me start of with Taco Bell!!!

Grilled Steak Taquittos
They have variety of Pork, Beef or Chicken

It's around 10 inches long 1 inch thick. They sliced it into two and when you bite on it, beef and mushroom tastes so good in our mouth with the wrap

For Php109.00 (approx $2.50), it comes with a Beef Taco and a drink!

I love their Nacho Chips
It's only Php39.00 (less than $1.00) and you can choose on the sauce
Cheese, Salsa or Sour cream!
My tummy says Cheese and I bought an extra salsa sauce (not on photo)

We had our Taco Bell snacks around 5:30pm and dinner time came, we're not too hungry but we need to eat right? We've decided to take a visit at the food court and I saw this new Japanese restaurant called

SMAIRU

Tofu lovers out there? Unite!!! I ordered their Tofu Chop for only Php68.00 (less than $2.00). What you get is approximately 7-8 tofu squares with some pork bits and sauce. Topped with crunchy breading.

Dig in for the Tofu Square!

Hubby ordered the Katsudon for only Php108.00 (approx less than $2.50). It tastes like normal Katsudon from other restaurants, but the difference? It's cheaper here!!!

I just learned that I got a notice card from the post office together with my Body Shop surprise, I have a feeling it's my NARS Orgasm order! FINALLY!!!!!

Can't wait to have my own Orgasm!!!! LOL
How's your weekend?
Have a lovely day!!!!

Askmewhats Reviews: Smashbox PhotoFinish Primer Light

I went to the mall today and I can't believe how crowded it gets. I guess Christmas is definitely near and people are panic buying! I haven't had the chance to go to the mall the past few weeks because we always have something in plan, parties, visits, etc... Today is the day that we finally have some QT (Quality Time) at the mall.

What did I buy? I went panic buying for falsies! I think I bought more than 10 pairs of falsies, not for myself, but for future clients and makeovers. What's left in my stash are basically exaggerated ones which won't do good for wedding make-up!

I am blabbing again *sigh*, let me go straight to what I originally planned to do..a review! hahaha

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Light

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Says ---
(details from Sephora website)

A water-based, lightweight foundation primer.

Perfect for oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin, this oil-free, 60% water based primer refreshes on contact while oil absorbers provide a smooth, matte finish all day. Light diffusers minimize the appearance of imperfections while vitamin C and peptides help even skin tone and promote collagen production for a flawless future.

Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light comes in a new a square airless pump for freshness to the last drop. It is oil-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free.

Ingredients

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Butylene Glycol, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Triethanolamine, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Oligopeptide-10

Askmewhats Says ---

Pros

• I haven't tried to original formula but I like the "light" feeling on the skin when applied
• The packaging is better, you got more product with this bottle
• If you have oily skin, it makes your foundation stays longer. (if make up lasts you 4 hours without primer, you add an additional 2-3 hours) <--- in my opinion

Cons

• may cause breakout to some people
• could cause dryness to dry skin areas

Overall

Though I haven't used this product more than 10times, I've used this for most of the makeovers I've done in the past. I'm already half-way with the bottle. I find that the Photo Finish Primer Light never fails me. It does make foundation application applied easier and it really holds the face make-up for longer period of time.

I know some people may have allergies to this, but thank goodness, no one complained to me so far.

For people with dry skin, I will ask them the areas that shines first, and I would pat on the Primer on that area only instead of splattering it all over the face which may trigger dryness.

It works.... PERIOD.

Tips

• always start with a clean moisturized face
• wait for the moisturizer to settle into your skin before you apply the primer
• IMO, use a foundation brush to apply this as sponges absorb the product having more wastage
• when you apply this, combination skin individuals tend to have the "dry" areas super dry, I start to see dryness and spots on areas, do not freak out, moisturize the area again with a moisturizer or spritz with MAC Charged Water/MAC Fix Plus/Evian/Bench Pure Mist
  

Will I repurchase?

Yes!

Where did I buy this and how much?

Philippines Duty Free Shop, forgot the exact amount but saw this at the Beauty Bar for Php2,250 (approx $47.00)


I've checked at the Beauty Bar and saw that they sell smaller sized Photo Finish Primer Original Formula. I wonder why they don't sell sample sizes for the Primer Light. For people who are interested to try on this product, I strongly suggest you try on the sample size first, as you could be allergic to a product and forking out USD47.00 is not joke!

Maybe, shop with a friend who's also interested with this primer? Split the bill and share the product in half? Just to make sure to store the product in an airtight glass jar!

Well, just thinking of ways for you gals to save up :D

How was your day???
Take care!!!!

Askmewhats Version: "Spring Bloom" Look

*Breathes deeply*

I didn't realize that while cropping my photos, I wasn't breathing much! LOL Yeah yeah, I may be a cheerful person but BOY! If I work, I work like there's no tomorrow! I am so dead serious when I do something and you can just scream at me and I would not even notice! So yeah, that's something you can learn about me!

Anyways, I've done another look and this is just one of those looks that I didn't gave a lot of thought on the color combination. This is just one of those looks that I've done when I just looked at my make-up collection, grabbed some brushes and started playing with my eyes. Yeah...that's how I learn the pros and cons of my face! LOL I learn which color really works for me and which doesn't.

I have been sporting a lot of dark looks lately in this blog and I don't want my readers to forget my real face harharhar!

So, this actually came out alright, I think I got inspired by the Spring Looks that I've been seeing around lately on posters or magazines!

Here's the look

And here's my diagram! :D

1. I applied Bourjois Pearl Eyeshadow in Beige Rose (from a lovely friend in Malaysia, thanks to you! You know who you are) as a highlighter color using my Prestige Shadow Crease Brush

2. Using the Urban Decay Book of Shadows (from Gracie)
I chose the color Absinthe, apply it in the middle of my eye using the blending brush from the UD Book of Shadows (I actually love this brush)

3. Using the inclusive eyeshadow brush from the Urban Decay Book of Shadows, I applied MAC Bright Sunshine on the inner 1/4 of my eye, using tapping motion.

4. Going back to my Prestige Eyeshadow Crease brush, I applied NYX Rust instead of the regular brown shadows I use for the crease area.

And here are other products I've used not shown on diagram

• Paul & Joe Face Color 08 as blush
• Paul & Joe eyebrow Pencil no. 2
• Cover Girl Lash Blast in Black
• Cover Girl Wetslicks Amazemint in Toast-ed
• Joppa Mineral Foundation in Medium Light #2 (not on photo)

And here's what I usually do before taking a shot...
Brush my hair! LOL
(but I got caught on cam this time!)

And before I finish this post, let me tell you that I felt too tired the past few days....so I grabbed on my cool blood pressure monitor! LOL And checked on it..what the heck? I tend to have low blood pressure at times.... my reading goes 106/72...Normal? Abnormal? LOL

Yes my dear friends,
We should remember to take care of our health!
Listen to your body, if you feel tired rest
If you can't smile...frown...
as long as you are true to yourself...
Give yourself a break, you deserve to be happy, pretty AND healthy!
Happy weekend everyone!

Coming Soon: The Body Shop's Nature's Minerals

Lisa of Ignite Social Media reached out to me on behalf of their client The Body Shop, USA in giving The Body Shop's first mineral make-up line, the Nature's Minerals a try. Perfect timing as I am getting into the MMU craze!

So, here's what greeted me when I got home from work! :D

L-R The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Foundation
The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Cheek Color
The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Eye Color

I get to choose my own foundation shade, cheek color and eye color. I checked on their site and read their description and finally made my decision. Read on to see what I chose.

Nature's Minerals Foundation SPF25 Shade 02

Here's how it looks like if swatch on my finger

I am quite surprised I chose the right shade
Well it's too early to tell but the color isn't bad on my skin

Nature's Minerals Cheek Color
Shade: Warm Copper

(oh my goodness, this is such a pretty color! I'm glad I chose this shade)



Nature's Minerals Eye Color
in Platinum Shimmer

I put this side by side with my MAC single e/s pan
for size preference

It sparkles even more in person

So yeah, that's what I got
I can't wait to use it and give you guys an in-depth review!
I know The Body Shop released this collection in Asia a month or 2 ago...
Have you bought any of the Nature's Minerals?
Do you like it?

Well, gotta go...need to catch some zzz's...chat with you all soon!

Reader's Corner: Askmewhats Answers

How's everyone doing? It's Friday! Let me start off today's post by answering a reader's questions over email.

Readers asks:

How do you style your hair daily? What brushes/combs do you use?

Askmewhats answers :

I live quite far from work, so I cannot do all the lovely things I want to do for my hair. Let me show you the 3 brushes I use....

1. I blowdry my hair quicly until dry (Doesn't have to be completely dry)
2. I use my Conair Wide Tooth Comb to untangle my wet hair, I've had this comb for more than a decade! LOL That's how I take care of my stuffs. I never brush my hair when wet!
3. The round brush from Revlon, I sometimes use it for my bangs, as I want my bangs to have body.
4. The final brush is made by Vidal Sassoon, I only use this if I feel my hair is a bit limp and I want to add volume to the roots area. This brush is perfect if you use a blow dryer, as it has vents for the air to circulate.


Readers asks:

You seem to like Paul & Joe products, is their liquid foundation heavy? Is the powder compact too powdery or it melts on your face? Does it leave a white cast? And what other products do you recommend from Paul & Joe?

Askmewhats answers :
Let me answer it one by one to make it clearer and easier for you guys to read :D

You seem to like P&J products

Yes I definitely do!

Is their liquid foundation heavy?

Paul & Joe has 2 types of liquid foundation -- The Light Cream Foundation N and Protective Fluid Foundation

That's what attracts me to try on P&J products. They offer lightness and dewiness to the skin without the heavy feel. I haven't personally tried the Light Cream Foundation N but I have tried on the Protective Fluid Foundation and they live up to my expectation. Imagine yourself applying your favorite tinted moisturizer but with COVERAGE.

Is the powder compact too powdery or melts to your skin?

P&J Protective Dual Powder Foundation is my favorite of all P&J products. You can apply it with a sponge or brush and it never cakes. It's definitely not too powdery but I can't tell though if it melts to your skin because I always use a primer for my clients if I know they have oily skin. Just like regular powder foundation, you do need to reapply on oily areas after 2-4 hours of application.

Does it leaves a white cast?

NO

What other products do you recommend from P&J?

LOL I am sure a lot of you know I've been using a lot of P&J and you would think that I'll recommend everything I used. hahaha Well, let's face it, we all want to save up, so I may choose one product I would highly recommend from P&J aside from my favorite Protective Dual Powder Foundation. I would recommend the P&J eyebrow pencil as my other favorite! I actually bought all colors available for their eyebrow pencils because it is just natural looking as long as you choose the right shade :) I've talked to the P&J SAs and they told me their bestseller would be the eyebrow pencil no. 2


So, that's it!
I've answered some of the questions you asked :)
I hope I was able to help you guys!
Take care and keep that smile coming!