Thursday, December 4, 2008

I am Loving the Neons too

When I saw THIS post, I told myself I have to get myself a set because this is locally made and as a nail polish lover, SHAME ON ME FOR MISSING THIS!!!

But the sweet Aika emailed me to tell me she will send me the NEON Collection!!! I must have done something good in this world...cause I am really treated like a princess!!!

I got this as soon as I got home, thanks Aika! And I just learned Aika lives so close to me!!! I hope to bump into you someday!!!

Here's what greeted me when I got home tired from work...

FLASHING NEON COLLECTION
SWEET CHERRY


L-R Neon Yellow, Neon Tangerine, Neon Orange, Neon Pink Neon Red, Neon Purple, Neon Apple Green and Neon Blue

I have 10 fingernails
I've got 8 polishes
I can do all swatches the LAZY way
LOL






I love it!
It inspired me to be young, crazy once again!

Thanks again sis Aika for the lovely collection!
You made one neighbor super happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: CHARM Retractable Kabuki Brush

I have been longing for the retractable brush from Stila for the longest time! What stops me from purchasing this is because, number one, we don't have Stila here in the Philippines, additional shipping costs won't make my wallet happy.

Though the researcher in me found this at Strawberrynet for only $21.50 (free shipping), I am a smart buyer and didn't buy it because this is a Bronzing Brush. I am looking for a "powder foundation brush", a brush with shorter bristles and denser...

So I kept on praying...till one day..... someone answered my prayer....

*Romantic Music Playing*

Introducing, my
CHARM Kabuki Brush!!!








Beauty & Minerals' Charm Retractable Kabuki says ---Have a charming kabuki with you wherever you go with this chic baby buki that is functional, and beautiful at the same time!

Askmewhats says ---
Pros
  • very handy, can fit in your small purses (length: Approx 4 inches)
  • brush is soft (made of natural goat hair)
  • brush can pick the mineral foundation or regular powder foundation without problems
  • affordable, I believe it's sold less than Php1,000 (less than $20)
  • does not shed, haven't seen it shed on me since I used it.
  • multiple function : can be used to apply your blushes or face highlighter or bronzing powders

Cons
  • smells, BUT, the smell is gone after 2-3 washes
  • takes time to dry, but I'm ok with it
  • the casing can be easily dent..if you're not careful <-- so far, I'm very careful! lol

Overall


I like this brush! I really do, just by looking at the bristles, I thought it would be very harsh on my skin, but I am surprised it felt soft, not scratchy at all.

This is always in my make-up pouch and I love using this with my MAC NC35 (which is a bit too dark if I use a sponge), best for retouch when I'm on the go :) No more sponges for retouch from now on!


Tips

  • always wash the brush before letting it touch your face
  • after washing, if you find the brush still smells, use it first, I find that using the brush will reduce the smell

Will I repurchase?


Yes.


Where can you purchase and how much?

Beauty and Minerals website
They do ship internationally too!
I don't know the exact amount of the brush for now, do send an email to Sophie/Tine at beautyandminerals@gmail.com

Brush Visuals!

as compared to the Stila Bronzing brush
Charm Retractable Kabuki Brush has shorter and denser hairs


**photo from strawberrynet.com website


Pull up the black casing



Close the lid!
Brush tucked in to sleep :)




Thanks Sophie from Beauty & Minerals for giving me the opportunity to try your wonderful Charm brushes!
Happiness really..is next to Gorgeous-ness!
Have a great day everyone!


Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Tip for the Day: Facial Wipes for my Brushes

Aside from my OCD-ness on "down under".
I am a clean freak with the stuffs I use!
Can you imagine how my brushes look like? LOL
CLEAN!!!
And before I get sued for wasting water, please read on...

Everybody knows I do make-up to myself and others, I do have a separate brush set for myself and for clients. Both brush sets are well taken care of because I know how bad it is to use a dirty brush!

At times, I need to do make-up to multiple clients and it is difficult to run around the faucet area just to wash the brushes. So....I always bring wipes with me..and NO not the feminine wipes... lol

I know a lot of my beauty pals wouldn't spend a fortune for make-up brush wipes, I myself wouldn't spend a fortune on that. If I do have gigs, I'll take my home-made brush cleanser inspired by Koren, and facial wipes for in-between brush cleansing. It doesn't take off all the make-up but it does help in sanitizing the brushes and I find it easier to clean my brushes at the end of the day. Aside from that, people you do make-up on will appreciate this extra step as well!

Here are some of the wipes I have at present
Since I have to tendency to STOCK UP,
I haven't started to use some of these....


A Chinese brand wipes from Watson's China



Another Chinese brand Wipes
I bought from a local supermarket




Those 2 wipes above , I haven't used it yet, these facial wipes below I've used a lot of times
It doesn't remove "ALL" the make-up residue but it's great for in between make-up application! They smell great too!!!

"If it's good for the face, definitely good for my brushes!"


L'oreal Re-Nourish Cleansing Wipes



Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleansing Wipes



Nivea Visage Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes



NOTABLE NOTE:

Have you tried buying any of the similar items above and found that it's an old stock?
Everything gets dried up? And you felt like you wasted your moolah?
I have a tip for you!
Buying Feminine Wipes/Facial Wipes/Baby Wipes or any similar stuffs
They are usually sold on supermarkets or malls that are air conditioned
Put the package between your hands and press it, if you can feel the "coldness"
IT IS FRESH!
If you don't feel anything... Don't buy it!
:D Hope it helps!


You want to know which ones work the best?

I really can't tell!
I can't tell the difference and they all smell good!
So yeah, I alternate them once in awhile to have variety!
I'm a woman!
I need variety! :P LOL

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Askmewhats Version: Holiday Green and White


Here's the season to be Jolly falalalala, lalalala! :D


I love December! This is the month of sharing and happiness! I was sitting at home, thinking of a look to start off December, a look that would remind me of thsi wonderful season and that's when I thought of GREEN.

I wanted a simple, nothing too outlandish look, a look that goes with the season and at the same time goes with the work environment as well.

Here's the final look





And here's a diagram to simplify all the details



Step 1: (in Blue)

I've used MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre as base.
Pat on Lancome's Daylight or any matte white eyeshadow on the inner 3/4 of the eye. Also pat on the brow bone area and inner corner of the eye to highlight.




Step 2: (in Red)

Using a blending brush, blend NYX Kiwi on the other crease. Use the same e/s to line the lower lashes.


Step 3: (in Green)

Using the same brush, blend a darker Moss Green eyeshadow from L'oreal to deepen the crease area



Step 4:
(in black)

Using a pencil brush or Shadow Contour brush, darken the V-corner with MAC Carbon or any matte black e/s and blend well



Here are more products used for this look




Cover Girl Lash Blast in Black Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on eyeliner in Zero (black)
topped with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on eyeliner in Stash (sparkly moss green)


More face and Lip products




MAC Studio Fix Foundation in NC30

Maybelline Blush Powder in Rose

Smashbox Smashing Tint for lips


And here's the final look



Eyes closed
(can you see the lovely Urban Decay 24/7 Stash liner on top of the black liner?)



And what's a Christmas-y look without something RED?
A RED shirt!!!






I would probably do more Christmas-y look the coming days
because I enjoyed this...
22 days to go before Christmas!!!
Aren't you excited? I know I am!!!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Weekend Food Tripping: Greenhills' Little Korean Restaurant and a New Brush

Aside from Chinese dish, ask me what's my next favorite dish, I will say KOREAN in a heart beat! And it's weekend food tripping and this post will be simple and straight to the point. I have to apologize in advance though because this food tripping consist of just ONE PHOTO. You'll know why!

Here's the cheapest Korean Meal I have ever tried!

A dish with Pork, Beef, Squid and Veggies
Plus 2 cups of rice
2 bowls of Seaweed Soup
a set of Kimchi

ALL FOR PHP185.00 (approx $3.75)




And we don't need to order anything else because we are so full! This restaurant I believe called "Little Korean" located at the food court of Greenhills Shopping Center, is owned by a Korean-guy and you can see him all the time standing near the counter. You know that he takes care of the business well and he runs it well because this small restaurant was there for a long time!

They also serve Bibimbop, other rice meals but the one we had is the BEST!!! And worth it! If you worry about the quality of the food, well, me and hubby ate here more than 5 times and we never have any stomach problems, and we both have sensitive stomachs.

Before I end the weekend food tripping post, may I add that I bought a new brush from Prestige, it's called the Shadow Sweep Brush #104. The Shadow Crease Brush #103 didn't fail me so I wanted the smaller one and we'll see how it goes. Will do a review on this soon!


**available at Beauty Bar for Php295.00 (approx $5.90)

And here's a comparison between Prestige #104 and #103




It's Philippine Holiday today!
But I have work :(
Let's have a great start of the week!
Happy Cyber Monday to our friends in the other side of the world!
What are you buying today????



Want to check out Prestige #103 Shadow Crease review?
SMILE AND CLICK
SHADOW CREASE!!!