Askmewhats Version: Christmas Red & Green Look

Hi everyone!!!
A couple of days ago, I did a very simple Christmas-y look called Holiday Green and White
I enjoyed doing the Christmas look and I did say I will try to do more of these!
A dear blogger/friend Tine challenged me to do colors of Red and Green....
Tine, this look is definitely dedicated to you! :D

Here's what I came up with! Christmas Reds and Greens

A diagram on how I achieved the look

First things first, I prep my lids with Urban Decay Primer Potion

It's on a different jar because I've done a surgery to my original UDPP tube

Step 1:

Using a taklon brush, pat on Urban Decay Book of Shadow's Absinthe color on the lid area.

Using the same Takon Brush
Pat on Jesse's Girl Eye Dust in Green
on top of the Absinthe e/s

Step 2:

Using MAC 217 brush, apply RED e/s from Coastal Scents' 78pcs palette on top of the green e/s.

Step 3:

Using the same MAC 217 brush, deepen your eyes by applying Milani's Storm e/s on the outer v.

Step 4:

Highlight brow bone and inner corner of the eye with Bourjois Beige Rose

And here's what I achieved!

Eyes Closed



And here's my total look
Yes, my hair is curled by a colleague
Using a flat iron
Thanks Shanna!

And here are more products used (not on diagram) ----

MAC NC35
using CHARM Retractable Kabuki Brush


MAC Coquette
to fill in brows

Cover Girl Lash Blast using Shu Uemura Curler
Stila SmudgePots in Black using CHARM eyeliner brush
Paul & Joe black liner for waterline


Coastal Scents 78pcs palette blush 2nd from left
A baby pink tone


4U2 Lipstick No. 7
topped with Artdeco limited edition lipgloss in Silver

Gosh! I looked so tired!
But I like doing this look! I enjoyed the brightness of red and greens blended together
creating a nice Christmas look!
It's Saturday my side of the world, will do some Christmas shopping!
What about you? Have you started shopping for your loved ones?
Start early!!! :D

Askmewhats Reviews: CHI Silk Infusion

I've learned about CHI, the brand, because of their hair styling tools. The famous CHI Flat Iron. Ohhhh have you seen the pink one for the Breast Cancer Awareness?? Super cute!!!

I got sidetracked! LOL

Anyways, one product from CHI that interest me the most is the CHI Silk Infusion. If it's really good for your hair... count me in!

I've had my fair share of serums from the past and so far, I never have very bad experience with them but nothing super exceptional. I am not a serum gal, with our kind of weather here? We shouldn't be putting any greasy/oily product on any part of our body! Especially the hair!

I don't know why CHI Silk Infusion caught my attention big time. I would never in the right mind thought that I would go all the way to purchase this product. I guess that's the power of beauty blogging, the power of product reviews from beauty gurus you trust.

Everyone's raving about it and I've done my Nikki's research and finally saw a seller who sells trial sizes (as I don't want to end up with products that do not work for me)

I am glad to have the chance to try it, because this product is really intriguing! Up until now...it intrigues me....


CHI Silk Infusion says ---

Infuse some silky strength into your hair with CHI Silk Infusion Silk Reconstructing Complex. Enriched with pure natural silk, wheat and soy proteins, this alcohol free treatment promises silky softness, super manageability and unbeatable shine. A small amount on wet hair is all you need to style your hair into silky serenity.

Product Benefits:

• Leave-in restructuring treatment
• Enriched with pure natural silk, wheat and soy proteins
• Increases softness and manageability
• Cationic Hydration Interlink™ softens and balances hair, locking in moisture
• Adds incredible shine
• Protects against thermal styling
• Alcohol free
• No build up
• Can be used every day

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• non-greasy AT ALL
• doesn't weigh down my hair
• I don't see major "shine" but my hair color pops out eventhough it was dyed 5-6 months ago
  
• no more tangles
• easier to iron my hair, and I find it easier to curl my hair with a Flat Iron!
  
• the "dry end look" minimized
  

Cons

• smells weird, like a man's aftershave, but this doesn't last though
  
• not available locally
• you really have to know the "right amount" of CHI Silk Infusion that works for your hair, you have to be consistent as there are days the product works so well and there are days it's performance is just so-so.
  

Overall

I'm not sure if readers know this, but I am a self-confessed hair product junkie, I've spent most of my allowance to hair products when I was younger. That's where all my hair product knowledge come from. MY OWN EXPERIENCE.

I do style and blowdry my hair most of the time, weekly deep conditioning isn't enough, I wanted to add a regimen to "protect" my hair while styling.

Does this product work when it comes to protection? It's too early to tell, but let me tell you what my overall reaction to this product is.

The product itself is OIL but more on a watery side. I would say, it has the same texture as Olive Oil. (photo below)

Greasiness wise, I've used this product as less as possible and as much as possible.

The less side - it makes my hair soft but nothing WOW
The more side - I felt my hair weighs a bit BUT not OILY (and trust me, I put a lot of the product on my hair just for reviews' sake)

What everyone is saying is right, just put a small dime size of product on your hand (photo with red circle above) and it's enough!

Tips

• try to use variable amount of product on your hair to see how much your hair really needs. You need a week of trial and error, put more or less, then check your hair at the end of the day.
• rub the product between your palm to spread the product all over your hand and apply the product on your hair with feather-y motion
  

Will I repurchase?

I may, I may not, some hair products work so good on me but given a longer period of time, it may not work anymore. So check back on Askmewhats Revisits soon!

Where did I purchase and how much?

Ebay seller called Discount Beauty Supplies

4 x 0.50 oz of small sized CHI Silk Infusion for $6.95 + $4.99 shipping to the Philippines.

For US residents, Free shipping

This is how small the product is on my small hand

This small CHI can be used for
a MONTH of EVERYDAY USAGE

I really hope my review on this would help others who plan to purchase!
But of course, we all have different types of hair, it may work for me but not for you!
So if you have used CHI Silk Infusion, tell us your 2 cents!
It'll be helpful!
Happy Friday to the readers who share the same time zone with me!!!!!!!!!!

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!

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