Happy 1 Year Blogging Anniversary to Me and Winner!

Dear Askmewhats Readers:


Today marks my first year blogging anniversary. Thanks everyone for the well wishes and I can't believe I can survive a year of blogging too! :)

Thanks to all your support and I'll go straight to the point...the winner for my "Askmewhats Inspired Crystal" Bracelet :)

I do wish I have the funds to give each one of you, but that's impossible, so I depended on random.org to help me decide a winner :)

Just to be fair, I've written down all the people who joined and commented on the contest and number them, I did not include those who said they won't be joining the contest but would only like to greet me (thank you) then I go to random.org and get a random number and that's how I got the winner.

Thanks everyone for joining and please keep reading as I'll try to do more contests in the future! :D

The winner for this....






is.....


CHERISH_JD!!!

Congratulations!!!

I will be emailing you for your mailing address.
Again, to the rest who didn't win, don't worry,
I'll try to come up with more contests in the future!
Thanks and stay happy!

Askmewhats Version: "Stila Marrakesh" Look

When I got the Stila Marrakesh Quad from Anne of Yummmiebitez, it turned out to be my favorite e/s I've been reaching out every morning for a nice office look!

I love it for it's simplicity and I love it's staying power and versatility. Here's one of the look I've created using this quad.

"Simplicity is beauty...Beauty IS Simplicity"

Here's a diagram on how I came up with the look

Step 1:

After applying MAC Soft Ochre paintpot all over lids, using my CS Pink Fluff e/s brush, apply using patting motion the pinkish color or use any shimmery pink color on the inner 3/4 of the eyes.

Step 2:

Using MAC 217 brush or any blending brush, use the darkest color from the quad and apply it over the crease area blending harsh lines.

Step 3:

Using a small blending brush, apply MAC Carbon on the outer-v for depth.

Step 4:

Using a big fluff brush from Coastal Scents, apply Paul & Joe Face color powder no. 043 on the browbone and inner corner of the eye for highlights. You can choose any e/s color closest to your skin tone.

Step 5:

Line the lashline using my newly purchased 4U2 GLITZ Liquid Liner in Brown. It's a very natural shimmery brown colored liquid liner. (I will review this product soon)

Step 6:

Using Coastal Scents Gel Liner in Truffle and a White Angled Liner brush, apply gently on the water line, top it with Urban Decay 24/7 glide-on eyeliner pencil in Bourbon.
Step 7:

Apply Urban Decay 24/7 glide-on eyeliner pencil in Yeyo near the tear duct for a bright-eyed look.

And here's the final result :D
(sorry no mascara used on this FOTD, LAZY! lol)

Other products used for the rest of the face

MAC Studio Fix Liquid Foundation in NC30 mixed with
The Face Shop's Flower Silky Foundation in NB21
applied all over face using MAC 187 brush
(I have to mix it as NC30 looks dark and yellowish on me!!! Wrong choice of color! My bad)



Using CHARM Angled Blush Brush,
apply Revlon in Blush on the cheek area
Highlight using EYEKO 5-in-1 e/s



In2it lipstick in Fresco


FOTD :D
This is how I usually go in the morning,
but instead of liquid foundation, I use Mineral Foundation :D

And that's how my new hair color looks like! :)
In case you're wondering! lol
Have a great weekend!!!
I will be announcing the Askmewhats 1 year anniversary contest winner tomorrow!
Goodluck!
Stay Happy!

Please check out ---
Askmewhats Seminar for a Cause

Askmewhats Reviews: Kiehl's Lip Balm #1

When I did my product review on the Kiehl's Lipbalm SPF15 and expressed my love for Kiehl's Lip balm #1, a lot of you are requesting for a review on what Kiehl's are proud of, they have confidence on their product so much they call it the No. 1 Lip Balm! I've read so many raves and the number or raves are equivalent to rants too! So how did this balm survived the Askmewhat's watchful EENT? (eyes ears nose throat) lol? Smile and read on!

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 Says ---

• Relieves chapped or cracked lips
• SPF 4 sunscreen
• Not tested on animals

Temporarily protects and helps relieve chapped or cracked lips. Helps protect lips from the drying effects of wind and cold weather.

Askmewhats Says ---

Pros

• I love it that it's not tested on animals
• no scent, probably just a hint of hmmm "magazine" scent, lol
• soothes the lips
• moisturizing
• 1 tube lasts a long time
• does not feel too thick on lips
• doesn't taste yucky
  

Cons

• packaging! You always have to clean your hands before using this product. Applicator is not friendly to use straight to the lips
  
• a bit pricey for a lip balm, but I don't mind, it lasts long
• this does not work for some lips! I'm glad it works on mine!

Overall

This is my HG lip balm! I have the driest of all dry lips and I can't stress more about how much my lips chap and how painful it gets when I get lip allergies. But just one swipe of Kiehl's Lip Balm #1, it really soothes my lips ASAP and it moisturizes my lips so well it gets really soft (hubby test) :P

Is this product comparable to Petroleum Jelly? Well a big part of the Kiehl's ingredient is Petroleum, other people uses oetroleum jelly and it works for them (lucky gals), but I've used them and it doesn't work for me as much as Kiehl's does. So its basically a trial and error, if you can purchase petroleum jelly and test it on your lips first (it's way cheaper) you've got nothing to lose! If it works for you? Then you don't need to spend too much on other lip products!

In my case, I need Kiehl's. I really do!

Will I repurchase?

I will and I did! Have back up!

Tips

• do not apply Kiehl's lip balm or any lip products if your lips are cracked and are bleeding, it my worsen your lips
• if discomfort occurs, STOP using it and see a doctor
• apply Kiehl's before you go to sleep and wake up with really soft lips
• you can apply Kiehl's lip balm with your fingers, but you always have to make sure your fingers are clea, or I prefer applying this with a retractable lip brush.
  

Where can you purchase and how much?

Kiehl's shop at Greenbelt 5 for Php 450.00 (approx $9.00)

Show you more with photos! :)

Here's the tip, not convenient to apply directly on your lips
but I like that it doesn't leak or came out with dirty cap

Side by side comaprison with Kiehl's Lip Balm SPF
Same amount of product 15ml
But the cap of Kiehl's is shorter,
easier to be misplaced lol



And here's the consistency of the No. 1 Lip Balm
not too thick and not too liquid-y
Just right



Sorry I forgot to take a shot of a super dry lips
but I've chosen a very dry lips day and applied the balm all over
Nothing on but Kiehl's Lip Balm #1

I'll be out celebrating my mom and dad's wedding anniversary tonight!
We'll be dining out at Chili's for American food :)
I hope they enjoy it! Can't wait to sleep in and snore like a pig!
I don't!!! lol
Stay Happy!

Please check out ---
Askmewhats Seminar for a Cause

Reader's Corner: Q&A + Pressies

Lovely Friday!!!
I haven't been doing Q&A for awhile!
I hope you enjoy the questions and keep the questions coming!
I enjoy it every time I give answers and some readers would add up their 2 cents too!
LOVE IT!!!


Question

Hi Nikki! What cosmetic brands do you remember seeing at Duty Free?


Askmewhats Answers

I've obviously been "obvious" about buying some skincare products from The Duty Free Shop here in the Philippines. Let me list down the cosmetic brands I remember seeing, I'm sure I'll miss out some brands, but I'll do my best to juggle my memory...

• Pupa
• Smashbox
• Origins
• L'oreal
• Maybelline
• The Body Shop
• Clinique
• Elizabeth Arden
• Chanel
• Lancome
• Estee Lauder
• Shu Uemura
• etc... (not a brand lol)
  

There's definitely NO NARS or MAC.

Question

What is your favorite Paul & Joe foundation?

Askmewhats Answers

My favorite Paul & Joe foundation is definitely the P&J Dual Powder Foundation. I swear on this lovely powder foundation as the coverage is really good and it works well on anybody!

Question

Hi! I love your hair color! What particular color is that? Can you recommend a good brand of DIY hair dye? By the way, are you Chinese?

Askmewhats Answers

Thanks for loving my hair color. It's from the L'oreal Feria Line and the color is Frosty Beige. A good DIY brand for me is definitely L'oreal Feria as it doesn't dry my hair as much as other DIY brands. I'm sure there's a lot of good ones out there, but I've used more than 5 sets of L'oreal Feria already!

Yes, I am Chinese but I am born and raised in the Philippines. Fil Chi as they call it! :)

Question

Hi Nikki, I've once read an article from your blog about using a gold ring to test on cosmetics if they contain lead. I've tried doing this to my cosmetics and black streaks did occur. I've even tested it to my minerals and to my horror, the black streaks came out darker. I hope you can shed light to a lot of us who converted to mineral makeup because it's supposed to be safe.

Askmewhats Answers

Let me start off by saying I'm in NO WAY an expert on this one but I have done research and read a lot about these before I give my answers.

Mineral Make up as everyone knows started to make it's mark in the beauty industry due to it's being "all natural". While a lot of mineral make-up companies claim that, we should ALWAYS check the label for the list of ingredients as some of the mineral make up contains fragrance, coloring agents and chemicals that could break out your skin or you could be allergic to.

I've read a lot about the lead content on cosmetics a couple of years ago and I did the test myself by swatching the product on hand and rubbing a real gold on it. Having a black line meant the cosmetics have lead content. I was appalled as almost ALL brands of cosmetics I've tested came out positive on my own "test". Yes, there are some brands that has lesser streak of dark color, while others came out really strong. But is my way of testing legit?

Nobody confirmed if this is the legitimate way to test the lead content on cosmetics but I've read via research that most cosmetics do contain lead but it is regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), if the lead content exceeds the "safe level", it will be regarded as harmful and cannot be made available to the market.

With regards to the mineral cosmetics having lead content, there are some minerals that contain Bismuth Oxychloride, this is a mineral that gives a youthful "glow" to some mineral make up, this may claim natural, but this is a by-product of lead and iron processing and considered a skin irritant that can cause dryness, flaking, itching and rashes. This is an ingredient that some people may not have reactions to but a lot of people does and you may want to steer clear from this especially if you have sensitive skin.

A lot of mineral companies nowadays do not include this as part of the ingredient.

But the most important lesson is, before you purchase anything that you would want to put on your face, do a lot of research, read articles about the ingredients and always take note on how your skin reacts, if redness or itchiness occurs, do not take a blind turn, but chuck the product away!

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

Can you see just how cute they are??? I won this from Cosmetic-Candy's Christmas giveaways.

I'm lucky to have won the ff. ---

Mini Bourjois e/s nos. 60 and 68
Mini Bourjois Lipstick

and she added samples of ---

RMK Gel Scrub
Shu Uemura Phyto Black Life
Givenchy Skin Drik Soft Creme

Thank you!!!! Row, I enjoyed reading your blog with or without contests! :D

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

And the good day didn't end, I finally got my gift from my dear friend Beetrice! Girl! I know you sent it before Christmas but I guess this is an early Chinese New Year gift now! lol Here's what the lovely lady sent me!

Wow with the presentation!
just so you know Bee,
I kept the ribbon and I'll probably tie it on my hair!

What's inside?

1. Wooden mini-roller - she probably knows how stressed I am from work
2. Revlon Diamond Lust in Bedroom Bronze - awww she liked it and probably thought about me!
3. Maybelline Moisture Extreme in Cranberry Pink - girl! You are right it looks wonderful on my lips BUT, it looks wonderful on my mom-in-law as well, so if its ok with you? I gave it to her! :D Thank you from both of us!
4. Coca-cola lipbalm - you are right, this is a gift for Keith as he loves to drink cola! *winks*

Thanks to Row and Bee for the lovely gifts!
Every package day is definitely more than just packages,
they are love sent from different parts of the world
Thank you !!!

Happy Friday everyone!
Stay Happy!

Please check out ---
Askmewhats Seminar for a Cause

Askmewhats Reviews: The Body Shop Body Shimmer

Hello gorgeous-ness!!!! :D

Thursday is actually my next favorite day after Friday! LOL And I don't need to explain that don't I? *grins*

I haven't used everything that I received from The Body Shop, but I've started to use one of them the moment I received it, which one is it??? Hmm.... you have to read further to know! LOL

WHAT??? You don't want to know???

*drop down knees and beg* "Please don't leave me....."

Here's the cute Seasonal Body Butter Bonanza
3 Body Shimmer Butter packed in a acute gift box!

The gift box is definitely made from recyclable materials
and are environmental friendly. I am using it at the moment for my cosmetics brushes!

L-R Cranberry Shimmer, Vanilla Spice Shimmer and Warm Amber Shimmer

The Body Shop says ---

Description: What would the holidays be without a little indulgence? This festive trio of body butters is packed with Community Trade ingredients to moisturize skin for up to 24 hours.

Includes:

• 1.7 oz Cranberry Shimmer Body Butter
• 1.7 oz Vanilla Spice Shimmer Body Butter
• 1.7 oz Warm Amber Shimmer Body Butter
• Rejoice Reuse Recycle metallic canvas tray tied with a gold-colored ribbon

Best if you want to: Envelop your skin in an intensive cream that moisturizes and helps prevent dryness for up to 24 hours with a warm, rich scent.

Best for: all skin types

How it works:

• Fragrant amber extract provides an opulent, rich scent.
• Community Trade cocoa butter is an excellent moisturizer that melts at body temperature, while Community Trade shea butter protects and softens skin.
• Community Trade organic soy oil is rich in essential fatty acids to repair skin’s moisture barrier, while Community Trade sesame oil and Community Trade organic babassu oil moisturize and soften skin.

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• has a very nice hint of shimmer
  
• very creamy and rich, not oily
• scent stays for approximately half a day
  
• cute packaging
• packaging: I love the simplicity
  
• very moisturizing!
  

Cons

• if you're not into some of the scents included, it will be overpowering for you
• I haven't checked local Body Shop if they have Body Shimmers available (enlighten me!)
  

Overall

The only body butter I've tried from The Body Shop is their Mango Body Butter and their Almond Body Butter. What I love about The Body Shop is how creamy it is and it does help in hydrating and moisturizing my skin. Don't judge product buy it's size! Because the product is very creamy, just using a small amount can make your skin soft and supple! :)

My favorite out of the 3 is the Warm Amber scent. 2nd would be the Cranberry Shimmer and don't get me wrong, I've had Vanilla as last because I am not into vanilla scents :)

My mom and sister are definitely enjoying the body butter I shared to them!

Tips

• apply after shower
• try not to use any perfume or cologne, as the scent alone from the body butter is good enough
• apply onto the cleavage especially when you're wearing a low neckline dress, SEXY!!!! *winks*
• apply all over your legs especially when wearing a skirt

** I Have a feeling I'm helping out PERVERTS OUT THERE! hahahhahah


Will I repurchase?

Yes, I do purchase Body Butters from The Body Shop :)

Where can you purchase and how much?

The Body Shop website from $25.00 (approx Php1,225) on sale to $12.50 (approx Php 612.00)

Let's show the Body Butters!

L-R Cranberry Shimmer, Vanilla Spice Shimmer and Warm Amber Shimmer

If swiped once
You can see the differences of the colors
But if you rub them, they all look the same!
Lovely hint of shimmer!
Perfect for summer!



Left - NOTHING/ BOLD/ NUDE
Right - With TBS Body Shimmer

Have you tried any TBS Body Butters or Shimmers?
How'd you like it?

Stay happy!

Please check out ----
Askmewhats Seminar for a Cause