Weekend Food Tripping at: Fish & Co. + More Pressies from Grace

I love seafood, I love fish! :)
No wonder when Fish & Co. opened up their chain of restaurants, you'll see me enjoying my lunch or dinner there! :)

Fish & Co opened its first branch in Singapore about a decade ago. And it has expanded it's branches across Asia and I'm glad it came to the Philippines. The first time I had my Fish & Co. experience was at Greenbelt 3 and I got hooked with the good customer service, wonderful Calamari and Grilled Fish! Their sauces are perfect marriage to the food they serve!

Here's Fish & Co. at Trinoma

Spareribs with Fried Calamari Veggies and Fries
approx Php1,000 (approx $21.00)

Stila Smudgepots vs. Coastal Scents Gel Liner

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

I hope everyone have a great and wonderful day with their loved ones!
It was crazy yesterday! Super traffic and it isn't even the V-day yet! So I can imagine how tough traffic will get today! I'll PROBABLY stay home...and spend quality time with the hubby :D

After the UDPP vs TFSI showdown, I've decided do another showdown on my HG (holy grail) gel liner Stila Smudgepots and compare it to my newly purchased CS Gel Liner in True Black.

Sad to say, I don't own MAC Black Track or Bobbi Brown gel liner but I've used them, but not as much as I've used both Stila and CS.

Here's side by side comparison

Size:
Stila is obviously bigger than CS


Net Weight:
Stila: 4g CS: 3g
Surprisingly, it's just 1g weight difference! :D

Both looks the same when swatch on my hand
(See photo below)

Photo taken in Natural Light No flash

Photo taken with Flash

Let's start the Showdown!

Packaging
Stila - clear glass jar with plastic cap. Very pretty and presentable.
CS - packed in a frosted glass jar with plastic cap, small and easy to take along BUT no label. You have to label them on your own.


Price (not including shipping)
Stila - $18.00 (approx Php850.00)
CS - $6.95 (approx Php330.00)

Gel Color
Stila - matte black
CS - matte black, a bit darker

Texture
Stila - creamy
CS - creamier than Stila

Drying time
Stila - dries quickly
CS - dries quickly, but Stila dries faster

Smudging Factor
Stila - no smudging, NONE at all
CS - no smudging on the upper lashline. I find CS True Black is creamier than my CS Truffle, so CS True Black smudges a tiny bit on the waterline.

How long does it stay on your eyes?
Stila - forever *lol* Just joking! Until you've decided to remove it.
CS - the lashline stays long until you remove it. For the waterline, it starts to smudge a bit after 4-5 hours.

Versatility and usage
Stila - only as eyeliner, cannot be used for waterlining, can hurt the eye
CS - used as eyeliner, can be use at the waterline without burning the eye. Since these are super creamy, can also be used as e/s base.

And here's a visual Showdown :)

As you can see, Stila Smudgepots remained unbudged
While CS is very creamy, so it smudges.
BUT, if I waited longer, I think the CS won't smudge as much as on the photo.




Since it got smudged previously, I tried to wet both of them
and the smudging didn't increase.

And the monster went overboard! lol
I smudged so hard and here's the final result

Stila Smudgepots in Black wins as my HG gel liner!
I believe it should! Because of the price difference!
But, if you're on a budget and wants to have a good gel lining experience,
Coastal Scents Gel Liners does the trick!
Feel free to test on Bobbi Brown gel liner as it works really well too!

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By the way, I know shipping at Coastal Scents get gets to be more expensive than the product itself at times (for international), I am glad my wonderful friend Toma opened up Makeup Mix Shop and I am excited to see she will be selling these CS Gel Liners for $5.95 (approx Php290.00) <--- these will be available on February 20, 2009!

Yes, they are even cheaper than Coastal Scents and her shipping is very affordable! And if your orders are $20.00 and above (valid for any combo of products), shipping will be FREE!!! Yes, even to international buyers like us!!!

And there's more!!! (Sounds like home tv shopping! lol)

Starting today, you can get a free Makeup Masala Mineral Eyeshadow with any $15.00 order by using the code NIKKI.
Put the code and the eyeshadow name you like in the comment section of your order :)

Well, I hope I am helping you gals out :)
Take care and have a wonderful Valentine's Day!
Stay Happy!!!

Askmewhats Reviews: CS Pink Angle Taklon Liner Brush

What to use for gel lining your eyes?
My favorite! If you must know, I love gel liners!
And I want to use the right brush to create a nice line!
Here's another review for another brush that can be use for gel lining!
Smile and read on!!!

Coastal Scents Pink Angle Taklon Liner says ---

1/4 " slant, fine and flexible.
Brush measures end to end 6"

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• very inexpensive (talking about the brush itself)
• does not shed at all
• right length and perfect size
• gives out a consistent line
• with the right angle, easier for "newbies" in gel lining
• brush hair doesn't hurt the eye
• if you're into pinks --- It's PINK!!!
  

Cons

• if you're NOT into pinks --- It's PINK!!! :P
  
• the fat "base" of this CS Taklon liner is a bit "new" to me, I am never going to be used to it, though it was stated over website though that this brush is flexible! So it is meant to be flexible
  
• since this brush is a bit fat, it grabs on more gel liner as opposed to the thinner eyeliner brushes
  
• if you are into thin eyeliner: this isn't for you as the thinnest line would be shown on photo below. Applied using CS gel liner in True Black with the lightest hand

Overall

Again, not thinking about the shipping, this brush is super affordable especially if you are a first time gel liner user.

This is not a brush worth stocking on or going crazy for, but there is nothing bad about this brush that makes you toss and turn at night!


Tips

• Share shipping with a friend
• Perfect to use this to apply eyeshadow on the bottom lashes!
• Great to use this to apply "eye primer" on the lower lash line too as this is made of taklon!
  
• If you are looking into a "thin" eyeliner application, use "highest point" or the tip of the brush encircled in the photo below

Line using the tip only and the line will be thinner

Will I repurchase?

No, but I want to try the black one though, I've read the black one works better!


Where did I purchase and how much?

Coastal Scents website for $1.79 (approx Php85.00), excluding shipping. Shipping is freakin' pricey for international buyers!

More photos to give you more idea
the brushes I use for gel lining

Smashbox Brush no. 28
Here's me going for a thin line
(check out how I angle the brush to create this line)



And here's me going for a thicker line
(check out how I angle the brush to create this line)



Previously, I've done a review on the
CS White Angled Liner Brush
I am Nikki,
I make sure to fine ways to make something dysfunctional
FUNCTIONAL!

I've finally found the best way to use the brush!
Perfect for gel lining the WATERLINE!

Now, don't think that I'm using all 3 brushes at the same time everyday! LOL I'll be late for work! I actually use the liner brushes depending on my mood!

On days I love to have a thicker liner, I go for the Pink Angle Taklon Liner brush
On days, I want to have a simpler look, I use my Smashbox 28 brush
and everytime I want to line my waterline, CS White Angled Liner brush answers my prayers.

Hope this review is helpful to some of you who plans to purchase some CS brushes!
They are worth it for the price!
Happy Friday
and Stay Happy!

Reader's Corner: Q&A + SkinDeco's Pressie

I haven't been doing this for quite some time, so there's a couple of questions to be answered today! Feel free to share your thoughts or additional comments if you know the answer to some of the queries. Thanks! :D


Question:

What good eye cream can you recommend?

Askmewhats Answers:

I am sure a lot of you have your favorite eye creams. I myself used so much I can't seem to keep track. I will just write down the ones that gave me a lasting impression :)

I have used Clinique All About Eyes eye cream for years, I would say puffiness did subside but of course, I am very consistent with it for more than a year. Consistent meaning morning and evening!

Currently, I am using Garnier Light Roll-on Eye and I will do an in-depth review on it. I would say, I see good results especially on the puffiness side. The darknesss? Well..that is quite hard to remove! I think I'm born with panda eyes :) Yes, I stopped using my favorite Clinique All About Eyes cream because I know readers want to hear my thoughts on it. That's how much I love ya all!

Question:

How do you depot ULTA e/s?

Askmewhats Answers:

Use a cutter or small knife to slowly pry it upwards. There are no holes on ULTA e/s and you just need to slowly pull the pan upward. BE CAREFUL. Most ULTA e/s are easy to depot as the glue concentrate is just a small blob concentrated at the center. There's just one that lose our calories. The ULTA e/s Plum Noire as the glue was scattered all over the pan!

Question:

What glitter polish do you use on most of your nail art tutorial?

Askmewhats Answers:

As seen on my previous post, Elianto White polish doesn't work for me but it doesn't mean all their nail polishes are bad! I actually love the glittery polish from Elianto and it gives out a really nice shimmer on ANY nail art I've done without covering or changing the art itself :)

Check them out. For Php99.00 or (approx $2.00). It's worth it.


Question:

What's the difference between the white and light green Paul and Joe compacts? Thanks!


Askmewhats Answers:

** Old Packaging, Light Green colored compact

Good question, I believe the light green compact you are referring to is the original packaging of the P&J Dual Powder Foundation, if I remember it right, the colors are numbered 01, 02, 03 04 etc...

**New packaging, newer formulation, cream packaging

Around mid-year last year, P&J came up with a better formulation and better coverage. The packaging is Iridescent Cream (not white). I was told the formulation has been improved and it goes on smoother than the old formula.

The obvious difference though, the old P&J Dual Powder foundation has SPF25 while the new one is only SPF20. <--- don't know why they can't make it the same.

In my opinion, I've used both and both did not fail me. And you'll know it's the newer version as the colors are numbered 10, 20, 30, 40 and so on :)

It doesn't make much difference, if you are 02 before, then you are 20 now :)

And the good thing is, if you love your light green packaging, you can still use it as P&J Dual Powder foundation comes with refills :D

Question:

How to clean nails and put on polish?

Askmewhats Answers:

I definitely do have my manicures and pedicures done professionally every now and then. Let's say once every 2-3 weeks. On weekends that I would change nail art designs or nail colors, I would use some cuticle liquid and brush it with a nail brush.

Question:

Do you know where to purchase China Glaze polish in the Philippines?

Askmewhats Answers:

Correct me if I'm wrong, we do have China Glaze polishes available at Rustan's mall right? If you want to find the reseller/distributor, I saw this ad in METRO magazine, the company is in the Philippines and their website is www.beautylane.net They sell Ardell and China Glaze polishes. (Please order from them at your own risk, I've never ordered from them)

Question:

How much did you pay when you ordered Tiny Tapir's Cloth pantyliners?

Askmewhats Answers:

Of course the price depends on the quantity and the type of product you ordered. The prices are written on the website and it's in Malaysian Ringgit. I suggest you use an online currency converter like Oanda. Please convert it from Malaysian Ringgit to US Dollars as they charge USD for international buyers.

Shipping will be manually calculated. You can send them an email telling them the product/s you wish to purchase and ask for an approximate shipping rate and see if it's ok for you before you purchase online. Just to give you an idea, I paid MYR20.00 for unregistered shipping (my choice) for 4 cloth pantyliners and that's equivalent to $5.56 (approx Php260.00)

DID YOU KNOW? (Local Readers)

If you chose "unregistered shipping" most of the products will be sent straight to your home, if you chose "registered shipping", no matter how small the product you ordered, you will receive a Notice Card and you have to pick it up at the local postal office.

BUT

Unregistered or not, if it's a huge package, you definitely need to pick it up at the local post office

Question:

Is Ben Nye products available in the Philippines?

Askmewhats Answers:

I am quite positive there are local resellers selling these Ben Nye products, as I've seen a lot of local make-up artists using these or have Ben Nye cosmetics in their make-up kit. But I personally do not know any of the sellers. So whoever knows where to purchase Ben Nye...feel free!

And of course, there's always EVIL BAY but shipping could be expensive!

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I want to give a special shoutout to a nice blogger friend Connie from Skindeco. Here's what she sent me for my birthday! Waaaayy advance!!! She told me she didn't expect me to receive it so early. Well well, postal offices are like that! They perform well the least you expected! :P

The best birthday gift from her is when she said she thought I look like I'm on my mid-20s! SAY THAT AGAIN PLEASE? hahaha!!!

Thanks so much for the wonderful Skineeds Acne Moderator (I will share this with the hubby), RMK samples (she knew we don't have the brand here and wants me to have a taste of RMK), she also sent me a lovely Jewel Eyecolor palette and I've always been admiring her wonderful lashes! And she sent me a set of falsies too!

THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN CONNIE!

I hope my Q&A help some of you out there :)
Feel free to email me if you have any questions :)
Stay happy!

Late Christmas Early Birthday Gift

Gracie! Spoils me like there's not tomorrow! She sent me a lovely Christmas gift included the wonderful wrapping! My eyes opened up like I'm not Asian with small eyes when I saw what's inside. I am so glad to postal office didn't open this right in front of everyone! hahaha

Gracie, are you sure this is a Christmas gift
and not a Bridal Shower gift?
*blushes*



After she tries to undress me with her gift, lol
she gave me 2 lovely blouses
that's "so ME" and "so HER".
I'm sure everyone knows which one is "so me"!
The Kimono dress! "So her" is the halter silk top.



And a wonderful birthday gift from her!
This girl is not stopping!
Thanks so much Grace for spoiling me to death!



Revlon Make a Sheen Olive It Up
Revlon Make a Sheen Express'o Yourself
Ruby & Millie Complete Eye Kit (the lovely leather bound square pan)
Benefit Lyin' Eyes Brush on Concealer
Ruby & Millie A Decade of Color Natural Eyes (gold)
Ruby & Millie A Decade of Color Night Eyes (dark purple)
Benefit Lemon Aid
Rimmel London Sweet Seduction Colour Palette

Thanks! More product reviews and looks to be done!
I appreciate the lovely presents and friendship Grace!
You won't see a photo of me in that lingerie for sure!
HAHAHA