February Gifts

The title I've posted is called February gifts because I got all these for both Valentine's and my birthday! Thanks so much for lovely friends! I really appreciate the love, the comments, the friendship, gifts are just last to the friendship! Thanks! I am overwhelmed!

Valentine's chocolates from Grace to me and my hubby! I am touched with the lovely card she included! Yes sis, it didn't melt!!!

Sis Grace, super thanks for spoiling me this month! I've been getting so many gifts from you! I am really touched because you took all the effort to send me these!!! Though we're far apart, I appreciate the friendship we have!

My very own Babyliss You Curl! I really am enjoying this!
I tried doing waves with these and it works WONDERFULLY!

Check out Grace's review here



More goodies!
WOW!!!



Elizabeth Arden Good Morning SkiN Serum
Lancome Pore Focus T-Zone
Vivienne Westwood Shower Gel
Boots No.7 Protect & Perfect Day Cream
Boots no.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum
Boots No.7 Moisture Drench Lipstick no.50
Boots No.7 Lash 360
Clinique High Impact Mascara
Estee Lauder's Beautiful Love Eau de Parfum

And that's not all! She included 3 MAC Pumps for Me,
Sis Jheng and Sis Shen! :)



A lovely top that is SO ME!




Aside from those lovely gifts from Grace above!
I got a wonderful friend who sent me my very own
ROOTOTE Bag!!!

(look at the print! Feisty! aaawwwww!!!!)

She said that I'll be able to use this for my gigs!
She's right!
Perfect to put my brush set,
some skincare, toiletries and a lot more!!!
Look how spacious is is!

AND! It's foldable and easy to take along! I plan to help the environment by using this for shopping! I'll not ask for plastic bags and use this!!! Thank you sweet friend!!! I appreciate the birthday gift and love!



And last but not the least!
Another surprise from another friend!
Prettybeautiful, my fellow nail addict!

Thanks for the wonderful card
and the lovely gifts included inside!

Thank you thank you thank you ladies!
From the bottom of my heart
The postal office custom does not believe that these are gifts!
hahaha
What can I do ? I am Loved!
Thanks!!!

Stay happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: Garnier Light Brightening Eye Roll On

Seldom can we find eye cream or eye products that are affordable. A lot of people skip the step to take care of the eye area because it is such a small area to take care of and most of the eye creams are expensive! They would think using a moisturizer all over the face including the eye area is enough.

WRONG!

The eye area is more sensitive than the face, and the skin around the eye is thinner which makes it easier to be "battered". I think I am the perfect person to try on eye products because I have all the problems around the eye area, naming ---

• Dark Undereye circles
• Puffiness
• Fine Lines

When given the chance to try on a new "eye" product, I'll jump to the chance! :) As I said, I set aside my Clinique's All About Eyes cream and tested this product for almost 3 weeks!

Garnier Light Brightening Eye Roll On says ---

Massage that fatigue eyes away with this innovative solution. The roll-on is enriched with caffeine, which helps to reduce the appearance of eye bags and dark eye circles. Our eye area is the thinnest skin on our face, so never ignore those signs showing up around your eyes. Signs of fatigue include:

- Eye bags
- Dark eye circles
- Puffy eyes

Garnier Light's Brightening Eye Roll-On is proven with the power of plants and revolutionary technology.

It is dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested. Effectiveness can be seen:

- Immediate cooling effect to freshen up fatigue eye area

- In 14 days, skin is much brighter and radiant

- In 28 days, eye bags and dark circles reduced by 11-12% respectively.*

*Evaluation on 50 women with dark circles and eye bags, all skin types.

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• affordable
• fragrance-free
• Dermatologically and Opthalmologically tested!
  
• has a tightening effect
• cooling effect is perfect to relax the skin around the eye area
• does not sting the eye
• fits the palm perfectly, great for travel!

• packaging is wonderful, simple yet wonderful to use, no spillage and the roll on makes application a breeze. The roll on doesn't get stuck at all like normal roll-on deodorant!

Cons

• no instructions on box, have to do research online
• don't know how long to do the rolling, it's addicting you know!
• if you are allergic to caffeine (who knows there could be some out there), do not use this product, same with MAC Charged Water, also contains Caffeine!

DID YOU KNOW THAT?
Caffeine is also well-known for its stimulating properties on micro-circulation. Can energize the skin!

Overall

Do not expect miracles from this product! (there's no such thing unless you undergo an operation). I find Garnier Light Brightening eye roll on is wonderful because it is so easy to apply and it does relaxes the eye. Darkness around the eyes didn't subside but puffiness definitely did! I do feel a tightening effect after application and again, stay true to your regimen! Do not use this once or twice and expect huge results!

But! If you want instant relief from tiredness, this is a wonderful product to use! Instant cooling effect!

Will I repurchase?

Yes

Tips

• no need to put this inside the fridge as the product itself has cooling effect.
  
• STOP using the product if your skin reacts, never think the product gets wasted, but THINK of the bills you have to pay in the long run!
  
• always check the ingredients! There could be some ingredients that you are allergic to!

DID YOU KNOW THAT?
I am allergic to steroids, sad to say, most anti-allergy eye drops that are available in the market contain this ingredient.

Guide to application for best result:
(from this website, thank you Traclyn)

Step One: Using circular motions, apply roll-on beginning from the inner corner of the eye area. Continue over upper eyelid in one stroke.

Step Two: Repeat step one in reverse - Stroke over upper eyelid and circular motions for under eye area. Finish at inner corner.

Step Three: Using ring finger (or which ever finger you're comfortable with), gently tap around eye area, ending at the under eye's inner corner.

Where can you purchase and how much?

At Watson's or any beauty stores for Php299.00 (approx $6.50)

Here's a close-up shot of the Roll On
Doesn't hurt the eye if you did it right! :)
Do not press hard ok?

And here's how the liquid looks like
More on the liquid-y side
Has a tiny bit of brightening effect
(very minimal)

To some of you who'd love to try this product!
I'd say go ahead!
I had a wonderful experience using this! :)
Let me know how you like it!
Stay happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: Revlon Make A Sheen "Olive It Up"

Hi pretties! Happy Friday to people who share the same time zone with me! :D

As seen on my previous Version of "Revlon's Olive It Up" Look
I am happy to use only ONE e/s palette to create a look! For someone who lives far from work and need to rush every morning, this is a perfect palette to use as I don't need to search for e/s combinations that work as this palette definitely matches and works well together!

I love how pretty and simple
the packaging is colors look wonderful on pan!
Is it worth it? Read on!

Revlon Make A Sheen says ---

A trio of complementary eye shadow shades drape lids with naturally sophisticated color and metal accents. Shades can be either blended together to make lids gleam with nature inspired color, or applied individually, for a personalized beauty look. Available in 4 sophisticated palettes.

Expresso Yourself
Olive It Up
Show Stopper Copper
Plum Like It Hot

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• very pretty packaging
• easy to hold and easy to take along

• not powdery, colors are pigmented
• perfect for everyday look, very natural
• you can mix 2 shades to create a different dimension of looks
• texture is smooth, not grainy
• the 3 colors complement each other like Husband, Wife and a third party! LOL
  

Cons

• if you're into loud/bright colors: This isn't the one, this is definitely a SHEEN
• trying to get a shade like the middle one will cause other shadows to blend in if your brush is a bit bit
• without base, this could be gone in half the day, making your eyes shiny and dirty looking
• because of the design, using a bigger brush will blend the e/s colors even if you're not intending to.
  

Overall

This collection is lovely and would make anyone to want the WHOLE lot. If you are a simple eye make up user, this is really nice, packaging does remind me of The Body Shop Moroocan Rose.

Again, if you are someone who's into bright colors and heavily pigmented make-up, this is definitely NOT the one as the name states "Make A Sheen", the colors that you can build up with these shadows are light, very natural and sheen!

Tips

• try to mix and match with the colors, do not limit yourself from using just 3 colors in the palette
• if you're in the US, wait for BOGOF or sale price! They always do for drugstore brands (lucky gals! :P)
• always use an eyeshadow base
  

Will I repurchase?

I got 2 out of the 4 palette courtesy of Grace, that's enough for me! Thanks Gracie!

Where can you purchase and how much?

$11.00-12.00 at beauty stores ( I checked the price online). Here in the Philippines costs Php975.00 (approx $20.00) less Php100.00 so it'll be Php875.00 (approx $18.00)

Here's a photo to show the pigmentation
and the beauty of the colors

Photo Taken Without Flash

Photo Taken With Flash

And here's to show you the look I've created
using only this palette with base

I can't wait for the weekend!
I had a busy week! And I can't wait to sleep longer over the weekend!
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Stay Happy!

Askmewhats Report: The Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System

I know I've talked about my skincare regimen here.
But have you ever wondered how will you know if your skin is Normal? Dry? Oily? Or Combination? I never thought of that, I've always knew I have dry skin because of obvious reasons like skin flaking and itchiness.

But to the rest of the population who doesn't have obvious signs? How would you know? Check out our crystal ball and mumbles... "Ahhhmmm....Ahmmm....Aaaaahhhhhhmmm"

NOT! *laughs*

I've passed by Clinique counter recently and it's funny I tried on their Clinique Assessment after I've been using their 3-Step Skin Care system for years. I breathed a sigh of relief as the result is right, I do have dry and combination skin and I should be using #2.

Let me hold my hand to you and show you my experience. Ohhh I feel like a real reporter! I love this! LOL

I met up with Ms. Jossie Ibojos, the Counter Manager of Clinique located at Rustan's Makati.

Here's what happened:

You can click photo to enlarge
and answer them too! :D

Ms. Jossie assessed my skin by using the "Clinique Computer" (that's how they call it), I was told these series of questions are developed by the Dermatologists and used by dermatologists to determine skin condition.

I am number 2!!!! Dry alligator-like skin! Ms. Jossie was nice enough not to use that term, but I believe I am a human sized Alligator..or Crocodile? Which one is cuter? LOL

After skin assessment, she tried on the 3-step on my hand and explained to me the importance of each step.

Step 1: Cleanse

Step 2: Tone

Step 3: Moisturize

I was told there is not one step more important than the other. The 3-Step system is designed to be used together, each step helping the other to provide optimum results.

Ms. Jossie showed me the result of doing all 3 step against just moisturizing the skin without doing the first 2 steps. I've seen a difference! Moisturizers sink into your skin faster if you've cleansed and toned your skin. (but sorry the difference can't be seen on photos)

I am glad to learn all those in just one sitting. I guess before we purchase any skin care regimen, we shouldn't be afraid to let the beauty experts know the condition of our skin, ask questions before you purchase any product. I have to admit, I am very uneasy to sit in front of their counter and have my skin analyzed, but hey! We are consumers, we have the right to know more about any products we are purchasing!

Thanks Jossie and Clinique for taking the time to answer all my queries! Trust me, I've been very nosey! :P

Nosey enough to know that....

**fingers are Keith's LOL You'll know coz he's not using any polish!

They have an improved version of Clinique Super Defense SPF25 Age Defense Moisturizer that I'll be reporting about...soon! I'm excited about it because it has SPF!!! I love my Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion but it lacks SPF! So this could be what I'm looking for!

Hope my experience is helpful to you! :)
Stay Happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: "Dainty Flowers" Nail

How-dy ladies and gents?

Here's another "dainty" day with Dainty Nails! I've created this nail art with the love of flowers! I really do! I've tried adding up colors the to the usual flowers I've been creating and I'm glad to report...it still works! :D Talk about trials!

Here's the final result!
Petals aren't perfect But WHO CARES? :D

Prior to nail polish application. Apply a base coat to protect your nails. Let Dry

Step 1:

Apply one coat of natural base color. Let dry. In this post, I used ELF Nail Polish in Champagne.

Step 2:

Apply 2nd coat of the polish...

while wet, drop 5 dots of white polish



I've created 10 dots to create 2 flowers

Step 3:

Quickly drop a pink polish color on top of the white dots.

Step 4:

Using a needle, draw a line on dots going to the center. To create a more natural looking petals.

Step 5:

Drop a yellow colored dot in the middle as "flower bud" or you can use rhinestones.

Step 6:

Making sure the flowers are dry. Apply a thin coat of "glittery" polish. In my case, I use Elianto's

Step 7:

Apply a top coat.

You have your own dainty nails!!!
Smile and stay pretty-licious!

This is perfect for those who aren't comfortable with loud colored polishes!
If you don't have nail art pens, you can use the nail brush directly to create dots!
Hope you like my nail art tutorial for the day!
Stay healthy and Happy!