Monday, June 8, 2009

Tip for the Day: Foundation

(note from Author: All brands discussed here are not used by author but just examples of what's out there, please purchase products at your own discretion, thanks)

Thanks for the positive responses on my series on "What do I need to purchase to start my makeup collection?". I am happy that you find it exciting to read my advises and thoughts! You don't know how much I appreciate it!!! :D Made me an energizer bunny! THANK YOU!!!!

As promised, here's the next installment, this time, let's talk about FOUNDATION!

How do you choose your foundation?

First you have to know what are the types of foundation available ---

Oil-free and matte liquid foundations -
lasts longer on oily skin, but can make your skin feels dry and flaky.

ex. Nars Balanced Foundation, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation, YSL Matt Touch Foundation etc..



Ultra Matte Foundations -great for seriously oily skin, goes on very heavy and can leave the skin very dry.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

First Blind Swap Ever



When I posted the first "I Wonder" post on the best body moisturizer, the lovely Cris emailed me and offered to help me purchase a body moisturizer that she really likes. Korres Body Butter!

She didn't specify what she wants from my side of the world as she just wanted to have a Blind Swap experience. This is my first as well and all I can say, it was such a wonderful experience blind swapping with Cris! Thank you so much for the added extras! I hope you like what you got from me too! I can't wait to try the goodies :D

Thank you Cris!

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Modern Toilet Restaurant


You read it right!!! Toilet and Restaurant goes in one sentence! LOL
We've seen about this toilet restaurant over email, I think they have it in Japan? Not sure. But when we were in HK, we were handed out a tissue pack advertising the Modern Toilet Restaurant! We were so intrigued we have to look for it! :)

It isn't hard to find the restaurant, it's located at Causeway Bay at the 4th floor of the same building as the biggest Watson's Store in that area. They have a total of 2 branches in Hong Kong. Causeway Bay and Mongkok Branch. I love how cute the ambiance is, yes, it should be gross but I find it super cute!
Menu




Our seats
Table has a basin
Shower and even shampoos!
Look at our seats! I love it!
They use real toilets!




Closeup on our toilet seats
The seat cover is removable!
You can really do your thing there
IF YOU DARE! lol



They also have Sauna seats
Imagine your first date?
and you're both inside a Sauna?
Don't tell your mom!! lol



Cute decorations!
Sad to say, they don't sell these!
They should...cause,
"I want to buy SHIT!" :P



Here's a cute table setting
that greets us!



And let's talk about our orders!
I love the presentation
Gave us the kicks and laughs!

Stone Grill Chicken
HKD58 / Php370 / USD8.25



Braised Pork Ball
HKD55 / Php357 / USD7.80




Sliced Beef and Mushroom
in Kimchee Soup
HKD50 / Php325 / USD6.90



Marton No. 5 Ice Cream
HKD18 / Php117 / USD2.50




Overall experience? WONDERFUL! We had a blast laughing and talking about how cute the place is, how cute the presentation is, great customer service!

But how about the taste of the food?

BLAHHHHH!!!! It lacks taste and it's actually not that good! LOL We were joking around that since we're eating in a toilet, we're eating crap! LOL To be honest, it's worth the experience, first timers would enjoy this but I would say I'm not dining there again because the food is not great! But I'm only joking about eating the CRAP. The food tastes like food but nothing outstanding!
---------------------------------------

You know what I've realized about HK after staying there for 4 days? It's not easy to look for places to eat! Since HK is such a small place, restaurants are jampacked in one building and there's so many people eating at the same time, you really have to line up! Gosh! I've never felt so hungry in my life when I was in HK! LOL When it's time to eat, the restaurants are just hidden, nowhere to be found!

Anyways, it was a great dining experience! It'll be fun to see such cute themed restaurant down here! I'm sure everyone would want to have the experience on eating in a Moderm Toilet Restaurant! :D

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Are you still hungry with my food post?
Or have you lost your appetite?

:P
Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Tip for the Day: Base Makeup/Primers

Hello Askmewhats Readers!

I have a very good question asked by my reader a couple of weeks ago and I do apologize for taking such a long time to answer it. I tried putting it up on my "Reader's Corner" episode but the answer gets longer and longer so I've decided to make this a series.

I will answer the question in mini series so we tackle as much as we can! :) Yay?

Here's the question:

"What do I need to purchase to start up my make-up collection?"

Now you know why it took me weeks or months to answer this!!! This is one question that has so many answers!

Before I get to answer, here's a question that I need to ask YOU!

"Are you collecting makeup for yourself?
Or are you planning to be a professional make-up artist someday?"
When I told myself I will start to spend my hard earn money on make-up, I knew I wanted to be a make-up artist so I made sure to buy the best of the best on what's out there, at the same time, making sure not to over spend. Here are just some of the tips at the back of my head, there's always a different version out there, but this is my version, I'm sure there's gazillions out there so feel free to share yours ok?

Today, I will start with

Base Makeup/Primers

Foundation can be included under base makeup, but in this post, I will be mainly focusing on pre-foundation products. What must you purchase for yourself or others?
Before you purchase any makeup base/primer, you have to evaluate your skin or your clients' skin!

Dry Skin
  • Sunblock
  • a moisturizer meant for dry skin
  • Primer: this may be skipped, if you have combination skin, you can applly primer only on areas that are oilier
Oily Skin
  • Sunblock
  • Moisturizer - yes you still need them, apply a thin layer of moisturizer on oily areas and more on the less oily areas
  • Oil control primer - to prevent the oilies
Wrinkly Skin
  • Sunblock - blocking the sun to prevent further wrinkles
  • Moisturizer - meant for aged skin
  • Primer - to fill in the lines to have a good canvass to start up with your foundation
Blemished Skin
  • Sunblock
  • Moisturizer - you can check with your dermathologist for a good moisturizer meant for your sensitive skin. Better to use light and oil free moisturizer
  • Treatment cream - from your dermatologist
  • Corrective Primer (only if needed) - try not to use primers as much as possible, try to stay away from putting more products on to your skin especially if it's on treatment
Uneven Skin Tone
  • Sunblock
  • Moisturizer
  • Primer that has shade
The tips above are just basic! Rule of the thumb, try to use the least product as possible. Be sensitive on your skin's reaction to each product you've applied.

If you are doing base makeup/primers to a client, do communicate with them and ask them if they have any allergic reactions to certain ingreidents or brands.

Here's a photo on the primers I currently own. I don't use them all on myself, but I use them on clients who are comfortable with primers.



Left to Right

Elizabeth Arden Good Morning Skin Serum (from Gracie)
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Light
Lancome Pure Focus T-zone (from Gracie)
P&J Protective Foundation Primer UV
Bare Naturals Make It Last Makeup Primer (from Shen)
P&J Moisturizing Foundation Primer 03

Below are the photo of BB Creams I currently own. Because of the craze, BB creams are considered as base makeup worldwide. Here's what I own, not a lot! But I'm happy with all of them!


Left to Right

Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream (from Zyra)
Skin79 VIP Gold Collection Super BB Cream
L'egere White Multi BB cream
BRTC Cover BB Cream


Do you use primers/makeup base everyday?
I don't! I let my skin breathe on most days! :)
I use primers on special occasions!
Share your thoughts my friends!

Keep smilin!
Stay Happy!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Askmewhats Reviews: MAC Grand Duo Light Over Dark

When MAC came up with a mineralized blush duo collection, I told myself I have to check it out because it looks really pretty!!! I want to have at least one in my collection!

Choosing only 1 is difficult, am I going for peach? pinks? The answer can be made if it's tested on my cheeks! And I chose none of the above!

I went for MAC Grand Duo Light Over Dark, it's a nice "bronzey" duo that gives me a healthy and natural flush.



Dome shaped
Mineralized Blush



MAC Grand Duo Blush says ---


A Mineralize Blush featuring soft-shimmer super-shine pearl in pretty tricolor veining to enhance and glorify cheekbones, followed with the pop and dimension of solid color shimmer without an overly frosted look.

Askmewhats says ---

Pros
  • can create 3 different shades as compared to a regular mono blush
  • gives out a healthy glow due to it's pretty sheen
  • very pigmented
  • lasts long
  • a great everyday color
Cons
  • pricey
  • if not careful, this can be shattered easily if dropped
Overall

I admit, I had big regrets after I purchase this because I felt that I got sidetracked by the SA of MAC. I went there originally thinking about a Pinkish shade and felt bad that I left in a different blush color.

When I got home, I tested it on my cheeks and feel that it is indeed pretty but a bronzer from different brands can do the same job! I even plan to return it the next day but the lazyness in me stopped me from doing so.

Now that it's been with me for quite some time, I found that even though there's a lot of dupes out there, this blush does give me a healthy glow when needed.

Yes, this is a good buy but I won't say this is the best buy, again there's always different brands out there that gives out the same shade and glow I want.

But I am not complaining....this looks ok on my skin!

Tips
  • use this as an eyeshadow as well
  • try on different sides and see which one would work best for you
  • tap the brush to remove excess
  • start applying less, adding as you go on
  • Stila bronzer is a good dupe!
  • for the blush not to come out too strong, use a big fluffy brush or stippling brush to applyl
Will I repurchase?

Not this shade, this will last me a lifetime!

Where can you purchase and how much?

Not available anymore, can purchase online (be careful though)
Bought this at MAC Shangri-la for Php1,500 (approx $32.00)


Swatch



1. Melange side - more shimmery

2. Mono side - has shimmer but less

3. combination




Here's how it looks on my cheeks
Using a slanted blush brush




Own any MAC mineralized Grand Duo Blush?
What color did you get?
Did you like it?
Happy Friday everyone!
Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!