Askmewhats Reviews: The Brush Guard Variety Pack

How much are good and quality brushes nowadays?
How much have we spent on makeup brushes alone?
A lot! Right?
We call our brushes our investments,
are we doing anything to protect our investment?
I know I am!!!



The Brush Guard says ---
(photos and description from TBG website)


Dry Bristle Down:
Before The Brush Guard, brushes were laid down to dry, allowing moisture to wick into the ferrule. This spoils the glue and makes the handle swell.
For the first time, brushes can dry bristles down so gravity pulls moisture away from the ferrule. The Brush Guard lets air circulate so bristles dry quickly and stay in perfect shape.

Keeps Handles Clean:
By keeping The Brush Guard over your brushes’ handles while you’re using them, handles stay clean and new while letting you keep a good grip.

Storage and Travel:
Even in a roll, bristles are vulnerable to being rubbed and crushed. With The Brush Guard, slip your brushes into a roll or kit and know your important tools are protected.

Brushes Feel Like New!
After using The Brush Guard, you will see that your brushes keep feeling new and last longer. Protect your investment with The Brush Guard!
Variety Pack

• 1 Shadow/Liner (ex. small)
• 2 Blush (small)
• 2 Foundation (medium)
• 1 Powder/Kabuki (large)

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• affordable
• protects the shape of my brush, my brushes dried up looking like brand new brushes
• doesn't change drying time and efficiency
• stretchable
• easy to take along my brushes for travel
• brush hairs doesn't get smashed reshaped
• I can dry my brushes downwards (which is the best way for the water not to get into the glue inside the ferrule), do not need to hang it
• available in assortment of sizes

Cons

• the ends of the brush guard are rough due to some cuts and it may ruin your brush handle if not slide carefully (this is very minor though)
• not readily available locally, though there's a lot of online sellers, the wait for shipping is still a bit of a hassle

Overall
I have seen The Brush Guard fad from different Youtubers and bloggers! In my mind? It's just a fad and it's useless! Gosh, for the first time in blogging history, I am admitting I made a huge mistake! This is one of the best purchase I've done!

The Brush Guard is seriously made with care, made with quality and definitely A MUST HAVE for people who are spending their hard earned money on expensive brushes! I have bought this a couple of months ago and I've been using these for my MAC brushes, not that I don't care for my other brushes, since I only have limited number of these, I am using them first on the more expensive brushes then slowly purchase more Brush Guard as I want to protect ALL MY BRUSHES!

I feel very comfortable traveling with my brushes now with the Brush Guard protecting the bristles. I don't need to run my fingers onto the bristles or spray leave-on conditioner on the bristles just to maintain its shape.

I call this a "thing-crush"....

Tips

• always put the brush guard from the handle of the brush going to the bristles so as not to ruin the brush hairs
• after sliding it onto the bristles, extend it a bit beyond the bristles
• if there are any "extra" nylon from the brush guard, you can trim them with eyebrow scissors so it won't scratch off your brush handles.
• purchase more, share shipping with a friend!

Will I repurchase?
YES!

Where did I purchase and how much?

I bought them at the Makeup Mix Shop for $5.25 (approx Php 250.00) plus $3.95 shipping for orders up to $19.99.
or
You can also purchase them at The Brush Guard site for $5.50 (approx Php258.00) plus $3.00 shipping.

Wet brushes ready to dry up!

Close up on the brush guard
doing it's job

Powder/Kabuki Brush Guard
fits my MAC187 perfectly

Blush Brush Guard fits
my MAC239 like a glove!

Not owning The Brush Guard is not the end of the world, I am sure there are still ways to protect your brushes! I believe some of the brush owners I know wrap them with net/plastic to maintain it's shape!

Any other ways you do to protect your investments?

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Askmewhats Version: "Smoked Purple for the Day" Look

After makeup class, I've been very busy with a lot of things so I haven't really been wearing much makeup lately. But how long does it really take to create a daytime smokey look? Not that long! :)

Here's my final look
And yes, you can work this out
on daytime!

Askmewhats' Diagram

Step 1:

Prior to e/s application, I drew MAC's Sharkskin Shadestick on the crease area as base.

Pat on Urban Decay's e/s in Last Call using a flat shader brush.

Step 2:

Using a blending brush, apply Urban Decay's e/s in perversion on the outer v and blend well. Making sure there's no harsh lines.

Step 3:

Using a bigger blending brush, apply any neutral e/s color on the brow bone area. I am using Bourjois' Beige Rose.

Step 4:

To make the eyes pop, apply a shimmery white e/s on the inner corner of the eyes. I am using Kate's Gradical eyes palette.

Step 5:

Tightline with Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Zero, apply the black liner all over the outer upper lashline and lower lashline.


Step 6:

Line the inner lower waterline with Urban Decay's Yeyo or any white eyeliner.

Apply 2 coats of your favorite mascara
I use both Cover girl Lash Blast
and Paul & Joe Curly Mascara
curled with Shu Uemura Eyelash curler

Final look :)



For the Face

Mineraux premium concealer Green Corrector
Mineraux Premium Foundation in Neutral Medium

I use my EDM Flat Top brush to lightly apply the green corrector all over the cheeks and forehead where redness are visible. Then buff on the foundation.

For the Cheeks

Mineraux Premium Bronzer in Beach Tan
Using my Charm blusher brush

For the Lips

Clinique Soft Shine Lipstick in Creamy Nude
Cover Girl Wetslicks Amazement in Toast-ed

And I'm ready
to face the world! :)

Smiles to everyone! :)
Have a wonderful day!
keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Askmewhats Reports: A Mission... Accomplished!

I got a mission:

"Be Stunning for a Steal"

It's a mission I don't say NO to. I may not be Tyra Banks "Queen of Cheap" but I'm definitely a PRO-saver! If I can purchase a product that really works for the least amount of money? Count me in!!!

Scroll down as you see me acquiring my targets! :)

First Stop:
Facials by Garnier

Whatever makeup you had on, you will be stripped off to a nude face! eeeeekkk! lol Started out cleansing my face with Garnier Brightening Scrub Wash, toned with Garnier Milky Lightening Dew, had a face mask called Whitening infusion tissue mask then lastly, moisturized my face with Garnier whitening peel cream. I am not fond of whitening products but since I'm there, I enjoyed the "me" time of relaxing facial :)

a photo of "someone" having her facial
Photo blurred to protect her identity LOL
FYI: That's not me! You know who you are girl!
I can blackmail you :P

I also had the chance to chat with
Garnier's Marketing Manager Ms. Barbara Ramos
Thanks for the warm welcome

Next stop?
*Looks left and right*
Goes for hair? Or makeover?

It's not even hard to choose!
I'll definitely go for the makeover!

Second stop:
Makeup by Maybelline

3 makeup stations with 3 Maybelline makeup artists line up for you to sit back, relax and be beautified!

Perfect timing!
Mr. Jim Ryan is open
to do my makeup!



Check out the
Maybelline products used

I like how he explained each and every step!
I opted for natural daytime look!
Sue me, but I love my daytime look! lol
*stop groaning!* :P

Jim with his light hands put on Maybelline's Clear Smooth Minerals Liquid Foundation with a stippling brush, and applied Clear Smooth Minerals Liquid Concealer on my undereyes and sides of the nose. Set it with a sponge using Clear Smooth Pressed powder.

The eyes, as I said earlier, I opted for a daytime look with the Glam! He used a blonde eyebrow pencil (too bad it's not available locally). We discussed about what's in for brows and it's definitely thick brows that's light in shade! Imagine Judy Ann Santos, Kris Aquino, Bea Alonzo eyebrows!

Using the eyestudio e/s quad, he wet the brush and applied using light strokes neutral shades! What makes my eyes pop is the new Vivid & Smooth Black Liner as he applied it all over the shape of my eyes and feather it out for smoked effect. Lashes....ahhh..what can you do with it? Jim used 2 mascaras and explained to me why they are saleable in our market! The Volum' Express Cat Eyes mascara is perfect for thin and sparse lashes like mine, use it to coat your lashes and finish up by applying another coat just the tips of the lashes with Unstoppable curly lash extension mascara to give out a vavoom effect! It works! I am starting to see my lashes!

The great thing? Maybelline's Sr. Product Manager, Ms. Michelle Fernandez, explained to me that Maybelline has lowered their prices but maintained the quality of each product sold in the market. I checked out the prices and I was amazed how affordable they are! Must purchase??? Mascara and their vivid eyeliners!

(And you think I would insert a final shot? Sorry I don't have any close up shots! Was too excited chatting with people!!!)

Third stop:
Hair by Matrix

I was able to meet Jr. Product Manager of Matrix, Mr. Dax Ocheda, and learned so much about the Matrix line! The Matrix line also includes my favorite BIOLAGE hair products. I am seriously glad we finally have Biolage here in our country. The first time I've tried Biolage, was from my friend in Canada. I had her purchase it for me and now, I don't need to! I can easily to go salons and purchase it! And the best thing? It's affordable! :)

George Aliben, did my hair using Matrix products. I've requested for a natural curl and leave everything up to him! :) I love surprises!

Here's my hair after 4 hours
eye makeup removed
Love how the curl lasted



Doesn't my hair remind you of ABBA?
I can't stop singing....
"Dancing queen, young and sweet
only seventeen...." lol

Optional stop:
Nails by Nail Spa

They do nail art!!! But I was told by Ms. Barbara to skip it as I have my nail art done already by myself! And they only do your finger nails, and since the line was quite long, I gave it a skip and went for snacks! :)

The snacks consists of some entrees
and loads of sweets from
Christine's Kitchen

Final stop:
Photo by Fabfoto
(you can click to enlarge)

I love how the event includes FabPhotos!
cheers to my blogger friends Shen and Kim!
Roanne was also there but didn't have the chance to chat with her!
*waves* Hi Roanne!

After this experience, I can say, YES at the stage of recession we can still look beautiful without spending so much! :)

Now here's my mission to you!
Try to look fab yourself,
and be stunning..for a steal!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: "Sliced Watermelon" Nails

Happy Monday!!!

I start off the week with a nail art tutorial! Although it's June and we had series of strong rains a couple of days ago, it's still summer as it's blazing hot down here!!!

That's where I thought of a Watermelon nails! I've seen a couple of watermelon nails and I wanted something different! I wanted slices of watermelon coming from all directions of my nails! It is fun to get out of dainty nails and go for fun nails!!! Hope you like my work of art...nah! :D

Step 1:
Protect your nails with a coat of base coat. Apply 2 coats of ELF Light Pink polish and let dry.

Step 2:
Draw a green curve line using a thin brush or the brush from the 2-way nail art pen. Go for different directions just like photo below :)

Step 3:
Draw a same thin white line on top of the green line. I am using L.A. Colors Art Deco Polish in white.

Step 4:
Using a pink/ reddish thin brush polish from the 2 way nail art pen collection. Draw a thicker curve (this will serve as the watermelon). Though this came out looking like candy canes!

Step 5:
Draw seed shape using black 2 way nail art pen.

Step 6:
Top with a thin glitter polish

Step 7:
Finish your work of art with your choice of top coat.

Summery Slices
of Fresh watermelon!
Ready for you to bite!
*winks*

Hope this refreshes your week!
Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!