Askmewhats Reviews: Maybelline's Vivid & Smooth Liners

After wondering "What's the best eyeliner pencil for my readers", It's time for me to share my thoughts on pencil eyeliners I own. I seriously do not have a lot but I have a couple on my plate for reviews, those I have are the ones that were talked about...eyebrows raised at! They are hot in the news!

Vivid & Smooth Liner in Forest Green and Dark Purple

Vivid & Smooth Liner says ---

Introducing Maybelline's Eye Studio Vivid & Smooth Liner - it glides smoothly on the lids while its cream based formula gives instant color in just one stroke. Perfect for a long day at work or night out on the town, Vivid & Smooth liners are made to last - waterproof, smudgeproof and long-wearing. This easy to use liner can also double as an eyeshadow, providing instant stunning color

in 6 vivid shades:
Black
Brown
Dark Purple
Ocean Blue
Forest Green
Pearl White

Askmewhats says ---
Pros

• very smooth and creamy, does not tug the lids
• VERY pigmented, one stroke definitely is enough
• colors are wonderful!
  
• inexpensive compared to other brands that are comparable with quality
  
• upper lashline - smudgeproof, waterproof, long wearing
• the packaging looks expensive! love it
• the exact color of the eyeliner is seen on the pencil! Easier to grab when you're in a hurry

Cons

• doesn't stay on waterline for long, only approximately 2-3 hours (but what the heck? It's so inexpensive you wouldn't even care!)
• if you are like a dog (like me) "arf arf!" -- who loves to sniff on products, this has a "crayon" scent, if it bothers you, it's a con, but it doesn't bother me!
  

Overall

Remember AMW report on "Be Stunning for a Steal" event that took place last month? I had a great makeover from Maybelline's makeup artist Mr. Jim Ryan and when he pulled out the Vivid & Smooth liner, I thought he was pulling out a different brand! Seriously, it looks so professional and so "un-drugstore looking" pencil! He showed me swatches on the liner at the back of his hand and I totally forgot about the makeover but was focused on trying to steal his liners! *just joking*!!!

I chose a simple black color as I wanted to test the shade, black eyeliners that goes crazy on me, anyone could give a mental institution a call and tie me up with a straight jacket!

I took the risk! Had vivid & smooth black liner on both upper and lower lids and I took a cab home! (After almost an hour of stress, traffic, the sun shining straight on my face and being paranoid when people from the other cars took a look at me)

I got home, I took a good look at myself on the mirror...

Upper lashline: No smudge, no budge, PERFECT!
Waterline: the liner was gone
Lower lashline: has some smudging but the color was still there, this can easily be fixed by wiping it with a cotton bud.

I have tried other Maybelline eyeliners in the past. This is seriously the best they've got to offer! And the price is seriously affordable!
Tips

• if you are living in a hot and humid country like mine! And you are going for a full eyeliner (whatever brand) always carry along cotton buds on your makeup pouch to wipe the little smudges on the lower lash line! It helps rather than using your fingers as it's harsh on your eyes!
  
• if you want this to stay super long! Purchase an eye sealant
• for lower lashline: pat on the liner with a similar e/s color or setting powder to "set" the eyeliner and prevent it from furthe smudging
• if you plan to use this for e/s, smudge the liner right away after application with a smudger brush or pencil brush
  
• in a hurry for work or school? Line your eyes with colored Vivid & Smooth liners and you're ready to go!
  

Will I repurchase?

YES!
Where can you purchase and how much?

On Maybelline counters for Php359.00 (approx $7.50)

Here are visual aids for you to decide for yourself
if the new pencil liners from Maybelline are worth it or not! :)

Swatched on hand for
Dark Purple and Forest Green

Let's say I cried like a faucet! lol
I wet it with running water, no rubbing
The liner didn't run it didn't budge



Rubbing test
(left photo: rubbed more than 5 times going downwards, the first rub didn't budge the liner
right photo: rubbed my hands like there's no tomorrow! )

I love it that the color disappeared rather than smearing all over my hands! This is only for the purpose of experiment, no sane person would rub their eyes as hard as I did on my hand.

You want to know how it looks like on the naked eye? No eye primer, no eyeshadow! Applied them on both upper and lower lashline including waterline. You can click to enlarge and look closely that the liner doesn't like my waterline area, it must be my "anime watery eyes" lol

I hope this review is helpful for those who's planning to start up on makeup! You don't have to go for colors, you can always start with the usual blacks and browns! If you're used to eyelining your eyes, that's the best time to explore on other shades!

Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be glad to answer them in the best of my "superwoman" abilities! lol No superwoman costume ok?

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!
Happy weekend!

Mineraux Skin Perfecting Minerals Beach Tan Bronzer Review

A month ago, my favorite blush for the week was Mineraux's Beach Tan Bronzer. After more than a month...how do I feel about this?

It's AMW Revisits time and I'm happy to say, it hasn't left my "favorite" list! It's actually still on top! Read on for my review!

Mineraux Beach Tan Bronzer says ---

Finely-milled mienrals that are highly pigmented and provide a warm, sheer and natural finish.

Ingredients: Sericite, Titanium Dioxide, Silk Powder, Magnesium Stearate and Iron Oxides

Ingredients imported from USA and Canada. Packaged and perfected in the Philippines

Work Look 1: "Clinique's Strawberry Fudge" Look

Happy Thursday everyone! :)

A reader once told me that she's tired of the usual "brown" look, she loves to put on make up for work but she wants it to be "office friendly" without the boring feel!

I'm introducing, a WORK LOOK series that incorporates the boring browns added some twists! Work can get too boring, but your looks shouldn't! :)

Sweet Bronzey Work Look

AMW Diagram

Prior to step 1:

If you don't have oily lids and e/s stays on you, you don't need to prime your lids daily especially if you work in an air conditioned environment.

Step 1:

Using Clinique's Strawberry Fudge Colour Surge e/s duo, pat on the pink e/s with gold specks all over the inner thirds of the eye using the free sponge applicator.

Note: Using a sponge applicator and patting the e/s makes the color more vibrant

Step 2:

Using my Ecotools big blending brush, apply NYX Latte Foam on the outer crease area blending it inwards. Make sure to blend in harsh lines. Redo step 1 if needed.

Step 3:

Using a smaller crease brush, apply Prestige Surrey's palette darkest brown on the outer v to deepen the look of the crease.

Step 4:

Wipe your Ecotools fluffy brush with wet wipes, use Prestige Surrey Palette's lightest shade as highlight. Apply the inner corner of the eyes to make the eyes pop.

Step 5:

You don't need heavy looking eyes for work look, so use an eyeliner pencil instead of the gel liners or liquid liners. Applly Lancome's Le Crayon Khol Noir on the upper lashline extending the line a bit to create a livelier eyes.

For the waterline, use Urban Decay's 24/7 Yeyo to brighten the eyes and apply Lancome's Le Crayon Khol Noir on the lower lashline and smudge a bit with a pencil brush.

Apply 1-2 coats of mascara
I used Lancome's Oscillation mascara

I do skip the eyelash curling step if I use this mascara
Very helpful as we're always in a rush for work



Fill in your brows and take a look
before you leave for work! :)



The look is quite simple, doesn't look too made up but it has a hint of gold shimmer
that screams "I am alive and kicking for work!" :D


What's the rest of my work face?

(Special thanks to Liz for the Finbaaa Mascot!
Love it!!! So cute!
She also sent me a wonderful post card from Dublin
and some nice makeup for her blog anniversary! MUWAH :x)

Ellana Foundation in French Vanilla
buffed with EDM Flat Top Brush



For the cheeks:

Paul & Joe Face Color no. 8 topped with
The Body Shop's Mineral Blush in Warm Copper



For the Lips:

Kiehl's Lip Balm hue no. 58B
Lined my lips with MAC's Lipliner in Gingerroot
NYX Round Lipstick in Herades



All you need to do is SMILE
and forget about traffic,
sleepiness,
work stress....
wait, I'm starting to lose my smile!*laughs*

Will do the next work look soon! :)
Thanks for entrusting me with the work look request!
If you're unsure, rule of the thumb...
Always be Comfortable with whatever you have one!
and don't forget to...
Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: Bling Bling Nails

I am starting to enjoy rhinestones on my nails! The blings are in! I feel like I'm getting rich every minute! Do I lose the rhinestones before the end of the week? No, it can go for months! And I do wash my hair, wash the dishes and do the regular chores.

Did you know that?
You just have to press the rhinestones well so it gets embedded to the nail polish and always finish up with a top coat!

Step 1:

Apply a base coat prior to nail polish application. Apply 2 coats of your base polish. I am using The Face Shop's Shimmer Pink (old bottle)

Step 2:

Draw a vertical line of dark purple ELF polish. This does not have to be perfect .

Tip:

You can wet your cotton buds with acetone and wipe those that got into the skin! Checkout the direction on how I remove excess polish.

Step 3:

Using L.A. Art Deco in Silver, apply a thin line in between the dark purple polish and the base polish. This will cover line imperfections!

Step 4:

Press rhinestones, I alternate pink and blues! (click photo to enlarge)

Step 5:

Apply your favorite top coat to protect the rhinestones and nail art!

Now that is easy right?
Come on! Give it a try! You know you can do it!
I call the 'DA BLING BLING NAILS!

You can actually add more rhinestones if you've got longer nails!

If you don't have the rhinestones, you can always stop after the vertical lines created! Simplicity is still beauty! :) Do take time to be creative with those nail art designs! Care to show me yours?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Stay finger lickin' good! NAH LOL

Salon Report: Univers Kaizen Salon Hair Color

It has been weeks since I last colored my hair and I just had the chance to write about it!

First of all, I want to thank the wonderful people of Univers Kaizen Salon. It was a lovely experience and I enjoyed how they treated my hair like a separate individual! Ms. Mary Ann Orca consulted me first on what color I prefer. I told her I am into "natural" NOT "Hey! I dyed my hair"look"! She patiently explained to me that Matrix ColorPro Copper Brown would work well on my skintone, I'm glad I listened.

The salon offers Hair Color using Matrix products. Ms. Mary Ann colored the regrowth first, left it for approximately 15 minutes, then went on to color the scalp. I found myself looking freaked out! Who wouldn't if you look like this?

(sorry for the blurry photos,
I forgot to bring my camera)

After approximately half an hour of coloring my regrowth and scalp area. They proceeded with coloring the rest of my hair! And I got a wonderful back massage and tea! I don't mind staying there for more than an hour! Wonderful ambiance, magazines to read (I actually learned so much about showbiz gossip as I was reading the entertainment magazines), hair wash with Biolage treatment that left my scalp minty fresh, relaxed back and....