Askmewhats Reviews: L'oreal Elseve Smooth Intense Anti-Frizz Mask

Great day friends!
I had a busy weekend but I'm glad I was able to rest up a bit and have a bit of "me" time. You want to know how my typical Sunday works? If I don't have any makeup gigs, I, as much as possible, stay at home, sleep in, eat anything I want, clean my toenails and fingernails and do some nail art. I also take the chance to take care of my poor "stressed" hair from a week long of blow-drying and styling!

What do I use to take care of my hair? Recently, I have been using

L'oreal Elseve Smooth Intensive
Anti-frizz mask

L'oreal Elseve Smooth-Intense Anti Frizz mask says ---

For dry, frizzy, rebelloius, difficult to manage hair: the new Elseve Smooth-intense Anti-Frizz Mask nourishes and smoothes your hair for maximum manageability.

Directions for use

After shampoo, squeeze out excess moisture.
Apply generously and leave for 1-2 minutes.
Rinses out easily


Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• affordable
• smells really good
• works as anti-frizz, my hair feels and looks better after several usage
• nice mousse-y texture, not too heavy to feel

Cons

• won't do much difference to your hair if you used the product once and left it on display
• a bit messy for lazy people (not me LOL)

Overall

The first time I've used this product, I find there's nothing special with this, I guess I'm never consistent with my hair care regimen. When I had my hair cut from Mr. Jeave Gabiana from the Basement Salon, he told me if I wanted to make the hair care products work, I have to make it consistent and leave it longer than what the product has been instructing. And not to forget, NEVER be stingy with the product application, use as much as your hair needed!

I've made a pact with my hair, I'll take care of it every weekend and I've used the L'oreal Elseve Anti-Frizz mask more than 5 times wrapping it with a cling wrap. My friends are seeing a huge difference! The tiny hair that goes up are now staying at the right places. I don't expect a super shiny hair as those of the shampoo commercial models but the "touch test" really makes a huge difference. My hair is more manageable and I don't use much of my flat iron lately as my hair stays where they belong! :D

Lucky people are born with beautiful hair!
For those unlucky ones like me! Beautiful hair can be achieved..
with perseverance, hardwork and passion!!!
And yes, I'm still talking about hair! :)

Tips (thanks to Mr. Jeave Gabiana from the Basement Salon for the wonderful tips)

• use spatula so you don't have to dig in your fingers
• use this every weekend, apply generously over hair including roots down to the tips
• massage it onto your scalp, be gentle
• wrap with a shower cap or a cling wrap
• leave it for at least an hour or even the whole afternoon if you've got nothing to do for the hair to absorb the product well (please read note below)
• did I say do this regularly??? At least once a week! Make it a habit!

NOTE:

Not all hair masks can be left longer than what the instructions states. If you bought a "professional" formula, PLEASE read and FOLLOW instructions! Salon formulated products are stronger than those for home use. It can burn your scalp so be careful!

Will I repurchase?

I seriously finished 2 tubs and I have 3 on stock!

Where can you purchase and how much?

At leading supermarket, Mercury drugstores for Php375.00 (approx $7.80)

Please click photo to enlarge
on how I use the product

After a month of usage
Used once a week
wrapped in more than 30minutes

Super layered cut done by:
Mr. Jeave Gabiana
from the Basement Salon

Recession really doesn't have to be a cause for us to leave our hair lifeless. There's always alternative to take care of our hair! Everyone, including me, would rather have this done in a salon! But not everyone have the money to spend for hair alone!

So let's kick that lazy butt and start taking some action!
You want better looking hair? You have to work for it :)
Have a wonderful week ahead!

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Chili's Grill & Bar Restaurant (Part Deux)

Happy Food Tripping day! :)

Chili's food tripping is mentioned Part Deux (Part 2) because for how long I've been blogging, this is the 2nd time we returned to the restaurant! Why? When we dine out with the family, we always try to steer away from unhealthy food especially my mom had to maintain her cholesterol level. Why in the world did we come back? Well better menu, better food choices! And it was my mom's birthday so just this once! lol

Classic Nachos
Php430.00 (approx $8.95)

Cheese, Jalapenos, Tomatoes, guacamole
and sourcream on nachos!
Perfect way to chat up while waiting for the main dishes

Kid Spaghetti & Crisper
Php195.00 (approx $4.00)

I seriously wouldn't mind eating this,
but this can only be served for kids 12yrs old and below!

Chicken Crispers
Php280.00 (approx $5.80)

Chicken breasts hand battered served
with Fries, corn and honey mustard dressing
My ultimate must order eventhough I'm allergic to Chicken!
one anti-histamine please!



Chili's CheeseSteak
Php340.00 (approx $7.00)

Philly's Cheese steak with grilled onion, bell peppers, swiss cheese
together with a huge serving of fries!



Grilled Pork Belly
Php375.00 (approx $7.80)

Grilled marinated Pork Belly served
with rice, vegetables and vinegar



Rosemary Chicken
Php350.00 (approx $7.30)

Grilled Chicken with rosemary spice
served with rice and vegetables!

My mom wasn't that in the mood for eating, it was understandable, but great staffs from Chili's sang a "Happy Birthday" song to my mom and I saw her eyes teared up! That was a moment I would treasure! :) Belated happy birthday mommy!

Chili's Grill & Bar Restaurant

2/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center
Makati City, Metro Manila

tel no: (632) 729-2862

199 Tomas Morato Ave.
cor. Sct. Fernandez
Quezon City, Metro Manila
tel no: (632) 372-5007

Greenhills Shopping Center
Missouri St. cor. Nevada St.,
Northeast Greenhills
San Juan, Metro Manila
tel no: (632) 727-1143

What's on your weekend food tripping menu?
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Be "FULL-y" happy!

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!