I Wonder: "What's the best Foundation for Mature Skin?"

Happy Saturday!!! I'm off to accompany my mom again for her weekly checkup!!! I hope her results are good and things will be better!

I have been very busy for a couple of weeks with make-up gigs for events (Thank you Lord for the chances), I enjoyed prettifying people!  Prettifying them is way better than myself!

As I was doing my usual makeup gig, a huge question popped into my head.  I know there's a lot of mature skin out there who feels left out because we always talk about foundation for Oily Skin, Dry Skin, Combination Skin.... now I'm dedicating this post to our mature-skinned friends worldwide!

I have to say, there's nothing wrong with mature skin, I am looking forward to know the best foundation (could be cream, liquid, powder, etc..) so when I get there, I know I will still look ooohhh-la-la-cious! lol

So my question for the week:

"What's the best foundation
for Mature Skin?"

If you ask me, I've done a couple of mature skin makeup and I've done a lot of trial and errors before I learn some tricks.

I want to thank my wonderful clients for being so nice, for permitting me to take their "before" and "after" shots. I want to say, natural look is still the best look for people of any age! :)

**photos are not-photoshopped

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: Ivoluxe Lipstick

Lipsticks --- I am allergic to lipsticks for most of my life! I've always been a gloss person because of my super dry lips! Moisturizing can never be written beside the word "lipstick".

Not until recently, when lipstick makers are taking into account the "dry lips" minority out there! THANK YOU!!!

My favorite lipstick for the week IVOLUXE Lipstick made by iNuovi, my shade is in FLIRT.

Friday=Flirt day *winks*

Ivoluxe Lipstick says ---

Moisturizing Intense Color for Lips.

Plump up your lips for a seductively full and luscious look with Ivoluxe lipstick. Intense and wet shine colors with 3D lip plumping complex glide onto lips like silk for a full and luscious effect. With nourishing Evening Primrose Oil, Squalene and Sweet Almond Oil.

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• non-drying
• glides onto lips easily
• the box stamps the manufacturing and expiration date, at least I don't have the guess the birthday of my lipstick!

• creates a wonderful shine but not over the top
• has so many shades to choose from! About 40 shades
• it does not only prettify the shade of your lips but it helps moisturize your lips like you're using a balm
• the shine gives an effect of a full lips
• packaging: nice and simple bullet looking packaging
  

Cons

• not available locally
• quite pricey
  

Overall

The texture of this lipstick reminded me of Maybelline Watershine Collagen Shimmer but this one from iNuovi is more subtle with the shine. The first time I visited the iNuovi counter in Sasa, Hong Kong I reached out for the Ivoluxe lipstick right away because they look so smooth and the shade choices are so pretty for my skintone. As soon as I swatched the different shades on my hand, I knew right away that I will have a great relationship with this lipstick!

And I am not disappointed! A pale pink lips is quite difficult to achieve without gloss! And putting on gloss on top of my lipstick makes my already big mouth looks even bigger! So finding a lipstick that I can use on its own without worrying cracks or dryness is a winner in my dictionary!

Tips

• I actually tried using this lipstick as a blush, it looks really subtle and pretty and it does not dry my cheeks.
• always store the lipstick in cool, dry place. Since these lipsticks are very moisturizing, it can melt easily
  
• ask a friend who lives in Malaysia, Singapore or Hong Kong to help you purchase.
  
• ask them to help you purchase when they are on sale! (yes, they do have a lot of sales)
  

Will I repurchase?

I'd love to! But til my next trip!

Where to purchase and how much?

At iNuovi website for USD 21.00 (approx Php1,000)

Here's a close up look on the shade Flirt
Flirt with flash looks like it has chunks of glitters
but they are very tiny and almost invisible
to the naked eye in person

Ivoluxe Lipstick swatched on hand
and on my lips
without lip balm or gloss!

Now should I include this in my favorite lippie stash?
To Flirt? or not to Flirt?
You tell me!

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: Easy Breezy Royalty Nails

Good morning everyone!!! My nail art of the week is fab and perfect!!!!
You know why?
Because I used stickers! LOL I had my nails done in a salon because my nails are growing weird, after having my once in a month manicure and pedicure, I chose a nail art design to brighten the gloomy and rainy week.

Turn your head upside down
that's a king's crown :)

Step 1:

Apply 2 coats of your choice of polish color. I chose Golden Pink from Bobbie Polish.

Step 2:

Making sure the 2 coats of your polish are dry, choose a nail art sticker you'd like to use. I chose my "Royalty" stickers.

Step 3:

Folding the stickers to make sure the edge pops out, I use a tweezer to carefully pick up the stickers.

Step 4:

Stick it straight to your desired location and angel.

Press the sticker using your fingers to make sure all sides of the stickers are intact.

Continue doing so for the rest of your nails

Step 5:

Apply a top coat or clear polish to protect the stickers.

Easy Breezy Royalty Nails!
Now this is perfect to those
who cannot draw their own nails!

Have a wonderful day!
Have you used stickers on nails lately?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: MAC 169 Angled Blush Brush

Happy Wednesday everyone! How's the week treating you? I hope it's all great and in just a couple of days, weekend is coming! Isn't life good?

I have a lot of blush brushes, but I've always been wanting to own MAC168, when opportunity knocks for me to purchase a somewhat MAC168-looking brush in the body of MAC169, I said..."Baby, come to momma!"

I've had this brush for months now! Do I sing along with the Big Mountain's "Oohh Baby I Love Your Way"? Or Madonna's..."Now I'm almost....over...you"??? (I am giving you the last song syndrome right? hahaha)

Let's read on my review
while you sing along :P

MAC 169 says ---

Angled for precision, this brush is specially designed for the application or blending of face or cheek product.

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• very soft
• synthetic - yay for animal lovers!
• no shedding, even 1 single hair!
• the brush hair color is better looking than the white ones! Can you imagine how it breaks our hearts to see white bristles getting stained? *ouch*
• right amount of firmness
  
• for first time contour: this is a great brush as it does not pick up a lot of color so mistakes won't look too obvious!
• no yucky scent!
  

Cons

• does not pick up the blush pigments or powder pigments as much as the natural hair brushes
  
• not available in the market anymore as this is a limited edition brush
• there are other synthetic blush brush available in the market that can work just as well
  

Overall

To those who don't remember, the Raquel Welch collection which was launched around February 2007 looks like this ---

Who is Raquel Welch?

Rachel Welch is a stunning Bolivian-Irish American actress and played a lot of classic films. She also published a Total Beauty and Fitness Program book in mid 80's. Yeah..I don't remember her! LOL She does look gorgeous though!

As you click to enlarge the Rachel Welch Collection above, you'll find that the MAC 169 Angled Blush Brush is part of the limited collection. Limited collection sucks big time if you like the product so much and you just can't seem to turn back time to purchase more!

But will you really be in pain not to own this brush?

Nah! You'll live! As long as MAC 168 is around, you'll be fine!

What's the difference with MAC 168 and 169?

MAC 168 is made of animal hair while MAC 169 is on the synthetic side. As seen on photo, MAC168 is fluffier with a buffed edge which makes it easier to apply blush or contouring powder.

MAC 169 is not a bad blush brush, it feels very soft and it distributes color quite nicely and evenly and it always gives out a softer look.

Tips

• personal choice: like what I do to all my MAC brushes, I swipe the MAC brush number with a clear polish for the numbers not to smudge or goes invisible

• better to protect this brush with a brush guard, if you own one, so the hairs on the edges won't go to different directions.
• always wash your brushes with baby shampoo and sanitize with alcohol or brush cleanser to kill bacteria.
  

Will I repurchase?

Not available anyways, but if given the chance to purchase again? NO, I am still eyeing MAC's 168.

Where to purchase and how much?

Cannot be found at MAC stores as this is limited edition. Bought this from a seller who bought this from the US at a good price of Php1,200 (approx $25.00) <-- not bad, so I don't really feel bad purchasing this! If you really want to own a similar brush, MAC168 is a good alternative, or even better!

Up close and personal with
MAC 169 Angled Blush Brush

Take a look into your brush collection, any similar brushes you use that works just as well?
or even better? I'm sure you have at least one! :)

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

The Charm Mid-Year Brush Sale

Dear Philippine Readers:

Another sale for beauties who want to own something pretty and nice but doesn't have to pay too much!

It's not too much to ask right?

I'm glad Beauty & Minerals listened!

As a gratitude to loyal customers and those newbies in makeup who wants to own quality brushes, click on the banner to go to their site and start shopping! :)

Let me know how you feel about their brushes! I've used them and so far...I'm loving them!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Other Charm brushes that AMW tried ---
Charm Retractable Kabuki
Charm Duo Fiber Brush