Reader's Corner: "Eye Concealer for Camera Ready!"

Question:

"Nikki, how do I apply concealer that would look great not only in person but also on photos?"

Askmewhats Answers:

First of all, thanks to my readers who have been emailing me and leaving a comment on cbox for this query. It feels good that people look up to you for advise eventhough I myself have been struggling darkness and puffiness for the longest time.

Here are the long term solutions:

1. Use a good eye cream
2. Sleep early

But of course, there short term solutions that can be done using makeup! With the right makeup application, we cannot totally erase puffiness and darkness but we can minimize them, you don't need to purchase 10 concealers or powder just to conceal your darkness, here's my simple advise for all you "cute Pandas" out there! :D

Things needed:

1. cream/liquid/powder concealer, depending on what you're comfortable with! (Note: make sure the concealer you use is either the same shade of your face or a bit darker, NEVER use lighter concealer as it enhances your puffiness even more)
   
2. a nice taklon/concealer brush, size depends on your preference
3. your clean fingers
4. a setting powder: could be with shade or translucent
   

Step 1:
Use your preferred primer and foundation prior to concealer application making sure to include foundation application on the eye area.

Step 2:
Choose any available concealer you have, choose the shade that's closest to your face color or you can go a bit darker. (you can set the darker concealer with a light setting powder afterwards to even out the tone)

**Dollface Concealer palette

Step 3:
Apply generously all over the undereye area, starting from the inner corner brushing outwards. Please do this gently!

Step 4:
Since concealers could be a bit dry at times, especially if you have dry skin, use your fingers to slowly do a rolling motion under the eye area including above the eye. Better to use the wring finger for less pressure.

Step 5:
Pat on setting powder of your choice. Could be powder foundation for heavier coverage. I am using MAC's Select Sheer Foundation in NC15. patting on all over the eye area including the face.

Note: Pat! Do not RUB!

Stand back in front of the mirror
and check your reflection before you leave the room!
Always make sure your room has ample lighting :)



Here's before and after shot of my concealed eyes!
You are ready for photos and it doesn't look like
you have a white starch on the under eye area!

I hope my simple tutorial helps you out!
Thanks for the query and I apologize for taking such a long time to do this request!
Keep the request coming and I'll do the best I can to help you gals out :)

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Pandas are cute! :D

I Wonder: "What's Your Favorite Scent for Your Guy?"

Happy Friday everybody! Aren't you happy that God created weekends? I know I am :)

This whole week has been productive for me, full of product reviews right? So before the week ends, I have a question to ask my readers because I seriously love all your comments and answers and you gals don't know this, but you help me big time on my next purchases! So *big hugs* and thanks to all.

My I wonder moment gears to the men in our lives. It doesn't have to be our significant others, could be answerable by anyone who's got "men" in their lives...could be their dads, grandpas, brothers, boy-friends or friends who are boys! :P

I myself loves my man to have fragrance that would make my nostrils sing songs with praises! (I wonder how that looks like! hahahha) My hubby doesn't own a lot of fragrances but those that he collects are 101% thumbs up from me! My favorite "man fragrance" for the month?

Giorgio Armani

Attitude Extreme

The packaging itself appeals both to me and the man of my life! And I swear, the scent is just perfect for my husband's personality, it's manly but never overwhelming! It doesn't hurt as well that the scent lasts whole day long!

Now, I seriously wonder...
"What's Your Favorite Scent for the man of your life?"
or if you're a guy reading this...
"What's Your Favorite Scent?"
I'd love to know! It'll be fun to have idea what's my hubby's next fragrance
from lovely recommendations from YOU :)

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!
Stay sweet smelling!

Askmewhats Reviews: Mineraux Skin Perfecting Minerals Green Corrector

Happy Thursday everyone!

This is the last Mineraux product (for now) that I will review, I enjoyed my Mineraux experience so far and I am seriously impressed with their products and I have a feeling they'll go a long way!

Green correctors. A lot of my clients asked me why I'm using green correctors on them...I know a lot of you beauties know the answer! Green concealers are used to correct "redness", sometimes, even people with the best skin do suffer redness, either from pimples...allergies etc...

I have mostly allergies that pops in and out! Just to make sure I don't have the "flushed" look the whole day, I do use green correctors depending on my mood. Using a cream green corrector daily is a bit of a hassle, I want something, fast...easy and of course..inexpensive!

That's when Mineral Green Correctors come in handy!

Mineraux Green Corrector says ---

CORRECTORS: Finely-milled minerals that provide complete coverage in problematic areas

Green: Combats redness caused by acne, rashes, or pricking. Often used after laser treatments and chemical peels to reduce redness.

Contains: Sericite, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Boron Nitride, Iron Oxide and Silk Powder

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• does minimize redness
• a little goes a long way
• gives out a nice matte look
• stays the whole day
  

Cons

• for dry skin: This may further dry out your skin
• a bit messy compared to cream/liquid correctors
  

Overall

I own a couple of mineral green correctors from different mineral companies. I found myself reaching out for the Mienraux Skin Perfecting Green Corrector because this seriously goes a long way for just a tiny amount.

If you're wondering if I'll look like "The Incredible Hulk" right after application? NO.. it actually looks natural after buffing it into my skin.

Tips

• use a flat brush to buff a little amount of green corrector all over face (I like this application better)
• if your skin is on the dry side like mine: Make sure to moisturize your face well before application
• spot correct redness: use a taklon concealer brush, and tap on the green corrector gently on the redness
• never use this alone, always buff on mineral foundation for a more even and smooth coverage
• use this together with mineral powder foundation, never liquid foundation
• contour your face or apply a nice blush to make your face lively, as using a green corrector over your foundation makes your face "boring"
  

Will I repurchase?

Yes, this is my daily corrector.

Where to purchase and how much?

At Mineraux website for
30g jar: Php 600 (approx $12.50)
20g jar: Php 500 (approx $10.42)
10g jar: Php 330 (approx $6.88)
5g jar Sampler: Php 180 (aprox $3.75)

Here's to show you the "greeness" of this green!

I usually have redness on:
1. sides of the nose
2. forehead area
3. cheeks (due to allergies)

Mineraux Skin Perfecting Minerals Green Corrector
buffed all over face with EDM Flat Top Brush
Applied Mineraux Mineral Foundation

You can actually see on photo how "matte" and clean my face looks!
Now my face is ready for blush and eye makeup application!
Now that's what I call a clean canvass! :)

Do you ever use green correctors?
Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair

I have been non-stop complaining about my dry skin, and you know what? I've realized that I've got no one to blame but myself. I have been inconsistent with my body lotion application recently and I'm starting to get flaky skin again!

I suddenly remembered the Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair from my dear friend Toma, I think I won her giveaway early this year! Thanks to her, I am repurchasing a bigger size of this!


Lubriderm says ---

Help rough, dry skin heal itself with LUBRIDERM® Intense Skin Repair Body Lotion. This unique formula, with HydraRelease™ technology, provides 24 hours of continuous moisture and strengthens skin's moisture barrier for softer, smoother, healthier skin.

• Helps repair rough, dry skin
• 24-hour moisturization with time-release technology
• Strengthens skin's moisture barrier for soft, smooth skin
  

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Sodium Behenoyl Lactylate, Synthetic Wax, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Tri- PPG-3 Myristyl Ether Citrate, Propylene Glycol , Diazolidinyl Urea, Sorbityl Laurate, Glyceryl Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Triethanolamine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Fragrance, Polysorbate 80, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• has a slight hint of clean scent, non-overpowering
• relieves skin itchiness
  
• great for sensitive skin
• light and non-greasy
• goes on smooth and gets absorbed to the skin easily
• very moisturizing!
  

Cons

• can't seem to find one for now
  

Overall

If not only because of the other lotions I own, I would stick to this without any problem! I actually have a lot of favorite moisturizing lotion for the moment and this definitely is included in my list of "favorites!" <--- can I say "Moisturites?" lol If there's such a word..this is definitely a MOISTURITE of mine!

I love that the scent is not overpowering and I love that it can really relieve my dry skin. I may not suffer eczema like other people but when my dry skin attacks, it itches like crazy and I can swear that too much scratching can give me the bad rashes! This really helps relieve my skin big time and if you look at the above photo closely, I finished up the tube already and I took a photo of it with NOTHING inside!!!

Yes, it's worth the price and yes, Our Skin Is Worth It!!!

Tips

• apply 2x a day, morning and night
• rough heels? Apply generously all over your feet and wear socks to sleep
• apply on damp skin after shower
  

Will I repurchase?

Yes!

Where to purchase and how much?

At specialty stores at Greenhills (ex. Adam's) or some supermarket who sells imported stuffs for approx Php1,000 (approx $21.00) for the LARGE size with pump around 16oz.

Here's a tiny pea amount of
Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair Lotion

Rub gently on hand
see how light the texture is

You can click photo to enlarge
to see the moisturized area of my skin!

Since I'm done with this! And I am sure I am loving this! I am currently using the Korress Body Butter from lovely Cris. And as early as now, I can say the Korress Body Butter is also part of my "Moisturite"!

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: Lancôme Oscillation Mascara

Mascara, mascara...
how much I need thee
but how lazy I am to use thee...
When fairy godmother waved her mascara wand...
ahem...Oscillating Mascara Wand...
I have to take a closer look...
and give it a try...will it be happily ever after for me and my lashes?

Lancôme Oscillation says ---

7000 oscillations per minute

Press the button and experience a breakthrough sensation in application. In one easy new gesture, let the vibrating brush combined with an exquisitely smooth formula wrap every lash up to 360°.

Instantly see a fascinating gaze: lashes appear ultimately extended, remarkably separated, and virtually multiplied in number.

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• love the size of the brush, perfect for my lashes

• as compared to other oscillating mascaras: I love that I have control on the on and off switch
  
• no more wiggling
• I find this perfect to use on other people especially clients who have very short lashes, I don't need to wiggle much which may cause mascara to be scattered all over her eye area.
• because of it's nice length, I don't even need to curl the lashes especially on mature clients who hates eyelash curling.
  
• lengthen the lashes, curls it even without using the curler
  

• no smudging
• the wand is not too wet as compared to other mascaras
• I seriously love the brush of this mascara! It's perfect for my lashes!
  

Cons

• battery died down on me in less than 3 months :(
• battery super difficult to remove
  
• pricey as compared to other mascaras
• clumps a bit (but this can be fixed by brushing my lashes again with a lash comb)

Overall

Did I ever tell you I'm a lazy mascara user? I can easily go through full makeup and forget about putting on mascara...I know I know...don't blame me..it's just..me!

Ever since I started using the Lancôme Oscillating Mascara, using mascara daily is something I look forward as I'm enjoying the "ticklish" sensation on my lashes and how much it lengthen my non-existent lashes. Come to think of it, the reason why I'm lazy to put on mascara is because I'm lazy to curl my lashes! And using this mascara can let me get away without curling my lashes which is a plus factor! :)

The only downside? I don't know why but the battery of my Oscillating Mascara died down just this morning and I haven't even used it daily and it's definitely less than 3 months :( Sadness!


Tips

• no need to wiggle, just apply starting from roots slowly going to the tips
• apply 2-3 coats as many as you like depending on the "type" of lashes you want
• if you still find that this mascara clumps your lashes, use a mascara comb and gently comb your lashes through...perfect de-clumping method!
• if your battery died down same as mind, you can purchase LR44 battery.

Will I repurchase?

If this mascara is on discount! (yes, cheapo Nikki strikes again)

Where to purchase and how much?

At Lancôme Boutique Greenbelt 5 for Php1,995 (approx $42.00)

A close up look at the on & off button

Thanks to the hubby
Here's to show you
how to change the battery

Do you think your lashes are worth oscillating?
Or would you go for regular mascara?
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!