Askmewhats Reviews: MAC Blot Powder Pressed

How's everybody on a mid-week?

Surviving?
I know I am! If you read my twitter, I broke my nail! "OUCH!!!" and I had quite a stressful day yesterday so I am praying to have better day today!

MAC has always been famous for their Studio Fix Powder Foundation, Studio Fix Foundation or Mineralize Satin Finish... MAC's Blot Powder Pressed didn't have the chance to shine! Some doesn't even know this product exist as the packaging looks almost identical as the Studio Fix Sister! Wait till you see the MAC Select Sheer! It just gets so confusing at times especially inside the traincase!

MAC Blot Powder Pressed says ---

A unique pressed powder designed primarily to provide shine control without adding any noticeable color or texture. Sets foundation, finishes faces. For use in professional situations and for frequent touch-ups. Blot Powder contains Mica and Silica to adsorb excess oils and reduce shine on the skin's surface. Can be applied with the puff that comes in the compact or with a powder brush like #129 Powder/Blush Brush. Perfect for touching up Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation throughout the day.

net wt: 12g

Available shades: Light, Medium, Medium Dark, Dark and Deep Dark

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• non messy compared to loose setting powder
• does remove shine
• does not create a heavy feel, perfect for retouching
• great packaging, easy to take along
• feels too light, doesn't feel like you have anything on!
• you may think at first glance that this is expensive, but this is actually cheaper than retouching using your foundation! A little goes a long way and its not powdery and products aren't wasted!
  

Cons

• don't like the puff
• for super sensitive skin: this product could break you out, so please be cautious with products you use!
  

Overall

If you are heavy on retouching but don't like to pile on foundation more than 2x a day, this is for you! I find that using the blot powder pressed never cakes the foundation and never changes the coverage of the foundation you use. I love using this to gently pat on the nose and forehead of clients (which oils the most) and it creates a matte, clean finish.

Yes, its perfect for oily skinned, what about dry skinned sistahs like myself?

This actually works as retouching is difficult for dry skin as the skin tends to flake! With the MAC's Blot Powder, I can easily brush on the "oily" area like the sides of my nose, my forehead and everything will turn out clean and grease-free!

I find it a bit hard to choose shades though as the powders look almost invisible on most! So I advise to request for SA to apply this all over your face, wait...and go out on natural light and check it out if it casts a grayish or whitish tone.

Tips

• if you don't need coverage and wants the "no oil" feel? use this alone!
• throw the puff away, it can create a germ community! Use a brush instead
  
• if you have super oily skin, make sure to blot your face first with a blotting paper or paper napkin to remove excess oil, to prevent pore blockage
• for mature clients/dry skinned clients: NO need to use this!
• though blot powders may look/sound invisible, you would still need to test on the product all over your face before purchasing, it still has a hint of shade so your face could get lighter or darker without you knowing it!
• if you own Studio Fix, Blot Powder and Select Sheer, the packaging will confuse you! So if you may, you can put on label or stickers to remind you of which is which! If you own a special Heatherette or Hello Kitty compact, you can depot it!
  

Will I repurchase?

Yes, perfect for touch ups especially on makeup gigs.

Where to purchase and how much?

At local MAC counters for Php1,200 (approx $25.00)

Here's Medium Dark

A close up shot of the puff



Medium dark without flash

Medium dark with flash

What do you use for retouch?
Have you tried MAC's Blot Powder?
Do you even know it exists?
I seriously didn't know until my HongKong trip! lol

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Stay oil free!

Nail Art Tutorial: "Creative Girly" Nails

Happy Morning everyone! Now, didn't Monday passed by quickly??? Oopsss, I believe it's still Monday for the other side of the world! But hey, cheer up!!! It's almost over! :)

Gosh, I sound like I'm in a chirpy mood eh?

I actually am NOT! Allergies are crawling back haunting me the whole week! I am just staying positive or I'll grow an extra hand to scratch myself all over! Not a good sight!

If you see me scratchin', at least I am proud to say I am scratching with great looking Nails! LOL Where did that come from???

Here's my nails for the week!
I've cut my nails short, and short nails can still do nail art!
I am proving a point here! :D

Step 1:
Apply base coat prior to nail polish application. Apply 2 coats of Sally Hansen's Purple Power nail polish. Let dry.

Step 2:

Using ELF's polish in Bubblegum Pink, draw diagonal lines in different directions on each nail. You can be creative! It's your nails! Own it!

Step 3:

Using L.A. Colors Art Deco polish in Red, draw a thin line, same direction as the pink polish.

I added a white line on the ring fingers

Step 4:

Draw dots using my White Nail Art Pen. Again use your creativity

Step 5:

Draw flower on some portions of your nails and apply rhinestones.

Step 6:

Apply glittery polish. I am using Caronia's Silver Glitter.

Step 7:

Apply your choice of top coat (I am using Sally Hansen's Base and Top Coat) to prevent the nail art from disappearing or rhinestones from getting lost!

Now you own sweet looking nails! :)

How does your nails look like this week?
Bare? Or colored?
Keep smilin' Stay happy!

Work Look 3: "Healthy Glow" Look

Happy Monday people of the world! :) I will start the week with my 3rd version of a work look. "Healthy Glow" look, no matter how gloomy the weather could be, it doesn't give us the reason to look gloomy! There's always ways for us to exude a healthy "glow" in us.

Hope you like this! And let's all start the week right :)

AMW Diagram

Step 1:
Prior to e/s application, apply your preferred e/s base. I am using Benefit's Lemon Aid. Using a flat shader brush, I pat on NYX's Yellow Marigold on the crease area going a bit beyond the crease.

Step 2:
On the same area you pat on the NYX's Yellow Marigold, pat on NYX's Chrome e/s in Gold using a patting motion to create shimmery lids everytime you blink.

Step 3:
Using any blending brush, apply Prestige's e/s in the 2nd color on photo or any "goldish" e/s tone on the outer v area to create depth. Re-apply if needed to reach desired shade.

Step 4:
Line the uppper and lower lashline with Urban Decay's 24/7 liner in Bourbon and use any eyelining brush to smudge the liner well.

Fill in your brows with your eyebrow powder/pencil
I am using P&J eyebrow pencil no. 2
Applied 2 coats of mascara using
Clinique's High Impact Mascara in Black



Here's how your work look no. 3 :)



How do I create overall healthy glow for the face?



For the face:
P&J Creamy Foundation no. 30
using foundation brush




Set my foundation with MAC's Select Sheer
in NC15


For the Cheeks:
Apply Stila Illuminating Bronzer
on the apples of cheeks
Eyeko 5-1 as highlighter
using Devi Blush Brush



For the Lips:
NYX Round Lipstick
in Herades



Curl your hair and smile!
You're living in a tropical island!

What's your work look for the day?
Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Amici

Weekend food tripping is fun! It was actually a food tripping on weeknight with my college friends! We met up as a friend is a stewardees and we try to meet up every time she has a stopover here in Manila!

We dined at Amici! Amici is known for its wonderful Italian food at an affordable price! The first time I dined in this restaurant was at their original Don Bosco School Branch with my colleagues. This is just my 2nd time to come back and I'm loving the experience!

Al Quattro Formaggi

Php290.00 (approx $6.00)

If you are a cheese lover, this 4 types of cheeses pizza
would tickle your tastebuds!

Tutta Carne
Php290.00 (approx $6.00)

8 slices of meat lover's delight!

Italian sausage, ham and pepperoni

Cannelloni Agli Spinaci

Php195.00 (approx $4.00)

An Amici classic favorite!

Pasta tubes filled with spinach and ricotta cheese

topped with creamy tomato sauce

I seriously love this! This taste different from my regular pasta galore

but it's something I am looking forward to eat agani!

Spaghetti Alla Carbonara

Php185.00 (approx $3.85)

Spaghetti pasta tossed in creamy white sauce

with Parmesan cheese and bacon bits

Here are my lovely college friends! We meet at least 3 times a year for 8 years now! People do come and go in our lives but good friends remain! I am grateful to have them in my life to help me go sane or INSANE! :)

Here's our Senior University years!
Almost graduating!
Can you find me? LOL

Have a wonderful weekend food tripping!
With your family, friends or loved ones!
Any food tastes great with good companions! :)

Amici Branches

Missouri Square, Missouri cor.
Connecticut St., Greenhills
San Juan City, Metro Manila

tel: 632-818-4444

Don Bosco School, A.Arnaiz cor. C. Roces
Makati City, Metro Manila
tel: 632-818-4444

Bellagio Square, T. Morato cor. Sct. Fuentebella
Quezon City, Metro Manila
tel: 632-818-4444

SM Megamall
ATRIUM

keep smilin'
stay happy!

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