Askmewhats Reviews: La Mer "The Essentials"

At long last, I've finished writing my La Mer experience post! This is one of those more difficult reviews to do as a human being, you can't help but think that expensive products will definitely work! So after putting that thought aside (which isn't easy) I'm finally ready to give my ultimate review!

I have to say though that this review is based on my experience, what you read is what you get :) I have to stress again that my skin is sensitive, dry, mostly exposed in an airconditoned environment. And I am a crazy individual who makes strange, crazy faces daily! Plus I am under stress recently...so my skin is taking a lot of stress! lol

I have used La Mer "The Essentials" sample for more than 2 weeks. Thanks to the La Mer's Marketing Manager, Ms. Sandra Lacson, for giving me the chance to test on these wonderful products and thanks to my dear friend Ms. Gracie for giving me additional samples so I can test it longer!

If you want to see product information, do smile and click HERE.

CREME DE LA MER

**photo from La Mer

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• very moisturizing minus the heavy feel
• my skin is moisturized the whole day
• skin became more supple
• a little goes a long way
• I wake up with seriously soft skin
• the product absorbs to the skin quickly
• smells wonderful
  

Cons

• very pricey
• ingredients are not disclosed (I do understand due to secrecy) but for someone who's allergic to certain ingredients, you wouldn't know.
• no SPF

Overall

I said it before and I have to say it again, I have a serious case of flakiness and dryness on my face. The Clinique DDML works but I'm done with it. How does Creme de La Mer compare? Well, the moisture property lasts longer and my skin stays soft and moisturized the WHOLE DAY. If you are someone expecting miracles, then do not purchase this! I have a feeling that effect of this product is long term, so if you don't have the patience to see results, the first result expected is softer and smoother skin.

I feel that using this product feels so luxuriously good and it immediately calms the itchiness and a bit of pain from dryness. Definitely luxury in a tub!

Tips

• use a spatula to get your desired amount of product
• always use skincare products with clean hands
• pat on your face, DO NOT rub
• warm the product on your fingertips by rubbing them together

Will I repurchase?

I am seriously saving up for this! Out of the 3 I've tried, this one is a re-purchase material!

Where to purchase and how much?

At Rustan's Makati La Mer Counter
1oz/30ml - Php7,400 (approx $154.00)

2oz/60ml - Php13,000 (approx $271.00)

Here's how Creme de La Mer looks like
applied on finger tips

Warm the product on hand
and the cream goes softer and
more "liquid" in texture

LIFTING FACE SERUM

**photo from La Mer

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• aborbs to the skin in NO time
• very light, no heavy feel
• smells wonderful
• brightens the overall look of the skin instantly
• love the packaging, the dropper is just too cute!
  

Cons

• pricey
  
• could irritate your skin if you have super oily skin!

Overall

This is another "luxury" for me. I find that using this is just an "extra" since I am not a serum person. The only thing I found from using this product is that it brightened up the whole look of my face even prior to the application of Creme de la mer. I felt it tightened my skin as it gets absorbed quickly.

For dry skin like me, I cannot just use this product without following up with a moisturizer. It tightens my skin so much, probably that's the effect of "lifting" properties.

Tips

• apply this prior to moisturizers or creams
• do not forget to include your neck area, massage the serum going upward with light, massaging motion
  
• one drop works for the whole face, but work on it fast as it can get absorbed to your hands

Will I repurchase?

If I have a lot of money! lol Since I am not a serum person, I can give it a skip and save up on the Creme de La Mer

Where to purchase and how much?

At Rustan's Makati La Mer Counter for Php 13,500.00 (approx $281.25) 30 ml

One Drop is enough for the whole face

Clear liquid consistency

THE EYE CONCENTRATE

**photo from La Mer

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• moisturized my eye area instantly
• very cute packaging, the full size comes with a metal spoon
• hydrates my eye area
• prevents further under eye wrinkles
  

Cons

• after 2 weeks of am/pm usage, I don't see any drastic change, maybe the time of usage is not enough
• pricey
• does not remove undereye circles, wrinkles remain the same
• the scent takes some time to get used to
  

Overall

Out of the 3 products I've tried, I've seen the least result on this product. But please do not take my word for it, it is my fault, for the past weeks that I've been testing this product, I have been in stress and I've been sleeping super late!

I think this eye concentrate is used to PREVENT further wrinkles rather than making them disappear. So far, the number of wrinkles I have did not change. (yes, I counted)

Tips

• never put too much! Putting too much does not mean that it'll quicken the effect of the product
• putting too much will make your eyes more puffier, I've done this test many times and I find that the end result of using too much of this eye concentrate is puffiness
• if you purchase a full size of this product, it comes with a metal spoon which you use to massage the under eye area, do it gently!
  

Will I repurchase?

Again, if I have the budget, its not bad to purchase this but I can settle for other eye creams for now.

Where to purchase and how much?

At Rustan's Makati La Mer Counter for Php 9,350.00 (approx $195.00)

The amount of Eye Concentrate I use for both eyes

Here's how a bare face would look
after each application

(Now, you know how much I love everyone
for showing my bare face!)

I know, it's expensive! But I do know a lot of friends who swore by this! *sis Gracie hello!*
I seriously believe that if it works for you, purchase it, use it!
If it doesn't, then don't force yourself to use a product just because "everyone else" thinks its the best!
Trust your judgment, nobody knows yourself better than you :)

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: Minty Chocolate Nails

Wednesday humpy day! Time flies so fast when you get wet in the rain! Weather is quite bad nowadays, I wish today will be sunnier!

Nail art tutorial day! I love French Tips, I love creating French Tips with different color combination, just like make-up application, trial and error brings out creativity! I had my nails done by a nearby salon so I chose a light green shade as a base. I work as I go on step by step, I can never visualize a nail art I would like to sport for the week until I started to paint them!

Here's my creation for the week! Hope you like my Minty Chocolate Nails! Minty Chocolate beacause of the Mint nail polish base I've used and chocolate because the "plum" polish from ELF turned out to look like dark brown in color against the light green.

Here's AMW Nails

That reminded me of Andes Mint Chocolate

Step 1:

I requested for 1 base of Platinum polish then apply 2 coats of Mint colored polish as base. Paltinum polish is perfect as base for any light colored nail polishes.

Step 2:

Using ELF'S Plum Polish, create a French Tip.

Step 3:

Using L.A. Colors Art Deco in White, create another line just below the ELF Plum polish color. You can stop here if you want a simple Mint Chocolate nails!

But I want to go further

Step 4:

Using pink nail art pen, create flowers by pressing 5 dots.

Do not forget the needle method

Step 5:

Using a purple nail art pen, dot the middle of the pink dots to create flower buds and go further by adding on purple dots as "illusion" to more flowers.

Step 6:

Apply 1 coat of glittery polish to create a nice shiny nails. I am using Caronia's.

Step 7:

Apply a coat of top coat to protect the nails. This nail art will last at least a week!

Enjoy your Minty Chocolate based nails
with a hint of daintiness!

I hope you gals do not get tired seeing my nail art tutorials!
Whether you can do one or not, an art is an art, even a single line or dot on your nails can spell out happiness! :)
Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: Lancome Juicy Wear Top Coat

I've raved about lipsticks many times! Come to think of it, it has been a year, I think, that I haven't been blogging about lipglosses! Why?

First, I hate stick gloss
Second, I can never finish up a tube
Third, it makes my full lips fuller! Not the Angelina Jolie kind of full, but allergy lips kind of full!

So, now that I've created a gloss post, it must be something unique and probably tickled my fancy to be serving you this Tuesday!

Lancome Juicy Wear Seal and Shine Top Coat

The name speaks for itself, it's juicy wear, it seals your lipcolor (if you have any on) and it gives out a shine! 3-in-1! Spells WONDERFUL! :) Is it? Read on!

Lancome Juicy Wear Top Coat says ---

• Preserves natural suppleness of lips
• Gives plumping effects
• Fixes lip color for long wearing
• Lips appear luscious, shiny, brilliant for hours
• Dermatologist tested

Size: 10ml

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• very important --- NON STICKY!!!
• right amount of shine with a bit of tiny sparkles
• lasts for more than half a day
• nice kind of gloss, doesn't make my full lips fuller
• the cracks created by lipsticks are gone!
• no yucky scent
• goes perfect for any lip color
• a dab works wonders! So this will last long

Cons

• some may find this gloss expensive, but it's worth it!
• nada!

Overall

For someone who gets tired lip glosses and owns more than enough lipsticks, this is "THE GLOSS" to go for! It works with any shades of lipsticks, it works even for men!!! I've done a shoot for a guy who's starting to have chappy lips, putting on lipbalms create a pale illusion on photos, so I dabbed a bit of this gloss and it works wonderfully!

Tips

• use a lip brush to apply this especially if you're doing makeup for other people for hygiene purpose.
• for personal use, if you prefer to apply this directly from the tube, wipe the tip with a napkin before closing the cap.
• wipe your lips clean before reapplying the gloss, I find that piling this gloss on and on won't work work
• you own a couple of lipglosses that you found quite thick for your taste? Mix a drop of your lipgloss with Lancome's Juicy Wear Top Coat, sticky gloss no more!
• you want all out shine? Apply more!

Will I repurchase?

Yes, works so well for clients, from young to old, men and women!

Where to purchase and how much?

At Lancome Boutique Greenbelt 5 for approx Php1,200 (approx $24.00) <-- div="" price="" reconfirm="" style="text-align: center;" the="" will="">A closer look on the tip
Exactly like the Lancome's Juicy Tubes

This is all you need for your whole lips
Taken with and without flash



A tiny bit of Lancome's Juicy Wear Top Coat
seals and shine my MAC Viva Glam V!

Enjoy smiling!
Stay happy!

Askmewhats Version: "Goddess" Look

Happy Monday! Start of the week, another look for you! I call this the "Goddess" look not because I am implying that I look like a goddess...yeah I wish! LOL I call this the Goddess Look because the main eyeshadow I used is called "Goddess" from the Urban Decay Book of Shadows which I got from my dearest friend Gracie!

Now I'm laughing, can you imagine if an eyeshadow is named "Paranoid"? And I'm calling the look "Paranoid" look, now that's fun!

The look I've created can be for day time or night time, you can add up the e/s to make it darker, it really depends on your comfort level and preferences!

Here's my creation

AMW Diagram

Step 1:
Prior to e/s application, apply your choice of eyelid primer. I am using Urban Decay's Primer Potion (UDPP).

Using an e/s brush, apply Goddess e/s from Urban Decay's Book of Shadow on the outer corner of the eye, blending inwards.

Step 2:

Using a small crease brush, gently apply Ulta's e/s in Turquoise on the inner thirds of the eye gently applying the inner thirds of the lower lashline too.

Step 3:

Gently pat on Ulta's e/s in Calla Lilly on the middle section of your eyelid.

Fun part? Use a bigger blending brush to gently blend in the harshlines. Do this gently so the e/s won't fall out.

Step 4:

Apply NYX's e/s in Skin on the browbone area going to the inner corner of the eye to blend in harshlines.

Step 5:

Line your upper lashline with Stila Smudgepots in Black using CS eyeliner brush.

Line the lower lashline and waterline with Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-on eyeliner in Zero.

Curl the lashes with your favorite lash curler
and apply 2 coats of Mascara

(Shu Uemura's Curler and Clinique's High Impact Mascara)



Goddess Eyes



On my face:

Primed my face with P&J Moisturizing Primer
I Nuovi Studio Cake Foundation in 3Y




Set the foundation with Joppa's Finishing Silk
in Original Formula Sheer



On my cheeks:

NYX Blush in Desert Rose
applied using MAC's 187 brush



On my lips:

MAC Viva Glam V
Lancome Juicy Wear Top Coat


Final Look

Someone asked me how I style my hair. On this FOTD, I blowdryed my hair and applied Hollywood in a Bottle by Nick Chavez Flocker to create volume! On most days, I just air dry my hair and apply serum!

Keep that smile comin'
Stay happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Wham Burger + Meetup

Happy Weekend Food tripping! What's your agenda? Today, I declare UNHEALTHY food tripping! No diet, no calorie counting and "I deserve to eat" day! I feel you gals nodding ... hahaha Vote me for President?

My weekend food tripping is from our favorite burger chain, WHAM! Burger! Read on to know why I choose this over the other burger making businesses!

It doesn't hurt that their burgers are freshly grilled...

Wham! Burger
Php84.00 (approx $2.00)

Freshly grilled beef patty, Cheese and Bacon on a fresh bun!



Country Style Fries
Php45.00 (approx $1.00)

I love fat fries! Do you too? I'll go for the fatty over the thin fries from McDonalds



Now, here it is, my ultimate reason why I love WHAM! Burger!

Cross Trax Fries
Php50.00 (approx more than $1.00)

Seriously! I can have 2 boxes of these for dinner! lol
Of course I'll die young with cholesterol but my oh my!
I seriously love this and keyboard are full of saliva right this moment!



Cafe Latte Shake
(sorry forgot the price)

This is even better than any other shakes I've tried, so far.
It's pure ice cream heaven! They scoop out your favorite flavor of ice cream
and blended it with a blender! VOILA...



Pistachio Ice Cream
(sorry forgot the price)

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they serve ice cream from FIC
Ladies who live here knows how yummy FIC ice cream is! :)

Now I'm heading off for lunges and jumping jacks! LOL

-----------------------------------------

(all photos from Shen, thanks sis for the lovely shots)

Anyways, before I leave all of you gals salivating, I want to add up a post for a blogger meet up last month! Our dear friend Gracie visited the Philippines after 3 long years! She came with Neil, the funny boyfriend and Sam, too bad didn't get the chance to meet Sam! :)

We met up with her at Ricky Reyes Salon at Robinson's Place, Ermita. Yes she had her nails painted in a lovely RED polish! After a year of crazy chatting, we finally met!!!!

L-R Shen, me and Gracie

It doesn't hurt that her BF Neil is one of the coolest guy I know! Though it was his first time to be in the Philippines, he can ride along with the crazy humor of ours! And I want to add that he's not afraid to eat ANYTHING! I can scare him about eating "Pig's butt" or internal organs of whatever! He'll grab a bite and goes "YUMMY!" The 2 are just funny!

After lovely dinner at Dencio's, Jheng was able to catch up with us at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

L-R Jheng, Me, Gracie and Neil

Now this next photo is my favorite photo! Female beauty blogger friends unite! Though we all met because of blogging, we were like friends forever sharing stories not only about beauty but about life in general! Gracie told me that the staff from the salon asked Neil if we have been friends for long! And imagine the shock when Neil told them that it was our first time to meet Gracie in person! :) Looking back, I'm super happy I am a blogger :)

L-R Jheng, Shen, Me and Gracie

Gracie and Neil, I know it was a short trip but thanks for squeezing us in the tight schedule!
I hope to see you all again!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Happy weekend darlings!