Askmewhats Reviews: Clinique's Turnaround Concentrate

You know why I've been reviewing a couple of Clinique products? Well aside from the fact that their 3 step skincare system works so well for me, I like it that the company gives importance to testers. I love how they package their testers in cute packaging and I love it that their testers can last for at least 2 weeks or more.

I have a sample of the Clinique's Turnaround Concentrate which I've been meaning to try when I read raves about this. I am glad this came along with the Clinique Sample Kit, I seriously bought full size of skincare products after trying out testers!

**photo from Clinique

Clinique's Turnaround Concentrate says ---

High-performance cocktail of exfoliating ingredients prompts a renewal process that is multilevel, time-released. Speeds fresh cells to the surface. Continually unveils brighter, more radiant skin. Leaves skin with a velvety feel and a perfected look.

AMW says ---

Pros

• easy to use, not too liquidy or creamy, texture is just right
• makes my skin very soft
• no breakouts
• no weird scent
• absorbs to the skin easily
  

Cons

• the "brightness" won't be seen at once, so please, be patient lol
• quite pricey
  

Overall

I've stressed this before and will be stressing this again. This is a kind of product that you see results after weeks or more. Do not expect overnight changes! I find that most products takes it effect on me at least 2 weeks after of constant use. The first time I've used this product, I thought it didn't do anything for my skin, but after weeks and weeks, I've finally realized how smooth my skin is! The brightening effect I still haven't seen but definitely, I got lesser breakouts.

I've been using my Clinique's 3-step system and so far, I think my skin has reached it's saturation point, meaning, I can't seem to find any differences or changes anymore. I've found my skin getting flaky and dry again for the past weeks. So I've tried incorporating this after my 3-step Clinique Skin Care System and it works really well! I woke up the next day with lesser flakes and after a week of usage, I'm back with the skin I'm loving! *knocks on wood*

Tips

• use this twice daily, morning and evening after your skincare system
• apply just a thin layer will be enough
• do go to Clinique counters to have your skin type checked before purchasing any products
  

Will I repurchase?

Seriously? If it goes on sale! I will definitely add this up to my skincare. I've been using it til now combining this with different skincare program and it still works! Doesn't cause me problems.

Where to purchase and how much?

At local Clinique Counters (Rustan's) for PHp3,000 (approx $62.50)

A tiny amount of Clinique Turnaround Concentrate
on my hand

Spread a bit



Absorbs to the skin quickly
Check mark is the area I had the concentrate on

Do you seriously think serums or concentrates are helpful to your skincare regimen? In my case, I can live without it but its an added luxury to have the extra step. I know my oily skinned friends are hesitant to add any additional step to their regimen so please be careful in putting any stuffs...if you see any signs of allergies or negative reactions, STOP using the product..IMMEDIATELY :)

Keep smilin'
Stay happy

d

Feel free to read other reviews
by smiling and clicking ---
Beautyholics Anonymous
So Loverly

Readers' Corner: Makeup for Men

"I am getting married soon and I've already booked a makeup artist to do my trial makeup on the day we will be hiring a photographer to do our prenuptial shots. Do you think my boyfriend needs to put on makeup too? I don't want him to look like a girl. What do you think?"

AMW Rule of the thumb: "If the guy does not want the makeup artist near his face, just let him go!" lol I am a strong believer of not forcing anyone. I'd rather paint smiling faces rather than frowning faces. PERIOD. :P

Seriously, I understand why men are scared to have their faced touched by any forms of makeup. They're scared to look girly and they have the "clown" face. Here's my tips based on my personal experiences...of course there's a lot of rules from different schools or books but experience is the best teacher.

1. Always make the men comfortable. I ask them their skin condition. Oily skin? Dry Skin? Which part oils up faster?
2. Is he ok to put on liquid/cream foundation? If not, I settle for powder foundation. Be careful not to go for a matte finish as it'll look unnatural and cakey.
3. Always check on his skin color and go for a deeper foundation, let's say 2-3 shades lighter. As opposed to regular makeup, apply the thinnest coat as possible to make it looks natural.
4. Do make corrections, conceal blemishes, lessen his undereye circles.
5. Contouring is allowed! Give him the nice chiseled face like Brad Pitt
6. Brows can be brushed but never shave or cut the brows without permission! (Did you know that? Most Chinese men does not like to touch their brows! Don't ask me why, I'll go on and on and on with explanations lol)
7. Eyeliner is allowed if the guy is comfortable, choose a brown eyeliner instead.
8. No need for blush
9. For older men: If they have white eyebrows and wanted it a bit darker? Use a mascara and gently brush it on the eyebrows. Applied too much? Use a spoolie and keep on brushing to lessen the mascara.
10. Apply lip balm or clear lipgloss. I try to steer away from lipsticks that has shades.

Here's one Male Makeup I've done for a prenuptial shoot. Ephraim is a cool guy and he's game to put makeup on! :) He doesn't like the full makeup but he just wanted a "clean" look.

Products used ---
Primed the "oily" areas with Smashbox Photo Finish Light
MAC NC42 mixed a tiny bit of NC25
Shu Uemura Setting Powder Clear on oily areas only
MAC Shadester for contouring
Kiehl's No. 1 Lip balm

I am honored to learn that I was the first to touch his "virgin" face lol
Thanks Ephraim for being such an easy client :)
Please pray for him and his family as I just realized his home is at Provident Village, Marikina. The area that has been hit hard with floods. I hope he is ok.
God bless Ephraim.

Keep smilin'
Stay happy

AMW Reviews: Shu Uemura Face Powder (Sheer/Colorless)

I've had this Shu Uemura Face Powder in Colorless/Sheer lying around, not wanting to use it as the packaging is too cute! I haven't been using this as I thought it won't be of any purpose to me. But when I got a gig on doing makeup to multiple clients with different skin color, I told myself I have to pack smart on makeup! I have to save some space and go for a setting powder that's great for almost all skin color.

The cutie that's on spotlight --
Shu Uemura Face Powder in Sheer

Shu Uemura Face Powder ---

Leaves skin luminous and glowing with vitality. Sheer and transparent finish. Great for highlighting facial structure and shape. Packaged with a velvet-textured puff designed specifically for sheer powder application.

Ingredients

talc , synthetic fluorphlogopite , zinc laurate , methicone , paraffinum liquidum / mineral oil , dipentaerythrityl tetrahydroxystearate/tetraisostearate , octyldodecanol , diisostearyl malate , dimethicone/methicone copolymer , silica , aluminum dimyristate

Shades available
Light
Sheer/Colorless

AMW says ---

Pros

• very sheer and gets to be invisible
• feels so light
• doesn't give out white cast on photos
• never cakes up, no matter how many times you re-apply
• a little goes a long way
• colorless version is perfect especially if you are a makeup artist, this goes for all clients with all types of skin color!
• I used this on a client with oily skin and I got a feedback that it held up. But of course, you have to be reminded that this is NOT perspiration proof.
  
• very smooth in texture and the powder is obviously finely milled
  

Cons

• since this is in loose powder form, this tends to fly up everywhere, product wastage as compare to pressed powders
• for dry or mature skin - be careful, as this can crease up the foundation or make your skin flake
  
• of course, this is a bit pricey for a setting powder.
• again..MESSY MESSY MESSY on my makeup train case lol
  

Overall

This isn't the face powder for me but this is definitely a setting powder every makeup artist should have! This looks great on photos and it gives out a radiant glow without the "added makeup" look. No matter how many times I retouch, the makeup won't look overly done and the makeup sets like a dream! A worthy investment!

Did you know that?

I haven't tried the Make Up For Ever HD Powder, I do have the Coastal Scents Silica Powder --- which one won my heart? Shu Uemura Face Powder is my "dependable" setting powder! *smacks*


Tips

• if you or a client has dry skin, use a large powder brush to gently brush this all over the face to set the makeup.
• if you or your client has oily skin, you can use a large velour puff to press the powder gently on areas that tend to oil up
• do not use the same puff on different individuals
• for personal use: make sure to wash the puff regularly to prevent bacteria
• you can use this powder to "highlight" areas you want to highlight, I prefer using a smaller fluffy brush to brush through the powder on the underage area.
• plan to create a dark eye makeup? Apply this sheer powder on the undereye area and brush it after eye makeup application to prevent fall outs.
• if you plan to use the puff that comes along with the powder, do tap the puff or scrape the extra product on the cap, as using it directly will make you look like "Sadako" :P
  

Will I repurchase?

For myself, I don't use this as much as I don't oil up. But I enjoy using this for clients especially during "retouching" moments!

Where to purchase and how much?

At Shu Uemura counter for approx Php2,300 (approx $47.00) for full size

Here's a trial size in 3.2 g
full size is 20g



Swatch on hand
scary and looks like a candidate for white cast

If blended well
Goes invisible

Shu Uemura is known for its quality products, I don't have a lot of Shu Uemura makeup on my traincase at the moment but this is definitely a start of a wonderful relationship with the brand.
Have you tried this?
Or are there any cheaper alternatives for setting powder?
Spill the potatoes baby! :P

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

A Moment of Silence

Dear AMW Readers:

I am using this space to ask for prayers, not only for the victims of the Typhoon Ondoy that hit our country but for all of us... as a nation, for our safety, for our families, friends and loved ones.

The tragedy that hit our country is a "wake up" call for me. We are only temporary "boarders" of the land we live in. I've came to realize that our world is suffering, we haven't had typhoon as bad as this in the past and we haven't had weather that gets too cold or too hot. Things have been changing because we have been neglecting the world that God has given us.

May we treasure the world we live in...
May we treasure our family, friends and loved ones.
May we thank the Lord each day that we are alive
and have the chance to appreciate his creation.
Let us continue to Thank the Lord for giving us air to breathe...
I am praying for everyone's safety.
God bless everyone!

AMW Reviews: iNUOVI High Coverage Studio Cake Foundation

When I reviewed a couple of iNUOVI Professional products and got impressed by it, I can't help but browse through their shopping site and got my eyes set on the iNUOVI High Coverage Studio Cake Foundation. When I mentioned about the July Special from the iNUOVI website, I took the plunge and took advantage of the 30% off plus free shipping.

So I got it and I've used it! Time for a review!

INUOVI High Coverage Studio Cake Foundation says ---

STUDIOCAKE is what professional artists rely on for that perfectly matte finish. This best selling, high coverage foundation has a cake-resistant, cream-to-powder formula that stays put and removes shine. Enriched with Vitamin E, Squalane and DPHP amino acids to moisturize and protect the skin.

Available in 6 shades

Ingredients (you can click to enlarge)

AMW says ---

Pros

• has medium to heavy coverage
• very smooth
• doesn't feel heavy on skin
• stays for the whole day, does not need much retouching
• fragrance free and NO to animal testing yay!

• the "freshness seal" is great! The product is fresh til you open it

• love that they have their own mirror, the sponge storage and it has vents!
• the sponge that comes along with this compact is of good quality
• has manufactured and expiration date

Cons

• though free shipping, takes time to wait for the product to arrive
• I'm lucky to have found my shade in one purchase, because of its online purchase, people like me who only depends on online shipping could probably end up purchasing the wrong shade
• the huge compact is not as appealing compared to other brands
• need to use my fingernails to open the product

Overall

iNuovi Studio Cake Foundation is a cream foundation that has a powder finish. I always have problems using cake or cream foundation due to my dry skin as it will flake up. At first use, I found this product flaked up my skin, I did not give up though so I made sure to moisturize my skin well, letting it absorbed into my skin well before I apply this product.

Using a sponge, in my opinion is the best way to use this product. It hides my redness and flaws without looking cakey.

This product is really great, I just hope the packaging could come off prettier.


Tips

from Inuovi

• Apply foundation to face with sponge provided. Blend well onto skin. Set with powder if desired.

from AMW

• use a sponge and apply the foundation thinly on all parts of the face, spread gently
• you can use a foundation brush for lighter coverage
• use a concealer blush and spot apply this foundation and this can also act as concealer
• wash your sponge regularly
• if you have dry skin: No need to set with powder
• if you have oily skin: you can choose to set with oil control powder
• moisturize your skin well before using this product especially for peoploe with super dry skin
• do wait for special deals and discounts when you plan to purchase any of their products.

Will I repurchase?

Yes

Where to purchase and how much?

At iNUOVI Professional eshop for $36.50 (approx Php1,750)
I bought mine less 30% for $25.55 (approx Php1,250)

A closer look on the product Packaging and the sponge

The shade I bought is 3Y I find this would go for MAC's NC25-35 shades I think I can be ok for 1 shade lighter than this but this works ok for me

Here's my previous look
using this foundation

OOOhhh now I'm eyeing on their airbrush system! Maybe I can get the chance to purchase it when I visit the country :)
Have a wonderful week ahead everyone :)

Keep smilin'
Stay happy