Saturday, October 3, 2009

Askmewhats Reviews: Liposan LipCare in Strawberry

I've done a review on Nivea Lipcare a few months back, just by looking at the packaging, Liposan/Nivea/Labello are from the same German company Beiersdorf. I got a Liposan Lipcare from a swap from Cris, I believe my dear local readers can purchase the same one under the brand Nivea.




Liposan LipCare says ---

Soft lips, fresh strawberry flavor and discreet red shine.

AMW says ---

Pros
  • light strawberry scent
  • moisturizes the lips
  • has a nice hint of "redness" but true to its description, very discreet
  • inexpensive
  • taste isn't yucky, it actually tastes and smells good
Cons
  • none!
Overall

This is one addictive balm! I've always wanted my balm to be minty fresh, but if I need to choose one that has a fruit flavor, I'll always go for strawberries! After I finish this up, I will surely repurchase Nivea Lip Care in Strawberry! I'd love to see if there's any difference at all! I doubt..but who knows? :D

This is definitely a keeper, if you are on a date, it's safe to use this as it doesn't leave a stain on your water glass or table napkin..or your man's collar! LOL <--- just joking!


Tips
  • check out the review on Pink Grapefruit from So Loverly
  • if you're aiming for "no makeup" look with soft lips, use this!
  • are you a makeup artist? And you need a subtle gloss for men's makeup? You can use this!
Will I repurchase?

Yes!

Where to purchase and how much?

Purchase locally as Nivea LipCare in Strawberry for Php89.75 (approx $2.00)


Here's a closer look of the cute packaging



The balm looks super red
but do not be afraid...



A swatch with and without flash
Has a tiny hint of "redness" and a lot of shine
(L- no flash, R- with flash)



Liposan LipCare in Strawbery on bare lips



Are you into tinted lip care products?
or do you prefer the clear version?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Becca October Promotion: Ask and You Shall Receive

**you can click photo to enlarge

Dear Philippine Readers:

Time flies super fast and it's the month of October already!

Our dear friends from BECCA Cosmetics Philippines has a special promotion for their facebook fans!

Members can post questions for BECCA founder, Rebecca Morrice Williams, in the discussion thread. Questions can be anything about the brand or about make-up in general. Rebecca will answer the top 10 questions, and the authors of the top 3 questions will each receive a special prize especially chosen by Rebecca!

Promo period is from October 1 to 31, 2009.


This promotion can be a venue for our customers to interact with the BECCA founder herself. The BECCA CEO, Steven Schapera, also leaves comments regularly.

What are you waiting for? It's a win-win situation! You get to ask your make-up related queries and you get the chance to win! Smile and click HERE to head on the BECCA Cosmetics Facebook site.

Goodluck!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

I Wonder: "Straight or Curly?"


My hair has always been on a safe mode. Either I tie it up on a ponytail or I let it flow. My only hair styling tool is my trusty Philips JetSet Control blowdryer or most of the time, as simple as a fan to dry my hair.

Then, I upgraded for a flat iron, because of my super layered locks, I wanted to create a bit of "volume" with a flat iron, so it's either a blowdryer or a flat iron, and I'll be fine!

Just like a baby who crawled first then started to walk and run. I am now using my curling iron more often! I've reviewed on my New 1.5 inches curling iron from Remington and I'm loving it.

So a question came into my head which I would like to know what YOU would say ---

I Wonder:
"Are you into straightening or curling your hair?"



**note: My hair color is the same,
just that the straight photo doesn't have a flash
and the curly hair photo has flash on :)


Hair products used ---

L'oreal Professional Texture Expert Bounce Whip



Nick Chavez Hollywood in a Bottle Volumizing Extra Hold Hair Spray



I am into curly hair nowadays. With the right curling product and right heat protection. I am game for lovely curly locks that lasts a day! :)

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!


Thursday, October 1, 2009

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

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

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