Nail Art Tutorial: Romantic Gradient Nails with Rhinestones

Missed my nail art? I hope you do! I haven't been playing with my nails because I've been super busy with a lot of things plus the fact that I broke my nail a week ago! Perfect timing though, as I got a reader request for short nails' nail art! Fact: the nails you will see are considered short! I have short fingers so super short nails isn't an option! And I don't like it when I type without the 'feeling' of my nails! Yeah, I'm weird! hahaha

Here's my Romantic Gradient Nails with added Rhinestones to make it more dainty. I know a lot of you uses the sponge method to create Gradient nails. I know it looks better but I am just too lazy to do so! So please feel free to create the gradient nails using a sponge!

Step 1:

Apply base coat prior to nail polish application. Apply 1 Coat of The Face Shop's Polish in light Pinkish Peach shade.

Step 2:
Apply 2True polish in Shade no. 12 French tip method.

Using Caronia's Base Coat or any brand of base coat, spread the light purple shade downwards.

Step 3:

Using Flashing Neon Sweet Cherry nail polish in Neon Red (from sis Aika), drop a couple of dots on the tip...

Again, using the base coat, spread the polish downwards. Does not have to be perfect!

Step 4:

Using Prettynails' White Nail Art Pen, create 5 dots for flower.

Step 5:

Press in rhinestones. Your choice, I used multiple colors.

Step 6:

Top the nail art with any glittery polish. I am using gold polish to create a nice dimension. I used the Bourjois Gold polish from my blind swap with Cris.

Step 7:

Top everything with your choice of Top coat, applying more on the areas with Rhinestones to keep them from falling out.

I know! Dainty nails again! You can't blame a girl for wanting to
stay sweet :P

If you don't own any nail art pens, you can stop at Step 3 then apply glitter polish and top with a nice top coat. I'm sure it'll still be pretty!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Happy Start of the Week!

Weekend Food Tripping at: LukFoo HotPot Restaurant

Happy weekend food tripping! I know some of you are looking forward for food posts and ended up getting hungry afterwards. I guess that's how human beings are! LOL We want to tempt ourselves!

If I'm at my mom's place and wanted to dine out, going down to Chinatown is a big hassle as its far and its super traffic, so to satisfy our Chinese food cravings, there's always Luk Foo Cantonese Restaurant located at Puregold Q.I. I'm glad they opened up another sister restaurant called Luk Foo Hot Pot. Same Chinese restaurant with added Hot Pot dishes in their menu.

First thing's first, order your choice of broth. There's 2 types, Plain and Sate. The plain one tastes...well...plain while the Sate one is on the spicy side. We opted to order for split, meaning, half plain and half sate! Best of both BROTHS! lol And for you to know, the broth are refillable! So drink til your tummy's content!

Make your own sauce. Of course, not everyone has the same kind of tastes so its great that you can create your own flavor. There are different condiments to satisfy your sweet, salty, sour or spicy tongue!

We opted to choose our own "fillings". They do have set menu but my mom is on medication so there are several dishes she cannot eat, we chose our own meat and vegetables.

Assorted meatballs, shrimp dumplings and corn on a cob

Beef slices and veggies



Throw them all in!
Leaving the beef slices behind,
make sure not to cook the beef slices too long,
overcook is no no :)

What I love about Luk Foo Hot Pot Restaurant is that you can still order meals from Luk Foo Cantonese Kitchen. We ordered the usual: Yang Chow Fried Rice, Shrimp with Orange Sauce, Fish Fillet with Soy Sauce and Birthday Noodles. Quadruple Whamo!!!

Time for cooking!!! This is a great time to enjoy sharing, chatting and just relax! Life is fun! Enjoy!

Have you tried hot pot?
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Something New: JnJ Clean & Clear Active Clear Acne Control Kit

To those who didn't know, I've grown up to have bad skin. It's not the usual acne skin but I grew up with some problem on my health so the effect was imbalance hormones so during my junior high years, I've got zits and spots all over my cheeks and forehead. Why does it have to be those years where proms are the most important events in our teenage life?

It did bothered me but I took some action. I purchased Bonne Bell's Ten-O-Six in a department store and it helped lessen my zits and I was dependent to it. I went back planning to repurchase and stock up and guess what? It was gone!!! The department store did not sell them anymore as it wasn't even known in our country! Rather than sulking... I've decided to find another solution for my bad skin! That's when J&J Clean & Clear came in. It was the Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Wash that helped me out for the rest of my highschool and college years.

FAST FORWARD....

I stopped Clean & Clear as I grew older and my skin turns drier. So it was sweet goodbye to J&J.

That's why when I got home from work and saw a package on my bedside with this... it was sweet reminiscing!

Clean & Clear Active Clear Acne Control Kit has 4 powerful acne-fighting products containing salicylic acid that works together to effectively help treat and prevent acne. When used twice a day, these 4 technologies are proven to work faster and more powerfully against acne:

• Active Clear Acne Control Cleanser - The first step of the acne-fighting regimen goes beyond cleansing to penetrate pores. It contains bacteria-fighting salicylic acid that calms and soothes acne-irritated skin.
• Active Clear Acne Control Toner - The second step is the highly functioning oil-free toner that works to reduce excess oil, while clogs pores, for effective pimple prevention. The combination of salicylic acid and natural botanical ingredients tones and balances skin.
• Active Clear Acne Control Moisturizer - The third step of the regimen is the use of an oil-free moisturizer that provides a hint of moisture to soften and nourish skin, while containing a breakthrough anti-acne technology to help prevent pimples. With salicylic acid to clear and prevent acne, the natural herbal vitamin ingredients in the Active Clear Acne Control Moisturizer also nourish the skin and prevent it from drying.
• Active Clear Acne Control Speed Gel - An exciting add-on to the acne-fighting regimen is a highly effective spot treatment that starts working immediately to reduce redness, pimple size and swelling in as little as 4 hours. The combination of salicylic acid and an herbal essence acne-fighting technology visibly reduces acne --- fast!

The new Clean & Clear Active Clear Acne Control Kit is the fastest and most effective acne relief system to have ever been launched by Clean & Clear. The effective daily system is now exclusively available in Watson's stores nationwide with a suggested retail price of Php550.00 (approx $11.70).

I know..I shouldn't even dare touch this with my super dry skin. But I can't help it! I twitted about it and you know what? I've decided to give this a go and try! We'll see if this is still a sweet reunion between me and the brand or it just works better for the youngters out there. Do check out for reviews on this in the future and I promise you, I will get someone with oily and acne-prone skin to try this together with me. It'll be fun!!! Thanks to Patty for this! :)

Have you tried this line?
How do you feel about this?
Do I have to go on and try or not?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Something New: Inti-Mate Bra Converter

Inti-Mate Bra Converter
For that instant sexy back!

My dear friend Sophie, the Beautynomist, has something new coming up! I am so proud of her for achieving so much and she's still young! :) She's my baby! lol I want to share to you all what she's up to...

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

Bra straps can be bothersome at times. They fall on your shoulders, or they just look too awkward when wearing certain outfits. Well, put your bra straps in place, all secure and convenient! Presenting, the Inti-Mate Bra Converter!

Inti-Mate is the perfect bra accessory that can prevent loose or falling straps, and instantly convert your conventional bra into a racerback bra – no more awkward visible straps while wearing sexy tops, and even sportswear!

Inti-Mate also gives you added support, as it gives you the effect of a push-up bra – instant support, cleavage, and confidence! Also, get to recycle your old bra’s with support in a clip!

Say goodbye to sports bra’s that flatten our curves! Inti-Mate gives you a sports bra look, with added support, and cleavage – no trade-offs over here! Inti-Mate also improves posture as it acts like a sports bra that helps you straighten up and prevent slouching.

Inti-Mate comes in the form of a very feminine floral shape, that is to be clipped on both your bra straps. As you loosen your bra straps, reach for your back, and use Inti-Mate Bra Converter to clip both straps. Each pack comes in three colors – black, nude, and clear – adding a minimalist touch to your intimate wear. It is available at www.myinti-mate.com for a very affordable price of Php 250.00.

For more information, kindly email them at intimateph@gmail.com.

Sophia Joyce Uy
My Intimate Bra Converter
http://www.myinti-mate.com

Want to see the products up close? These cuties will hit bazaars this holiday season! They will be having their debut this October 16-18, 2009 at the Rockwell Tent, as they join the Rockwell Moonlit Bazaar.

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Dollface Dual Ended Brush Set

A year ago, when I first laid eyes on the Essence of Beauty brush set at the CVS website...

.... I wanted it so badly! Yes, you read that right, it was A YEAR AGO. But it was impossible for me to order from CVS online site so I forgot about it and moved on with my brush purchasing life!

Early this year, when I studied at the Basement Academy for makeup class, my dear friend Shen took out her Essence of Beauty Dual ended foundation and concealer brush and I was in awe! I touched it and fell in love with it again....then several months after, I saw this....

Yes, on a local seller site! Talk about FATE right? It's available at Dollface Cosmetics site and it's within reach! I messaged the owner Pearl of Dollface right away and asked if this is the same brush as Essence of Beauty, she didn't know about it but looking at it closely, looks like it came from the same supplier! Same or not, I don't care, I got to get this!

Dollface 3-pcs Dual Ended Brush says ---

3 dual ended brushes with very soft hairs

• Foundation and Concealer brush
• Angle Brush and Purse Powder Brush
• Blending eyeshadow and Angle eyeshadow brush
  

AMW says ---

Pros

• very soft
• affordable for 6 types of brushes
• the set can be used for travel and you can put makeup on your whole face with this set
• no weird scent
  
• no bleeding or shedding after washing (note: the Blush & Powder duo, the black one bled only a tiny bit but only for the first washing, 2nd and 3rd? No problem)

A photo of the brushes after washing, it dried up looking as good as new!

• each brush are labeled, so you won't have difficulty in using them especially for first time makeup users

Cons

• for people like me who's used to storing brushes in a mug upright, how will I do the same with this? lol
  
• the beautiful brand name "dollface" surprisingly is only a sticker, it was really pretty so I thought it was etched, after first washing, the edge of the sticker is coming off. Not a biggie but still...too bad the silver sticker is just too cute and I want to keep it that way.
  

Overall

Essence of Beauty or Dollface, I don't care! These brushes are pure love! Coming from someone who owns several pieces of brush, I don't mind purchasing more of these! I prefer using these brushes for personal use. I like how I can easily do makeup early morning with only a few brushes!

Out of the 3, my ultimate favorite dual ended is the Foundation/Concealer! The Foundation brush is the best foundation brush I've tried to date, it has the perfect density and it applies liquid or cream foundation easily! I like using the concealer brush to spot conceal then blend the rest of the concealer with the foundation brush! Since I got this set, I swear, I've been using these daily and I am actually looking forward for my makeup application daily!

Based on my statement above, sounds like I fell deeply in love with just the Foundation/Concealer combination right? Well to be honest, the other 2 aren't bad as well. But I can easily find dupes for those other 2 easily, but really, because the foundation/concealer combination is just too great, I wouldn't' even care if the rest are crappy! Well it does help that all 3 aren't crappy! So thank you Brush lord! :)

Tips

• if you plan to keep the brand name, swipe the "dollface" sticker with a clear coat of nail polish!
• if you have brush roll, store these brushes in a brush roll or pencil case to protect the bristles
  
• wash the brushes well prior to usage
• keep them clean, if you don't have brush roll or pencil cases, wrap these brushes in a towel after every usage to keep them from germs
  

Will I repurchase?

Yes! Is it bad that I want another set for backup? Just in case? That this set gets lost? Or am I just being paranoid and greedy? lol

Where to purchase and how much?

At Dollface Cosmetics site for Php950.00 (approx $20.00) + Shipping

Let me show you up close and personal
the brushes and its usage



Foundation and Conceal Brush

Foundation (L) - cream or liquid foundation application and blending all over the face, great to blend out harsh lines from concealers too
Concealer (R)- used to spot conceal under eye circles, spots, can even be used to apply lip products if needed to

Angle and Purse Powder Brush

Angle Blush Brush (L) - great for contouring powders and blush powders
Purse Powder Brush (R) - I find this great for highligting the undereye area, nose bridge, upper lip area and forehead. Powder highlighting products or pressed powders are great

Blending Eyeshadow and Angle Eyeshadow brush

Blending Eyeshadow Brush (L) - for highlighting powders, contouring powders. I find this perfect for blending contouring powder on the nose area.
Angle Eyeshadow Brush (R) - for powder eyeshadow application or highlighting the brow bone area

*whew*
I have never taken so much photos for brushes! Hope this post is useful for all you brush addicts out there who wants to get your money's worth. This set is definitely worth every single penny!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!