AMW Reviews: Stila Convertible Color in Peony

When I purchased the Stila's Ulta-mate set, it came with the Stila's Convertible lip and cheek color in Peony.  I didn't gave it a bit of thought as the color looks "bleh" on pan!  But when I went to makeup school and learned the magical secret of cream blushes, I have to give this a go and so far...I'm in ELO-ELO-ELO-VE! *winks*

 

**photo from Amazon

Stila convertible color in Peony says ---

As seen in In Style's Best Beauty Buys 2007! This multi-tasking marvel brightens cheeks and lips with creamy, translucent color. A must-have in every stila girl's kit.
Stila's ingenious lipstick and blush-in-one proves to be irresistible. As seen in In Style's Best Beauty Buys 2007! This versatile favorite brightens cheeks and lips with creamy, translucent color. Tap onto cheeks and press onto lips. The sheer tint adds an inherent glow to the cheeks while lips bloom with fresh, radiant color. Our two-in-one compact holds the key to easy, monochromatic makeup. A must-have in every stila girl's kit.

AMW says ---

Pros

• dries up easily once blended well
• creates a very soft and natural glow and blush
• makes my powder blushes stays a little bit longer
  
• pigmented
• on cheeks: very natural look, can build up pigmentation
• on lips: applies easily and quite creamy
  

Cons

• some people fine this hard to blend or tedious to use
• if you have zits or acne scars around the cheek area it enhances it more
• is not moisturizing enough for dry lips
• I'm not a fan of using this as a lip tint
  

Overall

Peony shade definitely looks boring on pan!  I never thought I'll give this the time of the day!  It looks brownish and dirty and I thought it won't do anything for my skin!  Boy am I glad I was wrong!  This is such a lovely peachy pink color that gives out a very natural glow on the cheeks!  I love using this prior to powder blush application.  This works well on pink and peachy colored blushes! 

This definitely is a great investment if you don't want your blushes to be gone just half a day!  I found this as the best 'secret' especially for wedding makeup or any makeup gigs!

Peony and Nars Orgasm!   

(Milot is a beautiful client of mine!  Thanks for the trust!)  

 

Tips

• test on different brushes and look for the one you're most comfortable to use
• if you're interested to know, I love using the Foundation brush from Smashbox for the convertible color, works perfectly and never too clownish

 

• always pat on powder blush to "set" the cream blush, then using a big fluffy brush, gently blend
  
• if used on lips: always prep your lips with moisturizer, or if your lips are super dry, top with a clear gloss to prevent lips from chapping
• always start applying sparingly then slowly build up the color
  

Will I repurchase?

Yes.  Thanks to my dear angel B I got the Petunia shade!!!  Post about the shade in the future!

Where to purchase and how much?

At Rustan's for the full size approx $20.00 (Php850.00) not sure on the price, so please correct me if I'm wrong thanks!

A sample size of Peony on pan

Swatch on hand

Applied sparingly on cheeks

no powder blush applied

 

*whew* a bit too much information for just a tiny cream blush eh?

Have a wonderful day dearies!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Pantene Clinicare Hair Time Renewal Treatment

I've bought Pantene Clinicare when I went to Hong Kong last May.  This reminded me of the Pantene 3-minute miracle which is widely available locally due to the packaging and it's squeeze type 15ml tube size.  Base on research, I believe the Pantene Clinicare is only available in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.  But worry no more as we have our counterpart locally which works just as well, if not, works exactly the same.

 

Pantene Clinicare says ---

One Wash Treatment is a single dose, rinse-type treatment with an effective rich formula that stimulates hair shaft regrowth.  It locks in moisture, repairing and protecting the hair as it completely seals every hair strand.  It is targeted at hair ends with accumulated damage and is apparently able to offer non-stop protection of every strand of hair.

AMW says---

Pros

• hair tangle free
• hair is super soft after using this treatment
• the softness retained even after several days
• leaves hair light and non-oily
• easy twist tube
• smells wonderful
  

Cons

• not available locally, but you can check out Pantene Pro-V 3minute treatment 

• do not expect fast regrowth, come on..do you really believe that? lol
• if you have super damaged hair: Do not expect miracles! :)
• hair goes back to regular state once you stopped using this
  

Overall

Most 3-5 minutes treatment do not work for me and I believe a lot of you have the same sentiments as I do!  But when I met Pantene's treatment that comes in tubes, they both WORKED!  They don't work for long term just like regular hot oil treatment, but with constant usage, it does improve the "shine" and "feel" of the hair.  I can't tell if the Clinicare Hair Time Renewal Treatment and the Pro-V's 3 minute miracle have the exact same ingredients as the Clinicare version I bought has Japanese words written all over.  But based on my personal experience, both works exactly the same, so if you have Clinicare available in your country or Pro-V 3 minute miracle, both are ok to purchase...yes, it's a GO signal from me! :)

Tips

• squeeze off excess water after shampooing
• apply the cream from midshaft of hair down to the ends
• leave it longer, more than 5 minutes if possible
• use it consistently 2-3 times a week depending on your hair texture
• if your hair is super short, 2 treatments can be done in 1 tube
  

Will I repurchase?

I'd love to!  But I did repurchased Pantene 3-minute miracle instead

Where to purchase and how much?

If you want the Clinicare version, you can try Ebay.  For Pantene Pro-V 3 minute miracle, it costs around Php100 (approx $2.50) per tube or Php300 (approx $6.50) for box of 3.

Any other instant treatment you've tried that works?
You know you can always spill the beans here!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Have a wonderful day!

AMW Reviews: Obsessive Compulsive Lip Tars

There's lipbalm, lipstick, lipgloss, lip tint..now there's such thing as Lip Tar!  Aren't lips spoiled enough? :)
For the wild lips out there, there is something new to look out for!

Obsessive Compulsive Lip Tars or OCC Lip Tars

OCC Lip Tar says ---

A stunning new innovation in lip color, OCC Lip Tar combines the longevity of a lipstick, with the ease of application of a gloss. Goes on slick and moist, and dries down to a satin finish. Ultra-saturated in color, OCC Lip Tar contains an unprecedented amount of pigment, so a little goes a very, very long way. An intense yet featherweight layer of color that stands up to the scrutiny of Hi-Def Video and Digital Photography, without ever looking (or feeling!) heavy. Meant to be mixed, OCC Lip Tars come in concise range of colors (and black and white!) for a limitless selection of shades made by you!

Like all of our products, OCC Lip Tar is 100% Vegan and Cruelty-Free, and is also free of parabens and other harsh preservatives. A simple, elegant formula that contains Hemp Oil, Peppermint Oil and Vitamin E, OCC Lip Tar feels as good on the lips as it looks!

AMW says ---

Pros

• super pigmented
• a little goes a long way
• because of it's thin texture, it's easy to mix and match shades
  

• stays the whole day!
  
• one small tube can last more than 6 months!
• non-sticky 
• no weird scent
• cruelty free!
  

Cons

• difficult to remove
• because of its very liquid texture, it gets a bit messy 
• if you have dry lips, this may feel too drying
• not available everywhere
  

Overall

I love it when our friends from other side of the world rave about certain stuffs and it is easy to find down here!  Thanks to the people from Hi-Definition Makeup Studio & Beauty Supply, the Authorized Dealer of OCC and Graftobian makeup for bringing these wonderful products down here!  The first time I've used OCC lip tar is when I've done a bridal look at Basement Academyl, each shades are very bright and ultra pigmented, so I ended up mixing the shades I want, and voila!  A shade that stays and looks gorgeous!

 

OCC Lip Tars in my opinion are meant for mixing if you plan to use this daily.  But if you're a makeup artist and loves makeup for high fashion, these gorgeous "out of this world" shades are great to be included in your kit as these photograph  so well and gives out a dramatic look you've always wanted.

Tips

• for precise application, use a lipbrush
• clean up the sides of your mouth with cotton buds for perfection
  
• when using a lipbrush: Gently sweet on the lip tar gently onto the lips, do not use pressure to prevent feathering
  
• if your lips get too dry, like mine, top with a clear lip gloss
• prime your lips prior to application, you can moisturize it first with your favorite balm 
• feeling too bright?  Blot your lips once with a napkin and you get natural lip shade!
  
• remove the lip tar gently with a eyes and lip makeup remover
  

Will I repurchase?

YES!  Love to use this for wedding makeup as this lasts long!

Where to purchase and how much?
Locally at HDMakeup site for Php850.00 (approx $18.47)

Here are some swatches and the shade names

 

 

 Some shades applied on lips

(sorry for the dryness, I've been swatching 

on different lip tar shades

so my lips are harrassed lol)

Shade: Melange

 

 Shade: Hush

 

 Shade:Grandma

 

Outrageous shades right?  But seriously, mix and match it and you'll have limitless shades of lip tar that's long lasting.  Let me know if you've tried OCC Lip Tars!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

I Wonder: "What's Your HG that's not HG Anymore?"

"Some good things never last"... as Barbra Streisand sang it...so true, but of course, I'm not talking about love but I'm talking about BRUSHES!  I bought my Smashbox Beyond Beauty Encounter Brush set January of last year and I enjoyed no. 28 the most!  It has been hailed my HG (Holy Grail) eyeliner brush for almost a year! 

I've even done a comparison between the Coastal Scents White Angled Liner brush and this favorite brush of mine!  I should have knocked on hard wood 3 times! 

I've took care of this and you girls know how much I take care of my stuffs, but flyaway has gotten the best of my Smashbox no. 28 brush and I can't seem to use this to create a perfect line! 

Sadness, but it's ok, I use this to smudge my eyeliner then!  Still a great tool, it has done its purpose in life, to serve me for a year...almost! 

Now it's your turn,
"What's Your HG that's not HG anymore?"
Take a look around, I'm sure you can share some and make me feel better!
Now time to look for the next HG eyeliner! 

Keep smilin'

Stay Happy!
Happy start of the week!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Gloria Maris Dimsum

Happy Weekend Food Tripping dear friends!  How's the week going?  My weekend has been super hectic, chores, last-minute Christmas shopping, etc... It's nice to finally stop and have a "warm fuzzy feeling" meal once in awhile.  My idea of a warm fuzzy meal will always be Chinese Food! 

Gloria Maris has always been a Wedding Reception restaurant, I'm glad to see a "dimsum restaurant" version as I do crave their dimsum once in awhile!  Located at Wilson Street Greenhills San Juan.  The place looks like typical Chinese restaurant, it's usually busy but I'm glad we arrived a bit earlier than the usual so we have the place "almost" to ourselves! lol

Bird's Eye Siomai

Php84.00 (approx $2.00)

If you're not a siomai lover like myself, 

I'd love to have shrimps and green peas on top of my siomai!

 

Steamed Seafood Roll

Php84.00 (approx $2.00)

My favorite dimsum of all time!
Steamed fish wrapped with crabsticks and noodles

on a creamy sauce!

 

Fish Fillet in White Sauce Rice Topping

Php190.00 (approx $4.13)

You have different choices of sauce, from sweet and sour to white sauce

The sauce is separately served which I prefer 

as you can always control the amount of sauce you put!

 

BBQ Asado with Rice

Php135.00 (approx $2.93)

I love how juicy and tasty their Asado tastes.  

The separate sauce need not to be touched

Served with veggies and century egg

 

Good Chinese food doesn't have to break the bank!

No service charge and you can pay cash or credit card!

Anytime you're within the area and wanted quick Chinese Dish Fish that's worth the price, I strongly recommend this restaurant!  Great service too!

Gloria Maris (Wilson)

202 Wilson St. Greenhills

San Juan Metro Manila

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!
Enjoy YOUR weekend food tripping!