Nail Art Tutorial: Romantic V-Day Nails

One nail art request that I got quite often is gradient nail art.  Gradient nail is a favorite nail art of mine but it's not a favorite "to-do" nail art as it's messy...messy and sometimes...just plain MESSY! :)  Since I'm still in the mood for the upcoming Valentine's Day.  I will continue my V-Day inspired nails.  If you're sick of Pinks and Reds, I am so sorry!  That's life, that's a good romantic combination for me! :)

Here's my final Romantic V-Day Nails

 

Step 1:

Apply your favorite base coat to protect your nails, let dry.  Apply 2 coats of your favorite base.  I am using Vision's Nail Polish (made by Oriflame) in Skydive.

Step 2:

Using Elianto's Shimmer Burgundy polish, apply a thick yet thin "French Tip" (at a random, don't make it perfect at all!)

 

Step 3:

Use any brand of Nail Hardener or Nail Base, anything that is clear and liquid-y in texture, brush the Burgundy Shimmer polish downwards to spread the color making a "gradient" effect.  Again, I have to remind everyone, does NOT have to be perfect. 

 

Step 4:

Using any way you want to create dots, in my case, I've used a Prettynails' 2 way nail art pen in white, create flowers at a random per nail.

 

Step 5:

Since I've been doing a lot of flower nail art, I want to vamp it up a bit by adding a second color on the flower, I've brushed gently yellow shade on top of the white petals.

 

Step 6:

Add rhinestones if you have one or just skip this step altogether if you don't own any rhinestones or swarovski flat bed crystals.

 

Step 7:

Making sure the nail art design is dry.  Brush glittery polish thinly on top of the nail art.  Again, this is an optional step.  As you all know, I am a fan of glittery polishes.

 

Step 8:

Protect your hard work by brushing OPI's RapiDry Top Coat

 

Now these nails are ready to go out on a date!
*winks*

 

 I actually enjoyed the outcome of this week's nail art design.  I hope you enjoyed the steps that I've done for you nail art addicts out there!  Again, thanks for always embracing my nail art designs!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy! :)

Dollface Cosmetics: Valentine's Photo Contest

Dear Philippine Readers:

Love creating looks? Love taking shots of your looks?
Then YOU can have the chance to win Php1,500 worth of Dollface Cosmetics!

How?  Click the photo to read the contest mechanics!

Goodluck!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reports: Enjoying the Day with GlamBox & Friends

Due to very busy schedule, I was a bit out of the loop with blogging events.  When I got an invite for GlamBox Airbrush Bloggers' Launch last January 23rd, I am glad my schedule is free because I've been interested with airbrush make-up right after I graduated the regular makeup course.

The event started with a warm cup of coffee or tea and wonderful snacks!

Makeup + Food = pure bliss!

Prior to the event, I do have an idea about Airbrush Makeup as my brother is an Architect and he uses his airbrush system for work like a breeze, well he's a smarty pants!  I, with the normal brain have seen how complicated it is and how difficult it is to use and not even understand how to control the PSI of the airbrush system.  PSI, in layman's term, is the airflow that needed to be adjusted to get the exact pressure you need for foundation, blush, eyebrows, eyeshadows, etc... Example, a lower PSI for sheerer finished foundation and a higher PSI for a heavier coverage.  Easy to say, but difficult to achieve without the knowledge and training.

That's when Ms. Valerie Tan discussed why GlamBox Airbrush Cosmetics was born.

It doesn't hurt that the GlamBox Airbrush system comes in black and pink (such a wonderful color combination), very lightweight, and a user friendly feature of choosing between Light, Medium and Dark rather than thinking about numbers or PSI's!  That's the best feature ever!!!

GlamBox Airbrush Cosmetics comes in 4 foundation shades (2 yellow tone and 2 pinkish tone), 2 cheek colors, an illuminizer and a thinner or cleanser.  All of the shades are silicon based except the luminizer.  As we all know, most international makeup brands like MAC are silicon-based most makeup artists prefer because of it's light weight properties.

I've asked Ms. Valerie if they plan to increase the shades of their foundation and cheek color, and the answer is YES!  So more choices to come in the future.

A swatch on foundation shade

1. Florence - light beige with yellow undertone

2. Cannes - natural beige with reddish undertone

3. Barcelona  - medium beige with reddish undertone

4. St. Tropez - dark beige with yellow undertone

On to cheek colors and luminizer

1. Venice Gold - light gold used alone or mixed with your foundation

2. Malibu -light pink

3. Cancun - darker rose pink

The ladies trying out GlamBox Airbrush for the first time

 

My dearest friend Sophie, the Beautynomist, 

testing the GlamBox Airbrush on Jane

 

 Here's Jane looking gorgeous after airbrush foundation application

Seriously looks more gorgeous in real life

The attendees

  L-R Cher, Me and Jane

L-R Bambi, Lauren and Nikki

Of course, this wonderful shot c/o Mark *thank you*

  L-R Shen, Me, Sophie and Phoebe

 I have to take a shot of these 2 lovely ladies

The GlamBox Ladies

Andrea and Valerie!

There are 2 kits available to purchase ---

The GlamBox Starter Kit (Php8,500/approx $185)

One - 30ml Foundation (of your choice)

One - 20ml Cheek Color (of your choice)

One - 30ml Cleaner and Thinner

Compressor

Airbrush Gun (with accessories)

Gun holder

Adaptor

Airhose

DVD

The GlamBox Deluxe Kit (Php11,800/approx $257.00

All Colors

Four - 30ml Foundation

Two - 20ml Cheek Color

One - 20ml Luminizer

Three - 30ml Cleanser and Thinner

Compressor

Airbrush Gun (with accessories)

Gun holder

Adaptor

Airhose

DVD

They've added up the GLAM in GlamBox when a pink satin bag packaging was added and the kit will be available starting January 27, 2010.  Also, a lucky facebook fan of GlamBox Airbrush Cosmetics will win a Starter Kit, promo ends February 28, 2010!

Oh yeah, this is a long post but I have to share!  Your dearest AMW herself, won her own Starter Kit at the event!  Cannot believe my ears when they call on my name!  I am seldom lucky with names inside the bowl thingy!  But I guess the year is starting out great for me! :)  Expect an in-depth review on the system in the future.

Thanks to GlamBox Airbrush Cosmetics for the lovely event.
Thanks to my wonderful beauty blogging friends for being such a sweetheart
And great to meet a lot of new faces in the event!

Now, staying positive is good eh?
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Do check out our dear  

Beautynomist's Report

Kotex Luxe No Compromise Contest Winners!

Hi Everyone!
Thanks for joining the Kotex Luxe No Compromise Contest!  I've decided to choose the first 15 comments as winners!  Congratulations to:

1. Rosey
2. Ann
3. Joanne MV
4. Bagel
5. All Women Stalker
6. Merlinda
7. Jheng of Iamsutil
8. Torque15
9. Hidburn
10. Mariel
11. Thiamere
12. Karlenma
13. Bachuchay
14. Yani
15. Kahodininthehouse

Congratulations
Please email me at nikki@askmewhats.com for your complete name and mailing info!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: L'Oreal Hydrafresh

Happy start of the week everyone!  Today actually marks my 2nd year blogging anniversary!  I want to thank everyone for reading my blog posts and for commenting their thoughts, their ideas and of course the appreciation of my blog posts!  Thanks to all the followers as well!  I get inspired blogging because of you guys! *Big big hugs!*

I will be doing a 2nd year blog giveaway soon, I just have to take time to really focus on the requirements, but it'll be fun! :)

Let me go back to regular programming...

I got a moisturizer as a gift from my dearest brother, he's really amazing!  He's a guy, probably don't know what my skin needs but he always ended up purchasing me the right thing!  No wonder we're called fraternal twins, and I was born 4 years after! hahaha

L'Oreal Hydrafresh says ---

Apply morning and/or evening on perfectly cleaned skin.  Instantly quenched and perfectly hydrated, your skin becomes softer and more comfortable.

Size: 50ml

AMW says ---

Pros

• has a nice protective cap

 

• nice glass jar
• very light on skin
• never feels oily or make your skin oil up 
• great for both dry, normal and oily skin
  
• moisturizes dry ares
• absorbs to the skin easily without clogging
• no allergies or skin irritation

 Cons

• not sure if this is available locally
• no SPF or anti-aging properties, just pure moisture
• easily used up as it's only 50ml
  

Overall

The texture reminded me so much of my favorite Clinique's Moisture Surge Extended Skin Relief.  The same gel-like texture and light feel is wonderful and this is definitely cheaper.  I like this because it moisturizes and soothes my dry skin, imagine putting on a "gel" substance that instantly cools and relief the skin.  I don't see a huge difference in a couple of uses but my skin obviously  feels and looks moisturized all day long!

Tips

• use a spatula instead of dipping your fingers for hygienic purposes
• gently massage onto your face concentrating on drier areas
• if your skin is SUPER dry, leave a thin film over your face like a mask and wait for it to absorb
• if you use this in the morning, make sure it absorbs to the skin completely before you proceed with your sunblock or makeup
• if you have oily skin, you can use this night time only
  

Will I repurchase?

I'd love to 

Where to purchase and how much?

Can try check this out at L'Oreal counters.  Not sure if we have this locally.  Let me know :)
Learned from L'Oreal that we don't have this locally, if you have friends who are traveling, they are available at Duty Free shops or other country's L'Oreal counters

 Here's how it looks NEW

It's not full as what I hope for

 

It's light minty green in color

Imagine hair gel

 

 

As you gently rub it in, its a bit thick so you have to continuously massage  

til it absorbs into the skin

 

Absorbed

 

You can click photo to enlarge :)

 

It'll be a great week!  There will be a report on the Glambox Airbrush Demo event!  There will be a nail art tutorial, a readers' request granted on cream blush application, etc..!  It'll be an exciting week for sure

Thanks again to AMW readers for always being HERE, reading, commenting, and sharing the love!  I wouldn't survive this long without you! Love you all!

Have a wonderful week ahead!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!