Something New: Mineraux Enviro Brush Set

Happy Friday!!! Thank goodness!  Finally!  Friday is here!  Am I the only one whining??? This week has been too long for me!!!! 

I am a brush whore!  Everyone who knew me should know that!  I seldom bring a lot of makeup and tools along with me on a daily basis but you just can't imagine my "collection" for travel brushes!  I am seriously sick!  I need help!  *hahaha*

My first travel brush set was from G-Lish, it was way back before blogging that I can't even seem to take a shot of it as it has been split up to my friends!  Then came the smallest travel brush set of mine from The Body Shop Mini Brush Kit which I purchased and yet, it was left as a "display" because of it's super cute size!

I can go on and on with my travel brush sets and you'd think I'll stop...obviously I didn't!  That's why this post is around! *sigh*

Remember the time I got introduced to the brand Mineraux?  I got to know about their foundation, concealer and blushes!  I'm glad to know the brand has expanded and they offer tools for the trade!

Mineraux's Enviro Brush Set

 

These brushes are imported from the USA and Canada and tested locally to fit the needs of the Pinays.  They are made from top-grade natural and synthetic hair/fiber.  At first glance, it's simple wooden handle reminded me of environmental friendly products like Ecotools.  The brushes are  well made and the synthetic fibers are soft and does not shed on first few washes!  There's no brand name imprinted or brush name which  inspired me to take out  my "NIKKI" stickers to label MY brushes! 

  

The set includes Mini K-brush

  

Long handled face/buffer brush

  

Concealer brush.

 

Eyeshadow brush

  

Eye brow brush/Angled eyeliner brush

  

These brushes are housed in a chocolate brown hemp "envelope" which protects your brushes during travel.  I also like to include mini foundation pot inside the case! 

How much you ask?  It's priced at Php990.00 (approx $21.50) to be purchased at Mineraux website!  Not bad!  No wonder it's their bestselling brush set!  Hay...will I ever stop?  I doubt it!  Brushes are really important for me!  No wonder my brush washing time doubled!  :)

Have a lovely weekend ahead!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Century Corned Tuna "Write Derek & Win" Promo

Dear Philippine Readers:

Check out the HOT news I got from my email box.  Get this: the man of your dreams is just a letter away!

Derek Ramsey up for grabs!

Get a chance to meet Derek Ramsey plus win other hot prizes by joining the Write Derek and Win promo!

Here's how it works: just write a short letter to Derek telling him about your Centruy Corned Tuna experience and you get a chance to win really hot prizes.

All you have to do is log on to www.centurycornedtuna.ph and join the Write Derek and Win promo.  It's easy!  So why pass up the chance?  Send in your letters until February 14, 2010!

10 of the best letters will e chosen, the top 5 will get a 32 gig iPod Touch and all ten will win 1 month's supply of yummy Century Corned tuna and the chance to meet and have your picture taken with Derek Ramsey at the Century Tuna Superbods Run on February 21, 2010!

Now that's HOT!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: V-Day Nails - The Last Hurrah!

Valentine's Day definitely talks about romance, lots of flowers and love!  No wonder I didn't have a hard time doing Valentine's Day inspired nails as I'm in love with the theme!  Well not to forget, I am in love :)

I did promise last week's nail art tutorial that it'll be the final red and pink combination for Valentine's Day, but I did not promise to stop doing Valentine's Day nails!  That's where the name came from --- The Last Hurrah!  Definitely the final V-day nails for the year 2010!

I want to make it easy especially there's 2 days away from Heart's Day!

Here's My V-Day Nails ---

The Last Hurrah!

 

Step 1:

Apply your choice of base coat to protect your nails prior to nail polish application.  Let Dry.
Apply 2 coats of ELF Nail Polish in Champagne. 

 

Step 2:

Making sure the 2 coats of nail polish are dry, create French Tip using L.A. Colors Art Deco in white or any regular matte white polish.

  

Step 3:

Using Elianto's glittery polish, brushed on 1 coat of it to create a bit of shimmer and glitter.  You can skip this step if you don't like the shine.

  

Step 4:

Making sure step 3's polish is dry.  Use a tweezer to stick on the remaining stickers from my previous nail art tutorial, alternating flowers and hearts.

  

  

Step 5:

Protect the stickers with your choice of Top Coat.  I am going back to The Face Shop's Top Coat (I'm on my 3rd bottle baby!)

  

Sit back, relax!  Isn't it nice to have lovely nails with or without a date?

 

Advance Happy Valentine's Day!
What's your prettifying trick for the Heart's Day?
I'd love to know! *winks*

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

I Wonder: "Have You Tried Airbrush Foundation?

Good morning dear friends!  How's the week going?  Me, I find it a bit too slow!  And it's only Humpy Wednesday and it felt like Friday!  Is there a fast forward time machine out there? :)

Speaking of time machine, a lot of my friends are getting married this year and the choices of regular makeup and airbrush makeup are always raised!  I really wish airbrush makeup was readily available back then when I got married!  I've always wanted to try Airbrush makeup myself but since I'm already married and turned out to be a make-up artist, there's no chance for me to try on airbrush makeup let alone have someone apply makeup on me! *self pity*

Not until, one fateful day, when AMW won her own set of Glambox Airbrush Cosmetics Set!

And it has been days I've been testing on Airbrush Foundation.  It is indeed fun!  I'll definitely do an in-depth product review and step-by-step tutorial on how to use GlamBox Airbrush. I have to use this more prior to finalizing my review.  So for now, all I can do is to leave you with a photo, a nude photo *gasp* <--- do not click Report Abuse button please!  hahaha

In the photo below, I've used nothing but GlamBox Foundation in Florence applied using the GlamBox Airbrush.

Which led me to an I Wonder question:
"Have You Tried Airbrush Make-up?"
If yes, do you like it better than regular make-up application?


Oh before I forget, I've had my hair cut shorter months ago by Steph and Jeave *waves hi*  Thanks for my shorter 'do!  I love it! 

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Stila Major Lash Mascara

It felt like forever since my last mascara review!  I have a secret to tell, I don't like wearing mascara!  *gasp* I know I should, but I guess I'm too lazy to remove it at the end of the day.  *sigh*    I know a lot of people have mascaras as their Mariah Carey Belting "Can't Live Without You"!  Definitely not me!  So you'll know the extreme effort I put to review mascaras!  *laughs*  Not that I'm complaining!  *hehehe*

 

 **photo from Stila website

Stila Major Lash Mascara says ---

This luxurious cream-based formula adds instant pigment to shine and define. Can be layered for a more dramatic look, keeps lashes soft, and curls on command. The best part there is no flaking and lashes remain large and in charge throughout the day. This is truely a Stila favorite. 

Size: 0.18 oz 

Shades: Black and Brown

Ingredients: water\aqua\eau, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax\cera carnauba\cire de carnauba, stearic acid, glyceryl stearate, polyisobutene, silica, polyvinyl acetate, aminomethyl propanediol, vp/eicosene copolymer, isostearic acid, panthenol, pantethine, sodium hyaluronate, lauroyl lysine, butylene glycol, peg-9 dimethicone, hexylene glycol, caprylyl glycol, simethicone, hydroxyethylcellulose, acrylates copolymer, bht, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, [+/- mica, iron oxides (ci 77491, ci 77492, ci 77499), titanium dioxide (ci 77891), ferric ferrocyanide (ci 77510), ultramarines (ci 77007), blue 1 lake (ci 42090), aluminum powder (ci 77000), bismuth oxychloride (ci 77163), carmine (ci 75470), chromium hydroxide green (ci 77289), chromium oxide greens (ci 77288), yellow 5 lake (ci 19140), manganese violet (ci 77742)] 

AMW says ---

Pros

• no smudging
• does not clump, definitely doesn't build up after several applications
• does not irritate the eye
• lengthens a bit but naturally
• dries easily after application
• brush is not too big or small, just the right size
• I actually like the long wand applicator (some may find this a con)

 

• no horrible scent
• can be easily removed by regular eye makeup remover

Cons

• volume is not enough, my lashes actually looks thinner than usual (photo below on nude lashes eeeekk)

• doesn't hold the curl
• has a tiny bit of fall out if applied too much
• the formula isn't wet even when newly opened, makes the mascara easy to dry up in the long run

Overall

This is a so-so mascara.  Nothing I hate and nothing I love.  It's just a regular mascara that gives out a natural finish.  So why would I put on mascara if it'll end up looking like my regular lashes just a tiny bit darker?  Beats me!  It does not dramatically lengthen or gives volume to your lashes, so this is perfect for people who are born with naturally gorgeous lashes.  For non-existent lashes like mine, time to finish this tube, move on and try other mascaras! 

Tips

• to increase volume, you can apply a mascara primer prior to mascara application
• if this clumps your lashes, use a spoolie or mascara wand to brush the lashes gently after application
• remove all traces of mascara before going to sleep to prevent eye allergies

Will I repurchase?

No

Where to purchase and how much?
I got this from Stila's Ulta Mate set at Strawberrynet.com 

$8.50 (approx Php391.00) at Stila Cosmetics website

Close up look on the mascara wand

  

Side view isn't that bad, but doesn't looks quite natural and can't really tell I have mascara on.  This can be good or bad, it really depends on your preference.

  

I'm still on the search for THE MASCARA 2010! 

I'll keep you posted for more mascara reviews!  I promise I won't be lazy! hahaha

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!