AMW Reviews: Charm Luxe Retractable Kabuki

I am serious when I said I am a brush addict!  I am a fan of retractable brush for personal use as I love using brush to retouch!  And having a brush that's scattered inside my makeup kit is a pet peeve of mine!  I can't bare having bristles exposed to dirt! 

I've had my Charm Retractable Kabuki brush inside my personal makeup kit for more than a year, its still ok, but an upgrade wouldn't hurt especially if it's friendly to the pocket!!!

Introducing...my new Charm Luxe Retractable Kabuki....still in PINK!

 

Charm Luxe Retractable Kabuki says ---

For girls on the go who love stuffing their stuffs in their bag, the Charm Luxe Retractable Kabuki is the perfect travel companion, and perfect trophy makeup item in your bag! Like the Charm Luxe Kabuki, the Luxe Retractable Kabuki is made of synthetic, vegan hair, that glides like velvet no matter how much you buff it on your skin!

AMW says ---

Pros

• very soft, synthetic hair

• does not scratch the skin no matter how many times I buff
• no bleeding or shedding!  Surprisingly, the pink color did not bleed! 
• since it's retractable, it protects the brush hairs from dirt

• very inexpensive
• cute pink color!
• brush hair dries faster as compared  to the Charm Retractable Kabuki
• small and fits the hand perfectly

Cons

• the retractable portion does not cover all the "hairs" as compared to my previous one, in which, you  have to be careful in closing the cap

• if you're OC with brand name, the CHARM inscription fades after several washes, as seen on photo below, the older version I have does not have the CHARM name anymore (I seriously do not mind!)

Overall

It's a perfect travel brush for pink lovers who likes synthetic bristles with light to medium coverage.  You can always build up the coverage by re-applying and it doesn't hurt to re-apply no matter how many times as the hair feels so soft on skin!  For retractable K-brushes, I prefer synthetic bristles as it dries faster than natural bristles and it stays the way it was first purchased no matter how many times I've washed it.

Tips

• always wash the brush well prior to using
• though this is retractable, do wash the brush frequently still!  I know it's tempting not to wash this as often as other brushes who are more exposed
• make sure the brush hairs are dry before you close the cap 
• dry the brush laying flat on a towel, do not let it stand up to prevent water from getting into the glue

Will I repurchase?

Yes!  Great gift for friends too!

Where to purchase and how much?

At Beauty & Minerals website for Php500.00 (approx $10.90)

A close up shot on the Charm Luxe Retractable Kabuki

  

 The size as compared to the first Charm K-Brush I own

  

As compared to the older version

the brush hair of the Luxe K-brush is longer

which is perfect for natural finish

  

 I seriously need to get into brush rehab!  But please lock me in together with my brush collection ok?  At least, I'll keep myself busy washing my brushes and touching them! *hahaha*

Have a wonderful weekend!  Today is the Dollface Personal Make-up Workshop!!!  I am so excited!  Wish me luck!  Oh yes, before I forget, over the weekend, I went to an event and I also relaxed for a spa treatment after a year!!!  Will keep you wonderful readers posted with AskMeWhats' Reports!  Check back for it soon!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Kerastase Reflection Chroma Reflect Masque

Finally!!!  Lemmings after lemmings, stopover from one salon to the other.  I finally purchase another Kerastase hair treatment!  There are so many ranges of Kerastase products targeted for different hair needs.  I have tried Kerastase Oleo Relax way back and instead of repurchasing the same product, I've decided to give the Reflection range a try since for the past years, I've colored my hair multiple times and my hair obviously lacks the luster and shine it was born with! The Kerastase Reflection Chroma Reflect is set to be for "sensitised hair", in simpler language, for hair that has been chemically damaged. <-- points to my own hair!

 

Kerastase Chroma Reflect says ---

A rich and luxurious conditioning treatment for thick and very sensitised colored hair.  This beautiful hair mask conditioner aims to restore the hair fiber and give the hair a masque aims to leavve the hair supple and soft with a beautiful luster and  mirror-like shine, while helping to provide the hair against external aggressions.

size: 200ml

AMW says ---

Pros

• a little goes a long way, I use at least 1.5 tablespoon for my hair length
• smells great
• makes hair softer and more manageable
• makes hair color livelier
• nice color coordinated packaging base on range
• has a protective cap

Cons

• pricey as compared to other hair treatment

Overall

I've always been offered Kerastase hair treatment when I asked for salon treatments.  Though purchasing this is quite pricey, I would calculate the times I can treat my hair and it's still cheaper as compared to having it done in a salon.  

First time using the Chroma Reflect Masque, I felt it's a bit sticky after first wash and I find my hair a bit hard to comb!  This happens to most hair masque I've tried so I did not panic.  What I love about this masque is on it's 2nd and 3rd and the days to come.  I can definitely see my hair shinier and more manageable.  

Tips

 from Kerastase

• Apply 1 to 2 teaspoons to clean, towel-dried hair. 
• Massage through from roots to ends, focusing on sensitized areas. 
• Leave on for 10 minutes. 
• Emulsify with warm water and rinse thoroughly.

from AMW

•  use this treatment once or twice a week depending on the degree of damage of your hair
• try to concentrate the product on damaged areas
• massage onto hair and scalp gently, be gentle especially when hair is wet
• if your hair is very damaged, do not save up on product and use as much as you can to help save your hair!

Will I repurchase?

Definitely.  I did!

Where to purchase and how much?
I bought mine at First Aid, Greenbelt for, Php2,625 (approx $57.00), other salons do sell these too

For international readers, there are online sites selling these.

  

Have you tried Kerastase home or salon treatment?
Tell me your experience!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

 

Eureka Moment: I Can Now Shop at Sephora!

Good Eureka day everyone!!!  I know how some of you like my Eureka Moments.  I enjoy sharing some good finds and exciting treasures!

I remember those days that I would "window shop" at Sephora website!  How I wish I can shop there!  But because of geographical difficulties, all I can do is salivate in front of the screen as I see the deals passing by my very own eyes!  That's when I'm glad that there are smart sellers out there who reads the mind of buyers like us!  I've chanced up a local multiply seller called Maison d'elan House of Flair online store.  I believe we can pre-order anything available at Victoria Secret and Sephora.  There are also some interesting on hand products sold.


Anyways, yours truly got intrigued with the Benefit To Go Beauty Bestseller priced at $10.00 and they sell it for Php715.00 (approx $15.50) + shipping!  Not bad since I get the product faster and I'm sure the product  will get to my hands as compared to getting lost in local post offices!

I wanted to try the famous Posietint for quite some time and I don't want to spend a lot on a full size not knowing if it'll work for me or not. Since the price ain't bad, I gave it a go!  The order came in approximately 2 weeks!  And here's how it was packaged!!!!

Finally! I have my own Benefit to Go Beauty Bestseller!  I can't wait to test them and give you a review as soon as I have the chance to do so!!!  My heart melts when I see sample sizes housed in a very cute packaging.

  

This set contains:
- 0.08 oz Posietint: A poppy-pink tinted lip & cheek stain
- 0.06 oz Some Kind-A Gorgeous: The foundation faker
- 0.25 oz That Gal: A brightening face primer
- 0.09 oz High Beam: A luminescent complexion enhancer

  

The itchy hands tested the Posietint right away!  The shade is really pretty!  No wonder it was raved by many!  

  

I also got a freebie from the seller!  Thanks for the Hourglass Veil Oil Free Mineral Primer  

I will definitely window shop more at Sephora!  Glad to have a third party seller who helps bring these products! Oh, please do not forget to email the seller on how much they would sell the product plus shipping rate before you place an order!  

Sephora addicts out there, hope this helps!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: "The Heat is On" Nails

Happy nail art day!!!  After Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day, I can definitely feel the heat!  Summer's definitely coming!  So my nail art tutorial for this week is inspired by summery colors!  Let's turn on the heat and enjoy the sun!  Don't forget the SPF ok?

Step 1:
Apply base coat prior to 2 coats of your choice of nail polish.  I am using The Nail Fantasy polish no. 66 (glittery peach color)

Step 2:

Create a French tip using Elianto polish in Yellow.

Optional:
You can stop in this step, apply your favorite top coat and enjoy the bright colored Orange and Yellow combination French Tip! :)

 

Step 3:

Using L.A. Colors Art Deco in black, create 3 lines going to the directions you are comfortable with.

Step 4:

Using L.A Art Deco in white, create lines between the black strips you've created on Step  3.

Step 5:

Using the same yellow polish you used as French Tip, I've dotted random dots using nail art dotting tool.  How?

Drop several drops of Elianto's Yellow Polish on a used CD

Using a nail art dotting tool, gently apply dots on areas you prefer
You can always be creative on this step

Step 6:

Protect your nail art with OPI's RapiDry Top Coat or any top coat of your choice.

Wave your hands and enjoy the hot combination!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Something New: Graftobian HD Creme Foundation Temptress (Dish)

The first Graftobian product I own is the Graftobian High Definition Warm Palette #1.  I've been using it on clients on an myself for a while and I found that the small quantity of each color made me finish up the product as fast as a speeding bullet!  It's not bad though because I love mixing and matching shades and the palette is a perfect foundation palette for makeup artists like me.

But what if you're not a make-up artist?  What if  you don't need all the shades?  I've been asked these questions so many times and I'm glad I got an answer!  There is such thing as Graftobian HD Creme Foundation in dish! 

 

I don't need to tackle the pros and cons as the creme foundation is the same as the ones on palette form.  They are indeed very soft, silky and light on skin!  I also use this to spot conceal blemishes or undereye circles.  This is definitely great for everyday use that's why I've decided to re-purchase another one for personal use! 

I wanted to order Vixen as it's closer to my skin color, since the color is out of stock, I ordered the next shade instead which is Temptress.  It's not a biggie as I like my skin tone a bit darker on some days!  And if it doesn't work?  I can always mix and match with my lighter Graftobian Creme Foundation like Graceful Swan or Ingenue! 

Here's Temptress on dish with and without flash 

  

Swatched on hand without base

 

Clean face using Temptress shade, no base, no setting powder

Used with Beauty Blender in application

 

Each dish costs Php900.00/approx $20.00 available at HD Makeup Studio.

I am loving High Definition makeup, I don't need to use a lot and yet it photographs really well!  How say you?  Have you tried any high definition makeup?  

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!