Thursday, March 18, 2010

Something New: DKNY Fresh Blossom + Coming Soon!

One thing I like about fragrances are their packaging!  The more eye-catching the packaging, the more intrigued I am to take a sniff.

Floral scent has always been my choice!  Florals are always associated with being romantic, sweet and of course!  Feminine!  I recently took up a "What's Your Signature Scent" quiz and I was a bit surprised I came across to be a Citrus-y person.  I am actually between Citrus-y and Floral.  As I checked back the scents I have in my collection, the quiz result was actually right!  I am in love with floral and citrus scents!

No wonder when I got my own DKNY Fresh Blossom (thanks Rizel from DKNY),  my nose hairs are doing the "Happy Dance" *laughs*! Am I gross or just plain gross? *hahaha*  But scroll down to see why I'm so excited about this!




The  DKNY apple is transformed into its comic counterpart filled with ben-day dots and thought  bubbles  Take a juicy bite of a scent that is innocent, lighthearted, intensely feminine, and radiant in a pop art inspired limited edition bottle.

Aside from the wonderful sweet smelling scent I've always loved about DKNY, they've also packaged this in the cutest packaging ever!  The color is just perfect for a pink lover like myself!  This will definitely be displayed on my "fragrance" collection even if I finished this up.



Suggested Retail Price: Php3,100 (approx $67.00) for 50ml
Available at Rustans Department Stores

-----------------------------------------------------------
And you think they'll stop there?  A "little birdie" told me that there's going to be a new scent coming this May under DKNY Brand: CANDY APPLES.



This is the ultimate treat dipped in syrup of urban sweet.  Creating a candy apple is about pairing the sweetness of candy with a juicy, ripe apple.  This pairing has been made perfected and with that, they are able to create three new Candy Apple Fragrances:  Sweet Caramel, Ripe Raspberry and Juicy Berry.


More and more cosmetics, skincare and fragrance companies are housing their stuffs in a really cute and eye-catchy packaging!  I like that!  You know why?  Because for someone like myself,  and to a lot of you out there...little pleasures in life, as simple as these, can make my day!  I hope it does the same to you!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!


Eureka Moment: L.A. Colors Art Deco Available Locally!



Dear Philippine Readers:

I have so many queries on the L.A. Colors Art Deco Nail Lacquer.  I always tell my readers that they are available online, which disappointed them because a lot of them are not into online shopping!  Well, that's the only advise I could give at that time as that is where I purchase mine!

EUREKA MOMENT!

I went to Market! Market! mall recently and it was a pleasant surprise to see an area for L.A. products!  (I could be late in reporting this as some of you may have seen this already).  From cosmetics to Art Deco nail polishes to LA Colors Nail polishes!  The downside is, it's mostly sold out, the basic colors like white, black, red, green aren't available anymore.  But I was able to grab 2 shades.  The gold one which is a repurchase and a new shade to add up my nail art collection, matte blue!

Priced at Php65.00 (approx $1.40) locally, NOT BAD!!!

Definitely a Eureka moment!  This is a perfect polish with the perfect thin brush to create French Tip or simple lines on your nails.  Photo samples below...


Local distributor of L.A. Colors?  Please replenish your stuffs!!!  I am sure your sales will shoot up!

Have a wonderful day!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!


Wednesday, March 17, 2010

AMW Reviews : ELF Studio Creme Eyeliner in Coffee

How's everyone doing today?  It's a Humpy Wednesday and I'm hoping the hump isn't too huge! :P  Anyone who reads my blog knows how much I love gel liners, aside from brushes, well, I love anything and everything that's worth to write about!  I gave a couple of lowdown for the gel liners I've used in the past and I stopped a bit because I only 1 set of eyes! *laughs*

When ELF came out with the ELF Studio line, one product caught my attention and the packaging is just too cute to resist.  It's the ELF Studio Creme Eyeliner!  I got the 2 basic and boring shades ---  The Brown and The Black.  It's inexpensive, but the biggest question is....does it perform? 




ELF Studio Creme Eyeliner says ---
Creates smooth lines that are defined and precise. Smudge-proof, budge-proof and water-resistant coverage for all day wear to combat against, sweat, tears and rain!

Available in 4 shades: Coffee (brown), Black, Midnight (a dark gray) and Ivory (white)

Ingredients:

Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Polyethylene, Barium Sulfate, Cyclomethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Propylene Carbonate, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Red No.40 Lake (CI 16035), Mica (CI 77019), Blue No.1 Lake (CI 42090), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ultramarine Violet (CI77077). 

AMW says ---

Pros
  • creamy and easy to apply, no tugging of the lid area
  • for the upper lash line: does not smudge, stays the whole day til I remove it at the end of the day
  • water resistant 
  • no eye irritations
  • very inexpensive
  • one pot can last more than 6 months to a year even when used daily
  • stays on my lid for the whole day even without eye primer
  • nice packaging

  • dries up quite fast, never experienced the liner transferring on my lids
  • if you are into natural liner look, this works great as its not too dark nor heavy
  • not difficult to take off with eye makeup remover as compared to other liners

Cons
  • on the lower lash line: gone in less than 2 hours, smears a bit
  • not available locally, have to purchase online
  • if you are into dramatic eyeliner look, the "coffee" shade is not for you, need to re-apply 203 times to get the darkness you prefer
  • as stated on PRO above, it has nice packaging but its not made of glass, so I'm not sure how soon this creme liner to dry up
Overall

Definitely worth the value!  One of the most inexpensive creme liner I've tried and this works like crazy!

The shade "Coffee" is a perfect matte brown shade that does not have the "reddish" undertone in which other brown eyeliner gives.  I love how it is a "creme" type but felt "mousse-y gel" in texture.  This is great for daily use! The shades itself is in between sheer and dark, its just in between so the color comes out naturally, no wonder I reach out for this daily!

Once, I was telling a story to my colleague about some "emotional" issues in my life and the crybaby in me...cried!  *hahaha*  Seriously, the crying isn't intended for review but such great timing right?  I have doubts and worries because it was the first time I'll be crying with my ELF Creme Eyeliner.  When I got back to my seat, I checked my liner right away and my upper lash line liner is still intact and no smudging and smearing!  But the liner on my lower lash line smeared a bit and the rest are gone!  It didn't smudge really bad as compared to other gel liners!  Nothing a cotton bud can't solve! 

Tips  
from ELF
  • Dip a thin brush into the formula, swirl around gently until brush is saturated with color. 
  • Swipe off any excess formula on the top edge of the pot. 
  • Trace a line along the top lash line from the inner corner towards the outer corner of the eye. 
  • If desired, apply on lower lash line as well. Remove with an oil based eye makeup remover.
from AMW
  • because the shade is not as dark as compared to other gel liners, the pigmentation is build-able so this can also be used as "smokey" eyeshadow base
  • test on different eyeliner brushes to see which brush would be easiest for you to use, I prefer my stiff angled liner brush
  • do you have very oily lids?  Apply an eye primer prior to eyeliner and eyeshadow application
  • do you have sensitive eyes? Steer clear on waterline application
  • always close the cap tightly, it's not a problem with this as you'll hear the "click" sound
Will I repurchase?
Yes!  I plan to give away my ELF Studio Creme eyeliner in Black, but looks like I'm going to keep it for myself!




Where to purchase and how much?
I'm not sure where you can purchase ELF Studio line in your country but I purchased mine at The Makeup Mix Shop for $3.00 (approx Php138.00) + shipping.


Here are the swatches of ELF Studio Creme Eyeliner in Coffee
Applied with a slanted eyeliner brush swiped once, no base


Applied on the upper lashline winging it a bit!


Applied on the lower lashline as well


It is indeed water resistant


Smudging the liner while dry does not create smudges, but smudging the liner with water smudges the eyeliner.  It's fine though, no one in the right mind would smudge the eye area as hard as I did!


Rubbing extra hard, the eyeliner goes invisible rather than looking dirty on skin


Hope this full of photos post will help readers who plan to purchase inexpensive liners that works!
Have a wonderful smudge-free liner day!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!


Tuesday, March 16, 2010

AMW Reports: Mineral Flowers Event



Last week, I got an invite from "Mineral Flowers".  At first thought, I had this impression that this is going to be a mineral makeup brand.  But after further research, I've learned that the brand carries skincare that uses Dead Sea water.  Exciting right?

Off I went to the event thinking this is going to be a very pricey product to be launched in the market.  But I am glad to report to all of you, that this is actually wallet friendly!  Read on ....




The amazing benefits of Dead Sea ingredients blended with floral extracts are now available in the Philippines with the launch of Mineral Flowers, a skincare line uniquely formulated to help cleanse, moisturize, balance and support skin renewal.

The Mineral Flowers brand has its origins in Israel, where Dead Sea minerals have been used in beauty treatments since the days of Cleopatra for their proven effects in improving the skin's health and vitality.  Minerals are essentials for cell metabolism and needed to stabilize the skin's moisture content.



In developing Mineral Flowers, founder Uri Ben Hur, himself a trained chemist, reveals that nature was his strongest inspiration.  "Formulating a natural product with rich ingredients from mother earth is the key.  I have been working hard to do this since 1991 and through the years we have come up with around 1400 formulations," he says.  "Mineral Flowers has a unique blend of natural concentrated mineral water with 35% of mineral and trace elements.  Together with Dead Sea Mud, bee's wax, freshh flowers, promegranate juice and pomegranate peel, this formula works to enhance the moisture factor of the skin and its regeneration, and will help to reduce the signs of aging."

Monday, March 15, 2010

Unsung Hero: ELF Nail Polishes

A serious case of "Unsung Hero" will be discussed today!  I have done more than 80 nail art tutorials for almost 2 years and I'm sure you've seen this brand being used so many times.  The ELF Nail Polish --- the set that I got from my dearest friend who sent it to me because she knew how much I love nail polishes!  It's a $1.00 nail polish from ELF and everyone would think a cheap nail polish wouldn't perform! 

Well this product proved a lot of us WRONG!


**photo from www.eyeslipsface.com


ELF Nail Polish says ---

This color-lock formula with chip resistant shield gives long lasting nail color with high shine. The aerodynamic bristle design glides color on flawlessly, while the quick dry formula gives perfect application every time. Key nutrients give nails that natural shine, infused with Vitamin E for stronger, healthier nails.
Our formula is FREE of: Toluene, Formaldehyde, and Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP).

Net Wt: .35oz (10ml)
Ingredients: Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Nitrocellulose, Anhydride/Trimellitic Anhydride/Glycols Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) Iron Oxides(CI 77491 , CI 77492 , CI 77499), Red No.6 Lake (CI 15850), Red No.27 Lake (CI 45410), Blue No.1 Lake (CI 42090) 

AMW says ---

Pros
  • very pigmented shades
  • dries up quickly, no need for quick dry top coat
  • does not turn the nails yellow (not unless you wear polish daily and doesn't let your nails breathe)
  • very inexpensive
  • great packaging
  • the nail polish itself does not dry up inside the bottle, I've had mine almost 2 years and still working fine
  • no weird smell
  • after application, have this nice "shine", you can even get away without a top coat!
  • does not chip easily or crack, without top coat, this can last more than 3 days, with a good top coat, it can last a week!  (with household chores and crazy typing skill)
Cons
  • NOT AVAILABLE LOCALLY!!!! *wails*
Overall

Best inexpensive nail polish EVER!  PERIOD!

Tips
  • even though some nail polishes companies vouch that their products are safe and does not turn your nails yellow, it is still safe to use a base coat prior to polish application
  • if your nails are weak, alternate polish application 2x a month or 1x a month
  • to keep the polish longer, store in cool dry place.  I store mine in a traincase which seriously prolonged the life of my nail polishes
  • apply a top coat on top of the nail polish to prevent from chipping
  • use a gentle acetone or nail polish remover in removing nail polishes
  • not available in your area?  Ask help from a friend to help you purchase and ask them to bubble wrap them well!  (Mine came in bubbled wrap and they are all safe!)
Will I repurchase?
YES!

Where to purchase and how much?
At ELF website for $1.00 (approx $46.00)

To show you how pretty the shades I've used, I've used them multiple times on my nail art tutorials and I've posted some of them here.  It's posted alphabetically!  (OC I know!) :P  Enjoy!


Berry Pink


Black


Bubblegum Pink


Champagne


Coral


Light Pink


Nude


Platinum


Red


You want your own right?  Same here!  I'm almost done with some of the shades and I want to repurchase!  I hope my reader who requested for a review for of these polishes was able to read this!  Sorry it took such a long time!

Enjoy your week!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!