AMW Reports: Fab, Fresh & Fun: A Summer Picnic

Do I need a break from Stress?  Of course!  Who doesn't?

And if relaxing means pampering myself with facials, makeovers and hair treatments with Maybelline, Garnier, Matrix  at The Grove by Rockwell, Count me In!

We can start our pampering journey by having a facial done by Garnier.  I gave this a skip because I am so excited for my hair treatment! 

Hair pampering using Matrix products.  I love it when Matrix Intensive Conditioner was massaged gently and left for a couple of minutes.  Washed, blow dried and finished up with a Matrix Serum which left my hair soft and bouncy!

Thanks Shobe for this shot!  If I may add, I am holding a vanilla ice cream by Nestle Heaven.  I had 2 cups of these (shhhh). 

After the blow dry and ice cream, I took off to the Maybelline counter and got my own "lei" and wait for my turn on makeover.

Took a shot of Shen obviously enjoying her makeover and looking fabulous!

And it's my turn to have my makeover. Guess who did my makeup?  Same Maybelline Make-up artist whom I met last year from the same event done by Maybelline, Garnier and Matrix called Mission Accomplished: Be Stunning for a Steal !  Jim Ryan Ros!  It was great seeing him once again and I am very proud of his success!   He wanted to do a darker look on me but I told him I'm going nowhere right after.  So he opted for a more natural look instead using pink and purple.

An additional product was used on my face and I'm liking it!  Maybelline's BB Cream applied with Maybelline's Clear Smooth Minerals Liquid Foundation in Buff Beige.  I already love the effect it gives.  Clean and natural.

Here's a  shot of me and Jim after my makeover.  Thanks dear!
Great to see you again!

There's also a nail art booth by Nail Spa.  I skipped this step because I've recently done nail art myself  and I worked hard for it.  I can see a  lot of girls and even guys enjoying the nail spa experience!

The event serves good food by The Plaza, which I haven't taken a shot of it because I was busy eating.  Fruit Shakes by Big Chill and Shooters by Swizzle Bar (photo below)

Let me start by saying, I've met wonderful people in this event.

Trisha Chua from Maybelline and I told her I have a crush on her dress!

I also met Michelle Fernandez from Maybelline too, but wasn't able to take a shot!  

She's wearing gorgeous dress too!

Roanne from All The Vanity Blog.  It was great seeing her after, hmm..a year or more?  We had a bit of time to chitchat but she has to leave early, or maybe I came in late? :D

Camille from Your Little Beauty Bag and her husband.  It was great seeing her in person for the first time.

And of course, my partner in crime, Beauty Crime!  Shen!

I left The Grove around evening and  see how gorgeous the event area is!  Can't help but take a shot!

Thanks Maybelline, Garnier and Matrix for this event and for the pampering experience.  I walked out energize and smiling!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy

According to your reporter for the day...

AMW Reviews: The Body Shop High Shine Treatment in Golden Coral

Friday is finally here!  This week has been too long, I guess I am looking forward for the long weekend and an exciting trip!  Before the week ends, I will be talking about another lip product that I've tried because of it's moisturizing property and word "treatment" that comes with its name! 

TBS High Shine Treatment says ---

Hi-Shine Lip Treatment delivers a wash of pretty glossy colour to lips with precision and ease.  The high shine, skin-conditioning formula with Community Trade marula oil leaves lips looking irresistibly luscious.  And the squeezable tube with rounded chiseled applicator means it is quick and simple to apply - perfect for girls in a hurry. 

Pucker up with two delicious, luminous shades:

06 Party Pink
17 Golden Coral (limited edition)

AMW says ---
Pros

• very moisturizing, even after removing it
• one tube lasts forever
• very smooth and easy to apply
• applicator has smooth surface so easy to apply on lips

• works really well on top of a lip color
• company does not test on animals --- YAY!

Cons

• if you're looking for loud colored lips, this is quite sheer
• if you're not into sticky gloss, this has a bit of sticky consistency
• fragrance is too much for me, I'm not a fan of peach scent (personal opinion)

Overall

If you are into lip gloss and don't mind the semi-sticky feel and strong fruity scent?  Go ahead.  This is a cheaper alternative for Lancome Juicy Tubes. 

I really like Golden Coral shade especially if I top it with a boring lip color because it livens the color  and creates a nice 3 dimensional shine and glimmer.

Tips

from makeup artist Chase Aston 

"Two fabulous, super glossy, ultra moisturizing, must-have lip shades for spring.  Fresh and flirty, easy to wear shades that can be worn alone for a sheer hint of tint, layered over Lip & Cheek Stain and Colour glide Lip Colour"

from AMW 

• for a more precise application, apply using a lip brush
• if you're applying this straight from the tube applicator to your lips, wipe regularly before closing the cap
• always remember to twist the cap well, having this messed up inside your bag is a big nuisance
• top this with your favorite lip color for a more intense color with high shine
• this gloss is perfect for girls with thin lips, apply this on the center of your lips then gently spread outward directly from tube or lip brush

Will I repurchase?

No, one tube is enough.  And the scent makes me dizzy!

Where to purchase and how much?
At local Body Shop for Php595.00 (approx $13.00)

A closer look on the tube applicator

A swatch of Golden Coral

Applied on lips alone without lipstick or balm

Have you tried this lip treatment?  Do you like it?
Before I end this post, I want to congratulate dear blogger friends Shen and Tara for winning the Promod Contest last night!!!  I will report about the event as soon as I can!!! It was such a fun event!  

Have a wonderful weekend!
Your resident AMW is off for a nice relaxation... I HOPE!  :D

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: "Romper Inspired" Nails

Looking for nail art inspirations isn't that difficult.  I find myself getting amazed with patterns and prints I see everywhere!  A piece of clothing can also be an inspiration to me.  As I was browsing through my dresser, I saw a very eye-catching print which inspired me to create a nail art design.  

I call this my "Romper Inspired" Nails.

Here's a Romper I purchased from Shannaholic Online Store

And here are my nails!

Before I start telling you the steps, first of all, I want to thank my dearest friend Toma!  For being sneaky and sending me a surprise gift!  It's not even my birthday!  She sent it to me "just because..." thank you Toma, you made this nail crazed lady very happy!  This photo is for you

Step 1:

Apply base coat and let dry.  Apply 2 coats of my new ELF polish in Hot Pink.  *raises the polish proudly*.  Let dry completely.

Step 2:

Since I've finished up my ELF polish in black, I am using my Prettynails' 2 way nail art pen and use the thin brush to draw a diagonal line and fill it with black polish.  Again let dry completely.

Step 3:

Drop a any matte white polish in any cardboard or a used CD.  I am using the matte white polish from Elianto.

Use a dotting tool or toothpick to pick up the white polish

And create random dots on the black part of your nails (as shown below)

Step 4:

Do the same step, but this time, use  the ELF Hot Pink polish

Use a smaller dotting tool or lightly tap on the ELF Hot Pink polish on top of the white dots.

Step 5:

Making sure the dots are dry, apply your favorite top coat on top of the nail art.  I have to repeat that you have to make sure the dots are dry as wet dots will ruin all your hard work!

Nails for the week!

Looks very playful, right?

Have a gorgeous day!  Be inspired with so many things out there!
Little things in life count!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

HD Makeup Quick Drying Professional Brush Cleaner Sanitizer Review

Brush cleansing, if I may stress *in preachy voice* is very important.  It's like taking a shower, washing your face, washing your hands!  It's second nature!

Most of the time, I make my own "home made brush cleanser" so you won't hear me complain  about it!  Recently though,  I have stopped making them because I finished up one of the ingredient to make my own brush cleanser, the dish washing liquid with conditioner (which can only be bought at a certain grocery store).  Thank goodness a dear friend Steph told me about this brush cleaner they are carrying and she was raving about it and I told myself I have to check this out and experience this first hand, because, there won't be enough brush cleansers for me!  The OC-me!

HD Makeup Studio, the Philippine Dealer of Graftobian Hi-Definition Cosmetics, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) and NYX cosmetics, also carry their own brush cleanser.  First reaction?  It's pink and it smells great! But let me go beyond that....

HD Makeup Studio

Quick Drying Professional Brush
Cleaner Sanitizer

Promod's "Je Ne Sais Quoi’" style

I was invited recently by Charisse from Stratworks to join a contest related to fashion for Promod.

Promod is today one of France's biggest fashion store chains and the brand enjoys international success with 796 outlets in 46 countries.  Promod collections are aimed at an exclusively female clientele, namely: Modern, active women between 20 and 30 years old, who desire fashionable, reasonably priced, quality articles that are neither too classy nor too "trendy", and that offer the possibility of mixing and matching according to individual tastes , thanks to their variety and frequent renewal.

What I like about Promod is their collection offers a wide range of items and I find it easy to mix and match their clothing and accessories.  Anyone wearing Promod can easily look like they just came out from a French magazine minus the outrageous runway look.

Me, a beauty blogger can invite a stylist friend to mix and match Promod's clothes and accessories and create "je ne sais quoi" that will spell out our own fashion style, our own interpretation of French High-Street Fashion.  Styling will revolve around picking key items from Promod store and create 5 different looks to be worn by a mannequin.

I've invited a dear friend Shanna of Shannaholic to be my partner stylist.  She's always been fashionable and comfortable at the same time which I think works well for Promod's Contest theme.  I have taken a look online for the definition of "je ne sais quoi" and it was defined as "a certain something".  Perfect description!

For both Shanna and myself, French High-Street fashion definitely has a certain something, a certain X-factor that you can't seem to pinpoint.  It's a type of fashion wherein each pieces are unique and yet, when put together, it complements each other, in a very unique and elegant way.

Do you need a new skirt? If so, do you want one you can wear whenever you want? Of course you do. That means your money is well-spent. For the best results when skirt shopping, focus on denim skirt fashion options. A denim skirt can be matched with almost any type of top and even layered with sweaters or jackets. When it comes to footwear and accessories, you also can't go wrong with denim. Wear a denim skirt with keels and makeup for a night out clubbing or slip on some sandals or sneakers for a casual, comfortable outfit. Certain styles of denim skirts, including pencil skirts, can also work when you want something comfortable to wear to the office.


Introducing, the Five "Je Ne Sais Quoi" Look.

Casual Day Straight From the Runway Look

This look was created with a fashionable and modern girl in mind.  A girl who's carefree and does not spend too much time in front of the mirror.  She's born to be a natural head turner, a natural gorgeous gal!

How we created this look:

A faded khaki color block ruffled dress tucked in a cropped trousers matching the look with a snake effect gladiator sandals.  To create a nice "layering" effect without the bulkiness, a printed gray sleeveless cardigan was added to create a more casual and "relaxed" look.

To accessorize, a soft scarf with metal-like fringes was tied around the neck together with a star necklace.