Nail Art Tutorial: Perky Orange Pop Nails

The weather is terribly hot nowadays and seriously, there's no point in putting on makeup so I use up my energy to create fierce looking nails instead!  I've done a series on simple nail art and let me get back to my first love!  Dainty floral nails!

Thanks to Caronia for re-introducing me to new Caronia shades.  I am really impressed with the shades available.  They are coming up with really perky shades perfect for youngsters, including me teehee --- hey!  No Violent Reactions please!

Step 1:

Apply your preferred base coat to protect your nails prior to nail polish application.  Apply 2 coats of your favorite orange polish.  I am using Caronia's Orange Pop polish.  Very pigmented and has a nice frost finish. 

Step 2:

To create a nice shimmer, apply 1 coat of Caronia Frosted polish in Sunset.  If you do not own a similar shade, you can apply a clear coat.

Step 3:

White the clear polish or the Frosted Sunset polish is still wet, quickly drop 5 dots just like what I did on photo below.  Do not be scared if the dot starts to expand, that's what we're trying to do.

Step 4:

White the dots are still wet, use a needle to create a nice petal.  Try to be quick on steps 3-4. 

Step 5:

It is your option to add extra dots if you like.

Step 6:

To create an illusion of a flower with petal, I am using Prettynails' 2 way nail art pen in yellow, using the thin brush to gently brush the middle portion of the flower.  The more imperfect it is, the better!

Step 7:

Apply your favorite Top Coat to protect your nail art.  My nail art lasts at least a week because of this!

Floral Nails on Orange Pop plish

Perfect for the girly side of you!

I want to thank everyone for appreciating my simple nail art! :)
Love it that most of you are embracing nail art the way I do!
Let's all snap our fingers and say...

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Elianto Matte Berry Lipsticks Review

Early this month, I was lucky to have the chance to get to know more about the brand Elianto, I was on a lipstick phase when I got into their store at Trinoma (I still am by the way) and the Matte Berry lipstick line, as I was told was just launched recently and the name "berry" itself gives a sense of fun fun fun!  Thanks to my dearest friend Sophie of Beautynomics for her lovely arm swatch and it wasn't hard for me to decide on which shade I want!

Elianto Matte Berry Lipstick 01

Pink Berry

AMW Reviews: Blinc Heated Lash Curler

In today's "beauty crazed" world, technology meets beauty and I won't be surprise if future comes when we have a robot specifically there to prettify us!  That would be scary and boring!

With the temporary curls we create on our heads using curling irons, it is not surprising companies use the same concept to create a nice curl for our lashes.  I've always been amazed with such tool which explains why I purchased my first heated lash curler lash year when it was on sale at the Beauty Bar.  I thought one was enough.  But I found the ModelCo heated lash curler I bought does not curl as much as I wanted to.  So when a new brand came in with the same function, who could dare to walk away?  Not this lady typing this post for sure!

Blinc's Heated Lash Curler

Blinc Heated Lash Curler says ---

• Works without clamping or using excessive pressure making it safer and not damaging for your lashes
• Nothing sets a curler better than heat.  After all, that's how we curl the hair on our heads!  It's the same for your lashes.  Not only is it safer, heated curls last longer than pressured curls.
• Delivers the precise amount of heat that can set a long lasting curl without damaging your lashes.
• Simple yet advanced design gives you more control and makes it easy to reach and curl even your tiniest lashes
• Ready to use in 30 seconds.  Only requires one AAA Battery (included)
• Small, compact making it easy to carry, even in the smallest makeup case or purse
• Blinc Lash Curler's heated comb has a special buit-in guard that prevents contact with your skina nd eyes
• great for those who have poker straight lashes

AMW says ---

Pros

• Housed in a very cute tin packaging 
• great for super short lashes
• has 2 "Heating rods" which heats up easily

• 1 AAA battery can heats up multiple times
• easy to change battery

• warms but not hot enough to burn your eyes
• not a single lash fell off since I tested it for months
• curls up naturally, does not have a sharp curve
• curls even short lashes like mine
• has a color indicator to know if the lash curler is heated up and ready for use

  Cons

• tears me up a bit the first time I use it
• scary for people who are not comfortable with "heat" on the eye area
• traditional curlers are easier to use, this takes a lot of time
• the free "cleaning" brush isn't nice as other brands

Overall

I prefer my traditional lash curler especially because I'm always in a hurry.  I finally realized the importance of the Blinc Heated Lash Curler when I was doing makeup for a client and a traditional eyelash curler won't fit her eye.  Thank goodness for this!  It works really well and client is impressed with the "gadget" I used on her :)

Tips

• takes a few tries to get the hang of this so please be patient
• never be in a hurry when using this, to prevent from accidents
• if the heated lash curler is warm, hold at the root of your lashes for 10 seconds, then slide about halfway up your lashes & hold for 10 seconds again.
• never leave the battery left inside the heated lash curler for a long period of time
• to maintain optimum battery life, switch off immediately after use
• if you're a makeup artist planning to use this on clients: Please check with them if they are okay with it, I have several clients turning down the chance to try this as they're afraid of the heat near the eye area.
• use a mascara that holds the curl for a better curled lashes
• clean the heated lash wand with a brush to prevent dirt and mascara build up
• you can heat your lashes before or after mascara application

Will I repurchase?
Hopefully not! I am hoping this will last me almost a lifetime!

Where to purchase and how much?
Locally at Beauty & Minerals website for Php1,350 (approx $29.00) Inclusive of shipping!

I currently own 2 Heated Lash Curlers.  One from ModelCo Lash Wand Heated Lash Curler and the other one is the Blinc Heated Lash Curler.  Here's a physical comparison on both and I'll tell you at the end which one I prefer.  I have to remind you though that this is not required to be part of your personal makeup kit, but if you prefer the extra "gadget" to prettify yourself, go ahead, but I prefer using this for other people rather than myself.  It's easier to control and the curl does stay longer given the right kind of pressure!  Practice is definitely needed!

Length of the Heated Lash Curlers:
Blinc is almost an inch longer than the ModelCo

Base on length, ModelCo brand is easier to store

Heating Rod:

ModelCo has only one while Blinc has 2 heating rods 

which makes Blinc easier to heat up and curls the lashes easily

In changing batteries:
ModelCo has a push button while Blinc does not have any

But both are easy to slide off for battery changing

Cleansing Brush

ModelCo has better cleansing brush as compared to the tiny one from Blinc

No need for further explanations, you can see it clearly on photos 

If I may add, the Blinc one has a heat indicator which  I think is an integral part in any heated lash curlers!  It's a huge PLUS for me as I don't need to "guess" or use "finger touch" test to feel if it's "warm" enough to start curling or safe enough to put near my eyes.

Shot on bare lashes, no mascara before and after using Blinc Heated Lash Curler.  If you ask me, it does work minus the "L-shape" that most traditional curlers create.

I prefer Blinc's over ModelCo and I found myself reaching for this more often

Have you finally tried heated lash curler yourself?
If not, would you dare try it?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: L'Oreal Playball Texture Tonic

Looking back, I am quite amazed on the number of hair products I've reviewed, that's one great thing about blogging, I get to look back on the products I've used and reread my thoughts on them!  You can always check it out by clicking "Hair Product Reviews" or check out the right hand side of my blog for tags on specific topics or brands you would like to read!

Now let's get back to hair!

I've realized, after so many years, that I feel at most comfortable if my hair has a bit of waves.  Gone are the days I try so hard to straighten my hair with a flat iron.  With the humidity and heat, there's no point going on a battle with nature empty-handed!

That's when hair products swoop right in!  I can never appreciate hair styling products until recently.  When I started to do hair for clients, I made sure to test the hair products personally prior to using them onto the clients.  I found myself learning so much from each styling product!  Read on for another product I've come to appreciate....

The L'Oreal Playball Texture Tonic

L'Oreal Play Ball Texture Tonic says ---

A flexible hold spray that enhances your hair's body and can even show off your waves, giving a natural finish.

Effect: For enhanced body and volume; also brings out curls.  With flexible hold and natural finish

Hair type: All hair types

Hold Factor: control 2/6

AMW says ---

Pros

• easy to use (spray type)
• mess-free (no need to dip fingers on product)
• very cute packaging
• can be used on both damp and dry hair
• no crunchy hair feel
• no flaking
• gives volume if needed
• fresh lime fragrance
• hair feels soft and natural

Cons

• a bit pricey for 150ml
• not widely available

Overall

When it comes to "beach tousled" hair, I can get away without any hair product as my hair is quite easy to manage when it comes to waves that I wanted to create.  But I believe other people do not have the same "obedient" hair as I do, a simple scrunch won't last for more than a minute, so an extra "boost" is needed to create that sexy "just-out-of-the-bed" look.  I find this lightweight formula helps create natural waves minus the heavy feel.  Thumbs up!

Tips

• for people with permanent curls: shake and spritz on towel-dried hair and blow dry
• for people with temporary curls using curling tools: spritz this product all over curls and let dry
• scrunch your hair with your fingers while damp and spray this all over your hair for that beach tousled hair look

Will I repurchase?

Yes

Where to purchase and how much?
At leading local salons for Php780.00 (approx $17.00)

Hair and makeup by: Nikki

Model: Frances Esse

Products used: Remington Curling iron

with L'Oreal Play Ball Texture Tonic

Are you currently into straight hair or curly waves?
I'm definitely on "waves" mood!
Have a wonderful start of the week!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Goodles

When I visit Robinson's Galleria, I've told myself I won't be able to "food trip" because I always end up in my favorite Korean restaurant.  But it wasn't dinner time yet when I passed by the movie house area and saw this eye catching food kiosk plus the poster.

"Gourmet Italian Pasta" with the fast food take-out packaging and speed, is what Goodles are trying to instill to pasta lovers out there.  Gone are the days where you can only eat popcorn, hotdogs and burgers inside  the movie theater.  We are definitely living in a fast-paced environment and good pasta served fast and fresh is what most of us are looking for.  The cute part is, they are served in take-out bowls for us to enjoy pasta like how we enjoy Chinese take-outs.

The hubby and I ordered the same dish as we are craving for seafood pasta that day.

Salsa Rossa Shrimp

Php170.00 (approx $3.70)

It was served in a plate because we dined-in.  It took approximately almost 10 minutes for this to be served.  I love the garlic bread, the way the pasta was cooked and the shrimps where quite huge!  I love it when I sprinkled it with dried chili PLUS hot sauce!  I am a sucker for spicy pasta!

Convenient take out boxes for moviegoers.  Personally, I would purchase this even if I am not in a hurry.  Can't wait to try the rest of the pasta dishes!

Goodles

4/L Robinson's Galleria

Mobile no: (63922) 873-7758

I'm in yoghurt stage as long as I can remember.  I will pick on yoghurt rather than ice cream anytime of the day.  After the spicy pasta I had from Goodles, right at the back of the food stall, there's a  stall  of California Berry Nonfat Frozen Yoghurt.

3 Words --- HAVE... TO... TRY!

Available in plain, green tea yoghurt and add your favorite toppings yoghurt.  Your choice!

I am very simple when it comes to yoghurt, I like it in MEDIUM and PLAIN!  Nothing more and nothing less.  And no spoon for the yoghurt tip!  Eat it like you mean it! :) 

I already ate mine before I was able to take a photo :(  Sorry, I just can't resist!  (photo below from website)

But my hubby wants to give the toppings a try...

California Berry Plain Yoghurt (Medium)

Php85.00 (approx $1.85)

3 toppings of your choice for Php115.00 (approx $2.50)

*sigh*
Enjoying even the simplest food is worth the experience!
I strongly believe in eating what you crave for and what makes you happy!

Go ahead and indulge this Sunday!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!