Nail Art Tutorial: "Romantic Florals"

Hey hey hey dear friends! How's the week treating you?  I had quite a relaxing weekend so my week started off okay.  I did this nail art mid-week last week and thought of sharing it to you, just so you know, it's still surviving as I repaint it with another coat of top coat!  So thank goodness all crystals are still intact and I haven't chip it YET! :)

I've done a simple nail art design close to my heart --- FLORAL.  I hope you won't get tired of it ok?

Step 1: 

Prior to nail polish application, apply your favorite base coat to protect your nails, let dry.  A lot of readers ask how I take care of my nails and I guess I take care of it by using a nice base coat each and every nail polish application.  It does help lessen the yellowing of nails.

Apply 2 coats of Caronia Frosted Polish in POSH.

Step 2: 

Using Prettynails' 2 way nail art pen in White or any tool to create dots, create 5 dots for flowers and add as many as you like.

Step 3: 

With the needle method, create a more "realistic" petal by sharpening one edge of the dot. as shown on picture below. 

Step 4: 

Dot any polish color that suits your taste, I've used yellow polish from Elianto with a Nail Art Dotting tool to create flower bud.

Step 5: 

I want to use my Swarovski stones, so I've added crystal in between the biggest flower for a nice sparkle.  Use a clear polish to let the stones stick.

Step 6: 

Top everything with your favorite top coat.  I've applied 2 coats of top coat to protect the crystals.  It does stay for more than a week.

The simplest yet daintiest nail art you can start to do!
I have started my nail art with flowers!  

You can smile and click HERE to see my first nail art ever

Have a wonderful nail art design week!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Revlon Luxurious Color Satin and Perle Eyeshadows

I haven't been using much eye makeup lately because I'd rather apply makeup on other people rather than myself!  With the weather improving, I am glad to finally give the new Revlon Perle and Satin eye shadows a try.  These colors I chose to be part of my train case as the shades are neutral enough for bridal look and works even great on mature clients.  I like multi-tasking products!  After several tests and usage, I can finally give my 2 cents on these eye shadows. 

Revlon Luxurious Color Eyeshadow says ---

• Rich, refined pigments and velvety smooth textures
• Glides on smoothly, blends effortlessly
• Helps define and accent eyes
• Satin shades provide a smooth shimmering finish
• Perle shades provide a sparkling crystallized finish
• Matte shade provide a creamy rich finish

5 Satin finishes - Smooth, Shimmering Finish

• Polished Bronze
• Shimmering Sienna
• Nude Slip
• Peacock Lustre
• Platinum Glimmer

5 Perle finishes - Sparkling Crystallized Finish

• Glistening Snow
• Brushed Copper
• Black Galaxy
• Violet Starlet
• Sunlit Sparkle

AMW says ---

Pros

• long wearing
• color shows up even without eyeshadow primer
• both shades I got are pigmented
• easy to blend
• one single eyeshadow lasts a long time!
• packaging is sleek and nice
• has a sticker for protection 

• the free eyeshadow application isn't bad at all!

• Shimmering Sienna: very pigmented, nice rich brown shade with a nice satin finish
• Sunlit Sparkle: as stated in its name, it has a nice sparkle and I chose this shade especially to highlight the inner corner of my eyes and the brow bone.  The sparkle isn't chunky at all

Cons

• more variety of colors will be better
• the Perle line may have a bit of fall outs if not applied carefully, use an eyeshadow primer or a concealer as your eyeshadow base

Overall
Not bad for a drugstore brand.  I am quite surprised with its pigmentation and the shades are really pretty and even comparable to high end brands.  People may find this cheap but for it's eyeshadow size, it's worth it as it'll last you forever.  I try to choose the shades that are for daily use and bridal use so I can really maximize the usage!
 
Tips

• though color payoff is great, I suggest to use a concealer or eyeshadow as base to make the eyeshadow last longer
• use the right kind of brush/tool for application.  Test on different brushes
• if you want to eyeshadow to show up better, use a flat shader brush or the free eyeshadow applicator and apply with patting motion
• if you're not comfortable with eyeshadow application or considers yourself  a newbie, you can purchase one "safe" or "neutral" shades and apply one color on your lid area with a patting motion to put on some color on your eye area.
• do check out sales once in a while to save money!

Will I repurchase?
Yes, especially the satin line

Where to purchase and how much?

 At Watson's, Beauty by SM, Landmark, Robinsons, PCX, Gaisano Metro, Sta. Lucia, Unimart, Mercury Glorietta and other retail stores nationawide for Php475.00 (approx $10.33)

Shimmering Sienna Up Close and Personal

Shimmering Sienna is Satin in texture

Reminded me of a bronze and chocolate combination

Sunlit Sparkle Up Close and Personal

Sunlit Sparkle is Perle in texture

Color is close to cream with a hint of sparkle that's not too tacky

Swatches on (L) Sunlit Sparkle and (R) Shimmering Sienna

Swiped 2x without base

I've done a very simple application for our friends who are just starting out on makeup and do not own a lot of brushes.  I applied both color using the free eyeshadow applicator and my fingers to blend

Finished with my favorite eyeliner at the moment: Elianto StayOn Eyeliner in Black.  Of course, you can always finish this look by curling your lashes and apply 2 coats of your favorite mascara (I did not do this step in the photo below, that explains the nude lashes) :D

Have you used any Revlon eyeshadows?  Are you impressed with it? 

I haven't tried a lot but I have tried a nice Revlon Palette from my dearest friend Gracie way back called Revlon Make a Sheen "Olive It Up".  I can totally say, the texture and color payoff of these new single shadows are way better!  That's a nice improvement right?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Happy Monday!

(Note from Author: Products are sent by company for review purposes.  The writer did not and will never receive any kind or form of payment for positive reviews.  The review has been done based on personal experiences.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)

Weekend Food Tripping at: Maxim's Tea House

Happy Father's Day to all dads out there!!! I want to wish my dad and my dad-in-law the best Father's Day ever as they deserve it! So for this weekend, there's definitely going to be some food tripping coming our way!  I did it early for my dad!  We went somewhere near their place because we try to steer away from traffic, the usual Friday Madness traffic!  We've decided to go for Chinese as my dad loves Chinese food!

MXT or Maxim's Tea House

The restaurant has been around for quite some time and I am quite surprised they expanded and opened up more restaurants inside malls!  Are they the same with the authentic "Downtown" version?  I would say, NO.  But on days you're craving for "almost authentic" Chinese dish? I think I can settle for this.  

Sweet Corn Soup
Size: Medium

Php270.00 (approx $6.00)

The corn soup contained some chicken bits, that's one reason why I went home with allergies!  *laughs* It's nice to have a soup on the side just in case the dishes are dry.  The corn soup is more yellowish than regular corn soup! 

Medium sized order can fill up to 5 bowls

Yang Chow Fried Rice 

Size: Medium

Php240.00 (approx $5.25)

I've always thought you can't go wrong with Yang Chow Fried Rice, but I guess I spoke too soon.  I can sniff the old rice from afar!  Thank goodness for the corn soup, or else, it'll be hard for me to swallow this "Dry Chow" Rice :P

Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet

Size: Medium

Php315.00 (approx $6.85)

This tastes okay, just that the fillet are sliced thinly and the medium size looks like small size as compared to other Chinese restaurants.  Order Large size if you have a family who can really eat!  (Pertaining to mine) hahahha

Sizzling Tenderloin Steak

Size: As is

Php270.00 (approx $5.90)

The serving is quite huge.  The steak looks like a size of a regular hamburger.  The sauce tastes great but the funny thing is, the meat isn't hot at all!  I wonder why?

Stuffed Beancurd

Size: Medium

Php280.00 (approx $6.00)

My favorite out of all the dishes I've ordered.  I've had this the 2nd time and I'm glad they did not change the flavor!  I love how the tofu was stuffed with shrimp balls and the sauce tastes great

Maxim's Tea House

SM Sta. Mesa

3rd Floor, Ramon Magsaysay St.
Cor. Araneta Ave. Sta. Mesa

tel. no: (632) 715-0564

No service charge.  Cash and credit cards both accepted!  Service is good but serving sizes can be further improved!

Though it looks like it was a disaster with all my food complaints, we were able to survive the Father's Day dinner with a huge smile!  The most important thing about dining is spending quality time with the people you love and sharing great stories!  

Again, Happy Father's Day to all dads 
and soon-to-be-dads out there!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Mineral Flowers Hand Cream

Remember when I told you about my laziness in sunblock application?  Well, I've finally fixed that laziness and I am consistent with my sunblock application and thank goodness it's all in my system!

Unfortunately, I haven't covered everything yet!  There's still one "lazy factor" left in me!  And that's hand cream application!  I've always thought: "Why should I even bother if I wash my hands gazillion times in a day?"  But after years of "OC-ness" and alcohol usage!  My hands are getting drier and drier and that's not a cool thing especially if you like holding hands with your loved ones....right?  

I've always thought all hand creams are similar!  Thanks to the Mineral Flowers event I've attended 3 months ago and I learned there are so many new stuffs out there, especially from Israel!

Mineral Flowers Hand Cream says ---

Mineral Flowers Rose and Geranium was is a 100 percent natural blend of concentrated mineral water from the Dead Sea with 26 Minerals and trace elements, Dead Sea mud, a natural skin regenerator and lifter, Rose and Geranium whole flower mix species rich and vitamin C, linalol and citronellol, gently astringent, anti-microbial and skin healing properties, balancing and lifting the spirit.  Beeswax is a natural emulsifier, skin healer and organic pomegranate juice.

Website: http://www.mineralflowers.com/

AMW says ---


Pros

• smells wonder
• does not feel oily on hand
• absorbs to the skin easily
• the moisture lasts even after washing your hands
• wonderful packaging
• hand texture improved after 1 month of usage

Cons

• none

Overall

Works really good, doesn't feel the creaminess like most hand creams!  The texture is quite "watery" and absorbs to the skin easily.  Does not feel much difference on the first few weeks but after longer usage, I can literally feel the texture of my hands improved.  Even the hubby said so!

Tips

• purchase the right kind of variant for your skin condition: Camomille for sensitive skin, Rose and Geranium for normal and combination skin and Almond Blossom for dry skin
• use a good amount of this prior to going to sleep and wake up with soft hands!
• carry this along with you and apply this after you wash your hands
• squirted too much?  Apply the excess on your elbows and knees

Will I repurchase?
Yes, I'll try the Almond Blossom variant next

Where to purchase and how much?
Php430.00 (approx. $9.35) at Watson's as well as beauty by SM in Megamall, Mall of Asia, Makati, Cubao and North EDSA.

What's your favorite hand cream?
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Eureka Moment: My Favorite Eyebrow Shaver

I seldom care about eyebrow shavers!  But at times my client's eyebrows are "all over the place", I need to reshape and trim their brows which led me to a tool that I think is a must for most makeup artist -- an eyebrow shaver.  Is there the right one?  Is there even the best one?  I usually purchase them randomly based on price and design.  When I was looking around my "Eureka Favorite Store" Daiso, I randomly picked an eyebrow shaver amidst all the  eyebrow shavers in front of me.  I picked this base on its size, its color and of course, it comes with a cover!  And who have thought this goes to my "EUREKA MOMENT" list?

Most eyebrow shavers are made in China (yup, I've checked) and this one is no exception, definitely made in China, produced for Daiso Japan.Hopefully, there's the Quality Control there :D

One pack comes with 2 eyebrow shavers, the length of the blade is just right for good control on eyebrow shaving.  

The cover is easy to remove and put back on

Comes with easy grip handle, length of the handle is just right

And best of all?  It shaves neatly and it doesn't hurt the skin around the eyes!  Each shaver can last approximately up to 5 shaves and you have to throw this away and purchase a new one!  Blades do get dull and better not hurt yourself using a "dull" blade.

Priced at Php88.00 (approx $2.00) for a pack of 2
I can't tell the brand name but do remember the packaging and please leave some for me okay? 
I'll be back at Daiso to repurchase!

EUREKA MOMENT indeed!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!