I Wonder: Products You're Scared to Use

Happy Thursday everyone!  The week passed by pretty well!  People may think I've never been sad nor in a bad mood.  Well, I am only human!  I do get tired, sleepy, not in a mood, sad and most of all Psychotic! (hahaha, at least I admit it!) and a lot of you would ask me why I'm always in a cheerful mood!  Well, it's just perspective and choice!  I choose to be happy and cheerful because that's how I want my life to be and I choose to be happy!  I hope that sends out a good vibes to all of you :)

The week went well, I've been pretty diligent with my reviews, nail art tutorials and I've been answering email and Cbox queries quite on time!  So, I guess its time for me to turn the table again and create an "I Wonder" post this week because I seriously love hearing from YOU!  I enjoy reading your comments especially suggestions because hey..my beauty knowledge needed some expansion! *winks*

Being a beauty blogger, people may think I review ALL products that's available in the market.  WRONG!  I am very keen with the products I use and review.  There are so many wonderful products out there, we all agree on that but there are definitely products we know we just can't use.  To make it more specific, I'll talk about what I use daily, Facial Washes!  There are 2 types of facial washes I've always wanted to try and yet, I chicken out....

1. Facial wash that doubles as scrubs

Everyone who reads my blog knows I complain about my skin's dryness!  Though scrubbing once a week is recommended, scrubs and micro-beads give me the chills!  One Scrub I've always wanted to try is the Garnier Skin Naturals Brightening Scrub Wash.

2. Facial wash that has oil control

If I see "Oil Control" in any facial product, you bet I'll run the opposite direction!  Would you believe though that I grew up with Johnson's Clean & Clear Facial Wash?  I guess I am a big proof that an oily-skinned teenager can grow up to have dry-skin...Adolescence...ugh!

So yeah, I've spilled the beans on what I'm scared to try.  But dear oily-skinned friends out there!  Don't worry, the 2 products mentioned above have been used by our resident Mr. Askmewhats!  He's got the oilies!  I may interview him for reviews on the above two products!  Interested?  Give him the nudge!  *laughs*  

I Wonder:

"Are there any specific products you're scared to try?"

Smile and click comment!  This is fun, well not really, but it's fun to know what products we steer clear from!!!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Elianto Cream Concealer

When I gave Elianto Store at SM The Block a visit, the Elianto Cream Concealer with a sign of "Cosmo Beauty Awards" caught my attention, I told myself I have to give it a try no matter how many concealers I currently own.  If it won an award, it's worth to give it a try considering the price isn't bad at all!

Elianto Cream Concealer says ---

This soft concealer cream has high and long-wearing invisible coverage for skin's imperfections and discolourations. Water -resistant, fragrance-free and non-acnegenic. Enriched with Mineral Oil, It effectively covers dark circles and blemishes. It can be applied with brusher, a latex sponge, or the fingertips.

Available in: Medium, Dark and Deep

Made in: Korea

AMW says ---

Pros

• very creamy
• though creamy texture, does not oil up the whole day
• a little is enough
• medium to heavy coverage
• coverage is build-able
• inexpensive
• feels light
• nice packaging and easy to take along

Cons

• can sit in fine lines if skin is not moisturized enough
• quite tricky to apply, needs a lot of practice
• limited shades available

Overall

If you're looking for heavy coverage concealer that's inexpensive, this is the one to watch out for. This deserve the award because it does cover spots, redness, under eye circles but I have to repeat that moisturizing is really needed especially if you have lines or dry skin like myself.  It is a bit tricky to apply at first but given the practice, you'll get the hang of it. 

Tips

• apply using patting motion, never rub especially the under eye area
• if your skin is dry, apply moisturizer first, let it absorb, then go with foundation then concealer
• test on testers before purchasing
• if you are using this mainly to cover dark circles, choose the concealer shade that has distinct orange tone.  Medium works really well for under eye circles.
• store in cool dry place
• try to clean your hands prior to dipping your hand on this product for hygiene purposes.  For makeup artists, use a spatula in picking the product.
• I prefer warming the concealer on my hand first prior to application so the texture goes creamier and easier to apply
• stop usage if allergies or skin irritations occur
• purchased this product and found out it doesn't work for you?  Give it to a friend and make them happy!

Will I repurchase?

Not for myself, for my makeup train case, my skin is a bit dry so the concealer sits in lines.  I'll use this for oily skinned clients!

Where to purchase and how much?
At Elianto stores for Php399.00 (approx $8.70) for 6grams

A swatch of Elianto Cream Concealer in 01 Medium

Above photo: No flash

Below photo: With Flash

Here's step by step on how I applied my Elianto Cream Concealer

1. Applied concealer using my ring finger with a dabbing motion

2. dab continuously until concealer sets and covered dark area/redness

3. set with your favorite setting powder

4. stand back and check if there are any uneven colors

Before and after concealing

After concealing set with powder 

(as seen my lashes are full of powder, hahaha)

Hope my review helps to a lot of my readers who were requesting for this review!
Feel free to click "comment" to ask me queries or give me some thoughts if you have tried this!
I have to remind you that different people have different reactions to similar products, so please test this in store prior to purchasing!  

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

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!