Nail Art Tutorial: "California Girl Katy Perry" Nails

Happy Tuesday friends!  I've been "trying" to be energetic after getting sick over the weekend.  So I'm listening to a lot of "feel good" music and "California Girls" by Katy Perry is definitely part of my song list!  I've watched the music video many times and it caught my heart because it has everything childish and girly!  Just look at how hot Katy Perry look!  Wait, self check.... yup!  I'm still a girl!  *laughs*

I actually got inspired to do a "California Girl" Music Video inspired nails by Katy Perry because it's such a feel good color!  I have to thank Sol from Digital Traincase for the lovely base color from Orly!!!  I could find similar color elsewhere!  Made my day!!!

Step 1:
Apply base coat prior to polish application.  Let dry.  Apply 2 coats of your favorite baby pink polish.  I am using Orly Nail Lacquer in Cotton Candy.

Step 2:
Making sure the base color is dry.  I create "dripping" effect with Elianto Polish in Turquoise.  Remember not to be too perfectionist, drippings aren't supposed to be in perfect shape :)

Step 3:
Drop Elianto Polish in white or any matte white polish brand on a sheet of paper.

Use a dotting tool or toothpick to create dots on the Turquoise color.  You can do random dots on different directions. You choice, your creativity.

Step 4:
Never forget to top your nail art with a nice top coat to protect our nail art.  Make sure to let the dots dry prior to doing so!

Sit back and enjoy your "Katy Perry/California Girls" looking nails

Don't you just love to bite the colors? 
Well hopefully not my fingers! :P

Have a wonderful day!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

An Update: The Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Diaries Challenge (Days 5-8)

Though I've been mostly sick from Days 5-7, I did not fail with the challenge, I made sure to apply this prior to going to bed and I actually slept more than 7 hours on these days because I've been sick and tired.  Thank goodness I am better now! 

What happened for the next 3 days after my last update?

• the oily feel is totally gone, I don't have the "icky" feel like that of the first 3 days
• the concentrate absorbs my skin way faster as compared to the earlier days of the challenge
• I wake up with clear skin, no signs of irritations or allergies
• no huge difference judging by the look on the mirror
• skin feels soft the next day
• I skipped moisturizer after this concentrate at night (it is actually ok to do so, but I refused for the sake of this challenge)
• the rest of my face is normal but the sides of my nose gets a bit dry, I guess I wasn't able to include the concentrate on this area.  Will do so for the coming days

Here's my bare skin on Day 8

(no alterations done, Photoshop used to crop photo)

I'll keep you readers informed for sure!  Let's wait for the 15th day!  I want to thank Kiehl's Philippines for this lovely photo! Don't forget to check out the other blogs for their experience!  Click photo to enlarge.

Stay tune for the giveaway!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Eureka Moment: Inti-mate Bra Converter

My bra straps show a lot of times, you can ask my friends about it and they can vouch on it!  I found them really bothersome especially when you're wearing sleeveless tops or halter tops!  When my dear friend Sophie showed me the new "Inti-mate Bra Converter", I was amazed such thing exists and its definitely "bye bye to showing bra straps"!  

 **photo from Inti-Mate

The Inti-Mate comes in a simple floral shape in 3 colors --- black, nude and transparent. 

Which I found it really amazing as you can choose the shades base on the color of your top.  It never shows and no one could tell that you're using one.  Not unless you tell them! :P

It can easily put your bra strap in place and it prevents loose or falling straps.  I don't need to purchase a new set of razorback bra!  That's a whole lot of savings for sure!  Strapless bra you suggest?  I am not a fan as it is uncomfortable and I have to pull it up a lot of times and it won't look good in public!  You can easily wear this on your own without an extra hand.  And of course, the most important factor for me - COMFORT.  I am glad this Inti-Mate bra converter doesn't feel a thing and doesn't have any sharp edges that can hurt my skin.  I can freel be the super active, hyper woman that I am!

 Here's to show you how I can easily wear 

the Inti-mate Bra Converter  

(tip: let loose your bra strap so it won't feel too tight)

For the price of Php250.00 (approx $5.40) for a pack of 3.  It's worth it as these little ones are durable and can last a long time!  Not unless you misplace them like the way I did!  You can easily purchase them on THIS WEBSITE!

EUREKA MOMENT!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Orchard Road Megamall

You think I'm in Singapore?  I wish! 

A restaurant here in Manila was named after the famous shopping, entertainment and food road in Singapore called Orchard Road.  The restaurant offers Singaporean dishes most Singapore travelers missed after a trip!

What's interesting with the restaurant is that they showcase different dishes and you can visibly see them cook while you choose your meal!

The place is quite huge and there's a lot of tables and chairs for friends, families and of course sweethearts! 

Sweet and Sour Pork, Fried Egg and Rice

Php150.00 (approx $3.26)

As simple as stated, sweet and sour pork with rice included is a sunny side up fried egg (which we requested).  Nothing spectacular.  Just like regular sweet and sour pork we tried!

Char Kway Teow

Php150.00 (approx $3.26)

Not bad!  I actually like noodles a lot and this one came in with the nice texture and mix of peanut, meat and vegetables.

I haven't tried authentic Singaporean dishes, but I am confident that I know what's good and what's bad for my taste buds!  I may be deaf at times but nothing can cheat my taste buds.  I haven't tried a lot of dishes from Orchard Road restaurant but I can say, the food they offer are quite ordinary and you can even do most of them at home.  They are a nice, quick restaurant for hungry shoppers inside the mall, but if you're looking for authentic Singaporean dishes, there are a lot of options out there.

Here's a tip for first time Orchard Road customers. (Menu photo courtesy of clickthecity.com)

1. Get a slip available in the restaurant that looks like the photos below.
2. Walk around the open kitchen and note down the dishes you would like to order
3. Mark your order slip
4. Give your order slip to the cashier for payment
5. A number will be given to you and you go around choose your best table.
6. Food will be served and enjoy!

Note: Photos can be clicked to enlarge for better viewing

SM Megamall
3rd Level, Bldg. A, SM Megamall
Edsa cor. Julia Vargas Ave.
Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
Philippines

Singapore dish lovers out there, any Singaporean dishes AMW should try?
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Happy weekend food tripping!

AMW Reviews: Parian Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner

I have been using my Homemade brush cleaner for the longest time.  But when I am doing makeup professionally, I actually use a more professional cleaner because I find my home made cleaner does not dry up as fast as I wanted to and when I'm in a hurry, I don't have the luxury of time to spritz several times and wipe and re-wipe a couple of times.

When I visited Studio SNR for the 2nd Dollface Personal Makeup Workshop, I've met the owner Sydney Go and she introduced to me a couple of professional tools from Brush Cleaner, makeup sponges, cotton cloth, mascara wands, lip gloss applicator and a whole lot more!  The products showed to me are definitely an "OC" heaven!  It was the right choice to test the Parian Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner as it has been raved even by our international beauty bloggers!

Parian Spirit Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner says ---

Parian Spirit is made from citrus sprits and food grade solvent, giving it powerful cleaning properties that cut through oil-based makeup and adhesives but remains gentle to natural hair bristles.  

Parian Spirit reconditions and returns the bristles to their natural sheen and luster, leaving a pleasant citrus aroma.  After extensive antibacterial lab tests, it was found that Parian Spirit had the strongest disinfecting proprerties among all the leading makeup brush cleaners.

Parian Spirit is also good for cleaning makeup off clothes, wigs, false eyelashes and false facial hair.

AMW says ---

Pros

• cleanses brush really well
• dries up super fast, the fastest drying brush cleaner I've tried to date
• scent is bearable and quite nice for me!
  
• the packaging with spray is perfect for on-the-go brush cleaning
• a little spritz goes a long way
• one 60ml bottle can last approximately 4-6 months
• no allergies or skin irritations from using the brush cleansed by Parian Brush Cleaner
  

Cons

• has a tiny hint of oily residue on the bristles
• a bit pricey as compared to other brush cleansers
• strong citrus smell may not be ok to some people
  

Overall

I am seriously impressed with how quick the makeup was transferred from brush to the cloth or paper towel.  I like how quick it dries up and it can make me work faster on my makeup gigs!  Though the product is a bit pricey, I find that spritzing this once or twice is enough for a regular eye makeup brush and 4-5 spritz on face brushes and it works ok.  No allergies on my skin after using the brush spritzed by this product.

Tips

• though you always spritz your brush with brush cleaner, never replace it with weekly deep cleaning
• try not to spray much of this product near the ferrule or the "glue" that holds the brushes together, as brushes may get ruined after excess exposure to this brush cleaner
• make sure it's tightly closed to prevent product from evaporating
• store in cool dry place 
• instead of wiping the brush on a paper towel (bad for the environment), try to purchase an inexpensive towel to wipe the brushes and have the towel washed after brush cleaning to help save environment
• be careful not to smash the brush onto the towel, just gently wipe back and forth until the pigments are transferred to the towel.
• do not spritz this in an enclosed room
• inflammable, be careful
• share shipping cost with a friend!
  

Will I repurchase?
Yes, for in between gigs.

Where to purchase and how much?
At Suesh for Php340.00 (approx $7.40) for 60ml with spray

Here's a visual on how I clean my brush 

with Parian Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner

Note: All my brushes have been deep cleansed, but there are some hardheaded residues or stain from my Charm Travel Crease Brush.  Let's give this a try and see if I can get something out from this!

1. Spritz Parian Brush Cleaner directly onto the bristles (not the ferrule) approximately twice 

2. Gently rub the brush back and forth on a paper towel or cleansing cloth

3. Continue the step until all the pigments have been transferred from bristles to cloth.

4. You can reshape your brush if you won't use it anymore or you can instantly use it as the bristles are already dry and clean!

Is this considered an expensive brush cleaner for you?
How do you clean your brushes in between application? 
Do you even clean your brushes? *raises eyebrow*

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
It's Friday!!!!