AMW Reports: The Body Shop's Autumn Trend 2010

When it comes to smouldering shades of make-up, I tend to run to the opposite side as I've always been a minimalist when it comes to makeup!  I can do wild looks for other people but never for myself!  When I learn about The Body Shop's Autumn Trend "Smoke and Fire" look, I thought its the look just for magazine and runway models.  Would you believe I got home sporting the look and actually felt comfortable?

Introducing, The Autumn Trend 2010 --- I got to meet them last night and I'm sharing you hot off the plate!

Autumn Leaves Compact - Php1,395.00 (approx $31.00)

Light up with a choice of two pressed powder compacts, each with a mix of four pearly shades pressed together in a beautiful autumn leaf design.  Choose the compact to suit your skint one, give your cheeks and decolletage a gorgeous glow with two new natural-looking palettes in soft dusky pink shades and warm russet tones.

Kajal Eyeliner - Php695.00 (approx $15.00)

Create the season's sexy, smoky eye - essential for the Smoke and Fire look - with new Kajal Eyeliner.  The intense Kajal eye-look is traditionally used in India as a protector against the evil eye, and with three shades of Kajal Eyeliner, discover a unique product that helps to define the eyes, so you can create and intensify and reflect light.  Apply to the lash lines for dramatic, dreamy eyes or smudge over the eyelid for a sultry, smouldering eyeshadow look.

Eye Colour - Php595.00 (approx $13.50)

Make eyes your focal point by sweeping a flash of brilliant Eye Colour such as Midnight Blue or Velvet Green.  Autumn also sees the introduction of a new shade, Golden Peach, a wonderfully warm, on-trend hue that lifts and brightens the eye area.

Colourglide Lip Color - Php695.00 (approx $15.75)

Natural-looking lips are the perfect contrast to the season's smoky eye.  Slick on sensuous Colourglide Lip Colur in the nude and soft pink tones of Soft Beige and Dusk Pink.  This intensely moisturising lipstick hydrates and smoothes your lips, ideal for perfecting the hot Smoke and Fire pout.  Each shade include a high percentage of colour pigments to provide intense coverage in one luscious sweep.

Divide and Multiply Mascara - Php850.00 (approx $15.75)

Complete your fierce eye-look by giving lashes a major boost with Divide and Multiply Mascara in glamorous black.  The ultimate one-step lengthening and separating mascara, this must-have product creates sensational, ultra-long, dark, glossy lashes in seconds without clumping or smudging.

Lightening Touch - Php950.00 (approx $22.00)

Discover the wonder powers of Lightening Touch, a magical little wand that gives light relief to the appearance of under-eye circles, instantly brightening the skin.  Its ever-so-clever formula contains ingenious little light-diffusing particles to minimize fine lines and ark shadows.  Simply use around the eye area, after your foundation for a flawless-look.

The dear Body Shop's Sr. Training Officer for makeup, Argie Lingat, helped me with the Autumn Trend Look.  I was showed both looks!  Daytime subtle smoky eyes and she taught me how to transform it to nighttime smoky eyed look that screams ---- Smoke and Fire!!!

I am starting to love the Kajal Liners from The Body Shop's Autumn Collection.  I find it useful as a"cheat sheet" for creating simple smoky eyes by applying the liner directly onto the lids blending with your fingers.  Thanks to whoever took my camera and helped me take this photo :) Raise your hands if it's you and you deserve a big cyber hug! :) 

AMW quite happy with the final look!  For someone who lacks sleep and has huge undereye circles!  I look awake and alive in this photo!  Thank you so much for the makeover!

Products used base on my very crude good memory *laughs*  ---

• Eye Colour in Golden Peach - all over the eye lids as base and to make the eyes appear larger.
• Kajal Liner in Steel as base of my smoky eyes - Steel is silvery grey in color with a hint of shimmer.
• Eye Colour in Midnight Blue - applied on top of the Kajal Liner Steel.
• The Body Shop Liquid Liner in Black
• Divide and Multiply Mascara in Black
• Lightening Touch 04 - under the eye area and set with powder to lessen the look of dark circles
  
• Autumn Leaves Compact in Dusky Pink Shade - all over the cheeks for a hint of healthy shimmer
• The Body Shop Shimmer Waves - swept on my cheekbones for that nice pop 
• Matte Bronzing Powder - to contour
• The Body Shop Pressed Powder - all over the face to lessen the shine and for a neat overall look

I find this collection super exciting!  I will definitely try my own Kajal Liner look once I get home!  I hope its as easy to use as shown!  Oh yeah, I actually got to attend a mini workshop on how to create a fresh looking makeup!  I'll share the tips I learn to everyone once I don't look like a zombie anymore from lack of sleep!  *laughs*  You are willing to wait right? :)  *hugs to the patient ones!*

Thanks to Billie from The Body Shop for the invite :)

Anything that tickled your fancy?
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Purederm Pearl BB Cream

I am not adventurous with BB Creams lately.  I've relied on my favorite Skin79 VIP Gold BB Cream and I'm actually on my second tube.  I was asked to review one BB cream from a brand not new to me.  Purederm --- I've purchased a couple of Purederm face masks way back and so far, I don't have issues with it.  I am game to give this product a test as it has "pearl" in its name, nothing to lose, sounds like a wonderful product right?  Read on for my experience after testing this product...

Housed in a pearlescent tube with baby pink lettering, I find the product quite girly and cute!

Purederm Pearl BB Cream with SPF 27 PA++ says ---

Purederm's 3-in-1 Pearl BB Cream protects and moisturizes your skin with three functions namely UV Protection, shimmer effect foundation, and skin moisturizing.  With SPF 27, Purederm's Pearl BB Cream double blocks UV A ray, and UV B ray while the shimmering pearl powder keeps your skin looking fresh and clean.  It's waterproof formula controls the formulation of sebum and also keeps one's skin healthy and glowing.  Contains natural extracts and combined nutritious herbal extracts that brightens skin tone and helps protect and improve your damaged skin.

AMW says ---

Pros

• simple yet elegant packaging
• product well-sealed upon purchase

• squeeze type tube makes it easier to control how much product to be squeezed out

• has SPF27 PA++ which protects my face from UVA and UVB rays
• gives a nice healthy "glow" to my skin throughout the day
• minimal re-touching needed, works great as a makeup base or primer
• gives light to medium coverage
• can double up as a concealer
• available in Matte and Shimmer. I would say this Pearl BB cream variant works for MAC's NC20-35 skin color
• can be easily purchased locally
• price is not too expensive for a BB Cream that's made in Korea. 
• a little amount goes a long way
• for those with ok skin, no need to use foundation, just set with a translucent powder for that "natural look"

Cons

• Dry-skinned individuals may find this drying.  Moisturizer prior to application.
• Oily-skinned individuals may look oily due to the glitters.
• I can literally see specks and the wrong camera flash may lead to obvious sparkle on the face

Overall

People will definitely find the glitters a huge CON, for me, I actually like using this on a daily basis because it gives a nice "glow" and "awake" look on my face.  Again, if you will be out under the sun or there will be flash photography around you, I suggest to use the "matte version" which is also available in the market.

Tips

from Purederm

• after washing your face, apply a pea-size amount into the tips of your fingers
• gently pat and blend first into dark blemishes such as eye bags, skin blemishes or pimple spots
• avoid using on irritated skin or sunburned skin
• if skin becomes red, swollen and itchy during use, STOP using the protect overall and go see a dermatologist
• keep out of eyes, if there is eye contact, rinse with water
• avoid using if skin is sensitive to bandage and tapes
• keep out of reach of children
• avoid storing under direct sunlight or too high and too low temperatures

from AMW

• the product should blend a bit to your natural skin color, but if you found the product to be quite light on your skin, I suggest to dust a darker powder foundation on top of your BB cream.
• apply using your clean fingers, try to blend gently, never rub your face too hard
• to lessen the shimmer, I set the tinted moisturizer with my favorite matte powder foundation
• if skin is really dry, apply BB cream together with your favorite moisturizer, I prefer blending them together
• you can purchase the non-shimmer version --- Dark Pink packaging for matte effect
• If you know you'll be taking a lot of photographs with flash, do not use this BB cream, or try to use the alternate matte version

Will I repurchase?

The matte version sounds interesting.

Where to purchase and how much?

Php699.00 (approx $15.00) for 50ml tube.  Available in Watson's Branches locally.

Top photo: the texture of the Purederm Pearl BB Cream.  Not runny at all

Bottom: Blended a bit, it looks quite light to start with

Purederm Pearl BB Cream blended onto my skin tone perfectly 
after several minutes

Using Purederm's Pearl BB Cream only

Set with Neutrogena Face Powder

Have you heard about this BB Cream brand?
Have you used any Purederm products?  After face masks, I've also tried a couple of products from the said brand!  You can always check back for reviews :)

Check out all BB Creams Reviews from yours truly by smiling and clicking HERE

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Note from author: Product was sent for review purposes. All reviews base on personal experiences, please purchase at yourown discretion.)

Winners! Levi's Php1,000 Worth of Gift Certificates

I know the Levi's Contest ended September 4th, but it took some time for the "judge" and myself to choose 3 winners for the Create Your Own I Believe Badge contest.  Deliberation after deliberation, finally, here are the winners!

Something that has to do with Friends.....

Torque Beverly

Believes: "Womanly Curves and Friends are SO alike"

Education, which I believe is very important...

Beatrice Margarita Lapa

Believes: "that education will shape our future"

Love, and long-distance relationship is close to my heart as I survived 3.5 years long distance relationship with now hubby a couple of years ago....

Rose Crizaldo

Believes: "in US, despite the distance"

I know there should only be 3 winners but something about MOMs touched my heart, to friends who knew me knows I'd give anything for my parents, my family...and I agree with Earth when she said "Moms are Superhuman!" So the superhuman mommy Earth will win something from me....

Special Prize from AMW

Earthling Rullan

Believes: "Moms are Superhuman"

Thanks everyone for joining!  There are more contests here on AMW and the rest of the blogging world!  Keep on joining and who knows?  Any day can be your lucky day!

To the winners, Congratulations!  I will email you for details!

Appreciate all the support and love!
Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Something New: Estee Lauder Pure Color Lip Gloss

Look what I've found over email.  Such cute packaging for a lip gloss!  From Shine, Shimmer and Sparkle finish, Estee Lauder came up with Pure Color Lip Gloss this month of September.  I am tempted to go to their counter and have these swatched! 

**photo from Estee Lauder

Estée Lauder introduces the next generation of color with high-impact glosses that drench lips in enviably chic shades.  Lasting shine, maximum moisture and three multi-dimensional finishes combined with vibrant color and nuanced tones, set the stage for a modern, sensual look. A special collaboration of six fashion-forward shades by Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux folds into the irresistible collection of bold, juicy hues and subdued neutrals, redefining color for lips.  Experience a collection of rich attitude and saturated color by Estée Lauder.

19 Bold, Seductive Shades

• Exclusive True VisionTM Technology wraps pigments in a crystal-like coating to provide intense, brilliant color and shine
• A subtle to high-impact color palette ensures a shade for all skin tones and desirable lip looks
• Smooth, even pigments impart a soft, fullness to the lips
• 19 sleek shades of natural nudes, edible berries, seductive reds and sensual plums

3 Luxurious Finishes

• SHINE: Color-true pigment polymers deliver an ultra shiny, glossy finish
• SHIMMER: Finely cut pearls provide a mirrored shine with fierce shimmer
• SPARKLE: Super high-shine fused with high-powered metallic sparkle for the most dramatic look

Infinite Moisture

• Vitamin C and Vitamin E moisturize and help protect lips
• Multi-functional humectants enhance lips’ emolliency and moisturization leaving lips immediately soft and hydrated
• Over time the condition of the lips improves, feeling and looking younger and healthier

 Lightweight, Comfortable Texture

• Non-sticky, non-tacky formula leaves lips beautifully cushioned
• The new flexible, precision applicator delivers the perfect opacity in an even and fluid application
• Exclusive signature fig scent

Availability: The NEW Pure Color Gloss will be available at Rustans Makati, Rustans Shangri-la, Rustans Alabang, Rustans Gateway, Rustans Cebu, and Marionnaud starting in September 2010.

Suggested Retail Price: Php 1,150 (approx $26.00)

Thanks to Estee Lauder Philippines for putting my readers in the know.  It's nice to know what's up this month and what's better?  Using my ESP, I know their October Launch!  *laughs* Nahh, I got the information from them!

 

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Charm PRO

Lucky to those who plan to study makeup nowadays as there are so many choices of professional brush sets to choose from.  Gone are the days when we purchase brush sets because "that's the only set available that's inexpensive".  With all the wonderful creators and sellers for makeup tools out there, I am not surprised someone finally came up with a brush roll that includes everything a professional and soon-to-be professional makeup artists would need.  

Sophie, the owner of Beauty & Minerals, has been giving us quality, affordable and aesthetically gorgeous makeup brushes for the past years.  When she told me her plans on moving up to the next level --- a Professional Makeup Brush Set to be exact, I was ecstatic for her, I wanted her to do it!  Why?  She's been a beauty blogger for more than 4 years, been testing on different brush tools for years.  A MAC brush lover, a professional makeup artist and most of all ---- A PERFECTIONIST!  

Having someone who's a perfectionist create a professional brush set is what we need!  She knows the drill, she's been using various brushes on gigs and I won't be surprised if she can come up with a brush set that's COMPLETE, and girl!  I am not talking about Centrum!  I am talking about a Professional Makeup Brush Set that we can finally tote along, in just one makeup brush roll --- nothing more, nothing less!

Finally, I got here, in my hands, my very own CHARM PRO...Are you ready to be charmed?  Read my super in-depth review!  Gosh! You girls asked for this!  Picture heavy!!!