I Wonder: "Are you a Fan of Bag Organizers?"

If you are a long time reader, you probably know a thing or two about me... I like things to be in order, as much as I can!  I don't like messy stuffs and that also include the stuffs inside my bag!  I love to use big sized bags because I may not carry a lot of makeup (I actually don't) but I do carry a couple of stuffs which adds up a bit!  Can you just imagine how "orgasmic" it is when bag organizers where invented?  *lol*

BRAVO to the smart people behind these!  

I tend to be loyal with whatever stuffs I own.  I can still remember the first bag organizer ever that I've used for almost 2 years!  I had to give it up because it needs to retire!  When I was off to search for a new bag organizer, I thought about it because no matter how big or small the purchases, I want to make sure I will use it and will not waste my money on it!

After an event at SM Mall of Asia, I've decided to look around and went to Beabi store, embarrassingly, it was actually the first for me to really look around because I'm always on the go and just tend to take a glimpse at Beabi Stalls!  Boy was I glad I took time to look around because I've finally found a bag organizer fit for me!

I guess the spacious interior and the number of pockets sold me!  Well, it took me a while to decide to be honest!  *laughs* I actually had to put this in and out of my bag just to give it a road test!  Oh my goodness, I'm such a nerd!  *hahaha*

Here's why I bought this bag organizer:

• Very sturdy (I've seen a couple of flimsy ones!)
• Available in black, clear and brown
• Stores a lot of my essentials!
• Inexpensive for a branded bag organizer, this costs  Php295.00 (approx $6.80)
• Has pockets everywhere!  I like it when I'm starting to have problems filling them up! 

Inner pockets

1. My pink organizer
2. Sunglasses
3. Tissue pouch
4. Wallet
5. Notepad, photocopies of important documents, receipts, charge slips, toilet seat paper! and a whole lot more!
6. Medicines and coin purse
7. Card holder and Business cards holder

Side pockets
     A. Mini Brush
     B. Rosary
     C. Pens (even colored pens for my organizer)
     D. Alcohol on a spritz bottle
     E. Handy cologne or perfume (I change this depending on my mood)


**Check Marks in Blue: are additional pockets where I randomly put stuffs like keys, work ID, etc...

And the best of all? It fits my big sized bags!  I purchased a smaller version of this for my smaller bags!  I have a tiny makeup pouch not included in this photo and usually I carry an umbrella!  That's what I lug daily to work! 

I Wonder:
"Are you a fan of bag organizers?"

Tell me I'm normal!  *laughs*
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Version: "Smokey Eyes for Monolids"

Good morning everyone!  Another AMW Version dedicated to readers out there!  There are so many makeup tutorial and I'm still grateful that a lot of you would like to see mine!  Thanks to readers who appreciate the tutorials I've done and for asking me to help them with their eye makeup (even online!).  I have one request I haven't done and I'm glad I finally made one!  

I was asked to do a "smokey eye makeup" for monolids.  What the heck is monolids by the way (heads to google)

Technically, there's no exact definition of monolid but I guess the people who invented this term are makeup addicts so I'll just grab it from random website:

Monolid: Eyes without the crease on their lid area.  Some like to call this "Asian Eyes" but because I don't want to discriminate and not all Asians have monolids (ex. ME!), I'd rather use the term "monolids"

Photo example:

This is my version though and I"m sure there's hundreds and thousands of versions out there.  If I have the mood, I may do more!  :)

I have a tiny crease on my eyelid 

but let's disregard the tiny crease for this tutorial!

AMW Diagram

Prior to eyeshadow application, use an eye primer of your choice as smokey eye makeup can get messy and could get a lot of fall outs!  Using an eye primer will prevent it from happening!

In this tutorial, I am using the ELF Eyelid Primer because..its readily available and I'm too lazy to grab other primers on my makeup train case!  *laughs*

Step 1:

Using any soft blending brush, I am using the free one from the Urban Decay Book of Shadows, I applied a Shimmery Silver eyeshadow from the Sleek Graphite Palette. (which I won from Cosmetic Candy! Yay!)

Step 2:

Using the same brush (it's ok as we start from lightest eyeshadow to darkest).  I applied a shimmery black eyeshadow from the center of the lids going outward.  Imagine 45 degrees angle applying more on the outer crease area.  

Step 3:

Using a pencil brush or any brush that's more dense and short bristled, apply the darkest black eyeshadow you own making an exaggerated "cat eye" with an eyeshadow.  In my case, I covered the whole "fold" of my lids extending it outwards with a bold cat eye.

Do not forget to apply on the lower lashline with the same brush.

Step 4:

Once you're happy with it, re apply Step 3 with your preferred gel liner or liquid liner for that really obvious eyeliner look!

Imagine Sandara Park's eye lining skills!

 So this is definitely for nighttime!

I have to do the lower lash line using a different eyeliner brush, a more precise one for that precise "winged" look.

Step 5:

Draw your waterline with any eyeliner pencil you prefer.  I am using the one from Elianto and I highlight the corner of my eyes with Urban Decay's Yeyo (or any white eyeliner).

Look back, making sure both eye liner are at least matched! 

Do not forget to draw your brows.  I am using Tears Eyebrow Pencil in Light Brown.  Brushing my eyebrows in shape!

Curl my lashes with an eyelash curler, attached falsies!  I am actually using only one falsie in this tutorial but I cut them in half for that "pixie" lashes!  I applied coats of Etude House Henna Fix mascara.

Here's my version of "Smokey Eyes for Monolids"

The reason for the very thick liner is to create a "depth" of a crease, making your eyes pop even more.  The extended winged liner look make your eyes appear larger, (the winged liner should go upwards ok?).  The additional line below the winged liner is just a drama you can skip!  The thicker outer liner on the lower lash line also creates larger eye shape!

Why do we need to use a white liner on the inner corner of the eyes?  To brighten up the eyes and this trick helps in creating a wider and brighter eyes!

What did I use for the rest of my face?

For the Face

L'Egere BB Cream

Dusted Neutrogena Powder Foundation in Natural Beige 
To set the BB cream

For the Cheeks:
Paul & Joe Limited Edition Disney
Face Color 002 Flower

 For the Lips:

Ivoluxe Lipstick in Flirt

You can do your own version by using dark lipstick for that ready-to-dance-the-night-away look!  I hope my simple tutorial helps! 

(Note: Eye makeup darker in person)

What's your "eye makeup for monolids"?
I'd love to see it too!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Bulletin: Beauty & Minerals Bazaar and Go Minerals at The Spa

Dear Philippine Readers:

Another news for all of you Christmas shoppers out there!  There will be another bazaar coming up over the weekend called "Saint James The Great Bazaar".  It's time to checkout products you're wary to purchase online!  

One find I've discovered recently, is the importance of "ear bone" (that's how I call it as it's shaped like a bone).  I love how neat it looks inside my bag, but I need to change my earphones recently because it was dangling inside my bag and I pulled it out accidentally and it wasn't a good sight!  R.I.P. to my earphone!

Thanks to online shopping I was able to find Clutter Zap!  Clutter Zap has the same concept of  most "ear bones" out there but it houses your ear piece for protection!  Perfect for clumsy gals like myself!

You can definitely find a lot of "Eureka Moment" stuffs at the bazaar!  Visit Beauty & Minerals booth for Clutter Zap and the usual Charm brushes and make up!  It'll be fun to have a quick chat with Sophie the Beautynomist too!

There's also something I found over email that's interesting!  After the holiday shopping, a quick massage would be perfect the end the day! 

Go Minerals at The Spa

Tired from all the holiday shopping?  It's time to go for a pampering treatment with The Spa's Go Minerals Service.  The Spa and Mineral Fowrs have teamed up to offer spa treatments that can be upgraded to use Mineral Flowers products!

Here's a gist about Mineral Flowers:

Mineral Flowers is an all-natural skin care line from  Israel.  All variants are specially formulated with a unique blend of 26 rich minerals from the Dead Sea that are processed by osmosis to draw moisture from the external to the inner layers of the skin.  Blended with the minerals are flower extracts that cater to various skin types: Camomile for sensitive and very dry skin, Rose and Geranium for normal and mixed skin, and Almond Blossom for dry skin.  It is 100% paraben-free.

Aromatherapy Massage (Upgrade: Mineral Flowers massage oil) - Additional Php300.00

Body Polish (Upgrade: Mineral Flowers body butter) - Additional Php150.00

Nail Care (Upgrade: Mineral Flowers Massage Milk for feet) - Additional Php70.00

Nail Care (Upgrade: Mineral Flowers Hand Cream for hands) - Additional Php90.00

Nail Care (Upgrade for both hands and feet) - Additional Php150.00

For the Face (Upgrade: Mineral Flowers Facial Treatment  - Additional Php750.00

I'll keep my eyes, ears, nose and *ahem* throat open for whatever news worth including in AMW Bulletin!

Keep reading!
Keep smilin'
and Stay happy!

(Author is in no way related to any of the companies mentioned above.  This post is merely for information purposes).

AMW Reports: Winter Trend Collection and Seasonal Gifts from The Body Shop

There are 2 huge reasons why The Body Shop came up with Bloggers' Thanksgiving Event at The Body Shop Glorietta 3, Makati last week.  One reason is the launch of the new collection called Winter Trend! 

It's all about "High Time to Shine during the Christmas Season"!  Here's the photo from the testers at The Body Shop!

Sparkler in Boudoir Pink
Php1,295.00 (approx $31.00)

The cutest packaging ever for a sparkler!  The iridescent sparkle-dust is just right to be seen at a close watch but the overall effect is just wonderful!  I would love to use this on my clients for their body!  This would be better than the usual powder puff I use as this is more hygienic!

This can be used on the face (spritz on a powder puff then gently press onto the area to highlight).  All over the body (for that sexy shimmer) and on your hair!

According to The Body Shop, you can use this as a refill of your favorite shimmer powders or even perfume!  Talk about environmental friendly for making useful packaging that can be kept and used all over again!

Eye Palette (01 Twilight)

Php1,295.00 (approx $31.00)

Features the following Eye Colour shades: Violet Sky, Lilac Mist, Pink Champagne and Damson Velvet.  Also features cream highlighter in Pearl!

Eye Palette (02 Midnight)

Php1,295.00 (approx $31.00)

Features the following Eye Colour shades: Silver Moon, Bronze Blaze, Pink Light, Starry Night.  Also features highlighter in Lunar.

Stardust - Glitter Pots

Php550.00 (approx $13.00)

Reminded me so much of silver dusts from grade school!  This one is safe to be used on your body and skin but we were told not to put much near the eye area as the glitters are quite big to be put on the eye!  You can choose to use the cream highlighter from the eye palette to make it stick to your body!

L- Glamorous Gold

R- Feminine Pink

Eye Liner

Php650.00 (approx $15.40)

I've tried the regular The Body Shop's Black Eyeliner way back and I wasn't able to blog my experience about it but the liquid liner did not fail me in giving me winged eyeliner with precision because of its pen-style applicator.  There are 2 shades available in this collection, the original 01 Black and a new shade 04 Starlight which my friend Jheng loves!

Here's a closer look of 04 Sparkle, which is best applied on the upper lashline after eye shadow application for that nice "wide eyed" look and sparkles every time you blink!

Lip Gloss

Php695.00 (approx $16.55)

Remember how much I like the applicator from The Body Shop's Love Gloss?  I'm glad they maintained the heart shaped applicator in this collection.  Available in 01 Natural Lip Gloss and 19 Pink Sparkle Lip Gloss

A closer look on Pink Sparkle Lip Gloss

And what about the 2nd reason why there's The Body Shop's Bloggers Thanksgiving event?  To celebrate the Limited Edition Seasonal Gifts for Bath, Body and Home.  take a look at the gorgeous packaging that were on display when I visited the shop!  So festive!  You can easily purchase sets for grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters, your friends and a whole lot more!  There are just so many ranges to choose from and they have it packed so nicely for you so there's no more stress for gift-giving!

The even better news is, for each purchase, The Body Shop Philippines will donate Php1.00 to ECPAT to fight against Sex Trafficking against women and young children!  I was told that the company has already raised half a million and the figures are still going up!  Cheers to company who helps organizations like these!

Cranberry Joy

Inspired by the festive fruit, the sumptuous Cranberry joy range is rich in the scent of fresh and juicy berries.  Elegantly presented in vibrant red and deep plum coloured packaging.

Jolly Orange

Happy and aromatic, the Jolly Orange range evokes nostalgic memories of Christmas past.  The packs' warm orange hues are sure to inspire seasonal goodwill and happiness.

Spiced Vanilla

Evoking a world of luxury, these pampering treats have a deliciously sweet scent with a hint of spice that's irresistable.  Chic pack designs in caramel-coloured tones with contrasting flashes of festive red.

You can check out The Body Shop catalog available on counters.  You can checkout the gift sets available with prices. 

A random shots of what's inside...

(you can click photo to enlarge)

Here are the Bloggers together with the gorgeous ladies from The Body Shop, Philippines.  Thanks TBS for the invite and it was great spending time with the Bloggers!

Do you feel the spirit of Christmas? 
Suddenly, I am!
All excited for Christmas Shopping!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!