I Wonder: "What's Your Most Luxurious Blusher To Date?"

I love checking out what's out there, that means, I read beauty blogs across the globe to keep myself updated on what's out there!  Among my blogging friends, I got a handful who loves higher priced blushers!  When I say higher priced, those are the blush brands I don't see myself purchasing because they are beyond my budget!

I can find myself purchasing brands like Nars and MAC!  I have to say, they don't come cheap, but, these are some of the brands you see on most train cases of Makeup Artists.

Christian Dior (CD), I am accustomed to their fragrance line but never see myself going to their makeup counters for some luxury make-up!  It doesn't mean though that I'm not interested!  I tell ya, I am super intrigued on how good they are and why a lot of the beauty bloggers are in love with it!

Thanks to a dear friend of mine who sent this over as a gift last Christmas!  It took me a couple of minutes, just touching it, enjoying its appearance before I even start using it!  I think it took me a day to finally pick up the brush, swipe, and apply it on my cheeks!  

Let me indulge you with photos....

The DiorBlush is housed in a lovely royal blue box and the blush compact itself is housed in a black velvety pouch!  Reminds me of a jewelry box!

Beautiful navy blue packaging, with a Dior hologram imprinted right at the center --- luxurious!

The packaging comes with a plastic protector, a huge mirror and a free Dior mini blush brush!

#839 is Vintage Pink comes in a very soft pink shade and the right side of the blush has the right amount of glow for that perfect glow.

The color will show up on light to medium skin tone, I don't think this will show up much on a darker skin tone, it would be a great "highlighter" for someone from medium-darker skin tone!

At times, I wanted a pop of color on the apples of my cheeks, I would concentrate my brush on the "darker pink" (left on photo) and finish up a bit with the lighter pink (right on photo) for that instant glow minus the oily look!

I am using this free brush because it works fine!

No shedding nor scratchy feel.

Unfortunately, this is a limited edition shade and you can find other shades of DiorBlush available at Strawberrynet.com for a good deal $37.00 (approx Php1,665)!  With the discount, I think it isn't that crazy expensive as I originally expected!

Personally, I don't mind owning one just to give it a test on how luxurious brand like Dior would look and feel when I use it.  It does give me that "uplifting" mood.  But I have to be honest that this is not a requirement, you don't need to own one especially if you're not into expensive stuffs.

Swatch on hand, the shades are really light and very subtle

Here's a photo of myself using the blush....

Just Joking!  *laughs*

This is seriously my photo of a very subtle "blushing"

I Wonder:
"What's Your Most Luxurious Blusher to Date?"

Can I scream..."It's Friday!!!!"
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Nature Republic Forest Garden Balancing Cleanser Oil

When I visited Seoul, Korea October of last year, I gave myself a quick mental note to purchase different types of cleansing oils because I want to prolong my Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil usage as I've already finished 4 huge bottles of it!  I know finding an alternative cleansing oil in Korea is not a good idea especially if the brand is not locally available!  You know that I'll do anything to prolong the lifespan of my Shu Uemura cleansing oil!  

One of the first few Cleansing Oils I tried from my Korea Trip is the one from Nature Republic.  A lot of you may be familiar with the brand but to some (like myself) who relied on research, I've read that Nature Republic's products have been designed and developed according to the great nature's beauty secret and uses extraordinary natural ingredients from all over the world.  Most of their products are said to derive from pure nature.  I like testing on products that does not use a lot of chemicals, lesser chemicals equals lesser chance of skin irritations.

I don't have to explain myself on why I chose this brand, you do know that it's love at first "packaging" sight! 

Nature Republic says ---

Revitalizing cleansing oil containing essential oil comples.

Size: 145ml

Ingredients: Ethylhexyl, Palmitate, Mineral Oil, PEG-20 Glyceryl, Triisostearate Fragrance, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Butylparaben, Propylparaben

Available in: with Borage Oil and Carrot Seed, with Oil Rosemary and Ylang Ylang, with Tea Tree and Lemongrass, with Argan Tree Oil and last but not the least, with Chamomile.

AMW says ---

Pros

• The cute sexy packaging looks very nice on my bathroom!
• Pump is perfect for ease of use.

• 2-3 pumps are enough to clean up my face.
• Can remove hardheaded foundation, primer, powder, etc..
• Can even remove waterproof mascara.
• Skin feels soft after washing.
• Skin never feels dry nor oily.
• No skin irritations or allergies.

Cons

• If product gets on the eye area, it blurs out my vision a bit and could sting at times!
• The scent is a bit overwhelming!  Not for the sensitive nose.

Overall
Not bad!  The product performed quite well!  I was thinking that this could be pricier than other cleansing oils because of the quantity, but you know what?  This bottle lasted me 3 full months and I still have some left!

With regards to the texture of the oil, the Nature Republic's texture is "runny" and more of the "watery" side as compared to my favorite Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil.  

Tips

• Start by pumping 2x using dry hands and gently massage all over face.  You can add more pumps if needed.
• Lather a bit and continue massaging your face especially on areas where you have a lot of makeup on!
• Slowly wash off with lukewarm water.
• Pat your face with soft cloth , never wipe your face with too much pressure!
• You can continue with cleanser if you prefer to remove the "oil".
• Stop usage once skin irritations occur.
• Try not to get product inside your eye, wash off immediately if the product irritates your eyes.
• If you are a heavy mascara, eyeshadow and eyeliner user, wipe your eye makeup with your preferred eye makeup remover prior to cleanser oil usage!
• Keep and reuse the bottle!

Will I repurchase?
If I get the chance to visit Korea again, I'll purchase this on a different variant!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who's used to using cleansing oil in makeup removal!  For this variant, this works on both dry and oily skin as it does not cause skin to get oily nor it strips oil from the skin!  Feels very light.

Where to purchase and how much?
I bought mine in Korea for approximately Php400.00+ (approx $10.00++).


Do you use cleansing oils?
If yes, how much is your cleansing oil?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Bulletin: Win 11 Avon Prizes this January 2011!

Dear Philippine Readers:
Fresh off my mailbox, I received a news from our friends in Avon that they are celebrating 125 years of making women all over the world beautiful!  With this, Avon Philippines would like to thank its roster of avid users with an exclusive online promo.  Win 11 Avon prizes this January 2011!

(Note: You can click photo to enlarge)

Joining is as easy as clicking "like" at the Avon Philippines' Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AvonPhilippines) and answer the following questions under the "11-1-11" promo tab:

• What are your beauty resolutions for 2011?
• Which Ultra Moisture Lipstick Shade will make you feel your most beautiful this beginning of the new year?

For 11 days, Avon will randomly draw one entry.  The daily winner will be given an Avon Color gift pack -- the must-have makeup arsenal to start the new year!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Kiehl's Supremely Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

Tightlining (to apply eyeliner right to the lash line), creates full lashes!

Mascara application, makes your lashes look longer and fuller.

Eyelining, defines your eyes.

I hate doing all those because of one reason, I hate eye makeup removal!  Cleansing oils dissolve all types of makeup but I find them not removing eye makeup completely!  And who in the right mind would want to use oil near the eye area?  Well, I'm not always on the right mind but I don't like oil near my sensitive eyes!

I found a nice Eye Makeup Removers from Clinique and Lancome.  Because of the fact that these 2 are in liquid form, there could be a bit of eye irritations and stinging which I think isn't good for our poor eyes!

When dearest AMW Brother came back from his Canada trip year 2009, he gifted me a Kiehl's Travel Set which I love!  I love the way it was packaged dearly that I kept and stored it and nearly forgot about it!  Well, thanks to my organizing skills, I re-organized all my stuffs before the end of 2010 and I found this!

The name itself caught my attention, for a company to add the world SUPREMELY in the already Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, it must be really good right?  Agree? Disagree?  We'll see...

Kiehl's Supremely Gentle Eye Makeup Remover says ---

This lightweight and non-greasy lotion is specifically designed to gently remove eye make-up without stripping or stinging the delicate eye-area.

Contains: cucumber extracts, antioxidants and apricot kernel oil while utilizing a preservative especially selected for its use in ophthalmic products.  

Ophthalmologist-tested.  Safe for contact lens wearers.

AMW says ---

Pros

• A little is enough to remove eye makeup in one eye.
• The texture is cream-like, but once applied on the eye area, does not feel thick or heavy.

• Very gentle on the eye area, no stinging, blurring or itchiness occur.
• Removes all traces of eye makeup!  
• Can remove waterproof mascara, hard-to-remove gel liners, eyeshadow and even primer!
• I can even remove the eyeliner that I applied on both the upper lash line and lower lash line!
• I can go as close as removing eyeliner on the waterline without my eyes turning red!
• No weird scent, smells comforting actually!

Cons

• A pump packaging would be very much appreciated.  

Overall

This is my favorite Eye Makeup Remover to date!  I am waiting for challengers out there but for now, this won my heart!  I am not scared to tight line, apply thick liners and use coats and coats of mascara as I know I can easily remove this without much pressure at the end of the day!

This can be a bit more expensive as compared to other eye makeup removers out there, but the fact that its very gentle to your eyes and it protects your eyes from further irritations or *gasp* blindness, this is worth the price you pay!

Tips

• I prefer to use a cotton pad instead of cotton balls and fold it as you go on!
• One cotton pad is enough for eye makeup removal on both eyes (for regular, not-so-heavy eye makeup application)
• Wipe the opening prior to closing the cap to prevent "old product build up"

• One you squirt 1 pea size amount on the cotton pad, I suggest to fold it over so product will be evenly spread out.

 

• Leave on the eye area with lashes "upwards" for a couple of seconds before you start wiping.
• Be very gentle!  Wipe like you're wiping a one-month old baby's ass! *laughs*
  

Will I repurchase?
Yes!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who has problems with eye makeup removal and hates eye blurring and stinging feel!

Where to purchase and how much?

At local Kiehl's Store at Greenbelt Makati or SM Mall of Asia.  Price will be updated here as I will call in the store and check.  The product shown in this photo is a travel size gifted to me by Brother AMW!

With a pea size amount of Kiehl's Supremely Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, I press the product a bit onto my lashes then gently wiggle it.  Do this multiple times until mascara and eye makeup are completely removed!

I did not use a lot of products, just mascara, gel liner and eyebrow pencil.  See how dirty the cotton pad gets?

Here's my clean eye after eye makeup removal via Kiehl's!  

Definitely lives up to its name!  Supremely Gentle!

What's your favorite eye makeup remover to date?
Does it blur out your vision?  Or is it as supremely gentle as the Kiehl's?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Weekly Winners: 2 CloseUp White Now Gift Packs

Dear Philippine Readers:

The chance to win Michelle Phan Signed Items + Instant Beauty Gift Pack is getting nearer!  After announcing the 2 consolation prize winners to try on CloseUp White Now for free, I have chosen another 2 before the contest ends! 

Congratulations to ---

LadyMishel

and

Marie Joyce Manongsong!

Michelle Ame (LadyMishel) and Marie Joyce Manongsong! I will email you to get your complete name so I can forward your names to the person who will handle your pick-up!

Again, let me clarify that the WINNERS and the joiners for weeks 1 to 4 CloseUp White Now Toothpaste contest are still eligible to win the grand prize which will end tomorrow night!  

Winners may claim their prizes at:
2104-A East Tower, PSE Center, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1605

If you are reading this post at this very moment and you haven't joined the 158 comments, what are you waiting for?  Smile and click HERE to join!  You only have a day left and ONE lucky reader will win such wonderful prizes! 

Goodluck!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!