Eureka Moment: LipIce now in Manila!

We all know that lips are one of the most noticeable and sexiest part of the body, if that's the case, I won't be called sexy in this lifetime because I have dry lips!  I've tested and 'kissed' so many lipbalms and I know there are a lot of great ones out there but there is something about lip products that I don't find myself regularly applying!  My bad!

When I wrote a post about "Lip Balms I've Kissed" almost 3 years ago, that was also the first time I get to know the brand Mentholatum and the lip balm called LipIce! 

I love it so much that I went hunting for it during my trips.  Purchased a couple in Malaysia, bought back ups in Taiwan and hoarded in Hong Kong!  I even tried Sasa online shopping just to try out their other variants and so far, the brand does not fail me!

I can't believe my eyes when I saw the familiar packaging in Watson's!  YES!  Eureka Moment for me!  It's finally here!  And you know what's the bonus? --- The prices locally are cheaper!!!  Finally!!! Something is cheaper in our country as compared to our neighboring countries!!! 

LipIce Fruity

Php89.00 (approx $2.00)

A color free lip balm that comes in a range of 5 delicious fruity flavors.  Strawberry, Apple, Lemon, Grape Blackcurrant and Orange Mandarin.  I've used the Lemon variant for the longest time and its high time I try other flavors, because.... I can't be boring!

LipIce Sheer Color

Php145.00 (approx $3.22)

This lip balm sparks my interest as I haven't seen this when I was shopping for my "backups".  This is unique because it looks clear, goes on clear, then changes into sheer pink or even dark pink depending on your lips!  I am actually using this at this very moment and mine...goes on....deep pink!  I love it!

LipIce Color Lipbalm

Php125.00 (approx $2.77)

Perfect for young girls or young-at-hearts *ahem*  This is the perfect for anyone who wants just a tinge of color for that polish look in a snap!  I am planning to use this on clients who are going for dark eye makeup! 

LipIce Color Gloss

Php125.00 (approx $2.77)

This comes in a tube with an angled tip for ease of application.  It's a gloss that has a nice sparkle perfect to top on a "drying lipstick formulation".  If you want a natural, sexy pout, you can apply this on top of a clear balm! I tested one and I like using this on days I am opting for "dewy" makeup!  It gives a nice "clean" and "young" look!

Mentholatum Therapy Lip Gel

Php108.00 (approx $2.40)

Enriched with camphor- an ingredient used because of its healing properties for relief for chafed and chapped lips.  This is already part of my night routine!  Has this nice minty feel! 

I have seen that they also offer lip balms suit for the men in our lives!  I am actually excited for Mr. AMW to give it a test!  For now....it's Eureka Moment!  So happy it's here!




A blogger friend told me the Mentholatum Sunblock works really well, and a li'l birdie told me they'll have it launched locally around March!  Accessible brands --- FTW! (For the Win!)

Oh, before I end this post, Mr. AMW used the Menthalatum Facial Wash for Men, which Brother AMW bought for him.  He actually finished 2 tubes, I wonder if they are bringing it down here as well? 


Have you tried this brand?
What's your favorite product from this company?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

(Note from Author: Products sent for PR purposes.  The author is not affiliated with the company and brand.)

For AMW Readers: Buy 1 Take 1 Swirls Frozen Kefir

Dear Philippine AMW Readers:
I got a very sweet coupon fresh from my email!  I'm not sure how obvious it is that I'm a Frozen Yogurt lover!  I know yogurt has a lot of health benefits but there is something even healthier! 

KEFIR!

Kefir has been popularly used in advanced countries such as Canada, Australia and US as a form of food supplement or alternative medicine for its healing properties, but its taste and the way it looks lack appeal especially to teenagers.  Now that it is now in soft-served dessert form, who wouldn't want to indulge in the goodness of this tangy, healthy yummy treat.  Swirls Frozen Kefir will also offer variety of almost 20 toppings to go with it.

Kefir is a cultured, enzyme-rich food filled with friendly micro-organisms that balance your "inner ecosystem".  More nutritious and therapeutic than yogurt, it supplies complete protein, essential minerals and valuable B vitamins.

Goodbye FROYO.  Hello KEFROZ.

I am not stranger to Kefir, I've heard about Kefir 10 years ago when my friends are sharing "Kefir" to people they love.  It can be used to lower down cholesterol level while some would go all the way on making a cream Kefir using non-fat milk and use it as facial to treat skin allergies or acne!  (Note: this does not apply to everyone).

I agree on the scent and taste, it doesn't taste good so I'm glad I will be able to try on the health benefits of Kefir AGAIN this time in yummier form!

Soft Served Frozen Kefir

Php90.00 for 6oz.

Php120.00 for 8oz

I am still FROYO lover and maybe soon to be KEFROZ lover!  Bottomline is, it is very healthy and I am so happy my readers get the chance to try one and share another one! 

Print out this coupon, bring a friend or loved one, shake your booties all the way to SM Mall of Asia (SM MOA)! Hurry as the coupon is valid from January 15-23, 2011!

Tip: You can click photo to enlarge and print!

Thanks to the people from Swirls for this wonderful deal!

Come back and let me know how much you like/dislike it!
I'd love to know how this taste like!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

(Note: Author is not affiliated with the company or brand)

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!