AMW Version: Fresh, Natural Look

Yay!  First AMW Version for the year 2011!  It has been taking me time to create tutorials lately because of the same reasons!  So before I go on blabbing, I've created a look perfect for office meetings or just regular day at work!  A fresh and natural look that spells "Prepared, Organized, Ready-to-face-the-day!".

This type of eye makeup I've done does not alter the shape of your eyes, there's no corrective styles done, instead, just played with neutral colors to give a well polished look!

AMW Diagram

Prior to eyeshadow application, I choose to brighten up the undereye area with The Body Shop's Lightening Touch.  You can choose to use your preferred eyeshadow base, in my case, since I don't have oily lids, I chose NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Yoghurt as an eyeshadow base!

Step 1:

In this tutorial, I am using all the colors of L'Oreal OpenEyesPro Palette in Beige Harmony.  Using a fluffy eye crease brush, I applied the lightest shade over the entire eyelid on top of my NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Yoghurt base.

Step 2:

Using a flat shader brush, apply the e/s (as pointed with the brush on photo below) onto the crease with a patting motion to create depth and dimension.

Step 3:

Using the same crease brush or even a smaller version of the brush, apply the pointy tip on the outer-V corner of the eyes!  Blend out harsh lines.

Step 4: (optional)

Since the L'Oreal OpenEyesPro palette is very shimmery and natural in person, I wanted to create more depth on the outer-v, in doing so, I am using MAC Mineral Eyeshadow Odd Bits (from MAC Colour Craft Collection). Adding more as  go on.  

Do not forget to apply the same eyeshadow shade on the lower lashline.

Step 5: 

Using the sponge applicator, I pat a bit of the gold shimmer on the inner 1/4 of the eye for that "wide awake" and "bright" look!

Step 6:

Apply ELF Cream Eyeliner in Black on the upper lash line.  You can choose to wing your eyeliner but I chose to make it  more natural.  

Apply Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in 1L on the waterline.

Curl your lashes and apply coats of your favorite mascara.  I am using my favorite Etude House Proof 10 Henna Fix Mascara in Black.  Fill in your brows with your favorite brow powder or pencil.  I am using Tears Line and Mode Autobrow in 04.

Other products used on the rest of my face

 

For the Face:

Avon Ideal Shade Liquid Foundation in Nude 

with HD Makeup Blender Sponge.

Avon Ideal Shade Loose Powder to set

For the Cheeks:

DiorBlush #839 Vintage Pink - using the brush that comes with the palette

Clinique Up-lighting Liquid Illuminator - applied using fingers on areas I want to highlight (bridge of the nose and cheekbones)

For the Lips:

Daiso PE-3 Lipstick  - though drying, I am seriously in love with this shade! So Unique!

LipIce Color Gloss in Summer Pink

Show your best smile and you're ready to face any day!

Note to self: "I will, try to do more AMW Version!"
Hope this helps!  I am sure there's a whole lot of better versions out there! 
*sigh* Life is fun with so many choices!

Enjoy Thursday!  I can sniff Friday like a dog!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: "The Dark and Light Side of It" Nails

I was feeling a bit down the weather lately, well I have been feeling that way for the past weeks!  Blame it on the New Years, blame it on the hormones, in my case, I just blame myself for being a me!  I have been hyper all throughout and I think I think I'm on the tip of the iceberg!  Time to fall down....

Into deep sleep!  *hahaha* I collected a lot of positive energy over the weekend by sleeping more than 10 hours, brisk walking at night to burn up those excess "lazy" calories! Base on psychological thinking, or plain psychotic thinking!  I am feeling a lot better!

To celebrate my "feeling a lot better", I created a nail art tutorial called "The Dark and Light Side of It"!

 The combination of light and dark shades that complements each other is what I used splattered a bit of sparkling happiness!

Step 1:

Apply a coat of your preferred base coat to prevent your nails from yellowing.  I applied one coat of OPI Nail Lacquer in Suzi and the Lifeguard. I actually used the same base for 2 consecutive weeks, which I never do!  You can choose to leave your nails the way it is because the more natural it is the better!

Step 2:

Apply any light colored polish color diagonally as shown on photo below.  You don't have to do different complementary shades per fingernail!

 

Step 3:

Using the darker complementary colors, or whatever colors you think would work well together, apply the darker shade on top of the light diagonal shades!  The tip here is to make sure the polish are dry before you apply another shade on top to prevent polish colors from mixing together!

Step 4:

Using L.A. Art Deco Polish in glittery gold, line the botton part of the light colored polish to make it look "clean" and "polished".

 

Step 5:

To give a nice separation between the dark and light polish, create tiny dots as shown on photo below.

Step 6:

Use any glittery polish and apply it from nail bed upwards!  The style is like that of a gradient nail art.

Step 7:

Making sure everything is COMPLETELY dry, apply a coat of your preferred top coat for protection!

Enjoy your colorful yet simple nails!

What is your favorite light and dark combination out of the 5 I've done?
Mine is the Pink and Red! Oh, the Yellow and Blue..hmm..also the light blue and dark blue?
Can I just say I love all the combination because I did them all? :D

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: HD Makeup Blender

Remember how I found the Beauty Blender to be the cutest makeup sponge around?  There is something cute and sexy available locally called HD Makeup Blender!  People may mistake this for the Sonia Kashuk counterpart, I do not own the Sonia Kashuk one but base on photo, the curves are slightly different.  After receiving this as a Christmas gift from a dear friend, I've road tested this a couple of times and I'm ready to spill the beans...ahmm...sponge I mean! *winks*

Introducing:

HD Makeup Blender

HD Makeup Blender says ---

Blends easily, works great with your foundation, concealers, etc.  This is all you need to apply your makeup flawlessly.  Great for applying cream, mineral and liquid foundation along with cream, and mineral blush.

AMW says ---

Pros

• Cute shape, easy to grip!
• Pink!
• Saves up a lot of liquid or cream foundation.
• Can apply light-heavy coverage foundation minus the cake-y look.
• With the 'bounce' method, creates a nice airbrush finish.
• Multi-functional, can apply liquid or cream foundation, liquid or cream concealer, cream blushes etc..
• Sponge does not feel crumbly after a couple of usage as compared to regular sponges!
• Odor free.
• No bleeding on first up to current washes.
• If you are a makeup sponge user, this saves up a lot of money  because this is wash-able and reusable!

Cons

• Very difficult to wash!  I find washing this even more difficult than my Beauty Blender because this is a bit too firm!
• Does not come with a case which makes it a bit difficult to store.
• Stains a bit! (scroll down on tip area on how to remove hardheaded stains)

Overall

The Beauty blender and HD Makeup Blender are both priced similarly (not unless you buy 2 and above for the HD Makeup Blender, it'll come Php200 cheaper).  If you ask me which one I prefer, here's my simplest answer:

When it comes to washing - I prefer the Beauty Blender because the HD Makeup Blender is a pain to wash!
When it comes to application - I prefer the extra 'stiffness' of HD Makeup Blender because it gives more control over application!

Tips

• HD Makeup Blender must always be damp prior to usage.
• Use the bottom part for the large parts of your face. (ex. cheeks, forehead, neck)

• Use the pointy part around your nose, under the eye area.

• For makeup stains, I suggest you purchase an inexpensive Extra Virgin Olive Oil and gently rub the olive oil on the "stained" area until the stain is gone a bit, continue with regular washing with a mixture of baby shampoo and gentle dish washing liquid.
• Instead of wetting the sponge prior to usage, I prefer to spritz with a bottled facial spray so that the sponge does not get too wet and coverage won't be too light.
• Be careful not to puncture the sponge with any sharp objects or your fingernails.
• Store with a container to prevent dirt from getting absorbed inside the sponge.

Will I repurchase?
No, the Beauty Blender has been with me for a year and it's still working well and looking good as new! I'm sure with proper care and use, this one will last too!

To whom do I recommend this to?

Anyone who wants the non-cake-y no streaks foundation without the airbrush system!  If you also have enough time to bounce or stipple this sponge with your favorite foundation!

Where to purchase and how much?
At HD Makeup Site for Php1,200 (approx $28.00) each.  Php1,000 (approx $23.50) for 2 and above!

Compared to Beauty Blender (BB)

• The texture of BB is more porous as compared to the HD Makeup Blender.
• The BB is easier to wash, because the HD Makeup Blender is denser and thicker, I have to give more effort in washing and I have to wash it twice as much as I wash BB.
• The bounce of BB is better but the coverage of HD Makeup Blender is much better!
• The HD Makeup Blender has a wider base which covers more spaces on your face as compared to the BB.
• The tip of the HD Makeup Blender is stiffer and gives more control.
• The sexy shape of HD Makeup Blender gives a better grip during application.

The Beauty Blender and HD Makeup Blender

Side by side, same size both wet and dry

HD Makeup Blender Size

Dry: 2.3 inches
Wet: 2.8 inches

If you ask me, I'm still a powder user on a daily basis or just a tinted moisturizer or BB cream!  But on days I want more coverage, a look that spells 'flawless', I'd pick this up especially if you want that airbrush finish  minus the airbrush system!

Do you have a lemming for this sponge?  

Keep smilin

Stay happy!

Spreading Love: Kabayanihan Foundation and Team Pinoy Planner

Gosh, there must be something about "organizers" that are close to my heart!  I must be born with a huge word "ORGANIZE" on my forehead! 

Nevertheless, its a blessing from God that I have such good organization skill!  Thanks to God for giving me friends who were there through the years!  True friends are seriously hard to find and I'm glad I got a bunch of them!

The reason why I'm tapping on my sensitivity side (again) is because I had the chance to see my high school friends, in which, some I haven't seen for a decade!  It was a simple dinner, fun night with a lot of laughter and of course, dramatic moments!  :)

One of my friend told me about this foundation that's worth sharing!

Kabayanihan Foundation
Team Pinoy Planner

Kabayanihan foundation believes that every Filipino can be a "Bayani" (Hero) and practice being a hero in their own little way.  How can we help?  

There's "Our Country is in My Planner"

The cost of the planner is only Php399.00 (approx $9.30) and the amount they will raise will be going to building classrooms to different parts of the country.  Aside from that, the foundation also came up with this cool "Cultural Revolution" in which they are hoping to change the mindset and practices of Filipinos everywhere through Alex Lacson's 12 Little Things.

12 Little Things is like my "Doing 1 good deed a Day Task".  This one is even better!
You get to do 12 little things EVERYDAY that can help change and improve the nation!  

So many things we can do to help improve our nation! 

• Not throwing trash anywhere.
• Making sure your car is in good condition to prevent pollution.
• Follow traffic signs and signals.
• If you are a parent, make sure your children gets good clothing, shelter and education.
• If you are a student, study hard!
• If you are working, do your work well and do not sit there wasting your time!
• Turn off water and electricity when not in use.
• Report water leaks or electrical problems immediately!
• Do not spread ill words regarding our country.
• Carry a bag instead of asking for a plastic bag!
• Speak highly on our tourist spots!  Show to the world how beautiful our country is.
• Just be nice to random people you talk to.

Can I add another one?  "If you are a killer, stealer, or whoever bad person --- Just Stop Breathing?"  *lol*

Well, I can go on and on about doing random things to help our nation!  One thing you can do though, is to purchase this Planner and you know the money will be going to the right people!  (The Chairman of this foundation is my friend's dad!  Totally reliable!)

I know it's a bit late, a month is almost over, but I don't mind having an extra organizer to write down my daily thoughts!

It's worth it!  It's great to know you're helping as well!

How to order and help?
Smile and click THIS LINK to order Team Pinoy Planners!

Add Team Pinoy on Facebook
For more information about Kabayanihan Foundation, click HERE

Helping is beautiful!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Sandy's Pizza + Strawberry Ice Cream Cake!

 Are you ready to Grumble?

Weekend food tripping is Pizza Time!  I had boring Chinese Hot Pot dishes in which I've already talked about over past weekend food trippings!  So today, I will be posting the mid-week food trip me and the husband did after my Tek Tok TV shoot!  We passed by Katipunan and for me, when I hear the word Katipunan, I go flapping my arms like chicken wings because it sounded like a place so far away!  It's actually not especially on traffic-less hours!  

After the fun shoot, we passed by Sandy's Pizza, I read so much positive reviews about this Pizza Place owned by the mom-preneur Sandy Arellano!  She brings New York Pizza plus Pinoy-American Fusion Pizzas right in front of us!

Mr. AMW had to take a U-turn because we are both intrigued with the taste of this pizza everyone's been talking about.

 The scent of freshly baked crust greeted us as we got in their Katipunan branch which can sit approximately up to 15 people.  We were given 2 choices of pizza sizes!  18" Large and 14" Small thin crust pizza!  We opted for 18" Large  and plan to take home the rest of it!

18" Large

The Sampler

(Choose 4 flavors of your Choice)

Php670.00 (approx $16.00)

The 4 flavors we chose!

(photo organized from least favorite to gastronomical experience)

Combination

A little bit of everything with a lot of Flavors

This is our least favorite because it does have a little bit of everything which makes it overpowering to our sense of taste! 

 

Meatzarella

Bacon, Pepperoni and Italian Sausages

Wherever "pizza" place we go, we have to try their ALL MEAT special!  It must be because I am with a carnivorous Mr. AMW?  He knows his sausages, bacon and pepperoni!  It passed his standards!  Bacon lovers may find it disappointing that their lovely bacon are served in tiny bits instead of the usual bacon strips!  I like it that it has a hint of bacon minus the guilt!

Thai Curry Chicken

A melange of wonderful and unique spices

We actually chose this over the Indian Curry Chicken.  We asked the waitress to help us choose which one is better and she told us to try this first!  Great decision to listen to her!  I actually like the taste of the sweet tasting Thai Curry Chicken.  No weird curry taste on pizza!  I promise you that!

 White Pizza

Kesong Puti, Mozzarella and Parmesan

I am actually a fan of a very simple pizza flavor - 4 cheese pizzas.  This may not be 4 types of cheese but the three-cheeses' very unique Kesong Puti (Filipino's White Cheese) included is enough to satisfy my need for "mouse food" *lol*  This is my favorite among the 4 flavors we chose!  I agree with Sandy, start by trying the simplest pizza they offer first before you go experimental!

Overall, the experience was great!  What's unique with Sandy's Pizza as compared to the rest of the Pizza's I've tried?  Super crunchy, thin crusted pizza that's quite chewy in between! It is obvious in one bite that it is freshly made and baked!  Best of all, not oily!  I am not a fan of those oil-drenched pizzas!

Keep in mind that we tasted this pizza fresh from the oven!  I am not sure if the quality will be the same if you have these delivered!

Sandy's Pizza, Katipunan

154 Katipunan Ave. Brgy. St. Ignatius,

Hernandez Bldg., White Plains Q.C.

Tel. no: (632) 721-8329

Before I end this post, thanks to my dearest Sister-in-law for this wonderful Haagan Dazs Strawberry Ice Cream Cake.  Generous amount of strawberries nestled on top of cream and strawberry ice cream cake!  White chocolate sheets on the sides for extra calories! I want to say its perfect as it looks but the strawberries are not in season so its a bit too sour to taste!

Top View

Gorgeous right?  The strawberries are HUGE!

Enjoy your weekend food tripping!
What are you eating this weekend?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!