Nail Art Tutorial: "Year of the Rabbit" Nails

First day of my favorite month of the year!  February!  I'm sure a lot of you understand why I chose February to be a favorite month of mine!  The weather is cool, the days are shorter, the Hearts' day fall in this month and last but not the least, it's my birth month!  Most people probably hate it because it means they're getting older, I should feel the same too, but I don't!  I'm quite excited for another birthday!

Before I talk about MY day, February is a good month because most of the time, Chinese New Year falls in this month!  Well not all the time but for the past years!

I've decided to create a nail art tutorial that is actually not an original of mine, but I saw it from Confessions of Polishaholic!  Thanks so much for the inspiration! Her nail art design looks way better than mine though!  But it's a good try! :)

Step 1: 

Apply your base coat especially when you are using a dark base color!  I am using Revlon's newest nail polish collection under Fire & Ice called All Fired Up.  Will feature the polishes of Revlon soon! :)

Step 2: 

Note from Author: You can choose one design and create similar designs on all nails.  I prefer to do variable designs.

Since "gold" means money, and the combination of red and gold exudes luck and prosperity.  I've decided to create a sparkle gold nail with Bourgeois Mini Gold Polish.  

Using Prettynails' 2 Way Nail Art Pen in black, I drew the year "2011"

Step 3: 

Creating same "sparkly" gold nails just like on step 2.

Using the same art pen in black, I wrote the Chinese character which means "Rabbit"

I want to create "Chinese Lanterns" hanging on top of the word "Rabbit".  Using nail art dotting tool, I randomly drew yellow and orange dots in no particular order.

 

Step 4: 

For the "rabbit" drawing, I don't want to take too much effort drawing the whole rabbit!  Instead I drew a simple sketch that represents a rabbit! 

Step 5: 

Making sure the nail art designs are completely dry, apply your preferred top coat.  In this nail art tutorial, I am using OPI Start to Finish Base and Top Coat courtesy of my dearest friend Frances!

Happy Year of the Rabbit!!!

Before I end this post, just a li'l something that says...

"Eh....What's Up Doc?"

If nail art is not a thing for you, just paint your nails red and top it with a glittery gold polish and you're ready to celebrate the Chinese New Years with Joy, Prosperity and Luck just right on your fingernails!

Happy Chinese New Year AMW Readers!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Avon Ideal Shade Foundation SPF10

January 2011 is almost over!  Not bad, the start of the year kept me busy and I am staying positive it'll be a very fruitful 2011!  

As everyone who reads my blog knew, I have received a wonderful gift from our friends from Avon!  Thank goodness for duplicate product because I can give one as giveaway and have another one to review!  Thank goodness the shade matches me perfectly so it did not take me that much time to review this product!  I have tested this for a good week on random occasions and situations!  Here's what I have to say...I always have a say on everything!  Gosh!  I hope you don't mind?  *winks*

Avon Ideal Shade Liquid Foundation says ---

Formulated with PreciseLight Technology. For continuous balance, adds moisture or absorbs oil wherever needed. Natural satin smooth finish. Featherlight medium coverage.

Available shades on brochure: Shell, Nude and Pure Beige

AMW says ---
Pros

• Gives a very natural, "looks like your natural skin" coverage.
• Easy to apply, does not create patches.
• Gives out a matte finish, no shine nor unnecessary sparkle! 
• No white cast on photos and in person.
• Can double up as concealer especially on the undereye area because of its very nice, runny texture.
• Dries up into a nice velvety finish after a couple of minutes after application.
• Works even without patting on setting powder/powder foundation.
• Sheer to medium coverage foundation.
• Does not dry up dry skin, does not oil up oily skin!  This feels like a very good tinted moisturizer.
• No weird smell.
• Has SPF.
• Pores and redness can be covered! 
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Packaging!  A pump packaging would be much appreciated.  You can over spill product or waste product because you can't control the product that will come out.

• The cap can get dirty easily :(

• Looking for the foundation shade that matches is a huge headache! :)  Especially since most Avon products can be purchased through brochures!
• Not for people who are looking into full coverage foundation in one swipe!
• May cause breakouts to people sensitive to the ingredients included in this foundation.
• Limited shades sold locally.

Overall

This is the best "start-up" liquid foundation.  Meaning, if you are new to makeup and you are just starting to enjoy make-up application, this liquid foundation is the best to start because you feel like your skin still breathes and it doesn't have the heavy and oily feel that most liquid foundation gives!  Aside from that, the price isn't that bad for a 30 ml foundation that can last you months of daily usage!

Tips

• Shake bottle prior usage.
• Write down the date where you first open the foundation.  Do not use this if product smells weird!
• For dry skin: you can choose not to set this foundation with powder as it gives a very natural powder finish.
• For oily skin: though this gives out a nice matte finish after application, can still turn oily after several hours, use your preferred setting powder or powder foundation with a huge brush and dust the product gently on areas that oil up easily!  It doesn't hurt to use a face primer to prevent your skin from oiling up!
• SPF10 is not enough so always use sunblock prior to foundation application.
• Visit Avon stores to check on their foundation shades, do not depend on the brochure color to look for a shade that matches you!
• Though this can give a nice, medium coverage, if you have acne-prone skin or a lot of marks on your skin, a concealer or corrector is still needed!
• For light coverage: apply with a stippling brush or Beauty Blender.
• For medium to heavy coverage: you can choose to apply with clean fingers or regular sponges!

Will I repurchase?
Yes!

To whom do I recommend this to?
People who likes to use liquid foundation minus the heavy feel!  This would be perfect for people without much skin issues because this feels and looks like second skin!


Works for oily, normal, combination and dry skin!

Where to purchase and how much?
Avon ladies for Php530.00 (approx $12.30)

Avon Idea Shade Foundation SPF10

Shade: Nude

 

Product blended so well on my hand

Does not look like there's foundation at all!

 Applied on skin, no base, no powder 

The product lightened up the darkness under my eyes.

The product lightened up the redness on the sides of my nose.

But it does not make me look different, does not cover the small beauty mark on my cheek.

Sheer to medium coverage adjustable base on your preference.

Have you tried this foundation?
This foundation reminded me of the I Nuovi Litebase Foundation!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

(Note from Author: Product was sent as gift.  The review has been done base on personal experiences.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)

Something New: Crumpler Chinese New Year Limited Edition Rabbit Collection

I seldom go to the malls nowadays!  I am usually working from Mondays-Fridays then go straight to my mom's place after work!  Then the hubby pick me up and we usually dine out at night or go straight home!  Traffic is just crazy to where we live so its normal just to choose to go straight home.

On weekends, I usually have make up gigs which left me no room to have the energy to walk around the mall!  This weekend was a bit different though!  Since I was scheduled for my annual check, I've decided not to schedule myself with anything over the weekend but just "me" time..well it's actually a "You and Me" time with Mr. AMW!

After the wonderful Korean Restaurant Food Tripping, we've decided to walk around the mall because we like checking out what we missed out for the past months!  I remembered receiving an email from fellow blogger about the Crumpler Chinese New Year Limited Edition bags in which I told myself to check it out!

Crumpler

Robinson's Place Branch

I've always been intrigued with the store because I have a thing for their "mascot"!  Isn't it cute?  Reminded me of Jamaica!  "YA MAN!"

As I walked in the store, a very "reddish" area caught my attention!  Right on!  It is indeed the Crumpler Chinese New Year Limited Edition Rabbit Collection!   Though my favorite color is pink, most of the stuffs I own like mobile phone pouch, mini pouches, bags and clothing are mostly in reds!  It must be the "Chinese Blood" in me to be attracted to such color!

Here's a "ninja shot" on the collection!  

Western design meets Chinese Culture.

L-R The Squid (Php1,450/approx.$33.00)

 Hillman Hunter (Php3,850/approx.$87.50)

L-R 15" Goldschlagers Carpet (Php2,250/approx $51.00)

Small iPad Herbas (Php2,450/approx $56.00)

Plus the Rabbit Charm (Php395/approx $9.00)

Not on 'ninja shot'

The Freckle (Php1,200/approx $27.00)

For this collection, what caught my attention is the Ltd. Medium Headaitch Rabbit!  I like big bag space, simple design and durable bag that I can tote along everywhere!

All Red Color

With Crumpler semi-gold colored batch and its cute mascot!

This is the reason why this bag is a winner in my dictionary!  Zippered!  Living in a city like ours, my huge requirement for my bags is its capability to protect my stuffs!  I don't like my stuffs hanging around showing to the world where my wallet, cellphone, etc... are located!

Interior: Origami Print Inside

This is where the inspiration comes in for 2011 Chinese New Year!  Red and Gold are known to be "lucky" that's why they have these 2 colors printed on "red envelopes".  Together with the paper folding tradition in China, they printed gold colored origami lines inside the bag!

Spacious Interior with 2 side pockets 

and one zippered pocket

For you to be able to imagine the size of this bag, this can easily house 14-15" Laptop!  I can actually put my hubby's laptop with laptop sleeves together with charger and mouse conveniently inside!

If you still cannot imagine the size of the Ltd Medium Headaitch Rabbit, it's almost the size of LongChamp Planetes Large in Long Handle!

I do wish the bag comes with foam protection inside so I can easily fit in my laptop without having to use a separate laptop sleeves! 

My Headaitch Php2,950 (approx $67.00).  This does not come cheap but Mr. AMW owns a couple of Crumpler products for his "techie stuffs" and so far, most of them lasts years!  I hope it'll be the same for mine!

Where to purchase?

• Crumpler Store , Bonifacio High Street
• Crumpler Store , Trinoma Mall
• Crumpler Store , SM Megamall
• Crumpler Store, Robinsons Manila

I will be using this for my next travel for sure!  Now, all I need to do is book my next trip!  RED....I hope you attract cheap flights!!!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

(Note from Author: Product provided for PR consideration.  The author is not paid to write this post. All information written are based solely on author's personal experiences.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)

Weekend Food Tripping at: Maru Korean Restaurant + Serenitea + Papa Beard

Oh hello everyone!  Most of you probably knew what's coming up!  It's the usual weekend food tripping!  So if you are on this page and you haven't had anything yet, go away and come back later! :P

Mr. AMW and myself woke up early on a Saturday morning for my annual check!  Had blood tests and I was quite brave about it!  After the tests, instead of going straight home, we've decided to have a good lunch because I deserve the energy!  I need to refuel my blood! :P  --- You do know they are all excuses!  I just wanted to EAT! EAT! EAT!

Korean food!  *happy sigh*  I am so in love with this dish and I swear I must be half Chinese half Korean in my past life!  Whoever I may be in the past, I must be chowing down on Kimchi from morning til dawn!

We've seen Maru Restaurant at Macapagal Avenue, but at that time, the next door Korean restaurant looks more intriguing because bus loads of Korean tourists are all flocking inside!  Boy am I glad Maru Korean Restaurant opens a new branch at Robinson's Place, Ermita!  The place looks even better!    This will be the first for us to experience Korean Dish in this restaurant so let me take you to our food journey!

 The usual Korean appetizers!  I am quite amazed on how they don't look too inviting aesthetically, but I tasted them all and they all tastes WONDERFUL!  Sour, Sweet, Spicy, Salty --- the appetizers played with all my senses!  I wish they have tofu appetizers though!  --- oh well, Uric Acid-less day for me then!

We've decided to try their BBQ because it just looks so cool seeing customers cook in a high-tech grill!  We chose the least fat dish because we may be pigs, but we're healthy pigs!  *winks*  

Nukgan-Sal 

Thin slices of boneless shortribs

Php380.00 (approx $8.60)

Raw, this does not look appetizing at all!  *blech* 

 But once its starting to cook, my stomach goes WOW!  

Can't wait to wrap this on fresh lettuce!

(Kinda reminisced on the BBQ we had in Seoul, Korea)

 Dolsot Bibimbap

Korean rice meal with mixed vegetables, marinated ground beef, served on a hot stone pot, topped with sunny side fried egg, Korean chili paste and sesame oil!

Php300.00 (approx $6.80)

In every new Korean Restaurant I dine in, the Bibimbap is a MUST for me to try because that is the basis for me to note down inside my head if I like the restaurant or not!  Hehehe  personal Quality Assurance Form!  This dish tastes really good!  A bit too spicy because the hubby put too much red paste!  I suggest you ask for a separate bowl and transfer some of the rice because the stone pot can maintain the temperature of the rice which is a bit too hot for my tongue to handle! 

 

The restaurant is not too big but spacious!  We chose to sit at the cool area where you look like you need to cross your legs, but you don't!  No more cramps because there's a huge space under the table for your legs to relax!  And best of all?  They have this super cool chair and people with back problem like myself don't have to worry on the back pain after hours of conversation with good food!  Such a nice place to visit with family and friends!  I suggest not to go for BBQ on dates because it gets too smokey and I smell like roasted 'pig' afterwards :D  --- still sexy :P

Maru Korean Restaurant

Robinson's Place, Ermita

New Wing

Waiter helps you with the BBQ but you can request to do it yourself. The restaurant do not serve house tea but cold water instead. Want alcoholic drinks?  They serve local beers to Korean beers! 

No service charge.  Accepts cash and credit card.

Because we did not order any drinks and our mouth were breathing fire!  We've decided to tone down the spiciness by drinking something with milk!  Milk helps cool your tongue after a spicy meal!  Serenitea was just right at the Adriatico Wing!  

Hokkaido Milktea

M - Php95.00 (approx $2.15)

L - Php105.00 (approx $2.40)

What I always complain about drinks served in our country is how sweet everything tastes!  At Serenitea, you have the power to choose how sweet your drink will be!  

100% Full Sugar

 75%  Less Sugar

  50% Half Sugar

  25%  Mild Sugar

    0%  Healthy

You can also choose your Sinkers (no, I'm not talking about bowel movements!  LOL)

• pearl
• crystal
• lime jelly
• red bean
• black bricks
• egg pudding

Here's my order of Hokkaido Milk Tea

Size: Medium
Sweetness: 25% Mild Sugar

Sinkers: Pearl

After all the shopping and walk, we've decided to take home some  Papa Beard Cream Puffs for AMW MIL!  She adores cream puffs (which I surprisingly don't).  So cute how the company are going for variety!  So many types of cream puffs now!

They also serve more cakes and pastries!  Sylvannas, Chocolate Mousse, Decadents, Braso De Mercedes, Choco Caramel, etc...Just the right kind of food to make you live LONGER ....hehehe

For only Php25.00 (approx $0.50) a piece, we've decided to try their Sylvannas!  Not bad, but I find it too chewy for my taste!  The taste is wonderful, but I'm not a fan of "rubber" texture!  Too much caramel I guess?

Of course, AMW MIL attacked the famous Papa Beard's Original Cream Puff!  For Php50.00 (approx $1.10), I made someone super happy!

This is my weekend food tripping!
What's yours?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: L'Oreal White Perfect Fairness Control Moisturizing Day Cream

My mom-in-law (MIL) loves her inexpensive Garnier Light Overnight Whitening Peeling Cream.  You can check out my review (on behalf of my MIL) on that by smiling and clicking HERE.

I think she is enjoying the "lightened" dark spots.  She actually came up to me and asked me what's best to use for day time as she's done with her current day cream!  Well, thanks to my ability to remember products I own!  As I scan through my OC-brain ALPHABETICALLY on products I have hidden inside a huge box *laughs* It stops at letter "L" for L'Oreal!  Choosing L'Oreal isn't a bad idea because Garnier worked for her and Garnier is part of L'Oreal group.  I could be wrong, but this could be a possibility!

I pull out the new L'Oreal White Perfect Fairness Control Moisturizing Day Cream because it has the "whitening" properties that Garnier have for her skin to look even-toned, bright and healthy!

She's almost done with this tube so it's time for a conversation between AMW and AMW M.I.L.!

L'Oreal White Perfect Moisturizing Day Cream says ---

• More Rosy Glow.  Enriched in new Tourmaline Gemstone that helps stimulate skin microcirculation, this cream gives skin intense rosy glow.
• Less yellowish complexion.  It also contains Advanced Melanin-Block, which acts to regularte the melanin production at the source to help skin become fairer.
• Protection against UV-induced skin darkening.  Exposure to UV rays, especially to UVA, accelerates and intensifies melanin production, leading to skin darkening.  Enriched with the powerful L'Oreal patented Mexoryl SX UV filters system. 
• White Perfect Fairness Control Moisturizing Day Cream SPF17 provides perfection against UV induced darkening and the appearance of brown spots.

AMW MIL says ---

Pros

• The product packaging comes with a protect cap which prevents spillage.

• Gets absorbed into the skin easily.
• Moisturizes skin minus the greasy feel.
• I find that most whitening products are drying on dry or mature skin, I was told that this works well even on mature skin! 
• Smells great!
• Price is not bad for a product that works as moisturizer, sunblock (although not much) and a whitening product.

Cons

• Unhygienic packaging!
• If you are expecting for quick results, again, this is not a magical potion!  
• SPF may not be enough for those who are more exposed to the harmful rays of the sun.
• Does not have the extra anti-aging properties that some can offer! 

Overall

I am quite surprised that a whitening moisturizer can actually moisturize quite well!  My MIL told me that this actually does not dry out her skin as much as other products she tried!  I can't tell if this product reduces her dark spots as it was reduced drastically with her Garnier Light Overnight Whitening Peeling Cream, what I can attest is that her spots did not come back with continuous usage of "lightening" products!  

Tips

• Use a spatula to dip on the product instead of your fingers!
• For all skincare product with this type of packaging: on some days I am too lazy or I can't find my spatula, *embarrassed*, I used the protective cover to dip some product, sorry!  I'd rather do so than dip my fingers!
• If you have very sensitive skin, apply a good amount from below the ear to the neck area, leave it overnight and check the next morning if allergic reactions occur.
• Apply a thin layer on areas of you skin that is fine!  For areas that have dark spots, massage and concentrate a bit more.
• Store in cool dry place!
• I strongly suggest to follow up with a sunblock still!  

Will she repurchase?
Yes, not bad for a Day Cream.  But for the night cream, nothing will stop her from the Garnier one.

To whom do I recommend this to?

Normal, Combination or even Dry Skin.  This moisturizing day cream actually works well to all skin types.  For sensitive skin though, please be careful as this is still a whitening product, meaning, it does have a couple of ingredients that could cause allergic reactions to very sensitive skin!

Where to purchase and how much?
Available at all L'Oreal counters for Php595.00 (approx $13.50).

Texture of the L'Oreal White Perfect Fairness Control

Moisturizing Day Cream

(not so fluffy, so I'm not gonna die! LOL)

I want to thank my dear AMW Mom-in-law for being such a fabulous mom, for helping me out with these reviews (especially on skincare)!  Watch out for my skin product reviews as she's almost done with this!  What's the next product I'll let her try?  Hmm, ain't gonna tell!  :P

Have you tried this product?
Does it work for you?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!