AMW Version: Opening My Eyes with Purples

Purples has always been a challenge for most of us because it can either make you look sweet or the outcome could be "domestic violence".  I am quite lucky I can play around with purples without looking like  "My Husband Hits Me When We Argued".

Neutrals after Neutrals, I think its time to show some colors because summer is coming up!

AMW Diagram

Before we start:

Applied a good amount of Benefit Lemon Aid all over lids to "brighten up" the lid area at the same time, this act as an eyeshadow base.

Step 1:

Using L'Oreal Open Eyes Pro Palette 05, apply shimmery lilac eyeshadow all over lids going a bit beyond your lids for a nice base.  Using a pencil brush, apply a bit on the lower lash line.

Step 2:

Using the darkest purple color of the palette, gently sweet on the purple eyeshadow on the outer corner creating an illusion of deeper set eyes.

Step 3:

With the silver shadow, apply a bit more on the inner lids, patting motion would be better!

Step 4:

With a sponge applicator, apply the shimmery white powder on the inner corner of your eyes and a bit on the brow bone.

Step 5:

I needed a dark black shadow to create more "depth", with Sleek's Graphite palette, I chose the darkest metallic black to make my eyes bigger by applying a bit on the outer v.  Blending as the colors were packed.  With the same eye shadow, I used pencil brush to line the outer lower lash line to create a natural liner.

I gave false lashes a skip and decided to use what God has given me, my natural, non-existent lashes!  :)  I curled my lashes with Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, applied coats of Maybelline Magnum Volum' Express mascara in Black.

I filled my brows with Paul & Joe Eyebrow Pencil no. 2

I lined the upper lash line creating a tiny wing with ELF Cream Eyeliner in Black

AMW Opening Up Her Eyes

with L'Oreal Open Eyes Pro 05

Here's what I used for the rest of my face

For the Face:

Avon Ideal Shade Dual Powder Foundation

in Shell with Kabuki Brush

For the Face:

Contoured with Stila Contouring Trio

For the Cheeks:

MAC Mineralized Blush in Super Duper Natural

Applied The Body Shop 02 Cheek and Face Powder in Berry on top 

for a healthy looking cheeks!

For the Lips:

MAC Viva Glam V

make sure to prep your lips with balm 

prior to lipstick application

Fix your hair and you're ready go on a date :)

Have you braved purples?
What's your best purple eyeshadow?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

How to Help Japan

Dear AMW Readers:

I've been watching different news regarding the Tsunami and Earthquake of Japan that happened March 11, 2011.  These are the types of footage that you only see in movies and I can't believe it is happening in real life.  We are safe, we should thank God, but let us not forget our brothers and sisters suffering in Japan.  People who are generous in extending their helping hands when other countries are going through tough times!  

I've done some research online on how to help in our own tiny ways, be careful and do your research on which organizations to donate to as there are a lot of bad people taking advantage of such situations!

1. American Red Cross - Emergency Operation Centers are opened in the affected areas and staffed by the chapters. This disaster is on a scale larger than the Japanese Red Cross can typically manage.  Donations to the American Red Cross can be allocated for the International Disaster Relief Fund, which then deploys to the region to help. Donate HERE
2. Global Giving - Established a fund to disburse donations to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Donate HERE.
3. Save the Children - Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter.  Donate HERE.
4. Salvation Army - The Salvation Army has been in Japan since 1895 and is currently providing emergency assistance to those in need.  Donate HERE.
5. Convoy of Hope - Disaster Response team established connection with in-country partners who have been impacted by the damage and are identifying the needs and areas where Convoy of Hope may be of the greatest assistance.  Donate HERE.

I am sure there are a lot more organizations out there, feel free to comment here on other organizations for our readers to be aware on how internet is a powerful tool to extend a helping hand.

This is not a movie scene but happened in real life....

 **photo from Reuters

Donating money won't bring back lives, but its the best way to help those who survived by giving them HOPE that life is worth living because people from all walks of life, can come together...hand in hand.

God bless the World!

Let's not stop praying...

Weekend Food Tripping at: Chic-Boy

There is a restaurant that caught my attention Jupiter Street right next to Strumms.  It's jampacked during lunch hour, the scent of grilled meat fills the air and made my stomach growl, and most of all, here's one major reason why I have to get in to this restaurant....

The cute Chic-Boy photo!  Chic (Chicken) Boy (Baboy/Pork), Keith loves to call me a chicken because I eat nothing but chicken meat when we were dating (the reason why I am a allergic to it right now) and I love calling Keith a Pig not because he eats like a pig but pigs are cute!!!  So seeing these 2 hang out in this photo, gave me a warm fuzzy feeling...were we paid in this photoshoot?  *laughs*

Chic-Boy at Jupiter street is huge and spacious, people can dine inside and outside of the restaurant.  There is a huge space were the staffs grill their pork or chicken and you can see everything is sanitary. 

Once you get to the order taker, there is a huge menu board!  Though the restaurant prides themselves for Pork and Chicken dishes, they package it in a way you have so many choices to choose from and create value meals great for office people on a budget!

Ginisang Kangkong sa Bawang

Php30.00 (less than $1.00)

Eating whatever meat-y makes me crave for vegetables!  I like to accompany my meat dishes with vegetables for a balanced meal!  I really like Kangkong and this dish came in with loads of crunchy garlic!  No-no on a date but yes-yes when you're married!  *lol*  I think I can kill a vampire 100m away! 

Which reminds me to remind you, that it is quite useful to take along with you a mouth spray, I usually hate people using mouth sprays because of those in commercials or movies where guys are trying to "hit on a girl' whenever they use one, but after eating super garlicky meal, it made sense why these are useful, for temporary confidence to speak to other people after meal, then brush your teeth when you get back the office.

Note from AMW: Do not spray in front of other people!  *laughs* try to excuse yourself and go inside a restroom and spritz away.  Photo above:  Binaca Aeroblast in Spearmint and Peppermint.  Both available at Watson's Philippines.

2 pcs Pork Barbecue (CB-3)

Php99.00 (approx $2.00)

I opted for pork because I did not have any anti-histamines with me.  I like barbecue anyways.  The meal comes with 2 sticks of pork barbecue, rice and "atchara" (vegetable).  The marinate of the pork barbecue is indeed wonderful but they do insert fat meat in between the barbecue which I am not a fan of!  I'd rather go for lean meat.....then fat at the end part of the stick.

Chicken Inasal (Petso) (CB-2)

Php99.00 (approx $2.00)

When it comes to parts of the chicken, we are "breast-eaters" (don't make this X-rated ok?)  :P  We  do like our white meat.  The chicken came out grilled quite well, not burnt nor raw.  Just right.  According to Mr. AMW, the meat is very tender but the taste of the chicken itself is nothing special, just like regular grilled chicken.  What sets this one apart is the condiments that comes on each table.  A vinegar, a sweet and sour chili oil, etc..

Overall, it was a quick, fun lunch!  So many groups of colleagues, friends or even families dining in this restaurant. The restaurant opens 24 hours and does delivery service within the area. 

Chic-Boy

112 Jupicter St. (Beside Strumms),

Makati City

Tel nos: (632)659-4762 / (632) 659-8000

Enjoy your weekend food tripping!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Stila Contouring Trio

Personally, contouring is not something I would do on a daily basis, but it is an integral part of make-up application when you are exposed to having your photographs taken!  I do have a couple of contour powders but I found out I needed to add more into my collection as my existing MAC MSF in Dark and the MAC Sculpting Powder in Shadester can turn a bit "orangey" on some clients.

I need to find an alternative....ASAP!  Well not really, as I went online at Strawberrynet.com and found a Stila Contouring Trio on sale!  I purchased it right away and got it a month plus after!  (Did I mess up the meaning of ASAP? *laughs*)

Stila Contouring Trio says ---

If you want to create the illusion of larger eyes, slimmed down nose and sculpted cheek bones without spending big money for going under the knife, Stila Contouring Trio is your best bet!  Stila Contouring Trio compact comes with 3 shades light for highlighting, dark for lowlighting and flash, a soft neutral shimmer shade.  Comes with a step-by-step instruction booklet.

Ingredients

water\aqua\eau, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax\cera carnauba\cire de carnauba, stearic acid, glyceryl stearate, polyisobutene, silica, polyvinyl acetate, aminomethyl propanediol, vp/eicosene copolymer, isostearic acid, panthenol, pantethine, sodium hyaluronate, lauroyl lysine, butylene glycol, peg-9 dimethicone, hexylene glycol, caprylyl glycol, simethicone, hydroxyethylcellulose, acrylates copolymer, bht, phenoxyethanal, methylparaben, may contain (+/-) mica, iron oxides (ci 77491, ci 77492, ci 77499), titanium dioxide (ci 77891), ferric ferrocyanide (ci 77510), ultramarines (ci 77007), blue 1 lake (ci 42090), aluminum powder (ci 77000), bismuth oxychloride (ci 77163), carmine (ci 75470), chromium hydroxide green (ci 77289), chromium oxide greens (ci 77288), yellow 5 lake (ci 19140), manganese violet (ci 77742)

AMW says ---

Pros

• Very cute packaging, comes with mirror and tiny lights!

• The "switch" for light has a "safety sticker" that you need to peel before it turns on and off automatically.
• Has a protective "clear plastic cover" with the names of the powder to prevent it from getting dirty against the mirror and lights.
• The 3 shades are pigmented.
• Smooth and easy to blend. 
• The Dark shade: is truly muted brown, does not come out red or orangey.
• The Light shade: is matte creamy shade that's perfect for highlight without any glitters.
• Very versatile palette, can be used to contour/highlight the eyes, nose, cheeks.
• No weird smell.
• No skin allergies or skin irritations.

Cons

• Too bulky to tote around!
• Flash eyeshadow is my least favorite and can't seem to use it as "highlighter" but just as regular eyeshadow with chunky glitters.
• The mirror that comes with the compact is not that clear, I find it dizzying to stare at the tiny mirror with 6 mini lights flashing against my poor eyes.

• I'm not sure if its readily available locally or if this is discontinued? 
• You have to wait forever if you order online and you live in the Philippines :P

Overall

This fits perfectly inside my makeup train case as I found the shades to be quite useful for most of my clients.  It does not turn orange and all 3 shades are so versatile, they can also be used as eyeshadows as well.

Tips

• To create slimmer face, you can use the Dark shadow on the forehead, sides of the face, cheeks, neck etc..
• Use the Light shadow to "highlight" the features you want to - bridge of the nose, brow bone, upper lips and chin.  I also like using the light shadow under the eyes to "set" concealer bringing out a brighter, more awake look!
• Flash shadow is mostly used as an eyeshadow base, adding another eyeshadow shade to lessen the "chunky glitters"
• Use only a tiny amount and add more as needed.

Will I repurchase?

Yes! Will actually head on to the site and order backups.

To whom do I recommend this to?

Anyone into highlighting and contouring!  Or anyone who likes to use all 3 shades to create a very natural eye makeup on a daily basis.

Where to purchase and how much?

I bought mine at Strawberrynet.com.  You can check out Ebay or other local sellers or resellers.  Just checked Strawberrynet and they still have it available and on sale for $16.00 (approx Php688.00).  Smile and click HERE.

A closer look on Flash, Light and Dark 

Swatch on hand without base

I used Dark to contour my nose, gives a very natural effect 

minus the "orangey" look.

Here's a before and after photo on how I used Dark 

to contour my cheeks

(Left: Without Right: With Dark)

Using Light, gently patted Light under the eye area

to lessen the darkness under the eye area with Shu Uemura Brush

Do you agree with me why I love Light?

Left: patted Light, without concealer.

Right: without

What's your current contour/highlight powders?
For now, this is my personal favorite! 
Worth the super long wait!

Enjoy your Saturday!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Bulletin: Paul & Joe and MAC Wonder Woman

Dear Philippine Readers:

Our favorite brands are busy this month.  Paul & Joe have makeup makeovers, fabulous freebies and some discounts upto 30% off on some of their products from March 11-18, 2011.  Hurry and checkout their stuffs at GrandMall Glorietta 3!

I'm not sure how quick these MAC Wonder Woman collection will be sold, but do check out 10:00am Store opening and Make-up Demo at 2:00pm at the following MAC stores

• March 19 Makati
• March 20 Trinoma
• March 25 Marionnaud
• March 26 EDSA Shangri-la
• March 27 Rockwell

I'll keep you informed whatever I get from the little birdies of my mailbox
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!