Nail Art Tutorial: Rain Water on Leaves

Happy Thursday!  Nail art tutorial for the week is inspired by nature.  I actually got inspired to do this nail art design after the Pond's White Beauty Naturals Launch last week!  The place was transformed into a secret garden, while a huge centerpiece was an eye candy while we had our scrumptious meal.  

It was also raining non-stop over the weekend so I stayed up, and got to create this on my nails.

Which was inspired by the Rain Water on Leaves 

in this photo taken from source

Yes, nail art is as broad as the things you see around you :)

Step 1:

Protect your nails with your preferred base coat, let dry.  Applied 2 coats of OPI Brights Collection Gargantuan Green Grape.  Wait for the polish to completely dry before you move on to step 2.

Step 2:

Apply one thick coat of any clear polish or top coat.  From this step onward, you have to work quickly.

Step 3:

While the clear polish or top coat is still wet, drop 3 drops of white dots using 2 Way Nail Art Pen as shown on photo below.  Since the clear polish is still wet, the dots will expand to a certain size.

Step 4:

If you have colored 2 Way Nail Art Pens, then drop another color on top of the white dots.  In my case, I like the green shade of this Nature Republic Nail Lacquer in Green.  I gently drop a smaller amount of polish on top of the white one.  This by the way is done quickly after the white dots application.  

*tip: It helps to have your green polish shade ready so you can proceed to this step at once.

Step 5:

With a needle, gently draw a line at the center of the dots and a "leaf like" design will be created as shown on photo below.

Step 6: Optional

I wanted to create an illusion of rain drops by adding rhinestones.  Apply a clear polish on the area you want to put the rhinestones on.

Gently push in the clear rhinestones to "embed" the gem.

Step 7:

Once the nail art design is COMPLETELY dry, protect your nail art design with a glittery polish (optional) and a top coat.

Voila!  Leaves with a drop of rain water

The color relaxes me in the middle of a stressed day!
I do look at it once in awhile! :)

Do you find this tutorial easy?
Would you give this a try?
For more nail art tutorials and designs, 
Smile and click HERE

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: San San Soleil Matte Foundation with SPF43

One of the most inexpensive liquid foundation I currently own, San San Soleil Matte Foundation in which I got to review.  Is it worth the money?  Have I found something that works at a very affordable price?

After weeks of using this product, I've finally written my thoughts!  Keep in mind that we have different skin type and color, so please test on testers before you purchase!  I don't know how many times I stressed on that!

 

San San Soleil Matte Foundation says ---

• Fits all skin types.
• Non-greasy, light weight feel
• Easy to apply
• Provides a smooth, radiant finish
• Enriched with Vitamins A, C & E

Ingredients:

AMW says ---

Pros

• Squeeze type packaging, no product wastage.
• No weird scent.
• Gives a good coverage, can be controlled for light-heavy coverage.
• Very lightweight, does not oil up in the middle of the day.
• Dual purpose: works as foundation and a concealer.
• No skin irritations or allergies encountered while I use this product.
• True to what the product says...it gives a matte finish!  Matte lovers out there?  Hooray!
• Inexpensive!
  

Cons

• Can aggravate dryness, you have to moisturize well.
• Some ingredients included in this product may cause allergic reactions to super sensitive skin.
• Limited shades to choose from.
  

Overall

For its price, I am quite impressed with the quality of the said foundation under the Soleil (summer) line.  The brand lives up to its promise of creating matte, flawless looking skin without the heavy feel!

Tips

• I know I've been nagging like crazy but please try on testers, apply on your face and leave for a couple of minutes to check shade match and if you have any allergic reactions to the product.
• For light coverage, apply with foundation brush, start applying the center of the face spreading out.
• For heavier coverage, apply with a sponge.
• Use damp sponge if you want to spread the product evenly.
• Moisturize your skin really well prior to foundation application.
• If you want to have a barrier between your skin and this foundation, use a face primer.
• You can mix this with your favorite moisturizer if you want more dewy finish.
• For oily skin readers:  set this liquid foundation with your favorite oil-control powder.

Will I repurchase?
No, personal preference of mine to purchase foundation that has "dewy" finish.

To whom do I recommend this to?
Combination, Oily skinned individuals who likes the coverage of a liquid foundation.

Where to purchase and how much?
At HBC stores for Php149.75 (approx $3.50).

Less amount of product goes a long way!

Blends into my skin color and 

you can see the "green veins" disappeared 

on the area with check mark

As you spread on the product,

you can see how thick it gets to cover blemishes

Applied all over face without moisturizer or face primer

Though my skin looks dry, its not that bad 

compared to other brands that has matte finish

Tell me your most inexpensive foundation to date!
What's the brand and does it work for you?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Version: Back to Earth

Happy Tuesday everyone!  It was a rainy and gloomy weekend on our side but nothing stops me from going out to celebrate Father's Day and at the same time, it was perfect timing for me to watch re-runs of Boys Over Flowers until 2:00am!  I love weekends!  

Yes, I know!  It's Tuesday and I'm still talking about the weekend!  Can't help it!

I will be sharing another AMW Version, a smokey eye makeup with a nude lipstick!  For me, smokey eye makeup is one of the best way to enhance one's eyes!  It also looks good on most eye shapes and sizes!  People who has monolids will also enjoy this style of eye make-up application.

You can experiment with color combinations, here's what I came up with....

 AMW Diagram

Keep in mind to use an eyelid primer to make your eyeshadow stay in place and prevent further fall outs.

Step 1:

Using a flat shader brush, apply Revlon Luxurious Color in 015 Shimmering Sienna all over the lids going a bit beyond.  Do not worry about the distinct lines created as we will blur it out later on.

Step 2:

Flip over the flat shader brush and apply The Body Shop's Eye Colour in no 43 which looks like moss green with loads of shimmer.  This is a nice "balance" for the smokey eye makeup not to look too dark!  

Step 3:

Use any matte/shimmery black eyeshadow to apply only inside the crease.  I am using Sleek palette Graphite.

 

Step 4:

I lined my upper lashline with KATE Gel Liner in Black.

Step 5:

Instead of lining my waterline with regular pencil liner, I opted to use a pencil brush and apply a dark, shimmery silver eyeshadow on the outer area of the lower lash line.

Step 6:

Brighten the eye area with a shimmery peach shadow using the same Sleek Graphite Palette and apply on the inner thirds of the lower lash line using the same pencil brush.

 

 Fill in your brows and curl your lashes and apply coats of mascara.

I used Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, Bobbi Brown  mascara 

and Etude House Drawing Eye Brow Pencil

 Here's my version of Back to Earth colors!

I used Brown which represents soil

Green to represent plants

Black, just to enhance the "smokey effect"

 Check out what I used for the rest of my face

For the Face:

Skin Food White Grape Fresh Foundation No. 23

Pat with Majolica Majorca Skin Remaker Pore Cover in BO10

For the Cheeks:

Colour Collection Blush-on Duo in Desert Rose

For the Lips:
Awake Lipstick in Apricot Cream

The gorgeous AWAKE lipstick was a gift to me by the wonderful girl behind the beauty blog The Shades of U  Aileen, Aileen came to the Philippines for a vacation and it was great to finally meet her!  Here's a mandatory group photo which I grabbed from Sophie of Beautynomics.

Here's a lip swatch to show you how gorgeous the shade Apricot Cream is

 

 

And here's my final look of Back to Earth

Have a wonderful day!
What's your favorite eyeshadow combination at the moment?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Kate BlendZone Eye Shadow

Happy Monday dear AMW readers!  Are you energized to start your week?  Philippine readers are still on a Holiday, no work so more time to relax before we head on to Tuesday! 

I'm jump starting the week with an eyeshadow palette review as I have read a lot of your queries on what eyeshadow to use on a regular work day!

KATE Eye Shadow says ---

An eye shadow palette with 2 shades that can be used individually or mixed, and can be blended easily.
1.6 grams
Shades available:

AMW says ---

Pros

• Packaging is simple yet you see the shades right away.

• The box that comes with it is written in Japanese but the drawing works for non-Japanese speakers.

• The light shade works perfectly to highlight the eyes or even the face.
• The deep color is not as deep but creates a "shadow" which can deepen the crease of anyone who has small crease or monolids.
• Easy to blend and create 3rd color.

• This is my 2nd KATE eye shadow palette and it lasts for a long time! 
• The palette is made to blend 2 colors together which can create a 3rd shade.  For the price, you get 3 beautiful shades.

Cons

• If you're looking for very dark, matte and very pigmented shade, it will not happen as this palette focuses on people who prefers natural look.

Overall

Works just like Lunasol, Majolica Majorca eyeshadows, the shades are usually shimmery, seldom can I find Japanese  made eyeshadow to be matte.

Tips

• Do not mind fall outs as this can work to thicken your lashes when you apply mascara.
• Use the sponge tip applicator that comes with the palette for darker application.
• Use brush for a super light and natural finish.
• Use the light shade to highlight the brow bone, on the cheekbones, the inner corner of the eyes and you can also apply a bit on the cupid's bow.
• You can also use the light shade on your lips by patting a bit on the center after lipstick application for a pouty look.
• The deep shade is best applied on the outer-v of the crease to deepen the eyes.

Will I repurchase?
Yes.

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone into neutrals, enhancing the features look.  To all make-up enthusiasts who likes Japanese made products.

Where to purchase and how much? 
Php780.00 (approx $18.14) at SM department stores.  For international readers, you can find them at online stores.

The shade I currently own is 

BR-2

Which includes shimmery light pink shade (light shade)

Shimmery medium brown (deep shade)

Swatch on hand applied without base

Light shade applied alone all over lids

Create a third color by mixing the 2 shades for beautiful gradation.

Mixture of delicate pearl and smooth luster for defined eyes.

Here's one of the way on how I use

the Kate BlendZone Eye Shadow in BR-2

Are you into Japanese made eye shadow palettes?
What's your favorite brand?
Enjoy your Monday!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Shabuyaki

First of all I want to greet all your fathers or if ever there are fathers reading this post, Happy Happy Father's Day!  Nothing beats spending this special day with him with quality food!  Food that he enjoys the most!

Since we're on the topic of food, perfect timing for our weekend food tripping!  It's one of those days I like to eat healthy because I've drowned myself with unhealthy food due work-related stress.

Mr. AMW and I was searching for a restaurant to take his family that we haven't tried yet, as we passed by HK Sun Plaza, I took a quick peek at Shabuyaki Restaurant and saw quite a number of people eating, I went down, check their menu and gave Keith the thumbs up sign and off we go for another food-related adventure!

Shrimp Tempura

My sister-in-law loves tempura so I'm glad they have this dish available in their menu! 

Forgive me as I wasn't able to get the exact price and name of each dish, I do know the overall amount spent for this meal which I will tell later on!  

We ordered Beef Noodles loaded with vegetables in which you have to cook for yourself!  FUN!

The set comes with Steamed Egg.  I love how tasty the dish is and it's good for 3-4 people!

We also ordered the Shabu Shabu and chose for various meat and seafood balls.

Strips of beef and lamb ready to be dipped on boiling soup base!

 

Here's a closer look on the variety of meat and seafood balls.

Crab balls, Fish Balls, Meatballs, Fish balls, Tofu and a lot more!

The soup base wherein you can separate the non spicy and spicy version!

 

Shabuyaki Restaurant

HK Sun Plaza, D. Macapagal Blvd.

Pasay City, Metro Manila

It's best to visit this restaurant and try their food in groups!  Fun to spend the quiet evening with Shabu-Shabu as you share stories on how your day went!  I find it warms not only the tummy but the heart!
 

Total bill: Php1,600.00 (approx $37.00)

Not bad considering we went out with super full stomachs!  There were 5 of us by the way!  Service is okay, restaurant accepts cash and credit card payments, no service charge!  Ample parking space right in front of the restaurant.

Do you enjoy Shabu-Shabu meal?

Who do you usually go out with for this type of bonding?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!