Weekend Food Tripping at: Mr. Kurosawa

This week, I've been around the Newport Mall a couple of times!  The past 2 weeks has been "oh so crazy" and the coughing and losing my voice does not help at all!  Can you imagine how difficult it is to lose your voice especially for someone as talkative as myself???

Channeling to Little Mermaid Ariel... "ahh ahhh ahhh..ahhhh aaahhh ahhh".  *laughs*

Seriously, the week was jam packed with food tripping as this was the birthday of both my dad and dad-in-law!  Let's start with Mr. Kurosawa, the restaurant chain similar to SumoSam and John and Yoko.  When I say similar, its because the interiors look the same also their food choices!  It's no surprise as these restaurants have the same owner, the actor Marvin Agustin.

For a weeknight, the restaurant was surprisingly packed and we have to wait a bit for our table!  Here's what we had for the birthday night....

Miso Soup

Php128.00 (approx $3.00)

Perfect to start any meal! 

Included in this soup are tiny squares of tofu and seaweed strips.

 Dynamite Roll

Php248.00 (approx $5.90)

Spicy salmon maki roll!  We liked this a lot we went for second order!

Japanese Fried Rice

Php228.00 (approx $5.43)

I like the Japanese Fried Rice from SumoSam better than this restaurant.  The order is good to share for 2-3 persons, if you are not allergic to seafood, I suggest you try their Scallop Fried Rice instead for the price of Php258.00 (approx $6.14).  We liked it better but I forgot to take a shot of it! *sorry* :P

Beef Asparagus

Php208.00 (approx $4.95)

Ahh, you just can't go wrong with thin slices of beef wrapped around fresh asparagus.

Love this, must try!  You can try the bacon version if you're a fan of bacon.

Beef Teppan 

Php358.00 (approx $8.50)

One of the must-try dish in this restaurant!  The beef was cooked well-done but it's juicy to taste and melts inside your mouth!  We enjoyed this dish so much we went for second order!

 Chicken Teppan

Php268.00 (approx $6.38)

I find this dish so-so.  You can give this a skip as I don't find much taste to this dish.

Go for Chicken Teriyaki instead.

Chicken Teriyaki

Php268.00 (approx $6.38)

Sweet tasting boneless chicken dish with vegetables on the side.

The restaurant is mostly full on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Weekends (according to the server).  Expect to pay service charge and the restaurant accepts cash and credit card payments.

If you're wondering why we ordered a lot, there's 6 of us dining here and the bill ranges Php4,000-Php4,500 in total.   That's approximately Php700 per head.

Mr. Kurosawa

2/F Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila

Pasay City, Metro Manila

(632) 973-6213

Enjoy your weekend food tripping!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

 

Salon Report: FAB Salon Newport Mall

I've been around the Newport Mall a couple of times and I can't believe I missed a posh salon hidden on the 4th level next to McDonalds!  When I got an invite to try out their services with a couple of gorgeous bloggers, it was a "beauty field trip" that I wouldn't miss, it's high time for me to take a peek at this newly opened salon!

Fab Salon is a full-service salon with a lot of services for both men and women!  I checked their service menu right away and I like the fact that they specify the "meaning" of hair lengths.  At least, you won't be surprise with your bill!  All the rates are clearly published right at the reception area.

Short (up to chin line)

Medium (up to shoulder line)

Long (up to underarm line)

Extra Long (beyond underarm line)

Fab Salon was conceptualized to cater to a market that does not want to compromise quality in exchange for affordability, comfort for functionality, and expertise for accessibility.

AMW Makeover: Oh So Natural, Oh So In Love!

Happy Friday!  I am excited to share to you another AMW Makeover.  I am happy to share my love for makeovers and my appreciation of bringing out each individual's natural beauty.

I did Karen's make-up way back when she had a photo shoot a couple of mmonths ago, it was such an honor when she requested me to be her make-up artist again for a prenup shoot.  Of course I said yes because I enjoyed prettifying her!  She has wonderful features to start with and that's every make-up artist's dream!

I also did grooming for her soon-to-be husband Mick!  Here's a photo of the lovely couple after the makeover.

Now let's break it down for you!

Karen

Skin condition: Normal, but perspires easily

Request: She showed me a peg of a natural smokey eyes.  

She wanted a smokey eye make-up that pops on photos but not too dark!

Face

I used an oil-free primer from Laura Mercier on the t-zone and applied a very thin layer  on the other parts of her face.  Karen's skin is almost perfect so I just brightened up her under eye area with a corrector.  For foundation, I mixed 2 Graftobian Foundation shades and applied more than the usual as she told me the shoot will be in done in the province and the shoot may pack up late at night, I am sure her make-up will settle once she arrives the destination so it doesn't hurt to apply more layers of foundation than the usual.

Eyes

Karen requested for an eye make-up that's not too dark nor light, I asked the colors of the outfit she will wear and I think the safest eyeshadow shades are browns and golds.  I added a thin layer of black gel liner and penciled the lower lash line and set with a dark brown eyeshadow.  In this makeover, I am focusing on her beautiful eyes.

For pictorials, I always suggest to my clients to let me apply falsies for them as it will show up natural on photos!

Thank goodness Karen is an expert when it comes to falsies, I didn't have a hard time applying falsies on her eyes and she appreciates it as much as I did!

Cheeks

Applied a cream blush from MAC and set with a blush powder.

Lips

Karen requested for a pink lipstick that has a warm undertone.  I get it right away as I have a pink lipstick in mine which I'm sure would look good on her, my matte lipstick from Elianto.

 Mick

Skin condition: Super oily!

(hey, that's according to him and I just agreed :P)

Request: Very natural look, just to make him look fresh

without the heavy feel of make-up

I used an oil-control primer for Mick as he told me he oil up...A lot!  I advised him makeup and primer may lessen but expect to see some oil build-up on certain parts of his face due to humidity.  I recommend him to use oil blotters in between shoots.

I lightened up Mick's dark undereye circles with a foundation similar to his skin color.  With the similar foundation, I spot concealed areas needed like the sides of his nose and some small spots.  I set everything with MAC's StudioFix Powder in NC45 which is a shade darker than his original skin color for a healthy "manly" glow.  

I applied lip balm on his lips and contoured parts of his face (cheekbones, noses bridge) .  I did not forget to groom his brows by brushing it with clear brow gel, I left his brows unshaved as most guys do not want to touch their brows.  To finalize his look, I pat the lips with a tissue to lessen the shine from the lip balm applied earlier and he's set to go!

It was a fun day of makeover!
I want to thank the couple for the trust and the great time!


Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover

I was asked a lot of times if setting your make-up is vital to every make-up application. My answer is definitely YES (even with dry skin)!  With the crazy hot and humid weather we have here, it is possible to leave the house with your well-done makeup and look like an actress from "Make-up Application Gone Wrong" Video a few hours later! 

I've used a lot of setting powders which I also carry along as a retouch powder!  Most of the setting powders I own are in loose powder form so carrying them inside my bag is unthinkable!  The best 'pressed' setting powder I've used is the one from MAC!  MAC's MSF Natural in Light.  Are there any alternatives out there?  I've recently tested the Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover which goes straight to my bag as touch up powder!  Read on for my review....

Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover says ---

Conceals pores instantly with a single application.  A single coat glides over visible pores to leave skin looking matte for long lasting softness and smoothness.

Product Size: 10g

Ingredients:

AMW says ---

Pros

• On packaging: Very cute, manufactured date printed on the box.  The box may have Japanese written all over but inside they have an insert of product information in English.

• Size is just right, easy to take along.

• Packaging can be refilled.
• Sponge that comes with the compact is super smooth on skin, washes and dries up easily.
• Applies on skin with a super smooth, silky feel.  The first pressed powder I've tried that has the silkiness of a powder foundation.
• Skin feels smooth.
• Gives a nice, matte finish all over.
• On Pore Coverage: I have used this on a client with pore problems, I used a separate sponge and applied this with a "blotting" motion on the nose area, up-close it doesn't seem like it does anything but once you step back, pores does decrease in size!
• Non-comedogenic.

Cons

• Only one shade available which is quite light for darker skinned individuals.

• Doesn't have much oil control, so oily-skinned gals may still need the trustee oil blotter.
• Almost white in color so if you applied too much, this will show up!

Overall

The coverage is similar to the MAC's Mineralized Skin Finish powder but this one has a tiny bit more coverage and the Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover glides on super smooth.

Tips

• Apply with a puff to cover pores, apply with a big fluffy powder brush or kabuki brush to lessen oil.
• Use a washcloth or sponge in removing this powder, if you prefer to use your hands, use a make-up remover prior to facial cleansing.
• If you like more coverage, pat the powder onto the skin gently instead of rubbing it.
• Blot your face with an oil blotter or tissue paper before re-touch to prevent oil from getting into the sponge.
• If you have dry skin and usually pores aren't that obvious, use a powder brush and use this as a "setting powder" instead to prevent dryness.
• If you are afraid of product build-up, use this with the sponge early morning with a pressing motion while skin is still fresh and clean, in the afternoon, use a brush to "re-touch" instead. 
• If you already have nice looking skin and wants light coverage, conceal/correct on areas needed and pat on with Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover for that very natural look!

Will I repurchase?

No for myself, yes for clients' touchup.

To whom do I recommend this to?

Girls with oily or combination skin.  For those with good skin to start with, can use this alone on top of concealer or BB cream for the lightest/most natural makeup you can create.  This is also for you if you like to retouch without messing the rest of the make-up.

Where to purchase and how much?
At Majolica Majorca counters for Php850.00 (approx $20.24).

An overall look on the cute

Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover

Closer look on the powder

Has a nice M emboss

(M for Mickey Mouse, just joking!  

M for Majolica Majorca of course!)

Once blended, it looks natural on my skin

Coverage is light to light-medium.

Does not cover redness 

Pores are reduced on the nose area

 Dryness can be enhanced if skin is not moisturized properly

Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover 

Applied All Over Face

Using the Sponge

 I highly recommend this as a re-touch or setting powder.  You can re-touch as many times as you want without altering the make-up you've created!

What's your setting powder?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

What's Up AMW? I got the Sonic!

Happy Humpy Wednesday!  I do hope I'm feeling better today as yesterday was really bad!  Had a tummy ache, headache and throat ache, and worst?  I had a super early make-up gig so I only had 3 hours of sleep as I've done both hair and makeup to a client for prenup and straight back to work!

I used to think I am Supergirl --- guess I'm not!

I would like to share to you the new gadget I got.  I heard about the Clarisonic brush years ago but I never thought of purchasing one due to its price!  To those who doesn't know, Clarisonic is a facial cleansing brush that cleanses the skin of your face in a safe and gentle "sonic" motion.  Through deeper cleansing, it can transform blemished skin into a clear and smooth skin.

True or false, I wouldn't know as I am just one of the many who's salivating over this gadget that many have sworn to work!