SkinSonic Skincare System Review

If you are a long time reader of AMW, you'll probably know that I'm not into exfoliation as my skin tends to dry up.  When Jennifer from SkinSonic Philippines contacted me to review the SkinSonic Skincare System, I was hesitant and told her I do not exfoliate my skin as much and I'm scared of using it as it could dry out my skin even more.  Jennifer advised me that she is a loyal user of SkinSonic and she also suffers dry and sensitive skin and this system actually helped her skin and she's looking and feeling better.

Because of that statement, I finally accepted to challenge to give SkinSonic the test it deserves!  I do not own the Clarisonic version so I cannot compare the two, all you can read from this post is my ultimate experience as I've tested this in different ways for me to be able to share my various experiences with you!

AMW Reviews: KATE Eyeshadow CQ in BR2

Happy start of the week!  I want to bring smile to everyone so I'm sharing a review on a wonderfully packaged eyeshadow palette from KATE.

My first eyeshadow quad from KATE Gradical Eyes, then I got the KATE BlendZone Eyeshadow!  My collection of KATE eyeshadow mini palettes is nothing compared to other beauty bloggers but I can tell right away that KATE eyeshadows were made to focus on the beauty of "bright eyes" that can uplift anyone's mood on a gloomy day!

Today, I will make a review on 2011's KATE Eyeshadow CQ (Crystallize Quartz).

KATE Eyeshadow CQ says ---

• Sparkly eyeshadow shades created base on the image of crystal bright and transparent shine.
• It has 3 color gradation each of which contains crystallized pearl.

Available in 5 shades: PK-1 (pink), BR-1 (Lighter version of Brown), BR-2 (Medium toned brown), GN-1 (green), PU-1 (purple)

Size: 3g

Made in Japan

AMW says ---

Pros

• Super gorgeous packaging!  Unique and eye-catching.
• The sponge that comes with the quad is very useful and soft.  Doesn't break easily.  
• The shadow colors blend really well even when used together.
• Eyeshadow texture is smooth.

• No matter how you apply this quad, it all goes and blends well together creating a natural look!

Cons

• Not pigmented enough so layering is needed.
• Though they come in 5 different gradation shades, some looks similar with each other.
• People who aren't into sparkly eyeshadow won't appreciate this palette.

Overall
As you all know, Japanese cosmetics are geared into "sparkly", "natural" and "cute"!  Check out the collage of Japanese actresses and models that I found over Google Images.

As you can see, their makeup focuses on clean, flawless skin with minimal eyeshadow and almost barely there makeup look!  I am not surprised their eyeshadows are made to make each person looks awake, bright and blooming!

Tips

• You don't need to collect all the shades, get 1 first and give it a try before you decide if you need more.
• Apply your favorite eyeshadow base prior to eyeshadow application, it helps your eyeshadow stays longer, crease-free and color payoff is better. (Photo below, check mark with Etude House Proof 10 Eyeshadow Primer)

• Experiment by blending different brands of eyeshadow together with KATE Eyeshadow CQ palette, the nice sparkly sheen this gives can make any of your eyeshadow unique.
• Apply using a brush, your clean fingers or a sponge tip applicator.  See which one works best for you.
• Use an eyeshadow primer to keep the "sparkly" shadow from falling.
• Best to apply eyeshadow before mascara application, the fallout will coat your lashes making it look thicker once you applied mascara.

• Apply the sparkly eyeshadow on the inner corner of the eyes and the inner lower lash line for that nice, wide-awake look!
• Always complete your eyeshadow makeup with an eyeliner!  
• Remove eyeshadow fall outs with a big fluffy brush.
• Take note on expiration date.
• Stop usage once allergic reactions occur.

Will I repurchase?
No for the KATE Eyeshadow CQ line, maybe the other collection they will come out with.

To whom do I recommend this to?

Natural makeup lovers who wouldn't want to make mistakes no matter how much they pile on the eyeshadow.

Monolids would appreciate this as it gives "gradation" effect minus the obvious lines! 

Where to purchase and how much?
Locally at Watsons for Php960.00 (approx $22.30).

A closer look on KATE Eyeshadow CQ

in BR-2

Swatch on hand without primer

My favorite are numbers 3 and 4

Number 2 I love using this on the inner corner of my eyes

Number 1 can be used to apply on the cheekbone for a nice shine when you're off to a party

AMW version applied without base

using all shades from KATE Eyeshadow CQ in BR-2

 (No mascara, just a thin layer of gel liner 

for you guys to see the eyeshadow better.)

Do you own any KATE eyeshadow palettes?
What's your favorite to date?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Nivea Gives: Nivea Visage White Acne Oil Control and Nivea Refreshing Range Winners

To my dearest readers, thanks for being super supportive and for always checking out this tiny space in the blog world! 

A couple of weeks ago, I've done a report on what's new with the Nivea Visage line and because I only have one face and body, I shared the 2 ranges I got to my readers via a contest and I'm finally ready to announce the 2 lucky winners!!!

The winner for the Nivea Visage Refreshing Range is...

 Klyn Mercado

 

The winner for the Nivea White Acne Oil Control range is...

 Shallimar Oreto

 

Congratulations to the 2 winners, I will email you soon!  To the rest, thank you all for joining!  I have a couple of loot bags in my room at the moment for more contests!!! Watch out for it!  I'm excited to share these goodies with you!

Have a great Sunday!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reports: Seattle's Best Coffee/World Vision Dream Carnivale

What will a cofee addict do when he/she gets invited to a coffee event?

1. Run...

2. Run wild...

3. Run wild...naked!

Whatever number you choose, I don't care!  It's all going to be running on my part!!!  I don't mind braving the traffic because we're talking about my number 1 (Mr. AMW will kill me :P)  number 2 love --- Coffee!  And the best part?  It's Coffee AND World Vision! 

October 19, 2011 was the special day Seattle's Best Coffee Philippines celebrated early Christmas with four new blends of coffee for limited edition.  Let's talk about the coffee later on but the most important part of this event is the unveiling of a new long-term partnership between the coffee brand and prominent children's foundation --- World Vision.

The event started at 4pm?  I arrived a bit late but I was told the event will go on until 7:30pm.   Here's the gorgeous stage located at Greenbelt 3 Park that greeted me....

What makes the event unique and exciting is how they bring out the kiddie side in everyone!  There's a booth of Seattle's Best goodies, from cookies to mini cakes to sandwiches and variation of drinks for you to choose from!  

Note: I just had a cup of drink okay? :P

I have to admit, I won't be poised when it comes to games so I gave the dart game a try while enjoying my drinks!  There's no age limit in playing kiddie games!  I actually won a GC from Seattle's Best Coffee!  Do you want to know the secret to "dart games"?  Finish your "Angry Birds" game!  You'll get the drift!  *winks*

There's face painting booth and a lot of the World Vision kids were having their faces painted with colorful designs!  They looked so happy and cute! (Wasn't able to get a good shot of it as I'm a great photographer! Actually, I was busy holding a drink on the other hand! :P)

The lovely man was also there ready to make animal balloons for you!  I was eyeing for a "poodle" balloon but I ended up with a flower!  *lol* Good enough! :)

The host for the night is the lovely pair Divine Lee and Victor Basa.  Each World Vision Celebrity Ambassador was introduced on stage and were interviewed.

 

Miriam Quiambao, Tin Tin Bersola-Babao, Cristalle Belo and Marc Nelson talked about the fulfillment of sharing your blessings and helping a child fulfill his dreams.  

 Did you know that?

World Vision is considered the largest child sponsorship agency globally. In the Philippines, World Vision currently helps improve the lives of more than 120,000 children and 16 million Filipinos in 33 provinces and 44 cities nationwide.

Photo of the hosts with the World Vision Celebrity Endorsers

The General Manager of Seattle's Best Coffee also graced the stage.  Ms. Rea Cruz said: "The Seattle's Best team knows that being the best does not just happen.  It takes work, it takes effort and sometimes, it takes a little help for someone to be able to achieve the best that they can be. This is why the partnership with World Vision is something that we are passionate about. We believe in what they are trying to achieve and we want to help make a difference in the lives of these children."

Rea also shared how customers can do their part to help the children reach their dreams!  

Similar to the past years, customers will receive stickers when they purchase one of Seattle's Best Coffee's new holiday or classic drinks from October 22, 2011 to January 22, 2012.  

When a total of 18 stickers are collected, customers present their completed "dream card" and redeem a leather jounal loaded with free music, goodies, food and drinks coupons and upto 24 hours worth of Free WIFI at selected Seattle's Best coffee shop.

There's a huge PLUS for this year, instead of receiving just one sticker, customers will receive two - one for their own Dream Card and the other for the World Vision Dream Tree! World Vision Dream Trees will be installed in every Seattle's Best Coffee Shop where customers can stick their second stickers on.  For every journal a customer redeems, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to World Vision which is used to sponsor children in need to school!

Now that's sharing and caring!  You get the happiness of drinking wonderful coffee and redeeming a gorgeous journal PLUS you also help a child go to school!!!

Cheers to Seattle's Best Coffee

for the wonderful idea and partnership!

 The children of World Vision on stage with the hosts and

World Vision Celebrity Ambassadors.

Let's get to the exciting part!  The Four New Holiday Drinks in hot and cold variants --- Coffee Cream Pie, Chocolate Cherry, Cookies and Mint and Coffee Hazelnut.

*Salivates*

 

I had a wonderful time learning so much not only about coffee but learning how sharing a small part of your earnings can help a child's future!  If you want to learn more about World Vision and how to do your part, please visit World Vision online at www.worldvision.org.ph

Hats off to Seattle's Best Coffee for being a venue to educate and engage the public on several ways to help our brothers and sisters in need.  Please visit Seattle's Best Coffee Philippines online at www.seattlesbest.com.ph and become a member of the coffee community on Facebook.

I also would like to thank Monster Centaur Production Inc., Will and Charmaine, for the invite!  It was refreshing to understand that my addiction in coffee has its perks!  I do not feel guilty drinking coffee anymore!  *winks*

Have a gorgeous Sunday!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Eureka Moment: I Do Not Look Sick with this Lippie!

There's always a first time for everything right?  Well, it's a first that my Eureka Moment doesn't come with a cheap price tag.  But don't get me wrong, the product deserves this space because....well...just read on! :)

My lips are pigmented to start with, I can get away with just lip balm and people would think I have lipstick on!  You find that lucky?  Nah, I'd look like I have only 1 shade of lipstick forever!!!  Too boring...and boring ain't my thing!

Fast forward, remember those gorgeous nude lips you've seen on other blogs?  The nude lips that looks "oh so natural" like Jennifer Lopez?  Oh my!  Speaking of Jennifer Lopez...let me gush!  She's the queen of nude lips!  I love her!  Okay, I need to find a picture of her!  (off to Google)

I'm back, just take a look on a collage of photos I've made, photos taken from various websites....

Hands down, J.Lo can rock nude lips sans the smokey eye makeup!  How gorgeous can this girl get?

So, the tryin' hard copycat li'l me have purchased various nude colored lipsticks ranging from peach to pink to browns.  All of them worked for me...IF I have smokey eye makeup on!  Once, I used a nude pink lipstick on a natural makeup and the first thing my friend said?  "Are you sick today Nikki?"

*wipes nude lipstick*

That's it!  I give up!  No nude lipstick shade on regular days!  Then I got this.....

Bobbi Brown Lip Color 

in Pale Pink

It gives off a nice, light pink shade on my lips at the same time, does not make me look sick!  Keep in mind that our lips' pigmentation are different so this may look light on my lips but could be darker on you.  

Lipstick straight to my bag!  Yes, I'm bringing this on a daily basis and I did not realize I've been using this for a week straight!  (unusual but true!)

Priced around  Php1,100 (approx $27.00), it is a bit hefty but if it made my lips moisturized and happy?  I don't mind!  

I'm still on to find an inexpensive nude colored lipstick that works for me.  You'll definitely see it on another "Eureka Moment" post if I found one!

For now, help AMW out!
Which brand and shade of lipstick do you use that creates a gorgeous nude look
MINUS the smokey eye  makeup?
Click comment and share some of your secrets! :)

Happy Weekend!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!