AMW Reviews: MAC Mineralized Blush in Gentle

MAC Mineralized Blush in Gentle --- I've been wanting this shade forever since I saw the swatches online!  I can't remember who but one international blogger actually put this up for Blog Sale last year, I emailed the Beauty Blogger at once and my heart dropped when I learned someone reserved it ahead of me!

The reason why I've been lurking for this particular blush is because for the fact that it was out of stock then!  You guys know me, I tend to forget about my lemmings if I can't seem to find them for long!  Then, who would've thought I'll get it this year?  Right when the year is almost ending?

This is already a Very Merry Christmas for me!

MAC Mineralized Blush says ---

Baked minerals refined into a powder formula to provide exceptionally sheer and lightweight application. Colour builds lightly, layer after layer, without heavy coverage. Veils and enhances the cheekbones with a luminous, pearlized shimmer.

size: 3.5 g / 0.11 US oz

AMW says ---

Pros

• Very pretty to look at.  Stored in the same MAC blush casing.

• Very pigmented, yet it always comes out subtle! 
• A little goes a long way and definitely build-able.
• One Mineralized Blush can last you ages!  My first one was bought a year ago and it still look good as new!
• The gold sheen looks great especially on our skin tone.  Fair to dark ladies would appreciate this.
• Doesn't  leave gold sparkles on your cheeks.
• In terms of lasting powder, it lasts fairly long but considering I do not have oily skin.  
• This blush will appear differently on different skin tone. (Photos to prove below)

Cons

• Pricey at one glance and it hurts to shell out this amount for just one shade.
• This blush is more prone to accident.  Once you drop.....it won't look the same way again.

Overall

I am happy with this shade as it has the pinkish shade I want with the additional gold sheen which makes the blush looks very natural as compared to just a plain matte pink blush.  MAC Mineralized Blush never fails to look natural but, keep in mind the shade will come off differently on different individuals.

Tips

• Test on different brushes to see which one works for you!  
• My suggestions on the "effect" and blush brushes to use ---  Flat Top Kabuki Brush for an obvious blush look, Large Fluffy Powder Brush or Large Blush Brush for a medium blush shade or use a Stippling brush for light to super light, barely there glow!
• If blush shades do not last on you, apply a cream blush underneath to prolong your blush.
• Check my previous post on blush application techniques depending on your face shapes.  Smile and click HERE.

Will I repurchase?
Yes but definitely on different shades!  I'll probably get tired of this shade as it's not easy to hit the pan on this!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes light, subtle blush that gives a natural glow.

Where to purchase and how much?
Available at local MAC counters sell these for Php1,500 (approx $34.00).

MAC Mineralized Blush in Gentle

Raspberry Shade with Gold Pearl

Gentle applied on my cheeks (without cream base)

It comes off peachy pink on my "yellowish" skin.

Gentle applied on a client who has NC15-20 skin

See how pinkish it looks?  

(note: client wants to stay anonymous so I cropped photo like this! Sorry!)

Seriously? I like Gentle on my client's skin better than on mine!  But I can't do anything about it as I'm born with this color!  *Tuning into Lady Gaga's Born this Way*


Do you own a MAC Mineralized Blush?
Which shade and do you like it?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Beauty Pro Cosmetics Palettes

My friends are coming up with wonderful products in the market and I am so happy for them!  Sophie has her Charm brushes, now Jheng has her Beauty Pro Cosmetics!

A lot of you may wonder: "Will Nikki give a bad review since these products are made by  her friends?"  My answer is: "Of course!"  There's no point in lying about my reviews just because they are my friends, the more I give them my thoughts and feedback because they are my friends!

Going back, Jheng, one of those I look up to for her seamless blending skills, came up with 2 gorgeous palettes that non-professional and even professional makeup artists would appreciate!  I can't wait for more palettes or  make up she'll come up with but for now, I've played with 2 of her gorgeous palettes and I'm ready to share my thoughts for buyers or soon-to-be buyers out there!  

Various looks will be created using this palette in my upcoming AMW Versions! :)

Sweet and Smoky Palette

Crazy Colour Palette

Beauty Pro Cosmetics says --- (as taken from Digital Traincase)

Sweet and Smoky Palette

Sweet and Smoky Palette consist of dainty, feminine shades, and neutrals.  Create beautiful and breathtakingly fresh day looks with the light shades included in this palette, and create stunning, smoky looks with the darker ones.  You will never go wrong with this palette with the beautiful, classic shades it offers!  It has never been this easy to take your daytime look to night time look!

Crazy Colour Palette

Crazy Colour Palette dares you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the world of vivid, striking colors!  Create fun, colorful eyes with this palette, and brighten up your whole day in the process!  This palette screams young, fun, and bold!  Dare to wear the shades in the Crazy Colour Palette and boost your self esteem into a higher level!

15 eye shadows per palette.

AMW says ---

Pros

• The palette is actually not like the regular ones you see.  It's not made of plastic, it's actually made of strong, covered cardboard.

• Not bulky at all!  Thickness as compared to an iPhone 3GS.  Sorry, this is the only gadget I am sure everyone knows the size.  *lol*

• Sweet and Smoky Palette: all the shades are useful!  I can totally imagine Jheng thinking about her MAC Neutral Palette and chose shades that are needed for both day time and night time.  Most neutral palettes I own can create...well..only Neutral looks, with this palette, I can carry just one palette and create "no makeup look" at the same time can do a quick smoky eye makeup on anyone who requested for it.
• Crazy Colour Palette: I wish I own this palette years ago when I was studying at Basement Academy.  It will save me a whole lot of money as I ended up purchasing bright colored cream eye shadows underneath because most of the bright colored eye shadows I own aren't pigmented enough.  For this palette, you get what you see!  They all come true to the colors as seen on pan. 
• I actually like the 2 tiny magnets which makes it easy to close the palette without much effort.

• Eye shadows are very easy to blend.  
• No weird scent.
• Inexpensive.  For Php1,800 (15 colors), each eye shadow pan costs only Php120.00 (approx $2.30).

Cons

• Since these shadows are true-to-life pigmented and creamy, a natural bristled brush can easily grab a lot of pigments at one swipe  (especially the matte ones), so fall outs will be expected during application.

Overall
I am very happy with both palettes and I've actually road tested them on myself on a regular basis plus I used them on some of my clients and I'm happy with the result.

Some of the eye shadow shades (especially those from Crazy Colour Palette) reminded me so much of Makeup Forever eye shadows (#92 for Purple, #75 Pink, #15 Matte Peachy Shade #160 Reddish brown, #91 Green, #159 Blue and a whole lot more) .  The Sweet and Smoky Palette on the other hand reminded me so much of the shades that MAC offers (Crystal Avalance, Nylon, Romp, Amber Lights, Carbon, etc..)

**note from AMW: Shadow dupes are just my own opinions and observations.

Tips

• Very important to prep your lids with an eyelid primer prior to eye shadow application!  Imagine how much a regular eye shadow crease on you, imagine a super pigmented eye shadow creasing on you --- NOT GOOD!
• If you are opting for bright colored eye shadow looks, do your foundation last.
• Do not wipe off fallouts with your fingers, instead, use a big fluffy brush to remove fallouts.
• OC-mode.  Each palette includes a clear plastic film, instead of throwing these away, here's what I do to keep the palette from getting dirty.

 Cut a small sized double-sided tape 

Tape the plastic on all 4 sides

This will keep the cover from getting really dirty!

Will I repurchase?
Not these 2 as they will last me for a long time!  I hope Beauty Pro Cosmetics will create more!

To whom do I recommend this to?

Sweet and Smoky Palette is best for everyone who's into eye makeup and likes to create both neutral and smoky looks for daytime and nighttime.

Crazy Colour Palette on the other hand is not for the faint-hearted!  Either people are used to seeing you in loud colored eye shadows or you are a professional makeup artist doing a lot of colorful looks for shoots or magazines!  Oh, makeup students who are on a budget studying makeup and will be doing Avant Garde looks will appreciate this palette!

Where to purchase and how much?

At Digital Traincase for Php1,800 (approx $40.90) / palette Free Shipping.  Digital Traincase will also join various bazaars so you can see them in person.

November 26-30 at the St. James The Great Christmas Bazaar

(9am-9pm, Ayala Alabang Village) 

 and December 2-4 at the Rockwell Moonlit Bazaar

(12pm-12am, Makati)

Swatches 

Sweet and Smoky Palette

First row

Sweet and Smoky Palette

Second row

Sweet and Smoky Palette

Third row

Swatches 

Crazy Colour Palette

First row

Crazy Colour Palette

Second row

Crazy Colour Palette

Third row

*whew*
I deserve a cup of coffee after this!  :P

So, are you a....
Sweet and Smoky or
Crazy Colourful girl?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Eureka Moment: My 2012 Planner

Today, I just realized how much information I've shared in this blog!  Even long time readers would know the organizers I've been using!  I actually blogged about my 

2010 Organizer

2011 Organizer

And of course, let's continue the "saga"...yup!  Just like Twilight! hahaha There's no Jacob Black nor Edward Cullen in any of the AMW Organizer Saga but you'll definitely find something cute to brighten up your day! 

Before I share to you my new 2012 Planner, let me share to you "the obligatory" old planner shot.   

Writing space is small but I managed to fill them all up using smaller handwriting!  Details blurred out as there's just so much information inside! :P

Let me share to you My 2012 Planner...I hope you can find it!

It's not a Kiddie book, it's --- "My New 2012 Planner!!!!"  

Okay, I let out too much "excitement" energy there! *lol*

Side by side with my 2011 Planner.  It's a tiny bit bigger and the size is better!  I chose the new one as it has so much more writing space!  

You do understand my woe..just see how much I love to talk, that's how much I would love to write too!  I tell you!  I can actually hear some of you say... "She should just bring a yellow pad with her!" <--- how could you say such thing?  *wails*

Okay, forget about me, on to the planner!  Front cover made of cardboard with plastic cover for protection.

The pages you can see inside...

Yearly Plan

I like putting on names of my friends on their birthdays!  

This way, I get to have an "overview" of the birthdays and special occasion at a glance!

Monthly Check Point

I'm still undecided on what to do with this.  Probably write my 2012 "Plans" or things that I would like to achieve! Like earning 1 million dollars by December of 2012!  Okay, you can shoot me now!  *hahaha*

On overview of Monthly Plan

In here, I like to jot down Pencil Bookings for makeup clients!

Pencil bookings for those clients who messaged to check on date availability without downpayment.  This is still a good way to track my availability without messing my notes!  I hate erasures!  I use pencils on PENCIL booking by the way! *duh*:P

An Overview of Weekly Plan

This is the most important feature of any planner I own!  I write the "confirmed" stuff I need to do.  From doctor's appointment to attending events, confirmed makeup gigs, parties, contest deadlines (for the blog) and a whole lot more!

 Notes 

Bigger space to write anything you want!  I usually  use this space for my "travel itineraries" or some important projects I need to do!  Oh, if I need to organize a party or anything!  (Note: I'm not a party planner but I always end up organizing one!)

Okay, the following paragraphs will be too childish for some of you but I need to share this!  The added "cute" factor of this planner is what made me drawn to buying one!  As you can see in my previous planners, they all have one thing in common ---- CUTE!

I get so happy easily looking at the tiny drawings that randomly pops on each pages!  The things the character (whoever she is) does in this planner reminds me so much of.... myself!

1.  AMW loves chatting with the people she loves.
2. AMW likes laying down like that when she's super tired!  Not on a chair though! :P
3. AMW surprisingly loves to pack for travel.  I'm the official "pack-er" of the family!
4. AMW likes to read the map with Mr. AMW the night before she goes anywhere as she's not good at directions.(Mr. AMW is the cat btw, he's the Kei-thy) :P

1.  AMW loves to eat.
2. AMW likes to read/watch YT videos during night time and get really sleepy.
3. AMW likes to sleep!  She can sleep for 12 hours straight...or even more! :P                          (Can't do this often though due to busy schedule.)
4. AMW loves COFFEE.  'nuff said!

 Oh, last but not the least, AMW loves her music!  She works with music at the background for the past decade!  I think I've changed a total of 3 mp3 players because of this habit!

Gosh!  The planner turned out to be random facts about ME!  The best part about this planner? 

The Positivity!

Here's to show everyone the size of the planner 

against an iPhone 3gs

Same length as the MAC 217 brush 

This Hana Planner can be purchased at HANA The Corner Shop

I was shopping with Mr. AMW yesterday after a full day work when I passed by this cute store!  The first thing that caught our attention was this ......

and this....

Why do I have this feeling Mr. AMW is holding MY FACE? 

Then finally realized there are so many cute random stuff I can see inside the booth!

Oh!  I almost forgot!  Before I end this post, this is the best thing about the Hana Planner. I purchased this right away when I saw the price!  It's only Php200.00 (approx $4.50)!

EUREKA MOMENT! 

I only need a nice bookmark and stickers to personalize this planner!  Looking at the brown packaging, I just found out that they already have 2 stores.  One at Robinsons Mall Manila and Glorietta 3 Mall Level 3.

What's your planner for 2012???

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Bulletin: TIGI iPAD Giveaway Extended!

Dear Philippine Readers:

TIGI Philippines as we all know is now on Facebook and Twitter.

And to celebrate the TIGI experience, one lucky fan will be awarded with iPad plus TIGI Products!  Yes!  They are adding exciting stuff from TIGI Styleshots, Urban Antidotes and their newest styling products!

Mechanics:

1. Like TIGI - Bed Head, Catwalk, S Factor on Facebook.
2. Post this on your wall publickly: "Follow @TIGI - Bed Head, Catwalk, S Factor on Facebook and get a chance to win an iPad plus rockin' TIGI goodies." Share the love and tag two of your friends in your post.
3. Follow TIGI - Bedhead's Twitter at @BedheadPH and tweet this to your followers:
   "Say hello to fab hair! Follow @BedheadPH and get a chance to win an iPad plus rockin' TIGI goodies http://ow.ly/6RQEP.”

Giveaway will run until December 15, 2011.  Open to Philippine Residents only.
The winner will be picked by TIGI and notified via email.
The winner must be able to travel to Manila to claim his/her prize, otherwise a delivery may be arranged.

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: The Stock Market + 2nd Meetup with Lisa

I missed Lisa so much after our first ever meetup .  I was thinking our next meetup would probably me having to go to Kuala Lumpur to be able to see her again (together with the rest of the #evurl girls). 

I got a lovely surprise when I saw an FB message from my FB message box with the first line: "Nikkiii! Guess what? *jeng jeng jeng*" (sorry Lisa, I had to share this one-liner of yours as I find it too cute and it made my heart jump!)

The meetup happened again and it was meant to be as our schedules suddenly cleared up and we met on a lovely Saturday evening at The Stock Market, Bonifacio High Street.  This meetup happened after my Blenz Coffee Experience by the way so you can just imagine how hyper I was considering it was a jampacked day for both me and Mr. AMW!

Here's what we had....

Celery and Pineapple Shake

This is similar to Flapjacks' Jack and the Beanstalk

It is indeed refreshing and a perfect drink for the health-conscious.

Chinois Chicken and Shrimp

Php395.00 (approx $9.00)

Succulent shrimp, grilled chicken bites over bed of mixed greens, 

fried wanton skin in sesame mango vinaigrette dressing

 Very unique textures in a salad! I like the crunchy fried wanton together with the succulent shrimp and the mix of sesame flavor with mangoes in a dressing bursts awesome, unique flavor inside my mouth.

 Home Specialty Carbonara

Php420.00 (approx $9.55)

Vegetable fettuccine in cream base,

with prosciutto, mushroom and fresh organic egg yolk

This comment is definitely base on our personal preference but in our taste buds, this is the BEST Carbonara we've tried to date!  It's not because of the fact that there's an egg yolk to it, but the creaminess is just right and it's not too thick or too watery!  Will definitely come back for this!

Texan Barbecue Chicken

Php575.00 (approx $13.00)

48 hour marinated chicken grilled to perfection.

Served with skewered vegetables and rose herbed rice.

The Texan Barbecue Chicken is definitely a unique dish.  It doesn't taste like the usual grilled chicken as the chicken is definitely marinated really well as I can taste the consistency of its flavors to the bones! :)

Cornmeal Bread Pudding 

with Whiskey Caramel Sauce+ Ice Cream

The Cornmeal bread pudding is nothing special, best eaten with ice cream!

Flaming Caramelized Pineapple 

Upside Down Cake

with Bananas

I can't seem to get the right name to this dessert as we were all surprised on how differently this looks as compared to the menu!  This order also took the longest time so I don't really know what happened but this is too sweet for our taste!

Even if the dessert portion was a FAIL, we didn't even notice it much as we spent it with great companions!  I enjoyed our Part 2 laughter and sharing of stories!  We had a wonderful time and I'm looking forward for Part 3! 

Thanks Alex and Lisa for dinner...thanks for the friendship!

After the super tummy-filling meal, we actually head off to Midnight Mercato just to have a look!  All of us wishes we weren't that full!  We went for "take outs" though! :D

The Stock Market

Bonifacio Global City

Taguig, Metro Manila

(632) 856-6301

Have you tried The Stock Market?
What's the "must try" dish?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!