AMW Bulletin: Happy 19th Birthday HBC!

Dear Philippine Readers:

HBC has just turned 19 and great news to everyone who's in love of the stuff they sell! 

Holler to San San Cosmetics!

What to expect?  Lots of discounted items and Buy 1 Take 1 on selected San San and Allue products. 

There's more!

• An HBC anniversary gift will await customers who can present 10 HBC receipts obtained during the SALE period.  
• HBC Exclusives cardholders celebrating their  birth month this January, they are giving Gift Certificates for every Php500.00 purchase of HBC Brands.

The sale runs from January 6, 31,2012 OPEN to both members and non-members!

Happy Shopping!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Conti's Pastry Shop & Restaurant

I should always play Bruno Mars' "Lazy Song" on a Sunday. That should at least remind me not to do anything and rest!

I doubt it!  Can you please tell me if it's just me but I can't seem to "Not do anything at all?" I'm probably born with all these energy and I just can't deny it!  :)

Sunday food tripping post will come from a place where I love my Mango Tart, the place where I also enjoy the much famous Mango Bravo!  You guessed it right, Jollibee!!!  Just joking...it's Conti's! :P

I've walked in and out of this pastry shop slash (/) restaurant several times and never really cared about dining in until one of our friend told us the dishes here are "must try"!  Who are we but tasters in this face of the earth?  We've got no choice but we're forced to dine in and open our mouths before we agree! 

Smoked Salmon Salad

Share 195.00 (approx $4.50)
Strips of smoked salmon and dates over mixed greens,

topped with walnuts and their very own apple vinaigrette

Just by mere reading the description, I had a feeling that the salad will give me the yummy-ness I've been looking for!  The salmon strips are obviously fresh, so far the vegetables and I love the crispy texture of walnuts and the serving of apple vinaigrette is just right, not too sour nor sweet.  Everything was blended well together that gives a wonderful fireworks inside my mouth! :)  Will definitely order again.

Shanghai Bites

Php110.00 (approx $2.55)

Crunchy lumpiang shanghai filled with pork and shrimps

I can't seem to taste the shrimp but it's a nice appetizer while you wait for your dish!  Do not expect so much though, if you want the real Lumpiang Shanghai, well, this isn't the place! :)

 

Chicken Roulade

Php225.00 (approx $5.20)

Roulade of chicken with spinach, cheese 

and caramelized onion served with garlic rice

Though allergic to chicken, you can't remove the fact that chicken meat is my favorite meat among them all!  A good serving of meat with spinach is something I will be looking for.  The taste is quite good, the gravy is not overwhelming nor buttery.

Roast Porkloin

Php195.00 (approx $2.15)

Boneless loin of pork and special gravy,

served with buttered vegetables and garlic rice

The porkloin is very tender to taste, this is Mr. AMW's meal but I had a chance to try it out and indeed, they are thinly sliced but not too thin for us to taste it.  The special gravy does not taste like the "instant gravy" one and it was a lovely meal together with garlic rice.

Homemade Beef Tapa

Php160.00 (approx $3.70)

This is one of the most tender beef tapa I've tried!  I don't know why I may not be a meat lover but I do have a soft spot for beef tapa and this dish gave a huge smile on my face!  YES, this was MY order and I will definitely go back for this!

The service is good, the place is mostly packed especially dinner time.  Restaurant accepts cash and credit card.

Conti's Pastry Shop and Restaurant

www.contis.ph (to check the location near you)

What's your favorite meal and desert at Conti's?
Mine would be the Beef Tapa and Mango Bravo and Mango Tart :)

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters Review

When I received Revlon's Colorburst Lip Butters for review, it took some time for me to stare at the lovely 4 shades because ---

1. The packaging - I really like how the cap is the same shade as the lipstick.

2. The color - don't you just love the color even before removing the cap?  

3. The name - LIP BUTTER

Readers' Corner: On Eyelash Adhesives and False Lashes

Reader's corner day!  I have loads of questions that I need to unload and one of the most number of queries I recently got was about false lashes and adhesives!  Ah hah!  A lot of you are probably braving up wanting to get the thick, luscious-looking lashes that mascaras can't do much anymore?

*high five*

I'm sure some of you were born with thick, long eyelashes so I won't get hurt if you close this site!  To the rest who kept on reading?  Now, let's start fluttering those false lashes!  We have hope! :)

One of the most used Eyelash Adhesive brand is called DUO.  I have finished a tube of DUO which I got from dear friend Gracie a couple of years ago!  I used this brand especially for Brides.  This brand can be purchased at MAC store for approximately Php700.00 (approx $16.00) but the downside is, these are out of stock most of the time!

Thank God for bazaars!  When I visited Rockwell's Moonlit Bazaar last December to visit my dearest friends Sophie, Jheng, Shen and to meet Sol of Digital Traincase in person, lo' and behold...--- DUO Eyelash Adhesive right in front of me!  I grabbed one right away!  I do apologize I forgot the exact price but it's definitely less than Php700.00! 

To those who are on a budget and still want to try some eyelash adhesive that works!  I have 2 which costs less than Php400.00 (approx $9.30).  One is the Ardell Lash Grip Adhesive and the other one is Andrea ModLash.  Both brands came from the same manufacturer  (Past review HERE).  I have finished both tube (in clear and black) and I repurchased Andrea not because I like one better than the other but I can't seem to find Ardell at the Beauty Bar!  Must look for them at Watsons maybe?

If you ask me why I own various brands?  I really can't tell!  It's nice for a makeup artist to have lots of choices!  I usually go for the DUO on brides though as it's tested to stay until removal time!  And so far, none of my clients complained about lashes falling off or allergic reactions! *knocks on wood*

Now let's proceed to false lashes!  When I was just starting up on makeup, I would go to Landmark and purchase various false lashes! (Read the various lashes I've bought from Landmark HERE)  My favorite is the one called Natural and it looks absolutely natural you can even wear them daily (if you're comfortable enough with application.)  I realized after, that these natural falsies may look great in person but I find them not enough on photos.  I tried going for the thicker ones but they felt a bit too plastic-y. 

Off to search for inexpensive yet good quality ones!  I shifted to ES Lashes from KKCENTERHK.

I was initially sent some for review but I love them so much I repurchased and hoarded a lot that the customs officer lifted an eyebrow on me thinking I'm importing some drugs. *laughs*  (ES review HERE)

What about those who are uncomfortable with online shopping?

Thanks to my one tiny trip to Moonlit Bazaar, I learned that Beauty & Minerals are now selling Flutter Eyelashes and I swear, these are somewhat similar to the ES Lashes --- quality wise. Since I got a number of natural lashes ES for Bridal clients, I am glad to own more dramatic ones for future shoots!  Check out the names!

A box of 10 pairs costs Php350.00 - 400.00 (approx $8.00-$9.30), if calculated, each pair costs much cheaper.  You can purchase these at Beauty & Minerals.

Majestic

Crazy thick for that super dark eye makeup!

Drama Queen

Need i say more? for the Drama girl in you!

Purr

These lashes reminded me so much of the Ardell lashes 

which can be bought in singles and these can be purchased by bulk 

and it's more inexpensive that way!

Feisty

Similar to The Face Shop False Lashes

Use this to create a better "winged eye" look!

I can't wait for them to stock up on "natural" lashes so I don't have to order online and wait for shipping and probably have a police waiting for me outside the post office as they have a police dog sniff on my false lashes!  (too imaginative, I know!)

For personal use, it doesn't hurt to purchase them in bulk as you get to throw some pairs after a couple of use!  False lashes do wear and tear so purchasing a box won't harm  your health :P  To some who really can't go for bulks!  Here are some singles that I've tried that works!

First time users can go for 3s pre-glued lashes

International readers may probably go for Revlon Fantasy Lengths Self Adhesive lashes.  I have personally tried these too as I was gifted by Beauty Blogging friend Toma but I would say, the 3s Brand have stronger adhesives meant for our weather!

Various Asian cosmetics brand like The Face Shop also makes good-looking lashes for around Php100.00 (approx $2.30) a pair.  My favorite is The Face Shop's XLH lashes which I used HERE on my How to Apply Falsies tutorial.

Other good brands I've used for Brides are Ardell lashes that I ordered from International sites.

A favorite of mine to use for Brides or Pre-nup shoots are the 110 Demi Black

Or if brides are more adventurous and wanted a bit of drama and still looks great and natural on photos, the 101 Demi Black is also a wonderful choice!

Ardell lashes cost approximately Php400.00-500.00 (approx $9.30-11.60) a pair.

If you have the budget and you can apply false lashes on yourself!  There's the GlamBox Mink Lash which costs a lot but worth it as I'm still using these on special occasions and they still work like a charm!

Each pair costs Php1,500 (approx $35.00), looks crazy on packaging but oh-so-worth it when worn!  Photo can be seen HERE.

If false lashes are considered life and death, then...feel free to indulge on MAC and Shu Uemura lashes!  I own a pair of MAC lashes which I'm still saving up for that special moment....definitely not a wedding but could be for my Second Wedding Ceremony at the age of 80?  :P

Important tips to remember ---

• Wear false lashes that sits comfortably, cut them if necessary to prevent sharp edges.
• Once the lash glue creates stinging sensation or redness, do not use the lash glue anymore.
• If you plan to re-use falsies, always remove excess glue and clean with eye makeup remover.
• Store false lashes in a tiny container free from dust and pollution.
• For the lash glue, once the scent changed, toss them right away!

Hope this post helps to current and future false lash wearers out there!

Any other tips you may want to add?
Any other lash glue and false lashes brands?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Nivea Extra Whitening 24h Anti-Perspirant

Good morning gorgeous men and women!  How's your sleep?  I'm quite excited for the Chinese New Year as my brother will be coming back home to visit for a week! 

Having a pretty face is nothing with body odor!  We should all know by now how important hygiene is and when we talk about hygiene, it pays to take care of our "pits".

I may have tried various deodorant or anti-perspirant but there's one brand that Mr. AMW keeps going back to --- Yes, he complains how this is difficult to purchase and I would accompany him to look for this and stock up.

When Nivea sent me this for review, Mr. AMW said: "Yay!  That's mine!" and I said: "Sorry honey, no but I will review this!  The more you love it, the more I'm intrigued with my competition" *winks*  That's so low of me to think of a deodorant as a competition!  But who cares?  I'm just a girl who gets competitive!  *laughs*

Nivea Extra Whitening Anti-Perspirant says ---

• Whitening Bioactive Complex lightens underarms
• Licorice Extracts to support the skin's natural repair process for white and smooth underams
• Witch Hazel to effectively minimize underarm pores enlarged by frequent shaving and plucking
• Without alcohol, color, or preservatives
• Skin tolerance dermatologically proven

Formulated with Licorice extracts and Witch Hazel, NIVEA Extra Whitening Stick helps to lightens dark underarms and has 2X Pore Minimizing power to effectively minimize enlarged underarm pores for visibly smoother and fairer underarms. With Nivea's expertise in skin care and special formulation, NIVEA Deodorant Extra Whitening Stick lets you remain active and wear whatever you desire with total confidence. An innovative combination of Nivea's trusted mild care and reliable antiperspirant protection that lasts all day long. Alcohol-free Dermatologically approved for skin compatibility

Ingredients:

AMW says ---

Pros

• Printed manufacturing date which makes it easier to check on product's freshness.

• Comes with a protective cap.

• No drying time.  You can wear your clothes immediately.
• Smells great.  You can still smell its scent at the end of the day.
• Though this is tagged as anti-perspirant, it also help prevent the existence of bad odor. 
• Works for both Mr. AMW and myself.
• Inexpensive for something that works!
• Lasts longer than spray or roll on.
• I don't have sensitivity to deodorant or anti-perspirant, Mr. AMW does!  And he told me this is one of the few anti-perspirant that does not darken his underarm.

Cons

• If you are not careful, this can stain dark colored clothing.

Overall
Can't tell if the product can whiten both our underarms but what we've noticed is the fact that this does not darken our underarm and it works on both anti-perspirant and deodorant department!  

Tips

• If you are not comfortable with stick anti-perspirant, you can choose between the roll-on or the spray!

 

• Do not apply with broken skin.
• If signs of allergic reactions occurs, stop usage immediately!
• After plucking or shaving, try not to apply any deodorant or anti-perspirant as it may cause allergic reactions.
• Always store in cool, dry place!

Will I repurchase?
Mr. AMW finished 3-4 of these. I'm currently on my first and liking it, so yes!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Girls and even boys!  Everyone can use this!

Where to purchase and how much?
 At leading supermarket for Php155.00 (approx $3.60).

Most of us may have tried various deodorants and anti-perspirant!  Can you tell me which brand you always go back to? 

Have a wonderful day!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!