Monday, March 12, 2012

AMW Bulletin: Clinique's March Bonus! + Shop MAC

Dear Philippine Readers:
Because you asked for it....

**photo from Clinique
I love GWPs (Gifts with purchase) and I love how Clinique is improving their cute pouches!  I never own 2 similar Clinique pouches and mind you, I do have quite a collection!  My first simple "Clinique Green" pouch was gifted to me when I was around 15 years old!  I think they used to supply them on business class in some airlines and my Aunt (who's a traveler) would give them to me and my sister so I'm so accustomed to see these tiny samples though my mom forbade me in using them!  :P

A quick peek on what's included inside the March pouch?  (it rhymes!) :P
  • Liquid Facial Soap Oily Skin Formula
  • Clarifying Lotion
  • Twice a Day Exfoliator 3
  • Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
  • All About Eyes
  • Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
  • Longlast Glosswear SPF15

Clinique Bonus runs from March 12-31, 2012 --- Free with every Php4,500 worth of Clinique Products.  A little birdie told me that if you step up your purchase to Php5,000, you'll get an additional Silver travel bag with you!!!

Clinique is available at Rustan's Makati, Rustan's Shangri-La, Rustan's Alabang Town Center, Rustan's Gateway, Rustan's Ayala Center Cebu, Essences at Powerplant Mall Rockwell, Clinique Trinoma and Clinique Mall of Asia.
Before I end this post, I got an email from MAC Philippines, feel free to join in the party by clicking the photo below to enlarge! :)



Happy Shopping!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!





(This post serves as information purpose only.  Author is not affiliated with the company.  Please shop at your own discretion.)

AMW Reviews: Shu Uemura's Creamy Dome Blusher in Fairy Pink

Do you love the long-lasting quality of a cream blusher but dislikes how it's harder to blend than regular powder blush?

Shu Uemura, surprisingly, came up with a cute blush called Creamy Dome Blusher under the Shu Uemura's Celestial Garden Collection!  I've always known Shu Uemura as a brand who makes colorful yet seriously packaged products but this is something unique and worth the second look!  

Read my review and see if it's worth to splurge on this product!


The color I got is Fairy Pink


Shu Uemura Creamy Dome Blusher says ---
Dome shaped blusher in a silky cream texture which glides smoothly on your face, you can easily create a natural gradation by tapping on your cheeks.

Size: 8.5g, 0.299 oz. 
Made in Korea
Good for 24 months after open

Ingredients:  
 

Shades: Fairy Pink and Sunlight Peach













AMW says ---
Pros
  • Super cute packaging with clear plastic top making it easy to see the shade right away.
  • Fragrance free
  • Though the name states "creamy dome blusher" the product is so easy to dab/apply and it does not create streaks on cheeks.
  • Glides on smoothly and very easy to blend.
  • Finishes up in powder form so even oily skinned individuals can use this!
  • Build-able shade.
Cons
  • Limited edition and usually out of stock! (locally)
  • Not too long lasting as compared to other cream based blusher.
  • I've read that once the "dome" gets flat, you can twist the packaging for the product to come out but I can't seem to do mine :(
Overall
Though there are a whole lot of cream blushers out there, this one from Shu Uemura is quite unique in terms of its texture --- non-powdery to look at, easier to apply than regular cream blush and it finishes off in a powder form wherein "setting" isn't needed.  Definitely lasts longer than regular powdered blush but not as long as regular cream blushers are cheek tints.

Tips
  • Apply on top of your foundation.
  • Use a dabbing motion if you prefer a super natural look.
  • Apply directly with a sweeping motion for a heavier blushed look and blend with your fingers, brush or sponge.
  • If you are a makeup artist and plan to use this on clients, apply with a sponge or foundation brush instead of applying the product directly on client's cheeks for hygiene.
  • To choose the right shade for you, try on testers before you purchase.
  • If you prefer a sparkly, shiny finish, you can always top the Shu Uemura Creamy Dome Blusher with your favorite shimmery blush.
  • Give Shu Uemura branches a call before you head on and purchase as they are usually out of stock.
Will I repurchase?
Yes!  I got discount coupons from the YUME Advanced Class over the weekend so I'll get the other shade!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes the natural look of a cream blusher minus the hassle of application and the oily feel.


Where to purchase and how much? 
At local Shu Uemura boutique for Php1,500 (approx $34.00).

 Fairy Pink Swatched on hand
Matte colored blusher that has a hint of peach against my warm undertone

Applied Fairy Pink on both cheeks 
with dabbing motion
No eye makeup in this photo as my eyes were tired from the Advanced Makeup class I've attended over the weekend :)

Would you splurge out Php1,500 for a limited edition Creamy Dome Blusher from Shu Uemura?
I would as I find this very convenient to use and I can just re-apply anytime of the day without worrying much on "setting it".

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!





(Product sent for PR purpose.  Opinions 100% mine.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Weekend Food Tripping at: A-Won Charcoal BBQ Restaurant

Happy Sunday!!!  I had a wonderful day yesterday as I attended the Shu Uemura's YUME Advanced Makeup Class and I learned a lot!!!  I will share to you more details on a separate post but seriously, learning is so much fun!  If I have the time in the world, I'll study as much as I can!

Anybody who reads my "Weekend Food Tripping" posts would know that I'm a Korean-by-heart STOMACH!  I crave for Korean dish and Mr. AMW and I would hop on different Korean restaurants and compare each of our experiences!  (food nerd) 

Lucky Nikki!  Mr. AMW's office is near a strip of restaurants and there were like 3 Korean restaurants there!  One of them is the newly opened A-Won restaurant!  We went for it right away hoping for a great experience!

You can see the new signage and we had to walk in and ask if the restaurant is open and ready for customers as construction is still ongoing on that day.


Once we got in, we were given a super simple Korean/English menu!  Though A-Won is known for its charcoal BBQ meat, we thought of skipping it at that moment as we're off to another event and we do not want to smell like barbeque.

As expected on most Korean restaurants, side dishes were served!  There were around 7 types of appetizers served and I actually gave back 2 of them and requested to replace them with my favorites --- mushrooms and spinach!  Kim Chi tastes really good and spicy but I gave it a skip as my tummy was acting up that day!


Bi Bim Bap
Php300.00 (approx $6.80)
Mixed vegetables, beef and rice with miso soup on the side
This is one of the best Bi bim bap I've tried because of the ample amount of "greens" which made the dish refreshing to taste amidst the spiciness of red paste!  The red paste was served separately and with only a small teaspoon of it mixed with the whole bowl of rice, the taste and spiciness was enough!  I think one of the secret of good bi bim bap is not only the freshness of ingredients but also the quality of red paste, and A-Won definitely served a good quality red paste - in my humble "tongue-pinion" LOL


Bi Bim Bap all mixed up with a quarter size amount of red paste.  Though the final product doesn't look as red or orange as compared to other restaurants, this is very tasty and flavorful with the right amount of spiciness!  Trust me on this! :)


 Mae Woon Ttuk Bok Yi
Php300.00 (approx $6.80)
Spicy Rice Cake

I'm glad Ttuk Bok Yi is widely served in most Korean restaurants now!  I used to wonder how they taste like every time I watch actors or actresses chow them down from my favorite Korean drama!  My first Ttuk Bok Yi experience was on the streets of Seoul, Korea and I'm happy to announce that the Ttuk Bok Yi in this restaurant is as authentic as the original version!  The rice cake is tender, added with strips of tofu and the right amount of red chili sauce?  Ahh, I'm in Seoul Street Food heaven! :)

Most of the customers dining there that day were Korean nationals and I can see how much they enjoy their food!  What I like most about A-Won is the availability of BBQ exhaust pipe!  Less smoke= less smell! :P

Oh, I may have to add, on one side, you'll see rows of aquariums were fresh seafood were there just like in Chinese restaurants!  Mr. AMW and I enjoyed the "crab fighting" scene!  Boy oh boy were they violent!  I'm glad I was just a bystander..not a fellow crabby!  *laughs*


A-Won Charcoal BBQ Restaurant only accepts cash that time (not sure if they accept credit card now).  No service charge and servers were attentive and helpful!  The restaurant has ample parking space right in front of the restaurant.

I had a great time dining in this restaurant and will definitely go back!

I do not have the full address of the restaurant but you can find A-Won restaurant at Macapal Avenue right in front of PNB Building 

Have you eaten Korean dish this week?
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Benefit's Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup Review





Do you still remember the Benefit Grand Launch I attended , we were all given samples of the Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow and most of the event's guests, including myself, are super excited to test on the Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup Foundation before it hit the local market!

This is the original bottle size
 
**photo taken from Benefit Website

Friday, March 9, 2012

Royal Effem Nude Color Lipgloss Review




Happy Friday!!! Are you smiling from ear to ear?  I definitely am!!!  I'll have a wonderful "beauty-filled Saturday" and I'll tell you more about it when I'm done with the day!  What's the point of counting the eggs before they hatch if I'm not even Count Dracula? (I have a feeling you want to punch me right this very moment.)

*PEACE*

Okay, on to the review!  Remember my glowing review on Stage Wondergloss High Shine Lip Gloss?  Local readers probably forgot about it as it's not even available locally!  Well, the reason why I mentioned this particular gloss is because the new gloss I have is similar to the Stage one in a lot of ways!  At least, if you want to try the Stage Wondergloss High Shine Lip Gloss that I reviewed 2 years ago, now is the time as we have a locally available counterpart! :)


Royal Effem Lipgloss says ---
  • covering power: from light to medium and glossy
  • glide texture
  • transparent, lacquered, pearly, glitter and metallic effect
  • thin film
  • light touch
  • perfect adherence
  • extra brilliance
  • excellent glide
  • lanolin, paraffin and parabens free formula
  • flocked applicator
Size: 4.5ml 0.15 fl. oz.
Ingredients: (click photo to enlarge)