Tuesday, May 22, 2012

AMW Reviews: Avon Glimmersticks Lip Liner in Pink Bouquet

I posted this photo on Instagram a couple of weeks ago showing my Avon Glimmersticks Lip Liner in Pink Bouquet!  This lipliner was hiding inside my "lipliner/eyeliner" case for months!  I'm glad I've decided to tidy up my room and found a lovely lip liner that's permanently inside my makeup pouch.


Avon Glimmersticks Lip Liner 
in Pink bouquet


Avon says ---

Enhances the wear of any lipstick. Smooth, glide-on color. Long wear (wears up to 12 hours!) Retractable, self-sharpening.

Net wt. 0 .01 oz.
.
AMW says ---
Pros
  • Retractable!  No sharpening needed.
  • Pigmented.
  • Long lasting.
  • Applies surprisingly smooth on lips.
  • Doesn't further dry my lips.
  • Can even out lip pigmentation.
  • Can define your lips.
  • Can be worn alone or top with a clear gloss.
Cons
  • No testers as you purchase this via Avon brochure.
  • Available in 3 shades only.
Overall
A  nice, inexpensive lip liner.

Tips
  • While doing your eye makeup, apply a good amount of lip balm to moisturize your lips.
  • Blot your lips with an oil control blotter or tissue paper prior to lip liner application.
  • If you prefer to apply lipliner only at the outer corner of the lips, make sure to blend the lip liner well with a lip brush or by using your fingers to prevent 2-toned lips.
  • Top with your choice of lipstick or lip gloss.

Will I repurchase?
Yes!

To whom do I recommend this to?
People who suffers from uneven lip color!
Anyone who's off to a party and needs their lip color to stay longer.

Where to purchase and how much?
Call your Avon ladies by visiting www.avon.com.ph. Check out their online brochure HERE.  The Avon Glimmersticks Lip Liner costs Php250.00 (approx $5.80).

Product photo and swatch

Full length of Avon Glimmersticks Lip Liner
approx. 2 inches


Pink Bouquet on bare lips
Looks very natural and even out the uneven tone of my lips


Do you use lip liners on a regular basis?
I prefer to apply lip liner all over my lips and top with a gloss for a longer lasting lip color!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!





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

Monday, May 21, 2012

AMW Reports: Shu Uemura's Kiss and Make-up Playdate


According to Mr. Shu Uemura: "Colors are like personalities, they are infinite."

I have to agree, as a makeup artist myself, I find the use of various shades of lipstick to each individuals pull out a different "look" and "vibe" from the same person!

To celebrate colors, Shu Uemura came up with Rouge Unlimited --- a blast of true colors, supreme moisture, unlimited beauty.


There will be an array of 50 colors that are formulated for long lasting moisture.   According to Nina Solano, Brand Manager of Shu Uemura Philippines, there are 36 shades available at the Shu Uemura boutique and the rest of the 14s are coming soon!  The last 14 shades are the "matte" versions according to Nina.


Sample color swatch from Shu Uemura

With the help of Shu Uemura's highly accredited make-up artists, we were given the chance to try out various shades that are PERMANENT.  *yay*


Since we're overwhelmed by the wide range of lip color, we were asked to trim down our choices depending our personality.

  • For the Urban Chic - brown shades
  • For the Carefree Spirit - coral shades
  • For the Girl-Next-Door - pink shades
  • For the Sexy Nude - beige colors
  • For the Hollywood Glam - red colors and bright pinks
  • For the Artist shades - Shu White and Shu Black (very unique addition to Shu Uemura's lip products.)  

Shu White gives out a brightening and blurring effect
Shu Black gives a darkening and shadow effect.

At a glance:
  • Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited are very moisturizing.
  • Wide arrays of shades.
  • Most shades are sheer and build-able.
  • Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited lip colors are easy to mix and match.  Mix 2 different colors to create a third color!

L-R Earth, Me, Nina, Martha, Rowena and Shen

AMW Dress: Shannaholic
Black (irregular) top from Korea
Necklace: Fimo clay necklace from reader Julie Anne :)

Random photo:
Gorgeous fake flowers and butterflies that creates a lovely colorful vibe at Shu Uemura Boutique, Rockwell.


Have you seen the new Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited lipstick that was recently launched?
What's your lipstick shade base on the personalities above?
I went for coral shade as I like to express my Carefree Spirit!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!


AMW Reviews: Maybelline Clear Smooth Shine Free Blush in Fresh Berry

Blush, how pretty it is when you picked the right shade and blends into your skin like a natural glow from within!  I have been very particular with the blush I use because I pick my "for-the-day blush" first before deciding on to the color of lipstick!  That's how powerful blush is on my day-to-day makeup routine! :)

The Maybelline Clear Smooth Shine-Free Blush isn't new to me, I have gifted this particular blush to my sister and she loves it!  (My sister's favorite makeup item is blush.)  It's high time I pick one for myself and test it out to share to Maybelline lovers out there my thoughts if this blush is worth it or not!

Maybelline Clear Smooth Shine-Free Blush
in Fresh Berry 



The blush is housed in a plastic "Maybelline" casing
and comes with a powder puff
Maybelline says ---
  • Velvety matte color
  • Lasting oil-control
  • Silky smooth texture
Available shades: Fresh Rose, Fresh Apricot, Fresh Coral and Fresh Berry.

AMW says ---
Pros
  • I don't mind the plastic packaging as I enjoy the tiny space it consume on my train case or makeup storage case.
  • Clear cover which makes it easier to see the shade without opening the packaging.
  • Very pigmented.
  • True matte shade.
  • Affordable.
  • No weird scent and doesn't cause any allergic reactions.
Cons
  • Need to re-apply in the middle of the day.  Not that long lasting (as most powders are)
  • I love the extra powder puff but I dislike putting on my blush with a powder puff (personal preference).  It would be difficult to store the puff too as you can't leave it inside the case.
Overall
Very pigmented, matte blush - A little goes a long way.  Needs re-application but it is still worth it for its affordable price.

Fresh Berry is a scary matte reddish pink blush on pan but the color changes depending on your skin, with light-hand application, it gives an obvious yet not over-the-top shade!.

Tips
  • Try on testers before you purchase, as the look of the blush shade on pan will come off differently on your cheeks.
  • Check how to apply your blush depending on your face shape.  (read my past post about blush application HERE)
  • If you want to use the free puff that comes with the blush, apply with a patting motion (to prevent your foundation from fading off.)
  • Apply using different brushes to get the right brush for you.
Will I repurchase?
Yes I already did.

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who loves blush but are on a budget!

Where to purchase and how much?

At local Maybelline counters for Php183.00 (approx $4.25).

Application photo
My favorite brush to use is the Shu Uemura (Art of Travel) powder brush as the bristles are soft yet not too dense so application will always be "light".


A photo of Fresh Berry on pan
and on my cheeks


I am quite liking Fresh Berry on days that I would like my cheeks to be the focal point!  I always end up with a natural lip color to show to the world how "naturally pretty" I look (bwahahahha)  Just joking, this is an upper-lifter blush that brings out the good mood in me! 

Does your blush uplifts your mood?
Which brand and shade would make you feel the prettiest?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!




Sunday, May 20, 2012

Weekend Food Tripping at: Krazy Garlik

I am very proud of the group of friends I have!  We may not see each other often but we make time to catch up at least 3 times a y ear!  No matter how long the "gap" is, it felt like our lives where put on pause and we were just trekking on different roads holding hands!  (Yes!  We're the holding hands kind!  *lol*)
So when one of my college friend texted me for a mini get-together, I didn't hesitated as it has been a while since our last meetup!  When asked where, I immediately went for Krazy Garlik!  I've seen the restaurant, been invited to an event but failed to go, liked the Garlic stuffed toy so much but never tried the food!  So thanks to my friends who agreed on the venue and look at who greeted us at the Krazy Garlic entrace!

Pole-dancing Garlic!  *laughs*
SO cute!!!


Amazing Krazy Garlik Salad
Php275.00 (approx $6.40) for Regular - photo below
Php475.00 (approx $11.00) to Share
 A refreshing Asian salad mix with cucumber, bell peppers, onions and 
oriental chicken strips tossed in sesame lime dressing.  
Topped with fried wanton and peanut sauce.

What I love about this salad is the way it was well shredded into tiny bits and pieces making it easier to enjoy each flavors even more!  The extra crunchy wanton made the texture special.


Krazy Garlik Porkchops
Php550.00 (approx $12.80)
Thick and juicy grilled pork chops 
served with mashed potato in creamy mushroom sauce
This was my friend's order but she nicely offered me to have a quick taste and I did!  The pork chop is indeed grilled to perfection, well done but very juicy!  The mashed potato is very flavorful, I can taste the butter used!  My friend loves the mashed potato, I would enjoy it more with extra gravy on the side! (Personal choice!)


Mongolian Beef
Php525.00 (approx $12.20)
Thin slices of premium beef, turnips, onion with their own Mongolian sauce
 This is our order!  I am in love!  This is not the regular Mongolian Beef you try in other restaurants, the chef obviously created a unique Mongolian sauce that can only be tasted at Krazy Garlik!  The beef is very succulent to taste and I can't help but nod and enjoy each flavorful bite!  A bit pricey in my opinion but worth to treat yourself good quality beef once in awhile!


Hara Kiri
Php245.00 (approx $5.70) for regular
Spicy fried rice with chilies, squid, shrimps and bacon
2 of my friends ordered Hara Kiri and the funny thing is, the level of spiciness of both bowls were different, we were told that we cannot request on "mild", "moderate" or "extra hot" so I don't get why one is spicier than the other!

This bowl of rice is not for the faint-hearted!  You have to be someone (like me) who really enjoys and thrive for spicy food to enjoy this dish!


Infinity Drinks - Iced Tea or Lemonade
Php110.00 (approx $2.55)
My favorite Iced Tea to date!  Well, next to Wendy's!  *hahaha*  But seriously, I'm happy that their Iced Tea and Lemonade are bottomless as I love this iced tea so much I even changed the minds of soda drinkers on our table! :)

Overall, Krazy Garlik is called "Krazy Garlik" because of the presence of garlic in their dishes!  I was expecting to leave the restaurant with the need to buy fresh mints but it isn't even needed!  The use of garlic was just right and the taste of garlic NEVER overpowers the dish!  

With regards to the price, prices were moderately expensive!  But you get what you pay for, good, quality food, wonderful ambiance and very clean washrooms!  

I don't get the Alice in Wonderland theme but the garlic looks cute nevertheless so I'm okay with it! :)


There's one thing that boggled my head about Krazy Garlik, Greenbelt 5 branch (where we had our dinner), as we paid our own meal, it is normal to ask help from servers or cashier to break down the money, we were advised by 2 servers that Krazy Garlik in Greenbelt 5 do not have their own cashier.  I immediately asked what they do if customers pay cash and needed change, it was explained to me that they request for "cash paying" customers to pay the exact amount (as much as possible) as can't commit to give you a change!

I know, sounds absurd right?  But true story!

Anyone who dined at Krazy Garlik,GB5?  Would you please clarify if this is true? :)

Things may be a weird at the latter part of the evening but we enjoyed the evening catching up!  To me, food will always taste better with good friends around! :)

Krazy Garlik
Second Floor Greenbelt 5
Tel. Nos.(632)501-3752 to 53

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!


Saturday, May 19, 2012

AMW Reports: Block & White - Lightest Lotion to Date

Let's go down to memory line.
If you are a long time reader of my blog, you probably remember how I was part of the Vaseline's Roadtrip of a Lifetime (full story HERE) , it was a fun, memorable trip and I can't help but smile each time I reminisce those days!  

During our road trip, we were each given a Vaseline Healthy White SPF24 Triple Lightening Lotion and I really LOVE this product!  (Read review here)  I got my sister hooked on this product too as she always mention to me how "light" the product feels and how good it smells!  


Then, early this week, I was invited for Block & White event, which surprised me by the way as later on I realized Block & White is under Unilever (same company who makes Vaseline), I kept mum but I have these thoughts in mind: "This is going to be one sticky night!"

Yes, you read it right, I have a colleague way back who uses Block & White lotion after EVERY lunch hour and each time I touch her, I felt the stickiness of the lotion so I always have this impression on how sticky Block & White Lotions are!

The event proved me wrong!  And I'm not saying it just because they served us good food!  *laughs*  I don't easily get swayed!  :P

The event was held at Casa Marcos, Burgos Circle.  :)


Tables were set and the ambiance was very relaxing!
Side note, it is a perfect location for night outs or even date nights!