Wednesday, August 8, 2012

AMW Reviews: Yves Rocher Second Skin Effect Foundation

Hi Everyone!  I hope everyone's safe from the "unending rains" for the past 2 days!  Praise be to God for keeping us safe!  I guess you are okay if you have the chance to read this blog post!  Let's continue to pray and do our best to help our neighbors in our own little ways! 

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Do you still remember my Yves Rocher store visit last month?  I went home with their best-selling Second Skin Effect Foundation and I have been using it a lot of times and here's my initial review.  


Yves Rocher says ---
Enhanced, naturally-unified skin with moisturizing cotton milk.
A light, airy, fluid texture, that adapts perfectly to the complexion.  Light, imperceptible coverage which evens out skin texture for a fine, transparent sheen with a real skin perfecting effect.  An ultra-natural, luminous finish, an enhanced bare skin effect.
Second Skin Effect Foundation has all the natural benefits of extracts of cotton, apricot oil and rose water.

Tested under dermatological supervision
Suitable for all skin types and all colorings.
1.0 fl.oz bottle


AMW says ---
Pros
  • Plastic bottle makes it light and easy to take along for travel.
  • Coverage is build-able.  Gives medium to full coverage.
  • Does make my skin appear more luminous.
  • Skin feels light.
  • Stays all day, the foundation doesn't melt nor slide off.
  • The effect is matte and natural (if you pick the right shade)
  • A little amount goes a long way.

Cons
  • A bit difficult to know when you're almost done with the product due to its packaging.
  • A bit tricky to use due to its very liquid consistency. 
  • No SPF.
Overall
This foundation is known for it's light, airy texture and I have to agree!  The very fluid texture makes it easy to blend and pile up for more coverage.  

Tips
  • Since this product is very watery, I strongly suggest to apply this product on a small dish instead of squeezing some of the product onto your hand.  
  • Fingers, brush or sponge.  Practice using those tools and see which one gives the best effect for you.
  • If you have very dry skin, it helps to moisturize your drier areas to prevent flaking.
  • Since the product has a nice oil control, a good oil-control primer may still be needed if you suffer from very oily skin!
  • I did several ways of application and found the best brush to use for application is a stippling brush.  Stippling the Yves Rocher Second Skin Effect Foundation gives a very nice, clean airbrushed effect. 
Will I repurchase?
Yes.

To whom do I recommend this to?
Normal to combination skin!

Where to purchase and how much?
Locally for Php900.00 (approx $21.00) at Yves Rocher  TriNoma Mall, SM North Edsa The Block, SM South Mall, SM Fairview and Ayala Center Cebu.

Photos


A closer look on the packaging

The shade I got as recommended by Yves Rocher Philippines Makeup Artist is Rose.  He knew that I have yellow undertone and getting a BEIGE one may pale me up even more, so he suggest some color so Rose was recommended to me!  It was a good choice!


Applied on skin without base

A couple of minutes after, the foundation settled into my skin
creating a nice glow.
(Photo taken in a "fluorescent-lighted" room)


To learn more about the brand, feel free to visit Yves Rocher Website or like the local Facebook Fan Page (Yves Rocher France Philippines).

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(Product received during an event.  Reviews 100% mine.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

How to Conceal Puffy Under Eyes




Good day everyone!  I'm back with "This is How I Do It" and today, the topic was inspired by my big sister!  Me and my sister had a quick chat on how we can't watch dramatic movies or read heart-warming stories before we go to sleep as crying will lead to major puffy eyes the next morning!  

Not only that, give me just a minute of crying, my eyes will turn puffy and red all at the same time!  So yes, I'm one of those few unlucky girls who just can't hide my feelings!  That's when I got inspired to teach girls who suffer from this situation on how to conceal them or at least, lessen the puffiness.

Are you ready? 
(Note from author: Sorry but I do not have as much puffy eyes as needed for the tutorial, my problems has always been darkness.)

First things first, it would help if soak a spoon with an ice cold water then gently press the back of the spoon over your eyes for a couple of minutes, feel free to use chilled cucumber slices if you have any inside your kitchen!  This step may seem nothing but trust me when I say, it helps in minimizing the puffiness.

Go on with your regular eye cream, let it absorb in the skin and we're ready to do some concealing!

Apply your BB Cream, Tinted Moisturizer or Liquid/Cream Foundation as usual.  Pick a concealer that's at least a shade lighter than your original skin color.  Using a concealer brush, flip the brush on the side as shown on photo below.


Monday, August 6, 2012

AMW Reviews: Sigma Synthetic Precision Kit

Happy start of the week!  How was your weekend?  Ours was rainy but nevertheless, I had fun!  Who can stop me from having fun on weekends?  NOBODY! :P

A couple of months ago, I got an invite to join the Sigma Affiliate but it was only last month that I've decided to join the program as I do love their brushes!  (Past reviews on Sigma brushes HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.)

As soon as I signed up, Vincy from Sigma immediately emailed me for my mailing address as Sigma is sending a welcome gift to me!  That's very sweet of them and in a little bit more than a week (surprised!)  I got their newest Sigma Synthetic Eye Precision Kit.  I immediately rummaged through my brush collection and guess what?  I do not own any of the 4 brushes!  *yahoo*! 

The Sigma Synthetic Precision Kit


4 unique brushes made from synthetic bristles
 for eyes or face













Sigma says ---
The Sigma Beauty Synthetic Precision Kit contains four face brushes developed to mimic your fingertips when applying makeup on the most sensitive and precise areas of your face. The brushes in this kit feature exclusive Sigmax fibers, uniquely designed to apply powder, cream and liquid products without absorption into the bristles. 

Dimensions 
  • P80 - 7 1/8 in. (18 cm)
  • P82 - 7 in. (17.9 cm)
  • P84 - 7 3/16 in. (18.2 cm)
  • P86 - 7 7/16 in. (18.8 cm)
AMW says ---

Pros
  • Each brush were packed carefully with plastic.You can even reuse the plastic to maintain the shape of bristles.

  • Best brush set to apply cream/liquid or powder products.
  • No bleeding nor shedding even on first wash.
  • No weird scent.
  • The shape looks as good as new no matter how many times I've washed it.
  • Saves your makeup as you do not grab as much product as opposed to using your fingers or sponge.
  • All of the 4 brushes are dense.
Cons
  • Online ordering and need to wait for shipping.
Overall
These brushes may not be for everyone as I call these my "more professional" brushes.  These brushes are great to apply cream or liquid products and works so well on concealing! 

Tips
 from Sigma
  • P80 - Precision Flat: Stipple concealer on sun spots, blemishes, and other small imperfections.
  • P82 - Precision Round: Apply eye shadow base or primer onto the lid.
  • P84 - Precision Angled: Apply product to areas such as the sides of the nose and the hollows of the cheeks.
  • P86 - Precision Tapered: Exact placement of concealer in harder to reach areas such as around the eyes and nose, chin, and around the mouth.
 from AMW
  • Wipe your brushes with makeup cleaner or makeup cleaner wipes after every use.
  • Do a weekly deep cleaning with baby shampoo.
  • Tips on how to use each brush and maximize the usage?  Scroll further down for photos.

Will I repurchase?
All my Sigma Brushes are still doing well at the moment so I doubt I need to repurchase.  I would definitely highly recommend this set though!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who loves to apply makeup using good makeup tools!

Where to purchase and how much?
 At Sigma website for USD49.00 (approx Php2,107.00).

Photos

Sigma Precision Round P82
 

I like to use this brush to spot conceal or apply under eye concealer using a stippling motion and the rounded portion makes it easy to "feather out" the harsh edges of concealer mark.  This brush can also used on powdered products, it's a nice tool to "set" your concealer too!


Sigma Precision Flat P80

A super mini version of a flat top kabuki brush.  You may use this to apply concealer with a stippling motion, in my case, I prefer using this as my "setting brush".  I like to set the areas were I conceal with the P80 brush at the same time, I use this brush to highlight the high points of my cheeks also the brow bone!


Sigma Precision Tapered P86

Since the tip of this brush is pointed and very easy to manage, I love to use this brush to conceal areas of my face that are hard to reach.  Most of the time, it's the sides of my nose, I also use this to apply concealer on my lip area after lipstick application for a clean finish!

 


Sigma Precision Angled P84

I use this brush on lazy days I just want a soft wash of colors on my lids!  But the best way that I found in using this brush is as a nose contouring brush!  The brush is dense and soft at the same time making it easy to create a very natural contour!
 

So far, I am very happy with my 4 new synthetic brushes!  I am tempted to bring this along with me during makeup gigs but I'm having a bit of a separation anxiety!  It's personal use for now! *winks*

Has any of the Precision brushes I mentioned interests you?
Which one and how would you want to use it?


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Keep smilin'
Stay happy!


Sunday, August 5, 2012

Weekend Food Tripping at: David's Teahouse + Help Team Philippines via Powerade

It was a great family gathering!  Mr. AMW and myself was with my family and guess where I got my love for food?  Of course from my family!  Where else?

My sister invited us for a nice dinner at David's Tea House.  I haven't tried the restaurant for very long time so I'm very excited!

I will apologize in advance because I do not have the price of each dish as it was a set meal my sister ordered, though we're sisters, it isn't right to take a peek at the bill right? :)  

Nido with Quail Egg Soup
As the name states, if you have "Nido" attached to the soup, for Filipinos, it automatically means the soup has egg!  Each serving of the soup, you get 1 quail egg which I think is enough for a day!  *laughs*  The soup is very tasty and creamy!  I actually like it a lot!


 Sweet and Sour Pork
I like anything sweet and sour, pork or fish, it gives me the warm feeling my tummy gets on every bite!  At David's Tea House, the pork was definitely fried really well before it gets drizzled with the sweet and sour pork giving a semi-crunchy yet juicy texture.


Crispy Fried Chicken
Since this is part of a set menu, I guess we've got no choice but to have this!  We're not Fried Chicken eater unless it's from fast food chains (how unhealthy, lol!) but the reason would be the absence of gravy which I love on my fried chicken!  So far, this meal is not great but not bad!


 David's Special Noodles
Just like most birthday noodles (minus the quail eggs), David's Special noodles is very tasty!  Good amount of seafood piled on top making each bite interesting!



Beef Broccoli Flower
A "thumbs up" dish, the beef is sliced thinly and very tender!  The perfect combination of crunchy broccoli flowers and flavorful beef!


Check out David's Tea House website for branches
Where's your recent Chinese Food fix?


Before I end this post, I want to thank Powerade for sending me a "hydrating pack".  


Please help power Team Philippines throughout the Olympics by heading to Powerade Philippines Facebook page and use the Olympic Mosaic app to send in your messages of support.  Once your message is posted, your profile picture will appear on the Olympic Mosaic and this will be shown on a billboard and print ads.  You can even download your Olympic Mosaic to use as your wallpaper.  Find out how else you can help power the country's Olympic dreams at www.facebook.com/powerade.

  
Go Team Philippines!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Saturday, August 4, 2012

AMW Reports: Shu Uemura Chocolat Donna and Ultime8 Launch

Dear Shu Uemura,
Thank you for bringing in a new collection inspired by women's bestfriend --- chocolates!  

The Chocolat Donna is Shu Uemura's 135th mode make-up and it's part of the autumn/winter collection. To celebrate this milestone, I was one of the lucky blogger who get an invite to celebrate precious moments with a friend whom I know will enjoy makeup and chocolates as much as I do! 

Since I had the chance to know Angela during our Nuffnang Blog Awards in Malaysia and we had loads of fun times tasting on various chocolates at the Chocolate Factory, Kuala Lumpur so I thought of inviting her and I'm glad she had as much fun as I did!

 **photo taken from www.lushangel.com

"Chocolate as a milestone of your life, a piece of chocolate evokes your precious memories bittersweet memories of first love, of joyful celebrations breathe in the chocolate aroma, taste the creamy, soft, crunchy textures, every single piece rich with happiness and comfort.
Close your eyes, savor the flavors of life, evoke the next chaper of an exciting journey that you have never tasted before." --- Shu Uemura press release