Friday, August 10, 2012

AMW Reviews: Benefit High Brow

When I first visited the Benefit Cosmetics Boutique at Greenbelt 5, there were a short list of items I want to spend on and one of them is the Benefit High Brow Pencil.  It took me months, before I've decided to pick this up as I would always fight the urge to purchase one!  I always tell myself: "How in the world can High Brow be a necessity?  I can always use eyeshadow to highlight the brow bone area!"

Well, guess what?  Using an eyeshadow is nice but using a Benefit High Brow pencil gives extraordinary results!  (Ok, that came out like an infomercial! lol)

As I was busy with the afternoon Workshop with guests at the Benefit Boutique, Greenbelt 5 last month.  One of the attendees took the High Brow pencil and requested me to show her how to use it.  I happily obliged and applied a tiny amount on her brow bone area and blended it using my fingers, she took a good look at the mirror and said: "Oh wow!  I see a huge difference!"  

I stepped back, and in my mind I was screaming: "Oh my!  It did make a huge difference!  Her eyes look lifted and lively, I must get myself one immediately after the workshop!" 

Yes, I need proofs and once I got one, my conscience went on hibernation.

Benefit says ---
A brow lifting and enhancing pencil that instantly adds a lifted look to the entire eye area. It's never been easier to raise a brow or two! The soft, matte linen-pink pencil looks beautiful on all skin tones.

Size: 2.85g Net wt. 0.10 oz.
Ingredients:
 

AMW says ---
Pros
  • Creamy pencil, easy to apply and blend.
  • Positively gives the "lifted" look!
  • Accentuates the arch of the brows making it look more defined and neat.
  • Multi-functional.  This can also be used on the waterline and on the inner corner of the eyes.
  • Looks natural.
  • Even if your brows aren't in good shape, the Benefit High Brow will define your brows making it look neat and clean.
Cons
  • Though pricey, this can last a long time as a little is enough.
  • None for now, I'm in love with this!
Overall
The Benefit High Brow gives a very subtle "uplift" effect and can be used on a daily basis.

Tips
  • Apply the pencil directly on the brow bone area and gently blend with your clean fingers or a synthetic concealer brush.
  • If you prefer a more defined arch, feel free to apply some of the Benefit High Brow Pencil above the brow by using dots and blend.
  • Continue with eye makeup. 
  • Use this pencil to highlight the inner corner of your eyes or the tip of your nose as long as it works for your skin color.
  • Instead of using a matte white eyeliner pencil, Benefit High Brow can  also be used on the waterline to create bigger looking eyes.
Will I repurchase?
Yes!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes to have lifted brows on a daily basis.  Works for almost all skin types!

Where to purchase and how much?
At local Benefit Boutique at Greenbelt 5 and Shangri-la Mall for Php1,200 (approx $28.00)LIKE Benefit Cosmetics Philippines on Facebook for Promos and Product information.

Photos


The Benefit High Brow is described as 
soft, matte, linen-pink shade

How I apply:  I prefer to apply a line underneath the brow area 
as shown on photo below

With my clean fingers, I blend the pencil with a dabbing motion
staying only within the area where the pencil was drawn.

Continue with your regular eyeshadow application
 or you can leave the house as it is.

Do you define your brows with extra products?
Do you think you need the Benefit High Brow Pencil?


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Keep smilin'
Stay happy!


Thursday, August 9, 2012

Tip for the Day: How I Store my Hair Accessories

When I was young, my mom's idea of making me happy is not by buying me Barbie dolls nor new clothes and shoes (I'm a hand-me-down baby! :P), she knew I'm not the type who would want her parents to spend all the money for the youngest kid in the family!  Yes, I was a good girl!  Wait!  Before you react, I was a good girl because I AM a VERY good girl now!  *proud*  hahaha

Okay, back to the story, my mom, a simple housewife, who has a budget to feed all 4 kids would spend some of the "family budget" in buying me hair clips and ribbons!  When I toured my parents around Shenzhen, China a couple of years ago, she was busy haggling with a seller and at the end, I realized she was buying me a Swarovski-studded hair tie!  She got a good deal!  It was gorgeous and it was super touching on my part as my mom isn't the type who would go waste money on something that's not a necessity!  We have to admit, Swarovski-studded hair tie will never be a necessity! 

Simple things matter to me.

And because they matter, I take into consideration on taking care of them!  I have hair ties and clips that were with me through the years years!  They have a value attached to it as they were gifted to me by my sister, my mom, my friends, etc...

Here's how I store all my hair accessories, aside from making sure they are clean and safe, I also want to make sure I can see them easily! 


TADAH!
I originally have an "all-black" version but it died on me after 8 long years.  I head up to SM Department Store and purchased a red and white one!

Approx Php500.00-600.00 
(approx $11.60-14.00)


Are you into hair accessories?
If yes, how do you store your prized possessions?

Any other storage tips you may want to share?

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Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

#PrayForThePhilippines

At the moment I'm typing this post, I can hear heavy rainfall again and I am getting nervous by the minute.  This, aside from Typhoon Ondoy happened 3 years ago (blog post HERE), has been one of the worst rainfall our country has experienced and I'm not sure if we'll have more of these!  As of now, all we can do is pray and help as much as we can!

 **photo taken from www.manilastandardtoday.com

**photo taken from www.manilatimes.net

 **photo taken from www.abs-cbnnews.com

 **photo taken from www.abs-cbnnews.com

For more information on donation drop-off and for cash donations, visit Relief.ph

And thanks to our friends from Cha Dao Tea Place for offering help too!

Cha Dao Tea Place is accepting donations in selected stores.  For every donation, Cha Dao Tea Place gives back a regular cup of milk tea (free to the person donating).  Please check Facebook and Twitter (@ChaDaoTeaPlace) for more information. All donations will be forwarded to Red Cross and Philippine Army for distribution to affected areas.


This too, shall pass.  I know the Filipinos will and can survive this!
God bless us all!


Stay safe!
Stay strong!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!


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! 

---------------------------

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.