Readers' Corner: Making Nail Polish Last For At Least A Week!

I've had nail polish on toes and fingers for as long as I remember!  I think I started experimenting when I was graduating from high school and since it was okay to wear polish in college, that's when I experimented on different colors!  

And to answer your question, I had trouble applying polish on my right hand as my left hand tends to be wobbly!  I even had to save up on French Tip stickers just because I can't draw a straight line!  If I may repeat myself: "Yes, Practice makes almost perfect." 

When friends see my nails, the first thing they would tell me is how they love to put on polish but it never lasted on them!  The maximum I heard was 3 days and no one believed me when I told them mine can last a week or more!  And mind you, I'm not the li'l princess you think I am, I wash dishes and do household chores! 

So today's feature on Readers' Corner, I'm creating a quick, simple tutorial on how to make your polish last!  Not exactly a week but at least a bit longer!

Here are the 3 basic nail products you need ---

Base Coat, Top Coat and Fast Dry 

If you're on a budget, it's just base coat and top coat!  That's enough!

L-R The Face Shop Top Coat, Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

 and Zoya Anchor Basecoat

Some important things to remember:

• Do not wash your hands 10 minutes before you apply polish.  Why?  The water from your nails will evaporate thus forming bubbles.
• Do not apply hand lotion, facial creams prior to nail polish application, the oils from those products may stick to your nails.
• Do not shake your polish hard, try to roll them between your hands.
• Apply polish in a cool, dry place.  
• Never apply polish in front of a fan.
• Apply with a thin coat first and wait for the first layer to dry before you apply the second coat.
• Once the consistency of your polish is dry and thick, throw them out instead of trying to save them from death!  *laughs*

Step 1:

You can wipe your nails with a clean cloth making sure they're dry and clean.  Apply a coat of your choice of base coat.

Do not forget to "wrap" even the edge of your nails!

This is called the wrapping technique.

Step 2:

Pick a polish of choice.  Once the base coat is dry, apply a thin layer of your preferred polish starting from the center working left and right.

Again, wrapping technique should also be done!

Continue step 2 once the first coat is dry.

Step 3:

Once your preferred polish shade is completely dry, apply a coat of your favorite top coat.  I've been a loyal user of The Face Shop top coat.  So far this works for me! 

Step 4:

Once top coat is dry, this step is optional, I picked my Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat and apply it all over the nails!  After several usage, I agree that it is indeed the best quick drying top coat to date!

 If done all the steps properly and with loads of practice, you may enjoy your lovely polish for a week or even 2!  

 If you managed to try these steps, feel free to comment and let me know how it went! :)

Any other Long lasting nail polish tips?

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Estee Lauder Disappear Smoothing Cream Concealer Review

Good morning everyone!  Tuesday is here and it's another Philippine Holiday!  If you have work today, it's okay!  Keep that smile as I'm sure traffic is more manageable!

Yesterday, I was busy with a shoot for a pet grooming salon called The Purple Groom.  I was picked as one of their brand ambassador together with my lovable Char Char (male Pomeranian).  It was a fun shoot and I am thanking God for all the blessings. 

Concealers, when will we ever stop searching for "the one"?  Well, technically, no one can say which concealer brand is THE BEST, pull out 10 girls and I'm sure you'll get at least 3 different concealer brands which they concealer their best!

As for me, I use different concealers depending on my mood and the needs of my skin.  There are some days my undereye circle is obvious while some days, a tiny zit would sprout from the chin or forehead.

As of the moment, yes, I'm not a One-Concealer-Woman! 

The Estee Lauder Disappear Smoothing Creme Concealer

AMW Makeovers: The Bride and the Groom

Happy Monday AMW friends!  Today is another Philippine holiday in observance of Eid'l Fitr or end of Ramadan.  I want to wish our Muslim friends a wonderful day in celebration of their faith!

Since we are on the topic of celebration, I will share another AMW Makeovers done 2 weeks ago!

For the Groom

Skin type: Oily 

Request: none

Though the groom did not request for any specific look, I know most guys would like to look like themselves on their wedding day minus the oil and sweat. 

Prior to liquid foundation application, I applied an oil-control primer all over his face and let it sit for a couple of minutes before I apply MAC StudioFix Liquid Foundation.  With a tiny amount of a shade darker liquid foundation, I stippled the foundation specifically on areas that needs coverage.  For this groom, I concentrated more on the under eye area and some random red spots.  This method is done so the groom won't feel the typical heavy foundation.

After making sure the liquid foundation is well blended, I set everything with MAC Studio Fix Powder foundation in NC45.  Do not forget to apply a contouring powder to create dimension especially on photos.  I finished the look with a tinted lip balm for his lips to stay supple and ready for "You May Now Kiss the Bride" moment!

For the Bride

Skin type: Normal

Request: Not to make her eyes bigger

The bride has huge set of eyes and I'm quite surprised that she requested me to make her eyes look "chinky" instead.  This request was quite unusual as most brides or clients in general would request me to make their eyes appear larger! 

Well, there's always a first time.

To start off the bridal makeup, I've applied Laura Mercier Oil-free Primer all over her face just to create a smooth base.  The bride has normal skin and I can't seem to find any patches of dryness.  Lucky her!

As I waited for the primer to settle in some lines and pores, I trimmed her brows with a spoolie, eyebrow scissors and eyebrow shaver.  Then after I'm satisfied with her brows, I went straight to foundation application.  For this bride,  I used Paul & Joe Creamy Foundation going one layer at a time to make sure coverage is even and the effect will be second-skin!

Bride did not sleep much the night before so I concentrated on covering her dark under eye circles by using Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer. In person, the "puff" is there as makeup can never cover eye puffiness but can only lessen the look of it (especially on photos).

With heavy concealer used under the eye area, it is very important to set the area with an oil-control setting powder to prevent the concealer from sliding off!

Since the request was smaller-looking eyes, I used a Matte Medium Brown Gel Liner instead of the usual black and created a tiny wing effect to extend the look of her eyes making it less round.  I set the gel liner with a matte eyeshadow to smooth out harsh lines as created by the gel liner.

Of course, lashes will always be needed for brides!  I strongly suggest soon-to-be-Brides to start practicing on falsies!  Have someone help you put them and try working on false lashes for at least half a day!

If you are a makeup artist, do not forget to help the hairstylist if the veil is put on as the lashes may get caught up on veil which isn't comfortable at all!

 

Final look

 

**hair done by: Kim Rodriguez.

How do you like the makeover?

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Something New: Bvlgari Mon Jasmin Noir

The scent Jasmine has always been a wonderful reminder of my mom!  My mom is the simplest woman I know and the only scent she owns when I was in school was an old bottle of Jasmine perfume gifted to her by my aunt.  She tried to save up the scent by spritzing a tiny bit of it only on super special occasions so I've always associated her with the scent!

Years passed, I haven't found the Jasmine scent that I want for her so I'm always on the hunt for the one.  

" A sophisticated, luminous and sensual Eau de Parfum within the Jasmin Noir universe, reminiscent of the inimitable values of elegance and refinement at the heart of Bulgari Brand. "

With the cute cap that reminded me so much of my Bvlgari pendant. 
 

I'm sure this scent will make my mom extra happy!
Bvlgari Mon Jasmin Noir will be available at Rustan's soon!

Do you like jasmine scent as much as my mom?            

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

Weekend Food Tripping at: Ling Nam

My relationship with food has always been a good one!  No arguments, no miscommunications. *laughs*  Yes, it was a long term relationship!  I finally realized, after years of trying hard to go on a diet, that I can eat whatever I want, as long as my body is craving for it and always eat in moderation.  

Ahm, the moderation part, I'm not sure!  But the craving part is true!  

Now, I'm good at listening to what my tummy wants.  And most of the time, when I'm tired, I'm craving for heart-warming soup!  We were within the area after doctor's checkup and we've decided to give Ling Nam another try!  I haven't been at Ling Nam restaurant for decades and I do wonder how their food tastes like nowadays!

Any 3 Combination Noodle Soup

Php185.00 (approx $4.30)

Choice between Chicken Beef Wanton, 

Chicken Beef Asado

Chicken Wanton Asado or

Beef Wanton Asado

Mr. AMW picked "Chicken Wanton Asado" Combination.  When it comes to noodle soup, I like it when they pour in Asado sauce as it makes the soup more tasty.  Unfortunately, you need to pay if you want to ask more of the Asado sauce.

Overall, the noodles are okay, they could add more but everything turned tasty because of the added sauce.  Without it, the soup may be bland.  The chicken strips aren't dry and the wanton is just so so.  Nothing spectacular.

Sweet and Sour Pork Rice

Php185.00 (approx $4.30)

A rice meal that you can't go wrong with!  The pork strips weren't fatty and the sauce was just right!  I enjoyed this simple rice dish and wouldn't mind ordering again.

Miki Bihon Guisado

Php190.00 (approx $ 4.42)

A combination of fat and thin noodles.  That's the choice of noodles we love.  Abundant shrimps, fish balls, vegetables, liver, etc..  I like the Miki Bihon Guisado of Mann Hann more!

Overall, the experience was okay.  There is an ample parking space right in front of the restaurant and servers were quick.

Ling Nam, Banaue
765 Banaue St. Quezon City
Tel No: (632) 448-6232 / (632)743-3388

Have you tried dining at Ling Nam?
What's your favorite dish from this restaurant?

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