Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Readers' Corner: Nail Art Brushes and Their Uses

Happy Tuesday dear friends!  Today, I will be answering a major question regarding Nail Art Brushes which I haven't gotten the chance to tackle for months due to my pregnancy!  Since I'm back to my usual self and I'm not that sensitive to nail polish scent anymore, I'm all game to share some tips that I learn through years of practice and experimentation!  Keep in mind that this is just my "amateur-ish" advise, feel free to add more tips and tricks on comment below so we'll both learn from this!

Let's start with nail art brushes.  Nail art brushes doesn't have to be expensive or specifically made for nails, I started purchasing single nail art brushes at local bookstores and once I got the hang of it, I've decided to try the nail art brush sets sold online or from professional nail art supplies stores!

For instance, I recently got a 2 sets from Born Pretty Store.

and


The Set of 15 Nail Art Brushes comes with 3 drawing tools, 7 painting tools, 2 liners, 1 dotting tool and 2 fan brushes.  The 3 pcs nail art brush liner drawing line pen comes in fine detail, medium liner, and long striper brush.

Adding them all up, I have 18 different nail art brushes that could look overwhelming at first glance.  To make this post easier for all of us, I have grouped these brushes based on their similarities in functions and it is your choice to take a pick on the brushes you need for your nail art designs!


Fine Detail, Medium Liner and Long Striper Brushes
These brushes are similar to the L.A. Art Deco Polish which I love to use for all the lines and stripes that I would like to create on my nails.  

The Fine Detail brush is wonderful to create simple short lines or even French tips!  The Medium Liner on the other hand is great for drawing wisps and some netting designs.  The long striper brush is best used to create thin lines.



Some ways on using the medium and long striper brush, wisps and thick to thin lines.

Vertical and Horizontal lines can easily be created by using the Fine Detail brush.

Dotting Tool
The dotting tools usually come in different sizes too!  As for the set I got from Born Pretty Shop, the tip is very fine perfect to create tiny dots and can also be used to pull dots creating flower petals.


Dots created by using fine dotting tool.

Tiny flowers can also be created by drawing 6 dots!

Various Drawing Brushes
These brushes can be used to create simple to more created designs!

The most tiny detail brush from the set is my favorite brush to draw faces, write alphabets or numbers!  If you have stable hands, this particular brush can also be used to create dots!


I also like to draw some animal prints with the same brush!

Shading Brushes
These shading brushes also comes in various sizes and can be used depending on the size of your nails and the size of the art design you plan to create. 

Aside from using these brushes to create one stroke nail art like creating French Manicure, I also like to use these brushes to create flower petals or leaves.  The biggest shading brush is also great to apply background shade using 2 different shades!

Angular Brushes
These brushes are optional but the angled head of these brushes can create intricate detailed designs and the 45 degree cut of the brushes are also perfect to create slant strokes.

Added tip: The longest tip of these angular brushes can also be used to create dots!


Fan Brushes
If used as a makeup brush, I love to use these brushes to remove excess makeup fallouts, contour the cheeks or apply blush for a very natural finish.  

If these brushes are treated as a nail art brush, these fan brushes can create abstract nail art designs using 1 or multiple shades. Aside from creating abstract designs, these fan brushes are also used to apply glitters on nails!  How?  By applying your choice of glitter powders on top of a wet polish!  The outcome, I promise you, is worth the mess!


Fanning the tip of the fan brush onto the nails for random designs.  You can feel free to swirl the brush tips for more creative outcome!

Have you given your artistic side a shot by trying out nail art designs?
If yes, have you thought of investing nail art brushes?

I have been doing nail art designs for years and haven't really thought of investing nail art brushes until I get into designs I'd like to do but I don't have the right tools for it!  The nail art brush sets I got from Born Pretty Store is actually very affordable and I am very happy with the result of my nail art designs each time I use them!  The quality are even better than those single brushes I bought in random bookstores! 

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(Nail art brushes provided for review.  Opinions 100% mine.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)

Monday, January 14, 2013

AMW Reviews: Mary Kay Sheer Dimension Powders

Over the holidays, I got a gift from our friends from Mary Kay and I literally gave an imaginary whistle (cause I don't know how) hahaha.  The box was housed in a regular, plain black box with Mary Kay Logo so I am not sure what to expect.


Low and Behold, once I opened the box, check out the gorgeously packaged Sheer Dimension Powders!  Got 2 shades from them and I can't help but scream: "PERFECT!"

in Lace (Coral)
in Pearls (Opalescent)

Mary Kay says ---
Fashion, color and luminous skin come together in an entirely new dimension.  Sheer Dimensions Powder is an exquisite finishing touch that makes your skin look smoother as it diminishes the appearance of fine lines with stunning, all-over luminosity.

Available shades: Pearls, Ribbon, Lace and Chiffon

Ingredients: 





AMW says ---
Pros

  • Super cute, clear packaging wherein you can see the nice design of the powder.
  • Gives a very natural effect no matter how much you apply.
  • Lace (Coral) is a great everyday shade that works for ALL skin tones.
  • Pearls (Opalescent) on the other hand is a great highlighting powder that doesn't look fake.
  • Reflects light so it gives a nice healthy glow.
  • Shades can also be used as eyeshadow.
  • Fragrance-Free.
  • No allergies or skin irritations. 

Cons

  • Not widely available.
Overall
These powders remind me so much of MAC's Mineralized SkinFinishes in terms of the soft-focus effect it gives wherever applied.  Pigmentation is good and powder can stay the whole day with normal skin while retouch may be needed for people who suffers from oily skin.  

Tips

  • Pearls is a very sheer formula that can be used on face and body.
  • Lace is a perfect everyday shade that is best used as blush.
Will I repurchase?
I am very interested with Ribbon and Chiffon!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes to enhance the look of their skin in a quick and easy manner.

Where to purchase and how much?
Mary Kay Sheer Dimensions Powder will be available beginning February 16, 2013 for Php1,900.00 (approx $47.50).
Available at Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant by calling them at (632) 859-6211 or visit www.marykay.com.ph   Follow Mary Kay on Twitter (@ilovemarykayph).

Photos


Lace 
Lace is said to be perfect for everyday and the finish can be from matte to satin to pearlescent.  Overall, it really depends on how much you would like to apply for various effects.

LACE on PAN



Pearls
Pearls on the other hand gives an overall luminosity and gives a nice "BB" cream-like finish!  Imagine applying this all over your arms and legs?  This is the easiest way to create glow on areas you would like to highlight!


Pearls on PAN


Application - AMW style
I like using a blush brush to apply Lace as an everyday blusher and use a fluffy powder brush to apply Pearls all over the highest point of my cheeks, the center of my face and my chin for an overall glow!



AMW wearing Pearls and Lace combination

Would you give Mary Kay Sheer Dimensions Powder a try?
If yes, which shade would you choose and how will you use it?


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(Products received as gift.  Reviews 100% mine. Please purchase at your own discretion.)

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Weekend Food Trip at: Lugang Cafe

I'm off to my goddaughter's birthday party and I can't wait to spend time again with my friends!  So obviously, I'm out to eat something again but I'm not leaving you with an empty space on my blog!  What to expect on today's post?  

Let's all say it together: "Food post!!!"  

Ah, I'm so happy when my appetite came back, I seriously missed enjoying each bite so when I hit 5th month and got my food mojo back, I said yes right away to a quick get-together with my high school friends as one of our close friend came home for the holidays from Singapore!

Restaurant for the day?  Lugang Cafe!

This is my second time dining at Lugang Cafe, the first one was during an event and I was really shy to pull out my camera to take food shots as it was an event!  It wasn't my party or something so believe it or not, this girl can get shy! *blushes* :P

Shall we get on to what Mr. AMW and I had that night? 

Steamed Crab Roe and Pork Xiao Long Bao
8pcs for Php268.00 (approx $6.70)
I've had this on my first visit and was happy with the amount of "soup" I get inside my Xiao Long Bao!  The soup was a bit too much though I wish they have more of the steamed crab roe and pork so I can at least taste something more! 


Golden Fried Rice with Shredded Pork
Php240.00 (approx $6.00)
I don't get it why rice dish have to be this small!  It can be shared but for someone with a huge appetite, this may not be enough for one person!  Lugang's version of Fried Rice is quite tasty.  With scrambled egg, cucumber, carrots and a whole lot more of other vegetables are included.  The shredded pork were a bit non-existent but so far, I'm still okay with this.


Beijing Shredded Pork (Served with pancakes)
Php280.00 (approx $7.00)
Upon seeing this dish on the menu, I nudged Mr. AMW to order this for me right away as the last time I had this dish was years ago when I was still working in Shenzhen, China!  The one I had in China is similar to the one served in this restaurant, the only difference is the "wrap", Lugang's version is like that of a spring roll wrap while in China, I had the shredded pork wrapped in tofu skin!  Both are equally good and I would order this again!





Vietnam Egg Rolls
Php180.00 (approx $4.50)
Really crispy and tasty egg rolls!  I love this dish so much I can't believe I'm ordering Vietnam dish in a Chinese restaurant!  This doesn't taste like most Vietnam rolls you try in other Vietnamese restaurants as this dish has a fusion of Chinese style cooking!


 

Let's not forget the Coca-Cola and Iced Tea combination!

Overall, the ambiance of the restaurant is great!  I love spending time there with friends and family.  Servers were a bit slow and confused with our orders and our friends got their meals more than 30 minutes after!

Lugang Cafe Greenhills
116 Connecticut St. Greenhills, San Juan  
Tel. No: (632) 542-0196


Have you tried Lugang Cafe?
Any other dish recommendations?

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Saturday, January 12, 2013

AMW Reviews: Yuka 2-in-1 Nail Polish Remover Solution and Cotton

Happy Saturday!!!  January seems to pass by pretty quickly and seriously speaking, my tummy isn't getting any smaller!  I'm really having mixed feelings right now, I want to see Baby AMW ASAP but I love my baby bump and the way Baby kicks me at wee hours of the night!  

Before I go dramatic over my pregnancy, I will be sharing a review on a cute product which I recently tried from my November BDJ Box.





Yuka says ---
Acetone-free.  No cotton needed.  Non-drying ingredients.  Trendy & fashionable.  No Mess.  No Spills.  Handy and Easy to Use. 

Available in: Orange, Grape and Strawberry
Ingredients: Dimethyl Carbonate, Glycerin, VE, K-15, Pronopol, Perfume.


AMW says ---
Pros
  • Super cute packaging!
  • The product is indeed mess free.  
  • Easy to tote along during travel!
  • Acetone-free.
  • 1 wipe can remove regular nail polish on 1 hand!
  • Inexpensive.
  • Scent is wonderful!  Doesn't have the strong acetone scent that could get irritating.
  • If each sheet was maximized, the 1 x Yuka Nail Polish Remover Wipes can remove nail polish up to 17 times!
Cons
  • Though the product is said to be acetone-free, it dries out my cuticle and leaves a dry feel.
  • Not widely available.  Have to order online for now. (But according to commenter Jing, this is available at Watsons, let me know if you find them at Watsons too! Thanks)
Overall
I find this product gives the easiest way to remove polish anytime anywhere!  Can easily remove almost all types of nail polishes plus acrylic paint but leaves a white film on top of your nails with a bit of dryness.

Tips
  • Keep in mind to close the container tight to keep the cotton from drying.
  • Though it is easy to just grab as many sheets as we can for removal, 1 sheet can be maximized up to 5 fingernails!  I've used maximum of 2 sheets for 10 fingernails. 
  • Store in cool, dry place.  Never in directly sunlight.  
  • If you wear glitter polish or any hard-to-remove polish, leave the cotton on top of your nails for a couple of seconds before wiping it off.
  • Proceed by applying cuticle oil or hand lotion immediately after nail polish removal to prevent cuticles and fingers from drying.
Will I repurchase?
Yes.

To whom do I recommend this to?
Nail polish enthusiasts who dislikes nail polish removal due to its messy nature!

Where to purchase and how much?
Available online on Facebook for Php68.00 (approx $1.70).  


Photos

Yuka Nail Polish Remover Wipes comes in 35 soaked sheets.

Each sheet is very thin thus you may grab at least 2 sheets in one go!

Remember my most recent nail art tutorial called Welcoming 2013 Nails?  As seen on the tutorial, I've used several polish shades plus the combination of acrylic paints and glitter polish!  Let's not forget the top coat!  


With 1 sheet of Yuka Nail Polish Remover Wipe, I was able to remove nail polish from my left hand!  The sheet did turned dry and almost ready to throw out on my 3rd nail, but because of this review, I tried to maximize the use of each sheet and so far, 5 is the maximum!

A closer look on all the colors that came off!  The only con that I mentioned is the appearance of white powdery substance on top of my nail and the dryness along the cuticles.

Would you go for conventional nail polish remover or a Nail Polish Remover Wipes like I did?
So far, this is a first for me to try pre-soaked nail polish remover wipes and the experience is quite good.  I am hoping to find more that has the same nice scent, same no-acetone ingredients without the dryness!  Any recommendations?

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Friday, January 11, 2013

AMW Reviews: Benefit Dallas Blush

Before Benefit Cosmetics came to the Philippines, I told myself that given the chance the brand gets here, I promise myself to grab as many Box O' Powders as I can and so far, I think I've done an okay job in a year of Benefit Philippines' existence!  *laughs*


Note to self on other Benefit Box O' Powders to try --- Sugarbomb, Dandelion, Thrrrob and Hoola! 



Benefit Dallas Blush is housed in a box packaging just like the rest of their box o' powders!  Well, that's the reason why