Readers' Corner: Q&A Portion to Jumpstart 2015

Hi AMW friends!
Today, I will be answering some queries I get from my email!  I think I have to do this or else, I will be loaded forever!  :P  Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with all your emails because that keeps me going!  If you wonder how I get the time to blog?  That's for you to find out *winks*  Just joking, I do so in between breaks!  When I have coffee break or right now, a Calamansi juice break! 

Reader Question #1

"What should I invest on aside from makeup kit and brushes if I plan to pursue a career in makeup artistry?"

AMW Answers:

Okay, my answer may probably surprise you but I can actually  put this in an "Unsung Hero" post.  After years of doing makeup, I realized how important Z-Palette is (or any customizable palettes available in the market) for a PRO MUA like me!  Especially when I started to go on gigs on my own, lugging a huge Zuca bag, it is very difficult to transfer from one place to another (ALONE) with a luggage full of makeup, a huge mirror and a bag!  

I first "depotted" all my face powders and transferred it to my first Pink Z-Palette and I realized not only does it help lessen the load of my kit, it is very easy for me to do retouch as I only need to carry 1 palette instead of 6 compacts!  

I got more Z-palettes and I plan to depot some of my blushes and contour/highlight powders!  

I got my 2nd Z-palette online via Shopping District. 

Reader Question #2
"Nikki, can you recommend a lipgloss brand that has wide range of colors just like MAC but lesser the price tag?"

Koji Brow Specialist in Soft Brown Review

Last year, when my brother told me he will be staying in Hong Kong for a couple of days before coming back home and asked me what I need, my mind turned blank because stores after stores of Sasa and Bonjour flashed inside my head!  How I missed store hopping!  

So I told him, any "brow mascara" that is light brown!  During those times, there aren't much light colored brow products except "Girl Boy" from MAC!  So I asked him just to pick from any brand as long as the shade is light!  

Thanks to WhatsApp, he showed me pictures after pictures of brow mascaras and I gave him a big YES when I saw this!

 Aren't I lucky to have a such a good brother who don't mind getting in Sasa stores and ask for brow mascaras from SAs?

What caught my attention aside from the fact that the shade is PURRFECT (Soft Brown) is the size of the wand!  3mm!  The smallest brow mascara wand I own to date! 
And the brand?  KOJI --- Koji is a well known brand who also owns the famous Dolly Wink (and some more!) 

AMW Reviews: Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser

Good Morning AMW friends :)

I just want to say, my 2015 started off a bit "off", my house help/semi-yaya decided to leave without prior notice so yes, I'm a full-time momma trying to squeeze in work when toddler AMW naps!  It is VERY difficult I tell you, but hey!  I'm still here, de-stressing and relaxing my muscles with a good cup of tea before I hit the sack!  

I just realized, a lot of you have been waiting for my Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser review which I originally thought I'm done with the review!  Sorry :)

"Is it the same as Benefit Porefessional?"
"How does it compare with Smashbox Photo Finish Primer?"
"Does this product work?  I want to know as this is inexpensive as compared to other primers!"

I will definitely give you a straight answer in this post! :)  Ready?  READY!

Maybelline says ---

Bye-Bye Pores!
One second away from smooth, poreless skin.

• Insta-blur technology visibly smoothes pores away.
•  Can be worn alone or under makeup.
•  Non-comedogenic and fragrance-free.

I Wonder: Which Philosophy Product/s Do You Love?

Philosophy has been around for quite some time but I was too busy using my well-loved brands/products that I kinda missed giving this brand a chance!  So when I received a cute floral box over the holidays with "What Do You Love" card that greeted me, I literally sat down, stared at the box (photographed below) unmoved....

What do I really Love?
Thankfully, I am blessed with good friends and family who showered me with love!  I am definitely one lucky girl (thank God) to have received all the love from family, friends and even people whom I haven't met in person (YOU!)  From there, I am able to give out LOVE without expecting anything in return. 

As I browse through the personalized card (Great Job Philosophy team and the agency for researching well), it was a "spot on" card that features "What I Love" --- my husband, my son and my Blogger friends.  

And that, came from a stranger who just browsed through my Facebook profile, probably my Blog site or Instagram --- they were able to come up with a conclusion on "Who I Love" and that got me thinking, if you love something/someone...it will really shine through as clear as a glass!  So why hide it?  Tell the world "What Do You Love" and "What Matters to you"  Life is too short to always play "safe" and keep secrets! :)

Ayan na naman ako sa mala-Advice blog na to! :)  Now going back to the brand, I am so happy to receive the top 3 brands that I actually want to try!

Weekend Food Trip at: Poco Deli

Funny how allergic we are (as a couple) when we read Kapitolyo as part of a restaurant's address.  But when our highschool friends, whom we haven't seen for more than a year "Viber-ed" us for a New Year's get-together and the restaurant mentioned is located at Kapitolyo, Pasig, we just had to be there so we used Google Map and realized it isn't that far as we thought!  I am sorry, for someone who has been stuck in traffic for almost 4 hours (one way) during the month of December, you can't blame us for being a "home body". 

That fateful day arrived and it took us less than an hour from Downtown Manila to Kapitolyo, thankfully, the meet-up was after Christmas Day so traffic was better!  With #KyleNash and Mr. AMW, we went in Poco Deli and immediately felt the place to be small yet cozy and never crowded!  Upon entering, I see ice cream stand with cheese and deli products --- ahhh feels like home to us!