How to: Dark Lips and Dark Eyes

Hello AMW Friends!
Today is the day, the day you probably won't see often!  Me in dark eye makeup and lips!  But I like the change, I like to go out of my comfort zone once in awhile and love it even more when my husband says: "I have a new wife!"  #lol #cheesy

So here's my super quick and easy dark eyes and dark lips look!  I hope you like it!

AMW Reviews: NARS Skin Luminous Moisture Cream

You know how they say when you have dry or normal skin, using face primer is not necessary?  Feel free to look at your current skincare regimen, some of your skin care product can actually work as a makeup base!

SO TRUE!

And I've been loving my moisturizer that has "luminous" property!  With no exception, the sample size I got from NARS when I purchased some of their products!  The NARS Skin Luminous Moisture Cream.  

Thank God for samples and I love how I can test at least a week's worth of product in this tiny handy tube!

NARS Skin Luminous Moisture Cream says ---

Replenishes skin with 24-hour intense hydration and restores luminosity that naturally diminishes over time. Enriched with Beech Bud Extract to boost collagen production* and potent anti-oxidants to combat free radical damage. Contains the NARS exclusive Light Reflecting Complex™ designed to restore skin's youthful radiance and reflect light like a prism.

• Ideal for normal to dry and seasonally dry skin.
• Dermatologist Tested & Non-Comedogenic
• Synthetic Fragrance Free, Paraben Free, Alcohol Free
• 1.7 oz/50ml

Unsung Hero: Benefit's Play Stick Foundation

I've done so many works for the brand Benefit Cosmetics.  And mind you, I know all their products by heart!  If you ask me, I have a lot of favorites and not-so favorites!  But I realized, there's one Benefit Product I felt didn't get the attention "it" deserves!  I've used this product so many times on shoot and on myself but realized I haven't done any proper review!  So please let me know if this is also the first time you heard about the product!

AMW Wore Her Favorite Benefit Product --- any guesses?

Definitely not hair product though my hair looks darn full in this photo!  *laughs*

It's called the Play Stick Foundation!  

How to: Contour for Photography

Happy Monday AMW Friends!  I know I've talked a lot of times about contouring in my blog and you're probably wondering why I'm opening this topic up again!  

Firstly, contouring will never get old!  Secondly, this is a more "intense" contouring because we're talking about "photography makeup".  

I remembered during my makeup artistry days, "Makeup For Photography" gets a full day's worth of attention!  (Especially black and white photography!  I'll get to that topic if you guys wanted that!  Please let me know!)  And I'm sure at least once in our lives, we need to prettify ourselves to face the camera!  And we don't want the "I look so pale in those photos or why can't I see my makeup?"

Here's my version of how I would contour whenever I get to face the camera!  (eye makeup not included because I want to focus on contour!)

The basic question is, what is the best contour powder?  Sadly, you won't get an answer here because the shade of your contour powder will always depend on your skintone!  I can only share you the basic "rules" to note for ---

• Contour powder should ALWAYS be matte.
• Steer clear from bronzers!  They are not meant for contouring!
• Try to pick shades that lean on to a "grayish" tint rather than orange.
• If you don't want to think hard, choose your favorite powder foundation shade that is at least 2-3 shades darker (again, remember tip above, should not have orange tone)
• Always test on your skin, not at the back of your hand!

For this particular tutorial, I would love to pick my favorite Happy Skin Feeling Scupltacular Kit,

but, just to prove to you that sometimes, your contour powder can also come from eyeshadows or brow powders, I'm picking up Ellana Mineral Cosmetics Eyeshadow and Eyebrow Quad.

The thing is, most eyebrow powders have non-orange tint making it the perfect contour shade!  My favorite contour shade is called "Beloved", it works for fair to medium skin.

Lipstick of the Day: A Lip Gloss that Helps!

And it's limited edition so hurry hurry hurry!

It is called Mary Kay Beauty That Counts™ NouriShine Plus™ Lip Gloss, if you think this is just another swirly gloss, think again!

Continuing the tradition of the Beauty That Counts™ NouriShine Plus™ Lip Gloss in Create Change (the original best-selling gloss) is available to all Filipinas who want to glow for a change or want to be part of something that helps women and children in need.