Smashbox Photo Finish Light Review

Smashbox Photo Finish Light for Php 2,300 (approx) at Beauty Bar

I have dry skin!!! And I'm proud of it! So people might think dry-skinned individuals do not need primers. Wrong wrong wrong! I believe we all can benefit from a face primer especially for make-up junkies like me.

Photofinish Primer from Smashbox was around for quite some time. I've been meaning to get the original version as a lot of reviews would say this Light version would be great for oily skin. I thought about it and you know what made me decided to use the light version? My facial wash, to toners down to the moisturizers are all for "dry skinned" meaning, most of the products I use have extra moisturizers already and I don't want to add more from the Primer and I don't want my skin to start breaking out!

Good decision! I've been using this face primer for a month now and so far, it hasn't failed me! I've used this primer for liquid foundation, cream foundation, mineral foundation and it all works good! I usually reapply or pat with a face powder like 4 times a day (t-zone area) and now, I pat like once for the whole day! :)

Smashbox Photo Finish Light says ---

Create a perfect canvas for foundation application with this silky blend of vitamins A & E, grape seed extract and green tea. The best-selling formula helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores for visibly softer skin. Wear under foundation to increase its longevity, or alone for a velvety-smooth finish.

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• really, it does create a smooth canvas
• doesn't make me break out
  
• doesn't have funny smell (I hate that)
• makes my foundation lasts longer

Cons

• added regimen to my morning ritual (but it's worth it)
• a bit expensive (but it can last a long time)

Tip

I tried applying this photo finish primer with a sponge, a brush and my fingers. The sponge kinda reduce the photo finish primer by absorbing some of it so lesser amount will get to your skin. Brush is great and hygienic, but you have to do the strokes fast as the primer dries quickly and may cause blotchiness. Fingers for me is the best way to apply this primer, but if you're doing make-up to other people, brush is just fine :D

Your askmewhats,
Nikki

MAC Lipglass in Prrr Review

I am a lip gloss addict!!!! (well, aside from being a mascara, foundation, e/s, etc...) *giggles*

I am one hell of a lady who loves to lick my lips! And putting on a super glossy and sticky lipgloss is yucky and gross for me!!! I ended up not putting any at all and finally ended up with a chapped dry lips :)

Aside from my ever faithful lip balms and moisturizers, I am always in search for a good lipgloss that I can really stick my butt to! That's were MAC Lipglass came in to my life.

Here's how it looks like in Prrr color

With Flash





Without Flash





Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• it is indeed very natural "glossy" "dewy" kinda look
• it isn't too sticky, just the right kind
• has a whole wide range of colors
• doesn't taste yucky
• it did stayed for more than an hour (considering most lipglosses I used won't last an hour)
  

Cons

• it is a bit pricey compared to other lip glosses available in the market
• that's it! for now :D

Will I repurchase?
Yes, in different colors :D

Your askmewhats,
Nikki

MAC Studio Fix Foundation Review

I am a liquid/cream foundation person, but there will be days when I'm lazy, I will be off for a powder. I've always wanted to try MAC Studio Fix foundation since college. I've always been a powder person and I've used Clinique, Almay etc.. As you can see, I have sensitive skin and I've always used products that are hypo-allergenic.

The curiosity person in me wanted to try MAC Studio Fix foundation, with all the good reviews and coverage that I've heard it can do....I went to a MAC store and tested on the foundation all over my face and walked around the mall and waited for an ugly head to rear out. It didn't! That's when I finally decided to buy a MAC foundation and I was told I'm an NC35.

I don't know if you guys can see, I don't have much breakouts on my cheek but there's dryness, there's a bit of redness and flakiness. (Note: I didn't put on any moisturizer)

Here's a pix of my before picture with a silly cheek (pardon my silly Mickey Mouse earrings :P)




And here4's after one application of the MAC Studio Fix in NC35 (using a kabuki brush)



I've applied to my neck as well and as you can see, the color is matched and it looks more flawless. (sorry bad pix but it really shows in real life! hahaha)

Anyways, like most people would say, don't use the sponge, as it can cause pimples, I only use it if I forgot my brush, and applying using the sponge is a bit too thick for me.

I will definitely purchase this product again :) I just hope it works for me for a long long time!

Your askmewhats,
Nikki

Simple "No Make-Up" look for Office girls

Our beautiful model Shanna wants a simple yet striking look last Friday. She wants a look that doesn't seem too made up yet there's a bit of "something there" factor.

I always start with a clean, moisturized face. Then use a foundation that would match her skin tone to balance out the colors. And minimize her undereye circles with a concealer.

I prepped her lids with UDPP primer



Then, I put a creamy brownish gold shadow over the lid and above the crease (creamy e/s will make your powder e/s lasts longer and also serves as a base)




Then a powdery blue shadow was applied on the lids for colorful effect




Clean off excess shadows



Put in eyeliner (I used liquid) and I applied it close to her lashline for "barely there" look




I applied cream blush (not shown on pix) and dust it with a translucent loose powder to set the whole look



Apply lip gloss for "dewy" lips




Voila!!! Very very light and neat barely there look :) Thanks Shanna for the fun time!




BEFORE


AFTER




Your askmewhats,
Nikki

Mandarin Wok Cafe Experience

We went to SM Mall of Asia (aka SM MOA) yesterday, to...well..SHOP!

We had a quick lunch so by 5pm, both my hubby and I got super hungry! We saw this resto called Mandarin Wok and this resto reminded us so much of "Cafe de Coral" in Hong Kong. Cafe de Coral is like a MUST for us to eat when we go to HK :) So we gave in and had a snack there.

This is how the restaurant looks like with their big menu on the wall. Self service though, pay as you order




We decided to give in to the Braised Soyed Tofu as I'm a tofu lover. What I like about his is their presentation, he tofus were arranged pretty well and it looks really presentable. The only thing with this is, this would taste way much better if they fried the tofu instead, this tastes ok but not "wow".

(Braised Soyed Tofu for Php55.00)

We ordered the extra large Beef Wonton noodle soup as we plan on sharing! :) As compared to the small bowl, this is how big it is....

(Beef Wonton Noodle Soup for Php135.00)

The beef tastes really good, soft and easy to chew. The wonton can be improved, as the wonton is quite small. Noodles and soup tastes great! But with the XL serving, they should've added more noodles.

Overall, the experience is ok, we will come back again to try their bestseller of Baked Chicken rice and Baked Pork Chop Rice. Both are in HUGE servings, good for sharing and Php185.00 each.

Enjoy your Sunday guys! Happy food hunting!

Mandarin Wok Cafe
G/F Entertainment Bldg. SM Mall of Asia

Your askmewhats,
Nikki