AMW Reviews: Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm

I fell in love with the Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm the moment I laid my eyes on them!  I first saw them at Clinique counter but didn't get the chance to try the testers because I seldom do! :)

I told myself: "Great!  I need to find my big-holed sharpener for this!"

(Totally clueless girl, I know!)

What a big surprise when I read online reviews on how moisturizing this lip color balm is, but also how it's wonderfully packaged like a crayon minus the sharpening!

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm says ---

Super-nourishing balm is loaded with mango and shea butters. Just what dry, delicate lips need to feel comfortably soft and smooth. Eight natural-looking lip tints in all, each with a subtle sheen.

AMW says ---

Pros

• Super cute to look at, packaging is the same shade as lip balm shade.
• I never have to sharpen it as the product can be swiveled.

•  Doesn't dry out my lips!  Can be applied even without lip balm. 
•  Very natural to look at no matter what shade you choose.
• Though a tinted lip balm, it is a bit more pigmented than regular tinted balms.
• The shade stays longer than other tinted balms.
• Doesn't dry out my lips.

Cons

• Colors aren't that bold if you are someone who are looking for boldly colored lip product.
• A bit pricey if you aren't used to shelling out more than Php500.00 for a lip color balm.

Overall
Clinique made a perfectly packaged lip product plus the texture and color is amazing!

Tips

• Always store in cool, dry place.  Do not leave this inside the car as it may melt.
• Even with it's perfect "crayon" shape, I strongly suggest to still use a lip brush if you plan to apply this to others.
• You can outline your lips first prior to filling in the rest of your lips.
• You can use this as a balm underneath by dabbing a bit of the moisture with a napkin then re -apply with similarly colored lipstick!  The Clinique Chubby Stick can amplify the color of your lipstick plus it protects your lips from drying.
• Always swivel back the lipstick before you close the cap to prevent lipstick accidents.
• For weddings: I like applying a lip liner all over the lips on bride for longwear, then top with the Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm for a very nice, and natural wedding day look!
  

Will I repurchase?
Yes!  In other shades.

To whom do I recommend this to?
Those who like natural colored lips with loads of moisture!

Where to purchase and how much?
At Clinique counters for Php960.00 (approx $22.30).

 Shade is named even on tube

07 Super Strawberry

 On packaging, the color reminded me so much

of a "matte bright red" crayon

Don't let the "look" deceive you! 
With once swipe, it shoes a nice reddish tint

Applied on lips 

I know my lips are still dry but considering on HOW DRY my lips originally are

well, it looks way much better with the help of the Chubby Stick!

Have you tried Clinique's Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm?
What's the next shade I should purchase?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: I am Pucca!

I've long discovered Pucca and Garu even before they became famous in the Philippines!  Such big words to say but I honestly believe so! :)

11 years ago, fresh from college and Dial-up connection was still a hit back then, I love browsing through internet checking out random websites because I am so intrigued with anything outside my territory!  As "then boyfriend" Mr. AMW was helping me out with my super slow computer, we chanced upon a site called Pucca Club and we got drawn into her cute chinky eyes and big cuddly face!  We patiently loaded each animation and watch how she chased the love of her life --- Garu!

My First Pucca Wallpaper 

on My First Laptop

To keep you out of boredom!  *laughs*  I got addicted to Pucca and my wonderful brother would purchase them from Xiamen, China just because he loves me!  (He doesn't admit this but I'm sure I'm right!)  Even my students in China would send me Pucca gifts from floor mats to inflatable Pucca seat to clock, spoon and fork and a whole lot of Pucca she bangs!  Yes, people say I remind them of Pucca! (Okay, so I have huge round face and small eyes...thanks a lot!  *lol*)

AMW Reviews: Suesh 7pcs Brush Set

In my opinion, a make up artist can never have enough brushes!  I may own a couple of brush sets but I do have brushes used by me and only me!  Another set for clients and a whole lot of extra sets for make up gigs that requires me to prettify 5 and above clients and no time in between for me to clean my brushes!  

Been there, done that and I am so thankful for extra brush sets!

Suesh 7pcs Brush Set

Suesh 7pcs Brush set says ---

(sorry no description found on site)

Once you open up the faux leather brush holder,

you see 7pcs of brushes carefully wrapped individually 

(Note: Please do keep in mind that I named these brushes individually
as I do not have the exact names of it.)

Powder Brush
Pros

• Very soft even after  wash.
• No shedding.
  

Cons

• None
  

Used for

• Powder foundation, setting powder, powdered blush and bronzing powder application.
• Re-touch.
• This brush can also be used as a contouring brush by pressing the brush hairs in between your fingers forming a "fan" shape and gently apply contouring powder right below the cheek bones.

Stippling Brush
Pros

• Has a nice "bounce" and "stippling" form of application is actually possible!
• 1-2 pcs of hair shed after first wash.  Not much on usage.

Cons

• I personally like my stippling brush to be denser.

Used For

• Stippling liquid/cream foundation.
• Liquid/cream blush application.

Foundation brush

Pros

• Black synthetic hair which doesn't have the usual "stain" we get on lightly colored foundation brush even after washing.
• Soft to touch and feel.
• No shedding.

Cons

• Quite small in size so it'll take a bit longer time to finish the whole face for liquid/cream foundation application.

Used for

• Because of the "con" I prefer to use this as a cream/liquid concealer brush due to its size.
• Cream blush application.

Big Fluffy Brush

Pros

• No shedding
• Very soft and no scratchy feel.
• Multi-tasking brush.

Cons

• None.  As you can definitely work with your face with or without this brush
  

Used for

• Highlighting small areas like the brow bone, nose bridge and cheekbones.
• 1 eyeshadow application on eyes with big lid space.
• Contouring the nose.

Blending Brush
Pros

• No shedding
• Not scratchy at all!
• Has a nice density and brush is easy to control.
  

Cons

• For eyeshadow blending: size is too big to be used on people with small lid space!
  

Used for

• Blending eye shadows for people with bigger lid space.
• Contouring the nose.
• Applying correctors or concealers on specific areas like under the eyes and spots.
• Removing fall outs during eye shadow application.

Flat Eyeshadow Brush
Pros

• Very soft.
• No shedding.
• Can be used to apply dry or wet eye shadows.
• Made of synthetic bristles so this can be used on both dry or wet eye shadow application.
  

Cons

• Will not grab as much pigments as compared to flat eyeshadow brushes made from natural animal hair.

Used for

• Foiling or packing eye shadows on lids.

Liner Brush
Pros

• No shedding.
• Unique, as not all brush sets has this particular brush.

Cons

• Will be very difficult to use by first time gel liner users.
• Hair on the tip is not as pointed as I want it to be.
• The most tricky brush to wash and take care of.

Used for

• Eyeliner application.
• Draw particular shapes or pictures on Avant Garde make up.

Overall
This is an okay set to start with if you are planning to purchase one that's housed in a good size perfect for travel.  The brushes included in this set can make you easily create different makeup looks.  I only wish the blending brush isn't as huge so small-lidded individuals like myself can enjoy this set fully!  Oh, and I kinda missed having a lip brush inside the set! :)

Will I repurchase?

No.  So far, my first ever brush set from Suesh (28pcs) is still alive and kicking!  So I hope this one will last me long too!

To whom do I recommend this to?

Amateur or professionals who want to carry a smaller version of their brush set for "anytime, anywhere" touch-ups.

Where to purchase and how much?
At Suesh for Php2,400 (approx $55.80).

Speaking of girls (like me) who can never get enough of brush sets, guess what?  My dear Aunt from the US came back to the Philippines for a visit last year and look what she gifted me! :)

My very own Kirkland 2011 Brush Set!!!

The brush holder looks like a gorgeous purse!

Comes with 10 deluxe brushes 

 10pcs you say? Where's the other 2?

The other 2 face brushes 

are hidden inside this removable pouch

See? Aren't they cute?

They've been raved online and was said to be inexpensive brush set that's worth every single penny!  I am glad I own this set and I don't even know if I'll be reviewing this as Costco Kirkland creates unique Holiday Brush sets once a year!

This set will definitely be put to "personal" use :)   Thanks Aunty Rose for this!

If you're a make up artist like me, 
do you separate personal and professional brush sets?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Makeover: The Entourage of the Cool Bride and Groom

Happy Tuesday everyone!!! :) I hope you did not have a hard time dragging yourself to work!

As promised, I will share to you the Entourage makeup I've done as a continuation to "The Cool Bride and Groom" post I've done last week!  These girls are amazing!  As early as 4:00am, they were as hyper, perky and talkative as I am! 

Maid Of Honor

Skin condition: Oily on the t-zone, dry on some areas

Request: Any type of look that would make her look "awake" and naturally pretty!

Her skin is gorgeous to start with but the most important part of her makeover is the skin "prep".  I want to make sure her "oilies" are well controlled so I used an oil control primer on the t-zone and a moisturizing primer on dry patches like her cheeks.  The client has semi hooded lid so I applied her eye makeup in a way that will help make her eyes look "uplifted".

She gets red easily so I opted to apply a tiny amount of matte pink blush to prevent her from looking "flushed" the whole wedding party!  A complimentary pinkish shade of lipstick was used to make her look sweet and fresh!

Bridesmaid #1

Skin condition: Dry 

Request: Very light, minimal, almost "no makeup" look

Bridesmaid 1 has a nice baby faced that any makeup artist would like to play around with makeup and create different looks.  This bridesmaid is an exception, she requested for an "almost no makeup look" and even requested if I could just apply blush and lipstick.

I SAID NO!  *laughs*

No matter how scared a person is on makeup, I always reassure them that make up is there not to "change" the look of the person but to enhance their beauty.  I applied a very light, moisturizing foundation with a foundation brush and started at the center of her face and thinly blend out to the rest of her face.  Instead of piling up on foundation, I went back to concealing some redness and tiny spots on her face using the same foundation.  

Since I wanted to do a light eye makeup on her, I did not thicken her brows but just filled in the gaps making it more defined.  I applied a very light pinkish eyeshadow and lined it with pencil liner instead of the user gel liners.  I coated her lashes with loads of mascara, applied pinkish blush and pink lipstick, she's happy with the result!

Bridesmaid #2

Skin condition: Normal with under eye darkness

Request: None, I'm free to do what I want

I trimmed her brows with her permission and filled gaps and brushed the brows in place with a brow gel.  It is very important for me to make her eye makeup light as she will be taking care of a kid in between her wedding responsibility.  I corrected her under eye well with an orange corrector and applied a foundation shade that is similar to her neck color.

Peachy blush was used with a coral lipstick which was disappeared a bit when the after photo was taken as the client ate her breakfast :)

Bridesmaid #3

Skin condition: Normal, Acidic

Request: None

Her brows are light in color so I took time to use my K-Palette Tattoo Brow Liner to make her brows almost the same shade as her hair. 

For eye makeup, a bronze-y shade and matte brow was used to enhance her gorgeous eyes!  While waiting for the foundation to settle in and get to the same color as her neck, I applied shimmery blush from MAC and a nice deep reddish brown lipstick.

 

Fun shot of the bridesmaids wearing their gorgeous gowns

Happy faces can always make the makeup artist's job easier!

The photo was taken several minutes before they leave the room to accompany the bride!

 

**Hair done by talented KIM

Have you been part of an entourage?
What kind of makeup was done and do you like it?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Royal Effem Compact Blusher Review

I get compliments each time I use this blusher.  The shade is actually considered "color of the year".  Yes, it's orange!  Crazy looking orange on pan but it looks wonderful on my cheeks!

A couple of weeks ago, I shared to you the new brand that arrived called Royal Effem (read post HERE), prior to meeting the people behind Royal Effem Philippines, I did my own research and checked out their products and read reviews from overseas bloggers!

Amidst the 98% positive reviews, I am not that impressed!  Whatever works for them may not work for us so I went on to meet Sarah and her husband I was super glad they brought all their testers with them so I can do the "watchful eye like a hawk" *raises eyebrow*  hahaha

Royal Effem Compact Blusher

in 029

Sarah told me she wanted me to steer away from pinks as she's always been seeing me with pink blushes on FOTDs and she wanted me to try something unique and different.  Once I saw the shade, I let out a tiny "eeeekkk!" as it was super bright on pan!