AMW Reviews: Charm Essentials Travel Pointed Foundation Brush

For someone who owns 3 professional brush sets and a couple of travel sets, you'd think I've seen and owned them all!

WRONG!

Recently, my dearest friend Sophie (who just celebrated her birthday) gifted me a gorgeous brush that's meant to be kept inside my makeup pouch!  (Sorry dear clients, I'm claiming this for personal use!) 

I've been meaning to blog about this last week but I have to wait for Charm to launch this brush first before I blab away!  Thankfully, this was launched 2 days ago and I'm so happy as the price is affordable so this gorgeous brush is within reach!  

Charm says ---

This ultra-versatile foundation brush applies and blends cream/liquid products to a flawless finish, and features a gently tapered tip that allows precision on targeted areas. Perfect for concealing and foundation application.

Our On-the Go Pointed Foundation Brush will blend in perfectly with your existing travel makeup kit, that you may never have to scrimp on flawless coverage wherever you go!

AMW says ---

Pros

• Has the usual Charm Pink handle.  
• Versatile - can be used to apply liquid/cream foundations, cream blush, concealer etc...
• Super soft, synthetic hair.  No scratchy feel.
• The pointed tip makes it easy to reach to areas like under the eyes, sides of the nose, etc...
• No shedding nor bleeding even on first wash.
• The brush hairs are dense and not flimsy at all!
• Though this is a travel size, the brush head is as good as PRO-sized brush.

• Inexpensive for the quality.

Cons

• Like any foundation brush, it takes double the effort to wash the brush properly as cream/liquid products are more difficult to remove.

Overall
Versatile brush that has the right density and control to create light, medium to heavy coverage!

Tips

• Wash upon purchase.
• If the brush is used with cream or liquid products, mix your baby shampoo with Extra Virgin Olive Oil or you may purchase inexpensive cleansing oils before washing it off with baby shampoo.
• After every use, it helps to wipe off some of the products on a clean towel or makeup remover wipes to prevent makeup from sticking into the brush hairs making it extra difficult to wash.
• If used to apply foundation: Dot foundation on areas of your skin that needed the most coverage, with Charm Essentials Travel Pointed Foundation Brush, brush the foundation downwards blending the foundation to the skin making sure to cover all areas.  
• If used to apply concealer/correction:  Dot the concealer on your problem areas by using your fingers, using the pointed tip of Charm Essentials Travel Pointed Foundation Brush, gently brush off hard edges to make it look more natural.
• If you plan to take this along for travel, it pays to put this brush inside a zip lock or use a brush protector to prevent stains on your makeup pouch.

Will I repurchase? 
I won't need to repurchase another one but I highly recommend this to others!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes to apply liquid/cream products with the use of brush!

Where to purchase and how much?
Available at Beauty and Minerals for Php399.00 (approx $9.30).  Also available at PurBeauty  Serendra, Crossings Shangri-la, Crossings Trinoma.  For readers based in Singapore, Charm makeup brushes are available via LushShop

Product photo and usage

A closer look on Charm Essentials Travel Pointed Foundation Brush

Brush hairs are synthetic (animal-friendly) and has a nice density.  The slanted portion of the brush (shown on photo below) makes blending a breeze with just a few downward strokes.  By using a brush in foundation application, you use lesser product and creates a more even, flawless finish.

For concealer application

I prefer dotting the concealer with my fingers on areas needed then gently brush off with soft, feather-like motion to make concealing more natural.

For Foundation Application

As I dot foundation on the center of my face, I use the brush to lightly spread the foundation using downwards stroke.  I like concentrating on foundation application at the center of my face as that's were most of my redness shows!  

It's best to always step back and check your foundation application, make sure everything is seamless then set with your preferred setting powder.

I actually requested Sophie to create a bigger version of this as I originally thought it would take me forever to apply foundation with a travel sized brush!  After road testing this new brush from Charm, I can happily shut my mouth!  I don't need to request for a bigger version as the brush size is equivalent to a full sized brush!  That's a huge value for money!  

How do you feel about Charm's newest brush?
Do you need the Pointed Foundation brush in your life?
Why or why not?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

(Product gifted to me.  Reviews 100% mine.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)

Nail Art Tutorial: Pow! Bam! Boom!

Happy Friday and it's Nail Art Tutorial Day!  

How's everyone?  I'm sure we're all in high spirits because weekend is within our reach!  As for me, it'll be a very busy day of errands plus, I get to meet my past colleagues for catch up tonight!  

As for my nails, I've done The Avengers and DC characters and while I was looking at my nail polish collection, I've thought of creating another colorful nail art to brighten up the rainy season but I want to veer away from the usual Superheroes' Chibi faces!  

Yeah, I think a lot!  *laughs*

Anyways, back to the story, I've decided to re-create how Superheroes would react on a fight scene!  Yes, I know some of you weren't even born yet! :P

Here's the famous Crash! Kapow! Zlonk! from Batman and Robin circa 19-forgotten! :P

AMW Reports: Lancome Shangri-La Grand Reopening

One counter reopening after another, I am so happy our cosmetic counters locally are revamping their look and definitely going beyond international standard!  I, together with some bloggers were invited for Lancome Shangri-La's Grand Reopening.  We were told that the Lancome counter in Rustan's Shangri-La is the most luxurious counter to date!  Read on and join me as I explore the new world of Lancome!

Did you know that?
The first Lancome event I've attended as a blogger was 3 years ago?  It was a sneak peek of Lancome's Oscillation Mascara!  (Read report HERE)

The grand re-opening started when we were welcomed by General Manager of L'Oreal Luxe Ms. Charisse Hernandez-Chua.  Then a ribbon cutting was done with the help of Rustan's Shangri-La's Mr. Steve Mawdsley.  Everyone was in high spirits!

Salon Report: Haircut at Salon Beauvoir

I love visiting different salons around the Metro.  Why?  Well, I get to feel the different vibe on each salon (even out of the country).  Going to salon is like going for a massage!  I love the feeling of having my hair pampered even for an hour, just like the rest of my body, I think our hair deserves the tender loving care!

Since my hair has been out of shape for the longest time, half a year without a trim!  Can't blame me, I've been very busy prettifying other people during my weekends and I tend to forget about myself!  So after a long and tiring week, I've finally booked myself a hair appointment with the help of Char!  (Thanks Char!)

Okay, I've seen a lot of posh looking salons in the past but this one topped the list for the moment ---  Salon Beauvoir!

Salon Beauvoir means "Beautiful View" in French and so far, as I stepped in the salon located at Somerset Olympia Building in Makati, I was indeed amazed by the luxurious interior that reminded me so much of a view inside a prestigious cruise line!  Imagine "Titanic" the modern version! :)

As I waited for my turn, I was offered a Raspberry Iced Tea drink as I plopped myself into this gorgeous velvet couch and there I see international and local magazines to choose from!  I was also busy updating my phone's email as the salon is equipped with Free WIFI!

Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss in Coralista Review

Coralista lip gloss!  Rings a bell?

As you all know, these Plush lip glosses from Benefit were inspired by their popular blushes!  Unfortunately, I do not own all the famous blushes of Benefit but I'm glad that they came up with such idea!  Isn't it cute to pair a Coralista blush with Coralista Plush Lip Gloss?  It's a no-brainer blush and lip product matching!

At the most recent Benefit Bloggers Event (slash) almost sorority-type of event  *lol*, we were each given the newest product to join in our Benefit counter int he Philippines --- The Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss!   I nearly set this aside as I'm not a fan of anything with "plush" on a lip product as I have thick, full lips to start with!  'Nuff said!  I don't want to make it look like it has been stung by a bee! 

Just when I was in a rush to leave my home, I grabbed one lip product for retouch and it was the Benefit Coralista Lip Gloss.  I nearly drove back just to get the right lip retouch product but I was too late to even bother!  Was my evening miserable for bringing a wrong product?  Or did I end up with a hot, young (young talaga?) man because of my "Angelina JoLips"?  *laughs*  Kindly read on to know how I feel about this product!

Benefit says ---

Our new plush glosses glide on extra smooth and feel ahhh-mazingly silky & luxurious. The six irresistible shades, from sultry nudes to punchy pinks, come in soft-squeeze tubes with a custom tip designed for perfectly even application. Beauty bonus: They’re the perfect partners for our bestselling box o' powders!

• dandelion (soft pearly pink)
• dallas (dusty rose)
• sugarbomb (shimmering pinky nude)
• CORALista (sheer coral)
• bella bamba (sheer bright watermelon)
• hoola (shimmering golden nude)

Size: 15.0 mL, 0.5 US fl. oz
Ingredients: