PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: MAC AMPLIFIED CREME LIPSTICK IN KRAFT (PRET-A-PAPIER COLLECTION)

Here's an initial review on MAC AMPLIFIED CREME LIPSTICK IN KRAFT (PRET-A-PAPIER COLLECTION)

PRICE: 950PHP

PLACE BOUGHT: MAC, GLORIETTA

OTHER LOCATIONS: MAC ONLINE; MAC SHANGRI- LA MALL; MAC POWERPLANT MALL; MAC MARIONNAUD, SM MALL OF ASIA

THE VERDICT:

Kraft is one of my most awaited purchases from the PAP collection. The swatches online looked so good! And since I'm on the search for the perfect brown lippie, taking chances with the swatches online and purchasing Kraft were very good decisions!

Kraft is in the amplified creme finish. It moisturizes while giving your lips intense color pigmentation.

Kraft is a cinnamon brown shade. It reminds me of the lipstick in Touch, which is in the lustre finish. But the former is a tad darker than the latter.

But don't fret when I say that it is a dark shade. Kraft is indeed very wearable. I've been searching for the perfect brown lippie and I think I've found it! It compliments my skin tone, and it enhances my earth- toned make- up look. It's best paired with MAC's Blush Ombre in Springshine, or any other brown/beige/cinnamon blush.

Since I got a bit dark, Kraft has the tendency to look a bit nude on me. But when layered a bit, the cinnamon brown color shows! I love this lippie! I hope that MAC includes this as a part of the line or they repromote the shade again. :)

She Walks A Very Fine Line

Once in a great while someone special

comes along...

who walks a very fine line~

A line for the finest things in life,

a fine line for detail, a fine line for beauty,

a fine line that only her eyes can see,

draw, paint & create.

She is a fine line of golden thread

who nurtures and respects nature~

When one like her comes into your life,

you must share her

with all of who you know~

So please my friends,

meet.... Dana from

The Ginger Parasol

&

her exquisent website

A Fine Line Studio

Dana found this image on my website...

she then sketched & painted this!
Truly
A. M. A. Z. I. N. G.


Invitation Suites Stewart

These beautiful hand written

calligraphy wedding invitations were designed
for a sweet bride. Dana has created and named her series
~Invitations Suites~
after her special brides & grooms.

Dana designed & created this business card recently.
Her only instructions were...
"just as the competition for the most exotic colors and flavors
continue to unfurl in Paris...with gold gilt engraving, of course."
Dana engraved in gold on chocolate European paper!
Her client loved that it was like a classic bittersweet chocolate macaroon with a touch of edible gold leaf or classic French gold gilt~ This card will represent to her clients customers the love for the simple chocolate macaroon with a bittersweet chocolate ganache filling~

Dana's words...

"I do what I love … being an artist ∙ designer ∙ calligraphist ∙ gardener ∙ shopaholic ∙ proprietress of A Fine Line ~ a stationery boutique and lover of all things paper … I love what I do ~creating an artful life".

Please go visit Dana especially if you are in need of custom invitations,

stationary, business cards, or a personal watercolor~

She is the BEST!!!

Uh Uh Uh!!!

Have a week with

"puddles of inspiration"

my friends!

Thank You Noel for introducing Dana to me when she custom ordered

Miss Swan from you~

XO's

fin

photo 1 google images, 2, 4 frenchblue and co. 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 the ginger parasol

RAID MY KITS!

Here are my two kits that I always bring with me everyday. I never leave home without any of the two. One is for vanity, and the other is for hygiene.

I've raided my kits for you guys so you would see what I bring with me to keep me clean and fresh all day, everyday.

This minnie mouse make- up kit from Tokyo Disneyland is spacious enough to house all my beauty stuff, and compact enough to fit in almost any of my bags. I like this kit so much because it doesn't become too stuffed, allowing my make- ups to have good space to prevent being crushed.

1. ROSEBUD SALVE

- for emergency burns and for overall moisturizing treatment. It's a savior in times when I need to heal a chapped or dry part on my skin.

2. MAKE UP FOR EVER LIFT CONCEALER (2)

- My HG concealer as of the moment. Keeps my eyes bright, my dark circles concealed, and I can re- apply it on top of make- up!

3. SEPHORA MATTIFYING COMPACT POWDER

- My HG face powder.

4. MAC BLUSH IN INSTANT CHIC (PRET-A-PAPIER COLLECTION)

- My "Blush of the moment". I wear this everyday. It just fits any lipstick and outfit!

5. GIORGIO ARMANI SHINE LIPSTICK IN 4 DARK ROSE

- My "Lippie of the moment". I love the shade!

6. SHU UEMURA EYELASH CURLER

- Keeps my lashes primped and pretty. It's with me for 4 years already and it still works perfectly!

7. MAYBELLINE UNSTOPPABLE NATURAL BROW LINER (BLACK)

- My brows should always be groomed everyday. And this eyeliner gives me lush and groomed brows. I'm lovin' the softness of the pencil and shade, plus the eyebrow brush!

8. CHARM POWDER BRUSH AND BLUSH BRUSH (FROM THE CHARM TRAVEL BRUSH COLLECTION)

- I don't use eyeshadows on a daily basis so I decided to just bring the two from the set.

9. BEJEWELLED MIRROR

- It's a two- way mirror, and I'm lovin' the studded design! I got this one from Beijing, China

10. LEYENDE FACE CANVASS (IN WHITE JAR)

- Transferred some to a travel jar from Beabi. Provides a good base for my make- up.

11. MAYBELLINE COLOSSAL MASCARA (BLACK)

- Mascara is an essential make- up product to me. And Maybelline is my HG brand for mascaras, and Colossal is my ultimate favorite because it gives me lush and natural- looking lashes.

12. ECLAT D' ARPEGE LANVIN

- Well, this doesn't fit in the make- up kit. But I also bring a perfume with me everyday because I love smelling good! EDA is my HG scent.

This transparent pouch is from Avon. It came along with a lingerie top and underwear set. I use this expandable and space- saving pouch to house my hygiene products

1. ORAL CARE TRAVEL TOOTHBRUSH

- It's soft, and it doesn't make my sensitive teeth bleed. It's thin, which makes it space- saving!

2.EUCRYL SMOKER'S TOOTHPASTE

- I love coffee and I smoke so I always brush my teeth when I'm out with this.

3. RUBBING ALCOHOL

- I always use alcohol right after washing my hands.

4. TRAVEL BODY GEL

- This is from a hotel. I have a lot of hotel toiletries in my home. I bring it because it comes in handy in times where there's no hand soap in sight.

5. HUMAN HEART NATURE INSECT REPELLENT

- I always wear shorts and skirts so I need this to make my legs taste awful to mosquitoes and other bugs.

6. HOLY SEAT TOILET DISINFECTANT SPRAY

- You never know when Nature will call you so I always bring this with me.

7. LACTACYD TRAVEL BOTTLE

- I refill this one with my bigger Lactacyd bottle at home. I keep it handy for feminine hygiene purposes.

8. COLGATE PLAX

- When there's no time to brush my teeth, and much worse, when there's no water, a mineral water plus Plax will keep my teeth and breath fresh and clean.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: GIORGIO ARMANI SHINE LIPSTICK IN 4 DARK ROSE

Here's an initial review on GIORGIO ARMANI SHINE LIPSTICK IN 4 DARK ROSE

PRICE: ?
PLACE BOUGHT: HONG KONG AIRPORT
OTHER LOCATIONS: GA COSMETICS ONLINE

THE VERDICT:

I've read so many rave reviews on GA cosmetics, specifically their foundation line. Well, their foundation is expensive, according to my mom so she got me a lipstick instead, along with my one of my all- time faves, Lolita Lempicka perfume.

Let's now review the packaging.

The tube is in a sleek black design. Texture of the tube is matte. Tube looks classy and expensive. I've always loved lipsticks in black- colored tubes 'cos black is the color of sophistication for me.

Carving reminds me of Chanel. It's so posh! :)

Shine has a sheer, glossy finish. It can also be layered if you want more color.

Dark rose is not the right name for this shade. 4 Dark Rose is a rosy pink color.

The shade is great if you want to finish off your look with a pretty and natural appeal. Even if you have minimal make- up on, Dark Rose is perfect to perk up your face!

It's a great color for summer. But I can still see myself wearing this during the rainy season just to add a bit of sunshine to my look. :)

It glides on and feels like satin! The texture perfectly blends with your lips so it's as if you're only wearing lip balm. I like it because it feels comfortable on the lips. Texture is lightweight. Even if the finish is glossy, it's not sticky at all!

However, since the finish is wet, this has the tendency to rub off easily. Staying power might be good for around 30 minutes.

Will I buy one again? I will because I'm impressed with the shade. The shades suit my taste for lipstick colors so much: feminine, pretty, natural. And the quality of the lipstick is also superb. I just hope the staying power improves. But I'm going to buy one again anyway. Plus a Face Fabric Foundation. :)

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: JURLIQUE SOOTHING CLEANSING LOTION

Here's an initial review on JURLIQUE SOOTHING CLEANSING LOTION

PRICE: AROUND 58SGD (APPROXIMATELY 1900PHP+)
PLACE BOUGHT: CHANGI AIRPORT, SINGAPORE
OTHER LOCATIONS: JURLIQUE, GREENBELT 5; SEPHORA ONLINE

THE VERDICT:

I've always relied on Ponds Cold Cream to remove my make- up before I cleanse my face. But what I don't like Ponds' is the oily and hard to rinse- off grease that it leaves on my face.

Mom gave this to me as a present from one of her recent trips to Singapore. Jurlique's face cleanser is her HG for facial wash.

Let's now review the product.

I like how convenient this is. It comes in a pump bottle, so I don't have to scoop out gunk from a jar, like what I do to use my Ponds CC. It's unhygienic and messy.

Jurlique is an organic Skin care brand. Proudly Australian- made, proudly chemical and preservative- free.

This liquid cleanser smells like lavender and peppercorn. Since it's water- based, it wipes off and rinses off easily. I like the cooling effect that it gives my face after using it. It Makes my face feel refreshed and clean. This is also cost- efficient, because the watery texture makes this product spreadable, making a little amount go a long way.

However, Jurlique will cost you a hefty premium. And I doubt if I can keep on spending too much on skin care products. I would love to have this again, but I wouldn't make it a staple in my dresser. It's a good product. But unfortunately, it's too pricey here in the Philippines.

Where Would it Be?

Just for the record...

If you could go Anywhere

with Anybody...

Where would it be

&

with whom?

~

xx's

~

fin

~

photos from google images

HAUL FOR THIS WEEK

Here's a purchase to help me achieve the body that I want.

As you all know, I've been constantly working out and dieting to achieve a toned and firm body. For some who were able to read my long entry about my lifestyle change, you can recall that I've been doing strength exercises and circuit exercises to help me build and strengthen my muscles.

Here's another FYI for my dear readers. Too much cardio and too much strength exercise can burn muscles. Meaning, you won't get great muscle definition. Well, I don't want to look like Chyna from WWF, but I want my muscle definition to be good and obvious.

After a tough workout, your body needs replenishing. Meaning, you have to gain back the nutrients that you have lost from working out. Post- workout is the best time to feed your body with good stuff like good carbs and protein. Feeding right after a work out helps you burn more fat. Feeding also lets your metabolism burn food (which you've taken right after working out), not muscle.

Here's my haul for the week. Twin Lab Whey Protein mix in Vanilla Slam. Protein shakes are great post- work out foods. A glass of protein shake can be used as a substitute for a post- workout meal. If you want optimum muscle definition, protein shakes are highly recommended. It's like eating a plate of pure protein. As you may know, Protein is the building blocks of muscles. And gulping a glass of protein shakes helps your muscles become stronger, making you look leaner and toned in the long run.

Protein shakes are very convenient in times where you don't have enough food choices. So to prevent yourself from falling off the track, a protein shake in hand proves to be very handy in times like this. It's not food, but it's much much better than starving yourself before you find a place where you'll have more food options! The trick to burning more and boosting your metabolism is frequent feeding in ample amounts, not starvation. So if you're the type who like feeding yourself less because you think you're gonna get fat, I'm sorry to tell you this but, you're messing up with your metabolism. And you will not burn fat effectively.

You might say "Whoa, that's expensive!". Well, 'tis true, 'tis true. In malls, a gallon like this can cost at around 3- 4k, depending on the brand. But the PX stores in Cash and Carry is a haven for body builders on a budget. Believe it or not, I got this small gallon (there's a bigger gallon. There are 2 sizes for protein shake mixes) for 1000PHP only. Twin Lab is a good brand. I'd love to get myself Designer Whey (a brand) but it's around 1800php. But if you're going to think about it, a small gallon of Designer Whey would cost around 3- 4k in malls. So before you say that the 1800php is expensive, do some comparisons first and you'll realize that you DID save a lot if you're going to buy from C&C than those health and well- being stores in malls.

Hey, dieting requires money. But it doesn't require a LOT. :)


**PX stores to check out for cheap Whey protein shakes and supplements in the mezzanine level of Cash and Carry are Tia Loleng's and Anselka's. I am not affiliated with the stores in any way, nor have received a gift from them. This is solely for the purpose of information.