1920s Makeup Look/ Makeover

O.M.G.

I am guilty for neglecting my blog for the past 2 months!! I have been really busy, and the only thing I do after work is to watch an hour a day of Korean drama -_- Right now, I am crazy over Gaksital, starring Joo Won. Anyone else watching the same drama? Kekeke!

A quick post today to showcase a makeup look I had done on Audrey earlier on. 

For her eyes, I used a black cream eyeshadow as base, then went over the base with black powder eyeshadow. I also used a medium brown for blending and matte white as highlight. The key to making this look work is to use a lot of black liner and eyeshadow!! Recently, I am rather obsessed with red lipsticks, so I decided to finish off the look with a fiery red lip color. 

Ok, that's all for today. Off to sleep~~ The next post will not be a month later. Promise >_____<"

Review: Kiss Me False Eyelashes

I am definitely on a false eyelash shopping spree now… just look at how many pairs of Kiss Me eyelashes I got myself!! 

Kiss Me false eyelashes, $9.90 each

You can find Kiss Me lashes at Watsons, Sasa & Guardian, etc. You know, those kinda shops…

Each pair of lashes can be used multiple times. 

#05

I find it pretty hard to find #05 anymore, probably because this is an old design! Found this at Guardian at Orchard Paragon by coincidence. I am glad I still managed to get a pair of it, cos I simply loooovve the full lash look! It's so long and dolly! This design is definitely not for the faint hearted.

Long and volumising!

#03

This pair might seem very thick and dramatic when you just look at it here in its packaging, but apparently, after I tried it on, its more natural then it appears to be. *As an eyelash lover, do be cautious what my "natural" means. LOL*

My eyes really look weird here, don't they! But this is one of my best
photos with eyes facing front, giving a good view how the lashes look.

#08

This is the most natural looking eyelash out of all that I am wearing here. I was really lazy on the day I took the pics, so only drew eyeliner for lower lash line.

I like the side view of this pair!

#09

Awesome lower lashes!! So easy to apply and not too unnatural :)
The "whitish" stuff is the eyelash glue. I took photos before the glue dried up.

The next eyelash post will be Dolly Wink false eyelashes!!

* UPDATE!* Review: Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara

I have seriously not bought mascaras in a long long time, as I have so become a fan of false lashes. But one just could not resist pretty packaging, could she?

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara, 6.5g, $50
Image from http://www.moodiereport.com/document.php?c_id=33&doc_id=27735

I'm really fussy about mascaras, as I have the most STUBBORN lashes in history. They are:
1. Straight,
2. Curl resistant,

and worst of all...

3. SHORT.

So, let's see if Lancome's new mascara is able to live up to its claim of creating "Doll Lash Effect Wide -Eye Look"

Before: Yup! The lashes are there, but rather unnoticeable

I applied the mascara without lash primer to the left side of eye:

1st coat: noticeable better volume!

2nd coat: darker and thicker lashes. Ok, lashes on right side will look a bit darker from
this photo onwards because I had started putting mascara on my lower lashes then

3rd coat: greater length and volume. However, not impressive enough for me.
No 'wow' or 'dolly effect'

Left lashes: 3 coats without primer
Right lashes: 3 coats of primer (Majolica Marjoca), 3 coats of mascara!
Looks much better after primer \(^0^)/

Same as above
Hopefully I am not freaking anyone out here

Good effect on lower lashes as well. No primer used here

The cone like mascara brush makes it easy to apply
mascara to the really fine lashes at the outer and inner corners
of eyes

Verdict~ 1st impression:

Doll effect: 2.5/5. It's not bad, just that can't achieve the desired result without 3 coats of primer first.

Curling effect: 4/5. Mascara does't weigh down lashes despite multiple coats.

Ease of use: 4/5. Brush is well designed to apply mascara to the finest hairs! However, fat part of brush is still quite big for smaller eye users like me.

Overall look: 3/5. Minimum clumpiness despite extensive layering. Lashes are visibly longer and thicker.

*Update* Final verdict: I find it difficult to build lashes to the full and dark effect that I like for my eyelashes. I bought this because I thought that it would give me "doll lashes". I need lots of primer to thicken the look, but putting lots of primer equals more likelihood of "spidey" and more limpy looking lashes. The plus point is the brush, which makes it easy to apply mascara to shorter lashes, but it's not good enough to justify the high price of this mascara when I can get the same effect from Maybelline mascaras.

LOTD: Summer colors + shu uemura false lashes "smoky layers"

Long time no see ~ 

Just a quick LOTD before I knock off to work soon!

Posted some of the same pics on twitter yesterday, but just thought to share it here as well hehe :)

This was my look yesterday!

I personally love using several colors for bottom lash line: mixture of purple, blue, pink and red.

Love the lashes! They are from shu uemura, "Smoky Layers"

Smoky layers might look rather dramatic and long in the packaging, but once worn, they really look quite natural. They are made in 2 layers, one shorter on top, and one longer below. The effect is wispy and natural. Adds volume and length without looking over the top!

On double eyelids I used pink as base color, plum and purple as accent colors, and white as highlight color. 

Hope you like this look! I will be back with a review for Lancome's Hypnose Doll Eyes mascara after work tonight! 

Review: shu uemura white efficient UV under base brightening mousse

I L.O.V.E fair and translucent skin. I love it when my skin looks crystal clear and rosy, and hate it when its dull and patchy. That is why I always include brightening products in my daily skincare regime, be it a serum or moisturiser. 

My latest attempt at whitening is shu uemura's new brightening UV under base mousse. It's a makeup base, to be applied before powder or liquid foundation.

shu uemura white efficient UV under base brightening mousse,  50g,  $80
Image from http://www.chicprofile.com

Unique features of this product:

1. Lightens existing spots and limit the formation of future spots.

2. Corrects yellowness of skin to give instant rosy complexion.

3. It's 20X lighter than any other makeup base, which makes the texture of the product light and suitable for humid weather like Singapore.

4. Pore tightening & line filling, to give skin flawless appearance before makeup application.

5. Comes with SPF30 PA++

Mousse is pink purple, which corrects yellowness of skin to translucent and rosy

Left: After, Right: Before

From above photo, the result after using the product is clear! My skin looks brighter, more rosy and more matte. It doesn't give coverage, but corrects my skin tone. I like the product for its lightness and non-greasiness. I feel like my skin can breath, with SPF protection. It's also nice to know that the product is somehow working hard to limit formation of pigmentation in the deeper layers of my skin. LOL. The only thing is that my t-tone is still shiny after the usual 2 hours. But well, this product doesn't really promise oil control effects. 

I apply a golf ball size of product with shu uemura's pentagon sponge every morning. The product should last me about 2 months. I am already halfway through the can and am going to purchase the pink one as soon as I finish this! 

Overall rating: 4/5. -1 point for the price and not so good oil control!

Review: Laneige 50+ Brightening Sun Powder, Water Bank Essence & Water Bank Eye Gel

In the recent months, I have become a fan of Laneige skin care. Most of their stuff really work for me. I am currently using their whitening range, which I have reviewed here before. My opinion of the range now and then remains more or less the same, just that I think I would rate it 4.5/5 instead of 4/5 now. Perhaps my skin has become more mature and love the richer texture of the products, especially the night cream. So, after falling in love with the range all over again (after trying many other products in between), I bought a few more products from Laneige to compliment the few I am using!

Laneige 50+ Brightening Sun Powder SPF50+++, 19g, $49

The powder comes with 2 puffs and a very modern holographic packaging. It's just like a compact powder and easy to apply on face. It can be used after foundation as sun protection. It also can be touched up over makeup multiple times. 

I was excited to try out this product, because I had the idea that I could use it as a touch up powder for my makeup. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone -- touch up my sun protection and matte-tify my face throughout the day! To my disappointment, the beauty advisor told me that no, I cannot use it as a compact powder, as it doesn't have coverage -- only as sun protection powder! Despite her advice, I decided to try using it as a compact powder anyway (ya I know, I am stubborn). OF COURSE, that didn't work out. The powder left whitish residue at the side of my nose, and my liquid foundation became blotchy after a while. So, clearly, this powder is only meant for protecting my skin from the sun! Silly me, but I just had to try.

As you can see, there is no coverage, except that the skin is slightly brighter after use. 

The product contains vitamin C that prevents sebum oxidation under UVrays. It also contains Comfrey extracts to sooth dulled skin reddened by sunlight. 

It is convenient to carry around and for application wherever you are!

Overall rating: 3/5. If only I can use it as compact powder. A bit troublesome for me to touch up my foundation, then touch up sunblock.

Laneige Water Bank Essence, 60ml, $62 or $68 (I forgot, sorry!)

I usually use a whitening essence as step 3 of my skincare routine every morning, then at night I would replace with another essence, anti-ageing or in this case, a hydration essence.

As I grow a bit older, I think my skin needs a bit more hydration, or else the aging process will become faster and i would get lines on my face! 

The texture is like most essence, light and easily absorbed. Skin feels hydrated without the sticky feeling. I can't say the texture of my skin has improved over a month of usage, but I am assuming the essence is doing its job deep within my skin. Usually I can tell whether an essence is effective if it is like a whitening one, as I can see actual improvement of skin tone; but honestly, since I don't have very dry skin to begin with, I can't really say I can see any change in my skin. I guess this is one of the products that I would use to put my heart at ease that I am giving my skin extra moisture!!

Overall rating: 4/5. Nice and light texture. Skin feels 'happy' after application. Assuming the essence is doing its work in my skin's deeper layers.

Laneige Water Banc Eye Gel, 25ml, $59 

Ok, like I always say before I review an eye cream, I am the type who don't expect too much from this kind of skincare as I have never seen one that can really reduce dark circles or eliminate puffiness. All I need is something non-sticky and be able to hydrate my skin. This gel does just that - hydrate my eye area!! I like it for it's fresh finish and light texture, and somehow my eyes look less tired after using it. 

I recently reviewed L'oreal's Youth Code Rejuvenating Anti-wrinkle Eye cream. If I were to compare these 2 eye products, I might choose to purchase the L'oreal one as it's slightly cheaper, and also has anti-aging properties!

Overall rating: 4/5. Good, but feels a bit 'boring' to repurchase.

Note: Other then swatch images, the rest of images are taken from http://www.laneige.com.sg/main.jsp

Spring makeup and hair: Garden Tea Party Look

The 1st set of photos for my makeup portfolio are finally out!!! 

I am so excited to share o(^____^)o

On the day of portfolio making with the makeup school, we had time to create 4 different looks. This is the last look I created for the day: Garden Tea Party Look.

This is an Anna Sui inspired look. I didn't really want to spend on accessories, so I made do with what I already had at home.

For the eye makeup, I opted for strong contrasting colors: blue, purple, yellow and white for the eyelids, pink and green for lower lash line.

As the eye makeup is the focal point of this look, I used natural blush and a soft shade for the lips.

For my model's hair, I wanted to create a soft, romantic look. I curled her hair, pinned them up by sections and left a few strands of curls at the side to frame her face. 

This is one of my favourite looks of that day!

NEW! Anna Sui Rose Cheek Color & Nail Art Color N

As a fan of both Anna Sui and red blushes, there is no way I will let pass the new Anna Sui Rose Cheek Color!! It is available in 6 variations, mainly pink, orange, coral, red, brown and lavender + blue (for highlighting). 

I picked up #400, a combination of pink, rose and red.

Anna Sui Rose Cheek Color #400, 6g, $49 each

Casing is quite standard for Anna Sui

I swatched the 4 colors in the palette separately first:

In artificial white light

The pink on the far left is really a shimmer. The rest of the colors look like a variation of reds to me -- even the rose color in the palette turn out red at the back of my hand.

Natural daylight

The following 2 photos show how the cheek color looks when all 4 shades are mixed together.

In artificial white light

In natural daylight

#400 might look very red when swatched, but the intensity of the color could be easily controlled. I applied the colors thick so that they will show up in the photos. I have many friends who have the impression that red blush is too red, which I totally disagree. Red blush is really very natural (depending on how much you apply). Just like Benefit's famous benetint… it's supposed to be very natural, and it's red!

I definitely like the Rose Cheek Color better than the old range Anna Sui Color Accent because the pigment is better, has a little bit of shimmer, lasts longer, and the color shows up clearer!

I also couldn't resist picking up some nail colors, in the new packaging :)

Anna Sui Nail Art Color N, 8ml, $24 each

#071
Glossy opaque black

Some might be curious why I would choose such a plain black from Anna Sui. Well, just like reds, I prefer to buy from a good brand where intensity of color is achieved with just 2 coats :)  

#270
Medium berry, more to purple than pink

What I really like about these polishes is that the finish is really really glossy! Both colors I applied 2 coats without top coat, and they are already super shiny. The polish in the 2 photos are surface dry, but they remain glossy enough for me not to put top coat after painting! 

The formula is good and easy to apply. The brush is ok, though not as good as OPI's blushes, but good enough to apply streak free nail polish. 

I am very happy with my purchase this time!