Photos this Week(ish)

Hello! Long time no see! Thought I would share a couple of photos that I've snapped on my cell phone in the past week or so. Idea stolen from Jian / Vicky, hehe! ^~^ Here goes!

 Edward Monkton chocolates from a friend's birthday celebration // Cute baby!

The supplements I have to take every morning // Seen outside a church - this thought keeps me going

 

 Bohbs the hamster // Tired brother

Red Velvet cupcake from Twelve Cupcakes // Rilakkuma suit

FOTD: Hello Kitty Glasses

I got these cute Hello Kitty glasses on Taobao some time ago, and couldn't resist bringing them out with me when I went out at the weekend.

I know I'm well into my twenties, but aren't they just cute? ^~^

 

Items used: 

Lips:

Figs & Rouge Rambling Rose Organic Balm

Skin:

Bourjois Healthy Mix in Shade 52

Cheeks:

Sleek Blush in Rose Gold

Eyes:

Generic eyeliner 

Not much make-up for a lazy Sunday out! Happy Monday everyone, hope you have a great week ahead!

Swatches: Revlon Lip Butters

It's been a while since I blogged - and I've got a really good reason! Actually, it's because the hubby and I just found out that we're going to have a baby! 

How awesome is that!

It's early days yet, but we can't wait to take this journey together, and every day is a new experience for us. We've just been busy documenting every moment so we don't miss anything. Soon there'll be a little baby clock running around!

Right now, the little baby is making me exhausted though - I usually feel like I need a nap halfway through the day - and I usually end up KO-ing on the bed once I'm back home. There's not much time to do very much else, and that's why I've been falling behind on my blogging. There's a whole backlog of stuff that I have to get posted! :3

I hope everyone has been well! Share your news with me!

Anyway, I'm sure we're one of the last people on Earth to get these, but Revlon Lip Butters have finally landed in Singapore! I passed by a standee the other day, and caught sight of the gorgeous Emma Stone modelling Peach Parfait, which looked lovely on her. They go for S$15.90 in Singapore, which is quite a lot more than the US$6 or so that they cost in the US. Anyhoo, only 8 shades have been released here so far, and I got some swatches:

Sorry about the mark on my hand - I burned myself with the steamer - there's still a mark there! T__T These are relatively heavy-handed swatches, but I found that the lip butters swatch fairly true to colour and have a great deal more moisture (at least when applied) than your average lip gloss. They didn't last a very long time, because they wiped off my hand easily and came off pretty quickly when I used the one that I bought (below), but I think I can live with the lack of longevity for the cute pop of colour, vanilla scent and smooth, buttery feel.

I have to admit that I was tempted by all the colours, but in the end I went for a colour that I could use at work without appearing too scary or "made-up". Macaroon is a lovely coral, peachy colour, that is easily buildable and applies so smoothly on my lips. I think that for my complexion, it's a "my lips, only better" kind of shade, that I'll definitely be able to hold on to. 

I was also gifted the Strawberry Shortcake by the lovely PrettyShinyThings, which was a nice surprise to find! I haven't had the heart to use it yet (I've been keeping things for special), but I'm intending to break it open for a whirl soon enough! 

Keep well everyone, and happy weekend! ♥

FOTD: Not-so-recent!

It's been a while since I did an FOTD. I haven't had my "face" on for the past week! :(

 

This was my look for an easy-breezy brunch meeting to celebrate one of my close friends' birthdays. The lacey top was really cute, but the heart buttons ended up coming off in the washing machine!! I had to sew them all back once I pried the buttons out of the washing machine filter thingy. 

 

Items used: 

Face:

Steamcream (once again, from Jian!)

Skin Food Aloe BB Cream in Shade #2

Eyes: 

Holika Holika Eye Charm double eyelid tape 

Daiso "Elizabeth" Eyelashes

Japan Barbie Eye Diamond Brown

Sleek Storm i-Divine Palette

I used (A) over the whole lid, then (B) from the inner corner of my eyes to the outer corner, focusing on the highest point of my eye. Then, I used (C) on the outer "V" of my eyes. I skipped eyeliner altogether, because I didn't want the look to be too severe for a laid-back brunch. All in all, it took me about five minutes, hehe :3

Cheeks:

Benefit Coralista

Lips:

Figs & Rouge Organic Balm in Rambling Rose

Revlon Lip Butter in Macaroon

 

That's about it from me for now - hope that everyone is having a happy Sunday! ^~^

Review: Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Apologies for being away for so long! I've got some exciting news, but I'm keeping my cards close to my chest right now. All will be revealed very soon!

I ordered Bourjois's Healthy Mix Foundation about a month ago from ASOS, as the last time I used proper foundation was about 5 years ago, and I felt like moving away from BB cream (Yes, I've been a devotee of BB cream and tinted moisturiser for that long). I wasn't looking for something that would give super-thick coverage, so after doing my research online, and seeing that this range was going for cheapies online, I decided to give this a shot. 

The Claim:

Bourjois Healthy Mix claims to give 70% more radiance and flawless complexion for up to 16 hours! How awesome is that?

The glide-on formula contains elements of apricot, melon, apple and ginger, which claim to provide radiance, hydration, anti-oxidants and energy. All very impressive! I couldn't wait to try it out. 

The Test:

I used this for about one and a half weeks, over a primer. My intention was to find out if the foundation would last for a whopping 16 hours, all the while fulfilling the radiant-complexion-in-a-tube claim.

 

What I loved:

The foundation smells gorgeous. Fruity and sweet, I had to take a good whiff of it before applying it to my face. Sadly, it doesn't really last once the foundation is applied, but it really does have a good consistency, and glides on smoothly. It isn't too thick, which is nice, because foundation has a nasty habit of settling into fine lines and flaws on skin. 

I got this in Shade 52 Vanilla, which is just nice for my slightly tanned complexion. I felt that it gave good coverage, and evened out the discolouration from the veins (and things). As you can see from the picture above, using Bourjois Healthy Mix virtually erased the blue veins that are clearly visible on my bare skin. Furthermore, I think the fruit essence does some good for the skin, because I noticed a visible brightening and radiant effect on my skin after use. Sadly, this did not persist after I removed the foundation, but my skin did become a little smoother over the course of the week.

What I didn't:

It didn't last for 16 hours. :( 

I found that on average, the foundation would wipe off easily, especially when I used oil blotters or facial tissue. I didn't use any face powder to set the foundation, because I find it too "made up". Furthermore, I was a bit miffed that it claimed to stay for 16 hours, because the radiant effect did wear off after a couple of hours.

Overall, I would recommend this product, because using it does give a radiant complexion, if only for a couple of hours. Coverage is good, and isn't too heavy. Maybe it would be better suited for girls with normal to dry skin, as it doesn't seem to have so much staying power for people with combination to oily skin like me.

 

Inspiration: Louis Vuitton Spring / Summer 2012

Images from the Spring / Summer 2012 runways have been littered throughout the media of late, there were, of course, beautiful, out-of-this-world makeup looks that accompanied great ready-to-wear collections (some of these were brilliant).

Of these, I think that I liked the Louis Vuitton Spring / Summer 2012 look the most, hands down. Dewy skin, nude / pink / pastel-y palettes and ultra-fluttery lashes contributed to a girly, flirty-yet-demure look that was so reminiscent of the '50s, a bit like Mad Men with a springtime palette. Even the ad campaign was shot in (what seemed like) an American-esque ice cream parlour! 

The ad campaign had a lovely look, which was structured, yet feminine. Cheeks were flushed pink just under the apples to highlight cheekbones, and eyes echoed the same pink colour to complement rosy lips. The look was pristine, almost, like women of the '50s - very Stepford Wives! 

Pat McGrath was the makeup artist for the show, and the look worked perfectly with feminine, uncomplicated colours on porcelain skin. This differed from the ad campaign shots because the focus was shifted from cheeks to the eyes. Blush was centered on the apples, instead of in that "racing stripe" area just under the cheekbones, and the makeup was a lot more natural (save for the fake lashes), contributing to an altogether girlier, almost ethereal look. Case(s) in point:

 

Anais Pouliot

 Kinga Rajzak

Liu Wen

Love the fluttery eyelashes! I reckon those would require more than one pair of fake lashes, and a sheeny primer / highlighter for that dewy glow. Amazed at how the makeup looks so different on all three models above, yet it works well for each of them. Definitely will be trying this out the next time I get the chance to go somewhere nice!

And just for kicks, here's the full runway show, which was the perfect mix of whimsy and feminine.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Versatile Blogger Award

What a great way to wrap up the week - my first ever award! The very lovely Dawn from Love & Looks awarded this to me. Do drop by if you have a moment - she's one of the prettiest moms I've ever met, and her blog posts are engaging and cute. Thank you again, Dawn! ^~^

Rules of the Honor:
1. Thank the person that nominated you with a link back.
2. Tell 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass this on to 10 newly discovered blogs and let them know they received the award.

7 Things About Me:

1) I live on an island, and love being near the sea.

2) I'm a lawyer by training - but before you imagine me fighting it out in the courtroom - I practice corporate law. ^~^

3) My favourite cartoon character is Rilakkuma!

4) I'm a cat person, although puppies and other baby animals are fun too! 

5) My secret guilty pleasure is buying magazines for the freebie on the cover. Eeps. ^~^

6) I have a very brittle affinity with shoes - I tend to wear them till they break. :(

7) I love food! Which I'm paying for by having to go to the gym so that I'll be able to fit into my clothes, haha!

10 8 Blogs: 

Pinkfishtart

ShinyPrettyThings

Little Deniseland

Tiffyama  

A Sidewalk Cafe

Pinkbuble

TantaliseYourMind

HK_Barbie

Still chuffed! ｡ﾟ+.ღ(ゝ◡ ⚈᷀᷁ღ)

FOTD: 18 February 2012

Husband went to spin music at Kinki's Bar at Customs House and brought me along. Here's my FOTD for the night - I lasted till 3am! I'm too old for partying all night!

Items used: 

Face: 

Holika Holika Face 2 Change Cream Starter

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in Vanille

Skin Food Lime Secret Shine Base in #75 Lime Shine Gold (mixed with foundation)
Benefit Georgia Face Powder (to mattify my T-zone)
Liole Marbling Blusher in #1 Shining Aurora (to highlight my puny nose bridge!)

Eyes: 

Etude House Petit Darling Eyes Matte Eyeshadow in Black (used wet to keep my kohl eyeliner in check)

Holika Holika Eye Charm double eyelid tape 

M.A.C. Eye Kohl in Smolder

Brandless Eyelashes (bought in Malaysia) 

Japan Barbie Eye Diamond Brown

Sleek Storm i-Divine Palette (kindly gifted by the lovely Jian!) 

 

For interest's sake, here's how I used the palette - been dying to make use of it properly for ages!

I used (A) over the lid, followed by (B), which lent the whole lid a gorgeous, shimmery glow. Then I used (C) just under my brow and on the inner corners of my eyes. (D) and (E) were used to on the outer 'V' and to contour the crease of my eyes. Lastly, I used (F) to add a bit of depth to the middle of my eyes - applied just in the middle of my eyelid (Does that make sense?).

Cheeks:

Canmake Cream Cheek in #09 Pinky Rose

Benefit Coralista

Lips:

H&M Lip Butter in Fresh Pear and Sweet Pea

M.A.C. Lipstick in Myth 

And there we have it! Any thoughts? ^~^

Review: Belif Hydra Sebum Control Essence

I received a 10ml sample of this in the January edition of Bellabox, and was pretty excited to try it, because with combination skin, my T-zone tends to get a little shiny by the time the end of the work day rolls around. This is combined with the additional problem that the air-conditioning in my office dries my skin, especially the bits that are a little dry. 

Problems!

Enter Belif Hydra Sebum Control Essence. Belif claims to be "the most truthful cosmetic brand", that aims to deliver true quality and true value to consumers. The brand has formulated a range of beauty products that aim to give you the sought-after gift of beautiful skin.

 

The Claim:

Hydra sebum controls the release of excess sebum and oil in your skin, making the pores smaller and leaving your skin feeling dry on the outside but soft and moisturised on the outside.

The Test: 

So, I tried this for a week only on my T-zone, while going about my daily routine (which involves lots of air-conditioning). I used it in-between toner and moisturiser, at the start of the day.

What I loved: 

The formulation, by far. I liked the consistency, which was light and non-sticky, but not watery (see the cute sphere if forms? Almost like gel, but less slippy). It was absorbed easily into my skin, and didn't leave a greasy residue either. I was pretty pleased when I found out what goes into these things - citrus unshiu to control sebum, and green clay, which removes sebum and waste in pores. 

Another great thing about this is that a little goes a long way. The essence spreads easily, and not much is needed (less than a full pump) to cover the T-zone.

And of course, it doesn't smell half bad either. Fresh, clean and herbal, is the way I'd describe it. Lovely :3

At the end of the day, I felt that my T-zone was a little bit less oily than normal, and there was less of that tell-tale shiny skin that can make my nose look like some kind of bright beacon T_T This product reduces sebum by 20%, so not a whole lot, but enough to see a difference.

What I didn't:

It's a little on the pricey side. 50ml retails for S$57, which makes it S$1.14 for 1ml. That's pretty hefty, no matter which way you slice it. After a week, I noticed that the spots where I applied the essence were a little drier and flakier than normal. I asked for matt skin, not dry skin! So, points off for that, because it meant I had to use moisturiser to heal the dry bits, but then my skin would get oily because of the moisturiser and... well, you get it.

Furthermore, there's (allegedly) only a 20% reduction in sebum, and for that price, I think there are definitely better products out there. 

For example, these!

I like blotting papers because they're handy, and sop up excess oil on spots where you need it. Unlike a cream or essence, which can easily get everywhere, blotting papers are easy to control because they only go where you want them to, and there's no need to faff around with lotions and potions. Sometimes, the simplest things are the best ^~^

The Belif Hydra Sebum Control Essence retails at S$57 for 50ml at Bellabox, and the Belif store is open for business at B1-64, Wisma Atria.

Ever used Belif before? Or keen to try it? 

Haul: February 2012 Bellabox

How quickly a month passes! Just last month I blogged about receiving my first Bellabox, and already, I've received my February Bellabox - the Valentine's edition. ^~^

Here's what I received:

 

The theme this month was "Share the Love" - timely because February is Valentine's month! It's a shame that I only received this after Valentine's Day, because I would have loved to use the perfume - it smells divine!

 

 

First up: Pangea Organics Discovery Kit (S$59.95, presumably for full-size versions)

This is a set of three sachets, namely:

(1) Facial mask in Japanese Matcha with Acai and Goji Berry

(2) Shower gel in Italian White Sage with Geranium and Yarrow

(3) Facial cream in Nigerian Ginger with Lavender and Thyme

Now, I have a pet peeve - I don't like things that come in sachets, especially beauty products. To my mind, they're fiddly, flat, messy to use and really don't deliver enough product to make it worthwhile. I mean, imagine showering with whatever's in that little packet! Hmm... perhaps it's just me?

Still, the ingredients sound wholesome and, well, organic. I think these might come in handy for when I'm next away from home, and don't want to use the shower gel and cleansing products that the hotel provides.

Duchess Marden Body Serum (200 ml for S$89.89)

This product claims to "hydrate, soften and stimulate new cell growth" that is easily absorbed into the skin, without leaving any residue. I'm psyched to use this, because who couldn't use more beautiful, glowing skin? Rather pleased to receive this!

Nvey Eco Organic Eyeshadow in 150 Charcoal Blue (S$49.90)

I quite like the product samples offered by Bellabox, because a lot aren't available in Singapore except through the Bellabox website. A whole eyeshadow is pretty generous, even though it comes packed in a transparent disposable plastic casing. This comes in a lovely shade of grey/blue, which, even though I haven't swatched it, looks like it'd make for pretty eyes if the colour payoff is good. In addition, these eyeshadows are talc-free and have ingredients such as chamomile and jojoba. Pretty alright for an eyeshadow - beautifying your skin while making your eyes beautiful (yay playing with words!).

Oscar De La Renta Esprit D'Oscar (100ml for S$125)

Okay, so this one I've tried. It's gorgeous. I love, love, love the scent! It consists of a heady mix of floral, oriental notes, which is so sophisticated. Basically, this scent is an updated version of the original perfume created by Oscar De La Renta in 1977. I must confess that I'm a bit of a perfumey girl (I actually have -eep- about 5 on rotation right now), so this will be a great addition to my collection. ^~^

 

Ansley Show Hot Dual Volume Mascara (S$12.90)

I didn't manage to get a good photo of this, but here's the deal. Ansley is a Korean cosmetics brand, and is one of those dual-ended mascaras that consists of a white-coloured priming essence on one end, and a very black mascara on the other. What I liked about the mascara (in particular) is the brush on the mascara end. It's kind of twisty, which is pretty alright for adding volume to puny lashes (like mine)!

All in all, I'm pretty pleased with what I received this month. Thanks Bellabox, here's to next month!