Mere Makeup Maniac

MereMakeupManiac turns two - giveaway part 1 winners!

2012-01-30T09:41:00.000+08:00

Good morning and a great Monday to you all! I've come bearing gifts today! (^_^) I've picked out two winners for the first part of my giveaway and they are:

Cheryl

Sarah Ser

Congratulations! I will be sending an email to both of you to send your prizes. Hope you'll enjoy them! For the rest of participants, thank you all for sending your entries! I appreciate your support. (^_^)

I'm sorry ladies for being MIA again! My work life's gone crazy these days that I really cannot squeeze in blogging. I probably wouldn't have time to create this blog post even but I cannot leave y'all hanging wondering who won. (^_^) Speaking of winning, I'll be opening the second part of my giveaway probably before end of this week or next week. Do watch out for that because it's open worldwide!!!

Have a blessed day lovelies!

MereMakeupManiac turns two - giveaway part 1!

2012-01-12T16:50:00.072+08:00

Hey there, dear readers! As I've promised, I'll be holding giveaways - two in total - because: 1) my blog turned two years old last 1st January, 2) my GFC counter hit past 100 followers and 3) my stats registered 50,000+ hits already. I really appreciate all your support to this tiny space on the web - thank you very much!

Luxola.com has sponsored the gifts for this giveaway so in honor of that gesture, I'm opening this giveaway for my Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesian readers only. (Luxola currently only ships to these countries.) Other international readers, don't fret - I'll be holding a second giveaway that will be open to all my readers worldwide. (^_~)

They asked me to give one away, the other is mine to keep. But I'm just really thankful and blessed that I want to share my goodie bag to you instead and also, so there's more chances for you to win! (^_~)

Also, Luxola.com is giving away a Chinese New Year goodie bag with every purchase of at least S$50 throughout January - isn't that exciting!

This giveaway will run for 2 weeks, from 14th - 27th January. Please, please, please follow the rules unless you want your entries to be disqualified. (T_T) Don't worry, the rules are quite easy - you just have to read and understand them before sending your entries. (^_~)

I know you can't wait to know what good stuff Luxola.com had in store for your dear readers, so here they are:

Prize #1: a mini Deborah Lippmann Ruby Red Slippers nail polish, a sachet of Deborah Lippmann Stripper-to-Go, a Sleek Makeup Maximum Impact Eyeshadow and a mini Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl hand cream

Prize #2: a mini Deborah Lippmann Ruby Red Slippers nail polish, a sachet of Deborah Lippmann Stripper-to-Go, a mini Sleek Makeup High Shine lip gloss and a mini Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl hand cream

Alright, go get crackin'!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'll be looking forward to your entries and support ladies! (^_^) Have a great and blessed day ahead!

Luxola.com upcoming promo!

2012-01-12T09:56:00.002+08:00

Luxola just announced on Twitter that they will hold a 30% discount promotion on their online store purchases once they hit 500 followers. Follow them now! (@Luxolasg)

And oh, if you don't know yet, they're shipping to Malaysia and Indonesia too in addition to Singapore! (^_^)

Don't know what they have in store for your beauty needs? Go check out www.luxola.com today!

*I'm not paid to post this - just a fan of Luxola!

the goners, the veterans, the rookies and the newbies

2011-12-31T17:46:00.001+08:00

the title sounded like a movie title, don't it? (^_^) i figured that since it's the last day of 2011, i might as well wrap up the year by sharing the products i didn't really fancy (Disappointments), to the oldies (staples in my makeup arsenal) but goodies (All-time favorites), to the newly loved products (as in discovered in 2011) i do adore (Promising Newcomers) and recent purchases that looks good but i've yet to try myself (Beautiful Discoveries). i could also tell you of what others things i hate and love about this year that's not beauty-related but maybe some other time - since most of my previous posts have been personal and maybe some are not really inclined to read about them. :) my apologies about not replying to some of your queries or some delay in publishing your comments - i'm really just making "sulit" of the holiday season to spend with my hubby and kids.

alright, 'nuff intro already! LOL here they are!

*note: all products are sorted alphabetically and not in order of hate or love LOL

Disappointments:
- Celeteque Advanced Anti-Aging Power Serum
- Sleek Dip It Duo in Gold
- Shiseido Matifying Veil

All-time favorites:
- Everyday Minerals Flat Top Brush
- Fancl Mild Cleansing Oil
- Joppa Full Coverage Foundation in Medium Light #3
- Joppa Finishing Silk Original Formula Medium
- Life & Companion Angled Liner brush
- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium
- MAC eyeshadows especially Nocturnelle, Beauty Marked, Meet the Fleet, Blue Flame, Bitter, Parrot, Femme-Fi
- MAC Mineralize Blush in Nuance
- MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack
- MAC Cremesheen Glass in Creme Anglaise
- MAC Fascinating Ruby: 6 Smokey Eyes Palette
- MAC Brush Cleanser
- MAC 187, 239, 219, 275, 252 brushes
- Majolica Majorca Majolook Eyeshadow Palettes in BR751 and BR799
- Shu Uemura Glow On in P Peach 47
- Shu Uemura Mark Cealer 7YR Medium
- Sonia Kashuk Angled Liner brush and Blending brush
- Stila Jewel Eye Shadow Palette
- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden

Promising Newcomers:
- Aqualabel White Clear Foam
- Avene Cleanance Emulsion Lotion
- Avene Cleanance-K Cream-gel
- Avene Thermal Spring Water
- Belo Oil Control Kit
- Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with pomegranate oil
- Charm PRO 21-pc. brush set
- Ettusais Cheek Color BE1
- Face Atelier Facade in Arabesque
- Face Atelier Shimmer Powders in Sand and Champagne
- Givenchy Lady Pulp Lady Ruby (707)
- Givenchy Pop Gloss Boost Copper (455)
- Givenchy Pop Gloss Crystal Golden Chantilly (421)
- Hada Labo Nano + Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lotion
- Heavy Rotation Sexy Nude Gloss in 04
- Lucido-L #EX Treatment
- Maquillage Eye Colors in GR328 and PK736
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
- NYX Matte Lipstick in Butter
- NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams in San Paulo & Stockholm
- Paul & Joe Eye Color in 94
- Revlon PhotoReady Concealer in 004
- RMK Creamy Polished Base in 02
- RMK Gel Scrub
- RMK Smoothing Polished Base
- RMK UV Face Protector
- Sex And The City Miranda false eyelash
- Shiseido Stick Foundation in O40
- Sleek Blush in Pomegranate
- Soap and Glory Arch de Triumph
- Suesh Kabuki brush
- Tresemme Deep Cleansing Shampoo
- Tresemme Re-moisturising Conditioner
- Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in Zero
- ZA Impact Lash Mascara in Wide Eyes and Volume

Beautiful Discoveries:
- Beautyblender
- Dolly Wink eyelashes in No. 4 and No. 8
- Face Atelier Ultra Foundations in Wheat, Sand and Sepia
- Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel
- Mario Badescu Herbal Hydrating Serum
- Paul & Joe Eye Color in 08
- Paul & Joe Protective Dual Foundation UV in 31
- Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam
- Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Refining Softener
- Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Protective Moisturizer
- Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Moisturizing Cream
- Sleek Maximum Impact Eyeshadows in Khaki & Sparkle
- Too Faced Smokey Eye Palette

indeed, 2011 was a good year for MereMakeupManiac in terms of venturing out to trying new products and finding a lot of happy endings - be it with beauty products, deals or online stores. and i thank you all for reading my reviews and random blabbings on anything beauty-related and even not so much posts. and tomorrow, this blog will be turning two years old so i'll be holding two contests - one that's sponsored by an online store and another sponsored by moi. (~_^) do look out for it tomorrow when i announce it right here. again, thank you for your support in 2011 and i look forward to your further support in 2012!

what did you love and hate in 2011?

and oh, i pray for a Happy, Prosperous and Purpose-filled New Year to you! (^_^)

hello, hello! happy hauling holidays!

2011-12-24T12:31:00.000+08:00

hey everybody, i've missed getting in touch with you all! i finally decided to end my temporary blogging hiatus as i really cannot contain beauty-related things to myself anymore hehe. but first, i'd like to thank all of you who prayed for Reni and her family. her body was already laid in rest but her spirit will forever be with the Lord. i think if there is an important thing she taught me best is that i should cherish relationships in my life because i do not hold or even know what tomorrow may bring (James 4:13-14). listening to people who loved her the most at her final day of wake in Singapore, they said she brought out the best in them - making them laugh all the time and make them feel good whenever they are with her. i'd like to leave a legacy as such - that people remember you to impart great joy in their lives and therefore is changed forever to do so themselves to others - when i depart this world and rest in the Almighty God's arms. that is actually why i left blogging for a while - i've re-evaluated my priorities in life and my attitude towards people i come across with - my husband, my children, my mom and aunt, my sisters, my in-laws, people in my ministry, my church, friends, colleagues and people i will still touch in the course of living this life for Him. i've spent time to devote ample time to everything that truly matters and although i value blogging as an interest i know God has blessed me with, i know that personal interaction and giving time to people is what matters most. again, for all of you who prayed with me for Reni and her family, i pray that whatever your circumstances may be right now, that the Lord will be with you always and may His will be done unto your lives. He will lift you up from your situations because He is close to those who call on Him (Psalm 145:18).

before i get teary-eyed again, i want to share with you the hauls i've had since a couple of weeks before i went on hiatus. i've been hauling here and there as well as receiving gifts, samples and freebies so this post will be picture heavy. reviews will follow soon, but probably after the holidays. and oh, watch out for a giveaway next month because MereMakeupManiac is turning 2 years old next month, with more than 100 followers and 50,000 hits! indeed, i am blessed with faithful readers as even though i was on hiatus people keep coming to my blog to read my posts - thank you so so so much!

ok, so to start the ball rolling, the biggest haul of all - my RMK workshop haul:

from left to right: Eye gel, Skintuner EX Moist, Skintuner Smoother Light, Nail Color in True Pink, Gel Scrub, UV Face Protector, Fruit Barrier Cream, UV Face Protector, Eyelash curler, Creamy Soap, Concentrate Cream, Eye makeup remover, Cleansing Milk, Cotton, Smoothing Polished Base and Creamy Polished Base

unleashed!

i joined their Singapore Facebook's contest a while back and won this trial pack! (which included Creamy Polished Base 00, Creamy Polished Base 01, UV Face Protector and Gel Scrub samplers)

SUESH

12-pc. Funky Brown brush sets, 12-pc. Funky Purple brush set, 5-pc brush sets, Stippling Brushes, Kabuki Brushes with holder and Powder/Kabuki Brush Guard Pack

ok, i only got 1 kabuki brush with holder and the powder/kabuki brush guard pack - the rest were orders. tee hee! but i thought i'd remind you gals that i sell them in Singapore! contact me if you want one too! my contact details are found at the header above. ;)

WATSONS

Lucido-L #EX Treatment, Aqualabel (from Shiseido) White Clear Foam

Lady Speed Stick, Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel (my 3rd jar!), Hada Labo Nano + Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lotion

Dolly Wink lashes No. 4 and No. 8

DAISO

Razors with sliding cap, Brow stencils, Rhinestones, Disposable Sponges

Detergent for puff and sponge

BHG

Beautyblender (my li'l sis hoarded LOL but she gave me 1, yey!)

PRESTIGE sale

from left to right: Paul & Joe Protective Dual Powder Foundation UV, Paul & Joe Eye Colors, Givenchy Pop Gloss Lip Glosses and Lady Pulp Lip Lacquers

SHISEIDO sale

from left to right: Ettusais Cheek Color in BE1, Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Protective Moisturizer SPF16, Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam, Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Moisturizing Cream, Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Refining Softener, Shiseido Matifying Veil, Shiseido Stick Foundation in O40, Maquillage Eye Color N Powder in GR328 and PK736

Ettusais Cheek Color in BE1, Shiseido Stick Foundation in O40, Maquillage Eye Color N Powder in GR328 and PK736 and Shiseido Matifying Veil

hardcase handbag/shoulder bag sold at S$3! thanks mareng Charles for getting me this, mwahness!

this cabin trolley bag was sold at S$20 only!

LUXOLA.COM

from left to right: Sleek Maximum Impact Eyeshadow in Sparkle, Deborah Lippmann The Stripper To Go laquer remover, Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl Cosmeceutical Anti-aging Hand and Cuticle Cream, Face Atelier SPR 3, Mario Badescu Herbal Hydrating Serum, KAI fragance, Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Deborah Lippmann Ruby Red Slippers, Sleek Mini High Shine Lip Gloss in Magic Strawberry

would you believe i got this as a gift without purchase? this totally surprised me! i was having a gloomy day when this arrived and this totally made me smile! the note said they juts want to thank me for their support, what a thoughtful gesture! four thumbs up for Luxola customer service! (^_^)

in the middle pic, from left to right: KAI fragrance, Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Mario Badescu Herbal Hydrating Serum, Face Atelier SPR 2, Sleek Maximum Impact Eyeshadow in Khaki, Face Atelier Ultra Foundation testers in Wheat, Sepia & Sand, Face Atelier Facade in Arabesque, Sleek Mini High Shine Lip Gloss in Magic Strawberry, Deborah Lippmann Lara's Theme

i just got this yesterday - i bought Deborah Lippmann's Lara's Theme and Face Atelier Facade in Arabesque and the rest are freebies (because my total amounted to S$50) except Face Atelier Ultra Foundation testers which i requested to have included so i can buy a full size bottle once i've found my shade. now, are they the best? that's why they're my favorite online beauty store! btw, if you do not know yet they now ship to Indonesia and Malaysia! go order from them now!

i will be posting again after Christmas already as the weekend is fully packed with activities: our church lifegroup will be holding a Noche Buena party tonight and i'd be preparing for our choir's Christmas Carol repeat performance at church on Sunday - we won the competition held last 18th December so we get to represent wohoo! Glory to God! (^_^)

i wish you a very Merry, Meaningful and Messiah-centered Christmas! (^_^)

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

may be MIA for a while...

2011-12-05T15:31:00.001+08:00

hi readers. sorry if i haven't been posting for a few days. i was totally swamped with work last week and towards the weekend, things that truly matter happened and today i was really strucked by it's reality, i cannot just for the life of me blog about beauty. one of my sister-in-faith has a daughter who is now in the hospital, in a critical condition. our church are praying fervently for her divine healing. her name is Reni and if you can offer a prayer to the Lord Almighty, our Father who sent Jesus Christ to save us from our sins, for her miraculous healing i believe the Lord will hear out your prayer and i'll be very, very grateful. just saw her an hour ago lying on the bed, with his husband at his side and her mother crying out beside me, praying to God, asking Him for His mercy and grace upon her life. i am realizing again that only living for God's glory matters in this life. i've recently had my own battle with sickness middle of this year, when i discovered so many kidney stones in my left kidney. i totally relied to God and no one else, for i know only He can deliver me from it. true enough, He healed me in His time - i was declared stone-free by the doctor after three ESWL sessions. it is the second time He saved me, for the first time was from my sins, when i received Him as my Lord and Saviour. so now i know that i am reminded that although we can do things here on earth, it is most important to pay close attention to what matters most - our relationship with God, our families, how we treat people and how do we spread God's good news. i may get criticized for this "religious" post but i am not ashamed to ask you to pray for a sister in need if you can. i know God rewards a humble heart and i pray that you will be blessed.

on posting more entries, i will still be posting because my blog exists to inspire women to empower themselves with cosmetics and anything beauty-related. however, i'll probably resume doing so next week as i realized this brought about things i want to prioritize and consider heavily in my life right now.

i pray that you will have a blessed week! God bless and loves all of you!

P.S.

if you have a prayer need or request, i will be more than happy to pray for you as well. just let me know either in email, if you are a bit shy to let me know in the comments.

God bless you!

Review: Celeteque Anti-aging Serum

2011-11-30T12:44:00.000+08:00

well well well, if it isn't wowing Wednesday hehe! why did i become cheesy again haha! i think realizing that it's a few days from weekend again that makes me jolly! although a bit on the silly side haha.

if my attitude is cheerful, it's because am so excited that i'll be again a part of another important event for our church, which is the Christmas carol competition. hoping to give my best to give God the glory! (^_^)

ok, anyway i have to cut my bubbly outlook when it comes to this product - Celeteque Advanced Anti-Aging Power Serum (Concentrated Break Off Capsules with Cytostimulin Lipopeptides).

Nikki of Askmewhats was so sweet to include this in her gift to me when we met - thanks again Nikki! since i've recently paid attention to skincare, i was really excited to try a range of skincare items. and anti-aging serums definitely are interesting items to try out - after all, who doesn't want to age gracefully? i really wanted this to work for me, unfortunately i found a lot of fall factors with this item when i used it.

my thoughts:

- the consistency of the product is greasy for me. i've read reviews (see mrsmartinez's and thecuriouszealot's) that they find the formulation to be absorbed easily but it just didn't happen to me with this product. of course it still got absorbed and dried eventually but it took a longer time, like 2-3 minutes. and that amount of time bothers me because to begin with my skin is oily. i actually became hesitant to try this once i broke off the capsule but decided to go ahead and try it instead of wasting it.

- the amount of product is a lot for my entire face because i won't cover my entire face with this. i only applied this on my undereye, forehead, laugh lines, upper cheeks (where my pores are bigger), chin area and neck. i usually find myself forced to finish this off that i just apply the rest on the neck which is not a bad thing because it's the only part that i apply with that i don't have problems with (i can take richer formulated products on my neck but not on my face)

- the thing i hate most about this is that it irritates my eye! even when i am careful not to apply near my waterline i still get teary-eyed after applying this, it totally bugged me! so much that after 16 days of use, i gave up on it. it's now sitting on my drawer with 5 more capsules left. *sigh*

- it's promise is to smoothen the skin in as little as one week but i felt that it just made me oilier unnecessarily. good thing this is only used at night, cannot imagine using this during day! it will make me look like a frying pan fresh from frying fries (that's how i wake up in the morning when i used this the evening prior)

- considering this worked for me, who in their right mind can maintain using a product that costs about PhP700 every 3 weeks? definitely not me. i think there are far more superior anti-aging creams/serums/products that can deliver far better results and will be either cheaper or more cost-effective. now that i've thought about it, maybe a better skincare regimen will help in the fight with anti-aging, don't you agree?

ok, i wanna stop right now because it is seriously messing with my happy outlook today hehe. but even if this is not a good review, i hope this product will work on maybe dry skinned or normal skinned people. i believe on giving personal reviews, whether they are good or bad, because it gives an insight of how it performed on an individual. of course, the decision to purchase and try a product is always on our own. :)

wow your Wednesdays women! haha i am totally wacked out today with the Ws lol!

Sale alert: Stila Warehouse Sale

2011-11-29T16:13:00.000+08:00

are you in the US?

do you love me very very much?

if you answered YES to both questions, can you please get me these!!!

it sucks not to be in US right now... *sigh*

but for all of you who are there and can have your orders shipped to US (or Japan), head to Stila's site now and score some great deals!

hurry before stocks ran out! (^_^)

Review: Soap and Glory Arch de Triumph

2011-11-29T12:41:00.000+08:00

i wish you a warm and toasty Tuesday ladies, as i tremble in coldness in the office - brr! i already have a sweater on and still am freezing waaaaahhhh...

anyhoo, to distract me from that i want to talk to you about my new frequently used brow liner - the Soap & Glory Arch de Triumph. i first saw an ad in a magazine about new products and this was among them and it definitely caught my attention. it has this very bright packaging and the size of the liner is like that of a big crayon - i instantly loved it! so when i went to Sephora, i made sure i got this.

very good pointers and tips for brow noobs like moi! i really don't try to master the art of perfecting brow grooming and makeup but this simple pointers prove very helpful! in fact, i still have the box and don't have intention of throwing it away (unlike what i do with other boxes, straight to the bin!)

my thoughts:
- i find the packaging very vibrant and cheerful, from the box to the actual product.
- the crayon is very easy to handle and use, i just hate thin eyebrow pencils!
- the brow shaper is creamy and does not tug the skin, thumbs up! i find though that frequent usage will dull the point so you'll need to have a sharpener handy, which i don't mind doing. i had to use a spoolie brush though after applying this because the creaminess of it sorta "sticks" the hair together, in comparison with using brow powders. good thing i'm loving Charm Spoolie brush, it's one of my staple everyday brushes!
- the shade of the brow shaper is a little to the darker hue and i can always notice that on pictures especially because my hair is lighter. if this was available in another lighter shade, that would've been awesome!
- the brow shaper has quite few shimmers in it but not really noticeable shiny once applied on the brows, only upon swatching
- the higlighter shade is matte, easily smudged and does a good job of highlighting
- applying color to the brows has never been easier and faster! i used to use a brow brush and a brow powder to apply brow color and another lighter eyeshadow for highlight but now it's all in one product, loving that application time cutoff!
- if you're the type of person who carry very small bag or purse, you might it a bit annoying that this is tad larger but i usually put on makeup at home so i don't bring this most of the time except when am travelling, which by then i put it in a makeup bag
- i usually don't mention prices in my reviews but i think this is value for money at S$18. some thin eyebrow pencils are priced at half of that but i feel that the quality of this product is unbeatable

can you tell i love this product?! i will be happy to repurchase this and recommend especially those with darker hair. how about you, what's your fave eyebrow product nowadays?

take it easy for the rest of day bellas!

NOTD: China Glaze Shooting Stars

2011-11-28T14:40:00.000+08:00

marvellous Monday everybody! i had a difficulty getting out of bed this morning - really wanted to sleep longer! but of course, need to head for work and put butter on our table! (my hubby brings the bread haha cheesy i know!)

anyhoo, i realized that i've gone a bit carried away with reviewing Avene products haha and i've still some products on their line left for me to review but i wanna get back and review the rest of the recent Sephora haul i got. so for today, i wanna brighten up my blog with a post on glittery polish - just because all this rain is not cheerful at all! LOL

i've no idea what collection (China Glaze) Shooting Stars was part of but when i saw it at the Sephora CG stand i can't resist it!

used alone, under direct sunlight

used alone, indoor daytime lighting

although it's pretty on its own, i got curious and tried pairing it with other shades i own.

bare polishes from thumb to pinkie: OPI You Don't Know Jacques!, OPI At Your Quebec and Call, China Glaze Gussied Up Green, OPI Overexposed In South Beach and Orly Liquid Vinyl (two coats except for OPI At Your Quebec and Call which was three coats, no topcoat)

jazzed up with China Glaze Shooting Stars!

it prettifies the polishes although i favor those darker shades especially over Orly Liquid Vinyl. it actually reminded me of a polish i want to buy but now realized i can actually dupe it - can you guess??? it's Deborah Lippmann Forget You! although i might try Orly Liquid Vinyl with Milani Jewel FX Gems instead (since that resembles Debora Lippmann Happy Birthday closely than China Glaze Shooting Stars).

my thoughts:
- love the formula of this polish! compared to Milani Jewel FX polishes (i own Gems and Gold), this has a much thinner clear base that applies easily and dries fast
- i find the combination of more small glitter specks with a few bigger hexagonal pieces made it a breeze to apply as opposed to all chunky hexagonal glitters, perfect for glitter novice nail polish aficionados
- i do not need to apply topcoat anymore whether i use this alone or on top of another polish as i've said it really dries quickly

i heart this polish, i love pairing it with dark shades! this is a happy realization as i don't usually mix 'n match polish shades due to laziness haha.

how do you like Shooting Stars or any other glitter polish faves? rave about it here!

Review: Avene Cleanance K Cream-gel

2011-11-25T10:30:00.000+08:00

great Friday morning to yah! can't believe it's the end of another week as i just got back to work yesterday haha.

i realized i've not said much about my church camp to Malaysia recently and i just want to share some of the highlights quickly. as much as i've enjoyed and learned from the enthusiastic and encouraging teachings, i've also loved the bonding moments brought by the recreation time when we played various games (ala Minute to Win It), spent free time swimming and get dressed and totally made up for the special night, when everyone wore their best dresses and suits! indeed, it was refreshing not only spriritually but emotinally as well. i think most of our pictures are at my hubby's Canon DSLR so i'll let him sort it our first then i'll share some especially those of the special night. (^_^)

some of you commented about my makeup and nail polish used on my current skincare regimen video - thanks so much! if you are interested in knowing, here is the breakdown of makeup i used (as far as i can remember that is!):

Dr. Jart Silver Label Rejuvenating Blemish Balm

Joppa Full Coverage Medium Light #3 foundation

Joppa Sheer Original Finishing Silk (setting powder)

MAC Hot Paprika of Styledriven Collection (inner and middle lid)

MAC Satin Taupe of Passions of Red (2008 Holiday Collection) Fascinating Ruby: 6 Smokey Eyes palette (outer lid)

Soap & Glory Arch de Triumph (brows)

ZA Impact Lash Wide Eyes mascara

Dolly Wink No. 4 falsies

Sleek Pomegranate (cheeks)

Burt Bee's Repleneshing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil

MAC Cremesheen Gloss in Creme Anglaise
Deborah Lippmann I Know What Boys Like (nails)

haha i think i got a bit sidetracked already lol. today's post is another installment to the Avene review series. may i highlight that this is my most loved Avene skincare product from everything that i own! (^_^)

swatch and review after the jump!

What Avene says:
Daily treatment helps eliminate clogged pores, blackheads, blemishes to reveal a brighter, clearer complexion. Non-irritating formulations clinically proven to change the pattern of cycle causing acne breakouts, reduce excess sebum, and restore skin’s balance.

40 ml / 1.35 fl. oz.

Indication:
- Oily, blemish-prone skin
- Visible shine
- Enlarged pores

Skin type:
- Oily, blemish-prone skin

Benefits:
- pH of 3.5 for maximum exfoliation without irritation
- Helps minimize oil and purifies the skin
- Oil-absorbing micro-capsules provide a matte finish
- Creates thinner, smoother upper layer of skin and improves elasticity of the skin
- Avène Thermal Spring Water to soothe and soften skin
- Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

How to use:
- Apply PM after thoroughly cleansing with Avène Cleanance Soap-Free Gel Cleanser. If bothersome tingling occurs, reduce frequency of application accordingly.

Ingredients:
* Avène thermal spring water (50%) - Soothes and softens
* Glycolic acid + Lactic acid - Alpha Hydroxy Acids exfoliate
* Salicylic acid - Beta Hydroxy Acid exfoliates
* Cucurbita pepo extract (Pumpkin seed oil) - Regulates sebum secretion
* Zinc gluconate - Purifies
* Chamomile (Alpha-bisabolol) - Soothes
* Oil-absorbing powders - Mattifying action for a shine-free finish

my thoughts:

- the consistency is creamy and gets absorbed fairly quickly, like the Avene Anti-Shine Regulating Lotion

- this blends out clearly, so no white cast whatsoever

- i've been using this for 2 months and i've not had breakouts since! i actually have some now but it's because i've been trying new skincare here and there (ugh!) but still this product prevent those bumps from further surfacing, isn't that amazing?!

- when i first tried this, i felt a bit of tingling sensation which was to be expected but it didn't break me out. eventually, my skin got used to it and responded very well, making any pimple subside in 1-2 days! even those trying to surface bumps have not succeeded! mwahahaha! ok that's going a bit far :p

- my skin felt a lot smoother and pimple-free since i've used this!

- i noticed that i have fewer blackheads and clogged pores by using this!

- i like the packaging, it's in a squeeze tube form like the Avene Anti-Shine Regulating Lotion

- the scent is a bit similar to vinegar (sour smelling) but i don't mind as it's not that overpowering and over a period of time i got used to it

- easily available at Watsons and Guardian drugstores in Singapore

in summary, i love love love this product! i never thought i'd come across a product that will help me clear my pimples and occassional breakouts on a long-term basis! i highly recommend this product if you are looking into getting something that will help you with your oily and sensitive skin and a maintenance product to keep pimples/acne at bay!

have you found any HG acne-buster product? please do share, i want to know!

pamper yourself this weekend ladies to look forward to another fruitful week ahead! (^_^)

Review: Avene Very High Protection Emulsion SPF50+

2011-11-24T19:00:00.001+08:00

how are you doing beautiful? sorry for keeping you waiting for a fresh post. i just arrived from Kuantan, Malaysia last Tuesday night and rested yesterday - also had to bring my son to the doctor due to colds and cough. Today, I had lots of catching up as my work inbox was swamped with emails! i also still need to check my commenting system later so if you dropped me a question there, hang tight and i will get back at yah in a jiffy! (^_^)

for now, i want to continue the Avene review series with my insights on their sunblock named Very High Protection Emulsion SPF50+.

blended out

What Avene says:

The Ultra High Protection Emulsion 50+ has been specially developed for hypersensitive skin with a fair or creamy complexion in the case of intense sunlight. Based on MPI-SORB that offers protection against UVB and UVA rays, it combines patented minderal screens with TINOSORB M+S. It also contains:
- Vitmain E precursor, anti-oxidant pre-tocopheyl which helps to reinforce the cutaneous barrier
- Curbita Pepo, which regulates sebum secretion
- Avene Thermal Spring Water, known for its soothing and anti-irritant properties

The Ultra High Protection 50+ is well-tolerated by even the most sensitive skin. Thanks to its non-tinted, lightweight, invisble and non-greasy texture, it is easily applied and penetrates rapidly, thus making it very pleasant to use.

Ingredients:
Avene Thermal Spring Water
Ethylhexyl Methoxyonnamate
Glycerin
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol
Methoxyphenyl
Triazine
Cyclomethicone
Methylene
Bis-Benzotriazolyl
Tetramethylbutylphenol
Water
Glyceryl Stearate
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
Cetyl Alcohol
Pvp/Eicosene Copolymer
Stearyl Alcohol
Butylparaben
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil
Decyl Glucoside
Disodium EDTA
Ethylparaben
Fragrance
Isobutylparaben
Magnesium Aluminium Silicate
Methylparaben
Phenoxyethanol
Propylparaben
Titanium Dioxide
Tocopheryl Glucoside
Tribehenin
Trerthoxycaprylylsilane
Trimethoxycaprylylsilane
Xanthan Gum
Zinc Oxide

Indication:
- Sun protection for oily sensitive skin and young problem skin.
- Helps prevent photo-dermatosis(sun allergies)

Directions:
- Apply evenly to skin before sun exposure.
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure even when using this product.
- Reapply frequently particularly during prolonged exposure and always after swimming.

my thoughts:
- i like the packaging because even though it's in tube form, it has a pump that can control the product dispensed without squeezing the body of the tube. it may look deceiving as some may comment pumps dispense more than tubes themselves but you can control the pressure on the pump that will result how much product you'll pump out
- this has a teeny tiny scent but my not-so sensitive smell is not offended
- the consistency is creamy and a bit nearing greasy. i felt that applying too thin or rubbing the product vigorously or quickly will result to a feeling of intense friction (first time i did that i thought my face was burning!) so be wary of that. what i did to counter that is apply liberally and gently in front of a fan.
- absorption time is a bit longer compared to Avene Anti-Shine Regulating Lotion, which is about 30 seconds, but i believe is still reasonable
- i don't believe this gives me a ghoul-like white cast so that's good!
- i've been using this probably for a month already and i've not noticed any darkening on parts i apply this with (face and neck) so that's a yey!
- easily available at Watsons and Guardian drugstores in Singapore

overall, i can say i can live with this product but i wouldn't mind missing it too. it's not something i would go back to but not worthy of the rubbish bin either. i will definitely finish this then i'm moving on. i've my eyes already on a new sunblock after i finish this one (hint: it's from Japan!)

whew! i've written this entry on iPhone Blogger app haha it is tiring to type the letters one by one by fingers! LOL but all for the love of my readers! (^_^) hope you gals have a relaxing rest of the evening! "see" you all tomorrow!

Review: Avene Anti-shine Regulating Lotion

2011-11-22T08:00:00.018+08:00

hi gorgeousness! yesterday was part 1 of my Avene oily skincare line review tackling their Anti-Shine Purifying Lotion. today is the next product in line - the Anti-Shine Regulation Lotion.

What Avene says:

Moisturizer absorbs oil and provides long lasting mattification.

40 mL, 1.35 fl. oz.

Indication:

- Oily, blemish-prone skin

- Visible shine

- Enlarged pores

Skin type:

- Oily, blemish-prone skin

Benefits:

- Light weight, oil-free, fast absorbing facial moisturizer

- Sebum regulating capsules absorb oil while moisturizing the skin

- Provides long lasting mattification

- Avène Thermal spring water to soothe and soften skin

- Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

How to use:

- Apply AM/PM after thoroughly cleansing with Cleanance Soap-free gel cleanser.

Ingredients:
* Avène thermal spring water (75%) - Soothes and softens
* Cucurbita pepo extract - Regulates sebum secretion
* Zinc gluconate - Purifies
* Oil-absorbing powders - Absorbs excess oil, mattifies

my thoughts:

- the feel of this product is not ointmenty although from the swatch it may appear to be so. it glides on smoothly and gets absorbed by the skin fairly quickly and is easy to blend into the skin

- a little goes a long way. a single strand of product the length of third of your index finger is a good amount of product to spread across an area

- same with the toner, it smells like fresh water and it's sorta relaxing

- i can feel this product hydrating my skin in order to balance the oils needed and refrain my face from producing excessive oils

- tube type packaging is both handy and prevents messiness especially during travel
- i bought this together with the toner and i still haven't used it up!

as i've said on the video, at first i thought this was not working until i forgot to put it on one day and that day my face looked like a frying pan! i think i may have overexpected from this product then but now my expectations are realistic and i believe this keeps the disco-ball-shine off of my face! if you've got oily skin, this is a good product to check out!

random sharing: after lunch we'll be on our way back to Singapore. aww.. bye Kuantan, Malaysia!

have you discovered any oil controlling products lately that worked well for you? care to share with a fellow oil mine faced, i mean oily skinned gal like moi!

hope your Tuesday is just terrific as it should be!

Review: Avene Anti-shine Purifying Lotion

2011-11-21T08:00:00.026+08:00

hey dear readers! last Friday, i've shared with you in a video what products i use for my daily skincare regimen. today, i want to review in more detail the toner i mentioned there - Avene Cleanance Anti-Shine Purifying Lotion.

(its the one on the right)

What Avene says:

Astringent toner purifies skin and tightens pores without stinging or irritating sensation. Mattifying powders help absorb excess sebum and leave skin shine-free.

200 ml / 6.76 fl. oz.

Indication:

- Oily, blemish-prone skin

- Visible shine

- Enlarged pores

Skin type:

- Oily, blemish-prone skin

Benefits:

- Astringent toner purifies skin and tightens pores without stinging or irritating sensation

- Helps regulate sebum secretion

- Bi-phase formula activates active ingredients by shaking

- Mattifying powders help absorb excess sebum and leave skin shine-free

- Avène Thermal Spring Water to soothe and soften skin

- Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

How to use:

- Shake well before use.

- Apply AM/PM to the face with a cotton pad, after thoroughly cleansing with Avène Cleanance Soap-Free Gel Cleanser.

Ingredients:
* Avène Thermal Spring Water (75%) - Anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, soothing and softening
* Cucurbita pepo extract - Regulates sebum secretion
* Zinc gluconate - Purifies
* Salicylic acid - Exfoliates
* CTAB- Anti-bacterial
* Alcohol - Astringent, purifies. 10% concentration clinically proven to be the best tolerability / efficacy ratio
* Mattifying, anti-shine powders - Absorbs excess oil, mattifies

my thoughts:

- it did help to control my oilies, together with other oil-controlling products i use from the same line

- the powders that are shaken together with the toner solution does not come off grainy when put on cotton and patted on skin but mixes well with the toner solution, thus feels smooth on application

- lasts a long time (about 2 months already) so great bang for your buck

- very soothing and refreshing, did not irritate my sensitive skin at all

- it has a very light scent that's ever so calming, like fresh water

- i did notice my large pores got smaller

- plastic container is lightweight and the cap can be twisted left to right and vice-versa to reveal/hide the hole to dispense the product

overall, i really like this toner. i don't think i can come face to face with a toner that i will be totally gaga over for let's face it, it's function is to return the moisture to skin (depleted by cleansing), balance the pH level of skin and enable a moisturizer to get absorb easily and function better. i can say i'd be happy to recommend this to someone with oily skin like mine.

it's our church camp's 3rd day today and tomorrow we'll be leaving Malaysia after lunch. communing with God is awesome! what are you busy with today?

marvelous Monday to you all!

my current skincare regimen

2011-11-18T14:47:00.000+08:00

hey bellas! it's an eerie day at the office - all bosses and other colleagues are on leave! i only have one colleague sitting near me haha! people are trying to finish up their leaves as the year ends. i'll be having my fair share of these leaves too as tomorrow i'll be off to church camp for 4 days! i'll be leaving you all today with a post on my current skincare regimen and i'll be scheduling posts for Monday and Tuesday.

ok, so i finally decided to create another video again - i only have two including this one! lame! haha. anyway, this is the first time though i've included my face haha the last time it's my hands whose doing the "talking" lol. alright, so i've briefly went through what skincare products i use in the morning and before bedtime. if you are currently not able to see the video, don't fret as i will include my insights right below it.

Day:
Belo Glycolic Soap
Avene Cleanance Anti-Shine Purifying Lotion
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Avene Cleanance Anti-Shine Regulation Lotion
Avene Very High Protection Emulsion SPF 50+

Night:
Belo Glycolic Soap
Avene Cleanance Anti-Shine Purifying Lotion
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Avene Cleanance Anti-Shine Regulation Lotion
Avene Cleanance-K Cream Gel

overall thoughts on each products:

- Belo Glycolic Soap: this soap definitely cleanses my skin without leaving it tight and helps to minimize blackheads and whiteheads (you can see my review on Belo Oil Control Kit, which it is included in).

- Avene Cleanance Anti-Shine Purifying Lotion: brings back moisture to my face but rids of excess oil, love this!

- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel: i'm head over heels with this moisturizer! best i've tried to date. (see my review here)

- Avene Cleanance Anti-Shine Regulation Lotion: highly lessened oil on my face - must product to try for oily skinned individuals!

- Avene Very High Protection Emulsion SPF 50+: great sunblock overall, just hoped it could be less greasy/creamy so i could really slather on more

- Avene Cleanance-K Cream Gel: sensitive skin's best pal! keeps pimple away! highly recommended.

i will write separate posts on all Avene products i've mentioned on this post/video. but for now all i can say is, "Avene, why is it that we only met recently?! You are such a lifesaver!" (or skinsaver, err whatever lol you get the idea haha)

hope you ladies found this mini review helpful. as i've said, stay tuned for detailed, one-by-one reviews!

have a restful and happy weekend ahead!

open forum!

2011-11-17T16:52:00.001+08:00

hey ladies! maybe you're wondering why i didn't put up a post earlier? two things: 1) i'm at a loss what to write about and 2) i yearn to put up something that will be really helpful to my readers.

maybe you'd been wanting to ask me a question? or a set of them? how about a look or review request? what do you want to see in this blog?

my aim is to inspire more women to embrace their beauty by the use of skincare, cosmetics and other beauty what-nots and am opening the discussion forum! tell me your thoughts! shout some comments to this post or log your insights on my cbox widget (at the right side bar).

i'll be waiting ladies! i hope the rest of your day will be fantastic. mine's not so - am so unglam because of my colds! hate sneezing and nose blowing every 5 minutes. ugh!

speak your mind ladies!

P.S. btw ladies, in case you're wondering if i went to Shiseido's sale yesterday, i did! got me a humble haul, will share that to you soon!

Shiseido Sale 2011

2011-11-16T08:00:00.008+08:00

are you going?!?!

Watsons & Guardian hair haul

2011-11-15T18:00:00.000+08:00

better late than never ladies! been contemplating what to post for today and really can't make up my mind haha. been under the weather for a couple of days now - i hate colds! been sneezing and blowing my nose every 5 minutes - so yucky! ugh.

anyhoo, you'd know i've finally decided because i'm posting now hehe. thought i'd share what i hauled at Watsons and Guardian recently - and you won't guess it: haircare products! (^_^) i cannot buy makeup for a long time (as per my hubby) so why not buy other stuff? hehe.

more pictures and short impressions after the jump!

i've been on a hunt for a clarifying shampoo since i've been using hair spray and frizz control products, they've been building up residue on my hair which makes it a lot more brittle!! (T_T) well, i did a leap of faith and got TRESemme deep cleansing shampoo and the recommended partner, remoisturising conditioner. it was a great decision to get these! never felt my hair so manageable, shiny and naturally feeling healthy for a long time! i'll post a separate review on them soon.

i've discovered Lucido-L while looking for anti-frizz products that i can replace Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield with. i thought of trying this because Nikki of Askmewhats previously commented she loved their products. she was so right! i love that these comes in smaller jars, perfect for trying out and travelling. been using the Ex Treatment (Silky Sleek) for weeks now and i am hooked! not yet tried the Round Ridge (Bouncy Curls) yet but will soon. review and more insights on these on a separate post.

the last item i hauled is an accident. i was already on my way to the cashier when i noticed this as it was beside Lucido-L products. the name already catches my attention: Liese Smooth Hair Cocktail. even the packaging is uber enticing! it promises to smoothen out tangled hair - who hasn't experienced that one time or another? i know i have, especially when i wake up in the morning or after piling on so much products on my hair that i've residue buildup. i've tried this twice but i feel like i should put it to a test so i'm testing it still and will post a review later.

never knew i'd add another drugstore must-visit: Guardian!

do you lassies spend on your tresses? what are your must-haves?

enjoy the rest of this rainy Tuesday!

NOTD: OPI Black Shatter

2011-11-14T11:01:00.000+08:00

exciting Monday to all of you my dear readers! it's the start of a 7-day prayer and fasting for our church's nearing camp and i'm so excited! Hope Church Singapore is going to Kuantan, Malaysia at Bukit Gambang Resort City on the 19th, whopee!

there's another beauty-related matter that made me excited - OPI Shatter!

i've initially expressed my dismay on this product on a beauty forum but i changed my mind! look at the proceeding pictures and my thoughts to know why!

over OPI Romeo and Juliet

under direct sunlight

outdoor lighting

over Nicole by OPI Light A Candle

under direct sunlight

outdoor lighting

my thoughts:

- if you're a first-time user of shatter polishes, you'd find that this is a bit tricky to apply - reason why i maybe hated this product at first. i found that i neither shouldn't thinly apply nor overapply this in order for it to shatter properly and beautifully. (case in point, swatch with OPI Romeo & Juliet was thinly applied.) you only need to apply the product in one fairly thick coat and it should do its magic momentarily.

- another key for this to shatter properly is making sure the underneath polish is dry before applying this

- it dries up so fast you really have to work on it quickly! you should've thought of how to apply it on your nails before you do or you'll ruin it and start over

- even thought it's shattered, the texture still finishes smoothly!

- since i got black, it's best used on lighter shades

do i love it? yeah i do very much now! in fact, am already looking into what other polishes i can pair this with. am also looking into getting other colored shatters now. uh-oh, says my wallet. :P

do you own shatter polishes? how are you liking or hating them?

shopping dilemma: Lumix G3 or PEN mini?

2011-11-11T16:53:00.000+08:00

i'm sorry for not posting early for today - i was busy with stuff for a basic skincare and makeup workshop i'll be hosting for my caregroup's session tonight. hope they will learn something from me and that i can really teach something useful to them haha!

anyhoo, i've been contemplating on buying a better camera for a while now. i don't have much settings available in my current one which may be hindering me from taking better quality pictures. december is almost here and hopefully my yearend bonus too! (^_^)

will you help me decide which one to get???

Panasonic Lumix G3

Click here for the specs and click here for the review

Olympus PEN mini

Click here for the specs and click here for the review

how about you? what do you plan to reward yourself with this coming holiday season?

enjoy your weekend ladies!

Review: Avon Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield

2011-11-10T10:35:00.000+08:00

terrific Thursday to yah ladies! i'm keeping my vibes positive today even when there's this work-related matter that bothered me for a few days. but i realized that my real boss is the Lord so i should not worry much about it but just prove that i work hard and He will do the rest for me. after all, we work to live and not live to work right? (^_^)

i've been more experimental with trying out hair products lately. before, giving attention to my mane will only involve 1x a year visit to the salon for rebond, occasional trims and daily use of shampoo and conditioner. pretty mundane right? so when Phoebe gave me Avon Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield, i figured i should start then and give such products a try.

my thoughts:

- the consistency is easy to work with. it's almost watery, easy to spread

- i like the packaging. the amount you need to use can be easily controlled to squeeze out and when you close the cap, there is no chance of spilling

- it has a light, pleasant scent so for ladies who are sensitive to scents, that's a heads up. as for me, i don't mind at all

- it does control frizziness although it doesn't totally tame the tresses to be sleek. it just makes your hair behave normally (sorry couldn't think of how else to describe it lol)

- i noticed that after sometime it feels like you've sprayed hairspray on your hair as combing the hair with the fingers feels a bit heavier and kinda stiff (if you get my drift). i felt like this product gives me lots of product buildup (which made me seek clarifying shampoo, which i will tackle on another post)

- since this is from Avon, i suppose this is easily available from Avon ladies and it is affordable (i got mine as a gift)

overall, this ain't half bad at all. if you're slowly starting with taking extra care for your hair, this is a good product to kick it off. i wouldn't buy another though when i finish this one, as i've found another one much better and i suppose cheaper! (it starts with L! will do a review on that on another post.)

have you tried any Avon hair products or any frizz control products? what is your experience with it?

Review: MAC Styledriven Collection - Pink Frontier and Hot Paprika

2011-11-09T10:33:00.000+08:00

i want to deeply thank all of you who supports my blog and shout out your kind words lately - i totally appreciate each and every one of them! may God bless all your hearts! (^_^)

it's been a while since i've hauled MAC eyeshadows because i've still got lots of them - whether single pans or in palettes - and i haven't finished any yet ever! i've hit the pan for Femme-Fi but it's still enough to use so really i don't know when i'll be able to finish any of these colors. :p but that fact didn't stop me from hauling eyeshadows from the MAC Styledriven Collection as these are pro longwear eyeshadows and the color selections are just lovely! i wanted to haul 4 more actually but the price kept me from getting more! (they retail for S$39 each!) so even though i liked Styledriven, Sunny Outlook, Tease With Ease and Fresh Flare, i turned my back on them with sadness and just walked away with Pink Frontier and Hot Paprika. talk about being dramatic! LOL anyway, i've chosen these two because i don't have any similar shades like these two in my makeup arsenal and i don't think i've ever seen such colors before so i just had to snag them. btw these are about the same size as the mineralized eyeshadows from Red She Said Collection (circa 2008, remember Danger Zone?), bigger than the normal eyeshadows (which retail for S$23~26 i think).

ok, so enough talk and more pictures!

Pink Frontier

Hot Paprika

swatches are applied on skin, no primer initially applied underneath

on Pink Frontier: i love this color. i've never come across a pink-gold hue before so this definitely intrigued me the most in the eyeshadow line of this collection. and yet when i used it on my eyes, it fell flat. (T_T) this applied beautifully on my hands but it doesn't exactly match the undertones of my facial skin. it was almost invisible even when i try to put on layers of it, just for it to show. it was frustrating. (T_T) but do i hate it? nope. i would probably use this on someone else and hopefully it'll show up prettily. this color stays put and blends easily. if not it not showing up on my skintone, i'd make it a keeper.

on Hot Paprika: i salivate for this color! there was something that lured me into getting this. it is orangey but not in a scary way that it's pretty. it's like burnt orange, has that red tinge to it. again, it striked me as a color that's unique (imo) and i just had to have it. this one shows up on me and complements my skintone perfectly. i never thought that this will be neutral-ish and if you know me, i stay away from neutral shades since i look dead wearing them. but this definitely didn't! lots of you girls complimented how it looked on me on another post (which the FOTD i'll be showing again later) and i agree! my conclusion? i think i should pick shades that are in the family of neutrals but still have brightness to it, not mostly shades of browns. same with Pink Frontier, this stays put and blends with so much ease! this is definitely a keeper.

here is how i wore Hot Paprika:

on outer V, with MAC Goldmine on inner lid and MAC Bitter on middle lid

as the main color, on inner and middle lid

i didn't post FOTD for Pink Frontier because it really looked blah on me. i've tried several times to use it but just to no success. oh well!

did you get anything from this MAC collection?

NOTD: Deborah Lippmann Bad Romance

2011-11-08T12:14:00.000+08:00

happy Tuesday ladies! it's back to work once again - bye long weekend! we have a new bundle of joy in the house so there's more reason to stay positive nowadays! (^_^) more details on that on my future posts hehe.

i've almost forgotten to feature Deborah Lippmann Bad Romance, which is part of my first purchase from Luxola.com. i love this polish and hopefully my swatches do them justice.

more pictures and swatches after the jump!

all swatches done in 2 coats, no topcoat (kindly excuse the cuticles!)

my thoughts:
- it looks absolutely gorgeous! especially under direct sunlight.

- the formula is easy to apply and dries fast. it is shiny even without a topcoat (all swatches above are of the polish alone)

- there is a bit of a trick to apply it so that the bigger glitters get into action as well. if you just apply this hastily, it's most likely that you'll apply the bigger glitters sparingly. i had to made sure they are distributed nicely for these swatches.

- i honestly thought the color of the polish will be purple but it looked so dark it's black. it still looks very nice though, so not really complaining.

- same functional and chic packaging, loving it!

- for S$33, this is expensive no doubt but definitely a keeper too!

if you are able to get your hands on this, do! i think it'll be great for your manicure probably for evening wear or as pedicure but if you know me (i love colorful polish) i don't care and i will wear it anytime and on every nail i have! hehe. i give this two thumbs up!

have you any Deborah Lippmann loving lately? lemme know! (~_^)

i hope you'll be cheerful for the rest of the day!

thoughts about my recent Sephora haul ... and haters!

2011-11-07T14:16:00.000+08:00

lovely morning ladies! it's still a public holiday today here, it's Hari Raya Haji - wohoo! i actually just woke up and proceeded to write this post tee hee.

before i get on with what i recently got at Sephora, i want to briefly share with you a hater experience i just came across with. there's this commenter who posted comments on my concealer showdown post and in my review of my first Sleek blush. in the showdown post, he/she first used an anonymous nickname and a bogous email address and told me that he/she "thinks that one should seriously invest on skincare rather than makeup". i figured it's not a malicious comment yet i really felt like there has some sarcasm into it and i felt that she's referring to my syringomas, which may appear as cystic pimples to most people and may give her an impression that i am neglecting my skin. if you are not aware, syringomas are harmless sweat duct tumors which can be removed by carbon dioxide laser, electrocautery or other surgical methods but all of these treatments can often leave scars on the face. the scars are due to permanent damage to the tissues and not much can be done to remove them completely. so unless they do not bother you much you may simply want to leave them - and that's what am doing. anyway, i approved that comment at the time but thought i'll answer it at a later time. but only after a day, the same commenter logged comments again - this time at the same concealer showdown post and in my Sleek blush review post under a new nickname which is the same handle used by another blogger who i've known to be not the same person. he/she is a lot bolder with her sarcasm and rudeness this time, punning about my bright eye makeup and totally making fun of my wart. that's when i started to look closely and realized that this is the same commenter but used an existing email account. with a little digging, i found that this email address is connected with a yahoogroup of a Pinoy's disbanded band. the only female in the band is the vocalist so it's logical to think it's her that's leaving those comments, after all she commented on the post that she also owns the same Sleek blush. anyway, i also found out she has an active twitter account and ironically, mentions in one of her tweets that she wants others to fill her shoes first before judging her. i opted not to publish her comments to avoid encouraging her, making her think her comments attract attention and make her famous through my blog. but i can't help but wonder, why pick on me? i don't think my blog is famous for her to publicize herself with. and the way she picks on me, maybe she thinks she's prettier than me then why bother wasting her time reading and commenting on my posts? i'm just human so i admit her comments are hurtful but i am certainly not discouraged to post entries that will make me expose my face again because this blog is dedicated to inspiring real women with real issues about their face or skin or whatever beauty-related concerns they have. after all, i want to spread information on what works on me and what doesn't in hope that other women will benefit from it. clearly, this lady isn't interested in those things but i still thank her for keeping the internet traffic to my blog flow. as they say, haters are your biggest fans! (^_^) so i'm sorry hater, but there's nothing you could say to me that'll break me because i am happy with how i look, imperfections and all. God embraced me when i was so broken that now i'm alive in Him, nothing and no one can take that happiness inside me! i sure hope you'll get to know God personally too maybe then you'll have true joy in your heart and you'll be able to work on your inner issues instead of wasting time making others feel bad and miserably fail. :P

so now that is put aside, let's get on with the fun stuff! (^_^)

a couple of weeks back, i went to Sephora ION and got a few items. believe me i wanted to get more but i really tried very hard to restraint myself from buying a lot more!

from left to right: MAC Hot Paprika, OPI Black Shatter, MAC Pink Frontier, China Glaze Shooting Stars, Soap & Glory Arch de Triumph

from left to right: MAC Hot Paprika, OPI Black Shatter, MAC Pink Frontier, China Glaze Shooting Stars

Soap & Glory Arch de Triumph

China Glaze Shooting Stars

OPI Black Shatter

MAC Styledriven Collection's Pink Frontier

MAC Styledriven Collection's Hot Paprika

my first impressions:

MAC Styledriven Collection eyeshadows in Hot Paprika and Pink Frontier - superb pigmentation and applies like butter, so easy to blend! i've used them both and although only Hot Paprika shows up great on my skintone, they're both very unique and pretty colors in my opinion and great buys!

Soap & Glory Arch de Triumph - i've never liked eyebrow pencils before but this changed my mind! it came with simple instructions on how to draw the perfect brow everytime. i loved how this is chunky and made it easy to handle; that's what i dislike about eyebrow pencils, they're very thin.

OPI Black Shatter - ok, i've got mixed feelings about this. i really want to love this because i think this needs some practice to look pretty, as i've seen on some swatches online. i've yet to work on this better so i need more time to play with this before i can conclusively have a final say.

China Glaze Shooting Stars - oh this i love! it's so pretty worn alone and even as a topcoat on another polish. the formula is fantastic too, it dries quite fast too. i just love this!

i'll be posting detailed reviews on these products soon so watch out for them. in keeping with the post title, i'd just like to thank every reader that comes across my blog - whether you like it or not. as they say, what doesn't break you makes you stronger so thank you for my critics for making me stronger! (^_^)

enjoy the rest of your bright and sunny Monday ladies!!!

Battle of Concealers: Shu Uemura Mark Cealer vs. Revlon PhotoReady Concealer

2011-11-04T09:28:00.000+08:00

hey lovely ladies! it's the end of another work week - hip hip hooray! okay, does anyone still say that? never mind, am just really happy for another weekend! but wait, there's more! haha i sound like an advertisement! it's a long weekend as Monday is Hari Raya Haji. whopeeeeee!

ok, am composed. :P alright, as promised yesterday i want to show you how Revlon PhotoReady Concealer fares with my HG concealer, Shu Uemura Mark Cealer.

*Note: ALL pictures are clickable to view in actual (larger) size.

more swatches, before and after pictures and my thoughts after the jump!

blended - outdoor

blended - indoor

brace yourselves ladies -- the next visual is a little (depending on your tolerance) disturbing.

you are warned! :P

with foundation only (i used Joppa Minerals Full Coverage Medium Light)

notice the dark area under my eyes? it makes me look tired and older

concealah time!

(Shu Uemura Mark Cealer on my right side, Revlon PhotoReady Concealer on my left side)

Revlon PhotoReady applied

Shu Uemura Mark Cealer applied

all blended out!

(Shu Uemura Mark Cealer on my right side, Revlon PhotoReady Concealer on my left side)

closeup -- don't i look much rested now?

Revlon PhotoReady blended

Shu Uemura Mark Cealer blended

before and after

aren't concealers lifesavers and miracle workers?!
noticed how my face turned brighter and rested?

my thoughts:

- Shu Uemura Mark Cealer has more yellow in it compared to Revlon PhotoReady

- they were both creamy but Shu's is runnier; however, both were easy to work with

- they cover undereye dark circles and pimple marks very well, although at close inspection i believe Shu performs better

- i did not take a picture after several hours of wear but there were no signs of significant difference in their wearing out throughout the day

i must say that i am pretty impressed with Revlon PhotoReady Concealer because for it's price it didn't disappoint even though there was a little difference, it was not enough to be discounted as a loser in this fight. in fact, it's amazing! because it's a drugstore brand and it surpassed the expectation! i have to be honest though, i still love Shu's and is still my HG concealer. but, now i won't be rushing to Shu's counter just to get their concealer because i can get the same from Revlon's if i ran out and i don't want to shelve out lots of moolah. and oh, did you really think i will end the post with a ridiculous bare, seemingly frowning face? :P

after setting with powder (i used Joppa Minerals Medium Finishing Silk)

now tell me if you see a difference between the two concealers??? ;D on a side note, don't just mineral makeup photograph beautifully? :D

have a great weekend ladies! 'til my next post! *flying kisses to y'all*

Review: Revlon PhotoReady Concealer

2011-11-03T09:48:00.000+08:00

wow, two more days and it's the weekend again! doesn't time just fly? :)

yesterday i heard of a great cosmetics sale announcement from Sarah - the MakeUpForEver sale is so ON!!! check out her FB fanpage for more details!

ok, i should settle my excitement for a while. *grins*

wanna share with you my thoughts on a new concealer i've picked up a couple of weeks back because my Shu Uemura Mark Cealer (read my review here) might soon bid me farewell - i dread that day as it's my HG concealer. (T_T) anyhoo, i settled for a drugstore brand to make room for options readily available almost everywhere instead of just relying on Shu counters. enter Revlon PhotoReady Concealer stick.

more pictures, swatches and my review after the jump!

there were only 3 shades available at the time i bought this but for the life of me cannot recall all the shades but i got the shade 004.

my thoughts and observations:
- the first thing i love is the price because it's almost a third of my HG concealer!
- easily available as can be readily purchased at any Watsons/Guardian branch
- easy to apply and blend. after swiping it onto the desired area, i just lightly dab on it and it blends very well.
- creamy consistency makes it easy to work with, it doesn't cake even if you apply layers of it!
- if you plan to use this on others, a concealer brush can be used to avoid hygienic issues. my HG concealer now uses a doe-foot applicator, not good for use on different people.
- the shade i got covers my dark undereye and pimple marks really well!
- not sure if all gals can find a shade to use from the limited shades available

all in all, i like this concealer. it is a great substitute for Shu Uemura Mark Cealer although i wouldn't dethrone it with this one yet. still, i wouldn't think twice if i ran out of concealer and repurchase this!

have you tried this concealer? how do you find it?

P.S.
just because i really love my HG concealer, tomorrow i'll be posting a showdown between these two - do look out for that!

Review: Sleek Makeup Dip-it Duo Volumising Mascara and Liquid Eyeliner 24 Karat

2011-11-02T09:00:00.019+08:00

how are you today beautiful? ;D today, i'd like to share with you the last item i got from my 2nd Luxola haul, which is the Sleek Makeup Dip-it Duo Volumising Mascara and Liquid Eyeliner in 24 Karat.

i've never seen much review or mentions about this product except from FacesBySarah. i've never been such vibrant swatch of a gold liner so it got me curious and i've decided to buy this one.

pictures and swatches!

closeup

my 2 cents:

- the packaging is very practical and an eye candy.

- the color is pretty but i expected it to be really vibrant but it seemed flatter from my expectation. i've not tried though but i believe with a good gold base this will pop. but doing that is a little crazy because that would mean i'll be doing extra steps i am trying to avoid in the first place. *sigh*

- after a little while - and i mean in as little as 1 hour - the color fades. maybe this will work on drier lids, as mine is really an oil mine. and oh, this happens even with UDPP. bummer.

- there is a technique on applying the liner as the felt tip is sturdier than the usual eyeliner brush. i learned that for me i need to tug my lids a bit from the outer lid to line better and straighter. that is one big major no-no for me, as currently i don't need to need to move my lids when applying with a gel liner.

- the mascara wand is smaller (almost half) than my normal mascaras which could be both a good and bad thing. good, because it's easier to apply on harder to reach areas like the inner and outer lashes without disturbing the other lashes. bad, because if this would be used as the sole mascara it will take more time to cover all lashes. i also feel that the formulation on the mascara is not very good. it's not volumising imo, weighs down my curled lashes and it's not waterproof or smudgeproof. it's a so-so mascara.

- i didn't post a FOTD/EOTD to showcase this product because it doesn't photograph nicely when i used it on top of eyeshadow (be it light or dark hues). i don't look nice with only gold eyeshadow or eyeliner only so if i will do EOTD/FOTD with the liner only, it'll look flat or worse, invisible - well, almost. so i opted not to do so. maybe this will look better on warm toned ladies (i've pink undertones).

overall, i feel that this is not a good buy after all. my consolation on this product is that it's a liner and mascara in one that could probably save me some makeup space while travelling. other than that, i don't see myself reaching out for this as often as i'd initially hoped to.

do you have this product? what are your insights/experience with it?

Review: Sleek Makeup Pomegranate Blush

2011-11-01T09:00:00.002+08:00

hey ladies! today i wanna continue sharing about the things i got from my 2nd Luxola haul - my first Sleek blush in Pomegranate.

pictures and swatches!

sleek and elegant packaging - you wouldn't even think this is a drugstore brand!

swatches applied with moderate hand twice, under different lighting

healthy, natural flush don't you think?

just pretty!

here are some looks i did using this blush

(pardon in advance as i only had my iPhone available taking shots of my looks!)

as you can see, it's not as deep as you can see in the pan. this is achieved thru applying with a light hand. you can opt to layer more if you deem that the color does not pop as much as you'd like.

my 2 cents:

- the product is generous for it's price! 8gms for S$14? value for money indeed!

- pretty hue, very natural looking when applied moderately. can be dramatic if applied with another layer (more would make you look like a clown already!)

- shimmer was subtle, it gave a beautiful flush of color and glow without making my cheeks look shiny (i've oily skin)

- very pigmented! will last a long long time even with daily use.

- initial opening of the product was a hassle! i actually thought it would never open! i broke a nail while opening it. (T_T) but when i saw what's inside it's like i didn't inconvenience myself at all hehe.

- can only be brought online. i bought mine from a Singapore-based online shopping site, Luxola.com. AFAIK, other countries can only order directly from their US website.

i'm actually inclined to buy more hues from Sleek blush line!

do you own a Sleek blush? how are you liking or hating it?

Taiwan Skincare SOPHIE MONK's celebrity spokesperson MAKIYO comes to Singapore on 4th November!

2011-10-31T11:51:00.000+08:00

prior to receiving an invite to the event where Taiwan Celebrity Spokesperson MAKIYO will be promoting the Taiwan Skincare SOPHIE MONK, i barely even hear anything about this skincare line. after doing a bit of research though, i think i'll be looking forward to trying out this line though!!!

OK, let me contain my excitement first and get on with the title. but, if you are curious like me you'll be asking, "wait, what the heck is Sophie Monk???" Sophie Monk celebrates beauty in women and is fronted by Japanese/Taiwanese celebrity, Makiyo. Its R&D and cute packaging puts it at the forefront of beauty solutions for young ladies wanting beauty, offering solutions for dry skin, acne through a comprehensive and tightly-edited selection of whitening, hydrating, anti acne products as well as hydrating masks. their website brand story also mentions that "Sophie Monk gathers Japanese Designer + Taiwan Latest R&D Technology proudly presents Non Greasy, Zero Burden high rated skincare which specially designed for Hot Weather countries". apparently, the label is currently loved by models and celebrities in Taiwan and Japan in need of whitening solutions and finally now here (sold at Guardian) and yet I've known only now! ugh. OK, at least now I already know hehe.

Alright, that's settled. But why should I check it out? What do they offer you may ask? Available at Guardian pharmacies are their whitening range (which consists of SPF 40+ Smoothing BB cream, Cleansing Mousse, Mild Cleansing Oil, Emulsion, Brightening Eye Gel, Refreshing Toner, Moisturizer and Essence), their hydrating range (which only consists of Hydrating Essence) and their hydrating range masks/strawberry facial masks (which consists of Hydrating Double Lifting Mask, Pore Minimizing Double Lifting Mask, Whitening Double Lifting Mask, V Shaping Double Lifting Mask).

Oh, I know there are still questions. Ingredients?

"Sophie Monk’s revolutionary formula with natural botanical extracts intercept amped up melanin production and acts like a cluster-buster to remove coloration and restore clarity that the skin deserves."

Now are you interested? Good. Maybe it's time to divulge the event details.

BEAUTY LABEL SOPHIE MONK’S CELEBRITY SPOKESPERSON MAKIYO COMES TO SINGAPORE ON 4TH NOVEMBER!

Celebrated actress and variety show host Makiyo, known for her great skin and life-changing make-up, will be in Singapore to promote cosmetic label, Sophie Monk. As spokesperson for Sophie Monk, Makiyo will share her ideas about beauty, her beauty regime and how Sophie Monk works so beautifully for her.

Makiyo will make a personal appearance to meet her fans as well as fans of Sophie Monk at the following venue:

Guardian Pharmacy

Ngee Ann City

Date & Time: 4th November 2011, 7pm.

To receive Makiyo’s autograph, simply spend more than $50 on Sophie Monk products and get a chance to stand in line for Makiyo’s autograph.

Guests who spend more than $100 will have the privileged opportunity of being photographed with Makiyo.

Makiyo’s bio

Singer, Actress and TV Personality

Full Name: Kawashima Makiyo

Birthday: 12 June 1984

Ethnicity: Japanese and Taiwanese

Born in Japan, Makiyo moved to Taiwan at the age of 10 where she is now based. She first broke into the entertainment scene at the age of 16 with her appearance in a cellphone commercial, where she was discovered by a talent spotter and subsequently released her first Chinese album "Makiyo". Taking a break from singing in 2004, the multi-talented Makiyo continued establishing herself in the Taiwanese entertainment industry through appearances in various drama series and variety shows, publishing several photo books and even hosting. Most recently, Makiyo returned to producing good music with the release of "Girls Power" in August 2011. Makiyo has established a niche for herself as a beauty and fashion guru with her frequent appearances in variety programmes to speak about such topics as skincare and cosmetics. She has been a favourite amongst various fashion and beauty brands.

Of course I need to give you details of the skincare line, don't I? ;D

WHITENING RANGE

SPF 40+ Smoothing BB Cream

30ml, S$22.90

Cleansing Mousse

150ml, S$22.90

Sakura Cherry Blossom Extract helps to wash away the effects of everyday stressors, along with dirt, sebum and environmental impurities before they can dull skin’s appearance.

Ingredients: Sakura Cherry Blossom Extract, Giga White Extract, Chamomile Extract, Cucumber extract, North St Grass Glycoprotein, Amino Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Natural Hydrating Factors

Directions:Squeeze a small amount on palm, gently massage onto your skin, rinse thoroughly with water

Cleansing Oil

200ml, S$22.90

Variety of Botanical Plant Oil Extracts effectively dissolve all dirts & make up. Special feature of oil-soluble vitamin C, accelerate the whitening & softening effect. This lightweight, high-tech hybrid formula with removes make up, dirts and pollutants with high efficiency. Only takes 60 seconds to let your skin breath.

Ingredients: Hyaluronan Acid, Oil Soluble Vitamin C, Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Rose Hip Oil, Cotton Seed Oil, Vitamin E

Direction: Gently massage onto dry skin with fingertips. Add warm water to transform oil to milky lotion, then rinse off with water.

Emulsion

140ml S$22.90

Effectively hydrate skin, prevent skin dryness.

Ultra-moisturizing hyaluronic acid + high elastic Q10 helps repair skin’s protective barrier to seal in moisture.

Formulated with the famed rehydrating powers of Kashmir Wool Protein, Oat Extract, Q10. Signs of past damage are visibly corrected. Youthful radiance returns. Moisture level surge.

Ingredients: Q10, Hyaluronan Acid, Yogurt Extract, Oat Extract, Kashmir Wool Protein, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Collagen, Vitamin B5, Natural Hydrating Factor

Directions :Use daily morning and night after essence, apply on facial and neck part, gently massage till full absorption.

Eye Cream

15ml, S$18.90

An ultraluxe eye treatment that dissolves the appearance of lines and wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness

Toner

150ml, S$18.90

The instant whitening effect of natural ingredient Camellia Extract penetrates deep into the skin, helps improve the appearance of damage done by UV and environmental exposure. It works both Whitening & Hydrating together, amped up excess melanin that litters the skin’s surface in the form of discolorations.

Ingredients: Camellia Extract, Traxenamic Acid, Vitamin C, North St Grass Glycoprotein, Chamomile Extract, Cucumber Extract, Wild Indigo Extract, Allantoin & Hyaluronic Acid

Directions: Day & Night after cleansing, apply certain amount onto face and neck, gently massage till fully absorbed.

Moisturizer

(size/content and price unavailable, will update once informed)

Revolutionary Peptide helps trigger skin to optimize its natural repair process. Repair Skin’s Protective barrier to seal in moisture, signs of past damage are visibly corrected. Youthful returns. Moisture level surge. Revolutionary formula of peptide & botanical extracts intercepts amped-up melanin production and acts like a "cluster-buster" to break up pre-formed discolorations and rapidly restore clarity.

Ingredients: Peptides, Shea Butter, Fermentation Extract, Sea Fennel Extract, Dew Grass Extract, Vitamin E, Camellia Oil, Active yeast extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Immortelle Extract

Directions :Use Day and Night Daily after cleanse and toner, apply on face and neck area, gently massage till full absorption.

Essence

50ml, S$22.90

A must whitening product during hot summer, Vitamin C + tranexamic acid + Cam Fruit + West Indian cherry + ellagic acid amped-up melanin productions, effectively reduce the appearance of dark spots & lighten skin tone. Excellent stability + permeability of the Plant Essence prevent skin from ultraviolet radiation and skin dryness.

Directions:Use Morning & Night after cleanse and toner, apply small amount on face and neck, gently massage till full absorption.

HYDRATING RANGE

Hydrating Essence

50ml, S$22.90

New Revolution Hydrating effect! 8 Super Hydrating Elements, Forms transparent protection of dryness, Moisture Level Surge

Prevent moisture loss in air conditioned room or hot weather, instantly replenish water level of the skin, penetrate deep into the skin to provide 24hrs hydrating effect

Get Rid of 4 major Thirsty Skin Problems - fine lines, peeling, dullness, saggy >> all get rid! Enjoy the hydrating effect without burdening the skin.

Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Algae Extract, Orchid Extract, Candela Extract, MATRIXYL, Immortelle Extract, BifiDecoli Extract, Natural Hydrating Factors

Directions:Use Morning & Night. After cleanse and toner, apply small amount on face and neck, gently massage till full absorption.

HYDRATING RANGE MASKS/STRAWBERRY FACIAL MASKS

Hydrating Double Lifting Mask

S$2.00

Pore Minimizing Double Lifting Mask

S$2.00

Whitening Double Lifting Mask

S$2.00

V Shaping Double Lifting Mask

S$2.00

Moisturizing Double Lifting Mask

S$2.00

Anti Acne Set

S$29.90

Includes Amino Hydrating Cleanser, Clarifying Toner and Magic Anti-acne Neutralizing Gel

Blackhead Remover Set

S$25.90

Includes Deep Sebum Softener, Sebum Purifying Mask and Pore Treatment Essence

i want to try:

* SPF 40+ Smoothing BB cream - just because i'm getting hooked on BB creams again!

* Cleansing Mousse - my Belo glycolic soap will bid me adieu very soon

* Cleansing Oil - i just heart cleansing oils and want to give a chance for a Taiwanese one! (i've only tried Japanese ones)

* Emulsion - "moisture level surge" reeled me in!

* Toner - i want 'cause of Camellia Extract!

* Pore Minimizing Double Lifting Mask - need to minimize pores!

* V Shaping Double Lifting Mask - v-shaping sounds intriguing for a round-faced gal like moi

* Anti Acne Set that includes Amino Hydrating Cleanser, Clarifying Toner and Magic Anti-acne Neutralizing Gel - i've oily and breakout-prone skin so this is not a surprise lemming!

* Blackhead Remover Set that includes Deep Sebum Softener, Sebum Purifying Mask and Pore Treatment Essence - lessen facial trips! (which is btw VERY expensive in Singapore! T_T )

if you wanna be kept updated with their promotions and new products, like the Sophie Monk Singapore FB page or visit the Sophie Monk website.

*Note: I am not paid to blog about this. Just sharing. ;D

are you coming to the event? unfortunately, i've commitments on that day - bummer! but if you're going will yah tell me about it??? ;D and oh, what products are you going to haul?

tag, i'm it!

2011-10-28T12:55:00.000+08:00

it's a beautiful Friday - it's a day away from the weekend once again! i'm thankful as most of the week was full of sunshine which definitely influenced my cheerful disposition throughout it! (^_^) on that note, i deemed it fitting to post this tag reply now.

The Sunshine Award

I appreciate it when fellow bloggers recognize my blog on a positive note and receiving The Sunshine Award from Aria is no exception - thanks dear!

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you this award and write a post about it.
2. Answer the following questions.
3. Pass it to 10 fabulous bloggers and send them a message to let them know.

OK, here we go!

Favorite color?
I'm torn between blue and purple, but i think i'd pick purple.

Favorite animal?
Dogs! I just love 'em. (i have a bias for Labradors!)

Favorite number?
3, because that's the number of divine perfection and it's the number of times i had to undergo ESWL (Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) before I was pronounced (kidney) stone-free

Favorite drink?
Water, i need to stay in tip-top kidney shape :) And because water is the source of life.

Facebook or Twitter?
Both, just because I can't really choose one!

Your passion?
Singing! i love singing for the LORD :)

Giving or getting presents?
It delights me more to give.

Favorite day?
Sunday, as i get to rest in His presence and spend time with my family

Favorite flowers?
Blue roses

That was fun! (^_^) Come, share some fun tidbits about yourself too!

I'm tagging:

Phoebe of Bite. Luxe. Snap. Wonder.
Nikki of Askmewhats
Charles of wickeRmoss
Paula of Polaberrys
Stacey of The Makeup Edition
Pammy of J'adore Rougit
Thiamere of On Beauty Stuff and What Else's
Shen of Shen's Addictions
Tara of Chronicles of Vanity
Jheng of IAmBrigitte

If you aren't tagged but will like to do the tag, be my guest! (^_^)

enjoy your weekend ladies!

NOTD: Deborah Lippmann I Know What Boys Like

2011-10-27T10:14:00.001+08:00

hey ladies, how are you all doin'? it's a sunny Thursday yet it feels like a Monday as yesterday was a holiday. i actually wish work week is like this - two days work, next day off, next two days work then next two days off. don't you agree with me? lol seriously though, i really felt much relaxed and energized with this kind of working arrangement. oh well, at least i experienced it once this year! (^_^)

yesterday i shared with you my second purchase from Luxola and i've mentioned my Luxola facebook contest price being delivered together with that haul - Deborah Lippmann I Know What Boys Like. when i saw swatches of this online i thought "oh ok, that's a nice blue." how wrong was i? it's actually a gorgeous periwinkle blue and it's easy to fall in love with it!

i may look composed but i was really excited when i received this prize!

more pictures and swatches galore after the jump!

swatches under direct sunlight (3 coats, no basecoat or topcoat)

swatches indoors (outside lighting only, no flourescent light) - 3 coats, no basecoat or topcoat

doesn't it look fabulous?! and this is without topcoat - it is uber shiny and glistens under sunlight! i almost fainted lol. the formula is to die for as well - very easy to apply and not goopy at all, dries easily and does not thickens weirdly up to 3 coats. it dries to a shiny finish on its own - i am totally head over heels with it!

it is very hard to capture how it really looks in person and i thought maybe it's my camera. however, i scoured for swatches online from very meticulous and discerning polish addicts and it kinda looks like it really is a tad hard to capture it's glorious color on camera.

picture grabbed from Scrangie (http://www.scrangie.com/)

picture grabbed from The PolishAholic (http://www.thepolishaholic.com/)

picture grabbed from All Lacquered Up (http://www.alllacqueredup.com/)

ok, so now i can breathe - it' s just so pretty the camera cannot appreciate it's true beauty! if you are thinking hard of getting this shade, i'm telling you don't hesitate! it's a tug of war between purple and blue, it's really gorgeous!

i can only be grateful that Luxola gave this away - thank you so much!

are you liking this shade too? c'mon, spill! and oh, have a great Thursday ladies! (^_^)

2nd Luxola haul

2011-10-27T09:35:00.000+08:00

I've just finished painting my nails fresh polish colors and all i can say is, I'm really "blue". LOL that's because i got Deborah Lippmann I Know What Boys Life on my nails and Orly Royal Navy on my toenails. am loving both of 'em! fun fact: i won this Deborah Lippmann shade on a facebook contest by Luxola! i don't really win contests so when i did, i was flabbergasted! and with a great prize too!

Ok, so getting to the title... Luxola sent me an email that i won this gorgeous nail polish and i can claim it at their office but it's a bit far from where i live so i asked if they can deliver it to me instead next time i order. And here is that haul:

from left to right: Deborah Lippmann I Know What Boys Like, Sleek Makeup Pomegranate blush, Sleek Makeup Dip-it Duo Volumising Mascara and Liquid Eyeliner 24 Karat

i was able to give all of these a try for the past few days and i'll be posting separate entries for each.

my first order from Luxola was sent to my residence and this one was sent to my office, which the delivery guy got a bit lost before finding it lol. However, it's the same great customer service! I am amazed with Luxola, i hope they keep it up! and customers such as myself will stay loyal! to be honest, am already thinking of placing a third order! (:

if you live in Singapore, give them a try and you'll experience for yourself what i'm talking about! they hold contests and promotions too so make sure to grab those opportunities when they happen. right now, international MUA Andrea Claire is going to deliver your beauty goodies on the 28th and give you tips and tricks about the items you bought! now, that's great collaboration and interesting customer engagement!

Ok, I'm going back to chilling for the day - i love midweek holidays! :D have a wonderful rest of Wednesday you guys!

FOTD: tutti fruity!

2011-10-25T12:37:00.001+08:00

happy Tuesday everyone! i am pleased with myself this morning, as i woke up instantly when my alarm went off - even though i really was tempted to sleep some more! *pats my back* hmn, it could probably be due to the fact that tomorrow is a public holiday (Deepavali) so i felt like it's a Friday! (^_^)

last weekend, the creative side of me sort of got awakened, giving birth to this look - tutti fruitty. i recently acquired MAC Hot Paprika (from Styledriven Collection) and i was playing with it. i really love the hue, it's nothing like anything in my makeup stash. it's kinda orangey red, very pretty and flattering on my skintone. and well, it does look like paprika but a bit lighter, i really love it. the pigmentation is awesome too, but then again i usually don't get disappointed with MAC eyeshadow color payoff! i'll review that product on another post.

(pardon the not so clear resolution, as this was taken with an iPhone cam only)

anyway, i created this look to steer away (only for a little while) from dark eyes. i know i love those looks but sometimes i need a breather from them. (^_^) i used MAC Goldmine on the inner lid, MAC Bitter on the center, MAC Hot Paprika on the outer & lower lid and MAC Femme-Fi on the browbone area. i drew on thin eyeline (MAC Blacktrack), lined the waterline with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Zero and finished the look with Sex And The City Miranda lashes. i also tried on Soap & Glory Arch de Triumph on my brows and they're not bad at all, i'm liking it. i also got to try Sleek Pomegranate on my cheeks - it gave me a nice, natural glow flush! finally, i finished the look with a candy-licious lip combo of MAC Creme de la Femme and MAC Like Venus Dazzleglass. to prepare the face canvass, i used Dr. Jart Silver Label Rejuvenating Blemish Balm, MakeUpForEver Mat Velvet+ and Revlon PhotoReady concealer.

how's your creative side working lately? (^_^)

Review: Dolly Wink eyelash case

2011-10-24T10:38:00.000+08:00

good morning ladies! it's the start of work week once again! hope you are all looking forward to this week even though you may still be wishing it's still the weekend. :P

previously i've shared with you my new found love for falsies. although i really love the style of the first lash i've successfully strutted with, i am not so much loving the box - it's bulky and gets squished easy (made out of carton). plus, i worry that the lashes may get squished in the process. that's when i decided to get an eyelash case.

jump for more pictures and review!

i actually hauled some more fake lashes (more on that on another post) and this was among (in the same shelf) the lashes i hauled so i figured why not get one too?

what i like:
- the packaging is very sturdy yet very light. it's a pink plastic case which is also just the right size. it's easy to open and store in your makeup arsenal or your handbag.
- the packing is uber cute! the design is simply girly but tasteful.
- the depth of the container is just right and there are partitions for full and partial lashes, so they don't mix together.
- i forgot the actual retail price (it's about S$10) but it's quite reasonable, not a bad deal really for the quality

what i dislike:
- i really thought hard what i don't like about it but there isn't!

recommended to:
- if you wish to store your lashes on a sturdy and space saving case, this is it
- if you have several lashes already opened and don't want to retain the box that came with it

overall, i really was just happy to buy this product. i agree, this is not a must item to purchase but hey, if you wanna take care of your lashes i think this is worth investing in. btw, i got this at Watsons.

how do you store your fake lashes?

even though it's hard, i must let you go...

2011-10-21T15:31:00.000+08:00

wah! the other day i had to part ways with a long time beloved...

my Coastal Scents Pink Kabuki Brush broke!!!

oh, gone are your glory days...

i must bid you farewell now... (T_T)

NOTD: Deborah Lippmann Across the Universe

2011-10-20T09:49:00.000+08:00

sunny Thursday to you lovely readers! i just love hot weather even if it makes me perspire like a construction worker *LOL* because i'd rather have sun than rain! seeing the sun shine instantly lights up my mood and gets me ready for the day ahead. (^_^)

with that said that, won't you agree glitter in a bottle almost mimics the sunshine? that's probably the reason why am so into glitter polish right now. and Deborah Lippmann Across the Universe delivers on the bling bling! it has what i want in polish - glittery shine and still some mystery (with the dark hue background).

more pictures and swatches after the jump!

this has blue and green hexagon sparkly bits as well as tiny blue ones. the formula was not thick as compared to Milani Gems or Gold and removal is actually a lot easier for that reason perhaps (i spent 30 mins to take off Milani Gold! this was though was a breeze!). this was so easy to apply, not gunky at all. being it one of my first DL nail polishes, i love the bottle. it doesn't easily tip over as the base is square and the handle of the brush is not so long and bulky. it's a bit expensive though at S$35 a bottle (i got mine at Luxola.com - free, next-day delivery anywhere in Singapore!). but will that deter me from buying in the future? na-ah, i am just getting started! :P

have you got this shade too? how are you liking/hating it? do you have any DL polish? what do you think of 'em?

have a terrific Thursday to all of you! (^_^)

And the 10,000 hits giveaway winner is..?

2011-10-20T09:28:00.000+08:00

from the bottom of my heart, i want to thank everyone who follows, comments, supports and spreads the word about my beauty blog. it is my pleasure to write about anything beauty-related and hopefully by doing so inspire readers to embark on their own journey to embrace their flaws and highlight their assets through the use of makeup/skincare.

ok, so for the winner of the giveaway *drumroll please*

jump!

congratulations Vanessa Urbano! You've won yourself the following prizes:

from left to right: Avene Thermal Spring Water, Dr. Wu VC Skincare Microinject Whitening Mask with AA2G, ZA Eye and Lip Makeup Remover, OPI Face and Body Shimmer, Aromaleigh Rocks! Sonic Eyes Shadow in PlanetEarth, PyschoCandy, Adrenochrome and NoWhereFast

i've just sent you an email to notify you of your winning entry. please reply back on the shipping details. again, congratulations!

ladies, don't fret that you missed or didn't win this giveaway. i'll be holding another one soon so stay tuned!

Last chance to win Avene, Dr. Wu, ZA, OPI and Aromaleigh!

2011-10-19T10:28:00.000+08:00

hurry ladies! it's the last day to enter my giveaway! one lucky lady will win these prizes!

to join, you can choose to do ANY, SOME or ALL of the following:

1) follow me on twitter >>

2) tweet about my blog giveaway including "MereMakeupManiac GIVEAWAY: 10,000 hits and counting!" text and URL linking to my blog giveaway

3) like MereMakeupManiac facebook page >>

4) post my blog giveaway including "MereMakeupManiac GIVEAWAY: 10,000 hits and counting!" text and URL linking to my blog giveaway on your facebook wall

5) add me to your Google+ circle >>

6) post my blog giveaway including "MereMakeupManiac GIVEAWAY: 10,000 hits and counting!" text and URL linking to my blog giveaway on your Google+ stream

7) subscribe to MereMakeupManiac YouTube channel >>

8) announce my blog giveaway mentioning "MereMakeupManiac GIVEAWAY: 10,000 hits and counting!" and URL linking to my blog giveaway on your YouTube video

9) follow me on Instagram thru iPhone app (user: meremakeupmaniac)

10) follow me on Google Friend Connect (look for at the right hand side menu)

11) comment on this post and tell me which product are you most interested in winning and why. you can tell me about more than 1 product or all of them!

after doing the above, YOU MUST E-MAIL ME (check out my e-mail at the top of my blog) the details of each entry, such as your Twitter, Facebook, Google+, YouTube and Instagram account names and the link to the posts you did for announcing my blog giveaway. each entry is considered one chance of winning. more entries means more chances of winning! this giveaway is open for local and international readers. (^_^) please, stick to the giveway rules! non-compliance will be disqualified.

I'll draw the winner on the 20th October 2011 and announce it on a blog post on the same day.

have a lovely Wednesday everyone! (^_^)

FOTD: Sex And The City Miranda lashes

2011-10-18T10:22:00.000+08:00

good morning dear readers! sorry for lack of post yesterday, i had to rush to get my renewed Employment Pass and my children's Dependant Passes. Singapore's MOM is so efficient, the entire duration of retrieving it there was 15 minutes - our trip to go there from work is a lot longer haha. Can you believe that? That is what i don't miss in Philippines - crappy government service. Everything else, well I do. LOL

so for today, i wanted to share with you my first attempt in wearing falsies and it was a fun experience! last friday, i shared with you my Watsons haul and included there is my very first decent false eyelashes (because i've bought cheap and crappy ones before that i eventually just gave away) which is from Sex And The City Miranda edition. many of you got excited about it, i mean who wouldn't? in the packaging, it already looked uber gorgeous! in person and upon application, it is so much more!!!

so i did a simple FOTD - no colorful eye makeup and neutral lips - because i really want the lashes to take center stage. and it sure did!

i was in great awe how i looked like after i put these babies on - instant gorgeousness! no wonder lots of ladies are addicted to this stuff! i just love how it opened up my eyes and made me look & feel sexy!

i actually skipped some steps like putting on mascara before putting on the lashes because i'm really new at this and i didn't know i needed to do that. still, it looked great - i don't think anyone would've approached me and directly stare into my eyes and tell me, "you didn't curl and put on mascara did you?" LOL but i'll definitely take note of that in the future for better looking EOTDs. i've also had a bit of difficulty putting it on at first. the packaging says use tweezers but for the love of me, i just couldn't figure it out. eventually, i just held the center of the lash with my bare fingers and attached it gently while shaping it into the curvature of the eye. it took me more trials on my right eye than my left eye, i had to keep on removing the glue and repeating all over. (btw, i love the glue i used - KOJI Springheart Black eyelash glue! review on that later.) i also didn't anticipate that i needed to put eyeliner first before the lashes get attached, so i haphazardly put it all over the lashes afterwards, it was crazy! :p anyway, i think in the FOTD it wasn't that obvious so it's good. :D i also felt a little uncomfortable at first but i think it's because this is actually the first time i really had them on and i didn't put on mascara, which i suppose will help support them.

overall, i love love love falsies now! i used to just dream of wearing it but always afraid of not being able to use them after hauling (like the first time). now i learned that investing a li'l bit more could go a long, long way than being too cheapskate about it hehe. i plan to practice more on using these babies as the first time of application took me a long time as i was figuring things out along the way, which delayed me a lot hehe - good thing i didn't put on eye makeup! it could've taken me forever then hehe. i might upload a video on how i go about applying them but i have to find the time to do it first lol. anyway, i'll surely update you if i did!

since am now a falsies convert, it was the first thing i grabbed during my recent trip to Watsons - Dolly Wink upper AND lower lashes, addicted now i know! - update on that on my next posts! come to think of it, maybe i should grab Sex And The City Charlotte as well? gosh, this is breaking my bank!

do you love falsies? what is your first experience with it? share share share!!! (^_^)

Hauling @ Watsons

2011-10-14T09:43:00.001+08:00

good morning ladies! it's yet another week ender so that alone is reason to celebrate! time to refresh our bodies from work, our minds from worries and our souls for spiritual renewal. (^_^)

for today, i'd like to share with you my recent drugstore finds at Watsons.

from left to right: Neutrogena Deep Clean Blackhead Eliminating Warming Treatment, Koji Springheart Black Eyelash Glue, Revlon PhotoReady stick concealer, Sex and the City Miranda false lashes

first impressions and more pictures after the jump!

since the success of my dive into Belo skincare, i've gotten more adventurous in trying out other skincare products. and thus, inclusion of this mouthful Neutrogena Deep Clean Blackhead Eliminating Warming Treatment.

i picked this up because i was pondering on getting a Neutrogena Hydro Boost Mask (because i fell in love with the Water Gel!) and this got my attention instead. who wouldn't get intrigued with "blackhead eliminating" and "warms up to 40C"? i sure was! this was also surprisingly very affordable so i thought why not?! i've tried this once but it's still in testing phase, so update you on that in a couple of weeks.

i've been eyeing false lashes for the longest time too. i love love love full lashes, even if it'll look over the top - that's actually me in makeup! (^_^)

i used to own some but they were first purchases so i only chose cheap ones and they proved to be hard to work with not to mention awful to look at. since then, i've lost interest in them until i saw these babies. they look so gorgeous and not awfully fake plus they're not super expensive so i took another plunge and got one! in the branch i got this from, only Miranda and Charlotte are available. i got this one because it has fuller lashes towards the outer eye and that looks more natural for me than Charlotte's which is full all the way. i've tried to do a quick "fit" of this the other day and it was just fabuluous! however, am thinking of an occassion to wear it to, as my colleagues might wonder what is it in the day that i wore such headturning makeup accessory haha.

of course, if you're gonna buy fake lashes you must get some glue right?

from my previous cheap lash purchase, i've learned that i shouldn't rely on included glue because it probably wouldn't work nicely. plus, usually those adhesive comes in white. i got mine in black as i want to save the hassle of putting on execessive amounts of eyeliner on it just to conceal the lash line. i hope this works well; i've seen a few reviews on Koji black glue and they were raves so we'll see.

lastly, i got ahold of Revlon PhotoReady stick concealer since i wanted to try another concealer that's not only cheaper but easily available.

my current HG concealer is Shu Uemura Mark Cealer and i love that but this ain't half bad. i've tried this a couple of time already and it's quite good. i am a bit disappointed with the range of colors though; the branch i got this from only had three - 003, 004, 005. i don't know if other branches carry more. 003 is pinkish and a bit too light for me while 005 is darker on my skintone so i settled for 004. my first impression on 004 is that it's less yellow than what i'm used too with Shu Uemura Mark Cealer 7YR Medium. i need more yellow to coverup my undereye dark area which i use concealers primarily for. still, as i've said this is not bad and a good substitute. i just find myself putting on more product but hey, it doesn't really costs much so that's quite alright. in-depth review on this one later.

have you done drugstore shopping lately? found any keepers?

have a blessed and restful weekend ahead beauties!

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel review

2011-10-13T09:57:00.004+08:00

lovely Thursday morning to you dear followers! i'm in a good mood today because 1) i've had a good laugh last night from watching Daddy Day Care (especially loved the scenes where one of the daddies was put on makeup by two of the girls they take care of while sleeping and having to answer the door to the day care inspector) and 2) my hubby gave me the blessing to signup for the RMK makeup workshop (yes, i do get permission to do these things! lol).

in keeping with the positive vibes, for today i thought i'd share with you my wonderful experience and insights on Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel (which i received from Phoebe as a gift).

swatch and my review after the jump!

what it promises:

- refreshing gel formula restores up to 200% higher moisture level* on skin, replenishing and rebuilding skin moisture from within all day long

- self-hydrating system (based on clinical study results on 15 Asian women after 1 hour) to address the root cause of inner dryness. innovative formula with smart Progressive Release System absorbs moisture from the air then releasing it into the skin over time.

- instantly hydrates skin and helps soothe and calm skin

- skin stays soft, supple, bouncy, radiant with a healthy glow

- oil free formula with non-sticky/matte feel

what i love about it:

- it feels oh-so-silky! the texture of this moisturizer is a lot runnier than cream but not uber thin consistency, definitely aptly named "water gel"

- easily absorbed by the skin. no more than a minute and the skin already feels soak with moisture!

- feels very light (bye bye to icky moisturizers!) and dries to a comfortable smooth, velvety feel

- refreshes and soothes my skin in an instant!

- made my other skincare products work more effectively. i remember using Avene Cleanance-K Cream Gel for the first time and it sort of made me breakout for a while without moisturizer. eventually, it worked perfectly after i added on using this moisturizer before that product. just fabulous!

- has that refreshing scent that isn't overpowering

- packaging is very friendly and totally chic! the lid has an inner lid that i use to get the product from instead of directly on top of the container (what i do is give it a quick one-time shake before i open for the product to stick on the inner lid where i can get the product from). the presentation and color choice of the container is also simple but well thought of, good job!

- easily available at leading beauty outlets (Watsons, Guardian) and even in grocery stores! (FairPrice)

- reasonably priced at (from what i recall) ~ S$15. such a competitive price for a great product!

what my qualms are with it:

- initially, i would put in not available here (am in Singapore) but it turns out, it is! found in FairPrice, Watsons and Guardian. just great! (: so i guess that leaves none! :p

overall, i give this product an A+! it's rare that a product can change my mind (in this case, that my oily skin still needs moisturizer) and totally deliver what it promises! my only comment would be, why have this product only launched now?! (^_^) but i was so glad i didn't miss it!

have you tried this product? love it or hate it? spill!

Honey, I've Met Askmewhats!

2011-10-12T09:00:00.020+08:00

in the world of beauty blogging, there are three things i look forward to the most: hauling, makeup application and meetups!

when Nikki (Askmewhats) told me she's coming to Singapore, i really insisted we meetup! (^_^)

we settled to meet on their last day in Singapore since i'm only free during weekday lunch and that is the day they are available for that time. i promised her Indonesian BBQ treat that hopefully she won't forget. we were giddy exchanging tweets online.

then the day came. i took the morning off just to make sure i spend ample time with her and not rush off if i were to go to work still.

excited me!

i was late for about 15 minutes (i missed the bus so i had to wait another 15 minutes >_< ) but thankfully, she isn't as i was worried because i gave them the wrong floor to meet in Plaza Singapura. good thing they found it and she was even the first one to call on me haha i was that tuliro! and perhaps excited to see her hehe.

we readily greeted and hugged each other and i ushered her and her hubby, Keith, to the inner corner of Kopitiam, where it's much cozier and colder. before getting seated, Nikki readily gave me her gift - aw, uber sweet! i was really shy to give mine because her's is a collection while i only gave one. (>_<) i just really wished she loved it because i thought what i gave her will look nice on her. (^_^) anyway, after that we ordered from Riverside Indonesian BBQ - chicken for me without curry, chicken with curry for Nikki and fish without curry for Keith. when we were done with the main, i introduced Chendol to them, although i don't think it was as a big hit as the Indonesian BBQ was lol. still, i was just so happy to share with them food i like in Singapore.

love her smile, Miss Universe! thanks Keith for taking our photo! (^_^)

amidst all the talking and eating, it felt like we've already met each other! Nikki's that friendly and warm! not to mention uber pretty and sexy pa! i just adore her! (~_^) i even got to know her hubby who i only get glimpses of in her blog on some short mentions hehe. they're both so chatty, i didn't have time to be uber shy! although i think i still was a bit haha. i think they are a cute couple and very good company indeed. (^_^)

time passed very quickly and it was time to say goodbye - Nikki and Keith need to go back to their hotel and checkout while i had to go back to my work lol. they were very nice to walk with me to the bus stop and wait until i get on in one. it was really hard to part ways but i know this will only be the start of many more meetups with her. and hopefully with more beauty bloggers soon.

another beautiful blogger, inside and out, personified. thanks for including me in your itinerary Nikki! LOL and i enjoyed our meetup and chikahan. til our next date! (^_^)

P.S.

and oh, just look at the generous gifts she showered me!

isn't she the best? love yah sis! (^_^)

Luxola: A Wonderful Surprise

2011-10-11T09:00:00.006+08:00

few years ago, i got really addicted with online shopping. from discovering my HG MMU foundation by Joppa Minerals to hoarding cheap brushes from Coastal Scents, i was on a high. but the long waiting (usually more than 2 weeks since they come from US by the cheapest shipping method) turned me off and made me gave it up. recently though, my online shopping activity was revived. why? because i met Luxola.

i chanced upon this site when i was browsing Sephora Singapore facebook page. a member mentioned their website and i thought of checking it out. wow, i didn't realized i was in for a treat! they have a selective but very interesting product lineup - Face Atelier, Becca Cosmetics, Sleek Makeup and what caught my eye, Deborah Lippmann nail polishes! i quickly ordered three shades: Bad Romance, Across the Universe and Ruby Red Slippers (which i gave to Nikki when we met last Thursday).

my order came in a chic paper bag with their identity - i was impressed!

accurate order - check!

the goodies!

my goodies, all spread out

my very firs Deborah Lippmann nail polishes! from left to right: Bad Romance, Ruby Red Slippers, Across the Universe

Deborah Lippmann nail polishes' top view in their boxes

nice freebies! above, Dr. Jart+ Rejuvenating Blemish Base and Korres Hair Shea Butter and Vitamins samples

i must say i was very amazed at the free, next-day delivery service they have. and i got very nice freebies too! not to mention catering to my little request to deliver my goodies at the time my maide will be at home (Luxola texted me they will arrive in 20-60 minutes but within that timeframe my maid will be fetching my kids, they graciously and happily obliged to deliver at the time i mentioned she'll be home. if that is not superb customer service, i don't know what else is!) i wish they will stock up on more shades like Superstar, i think i'll keep coming back again and again! hmn, maybe i should ask them to carry Rescue Beauty Lounge next??? ^_^

if you live in Singapore, do check out their website (www.luxola.com) and find yourself luxurious keepers in the beauty department!

P.S.
Btw, i totally forgot to include the Belo Glycolic Soap in my post yesterday! i've forgotten to take a picture of it apparently. (>_<) anyway, i've updated the post to include review on the soap as well - which i love too!

Belo (Acne) Oil Control Kit review

2011-10-10T09:00:00.005+08:00

*post changed on 9th January 2012: i've only noticed that i actually wrote "Belo ACNE Control Kit" when i got several comments on this post. it should be "Belo OIL Control Kit". i'm not sure if that stirred some confusion or if there is an acne kit per se but just to clarify, that the set i got is BELO OIL CONTROL KIT. so sorry for the confusion previously!

previously, i've shared with you that i've tried Belo ~~Acne~~ Oil Control Kit when i went for my very first facial and at the well-renowned Belo medical clinic (went at their Greenbelt branch). after finishing the entire line, i'd like to share my thoughts and experience.

first, to refresh your memory of what the kit includes:

i was advised with the following regimen:

Morning:
Glycolic Soap 5%
Belo Prescriptives Pore Minimizer
CHAT 2%
Sunblock Gel

Evening:
Glycolic Soap 5%
Belo Prescriptives Pore Minimizer
CHAT 2%
Daily Peel Solution

on the Glycolic Soap:
- i've never used any soap like this one. it cleanses my skin yet does not leave it dry or too moisturized (that i feel like i've slathered lotion on my face). i love it! at first though, i felt a little itchiness which was to be expected but over time i got used to it. one bar lasted me more than 2 months because i break it into 3 pieces and use each piece at a time.

on the Pore Minimizer:
- i noticed that after finishing this product, my pores became smaller and i do not oil as much, with or without makeup. i still have to blot oil on my T-zone area but i only do it once a day, probably after around 6 hours - not bad. i usually blot my face thrice a day before. great improvement right? and that is only when i wear makeup. if i don't, i don't blot at all! really impressive.

on the CHAT 2%:
- firstly, if you are thinking what the heck is CHAT, as i previously did, here are they:
* it stands for Clindamycin, Hydroquinone, Alum and Tretinoin
* Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic. It is usually used to treat infections with anaerobic bacteria but can also be used to treat some protozoal diseases, such as malaria. It is a common topical treatment for acne and can be useful against some methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.
* Hydroquinone, also benzene-1,4-diol or quinol, is an aromatic organic compound that is a type of phenol, having the chemical formula C6H4(OH)2. Its chemical structure, shown in the table at right, has two hydroxyl groups bonded to a benzene ring in a para position. It is a white granular solid. Substituted derivatives of this parent compound are also referred to as hydroquinones. In human medicine, hydroquinone is used as a topical application in skin whitening to reduce the color of skin as it does not have the same predisposition to cause dermatitis as metol does.
* Alum is both a specific chemical compound and a class of chemical compounds. The specific compound is the hydrated potassium aluminium sulfate (Potassium alum) with the formula KAl(SO4)2.12H2O. The wider class of compounds known as alums have the related empirical formula, AB(SO4)2.12H2O. Alum may be used in depilatory waxes used for the removal of body hair, or applied to freshly waxed skin as a soothing agent.
* Tretinoin is the acid form of vitamin A and is also known as all-trans retinoic acid or ATRA. It is a drug commonly used to treat acne vulgaris and keratosis pilaris.
- i really noticed that i didn't (take note: AT ALL) had any breakouts during usage of this product. i was really amazed! i also realized my skin became brighter - a bit whiter i suppose, but not whiter that my foundation shade doesn't match anymore. my face felt smoother too.

on the Daily Peel Solution:
- at first, i was very scared to try this product. i don't wish to peel off skin while i'm at work or out. thank goodness, it didn't. it isn't saying that i didn't peel - i still did but in a very minimal way, i suppose. it mostly peeled skin off my nose aream, that's it. i didn't notice any peeling at any area around my face. i actually thought this also helped in controlling oilies on my nose area. my pet peeve with this product is it stings a little and smell harsh too, if you know what i mean. i actually got ok with that when i tried spraying thin layer of Avene Thermal Spring Water (i will be doing a separate review on that) on it and it soothed the tingling, sometimes slightly burning sensation. i'm still not finished with this bottle but i reckon it'll be in a few days or so.

on the Sunblock Gel:
- i liked the consistency of this product, smooth and easy to apply it glides on my skin and get absorbs fairly quickly. what i hated about this is the smell - it smelled like those cheap glue you can buy for PhP1 (during my elementary days pardon me hehe). it goes away though after it gets absorbed. another gripe is it's SPF, at only 19. i cannot complain though, because it actually made me realize putting on sunblock is indeed important. you could say it was a nice start. so this product scores fairly average for me - not loving it, not hating it either.

overall, i noticed great improvement in my skin after a month of use and further improvement upon finishing all of 'em (well almost, since my Daily Peel Solution still have some left but will be empty soon). it was actually the first time in many years i was wowed by a skincare line because it did worked for me very well. my only dilemma with this eureka moment is that i live in Singapore and they don't have a branch here. it was actually the reason why i turned to Avene, which is locally available. i don't want to rely on it and bother lots of people just to get their products. besides, i know i have to visit their clinics for followup on what products suit me better next. but i highly recommend this kit, i'm telling you i was really satisfied. Belo please open up a branch in Singapore! ^_^

have you used this kit? do you love or hate it? dish it out here!

Busy, Beeautiful Singapore: A contest, a giveaway, purchase specials and makeup workshops

2011-10-07T16:42:00.000+08:00

hey ladies! are you aware of the latest purchase specials, giveaways, contests and makeup workshops in the Lion City? if not, read on!

Give a Gift of Kiehl's

To celebrate 160 years, Kiehl's gives you the opportunity to give away 3 samples of your choice to your facebook friends and stand to win a year's supply of your favourite formulations if you are the top giver! The most given away gifts are at 846 already!

You can ask a friend to give you samples for self trial as well, beat that! (i asked my daughter to give me a sampler gift and i did for her as well haha! we've yet to claim they yet though lol)

Promotion is ending on 16th October so hurry! Click here to join!

Luxola Review and Win!

Luxola, the first online luxury cosmetic and skin-care site in Singapore, is giving away Deborah Lippmann I Know What Boys Like nail polish, MOR Sorbet Lip Macaroon and DuWop Crush 18 Karat eyeshadow to the entry with the best answer on the question, "Which product can't you live without?". My eyes are on the polish! Hurry and send in your entries because last day of entries is today! Click here to join!

RMK purchase special

i've been postponing getting their Creamy Polish Base, Smoothing Base and Emulsion Gel Compact for a while and i think this should be the time to do so! their special is ending 4th November.

Shu Uemura purchase special

they didn't really mention until when this is ending so i suppose if you are planning to buy that, go now! ^_^

China Glaze purchase special

wanting to get a number of China Glaze shades? do now and get an Anchor's Away set-of-4 collection! this is ongoing until 31st October or until stocks last.

ok, onto my favorite part - makeup workshops! (i've been wanting to try taking makeup workshops for a while now since all i know about makeup application is either from youtube, picture tutorials or self exploration. i gotta somewhere if i want to aspire being a makeup artist. ^_^)

Benefit's Watt's Up Glowing Workshop

Benefit will be holding a series of workshops from 21-23 October starring the Watts 's Up Soft Focus Highlighter for face. although the product sounds fantastic, i'd skip this one though since i've oily skin and i shy away from highlighting because it makes me look like an oil mine! this may be interesting for normal to dry skinned ladies so give it a go if you wanna!

RMK Makeup Workshop

RMK just announced on their fb page that they'll be holding another makeup workshop soon and i was just so eager to find this one out! i've been to one of their counters (Takashimaya) and i love their products as much as their customer service! cannot wait to find out more details on this soon! Click here to follow their fb page to stay tuned!

MAC Makeup Workshop

i nearly fainted when i found out they do workshops so when they confirmed another date i was just ecstatic! the course is S$150 for 2 hours but the class is small (15) and i just love the brand! plus a S$120 voucher fully redeemable with their products are waiting for you after the class! i am actually nagging a sister-in-faith to come with me on this one! Click here for details!

*these are all just the product of my research and i am in no way related to the companies or paid to endorse them. i really am just happy to share this info to my fellow makeup enthusiasts. ~_^

isn't the world of beauty just busy and beautiful? ^_^

have a great weekend beauties!

Ode to Phoebe

2011-10-06T16:29:00.000+08:00

if it's one pleasant surprise i experienced and continue to experience in beauty blogging is that even though some people view makeup as shallow, this is one commonality that kikay (girly) girls get acquainted with. but it doesn't end there - it blossoms into friendship. ^_^

and so, i'd like to dedicate this post to one dear beauty blogger whom even though i've not met personally yet gave me such inspiring, striking and heartfelt words of encouragement - Phoebe.

(oops! hope you don't mind me taking this down from your twitter profile pic sis hehe, you look so cute!)

i was really touched by the gesture of trying to meet me for dinner even though you lived far out in the South area, sending me a "comfort" treat and reassuring me of God's abudant love with a simple but touching note. that is not having met her yet! i know am in for a treat when i finally sit down, talk and have a laugh with her. ^_^

thank you sweet, sweet Phoebe!

if you are curious of what she gave, have a look:

Avon Lotus Shield and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

i'm really loving Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel! it actually made me realize that even though i've oily skin i still should use moisturizer and it will tremendously help absorption and effectivity of all the other skincare products i use. will do a proper review on that one later.

i've only tried Avon Lotus Shield once and i quite like it. i'm on a hair volumizing phase right now though so i've not used it daily yet to have an accurate feel of it's effect. will update once i have.

btw, i don't want to forget what she told me so i posted it on my wall graffiti and look at it everyday!

she wrote: 'Great to hear that because of His unconditional love, you're now well and saved! :) Hope you like my little "comfort" treat!'

truly, it's a great pleasure to be known by this sweet lass. til we meet in person sis! ^_^

why i blog about beauty

2011-10-05T10:46:00.002+08:00

good morning to you lovely readers! pardon me for not blogging for a while, it's really a challenge to blog properly when you have to mix it in admist being busy with family, church commitments, learning to play the keyboard and work. but even if i miss posting sometimes, i still blog as much as can. why, you may ask?

this is what inspired me to put up today's post. for those of you who do not know, i am a born-again Christian since December 2009. every week, my brothers and sisters-in-faith together with my family gather to celebrate our lifegroup - which is what we call our smaller group within our church community where we share our lives together for God's glory. so, last week's theme was about the essentials of life and in our discussion, i realized that i am slowly getting lured again by the materialistic nature of the beauty industry. the urge of wanting the latest product... the addiction that comes with wanting to hoard as much products as i can... sleepless nights thinking of what to haul next. eek, am i really getting back to my old self???

i used to be very obsessed about makeup back in 2008 when i started blogging (my handle then was still moiheartsmakeup, which i eventually deleted and subsequently i put up this new one). i remember that whenever there is a new MAC LE release, or new trend in cosmetics, i'll be closely watching and putting my orders in ASAP. i'm active in beauty blogging and makeup forums. basically, i breathe and eat makeup. i was too immersed that i became pushy towards my hubby to buy me these things even if we argue they are expensive and sometimes very unpractical. there are times i have kept purchasing secretly just to avoid arguments with my husband. in short, too much attention on makeup was making me do wrong things and potentially wrecking my relationship with my husband. there came to a point my life was so messed up that i decided to put an end to moiheartsmakeup. there was no peace, amidst all the pretty things i was surrounded with.

but then i met Jesus, He was knocking all this time but it was the first time i heard it and i finally let Him in my heart. of course, i've heard of Him before. i basically grew up knowing Him. but i knew Him before as a distant God, in Heaven and may not hear out a sinner like me. but everything turned upside down (in a good way) when I received Him. that's when my life perspective changed. i realized that God loves me so much that He wants me to be happy to do things here on earth as long as I put Him first, for when i do that all things shall be aded unto me. i started beauty blogging again but my makeup mojo was not as hyped up as before. i had a long hiatus with makeup and blogging early this year because i was busy and happy serving in church. there was this time though that God spoke to me in my prayer that i should cultivate my gift and not suppress it, so that people will know it is He, the Almight God, that blesses me. that's when i started loving makeup again. i even volunteered being an amateur makeup artist for one of our church events. it was a great feeling to give your best to God and hear from sisters-in-faith how they loved my looks and how they are eager to learn from me. indeed, i was shining for the Lord. but then recently, i was slowly just centering with hoarding beauty items again. i was missing my alone time with God.

which made me realize that i should not forget why i blog about beauty. if i can remember correctly, i put up a blog not because i wanted to boast about my hauls or my makeup looks and certainly not because i wanted to be popular. i started beauty blogging because i realized i can reach out people with my enthusiasm for makeup and inspire them to embrace their flaws and highlight their assets. i don't have an expert opinion but mine's a beauty fan's perspective, which is what a budding makeup enthusiast may just need. i remember i was posting in makeup forums to answer questions about beauty products by giving my opinions and reviews of them. it may not be a big deal to some but believe me, those things matter to most girls like it did to me before. it's really the support and inspiration that i intend to instil in this blog. and with that i know, my Lord is delighted in me. ^_^

P.S.

please do not take my faith against me. i'm not saying that loving makeup is sinning or will make you a bad person. what i'm saying is that my obsessions with it really does not make me a better person and instead i should always remind myself that it's just a part of my life and not the entirety of it. that, now that i know God personally, i prioritize Him first before everything else. and that gives me unspeakable joy and inner peace i swear i've never felt before i knew Him. that i blog simply out of wanting to inspire and support people who are into my interests, which in this case is makeup. if you do not agree with my opinions, i do not wish to persuade you and you can always stop following my posts. know though that i do not want to see you go, i just really want to show and express God's love for me and how it changed my life. and in this case, that affected my beauty blogging. ^_^

P.S.S.

in keeping with spreading love and beauty, i encourage you to please join my current giveaway! it is ending on 19th October so do send in your entries now!

have a great day ahead beauties! ^_^

ZA Impact Lash Mascara haul and Wide Eyes mini review

2011-09-30T11:08:00.000+08:00

hey everyone! i skipped a day of blogging yesterday as i got drowned with issues at work that needed urgent attention. today though, i've got something special to share with you about. i think Majolica Majorca has a strong rival in mascaras for me now. enter -- ZA Impact Lash Mascara!

More pictures and mini review after the jump!

ZA Eye and Lip Makeup Remover

i won't be reviewing this as this is part of my current giveaway. i'd probably try it out another time and review it then. (^_^) but doesn't it look so girly?? so cute and nice!

ok, getting back... *grins*

ZA Impact Lash Volume Mascara
Big and Sexy
- Dramatically increases volume of each and every lash
- Volume up wax
- Brush holds mascara evenly and fits asian eyelids perfectly
- Waterproof, smudge and clump-free
- Full definition and eyeliner effect
- Deep jet-black fibers
- Lasting curl
- Curl up and curl keeping formula

How to get MIRACLE BIG EYES with ZA Impact Lash Volume Mascara

Big and Sexy

Step 1: Pleace inward curve of brush against base of lashes and lift upwards. Apply mascara from base to tip in a zigzag lifting motion.

Step 2: Using the outward curve of brush comb lashes from the base to the tip to separate lashes in a fan shape. Repeat step 1 and step 2 several times for enhanced volume.

Step 3: Finally, using tip of brush, apply carefully onto eye corners and lower lashes.

i've not yet used this at the moment. will try to do so during the weekend and update you soon gals! ;-)

ZA Impact Lash Wide Eyes Mascara
Wide Sensation
- Lush and glossy finish
- Glossy coat oil
- Even and beautiful fan-like effect
- Coil and comb
- Waterproof, smudge and clump-free
- Full definition and eyeliner effect
- Deep jet-black fibers
- Lasting curl
- Curl up and curl keeping formula

How to get MIRACLE BIG EYES with ZA Impact Lash Wide Eyes Mascara

Wide Sensation

Step 1: Extra-small Jaggy Coil

Place the coiled portion of the comb against the base of lashes and apply by lifting it up towards the tip. When applying mascara onto lower lashes, comb lashes with the tip of the brush.

Step 2: Extra-fine Pitch

Apply formula onto the base of lashes towards the tip using the comb, separating the lashes to a fan-shape.

i used the Wide Eyes mascara the other day and guess what my daughter asked me? "Mommy, did you put on false eyelashes?" (Yes, she is aware of such kikay (girlie) products from my frequent window shopping that I take her with) i was secretly impressed with the mascara and very pleased with myself before telling her, "No, it's the new mascara we bought the other day? Galing noh? (Great huh?)" what i would like to be cautious the next time though is the amount of swipes i do on my lashes. if not applied properly or without restraint, it can easily clump so it's really best to follow their instructions on the boxes (which i didn't follow haha because of too much excitement to use it!) what i love most about this beside the falsies effect is that the curl of my lashes totally stayed put for 8 hours! (i decided to take it off after that) i've NEVER used any mascara that didn't weigh down my lash curl - so this definitely tops my mascara list!!!

freshly put on

after 8 hours (note the greasy foundation LOL)

ZA actually recommends using Mascara Base (not in pictures above but launched together with the impact lash mascaras), Wide Eyes, Volume then Long (not in pictures above but one of the launched impact lash mascaras) for maximum falsies eye effect. I actually am curious to try that! Imagine, if I can fake a falsies look with just one of their mascaras, how more with their recommendation?

ZA Lash Impact mascaras and Mascara Base are now available at Watsons for S$17.50.

have you tried this product yet? tell me your thoughts about it!

P.S.

one lovely reader will receive any one (1) ZA Impact Lash Mascara of her choice (Wide Eyes, Long, Volume) on my next giveaway (which will be on October 20th) so stay tuned!!! for now, please join my current giveaway (click me) - which showcases the new ZA Eye and Lip Makeup Remover launched together with ZA Impact Lash mascaras.

LOTD: MAC Dazzleglass Miss Dynamite

2011-09-27T16:53:00.001+08:00

i think am kinda leaning towards LOTDs nowadays as i am not getting up as early as i can to put makeup on in the morning. *sigh*

anyway, even the most boring lips will easily get liven up with lip products such as MAC Dazzleglass Miss Dynamite.

it has super shine gloss with orangey-gold specks - love it! i actually own several Dazzleglasses (7, i think) and this is the one i used most of the time without any lipstick underneath it. there's something about the very shiny finish of this gloss and the specks that the light definitely catches on and reflects beautifully that got me addicted to it! if MAC will launch more colors, i will be sure to get more!

do you own a MAC Dazzleglass? how are you liking it?

P.S.
Please do not forget to join my giveaway! Click here for details.

LOTD: Christian Dior Rouge Dior Creamy Lipgloss 851 Red Venitian Satin

2011-09-26T10:24:00.002+08:00

i've been seeing a lot of red lips on blogs nowadays, ranging from true red to deeper, darker ones. not sure if that is the trend for fall but i figured why not share one of the wearable and flattering red shades i own. enter the Christian Dior Rouge Dior Creamy Lipgloss 851 Red Venitian Satin.

it is a red-orange shade with shimmery and glossy effect. i love how it feels and settles into my lips - very buttery and makes me lips look oh-so-young! even though i don't have chappy lips, it still can have that illusion of healthy, young-looking lips and as you can see it reflects like very good - so glossy! i love glossy and shiny lips! this gloss is highly pigmented - i didn't apply anything else besides Burt Bee's lip balm. the color stays on for hours, especially if you don't eat - great for a gloss if you'll ask me!

i actually am contemplating on getting more Dior creamy glosses in the future since i really <3 this! do you own some or will you want to haul some?

P.S.
Please do not forget to join my giveaway! Click here for details.

GIVEAWAY: 10,000 hits and counting!

2011-09-24T14:42:00.003+08:00

recently, my hits counter registered at 10,000 -- thank you dear readers! and to express my gratitude for patronizing my beauty blog, it's giveaway time!

the prizes:

More pictures after the jump!

Avene Thermal Spring Water is one of my new finds and love at the moment for skincare! Will create a review on it and other Avene products later.

Dr. Wu skincare line is recommended by Barbie Hsu in her beauty book. Enough reason to check their products or what?

ZA Eye and Lip Makeup Remover is a new product, in fact only released in Watsons Singapore last 22nd September.

OPI Face and Body Shimmer is perfect for those shimmerness effect calling moments!

Aromaleigh Rocks! Sonic Eyes Shadows are not only very pigmented but rare finds nowadays as Aromaleigh has already closed down (i only knew at the time i wrote this, saddening news! if you are curious, you can read here and here.)

to join, you can choose to do ANY, SOME or ALL of the following:

6) post my blog giveaway including "MereMakeupManiac GIVEAWAY: 10,000 hits and counting!" text and URL linking to my blog giveaway on your Google+ stream

7) subscribe to MereMakeupManiac YouTube channel >>

8) announce my blog giveaway mentioning "MereMakeupManiac GIVEAWAY: 10,000 hits and counting!" and URL linking to my blog giveaway on your YouTube video

9) follow me on Instagram thru iPhone app (user: meremakeupmaniac)

10) follow me on Google Friend Connect (look for at the right hand side menu)

11) comment on this post and tell me which product are you most interested in winning and why. you can tell me about more than 1 product or all of them!

after doing the above, e-mail me (check out my e-mail at the top of my blog) the details of each entry, such as your Twitter, Facebook, Google+, YouTube and Instagram account names and the link to the posts you did for announcing my blog giveaway. each entry is considered one chance of winning. the more entries, the more chances of winning! LOL i sound like a commercial haha! deadline of submission for entries are until 19th October 2011 11:59PM. I will draw the winner on the 20th October 2011 and announce it on a blog post. and oh, this is open for local and international readers! (^_^) but please, stick to the giveway rules! non-compliance will be disqualified. (T_T)

am still thinking if i should add in stuff from MAC or Urban Decay... but maybe i'll just do another giveaway? that would be better since others can have another chance at getting a freebie! (^_^)

P.S.

I've changed my commenting system - hope you'll like it! Let me know feedbacks about it (good or bad), will you? (^_^)

happy Saturday everyone!

Milani Gems and Gold

2011-09-22T14:54:00.001+08:00

yet another gloomy day in the Lion City - I woke up to dark sky and continuous raining. good for you, my post isn't. In fact, these nail polishes from Milani can brighten your day instantly!

pictures!

Milani Gold and Gems

More pictures after the jump!

Milani Gems (can you guess where I took these swatches??)

Milani Gold

my impression on these babies: i love them! i am head over heels when it comes to glittery or shimmery nail polishes - these are no exception. i noticed that they are chunky and you need to be careful when layering them. it's also a bit tricky to cover the entire nail with the glitters. if glitter size is the consideration, i prefer Gems since it has various sizes of glitters. if vibrancy of color or color impact, i love Gold more - but just a little, they are almost tied! (^_^) in terms of drying, it dries fast even on its own. for me, these are winners!

have you any Milani polish to rave about?

Review: Reference 335 Volume Conditioner

2011-09-21T12:19:00.001+08:00

yesterday, i shared briefly my rave for a hair volumizing product. the story behind my acquisition of this product is actually accidental. remember that i raved about Reference Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner (REF 443)? it is from the same line but i got the Volume conditioner (REF 335) instead.

Reference 335 Volume Conditioner (S$38)

More pictures and review after the jump!

when i went to Beauty Language (the only store that sells Reference products in Singapore) nearest my place, i was actually looking for Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner (REF 443). the SA told me the conditioner is out of stock and i was totally saddened. (T_T) i even insisted she check out other brances, which she did, but there really isn't any stocks everywhere. she recommended the Volume Conditioner (REF 335) and i was very reluctant to get it. i decided to rebond my hair because i hate frizzy hair and adding volume may cause just that. but since i really love this product (the REF 443 shampoo/conditioner duo which i finished and repurchased!), i thought why not give it a try, finish it and then never buy it again if it proves to be a disaster. so i bought REF 335 conditioner together with REF 443 shampoo (if you buy separately, shampoo is priced at $36 and $38 for the conditioner. but if you buy both, you'll only have to pay $58 - savings of $16!)

i was so elated to be wrong! the pictures below will prove that indeed it gave me enough volume but did not give me poofy hair. some shots i even used hair irons and it still retained the volume - what an impressive product!

before using Reference 335 Volume Conditioner

after using Reference 335 Volume Conditioner

(other than spritzing hairspray on my bangs, i didn't do anything else with my hair)

(i even ironed my hair this time!)

*note: in all pictures, i just fan dried my hair - no blowdrying done.

isn't it just amazing? i love before and after shots lol.

i honestly did not expect a lot from shampoos and conditioners before aside from clean and nice-smelling hair but this just proves that salon products definitely have an edge! i am just so in love with Reference's hair products!

if you are wondering where they can be purchased, they are distributed in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Czech Republik, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iraq, Ireand, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan R.O.C, The Netherlands, Ukraine, United Arab Emirate, United Kingdom and USA. check out their website where exactly to buy.

have i enticed you to consider this brand? :)

FOTDs using NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream & NYX Matte Lipstick buys

2011-09-20T09:21:00.000+08:00

as requested and as i've promised, here are the looks i did from last weekend to showcase the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams and NYX Matte Lipstick items i got from Digital Traincase.

using NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Sao Paulo

using NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm

using NYX Matte Lipstick in Butter

my favorite? i prefer the neutral ones (Stockholm/Butter) since i really favor rich, deep and dark eye makeup. i like Sao Paulo too just because it can liven up a look on its own and can be fun for bright looks too. now, i want more! *sigh* more expenses! and i still have a long list of beauty wishlist hehe.

my impressions: i love these lip products but not to the point of loving them over my MAC Dazzleglass (those really are my favorite lip color products to date!). that's not to say i don't want to get more, i actually do! there's something about the formulation and feel and color payoff that getting these affordable lippies can be addicting. they don't look too matte up close, although you get that effect when you see it completed with a look. the formulation is not drying too (two thumbs up!), although i still prefer to put lip balm before application to moisturize my lips and pat on powder to my lips to really pop the color.

how do you find NYX lip products?

P.S.
i've tried a new volumizing conditioner and i am loving it!!! am not sure if you can tell but i've noticed that my hair has more volume and does not look as flat as before. i also found it easier to style since it's not very smooth that it's hard to handle will just fall straight. i love it, i will feature/review it soon. hint: it's the same brand i love and featured for my newly rebonded hair.

NYX lippie swatch updates and a GIVEAWAY announcement!

2011-09-19T11:28:00.000+08:00

i previously wrote about acquiring the blogger-world-highly-raved-about NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams. i didn't have the time to swatch them at the time so i'm making up for that now.

here are the swatches:

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm

NYX Matte Lipstick in Butter

i've also updated that entry in case somebody refers to it later and don't need to jump here just to see the swatch.

loving it? hating it? i've tried using all of them in FOTDs, stay tuned for that!

ALSO, i just reached 10,000 hits last week (yey!) so am planning to have a giveaway. i'm thinking of prizes to give away so stay tuned for that. let me know if you have prizes in mind you'll love to win! good news: it's open internationally! (^_^)

shoe craze!

2011-09-19T11:16:00.000+08:00

i rarely find shoes that i really like (and fit my big 10" feet >_<) and so when i saw these three, i knew i just have to have them!

i got this Fioni Black Glisten Mesh Jewel at Payless Shoe Source @ Power Plant Mall. i love that it's mesh and i can totally feel my feet can breathe! it's also very cushiony in feel and will make you fall in love with walking! dare i say more comfortable than my havaianas? :) the beads add an elegant touch and i just heart that it's peeptoe!

together with the Fioni shoes, i got this Lower East Side Navy Emma Espadrilles at Payless Shoe Source as well (same branch). sorry for espadrilles fans but i just hate their designs but when i saw this, it was a totally different experience. it was casual chic and very comfortable. great for shorts, casual shirts and jeans. <3 it!

finally but definitely not the least, i had this Figlia Couture ORLA shoes made to order - direct from Joey Enriquez himself! this footwear is just stunning - it towers 6"! it may be available only in black but it delivers high impact alright! i was just happy when it arrived because it was on my mind since i saw Kris wearing it on Kris TV last 11th August.

i am not really a shoe addict but maybe am also becoming one? oh no! proof: yesterday when i went to check out H&M, i was only oggling at the shoes especially the boots!! have gone crazy about shoes lately???

Haul: NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams and NYX Matte Lipstick

2011-09-14T10:17:00.004+08:00

i was able to visit Digital Traincase's booth at the Philippine Cosmetics Expo at Megamall Megatrade Hall 1 last September 3. i picked up NYX lippies, particularly the beauty bloggers' raved about Soft Matte Lip Creams.

while i'm not a fan of matte lippies (used to but that was a long time ago) because they are usually drying, my curiousity was stimulated when Shen of Shensaddiction posted inviting photos of her lips smeared with San Paulo shade. after reading her experience that it isn't drying, i thought i should try that at least and know for myself.

i actually wanted to buy more but immediately i thought of so many other beauty products i want to buy that i restrained myself from getting more lol. i just picked one with bold color and a neutral shade (i love neutral lippies!). i also end up getting their Matte Lipstick just because i loved the color when i swatched it and told myself to try it out anyway.

so here are my picks: Stockholm, San Paulo and Butter

More pictures after the jump!

i've only tried San Paulo yesterday and my first impressions are 1) it's indeed not drying, 2) it's matte but not flat (which i liked), 3) the smell reminds me of a candy - although i can't seem to think which one (it's on the end of my toungue lol), 4) the pigmentation is good 5) the color lasts until you eat lol then you'll definitely have to retouch. as of now, i suppose it's ok although it's not a phenomenal product imo - or maybe it hasn't hit me yet. i'll post swatches and deeper reviews later.

have you tried NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams and Matte Lipsticks? love it, loathe it or lukewarm about it?

update as of 19th September:
here are the swatches:

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm

NYX Matte Lipstick in Butter

Haul: Suesh tools and Brush Guards

2011-09-13T11:07:00.000+08:00

i admit - i'm a late bloomer when it comes to discovering Suesh but i definitely am loving their product line! i adore that they concentrate on makeup tools especially for makeup artists (or wanna be's like me mwahaha). it's the very reason i tried their products; i was looking for a brush belt and that started everything. ^_^

I was looking for a brush belt and I found out that Suesh has one but at the time I thought they only are selling in the Philippines. I got ahold of Sheryl from Manila thru their facebook page and referred me immediately to their Singapore distributor. I had very smooth transaction with Suesh's Singapore reseller, Che. She offered to meet me so I could personally see the products first before I purchase them. Before that, she also told me delivery is free if I choose not to meetup - wonderful service! She was very prompt in her replies thru email and very patient with my queries. She was very pleasant in person as well. Suesh Customer Service - be local or international - gets two thumbs up! ^_^

you might be wondering what i got so to kill the suspense, here's my haul:

More closeup pictures of my haul after the jump!

Suesh smudge brush - my new trusty blending machine!

I cannot tell you how much I love this brush! It just made my life so much easier. It's very, very soft - almost buttery! I used to think that tapered blending brushes are the best until I used this! That's why my second mission to get from Suesh is the Round Smudge Brush. If it's not yet obvious, yeah am getting slowly addicted to smudge brushes... ^_^

Suesh small brush belt - functional and cute!

At first, I really wanted a proper brush belt. But when I compared it with the smaller one, I kinda liked the small one better. I thought I don't want to have too many brushes in it while I'm putting makeup on someone as I envision it will make me more confused. Does that make sense? Hehe!

Suesh small brush belt in action

See how I can put it at my side and not dangle in front of me? I liked that. Although come to think of it, looking at it right now attached to me it really looked small and I looked huge haha!

I really wanted to get more brushes but I just bought a set of Charm brushes not too long ago so for now, am lemming their Round Smudge Brush, Kabuki Brush and Mixing Palette & Spatula. So, I focused my attention to the brush guards instead hehe. I was happy to get these because I initially thought I can only order this online then found out Suesh carry them - brilliant!

Brush Guard Shadow/Liner Pack (10 pcs.)

Brush Guard Shadow/Liner Pack - normal state

Brush Guard Shadow/Liner Pack is breathable and easy to "squeeze" your brushes into

Brush Guard Blush Pack (8 pcs.)

Brush Guard Blush Pack is flexible as the Shadow/Liner Pack, only bigger

I liked that they come with instructions!

I will need more time to use these products so I could prepare a deeper review, watch out for that later.

I was very happy with my Suesh loot and I think Che was impressed with my enthusiasm that she offered if I want to be a reseller and I was only happy to do so! So, if you're based in Singapore and would like to own quality makeup brushes then why not get them from me? ^_^ You can check out all their products at their Singapore website (suesh.com.sg) and their price list. Do email me your orders at meremakeupmaniac@gmail.com.

do you love Suesh too???

Terrific hairday at Affascinante Salon

2011-09-13T09:02:00.000+08:00

I recently went back to Manila for vacation since my kids had a one week school holiday and I had to see my Uro for my followup checkup (have you heard, am stone-free already - thank GOD!!!). One of the plans that materialized during that trip is having my daughter's hair rebonded - for the first time - and getting my hair colored since my regrow is showing already. I went straight to my trusted stylist, Wheng of Affascinante Salon.

My daughter before rebonding:

My daughter after rebonding:

Huge difference right? My daughter can't hide her excitement. She now appreciates beauty a li'l more - she hates putting on makeup because it takes a lot effort she says. Ah, we're total opposites hehe.

Of course, it's the mother's turn next! I didn't have a before picture though I took after shots in different lighting. Btw, i asked Wheng to color my hair reddish brown. Also, in case you're wondering she used Framesi coloring products.

With flash:

Without flash, flourescent lighting:

We both had a free haircut and intensive treatment - Wheng is uber generous and pampering of her clients! I paid a total of PhP4,800 - PhP3,500 for rebonding and PhP1,300 for my color.

If you want to give their services a try, visit http://affascinante.multiply.com/ for Affascinante Salon's contact details and set an appointment. A bettet version of you is just a phone call away! ^_^