Volume Against Length

Not a very fair fight is it? Both are in different categories so this won't be a comparison review. Just a regular review of Maybelline Volume Express Mascara (~RM23) and Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Mascara (RM50 online).

Read on for comparison pictures and review.

Maybelline Volume Express Waterproof Mascara

My colleague (she spelled my name wrong but that's alright) gave this to me because she preferred the non-waterproof formula. Cosmetics don't really go to waste in my hands unless they're really bad. I've had bad experiences with Maybelline mascaras because the Lash Discovery made my lashes fall off like crazy. Thankfully, this was not the case with this mascara. Typically not a fan of large wands, I found the curved brush to be quite ergonomic and makes it easy to push up the lashes. The formula isn't half bad either! In fact, it's quite good. Within a few swipes, lashes are reasonably thickened and lengthened. I don't think it curls much for me but it definitely holds up the curl and no smudges from this tube. I also like how the brush manages to coat most of my lashes without making a mess. It does clump up the lashes a little when too many layers are applied though. Despite that, I really like this mascara and I'll definitely buy it when this tube dries out.

Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Mascara

Add some subtle color to lashes by swiping some colored mascara over the black.

This is a very popular mascara in Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong from Majolica Majorca which is a brand by Shiseido. It was so hyped up and I actually spent RM50 on it which is waay waaay a lot more than what I would usually spend on a tube of mascara. I tried my very best to like this mascara as many people raved about it but alas, I could not. It just doesn't make my lashes go "WOW!". It's pretty much mediocre. I dislike the wand even though it's small because I just can't seem to use it properly and I keep stabbing myself in the eye with the wand. The shape just isn't user-friendly for me. As for the effect, not up to par as well. It does not volumize the lashes but it does lengthen in a significantly small amount. The formula is very smooth though which doesn't cause clumpiness when I coat the lashes so this mascara is great for natural looks. But a natural look isn't what I'm looking for! *hmphs* Although it doesn't smudge, it is rather painstaking to remove. Carmen wanted to buy it off me but I wouldn't sell it because the packaging was pretty. Lol. And I enjoy collecting. But it's still so not worth my 50 bucks.

And if by the end of this post you are wondering what is that white gunk on my forehead, it would be clay mask.


Read more!

My First Official MAC Product!

Exciting isn't it? I don't own any MAC products apart from the Brush Cleaner which I actually helped myself to filling it into a spray bottle from my counter *oops!*. Actually, I still would not count this as my official "official" MAC product because this was given to me and I didn't have much of a choice. I'm still too much of a cheapo to buy MAC products because I just love quantity way to much! I don't see the rationale in paying RM40 for an eyeshadow pan when I can get something similar for perhaps RM10. If I buy a cheaper eyeshadow, I could get 4 eyeshadows compared to only 1 from MAC. I got an A for Math!
I'm still waiting for the day that I'll actually be capable to go to a cosmetic counter, pick out whatever I fancy, pay for it and not have nightmares of monstrous credit card statements. OR I could look at the floor more in hope to find a dropped credit card and take it for a few swipes before throwing it away. I know it's fraud but the bank would eventually figure that out and not charge the butterfingers. I'd probably have to wear a hat to avoid being captured by the CCTV. Sounds like a plan? We'll keep our fingers crossed!

I got an eyeshadow pan in Meadow. Embryo steps.
Read on for swatches.







Read more!

Night At The Cultural Palace

Concert of Yesterday's Serenade With Alleycats
(Konsert Senandung Semalam Bersama Alleycats)

On the 27th, we (mom, mom's bf, aunt, me) attended a 2-hour charity concert at Istana Budaya by Alleycats featuring Hattan and Jaclyn Victor (Malaysian Idol) in conjunction with mom's birthday on the next day. Not knowing the lyrics to ANY of the songs (well, maybe except for their rendition of The Platter's 'Only You'), I felt rather lost in the auditorium. Nevertheless, my mom and many huge fans in the audience enjoyed the concert very much. Not to mention, the concert was for a good cause to raise funds for the Lung Foundation of Malaysia which hits close to home for the Alleycats because one of the lead singers, Logan, passed away May of last year from lung cancer.

Read on for more pictures and to read more about my makeup for the night.

I couldn't get pictures inside because non-authorized cameras were not allowed. I had to borrow this picture


And this would be the only photo I managed to get and it was a click too late because SOMEBODY did not know how to use a camera and people started to move and I couldn't get a better shot because they had to drag Jaclyn Victor away. Mom's the teethy one with short hair. My aunt to the left followed by Jaclyn Victor.

Since I got to go to a pretty posh place, I took the opportunity to doll up a little and go all out with my makeup. Lol. My first time going out with such dramatic makeup and I really really need to get used to wearing falsies for long hours. I was feeling nostalgic so I wore my 7-year-old dress and also because that's the only basic dress that I have in my condo.



Items Used:

Missha BB Cream
Loreal True Match Liquid Foundation
Missha Perfect Concealer
ELF Tone Correcting Concealer
Revlon Skinlights in Peach Light
Giorgio Armani Loose Powder
Stila Illuminizing Bronze Powder
88-Color Palette (Light teal, teal, black)
Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in P Gold 91 (highlight)
Indelible Gel Eyeliner in Black Cherry
Smashbox Dual Ended Eyeliner Pencil
Clinique Lash Power Mascara
Chamelon False Lashes
DON Eyelash Adhesive
Prescriptives Eyebrow Powder




Photo Credit: http://www.radio24.com.my/blog/


Read more!

Beautilicious Wonder Eyes Instant Eyeshadow

Wonder Eyes Instant Eyeshadow by Beautilicious must be one of the funkiest makeup products that I've ever seen. Remember those Ninja Turtle transfer tattoos that we used to get in our Mammee Monster? It's kinda like that but it transfers eyeshadow instead!

This was made for those who are inexperienced with applying eyeshadows and for ladies on the go with not much time (but with some money since it's a whopping RM12.90 for a pair of eyeshadow transfer) to apply make up. They also come in boxes of 3 pairs and 5 pairs which are slightly cheaper than only getting 1. There's a variety of color combinations as well. Each pair of eyeshadows are individually packed. The box comes with step by step instructions on how to use the product. The idea of it is a pre-shaped sponged with an arrangement of eyeshadow colors on it which you transfer onto your eyelids and then blend.

I was utterly intrigued by this so I bought me a pair to try out just to know what it's like (The things I do for this blog!). I've been reluctant to actually use this since I've bought it over a month ago because I was afraid that it was gonna look ugly because it did not look very promising.

Let's go through the process together! Read on for review and more pictures.







First, place the pre-shaped sponge on closed lids. Press the eyshadow on for about 5 seconds. Then, slide the sponge out revealing the eyeshadow placed onto the lids. Use the back of the sponge to blend.

It didn't turn out pretty, did it? Lol. Yes, I've wasted RM12.90. If it looked spectacular I'd probably wouldn't mind paying that much. I must admit that the eyeshadow colors are well pigmented but this concept really isn't for everyone as everyone has different eye shapes. The color placements are all the same which doesn't give much variation. The sponge isn't ideal for blending either and this doesn't leave room for overblending (which I did) because you won't be able to add more shadow. You'd still have to add on eyeliner and mascara to complete the look so I'd advise either going without eyeshadow or learn how to apply eyeshadow. It's more economical and it'll most probably look better.

Beautilicious is a new Malaysian cosmetic brand which adapts the style of Stila and Benefit in their cosmetic line. The prices are of pharmacy standard and some of the packagings are pretty cute. I'm not put off by their products just yet though. I'll definitely try out some other of their products. The eyeshadow pans look promising. The makeup kits are pretty intriguing but a tad too much for me to pay just to try it.

You can check out their super adorable webbie: http://www.beautilicious.com.my/

Available at selected Watsons and Beautilicious counters.



Read more!

I Am An Ogre -- Rawr!

For yesterday's look I used Orange and Green (Orange + Green = Ogre = Lame!). I really really liked the color combination but I didn't pile on too much color (for school!). I'd definitely try this again but with more intensity. I also tried out a new base idea that I learned on YouTube which is applying Revlon Skinlights all over the lids and then setting it with a neutral eyeshadow. To my surprise, it totally worked! No creasing and the color stayed on. I was truly amazed. I'm gonna try this method for a few more times before I go in depth with it. So, here it is! An ogre look for Thursday. And I totally HATE how my skin is. I'm still recuperating. Bear with me. I can't even use concealer. Ugh. Read on for close up pictures, more camwhoring pictures and of course, item description.





Items Used:

Missha BB Cream
Loreal True Match Liquid foundation
Revlon Skinlights in Peach Light (on eyes as well)
Giorgio Armani Loose Powder
Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in #3 and #11
88-Color Palette (yellowish white, green, soft yellow, soft orange)
Maybelline Banana Split Palette (highlight)
Indelible Gel Eyeliner in Chocolate Mousse
Smashbox Dual Ended Eyeliner Pencil
Clinique Lash Power Mascara
Prescriptives Eyebrow Powder
Origins Once Upon A Shine in Sheer Fruit Punch




Read more!

#2 Silver Smokey Eyes Tutorial

This is a tutorial requested by Chuin Ling aka Hinale. She wanted something that looked like Hilary Duff's (I think that's Hilary Duff. That's Hilary Duff right?) silvery smokey eyes. Um... it looks similar to the previous silvery smokey tutorial that I did only I used different techniques and shape. So yeah. There you go!





Items Used:

Indelible Cream Eyeshadow in Bare Necessity
Missha Cream Eyeshadow Stick in White
88-Color Palette (I used the off white, the shimmery silver and the shimmery grey)
Origins Eyeshadow in Glistening Granite
Kate Gel Eyeliner in BK-2
Bloop Eyeliner Pencil in Black
Maybelline Volume Express Mascara

The colors are not labelled so I circled (in red, obviously) the colors that I've used for this look. The black, although very pigmented, is without shimmer so I didn't use the black from this palette.

Prep lids with a base. Apply pearly white cream eyeshadow according to the shape that you want it including the lower lashline. Next, apply a shimmery silver shadow on the inner half of the lids with a fluffy eyeshadow brush.

After that, apply a shimmery grey shadow on the other half of the lid and on the lower lash line. Blend out the shadow.


Get some shimmery dark grey or black shadow on your small contour brush.

Simply place the color onto the outer-V of the lid. With the same brush, blend the color out and into the crease. Further blend any harsh lines with your eyeshadow brush.

Smudge some black on the outer lower lash line as well. Apply highlight color onto the browbone. I'd prefer a highlight that's not too shimmery so that it doesn't look overpowering. Blend everything together until you get a softer look. Line eyes thinly with black gel eyeliner.

Line the lower lash line as well. Tightline with a black eyeliner pencil. Curl your lashes and finish off with mascara. Done!

Read more!

Once Upon A Shine...

...there were 4 sheer lip glosses that lived on the shelves of Origins. They were RM48 (I think) each but 3 of them, were triplets of a value buy trio pack. The oldest of them was a gift. For being so sheer, they all have it as their titles. Bronze, Fig, Fruit Punch and Ruby, they were called. Four deliciously minty tubes with sparkles of shimmers for glimmering lips and an alluring smile. All four have magic sponge-tipped wands to smooth on a silky shine without being tacky. The colors are so sweet, perfect for any occasion.

And they all lived happily ever after in Connie's makeup collection.

The End

Yes. Lame. I know. Leave me alone. Lol. Read on for swatches and color descriptions.

L to R: Bronze, Fig, Fruit Punch, Ruby

Sheer Bronze: Brown with bronze shimmers, slightly more opaque than the others. Perfect for toning down reds.
Sheer Fig: Pinkish nude color with smaller bronze shimmers, also slightly more opaque. The only nude gloss that I've ever accepted.
Sheer Fruit Punch: Sheer subtle pink with loosely packed silver shimmers. Great for just a hint of color for natural looks.
Sheer Ruby: Sheer ruby red with loosely packed red shimmers for more color on the lips without drawing too much attention.


Read more!

2 Colorful Looks: Paddle Pop Rainbow & Blue-Green

The first look was inspired by Cynthia from California Lucky. I was absolutely in love with the color combination and it was surprisingly an acceptably subtle colorful look so it's perfect for anyone who wants to play with a few colors without looking over the top. The color combination reminded me of Paddle Pop Rainbow ice cream.

For the next look I wanted to try the blues from the 88-Color Palette. I was kinda just winging it and making it up as I go along so it looks a tad odd... Hmm... Anywho, the colors are fantastic! I really love how vibrant they are. I also "placed" a falsie that cost me RM12.90 but didn't actually look all that fantastic and didn't feel comfortable. I thought it looked fluttery and totally adorable but I guess looks are deceiving. Read on for more pictures and description of items used.

Paddle Pop Rainbow

Items Used:

Missha BB Cream
Giorgio Armani Face Fabric in #9
Giorgio Armani Loose Powder
Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in Harmonious Orange
Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in #11
Indelible Cream Eyeshadow in Bare Necessity
88-Color Eyeshadow Palette
Indelible Gel Eyeliner in Black Cherry
Clinique Lash Power Mascara
Bloop Eyeliner Pencil in Black
Prescriptives Eyebrow Powder
Origins Once Upon A Shine Lip Gloss in Sheer Fig

Colorful Blue-Green

Items Used:

Indelible Cream Eyeshadow in Bare Necessity
88-Color Eyeshadow Palette
Maybelliner Banana Split Palette (The highlight)
Elianto Liquid Eye Liner in Black
Bloop Pencil Eyeliner in Black
Bloop Pencil Eyeliner in Blue
Maybelline Volume Express Mascara in Black



Read more!

"There's no other way than to say goodbye "

Whee!! My Aunt and Uncle took my cousin and I to watch Air Supply in concert at Genting Arena Of Stars. We had so much fun! Despite them being popular in the 80's, I grew up listening and karaoke-ing to their songs which are practically plastered on my mind. Songs like theirs never get old. They do though. They got very old. See the difference?


Read on to see my makeup for the night.



Russell (left) was incredibly short too but still very energetic! Props to the, for still being able to hit those high notes and jump around the stage. No changes in the voice either. We couldn't get good pictures though because we were practically sneaking to get pics since cameras were not allowed. Nevertheless, good fun!

With my cousin, Julia.

Not a bad crowd.

Can you see him?


Yep, he's that small.

My makeup was pretty simple. A little bit smokey. I was making do with what I had in my travel makeup case.


Items Used:

Amuse Stick Foundation
Revlon Skinlights in Bronze Light
Origins Pinch Your Cheeks in Raspberry
Averine Pressed Powder
Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in Harmonious Orange
Indelible Cream Eyeshadow in Bare Necessity
E.L.F Eyeshadow Quad in Luxe
Indelible Gel Eyeliner in Black Cherry
Smashbox Dual Ended Eyeliner Pencil
Maybelline Volume Express Mascara
Prescriptives Eyebrow Powder
Origins Once Upon a Shine Lip Gloss in Sheer Fig




Read more!

Giorgio Armani UV Master Primer

"An innovative primer for the face that smoothes skin's surface, refines pores and creates a flawless canvas on which to apply foundation." -- Giorgio Armani Fluid Master Primer

The Giorgio Armani UV Master Primer (~RM225) is the Asian version with additional SPF40/PA+++ which means it doubles as a broad spectrum sun block as well. It has been unavailable in Malaysia for quite some time and it's finally back on the shelves due to popular demand. Being a Giorgio Armani foundation fan, I figured that I should try the much-raved-about makeup primer.



This lightweight lotion can easily be smoothed onto skin without leaving any streaks or whitish marks like how some makeup base tend to do. It gives a hint of pearly glow to the skin and doesn't feel sticky. However, I feel that it does not live up to the claims of giving a smooth skin surface and refining the pores. Apart from the glow, I don't think that it gives much effect of what I would expect from a makeup base and basically would not have made any difference if I had it on or not. My pores were still very much visible and my skin was not impeccably smoother. I suppose it'd be good as a sunblock though because it's broad spectrum and it's really lightweight but for the price of it, you can get both a good sunblock AND a good primer.

This is not a product that I would advise investing in. Loads of hype but it's just that. My BB cream does so much more for me as a makeup base and only at RM42.


Picture Credit: www.onlylady.com


Read more!

More Looks With 88 Colors!

Well, 88-Color Eyeshadow Palette to be exact. I really LOVE this palette!! Here are 4 looks that I've done using this palette. This post has LOADS of pictures so please read on to see them as well as full description of the items used.

Wednesday

Items Used:

La Mer Treatment Cream Foundation in Sand
Revlon Skinlights in Peach Light
E.L.F. Tone Correcting Concealer
Stila Illuminizing Bronze Powder
Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in #11
Giorgio Armani Loose Powder
Indelible Cream Eyeshadow in Bare Necessity
Smashbox Dual Eyeliner Pencil
Indelible Gel Eyeliner in Chocolate Mousse
Clinique Lash Power Mascara
Prescriptives Eyebrow Powder
Origins Once Upon a Shine Lip Gloss in Sheer Ruby

Thursday

Items Used:

Missha BB Cream
Loreal True Match Foundation in G2
Revlon Skinlights in Peach Light
Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in #3
Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in #11
Giorgio Armani Loose Powder
Indelible Cream Eyeshadow in Bare Necessity
Mugu Gel Eyeliner in Purple
Smashbox Dual Eyeliner Pencil
Maybelline Volume Express Mascara
Origins Once Upon a Shine Lip Gloss in Sheer Fruit Punch

Friday

Items Used:

Giorgio Armani UV Master Primer
Loreal True Match Foundation in G2
Revlon Skinlights in Peach Light
Origins Pinch Your Cheeks in Raspberry
Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in Harmonious Orange
Giorgio Armani Loose Powder
Indelible Cream Eyeshadow in Bare Necessity
Indelible Gel Eyeliner in Black Cherry
Bloop Eyeliner Pencil in Black
Maybelline Volume Express Mascara
Prescriptives Eyebrow Powder

Saturday

Items Used:

Giorgio Armani UV Master Primer
La Mer Treatment Fluid Foundation in Sand
Revlon Skinlights in Peach Light
Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Soft Plum
Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in Harmonious Orange
Giorgio Armani Loose Powder
Indelible Cream Eyeshadow in Bare Necessity
Bloop Eyeliner Pencil in Black
Indelible Gel Eyeliner in Chocolate Mousse
Maybelline Volume Express Mascara in Black
Prescriptives Eyebrow Powder



Read more!