Hot to tote: Daiso's Makeup Remover Pencil

I bought a teenie tiny makeup remover pen from Sephora when I was in Paris, and it loved it. The felt tip pen with remover in it was just so... logical. So right. And so completely unavailable in Malaysia! Augh!

So yes I was waving it in the faces of everyone hoping someone knew where I could find a replacement, or that someone would see the gap in the market and MAKE one.

Then I found this in Daiso (it's in The Curve by the way), and like everything else in Daiso only costs RM5. Huzzah!

I won't say it's as good, for one thing it's essentially vaseline in a stick. Unlike the felt-tip style it can't really clean up stray liner, mascara, and lipstick on its own. You have to rub this in, and then wipe it off with a tissue or your finger. And be sure to set it with powder over or it may carry on dissolving the rest of your eye makeup.

But, on the other hand, this will never dry up and it's available right here. Which counts for ALOT.

This baby has a permanent place in my handbag as another symptom of oily skin and long days is that even the most resistant of liners may start to travel a little. And if I absentmindedly wipe my eyes - poof, panda!

This lets me remove wandering makeup quickly, easily and cleanly with no excess rubbing. Oh, and don't forget it also works with lipsticks - so be sure you have it whenever you bring on the hot-red lips.

Sweet Stains: Benefit's Benetint

Ahh the legendary Benetint - the tint that began all tints! What's not to love about a product that, legend has it, was originally created to tint the nipples of burlesque dancers a rosy pink?

How to use Benetint is a mystery for many, and here's hoping this blogpost will unravel it for you. First off though I'd like to recommend that you only buy Benetint off their US site, and not from the Malaysian Benetint distributors as they sell it at a large markup I've even heard that they plan on raising the prices even higher. And in this ecnomy too. Shame on them!

Read ParisB's post on the subject here, it has everything you need to know.

Now, read on to learn why this product is a must-have HG for me, and a staple in my beauty collection.

Lips
Compared to the other tints, Benetint is really the sheerest of the lot. Yes it looks crazy zany red, but to get it to the colour it is in the swatch below, I had to swatch it twice. Everything else was swatched only once.

Application - Lips
I do find the nail-polish like brush provided for use with Benetint really really annoying. It's so flimsy that it tickles my upper lip when I try to apply it there. So now rather than try I apply a generous but even layer to my bottom lip and carefully moosh the lips together.

One coat looks like this...
Two coats...
And with clear lip balm on top...

See how much more even it looks once the lip balm is slathered on?

And that's another secret to stain application - apply it on dry bare lips. Yes it feels drying but once it's set you can slather balm over and it will last and last. However, don't use Vaseline or balms that are oily instead of waxy (like Palmer's Cocoa Butter lipbalms in a tube. Reviews here and here) as these will also dissolve and remove the stain.

I often use one coat under reddish lipstick or gloss as a base colour, so when I eat or drink and the lipstick or gloss colour fades, I still have some tint to my face and am not wandering around looking like a washed-out zombie.

To tone the colour down, and get some use out of that lipgloss or lipstick you have that makes you look like a corpse because it's too nude - just use it over the stain. Voila, perfect, and versatile!

Cheeks
Although many ladies have trouble using stains on the cheek, I really don't. I love using Benetint as a blush and here's how:
Liquid Foundation
Before applying powder, dot three to four small dots along one the cheek bone of one side of your face, and quickly blend it out with a patting motion using either a stippling brush, foundation brush, or your fingers. I personally prefer the foundation brush for this as it's faster and allows me to spread it better.

Less is more here, you can always go back and apply. So until you know exactly what works for you, apply with caution!

Let it set, and then dust powder on as usual. If you'd like to top up with a powder blush, making it peachier or more shimmery, now's the time.

Mineral / Powder foundations
No matter how heavy a coverage you use a foundation is always slightly translucent - especially mineral and powder formulations. If you use a cream concealer, use that first.

Then generously dot Benetint on. Don't forget to do one side of your face at a time. And in this case feel free to slap it on as you're going for a look that's far brighter than you normally would use. This also allows for less margin for error.

Blend out with a brush or fingers in a pat-pat motion so you don't disturb the concealer underneath.

Now apply your foundation over the blush as you normally would. The heavier blush should glow through the foundation naturally. This really gives you a lit-from-within, rosy-cheeked look which I love.

Again, if you want a peachier blush or more shimmery finish, just dust it over the foundation now. And if your blush fades, as quite a few powder / mineral blushes do when used over a powder/ mineral base, the tint won't. So you get to avoid people asking you "why are you so pale and tired" towards the end of the day. Unless that's how you get your boss to let you go home - in which case maybe this method isn't for you.

Wear
As you can see, Benetint (second stripe from left) lasted through soap and water washing really well! To get it off at the end of the day, you may have to resort to an eye & lip makeup remover.

Benetint won't kiss off, won't leave marks on anything, and doesn't taste or feel of anything. So girls who have boyfriends who hate the taste and feel of lipsticks or lipglosses, this is your solution!

It will last through most meals, but not an uber-greasy lip-smacking long one. Come on. Nothing lasts through that!

Conclusion
After a year of almost-daily use, my jar of Benetint looks all worn out as the print has faded off. Boo! And I've used about 3/4 of it. So how much do I love it? I have a new, unopened bottle waiting to be used! When I had a chance to buy it on discount through a friend I just snapped it up to stockpile, because I refuse to be without my Benetint. Ever. It's pricey but it's gorgeous, it works, and a jar lasts over a year with almost-daily, and at least weekly use.

Online, Benetint retails at US$28 (RM100.40 at current conversion rates) compared to the RM139 you'd pay at the counter here. Benefit often offers free shipping when you spend over US$115 so get a few friends together and haul away!

Need Peace of Body? Try Crabtree & Evelyn's Refreshing Body Lotion

Thanks to Beetrice I'm addicted to Origins Peace Of Mind On-The-Spot relief. I love the fresh scent, the minty tingle, and the lasting cool feeling it leaves. It really does make you feel calmer, refreshed and seems to help me think clearer. Plus it helps with tension headaches.

Now imagine a milder version for your entire body.

Oooooh...

I can't begin to say how much this lotion's fresh minty scent and tingle helps get me going in the morning. I am hopelessly addicted!

As a lotion, it's great for post morning shower use as it comes in a convenient pump and the light formula sinks in rapidly. It hydrates well without leaving skin the least bit sticky.

Now for the downer - this small bottle of only 250ml costs RM95. Ouch! If I didn't have a gift cert I'd never have bought it and am unsure if I can bring myself to repurchase despite my addiction.

Think mixing peppermint oil with normal lotion will work?

MAC Double Dazzle is HERE!!!

MAC ladies, here's a little note to let you all know that the MAC Double Dazzle (which I have been waaaating for), and MAC Rose Romance collections are out. They're not out on display yet, but they're there. Just ask the SAs to show you the goodies.

I've had a quick look through and so far, the Dazzleglasses which are dazzling me are Smile, Love Alert, Date Night and Baby Sparks.

I know these glosses are sticky as hell, but I think they're the only MAC glosses I'll make an exception for. (MAC gloss, I'm really not that into you).

Each goes for RM80 (yes, pricey too), but they reeeeally are dazzling me.

As for the Rose Romance, at a quick swatch, the blushers appeared chalky, so I didn't venture there.

For more information and details on these two collections, do look up Temptalia (whom I nicked the pic from), and the Lipglosseater.

Have a good week ahead! =)

Monday's Beauty Bits

Hey loverly readers, I'd like to formally welcome our "Australian Correspondent", Eli. Formerly a guest reviewer, her regular, entertaining and fabulous posts have earned her a position as the president, vice president, and well.... everyone else.. of So Loverly's Australian Bureau. (Yes we expect her to cover the entire continent)

Once in awhile I get a request to review a BB cream, and well... much as I'd like to I thought I'd just post here about the two attempts I made at reviewing this product. Through swaps and samples with fellow bloggers I got my hands on Misscha, & House of Etude BB Creams. Both were used once, and my skin literally DRIPPED oil the rest of the day. And I can't bring myself to use it again. With only once use, I can't review it, but I just cannot use it more than the once. Hence it's a beauty bit. ;D

For long-haired ladies with oily scalps (like... me... ) another way of coping with drier ends is to use a leave-in-conditioner only at the ends. But be careful, as the conditioner can cause breakouts on your back and face if you allow it to come in contact before thoroughly combing it in.

Spotted in Cold Storage, Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel with Rose. I'm really tempted to give it a try - just because it's cheap as chips in its tiny bottle, and it's PINK. Has anyone else checked it out?

My apologies to those of you who've had to listen to my wailings, but for everyone else (is there anyone else? =P ) one of the greatest banes in my oily-skinned life is that I can't use oil control primers because Dimethicone breaks me out. Well I'm super-duper excited because I've managed to track down an oil-control primer that has NO 'cones - only Silica (which is a form of Silicone, true, but in an inert crystalline form which I know doesn't break me out). I haven't tried it out yet, it's in the mail, but for anyone else who has my problem and is looking for a silicone-free primer, take a look at Fyrrinae's Velvet-Gel Silica Primer. It's only US$5.50 and I cannot wait to get it!

Video: Friday is for "Mowing the Lawn"

Oh my this advertisement by Wilkinson Sword is awesomely hilarious. *giggles* I adore the verbal and visual double entendres. Be warned though this is one catchy tune. You may go around humming "mow the lawn" the rest of the day. =P

News: I Nuovi extends 40% sale till May!

Need ideas on what to buy? Check out reviews on I Nuovi's:
False Lashes
Concealer
Foundation
Cream Blush

Guest Review: Eli Finally Caves in to the Siren Call of NYX

Guest reviewer Eli has had her resistance to NYX eroded by the constant raves in the blogosphere.

I had just finished a really depressing lecture on genocide and was all gloom and doom when I stopped by my letterbox on the way back to my room.

The sun burst out shining and dancing. My NYX haul had arrived!


From left to right: Round lipsticks in B52, Circe and Hebe; Black Label Lipstick in Diva (Actually got the last from Makeup Masala two weeks later)

Also, a Mega Shine Lipgloss in Natural and two concealers in beige (top) and medium (bottom).


Syen has already reviewed and compared the Round and Black Label lippies here so I am just going to show swatches and compare the shades.

From left to right: Natural, B52, Circe, Hebe and Diva.

Natural lives up to its name looking like a very pretty colour on my lips. It doesn’t work on days when my lips are redder than usual though. I am thinking of putting this away until spring as the shiny gloss effect seems a bit too much for overcast autumn/ winter days. The strong strawberry scent is a bit of a turn-off and I also find the gloss a bit too sticky for my liking. My hair got stuck to my lips during a windy day last week. Not good.

I am pleased to report that B52 definitely lives up to the hype surrounding this colour. My favourite lippie of the lot, it’s a lovely matte brown shade with a muted hint of pink. A definite MLBB lippie, I have been carrying this everywhere since I laid my hands on it.

Unlike what was narrated in “The Odyssey”, Circe did NOT cast a spell over me. Far from bewitching, I look like a ghost out of Ju-On (The Grudge) when I wear this. Guess that it is just my colouring though as Connie looks great wearing Circe in these FOTDs here. Looks great layered under one of my favourite lippies though so I am keeping it to tone down other bright lipsticks, Halloween and when I need to fake being sick for an essay extension.

I am puzzled that Hebe does not show up as red when I swatch it. Hebe is a wearable Christmas red shade with a little shimmer thrown in to keep it from being too boring. My sister claims the shade reminds her of 1940’s movie stars which can be interpreted as either “Yay, I look Ava Gardner glamorous” or “You look like Mum.” Take your pick.

Diva is a pinkish version of B52. Looks nice on me but I find myself reaching for B52 more often than this. Maybe it hasn’t grown on me yet.

As for the NYX concealers, beige comes with a yellow undertone while medium has a peach undertone to it. I think I have been spoilt by my Bobbi Brown cream concealers as I found these too dry and difficult to spread and blend unless I added a drop of moisturiser.

The concealer works fine on blemishes but not on undereye circles. The dry texture was difficult to work with, there wasn’t enough pigmentation and the colours simply didn’t match my skin. Think I will pass this on to my sister or a cousin (the wonders of having a huge family of girls) if it works for them.

Lippies get a huge “yes” from me but a “no” for NYX concealers.

Sweet Stains: Lipstick Queen in Medieval

Sweet Stains is a series of reviews on the red lipstains I own and love. While this isn't technically a stain, it looks like one and lasts just about as well, so why not?

My love for red lipstick has taken on a life of its own, and is now fueled by the generosity of friends. This particular lippie was a lovely birthday gift from the incomparable Tine of Beautyholics Anonymous. She purchased it in Oz (so it's available there), and it can be bought in the US, and the UK. More than that I'm afraid I don't know.

Medieval, according to Poppy King, the Lipstick Queen herself, is not so much a lipstick as a tinted treatment. Here's her story:

Lipstick Queen is going back to Medieval times, when full coverage lipstick was considered a sin. Instead, women used lemons to stimulate the lips and stain them a see through blood red. I have recreated this very sheer flattering look in one simple universal shade that suits every skin tone and is chic as it is comfortable. It doesn't even look or feel like you are wearing lipstick. It looks like you naturally have gorgeous swollen cherry lips. Medieval is also Vitamin E based for a luxurious feel with just a touch of pigment to create a purely sensual lip.

The packaging has its own story too, but it's rather complex and I'm not sure I comprehend it all, so go to the site and decode it if you're interested. =)

Now, ON to the lippie!

Colour
Slightly glossy, sheer red with warm undertones Medieval is extremely wearable. Great for everyday wear it gives a just-bitten lips look topped with a hint of gloss. It makes for a natural look with a touch of sexiness and a dash of class.

To me the great thing about this tint-option is you get the look of a tint without the drying effect of one. Also, as tints are best applied BEFORE lip balm, and pointless if applied after, this is a great option for when I want the look, but forgot and slapped on the balm.

Feel
You really don't need a lipbalm with this. It's soooo moisturising it really is more like a tinted lipbalm than a lipstick or a stain. I love the ability to just swipe this on my dry lips without going through the extra step of using a lipbalm. Perfect for lazy days.

Wear
Now this surprised me. I lightly washed off the stains with some liquid cleanser and medieval - the supposedly non-stain - outlasted everything but Benetint! Just look (it's the first stripe):

Wearing Medieval throughout the day, I find that although it really does last through light meals, it has a tendency to settle into cracks and cake up afterwards. So after meals, it's a good idea to use a tissue to buff off excess before reapplying. This isn't actually needed when merely reapplying - it seems to only be necessary after meals.

Conclusion
Medieval retails for US$20 online making it quite the luxury purchase, one I'm not sure I'd make myself. Which makes it all the more awesome a gift!

All in all though, it certainly is special and who doesn't love being able to slick on a moisturising colour, that will always look amazing, in that mad dash out the door?

Beauty Sales, Promos, and News

As I'm suddenly inundated with a rich amount of info, I thought I'd post a quick update on what's happening in the world of beauty.

L'Oreal Malaysia Great Deals is on April 25 from 10am - 7pm at the Orchid Ballroom, Parkoyal Hotel KL on Jalan Sultan Ismail. Brands on offer (besides L'Oreal of course) include Biotherm, Lancome and Shu Uemura. Info thanks to Shopping & Sales.

Stage Cosmetics is having a promotion at Mid Valley Megamall (North Wing, G floor, near Vincci) from April 20-26. Deals include free wonderlust lippy, free hand pampering session & free photo + A4 print when you spend RM150. RM250 and RM350 gets you even more services and freebies respectively. Drop by if you have the time!

Stila will survive! According to the Muse, the company has been bought over by Patriarch Partners from Sun Capital and is likely to survive. Whether the brand will come back to M'sia and / or be revamped so that it has better surviival potential remains to be seen.

Majolica Majorca & Rimmel are now available in Watsons, 1 Utama. Hoorah! Incidentally both Watsons and Guardian (old wing) are sporting new interiors and appear more cheerfully cluttered than ever. Major sales on too. Whee!

Hot to tote: In2it blotters

Yes it's another blotter post! Muahahahahah! Yes I know, I'm obsessed. But I'd like to preface this post by pointing out that I am unimpressed with the blotting paper - it's the case I like!

It's not the prettiest as it's plastic and a rather institutional pale blue with In2it's logo emblazoned in silver across it. But it's solid, refillable, slim and nicely sized, and best of all, it has a mirror! I love it because not only is it most conveniently placed, it's always clean.

The case comes with 60 sheets of blue blotting paper. The price is a mystery to me as I've seen it for RM8.90 in Guardian and RM5.75 in Watsons.The paper itself isn't impressive - no better than Daiso's far more affordable offerings. So I recommend that you buy it for the case and refill with Daiso blotters or Clean & Clear sheets.

Incidentally I'm adding a new handy dandy label, "Hot to Tote" are for all things that are particularly portable and great for lugging around in your on-the-go beauty bag. If you have any suggestions on great products that help you day to day, let me know!

Monday's Beauty Bits

I've upgraded Neutrogena's deep clean cleansing lotion to HG status. In the week I tried other cleansers my skin detriorated slightly - no matter how much I cleansed. Once I went back on the lotion, my skin started improving in clarity and texture within 3 days.

Yes this is lazy of me but I really don't take the time to wipe off the remnants of lipgloss / lipstick before reapplyng. But I really should, it helps prevent caked lippy and that ugly white scum that can sometimes form. I've resolved to do this at once a day though from now on.

The very last step in your shower should be to cleanse your face. This ensures that you get every last scrap of your conditioner and shampoo off your face. The silicone residue left by hair products can cause clogged pores and breakouts. If you jave bacne you should also consider soaping down after you've washed your hair and tucked it out of the way.

Do you layer products on your face? I do. But take a look at the active ingredients in the products you're using to be sure they work well together. For example, acne fighting ingredients benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid cancel each other out. Vit E and C are also pretty delicate ingredients. Use them in serums and apply them closest to your skin for best results.

Don't waste money on expensive foot creams. Just slather on vaseine after cleansing and exfoliating your feet. Pop on socks, hit the sack, and wake up to softer tootsies.

Review: Benefit Coralista

I've been itching and itching to try out Benefit blushers for the loooongest time. But for the life of me, I could not bear to fork out RM129 for a blush. So I despite rave reviews, I passed on Dandelion. And Georgia. And Benefit 10. And Thrrrob.

But when Benefit Coralista came by, I could pass no more.

And so when Paris suggested a online order, I jumped on the bandwagon, pronto. And I also made an order for Benefit Dallas, this one no thanks to the lipglosseater. =P

But let's just talk about Coralista today, shall we?

For a gal who's ALL for peach and corals, Coralista was my Achilles' heel. From the moment I saw it, I knew I HAD to have it. I wasn't terribly excited about the big chunky box, although I must say it's rather sturdy. I'd much rather it came in something a little sleeker and more travel friendly, but ah, you can't have it all, can you?


The product itself it just lovely. The shade looks very coral in the box (as you can see above), but upon swatching it, strangely it looks very pink. Hmm... looks alright when applied on the cheeks though. I'm guessing it should work fine for most warm and cool toned girls.

(On the left is Dallas, and Coralista on the right)

I've read that some have found this blush very pigmented. While I'll agree that it is pigmented, I wouldn't say that it's overly pigmented. It's definitely nowhere near say... NARS Exhibit A, which I've read you'd have to be really reeeaally careful with how much you pick up with your brush.

I've applied it my beloved MAC #129 blush brush (which has to an extent has become my gauge on how pigmented a blush is), and I still need about 2 to 3 swipes for me to get a pop, which is fine.

In terms of wear, I haven't managed to get it a whole day for me, but not many blushers do without any touch-ups. Although I doubt I'll be using much of the brush the blush comes with for touch-ups. What I'm thinking of doing is getting a portable brush (EcoTools retractable kabuki, I'm looking at you!) so that I can bring this blush along when I'm out and whip out the kabuki if I need touch-ups.

As for the sweet scent as described by Paris, I found it didn't bother me much. In fact, it didn't bother me at all. Sweet scent? What sweet scent? LOL. Yes, my nose doesn't quite work.

Overall, I'm happy with the coral-pink blush. It's pigmented enough, looks good on my NC25/30 skin, and I didn't have to pay RM129 for it. I forked out US$28 buying it online.

What's not to be happy about?

PS: Hey girls, it's great to be back! Sorry I've been kinda MIA-ing for a while. But between work and wedding prep I've just been having an insanely crazy schedule. Many thanks to darling Kahani who's been holding up most of the fort on her own. I'll be working very hard to try to at least post once a week and chat a bit with you girls! Wish me luck! =D

Video: Friday is for geeky fragrance action!

I don't know about you girls, but I think 'ol Jay Leno here's being a wee bit tough on the Star Trek cologne. I'm one gal-geek who'd be delighted with a man fragranced with Tiberius, or even Red Shirt. I'm... not too sure about Pon Farr though...

Sold on false lashes thanks to iNuovi!

Warning this is a terribly cam-whorish post, but well, it's no often I have eyelashes to show off, so please forgive me.

I've been considering taking the leap and giving false eyelashes a whirl but never had the guts. Added incentive was provided by Steven Sunny, the makeup artist for my best friend, Mary's wedding. After he expertly applied false eyelashes on me I kept getting told "Oh you looked so lovely I didn't recognise you!" (Yup no one beats Malaysians when it comes to mixed compliments... >_< ) So when iNuovi offered to teach us how to apply false eyelashes on ourselves, I JUMPED at the chance. And guess what? If you just grit your teeth and do it, it really isn't that hard. I started with the half lashes (the one that's out of the box in the picture) and these I understand are much easier to apply than the full-lashed ones. I'll give them a try some day when the occasion arises. But even with the half-lashes, look at the payoff!

Definitely worth the effort for a special occassion.

Half-lashes are eyelashes that are designed to only reach midway across your eye. On my tiny eyes, these function like 3/4 lashes (which also exist). Because they are designed this way, they are much longer at the outer corners and taper inwards. These makes them look more natural than a full lash, but still dramatic in a cat-eyed fashion.

The more natural half-lashes I bought from iNuovi are the Prolash 05. At RM20 for a box containing two pairs along with a tube of really rather good glue, the value can't be beat. And affordable doesn't mean low-quality either. iNuovi lashes are designed with very flexible, sturdy bands. With proper cleaning and storage, I can reuse each pair up to eight times. Score!

I also decided to try a pair of drama lashes, the Prolash Ex 03 - a design we were told is a best-seller. I haven't tried these yet and fully expect to poke out my eyes in the attempt but ah well, nothing venture nothing gain. These lashes were a bit pricier, RM30 a pair. Since the iNuovi blogger event fell on a friends & family promotion day, everything was 40% off. It just gets better, huh?

ParisB has provided truly great tips for false eyelash application and I don't intend to repeat them, but here are a few more:

1. Instead of trying to line the inside of the lash band with glue, apply a dollop on the back of your hand, or a palette and dip the lash band into it lightly. Be especially sure to get glue on the outer corners of the band.

2. Wave it around and blow on it till it's tacky before applying it on your curled and mascara'd lashes.

3. You can still nudge it around gently until the glue has set. Try pinching your real lashes and the false eyelashes together to get them as close to each other as possible.

4. Look down until they're dry. You'll feel like something's on your eye for a bit, but don't worry this will pass!

Oh my, false-eyelash fever appears to have attacked beauty bloggers as a whole. Check out this incredible pictorial step-by-step tute created by Nikki on how to apply them. No way could I ever do something this awesome - this is a must read!

Hope that helps you be brave enough to give it a whirl. Do check up the other beauty blogger's false-eyelash experiences:
Connie
Plue
PrettyBeautiful
Beetrice

Note: If you, like me, have never bought iNuovi because the only place to find it was Sasa and let's face it, the salesgirls there are not only insulting and annoying - but outright stalker scary - you can find the iNuovi standalone store in Sunway Pyramid.

Sweet Stains: A series of lipstain reviews

While sorting through my lippy stash I was forced to admit that I have an addictiom to red lip stains. Whether they were actual stains, or glosses and lipsticks that look like stains, I have them and I love them!

They give a long-lasting and natural flush to my lips and cheeks. Not unlike what you see in a movie based on an Austen novel. Even if I want to wear another shade I often tint my lips first as an unbudgeable base so my lips always have some colour.So I'll be reviewing and comparing the following lip stains (one a week): Lipstick Queen's Medieval, Benetint, The Body Shop's Lip & Cheek Stain, Silk Naturals Mineral Wand Lip Gloss in Rouge, and Etude House Dear Darling Lip Tint in Shade 01.

I have done a review and comparison of Benetint and TBS Lip & Cheek Stain but I was a stain novice then. I'll be revisiting them and give a more complete, educated review.

Hope you'll enjoy our very first series!

So Loverly reviews Loverly cream blush (sorry, couldn't resist)

How apt is it that just around the time So Loverly turns 1, Silk Naturals includes a cream blush called Loverly into its permanent collection? Is it a coincidence? I'm afraid only Karen can answer that and to be honest, I just can't work up the ego to believe she created this lovely thing for us. Though it would have been nice, wouldn't it?

And it really is a very lovely blush. Shade-wise it's a shimmery golden pink - like a bumped up Nars Orgasm / SN Climax. In tone it is pinker and deeper than Orgasm / Climax, and the shimmers are very very fine. When swatched (after the jump) you can see that it comes off sheer and when blended out looks very natural indeed.

Its texture is very easy to use - whether you prefer to use your fingers to smooth it out, or pat it on, or a dual-fibre brush to stipple it on, this blush is your friend when you're ina rush. Be gentle with it as the cream is very light and mousse-y in consistency and it's easy to dig out too much - a little goes a long way. Just a light touch will do for a very natural, sheer stain to your cheeks, with a little added pizzazz thanks to the golden shimmer.

While this blush is far more long-wearing than its powder-counterparts, I found it to be less lasting than several other cream blushes I've tried. Still, it does last for the better part of 8 hours when applied over Revlon Colorstay on my skin terribly oily skin.

Also pretty awesome, it doesn't break me out. I obtained this blush as a Gift-With-Purchase on Silk Naturals and have been using it for quite awhile now, and I was inititally leery of trying cream blushes because they just don't go with oily skin. But so far I've really had no problems once its set with a translucent powder.

The blush retails on SN for US$6.99, I believe that the full-sized version comes in a larger pod than my GWP version, but as I've never seen it I can't say. But my guess is that my pod is 3g while the full-sized version is 6g.

When I run out, I'll definitely be repurchasing. Yes I may be biased that it shares a name with my blog, but think about how devastated I would have been if the blush that bore my blog's name was awful! Thank goodness it's a keeper.

Monday's Beauty Bits: Beauty Shopping in China

I've just returned from a whirlwind 3-day working trip in Beijing - and here is where my beauty-blogger dedication comes in: I walked to two different malls - Seasons and Parksons - in the financial district of Beijing to do beauty research. And here are some things I learnt:

If you look Chinese but don't speak Mandarin (like me), you REALLY upset the beauty counter sales girls. Much whispering and distress were left in my wake as I made my way through Parkson's beauty hall.

China has a few prestige brands that Malaysia lacks: Fancl, Laneige and Helena Rubenstein are a few I spotted. But before you get too excited...Almost all beauty products I found there cost twice as much as they do in Malaysia. From Revlon to Bobbi Brown, everything was double the price. Boo!

Two things I did manage to buy that were reasonably priced and not available in Malaysia was a bottle of Maybelline Deep Clean Cleansing Oil for RMB89 and Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo and condi in Long Term Relationship at RMB19.90 per 120ml bottle (Note: Ringgit to RMB is about 2 to 1).

China's customs officials are terribly enthusiastic. One actually unscrewed and sniffed all the tiny bottles I had in my carryon! So don't bring anything that smells of petroleum.

Happy 1st Birthday So Loverly!!!

Dear readers,

Well, well... Can we say we're ONE YEAR OLD!!! =D

Goodness, time really does fly. Kahani and I started our blog exactly a year ago with the aim of sharing our love for makeup, and our raves and rants on products. It was a decision made in a gung-ho moment with no idea how far we'd go.

But boy, are we glad we made it!

A year ago, we'd never had thought we'd get to know so many of you lovely ladies out there who shared the same passion as we did. It was great to have met a few of you who share our insane obsession on vanity.

Thank you so much for chugging us along this whole year, for giving us a pat on the back every once in a while, and for putting up with us when we're so bogged down by our day jobs and have no more energy or time to post for the day. =P

We're definitely looking forward to another year full of excitement and makeup love, and hope to sharing it all with you.

Thank you all so much again, you guys have been fab!

Love,
Syen & Kahani

PS: And do remember to drop us a note on how we can make our blog even better! =D

Video: Friday is for fresh eyes

I wish I knew this while playing maid of honour, not for me but for my poor exhausted bride. I don't have this problem myself so I had no idea how to deal with it beyond the traditional tea-bags and cucmber slices. This is just so much more professional - plus, his accent makes it all terribly convincing.

Guest Beauty Essay: Viagra for your thighs anyone?

Eli's been getting all chemical and reading New Scientist, and comes up with this. Hey girl, you sure you want your boyfriend and viagra mentioned in the same sentence online? Oh what? I just did? Oops...

Viagra: Good for your heart, sex life and your cellulite too

None of us likes cellulite and would resort to all kinds of ways to try and get rid of them. But how would you feel about rubbing “Viagra cream” on your thighs?

When boyfriend sent me this article from New Scientist, I immediately looked up the journal article to make sure that it wasn’t an April Fool’s joke. The journal article was a bunch of goobledegook to me – science isn’t my best subject – but it was published in February, waaaay before April Fool’s so I am guessing that this isn’t a hoax.

A bunch of Croatian researchers are suggesting that moisturisers containing the drug sildenafil i.e. Viagra, might be able to get rid of cellulite.

The New Scientist article states that “enzyme inhibitors like sildenafil had been shown to break down fat in test tubes, so it might do the same to fat deposited under the skin. And since Viagra famously boosts blood flow, a moisturiser containing the drug might break down fat and then whisk it away.”

Before anyone gets all excited and starts crushing up Viagra pills to exfoliate their thighs, this is only a PROPOSAL and no proper research has been done on this yet. I am guessing that the researchers are hoping for funding from giant cosmetics companies before they start making miracle cellulite creams.

Is this a weird idea? Oh, yes. But considering how haemorrhoid cream is used for dark eye circles, anything goes in the wacky world of cosmetics.

Review: Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Oily skin

Having used Revlon Colorstay SPF8 for Combination/Oily skin for almost a month now, I feel ready to review it! The first time I tried using it as an all-over foundation (pre-softflex formula) I absolutely loathed it. No matter what I did it looked cakey, flat and just well... weird. It became a concealer.

Then they reformulated it and killed my then-foundation, Revlon Colorstay Stay Natural (yes it IS an awful name) so I gave it another go. I STILL hated it, it STILL looked weird. It became a concealer. Now, about 4 years later I believe they’ve quietly reformulated it because it’s now sheerer, has a more natural finish, and is a pretty great long-lasting foundation! Not so good as a concealer though...

Full review after the jump.


Formula
First up, the bottle is the same – glass with a wide mouth, and the formula still smells funky. Fortunately even over-sensitive-nostril-ed me isn’t bothered by the smell once I put it on.

The formula is definitely sheerer and has more slip than I remember – this does result in a need for concealer undereye and over the worst spots, but I’m really not complaining about it. Coverage is medium when applied sheerly to pretty complete when layered over the areas that need it. Although it sets rapidly, it will feel sticky until you set it with powder. This however, can be a good thing as you will see later on.

Application
For the absolute best finish combined with highest coverage, you should use the stippling method with a dual-fibre brush. Unfortunately, when they say long-lasting they MEAN long-lasting and it’s impossible to get this stuff out of your brush! I ended up using every single remover I had from cream, to oil to foaming to get the stuff off.

Now, I just my right index and middle fingers and wipe them off on a baby wipe. Much much easier.

To get the required amount, I cover the bottle’s opening with my index finger (it’s juuuust the right size) and upend the bottle. Then I dab the amount on an area and blend quickly, going back for more and blending it as I go. Dabbing it all over your face then blending would result in patchy coverage as this stuff really does set very fast. Once I’ve evened out my skintone, I go back for one more dab of foundation and dot it over areas that need more covrage, pat-blending it out with a foundation brush (this is easier to clean than a dual-fibre brush, a baby wipe will do for daily cleaning).

I find that this foundation works best over well-moisturised skin, and the shade I have, Sand Beige, covers redness well but works less well on dark brown spots and undereye circles. I’m looking out for a salmon-undertoned illuminating concealer for this purpose now.

Wear
This foundation lasts and lasts and lasts. If I’ve been sweating a lot and unable to keep up the blotting and powder it does fade – but not completely so I still retain some amount of coverage. Even after a long day at work the foundation continues to look quite fresh.

I also find that this foundation does have a measure of oil control – always welcome – and I stay matte for longer with it. For absolutely best oil-control set with compact Mac Blot. This is a little pricey in the long-run though, so thanks to ParisB’s rave reviews for MUFE Super Mat loose powder in Translucent Natural #12, I now use that. It’s not as oil controlling as MAC Blot, but it’s pretty darned good! Review coming up!

Skin
To my surprise, my skin has actually been clearing up while using this product. While I don’t credit this product for it (I’ve started using another miracle product that I will review after using it for a month), I am delighted that it’s not making my skin worse.

The key, I found, is to be sure that you remove every scrap of the foundation at the end of the day. This is no easy task I must admit. I generally take 2-3 rounds with Neutrogena Deep Clean lotion followed by dry-applied Johnson & Johnson’s Head to Toe cleanser to get it all off. Yes it’s inconvenient, but I did ask for long-lasting didn’t I?

Added bonuses
This foundation is even good for a few more things you wouldn’t expect a foundation to be good for!

As an Eye Shadow Primer. While not as great as Mac Paint Pot, I find that for a 6-8 hour day unset Colorstay works great as a primer! It helps shadows cling, last, stay and not crease. Same goes for eyelienr. Set with translucent powder after applying shadow and lining.

For making blush last the day. Before setting, while the foundation is still tacky, gently stipple powder blush on with a dual-fibre brush or a flat-top brush. Be careful because the foundation does make the colour appear more intense. It will grab onto the pigment and make it last just about all day! So much for my hunt for the perfect portable blush.

As a concealer. For skin with only minor to no blemishes, this foundation really is enough coverage to work as a concealer. And it’s a almightily large bottle of concealer too!

Conclusion
Phew this review really is rather long. Take heart though, I’m going to stop.

At around RM50 a bottle I will definitely always repurchase this foundation to either use or keep as backup. While I still think the absolutely perfect foundation of my dreams is still out there, Revlon Colorstay comes awfully close to being the one for me.

No Beauty Bits today...

Hey Everyone,

Terribly sorry about this, but I've been hosting two friends visiting from Norway all weekend and haven't had any time to think of, let alone write Beauty Bits. Also since I have to work all day today before leaving on a work trip tonight, my mind is on other things.

There'll still be posts this week, just no beauty bits today. (It takes more brainpower than you think!)

Love,
Kahani

Kiehl's Berry-licious Lip Gloss

Heya ladies! Seems like me and Kahani are on a little lippie spree right now. So do bear with me as I ramble on on a lip gloss which is currently my latest crush. =P

So anyway, meeting Kahani's awesome find from Crabtree & Evelyn (which yes, I HAD to get) reminded me of a little tube of this Kiehl's Lip Gloss in Berry 1851 which I knew I had stashed somewhere at home.

I had gotten it along with the slightly disappointing Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 way back, but had promptly stashed it somewhere and then forgotten about. Until the other lipbalm came by and got my memory chugging along again.

Fishing it out, I decided to give it a whirl, and boy am I liking it heaps.

I don't know how many of you I've said this to, but I've always been rather averse to cool lippies. After my paradigm shift on blushers several weeks back, it would seem as though the shift is inching to include lippies as well.

This one says BERRY. That's definitely a sign.

(Evidence it's a cool shade. The stain on the cotton bud looks almost fuchsia!)

In the last couple of days, I've been thoroughly enjoying this lip gloss, which to me, has the texture of what I had hoped #1 would be - balmy. I suppose it's one I could use entirely alone without swiping on lip balm first, as I'm wont to do.

Even with the lack of rest of late, which is clearly visible on my sallow complexion, pairing Kiehl's Berry with NARS Dolce Vita has managed to give me rosy lips. Along with a little pop of pink blush, this combo has allowed me to look a little less un-dead, for which I am most grateful for.



(Gorgeous colour isn't it? If you look closely, you'll see the shimmer even in the tube.)

In the tube, and outside of it, the gloss is a rich berry shade with lovely golden shimmer, making it quite the subtle dazzler. On the lips, it appears a little less pigmented, but gives my lips a healthy dose of sheer colour without screaming "Berry!"


With ingredients which include extracts of mango and grape seed, rose hips and apricot kernel, this gloss feels extremely comfortable and smooth going on, and does seem rather balm-like. But what I love about it is that it does not feel sticky, nor does it end up getting tacky.

And at RM49 for a 15ml tube, it's also reasonably affordable.

So, Berry anyone?

Guest Essay: Changing Seasons

If you're travelling from a tropical climate to a temperate one, or just experiencing season change, be ready for your skin to go nuts before it settles down. Mine never took well to season changes and clearly, neither does Eli's.

From Summer to Autumn; Crazy Skin

Unlike the smug-faced Piglet, I really hate season changes. For one thing, I am a sun-baby so I love warmth and the sun. The second is that my skin goes absolutely bonkers when there’s a drop in humidity levels.

Canberra temperatures suddenly dropped over two weeks ago and sent my skin into crazy mode. I suddenly looked dry, tired (well, my chronic insomnia played a part too). oily and pimples were sprouting out all over my face seperti cendawan selepas hujan (“like mushrooms after rain” for those of you without a Malay education).

Urgh. The situation called for a serious skincare overhaul. I looked over my regimen and took out all of the (potentially) drying products and replaced them with less harsh and more moisturising products.

My Ego facial cleanser has been retired until next spring and replaced with Cetaphil. I was planning to use Ego on nights when I am too lazy to double-cleanse and ended up with flaking bits of skin all over my face the other day. Eeks.

AHA lotions and treatments are out until my skin recovers; even then, it will probably be layered under a heavier moisturiser. I have also decided to take a deep breath and plunge in skin oils. Just got a bottle of rosehip oil to help lock in moisture and for an anti-oxidant boost. So far, so good but the woody smell takes some getting used to.

Lotions are for summer days, creams are for autumn/ winter. I have fallen back on my good ol’ standby: Nivea Soft moisturising cream (the one in the white tub, not the blue) for both morning (under sunscreen) and night. It’s a really basic moisturiser without any bells or whistles but it usually gets the job done whenever my skin goes crankypoo.

Once my skin calms down though, I know that I’ll enjoy the cool weather and the hot chocolate with marshmallows which comes with it. Oh, and the woolly sweaters, pretty scarves and stylish coats.

And the berry lipsticks paired with tawny rose blushers.

If matte foundation and berry lipsticks aren’t your thing, Beauty Editor has a few tips on bringing summer into winter.

Mmm...smells like Palmer's Cocoa Butter Dark Chocolate & Cherry Lip Balm

Ladies guess who's just SWUNG into toooowwwn! Yep it's Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lip Balm in Dark Chocolate & Cherry!

Was out with Syen the day she bought the Crabtree & Evelyn Cocoa Butter & Cardamom lipbalm, and of course we swung into Guardian so she could buy... another lipbalm. Only plainer, and more every-day all-the-time.

FYI she got the Avene lip balm with Cold Cream.

Yes I'll acknowledge we're both a little (just a little!) lip balm obsessed.

Well you know how much we adored Palmer's Cocoa Butter in Dark Chocolate & Peppermint and the moment I heard of the existence of the Cherry incarnation I lusted after it.

When I got it, I ripped open the packaging, took a deep breath and sniffed. Would I be disappointed? Would it smell like a sick mixture of cough medicine and chocolate?

Ladies, it smells GORGEOUS. There's a candy bar I'm addicted to that I've only found in Oz and it's called Cherry Ripe - Dark chocolate wrapped around dried cherries and coconut. MMmm..... and guess what? This balm smells just like it, only better. How better? Well, it smells like it also has a healthy dose of Kirsch, or Cherry Brandy.

So, dark chocolate, cherries and alchohol. What's not to love?

Just like its Dark Chocolate & Peppermint counterpart this balm is completely clear, and if you're worried the scent does fade quite fast (darn) so it's not that distracting. It's moisturising with cocoa butter & vitamin E, it's tacky enough to stay without being annoyingly sticky.

As a clear gloss, this works rather well, it's not super glossy but it gives your lips a nice sheen. Just be warned, carrying this tube around will inspire you to sniff it secretively throughout the day.

The balm is available for RM15.90 a tube, which doesn't make it all that cheap but one tube lasts and lasts... even if you're hopelessly addicted. Look out for it at the very bottom of the lipbalm rack. For some reason they always hid Palmer's close to the ground.