Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover

I live in fear that when my stockpiled original  ZA 2-Way refills run out, I will still not have a single powder, blot or foundation, that I can use. EVERYTHING these days seem to contain dimethicone, cyclomethicone or cyclopentahexane (all silicones) and since discovering the benefits of a silicone-free foundation for my skin I'm NEVER budging from my anti-silicone stance again. The one exception is Clinique's DDMG which has dimethicone but bafflingly enough seems to suit my skin.

After reading every ingredients label in Watsons much to the bemusement of the sales assistants, I finally found a powder that was formulated without Silicone. Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover, like most MM products, promises to fulfill all your wishes, mattify and minimise  your pores. Well, for the record when used with a brush it did mattify as well as ZA 2-way, or possibly slightly better, it did give my skin a temporarily smoother look, and it was mostly translucent. BUT after only 4 days in my bag the powder came loose and...

Review: Daiso Blotters

Us So Loverly gals here have a lot of love for Daiso. And adding to that list is my love for their blotters.

Being an oily girl, I've been trying out blotters from here, there and everywhere, and still I find myself going back to Daiso. And I'm not talking about the desktop blotters Kahani's written about before.

Read on to find out why.

DIY Beauty: Blotter Case

Remember this blotter case?

Well thanks to a terribly fun night out in Singapore involving a few too many cocktail and two unconnected wardrobe malfunctions (my shoe strap broke AND my clutch bag burst open) it's now like this:

I find I've gotten used to a little mirror handy when I blot my nose and I love that it's never powdery (unlike the ones in power compacts) so I hit up 2 Guardians and a Watsons trying to replace it when I got home. No dice. They're goooonee... what's a shiny-nosed vainpot to do?

Well for one thing go to Daiso and for RM5 buy a pretty and slim metal card case:

Get it home, pry mirror out of NYX trio eyeshadow palette and stick it mirror in the card case with glue (it had to be narrow, it couldn't overlap the white bit that's holding the blotters in.
Et Voila! I actually added tiny magnets to help keep it closed because it's not a very well made card case and has trouble staying closed even when empty.

What do you think? Are blotter cases a necessity or a frivolity?

LE and Rare Clean & Clear blotters - Pink Grapefruit and Powdered

It's not just glam lipsticks and MAC collections that are rare and limited edition! On this blog, blotters get their day in the limelight! (Can you tell how much I love the things?)

When I went on my mad shopping spree in Singapore I couldn't resist hauling these two facial blotters not available in Malaysia. Now, I really wish the powdered ones were!

Pink Grapefruit

These really don't disappoint. The box is pink, the sheets of blotting films are pink, and the scent is tangy, refreshing grapefruit. In the midsts of a hectic, hot day I have to admit I get a kick from the scent.

I'm semi-sensitive to fragranced products and was worried it would break me out but thank heavens that isn't the case. They work just as well as the classic C&C blue blotters.

But I won't be repurchasing. If the blotters were 50 sen more pricey I may buy it for fun. But considering how much pricier it is, (about RM12 compared to about RM8) it really isn't worth paying the price for a change of colour and scent.

Powdered
Now these are worth paying extra for! Combining the oil sucking powers of the C&C blotters with a translucent, colourless mattifying powder is a match made in heaven.

And it works! I find my face stays oil free about as long as it does when I blot and powder my face normally.

I don't use these daily because they are rather pricey (about RM15) and are not readily available. But I want these on hand for tiny-bag events. When clubbing or in evening wear these cut down in the need to bring a compact and a pack of blotters. Plus you can use these one handed (although I'm not sure when exactly you'll need to use them one handed).

Conclusion
So C&C Malaysia, please bring these powdered blotters in to Malaysia and make them regular rather than LE.

Until then does anyone have a great powdered blotter to recommend?

Singapore Confessions & a look at Hourglass Cosmetics

It is shocking, truly shocking the amount of financial damage you can do when you're stressed. One working day-trip to Singapore (for an F1 event), one mall (Takashimaya), two shops (Watsons & Sephora), and 1.5 hours makes for SGD$100 in damages. Ouch.

Watsons (Damage ~SGD$60)
1. 2 Nivea Pink Grapefruit Balms - $6.50 for 2
2. 2 Clean & Clear Pink Grapefruit Blotters - $10 for 2
3. Clean & Clear Powder Blotters LE - $6.50
4. 2 Insolia Shoe Inserts - $13.50 each
5. Yes to Carrots C Me Smile Lip Balm in Mint - ~$5
6. Nexcare Microfibre Face Towel - ~$5
7. Juice Organics Lip Plumping Gloss (Free Sample Kit) - $10

Sephora (Damage - $42)

I had decided to spend SGD$100 on myself (and not buying anymore cosmetics for the rest of the month) and so after Watsons I went into Sephora to see what I could snag for that price and wandered right into the clutches of Hourglass Cosmetics makeup artist, Michael Pierce who was in Singapore just for that weekend to promote the new counter in Sephora, Singapore.

Michael proved truly lovely and I suspect he was rather grateful to find someone who had heard of Hourglass cosmetics - and heard great things. I was wavering over their expensive but legendary gloss, Extreme Sheen when he swayed me by loading me down with samples to try and a full-sized eyeliner that was about the same price as the gloss - $42.

Yes that's my justfication for going crazy and splurging RM100 on one gloss. I've never done this before. Even the naked man gloss wasn't this pricey. But it IS a really nice gloss and Angelina Jolie loves it. And if it's good enough for Angie's pout...

*cough*

Now about Hourglass cosmetics, it's a high-priced line with a select range of cosmetics that are high quality. No MAC-style releases with this line. All shades are very flattering, all formulas are cutting edge and sophisticated, and each capsule collection is designed to make you look pretty, not arty. Packaging is lush, solid and very very pretty. Founded by Carissa Jane, the line is cruelty free and packed with natural ingredients so the makeup almost amounts to skincare. I can't wait to review the goodies I've got! I've already cracked open the gloss (of course) and liner and love them both to bits. Pity I'll very probably never be able to afford them again. *sighs*

On the plus side, even though the prices are high the prices in Singapore are much the same as the prices in the US. None of us like paying the huge markups lines like Benefit, Smashbox, and Clinque exact from their Asian consumers. So at least you're paying a fair price.

Standby for reviews!

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!

More Daiso Lovin': Desktop facial blotters

As someone with an unstoppably oily face, I was both arrested and amused by the idea of "desktop facial blotters". While I always carry my Clean & Clear blotters with me, they aren't cheap (about RM8.95 for 60 sheets) and usually involve me rummaging in my bag, fishing out the pack, blotting, leaving the pack and running off only to realise I'd left my only real means of oil control on my desk. Damn!

So imagine my delight when I learnt that these note-pad looking boxes actually contain 250 sheets of very thin, silky "washi" facial blotters. They sit around your desk looking colourful and, if you find a nice box, pretty.

Now imagine the convenience factor. I'm pounding away at machine gun-speed on my keyboard in the grips of writer's frenzy when cripes! I feel (yes I can feel it) that my nose is shiny. No matter! I reach over with one hand (the other need not even stop typing) fish out a blotter, pat my nose and et voila, I am matte again. Bravo!

The sheets do blot up oil, although not with the soul-sucking determination of the Clean & Clear sheets. But to be honest I'm not sure I mind. I am beginning to suspect the C&C sheets to be just a tad TOO blotty. They suck up so much oil my makeup looks dry and cakey after. Not a nice look. The Daiso blotters seem to mop up enough grease to keep me looking fresh, but not so much that I stop looking dewy and natural.

At RM5 each they're a huge saving, even if I have to use more than one sheet in particularly oil-rich moments. And considering how MUCH I'm at my desk, late late into the night, it is nice to be able to keep my makeup fresh - even if I'm not.

As you can see I cracked open a box, and was so happy I dashed off to Daiso to pick up another for my dresser at home. The orange one will go to work with me - it matches the office decor. Of course I suspect the odd colleague will mistake it for notepaper and hilarity will ensue.

Is it wrong that I'm this delighted over facial blotters?

Blot Away: The Face Shop Matte Face Oil Blotting Film

I am a devotee to facial blotters, as you can see here. It is not a fancy. It is a necessity.

Because it is a given that a few hours after rushing out of the house (which is almost always), my face will start to grow shiny. And not the pretty, glowy, shiny variety, mind you. More the oily, eewy, shiny, thanks to those hyper oil glands.

(And yet I have dry spots. Go figure.) So when I see words like "matte" and "blot", it is inevitable that I will look twice. And that's how I ended up walking out of The Face Shop with their Matte Face Oil Blotting Film.

This blotting film looks very similar to the Clean & Clear variety, and it's also blue in colour. It also feels just a wee little bit thicker, but that's hardly an issue.

I guess the question is, do they mop up the oil? The answer is yes. It happily blots up, and like the Clean & Clear ones, you can also see how much grease has left your face (which I personally find rather amusing).

But I also noticed a slight difference. While you can overdo the blotting with the C&C ones (thanks to their blotting superpowers), this one doesn't seem to do that. Sure it licks up the grease, but it doesn't dry out your skin in anyway. Great.

What's not so great though, is that for a 50-sheet pack, you'll have fork out RM12.90. Which is about double of what I normally pay for C&C. This one, not so great.

Bargain Find: Superdrug's Clarity Shine Control Papers

Dashing to my internship, I realised to my horror that I'd left my makeup case at home. I could live a day without most of my beauty arsenal, but not without my Clean and Clear Blotters.

As they were more important than being even later, I dashed into Superdrug and picked up the cheapest blotters I could find - Clarity Shine Control Paper for £1.29.

When I cracked them open for my noon blot, I realised, to my horror, that it was an ugly little book of brown powdered sheets. Nightmares of caked pinky-beige powdered noses floated before my eyes. Thank goodness I was pleasantly surprised...

One of the reasons C&C sheets are so hailed by the beauty industry is their ability to remove oil without disturbing makeup, or caking more product on. The aforementioned pinky-beige powder was a particular plague as it didn't absorb oil very well, but instead caked flowery scented powder on in an unfortunate shade.

These blotters though are coated with a completely translucent powder that is completely invisible, doesn't cake, and holds off the oilies remarkably well. And although the brown paper doesn't have the oil-sucking power of C&C, it still mops up well enough. Which may be a good thing as C&C can overdo things if you've got a dry patch.

After awhile, I found myself reaching for Clarity more than C&C as it saved me the extra step of powdering after I blotted. I also tote it along on nights out as it saved room in my tiny bags.

My only wish is that they had at least perforated the sheets so they tore out more easily. I hate leaving a ragged edge behind. And if I'm in a rush I end up patting away my shinies with fragments.

Still, for the price and for its excellent performance, I'm repurchasing. I just wish they sold the powder they put on the sheets seperately. I'd love it as a finishing powder.

Superhero Product: Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

Girls will understand (I hope) when I say that I try to match my bag to my outfit. Which means that in an average week, there will be a fair number of bag switching. At the very least, from working bag to weekend bag. And then back to working bag. Which means that not all of my stuff gets effectively transfered from Bag A, to Bag B, to Bag C.

Which means that I usually manage to leave makeup behind, be it my MAC Blot Powder for touch-ups, or my L'Oreal Delicieux MAT in True Rose blush, or whatever. Especially when I'm in a mad rush in the mornings (I am so not a morning person).

However, you will always, and I mean ALWAYS, find these Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets in my handbag no matter how devoid it is of other makeup items. (Lippies are a different story though, and for another day.)

I simply cannot imagine a day without these amazing blue sheets. Just so you know, I have pretty oily skin. And being a journalist means unpredictable hours and schedules. And I cannot face an insanely long day with an oil-slicked face. No matter how devoid it is of makeup, the least my face deserves is to be oil-free.

And these sheets sure soak up every last atom of oil and grease off my face. For that, I deem these blue blotters worthy of a Superhero title.

Back from an outdoor assignment in the heat of the afternoon? Never fear, superhero blotter is here.

Priced at about RM8.00 for a pack of 60 sheets, this Superhero can be purchased at most drugstores in town. My little trick is to stock up during sales when it can go for as low as RM5.00 a pack, to ensure I never run out of blotting superpowers!