Lust-Haves: Pop art!

I think it's safe to say that everyone and their grandma can easily recognise Andy Warhol's iconic artworks. If you are one of the rare people that can't, here's a Google image search I prepared earlier. Known for their bold pops of colour, NARS has used his work as inspiration for their new Holiday Color, Pop and Silver Factory collections! Eyeshadows, eye & cheek palettes, lipglosses, nail polishes, and gift sets have undergone the Andy Warhol treatment - and true to form, it's fun, irreverent and colourful. The collections will be available in Australia exclusively from Mecca Cosmetica in about a month's time (14 October). 

Here's a few snippets of the collections: 

Images via Musings of a Muse, Bella Sugar, College Fashion

Lust. 

Rimmel Woke Me Up With Their Foundation.

Hello, I'm not dead. 

I really have no excuses except to say that I completely lost my blogging mojo for a couple of weeks. Fellow bloggers will understand (I hope) - when the "I really should blog" thought pops up in your head and all you can say in response to that is "Yeah....I'll do it later". But I am glad to report that my mojo, while not 100% there, is showing signs of life! And I'm sorry to use this pun, but it may have been woken up by the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation!

I picked this baby up because I liked the orange lid. And boy am I glad I did. It has a nice dewy finish and has subtle shimmer flecks through it to instantly brighten your complexion! The pump applicator controls the output nicely (no jokes please), and one pump gives you enough for a medium coverage of your whole face. 

BUT - and there is a but - even with a dusting of loose mineral powder over it, the foundation was not a pretty sight on my face by around the 5-6 hour mark. I seriously looked like I just ran the marathon, or put my face in a vat of oil. To this I say, blotting paper is your friend. 

It's still a winner foundation for me though. The packaging, the initial effect, and shimmer won me over. Take a look for yourself:

This foundation can be yours for a non-bank-breaking $19.95 from your local Priceline. Thank you Rimmel for waking me up from my blogging slumber!

Lust-Haves: Hey Sailor!

Oh, my kingdom for a job as MAC's brand/marketing manager. MAC will forever has a place in my heart  for their amazing collections. Their latest collection, 'Hey, Sailor!', showcases the brand's creativeness perfectly and complements my 80% blue wardrobe! This 40-piece collection appeals to my love of all things nautical (duh), with its blue and white lined packaging and preppy, summery tones. 

Here's a snippet of the collection:

Image via No Boiz Allowed

Image via Icefrost Beauty Diary

I believe this collection is available at Australian MAC counters from June 1. Free free to sling mud at correct me if I'm wrong.

Lust. 

We be haulin'!

Since I've just come back from overseas with a full suitcase, I thought it might be wise to interrupt the normal programming and replace the weekly "Lust-Haves" posts with haul posts! Don't worry, this is strictly temporary (my body can only resist shopping for so long). This week is all about the beauty. 

To be honest, I didn't get that much skincare and make-up (in fact, I didn't get that much, full stop). I didn't get ANY blushes or eyeshadows, though this could be because I recently received a 100 colour palette. I don't know what reason I could boil this down to - competing priorities with limited time (read: eating), HK prices being not as cheap as I remembered, the fact that I can source a lot of brands online for equivalent/cheaper prices, the pile of unopened products from my last HK trip screaming at me, my mind mistakenly thinking that I was partaking in a Project 50 Pan, or ... it could be that I had a temporary brain aneurysm. 

Here's what I got:

See! Not that much!

Skinfood
Limited BB Cream Gift Kit
Fresh Aloe Pack
Salmon Eye Patch
Salmon Brightening Eye Serum
Grapefruit Nail Polish Remover
Black Raspberry Nasolabial Fold Wrinkle Care Mask Sheet (with purchase)

I've been so looking forward to trying out the Skinfood Aloe Sun BB Cream, and imagine my happiness when it was being sold as a special limited BB Cream Gift kit, complete with travel-sized versions of the Mushroom Multi Care BB Cream and an extra Aloe, just for kicks!

The saleslady was so nice (and probably trying to extort me), and recommended the Fresh Aloe Pack for my sensitive skin, and the Salmon eye products to combat my ridiculously dark under eye circles. I'll be sure to document how I go with this, so keep an eyeball open on this blog. 

tenseconds Waterproof Peneyeliner Set (eyeliner + mascara)
Dolly Wink Volume Mascara (with bonus Liquid Eye Liner)
Kiss Me Heroine Impact Liquid Eye Liner (in black)
Kiss Me Heroine Mascara Remover

I'm on a hunt to find the ultimate smudge-proof eyeliner, and I've heard great things about these Korean/Japanese brands. Again, stay tuned for reviews. At Sasa, the Dolly Wink eyeliner was actually sold on its own, but being the Asian that I am, I saw the bonus eyeliner kit hidden at the back (sold for the same price) and I lunged for it. Go Wendy go.

MAC
Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation in NC25

Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC30

Prep + Prime Skin Base

Amplified Creme Lipstick in Watch Me Simmer (from the Shop collection)

It is truly amazing that I didn't buy more than I did at MAC. I've never actually used any of the MAC staples (foundation wise), so I'm super excited to try them out! Believe me, being able to use these products was my main motivation for taking this post's photos!

Maybelline

Pure BB Mineral 8 in 1 Improving BB Base in 02 Natural

Hello Kitty Hyper Curl Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara

100% Natural Lip Balm (free with purchase)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the BB Cream is not sold in Australia (and the packaging was all in Japanese), so I grabbed it the instant I laid eyes on it. Watch this space for a review soon. And let's face it, I only bought the mascara because it had Hello Kitty packaging. 

Clinique Chubby Stick in Chunky Cherry

I regret only getting one - I thought I was so sensible at the time because I already had so many similar lipstick shades! Lesson, don't ever listen to your brain ever when it comes to Chubby Sticks. 

Revlon Lip Butters

Raspberry Pie

Berry Smoothie

Macaroon

Pink Truffle

So much praise has been piled on to these babies, I just had to get one (or four)! They reach our shores in April, but I'm sure the price will be a lot heftier (I paid HKD $98 for each, that's about $12-13). Stay tuned for swatches and a review!

Revlon Silver Screen
NARS Night Bleed
Essie In Stitches
Essie Merino Cool

Jordana Quick Dry Topcoat

I heart NARS Night Bleed. It is the most gorgeous glitter polish - swatches to come!

Red Skin Red Wine Total Effects Eye Patch
Nexcare Acne Dressing

Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Face Wash
Benefit the POREfessional
Aesop Camellia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream

I stocked up on Aesop only a few months ago, but I couldn't resist getting my go-to product in HK, since it's actually cheaper in HK (plus a 10% Lane Crawford cardholder discount to boot!) I'm also itching to try out Hada Labo face wash - I may just have to stop using my usual cleanser now!

So there you have it, my humble HK beauty pile. Be sure to come back to see reviews, swatches, more general galavanting!

Valentine’s Beauty Blog Swap.

When I heard about Miss Mystique's international beauty blogger swap idea for Valentine's Day, I jumped at the chance. I was matched with the lovely Ashley (aka Midnight Cowgirl) from The Fashion Planner, and I squealed in excitement when I found the package sitting on my desk yesterday morning (trust me, it made my Monday a good one, for once!)

Here's what she got me...

e.l.f Cosmetics 100 piece eyeshadow palette

e.l.f blotting sheets

e.l.f natural lash kit

ChapStick

assorted nail tools

The Body Shop nail files

hand painted nails made by Ashley herself (ridiculously cute!)

Maybelline Super Stay 24 Color in Everlasting Wine

hair ties

assorted samples

Jewelmint earrings 

I seriously feel so spoilt. I think Ashley figured out that I love 1) nail products, and 2) I like to play with makeup (especially eyeshadows).  I was completely floored when I opened the package and saw the 100 piece eyeshadow palette - I was so happy that I'm sure my workmates put me in the "crazy" category. This sadly also shows how expensive beauty and make up products are in Australia (there's no way all these goodies would total only $50 here).

So thank you to Miss Mystique for organising such a fabulous idea and organising the swap, and a big thank you to Ashley for sending just what this girl needs!

UPDATE: To see what I sent Ashley, go read her post here.

Lust-Haves: Shop 'til You Drop!

To borrow a phrase from the irrepressible Rachel Zoe, I've been "dying" at MAC Cosmetics' looks at the recent New York Fashion Week. The metallic eye and nude lip at Jason Wu? I die. The false lashes and bold lip at Erickson Beamon? I die. The rosy blush and pale pink lip at Doo.Ri? Dying all over the place.

I am growing a serious unrequited love relationship with MAC. Their exorbitant prices here in Ausland means that I have to either 1) buy their products overseas, or 2) only invest in their limited edition products. MAC's new hot-off-the-press collection is aptly named the Shop MAC collection - with its bold colours and playful vibe, I want everything!

Eye Shadow Quads

Left to right: Call Me Bubbles; Shop & Drop; Colour Added

Lipsticks

L-R: Innocence, Beware!; Watch Me Simmer; Naughty Saute; Quick Sizzle; Dish It Up; Runaway Red 

Kissable Lipcolours (lipglosses)

L-R: Enchantee; Woo Me; So Vain; Scan-delicious; Flaunting It

Cremeblend Blushes

L-R: Optimistic Orange; Florida; Restores Dazzle!

Images via MAC Cosmetics

Unfortunately this collection does not hit our fair shores until 27 February, so staring at the images will have to do for now!

Lust. 

Smokey without the Smoke.

What do you do when, by some miracle, you wake up much earlier than you need to on a workday? Have a long breakfast? Do a 20 min Zumba workout? Go to work early? Or you could be like me, and play with make-up. Play until you end up being a little late to work. Story of my life. 

I am still quite a baby when it comes to make-up expertise (both in products and techniques), and I have ridiculously pale skin, so I've never dared to use dark eyeshadow. When I stumbled across my small BYS 'Smokey Purples' eyeshadow palette, I decided to try my amateur hands with it. I wanted to achieve a "not-so-traditional" smokey eye, in that it needed to be subtle enough to be work appropriate. 

 

Please excuse my messy, just got out of bed, hair. 

 

As you can see above, the one pesky thing I find about BYS eyeshadows is that they're extremely loose. One light dip with an eyeshadow brush creates a powder bomb. Not fun! BYS eyeshadows are extremely cheap though, so if you're a newbie like me, it's good to use them for experimenting and practice without your wallet hating you! And you may not be able to see in the pictures, but the eyeshadows in this palette actually have a subtle shimmer. 

Anyways, I digress. To achieve my look, I applied the light purple shade (1) all over my lids, the purple brown shade (2) on the mid third of my lids, and the shimmery black shade (3) on the outer corner of my eyelids. I then used a small blending brush, and starting from the outer corners, blended the colours together, making sure to blend the darker shades along the creases of my eyes. 

Product Roll Call

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Liquid Foundation (in 5.5)

Stila Hydrating Finishing Powder (loose)

Muji Stick Concealer in light

BYS #6 'Smokey Purples' Eyeshadow Palette
Rimmel 'Colour Rush' Mono Eyeshadow (for lower lash line)
MAC Zoom Lash Mascara

MAC Wonder Woman MSF in 'Golden Lariat'

Chanel Aqualumiere Lipshine in 'Antigua' (#32)

Overall I think it was a no-fuss, dramatic yet subtle look! As I practice more and get more knowledge about what products work for me (and my poor sensitive skin), I really hope to up the ante on my techniques as well. Now to reallocate my clothes "budget" for more make up...

Face Value.

I've never done a "Face of the Day" (FOTD) post before, so when I was all dressed and made up for a night out yesterday, I naturally thought: "let's take pictures of my face and put it on the Interwebs". Yes, I am narcissistic and vain. Welcome. 

WITHOUT flash (please excuse my lazy eye *twitches*)

WITH flash

Here are the products I used:

Product Roll Call

Dr. Young Blemish Base (used as mosturiser)
Smashbox Face Primer Photo Finish Foundation Primer (Color Correcting)

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in No.7

Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer in 'Soft Honey'

Shu Uemura Face Architect Glow Enhancing Powder Foundation in 'Medium Light Beige 764' 

BYS Eyeshadow Palette '#6 Smokey Purples' (I used the top 2 shades)

Lasplash Eyelash Extensions in 'Nightlife'

Revlon Lash Fantasy Mascara in 'Blackest Black'

MAC Penultimate Eye Liner in 'Rapid Black'

Lisser Auto Eyeliner

Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil in 'Pure White' (not pictured)

Milani Easybrow Automatic Pencil in 'Dark Brown' (not pictured)

Smashbox Photo Set Finishing Powder

Illamasqua Powder Blush in 'Lover'

MAC Wonder Woman MSF in 'Golden Lariat'

Dior Addict Colorplay Lipstick in 'Rose Panorama'

You may have read the list in about 20 seconds, but it seriously took me 20 minutes to compile. Gah! But isn't playing with make-up so much fun?

Colour Me Pretty.

Three weeks ago (yes, that is how backlogged I am when it comes to blogging), I had the pleasure of going to an Illamasqua masterclass held by the make up maestro Nicola Burford.

Illamasqua is a London brand that celebrates the "alternative"in us all. Heavily influenced by the hedonism and underground vibe of the 1920s, their makeup gives you a platform to be truly dramatic and self-expressive. 

For the Myer S/S 2011 show. Theme: Golden Goddess.

The class was, in one word, awesome. Nicola was so generous, giving many little make-up tricks and encouraging us all to make full use of the statement trends this season: i.e. dramatic and colourful eyes, cheeks, and lips.  Colour blocking is not only a hot trend in fashion, but in makeup too!

The most important philosophy that I took away from the class was that any colour combination can work well together - all you have to do (MUST do) is make sure the undertones of the colours and shades that you use match with each other, and for the love of all things beautiful, the shades must complement your overall skin undertone. For example, I have a cooler undertone, and I had never thought to use a green eyeshadow, mostly due to the fact that I didn't want to resemble some cheap Australian green & yellow (read: Asian skintone) merchandise you can get at the $2 shop. Oh, how wrong I was. The only trick is to find the RIGHT shade of green - and luckily, the bright colour trend that is the rage at the moment meant that I had a lot of cool shades to choose from. 

Nicola in her element, with the beautiful model Charlie (sp?). Photo courtesy of Miss Adeline

Frances, one of the lovely people from the Illamasqua counter at Myer Sydney, not only recommended that I use a green eyeshadow, but matched it with a baby pink lipstick, and a subtle orange blush!

Product Roll Call

Foundation: Skin Base in No. 7

Gleam Cream (for a little sparkle)

Eye Shadow: Dare

Eye Pencil: Whiplash 

Eye Shadow: Slink (used as highlighter above cheeks)

Powder Blush: Lover

Lipstick: Liv

Lip Pencil: Bait
Lip gloss: Divine (sheer)

Mascara: Harness

Ta-da! Here are the results (photos courtesy of Miss Adeline from Through Beauty Eyes as I was negligent and forgot to bring my camera): 

Before you experiment with colour blocking your makeup, make sure that the colours you choose match your outfit. This is a very important but oft ignored step. As you can see in the pictures above, I was wearing neutral colours that day - so Nicola recommended that I use more pastel brights. My friend, Adeline, was wearing more bright colours, so dramatic colours like orange and electric blue worked well with her outfit. 

I ended up purchasing the Skin Base (oh-my-god-best-foundation-ever), eye shadow and eye pencil, despite my (poorly upheld) shopping ban. Thank you Nicola and the Illamasqua team for such a great time! xx.