A look into RMK Spring makeup collection

This is very exciting news for me when I saw these Shiney Mix Eyes and Shiney Mix Cheeks from RMK. Why? I have missed out on many many MAC minerlize eye shadow and these may not be the same colors as the ones from MAC, they sure have won my heart.

If Vincent Van Gogh was alive today, he would be proud of these I reckon!

Read a note on Lipstick

A Look at YSL's Spring Collection




Get 25% off everything in the GNC store. Hurry! Offer ends 12/28/07

picture from rougedeluxe

About the 26th of December - Boxing Day and Favorite Things 2007

The day after Christmas is usually the day we spend recovering from the huge meals we have had in the last few days or weeks. For some of my friends over in North America, it may mean doing so by shopping the Boxing Day sales. All the stores other than maybe Ikea is open here today! So I decided I will spend my time going through this past year's beauty file. Looking back I have discovered many surprisingly good as well as disappointing beauty finds. I wish to make a list of my favorites for 2007 and to share this with all of you!

A bunch of my fellow bloggers will be doing the same and we will be publishing our lists starting from December 31st till early January. So be sure to drop by as I am sure these will be some of the best reads you will come across! I have to thank Annieytown from Blogdorf Goodman for coming up with such a great idea (see this for more details).

What a wonderful way to wrap up 2007 and anticipate what wonderful beauty finds will be awaiting us in 2008! Stay tuned!


Other Reads:
A Look Back at My Christmas Wish List Items 1 - 17

My favorite candles - One for Every Occasion

A look at YSL Spring Collection

Yves Saint Laurent celebrates the coming of Spring 2008 with an incredibly outstanding collection. The usual girliness is mixed with an extra dose of flirtiness which is apparent in the new Pop palette LE. The Pop Stick Blush may just be my new found love; temporarily replacing my beloved Nars Multiples. The Eye Color Touche which is an eye shadow in the infamous YSL click-pen will be so handy for ladies' room touch-ups.

They look very wearable and gives just the right "pop" of color for spring! Irresistible!

Read about the current trends in eye shadow

A Look at RMK's Spring Collection


picture via rougedeluxe

To You and Your Loved Ones.

Dearest readers,

I look forward to bringing you many more interesting (hopefully!) reads.

I wish you happiness and warmth for the holiday seasons!

Love,
Grayburn

Makeup for the holidays - Party in red lips and porcelain skin

The ultimate feminine look; a porcelain complexion paired with red lips is glamorous for holiday parties.

Red Lips

Whether you choose a matte or a red lipstick with some shine, be sure to first prepare your lips with a good balm. I have had a few makeup artists use the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant on me before applying red lippie. Get some help at a good makeup counter on choosing the right red shade for you.

Porcelain skin

It must be an overload on self-tanners, we are no longer afraid of looking pale and porcelain. Winter is the perfect time to do this look because the cold wind brings out the rosiness in our cheeks; just enough to give our perfect-looking complexion some color. Remember to also prep your skin for foundation and choose a foundation with some luminosity in it. Set the foundation with a dusting of face powder (like this one here) or with blotting paper (like this one here) and you are good to go!

Read more on the season's hottest makeup trends

Read about My Favorite Things of 2007

image from flickr by busy.child

Friday Feature: Beautiful Candles to Get Now

We've all seen all the wonders they can do with wax and candle-sculpturing. They can be such pieces of art.

There is something however very wonderful and beautiful about a container candle. They instantly set the mood of the room as they can become center pieces in the living room or by you at tub-side. They also make such great house-warming or first-time-visiting someone gifts.

Take a look at these special ones below....

For something festive:
....when the family is there

KarenKlein Candles Holiday Collection, Ornament Design


For something elegant and romantic:
....when it's just the two of you

Etro Heliotrope Perfumed Candle


Comptoir Sud Pacifique Perfumed Candle, Vanille Abricot


For something trendy:
....drinks at home with co-workers

Jen Lew Designs Soy Candle, Bamboo


For something uncluttered but nice:
....lunch party with friends

Clean Ultimate Perfumed Candle


Fresh Scented Candle, Sake


For something feminine:
....when you want some time for yourself

LoLLIA Relax Luminary Candle


Malie Kauai Soy Candle, Gardenia


For something exotic:
....when you are feeling adventurous

Nyakio Candle, African Tea



Claus Porto Voga Acacia Tuberose Candle

Claus Porto Ilyria Honeysuckle Candle


Read last Friday's Feature

Painting 101 - Ideas and trends in eye shadow

Have you always wanted to try bold eye shadow color or is there a color you have never worn? It seems that this is the season to try them. This season's eye makeup has gone totally wild for super color combinations and the effect is really something else.

The key seems to be that the shadows are worn with some deliberate contrasting. The trend is moving away from too much glitter or frosty to something a little more matte. You can achieve this by starting with a matte shadow and then pat on a little bit of shimmer on key areas afterwards.

When considering a color:

1. Look at what you are wearing that day. Matching the colors exactly with your outfit is not the key; you want your eye shadow to pop!

2. Pick a shade that flatters your skin tone rather than being too bold in the wrong way.

3. White accentuates light so they are beautiful on darker skin tones.

4. Dark blue shadow looks amazing with another orange or yellow tint shadow.

5. For more of a contrast, choose a shadow either lighter than or darker than your eye color (i.e. dark blue shadow for light blue eyes).

6. Green eyes become more striking with purples, violets contrasted with rosy shadows.

7. Brown eyes can be accentuated by copper, bronze or gold shadows; contrasted with some green.

Have fun creating these looks for the parties!

If you prefer a natural look for your makeup, Read about it here



image from flickr by kee-um

A Note On Lipstick

A good lipstick is one that compliments your skin tone and expresses how you feel in a particular moment. The formula you choose will determine the look of the color as well as whether it will be high maintenance (requiring frequent re-application).

Choosing a color:
If your hair color is....

Light blond complimentary colors include wine and berry reds, mauve and natural coffee tones.
Golden blond sunny shades like coral, apricots and peaches.
Blond and Olive skin tones also neutral tones like peach and terracotta.
Brunettes reds with brownish undertones and terracotta.
Red earthy tones such as terracotta, peach and cinnamon.

Darker lipstick shades will make smaller lips appear smaller; so stay away from them if you want a fuller looking pout. Use a reflective or luminous lip liner to line your cupid's bow (the wonderful V-shaped part of your upper lip) as this highlights how beautiful it is. For the rest of your lips, line with a neutral shade in the same color as your natural lip color.

See how to make your lipstick stay put longer

Photo from Flickr.com by Bella of Bacardi

Christmas Wish List item No. 17 - Beautiful Foundation Application

I swear that I will keep my makeup tools ie. brushes, sponges, dishes, separators etc clean forever.

This one is so beautiful that I don't think I will have a problem doing so. I probably won't be able to wait to use it everyday. Call me obsessed but I would probably continue to think about this while at work or having coffee with friends!

It's called beautyblender Blendercleanser and it's available by on the link just given.

See what's on my Christmas Wish List No. 16


picture from beautyblender.net