Do I Stick With My Shu?

I have opened up to the possibility of accepting another facial cleanser in my life. When I have been out and about lately, I have the wandering eye. Maybe it's the cold air?

I have been loyal to my Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil for many years. Before Shu, I had gone through many experimental years. There was Darphin, Dr. Murad, Clinique, Liz Earle, Olay, Chanel and Nivea. The list goes on and I think you get the idea.

My decision was made about a week ago that I would try another few out. I was nervous and felt completely guilty when I looked at my Shu. But I had to do it. The choices were narrowed down to the Softymo Oil Cleansing Gel (SOCG) and the Sofina Cleanse Make Clear Oil (SCMCO). I chose them because they were oil cleansers; just like my Shu is. I did not want to stray too far for the first time.


Story continues:

Part II - Looking back at my years with Shu (the cleansing oil)

Part III - Dilemma over facial cleanser

Part III (conclusion) - My week with Sofina (the cleansing oil)

Credit: shuuemura.com

N Collection by MAC- Make a Statement in the Nude!

MAC's N Collection coming out soon, is one not to be missed. This collection is made for those who love nude tones because it is one that is completely stripped of the expected vibrancies of MAC. It is about polished finishes. There are no loud colors; yet MAC manages to make a statement with it.

Designers on the Spring runway such as Proenza Shouler, Luella Barley and Dolce & Gabbana (all pictured above), all rocked the bare look for makeup.

MAC has also come out with what's called Charged Waters with this collection. The interesting one is the Revitalizing Energy version because it is said to be infused with the vital ions of diamond. It promises a glowingly-quenched complexion!

Featured in the N Collection-The #187 Brush. Read My Review of it Here.

MAC & Fafi's Collaboration


pictures from maccosmetics.com & elle.com

Bloggers' Game of Tag

I had the fortune of being tagged by the seeker. As the game goes, I must reveal the contents of my purse. You get to know alot about a woman by the contents of her purse. A male friend of mine was told by his mother to never look into a woman's purse because it is an ill-mannered thing to do.

















* Tod's Wallet in black - I always check that I have got my movie card in there. You never know when you feel like popping into the movie theater.

* Mint - got to be prepared!

* Mobile - doubles as a watch and camera.

* Cargo Lip Gloss Duo - (the dented tin in the middle!) in Oulu. This one has seen the insides of many purses. A great sheer grape color!

* Yon-ka Elastine Jour - for anything that needs moisturizing.

* YSL Compact Powder for Complexion - had to have this shiny gold compact.

* Rituals Supershine Lipgloss in #7135 - You would see a different gloss in my purse each day but today I've got this one in it. I only need a tiny little dab of this for my lips.

* Keys

* The Body Shop Almond Lip Butter - soothing scent and so nourishing.

* The Body Shop Chrome Compact Mirror - comes in a mesh protector and has 2 mirrored-sides; one in normal view, the other with 3X zoom.
















and my Penguin soap! I got this as a gift and it hasn't made its way out of my purse yet. It's so adorable and cheerful. Cheers me up every time I look at its chubby face!

Now, who should I tag?

Sad News - Shu Uemura

We were all so sad when we heard that the masterful makeup creator Shu Uemura had passed away at the age of 79. He was ingenious at creating makeup that makes women all around the globe feel powerful, refined and sexy. All of us covet lashes, cleansing oil, mascaras and face powders; anything with his name written on them. They truly are products that we can rely on because we trust his expertise.









Tokyo Lash Bar Collection
























Coming Spring, Mr. Uemura's collection "Rebirth" will be his 128th mode collection. Although he may not have intended this to be his last collection, this is a collection that magnificently celebrates his legacy.

Pictures from shuuemura-usa.com

Bourjois Mini Pigments

These little pots of eye shadow pigments (with slight shimmer) from Bourjois provide a sheer wash of color over your lids. You can increase the pigments' intensity by adding them to a mixing medium. By combining a few of these pigments , you can easily customize your own shade.

Used with my i.d. weather everything sealer creates liquid liner with ease.

Available shades are:

Violet Pearl (pictured above)
Golden Beige
Iridescent Orange (pictured above)
Iridescent White
Pale Gold
Pale Shimmery Blue
Tender Green
Turquoise Sparkle (pictured above)
Shimmery Brown (pictured above)

They are currently available at Asos.

A Note on Red Lipstick

MAC & Fafi's Collaboration

Fafi's art pieces were first seen on the walls in Toulouse, her hometown in France. Now, they are seen in many parts of the world including Corsica, Belgium and Thailand. Most of you already know that she is collaborating with MAC to produce a collection due on the counters in Spring. But I really had to write a post about it because I personally cannot wait to see this one come out.

The color choices are whimsical yet "street".



Spring Makeup Preview @ H&M

YSL's Spring 2008 Collection


Photo of Fafi/MAC from temptalia
Photo of Fafi's work from fafi.net

Zara Home Collection - Orange Blossom

Zara's Home Collection, much like its clothing lines has an impressive array of choices. I am particularly fond of their Orange Blossom Candle housed in a brown glass container. The candle itself burns slowly (10 hours of continuous burning produced only a slight dent) and the scent can be described as green, delicate and minimalistically feminine. There is also a slight muskiness as well. It conjures up images of a sunlit room filled with the white petals of the orange tree.

The Smell of Sunny Days

Winter days are long here in the Netherlands so I simply cannot wait until the return of warmer weather. I pulled out this one the other day because my hair was getting dry from having the radiator on all the time. I also had the urge to bring the smell of summer back.

This Tui Hair Oil from Carol's Daughter is made from a base of corn oil. It is scented with guava, mango and passionfruit which reminds me of vacationing in Southeast Asia. The oil is a little heavy for my hair type so I only use it very sparingly on the ends.

Shiseido Tsubaki Hair Care Line

H & M Cheek Blush - Sunny Apricot

The blend-ability of this blush by H&M caught me by surprise and I can see that they are quickly selling out of this particular one. It lasted pretty much through the day with only slight fade. This will look great in the summer when my skin becomes a little sunnier.

Colors are soft bright pink, peach with gold shimmer & soft brown.

MAC Emote contouring powder

Nars Multiples