Off To A Cosmetics Conference!

Just a note to say that I am off to a 3-day cosmetics conference! I will of course try to keep up the posts. I am so excited and more importantly, cannot wait to share with you all the things I will be seeing and learning there. Looking over the conference programme, I can see that there will be a lot of innovative skin and hair care products coming into the market. The good news for me personally is that almost half of the topics they will be discussing will revolve around making more 'green' products.

While I am there, I will try to absorb as much information humanly possible and hope that there will be lots of photo ops. I pray that feeling a little under the weather will not affect me too much. Wish me luck!


Credits: M. Mariano

How To Use Imju Fiberwig Mascara?

Emails have come through my inbox from both haters and lovers of Imju Fiberwig Mascara. Some rave about the length that they get from using Imju, while others diplomatically rant about the difficulty they have with it. I am a lover of this durable, lash-lengthening mascara and here is how I use it:

1. Apply a mascara base to curled lashes (my personal favorite mascara base is Kanebo's Kate Mascara Base).

2. Apply a thick enough layer of Imju Fiberwig to cover up the mascara base. Let dry.

3. Build length on your lashes by applying Imju Fiberwig to the tips of your lashes over and over again. By concentrating only on the tips of your lashes, you are building length by attaching the fibers there. Alternate between your left and your right eye until the desired length is achieved.


It is scary how much length this mascara gives. At times I have to 'snap' off the extra length because they are just too long. No clumps, just long lashes that blow in the wind!


Credit: imju.com

Mineral Makeup Series - Liquidfy!

The first thing I do each morning after I get up is head to my computer. This morning as I was approaching my computer desk, I saw something that was a surprise. BFOG (boyfriend of Grayburn) had left a lovely splash of rose petals on my keyboard! A charming way to celebrate the arrival of the weekend!


Back to a more serious topic...

I have read countless complaints out there about mineral foundation. Some of them are about the messiness of loose pigments but most of them are about the cakiness that a few of you have experienced.

There is one way to get around those two issues at once. And that is to liquid-fy or cream-ify your loose mineral foundation. This may not be something new to many of you but because I continuously hear the same concerns from some of you, I thought I should discuss briefly how it is done.

1st method:

I know many of you prefer creamy or liquid formulas when it comes to foundations and concealers. However, it is very easy to convert any mineral foundation or concealer (loose powder) into a more emollient form. It can be achieved simply by combining a small amount of the mineral powder with your favorite facial moisturizer, serum or cream. Try combining your minerals with different emollient bases and you will soon discover one that works best for your skin type. You might even discover that applying mineral foundation and concealer this way can be easier because it requires no kabuki or buffer brushes. Mix them together in your hand to apply the mixture like a tinted moisturizer, or mix them in a dish and you can dip your foundation or concealer brush to apply the foundation/concealer.

There is a another method....

2nd method:

The second method is a little different. In this method, you liquidfy the mineral foundation when it has already been applied dry to your face in the normal fashion. Let me explain. First apply your loose mineral foundation as you would normally with a kabuki or buffer brush. Then spritz your face with a facial toner or spray some of the toner onto your brush. Buff out the facial toner and use it to blend the foundation. This method allows the mineral foundation to get even closer to your skin and the moisture from the toner takes away the dryness that can sometimes be associated with mineral foundations. Just be sure to choose a toner that is alcohol-free and you are good to go!


Credits: Grayburn

Nexcare Acne Dressing 3M

Following one of my last post where I confessed on being an avid 'spot-picker', I have come across a product from a company that you are probably quite familiar with. Nexcare/3M has produced a product which addresses acne spots and they come in not an ointment, but in the form of sticky bandages. This is one of the most interesting idea I have come across lately and they really deserve an award for ingenuity!


How it works (as described by Nexcare):

• Hydrocolloid dressing absorbs secretion and promotes healing of acne.
• The dressing protects acne from dirt and other contaminants.
• Waterproof and breathable.

Here is what an expert has to say about Hydrocolloid (the main ingredient in the acne dressing) and more information about the dressing from the Nexcare/3M website.

I found it quite enjoyable to use as the cute little buttons (comes in 2 sizes) were pre-cut to fit spots of any size. I have also cut the biggest circle in half to cover different spots. The dressing sticks on contact (on cleaned, dried skin) and remained there during a full night of tossing and turning sleep. I had forgotten that I had them on until I looked into the mirror in the morning to find circular spots on my face! (In case you were wondering, they did not leave any imprints on my skin .) The result? The spots that I would have otherwise extracted or squeezed at were flattened. A few of the dressings had white spots on them when removed (a sign that they have absorbed something from my skin). Since I have not had a deep pimple recently, I cannot report on how well they work on them.











Summary: As long as you don't have any company over, or whoever is sleeping next to you don't mind, have fun with these! I have ceased to stress/obsess over little spots since I got these. Give them a try and share your likes and/or dislikes with us!




Credits: Grayburn, Nexcare/3M

The Makeup Artist In Us

Trend Watch!

The fun thing about makeup is that we can make it as simple or as complicated as we like. With all the products available on the market, it is easy to bring out the inner makeup artist in all of us! Makeup companies are making it easier for us to customize the makeup to fit our own unique skintones and preferences. So grab some of these plus some brushes and let your creative juices flow!

Revlon Mix & Mingle Lip Palette - 6 Shades

All you need is a lip brush and a mirror. Use the lighter shade on fullest part of your lower lip and a little on the cupid's bow.









Revlon Custom Creations Foundation - 30 Shades

Adjust the intensity of the foundation by turning the pump nozzle. Great for those who tan and lighten throughout the year and replaces the need to have 2 different foundations.











Revlon ColorGenius Pressed Powder - 3 Shades

Take a little of the darker shade to contour and the lighter part to brighten. Lendis dimension to the face and take away the mask-like effect. Mix them all together to give you an allover skin finish.




Max Factor ColorGenius Blush - 3 Shades

Love these! Neutral colors to highlight, contour and blush all in one.






Credits: revlon.com, maxfactor.com

Upcoming Collection: MAC Cosmetics Naughty Nauticals

Quick Style Fix!

This looks like such a fun, grown-up/play dress-up collection from MAC. I am eagerly waiting for this to come out and have already bought my own blue-and-white striped tank to rock the nautical look that is in this season! I'm on the lookout for an anchor broche or ring so if any of you spot one, drop me a line please!


Credits: pursebuzz.com

Pink Dejavu Fiberwig Mascara - Special Edition

LE Alert!

For all of us who are Dejavu Fiberwig Mascara lovers, a limited edition has been spotted on Plaza Style in new packaging. These are so far only available in Japan but may soon start to float around Ebay, I should think. If you spot this limited edition item in your part of the world, drop a line here and let us know!


Credits: plazastyle.com

I am starting off the week by responding to being recently tagged by * : . b | u 3 . : *. I have been absent lately because I have been so busy working on my other website. I am both excited and nervous to show it to all of you but I promise that I will do that very soon. Thanks for all of your supportive words.


The tag this time is about beauty crimes. I thought this would be a good way to start off the week because then I have the entire week to start correcting them.

3 of my own Beauty Crimes :

At No. 3- Over-indulgence in facial masks
I love having a face mask on and I indulge in that whenever I can. I love the time when the mask is on my face. It is a time when I really feel at peace and for a moment just melt away into my thoughts. Combined with a bath and a scented candlelight, it really is what cloud 9 feels like to me. I know that this doesn't sound like much of a crime but I really do overdo them. I think there is a point when your skin just can't take in all that goodness anymore.


No. 2 - Over-washing
I enjoy getting clean, especially my hair and hands. I love to cook as well, so every time I cook, I probably wash my hands 10 times. That, and the combination of my distaste for smelly hair, has led me to somewhat dry hands and puffy hair. So I spend a lot of my money on hand cream, shampoos and hair treatments.

No. 1 - Picking at spots
I pick and squeeze anything that remotely resembles a spot on my skin. I do my own facial extractions almost every single night If I can. I am that person with the x 10 magnifying mirror on my makeup table staring at her pores. Past over-zealous moments have led to a few scars (but nothing that requires heavy concealer...really, I meant that!). Although, I do have enough concealer artillery power in my beauty cabinet ready to battle any nasty scars.


It is unlikely that I will be able to battle these beauty 'faux-pas' on my own. Let's just see how I do this week! I invite those of you reading this to take part as well; share your beauty crimes, write about them, brag about them.....! You've just been tagged!


Credits: Grayburn

A Fantasy Video - Shiseido Majolica Majorca

I am busy working towards meeting a deadline for a website I will be launching in the next couple of days. I didn't have time to prepare some posts ahead of time for these few days of absence so I feel guilty and unorganized at the moment.

I will leave behind a fantasy video from Shiseido's Majolica Majorca cosmetics line. The makeup items in this video band together to transform their owner, the girl in the picture frame. Like most Japanese cosmetics, Majolica Majorca's line contain some pretty good quality items that are fun and with that element of fantasy. It is a drugstore brand that is widely available in Japan and quite popular; especially amongst younger girls. It is pretty damn good quality considering that it is a drugstore brand!

I promise that I'll be back soon!



Credits: youtube