Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals B.B Cream

It has a very, very long name.  It's called Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals Instant Skin Perfecting Cream.  In short, it is a BB Cream.  It's interesting to keep seeing all the bigger brands hitting the BB Cream bandwagon. Originating from Germany, the Koreans really did take this cream to the next level.

Like any other B.B. Creams out there, This Maybelline BB Cream comes in one shade called Fresh.  It comes in a much smaller size as compared to its Korean counterparts, so the price point is lower.  Plus, it's under Maybelline, so it is definitely easier to purchase it.

How does it fair?

I find it a tad too light for my skin.  I look whitish when I have it on.  On certain days, it looks like it sits well on my skin, but on most days, I find that it is slightly one shade lighter.  I wore this out one day and a friend commented that I look a little too fair.  Bear in mind, I am already quite fair, any fairer, I think I'll turn white @.@  This is how I turned out in picture.

(ops, pls excuse da food in front of me.. keke)

You can actually see my face looking much fairer @.@

In terms of oil control, it does fairly well.  I can last through about 5 to 6 hours without the need to blot my skin.  It does better when I pat a layer of powder on it.  

Nowadays, I mix this BB Cream with my Missha one to get a better shade.  Works fine for me.

Will I rebuy?  I doubt so, since the colour is a little mismatch.

Updates (June 2012): Not sure if I got fairer, but the colour seems to sit better on my skin now.  Either that, or the first tube I bought didn't work that well for me.  Am loving the matte feeling on my skin and hence I've been repurchasing this little gem.  

Empro Diamond Black Eyeliner

I've been meaning to blog about this but I kept missing out on it.  Can't remember if I've mentioned it before, but I have oily lids and most pencil liners smudges on me rather quickly.  I was using Red Earth's Perfect Line liquid eyeliner previously, until it started to make my eyelids heavy and I had to chuck it away.  I started looking around and came across Empro's Diamond Black Eyeliner.  I know Empro first hot item is actually their eyebrow pencil, so when I saw this Diamond Black Eyeliner, I decided to give it a try.

From Empro's website:

BLACK DIAMOND LINER

Introducing Empro’s new Diamond Black Liner in a jet black shade.

This smudge-proof and waterproof liner is soft enough to glide on smoothly, but not so soft that it slips right off. The aerodynamic brush with firm bristles allows smooth and controlled application. Just shake and apply!

Gentle on eyes. No irritation. More importantly, it lasts the whole day giving depth and character to those beautiful peepers of yours. Empro’s Diamond Black Liner is easy to remove and does not require the use of harsh makeup removers.

The ergonomic shape makes the liner easy to hold, fitting conveniently into tiny purses or makeup pouches.

' Empro Diamond Black Liner - time to let those eyes shine!

Made in Japan

Result?  I think I've found my Holy Grail eyeliner.

1.  It doesn't smudge.  I have oily lids, so any pencil liners will smear rather quickly and I hate it cause I will end up looking like a panda.  I can use this and it lasts the whole day for me.  I don't actually have to worry about it smudging at all.  I wear this to work everyday and typically, we spend at least 10 to 12 hours away from home and this safely lasts me that long.

2. Easy to use.  I can hold it like a pencil and start drawing.  I can draw it thinly or I can draw it thicker.  Easy peasy.

3. Pigmented.  It is very pigmented.  One draw and the colour stands out.  I don't have to keep over-lining my eye lids to ensure that the colour could be seen.

It's not the cheapest in the market, but I think the price is decent.  It ranges from RM40 to RM44 depending on offers.  Easily available at any Watsons, Guardian as well as Empro outlets.

Nonetheless, I've been reading about K-Palette that's supposedly works well for oily lids, and that's the other that I want to get my hands on.  However, only when I'm done with this =D

p/s: a bit lazy to take the actual item's picture, but it just looks the same as in the pic!

CN Beauty: Waxing Session

There was a recent promotion by Groupsmore on waxing and because I am an avid (not sure if I should be using this word though!! haha) waxer, I couldn't resist such a good deal!

(photo taken from Groupsmore webpage)

As you could see from the description below, the waxing only costs RM19.  This is quite a fair bargain for if you are a frequent visitor to waxing salons.  CN Beauty is an international company that was established back in 1997.  They have a total of 30 branches all over Malaysia.  For this promotion, I figured it was only limited to Klang Valley, and there are 12 locations that was given for us to choose during our purchase of the voucher.  I selected the TTDI branch as it is the nearest to me.

I quite like the frontdesk of the branch in TTDI.  It gives you a sense of peace and relaxation.  It uses a lot of wood colour in its decor and overall concept so I guess that helps in relaxation.  I was served a cup of tea as I got there.  However, I didn't get to drink it as I was busy filling up the form.  Once I was done, I was actually asked if we want to get started.  I quite like the attentiveness of the therapist who served me, Kelly, as she actually make a point to inquire if I would want to go to the ladies before we get started.  This is quite rare thing, if you are a frequent visitor to salons.

However, when I got to the room, it felt, old.  I wasn't entirely that comfortable with the room.  Partly because the light was too bright and all.  I was asked to lie down on the bed without a change of pants.  A few that I've been to required me to change into a bit of cloth for ease of waxing.  Kelly however, asked me to fold up my pants.  I was slightly taken aback as I presume that since this is a full scale beauty centre, they would ask me to change into something more comfortable.  Nonetheless I continue.  As I was lying there, I was quite irritated by the light of the room.  Why?  Because the bed I was in placed me in a position where I was directly under the light.  So, I was practically staring into the light.  It's quite harsh and tires my eyes quite a fair me.  That aside, the room uses a normal fan.  I don't mind that it's a fan, but the fan was also directly blowing to my face.  Now, that I mind because I'm wearing contact lens, and the fan was drying them out.  Still, I persisted and did not comment about it.

Now, come to the waxing part.  I like Kelly.  I like how attentive she is in making sure that she covers the whole of my lower legs and making sure that it's done properly.  She actually alerts me every step of the way, keeping me inform what she is going to do.  If there's a part where she wants to run it through a few more times to ensure all the hair are out, she will alert me and explain why.  I like that.  At least I know what she is doing.  The wax is also not uncomfortable and was at the right heat.  The overall experience took us about 40 minutes.  It is usually done faster, but I guess her attentiveness and her meticulousness made a difference and took up the time.

After the waxing was done, Kelly used baby lotion oil on my legs, explaining that it will help to remove the sticky feeling.  She took the time to slowly massage my legs and making sure she covers every part.  She then follow up with a body lotion.  Most of other places that I went to uses either the oil or lotion, but not both.  So it's a pleasant surprised because she took the time to massage my legs during both application.  I was feeling blissful then.

Once done, I was ushered out to the hall whilst she filled up a receipt for me.  During then too, they've changed my glass of hot tea to a different one.  It was warm and soothing.  Kelly explained that the tea is actually Garninie tea.  It helps in detoxification.  Explanation, but no hard selling.  She didn't even tell me the price.  Now that's quite rare because we all know most of the beauty saloons will try to hardsell their services and products to you.  It is only when I inquire further that Kelly did share that the company is having certain promotions and all.

Overall, it was a good experience, albeit the minor design of the place.  If you are looking to go and not mind so much of the ambience, I'm told that CN Beauty (all across their salons) are having a promotion now.  All waxing procedures are at 50% discount.

Update as at April 2011: I had a bad experience the second time I was there.  I don't remember the name of the lady who served me, but it seems that she does not have as good experience as Kelly did.  The wax were very hot every time it rolled on me.  The lady just said, this is the standard heat.  I truly doubt so because the waxing bars I've been to has always been able to adjust the temperature if I were to state it's hot.  It does not help when the cover of the waxing roll came loose and lo and behold, the wax all came down onto my legs!  Already feeling the heat, imagine having all of these wax poured onto my legs.  It was truly a disaster.  However, I knew it was an accident and thus, refrained myself from telling the lady off.  She truly looked remorse and scared.  Nonetheless, this means I am not going to this place again.  Most likely I will opt for a different branch should there be such promotions that arise in the future.

Using EyeShadow on the Eye Brow

I  don't know if you ever been in a situation like me before, but I suck at using eye brow pencil.  I carry the "Look here, I used an eye brow pencil to draw!" kind of look, which translates to me either looking animated or  fierce and ultimately, weird.  I guess it has to do with the fact that I have a rather thick eyebrow.  I dislike it looking unnatural and it always does when I use an eyebrow pencil.

So, one fine day, I turned to my eye shadow and started using an angle brush with it on my eyebrow.  I was instantly surprised at how natural it looks, and how a little of the eyeshadow transforms the look of my eye brows!  I love it.  Here's some of the eye shadows I used for my eye brows:

Artistry palette - brown shade

Maybelline Eyestudio Black Forest Cake - dark brown shade

Jay Jay Envy palette - grey shade

Mind you, some of the colors don't actually look nice when I applied it on my eye lids, so now I have a good use for them! hehe

As you can see, I don't use black at all because my hair colour hasn't been black for a while lolz.  I tend not to use black though, partially because I prefer a more natural colour and black tends to look odd.  Maybe cause I am quite fair.

Do you use eyeshadow for your eye brows?

Sleeping with Sleeping Mask On

One peculiar habit of mine is that whenever there's light in the room, I will wake up immediately.  It was much later that I found out that my eyelids does not fully close when I'm sleeping.  How wide? I totally have no idea, but I guess it's because of that, that I tend to get awake rather easily.

I remember when I was in high school, all my brother need to do to wake me up at 6plus in the morning is to turn on my room lights and I will immediately jumped up from my bed.  Now I know that it's because I don't sleep with my eyes totally closed.

A few weeks back, I suddenly had the idea of sleeping with a sleeping mask on after reading it somewhere (magazine or newspaper).  So I went and started scouting for one.  I found a bargain whereby I get 3 for RM10 =p.  I know, over-indulgence.  Need to go slow with shopping these days.

Anyway, guess what, it works! I actually sleep better and am more rested on the days where I wear them to sleep than when I am not.  I realised that in the past, I do not deep sleep.  That is why I wake up rather easily, to the slightest sound and to the slightest light.

I do not have the best sleeping mask around but I can't complain much either since I got it at a bargain.  I guess I will hunt around for a good alternative once these few that I have spoils.  In the meanwhile, if you are like me, tend to get tired even though you slept well and all, do go and give sleeping mask a try.

P/S: I think I move quite a lot because my mask is no longer covering my eyes on some mornings! It's either next to me or on the floor =p

January 2011 Pan Out Session

Like I said earlier, I'm on a mission to finish!  Hehe... so here's some of the stuff that I've binned for the month of January 2011:

Daiso Cleansing Make Up Remover Sheet
Red Earth Perfect Liner
In2It Liquid Eye Liner
Red Earth Lip Gloss
Ianti Green Shimmer Eye Shadow
Sunplay SPF 130
Johnson's Body Care 24H Lasting Moisture Body Lotion (mini size)

Daiso Aloe Vera Facial Scrub - Simple, non-abrasive type of facial scrub.  Don't expect too much out of it. I think my natural mung bean powder paste I use as scrub works better than it.  

Loreal Total Repair Shampoo - A re-buy item for me.  My hair is quite sensitive, as is my skin.  If I use the wrong shampoo, I literally am shedding hair!  Utterly scary to see the amount of hair coming off when I use the wrong product.  With this, I don't, and that is enough to make me want to rebuy it.  Best part of it is, it doesn't trigger a bout of acne spree for my face. Hehe... so this is good.

As for total repair, I don't think it works as much as it claims.  But it does well to keep my hair clean and well maintained for a short while.

Will continue my binning habit for the coming months to make sure that I finish what I used.

So what have you binned thus far?

Happy Chinese New Year!

I'm hearing the fireworks being released as I am writing here.  I do think Chinese are very blessed because we get to celebrate 2 New Year every year! You get what I mean right? *wink* 

Wishing everyone a very happy and blessed Chinese New Year.