7 PRE PRO BLOGGER 2013 CHECKLIST

"What are your plans this weekend?"

"Gold Coast babyyy!"

"Lucky you - gonna have a massive one aye"

"Nar, I am heading there for a conference so I gotta behave on Friday"

Uttering the word "conference" just made me feel intelligent and important already. HA. 

I have been to a few blogging/sponsored/free conferences over the past couple of years (ABBW in 2011, Beauty Blogger Utopia in 2012, The Entourage Young Entrepreneurs Unconvention this year) but this would be my first paid conference I am attending (out of my own pocket unfortunately) in the past 24 years in my life. Can't blame for being so excited yet nervous at the same time, can you?

And since creating list is like totes, the thing right now, I am gonna have a ProBlogger2013 checklist for the *cough* important *cough* stuff.

(What I pack in my travel/ make up bag deserves a post on its own :P) 

Notebook; PowerBank; Business Cards; Pens

1. Me, myself and I. By I, I meant my iPhone and iPad Mini.  What's a social media/ blogging conference without the new media devices? Still debating if I am going to lug my MacBook Pro with me as I reckon my mini would do but I like being equipped. 

2. Chargers.  The devices mentioned above serve no purpose without your trusty charger. I will be bringing both my wall charger and portable charger aka power bank (seriously, BEST. INVENTION. EVER. if you're a social media junkie like myself). I swear my hand drains my phone battery simply by holding it. 

3. A pretty Notebook.  As much as I am married to my iPhone and iPad, I still enjoy writing on a good ol' notebook especially when it comes to making goals and lists. With colourful pens, may I add. 

BTW, my @EatThisBurnThat business card is designed using Canva. If you're a graphic design noob like myself and need some quick designing fix, get an invitation now to try out the new Canva (as they are still in beta phase!)

4. Business cards.  The last thing you want is having to write down your contact details and all your social media platform for every blog crush/ potential collaborator you meet. It takes time and not cool. I had my ThroughBeautyEye cards all ready to go and having my EatThisBurnThat ones printed tomorrow!  (Thumbs up for being so last minute. :P)

5. A checklist & schedule. To ensure that you're making the most out of PB, make a checklist of goals (ie, what are you expecting/ the outcomes from this conference), people you want to meet (hello, twitter pal!) and most importantly the sessions you want to attend. As there will be multiple sessions happening concurrently, its important to pick the ones that are most aligned to your blog goals/ direction. 

6. Plan your outfits.  If you're not from Brisbane like myself, nothing is worst than an outfit crisis. So, make sure you have your outfits planned (and always bring an extra "emergency"outfit or two. just in case...) especially for the Friday networking night. Apparently, Hilton Surfer Paradise and bubbly are involved. :P

7. Mint.  Pleasant breath in a networking event is mandatory. Nuff said. Do you want to be known as "that chick/ guy with the garlic breath"? I guess not.

REEF After Sun & Tan Extender, Coconut Sun Screen & www.clearlycontacts.com.au sunnies. 

BONUS: Sunnies, sun screen and after sun care because what is a trip to Surfer Paradise without these necessities?

These are the important stuff - I will have a sequel post on my travel/ carry on bag! Yes, no prizes for those who guessed that I will be lugging all these products with me to make sure my make up is oh-so-long-lasting.


ONE more sleep to Gold Coast and TWO MORE SLEEPS to Pro Blogger, I am pretty stoked. Can't wait to meet a few of my social media-pals, catching up with bloggers, and most importantly learn, learn and learn more about blogging!


If you're gonna be there this weekend, don't forget to say hi!
I promise, I don't smell. :P


XOXO,
A

Want longer lasting...............................Make up?

(Dear Sydneysiders, remember the billboard? And no, we ain't talking about sex here today. :P) 

I have my fair share of events to attend in my duo life as a beauty blogger. It's great if its in the morning because I will have a fresh face of make up (although getting out of bed would have been a mission). However, most of them are usually held after work.Not that I'm complaining because its pretty sweet to wind down a busy day after work with a glass (or a few) whilst playing with new beauty products. See, I'm quite a lazy person - touching up an entire face of make up after a long day is quite a chore and I try to avoid it as much as I could. 

THANK GOD after playing and trialling a million and one different products, I have came up with my long-lasting day make up and doesn't take more than 5 minutes to touch up (or 10 if I decide to slap some falsies on!) which involves cleaning up my undereye with a concealer and further intensify my eyeliner (and maybe reapply the blushes depending on the blush I'm using that day). And of course, finishing up with my trusty setting powder and apply the power lipstick of the day. 

Without further ado, let's get to these products! 

The main and "core" products that keep my face from melting away - also what I called the 

"skeleton" products: 

Face Primer: Dermalogica Age Smart Skin Perfect Primer SPF 30*

I have never really been a huge fan of face primer as I tend to have really dry skin and most of the time, I am ok with almost flawless foundation routine with my freckles still feasible. HOWEVER, my life changed when I discovered this baby! It's velvety texture glides on my face like silk to form the perfect canvas base for my foundation application. This primer is pretty pigmented with a neutral, colour correcting tint that evens out my skin tone. So, my dears, a little does go a long way here. 

Foundation: Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation (#11)

Always go back to this baby if I want that flawless, porceleine finish. #11 is my perfect match for foundation and doesn't leave me looking like Snow "White".  This foundation provides full coverage with a natural matte finish (yes this is possible!) and it lasts forever!! By forever, I meant all day, all night. 

However, I might take a step back on this foundation as the temperature rises as I find it a little too heavy in the warmer months. And, it's all about the freckles in summer, right?

Concealer: Borjois Healthy Mix Concealer in Apricot

If you have been reading Through Beauty Eyes, you would have known I am a HUGE fan of Benefit Fake Up concealer (especially after a night of shenanigans! I gave you some tips on how to hide your "I am so effing hungover" face HERE.). As the coverage of the Skin Base Foundation is pretty solid, I rarely find myself requiring heaving concealing. A tiny pea size of this concealer is enough to cover any remaining dark circles I have and around my nose and it blends with my Skin Base foundation pretty awesomely, just like a dream. 

Setting Powder: MAC Mineralized Skin Finish (Medium)

BEST setting powder ever and I am onto my second one already. I set it after applying my foundation and concealer and set it again after my blush and contouring routine. No, I do not look like a cakeface and this is why I love MSF! 

This is my "perfect" face routine at the moment as most of the time, I find myself needing to touch up my face make up by the end of the day before any night events. Not with this golden combination however. The most I would do is just to mattify my face a little with MAC Mineralized Skin Finish (if I am not too lazy, that is :P)

Eye Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion

I don't think I need further explanation on this, do I?

Eyebrow: Face of Australia Eyebrow Kit*

Cheap cheap, create that ideal brows that last all day - what more can you ask for from an eyebrow kit? And to support your local brand! 

Eyeliner: Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner

This has been my HG eyeliner over the past 1.5 years and I am probably on my 6th or 7th one now. Perfect felt tip that makes it easy to create that gorgeous cat winged eye and most importantly, it doesn't crease! Did I mention it has now been repackaged and the tube is pink? (Not that it's an important factor, but pink is always brownies point :P)

It is available on Sasa.Com but I usually stock mine up when I am over in Asia.

Eyeliner: Milani Liquif'eye Metallic Eyeliner in Black

Another HG Eyeliner pencil which I have been using for years and repurchased countless times. Did a detailed review and swatches almost THREE years ago HERE - yeap have been a loyal fan since then. If you are looking for an affordable, pigmented and crease prove pencil eyeliner, you might have just found the one. 

Mascara: Dolly Wink Volume Mascara (Purple Tube)

HG Mascara, nuff said. Just like the Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner, I have been going through tubes after tubes over the past 2 years. This works amazingly well on my Asian lashes and give me half decent curls that holds and volume. In fact, this puts me off falsies for the past 2 years as I am pretty damn satisfied with applying it on its own, until I discovered Katy Perry's KAPOW falsies of course. 

As for my eyes, I go with either the neutral taupe/gold smokey eyes (when I am wearing bright, bold lippies) or purple-grey smokey eyes (for days when I prefer the subtle lip colours over loud ones)

Neutral taupe/ gold smokey eyes

Creme Eyeshadow: Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad To The Bronze & Bold Gold

I LOVE these little pot of awesomeness - works well on its own for a quick over the lid colour or perfect as a base to hold your eyeshadow even better. This + UDPP = killer combination to ensure your eyeshadow stays! 

Eyeshadow: INGLOT Freedom Palette (AMC Shine #34, Matte 378 & Pearl 422

After rediscovering my INGLOT palette which I conveniently ignored not long after purchasing them two years ago, I was reminded how great these eyeshadows are! Super pigmented and vibrant, minimum fall outs and doesn't crease! No touch up needed at all when I use them! 

Purple-grey smokey eyes

Creme Eyeshadow: Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Illusoire 

This is my favourite purple-grey-ish (forgive me for the lack of better word) colour and like the Maybelline Color Tattoo, it works perfectly well as a base or on its own. Except, this costs you a few extra plates of dumprings money. :P 

Eyeshadow: Smashbox Girls On Film Softbox Eyeshadow Palette* 

(reviewed and swatched HERE)

I am usually good to go with Minx + Sienna but on days that I felt like a heavier look, I would add a matte black/ burgundy shadow to further intensify the smokey look. Easy peasy. 

Katy Perry X One Direction Fragrance

Lashes: Katy Perry KAPOW lashes* (Massive rave about it HERE) 

As seen in my recent post, I am a HUGE fan of this natural - looking lashes with a hint of purple tone and have been rocking them at every launches I went and Friday night drinks. ABSOLUTE DARLING! 

A fresh look at 8amin the morning! 

This is how it looks at 11pm - as you can see apart from a slight smudging at my lower eyes, the rest of my make up is still pretty intact! All I did was touch up my blush, apply falsies, mattify my face with MAC MSF and apply a bright lip colour! 

And the eye make up is almost as fresh as 7am in the morning! 

You can check out my FAV lip products for a night out/ events HERE. 

I hope you enjoyed this post on my long- lasting make up "secrets".

What are you favourite long lasting products?

OR any secret tips?

Do share in the comment below! 

XOXO,

A

 *PR Samples