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

FOTD & TIPS: Simple tricks to create a "done up" look!

Whats up buttercups? 

It has been a while since I last updated this humble space of mine. As some of you may already know, I have been living in a sea of tax textbooks, slaving away for my CA last week. Thank god, it is now over , for now. 

Hence, ThroughBeautyEyes.Com will be back and active again. No more solely Photolog and Instagram posts. :) 

:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:

Have a party to attend but in a hurry? Wanna rock your favourite Kim Kardashian's smokey eyes but running out of time. Fret not, here are a few tips on how to create a "cheating" eye make up that looks more done up than it actually is. 

You can play around with different eyeshadows and lipsticks to look like you have created different look everyday but the basic techniques are the same! 

 Step 1: After applying an eyeshadow primer, apply a cream shadow which matches the eyeshadow colour you will be using later. It helps the eyeshadow stays better and makes it more vibrant. I used Bloom Eye Crayon in Taupe. Chanel D'Ombre in Illusoire is a my other to-go-for cream shadow. 

Step 2: Apply a dark-based eyeshadow such as taupe, grey, dark purple... anything that gives you the smokey effect all over your lid. I used my INGOT taupe e/s here but Minx from Smashbox Girls On Film Palette (swatched and reviewed) is also my other all-time favourite. You may pat on extra eyeshadow on the outer corner to create a more smokey effect. Don't forget to blend away the harsh edges! 

Step 3: Line the lower lashline with a waterproof pencil liner. The last thing you want is have your eyeliner smudging halfway through the day. My HG eyeliner pencil is Milani Liquif'eye Eyeliner Pencil in Black. 

Step 4: Set the eyeliner with a black eyeshadow. My favourite combination now is Milani Liquif'eye Eyeliner Pencil and the black eyeshadow from NVEY ECO Eyeshadow Palette. 

Not only does this step help your eyeliner stay in place, it softens the look and makes it smokier too. Double bingo! 

Step 5: Apply waterproof liquid liner on your upper lashline. Don't forget to wing it. I am using Maybelline Hyper Sharp Liner in Black.

Final step - Apply generous coats of your favourite mascara to complete the look. My current favourites which give me those luscious lashes are Australis Voluptulash and Australis Killer Curls. 

VOILA - the complete look! 

Don't forget to put on your favourite coloured contacts/ circle lenses. It does make a difference. I am using EOS J203 Adult Green (reviewed HERE) but EOS G201 Max Pure Gray(reviewed HERE) is also my other favourite when I want to go for the more dolly/Japanese look. 

On my FACE

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in Soft Nude

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in Ivory (as highlighted)

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Make Up

Hello Kitty Compact Powder in Pashmina Ambre (as bronzer)

ELF Natural Radiance Blusher in Glow

Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder

On my LIPS

Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait

As it was just another casual Sunday, I decided to go with a more neutral-toned lips rather than a bold one. But feel free to swap it with a loud fuchsia lip or a bloody red lips if you wish to - whatever that floats your boat. 

Another version - using Minx from my Smashbox Palette and MAC Watch Me Shimmer lipstick PLUS falsies :)

This is what I like about make up - there is so much room for creativity - as long as you don't go overboard, mix and match fun times always give you a pretty final result. 

Running out of getting-ready time before a night out with the chicas? Here's the wrap up for a few tips that could come in handy :P

* Put on some coloured contacts/ circle lenses

*Use darker eyeshadows (swap taupe for grey or dark purple) for a smokier effect

* Smudge your lower lash line 

* Coat on LAYERS of mascara (Or you might add on some falsies if you wish)

* Play around with your lipstick collections 

What are your cheat-tricks when you are running out of time to get ready?

Have a great week lovelies!!

XOXO,

A

SMASHBOX GILS ON FILM SOFTBOX PALETTE 3 in 1 - Swatches, Quick Thoughts, FOTD

Don't you love the triumph feeling or the satisfaction you have when you manage to get hold of something exclusive or limited edition, something along those lines? 

Well, I know I do. 

(Yes, I am one of those consumers who get sucked into limited edition stuff pretty easily, a tad too easy for my own good.)

If you are a fan of Smashbox and happens to live in this continent that starts with an A and ends with an A, Christmas might have came earlier for you! :)

SMASHBOX brings you the brand NEW and limited edition Girls on Film Colour Collection, exclusive to KIT! This film-worthy collection is inspired by the magic that happens when you capture the perfect shot!

 

Girls on Film Photo Op Eye Palettes (Softbox / Smokebox) - $64.95

Girls on Film Cream Eyeliner Travel Brush Set (Blacklight / Sepia) - $39.95

Girls on Film Blush Rush (Pose / Silhouette) - $34.95

Girls on Film Lip Enhancing Gloss (Overexposed / Underexposed) - $26.95

The Limited Edition Smashbox Girls On Film Collection will be available exclusively at Kit Cosmetics & Mecca Maxima stores nationally from 24 October 2011.

I was lucky enough to be the proud owner of the Girls On Film Softbox Eyeshadow Palette courtesy of EGPR. on the launch day itself, which was Monday, the 24th of October. :)

TOP - L to R: Fizz, Pebble, Minx
BOTTOM - L to R: Vanilla, Ignite, Sienna

 All the perfect neutral shades in ONE palette! What more could you ask for? :)

SWATCHES:

Fizz, Pebble, Minx

Vanilla, Ignite, Sienna 

QUICK THOUGHTS:

Quick thoughts because I have only used this palette twice this week, hence, unable to provide a detailed review as yet. As you can tell from the swatches above, the colours are pretty pigmented but not the most pigmented eyeshadows I own. Pebble is a purpleish-grey colour, the only matte colour in the palette, which pigmentation is probably the lowest compared to other shimmery/pearly colours. My make up lasted all day and survived an intensive pump class with an eyeshadow primer underneath albeit there was some creasing on my middle lid area. I reckon that's more of my watery eyes issues than the eyeshadows' formula.

FOTD: 

Quick FOTD using my brand new Softbox Eyeshadow Palette. 

On my EYES

ELF Eyeshadow Primer

MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque

Ignite - all over the lid colour

Minx - Outer V

Vanilla - Brow bone highlight

Maybelline Falsies Volume Express Mascara in Black

Mineresse Tight Liner in Black*

Milani Liquif'eye Eyeliner in Black

ELF eyebrow Kit in medium

On my FACE

Australis Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 15*

Nude by Nature Natural Mineral Cover in Medium*

ModelCo Desk to Date Blush*

Flomar Terra Cotta Blush in 43 (Bronzer)

MAC MSF in Candlelight

Maybelline FIT ME Concealer in Light

Australis Ready-Set-Go Translucent Powder*

On my LIPS

Rimmel Lasting Finish by KATE Lipstick in #12*

(New favourite for summer!)

PS: Excuse the quality of the photos. All photos were taken my new iPhone 4S. (Isn't the best quality I have taken but its actually pretty good for non-camera-pikchas.)

Are you a fan of exclusive and limited merchandise too? 

What are your lemmings from the Smashbox Girls on Film collection?

Disclaimer: The Smashbox Palette and items marked with asterisk (*)  were either gifted at events or sent to me for consideration purposes. I was not compensated for this post. All opinions stated are 100% honest. For more information, please refer to Through Beauty Eyes disclosure policies. 

XOXO,

A