M.I.A.

Hello lovelies!!!!

It has been a while since I last updated.... and my backlogged posts (FOTDs, reviews, press releases, OOTD) are piling up faster than my updating rate. But I promised, everything will be back on track once I return to Sydney next Monday. 

For those who don't know, here are a couple of photos (stolen from my sis) to explain my unannoucned hiatus (once again) for the past week.

With ze family @ Universal Studio, Singapore :) 

 

The crazy sis and I

With mummy on Orchard Road.

 

Lil sis who is almost as tall as me and I (this is just another camwhore photo of mine but I like my make up here lol)

I was in Singapore over Christmas and I met up with the lovely Claire and Grace while I was there! 

It was great to have finally meet up with them!:) I shall blog more about it when I get the photos from Grace. Thanks dearies for the awesome Christmas gifts! 

Anyways, stay tune for more updates in a week's time. :) Till then, have an awesome time for the remaining days of 2010. =P  I shall wish you guys a be-earlier-ed HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! :)

XOXO

HOLIDAY-THEMED FOTD!

December is the month of festive or as they call it in the States- "Holidays Season". It used to be true for me when I was a student (think 4 months long summer break. Oh, how I miss you so!) But now, as part of the working world, my Christmas-New Year holidays has been cut down HEAPS to 8 days. :(

ANYWAYS, today's FOTD is kinda holiday-themed (which is kinda a tamer version of my Peacock FOTD), with my favourite colours (besides neutrals) - Coral and Maroon.

I wore this to the mini Sydney Beauty Blogger meet up with Kimmi from The Plastic Diaries, Christabel from Make Up Mole and Clare from CClareBear for high tea at The Victoria Room. That place is LOVELY, the deco and ambiance were perfect for 4 make up enthusiasts to have our beauty conversation over a scrumptious meal! Such a shame that my taste bud was failing me thanks to the nasty flu I was having. But it was a lovely meet up with the girls and I am definitely looking forward to another one next year! :)

Lenses from CircleLensAu

On my EYES

ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer

MAC Paint Pot in Coral Crepe

MAC Shockwave from Fafi Quad

MAC Mineralized Eyeshadow in Play on Plums (Dark Burgandy Colour) 

The Faceshop Eyeshadow Duo in Pink Jewel

ELF Single Eyeshadow in Amethyst

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Eyeliner in Black

Milani Metallic Eyeshadow Pencil in Black

Darkness Falsies (which I ABSOLUTELY love!)

Loreal One in a Million Mascara in Brown

Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Hazelnut

Step 1: Primed my eyes with ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer and MAC Paint Pot in Coral Crepe as a base eyeshadow. 

Step 2: Apply Shockwave all over lid.

Step 3: Apply the Burgandy colour from Play on Plums at the outer half of my crease and outer corner of my eyes.

Step 4: Apply Amethyst at the outer V of my eyes to give the look a better dimension. 

Step 5: Use the lighter pink colour from my TFS Pink Jewel Duo and blend the colour along my crease. Use it as a highlight colour under my browbone.

The final look! Poor photo quality though :(

 

(Forgive the worn out face. I felt so sick after I got home that day =.=")

On my FACE

Etude House Magic BB Cream

Garnier Anti Dark Circles Roll On in Light

Rimmel Hide The Blemishes Concealer in Ivory

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Cream

ELF Warm Powder Bronzer

ELF Powder Blush in Peachy Keen

MAC MSF in Candlelight

On my LIPS

MAC Lipstick in Jazzed

Outfit of the Day

Top: TEMT

Belt: TEMT

High waisted shorts: Glassons

Blazer: Valley Girl

Rings: EQUIP and Sports Girl

Gladiators: Some random shop in Malaysia

This would be the perfect outfit for a gorgeous summer day. Unfortunately, the weather in Sydney has been acting up lately and I just realised we haven't exactly hit 30 degrees SINCE summer started. 

Just throw on a blazer and you're good to go!!! Something more "formal" compared to my shorts-singlets-thongs outfit since we were going for "high tea".

Sulking cos I was so friggin' sick on Saturday. THANK GOD I have almost recovered now, just in time for my work Christmas Party today and my long haul flight in Malaysia. SEE YOU SOON MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE. Weeeeeee!!! :)

I would like to wish my dear readers on Through Beauty Eyes MERRY CHRISTMAS in advanced because I don't think I am gonna see you guys before then. :)

HAVE A GOOD ONE LOVELIES :)

XOXO,

A

FOTD - Summer Favourite!

Hello lovelies!

How is everyone? Sorry for going MIA from this blog for the past week, I have been pretty naughty when it comes to blogging last week. Work and gym took most of time and I am completely exhausted at the end of the day. Also, the weather in Sydney can only be described using one word - temperamental. It can be nice and sunny one day and windy and gloomy the next. Thanks to the constant change of weather + lack of sleep (and maybe a little too much drinking), your truly is now down with a cold, which really sucks huge elephant balls! I am trying to get well before next Thursday as it is my Company's Christmas Party and I am off to Malaysia and Singapore for a week on Friday! (Shopping and FOOD, momma is coming to you!) I will be meeting up with a few bloggers while I am in Singapore too. (take a guess? =P) CAN'T WAIT! =)

ANYWAYS, nonsensical ramblings aside and lets move on to my favourite summer look. :)

This look is extremely easy to create and fail proof - perfecto for summer.

I have been wearing this look to work lately too because 1) I am too lazy to get creative in the morning and 2) I start sweating after the 15 minutes walk to the station and the last thing I want is a melting make up face. 

MY SUMMER ESSENTIALS / FAVOURITE PRODUCTS:

These are the products that I have been using alot lately. I just realised I forgotten to include all the eye products I used - EPIC FAIL!

I don't usually use my MAC Super Slick Liquid Liner in blue - I was just exceptionally lazy on the day I took these photos and couldn't be bothered using a brush to apply my favourite gel liner - Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Eyeliner (which I heard is coming to Australia next year?). Yes, I can be that lazy. =.="

As for the blushes, I am currently into peachy coloured blush. I have been swapping around between ELF Powder Blush in Peachy Keen, Maybelline Mineral Blush in True Peach and my all time favourite MAC MSF Blush in Stereo Rose (which is more of a coral colour than peach).

For highlighters, I have been using my MAC MSF in Candlelight alot lately instead of my all time favourite Illamasqua Powdered Metal in Ether as it gives me that natural glow without being too shimmery. As much as I LOVE my powdered metal to bits, I really don't wanna sweat shimmer bits in this weather. My Benefit Girls Meet Pearl highlighter (as pictured above) is another awesome but neglected product which finally gets to see daylight again last week. I am such a bad owner sometimes lol. 

And for bronzers, I have been swapping between Milani Sunset Duo in Sunset City and ELF Warm Bronzing Powder, which is such a disappointment I must say. It is SUPER chalky its not even funny but since I paid a "premium price" (Australia and their taxes) for it, I am trying to use it just so I don't feel bad. =/

Moving on to the FOTD:

On my EYES

ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer

MAC Bare Study Paint Pot

NYX Single Eyeshadow in Champagne (all over the lid colour)

Dark Brown from my Physician Formula Baked Collection in Baked Spice (Crease colour)

MAC Super Slick Liquid Liner in Blue

Loreal Voluminous Mascara in Black

ELF Eyebrow Kit in Mediu

Remember how I said this Eyeshadow trio is a huge let down because the colours aren't as pigmented as I expected? Well, I actually find the dark brown colour from the trio is perfect as a crease colour when I am going for the subtle look - not too dark but good enough to give a better dimension to my eyes. 

My eyes look like they are swollen? Or maybe they are just weird. =.=""""

On my FACE
Cancer Council Australia Tinted Moisturizer in Creme Beige
(Perfect for summer! Expect a review coming up shortly)
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Powder in Cream
Garnier Anti Dark Circles Roll On in light
Rimmel Hide The Blemishes Concealer in Ivory
Milani Sunset Duo in Sunset City
ELF Powder Blush in Peachy Keen
Benefit Girls Meet Pearl highlighter

On my LIPS
MAC Lipstick in Shy Girl
(My current favourite! Been using this for the past month or so!)


Lighting is kinda shit too, or maybe its just my camera! I think its about time to get a new one. =P

 

 Cos I am gangsta' like this!

Dress worn as Tank Top: Cotton On
Shorts: Kitschen

Because I was in such a camwhoring mode that day.

What are your summer essential and favourite products?

 Any of the products I mentioned or all of the above? =P

 

XOXO,

A

REVIEW: LO'real Studio Secret Smoothing Resurfacing Primer

According to PRIMPED, LO'real Studio Secret Smoothing Resurfacing Primer is designed to give the skin that lovely soft, smooth and flawless finish. It's meant to smooth out complexion, which in turn masks wrinkles and evens out your skin texture. It also aims to disguise those annoying open pores we all get, giving you an awesome airbrushed effect. It will also make your make up slide on super easily!

Before I get into the product, let me give you a brief overview of my skin type. I have very dry skin and my main problem is undereye circles. I barely have any open pores (or at least I think I don't anyways). So, I before applying my tinted moisturizer/ BB Cream, I apply LO'real Studio Secret Smoothing Resurfacing Primer around my nose area because that's where I usually apply my concealer to reduce redness and my undereyes. After a layer of tinted moisturizer/ BB Cream and setting it with pressed powder, I applied another layer on my eyelid and undereyes as an eyeshadow primer before applying my eye make up. 

ABOUT THE PRODUCT:

LO'real Studio Secret Smoothing Resurfacing Primer comes in a little pot as pictured above and its slightly pinkish but goes on clear. The texture is EXTREMELY smooth (think mousse) and glides on easily! It really makes applying concealer and BB Cream much easier and smoother, especially my undereye areas! I love using it for my undereyes circle. According to the reviews I read, it really helps conceal your pores but I can't comment on that. Do keep in mind though, while it works wonders on my face, it does not work as well as an eyelid primer. I would still go back to my ELF Mineral Primer or Urban Decay Primer Potion for that. As for the smell (for those of you who have been reading my blog should know that smell is part of my selection criteria), LO'real Studio Secret Smoothing Resurfacing Primer does have a little scent (which I can't really describe) but it's definitely no biggie. The main set back is probably the price - its retailing at RRP $39.95 for a small pot of product. But hey, if it disguise your pores and give you a flawless finish, its worth every penny right?

RATINGS:

I will give it 4/5, the missing 1 star is how it works on pores. I don't want to be held accountable for false information. =P 

Have you tried LO'real Studio Secret Smoothing Resurfacing Primer? How would you rate it?

And for those of you who has pores problems, does it really help your disguise your pores as it claimed?

Product was sent by Fashionising for consideration.

XOXO,

A

ILLAMASQUA COMPETITION (ENDS TONIGHT @ 23:59 AEST!)

To all my Australian readers,

 
 this is the final couple of hours for you to win $1,000 worth of Illamasqua products!!!! Yes, you read it right, $1,000 worth of products consisting of a 3 hour Transformation, and a makeup kit overhaul including a bespoke Illamasqua makeup collection!!!!

Christabel informed me about this competition half a month ago, asking me to help spread the love. But being the failed blogger and the procrastinator I am, along with my CFA exam and busy schedule, I put it off and kinda forgotten about it till JUST then. And THANK GOD, I was on time and so are you guys!!!


JOIN NOW

This competition closes tonight, 23:59 (AEDST), so get your entry going!!!!!
I have just submitted mine!

JOIN NOW

A tad late but better late than never!!! 

This would of been a pretty darn good Christmas present for me, that's for sure! What about you?


An update is coming up tonight/tomorrow, so stay tune!!! =)
GOOD LUCK. :)


XOXO,
A

FOTD - Au Naturale

IF you have been following me on twitter, you would of probably already known that I have caught the "gym bug" about 1.5 months ago. After "wanting" to join the gym for the past 2.5 years, I have finally committed myself once again (the last time was Fitness First and let's just keep it at "it was shit". shall we?) to a one year gym membership, but this time its with Vclub - which I am enjoying it so far. (not so whenever the soreness hits me, such as now!)

I try to go the gym 4 days a week (Monday - Thursday after work) as I usually stay back for Friday night drinks at work and go out after. Sometimes, I try to go on Saturday, that is IF I could be bothered tracking to  the city (which I have only done twice so far). That means, I have my work make up on most of the time when I hit the gym. I wouldn't say I have a "fully painted face" to work but I do have full make up on *click for my FOTW - working series* - BB cream/tinted moisturizer, concealer, setting powder, eyeshadows, mascara, eyeliner, blush, bronzer, highlighter, lipstick, eyebrows.... you get the drift. I really couldn't be bothered removing ALL my make up before exercising and secondly, I don't usually have much time between walking from work to the gym-the change and my classes. It is probably not a very wise thing to do by clogging your pores up while your sweat is trying to find its way out! Ahhh... we shall keep this for some other day shall we?

So, when I hit the gym during the weekends, I will make sure I have minimum make up on - just to brighten up my face. =)

For my eyes, all I did was fill in my brows (which is probably the MOST important step as it frames your face) and apply 2 generous coats of mascara. =)

I used Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Hazelnut and Loreal Voluminous Mascara (which has mysteriously disappeared! Now I gotta spring clean my vanity corner to hunt that little thing down!)

For my face, I just applied Cancer Council Australia Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30+, with minimum amount of Rimmel Hide The Blemishes Concealer and Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder.

For contouring, I used Maybelline Mineral Blush in True Peach and Milani Sunset Duo in Sunset City.

FYI, I don't usually apply lipstick before I exercise. Heck, I don't even reapply after all my lipstick transferred from my lips to my coffee lid LOL. But for the purpose of this post, and just so it's a complete look, I applied Rimmel Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Vintage Pink.


VOILA - Au Naturaleeeee!

I should probably go to work with make up like this instead of trying to be creative with my neutral colours. Maybe one day, when I finally choose beauty sleep over looking pretty LOL.

I know my eyebrows is abit WHOA but that's because I am growing it atm - hence.... gross LOL.

For those of you who hit the gym after work or school, I did like to know whether you remove ALL your make up prior to exercising OR you're a lazy ass like yours truly and exercise with your make up. I know it's not very attractive to have your make up melting like a chocolate lava while you're on a treadmill but fret not, I don't apply heavy face make up and I use good primer prior to applying my eye make up LOL, so I still look pretty presentable after gyming. Or maybe not, cos I will be drenched in sweat. *gross*

(Speaking of which, I saw this *pretty hot* chick touching up her make up and applying lipstick in the change room before exercising. And she turned out to be my "replacement" belly dancing instructor today, which btw, was shit in teaching.)

For those who don't, what are your thoughts on exercising with make up on? 


Now that I am done with CFA, expect a more frequent update! I have already had a few posts drafted.
STAY TUNE. :)


XOXO,
A

REVIEW: Cancer Council Australia Lipsticks with SPF 30

It's December (how fast does time race by?!?!) - and that means its officially summer here in Australia - except the weather is anything but summer in Sydney. I woke up to the sound of raindrops and the temperature is currently sitting at 19 degrees. To be honest, I am not really complaining since I get to sleep in for an extra 2 hours (as I am on my annual leave to study for my CFA paper on Sunday) and laze around in my sweatshirt, not so good for studying though cos my bed is constantly calling out for me for a little snuggle under the sheets. I should be studying now as I type this blog post away - clearly I am good with my priorities. 

ANYWAYS, back to the topic of SUMMER. ( I am pretty good in digressing, ain't I?) Summer means spending most of your free time under the sun, tanning yourself to get that gorgeous sunkissed tan. 

While we all enjoy tanning ourselves ( yours truly is one of them), we should not ignore the fact that Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world. Each year, over 1850 Australians will die from skin cancer and at least 2 in 3 Australians will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. [source] 

This is why when Roberta from Cancer Council Australia contacted me a month ago to help spreadthe slip, slop, slap, seek and slide message with my readers, I agreed straight away. She even offered to send me a few Cancer Council's SPF30+ beauty products ( to be exact - tinted moisturizers and lipsticks) for trials and review purposes. 

REMEMBER: Everyone in Australia is at risk of developing skin cancer due to high levels of UV radiation throughout the year. 

I will go into further details about the tinted moisturizer when I review them, but today's review is going to be on the lipsticks. =) Simply because I am a lipstick junkie =P

The Cancer Council Australia Lipstick range is pretty small with only 8 shades available. 

According to Cancer Council VIC,  "our lipsticks are one of a small number of SPF30+ lipstick ranges on the market (most lipsticks on the market have a minimum sun protection factor rating of SPF15+). Our lipsticks also have a built-in moisturiser."

Let's take a look at the swatches for the 3 shades that I was sent before going into a detailed review:

L - R: Bougainvillea, Soft Pink, Aztec Berry

WITHOUT FLASH

WITH FLASH

LIPS SWATCHES: 

SOFT PINK

WITH flash

WITHOUT flash

Its more of a nude than pink to me and I am sure many of you agree with me. The actual shade is slightly darker than the pictures. Soft pink will be THE one for you, if you're looking for something nude but doesn't wash you out. 

BOUGAINVILLEA

WITH flash

WITHOUT flash

Bougainvillea is a bright pink colour, which is a big tick in my books. The swatches are quite true to the actual colour for Bougainvillea. This is a pretty bold and bright colour and probably explains why I seldom wear it to work. Low key, kids! 

AZTEC BERRY

WITH flash

WITHOUT flash

Also a bold coloured lipstick, Aztec Berry is slightly darker and less attention-catching. This is the lipstick you should carry around in your make up pouch to add a dash of colour if you decided to go out after work. It's not too OTT eye-catching but will definitely brighten up your look. This is what I did for Nuffnang Christmas Party. =) 

Now, moving on to the review:

PRODUCT (5/5):

As you can probably tell from the photos above already, these lipsticks are definitely the MOST moisturizing lipsticks I have ever owned. I kid you not. It feels incredibly smooth and glides on your lips easily. It feels like a coloured lip balm to me. The colours are pretty pigmented too (I have only swatched once on my hand swatch) and they last for a good few hours. As for the smell, these lipsticks are not scented and it doesn't have a distinct "typical lipstick smell" (if you know what I am talking about). 

PRICE (4/5):

Pricing at RRP of $14.95, I would say that this is pretty decent for Australian standard. A Rimmel Lipstick costs around $10 here and approximately $17 for a Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick. I mean com'on, its SUPER moisturizing and it has SPF 30. =)

PACKAGING (3/5):

Being a sucker for pretty packaging (which is probably 90% of the female population out there), there's really nothing much to shout about the packaging besides "simple and plain". It's just a plain silver casing with the Cancer Council Australia logo printed on it. The name of the lip colour is not even engraved on the casing but a sticker on the casing. But it doesn't bother me of course - I mean pretty packaging scores extra brownie points but at the end of the day, the product still matter the most.

WILL I REPURCHASE?
Not any time soon but I will if I am not placing a lipstick ban on myself due to the overwhelming lipstick collection I own at the moment. 

You can either purchase these lipsticks ONLINE *click* OR check out the Cancer Council Australia stockists at the following suburbs all across Australia:

• NSW: Rouse Hill ,Penrith,Kotara, Warringah Mall, Brookvale, Hornsby, Chatswood, Bondi, Miranda
• QLD: Fortitude Valley 
• VIC: Carlton
• SA: Adelaide
• WA: Subiaco
• NT: Wanguri

I am sorry but I don't know the exact location of the Cancer Council Australia shops. Try googling it or somethingg =) 


Are any of you actually aware of the beauty products (with high SPFs) offered by The Cancer Council Australia? 
( I most certainly don't until Roberta contacted me! Jojoba from My MakeUp Reviews did a review on these products not too long ago. )


If you are, have you tried any of their products?


DISCLAIMER:  These lipsticks are sent to be for trial and review purposes. I am not getting paid for this review neither am I affiliated with them. All opinions stated here are 100% honest. 


XOXO,
A