LOTD: Formal a.k.a camwhore

LOL, actually it's just long sleeved white shirt and dark-coloured pants, paired with covered-toes shoes. I wore a velcro-buckle 2.5inch pumps. Just nice to walk with a better (forced) posture, for long enough without screaming about the pain.

I thought this washroom is really pretty!!! wow, it's like walking into some walk-in wardrobe... so I didn't edit the picture background. I hope it is not offensive to anyone to see a well-done washroom...

There is even a makeup area by the door...

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SILKYGIRL QuikClean Nail Polish Remover GENTLE

I have finally finished 2 bottles of acetone nail polish removers over some two years.

But that means I can at long last start on an acetone-free one! I bought my Silkygirl during one of those Watsons' 20% discount periods. And it has been sitting on my shelf since. :P

SILKYGIRL QuikClean Nail Polish Remover GENTLE

Available: Most major pharmacies. Watsons U.P $3.90

Volume:

Star Properties: Enriched with Vitamin E. Acetone-free, gentle and effective.

Ingredients:

To be honest, I wouldn't say that these ingredients are absolutely gentle or safe etc, because I do smell very strong alcohol smell (as can be read on the list in the photo).

All I can say is that for commercial and cheap nail polish removers, they are more or less bound to have some form of alcohol... ... Especially if you consider the way our polishes are made these days... ... Every brand is claiming the polish to be staying, non-chip, glossy, what and whatnot.

In my field of study, it is hard not to believe that the more "good" properties you want out of a material or product, the more chemical and man-made it will have to be. In research, Scientists are in fact looking to make these "perfect" ingredients/materials, simply by virtue of the old-time saying that "nothing in this world is perfect".

Too true. Nothing in Nature is perfect on its own. Many things work in harmony with each other, work in balance... ... Even when Man finds a natural ingredient that is so wonderful, such as gingko nuts, it has to be controlled (or else you will get poisoned!). The leaf of the rhubarb plant can't be eaten too, for all the goodness of the red stem... ...

So, if you have good nail polishes, you arguably need good and therefore man-made/chemical-based removers.

LOL, I am being naggy and philosophical again today...


Packaging
I like the texture, shape and height of the bottle. I am also okay with the cap and the dispense hole, which is of the right size.

Effectiveness
Perfect!

I think this is the most effective remover I have used so far. I only need to rub the dispense mouth all over one side of my cotton wool, and I effectively removed every bit on polish on all ten fingers!

I use the normal Watson's cotton wool, and I didn't soak the it. Comparatively, I had to soak the cotton pad with my previous acetone remover from Daiso, and it still didn't clean 10 fingernails at one go effectively.

Removal of the red from Elianto.

Smell
Overwhelmingly irritating. I don't like acetone, I don't like the smell of chemicals and alcohol. So I find this alcohol based one still as unpleasant as the acetone ones.

Rating: 4.5/5
I will recommend and will repurchase!

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Revlon Colourburst Lipstick in Sienna

Revlon Colourburst in Sienna is my second Revlon lipstick. The first being Colourburst in nude, which I thought was really good because it had been one of the rare drugstore nudes when this range first launched many months ago.

To tell the truth, I was extremely disappointed in that because Revlon Colourburst claims so many properties, such as rich colour, and non-dryness of course. But Nude was horrid. It made me look like a corpse.

I wanted to do a really bad review on it and never get another Colourburst, saying something like nudes from Western brands are only suitable for Westerners, as GOSH in Darling, the so called nude lipstick Queen, is much raved about by Westerners, but it absolutely doesn't works on me.

Anyway, so I finally decided to give Revlon another chance and I am glad Sienna is working really well!

Revlon Colourburst in Sienna

Available: Various large supermarkets and pharmacies

Star Properties: Rich in colour, creamy in application

Packaging

I think I bought this because of the packaging. hahahaha.

I remember thinking how extraordinary similar this is to Chanel de Coco Rouge. Extremely similar. I will definitely put them side by side to compare when I get down to reviewing Chanel de Coco.

It's that extra royal casing with the brand name smack in a strip across the middle that makes it look so good. Plus, the casing is patterned on the front and back, but not on the sides. LOL, perhaps, we can say that at half the price, one can get the same feel!

Colour on Skin
It actually turns out a little bit brown when I tested it at the counter. And I bought this colour because I wanted a brown.

Rich and True
However, this did not turn out anything like what you see above. It is rather red on the lips, and also turns out more red in photos.

What I like is that the colour is so true to that you see on the lipstick, as in the with flash and without flash photos below.

(Left) With flash, (right) without flash.

Super nice right!

Shine
Besides the Colourburst really bursting with richness, it is also suitable non-drying and shiny. I think this is one of those lipsticks that I didn't feel the need to enhance with lipgloss. Especially since, this is a rather formal colour, so I reckon that when I wear it, it would be with more neutral and formal clothes that don't require the gloss.

Can actually sort of see a bit of reflection in my lips, and on the right is me facing the sunlight, so that there is some shine.

Type of Colour
One thing about drugstore brands is that they never fail to offer the most basic and most neutral of colours. Probably due to the positioning in the market, having a mass price means the product should be commonly used, easy to wear colour that everybody can use... ... Or else no one would buy!

As for high end brands, people shell out the money for uniqueness, and don't like to see dupes all over the market, even though more often than not, you would find a very similar colour, say for a MAC lipstick.

This is the overall look of the lips paired with eye makeup. Perhaps by coincidence, I used the latest Revlon palette here... ... Wanted to test it out as well.

Rating: 5/5
I am really happy with this colour in particular (please don't get the Nude shade and regret like I did). It's only my second truly neutral colour. The other one being Make Up Store in Poppy that I talk about sometimes during FOTD. That's a sweet pinkish mauve while this is a bolder shade. =)

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Marigold HL Low Fat Milk - The Truth & Clever Marketing for Milk

The 2L container of my usual milk ran out of stock, so I decided to make do with carton packed ones. HL, to my surprise, is actually the cheapest on the shelf, and since it's soooo highly advertised, I just took it. Little did I knew that I would absolutely hate this milk.

I literally grew up with the HL advertisements, and I know my favourite McD uses Farmhouse, which is the most expensive amongst the choices. But I decided to go with ads over what McD uses. Wrong choice.

This is an unusual review for a beauty blog, but let's make the link... ... milk is good because it is nutrient packed, so it is needed for maintaining good spirit, good skin, good health and good body. hahaha. Actually I don't think I need to repeat whatever all milk ads are telling you. Milk is just positively nice. =)))))

So here is why I really don't like HL: (first time in my life drinking this brand)

Marigold HL Low Fat Milk

Available: Carrefour RM 4.39

Volume: 1L (4 servings)

Star Properties: 9 Vitamins

Packaging
Of course it's good! All these imported products always can't be that bad. Especially in lieu of having experienced one too many big container bottles with horrible screw caps that leak. Let's just say, I am not very used to worrying about whether bottles will leak, because none of those back home does... ...

Over here, every time I want to place a bottle lying down, I'd have to think twice. I once had to spend more than half an hour cleaning up the refrigerator because the orange juice leaked over days and night without my knowledge. A lot of it was dried up all over the shelves, the door shelves, the bottom door and floor... ...

Taste
Horrible.

Perhaps it is good for those who like Vanilla and/or sweet drinks. But I am used to the taste of milk, fresh milk, pasteurized milk, skim milk, liquid milk, non-gimmick milk... ...

I like to buy that Nubian Goat (Fresh) Milk from Vitacare or Carrefour (which has so many customers, the fridge runs dry of stock too fast).

Basically, when milk taste fake, I can tell.

Ingredients
That brings me on to the ingredients, because I bleh-ed at the vanilla taste that I proceeded to check out the ingredients list.

Horror when I saw milk solids and then all the added stuff.

Milk solids means this milk is made out of pouring water to dissolve packet milk. This means that I could just buy Anlene or Omega 3,6 and then crack a Centrum multi-vitamin in.

I am fine with the vitamin. But milk solids?

I didn't realized I was paying more for someone else to brew the packet milk for me, since I do have the habit of boiling and pouring my own hot water over teabag or whatever powder I have a craving for.

For those who are already drinking fresh milk or liquid "real" milk, I think you get the drift about solids and non-solids... ...

It's a little bit like our organic or non-organic beliefs, natural or non-natural origins beliefs when it comes to skincare or cosmetics.

I fall on the side of trying to shift towards natural/organic as much as possible... so I am a little irked that the HL I have high regards for since young turns out to be them brewing the milk powder for me. Haiz. So much for HL.

Guess I am just sort of disappointed. So for those who believe that as long as you get the calcium, protein and vitamins, here are the other details and benefit of this. =))

Nutrition Information

Why HL is good for you.

9 Vitamins in HL

Rating: 3/5
I will give it the benefit of the doubt that the added contents inside are of appropriate amount and good quality for you. But I don't like the added Vanilla taste and I don't like knowing I am just drinking milk powder.

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21st Birthday Present: Choosing the Right One

I am not sure if I am the only person ever asked (haha), but I do get a lot of friends looking for me when it comes to presents and gifting, especially if that receiver is a female, and in particular, a girl.

Recently, I was approached a couple of times to suggest birthday presents for others, friends of friends, whom I don't know. My own younger brother is turning 21 this mid-August, and I already got him a gift of sorts.

Being (long) passed that stage of 21, I think perhaps I should share what I got and a few gift ideas that I have offhand. They are all meant to be sweet and particularly meaningful (I hope), both for girls and guys. I am not the sweetest person around but be sure that if you are one of those who've received a gift from me before in your lifetime, I took at least 2 months to 6 months to think about it. =) So here are just a few pointers:

Don't worry about giving a key, cos the parents would have done that if it's a chalet party.

 Picture credit to http://www.mayour.net/?p=262

1) Know Thy Friend
Know your friend if you wish to create the eyes-wide-opened effect. To surprise the person, you will need to be extra observant in your normal outings, and take note of what the friend says.

When I am out with my good friends, and I hear something they say they want, I will go home and write it down on my notebook, so that when present day comes, I have a little list on hand to get the thing he/she WANTS.

Often, this will evoke the kind of "HOW did you KNOW I WANT this???" exclamation. hahaha. It's very nice when my friends give me this response. :D:D:D

2) Personalize - To Make It COUNT
A couple of guys have asked me why a girl always feels that the gift is about how much it costs, while they insist that it's the thought that counts. True? Wrong.

Girls do agree with guys that it's the THOUGHT that counts. But ask yourself, when you bought the gift, how long did you spend thinking what to buy? How long did you really shop for it? Did you personalize it? Did you write something to BRING OUT the meaning of it?

Don't have to kid yourself... ... If you didn't do all these, where is the so-called thought that you claim counts???

Like I've said... my gift items were thought of at least 2 months before. Sometimes I plan up to a year on what to buy. My gift will most definitely be personalized. They come with my own packaging, and the reason why I bought that. I make an entire gift concept, not just a gift, so that people FEEL that it is MY gift, not a plucked out of thin air thing to make do for the day.


3) Girls Like To Have MANY, Guys Like ONE BIG Gift
This is a general rule of thumb to follow. Needless for me to say, most people are aware that most guys are practical. So this means they will prefer something like one iPod, a watch, a good wallet, quality belt, tie, etc.

While girls like the IDEA of having 21 sweet small cupcakes, 21 keychains, 21 flowers, something like that. It doesn't matters the price and size, it matters the amount.

So unless you can really afford it, getting a branded bag will burn a whole in the pocket because one branded bag doesn't FEELS as good as 21 keychains. To be honest, which one has more thought and which one is sweeter??? Right... think you get the drift.

On to actual gifts:


The One I Remember From My 21st Birthday
My favourite was a clorets-size Godiva chocolate (which I know costs about $12), with a cartoon character aluminium helium-air balloon tied to the Godiva paper bag. Inside also contains a 5cm x 5cm notebook with the happiest moments of my friend (female) and I together, illustrated over quite many pages.

Total cost: ~$30-40. Looks is ultra small.

BUT I remember it better than other more costly ones. Thoughts is 1001%.

My Presents:

1) A friend of mine likes elephants, and is really sporty, so I got a her a nice elephant t-shirt which I know is practical for her to wear for her sport activities.

2) A Little Miss Sunshine t-shirt that a friend said she was looking high and low for. I rolled up the shirt and tucked it into the "pencil holder" of a Baby Tasmanian Devil soft toy holding the pencil holder.

Her favourite character is the Baby Tasmania, other than Snoopy and Mickey. It was meant to be the packaging for the t-shirt, but I made it count by getting the packaging in something she likes. haha, ended up she liked the soft toy more than the shirt! LOL.

3) The Body Shop Cassis Rose EDT for farewell to an ex-colleague because she said her current in-the-handbag bottle is running low, and took it out to show me months before. On that day, she had totally forgotten she ever said anything, and was wondering how I knew she was about to buy that. hehehe, so happy!

4) A pair of MiniBits earrings that are mismatched, with a musical note on one side and piano on the other. My friend said she wanted to learn a musical instrument, and said she is super in love with musical notes and wanted a earring.

5) My first Valentine's Day gift consisted of about 6 items. One of them is a translucent "toolbox" filled with different types of heart-shape chocolates just to bury the real gift, which was a watch. On top of the heart chocolate "burial", I put two mini-pooh soft toys, one Pooh Bear and one Tigger, as Tiger is the year of that receiver.

I sealed the box by tying it up with 3 hankerchieves (this guy uses hankerchief), and pinned alphabet badges onto the hankerchieves spelling out our initials.

This concept was quite draining on me. But it did its work! hahahaha. The receiver told me he never thought there would be a watch underneath all the soft toys and chocolates.

6) Another Valentine's Day gift is a Starbucks transparent cup with handmade roses tied onto the straw and folded hearts strewn inside the cup, like a rose garden.

7) My bro is entering Uni this year, and I thought that before he enters, he should "upgrade" some personal belongings. His wallet is 3-4 years old, and he did told me he wanted to buy one for himself. I bought it for him. =)

Bought a pencil case for him as well and belts, as he will not be wearing uniform anymore. =)

---------------
So you see, apart from observing the friend over time, it also matters the timing of the gift. For 21 year-olds, it's always about celebrating the coming of age, of growing up, doing things non-"adults" don't do.

So for girls, it may be putting on makeup, using proper skincare, using perfume, wearing more sophisticated accessories (gold, silver earrings and crystal necklaces). Wearing a certain different style of clothes... ... If you know your friend's size, may like to get her a more grown up one-piece dress (since white blouse and pants are a lot more difficult to buy without trying). Or perhaps a more grow-up style casual bag... ...

hmmmm, I think offhand, this is about what I can think of. haha, I hope it does inspire some of you to personalize the gift or it does help you in choosing your next gift!

PS: Not sure if there is still anyone reading after I got disconnected for so long, but I'd love to hear your comments/questions/feedback! Thanks a lot for reading through yet another text-filled (informative I hope) post of mine.

I also don't mean to share more what I give in that to show I give more or more expensive things etc. But my birthdays have always been internally celebrated for so many years of my life that I do not have many 1001% thoughtful gifts from friends to share with you about.

I know that some guys are diabetic when it comes to gift, so girls out there, share your own experiences! =)))

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Yves Rocher Cream Balm - 01 Petales De Rose

After passing by the Yves Rocher shop so many times, I finally decided that I should try something from it because I like the idea of using more natural stuff.

However, when I actually stepped into the shop, I realized that very few of their products are actually natural by any count. I don't really understand what the posters are trying to sell... ... Maybe it just means that the packaging is natural, or that the key ingredients are natural.

But as a matter of fact, I see those ingredients like paraffinum liquidum, which I don't want to use their their creams... ... And perhaps due to the different rulings, ingredients are not printed on the cosmetics. So I bought the Cream Balm and a lipstick, but have no means of checking the ingredients. LOL.

Yves Rocher Cream Balm - 01 Petales De Rose

Available: Yves Rocher outlets

Volume: 0.17 oz.

Star Properties: 100% Natural Origins

Packaging
This is one of those lip balms that comes in a tub. Strange, but it seems that a lot of non-drugstore lip balms comes in tubs, like Korres, Make Up Store, The Body Shop, etc.

I think it could be because tube lip balms need to use plastic containers, which may not be so conducive for the more natural ingredients in slightly higher end lip balms.

Feel
I think this feels just right. More towards the oily side, but I am just glad it's not sticky. A makeup artist told me that if anything, a lip balm and lipgloss should not feel sticky. Otherwise, it will create cream peaks when you open and close your lips, which is an ugly sight.

Tinted & Reflective
I like that this balm is tinted, it makes well for days in which I not only want to moisturize my lips, but also have a bit perk-me-up colour, especially in the moody mornings, but I still need to go out for groceries. hahaha. I feel a lot better when I know I am pale and zombie-looking.

This is also slightly reflective, looks like there is a bit of specks in it, which I like. =)

The colour is swatched on the right side of the back of my hand here. =) I said it's bronze in the container and lips, but it does looks more rose pink here. 

Colour
This comes in two shades, simply the darker one and the lighter one. However, both are the same colour, which is bronze. So it may not go so well with people who prefer pink lips.

Last
I think this lasts well enough. Due to it leaning towards being oily, it does wear off when eating. But I guess, lip balms are still lip balms, so I don't expect them to stay on and on like I do for lipsticks. =)

Rating: 4/5
Not bad for the multi-tasking balm, just that it costs more than drugstore... ... lol, really reminds me of Korres.

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Elianto Nail Colour in 14: Chili Red

This is so amazing, sometimes, it pays to check out the things other Bloggers rave about. haha.

I was introduced to Elianto by a couple of Malaysian bloggers, and it appears that this brand is a lot more recognized over there, even though there is a substantially big (most shops in Singapore are about that size - small) Elianto outlet in Tampines Mall.

Before this, Elianto is a little bit like Beauty Credit to me, a shop I would often pass by, turn my head slightly, but never really stopping to touch the items. LOL. (I did pick up some Beauty Credit creams before, but put them back when I saw that the ingredients are not to my liking.)

So before the review, thanks to those who alerted me about this! It's quite a treasure trove because of the affordable pricing, something like Nature Republic, The Face Shop, Etude House etc.

Elianto Nail Colour in 14: Chili Red

Available: All Elianto outlets, ~S$4

Volume: 14ml

Star Properties: Rich colours, with an extensive range.

Packaging
I like the sleek no-frills image of this bottle. White is good. haha. And the not fanciful, straight cyclinder... ...

Brush
I love the brush! It's works really well with the consistency of the liquid, and can do the 3-steps paint. From the photo, it's really no streak, and no leak! =)))))

The shape of the brush allows polish to line the side borders of my nails extremely straight, yet cover the curved lower border. In this way, I end up with salon standard manicure, without having to wash my hands and push away the polish that leaks over to the skin.

Paint
Extremely good consistency. It's like this paint will never streak! It's not flowy, yet very thin! Provides excellent control to the user, so I could paint over and over and over if I fumble, but will not become too thick.

Really really love it to the max! With Elianto, I think I can say byebye to Revlon Nail Enamel (too thin), Nature Republic (chips easily), Skin Food (can accidentally streak) and EVEN Rimmel Lycra Pro (which was my HG, but can be kind of thick).

Colour
I like this red! I think I had quite a hard time trying to find a toned down red. My Revlon is good, but somehow it is slightly too glaring for me.

I now feel this is the red to wear, and the one red to have for girls who really do not like red. LOL.

Finish
This is one of the rare rare rare few polishes that do not require top coat, in my opinion. I think the glossiness is just nice for me, it reflects light, yet not over, and still looks formal instead of girlish/screaming out loud.

Moreover, not every of my top coat works with every brand of nail polish. Some just smears the paint away. =( Or make it grow sticky. haha.

Non-chip
I think this is truly non-chip. Unlike Revlon and Nature Republic, Elianto's paint doesn't seems to drop even though I do housework like cooking and washing. So that's really good!

Price
So cheap! I used to buy the no-brand bottles from random neighbourhood beauty shops to try, because I didn't know cheap and good stuff like this exists.

It was until I started walking into Korean shops (I am not sure what Elianto is...) that I found very high quality yet affordable polishes that beats drugstore staples such as Revlon and Sally Hansen, and beat them hands down at that.

Colour Range
The colour range is really big, in my opinion. I had such a hard time choosing a couple of them to buy. They all look so nice, can't help eying each one twice and thrice over.

I think they have a larger collection than Nature Republic and Skin Food.

But the range is of a different genre. Elianto carries pure flat colours. Like yellow yellow, blue blue, smack in your face kind of "ugly" green. I actually went to check Elianto out because I notice the pure colours, like water colour/crayons, and I wanted to get something to dress up for World Cup.

(haha, yes, I am quite a big fan of world cup, and when inspiration struck, I dressed up for the team I support. This red is part of the dressing for Germany.)

Comparatively, both Nature Republic and Skin Food are into the sparkle, gleamer, shiny range...

Rating: 5/5
Holy Grail Colour, Brush, Paint consistency now!

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LOTD: The Dior Without Dior (Success)

I've finally got it done. In between, I tried another shade of pink and failed again. haha, but this time, I am really happy with the look and how the colour tones match my Asian skin tone. This is a very good colour combination of pink and bronze too, instead of the usual just pink or just brown if one were to simply stick to the standard palettes combination. =)))

Time to share!

The Dior Without Dior

Eyeshadows:
- Top Outermost - Majolica Majorca Pink Palette 3rd colour (bottom left quadrant)
- Top Middle - Nevy Eco #1 Palette Brown
- Top Third Colour- Nevy Eco #1 Palette Salmon / O2 Skin pink salmon
- Bottom Outermost - Silkygirl Duo Light Purple
- Inner V - Nevy Eco #1 Palette White

I understand that the Nevy Eco Palette is beyond the drugstore range. But you can pretty much use any chocolate brown, like the Silkygirl one. Don't pile on too much, and it will appear bronze. Even for the pink, I only dab... Applying too much of the Majolica colour will be too wayang, as in my failed attempt.

For the salmon colour, trust me, just use any salmon pinky peach. The thing about drugstore however, is that I can't find any palettes with salmon at all... O2 Skin is a cheap place to get eyeshadow singles when they have promotions... Otherwise, getting from any brand in Sasa is actually expensive, in my opinion. haha, I don't like buying singles... I am not going to use so much.

I will try using a peach blusher to do the job and revert on this. Drugstore has number of not bad peachy pink blushers. =)))

The purple is easy... Silkygirl duo is affordable enough. For my kind of skin tone, using the lighter violet shade is better, even though I find that Dior's one is a deeper maroon purple.

As for the inner V, I only use the white because it's white. Grab your favourite inner V highligther colour will do. Can be a sort of offwhite, doesn't matters. =) I feel the point is to adapt Dior's Caucassian model look to my own skin, because I am neither fair nor pink.

I also didn't do the undereye black shadow highlight, as it makes me look too muddy, like the failed attempt... panda eyes.

Eyeliner:
- Sharp cat-eye tip - Loreal Superliner

The key thing about Dior's look is the fully lined eyes. And yes, it works VERY well on Asian eyes. I have read a couple of tips here and there, and those experts tell us not to line the whole eye, 4/5 in, 3/4 in etc.

Actually, these tips are just tips. You can still go out of the expert's advice if it works for you.

I am using the Superliner because it's really ultra precise to finish in the sharp tip, as compared to the gel liner. However, you can use any brand you are used to, that allows you to control it this way.

Mascara:
- Lengthening - Maybelline Intense XXL

LOL, I haven't finish this tube after 2 years!!!

It is an old model, but works really well. Even with all the Japanese brands, I still feel that this XXL model is better because of the white colour lengthening side. (I curl with the Manicare 24K gold-plated lash curler, cheap and good. I haven't rant about M.A.C's yet. Stupid curler.)

Blusher
Anything coral will do. But don't overdo. This look has emphasis on the eyes and lips, just keep the cheeks and natural as possible.

In this picture, I use M.A.C Instant Chic. I also like Benefit Sugarbomb. And I have used Silkygirl Duo with the coral peach before.

Nowadays, I like to alternate between Silkygirl and Sugarbomb. Silkygirl is coral, so it's very build-able. I can apply a lot or just dust twice. Sugarbomb is really mild no matter how you pile it. But it gives the pearlescent look... shiny, translucent glow. Ultra pretty. haha.

I did Instant Chic just to try out if it works for the Dior look... I will try other blusher options in time to come as well.

Lipgloss:
Anything purplish pink - M.A.C Lipgelee in Preppy

I tried this one out this time because it has reflective specks. =)

Okay, now for front view and both eyes:

This is my Holy Grail look for now! I don't like to stick to pure pink, and I am not a fan of neutral eyes. This is a colourful yet toned down way of expression, unlike those blues one I did before. So happy.

That's all for today, Byebye!

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OXY/Acnes (Mentholatum) UV Tinted Protector SPF 50 PA++

wow, it's been so long since I reviewed anything. This time, I managed to lose the USB connector for my handphone... =( And I officially lost every piece of music and photo in my handphone because it is unable to detect the phone's hard drive.

OXY/Acnes UV Tinted Protector

(Mentholatum sells it under OXY in Malaysia, and ACNES in Singapore.)

Available: Carrefour Malaysia, Watsons Singapore, etc

Star Properties: UV Protection, prevents blemishes, oil control

Packaging & Dispense
Really good! haha, I've been quite happy with Mentholatum's packaging in general, including the Men's line. This UV protector comes in a small bottle with the typical drip tip that Japanese sunscreens such as Biore and Sunplay has. Small, and good to keep in the bag if you like to reapply.

Viscosity
I actually like the flow of this mixture so much more than others because it is thicker. This is probably due to the high silicone content, since cyclopentasiloxane is the first ingredient.

Tinted + Even Skin Tone
I like the fact that this is a tinted sunscreen because I do not put foundation. This is a very good base and really does make my face more porcelain. It does what it promises. =)

No Skin Irritation
I highly suspect I am allergic to cyclomethicone, but it does seems that my skin feels alright with cyclopentasiloxane. Like many other girls, I tend to break out if the moisturizer or blusher etc comes with a high level of cyclomethicone, normally in the top three, but not this one.

Oil Control
To be honest, I don't have oily skin to begin with. But my SO, who is very into this as well, likes it a lot. He has oily skin, and he has repurchased more than 5 bottles already. I am just "stealing" one of them. haha.

But for one thing, I am actually surprised that it did not dry me out. I have tried the other ACNES products, like toner, face wash and moisturizer. All of them are too dry for me.

Ingredient Concern
Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are within the top five on the list. But if you know you are really, really allergic to silicone, talc, mica etc, I don't think it'd be wise to use this.

However, I have read a number of good reviews about this, and non-extreme cases like mine, should have no problem.

Holy Grail
I wouldn't say this is my HG sunscreen yet, because in terms of ingredients, I have another favourite (not yet reviewed). But this is by the best foundation sunscreen I've ever used!

Rating: 4.8/5
Slight concern over ingredients. But otherwise, rave-worthy sunscreen. =)

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