L'oreal Revitalift Fit & Lift Stretch Mask (Anti-wrinkle + Firming)

I was at Watsons after a hectic day at work, and it happened to be the great 1-day member sales. I couldn't help but make a haul! haha. And I couldn't help grabbing the L'oreal Revitalift Mask when I saw it at the cashier. I just thought it was so cheap, and I needed something to pamper myself. =P So glad that I like it.

L'oreal Revitalift Fit & Lift Stretch Mask (Anti-wrinkle + Firming)

Apologise for the picture. It looks so used because I dipped my hand in to use the remaining essence. =P

Available: Watsons, $2.40


Volume: 1 Piece with 24ml of essence


Star Properties: Infused with Pro-Retinol A, Fibre Elastyl, and Hyaluronic Acid for power anti-wrinkling, firming, and hydrating respectively. The mask is also soft and stretchable to fit Asian face form perfectly. Lift tissue works ingredients into the skin. (Copied off the description on the back of packet as shown in photo below.)

Instructions
Unfold the mask and leave on face for 15 minutes. Pressing softly tissue mask on skin from time t o time to help absorption. Remove mask and massage excess product into skin. Recommended to use twice a week.


Results
After first use: Skin is soft and hydrated. Skin feels supple.
After frequent use: fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced. Skin is firmer, feels more comfortable and looks more radiant. 
After 4 weeks: 100% women agree their face contours are like lifted, and skin looks more elastic and younger. (Self-assessment by 53 women who used it 2 times a week.)


Ingredients (full list below)
Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate were the ones that caught my eye.

Apparently it is made in China, with a patent pending, if this will affect your decision to purchase.

Packaging
haha, what can I say. I like it! My head turned when I saw the jewel red packet.

What I especially like about this though, is that the cut at the top is good. I have used so many masks that just don't tear off in one horizontal line properly. And I ended up having to use scissors or force pull the mask out.

Size
This is really big, as you can see. I think most masks that come in square packs like this are big. It's those Korean or Taiwan masks coming in smaller rectangular packets that can be too small for my face. =P I am very particular, because my face is wide, and I would like my mask to stretch all the way to the hairline.

Cutting
I like how this masks has the eye flaps, and only cuts one line for the nose. I don't like those that use nose flaps, because that means there would be some uncovered skin around the nose. Apparently, this can be done because L'oreal Revitalift is stretchable!

Does it live up to all those claims that I typed out above?
Yes, it does! Surprisingly. But yes! And I am so over the moon about it. I really felt like my face was new and young again, as though I just went for my monthly facial. My skin felt soft, smooth and supple, really *toing toing like they say in those TV ads. Can't believe it.

If you notice, I actually haven't blogged about masks in a long while. That's because I didn't find any masks sheets particularly impressive. But when I used this, I sure do think it beats all my older raves. L'oreal Revitalift is better than the Watsons Birdnest, Neutrogena, Nature Republic, and definitely better than My Beauty Diary!

Essence
With 24ml of essence, it is definitely enough for me to dip back in and get some for my neck, arms and thighs. =PPP

Did it irritate my skin?
No! Surprisingly too. I have had bad relationships with L'oreal and Olay skincare products, and I almost didn't want to buy this because I was afraid my skin can't take it. Even their cleansers make my skin jump, not to mention those moisturizers... ... However, I didn't feel a tinge of irritation at all, though I left this mask on during sleep, for some 2 hours.

Oh, and it didn't dry up after that long even though I slept with the air-conditioner turned on.

I LOVE this: 6/5
This is by far the only mask that I feel like repurchasing in bulk! Go, go, grab it if you need a face lift and MOOD Lift! =D

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Love Lauren Luke Flat Contour Brush

I've never understood the importance of having good brushes, and even thought I don't need them until I got EcoTools, Sonia Kashuk, and now, Lauren Luke.

I've never really blogged about my other brushes, but by starting off with the Lauren Luke ones, it does not means that the rest are not good. It just means I need to start somewhere, and I am sharing about my latest ones first.

Lauren Luke Flat Contour Brush

Available: https://laurenluke.com/shop/, GBP 5.25


Volume: 1 brush, ~18.7cm long (this is really quite a long brush)


Star Properties: For sharp or subtle blending effects when using powder products on the cheeks, nose and jaw line. Goat hair. (Taken off Lauren Luke Shop website.)


Packaging
All my brushes came in individual transparent plastic with stick-stick, like a super long envelope. It is very drugstore style, even though I bought the Set of Eight Essentials. Lauren Luke does not provide special brush rolls for her only set, unlike the Real Techniques ones or Sigma.


However, I am not complaining. In fact, I hope she continues to keep the prices down than provide brush rolls but charge more. (In my very honest opinion, I think the Real Techniques ones are very expensive because one set comes with so few brushes. This means you are actually paying so much for those stand-able brush rolls, which you may not need.)


If Lauren Luke ever decides to have a brush roll, I hope she makes it optional, so it is clear how much one is actually paying for a brush roll.


Brush Hair Design and How I Use It
The brush is not round. It has a flatter side but fatter side, a slimmer side, and it is oval-shaped, like an eye.


If you use the fatter side to apply blush, your blush will look rounder.

 Flatter, fatter side.

I placed it like so on my cheek bone:

And because this way, the height of the brush is taller, I can pick up a gradient of colors from the SilkyGirl blush, and the result is as below, where you can clearly see the highlight at the top, and the darker bronzing color at the bottom.

(Before blending out) SilkyGirl blush using Lauren Luke Flat Contour Brush.

And I blended it out to look like this. You can still see the roundness of the blush due to me using the fatter side of the brush.

Blended out.

If you use the slimmer side to apply blush, your blush will look sharper.

 Slimmer side.

Next, I used the slimmer side to pull blush upwards towards my ear. (I am sorry that this picture can be a bit misleading. I actually used the slimmer side on my other cheek, but I am holding the brush on my left cheek, because my left hand is not functional. I need my right hand to hold the camera.)

Slimmer side to move upwards towards my ear.

And my left cheek looks like as below. And you can see that the blush edge is sharper here, and not round.

Blended out on left cheek.

Lastly, the oval-eye shape from the top allows this brush to go extremely nicely into the hollows of my cheeks, and beside my nose bridge, for precision sculpturing.

Many blush brushes I've used are slight larger, and that slightly difference makes them just that bit too large to sculpture the nose.

But then again, the Lauren Luke one is actually called a contour brush. It is a contour brush that can be used as a blush brush, not the other way round, like I keep saying in my video. =P I am so sorry about the mistake.

Oval-eye shape flat top.

The flat top allows me to buff. Be it buffing out harsh lines or buffing in loose powder, I had not problems with both using this brush!

And lastly, I applied bronzer too, to look like so:

From front, both ways of applying blush.

If you notice, my left cheek (your right), has the blush going way lower, almost down to my mouth. This is because I used the fatter side of the brush.

And my right cheek (your left), has the blush ending right at the level of my nose. This is because I used the slimmer side of the brush.

By rights, it is more desirable for most ladies to use the method for my right cheek (your left), because it will prevent over-do. The rule of thumb is to leave a two finger spacing from your bottom lash line, and two finger spacing from the side of your nostrils, to prevent yourself looking like a clown. This means that my blush really shouldn't be near the level of my lips.

However, on wider faces like mine (heart-shape), it actually pays to pull the blush slightly lower (because I have a LOT more area to play with than people with oval or long face), to give the illusion of a longer face, so that the face is perceived to be closer to the golden ratio of 1:1.618.

(It's just like how every book will advise not to draw eyeliner all the way in, but it just does not works that  way for my eyes. The more defined my eyes, the larger it looks. The more I don't outline the rim, the smaller it remains.)

So you really have to play around and find what accentuate your features more, instead of going by the book as though it is a law. Taking pictures really helps the learning.

haha, that was my two-cents worth on makeup techniques. =P I am not trained in any way. I only learn what is good for myself, because I have no one to practice on. It is more of sharing what I have read, tried, and therefore found out to be true/untrue. If you also have heart-shape face (or round face), no harm trying. =)

I made a video version of this review, to complement this post, because I thought that you may find it so confusing about what I mean by fatter, slimmer. A demonstration is the best way to show it. There are a little bit of extras in the videos, because I brought in a number of blush for comparison. It is still my first few videos, so please be kinder with feedback if any. =) I know it's not perfect as I go through the editing, so I am already taking note and will work to improve!

Here goes:

Before signing off, I'll share a pose I just had to try.

I think it's the redder lips and more intense blush that made me feel this would work. =P

I definitely find this brush,
Positively Nice, 5/5!

Yours truly,
Jyoan
PosiNice

Have you tried the Lauren Luke brushes? What is your best blush brush of all time? And why?

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Battle of the Lash Curlers - Sweet for Anna Sui!

I am not sure if anyone still remembers my battle of lash curlers series. I compared so many lash curlers, all the way from Shu Uemura, M.A.C, to MUJI, QVS, Tweezerman, Talika, and more. But I think I kind of stopped at the Canmake lash curler because I really found it to by my absolute favorite, until now.

I recently decided to open my box of Anna Sui (and I still have a Maybelline one not tested =P), and I must say I immediately replaced my Canmake with Anna Sui!

Anna Sui Eyelash Curler

Available: All Anna Sui counters, $19.


Volume: 1 curler + 1 refill pad


Star Properties: It's purple! And black.

What it looks like on its own. 

I think one of the greatest reason that I can immediately fall in love with using Anna Sui is the similar curve and length that it has with my Canmake curler. In fact, I can't tell the difference with my eyes, as below.

And hen there's the side view. Canmake one has that outer handle more bent outwards than Anna Sui.

 Side view.

What really won me over is the fact that Anna Sui's handle is double stranded, while Canmake's one is single.

Essentially, this means that my fingers feel much, much less pain when pressing down hard! And this is a big plus, because the less pain I feel, the harder I can press down, and the longer I can hold on to the press.

 The winning point!

Positioning, get ready, 3, 2, 1.

And the results are out! Curled up easily, and comfortably!

 Before.

After.

Curling the lashes really open the eyes up! And it's extremely important to get a curler that suits you. I went through so many curlers to get to this one, and it feels sweet.

LOVE this: 5/5!

Have you gone through an equally "arduous" journey trying to find your right curler? If yes, what is your one true love? If no, what is the one you've bought and stuck by over the months/years?

Yours truly,
Jyoan
PosiNice

PS: You may like to check out my other reviews. Links provided below. =D
 - Tweezerman
 - Shu Uemura
 - Talika
 - Canmake

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Multiple Winged Eyes - feat. Lauren Luke Angle Brush

I've never tried to do multiple winged tips before, though I have tried double, because when I did the double one way back then, I felt that the brush I was using just couldn't give me enough control to get the effect I want.

If you've used liquid eyeliners before, such as the L'oreal Superliner, you'd realize that many liquid liners have very soft felt tip, albeit ultra, ultra fine. The softness of it is what prevents greater control by the hand.

And then I started collecting angled eyeliner brush when the one that came with my Maybelline Gel Liner felt like it was going to spoil. I have angled liner brush from Nature Republic, e.l.f, Sasa, hmmm, where else? 

Anyway, my Maybelline Gel Liner brush hasn't spoiled, and so I haven't opened any of the angled liner brush I bought until I got Lauren Luke's!

Her brushes just looks and feels so amazing that I can't help putting it to the test.

So here are the results:

 My right eye. 4 wings. 4 wings looks so cute to me.

 My left eye. I did a star. And I realize it looks like a fish!

This time, I thought I'd share exactly how I do it, instead of just saying angled eyeliner brush and use a gel liner, which wouldn't be much help.

Also, I wanted to see that the brush is reliable, and I can actually replicate this on a different day, which I did.

So here are two videos, that you may (or may not) find of help. =P It took me a lot courage to do it for the first time, even though I've been blogging for so long. Video is a different realm. Do pardon me if the quality is not as good as all those others you've seen. =)

Basic Eyelinining - Using the angled brush to tight line, push line, and draw a rim.

Single and Multiple Wings

For more reference, you may like to watch gossmakeupartist on push lining.

And also, MissChievous on how to get a perfect winged eye line.

Hope you enjoy the videos. Thank you so much for reading.

I love the Lauren Luke Angled Liner Brush: 5/5!

Yours truly,

Jyoan

Do you use a small, small brush like Maybelline's for doing your winged tips? Or do you use an artist's brush from the book store, an angled brush, or a liquid eyeliner? 

What is your favorite gel liner or liquid liner to create the winged tip?

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LUCIDarling Fantastic Rouge by Etude House

I have a countable number of things from Etude House, including my makeup essentials pouch, a stippling brush, and this LUCIDarling lipstick.

I must admit that the sales technique they employ and the appeal of the items do not apply to me. I am probably too old to be their target customer. But once in a while, I do step in and look around to see if there are any gems I am missing. And that was when I got this Fantastic Rouge!

LUCIDarling Fantastic Rouge by Etude House in 05

Available: Etude House


Volume: 4.5g (that's quite a lot of product)


Star Properties: It claims to be formulated with LED (Light Emitting Diode) Pixel Pigment for brilliant expression and shine.

Packaging
For a mid-priced lipstick, this really has the packaging of a high-end one. It comes in a box, like Dior and Chanel. And in the box, is a coffee red tube with a pale pink ribbon rim at the bottom.

It actually reminds me of Maybelline Colour Sensational. Just that the Fantastic Rouge was designed a good two years before Maybelline came out with the packaging for Colour Sensational, and make their design look more classy.

Colour
This color I chose is a blue tone bubblegum pink in pastel texture.

For those familiar with M.A.C, St Germain is paler, but also pastel. Lime Crime Airborne Unicorn is more purple, more lilac pink. Face of Australia's Malibu Barbie looks a little more blue to me, but otherwise the same!

I know that this is an extremely unwearable color, but I got it anyway because I just wanted to see what it really is like wearing such a pink. Moreover, in Singapore, Etude House is the only place that sells such a pink. It really goes to show how unwearable, and therefore how unpopular this pink is.

However, I realized that when I got it on, it isn't all that bad. This pink actually goes well for fairer people (not me). But for me, I think I am more concerned with how extremely bright it is on my face! hahaha, I bet I will make heads turn and eyes stare if I go out with this.

My photos here are all true to the color I see. So you can see for yourself if this suits you.

Texture
The other reason I bought is because the quality of this Fantastic Rouge is good! It is not stick or oily, very, very pigmented, glides on so well. If you're not into bright pinks, I'd say, you may like to check out 01 to 04, and 06 of the Fantastic Rouge range!

Cost
This is not cheap. I did hesitate to get it. But for 4.5g, it is not bad a deal, considering Rouge Dior is only 3.5g at $44. hahaha, but yes, I know, I can't really compare an apple with a orange.

I like this: 4/5
Other than the color being what I wouldn't wear often, I like the Fantastic Rouge!

What do you think of these pastel bubblegum pinks? Do you like to wear this kind of bright color?

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Blow Dry Your Hair - Philips SalonDry Control

My brother and I have been visiting the same hair salon since a year ago, and since then, he has been relating to me how his stylist keeps asking him to blow dry his hair. I have a different stylist, and my stylist doesn't harp on this issue to me.

But anyhow, my brother bought a good hairdryer to start blowing dry his hair. I, of course, didn't let go of the opportunity, and tested out if what his stylist say is true.

And it is!

I started falling deep in love with hairdryer-dried hair. And so here is my go-go gadget.

Philips SalonDry Control

Available: All major electrical and electronics store, $98 (during discount).


Volume: 1 dryer, and 1 cap.


Star Properties: High power Salon style drying.

Packaging
This came well-packed in a box with all the specifications and instructions manual. Love Philips.

Salon-style Drying
I like how this dryer has hot and cold options. If you only want a moment of cool air, you can set it to hot air, yet still press the cold button to get a quick burst of cool air. Otherwise, you can set it to blow cool air, and press the button for a burst of hot air. Awesome.

I also like how there are two levels to this, strong wind, and stronger wind. Using the stronger wind, I can wash my hair at night, and still blow it dry within 10 minutes!

Control buttons and switch.

I also like how this model has the cap at the front, so I can use it like in a salon. The cap serves to concentrate the air to a narrow vent. So if you turn up the heat, you could use it to curl your hair. Simply use a curling comb, curl your hair loosely around the comb, use the narrow air vent to "spray" at it. The pressure and heat will shape your hair.

Narrow air vent of cap.

Last but not least, if you use your hairdryer often, you could instal a hook and simply hook it up the way salons do, using the hook hole at the end of the handle! =D Nice.

Power
I remember reading Vivawoman's post from long ago, about how one should choose a hairdryer with power higher than 1500W because lower than that, you would end up blowing your hair for an extended period of time. And this extended heat would damage your hair.

With a power of 2100W like this one I feature, I can get my long hair dry fast. It is so easy, so convenient to use, considering how I reach home after dark very often, and I only wash my hair in the night.
My brother has one of this, and I bought another one when I shifted in my own house. So you can really tell how much I like this thing. I think if you take care, and don't drop it, this could last a lifetime. My mother has a Philips 500W small hairdryer from more than 20 years ago.

Positively Nice! 5/5
I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a hairdryer that does the job FAST, and does it in a salon way.

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LOTD - Ribbons and Bows

I love ribbons and bows very much, because I think they really make a girl look feminine, sweet, gentle and demure.

Here's one such day filled with ribbons!

 Dress from a blogshop, and comes with the belt.

I chose horizontal stripes because studies have found that horizontal stripes make people look slimmer, contrary to popular belief. Vertical stripes magnifies the fullness instead.

When it comes to belts, I personally think that anyone can wear them. BUT, but, keep in mind that the width of a cinch belt (like this) should be proportionate to the size/height of the person.

I am of average height, and average built, so I wear belts from about 4 cm - 8 cm in width. This blue ribbon one is a medium width one, and most of my belts around this width.

 Ribbons.

Ribbons at the back serves to catch attention, and has the effect of beautifying something. In fact, the Japanese Kimono was made to this logic. The Japanese Kimono wraps up the whole person, but actually leaves the back of the neck open. Then the huge ribbon at the back helps make the look even more appealing.

The front and side view.

I really do have a soft spot for straw finish platform heels. =P

And I like peep-toes too.

The thing about making peep-toes look good is really to paint your nails. =D And the toe nail color should be darker, and contrast with the shoes.

In this case, I had on a teal nail polish, by Essence (which can be bought VERY cheaply at Watsons Takashimaya).

I bought this pair of shoes because I thought black is really classic, and it looks even more classic with the brown stitches. Yet, there is a twist to it, and that is, the big ribbon when you turn around.

Do you also like ribbons, belts, and straw platform heels? How would wear them?

Yours truly,
Jyoan
PosiNice

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Keeping Fresh and Fragrant - Philips Satinelle Ice Premium

I have been using an epilator for 3 years now, and I wonder why I've never blogged about it! It's really time that I share such a wonderful appliance with all of you. =)

Philips Satinelle Ice Premium

Available: All major electrical and electronics stores, $139 (2008).


Volume: 1 set contains 1 epilator, 1 ice pack, 1 ice pack holder, 1 epilating head, 1 shaving head, 1 brush, and 1 zip case.


Star Properties: Ceramic head. Comes with ice pack to soothe redness and itch. Can be charged and used cordless.

Packaging
It came very well-packed in a big box which I still keep, but have never found a need to re-use it. Lol.

Why I Bought It
I think it just comes a time when a girl grows up, starts to wear sleeveless clothes, and somehow find that it is very unsightly to be seen with armpit hair.

I have used hair-removal cream before, but it only worked once or twice, and it seemed that my skin grew immune to it, so it got harder and harder to use the cream for removal.

I did extensive research, and found that if I use a shaver, the hair would grow back thick and fast! Whereas, with an epilator, the hair are pulled out of the roots, and so grow back finer and slower.

Usage
All you need to do, is fix the epilating head onto the main bar, turn on the power, slide on the switch, and start using it like you would a shaver. Go against the direction of the hair growth for easier removal.

It's really quick and clean!

Sound
It may sound scary in the beginning because there is the typical shaver drill kind of noise, and bringing such noisy device so close to your ear is a little intimidating. However, after I learned how to handle it properly on my second use, I grew to be totally unafraid of it.

You have to be careful to tie up your hair, or keep away your hair from the epilating head, because it will suck your hair in and cut it. That's alright, because I had a couple of my fringe cut off before. The bad part is that your hair would get stuck in the epilator! And that is bad.

If that happens, you'd have to keep spinning and stopping it till it automatically spins the hair strand out.

Also, there are instructions that you should use this when the hair has grown a bit, but no longer than 2cm, or else, you would feel pain.

Ice Pack
I love the ice pack. It really helps in the beginning because when your skin is still not use to the plucking, it will get slightly red and feel a little hot. And clamping the ice pack in between your arms and your body soothes the irritation so much.

Also, the head on the ice pack helps to narrow the epilating head so you wouldn't find that it's taking off too many strands of armpit hair at the same time.

There is another ice pack for the legs. But I never ever use this on my legs so I've kept that ice pack away, and you're not seeing it in the photo.

However, nowadays, I've gotten so used to it that I don't use the ice pack anymore.

Effectiveness
As you can see below, the hair strands come out, and the larger blacker heads are the roots of my hair. That's how it works, and how effective it is.

I hope you can spot the roots of the hairs. They are all around the "Ceramic" word.

Follow-up Procedures
From my research, many have said that they started growing in-grown hairs after using the epilator, and their underarms started to turn brown.

However, after 3 years of using this, I found that in-grown hairs is really not a problem!

Personally, I prefer to epilate during evening, after shower, as that is the time that your pores would open up. Then I would use a body scrub the day after (about 24 hours) I epilate. This helps to bring out the in-grown hair. After that, you can moisturize with lavender oil or any of your favorite moisturizer!

Why do I say epilating is about keeping fresh and fragrant?
I realize that when I start to smell a bit of sweat smell lingering, it is when the hairs start to grow a bit long. And really, that's when I get the cue to epilate. Smells actually comes from the fact that bacteria is growing. So for example, if one can smell one's feet, it means bacteria is starting to grow in the socks/shoes/feet, and so it's time to wash and scrub the shoes/feet.

Alternatives
I understand that $139 for a small device like this may be a bit uncomfortable for some of you. The good news is that Philips actually has many, many models of epilators, and they are really, really good ones.

In fact, in my research, I've found that even the $40 small one that you can use in the bath, together with shower foam, is good enough. However, that one doesn't comes with the two ice packs, hence the lower price.

Positively Nice! 5/5
No regrets getting a Philips product that is so long-lasting, and easy to integrate into my life.

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Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten

It seems that ever since Sephora came to Singapore, together with Urban Decay Primer Potion (UDPP) and Too Face Shadow Insurance (TFSI), the importance of eye shadow primers skyrocketed. Ask anyone who uses makeup before 2007/ 2008, who would tell you that you need to use an eye shadow base/ primer?

I cannot be sure if the proliferation of eye shadow bases/ primers is due to the rise of Beauty Youtubing (starting from Michelle Phan), or due to the wider reach of giant beauty retailers like Sephora. But what I am sure of is that these days, there are far more brands and types of eye shadow bases/ primers, than just UDPP and TSFI.

And one of the popular products people like to use to replace traditional eye shadow primers, are pots of cream/gel eye shadows. Stila has quite a good one, called the Smudgepot.

Stila Smudge Pot - Kitten

Available: Unfortunately, I cannot find Stila at Tangs Orchard Singapore anymore. However, if you are in the US, or have the means to ship from US over here, then this is their webpage.

Why I Bought It
It was recommended by a couple of Beauty Youtubers, including Michelle1218, who is still using this after 3 years.

I tested the smudge pot in Kitten and a midnight purple at the counter, and I found that the smudge pot is high pigmented and very luminous.

Packaging
The smudge pot, well, comes in a pot, as the name suggests. It is just a simple and clean packaging, like the M.A.C gel liner pots.

Color
What strikes me most about this color, Kitten, is how similar it is to UDPP in Sin. Both are champagne color, as seen below. See also how luminous it is!

Effectiveness

As an eye shadow base, I think it does its work to make the eye shadow colors brighter and more iridescent.

However, as an eye shadow primer, this does not really works to prevent creasing. But I cannot fault it because the smudge pot is not meant for this purpose. In fact, in the link to Stila's website that I provided, there is something called the Prime Pot Waterproof Eye Shadow Primer. I do not have that product, and can't tell you for sure that that one works though.

Stila smudge pot is also not as sticky as UDPP, because it really is not meant to be. It is more meant to be an eye shadow by itself, and I actually use it to highlight my brow bone and inner corner of the eyes quite a lot.

Alternatives

I have heard people using similar pots of products, like the L'oreal and Bobbi Brown ones. And here's DestinyGodley doing a round up of a handful of good eye shadow bases/ primer, that you might like to watch.

How Much I Like It

I have been using this regularly (of course, the photo you see is when brand new, not after I've used it for some time), because my UDPP in Sin is starting to dry up after so long. And when UDPP dries up, it doesn't spreads smoothly, and can be a nightmare to use.

I like this: 4/5

I think it is a really good product in its own right. But it definitely cannot fully replace something like UDPP. They are just not made for the same purpose.

If you need an eyeshadow primer/base, go for UDPP.

If you want a brow bone and inner corner highlight, Stila smudge pot is better.

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Get the Lifestyle At Home - Freshly Brewed Coffee

What do you do on a cool rainy afternoon? One of my favorite pastimes is to sit beside a full length window, read a book, sip gourmet coffee, while listening to the rain pitter-pattering on the window. It feels wonderfully relaxed, and I assure you, if you have the luxury (TIME and money) to do this (in my country), people will be so envious of your tai-tai (rich, non-working wife with a maid) lifestyle.

Anyway, I do have certain periods in my work that is not as taxing, and allows me free time for leisure reading. And I really love hiding in the comfort of my house during the rain. So I bought a simple coffee brewing pot!

Toastbox - by BreadTalk: Coffee Brew Pot in Reddish Brown

Available: All Toastbox outlets.


(Toastbox is a spinoff from BreadTalk. It is a Southeast-Asian a.k.a Nanyang style cafe that focuses on selling traditional Nanyang Breakfast, i.e., toasted bread with butter and kaya (sugar coconut milk paste), and typical Nanyang delicacies, like Laksa (coconut milk seafood curry noodles) and Chicken Noodles.


BreadTalk is a famous Singapore-born joint that sells pretty bread. They have outlets all over Asia, like Hong Kong and Thailand.)


Volume: Up to 240 ml


Star Properties: BPA-free. Freshly brewed Nanyang Coffee in 3 easy steps.

Why I Bought
If you're a tea/coffee lover, and you love to brew your own tea/coffee, you may heard of the IngenuiTea Pot. It is a fuss-free teapot that allows the user to not use the traditional filter net at the top. This is because, the traditional filter net needs to be removed and washed before you can enjoy your tea, which is something extremely irritating for people who want to drink the tea there and then.

I am one such person. I want to feel the luxury of having quick freshly brewed tea/coffee, as though I bought it at a cafe, which explains why I have the Starbucks cup at home (and I have Coffeebean's and Mr Bean's cup too).

How To Use It
Basically, all I need to do with this new-age teapot, is to scoop however much coffee powder I want, dump it in the pot, pour boiling water, let it stand (on the table, not on the cup) for 2 minutes (I actually let it stand for 2 hours). Then put the pot on top of the cup, as in the opening picture above.

The bottom of the pot would be pressed open by the rims of the cup, and coffee would filter out, and flow into the cup like a stream of water from a tap, straight into the cup. No more stupid filter paper or filter funnels! All built-in in one simple pot!

What an ingenious idea! Tadaa! My Starbucks coffee without sugar, without milk. In Singapore, we call it Kopi-O-Kosong.

Now, I can take this huge cup straight to the couch besides my balcony window, and enjoy the rain! Amazing right, the volume of the teapot is exactly the same as one Starbucks cup, even though they were made by different companies.

What I REALLY Like About It
I really like that the base of this pot is quite big, such that it fits the rim of the Starbucks cup exactly. Yet, it allows any other cups of smaller rims to fit. I could even balance the pot on top of my water bottle! So yes, as long as you have a rim that is smaller than the bottom of the pot, it will work!

Why I Didn't Buy IngenuiTea
I wanted to. But IngenuiTea is sold only at supermarket near a private estate that is really inaccessible, that I gave up trying to look for it. And then, Toastbox came along and mass produced it. No wonder they say mass production is one of the greatest creation in all human history.

Furthermore, this is cheaper than IngenuiTea.

Have you heard of IngenuiTea or similar pots? Will you buy a pot like this? Do you celebrate rainy afternoon indoors with tea/coffee like me? If not, what is your favorite way to live life?

I Love it: 5/5
I've been using this for a month or so by now, and I'd have to say that it really is a great device that I can easily integrate into my lifestyle.

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FOTD - Adele, Someone Like You Brit Awards (Adaptation from Panacea81)

Let me first declare that I am not that into music, and I don't regularly update myself about who is the biggest and latest on the scene, and so, to be absolutely honest, I do not really know where Adele comes from and all.

 The reason why I bother to try out her look, is because it was done by Panacea81 on Youtube, whom I follow. And the resultant look is really, really nice! So I just wanted to see if it will work out the same on me. I am not trying to imitate Adele or be her fan, in case anyone misunderstands. =)

So let me first show you panacea81's video, from which I learned to do this.

Alright, so that was it. It's really pretty, right? With the bronzy gold look, and sleek eye lining, together with a really neutral cheek and lip color.

Now here's my re-creation. =)

The final look.

The final eyeshadow look.

Mine is quite different from Panacea's creation, because I don't have a golden bronze eyeshadow. She used M.A.C Very Goldie Bronze (if I didn't spell wrongly), while I used the bronze from M.A.C Call Me Bubbles, which is only shimmery, but not golden.

haha, so if you also want to try re-creating this look, take note to go for more gold.

 Bronze from M.A.C Call Me Bubbles, all over the lid, using a small, short, stiff eye shading brush. Mine is from Sasa, but Panacea uses her own brand, Lauren Luke.

Chocolate brown from Nvey Eco Palette (not in Sephora anymore) in the outer-V of the eye (out corner of eye socket, where you can just feel your brow bone), using a fluffy blending brush. I used Ecotools's brush. I think M.A.C 217 or your personal favorite are just as good.

White eyeshadow (Sugar) from Wet 'n' Wild on the inner corners of the eye using a pencil brush. Again, mine is from Sasa.

I have never dedicated any post about any of my brushes. But at this point, I must say that if you're in Southeast Asia, the Sasa brushes are really good and really cheap! Don't get the white ones. Go for the pink series or the black (Pro) series.

 Matte black from SilkyGirl Eye Duo using the same pencil brush, on the outer-Vs of the eyes, on top of that chocolate brown.

Ivory eyeshadow from e.l.f using a blending brush, right above the crease, right under the brow bone. I wanted to use a clean brush, so I changed my blending brush to M.A.C 217. EcoTools should be fine.

For the rest of my eyes, I wing-lined using the Empro 1 Day Liner, curled my lashes, and used Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash Waterproof Extra Black Mascara, and Rhomlon Brown Eye Pencil (from Chameleon, Singapore).

Rhomlon's Eye Pencils are really good, and only a couple of dollars!

Then I used Bourjois Duo Sculpting Blush just under my cheekbones, as a bronzer, not a blusher. And I used the highlighter on my cheekbones instead!

The effect is really amazing, and I never knew that I could use darker/ more neutral cheek colors as my bronzer! I think this shade goes really well as a bronzer for my skin tone. Hmmm, haha, I think my tan sort of wears off after a while. I was really dark after a trip to Phuket last year. And the tan on my arms are still there!! Burnt.

And then I opened a new tube of lipstick. LOL. This is L'oreal Colour Richie in Rosebud.

Panacea said she used a peachy nude color for this look. But I didn't really have one, other than the Kissable Lipcolour by M.A.C, from the Shop MAC, Cook MAC collection. But I am bored of that after consecutive uses, so I decided to pick another nude for me.

 Rosebud is a rose pink with brown tint. It should be wearable on anyone. On me, it is not that nude, but more of natural, as though it is my natural lip color and I didn't wear anything.

Last but not least, is my ALL TIME FAVOURITE lip gloss by NP Set n Acapulco Pink.

If you're in Australia, you're so lucky to have this! I got this as a gift from the Australian version of Women's Weekly, I think. And I can't bear to finish it up, because once I am done with it, I have no more NP Set. =((( I wanted to buy from their online store, but it is a bit stupid to import such a tiny and cheap product only.

It really makes my lips pop like made!

This is Rosebud, with NP Set Gloss.

Clear view of brow, mascara, bronzer, lip color, and everything else!

I followed Panacea's tutorial, and lined my entire eye. I also used the technique of drawing an arrow out from the inner corners of my eyes. I am surprised that with full lining, my eyes look huge! I am not so used to it! hahaha. I have always thought that full lining makes the eyes look small, and I didn't really dare to try after I hear tips about keeping your lower lash line lining to 1/3, at most 2/3, never all the way in. But hey, who says that must be the way!

I think full lining helps Asian eyes to look rounder. And rounder means fuller, and larger. Plus, my MUFE mascara totally lengthened and thickened my lashes so much, I look like I have barbie eyes. (What to say, that really is my Holy Grail mascara.)

I just so love neutral makeup these days. And I think this one is good to go, great for work.

My Day's Learnings:
1. I can use woody toned blushers as bronzers, and it looks sooooo good! I mean, I've always had big problems finding the right bronzer, because they tend to come in chocolate brown. Chocolate brown is my nemesis in makeup. It is too dark, and makes me look like skeleton. It makes me look ashy too.

2. Lining the inner corners of my eyes brings my eyes closer together, and makes them look huge all of a sudden. (I have very wide set eyes. I heard that the standard person will only have one eye-length in between the two eyes. You can measure this on your own face. And even after lining inwards, my eyes are still very wide apart.)

3. L'oreal Colour Richie is good! And Rosebud is really nice, natural color for warm yellow skin tones like mine.

4. I am reaffirmed that MUFE Mascara is the best of the best. For a period of time, I ditched it because I thought I found better mascaras, like Sasa Superdolly and Essence. And I think it really has never let me down when I really, really want that long, thick, false eyelashes type of look.

Alright, so that's all. My day's learnings is actually meant as summary for all the positively nice readers out there! =D So if you don't already know, feel free to take my learnings, and use it for yourself! If you already know all these, are there any tips you have for me (after viewing all the photos)? What would you use to re-create the Adele's look?

Yours truly,

Jyoan

PosiNice

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