Singapore Beauty, Parenting & Lifestyle Blog: Lancome

Bellabox June 2012 - Hits and misses!

, by Patricia T.

Makeup suitable for air conditioned places

I don't know about you but I never really had problems with patchy/blotchy makeup because I have combination skin. Even at my previous workplace, a spray or two of any facial mist would solve it.

It was only when I started working at my current workplace that I realised how patchy/blotchy my makeup look and I couldn't stand it. It makes my face appear as though as its very dry. It would become patchy as soon as an hour after I started work, even if I have used a face primer beforehand. I hated how it looked hence I started experimenting with different combinations of makeup to find out what combination of makeup would make my face appear less patchy/blotchy or look less dry.

I thought that it would be nice to share since I thought some of you girls might have encountered a similiar problem or will encounter a similiar problem in future.

In case you are wondering, my normal base makeup routine consists of applying BB cream and pressed powder. And yes, that was the cause of the patchy/blotchy makeup which I experienced.

The different combinations that I have tried out are as follow:

1) Primer, BB cream and loose powder

2) Primer, BB cream and pressed powder

3) BB cream only

Palgantong One Touch BB Cream

4) Makeup base, liquid foundation and loose powder

Fancl Skin Care Base Liquid, Fancl Liquid Foundation and Lancome Mat Finish

Guess which combination(s) worked the best for me? The best would be the 4th (Makeup base, liquid foundation and loose powder) followed by the 3rd (BB cream only).

The former didn't streak or turn patchy/blotchy on me for the entire day! Guess I'll be wearing this combination more often from now onwards. I quite like the latter too except that I have to blot my T-zone every now and then to remove any shine.

While I was searching for the perfect makeup that is suitable in an air conditioned environment, it made me rediscover how smooth and silky Palgantong One Touch BB Cream is. It used to be one of my favourite BB cream quite sometime back and I kinda forgot about it. The only thing that I'm probably not that fond of is that it can be a little light on my skin. However, it would be easily solved by applying some loose or pressed powder. The undertone of this BB Cream is more of pinkish I would say.

I hope you girls like this post. Thanks for reading!

Love,
Patricia

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, by Patricia T.

In concealers, I Nuovi

Concealers

Lots of late nights? Break-outs? Fear not, with the correct usage of concealers, you can easily conceal dark eye circles and pimples or scars.

The more common concealers would be skin-toned ones. At a point of time, I was really contemplating to get green concealer to 'cover up' my pimples. Yes, girls can be that vain. I remember I bought my first concealer, Za Perfect Concealer in 2005 when I was 17. At that point of time, I really had not much make up knowledge and I just got the brand that seemed more popular among teenagers which is Za. Hence, just wanna share a little information about concealers, or rather, what I know, so that you girls could benefit from it.

Za Perfect Concealer

As I had normal skin back then, my face was clear with occasion zits. Hence having a few pimples was a big deal to me. However, I don't remember using this concealer for long. I mostly use it to conceal my pimples, that's all. FYI, I don't really use concealer on an everyday basis, just on special occasions or when I'm doing a full face. And guess what? I actually read an article online which says that attempting to conceal a pimple which has not healed fully would actually worsen the condition!

I used to use 2-way foundation from Za and I Nuovi back then, hence I rarely use concealer because I didn't see the need to until one day I realized that I needed concealer to conceal pimples again. It was then that I got I Nuovi Perfector.

I Nuovi Perfector

It is very much of a creamy concealer which turns a little powdery after application. I used this to conceal my pimples as well as dark eye circles. I remember Xiaxue recommending this brand on her blog. It works pretty well. I remember being excited about it because it can cover blemishes and my dark eye circles pretty well, much better than the Za one.

As concealers were not part of my must-have makeup, I would have a concealer at a point of time and I would be without one at another after throwing the previous one away after its expiry date. FYI, the average lifespan of concealers is about 3-6 months for a wand-type and up to 12 months for others.

There came a day when I was at Tangs with my colleague &we were just randomly looking at makeup. I stopped by Lancome and was intrigued by Lancome's Flash Retouche Brush On Concealer.

Lancome Flash Retouche Brush On Concealer

It was in a form of a pen which is very compact and I can carry it around whenever I go. It had a built-in brush which makes application easier. Furthermore, it gives good coverage by covering my dark eye circles well as well as blemishes. Besides, its super hygiene because at the tip of the concealer, there is a push button which releases concealer when pushed. You can control the amount of concealer you want before using the brush to evenly spread the concealer out. What's not to like about it? I say, I love this concealer! If I never remember wrongly, it costs about $40+. But wait, its a good investment!

I seriously contemplated getting a second Lancome Flash Retouche Brush On Concealer after I finished my previous one. But another part of me wanted to try other brands. You know how the people you are with, place you are at affects what you buy. Even the advertising and promotion the brand does and the salesperson's personal selling skills affects what the buyer's final purchase. And so, I was out with C and J after our finals. We were at Sephora Ion Orchard's MAC counter because C wanted to get new foundation. I was looking at the brushes because I wanted to get MAC 228 and MAC brush cleaner. I don't know why but I ended up looking at concealers because I needed one to conceal my dark eye circles and the occasional blemishes. The MAC MUA tried Mac Select Moisture Cover on me and I was sold!

Mac Select Moisture Cover

It really could reduce the puffiness my eyes had and my blemishes. The MAC MUA even applied three strokes to each side of my face and finished up with loose powder. She told me that it could even replace my foundation. C commented that it looked flawless. Guess what? I ended up getting the MAC concealer and brush cleaner, as well as 224 brush from Tangs because they ran out of it at Sephora Ion Orchard. The 224 brush can be used to apply/blend concealer as well!

Tell me what do you think if you have tried any of the concealers which I have mentioned above. Or if you have any good concealers to recommend, do let me know! I hope you girls liked this post and have learned or benefited from it!

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, by Patricia T.

In beautify transplanting gel and natural fiber, FOTD

FOTD

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, by Patricia T.

In beautify transplanting gel and natural fiber, Coastal Scents

My Holy Grail Mascara

Being an Asian girl, I have small eyes, single eyelid (or should I say hidden double eyelids) and super short eyelashes. I have tried all kinds of mascaras, lengthening or volume but.. it just doesnt show any difference to my lashes.

Some of the mascaras which I have tried:

1) Loreal Double Extension Mascara

2) Fasio Mascara Base and Hyper Stay Mascara Shock Free Curl

3) Maybelline Unstoppable Mascara

and even the latest one which I bought from Rimmel failed to show me results.

4) Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara

Of the four, I would say I like the Maybelline and Rimmel ones the most because the Maybelline one can separate each lashes beautifully and its easy to remove but it smudges easily. The Rimmel one gives the most volume and curl among all and I liked the fact that the brushes are curved for easy application. However, it smudges easily too. As for the Fasio and Loreal ones, I didnt liked it because it makes eyelashes look clumpy which equates to a heavy look so they are definitely a no-no.

Alright, back to my Holy Grail Mascara, Beautify Transplanting gel and natural fibre.

Why do I call it my Holy Grail Mascara? Because..

1) It does not clump
2) It really lengthens my short eyelashes
3) It gives volume
4) It doesnt smudge any all when I was out for the entire day!
5) Its easy to remove (just use warm water)!

I first discovered this when my cousin, Ebony asked me to do her makeup for Chinese New Year &my Aunt passed me her Dior makeup palette and Beautify Transplanting gel and natural fibre. And I was sold because the effects could be seen and its really pretty. Dont believe me? Check out the pictures below.

Check out those long lashes on the middle of her left eye and sides of the right eye.

I love the way I did her eyes.

Products used:

1) Dior palette
2) Beautify Transplanting Gel and Natural Fibre
3) Maybelline's Pink Please Lipstick (my all-time favourite)!
4) NYX Round Lipgloss in Whipped (A nude color which I apply on top of lipstick everytime)

FYI, she's only 14 years old. A real beauty in the making!

I knew I had to get it so I went online to search for it but to my disappointment, its not available in Singapore.

To my surprise, my Aunt surprised my cousins and I with one each on my Grandpa's birthday! Oh my, I absolutely love it! Thank you Aunt. (:

And so.. I did my makeup today using it. Here are the pictures. I only did my left eye so that you would be able to see the difference and compare.

Pardon me for my messy and stray hair for I just came out from a bath.

Close up.

Those eyebags. ): How to get rid of them?

And finally. Face of the day (FOTD).

Arghs. The lighting makes the color of my upper lip looks different from the rest of my face. ):

Products used:

1) Lancome Teint Idole Ultra
2) Lancome Mat Finish
3) Too Faced Shadow Insurance
4) Coastal Scents 72 Palette
Highlight #1 Entire Lid #2 Crease #3 (as shown in the picture below)

5) Beautify Transplating Gel and Natural Fibre (One coat)
6) Lancome Blush Subtil
7) Palgantong powder (For highlight)
8) NYX Round Lipstick in Indian Pink
9) NYX Round Lipgloss in Peach

So that's all for today. Stay tuned for my first video tutorial on how to clean your makeup brushes!

Till then!

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, by Patricia T.

In Burberry, Etude House

Makeup Storage + Collection 1

So you guys havent heard from me lately. Yea its my holidays now but there seems to be endless things to be done. Think FYP, SIP report and individual assignments. And, I havent finished my SIP report YET. Shrugs. I have got no motivation.

Anyway, I couldnt stand it anymore and I finally packed my 'beauty' corner. My mom got me this tray of mini drawers which she said is for my makeup stash. I didnt believe her at first but I realised what it could do for me. It meant emitting clutter and mess.

SEE!

First the nail polishes.. I didnt know I had so many of them. So off they went into the last drawer.

From L to R: Sally Hansen, Missha, TheFaceShop, Skin Food etc.

Next, its everything for the eyes. The picture explains all.

Eyeshadow from I Nuovi, MAC, Missha, TheFaceShop, Etude House, SkinFood and Maybelline, Loreal Eyeliner, Revlon Eyebrow pencil, eyeliner sharperner, false eyelash from everywhere and double eyelid tape

Next its my makeup. I used to have them all in my makeup pouch but not anymore. Off they go in the second drawer. Note that there is eyeliner here too because these are my favorites and items that I use frequently.

Liquid foundation, loose powder, concealer, blusher and lip gloss from Lancome, Lipstick from Paul and Joe and Revlon, Eyeliner from MAC, Maybelline and O2 skin and mascara from Maybelline.

I am serious when I mean that I want my table to look neat. So I fully utilised the drawers by putting my skincare products and samples in the last drawer.

Make up base, Suncreen, BB Cream, face mask, facial soap etc.

And to be really neat. I kept all of these in a box. The box that I previously used to store all my make up.

Face mask, lotions, moisturizer, make up remover etc

Last but not least, what is a girl w/o fragrance?

Victoria Secrets Berry Kiss lotion, Victoria Secrets Love Spell series, Burberry Brit Sheer Lotion, Versace Crystal Perfume, Burberry Touch Perfume, L'occitance Vanilla, Lancome Miracle Miniature and Burberry Brit Sheer Miniature.