Face: Conceal under-eyes and spots with MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW35 using REAL TECHNIQUES Domed Crease Brush (dab product on and buff in small circular motions). Pop some foundation (in my case, I used MAYBELLINE Fit Me Foundation in 310) onto back of hand (about a coin size amount) and use REAL TECHNIQUES Flat Domed Buffing Brush to buff into skin, starting from the middle of the face outwards with light circular motions. I also use whatever is left over on the brush over the eyes and slightly down the neck. I stopped here but you can choose to further spot conceal any marks or to set with powder if you’re prone to oiliness. As it’s winter and I prefer my skin to be dewy, I left it as is.

Eyes: Using ring finger, blend out MAYBELLINE Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe all over the eyelids to act as a base. Follow with MAC Eyeshadow in Sable on the outer corners of the eyes, blending outwards and into the crease with NYX round fluffy brush (or your favourite eye brush) and under the eyes (concentrating on the outer corners for a light warm smokey look. I then lined the top and the outer 1/3rd of the lower lash line with STILA Smudge Stick Eyeliner in Oscar Fish (warm brown with sparkles), taking care to lightly smudge out the bottom lash line with a small crease brush so that it defines without looking stark. Coat lashes with copious amount of mascara, I did my top and bottom lashes with LANCOME Hypnose Mascara in Black.

Cheeks: Using REAL TECHNIQUES Blush Brush, I dabbed and blended out ILLAMASQUA Powder Blusher in Excite on my upper cheeks for a wintry flushed look. Although be forewarned this blush is INTENSE. One tap of the brush is more than enough for both cheeks and I ended up having to blend the colour out with some leftover foundation from my buffing brush. I love this colour- it’s a bright coral that instantly lifts any complexion, it’s just super pigmented so care is needed!

Lips: With a lip brush I applied a sheer layer of ILLAMASQUA Lipstick in Drench on the lips. I took my time and really worked the colour in for a stain effect so that it would last through the night. Concentrate from the middle of the bottom lip and work outwards. I then topped it up with SMASHBOX Gloss in Candid. I really do love Smashbox’s lipglosses, they’re super shiny with interesting colours. You can see how brilliant it is on the photo! On this occasion though I ended up blotting away most of the gloss before leaving the door because hey, we don’t want to look like we tried too hard

Here’s the finished look:

And that’s it! What is your favourite date look?

The collection consists of a palette, cream bronzer, two lipsticks, 3 new nail polishes and a topcoat, as well as a precision gel liner (which hadn’t arrived) and their new Hydra Veil. Take a look at the collection:

Hydra Veil (right hand side of photo)

This is a moisturising primer that comes housed in a little black pot. It’s meant to give a more hydrating and luminous effect to their skinbase foundation and it is a rather interesting texture- like a clear jelly which spreads easily and dries down quickly. I think this will be the star of the collection really and will be interesting to see it in action!

Paranormal Palette

The palette echoes the colours of the polishes with a shimmery pink, orange, green and purple. The texture of the shadows remind me quite of Estee Lauder’s gelee formula, a sort of bouncy cream to the touch and becomes powder on the skin. I wasn’t too impressed as the colours are CHOCK FULL of glitter particles and the payoff was weak on my medium tan skin compared to their other palettes. The only shade I like is Cerise (the pink) which may work quite well as a glittery blush.

Gleam in Supernatural (see photo up top)

Supernatural is a bronze highlighter and it is GORGEOUS. It can go on sheer or be built up and I think will look absolutely amazing on deep skin tones for that pearlescent dewy skin look. Another highlight (pun intended) of the collection and one that is quite wearable.

Lipstick in ESP and Posture (see photo up top)

• ESP- Matte deep violet
• Posture- Matte cool grey purple

As usual Illamasqua excels with their matte lipstick finishes and provide  here one in deep violet and a light grey purple. While I was standing there wondering what they’ll look like on me, Justine was salivating over ESP. It’s going to be a love-hate relationship, but these are certainly not for me.

UV Polishes (no photo, sorry!)

• Seance – bright violet
• Ouija- bright pink
• Omen- bright green
• Geist- Top Coat

From the hurried application on Justine’s nails and from what we can see on the sale assistant’s nails, the formula is smooth and problem free. These are very bright shades, again with a good dose of silver shimmer. I was partial to the pink and Justine to the purple but we were unable to fully appreciate the effects of the ‘UV’ formula since we didn’t have a UV light! Therefore we also couldn’t see what the topcoat does. Disappointing!

I didn’t end up picking up anything from this collection but Justine certainly did. For the month of May the Illamasqua counter at Melbourne is offering complimentary one-on-one Paranormal Transformation so do go have a look if you have time!

But I’m here to talk about Sally Hansen’s Lustre Shine Polish in Scarab because I think it’s a right on dupe for Azure (Chanel) and Samba 794 (Dior’s metallic shade of the Samba mini duo collection).

Scarab is a deep peacock blue that is that lovely shade between green and blue and turquoise and teal and it just shines with a twinkling vibrant blue shimmer. One thick coat achieved complete opacity and it is smooth and streak-free.

I’m not quite sure of the bottle and the brush as it has a tall neck and therefore a longer than usual applicator which made it a little awkward to apply and I was sort of glooping the polish around the edges of the nails. I don’t own the Chanel or Dior polishes but from swatches online I can see that Scarab is very close! And at below AU$10 (your local Priceline), it is a bargain.

So if you’re lusting after those shades I’d highly recommend you check out Sally Hansen!

Hi everyone! We’re proud to bring you a new series of entries, all about nail polishes, by none other than the awesome SdV, also known fondly as Mim. We hope you enjoy the entries

Love, dom and ksuan

Covergirl came out with a new polish collection called Outlast Stay Brilliant, supposedly colour with a built in base and top coat so you don’t have to fiddle about with multiple applications. How does it fare?

I tried a lovely metallic shade called Perfect Penny, finally a proper rosegold shade. In the photo(s) it shows up lighter due to the light reflection. As with most metallic shades there are some brush strokes, but the application is easy and flows easily, and almost opaque in one coat. I am also a big fan of the bottle, very reminiscent of Chanel!

I have to admit I ended up using a top coat (Seche Vite) with it, and it lasted for about a week with minor tip wear and a small chip, I’m not quite sure it’ll last as well by itself. Otherwise it performs as a solid polish at an affordable price (AU$6-7 at your local Priceline).

A while ago I also picked up some polishes from a local (Australian) indie brand called Picture Polish and they have some amazing shades on offer (at about AU$10 per bottle). Here I tried one named Goddess, which is a metallic reddish bronze and the formula is as I remembered, good consistency, excellent coverage and such a beautiful colour. No chips with minor tip wear with a top coat after a week.

What a mouthful! When the YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis a Levres or better known as Glossy Stains burst onto the scene it instantly became a hit among beauty lovers around the world. It touts to be a rich lipstick, gloss and stain in one product! Here is what YSL says on their website;

“A revolutionary new lip product! Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain combines the texture and shine of a gloss with the long-wear of a stain for a truly innovative lip product. A lightweight texture that immediately melts onto lips. Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain delivers intense glossy colour for an extremely long lasting new kind of shine. The applicator’s unique slanted tip and short soft bristles allow for flawless application with perfect precision.”

I just have two words for you: “I WANT!” But at a pricey USD $34 or AUD$55 (approx), I have another word for you: “Ouch”.

However, a dear close friend of mine have read my mind (and various Facebook laments) and gifted my very first glossy stain for Christmas in No 29 Rose Fourreau. This is apparently a limited edition shade released for YSL’s Spring 2013 collection but it appears to still be available on the website so snatch it now if you’re tempted! So does it live up to its claims? Read on.

The glossy stain comes housed in a short stout tube, with a matte black body that has a glass window which shows the colour of the product and a golden cap with the YSL logo. To be honest I feel the packaging is a little bit tacky, it just doesn’t have quite the luxurious feel associated with the brand or the chicness of their Rouge Volupte lipsticks (those things are GORGEOUS). That is the only downside fortunately.

The scent is sweet and flowery, not particularly subtle but also not offending. It might be a little too much for those who are sensitive to scents as it does linger.. The colour is a beautiful medium rosy nude, definitely a my lips but better (MLBB) for my pigmented puckers and would be a delightful deeper rose for those with fairer skin. The applicator is quite useful, it follows the contours of the lips making it super easy to apply the product and is soft and pliable. It would be great to replace all gloss applicators to this!

The product itself is lightweight, a wet liquid (duh, but you’ll see) that is not tacky, sticky or thick that is usual of most glosses. In fact it reminds me a lot of Korres Anti-Oxidant Liquid Lipsticks (which I love) but it is a little bit more of a gel than Korres. It’s pigmented enough in one swipe but here’s where it gets interesting, the product settles and sort of merges with the lip’s natural colour, effectively becoming a stain. A second swipe makes the colour brighter and a third makes it glossier but still natural looking. It never ends up looking like a gloss which sits on top of the lips which makes this product very nice to wear.

As for lasting power, raved about through the blogosphere, I am not too impressed. I’m always on the lookout for pigmented lip products that would stay throughout the day so when I heard about these stains I thought I’d find some Holy Grails, but like other lipsticks it needs reapplying after drinking or eating, humbug! It might be because this is a lighter shade compared to other deeper shades of fuchsias, reds and violets thus the stain is not as visible.

All in all, YSL has introduced an interesting hybrid liquid lipstick that is light, comfortable and have some beautiful shades. Rose Fourreau for me makes for a simple easy and natural look, that is lovely for day or night. I’d like to try some more intense shades and see what they are like, so time to save up!

This is my little collection of Illamasqua lipsticks and I didn’t haul them all in one go, they’re the result of 3 or 4 different trips (yes I am quite embarrassed) but onward we go!

Warning: this is going to be a really photo-heavy post!

Melt

This is a metallic silver gold, a very obvious frosty finish.

It goes on sheer but can built up to opaque and I would prefer to layer this on another colour to turn it into something interesting for the night!

Over

A matte peach. This is a dry formula that is somewhat sheer and difficult to apply and build up.

On my lips it looks darker and pinker due to my natural colour but on fairer skin it would be a true peach.

Eurydice

One of Illamasqua’s most popular shades and I can see why! Eurydice is a stunning creamy fuchsia that dries to a matte finish. It’s opaque and really stunning in person and photographs.

I tested this through a night out and the lipstick lasted through several hours AND a slurpy ramen! I was so surprised! A big tick to Illamasqua’s staying power.

Drench

This is a pink based red which is really easy to apply.

Like most of Illamasqua’s lipstick formulas it is a matte and quite pigmented, but since it’s not a true red I find it is much more accessible and a good option for those who are venturing into bold bright lipsticks!

Encounter

And finally, Encounter is a warm red.

Instantly pigmented and bright, it is my second favourite after Eurydice. Illamasqua does have a fair share of red lippies and you can’t really go wrong.

Aside from Over, I’m quite impressed with Illamasqua’s lipsticks. I tend to have flaky dry lips (with a habit of overpicking them) which makes it difficult for me to wear mattes without looking like I have diseased lips but with some balm and exfoliation, these go on like a dream and stays on. I didn’t find them particularly hydrating but neither were they drying. Pigmentation was incredible and I could wear the lipstick comfortably through the night

Which is your favourite out of these? Let us know!

While this may not exactly be a beauty-related post, I wanted to put something up in honour of the great Ella Fitzgerald, who would have celebrated her 96th birthday today.

I have always been mesmerised by her gorgeous voice. For all her successes and her incredible musical talent, she apparently was a shy lady who kept largely to herself and was wholly dedicated to her craft.

Today, I put up one of her best-known collaborations with the great, gravelly-voiced Louis Armstrong and invite you all to enjoy the unadulterated beauty of her music.

Happy Thursday!

I have no idea why they call it a Skinfinish, makes me think it’s meant to be an all over powder but MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Stereo Rose is a gorgeous light coral with gold shimmer  that makes it a blush and highlighter in one.

It was released as a limited edition product in MAC’s Apres Chic collection, apparently such a coveted item that it sold out in the US in one day. And I can see why as it’s a stunning blend with gold and bronze veining and looks stunning sitting on top of the dresser. Imagine to my surprise when I found it sitting all pretty on the Australian online store and snagged it right up in a moment of weakness. I know, I know but I’m glad I did!

The powder is soft and finely milled. Pigmentation wise it’s light and blendable making application a breeze. I wouldn’t get a lot of colour on my medium skin tone but enough to brighten my cheeks with a golden coral pink, in fact it reminds me of Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Brick in Nectar but with less large pieces of glitter. On lighter skin tones I imagine it would be a gorgeous blush.

No discernible emphasis on the pores, the shimmer is fine and creates a lovely sheen and I do love me some highlight!

I hope Stereo Rose would make it to the permanent collection as its a third time re-release which testifies to how popular it is. In any case it will take a while to even hit pan so I don’t have to worry about having to find a replacement quite yet and by then I’m sure I would have found a hundred other things to lust after.

Is it a must-buy? If you love coral blushes and highlighters and pretty things, then definitely but you would be able to get the same effect with multiple products.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes retail at AUD 55.00 in Australia, SGD 46.00 (or thereabouts, depending on range) in Singapore, and USD 30.00 in the United States. 

Sorry again that things have been so silent on our front. It has been a trying last several months for both myself and dom, juggling many commitments and keeping our heads above water.

As such, I was immensely cheered up upon receipt of a little box from a dear friend, The Cheerleadersister, who resides in Sydney. It contained the following pretty things that made me smile.

• Face of Australia Lip Quench SPF15 in Silver Rose
• Australis Crystal Colour Top Coat in Speck-tacular
• Natio Nail Colour in Coral
• The Body Shop Peppermint Foot Fizzies
• Skinvitals Cloth Eye Treatment Masks with CO-Q10 and Soy

I am so grateful for beautiful, thoughtful friends Thank you Cheerleadersister! I look forward to fully enjoying the lovely items you’ve sent.

And completely unrelated, I would like to share with you all a snapshot of something that made me laugh this past week, courtesy of Time magazine:

Nothing is sacred anymore these days! Have a good week ahead, everyone – and thanks for reading

As you probably know, I’ve been in Singapore now for a little over 3 months (just got my confirmation!). The workload is immense, with 12-14 hour workdays, and I work during the weekends too. After all the work hours, the revenue pressures, the nasty landlady that I live with (can’t help it, the rent is really cheap), I only have time and mental energy left to recharge with some social interaction and sleep. 

I’m sorry that I haven’t been very good at blogging lately, and I hope it gets better eventually. Thanks for bearing with the delay, and I hope I get back into the groove soon. 

Do send your best wishes to ksuan, who is in the midst of exam craziness (she works more hours than I do, what with being a grad student + jobs at the university). 

Till we see you again, appreciate what you have in life and prioritize the things that make you happy .