Six Things I Do Before Applying My Makeup

I always wash and cleanse my face before I start with the following steps... Check out my video above on the six things/steps I do before applying my makeup...

I start with:

1. Toner

Toner is supposed to control oil by giving your pores a deep cleaning. It is designed to cleanse the skin and shrink pores on the face. Toner can be applied to the skin with cotton wool/pad. I think this is the most frequently used method.

Product used: Elianto Toner

2. Moisturizer

For me, moisturizer is a must for every women out there. It is designed to make the external layers of the skin (epidermis) softer by increasing its hydration by reducing evaporation. Moisturizers prevent and treat dry skin, protect sensitive skin, improve skin tone and texture, and mask imperfections.

Product used: MAC Strobe Cream

3. Makeup Primer/Base

This step is optional. But I like to put on it just to keep my makeup on for longer and prevent smudging. The product I used can reduce excess oil, hydrates the skin, evens out skin tones and helps minimize the look of fine lines. In this video, I applied only on my T-zone because that part of my face tends to get oily throughout the day.

Product used: MAC Prep+Prime Skin Base Visage

4. Foundation

It is a flesh-toned cosmetic applied to the face to create an even, uniform colour to the complexion, and, sometimes, to change the natural skintone. You have to choose the best foundation for your skin tone and type to set off the rest of your makeup. The purpose of foundation is to even out the skin tone and hide imperfections.

Product used: MAC Studio Sculpt SPF15 Foundation

5. Concealer

A concealer or sometimes called colour corrector is a type of makeup used to mask pimples, dark circles and other small blemishes visible on the skin. Concealers usually do a good job of hiding blemishes by blending the imprefection into the surrounding skin tone.

Product used: MAC Select Cover-Up

6. Eye Base

An eye primer or base can be applied to prevent the eyeshadow from fading or migrating to the crease. It also makes the eyeshadow last longer and absorbs oil and making your makeup seem fresh all through out the day.

Product used: MAC Painterly Paint Pot

Brushes used:

MAC 191 Square Foundation Brush

Concealer Brush

Sultry Bell Bottom Blue Eye Makeup

Before

Here's another makeup makeover I did to my friend last week. I was so excited and can't wait to share with all my blog readers. I chose blue eyeshadow color - MAC pigment in Bell Bottom Blue just to match her clothing colors and I also mixed with black eyeshadow color to the outer corner of her eyes using my Coastal Scents palette. The purpose is to give shape to the eyes. My friend has a square face shape. So, I decided to contour and highlight her face with bronzer just to bring out her cheek bones, her nose, slim her face and get rid of her double chin. Blending is key in contouring face. The idea is that you can't see where the contouring starts and stops. Instead of using bronzer, darker and lighter blusher/foundation also can be used for this purposes.

Here's a few shots I took After makeup

Her eyes really popped!! Okay, here's what I did. I lined the whole top lids with Kate Liquid Eyeliner (liquid eyeliner) and the whole bottom lids with Kate Super Sharp Liner (liquid eyeliner) at first. Then, I applied MAC Eye Kohl Smolder (eye pencil) after that. I dragged the eye pencil gently and lightly from the outer to the middle bottom lids. Then, I smudged the bottom lids (which I lined with eye pencil just now) with a brush, just to get the smokey effect...

Here's What I Used:

Face
MAC Strobe Cream (moisturizer)
MAC Prep+Prime Skin Base Visage (makeup base/primer)
MAC Studio Sculpt SPF15 Foundation
MAC Select Cover-Up (concealer as corrector)
MAC Gentle Mineralize Blush
MAC Select Sheer Loose Powder

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Soft and Gentle (bronzer/highligher)

Eyes
MAC Painterly Paint Pot (eyebase/eyeshadow primer)
Kate Liquid Eyeliner (for upper eyelids)
MAC Eye Kohl Smolder (eyeliner for lower eyelids - smudging)
Kate Super Sharp Liner (eyeliner for lower eyelids)
MAC Pigments - Bell Bottom Blue
Coastal Scents 88 Pigment Eyeshadow (Black Color)
MAC Phloof Eyeshadow (as highlighter)
Maybelline Brow Liner (Brown Color)
False Eyelashes
Curler

Lips
Stage Wonder Gloss

Mikimoto Pearls - Fine Quality Cultured Pearl Jewelry

Have you heard about Mikimoto Pearls? Oh, I love Mikimoto Pearls because they are so elegant!! I'm sure, pearls are one of the nature's best gifts to mankind and woman feel proud to wear and show it off. Recently, I found a website selling Mikimoto Pearls and I'm so keen to share with all my blog readers. Let me tell you a bit about the history behind Mikimoto Pearls. It was named after Kokichi Mikimoto, a Japanese man who has succeeded in culturing pearls into what become known as Mikimoto Pearls now who started it in 1893.

If you're looking for fine quality cultured pearls, look no further than Mikimoto. Unwavering dedication to quality pearl jewelry, necklaces, earrings and rings. Only the best 3-5% of cultured pearls are deemed worthy to carry the Mikimoto name. Mikimoto Pearls are sometimes called flower pearls, or hanadama, which denotes the highest quality pearls and famous for their unparalleled beauty and brilliance.

Mikimoto Pearls are rated using four grades, with AAA being the highest. There are 4 sub-grades starting with AAA1. Highest-grade pearls are those with the best luster and reflective quality, almost mirror-like, while lower-grade pearls are those with reasonably clear reflection.

If you don't have any pearl pieces for yourself, now is a good time to get some!

Kate Liquid Eyeliner

I am a self-professed eyeliner fanatic! I just bought a Kate (sub-brand of Kanebo) Liquid Eyeliner and I used it for quite a while now. The colour is great, it's dark and black shimmery in colour but the colour is not that intense. It has a good sharp brush and nice elegant packaging in black colour, nothing too fancy... You can create very precise lines ranging from thin to thick. I'm quite satisfied with it because it was very lasting, and very easy to wash off (of course, with makeup remover)!! So far, it also has not smudged, flaked, or faded on me even I tear a lot from yawning... I will certainly repurchase this item.

Note:
This review is based on my personal experience. Reader discretion is advised before making any decisions based on the information from this blog.

Gorgeous Blue Gold Eye Makeup

Few days ago, I did a makeup makeover on my younger sister and used her as my model. I'm so excited to post it here... My sister has a square face shape. In order to make her face to look smaller, I have to do some contouring on her face just to give the illusion of a perfect face shape. The reason why I called it "Blue Gold Eye Makeup" is because of the MAC Pigments I used - Steel Blue and Old Gold.

Here's some shots I took Before and After makeup.

After

Here's What I Used:

Eyes

MAC Painterly Paint Pot (eyebase/eyeshadow primer)

MAC Blacktrack Fluidline (upper eyelid)

MAC Eye Kohl Smolder (eyeliner for lower eyelid)

Kate Super Sharp Liner (black eyeliner for upper and lower eyelids)

MAC Pigments - Steel Blue and Old Gold (that's why I called it "Blue Gold Eye Makeup")
MAC Phloof Eyeshadow (as highlighter)

Coastal Scents 88 Pigment Eyeshadow (black)

Maybelline Brow Liner (brown)

False Eyelashes

Curler

Face

MAC Strobe Cream (moisturizer)

MAC Studio Sculpt SPF15 Foundation

MAC Prep+Prime Skin Base Visage (makeup base/primer)

MAC Select Cover-Up (concealer)

MAC Gentle Mineralize Blush (blusher)

MAC Select Sheer Loose Powder

Lips

Maybelline Lip Liner

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick (Rose Velvet)

Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub and Energizing Foaming Cleanser

Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub

This scrub is one of the best I have tried to date. The cleanser is cream based, non-foaming and it comes with a flip-top lid. The tiny microbeads feel uniform in size and aren't gritty. The scrub isn't too rough for my face yet I definitely can tell that it's exfoliating. It also contains beta hydroxy acids (BHA's), which help to eliminate blackheads, and pimples. I started using this just at night (ie. every night) before I was my face with Neutrogena Deep Clean Energizing Foaming Cleanser. The results, my face becomes smooth, clean, and not tight at all. This scrub is suitable for all skin types.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Energizing Foaming Cleanser

I love using Neutrogena Deep Clean Energizing Foaming Cleanser. This cleanser is a great foaming cleanser so far I found. The gel foam is in blue color. It comes with a flip-top lid for ease of usage. It is not sticky nor so runny as well. It also leaves a matte and clean finish and refreshing feeling every time after rinsing my face. This cleanser has the ability to remove dirt and excess oil in your face. It is very economical. Why? Because you just have to put on small amount of gel on your palm with little water then you will find it lathers a lot. This cleanser is suitable for dry, oily, normal, and combination skin.

Note:

This review is based on my personal experience. Reader discretion is advised before making any decisions based on the information from this blog.


Other Neutrogena products:

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Crème, Love That Red 725 (left), Rose Velvet 130 (right)

I always love Revlon lipsticks because the colors are always nice (to my taste) and they are not expensive as well. With 72 fabulous, fashionable shades, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick offers the widest range of colors, so you are sure to find one that looks gorgeous on you! Packed with mega-moisturizers and vitamins C and E for soft, smooth, sexy lips. Your lips stay kissably conditioned for lasting smoothness while the color stays rich and true. Revlon is currently doing a special promotion for this item (above). They offer buy 1 free 1!!

Here's a quick review for Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick:

The color stays on reasonably for hours, less greasy and gives smooth lasting finish. The packaging is in black color, and they are cute and classy. It tends to dry out my lips because it doesn't have a high level of moisture. My lips chapped most of the time that's why I have to wear lip balm before I apply lipstick. But in this case, with this lipstick, I don't have to wear lip balm anymore and yet (weird!!) it heals my chapped lips very fast!!! I will surely repurchase it. And, this time around in other colors :-)

Note:
This review is based on my personal experience. Reader discretion is advised before making any decisions based on the information from this blog.