NARS Yeux Irresistable Eye Shadow Palette Review

I do have a couple of NARS’ eye shadow palettes and while they are all great in terms of formula, I still find myself packing two to three palettes when I travel because I don’t have all the colours I (think I) need in one guy, oops, I meant one palette.

My mom came home one day with the NARS Yeux Irresistible Eye Shadow Palette that I have been meaning to buy ever since the leng chai who worked there showed it to me but hesitated because I'm a broke @$$ b!tch (my attempt on making this post as PG13 as possible). I was so happy partially because once you start earning your own money, you hardly receive any more gifts. I even asked her why… Clearly not used to kindness… Just picture a helpless wet cat being given food and warmth. I was that cat. And that palette was my food and warmth.

This palette retails for RM150 and it features 6 gorgeous shades that you can easily play up or play down, depending on your menstrual cycle. Sticking to my budak pemalas/buat-buat sibuk theme, this palette is something I would carry in my personal makeup bag so that I can switch my day look to a night look quickly before heading out the office (let's pretend I'm cool and that I have places to be). 

All About Eve II: 

Soft neutral beige [satin]. If UD's Virgin and Sin were to have a baby, it will probably look something like this. I would use this as a base colour or even on its own to create a polished look. Colour payoff wise, I would say that this is one of the weakest shades in the palette (but it could also be because it's a pale shade to begin with... I expect too much from life.).
                                           

Colombo: Pale gold peach [shimmer]. Similar to UD's Half Baked, I like to use this as an inner corner highlight because it has the right amount sheen to make you look wide-awake.

Jezebel: Reddish brown [satin]. Similar to the darker shade in NARS Duo Eye Shadow in Surabaya. This was the colour that drew me to this palette. If you're crazy about those Fall looks you've been seeing on your Instagram feed, then this is the colour for you. This shade looks like melted copper on the eyes and if worn alone on the lid and bottom lash line, will make you look so sultry, your mom wouldn't let you out of the house without a chastity belt.

Brousse I: Lavenderish taupe [satin]. The cool undertones in this shade provides a gorgeous contrast for my brown-eyed girls and boys out there. A softer alternative to the dark smokey eye.

Thunderball: Dusky teal [matte]. If you want to up your smokey-eye-game, then you would love this shade! It's dark enough to pass off as black but when you blend and smoke out the edges, you'll start seeing the eyeshadow transform into a cool blue shade. Pair this with a warm bronze eyeshadow and you'll look like a less miserable version of Taylor Momsen.

Coconut Grove: Espresso brown [matte]. Every palette needs a dark brown shade like this. It can be used to darken your whole eye look, as an eyeliner and also as a brow powder. 

Overall, the eyeshadows in this palette have great colour payoff (ooo YouTuber-vocab-diarrhea coming right up!) and little-to-no fallouts, which makes creating those dark smokey eye looks a breeze. I came up with a few combos myself. You can of course recreate these looks with other similar eyeshadows too. 

LOOK 1

Base colour - All About Eve II

Lid - Colombo

Inner corner - Colombo

Outer V - Coconut Grove

Bottom lash - Coconut Grove & Colombo

LOOK 2

Base colour - Jezebel

Lid - Coconut Grove

Inner corner - Colombo

Outer V - Coconut Grove

Bottom lash - Coconut Grove & Jezebel

LOOK 3

Base colour - Brousse I

Lid - Thunderball

Inner corner - Colombo

Outer V - Coconut Grove

Bottom lash - Coconut Grove & Brousse I

"No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up and never give up."

- Some quote I found on Google

Till next time!

♥

Yeux Irresistible - Irresistible Eyes

leng chai - Handsome boy

budak pemalas - lazy kid

buat-buat sibuk - pretend to be busy

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IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ with SPF 50+ Review

I find it almost impossible not to stop at an aisle in Sephora the second I see an array of flesh coloured fluids. Which is in almost every aisle. Which also means that I spend nothing less than an hour in Sephora. So guys out there, if we ever date, bring a stool with you. You've been warned!

  

I’m always in the market for something that I can use everyday rather than just on occasions. This means that I tend to look for something that I feel safe in, psychologically that is. Although there’s nothing wrong with rocking layers of foundation on a daily basis, I personally would feel like I’m suffocating my skin. So on a mental level, I’ll be telling myself “Win, that CC cream that claims to do a million and one shit for your face seems light and airy. Perfect for everyday use!”. And with that, TADAA! I brought the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ with SPF 50+ home with me!

PACKAGING

This CC cream is perfect for those of you who have to reapply your makeup a couple of times in a day for reasons like having to take your wudhu for prayers or changing your makeup for an event because you can’t afford a wardrobe change. It comes with a pump dispenser, so you can just chuck the bottle, or should I say tube, into your bag without having to worry that it will leak or spill. Although I do think that the pump dispenses a little more than what you actually need to cover your whole face. So like detonating a bomb, carefully press the pump halfway through to avoid wasting any product.

COLOUR RANGE

It comes in 5 different shades. Fair, Light, Medium, Tan and Rich. I got mine in Medium, although I do think a shade in between Light and Medium would have looked seamless on me since my neck and décolletage area is a tad fairer than my face. But even with it being slightly (and I mean SLIGHTLY) darker than the rest of my body, I think I can still get away with it without someone calling me out. 

COVERAGE

Half a pump is all I need to even out my skin tone. You can of course layer on this product to get a fuller coverage just like any other foundation/BB/CC cream. But I tend to go for a light to medium coverage, just enough to make me look like I'm a part of the human race. 

FINISH

This cream also dries down to a dewy finish but can easily be semi-mattified with a touch of loose or pressed powder, giving you the most natural finish ever! I enjoy a subtle glow on the high points of my face, a look that can easily be achieved by leaving those areas unpowdered. 

STAYING POWER

I've used this CC cream up to 5 hours and although the natural oils of your face will start to break through after the 3rd or 4th hour since you applied it, it's nothing a touch of powder can't handle. However, do bear in mind that this is a CC cream and not a foundation. The coverage will  start to wear off a little by the 5th hour but nothing too extreme. You'll probably morph into a pumpkin at the most... and everybody loves pumpkins! Especially in fall! But if you're in Malaysia, let's hope you have a great personality. 

MY TWO CENTS

I'm crazy about this CC cream by IT Cosmetics. I like to use this when opting for a more natural look, which is 97% of the time for me. The coverage is perfect for my simple everyday makeup routine. It takes less than 3 minutes to completely blend this product into your skin with a foundation brush, maybe 5 minutes if you're doing it with your fingers. 

Being a skincare-makeup hybrid, I don't feel so guilty slapping this on my skin everyday.  In fact, I feel like I'm giving my skin a little treat when I apply this cream to my face. It even has a faint citrusy scent that just perks me up in the morning!

Although I did read a review on Paula's Choice stating that citrus oils (lemon, lime, bergamot, orange and grapefruit - the source of the citrusy scent) are phototoxic, which means that it increases your skin's susceptibility to damage when exposed to light/UV light. I guess that is quite contradicting, especially when it claims to correct dark spots and provide sun protection. But I do believe that the developers of IT Cosmetics' products are experts who have done plenty of research before making this essential makeup must-have.

I have done my little research on the topic and found that citrus oils (or any other phototoxic ingredients) will only produce a phototoxic reaction 12 hours after application. This gives you plenty of time before your skin starts to melt off your face. Just kidding! Also, phototoxic oils are diluted to prevent any reactions to the skin, which I'm sure the people behind IT Cosmetics have figured out way before I found the article on it.

For more information on that --> Phototoxic Essential Oils

FINAL VERDICT

★★★★

Share your thoughts in the comment box below if you've tried this product!

Till then!

Keep your chin up! ♥

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Here Comes The Sun

I’ll be honest with you. I’ve never been that into sunblock until about a year ago. I was one of those girls who thought tanning was a good idea. I’ve even excused myself from the dinner table a couple of times back when I was still studying in Ohio, to go to a tanning salon… Not very Malaysian of me but yes, that’s how little sunblock meant to me. And if you’re wondering why at a dinner table, it was because this Chinese restaurant that we used to go to had a tanning salon next door... How convenient… Yaaasss this szechuan chicken is going to look so good with my new Southern Princess Extreme Bronze 296XXX Ultimate tan.

Don’t get me wrong though. I still do think a tan looks amazing on everyone but if you could see yourself 10 years from now, you would probably cut down on the baking time too. And I’m not just talking about the time you spend in tanning beds but also the time you spend outdoors. Whether it’s jogging or running errands, be sure to take the extra step in your beauty regimen and slap on that SPF all overrrr your face and body. Turn on your favourite playlist and dance until your face and body is no longer sticky. You’d be surprised to know how many times people have walked in on me doing this. It's like a dance scene from the movie Honey but not really.

I do have a few favourites that I would like to mention not because I was paid to but because they have been kind to my skin. Kind in this context means no monstrous pimples appearing out of thin air.

If you haven’t tried any of the sunblocks from Clinique, you’re missing out. The one that I have been using for close to 4 months now is from the Even Better range.

Clinique Even Better City Block Anti-Pollution SPF 40/PA+++

I find it quite gimmicky that it claims to be formulated for "Asian skins". What does that even meaaaan? But of course I bought into it and guess what, no rugrats 😎 . Asian skin or not, I have seen vast improvements with my existing acne scars ever since I started using this sunblock. 

sunblock prevents sunburn = scars are protected = less darkening = maybe fades them a little if you're super careful 

This could just be one of the many benefits of using any sunblock diligently, but this one in particular has not broken me out or leave me smelling like I'm about to swim with the dolphins. So that's an A+ in my book. Oh and did I mention it has a slight tint?!?! Doesn't matter because I'm still too ugly and dependent on my foundation to even think of going au naturel with my makeup heh.

If you're into that Korean dewy goodness, which I am but not necessarily able to pull off  sometimes because it is humid here in Malaysia and we are all getting our glow from Mother Nature herself, this one is good for those drier and duller days. 

Laneige White Plus Renew Tone Up Corrector SPF 40/PA+++

I noticed with this one, my skin looks brighter instantly. Not because it's magic but because it has a slight pink tint to it, which gives you a glow, hideous or not, this product does not discriminate. 

This is a good pick-me-up product that I personally enjoy using before heading out for a quick jog. As much as I want to keep my face bare when I'm exercising, I do exercise outdoors most of the time and that means I'm exposed to the sun. Therefore, sunblock is not an option but a necessity to me when I'm smashing my guns. Wut.

These are the two sunblocks swatched on the back of my hand. I'm hoping that it'll give you somewhat of an idea of what the consistency is like. If not, then I hope you guys have a hand fetish.

• Clinique definitely feels more like makeup on the skin as it has a thicker consistency compared to to Laneige.
• Clinique has yellow undertones that can help even out the skin as well as correct any mild redness on the face.
• Laneige has pink undertones that can brighten the skin.

Now that my secret (yah, because I invented sunblock) is out, all you vampires can come out and play!

Till my next entry!

Go wreck someone's home! ♥

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The Kernel of Truth

You can find over a hundred articles on this. Don’t trust me? Google it. Now. I won’t even be offended if you had to stop reading my blog to do that.

Assuming you did Google and found yourself going down the Internet rabbit hole of blogs,

Image by Jenny Dean

Welcome back, rude child. 

As much as I want to talk about the different types of oils available in the market, I just want to focus on one that I have been true to for months now. This girl is loyal~

Apricot Kernel Oil (Prunus Armeniaca)

Whether you have oily skin, dry skin or even combination skin, incorporating apricot kernel oil into your beauty regimen is the best thing you can do for yourself. I'm going to make another outrageous claim and say that this oil has changed the way I look at skincare. I am now one of those annoying chicks who read the ingredients list and pretend like she knows what half of those things are on that list. But what I  did learn from being a pretentious prick is that the shorter the list, the better!

That is why I'm crazy about apricot kernel oil for my skin! There's literally just two ingredients in this OCM blend.

Apricot kernel oil
Castor oil

While olive oil is a superb carrier oil for your OCM blend, I have noticed that it's a tad too oily for the skin around my eyes. My eyes feel heavy after using this oil in the morning and that wouldn't have been a problem if women continued to play dumb and were seen as too ditzy to work but that's not the case now is it... No thanks to Betty Friedan and Sheryl Sandberg...

(I love you Ali Wong! If you guys don't get the reference, WATCH THIS RIGHT NOW: Ali Wong)

Okay, I digressed a little there. What's new haha :D

The difference between olive oil and apricot kernel oil is that the latter is lighter in consistency and is gentle enough for sensitive skin. I’m not sure if I came up with this saying but when in doubt, choose products that are made for sensitive skin.

I would like to think that I’m making sense here but just in case I’m not, here’s some "Wiwin-logic":

What causes irritation?

Men. Lol I’m kidding (not really).

Alcohol, fragrance, ammonium/sodium lauryl sulphate and the list can go on until tomorrow. These are the ingredients you’re most likely to find in products. When your skin is irritated, your skin is thrown off balance making it susceptible to acne, dryness and oiliness.

Sensitive skin-friendly products usually don’t have these ingredients in them (or at least they have them in low amounts).

Less harsh ingredients = Less irritation = Less skin problems

In other words, don't piss your skin off.

Therefore, you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble (and money) by just getting products made for sensitive skin! 

*end of Wiwin-logic*

Another plus point for this oil is that it is known for its ability to penetrate the skin without leaving an oily residue. So for my oily chickpeas out there, this oil won’t leave your face looking like a greasy hummus! Instead, you'll notice after 3 to 4 weeks of doing the OCM and also using this as a moisturizer that your skin has finally learned how to produce the right amount of oil for your cute lil face. 

Jam-packed with good vitamins such as vitamins A, C and E, this oil will keep your skin looking young and healthy. Almost like a youth elixir! I know this may sound annoying especially coming from a 23-year-old. But I do want to mention that once you get wrinkles, no product on this planet will make it go away. Unless your down with getting botox, then this does not apply to you. Assuming that I won't be making a lot of money for myself in the future to get botox, I'm just going to keep on slapping this oil on my face to prevent wrinkles and all those old people skin stuff.

Your face is forever and there is nothing glamorous about subjecting the world to a dull you. It's not too late to turn things around and start caring for your skin because

"Beautiful skin requires commitment, not a miracle."

- Erno Laszlo

And before anyone bashes me, Betty Friedan and Sheryl Sandberg are amazing women and I highly recommend you read their books if you're feeling stuck:

1) Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan
2) Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

Till next time!

Much love! ♥

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One Method to Rule Them Oil!

Imagine waking up with perfectly balanced skin every morning with just one simple step. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably going “Yeah sure. I’ve heard of that one before.”. But the only difference this time is that I’m not trying to sell you anything you don’t already have lying around in the kitchen somewhere.

What am I talking about?

Let’s build on that suspense… Continue reading, jangan malas!

I’m in no way product shaming any brands out there nor am I telling you to throw your current skincare out the window. Nope. Nothing like that. I want this to be a journey for you. Just like everything else in life, be sure to ease into it naturally.

I started incorporating the oil cleansing method (OCM) into my skincare routine about 2 months ago. It was more of a makeup-removing step rather than one complete cleansing step for me. I felt weird if I didn’t follow up with a cleanser after rubbing oil all over my face. So that’s what I did for a good 2 months.

Now that I’ve had the time read up on the benefits of certain oils for the skin and that it can completely replace your current cleanser, I made the switch!

It took me a while to find the right blend for my skin. A lot of trial and error were involved but because oils are so gentle to the skin (please don't use minyak masak on your face), you hardly see any major skin reactions. Nothing cray cray. Unless you're allergic to oils, then please stop. Go away. There's nothing to see here! But for those of you who are keen to dip your cute lil toes in this gentle cleansing method then stick around!

If you're just starting out and don't want to spend a lot of money on different types of oils, here's a foolproof recipe:

1/4 Castor Oil

3/4 Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1. Mix the two oils in the palm of your hands and massage it into your skin. Take this time to think of all your problems and get reaaaally anxious about it to increase your heart rate. BOOM. Cardio right there.

2. Soak a washcloth in hot water, wring the excess water out and place it over your face. Repeat this step at least 2 to 3 times before wiping the oil off your face.

And that's it, guys. No cool flying brushes needed. Just a washcloth and your perfect blend of oils. 

If you guys would like to know more about oils, let me know because I do have some personal favourites that I would be more than happy to share with you chickpeas!

Until my next entry!

Spread love! ♥ 

jangan malas - don't be lazy

minyak masak - cooking oil (like Seri Murni and Cap Helang)

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