Beauty Tips: How to apply mascara like a pro

I've not done any quick beauty tips for a long time and this time I want to provide some tips to enhance the eye lashes, one of our beauty accessory :) If you want to draw attention to your eyes, the key is to create full and flirty lashes other than applying eyeshadow alone. I'm a big fan of the American Reality Television Series Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Kim Kardashian's beautiful and lengthy lashes never fails to amaze me.

Here are some tricks to apply mascara to accentuate your lashes for that flirty and alluring eyes...

(a) The trick to amazing lashes is to use the blackest mascara you have. If your eyelashes are thin, use a volumizing mascara. For short lashes, use a lengthening mascara. I highly recommend Maybelline's Pulse Perfection Mascara for the lengthening effect.

(b) The eyelash curler is an essential beauty tool. Curl lashes with one firm squeeze.

(c) Then dip mascara wand into the tube just ONCE for both upper and lower lashes. Dipping too much mascara onto the wand will cause the mascara in the tube to dry quickly.

(d) To apply the mascara on the upper lashes, place the brush at the lash base and sweep upward to the tips of the lashes, working from the outer corner inward. Remember to add more at the outer corners for that sexy dramatic look.

(e) To pile mascara on lower lashes, sweep lashes from side to side with the tip of the brush, holding the wand vertically.

(f) Use as few strokes as possible to minimize clumping!

To make your lashes stand out more, line your upper waterline with a black liner to give an illusion of even fuller lashes and keep the rest of your make-up light with a faint of lip gloss and blush.

However, if you wish to achieve a face-brightening look, skip the lower lashes altogether. 

Do not be shy to use false eyelashes for that extra glamorous effect.

Good luck and have a smashing weekend :)

Bellazzia Pomegranate Body Butter Review

This is my current favorite body butter and I love it more than my The Body Shop's Cocoa Butter Body Butter . I got this as a souvenir from my brother's sweetheart when she went to Australia to visit some friends sometime last year. Thanks again Poh Leen :) I have too many body lotions and creams sitting on my vanity desk and I have only started using this recently. You can purchase this from Target or any drugstores. 

What I like about it...
- it is as sweet as my brother's girlfriend, lol! The pomegranate scent is very pleasant to my liking
- very moisturizing as it contains 20% shea butter, and for this reason, it is excellent for those with severe dry skin. My skin is starving for extra moisture lately because of the extreme hot weather and I have been spending too long hours in the air-conditioned room.
- it leaves my skin soft and smooth without greasy feeling unlike other body butters.
- keeps skin hydrated and supple all day
- reasonably priced and the packaging guarantees no wastage

What I don't like about it...
- it contains mineral oil, an ingredient that will clog pores. However, I haven't caught any body acne yet :) If you have body acne, avoid this body butter.
- it takes some time to sink into my skin thoroughly.

Size: 350mL
Price: AUD12.99 / RM42.00

The Ingredients: -

Overall ratings ...
Price: ★★★★
Product: ★★★★
Quality: ★★★★
Packaging: ★★★★

Would I buy again: Yes.

Clarins White Plus Intensive Whitening Smoothing Serum Review

I was introduced to this serum last year when I wanted to try other products other than my regular Dermalogica to lighten marks caused by hormonal acne. Therefore, I bought this serum with high hopes to transform my skin to crystal clear before I give birth.

This is what the product says...
It is an advanced skin care for a flawless complexion and skin that glows with a youthful radiance, it ensures reinforced control of pigmentation, minimizes dark spots and prevents their reappearance, firms facial features, smooths away fine lines, illuminates the complexion and restores the skin's transparent rosy glow. It is enriched with extracts of Sea Lily and Alchemilla for optimal protection against dark spots.

This what I have to say about this product... :)

Happy with it because...
- it does what it says! It did minimize my acne marks remarkably. My skin glows with lesser red marks and spots, even my gynae asked me what I have been using on my face when I went for my baby scan :) In my opinion, this serum is better than Clarins White Plus All Spots Whitening Corrector which I have also tried and reviewed here.
- it controls pigmentation. I was warned by my beautician that my skin may show signs of pigmentation due to pregnancy. Hence, I quickly invest in a product that controls pigmentation and again, this serum works! I did not have any pigmentation or dark spots during pregnancy other than marks left by acne.
- it is non-greasy, application is smooth and the serum absorbs quickly into the skin.
- most important of all, it is allergy tested and non-comedogenic. I'm wary when selecting products for my face and I always make sure it will NOT trigger acne or clog my pores.
- it brightens my skin effectively, I wore less make up when I was using this serum.

Not too happy with it because...
- I don't think it works to smooth away fine lines as stated. Then again, perhaps I didn't use this serum religiously. I have stopped using after I gave birth and this explains why I didn't list this product in my beauty profile. I will be using this serum again because I noticed pigmentation are forming under my eyes.
- it is pretty expensive but I always believe that if you want a good value for something, you need to pay for it.
- I despise the packaging! I can't open the neck of the bottle to shake out any remaining serum.

Size: 30ml / 1.06 Oz.
Price: RM260.00 / USD87.00 (approx)

Here are the ingredients: -

Overall ratings: -
Price: ★★
Product: ★★★★★
Quality: ★★★★★
Packaging: ★★

Would I buy again: Yes, this is one product I highly recommend although it is pricey.

Averine Satin Smooth Foundation Review

This is another product I have been using over the years faithfully. Prior to this foundation, I used The Body Shop oil free foundation but it caused my skin to break out horribly. I gave the Averine Satin Smooth Foundation a try since Averine products claim to be 100% safe and Skin Caring unlike many other brands. I'm impressed with this moisture-rich gel foundation, then again it has its pros and cons just like any other products. So, here are my thoughts about it...

Note: I only have 3 color swatches. I mix 2 colors, the Ivory Beige & Pink while my mom uses Fair :)

Good ...
- suitable for all skin types, even sensitive and acne-prone skin
- yes, it does care for the skin. It is not only a foundation but it also nourishes, hydrates and protects my skin. I have no doubts and am being honest!
- it is non-comedogenic, therefore it will not clog pores. I don't get pimples or acne from this foundation even if I had it on for more than 12 hours
- the texture is light, ultra-smooth and very easy to blend
- it evens out my complexion and gives my skin a sheer NATURAL finish
- smells pleasant
- it is long wearing and I never had to touch up. I just set it with loose powder and I'm ready to go.

Bad ...
- it cannot conceal severe acne marks or redness because it only gives a light to medium coverage
- leaves my skin a little oily and shiny after 3 hours, but I don't really mind because it didn't make my skin to break out. I always have facial blotters handy to absorb those shines away :)
- I dislike the packaging. I prefer tube packaging as I can cut it open and use up to the last drop!

Size: 35ml
Price: RM158.00 / USD44 (approx)
Made in Italy

Here are the ingredients: -

Overall ratings ...
Price: ★★★
Product: ★★★★
Quality: ★★★★★
Packaging: ★★★

Would I buy again: Yeah.

Coastal Scents 88 warm palette review with ALL 88 swatches!

It has been so long I have not done any cosmetic or make up reviews and I know I must review this eyeshadow palette tonight. I bought this early last year together with some brushes and gel liners. You can check out the post on my Coastal Scents Haul here if you are interested. Initially I wanted to get the 88 Ultra Shimmer Palette after watching make up tutorials from AllThatGlitters21, Elle Fowler. She came up with gorgeous eye make up tutorials using the Shimmer Palette, but considering I already have the 120 Palette, I chose this warm palette instead. On the whole, I like this palette and the reason I selected this over the rest was because the silvery blue, peach and rich plum colors caught my attention as well as the many shades of brown. Below are my views of this palette and I swatched ALL the colors in this palette for the sake of this review. Do enjoy this review and I hope the swatches are helpful to those considering to purchase this palette.

Here is the palette. Please read on for the complete review and scroll down for ALL 88 color swatches!

Love it...
- there are huge selection of brown colors to play with. If you love browns, this is the perfect palette for you
- it also has nice matte browns that can be used to fill in the brows. I always misplace my eyebrow pencil and this comes in so handy when I have no time to search for that tiny eyebrow pencil on my messy vanity desk
- there are 42 matte shades (I like matte shades) and 42 shimmer / pearl colors
- it has plenty of highlight shades to choose from matte whites to cream to soft light pinks which I truly love
- the colors are quite pigmented. For some, I do not have to keep layering or apply any base
- it has 2 black, one matte and the other shimmery. Not forgetting, the silver blue and camo green colors are truly unique and beautiful
- this palette is great for everyday neutral looks, school, work and glamorous smokey looks
- it is only USD24.95 for 88 eyeshadow colors, USD0.28 for one eyeshadow color!

Hate it...
- it contains Mineral Oil. I dislike mineral oil on my face because it clogs pores. I don't mind a little on my eyes but I would avoid mineral oil entirely on my face or neck
- some colors are chalky and there will be fallouts. So, be gentle when you dip your brush on it and always use a tissue to cover your cheeks and catch those fallouts.
- TOO many highlight, brown and similar colors. If you are a beginner and you wish to play with more colors, this is not the palette to invest on. There should be more warm blue, green, gold or bronze shades in my opinion
- got to be careful with the cover of the case because it can be broken easily.

Dimensions: -
Pot diameter is 1.6cm
The matte black case is 23.2cm x 16.6cm x 1.3cm (when closed)

Content weight: 61g / 2.15oz
Price:: USD24.95

Here are the ingredients: -

Talc, Mica, Mineral Oil, Kaolin, Titanium Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Lanolin, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, BHT. May Contain : Mica and Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Ultramarine Blue, Manganese Violet, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide, Chrome Oxide Greens, Chrome Hydroxide Green, FD&C Red No.40 Al Lake, FD&C Yellow No.5 Al Lake, FD&C Blue No.1 Al Lake

Overall ratings: -
Price: ★★★★
Product: ★★★★
Quality: ★★★★
Packaging: ★★★

Would I buy again: No, because it can last very long and I do not use it everyday. However, I will consider purchasing other Coastal Scents palette.

Here are the swatches...

Thanks for dropping by and have a wonderful day.

Averine Cover Spot Concealer Review

Last year, I tested and did a review on The Body Shop Tea Tree Concealer when I wasn't able purchase the Averine Cover Spot Concealer which I have been using all the while. The Body Shop concealer did a great job concealing my skin's imperfections and those irritating acne marks. Not long after, the Averine Cover Spot is back in stock and I got tempted to purchase this again because it is not only a concealer but it also contains healing ingredients to treat acne at the same time, just like The Body Shop tea tree concealer. Below is my review on this concealer I have been using faithfully over the years.

,

Like it...
- it contains Salicylic Acid to treat acne and Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) to nourish skin and lighten existing blemishes. In short, it is good for acne prone skin and acne marks
- conceals imperfections and at the same time it did what it claims to purify, hydrate and repair skin
- the texture is smooth, creamy and easy to blend
- it is non-comedogenic, it will not clog pores or cause acne!
- gives a good medium coverage, hence your complexion will look more natural
- evens out skin tone effortlessly


Dislike it...
- it doesn't dry up existing pimples as quickly as The Body Shop tea tree concealer
- not suitable to be used on the eye area
- doesn't provide 100% coverage. If your skin is particularly red and congested, this concealer fails to conceal flawlessly

Net wt. 4g
Price: RM68 / USD20 (approx)
Made in Italy

Here are the ingredients: -

Overall ratings ...
Price: ★★★★
Product: ★★★★
Quality: ★★★★
Packaging: ★★★★★

Would I buy again: Yes, this concealer has its drawbacks but it is suitable for me.